ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Views to Assist Exploration of Spatio-Temporal Data: A Case Study
Authors: Milton H. Shimabukuro, Edilson F. Flores, Maria Cristina F. de Oliveira, Haim Levkowitz
Venue: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Coordinated & Multiple Views in Exploratory Visualization (2004)

In this paper we focus on providing coordinated visual strategies to assist users in performing tasks driven by the presence of temporal and spatial attributes. We introduce temporal visualization techniques targeted at such tasks, and illustrate their use with an application involving a climate classification process. The climate classification requires extensive processing of a database containing daily rain precipitation values collected along over fifty years at several spatial locations in the São Paulo state, Brazil. We identify user exploration tasks typically conducted as part of the data preparation required in this process, and then describe how such tasks may be assisted by the multiple visual techniques provided. Issues related to the use of the multiple techniques by an end-user are also discussed.
Automating commutativity analysis at the design level
Authors: Greg Dennis, Robert Seater, Derek Rayside, Daniel Jackson
Venue: ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes (2004)

Two operations commute if executing them serially in either order results in the same change of state. In a system in which commands may be issued simultaneously by different users, lack of commutativity can result in unpredictable behaviour, even if the commands are serialized, because one user's command may be preempted by another's, and thus executed in an unanticipated state. This paper describes an automated approach to analyzing commutativity. The operations are expressed as constraints in a declarative modelling language such as Alloy, and a constraint solver is used to find violating scenarios. A case study application to the beam scheduling component of a proton therapy machine (originally specified in OCL) revealed several violations of commutativity in which requests from medical technicians in treatment rooms could conflict with the actions of a beam operator in a master control room. Some of the issues involved in automating the analysis for OCL itself are also discussed.
Security applications of peer-to-peer networks
Authors: Vasileios Vlachos, Stephanos Androutsellis-Theotokis, Diomidis Spinellis
Venue: Computer Networks: The International Journal of Computer and Telecommunications Networking (2004)

Open networks are often insecure and provide an opportunity for viruses and DDOS activities to spread. To make such networks more resilient against these kind of threats, we propose the use of a peer-to-peer architecture whereby each peer is responsible for: (a) detecting whether a virus or worm is uncontrollably propagating through the network resulting in an epidemic; (b) automatically dispatching warnings and information to other peers of a security-focused group; and (c) taking specific precautions for protecting their host by automatically hardening their security measures during the epidemic. This can lead to auto-adaptive secure operating systems that automatically change the trust level of the services they provide. We demonstrate our approach through a prototype application based on the JXTA peer-to-peer infrastructure.
A Note on Convex Decompositions of a Set of Points in the Plane
Authors: V&#x00ed;ctor Neumann-Lara, Eduardo Rivera-Campo, Jorge Urrutia
Venue: Graphs and Combinatorics (2004)

For any set P of n points in general position in the plane there is a convex decomposition of P with at most * elements. Moreover, any minimal convex decomposition of such a set P has at most * elements, where k is the number of points in the boundary of the convex hull of P.
Field programmable gate arrays implementation of automated sensor self-validation system for cupola furnaces
Authors: Wagdy H. Mahmoud, Mohamed Abdelrahman, Roger L. Haggard
Venue: Computers and Industrial Engineering (2004)

The paper presents the use of an field-programmable gate array (FPGA) system in the hardware implementation of the algorithm. The self-validation (SV) algorithm is based on fuzzy logic and is used to estimate a confidence measure of a sensor's readings using the sensor's historic data. The hardware system consists of a data acquisition and conditioning system, a general-purpose CPU, and an FPGA system. The general-purpose CPU is used in the setup phase of the algorithm and in the preprocessing of the sensors' readings. The FPGA system is used in the on-line calculations of the confidence measures of the sensors' readings. The system is designed using data from an iron-melting cupola furnace.The paper presents the details of the developed SV software algorithm, the modifications of the algorithm to suit the FPGA implementation, the overall design of the hardware system, and the FPGA implementation of the algorithm. The results of the implementation are also discussed.
Towards Support Systems for Non-Monolithic Collaborative Document Edition: The Document-Group-Message Model
Authors: Willy Picard
Venue: Proceedings of the Database and Expert Systems Applications, 15th International Workshop (2004)

Traditionally, research in support for collaborative document edition has concentrated on non-monolithic edition, i.e. edition processes in which parties are unitary decision entities cooperating inside a single group. In this paper, a model for non-monolithic collaborative document model is introduced. This model, named the document-group-message model and being a work-in-progress, integrates a multiversion document model, and support for group dynamics and message exchange. Design of support systems for non-monolithic collaborative document edition based on the document-group-message model is also presented in this paper.
Some Results on Majority Quantifiers over Words
Authors: Klaus-Jorn Lange
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th IEEE Annual Conference on Computational Complexity (2004)

