Evaluation of the color image and video processing chain and visual quality management for consumer systems

With the advent of novel digital display technologies, color processing is increasingly becoming a key aspect in consumer video applications. Today’s state-of-the-art displays require sophisticated color and image reproduction techniques in order to achieve larger screen size, higher luminance and higher resolution than ever before. However, from color science perspective, there are clearly opportunities for improvement in the color reproduction capabilities of various emerging and conventional display technologies. This research seeks to identify potential areas for improvement in color processing in a video processing chain. As part of this research, various processes involved in a typical video processing chain in consumer video applications were reviewed. Several published color and contrast enhancement algorithms were evaluated, and a novel algorithm was developed to enhance color and contrast in images and videos in an effective and coordinated manner. Further, a psychophysical technique was developed and implemented for performing visual evaluation of color image and consumer video quality. Based on the performance analysis and visual experiments involving various algorithms, guidelines were proposed for the development of an effective color and contrast enhancement method for images and video applications. It is hoped that the knowledge gained from this research will help build a better understanding of color processing and color quality management methods in consumer video

Engineering data compendium. Human perception and performance. User's guide

The concept underlying the Engineering Data Compendium was the product of a research and development program (Integrated Perceptual Information for Designers project) aimed at facilitating the application of basic research findings in human performance to the design and military crew systems. The principal objective was to develop a workable strategy for: (1) identifying and distilling information of potential value to system design from the existing research literature, and (2) presenting this technical information in a way that would aid its accessibility, interpretability, and applicability by systems designers. The present four volumes of the Engineering Data Compendium represent the first implementation of this strategy. This is the first volume, the User's Guide, containing a description of the program and instructions for its use

Multisensory Motion Perception in 3\u20134 Month-Old Infants

Human infants begin very early in life to take advantage of multisensory information by extracting the invariant amodal information that is conveyed redundantly by multiple senses. Here we addressed the question as to whether infants can bind multisensory moving stimuli, and whether this occurs even if the motion produced by the stimuli is only illusory. Three- to 4-month-old infants were presented with two bimodal pairings: visuo-tactile and audio-visual. Visuo-tactile pairings consisted of apparently vertically moving bars (the Barber Pole illusion) moving in either the same or opposite direction with a concurrent tactile stimulus consisting of strokes given on the infant\u2019s back. Audio-visual pairings consisted of the Barber Pole illusion in its visual and auditory version, the latter giving the impression of a continuous rising or ascending pitch. We found that infants were able to discriminate congruently (same direction) vs. incongruently moving (opposite direction) pairs irrespective of modality (Experiment 1). Importantly, we also found that congruently moving visuo-tactile and audio-visual stimuli were preferred over incongruently moving bimodal stimuli (Experiment 2). Our findings suggest that very young infants are able to extract motion as amodal component and use it to match stimuli that only apparently move in the same direction

New Trends in 3D Printing

A quarter century period of the 3D printing technology development affords ground for speaking about new realities or the formation of a new technological system of digital manufacture and partnership. The up-to-date 3D printing is at the top of its own overrated expectations. So the development of scalable, high-speed methods of the material 3D printing aimed to increase the productivity and operating volume of the 3D printing machines requires new original decisions. It is necessary to study the 3D printing applicability for manufacturing of the materials with multilevel hierarchical functionality on nano-, micro- and meso-scales that can find applications for medical, aerospace and/or automotive industries. Some of the above-mentioned problems and new trends are considered in this book

Variation in male gaze patterns : do gaze patterns generalize between sexually relevant and non-relevant stimuli?

Preliminary eye-tracking studies have identified two distinct gazing strategies which males employ when assessing the attractiveness of female images (Melnyk, McCord, & Vaske, 2014). It has been hypothesized that differences in male gazing strategy reflect differences in their mating strategy. Conversely it is possible that differences in gazing strategy simply reflect a difference in cognitive processing style. To explore these possibilities the current study examined the degree to which gaze patterns did or did not generalize between assessing the attractiveness of sexually relevant images, (females) and sexually irrelevant images (pre-pubescent or post menarche females, males, chimps, and neutral images). The model was partially supported as latent class analyses revealed a two class solution existed for one of the sexually relevant females, but for all other images gazing behaviors were best represented by single class solutions. For the female with two distinct groups of gazers a MANOVA was used to determine differences on gazing variables. Results revealed significant differences in the amount of time spent on the face F (1,75) = 7.191, p = .009; n2 = .087, and hair (1, 75) = 157.328, p = .000; n2 = .677. Priming effects and the implications for future studies are explored

Rockscapes:A Study of Forms in the Natural Formations of Hyderabad

Rock formations in the Deccan Plateau are very old; some of them are older than 2.5 million years. Geologically, rocks constitute of various mineral compositions within the core and these decide how they are shaped due to weathering over many years. These beautifully weathered landscapes are affected by the recent rapid urbanization. Thus by photographically studying the forms and divulging the inner souls, this project attempts to sensitize a viewer towards these rockscapes. Photographs are presented in square format to highlight the form and texture. As per the psychology of shapes, square is quite balanced and that encourages the viewer to move around within the frame. It provides a clutter free and simple composition. In addition, the images are printed in monochrome to eliminate the visual dominance of color, to emphasize form and texture, to feel the timelessness and to amplify the use of negative space. By grouping the images, the subject matter is presented to the viewer with intended emphasis – singles, sky, plants, shadow and radials

