No-Reference Video Quality Assessment using novel hybrid features and two-stage hybrid regression for score level fusion

This paper presents a novel No-Reference Video Quality Assessment (NR-VQA) model that utilizes proposed 3D steerable wavelet transform-based Natural Video Statistics (NVS) features as well as human perceptual features. Additionally, we proposed a novel two-stage regression scheme that significantly improves the overall performance of quality estimation. In the first stage, transform-based NVS and human perceptual features are separately passed through the proposed hybrid regression scheme: Support Vector Regression (SVR) followed by Polynomial curve fitting. The two visual quality scores predicted from the first stage are then used as features for the similar second stage. This predicts the final quality scores of distorted videos by achieving score level fusion. Extensive experiments were conducted using five authentic and four synthetic distortion databases. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other published state-of-the-art benchmark methods on synthetic distortion databases and is among the top performers on authentic distortion databases. The source code is available at https://github.com/anishVNIT/two-stage-vqa.     

基于线状特性的大数据地铁用户识别与定位方法

从MR原始数据特性出发研究数据结构与字段,采用基于线状特性分析MR大数据的地铁用户识别过滤方法和位置定位方法,该方法经过验证能够有效输出地铁用户数据并定位在地图上,解决人工地铁测试效率低且测试片面的问题,实现基于大数据的自动化地铁网络评估,提供海量的有效定位数据用于地铁评估与分析。     

Human uncertainty in explicit user feedback and its impact on the comparative evaluations of accurate prediction and personalisation

ABSTRACT

In this article, we report on the lack of reliability of explicit user feedback and its interpretation in the light of system evaluation. It is known, that given feedback strongly depends on the situational context. But also when many contextual factors are held constant, user feedback still proves to be unreliable. This impacts the evaluation of predictive algorithms since it is not clear whether a deviation between a user response and its corresponding prediction can be seen as a flaw by the system or just as usual ‘human uncertainty’. As a result, the perspective on the evaluation of adaptive systems basically changes. The main goal of this article is to demonstrate that simply increasing the amount of explicit feedback is not the key to sustainable system design innovation, as long as that information is not appropriately evaluated. To this end, we will exploit a novel probabilistic approach of processing user feedback and identify biasing effects on accuracy metrics, error probabilities for system rankings as well as natural limitations of evaluation. Finally, we will discuss possible solution strategies and give advice for handling explicit user feedback that is associated with uncertainty.     

A systematic review on the relationship between user involvement and system success

ContextFor more than four decades it has been intuitively accepted that user involvement (UI) during system development lifecycle leads to system success. However when the researchers have evaluated the user involvement and system success (UI-SS) relationship empirically, the results were not always positive.ObjectiveOur objective was to explore the UI-SS relationship by synthesizing the results of all the studies that have empirically investigated this complex phenomenon.MethodWe performed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following the steps provided in the guidelines of Evidence Based Software Engineering. From the resulting studies we extracted data to answer our 9 research questions related to the UI-SS relationship, identification of users, perspectives of UI, benefits, problems and challenges of UI, degree and level of UI, relevance of stages of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and the research method employed on the UI-SS relationship.ResultsOur systematic review resulted in selecting 87 empirical studies published during the period 1980–2012. Among 87 studies reviewed, 52 reported that UI positively contributes to system success, 12 suggested a negative contribution and 23 were uncertain. The UI-SS relationship is neither direct nor binary, and there are various confounding factors that play their role. The identification of users, their degree/level of involvement, stage of SDLC for UI, and choice of research method have been claimed to have impact on the UI-SS relationship. However, there is not sufficient empirical evidence available to support these claims.ConclusionOur results have revealed that UI does contribute positively to system success. But it is a double edged sword and if not managed carefully it may cause more problems than benefits. Based on the analysis of 87 studies, we were able to identify factors for effective management of UI alluding to the causes for inconsistency in the results of published literature.     

Numerical simulation of the transient hydrogen trapping process using an analytical approximation of the McNabb and Foster equation. Part 2: Domain of validity

In a previous study [1], a resolution scheme called Generalized Oriani's Approximation (GOA) was proposed to solve a transient transport and trapping problem in the Abaqus Finite Element software. This proposition was motivated by the convergence of the Finite Element problem linked to the estimation of several functions during the computation (and especially the dudt one). In this study, the GOA is shown to be able to provide an accurate estimation of the trapped concentration in transient trapping processes as soon as the time increment is small enough for two configurations: hydrogen in metals and water in polymers. An estimation of the induced error is given. The GOA approach is illustrated on a simple configuration with various trapping parameters. Last, the ability of Abaqus to converge while modeling a transient trapping and transport problem is analyzed considering several dudt: it is shown especially that its estimation based on the GOA allows the solver to efficiently converge toward the solution.     

