bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and implementation of system software for the super database computer SDC‐II
Authors: Nakamura Minoru , Tamura Takayuki , Kitsuregawa Masaru , Takagi Mikio , Hirano Satoshi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe super database computer SDC‐II is a back‐end massively parallel SQL server, designed for superhigh‐speed processing of queries in relational database systems. The experimental system is composed of tightly coupled parallel processing modules, each containing up to seven CPUs, four disks and two data network interfaces, and a highly functional omega network connecting eight such modules.This paper describes first the parallel relational database processing system, and then proposes a query execution model for its efficient realization. The execution model uses four basic primitives (getPage, putPage, getFree and putFree), which are functions. Processing is performed pagewise using these basic operations. GetPage fetches a page from the disk read buffer, followed by getFree to acquire a free page from the free page pool. The results are sent to a disk write buffer with putPage, and putFree frees the page fetched from the read buffer. In other words, the processing progresses with the page moving around the system. The dataflow control for the input/output processes in the secondary memory for the efficient query processing are discussed in detail later. The method for avoiding and recovering from deadlock are described. Finally, the software system implemented on the SDC‐II is considered describing its components and functions. Measurement results for the execution of the TPC‐D benchmark are shown, indicating that efficient operation is realized.
Study of unknown‐multiple signal‐source clustering problem using ergodic HMM
Authors: Murakami Jinichi , Watanabe Hideyuki , Sugiyama Masahide 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe problem in which the input signal sequence is segmented into multiple signal sources and the signal source is estimated appear in a wide range of problems, such as speech information processing and language processing.In this paper, this kind of problem is called the unknown‐multiple signal source clustering problem, and a solution method is proposed based on the ergodic HMM. In ergodic HMM, the state corresponds to the signal source and the symbol sequence output from the state corresponds to the signal sequence. Then, using the Viterbi decoding and the forward decoding, the segmentation point and the category can simultaneously be estimated. As an application of the problem, the classification of the utterances by multiple speakers is attempted. As a result of the experiment, it is shown that the initial parameter values are important in the ergodic HMM, and the LPC cepstrum with a long‐term window is useful as the feature vector reflecting the speaker individuality.
Set‐theoretic comparison of mappings of combinatorial optimization problems to hopfield neural networks
Authors: Matsuda Satoshi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn solving combinatorial optimization problems by Hopfield neural networks, mappings of the problems to the networks are not made so carefully. Although many mappings of, for example, the traveling salesman problems (TSP) have been proposed, their theoretical comparisons are not yet made.In this paper, taking two typical mappings of TSP as examples, their theoretical comparisons are made to prove the superiority of one over the other by the asymptotical stability and unstability theory of the solutions shown by Matsuda [8, 9]. This theoretical comparison method could be applicable to mappings of many other combinatorial optimization problems.
Analysis of RISC performance in real‐time system
Authors: Sugimura Yasushi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe author has already proposed a method of analyzing the average instruction execution time for estimating the performance of CISC in a real‐time system (RTS) [1]. However, in [1] there was no mention of a method of analyzing the execution time when the CPU has a cache memory and an RISC architecture.This paper presents a simulation method for solving that problem, and clarifies the relative processing power of the two architectures. The new method converts actual RTS CISC trace data in an RTS to RISC access state data and uses the data for input in simulations of cache operation, etc., to clarify the processing performance ratio between CISC and RISC in an RTS.The results clarify that the 1‐level write‐through cache strategy (MIPS R3000) suffers from continuous writing, the two‐level write‐back cache strategy (MIPS R4000) depends strongly on the speed of the secondary cache, and that the overall RTS characteristics differ from the characteristics of application programs in a time‐sharing system (TSS), etc.These techniques go beyond simply allowing the comparison of RISC and CISC performance. They also make it possible to clarify the factors of the performance characteristics of systems that include caches on the basis of an overall software model for actual RTS.
A human system learning model for solving the inverse kinematics problem by direct inverse modeling
Authors: Oyama Eimei , Maeda Taro , Tachi Susumu 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe problem of computing a human arm posture that will take the hand to a desired hand position given by vision is called an inverse kinematics problem. To solve this problem, the human nervous system has a system for solving the inverse kinematics problem computing the proper joint angles from the desired hand position.Although the direct inverse modeling method is popular for the acquisition of an inverse kinematics model, a sufficient inverse model cannot be obtained for such systems with many‐to‐one input‐output correspondence as a human arm system.This paper, proposes a new model of a human inverse kinematics solver which uses the learned inverse model of the linearized model of the human arm. This inverse model transforms the hand position error to the update vector of the joint angles. The solver inverse kinematics problems by using the hand position error feedback. The performance of the solver is shown using numerical simulations.
