This study investigates the relationships between the use of a zoom tool, the terms they supply to describe the image, and the type of image being viewed. Participants were assigned to two groups, one with access to the tool and one without, and were asked to supply terms to describe forty images, divided into four categories: landscape, portrait, news, and cityscape. The terms provided by participants were categorized according to models proposed in earlier image studies. Findings of the study suggest that there was not a significant difference in the number of terms supplied in relation to access to the tool, but a large variety in use of the tool was demonstrated by the participants. The study shows that there are differences in the level of meaning of the terms supplied in some of the models. The type of image being viewed was related to the number of zooms and relationships between the type of image and the number of terms supplied as well as their level of meaning in the various models from previous studies exist. The results of this study provide further insight into how people think about images and how the manipulation of those images may affect the terms they assign to describe images. The inclusion of these tools in search and retrieval scenarios may affect the outcome of the process and the more collection managers know about how people interact with images will improve their ability to provide access to the growing amount of pictorial information.

As non-institutional digital image collections expand into social media, independent non-professional image curators are emerging, actively constructing alternative naming conventions to suit their needs in a social collecting environment. This project considers how independent user-curators are developing particular sense-making behaviors as they actively contribute names to large, unstructured social image collections. In order to capture and explore this evolving language adaptation, Pinterest names are analyzed using a matrix composed of Panofsky’s three strata of subject matter, Rosch’s levels of categorical abstraction, Shatford Layne’s image attributes and Wittgenstein’s language game constructions. Analyzing Pinterest image names illuminates previously unnoticed behaviors by independent user-curators as they create shared collections. Exploring the various language choices which user-curators select as they apply this new curating vocabulary helps identify underlying user needs not apparent in traditionally curated collections restricted to traditional naming conventions.

This thesis deals with the development and evaluation of blind discrete cosine transform-based watermarking algorithms for copyright protection of digital still images using handwritten signatures and mobile phone numbers. The new algorithms take into account the perceptual capacity of each low frequency coefficients inside the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) blocks before embedding the watermark information. They are suitable for grey-scale and colour images. Handwritten signatures are used instead of pseudo random numbers. The watermark is inserted in the green channel of the RGB colour images and the luminance channel of the YCrCb images. Mobile phone numbers are used as watermarks for images captured by mobile phone cameras. The information is embedded multiple-times and a shuffling scheme is applied to ensure that no spatial correlation exists between the original host image and the multiple watermark copies. Multiple embedding will increase the robustness of the watermark against attacks since each watermark will be individually reconstructed and verified before applying an averaging process. The averaging process has managed to reduce the amount of errors of the extracted information. The developed watermarking methods are shown to be robust against JPEG compression, removal attack, additive noise, cropping, scaling, small degrees of rotation, affine, contrast enhancements, low-pass, median filtering and Stirmark attacks. The algorithms have been examined using a library of approximately 40 colour images of size 512 512 with 24 bits per pixel and their grey-scale versions. Several evaluation techniques were used in the experiment with different watermarking strengths and different signature sizes. These include the peak signal to noise ratio, normalized correlation and structural similarity index measurements. The performance of the proposed algorithms has been compared to other algorithms and better invisibility qualities with stronger robustness have been achieved.

