bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Patterns of Child Neglect: Blake and Wordsworth
Authors: Benziman Galia
Published: July 2007

Reading some well-known childhood poems by Blake and Wordsworth, the article challenges the accepted opinion that the Puritan and Romantic concepts of the child at the turn of the nineteenth century functioned as opposites. Instead, the article offers a reading that unravels the residues of Puritan and catechetical thinking in texts by two of the earliest advocates of the child's perspective as a valuable human and poetic quality. Though denouncing authoritarian and catechetical modes of interaction in which the child's speech is silenced, Blake and Wordsworth, writing at a moment of cultural transition, construct the child in a way that indicates a failure of their own declared purpose of redeeming the child's perspective and voice as valuably distinct from those of the adult. Although formally and grammatically the voice of Blake's poetic child is sometimes restored to him, the child is made a spokesman of a sophisticated and emphatically adult discourse of political radicalism. Similarly in Wordsworth, the construction of the child as a necessary layer in the uncovering of the poetic and autobiographical Self denies the child its valuable difference through an adult voice's ongoing narcissistic ventriloquism. The adult speaker's idealization of the child's freedom is ambiguated by the implicit association of freedom with parental neglect, which involves a disregard of the child's perspective. Thus, in contrast to the declared agenda of the poems, they also imply a desire that the child be less liberated and more regulated by the adult world.
Direct observation of polyvinylchloride degradation in water at temperatures up to 500°C and at pressures up to 700 MPa
Authors: Nagai Yorihiko , Smith Richard L. , Inomata Hiroshi , Arai Kunio
Published: July 2007

Degradation of polyvinylchloride (PVC) in high‐temperature and supercritical water was studied with a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell to determine phase change characteristics of the reacting polymer with respect to water density. During the reaction period of 500 s, at temperatures between 400 and 500°C and at water densities from 0 to 930 kg/m3, PVC particles exhibited clearly defined spreading on the anvil surface that was defined as spread time, St. The spread times decreased with increasing temperature and the values increased with increasing water density. Analysis of the residues with infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of both polyenes and polyols, whose formation was correlated with water density. From the analyses, nucleophilic substitution of PVC in water was found to be promoted at low temperatures (∼ 400°C) and high water densities (≫830 kg/m3), whereas the ionic chain dechlorination was promoted at high temperatures (≫ ∼ 450°C) and low water densities (∼ 750 kg/m3). A reaction pathway is proposed that shows OH nucleophilic substitution in competition with ionic chain reaction for dechlorination both of which vary with water density. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
[Russian Text Ignored.]
Authors: [Russian Text Ignored.]
Published: July 2007

[Russian Text Ignored].
Precipitation and Dissolution in Dilute AlSi Alloys
Authors: Kovács‐Csetényi E. , Vassel C. R. , Kovács I.
Published: July 2007

The precipitation and dissolution processes in dilute Al‐Si alloys were investigated after cold work and quenching by resistivity measurements. The effect of the cooling rate after annealing also was studied. It is shown that after a suitable heat treatment the solubility curve and the heat of solution can be determined using a single sample.

Experimental proof is given that there is no homogeneous nucleation in these alloys.
Untersuchung von pn‐Übergängen mit und ohne Oxidschicht mittels Elektronenspiegelmikroskopie in Schattenabbildung
Authors: Becherer G. , Gradewald R. , Kuhlmann F. , Lieckfeldt P.
Published: July 2007

Für die Abbildung der Proben setzt die Kontrastübersteuerung eine Grenze, die theoretisch und durch Aufnahmen demonstriert wird. Der Kontrast der pn‐Übergänge mit Oxidschicht im Bild in Abhängigkeit von der Querspannung wird mit Fotometerkurven und durch Rechnung demonstriert. Es wird die Aufnahme einer kreisförmigen, positiven Aufladung gezeigt, deren Kontrast eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den Rechnungen von Lenz und Krimmel besitzt.
Verformungsinduzierte Martensitbildung in metastabilen austenitischen Stählen
Authors: Schumann H.
Published: July 2007

