bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assignment of quinone derivatives as the main compound class composing ‘interstellar’ grains based on both polarity ions detected by the ‘Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyser’ (CIDA) onboard the spacecraft STARDUST
Authors: Krueger Franz R. , Werther Wolfgang , Kissel Jochen , Schmid Erich R. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe ‘Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyser’ (CIDA) is a particle impact time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer onboard the NASA spacecraft STARDUST. A series of positive and negative ion mass spectra from the impact of (apparently) interstellar dust particles has been collected since 1999. In the meantime laboratory work has been performed to better understand the ion formation processes of organic grains impacting at those speeds (>15 km/s) and to relate them to some other ion formation methods. The key ion types were the negative ions, with some additional information from the positive ions. Here, first the principal ion formation rules are briefly reviewed. Secondly, the common substance class is inferred mainly by the application of exclusion principles, and appears to be partly condensed aromatic and quinonoid compounds with high oxygen and low nitrogen content. Oxygen appears to be present in quinone‐type structures with condensed aromatic rings, possibly with furan substructures and some hydroxyl moieties. Some nitrogen may be present in pyrrole‐ or quinoline‐type structures. Considerations of thermodynamics and radiation physics of these dust particles within the solar system are consistent with this interpretation. Quinoenzyme cofactors such as the known compound pyrroloquinoline‐quinone (PQQ) and its subconstituents would be expected to yield similar mass spectra. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended regular ternary logic functions and majority functions capable of synthesizing any ternary logic function
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshinori 
Published: December 2003

AbstractMultiple‐valued logic functions using only AND, OR, and NOT as operators are called Kleenean functions. They were actively studied in Japan beginning in the early 1990s. Previously, regular ternary logic functions corresponding to the ambiguous state in which the truth value 1/2 is neither 0 nor 1 were defined in ternary logic; but regular ternary logic functions are equivalent to ternary Kleenean functions. Regular ternary logic functions represent only a small fraction of all ternary logic functions, and only a part of the ternary logic functions can be synthesized. In this paper we define regular ternary logic functions of the zeroth to third kinds by introducing the cyclical operation. We then define majority functions of the zeroth to third kinds, which are a subset of the extended regular ternary logic functions, and show that any ternary logic function can be synthesized by means of these three majority functions. Finally, using a genetic algorithm as the base algorithm, we present a technique for synthesizing any ternary logic function by means of extended ternary majority elements, and give illustrative examples. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 79–90, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10226
Nonparametric regression analysis of functional brain images
Authors: Tsukimoto Hiroshi , Kakimoto Mitsuru , Morita Chie , Kikuchi Yoshiaki 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThere has recently been remarkable progress in noninvasive measurement of the brain (such as f‐MRI, MEG, and PET), providing detailed functional brain images. Using this technique, the correspondence between the areas and functions of the brain can be precisely analyzed. Researchers in this field are now examining correspondences between areas and functions of the brain on the basis of functional brain images. The authors have been attempting to apply nonparametric regression analysis to f‐MRI images, in an effort to develop an algorithm that identifies the areas of the brain automatically and objectively. Since the brain has a three‐dimensional structure, it is desirable to apply three‐dimensional nonparametric regression analysis, but that requires a tremendous amount of computation. The idea is applied to two‐dimensional images as a first step. Satisfactory results are obtained compared to the results obtained by z‐score, a typical technique; the results are reported in this paper. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 67–78, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10244
Fault detection and recovery coverage improvement by optimal clock diversity
Authors: Kanekawa Nobuyasu , Yamaguchi Shinichiro , Shima Yosuke 
Published: December 2003

AbstractEnhancement of fault recovery coverage by early discovery and early recovery is indispensable in enhancing the availability of fail‐safe systems and fault‐tolerant systems. In clock‐synchronized duplicate comparison systems, errors can be detected in the clock unit, facilitating the early discovery and recovery of faults. Addition of optimal‐time diversity makes possible the prevention of error correlation in the duplicate comparison systems, which promotes coverage enhancement. This paper presents an experimental comparison of the fault detection coverage and recovery coverage of the clock‐synchronized method with optimal‐time diversity (the optimal clock diversity method), the clock‐synchronized method without optimal‐time diversity, and the loosely synchronized method. The experimental results show that the clock‐synchronized method has the highest recovery coverage and that the optimal clock diversity method has the highest fault detection coverage. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 58–66, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10253
Subject region segmentation in disparity maps for image retrieval
Authors: Mo Hiroshi , Idehara Yuichi , Satoh Shin'ichi , Hamada Takashi 
Published: December 2003

