bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and structural brain alterations in female mice with cerebral pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Pliss Lioudmila , Pentney Roberta J. , Johnson Mark T. , Patel Mulchand S.
Published: November 2004

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) deficiency is an inborn metabolic disorder associated with a variety of neurologic abnormalities. This report describes the development and initial characterization of a novel murine model system in which PDC deficiency has been introduced specifically into the developing nervous system. The absence of liveborn male and a roughly 50% reduction in female offspring following induction of the X‐linked mutation indicate that extensive deficiency of PDC in the nervous system leads to pre‐natal lethality. Brain tissue from surviving females at post‐natal days 15 and 35 was shown to have approximately 75% of wild‐type PDC activity, suggesting that a threshold of enzyme activity exists for post‐natal survival. Detailed histological analyses of brain tissue revealed structural defects such as disordered neuronal cytoarchitecture and neuropil fibers in grey matter, and reduced size of bundles and disorganization of fibers in white matter. Many of the histologic abnormalities resemble those found in human female patients who carry mutations in the X‐linked ortholog. These findings demonstrate a requirement for PDC activity within the nervous system for survival in utero and suggest that impaired pyruvate metabolism in the developing brain can affect neuronal migration, axonal growth and cell–cell interactions.
Pramipexole protects against apoptotic cell death by non‐dopaminergic mechanisms
Authors: Gu Mei , Irvani M. , Cooper J Mark , King Diane , Jenner Peter , Schapira Anthony H. V.
Published: November 2004

We have investigated the ability of pramipexole, a dopamine agonist used in the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), to protect against cell death induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and rotenone in dopaminergic and non‐dopaminergic cells. Pre‐incubation with either the active (–)‐ or inactive (+)‐enantiomer forms of pramipexole (10 μm) decreased cell death in response to MPP+ and rotenone in dopaminergic SHSY‐5Y cells and in non‐dopaminergic JK cells. The protective effect was not prevented by dopamine receptor blockade using sulpiride or clozapine. Protection occurred at concentrations at which pramipexole did not demonstrate antioxidant activity, as shown by the failure to maintain aconitase activity. However, pramipexole reduced caspase‐3 activation, decreased the release of cytochrome c and prevented the fall in the mitochondrial membrane potential induced by MPP+ and rotenone. This suggests that pramipexole has anti‐apoptotic actions. The results extend the evidence for the neuroprotective effects of pramipexole and indicate that this is not dependent on dopamine receptor occupation or antioxidant activity. Further evaluation is required to determine whether the neuroprotective action of pramipexole is translated to a disease‐modifying effect in PD patients.
Patterns of Utilization for the Minnesota Senior Health Options Program
Authors: Kane Robert L. , Homyak Patricia , Bershadsky Boris , Flood Shannon , Zhang Hui
Published: November 2004

Objectives: To compare the use of medical services provided under the Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) (a special program designed to serve dually eligible older persons) with that provided to controls who received fee‐for‐service Medicare and Medicaid managed care.

Design: Quasi‐experimental design using two control groups; separate matched cohort and rolling cross‐sectional analyses; regression models used to adjust for case‐mix differences.

Setting: Urban Minnesota community and nursing home long‐term care.

Participants: Dually eligible elderly MSHO enrollees in the community and in nursing homes were compared with two sets of controls; one was drawn from nonenrollees living in the same area (control‐in) and another from comparable persons living in another urban area where the program was not available (control‐out). Cohorts living in the community and in nursing homes were included.

Measurements: Use of hospitals and emergency rooms, physician visits.

Results: In the community cohort, there were no significant differences in hospital admission rates or in hospital days. MSHO enrollees had significantly fewer preventable hospital admissions and significantly fewer preventable emergency services than the control‐in group. MSHO nursing home enrollees had significantly fewer hospital admissions than either control group with or without adjustment at 12 and 18 months. MSHO enrollees had significantly fewer hospital days and preventable hospitalizations than the control‐in group. MSHO enrollees had significantly fewer emergency room visits and preventable emergency room visits than either control group.

Conclusion: In general, the results of this evaluation are mixed but favor MSHO. The effect of MSHO was stronger for nursing home enrollees than community enrollees. The lower rate of preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits of MSHO enrollees suggests that MSHO affected the process of care by providing more of some types of preventive and community‐care services for community residents.
What Symptoms of Depression Predict Mortality in Community‐Dwelling Elders?
Authors: Blazer Dan G. , Hybels Celia F.
Published: November 2004

Objectives:To determine which symptoms of depression are most likely to increase the risk of mortality in a biracial sample of older adults.

Design:Cross‐sectional and longitudinal study.

Setting:Baseline and mortality follow‐up in urban and rural North Carolina.

Participants:Four thousand one hundred sixty‐two African‐American and white elders aged 65 to 105 at baseline (mean age 73).

Measurements:Sociodemographic and health factors and four subscales of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (negative affect, positive affect, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal function) were determined at baseline (1986–87). Mortality was assessed over 10 years of follow‐up (through 1996).