The class of languages definable by majority quantifiersusing the order predicate is investigated. It is shown thatthe additional use of first order or counting quantifiers doesnot increase this class. Further on, addition is in this connectiona definable numerical predicate, while the conversedoes not hold. The emptiness problem for this class turnsout to be undecidable.
"AU: Timing Analysis Under Uncertainty
Authors: Sarvesh Bhardwaj, Sarma B. K. Vrudhula, David Blaauw
Venue: Proceedings of the 2003 IEEE/ACM international conference on Computer-aided design (2003)

Due to excessive reduction in the gate length, dopant concentrationsand the oxide thickness, even the slightest of variations inthese quantities can result in significant variations in the performanceof a device. This has resulted in a need for efficient andaccurate techniques for performing Statistical Analysis of circuits.In this paper we propose a methodology based on Bayesian Networksfor computing the exact probability distribution of the delayof a circuit. In case of large circuits where it is not possible tocompute the exact distribution, we propose methods to reduce theproblem size and get a tight lower bound on the exact distribution.
3D Voxel Fusion of Multi-modality Medical Images in a Clinical Treatment Planning System
Authors: Huchen Xie, Guang Li, Holly Ning, Cynthia Menard, C. Norman Coleman, Robert W. Miller
Venue: Proceedings of the 17th IEEE Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (2004)

We present a novel 3D voxel fusion approach to achieve multi-modality image fusion in ourclinical treatment planning system. This approach shows its superior visual representation andstraightforward operation in the image fusion process and in verification of the fusion result.With RGB color bands to represent each of the fusing imaging modalities (voxel volumes), thehomogeneity of the color distribution in a given tissue or anatomic structure has demonstratedto be a good indicator for high quality fusion. With a pre-defined lookup table library fordifferent imaging technologies and different body segments, tissue of interest can be selectively viewed and individually fused, especially for those served as fusion landmarks. With control of voxel transparency with its geometrical location, an "onion pealing" effect can be established for further examination of the interior of the voxel volumes. It will be shown that the 3D voxel fusion can resolve the ambiguity resulted from 3D pixel fusion, because the 3D voxel fusion can distinguish a systematic positioning error from the random error present in the fusion result. It will also be shown that the 3D voxel fusion is straightforward, in the form of real-time "virtual reality". It can be applied for setting initial fusion position, as well as fine-tuning final fusion result with an improved accuracy (single voxel, or sub mm). Its simplicity and accuracy has made this technique a practical tool for multi-modality image fusion and for quality assurance. Additional clinical applications can be developed based on this technique.
Towards a Multi-dimensional Characterization of Dissemination Control
Venue: Proceedings of the Fifth IEEE International Workshop on Policies for Distributed Systems and Networks (2004)

Dissemination control (DCON) is emerging as one ofthe most important and challenging goals for informationsecurity. DCON is concerned with controllinginformation and digital objects even after they have beendelivered to a legitimate recipient. The need for DCONarises in many different domains ranging from thedissemination of digital music and movies, eBooks,business proprietary and sensitive electronic documentsas well as the propagation of mailing lists in relation todirect marketing. Our goal in this short paper is topresent some of the multidimensional technical issues thatneed to be modeled and understood so as to provide acomprehensive set of DCON capabilities. It represents afirst but necessary step in our ongoing work informulating a family of DCON models.
Computer generated feedback on vowel production by learners of English as a second language
Authors: David Brett
Venue: ReCALL (2004)

The acquisition of new vowel sounds is one of the most challenging tasks for the adult learner of a second language. It is also an aspect which requires a great deal of time and individual attention. Learners of English are particularly hampered by the irregular orthographic representation of vowel sounds. This paper reports on research in progress into the development of an application to provide learners with real time feedback on their vowel production. This process includes the calculation and plotting of formants on a graph using the PRAAT programme. The patterns which result are highly reminiscent of the traditional vowel chart, which in turn reflects articulation, i.e. articulatory changes are reflected on the graph. This application can provide feedback on both pure vowels and diphthongs. Some of the difficulties and obstacles which as yet prevent it from being a tool which can be used by the learner autonomously will also be outlined and discussed. Foremost amongst which are: the question of speaker normalisation (how to compensate for the difference in values between male, female and pre-pubertal speakers) which may be resolved by way of statistical elaboration of the formant data; and the methods used to isolate the vowel sound from the rest of the signal.
Modeling and Management of Fuzzy Information in Multimedia Database Applications
Authors: Ramazan Savaş Aygün, Adnan Yazici
Venue: Multimedia Tools and Applications (2004)

