Spatial Contrast Sensitivity Function Research Articles

Visual Performance of People With Albinism Assessed With Generalizable and Adaptive AIM and FInD Methods.

People with albinism (PwA) are known to have visual impairments; however, little is known about whether these functions are disrupted across earlier and later stages of the visual pathway. We investigated distinct perceptual functions and fixation stability within each observer and compared the data with age- (±5years) and sex-matched controls. Twenty-one self-reported PwA and twenty-one controls were recruited. Angular-indication measurement (AIM) and foraging-interactive-D-prime (FInD) psychophysical methods were deployed to measure OS, OD, and OU near visual acuity, spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF), temporal contrast sensitivity (tCS; 0.5 c/°; horizontal grating: 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8Hz), OU glare acuity, threshold-versus-contrast (2c/° vertical grating), long, medium, and short wavelength cone-isolated color detection, color discrimination, stereoacuity across spatial frequencies (1c/°, 2c/°, 4c/°, 8c/°), horizontal, circular, radial pattern and motion coherence, and equivalent-noise motion detection. Thresholds were determined by AIM and FInD and compared using N-ANOVAs, t-tests, planned multi-comparisons, correlations, and unsupervised, agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis for each group. We found significant differences between groups for most visual functions except for simple and complex form-coherence (two way-ANOVAs, P > 0.05) and complex motion coherence. Correlations between outcomes revealed more significant correlations for PwA and differences in the specific correlates between groups. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed different functional clusters between groups. AIM and FInD successfully interrogated visual deficits in PwA. Overall, PwA showed impaired performance in achromatic, chromatic, temporal, and binocular functions, and had higher intrinsic noise levels. Midlevel vision was comparable between groups. Unsupervised cluster analysis and correlation between outcomes revealed a difference in functional outcome clusters between groups. The results may help to increase the efficiency of screening and identify target deficits for rehabilitation.

Enhanced human contrast sensitivity with increased stimulation of melanopsin in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells

The intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are known to serve non-image-forming functions, such as photoentrainment of the circadian rhythm and pupillary light reflex. However, how they affect human spatial vision is largely unknown. The spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF), which measures contrast sensitivity as a function of spatial frequency, was used in the current study to investigate the function of ipRGCs in pattern vision. To compare the effects of different background lights on the CSF, we utilized the silent substitution technique. We manipulated the stimulation level of melanopsin (i.e., the visual pigment of ipRGCs) from the background light while keeping the cone stimulations constant, or vice versa. We conducted four experiments to measure the CSFs at various spatial frequencies, eccentricities, and levels of background luminance. Results showed that melanopsin stimulation from the background light enhances spatial contrast sensitivity across different eccentricities and luminance levels. Our finding that melanopsin contributes to CSF, combined with the receptive field analysis, suggests a role for the magnocellular pathway and challenges the conventional view that ipRGCs are primarily responsible for non-visual functions.

The spatial contrast sensitivity function and its neurophysiological bases

Contrast processing is a fundamental function of the visual system, and contrast sensitivity as a function of spatial frequency (CSF) provides critical information about the integrity of the system. Here, we used a novel iPad-based instrument to collect CSFs and fitted the data with a difference of Gaussians model to investigate the neurophysiological bases of the spatial CSF. The reliability of repeat testing within and across sessions was evaluated in a sample of 22 adults for five spatial frequencies (0.41–13 cycles/degree) and two temporal durations (33 and 500 ms). Results demonstrate that the shape of the CSF, lowpass versus bandpass, depends on the temporal stimulus condition. Comparisons with previous psychophysical studies and with single-cell data from macaques and humans indicate that the major portion of the CSF, spatial frequencies >1.5 cycles/degree regardless of temporal condition, is determined by a ‘sustained’ mechanism (presumably parvocellular input to primary visual cortex [V1]). Contrast sensitivity to the lowest spatial frequency tested appears to be generated by a ‘transient’ mechanism (presumably magnocellular input to V1). The model fits support the hypothesis that the high spatial frequency limb of the CSF reflects the receptive field profile of the center mechanism of the smallest cells in the parvocellular pathway. These findings enhance the value of contrast sensitivity testing in general and increase the accessibility of this technique for use by clinicians through implementation on a commercially-available device.

