title: Teaching agents to learn: from user study to implementation

authors: Maulsby, David

subjects: Machine learning

abstract: Graphical user interfaces have helped center computer use on viewing and editing, rather than on programming. Yet the need for end-user programming continues to grow. Software developers have responded to the demand with a barrage of customizable applications and operating systems. But the learning curve associated with a high level of customizability-even in GUI-based operating systems-often prevents users from easily modifying their software. Ironically, the question has become, "What is the easiest way for end users to program?" Perhaps the best way to customize a program, given current interface and software design, is for users to annotate tasks-verbally or via the keyboard-as they are executing them. Experiments have shown that users can "teach" a computer most easily by demonstrating a desired behavior. But the teaching approach raises new questions about how the system, as a learning machine, will correlate, generalize, and disambiguate a user's instructions.
 To understand how best to create a system that can learn, the authors conducted an experiment in which users attempt to train an intelligent agent to edit a bibliography. Armed with the results of these experiments, the authors implemented an interactive machine learning system, which they call Configurable Instructible Machine Architecture. Designed to acquire behavior concepts from few examples, Cima keeps users informed and allows them to influence the course of learning. Programming by demonstration reduces boring, repetitive work. Perhaps the most important lesson the authors learned is the value of involving users in the design process. By testing and critiquing their design ideas, users keep the designers focused on their objective: agents that make computer-based work more productive and more enjoyable.

text: Teaching agents to learn: from user study to implementation Graphical user interfaces have helped center computer use on viewing and editing, rather than on programming. Yet the need for end-user programming continues to grow. Software developers have responded to the demand with a barrage of customizable applications and operating systems. But the learning curve associated with a high level of customizability-even in GUI-based operating systems-often prevents users from easily modifying their software. Ironically, the question has become, "What is the easiest way for end users to program?" Perhaps the best way to customize a program, given current interface and software design, is for users to annotate tasks-verbally or via the keyboard-as they are executing them. Experiments have shown that users can "teach" a computer most easily by demonstrating a desired behavior. But the teaching approach raises new questions about how the system, as a learning machine, will correlate, generalize, and disambiguate a user's instructions.
 To understand how best to create a system that can learn, the authors conducted an experiment in which users attempt to train an intelligent agent to edit a bibliography. Armed with the results of these experiments, the authors implemented an interactive machine learning system, which they call Configurable Instructible Machine Architecture. Designed to acquire behavior concepts from few examples, Cima keeps users informed and allows them to influence the course of learning. Programming by demonstration reduces boring, repetitive work. Perhaps the most important lesson the authors learned is the value of involving users in the design process. By testing and critiquing their design ideas, users keep the designers focused on their objective: agents that make computer-based work more productive and more enjoyable.

year: 1997-11-01

title: An investigation of soil moisture associated with ephemeral streams, Wright Valley, Antarctica

authors: Shanhun, Fiona L.

abstract: Ephemeral streams in Wright Valley, Antarctica, are fed by glacial melt and flow for between four and ten weeks annually. Hyporheic zones develop concomitantly with ephemeral stream channels. These zones are areas of saturated or moistened soil, depending on their proximity to the stream. The hyporheic zones are laterally extensive, and may represent a greater proportion of total meltwater than surface water in the stream channel, thus exacerbating the risk of accidental contamination of streams. The hydrological system in Wright Valley is closed, with streams flowing inland to Lake Vanda via the Onyx River. 

This study aimed to quantify the extent to which liquid moisture was present in soils associated with Goodspeed Stream, in order to better predict the vulnerability of stream margins to impacts of human activities. Soil samples were collected from transects across the Goodspeed lower alluvial fan and analysed for gravimetric moisture content, electrical conductivity, and particle size distribution. A pedotransfer function was used to estimate soil moisture potential in order to show the direction of water movement across the lower alluvial fan. Climate data including air temperature, soil temperature, and total solar radiation were measured; stream flow in Goodspeed Stream was estimated. 

The Goodspeed Stream near-stream and extended hyporheic zones were identified. Distal components of the hyporheic zone were also identified at distances of up to 7 4 m from Goodspeed Stream. 

Soil gravimetric moisture content increased with soil depth and proximity to Goodspeed Stream. Distal components of the hyporheic zone observed at distances of 21, 59 and 74 m from Goodspeed Stream had relatively high gravimetric moisture contents (up to 7%; 88 in visibly dry soils was 0.6%). The distal hyporheic zones have the potential to develop into flowing stream channels during periods of increased melt. 

Soil electrical conductivity ranged from 34 - 10520 μSiem. Salts precipitated at the soil surface were concentrated at the western-most edge of the extended hyporheic zone and on raised bar features across the fan, highlighting zones of movement and evaporation of soil moisture. The particle size distribution of the <2 mm fraction was relatively uniform across the fan, being dominated by medium sand (45%). 

Soil moisture potential decreased with distance from Goodspeed Stream, indicating that small spills occurring outside the extended hyporheic zone would be driven laterally across the fan, away from the stream. Spills within the extended hyporheic may be incorporated into Goodspeed Stream. Large spills anywhere on the Goodspeed lower alluvial fan would migrate downwards to ice cement before flowing down-slope under gravity towards the Onyx River. 

