ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Exploring core competencies for R&D technical professionals
Authors: Wei-Wen Wu
Venue: Expert Systems with Applications: An International Journal (2009)

In order to maintain technical competitiveness, companies have an ongoing need to identify and foster core competencies for technical professionals in the area of research and development (R&D). Exploring core competencies is, however, a qualitative problem. The rough set theory (RST), which has recently become well known as a data-mining technique, is a good tool for data reduction in qualitative analysis. Thus, the rough set approach is suitable for dealing with the problem of exploring competencies. This study extends practical applications of RST in mining the critical competencies for R&D technical professionals employed by semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan. This paper demonstrates a successful reduction of the numerous essential competencies into a more compact set, and arrived at six core competencies which can be regarded as the as indispensable attributes for the design of competency development programs for R&D technical professionals.
Stackelberg game for utility-based cooperative cognitiveradio networks
Authors: Jin Zhang, Qian Zhang
Venue: Proceedings of the tenth ACM international symposium on Mobile ad hoc networking and computing (2009)

With the development of cognitive radio technologies, dynamic spectrum access becomes a promising approach to increase the efficiency of spectrum utilization and solve spectrum scarcity problem. Under dynamic spectrum access, unlicensed wireless users (secondary users) can dynamically access the licensed bands from legacy spectrum holders (primary users) on an opportunistic basis. While most primary users in existing works assume secondary transmissions as negative interference and don't actively involve them into the primary transmission, in this paper, motivated by the idea of cooperative communication, we propose a cooperative cognitive radio framework, where primary users, aware of the existence of secondary users, may select some of them to be the cooperative relay, and in return lease portion of the channel access time to them for their own data transmission. Secondary users cooperating with primary transmissions have the right to decide their payment made for primary user in order to achieve a proportional access time to the wireless media. Both primary and secondary users target at maximizing their utilities in terms of their transmission rate and revenue/payment. This model is formulated as a Stackelberg game and a unique Nash Equilibrium point is achieved in analytical format. Based on the analysis we discuss the condition under which cooperation will increase the performance of the whole system. Both analytical result and numerical result show that the cooperative cognitive radio framework is a promising framework under which the utility of both primary and secondary system are maximized.
SceneWorld: a game-oriented graphics course starter kit
Authors: G. Michael Barnes
Venue: Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges (2009)

A starter kit (class library) for a game-oriented advanced computer graphics course is evaluated. The motivation for using a starter kit is briefly described. Student use of the SceneWorld starter kit is discussed. The architecture of SceneWorld is presented. A survey used to assess student's evaluation of the starter kit and an analysis of their opinions is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of using a starter kit in a game-oriented graphics course are presented. Last, a few suggestions on the future of SceneWorld are made.
Preserving robustness and removability for digital watermarks using subsampling and difference correlation
Authors: Chin-Chen Chang, Pei-Yu Lin, Jieh-Shan Yeh
Venue: Information Sciences: an International Journal (2009)

Watermarking techniques are applied to digital media to protect their integrity and copyright. The embedding of a watermark, however, often distorts the quality of the protected image. This may be intolerable since the protected media is for preserving artistic and valuable images. Hence, engineers have proposed removable solutions permitting authorized users to restore watermarked images to unmarked images with satisfactory quality. Unfortunately, these mechanisms cannot resist signal processing attacks to protect the ownership. In this article, we propose a novel watermarking mechanism by utilizing pair-difference correlations upon subsampling and the technique of JND. This new approach can guarantee the robust essentials of watermarking schemes. Experimental results reveal that the new method outperforms others in terms of restored image quality. More specifically, this novel approach can resist various attacks to which related works are vulnerable.
Perspective on the geometric conservation law and finite element methods for ALE simulations of incompressible flow
Authors: S. ítienne, A. Garon, D. Pelletier
Venue: Journal of Computational Physics (2009)

This paper takes a fresh look at the geometric conservation law (GCL) from the perspective of the finite element method (FEM) for incompressible flows. The GCL arises naturally in the context of Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulations for solving problems on deforming domains. GCL compliance is traditionally interpreted as a consistency criterion for applying an unsteady flow solution algorithm to simulate exactly a uniform flow on a deforming domain. We introduce an additional requirement: the time integrator must maintain its fixed mesh accuracy when applied to deforming meshes. A review of the literature shows that while many authors use an ALE FEM, few of them discuss the GCL issues. We show how a fixed mesh unsteady FEM using high order time integrator (up to fifth order in time) can be transposed to solve problems on deforming meshes and preserve its fixed mesh high order temporal accuracy. An appropriate construction of the divergence of the mesh velocity guarantees GCL compliance while a separate construction of the mesh velocity itself allows the time-integrator to deliver its fixed mesh high order temporal accuracy on deforming domains. Analytical error analysis of problems with closed form solutions provides insight on the behavior of the time integrators. It also explains why high order temporal accuracy is achieved with a conservative formulation of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, while only first order time accuracy is observed with the non-conservative formulation and all time-integrators investigated here. We present thorough time-step and grid refinement studies for simple problems with closed form solutions and for a manufactured solution with a non-trivial flow on a deforming mesh. In all cases studied, the proposed reconstructions of the mesh velocity and its divergence for the conservative formulation lead to optimal time accuracy on deforming grids.
Interactive Maps for a Digital Video Library
Authors: Michael G. Christel, Andreas M. Olligschlaeger, Chang Huang
Venue: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Multimedia Computing and Systems - Volume 2 (1999)

