Arbitrary Keyword Spotting in Handwritten Documents

Despite the existence of electronic media in today’s world, a considerable amount of written communications is in paper form such as books, bank cheques, contracts, etc. There is an increasing demand for the automation of information extraction, classification, search, and retrieval of documents. The goal of this research is to develop a complete methodology for the spotting of arbitrary keywords in handwritten document images. We propose a top-down approach to the spotting of keywords in document images. Our approach is composed of two major steps: segmentation and decision. In the former, we generate the word hypotheses. In the latter, we decide whether a generated word hypothesis is a specific keyword or not. We carry out the decision step through a two-level classification where first, we assign an input image to a keyword or non-keyword class; and then transcribe the image if it is passed as a keyword. By reducing the problem from the image domain to the text domain, we do not only address the search problem in handwritten documents, but also the classification and retrieval, without the need for the transcription of the whole document image. The main contribution of this thesis is the development of a generalized minimum edit distance for handwritten words, and to prove that this distance is equivalent to an Ergodic Hidden Markov Model (EHMM). To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to present an exact 2D model for the temporal information in handwriting while satisfying practical constraints. Some other contributions of this research include: 1) removal of page margins based on corner detection in projection profiles; 2) removal of noise patterns in handwritten images using expectation maximization and fuzzy inference systems; 3) extraction of text lines based on fast Fourier-based steerable filtering; 4) segmentation of characters based on skeletal graphs; and 5) merging of broken characters based on graph partitioning. Our experiments with a benchmark database of handwritten English documents and a real-world collection of handwritten French documents indicate that, even without any word/document-level training, our results are comparable with two state-of-the-art word spotting systems for English and French documents

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN IRAN'S CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NATIONAL MEDIA

Abstract. Problem statement. Along with the advent of strategic developments owing to the acceptance of the new communication and information technologies, changes in regulations of media field, formulation and implementation of policies of strategic leadership, merger of media organizations, change of organizational structure and variety in financial and human resources in media organizations have brought new concepts in the field of media leadership and also acceptance of major strategic changes in the media organizations of countries. Research Method: To this end, this research, with the aim of identifying the most effective factors in development of strategic leadership in Iran'smedia organizations, was conducted; which in terms of applied purpose and from the perspective of manner of implementation is a descriptive survey. The statistical population of the research is all experts (200 people) in the country's culture and media realm and the sample size, due to the limit of the population, based on Morgan's table is 132 people. In addition to library research, in order to collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed and for the purpose of validity measurement tool Lawshe coefficient method was used; thus, content validity was confirmed. Questionnaire reliability too was acceptable by Cronbach's alpha 88%. In order to test the research hypotheses Structural Equation Modeling method was used for path analysis. Findings: The results of confirmatory factor analysis and model fitness test showed that indices of measurement models and general structural model areacceptable. Findings of the research, too, showed that governmental policies on the infrastructures and technology in the media organizations of the country (W3) with coefficient 72% has the most effect and strategic management in the media organizations of the country (W2) with the coefficient 45% has the least effect on strategic leadership in the country's media organizations. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that in order to achieve maximum productivity, media organizations and in particular national media should employ appropriate mechanisms to take advantage of strategic leadership in terms of triple factors; Government policies on infrastructure and technology, strategic management, and the development or enhancement of cultural management to overcome the existingchallenges and barriers. To be able to keep pace with environmental changes move forward and fit any situation must put on the agenda.Keywords: strategic leadership, media organizations, governmental policies, strategic management, cultural management

Optical study of annealed cobalt-porous silicon nanocomposites

International audienceWe report Raman and photoluminescence studies of cobalt-porous silicon nanocomposites (PS/Co). Cobalt was introduced in porous silicon (PS) by immersion method using CoCl2 aqueous solution. The presence of cobalt in PS matrix was identified by FTIR spectroscopy and EDX analyses. The Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of Si bonded to cobalt oxide in PS/Co. We discuss also the Raman spectra of PS and PS/Co samples under different annealing temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 600 °C. The optical properties of PS and PS/Co were studied by photoluminescence (PL). The highest PL intensity was observed for an immersion time of 60 min. For long duration, the deposited cobalt quantity acts as energy trap and promotes the non-radiative energy transfer; it is the autoextinction phenomenon. We have studied also the effect of the annealing temperature on the PL of both PS and PS/Co samples. For PS, the annealing process leads to a rapid oxidation of the Si nanocrystallites (nc-Si). In the case of PS/Co sample, two different mechanisms are proposed; one is the desorption of Si-Hx(x=2,3) with the formation of cobalt oxide for annealing temperature less than 450 °C which causes the increasing of PL intensity and the stability of PL energy, the other mechanism is the transformation of the porous silicon to silica at high temperatures View the MathML source(≻450°C) which leads to the decreasing of the PL intensity and the blue shift of the PL curve

