Vision-based 3D Pose Retrieval and Reconstruction

The people analysis and the understandings of their motions are the key components in many applications like sports sciences, biomechanics, medical rehabilitation, animated movie productions and the game industry. In this context, retrieval and reconstruction of the articulated 3D human poses are considered as the significant sub-elements. In this dissertation, we address the problem of retrieval and reconstruction of the 3D poses from a monocular video or even from a single RGB image. We propose a few data-driven pipelines to retrieve and reconstruct the 3D poses by exploiting the motion capture data as a prior. The main focus of our proposed approaches is to bridge the gap between the separate media of the 3D marker-based recording and the capturing of motions or photographs using a simple RGB camera. In principal, we leverage both media together efficiently for 3D pose estimation. We have shown that our proposed methodologies need not any synchronized 3D-2D pose-image pairs to retrieve and reconstruct the final 3D poses, and are flexible enough to capture motion in any studio-like indoor environment or outdoor natural environment. In first part of the dissertation, we propose model based approaches for full body human motion reconstruction from the video input by employing just 2D joint positions of the four end effectors and the head. We resolve the 3D-2D pose-image cross model correspondence by developing an intermediate container the knowledge base through the motion capture data which contains information about how people move. It includes the 3D normalized pose space and the corresponding synchronized 2D normalized pose space created by utilizing a number of virtual cameras. We first detect and track the features of these five joints from the input motion sequences using SURF, MSER and colorMSER feature detectors, which vote for the possible 2D locations for these joints in the video. The extraction of suitable feature sets from both, the input control signals and the motion capture data, enables us to retrieve the closest instances from the motion capture dataset through employing the fast searching and retrieval techniques. We develop a graphical structure online lazy neighbourhood graph in order to make the similarity search more accurate and robust by deploying the temporal coherence of the input control signals. The retrieved prior poses are exploited further in order to stabilize the feature detection and tracking process. Finally, the 3D motion sequences are reconstructed by a non-linear optimizer that takes into account multiple energy terms. We evaluate our approaches with a series of experiment scenarios designed in terms of performing actors, camera viewpoints and the noisy inputs. Only a little preprocessing is needed by our methods and the reconstruction processes run close to real time. The second part of the dissertation is dedicated to 3D human pose estimation from a monocular single image. First, we propose an efficient 3D pose retrieval strategy which leads towards a novel data driven approach to reconstruct a 3D human pose from a monocular still image. We design and devise multiple feature sets for global similarity search. At runtime, we search for the similar poses from a motion capture dataset in a definite feature space made up of specific joints. We introduce two-fold method for camera estimation, where we exploit the view directions at which we perform sampling of the MoCap dataset as well as the MoCap priors to minimize the projection error. We also benefit from the MoCap priors and the joints' weights in order to learn a low-dimensional local 3D pose model which is constrained further by multiple energies to infer the final 3D human pose. We thoroughly evaluate our approach on synthetically generated examples, the real internet images and the hand-drawn sketches. We achieve state-of-the-arts results when the test and MoCap data are from the same dataset and obtain competitive results when the motion capture data is taken from a different dataset. Second, we propose a dual source approach for 3D pose estimation from a single RGB image. One major challenge for 3D pose estimation from a single RGB image is the acquisition of sufficient training data. In particular, collecting large amounts of training data that contain unconstrained images and are annotated with accurate 3D poses is infeasible. We therefore propose to use two independent training sources. The first source consists of images with annotated 2D poses and the second source consists of accurate 3D motion capture data. To integrate both sources, we propose a dual-source approach that combines 2D pose estimation with efficient and robust 3D pose retrieval. In our experiments, we show that our approach achieves state-of-the-art results and is even competitive when the skeleton structures of the two sources differ substantially. In the last part of the dissertation, we focus on how the different techniques, developed for the human motion capturing, retrieval and reconstruction can be adapted to handle the quadruped motion capture data and which new applications may appear. We discuss some particularities which must be considered during capturing the large animal motions. For retrieval, we derive the suitable feature sets in order to perform fast searches into the MoCap dataset for similar motion segments. At the end, we present a data-driven approach to reconstruct the quadruped motions from the video input data

Cultural, Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Challenges as Perceived by Nigerian Post-graduate Students in a Public Academic Institution in Malaysia