Results:Fifty‐one percent of the sample died over the 10‐year follow‐up. In controlled Cox proportional hazards modeling, those who scored lower on the positive affect scale were significantly more likely to die over the 10‐year follow‐up (hazard ratio=1.12, 95% confidence interval=1.05–1.18). For those who scored higher on the negative affect scale, the somatic scale, and the interpersonal scale, there was no increased risk for mortality in controlled analyses.

Conclusion:These findings suggest that subjective views of well‐being may be more important predictors of mortality in older adults than the classic symptoms of depression, such as negative affect and somatic symptoms.
Who Wants to Enter a Long‐Term Care Facility in a Rapidly Aging Non‐Western Society? Attitudes of Older Koreans Toward Long‐Term Care Facilities
Authors: Kim Eun‐Young , Kim Chang‐yup
Published: November 2004

To estimate future demand for institutional long‐term care (LTC) by Koreans, the intention to use LTC facilities was estimated, and the underlying influencing factors were explored. Data from the Korean National Survey of LTC Need in the Elderly compiled in 2001 were used, and 1,850 people aged 65 and older who were classified as the targets for LTC in the survey and for whom complete data were available were sampled. The following influencing variables were selected based on Anderson's service‐use model: demographics, social structural factors, family and community resources, and felt and assessed needs. The result shows that, of all the participants, 18.8% intended to use LTC facilities. A stronger intention was related to younger age, Christian religion, fewer children, lower family income, higher chronic comorbidity, and more education. The rapid industrialization of Korea has lead to a transition from the traditional family‐centered mode of caregiving to a nontraditional one, but the intention to use LTC facilities is still lower than in Western developed countries. Regarding family resources, the effect of extended families comprising three or more generations is not as significant as expected, but children continue to be regarded as the main resources for LTC. The recent introduction of nontraditional religions to Korea has had a positive effect on intention to use LTC facilities, suggesting that cultural factors influence their use.
Black and White Differences in Cognitive Function Test Scores: What Explains the Difference?
Authors: Mehta Kala M. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Rooks Ronica , Newman Anne B. , Pope Sandra K. , Rubin Susan M. , Yaffe Kristine ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: November 2004

Several studies have reported that older black and Latino adults have lower cognitive function test scores than older white adults, but few have comprehensively examined reasons for score differences. This study evaluates whether differences in health and socioeconomic indicators, including literacy level, can explain differences in cognitive function test scores between older black and white adults.
Developing a Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Senior Healthcare Practice
Authors: Stock Ronald D. , Reece Dan , Cesario Lorelei
Published: November 2004

The PeaceHealth Senior Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) provides primary care coordinated by geriatricians and an interdisciplinary office practice team that addresses the multiple needs of geriatric patients. The SHWC is a hospital outpatient clinic operated as a component of an integrated health system and is focused on the care of frail elders with multiple interacting chronic conditions and management of chronic disease in the healthier older population. Based on the Chronic Care Model, the SHWC strives to enhance coordination and continuity along the continuum of care, including outpatient, inpatient, skilled nursing, long‐term care, and home care services. During its development, a patient‐centered approach was used to identify senior service needs. The model emphasizes team development, integration of evidence‐based geriatric care, site‐based care coordination, longer appointment times, “high touch” service qualities, utilization of an electronic medical record across care settings, and a prevention/wellness orientation. This collection of services addresses the interrelationships of all senior issues, including nutrition, social support, spiritual support, caregiver support, physical activity, medications, and chronic disease. The SHWC provides access in an environment sensitive to the special needs of seniors, with a staff trained to meet those needs. The SHWC business model attempts to improve access and quality of care to seniors in a mostly noncapitated healthcare setting, while also attempting to remain financially viable.
Methods for Increasing Region 2 Power Capture on a Variable-Speed Wind Turbine
Authors: Johnson Kathryn E. , Fingersh Lee J. , Balas Mark J. , Pao Lucy Y.
Published: November 2004

The standard region 2 control scheme for a variable-speed wind turbine, τc=Kω2, has several shortcomings that can result in significant power loss. The first of these is that there is no accurate way to determine the gain K; modeling programs are not accurate enough to represent all of the complex aerodynamics, and these aerodynamics change over time. Furthermore, it is not certain whether the value of K used in the standard control even provides for the maximum energy capture under real-world turbulent conditions. We introduce new control methods to address these issues. First, we show in simulation that using smaller values of K than the standard can result in increased energy capture. Second, we give simulation results showing that an optimally tracking rotor control scheme can improve upon the standard scheme by assisting the rotor speed in tracking wind-speed fluctuations more rapidly. Finally, we propose an adaptive control scheme that allows for maximum power capture despite parameter uncertainty.
Tip Speed Ratio Influences on Rotationally Augmented Boundary Layer Topology and Aerodynamic Force Generation
Authors: Schreck S. , Robinson M.
Published: November 2004

Under zero yaw conditions, rotational effects substantially and routinely augment HAWT blade aerodynamic response. To better comprehend the fluid dynamic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, time dependent blade surface pressure data were acquired from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment (UAE), a full-scale HAWT tested in the NASA Ames 80 ft×120 ft wind tunnel. These surface pressure data were processed to obtain normal force and flow field topology data. Further analyses were carried out in a manner that allowed tip speed ratio effects to be isolated from other confounding influences. Results showed clear correlations between normal forces, flow field topologies, and tip speed ratios. These relationships changed significantly at different blade radial locations, pointing to the complex three-dimensional flow physics present on rotating HAWT blades.
TRPM4 Regulates Calcium Oscillations After T Cell Activation
Authors: Launay Pierre , Cheng Henrique , Srivatsan Subhashini , Penner Reinhold , Fleig Andrea , Kinet Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2004

