Abstract: Efficient preprocessing is very essential for automatic
recognition of handwritten documents. In this paper, techniques on
segmenting words in handwritten Arabic text are presented. Firstly,
connected components (ccs) are extracted, and distances among
different components are analyzed. The statistical distribution of this
distance is then obtained to determine an optimal threshold for words
segmentation. Meanwhile, an improved projection based method is
also employed for baseline detection. The proposed method has been
successfully tested on IFN/ENIT database consisting of 26459
Arabic words handwritten by 411 different writers, and the results
were promising and very encouraging in more accurate detection of
the baseline and segmentation of words for further recognition.
Abstract: This paper describes a method of modeling to model
shadow play puppet using sophisticated computer graphics techniques
available in OpenGL in order to allow interactive play in real-time
environment as well as producing realistic animation. This paper
proposes a novel real-time method is proposed for modeling of puppet
and its shadow image that allows interactive play of virtual shadow
play using texture mapping and blending techniques. Special effects
such as lighting and blurring effects for virtual shadow play
environment are also developed. Moreover, the use of geometric
transformations and hierarchical modeling facilitates interaction
among the different parts of the puppet during animation. Based on the
experiments and the survey that were carried out, the respondents
involved are very satisfied with the outcomes of these techniques.
Abstract: Term Extraction, a key data preparation step in Text
Mining, extracts the terms, i.e. relevant collocation of words,
attached to specific concepts (e.g. genetic-algorithms and decisiontrees
are terms associated to the concept “Machine Learning" ). In
this paper, the task of extracting interesting collocations is achieved
through a supervised learning algorithm, exploiting a few
collocations manually labelled as interesting/not interesting. From
these examples, the ROGER algorithm learns a numerical function,
inducing some ranking on the collocations. This ranking is optimized
using genetic algorithms, maximizing the trade-off between the false
positive and true positive rates (Area Under the ROC curve). This
approach uses a particular representation for the word collocations,
namely the vector of values corresponding to the standard statistical
interestingness measures attached to this collocation. As this
representation is general (over corpora and natural languages),
generality tests were performed by experimenting the ranking
function learned from an English corpus in Biology, onto a French
corpus of Curriculum Vitae, and vice versa, showing a good
robustness of the approaches compared to the state-of-the-art Support
Vector Machine (SVM).
Abstract: The influence of full-fat soy flour (FFSF) and
extrusion conditions on the mechanical characteristics of dry
spaghetti were evaluated. Process was performed with screw speed of
10-40rpm and water circulating temperature of 35-70°C. Data
analysis using mixture design showed that this enrichment resulted in
significant differences in mechanical strength.
Abstract: While compressing text files is useful, compressing
still image files is almost a necessity. A typical image takes up much
more storage than a typical text message and without compression
images would be extremely clumsy to store and distribute. The
amount of information required to store pictures on modern
computers is quite large in relation to the amount of bandwidth
commonly available to transmit them over the Internet and
applications. Image compression addresses the problem of reducing
the amount of data required to represent a digital image. Performance
of any image compression method can be evaluated by measuring the
root-mean-square-error & peak signal to noise ratio. The method of
image compression that will be analyzed in this paper is based on the
lossy JPEG image compression technique, the most popular
compression technique for color images. JPEG compression is able to
greatly reduce file size with minimal image degradation by throwing
away the least “important" information. In JPEG, both color
components are downsampled simultaneously, but in this paper we
will compare the results when the compression is done by
downsampling the single chroma part. In this paper we will
demonstrate more compression ratio is achieved when the
chrominance blue is downsampled as compared to downsampling the
chrominance red in JPEG compression. But the peak signal to noise
ratio is more when the chrominance red is downsampled as compared
to downsampling the chrominance blue in JPEG compression. In
particular we will use the hats.jpg as a demonstration of JPEG
compression using low pass filter and demonstrate that the image is
compressed with barely any visual differences with both methods.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new solution to string matching problem. This solution constructs an inverted list representing a string pattern to be searched for. It then uses a new algorithm to process an input string in a single pass. The preprocessing phase takes 1) time complexity O(m) 2) space complexity O(1) where m is the length of pattern. The searching phase time complexity takes 1) O(m+α ) in average case 2) O(n/m) in the best case and 3) O(n) in the worst case, where α is the number of comparing leading to mismatch and n is the length of input text.
Abstract: The success of an e-learning system is highly
dependent on the quality of its educational content and how effective,
complete, and simple the design tool can be for teachers. Educational
modeling languages (EMLs) are proposed as design languages
intended to teachers for modeling diverse teaching-learning
experiences, independently of the pedagogical approach and in
different contexts. However, most existing EMLs are criticized for
being too abstract and too complex to be understood and manipulated
by teachers. In this paper, we present a visual EML that simplifies the
process of designing learning scenarios for teachers with no
programming background. Based on the conceptual framework of the
activity theory, our resulting visual EML focuses on using Domainspecific
modeling techniques to provide a pedagogical level of
abstraction in the design process.
