Fast stereo matching by iterated dynamic programming and quadtree subregioning

The application of energy minimisation methods for stereo matching has been demonstrated to produce high quality disparity maps. However the majority of these methods are known to be computationally expensive, requiring minutes or even hours of computation. We propose a fast minimisation scheme that produces strongly competitive results for significantly reduced computation, requiring only a few seconds of computation. In this paper, we present our iterated dynamic programming algorithm along with a quadtree subregioning process for fast stereo matching.

Measurement Function Design for Visual Tracking Applications

Extracting human postural information from video sequences has proved a difficult research question. The most successful approaches to date have been based on particle filtering, whereby the underlying probability distribution is approximated by a set of particles. The shape of the underlying observational probability distribution plays a significant role in determining the success, both accuracy and efficiency, of any visual tracker. In this paper we compare approaches used by other authors and present a cost path approach which is commonly used in image segmentation problems, however is currently not widely used in tracking applications.

Embedded Voxel Colouring

The reconstruction of a complex scene from multiple images is a fundamental problem in the field of computer vision. Volumetric methods have proven to be a strong alternative to traditional correspondence-based methods due to their flexible visibility models. In this paper we analyse existing methods for volumetric reconstruction and identify three key properties of voxel colouring algorithms: a water-tight surface model, a monotonic carving order, and causality. We present a new Voxel Colouring algorithm which embeds all reconstructions of a scene into a single output. While modelling exact visibility for arbitrary camera locations, Embedded Voxel Colouring removes the need for a priori threshold selection present in previous work. An efficient implementation is given along with results demonstrating the advantages of posteriori threshold selection.

Comparison of palmtop-computer-assisted brief cognitive-behavioral treatment to cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder

In the present study, the authors sought to determine whether the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder could be improved by adjunctive computer-assisted therapy. Eighteen participants who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., revised; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) criteria for panic disorder were randomly assigned to a 12-session CBT (CBT12) condition (D. H. Barlow & M. G. Craske, 1989) or to a 4-session computer-assisted CBT (CBT4-CA) condition. Palmtop computers, with a program developed to incorporate basic principles of CBT, were used by CBT4-CA clients whenever they felt anxious or wanted to practice the therapy techniques and were used by all participants as a momentary assessment tool. CBT4-CA clients carried the computer at all times and continued to use it for 8 weeks after termination of therapy. Analyses of clinically significant change showed superiority of CBT12 at posttest on some measures; however, there were no differences at follow-up.

The role of handouts, note-taking and overhead transparencies in veterinary science lectures

Objective To study student and staff views of the role and use of handouts, note-taking and overhead transparencies in veterinary science lectures at the University of Queensland Methods The Nominal Group Technique was used to help develop a questionnaire, which was completed by 351 students (a response rate of 84%) and 35 staff (76%) from the 5 years of the veterinary course. The data were analysed using the SAS statistical computer package. Results Staff and students held different views as to the frequency with which handouts should be used, their educational value, and whether they should be complete or partial. Fewer students than staff agreed that handouts discourage further reading in a subject. Almost all staff and students saw the central functions of note-taking to be provision of notes for subsequent revision and encoding information given by the lecturer. More students than staff however, considered that note-taking in lectures interferes with understanding. Staff and students held similar views as to the uses of overheads in lectures. Interestingly however, more staff than students agreed that overheads often contain too much information. Conclusion Both students and staff saw the central role of note-taking as providing a set of good notes for revision. Generally students preferred that this information be provided in the form of partial or complete handouts, while staff preferred students to take notes and to read outside lectures. Surprisingly, more staff than students felt that overhead transparencies often contained too much information. Note-taking, handouts and overhead transparencies need to be linked in a coherent educational strategy to promote effective learning.