bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Sum-of-Squares algorithm for bin packing
Authors: Csirik Janos , Johnson David S. , Kenyon Claire , Orlin James B. , Shor Peter W. , Weber Richard R.
Published: May 2006

In this article we present a theoretical analysis of the online
Sum-of-Squares
algorithm (
SS
) for bin packing along with several new variants.
SS
is applicable to any instance of bin packing in which the bin capacity
B
and item sizes
s
(
a
) are integral (or can be scaled to be so), and runs in time
O
(
nB
). It performs remarkably well from an average case point of view: For any discrete distribution in which the optimal expected waste is sublinear,
SS
also has sublinear expected waste. For any discrete distribution where the optimal expected waste is bounded,
SS
has expected waste at most
O
(log
n
). We also discuss several interesting variants on
SS
, including a randomized
O
(
nB
log
B
)-time online algorithm
SS
* whose expected behavior is essentially optimal for all discrete distributions. Algorithm
SS
* depends on a new linear-programming-based pseudopolynomial-time algorithm for solving the NP-hard problem of determining, given a discrete distribution
F
, just what is the growth rate for the optimal expected waste.
A new average case analysis for completion time scheduling
Authors: Scharbrodt Mark , Schickinger Thomas , Steger Angelika
Published: May 2006

We present a new average case analysis for the problem of scheduling
n
jobs on
m
machines so that the sum of job completion times is minimized. Our goal is to use the concept of competitive ratio---which is a typical worst case notion---also within an average case analysis. We show that the classic SEPT scheduling strategy with Ω(
n
) worst-case competitive ratio achieves an average of O(1) under several natural distributions, among them the exponential distribution. Our analysis technique allows to also roughly estimate the probability distribution of the competitive ratio. Thus, our result bridges the gap between worst case and average case performance guarantee.
Putting computing in context
Authors: Edwards W. Keith
Published: May 2006

Context-aware computing exposes a unique tension in how information about human context is modeled and used. On the one hand, approaches that use loosely structured information have been shown to be useful in situations where humans are the final consumers of contextual information; these approaches have found favor in many CSCW applications. On the other hand, more rigidly structured information supports machine interpretation and exchange; these approaches have been explored in the ubiquitous computing community. The system presented here, dubbed Intermezzo, represents an exploration of a space between these two extremes. Intermezzo combines a loose data structuring with a number of unique features designed to allow applications to embed specialized semantic interpretations of data into the infrastructure, allowing them to be reused by other applications. This approach can enable the construction of applications that can take advantage of rich, layered interpretations of context without requiring that they understand all aspects of that context. This approach is explored through the creation of two higher-level services that provide context-enhanced session management and context-enhanced access control.
Hastily formed networks
Authors: Denning Peter J.
Published: May 2006

The ability to form multi-organizational networks rapidly is crucial to humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and large urgent projects. Designing and implementing the network's conversation space is the central challenge.
Dynamic count filters
Authors: Aguilar-Saborit J. , Trancoso P. , Muntes-Mulero V. , Larriba-Pey J. L.
Published: May 2006

Bloom filters are not able to handle deletes and inserts on multisets over time. This is important in many situations when streamed data evolve rapidly and change patterns frequently. Counting Bloom Filters (CBF) have been proposed to overcome this limitation and allow for the dynamic evolution of Bloom filters. The only dynamic approach to a compact and efficient representation of CBF are the Spectral Bloom Filters (SBF).In this paper we propose the Dynamic Count Filters (DCF) as a new dynamic and space-time efficient representation of CBF. Although DCF does not make a compact use of memory, it shows to be faster and more space efficient than any previous proposal. Results show that the proposed data structure is more efficient independently of the incoming data characteristics.
The WS-DAI family of specifications for web service data access and integration
Authors: Antonioletti Mario , Krause Amy , Paton Norman W. , Eisenberg Andrew , Laws Simon , Malaika Susan , Melton Jim , Pearson Dave
Published: May 2006

This month, we are pleased to provide to our readers a column that addresses an important aspect of grid computing: data access.
A semi-Lagrangian contouring method for fluid simulation
Authors: Bargteil Adam W. , Goktekin Tolga G. , O'Brien James F. , Strain John A.
Published: May 2006

In this article, we present a semi-Lagrangian surface tracking method for use with fluid simulations. Our method maintains an explicit polygonal mesh that defines the surface, and an octree data structure that provides both a spatial index for the mesh and a means for efficiently approximating the signed distance to the surface. At each timestep, a new surface is constructed by extracting the zero set of an advected signed-distance function. Semi-Lagrangian backward path tracing is used to advect the signed-distance function. One of the primary advantages of this formulation is that it enables tracking of surface characteristics, such as color or texture coordinates, at negligible additional cost. We include several examples demonstrating that the method can be effectively used as part of a fluid simulation to animate complex and interesting fluid behaviors.
Glift
Authors: Lefohn Aaron E. , Sengupta Shubhabrata , Kniss Joe , Strzodka Robert , Owens John D.
Published: May 2006