A Agência Internacional de Energia Atômica (IAEA - \"International Atomic Energy Agency\") vem incentivando o desenvolvimento de sistemas passivos de refrigeração em plantas nucleares visando a simplificação e o incremento da confiabilidade em funções essenciais de segurança nos projetos de uma próxima geração de reatores nucleares refrigerados a água. O principal fundamento desses sistemas é o emprego da circulação natural como sistema de segurança aplicável em operações de desligamento do reator para manutenção ou na ocorrência de acidentes. A circulação natural é um fenômeno que surge em virtude do gradiente de temperatura em pontos diferentes do circuito de refrigeração. Em condições extremas de estabilidade têm-se o estabelecimento do escoamento bifásico gás/líquido podendo configurar-se segundo diferentes regimes. A fração de vazio é reconhecida como um dos parâmetros chave na predição da ocorrência de instabilidades do escoamento bifásico. Apresenta-se neste trabalho uma inovadora metodologia para estimativa da fração de vazio a partir de imagens digitais capturadas diretamente de circuitos experimentais que geram o escoamento bifásico. O método é baseado na aquisição de imagens, com controle da profundidade de campo, de uma seção do Circuito de Circulação Natural (CCN) presente no IPEN/CNEN-SP. A imagem é segmentada com base na inferência fuzzy de diferentes parâmetros de segmentação e ajustada ao foco utilizado na sua aquisição. Ela é varrida de um modo inédito e iterativo, utilizando máscaras de diferentes tamanhos integrando um conjunto de redes neurais com a Transformada Randomizada de Hough. Cada diferente tamanho de máscara é escolhido de acordo com os tamanhos das bolhas que são os objetos de interesse. O volume da bolha é estimado baseado em sua projeção plana capturada nas imagens digitais. O cálculo da fração de vazio considera o volume da seção geométrica do escoamento no tubo de vidro cilíndrico e a profundidade de campo utilizada e nos parâmetros geométricos inferidos para cada bolha detectada. Os resultados mostraram que a integração entre o conjunto de redes neurais e a Transformada Randomizada de Hough aumentaram a robustez das estimativas do sistema. / The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been encouraging the use of passive cooling systems in new designs of nuclear power plants. Next nuclear reactor generations are intended to possess simpler and robust safety functions. Natural circulation based systems hold an undoubtedly prominent position among these. Natural circulation phenomenon occurrence depends only on the existence of refrigerant liquid temperature gradient in different sections of the plant refrigerator circuit. The study of limit conditions for these systems has led to instability behavior analysis where many different two-phase flow patterns are present. Void fraction is a key parameter in thermal transfer analysis of theses flow instability conditions. This works presents a new method to estimate void fraction from digital images captured at an experimental two-phase flow circuit. The method is primarily based on depth-of-field controlled image acquisition of a section of a closed loop of natural circulating water through cylindrical glass tubes. This loop is called Natural Circulation Facility (NCF) and is located at Nuclear and Engineering Research Institute in Brazil (IPEN/CNEN-SP). Image is segmented based on fuzzy inference of different segmentation parameters and adjusted to image acquisition focus. The image is then scanned in an inedited way using different-sized masks integrating a set of different artificial neural networks with a modified Randomized Hough Transform. Each different mask size is chosen in accordance to bubble sizes which are objects of interest. The bubble volume is estimated based on two-dimensional projection sizing based on digitally acquired images. Void fraction calculation takes into account the volume of the geometrical section of flow inside cylindrical glass tube considering used depth-of-field. It is also based on the summed bubble geometrical parameters inferred for each detected bubble. The results have shown that integration between artificial-neural-net sets and Randomized Hough Transforms increase system estimations robustness.

