36,654 research outputs found
Visual Comfort Assessment for Stereoscopic Image Retargeting
In recent years, visual comfort assessment (VCA) for 3D/stereoscopic content
has aroused extensive attention. However, much less work has been done on the
perceptual evaluation of stereoscopic image retargeting. In this paper, we
first build a Stereoscopic Image Retargeting Database (SIRD), which contains
source images and retargeted images produced by four typical stereoscopic
retargeting methods. Then, the subjective experiment is conducted to assess
four aspects of visual distortion, i.e. visual comfort, image quality, depth
quality and the overall quality. Furthermore, we propose a Visual Comfort
Assessment metric for Stereoscopic Image Retargeting (VCA-SIR). Based on the
characteristics of stereoscopic retargeted images, the proposed model
introduces novel features like disparity range, boundary disparity as well as
disparity intensity distribution into the assessment model. Experimental
results demonstrate that VCA-SIR can achieve high consistency with subjective
perception
Have Countries with Lax Environmental Regulations a Comparative Advantage in Polluting Industries?
We aim to study whether lax environmental regulations induce comparative advantages, causing the least-regulated countries to specialize in polluting industries. The study is based on Trefler and Zhuâs (2005) definition of the factor content of trade. For the econometrical analysis, we use a cross-section of 71 countries in 2000 to examine the net exports in the most polluting industries. We try to overcome three weaknesses in the empirical literature: the measurement of environmental endowments or environmental stringency, the possible endogeneity of the explanatory variables, and the influence of the industrial level of aggregation. As a result, we do find some evidence in favor of the pollution-haven effect. The exogeneity of the environmental endowments was rejected in several industries, and we also find that industrial aggregation matters.comparative advantage, environmental regulation, trade, pollution haven, Porter hypothesis
Rectification of a whole-sky photograph as a tool for determining spatial positioning of cumulus clouds
There are no author-identified significant results in this report
The brachyopoid Hadrokkosaurus bradyi from the early Middle Triassic of Arizona, and a phylogenetic analysis of lower jaw characters in temnospondyl amphibians
The holotype of the brachyopoid temnospondyl Hadrokkosaurus bradyi, represented by a right lower jaw ramus, is reâexâ
amined based upon new data and revision of various morphological features. Additional fragmentary jaw material reâ
ferred to this species is briefly described. Prominent features are a large postsymphyseal foramen that is anteriorly open,
and prearticular and surangular buttresses for support of the articular. Brachyopoid characters include a long and robust
postglenoid area formed by surangular and prearticular, anterior and posterior keels on at least some marginal dentary
teeth, and subtriangular outline of the adductor fossa in dorsal view. Five features of the holotype ramus, long thought to
be at odds with its brachyopoid or temnospondyl nature, are critically reâevaluated. A phylogenetic analysis of lower jaw
characters in temnospondyls retrieves most of the clades found in more comprehensive data sets, but the statistical node
support is low. Brachyopoids are monophyletic, with Hadrokkosaurus emerging as their most basal taxon
How the macroeconomic environment affects human resource development
Do inward-focused development strategies reduce competition in factor markets and incentives for more efficient skills development? Do outward-focused development strategies improve them? The authors compared vocational education and training systems in six developing countries in the 1980s. They found that an outward orientation encourages more efficient development of human resources. Protectionist trade regimes that shelter producers from global competition produce price distortions in domestic capital and labor markets that affect the efficient use of resources in skills development. Structural adjustment programs that address these distortions expand incentives for private training and for more efficient use of public resources in skills development.ICT Policy and Strategies,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Health Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform
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