265 research outputs found
Unsupervised Domain Adaptation for Semantic Segmentation using One-shot Image-to-Image Translation via Latent Representation Mixing
Domain adaptation is one of the prominent strategies for handling both domain
shift, that is widely encountered in large-scale land use/land cover map
calculation, and the scarcity of pixel-level ground truth that is crucial for
supervised semantic segmentation. Studies focusing on adversarial domain
adaptation via re-styling source domain samples, commonly through generative
adversarial networks, have reported varying levels of success, yet they suffer
from semantic inconsistencies, visual corruptions, and often require a large
number of target domain samples. In this letter, we propose a new unsupervised
domain adaptation method for the semantic segmentation of very high resolution
images, that i) leads to semantically consistent and noise-free images, ii)
operates with a single target domain sample (i.e. one-shot) and iii) at a
fraction of the number of parameters required from state-of-the-art methods.
More specifically an image-to-image translation paradigm is proposed, based on
an encoder-decoder principle where latent content representations are mixed
across domains, and a perceptual network module and loss function is further
introduced to enforce semantic consistency. Cross-city comparative experiments
have shown that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art domain
adaptation methods. Our source code will be available at
\url{https://github.com/Sarmadfismael/LRM_I2I}
Decomposition of the Mean Squared Error and NSE Performance Criteria: Implications for Improving Hydrological Modelling
The mean squared error (MSE) and the related normalization, the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), are the two criteria most widely used for calibration and evaluation of hydrological models with observed data. Here, we present a diagnostically interesting decomposition of NSE (and hence MSE), which facilitates analysis of the relative importance of its different components in the context of hydrological modelling, and show how model calibration problems can arise due to interactions among these components. The analysis is illustrated by calibrating a simple conceptual precipitation-runoff model to daily data for a number of Austrian basins having a broad range of hydro-meteorological characteristics. Evaluation of the results clearly demonstrates the problems that can be associated with any calibration based on the NSE (or MSE) criterion. While we propose and test an alternative criterion that can help to reduce model calibration problems, the primary purpose of this study is not to present an improved measure of model performance. Instead, we seek to show that there are systematic problems inherent with any optimization based on formulations related to the MSE. The analysis and results have implications to the manner in which we calibrate and evaluate environmental models; we discuss these and suggest possible ways forward that may move us towards an improved and diagnostically meaningful approach to model performance evaluation and identification
Split ring resonator-coupled enhanced transmission through a single subwavelength aperture
We report the enhanced transmission of electromagnetic waves through a single
subwavelength aperture by making use of the resonance behavior of a split ring
resonator (SRR) at microwave frequencies. By placing a single SRR at the
near-field of the aperture, strongly localized electromagnetic fields are
effectively coupled to the aperture with a radius that is twenty times smaller
than the resonance wavelength. We obtained 740-fold transmission enhancement by
exciting the electric resonance of SRR. A different coupling mechanism, through
the magnetic resonance of SRR, is also verified to yield enhanced transmission.
Good agreement is obtained between the microwave measurements and numerical
simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, to be submitted to PR
A note on the Woods-Saxon potential
The wave Schrodinger and, to clarify one interesting point encountered in the
calculations, Klein-Gordon equations are solved exactly for a single neutron
moving in a central Woods-Saxon plus an additional potential that provides a
flexibility to construct the surface structure of the related nucleus. The
physics behind the solutions and the reliability of the results obtained are
discussed carefully with the consideration of other related works in the
literature. In addition, the exhaustive analysis of the results reveals the
fact that the usual Woods-Saxon potential cannot be solved analytically within
the framework of non-relativistic physics, unlike its exactly solvable
relativistic consideration
All-optical image denoising using a diffractive visual processor
Image denoising, one of the essential inverse problems, targets to remove
noise/artifacts from input images. In general, digital image denoising
algorithms, executed on computers, present latency due to several iterations
implemented in, e.g., graphics processing units (GPUs). While deep
learning-enabled methods can operate non-iteratively, they also introduce
latency and impose a significant computational burden, leading to increased
power consumption. Here, we introduce an analog diffractive image denoiser to
all-optically and non-iteratively clean various forms of noise and artifacts
from input images - implemented at the speed of light propagation within a thin
diffractive visual processor. This all-optical image denoiser comprises passive
transmissive layers optimized using deep learning to physically scatter the
optical modes that represent various noise features, causing them to miss the
output image Field-of-View (FoV) while retaining the object features of
interest. Our results show that these diffractive denoisers can efficiently
remove salt and pepper noise and image rendering-related spatial artifacts from
input phase or intensity images while achieving an output power efficiency of
~30-40%. We experimentally demonstrated the effectiveness of this analog
