bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of alloys of Ti‐Zr system by the positron annihilation method
Authors: Dlubek G. , Gerber W. , Dekhtyar I. Ya. , Fedchenko R. G. , Kshnyakin W. S.
Published: July 2007

Angular distribution measurements of annihilation photons were performed on seven different TiZr alloys having a Zr content between 0 and 39 at. %. The samples were cold rolled with 80% thickness reduction. Further, the angular correlation peak height was measured during time‐linear heating of deformed samples. The measured results were interpreted assuming positron trapping by the defect‐rich particle‐matrix interfaces of particles of the second phase produced during deformation (polymorphic α‐β transformation).
Investigation of iron‐cobalt alloys by means of electron spectroscopic methods
Authors: Berndt K. , Storbeck F.
Published: July 2007

The results of electron spectroscopic investigations are presented for a number of FeCo alloys. Besides X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy the Auger spectrometry, appearance potential spectroscopy and electron loss spectroscopy are used. From these data conclusions are drawn about the electronic structure of the FeCo alloy system, among other things in the dilute limit.
The Growth and Characterization of Hydrogen (Deuterium) — Bonded Ferroelectric Crystals of Schultenites PbHAsO4, PbDAsO4 PbHPO4 and PbDPO4
Authors: Březina B. , Havránková M.
Published: July 2007

Single crystals of lead hydrogenarsenate, lead hydrogenphosphate and deuterated analogues have been grown from water solution, further, by means of various chemical reactions in water solutions and polyacrylamide hydrogel. The growth conditions, morphology of crystals, their imperfections and some physical properties have been studied.
Thermodynamic Studies on Ternary Mixed III‐V Systems
Authors: Peuschel G.‐P. , Knobloch G. , Butter E. , Apelt R.
Published: July 2007

KRUPKOWSKI's formalism of excess free enthalpy has been applied to the ternary systems Pb‐In‐Sb and Ga‐In‐As. The necessary binary KRUPKOWSKI parameters has been obtained from binary liquidus data or EMF measurements. The results of calculation are compared with experimental liquidus, solidus and vapour pressure data.
Growth of single crystals of barium iodate and strontium iodate in silica gels
Authors: Joshi M. S. , Trivedi S. G.
Published: July 2007

Single crystals of iodates of barium and strontium grown by gel method are reported. Optimum conditions for good quality single crystals are worked out. Different habits of these crystals are reported. A brief report for characterization of these crystals by different methods is given.
The crystal structure of 1‐anilino‐3‐phenylimino propene‐(1), C15H14N2
Authors: Kulpe S. , Schulz B.
Published: July 2007

The 1‐Anilino‐3‐phenylimino propene‐(1) crystallizes in the Iba2 space group having the lattice constants a = 20.132 Å; b = 16.102 Å; c = 7.683 Å. The elementary lattice cell contains 8 molecules. The intensities were measured by means of an automatic fourcircle diffractometer. The structure was clarified by a direct phase determination. The refinement was carried out by means of the least squares method for 1532 symmetryindependent reflections up to an R‐value of 0.10.

The molecular structure is more similar to that of the asymmetric polymethine merocyanines, and less to the symmetrical polymethine cyanines. This is due to the different electronic structure of the amino and imino groups in the molecule. The molecules are electrically neutral. The intermolecular contacts are made through N‐H…N hydrogen bridges and van‐der‐Waals contacts between C‐ and H‐atoms.
Dielectric Relations of Nematic 4‐n‐Heptylamino benzoic Acid in Mixtures with 4‐Cyano benzoic Acid and 4‐Fluoro benzoic Acid
Authors: Kresse H. , Sharma N. K. , Weissflog W.
Published: July 2007

Dielectric constants and the dielectric loss in the frequency range from 0.1–12 MHz were measured in the binary systems of 4‐n‐heptylamino benzoic acid with 4‐cyano benzoic acid and 4‐fluoro benzoic acid in the nematic phase. Not only the strong increase of dielectric anisotropy, but also the appearance of a Debye relaxation in the MHz range in both the mixtures proves the existence of the mixed associates. This model was proved by the temperature dependence of relaxation times and on chemical structure of the mixed associates, as well as, by the comparison with the measurements of one more binary system of acids.
Structures of grain boundaries in sintered silicon
Authors: Möller H.‐J.
Published: July 2007

The investigation of near coincidence boundaries in sintered silicon by transmission electron microscopy revealed a fine structure (steps, dislocations). For a Σ = 9 coincidence orientation it will be demonstrated that faceting of an inclined grain boundary reduces the total energy.
Kerr effect studies of the isotropic‐smectic phase transition of liquid crystalline 4‐nitrophenyl 4‐n‐alkoxybenzoates
Authors: Hauser A. , Demus D.
Published: July 2007

