Learning Spatial-Semantic Context with Fully Convolutional Recurrent Network for Online Handwritten Chinese Text Recognition

Online handwritten Chinese text recognition (OHCTR) is a challenging problem as it involves a large-scale character set, ambiguous segmentation, and variable-length input sequences. In this paper, we exploit the outstanding capability of path signature to translate online pen-tip trajectories into informative signature feature maps using a sliding window-based method, successfully capturing the analytic and geometric properties of pen strokes with strong local invariance and robustness. A multi-spatial-context fully convolutional recurrent network (MCFCRN) is proposed to exploit the multiple spatial contexts from the signature feature maps and generate a prediction sequence while completely avoiding the difficult segmentation problem. Furthermore, an implicit language model is developed to make predictions based on semantic context within a predicting feature sequence, providing a new perspective for incorporating lexicon constraints and prior knowledge about a certain language in the recognition procedure. Experiments on two standard benchmarks, Dataset-CASIA and Dataset-ICDAR, yielded outstanding results, with correct rates of 97.10% and 97.15%, respectively, which are significantly better than the best result reported thus far in the literature.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Geology, soils and climate of the Margaret River wine region

This report is an extract from the broader description and analysis of the geology, soils and climate of all the wine regions of Western Australia currently being developed by DPIRD. It expands on the brief descriptions in the second edition of \u27Viticulture\u27 (Coombe & Dry 2004) concerning the soils and landscapes of Western Australia’s main wine growing regions. We have tailored this report extract to the specific needs of the Margaret River wine region. It contains local soil names and soil-landscape zones and systems maps. The wine industry recognises the importance of giving customers an understanding of the vines’ environment and how that may influence wine character and quality. This allows growers to tell the story of their wine and their label to form direct connections between the wine producer and the consumer. This story has become even more important in the 21st century when, in addition to direct cellar sales, a good online presence is essential. The information in this report will support that story and underpin it with the most current geology, soil and climatic data

The Dunhuang chinese sky: a comprehensive study of the oldest known star atlas

This paper presents an analysis of the star atlas included in the medieval Chinese manuscript (Or.8210/S.3326), discovered in 1907 by the archaeologist Aurel Stein at the Silk Road town of Dunhuang and now held in the British Library. Although partially studied by a few Chinese scholars, it has never been fully displayed and discussed in the Western world. This set of sky maps (12 hour angle maps in quasi-cylindrical projection and a circumpolar map in azimuthal projection), displaying the full sky visible from the Northern hemisphere, is up to now the oldest complete preserved star atlas from any civilisation. It is also the first known pictorial representation of the quasi-totality of the Chinese constellations. This paper describes the history of the physical object - a roll of thin paper drawn with ink. We analyse the stellar content of each map (1339 stars, 257 asterisms) and the texts associated with the maps. We establish the precision with which the maps are drawn (1.5 to 4 degrees for the brightest stars) and examine the type of projections used. We conclude that precise mathematical methods were used to produce the atlas. We also discuss the dating of the manuscript and its possible author and confirm the dates 649-684 (early Tang dynasty) as most probable based on available evidence. This is at variance with a prior estimate around +940. Finally we present a brief comparison with later sky maps, both in China and in Europe.Comment: 19 pages, 5 Tables, 8 Figure

Unbounded symmetric operators in KK-homology and the Baum-Connes Conjecture

Using the unbounded picture of analytical K-homology, we associate a well-defined K-homology class to an unbounded symmetric operator satisfying certain mild technical conditions. We also establish an ``addition formula'' for the Dirac operator on the circle and for the Dolbeault operator on closed surfaces. Two proofs are provided, one using topology and the other one, surprisingly involved, sticking to analysis, on the basis of the previous result. As a second application, we construct, in a purely analytical language, various homomorphisms linking the homology of a group in low degree, the K-homology of its classifying space and the analytic K-theory of its C^*-algebra, in close connection with the Baum-Connes assembly map. For groups classified by a 2-complex, this allows to reformulate the Baum-Connes Conjecture.Comment: 42 pages, 3 figure

Topological mechanochemistry of graphene

In view of a formal topology, two common terms, namely, connectivity and adjacency, determine the quality of C-C bonds of sp2 nanocarbons. The feature is the most sensitive point of the inherent topology of the species so that such external action as mechanical deformation should obviously change it and result in particular topological effects. The current paper describes the effects caused by uniaxial tension of a graphene molecule in due course of a mechanochemical reaction. Basing on the molecular theory of graphene, the effects are attributed to both mechanical loading and chemical modification of edge atoms of the molecule. The mechanical behavior is shown to be not only highly anisotropic with respect to the direction of the load application, but greatly dependent on the chemical modification of the molecule edge atoms thus revealing topological character of the graphene deformation.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, 1 table. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1301.094

The Capital Improvement Plan Environmental Assessment Process

This report contains one explicit mention of Waller Creek and how a Convention Center 66" Water Transmission Line Relocation resulted in a recommendation for the restoration of Waller Creek banks.This report outlines the current requirements for Environmental Assessments (EAs) performed for compliance with the City of Austin Land Development Code (LDC) as they are applied in City Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. Much of this information is not currently documented in either the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM) or other material readily available to Public Works Project Managers. An overview of the Environmental Assessment process is provided along with the goals for CIP assessments, methods for review and completion of assessments, and recommendations for improving the City processes. Attachments to this report include pertinent LDC citations, the form in use for project identification, a suggested process for conducting and reviewing assessments a scope of work for staff or consultants performing assessments, and photographic summaries of critical environmental features to be protected in accordance with the LDC in City as well as private projects. Also, a flowchart of the EA review process and a brief summary of assessments of past projects are included in the attachments. The information is provided as a precursor to the expansion of the current ECM section on Environmental Assessments in Section 1.3.0 and for consideration by the Public Works Department and other Project Managers for early review of environmental impacts, leading to better CIP projects..Waller Creek Working Grou