bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE TEMPORAL REASONING TOOLS TIMEGRAPH I-II
Authors: GEREVINI ALFONSO , SCHUBERT LENHART , SCHAEFFER STEPHANIE
Published: November 2004

We describe two domain-independent temporal reasoning systems called TimeGraph I and II which can be used in AI applications as tools for efficiently managing large sets of relations in the Point Algebra, in the Interval Algebra, and metric information such as absolute times and durations. Our representation of time is based on timegraphs, graphs partitioned into a set of chains on which the search is supported by a metagraph data structure. TimeGraph I was originally developed by Taugher, Schubert and Miller in the context of story comprehension. TimeGraph II provides useful extensions, including efficient algorithms for handing inequations, and relations expressing point-interval exclusion and interval disjointness. These extensions make the system much more expressive in the representation of qualitative information and suitable for a large class of applications.
A NOVEL AND EFFICIENT METHOD FOR PARSING UNRESTRICTED TEXTS OF QUASI FREE WORD ORDER LANGUAGES
Authors: MICHOS S.E. , FAKOTAKIS N. , KOKKINAKIS G.
Published: November 2004

This paper deals with the problems stemming from the parsing of long sentences in quasi free word order languages. Due to the word order freedom of a large category of languages including Greek and the limitations of rule-based grammar parsers in parsing unrestricted texts of such languages, we propose a flexible and effective method for parsing long sentences of such languages that combines heuristic information and pattern-matching techniques in early processing levels. This method is deeply characterized by its simplicity and robustness. Although it has been developed and tested for the Greek language, its theoretical background, implementation algorithm and results are language independent and can be of considerable value for many practical natural language processing (NLP) applications involving parsing of unrestricted texts.
FUZZY LOGIC APPLICATIONS IN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Authors: MARCHALLECK NICHOLAS , KANDEL ABRAHAM
Published: November 2004

The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey of state of the art fuzzy logic applications in the field of transportation, illustrating the usefulness, and the promising future of the fuzzy approach. The majority of the discussion covers the area of fuzzy control. A wide range of Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLCs) is discussed, ranging from traffic, to aircraft controllers. Although the majority of applications are to surface transportation, surveys of several aerospace applications are also given.
SELF-ORGANIZED LEARNING IN MULTI-LAYER NETWORKS
Authors: BRAUSE RÜDIGER W.
Published: November 2004

We present a framework for the self-organized formation of high level learning by a statistical preprocessing of features. The paper focuses first on the formation of the features in the context of layers of feature processing units as a kind of resource-restricted associative multiresolution learning We clame that such an architecture must reach maturity by basic statistical proportions, optimizing the information processing capabilities of each layer. The final symbolic output is learned by pure association of features of different levels and kind of sensorial input. Finally, we also show that common error-correction learning for motor skills can be accomplished also by non-specific associative learning.
MOVEMENT AND MEMORY FUNCTION IN BIOLOGICAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: ISHII NAOHIRO , NAKA KEN-ICHI
Published: November 2004

Asymmetrical neural networks are shown in the biological neural network as the catfish retina. Horizontal and bipolar cell responses are linearly related to the input modulation of light, while amacrine cells work linearly and nonlinearly in their responses. These cells make asymmetrical neural networks in the retina. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the detection of motion in biological system. To make clear the difference among asymmetrical networks, we applied non-linear analysis developed by N. Wiener. Then, we can derive α-equation of movement, which shows the direction of movement. During the movement, we also can derive the movement equation, which implies that the movement holds regardless of the parameter α. By analyzing the biological asymmetric neural networks, it is shown that the asymmetric networks are excellent in the ability of spatial information processing on the retinal level. Then, the symmetric network was discussed by applying the non-linear analysis. In the symmetric neural network, it was suggested that memory function is needed to perceive the movement.
VASSILIEV HOMOTOPY STRING LINK INVARIANTS
Authors: BAR-NATAN DROR
Published: November 2004

We investigate Vassiliev homotopy invariants of string links, and find that in this particular case, most of the questions left unanswered in [3] can be answered affirmatively, In particular, Vassiliev invariants classify string links up to homotopy, and all Vassiliev homotopy string link invariants come from marked surfaces as in [3], using the same construction that in the case of knots gives the HOMFLY and Kauffman polynomials. In addition, the Milnor μ invariants of string links are shown to be Vassiliev invariants, and it is re-proven, by elementary means, that Vassiliev invariants classify braids.
FROM LARGE CARDINALS TO BRAIDS VIA DISTRIBUTIVE ALGEBRA
Authors: DEHORNOY PATRICK
Published: November 2004

This text presents some recent developments in left distributive algebra induced by set theory and their applications to the combinatorics of braids mainly in terms of order properties and existence of special decompositions.
MINIMAL KNOTS IN THE CUBIC LATTICE
Authors: VAN RENSBURG E.J. JANSE , PROMISLOW S.D.
Published: November 2004