The static and dynamic pretransitional behaviour at the isotropic‐smectic A phase transition was investigated by the electric Kerr effect and compared with the behaviour at the isotropic‐nematic phase transition. Close above the smectic A‐isotropic transition temperature a strong divergence and a deviation from the behaviour according to the Landau – de Gennes model (which was upheld far from the clearing temperature) was observed for both the Kerr constant and the Kerr relaxation time. The Kerr relaxation times near the smectic A‐isotropic phase transition exceed that of the isotropic‐nematic transition by more than a factor of 4 which is due to the existence of quasi smectic cybotactic groups in the isotropic phase.
Application of the Lang Topography Survey Technique to Highly Deformed Large Aluminium Crystals
Authors: Novikova I. G. , Startsev V. I.
Published: July 2007

The authors consider the specific features of the Lang X‐ray topographic technique applied to the investigation of changes produced in large aluminium single crystals by uniaxial tension causing moderate to high strains. The method of the stereographic projection is discussed as the means to choose the survey conditions and decipher topograms both for the starting plastic deformation stage and for the deformation process.
Field‐induced texture conversions in smectic A, B and C phases
Authors: Pelzl G. , Deutscher H.‐J. , Demus D.
Published: July 2007

The field‐induced texture conversions in smectic A, B and C phases were studied for 7 liquid crystalline compounds. The threshold voltage of the effect was measured in dependence on the temperature and the layer thickness. The results are discussed.
Effect of electrical field on growth of gallium arsenide layers from vapour phase
Authors: Lavrentieva L. G. , Ikonnikova G. M. , Krasilnikova L. M.
Published: July 2007

The effect of electrical fields on the growth rate and morphology of gallium arsenide layers in the GaAsAsCl3H2 system is investigated. The fields both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate surface are used. It is found that application of the parallel field results n increase of growth rate of (111)A face but does not change that of 2° (001). The morphology of layers grown in such a field is better than that grown without any. The application of perpendicular field results in decrease of growth rate for both crystallographic orientations, the layer morphology worthening. In both cases the effect is greater when the substrate has a negative potential. Possible mechanisms of the field influence on the growth rates of gallium arsenide layers are discussed such as: supersaturation decrease because of nucleation in vapour phase and the change in the rates of surface processes.
Investigation of the deformed region on the (111) plane of MgO crystals by cathodoluminescence method
Authors: Boyarskaya Yu. S. , Schreiber J. , Grabko D. Z. , Dyntu M. P. , Pushkash B. M.
Published: July 2007

The (111) plane of MgO single crystals was deformed by a concentrated load. It was observed that the number of rows of a cathodoluminescence rosette is a factor of two lower than that for the etch pit one. The explanation of this phenomenon is given. The polarity of plastic deformation was revealed using both an etch pit technique and cathodoluminescence method. It is shown that deformation causes a change of the cathodoluminescence spectra. The spectra, obtained from crystal deformed by indentation and from compressed crystal, are similar.
Liquid phase epitaxial growth of AlGaAsGaAs heterostructures for solar energy conversion
Authors: Romero R. , Purón E.
Published: July 2007

The operation principles of four novel AlxGa1−xAsGaAs heterostructure concentrator cells are discussed together with the LPE growth of such structures. Typical temperature schedules, boat design and melt composition are presented, and a detailed description of the technological procedure involved is offered.
Low Temperature Studies on the Grain‐Size Effect on the Electro‐optical Properties of ZnO Luminophores
Authors: Kaza B. R. , Asare R. P. , Bhushan S. , Chandra B. P.
Published: July 2007

The electroluminescence and photoluminescence of the self‐activated ZnO luminophores exhibit three prominent bands in the green, yellow and Yellow‐orange regions. With the reduction in grain size, these bands shift towards lower energy side and their energies are enhanced. The bands shift towards lower energy side with decreasing temperature of the luminophores. Both the electroluminescence and photoluminescence have maximum overall brightness for 33 micron grain size. One additional peak at 120 °K is found during the brightness studies of electroluminescence and photoluminescence of the luminophores. The appearence of such an additional peak is also confirmed from the studies of the brightness waves. The effects of grain size on the electro‐optical properties of the self‐activated ZnO luminophores are discussed on the basis of the existing ideas about photo‐ and electroluminescence.
Eccentricity of symmetrical and asymmetrical etch pits on calcite cleavages
Authors: Mehta B. J.
Published: July 2007

There are two types of chemical eccentric etch pits.

Deepest points are always lying on the shorter diagonal. – Symmetrical etch pits the deepest points of which lying on the diagonals show dislocation lines in the plane (110). Eccentricity of symmetrical etch pits along the [110] direction is depending on the concentration of the etchant and on the inclination of the dislocation line in the plane (110).