This article presents Glift, an abstraction and generic template library for defining complex, random-access graphics processor (GPU) data structures. Like modern CPU data structure libraries, Glift enables GPU programmers to separate algorithms from data structure definitions; thereby greatly simplifying algorithmic development and enabling reusable and interchangeable data structures. We characterize a large body of previously published GPU data structures in terms of our abstraction and present several new GPU data structures. The structures, a stack, quadtree, and octree, are explained using simple Glift concepts and implemented using reusable Glift components. We also describe two applications of these structures not previously demonstrated on GPUs: adaptive shadow maps and octree three-dimensional paint. Last, we show that our example Glift data structures perform comparably to handwritten implementations while requiring only a fraction of the programming effort.
Review of "Pro Perl by Peter Wainwright," Apress, 2005, $59.99, ISBN: 159059438X
Authors: Jaffe Elliot
Published: May 2006

Review of “Pro Perl by Peter Wainwright,” Apress, 2005, $59.99, ISBN: 159059438X
Performance analysis of TLS Web servers
Authors: Coarfa Cristian , Druschel Peter , Wallach Dan S.
Published: May 2006

TLS is the protocol of choice for securing today's e-commerce and online transactions but adding TLS to a Web server imposes a significant overhead relative to an insecure Web server on the same platform. We perform a comprehensive study of the performance costs of TLS. Our methodology is to profile TLS Web servers with trace-driven workloads, replace individual components inside TLS with no-ops, and measure the observed increase in server throughput. We estimate the relative costs of each TLS processing stage, identifying the areas for which future optimizations would be worthwhile. Our results show that while the RSA operations represent the largest performance cost in TLS Web servers, they do not solely account for TLS overhead. RSA accelerators are effective for e-commerce site workloads since they experience low TLS session reuse. Accelerators appear to be less effective for sites where all the requests are handled by a TLS server because they have a higher session reuse rate. In this case, investing in a faster CPU might provide a greater boost in performance. Our experiments show that having a second CPU is at least as useful as an RSA accelerator. Our results seem to suggest that, as CPUs become faster, the cryptographic costs of TLS will become dwarfed by the CPU costs of the nonsecurity aspects of a Web server. Optimizations aimed at general purpose Web servers should continue to be a focus of research and would benefit secure Web servers as well.
Make it Look real, make it look cool
Authors: La Barge Bill
Published: May 2006

In this talk, we'll take a close look at the process of creating visual effects for blockbuster films. Oftentimes, artists are faced with the challenge of creating computer graphics that not only look real, but also look cool, in order to satisfy the filmmaker's expectations. In today's movie market, there's a constant demand to make effects bigger and better than ever before, but for less money. We will examine the technological advancements and computing resources that are necessary to make this happen. We'll also discuss the skills required to work in this competitive industry and how education can prepare students to succeed.
Women catch up
Authors: Murphy Laurie , Richards Brad , McCauley Renée , Morrison Briana B. , Westbrook Suzanne , Fossum Timothy
Published: May 2006

This paper describes a multi-institutional study that used categorization exercises (known as constrained card sorts) to investigate gender differences in graduating computer science students' learning and perceptions of programming concepts. Our results show that female subjects had significantly less pre-college programming experience than their male counterparts. However, for both males and females, we found no correlation between previous experience and success in the major, as measured by computer science grade point average at graduation. Data also indicated that, by the time students completed their introductory courses, females reported nearly equal levels of mastery as males of the programming concepts. Furthermore, females generally considered the programming concepts to be no more difficult than did the men.
Through the looking glass
Authors: Decker Adrienne , Ventura Phil , Egert Christopher
Published: May 2006

Over the last several years, there have been reports of many institutions using undergraduate students as teaching assistants (UTAs) in the classroom for CS1 as well as other courses in the curriculum. The literature has shown successes over a wide range of class sizes and UTA responsibilities. At University at Buffalo, we have been using undergraduates as teaching assistants in our CS1 course since Spring 2002, and have been impressed with the results. Throughout the deployment of the UTA program, the instructors of CS1 have observed that when UTAs are utilized in the classroom, both the students and the UTAs themselves benefit from their interactions. The UTAs have also become actively involved in providing feedback about the course design and have been suggesting improvements to assignments and in-class examples. They have also been involved in the process to hire new UTAs to replace those that are graduating. We have observed that such interactions have improved the UTAs sense of investment and ownership in the CS1 course.
An active learning approach to teaching the data structures course
Authors: Budd Timothy A.
Published: May 2006

In this paper, we describe the how active learning techniques have been successfully applied in a CS 2 course.
Closing the loop on test creation
Authors: Winters Titus , Payne Tom
Published: May 2006

