bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and evaluation of minimum‐rate predictors for lossless image coding
Authors: Matsuda Ichiro , Mori Hirofumi , Maeda Joji , Itoh Susumu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this paper, the authors propose a new method for designing predictors suitable for lossless image coding. In recent years, lossless coding systems based on optimal design of predictors for each image have been studied. In these systems, the linear prediction coefficients are determined so as to minimize the mean squared prediction errors. In lossless image coding, however, where the ultimate goal is to reduce the coding rate, minimizing the mean squared prediction errors does not necessarily yield the best results. Therefore, in order to reduce the coding rate directly, the authors attempted to formulate the amount of information on the prediction errors and design the predictors so as to minimize that value. Moreover, the image is divided into blocks, and these blocks are classified into multiple classes; multiple predictors for adaptive prediction are optimized at the same time by repeatedly executing the design of the predictor for each class and updating the class for each block, based on the cost representing the amount of information. In the results from a coding simulation, this system demonstrated superior coding efficiency compared to the conventional method for minimizing the mean squared prediction errors, and was confirmed to achieve a coding rate of 0.37 bit/pel lower than JPEG‐LS which is an international standard for lossless image coding. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(5): 90– 98, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10318
Language model adaptation for fixed phrases by amplifying partial n‐gram sequences
Authors: Akiba Tomoyosi , Itou Katunobu , Fujii Atsushi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe propose a method for creating an N‐gram language model for use in a speech‐operated question‐answering system. We note that input questions to such a system frequently consist of an initial section, relating to the query topic, and a formulaic sentence final expression that is used in questions (a fixed phrase). While we are able to model the initial sections adequately using the target query newspaper corpus, we are not able to model the fixed phrases adequately with this data source. In this paper we frame the problem as one of adapting a language model created using a generic corpus to fixed phrases and propose a language model adaptation method that makes use only of a list of fixed phrases created by hand, rather than attempting the more difficult task of collecting an adaptation corpus. In the proposed method we determine which sections in the generic corpus correspond to N‐gram sequences on the list of fixed phrases, and perform language model adaptation by amplifying the probabilities of those N‐grams; this is equivalent to performing maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation treating these partial N‐gram sequences from the generic corpus itself as posterior information. We perform recognition experiments with spoken questions consisting of input to a question‐answering system and confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 63–73, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20142
Adaptation to change of lighting conditions for interactive object recognition
Authors: Makihara Yasushi , Takizawa Masao , Shirai Yoshiaki , Shimada Nobutaka 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper discusses the learning of color transformations for object recognition in various lighting conditions, a function which is needed in systems for object recognition by interaction with the user. The system first constructs a model of the target object under the reference lighting conditions. Since the lighting conditions in actual object recognition differ from those of object model construction, the system must transform the color of the object model according to the lighting conditions at the time of recognition. The color of a reference object observed in the recognition stage is used to estimate the color transformation. The system learns the relation between the color transformation and the color of the reference object by using the color of the object model and also the pair of colors of the target object and the reference object observed under various lighting conditions. In a new environment, such a set of colors is not stored, and the color transformation is applied by assuming a reasonable relation. Object recognition may fail when such a color transformation is applied. In such a case, the correct object is selected by interaction with the user. The relation is updated by using the obtained correctly matched pair. By improving the estimation accuracy of the color transformation at each instance of object recognition, the burden on the user in the interaction is reduced. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through an experiment on a scene inside a refrigerator. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 52– 62, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20228
Extraction of minimal decision algorithm using rough sets and genetic algorithm
Authors: Hirokane Michiyuki , Konishi Hideyuki , Miyamoto Ayaho , Nishimura Fumihiro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWith the performance improvement of computers in recent years, the amount of stored available data is rapidly increasing. But it is also required that the computer fully utilize the stored resources and perform higher‐level intelligent jobs. In civil engineering, it is crucial to reuse knowledge which has been accumulated through the experience of engineers, etc. For this purpose, it is necessary to establish a method for knowledge acquisition and a method for explicit representation of the acquired knowledge. This paper applies the genetic algorithm to the process of deriving a decision algorithm from instances by using rough sets, and proposes a method of deriving a simple and useful decision algorithm with a relatively small amount of computation. A decision algorithm is actually derived from the data on accident instances at actual construction sites, and the recognition rate and other performance measures are investigated by the k‐fold cross validation method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 39–51, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20405
