ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Job satisfaction in the information and communication sector: the case of Egypt
Authors: Marwa El-Ayouti, Sherif Kamel
Venue: Managing globally with information technology (2003)

The information and communication technology industry is growing worldwide, penetrating all sectors and services. Therefore, organizations are formulating different formulas and mechanisms to provide a competitive and challenging working environment to attract the best human resources around the globe to join their infrastructure build-up in terms of humanware. Egypt, as a developing country, has been investing heavily in building its information and communication technology infrastructure with a focus on human resources. However, many organizations are continually faced with various challenges to keep their key human resources due to the emerging offerings and opportunities at various levels locally, regionally and internationally. This chapter presents the findings of a research that was conducted in Egypt in 2001 with a primary objective to understand the overall level of job satisfaction among employees in the ICT sector in Egypt. The research aimed at identifying the major factors that affect their satisfaction and highlighting the driving forces leading to the "brain drain" of skilled ICT professionals to jobs overseas.The research assesses the major aspects affecting job satisfaction and ranks them by importance. Moreover, the empirical evidence illustrates the willingness of ICT professionals to seek job opportunities abroad, and the major forces leading to brain drain. Within the scope of the research, job satisfaction is studied as a function of four groups of job aspects, namely, economic, social, training and development, and psychological aspects. Economic aspects cover variables such as pay, rewards and benefits. Social aspects include relationships with colleagues, teamwork and working conditions. Training and development covers the amount of training received by employees and their access to technologies. Psychological aspects include factors such as interest and scope of work, challenges and disciplinary procedures. The survey was conducted among ICT professionals employed in key ICT companies operating in Egypt, as well as companies in other sectors including financial institutions including organizations from the private sector, governmental organizations and multinational firms. The research is important to assess the problems faced by many organizations in Egypt due to the brain drain of its skilled ICT professionals to jobs overseas due to clearer career paths and advancement opportunities, better access to new technologies and higher pay. Respectively, the findings of the research represent important guidelines for various organizations to be able to retain its ICT skilled professionals in Egypt and similar environments.
Contingent Bids in Auctions: Availability, Commitment and Pricing of Computing as Utility
Authors: Hemant K. Bhargava, Shankar Sundaresan
Venue: Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 37th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'04) - Track 8 - Volume 8 (2004)

Enabled by advances in grid and network computing architectures for the delivery of on-demand computing services, the vision of an e-services economy in which computing will be as ubiquitous as a utility is becoming a possibility in business computing. Major firms in the computing industry such as IBM, HP, and SUN Microsystems are focusing on agility and flexibility of computing resources and gearing up for their own versions of on-demand computing and IT outsourcing solutions. Successful business advent of these new computing models requires the development of appropriate pricing mechanisms that are consistent with the enabling technologies. Our paper presents preliminary research in this area, and introduces the notion of contingent auctions to address this lacuna. In contingent auctions, users bid for computing resources in an auction, but are relieved from the contract if demand is not realized. We study different mechanisms -- ranging from an advance-commit (capacity reservation) to no-commit (pay-as-you-go) -- under such demand uncertainty. We show how the different levels of commitment affect prices, revenues and resource utilization. Our initial results show promise and reiterate the need to address the availability-commitment dichotomy in the design of business models for on-demand computing and IT outsourcing.
Experimental study of discovering essential information from customer inquiry
Authors: Keiko Shimazu, Atsuhito Momma, Koichi Furukawa
Venue: Proceedings of the ninth ACM SIGKDD international conference on Knowledge discovery and data mining (2003)

This paper reports the result of our experimental study on a new method of applying an association rule miner to discover useful information from customer inquiry database in a call center of a company. It has been claimed that association rule mining is not suited for text mining. To overcome this problem, we propose (1) to generate sequential data set of words with dependency structure from the Japanese text database, and (2) to employ a new method for extracting meaningful association rules by applying a new rule selection criterion. Each inquiry in the sequential data was represented as a list of word pairs, each of which consists of a verb and its dependent noun. The association rules were induced regarding each pair of words as an item. The rule selection criterion comes from our principle that we put heavier weights to co-occurrence of multiple items more than single item occurrence. We regarded a rule important if the existence of the items in the rule body significantly affects the occurrence of the item in the rule head. The selected rules were then categorized to form meaningful information classes. With this method, we succeeded in extracting useful information classes from the text database, which were not acquired by only simple keyword retrieval. Also, inquiries with multiple aspects were properly classified into corresponding multiple categories.
CFX: finding just the right examples for CS1
Authors: Dale Reed, Sam John, Ryan Aviles, Feihong Hsu
Venue: Proceedings of the 35th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education (2004)