New accreditation requirements focus on education as a "continuous improvement process." The most important part of such a process is that information gets fed back into the system to improve the quality of the output. This requirement is often interpreted to imply a course-level feedback loop that iterates on offerings of courses or entire academic years. This paper provides a smaller and more immediate feedback loop. This technique gives instructors feedback onthe quality of each question on a test or quiz, as well as a numeric score for the difficult of the question. A simple tool implementing this procedure can be used to help train instructors on which questions are difficult, as well as what types of questions are correlated with ability, and how to design a meaningful instrument of assessment. Performing this analysis at the end of a course offering could help demonstrate continuous improvement to accreditation committees. Performing this analysis immediately after the administration of a test or quiz can point out topics that the class as a whole have failed to understand, thus giving instructors more insight into student knowledge.
Test-driven learning
Authors: Janzen David S. , Saiedian Hossein
Published: May 2006

Test-driven learning (TDL) is an approach to teaching computer programming that involves introducing and exploring new concepts through automated unit tests. TDL offers the potential of teaching testing for free, of improving programmer comprehension and ability, and of improving software quality both in terms of design quality and reduced defect density.This paper introduces test-driven learning as a pedagogical tool. It will provide examples of how TDL can be incorporated at multiple levels in computer science and software engineering curriculum for beginning through professional programmers. In addition, the relationships between TDL and test-driven development will be explored.Initial evidence indicates that TDL can improve student comprehension of new concepts while improving their testing skills with no additional instruction time. In addition, by learning to construct programs in a test-driven manner, students are expected to be more likely to develop their own code with a test-driven approach, likely resulting in improved software designs and quality.
Personality types, learning styles, and an agile approach to software engineering education
Authors: Layman Lucas , Cornwell Travis , Williams Laurie
Published: May 2006

This paper describes an initiative at North Carolina State University in which the undergraduate software engineering class was restructured in layout and in presentation. The change was made from a lecture-based coursed that followed the waterfall method to a lab-oriented course emphasizing practical tools and agile processes. We examine the new course layout from the perspective of Myers-Briggs personality types and Felder-Silverman learning styles to discuss how the new software engineering class format appeals to a wide variety of students. The new course format resulted in some of the highest student evaluations in recent course history. It is now the standard for the undergraduate software engineering course at the university and has since been used in other North Carolina institutions.
Accurate modeling of substrate resistive coupling for floating substrates
Authors: Su Qing , Kawa Jamil , Chiang Charles , Massoud Yehia
Published: May 2006

This article focuses on the formulation of the substrate resistive coupling using boundary element methods, specifically for substrates without grounded backplates (floating substrates). An accurate and numerically stable formulation is presented. Numerical results are shown to demonstrate the correctness and the numerical robustness of the formulation.
Compilers for leakage power reduction
Authors: You Yi-Ping , Lee Chingren , Lee Jenq Kuen
Published: May 2006

Power leakage constitutes an increasing fraction of the total power consumption in modern semiconductor technologies. Recent research efforts indicate that architectures, compilers, and software can be optimized so as to reduce the switching power (also known as dynamic power) in microprocessors. This has lead to interest in using architecture and compiler optimization to reduce leakage power (also known as static power) in microprocessors. In this article, we investigate compiler-analysis techniques that are related to reducing leakage power. The architecture model in our design is a system with an instruction set to support the control of power gating at the component level. Our compiler provides an analysis framework for utilizing instructions to reduce the leakage power. We present a framework for analyzing data flow for estimating the component activities at fixed points of programs whilst considering pipeline architectures. We also provide equations that can be used by the compiler to determine whether employing power-gating instructions in given program blocks will reduce the total energy requirements. As the duration of power gating on components when executing given program routines is related to the number and complexity of program branches, we propose a set of scheduling policies and evaluate their effectiveness. We performed experiments by incorporating our compiler analysis and scheduling policies into SUIF compiler tools and by simulating the energy consumptions on Wattch toolkits. The experimental results demonstrate that our mechanisms are effective in reducing leakage power in microprocessors.
Model driven security
Authors: Basin David , Doser Jürgen , Lodderstedt Torsten
Published: May 2006

We present a new approach to building secure systems. In our approach, which we call Model Driven Security, designers specify system models along with their security requirements and use tools to automatically generate system architectures from the models, including complete, configured access control infrastructures. Rather than fixing one particular modeling language for this process, we propose a general schema for constructing such languages that combines languages for modeling systems with languages for modeling security. We present several instances of this schema that combine (both syntactically and semantically) different UML modeling languages with a security modeling language for formalizing access control requirements. From models in the combined languages, we automatically generate access control infrastructures for server-based applications, built from declarative and programmatic access control mechanisms. The modeling languages and generation process are semantically well-founded and are based on an extension of Role-Based Access Control. We have implemented this approach in a UML-based CASE-tool and report on experiments.
Boosting the performance of Web search engines
Authors: Fagni Tiziano , Perego Raffaele , Silvestri Fabrizio , Orlando Salvatore
Published: May 2006