TRPM4 has recently been described as a calcium-activated nonselective (CAN) cation channel that mediates membrane depolarization. However, the functional importance of TRPM4 in the context of calcium (Ca
2+
) signaling and its effect on cellular responses are not known. Here, the molecular inhibition of endogenous TRPM4 in T cells was shown to suppress TRPM4 currents, with a profound influence on receptor-mediated Ca
2+
mobilization. Agonist-mediated oscillations in intracellular Ca
2+
concentration ([Ca
2+
]
i
), which are driven by store-operated Ca
2+
influx, were transformed into a sustained elevation in [Ca
2+
]
i
. This increase in Ca
2+
influx enhanced interleukin-2 production. Thus, TRPM4-mediated depolarization modulates Ca
2+
oscillations, with downstream effects on cytokine production in T lymphocytes.
Very Low Gene Duplication Rate in the Yeast Genome
Authors: Gao Li-zhi , Innan Hideki
Published: November 2004

The gene duplication rate in the yeast genome is estimated without assuming the molecular clock model to be ∼0.01 to 0.06 per gene per billion years; this rate is two orders of magnitude lower than a previous estimate based on the molecular clock model. This difference is explained by extensive concerted evolution via gene conversion between duplicated genes, which violates the assumption of the molecular clock in the analyses of duplicated genes. The average length of the period of concerted evolution and the gene conversion rate are estimated to be ∼25 million years and ∼28 times the mutation rate, respectively.
A Chiral Route to Negative Refraction
Authors: Pendry J. B.
Published: November 2004

Negative refraction is currently achieved by driving the magnetic permeability and electrical permittivity simultaneously negative, thus requiring two separate resonances in the refracting material. The introduction of a single chiral resonance leads to negative refraction of one polarization, resulting in improved and simplified designs of negatively refracting materials and opening previously unknown avenues of investigation in this fast-growing subject.
The Early Cretaceous San Juan Plutonic Suite, Ecuador: a magma chamber in an oceanic plateau?
Authors: Mamberti Marc , Lapierre Henriette , Bosch Delphine , Jaillard Etienne , Hernandez Jean , Polvé Mireille
Published: November 2004

Sections through an oceanic plateau are preserved in tectonic slices in the Western Cordillera of Ecuador (South America). The San Juan section is a sequence of maficultramafic cumulates. To establish that these plutonic rocks formed in an oceanic plateau setting, we have developed criteria that discriminate intrusions of oceanic plateaus from those of other tectonic settings. The mineralogy and crystallization sequence of the cumulates are similar to those of intra-plate magmas. Clinopyroxene predominates throughout, and orthopyroxene is only a minor component. Rocks of intermediate composition are absent, and hornblende is restricted to the uppermost massive gabbros within the sequence. The ultramafic cumulates are very depleted in light rare-earth elements (LREE), whereas the gabbros have flat or slightly enriched LREE patterns. The composition of the basaltic liquid in equilibrium with the peridotite, calculated using olivine compositions and REE contents of clinopyroxene, contains between 16% and 8% MgO and has a flat REE pattern. This melt is geochemically similar to other accreted oceanic plateau basalts, isotropic gabbros, and differentiated sills in western Ecuador. The Ecuadorian intrusive and extrusive rocks have a narrow range of εNdi (+8 to +5) and have a rather large range of Pb isotopic ratios. Pb isotope systematics of the San Juan plutonic rocks and mineral separates lie along a mixing line between the depleted mantle (DMM) and the enriched-plume end members. This suggests that the Ecuadorian plutonic rocks generated from the mixing of two mantle sources, a depleted mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB) source and an enriched one. The latter is characterized by high (207Pb/204Pb)i ratios and could reflect a contamination by recycled either lower continental crust or oceanic pelagic sediments and (or) altered oceanic crust (enriched mantle type I, EMI). These data suggest that the San Juan sequence represents the plutonic components of an Early Cretaceous oceanic plateau, which accreted in the Late Cretaceous to the Ecuadorian margin.
Synthesis and structural characterization of m-terphenyl Schiff base ligands and their aluminum complexes
Authors: Dickie Diane A , Jalali Hanifa , Samant Rahul G , Jennings Michael C , Clyburne Jason AC
Published: November 2004

2,4,6-Triphenylbenzaldehyde 1 undergoes a condensation reaction with 2-aminophenol to give N-(2′,4′,6′-triphenylbenzylidene)-2-iminophenol (TPIP) 2. The imine 2 can be reduced with NaBH4 in ethanol to form N-(2′,4′,6′-triphenylbenzyl)-2-aminophenol (TPAP) 3. Addition of trimethylaluminum to 2 or 3 results in the formation of the complexes TPIP-AlMe2·AlMe3 (4) or TPAP-AlMe2 (5). Compounds 2, 3, and 4 have been crystallographically characterized.Key words: N,O ligands, aluminum, m-terphenyl, Schiff bases, X-ray crystallography.
TWO REALIZABILITY INTERPRETATIONS OF MONOTONE INDUCTIVE DEFINITIONS
Authors: TATSUTA MAKOTO
Published: November 2004