Die Menge an verformungsinduziertem α‐Martensit hängt bei metastabilen austenitischen Stählen von der Stapelfehlerenergie ab. Liegt diese oberhalb von etwa 100 erg/cm2, so findet eine direkte γ → α‐Umwandlung statt, die wegen des komplizierten Schermechanismus bei der Umgitterung durch äußere Spannungen bzw. Deformationen quantitativ nicht oder nur geringfügig beeinflußt wird. In dem Maße, wie durch Zugabe bestimmter Legierungselemente, wie z. B. Chrom + Nickel, Chrom + Mangan oder Mangan + Kohlenstoff, die Stapelfehlerenergie erniedrigt wird, steigt die Neigung zur Bildung ausgedehnter Stapelfehler bzw. von hexagonalem ϵ‐Martensit und es läuft die indirekte γ → ϵ → α‐ bzw. γ → SF → α‐Umwandlung ab, wobei zwischen ϵ‐Martensit und Stapelfehlern nur ein gradueller Unterschied besteht. Wegen des einfachen Schermechanismus bei der γ/ϵ‐bzw. γ/SF‐Umwandlung begünstigen äußere Spannungen die indirekte Umwandlung beträchtlich, und es werden besonders in Kreuzungsbereichen von ϵ‐Platten oder Stapelfehlern, aber auch in deren Innern, Scherungen erzeugt, die Vorstufen oder Keime für die α‐Kristalle sind. Liegt die SFE unterhalb von etwa 20 erg/cm2, so wird eine 100%ige verformungsinduzierte α‐Martensitbildung möglich, sofern die thermodynamischen Stabilitätsverhältnisse dies zulassen.
Änderung von Verformungseigenschaften der intermetallischen Verbindung MgZn2 im Homogenitätsbereich
Authors: Eichler K. , Kubsch H. , Müller Th. , Paufler P.
Published: July 2007

Der im Homogenitätsbereich der intermetallischen Verbindung MgZn2 beobachtete Effekt der Legierungsentfestigung erweist sich nach Vergleich mit Messungen der Versetzungsgeschwindigkeit und der Versetzungsdichte als durch Versetzungsdichteänderung hervorgerufen.
Aus flüssiger Phase abgeschiedene, dotierte VO2‐Schichten und deren Widerstands‐Temperatur‐Verhalten
Authors: Bruchlos H. , Ufert K.‐D.
Published: July 2007

Reine sowie aluminium‐ und wolframdotierte VO2‐Schichten wurden mit einem Flüssigphasenverfahren hergestellt. Das Widerstands‐Temperaturverhalten der Schichten wurde untersucht: Die VO2‐Schichten erreichen nahe die Qualität des einkristallinen Materials. Für die Wirksamkeit der Dotierung ist die Rekristallisation der VO2‐Schichten von entscheidender Bedeutung.
The Influence of the Hydrodynamic Environment on the Growth and the Formation of Liquid Inclusions in Large Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) Crystals
Authors: Janssen‐Van Rosmalen R. , van Der Linden W. H. , Dobbinga E. , Visser D.
Published: July 2007

The influence of the hydrodynamic environment on the growth phenomena of large potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals has been investigated in a three vessel system. Special attention was paid to the onset of inclusion formation. Flow visualization experiments carried out in a wind tunnel showed that the flow formed at the rear (downstream) faces of the crystal (i.e. the wake) is a more or less closed circulation system. It appeared that veils of liquid inclusions are not a result of starvation in the laminar boundary layer, as suggested before, but of depletion in the closed wake at the rear.
On the chemical transport of some niobium oxides with TeCl4 (II). The transport behaviour of the equilibrium NbO2.417 to NbO2.5
Authors: Ritschel M. , Oppermann H. , Mattern N.
Published: July 2007

A report is given on the transport behaviour of the equilibrium phases NbO2.417 to NbO2.483 and of niobium pentoxide during chemical transport with TeCl4. – It became apparent that phase‐pure NbO2.417 and Nb2O5 are deposited from the investigated equilibrium phases. Chemical transport of the phases NbO2.453 to NbO2.483 produces a mixture of several phases. This indicates a strong inhibition of the equilibration in the starting solid. Chemical transport of the niobium pentoxide caused the deposition of monocrystals of the upper and lower phase boundary. The experimental behaviour agrees very well with the calculated results. Monocrystals of the niobium pentoxide forms H, M, N, B and P are deposited in a well identifiable manner by variation of the temperatures (T2, T1).
Studies of helical dislocations, polygonization and pile‐ups of dislocations in magnesium orthosilicate single crystals
Authors: Desai C. C. , John V.
Published: July 2007

(010) cleavages of magnesium orthosilicate crystals have been etched in concentrated hydrochloric acid and in its vapour at room temperature and also in the melts of sodium and potassium hydroxides at 400 °. Evidences of helical dislocations with their axes along [100] and [001] directions as revealed by etching is reported. Observations of polygonizations and pile‐ups of dislocations are described and the implications are discussed.
Paramagnetic centres in X‐irradiated LiNaSO4 single crystals
Authors: Alybakov A. A. , Bujko V. M. , Sharsheev K.
Published: July 2007

The EPR and optical absorption spectra of paramagnetic centers produced by X‐irradiation in LiNaSO4 single crystals were investigated. 7 EPR lines are observed at room temperature and 6 more lines – at LNT. The angular dependences of line positions at LNT are studied and the principal g‐factor values are defined. The comparison with published data permitted to assign six the most anisotropic lines to ion‐radical SO with different orientations in the lattice; two lines to ion‐radical SO; slightly anisotropic doublet line – to O ozonide ion; isotropic line with g = 2. 0045 – to ion radical SO.
Etching and kinetics of dissolution of Mo1−x WxSe2 single crystals
Authors: Agarwal M. K. , Wani P. A. , Patel J. V.
Published: July 2007

