bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge-Assisted Retrieval of Spatiotemporal Content in Multimedia Databases
Authors: Yoshitaka Atsuo , Hirakawa Masahito , Ichikawa Tadao 
Published: October 2003

Retrieval is one of the challenging issues in multimedia database studies. Components of multimedia data such as image, video, and audio convey various meaning depending on the standpoint in viewing the data. Deriving the meaning of data, therefore, is not an easy task. At the same time, components of multimedia data inherently possess spatial and/or temporal relationships among them. These two aspects of multimedia data make data retrieval difficult without the support of specific knowledge for the proper interpretation of data and queries. In this paper, we provide an overview of existing approaches related to the issue of implementing content-based retrieval of multimedia databases and then describe a framework for enabling knowledge-assisted retrieval of audio visual content and their spatio-temporal relationship based on user cognition.
Application of Graph Grammars in an Educational Software Engineering Game: A Case Study in Pragmatic Adoption
Authors: Schneider Kurt 
Published: October 2003

This paper introduces an approach to modeling software project dynamics using an attributed graph grammar formalism. A project situation is modeled and presented to a "player" who is supposed to act as project manager of a simulated project. Events and internal processes of the simulated project are modeled using a custom-designed formalism that integrates attributed graph grammar concepts with a quantitative simulation mechanism resembling System Dynamics. Both ingredients were pragmatically selected and blended based on (1) their comparative simplicity, (2) their expressive power, and (3) their intuitive appeal for bridging the cognitive gap between real-world software engineering experiences and an executable simulation model. This modeling formalism was applied in the SESAM educational software engineering game. The modeling formalism was supported by a family of graphical SESAM editors. Resulting models could be animated and served as simulated projects in the game runs. SESAM was applied in graduate courses on software project management at the University of Stuttgart. Experiences with the modeling approach are reported. The design history and design rationale that led to using graph grammars as the underlying formalism are described and discussed. The design of the SESAM modeling formalism is presented as an (involuntary) case study in adopting a graph grammar approach.
Use of a System of Recurrent Neural Networks for Solving the Cell Placement Problem in VLSI Design
Authors: Singh Kirti , George Suju M. , Rambabu P. 
Published: October 2003

Cell placement in VLSI design is an NP-complete problem. In this paper, we have tried to solve the standard cell placement problem using the Hopfield neural network model. Furthermore, a new system of coupled recurrent neural networks, which was designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the Hopfield neural network, is introduced. The performance of Hopfield networks with discrete and graded neurons is also investigated. The energy function corresponding to the chosen representation is given and the weight matrix and the inputs needed for the network are also computed in this work. Several different combinations of parameters were examined to find the optimum set of parameters which results in better and faster convergence. To show the effectiveness of our methods, cell placement problems up to 30 cells are considered and the results are compared with the results obtained by a genetic algorithm. Our results show that a system of coupled neural networks could be an efficient way to overcome the limitation of recurrent neural networks which consider only bilinear forms of the energy function.
A Rulebase Management System Using Conceptual Rule Modeling
Authors: Bouziane M'Hamed , Hsu Cheng 
Published: October 2003

Conceptual modeling is a fundamental concept in information management. Although originated in the theory and practice of databases, its significance as a guiding principle reaches all areas of information integration efforts dealing with heterogeneous uses. In the field of knowledge-based systems, an emerging need is for expert system shells to be able to manage triggers that change frequently and to support heterogeneous applications which use the same rulebase simultaneously but in different ways. A conceptual schema is clearly in order for this new capability. In addition, it is central to integrating databases with knowledge bases as well as providing interoperability to multiple (heterogeneous and distributed) knowledge-based systems. This paper presents a rulebase management system (RBMS) featuring a conceptual schema. The model of the conceptual schema is developed using the Two-Stage Entity-Relationship approach, which is compatible with most common methods and requires only standard data and rules processing technology to implement. The architecture and execution model of RBMS are discussed in details. Its specific implementation design is applicable to managing rules both in the usual rule-based systems and in the systems where rules are embedded into objects or entities. The processing methods are verified with a prototype, which is also discussed in this paper. The RBMS design is being implemented for Samsung Electronics Corporation.
An ILP Based Knowledge Discovery System
Authors: Chen Po-Chi , Hsueh Ru-Fang , Hwang Shu-Yuen 
Published: October 2003