Depth points do not lie on any diagonals. Eccentricity of asymmetrical etch pits along the [110] direction is depending on the concentration of the etchant and on the inclination of the dislocation line in the plane (110).
On the theory of steady state lamellar eutectic solidification at high solidification rates
Authors: Sellger R. , Löser W.
Published: July 2007

The famous theory of JACKSON and HUNT for the unidirectional eutectic solidification is extended considering the effect of the solidification rate on the interfacial solute concentration. Contributions attributed to nonsymmetric phase diagrams lead to corrections of the constant K in the λ2V = K relation between the lamellar half‐spacing λ and the solidification rate V. For high solidification rates deviations from this relation are derived.
On the shape of crystals grown by Kyropoulos technique
Authors: Singh Gurnam , Ghosh B. , Deshpande R. Y.
Published: July 2007

The shape of the crystal grown by Kyropoulos technique has been evaluated on the basis of simple mass transfer approach. For some specific cases we have computed the shapes which are resaonable and generally in conformity with physical requirements. To verify the results crystals of KCl were grown under two specific conditions. The shapes of the resulting crystals agreeing with the calculated shapes within limits of error lend support to the validity of mass transfer approach.
Synthesis and characterization of Ce2(SO4)3 · 5(H, D)2 O
Authors: de Saja A. , Pastor J. M. , Hernandez E. , Rull F. , de Saja J. A.
Published: July 2007

The synthesis of cerium sulphate pentahydrate and its structure investigated by X‐ray diffraction methods are reported. Analysis of the precession and Weissenberg photographs show that the crystals are twinned perfectly, in the sense that they are made of two single crystals with the true space group Cc. The dehydration of this compound has been studied using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetric analysis in the temperature range 360 to 650 K. Powder Raman spectra of Ce2(SO4)3 · 5 H2O and Ce2(SO4)3 · 5 D2O have been measured at room temperature and the spectral assignments have been carried out by comparing these spectra with each other. Evidence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding has been found.
Charts for Crystalliser design
Authors: Nývlt J. , Toyokura K.
Published: July 2007

Using two different ways, equations for a MSMPR crystalliser design have been set up. Design charts based on these equations are presented. In spite of the different approach these two design methods give similar results and either can be employed for a quick solution of problems involved in crystalliser design and operation.
Linear constraints, robust‐weighting and efficient composite modeling
Authors: Guerard John B.
Published: July 2007

Recent studies have shown that composite forecasting produces superior forecasts when compared to individual forecasts. This paper extends the existing literature by employing linear constraints and robust regression techniques in composite model building. Security analysts forecasts may be improved when combined with time series forecasts for a diversified sample of 261 firms with a 1980‐1982 post‐sample estimation period. The mean square error of analyst forecasts may be reduced by combining analyst and univariate time series model forecasts in constrained and unconstrained ordinary least squares regression models. These reductions are very interesting when one finds that the univariate time series model forecasts do not substantially deviate from those produced by ARIMA (0,1,1) processes. Moreover, security analysts' forecast errors may be significantly reduced when constrained and unconstrained robust regression analyses are employed.
Forecasting with growth curves: The effect of error structure
Authors: Meade Nigel
Published: July 2007

The logistic model is used for forecasting a number of different types of variable; adoption of durable goods, consumption, growth of human populations. This study investigates the effect of the error structure assumed, on the forecasting accuracy of the logistic. A local logistic model is developed with an additive error term, the variance of which can be made a function of the level of the variable being modelled and its distance from saturation. Evidence is found that suggests that the variance of the disturbance term, when using the logistic to forecast human populations, is proportional to at least the square of population size. Results for the adoption of durable goods are mixed. An error structure consistent with the intuitively reasonable binomial model performed well for some series but not for others. This suggests that some data sets may be inconsistent with the binomial model.
Forecasting with balanced state space representations of multivariate distributed lag models
Authors: Mittnik Stefan
Published: July 2007

A procedure for estimating state space models for multivariate distributed lag processes is described. It involves singular value decomposition techniques and yields an internally balanced state space representation which has attractive properties. Following the specifications of a forecasting competition, the approach is applied to generate ex‐post forecasts for US real GNP growth rates. The forecasts of the estimated state space model are compared to those of twelve econometric models and an ARIMA model.
Prediction uncertainty in an ecological model of the oosterschelde estuary
Authors: Klepper O. , Scholten H. , Van Kamer J. P. G. De
Published: July 2007

A storm surge barrier was constructed in 1987 in the Oosterschelde estuary in the south‐western delta of Holland to provide protection from flooding, while largely maintaining the tidal characteristics of the estuary. Despite efforts to minimize the hydraulic changes resulting from the barrage, it was expected that exchange with the North Sea, suspended sediment concentration and nutrient loads would decrease considerably. A model of the nutrients, algae and bottom organisms (mainly cockles and mussels) was developed to predict possible changes in the availability of food for these organisms. Although the model is based on standard constructs of ecology and hydraulics, many of its parameters are known with but low accuracy, being expressed as a range of possible values only. Running the model with all possible values of the parameters gives rise to a fairly wide range of model output responses. The calibration procedure used herein does not seek a single optimal value for the parameters but a decrease in the parameter range and thus a reduction in model prediction uncertainty. The field data available for calibration of the model are weighted according to their relationship with the model's objective, i.e. to predict food availability for shellfish. Despite the considerable physical changes resulting from the barrier food availability for shellfish is predicted to remain largely unchanged, due to the compensating effects of several other accompanying changes. There appears to be room for the extension of mussel culture, but at an increased risk of adverse conditions arising.
Forecasting the Italian industrial production index in real time
Authors: Bodo G. , Cividini A. , Signorini L. F.
Published: July 2007

