bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Composer's Notebook: Interpreting
Authors: Goode Daniel 
Published: May 2006

The text is a 10-minute rant delivered by narrator William Hellermann, composer/performer and co-director/founder of the DownTown Ensemble, which seems to be about him (Hellermann), although approximately every other biographical fact seems questionable and is in fact false. That still leaves much that is true. So while Bill seems in some sense to be “Bill,” as things go on, the rant turns sour, then melancholy, totally political and outrageous. Finally, one should, based on observation, begin to suspect that the text is by the composer, who is sitting in the ensemble playing clarinet. The performance begins when a faux-emcee Bill, under appropriately harsh emcee lighting, comes onstage from the wings to (pretend to) introduce the Ensemble. He takes the mike while the ensemble is still tuning up (as specified in the score). The ensemble plays on while the text referentially points out what is happening: the Ensemble is “at this moment” strategizing political action to itself while playing. Further observation leads to another conclusion: The Ensemble and the Speaker seem to have nothing to do with each other—that is, until one focuses on the drummer (Jim Pugliese) who, entrained by the spoken voice, is responding to and improvising off the vocal rhythms of Hellermann with a softish and insistent wash of brushes and kick-drum. So although seated with the Ensemble, he is really part of Bill's “ensemble.” The text is part of the score of Interpreting, composed for the Down Town Ensemble: clarinet (Daniel Goode), trombone (Peter Zummo), cello (Matt Goeke), piano (Joseph Kubera), percussion (Jim Pugliese) and soprano voice (Mary Jane Leach).The piece premiered at the Sounds Like Now festival at La Mama ETC, 16 October 2004.
Partial BFGS Update and Efficient Step-Length Calculation for Three-Layer Neural Networks
Authors: Saito Kazumi , Nakano Ryohei 
Published: May 2006

Second-order learning algorithms based on quasi-Newton methods have two problems. First, standard quasi-Newton methods are impractical for large-scale problems because they require N2 storage space to maintain an approximation to an inverse Hessian matrix (N is the number of weights). Second, a line search to calculate areasonably accurate step length is indispensable for these algorithms. In order to provide desirable performance, an efficient and reasonably accurate line search is needed. To overcome these problems, we propose a new second-order learning algorithm. Descent direction is calculated on the basis of a partial Broydon-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) update with 2Ns memory space (s « N), and a reasonably accurate step length is efficiently calculated as the minimal point of a second-order approximation to the objective function with respect to the step length. Our experiments, which use a parity problem and a speech synthesis problem, have shown that the proposed algorithm outperformed major learning algorithms. Moreover, it turned out that an efficient and accurate step-length calculation plays an important role for the convergence of quasi-Newton algorithms, and a partial BFGS update greatly saves storage space without losing the convergence performance.
A Sequential Learning Scheme for Function Approximation Using Minimal Radial Basis Function Neural Networks
Authors: Yingwei Lu , Sundararajan N. , Saratchandran P. 
Published: May 2006

This article presents a sequential learning algorithm for function approximation and time-series prediction using a minimal radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). The algorithm combines the growth criterion of the resource-allocating network (RAN) of Platt (1991) with a pruning strategy based on the relative contribution of each hidden unit to the overall network output. The resulting network leads toward a minimal topology for the RBFNN. The performance of the algorithm is compared with RAN and the enhanced RAN algorithm of Kadirkamanathan and Niranjan (1993) for the following benchmark problems: (1) hearta from the benchmark problems database PROBEN1, (2) Hermite polynomial, and (3) Mackey-Glass chaotic time series. For these problems, the proposed algorithm is shown to realize RBFNNs with far fewer hidden neurons with better or same accuracy.
Redundancy Reduction and Independent Component Analysis: Conditions on Cumulants and Adaptive Approaches
Authors: Nadal Jean-Pierre , Parga Nestor 
Published: May 2006

In the context of both sensory coding and signal processing, building factorized codes has been shown to be an efficient strategy. In a wide variety of situations, the signal to be processed is a linear mixture of statistically independent sources. Building a factorized code is then equivalent to performing blind source separation. Thanks to the linear structure of the data, this can be done, in the language of signal processing, by finding an appropriate linear filter, or equivalently, in the language of neural modeling, by using a simple feedforward neural network.In this article, we discuss several aspects of the source separation problem. We give simple conditions on the network output that, if satisfied, guarantee that source separation has been obtained. Then we study adaptive approaches, in particular those based on redundancy reduction and maximization of mutual information. We show how the resulting updating rules are related to the BCM theory of synaptic plasticity. Eventually we briefly discuss extensions to the case of nonlinear mixtures. Through out this article, we take care to put into perspective our work with other studies on source separation and redundancy reduction. In particular we review algebraic solutions, pointing out their simplicity but also their drawbacks.
Shape Quantization and Recognition with Randomized Trees
Authors: Amit Yali , Geman Donald 
Published: May 2006