The Informedia Digital Video Library contains over 1200 hours of video. Through automatic processing, descriptors are derived for the video to improve library access. A new extension to the video processing is the extraction of geographic references from these descriptors. The operational library interface shows the geographic entities addressed in a given story, highlighting the regions discussed at any point in the video through a map display synchronized with the video playback. The map can also be used as a query mechanism, allowing users to search the terabyte library for stories taking place in a selected area of interest.
Addressing ontology-based question answering with collections of user queries
Authors: íscar Ferrández, Rubén Izquierdo, Sergio Ferrández, José Luis Vicedo
Venue: Information Processing and Management: an International Journal (2009)

This paper presents QACID an ontology-based Question Answering system applied to the CInema Domain. This system allows users to retrieve information from formal ontologies by using as input queries formulated in natural language. The original characteristic of QACID is the strategy used to fill the gap between users' expressiveness and formal knowledge representation. This approach is based on collections of user queries and offers a simple adaptability to deal with multilingual capabilities, inter-domain portability and changes in user information requirements. All these capabilities permit developing Question Answering applications for actual users. This system has been developed and tested on the Spanish language and using an ontology modelling the cinema domain. The performance level achieved enables the use of the system in real environments.
Using Temporal Logic to Integrate Goals and Qualitative Preferences into Agent Programming
Authors: Koen V. Hindriks, M. Birna Riemsdijk
Venue: Declarative Agent Languages and Technologies VI: 6th International Workshop, DALT 2008, Estoril, Portugal, May 12, 2008, Revised Selected and Invited Papers (2008)

The core capability of a rational agent is to choose its next action in a rational fashion, a capability that can be put to good use by a designer to satisfy the design objectives of an agent system. In agent programming languages for rational agents, such choices are derived from the agent's beliefs and goals. At any one time, an agent can typically choose from multiple actions, which may all lead to goal achievement. Existing approaches usually select one of those actions non-deterministically. In this paper, we propose the use of goals as hard constraints and qualitative preferences as soft constraints for choosing a most preferred action among the available ones. We use temporal logic for the representation of various kinds of goals and preferences, leading to a uniform framework for integrating goals and preferences into agent programming.
Admission Control in IP Multicast over Heterogeneous Access Networks
Authors: Pedro Santos, Antonio Pinto, Manuel Ricardo, Teresa Almeida, Francisco Fontes
Venue: Proceedings of the 2008 The Second International Conference on Next Generation Mobile Applications, Services, and Technologies (2008)

Network operators have been reluctant to deploy IP multicast services mainly due to the lack of native control over multicast groups. This lack of control does not only prevent operators from generating revenue from multicast-based services but also hinders regular network management. In this work we identified the network elements where admission control should be enforced for multicast sessions pawning over heterogeneous access networks. The architecture proposed uses existing AAA functionality to perform user identification and multicast session admission control. This control is made at the network layer with no protocol modifications. Three access networks were considered: xDSL, WiMAX and UMTS.
Reconfiguration Strategies for Environmentally Powered Devices: Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Validation
Authors: Alex E. Şuşu, Michele Magno, Andrea Acquaviva, David Atienza, Giovanni Micheli
Venue: Transactions on High-Performance Embedded Architectures and Compilers I (2007)

Environmental energy is becoming a feasible alternative to traditional energy sources for ultra low-power devices such as sensor nodes. These devices can run reactive applications that adapt their control flow depending on the sensed data. In order to reduce the energy consumption of the platform and also to meet the timing constraints imposed by the application, we propose to dynamically reconfigure the system through the use of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) fabric such that it executes more efficiently the tasks of the application.In this paper we present a new approach that enables the designer to efficiently explore different reconfiguration strategies for environmentally powered systems. For this we define a stochastic model of a harvesting video sensor node that captures the behavior of the node and of its environment. We use this approach to investigate the impact of different reconfiguration strategies for a video surveillance node on metrics of interest, such as the expected lifetime or downtime of the system.Then, we create a hardware implementation of an energy-aware reconfiguration manager on top of a custom multi-FPGA board.Our results show that the systems improve their processing capabilities if suitable reconfiguration strategies are defined for their respective configuration environments.
Computer design verification via software simulation
Authors: R. E. Karnes, W. A. Carter
Venue: Proceedings of the May 19-22, 1975, national computer conference and exposition (1975)