Daily electricity consumption data, available almost in real time, can be used in Italy to estimate the level of industrial production in any given month before the month is over. We present a number of procedures that do this using electricity consumption in the first 14 days of the month. (This is an extension of a previous model that used monthly electricity data.) We show that, with a number of adjustments, a model using half‐monthly electricity data generates acceptable estimates of the monthly production index. More precisely, these estimates are more accurate than univariate forecasts but less accurate than estimates based on monthly electricity data. A further improvement can be obtained by combining ‘half‐monthly’ electricity‐based estimates with univariate forecasts. We also present quarterly estimates and discuss confidence intervals for various types of forecasts.
A model to predict mid‐air and near‐mid‐air collisions
Authors: Datta K. , Oliver R. M.
Published: July 2007

The probability of mid‐air and near‐mid‐air collisions in terminal areas depends on a variety of factors such as visibility, number of air traffic controllers, communication channels, terrain, mix of aircraft and aircraft speeds, local densities of air traffic in specific subregions surrounding airports, as well as other measures of congestion. We develop, with the use of influence diagrams, a probabilistic model to analyze and predict mid‐air and near‐mid‐air collisions. The probability of near‐mid‐air and mid‐air collisions in the model is influenced by weather, traffic density, detection and collision avoidance maneuvres. Low‐hazard near‐mid‐air collisions (LNMACs) can escalate to critical near‐mid‐air collisions (CNMACs) and eventually to a mid‐air collision (MAC) with the probability of escalation reduced through the use of a collision‐avoidance system. The predictive probability of a collision in the model is the product of three factorsdensity, effectiveness of the collision‐avoidance system, and the conditional probability that independently of the collision‐avoidance system a CNMAC escalates, by chance alone, to a MAC. The paper obtains several conclusions based on sensitivity analysis of the model. Under the assumption that new designs of collision‐avoidance systems will result in much higher detection probabilities than presently available, it is important that both aircraft use the system if there is to be a significant improvement in collision avoidance. For maximum benefit, these collision‐avoidance systems should not reduce the probabilities of avoidance given that a near‐mid‐air collision has been detected.
On trend extraction models: Interpretation, empirical evidence and forecasting performance
Authors: Garcia‐Ferrer Antonio , Hoyo Juan Del
Published: July 2007

This paper deals with the economic interpretation of the unobserved components model in the light of the apparent problem posed by previous work in that several practiced methodologies seem to lead to very different models of certain economic variables. A detailed empirical analysis is carried out to show how the failure in obtaining quasi‐orthogonal components can seriously bias the interpretation of some decomposition procedures. Finally, the forecasting performance (in both the short and long run) of these decomposition models is analyzed in comparison with other alternatives.
Multiple time‐series modelling: Another look at the canadian money and income data
Authors: Abraham Bovas
Published: July 2007

The practice of modelling the components of a vector time series to arrive at a joint model for the vector is considered. It is shown that in some cases this is not unreasonable. A vector ARMA model is used to model the Canadian money and income data. We also use these data to discuss the issue of differencing a multiple time series. Finally, models based on first and second differences are compared using forecasts.
Autoregressive‐asymmetric moving average models for business cycle data
Authors: Brånnås Kurt , De Gooijer Jan G.
Published: July 2007

Much business cycle research is based on an assumption of symmetric cycles, though it is frequently argued that the downturns are steeper and more short‐lived than the upturns; implying cyclical asymmetries. A new class of nonlinear autoregressive‐asymmetric moving average models is introduced. These models are able to deal with symmetric as well as asymmetric phenomena. A likelihood estimation procedure and a Wald test statistic for symmetry are presented. Evidence of asymmetry is found in US real GNP growth rates.
An Integral Transform in de Sitter Space
Authors: Moylan P.
Published: July 2007

An integral transform on (4 + 1) de Sitter space, which is a generalization of the Fourier transform for a Dirac particle in Minkowski space, is considered, and proofs of its relevant properties are provided. With this integral transform we demonstrate explicitly that the momentum space eigenvalue equation for the second order Casimir operator of the de Sitter group is equivalent to a wave equation in Minkowski momentum space, which describes the mass‐spin relation of a mechanical system in Minkowski space, consisting of two equal mass, point‐like constituents rotating uniformly at a distance R from their geometric center, where R is the radius of the de Sitter space. Applications to the relativistic rotator are considered. Contrary to our previous results, we find that the relativistic rotator does not go into a structureless relativistic mass point in the elementary limit obtained by contracting the de Sitter group into the Poincaré group. Our analysis can be carried over, with relatively minor modifications, to anti‐de Sitter space, and similar results hold there. Additional physical consequences are also discussed.
Query processing that permits incompleteness of queries specifying a sequence of data in a motion picture database and the MeSOD model
Authors: Tabuchi Masahiro , Muraoka Yoichi
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes the database model for the motion picture database, together with the query processing. The existing motion picture database is not convenient in describing the change of the scene attribute in the query condition to specify the subsequence of the motion picture database. Another more serious problem of the existing data model is that the desired sequence can never be retrieved from the scene sequence where the scene which does not satisfy the query condition is mixed or a scene is missing.