Realizability of monotone inductive definitions is studied to construct a logical system in which recursive data structures and recursive control structures of programs are naturally formalized by using inductive definitions and programs can be produced from constructive proofs by using realizability. Two q-realizability interpretations of monotone inductive definitions are presented. One interpretation is defined so that a realizer of an inductively defined predicate is the same as a realizer of its expansion. It is proved that the interpretation of restricted monotone inductive definitions is sound and that the interpretation of full monotone inductive definitions is not sound, though the interpretation seems very natural. Another interpretation is presented by using the higher order coding and q-realizability for the second order logic. The soundness of this interpretation of full monotone inductive definitions is also proved. To prove this result, greatest-lower-bound inductive definitions are introduced.
AFFINE SOLITONS: A RELATION BETWEEN TAU FUNCTIONS, DRESSING AND BÄCKLUND TRANSFORMATIONS
Authors: BABELON OLIVIER , BERNARD DENIS
Published: November 2004

We reconsider the construction of solitons by dressing transformations in the sine-Gordon model. We show that the N-soliton solutions are in the orbit of the vacuum, and we identify the elements in the dressing group which allow us to build the N-soliton solutions from the vacuum solution. The dressed τ functions can be computed in two different ways: either using adjoint actions in the affine Lie algebra [Formula: see text], and this gives the relation with the Bäcklund transformations, or using the level-one representations of the affine Lie algebra [Formula: see text], and this directly gives the formulae for the τ functions in terms of vertex operators.
CLOSURE OF THE SUPER-POINCARÉ ALGEBRA FOR LIGHT-CONE GAUGE HETEROTIC SUPERSTRINGS
Authors: RESTUCCIA A. , TAYLOR J.G.
Published: November 2004

Functional methods are used to give a complete closure of the second-quantized field theory nonlinear realization of the ten-dimensional super-Poincaré algebra for the heterotic superstring in the Green-Schwarz formalism. New terms in the fundamental generators JI−, J+− are constructed at quartic order in the fields so as to close the Poincare algebra; a quartic term in the Hamiltonian is also derived. No higher order terms are needed for any generators of the full algebra.
CONTINUUM LIMITS OF “INDUCED QCD”: LESSONS OF THE GAUSSIAN MODEL AT d=1 AND BEYOND
Authors: KOGAN I.I. , MOROZOV A. , SEMENOFF G.W. , WEISS N.
Published: November 2004

We analyze the scalar field sector of the Kazakov-Migdal model of induced QCD. We present a detailed description of the simplest one-dimensional (d=1) model which supports the hypothesis of wide applicability of the mean-field approximation for the scalar fields and the existence of critical behavior in the model when the scalar action is Gaussian. Despite the occurrence of various nontrivial types of critical behavior in the d=1 model as N→∞, only the conventional large N limit is relevant for its continuum limit. We also give a mean-field analysis of the N=2 model in anyd and show that a saddle point always exists in the region [Formula: see text]. In d=1 it exhibits critical behavior as [Formula: see text]. However when d>1 there is no critical behavior unless non-Gaussian terms are added to the scalar field action. We argue that similar behavior should occur for any finite N thus providing a simple explanation of a recent result of D. Gross. We show that critical behavior at d>1 and [Formula: see text] can be obtained by adding a logarithmic term to the scalar potential. This is equivalent to a local modification of the integration measure in the original Kazakov—Migdal model. Experience from previous studies of the Generalized Kontsevich Model implies that, unlike the inclusion of higher powers in the potential, this minor modification should not substantially alter the behavior of the Gaussian model.
CORRELATED NUCLEON EMISSION IN PERIPHERAL RELATIVISTIC HEAVY ION COLLISIONS
Authors: BARZ L. L. , de TOLEDO PIZA A. F. R.
Published: November 2004

The effects of short range correlations for two nucleon emission in peripheral relativistic heavy ion collisions are investigated. The cross section is calculated in Born approximation with properly orthogonalized initial and final states.
O(3) NONLINEAR σ MODEL WITH HOPF TERM AND HIGHER SPIN THEORIES
Authors: GOVINDARAJAN T.R. , SHANKAR R. , SHAJI N. , SIVAKUMAR M.
Published: November 2004

Following our earlier work we argue in detail for the equivalence of the nonlinear σ model with Hopf term at θ=π/2s and an interacting spin-s theory. We give an ansatz for spin-s operators in the σ model and show the equivalence of the correlation functions. We also show the relation between topological and Noether currents. We obtain the Lorentz and discrete transformation properties of the spin-s operator from the fields of the σ model. We also explore the connection of this model with quantum Hall fluids.
MAGNETIC MOMENTS OF OCTET BARYONS IN A RELATIVISTIC QUARK MODEL WITH CHIRAL SYMMETRY
Authors: JENA S.N. , PANDA S.
Published: November 2004

