Localizing slab identification numbers in factory scene images

This paper deals with algorithms for text localization and character segmentation in images for process automation in the steel-making industry. Each character which comprises slab identification numbers may be corrupted severely before it is captured by network cameras. Therefore, proper processing is required to localize the target texts successfully. In this paper, we propose (1) a method to evaluate the closeness of an edge patch to the form of a closed contour, (2) an edge inspection method to determine character colors and estimate font thickness, and (3) three reasonable binarization methods to increase the performance of the algorithm for the detection of the left and right boundaries of the text rectangle. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are reliable.     

A universal topological transformation group inL 2 (G × G)

LetG denote an infinite,-compact, locally compact topological group. In this paper a construction is given for a topological transformation groupH _G with the Hilbert spaceL ² (G × G) as a phase space such that any topological transformation group (G, X, ) can be embedded inH _G , providedX is a separable metrizable space and is a bounded action. The class of such topological transformation groups contains all actions ofG on separable, metrizable, locally compact spaces.     

Effects of actinomycin D on generation time and morphogenesis in Paramecium

The sensitivity of Paramecium tetraurelia (=P. aurelia syngen 4) cells to pulse treatments with various doses of Actinomycin D (AMD) was estimated by comparing the generation times of treated and untreated sister cells. It was found that the delay of division in treated cells depended on the concentration of AMD, on their "age" at the time of the pulse treatment, and on their individual sensitivity. Sensitivity of Paramecium to AMD changes during the cell cycle in a predictable way. About 3 1/2 hr before the normally expected cell fission (total generation time approximately 5 1/2 hr) there is a decrease of sensitivity. Thereafter, the cell enters a new stage with a progressive increase of sensitivity. This 2nd phase ends at the "transition point" (approximately 2 hr before cell division), when sensitivity drops abruptly. The division process itself may be altered and slowed down by high concentrations of AMD, even if the drug is applied after the transition point, but this process can never be completely annulled. The impairment of the division mechanism may lead to morphologic anomalies in the offspring. Resorption of oral anlagen in P. tetraurelia probably never occurs during the cell cycle after AMD treatment. The reason for individual variability of the cells, mechanisms controlling development, and the question of an obligate sequence of gene action in each cell cycle are discussed.     

Leakage tests for Am solid sources used for liquid xenon detector monitoring

Experimental tests are described to check solid ²⁴¹Am radioactive sources used to monitor operation of liquid xenon detectors. In particular, radioactive leakage was tested in extreme temperature conditions following immersion in liquid nitrogen for different time periods. No radioactivity loss was detected from the sources considered. The paper describes the source characteristics, test methods and results obtained.     

A New Distribution System Reconfiguration Approach Using Optimum Power Flow and Sensitivity Analysis for Loss Reduction

This paper presents a new approach for distribution system reconfiguration (DSR) based on optimum power flow (OPF) in which the branch statuses (open/close) are represented by continuous functions. In the proposed approach, all branches are initially considered closed, and from the OPF results, a heuristic technique is used to determine the next loop to be broken by opening one switch. Then the list of switches that are candidates to be opened is updated, and the above process is repeated until all loops are broken, making the distribution system radial. This paper includes results and comparisons on test systems utilized in three classical papers published in the technical literature, as well as in a previous paper by the authors. Results obtained on a real large-scale distribution system are also presented     

湖南省各市、州利用外商直接投资绩效和潜力研究

如何吸引外商直接投资已成为各地区政策制定者共同关注的焦点。对不同地区利用外商直接投资绩效、潜力进行对比已成为政策制定的重要工具。对湖南省各市、州利用外商直接投资绩效、潜力进行了研究，供政府部门政策制定时参考。     

Electrical and optical characterization of Na: CuInS2 thin films grown by spray pyrolysis

The structural, electrical and optical properties of Na-doped CuInS₂ thin films grown by spray pyrolysis were studied. These films crystallized in the sphalerite structure of CuInS₂, and showed to contain traces of indium sulfide and CuIn₅S₈ as impurity phases. All films were In-rich and showed p-type conductivity. The film conductivity was strongly affected by Na-doping, which decreased from 10⁻² to 10⁻⁵ S/cm by increasing the [Na]/[Cu] ratio from 0.005 to 0.03 in the spray solution. The band gap energy was observed to increase, from 1.4 to 1.45 eV, with increasing the [Na]/[Cu] ratio. Our results suggested that Na could be an effective acceptor impurity in sprayed CuInS₂.     

Anomalous Thermal Expansion in Superconducting Mg1− x Al x B2 System

The thermal lattice expansion in the superconducting Mg_{1? x} Al _x B₂ system (x = 0, 0.13, and 0.59) has been measured using high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction. An unusual large negative thermal expansion (NTE) appears for temperatures below T ^* = 60 K in the MgB₂. The NTE effect increases in Mg_0.87Al_0.13B₂ and disappears at high Al content in the Mg_0.59Al_0.41B₂ where the temperature dependence of volume follows a standard Einstein model in the whole temperature range. The anomalous behavior of the thermal expansion provides a direct evidence in the physics of diborides for the relevance of the proximity to the 2.5 Lifshitz electronic topological transition where the Fermi surface of the σband changes from a two-dimensional (2D) to a three-dimensional (3D) topology.     

Efficient system-level functional verification methodology for multimedia applications

Multimedia application design exploration should begin at the system level, to meet low-power and minimum-area requirements. Existing validation techniques mainly concentrate on lower abstraction levels. This system-level methodology combines formal verification of loop-oriented transformations with correctness verification of arithmetic constructs and related control flows. A videoconferencing-decoder example illustrates the methodology's efficiency.