bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A speculative execution scheme of macrotasks for parallel processing systems
Authors: Yamana Hayato , Yasue Toshiaki , Ishii Yoshihiko , Muraoka Yoichi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper considers the high‐speed execution of FORTRAN programs on parallel processing systems and proposes the parallelizing scheme of the program and execution based on the speculative execution over multiple conditional branches. Several techniques have been proposed that parallelize the program including conditional branches.A method which does not use the speculative execution is: (1) the method called earliest execution condition determination. As the methods which use the speculative execution are: (2) speculative evaluation scheme for a single conditional branch for the superscalar processor or VLIW computer; and (3) multiple speculative execution scheme assuming particular loops.There are the following problems: (1) sufficient parallelism is not extracted only by determining the earliest execution condition; (2) the speed improvement that can be realized by the speculative execution of a single conditional branch is at most twofold; and (3) the scheme can be applied only to particular loops.This paper divides the program into macrotasks, and defines the multiple stage speculative execution scheme between macrotasks on the general parallel processing system. Then, the macrotask execution control for the individual macrotask is proposed, using the execution start condition, the control establishment condition and the execution stop condition.
Initial value search method for multiple viewpoint stereo measurement using genetic algorithms
Authors: Nobiki Atsushi , Naruse Hiroshi , Yabuta Tetsuro , Tateda Mitsuhiro 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThere has already been a report on the method to improve stereo measurement accuracy by integrating stereo data from multiple viewpoints, which employs a local optimization technique, the nonlinear optimization method using iterative calculation. The problem is that estimated results depend on the initial values of the iterative calculation. If the calculation begins with unsuitable values, a correct estimation cannot be made. This paper presents a new method utilizing a genetic algorithm to search for initial values for the nonlinear optimization process in multiple viewpoint stereo measurement. In this method, a one‐dimensional matrix is created. Called an “individual,” it consists of parameters to be determined. Next, a population is formed which consists of several individuals. Then three kinds of genetic operations are performed on this population, crossover, mutation and selection, which evolve the population to fit the environment. This evolution process is repeated and the evolved result is used as the initial values for the iteration calculation. The efficiency of this method is confirmed by simulation and an outdoor experiment.
A method for modeling freehand curves—The fuzzy spline interpolation
Authors: Saga Sato , Makino Hiromi , Sasaki Juni‐Ichi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn this paper, a fuzzy spline interpolation technique is proposed to give a fuzzy model of sampled freehand curves that involve vagueness (associated with roughness is drawing) in their positional information. The fuzzy model is an extension of ordinary spline curves. Because the model inherits geometric characteristics from spline curves and can be handled as a fuzzy set, it provides a fuzzy inference approach to the geometric meaning of the drawer's original intention, allowing for the vagueness of the drawn freehand curves. An application of the model to freehand curve segmentation demonstrates the necessity of the method.
A similarity retrieval method of drawings based on graph representation
Authors: Wakimoto Koji , Tanaka Satoshi , Maeda Akira , Shima Mitsuhide 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAn efficient method to retrieve necessary information from drawings for plant diagrams, logic circuit diagrams, etc. stored in a database is presented. In the image information retrieval systems currently in use, a keyword is assigned to each diagram and information is retrieved by the user by giving the keyword. When the features of the desired image are not registered as a keyword, however, its retrieval becomes difficult. In this paper a method is proposed in which the user shows features of the desired diagram using a sample diagram and a section similar to the sample diagram is retrieved. In this research, diagrams consisting mainly of symbols and connecting lines are considered. This kind of diagram is represented by a graph and similarities in topological features between the sample graph and graph representations of the diagrams in the database are evaluated. The retrieval is then performed based on the value obtained. The results of an experiment conducted using plant diagrams show that similar diagrams can be retrieved using this method.
Labeling board based on boundary tracking
Authors: Ishiyama Yutaka , Kubo Fumio , Takahashi Hironobu , Tomita Fumiaki 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper reports on hardware implementation of a labeling algorithm using a combination of raster scanning and boundary tracking. For the prototype board, a new method is employed for generating addresses of image memory so that boundary tracking is efficient. Since boundary tracking is used, there is no need for working memory for storage of initial labels. Hence the circuit becomes compact, and the labeling can be performed without restricting the number of labels. Furthermore, it can also count the number of holes when labeling and it can set the minimum or maximum boundary length of the region to be labeled. This board is constructed using only general purpose ICs; for a 512 × 512 image, the processing time is approximately 50 ms.