An approach toward function allocation between humans and machines in space station activities

Basic guidelines and data to assist in the allocation of functions between humans and automated systems in a manned permanent space station are provided. Human capabilities and limitations are described. Criteria and guidelines for various levels of automation and human participation are described. A collection of human factors data is included

An investigation into the effectiveness of PDF/X premedia workflows

PDF/X technology was introduced in the mid 90\u27s with the intentions of improving and automating the prepress workflows. Standards committees such as CGATS (Committee for Graphic Arts Technical Standards) and DDAP (Digital Distribution of Advertisers for Publications) started to draft and implement a plan of action to succeed the current file formats being used in premedia workflows. Previous file submissions that were handed off from advertising and design agencies became too time-consuming to prepare them for the final run. Top-tier printing and publishing companies such as RR Donnelley, Quad Graphics, Vertis, and Time Inc, started to invest in new technology integration in order to improve efficiency and automate the production workflow for publications and advertisements. Recently, the committees have finished and received approval on 2/3rds of the intended outline for ISO 15930: 2003 Standards for Graphic Technology - - Prepress digital data exchange - - for the use of PDF.1 PDF/X-1a and X-3 have been approved as standards and solutions for the publication and commercial printing markets. PDF/X-2 is still in the process of finalization, but will be beneficial mostly to catalog and commercial printing. The goal of these standards is to provide an efficient vehicle for exchanging raster and vector data for print production within the graphic arts industry. The intent was for the sender and the receiver of PDF/X files to use applications that have the same level of compliance. Therefore, digital data workflows could be processed seamlessly between these channels of communication without any surprises. This would change premedia operations and bridge the communication gap between the customer (agency, designer) and the service provider (prepress, publisher), eliminating any variables or errors. This new workflow is still a mystery to many. Only the larger companies that have already invested in this new technology are truly knowledgeable about it. With this transition taking place, a greater percentage medium-sized plant in the $2 million to 5 million-range plan to start investing in Portable Document Format (PDF) workflow solutions than other size-shops.2 The purpose of this thesis is measure the current PostScript workflow that the majority of premedia industry currently uses versus the new PDF/X workflow solution created to reduce the steps in current premedia operation. Most importantly, this will result in a new model based on PDF/X technology for mid-sized companies to invest in, that promises a high return-on-investment. Premedia operations are usually responsible for 20-25% of the overall selling costs according to 2002 PIA Ratios. Due to the variety of difficulties encountered in current premedia workflows, this model will be developed to decrease production time and costs. Within the first half of the study, data will be collected through measurement and visual assessment to evaluate the performance and functionality of both premedia operations. In the other half of this study, subjective testing will address the issues of raster image processing time and a reduction of storage requirements

Colorism Experiences of Non-White Women Leaders in Higher Education

As the population of the United States becomes more diverse the ethnic makeup of postsecondary institutions expands. Women of color (WOC) represent a growing number within the academic community earning more postsecondary degrees then men and serve as leaders in higher education throughout the county. The increased presence of WOC inacademic positions of power, such as deans, directors, supervisors, tenured faculty, presidents, etc., indicate America’s progression towards inclusivity. However, colorism, a subset of racism favoring and advantaging lighter skin complexions and disadvantaging darker skin tones, exist as a predictor of socioeconomic status, educational attainment, martial capital, occupational, and interpersonal success for WOC. This quantitative study examines colorism experiences of non-White female leaders in the academy. Survey items focused on skin tone discrimination within colleges and universities and sought to answer the following research questions: 1) To what degree has colorism been a factor in the careers of WOC who are in positions of power, 2) To what degree are experiences with colorism associated with social justice perceptions of higher education, 3) What demographics of WOC are most associated with experiences of colorism (age, skin tone, SES) and 4) How have WOC coped with and/or responded to colorism in their workplace experiences? Findings show that colorism negatively influences the career outcomes of WOC, contributes to lowered perceptions of social justice in higher education, and affects their coping mechanisms. Redressing skin tone bias from a human resource and conflict resolution perspective can help build more inclusive organizational teams across diverse workplaces

Ethological Aspects of Stress in a Model Lizard, Anolis carolinensis

Research on the stress response in reptiles can provide a useful comparative perspective for understanding how the constituent elements of the response can be put into service of diverse behavioral adaptations. A summary of the neural and endocrine causes and consequences of specific behavioral patterns seen in the small diurnal lizard, Anolis carolinensis, has provided a model for the exploration of the dynamics of autonomic and neurohormonal contributions to adaptive behavior. In this species, changes in body color provide indices of the flux of circulating stress relevant hormones, and are seen in situations from spontaneous exploration through agonistic behavior. Furthermore, adult males spontaneously and consistently manifest social dominance relationships in captivity that provide all the elements of a stress mediated adaptive behavioral patterns. These patterns include suppressed reproduction and long-term coping apparently based more on stress-mediated changes in motivation than acquired changes in behavior. For the current version with updated commentary, see https://notes.utk.edu/bio/greenberg.nsf/93c3cdb85c9d4c7d85256876001faff2/16b5f418b10b413f85256a2c0059baf7?OpenDocumen