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Due to its insensitivity to light intensity and the capability to capture multidimensional information, polarimetric imaging technology has been proven to have advantages over traditional intensity-based imaging techniques for object detection tasks in adverse environmental conditions, particularly in road traffic scenarios. Recently, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, deep learning (DL)-powered object detection techniques can further enhance recognition accuracy and algorithm robustness. This improvement is made possible by the ability of DL technology to leverage large datasets and extract deeper levels of target-specific features. However, constructing large-scale polarimetric datasets poses challenges as obtaining polarimetric information requires multiple captures of intensity images. In other words, the workload is several times higher compared to traditional imaging techniques. To address the current scarcity of polarimetric datasets and evaluate the practical performance of various algorithms on polarimetric datasets, this paper proposes a Polarimetric Object Detection Benchmark (PODB) dataset. The PODB provides an integrated quality evaluation framework for DL-based object detection algorithms in complex road scenes by incorporating polarimetric imaging. Besides, we conducted extensive object detection experiments using the PODB, which allowed for a comprehensive validation and performance evaluation of effective benchmark algorithms. Furthermore, a physics-based multi-scale image fusion cascaded object detection neural network model is proposed. By combining the multidimensional information provided by polarized images with an adaptive learning multi-decision object detection neural network model, the recognition accuracy of complex road scenes in adverse weather conditions has been improved by approximately 10%. Additionally, we anticipate that PODB will serve as an effective platform for evaluating and comparing the performance of object detection algorithms, as well as providing researchers with a baseline for future studies in developing new DL-based methods. • Polarimetric imaging excels in challenging conditions, like road traffic. • Scarce polarimetric road data due to acquisition difficulties. • Proposed Polarimetric Object Detection Benchmark dataset for deep learning-based algorithms. • Introduction of a novel multi-scale image fusion cascaded neural network model. • Achieving a 10% accuracy boost for complex, adverse weather road scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial neural networks (ANNs), a popular path towards artificial intelligence, have experienced remarkable success via mature models, various benchmarks, open-source datasets, and powerful computing platforms. Spiking neural networks (SNNs), a category of promising models to mimic the neuronal dynamics of the brain, have gained much attention for brain inspired computing and been widely deployed on neuromorphic devices. However, for a long time, there are ongoing debates and skepticisms about the value of SNNs in practical applications. Except for the low power attribute benefit from the spike-driven processing, SNNs usually perform worse than ANNs especially in terms of the application accuracy. Recently, researchers attempt to address this issue by borrowing learning methodologies from ANNs, such as backpropagation, to train high-accuracy SNN models. The rapid progress in this domain continuously produces amazing results with ever-increasing network size, whose growing path seems similar to the development of deep learning. Although these ways endow SNNs the capability to approach the accuracy of ANNs, the natural superiorities of SNNs and the way to outperform ANNs are potentially lost due to the use of ANN-oriented workloads and simplistic evaluation metrics. In this paper, we take the visual recognition task as a case study to answer the questions of " what workloads are ideal for SNNs and how to evaluate SNNs makes sense ". We design a series of contrast tests using different types of datasets (ANN-oriented and SNN-oriented), diverse processing models, signal conversion methods, and learning algorithms. We propose comprehensive metrics on the application accuracy and the cost of memory & compute to evaluate these models, and conduct extensive experiments. We evidence the fact that on ANN-oriented workloads, SNNs fail to beat their ANN counterparts; while on SNN-oriented workloads, SNNs can fully perform better. We further demonstrate that in SNNs there exists a trade-off between the application accuracy and the execution cost, which will be affected by the simulation time window and firing threshold. Based on these abundant analyses, we recommend the most suitable model for each scenario. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work using systematical comparisons to explicitly reveal that the straightforward workload porting from ANNs to SNNs is unwise although many works are doing so and a comprehensive evaluation indeed matters. Finally, we highlight the urgent need to build a benchmarking framework for SNNs with broader tasks, datasets, and metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Several recent publications have demonstrated the use of convolutional neural networks to classify images of melanoma at par with board-certified dermatologists. However, the non-availability of a public human benchmark restricts the comparability of the performance of these algorithms and thereby the technical progress in this field. Methods An electronic questionnaire was sent to dermatologists at 12 German university hospitals. Each questionnaire comprised 100 dermoscopic and 100 clinical images (80 nevi images and 20 biopsy-verified melanoma images, each), all open-source. The questionnaire recorded factors such as the years of experience in dermatology, performed skin checks, age, sex and the rank within the university hospital or the status as resident physician. For each image, the dermatologists were asked to provide a management decision (treat/biopsy lesion or reassure the patient). Main outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Results Total 157 dermatologists assessed all 100 dermoscopic images with an overall sensitivity of 74.1%, specificity of 60.0% and an ROC of 0.67 (range = 0.538–0.769); 145 dermatologists assessed all 100 clinical images with an overall sensitivity of 89.4%, specificity of 64.4% and an ROC of 0.769 (range = 0.613–0.9). Results between test-sets were significantly different (P < 0.05) confirming the need for a standardised benchmark. Conclusions We present the first public melanoma classification benchmark for both non-dermoscopic and dermoscopic images for comparing artificial intelligence algorithms with diagnostic performance of 145 or 157 dermatologists. Melanoma Classification Benchmark should be considered as a reference standard for white-skinned Western populations in the field of binary algorithmic melanoma classification. Highlights • This paper provides the first open access melanoma classification benchmark for both non-dermoscopic and dermoscopic images. • Algorithms can now be easily compared to the performance of dermatologists in terms of sensitivity, specificity and ROC. • The melanoma benchmark allows comparability between algorithms of different publications and provides a new reference standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]