Spontaneous speech dialogue system TOSBURG II—the user‐centered multimodal interface
Authors: Takebayashi Yoichi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper considers the user‐centered spontaneous speech dialogue system TOSBURG‐II (Taskoriented dialogue system based on speech understanding and response generation), and discusses the design from the viewpoint of media technology and a multimodal interface. The authors have developed element techniques, including spontaneous speech understanding, user‐center dialogue control, multimodal response generation and speech response cancelling, all based on the noise‐immune word‐spotting and key‐words. The concept is that “no constraint is imposed on the user.” By integrating these techniques, the realtime speech dialogue system for an unspecified user is developed. The speech dialogue data acquisition/ evaluation system is constructed on the real system. The system can record real speech data as well as the intermediate result of processing in the dialogue system, such as keyword spotting, speech understanding and dialogue processing. The system can also be utilized in the construction of the speech dialogue corpus and the evaluation/improvement of the human factor aspect, in addition to the evaluation of the system performance. As a result of trial use and evaluation experiment for the real system for unspecified users, it is verified that spontaneous speech understanding based on the interruption function by the user and the multimodal response and keywords, is useful in improving the naturalness of the dialogue and robustness.
Signal source localization from spatio‐temporal biomagnetic data by signal subspace method
Authors: Kudo Hiroyuki , Saito Tsuneo , Maemura Takashi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNew methods are proposed to localize multiple current dipoles from spatio‐temporal biomagnetic data obtained with SQUID magnetometers. The proposed methods are based on subspace fitting (SF) and weighted subspace fitting (WSF) frameworks that have been developed originally in the field of array signal processing. When time series from multiple dipoles are strongly correlated or multiple dipoles are closely spaced, these methods outperform the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) proposed by Mosher et al. [1]. Results are presented using these methods for simulated data and experimental magnetocardiogram data. The WSF criterion produced significantly better results compared with the MUSIC and the SF criteria.
A parallel correlation learning by threshold fluctuation for multilayered perceptrons
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhisa , Mitani Mitsuaki , Nishida Keizo , Oohori Takahumi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper proposes the parallel correlation learning, which is a method different from the conventional back‐propagation method. The proposed learning method is applicable to the feedforward‐type network in which the output of each unit is differentiable in regard to the internal activation and the output error function is partially differentiable in regard to the set of outputs from the visible units. For the purpose of learning, the time‐fluctuation nk(t) (where k is the unit number), which is of small amplitude, unbiased, independent and of uniform distribution, is introduced into the threshold of each unit. The error function value also contains the time‐fluctuation due to nk(t), and is represented as e(p, t) (where p is the learning sample number).The correction for the connection coefficient Wk is represented as Δp Wk = −εe(p, t)nk(tqk(p, t), based only on the correlation e(p, t)nk(t) between e(p, t) and nk(t), as well as the average output qk(p, t) of the set of units connected directly to the unit k. It is shown theoretically that the steepest descent of the error is achieved for the state where all fluctuation components are suppressed. In the proposed learning method, all connection coefficients are trained in parallel independently of the shapes of the error function or the nonlinear function of the unit without considering the layer structure. Through the simulation for XOR problem, the learning performance is verified.
Performance enhancement of two‐phase quasi‐delay‐insensitive circuits
Authors: Kagotani Kiroto , Nanya Takashi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTwo‐phase quasi‐delay‐insensitive circuits control the data‐paths by alternating the working‐phase and idle‐phase. Although the use of Martin's Q‐element simplifies the design of such circuits, sequential execution of idle‐phases, which consume as much time as working‐phases, prevents high‐speed circuit operation. The auto‐sweeping module (ASM) proposed here allows parallel execution of an idle‐phase with the working‐phase of the next stage. A few extra circuits are inserted in order to use ASM for every micro‐operation. A simulation study shows that ASM accelerates the average speed of a multiplier by 58 percent without any increase in the total number of gates.
Halftoning technique using genetic algorithms
Authors: Kobayashi Naoki , Saito Hideo 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA new halftoning technique using genetic algorithm (GA) has been proposed. GA is the optimal search algorithm based on natural selection. An original gray‐tone image is divided into some equally sized blocks. A binary block of the halftone image is coded as the string in GA. The fitness value for the string is defined according to the visual quality of the halftone image. By using GA, the binary block having the highest fitness value is searched for among every block. The efficacy of the proposed halftoning technique is demonstrated by the results obtained by computer simulation.
