ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Concerns and Preferences of Teachers towards the Development of Virtual Classroom in Hong Kong
Authors: Siu Keung Lam, Percy Lai Yin Kwok
Venue: Proceeding of the 2005 conference on Towards Sustainable and Scalable Educational Innovations Informed by the Learning Sciences: Sharing Good Practices of Research, Experimentation and Innovation (2005)

The study investigates the development of virtual classroom in secondary schools in Hong Kong from in-service teacher perspectives and focuses on teachers' concerns towards the virtual classroom and their preferences on designing virtual classroom. Quantitative survey data came from 352 secondary school teachers and qualitative interview data was collected from 8 of the surveyed teachers. The results indicated that major concerns of most studied teachers were lower stages of typical non-user concerns profile, implying that virtual classroom was still at the infancy stage of development in some secondary schools of Hong Kong during the research period. A minority of teachers, who exhibited high competency in information literacy and were competent users of virtual classroom, had their concerns profiles shifted to higher stages of concern. An analysis of teachers' paradigm for the use of virtual classroom revealed that most teachers still stuck to the traditional teacher-centered pedagogy and employed mainly receptive and directive architecture in teaching without using virtual classroom in guided discovery and exploratory approaches. Strategic plan and staff development program for the success of implementation of virtual classroom are finally discussed in this paper.
Theoretical optimum designation of distributed Raman amplifiers in different media
Authors: Farzin Emami, Amir H. Jafari
Venue: WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on COMMUNICATIONS (2009)

Raman Amplifiers (RAs) are a group of amplifiers which have various applications in optical communications. Data transmission media utilized for RAs are optical fibers operating in nonlinear regime. We present the performances and characteristics of RAs by utilizing a set of coupled differential equations and numerical simulations. Two types of fibers with different gain characteristics, germanium-doped and silica fibers are used in our numerical simulations. So, the optimum initial values of the pump powers for a system with 10 pumps are recalculated and optimized again. We did our simulation to have a flat gain and low noise characteristics. Another aspect of the fiber media is their effective areas and we studied the effects of this parameter on the net gain of the RAs. Finally, the noise figure computations are discussed for our 10 pumps bidirectional amplifier which is optimized.
A Fully Implicit Jacobian-Free High-Order Discontinuous Galerkin Mesoscale Flow Solver
Authors: Amik St-Cyr, David Neckels
Venue: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computational Science (2009)

In this work it is shown how to discretize the compressible Euler equations around a vertically stratified base state using the discontinuous Galerkin approach on collocated Gauss type grids. A stiffly stable Rosenbrock W-method is combined with an approximate evaluation of the Jacobian to integrate in time the resulting system of ODEs. Simulations with fully compressible equations for a rising thermal bubble are performed. Also included are simulations of an inertia gravity wave in a periodic channel. The proposed time-stepping method accelerates the simulation times with respect to explicit Runge-Kutta time stepping procedures having the same number of stages.
GAODE and HAODE: two proposals based on AODE to deal with continuous variables
Authors: M. Julia Flores, José A. Gámez, Ana M. Martínez, José M. Puerta
Venue: Proceedings of the 26th Annual International Conference on Machine Learning (2009)

AODE (Aggregating One-Dependence Estimators) is considered one of the most interesting representatives of the Bayesian classifiers, taking into account not only the low error rate it provides but also its efficiency. Until now, all the attributes in a dataset have had to be nominal to build an AODE classifier or they have had to be previously discretized. In this paper, we propose two different approaches in order to deal directly with numeric attributes. One of them uses conditional Gaussian networks to model a dataset exclusively with numeric attributes; and the other one keeps the superparent on each model discrete and uses univariate Gaussians to estimate the probabilities for the numeric attributes and multinomial distributions for the categorical ones, it also being able to model hybrid datasets. Both of them obtain competitive results compared to AODE, the latter in particular being a very attractive alternative to AODE in numeric datasets.
Human decision aspects in interactions with artificial systems
Authors: Petr Bouchner, Josef Faber, Mirko Novák, Stanislav Novotný, Roman Piekník
Venue: Proceedings of the 2009 Euro American Conference on Telematics and Information Systems: New Opportunities to increase Digital Citizenship (2009)

In this contribution are discussed the following questions, related also to presentation [1]: a) which kinds of human decision are most important when he/she interacts with artificial system, b) how the parameters of such decisions can be improved as concerns the reliability of human subject interaction with artificial system. Some of the presented ideas, measured results and proposed approaches are based on results obtained in 2008 and few past years in the range of project ME 949 of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, of the project 1F84B042520 of the Ministry of Transportation of the Czech Republic, of the project 102/07/1191 of the Grant agency of Czech Republic and of the project IAA201240701 of the grant agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. This concerns also both the PhD. Theses [2] and [3].
Hybrid BDD and All-SAT Method for Model Checking
Authors: Avi Yadgar, Orna Grumberg, Assaf Schuster
Venue: Languages: From Formal to Natural: Essays Dedicated to Nissim Francez on the Occasion of His 65th Birthday (2009)

