The Uncanny Valley The Effect of Removing Blendshapes from Facial Animation

Ever since its introduction in 1970 by the roboticist Dr. Mori, the uncanny valley has become an integral part of facial animation. While most of the work on the uncanny valley is focused on finding a way to surpass the uncanny valley and how certain things could be designed to increase or decrease the uncanniness of an animation, this paper investigates how removing certain blendshapes from the facial animation changes our perception about the eeriness of that animation. The goal is to identify the “necessary” blendshapes which bring about a significant change the perceived uncanniness of the animation. For achieving this, participants undergo visual tests which entails observing short animated clips expressing different emotions and recording the human-likeness and uncanniness, as perceived by the observers. The results validate some of the existing theories about the uncanny valley and also identify the necessary blendshapes for every emotion. The results show that removing the blendshapes not only affects the eeriness but also the perceived human-likeness and may change our perception of the emotion expressed in the animation

Computer aided detection of defects in FRP bridge decks using infrared thermography

The objective of this research is to develop a turn-key system that is able to interface with the FLIR ThermaCAM S60 infrared camera and automatically capture and analyze defects in infrared images of FRP bridge decks. Infrared thermography is one of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that are being used to locate defects (debonds and delaminations) in bridge components. It is a rapid data collection and interpretation technique having high sensitivity and reliability. Analysis of infrared images by human interpretation is dependent on the users knowledge and hence introduces ambiguity in the defect detection process.;This thesis investigates the use of an automated defect detection system to locate defects in infrared images of FRP bridge decks to eliminate/reduce human intervention. Air-filled and water-filled debonds were inserted between the wearing surface and the underlying FRP deck. Also, simulated subsurface delaminations (of various sizes and thickness) were created at the flange-to-flange junction between two FRP deck modules. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Harvesting Power Through Random Vibrations of Aerospace Vehicles from Nanostructured La-Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3) - PbZrTiO3 Ferroelectric Ceramics

Synthesis by mechanochemical activation route and optimisation for power harvesting properties of nano-structured Pb0.98La0.02(NiSb)0.05[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.995]0.95O3 [La-PNS-PZT] ferroelectric ceramic composition has been carried out and reported here for the first time. Progressive perovskite phase formation during mechanical activation from 5 h to 40 h followed by reactive sintering was analyzed from X-Ray Diffraction analysis. Noticeable formation of perovskite phase after10 h of milling and further its completion in successive reactive sintering was observed. Particle morphology of the 10 h activated nano-La-PNS-PZT powder analysed by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) indicated average particle size (d50) of about 24nm. Microstructural studies of samples reactively sintered at 1220 °C were performed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for powders activated for various durations, indicated the compact microstructure for 10 h activation which resulted in optimum piezoelectric properties viz. piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33=449x10-12 C/N), piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33= 32x10-3 m-V/N), Figure of merit for power harvesting (14.4 x10-12 V-m-C/N2) accompanied by excellent stability of permittivity in the range -50 °C to 100 °C. The output voltage obtained from simulated random vibrations of aerospace vehicles at various Power Spectrum Density (PSD) values, measures about 3.0 mV output across resistance of 1 kΩ  indicating suitability of composition for harvesting the power from aerospace vehicle vibrations

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN LAYER BIRDS SUPPLEMENTED WITH HERBAL LIVER TONIC AND ANTISTRESSOR PRODUCT DURING SUMMER STRESS

Objective: The present study was designed to study the efficacy of herbal liver tonic product Superliv liquid (M/S Ayurvet Limited) on overall performance in layer birds during summer stress.Methods: Seventy-two commercial layer strain BV300 were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was subdivided into three replicates (n=8). Group T0, the control group, supplemented with commercial layer mash only. In Group T1 commercial layer mash supplemented with synthetic vitamin C at 100 gm/tonne of feed and group T2 commercial layer supplemented with herbal liver tonic-Superliv Liquid at 10 ml/100birds/day (M/S Ayurvet Limited). The layer performance parameters like feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg weight, egg production and egg quality were studied.Results: Feed efficiency was also found to be improved in Superliv liquid supplemented group T2. Significant (p<0.05) improvement in egg weight and egg production in Superliv liquid supplemented group T2. Serum cortisol level was also significantly reduced in group T2 birds after Superliv liquid supplementation.Conclusion: From the overall study, it was concluded that the supplementation synthetic vitamin C as well as herbal liver tonic Superliv liquid at the levels studied in the experiment found to be beneficial to improve the performance parameters like feed efficiency, egg weight, egg production in laying hens during summer stress.Keywords: Herbal liver tonic, Synthetic vitamin C, Layer performance, Summer stres

Image Mapping and Object Removal Using ADM in Image Inpainting: Review

Image inpainting is a technology for restoring the damaged parts of an image by referring to the information from the undamaged parts to make the restored image look “complete”, “continuous” and “natural”. Inpainting traditionally has been done by professional restorers. For instance, in the valuable painting such as in the museum world would be carried out by a skilled art conservator or art restorer. But this process is manual so it is time consuming. Digital Image Inpainting tries to imitate this process and perform the Inpainting automatically. The aim of this work is to develop an automatic system that can remove unwanted objects from the image and restore the image in undetectable way. Among various image inpainting algorithms Alternating Direction Method (ADM) is used for image restoration. ADM works well for solving inverse problem. In this paper, various applications of ADM method for image restoration are discussed. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15030