This article discusses efficiency and effectiveness issues in caching the results of queries submitted to a Web search engine (WSE). We propose SDC (Static Dynamic Cache), a new caching strategy aimed to efficiently exploit the temporal and spatial locality present in the stream of processed queries. SDC extracts from historical usage data the results of the most frequently submitted queries and stores them in astatic,read-onlyportion of the cache. The remaining entries of the cache are dynamically managed according to a given replacement policy and are used for those queries that cannot be satisfied by the static portion. Moreover, we improve the hit ratio of SDC by using an adaptive prefetching strategy, which anticipates future requests by introducing a limited overhead over the back-end WSE. We experimentally demonstrate the superiority of SDC over purely static and dynamic policies by measuring the hit ratio achieved on three large query logs by varying the cache parameters and the replacement policy used for managing the dynamic part of the cache. Finally, we deploy and measure the throughput achieved by a concurrent version of our caching system. Our tests show how the SDC cache can be efficiently exploited by many threads that concurrently serve the queries of different users.
Exploring the privacy implications of addressable advertising and viewer profiling
Authors: Spangler William E. , Hartzel Kathleen S. , Gal-Or Mordechai
Published: May 2006

Collecting consumer viewing habits will come back to bite advertisers who do not understand or appreciate how consumers feel about privacy infringement.
Designing a new foundation for design
Authors: Winograd Terry
Published: May 2006

The book in which Fernando Flores and I introduced our version of the language-action perspective had an ambitious and provocative subtitle:
Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design
[8]. This special section of
Communications
offers the opportunity to apply the hindsight of nearly two decades to the implicit claim in that phrase, asking how the perspective has been successful as a foundation and promises to be so in the future.
Improved proxy re-encryption schemes with applications to secure distributed storage
Authors: Ateniese Giuseppe , Fu Kevin , Green Matthew , Hohenberger Susan
Published: May 2006

In 1998, Blaze, Bleumer, and Strauss (BBS) proposed an application called
atomic proxy re-encryption
, in which a semitrusted proxy converts a ciphertext for Alice into a ciphertext for Bob
without
seeing the underlying plaintext. We predict that fast and secure re-encryption will become increasingly popular as a method for managing encrypted file systems. Although efficiently computable, the wide-spread adoption of BBS re-encryption has been hindered by considerable security risks. Following recent work of Dodis and Ivan, we present new re-encryption schemes that realize a stronger notion of security and demonstrate the usefulness of proxy re-encryption as a method of adding access control to a secure file system. Performance measurements of our experimental file system demonstrate that proxy re-encryption can work effectively in practice.
Anomalous system call detection
Authors: Mutz Darren , Valeur Fredrik , Vigna Giovanni , Kruegel Christopher
Published: May 2006

Intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are used to detect traces of malicious activities targeted against the network and its resources. Anomaly-based IDSs build models of the expected behavior of applications by analyzing events that are generated during the applications' normal operation. Once these models have been established, subsequent events are analyzed to identify deviations, on the assumption that anomalies represent evidence of an attack. Host-based anomaly detection systems often rely on system call sequences to characterize the normal behavior of applications. Recently, it has been shown how these systems can be evaded by launching attacks that execute legitimate system call sequences. The evasion is possible because existing techniques do not take into account all available features of system calls. In particular, system call arguments are not considered. We propose two primary improvements upon existing host-based anomaly detectors. First, we apply multiple detection models to system call arguments. Multiple models allow the arguments of each system call invocation to be evaluated from several different perspectives. Second, we introduce a sophisticated method of combining the anomaly scores from each model into an overall aggregate score. The combined anomaly score determines whether an event is part of an attack. Individual anomaly scores are often contradicting and, therefore, a simple weighted sum cannot deliver reliable results. To address this problem, we propose a technique that uses Bayesian networks to perform system call classification. We show that the analysis of system call arguments and the use of Bayesian classification improves detection accuracy and resilience against evasion attempts. In addition, the paper describes a tool based on our approach and provides a quantitative evaluation of its performance in terms of both detection effectiveness and overhead. A comparison with four related approaches is also presented.
Scalable dynamic binary instrumentation for Blue Gene/L
Authors: Schulz Martin , Ahn Dong , Bernat Andrew , de Supinski Bronis R. , Ko Steven Y. , Lee Gregory , Rountree Barry
Published: May 2006