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a method for automatic segmentation of subject regions using disparity maps for image retrieval by real‐world objects. If one wants to look up a particular object in image database, the subject region should be properly extracted from the image as a key for image retrieval. In our approach, we assume that we have the actual object in the real world to be looked up in image database. Taking advantage of disparity maps using a commercially available stereo range finder, subject region extraction is automated. We assume that the x‐coordinate, y‐coordinate, and disparity obtained from disparity map should yield multimodal Gaussian probability distribution, and subject regions are extracted by properly selecting particular modes of Gaussian densities. We construct a prototype system to retrieve images by real‐world objects and show that adaptive and quick automatic extraction of the subject region could be achieved. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 47–57, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10389
The completeness of logic programming with sort predicates
Authors: Kaneiwa Ken 
Published: December 2003

AbstractAll order‐sorted logic can be regarded as a generalized first‐order predicate logic that includes many and ordered sorts (i.e., a sort‐hierarchy). In the fields of knowledge representation and AI, this logic with sort‐hierarchy has been used to design a logic‐based language appropriate for representing taxonomic knowledge. By incorporating the sort‐hierarchy, order‐sorted resolution and sorted logic programming have been formalized that provide efficient reasoning mechanisms with structural representation. In this work, Beierle's group developed an order‐sorted logic to couple separated taxonomic knowledge and assertional knowledge. Namely, its language allows us to make use of sorts to denote not only the types of terms but also unary predicates (called sort predicates). In this paper, we propose a sorted logic programming language with sort predicates in order to improve the practicability of the logic proposed by Beierle. The linear resolution is obtained by adding inference relative to sort predicates and subsort relations. In the semantics, the terms and formulas that follow the sorted signature extended with sort predicates are interpreted over its corresponding Σ+‐structures. Finally, we build the Herbrand models of programs containing sort predicates, and thus prove the soundness and completeness of this logic programming. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 37–46, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10409
Time‐frequency analysis of mechanomyogram during sustained contractions with muscle fatigue
Authors: Itoh Yasushi , Akataki Kumi , Mita Katsumi , Watakabe Makoto , Itoh Kunihiko 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe mechanomyogram (MMG) is a recording of mechanical oscillation that is detectable on the body surface overlying the muscle. It is considered that the MMG is produced by lateral dimensional changes in active muscle fibers, which generate pressure waves, and reflects the mechanical activity of muscle. The present study was designed to examine the MMG behavior during sustained contraction at a constant level of force up to muscle fatigue, and to determine that the MMG reflects the specific motor unit (MU) activation strategy resulting from muscle fatigue. In the experiment, isometric contractions of biceps brachii muscles at 20 and 80% of the maximal voluntary contraction (20 and 80% MVC) were selected. The recorded MMG was analyzed by the short‐time Fourier transform, and the root mean squared amplitude (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF) were calculated every 0.1 s. It was found that the RMS of the MMG at 20% MVC decreased somewhat from the onset of contractions, then gradually increased. The MPF initially increased and then remained constant. At 80% MVC, on the other hand, the RMS continued to decrease. The MPF initially increased and then decreased. These trends in the RMS and MPF seem to reflect an alteration in the MU activation strategy resulting from muscle fatigue. The MMG is considered to be one of the useful tools in monitoring muscle fatigue. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 26–36, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10528
Moving object extraction with cooperative cameras
Authors: Zheng Wentao , Misu Toshihiko , Naemura Masahide , Izumi Yoshinori , Kanatsugu Yasuaki 
Published: December 2003

AbstractWe present a novel approach to robust extraction of moving objects with cooperative static and active cameras. The active camera, for usual broadcasts, is fixed in location but free to rotate and zoom. The static camera is a completely fixed panoramic camera viewing a whole scene. Precalibration and on‐the‐ground calibration are carried out to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters. The two cameras work in synchronism, and the motion parameters (e.g., pan, tilt, zoom, focus) of the active camera are measured for each image frame. Background subtraction is applied to the image sequence of the static camera to extract moving objects, and the obtained moving objects are then transformed to the image sequence of the active camera using both calibrated camera parameters and camera motion parameters. The approach is robust and fast and has a number of other desirable features. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 13–25, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10557
Parallel‐hierarchical neural network for 3D object recognition
Authors: Sato Noriaki , Hagiwara Masafumi 
Published: December 2003

