Disparity field and depth map coding for multiview 3D image generation

In the present paper techniques are examined for the coding of the depth map and disparity fields for stereo or multiview image communication applications. It is assumed that both the left and right channels of the multiview image sequence are coded using block- or object-based methods. A dynamic programming algorithm is used to estimate a disparity field between each stereo image pair. Depth is then estimated and occlusions are optionally detected, based on the estimated disparity fields. Spatial interpolation techniques are examined based on the disparity/depth information and the detection of occluded regions using either stereoscopic or trinocular camera configurations. It is seen that the presence of a third camera at the transmitter site improves the estimation of disparities, the detection of occlusions and the accuracy of the resulting spatial interpolation at the receiver. Various disparity field and depth map coding techniques are then proposed and evaluated, with emphasis given to the quality of the resulting intermediate images at the receiver site. Block-based and wireframe modeling techniques are examined for the coding of isolated depth or disparity map information. Further, 2D and 3D motion compensation techniques are evaluated for the coding of sequences of depth or disparity maps. The motion fields needed may be available as a byproduct of block-based or object-based coding of the intensity images. Experimental results are given for the evaluation of the performance of the proposed coding and spatial interpolation methods.     

ComWeb: An electronic classroom for teaching computer literacy

We have developed an electronic classroom environment based on an analog/digital hybrid network, ComWeb. This environment supplements traditional methods of presentation by providing powerful communication tools between the students and the teacher directed from the instructor's workstation. The instructor can access every student's workstation at any time to monitor the student's work or to transmit information from any source. ComWeb has facilities for individual and group supervision. It can be adapted for teaching deaf or hard of hearing students in a mainstream environment. We describe the implementation of a ComWeb-based classroom at our site. The performance of students in conventional sections of a computer literacy course is compared with that in a section using ComWeb. For most of the material, performance of students in the ComWeb based section was markedly superior.     

Adapting to supernormal auditory localization cues. I. Bias and resolution

Head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) were used to create spatialized stimuli for presentation through earphones. Subjects performed forced-choice, identification tests during which allowed response directions were indicated visually. In each experimental session, subjects were first presented with auditory stimuli in which the stimulus HRTFs corresponded to the allowed response directions. The correspondence between the HRTFs used to generate the stimuli and the directions was then changed so that response directions no longer corresponded to the HRTFs in the natural way. Feedback was used to train subjects as to which spatial cues corresponded to which of the allowed responses. Finally, the normal correspondence between direction and HRTFs was reinstated. This basic experimental paradigm was used to explore the effects of the type of feedback provided, the complexity of the stimulated acoustic scene, the number of allowed response positions, and the magnitude of the HRTF transformation subjects had to learn. Data showed that (1) although subjects may not adapt completely to a new relationship between physical stimuli and direction, response bias decreases substantially with training, and (2) the ability to resolve different HRTFs depends both on the stimuli presented and on the state of adaptation of the subject.     

Measurement and prediction of pressure drop in two-phase flow

Experimental data for air–water two-phase co-current flow in two different pipe diameters were used to test the prediction of pressure drop by a number of existing theories and correlations. Several models are shown to be useful for prediction, particularly with the stratified regimes which have proved difficult to handle in the past. The model suggested by Olujic proved to be of particular value.     

Evaluating Ozone as a Remedial Treatment for Removing RDX from Unsaturated Soils

Years of wastewater discharge at the Department of Energy’s Pantex Plant have contaminated the vadose zone and underlying perched aquifer with hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Because the vadose zone is acting as a continual source of groundwater contamination, removing RDX from the unsaturated zone is paramount to prevent further contamination. We determined the efficacy of ozone to degrade and mineralize RDX. Solution experiments showed that ozone (27?mg?L?1; 150?mL?min?1) was effective in mineralizing 80% of the RDX (30?mg?RDX?L?1) provided that some Pantex soil was present to buffer the solution pH. Soil columns treated with ozone produced 50% RDX mineralization within 1 day and >80% within 7 day. Experiments designed to evaluate aerobic biodegradation following partial ozonation of a RDX solution showed that ozone-generated RDX products were much more biodegradable than untreated controls in aerobic microcosms (35 versus <0.3% cumulative mineralization). These results support the use of ozone as a remedial treatment for the contaminated vadose zone at the Pantex facility.     

Impact of dams on point bar habitat: a case for the extirpation of the Sacramento Valley Tiger Beetle,C. hirticollis abrupta

Quantitative analyses of flow and stage data, remote sensing and geographic information systems analysis, and field studies were used to assess the impact of dams and diversions on the point bar habitat of the Sacramento Valley Tiger Beetle (Cicindela hirticollis abrupta). The reaches of interest include sites of known historic populations of C. h. abrupta along the Sacramento River from approximately 8 km north of Colusa southward to the confluence with the Feather River and along the Feather River between Yuba City and its confluence with the Sacramento River. The results from this study show that construction of two major dams has altered flows such that prolonged and increased flows during summer, fall, and early winter have most likely disrupted life cycles, flooded larvae, drowned overwintering adults and led to high mortality. Additionally, habitat availability has decreased over time because point bars have decreased in number and area causing increased distances between populations and isolation of populations. Moreover, point bar armouring, channel scouring, altered flows, redirected flows through weirs, and lithologic controls have produced a bimodal distribution of mean grain sizes in the Sacramento River in which the more northern bars contain gravel deposits and more southern bars possess fine sands. These conditions negatively alter moisture retention and sediment compaction and, consequently, burrowing conditions needed by this tiger beetle. Additionally, more stabilized flows (reduced variability) and increased fine‐grained deposition have enabled development and encroachment of vegetation onto the sand bars. Finally, human stresses, such as foot traffic and vehicular traffic may have interfered with burrowing, ovipositing, and foraging. The combination of these stress factors has most likely led to a reduction in source populations and, ultimately, the apparent extirpation of the entire metapopulation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A scheme to randomly generate surface dust points for the 3D complex variable boundary element method (CVBEM)

A scheme to randomly generate dust points on the surface of a three-dimensional (3D) object is proposed. This scheme will potentially eliminate the bias of a density of points which are approximately equally spaced on the surface, as well as eliminate possible weighting requirements for areas of higher density. This method has the potential to reduce computational effort, as fewer points might be required to define the surface area. The global trial function vector can be assigned to these dust points and then entered into the complex variable boundary element method (CVBEM) commercial code. This scheme can be applied to each piece of a system that is comprised of a connected multiple geometry. A noticeable benefit of this approach is that the same problem can be studied several times, using a new random distribution of surface points each time. The smallest error can then be determined and that run selected. The Mathematica code used to generate the scheme is attached as an appendix.