ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Learning the required number of agents for complex tasks
Authors: Sébastien Paquet, Brahim Chaib-draa
Venue: Proceedings of the fifth international joint conference on Autonomous agents and multiagent systems (2006)

Coordinating agents in a complex environment is a hard problem, but it can become even harder when certain characteristics of the tasks, like the required number of agents, are unknown. In those settings, agents not only have to coordinate themselves on the different tasks, but they also have to learn how many agents are required for each task. To achieve that, we have elaborated a selective perception reinforcement learning algorithm to enable agents to learn the required number of agents. Even though there were continuous variables in the task description, the agents were able to learn their expected reward according to the task description and the number of agents. The results, obtained in the RoboCupRescue, show an improvement in the agents overall performance.
Linear combinations of overlapping variance estimators for simulations
Authors: Tûba Aktaran-Kalayci, David Goldsman
Venue: Proceedings of the 37th conference on Winter simulation (2005)

We examine properties of linear combinations of overlapping standardized time series area estimators for the variance parameter of a stationary stochastic process. We find that the linear combination estimators have lower bias and variance than their overlapping constituents and nonoverlapping counterparts; in fact, the new estimators also perform particularly well against the benchmark batch means estimator. We illustrate our findings with analytical and Monte Carlo examples.
Electromagnetic vector sensors and active target localization and identification
Authors: B. Hochwald, A. Nehorai
Venue: Proceedings of the Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, 1993. ICASSP-93 Vol 4., 1993 IEEE International Conference on - Volume 04 (1993)

A new model for actively localizing and identifying targets using electromagnetic vector sensors is developed and analyzed. Target dependent variables are introduced that provide a natural parametrization of the statistics of the target's reflection characteristics (scattering matrix) to arbitrarily polarized transmitted signals. Cramer-Rao bounds on the variance of unbiased estimators of these parameters are derived to show how an estimator's expected performance depends on the target's state and the transmitted signal. The parameters are shown to have physical interpretations and to represent characteristics intrinsic to the target.
A Framework for Interoperability with VLEs for Large Scale Deployment of Mobile Learning
Authors: Fatma Elsayed Meawad, Geneen Stubbs
Venue: Proceedings of the Fourth IEEE International Workshop on Wireless, Mobile and Ubiquitous Technology in Education (2006)

The diversity of mobile devices and their limitations have raised many challenges for the actual deployment of mobile learning across institutions. The main objective of this work is to present a solution that encourages institutions to adopt mobile learning as a tool to support the learning process. We present a generic framework for interoperability with existing VLEs that provides a compact and an easy to use implementation of their learning activities on Java enabled mobile devices. In this paper, we discuss the design and the prototype of the proposed interoperability framework. The results and the feedback of the prototype evaluation with tutors are reported. The reported results and comments cover the system's usability and its value for both tutors and students.
Supporting Simulation-Based Training Using a «Conscious» Tutoring Agent
Authors: Daniel Dubois, Roger Nkambou, Patrick Hohmeyer
Venue: Proceedings of the Sixth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (2006)

Learning with Tutoring Systems implies large amounts and varied types of information that the Tutor should take into account in order to better adapt the learning session to student's needs. Managing all this information to optimize learning is not an easy task. This paper claims that «consciousness» mechanisms can help to overcome this problem. We describe how they are implemented and used to effectively diagnose learners' errors in the specific context of Canadarm2 manipulation.
The Lagrangian Algorithm Implement of QoS-Aware Service Composition on P2P Network
Authors: Xiao-Yan Gao, Zhen-Wei Yu, Yin-Long Shi
Venue: Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE Asia-Pacific Conference on Services Computing (2006)

This paper introduces QoS attributes into the P2P network and proposes a service composition model, then gives a computing method of service composition. Then, we adopt a Lagrangian relaxtion algorithm, providing an approach to satisfy the customer's service level agreement. Finally, a set of experiments show that the proposed model and algorithms can achieve better performance.
Performance evaluation of advanced routing algorithms for unstructured peer-to-peer networks
Authors: Michele Amoretti, Francesco Zanichelli, Gianni Conte
Venue: Proceedings of the 1st international conference on Performance evaluation methodolgies and tools (2006)

