Algorithm for finding all k nearest neighbors

A very simple algorithm for computing all k nearest neighbors in 2-D is presented. The method does not rely on complicated forms of tessellation, it only requires simple data binning for fast range searching. Its applications range from scattered data interpolation to reverse engineering.     

Scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline: A web-based reciprocal peer review system

This paper describes how SWoRD (scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline), a web-based reciprocal peer review system, supports writing practice, particularly for large content courses in which writing is considered critical but not feasibly included. To help students gain content knowledge as well as writing and reviewing skills, SWoRD supports the whole cycle of writing, reviews, back-reviews, and rewriting by scaffolding the journal publication process as its authentic practice model. In addition, SWoRD includes algorithms that compute individual reviewer’s review accuracy, which is in turn used to support the various drawbacks of reciprocal peer reviews (e.g., variation in motivation or ability of reviewers). Finally, this paper describes an empirical evaluation showing that the SWoRD approach is effective in improving writing quality in content classes.     

Models of visual word recognition: Sampling the state of the art.

A classification of models of visual word recognition is presented that facilitates formal comparisons between models of different formats. In light of the theoretical contributions to this special section, sets of criteria for the evaluation of models and strategies for model construction are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

XIV. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequence of MKT1, needed for propagation of M2 satellite dsRNA of the L-A virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MKT1 is required for m aintenance of K₂ above 30°C in strains with the L-A-HN variant of the L-A double-stranded RNA virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We report that MKT1 encodes a 92 979 Da protein with serine-rich regions and the retroviral protease signature, DTG, but with no substantial homology to proteins presently in the databases. This sequence is available from GenBank under Accession Number U09129.     

A dual read-out model of word context effects in letter perception: Further investigations of the word superiority effect.

A dual read-out model of context effects in letter perception is described that predicts forced-choice accuracy in the Reicher paradigm and its relation to word reportability. It is hypothesized that a correct choice to a letter in a word context is made when either the correct letter representation or a word representation containing the correct letter in the correct position reaches a response threshold (a criterion level of activation). This hypothesis was implemented using the basic architecture of the interactive activation model (J. L. McClelland & D. E. Rumelhart, 1981) in its semistochastic variant (A. M. Jacobs & J. Grainger, 1992). The model successfully captures the data of J. C. Johnston (1978), otherwise thought to be critically damaging for this type of model, and accurately predicts performance in a series of new experiments using the Reicher paradigm. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ultraviolet chambers based on integrating spheres for use in artificial weathering

Laboratory ultraviolet (UV) chambers are widely used to obtain weathering data for a wide range of commercial polymer products including coatings, textiles, elastomers, plastics, and polymeric composites. Although numerous improvements have been made in the design of UV chambers over the last 80 years, the reproducibility of the exposure results from these chambers has remained elusive. This lack of reproducibility is attributed to systematic errors in their design, operation, and control which prevent direct comparisons of the performance of materials exposed in the same environment, comparisons of the performance of the same material exposed in different laboratories, and the comparison of field and laboratory results. This paper describes an innovative UV chamber design based on integrating sphere technology that greatly reduces the magnitude of these errors, as well as provides additional experimental capabilities. Presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, on November 4–7, 2001, in Atlanta, GA. Building Materials Division. Gaithersburg, MD. Freeport, TX.     

Knowledge-based interpretation of architectural drawings

A method for machine interpretation of architectural (or other) schematic drawings is presented. The central problem is to build an efficient drawing parser (i.e., a program that identifies the semantic entities, characteristics, and relationships that are represented in the drawing). The parser is built from specifications of the drawing grammar and an underlying spatial model. The grammar describes what to look for, and the spatial model enables the parser to find it quickly. Coupled with existing optical recognition technology, this technique enables the use of drawings directly as: (1) a database to drive various Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) applications; (2) a communication protocol to integrate CAD systems; (3) a traditional user interface.     

Flexible polymer composite electromagnetic crystals

The dielectric properties of a ceramic powder (BaTiO₃) filled thermoplastic elastomer (EPDM TPE) were investigated for use in a flexible electromagnetic crystal. Materials were produced that had a high dielectric constant (approximately 9) and low loss tangent (less than 0.01). Materials were extruded and injection molded so as to povide low‐cost processing. Mechanical and electromagnetic test results showed the effect of processing conditions on the final quality of the composite. The shear rate during processing and the number of mixing cycles were found to affect the final material characteristics significantly. An electromagnetic crystal woven from extruded rods showed good reflectivity in the 10–15 GHz region.     

"I know, you know": Epistemic egocentrism in children and adults.

This article reviews the evidence and theory pertaining to a form of perspective-taking failure--a difficulty in setting aside the privileged information that one knows to be unavailable to another party. The authors argue that this bias (epistemic egocentrism, or EE) is a general feature of human cognition and has been tapped by 2 independent and largely uncommunicating research traditions: the theory-of-mind tradition in developmental psychology and, with more sensitive probes, the "heuristics and biases" tradition in the psychology of human judgment. This article sets the stage for facilitating communication between these traditions as well as for the recognition of EE's breadth and potential interdisciplinary significance. The authors propose a life-span account and a tentative taxonomy of EE; and they highlight the interdisciplinary significance of EE by discussing its implications for normative ethics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)