$_ =~ s/[(]*(?![)]+)//; 
# Replace 0 or more instances of '(' if the 
# lookahead assertion for one or more of ')' 
# fails. This seems to work correctly
			    
$_ =~ s/[)]*(?<![(])//; 
# Replace 0 or more instances of ')' if the 
# lookbehind assertion for '(' fails.  This
# doesn't work as I though.