Integration of facial position estimation and person identification for face authentication
Authors: Hirayama Takatsugu , Iwai Yoshio , Yachida Masahiko 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the automatic authentication of face images, the estimation of the facial position is the most important process. When the facial position is estimated on the basis of the facial shape model, the accuracy is not guaranteed unless the optimal model is used. In the solution of this problem, there is a trade‐off relation between the estimation accuracy and the processing time. To deal with this point, this paper proposes a method which integrates the processes for estimation of the facial position, the facial size, and the individual model. The position and the size are estimated by iterative processing based on the coarse–fine procedure and scale conversion. For the estimation of the individual model, a model database based on the hierarchy by clustering is used. In the proposed estimation process, the cluster containing the optimal model is successively selected in accordance with the hierarchical structure, with the progress of the estimation of the position and the size. The finally selected individual model can be considered as the result of person identification. We constructed a face authentication system based on the proposed method and verified its effectiveness by an evaluation experiment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(5): 43–58, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20489
A lossless coding scheme using adaptive predictors and arithmetic code optimized for each image
Authors: Matsuda Ichiro , Umezu Yuji , Ozaki Nau , Maeda Joji , Itoh Susumu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA highly efficient lossless encoding method for static images is proposed. In this method, multiple linear predictors are created for each image and adaptive prediction that responds to the local structure of images such as edges and textures is achieved by switching between these predictors at the block level. Furthermore, the probability density functions of the prediction errors are categorized by context modeling and modeled by generalized Gaussian functions, and adaptive arithmetic encoding of the prediction errors is performed by using probability tables that are generated for each pixel from this model. Parameters that are needed in the coding such as the prediction coefficients, the predictor selection data for each block, and the shapes of the generalized Gaussian functions are optimized by repeatedly minimizing a cost function that includes the code length of the parameters themselves in addition to the code length of the prediction errors that are calculated from the probability model above, and the parameters are then encoded separately as side data for each image. A procedure is introduced to improve prediction accuracies by using quadtree segmentation to segment the image into variable‐sized blocks between which the predictor can change. Coding experiments are conducted and the proposed method is found to produce coding rates of 6 to 44% lower than the international standard JPEG‐LS method, with the proposed method achieving superior coding performance that surpasses existing coding methods for all of the images used in the experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 1–11, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20630
Inter‐rater reliability of pressure ulcer staging: ordinal probit Bayesian hierarchical model that allows for uncertain rater response
Authors: Gajewski Byron J. , Hart Sara , Bergquist‐Beringer Sandra , Dunton Nancy 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article describes a method for estimating the inter‐rater reliability of pressure ulcer (PU) staging (stages I–IV) from raters in National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) participating hospitals. The method models ordinal spanning data utilizing an ordinal probit Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM) across several hospitals in which raters monitor patient's PUs. An ulcer that cannot be accurately assessed because the base of the wound cannot be seen is defined as unstageable. Our novel approach allows for an unstageable PU rating to be included in the analysis. We compare the ordinal probit BHM to an approximate random‐effects (standard approach in the literature) model that assumes that the raw ordinal data are continuous. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Stability and Structure of Maize Starch Cast Films
Authors: Vasques Caroline T. , Domenech Susana C. , Severgnini Vanderlei L.S. , Belmonte Luiz A. O. , Soldi Marly S. , Barreto Pedro L. M. , Soldi Valdir 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe use of maize starch as an alternative material for producing cast films is highly dependent on the treatment conditions in order to obtain a biopolymer with outstanding properties. Thermal treatment conditions were controlled in maize starch cast films as a preliminary step in the modification of polymer properties. The stability of the films was studied by thermogravimetry (TGA), swelling experiments and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR analysis indicated a degradation mechanism based on elimination of water followed by depolymerization. The activation energy values obtained from TGA results of thermally treated films suggest the occurrence of marked changes in the polymer stability which is consistent with the swelling experiments and indicates the thermal treatment as a suitable method to enhance the lifetime of starch‐based biopolymers.