Dynamic binary instrumentation for performance analysis on new, large scale architectures such as the IBM Blue Gene/L system (BG/L) poses new challenges. Their scale---with potentially hundreds of thousands of compute nodes---requires new, more scalable mechanisms to deploy and to organize binary instrumentation and to collect the resulting data gathered by the inserted probes. Further, many of these new machines don't support full operating systems on the compute nodes; rather, they rely on light-weight custom compute kernels that do not support daemon-based implementations.We describe the design and current status of a new implementation of the DPCL (Dynamic Probe Class Library) API for BG/L. DPCL provides an easy to use layer for dynamic instrumentation on parallel MPI applications based on the DynInst dynamic instrumentation mechanism for sequential platforms. Our work includes modifying DynInst to control instrumentation from remote I/O nodes and porting DPCL's communication to use MRNet, a scalable data reduction network for collecting performance data. We describe extensions to the DPCL API that support instrumentation of task subsets and aggregation of collected performance data. Overall, our implementation provides a scalable infrastructure that provides efficient binary instrumentation on BG/L.
Entertaining with science, educating with dance
Authors: Burg Jennifer , Luttringhaus Karola
Published: May 2006

Two dance performances were produced as a collaboration between a modern dance company and university scientists. The performances were thematically based on concepts from mathematics and computer science and used digital imagery, poetry, and real-time computation directed by a MIDI device. The first production played on the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio and involved real-time fractal computation in response to the dancers' movements. The second production introduced, at the layperson's level, theoretical concepts of computer science such as computability, language expressiveness, and Turing machines. The two collaborations wove computer science not only into the production but also into the content of the performance.
CRAWDAD
Authors: Yeo Jihwang , Kotz David , Henderson Tristan
Published: May 2006

Wireless network researchers are seriously starved for data about how real users, applications, and devices use real networks under real network conditions. CRAWDAD, a Community Resource for Archiving Wireless Data at Dartmouth, is a new NSF-funded project to build a wireless network data archive for the research community. We host wireless data, and provide tools and documents to make it easy to collect and use wireless network data. We hope that this resource will help researchers identify and evaluate real and interesting problems in mobile and pervasive computing. This report outlines the CRAWDAD project, the kick-off work-shop that was held at MobiCom 2005, and the latest news. how real users, applications, and devices use real networks under real conditions, and how mobile users actually move about. This data helps us to identify and understand the real problems, to evaluate possible solutions, and to evaluate new applications and services.
Traffic classification on the fly
Authors: Bernaille Laurent , Teixeira Renata , Akodkenou Ismael , Soule Augustin , Salamatian Kave
Published: May 2006

The early detection of applications associated with TCP flows is an essential step for network security and traffic engineering. The classic way to identify flows, i.e. looking at port numbers, is not effective anymore. On the other hand, state-of-the-art techniques cannot determine the application before the end of the TCP flow. In this editorial, we propose a technique that relies on the observation of the first five packets of a TCP connection to identify the application. This result opens a range of new possibilities for online traffic classification.
Regulation of TRPV5 and TRPV6 by associated proteins
Authors: van de Graaf Stan F. J. , Hoenderop Joost G. J. , Bindels René J. M.
Published: May 2006

The epithelial Ca2+channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 are the most Ca2+-selective members of the TRP channel superfamily. These channels are the prime target for hormonal control of the active Ca2+flux from the urine space or intestinal lumen to the blood compartment. Insight into their regulation is, therefore, pivotal in our understanding of the (patho)physiology of Ca2+homeostasis. The recent elucidation of TRPV5/6-associated proteins has provided new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of these channels. In this review, we describe the various means of TRPV5/6 regulation, the role of channel-associated proteins herein, and the relationship between both processes.
Heterogeneity in Executive Impairment in Patients with Very Mild Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Stokholm Jette , Vogel Asmus , Gade Anders , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: May 2006

Background/Aims: The presence of executive impairment in mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has primarily been demonstrated by means of group comparison. Whether executive dysfunction is a common feature of mild AD or only present in a subgroup of patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of impairment on a set of internationally well-known executive tests in patients with very mild AD. Methods: Thirty-six patients with very mild AD (MMSE scores above 23) and 32 healthy control subjects were administered a battery of 7 executive tests: Trail Making part B, Stroop Interference Test, modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), category- and letter-based verbal fluency, a design fluency task and the Similarities subtest from WAIS. Impairment was defined as a score of 2 SD or more below control means. Results: Executive impairment on at least 1 measure was seen in 76% of the patients, and 50% were impaired on 2 or more tests. Trail Making B and Stroop Interference Test were impaired in more than 40%, whereas only few patients were impaired on Similarities, WCST and design fluency. A wide variation of executive test profiles was seen among the patients. Conclusion: Executive impairments are common in early AD and not just a feature characteristic of a subgroup of patients. Complex attentional skills are more frequently affected than other executive functions. There is, however, considerable heterogeneity among AD patients in the pattern of executive dysfunction.
Tropical Cyclogenesis Associated with Rossby Wave Energy Dispersion of a Preexisting Typhoon. Part II: Numerical Simulations*
Authors: Li Tim , Ge Xuyang , Wang Bin , Zhu Yongti
Published: May 2006

