Investigating Task-driven Latent Feasibility for Nonconvex Image Modeling

Properly modeling latent image distributions plays an important role in a variety of image-related vision problems. Most exiting approaches aim to formulate this problem as optimization models (e.g., Maximum A Posterior, MAP) with handcrafted priors. In recent years, different CNN modules are also considered as deep priors to regularize the image modeling process. However, these explicit regularization techniques require deep understandings on the problem and elaborately mathematical skills. In this work, we provide a new perspective, named Task-driven Latent Feasibility (TLF), to incorporate specific task information to narrow down the solution space for the optimization-based image modeling problem. Thanks to the flexibility of TLF, both designed and trained constraints can be embedded into the optimization process. By introducing control mechanisms based on the monotonicity and boundedness conditions, we can also strictly prove the convergence of our proposed inference process. We demonstrate that different types of image modeling problems, such as image deblurring and rain streaks removals, can all be appropriately addressed within our TLF framework. Extensive experiments also verify the theoretical results and show the advantages of our method against existing state-of-the-art approaches.Comment: 11 pages, Accepted at IEEE TI

Coesite in Eclogite from the North Qaidam Mountains and Its Implications

Coesite provides direct evidence for ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. Although coesite has been found as inclusions in zircon in paragneiss of the north Qaidam Mountains, it has never been identified in eclogite. In this contribution, based on petrographic observations and in situ Raman microprobe spectroscopy, coesite was identified as inclusions in garnet of eclogite from the Aercituoshan, Dulan UHP metamorphic unit, north Qaidam Mountains. Coesite is partly replaced by quartz, showing a palisade texture. This is the first report on coesite in eclogite from the north Qaidam Mountains, and is also supported by garnet-omphacite-phengite geothermobarometry (2.7–3.25 GPa, 670–730°C). Coesite and its pseudomorphs have not been found in eclogites and associated rocks of other units of the north Qaidam Mountains. Further studies are required to confirm if all metamorphic units in the north Qaidam Mountains underwent the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

Comparison of a dyadic wavelet image enhancement algorithm with unsharp masking and median filtering for mammography

Image processing techniques using wavelet signal analysis techniques have shown promise in mammography. Wavelet algorithms are compared with traditional image enhancement techniques of unsharp masking and median filtering. Computer simulated phantom images were generated containing lesions mimicking masses and microcalcifications. The degree of image enhancement was evaluated by comparing processed and original signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios in such phantom images. Results obtained in this study suggest that image processing algorithms based on the wavelet transform are likely to enhance the visibility of low-contrast features in mammograms

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis contributes to the immunosuppression of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis

PCR primers used in this study. (DOC 41 kb

Investigation of the Interaction between Nafion Ionomer and Surface Functionalized Carbon Black Using Both Ultrasmall Angle X-ray Scattering and Cryo-TEM

In making a catalyst ink, the interactions between Nafion ionomer and catalyst support are the key factors that directly affect both ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity of the catalyst layer in a membrane electrode assembly. One of the major aims of this investigation is to understand the behavior of the catalyst support, Vulcan XC-72 (XC-72) aggregates, in the existence of the Nafion ionomer in a catalyst ink to fill the knowledge gap of the interaction of these components. The dispersion of catalyst ink depends not only on the solvent but also on the interaction of Nafion and carbon particles in the ink. The interaction of Nafion ionomer particles and XC-72 catalyst aggregates in liquid media was studied using ultrasmall-angle X-ray scattering and cryogenic TEM techniques. Carbon black (XC-72) and functionalized carbon black systems were introduced to study the interaction behaviors. A multiple curve fitting was used to extract the particle size and size distribution from scattering data. The results suggest that the particle size and size distribution of each system changed significantly in Nafion + XC-72 system, Nafion + NH2-XC72 system, and Nafion + SO3H-XC-72 system, which indicates that an interaction among these components (i.e., ionomer particles and XC-72 aggregates) exists. The cryogenic TEM, which allows for the observation the size of particles in a liquid, was used to validate the scattering results and shows excellent agreement