denoiser architecture using a 3D-printed diffractive visual processor operating
at the terahertz spectrum. Owing to their speed, power-efficiency, and minimal
computational overhead, all-optical diffractive denoisers can be transformative
for various image display and projection systems, including, e.g., holographic
displays.Comment: 21 Pages, 7 Figure
Towards a definitive symptom structure of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A factor and network analysis of 87 distinct symptoms in 1366 individuals
Background The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are highly heterogeneous and it is unclear what is the optimal way to conceptualize this heterogeneity. This study aimed to establish a comprehensive symptom structure model of OCD across the lifespan using factor and network analytic techniques. Methods A large multinational cohort of well-characterized children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with OCD (N = 1366) participated in the study. All completed the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, which contains an expanded checklist of 87 distinct OCD symptoms. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to outline empirically supported symptom dimensions, and interconnections among the resulting dimensions were established using network analysis. Associations between dimensions and sociodemographic and clinical variables were explored using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results Thirteen first-order symptom dimensions emerged that could be parsimoniously reduced to eight broad dimensions, which were valid across the lifespan: Disturbing Thoughts, Incompleteness, Contamination, Hoarding, Transformation, Body Focus, Superstition, and Loss/Separation. A general OCD factor could be included in the final factor model without a significant decline in model fit according to most fit indices. Network analysis showed that Incompleteness and Disturbing Thoughts were most central (i.e. had most unique interconnections with other dimensions). SEM showed that the eight broad dimensions were differentially related to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Conclusions Future research will need to establish if this expanded hierarchical and multidimensional model can help improve our understanding of the etiology, neurobiology and treatment of OCD. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press
The unexpected resurgence of Weyl geometry in late 20-th century physics
Weyl's original scale geometry of 1918 ("purely infinitesimal geometry") was
withdrawn by its author from physical theorizing in the early 1920s. It had a
comeback in the last third of the 20th century in different contexts: scalar
tensor theories of gravity, foundations of gravity, foundations of quantum
mechanics, elementary particle physics, and cosmology. It seems that Weyl
geometry continues to offer an open research potential for the foundations of
physics even after the turn to the new millennium.Comment: Completely rewritten conference paper 'Beyond Einstein', Mainz Sep
2008. Preprint ELHC (Epistemology of the LHC) 2017-02, 92 pages, 1 figur
A Simple Regulatory Incentive Mechanism Applied to Electricity Transmission Pricing and Investment
Systemic and local antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis graft infection
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of local and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis graft infection in a rat model and to evaluate the bacterial adherence to frequently used prosthetic graft materials. METHODS: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 120 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron/ePTFE grafts followed by topical inoculation with 2 × 10(7 )CFUs of clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. Each of the graft series included a control group, one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups that received systemic prophylaxis with teicoplanin or levofloxacin and two contaminated groups that received teicoplanin-soaked or levofloxacin-soaked grafts. The grafts were removed 7 days after implantation and evaluated by quantitative culture. RESULTS: There was significant bacterial growth inhibition in the groups given systemic or local prophylaxis (P < 0.05). Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis had greater affinity to Dacron graft when compared with ePTFE graft in the untreated contaminated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the usage of systemic or local prophylaxis and preference of ePTFE graft can be useful in reducing the risk of vascular graft infections caused by staphylococcal strains with high levels of resistance
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In-chip microstructures and photonic devices fabricated by nonlinear laser lithography deep inside silicon
Silicon is an excellent material for microelectronics and integrated photonics1–3 with untapped potential for mid-IR optics4. Despite broad recognition of the importance of the third dimension5,6, current lithography methods do not allow fabrication of photonic devices and functional microelements directly inside silicon chips. Even relatively simple curved geometries cannot be realised with techniques like reactive ion etching. Embedded optical elements, like in glass7, electronic devices, and better electronic-photonic integration are lacking8. Here, we demonstrate laser-based fabrication of complex 3D structures deep inside silicon using 1 µm-sized dots and rod-like structures of adjustable length as basic building blocks. The laser-modified Si has a different optical index than unmodified parts, which enables numerous photonic devices. Optionally, these parts are chemically etched to produce desired 3D shapes. We exemplify a plethora of subsurface, i.e., “in-chip” microstructures for microfluidic cooling of chips, vias, MEMS, photovoltaic applications and photonic devices that match or surpass the corresponding state-of-the-art device performances
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