Jon Peddie Research

Stereovision, also known as S3D, has been a fascinating technology since its initial exploration and demonstration. While it may still be considered a novelty to some extent, it has proven to be a valuable and necessary capability in specific situations. For instance, in the visualization of computer-aided design and medical analysis, S3D provides a critical dimension that enhances understanding and accuracy. In commercial applications such as signage and point-of-sale systems, S3D can effectively communicate a product’s size, scale, and details, making it a useful tool for marketing and sales. In the realm of entertainment, S3D technology can elevate the experience on various platforms, including cinema, TV, PCs, and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. However, the success of S3D in these applications heavily depends on the quality and construction of the content. When mastered correctly, S3D can create a more immersive and engaging experience, drawing the viewer into the world of the content. In static or semi-static devices like digital picture frames, S3D can be an interesting conversation piece, at least for a while. The technology’s ability to create an illusion of depth or perspective has been explored in various forms of art, including paintings from the early Middle Ages. Photogrammetry, the technique of measuring objects from photographs, has a rich history dating back to 1525. Auto-stereoscopic displays, or glasses-free displays, have been experimented in mobile devices such as handheld game consoles, tablets, and smartphones. Active shutter glasses, which switch off or block light alternately at a frame rate acceptable to the human eye’s persistence level, have also been used to enhance the S3D experience. When content is mastered correctly, stereovision can indeed provide a greater sense of realism and bring out the true 3D nature of the subject matter. As Neal Weinstock of Soliddd has discovered, the human visual system’s ability to construct 3D, known as stereopsis, can be leveraged to give sight to people with various forms of blindness. This highlights the potential of S3D technology to not only enhance entertainment and visualization but also to improve lives.

Introduction: Combustible tobacco smoking is strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, evidence is limited as to whether smokeless tobacco (ST) use is associated with CVD. Methods: Using data from 4347 adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2014), we compared geometric mean concentrations of CVD-related harm biomarkers and biomarkers of exposure among current exclusive ST product users and exclusive cigarette smokers—in relation to nicotine exposure—and never tobacco users, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, BMI and CVD. Biomarker levels among exclusive ST users who were former established cigarette smokers were examined and compared to levels among exclusive cigarette smokers. Results: Compared to cigarette smokers, ST users had significantly higher concentrations of total nicotine equivalents (TNE) but lower concentrations of inflammatory (high-sensitivity C-Reactive-Protein, interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule, fibrinogen) and oxidative stress (8-isoprostane) biomarkers (all P<0.05). Biomarker levels among ST users were similar to never smokers. Exclusive ST users who were former cigarette smokers had lower levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers and biomarkers of exposure (including cadmium, lead, 1-hydroxypyrene, acrylonitrile and acrolein), compared to cigarettes smokers (p<0.05), despite having higher TNE levels (P<0.05). In cigarette smokers, but not among ST users, inflammatory biomarkers and TNE were highly correlated. Conclusions: ST use is not associated with increases in biomarkers of CVD-related harm and exposure, compared to never smokers, despite exposure to nicotine at levels higher than those observed among cigarette smokers. These findings support the concept that increases in CVD risk among cigarette smokers is caused primarily by constituents of tobacco smoke other than nicotine.

Ray tracing has been traditionally used with applications for media and entertainment (3D animation, rendering), product development (CAD/CAM/CAE), life sciences (medical, molecular), energy, and other operations. The ray-tracing programs are used by engineers and artist proposing a project concept or new product design, by designers who bring the first renditions of the project or product for evaluation, by manufacturing people who build and test the project, or product virtually in the computer. And then when everything is proven and acceptable, marketing people use ray tracing to create images to sell the product. Ray tracing is used in all four stages from project concept to fulfillment. The concept of virtual prototyping and in the film industry pre-viz has been embraced by most industries and has saved millions of dollars by eliminating redos and expensive after-sales repairs.

Augmented reality uses a personal display, up close to the user, to show him or her information, text, drawings, 3D objects, generated locally or remotely, by a computer. The overlay information is registered to the scene by a forward-looking camera and can show the skeletal structure of a building, or the location of a store, or the pipes beneath the sidewalk. It can translate in real time street signs, menus, newspapers, and manuals. It will make us all experts, with massive data at out beckoning.

In order to appreciate the developments and advances in augmented reality is it necessary to have a general understanding of what makes up an augmented reality system.