How many edges are necessary and sufficient to construct a knot of type K in the cubic lattice? Define the minimal edge number of a knot to be this number of edges. To what extend does the minimal edge number measure the complexity of a knot? What is the behaviour of the minimal edge number under the connected sum of knots, and what is its limiting behaviour? We consider these questions and show that the minimal edge number may be computed using simulated annealing.
INVARIANTS OF 3-MANIFOLDS DERIVED FROM FINITE DIMENSIONAL HOPF ALGEBRAS
Authors: KAUFFMAN LOUIS H. , RADFORD DAVID E.
Published: November 2004

This paper studies invariants of 3-manifolds derived from certain finite dimensional Hopf algebras via regular isotopy invariants of unoriented links in the blackboard framing. The invariants are based on right integrals for these Hopf algebras. It is shown that the resulting class of invariants is definitely distinct from the class of Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants. The invariant associated with the quantum double of a finite group G is treated in this context, and is shown to count the number of homomorphisms of the fundamental group of the 3-manifold to the given finite group G.
Weights of Feynman diagrams, link polynomials and Vassiliev knot invariants
Authors: Piunikhin Sergey
Published: November 2004

We prove that the construction of Vassiliev invariants by expanding the link polynomials Pg,V(q, q−1) at the point q=1 is equivalent to the construction of Vassiliev invariants from Chern-Simons perturbation theory. In both constructions a simple Lie algebra g and an irreducible representation V of g should be specified.

We give an example of a Vassiliev invariant of order six which cannot be obtained by these constructions if we restrict ourselves to simple Lie algebras and do not allow semisimple ones.

The explicit description of primitive elements in the Kontsevich Hopf algebra is given.
The Knotting of Equilateral Polygons in R3
Authors: DIAO YUANAN
Published: November 2004

It was proved in [4] that the knotting probability of a Gaussian random polygon goes to 1 as the length of the polygon goes to infinity. In this paper, we prove the same result for the equilateral random polygons in R3. More precisely, if EPn is an equilateral random polygon of n steps, then we have [Formula: see text] provided that n is large enough, where ∊ is some positive constant.
3-MANIFOLDS AND PULLBACKS OF BRANCHED COVERINGS
Authors: PIERGALLINI R.
Published: November 2004

We prove that any closed orientable 3-manifold can be represented as the pullback space of two 3-fold simple branched coverings of S3 by itself. By using covering moves, we also prove that such two coverings can be chosen equivalent to arbitrarily given ones.
BRAIDS AND THE NIELSEN-THURSTON CLASSIFICATION
Authors: BERNARDETE DIEGO , NITECKI ZBIGNIEW , GUTIERREZ MAURICIO
Published: November 2004

The well-known connection between braids and mapping classes on the n-punctured disc can be exploited to decide, using braid-theoretic techniques, the place of a given isotopy class in the Nielsen-Thurston classification as reducible or irreducible, and in the latter case, as periodic or pseudo-Anosov.
PERIODIC RESULTS FOR THE COLOURED (GENERALISED) JONES POLYNOMIAL
Authors: KURPITA BOHDAN I. , MURASUGI KUNIO
Published: November 2004

Using the vertex model interpretation of the coloured (generalised) Jones polynomial of a link L, we show that if the colour of the ith component is Ni+mir, then modulo tr−1 this coloured Jones polynomial is congruent, up to a product of calculable factors, to the coloured Jones polynomial with the colour of the ith component Ni, where Ni and r are positive integers, and mi is a non-negative integer.

The proof depends on the fact that, up to a known factor, the coloured Jones polynomial of a link may be calculated from a (1, 1)-tangle, the closure of which represents the link.
HIERARCHICAL AGGREGATION OF OWA OPERATORS: BASIC MEASURES AND RELATED COMPUTATIONAL PROBLEMS
Authors: CUTELLO VINCENZO , MONTERO JAVIER
Published: November 2004

In this paper we will analyze some computational problems related with ordered hierarchical aggregations of OWA operators as defined by the authors in a previous paper. In particular, we will provide polynomial algorithms to maximize or minimize the degrees of dispersion and orness of the hierarchical OWA aggregation.
ADAPTING QUERY REPRESENTATION TO IMPROVE RETRIEVAL IN A FUZZY DATABASE
Authors: GASOS JORGE , RALESCU ANCA
Published: November 2004

We present an adjustment-to-user facility of a facial images database system in order to improve retrieval performance. The system uses linguistic (qualitative) descriptions, both in the data model and in the query language. These descriptions are internally represented as fuzzy sets. As the same linguistic descriptions can be used by different users to describe different values, the need of adjusting fuzzy sets, such that the user’s meaning is represented arises. We provide a method which, upon repeated queries by the same user, finds the best representation (as fuzzy set) of the linguistic descriptions given by the user in question. The method is based on an extension of the inverse problem of matching of fuzzy sets. Experiments show that when compared with the unadjusted system, significantly better results are obtained during the process of finding the best representation, and much better results after the best representation (given the whole database) is found.
ON THE THEORY OF TYPICALITY
Authors: FRIEDMAN MENAHEM , MING MA , KANDEL ABRAHAM
Published: November 2004