An interaction effect of external noise and exposure duration on the spatial contrast sensitivity function

It has been demonstrated that contrast sensitivity is sensitive to stimulus exposure duration. Here, we investigated how the duration effect on contrast sensitivity was modulated by the spatial frequency and intensity of external noise. Through a contrast detection task, the contrast sensitivity function under 10 spatial frequencies, three external noise, and two exposure duration conditions was measured. The temporal integration effect was defined by the difference in contrast sensitivity or the area under the log contrast sensitivity function between short and long exposure durations. We found that (1) the temporal integration effect was less pronounced in the zero-noise condition than in the low- or high-noise condition; (2) in the zero-noise condition, a stronger temporal integration effect was observed at high spatial frequencies; (3) in the high-noise condition, a stronger temporal integration effect was observed at low spatial frequencies; (4) the spatial-frequency-dependent transient or sustained mechanism is also sensitive to external noise level; and (5) perceptual template model analysis revealed that both decreased additive internal noise and an improved perceptual template accounted for the temporal integration effect, and these two factors were tuned to spatial frequency.

The Functional Vision Restorative Effect of Crocin via the BDNF-TrkB Pathway: An In Vivo Study.

Abnormal dislocation of cone opsin protein affects the sensitivity function of photoreceptors and results in depressed central vision. Nutraceutical therapy is needed to restore the residual function of photoreceptors. Crocin is a natural substance for retinal health. However, its effect on the restoration of functional vision and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully studied. This study analyzed the restorative effect of crocin on residual functional vision in vivo in a mouse model. High-energy light-evoked photoreceptor dysfunction was confirmed by M opsin dislocation in the retina accompanied by a loss of functional vision. Crocin treatment significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in retinas, thus contributing to the re-localization of the M opsin protein, restoration of the visual acuity (VA), and high spatial frequency-characterized visual contrast sensitivity function (VCSF). In contrast, such effects were significantly reversed after the washout period. Additionally, the restorative effect of crocin on functional vision and M opsin re-localization can be reversed and blocked by synchronous injection of a tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor antagonist (ANA-12). This study demonstrated the major functional vision-rescuing or restoring effect of crocin in vivo by modulating M opsin location plasticity and increasing the capacity of the residual photoreceptor function through the BDNF–TrkB receptor pathway.

An image reconstruction framework for characterizing initial visual encoding.

We developed an image-computable observer model of the initial visual encoding that operates on natural image input, based on the framework of Bayesian image reconstruction from the excitations of the retinal cone mosaic. Our model extends previous work on ideal observer analysis and evaluation of performance beyond psychophysical discrimination, takes into account the statistical regularities of the visual environment, and provides a unifying framework for answering a wide range of questions regarding the visual front end. Using the error in the reconstructions as a metric, we analyzed variations of the number of different photoreceptor types on human retina as an optimal design problem. In addition, the reconstructions allow both visualization and quantification of information loss due to physiological optics and cone mosaic sampling, and how these vary with eccentricity. Furthermore, in simulations of color deficiencies and interferometric experiments, we found that the reconstructed images provide a reasonable proxy for modeling subjects' percepts. Lastly, we used the reconstruction-based observer for the analysis of psychophysical threshold, and found notable interactions between spatial frequency and chromatic direction in the resulting spatial contrast sensitivity function. Our method is widely applicable to experiments and applications in which the initial visual encoding plays an important role.

Alison Paice Hill

The relationship was studied between spatial contrast sensitivity function and type of pathology of the visual system. Two characteristics were found to be typical for amblyopia: there is a discrepancy...

Impact of Temporal Visual Flicker on Spatial Contrast Sensitivity in Myopia.