AbstractIn this paper, the authors propose a parallel‐hierarchical neural network that can recognize multiple 3D objects from 2D projection images. The proposed network focuses on a parallel‐hierarchical structure and memory‐based recognition assistance, which are characteristics of the excellent vision systems that living organisms have, and refers to the neocognitron, which models the parallel‐hierarchical structure of vision systems. The amount of calculations is reduced by deleting cells having a low degree of importance based on competition between cells and detecting features that differ for each cell. The network not only can recognize an object, but can also estimate its orientation at the same time. The memory‐based recognition assistance is modeled by performing iterative processing during which the input image approaches a learning image based on the orientation estimation result. Weights are determined by sequentially presenting learning images, and no teaching signal is necessary. This is done in a short time since it is not an iterative learning method. The network performance was evaluated by using five objects from COIL‐100. Images that were obtained by photographing each object after it was rotated 60° at a time around the vertical axis were used for the learning images. The experiments checked the recognition rates for various 2D projection images that were obtained from the 3D objects. These results verified the effectiveness of the proposed neural network as a 3D object recognition technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 1–12, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10579
A design of flash memory file system for embedded systems
Authors: Ishizumi Noritaka , Saisho Keizo , Fukuda Akira 
Published: December 2003

AbstractFlash memory, which has advantages of nonvolatility, high density, little power consumption, and low cost, has been employed as memory device for small and portable embedded devices. Flash memory, however, is slower in writing data compared with volatile semiconductor memory such as DRAM, and requires a time‐consuming block erase operation for data rewriting. The block erase operation should be avoided as far as possible because there is a limit in the number of erases. In this paper, a file system for flash memory that realizes high‐speed data access and high durability is proposed, and designed and implemented. Specifically speaking, the life of flash memory is prolonged by using linked lists for file management to avoid concentration of rewriting on specific erase blocks. Furthermore, write operations are speeded‐up by writing only the difference in update, and the number of block erase operations is reduced by updating links through appending operations. The result of experiments showed that concentration of block erase operations on specific blocks, which is normal in conventional table management methods, could be avoided by using linked lists for file management. Appending operations produced little degradation of storage usage even if the file size was fairly smaller compared with the size of an erase block. However, there were cases where multiple garbage collections were required in file writing, and it took several times longer than usual cases. Thus, it is necessary to improve file writing for practical application. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(1): 91–100, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1227
Charting the Uncharted Seas of Online Student Ratings of Instruction
Authors: Sorenson D. Lynn , Reiner Christian 
Published: December 2003