The classical definitions of ‘expected value’ and ‘standard deviation’ may sometimes lead to quantities which fail to represent a ‘typical’ feature of a given data set, whenever this set consists of more than one cluster. The use of the fuzzy expected value (FEV) and the clustering fuzzy expected value (CFEV) also yield central tendency and in general cannot represent a typical value of the given data. In this work a new quantity—a Most Typical Value (MTV) is defined and investigated. A given fuzzy set in Rn is first clustered and replaced by a finite set of clusters. This set is then represented by a single vector—the most typical value of the set.
FINDING A POSTERIOR DOMAIN PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION BY SPECIFYING NONSPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Authors: SCHUBERT JOHAN
Published: November 2004

This article is an extension of the results of two earlier articles. In [J. Schubert, “On nonspecific evidence”, Int. J. Intell. Syst. 8 (1993) 711–725] we established within Dempster-Shafer theory a criterion function called the metaconflict function. With this criterion we can partition into subsets a set of several pieces of evidence with propositions that are weakly specified in the sense that it may be uncertain to which event a proposition is referring. In a second article [J. Schubert, “Specifying nonspecific evidence”, in “Cluster-based specification techniques in Dempster-Shafer theory for an evidential intelligence analysis of multiple target tracks”, Ph.D. Thesis, TRITA-NA-9410, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 1994, ISBN 91–7170–801–4] we not only found the most plausible subset for each piece of evidence, we also found the plausibility for every subset that this piece of evidence belongs to the subset. In this article we aim to find a posterior probability distribution regarding the number of subsets. We use the idea that each piece of evidence in a subset supports the existence of that subset to the degree that this piece of evidence supports anything at all. From this we can derive a bpa that is concerned with the question of how many subsets we have. That bpa can then be combined with a given prior domain probability distribution in order to obtain the sought-after posterior domain distribution.
MATHEMATICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CONDITIONALS AND THEIR PROBABILISTIC ASSIGNMENTS
Authors: GOODMAN I.R. , NGUYEN H.T.
Published: November 2004

This paper addresses the mathematical modeling of information as originally expressed in natural language in conditional form. A number of different conditional event algebras—all avoiding the Lewis triviality result—are briefly surveyed, including the main body of those proposed previously, classified as Type I, and the newly expanded Type II product space approach (PS) originally independently offered by Van Fraasen. The issue of higher order conditionals and triviality is also discussed.

In addition, this work considers two basic results of McGee: Firstly, this paper provides a new general procedure (M) which specializes to that result of McGee, where in effect, the probability evaluations of logical compounds of conditionals in the PS approach are independently derived from a fair standard betting scheme, though McGee does not obtain any explicit conditional event algebra underpinning for these evaluations. The new procedure, which can act upon any Type I conditional event algebra, is based, in part, upon decision theory principles, and in part, upon a fine-tuned evaluation of the third or indeterminate values of the three-valued logic form of Type I conditionals. It is shown that McGee’s derivation is equivalent to M acting upon the Type I conditional event algebra called GNW in the literature—or equivalently the min, max, 1-() conjunctive, disjunctive, negation fragment of Lukasiewicz’ three-valued logic. On the other hand, it is shown that the action of M upon another Type I conditional event algebra called SAC in the literature—equivalent to a corresponding fragment of a three-valued logic originally proposed by Sobocinski—leads back to the same conditional event algebra. Secondly, this paper provides a new characterization of PS , corresponding to McGee’s second result, and which, unlike McGee, does not assume—nor is compatible, in general, with—the import-export rule. Among other topics discussed, are conditional random variables, deduction and non-monotonic logic applications.
ENTERPRISE MODELLING AND THE TELEOLOGICAL APPROACH TO REQUIREMENTS ENGINEERING
Authors: LOUCOPOULOS P. , KAVAKLI E.
Published: November 2004

A critical factor in successful requirements analysis appears to be the understanding not only of what the system under consideration should do, but also why. To capture the purpose of an information system, one needs a mechanism to describe the behaviour of the organization in which the system will operate. This approach suggests further understanding and modelling of the organizational goals and the way that these goals become operationalised.

In software systems development we often make the distinction between the enter prise world and the system world. The former describes the domain about which the proposed software system is to provide some service, while the second is concerned with specifications on what the system does and include descriptions of the systems requirements, conceptual designs and implementations. This paper describes an approach which involves the explicit modelling of organizational objectives, social roles and operations and the synthesis of these different perspectives towards a set of information systems requirements.
EXTRACTING AN ENTITY RELATIONSHIP SCHEMA FROM A RELATIONAL DATABASE THROUGH REVERSE ENGINEERING
Authors: ANDERSSON MARTIN
Published: November 2004

This article presents a method for extracting a conceptual schema from a relational database. The method is based on an analysis of data manipulation statements in the code of an application using a relational DBMS. Attributes representing references between tables in the relational schema and possible keys are determined by an analysis of join conditions in queries and view definitions. Knowledge about which attributes link tables is used to investigate the database extension in a selective manner. When the keys cannot be unambiguously determined, possible solutions are generated by the system under guidance of the user. The approach makes it possible to efficiently construct a conceptual schema from only rudimentary information.
RELATIONAL DATABASE REVERSE ENGINEERING: A METHOD BASED ON QUERY ANALYSIS
Authors: PETIT JEAN-MARC , TOUMANI FAROUK , KOULOUMDJIAN JACQUES
Published: November 2004