Alteration in oxygen consumption of fresh water fish Puntius stigma exposed to sublethal concentrations of insecticide Phytofos

Now a days large number of new insecticide formulations are used to protect the crops from various insects. Water pollution caused by insecticide is a serious problem it affects the aquatic animals adversely. Static bioassay experiments were conducted to find out 96 hr LC 50 value for fish Puntius stigma. For finding out respiratory response, the  fishes of average length 3.7 Cm. were exposed to 0.4 mg/l (1/10 96 hr LC 50) and 0.8 mg/l (1/5 96 hr LC 50) concentrations of Phytofos. The respiratory response in terms of oxygen consumption was recorded at 24,48,72 and 96 hours.At the end of first 24 hours there is  an increase in oxygen consumption is noted at 0.4 mg/l and 0.8 mg/l concentrations. At 48 hours exposure there is decrease in oxygen consumption at concentration 0.4 mg/l and at concentration 0.8 mg/l. At the end of 72 hours, there is a fall in oxygen consumption rate at both the concentration is recorded. At the end of 96 hours exposure, a reduction in oxygen consumption rate at concentration 0.4 mg/I and a just a little more fall in oxygen consumption at concentration 0.8 mg/l is noted. On transfer to toxicant free water (after 96 hours to 120 hours exposure) fishes showed recovery. Oxygen consumption in fishes are discussed with respect to time of exposure and sub lethal concentrations of insecticide Phytofos

Effect of Temperature on Aging of Ferroelectric Lead-Strontium-Zirconate-Titanate Ceramics

The effect of aging on Sr2+ modified Lead Zirconate Titanate (PSZT) ceramics have been studied. Aging was assessed by the measurement of dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent as a function of time and temperature. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent measured at different temperature range. Absolute rate of aging and relative rate of aging was determined. The PSZT ceramic showed sharp dielectric peak at temperature 300oC. The result showed that with increased temperature both the dielectric constant and rate of aging increased.Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(6), pp.683-686, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.5

Toxicity of \u3cem\u3eGynandropsis pentaphylla\u3c/em\u3e DC Extracts Against Microbials and Its Phytochemical Profile

Fresh leaves, roots, stems, seeds and seed pods of Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC were used in extractions with benzene and ether. Fresh extracts were tested against 6 bacteria and 4 fungi using the well diffusion method. Extracts of roots, stems, leaves, seeds and seed pods were screened phytochemically for the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannin, alkaloid, flavones, sugar, phenolic group, essential oil, amino acids and saponin. All the phytochemicals were observed in all the plant part extracts using both ether and benzene. Among the bacterial cultures, Agrobacterium tumefaciens (NCIM 2145) was highly susceptible (28.0±0.3 mm) to both ether and benzene extracts of the leaves of G. pentaphylla. Also A. tumefaciens showed the highest average zone of inhibition for all extracts. Among the fungi, Penicillium notatum (NCIM 747) was highly susceptible (25.0±0.0 mm) to the benzene extracts of G. pentaphylla leaves. The extracts of leaves showed highest activity among all the plant parts. Highest activity index was observed for all extracts against the fungus P. notatum

Maximizing Medium-chain Carboxylates in Mixed-culture Fermentation

Global warming, steadily increasing energy demand, and limited fossil fuel reserves are growing concerns of modern society. In the past few decades, significant advances in renewable energy research have helped reduce dependence on conventional non-renewable energy sources. Biofuels are sustainable and can replace petroleum-based fuels. Biofuels can be produced through three different platforms: thermochemical, sugar, and carboxylate. Based on experimental results, this dissertation suggests process improvements in the carboxylate and sugar platform to make biofuels more economically attractive. The carboxylate platform is a robust and scalable technology that produces fuels and chemicals from biomass. It employs methane-inhibited anaerobic fermentation to produce mainly short-chain fatty acids (SCFA, e.g., acetic, propanoic, butanoic, pentanoic). Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA, e.g., hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic acid) are more valuable than SCFAs. By feeding ethanol to the fermentor, MCFA formation is enhanced through chain elongation. To maximize MCFA production, alcohol concentrations and temperature were optimized in the mixed-culture fermentation. Chain elongation occurs at low temperatures (≤40 ⁰C) and does not occur at 55 ⁰C. Using the sugar platform, enzymes are a major cost contributor in biofuel production. Conventionally, enzymatic saccharification is performed in batch. To more efficiently use enzymes, a new continuous countercurrent method is explored. Pseudo-continuous countercurrent saccharification was performed on lime-pretreated corn stover at enzyme loadings of 1 mg CTec3/g dry biomass and (1 mg CTec3 + 1 mg HTec3)/g dry biomass and the results were compared with batch. To achieve the same glucan conversion as compared to batch, countercurrent saccharification reduced enzyme loading by 1.6 and 1.4 times at 1 mg protein/g biomass and 2 mg protein/g biomass, respectively. In rapidly growing developing countries, waste disposal is a major challenge. To address this challenge, the MixAlco process was investigated as an alternative to create economic incentives for waste disposal. The MixAlco process is one example of carboxylate platform. This work focuses on fermenting municipal solid waste in batch fermentations. Using the Continuum Particle Distribution Model (CPDM), the performance of continuous countercurrent fermentation was predicted at different volatile solid loading rates (VSLR) and liquid residence times (LRT)