Peer-to-peer systems have recently emerged to address the problem of enabling the virtualization of distributed resources such as processing, network bandwidth and storage capacity, to create a single system image, granting users and applications seamless access to vast IT capabilities. Participants in peer-to-peer networks are not only potential consumers but also potential resource providers, and operate autonomously with no central authority. Efficient resource sharing and discovery mechanisms are both essential for the functioning of the system as a whole and for the benefit of all participants.This paper illustrates our contributions to the characterization of unstructured peer-to-peer architectures, in which the overlay network topology and the adopted routing strategy are not deterministically correlated. Starting from classic analytical results in the field of random graphs, we introduce several novel topological models which put the emphasis on capturing the network growth, and that in our view are very significant for peer-to-peer systems. Moreover, we introduce a novel routing algorithm called HALO, which has been compared to the SRDI strategy adopted by JXTA. Simulation results of HALO and JXTA performance are provided for different overlay network topologies.
Prototyping mediators to project performance: learning and interaction
Authors: Philip Beck, James J. Jiang, Gary Klein
Venue: Journal of Systems and Software (2006)

The prototyping approach has been considered to be a more effective systems development methodology than the traditional systems development life cycle approach. Prototyping provides a framework for meaningful social interaction between system users and developers. This research examines the social contextual factors that determine the performance of information system projects and addresses the social perspectives of system development methodologies within the prototyping development framework. This study suggests that the full mediators of the prototyping approach were organizational technology learning and user-IS interaction effectiveness. Organizations should use prototyping in situations where these mediators are important to the development process and are not achieved through other organizational practice.
Development of an empirical approach to building domain-specific knowledge applied to high-end computing
Authors: Victor R. Basili
Venue:  (2006)

This dissertation presents an empirical approach for building and storing knowledge about software engineering through human-subject research. It is based on running empirical studies in stages, where previously held hypotheses are supported or refuted in different contexts, and new hypotheses are generated. The approach is both mixed-methods based and opportunistic, and focuses on identifying a diverse set of potential sources for running studies. The output produced is an experience base which contains a set of these hypotheses, the empirical evidence which generated them, and the implications for practitioners and researchers. This experience base is contained in a software system which can be navigated by stakeholders to trace the "chain of evidence" of hypotheses as they evolve over time and across studies. This approach has been applied to the domain of high-end computing, to build knowledge related to programmer productivity. The methods include controlled experiments and quasi-experiments, case studies, observational studies, interviews, surveys, and focus groups. The results of these studies have been stored in a proof-of-concept system that implements the experience base.
Bringing mobile guides and fitness activities together: a solution based on an embodied virtual trainer
Authors: Fabio Buttussi, Luca Chittaro, Daniele Nadalutti
Venue: Proceedings of the 8th conference on Human-computer interaction with mobile devices and services (2006)

Sports and fitness are increasingly attracting the interest of computer science researchers as well as companies. In particular, recent mobile devices with hardware graphics acceleration offer new, still unexplored possibilities. This paper investigates the use of mobile guides in fitness activities, proposing the Mobile Personal Trainer (MOPET) application. MOPET uses a GPS device to monitor user's position during her physical activity in an outdoor fitness trail. It provides navigation assistance by using a fitness trail map and giving speech directions. Moreover, MOPET provides motivation support and exercise demonstrations by using an embodied virtual trainer, called Evita. Evita shows how to correctly perform the exercises along the trail with 3D animations and incites the user. To the best of our knowledge, our project is the first to employ a mobile guide for fitness activities. The effects of MOPET on motivation, as well as its navigational and training support, have been experimentally evaluated with 12 users. Evaluation results encourage the use of mobile guides and embodied virtual trainers in outdoor fitness applications.
Object Pose Detection in Range Scan Data
Authors: Jim Rodgers, Dragomir Anguelov, Hoi-Cheung Pang, Daphne Koller
Venue: Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition - Volume 2 (2006)

We address the problem of detecting complex articulated objects and their pose in 3D range scan data. This task is very difficult when the orientation of the object is unknown, and occlusion and clutter are present in the scene. To address the problem, we design an efficient probabilistic framework, based on the articulated model of an object, which combines multiple information sources. Our framework enforces that the surfaces and edge discontinuities of model parts are matched well in the scene while respecting the rules of occlusion, that joint constraints and angles are maintained, and that object parts don't intersect. Our approach starts by using low-level detectors to suggest part placement hypotheses. In a hypothesis enrichment phase, these original hypotheses are used to generate likely placement suggestions for their neighboring parts. The probabilities over the possible part placement configurations are computed using efficient OpenGL rendering. Loopy belief propagation is used to optimize the resulting Markov network to obtain the most likely object configuration, which is additionally refined using an Iterative Closest Point algorithm adapted for articulated models. Our model is tested on several datasets, where we demonstrate successful pose detection for models consisting of 15 parts or more, even when the object is seen from different viewpoints, and various occluding objects and clutter are present in the scene.
Structural Error Verification in Active Rule-Based Systems using Petri Nets
Authors: Lorena Chavarria-Baez, Xiaoou Li
Venue: Proceedings of the Fifth Mexican International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (2006)

