3D Face tracking and gaze estimation using a monocular camera

Estimating a user’s gaze direction, one of the main novel user interaction technologies, will eventually be used for numerous applications where current methods are becoming less effective. In this paper, a new method is presented for estimating the gaze direction using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), which finds a linear relationship between two datasets defining the face pose and the corresponding facial appearance changes. Afterwards, iris tracking is performed by blob detection using a 4-connected component labeling algorithm. Finally, a gaze vector is calculated based on gathered eye properties. Results obtained from datasets and real-time input confirm the robustness of this metho

Can item effects explain away the evidence for unconscious sound symbolism? An adversarial commentary on Heyman, Maerten, Vankrunkelsven, Voorspoels and Moors (2019)

status: Published onlin

Spacecraft Radiation Shielding by a Dispersed Array of Superconducting Magnets

Two studies examined how lexical information contained in words affects people’s category representations. Some words are lexically suggestive regarding the taxonomic position of their referent (e.g., bumblebee, starfish). However, this information differs from language to language (e.g., in Dutch the equivalent words hold no taxonomic information: hommel, vlinder). Three language groups, Dutch, English, and Indonesian speakers, were tested in similarity and typicality judgment tasks. The results show that the lexical information affects only the users of the language (e.g., Dutch speakers rated Dutch-informative items, both in similarity and typicality tasks, higher than English and Indonesian speakers). Results are discussed in light of theories of concept representation and the language relativity hypothesis.status: publishe

A canonical correlation analysis based motion model for probabilistic visual tracking

Particle filters are often used for tracking objects within a scene. As the prediction model of a particle filter is often implemented using basic movement predictions such as random walk, constant velocity or acceleration, these models will usually be incorrect. Therefore, this paper proposes a new approach, based on a Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) tracking method which provides an object specific motion model. This model is used to construct a proposal distribution of the prediction model which predicts new states, increasing the robustness of the particle filter. Results confirm an increase in accuracy compared to state-of-the-art method

When cheating is an honest mistake

Dishonesty is an intriguing phenomenon, studied extensively across various disciplines due to its impact on people’s lives as well as society in general. To examine dishonesty in a controlled setting, researchers have developed a number of experimental paradigms. One of the most popular approaches in this regard, is the matrix task, in which participants receive matrices wherein they have to find two numbers that sum to 10 (e.g., 4.81 and 5.19), under time pressure. In a next phase, participants need to report how many matrices they had solved correctly, allowing them the opportunity to cheat by exaggerating their performance in order to get a larger reward. Here, we argue, both on theoretical and empirical grounds, that the matrix task is ill-suited to study dishonest behavior, primarily because it conflates cheating with honest mistakes. We therefore recommend researchers to use different paradigms to examine dishonesty, and treat (previous) findings based on the matrix task with due caution

Improving the translation environment for professional translators

When using computer-aided translation systems in a typical, professional translation workflow, there are several stages at which there is room for improvement. The SCATE (Smart Computer-Aided Translation Environment) project investigated several of these aspects, both from a human-computer interaction point of view, as well as from a purely technological side. This paper describes the SCATE research with respect to improved fuzzy matching, parallel treebanks, the integration of translation memories with machine translation, quality estimation, terminology extraction from comparable texts, the use of speech recognition in the translation process, and human computer interaction and interface design for the professional translation environment. For each of these topics, we describe the experiments we performed and the conclusions drawn, providing an overview of the highlights of the entire SCATE project

Putting the self in self-correction: findings from the loss-of-confidence project

Science is often perceived to be a self-correcting enterprise. In principle, the assessment of scientific claims is supposed to proceed in a cumulative fashion, with the reigning theories of the day progressively approximating truth more accurately over time. In practice, however, cumulative self-correction tends to proceed less efficiently than one might naively suppose. Far from evaluating new evidence dispassionately and infallibly, individual scientists often cling stubbornly to prior findings. Here we explore the dynamics of scientific self-correction at an individual rather than collective level. In 13 written statements, researchers from diverse branches of psychology share why and how they have lost confidence in one of their own published findings. We qualitatively characterize these disclosures and explore their implications. A cross-disciplinary survey suggests that such loss-of-confidence sentiments are surprisingly common among members of the broader scientific population yet rarely become part of the public record. We argue that removing barriers to self-correction at the individual level is imperative if the scientific community as a whole is to achieve the ideal of efficient self-correction

The Process of Replication Target Selection in Psychology: What to Consider?

Increased execution of replication studies contributes to the effort to restore credibility of empirical research. However, a second generation of problems arises: the number of potential replication targets is at a serious mismatch with available resources. Given limited resources, replication target selection should be well justified, systematic, and transparently communicated. At present the discussion on what to consider when selecting a replication target is limited to theoretical discussion, self-reported justifications, and a few formalized suggestions. In this Registered Report, we proposed a study involving the scientific community to create a list of considerations for consultation when selecting a replication target in psychology. We employed a modified Delphi approach. First, we constructed a preliminary list of considerations. Second, we surveyed psychologists who previously selected a replication target with regards to their considerations. Third, we incorporated the results into the preliminary list of considerations and sent the updated list to a group of individuals knowledgeable about concerns regarding replication target selection. Over the course of several rounds, we established consensus regarding what to consider when selecting a replication target

Impact of Obesity on Pediatric Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of obesity on pediatric acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: We determined body mass index (BMI) status at enrollment in INSPPIRE (INternational Study group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) cohort using CDC criteria for pediatric-specific BMI percentiles. We used the Cochran-Armitage test to assess trends and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test to determine associations. RESULTS: Of 446 subjects (acute recurrent pancreatitis, n = 241; CP, n = 205), 22 were underweight, 258 normal weight, 75 overweight, and 91 were obese. The BMI groups were similar in sex, race, and age at presentation. Hypertriglyceridemia was more common in overweight or obese. Obese children were less likely to have CP and more likely to have acute inflammation on imaging. Compared with children with normal weight, obese or overweight children were older at first acute pancreatitis episode and diagnosed with CP at an older age. Obese or overweight children were less likely to undergo medical or endoscopic treatment, develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and require total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. Diabetes was similar among all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity or overweight seems to delay the initial acute pancreatitis episode and diagnosis of CP compared with normal weight or underweight. The impact of obesity on pediatric CP progression and severity deserves further study