Unsupervised Panoptic Segmentation

The contributions of this paper are two-fold. We define unsupervised techniques for the panoptic segmentation of an image. We also define clusters which encapsulate the set of features that define objects of interest inside a scene. The motivation is to provide an approach that mimics natural formation of ideas inside the brain. Fundamentally, the eyes and visual cortex constitute the visual system, which is essential for humans to detect and recognize objects. This can be done even without specific knowledge of the objects. We strongly believe that a supervisory signal should not be required to identify objects in an image. We present an algorithm that replaces the eye and visual cortex with deep learning architectures and unsupervised clustering methods. The proposed methodology may also be used as a one-click panoptic segmentation approach which promises to significantly increase annotation efficiency. We have made the code available privately for review¹.<div><br></div>

Unsupervised Panoptic Segmentation

The contributions of this paper are two-fold. We define unsupervised techniques for the panoptic segmentation of an image. We also define clusters which encapsulate the set of features that define objects of interest inside a scene. The motivation is to provide an approach that mimics natural formation of ideas inside the brain. Fundamentally, the eyes and visual cortex constitute the visual system, which is essential for humans to detect and recognize objects. This can be done even without specific knowledge of the objects. We strongly believe that a supervisory signal should not be required to identify objects in an image. We present an algorithm that replaces the eye and visual cortex with deep learning architectures and unsupervised clustering methods. The proposed methodology may also be used as a one-click panoptic segmentation approach which promises to significantly increase annotation efficiency. We have made the code available privately for review¹.<div><br></div>

The Supersonic Project: SIGOs, A Proposed Progenitor to Globular Clusters, and Their Connections to Gravitational-wave Anisotropies

Supersonically induced gas objects (SIGOs), are structures with little to no dark-matter component predicted to exist in regions of the universe with large relative velocities between baryons and dark matter at the time of recombination. They have been suggested to be the progenitors of present-day globular clusters. Using simulations, SIGOs have been studied on small scales (around 2 Mpc) where these relative velocities are coherent. However, it is challenging to study SIGOs using simulations on large scales due to the varying relative velocities at scales larger than a few Mpc. Here, we study SIGO abundances semi-analytically: using perturbation theory, we predict the number density of SIGOs analytically, and compare these results to small-box numerical simulations. We use the agreement between the numerical and analytic calculations to extrapolate the large-scale variation of SIGO abundances over different stream velocities. As a result, we predict similar large-scale variations of objects with high gas densities before reionization that could possibly be observed by JWST. If indeed SIGOs are progenitors of globular clusters, then we expect a similar variation of globular cluster abundances over large scales. Significantly, we find that the expected number density of SIGOs is consistent with observed globular cluster number densities. As a proof-of-concept, and because globular clusters were proposed to be natural formation sites for gravitational wave sources from binary black-hole mergers, we show that SIGOs should imprint an anisotropy on the gravitational wave signal on the sky, consistent with their distribution.

Scree formation on nonmining flank of an opencast and its impact on vegetation restoration

The purpose of the conducted research is to study the regularities of scree formation and assess their impact on self-vegetation of disturbed lands after mining of building stone deposits. The processes of natural formation of scree have been studied, their layering and gravitational alignment have been determined, the factors causing pit bench collapse have been identified. Simulation of the scree formation process allowed to establish the dependence of rock spreading distance on bench height, bench slope angles, as well as on the weight of individual pieces. The slope bench angles with the largest and smallest rock spread distance were found. The simulation showed the influence of the slope bench angles and parameters of the scree formed at the foot of pit benches on the range of debris spread. Three distinct formation stages of scree at the foot of the benches are identified. The angles of transition from one stage of scree formation to another are determined. Recommendations are given to improve the conditions of self-vegetation and minimize the negative factor of scree formation. To form a layer of loose sediments on horizontal bench sites it is proposed to use rocks from scree, which can dramatically reduce the cost of reclamation rather than imported man-made mixture or potentially fertile soils. In order to increase self-vegetation intensity on the flanks of opencasts, it is recommended to increase the bench height and berm width without changing the design angle of the opencast flank slope. To reduce the adverse impact of scree formation on vegetation restoration on the sides at the bench foot, it is proposed to form a trench collecting falling rocks or a rockprotecting wall.

Bioinspired Magnetic Nanochains for Medicine

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been widely used for medicine, both in therapy and diagnosis. Their guided assembly into anisotropic structures, such as nanochains, has recently opened new research avenues; for instance, targeted drug delivery. Interestingly, magnetic nanochains do occur in nature, and they are thought to be involved in the navigation and geographic orientation of a variety of animals and bacteria, although many open questions on their formation and functioning remain. In this review, we will analyze what is known about the natural formation of magnetic nanochains, as well as the synthetic protocols to produce them in the laboratory, to conclude with an overview of medical applications and an outlook on future opportunities in this exciting research field.

A THEOLOGICAL SUPPORT, FROM CHALCEDON, TO THE SHROUD IMAGE NATURAL FORMATION

The fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) sanctions, for the Holy Church very important conclusions regarding the nature of Christ. The above results do not contrast, but rather open to a natural formation of the Shroud body image. This occurs because it was affirmed in Chalcedon that Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, has two natures, one human and one divine, “inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably”, which coexist in one person (hypostasis). Consequently, the monophysitism of Eutiche and of the Egyptian, Syrian and Armenian Churches, was rejected. Now, the Resurrection of the Nazarene is a Transcendental event that, according to those like us who support the natural formation of the Shroud body image, acted only on the corpse leaving the burial linen in the Immanent, under the dominion of the natural sciences. So, the Miracle of the Resurrection shows the divine nature of Christ, while the Shroud body image formation, the human one.

Home Is Where Your Root Is: Place Making, Belonging, and Community Building among Somalis in Chicago

This qualitative study examines the notion of home as it relates to place making, belonging, and community building. Using a phenomenological method of inquiry, data were gathered through in-depth qualitative interviews with 15 Somali Americans and subjected to transcendental phenomenological analyses. Three major themes were found: (1) the meaning of community: being Somali and Muslim; (2) “We help each other. We are connected”; and (3) “Home is where your root is.” The study findings highlight how Somali participants drew on their faith and culture as foundational to community building and drew on acts of mutual giving and receiving to bind them together even as subjective feelings of “home” could be place based or could transcend geography. Although sometimes disrupted by bias and discrimination, Somalis persevered in defining themselves and pursuing a sense of belonging both within their own community and in the city at large. This study offers an expansive and dynamic view of the meaning of place making, community building, and belonging (home) in the lives of displaced refugees. Both research and practice can benefit from special attention given to the “natural” formation of refugee communities and their role in enhancing adjustment to life in a new land.

Clay nanolayer encapsulation, evolving from origins of life to future technologies

Clays are the siblings of graphite and graphene/graphene-oxide. There are two basic ways of using clays for encapsulation of sub-micron entities such as molecules, droplets, or nanoparticles, which is either by encapsulation in the interlayer space of clay nanolayered stacked particles (“the graphite way”), or by using exfoliated clay nanolayers to wrap entities in packages (“the graphene way”). Clays maybe the prerequisites for life on earth and can also be linked to the natural formation of other two-dimensional materials such as naturally occurring graphite and its allotropes. Here we discuss state-of-the-art in the area of clay-based encapsulation and point to some future scientific directions and technological possibilities that could emerge from research in this area.