PurposeTo investigate whether short-term exposure to high temporal frequency full-field flicker has an impact on spatial visual acuity in individuals with varying degrees of myopia.MethodsThirty subjects (evenly divided between control and experimental groups) underwent a 5-min exposure to full-field flicker. The flicker rate was lower than critical flicker frequency (CFF) for the experimental group (12.5 Hz) and significantly higher than CFF for the controls (60 Hz). Spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was measured before and immediately after flicker exposure. We examined whether the post flicker CSF parameters were different from the pre-exposure CSF values in either of the subject groups. Additionally, we examined the relationship between the amount of CSF change from pre to post timepoints and the degree of subjects’ myopia. The CSF parameters included peak frequency, peak sensitivity, bandwidth, truncation, and area under log CSF (AULCSF).ResultsThere was no significant difference of all five pre-exposure CSF parameters between the two groups at baseline (P = 0.333 ∼ 0.424). Experimental group subjects exhibited significant (P < 0.005) increases in peak sensitivity and AULCSF, when comparing post-exposure results to pre-exposure ones. Controls showed no such enhancements. Furthermore, the extent of these changes in the experimental group was correlated significantly with the participants’ refractive error (P = 0.005 and 0.018, respectively).ConclusionOur data suggest that exposure to perceivable high-frequency flicker (but, not to supra-CFF frequencies) enhances important aspects of spatial contrast sensitivity, and these enhancements are correlated to the degree of myopia. This finding has implications for potential interventions for cases of modest myopia.

Resilience of temporal processing to early and extended visual deprivation

Early visual deprivation is known to have profound consequences on the subsequent development of spatial visual processing. However, its impact on temporal processing is not well characterized. We have examined spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity functions following treatment for early and extended bilateral visual deprivation in fifteen children born with congenital cataracts in rural India. The results reveal a marked difference in post-treatment spatial and temporal sensitivities. Whereas spatial processing in newly sighted children is significantly impaired relative to age-matched controls, temporal processing exhibits remarkable resilience and is comparable to that in the control group. This difference in spatial and temporal outcomes is especially surprising given our computational analyses of video sequences which indicate a strong linkage between the spatial and temporal spectral content of natural visual inputs. We consider possible explanations for this discrepancy.

Development of the spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF) during childhood: Analysis of previous findings and new psychophysical data.

Although the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) changes markedly during infancy, there is no consensus regarding whether, how, and why it continues to develop in later childhood. Here, we analyzed previously published data (N = 1928 CSFs), and present new psychophysical findings from 98 children (4.7–14.8 years) and 50 adults (18.1–29.7 years), in order to answer the following questions: (1) Does the CSF change during childhood? (2) How large is the developmental effect size? (3) Are any changes uniform across the CSF, or frequency-specific? and (4) Can some or all of the changes be explained by “non-visual” (i.e. procedural/cognitive) factors, such as boredom or inattentiveness? The new data were collected using a four-alternative forced-choice (4AFC) Gabor-detection task, with two different psychophysical procedures (Weighted Staircase; QUEST+), and suprathreshold (false-negative) catch trials to quantify lapse rates. It is shown that from ages 4 to 18 years, the CSF improves (at an exponentially decaying rate) by approximately 0.3 log10 units (a doubling of contrast sensitivity [CS]), with 90% of this change complete by 12 years of age. The size of the effect was small relative to individual variability, with age alone explaining less than one sixth of variability (16%), and most children performing as well as some adults (i.e. falling within the 90% population limits for adults). Development was frequency-specific, with changes occurring primarily around or below the CSF peak (≤ 4 cpd). At least half — and potentially all — of the changes observed could be explained by non-visual factors (e.g. lapses in concentration), although possible biological mechanisms are discussed.

A computational observer model of spatial contrast sensitivity: Effects of photocurrent encoding, fixational eye movements, and inference engine.

We have recently shown that the relative spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of a computational observer operating on the cone mosaic photopigment excitations of a stationary retina has the same shape as human subjects. Absolute human sensitivity, however, is 5- to 10-fold lower than the computational observer. Here we model how additional known features of early vision affect the CSF: fixational eye movements and the conversion of cone photopigment excitations to cone photocurrents (phototransduction). For a computational observer that uses a linear classifier applied to the responses of a stimulus-matched linear filter, fixational eye movements substantially change the shape of the CSF by reducing sensitivity above 10 c/deg. For a translation-invariant computational observer that operates on the squared response of a quadrature-pair of linear filters, the CSF shape is little changed by eye movements, but there is a two fold reduction in sensitivity. Phototransduction dynamics introduce an additional two fold sensitivity decrease. Hence, the combined effects of fixational eye movements and phototransduction bring the absolute CSF of the translation-invariant computational observer to within a factor of 1 to 2 of the human CSF. We note that the human CSF depends on processing of the retinal representation by many thalamo-cortical neurons, which are individually quite noisy. Our modeling suggests that the net effect of post-retinal noise on contrast-detection performance, when considered at the neural population and behavioral level, is quite small: The inference mechanisms that determine the CSF, presumably in cortex, make efficient use of the information carried by the cone photocurrents of the fixating eye.