The dislocation etchant has been established for single crystals of Mo1−xWxSe2 system. Effect of concentration of an etchant on the etch rate has been discussed. The morphology of etch pits is also described. The etch activation energies for all the compositions of these crystals for a particular concentration (7 N) of an etchant has been found out. The etch activation energies for a particular composition (x = 0.4) of crystals with different concentrations of an etchant have been investigated and the results have been discussed.
Heterogeneous nucleation in PbTe alloys
Authors: Kanter Yu. O.
Published: July 2007

Nucleation of PbTe crystals on the oxide surface has been investigated by the method of statistical thermal analysis. The “aftermelting” point of crystalline lead tellurium on the quartz surface may be found from the dependence of melt supercooling on initial overheating. Correlations between the substrate conductivity and maximum supercooling indicate that the electrostatic contribution to the total interfacial energy may be considerable.
Monitoring and adjusting forecasts in the presence of additive outliers
Authors: Hillmer Steven
Published: July 2007

The effect of an additive outlier upon the accuracy of forecasts derived from extrapolative methods is investigated. It is demonstrated that an outlier affects not only the accuracy of the forecasts at the time of occurrence but also subsequent forecasts. Methods to adjust for additive outliers are discussed. The results of the paper are illustrated with two examples.
A unified view of statistical forecasting procedures
Authors: Harvey A. C.
Published: July 2007

A large number of statistical forecasting procedures for univariate time series have been proposed in the literature. These range from simple methods, such as the exponentially weighted moving average, to more complex procedures such as Box–Jenkins ARIMA modelling and Harrison–Stevens Bayesian forecasting. This paper sets out to show the relationship between these various procedures by adopting a framework in which a time series model is viewed in terms of trend, seasonal and irregular components. The framework is then extended to cover models with explanatory variables. From the technical point of view the Kalman filter plays an important role in allowing an integrated treatment of these topics.
Theory and practice of multivariate arma forecasting
Authors: Riise Trond , Tjozstheim Dag
Published: July 2007

We compare univariate and multivariate forecasts based on ARMA models. In theory we cannot do worse by using a multivariate model instead of a univariate one, but we can risk getting no improvement. Conditions for no improvements are discussed as well as cases where large improvements occur. The effect of estimated parameters is examined and found to be small granted that a good method of estimation is used. However, multivariate models could be very sensitive to structural changes. This is illustrated via an example involving monetary data, where the multivariate forecasts perform considerably worse than the univariate ones. This seems to put a limitation on the use of multivariate ARMA forecasting models.
A comparative evaluation of objective and subjective weather forecasts in the united states
Authors: Murphy Allan H. , Brown Barbara G.
Published: July 2007

This paper is concerned primarily with the evaluation and comparison of objective and subjective weather forecasts. Operational forecasts of three weather elements are considered: (1) probability forecasts of precipitation occurrence, (2) categorical (i.e. non‐probabilistic) forecasts of maximum and minimum temperatures and (3) categorical forecasts of cloud amount. The objective forecasts are prepared by numerical‐statistical procedures, whereas the subjective forecasts are based on the judgements of individual forecasters. In formulating the latter, the forecasters consult information from a variety of sources, including the objective forecasts themselves. The precipitation probability forecasts are found to be both reliable and skilful, and evaluation of the temperature/cloud amount forecasts reveals that they are quite accurate/skilful. Comparison of the objective and subjective forecasts of precipitation occurrence indicates that the latter are generally more skilful than the former for shorter lead times (e.g. 12–24 hours), whereas the two types of forecasts are of approximately equal skill for longer lead times (e.g. 36–48 hours). Similar results are obtained for the maximum and minimum temperature forecasts. Objective cloud amount forecasts are more skilful than subjective cloud amount forecasts for all lead times. Examination of trends in performance over the last decade reveals that both types of forecasts for all three elements increased in skill (or accuracy) over the period, with improvements in objective forecasts equalling or exceeding improvements in subjective forecasts. The role and impact of the objective forecasts in the subjective weather forecasting process are discussed in some detail. The need to conduct controlled experiments and other studies of this process, with particular reference to the assimilation of information from different sources, is emphasized. Important characteristics of the forecasting system in meteorology are identified, and they are used to describe similarities and differences between weather forecasting and forecasting in other fields. Acquisition of some of these characteristics may be beneficial to other forecasting systems.
Exponential smoothing: The state of the art
Authors: Gardner Everette S.
Published: July 2007

