Visual Concepts Research Articles

Semi-supervised Learning of Visual Causal Macrovariables


 
 
 Discovery of causally related concepts is one of the key challenges in extracting knowledge from observational data. Lower-dimensional “causal macrovariables” represent concepts which preserve all relevant causal information in high-dimensional systems. Existing causal macrovariable discovery algorithms are limited by assumptions about known and controllable interventions. We propose a variational autoencoder-inspired architecture with regularization terms for semi-supervised causal macrovariable discovery. These terms impose domain knowledge regarding visual causal concepts to differentiate between correlation and causation. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world datasets with known causal dynamics show that our method can discover more concise and precise causal macrovariables than unsupervised methods. 
 
 

Robust Scene Parsing by Mining Supportive Knowledge From Dataset.

Scene parsing, or semantic segmentation, aims at labeling all pixels in an image with the predefined categories of things and stuff. Learning a robust representation for each pixel is crucial for this task. Existing state-of-the-art (SOTA) algorithms employ deep neural networks to learn (discover) the representations needed for parsing from raw data. Nevertheless, these networks discover desired features or representations only from the given image (content), ignoring more generic knowledge contained in the dataset. To overcome this deficiency, we make the first attempt to explore the meaningful supportive knowledge, including general visual concepts (i.e., the generic representations for objects and stuff) and their relations from the whole dataset to enhance the underlying representations of a specific scene for better scene parsing. Specifically, we propose a novel supportive knowledge mining module (SKMM) and a knowledge augmentation operator (KAO), which can be easily plugged into modern scene parsing networks. By taking image-specific content and dataset-level supportive knowledge into full consideration, the resulting model, called knowledge augmented neural network (KANN), can better understand the given scene and provide greater representational power. Experiments are conducted on three challenging scene parsing and semantic segmentation datasets: Cityscapes, Pascal-Context, and ADE20K. The results show that our KANN is effective and achieves better results than all existing SOTA methods.

Digital Visual Grammar Concept Map Facilitated EFL Holistic Grammar Comprehension

Form-focused deductive grammar learning approach is an effective way to facilitate language learners to memorize atomistic grammatical rules. However, beyond retaining isolated grammar rules, learners can benefit from using web based concept map, a visualized utility, to overlap grammar rules and achieve holistic comprehension. Therefore, this research looks into detail (total nodes, depth, and breadth) of how visual grammar concept map affects student’s examination score and aims to assist students to gain a holistic visual grammar learning through utilizing an online concept map software (CoCoing.info). One hundred and thirty-two college students were involved in this study for 18 weeks. The quantitative results revealed that students who created a more developed and holistic visual grammar concept map gained a better understanding of the grammatical rules. This was however not true for low achieving students. Therefore, more detailed analysis showed students with deeper depth and wider breadth achieved higher score. However, the high achieving students and low achieving students’ comparison study indicated that the depth of the visual grammar concept map is harder for students to construct and is a better indicator of achievement compared to breadth. The findings show that visual grammar concept map can facilitate traditional form-focused classroom.

P. Ricoeur’s Creative Imagination: The Source of Narrative Identity and Social Justice

The paper analyses Paul Ricoeur’s concept of creative imagination and shows how this essential element of human consciousness determines personal and societal identity and how it can be a source of just social norms and of ‘good life’ (vie bonne). The imagination, which is characterized by semantic innovations and a heuristic function, creates a dynamic narrative defining a human being and opens as specific rationality surpassing purely argumentative rationality and allowing to solve conflicts of social norms. The ethical aspect of this process, implying a triple structure I/other/just institutiones, creates conditions for the realization of the dialectic of justice and love in the political space; due to the dialectic, innovative ways for the realization of social justice become possible. Critical questions intended to open up the perspective for further thinking are posed at the end of the paper.