StGA: An application of a genetic algorithm to stochastic learning automata
Authors: Munetomi Masaharu , Takai Yoshiaki , Sato Yoshiharu 
Published: July 2007

AbstractReinforcement learning algorithms such as stochastic learning automata are used to increase the probability that an action will succeed in a stochastic environment. Stochastic learning automata generally have the property of extremely slow convergence when they have a large number of feasible actions. This paper presents a novel reinforcement learning algorithm that employs a genetic algorithm to accelerate convergence. This learning algorithm, called a stochastic genetic algorithm (StGA) samples a small number of actions among all feasible ones. Procedures of stochastic learning automata and genetic operations are applied to a set of sampled actions in order to search effectively a feasible space of actions and find the best ones. Through theoretical investigations, a proof is given on convergence of the StGA by using an ε‐optimality of the stochastic learning automata. Moreover, empirical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the StGA when there is a large space of feasible actions.
A consistency verification method for design models in design environments
Authors: Arai Hiroshi , Fukazawa Yoshiaki 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper considers the set of tools built in the design environment for digital hardware, and proposes a method to verify the consistency between the set of tools and the data model. In the design support environment which integrates the set of tools with different data models in general, the interchangeability of the design data is maintained through the common data format. In practice, however, semantic gaps are often produced between the data models.In the proposed method, the data models of the tools and the data models to be presented by the whole environment to the hardware designer are formally defined using the semantic network. The difference between the data models is extracted by operations between the semantic networks. The method was applied to the design support environment based mostly on the netlist information, and the inconsistencies at the semantic level were detected, which has been difficult at the syntax level.
Query processing method for multiple databases with a different set of attributes
Authors: Nishizawa Itaru , Takasu Atsuhiro , Adachi Jun 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper discusses a schema integration and query processing method that enables integrated access to the multiple autonomous databases in the distributed environment with schemata restricted to a set of attributes. This method is based on the construction of a virtual database (VDB) formed over physically distributed component databases. Although user queries are issued to this VDB, these queries are decomposed to the subqueries using the virtual functional dependency (VFD), which is defined on the VDB and issued to each actual component database. The VDB‐based method can obtain more answers that are logically valid than those gained from conventional query processing methods. When the VFD formed over a VDB is acyclic among the nodes to which the query refers, sound and complete answers can be efficiently calculated.
Design and implementation of synthesis prediction in RTL design
Authors: Noji Tamotsu , Shimizu Keisuke , Hamada Hideyuki , Nakamura Akira 
Published: July 2007

AbstractConsideration is given to predicting the realizability of the logic synthesis and the circuit scale after the logic synthesis at the stage of the functional design before the logic synthesis. If this is realized, the manual re‐design part, as well as the execution time for logic synthesis can greatly be reduced, which is a problem at the present logic synthesis.This paper considers the stage of HDL description (functional description) at the register transfer level (RTL) before the logic synthesis based on the hardware description language (HDL). It presents a method of synthesis prediction, which can predict the realizability of the logic circuit expected after the logic synthesis. In the proposed synthesis prediction, the expertise of the HDL description for the logic synthesis integrated into the knowledge in the database and the following functions are provided.The synthesis possibility function determines the realizability of the logic synthesis using the constructed synthesis template. The guidance function transforms interactively the HDL description, for which the logic synthesis is decided as unrealizable, into the logic synthesis description for which the logic synthesis is possible. The predictive estimation function estimates the circuit scale (in terms of the number of logic gates) after the logic synthesis.The proposed synthesis prediction methodology is applied to the HDL macrogeneration system. It is seen that the logic circuit as intended by the designer is obtained by the logic synthesis, and the predicted number of logic gates agreed with that of the circuit after the logic synthesis within ± 10 percent, in terms of the median value. The proposed synthesis prediction can be executed with more than 100 times higher speed compared to the actual logic synthesis execution time.
Obstacle avoidance travel control of robot vehicle using neural network
Authors: Kodaira Minoru , Ohtomo Teruhiko , Tanaka Atsushi , Iwatsuki Masami , Ohuchi Takao 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper describes an intelligent travel control algorithm for a mobile robot vehicle using neural networks, and proposes a method that realizes path planning and generation of motion commands simultaneously. Smooth moving trajectories are controlled by the outputs of cascaded identification modules that have learned the dynamic characteristics of a mobile robot vehicle with strong nonlinearities of both driving force and steering angle. A system is adopted that mutually transforms the absolute coordinate and dynamic coordinate. Because a consequence of the coordinate transformation in this system is that the dynamic position values are normally zero, it is possible to reduce greatly the number of training patterns and, at the same time, to be able to construct an environment similar to that in which a human being drives a vehicle. A travel control system, by which a mobile robot vehicle can move on a smooth traveling path and avoid obstacles, is created by introducing a danger function as an expression of static and dynamic obstacles in an unstructured environment. Finally, the validity of the proposed travel control system is confirmed by computer simulations.