This paper is a critical review of exponential smoothing since the original work by Brown and Holt in the 1950s. Exponential smoothing is based on a pragmatic approach to forecasting which is shared in this review. The aim is to develop state‐of‐the‐art guidelines for application of the exponential smoothing methodology. The first part of the paper discusses the class of relatively simple models which rely on the Holt‐Winters procedure for seasonal adjustment of the data. Next, we review general exponential smoothing (GES), which uses Fourier functions of time to model seasonality. The research is reviewed according to the following questions. What are the useful properties of these models? What parameters should be used? How should the models be initialized? After the review of model‐building, we turn to problems in the maintenance of forecasting systems based on exponential smoothing. Topics in the maintenance area include the use of quality control models to detect bias in the forecast errors, adaptive parameters to improve the response to structural changes in the time series, and two‐stage forecasting, whereby we use a model of the errors or some other model of the data to improve our initial forecasts. Some of the major conclusions: the parameter ranges and starting values typically used in practice are arbitrary and may detract from accuracy. The empirical evidence favours Holt's model for trends over that of Brown. A linear trend should be damped at long horizons. The empirical evidence favours the Holt‐Winters approach to seasonal data over GES. It is difficult to justify GES in standard form–the equivalent ARIMA model is simpler and more efficient. The cumulative sum of the errors appears to be the most practical forecast monitoring device. There is no evidence that adaptive parameters improve forecast accuracy. In fact, the reverse may be true.
A comparison of adaptive structural forecasting methods for electricity sales
Authors: Engle Robert F. , Brown Scott J. , Stern Gary
Published: July 2007

This paper presents the results of a study to determine whether new forecasting technologies might be of use to electric utilities for sales forecasting up to 3 years into the future. The methods considered included ordinary least squares on dynamic structural models, autocorrelated error models, adaptive variance and adaptive parameter models. Overall, the more adaptive models performed best, but most of the methods proved vastly superior to simple least squares models which do not take dynamics into account.
Forecasting economic time series that require a power transformation: Case of state tax receipts
Authors: Nazmi Nader , Leuthold Jane H.
Published: July 2007

In this study, time series analysis is applied to the problem of forecasting state income tax receipts. The data series is of special interest since it exhibits a strong trend with a high multiplicative seasonal component. An appropriate model is identified by simultaneous estimation of the parameters of the power transformation and the ARMA model using the Schwarz (1978) Bayesian information criterion. The forecasting performance of the time series model obtained from this procedure is compared with alternative time series and regression models. The study illustrates how an information criterion can be employed for identifying time series models that require a power transformation, as exemplified by state tax receipts. It also establishes time series analysis as a viable technique for forecasting state tax receipts.
Diffusion of new products in risk‐sensitive markets
Authors: Oren Shmuel S. , Schwartz Rick G.
Published: July 2007

Diffusion of new products may be deterred by consumers' uncertainties about how they will perform. This paper introduces a decision‐theoretic framework for modeling the diffusion of consumables, in which consumers choose between a current and new product so as to maximize expected utility. Consumers that are sufficiently risk‐averse delay adoption, and change their prior uncertainties in a Bayesian fashion using information generated by early adopters. Under certain assumptions about the underlying consumer choice process and the market dynamics, the result is logistic growth in the share of consumers that choose the new product. The model can be generalized by allowing for consumer heterogeneity with respect to performance of the new product. The paper concludes with a discussion of applications for market forecasting, design of market trials and other extensions.
Recursive estimation and forecasting of non‐stationary time series
Authors: Ng C. N. , Young P. C.
Published: July 2007

The paper presents a unified, fully recursive approach to the modelling and forecasting of non‐stationary time‐series. The basic time‐series model, which is based on the well‐known ‘component’ or ‘structuraL’ form, is formulated in state‐space terms. A novel spectral decomposition procedure, based on the exploitation of recursive smoothing algorithms, is then utilized to simplify the procedures of model identification and estimation. Finally, the fully recursive formulation allows for conventional or self‐adaptive implementation of state‐space forecasting and seasonal adjustment. Although the paper is restricted to the consideration of univariate time series, the basic approach can be extended to handle explanatory variables or full multivariable (vector) series.
Method and situational factors in sales forecast accuracy
Authors: Thomas Robert J.
Published: July 2007

In this study the interaction of forecasting method (econometric versus exponential smoothing) and two situational factors are evaluated for their effects upon accuracy. Data from two independent sets of ex ante quarterly forecasts for 19 classes of mail were used to test hypotheses. Counter to expectations, the findings revealed that forecasting method did not interact with the forecast time horizon (short versus long term). However, as hypothesized, forecasting method interacted significantly with product/market definition (First Class versus other mail), an indicator of buyer sensitivity to marketing/environmental changes. Results are discussed in the context of future research on forecast accuracy.
Generalized exponential growth models a bayesian approach
Authors: Migon Helio S. , Gamerman Dani
Published: July 2007