This study explored Nigerian post-graduate students’ perceptions of intercultural communication challenges faced in the wider socio-cultural context of society as well as in the setting of a higher education institution in Malaysia. Core findings of two focus group interviews with fourteen Nigerian students are reported. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded. Inductive qualitative analysis was used to determine categories and themes which emerged in the focus groups’ data. The main highlights discovered were the issues of local media’s indiscriminate generalizations and biased coverage of activities of Nigerians. The informants also referred to Malaysians’ natural proclivity for silence and their poor responsiveness in communicative interactions, the language barrier as well as religion-induced discriminations as factors contributing to the inefficacy of intercultural communication. The findings are discussed with reference to the macro-cultural patterns of world cultures as well as the culture-specific qualities of the Malaysian society

Customer-Brand Relationship What the Universities Should Know

The understanding of how customers establish their relationship with brands has attracted much attention over the years and has become a topic of interest in social and economic discussions. The concept of Customer Brand Relationship has been considered an important concept due to its intangibility and complex in nature. Although this seems to be the case, there has been limited attempts to examine its formation and development as well as its application in the service setting particularly in the context of university services. For instance, there is still very few books on Customer Brand Relationship that really emphasized on its origin and other important issues such as its context, theories, antecedents and consequence pertaining to its formation and development. Given this limitation, and the variety of issues pertaining to customer brand relationship quality and its antecedents and consequences that have yet to be fully addressed, there is therefore, a need for further works in this field of study. This book is written with a two-pronged objective in mind: first to enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation of customer brand relationship quality and the factors that influence its formation: second, to examine the influence of customer brand relationship quality on brand resonance. The examination of these two aspects are done in the context of services particularly the services of public universities in Malaysia. More importantly, this book initiates an attempt to provide useful insights on customer brand relationship and its origin, context, theories, process model, antecedents and consequences, as well as its practical applications. Toward this end, this book is organized as follows. Chapter one of the book helps to clarify the concept of customer brand relationship by describing its origin, historical development, and presenting some discussions on the emergence of customer brand relationship concept in the service domain, its description and criticisms. Following this, Chapter two focuses on the underpinning theory and process model of customer brand relationship as well as brand resonance as the consequence of customer brand relationship. In this chapter, it specifically examines the antecedent-mediator-consequence of customer brand relationship. The factors influencing the formation of customer brand relationship such as customer value and the various types of customer value are also discussed. Together, chapter three through five examines customer brand relationship process which looks into the antecedent-consequence linkage. Chapter three in particular, examines the relationships between Utility, Hedonic and Relational Values and Customer Brand Relationship as well as between Customer Brand Relationship Quality and Brand Resonance. Chapter four analyses the mediating role of Customer Brand Relationship Quality in relation to predicting the relationship between Customer Value and Brand Resonance. And finally, chapter five discusses the conclusion which focuses on the implications of the study to the university in particular

Overview of Fishing Activities as Therapy for University Students towards Mental Wellness

The reported increase in university students with mental health issues has resulted in the recommendation of recreational activity. Therefore, this paper provides overviews of previous studies and literature evidencing physical activities that have been effective in reducing stress levels regardless of age and gender. Fishing is the advocated activity as therapy for pre-identified students with mental health issues that have impeded their quality of life. By ensuring that there are proper, early interventions for the students, it is hoped that they will be able to handle their issues and lead a quality of life that befits the university graduate.Keywords: mental wellness; fishing; therapy; quality of lifeeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v5i13.206

Stressed Experimental diabetic Rats challenging with Glimepiride

Background: This study was accomplished to evaluate the anticipated effects of glimepiride on some of the hematological parameters besides the antioxidant enzymes of the alloxan-induced diabetic and healthy rats.Methods: In this study, thirty-two adult albino male rats were adopted. The animals were set in a random manner into four groups of eight rats each. The animals of the control group were dosed orally with 5ml distilled water. The second were injected intraperitoneally with 150 mg/kg of Alloxan one time to induce diabetes. The third group were administered a daily oral dose of 5 mg/kg of Glimepiride. The fourth group were injected with alloxan in the same manner as the second group and then dosed orally with 5mg/kg of glimepiride. The above-mentioned experimental protocol has extended for one month and thereafter the planned tests were done.Results: The results showed that diabetes induced by alloxan led to significant decline in the packed cells volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), platelets (PLT), red blood cell counts (RBC), glutathione (GSH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)at (p≤0.05) with significant elevation in the total white blood cells count (WBC), malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) comparing with those of the control group. The use of glimepiride alone to the healthy rats led to significant decline in RBC,PLT, GSH and AST with significant elevation in ESR and WBC without an effect on the PCV, Hb, MDA, ALT and ALPat (p≤0.05) comparing with those of the control group. Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with glimepiride led to significant decline in RBC, HB and PCV with significant elevation in WBC, PLT, GSH, MDA and ALT at (p≤0.05) compared with the control group.Conclusion: We conclude that glimepiride does affect the blood parameters and the antioxidant enzymes.Keywords: Glimepiride; Amaryl; Stress; Diabetes; Rats   

