Measuring the Discernability of Virtual Objects in Conventional and Stylized Augmented Reality

In augmented reality, virtual graphical objects are overlaid over the real environment of the observer. Conventional augmented reality systems normally use standard real-time rendering methods for generating the graphical representations of virtual objects. These renderings contain the typical artifacts of computer generated graphics, e.g., aliasing caused by the rasterization process and unrealistic, manually configured illumination models. Due to these artifacts, virtual objects look artifical and can easily be distinguished from the real environment. A different approach to generating augmented reality images is the basis of stylized augmented reality [FBS05c]. Here, similar types of artistic or illustrative stylization are applied to the virtual objects and the camera image of the real enviroment. Therefore, real and virtual image elements look significantly more similar and are less distinguishable from each other. In this paper, we present the results of a psychophysical study on the effectiveness of stylized augmented reality. In this study, a number of participants were asked to decide whether objects shown in images of augmented reality scenes are virtual or real. Conventionally rendered as well as stylized augmented reality images and short video clips were presented to the participants. The correctness of the participants' responses and their reaction times were recorded. The results of our study show that an equalized level of realism is achieved by using stylized augmented reality, i.e., that it is significantly more difficult to distinguish virtual objects from real objects

Effect of three common SNPs in 5′-flanking region of LEP and ADIPOQ genes on their expression in Polish obese children and adolescents

Genes encoding adipokines are considered as candidates for human obesity. In this study we analyzed the expression of leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) genes in relation to common 5′-flanking or 5′UTR variants: -2548G>A (LEP), 19A>G (LEP) and -11377C>G (ADIPOQ) in Polish obese children and adolescents. Relative transcription levels in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (real time RT–PCR) and serum protein concentrations (RIA) were measured in 48 obese subjects with known genotypes at three polymorphic sites and in five non-obese controls. None of the studied polymorphisms altered significantly the expression. Significantly elevated relative transcription levels of the LEP gene (P < 0.05) and serum leptin concentrations (P < 0.01) were recorded in obese patients, when compared with the non-obese controls, but such differences were not found for the ADIPOQ gene. Interestingly, the leptin to adiponectin protein concentration ratio (L/A) was approximately sevenfold higher in obese children and adolescents when compared with the non-obese controls (P < 0.001). Taking into consideration the observed relationship between the genotypes and the gene expression level we suggest that these SNPs are not conclusive markers for predisposition to obesity in Polish children and adolescents. On the other hand, we confirmed that the leptin to adiponectin gene expression ratio (L/A) is an informative index characterizing obesity

Gamow Shell Model Description of Neutron-Rich Nuclei

This work presents the first continuum shell-model study of weakly bound neutron-rich nuclei involving multiconfiguration mixing. For the single-particle basis, the complex-energy Berggren ensemble representing the bound single-particle states, narrow resonances, and the non-resonant continuum background is taken. Our shell-model Hamiltonian consists of a one-body finite potential and a zero-range residual two-body interaction. The systems with two valence neutrons are considered. The Gamow shell model, which is a straightforward extension of the traditional shell model, is shown to be an excellent tool for the microscopic description of weakly bound systems. It is demonstrated that the residual interaction coupling to the particle continuum is important; in some cases, it can give rise to the binding of a nucleus.Comment: 4 pages, More realistic s.p. energies used than in the precedent versio

NN interaction in a Goldstone boson exchange model

Adiabatic nucleon-nucleon potentials are calculated in a six-quark nonrelativistic chiral constituent quark model where the Hamiltonian contains a linear confinement and a pseudoscalar meson (Goldstone boson) exchange interaction between quarks. Calculations are performed both in a cluster model and a molecular orbital basis, through coupled channels. In both cases the potentials present an important hard core at short distances, explained through the dominance of the [51]_{FS} configuration, but do not exhibit an attractive pocket. We add a scalar meson exchange interaction and show how it can account for some middle-range attraction.Comment: 32 pages with 12 eps figures incorporated, RevTeX. Final version published in PR

Numerical Model of a Variable-Combined-Cycle Engine for Dual Subsonic and Supersonic Cruise

Efficient high speed propulsion requires exploiting the cooling capability of the cryogenic fuel in the propulsion cycle. This paper presents the numerical model of a combined cycle engine while in air turbo-rocket configuration. Specific models of the various heat exchanger modules and the turbomachinery elements were developed to represent the physical behavior at off-design operation. The dynamic nature of the model allows the introduction of the engine control logic that limits the operation of certain subcomponents and extends the overall engine operational envelope. The specific impulse and uninstalled thrust are detailed while flying a determined trajectory between Mach 2.5 and 5 for varying throttling levels throughout the operational envelope

Gamow Shell Model Description of Weakly Bound Nuclei and Unbound Nuclear States

We present the study of weakly bound, neutron-rich nuclei using the nuclear shell model employing the complex Berggren ensemble representing the bound single-particle states, unbound Gamow states, and the non-resonant continuum. In the proposed Gamow Shell Model, the Hamiltonian consists of a one-body finite depth (Woods-Saxon) potential and a residual two-body interaction. We discuss the basic ingredients of the Gamow Shell Model. The formalism is illustrated by calculations involving {\it several} valence neutrons outside the double-magic core: $^{6-10}$He and $^{18-22}$O.Comment: 19 pages, 20 encapsulated PostScript figure

Exploring sources of resistance to brown rot in an interspecific almond × peach population

BACKGROUND: Monilinia spp. are responsible for brown rot, one of the most significant stone fruit diseases. Planting resistant cultivars seems a promising alternative, although most commercial cultivars are susceptible to brown rot. The aim of this study was to explore resistance to Monilinia fructicola over two seasons in a backcross one interspecific population between almond ‘Texas’ and peach ‘Earlygold’ (named T1E). RESULTS: ‘Texas’ almond was resistant to brown rot inoculation, whereas peach was highly susceptible. Phenotypic data from the T1E population indicated wide differences in response to M. fructicola. Additionally, several non-wounded individuals exhibited resistance to brown rot. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified in several linkage groups, but only two proximal QTLs in G4 were detected over both seasons and accounted for 11.3–16.2% of the phenotypic variation. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the progeny allowed the identification of resistant genotypes that could serve as a source of resistance in peach breeding programs. The finding of loci associated with brown rot resistance would shed light on implementing a strategy based on marker-assisted selection (MAS) for introgression of this trait into elite peach materials. New peach cultivars resistant to brown rot may contribute to the implementation of more sustainable crop protection strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Phenomenological study of hadron interaction models

We present a phenomenological study of three models with different effective degrees of freedom: a Goldstone Boson Exchange (GBE) model which is based on quark-meson couplings, the quark delocalization, color screening model (QDCSM) which is based on quark-gluon couplings with delocalized quark wavefunctions, and the Fujiwara-Nijmegen (FN) mixed model which includes both quark-meson and quark-gluon couplings. We find that for roughly two-thirds of 64 states consisting of pairs of octet and decuplet baryons, the three models predict similar effective baryon-baryon interactions. This suggests that the three very different models, based on different effective degrees of freedom, are nonetheless all compatible with respect to baryon spectra and baryon-baryon interactions. We also discuss the differences between the three models and their separate characteristics.Comment: 30 pages latex, 7 tables, 12 figs; submitted to Phys. Rev.