The Effect of Marketing Culture on Business Performance (Case Study: Yazd Ceramic and Tile Industry)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of marketing culture on business performance in the ceramic and tile industry of Yazd. The research methodology is the field and library method, this research in terms of procedures is the correlation type, and in terms of the object is placed as applied research. The statistical population of this study included 146 CEOs, marketing managers, financial managers of ceramic and tile companies in Yazd. Finally, 106 people were selected as sample according to the criteria of sampling by using simple random sampling. Measuring instrument was a questionnaire. Finally, the data collection was performed by analyzing data with appropriate statistical methods such as correlation analysis and regression analysis by using statistical software LISREL. The results showed that the quality of service, the sales function, organization, innovation, internal communications and senior management on business performance of ceramic and tile companies in Yazd has a positive and significant impact

Poly(lactic acid)/Polycaprolactone/Graphene Bionanocomposites: Microstructural, Mechanical and Thermal Properties

Hypothesis: Among the types of bioplastics, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has the ability to compete with petroleum-based polymers due to its favorable properties such as high tensile strength and high modulus of elasticity. Brittleness is the main disadvantage of PLA which limits its practical applications in some industrial fields like packaging and textile. Blending of PLA with other flexible bioplastics like polycaprolactone (PCL) and adding nanoparticles like graphene into PLA are among the techniques that can be used to balance the stiffness and toughness of PLA.Methods: Nanocomposites based on PLA/PCL/graphene (G) were prepared by melt mixing using an internal mixer with direct feeding method. In all samples the weight ratio of PCL dispersed phase to PLA matrix phase was 30:70, and three different weight percentages of nanographene (0.5, 1 and 2) were used. A rheometric mechanical spectrometer (RMS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as tensile and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were used to study the microstructure, morphology, mechanical and thermal properties, respectively.Findings: The results of XRD showed that graphene nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The SEM results demonstrated that incorporation of graphene nanoparticles into the PLA/PCL sample led to a decrease in the PCL droplet size. The melt linear viscoelastic measurements showed that incorporation of 2% (by wt) of nanographene into PLA/PCL sample enhanced the storage modulus and complex viscosity by about 200 and 400% due to well-dispersion of nanoparticles in the matrix that led to the formation of a 3D network between nanographene and/or nanographene-polymer chains. The tensile test results showed that the elastic modulus tensile strength, and elongation-at-break increased by 126.63%, 80.48%, and 97.36% respectively, by adding 2% graphene nanoparticles to the PLA/PCL sample. The results of the thermal tests also showed that the addition of nanographene and PCL to the PLA polymer causes the nucleation effect and the creation of active nucleation centers, and the crystallinity percentage of the PLA phase increases, but the effect of PCL in this research was more evident than that of nanographene