The cyclogenesis events associated with the tropical cyclone (TC) energy dispersion are simulated in a 3D model. A new TC with realistic dynamic and thermodynamic structures forms in the wake of a preexisting TC when a large-scale monsoon gyre or a monsoon shear line flow is present. Maximum vorticity generation appears in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and the vorticity growth exhibits an oscillatory development. This oscillatory growth is also seen in the observed rainfall and cloud-top temperature fields. The diagnosis of the model output shows that the oscillatory development is attributed to the discharge and recharge of the PBL moisture and its interaction with convection and circulation. The moisture–convection feedback regulates the TC development through controlling the atmospheric stratification, raindrop-induced evaporative cooling and downdraft, PBL divergence, and vorticity generation. On one hand, ascending motion associated with deep convection transports moisture upward and leads to the discharge of PBL moisture and a convectively stable stratification. On the other hand, the convection-induced raindrops evaporate, leading to midlevel cooling and downdraft. The downdraft further leads to dryness and a reduction of equivalent potential temperature. This reduction along with the recharge of PBL moisture due to surface evaporation leads to reestablishment of a convectively unstable stratification and thus new convection.

Sensitivity experiments with both a single mesh (with a 15-km resolution) and a nested mesh (with a 5-km resolution in the inner mesh) indicate that TC energy dispersion alone in a resting environment does not lead to cyclogenesis, suggesting the important role of the wave train–mean flow interaction. A proper initial condition for background wind and moisture fields is crucial for maintaining a continuous vorticity growth through the multioscillatory phases.
Exploring the ‘Pros’ and ‘Cons’ of Swiss and Norwegian Models of Relations with the European Union
Authors: Tovias Alfred
Published: May 2006

A theoretical appraisal of the Swiss and Norwegian models of relations with the European Union (EU), as well as an empirical assessment of experience accumulated, shows that the European Economic Area (EEA) model is quite constraining. Both models have semi-colonial features. In the EEA model, the non-EU member has a little more influence on decision-making but is less independent of the EU than with the Swiss approach. The latter is time-consuming and is subject to much give and take. In the long run, however, countries expected to benefit from the new European Neighbourhood Policy, such as Israel, might find that an EEA approach is not acceptable if it does not offer membership as a long-term possibility, because it is undemocratic. Finally, in the eventuality of a trade war between the United States and the EU, a scenario of high relevance for Israel, the Swiss model would give it more freedom of manoeuvre than the EEA model. Israel would not be part of the EU trading bloc in the eyes of the United States.This is much less clear in the event of EEA membership. On the other hand, an in-depth examination of the Swiss model shows that the ‘à la carte' approach does not allow for any degree of depoliticization in relations with the EU, as Israel was hoping for.
Aesthetics and Rituals of the Opha Ceremony among the Urhobo People
Authors: Agberia John Tokpabere
Published: May 2006

Aesthetics and rituals predominate in Urhobo culture and traditions. This article highlights the symbolism of what is generally regarded as beauty in Urhobo cultural life – Opha. The ritual process of the Opha is a rite of passage for young girls entering into adulthood. These processes have potential aesthetic format that are acceptable to the generality of Urhobo society. The article notes that the process over time has become a recognized cultural matrix as an institution for Africans.
The Adane-Okpe Masquerade Festival of the Okpe People
Authors: Agberia John Tokpabere
Published: May 2006

Adane-Okpe is a socio-cultural festival celebrating the spiritual essence of the Okpe kingdom of the Urhobo people in Nigeria. The high point of the festival lies within the artistic display and dramatic performance of masquerades at the festival arena, revealing the revered aesthetic import of the Urhobo people. But beyond all this is the essence of the festival, which is believed in the accumulation and renewal of spirituality, a socio-economic emancipation and the political unity of the people throughout the kingdom.
Sequence-Learning Algorithm Based on Backward Chaining
Authors: Joshi Sanjay S. , Guilhabert Benoit
Published: May 2006

This article considers the problem of learning the correct temporal sequence of discrete behaviors from a finite behavior set that will lead to completion of a complex task, using only stochastic reinforcement from the environment. A trial-and-error learning algorithm is proposed that is inspired by backward chaining from the animal training discipline. The procedure is analytically formulated using a serial composition of finite action-set learning automata with delay. Simulation of the proposed algorithm shows that the algorithm does indeed lead to sequence learning. The effect of parametric variation in the magnitude and quality of reinforcement is investigated in both theory and simulation. It is shown that a fundamental tradeoff exists between quality and speed of learning. It is also shown that the algorithm has the ability to learn desirable action sequences among several feasible action sequences through the use of relative rewards, which may be interpreted using the Bellman principle of optimality.
Tasting the Waters
Authors: Morphy Howard , Morphy Frances
Published: May 2006