In this paper, we firstly present a conceptual data model for multimedia database applications based on ExIFO2 model. The ExIFO2 data model is chosen as the conceptual model since it handles complex objects along with their uncertain and imprecise properties. We enhanced this conceptual model in order to meet the multimedia data requirements. In addition to uncertain and imprecise information, we present a way of handling relationships among objects of multimedia database applications. Events that might be extracted from video or audio are also considered in this study. Secondly, the conceptual model is mapped to a logical model, which the fuzzy object-oriented data (FOOD) model is chosen, for storing and manipulating the multimedia objects. This mapping is done in a way that it preserves most of the information represented at the conceptual level. Finally, in this study videos of football (soccer) games is selected as the multimedia database application to show how we handle crisp and fuzzy querying and retrieval of fuzzy and crisp data from the database. A program has been developed to draw ExIFO2 schemas and to map the schema to FOOD code automatically.
Generation of Distributed Programs in Their Target Execution Environment
Authors: Frederic Gilliers, Jean-Pierre Velu, Fabrice Kordon
Venue: Proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Workshop on Rapid System Prototyping (2004)

This paper presents how we use LfP, a formal-based,Object Oriented notation dedicated to the development ofdistributed application.The language comes with a development methodology whichemphasizes the separation between the control aspect of theapplication, and the computational aspect. Specifications writtenin LfP focus on the control part of the application which isknown to be a difficult issue of distributed applications. Thecorresponding code is then automatically generated to implementthe behavior in the target execution environment.This paper briefly presents the LfP language, how we handleconnection between computational and control aspects. We thendescribes a prototype implementation of the code generator andthe associated runtime.
Noise cancellation in on-line acoustic impulse response measurements for the quality assessment of consumption eggs
Authors: Bart De Ketelaere, Koen Maertens, Josse De Baerdemaeker
Venue: Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (2004)

Vibration analysis is a challenging technique to assess the quality of agro-products in a non-destructive way. Recent research shows that the technique is feasible for off-line (desktop) measurements. The step towards an on-line implementation requires research on the robustness of the parameters in the presence of surrounding noise, since a microphone is used to capture the vibration characteristics of the products. Two different methods are used to cancel environmental noise from acoustic impulse response measurements. As a practical example measurements were taken on consumption eggs. The first technique, called independent component analysis (ICA), makes uses of statistical principles. The main disadvantage is the fact that the algorithm is, in its present form, a batch algorithm rather than a recursive algorithm. The second algorithm is based on the adaptive interference cancelling principle. The major drawback is the instability of the parameter estimates that can occur under certain conditions.
&#x03b1;SPIN: A tool for abstract model checking
Authors: Mar&#x00ed;a del Mar Gallardo, Jes&#x00fa;s Mart&#x00ed;nez, Pedro Merino, Ernesto Pimentel
Venue: International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer (STTT) (2004)

Abstraction methods have become one of the most interesting topics in the automatic verification of software systems because they can reduce the state space to be explored and allow model checking of more complex systems. Nevertheless, there is a lack of tools actually supporting this technique. One direction for abstracting a system is to transform its formal description (its model) into a simpler version specified in the same language, thus skipping the construction of a specific (model checking) tool for the abstract model. The abstraction of the model should be followed by the abstraction of the temporal formulas to be checked. This paper presents &#x03b1;spin, a tool for the integration of abstraction (for models and formulas) into the well-known model checker spin. We present the theoretical results supporting the implementation together with a case study.
Time Warner "Pigs"
Venue: ACM SIGGRAPH 2003 video review on Animation theater program: part 2 - Volume 146 (2003)

Pigs fly through the air over Los Angeles by night. Copyright held by creator.
On the medial surface approximations of extrusions
Authors: A. Csabai, P. Xirouchakis
Venue: Engineering with Computers (2004)

Generating the medial surface for a general boundary representation model raises several difficulties. Problems might emerge from the complexity of the resulting equations, singularities caused by unforeseen relative boundary element positions and orientations, etc. The majority of the current algorithms are based on the topology of the boundary representation model and produce wireframes composed of straight lines regardless of the real medial surfaces. Many of the solids used in engineering can be represented by extrusions, delimited by a cross-section and an extrusion distance. This paper develops a fast and efficient method for creating the facetted approximations of the medial surfaces of extrusions generated by sweeping along the normal direction to the generating cross-section.
An Empirical Study on Using Stereotypes to Improve Understanding of UML Models
Venue: Proceedings of the 12th IEEE International Workshop on Program Comprehension (2004)

Stereotypes were introduced into the Unified ModelingLanguage (UML) to provide means of customizing thisvisual, general purpose, object-oriented modelinglanguage, for its usage in specific application domains.The primary purpose of stereotypes is to brand an existingmodel element with a specific semantics. In addition,stereotypes can also be used as notational shorthand. Thepaper elaborates on this role of stereotypes from theperspective of UML, clarifies the role and describes acontrolled experiment aimed at evaluation of the role - inthe context of model understanding. The results of theexperiment support the claim that stereotypes withgraphical icons for their representation play a significantrole in comprehension of models and show the size of theimprovement.
Universal Report: A Generic Reverse Engineering Tool
Venue: Proceedings of the 12th IEEE International Workshop on Program Comprehension (2004)