A knowledge base needs to be verified so that it works corretly. Up to date, approaches on production rule base verification have been reported adequately. However, active rule base verification cannot be found. In this paper, we primitively define structural errors in active rule base. Then, a verification approach is proposed based on Conditional Colored Petri Nets.
Automated Paper-Based Watermark Extraction and Processing
Authors: Hazem Hiary, Kia Ng
Venue: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Automated Production of Cross Media Content for Multi-Channel Distribution (2006)

The boom of digital market and rapid expansion and demand of digital content consumption have many requirements for automated content processing, cataloguing, authenticating, indexing, etc.. Digital watermarking and fingerprinting techniques are being explored to authenticate and detect features in digital objects. This is similar to the analogue paper-based watermarking technique that was invented in the 13th century in Italy for the identification of the workers. This paper presents a framework for the digitisation, extraction and graphical representation of paper-based watermark designs. With a general overview of the framework [1], the paper focuses on automated processes which determine the configuration of processing parameters in order to allow optimal content processing without time-consuming manual intervention. With a machine readable graphical representation of the watermark, cataloguing and indexing of these heritage resources can be enhanced with the ease of digital content retrieval functionalities for scholarly usages and many other advantages of digital technologies including distribution and preservation.
State space models on special manifolds
Authors: Yasuko Chikuse
Venue: Journal of Multivariate Analysis (2006)

This paper concerns modeling time series observations in state space forms considered on the Stiefel and Grassmann manifolds. We develop a state space model relating the time series observations to a sequence of unobserved state or parameter matrices assuming the matrix Langevin noise processes on the Stiefel manifolds. We show a Bayes method for estimating the state matrices by the posterior modes. We consider a further extended state space model where two sequences of unobserved state matrices are involved. A simple state space model on the Grassmann manifolds with matrix Langevin noise processes is also investigated.
Razor: a low-power pipeline based on circuit-level timing speculation
Authors: Todd Austin
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th annual symposium on Integrated circuits and systems design (2006)

With increasing clock frequencies and silicon integration, power aware computing has become a critical concern in the design of embedded processors and systems-on-chip. One of the more effective and widely used methods for power-aware computing is dynamic voltage scaling (DVS). In order to obtain the maximum power savings from DVS, it is essential to scale the supply voltage as low as possible while ensuring correct operation of the processor. The critical voltage is chosen such that under a worst-case scenario of process and environmental variations, the processor always operates correctly. However, this approach leads to a very conservative supply voltage since such a worst-case combination of different variabilities will be very rare.In this talk, I detail a novel approach to DVS, called Razor, based on dynamic detection and correction of circuit timing errors. The key idea of Razor is to tune the supply voltage by monitoring the error rate during circuit operation, thereby eliminating the need for voltage margins and exploiting the data dependence of circuit delay. A Razor flip-flop is introduced that double-samples pipeline stage values, once with a fast clock and again with a time-borrowing delayed clock. A metastability tolerant comparator then validates latch values sampled with the fast clock. In the event of a timing error, a modified pipeline mispeculation recovery mechanism restores correct program state. A prototype Razor processor will be described, along with physical measurements.
Computer-based collaboration in student work: does a preference for using technology affect performance?
Authors: Kerrie M. Miller, Geoffrey N. Dick
Venue: Proceedings of the 2005 South East Asia Regional Computer Science Confederation (SEARCC) Conference - Volume 46 (2005)

This study reports the results from an empirical study focusing on student preference for computer-based collaboration. This study involved collecting data from 144 university students who were required to do a computer-based collaborative task. The study examined perceptions of, preferences for, and performance in, computer-based collaboration. The researchers had expected that a predilection for such technologies would result in improved performance where their use was required. This did not turn out to be the case. A preference for computer-based collaboration did not necessarily result in an improved performance in a computer based collaborative task. Student characteristics examined included previous experience, gender, age, perceived performance, group history, perceptions of collaboration, and preferences for individual versus group work. These factors were not found to influence results. This suggests that such perceptions and preferences may not be important to performance.
Modulation of Induced Gamma Band Responses in a Perceptual Learning Task in the Human EEG
Authors: Thomas Gruber, Matthias M. Müller, Andreas Keil
Venue: Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (2002)