This article focuses on the pattern of sea ownership in the north of Blue Mud Bay in Arnhem Land, north Australia. Detailed research into the specificities of sea and land ownership in the region has revealed a more complex pattern than has previously been supposed to exist. It is nonetheless one that can be accommodated within previous models of estate ownership in Australia. In the article we seek to explain the pattern of ownership observed according to ontological (mythological), ecological and sociological factors. We argue that these factors are relatively autonomous and act as co-determiners of a system that is both flexible and structured. We argue that the Yolngu view that land/sea ownership is ancestrally determined is entirely congruent with evidence of the long-term stability of the system of relationships between groups over time, in particular given that the Yolngu perspective includes ancestrally sanctioned processes of succession. We show how, through the rhetoric of sea ownership and the metaphoric discourse in which relationships between different estate areas are embedded, the land/seascape serves as an underlying template for spiritual and social relationships which simultaneously underlie, and emerge through, social action.
Follow-up of children with autism spectrum disorders from age 2 to age 9
Authors: Turner Lauren M. , Stone Wendy L. , Pozdol Stacie L. , Coonrod Elaine E.
Published: May 2006

The purpose of the present study was to examine the developmental outcomes of children 7 years after their initial diagnosis. Children diagnosed with autism or PDD-NOS at age 2 received follow-up evaluations at age 9. Diagnostic stability was high, with 88 percent of the sample obtaining autism spectrum diagnoses at age 9. Cognitive scores improved considerably for a large segment of the sample, with over 50 percent obtaining scores in the average range at follow-up. Language outcomes were also positive at follow-up; 88 percent of the sample demonstrated at least some functional language, and 32 percent were able to engage in conversational exchanges. Early characteristics that predicted outcome status were: age of diagnosis, age 2 cognitive and language scores, and total hours of speech-language therapy between ages 2 and 3.These findings highlight the potential long-term benefits of both early identification and early intervention, and provide additional evidence for the importance of promoting public awareness of the early signs of autism.
Can the Children's Communication Checklist differentiate autism spectrum subtypes?
Authors: Verté Sylvie , Geurts Hilde M. , Roeyers Herbert , Rosseel Yves , Oosterlaan Jaap , Sergeant Joseph A.
Published: May 2006

The study explored whether children with high functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) can be differentiated on the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC). The study also investigated whether empirically derived autistic subgroups can be identified with a cluster analytic method based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised. Fifty-seven children with HFA, 47 with AS, 31 with PDD-NOS, and a normal control group of 47 children between 6 and 13 years participated. Children with HFA,AS, and PDDNOS showed pragmatic communication deficits in comparison to the controls. Little difference was found between the three subtypes with respect to their CCC profile.A three-cluster solution explained the data best.The HFA cluster showed most autism characteristics, followed by the combined HFA + AS cluster, and then the PDD-NOS cluster. The findings support the autism spectrum concept based on severity of symptom impairment rather than distinct categories.
Boundary-Thinking in Theories of the Present
Authors: Shields Rob
Published: May 2006

Theories of the present have converged on changes in spatialization or the spatial order of societies. This article discusses the focus on borders and boundaries in programmatic statements on reflexive modernity or remodernization (RM) by Latour and Beck. It is insufficient to say that boundary-marking and border-making become simply more fraught or obvious. There is an historicity and dynamic quality which are central to these analyses which are best understood in terms of the intangible aspects, or virtuality, of borders and boundaries. A dynamic, four-part ontology is advanced to elucidate the functioning of borders as interfaces and liminal zones with their own internal semiotics and emergent meanings and effects. This is the basis of a critique of RM. Further, a more diverse set of methods than might be supposed is required to research boundary phenomena, which social sciences are ill-equipped to undertake.
Europe's Borders
Authors: Eder Klaus
Published: May 2006

This article argues that the social construction of the borders of Europe is the combined effect of a historical trajectory in which the construction of its outer and its inner boundaries interact. These boundaries make sense to the people because they have a narrative plausibility. On such narrative resonance, real hard borders are grounded. The idea of narrative boundary construction is embedded in a minimalist theory of identity that claims that anything can serve as a boundary within a historically specific situation. The only restriction regarding boundary construction is that a new boundary continues the narrative – either in a continuous or a discontinuous way, either as conservative caring for a tradition or as a revolutionary break with a tradition. This radical break with substantialist notions of Europe's borders and identity implies that such trajectories do not imply any necessity. Whether the European integration process is continuing an old narrative or whether it points towards a specific discontinuity in the further telling of Europe's story, is historically contingent. Europe has just to continue to tell a story about itself that makes narrative sense.
An Empirical Analysis of the Europeanization of National Party Manifestos, 1960–2003
Authors: Pennings Paul
Published: May 2006

