Estimation of Scribble Placement for Painting Colorization

Image colorization has been a topic of interest since the mid 70’s and several algorithms have been proposed that given a grayscale image and color scribbles (hints) produce a colorized image. Recently, this approach has been introduced in the field of art conservation and cultural heritage, where B&W photographs of paintings at previous stages have been colorized. However, the questions of what is the minimum number of scribbles necessary and where they should be placed in an image remain unexplored. Here we address this limitation using an iterative algorithm that provides insights as to the relationship between locally vs. globally important scribbles. Given a color image we randomly select scribbles and we attempt to color the grayscale version of the original.We define a scribble contribution measure based on the reconstruction error. We demonstrate our approach using a widely used colorization algorithm and images from a Picasso painting and the peppers test image. We show that areas isolated by thick brushstrokes or areas with high textural variation are locally important but contribute very little to the overall representation accuracy. We also find that for the case of Picasso on average 10% of scribble coverage is enough and that flat areas can be presented by few scribbles. The proposed method can be used verbatim to test any colorization algorithm

Self-aligned 0-level sealing of MEMS devices by a two layer thin film reflow process

Many micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) require a vacuum or controlled atmosphere encapsulation in order to ensure either a good performance or an acceptable lifetime of operation. Two approaches for wafer-scale zero-level packaging exist. The most popular approach is based on wafer bonding. Alternatively, encapsulation can be done by the fabrication and sealing of perforated surface micromachined membranes. In this paper, a sealing method is proposed for zero-level packaging using a thin film reflow technique. This sealing method can be done at arbitrary ambient and pressure. Also, it is self-aligned and it can be used for sealing openings directly above the MEMS device. It thus allows for a smaller die area for the sealing ring reducing in this way the device dimensions and costs. The sealing method has been demonstrated with reflowed aluminium, germanium, and boron phosphorous silica glass. This allows for conducting as well as non-conducting sealing layers and for a variety of allowable thermal budgets. The proposed technique is therefore very versatile

Archaeological evidence for historical navigation on the Mureş (Maros) river. Enquiries based on a medieval boat imprint from Bizere abbey (Romania)

The boat imprint unearthed at the site of the Benedictine abbey from Bizere (Frumuşeni, Romania) is a unique discovery for two reasons: its preservation as a negative imprint, due to its reuse for preparing mortar, and its dating back to the 12th century, based on the context of its discovery. It has been identified as a logboat, due to the absence of any technical details specific for plank boats, and now stands as the only vessel of this type with known dating for the territory of Romania. The article also enquires into the wider historical context of the discovery, thus bringing forth the archival data available with regard to medieval inland navigation

Formation of the physical vapor deposited CdS Cu In,Ga Se2 interface in highly efficient thin film solar cells

We report on the buffer absorber interface formation in highly efficient 14.5 , AM1.5 ZnO CdS Cu In,Ga Se2 solar cells with a physical vapor deposited CdS buffer. For Se decapped Cu In,Ga Se2 CIGSe absorbers we observe sulfur passivation of the CIGSe grain boundaries during CdS growth and at the interface a thermally stimulated formation of a region with a higher band gap than that of the absorber bulk, determining the height of the potential barrier at the CdS CIGSe interface. For air exposed CIGSe samples the grain boundary passivation is impeded by a native oxide adsorbate layer at the CIGSe surface determining the thermal stability of the potential barrier heigh

A Profile Outline of Higher Education E-Tutoring Programs for the Digital-Native Student – Literature Review

AbstractIn today's digital literacy society, education is facing challenges that emphasize the need to reconsider the traditional paper-pencil methods of instruction. Thus, e-tutoring programs have the potential to enhance students’ academic achievement through counselling and learning-supporting activities. The present paper examines the results of the literature research (i.e. systematic review) related to e-tutoring in higher education, aiming to outline a profile for the higher education e-tutoring programs. Also, we aim to identify the Service-Learning related features of the e-tutoring programs found in the literature. The purpose of this study is to aid instructors designing friendly and more effective e-tutoring programs, well-suited for the digital-native student