To cope with the former problem, the regular expression which enables users to represent the iteration of the condition is introduced into the MeSOD model. Thus, the change of the scene attribute can be described by the regular expression for the condition. To cope with the latter problem, a query processing is defined formally (incomplete query processing), where the condition containing the regular expression is tolerated according to the database.

As an actual example of the proposed approach, the broadcast of a Sumo program is considered, where the broadcast pattern changes during the course of a Sumo match. An adequate scene sequence is required to be extracted according to the condition representing a typical match. It is verified that an adequate scene sequence can be extracted by the incomplete query processing as a Sumo match from an actual Sumo broadcast program. The validity of the result of experiment is verified theoretically, and the effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated.
Fractal dependence of texture perception
Authors: Matsui Nobuyuki , Tsuruno Reiji , Bamba Eiichi
Published: July 2007

Humans can easily discriminate not only simple figures but also similar complex textures. At present, a large information processing capability is required for a machine to process such texture image information in a short time on the CRT screen or medical images. It is important to analyze the visual information mechanism for those images.

In recent studies of visual search, the texton is considered as a pop‐out discrimination element. There remain a number of problems in the recognition of the texture composed of complex patterns such that the texton in not clear. On the other hand, fractal can be a measure for the complexity, and is related closely to the visual system.

This paper presents a recognition experiment and an attention allocation model by simultaneous presentation of multiple images, where a set of textures with known fractal dimensions are used as the image information. The relations are examined quantitatively. As a result, it is shown that a relation can be assumed between the fractal dimension (Dp, DH) of the texture and the allocation of attention fi to the texture. For the set (A) of textures, a multiple regression expression f(A) = 97.6 + 20.1 Dp − 55.3 DH can be applied with a high correlation coefficient. Thus, it is verified that the fractal information can be used as the pop‐out discrimination element in the recognition of the texture.
Continuous speech recognition based on A* search with word‐pair constraint as heuristics
Authors: Kawahara Tatsuya , Doshita Shuji , Matsumoto Shinji
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes an A* search algorithm for continuous speech recognition using phoneme HMM and Context‐Free (LR) parser. This best‐first search evaluates each sentence hypothesis with the matching score plus the heuristic score of the unsearched part. Heuristics computation is based on word‐pair constraint that is common to all the hypotheses. Word‐pair constraint, which is not computationally expensive, satisfies A*‐admissibility and provides powerful heuristics.

The algorithm is guaranteed to obtain the optimal hypothesis and does not expand vain hypotheses very much. Compared with various kinds of beam search, therefore, it achieved better accuracy with less computation. This heuristics proved to be effective for beam search, too. Furthermore, it was implemented on stochastic grammar and some improved was obtained.
Development of document architecture extraction
Authors: Doi Miwako , Fukui Mika , Tamaguchi Kouji , Takebyashi Youichi , Iwai Isamu
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study is the reduction of the burden in the document structurization process. A technique is presented for extracting the document architecture. As the technical document, 12,000 articles are extracted from the proceedings of a national convention. A summary of sample sentences as well as approximately 500 office documents within the organization also are examined as business documents. The rules for extracting the architecture are derived. The technique developed for document architecture extraction can extract such hierarchical structures as chapters and sections, as well as the reference structure to figures and tables from the technical document. The technique can also extract the hierarchical structure such as communications and reports from the business document. The technical and business documents can be discriminated by analyzing the character strings.

As a result of evaluation using proceedings and in‐office documents other than those used for deriving the rules, the error rate is 10.0 percent for the technical document and 23.0 percent for the business document. The error in extracting the reference structure is 8 percent. A field test is executed after improving the method so that the equations, figures and tables embedded in the text can be handled. The error rate is 5.4 percent for the technical document and 15.4 percent for the business document. It is verified through examples that the structurization can be achieved in a considerably shorter time than by manual processing. The developed document architecture extraction technique is commercialized as an automatic system by combining the technique with the layout attribute. The developed extraction technique will be utilized effectively in the hypertext conversion of the existing document and other problems, in addition to the layout processing.
Speech segmentation and clustering problem based on an unknown‐multiple N signal source model—an application to segmented speech clustering based on speaker features
Authors: Sugiyama Masahide , Murakami Jinichi , Watanabe Hideyuki
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the speech segmentation and clustering problem based on unknown‐multiple signal source modeling, where a sequence of signals is generated by signal sources one by one without overlap. This problem and its subproblem with given segmentation information have wide applications in various fields.

