Perceptually-Motivated Coded Apertures

Computational perception techniques are gaining increasing importance in all different steps of the imaging pipeline, from data capture to final display. The goal of these techniques is usually the same: to minimize visible errors in the final image. We present a method to compute coded apertures for defocus deblurring that takes into account human perception to obtain the optimal aperture pattern. We pose the problem of finding the optimal aperture as an optimization, and -to our knowledge- propose the first algorithm that makes use of perceptual quality metrics in its objective function. We explore the performance of different quality metrics for the design of such coded apertures, including the well-established SSIM, the state-of-the-art HDR-VDP-2, which features a comprehensive model of the HVS, as well as the L2 norm, previously used in related works.Our results outperform both conventional circular apertures and a previously published aperture pattern specifically designed for defocus deblurring [1], both in simulated and real scenarios (see Figures 1 and 2). The best apertures are obtained when a combination of the three metrics is used in the objective function. This work has been recently accepted for publication at the Computer Graphics Forum [2]

The intrinsic bayes factor described by an example

The Intrinsic Bayes Factor (IBF) has been recently introduced by Berger and Pericchi (1996) for automatic model selection and hypothesis testing in a Bayesian framework. A major result is the existence, in hypothesis testing problems, of an Intrinsic Proper Prior (JPP) that can be obtained from the IBF in an automatic way. In this article we describe the IBF and compute the IPP in a simple example. It is the hope that the present article will help in making Bayesian methods more widely used for Testing Hypothesis

Perturbed Angular Correlation Studies in SrTi0₃ Single Crystals

The quadrupole hyperfine interactions of ^111Cd/^111 probe nuclei in single-crystalline SrTiO₃ perovskite samples were investigated using Perturbed Angular Correlation spectroscopy. Three electric field gradients were detected and their fractions and hyperfine parameters were measured in the temperature range from 26 to 700 K. The fraction f₀ having a vanishing quadrupole frequency, as expected for ^111Cd on substitutional sites in a cubic lattice, starts to develop around 300 K and reaches 100% at 700 K. Two well-defined EFG's having closely lying quadrupole frequencies and asymmetry parameters of ω_(Q1) = 49.1(3) Mrad/s, η_(1) = 0.10(2) and ω_(Q2) = 51 8(3) Mrad/s, η_(2)= 0.12(2), at room temperature, were identified in the temperature range from 250 to 530 K, and their (100) orientation in the lattice was determined. They are associated with electronic defects at the probe atoms

Plankton Taxonomic and Size Diversity of Mediterranean Brackish Ponds in Spring: Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Factors

In this study, performed in Mediterranean brackish ponds during spring season, we assessed the effects of biotic interactions and abiotic factors on the size and taxonomic structure of the phytoplankton and zooplankton. We used a taxonomic and a size diversity index as a descriptor of the community structure. We predicted that the size diversity of each trophic level would be mainly related to biotic interactions, such as size-based fish predation (in the case of zooplankton) and food resource availability (in the case of phytoplankton), whereas taxonomic diversity would be more affected by abiotic variables (e.g., conductivity, pond morphology). Our results showed a negative relationship between phytoplankton size diversity and food resource availability leading to low size diversities under food scarcity due to dominance of small species. Conductivity also negatively affected the phytoplankton size diversity, although slightly. Regarding zooplankton size diversity, none of predictors tested seemed to influence this index. Similar fish size diversities among ponds may prevent a significant effect of fish predation on size diversity of zooplankton. As expected, taxonomic diversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton was related to abiotic variables (specifically pond morphometry) rather than biotic interactions, which are usually body size dependent, especially in these species-poor brackish environments

Photoactivation of the cytotoxic properties of platinum(II) complexes through ligand photoswitching