Utilisation of antenatal care by country of birth in a multi‐ethnic population: a four‐year community‐based study in Malmö, Sweden
Authors: NY PERNILLA , DYKES ANNA‐KARIN , MOLIN JOHAN , DEJIN‐KARLSSON ELISABETH 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in use of antenatal care in a multi‐ethnic population in Malmö, Sweden, over a 4‐year period. Age, parity, cohabiting status, use of an interpreter, and tobacco‐use were examined to assess the potential effects of confounding factors. Methods. A 4‐year (2000–2003) retrospective community‐based register study was performed. Low‐risk singleton pregnancies (n = 5,373) registered for antenatal care at 5 municipal clinics and at the delivery ward at Malmö University Hospital were included, and divided into 6 subgroups by country of origin. The odds for utilisation of antenatal care were analysed by means of logistic regression. Results. Significantly increased odds of lower utilisation of planned antenatal care were found among some groups of foreign‐born women. Women born in Eastern and Southern Europe, Iraq and Lebanon, and Asia had fewer antenatal visits than recommended, and all foreign‐born women (except for women born in Iraq and Lebanon, and South and Central America) had a late first visit compared to Swedish‐born women. Foreign‐born women had, in general, fewer unplanned visits to a physician at the delivery ward, but women originating from Asia, Iraq and Lebanon, and Africa had higher utilisation visits to midwives at the delivery ward compared to Swedish‐born women. Conclusions. Foreign‐born women had lower utilisation of planned antenatal care. Approximately 50% of women had higher utilisation of care, by making unplanned visits to the delivery ward. This puts strain on both economical as well as staff resources. The delivery clinic at the hospital level is not intended to handle routine visits, and, moreover, some of these women do not receive the full benefits of planned routine antenatal care.
Success in intrauterine insemination: the role of etiology
Authors: AHINKO‐HAKAMAA KATJA , HUHTALA HEINI , TINKANEN HELENA 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors for the highest pregnancy rate and lowest multiple pregnancy rate in different infertility etiology groups among women undergoing insemination treatment. Methods. A total of 1,171 cycles among 532 infertile couples were retrospectively studied and the impact of different prognostic factors on pregnancy rate in five different etiology subgroups was analyzed. Results. The pregnancy rate/cycle was highest (19.2%) among women with anovulatory infertility and lowest (11.9%) in endometriosis based infertility. Multiple pregnancy rate varied between 3.6% (male infertility) and 13.2% (anovulatory infertility). In unexplained infertility ovarian stimulation resulting in three follicles (pregnancy rate 24.2%) and inseminated motile sperm count >30×106 (pregnancy rate 19.8%) were significant prognostic factors. In anovulatory infertility stimulation with sequential clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin was a positive predictive factor, with a pregnancy rate of 36%. In male infertility stimulation with sequential clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin resulted in the best pregnancy rate (25.0%). In endometriosis‐based infertility the pregnancy rate was best with clomiphene citrate stimulation (21.1%) and inseminated motile sperm count >30×106 (24.3%). In combined infertility the highest pregnancy rate was with sequential clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin stimulation and with three follicles (30%), and even 18.2% with inseminated motile sperm count <5.0×106. Conclusions. The etiology of the infertility is important when optimal insemination treatment is planned. The impact of the woman's age, sperm count, stimulation protocol, and the follicle number on the pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate is associated with the etiology of the infertility.