As próteses totais fixas implantossuportadas tem ganhado cada dia mais seu espaço no tratamento reabilitador de pacientes edêntulos, pois se trata de uma forma de tratamento que atende todos os quesitos funcionais e estéticos. Ainda não existe na literatura um consenso de qual a configuração que melhor distribui as tensões aos implantes e tecidos adjacentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as tensões geradas na interface osso-implante de próteses totais mandibulares implantossuportadas através do método de correlação de imagens digitais (CID). Foram analisadas duas configurações diferentes quanto a quantidade e posicionamento de implantes (4 ou 5 implantes), diferentes conexões [hexágono externo (HE) e cone morse (CM)] e barras para prótese fixa implantossuportada obtidas por fundição convencional e usinadas pelo sistema CAD/CAM. Foram confeccionados modelos em poliuretano, utilizando implantes de 3,75x11mm, divididos em 8 grupos: G1 (5 implantes/HE/CAD-CAM), G2 (5 Implantes/CM/CAD CAM), G3 (5 Implantes/HE/Convencional), G4 (5 Implantes/CM/Convencional), G5 (4 Implantes/HE/CAD CAM), G6 (4 Implantes/CM/CAD CAM), G7 (4 Implantes/HE/Convencional) e G8 (4 Implantes/CM/Convencional). A análise por CID foi feita quantitativamente e qualitativamente, com aplicação de carga de 250N na fossa central do primeiro molar inferior, onde foram estabelecidas diferentes regiões de interesse para a análise, sendo denominadas de C1 (cervical 1) e A1 (apical 1) para região distal ao último implante, C2 (cervical 2) e A2 (apical) para região mesial ao último implante. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes para o número de implantes em todas as regiões analisadas [C1 (p=0,002), A1 (p=0,01), C2 (p=0,001), A2 (p=0,004)], para as conexões foram encontradas diferenças na região C2 (p<0,05) e para as barras na região A2 (p=0,003). De acordo com os resultados pode-se concluir que as prótese com 4 implantes apresentaram maior quantidade de tensões por tração nas regiões apicais, não houve diferença significativa na concentração de tensões para as conexões HE e CM, exceto para a região C2, onde houve maior concentração de tensão para conexão CM e em comparação ao método de obtenção das barras, as barras convencionais apresentaram maior concentração de tensões de tração nas próteses com 5 implantes. / The implant-supported fixed dental prostheses have been used to rehabilitate edentulous patients as it fulfills not only functional aspects but also esthetic questions. Literature shows that there is no consensus about the best configuration to distribute stress to the implants and surrounding tissues. The objective of this study was to compare the stress generated at the boneimplant interface of implant-supported mandibular dentures by a digital image correlation method (DIC). Two different configurations were analyzed for the implants quantity and position (4 or 5 implants), different connections [external hexagon (EH) and Cone Morse (CM)] and bars for implant-supported fixed prosthesis obtained by conventional casting and machined by CAD/CAM system. Models were prepared from polyurethane and implants (3.75x11mm) were divided in 8 groups: G1 (5 implants/EH/CAD-CAM), G2 (5 Implants/CM/CAD-CAM), G3 (5 Implants/EH/Conventional) , G4 (5 Implants/CM/Conventional), G5 (4 Implants/EH/CAD-CAM), G6 (4 Implants/CM/CAD-CAM) G7 (4 Implants/EH/Conventional) and G8 (4 Implants/CM/Conventional). DIC analysis were quantitative and qualitatively made with a 250N load at first molar central fossa, which were established in different regions of interest for analysis as C1 (cervical 1) and A1 (apical 1) to distal to the last implant, C2 (cervical 2) and A2 (apical) for mesial region to the last implant. Statistically significant differences were found for number of implants in all regions examined [C1 (p=0.002), A1 (p=0.01), C2 (p=0.001) and A2 (p=0.004)], for connections differences were found in the C2 region (p <0.05) and for the bar region at A2 (p=0.003). According to the results it can be concluded that the prosthesis with four implants showed a higher stress at the apical regions, there was no significant difference in the concentration of stress for EH and CM connections, except for the C2 region, where there was a higher concentration of stress for CM connection, and comparing bars obtained methods, conventional bars showed a higher concentration of stresses in prosthesis with 5 implants.