We present a new hybrid BDD and SAT-based algorithm for model checking. Our algorithm is based on backward search, where each pre-image computation consists of an efficient All-SAT procedure. The All-SAT procedure exploits a graph representation of the model to dynamically prune the search space, thus preventing unnecessary search in large sub-spaces, and for identifying independent sub-problems. Apart from the SAT mechanisms, BDD structures are used for storing the input to, and output of the pre-image computation. In this way, our hybrid approach enjoys the benefits of both worlds: on the one hand, basing the pre-image computation on SAT technology avoids expensive BDD quantification operations and the corresponding state space blow up. On the other hand, our model checking framework still enjoys the advantages of symbolic space reduction in holding intermediate images. Furthermore, our All-SAT analyzes the model and avoids redundant exploration of sub-spaces that are completely full with solutions, paying in these cases for the instantiation of a single assignment only.We implemented our algorithm using the zChaff SAT solver and the CUDD BDD library. Experimental results show a potential for substantial improvement over existing model checking schemes.
The Web Conferencing IDEA BOOK for Government, 1st edition
Authors: Henry E. Liebling, Ruth Ann Forrester
Venue:  (2007)

This book is for government professionals and elected and appointed officials, who want to have wonderful, interactive, real-time meetings and training sessions with people in different locations.It puts together Behavior Techniques and Web Conferencing technology.When you use Web Conferencing instead of traveling, you use less gasoline.The reader will find over 100 examples of government professionals and officials using Web Conferencing.It provides Case Studies that tell you how to manage time, what content to show, what content to type on the screen, and how to interact and collaborate.There is information for Distance Learning and Training. 65 Tips and Techniques are also presented in these categories: (a) Organizational Development, (b) Getting Started, (c) Planning and Preparing Your Web Conferences, (d) Building Relationships, (e) Engaging and Involving Participants, and (f) Developing Your Web Conferencing Skills. This book is a slimmed down version of Henry E. Liebling's "The Web Conferencing Imperative for Collaboration, Productivity, and Training." government
Formal Aspects of Legislative Meta-Drafting
Authors: Carlo Biagioli, Davide Grossi
Venue: Proceeding of the 2008 conference on Legal Knowledge and Information Systems: JURIX 2008: The Twenty-First Annual Conference (2008)

The paper presents a logic-based approach to legislative meta-drafting. A class of meta-data, corresponding to specific classes of legal provisions, is introduced and discussed. Such meta-data are then formalized using a simple and tractable Description Logic, and the reasoning tasks available in the formalism are described.
The Odd-Distance Plane Graph
Authors: Hayri Ardal, J&#x00e1;n Ma&#x0148;uch, Moshe Rosenfeld, Saharon Shelah, Ladislav Stacho
Venue: Discrete Computational Geometry (2009)

The vertices of the odd-distance graph are the points of the plane &#x211d;2. Two points are connected by an edge if their Euclidean distance is an odd integer. We prove that the chromatic number of this graph is at least five. We also prove that the odd-distance graph in &#x211d;2 is countably choosable, while such a graph in &#x211d;3 is not.
Self-organizing tuple reconstruction in column-stores
Authors: Stratos Idreos, Martin L. Kersten, Stefan Manegold
Venue: Proceedings of the 35th SIGMOD international conference on Management of data (2009)

Column-stores gained popularity as a promising physical design alternative. Each attribute of a relation is physically stored as a separate column allowing queries to load only the required attributes. The overhead incurred is on-the-fly tuple reconstruction for multi-attribute queries. Each tuple reconstruction is a join of two columns based on tuple IDs, making it a significant cost component. The ultimate physical design is to have multiple presorted copies of each base table such that tuples are already appropriately organized in multiple different orders across the various columns. This requires the ability to predict the workload, idle time to prepare, and infrequent updates. In this paper, we propose a novel design, partial sideways cracking, that minimizes the tuple reconstruction cost in a self-organizing way. It achieves performance similar to using presorted data, but without requiring the heavy initial presorting step itself. Instead, it handles dynamic, unpredictable workloads with no idle time and frequent updates. Auxiliary dynamic data structures, called cracker maps, provide a direct mapping between pairs of attributes used together in queries for tuple reconstruction. A map is continuously physically reorganized as an integral part of query evaluation, providing faster and reduced data access for future queries. To enable flexible and self-organizing behavior in storage-limited environments, maps are materialized only partially as demanded by the workload. Each map is a collection of separate chunks that are individually reorganized, dropped or recreated as needed. We implemented partial sideways cracking in an open-source column-store. A detailed experimental analysis demonstrates that it brings significant performance benefits for multi-attribute queries.
Thermal conductivity measurement of submicrometer-scale silicon dioxide films by an extended micro-Raman method
Authors: Shuo Huang, Xiaodong Ruan, Jun Zou, Xin Fu, Huayong Yang
Venue: Microsystem Technologies (2009)