The development of photoactivatable metal complexes with potential anticancer properties is a topical area of current investigation. Photoactivated chemotherapy using coordination compounds is typically based on photochemical processes occurring at the metal center. In the present study, an innovative approach is applied that takes advantage of the remarkable photochemical properties of diarylethenes. Following a proof-of-concept study with two complexes, namely, C1 and C2, a series of additional platinum(II) complexes from dithienylcyclopentene-based ligands was designed and prepared. Like C1 and C2, these new coordination compounds exhibit two thermally stable, interconvertible photoisomers that display distinct properties. The photochemical behavior of ligands L3-L7 has been analyzed by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies. Subsequently, the corresponding platinum(II) complexes C3-C7 were synthesized and fully characterized, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction for some of them. Next, the interaction of each photoisomer (i.e., containing the open or closed ligand) of the metal complexes with DNA was examined thoroughly using various techniques, revealing their distinct DNA-binding modes and affinities, as observed for the earlier compounds C1 and C2. The antiproliferative activity of the two forms of the complexes was then assessed with five cancer cell lines and compared with that of C1 and C2, which supported the use of such diarylethene-based systems for the generation of a new class of potential photochemotherapeutic metallodrugs

Structural and magnetic characterization of oleic acid and oleylamine-capped gold nanoparticles

In this work the study of oleic acid and oleylamine-capped gold nanoparticles is presented. The structural characterization of the sample shows 6.7 nm gold nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The experimental optical absorption spectrum has a maximum at 2.35 eV. The calculated optical absorption spectrum is shifted and narrower than the experimental one, indicating that the oleic acid and oleylamine do not merely passivate the metallic nanoparticles but modify its electronic structure. These gold nanoparticles show in addition a kind of magnetic order similar to other organic passivated gold nanoparticles as thiol-capped gold nanoparticles. Although the magnetic interactions seem to be weaker than in thiol-capped ones, the magnetic behavior looks similar to that, i.e., an invariant temperature dependence of the magnetization from 5 to 300 K and a noticeable coercive field. We analyze the influence of the organic layer bonding the nanoparticles on the magnetic behavior. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.Financial support from the Spanish MCyT under Project No. MAT2002–04246-c05–05 and CAM under Project No. S-0505/MAT/0194 are acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Magneto-resistive coefficient enhancement observed around Verwey-like transition on spinel ferrites XFe₂O₄ (X = Mn, Zn)

Manganese and Zinc ferrites were prepared by solid state reaction. The resulting powders were pressed into pellets and heat treated at 1100 ⁰C. The samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, pure phases of zinc ferrite (ZnFe²O₄) and manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a good contact between particles. A drop of electrical resistance was found in both samples, MnFe₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄, with values going from 2750 to 130 Ω and from 1100 to 55 Ω, respectively. Transition temperatures were determined to be Tv = 225 K for MnFe₂O₄ and Tv = 130 K for ZnFe₂O₄. Magnetoresistance measurements were carried out in the temperature range where R showed the transition, defined as the Verwey-like transition temperature range, ∆Tv. No magnetoresistive effect was observed out of it. The magnetoresistive coefficient (MRC) observed at ∆Tv reached its maximum values of 1.1% for MnFe₂O₄ and 6.68% for ZnFe₂O₄. The differences between MRC values are related to the divalent metal element used. Finally, the magnetoresistive response indicates that the electrical transition observed is strongly influencing the magnetoresistance; where the underlying responsible for this behavior could be a charge reordering occurring at the Verwey-like transition temperature

Structural and magnetic characterization of oleic acid and oleylamine-capped gold nanoparticles

In this work the study of oleic acid and oleylamine-capped gold nanoparticles is presented. The structural characterization of the sample shows 6.7 nm gold nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The experimental optical absorption spectrum has a maximum at 2.35 eV. The calculated optical absorption spectrum is shifted and narrower than the experimental one, indicating that the oleic acid and oleylamine do not merely passivate the metallic nanoparticles but modify its electronic structure. These gold nanoparticles show in addition a kind of magnetic order similar to other organic passivated gold nanoparticles as thiol-capped gold nanoparticles. Although the magnetic interactions seem to be weaker than in thiol-capped ones, the magnetic behavior looks similar to that, i.e., an invariant temperature dependence of the magnetization from 5 to 300 K and a noticeable coercive field. We analyze the influence of the organic layer bonding the nanoparticles on the magnetic behavior