Under the assumption that baryons are an assembly of independent quarks confined in a first approximation by an effective potential [Formula: see text], which presumably represents the nonperturbative gluon interactions, the magnetic moments of octet baryons have been calculated by considering perturbatively the contributions of the residual quark-pion coupling arising out of the requirement of chiral symmetry over and above the necessary center-of-mass correction. The results so obtained agree quite well with the corresponding experimental values.
THE CLASSICAL ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY CORRESPONDING TO THE MASSLESS TWO-DIMENSIONAL SPINOR QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
Authors: GALVAO CARLOS A.P. , MIGNACO JUAN A.
Published: November 2004

We analyze the physical meaning of the classical electromagnetic theory underlying the massless two-dimensional spinor quantum electrodynamics (Schwinger model) and show that the vector and axial vector currents are dually equivalent. The resulting dual classical electromagnetic theory is shown to be consistent.
NOTES ON WGLn ALGEBRAS AND QUANTUM MIURA TRANSFORMATION
Authors: PUGAY YA. P.
Published: November 2004

We start from the quantum Miura transformation7 for the W algebra associated with the GL(n) group and find an evident formula for the quantum L operator as well as for the action of Wl currents (l=1, …, n) on elements of the completely degenerated n-dimensional representation. Quantum formulas are obtained through the deformation of the pseudodifferential symbols. This deformation is independent of n and preserves Adler’s trace. Our main instrument of the proof is the notation of the pseudodifferential symbol with right action which has no counterpart in classical theory.
POINCARÉ INVARIANCE AND QUANTUM PARASUPERFIELDS
Authors: BECKERS J. , DEBERGH N.
Published: November 2004

Parasupersymmetries of arbitrary order p of paraquantization are seen in quantum field theory by requiring Poincaré invariance in the N=1, D=4 Context. We construct the corresponding minimal Lie parasuperalgebra as well as its (two) Casimir operators. Through its little parasuperalgebra in the timelike case, we characterize the irreducible (unitary) representations by constructing a generalized vacuum state with its partners. In the first nontrivial case, p=2, we realize the operators in terms of para-Grassmannian variables and deduce parasupersymmetric equations leading to relativistic descriptions of spin 0, 1/2 and 1 (para)particles by considering parasuperfields and their para-Grassmannian components. In fact, we consider two nonequivalent realizations leading respectively to free and interacting relativistic descriptions, the latter corresponding to the extension of the Wess-Zumino model in this parasupercontext. The inclusion of symmetries and supersymmetries in the parasupersymmetries is enhanced.
HELICITY AMPLITUDES FOR COLLIDING BEAM SCATTERING OF TWO SPIN 1/2 PARTICLES
Authors: ANDERS T.B. , BARUT A.O. , JACHMANN W.
Published: November 2004

As a generalization and extension of the extensive tables of polarization asymmetries given in a previous work,1 we present here tables of helicity amplitudes for the scattering of two spin 1/2 particles in the colliding beam system (i.e. two incoming particles with opposite directions but not necessarily of equal momenta). The particles belonging to the same current may have different masses in order to describe particle excitations. The amplitudes are given for six different basic couplings connecting two vector vertices, a vector vertex at the one current and a derivative vector vertex at the other current, two derivative vector vertices, two tensor vertices, and two scalar vertices. The vertices include axial couplings by factors of type 1+cγ5. The amplitudes are written as expressions with 16 components in the six different reaction channels, namely the scattering of two fermions, of two antifermions, and of a fermion and an antifermion, the pair creation by pair annihilation, as well as the exchange scattering for two identical fermions or antifermions. The formulas may be used for an analysis which extracts the invariant coupling functions from the experimental data obtained in the colliding beam system directly without an intermediate transformation to the center of mass system.
A CONTINUOUS SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM USING A MODIFIED LVQ2 METHOD AND A DEPENDENCY GRAMMAR WITH SEMANTIC CONSTRAINTS
Authors: MAKINO SHOZO , ITO AKINORI , ENDO MITSURU , KIDO KEN’ITI
Published: November 2004

This paper describes an overview of a continuous speech recognition system composed of an acoustic processor and a linguistic processor. The system deals with 843 conceptual words and 431 functional words. We have constructed an acoustic processor using a modified learning vector quantization method (MLVQ2) for phoneme recognition. The phoneme recognition score was 85.5% for 226 sentences uttered by two male speakers. The linguistic processor is composed of a processor for spotting bunsetsu units (i.e. units similar to a “phrase” in English) and a syntactic processor. The structure of the bunsetsu unit is effectively described by a finite-state automaton, the test-set word-perplexity of which is 230. In the processor for spotting bunsetsu units, using a syntax-driven continuous-DP matching algorithm, the bunsetsu units are spotted from a recognized phoneme sequence and then a bunsetsu unit lattice is generated. In the syntactic processor, the bunsetsu unit lattice is parsed based on the dependency grammar, which is expressed as the correspondence between a FEATURE marker in a modifier-bunsetsu and a SLOT-FILLER marker in a head-bunsetsu. The recognition scores of the bunsetsu units and conceptual words were 75.2% and 88.9% respectively for 226 sentences uttered by the two male speakers.
TONE RECOGNITION OF CONTINUOUS MANDARIN SPEECH BASED ON HIDDEN MARKOV MODEL
Authors: WANG YIH-RU , SHIEH JYH-MING , CHEN SIN-HORNG
Published: November 2004

