Reports of the DAS02 working groups

This document is a collection of four working group reports in the areas of digital libraries, document image retrieval, layout analysis, and Web document analysis. These reports were the outcome of discussions by participants at the Fifth IAPR International Workshop on Document Analysis Systems held in Princeton, NJ on 19-21 August 2002.Published online: 16 March 2004     

SIVA: A System for Coverage-Directed State Space Search

We introduce SImulation Verification with Augmentation (SIVA), a tool for coverage-directed state space search on digital hardware designs. SIVA tightly integrates simulation with symbolic techniques for efficient state space search. Specifically, the core algorithm uses a combination of ATPG and BDDs to generate directed input vectors, i.e., inputs which cover behavior not excited by simulation. We also present approaches to automatically generate lighthouses that guide the search towards hard-to-reach coverage goals. Experiments demonstrate that our approach is capable of achieving significantly greater coverage than either simulation or symbolic techniques in isolation.     

Embedded discontinuity finite element method for modeling of localized failure in heterogeneous materials with structured mesh: an alternative to extended finite element method

In this work we discuss the finite element model using the embedded discontinuity of the strain and displacement field, for dealing with a problem of localized failure in heterogeneous materials by using a structured finite element mesh. On the chosen 1D model problem we develop all the pertinent details of such a finite element approximation. We demonstrate the presented model capabilities for representing not only failure states typical of a slender structure, with crack-induced failure in an elastic structure, but also the failure state of a massive structure, with combined diffuse (process zone) and localized cracking. A robust operator split solution procedure is developed for the present model taking into account the subtle difference between the types of discontinuities, where the strain discontinuity iteration is handled within global loop for computing the nodal displacement, while the displacement discontinuity iteration is carried out within a local, element-wise computation, carried out in parallel with the Gauss-point computations of the plastic strains and hardening variables. The robust performance of the proposed solution procedure is illustrated by a couple of numerical examples. Concluding remarks are stated regarding the class of problems where embedded discontinuity finite element method (ED-FEM) can be used as a favorite choice with respect to extended FEM (X-FEM).     

Cumulant-based inverse filters for blind deconvolution

Blind deconvolution of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems has received wide attention in various fields such as data communication and image processing. Blind deconvolution is concerned with the estimation of a desired input signal from a given set of measurements. This paper presents a technique for reconstructing the desired input from only the available corrupted data. The estimator is given in terms of an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) innovation model. This technique is based on higher order statistics (HOS) of a non-Gaussian output sequence in the presence of additive Gaussian or non-Gaussian noise. The algorithm solves a set of overdetermined linear equations using third-order cumulants of the given non-Gaussian measurements in the presence of additive Gaussian or non-Gaussian noise. The inverse filter is a finite impulse response (FIR) filter. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of this method and compare it with a recently developed algorithm based on maximizing the magnitude of the kurtosis of estimate of the input excitation.     

Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyesters by Acrylonitrile

Propylene glycol- and diethylene glycol-based unsaturated polyesters were prepared and hardened by using styrene and acrylonitrile monomer mixtures. The addition of 12% acrylonitrile to a propylene glycol-based polyester containing 40% styrene increased the hardness from 12 BHN to 26 BHN. The addition of 20% acrylonitrile increased the impact strength of the same polyester from 14 J/m width to 39 J/m width. The diethylene glycol-based polyester containing 40% styrene and 40% acrylonitrile achieved a hardness of 23 BHN and an impact strength of 59 J/m width.     

