Radon CLF: A Novel Approach for Skew Detection Using Radon Transform

In the digital world, a wide range of handwritten and printed documents should be converted to digital format using a variety of tools, including mobile phones and scanners. Unfortunately, this is not an optimal procedure, and the entire document image might be degraded. Imperfect conversion effects due to noise, motion blur, and skew distortion can lead to significant impact on the accuracy and effectiveness of document image segmentation and analysis in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems. In Document Image Analysis Systems (DIAS), skew estimation of images is a crucial step. In this paper, a novel, fast, and reliable skew detection algorithm based on the Radon Transform and Curve Length Fitness Function (CLF), so-called Radon CLF, was proposed. The Radon CLF model aims to take advantage of the properties of Radon spaces. The Radon CLF explores the dominating angle more effectively for a 1D signal than it does for a 2D input image due to an innovative fitness function formulation for a projected signal of the Radon space. Several significant performance indicators, including Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Measure (SSIM), Accuracy, and run-time, were taken into consideration when assessing the performance of our model. In addition, a new dataset named DSI5000 was constructed to assess the accuracy of the CLF model. Both two- dimensional image signal and the Radon space have been used in our simulations to compare the noise effect. Obtained results show that the proposed method is more effective than other approaches already in use, with an accuracy of roughly 99.87% and a run-time of 0.048 (s). The introduced model is far more accurate and time-efficient than current approaches in detecting image skew.     

Improving on Linear Scan Register Allocation

Register allocation is a major step for all compilers. Various register allocation algorithms have been developed over the decades. This work describes a new class of rapid register allocation algorithms and presents experimental data on their behavior. Our research encourages the avoidance of graphing and graph-coloring based on the fact that precise graph-coloring is nondeterministic polynomial time-complete (NP-complete), which is not suitable for real-time tasks. In addition, practical graph-coloring algorithms tend to use polynomial-time heuristics. In dynamic compilation environments, their super linear complexity makes them unsuitable for register allocation and code generation. Existing tools for code generation and register allocation do not completely fulfill the require- ments of fast compilation. Existing approaches either do not allow for the optimization of register allocation to be achieved compre- hensively with a sufficient degree of performance or they require an unjustifiable amount of time and/or resources. Therefore, we pro- pose a new class of register allocation and code generation algorithms that can be performed in linear time. These algorithms are based on the mathematical foundations of abstract interpretation and the computation of the level of abstraction. They have been implemen- ted in a specialized library for just-in-time compilation. The specialization of this library involves the execution of common intermedi- ate language (CIL) and low level virtual machine (LLVM) with a focus on embedded systems.     

A thermomechanical process for grain refinement in precipitation hardening AA6xxx aluminum alloys

A new thermomechanical processing method, consisting of conventional rolling and a continuous non-isothermal annealing process, has been designed to achieve substantial grain refinement through cost-efficient routes in heat treatable aluminum alloys. The method has been implemented on an alloy of interest for automotive applications and a highly-stable fine-grained microstructure with a very weak texture has been achieved.     

Joint effect of quasicrystalline icosahedral and L12-strucutred phases precipitation on the grain structure and mechanical properties of aluminum-based alloys

Dispersoid hardening is a key factor in increasing the recrystallization resistance and mechanical strength of non-heat treatable aluminum-based alloys.Mn and Zr are the main elements that form dispersoids in commercial Al-based alloys.In this work,the annealing-induced precipitation behavior,the grain struc-ture,and the mechanical properties of Al-3.0Mg-1.1 Mn and Al-3.0Mg-1.1 Mn-0.25 Zr alloys were studied.The microstructure and the mechanical properties were significantly affected by annealing regimes after casting for both alloys.The research demonstrated a possibility to form high-density distributed quasicrystalline-structured I-phase precipitates with a mean size of 29 nm during low-temperature annealing of as-cast alloys.Fine manganese-bearing precipitates of Ⅰ-phase increased recrystallization resistance and significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of the alloys studied.The estimated strengthening effect owing to Ⅰ-phase precipitation was 150 MPa.Due to the formation of L12-structured Al3Zr dispersoids with a mean size of 5.7 nm,additional alloying with Zr increased yield strength by about 90 MPa.The L12-phase strengthening effect was estimated through the dislocation bypass looping and shearing mechanisms.     