This paper formulates the problem, and the solution and its application of the subproblem are proposed. The solution is based on clustering symbol output probability functions. The other possible solution, which gives the segmentation and clustering simultaneously, is based on an ergodic HMM which can transit among all states.

In this paper the subproblem is applied to speech clustering based on speaker features. Here, each speaker corresponds to a single signal source. The performance is evaluated using simulated dialog speech data.
Reconstruction of a decision tree with learning examples generated from an original tree and its characteristics
Authors: Asami Tohru , Unoki Hachisu , Hashimoto Kazuo , Yamamoto Seiichi
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the a posteriori method of decision tree learning after the tree is applied to a real domain, such as medical diagnoses. Without collecting a new set of diagnosis examples, the presented algorithm reconstructs a decision tree preserving the error rate of diagnosis from an original tree and a frequency of diagnoses, which is counted at reaching the corresponding terminal node of that tree when applied to a real domain. The new tree has a shorter path length to diagnose and a logically same meaning with the original tree because of generating a set of pseudoexamples whose unobserved attribute values uniformly distribute in the value range.

To reduce the computational cost, a method to avoid a generation of a pseudoexample set also is presented. The context dependencies between attributes are considered by introducing an attribute concatenation. The experiments show that an average path length will be reduced by 6 to 10 percent after reconstruction of a randomly generated decision tree with nonoptimized diagnosis frequencies.
An efficient algorithm for the euclidean distance transformation
Authors: Kato Toshihiro , Hirata Tomio , Saito Toyofumi , Kise Kenji
Published: July 2007

Distance maps of binary images contain, for each pixel, the distance between that pixel and the pixel of value 0 closest to it. They are useful for a variety of machine‐vision applications. This paper presents a simple and efficient algorithm for computing the Euclidean distance maps. The algorithm runs in O(N2) time for an N × N binary image, and it also works for other distances that appear in machine‐vision applications, such as city block and chessboard. Its parallel version runs in O(N2/p) time with p(1 ≤ p ≤ N) processors.
An Investigation of Visual Responses to Brief Stereoscopic Stimuli
Authors: Engel G. R.
Published: July 2007

An analytic model of the temporal properties of visual responses to brief stimuli is described. The model is based on the notion that visual responses persist for some time after the occurrence of brief stimuli. The model is quantified from data on stereopsis obtained with alternating brief monocular presentations of disparate stimuli. The relevance of the analysis for the data of experiments using tachistiscopic techniques is discussed.
Absence of a Cross-Modal “Suffix Effect” in Short-Term Memory
Authors: Morton John , Holloway C. M.
Published: July 2007

Three experiments are reported involving the presentation of lists of either letters or digits for immediate serial recall. The main variable was the presence or absence of a suffix-prefix, an item (tick or cross) occurring at the end of the list which had to be copied before recall of the stimulus list. With auditory stimuli and an auditory suffix-prefix there was a large and selective increase in the number of errors on the last few serial positions—the typical “suffix effect”. The suffix effect was not found with auditory stimuli and a visual suffix-prefix nor with a visual stimulus and an auditory suffix-prefix. These results are interpreted as supporting a model for short-term memory proposed by Crowder and Morton (1969) in which it is suggested that with serial recall information concerning the final items following auditory presentation has a different, precategorical, origin from that concerning other items.
Tinnitus not a Reference Signal in Judgments of Absolute Pitch
Authors: Stanaway R. G. , Morley Tania , Anstis S. M.
Published: July 2007

An experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that judgments of absolute pitch rely on a sub-liminal tinnitus (ringing in the ears) which is used as a reference tone. In a series of 144 pairs of trials, the subject alternately measured his own tinnitus; and made absolute judgments of pitch by setting a variable tone to match the frequency of a named (target) note. He judged the frequency of the 48 notes spanning the 4 octaves from A flat = 106 Hz to G = 1584 Hz. It was found that his judgments of the pitch of named notes were significantly more accurate (P < 0.01) than had been predicted from the variability of the pitch of his tinnitus. Also, there was only a very low correlation (r = 0.246) between the absolute pitch judgments and the tinnitus settings made on the same trial. This indicates that the hypothesis is false. Nevertheless, it is argued that absolute pitch judgments may not require a channel capacity of more than 3 bits per decision.
Weight Illusions and Weight Discrimination—a Revised Hypothesis
Authors: Ross Helen E. , Gregory R. L.
Published: July 2007

The results of several experiments are reported most of which suggest that there is an optimum density for weight discrimination. This density corresponds to the “non-illusory” density, as determined by the density at which a visible weight is correctly matched with a hidden weight. The greater the illusion (whether of heaviness or lightness) the poorer the discrimination.

