Automatic Receipt Recognition System Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology

In this study, an automatic receipt recognition system (ARRS) is developed. First, a receipt is scanned for conversion into a high-resolution image. Receipt characters are automatically placed into two categories according to the receipt characteristics: printed and handwritten characters. Images of receipts with these characters are preprocessed separately. For handwritten characters, template matching and the fixed features of the receipts are used for text positioning, and projection is applied for character segmentation. Finally, a convolutional neural network is used for character recognition. For printed characters, a modified You Only Look Once (version 4) model (YOLOv4-s) executes precise text positioning and character recognition. The proposed YOLOv4-s model reduces downsampling, thereby enhancing small-object recognition. Finally, the system produces recognition results in a tax declaration format, which can upload to a tax declaration system. Experimental results revealed that the recognition accuracy of the proposed system was 80.93% for handwritten characters. Moreover, the YOLOv4-s model had a 99.39% accuracy rate for printed characters; only 33 characters were misjudged. The recognition accuracy of the YOLOv4-s model was higher than that of the traditional YOLOv4 model by 20.57%. Therefore, the proposed ARRS can considerably improve the efficiency of tax declaration, reduce labor costs, and simplify operating procedures.

Tiebout Sorting, Zoning, and Property Tax Rates

This paper examines certain implications from the literature on Tiebout’s model of local gov-ernment service provision, particularly Hamilton’s extension of the model to include local control of land use and property taxation. Our empirical analysis focuses on the use of fiscal zoning to lower property tax rates, a topic that has not been addressed in the extensive Tiebout literature. Using data for over 100 municipalities in the Miami, Florida, metropolitan area, we specify property tax rates as a function of fiscal zoning measures, other municipal characteristics, and tax mimicking. We conclude that single-family zoning is by far the most important variable ex-plaining municipal property tax rates.

Comparison of urine proteome among rat models by intraperitoneal injection with single bacteria and co-injection with two bacteria

Purpose To explore and compare urine proteome changes among rat models by intraperitoneal injection with single bacteria and co-injection with two bacteria. Method Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are two common human pathogens. Three rat models were established: (i) the intraperitoneal co-injection of E. coli and S. aureus model (ES model), (ii) intraperitoneal injection of E. coli model (E model), and (iii) intraperitoneal injection of S. aureus model (S model). Urinary proteomes on days 0, 1 and 2 of the three models were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results A total of 111, 34 and 94 differential proteins were identified in the ES model, E model and S model, respectively. Among them, some differential proteins were reported to be associated with bacterial infection. Approximately 47% differential proteins in the E model overlapped with ES model, and 37% differential proteins in the S model overlapped with ES model. Compared with the E model and S model, a total of 71 unique differential proteins were identified in the ES model. Conclusion Our results indicated that (1) the urine proteome could distinguish different bacterial intraperitoneal injections models and (2) the effects of co-injection with two bacteria on the urine proteome were not simple superposition of single injection.

Degree-of-Freedom Analysis and Structural Synthesis of a Class of Host–Parasite Multi-Loop Mechanisms

The method of analyzing the mechanism in series, parallel and hybrid modes can no longer meet the requirements of analyzing multi-loop mechanisms (MLMs), especially multi-loop mechanisms with passive degrees of freedom(P-DOFs).This study presents an approach to analyzing sub-degree-of-freedom (sub-DOF) relations in a class of MLMs with P-DOFs (P-DOFs) as well as structurally synthesizing these mechanisms. First,the DOFs of mechanisms with P-DOFs are decomposed and combined,and two methods—multi-loop serial connection and multi-loop stacking—are formulated to establish MLMs with P-DOFs.Second, a DOF space (DOF-S) model is generated.Host–parasite (H–P) MLMs are proposed, and various types of parasitism are analyzed. Finally, various DOF distribution patterns in H–P MLMs are analyzed based on real-world examples. The results show the following. H–P mechanisms are a class of MLMs with P-DOFs. For an H–P mechanism, its DOFs can be longitudinally and centrally, transversely and centrally, or comprehensively optimally distributed in the DOF-S by selecting a suitable type of parasitism. The H–P-type palletizing robot prototype developed in this study is able to self-balance. This demonstrates that the comprehensive optimization of DOF distribution is effective. This study enriches the theoretical knowledge on MLMs, which are extensively applied in fields such as aerospace, industrial robotics, and numerical-control machine tools.

A Hypothetical Approach to Cosmic Inflation Incorporating Binary Entropy

The current paper presents an alternative hypothesis for the termination of cosmic inflation based on Huang’s model of spacetime involving the movement of a superfluid through a random resistor network. Using this model, we previously derived a mathematical relationship between the velocity of a reference frame and the probability that a random bond is intact. As an extension of this finding, the permutations of open and closed bonds are now shown to represent potential microstates, thus providing a means of relating motion within the network to binary entropy. Applying this concept to cosmic inflation, termination of this process is an expected consequence of the changes in binary entropy associated with the increasing velocity of expansion.