Procjena energetske bilance artemije jezera Uremia i metode njezine optimizacije

In this study, an energy balance sheet was evaluated for the production of artemia in the Fasandoz plain of Miandoab. The research was done in 8 earthen ponds, with 2 ponds of 0.7 hectares and 6 ponds of 0.3 hectares. According to the results of the semi industrial research center in the Fasandoz plain in western Azerbaijan province, sampling shows that the biomass of artemia average 40 tons per year. According to the energy efficiency of the cyst and adult artemia compounds, the energy balance sheet is calculated as a function of biomass and protein. The amount and energy efficiency (ratio of data to saving) is estimated as a function of biomass as 0.048, and as a function of protein as 0.018. The most consumed energy is in response to application of hen fertilizer (47.74 percent) and gasoline (29.4 percent), and the least energy is consumed as required for releasing cysts (0.001). To produce brine shrimp in Uremia Lake, the bisexual Artemia urmiana should be used. Recommendations are provided for the optimal consumption of energy harvest of cysts in artemia breeding pools. In ponds designed to produce artemia, a large amount of lime should be added in the preparation stage, to increase the alkalinity of the water, such that with frequent fertilization until the end of the cycle, there is no reduction of pH in the water. The results indicate that at high salinity, artemia populations will decrease in the ponds and fewer cysts will be produced. Cytogenesis of Artemia urmiana occurs at low temperatures, such that cytogenesis should not be attempted during warm seasons.U radu je procijenjena energetska bilanca proizvodnje artemije na visoravni Fasandoz u području Miandoab. Istraživanje je obavljeno u 8 zemljanih bazena, dva površine 0,7 ha i šest površine 3 ha. Rezultati uzorkovanja industrijskog Istraživačkog centra na visoravni Fasandoz u zapadnoj azerbejdžanskoj provinciji pokazuju da proizvedena godišnja biomasa artemije prosječno iznosi 40 tona. S obzirom na energetsku efikasnost komponenti cista i odrasle artemije energetska bilanca je izračunata kao funkcija biomase i proteina. Količina i energetska efikasnost procijenjena je kao funkcija biomase na 0,048, a kao funkcija proteina na 0,018. Najveći postotak utrošene energije je zabilježen pri upotrebi kokošjeg gnojiva (47,74%) i benzina (29,4 %). Također su date preporuke za optimalnu energetsku iskoristivost cista artemije u uzgojnim bazenima. U pripremnoj je fazi potrebno koristiti velike količine vapna u zemljanim bazenima dizajniranim za uzgoj artemije kako bi se povećao alkalinitet vode i time do kraja ciklusa onemogućio eventualni pad pH izazvan frekventnim gnojenjem. Rezultati pokazuju da se pri visokom salinitetu brojnost populacije artemije i proizvodnja cista smanjuju. Do citogeneze Artemia urmiana dolazi pri niskim temperaturama, te ona ne može biti postignuta za vrijeme tople sezone

Analysis of human B cell response to recombinant Leishmania LPG3

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the capability of recombinant Leishmania LPG3 and its fragments in the activation of B cells.MethodsIn the present study, human B cells were purified from peripheral blood of 10 adult healthy subjects using magnetic-activated cell sorting technique. Subsequently, purified B cells were treated with recombinant LPG3, and its N-terminal and C-terminal fragments at different concentrations (2, 10 and 20 μg/mL). B cell activation was assessed through expression of CD69 molecule by flow cytometry and secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay following treatment with recombinant antigens.ResultsOur results showed that while the recombinant LPG-3 could significantly increase the production of IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.05) in B cells, it had no effect on the secretion of IL-10 by B cells.ConclusionsOur study indicated that recombinant LPG-3 and especially its N-terminal fragment could stimulate B cell response as an important immune response component against leishmaniasis. Thus, it seems that it can be considered as an effective adjuvant in vaccine developments against leishmaniasis

Employee Mental Absence Diagnosing and Analysis of Digital Mental Health Platforms (Case study: Iran Tobacco Company)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnosis of employees' mental absence and to provide a suitable model for the Iranian Tobacco Company. Method: This research was conducted with a qualitative-inductive approach and the method of Strauss-Corbin's grounded theory. The research tool (data collection) is a semi-structured interview that analyzes the data obtained from interviews with 10 qualified elites and experts of the Iranian Tobacco Company in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding in ATLAS TI software using the grounded theory method. Findings: 13 general categories in the form of a paradigm model in which these factors include causal conditions (individual factors; factors of group behavior; organizational factors; environmental factors), axial phenomenon (diagnosis of the mental absence of employees), contextual conditions (environmental and physical context), intervening conditions (individual factors ), and strategies (organizational strategy; job-related strategy; career development strategy), and consequences (individual outcomes; effectiveness; group outcomes) were identified. Conclusion: In a business environment with digital disruption from competitors and customers who have more choices through the availability of digital applications and information, it is important to ensure that organizations can quickly understand and adapt to new information. The need for mindfulness and control of mental absence is a prerequisite for digital transformation