Abstract

Page segmentation is a basic step in any character recognition system. Its failure is one of the major causes for deteriorating overall accuracy of the current Indian language OCR engines. Many segmentation algorithms are proposed in literature. Often these algorithms fail to adapt dynamically to a given page and thus tend to yield poor segmentation for some specific regions or some specific pages. Given the ground truth, locating page segmentation errors is a straight foreword problem and merely useful for comparing segmentation algorithms. In this work, we locate segmentation errors without directly using the ground truth. Such automatic localization of page segmentation errors can be considered a major step towards improving page segmentation errors. In this work, we focus on localizing line level segmentation errors. We perform experiments on more than 18000 scanned pages of 109 books belonging to four prominent south Indian languages.

Abstract

This paper presents integration and testing scheme for managing a large Multilingual OCR Project. The project is an attempt to implement an integrated platform for OCR of different Indian languages. Software engineering, workflow management and testing processes have been discussed in this paper. The OCR has now been experimentally deployed for some specific applications and currently is being enhanced for handling the space and time constraints, achieving higher recognition accuracies and adding new functionalities.

Abstract

We have applied genetic algorithm optimization for the design of laser pulses to control dissociation process in the ground electronic state of HF molecule, within the mathematical framework of optimal control theory. In order to design the experimentally feasible laser fields, we coded the small set of selected field parameters in the GA parameter space. Two types of pulses, one with fixed frequency components and the other having non-deterministic components have been designed. Optimized laser field obtained using this approach, possesses simple time and frequency structures. We show that the fields having non-deterministic frequency components lead to greater dissociation probability compared to the ones having deterministic frequency components.

Abstract

The AXES project participated in the interactive known-item search task (KIS) and the interactive instance search task (INS) for TRECVid 2011. We used the same system architecture and a nearly identical user interface for both the KIS and INS tasks. Both systems made use of text search on ASR, visual concept detectors, and visual similarity search. The user experiments were carried out with media professionals and media students at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, with media professionals performing the KIS task and media students participating in the INS task. This paper describes the results and findings of our experiments.

Abstract

The astonishing diversity in folding patterns of RNA three-dimensional (3D) structures is crafted by myriads of noncovalent contacts, of which base pairing and stacking are the most prominent. A systematic and comprehensive classification and annotation of these interactions is necessary for a molecular-level understanding of their roles. However, unlike in the case of base pairing, where a widely accepted nomenclature and classification scheme exists in the public domain, currently available classification schemes for base–base stacking need major enhancements to comprehensively capture the necessary features underlying the rich stacking diversity in RNA. Here, we extend the previous stacking classification based on nucleobase interacting faces by introducing a structurally intuitive geometry-cum topology-based scheme. Specifically, a stack is first classified in terms of the geometry described by the relative orientation of the glycosidic bonds, which generates eight basic stacking geometric families for heterodimeric stacks and six of those for homodimeric stacks. Further annotation in terms of the identity of the bases and the region of involvement of purines (five-membered, six-membered, or both rings) leads to the enumeration of 384 distinct RNA base stacks. Based on our classification scheme, we present an algorithm for automated identification of stacks in RNA crystal structures and analyze the stacking context in selected RNA structures. Overall, the work described here is expected to greatly facilitate the structure-based RNA research.

Abstract

Making the experience of e-learning more effective requires interactive and collaborative systems to be adaptive and customizable. Specialized learning systems tend to be monolithic and difficult to extend. We present an alternative approach, where we synthesize a customizable learning environment from existing tools (Trac, SVN, reST, SQLite). The system presents the student not just with content, but an immersive experience that allows both individual and group annotations, versioning of the student's work, custom querying, and a uniform markup language to store content. We report the motivation and design of such an environment. We demonstrate the use of this system and its ability to plug into other environments by showcasing a custom interactive workbook, built for teaching and learning the principles of programming.

Abstract

A multi-robotic exploration with the requirement of communication link to a fixed base station is presented in this paper. The robots organize themselves into roles of maintainers of communication (hinged robots or robot nodes) or explorers of the environment ensuring that every robot is in contact with the base station directly or through the hinged robots. A two phased strategy for the same is presented. The first phase is characterized by a recursive growth of trees that starts from the root node or the base station and then repeated from other nodes of the hitherto grown tree in a depth first fashion. The second phase constitutes the recursive tree growth invoked repeatedly from the frontier nodes. While the first phase rapidly explores areas around the base station in a concentric fashion, the second phase extends the depth of the explored area to increase the limits of coverage. The strategy is consistent in that none of the robots loose contact with the base station. Extensive simulations confirm the efficacy of the method and comparisons portray performance gain in terms of exploration time and absence of deadlocks vis-a-vis the few methods previously reported in the literature.

Abstract

Heritage could be something which is acquired from one’s ancestors. It could be natural heritage, cultural heritage, food heritage, built monumental heritage; or it could be the virtue of vernacular architectural & construction techniques which people from many different communities have secured from their ancestors through generations. But, with the advent of modernism, vernacular architecture, construction techniques and skills are fast disappearing as there is simply no demand for them anymore. Similar to the case with many of our traditional crafts, we are facing the risk of extinction of skills for buildings. As more and more constructions in villages are turning towards cement and steel, the traditional and sophisticated art of construction will fade away sooner rather than later. The preservation of such skills and, in fact their propagation must be an important priority for stakeholders and policy makers. This paper not only the presents the risks of extinction which these heritage construction techniques & skills are facing from modern mind-set, but it also presents some of the vernacular building typologies in seismic zones IV & V showing, their uniqueness in intertwining the culture and resistance to natural forces of the region.

Abstract

Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001 caused 14,000 casualties. Main reason for such huge casualties is low earthquake awareness and poor construction practices. Based on the technology advancement and knowledge gained after earthquake occurrences, the seismic code is usually revised. Last revision of IS 1893 (Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures) was done in 2002 after a long gap of about 18 years. Some new clauses were included and some old provisions were updated. Assuming that concerned authorities will take enough steps for code compliance and the structures that are being constructed are earthquake resistant. In this light, what will happen to the safety of pre-code revision structures? These structures carry major percentage of vulnerable structure stock. Even if we have a very good disaster response system, it is impossible to reduce earthquake damage without considering the safety of pre-code revision structures. In this regard, a comprehensive study of seismic risk assessment of Gujarat is necessary. As a pilot study, government of Gujarat selected Gandhidham and Adipur cities. Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) was conducted on 16000 buildings in Gandhidham and Adipur cities. Initial results reveal that there are large variety of construction practices, however, predominantly RCC and masonry structure were found. RVS score of these structures reveal that in general buildings are of low quality and further evaluation and strengthening of buildings is recommended. Keywords: RVS, performance score, preliminary assessment and detailed assessment Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment of Existing Buildings in Gandhidham and Adipur Cities Kachchh, Gujarat (India)

Abstract

Many countries have become victims of terrorism on a large scale. Bombs have exploded in and around buildings in many countries causing civilian causalities and structural damage. A bomb explosion with in or around a building can have catastrophic effects, damaging and destroying internal or external portions of the building. Bomb damage to buildings depends on the type and layout of the structure, material used, range of the located explosive device and the charge weight. The impact from the blast causes debris, fire and smoke and hence can result in injury and death of occupants. Escape of the occupants and protection of the valuable documents, equipments, property is possible only when there is minimum damage to structures. This may be achieved by designing the building structures for blast loading. This attempt gives basic idea to all the consultants in estimating the blast loads over the building structures.