As próteses totais fixas implantossuportadas tem ganhado cada dia mais seu espaço no tratamento reabilitador de pacientes edêntulos, pois se trata de uma forma de tratamento que atende todos os quesitos funcionais e estéticos. Ainda não existe na literatura um consenso de qual a configuração que melhor distribui as tensões aos implantes e tecidos adjacentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as tensões geradas na interface osso-implante de próteses totais mandibulares implantossuportadas através do método de correlação de imagens digitais (CID). Foram analisadas duas configurações diferentes quanto a quantidade e posicionamento de implantes (4 ou 5 implantes), diferentes conexões [hexágono externo (HE) e cone morse (CM)] e barras para prótese fixa implantossuportada obtidas por fundição convencional e usinadas pelo sistema CAD/CAM. Foram confeccionados modelos em poliuretano, utilizando implantes de 3,75x11mm, divididos em 8 grupos: G1 (5 implantes/HE/CAD-CAM), G2 (5 Implantes/CM/CAD CAM), G3 (5 Implantes/HE/Convencional), G4 (5 Implantes/CM/Convencional), G5 (4 Implantes/HE/CAD CAM), G6 (4 Implantes/CM/CAD CAM), G7 (4 Implantes/HE/Convencional) e G8 (4 Implantes/CM/Convencional). A análise por CID foi feita quantitativamente e qualitativamente, com aplicação de carga de 250N na fossa central do primeiro molar inferior, onde foram estabelecidas diferentes regiões de interesse para a análise, sendo denominadas de C1 (cervical 1) e A1 (apical 1) para região distal ao último implante, C2 (cervical 2) e A2 (apical) para região mesial ao último implante. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes para o número de implantes em todas as regiões analisadas [C1 (p=0,002), A1 (p=0,01), C2 (p=0,001), A2 (p=0,004)], para as conexões foram encontradas diferenças na região C2 (p<0,05) e para as barras na região A2 (p=0,003). De acordo com os resultados pode-se concluir que as prótese com 4 implantes apresentaram maior quantidade de tensões por tração nas regiões apicais, não houve diferença significativa na concentração de tensões para as conexões HE e CM, exceto para a região C2, onde houve maior concentração de tensão para conexão CM e em comparação ao método de obtenção das barras, as barras convencionais apresentaram maior concentração de tensões de tração nas próteses com 5 implantes. / The implant-supported fixed dental prostheses have been used to rehabilitate edentulous patients as it fulfills not only functional aspects but also esthetic questions. Literature shows that there is no consensus about the best configuration to distribute stress to the implants and surrounding tissues. The objective of this study was to compare the stress generated at the boneimplant interface of implant-supported mandibular dentures by a digital image correlation method (DIC). Two different configurations were analyzed for the implants quantity and position (4 or 5 implants), different connections [external hexagon (EH) and Cone Morse (CM)] and bars for implant-supported fixed prosthesis obtained by conventional casting and machined by CAD/CAM system. Models were prepared from polyurethane and implants (3.75x11mm) were divided in 8 groups: G1 (5 implants/EH/CAD-CAM), G2 (5 Implants/CM/CAD-CAM), G3 (5 Implants/EH/Conventional) , G4 (5 Implants/CM/Conventional), G5 (4 Implants/EH/CAD-CAM), G6 (4 Implants/CM/CAD-CAM) G7 (4 Implants/EH/Conventional) and G8 (4 Implants/CM/Conventional). DIC analysis were quantitative and qualitatively made with a 250N load at first molar central fossa, which were established in different regions of interest for analysis as C1 (cervical 1) and A1 (apical 1) to distal to the last implant, C2 (cervical 2) and A2 (apical) for mesial region to the last implant. Statistically significant differences were found for number of implants in all regions examined [C1 (p=0.002), A1 (p=0.01), C2 (p=0.001) and A2 (p=0.004)], for connections differences were found in the C2 region (p <0.05) and for the bar region at A2 (p=0.003). According to the results it can be concluded that the prosthesis with four implants showed a higher stress at the apical regions, there was no significant difference in the concentration of stress for EH and CM connections, except for the C2 region, where there was a higher concentration of stress for CM connection, and comparing bars obtained methods, conventional bars showed a higher concentration of stresses in prosthesis with 5 implants.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Computer and Information Science

We develop a generic Graph Cut-based semiautomatic multiobject image segmentation method principally for use in routine medical applications ranging from tasks involving few objects in 2D images to fairly complex near whole-body 3D image segmentation. The flexible formulation of the method allows its straightforward adaption to a given application.\linebreak In particular, the graph-based vicinity prior model we propose, defined as shortest-path pairwise constraints on the object adjacency graph, can be easily reformulated to account for the spatial relationships between objects in a given problem instance. The segmentation algorithm can be tailored to the runtime requirements of the application and the online storage capacities of the computing platform by an efficient and controllable Voronoi tessellation clustering of the input image which achieves a good balance between cluster compactness and boundary adherence criteria. Qualitative and quantitative comprehensive evaluation and comparison with the standard Potts model confirm that the vicinity prior model brings significant improvements in the correct segmentation of distinct objects of identical intensity, the accurate placement of object boundaries and the robustness of segmentation with respect to clustering resolution. Comparative evaluation of the clustering method with competing ones confirms its benefits in terms of runtime and quality of produced partitions. Importantly, compared to voxel segmentation, the clustering step improves both overall runtime and memory footprint of the segmentation process up to an order of magnitude virtually without compromising the segmentation quality.