Finding just the right example to answer a question can be difficult for CS1 students and teachers. For this to work well there must be an intuitive interface coupled to an appropriate set of focused examples. The examples then provide the scaffolding to enable students' discovery. CFX (C For eXample) provides the needed easy-to-use web based interface.A small pilot study showed that students using CFX could find answers to their programming questions in roughly half the time it took using a textbook. Freely distributed as open source software under the GNU General Public License [4], CFX can be used as a database authoring tool to capture a set of examples. Once the content is established, the interface as well as the data can be automatically exported to a standalone dynamic interface, using static, non-database content.The development of this system has been sponsored in part by NSF's CCLI program, with sample content developed in conjunction with McGraw-Hill.
Computation Algebras
Authors: Michał Walicki, Magne Haveraaen, Sigurd Meldal
Venue: Mathematical Structures in Computer Science (2001)

We introduce a framework that generalizes algebraic specifications by equipping algebras with descriptions of evaluation strategies. The resulting abstract mathematical description allows one to model the implementation of algebras on various platforms in a way that is independent of the function-oriented specifications.We study algebras with associated data dependencies. The latter provide separate means for modelling computational aspects apart from the functional specifications captured by an algebra. The formalization of evaluation strategies (1) introduces increased portability among different hardware platforms, and (2) allows a potential increase in execution efficiency, since a chosen evaluation strategy may be tailored to a particular platform. We present the development process where algebraic specifications are equipped with data dependencies, the latter are refined, and, finally, mapped to actual hardware architectures.
Electroless deposition of Co(W) thin films
Authors: Y. Sverdlov, Y. Shacham-Diamand
Venue: Microelectronic Engineering (2003)

Thin films of cobalt that contain small amounts of tungsten [Co(W)] were deposited by the electroless process. Those films do not contain either phosphorus or boron which are included in most electroless cobalt films processes. The deposition bath for Co(W) thin films include Co ions, tungstate ions as a source for tungsten, di-methyl-amine-borane (DMAB) complex as a reducing agent, ammonium hydrate as a complexing agent, acetic acid for buffering and surfactants. Co(W) layers were deposited on two types of seed layers: (a) thin sputtered cobalt or copper films on 100 nm SiO2/Si and (b) bare silicon wafers activated by an aqueous Pd/PdCl2 solution. The deposited layer thickness range was 40-1000 nm with deposition rate at 90 °C and pH 9 of ∼7 nm/s for both Pd activated Si and sputtered Co seed, and ∼5 nm/s for the sputtered Cu seed. Lowering the temperature to 70 °C lowered the deposition rate to ∼0.7 nm/s for the Pd activated Si. The deposited layers were bright coloured, uniform, and with low defect density under visual inspection. The thin films composition was found to be Cobalt with 3-4 at.% tungsten for all types of seed layers. The Co(W) thin films specific resistivity was in the range of 60-90 µΩ cm. Finally we present the thin film morphology as it was characterized using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Arbitration-free synchronization
Authors: Leslie Lamport
Venue: Distributed Computing (2003)

Implementing traditional forms of multiprocess synchronization requires a hardware arbiter. Here, we consider what kind of synchronization is achievable without arbitration. Several kinds of simple arbiter-free registers are defined and shown to have equal power, and the class of synchronization problems solvable with such registers is characterized. More powerful forms of arbiter-free communication primitives are described. However, the problem of characterizing the most general form of arbiter-free synchronization remains unsolved.
Semantic-Friendly Indexing and Quering of Images Based on the Extraction of the Objective Semantic Cues
Authors: Aleksandra Mojsilović, José Gomes, Bernice Rogowitz
Venue: International Journal of Computer Vision (2004)

Abstract image semantics resists all forms of modeling, very much like any kind of intelligence does. However, in order to develop more satisfying image navigation systems, we need tools to construct a semantic bridge between the user and the database. In this paper we present an image indexing scheme and a query language, which allow the user to introduce cognitive dimension to the search. At an abstract level, this approach consists of: (1) learning the &ldquo;natural language&rdquo; that humans speak to communicate their semantic experience of images, (2) understanding the relationships between this language and objective measurable image attributes, and then (3) developing corresponding feature extraction schemes.More precisely, we have conducted a number of subjective experiments in which we asked human subjects to group images, and then explain verbally why they did so. The results of this study indicated that a part of the abstraction involved in image interpretation is often driven by semantic categories, which can be broken into more tangible semantic entities, i.e. objective semantic indicators. By analyzing our experimental data, we have identified some candidate semantic categories (i.e. portraits, people, crowds, cityscapes, landscapes, etc.) and their underlying semantic indicators (i.e. skin, sky, water, object, etc.). These experiments also helped us derive important low-level image descriptors, accounting for our perception of these indicators.We have then used these findings to develop an image feature extraction and indexing scheme. In particular, our feature set has been carefully designed to match the way humans communicate image meaning. This led us to the development of a &ldquo;semantic-friendly&rdquo; query language for browsing and searching diverse collections of images.We have implemented our approach into an Internet search engine, and tested it on a large number of images. The results we obtained are very promising.
Survival function estimation when lifetime and censoring time are dependent
Authors: Nader Ebrahimi, Daniel Molefe
Venue: Journal of Multivariate Analysis (2003)