We explore a new approach to shape recognition based on a virtually infinite family of binary features (queries) of the image data, designed to accommodate prior information about shape invariance and regularity. Each query corresponds to a spatial arrangement of several local topographic codes (or tags), which are in themselves too primitive and common to be informative about shape. All the discriminating power derives from relative angles and distances among the tags. The important attributes of the queries are a natural partial ordering corresponding to increasing structure and complexity; semi-invariance, meaning that most shapes of a given class will answer the same way to two queries that are successive in the ordering; and stability, since the queries are not based on distinguished points and substructures. No classifier based on the full feature set can be evaluated, and it is impossible to determine a priori which arrangements are informative. Our approach is to select informative features and build tree classifiers at the same time by inductive learning. In effect, each tree provides an approximation to the full posterior where the features chosen depend on the branch that is traversed. Due to the number and nature of the queries, standard decision tree construction based on a fixed-length feature vector is not feasible. Instead we entertain only a small random sample of queries at each node, constrain their complexity to increase with tree depth, and grow multiple trees. The terminal nodes are labeled by estimates of the corresponding posterior distribution over shape classes. An image is classified by sending it down every tree and aggregating the resulting distributions. The method is applied to classifying handwritten digits and synthetic linear and nonlinear deformations of three hundred [Formula: see text] symbols. State-of-the-art error rates are achieved on the National Institute of Standards and Technology database of digits. The principal goal of the experiments on [Formula: see text] symbols is to analyze invariance, generalization error and related issues, and a comparison with artificial neural networks methods is presented in this context. [Figure: see text]
The Artwork Caught by the Tail
Authors: Baker George 
Published: May 2006

If it were married to logic, art would be living in incest, engulfing, swallowing its own tail.… —Tristan Tzara, Manifeste Dada 1918 The only word that is not ephemeral is the word death…. To death, to death, to death. The only thing that doesn't die is money, it just leaves on trips. —Francis Picabia, Manifeste Cannibale Dada, 1920
New National Healthcare Information System
Authors: Bergamaschi Walter , Rapone Laura , Sorda Elianna 
Published: May 2006

AbstractCurrently the increased healthcare needs of the population call for strategic planning that provides tools to balance the costs of the system with the quality of services offered. The first requirement for this end is reliable, timely and comparable data. Therefore, a New Health Information System (NSIS) is needed that will contribute to achieving this goal.
Errors in clinical laboratories or errors in laboratory medicine?
Authors: Plebani Mario 
Published: May 2006

AbstractLaboratory testing is a highly complex process and, although laboratory services are relatively safe, they are not as safe as they could or should be. Clinical laboratories have long focused their attention on quality control methods and quality assessment programs dealing with analytical aspects of testing. However, a growing body of evidence accumulated in recent decades demonstrates that quality in clinical laboratories cannot be assured by merely focusing on purely analytical aspects. The more recent surveys on errors in laboratory medicine conclude that in the delivery of laboratory testing, mistakes occur more frequently before (pre-analytical) and after (post-analytical) the test has been performed. Most errors are due to pre-analytical factors (46–68.2% of total errors), while a high error rate (18.5–47% of total errors) has also been found in the post-analytical phase. Errors due to analytical problems have been significantly reduced over time, but there is evidence that, particularly for immunoassays, interference may have a serious impact on patients. A description of the most frequent and risky pre-, intra- and post-analytical errors and advice on practical steps for measuring and reducing the risk of errors is therefore given in the present paper. Many mistakes in the Total Testing Process are called “laboratory errors”, although these may be due to poor communication, action taken by others involved in the testing process (e.g., physicians, nurses and phlebotomists), or poorly designed processes, all of which are beyond the laboratory's control. Likewise, there is evidence that laboratory information is only partially utilized. A recent document from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommends a new, broader definition of the term “laboratory error” and a classification of errors according to different criteria. In a modern approach to total quality, centered on patients' needs and satisfaction, the risk of errors and mistakes in pre- and post-examination steps must be minimized to guarantee the total quality of laboratory services.
Point-of-care-testing and Clinical Governance
Authors: Pearson Joan 
Published: May 2006

