ppxscal/embedding_network huggingface dataset:
Robust real-time eye detection and tracking under variable lighting conditions and various face orientations
Authors: Zhiwei Zhu, Qiang Ji
Venue: Computer Vision and Image Understanding (2005)

Most eye trackers based on active IR illumination require distinctive bright pupil effect to work well. However, due to a variety of factors such as eye closure, eye occlusion, and external illumination interference, pupils are not bright enough for these methods to work well. This tends to significantly limit their scope of application. In this paper, we present an integrated eye tracker to overcome these limitations. By combining the latest technologies in appearance-based object recognition and tracking with active IR illumination, our eye tracker can robustly track eyes under variable and realistic lighting conditions and under various face orientations. In addition, our integrated eye tracker is able to handle occlusion, glasses, and to simultaneously track multiple people with different distances and poses to the camera. Results from an extensive experiment shows a significant improvement of our technique over existing eye tracking techniques.
Estimation of conditional quantiles by a new smoothing approximation of asymmetric loss functions
Authors: G. H. Zhao, K. L. Teo, K. S. Chan
Venue: Statistics and Computing (2005)

In this paper, nonparametric estimation of conditional quantiles of a nonlinear time series model is formulated as a nonsmooth optimization problem involving an asymmetric loss function. This asymmetric loss function is nonsmooth and is of the same structure as the so-called `lopsided' absolute value function. Using an effective smoothing approximation method introduced for this lopsided absolute value function, we obtain a sequence of approximate smooth optimization problems. Some important convergence properties of the approximation are established. Each of these smooth approximate optimization problems is solved by an optimization algorithm based on a sequential quadratic programming approximation with active set strategy. Within the framework of locally linear conditional quantiles, the proposed approach is compared with three other approaches, namely, an approach proposed by Yao and Tong (1996), the Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares method and the Interior-Point method, through some empirical numerical studies using simulated data and the classic lynx pelt series. In particular, the empirical performance of the proposed approach is almost identical with that of the Interior-Point method, both methods being slightly better than the Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares method. The Yao-Tong approach is comparable with the other methods in the ideal cases for the Yao-Tong method, but otherwise it is outperformed by other approaches. An important merit of the proposed approach is that it is conceptually simple and can be readily applied to parametrically nonlinear conditional quantile estimation.
Language Systems, Inc.: MUC-3 test results and analysis
Authors: Christine A. Montgomery, Bonnie Glover Stalls, Robert S. Belvin, Robert E. Stumberger
Venue: Proceedings of the 3rd conference on Message understanding (1991)

Table 1 summarizes LSI's scores for Phase II of MUC-3. In evaluating these scores, which place LSI about two/thirds of the way down in a results-ranked list of MUC-3 participants, it should be noted that our MUC-3 system reflects a major redevelopment of the key components of the DBG message understanding system, which is currently in process. Specifically, innovative development of a parser based on government-binding principles is under way, with associated revisions of the lexicon, functional parse (recovery of the predicate/argument functions representing the underlying semantic structure of the sentence), and DBG template generation and frame hierarchy components (the areas indicated by the heavy lines in the system flow chart shown in Figure 1).
A New Force-Feedback Arm Exoskeleton for Haptic Interaction in Virtual Environments
Authors: A. Frisoli, F. Rocchi, S. Marcheschi, A. Dettori, F. Salsedo, M. Bergamasco
Venue: Proceedings of the First Joint Eurohaptics Conference and Symposium on Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems (2005)

The paper presents the mechanical design of the LEXOS, a new exoskeleton for the human arm. The exoskeleton is a tendon driven wearable haptic interface with 5 dof, 4 actuated ones, and is characterized by a workspace very close to the one of the human arm. The design has been optimized to obtain a solution with reduced mass and high stiffness, by employing special mechanical components and carbon fiber structural parts. The devised exoskeleton is very effective for simulating the touch by hand of large objects or the manipulation within the whole workspace of the arm. The main features of the first prototype that has been developed at PERCRO are presented, together with an indication of the achieved and tested performance.
The impact of cognitive absorption on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in on-line learning: an extension of the technology acceptance model
Authors: Raafat Saadé, Bouchaib Bahli
Venue: Information and Management (2005)

Internet-based learning systems are being used in many universities and firms but their adoption requires a solid understanding of the user acceptance processes. Our effort used an extended version of the technology acceptance model (TAM), including cognitive absorption, in a formal empirical study to explain the acceptance of such systems. It was intended to provide insight for improving the assessment of on-line learning systems and for enhancing the underlying system itself. The work involved the examination of the proposed model variables for Internet-based learning systems acceptance. Using an on-line learning system as the target technology, assessment of the psychometric properties of the scales proved acceptable and confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed model structure. A partial-least-squares structural modeling approach was used to evaluate the explanatory power and causal links of the model. Overall, the results provided support for the model as explaining acceptance of an on-line learning system and for cognitive absorption as a variable that influences TAM variables.
Concept-Based Information Access
Authors: Rifat Ozcan, Y. Alp Aslandogan
Venue: Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Technology: Coding and Computing (ITCC'05) - Volume I - Volume 01 (2005)