This paper introduces a method of reverse engineering for operational relational databases. The conceptual schemas are derived using information extracted from data dictionaries, database extensions and application programs. Its main strength relies on the assumptions made on the a priori knowledge available about the database (only [Formula: see text] and/or [Formula: see text] constraints on attribute(s)) as well as the user competence. We argue that most of the knowledge needed to build a conceptual schema, if not described in the Data Description Language, is embedded in application programs under various forms.

The method is therefore based on four main steps: firstly, application program analysis is performed and a set [Formula: see text] of equi-joins is obtained; secondly, a conceptual schema is derived from [Formula: see text], from the database extension and from the relational schema; thirdly, this conceptual schema is validated through an interactive dialogue with the expert user who is helped in this task by indications given by the method.

Finally, a schema reorganization under user control is achieved to match the user requirements better. We introduce also how other kinds of queries can help the task of semantics discovery. Additionally, we precisely identify the phases when user interaction is needed. This method has been successfully validated on an operational database.
PICOSECOND-INDUCED NONLINEAR ABSORPTION IN LIQUID CRYSTAL MEDIA
Authors: McEWAN K. J. , HOLLINS R. C.
Published: November 2004

The contributions to the nonlinear absorption of liquid crystal media in their isotropic phase are measured using a picosecond pump/probe technique at 587 nm. Good agreement between the experimental data and theory is obtained by assuming that two-photon absorption and excited state absorption dominate the nonlinear optical response. The important parameters are extracted from the experimental data and it is shown that the nonlinear absorption depends strongly on the molecular structure. The lifetime of the excited state is measured and found to compare well with the fluorescence lifetime.
FIELD-INDUCED QUANTUM INTERFERENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM WELLS FOR LASING WITHOUT POPULATION INVERSION AND ELECTROMAGNETICALLY INDUCED TRANSPARENCY
Authors: ZHAO Y. , HUANG D. , WU C.
Published: November 2004

This paper presents the current results of field-induced quantum interference in semiconductor quantum wells. Three-level systems with two conduction subbands in single and double quantum wells coupled by a resonant field are studied. We investigate effects of the Coulomb and field-induced electronic renormalizations of the energy subbands and steady eigenstates of electrons. The random-phase and ladder approximations have been used to calculate the linear interband and intersubband optical absorptions and refractive indices. The effect of collective dipole moment on the nonlinear susceptibility has been incorporated into the study by using a local-field approach. Lasing without population inversion, electromagnetically induced transparency, and enhanced nonlinearity with reduced absorption inside the intersubband-coupled single quantum well and dc-field coupled double quantum wells are found.
IV–VI QUANTUM WELLS FOR INFRARED LASERS
Authors: BAUER G. , KRIECHBAUM M. , SHI Z. , TACKE M.
Published: November 2004

Of central importance for mid-infrared diode lasers are their actual cryogenic operation temperatures. Quantum structures offer the potential for threshold current reduction and hence an operation temperature increase. The present experimental state of quantum structure diode lasers is reviewed. The relevant laser properties of the most promising material system, the IV–VI's are treated theoretically, and experimental results for IV–VI quantum well and superlattices samples are discussed.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS IN ELECTROABSORPTION SEMICONDUCTOR MODULATORS
Authors: CUNNINGHAM J. E.
Published: November 2004

State-of-the-art developments in electroabsorption modulators that utilize quantum well-semiconductors are reviewed. Optimized Multiple Quantum Well modulators in the GaAs/AlGaAs system have been driven by applications in photonic switching and optical interconnects. Surprisingly, these same structures exhibit a wealth of new behavior that ranges from Bloch oscillations to excitons in Coupled Well, Wannier–Stark and Shallow Well superlattices. Several types of excitonic phases have been identified optically and found to transform as the system dimensionality changes from 2D to 3D. In addition, new material systems have shown that quantum well excitonic absorption quality can be transferred to technologically important wavelengths at 1.06 μm or 1.55 μm.
RESONANTLY-ENHANCED NONLINEAR OPTICS OF INTERSUBBAND TRANSITIONS
Authors: ALMOGY G. , YARIV A.
Published: November 2004

We rigorously derive the nonlinear optical response of quantum well intersubband transitions. After a review of the uniqueness of the optical properties of intersubband transitions and of the main experimental results in the field, the limitations of the standard perturbative nonlinear treatment are examined. It is shown that resonant-enhancement leads to the divergence of the perturbative expansion even at moderate optical intensities. In particular we examine the feasibility of all-optical modulation, electrooptic modulation, and high efficiency second-harmonic generation using intersubband transitions. Upper limits on the magnitude of nonlinear phenomena that may be obtained via intersubband transitions are derived for these cases.
RELATIVISTIC SELF-FOCUSING OF AN ULTRA-INTENSE LASER PULSE IN A PLASMA
Authors: MAINFRAY G.
Published: November 2004