Freeze‐thaw Stability of Gels Prepared from Starches of Non‐conventional Sources
Authors: Takeiti Cristina , Fakhouri Farayde , Ormenese Rita , Steel Caroline , Collares Fernanda 
Published: March 2007

AbstractStarch is an ingredient used in the formulation of several processed and frozen products, thus, evaluating the stability of gels of different types of starches when submitted to freezing and thawing is of great interest in order to guarantee the quality of the product at the end of the production and distribution chain. Stability of starch gels from non‐conventional sources, i.e. Peruvian carrot (arracacha), sweet potato, white bean and chickpea exposed to five cycles of freezing and thawing was studied by evaluating texture and syneresis. The results were compared to those obtained using commercial starches (native corn, waxy corn and modified waxy corn). The waxy corn and Peruvian carrot starch gels were stable until the third freeze‐thaw cycle studied. The sweet potato starch gel was stable until the second cycle, but presented low syneresis until the fourth freeze‐thaw cycle (2.9%). During the experiment, the Peruvian carrot starch gel lost 5% water at maximum, and the waxy corn and modified waxy corn, 8% and 12%, respectively. The native corn, chickpea and white bean starch gels presented high water losses already in the first cycle. As to texture, the sweet potato and Peruvian carrot starch gels presented greater hardness values than the waxy corn and modified waxy corn starch gels during the entire storage period studied. Until the fourth freeze‐thaw cycle, the modified waxy corn and Peruvian carrot starch gels showed no statistically significant alteration (p≤0.05) in gel hardness. After the first freeze‐thaw cycle, the hardness of the sweet potato starch gel was constant. The same occurred with the gels obtained from chickpea and white bean.
New Non‐destructive Method using Gluten to Isolate Starch from Plant Materials other than Wheat
Authors: Al‐Hakkak Jafar , Al‐Hakkak Fadia 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA new non‐destructive patented method for separating starch of high purity from plant flour or “comminutates” (fine particles) is described. The method can be applied to all plant materials that have a mixture of starch and protein in their flour, including cereals such as barley, oats and rye; legumes such as peas, chickpeas and lentils; and seeds such as amaranths. The basic principle of the method is to add wheat gluten to the desired plant flour in a ratio of 10–20% (w/w) gluten/flour. Water is then added to the mixture. Upon hydration, wheat protein aggregates, and a gluten network is formed when the mixture is kneaded. This gluten network is stabilised by the disulfide bonds and other bonds that form between the protein and other flour material. The dough is left to prove for 1 h to allow protein agglomeration to proceed. The starch is then washed out of the mixed protein network with water and the suspension is separated from the protein mass with bolt cloth. The starch is recovered by centrifugation and air dried, freeze‐dried or oven dried. The method is versatile and effective in producing starch of high purity. Furthermore, the technique has already been used to separate wheat starch on an industrial scale. After experimenting with adding salt, ascorbic acid, and various percentages of gluten, we conclude that when using 18% gluten and 3% salt a good yield of starch of acceptable purity can be isolated by this method, whilst ascorbic acid does not noticeably improve yield.
Classification of Rice Amylose Content by Discriminant Analysis of Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Suwannaporn Prisana , Pitiphunpong Sawidtree , Champangern Sirirat 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAmylose content is commonly used to predict the texture of cooked rice. However, rice classification using only amylose content can misclassify actual sensory quality. Quality assessment of cooked rice can be determined by a combined evaluation of physical, chemical and sensory properties, but this process is costly and requires use of trained panelists. In this study, an alternate method for predicting rice amylose content was investigated. Paste viscosity and cooked rice texture of nine rice varieties were measured that had either low, medium, or high amylose content. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and discriminant analysis. Results showed that protein content, which played a major role in cooked rice texture, did not correlate with amylose content. Discriminant analysis results showed that only pasting attributes could discriminate the amylose groups but not texture. Pasting property, peak viscosity, and trough were the best discriminators with an eigenvalue of 32.9. These discriminators correctly predicted 100% of medium‐ and high‐amylose rice, but only correctly predicted 66.7% of low‐amylose rice with 88.9% of cross‐validated grouped cases correctly classified. The use of rice texture and pasting properties in combination with multivariate analysis techniques has potential as an easier and less costly method for the accurate classification of rice based on sensory quality.
Relationship Between the Pasting Behaviour and the Phosphorus Content of Different Potato Starches
Authors: Hemar Yacine , Hardacre Allan , Hedderley Duncan I. , Clark Suzanne , Illingworth David , Harper Jim W. , Boland Mike 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe viscometric properties of potato starch pastes from a range of potato varieties were investigated. The results were correlated with the phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and amylose and protein contents of the extracted starches. The viscometric properties of the starches extracted from the different potato varieties varied significantly. In agreement with some earlier work reported in the literature, a strong correlation between the peak viscosity and the phosphorus content was found. Furthermore, weak correlations between peak viscosity and potassium and peak temperature and phosphorus level were observed. In addition, it was demonstrated clearly that at low starch concentrations (1%) the final viscosity also correlates with the phosphorus content, which could explain the discrepancies found in the published literature.