Source code documentation is a structured report builtfrom the information available in the source of a given program.The goal of such a document is to provide more facilityfor program comprehension and code maintenance.This is particularly crucial for complex program involvinga large amount of routines and special statements. Nowadays,there are more and more specialized programs thatare provided to programmers through their source code asa module. Their integration into an existing project requiresa quick but accurate overview of their technical structurefor immediate comprehension. This task needs a so-calledsource code documentation tool, also called documentationtool, code documenting tool, or reverse engineeringtool. Several tools exist, but most of them are dedicatedto a specific programming language, probably because theystrongly consider the grammar of the target language andthe corresponding statements are then hardcoded. In thispaper, we present Universal Report, a source code documentationtool developed with C++ Builder, that doesnot suffer from this limitation and provides several attractivefeatures for a complete documenting task. The tool isgeneric, specific information being provided by the user asinput for the documenting process. This flexibility is due topowerful heuristics and pattern matching algorithms thatcan identify standard programming statements for a widerange of programming languages. Various options enablethe user to format the output documentation at its convenience,and the intuitive interface makes Universal Reportthe perfect tool for both new and experienced users.
Mining Surprising Periodic Patterns
Authors: Jiong Yang, Wei Wang, Philip S. Yu
Venue: Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (2004)

In this paper, we focus on mining surprising periodic patterns in a sequence of events. In many applications, e.g., computational biology, an infrequent pattern is still considered very significant if its actual occurrence frequency exceeds the prior expectation by a large margin. The traditional metric, such as support, is not necessarily the ideal model to measure this kind of surprising patterns because it treats all patterns equally in the sense that every occurrence carries the same weight towards the assessment of the significance of a pattern regardless of the probability of occurrence. A more suitable measurement, information, is introduced to naturally value the degree of surprise of each occurrence of a pattern as a continuous and monotonically decreasing function of its probability of occurrence. This would allow patterns with vastly different occurrence probabilities to be handled seamlessly. As the accumulated degree of surprise of all repetitions of a pattern, the concept of information gain is proposed to measure the overall degree of surprise of the pattern within a data sequence. The bounded information gain property is identified to tackle the predicament caused by the violation of the downward closure property by the information gain measure and in turn provides an efficient solution to this problem. Furthermore, the user has a choice between specifying a minimum information gain threshold and choosing the number of surprising patterns wanted. Empirical tests demonstrate the efficiency and the usefulness of the proposed model.
Information Trans-Coders in Information-Driven Circuit Synthesis
Authors: L. Jozwiak, S. Bieganski
Venue: Proceedings of the Digital System Design, EUROMICRO Systems (2004)

The opportunities created by modern microelectronic technology cannot be effectively exploited, because of weaknesses of the traditional circuit synthesis methods used in today's CAD tools. In this paper, a new information-driven circuit synthesis method is discussed. It differs considerably from all other known methods. It is based on our original information-driven approach to circuit synthesis, bottom-up general functional decomposition and theory of information relationship measures. A special focus of the paper is on the role and usage of information trans-coders in the information-driven circuit synthesis. The experimental results from the automatic circuit synthesis tool that implements the method demonstrate that the information-driven general decomposition produces very fast and compact gate-based circuits, and the information trans-coders play an important role in achieving this aim.
Interfacial reactions in the Si/TaC/Cu system
Authors: T. Laurila, J. Molarius, J. K. Kivilahti
Venue: Microelectronic Engineering (2004)

Interfacial reactions in the Si/TaC/Cu metallization system were investigated by utilizing transmission electron microscopy and a combined kinetic and thermodynamic analysis. The formation of an amorphous Ta[C,O] layer was observed at the TaC/Cu interface at 600 °C. After annealing at the same temperature a thin amorphous layer was detected also at the Si/TaC interface. After annealing at 750 °C the thickness of the amorphous layer at the Si/TaC interface had increased and a mixture of crystalline and amorphous phases could be detected inside the TaC layer. This was anticipated to be the preliminary stage of the formation of SiC and TaSi2 that occurred at 800 °C. Overlapping with thickening of the amorphous layer formation of large Cu3Si precipitates took place and the layered metallization structure was partially destroyed. In order to obtain more information on the reactions at the Si/TaC interface and the effect of oxygen on the stability of TaC the ternary Si-Ta-C and Ta-C-O phase diagrams were evaluated from the assessed binary data. Activity diagram was also calculated to evaluate the possible reaction sequence at the Si/TaC interface. The observed reaction structure was found to be consistent with the thermodynamics of the ternary system.