Concept-based access to information promises important benefits over keyword-based access. One of these benefits is the ability to take advantage of semantic relationships among concepts in finding relevant documents. Another benefit is the elimination of irrelevant documents by identifying conceptual mismatches. Concepts are mental structures. Words and phrases are the linguistic representatives of concepts. Due to the inherent conciseness of natural language, words can represent multiple concepts and different words may represent the same or very similar concepts. Word Sense Disambiguation attempts to resolve this ambiguity using contextual information. The use of an ontology facilitates identification of related concepts and their linguistic representatives given a key concept. Latent semantic analysis, on the other hand, attempts to reveal the hidden conceptual relationships among words and phrases based on linguistic usage patterns. In this work we explore the potential of concept-based information access via these two methods. We examine under what circumstances concept-based access becomes feasible and improves user experience.
A wavelet based multiresolution algorithm for rotation invariant feature extraction
Authors: Ch. S. Sastry, Arun K. Pujari, B. L. Deekshatulu, C. Bhagvati
Venue: Pattern Recognition Letters (2004)

The present work aims at proposing a new wavelet representation formula for rotation invariant feature extraction. The algorithm is a multilevel representation formula involving no wavelet decomposition in standard sense. Using the radial symmetry property, that comes inherently in the new representation formula, we generate the feature vectors that are shown to be rotation invariant. We show that, using a hybrid data mining technique, the algorithm can be used for rotation invariant content based image retrieval (CBIR). The proposed rotation invariant retrieval algorithm, suitable for both texture and nontexture images, avoids missing any relevant images but may retrieve some other images which are not very relevant. We show that the higher precision can however be achieved by pruning out irrelevant images.
A three-level learner's model for the needs of an integrated environment for individual planned teaching
Authors: Irina Zheliazkova, Rumen Kolev
Venue: Proceedings of the 5th international conference on Computer systems and technologies (2004)

The learner's knowledge, skills, psychological characteristics, and preferred style of learning have been used for individualization of teaching in different generations of computer-based systems. A survey indicates that the problem of the learner modeling in the intelligent distributed teaching and learning environments is still opened. In the present paper a three-level learner's model for the needs of an integrated environment for individual planned teaching is discussed.
The Pavilion: Into the 21st Century: a space for reflection
Authors: Randall Packer
Venue: Organised Sound (2004)

In this paper, I describe the Pavilion: Into the 21st Century project, a multimedia instrument based on the spherical mirror created for the Pepsi Pavilion &ndash; a visionary work of art and architecture originally created by E.A.T. (Experiments in Art & Technology) for Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. The Pavilion is being returned to contemporary artists and audiences in order to extend the experience of the original to the Internet. The project draws from the fundamental notion of interdisciplinary collaboration and social interaction that was integral to the original concept &ndash; encouraging a freer, more participatory experience that breaks down the traditional distinction between artist, audience and artwork.
Designing learning services: from content-based to activity-based learning systems
Authors: Pythagoras Karampiperis, Demetrios Sampson
Venue: Special interest tracks and posters of the 14th international conference on World Wide Web (2005)

The need for e-learning systems that support a diverse set of pedagogical requirements has been identified as an important issue in web-based education. Until now, significant R&D effort has been devoted aiming towards web-based educational systems tailored to specific pedagogical approaches. The most advanced of them are based on the IEEE Learning Technology Systems Architecture and use standardized content structuring based on the ADL Sharable Content Object Reference Model in order to enable sharing and reusability of the learning content. However, sharing of learning activities among different web-based educational systems still remains an open issue. The open question is how web-based educational systems should be designed in order to enable reusing and repurposing of learning activities. In this paper we propose an authoring system, refered to as ASK-LDT that utilizes the Learning Design principles to provide the means for designing activity-based learning services and systems.
Web Services References
Authors: Steve Vinoski
Venue: IEEE Internet Computing (2005)

Service references are important for notification systems, which usually require subscribers to register service references to receive notification messages. The WS-Addressing specification specifies a construct called an endpoint reference (EPR), which is much like a service reference. The author discusses issues needed to turn the EPR into a flexible and useful Web service reference.
Stream PRAM
Authors: Darrell R. Ulm, Michael Scherger
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium (IPDPS'05) - Workshop 14 - Volume 15 (2005)