Image Caption Generator by using CNN and LSTM

In this article, we systematically analyze a deep neural networks-based image caption generation method. Image Captioning aims to automatically generate a sentence description for an image. Our article model will take an image as input and generate on English sentence as output, describing the contents of the image. It has attracted much research attention in cognitive computing in the recent years. The task is rather complex, as the concepts of both computer vision and natural language processing domains are combined together. We have developed a model using the concepts of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model and build a working model of Image caption generator by implementing CNN and LSTM. After the caption generation phase, we use BLEU Scores to evaluate the efficiency of our model. Thus, our system helps the user to get descriptive caption for the given input image.

Language Learning through Thought, Memory, Imagination, and Reading

The present article aims to estimate the value of language learning through a quick review of the learning process and with a focus on “accumulated knowledge” and “the ability to learn.” Following the opinions of researchers and linguists, we can also argue that the whole history of human culture – “of intelligence and morality, folly and superstition, ritual, language, and the arts” – is what makes us human. The development of language is presented in its relation to thought, and memory, with the concept of imagination added to enhance their prowess. In other words, we might say that the cultivation of imagination should be the chief aim of education. One major idea in this context is that we can learn a lot from history, where language has been used to preserve old traditions and customs, and simultaneously foster new ideas. Another seemingly debatable approach would be the idea that clarity in teaching and learning might have a significant impact on learners, and at same time function as a springboard for other academic skills. In conclusion, teachers should encourage students to be inspired and motivated to discover the powers of wonder and imagination. Reading would be the one of the best ways to experience magic because books can inspire teachers to cultivate the same human values and life lessons in our students.

Visualisation of spheres of influence of distributed generation through critical line flow analysis

Power System around the world are transitioning into the phase of accommodating large scale and small scale Distributed Generation (DG). To harvest the benefits of DG, determining the most influential generator and associated network-wide impacts are crucial. This paper proposes a novel visualisation method to determine the sphere of influence of DG in the network using line current flows. The proposed visualisation technique trades off tedious calculations and provides information-rich overview of a network and enables distribution network service providers to make judicious decisions in order to determine sphere of influence of DG. The visualisation concept is tested on a 33 bus distribution network and implemented using DigSILENT Power Factory, Python and Matlab.

Cognitive-Semantic Concept Structuring in Visual Perception and Visual Imagery: Identifying a New Basic Top-Down Processing System for Visual Experience

Abstract Visual experience encompasses both visual perception and visual imagery. Using cognitive-semantic analysis, it is outlined how visual experience can be characterized as involving (among other top-down processes) a basic top-down-processing system that is organized by fundamental aspects of the four main Talmyan concept structuring systems (fundamental aspects of configurational structure, perspective, attention, and—not in principle, but quite often—force dynamics). It is proposed that this visual concept structuring represents a thus far unidentified basic top-down-processing system of visual experience which structures the conceptual content of the visual/imagistic stimulus. While Talmyan concept structuring has in the literature thus far mainly been applied to language, the main conclusion of this paper is that Talmyan concept structuring is a basic component of visual top-down processing even when language is not involved. Implications for sensory modalities other than the visual one are discussed, and possible future research is formulated.

(Practical) Theology: A story of doubt and imagination

Theology as a story of doubt and imagination is to be understood against the background of interdisciplinary social science and in contrast to the traditional paradigm of theology as a system of propositional certainty. The concepts of doubt and imagination are part and parcel of narrative research and can also be linked to postfoundational philosophy. The relevancy of this theological paradigm will be discussed on the basis of the following: (1) It is in touch with its own doubt, (2) It is in touch with its own story (tradition), (3) It can therefore interact with other stories, stories of hope and despair, stories of suffering, stories of power and of marginalisation, (4) It can also imagine alternative stories.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The interaction with ‘other stories’, which is one of the important outcomes of this postfoundational approach, makes it possible for theology to be a humble but important participant at the interdisciplinary conversational table.

