The estimation of stochastic context-free grammars using the Inside-Outside algorithm

Using an entropy argument, it is shown that stochastic context-free grammars (SCFG's) can model sources with hidden branching processes more efficiently than stochastic regular grammars (or equivalently HMM's). However, the automatic estimation of SCFG's using the Inside-Outside algorithm is limited in practice by its O(n3) complexity. In this paper, a novel pre-training algorithm is described which can give significant computational savings. Also, the need for controlling the way that non-terminals are allocated to hidden processes is discussed and a solution is presented in the form of a grammar minimization procedure. © 1990.

Applications of stochastic context-free grammars using the Inside-Outside algorithm

This paper describes two applications in speech recognition of the use of stochastic context-free grammars (SCFGs) trained automatically via the Inside-Outside Algorithm. First, SCFGs are used to model VQ encoded speech for isolated word recognition and are compared directly to HMMs used for the same task. It is shown that SCFGs can model this low-level VQ data accurately and that a regular grammar based pre-training algorithm is effective both for reducing training time and obtaining robust solutions. Second, an SCFG is inferred from a transcription of the speech used to train a phoneme-based recognizer in an attempt to model phonotactic constraints. When used as a language model, this SCFG gives improved performance over a comparable regular grammar or bigram. © 1991.

Fabrication of test structures for 4×4 InP/InGaAsP integrated optical matrix

A novel optical switching matrix measuring 1×2 mm2 in size is fabricated. The switching matrix is composed of waveguides, four 1×4 multimode interference (MMI) splitters, 32 total internal refraction mirrors and four 4×1 MMI combiners with the extremely compact size of 1×2 mm2. This integrated device are assessed and loss contribution measured from test structure is presented.

Process development on the monolithic fabrication of an ultra-compact 4×4 optical switch matrix on InP/InGaAsP material

We have fabricated an ultra-compact 4×4 optical matrix on InP/InGaAsP material. 1×4 MMI couplers and TIR mirrors are employed to produce a compact 1×2 mm2 device. A CH4/H2/O2 RIE dry etch process has been used to realize two-level dry etching: deep-etch for both the MMI couplers and the mirrors and shallow-etch for the rest of the routing waveguides. It was found that a metal/dielectric bilayer mask is essential for multi-dry-etch processes and high profile verticality. We have found a Ti intermediate mask for the deep-etch process which is removable by SF6 dry-etch before the following shallow process. Dry-etch removal of the intermediate mask is necessary to protect the deep-etched mirror sidewall.

LES and hybrid LES/RANS simulations for conjugate heat transfer over a matrix of cubes

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and a novel k -l based hybrid LES/RANS approach have been applied to simulate a conjugate heat transfer problem involving flow over a matrix of surface mounted cubes. In order to assess the capability and reliability of the newly developed k -l based hybrid LES/RANS, numerical results are compared with new LES and existing RANS results. Comparisons include mean velocity profiles, Reynolds stresses and conjugate heat transfer. As well as for hybrid LES/RANS validation purposes, the LES results are used to gain insights into the complex flow physics and heat transfer mechanisms. Numerical simulations show that the hybrid LES/RANS approach is effective. Mean and instantaneous fluid temperatures adjacent to the cube surface are found to strongly correlate with flow structure. Although the LES captures more mean velocity field complexities, broadly time averaged wake temperature fields are found similar for the LES and hybrid LES/RANS. Copyright © 2005 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.

Triggering in a thermoacoustic system with stochastic noise

This paper explores the mechanism of triggering in a simple thermoacoustic system, the Rijke tube. It is demonstrated that additive stochastic perturbations can cause triggering before the linear stability limit of a thermoacoustic system. When triggering from low noise amplitudes, the system is seen to evolve to self-sustained oscillations via an unstable periodic solution of the governing equations. Practical stability is introduced as a measure of the stability of a linearly stable state when finite perturbations are present. The concept of a stochastic stability map is used to demonstrate the change in practical stability limits for a system with a subcritical bifurcation, once stochastic terms are included. The practical stability limits are found to be strongly dependent on the strength of noise.

Nuclear matrix of the most primitive eukaryote Archezoa

Accumulating evidence suggests that unicellular Archezoa are the most primitive eukaryotes and their nuclei are of significance to the study of evolution of the eukaryotic nucleus. Nuclear matrix is an ubiquitous important structure of eukaryotic nucleus; its evolution is certainly one of the most important parts of the evolution of nucleus. To study the evolution of nuclear matrix, nuclear matrices of Archezoa are investigated. Giardia lamblia cells are extracted sequentially. Both embedment-free section EM and whole mount cell EM of the extracted cells show that, like higher eukaryotes, this species has a residual nuclear matrix in its nucleus and rich intermediate filaments in its cytoplasm, and the two networks connect with each other to form a united network. But its nuclear matrix does not have nucleolar matrix and its lamina is not as typical as that of higher eukaryotes; Western blotting shows that lamina of Giardia and two other Archezoa Entamoeba invadens and Trichomonas vaginali all contain only one polypeptide each which reacts with a mammalia anti-lamin polyclonal serum and is similar to lamin B (67 ku) of mammlia in molecular weight. According to the results and references, it is suggested that nuclear matrix is an early acquisition of the eukaryotic nucleus, and it and the "eukaryotic chromatin" as a whole must have originated very early in the process of evolution of eukaryotic cell, and their origin should be an important prerequisite of the origin of eukaryotic nucleus; in the iamin (gene) family, B-type lamins (gene) should be the ancestral type and that A-type lamins (gene) might derive therefrom.

The nuclear matrix of Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta): A stage of nuclear matrix evolution?

Euglena gracilis cell was extracted sequentially with CSK-Triton buffer, RSB-Magik solution and DNase-As solution. DGD embedment-free electron microscopy showed that in the extracted nucleus there was a residual non-chromatin fibrous network. That it could not be removed by hot trichloroacetic acid further supported the idea that it was a non-histone, non-chromatin fibrous protein network, and should be the internal network of the nuclear matrix. After the sequential extraction, the nuclear membrane was removed, leaving behind a layer of lamina; the chromatin was digested and eluted from the dense chromosomes and residual chromosomal structures that should be chromosomal scaffold were revealed. Western blot analysis with antiserum against rat lamins showed that nuclear lamina of the cell possessed two positive polypeptides, a major one and a minor one, which had molecular masses similar to lamin B and lamin A, respectively. Comparing these data with those of the most primitive eukaryote Archezoa and of higher eukaryotes, it was suggested that the lower unicellular eukaryote E. gracillis already had the nuclear matrix structure, and its nuclear matrix (especially the lamina) might represent a stage of evolutionary history of the nuclear matrix. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.