Areas vulnerable to accidental spills and physical disturbance were highlighted on oblique photographs. Three vulnerability zones were identified based predominantly on the observed extent and movement of soil moisture. Zone 1 designates stream channels or surface waters and near-stream hyporheic zones, Zone 2 encompasses extended hyporheic zones, while Zone 3 applies to soils of alluvial fans, including distal hyporheic zones. Recommendations were made as to the types of activities permissible in each of the three zones.

text: An investigation of soil moisture associated with ephemeral streams, Wright Valley, Antarctica Ephemeral streams in Wright Valley, Antarctica, are fed by glacial melt and flow for between four and ten weeks annually. Hyporheic zones develop concomitantly with ephemeral stream channels. These zones are areas of saturated or moistened soil, depending on their proximity to the stream. The hyporheic zones are laterally extensive, and may represent a greater proportion of total meltwater than surface water in the stream channel, thus exacerbating the risk of accidental contamination of streams. The hydrological system in Wright Valley is closed, with streams flowing inland to Lake Vanda via the Onyx River. 

This study aimed to quantify the extent to which liquid moisture was present in soils associated with Goodspeed Stream, in order to better predict the vulnerability of stream margins to impacts of human activities. Soil samples were collected from transects across the Goodspeed lower alluvial fan and analysed for gravimetric moisture content, electrical conductivity, and particle size distribution. A pedotransfer function was used to estimate soil moisture potential in order to show the direction of water movement across the lower alluvial fan. Climate data including air temperature, soil temperature, and total solar radiation were measured; stream flow in Goodspeed Stream was estimated. 

The Goodspeed Stream near-stream and extended hyporheic zones were identified. Distal components of the hyporheic zone were also identified at distances of up to 7 4 m from Goodspeed Stream. 

Soil gravimetric moisture content increased with soil depth and proximity to Goodspeed Stream. Distal components of the hyporheic zone observed at distances of 21, 59 and 74 m from Goodspeed Stream had relatively high gravimetric moisture contents (up to 7%; 88 in visibly dry soils was 0.6%). The distal hyporheic zones have the potential to develop into flowing stream channels during periods of increased melt. 

Soil electrical conductivity ranged from 34 - 10520 μSiem. Salts precipitated at the soil surface were concentrated at the western-most edge of the extended hyporheic zone and on raised bar features across the fan, highlighting zones of movement and evaporation of soil moisture. The particle size distribution of the <2 mm fraction was relatively uniform across the fan, being dominated by medium sand (45%). 

Soil moisture potential decreased with distance from Goodspeed Stream, indicating that small spills occurring outside the extended hyporheic zone would be driven laterally across the fan, away from the stream. Spills within the extended hyporheic may be incorporated into Goodspeed Stream. Large spills anywhere on the Goodspeed lower alluvial fan would migrate downwards to ice cement before flowing down-slope under gravity towards the Onyx River. 

Areas vulnerable to accidental spills and physical disturbance were highlighted on oblique photographs. Three vulnerability zones were identified based predominantly on the observed extent and movement of soil moisture. Zone 1 designates stream channels or surface waters and near-stream hyporheic zones, Zone 2 encompasses extended hyporheic zones, while Zone 3 applies to soils of alluvial fans, including distal hyporheic zones. Recommendations were made as to the types of activities permissible in each of the three zones.

year: 2005

title: Te whakahuatanga i te reo Māori: Kua ahatia e tātou i roto i ngā tau 100 kua hipa nei? (The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 Years?)

authors: Harlow, Ray

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: In the words of the proverb: 'The land remains, but humankind vanishes.' One should perhaps extend this to read: 'The land remains, humankind vanishes, and language changes.' For languages are old, handed down from one generation to another, but no matter what, they change. Present-day English is not Shakespeare's or Chaucer's language. The pronunciation has changed, new words have entered the language, some words have been lost, the grammar is now different. Māori is like that as well. Over the last two centuries, many aspects of the language have become different. Many words have been borrowed from English, and become part of the language. Many new words have been created in recent years to accommodate the new topics now being spoken about in Māori. Many words have changed their meaning, e.g., 'pūtea' originally a type of basket, but now a 'fund', source of money. In the grammar, there are now constructions being used which were not correct in earlier centuries.So far as the pronunciation is concerned, how is one to observe its development? That is the substance of a research project which has only just now begun, and it is the purpose of this paper to explain the nature of that research and show some of the preliminary findings. Hence the title: The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 years? The project is supported by the Marsden Research Fund.

text: Te whakahuatanga i te reo Māori: Kua ahatia e tātou i roto i ngā tau 100 kua hipa nei? (The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 Years?) In the words of the proverb: 'The land remains, but humankind vanishes.' One should perhaps extend this to read: 'The land remains, humankind vanishes, and language changes.' For languages are old, handed down from one generation to another, but no matter what, they change. Present-day English is not Shakespeare's or Chaucer's language. The pronunciation has changed, new words have entered the language, some words have been lost, the grammar is now different. Māori is like that as well. Over the last two centuries, many aspects of the language have become different. Many words have been borrowed from English, and become part of the language. Many new words have been created in recent years to accommodate the new topics now being spoken about in Māori. Many words have changed their meaning, e.g., 'pūtea' originally a type of basket, but now a 'fund', source of money. In the grammar, there are now constructions being used which were not correct in earlier centuries.So far as the pronunciation is concerned, how is one to observe its development? That is the substance of a research project which has only just now begun, and it is the purpose of this paper to explain the nature of that research and show some of the preliminary findings. Hence the title: The pronunciation of Māori: What have we done to it in the last 100 years? The project is supported by the Marsden Research Fund.

year: 2005-05