We present a generic and robust method for model-based global 3D head pose estimation in monocular and non-calibrated video sequences. The proposed method relies on a 3D/2D matching between 2D image features estimated throughout the sequence and 3D object features of a generic head model. Specifically, it combines motion and texture features in an iterative optimization procedure based on the d...

This paper presents the algorithms used in a prototypical software system for automatic pronunciation assessment of Mandarin Chinese. The system uses forced alignment of HMM (Hidden Markov Models) to identify each syllable and the corresponding log probability for phoneme assessment, through a ranking-based confidence measure. The pitch vector of each syllable is then sent to a GMM (Gaussian Mi...

Multi-modal registration is still a big challenge in image processing. In this article we present a variation of the wellknown fast Fourier transform (fft) accelerated methods for finding the alignment between two datasets, i.e. the rigid transformation consisting of a rotation as well as a translation mapping all regions in both datasets belonging together in an optimal manner. Our method can ...

Biocontrols are one of the mandatory factors to be considered in the search for sustainable agricultural activities. The amount of samples to be analyzed while searching for such agents makes unavoidable the use of technological tools that accelerate the processes involved and improve the accuracy of the results. These results are obtained using different techniques, among them the gel electrop...

PURPOSE Mountain trekking involves level, uphill, and downhill walking (DW). Prolonged DW induces damage to leg muscles, reducing force generating ability and muscle coordination. These increase risks for more serious injuries and accidents in mountain trekking, thus a strategy to minimize muscle damage is warranted. It has been shown that low-intensity eccentric contractions confer protective ...

The ultrasmoothness of diamond-like carbon coatings is explained by an atomistic/continuum multiscale model. At the atomic scale, carbon ion impacts induce downhill currents in the top layer of a growing film. At the continuum scale, these currents cause a rapid smoothing of initially rough substrates by erosion of hills into neighboring hollows. The predicted surface evolution is in excellent ...

In this paper we take a fresh look at the problem of extracting shape from contours of human faces. We focus on two key questions: how can we robustly fit a 3D face model to a given input contour; and, how much information about shape does a single contour image convey. Our system matches silhouettes and inner contours of a PCA based Morphable Model to an input contour image. We discuss differe...

We describe a method of improving the appearance of a low vertex count mesh in a manner that is guided by rendered images of the original, detailed mesh. This approach is motivated by the fact that greedy simplification methods often yield meshes that are poorer than what can be represented with a given number of vertices. Our approach relies on edge swaps and vertex teleports to alter the mesh...

Repeater insertion can be used to overcome the quadratic increase in the time required for a signal to propagate through an interconnect. A new timing model, based on short-channel equations, has been developed to characterize the signal delay through a resistive line. These analytical expressions provide the foundation for algorithms used to insert uniform repeaters into tree structures. Both ...