This paper describes the simulation approach utilized in the design of a Large Scale Integration (LSI) computer. The objectives to be fulfilled via software simulation were verification of the computer design and the associated micro-code. Since no Vendor Technology Logic (VTL) breadboard was planned, the fulfillment of the objectives was critical to the success of the total design effort. The simulation approach supported not only the initial computer design and introduction of micro-code to the design but also the verification of the design as implemented in detailed logic.
Performance improvement of flash memory using AlN as charge-trapping Layer
Authors: P. Chakraborty, S. S. Mahato, T. K. Maiti, M. K. Bera, C. Mahata, S. K. Samanta, A. Biswas, C. K. Maiti
Venue: Microelectronic Engineering (2009)

Potential of high-k dielectric films for future scaled charge storage non-volatile memory (NVM) device applications is discussed. To overcome the problems of charge loss encountered in conventional flash memories with silicon-nitride (Si"3N"4) films and polysilicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) and nonuniformity issues in nanocrystal memories (NC), such as Si, Ge and metal, it is shown that the use of high-k dielectrics allows more aggressive scaling of the tunnel dielectric, smaller operating voltage, better endurance, and faster program/erase speeds. Charge-trapping characteristics of high-k AlN films with SiO"2 as a blocking oxide in p-Si/SiO"2/AlN/SiO"2/poly-silicon (SOHOS) memory structures have been investigated in detail. The experimental results of program/erase characteristics obtained as the functions of gate bias voltage and pulse width are presented.
Factored value iteration converges
Authors: István Szita, András Lörincz
Venue: Acta Cybernetica (2008)

In this paper we propose a novel algorithm, factored value iteration (FVI), for the approximate solution of factored Markov decision processes (fMDPs). The traditional approximate value iteration algorithm is modified in two ways. For one, the least-squares projection operator is modified so that it does not increase max-norm, and thus preserves convergence. The other modification is that we uniformly sample polynomially many samples from the (exponentially large) state space. This way, the complexity of our algorithm becomes polynomial in the size of the fMDP description length. We prove that the algorithm is convergent. We also derive an upper bound on the difference between our approximate solution and the optimal one, and also on the error introduced by sampling. We analyse various projection operators with respect to their computation complexity and their convergence when combined with approximate value iteration.
Low quality document image modeling and enhancement
Authors: Reza Farrahi Moghaddam, Mohamed Cheriet
Venue: International Journal on Document Analysis and Recognition (2009)

In order to tackle problems such as shadow- through and bleed-through, a novel defect model is developed which generates physically damaged document images. This model addresses physical degradation, such as aging and ink seepage. Based on the diffusive nature of the physical defects, the model is designed using virtual diffusion processes. Then, based on this degradation model, a restoration method is proposed and used to fix the bleed-through effect in double-sided document images using the reverse diffusion process. Subjective and objective evaluations are performed on both the degradation model and the restoration method. The experiments show promising results on both real and generated data.
Message routing on potential-fields in forwarding-based DTNs
Authors: Hideya Ochiai, Hiroshi Esaki
Venue: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Ubiquitous Information Management and Communication (2009)

In delay (or disruption) tolerant networks(DTNs), the physical network is partitioned and the topology changes by node contacts. In most cases, there are no globally synchronized topology information available, which makes routing in DTNs challenging. To enable message routing without topology, we take potential-based routing(PBR) approach. We define potential-based message forwarding (PBMF) model and potential field construction method, which can be implemented in autonomously and distributed manner. We also discuss message overflow phenomenon, which should be considered in the deployment phase. This work assumes forwarding-based message delivery because of its lightweightness in delivery management. We developed a prototype system and evaluated (1) the behavior of potential-field and message delivery and (2) the model of message overflow. We also carried out a 100-node scale simulation and found that compared to epidemic routing, (3) about 50% of delivery was performed within three times of the best delivery latency and (4) the usage of message storage was reduced to 1%.
Asymptotic normality of test statistics under alternative hypotheses
Authors: Alexander Shapiro
Venue: Journal of Multivariate Analysis (2009)