The micro-Raman method is a noncontact and nondestructive method for thin film thermal conductivity measurements. To apply the micro-Raman method, however, the thickness of the film must be at least tens of micrometers. An analytical heat transfer model is presented in this work to extend the micro-Raman measurement method to measure the thermal conductivity of thin films with submicrometer- or nanometer-scale thickness. The model describes the heat transfer process in the thin film and substrate considering the effects of thin film thickness, interface thermal resistance, thermal conductivity of the thin film and substrate. From this heat transfer model, an analytical expression for the thermal conductivity of the thin film is derived. Experiments were successfully performed to measure the thermal conductivity of 200, 300 and 500&#x00a0;nm thickness silicon dioxide films using the extended micro-Raman measurement method, with results confirming the accuracy and validity of the extended model.
Bayesian covariance matrix estimation using a mixture of decomposable graphical models
Authors: Helen Armstrong, Christopher K. Carter, Kin Foon Wong, Robert Kohn
Venue: Statistics and Computing (2009)

We present a Bayesian approach to estimating a covariance matrix by using a prior that is a mixture over all decomposable graphs, with the probability of each graph size specified by the user and graphs of equal size assigned equal probability. Most previous approaches assume that all graphs are equally probable. We show empirically that the prior that assigns equal probability over graph sizes outperforms the prior that assigns equal probability over all graphs in more efficiently estimating the covariance matrix. The prior requires knowing the number of decomposable graphs for each graph size and we give a simulation method for estimating these counts. We also present a Markov chain Monte Carlo method for estimating the posterior distribution of the covariance matrix that is much more efficient than current methods. Both the prior and the simulation method to evaluate the prior apply generally to any decomposable graphical model.
Process Trustworthiness as a Capability Indicator for Measuring and Improving Software Trustworthiness
Authors: Ye Yang, Qing Wang, Mingshu Li
Venue: Proceedings of the International Conference on Software Process: Trustworthy Software Development Processes (2009)

Due to increasing system decentralization, component heterogeneity, and interface complexities, many trustworthiness challenges become more and more complicated and intertwined. Moreover, there is a lack of common understanding of software trustworthiness and its related development methodology. This paper reports preliminary results from an ongoing collaborative research project among 6 international research units, which aims at exploring theories and methods for enhancing existing software process techniques for trustworthy software development. The results consist in two parts: 1) the proposal of a new concept of Process Trustworthiness, as a capability indicator to measure the relative degree of confidence for certain software processes to deliver trustworthy software; and 2) the introduction of the architecture of a Trustworthy Process Management Framework (TPMF) toolkit for process runtime support in measuring and improving process trustworthiness in order to assess and assure software trustworthiness.
An Interoperable Approach to Multifactor Identity Verification
Authors: Federica Paci, Rodolfo Ferrini, Andrea Musci, Kevin Steuer Jr., Elisa Bertino
Venue: Computer (2009)

Naming heterogeneity occurs in digital identity management systems when the various parties involved in managing digital identities use different vocabularies to denote identity attribute names. To resolve potential interoperability issues due to naming heterogeneity, the authors propose a new protocol that uses lookup tables, dictionaries, and ontology mapping techniques.
Stylus or the Mouse? Using a Tablet PC with Young Children
Authors: C. Paul Newhouse
Venue: Proceeding of the 2005 conference on Towards Sustainable and Scalable Educational Innovations Informed by the Learning Sciences: Sharing Good Practices of Research, Experimentation and Innovation (2005)

This paper considers the use of Tablet PCs with young children with a view to determining when the technology may be appropriate to use. Some literature has suggested benefits for the learning of children when they use Tablet PCs but much of it comes from manufacturers. To investigate these benefits a series of clinical trials were conducted with a 4-year-old child systematically comparing the use of a Tablet PC with the use of a desktop computer. There was some value in the use of drawing tools but much of the claimed value was not evident largely due to the pre-writing stage of the child.
On Fuzzy Description Logics
Authors: Àngel García-Cerdaòa, Francesc Esteva
Venue: Proceeding of the 2008 conference on Artificial Intelligence Research and Development: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence (2008)