An improved DCT-based JND estimation model considering multiple masking effects

The just noticeable distortion (JND) in the contour and orderly regions is easy to be overestimated and that in the disorderly areas is usually underestimated. In order to estimate the JND threshold more accurately, this paper proposes an improved DCT-based JND estimation model considering multiple masking effects properly. The contributions of this paper are characterized by twofold. On the one hand, a mean absolute difference based (MAD-based) block classification method is developed at first to classify image blocks into plain, contour and texture types accurately and quickly. And the JND model for contrast masking effect (CM-JND) is constructed as a modulation factor based on the MAD of each block. On the other hand, we propose a distance-based disorder evaluation metric to measure the disorder intensity in block level. Then, the JND model for the disorderly concealment effect (DC-JND) is proposed based on our psychological experiment. Finally, the total JND estimation threshold is modeled by fusing the spatial contrast sensitivity function, the luminance adaptation effect, the CM and DC effects. Experimental results show that the proposed DCT-based JND estimation model outperforms existing models in performance and complexity. Specifically, the proposed model shows more tolerance for distortions, lower computational complexity with better perceptual quality than other JND models.

A novel attention-guided JND Model for improving robust image watermarking

Just noticeable distortion (JND) and visual attention (VA), which are two widely used mathematical models of human visual system (HVS) that aim to simulate the human brain mechanism, are sufficiently explored and applied to many researches including digital watermarking. The activity of human brain, however, is extremely complex and it can be more limited due to complicated fusion of spatial saliency for image domain. In this paper, we propose a novel VA guided JND model in which we fuse the final attention map from the low-level features by using two laws of Gestalt principle. Firstly, we demonstrate a classic JND model in DCT domain, which consists of spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF), luminance adaptation (LA) and contrast masking (CM). The foveation effect and orientation feature are considered to obtain the CSF and CM factor. The foveation effect is affected by spatial attention, and the orientation features are modeled for CM effect together with traditional block texture strength through three direction-based AC coefficients in DCT domain. The attention features are integrated with a novel Gestalt principle-based weighting mechanism for the final block-based VA model, which is then used to modulate JND profiles with two non-linear functions. Finally, the proposed VA-guided JND model is incorporated into a logarithmic spread transform dither modulation (L-STDM) watermarking scheme. Experimental results show that the newly proposed algorithm can achieve good performance in term of robustness and get better visual quality.

Comparing Spatial Contrast Sensitivity Functions Measured With Digit and Grating Stimuli.

PurposeThe contrast sensitivity function (CSF) is measured traditionally with grating stimuli. Recently, we introduced a new set of digit stimuli to improve the efficiency of CSF tests for people unfamiliar with the Latin alphabet. Given the significant differences between grating and digit stimuli, we conducted this study to evaluate whether the estimated CSFs from the digit test are equivalent to those from the grating test.MethodsThe CSFs of five young (with Psi) and five older (with quick CSF [qCSF]) participants were measured with a two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) grating orientation identification task and a 10-digit identification task. The CSFs obtained from the two tasks were compared.ResultsThe estimated CSFs from the two tasks matched well after controlling for stimulus types and performance levels. The root mean square error (RMSE) between the CSFs from the two tasks was 0.093 ± 0.029 (300 trials) and 0.131 ± 0.016 (100 trials) log10 units for young and older observers, respectively. To reach the same standard deviation (0.1 log10 units), the digit CSF test required fewer trials/less time than the classic grating CSF for young (60 vs. 90 trials) and older (15 vs. 21 trials) observers. The complicated behavioral responses of the observer in the 10-AFC digit identification task can be accounted by a model that consists of digit similarity and one single parameter of sensory noise (χ2[99] = 3.42, P = 0.999).ConclusionsThe estimated CSFs from the digit test highly matched those obtained from the grating test; however, the digit test is much more efficient.Translational RelevanceThe digit CSF test provides a compatible assessment of the CSF as the traditional grating CSF test with more efficiency.

A computational-observer model of spatial contrast sensitivity: Effects of wave-front-based optics, cone-mosaic structure, and inference engine.

