Generation and Rendering of Interactive Ground Vegetation for Real-Time Testing and Validation of Computer Vision Algorithms

During the development process of new algorithms for computer vision applications, testing and evaluation in real outdoor environments is time-consuming and often difficult to realize. Thus, the use of artificial testing environments is a flexible and cost-efficient alternative. As a result, the development of new techniques for simulating natural, dynamic environments is essential for real-time virtual reality applications, which are commonly known as Virtual Testbeds. Since the first basic usage of Virtual Testbeds several years ago, the image quality of virtual environments has almost reached a level close to photorealism even in real-time due to new rendering approaches and increasing processing power of current graphics hardware. Because of that, Virtual Testbeds can recently be applied in application areas like computer vision, that strongly rely on realistic scene representations. The realistic rendering of natural outdoor scenes has become increasingly important in many application areas, but computer simulated scenes often differ considerably from real-world environments, especially regarding interactive ground vegetation. In this article, we introduce a novel ground vegetation rendering approach, that is capable of generating large scenes with realistic appearance and excellent performance. Our approach features wind animation, as well as object-to-grass interaction and delivers realistically appearing grass and shrubs at all distances and from all viewing angles. This greatly improves immersion, as well as acceptance, especially in virtual training applications. Nevertheless, the rendered results also fulfill important requirements for the computer vision aspect, like plausible geometry representation of the vegetation, as well as its consistence during the entire simulation. Feature detection and matching algorithms are applied to our approach in localization scenarios of mobile robots in natural outdoor environments. We will show how the quality of computer vision algorithms is influenced by highly detailed, dynamic environments, like observed in unstructured, real-world outdoor scenes with wind and object-to-vegetation interaction

Computer-assisted animation creation techniques for hair animation and shade, highlight, and shadow

制度:新 ; 報告番号:甲3062号 ; 学位の種類:博士(工学) ; 授与年月日:2010/2/25 ; 早大学位記番号:新532

Gestural design tool with kinetic memory

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-91).Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2004.The modeling of kinetic systems, both in physical materials and virtual simulations, provides a methodology to better understand and explore the forces and dynamics of our physical environment. The need to experiment, prototype and model with programmable kinetic forms is becoming increasingly important as digital technology becomes more readily embedded in physical structures and provides real-time variable data the capacity to transform the structures themselves. This thesis introduces Topobo, a gestural design tool embedded with kinetic memory--the ability to record, playback, and transform physical motion in three dimensional space. As a set of kinetic building blocks, Topobo records and repeats the body's gesture while the system's peer-to-peer networking scheme provides the capability to pass and transform q gesture. This creates a means to represent and understand algorithmic simulations in a physical material, providing a physical demonstration of how a simple set of rules can lead to complex form and behavior. Topobo takes advantage of the editability of computer data combined with the physical immediacy of a tangible model to provide a means for expression and investigation of kinetic patterns and processes not possible with existing materials.Amanda J. Parkes.S.M

“I Do Have a Softer Side”: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Prisoner-Dog Relationship in the Canine Partners for Life Training Program

This qualitative study investigated the relationship between incarcerated dog handlers and the service dogs they trained. Six men at a large northeastern prison were interviewed during the summer of 2017; all were current or former dog trainers in the Canine Partners for Life (CPL) training program. The men were serving prison sentences ranging anywhere from several years to life without parole. The interviews focused on their lived experience, rasing and training puppies for a period up to eighteen months. The qualitative data consisted of approximately thirteen hours of transcribed interviews, which were then interpreted using the phenomenological psychological method developed in the Psychology Department at Duquesne University (Giorgi, 1970, 1985a,1985b). Eleven themes were identified as being common to all participants. The data revealed that the relationship between a trainer and his dog was a transformative one. In this relationship, a new world unfolded, which did not previously exist in the prison environment. Participants who had previously felt like failures and lived essentially fearful and lonely existences, now experienced a sense of purpose and solidarity within the dog training community. Not feeling judged and simultaneously feeling loved by their dogs, gave the participants in this study hope. By experiencing their dog’s unconditional love for them, the trainers began to understand that they could comport themselves in new ways toward others. For example, participants now understood the value of being more patient with people and taking time to communicate with them. The trust between the trainer and his dog was mutually reinforcing and facilitated a sense of a shared world. Additionally, a sense of accomplishment and worth derived from the fact that others now looked to the trainers as people who could speak knowledgeably about a valuable skill: training dogs. Each handler in this study self-identifified as someone whose purpose in life now was to help another human being and potentially save a life – to “give back” and even be “redeemed”. All of the men spoke of their dogs as being like babies or children for whom they felt an immense responsibility, and who - despite the incredible commitment and months of hard work – like children also provided welcomed moments of ineffable joy and lightness. A final theme was one of mourning and loss as participants had to relinquish the dog at the end of the training program. Suggestions are also offered for future research, as well as some reflections on the role and experience of the researcher with a population such as this. Odysseus is recognized by Argus after an absence of 20 year