HyperCube4x: Exploring and Analyzing Data in Virtual Reality Using HyperRelational and HyperAnalyzer

Hypercube is a novel viewport management and information visualization system proposal that introduces three applications (called WorkScenes), focusing on interaction, immersive reading, data exploration, analysis, and visualization concepts. After presenting the conceptual description, interaction metaphors, and the prototype in a previous publication, this article presents HyperRelational and HyperAnalyzer, the WorkScenes focused on multidimensional data exploration, analysis, and visualization. First, the manuscript explores previous work on Human-Computer Interaction-related disciplines, such as cognitive psychology, cognitive engineering, and neuroscience. Then, we introduce HyperRelational and HyperAnalyzer, focusing on their fundamental concepts 1) Geometrical visualization; 2) mapping relationships among information as spatial dimensions. Also, the Screenshots help illustrate the mentioned concepts. Finally, the “Results and Discussion” section demonstrates how these features integrate with the flow, presence, and immersion of Virtual Reality, fit Shneiderman’s visual-information-seeking mantra and solve some desktop metaphor-related issues. Additionally, we present test results conducted with 26 participants that show an acceptability rate of 74% amongst users and highlight their positive feedback/experience regarding HyperAnalyzer. On the other hand, the System Usability Scale (SUS) evaluation scored 60.6731. The score demonstrates that HyperAnalyser scored a little better than Microsoft Excel. Therefore, we conclude that the concepts presented here are viable, but it is still necessary to evolve usability to make HyperCube commercially viable.

A metatheoretical framework for organizational wellbeing research: Toward conceptual pluralism in the wellbeing debate

The organizational wellbeing discourse has in the past decades gravitated toward two adversarial camps. The first camp draws increasingly from positive psychology and studies wellbeing as the presence of positive attributes centered around the individual. The second camp is critical toward the first one from a sociological standpoint by warning about its hidden tyranny and detrimental organizational consequences. In this paper we interrogate the conceptual foundations of the two camps and argue that the paradigmatic divide between them can be traced to their antithetical assumptions about the nature of human freedom. To move beyond the paradigmatic standstill, we suggest adopting Kenneth Burke’s dramatistic pentad as a metatheoretical framework for organizational wellbeing research. The pentad can help integrate concerns and viewpoints from both camps and facilitate the exploration of novel opportunities to conceptualize wellbeing in organizations. The proposed metatheoretical framework acknowledges the plural and essentially contested character of wellbeing whilst promoting theoretical pluralism in organizational wellbeing research. We also illustrate the use of the dramatistic pentad through three thought-provoking conceptualizations of organizational wellbeing. The illustrations show how the dramatistic pentad can be used to spur much needed conceptual imagination within organizational wellbeing research.

Improved insights into the SABIO-RK database via visualization

SABIO-RK is a database for biochemical reactions and their kinetics. Data in SABIO-RK are inherently multidimensional and complex. The complex relationships between the data are often difficult to follow or even not represented when using standard tabular views. With an increasing number of data points the mismatch between tables and insights becomes more obvious, and getting an overview of the data becomes harder. Such complex data benefit from being presented using specially adapted visual tools. Visualization is a natural and user-friendly way to quickly get an overview of the data and to detect clusters and outliers. Here, we describe the implementation of a variety of visualization concepts into a common interface within the SABIO-RK biochemical reaction kinetics database. For that purpose, we use a heat map, parallel coordinates and scatter plots to allow the interactive visual exploration of general entry-based information of biochemical reactions and specific kinetic parameter values. Database URL https://sabiork.h-its.org/.