Video Platforms’ Value-Added Service Investments and Pricing Strategies for Advertisers

Using a game-theoretical approach, this paper develops a duopoly model and examines value-added service (VAS) investments and pricing strategies on video platforms with opposite inter-group network externalities between two groups. We consider two scenarios with VAS investment, namely, a single platform investing in VASs for advertisers (S-Model) and both platforms investing in VASs for advertisers (B-Model). We found the following: (i) In the S-Model, the investing platform’s VAS level remains maximum when the marginal investing cost is low; otherwise, it decreases with the cost. Investing and non-investing platforms’ advertising prices are unaffected by the marginal investing cost if the cost is low; otherwise, the prices decrease and increase with the cost, respectively. Furthermore, the investing platform’s advertising price is higher than the non-investing platform’s. (ii) In the B-Model, the two platforms’ VAS levels remain maximum if the marginal investing cost is low; otherwise, they decrease with the cost. The two platforms’ advertising prices are equal and irrelevant to the marginal investing cost. (iii) The investing platform’s VAS level in the S-Model is higher than or the same as that in the B-Model and the investing platform’s advertising price in the S-Model is higher than that in the B-Model. (iv) Compared to the scenario without VAS investment, the investing platform’s advertising price is higher in the S-Model, but the same in the B-Model.

Empirical study based on the model of rough fractional stochastic volatility (RFSV)

To estimate the parameters of the model of option pricing based on the model of rough fractional stochastic volatility (RFSV), we have carried out the empirical analysis during our study on the pricing of SSE 50ETF options in China. First, we have estimated the parameters of option pricing model by adopting the Monte Carlo simulation. Subsequently, we have empirically examined the pricing performance of the RFSV model by adopting the SSE 50ETF option price from January 2019 to December 2020. Our research findings indicate that by leveraging the RFSV model, we are able to attain a more accurate and stable level of option pricing than the conventional Black–Scholes (B-S) model on constant volatility. The errors of option pricing incurred by the B-S model proved to be larger and exhibited higher volatility, revealing the significant impact imposed by stochastic volatility on option pricing.

STUDI EKSPERIMEN PENGARUH BEBAN KALOR TERHADAP UNJUK KERJA TERMAL MODEL LOOP HEAT PIPE

Sistem pendingin pasif sangat diperlukan sebagai redundance apabila sistem pendingin aktif pada instalasi nuklir mengalami kegagalan operasi. Konspe teknologi sistem pendinginan pasif yang potensial digunakan dalam menyerap dan membuang kalor dengan baik adalah loop heat pipe (LHP). Diharapkan LHP menjadi solusi manajemen termal dalam keselamatan pengoperasian instalasi nuklir. Tujuan studi eksperimen ini adalah untuk mengetahui fenomena perpindahan kalor yang terjadi di dalam model LHP yang dibuat sendiri dan bagaimana unjuk kerja termalnya dalam menyerap dan melepas kalor. Metode yang digunakan adalah dengan melakukan eksperimen model LHP pada variasi beban kalor pada suhu air panas 35°C, 45°C, 55°C, dan 65°C. Fluida kerja di dalam evaporator menggunakan air demineral dengan filling ratio 200 %. Pembuangan kalor pada bagian condenser menggunakan udara dengan laju pendinginan sebesar 2 m/s. Model LHP divakum dengan tekanan sebesar -74 cm Hg. Hasil studi eksperimen menunjukkan bahwa didapatkan fenomena overshoot, zigzag, dan stable seperti fenomena umum perpindahan kalor yang terjadi pada LHP. Unjuk kerja termal terbaik didapatkan dengan hambatan termal terkecil sebesar 0,0017 ºC/W, yaitu diperoleh pada saat model LHP dioperasikan pada beban kalor 65°C. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi beban kalor yang diterima oleh evaporator menyebabkan semakin kecilnya nilai hambatan termal model LHP.

Personal Experience Narrative Structure in “Al-ikhlas” Hadith

Using personal experience narrative in different forms of teaching and preaching is so common that it is unsurprising that it has been the object of scholarly attention and research. The present study aims to apply Labov’s model of narrative structure to the personal experience narratives (PENs) in the sincerity hadith. Sincerity—“Alikhlas”—is defined as being deeply devoted to Allah by heart and actions. According to Islamic teachings, a sincere person not only has a deep fear of Allah, but his intentions in all actions are mainly to please Him. Drawing on Labov’s work on PEN structures (1972; initially Labov & Waletzky, 1967, 1981, 1997), the study attempts to answer two key questions: a) whether or not the Labovian model applies to the PENs in the hadith and b) how effective the model is in establishing the link between what was said (i.e., the stories told), how the narratives were structured and the Islamic concept the hadith was meant to teach. The analysis shows that though the hadith belongs to a different language with assumedly different socio-linguistic narrative practices, the Labovian model works as an effective tool of analysis as it sheds light on how the overlapping layers of the narratives were structured to define the Islamic concept of “sincerity”.