The aim of this paper is to present a framework for asymptotic analysis of likelihood ratio and minimum discrepancy test statistics. First order asymptotics are presented in a general framework under minimal regularity conditions and for not necessarily nested models. In particular, these asymptotics give sufficient and in a sense necessary conditions for asymptotic normality of test statistics under alternative hypotheses. Second order asymptotics, and their implications for bias corrections, are also discussed in a somewhat informal manner. As an example, asymptotics of test statistics in the analysis of covariance structures are discussed in detail.
ICT-driven innovation and the culture of public administration: A contradiction in terms?
Authors: Hein van Duivenboden, Marcel Thaens
Venue: Information Polity (2008)

In this article we will explore the relation between ICT-innovations and the culture of public administration. We will demonstrate that the traditional bureaucratic organizational culture within the public sector often hinders innovation. However, putting this aside, numerous innovations take place within government organizations every day. This paradox leads us to two related questions: How can it be that public innovation takes place even though the culture of public administration makes it unlikely? And, is it possible to develop a more innovative culture within public administration? Based on our exploration we will provide some answers to both of these questions. We then draw the conclusion that the relation between innovation and organizational culture within the public sector is even more complicated than already expected. There seems to be a specific reciprocity between organizational culture and (ICT-) innovation. On the one hand, cultural change is to foster an innovative climate and to bring about successful innovations. On the other hand, successful innovation seems to lead to cultural changes in local organizations. So in practice there is a kind of interplay, an iterative process of mutual influence between innovation and cultural change that points at innovations being successful if they co-evolve with the specific environment in which they come about. With this conclusion we subscribe to Orlikowski's viewpoint of the 'dialectic nature' of the interaction of technology with organizations.
The PEPA eclipse plugin
Authors: Mirco Tribastone, Adam Duguid, Stephen Gilmore
Venue: ACM SIGMETRICS Performance Evaluation Review (2009)

The PEPA Eclipse Plug-in supports the creation and analysis of performance models, from small-scale Markov models to large-scale simulation studies and differential equation systems. Whichever form of analysis is used, models are expressed in a single highlevel language for quantitative modelling, Performance Evaluation Process Algebra (PEPA).
Design of a Large Aperture Compact Corrugated Horn
Authors: Tao Hong, Jingcheng Zhao, Heng Guo, Minghua Xue
Venue: Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Electronic Computer Technology (2009)

Corrugated horns are usually used as the feeds of reflectors or lens antennas. In this article, we study the large aperture corrugated conical horns. Then, we design a kind of corrugated conical horn which has sine profile. This horn has shorter length when the size of aperture hold the line. At the same time, we ensure the performance of the horn. This support the forward designing and machining very well. Finally, we simulate and simply analyze the antenna. The design method is proved to be feasible. We offer a new method to design large aperture corrugated conical horns.
A Multi-modal User Interface for Agent Assistant Systems
Authors: Ahmed Kamel
Venue: Proceedings of the 2009 Second International Conferences on Advances in Computer-Human Interactions (2009)

An agent structure is presented for communication between users and agent systems through multiple communication modes. Two application systems are also presented; and e-mail monitoring system for keeping track of the user's e-mail while the user is away from the office, and a web-based event monitoring system for monitoring events such as weather alerts.
Audio or tactile feedback: which modality when?
Authors: Eve Hoggan, Andrew Crossan, Stephen A. Brewster, Topi Kaaresoja
Venue: Proceedings of the 27th international conference on Human factors in computing systems (2009)

When designing interfaces for mobile devices it is import-ant to take into account the variety of contexts of use. We present a study that examines how changing noise and dis-turbance in the environment affects user performance in a touchscreen typing task with the interface being presented through visual only, visual and tactile, or visual and audio feedback. The aim of the study is to show at what exact environmental levels audio or tactile feedback become inef-fective. The results show significant decreases in perform-ance for audio feedback at levels of 94dB and above as well as decreases in performance for tactile feedback at vibration levels of 9.18g/s. These results suggest that at these levels, feedback should be presented by a different modality. These findings will allow designers to take advantage of sensor enabled mobile devices to adapt the provided feed-back to the user's current context.
A multi-task-oriented security processing architecture with powerful extensibility
Authors: Dan Cao, Jun Han, Xiao-yang Zeng, Shi-ting Lu
Venue: Proceedings of the 2009 Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference (2009)

A multi-task-oriented security processing architecture is presented in this paper. This architecture contains a host microprocessor and multiple security processors (SP). The SP could integrate dedicated Crypto-Engines, which provides functional extensibility. And the performance scalability and multi-task parallelism could be enhanced by increasing the number of SPs on system bus. It's demonstrated that this architecture greatly improves the system efficiency. A test chip is implemented based on SMIC 0.18 um standard CMOS technology, and its functionality is well verified.