Moral Imagination, the Collective Desirable, and Strategic Purpose

In contrast to the prevalent outside-in perspectives on corporate purpose as a response to competing normative demands of stakeholders, we introduce an inside-out perspective on purpose as based in firm-specific, agentic commitments to specific values, ideals, and societal goals. Drawing on moral philosophy, we propose how strategists can develop a strategic purpose through moral imagination that involves developing shaping intentions based in values and ideals, empathetic relating, and imaginativeness in stakeholder contexts. These processes support the generation of an emergent theory of value, which we term “the collective desirable.” This theory of value—a creative synthesis of the shaping intentions of the firm, and the interests and perspectives of stakeholders—provides the foundation of purpose, which is strategic, dynamic, and generative for the firm and its stakeholders. Such a strategic purpose becomes an organizational logic of action enacted through designated processes for articulation, maintenance, and evolvability, and through blueprints for credible commitments and resource allocations. By theorizing the microfoundations of an agentic, inside-out view of purpose, our theoretical framework articulates a set of mechanisms through which strategists can develop a strategic purpose that is tightly linked to the firm’s future-oriented strategy and the exercise of moral leadership. Our conception of moral imagination as a form of prosocial prospective cognition contributes a novel perspective to the socio-cognitive and subjectivist perspectives on strategy and extends the microfoundations of strategy.History: This paper has been accepted for the Strategy Science Special Issue on Corporate Purpose.

Topological Vision: The Artistic Thinking of Shigeru Onishi

Abstract This article examines the work of the Japanese mathematician and photographer Shigeru Onishi (1928–1994) and his topologically inspired photographic experiments. It considers how his painterly play with emulsion and coloration is a visual exploration of questions of process and continuous transformation and how these experiments can be understood in relation to more general discussions of mathematical and artistic “ways of knowing.” Building on ideas introduced by the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty in his work on late Paul Cézanne, the article introduces the concept of topological vision to describe and account for a particular way of seeing that considers the continual coming-into-being of a photographic motif.

Minecraft as a technology of postwar urban ordering: the situated-portable epistemic nexus of urban peacebuilding in Pristina

ABSTRACT In this article, I argue that a ‘situated-portable epistemic nexus’ characterizes postwar urban peacebuilding. The concept captures how knowledge in urban peacebuilding is produced by/productive of discursive and material conditions that are both, and simultaneously, situated in a particular urban environment and transnationally emergent and circulating. I illustrate this argument in an analysis of an urban peacebuilding project in postwar Pristina, Kosovo, that relied on the computer game Minecraft as the main technology. Despite a heterogeneous group of actors involved, and a primacy devoted to local perspectives, the at-once-situated and globally portable discourses, technologies and artefacts of the Pristina project conditioned the production of a relatively narrow urban knowledge and space that formed around a purely visual conception of the urban – overall limiting what the situated urban was and could become.

Pre-Islamic religious motifs (550 BC to 651 AD) on Iranian minor art with focus on rug motifs

This article reviewed the influence of pre-Islamic religions such as Mithraism and Zoroastrianism on decorative elements of ancient Persian rugs. The article then evaluated the effect of the Islamic religion on Persian rugs. This was examined through extant evidence from pre–Islamic empire artefacts and publications in Persian carpet history, iconography and religious studies. Using spiritual motifs on some ancient rugs results from the important position of rugs in ancient Iranians’ lives. Believing the existence of religious motifs on Persian carpets is because the first carpet in history (Pazyryk) was attributed to the ancient Achaemenians, decorated with symbolic motifs from Mithraism and Zoroastrianism. Pazyryk shows how rug-weaving evolved during the Achaemenids, and it represented spiritual foundations through visual concepts. This article reviewed the symbolic Persian rug motifs from ancient religions through Pazyryk, with support from museum collections. With the emergence of religions, these effects are seen in all aspects of life, including the production of rug design.Contribution: The main contribution of this research was that it investigated the effects of religion on Persian art focusing on the Persian rug. The findings showed that religion had directly influenced the decorative motifs of the Persian rug among high-class families that might have cascaded into visual elements found on commoners’ rugs.

