Touch Graphics (United States)

This article compares two methods of employing novice Web workers to author descriptions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics images to make them accessible to individuals with visual and print-reading disabilities. The goal is to identify methods of creating image descriptions that are inexpensive, effective, and follow established accessibility guidelines. The first method explicitly presented the guidelines to the worker, then the worker constructed the image description in an empty text box and table. The second method queried the worker for image information and then used responses to construct a template-based description according to established guidelines. The descriptions generated through queried image description (QID) were more likely to include information on the image category, title, caption, and units. They were also more similar to one another, based on Jaccard distances of q-grams, indicating that their word usage and structure were more standardized. Last, the workers preferred describing images using QID and found the task easier. Therefore, explicit instruction on image-description guidelines is not sufficient to produce quality image descriptions when using novice Web workers. Instead, it is better to provide information about images, then generate descriptions from responses using templates.

SYNLIB (SYNthesis LIBrary) is an expert system which allows laboratory scientists to rapidly and interactively search databases of chemical reaction information. SYNLIB is fully supported on personal computer and RISC workstation platforms and requires minimal computer expertise on the part of the chemist. By encouraging hands-on access to information, SYNLIB allows complex chemical synthesis concepts to be presented directly to the practicing laboratory scientist. SYNLIB searching enables the user to query chemical reaction knowledge bases for matches to combinations of structural and non-structural chemical questions. We discuss the design considerations for expert systems specifically for chemists and present an analysis of the chemical-reaction information available from the published literature. A search for the formation chemistry of functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketones is used to illustrate the search strategies available.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of resource‐sharing trends in the USA and internationally.Design/methodology/approachThe article uses personal experience and views supported with background literature.FindingsThe article highlights recent developments in resource‐sharing standards, updated resource‐sharing statistics, describes new initiatives, and explores the implications of recent corporate mergers and product withdrawals.Originality/valueThe article provides a high level, and personal view of selected trends in North American resource sharing.

We describe a dataset of several thousand calibrated, geo-referenced, high dynamic range color images, acquired under uncontrolled, variable illumination in an outdoor region spanning hundreds of meters. All image, feature, calibration, and geo-referencing data are available at http://city.lcs.mit.edu/data. Calibrated imagery is of fundamental interest in a wide variety of applications. We have made this data available in the belief that researchers in computer graphics, computer vision, photogrammetry and digital cartography will find it useful in several ways: as a test set for their own algorithms; as a calibrated image set for applications such as image-based rendering, metric 3D reconstruction, and appearance recovery; and as controlled imagery for integration into existing GIS systems and applications. The Web-based interface to the data provides interactive viewing of high-dynamic-range images and mosaics; extracted edge and point features; intrinsic and extrinsic calibration, along with maps of the ground context in which the images were acquired; the spatial adjacency relationships among images; the epipolar geometry relating adjacent images; compass and absolute scale overlays; and quantitative consistency measures for the calibration data.

Summary We present an algorithm that improves the detection of minor anomalies and patterns in potential field maps. Its use in conjunction with standard edge detection algorithms provides a tool for visual estimation of depth-to-the-source in gravity and magnetic maps.

The paper reviews a decade of work in applying virtual reality to medicine. Beginning with a brief history of simulations and surgery, we present a background to surgery simulators and then discuss the problem of limited human body models in past systems. We present our work at developing human body models beginning with the first virtual reality leg simulator in 1989. This model allowed simple tendon transfers and osteotomies with the computer able to predict the resulting mechanics and ability to walk. We also discuss the leg model's evolution into a performance machine which will allow a surgeon to predict position and subsequent function of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) repair. This is paralleled by Department of Defense work on a leg model that can have a simulated wound and predicts blood loss and its ability to function. We review computer aided surgery and virtual reality technologies. We then present our work in plastic surgery computer aided planning and predict the importance of this work for surgical training.

The current methods of training medical personnel to provide combat casualty care have several important shortcomings. One of these shortcomings is in limb trauma management, where live animals are used to gain experience treating war wounds. We propose an alternative approach by creating a three-dimensional computer model of the human body that can be used within a virtual environment to learn trauma management techniques. As a first step, we have developed a computer model that represents the anatomy and physiology of a normal and injured lower limb. When visualized and manipulated in a virtual environment, this computer model will reduce the need for animals in the training of trauma management and potentially provide a superior training experience.

ABSTRACT The IRIS 3024 and 3047 ink jet printers are capable of placing from 0 to 31 181um diameterdrops of each color ink in each pixel. A graph showing the number of drops per pixel of aspecific color ink versus the optical density of the printed area is not linear. We attempt toexplain the shape of this tone reproduction curve (TRC) and linearize it by approximation.The linear TRC helps reduce false contours and facilitates adjustment of image contrast and average density.1. INTRODUCTION Companies use the IRIS printers to aid in the design of color advertising and images innewspapers, magazines, catalogs and posters. They are used to design clothing, floor and wall coverings, packages, maps, greeting cards, and cars -- any product where color andappearance are important.The IRIS 3024 and 3047 ink jet printers simulate continuous tone images by printing from 0to 31 drops each of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink in each pixel. The imaging papercan be addressed at 8, 10, or 12 pixels/mm. Millions of colors can be made by matrix