Interest in research into knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) has been growing continuously because of the rapid increase in the amount of information embedded in real-world data. Several systems have been proposed for studying the KDD process. One main task in a KDD system is to learn important and user-interesting knowledge from a set of collected data. Most proposed systems use simple machine learning methods to learn the pattern. This may result in efficient performance but the discovery quality is less useful. In this paper, we propose a method to integrated a new and complicated machine learning method called inductive logic programming (ILP) to improve the KDD quality. Such integration shows how this new learning technique can be easily applied to a KDD system and how it can improve the representation of the discovery. In our system, we use user's queries to indicate the importance and interestingness of the target knowledge. The system has been implemented on a SUN workstation using the Sybase database system. Detailed examples are also provided to illustrate the benefit of integrating the ILP technique with the KDD system.
Efficiency Mechanisms for a Class of Blackboard Systems
Authors: Hewett Rattikorn , Hewett Micheal 
Published: October 2003

This paper presents efficient mechanisms for activation, execution and rating that are suitable for use in BB1-style blackboard architectures. We describe a knowledge source compiler that produces match networks and demons for efficient activation and rating while compiling the entire system for increased execution speed. Experiments using the enhancements in a general-purpose blackboard shell illustrate approximately a doubling of run time speed, including an increase in activation speed by a factor of 7.6 on the average. We have also resolved a subclass of blackboard systems that can be compiled down to the machine level by using a condensed representation where low-level blackboard accesses are replaced by vector references. Our analysis shows that the time complexity of the execution cycle of a condensed system is faster than the conventional approach by the ratio of the time required for blackboard retrievals to the time required for vector element retrievals. In practice, this ratio is approximately four orders of magnitude.
Disorientation and Cognitive Overhead in Hypertext Systems
Authors: Ransom Stephen , Wu Xindong , Schmidt Heinz 
Published: October 2003

Disorientation and cognitive overhead are two interrelated problems that may in fact ultimately limit the usefulness of hypertext. Cognitive overhead upon the author arises from a viewpoint that sees the author as the person solely responsible for inserting all links within her work. This includes all links between the anchors in her own work and those in external frames, as well as cross-links between the anchors within her own work. The need for an author to be aware, for each anchor within her work, of all possible other anchors makes the insertion of such links an O(N2) problem where N is the number of possible anchors in the hypertext universe. To reduce this to an O(N) problem this paper proposes the use of bi-directional intelligent anchors. These are anchors that have both a knowledge of the concepts that a potential reader would be seeking were she to arrive at the anchor, together with a knowledge of the concepts that a reader would be seeking were she to jump from that anchor to another within the hypertext. Disorientation or the lost in hyperspace effect on the reader can be addressed in many cases by a fundamental re-definition of the relationship between hypertext authors and their readers. To address this issue, this paper proposes a unit of authorship based more on the treatise than on the traditional fragmented model of hypertext that we call a scenic route and which is based loosely on Bush (1945)'s Trails and Trigg (1988 and 1991)'s Guided Tours.
Compiling Knowledge-Based Systems to Ada: The PrkAda Core
Authors: Filman Robert E. , Morris Paul H. 
Published: October 2003

This paper describes the implementation of PrkAda, a system for delivering, in Ada, Artificial Intelligence and object-oriented applications developed using the ProKappa system. (ProKappa is a modern, multi-paradigm knowledge-based–system development tool. It includes facilities for dynamic object management, rule-based processing, daemons, and graphical developer and end-user interfaces. ProKappa is a successor system to KEE.) Creating PrkAda required creating a run-time, Ada-language, object-system "core," and developing a compiler to Ada from ProTalk (ProKappa's high-level, backtracking-based language). We describe PrkAda ProTalk compiler in a companion paper [5]. This paper concentrates on the issues involved in implementing an AI application delivery core, particularly with respect to Ada, including • Automatic storage management (garbage collection) without either the cooperation of the compiler or access to the run-time stack, • Dynamic (weak) typing in a strongly-typed language, • Dynamic objects (objects that can change their slots and parentage as the program is executing) • Dynamic function binding in a language designed to preclude "self-modifying programs," and • Implementation trade-offs in object-oriented knowledge-based systems development environments
Improving Performance of Case-Based Classification Using Context-Based Relevance
Authors: Jurisica Igor , Glasgow Janice 
Published: October 2003

Classification involves associating instances with particular classes by maximizing intra-class similarities and minimizing inter-class similarities. Thus, the way similarity among instances is measured is crucial for the success of the system. In case-based reasoning, it is assumed that similar problems have similar solutions. The case-based approach to classification is founded on retrieving cases from the case base that are similar to a given problem, and associating the problem with the class containing the most similar cases. Similarity-based retrieval tools can advantageously be used in building flexible retrieval and classification systems. Case-based classification uses previously classified instances to label unknown instances with proper classes. Classification accuracy is affected by the retrieval process – the more relevant the instances used for classification, the greater the accuracy. The paper presents a novel approach to case-based classification. The algorithm is based on a notion of similarity assessment and was developed for supporting flexible retrieval of relevant information. Case similarity is assessed with respect to a given context that defines constraints for matching. Context relaxation and restriction is used for controlling the classification accuracy. The validity of the proposed approach is tested on real-world domains, and the system's performance, in terms of accuracy and scalability, is compared to that of other machine learning algorithms.
Management of Uncertainty and Vagueness in Databases: The Firms Point of View
Authors: Mouaddib N. , Subtil P. 
Published: October 2003