A broad class of normal and non‐normal models for processes with non‐negative and non‐decreasing mean function is presented. This class is called exponential growth models and the inferential procedure is based on dynamic Bayesian forecasting techniques. The aim is to produce the analysis on the original variable avoiding transformation and giving to the practitioner the opportunity to communicate easily with the model. This class of models includes the well‐known exponential, logistic and Gompertz models. Models for counting data are compared with the Normal models using the appropriate variance law. In the examples, the novel aspects of this class of models are illustrated showing an improved performance over simple, standard linear models.
A bayesian decision approach to model monitoring and cusums
Authors: Harrison P. J. , Veerapen P. P.
Published: July 2007

Cumulative Sum techniques are widely used in quality control and model monitoring. A single‐sided cusum may be regarded essentially as a sequence of sequential tests which, in many cases, such as those for the Exponential Family, is equivalent to a Sequence of Sequential Probability Ratio Tests. The relationship between cusums and Bayesian decisions is difficult to establish using conventional methods. An alternative approach is proposed which not only reveals a relation but also offers a very simple formulation of the decision process involved in model monitoring. This is first illustrated for a Normal mean and then extended to other important practical cases including Dynamic Models. For V‐mask cusum graphs a particular feature is the interpretation of the distance of the V vertex from the latest plotted point in terms of the prior precision as measured in ‘equivalent’ observations.
On robust estimation of threshold autoregressions
Authors: Chan Wai‐Sum , Cheung Siu‐Hung
Published: July 2007

We investigate the effects of additive outliers on the least squares (LS) estimation of threshold autoregressive models. The class of generalized‐M (GM) estimates for linear time series is modified and applied to non‐linear threshold processes. A Monte Carlo experiment is carried out to study the robust properties of these estimates. Their relative forecasting performances are also examined. The results indicate that the GM method is preferable to the LS estimation when the observations are contaminated by additive outliers. A real example is also given to illustrate the proposed method.
Quarterly liverpool model with current partial information: An exercise in forecasting
Authors: Matthews K. G. P. , Minford A. P. L. , Blackman S. C.
Published: July 2007

This paper applies an algorithm for the solution of partial current information in rational expectation models to the quarterly Liverpool macroeconomic model of the U.K. The algorithm is shown to produce marginally superior results in forecasts both in ex‐post and ex‐ante forecasts and can be viewed as an additional tool for the forecaster's kit‐bag.
Professional economic forecasts: Are they worth their costs?
Authors: Leitch Gordon , Ernesttanner J.
Published: July 2007

Most economic forecast evaluations dating back 20 years show that professional forecasters add little to the forecasts generated by the simplest of models. Using various types of forecast error criteria, these evaluations usually conclude that the professional forecasts are little better than the no‐change or ARIM A type forecast. It is our contention that this conclusion is mistaken because the conventional error criteria may not capture why forecasts are ma& or how they are used. Using forecast directional accuracy, the criterion which has been found to be highly correlated with profits in an interest rate setting, we find that professional GNP forecasts dominate the cheaper alternatives. Moreover, there appears to be no systematic relationship between this preferred criterion and the error measures used in previous studies.
Modeling multivariate co integrated systems: Insights from non‐linear dynamics
Authors: Pinder Jonathan P. , Shoesmith Gary L
Published: July 2007

Johansen's test for co integration is applied to Litterman's original six‐variable Bayesian vector auto regression (BVAR) model to obtain vector error correction mechanism (VECM) and Bayesian error correction (BECM) versions of the model. The Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman (BDS) test for independence from the non‐linear dynamics literature is then applied to the error structures of each estimated equation of the BECM and VECM models, plus two BVAR versions of the model. The results show that none of the models produce independent and identically distributed (IID) errors for all six equations. However, the BDS results suggest the elimination of the Bayesian prior from the BECM model, given that the univariate VECM errors are IID in five equations, compared to only two or three equations under the three Bayesian restricted models. These results combined with previous evidence regarding the superior forecasting performance of BECM over ECM models suggest future experimentation with less restrictive BVAR priors, BECM models corrected for heteroscedasticity, or hybrid specifications based on the nonlinear dynamics literature.
Back propagation in time‐series forecasting
Authors: Lachtermacher Gerson , Fuller J. David
Published: July 2007

One of the major constraints on the use of back propagation neural networks as a practical forecasting tool is the number of training patterns needed. We propose a methodology that reduces the data requirements. The general idea is to use the Box‐Jenkins model in an exploratory phase to identify the 'lag components' of the series, to determine a compact network structure with one input unit for each lag, and then apply the validation procedure. This process minimizes the size of the network and consequently the data required to train the network. The results obtained in eight studies show the potential of the new methodology as an alternative to the traditional time‐series models.
High‐speed template matching algorithm using information of contour points
Authors: Hashimoto Manabu , Sumi Kazuhiko , Sakaue Yoshikazu , Kawato Shinjiro
Published: July 2007

Template matching is a useful technique for matching images. This paper proposes a high‐speed template matching technique which is effective for images that have sharp contours. The method uses only the image contour parts as one‐dimensional templates. Although it can retain fine patterns, the data compression ratio and speed are very high. To improve reliability of matching, gray gradient information and intensity of contour points are used. Also, dilation of contours can reduce several errors due to disturbance of the contour or scaling. The algorithm herein can indicate differences between the template and the target image automatically after the alignment of images.