User activities and the heterogeneity of urban space:The case of Dahiyat Al Hussein park

Urban researchers have maintained a constant interest in the complexity and continuity of urban space usage. Some have applied actor–network theory (ANT) to investigate the heterogeneity of spaces and present them through the networks of their users’ activities. However, these accounts are predominantly limited in examining the extent to which these spaces may be heterogeneous when exploring such networks. This paper draws on recent ANT scholarship, which employs an ethnographic research conducted in a main park in a housing project at Dahiyat Al Hussein in Amman, Jordan. The findings describe the complex and unpredictable negotiations that occur within spaces by documenting the varieties and interrelations among user activity networks within this common and shared urban space. This research reveals the extent to which spaces, parks in this case, may be heterogeneous by unpacking their usage. The conclusions and insights assert the necessity of paying attention to design detail and creating designs that are responsive to evolving user activities.     

Manipulating user resistance to large-scale information systems through influence tactics

This study examines how influence tactics can be used to manipulate user resistance and subsequent usage behaviors in the context of large-scale, newly implemented information systems (IS). To do so, we integrate the theory of interpersonal influence and leadership, adaptive structuration theory, and the literature on user resistance and behavioral IS theories, and develop a comprehensive theoretical model anchored in (a) social influence tactics, (b) IT artifact perceptions, and (c) user resistance and subsequent behaviors. The resultant theoretical model explains how influence tactics modulate user perceptions, user resistance to the system, and ultimately the unfaithful use of the system. This model is tested in the context of an electronic medical record (EMR) system implementation, with a sample of 442 clinicians who were exposed to various influence tactics and with the use of SEM techniques. The results indicate that certain influence tactics are beneficial in reducing user resistance while others can unintentionally increase resistance. Resistance, in turn, drives adaptive user behaviors in the form of unfaithful use of the system. Thus, it is possible to manipulate resistance and resultant adaptive behaviors through influence tactics, without necessarily altering the IT artifact. This is particularly important, as many off-the-shelf IT artifacts cannot be substantially modified.     

Toward TechnoAccess: A narrative review of disabled and aging experiences of using technology to access the arts

This paper presents a narrative literature review that addresses the issue of how disabled and aging people access the arts through technology. Our review synthesized 56 studies about disabled and aging people's experiences of access through technology, with a focus on methods used and accounts of user experiences/stories to inform a Canadian research and development initiative called Accessing the Arts. We urge designers and developers to consider the complex, multimodal sociotechnical relationships surrounding technology and access—or TechnoAccess—as they develop technology with disability, aging and access in mind. Although existing evidence offers ways to improve everyone's access to the arts, recommendations are provided for research around access and technology as an inherently politicized topic that must be informed by disabled and aging people's intersectional cultural experiences, including how they wish to use technology to access the arts.     

Engineering knowledge formalization and proposition for informatics development towards a CAD-integrated DfX system for product design

Target design methodologies (DfX) were developed to cope with specific engineering design issues such as cost-effectiveness, manufacturability, assemblability, maintainability, among others. However, DfX methodologies are undergoing the lack of real integration with 3D CAD systems. Their principles are currently applied downstream of the 3D modelling by following the well-known rules available from the literature and engineers’ know-how (tacit internal knowledge).This paper provides a method to formalize complex DfX engineering knowledge into explicit knowledge that can be reused for Advanced Engineering Informatics to aid designers and engineers in developing mechanical products. This research work wants to define a general method (ontology) able to couple DfX design guidelines (engineering knowledge) with geometrical product features of a product 3D model (engineering parametric data). A common layer for all DfX methods (horizontal) and dedicated layers for each DfX method (vertical) allow creating the suitable ontology for the systematic collection of the DfX rules considering each target. Moreover, the proposed framework is the first step for developing (future work) a software tool to assist engineers and designers during product development (3D CAD modelling).A design for assembly (DfA) case study shows how to collect assembly rules in the given framework. It demonstrates the applicability of the CAD-integrated DfX system in the mechanical design of a jig-crane. Several benefits are recognized: (i) systematic collection of DfA rules for informatics development, (ii) identification of assembly issues in the product development process, and (iii) reduction of effort and time during the design review.     

A method of constructing an inspiration library driven by user-perceived preference evaluation data for biologically inspired design

Biologically inspired design (BID) is one of the common methods for product design. To solve the problem of inaccurate acquisition of inspirational creatures due to the lack of user perception preference analysis, a data-driven intelligent service model for BID considering user perception needs is proposed based on Kansei engineering. Firstly, by extracting the perceptual features of creatures from the semantic source elements of products through mapping and encodes them, we proposed a data acquisition method based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets considering different customer preference distributions, bridging the gap caused by the asymmetry between designers and users. Secondly, the functional relationship between biometric features and user-perceived attributes is identified and predicted, and a predictive model of biodata considering user preferences is obtained by multiple linear regression analysis. Finally, based on the data clustering and reorganization theory to understand the organization and dynamics of the database, the construction of a BID library was completed, and the design resources in the library were used as analyzed knowledge for designers to plan design activities. Taking the bionic design of a UAV product as an example, a prototype of a computer-aided design service system was developed based on the theory proposed in the article, and the analyzed knowledge was used to improve the efficiency and science of the design, effectively verifying the usefulness of this study for design. To a certain extent, this study addresses the problem of cognitive limitations of designers and cognitive differences between designers and users, promotes the application of bioinspiration in product design, and improves the marketability of design solutions.