It is pointed out that similar changes in discrimination occur as a result of peripheral sensory adaptation in many modalities; but that the size-weight illusion, and the associated discrimination changes, must be due to a central scaling process. A theoretical model is suggested.
Evidence of Acoustic Coding in Long-Term Memory
Authors: Dale H. C. A. , McGlaughlin Alex
Published: July 2007

Contrary to previous indications, retroactive interference in long-term paired associate learning was found to be a function of acoustic similarity. Experimental groups were exposed to the A–B, A′–C paradigm where corresponding stimuli were homophones. Their retention scores were substantially and significantly lower than control groups run with an A–B, C–D paradigm. The failure of previous studies to reveal effects of acoustic similarity in this way is attributed to the use of an insufficiently high degree of similarity.
Memory for Sentences and Noun Phrases of Extreme Depth
Authors: Perfetti Charles A. , Goodman Doba
Published: July 2007

Memory for orally presented noun phrases and sentences was investigated in two experiments. Syntactic depth (D) of the phrases and sentences was varied with D approaching the values of 7 ± 2. Consistent with recent investigations, these studies found D not to be generally related to recall of sentences, phrases, or individual words within sentences. However, recall of individual words from an adverbial noun phrase apparently was related to D. The apparent relationship is accounted for not by depth of individual words, but in terms primarily of superior noun retention and its interaction with serial position effects. In addition, conditional recall probabilities for another type of phrase, a noun phrase with prenominal adjectives, indicate stronger relationships between adjectives and the noun than between successive adjectives. It is concluded that the Yngve grammar is deficient as a psycholinguistic model.
Effects of Repetition of Display Components on the Latency of Multiple Reports of Congruence
Authors: Seymour Philip H. K.
Published: July 2007

Subjects gave grouped multiple reports of the congruence of each member of arrays of one, two or three word-shape or shape-shape pairs, and a measure was taken of the time elapsing between onset of the array and initiation of a multiple yes/no report. Double and triple reports were initiated less rapidly than single reports. Replicated arrays, involving repetition of a display pair, gave similar response times for double and triple reports, and were classified faster than non-replicated arrays requiring the same over report. In the case of non-replicated arrays triple reports were initiated less rapidly than double reports. Both classes of array showed substantial effects for congruence, giving slow response times where all pairs in the array were incongruent or where the lefthand or first reported display was incongruent.
Habituation of Conditioned Suppression
Authors: Millenson J. R. , Dent Jill G.
Published: July 2007

Habituation of a conditioned emotional response was investigated using a procedure which eliminated contaminating temporal discriminations. Three rats were trained to bar press on a random interval 60 sec schedule of milk reinforcement and variable duration tone-shock pairings were superimposed upon this baseline. Very little recovery from conditioned suppression was found over 60 sessions of testing and no systematic differences were found after a month's “vacation” from the procedure. Analysis of responding within the CS period showed uniform suppression. The data are discussed in terms of stimulus predictability.
Error Patterns in a Chord Keyboard Response Task
Authors: Guest D. J. , Sime M. E. , Green T. R. G.
Published: July 2007

Errors in a serial choice-reaction time experiment employing two-finger chord responses to alphabetic stimuli are shown to be distributed in a significantly non-random fashion. Two factors are postulated which are relevant to prediction of the error response. These are the presence or absence of a common finger, and the difference in finger separation, between the actual and the required response. It is suggested that the chord response is coded in terms of a pattern (the distance between the two response components). Responses which mirror the correct response about the centre of the hand are also shown to be significantly more frequent.
Within-day Serial Reversal of a Position Discrimination by Pigeons
Authors: Macphail Euan M.
Published: July 2007

Naive (N = 3) and experienced (N = 3) pigeons performed 3 reversals of a simultaneous position discrimination to the same criterion each day. In terms of trials to criterion, or number of correct choices preceding the criterion run, daily first reversals (R1s) were, for both groups, more difficult than either second (R2s) or third reversals (R3s), which did not differ on these measures. The results are interpreted as giving good support to the hypothesis that little or no inhibition is generated in R1s, whereas inhibition does occur in R2s and R3s. An explanation of the relative lack of inhibition in R1s, which relies on concepts drawn from frustration theory, is proposed.
Confirmation Bias in a Simulated Research Environment: An Experimental Study of Scientific Inference
Authors: Mynatt Clifford R. , Doherty Michael E. , Tweney Ryan D.
Published: July 2007

Numerous authors (e.g., Popper, 1959) argue that scientists should try to falsify rather than confirm theories. However, recent empirical work (Wason and Johnson-Laird, 1972) suggests the existence of a confirmation bias, at least on abstract problems. Using a more realistic, computer controlled environment modeled after a real research setting, subjects in this study first formulated hypotheses about the laws governing events occurring in the environment. They then chose between pairs of environments in which they could: (I) make observations which would probably confirm these hypotheses, or (2) test alternative hypotheses. Strong evidence for a confirmation bias involving failure to choose environments allowing tests of alternative hypotheses was found. However, when subjects did obtain explicit falsifying information, they used this information to reject incorrect hypotheses.
Components of Visual Memory
Authors: Phillips W. A. , Christie D. F. M.
Published: July 2007