Darbe nagrinėjamas vienas iš vaizdų kokybės vertinimo metodų (metrikų) – SSIM (struktūrinio panašumo) indekso metodas bei šio metodo naudojimas tiriant didelius vaizdus. Darbo eigoje: • nustatyta kai kurių įgyvendintų SSIM indekso algoritmų problematika, vertinant aukštos raiškos vaizdus; • nustatytos gaunamų skaitinių reikšmių priklausomybės nuo tiriamų vaizdų dydžio; • pagrindžiamas vaizdo duomenų mažinimas SSIM indekso algoritmuose; • pasiūlyti tam tikri sprendimai SSIM indekso algoritmo sudarymui, skirto didelės raiškos vaizdų vertinimui; • palyginti SSIM indekso algoritmų veikimo laikai tarp skirtingų algoritmų; • sukurta programinė įranga, kuri yra pritaikyta Windows operacinei sistemai bei gali būti patogiai įdiegta kompiuteryje. Programoje: – patobulintas SSIM indekso įgyvendinimo algoritmas; – atvaizduojamas SSIM skirtumų žemėlapis; – sukurta patogi vartotojui vizualinė aplinka. Realizuota programinė įranga gali būti naudojama edukaciniais tikslais bei užsakomiesiems apdorotų vaizdų kokybės vertinimo tyrimams. / The paper analyzes one of image quality assessment methods (metrics) – SSIM (structural similarity) index method, and this method in order to analyze the large images. In work process: • problems of some SSIM index algorithms for high-resolution images have been identified; • dependence of image size and SSIM index values has been found; • some solutions for SSIM index algorithm for high-resolution images have been proposed; • the image data down sampling in SSIM index algorithms has justified; • SSIM index algorithm run times between different algorithms has been compared; • Software which is designed for MS Windows operating system and can be easily installed on the computer has been developed. In this software: – SSIM index algorithm is updated; – program Displays the SSIM index map; – User-friendly visual environment is developed. Implemented software can be used for educational purposes and commercial use for analyzing processed image quality assessment.

In the digital era, the comics medium has been transported from print to computer screen, and thus its evolution takes place in digital performances based on full-body interaction technologies. The major implication of this process is that the conventions of comics will be merging with those of performance, film, and animation. In a comics story implemented with full-body interaction technologies, representational space shifts from two to three dimensions. Physical elements can now easily be combined with virtual ones. The participants' contribution to the experience now includes a larger set of kinesthetic choices. Earlier media offer the readers the opportunity to read the story with their eyes, turn pages, and click a mouse. Instead of one or perhaps two readers of print and screen-based comics, a digital performance can be experienced by a group of viewers positioned in space in various ways. By utilizing the tools of computer vision, the projection of a participant can be made the main character of the comics story. Consequently, the comics and animation frame changes when moved to digital performance spaces. The frame becomes embodied, nested, elastic, and dynamic. The first two qualities relate to the physicality of the medium, where performers and viewers are simultaneously present in both the real and fictional spaces. The second two qualities relate to the procedurality of the medium and the potential for computational manipulation within the frame based on changing relationships across space (distance) and time (story).