Digital paleoart: reconstruction and restoration from laser-scanned fossils

For over two centuries, the science of paleontology has used imagery in order to help convey its ideas. This “paleoart” struggled at first to be accepted as a legitimate tool in science due to fears over scientific accuracy of reconstructions and restorations. At first, many restorations were made on the basis of poor fossil evidence. This was a result of the combination of the vastly incomplete nature of the fossil record compounded by the fact that too many artistic and scientific speculations became integrated into the artwork. With the 20th Century came the general acceptance of paleoart. Throughout the century it co-evolved with paleontology as new discoveries and ideas were founded. In the digital age, new technologies are being used not only for reconstructions and restorations, but for research purposes themselves. Digital technologies, including three-dimensional digitizers and computer animation, can now be used to create more accurate restorations than ever before, based directly on extremely detailed three-dimensional digitized fossils. In order to capitalize on this technology, and push the limits of what is possible in 21st Century paleoart, a restoration of the extinct crocodylian, Thoracosaurus neocesariensis, was created, by starting with a relatively complete digitized fossil source. The rest of the animal’s skeleton, its muscles, and outer skin were then restored, using techniques of computer animation, guided by the scientific literature and principles of comparative anatomy. Motion was then used to depict the behavior and habits of the animal, influenced by the biology of the restoration and observations of the animal’s closest living relatives. The goal was to restore an animal with an unprecedented amount of scientific accuracy by blending the techniques of rigorous scientific research with state-of-the-art computer generated imagery.M.S., Digital Media -- Drexel University, 201

Novel Lactide Derived Polymers; Synthesis, Properties and Applications

This dissertation primarily encompasses the synthesis, characterization, properties and discussion of applications for lactide derived polymers. The methodology focuses on altering polylactide\u27s (PLA\u27s) dynamic and physical properties increasing its broad market utility in both traditional and non-traditional applications. The fundamentals of this work include understanding and enhancing the polymer chemistry and materials related processes through the use of copolymerization, fluorination, composite chemistry and materials science. The first chapter discusses the important of this research with emphasis on current world issues that focuses on the feasibility of renewable resources and sustainability implementation. Modification of renewable resource materials like lactic acid is an encouragingly versatile way of impacting the economy in renewable technologies. There is a growing impetus towards the development of sustainable technologies. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive literature review of polylactide, a renewable resource polymer designed for a variety of medical, textiles and plastics based applications. Polylactic acid (PLA) is highly desired and is one of the leading candidates which is derived from a renewable resource and is also biodegradable. Chapter 3 involves the copolymerization of PLA with another renewable resource polymer, Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) designed specifically for biomedical applications and improving upon PLA\u27s intrinsic properties. It also provides a mini-review of PHA, focusing on significant attributes that make it an attractive counterpart in the copolymerization process. Chapter 4 introduces a general perspective on perfluoropolyethers and the influence of the C-F bond. It includes the synthesis and characterization of perfluoropolyether modified PLA polymers with emphasis on surface property enhancement. The next chapter (5) focuses on a slightly different approach. It relies on the development of novel thiophene based monomers that can act as an initiator for the ring opening polymerization of lactide and illustrates its ability as highly luminescent material that can have use in sensing applications. Chapter 6 also involves the synthesis of a novel four arm star monomer, resulting in a dendrimer like polylactide polymer. Its efficiency as a chemical sensor and potential for antimicrobial and antifungal properties will be discussed

Evangelical Visitor - September, 1995 Vol. 108. No. 9.

Vol. 108. No. 9

Time to Leave Uchronia: Queer Eco-Temporalities for a Livable World

My dissertation is a Feminist contribution to Environmental Political Theory focused on temporality. My research investigates the tension between the urgent need to act fast in a fast-changing world, and the necessity for time to pause and think through such radical and rapid changes. As it signals our nearing the planet’s limits, the emergence of the “anthropocene” crisis challenges growth-driven “progress.” I begin this dissertation with a survey of Environmental Thought that helps situate my contribution to the ongoing debates in this field, underscoring that as ecosophers pose the question of the nonhuman, in so doing they also are confronted with problems related to temporality. Then, building on the concept of “utopia,” I critique a temporality that assumes infinite growth on a planet with finite resources, while constantly postponing its promises of abundance to an impossible future. The concept I propose is “uchronia”: growth-driven progress is a timeless (ou-chronos), dangerously idealized (eu-chronos) temporality, just like “utopia” refers to both a “nowhere” place and an “ideal” place (ou- and eu-topos). I draw from Nietzsche’s concept of eternal return to problematize teleologies of progress: the eternal return prompts us to live our lives as though we were prepared to re-live them eternally. In contrast with uchronia, alternative, queer eco-temporalities – I call these “anti-uchronia,” “heterochronia,” and “synchrony” – build upon and radicalize sustainability. However, not all “eco-temporalities” – alternatives to the hegemonic, in-crisis temporalities – constitute themselves as non-linear or radical – i.e not all of them are queer: I have also coined the concept of “counter-uchronia” to describe certain understandings of “sustainable growth,” justifications of geoengineering and carbon markets creation, as well as primitivist (often virilist) environmentalist discourses which respectively advocate the “return” to a golden past of harmony with (often feminized) “Nature,” or technofixes and green capitalism to amend and resume growth-driven progress’ uchronian course. To advance this conceptual framework, I offer close readings of environmental science fiction stories, activist manifestos, graffiti art, performing arts including contemporary dance and circus, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientific reports