An open information networking architecture for distributed multimedia systems
Authors: Hong Choong Seon , Matsushita Yutaka 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel networking architecture on a distributed processing environment (DPE) for various multimedia services suitable to high‐speed networks and for the flexible and rapid introduction services in an open networking environment. Furthermore, the proposed architecture is realized as a testbed. This architecture has the following features: (1) the use of DPE for the rapid introduction of service to users and for the flexible management of multimedia network resources; (2) the definition of the service session and connection management for efficient managing functions of the session and connection; and (3) the introduction of any special service with the use of an Ad Hoc service manager. The interfaces scheme between a service session manager that is implemented on a DPE platform and an Ad Hoc service manager is an important aspect in an open networking environment. A CSCW application is given as an example of an Ad Hoc service manager.
Cesarean section and maternal education; secular trends in Norway, 1967–2004
Authors: TOLLÅNES METTE C. , THOMPSON JOHN M.D. , DALTVEIT ANNE K. , IRGENS LORENTZ M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground. Worldwide rising cesarean section rates over the past decades have caused much concern. Studies on the association between cesarean section and maternal social background have reported conflicting results. Methods. A cohort study, comprising 837,312 birth order one deliveries notified to the population‐based Medical Birth Registry of Norway during 1967–2004. The relative risk of cesarean section (from 1988 onwards planned and emergency cesarean section) according to maternal educational level was assessed in all deliveries, in an obstetric low‐risk group and within groups of medical/obstetric high‐risk conditions. Results. Throughout the study period, the lowest educated had the highest risk of cesarean section, followed by the medium educational group. In all deliveries, the adjusted relative risk of cesarean section for the lowest versus the highest educated increased from 1.16 (95% CI 1.09–1.23) in the 1967–76 period to 1.34 (95% CI 1.27–1.42) in the 1996–2004 period, and in the obstetric low risk group from 1.19 (95% CI 1.10–1.30) to 1.50 (95% CI 1.38–1.63). From 1988 onwards, the lowest educated had the highest risk of both planned and emergency cesarean section, followed by the medium educational group. Conclusion. The lowest educated had the highest risk of cesarean section, followed by the medium educational group, and the differences gradually increased during 1967–2004. This trend could be accounted for by increasing vulnerability of the lowest educational group due to a strong social migration, and by increased occurrence of cesarean section on maternal request among the lowest educated in recent years.
Zimbabwe: labour's options within the movement for democratic change
Authors: Dansereau Suzanne 
Published: July 2007

The article sets out to understand the option for labour represented by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), a movement made up of a wide cross section of groups opposing ZANU‐PFs twenty‐one year hold on power, with key leadership coming from the labour movement. The article seeks to understand the nature and potential for change embodied in the MDC given its alliance with groups from below, often labelled civil society or new social movement.
It documents labour's radicalisation, moving from the shop floor into broader political action and alliance‐building and eventually into a direct partisan challenge for political power in the 2000 parliamentary elections. It analyses MDC policies, finding a seemingly contradictory emphasis on participation and social democracy, alongside the proposals for a mixed economy involving international donors and investors, with a moderate state role whose objective is to create employment and alleviate poverty. These policies reflect the loose alliance making up the MDC, ranging from citizen, labour and human rights groups, with some commercial farmers and industrialists. The challenge is to maintain support from the various interests within this common front as it consolidates itself into a party, capable of putting forward a national project. This requires a struggle between competing interests, and it is labour's actions within this struggle and its outcome that will ultimately define labour's options within this new grouping.
Coping with adjustment and economic crisis in Egypt's countryside
Authors: Bush Ray 
Published: July 2007

There are two strategic silences in the debates relating to economic liberalisation in Egypt and especially to the current agricultural strategy. These refer to the role of the peasantry or fellahin and to the position of women. Little is being said about the effect of the economic crisis on Egypt's rural producers and the rural households where women are enduring the most harsh consequences of structural adjustment. Despite a Social Fund for Development, intended to soften the blow for the poor resulting from adjustment (and presently approximately a very low $US600 million ‐ about $US10 for each Egyptian) debates inside Egypt remain largely at the level of the macro‐economy and national planning. Concerns of policy makers in the state or international agencies, like the World Bank and USAID (US Agency for International Development), are not focused upon social and economic conditions in the rural areas nor on the possible social consequences of adjustment (World Bank, 1992; USAID, 1992). Policy makers and planners are simply not addressing the stresses and strains that rural households are experiencing during economic crisis and the ways in which the fellahin are promoting strategies to sustain and transform their livelihoods.
This article is a preliminary assessment of how Egypt's current economic crisis is affecting two villages in the contrasting Governorates of Giza and Dakhalia. We also begin an assessment of whether the strategy pursued by the international agencies, and the state, is likely to address the problems expressed by the fellahin and what the consequences of the current strategy may have for rural dwellers. Our argument is that official preoccupation with issues of markets and prices, and the supply of inputs, as a vehicle for economic recovery, neglects the way in which people's relations of production and reproduction are sustained and the uneven level of people's productive capabilities.
