Simple, Accurate, and Robust Nonparametric Blind Super-Resolution

This paper proposes a simple, accurate, and robust approach to single image nonparametric blind Super-Resolution (SR). This task is formulated as a functional to be minimized with respect to both an intermediate super-resolved image and a nonparametric blur-kernel. The proposed approach includes a convolution consistency constraint which uses a non-blind learning-based SR result to better guide the estimation process. Another key component is the unnatural bi-l0-l2-norm regularization imposed on the super-resolved, sharp image and the blur-kernel, which is shown to be quite beneficial for estimating the blur-kernel accurately. The numerical optimization is implemented by coupling the splitting augmented Lagrangian and the conjugate gradient (CG). Using the pre-estimated blur-kernel, we finally reconstruct the SR image by a very simple non-blind SR method that uses a natural image prior. The proposed approach is demonstrated to achieve better performance than the recent method by Michaeli and Irani [2] in both terms of the kernel estimation accuracy and image SR quality

Visualizing Escherichia coli Sub-Cellular Structure Using Sparse Deconvolution Spatial Light Interference Tomography

Studying the 3D sub-cellular structure of living cells is essential to our understanding of biological function. However, tomographic imaging of live cells is challenging mainly because they are transparent, i.e., weakly scattering structures. Therefore, this type of imaging has been implemented largely using fluorescence techniques. While confocal fluorescence imaging is a common approach to achieve sectioning, it requires fluorescence probes that are often harmful to the living specimen. On the other hand, by using the intrinsic contrast of the structures it is possible to study living cells in a non-invasive manner. One method that provides high-resolution quantitative information about nanoscale structures is a broadband interferometric technique known as Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM). In addition to rendering quantitative phase information, when combined with a high numerical aperture objective, SLIM also provides excellent depth sectioning capabilities. However, like in all linear optical systems, SLIM's resolution is limited by diffraction. Here we present a novel 3D field deconvolution algorithm that exploits the sparsity of phase images and renders images with resolution beyond the diffraction limit. We employ this label-free method, called deconvolution Spatial Light Interference Tomography (dSLIT), to visualize coiled sub-cellular structures in E. coli cells which are most likely the cytoskeletal MreB protein and the division site regulating MinCDE proteins. Previously these structures have only been observed using specialized strains and plasmids and fluorescence techniques. Our results indicate that dSLIT can be employed to study such structures in a practical and non-invasive manner

Vector meson production and nucleon resonance analysis in a coupled-channel approach for energies m_N < sqrt(s) < 2 GeV II: photon-induced results

We present a nucleon resonance analysis by simultaneously considering all pion- and photon-induced experimental data on the final states gamma N, pi N, 2 pi N, eta N, K Lambda, K Sigma, and omega N for energies from the nucleon mass up to sqrt(s) = 2 GeV. In this analysis we find strong evidence for the resonances P_{31}(1750), P_{13}(1900), P_{33}(1920), and D_{13}(1950). The omega N production mechanism is dominated by large P_{11}(1710) and P_{13}(1900) contributions. In this second part we present the results on the photoproduction reactions and the electromagnetic properties of the resonances. The inclusion of all important final states up to sqrt(s) = 2 GeV allows for estimates on the importance of the individual states for the GDH sum rule.Comment: 41 pages, 26 figures, discussion extended, typos corrected, references updated, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Harmonic Generation Analyses of Memristor with Different Barriers and Neuron

We investigated the Fourier transform of memristor with various barriers and neuristor. To provide the different barriers we present a simple adaptive model dependent on input signal. We saw that there was no significant change of the harmonics with increasing barriers. Neurons provide an energy and area efficient and could be used in neuromorphic circuits. We used a neuron circuit that can be efficient to provide second and higher harmonics. Neuron circuit generates various spike shapes like regular spike, fast spike, initial bursting, chattering, etc. In this paper we analysed the Fourier transform of the most common spike shapes. The neuron or neuristor can be more efficient to generate second and higher harmonics compared to the other standard circuits

Wavelet analysis of a memristor emulated model proposed for compact fluorescent lamp operated systems

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are widely employed in lighting systems thanks to their energy efficient characteristics. In contrast to incandescent lamps, CFLs have highly non-linear current-voltage characteristics and exhibit harmonic distortions during their operation. Although nonlinearity and accelerated harmonic effects may cause disturbance in power networks, CFLs are frequently preferred due to their low energy consumption. In this study a test set-up is operated for investigating non-linear characteristics of commercially available CFLs. During these tests non-linear current and voltage waveforms of CFLs are analyzed via oscilloscope and compared with the proposed memristor emulator circuit output waveforms. The non-linear characteristics of CFLs are accurately modelled by proposed memristor emulator circuit, which has a tunable threshold property. To obtain proper comparison wavelet analysis is conducted for current waveforms of CFLs and memristor emulator circuit. The wavelet analysis is an efficient tool for processing non-linear signals, which are prone to display high frequency distortions. In addition to wavelet analysis, the Fourier Transform (FFT) characteristics and total harmonic distortion (THD) levels are also analyzed for correlation of CFLs and proposed memristor. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved