Hybrid Focal Stereo Networks for Pattern Analysis in Homogeneous Scenes

In this paper we address the problem of multiple camera calibration in the presence of a homogeneous scene, and without the possibility of employing calibration object based methods. The proposed solution exploits salient features present in a larger field of view, but instead of employing active vision we replace the cameras with stereo rigs featuring a long focal analysis camera, as well as a short focal registration camera. Thus, we are able to propose an accurate solution which does not require intrinsic variation models as in the case of zooming cameras. Moreover, the availability of the two views simultaneously in each rig allows for pose re-estimation between rigs as often as necessary. The algorithm has been successfully validated in an indoor setting, as well as on a difficult scene featuring a highly dense pilgrim crowd in Makkah.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Machine Vision and Application

Ectodermal Influx and Cell Hypertrophy Provide Early Growth for All Murine Mammary Rudiments, and Are Differentially Regulated among Them by Gli3

Mammary gland development starts in utero with one or several pairs of mammary rudiments (MRs) budding from the surface ectodermal component of the mammalian embryonic skin. Mice develop five pairs, numbered MR1 to MR5 from pectoral to inguinal position. We have previously shown that Gli3Xt-J/Xt-J mutant embryos, which lack the transcription factor Gli3, do not form MR3 and MR5. We show here that two days after the MRs emerge, Gli3Xt-J/Xt-J MR1 is 20% smaller, and Gli3Xt-J/Xt-J MR2 and MR4 are 50% smaller than their wild type (wt) counterparts. Moreover, while wt MRs sink into the underlying dermis, Gli3Xt-J/Xt-J MR4 and MR2 protrude outwardly, to different extents. To understand why each of these five pairs of functionally identical organs has its own, distinct response to the absence of Gli3, we determined which cellular mechanisms regulate growth of the individual MRs, and whether and how Gli3 regulates these mechanisms. We found a 5.5 to 10.7-fold lower cell proliferation rate in wt MRs compared to their adjacent surface ectoderm, indicating that MRs do not emerge or grow via locally enhanced cell proliferation. Cell-tracing experiments showed that surface ectodermal cells are recruited toward the positions where MRs emerge, and contribute to MR growth during at least two days. During the second day of MR development, peripheral cells within the MRs undergo hypertrophy, which also contributes to MR growth. Limited apoptotic cell death counterbalances MR growth. The relative contribution of each of these processes varies among the five MRs. Furthermore, each of these processes is impaired in the absence of Gli3, but to different extents in each MR. This differential involvement of Gli3 explains the variation in phenotype among Gli3Xt-J/Xt-J MRs, and may help to understand the variation in numbers and positions of mammary glands among mammals

SocialSync: Sub-Frame Synchronization in a Smartphone Camera Network

Abstract. SocialSync is a sub-frame synchronization protocol for cap-turing images simultaneously using a smartphone camera network. By synchronizing image captures to within a frame period, multiple smart-phone cameras, which are often in use in social settings, can be used for a variety of applications including light field capture, depth estimation, and free viewpoint television. Currently, smartphone camera networks are limited to capturing static scenes due to motion artifacts caused by frame misalignment. To overcome this synchronization challenge, we first characterize frame capture on Android devices by analyzing the statistics of camera setup latency and frame delivery to the software application. Next, we develop the SocialSync protocol to achieve sub-frame synchro-nization between devices by estimating frame capture timestamps mil-lisecond accuracy. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of SocialSync on mobile devices by reducing motion-induced artifacts when recovering the light field

Prediction of Solar Energy Potential with Artificial Neural Networks

The energy requirements have been met from fossil fuels since the early 1800s. Considering the environmental awareness and limited fossil resources, using renewable energy resources are compulsory to meet the increasing energy demand. Solar and wind energy, biofuels, and natural gas are leading ones. Solar energy is an effective and clean energy source compared in terms of sustainability, reliability, and economy. In the maritime sector, eco-friendly and sustainable qualities are sought in all of the efforts to reduce costs. Therefore, in many maritime fields, solar energy is used as an alternative energy source. The purpose of this study is achieving maximum efficiency from solar panels by using optimization technique. The energy estimation was performed by artificial neural networks method on solar panels based on weather changes in Izmir Gulf. The results are compared with the "Renewable Energy General Administration" data of Turkey. As a result, the obtained data will be informative to the researcher who will study solar energy's maritime applications. Besides, this study will be a possible source to make comparisons with similar solar energy studies