In this paper we consider a model for dependent censoring and derive a consistent asymptotically normal estimator for the underlying survival distribution from a sample of censored data. The methodology is illustrated with an application to the analysis of cancer data. Some simulations to evaluate the performance of our estimator are also presented. The results indicate that our estimator performs reasonably well in comparison to the other dependent censoring survival curve estimators.
"But it looks right!": the bugs students don't see
Authors: David Ginat, Owen Astrachan, Daniel D. Garcia, Mark Guzdial
Venue: Proceedings of the 35th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education (2004)

It is not rare that programming students are surprised when they encounter bugs in their program, which "looks completely right". Such a phenomenon expresses lack of awareness of analysis, design, and testing habits, which yield undesirable outcomes. The special session will focus on various programming aspects that may look seemingly right to students, but yield a buggy, wrong result. Various aspects will be displayed, illustrated, and discussed with the audience, in order to better understand the characteristics of bugs and ways of coping with them in our teaching.
Partial Scan Design Based on Circuit State Information and Functional Analysis
Authors: Dong Xiang, Janak H. Patel
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Computers (2004)

Abstract--Partial scan design is divided into two stages: 1) critical cycle breaking and 2) partial scan flip-flop selection with respect to conflict resolution. A multiple phase partial scan design method is introduced by combining circuit state information and conflict analysis. Critical cycles are broken using a combination of valid circuit state information and conflict analysis. It is quite cost-effective to obtain circuit state information via logic simulation, therefore, circuit state information is iteratively updated after a given number of partial scan flip-flops have been selected. The valid-state-based testability measure may become ineffective to select scan flip-flops when cycles remaining in the circuit are not so influential to testability. The method turns to the conflict resolution process using an intensive conflict-analysis-based testability measure conflict. Sufficient experimental results are presented.
On the noise sensitivity of monotone functions
Authors: Elchanan Mossel, Ryan O'Donnell
Venue: Random Structures Algorithms (2003)

It is known that for all monotone functions f : {0, 1}n → {0, 1}, if x ∈ {0, 1}n is chosen uniformly at random and y is obtained from x by flipping each of the bits of x independently with probability ε = n-α then P[f(x) ≠ f(y)] < cn-α+1/2, for some c < 0.Previously, the best construction of monotone functions satisfying P[fn(x) ≠ fn(y)] ≥ δ, where 0 < δ < 1/2, required ε ≥ c(δ)n-α, where α = 1 - ln 2/ln 3 = 0.36907..., and c(δ) > 0. We improve this result by achieving for every 0 < δ < 1/2, P[fn(x) ≠ fn(y)] ≥ δ, with: • ε = c(δ)n-α for any α < 1/2, using the recursive majority function with arity k = k(α); • ε = c(δ)n-1/2logtn for t = log2√π/2 = .3257 ..., using an explicit recursive majority function with increasing arities; and • ε = c(δ)n-1/2, nonconstructively, following a probabilistic CNF construction due to Talagrand.We also study the problem of achieving the best dependence on δ in the case that the noise rate ε is at least a small constant; the results we obtain are tight to within logarithmic factors.
Using Interaction Costs for Microarchitectural Bottleneck Analysis
Authors: Brian A. Fields, Rastislav Bodík, Mark D. Hill, Chris J. Newburn
Venue: Proceedings of the 36th annual IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Microarchitecture (2003)

Attacking bottlenecks in modern processors is difficultbecause many microarchitectural events overlap witheach other. This parallelism makes it difficult to both(a) assign a cost to an event (e.g., to one of two overlappingcache misses) and (b) assign blame for each cycle(e.g., for a cycle where many, overlapping resources areactive). This paper introduces a new model for understandingevent costs to facilitate processor design andoptimization.First, we observe that everything in a machine (instructions,hardware structures, events) can interact inonly one of two ways (in parallel or serially). Wequantify these interactions by defining interaction cost,which can be zero (independent, no interaction), positive(parallel), or negative (serial).Second, we illustrate the value of using interactioncosts in processor design and optimization.Finally, we propose performance-monitoring hardwarefor measuring interaction costs that is suitable formodern processors.
Special Issue: Human&ndash;computer interaction in engineering contexts
Authors: I. C. Parmee, Ian F. C. Smith
Venue: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing (2002)