Wet Storage of Cassava Starch: Use of Sodium Metabisulphite and Acetic Acid and the Effect on Starch Properties
Authors: Jyothi Alummoottil N. , Kiran Korapatti Sasi , Wilson Barnabas , Moorthy Subramoney N. , Nambisan Bala 
Published: March 2007

AbstractFreshly extracted cassava starch was subjected to wet storage without any chemical treatment and also in presence of different concentrations of acetic acid and sodium metabisulphite, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0% based on the volume of starch milk. The viscosity characteristics, physicochemical properties, blue value and reducing value of the stored starch samples were studied at weekly intervals up to eight weeks of storage. Sodium metabisulphite (1%) was effective in prolonging the storage time of starch without any microbial spoilage. No significant change was observed in the swelling volume, reducing value, viscosity and pasting properties of the starch samples up to the sixth week of storage. Storage in acetic acid (1%) resulted in decrease in peak viscosity and increase in solubility and reducing value. However, the starch was free of microbial contamination.
Characterisation of Jícama (Mexican Potato) (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) Starch From Taproots Grown in USA and Mexico
Authors: Stevenson David. G. , Jane Jay‐lin , Inglett George E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCharacteristics of starch extracted from roots of jícama (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) cultivated in Texas and two locations in Mexico were studied. Jícama starch granules were spherical or polygonal with diameters ranging from 1‐15 µm. Jícama starch exhibited CA‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern, an apparent amylose content of 28.1% and absolute amylose content of 23.6%. Jícama amylopectin weight‐average molar mass (Mw) was 3.9×108 g/mol and gyration radius (Rz) was 363 nm. Average amylopectin branch chain‐length was short (DP 22.7). Onset gelatinisation temperature was very low (52.0°C) and enthalpy change was 15.1 J/g. Thermal transition of amylose‐lipid dissociation was not observed. Peak (282 RVU), final (221 RVU) and breakdown (137 RVU) viscosity of 8% jícama starch paste were high relative to other starches and pasting temperature was 72.3°C. Starch characteristics were similar among all three growing locations except Mw, Rz and pasting properties. High paste viscosity and low gelatinisation temperature could give jícama starch advantages in some industrial applications.
A comparative study of the effect of certain factors on the teaching behavior of preservice elementary teachers of science
Authors: Irwin R. Scott , Butts David P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUndergraduate teacher education programs have long attempted to improve the prospective teacher's competence in implementing new curriculum programs, materials, teaching strategies, etc. The following study suggests that there are components of a lesson, other than program and materials, which may exert enough influence on the interaction patterns between teachers and pupils to be given closer consideration in the design of a teacher education sequence.
A comparison of earth science classes taught by using original data in a research‐approach technique versus classes taught by conventional approaches not using such data
Authors: Agne Russell M. , Blick David J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA data‐centered experimental unit, “Weather and Climate,” was used in 31 Connecticut earth science classrooms during the 1968‐69 school year. This approach effected a significantly greater (.05 level) improvement in critical thinking than was achieved by a control group of 30 earth science classes not using such an approach. This improvement occurred without a loss of achievement in the earth science course.
Laser treatment of optical Nb2O5‐ and HfO2‐films
Authors: Huber D. , Prein F. , Pulker H.K. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractOptical thin films have to fulfil high quality requirements, which can be achieved for example by reactive low voltage ion plating (RLVIP). But especially for applications in precision optics, additional treatments are necessary to reduce residual optical absorption and compressive stress arising in the coatings, and to enhance the stability of the coatings – specifically for laser applications. In practice, post deposition heat treatment and backside coatings are mostly used to overcome these problems. In order to provide alternative methods to handle the disadvantages of the RLVIP‐process, the idea was to replace the mentioned steps by a laser treatment. This means that a laser beam is directed onto the sample after deposition or even during the coating process. In this study, the influence of a high power CO2‐laser beam on thin Nb2O5‐ and HfO2‐films was investigated. The effects on the refractive index and the film thickness are presented for different energy densities of a TEA‐CO2‐laser beam (10.59μm). For Nb2O5‐films a thickness increase up to 12.2nm (6.4 %) and a refractive index decrease of 0.074 (3.1 %) were found. In case of HfO2 the values were 2.3nm (1.2 %) in thickness and 0.007 (0.3 %) in refractive index. From the observed changes also distinct impacts on the film stress can be expected. One intention of this research was also to call attention to an alternative technique for enhancement of thin film properties.