Abstract: This study aims to examine the determinants of
purchase intention in C2C e-commerce. Specifically the role of
instant messaging in the C2C e-commerce contextis investigated. In
addition to instant messaging, we brought in two antecedents of
purchase intention - trust and customer satisfaction - to establish a
theoretical research model. Structural equation modeling using
LISREL was used to analyze the data.We discussed the research
findings and suggested some implications for researchers and
practitioners.
Abstract: The widely used Total Variation de-noising algorithm can preserve sharp edge, while removing noise. However, since fixed regularization parameter over entire image, small details and textures are often lost in the process. In this paper, we propose a modified Total Variation algorithm to better preserve smaller-scaled features. This is done by allowing an adaptive regularization parameter to control the amount of de-noising in any region of image, according to relative information of local feature scale. Experimental results demonstrate the efficient of the proposed algorithm. Compared with standard Total Variation, our algorithm can better preserve smaller-scaled features and show better performance.
Abstract: The vast rural landscape in the southern United States
is conspicuously characterized by the hedgerow trees or groves. The
patchwork landscape of fields surrounded by high hedgerows is a
traditional and familiar feature of the American countryside.
Hedgerows are in effect linear strips of trees, groves, or woodlands,
which are often critical habitats for wildlife and important for the
visual quality of the landscape. As landscape interfaces, hedgerows
define the spaces in the landscape, give the landscape life and
meaning, and enrich ecologies and cultural heritages of the American
countryside. Although hedgerows were originally intended as fences
and to mark property and townland boundaries, they are not merely
the natural or man-made additions to the landscape--they have
gradually become “naturalized" into the landscape, deeply rooted in
the rural culture, and now formed an important component of the
southern American rural environment. However, due to the ever
expanding real estate industry and high demand for new residential
development, substantial areas of authentic hedgerow landscape in
the southern United States are being urbanized. Using Hudson Farm
as an example, this study illustrated guidelines of how hedgerows can
be integrated into town planning as green infrastructure and
landscape interface to innovate and direct sustainable land use, and
suggest ways in which such vernacular landscapes can be preserved
and integrated into new development without losing their contextual
inspiration.
Abstract: This paper proposes an improvement method of classification
efficiency in a classification model. The model is used
in a risk search system and extracts specific labels from articles
posted at bulletin board sites. The system can analyze the important
discussions composed of the articles. The improvement method
introduces ensemble learning methods that use multiple classification
models. Also, it introduces expressions related to the specific labels
into generation of word vectors. The paper applies the improvement
method to articles collected from three bulletin board sites selected
by users and verifies the effectiveness of the improvement method.
Abstract: The sustainability of a place depends on a series of factors which contribute to the quality of life, sense of place and recognition of identity. An activity like walking, which in itself is obviously ''sustainable'', can become non sustainable if the context in which it is carried out does not meet the conditions for an adequate quality of life. This work is aimed at proposing the analytical method of Place Maker to identify the elements that do not feature in traditional mapping and which constitute the contemporary identity of the places, and the relative complex map to represent those elements and support sustainable urban identity design. The method's potential for areas with a predominantly pedestrian vocation is illustrated by means of the case study of the Ramblas in Barcelona.
Abstract: This paper aims to explain the project carried out at
the University of Cordoba, specifically at the High Polytechnic
School in collaboration with two other organizations belonging to the
Andalusian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Business:
Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA agency) [1]
and the Territorial Net of Entrepreneurship Support (in Spanish Red
Territorial de Apoyo al Emprendedor) [11].
The project is being developed in several stages of which only the
first one has already been completed. However, several important
preliminary results derive from it, based mainly in the description of
the nature of entrepreneurship in the field of university education and
its impact on student-s competency as recommended by the European
Higher Education Area. Some problems holding back the correct
future development will also be shown as derived from the specific
context of application of the project.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with their high mechanical,
electrical, thermal and chemical properties are regarded as promising
materials for many different potential applications. Having unique
properties they can be used in a wide range of fields such as
electronic devices, electrodes, drug delivery systems, hydrogen
storage, textile etc. Catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) is a
common method for CNT production especially for mass production.
