On the effectiveness of noise masks: Naturalistic vs. un-naturalistic image statistics

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Title: On the effectiveness of noise masks: Naturalistic vs. un-naturalistic image statistics
Authors: Hansen, Bruce C.1 bchansen@colgate.edu, Hess, Robert F.2
Source: Vision Research. May2012, Vol. 60, p101-113. 13p.
Subjects: Auditory masking, Statistical methods in image analysis, Eye, Stimulus & response (Biology), Physiological effects of noise, Recognition (Psychology)
Abstract: Abstract: It has been argued that the human visual system is optimized for identification of broadband objects embedded in stimuli possessing orientation averaged power spectra fall-offs that obey the 1/fβ relationship typically observed in natural scene imagery (i.e., β =2.0 on logarithmic axes). Here, we were interested in whether individual spatial channels leading to recognition are functionally optimized for narrowband targets when masked by noise possessing naturalistic image statistics (β =2.0). The current study therefore explores the impact of variable β noise masks on the identification of narrowband target stimuli ranging in spatial complexity, while simultaneously controlling for physical or perceived differences between the masks. The results show that β =2.0 noise masks produce the largest identification thresholds regardless of target complexity, and thus do not seem to yield functionally optimized channel processing. The differential masking effects are discussed in the context of contrast gain control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Copyright of Vision Research is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Auditory+masking%22">Auditory masking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+methods+in+image+analysis%22">Statistical methods in image analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eye%22">Eye</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stimulus+%26+response+%28Biology%29%22">Stimulus & response (Biology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physiological+effects+of+noise%22">Physiological effects of noise</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recognition+%28Psychology%29%22">Recognition (Psychology)</searchLink>
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  Data: Abstract: It has been argued that the human visual system is optimized for identification of broadband objects embedded in stimuli possessing orientation averaged power spectra fall-offs that obey the 1/fβ relationship typically observed in natural scene imagery (i.e., β =2.0 on logarithmic axes). Here, we were interested in whether individual spatial channels leading to recognition are functionally optimized for narrowband targets when masked by noise possessing naturalistic image statistics (β =2.0). The current study therefore explores the impact of variable β noise masks on the identification of narrowband target stimuli ranging in spatial complexity, while simultaneously controlling for physical or perceived differences between the masks. The results show that β =2.0 noise masks produce the largest identification thresholds regardless of target complexity, and thus do not seem to yield functionally optimized channel processing. The differential masking effects are discussed in the context of contrast gain control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Vision Research is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.visres.2012.03.017
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Auditory masking
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical methods in image analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Eye
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Stimulus & response (Biology)
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      – SubjectFull: Physiological effects of noise
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      – SubjectFull: Recognition (Psychology)
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      – TitleFull: On the effectiveness of noise masks: Naturalistic vs. un-naturalistic image statistics
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              Text: May2012
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              Y: 2012
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