Fragmented pictures of an object, which appear meaningless when seen for the first time, can easily be identified after the presentation of an unfragmented version of the same picture. The neuronal mechanism for such a rapid perceptual learning phenomenon is largely unknown. Recently, induced gamma band responses (GBRs) have been discussed as a possible physiological correlate of activity in cell assemblies formed by learning. The present study was designed to investigate the modulation of induced GBRs in a perceptual learning task by using a 128-channel EEG montage. In the first sequence of the experiment, fragmented pictures from the Snodgrass and Vandervart inventory were presented. The fragmentation of the pictures was selected that subjects were unable to identify them. In the second experimental sequence - the perceptual learning sequence - half of the pictures were displayed in their unfragmented version. In the third sequence, all pictures were presented again in the fragmented version. Now, subjects had to rate whether or not they could identify the images. Results showed an increase in spectral gamma power at parietal electrode sites for identified pictures. In addition, neural activity in the gamma band was highly synchronized between posterior electrodes. For pictures not presented in their complete version, we found no such pattern in the third sequence. From our results, we concluded that induced GBRs might represent a signature of synchronized neural activity in a Hebbian cell assembly, activated by the fragmented picture after perceptual learning took place. No difference between identified and unidentified pictures was found in the visual evoked potential in the same time range and in the evoked GBR in the same frequency range as the induced response.
TOSCA: Total Scan Power Reduction Architecture based on Pseudo-Random Built-in Self Test Structure
Authors: Youbean Kim, Dongsup Song, Kicheol Kim, Incheol Kim, Sungho Kang
Venue: Proceedings of the 15th Asian Test Symposium (2006)

Power of scan operation is dominant factor. This paper proposed the structure to reduce scan power totally. The total scan power reduction architecture uses a duplicated transition monitoring window and sub-scan chains. Experimental results show 60% transition reduction, 2~4% fault coverage improvement, and 25% scan-in and 26% scan-out transition by the TOSCA.
Correlation and independence in the neural code
Authors: Shun-ichi Amari, Hiroyuki Nakahara
Venue: Neural Computation (2006)

The decoding scheme of a stimulus can be different from the stochastic encoding scheme in the neural population coding. The stochastic fluctuations are not independent in general, but an independent version could be used for the ease of decoding. How much information is lost by using this unfaithful model for decoding? There are discussions concerning loss of information (Nirenberg & Latham, 2003; Schneidman, Bialek, & Berry, 2003). We elucidate the Nirenberg-Latham loss from the point of view of information geometry.
Universalizing universal design: applying text-to-speech technology to english language learners' process writing
Authors: Monica Byrne-Jimenez
Venue:  (2006)

This paper presents findings from six case studies of English language learners (ELLs) applying text to speech (TTS) technology to the process of drafting and revising essays. The participants were all seniors at an urban public high school in Massachusetts where they were required to write quarterly expository essays in all major subjects. ELLs' numbers in public schools are burgeoning, and even those who were skilled writers in their native countries face many barriers to writing. TTS is a technology designed to assist individuals with a need for audible input of computer text. It is built on the philosophy of Universal Design for Learning, which aims to make the technology usable by the broadest possible range of learners. The purpose of this study was to learn how TTS could support ELLs' performing process writing on computers. Data was collected on the participants' writing processes without and with TTS using questionnaires, documents, interviews, and observations. The findings suggested that when they used TTS, the participants wrote more drafts, spent more time on each draft, detected more errors, and increased revision of meaning-level features. At the same time, they struggled to express themselves in expository essays, having learned other ways of writing in their native countries. Students' language learning goals also affected how they used the technology, because they also looked for ways to use TTS to improve their fluency and perfect their speech. Results suggest that ELLs must have sufficient time to acquire English proficiency as they meet academic requirements, and during this acquisition period must have latitude to write in culturally familiar ways. The audible input from TTS did help them conceptualize and revise their writing. Given direct instruction in how to apply it to process writing, ELLs could benefit even more from TTS input. However, to make the most of the universal design of TTS, teachers and others should explore letting ELLs use it to meet their individual goals. Exploring English language learners' use of TTS software helps illustrate how individual learning processes must be considered when applying technology to diverse populations.