The Digraph اى in the Quranic Consonantal Text and the Identification of a New Letter Shape for Final Hē in the 7th to 8th Century Arabic Script

This paper proposes a hitherto unrecognized orthographic practice in the Quranic consonantal text: use of the digraph اى ,that is, alif + denticle, to represent the noninitial glottal stop, most often adjacent to the high vowels i/ī and less commonly in other environments. This feature leads to the identification of a new letter shape for the final hē in the early Islamic Arabic hand, originating in the Nabataeo-Arabic script, which in turn can explain a number of previously enigmatic spellings in the Quranic consonantal text.

A Novel Bilinear Feature and Multi-Layer Fused Convolutional Neural Network for Tactile Shape Recognition

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can automatically learn features from pressure information, and some studies have applied CNNs for tactile shape recognition. However, the limited density of the sensor and its flexibility requirement lead the obtained tactile images to have a low-resolution and blurred. To address this issue, we propose a bilinear feature and multi-layer fused convolutional neural network (BMF-CNN). The bilinear calculation of the feature improves the feature extraction capability of the network. Meanwhile, the multi-layer fusion strategy exploits the complementarity of different layers to enhance the feature utilization efficiency. To validate the proposed method, a 26 class letter-shape tactile image dataset with complex edges was constructed. The BMF-CNN model achieved a 98.64% average accuracy of tactile shape. The results show that BMF-CNN can deal with tactile shapes more effectively than traditional CNN and artificial feature methods.

Efektifitas Bentuk Huruf Medium Leaflet dalam Meningkatkan Pengetahuan Petani Jagung di Kelurahan Rahandouna Kecamatan Poasia Kota Kendari

This study departs from the phenomenon of the presence of downy mildew disease in corn farming by corn farmers in Rahandouna Village, Poasia District, Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi. Control efforts have been made in the last 3 years through increasing farmers' knowledge by utilizing the medium leaflet, but the downy mildew is still a problem that results in the production of corn which is not optimal. In-depth research is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the leaflet medium used to increase farmers' knowledge. Therefore this study aims to reveal the effectiveness of the leaflet medium in increasing farmers' knowledge and to strive to improve its effectiveness by focusing on the design of the letters. The research was conducted in Rahandouna Sub-District, Poasia District, Kendari City, which was conducted for 1 month, January 2020, with 36 respondents. The research was designed as an experimental study with pre-post-test treatment. The results of the study which were calculated through the effective formula using the t-test showed that the leaflet medium was effective in increasing farmers' knowledge with an effective value of 65.29%, with the design of an upright letter shape. It is hoped that the leaflets produced from this research can effectively increase farmers' knowledge so that the downy mildew disease can be controlled.

A compositional neural code in high-level visual cortex can explain jumbled word reading

We read jubmled wrods effortlessly, but the neural correlates of this remarkable ability remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that viewing a jumbled word activates a visual representation that is compared to known words. To test this hypothesis, we devised a purely visual model in which neurons tuned to letter shape respond to longer strings in a compositional manner by linearly summing letter responses. We found that dissimilarities between letter strings in this model can explain human performance on visual search, and responses to jumbled words in word reading tasks. Brain imaging revealed that viewing a string activates this letter-based code in the lateral occipital (LO) region and that subsequent comparisons to stored words are consistent with activations of the visual word form area (VWFA). Thus, a compositional neural code potentially contributes to efficient reading.

A proposal of calligraphy learning assistant system with letter portion practice function using projection mapping

Purpose For several decades, calligraphy has been popular among people in Japan, China, and even in the world. Traditionally, a teacher teaches how to write letters on a paper with a brush, and a student will imitate them by referring to the model letters. However, if a teacher is not available, this method will not be applicable either. This study aims to propose a calligraphy learning assistant system (CLAS) using projection mapping, which allows a student to learn calligraphy by him/herself. Design/methodology/approach By following the letter writing video of a teacher that is directly projected on the paper, a student is able to learn the stroke order and writing speed in addition to the letter shape. Moreover, the letter portion practice function is incorporated in CLAS to allow a learner to repeat practicing hard portions of each letter. Findings For evaluations, the authors implemented CLAS using Raspberry Pi and open-source software and asked students to use it. The results confirmed that CLAS is effective in improving calligraphy skills of novice students. Originality/value With CLAS, a student can practice calligraphy using a conventional brush, ink and paper at a desk while looking at the model letter writing of a teacher projected on the paper using projection mapping.

A compositional letter code in high-level visual cortex explains how we read jumbled words

ABSTRACTWe read words and even jubmled wrods effortlessly, but the neural representations underlying this remarkable ability remain unknown. We hypothesized that word processing is driven by a visual representation that is compositional i.e. with string responses systematically related to letters. To test this hypothesis, we devised a model in which neurons tuned to letter shape respond to longer strings by linearly summing letter responses. This letter model explained human performance in both visual search as well as word reading tasks. Brain imaging revealed that viewing a string activates this compositional letter code in the lateral occipital (LO) region, and that subsequent comparisons to known words are computed by the visual word form area (VWFA). Thus, seeing a word activates a compositional letter code that enables efficient reading.

Sound Symbolism in Sighted and Blind The role of vision and orthography in sound-shape correspondences

Non-arbitrary sound-shape correspondences (SSC), such as the “bouba-kiki” effect, have beenconsistently observed across languages and together with other sound-symbolic phenomena challenge the classic linguistic dictum of the arbitrariness of the sign. Yet, it is unclear what makes a sound “round” or “spiky” to the human mind. Here we tested the hypothesis that visual experience is necessary for the emergence of SSC, supported by empirical evidence showing reduced SSC in visually impaired people. Results of two experiments comparing early blind and sighted individuals showed that SSC emerged strongly in both groups. Experiment 2, however, showed a partially different pattern of SSC in sighted and blind, that was mostly explained by a different effect of orthographic letter shape: The shape of written letters (spontaneously activated by spoken words) influenced SSC in the sighted, but not in the blind, who are exposed to an orthography (Braille) in which letters do not have spiky or round outlines. In sum, early blindness does not prevent the emergence of SSC, and differences between sighted and visually impaired people may be due the indirect influence (or lack thereof) of orthographic letter shape.