332 research outputs found
Stellar classification from single-band imaging using machine learning
Information on the spectral types of stars is of great interest in view of
the exploitation of space-based imaging surveys. In this article, we
investigate the classification of stars into spectral types using only the
shape of their diffraction pattern in a single broad-band image. We propose a
supervised machine learning approach to this endeavour, based on principal
component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction, followed by artificial
neural networks (ANNs) estimating the spectral type. Our analysis is performed
with image simulations mimicking the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced
Camera for Surveys (ACS) in the F606W and F814W bands, as well as the Euclid
VIS imager. We first demonstrate this classification in a simple context,
assuming perfect knowledge of the point spread function (PSF) model and the
possibility of accurately generating mock training data for the machine
learning. We then analyse its performance in a fully data-driven situation, in
which the training would be performed with a limited subset of bright stars
from a survey, and an unknown PSF with spatial variations across the detector.
We use simulations of main-sequence stars with flat distributions in spectral
type and in signal-to-noise ratio, and classify these stars into 13 spectral
subclasses, from O5 to M5. Under these conditions, the algorithm achieves a
high success rate both for Euclid and HST images, with typical errors of half a
spectral class. Although more detailed simulations would be needed to assess
the performance of the algorithm on a specific survey, this shows that stellar
classification from single-band images is well possible.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, accepted in A&
Evaluating the effect of stellar multiplicity on the PSF of space-based weak lensing surveys
The next generation of space-based telescopes used for weak lensing surveys
will require exquisite point spread function (PSF) determination. Previously
negligible effects may become important in the reconstruction of the PSF, in
part because of the improved spatial resolution. In this paper, we show that
unresolved multiple star systems can affect the ellipticity and size of the PSF
and that this effect is not cancelled even when using many stars in the
reconstruction process. We estimate the error in the reconstruction of the PSF
due to the binaries in the star sample both analytically and with image
simulations for different PSFs and stellar populations. The simulations support
our analytical finding that the error on the size of the PSF is a function of
the multiple stars distribution and of the intrinsic value of the size of the
PSF, i.e. if all stars were single. Similarly, the modification of each of the
complex ellipticity components (e1,e2) depends on the distribution of multiple
stars and on the intrinsic complex ellipticity. Using image simulations, we
also show that the predicted error in the PSF shape is a theoretical limit that
can be reached only if large number of stars (up to thousands) are used
together to build the PSF at any desired spatial position. For a lower number
of stars, the PSF reconstruction is worse. Finally, we compute the effect of
binarity for different stellar magnitudes and show that bright stars alter the
PSF size and ellipticity more than faint stars. This may affect the design of
PSF calibration strategies and the choice of the related calibration fields.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted in A&
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks as strong gravitational lens detectors
Future large-scale surveys with high resolution imaging will provide us with
a few new strong galaxy-scale lenses. These strong lensing systems
however will be contained in large data amounts which are beyond the capacity
of human experts to visually classify in a unbiased way. We present a new
strong gravitational lens finder based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs).
The method was applied to the Strong Lensing challenge organised by the Bologna
Lens Factory. It achieved first and third place respectively on the space-based
data-set and the ground-based data-set. The goal was to find a fully automated
lens finder for ground-based and space-based surveys which minimizes human
inspect. We compare the results of our CNN architecture and three new
variations ("invariant" "views" and "residual") on the simulated data of the
challenge. Each method has been trained separately 5 times on 17 000 simulated
images, cross-validated using 3 000 images and then applied to a 100 000 image
test set. We used two different metrics for evaluation, the area under the
receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) score and the recall with no
false positive (). For ground based data our
best method achieved an AUC score of and a
of . For space-based data our best
method achieved an AUC score of and a
of . On space-based data adding dihedral invariance to the CNN
architecture diminished the overall score but achieved a higher no
contamination recall. We found that using committees of 5 CNNs produce the best
recall at zero contamination and consistenly score better AUC than a single
CNN. We found that for every variation of our CNN lensfinder, we achieve AUC
scores close to within .Comment: 9 pages, accepted to A&
The potential use of ephedrine in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: Clinical and electrophysiological evaluation
Toxic and drug-induced peripheral neuropathies: updates on causes, mechanisms and management.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses publications highlighting current research on toxic, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies (CIPNs), and drug-induced peripheral neuropathies (DIPNs).
RECENT FINDINGS: The emphasis in clinical studies is on the early detection and grading of peripheral neuropathies, whereas recent studies in animal models have given insights into molecular mechanisms, with the discovery of novel neuronal, axonal, and Schwann cell targets. Some substances trigger inflammatory changes in the peripheral nerves. Pharmacogenetic techniques are underway to identify genes that may help to predict individuals at higher risk of developing DIPNs. Several papers have been published on chemoprotectants; however, to date, this approach has not been shown effective in clinical trials.