New compact multiterawatt lasers allow us to study the relativistic regime of laserplasma interaction. The propagation of a multiterawatt subpicosecond laser pulse in a plasma has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. A 10 TW laser pulse at a 1064 nm wavelength has been focused in a hydrogen gas jet. Thomson scattering observations show that a relativistic self-focusing and channeling occur when the laser power exceeds a critical value predicted by theory. The amount of enhancement in self-focused intensity exceeds one order of magnitude. The laser pulse propagates through the plasma over a distance much larger than the Rayleigh length determined by vacuum diffraction.
HIGH-ORDER HARMONIC GENERATION WITH HIGH-INTENSITY FEMTOSECOND LASER PULSES
Authors: MIYAZAKI K.
Published: November 2004

High-order harmonic generation experiments using intense, femtosecond dye (616 nm), XeCl (308 nm) and Ti:sapphire (782 nm) laser pulses are reviewed. Results obtained at focused intensities of 1013 ~ 1015 W/cm 2 have shown characteristic behaviors of the high-order harmonic and its distribution which depend on the laser wavelength, the laser intensity and the rare gas used as the nonlinear medium. Interaction processes for the efficient generation of high-order harmonics or short-wavelength coherent radiation in the multiphoton and tunneling ionization regimes are discussed based on the results obtained.
HIGH-ORDER HARMONICS: A COHERENT SOURCE IN THE XUV RANGE
Authors: L'HUILLIER A. , AUGUSTE T. , BALCOU PH. , CARRÉ B. , MONOT P. , SALIÈRES P. , ALTUCCI C. , GAARDE M. B. , LARSSON J. , MEVEL E. , STARCZEWSKI T. , SVANBERG S. , WAHLSTRÖM C.-G. , ZERNE R. , BUDIL K. S. , DITMIRE T. , PERRY M. D.
Published: November 2004

We review the main results concerning high-order generation processes from the point of view of a potential user of this new source of XUV radiation. The perspectives for optimizing the source, both in efficiency and in spectral range, its characteristics and in particular, its coherence properties, are discussed. Finally, we describe two experiments, which demonstrate the usefulness of the harmonics as a short-pulse, coherent source in the XUV domain.
HIGH HARMONIC GENERATION IN ATOMS AND DIATOMIC MOLECULES USING ULTRASHORT LASER PULSES IN THE MULTIPHOTON REGIME
Authors: CHIN S. L. , LIANG Y. , AUGST S. , GOLOVINSKI P. A. , BEAUDOIN Y. , CHAKER M.
Published: November 2004

High harmonic generation has been investigated in the diatomic molecular gases H 2, D 2, N 2 and O 2 as well as the atomic gases Ar and Xe using a linearly polarized picosecond dye laser (594 nm) and a linearly polarized subpicosecond Ti:sapphire/Nd:glass laser (1053 nm). It is shown that in the cutoff region, the ionization potential and mass are not sensitive parameters for harmonic efficiency but the polarizability is an important factor. A two-step model is suggested to explain the experimental observation in the multiphoton regime. The correlation of the high harmonic yield and the static polarizability for different systems with nearly the same ionization potentials is discussed. Comparison of theoretical estimation with experimental data shows a rather good agreement.
PLASMA EFFECTS ON HIGH-ORDER HARMONIC GENERATION
Authors: DITMIRE T. , CRANE J. K. , NGUYEN H. , PERRY M. D.
Published: November 2004

Experimental measurements of the effects of plasma formation on high order harmonic radiation are presented. We discuss the range of wavelengths that are attainable through harmonic generation and examine the limitations imposed by free electron phase matching to extending the harmonic plateau. We then present harmonic energy yield measurements for the 350 to 170 angstrom range under optimum, high conversion efficiency conditions. Results showing the effects of plasma formation on the spatial and spectral profiles of the harmonic under these high conversion efficiency conditions are also presented.
THEORY OF BARRIER-SUPPRESSION IONIZATION OF ATOMS
Authors: KRAINOV V. P.
Published: November 2004

The theoretical description of the ionization of an atom (ion) by external electromagnetic radiation up to now concerned two alternative situations; multiphoton ionization and tunneling ionization. For both cases the formulas describing the ionization probability when the intensity of the laser field is not too strong are well known. However, if the field is strong, then there exists a new channel; the so-called barrier-suppression (or above-barrier) ionization of the atom. How does this process occur? It is obvious that barrier-suppression ionization and sub-barrier tunneling ionization by low-frequency laser field transform smoothly into one another as the field strength F is varied near the value of the barrier-suppression field F BSI . This paper contains a review of various theoretical approaches developed during the last few years, especially analytical considerations. Some new semi-analytical expressions for ionization rates, energy and angular distributions of ejected electrons are also derived.
ALL-OPTICAL, IN-LINE, UNPERTURBING AND PARALLEL MEASUREMENT OF LASER BEAM INTENSITY WITH TRANSPARENT THIN LAYERS OF LIQUID CRYSTALS
Authors: TABIRYAN N. V. , VOGELER T. , TSCHUDI T. , ZEL'DOVICH B. YA.
Published: November 2004