Multimodal Interaction of MU Plant Landscape Design in Marine Urban Based on Computer Vision Technology

At present, there is a growing focus on the landscape and environment of ocean cities, with an increasing demand for improved ecological sustainability and aesthetic appeal. With the emergence of computer vision design technologies such as 3D and VR, people have overcome the limitations of traditional paper-based design materials. Through the use of computer software, various forms of expression, such as drawings and animations, can be produced, thereby meeting the diverse demands for showcasing plant landscapes. The purpose of this paper is to study the design of marine urban (MU) botanical landscapes based on computer vision technology (CVT) and multimodal interaction design (MID) theory, so that the design of MU botanical landscape can meet people's psychological behavior and visual needs, and at the same time enable people to participate in and experience the landscape, so as to better meet people's needs for viewing, leisure, and entertainment. At the same time, it is hoped that the research of this paper will play a role in promoting the innovation and development of the concept of MU landscape design (LD) in the future, specifically from two levels of theoretical and practical significance. First, at the level of theoretical research: Based on the theory of MID, this paper explores the application of communication and interaction among humans and between humans and the landscape in the design of MU planting, and tries to explore and summarize the content and methods of interactive LD in marine cities with a theoretical basis and research value. The goal is to both enhance the theoretical level of interactive LD, and also provide new reference for future marine city (MC) LD. Second, at the level of practical application: In the field of LD, the new concept of computer vision is introduced to fully understand the visual needs of people and increase the practicality and pleasantness of the MU landscape, hoping to attract more people to come to play and rest. Through the attraction of MU landscapes to tourists, the design and construction of the landscape no longer focus on its appearance, but rather on the participation and experience of people.

Spatial visualization for development of visual thinking and cognitive abilities among mechanical engineering students through tool design ideation

With the exposure of the mechanical engineering undergraduate students to the concepts of spatial visualization, this work assesses the effect of spatial visualization skills on the visual thinking abilities. Influence of spatial visualization on visual thinking and cognitive abilities like reasoning, abstract thinking, planning, comprehension of complex ideas, quick learning and learning from experience, is analysed through FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis). The RPNs (risk-priority-numbers) have been calculated and priority is set for proposing the corrective actions. Further to this, case studies in tool design have been picked for exhibition of spatial visualization skill set. Influence of tool design on visual thinking capability of the students is understood through various case-studies. Thus, tool, die and mold design ideation is used as a platform for the proposing improvements in visual thinking and cognitive abilities among mechanical engineering students.

Analysis of the new transportation and inspection mode of overhead transmission lines based on visual management

In the process of urban construction and development, there are more and more construction projects such as building houses and planting trees, digging ditches, building Bridges and paving roads. The number of large-scale mechanical operations around the transmission lines continues to rise, which not only increases the pressure of channel operation and maintenance, but also hinders the stable operation of the power system. In order to further improve the quality and efficiency of the operation and maintenance of overhead transmission lines, some scholars proposed to continuously promote the operation and inspection business of transmission lines and create a new operation and inspection mode based on the concept of visual management, which can not only change the traditional work mode, but also solve the problems existing in the conventional operation and inspection. On the basis of understanding the problems facing the overhead transmission line inspection work, this paper focuses on the main content of practical work by determining the transportation inspection platform system architecture with visual management concept as the core, and discusses the application effect of the new transportation inspection mode of overhead transmission line with visual management as the core combined with experimental cases.

An Investigation of Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Reform Programme with Vision 2030 to Incentivise Investment in the Country’s Non-Oil Industries

Background/Objectives: Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia is an important project that mainly targets the reduction in dependency on the oil economy through the growth of non-oil Industries. This study investigates Saudi Arabia’s effort for Vision 2030 to incentivise investment in the non-oil industry’s growth. Material and Methods:A sample of 225 employees of the non-oil industries of Saudi Arabia was selected as sample participants. A survey was conducted for data collection, and SPSS software was used to analyse the data. Findings:The findings indicate that sig values for all tests were 0.000 < 0.05 to support the selection of an alternative hypothesis. Therefore, it can easily be determined from the analysis that a more robust relationship is present between Vision 2030 with incentivised investment, economic stability, and financial accommodation.The advantages of reform programs have been effective in non-oil industries of Saudi Arabia to increase production standards and obtain more customer engagement.Conclusion: This research contributes to providing a straightforward concept in Vision 2030, which is Saudi Arabia’s reform program to develop the economic condition of Non-Oil Sectors. Hence, reform in the policy for economic stability can help to maintain the growth of different sectors and can further support financial assets.