In this paper, several tone recognition schemes for continuous Mandarin speech are discussed. First, an SCHMM is used to model the acoustic features of a syllable for tone discrimination. Parameters extracted from the F0 and energy contours of the syllable by discrete Legendre orthonormal transform are used as the recognition features. Then, a scheme using two-layer network is proposed to cope with the difficulty resulting from the declination effect on the F0 contour of the declarative sentential utterance. The declination effect is modeled by a sentence-level HMM on the upper layer and the acoustic features of each tone are modeled by a state-dependent SCHMM on the lower layer. Lastly, the coarticulation effect coming from neighboring syllables is considered in the scheme using context-dependent model. Performance of these recognition schemes was examined by simulations. A recognition rate of 86.34% was achieved.
STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION OF HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE IMAGES
Authors: SABOURIN ROBERT , PLAMONDON RÉJEAN , BEAUMIER LOUIS
Published: November 2004

The interpretation of handwritten signature images should be closely related to the writer’s identity. The representation and analysis of the handwritten signature is the major challenge in the field of automatic signature verification. A new concept of representation and interpretation of handwritten signature images is advocated. The segmentation process breaks up the signature into a collection of arbitrarily-shaped primitives. In the next step, a local interpretation process serves as a sophisticated template matching, permitting the labeling of all primitives from the test primitive set. This is followed by the global interpretation process, which permits the evaluation of a similarity measure between two structural graphs. Experimental results obtained from a database of 800 handwritten signature images from 20 writers show a performance with a type I error rate of ∈1=1.50%, a type II error rate of ∈2=1.37% and a total error rate ∈t=1.43% in the best strategy proposed using a minimum-distance classifier and two reference signatures. A complete description of this novel automatic handwritten signature verification system is presented in this paper.
STATISTICAL METHODS FOR ON-LINE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION
Authors: NELSON WINSTON , TURIN WILLIAM , HASTIE TREVOR
Published: November 2004

Three methods for on-line signature verification are discussed in this paper. They are based on statistical models of features that summarize different aspects of signature shape and the dynamics of signature production. Two of the methods are based on the feature statistics of genuine signatures only. Of these two methods, the simpler one using a Euclidean distance error metric was found to have superior performance when tested on a database of 919 genuine signatures and 330 forgeries. Using a procedure for selecting the individual best 10 out of 22 features, the Euclidean distance method correctly classified 99.5% of the genuine signatures, while rejecting 86% of the forgeries. The third method uses statistical properties of the forgeries as well as the genuine signatures to develop a quadratic discriminant rule for classifying signatures. On the basis of the database used in this study, this method was generally better than the simpler Euclidean distance method. At the same 99.5% acceptance of the genuine signatures, the method rejected 90% of the forgeries.
CHARACTER RECOGNITION BY SIGNATURE APPROXIMATION
Authors: PAPAMARKOS N. , SPILIOTIS I. , ZOUMADAKIS A.
Published: November 2004

This paper describes a new method for character recognition of typewritten text. The proposed approach is based on the approximation of character signatures by rational functions. Specifically, after the preprocessing operation, a separation procedure is applied to each character and its one-dimensional signatures are derived. These signatures are then approximated by rational functions via a linear programming technique and according to the minimax criterion. The values of the approximation errors for each signature are specified as character features. Through this technique only six powerful features are derived for each character. The classification technique employed is simple, adapted to the features selected and is based on features’ similarities in combination with the minimum Euclidean distance classifier.
INTERSECTIONS OF RANDOM LINE SEGMENTS
Authors: DEVROYE LUC , ZHU BINHAI
Published: November 2004

We consider a random collection of n line segments, in which the segments are independently drawn by picking the midpoint according to a given distribution in the plane, by picking a uniformly distributed random direction, and by adding an independently sampled segment length. We study the expected behavior of the number of intersections as a function of n, the lengths of the line segments, and the distribution of the midpoints. This includes a universally applicable law of large numbers.
THE FREE BURNSIDE GROUPS OF SUFFICIENTLY LARGE EXPONENTS
Authors: IVANOV SERGEI V.
Published: November 2004

The paper contains a self-contained construction of m-generated free Burnside groups B(m, n) of exponent n, where m>1, n≥248 and n is either odd or divisible by 29. As a corollary, one gets that the Burnside problem on the finiteness of finitely generated groups of exponent n is solved in the negative for almost all exponents.
NON-LAGRANGIAN NONLINEARITY AND COHERENT OPTICAL WAVE MIXING PROCESSES
Authors: MURAZYAN A.L. , TABIRYAN N.V. , ZEL’DOVICH B.YA. , KHOO I.C.
Published: November 2004