It is demonstrated that unique properties of orientational interaction of light with liquid crystals allow for high precision all-optical measurement of laser radiation intensity and determination of the focal spot location and its size. With that, non-absorptive character of the basic interaction phenomenon makes unperturbing measurement schemes feasible and ensures their applicability to high power beams. Large detector area and independent operation of its spatially distinct regions can be utilized to carry out parallel measurements for many beams.
GAUSSIAN BEAM NONSPECULAR REFLECTION AT A NONLINEAR DEFOCUSING INTERFACE
Authors: NASALSKI W. , BURAK D.
Published: November 2004

Nonspecular reflection of a Gaussian beam impinging an interface between linear and defocusing nonlinear Kerr medium is numerically investigated. A composite nonspecular shift of the reflected beam is documented for both local and nonlocal nonlinear interfaces and the nonspecular character of the beam-interface interaction is clearly shown. In analogy to previous studies on interfaces with focusing and local Kerr nonlinearities, and contrary to the results on interfaces with nonlocal defocusing nonlinearity, no bistability in the parameters of the reflected beam is found. This is also confirmed by numerical simulations based on iterative scheme with a memory effect introduced into the solving procedure.
Hepatic glycogen breakdown is implicated in the maintenance of plasma mannose concentration
Authors: Taguchi T. , Yamashita E. , Mizutani T. , Nakajima H. , Yabuuchi M. , Asano N. , Miwa I.
Published: November 2004

d-Mannose is an essential monosaccharide constituent of glycoproteins and glycolipids. However, it is unknown how plasma mannose is supplied. The aim of this study was to explore the source of plasma mannose. Oral administration of glucose resulted in a significant decrease of plasma mannose concentration after 20 min in fasted normal rats. However, in fasted type 2 diabetes model rats, plasma mannose concentrations that were higher compared with normal rats did not change after the administration of glucose. When insulin was administered intravenously to fed rats, it took longer for plasma mannose concentrations to decrease significantly in diabetic rats than in normal rats (20 and 5 min, respectively). Intravenous administration of epinephrine to fed normal rats increased the plasma mannose concentration, but this effect was negated by fasting or by administration of a glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor. Epinephrine increased mannose output from the perfused liver of fed rats, but this effect was negated in the presence of a glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitor. Epinephrine also increased the hepatic levels of hexose 6-phosphates, including mannose 6-phosphate. When either lactate alone or lactate plus alanine were administered as gluconeogenic substrates to fasted rats, the concentration of plasma mannose did not increase. When lactate was used to perfuse the liver of fasted rats, a decrease, rather than an increase, in mannose output was observed. These findings indicate that hepatic glycogen is a source of plasma mannose.
Transforming growth factor-β in acute renal failure: receptor expression, effects on proliferation, cellularity, and vascularization after recovery from injury
Authors: Spurgeon Kimberly R. , Donohoe Deborah L. , Basile David P.
Published: November 2004

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1and a number of TGF-β-responsive genes are transiently enhanced following induction of ischemic acute renal failure (ARF) in the rat. The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β receptors were analyzed in postischemic rat kidneys by ribonuclease protection, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. TGF-βRI and -RII were enhanced within 3 days of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and remained elevated for up 7 days post-I/R; TGF-β receptor expression was localized primarily in regenerating tubules within the outer medulla. A neutralizing TGF-β antibody exacerbated cellular proliferation observed on day 3 postischemia but had no effect on day 1 or 2. TGF-β antibody treatment had no measurable effect on loss of renal function or the restoration of renal function during the recovery response for up to 35 days postsurgery. However, ischemic injury resulted in modest renal hypertrophy that is due, in part, to in an increase in the number of interstitial cells in the postischemic kidney. Immunohistochemistry showed that several of these cells stained positively for the fibroblast-specific marker, S100A4 positive. Anti-TGF-β treatment substantially attenuated the renal hypertrophy, interstitial cellularity, and S100A4-positive cells present at 35 days post-I/R. Finally, TGF-β immunoneutralization attenuated the loss of renal vascular density following recovery from I/R injury. These data suggest that the TGF-β/TβR system is enhanced in the postischemic kidney. However, the current study failed to identify a prominent role for this system in the repair of proximal tubules following ARF. In contrast, the activation of this system may play an important role in the long-term structure of the postischemic kidney by influencing microvascular structure and interstitial cellularity.
Progress in Functional Neuroanatomy: Precise Automatic Geometric Reconstruction of Neuronal Morphology From Confocal Image Stacks
Authors: Evers J. F. , Schmitt S. , Sibila M. , Duch C.
Published: November 2004

