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    PR # 32165                                                                   
     We propose ASCA spectral observations of two X-ray bright LINERs to         
     estimate accurately their spectral parameters. We wish to determine         
     whether LINERs are simply {\it dwarf} AGN or something more unusual,        
     by comparing our results with those from other low luminosity AGN           
     (eg.  M81) and typical AGN.  The selected galaxies, NGC 1052 and NGC        
     4450 have been studied in a wide range of wavelengths which allows us       
     to compare these X-ray data with other data to investigate the nature       
     of LINER.  The proposed ASCA observations with high spectral                
     resolution in addition to high spatial resolution ROSAT data (We have       
     or will have data for the two galaxies) will be uniquely suited for         
     this study.                                                                 
                                                                                 
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