Graft copolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) with some alkyl methacrylates by atom transfer radical polymerization method and thermal properties

The preparation of graft copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) with some alkyl methacrylates were carried out via atom transfer radical polymerization method catalyzed by CuCl/2,2′-bipyridine and using a macroinitiator, poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-(3,5-bis(chloroacetoxy)phenyl methacrylate)], including an amount of 1 mol % having α-halogeno carbonyl group in the side groups. Although the number-average molecular weights of a graft copolymer series of n-butyl methacrylate (n-ButMA) ended at different times increased from 55,700 to 99,500, the polydispersities decreased from 1.85 to 1.39 with time. The thermal degradation kinetics of macroinitiator and a two-armed graft copolymer of n-ButMA with this macroinitiator, PMMA-g-PnButMA: 4% (by mol), were carried out at different heating rates by thermogravimetric analysis and the results were compared. Using both the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Kissinger methods, the decomposition activation energies for macroinitiator were determined as 168 and 162 kJ/mol, respectively; they were also calculated as 233 and 239 kJ/mol for PMMA-g-PnButMA: 4%. The solid state thermodegradation mechanisms of both macroinitiator and PMMA-g-PnButMA: 4% are R₁-type mechanism, a phase boundary-controlled reaction, and F₁-type mechanism, a random nucleation with one nucleus on the individual particle, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Experimental Study of an Adding Interferometer at Millimeter Waves

In order to study an original detection architecture for future cosmology experiments based on wide band adding interferometry, we have tested a single baseline bench instrument based on commercial components. The instrument has been characterized in the laboratory with a wide band power detection setup. A method which allows us to reconstruct the complete transfer function of the interferometer has been developed and validated with measurements. This scheme is useful to propagate the spurious effects of each component till the output of the detector.     

Determination of pistachio drying behaviour and conditions in a solar drying system

The main object of this study is to determine the drying behaviour and conditions of shelled and unshelled pistachio samples using both solar assisted and open sun drying. For each drying experiment, 100 g each of unshelled and shelled pistachio were used. The least‐squares method was applied to find the drying curve equation of pistachio. During the experiments, shelf temperatures, weight loss of pistachio, moisture content of air, and distribution of solar radiation were measured; and presented depending on the drying time. Also, the mass shrinkage ratios of shelled and unshelled pistachio samples were determined, and the experimental uncertainty ratio was calculated as 15–16.5 per cent based on the experimental results. It was deduced that the shelled and unshelled pistachio samples in the solar assisted forced convection dryer were perfectly dried at temperatures of 50±10°C in the time period of 6 h. Whereas, the samples in the open sun drying were not sufficiently dried at temperatures of 28±4°C in the same time period. Hence, it is suggested that the pistachio samples with approximately 29.0 per cent of moisture are dried in the solar assisted convection dryer at 50±10°C of temperature in the time period of approximately 6 h in order to protect from the negative climatic and environmental effects. However, it is not desirable to dry the pistachio samples in the open sun because of greater drying time, dirt, dust and harmful insects. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Introducing two landscape components from Turkey: Irim and Kesik

A very particular set of landscape components, namely the irim and the kesik, found in the peri-urban rural area called Karabaglar, are considered. This area is in the contiguous land of the city of Mugla, in southwestern Turkey, and is administered by its municipality. It has a rural character, yet also includes summerhouses for the inhabitants of the city. Physical resemblance of the irim and the kesik to the hedgerow suggests similar functions, but a closer look reveals that they have a wider range of features and aspects. Functioning not only as a marker of agricultural land sub-divisions, they also play an important role in the hydrology of the area. While their specific traditional features can be used in designed landscapes, the intention here is, first, to introduce the irim, the kesik and the very special setting offered by Karabaglar, which are now under the pressure of urban encroachment. A comparison with the hedgerow is nevertheless useful in order to better understand related aspects and features.     

Comparison of the sensory profiles of regular and reduced-fat commercial processed cheese spreads

The sensory character of 16 samples of commercial, processed cheese spread has been characterized. Samples were selected to provide information on variations both between brands and, for products differing in fat content, within brands. Products were rated for eight flavour attributes and six textural attributes by a panel of 13 professional assessors. Significant differences in both the flavour and the texture of the spreads were associated with brand. No systematic differences were found between the flavour attributes and the fat content of the spread. However, differences were revealed between spreads – classified on the basis of fat content as regular, light and ultra light – in the sensory dimensions associated with texture and mouth feel. Nevertheless, within some brands the effect of reducing fat content was minimal. This result was probably achieved by other changes in product formulation.