Analysis and identification of possible automation approaches for embedded systems design flows

Sophisticated and high performance embedded systems are present in an increasing number of application domains. In this context, formal-based design methods have been studied to make the development process robust and scalable. Models of computation (MoC) allows the modeling of an application at a high abstraction level by using a formal base. This enables analysis before the application moves to the implementation phase. Different tools and frameworks supporting MoCs have been developed. Some of them can simulate the models and also verify their functionality and feasibility before the next design steps. In view of this, we present a novel method for analysis and identification of possible automation approaches applicable to embedded systems design flow supported by formal models of computation. A comprehensive case study shows the potential and applicability of our method11212

Objective No-Reference Stereoscopic Image Quality Prediction Based on 2D Image Features and Relative Disparity

Stereoscopic images are widely used to enhance the viewing experience of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and communication system. In this paper, we propose an image feature and disparity dependent quality evaluation metric, which incorporates human visible system characteristics. We believe perceived distortions and disparity of any stereoscopic image are strongly dependent on local features, such as edge (i.e., nonplane areas of an image) and nonedge (i.e., plane areas of an image) areas within the image. Therefore, a no-reference perceptual quality assessment method is developed for JPEG coded stereoscopic images based on segmented local features of distortions and disparity. Local feature information such as edge and non-edge area based relative disparity estimation, as well as the blockiness and the edge distortion within the block of images are evaluated in this method. Subjective stereo image database is used for evaluation of the metric. The subjective experiment results indicate that our metric has sufficient prediction performance

Nonconcave entropies in multifractals and the thermodynamic formalism

We discuss a subtlety involved in the calculation of multifractal spectra when these are expressed as Legendre-Fenchel transforms of functions analogous to free energy functions. We show that the Legendre-Fenchel transform of a free energy function yields the correct multifractal spectrum only when the latter is wholly concave. If the spectrum has no definite concavity, then the transform yields the concave envelope of the spectrum rather than the spectrum itself. Some mathematical and physical examples are given to illustrate this result, which lies at the root of the nonequivalence of the microcanonical and canonical ensembles. On a more positive note, we also show that the impossibility of expressing nonconcave multifractal spectra through Legendre-Fenchel transforms of free energies can be circumvented with the help of a generalized free energy function, which relates to a recently introduced generalized canonical ensemble. Analogies with the calculation of rate functions in large deviation theory are finally discussed.Comment: 9 pages, revtex4, 3 figures. Changes in v2: sections added on applications plus many new references; contains an addendum not contained in published versio

Why is TeV-scale a geometric mean of neutrino mass and GUT-scale?

Among three typical energy scales, a neutrino mass scale ($m_\nu\sim$ 0.1 eV), a GUT scale ($M_{GUT}\sim 10^{16}$ GeV), and a TeV-scale ($M_{NP}\sim 1$ TeV), there is a fascinating relation of $M_{NP}\simeq \sqrt{m_\nu\cdot M_{GUT}}$. The TeV-scale, $M_{NP}$, is a new physics scale beyond the standard model which is regarded as supersymmetry in this letter. We suggest a simple supersymmetric neutrinophilic Higgs doublet model, which realizes the above relation dynamically as well as the suitable $m_\nu$ through a tiny vacuum expectation value of neutrinophilic Higgs without additional scales other than $M_{NP}$ and $M_{GUT}$. A gauge coupling unification, which is an excellent feature in the supersymmetric standard model, is preserved automatically in this setup.Comment: 7 page

Diagnostic test accuracy of ultrasonography for synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective. To evaluate diagnostic test accuracy of US compared with MRI for the detection of synovitis in RA patients. Methods. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Studies evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of US for synovitis detected by MRI as the reference standard for wrist, MCP, PIP and knee joints were included. To assess the overall accuracy, we calculated the diagnostic odds ratio using a DerSimonian–Laird random effects model and the area under the curve (AUC) for the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics using Holling’s proportional hazards models. The summary estimate of the sensitivity and specificity were obtained using the bivariate model. Results. Fourteen of 601 identified articles were included in the review. The diagnostic odds ratio was 11.6 (95% CI 5.6, 24; I2 = 0%), 28 (95% CI 12, 66; I2 = 11%), 23 (95% CI 6.5, 84; I2 = 19%) and 5.3 (95% CI 0.60, 48; I2 = 0%) and the AUC was 0.81, 0.91, 0.91 and 0.61 for wrist, MCP, PIP and knee joints, respectively. The summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 0.73 (95% CI 0.51, 0.87)/0.78 (95% CI 0.46, 0.94), 0.64 (95% CI 0.43, 0.81)/0.93 (95% CI 0.88, 0.97), 0.71 (95% CI 0.33, 0.93)/0.94 (95% CI 0.89, 0.97) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.56, 0.99)/0.60 (95% CI 0.20, 0.90) for wrist, MCP, PIP and knee joints, respectively. Conclusion. US is a valid and reproducible technique for detecting synovitis in the wrist and finger joints. It may be considered for routine use as part of the standard diagnostic tools in RA

Detailed Analysis of Japanese Population Substructure with a Focus on the Southwest Islands of Japan

Uncovering population structure is important for properly conducting association studies and for examining the demographic history of a population. Here, we examined the Japanese population substructure using data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC), which covers all but the northern region of Japan. Using 222 autosomal loci from 4502 subjects, we investigated population substructure by estimating FST among populations, testing population differentiation, and performing principal component analysis (PCA) and correspondence analysis (CA). All analyses revealed a low but significant differentiation between the Amami Islanders and the mainland Japanese population. Furthermore, we examined the genetic differentiation between the mainland population, Amami Islanders and Okinawa Islanders using six loci included in both the Pan-Asian SNP (PASNP) consortium data and the J-MICC data. This analysis revealed that the Amami and Okinawa Islanders were differentiated from the mainland population. In conclusion, we revealed a low but significant level of genetic differentiation between the mainland population and populations in or to the south of the Amami Islands, although genetic variation between both populations might be clinal. Therefore, the possibility of population stratification must be considered when enrolling the islander population of this area, such as in the J-MICC study