The expanded algorithm applying the sequential similarity detection algorithm (SSDA) method also is discussed. Software simulation proved that the algorithm is 10 or 200 times faster than the conventional template matching technique which uses the cross‐correlation estimation between two‐dimensional (2‐D) template and the target image. This algorithm was applied to special hardware. It can align two 512 × 512 pixels images in 40 ms when the size of the search area is 64 × 64.
Generation of a hierarchical representation for graphic patterns based on grouping
Authors: Soga Masato , Toyoda Jun'Ichi , Nitta Yusuke , Imanaka Takeshi , Yanagida Masuzo
Published: July 2007

The ability to retrieve by similarity is one powerful way to improve the human interface in an image database. In this paper, graphic patterns constructed as a set of primitive patterns formed from closed regions are the target images. When recognizing this kind of graphic pattern, people perform grouping. The partial patterns formed by this grouping play a major role in the similarity between graphic patterns. Consequently, the partial patterns that result from grouping must be introduced into the image representation as search keys. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have this representation automatically generated. In this paper, we propose a method where a representation in the part‐of hierarchy of partial patterns is used as the graphic pattern representation; this representation is generated from the raw image of the graphic pattern. This method uses the rules for visual characteristics for grouping in humans. First, partial patterns are formed by bottom‐up processing. Then, by comparing the stability of the final partial patterns, partial patterns that do not match human perception are deleted and missing partial patterns are searched for and added. A prototype system was built based on this method, and the method's adequacy was verified.
Construction of a distributed computer network containing ring connections
Authors: Kanada Hajime
Published: July 2007

As a connection method for a LAN, which connects computers and various other equipment (called processors hereafter), a token ring system is currently used. Any two processors on a ring can communicate with each other directly. As one fundamental problem for distributed algorithms in a network of several rings connected by links, the problem of parallel data transmission between processors is discussed in this paper. In the parallel data transmission problem, a predetermined processor holding data with specified addresses sends the data to the specified addresses in parallel. Given the numbers of processors and rings, the minimum computation time for data exchange between the processors, and conditions on the network configuration to achieve that minimum are obtained while keeping the number of links minimum.
Robust object detection under various environmental conditions
Authors: Maeda Eisaku , Ishii Kenichiro , Takahashi Yasuko
Published: July 2007

An algorithm for object detection is presented. This method is robust against brightness variation and does not depend on the position, size, background pattern, shape, or color of target objects. The method consists of three processes: (1) normalize the brightness of the target and reference images; (2) calculate features, called the normalized principal component features; and (3) construct a classifier by statistical learning. The method is applied to car detection in a parking lot. Under various conditions, at least 98 percent of the cars were detected correctly. Application to moving‐car detection and person detection also is presented.
Reconstruction of emission tomographic images using the compound gauss‐markov random field
Authors: Kudo Hiroyuki , Saito Tsuneo
Published: July 2007

Statistical quantum noise is a major factor causing degradation in emission computed‐tomography (ECT) images. The maximuma posterioriprobability (MAP) estimation has been used to mitigate the noise problem with limited success. The two major shortcomings are the oversmoothing of edges by the homogeneous random field used as the image model, and the lack of well‐defined procedure for estimating the parameters of the image model.

This paper proposes a new algorithm for reconstructing the ECT images that will solve the problems of the existing methods. The proposed algorithm uses a compound Gauss‐Markov random field that can accurately model the sharp transition of edge regions as well as the smoothness of the bland regions. The image model parameters are derived from observed data using the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, and the image reconstruction is based upon the joint MAP estimation. These two estimation problems are solved simultaneously in a joint MAP‐ML estimation scheme. The optimum solution of the joint MAP‐ML estimation problem is obtained using the generalized expectation‐maximization (GEM) algorithm.
An immune network model and its applications to process diagnosis
Authors: Ishida Yoshiteru
Published: July 2007

Immune systems, like neural systems, have a highly sophisticated capability of pattern recognition. However, their recognition and learning mechanisms are quite different from those of a neural system. Neural network models (connectionist models) are information models, which derive partially from the study of the mechanism.

In the same manner, an information model is proposed which derives partially from the recognition mechanism of immune systems, and the learning algorithms on the model are studied.