STAN, a clinical audit: the outcome of 2 years of regular use in the city of Varberg, Sweden
Authors: WELIN ANNA‐KARIN , NORÉN HÅKAN , ODEBACK ANDERS , ANDERSSON MONA , ANDERSSON GUNNEL , ROSÉN K. G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective. To monitor and analyze (audit) the introduction of the STAN methodology in a district hospital. Design. Retrospective study covering the total population of deliveries at term during 2004 and 2005. Material and methods. 1,875 out of 3,193 term pregnancies (59%) were monitored using the STAN® fetal heart monitor (Neoventa Medical, Moelndal, Sweden) and the associated clinical guidelines. Cord metabolic acidosis, neonatal outcome, and rates of operative deliveries for fetal distress were recorded. Results. The overall cesarean section rate was significantly reduced in the STAN group. Emergency (crash) cesarean sections were significantly reduced from 1.51% to 0.27% in the cardiotocography‐ and STAN‐monitored groups, respectively (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07–0.49). When cesarean section was performed only because of non‐reassuring cardiotocography, cord acid base was significantly higher, 7.26 versus 7.19 (p<0.01), as compared to when STAN guidelines were followed. Total population rates for operative deliveries for fetal distress and cesarean section rates were 6.7% and 3.5% respectively. The corresponding metabolic acidosis rate was 0.5%. Conclusion. High STAN usage in a busy labor ward setting provided an outcome equaling that noted previously in a larger academic unit, demonstrating the safe implementation of the STAN methodology in a nonacademic unit.
Observer variation in computed tomography of the sacroiliac joints: a retrospective analysis of 1383 cases
Authors: Geijer M. , Gadeholt Göthlin G. , Göthlin J. H. 
Published: July 2007

Background: Computed tomography (CT) for evaluation of sacroiliitis has a higher diagnostic accuracy than radiography. There is a high degree of interobserver variation in evaluating sacroiliitis on radiographs. Purpose: To evaluate interobserver variation in CT of the sacroiliac joints for evaluation of sacroiliitis in a large number of patients. Material and Methods: 1383 CT examinations of the sacroiliac joints were reviewed by two observers. The outcomes as originally reported and the findings from the reviews were classified as no sacroiliitis, equivocal, unilateral sacroiliitis, or bilateral sacroiliitis. The unweighted kappa statistic was used for assessment of observer agreement. Results: The interobserver agreement between the two reviewers was good (κ = 0.6724), with excellent agreement on cases of bilateral sacroiliitis and moderate agreement on cases of unilateral sacroiliitis. Excellent agreement was also reached in normal cases. Compared to the original reports, there were moderate interobserver agreements between both reviewers' findings and the original reports (κ = 0.4651 and κ = 0.4481, respectively). Conclusion: The interobserver variation for the diagnosis of sacroiliitis on CT between two reviewers in a study setting showed good agreement, with moderate agreement between each of the observers and the original clinical reports. CT is a reliable method for evaluating the sacroiliac joints for changes of sacroiliitis.
Versions of resistance history in South Africa: the ANC strand in Inkatha in the 1970s and 1980s
Authors: Maré Gerhard 
Published: July 2007

Since the 1999 elections in South Africa the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has entered into a ‘coalition’ with the African National Congress (ANC) (now described as such by both parties) at both provincial (KwaZulu‐Natal ‐ KZN) and national levels of government. Such close cooperation, albeit largely at leadership and parliamentary representative level, would have been hard to imagine even five years ago, when the IFP refused to participate in the first democratic elections unless a range of demands were met by the negotiators in the transition process. Such confrontation reflected the vicious, state‐supported, war that was waged between IFP and ANC supporters in KZN and on the east Rand, in which thousands were killed and many more turned into internal refugees.
While any steps to attain lasting peace are to be welcomed, if the past is not addressed such moves may prove to be fragile. An aspect of the past is the relationship between the ANC, as movement and as resistance symbol, and the Inkatha movement of nkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi during the 1970s and 1980s. Inkatha's perception and presentation of ‘the ANC during this period is discussed. The argument is that Inkatha leadership had the opportunity, and not only the ideological pressure, to place the movement within an ANC resistance history, that was also populist, denying class and other divisions. However, Inkatha was never able to escape its political location with the KwaZulu ethnic bantustan, and the ANC was driven to an uncompromising position through the rise of internal resistance from the late‐1970s.
Capitalist organization of production through non‐capitalist relations: women's role in a pilot resettlement in Upper Volta
Authors: Conti Anna 
Published: July 2007

In Upper Volta, pilot resettlement schemes for the Volta Valley Authority, designed as models for some multi‐million dollar projects financed by the World Bank and others, have been found to be nearly intolerable to the women because of the lack of basic facilities, such as market places, land to grow the family food, village wells, grain mills and other facilities regarded as essentials in their home village. Many women have insisted on leaving. Getting to see the invisible women’, The Economist,April 1979).
In examining why there should be the reported resistance by women, this analysis of one pilot scheme in Upper Volta shows how it is essentially a capital‐enterprise that utilises not wage labour but scheme ‘members’. The scheme's profitability is thus premised upon a certain, ‘nuclear’ family structure, which in turn presupposes a much greater burden on women than is customary in Voltaic society.