Interaction of optical beams in media with diagonal-bipolar nonlinearity is theoretically investigated. It is shown that the nonlinearity is not Lagrangian and allows processes violating energy flux conservation law. Conditions for energy exchange to take place are found. Probe beam amplification in the field of counterpropagating pumps and wavefront conjugation are investigated to exhibit some remarkable features. Coherent interaction of waves of different frequencies through recording static gratings is shown to lead also to energy exchange processes owing to non-Lagrangian character of nonlinearity.
RECENT PROGRESS IN POLYDIACETYLENE MATERIAL RESEARCH FOR NONLINEAR OPTICS
Authors: OKADA S. , NAKANISHI H.
Published: November 2004

In order to enhance the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities (χ(3) s ) of polydiacetylenes, polydiacetylenes with π-conjugation between polymer backbone and acetylenic substituents were synthesized. In the case of hexatriyne monomer, solid-state polymerization proceeded via 1, 4-addition to give polydiacetylene with directly bound ethynyl substituents. Also 1, 4-addition polymerization took place in the case of octatetrayne and dodecahexayne monomers and gave polydiacetylenes with butadiynyl and octatetraynyl substituents, respectively. These butadiynyl and octatetraynyl moieties of the latter two polymers could thermally be polymerized furthermore. Especially, in the case of dodecahexayne, formation of an interesting ladder polymer with π-conjugation between two polydiacetylene backbones were confirmed by the solid-state NMR. The effective χ(3)(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) value in three-photon resonant region of the π-conjugation system of polydiacetylenes with butadiynyl substituents was elucidated to be about 10−9 esu. The ratio of χ(3) to absorption at the THG wavelength in near-resonant region was found to be larger than that in resonant region. Aiming at obtaining sharp excitonic absorption of polydiacetylenes, polydiacetylene microcrystals with controlled molecular weight distribution, i.e., uniform electronic structure in the polymer backbones, were also examined.
SPECIFIC CONSTRAINT HANDLING IN CONSTRAINT SATISFACTION PROBLEMS
Authors: LIU BING
Published: November 2004

Abundant literatures exist on consistency techniques for solving Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). These literatures, however, focused mainly on finding efficient general techniques to achieve network consistency and to solve CSPs. So far, many techniques have been reported, e.g., node consistency, arc consistency, path consistency, k-consistency, forward checking, lookahead, partial lookahead, etc. Not enough attention has been given to individual constraints, and how constraint specific features may be exploited for more efficient consistency check. Many types of constraints exist in real problems, and each has its own features. These features may allow specific consistency techniques to be designed such that they are more efficient than the general algorithms. To analyze this issue, we divide a consistency algorithm into three parts: (1) activating constraints for check; (2) selecting the next constraint to be checked; and (3) checking the selected constraint. We will discuss how constraint specific features may influence each of these aspects and how special handling techniques may be designed to improve the efficiency. In order to allow these individual constraint handling techniques to be used, a new consistency algorithm is also proposed.
A HYBRID LEARNING RULE FOR A FEEDFORWARD NETWORK
Authors: LIPPE W.-M. , FEURING TH. , TENHAGEN A.
Published: November 2004

In feedforward networks trained by the classic backpropagation algorithm, as introduced by Rumelhart et al., the weights are modified according to the method of steepest descent. The goal of this weight modification is to minimise the error in network-outputs for a given training set.

Basing upon Jacobs’ work, we point out drawbacks of steepest descent and suggest improvements on it. These yield a feedforward network, which adjusts its weights according to a (globally convergent) parallel coordinate descent method.

Then we combine this parallel coordinate descent with a hybrid learning rule from [Formula: see text]-rule and momentum version. For adjusting the parameters of this rule we use a Sugeno/Tagaki fuzzy controller. We only need four rules for the controlling process. Because of using the Sugeno/Takagi controller, no defuzzification has to be performed and the controller works faster than the familiar one.

We conclude that this algorithm is very suitable for fast training and global convergence.
INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION: A SURVEY
Authors: LIN QIANG , SRINIVAS KANKANAHALLI
Published: November 2004

This survey provides a brief review of the existing and future infrastructure support needed to facilitate multimedia communication utilizing graphics, audio and video data. It touches upon properties of multimedia, switching and compression standards, network support and operating systems support.
A Statistical Study of Random Knotting Using the Vassiliev Invariants
Authors: Deguchi Tetsuo , Tsurusaki Kyoichi
Published: November 2004

Employing the Vassiliev invariants as tools for determining knot types of polygons in 3 dimensions, we evaluate numerically the knotting probability PK(N) of the Gaussian random polygon being equivalent to a knot type K. For prime knots and composite knots we plot the knotting probability PK(N) against the number N of polygonal nodes. Taking the analogy with the asymptotic scaling behaviors of self-avoiding walks, we propose a formula of fitting curves to the numerical data. The curves fit well the graphs of the knotting probability PK(N) versus N. This agreement suggests to us that the scaling formula for the knotting probability might also work for the random polygons other than the Gaussian random polygon.
GAUSSIAN RANDOM POLYGONS ARE GLOBALLY KNOTTED
Authors: JUNGREIS DOUGLAS
Published: November 2004

A Gaussian random walk is a random walk in which each step is a vector whose coordinates are Gaussian random variables. In 3-space, if a Gaussian random walk of n steps begins and ends at the origin, then we can join successive points by straight line segments to get a knot. It is known that if n is large, then the knot is non-trivial with high probability. We give a new proof of this fact. Our proof shows in addition that with high probability the knot is contained as an essential loop in a fat, knotted, solid torus. Therefore the knot is a satellite knot and cannot be unknotted by any small perturbation.
PERCEPTION, DECISION AND ACTION
Authors: VALLÉE R.
Published: November 2004