AbstractClinical Governance is a quality framework encompassing risk management, clinical and cost effectiveness, and patient outcomes. These principles apply to point-of-care testing (POCT), which is becoming widely used within hospitals and the community. Formal regulation of POCT is variable throughout the world, but it is vital that the principles of clinical governance are followed in the implementation and management of POCT and laboratory professionals have a responsibility to advise users of POCT accordingly.
External Quality Assessment: an effective tool for Clinical Governance in Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Sciacovelli Laura , Secchiero Sandra , Zardo Lorena , Zaninotto Martina , Plebani Mario 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe implementation of Clinical Governance will require a redefinition of duties and accountability as a prerequisite to develop and achieve an overall improvement in clinical care through a culture of assessment and monitoring of quality. External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) are the main tool enabling laboratories to measure the quality of their results; they must carefully assess and monitor all elements contributing to the formulation of laboratory information (results, reference ranges/decisional levels, interpretative comments and diagnostic algorithms). There are different ways to design and manage a Scheme and EQAS coordinators are mainly responsible for its effectiveness. The present paper reports, as an example, some experiences of the Centre of Biomedical Research (CRB), which manages EQAS according to high quality specifications and laboratories' needs, that can reflect the Clinical Governance philosophy. Our findings show that EQAS are able to control all the above aspects and, if organisers are committed to fulfilling the responsibility and accountability principles, they will be of great value in quality assessment and in developing an External Quality Assurance Program (EQAP). This is an inter-laboratory comparison designed and conducted to assure the following: evaluation of participants' performance (by evaluating not only analytical performance, but also test interpretation, and advice for clinicians on laboratory requests and diagnosis); evaluation of method performance; and continuous education, training and help. The main aim of the activities of an EQAP in Laboratory Medicine is to sustain improvements in the quality of services provided by participating laboratories for the benefit of patients.
Teaching and Continuing Professional Development: an Italian experience
Authors: Putoto Giovanni 
Published: May 2006

AbstractContinuing Professional Development (CPD) is a key factor for effective implementation of Clinical Governance. The development of a quality system is, in fact, strictly related to the development of competencies of healthcare professionals. Lifelong learning has emerged as a new paradigm that underlines the need to maintain and continuously improve knowledge, competencies and attitudes in the changing scenario of healthcare systems. CPD accreditation is another fundamental issue and a variety of voluntary and compulsory approaches can be recognised at an international level. The experience of the University Hospital of Padova may be useful to demonstrate that CPD can be addressed to implement a Clinical Governance project.
Technology to improve quality and accountability
Authors: Kay Jonathan 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA body of evidence has been accumulated to demonstrate that current practice is not sufficiently safe for several stages of central laboratory testing. In particular, while analytical and perianalytical steps that take place within the laboratory are subjected to quality control procedures, this is not the case for several pre- and post-analytical steps. The ubiquitous application of auto-identification technology seems to represent a valuable tool for reducing error rates. A series of projects in Oxford has attempted to improve processes which support several areas of laboratory medicine, including point-of-care testing, blood transfusion, delivery and interpretation of reports, and support of decision-making by clinicians. The key tools are auto-identification, Internet communication technology, process re-engineering, and knowledge management.
Multi-Level Modeling in Systems Biology by Discrete Event Approaches (Mehrebenen-Modellierung in der Systembiologie innerhalb diskret-ereignisbasierter Ansätze)
Authors: Uhrmacher Adelinde , Kuttler Céline 
Published: May 2006

Summary
The creation of models for heterogeneous and complex cellular networks is a central goal of Systems Biology. When modeling a biological network, one may wish to account for certain aspects in detail, while a bird's eye perspective would seem more appropriate for other parts. Multi-level models combine such overview and detail representations. We illustrate multi-level modeling with gene regulation of the Tryptophan operon in E. coli. We review three discrete event modeling formalisms and discuss model design therein: DEVS, STATECHARTS, and stochastic π-CALCULUS. This introductory presentation already reveals some of their respective virtues and shortcomings.
Chemical Organization Theory Applied to Virus Dynamics (Theorie chemischer Organisationen angewendet auf Infektionsmodelle)
Authors: Matsumaru Naoki , Centler Florian , Fenizio Pietro Speroni di , Dittrich Peter 
Published: May 2006