Description Logics (DLs) are knowledge representation languages, particularly suited to specify formal ontologies. DLs have been studied extensively over the last two decades. Fuzzy Description Logics (FDLs) incorporate vague concepts modeling them as fuzzy sets. Following ideas from Hájek, we propose the use of truth constants in the languages of description. In particular we introduce the languages ALCL*(S) and ALCL*~(S) as an adequate syntactical counterpart of some semantic calculi given in different works dealing with FDLs. In addition we give completeness results for some languages ALC-like.
Modeling volatility in prediction markets
Authors: Nikolay Archak, Panagiotis G. Ipeirotis
Venue: Proceedings of the tenth ACM conference on Electronic commerce (2009)

There is significant experimental evidence that prediction markets are efficient mechanisms for aggregating information and are more accurate in forecasting events than traditional forecasting methods, such as polls. Interpretation of prediction market prices as probabilities has been extensively studied in the literature. However there is little research on the volatility of prediction market prices. Given that volatility is fundamental in estimating significance of price movements, it is important to have a better understanding of the volatility of the contract prices. This paper presents a model of a prediction market with binary payoff on a competitive event involving two parties. In our model, each party has a latent underlying "ability" process that describes its ability to win and evolves as an Ito diffusion. We show that, if the prediction market for this event is efficient and unbiased, the price of the corresponding contract also follows a diffusion and its instantaneous volatility is a function of the current contract price and its time to expiration. In the experimental section, we validate our model on a set of InTrade prediction markets and show that our model is consistent with the observed volatility of contract returns. Our model also outperforms existing volatility models in predicting future contract volatility from historical price data. To demonstrate the practical value of our model, we apply it to pricing options on prediction market contracts, such as those recently introduced by InTrade. Other potential applications of this model include detection of significant market moves and improving forecast standard errors.
Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development in the Yangtze Delta and Its Squeezing-in and Out Effect
Authors: Guoxin Wu, Zhuning Li, Xiujuan Jiang
Venue: Proceeding of the 2008 conference on Applications of Data Mining in E-Business and Finance (2008)

In recent years, the academic circle has been paying increasing attention to the economic development in the Yangtze Delta of China, particularly its continuous development driven by growing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This article studies, by way of quantitative analysis, the correlation between FDI and economic development in the Yangtze Delta, and on this basis, analyzes the squeezing-in and out effect of FDI on the regional economic development, and draw some the conclusion.
Eye localization in low and standard definition content with application to face matching
Authors: Bart Kroon, Sander Maas, Sabri Boughorbel, Alan Hanjalic
Venue: Computer Vision and Image Understanding (2009)

In this paper we address the problem of eye localization for the purpose of face matching in low and standard definition image and video content. In addition to an explorative study that aimed at discovering the effect of eye localization accuracy on face matching performance, we also present a probabilistic eye localization method based on well-known multi-scale local binary patterns (LBPs). These patterns provide a simple but powerful spatial description of texture, and are robust to the noise typical to low and standard definition content. The extensive evaluation involving multiple eye localizers and face matchers showed that the shape of the eye localizer error distribution has a big impact on face matching performance. Conditioned by the error distribution shape and the minimum required eye localization accuracy, eye localization can boost the performance of naive face matchers and allow for more efficient face matching without degrading its performance. The evaluation also showed that our proposed method has superior accuracy with respect to the state-of-the-art on eye localization, and that it fulfills the criteria for improving the face matching performance and efficiency mentioned above.
Multi-channel management: putting it into practice
Authors: Willem Pieterson, Bram Klievink, Marijn Janssen
Venue: Proceedings of the 10th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research: Social Networks: Making Connections between Citizens, Data and Government (2009)

Since the early nineties, governmental organizations have been using a variety of customer service channels. These channels have different characteristics and are used for communication, interaction, transaction and distribution of products and/or services. Among the traditional channels, like the front desk and the telephone, citizens and enterprises have access to digital channels like websites, e-mail and sms. Channel usage statistics indicate that citizens in general prefer the more expensive personal channels (desk and telephone) to the newer cost efficient digital channels.
Design and evaluation of hardware accelerator for elliptic curve cryptography point multiplication
Authors: Kapil A. Gwalani, Omar Elkeelany
Venue: Proceedings of the international conference on Computational and information science 2009 (2009)

Embedded systems find applications in fields such as defense, communications, industrial automation and many more. For majority of these applications, security is a vital issue. Cryptography plays an important role in providing data security. Until recently, symmetric key encryption schemes were used for a majority of these applications. Now however, asymmetric key encryption schemes such as Elliptic curve cryptography are gaining popularity as they require less computational power and memory and are still capable of providing equivalent security when compared to their counterparts. The authors of this paper have implemented scalar multiplication, the most time consuming operation in elliptic curve cryptography using binary non-adjacent form algorithm. The results of the software implementation have been presented in section-4. Methodology to improve the performance of the scalar multiplication by use of hardware accelerators has also been presented in this paper.