• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
• /
• v.42 no.2 s.302
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2005

As we perceive the world as 3-dimensional through our two eyes, we can extract 3-dimensional information from stereo images obtained from two or more cameras. Since stereo images have a large amount of data, with recent advances in digital video coding technology, efficient compression algorithms have been developed for stereo images. In order to compress stereo images and to obtain 3-D information such as depth, we find disparity vectors by using disparity estimation algorithm generally utilizing pixel differences between stereo pairs. However, it is not unusual to have stereo images having different intensity values for several reasons, such as incorrect control of the iris of each camera, disagreement of the foci of two cameras, orientation, position, and different characteristics of CCD (charge-coupled device) cameras, and so on. The intensity differences of stereo pairs often cause undesirable problems such as incorrect disparity vectors and consequent low coding efficiency. By compensating intensity differences between left and right images, we can obtain higher coding efficiency and hopefully reduce the perceptual burden of brain to combine different information incoming from two eyes. We propose several methods of intensity compensation such as local intensity compensation, global intensity compensation, and hierarchical intensity compensation as very simple and efficient preprocessing tool. Experimental results show that the proposed algerian provides significant improvement in coding efficiency.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.