We present a computational-observer model of the human spatial contrast-sensitivity function based on the Image Systems Engineering Toolbox for Biology (ISETBio) simulation framework. We demonstrate that ISETBio-derived contrast-sensitivity functions agree well with ones derived using traditional ideal-observer approaches, when the mosaic, optics, and inference engine are matched. Further simulations extend earlier work by considering more realistic cone mosaics, more recent measurements of human physiological optics, and the effect of varying the inference engine used to link visual representations to psychophysical performance. Relative to earlier calculations, our simulations show that the spatial structure of realistic cone mosaics reduces the upper bounds on performance at low spatial frequencies, whereas realistic optics derived from modern wave-front measurements lead to increased upper bounds at high spatial frequencies. Finally, we demonstrate that the type of inference engine used has a substantial effect on the absolute level of predicted performance. Indeed, the performance gap between an ideal observer with exact knowledge of the relevant signals and human observers is greatly reduced when the inference engine has to learn aspects of the visual task. ISETBio-derived estimates of stimulus representations at various stages along the visual pathway provide a powerful tool for computing the limits of human performance.

Psychophysical Evaluation of Visual Functions of Ex-Alcoholic Subjects After Prolonged Abstinence.

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to a brain damages, and the health status of alcoholics even after a long-term alcohol abstinence is a public health concern. The present study investigated the color vision and spatial luminance contrast sensitivity of a group of 17 ex-alcoholics (46.3 ± 6.7 years old) in long-term alcohol abstinence after having been previously under alcohol dependence for many years. We also investigated the association of impaired psychophysical performance in different tests we applied. The mean time of alcohol consumption was 16.9 ± 5.1 years and the mean abstinence period was 12.4 ± 8.5 years. Achromatic vision of all subjects was evaluated using spatial luminance contrast sensitivity function (CSF) test and color vision was evaluated using Mollon–Reffin color discrimination test (MR) and the Farnsworth–Munsell 100 hue arrangement test (FM100). Relative to controls, the spatial luminance contrast sensitivity was lower in 10/17 of the ex-alcoholic subjects. In the color vision tests, 11/16 ex-alcoholic subjects had impaired results compared to controls in the FM100 test and 13/14 subjects had color vision deficits measured in the MR test. Fourteen subjects performed all visual tests, three subjects had impaired results for all tests, seven subjects had impaired results in two tests, three subjects had visual deficit in one test, and one had normal results for all tests. The results showed the existence of functional deficits in achromatic and chromatic vision of subjects with history of chronic alcoholism after long abstinence. Most subjects had altered result in more than one test, especially in the color vision tests. The present investigation suggests that the damage in visual functions produced by abusive alcohol consumption is not reversed after long term alcohol abstinence.

Weighting Quantization Matrices for HEVC/H.265-Coded RGB Videos

In the HEVC/H.265 video coding standard, weighting quantization matrices (WQMs) are supported to take advantage of the characteristics of the human visual system (HVS). However, the default WQMs utilized in HEVC are developed for YCbCr videos instead of RGB videos. In this paper, a set of new WQMs is proposed for video coding in RGB color space. First, we utilize the spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF) to model the bandpass property of HVS. To derive the parameters of the spatial CSF, a series of subjective experiments is conducted to obtain the just-noticeable distortion (JND) thresholds of several selected DCT subbands. In addition, the sensitivities of different DCT subbands in one color channel, as well as among R, G, and B channels, are considered to design the WQMs of intra-coded $8 \times 8$ blocks. Moreover, to reduce the data size of WQMs, the WQMs for other block sizes are derived from intra $8 \times 8$ WQMs. The proposed WQMs are then applied into HEVC to directly code RGB videos. The experimental results demonstrate that when the PSNRs of G, B, and R channels are combined with a ratio of 4:1:1, the proposed WQMs can achieve an average BD-rate saving of 12.64% and 20.51%, respectively, in all-intra (AI) and low-delay (LD) profiles compared to HEVC without WQMs. The proposed scheme also enjoys a better video quality metric (VQM) performance.