This paper also proposes some extensions of the model so that it can be applied to process diagnostic problems. The instrumentation system with this immune network (sensor network) can eliminate abnormal information from faulty sensors autonomously. Other than diagnostic problems, the immune network model is potentially applicable to mutual/group test of a set of VLSI of the same type, computer network immune to the virus.
Optimum image restoration filters and generalized inverses of operators
Authors: Yamashita Yukihiko , Ogawa Hidemitsu
Published: July 2007

An optimal restoration filter is a restoration filter which meets some optimization criterion. It is known that a close relationship exists between optimal image restoration filters and generalized inverses of operators. By clarifying this relationship, the understanding of both optimal image restoration filters and generalized inverse is deepened.

This paper clarifies the following points concerning the aforementioned relationship. First, the projection filter and averaged projection filter satisfy an optimal criterion in some restricted subspace. Furthermore, it is shown that whether that optimal criterion is evaluated in the original image space or the observed image space, the same result is achieved. Finally, it is shown clearly how the Wiener filter behaves as a generalized inverse.
Variable‐rate transform coding that controls quality of image using human visual model
Authors: Harada Haruyuki
Published: July 2007

This paper defines a quantitative measurement SNRq for the evaluation of image quality in the discrete cosine transform domain considering human visual characteristics. A new coding algorithm which minimizes the bit‐rate for a given target SNRq also is obtained. When coding the image using the proposed algorithm, the bit‐rate varies according to the image busyness, but this does not present a problem because the image is stored in memory. Furthermore, it is not a problem when transferring the image if only the packet‐switched networks are used. Using computer simulation, the value of this quantitative measurement (the target SNRq) is found so that the differences between the original and the processed images were negligible.
Construction of fault‐tolerant mesh‐connected highly parallel computer and its performance analysis
Authors: Takanami Itsuo , Inoue Katsushi , Watanabe Takahiro , Oka Minoru
Published: July 2007

A reconfiguration scheme is proposed in which a mesh‐connected highly parallel computer is divided into groups of PEs with small mesh‐structures, a spare row is added to each group (in what follows, such a group with a spare row is called a plane), these planes are successively connected upward and downward, and finally the top and bottom groups are connected. The scheme has such features that: (1) although switchings for reconfiguration are done locally, compensations are done globally, considering the distribution of faults over the whole planes; and (2) switching algorithm and circuits are simple and hence our scheme is suitable for dynamic reconfiguration.

First, a method for repairing faults is described, and the necessary and sufficient condition for repairability is given. Next, formulas for the reliabilities of systems are given. Using these formulas, an example of computing the improvement degree of MTTF is illustrated and the result is compared with those in the literature. The probabilities of system survivals against the number of faulty PE's also are analyzed and the results are compared with those in the literature. Finally, logic circuits for the reconfiguration are shown and the correctness of their behavior is proved.
A hierarchical method for block segmentation and classification of general document images
Authors: Park Young Seak , Ebina Tsuyosi , Ito Akira
Published: July 2007

In a document analysis system, block segmentation and block classification are very important. The former segments a particular document image into homogeneous rectangular blocks. The latter classifies the segmented blocks into categories. These classified blocks may then be processed by suitable recognition systems. In this paper, we formalize the structure styles of general documents, and then propose both a robust hierarchical method of block segmentation and a simple method of block classification. The proposed block segmentation method takes a top‐down hierarchical approach based on the spatial features and formalized concepts of document structure. This method is essentially independent of the document style, and can perform a type of structural analysis of the document image. The classification approach is based on a new scheme of statistical textual features, and classifies the segmented blocks into four categories: text blocks, title letter blocks, line drawing (or graphics) blocks, and halftone phonograph blocks. The proposed approaches were implemented using the C programming language in an X‐Window environment under the UNIX operating system. The performance of each approach was experimentally evaluated, for both effectiveness and computational efficiency, using actual test images.
Piecewise‐linear approximation of discontinuous contour images based on clustering procedure
Authors: Watanabe Takashi , Suzuki Kazuya , Yokoyama Ryuhzou , Tanba Sumio
Published: July 2007

This paper discusses the problem of the piecewise‐linear approximation of contour images. Almost all the piecewise‐linear approximation methods that have been proposed can be applied only for continuous contours. Methods that can work well for discontinuous contours, for instance, have not yet been found.

In this paper, a new method is proposed based on clustering as a piecewise‐linear approximation method that can even be applied to discontinuous contour images. Specifically, the method uses hard clustering or fuzzy clustering, where the set of edge points in the image is partitioned into line segment groups and parameters of line segments are computed from the groups. Good results were obtained in the evaluation experiment to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Load balancing method based on load vector
Authors: Ri Sotetsu , Ji Yusheng , Asano Shoichiro , Matsukata Jun
Published: July 2007

In the distributed processing applications, the dynamic load balancing is considered to be important. In most of the past studies concerning the dynamic load balancing, where the load is distributed based on the information during the job execution by the system, the load of a computer is defined as the number of jobs in execution on the computer. In other words, the computer resources are given little consideration. Even if the computer resources are considered, the model is defined as a homogeneous system composed of computers of the same performance, which seems to deviate from reality.