What constitutes student–university brand relationship? Malaysian students’ perspective

The concept of customer-brand relationship (CBR) is becoming increasingly important. However, the description of what constitutes student–university brand relationship is relatively limited. Underpinned by social exchange theory, this study proposes student–university brand relationship formation that comprises of utility (UV), hedonic (HV) and relational values (RV) as the antecedents, brand relationship quality (BRQ), as the mediator, and brand resonance (BR) as the consequence of CBR. With a set of usable data from 701 samples of Malaysian postgraduate students, the structural equation modelling (PLS) was utilized. The results reveal the mediating effect of BRQ in the relationships between customer values (UV, HV and RV) and BR. Therefore, considering student’s psychological ties as the focus in brand relationship strategy can help the university to understand how to create a greater bonding and favourable university’s brand relationship response

ESl Lecturers’ Voices on Tell Me More

In the past, the cost of computers and courseware greatly restricted the use of computers in education. However, computers and courseware are now becoming important tools for learning in the institutions. In order to maximize the utilization of the courseware, it is important to get to know how the teachers perceive the use of the courseware in their classroom.  Therefore, this paper aims to investigate how ESL lecturers in a polytechnic in Malaysia perceive the ease of use, usefulness and suitability of a courseware named TELL ME MORE.  Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with four ESL lecturers at the polytechnic.  Findings show that ESL lecturers indicated positive perceptions on the ease of use, usefulness and suitability of the courseware.  However, it was found that the courseware is not quite suitable for the teaching and learning of writing.  Key words:  Innovative teaching; CALL; ESL; courseware; language learnin

Translating street da'wah concept of Tabligh Jama'at in Malaysia: an analysis

Terminologically, da’wah has been translated in various forms that comprise addressing, calling, appealing, requesting, and demanding people to worship Allāh (swt). More importantly, da’wah can be defined as encouraging individuals towards the right path with wisdom, according to the way commanded by Allāh (swt), for the benefit and contentment of mankind in this world and the hereafter. However, the definition of da’wah on the streets, also known as street da'wah, is not clearly defined in the academic world. Therefore, this paper will explore, from the context of an Islāmic movement that focuses on the street da’wah activities in Malaysia, i.e., the Tabligh Jama’at, namely to explore the term street da’wah translated into the form of the da’wah approach carried out by them. According to the ideology of Tabligh Jama’at, street da’wah can be translated as to invite mankind towards Allāh (swt) according to what is commanded by Him according to the way presented by Nabī Muḥammad (saw) and the place of performing da’wah is on the streets i.e., from alleys to alleys, house to house, marketplaces, or any places where people use to gather. The term street da’wah used by Tabligh Jama’at globally is gasht/ jaulah in which gasht/ jaulah can be conducted towards specific or ordinary people. Gahst/ jaulah can be conducted at least twice a week, and it is highly encouraged to be conducted every day for at least two and a half hours. Tabligh Jama’at tries to popularise face-to-face preaching on the streets, and according to their ideology, this kind of preaching has a profound impact (by the will of Allāh (swt)), since face-to-face da’wah will make the discussion appear from heart to heart. Employing a qualitative method of research that involves in-depth interviews and library research, it aims to analyse and explore the literature on the da’wah approach and relate it with the street da’wah activities of Tabligh da’wah. Similarly, the research method used is by scrutinising the secondary sources provided from the efforts of previous researchers, which are associated with the issue of this paper. The implications of these findings can be implemented by any Islāmic da’wah movements, committees of the masjid, and asātīdhah from Islāmic institutions, or by any people who are interested in conveying Islām like Islāmic scholars and any ordinary Muslim who have the spirit of spreading Islām. The intention is to spread Islām from heart to heart, ensuring that every Muslim in the locality and neighbourhood will benefit from Islām and similarly, to overcome the Muslims who seem to be drifting away from the religion of Allāh (swt)