In this paper, we present an approach to model and retrieve nuanced information (i.e. uncertain, fuzzy and incomplete information). The particularities of the model we propose are: • the introduction of the nuanced value concept to distinguish between a value (ex: young) and a nuance which is a complement on value and either expresses uncertainty (e.g. probably, …) or linguistic quantifiers/modifiers (e.g. very, often,…). • the possibility to represent aggregate attributes (i.e. attribute composed with a set of attributes) and to generate their values from nuanced value of the component attributes. • the advantage to define nuanced domain which is the set of all possible associations value/nuance for an attribute. We will show that a nuanced domain is an extension of the linguistic variable notion introduced by Zadeh. • the use of: (i) the fuzzy thesaurus concept to constraint values of discret attributes; (ii) an associated grammar of Chomsky to generate automatically the characteristic functions of the thesaurus terms. An interactive and progressive process is proposed to retrieve information taking into account fuzzy thesaurus and nuanced information. These propositions are implemented into FIRMS system that we realize in Smalltalk language.
Connections of Kin-minorities to the Kin-state in the Extended Schengen Zone
Authors: Tóth Judit 
Published: October 2003

Abstract'Reduction in the strength of Hungarian minorities must be stopped, travel by youth to the homeland must increase, opportunities for recognition of Hungarian language and culture have to be upgraded, and problems relating to visa requirements due to EU accession must be resolved' (8th Congress of Young Hungarians, Kosice - Slovakia). On the same page of the biggest daily newspaper in Hungary the ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs and a key person in the previous cabinet, Mr. Németh, rejects the criticism of the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Mr.Verheugen, who urges amendments to the Act on benefits for ethnic Hungarian minorities living in the neighbouring states. The MP of the strongest opposition party cannot accept the Commissioner's intepretation of the Act and the Hungarian certificate, which establishes a specific political connection between Hungary and its kin-minorities. 'Why would we provide cultural and educational benefits exclusively for ethnic Hungarians across the borders? Mr.Verhaugen's statement is in conflict with the expert opinion of the Venice Commission'. These two quotes express briefly the ongoing debates on enlargement, including the application of the Schengen zone, and their impact on domestic, regional as well as wider political and legal attitudes. This article aims to describe certain aspects of the Schengen regime and its ramifications in respect of Diaspora policy.
Some Ramifications of Enlargement on the EU-Russia Relations and the Schengen Regime
Authors: Potemkina Olga 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe coming enlargement provides for moving the EU borders closer to Russia, with Lithuania and Poland surrounding a part of Russia, thus creating an enclave. This is a new phenomenon in the history of European integration, which has raised issues, such as flexibility in border crossing or the establishment of border agreements between the ex-Soviet countries. From the EU side this puzzle of security concerns also involves states of a field further. This article describes the Russian perspective on the Schengen regime.
Angiogenesis in Endocrine Tumors
Authors: Turner Helen E. , Harris Adrian L. , Melmed Shlomo , Wass John A. H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAngiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel development from preexisting vasculature. Although vascular endothelium is usually quiescent in the adult, active angiogenesis has been shown to be an important process for new vessel formation, tumor growth, progression, and spread. The angiogenic phenotype depends on the balance of proangiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibitors, as well as interactions with the extracellular matrix, allowing for endothelial migration. Endocrine glands are typically vascular organs, and their blood supply is essential for normal function and tight control of hormone feedback loops. In addition to metabolic factors such as hypoxia, the process of angiogenesis is also regulated by hormonal changes such as increased estrogen, IGF-I, and TSH levels.By measuring microvascular density, differences in angiogenesis have been related to differences in tumor behavior, and similar techniques have been applied to both benign and malignant endocrine tumors with the aim of identification of tumors that subsequently behave in an aggressive fashion.In contrast to other tumor types, pituitary tumors are less vascular than normal pituitary tissue, although the mechanism for this observation is not known. A relationship between angiogenesis and tumor size, tumor invasiveness, and aggressiveness has been shown in some pituitary tumor types, but not in others. There are few reports on the role of microvascular density or angiogenic factors in adrenal tumors. The mechanism of the vascular tumors, which include adrenomedullary tumors, found in patients with Von Hippel Lindau disease has been well characterized, and clinical trials of antiangiogenic therapy are currently being performed in patients with Von Hippel Lindau disease. Thyroid tumors are more vascular than normal thyroid tissue, and there is a clear correlation between increased VEGF expression and more aggressive thyroid tumor behavior and metastasis. Although parathyroid tissue induces angiogenesis when autotransplanted and PTH regulates both VEGF and MMP expression, there are few studies of angiogenesis and angiogenic factors in parathyroid tumors.An understanding of the balance of angiogenesis in these vascular tumors and mechanisms of vascular control may assist in therapeutic decisions and allow appropriately targeted treatment.
Role of Gastrointestinal Hormones in the Proliferation of Normal and Neoplastic Tissues
Authors: Thomas Robert P. , Hellmich Mark R. , Townsend Courtney M. , Evers B. Mark 
Published: October 2003

