We propose a novel CNN architecture called ACTNET for robust instance image retrieval from large-scale datasets. Our key innovation is learnable activation layer designed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of deep convolutional feature maps. Further, we introduce controlled multi-stream aggregation, where complementary features different layers are optimally transformed and balanced using our...

IEEE 802.11n standard is introduced to enhance the throughput to more than 100Mbps at the MAC service access point. This high throughput is achieved through several enhancements at the physical and MAC layers. Frame aggregation is a key enhancement at the MAC later in which multiple frames are concatenated and then sent in one channel access. In error free channels the 802.11n MAC service data ...

Dye aggregation and concomitant reduction of dye excited-state lifetimes and electron-injection yields constitute a significant mechanism for diminution of light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiencies in many dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). For TiO2-based DSCs prepared with an archetypal donor-acceptor organic dye, (E)-2-cyano-3-(5'-(5''-(p-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-thiophen-2''-yl)thioph...

The current gold standard for the culture of human pluripotent stem cells requires the use of a feeder layer of cells. Here, we develop a spatially defined culture system based on UV/ozone radiation modification of typical cell culture plastics to define a favorable surface environment for human pluripotent stem cell culture. Chemical and geometrical optimization of the surfaces enables control...

Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation is the reversible and regular clumping in the presence of certain macromolecules. This is a clinically important phenomenon, being significantly enhanced in the presence of acute phase reactants (e.g., fibrinogen). Both light reflection (LR) and light transmission (LT) from or through thin layers of RBC suspensions during the process of aggregation are accepted ...

In complex systems, the network of interactions we observe between system’s components is the aggregate of the interactions that occur through different mechanisms or layers. Recent studies reveal that the existence of multiple interaction layers can have a dramatic impact in the dynamical processes occurring on these systems. However, these studies assume that the interactions between systems ...

In mission critical cyber-physical systems, dependability is an important requirement at all layers of the system architecture. In this paper, we propose protocols that increase the dependability of wireless sensor networks, which are potentially useful building blocks in cyberphysical systems. More specifically, we propose two private aggregator node election protocols, a private data aggregat...

This paper addresses the problem of rate and congestion control for video transmission in large multicast groups. A classification of the receivers is performed according to a predefined similarity measure (e.g. packet loss rate observed or TCP-friendly bandwidth share). The RTCP receiver reports are then filtered accordingly. The classification of receivers done by feedback aggregation agents ...

A key player in Alzheimer's disease is the peptide amyloid-beta (Aβ), whose aggregation into small soluble oligomers, protofilaments, and fibrils finally leads to plaque deposits in human brains. The aggregation behavior of Aβ is strongly modulated by the nature and composition of the peptide's environment and by its primary sequence properties. The N-terminal residues of Aβ play an important r...