Text and non-text separation in offline document images: a survey

International Journal on Document Analysis and Recognition (IJDAR) - Separation of text and non-text is an essential processing step for any document analysis system. Therefore, it is important to...     

First-principles study of CaCu3B4O12 (B=Co, Rh, Ir)

Employing first-principles density functional theory based calculations we investigated the change in electronic structure of CaCu₃B₄O₁₂ compounds as one moves from 3d (Co) to 4d (Rh) to 5d (Ir) element at B site. Our study sheds light on valences of Cu and B ions as one moves from 3d to 4d to 5d based compounds. The valence of Cu in Co and Rh compound turn out to be that of less known 3+ state, while that in Ir compound turn out to be commonly known 2+ state. Our first-principles study provide microscopic understanding of these different valences of Cu, in terms of changes in the mixing of Cu x ² − y ² and B-a _1g states, driven by changes in the crystal field and spin splitting. The stronger crystal field splitting for 4d and 5d elements compared to 3d at B site drive the low-spin state at Rh and Ir site as opposed to intermediate spin in case of Co.     

Feature Selection for Recognition of Online Handwritten Bangla Characters

Feature selection through optimization techniques provides an interesting approach to minimize computational time with enhanced prediction capability, and     

Periodically Fully Developed Heat and Fluid Flow Characteristics in a Furrowed Wavy Channel

Periodically fully developed two-dimensional (2D) flow in a furrowed wavy channel is investigated numerically at various Reynolds numbers (100–2123). For the laminar and transitional flow regime, the study is done for six geometrically different channels; corresponding to various nondimensional amplitude (0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) and wavelength (0.5 and 1). Critical Reynolds number—for the onset of periodic flow—decreases with increasing amplitude and wavelength. A flow regime map—demarcating steady and unsteady flow regime—is proposed. It is shown that the size of the vortex in streamlines and waviness in isotherms increase with increasing Reynolds number, amplitude and wavelength. The performance of wavy as compared to straight channel is studied with the help of ratio of Nusselt number, friction factor and area-goodness factor, and thermal-performance factor. With increasing Reynolds number, all these parameters remain almost constant in the steady regime and increase almost linearly in the unsteady regime. For the largest Reynolds number (close to 2000) studied here, the increase in the Nusselt number ratio—within the periodic flow regime—is 11.21% and 133% for the amplitude equal to 0.075 and 0.1, respectively, at a wavelength of 0.5; at a wavelength of 1.0, the increase is 101%, 134%, and 181% for the amplitude of 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1, respectively.     

Enhancement of properties of recycled coarse aggregate concrete using bacteria

Due to rapid construction, necessity for raw materials of concrete, especially coarse aggregate, tends to increase the danger of early exhaustion of the natural resources. An alternative source of raw materials would perhaps delay the advent of this early exhaustion. Recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) plays a great role as an alternative raw material that can replace the natural coarse aggregate (NCA) for concrete. Previous studies show that the properties of RCA concrete are inferior in quality compared to NCA concrete. This article attempts to study the improvement of properties of RCA concrete with the addition of bacteria named as Bacillus subtilis. The experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the improvement of the compressive strength, capillary water absorption, and drying shrinkage of RCA concrete incorporating bacteria. The compressive strength of RCA concrete is found to be increased by about 20% when the cell concentration of B. subtilis is 10⁶ cells/ml. The capillary water absorption as well as drying shrinkage of RCA are reduced when bacteria is incorporated. The improvement of RCA concrete is confirmed to be due to the calcium carbonate precipitation as observed from the microstructure studies carried out on it such as EDX, SEM, and XRD.     

Ideas generated in conceptual design and their effects on creativity

Search of design spaces to generate solutions affects the design outcomes during conceptual design. This research aims to understand the different types of search that occurs during conceptual design and their effect on the design outcomes. Additionally, we study the effect of other factors, such as creativity, problem-solving style, and experience of designers, on the design outcomes. Two sets of design experiments, with experienced and novice designers, are used in this study. We find that designers employ twelve different types of searches during conceptual design for problem understanding, solution generation, and solution evaluation activities. Results also suggest that creativity is influenced positively by the type and amount of searches, duration of designing, and experience of designers.     

Size variation of polyaniline nanoparticles dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol matrix

We report the preparation of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. From SEM picture it is seen that the particle sizes vary from 100–20 nm. Also with increase in PVA content the stability of dispersion is found to increase. Apart from SEM, spin cast films of PANI in PVA are also characterized through XRD and FTIR. XRD shows increase in crystallinity with PVA content and FTIR gives evidence of crosslinking between PANI and PVA molecules. In plane electrical conductivity (in the range of 10² Scm⁻¹) and the exponent of nonlinear I–V are found to decrease with increase of PVA content. There is a good correlation between SEM, XRD, FTIR and electrical properties.