This article provides a comparative analysis of the degree of Europeanization of national party manifestos. The research is based on a newly established database, which comprises digitized party manifestos of relevant parties in the period 1960–2003 in most of the established member states. The unit of analysis is the frequency of ‘co-mentions’ of 20 policy areas and (aspects of) Europe and the European Union. The results show that the degree to which parties acknowledge the increasing impact of Europe on policy-making depends on factors such as the time period, the type of policy sector, the duration of EU membership, the general attitude of parties towards European integration and the degree of internal consensus on European issues. Hence, references to Europe do not (only) reflect the process of European integration itself, but are affected by both insti tutional and party strategic factors.
Successful experience of people with Down syndrome
Authors: Li Eria Ping-ying , Liu Yuet-ming , Lok Natalie Chung-yan , Lee Vivien Wai-kwan
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the successful experiences of people with Down syndrome to provide insights into the potential of people with intellectual disabilities. A qualitative approach was adopted, and 10 recipients of the Stevie Award for Outstanding Persons with Down syndrome were interviewed. Interviews with the participants' parents and other significant persons were also conducted. Content analysis and constant comparative method were adopted for data analysis. All 10 participants achieved in life when they demonstrated the motivation and perseverance to try new things and active involvement in extra-curricular activities and volunteer service. Role modeling and support from parents and teachers helped participants to develop talents in sports and arts. Effective family support and ongoing collaboration among family, school and community facilities are vital in enabling people with intellectual disabilities to develop their potential for a life of quality.
A New Method for Preparation of Alcohols from Olefins with Molecular Oxygen and Phenylsilane by the Use of Bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II)
Authors: Isayama Shigeru , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: May 2006

In the presence of a catalytic amount of bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II), various olefins react smoothly with molecular oxygen and phenylsilane at room temperature to afford the corresponding alcohols in good yields under neutral conditions.
The Preparation and Properties of the Condensed Polynuclear Aromatic (COPNA) Resins Using an Aromatic Aldehyde as Crosslinking Agent
Authors: Ota Michiya , Otani Sugio , Kobayashi Kiyoshi
Published: May 2006

Thermosetting resins composed of triarylmethane structure were prepared by heating a mixture of a polycyclic aromatic compound and an aromatic aldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst. The resin prepared from the mixture of pyrene and terephthalaldehyde exhibited scarcely any weight loss up to 530 °C under nitrogen. While the resin from anthracene has such high carbon yield as 70% at 800 °C, although its thermostability is somewhat inferior.
Synthesis of Chiral “Twin Coronet” Porphyrins and Catalytic and Asymmetric Epoxidation of Olefins
Authors: Naruta Yoshinori , Tani Fumito , Maruyama Kazuhiro
Published: May 2006

Novel iron porphyrins, “twin coronet” porphyrins, which have chiral hydrophobic cavities consisting of binaphthalenes on their both faces are synthesized, and found to catalyze asymmetric epoxidation of olefins with high enantioselectivity.
Syntheses and Crystal Structure of Calix[4]quinone
Authors: Morita Yutaka , Agawa Toshio , Kai Yasushi , Kanehisa Nobuko , Kasai Nobutami , Nomura Eisaku , Taniguchi Hisaji
Published: May 2006

Calix[4]quinone and other functionalized calixarenes were synthesized in high yields. The crystal structure of the calix[4]quinone was determined by the X-ray diffraction method.
A Convenient Synthesis of β-Aminoesters. The Reaction of Imines with Ketene Silyl Acetals Catalyzed by Phosphonium Salts
Authors: Mukaiyama Teruaki , Kashiwagi Kouichi , Matsui Shigekazu
Published: May 2006

In the presence of a catalytic amount of a diphosphonium salt, the reaction of various imines, including 2-[N-(diphenylmethyl)formimidoyl]-pyridine, with ketene silyl acetals proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β-aminoesters in good yields.
Syntheses and Properties of 1′,1″″-Diphenylbiferrocene and Its Mixed-valence Salt
Authors: Kai Masahiro , Katada Motomi , Sano Hirotoshi
Published: May 2006

A binuclear ferrocenyl derivative with phenyl groups and its mixed-valence triiodide salt were prepared. The 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra of the triiodide salt show that the temperature dependence of mixed-valence state is different from that of biferrocenium triiodide but rather similar to those of dialkylbiferrocenium salts which show an averaged-valence state at high temperatures.
Enantioselective Electron Transfer Reaction Catalyzed by a Novel Photosensitizer, [Ru(S(−) or R(+)-PhEt*bpy)3]2+
Authors: Ohkubo Katsutoshi , Ishida Hitoshi , Hamada Taisuke , Inaoka Tohru
Published: May 2006

A novel ruthenium photosensitizer, [Ru(S(−)-PhEt*bpy)3]2+, was found to have Λ-configuration predominantly and reduce [Co(acac)3] catalytically with high enantioselectivity (kΛ/kΔ = 1.54) under irradiation of light (λ > 400 nm) in ethanol/water (9:1 v/v).