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the physiological functions of the intestine and pancreas, including secretion, motility, absorption, and digestion. In addition to these well-defined physiological effects, GI hormones can stimulate proliferation of the nonneoplastic intestinal mucosa and pancreas. Furthermore, in an analogous fashion to breast and prostate cancer, certain GI cancers possess receptors for GI hormones; growth can be altered by administration of these hormones or by blocking their respective receptors. The GI hormones that affect proliferation, either stimulatory or inhibitory, include gastrin, cholecystokinin, gastrin-releasing peptide, neurotensin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-2, and somatostatin. The effects of these peptides on normal and neoplastic GI tissues will be described. Also, future perspectives and potential therapeutic implications will be discussed.
Searching for the Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Susceptibility Genes: From Gene Mapping to Gene Function
Authors: Tomer Yaron , Davies Terry F. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are complex diseases that are caused by an interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental triggers. Genetic susceptibility, in combination with external factors (e.g., dietary iodine), is believed to initiate the autoimmune response to thyroid antigens. Abundant epidemiological data, including family and twin studies, point to a strong genetic influence on the development of AITD. Various techniques have been used to identify the genes contributing to the etiology of AITD, including candidate gene analysis and whole genome screening. These studies have enabled the identification of several loci (genetic regions) that are linked with AITD, and in some of these loci putative AITD susceptibility genes have been identified. Some of these genes/loci are unique to Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and some are common to both diseases, indicating that there is a shared genetic susceptibility to GD and HT. The putative GD and HT susceptibility genes include both immune modifying genes (e.g., human leukocyte antigen, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4) and thyroid-specific genes (e.g., TSH receptor, thyroglobulin). Most likely these loci interact, and their interactions may influence disease phenotype and severity. It is hoped that in the near future additional AITD susceptibility genes will be identified and the mechanisms by which they induce AITD will be unraveled.
Maternal mRNAs ofPEMandmacho 1, the ascidian muscle determinant, associate and move with a rough endoplasmic reticulum network in the egg cortex
Authors: Sardet Christian , Nishida Hiroki , Prodon François , Sawada Kaichiro 
Published: October 2003

Localization of maternal mRNAs in the egg cortex is an essential feature of polarity in embryos of Drosophila, Xenopus and ascidians. In ascidians, maternal mRNAs such as macho 1, a determinant of primary muscle-cell fate, belong to a class of postplasmic RNAs that are located along the animal-vegetal gradient in the egg cortex. Between fertilization and cleavage, these postplasmic RNAs relocate in two main phases. They further concentrate and segregate in small posterior blastomeres into a cortical structure, the centrosome-attracting body (CAB), which is responsible for unequal cleavages.By using high-resolution, fluorescent, in situ hybridization in eggs,zygotes and embryos of Halocynthia roretzi, we showed that macho 1 and HrPEM are localized on a reticulated structure situated within 2 μm of the surface of the unfertilized egg, and within 8 μm of the surface the vegetal region and then posterior region of the zygote. By isolating cortices from eggs and zygotes we demonstrated that this reticulated structure is a network of cortical rough endoplasmic reticulum (cER) that is tethered to the plasma membrane. The postplasmic RNAs macho 1 and HrPEM were located on the cER network and could be detached from it. We also show that macho 1 and HrPEM accumulated in the CAB and the cER network. We propose that these postplasmic RNAs relocalized after fertilization by following the microfilament- and microtubule-driven translocations of the cER network to the poles of the zygote. We also suggest that the RNAs segregate and concentrate in posterior blastomeres through compaction of the cER to form the CAB. A multimedia BioClip `Polarity inside the egg cortex' tells the story and can be downloaded at www.bioclips.com/bioclip.html