129 research outputs found
Real-time embedded video denoiser prototype
International audienceLow light or other poor visibility conditions often generate noise on any vision system. However, video denoising requires a lot of computational effort and most of the state-of-the-art algorithms cannot be run in real-time at camera framerate. Noisy video is thus a major issue especially for embedded systems that provide low computational power. This article presents a new real-time video denoising algorithm for embedded platforms called RTE-VD [1]. We first compare its denoising capabilities with other online and offline algorithms. We show that RTE-VD can achieve real-time performance (25 frames per second) for qHD video (960x540 pixels) on embedded CPUs with an output image quality comparable to state-of-the-art algorithms. In order to reach real-time denoising, we applied several high-level transforms and optimizations. We study the relation between computation time and power consumption on several embedded CPUs and show that it is possible to determine find out frequency and core configurations in order to minimize either the computation time or the energy. Finally, we introduce VIRTANS our embedded real-time video denoiser based on RTE-VD
A New Real-Time Embedded Video Denoising Algorithm
International audienceMany embedded applications rely on video processing or on video visualization. Noisy video is thus a major issue for such applications. However, video denoising requires a lot of computational effort and most of the state-of-the-art algorithms cannot be run in real-time at camera framerate. This article introduces a new real-time video denoising algorithm for embedded platforms called RTE-VD. We first compare its denoising capabilities with other online and offline algorithms. We show that RTE-VD can achieve real-time performance (25 frames per second) for qHD video (960×540 pixels) on embedded CPUs and the output image quality is comparable to state-of-the-art algorithms. In order to reach real-time denoising, we applied several high-level transforms and optimizations (SIMDization, multi-core parallelization, operator fusion and pipelining). We study the relation between computation time and power consumption on several embedded CPUs and show that it is possible to determine different frequency and core configurations in order to minimize either the computation time or the energy
Time to better integrate paleoecological research infrastructures with neoecology to improve understanding of biodiversity long-term dynamics and to inform future conservation
Anthropogenic pressures are causing a global decline in biodiversity. Successful attempts at biodiversity conservation requires an understanding of biodiversity patterns as well as the drivers and processes that determine those patterns. To deepen this knowledge, neoecologists have focused on studying present-day or recent historical data, while paleoecologists usually study long-term data through the composition of various biological proxies and environmental indicators. By establishing standard protocols or gathering databases, research infrastructures (RIs) have been instrumental to foster exchange and collaboration among scientists within neoecology (e.g. Global Information Biodiversity Facility or National Ecological Observatory Network) and paleoecology (e.g. Paleobiology Database, Neotoma Paleoecology Database or European Pollen Database). However, these two subdisciplines (and their RIs) have traditionally remained segregated although both provide valuable information that combined can improve our understanding of biodiversity drivers and underlying processes, as well as our predictions of biodiversity responses in the future. For instance, integrative studies between paleo- and neoecology have addressed the global challenge of biodiversity loss by validating climate and ecological models, estimating species fundamental niches, understanding ecological changes and trajectories, or establishing baseline conditions for restoration. Supporting and contributing to research infrastructures from both paleo- and neoecology, as well as their further integration, could boost the amount and improve the quality of such integrative studies. We argue this will enable improved capabilities to anticipate the impacts of global change and biodiversity losses. To boost such integration and illustrate our arguments, we (1) review studies integrating paleo- and neoecology to advance in the light of global changes challenge, (2) describe RIs developed in paleoecology, and (3) discuss opportunities for further integration of RIs from both disciplines (i.e. paleo- and neoecology).publishedVersio
Frank Discussion of the Status of Ground-state Orbital-free DFT
F.E. Harris has been a significant partner in our work on orbital-free
density functional approximations for use in ab initio molecular dynamics. Here
we mention briefly the essential progress on single-point functionals since our
original paper (2006). Then we focus on the advantages and limitations of
generalized gradient approximation (GGA) non-interacting kinetic-energy
functionals. We reconsider the constraints provided by near-origin conditions
in atomic-like systems and their relationship to regularized versus physical
external potentials. Then we seek the best empirical GGA for the
non-interacting KE for a modest-sized set of molecules with a well-defined
near-origin behavior of their densities. The search is motivated by a desire
for insight into GGA limitations and for a target for constraint-based
development
A closer look at the uncertainty relation of position and momentum
We consider particles prepared by the von Neumann-L\"uders projection. For
those particles the standard deviation of the momentum is discussed. We show
that infinite standard deviations are not exceptions but rather typical. A
necessary and sufficient condition for finite standard deviations is given.