Although the human&ndash;computer interaction (HCI) community has been active for several years, very little attention has been devoted to supporting engineers. Engineers are unique computer users with particular needs. They are familiar with fields such as applied mathematics, applied sciences, simulation, project management, technical drawing, and design, as well as engineering law and economics. The nature of the engineering design process means that engineers usually operate within changing environments. Uncertainty relating to incomplete information adds to the complexity of the process especially since the engineer is legally responsible for decisions.
Writing efficient programs: performance issues in an undergraduate CS curriculum
Authors: Saumya Debray
Venue: ACM SIGCSE Bulletin (2004)

Performance is an essential aspect of many software systems, and it is important for programmers to understand performance issues. However, most undergraduate curricula do not explicitly cover performance issues---performance monitoring and profiling tools, performance improvement techniques, and case studies---in their curricula. This paper describes how we address this topic as part of a third-year programming course. We focus on tools and techniques for monitoring and improving performance, as well as the interaction between clean program design and performance tuning.
Image Registration Using Hierarchical B-Splines
Authors: Zhiyong Xie, Gerald E. Farin
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (2004)

Abstract--Hierarchical B-splines have been widely used for shape modeling since their discovery by Forsey and Bartels. In this paper, we present an application of this concept, in the form of free-form deformation, to image registration by matching two images at increasing levels of detail. Results using MRI brain data are presented that demonstrate high degrees of matching while unnecessary distortions are avoided. We compare our results with the nonlinear ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm (used for landmark-based registration) and optical flow (used for intensity-based registration).
Process management and resource sharing in the multiaccess system "ESOPE"
Authors: C. Bétourné, J. Boulenger, J. Ferrié, C. Kaiser, J. Kott, S. Krakowiak, J. Mossière
Venue: Proceedings of the second symposium on Operating systems principles (1969)

This paper describes the main design principles of the multiaccess system ESOPE. Emphasis is placed on basic ideas underlying the design rather than on implementation details. The main features of the system include the ability given to any user to schedule his own parallel processes, using system primitive operations, and the allocation/scheduling policy, which dynamically takes into account recent information about user behaviour.
Animating virtual actors in real environments
Authors: Nadia Magnenat Thalmann, Daniel Thalmann
Venue: Multimedia Systems (1997)

This paper provides a detailed and complete description of merging virtual actors with animation in a real environment. It describes the tasks involved in each stage of integration, such as video acquisition, extraction of camera parameters, creation and animation of virtual actors, and rendering the final images. The most important problems are discussed: real objects hidden by virtual actors and vice versa, collision detection between the virtual actor and the real environment, correspondence between real and virtual cameras, and casting shadows of the virtual actors on the real world. Case studies are presented, such as the virtual actress Marilyn walking with real people on a real street, or sitting down on a real chair.
MaTeLo - Statistical Usage Testing by Annotated Sequence Diagrams, Markov Chains and TTCN-3
Authors: Winfried Dulz, Fenhua Zhen
Venue: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Quality Software (2003)

In this paper, we present a general framework fortesting time-critical systems and software, as it isproposed in the European IST project MaTeLo. The mainfocus is on automatically generating a MCUM (MarkovChain Usage Model) starting from an FDT (FormalDescription Technique) description in order to deriveTTCN-3 (Testing and Test Control Notation version 3)compatible test case definitions.Our approach is a combination of statistical usagetesting based on a given MCUM and specification-basedtesting that is using FDT inputs. Within MaTeLo, specialattention is given to international standardized FDTnotations, specifically ITU-T MSC (Message SequenceChart). In addition, we make use of annotations to specifyselected non-functional requirements to support theautomated software testing of the real time systems. Wealso defined an XML-based representation format calledMCML (Markov Chain Markup Language) to build acommon interface between various parts of the MaTeLotool set.
Interpreting Historical ICU Data Using Associational and Temporal Reasoning
Authors: Apkar Salatian
Venue: Proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (2003)

Medical staff in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are confronted with large volumes of continuous data from several physiological sources which require interpretation. The ASSOCIATE system analyses historical data for summarisation and patient state assessment. It uses a temporal expert system based on associational reasoning and applies three consecutive processes: filtering, which is used to remove noise; interval identification to generate temporal intervalsfrom the filtered data - intervals which are characterised by a common direction of change (i.e increasing, decreasing or steady); and interpretation which performs summarisation and patient state-assessments. Using the temporal intervals, interpretation involves differentiating between events which are clinically insignificant and events which are clinically significant and determining the outcome of therapy. Inherent in this process is the trend template which is used to represent events. Trend templates support temporal reasoning, knowledge to differentiate between events and taxonomical knowledge. Algorithms which are analogousto the way clinicians identify events use these trend templates.