Biowaste-Derived,Self-Organized Arrays of High-Performance 2D Carbon Emitters for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Low-cost flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with nanoemitter material from waste open up new opportunities for sustainable technology. The common emitter materials generated from waste are carbon dots (CDs). However, these have poor luminescent properties. Further solid-state emission quenching makes application in display devices challenging. Here, flexible and rigid OLED devices are demonstrated using self-assembled 2D arrays of CDs derived from waste material, viz., human hair. High-performance CDs with a quantum yield (QY) of 87%, self-assembled into 2D arrays, are achieved by improving the crystallinity and decreasing the CDs' size distribution. The CD island array exhibits ultrahigh hole mobility (≈10⁻¹ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹) and significant reduction in solid-state emission quenching compared to pristine CDs; hence, it is used here as an emitting layer in both indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass and ITO-coated flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate OLED devices, without any hole-injection layer. The flexible OLED device exhibits a stable, voltage-independent blue/cyan emission with a record maximum luminescence of 350 cd m⁻², whereas the OLED device based on the rigid glass substrate shows a maximum luminescence of 700 cd m⁻². This work sets up a platform to develop next-generation OLED displays using CD emitters derived from the biowaste material.     

Experimental Investigations on the Effects of Torque Tightening on the Fatigue Strength of Double‐lap Simple Bolted and Hybrid (Bolted/Bonded) Joints

In this paper, the effects of bolt torque tightening on the fatigue strength of double‐lap simple bolted and hybrid (bolted/bonded) joints have been studied experimentally. To do so, two types of joints, that is, double‐lap simple and hybrid (bolted/bonded) joints, were studied. For each type of joints, three sets of specimens were prepared and subjected to the tightening torque of 1, 2.5 and 5 Nm, and then, fatigue tests were carried out at different cyclic longitudinal load levels. Experimental tests results showed that the hybrid joints have better fatigue performance in comparison with the simple bolted joints. In addition, the investigation revealed the positive role of tightening torque on the fatigue life of both simple and hybrid joints.     

The Investigation of the Weak Link Behavior in the Niobium (Nb) Doped Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O δ Superconductor

The Nb substitution effect on structural, DC electrical resistivity, and AC susceptibility properties of polycrystalline Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _δ samples is investigated. The behavior of weak link and intergranular coupling in the substituted samples is discussed. While the Bi-2223 phase concentration increases in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, the intragrain transition temperature remains nearly unchanged in the substituted samples. The intergrain transition temperature is changed with Nb substitution.     

Eggshell nano-particle potential for methyl violet and mercury ion removal: Surface study and field application

A nano-scale sorbent was produced from eggshell wastes for sorption of Hg(II) and methyl violet (MV) from aqueous solutions and real wastewaters. The properties of the nano-particles were fully determined using SEM, DLS, FTIR, XRD, BET, TGA, AFM, EDAX, mapping, and TEM analyses. The adsorbent structure mainly contained carbonate and silica. The effects of influential parameters including temperature, contact time, initial contaminants concentration, sorbent dose, and initial pH on the removal efficiency were investigated. The maximum sorption efficiency of Hg(II) and MV occurred at pH of 6 and 9 and temperatures of 25 °C and 55 °C, respectively. Freundlich model could be interpreted the equilibrium data of the sorption process of both contaminants. The maximum sorption capacity of Hg(II) and MV using eggshell nano-particles was obtained as 116.27 mg/g and 123.45 mg/g, respectively. The dynamic behavior of the process was studied using two kinetic models. The sorption system performance was also examined and t_1/2 were determined as 4.34 min for Hg(II) and 4.97 min for MV. The sorption process of Hg(II) and MV was exothermic and endothermic, respectively. Effective sorption after seven cycles and successful treatment of landfill leachate and textile wastewater with eggshell nano-particles confirms its adequacy.     

Precipitation strengthening of the aluminum alloy AA6111

There is an increasing use of aluminum alloy sheet in automotive applications due to the desire to decrease vehicle weight. The current study provides a detailed quantitative study on precipitation strengthening in AA6111, which is the alloy of choice in North America for exposed body panels. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the average size, the size distribution, the volume fraction, and the crystal structure of the hardening precipitates for aging at 180 °C (a) directly after solution treatment and (b) following 2 weeks of natural aging. The results indicate that both β″ and Q′ phases co-exist throughout the aging cycle with the relative amount of Q′ being increased both with increased aging time at 180 °C and when natural aging precedes aging at 180 °C. A strengthening model was developed which uses the size distribution and the volume fraction of precipitates as the primary inputs to predict the yield stress. An important feature of this model was that only one fitting parameter was necessary to give very good agreement with the experimental results.     

Numerical solution of fractional differential equations with a collocation method based on Müntz polynomials

This paper presents a computational technique based on the collocation method and Müntz polynomials for the solution of fractional differential equations. An appropriate representation of the solution via the Müntz polynomials reduces its numerical treatment to the solution of a system of algebraic equations. The main advantage of the present method is its superior accuracy and exponential convergence. Consequently, one can obtain good results even by using a small number of collocation points. The accuracy and performance of the proposed method are examined by means of some numerical experiments.