Dendritic architecture provides the structural substrate for myriads of input and output synapses in the brain and for the integration of presynaptic inputs. Understanding mechanisms of evolution and development of neuronal shape and its respective function is thus a formidable problem in neuroscience. A fundamental prerequisite for finding answers is a precise quantitative analysis of neuronal structure in situ and in vivo. Therefore we have developed a tool set for automatic geometric reconstruction of neuronal architecture from stacks of confocal images. It provides exact midlines, diameters, surfaces, volumes, and branch point locations and allows analysis of labeled molecule distribution along neuronal surfaces as well as direct export into modeling software. We show the high accuracy of geometric reconstruction and the analysis of putative input synapse distribution throughout entire dendritic trees from in situ light microscopy preparations as a possible application. The binary version of the reconstruction module is downloadable at no cost.
Syncope Evaluation in the Emergency Department Study (SEEDS)
Authors: Shen Win K. , Decker Wyatt W. , Smars Peter A. , Goyal Deepi G. , Walker Ann E. , Hodge David O. , Trusty Jane M. , Brekke Karen M. , Jahangir Arshad , Brady Peter A. , Munger Thomas M. , Gersh Bernard J. , Hammill Stephen C. , Frye Robert L.
Published: November 2004

Background—

The primary aim and central hypothesis of the study are that a designated syncope unit in the emergency department improves diagnostic yield and reduces hospital admission for patients with syncope who are at intermediate risk for an adverse cardiovascular outcome.

Methods and Results—

In this prospective, randomized, single-center study, patients were randomly allocated to 2 treatment arms: syncope unit evaluation and standard care. The 2 groups were compared with χ
2
test for independence of categorical variables. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for continuous variables. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. One hundred three consecutive patients (53 women; mean age 64±17 years) entered the study. Fifty-one patients were randomized to the syncope unit. For the syncope unit and standard care patients, the presumptive diagnosis was established in 34 (67%) and 5 (10%) patients (
P
<0.001), respectively, hospital admission was required for 22 (43%) and 51 (98%) patients (
P
<0.001), and total patient-hospital days were reduced from 140 to 64. Actuarial survival was 97% and 90% (
P
=0.30), and survival free from recurrent syncope was 88% and 89% (
P
=0.72) at 2 years for the syncope unit and standard care groups, respectively.

Conclusions—

The novel syncope unit designed for this study significantly improved diagnostic yield in the emergency department and reduced hospital admission and total length of hospital stay without affecting recurrent syncope and all-cause mortality among intermediate-risk patients. Observations from the present study provide benchmark data for improving patient care and effectively utilizing healthcare resources.
The Good, the Bad, or the Ugly?
Authors: Southwell Brian G. , Doyle Kenneth O.
Published: November 2004

When pundits—and some researchers—proclaim electronic games either altogether good or altogether bad for society, they often miss theoretical subtleties that if considered would allow us to see both the boon and the burden of the emerging technology and point to important future possibilities. Most important, these critics often fail to recognize that variability exists at different levels of analysis and in the interactions: between players, between games, between contexts, and so forth. The simultaneous existence of both positive and negative consequences of electronic games can be elaborated and reconciled in part through a multilevel perspective on electronic game effects whereby important variables exist at the levels of the individual, game content, and societal time or space. This article illustrates this idea by reviewing some recent findings in this arena and pointing to common threads that relate to the likely multilevel structure of human interaction with electronic games.
The New Media and Older Adults
Authors: Charness Neil , Holley Patricia
Published: November 2004

This article discusses the potential impact of new media on older adults. It outlines trends in population aging and in the use of computers and the Internet. The potential demands of new media on older adults are characterized, and physical and psychological changes in older adults that may affect new media use are briefly reviewed. Finally, the article provides design suggestions that may help attenuate the effects of aging on access to new media.
Advertising and the Consumer Information Environment Online
Authors: Faber Ronald J. , Lee Mira , Nan Xiaoli
Published: November 2004

The Internet has apparently become an important source of information for consumers and partly because of this trend, the Internet now presents a huge opportunity for advertisers who seek effective communication with their target markets. The purpose of this article is to provide an understanding of the qualities and potentials of the Internet as an advertising medium. First, an overview of the various forms of Internet advertising is provided, as well as a review of existing literature regarding the effectiveness of each form. The article next compares the Internet with traditional mass media from the perspective of the consumer information environment and shows how unique characteristics of the Internet may alter consumer experience and decision making. The article concludes with a discussion of the needs and challenges facing the field.
New Media and Politics
Authors: Borgida Eugene , Stark Emily N.
Published: November 2004

Many fascinating questions have been raised about the “transformative” influence of the Internet on everyday social life. Some research suggests that the Internet has a positive and transformative influence on many lives, but other studies suggest that this influence is overstated and not always associated with such positive consequences. This article briefly discusses some of these claims, especially those grounded in research from social and political psychology. It focuses on the extent to which the Internet is providing (a) an important and increasingly influential forum for acquiring politically relevant information and (b) a new context for researchers to study traditional social-psychological processes that may be associated with the way citizens enhance their political knowledge online and bolster their political attitudes and partisan affiliations. More generally, the article suggests that there are potential theoretical and empirical payoffs associated with studying online information-seeking behavior in the political realm.
International Economic Sources of Regime Change
Authors: Golden Miriam A.
Published: November 2004

