Hand and face segmentation using motion and colour cues in digital image sequences

© 2001 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.In this paper, we present a hand and face segmentation algorithm using motion and color cues. The algorithm is proposed for the content based representation of sign language image sequences, where the hands and face constitute a video object. Our hand and face segmentation algorithm consists of three stages, namely color segmentation, temporal segmentation, and video object plane generation. In color segmentation, we model the skin color as a normal distribution and classify each pixel as skin or non-skin based on its Mahalanobis distance. The aim of temporal segmentation is to localize moving objects in image sequences. A statistical variance test is employed to detect object motion between two consecutive images. Finally, the results from color and temporal segmentation are analyzed to yield a change detection mask. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated by simulation carried out on the silent test sequence.Nariman Habili ; Cheng-Chew Lim ; Alireza Moin

Segmentation of the face and hands in sign language video sequences using color and motion cues

Copyright © 2004 IEEEWe present a hand and face segmentation methodology using color and motion cues for the content-based representation of sign language video sequences. The methodology consists of three stages: skin-color segmentation; change detection; face and hand segmentation mask generation. In skin-color segmentation, a universal color-model is derived and image pixels are classified as skin or nonskin based on their Mahalanobis distance. We derive a segmentation threshold for the classifier. The aim of change detection is to localize moving objects in a video sequences. The change detection technique is based on the F test and block-based motion estimation. Finally, the results from skin-color segmentation and change detection are analyzed to segment the face and hands. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated by simulations carried out on standard test sequences.Nariman Habili, Cheng Chew Lim, and Alireza Moin

AN ADAPTIVE REUSE PROPOSAL FOR KING "ZOG" ROYAL RESIDENCE IN DURRES, ALBANIA

This research focuses on the Royal Residence of King “Zog I,” located in Durres, Albania. Designed at first as presidential palace and later reconceptualized as a summer royal residence this building was subject of different architectural proposals from Armando Brasini, Kristo Sotiri, Hans Kohler, and Florestano di Fausto. This research aims to reveal and revive the architectural values of the Royal Residence, which for years has been abandoned in a degraded situation. To achieve this goal, the study proposes an adaptive reuse approach. This proposal is seen as a strategic solution for providing the needed sustainability for the maintenance and conservation of the building. The methodology includes archival research, documentation of the architectural evolution of the building through redrawing, and visualization. Archival research is used to provide original drawings of buildings different periods, from National Technical Construction Archive [AQTN] and National Central Archive [AQSH]. Redrawing includes plans and section which are reproduced based on the original drawings from the archives. Visualization is used to achieve three dimensional images of the building’s exterior proposals and also interiors of the spaces according to the new functions. The adaptive reuse proposal, respects the restoration standards and architectural style of the building. Based on this, the new spatial configuration of the building is conceptualized into two main scenarios, including the first one of the permanent exhibition of Albanian Monarchy and the second, which adapts certain spaces for temporary usage to function for public/private events and conferences

Investigation and characterization of TiO2-TFC nanocomposite membranes; membrane preparation and UV studies

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Class Separation Improvements in Pixel Classification Using Colour Injection

This paper presents an improvement in the colour image segmentation in the Hue Saturation (HS) sub-space. The authors propose to inject (add) a colour vector in the Red Green Blue (RGB) space to increase the class separation in the HS plane. The goal of the work is the development of an algorithm to obtain the optimal colour vector for injection that maximizes the separation between the classes in the HS plane. The chromatic Chrominace-1 Chrominance-2 sub-space (of the Luminance Chrominace-1 Chrominance-2 (YC1C2) space) is used to obtain the optimal vector to add. The proposal is applied on each frame of a colour image sequence in real-time. It has been tested in applications with reduced contrast between the colours of the background and the object, and particularly when the size of the object is very small in comparison with the size of the captured scene. Numerous tests have confirmed that this proposal improves the segmentation process, considerably reducing the effects of the variation of the light intensity of the scene. Several tests have been made in skin segmentation in applications for sign language recognition via computer vision, where an accurate segmentation of hands and face is required

Characterization of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 genetic variants and application towards RT-qPCR assay design

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the most widely prevalent and economically important of the complex of RNA viruses associated with grapevine leafroll disease (GLD). Phylogenetic studies have grouped GLRaV-3 isolates into nine different monophyletic groups and four supergroups, making GLRaV-3 a genetically highly diverse virus species. In addition, new divergent variants have been discovered recently around the world. Accurate identification of the virus is an essential component in the management and control of GLRaV-3; however, the diversity of GLRaV-3, coupled with the limited sequence information, have complicated the development of a reliable detection assay. In this study, GLRaV-3 sequence data available in GenBank and those generated at Foundation Plant Services, University of California-Davis, was used to develop a new RT-qPCR assay with the capacity to detect all known GLRaV-3 variants. The new assay, referred to as FPST, was challenged against samples that included plants infected with different GLRaV-3 variants and originating from 46 countries. The FPST assay detected all known GLRaV-3 variants, including the highly divergent variants, by amplifying a small highly conserved region in the 3' untranslated terminal region (UTR) of the virus genome. The reliability of the new RT-qPCR assay was confirmed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that can detect all known GLRaV-3 variants characterized to date. Additionally, three new GLRaV-3 divergent variants, represented by four isolates, were identified using a hierarchical testing process involving the FPST assay, GLRaV-3 variant-specific assays and high-throughput sequencing analysis. These variants were distantly related to groups I, II, III, V, VI, VII and IX, but much similar to GLRaV-3 variants with no assigned group; thus, they may represent new clades. Finally, based on the phylogenetic analysis, a new GLRaV-3 subclade is proposed and named as group X.Alfredo Diaz-Lara, Vicki Klaassen, Kristian Stevens, Mysore R. Sudarshana, Adib Rowhani ... Nuredin Habili ... et al

The "CapAbility" project in services against severe adult exclusion in Italy: the importance of individual freedoms in promoting well-being.

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Content-based representation of sign language video sequences / Nariman Habili.

"September, 2002"Bibliography: p. 175-190.190 p. : ill. (some col.), plates (some col.) ; 30 cm.In this thesis, a methodology is devised for the segmentation of the face and hands in sign language video sequences. As well as an improved coding performance, the content-based representation of video data would allow other functionalities, such as improved error-robustness and scalability.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 200

Comparative studies on tomato aspermy and cucumber mosaic viruses / by Nooredin Habili.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-123).xi, 123 leaves : ill., photos ; 26 cm.The comparative studies carried out suggest that tomato aspermy virus and the Q strain of cucumber mosaic virus are sufficiently similar to be included in the same taxonomic group. Nevertheless, the two viruses are distinct and the present nomenclature should be retained.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Pathology, 197