Depth estimation using multiwavelet analysis based stereo vision approach

The problem of dimensional defects in aluminum die-casting is widespread throughout the foundry industry and their detection is of paramount importance in maintaining product quality. Due to the unpredictable factory environment and metallic, with highly reflective, nature of aluminum die-castings, it is extremely hard to estimate true dimensionality of the die-casting, autonomously. In this work, we propose a novel robust 3D reconstruction algorithm capable of reconstructing dimensionally accurate 3D depth models of the aluminum die-castings. The developed system is very simple and cost effective as it consists of only a stereo camera pair and a simple fluorescent light. The developed system is capable of estimating surface depths within the tolerance of 1.5 mm. Moreover, the system is invariant to illuminative variations and orientation of the objects in the input image space, which makes the developed system highly robust. Due to its hardware simplicity and robustness, it can be implemented in different factory environments without a significant change in the setup.

3D depth estimation using wavelet analysis based stereo vision approach

A complete and highly robust 3D reconstruction algorithm based on stereo vision is presented. The developed system is capable of reconstructing dimensionally accurate 3D models of the objects and is very simple and cost effective due to its prominent software dependency and minimal hardware involvevment unlike existing systems.

The roles of object-image relative motion and static depth information in the perception of heading

Investigates visual information that enables human to effectively guide their movement through the environment. This problem is fundamental to the study of human behaviour, since survival is contingent upon the acquisition of resources that lie in different locations throughout the environment.

Molecular depth profiling of organic and biological materials

Atomic depth profiling using secondary ion mass spectrometry, SIMS, is common in the field micro-electronics; however, the generation of molecular information as a function of sample depth is difficult due to the accumulation of damage both on and beneath the sample surface. The introduction of polyatomic ion beams such as SF₅ and C₆₀ have raised the possibility of overcoming this problem as they deposit the majority of their energy in the upper surface of the sample resulting in increased sputter yields but with a complimentary reduction in sub-surface damage accumulation. In this paper we report the depth profile analysis of the bio-polymer polycaprolactone, PCL, using the polyatomic ions Au₃⁺ and C₆₀⁺ and the monoatomic Au+. Results are compared to recent analysis of a similar sample using . depth profiling of cellulose is also demonstrated, an experiment that has been reported as unsuccessful when attempted with implications for biological analysis are discussed.

A depth of data : research messages on the state of social work education in England

In the light of extensive media coverage of social work education, this article uses information from the Department of Health funded three-years multi-method evaluation of the social work degree qualification in England to discuss areas in which qualifying education might be improved. It argues that too great a concern with the 'A' level performance of social work applicants risks not paying enough attention to the non-academic qualities that they will need to work in the changing world of children's and adult services. Better partnership working between employers and universities will help students make the transition into the workplace. This includes greater opportunities for employers and practitioners to be involved in candidate selection and teaching on qualifying programmes.

Exploring the relationship between fit and misfit : an in-depth qualitative study

An underlying assumption within person-organisation fit research has been that misfit and fit are opposite ends of a spectrum. However, little research has been conducted into the nature of misfit. This paper outlines a qualitative study to identify firstly, what causes employees to fit or misfit and secondly, whether these states are polar opposites or different constructs. The findings suggest that fit and misfit are categorical constructs as they are caused by different factors and impetuses. Although organisational factors caused both fit and misfit, supervisors appear instrumental in causing misfit perceptions and job factors seem closely aligned to fit perceptions.

Burial depth distribution of fennel pondweed tubers (Potamogeton pectinatus) in relation to foraging by Bewick's swans

Deep burial in the sediment of tubers of fennel pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) has been explained in terms of avoidance by escape against consumption by Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) in autumn. We therefore expected changes in foraging pressure to ultimately result in a change in the tuber distribution across sediment depth. A trade-off underlies this idea: deep tubers are less accessible to swans but must be larger to meet the higher energy demands of sprouting in spring. To test this prediction, we compared tuber burial depth over a gradient of foraging pressure both across space and across time. Tuber samples were obtained after aboveground plant senescence but before arrival of Bewick's swans. First, we compared the current tuber bank depth profile in a shallow lake with high foraging pressure, the Lauwersmeer, with that in two wetlands with moderate and low foraging pressure. Second, we compared the current tuber burial in the Lauwersmeer with that in the early 1980s when exploitation by swans had just started there. In accordance with our hypothesis, we found significantly deeper burial of tubers under high consumption risk compared to low consumption risk, both when comparing sites and comparing time periods. Since tubers in effect only survive to the next spring, the observed differences in burial depth among sites and over time cannot be a direct result of tuber losses due to consumption by swans. Rather, these observations suggest adaptive responses in tuber burial related to foraging pressure from Bewick's swans in the recent past. We thus propose that fennel pondweed exhibits flexible avoidance by escape, of a kind rarely described for plants, where both phenotypic plasticity and genotype sorting may contribute to the observed differences in tuber burial.

Compute inclusion depth of a pattern

We define a concept of inclusion depth (see Definition 1) to capture mind-change complexity [3,1] of pattern identification problems [2]. Our basic question is whether the inclusion depth for any pattern is computable. We conjecture a combinatorial characterization that, if true, leads to a linear time algorithm to compute inclusion depth.

On anomalous depth-dependency of the hardness of NiTi shape memory alloys in spherical nanoindentation

An experimental study on the indentation hardness of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) by using a spherical indenter tip and a finite element investigation to understand the experimental results are presented in this paper. It is shown that the spherical indentation hardness of NiTi SMAs increases with the indentation depth. The finding is contrary to the recent study on the hardness of NiTi SMAs using a sharp Berkovich indenter tip, where the interfacial energy plays a dominant role at small indentation depths. Our numerical investigation indicates that the influence of the interfacial energy is not significant on the spherical indentation hardness of SMAs. Furthermore, the depth dependency of SMA hardness under a spherical indenter is explained by the elastic spherical contact theory incorporating the deformation effect of phase transformation of SMAs. Hertz theory for purely elastic contact shows that the spherical hardness increases with the square root of the indentation depth. The phase transformation beneath the spherical tip weakens the depth effect of a purely elastic spherical hardness. This study enriches our knowledge on the basic concept of hardness for SMAs under spherical indentation at micro- and nanoscales.

Reverting to type hinders dramatic depth

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