SUMMARY: Both length and nonlength-dependent neuropathies are encountered, including small-fiber involvement. The introduction of new diagnostic techniques, such as excitability studies, skin laser Doppler flowmetry, and pharmacogenetics, holds promise for early detection and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. New approaches to improve functions and quality of life in CIPN patients are discussed. Apart from developing less neurotoxic anticancer therapies, there is still hope to identify chemoprotective agents (erythropoietin and substances involved in the endocannabinoid system are promising) able to prevent or correct painful CIPNs
COSMOGRAIL: the COSmological MOnitoring of GRAvItational Lenses XV. Assessing the achievability and precision of time-delay measurements
COSMOGRAIL is a long-term photometric monitoring of gravitationally lensed
QSOs aimed at implementing Refsdal's time-delay method to measure cosmological
parameters, in particular H0. Given long and well sampled light curves of
strongly lensed QSOs, time-delay measurements require numerical techniques
whose quality must be assessed. To this end, and also in view of future
monitoring programs or surveys such as the LSST, a blind signal processing
competition named Time Delay Challenge 1 (TDC1) was held in 2014. The aim of
the present paper, which is based on the simulated light curves from the TDC1,
is double. First, we test the performance of the time-delay measurement
techniques currently used in COSMOGRAIL. Second, we analyse the quantity and
quality of the harvest of time delays obtained from the TDC1 simulations. To
achieve these goals, we first discover time delays through a careful inspection
of the light curves via a dedicated visual interface. Our measurement
algorithms can then be applied to the data in an automated way. We show that
our techniques have no significant biases, and yield adequate uncertainty
estimates resulting in reduced chi2 values between 0.5 and 1.0. We provide
estimates for the number and precision of time-delay measurements that can be
expected from future time-delay monitoring campaigns as a function of the
photometric signal-to-noise ratio and of the true time delay. We make our blind
measurements on the TDC1 data publicly availableComment: 11 pages, 8 figures, published in Astronomy & Astrophysic
Pallidal hyperintensities - a coincidental finding of clinical relevance in Miller Fisher syndrome.
Pallidal hyperintensities--a coincidental finding of clinical relevance in Miller Fisher syndrom
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Ground-penetrating radar insight into a coastal aquifer: the freshwater lens of Borkum Island
Freshwater lenses, as important resource for drinking water, are sensitive to climate changes and sea level rise. To simulate this impact on the groundwater systems, hydraulic subsurface models have to be designed. Geophysical techniques can provide information for generating realistic models. The aim of our work is to show how ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigations can contribute to such hydrological simulations. In the pilot area, Borkum island, GPR was used to map the shape of the groundwater table (GWT) and to characterise the aquifer.
In total, 20 km of constant offset (CO) profiles were measured with centre frequencies of 80 and 200 MHz. Wave velocities were determined by common midpoint (CMP) measurements and vertical radar profiling (VRP) in a monitoring well. The 80 MHz CO data show a clear reflection at the groundwater table, whereas the reflection is weaker for the 200 MHz data. After correcting the GPR water tables for the capillary rise, they are in good accordance with the pressure heads of the observation wells in the area. In the centre of the island, the groundwater table is found up to 3.5 m above sea level, however it is lower towards the coastline and marshland. Some local depressions are observed in the region of dune valleys and around pumping stations of the local water supplier. GPR also reveals details within the sediments and highly-permeable aeolian sands can be distinguished from less-permeable marine sediments. Further, a silt loam layer below the water table could be mapped on a large area. The reflection characteristics indicates scattered erosion channels in this layer that cause it to be an aquitard with some leakage.
GPR provides a high resolution map of the groundwater table and insight into the stratigraphy of the sediments and their hydraulic properties. This is valuable complementary information to the observation of sparsely distributed monitoring wells as input to hydraulic simulation
Ground-penetrating radar insight into a coastal aquifer: The freshwater lens of Borkum Island
Freshwater lenses, as important resource for drinking water, are sensitive to climate changes and sea level rise. To simulate this impact on the groundwater systems, hydraulic subsurface models have to be designed. Geophysical techniques can provide information for generating realistic models. The aim of our work is to show how groundpenetrating radar (GPR) investigations can contribute to such hydrological simulations. In the pilot area, Borkum island, GPR was used to map the shape of the groundwater table (GWT) and to characterise the aquifer. In total, 20 km of constant offset (CO) profiles were measured with centre frequencies of 80 and 200 MHz. Wave velocities were determined by common midpoint (CMP) measurements and vertical radar profiling (VRP) in a monitoring well. The 80MHz CO data show a clear reflection at the groundwater table, whereas the reflection is weaker for the 200MHz data. After correcting the GPR water tables for the capillary rise, they are in good accordance with the pressure heads of the observation wells in the area. In the centre of the island, the groundwater table is found up to 3.5m above sea level, however it is lower towards the coastline and marshland. Some local depressions are observed in the region of dune valleys and around pumping stations of the local water supplier. GPR also reveals details within the sediments and highly-permeable aeolian sands can be distinguished from less-permeable marine sediments. Further, a silt loam layer below the water table could be mapped on a large area. The reflection characteristics indicates scattered erosion channels in this layer that cause it to be an aquitard with some leakage. GPR provides a high resolution map of the groundwater table and insight into the stratigraphy of the sediments and their hydraulic properties. This is valuable complementary information to the observation of sparsely distributed monitoring wells as input to hydraulic simulation
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