In the 2D point searching problem, our goal is to preprocess n points P = {p1, . . . , pn} in the plane so that, for an online sequence of query points q1, . . . qm, we can quickly determine which (if any) of the elements of P are equal to each query point qi. This problem can be solved in O(log n) time by mapping the problem down to one dimension. We present a data structure that is optimized ...

Changes in proximate composition, colour and textural characteristics of ozone-processed shrimp as affected by combined effects of increasing ozone exposures and iced storage were investigated and for the first time. Whilst proximate composition comprised of fat, moisture, and protein contents and colour comprised of L*, a*, b* and metric chroma (C), the texture comprised of adhesiveness, fract...

The term levels of analysis has been used in several ways: to distinguish between ultimate and proximate levels, to categorize different kinds of research questions and to differentiate levels of reductionism. Because questions regarding ultimate function and proximate mechanisms are logically distinct, I suggest that distinguishing between these two levels is the best use of the term. Integrat...

The demographic study of nuptiality in African countries is not very developed and often of secondary interest in a discussion of the proximate determinants of fertility. This paper uses unusual marriage history data to examine divorce and remarriage in rural Malawi. Life table probabilities of divorce range from 40 to 65 percent and are among the highest on the continent. An investigation into...

In recent years, a small group of animal behaviorists has been calling for a renewed focus on proximate mechanisms in the study of behavioral evolution (Kennedy, 1992; Stamps, 1991). These calls have been made to counter the current view, implicit in most contemporary analyses of animal behavior, that we can understand ultimate causation without worrying about the mechanistic details. As noted ...

This study examines the impact of proximity, anonymity, and information exposure on group polarization in a GSS context. Proximity was studied at two levels: proximate and distributed. Anonymity was examined at two levels: identified and anonymous. Information exposure was also varied at two levels: exposure to positions without arguments and exposure to positions with arguments. The dependent ...

The proximate analysis is the most common form of coal evaluation and it reveals the quality of a coal sample. It examines four factors including the moisture, ash, volatile matter (VM), and fixed carbon (FC) within the coal sample. Every factor is determined through a distinct experimental procedure under ASTM specified conditions. These determinations are time consuming and require a signific...

Fibrotic disorders account for an increasing burden of disease-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although numerous risk factors have been recognized, the etiologies of many of these clinical syndromes have not been identified, and they are often termed idiopathic or cryptogenic. Here, we provide an evolutionary perspective on fibrosis aimed at elucidating its etiopathogenesis. By as...

Scientists, in their endeavors, deal with different levels of causation, which can be conceptualized on a continuum of proximate to ultimate. Proximate causes refer to more immediate variables, ultimate to those more remote. For example, if you were asked why you were reading this chapter, a proximate explanation might be that it was recommended for a course you were teaching or taking; an ulti...