AnyLens: A Generative Diffusion Model with Any Rendering Lens

State-of-the-art diffusion models can generate highly realistic images based on various conditioning like text, segmentation, and depth. However, an essential aspect often overlooked is the specific camera geometry used during image capture. The influence of different optical systems on the final scene appearance is frequently overlooked. This study introduces a framework that intimately integrates a text-to-image diffusion model with the particular lens geometry used in image rendering. Our method is based on a per-pixel coordinate conditioning method, enabling the control over the rendering geometry. Notably, we demonstrate the manipulation of curvature properties, achieving diverse visual effects, such as fish-eye, panoramic views, and spherical texturing using a single diffusion model

Single Instance Self-Masking via Permutations

Self-masking allows the masking of success criteria, part of a problem instance (such as the sum in a subset-sum instance) that restricts the number of solutions. Self-masking is used to prevent the leakage of helpful information to attackers; while keeping the original solution valid and, at the same time, not increasing the number of unplanned solutions. Self-masking can be achieved by xoring the sums of two (or more) independent subset sum instances \cite{DD20, CDM22}, and by doing so, eliminate all known attacks that use the value of the sum of the subset to find the subset fast, namely, in a polynomial time; much faster than the naive exponential exhaustive search. We demonstrate that the concept of self-masking can be applied to a single instance of the subset sum and a single instance of the permuted secret-sharing polynomials. We further introduce the benefit of permuting the bits of the success criteria, avoiding leakage of information on the value of the $i$\u27th bit of the success criteria, in the case of a single instance, or the parity of the $i$\u27th bit of the success criteria in the case of several instances. In the case of several instances, we permute the success criteria bits of each instance prior to xoring them with each other. One basic permutation and its nesting versions (e.g., $\pi^i$) are used, keeping the solution space small and at the same time, attempting to create an ``all or nothing\u27\u27 effect, where the result of a wrong $\pi$ trials does not imply much

Dynamic assessment of the tear film muco-aqueous and lipid layers using a novel tear film imager (TFI)

Purpose The objective of the study was to assess a new technology, the tear film imager (TFI), which can dynamically image the muco-aqueous and lipid layers. Methods Prospective pilot case series of individuals with and without dry eye (DE). Two sequential images were obtained with the TFI. Measurements were assessed for reproducibility and compared with clinically derived DE metrics. Individuals were grouped into DE categories based on signs of DE. Results 49 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 58.8 years (SD 15.9) and a female majority (69%). Reproducibility of the muco-aqueous layer thickness (MALT) was excellent (r=0.88). MALT measurements significantly correlated with the Schirmer score (r=0.31). Lipid break up time (LBUT) as measured by the TFI significantly correlated with the clinical measure of tear break up time (TBUT) (r=0.73). MALT and LBUT were significantly thinner and shorter, respectively, in the DE groups (mild–moderate and severe) compared with the control group. When comparing TFI parameters to clinically assessed signs, sensitivity of the device was 87% and specificity was 88%. Conclusion The TFI is the first machine capable of reproducibly measuring muco-aqueous thickness in human subjects which correlates with Schirmer score. In parallel, it assesses other important aspects of tear film function which correlate with clinician assessed DE metrics

A quantum Szilard engine for two-level systems coupled to a qubit

The innate complexity of solid state physics exposes superconducting quantum circuits to interactions with uncontrolled degrees of freedom degrading their coherence. By using a simple stabilization sequence we show that a superconducting fluxonium qubit is coupled to a two-level system (TLS) environment of unknown origin, with a relatively long energy relaxation time exceeding $50\,\text{ms}$. Implementing a quantum Szilard engine with an active feedback control loop allows us to decide whether the qubit heats or cools its TLS environment. The TLSs can be cooled down resulting in a four times lower qubit population, or they can be heated to manifest themselves as a negative temperature environment corresponding to a qubit population of $\sim 80\,\%$. We show that the TLSs and the qubit are each other's dominant loss mechanism and that the qubit relaxation is independent of the TLS populations. Understanding and mitigating TLS environments is therefore not only crucial to improve qubit lifetimes but also to avoid non-Markovian qubit dynamics

Antibiotic Cocktail for Pediatric Acute Severe Colitis and the Microbiome : The PRASCO Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Alterations in the microbiome have been postulated to drive inflammation in IBD. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of quadruple antibiotic cocktail in addition to intravenous-corticosteroids (IVCSs) in acute severe colitis (ASC). Methods: Hospitalized children with ASC (pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index [PUCAI] >= 65) were randomized into 2 arms: the first received antibiotics in addition to IVCS (amoxicillin, vancomycin, metronidazole, doxycycline/ciprofloxacin [IVCS+AB]), whereas the other received only IVCS for 14 days. The primary outcome was disease activity (PUCAI) at day 5. Microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene and metagenome. Results: Twenty-eight children were included: 16 in the AB + IVCS arm and 12 in the IVCS arm (mean age 13.9 +/- 4.1 years and 23 [82%] with extensive colitis). The mean day-5 PUCAI was 25 +/- 16.7 vs 40.4 +/- 20.4, respectively (P = 0.037). Only 3 and 2 children, respectively, required colectomy during 1-year follow-up (P = 0.89). Microbiome data at time of admission were analyzed for 25 children, of whom 17 (68%) had a predominant bacterial species (>33% abundance); response was not associated with the specific species, whereas decreased microbiome diversity at admission was associated with day-5 response in the IVCS arm. Conclusion: Patients with ASC have alterations in the microbiome characterized by loss of diversity and presence of predominant bacterial species. Quadruple therapy in addition to IVCS improved disease activity on day 5, but larger studies are needed to determine whether this is associated with improved long-term outcomes.Peer reviewe