We consider a system S which is able to perceive itself and its environment E, decide and act. In S we have the observational chain, implying an “observation operator”, followed by the decisional chain with a decision operator, but these two chains can be replaced by one pragmatical chain with its “pragmatical operator”. The pragmatical chain is in contact with the effectors which modify directly S and influence E, creating a feed-back loop. The observational chain, considered alone, is concerned with the epistemological images S may have of the co-evolution of itself and its environment, indiscernibility, resolving power as well as other aspects of its subjectivity such as those generated by the inverse transfer of properties of S to possible co-evolutions of S and E. If, more realistically, the pragmatical chain is considered, other concepts appear involving pragmatical “subjective inverse transfer” and indiscernability. If the feed-back loop is considered, the evolution of the universe constituted by S and E is involved. At this meta-level some conceptual simplifications occur, the evolution of U appears as a fixed point of an operator taking into account the observational and decisional properties of system S, which may be a living being, and so introducing the outlines of an “epistemo-praxiology”.
ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTY OF THE MUSCLE MOVEMENT IN TERMS OF THE ALGEBRAIC THEORY OF RELATIONAL PROCESSES
Authors: LEGUIZAMÓN CARLOS A.
Published: November 2004

The property of muscle movement Pm is a central functional property for the qualitative interpretations of behaviors of biological systems. In this paper, based on the example of the muscle, it is shown how relational properties can be identified by responses derived from the functional organization. At a certain level of organization, the manifestation of the property Pm is analyzed in terms of qualitative relationships between the myosin and actin fibres of muscles. A relatively pseudo complemented lattice of nine elements shows algebraic relations in connection with the interaction of the fibres. The response coming from the lattice is in correspondence with the quantitative one expressed by Hill’s equation for muscles.
ANALYSIS OF A CLASS OF FUZZY CONTROLLERS
Authors: KOO JOHN TAK KUEN
Published: November 2004

In this paper, a class of fuzzy controllers is considered. The controllers are constructed by applying product-max-COA(Center Of Area) inference method. The membership functions of the antecedence and the consequence are triangular and singelton in shape, respectively. The class of fuzzy controllers can be expressed by an explicit form, i.e. the sum of a linear function and some nonlinear terms. The explicit form of the class of controllers is generalized for multiple inputs. Therefore, by the use of the explicit form, the analysis of the fuzzy control system can be performed with the use of nonlinear control theory.
THE MECHANICS OF SUSTAINING AN ENTERPRISE
Authors: KAM BOOI-CHUNG
Published: November 2004

A manufacturing enterprise needs to undertake a wide range of projects to sustain its viability. Inevitably, a basis is required to delineate the complex mechanics of the process from project generation to implementation. For this purpose, a combination of interdisciplinary ideas and accepted concepts from new product development, engineering economics and organisational control were used to help identify issues and establish relationships of the parameters involved in the process. Using this basis, a number of engineering/technical projects from some manufacturing firms were assessed. Besides achieving a perspective of the state of current practice, some important implications on this significant dimension of enterpreneurial reality were derived.
QUALITY ISSUES IN UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Authors: OMACHONU VINCENT K. , EINSPRUCH NORMAN G.
Published: November 2004

The quality of undergraduate engineering education is at the center of the discussion on global competitiveness and innovation. Engineering schools in the United States are being compelled to evaluate the quality of their “products”, and to redesign them to meet or exceed the expectations of their constituents. Any effort aimed at redesigning an engineering curriculum must begin with an understanding of the gap that exists between the present and desired input into the educational process. This gap is manifested in the form of the following key components: i) The Curriculum, ii) Teaching Quality, iii) Faculty Quality, iv) Support Services, v) Advising Quality, vi) Accreditation Standards, and vii) Undergraduate Faculty. The gap between the present and desired input is largely responsible for a second gap between the present and desired output. The concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) can be of great benefit to reform-minded engineering schools. This paper seeks to establish congruency between the needs of engineering schools and the ultimate goals of TQM. If engineering schools are to fulfil their academic and professional objectives, they must pay attention to the needs of their constituents, particularly the students, employers of its graduates, and the faculty.
RISK MODELING IN ROBOT COST EVALUATIONS
Authors: WONG T.T.
Published: November 2004

Many engineering attempts have been developed to predict major cost components of robot systems. Aggregations of cost estimates for various types of robots have been collected in so-called Life Cycle Cost (LCC) models. These models virtually all treat LCC estimates as “most likely” predictions of what actual costs will be in the future. Actual costs will vary, however, from the “most likely” estimates because some cost estimates are subjective in nature and these are in fact subject to considerable uncertainty.

This paper examines the elicitation of subjective estimates and the modeling of LCC uncertainties. A new technique for dealing with subjective robot cost uncertainty is defined and explained. Specifically a conceptual device is introduced as the measuring instrument for subjective cost uncertainty in terms of probabilities and an analytical risk modeling procedure is described which uses the beta probability distribution.