A set expression based inheritance system

This paper describes a new formalism for inheritance systems, based on the formal semantics of set expressions. Using the formalism, it is possible to define new semantic classes by arbitrary set expressions operating on previously defined classes. Thus generalizing bothIS-A links andIS-NOT-A links and adding the set intersection operation. We present an efficient algorithm which follows these definitions to deduce the properties implied by the inheritance network, i.e., the properties of the classes containing a given element. The application which motivated the development of the formalism, namely semantic disambiguation of natural language, is also described.     

Circuits and techniques for high-resolution measurement of on-chip power supply noise

This paper presents a technique for characterizing the statistical properties and spectrum of power supply noise using only two on-chip low-throughput samplers. The samplers utilize a voltage-controlled oscillator to perform high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion with minimal hardware. The measurement system is implemented in a 0.13-/spl mu/m process along with a high-speed link transceiver. Measured results from this chip validate the accuracy of the measurement system and elucidate several aspects of power supply noise, including its cyclostationary nature.     

CEO summit. Building the new health care delivery alliance, Part III. Roundtable discussion

In cooperation with McManis Associates, Hospitals & Health Networks recently convened a CEO summit on physician/hospital integration activities. In the third report of a three-part series on the summit, leading health care executives discuss investor capital needs, strategic information management needs, and the management competencies required for capitated managed care success.     

Water-soluble copolymers: 22. Copolymers of acrylamide with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanedimethylammonium chloride: Aqueous solution properties of a polycation

The viscometric, turbidimetric and potentiometric properties of copolymers of acrylamide (AM) with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanedimethylammonium chloride (AMPDAC) were studied in aqueous solutions. The AMPDAC polymers exhibit poor salt tolerance and large, negative viscosity/temperature coefficients. Furthermore, the polymers were found to be sensitive to changes in pH. The AMPDAC polymers undergo phase separation in the presence of dianions as a function of temperature and AMPDAC composition.     

Fractional composition of partly hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate and its compatibility with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in aqueous solutions

Fractionation of partly hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate (PVA) was performed by warming of its aqueous solutions. The following properties of the obtained fractions were determined: viscosity, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, surface tension, and absorbance in the IR range. The blockiness of the polymer molecules, characterized by their behaviour towards iodine-containing systems such as I₂,-H₃BO₃ and I₂,-KI, was estimated. Fractionation of the aqueous solutions of PVA by warming is based mainly on the different internal molecular structure of the separated products, i.e. on the length of the vinyl acetate blocks in the PVA molecules and, to a lesser extent, on the degree of hydrolysis and the degree of polymerization. The more blocklike are the PVA molecules, the less compatible are the polymers in the PVA-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-water system. At phase separation in this sytem the PVA molecules which are not compatible with HPMC are, in the first place, those of the highest blockiness.     

Simultaneous design of membership functions and rule sets for fuzzycontrollers using genetic algorithms

This paper examines the applicability of genetic algorithms (GA's) in the simultaneous design of membership functions and rule sets for fuzzy logic controllers. Previous work using genetic algorithms has focused on the development of rule sets or high performance membership functions; however, the interdependence between these two components suggests a simultaneous design procedure would be a more appropriate methodology. When GA's have been used to develop both, it has been done serially, e.g., design the membership functions and then use them in the design of the rule set. This, however, means that the membership functions were optimized for the initial rule set and not the rule set designed subsequently. GA's are fully capable of creating complete fuzzy controllers given the equations of motion of the system, eliminating the need for human input in the design loop. This new method has been applied to two problems, a cart controller and a truck controller. Beyond the development of these controllers, we also examine the design of a robust controller for the cart problem and its ability to overcome faulty rules     

8-Gbit/s transmission experiment over 68 km of optical fiber using a Ti:LiNbO3external modulator

We describe the performance of an experimental 1.5-μm lightwave transmission system operating at 8 Gbit/s over 68.3 km of single-mode fiber. The dispersion penalty is limited to 1 dB through the use of external modulation and is attributable to the intrinsic information bandwidth.     

Capturing visual attention and the curve tracing operation.

The hypothesis that orienting visual attention is an important component of visual curve tracing was investigated. Ss examined a visual display and decided as quickly as possible whether 2 dots were on the same or different curves. The rate of tracing was determined by measuring the effects of curve distance on response time. Attention was directed to a curve by momentarily presenting it at a higher luminance. Directing attention to a curve that had 2 dots on it resulted in faster tracing rates with large benefits in overall response time. Directing attention to a distractor curve resulted in slower tracing rates and sizable costs in overall response times. Two alternative nonattentional explanations (eye movements and visible persistence) were examined and rejected. The role of attention in curve tracing is discussed in terms of the selective nature of curve tracing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)