Italy’s 1992 elections marked the end of political dominance by Christian Democracy (DC). The conventional account of the collapse of the DC’s vote to less than 30% focuses on the breakup of the Soviet Union, which is said to have freed Catholic voters to switch to new regionalist protest parties. The author documents that this argument is empirically inadequate. Evidence shows that electoral districts more exposed to international trade were where the DC lost larger vote shares and where the Northern League received more support. These findings corroborate that social groups linked to small firms in the north and center whose products were exported throughout Europe underwent electoral realignment in response to the economic opportunities offered by the 1991 Maastricht Treaty. The author argues that DC was not credible in providing national macroeconomic policies that would have allowed Italy to partake fully of the opportunities offered by European economic integration.
Democratization and the Left
Authors: Wong Joseph
Published: November 2004

This article examines how democratic transition has shaped leftist politics in Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil, and Chile. On one hand, the new left has positioned itself differently in the two regions, specifically in terms of when the left emerged (or reemerged) onto the political scene and how it has organized politically. On the other hand, new left forces in both regions have moderated their political tactics and ideological demands. This article contends that the new left has had to adapt to new political contexts. Divergence in new left politics can be explained by variations in the pacing of democratic reform, the institutional basis of democratic breakthrough, and salient cleavage structures. Yet the imperatives of democratic competition—irrespective of the specific mode of transition—have compelled the new left in both regions to similarly moderate their political tactics and transformative demands.
Public Opinion Toward Immigration in the European Union
Authors: Lahav Gallya
Published: November 2004

The literature on immigration has been divided with regard to the constraints, particularly of public opinion, on EU policy cooperation. Analysts have suggested that there is a disjuncture between public opinion and policy developments and that liberal immigration policies have emerged because negative public opinion is not factored into elite decision making or institutional developments. Comparing public opinion data derived from Eurobarometer surveys with demographic trends and EU initiatives, this article questions the “disjuncture” premises by evaluating the nature of mass attitudes and its impact on policy harmonization in the EU. In bridging the attitudinal-policy gap, the article assesses (a) the extent to which publics are ignorant or informed and (b) the distinct effects of personal versus general societal conditions as they motivate immigration attitudes and policy preferences. The conclusions have implications for immigration cooperation in the European Union, with policy outcomes that are more compatible with public attitudes.
Interorganizational Negotiation and Intraorganizational Power in Shared Decision Making
Authors: Farrell Henry , HÉRitier Adrienne
Published: November 2004

The authors argue that closer attention should be paid to the interorganizational rules of decision making and their implications for intraorganizational processes. They claim that exogenous changes in macro-institutional rules, which result in a move from formal and sequential to informal and simultaneous interaction between collective actors, will lead to changes in individual actors’ respective influence over outcomes within organizations. Certain individuals controlling information flows between organizations will see an increase in their power over legislative outcomes. This begs the question of how organizations will respond to these shifts in the power balance among the individual actors that constitute them. The authors argue that collective actors that centralize coordination over dealings with external actors will respond effectively through internal rule change. In contrast, collective actors with multiple, ill-coordinated links to other organizations will find it difficult to change internal rules. The authors empirically explore the general argument by analyzing the relationship between the Council and the European Parliament in the process of codecision and its implications for intraorganizational processes.
Personality Testing in Law Enforcement Employment Settings
Authors: Varela Jorge G. , Boccaccini Marcus T. , Scogin Forrest , Stump Jamie , Caputo Alicia
Published: November 2004

Meta-analysis was used to (a) assess the overall validity of personality measures as predictors of law enforcement officer job performance, (b) investigate the moderating effects of study design characteristics on this relation, and (c) compare effects for commonly used instruments in this setting. Results revealed a modest but statistically significant relation between personality test scores and officer performance. Prediction was strongest for the California Psychological Inventory and weaker for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Inwald Personality Inventory. Effect sizes were larger for studies examining current job performance, as opposed to future job performance. Implications for using personality tests in the law enforcement officer hiring process are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.
The Revised NEO Personality Inventory as Predictor of Police Academy Performance
Authors: Detrick Paul , Chibnall John T. , Luebbert Michael C.
Published: November 2004

Preemployment psychological evaluation utilizing personality inventories is common in law enforcement settings. The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), developed from the five-factor theory of normal personality functioning, has proven useful in personnel selection. This study examined the predictive validity of NEO PI-R facet scales for predicting academic, firearms, physical, and disciplinary elements of police academy performance, as well as academy graduation. Results indicated that recruits higher in Values and lower in Excitement-Seeking did better academically, those lower in Anxiety did better at firearms, and those lower in Deliberation and Fantasy and higher in Activity did better in physical training. In a logistic regression analysis, Excitement-Seeking, Ideas, and Values predicted disciplinary memos, whereas Self-Consciousness, Altruism, Feelings, Order, Positive Emotions, and Vulnerability predicted absenteeism. Vulnerability to stress was the sole multivariate predictor of graduation. The use of the NEO PI-R as a selection instrument for police officers appears promising.