Restricted Spatial Windows of Visibility in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a devastating disorder marked by debilitating fatigue. It not well understood and its diagnosis is controversial. It is very important therefore that significant clinical features are investigated. Visual symptoms in ME represent a group of distinct, quantifiable, clinical features that could significantly improve diagnosis and provide insights into underlying pathology. The purpose of the present study was therefore to explore the effect of ME on spatial windows of visibility using the spatial contrast sensitivity function. Contrast sensitivity was determined for stationary luminance-defined sinusoidal gratings spanning a five-octave range of spatial frequencies (0.5 to 16 c/deg) in a group of 19 individuals with ME and a group of 19 matched (age, gender) controls. Compared to controls, the ME group exhibited a restricted spatial window of visibility for encoding stimulus contrast. This was characterised principally by a contrast sensitivity deficit at lower spatial frequencies and a narrower bandwidth. Our findings suggest that contrast sensitivity deficits may represent a visual marker of ME, and be indicative of abnormal visual processing at the level of the retina and in the cortical and subcortical visual pathways.

The Ohio Contrast Cards: Visual Performance in a Pediatric Low-vision Site.

This report describes the first clinical use of the Ohio Contrast Cards, a new test that measures the maximum spatial contrast sensitivity of low-vision patients who cannot recognize and identify optotypes and for whom the spatial frequency of maximum contrast sensitivity is unknown. To compare measurements of the Ohio Contrast Cards to measurements of three other vision tests and a vision-related quality-of-life questionnaire obtained on partially sighted students at Ohio State School for the Blind. The Ohio Contrast Cards show printed square-wave gratings at very low spatial frequency (0.15 cycle/degree). The patient looks to the left/right side of the card containing the grating. Twenty-five students (13 to 20 years old) provided four measures of visual performance: two grating card tests (the Ohio Contrast Cards and the Teller Acuity Cards) and two letter charts (the Pelli-Robson contrast chart and the Bailey-Lovie acuity chart). Spatial contrast sensitivity functions were modeled using constraints from the grating data. The Impact of Vision Impairment on Children questionnaire measured vision-related quality of life. Ohio Contrast Card contrast sensitivity was always less than 0.19 log10 units below the maximum possible contrast sensitivity predicted by the model; average Pelli-Robson letter contrast sensitivity was near the model prediction, but 0.516 log10 units below the maximum. Letter acuity was 0.336 logMAR below the grating acuity results. The model estimated the best testing distance in meters for optimum Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity from the Bailey-Lovie acuity as distance = 1.5 - logMAR for low-vision patients. Of the four vision tests, only Ohio Contrast Card contrast sensitivity was independently and statistically significantly correlated with students' quality of life. The Ohio Contrast Cards combine a grating stimulus, a looking indicator behavior, and contrast sensitivity measurement. They show promise for the clinical objective of advising the patient and his/her caregivers about the success the patient is likely to enjoy in tasks of everyday life.

A DCT-Based Total JND Profile for Spatiotemporal and Foveated Masking Effects

In image and video processing fields, Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT)-based just-noticeable difference (JND) profiles have effectively been utilized to remove perceptual redundancies in pictures for compression. In this paper, we solve two problems that are often intrinsic to the conventional DCT-based JND profiles: 1) no foveated masking (FM) JND model has been incorporated in modeling the DCT-based JND profiles and 2) the conventional temporal masking (TM) JND models assume that all moving objects in frames can be well tracked by the eyes and that they are projected on the fovea regions of the eyes, which is not a realistic assumption and may result in poor estimation of JND values for untracked moving objects (or image regions). To solve these two problems, we first propose a generalized JND model for joint effects between TM and FM effects. With this model, called the temporal–foveated masking (TFM) JND model, JND thresholds for any tracked/untracked and moving/still image regions can be elaborately estimated. Finally, the TFM-JND model is incorporated into a total DCT-based JND profile with a spatial contrast sensitivity function, luminance masking, and contrast masking JND models. In addition, we propose a JND adjustment method for our total JND profile to avoid overestimation of JND values for image blocks of fixed sizes with various image characteristics. To validate the effectiveness of the total JND profile, an experiment involving a subjective distortion-visibility assessment has been conducted. The experiment results show that the proposed total DCT-based JND profile yields significant performance improvement with much higher capability of distortion concealment (average 5.6-dB lower PSNR) compared with state-of-the-art JND profiles. The MATLAB source code of the proposed total DCT-based JND profile is publicly available online at https://sites.google.com/site/sunghobaecv/jnd .