Catalysts impregnated on a suitable substrate are important for
production with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Iron
catalyst and MgO substrate is one of most common catalyst-substrate
combination used for CNT. In this study, CNTs were produced by
CCVD of acetylene (C2H2) on magnesium oxide (MgO) powder
substrate impregnated by iron nitrate (Fe(NO3)3•9H2O) solution. The
CNT synthesis conditions were as follows: at synthesis temperatures
of 500 and 800°C multiwall and single wall CNTs were produced
respectively. Iron (Fe) catalysts were prepared by with Fe:MgO ratio
of 1:100, 5:100 and 10:100. The duration of syntheses were 30 and
60 minutes for all temperatures and catalyst percentages. The
synthesized materials were characterized by thermal gravimetric
analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman
spectroscopy.
Abstract: Online trading is an alternative to conventional shopping method. People trade goods which are new or pre-owned before. However, there are times when a user is not able to search the items wanted online. This is because the items may not be posted as yet, thus ending the search. Conventional search mechanism only works by searching and matching search criteria (requirement) with data available in a particular database. This research aims to match current search requirements with future postings. This would involve the time factor in the conventional search method. A Car Matching Alert System (CMAS) prototype was developed to test the matching algorithm. When a buyer-s search returns no result, the system saves the search and the buyer will be alerted if there is a match found based on future postings. The algorithm developed is useful and as it can be applied in other search context.
Abstract: This paper describes the results and implications of a correlational study of learning styles and learner satisfaction. The relationship of these empirical concepts was examined in the context of traditional versus e-blended modes of course delivery in an introductory graduate research course. Significant results indicated that the visual side of the visual-verbal dimension of students- learning style(s) was positively correlated to satisfaction with themselves as learners in an e-blended course delivery mode and negatively correlated to satisfaction with the classroom environment in the context of a traditional classroom course delivery mode.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to improve our
understanding of vulnerability and environmental change; it's causes
basically show the intensity, its distribution and human-environment
effect on the ecosystem in the Apodi Valley Region, This paper is
identify, assess and classify vulnerability and environmental change
in the Apodi valley region using a combined approach of landscape
pattern and ecosystem sensitivity. Models were developed using the
following five thematic layers: Geology, geomorphology, soil,
vegetation and land use/cover, by means of a Geographical
Information Systems (GIS)-based on hydro-geophysical parameters.
In spite of the data problems and shortcomings, using ESRI-s ArcGIS
9.3 program, the vulnerability score, to classify, weight and combine
a number of 15 separate land cover classes to create a single indicator
provides a reliable measure of differences (6 classes) among regions
and communities that are exposed to similar ranges of hazards.
Indeed, the ongoing and active development of vulnerability
concepts and methods have already produced some tools to help
overcome common issues, such as acting in a context of high
uncertainties, taking into account the dynamics and spatial scale of
asocial-ecological system, or gathering viewpoints from different
sciences to combine human and impact-based approaches. Based on
this assessment, this paper proposes concrete perspectives and
possibilities to benefit from existing commonalities in the
construction and application of assessment tools.
Abstract: Effective knowledge support relies on providing
operation-relevant knowledge to workers promptly and accurately. A
knowledge flow represents an individual-s or a group-s
knowledge-needs and referencing behavior of codified knowledge
during operation performance. The flow has been utilized to facilitate
organizational knowledge support by illustrating workers-
knowledge-needs systematically and precisely. However,
conventional knowledge-flow models cannot work well in cooperative
teams, which team members usually have diverse knowledge-needs in
terms of roles. The reason is that those models only provide one single
view to all participants and do not reflect individual knowledge-needs
in flows. Hence, we propose a role-based knowledge-flow view model
in this work. The model builds knowledge-flow views (or virtual
knowledge flows) by creating appropriate virtual knowledge nodes
and generalizing knowledge concepts to required concept levels. The
customized views could represent individual role-s knowledge-needs
in teamwork context. The novel model indicates knowledge-needs in
condensed representation from a roles perspective and enhances the
efficiency of cooperative knowledge support in organizations.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel statistical approach to
corpus-based speech synthesis. Classically, phonetic information is
defined and considered as acoustic reference to be respected. In this
way, many studies were elaborated for acoustical unit classification.
This type of classification allows separating units according to their
symbolic characteristics. Indeed, target cost and concatenation cost
were classically defined for unit selection.
In Corpus-Based Speech Synthesis System, when using large text
corpora, cost functions were limited to a juxtaposition of symbolic
criteria and the acoustic information of units is not exploited in the
definition of the target cost.
In this manuscript, we token in our consideration the unit phonetic
information corresponding to acoustic information. This would be realized
by defining a probabilistic linguistic Bi-grams model basically
used for unit selection. The selected units would be extracted from
the English TIMIT corpora.
Abstract: This research investigates the use of digital technology
namely interactive multimedia in effective art education provided by
museum. Several multimedia experience examples created for art
education are study case subjected to assistance audiences- learning
within the context of existing theory in the field of interactive
multimedia.