On Law and Politics in the Federal Balance: Lessons from Yugoslavia
Authors: Accetto Matej 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn trying to build a supranational polity while paying heed to member states' autonomy concerns, modern supranational 'projects' such as the European Union find themselves where others have been before. This article explores a surprising but pertinent 'ancestor' that, albeit in sharply different societal arrangements, had grappled with the same challenges of balancing integration and autonomy: the former Yugoslavia.The author starts by tracking the development of Yugoslav federalism through its several constitutional incarnations: from the meager federal features of the 1946 Constitution and the similarly centralistic constitutional developments in the 1950s and the 1960s to a stronger federalization of Yugoslavia that culminated with the 1974 Constitution. After a general outline of the constitutional development, the article focuses on the relationship between law and politics in maintaining the federal balance, highlighting the role of the federal Constitutional Court in achieving a proper balance between the centrifugal and the centripetal forces in the federation. Finally, the main theories on the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the role of the federal Constitutional Court are briefly analyzed.In the conclusion, the author attempts to draw out the lessons that the Yugoslav experience may offer contemporary polities faced with the same challenges, focusing on the role of the judicature and the relationship between law and politics in safeguarding the federal bargain.
Optical Tuning of the Reflection of Cholesterics Doped with Azobenzene Liquid Crystals
Authors: Hrozhyk U. A. , Serak S. V. , Tabiryan N. V. , Bunning T. J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMixtures of cholesteric liquid crystals doped with high clearing temperature azobenzene nematic liquid crystals are shown to possess large, fast, and reversible dynamic photosensitive features. Selective wavelength shifts approaching 400 nm are reported, and depending on the host cholesteric liquid crystal, both red‐shifted and blue‐shifted wavelength changes can be induced. The photoinduced states of these material systems are shown to be stable for long periods of time upon removal of the radiation source, completely reversible, and dynamically fast. These phototunable features are demonstrated using both continuous wave (CW) and nanosecond laser beams. The latter is used to change the selective reflection wavelength from blue to green with a single nanosecond pulse and the ability to write information into these films using these processes are demonstrated.
Sandwiched Ruthenium/Carbon Nanostructures for Highly Active Heterogeneous Hydrogenation
Authors: Su F. , Lee F. Y. , Lv L. , Liu J. , Tian X. N. , Zhao X. S. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe immobilization of metal nanoparticles in the framework of porous carbon for heterogeneous catalysis may avoid particle aggregation, movement, and leaching, thus leading to a high catalyst efficiency. In this Full Paper, an approach to prepare Ru nanoparticles incorporated into the pore walls of porous carbon to form a sandwiched Ru/C nanostructure for heterogeneous hydrogenation is demonstrated. Physical adsorption of nitrogen, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, field‐emission transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy techniques are employed to study the structure and morphology of the catalysts. Catalytic results show that the Ru nanoparticles sandwiched in the pore walls of porous carbon display a remarkably high activity and stability in the hydrogenation of benzene. An enhanced hydrogen spillover effect is believed to play a significant role in the hydrogenation reaction because of the intimate interfacial contact between Ru nanoparticles and the carbon support. The catalyst system described in this work may offer a new concept for optimizing catalyst nanostructures.
Curing behavior of anionic poly(urethane urea) dispersions crosslinked with partially methylated melamine formaldehyde
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Tang , Huang Yi‐Chin , Chiang Chih‐Hsin 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA rigid‐body pendulum rheometer was used to observe the isothermal cure behavior of an anionic poly(urethane urea) dispersion crosslinked with different amounts of partially methylated melamine formaldehyde (PMMF). In this experiment, the anionic poly(urethane urea) dispersion had a large number of >NH crosslinking or branching sites in urethane and urea groups per molecule, which allowed a large amount of PMMF to couple with the elastic polyurethane (PU) backbone. The test results showed that the cure response of the PU dispersion crosslinked with PMMF was a function of the concentration of PMMF and indicated that 30 phr PMMF could be the optimum amount of the crosslinking agent and that 120°C was the optimum temperature for the curing process. In addition, PMMF self‐condensation could take place during the curing process. The self‐condensation of PMMF also was monitored by a thermogravimetric method. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical properties of PMMF‐crosslinked PU films were affected by the concentration of PMMF. From the curing behavior and dynamic mechanical analysis test results, it was reasonable to assume that highly PMMF branched PUs with partial crosslinking structures could be formed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007