Finally, a new uncertainty relation is derived and it is shown that the latter
cannot be improved.Comment: 3 pages, introduction shortened, content unchange
Classical kinetic energy, quantum fluctuation terms and kinetic-energy functionals
We employ a recently formulated dequantization procedure to obtain an exact
expression for the kinetic energy which is applicable to all kinetic-energy
functionals. We express the kinetic energy of an N-electron system as the sum
of an N-electron classical kinetic energy and an N-electron purely quantum
kinetic energy arising from the quantum fluctuations that turn the classical
momentum into the quantum momentum. This leads to an interesting analogy with
Nelson's stochastic approach to quantum mechanics, which we use to conceptually
clarify the physical nature of part of the kinetic-energy functional in terms
of statistical fluctuations and in direct correspondence with Fisher
Information Theory. We show that the N-electron purely quantum kinetic energy
can be written as the sum of the (one-electron) Weizsacker term and an
(N-1)-electron kinetic correlation term. We further show that the Weizsacker
term results from local fluctuations while the kinetic correlation term results
from the nonlocal fluctuations. For one-electron orbitals (where kinetic
correlation is neglected) we obtain an exact (albeit impractical) expression
for the noninteracting kinetic energy as the sum of the classical kinetic
energy and the Weizsacker term. The classical kinetic energy is seen to be
explicitly dependent on the electron phase and this has implications for the
development of accurate orbital-free kinetic-energy functionals. Also, there is
a direct connection between the classical kinetic energy and the angular
momentum and, across a row of the periodic table, the classical kinetic energy
component of the noninteracting kinetic energy generally increases as Z
increases.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. To appear in Theor Chem Ac
Inermes
Treballs de l'alumnat del Grau de Comunicació Audiovisual, Facultat de Biblioteconomia i Documentació, Universitat de Barcelona, [Projectes II]. Curs: 2017-2018, Tutora: Muntsa Tarrés.Directora: Cristina Espinosa Bautista; Aj. Direcció: Sheila Simal Álvarez; Productor: Fran Novo Romera; Aj. Producció: Núria Gallego Garriga; Guinistes: Cristina Espinosa Bautista, Núria Gallego Garriga, Fran Novo Romera; Directora de fotografia i càmera: Alba Gustems Ollé; Aj. de càmera: Thomas John Holguin; Il·luminadora: Alba Gustems Ollé; Direcció artística: Sheila Simal Álvarez; Direcció de so: Nair López Zurita; Muntatge: Arantzazu Mujica Pascual; Música: Nair López Zurita; Postproducció: Arantzazu Mujica Pascual; Equip artístic: Alba Gustems Ollé, Dolors Llagostera, Elisabeth Santa, Núria Santamaria, Montse Paucirerol, Ana María Gónzalez, Oscar Priu, Flor Chiuaru.A través de diferentes asociaciones y testimonios, nos adentraremos en el funcionamiento de la adopción, la acogida y el apadrinamiento para concienciar mediante algunas impactantes historias la responsabilidad que es encargarse de una vida y sobre todo, dar a conocer cómo podemos ayudar a los animales y a las fundaciones que luchan cada día por ofrecerles una mejor vida
Early reduction in painful physical symptoms is associated with improvements in long-term depression outcomes in patients treated with duloxetine
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the association of the change of painful physical symptoms (PPS) after 4 weeks, with the 6-month treatment outcomes of depressive symptoms in patients treated with duloxetine in clinical practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Multicenter, prospective, 6-month, non-interventional study in adult outpatients with a depressive episode and starting treatment with duloxetine. Depression severity was assessed by the clinician (Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology [IDS-C]) and patient (Kurz-Skala Stimmung/Aktivierung [KUSTA]). Somatic symptoms and PPS were assessed using the patient-rated Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI) and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain items. Association of change in PPS with outcomes of depressive symptoms was analyzed based on mean KUSTA scores (mean of items mood, activity, tension/relaxation, sleep) and achievement of a 50% reduction in the total IDS-C score after 6 months using linear and logistic regression models, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 4,517 patients enrolled (mean age: 52.2 years, 71.8% female), 3,320 patients (73.5%) completed the study. 80% of the patients had moderate to severe overall pain (VAS > 30 mm) at baseline. A 50% VAS overall pain reduction after 4 weeks was associated with a 13.32 points higher mean KUSTA score after 6 months, and a 50% pain reduction after 2 weeks with a 6.33 points improvement. No unexpected safety signals were detected in this naturalistic study.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pain reduction after 2 and 4 weeks can be used to estimate outcomes of long-term treatment with duloxetine. PPS associated with depression have a potential role in predicting remission of depressive symptoms in clinical practice.</p
Late-glacial and Holocene European pollen data
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A method to measure the resonance transitions between the gravitationally bound quantum states of neutrons in the GRANIT spectrometer
We present a method to measure the resonance transitions between the
gravitationally bound quantum states of neutrons in the GRANIT spectrometer.
The purpose of GRANIT is to improve the accuracy of measurement of the quantum
states parameters by several orders of magnitude, taking advantage of long
storage of Ultracold neutrons at specula trajectories. The transitions could be
excited using a periodic spatial variation of a magnetic field gradient. If the
frequency of such a perturbation (in the frame of a moving neutron) coincides
with a resonance frequency defined by the energy difference of two quantum
states, the transition probability will sharply increase. The GRANIT experiment
is motivated by searches for short-range interactions (in particular
spin-dependent interactions), by studying the interaction of a quantum system
with a gravitational field, by searches for extensions of the Standard model,
by the unique possibility to check the equivalence principle for an object in a
quantum state and by studying various quantum optics phenomena
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