Evaluating methods for controlling depth perception in stereoscopic cinematography.

Existing stereoscopic imaging algorithms can create static stereoscopic images with perceived depth control function to ensure a compelling 3D viewing experience without visual discomfort. However, current algorithms do not normally support standard Cinematic Storytelling techniques. These techniques, such as object movement, camera motion, and zooming, can result in dynamic scene depth change within and between a series of frames (shots) in stereoscopic cinematography. In this study, we empirically evaluate the following three types of stereoscopic imaging approaches that aim to address this problem. (1) Real-Eye Configuration: set camera separation equal to the nominal human eye interpupillary distance. The perceived depth on the display is identical to the scene depth without any distortion. (2) Mapping Algorithm: map the scene depth to a predefined range on the display to avoid excessive perceived depth. A new method that dynamically adjusts the depth mapping from scene space to display space is presented in addition to an existing fixed depth mapping method. (3) Depth of Field Simulation: apply Depth of Field (DOF) blur effect to stereoscopic images. Only objects that are inside the DOF are viewed in full sharpness. Objects that are far away from the focus plane are blurred. We performed a human-based trial using the ITU-R BT.500-11 Recommendation to compare the depth quality of stereoscopic video sequences generated by the above-mentioned imaging methods. Our results indicate that viewers' practical 3D viewing volumes are different for individual stereoscopic displays and viewers can cope with much larger perceived depth range in viewing stereoscopic cinematography in comparison to static stereoscopic images. Our new dynamic depth mapping method does have an advantage over the fixed depth mapping method in controlling stereo depth perception. The DOF blur effect does not provide the expected improvement for perceived depth quality control in 3D cinematography. We anticipate the results will be of particular interest to 3D filmmaking and real time computer games

Coannihilation with a chargino and gauge boson pair production at one-loop

We present a complete calculation of the electroweak one-loop corrections to the relic density within the MSSM framework. In the context of the neutralino as dark matter candidate, we review different scenarios of annihilation and coannihilation with a chargino. In particular we investigate predictions for the annihilation into gauge boson pairs for different kinds of neutralino: bino-, wino- and higgsino-like. We present some interesting effects which are not present at tree-level and show up at one-loop. To deal with the large number of diagrams occuring in the calculations, we have developed an automatic tool for the computation at one-loop of any process in the MSSM. We have implemented a complete on-shell gauge invariant renormalization scheme, with the possibility of switching to other schemes. We emphasize the variations due to the choice of the renormalization scheme, in particular the one-loop definition of the parameter tan(beta).Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY09), Boston, USA, 5-10 June, 200

Relic density at one-loop with gauge boson pair production

We have computed the full one-loop corrections (electroweak as well as QCD) to processes contributing to the relic density of dark matter in the MSSM where the LSP is the lightest neutralino. We cover scenarios where the most important channels are those with gauge boson pair production. This includes the case of a bino with some wino admixture, a higgsino and a wino. In this paper we specialise to the case of light dark matter much below the TeV scale. The corrections can have a non-negligible impact on the predictions and should be taken into account in view of the present and forthcoming increasing precision on the relic density measurements. Our calculations are made with the help of \SloopS, an automatic tool for the calculation of one-loop processes in the MSSM. The renormalisation scheme dependence of the results as concerns \tgb is studied.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, Citations adde

Observing collapse in two colliding dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

We study the collision of two Bose-Einstein condensates with pure dipolar interaction. A stationary pure dipolar condensate is known to be stable when the atom number is below a critical value. However, collapse can occur during the collision between two condensates due to local density fluctuations even if the total atom number is only a fraction of the critical value. Using full three-dimensional numerical simulations, we observe the collapse induced by local density fluctuations. For the purpose of future experiments, we present the time dependence of the density distribution, energy per particle and the maximal density of the condensate. We also discuss the collapse time as a function of the relative phase between the two condensates.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Transport properties in resonant tunneling heterostructures

We use an adiabatic approximation in terms of instantaneous resonances to study the steady-state and time-dependent transport properties of interacting electrons in biased resonant tunneling heterostructures. This approach leads, in a natural way, to a transport model of large applicability consisting of reservoirs coupled to regions where the system is described by a nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation. From the mathematical point of view, this work is non-rigorous but may offer some fresh and interesting problems involving semiclassical approximation, adiabatic theory, non-linear Schr\"odinger equations and dynamical systems.Comment: 25 pages including 9 postscript figures; requires REVTeX 3.0, psfig; uuencoded gz-compressed .tar file; preprint 1133 April 96 Ecole Polytechnique to be published in J. Math. Phys. october 199

Gene Expression Profile Changes After Short-activating RNA-mediated Induction of Endogenous Pluripotency Factors in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

It is now recognized that small noncoding RNA sequences have the ability to mediate transcriptional activation of specific target genes in human cells. Using bioinformatics analysis and functional screening, we screened short-activating RNA (saRNA) oligonucleotides designed to target the promoter regions of the pluripotency reprogramming factors, Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and c-MYC. We identified KLF4 and c-MYC promoter-targeted saRNA sequences that consistently induced increases in their respective levels of nascent mRNA and protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, as compared with scrambled sequence control oligonucleotides. The functional consequences of saRNA-induced activation of each targeted reprogramming factor were then characterized by comprehensively profiling changes in gene expression by microarray analysis, which revealed significant increases in mRNA levels of their respective downstream pathway genes. Notably, the microarray profile after saRNA-mediated induction of endogenous KLF4 and c-MYC showed similar gene expression patterns for stem cell- and cell cycle-related genes as compared with lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of exogenous KLF4 and c-MYC transgenes, while divergent gene expression patterns common to viral vector-mediated transgene delivery were also noted. The use of promoter-targeted saRNAs for the activation of pluripotency reprogramming factors could have broad implications for stem cell research

Determination of the magnetic anisotropy axes of single-molecule magnets

Simple methods are presented allowing the determination of the magnetic anisotropy axes of a crystal of a single-molecule magnet (SMM). These methods are used to determine an upper bound of the easy axis tilts in a standard Mn12-Ac crystal. The values obtained in the present study are significately smaller than those reported in recent high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) studies which suggest distributions of hard-axes tilts.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Graphene formed on SiC under various environments: Comparison of Si-face and C-face

The morphology of graphene on SiC {0001} surfaces formed in various environments including ultra-high vacuum, 1 atm of argon, and 10^-6 to 10^-4 Torr of disilane is studied by atomic force microscopy, low-energy electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The graphene is formed by heating the surface to 1100 - 1600 C, which causes preferential sublimation of the Si atoms. The argon atmosphere or the background of disilane decreases the sublimation rate so that a higher graphitization temperature is required, thus improving the morphology of the films. For the (0001) surface, large areas of monolayer-thick graphene are formed in this way, with the size of these areas depending on the miscut of the sample. Results on the (000-1) surface are more complex. This surface graphitizes at a lower temperature than for the (0001) surface and consequently the growth is more three-dimensional. In an atmosphere of argon the morphology becomes even worse, with the surface displaying markedly inhomogeneous nucleation, an effect attributed to unintentional oxidation of the surface during graphitization. Use of a disilane environment for the (000-1) surface is found to produce improved morphology, with relatively large areas of monolayer-thick graphene.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figures, Proceedings of STEG-2 Conference; eliminated Figs. 4 and 7 from version 1, for brevity, and added Refs. 18, 29, 30, 31 together with associated discussio