An Integrated Content and Metadata based Retrieval System for Art

In this paper we describe aspects of the Artiste project to develop a distributed content and metadata based analysis, retrieval and navigation system for a number of major European Museums. In particular, after a brief overview of the complete system, we describe the design and evaluation of some of the image analysis algorithms developed to meet the specific requirements of the users from the museums. These include a method for retrievals based on sub images, retrievals based on very low quality images and retrieval using craquelure type

Courtroom Decision Support System Using Case based Reasoning

AbstractThe legal practices in our country have not seen any major changes in terms of technology advancement for decades. While decision support system finding inroads in many other specialized areas, there has been no work done to bring decision support system into legal environment. It is extremely a lengthy waiting period of time to bring a case to court, let alone the whole process of trial until the judgment day. To address this problem, it is suggested to convert our current legal practice into an intelligent based decision support system. A study was conducted by developing a prototype applying a decision support technique to serve as a “virtual courtroom” to plaintiff and defendant in solving their legal cases without the involvement of actual trial. To ensure the system produces fair solutions, case based reasoning was identified as the most suitable technique. This paper proposes the application of case based reasoning in solving legal cases due to the characteristics of the technique which resembles human cognition in solving problems

Development and Characterization of Sustainable Geomaterial Using Mining and Industrial Wastes

The rapid growth of infrastructure needs a vast amount of natural resources to be used as an engineering material; on the other, industries and mining sectors are facing difficulty in managing their by-products. Hence, research needs in the alteration of the industrial wastes that can overcome the above challenges with minimum or no adverse effect on the geoenvironment, which especially can be termed as a sustainable material. In the present study attempts have been made to develop sustainable materials, (i) controlled low strength material (CLSM), (ii) biopolymer based cementitious material and (iii) alkali activated material (AAM) from industrial and mining wastes. The controlled low strength materials are developed using (i) less explored industrial waste ferrochrome slag (FS) and (ii) coal mine overburden with fly ash and cement as the binder for both the cases. Experimental investigations like flowability, bleeding, compressive strength, California bearing ratio (CBR), settlement, ultrasonic pulse velocity and slake durability index are made on developed CLSM. Use of optical microscope to characterise the granular material FS in terms of sphericity and workability of the material is another aspect of the present work. The developed CLSM material can be used for different structural fill works with “Low flowability, to “High flowability” with the bleeding value less than 3.5%, with water content varying from 25 to 32%. The 28 days’ density varies from 15.7 kN/m3 to 16.5 kN/m3 with ultrasonic pulse velocity values close to 2000, and the water absorption values less than 3%. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) value upto 2.75 MPa and CBR value more than 100% was obtained. Biopolymer-based cementitious materials are made using (i) fly ash and (ii) fine fraction of coal mine overburden for wind and water erosion control using three types of biopolymers; xanthan gum (XG), guar gum (GG) and carboxyl methyl cellulose sodium (CMC) salt. The wind erodibility of the materials are studied using water retention, surface resistance and wind tunnel test, similarly pinhole test, cylindrical dispersion tests are conducted to know the water erosion resistance. For water erosion, the CMC is more effective followed by GG and XG for both shale and fly ash. The surface strength of CMC and XG treated shale and fly ash increased with increase in concentration of solution upto 2%, but optimum percentage of GG treated samples observed at 1%. Higher surface strength of CMC and GG showed better wind erosion resistance. The surface strength of biopolymer treated cohesive material shale is more than that of non-cohesive material fly ash, with the denser microstructure of treated samples due to the bonding of particles. The other sustainable material, alkali activated material using mine overburden and mine tailing is discussed in terms of compressive strength after 7 and 28 days of curing under ambient, alkali and sulphate solution to simulate different environmental conditions. Development of CLSM using AAM and use of slake durability index to assess the durability of developed sustainable material are some of the novelty of the present work. The AAM using mine overburdens are found to have 28 days compressive strength varying from 25.58MPa to 59.00 MPa depending upon the curing conditions and the base materials. The slake durability test indicates the developed AAM is “medium-high durable” to “high durable material”, similar to that of sandstone. The leachate analyses on the developed sustainable materials show no adverse effect on the geoenvironment. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrical conductivity, zeta potential, etc. are also used for the characterization of basic material and the developed sustainable material to correlate with their macro properties. The present work will help in the possible utilisation of the developed sustainable material in infrastructure. But, the future challenges are (i) development of suitable machinery and equipment for implementation of CLSM process, (ii) pilot project study on the implementation of biopolymers for erosion control at the site and (iii) identification of cost-effective activators, possibly from industrial wastes

Advances in applications of non-destructive testing (NDT): a review

Manufacturing defects and discontinuities in a product are anomalies which can lead to severe damages which may sometimes involve loss of life. These defects must be examined and corrected before the product goes into service. There are two methods of testing a product for defects and discontinuities viz. Destructive Testing and Non-Destructive Testing. Destructive Testing entails subjecting the product to conditions that leads to failure of the product whereas Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is the process of examining the products for defects in a way in which it retains its usefulness for future service. This paper discusses various methods involved in NDT such as Visual Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Penetrant Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Radiographic Testing, Acoustic Emission and Eddy Current Testing with a major focus on  advances in the applications of NDT

Mammography Techniques and Review

Mammography remains at the backbone of medical tools to examine the human breast. The early detection of breast cancer typically uses adjunct tests to mammogram such as ultrasound, positron emission mammography, electrical impedance, Computer-aided detection systems and others. In the present digital era it is even more important to use the best new techniques and systems available to improve the correct diagnosis and to prevent mortality from breast cancer. The first part of this book deals with the electrical impedance mammographic scheme, ultrasound axillary imaging, position emission mammography and digital mammogram enhancement. A detailed consideration of CBR CAD System and the availability of mammographs in Brazil forms the second part of this book. With the up-to-date papers from world experts, this book will be invaluable to anyone who studies the field of mammography

Spinoff, 1992

This publication is intended to foster the aim of the NASA Technology Transfer Program by heightening awareness of the NASA technology available for reapplication and its potential for public benefit. The publication is organized in three main sections. Section 1 outlines NASA's mainline effort, the major programs that generate new technology and therefore replenish and expand the bank of knowledge available for transfer. Section 2 contains a representative sampling of spinoff products that resulted from secondary application of technology originally developed to meet mainline goals. Section 3 describes the various mechanisms NASA employs to stimulate technology transfer and lists, in an appendix, contact sources for further information about the Technology Transfer Program