AbstractAre online student ratings the “wave of the future”? This chapter introduces numerous advantages and challenges of adopting an online system for student evaluation of teaching; in it, the authors preview the research of the other authors of this volume and suggest areas that universities can investigate when determining the desirability of initiating an online ratings system for student evaluation of instruction.
Evaluation of the measurement of the fetal fat layer, interventricular septum and abdominal circumference percentile in the prediction of macrosomia in pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes
Authors: Bethune M. , Bell R. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the measurement of the fetal abdominal fat layer (FFL), cardiac interventricular septum (IVS) and abdominal circumference (AC) percentile in the early third trimester as predictors of macrosomia at birth in the fetuses of women with gestational diabetes.MethodsNinety patients attending the hospital's special diabetic clinic were recruited prospectively. FFL and IVS were measured in addition to the routine biometry in the early third trimester. AC was measured routinely and AC percentile was determined from established antenatal charts. These measurements were then assessed as predictors of macrosomia.ResultsA fetal fat layer of ≥5 mm was the most useful predictor of macrosomia at term as assessed using the likelihood ratio. An AC ≥90th percentile, however, had a better sensitivity.ConclusionThe usefulness of routine FFL measurement in the early third trimester in the management of diabetic pregnancies is worthy of further evaluation. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmarking the cultivation approach to video game effects: a comparison of the correlates of TV viewing and game play
Authors: Van Mierlo Jan , Van den Bulck Jan 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTThis study found significant relationships between first‐ and second‐order cultivation measures and TV viewing, but found a relationship with video game play for only two variables in a sample of 322 Flemish 3rd and 6th year secondary school children. This suggests that the absence of a relationship with video game play is not the result of the absence of cultivation effects in Flanders. On the other hand it shows that the relationship between TV viewing and cultivation measures is not an artifact of systematic over reporting. The study concludes that cultivation measures typical of the “television world” are not related to playing video games. To study video game cultivation measures must be sought which reflect the mainstream of (particular genres of) video games. The role of selectivity needs to be studied more closely. As gamers play an active role in the violence of the games the possibility that self‐protecting strategies are employed in processing video game contents must be taken into consideration. Existing process theories explaining what happens in television cultivation may be challenged by research into the cultivation effects of video games.
Pentoxifylline in ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy: effects on left‐ventricular function, inflammatory cytokines and symptoms
Authors: Bahrmann Philipp , Hengst Uta M. , Richartz Babara M. , Figulla Hans R. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractIntroduction:Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) are significantly elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Pentoxifylline, a xanthin‐derived agent, is known to inhibit the production of TNF‐α and IL‐6. Recent studies have shown that pentoxifylline produces an increase in ejection fraction, a decrease in left‐ventricular chamber size and an improvement in clinical status in patients with idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, we studied the effects of pentoxifylline in ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods:Primary endpoint was left‐ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by contrast 2D echocardiography. Secondary endpoints were concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6, brain natriuretic peptide, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score or New York Heart Association scale.Results:Forty‐seven patients (31.9% ischemic, 21.3% hypertensive, 10.6% ischemic and hypertensive, 36.2% idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy) were randomly assigned to pentoxifylline 600 mg BID (n=23) or placebo (n=24) if they had a compensated CHF with a LVEF less than or equal to 40% and had taken their standard treatment consisting of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and β‐blockers for at least 3 months. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were similar. Forty‐one patients completed the study protocol and were analysed for primary and secondary endpoints. After 6 months of treatment, LVEF was unchanged in the pentoxifylline group compared with placebo (29±7 to 33±10% vs. 27±9 to 34±9%, respectively, P=NS). Also the secondary endpoints did not significantly change during follow‐up.Conclusion:Additional treatment with pentoxifylline is neutral with regard to left‐ventricular function, inflammatory cytokines and symptoms in patients with ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic‐dilated cardiomyopathy.
Beta‐adrenergic receptor blockade and the angiotensin‐converting enzyme deletion polymorphism in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: de Groote Pascal , Helbecque Nicole , Lamblin Nicolas , Hermant Xavier , Amouyel Philippe , Bauters Christophe , Dallongeville Jean 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground:Beta‐adrenergic receptor blockade is an established treatment of chronic heart failure (HF). Previous studies have suggested a potential pharmacogenetic interaction between beta‐blocker therapy and the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism in patients with HF.Aims:We designed this study to analyze changes in myocardial function of HF patients in response to beta‐blocker therapy as a function of the ACE I/D polymorphism.Methods and results:We studied 199 consecutive patients with chronic HF not treated with beta‐blockers. Before initiation of beta‐blockers and 3 months after the maximal tolerated dose was reached, patients underwent echocardiography, radionuclide angiography, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. We extracted genomic DNA from white blood cells and determined the ACE I/D polymorphism. Thirty‐five (18%) patients had the II genotype, 86 (43%) the ID genotype and 78 (39%) the DD genotype. A significant and similar improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was observed in II (from 0.30±0.10 to 0.41±0.13; P<0.0001), ID (from 0.29±0.11 to 0.39±0.13; P<0.0001) and DD patients (from 0.31±0.11 to 0.40±0.13; P<0.0001). Peak Vo2 before and after beta‐blockade was similar among the three groups. The proportion of responders to beta‐blockers (patients without cardiac events during titration who had an increase in LVEF >5% after beta‐blockers) was similar among the three groups (II: 65.9%%, ID: 60.6%%, DD: 65.9%; P=NS). During a median follow‐up of 933 days, there was no evidence for any effect of ACE I/D polymorphism on cardiac survival.Conclusions:We observed no evidence of pharmacogenetic interaction between the ACE I/D polymorphism and the effects of beta‐blockade on LVEF and other prognostic parameters in patients with chronic HF. Our results support the initiation of beta‐blockers in HF patients with the II or the ID genotype as well as in those with the DD genotype.
Systematic review of open access echocardiography for primary care
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh 
Published: December 2003

AbstractOver the last few years there has been a revolution in open access echocardiography services due to an increased demand from within secondary care and primary care. There have been some concerns expressed by specialists and open access echocardiography has not been universally welcomed as a means of offering healthcare. Suspected heart failure comprises the majority of primary care referrals for open access echocardiography. There is lack of rigorously controlled studies to support widespread establishment of open access echocardiography services.