Summary
Chemical organization theory has been proposed to provide a new perspective to study complex dynamical reaction networks. It decomposes a reaction network into overlapping sub-networks called organizations. An organization is an algebraically closed and self-maintaining set of molecular species. The set of organizations form a hierarchical “organizational structure”, which is here a lattice. In order to evaluate the usefulness of this approach we apply the theory to five models of immune response to HIV infection. We found four different lattices of organizations, which can be used as a first classification of the models. Furthermore, each organization found can be assigned to a functional state of the system. And finally, the lattice of organizations can be used to explain a treatment strategy on a more abstract level, i. e., as a movement from one organization into another.
Invariants of Gene-Assembly in Stichotrichous Ciliates (Invarianten der Gen-Assemblierung in Ciliaten der Unterklasse Stichotrichia)
Authors: Petre Ion 
Published: May 2006

Summary
Ciliates have developed a puzzling genomic organization. Genes are broken into many pieces in the micronucleus, separated by non-coding sequences, and sometimes also shuffled and inverted. During sexual reproduction, all pieces are precisely assembled in the orthodox order to yield the transcriptionally active macronuclear genes. We give in this paper a brief survey of the genome structure in stichotrichous ciliates and present two molecular models proposed for gene assembly. We then establish a set of invariants for gene assembly. We prove that in any model based on the paradigm of pointer-directed assembly, the set of molecules excised during the assembly of a given gene, the linearity of the assembled gene, and its IES context are all uniquely defined by the micronuclear structure of the gene and thus, are invariants of the gene assembly process.
Artificial Immune Systems for IT-Security (Künstliche Immunsysteme für IT-Sicherheit)
Authors: Stibor Thomas , Eckert Claudia , Timmis Jonathan 
Published: May 2006

Summary
The immune system is an impressive information processing system with many appealing properties for solving problems. Artificial immune systems are a paradigm inspired by the immune system and are used for solving computational and information processing problems. In this paper, we outline two different immune-inspired approaches typically used for IT-security problems. Specifically, we present one of the first proposed immune inspired approaches for network intrusion detection, this is then complimented with an overview of recent investigations on the latest immunological theories and how they may be exploited in IT-security. We then present an artificial immune system concept for database security which encompasses issues such as confidentiality of database information and prevention of privacy-preserving data mining.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme signalling in human preadipocytes and adipocytes
Authors: Böttcher Andreas , Böttcher Alfred , Schmitz Gerd , Schling Petra 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II) is a plasma membrane zinc metallopeptidase that acts as a key enzyme for the extracellular conversion of vasoactive peptides. Recently, ACE outside-in signalling in endothelial cells has been described. The present study tested the hypothesis that ACE signalling is not restricted to endothelial cells and may act as an additional peptide receptor on human preadipocytes and adipocytes. ACE protein levels were not changed during adipose conversion of human primary preadipocytes. The enzyme was primarily localized to the non-detergent-resistant fraction of the membrane and phosphorylated in non-dividing cells. Antibody arrays of whole cell lysate detected putative ACE-interacting proteins, which all share important roles in cell cycle control and/or apoptosis. These findings suggest that ACE is a versatile molecule, involved both in the regulation of extracellular peptide concentrations and direct intracellular signalling. In human adipose cells ACE may potentially influence exit from the cell cycle, differentiation, and programmed cell death signalling.
Hypothalamic response to leptin changes during a hormonally induced estrous cycle in rats
Authors: Sjöholm Kajsa , Carlsson Björn , Carlsson Lena 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The leptin system regulates body fat mass through a feedback loop between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. To test if leptin responsiveness may be regulated we assayed hypothalamic response to leptin during the estrous cycle; when changes in food intake are known to occur. Immature rats were treated with pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin (PMSG) to induce synchronized follicular development, ovulation and corpus luteum formation. Leptin response was estimated by measuring the in vitro induction of tis11, a primary response gene activated by STAT3-dependent cytokines in hypothalamic explants after leptin stimulation. In addition, mRNA levels of the suppressor cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3), a possible mediator of leptin resistance, were analyzed. Serum leptin levels did not change between days 2 and day 3 (corresponding to proestrus and estrus, respectively) but the response to leptin was higher on day 2 than on day 3 (p=0.05). Food intake displayed a tendency towards downregulation between day 1 and day 2 (p=0.057), and a tendency towards upregulation between day 2 and day 3 (p=0.072), although the body weight increased on day of the study (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in hypothalamic expression of SOCS-3 between day 2 and day 3. In conclusion, we have shown that leptin responsiveness changes during a hormonally induced estrous cycle in rats. Our data suggest that a change in the hypothalamic response to leptin may cause the cyclic feeding behavior seen in rats.