From such a viewpoint, CPU and the input/output units such as disk are considered as the computer resources, and are represented by the load vector in this paper. A relatively simple dynamic load balancing algorithm using the load vector is proposed. The method is extended so that it is applicable to the non‐homogeneous system composed of computers with the same function but with different speeds.

The proposed method is simulated by a model in which computers are connected through a bus‐type network. As a result, various effects were recognized, such as the decrease of the mean response time, the decrease of the variation of the response time, and the effective use of a high‐speed computer in the heterogeneous system.
Training neural net classifier to improve generalization capability
Authors: Kayama Masahiro , Abe Shigeo
Published: July 2007

A training method for neural net classifiers is discussed from the viewpoint of improving their generalization capability. First, the conventional training method which minimizes the square sum of network output errors from training outputs is shown to be inappropriate. This is because category boundaries may be close to some specific clusters which decreases the generalization capability of the network. Then to obtain impartial boundaries to all clusters, a new method is proposed which adds appropriate random numbers to the training inputs and decreases their amplitude to zero as training proceeds. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by simulations of alphabet and practical number recognition systems. The proposed method is useful, especially when the quality and quantity of training data are not sufficient. This is particular for cases where a classification system should be constructed quickly with a few representative training data or considerable time or money is required to obtain voluminous training data.
Object surface construction from volume data with appropriate topology
Authors: Nagae Takanori , Agui Takeshi , Nagahashi Hiroshi
Published: July 2007

The reflection, diffusion, transparency and refraction of a ray on the surface of an object are essential elements to the object. Such optical interference by knowing each intersection of a ray and the surface of the object together with the normal vector at the intersection. In most conventional methods, the surface of an object is detected from a set of volume data, and a shading process is applied to it. This process has a difficulty in forming a continuous surface of an object since the volume data consist of discrete elements. The topology of an object surface also is important in a reconstruction of a 3‐dimensional model (e.g., by laser stereo lithography) in which the surface should be closed with no intersection.

This paper proposes two types of algorithms for reconstruction of the surface of an object: the modified marching cubes algorithm (a modification of the marching cubes algorithm); and the deformed cubes algorithm. Each of the proposed algorithms reconstructs a sufficiently smooth and topologically appropriate surface of an object.
Continuous speech recognition by sentence spotting applying the vector continuous dynamic programming to output of partial matching method
Authors: Oka Ryuichi
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes a speaker‐independent continuous speech recognition system on sentence spotting. The system is composed of the following three parts: (1) construction of three‐connected demi‐phoneme standard patterns; (2) description of sentence set by demi‐phoneme network; and (3) sentence spotting by “Partial Matching Method” and “Vector Continuous DP.”

A sentence spotting recognition experiment was conducted in which each of 10 open speakers uttered 11 sentences (110 sentences in total, which form a task of the average branching factor of 4.1 and the number of words 113). The sentence recognition rate of 76.4 percent was obtained (word recognition rate of 94.5 percent in the sentence).

In the proposed system, three connected demi‐phoneme standard patterns are constructed using only 492 kinds of balanced word sets, and no training by the continuous speech is applied. The complete frame synchronization is established in the system from the waveform analysis to the sentence spotting.
High‐quality image magnification applying the gerchberg‐papoulis iterative algorithm with DCT
Authors: Shinbori Eiji , Takagi Mikio
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes an image magnification method “IM‐GPDCT,” which is an iterative application of the Gerchberg‐Papoulis (GP) algorithm with the discrete cosine transform (DCT), and its performance is evaluated. Conventional image magnification by interpolation has a problem in that degradation of image quality is inevitable since essentially it is impossible to restore the spatial high‐frequency components which are lost in the observation process. For this point, IM‐GPDCT improves image quality of a magnified image by utilizing a concept to restore the spatial high‐frequency components which are lost in the observation.

IM‐GPDCT uses the GP algorithm as the basic principle for extending the frequency band. The spatial high‐frequency components are restored during the forward and inverse iterative transform process for the image by DCT, using two constraints that the spatial extent of an image is finite, and correct information is already known for the low‐frequency components. The proposed method is compared to three conventional interpolation methods from the viewpoints of a restoration error and image quality. Restoration error performance results show that IM‐GPDCT outperforms the interpolation methods from the viewpoint of the restoration error. Simulation results show also that the presented method improves the image quality of the magnified image by obtaining image sharpness, nonjagged edges and reproduction of the original texture.