Visual recognition memory for a sequence of non-verbalized patterns is shown to have a large and clearly defined recency effect. This recency effect occurs with random list lengths and therefore cannot be due to differential processing of the end items. The effect is completely removed by just 3 s of mental arithmetic but survives for at least 10 s over unfilled intervals. Recognition memory for patterns at other serial positions is slower, less accurate, and shows no primacy effect; performance at these earlier serial positions is dependent upon the time for which patterns are initially presented, but is unaffected by the duration of the retention interval, mental arithmetic, and the time between patterns on initial presentation. These findings provide evidence that visual memory has two components that are closely analogous to the short-term (STM) and long-term (LTM) components of verbal memory. Visual STM, here called visualization, has a capacity of one pattern, cannot be activated LTM, and does not seem to be the gateway to LTM.
Electro-Optic Shutters and Filters
Authors: Mollon J. D. , Polden P. G. , Morgan M. J.
Published: July 2007

The applications of liquid crystals in perceptual research are examined.
Semantic Errors or Statistical Flukes? a Note on Allport's “On Knowing the Meaning of Words We are Unable to Report”
Authors: Ellis Andrew W. , Marshall John C.
Published: July 2007

Allport (1977) has claimed that normal subjects who view briefly a multi-word array, which is then pattern-masked, produce semantic errors analogous to those made by subjects with “deep dyslexia”. We claim that the rate at which normal subjects make such errors is consistent with their arising purely by chance.
Post-Trial Stimulation and the Acquisition of Conditioned Suppression in the RAT
Authors: Dickinson Anthony , Colwill Ruth M. , Pearcea John M.
Published: July 2007

Three experiments investigated the effect of post-trial stimulation on conditioning. Rats were trained in a conditioned suppression procedure in which only half of the CS presentations were followed immediately by a shock reinforcer. Presenting a second, post-trial, shock 8 s after the end of reinforced CS presentations increased resistance to extinction in Experiment I and facilitated conditioning in Experiment II relative to a condition in which the same post-trial shock was delivered 8 s after non-reinforced trials. Experiment III demonstrated that prior exposure to pairings of the shock reinforcer and the post-trial shock also enhanced subsequent conditioning, and thus ruled out an explanation of the facilitation in terms of the surprising nature of the post-trial stimulation.
Changes in Rate of Schedule-Induced Behaviour in Rats as a Function of Fixed-Interval Schedule
Authors: Roper T. J.
Published: July 2007

Two experiments were conducted to determine the way in which rate of adjunctive drinking and food-tray responding vary as a function of interreinforcement interval duration. In Experiment I rats were tested under fixed-interval schedules ranging from 1–60 s in duration, and in Experiment II under fixed-interval schedules ranging from 1–180 s in duration, with food as the reinforcer. The rate of drinking increased and then declined as interreinforcement interval increased, reaching a maximum under intervals of about 45 s. The rate of food-tray responding declined over the whole range of schedules. It is concluded that drinking can meaningfully be described as “schedule-induced”, in the sense of being directly facilitated by intermittent schedules of reinforcement; but this is less certain in the case of food-tray responding.
Restructuring north‐south relations: ACP‐EU development co‐operation in a liberal international order
Authors: Brown William
Published: July 2007

This article will examine the character of relations between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the wake of the new EU‐ACP Partnership Agreement, signed in June 2000, and which replaces the longstanding Lomé Convention. The article views development cooperation as encapsulating particular political and economic relationships rather than constituting some kind of technical or apolitical endeavour. The origins of EU‐ACP co‐operation are placed within the specific context of decolonisation and the rise of a new form of inter‐state relations between North and South. However, the nature of North‐South co‐operation has been transformed in the period since the 1970s when Lomé was first signed. Consequently the new agreement (and the prior changes to the Lomé Convention) need to be understood in the context of the wider restructuring and liberalisation of North‐South relations. This has led to far‐reaching changes to both the aid and trade elements of European Union‐Africa relations.
The African diaspora, ‘development’ & modern African political theory
Authors: Adi Hakim
Published: July 2007

Those concerned with the study of African political economy and ‘development’ in Africa have often neglected those ideas that emerged from the African diaspora, while those who study the African diaspora have often been more concerned with issues of ‘identity’ than with the political future of Africa. This article argues that for those who are concerned to study anti‐colonialism, it is difficult to separate the history of Africa and the African diaspora during the colonial period in the early 20thcentury. Many key anti‐colonial ideas were developed as much in the diaspora and in the capital cities of Europe, as they were within the African continent. Ideologies such as Pan‐Africanism, which developed within the diaspora in general, and Britain in particular, drew from the same 19thcentury sources that imposed eurocentric notions on the ideology of African nationalism. However, such ideologies, as developed by activists from the diaspora, created the basis for alternative strategies not only for the anti‐colonial struggle but also for a modern African political theory, a necessary requirement for people‐centred development in post‐colonial African states.