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.     

Training visual attention in a naturalistic visual environment

The efficiency of training visual attention in the central and peripheral visual field was investigated by means of a visual detection task that was performed in a naturalistic visual environment including numerous, time-varying visual distractors. We investigated the minimum number of repetitions of the training required to obtain the top performance and whether intra-day training improved performance as efficiently as inter-day training. Additionally, our research aimed to find out whether exposure to a demanding task such as a microsurgical intervention may cancel out the effects of training.

Results showed that performance in visual attention peaked within three (for tasks in the central visual field) to seven (for tasks in the periphery) days subsequent to training. Intra-day training had no significant effect on performance. When attention training was administered after exposure to stress, improvement of attentional performance was more pronounced than when training was completed before the exposure. Our findings support the implementation of training in situ at work for more efficient results.

Practitioner Summary: Visual attention is important in an increasing number of workplaces, such as with surveillance, inspection, or driving. This study shows that it is possible to train visual attention efficiently within three to seven days. Because our study was executed in a naturalistic environment, training results are more likely to reflect the effects in the real workplace.     

基于深度卷积神经网络的视觉里程计研究

视觉里程计利用视频信息来估计相机运动的位姿参数，实现对智能体的定位。传统视觉里程计方法需要特征提取、特征匹配/跟踪、外点剔除、运动估计、优化等流程，解算非常复杂，因此，提出了基于卷积神经网络的方法来实现端对端的单目视觉里程计。借助卷积神经网络对彩色图片自动学习提取图像帧间变化的全局特征，将用于分类的卷积神经网络转化为帧间时序特征网络，通过三层全连接层输出相机的帧间相对位姿参数。在KITTI数据集上的实验结果表明，提出的Deep-CNN-VO模型可以较准确地估计车辆的运动轨迹，证明了方法的可行性。在简化了复杂模型的基础上，与传统的视觉里程计系统相比，该模型的精度也有所提高。     

Does interior color contrast enhance spatial memory?

This study investigated the effect of contrast in neutral-, warm-, and cool-colored spaces on spatial memory. Spatial memory was measured in terms of architectural scale and recollection of architectural elements and furniture. Participants (N = 114) viewed a short virtual simulation video of a residential studio and were asked to sketch a map of the architectural elements on distributed grid paper. Spatial memory was measured in terms of scale, and item recall rate. Contrast and hue had no significant effect on the memorization of proportional scale. However, high-contrast schemes allowed for a significantly higher recollection of architectural elements than low-contrast schemes. In comparing the effect of hues, a significant difference was seen in recalling detailed furniture and lighting items. Participants reported significantly better spatial memory of neutral and warm color schemes than of cool color schemes. There was no interaction effect between contrast and hue in the color combinations. These results can be applied in the design of color schemes for architectural spaces requiring enhanced spatial cognition and memory.     

乙酰丙酮-目视判读法快速测定白酒中甲醇的含量

目的建立了乙酰丙酮-目视判读法快速测定白酒中甲醇的方法。方法采用乙酰丙酮法,白酒中甲醇经高锰酸钾氧化,草酸还原过量高猛酸钾后,在沸水浴中与乙酰丙酮发生反应,并对分析条件进行了探讨优化,对酒精度影响和干扰因素进行了深入研究并提出了解决办法。结果对优化后的分析条件进行了多个实验室间验证。本快速检验方法灵敏度为100%,特异性为≥94%,假阴性为0%,假阳性率为≤6.0%,相对准确度≥98.5%,满足要求。结论该方法灵敏、准确、快速,适用于白酒中甲醇的含量的现场快速检测。     

舞台灯光对服饰视觉色感的影响研究

在舞台表演中,舞台灯光对人物服饰色彩的视觉体验有很大影响。文章基于光源、布料光谱信息和CIE-1931色度模型,模拟出计算面料色彩推测公式。并选取三种不同色调的LED光源作为舞台灯光,分别对七种面料进行色彩分析,发现深长春花蓝色、中蓝色面料在三种灯光下的色相变化不明显,与太阳光下呈现色彩接近;丁香紫色和兰花紫色面料与灯光色彩倾向一致;金黄色、橙红色和兰花紫色三种颜色在蓝光强烈情况下的色彩视认性更强。最后,结合舞台色彩的视认性和色彩的意象,为舞台服装设计与灯光设计在视觉色感的选择提供帮助。     

The Regulatory Functionality of Exosomes Derived from hUMSCs in 3D Culture for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy

Reducing amyloid‐β (Aβ) accumulation could be a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Particular functional biomolecules in exosomes vested by the microenvironment in which the original cells resided can be transferred to recipient cells to improve pathological conditions. However, there are few reports addressing whether exosomes derived from cells cultured on scaffolds with varying dimension can reduce Aβ deposition or ameliorate cognitive decline for AD therapy. Herein, both 3D graphene scaffold and 2D graphene film are used as the matrix for human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell culture, from which the supernatants are obtained to isolate exosomes. The levels of 195 kinds of miRNAs and proteins, including neprilysin, insulin‐degrading enzyme and heat shock protein 70, in 3D‐cultured exosomes (3D‐Exo) are dramatically different from those obtained from 2D culture. Hence, 3D‐Exo could up‐regulate the expression of α‐secretase and down‐regulate the β‐secretase to reduce Aβ production in both AD pathology cells and transgenic mice, through their special cargo. With rescuing Aβ pathology, 3D‐Exo exerts enhanced therapeutic effects on ameliorating the memory and cognitive deficits in AD mice. These findings provide a novel clinical application for scaffold materials and functional exosomes derived from stem cells.     

基于机器视觉的机车齿轮毂全自动双轴拧紧机的设计和应用

设计了基于机器视觉的机车齿轮毂全自动双轴拧紧机,根据拧紧工艺和扭矩控制原理实现对螺栓拧紧力矩的控制;通过丝杠变径机构,实现不同规格齿轮毂螺栓拧紧;利用机器视觉实现螺栓位置的识别以及初始位置的确定;讨论了自动拧紧机控制系统的硬件组成和软件系统配置,并介绍了防错、防漏功能的设计流程。螺栓自动拧紧机可提高装配精度和操作效率,降低工人的劳动强度。     

Animations showing Lego manipulative tasks: Three potential moderators of effectiveness

Evidence suggests that transient visual information, such as animations, may be more challenging to learn than static visualizations. However, when a procedural-manipulative task is involved, our evolved embodied cognition seems to reverse this transitory challenge. Hence, for object manipulative tasks, instructional animations may be more suitable than statics. We investigated this argument further by comparing animations with statics using a Lego task shown to university students, by examining three potential moderators of effectiveness: (a) the environment of manipulation (virtual or physical), (b) the quality of visual information (focused or unfocused), and (c) the presence of hands (no hands or with hands). In Experiment 1 we found an advantage of animation over statics, and no differences among the environments. In Experiment 2, we again observed an animation advantage, a small advantage of focused static information compared to unfocused static information, and a positive effect of not showing the hands.