Parallel random access memory, or PRAM, is a now venerable model of parallel computation that that still retains its usefulness for the design and analysis of parallel algorithms. Parallel computational models proposed after PRAM address short comings of PRAM in terms of modeling realism of actual machines. In this work, we propose a multiple instruction stream partitioned PRAM, or "stream PRAM." This model embodies the reality of a small number of parallel processors, each with local memory (which could also be small), where a problem is generally evenly distributed among all processing elements. Actual hardware configurations limit the number of shared memories which can be efficiently implemented. By allowing each shared memory to also act as an independent instruction stream, more functionality is possible with a small extra cost. The additional instruction streams provide limited asynchronous abilities and offer the flexibility of a reconfigurable network as well as allowing the processing elements to perform independent actions. Because the proposed stream PRAM allows variable sizes for processors, memory, and problem sizes, it is valuable for present as well as future parallelism.
An 8x8 IDCT Implementation on an FPGA-Augmented TriMedia
Authors: Mihai Sima, Sorin Cotofana, Jos T. J. van Eijndhoven, Stamatis Vassiliadis, Kees Vissers
Venue: Proceedings of the the 9th Annual IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines (2001)

This paper presents an experiment which aims to assess the potential impact on performance yielded by augmenting a TriMedia/CPU64 processor with a reconfigurable core. We first propose the skeleton of an extension of theTri-Media/CPU64 architecture, which consists of a Reconfigurable Functional Unit (RFU) and the associated instructions. Then, we address the computation of the 8×8 IDCT on such extended TriMedia and propose a scheme to implement the 1-D IDCT operation on the RFU. When implemented on an ACEX EP1K100 FPGA from Altera, the proposed 1-D IDCT exhibits a latency of 16 and a recovery of 2 TriMedia (200 MHz) cycles, and occupies 42% of the device. By configuring the 1-D IDCT computing facility on the RFU at application load-time, a 2-D IDCT including all overheads can be computed with the throughput of 1/32 IDCT/cycle. This is an improvement of more than 40% over the standard TriMedia/CPU64.
Estimation of true Mahalanobis distance from eigenvectors of sample covariance matrix
Authors: Masakazu Iwamura, Shinichiro Omachi, Hirotomo Aso
Venue: Systems and Computers in Japan (2004)

In statistical pattern recognition, the Bayesian decision theory gives a decision that minimizes the expected probability of misclassification as long as the true distributions are given. However, in most practical situations, the true distributions are unknown, and the parameters of the distributions are usually estimated from training sample vectors. It is well known that estimated parameters contain estimation errors when the sample size is small, and the errors have a negative influence on recognition performance. Among the estimation errors of parameters, the estimation errors of eigenvectors have not been sufficiently considered. In this paper, we present a method to estimate the true Mahalanobis distance from the sample eigenvectors (the eigenvectors of sample covariance matrix) by considering the estimation errors of eigenvectors. Recognition experiments show that the true Mahalanobis distance can be estimated, and better recognition accuracy is achieved by applying the proposed method without many training samples and any hyperparameters. &copy; 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(9): 30&ndash;38, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (). DOI 10.1002&sol;scj.10519
Dempster-Shafer Theory for a Query-Biased Combination of Evidence on the Web
Authors: Vassilis Plachouras, Iadh Ounis
Venue: Information Retrieval (2005)

This paper reports on a large-scale experiment for the evaluation of a formal query-biased combination of evidence mechanism. We use the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence to combine optimally results obtained by content and link analyses on the Web. The query-biased mechanism is based on the query scope, a measure of the query specificity. The query scope is defined using a probabilistic propagation mechanism on top of the hierarchical structure of concepts provided by WordNet. We use two standard Web test collections and two different link analysis approaches. The results show that the proposed approach could improve the retrieval effectiveness.
Efficient Access to Web Services
Authors: Mourad Ouzzani, Athman Bouguettaya
Venue: IEEE Internet Computing (2004)

In order for Web services to expand across the Internet, users need to be able to efficiently access and share Web services. The authors present a query infrastructure that treats Web services as first-class objects. The query infrastructure evaluates queries through the invocations of different Web service operations. Because efficiency plays a central role in such evaluation, the authors propose a query optimization model based on aggregating the quality of Web service (QoWS) parameters of different Web services. The model adjusts QoWS through a dynamic rating scheme and multilevel matching. The rating provides an assessment of Web services' behavior. Multilevel matching allows the expansion of the solution space by enabling similar and partial answers.
Efficient and Safe Execution of User-Level Code in the Kernel
Authors: Erez Zadok, Sean Callanan, Abhishek Rai, Gopalan Sivathanu, Avishay Traeger
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium (IPDPS'05) - Workshop 10 - Volume 11 (2005)

This project has two goals. The first goal is to improve application performance by reducing context switches and data copies. We do this by either running select sections of the application in kernel-mode, or by creating new, more efficient system calls. The second goal is to ensure that kernel safety is not violated when running user-level code in the kernel. We do this by implementing various hardware- and software-based techniques for runtime monitoring of memory buffers, pointers, as well as higher-level, OS-specific constructs such as spinlocks and reference counters; the latter techniques can also be used for code written specifically for the OS.We prototyped several of these techniques. For certain applications, we demonstrate performance improvements as high as 80%. Moreover, our kernel safety checks show overheads that are as little as 2%.
An algorithm for computer synthesis of complementary sequences
Authors: Borislav Y. Bedzhev, Zhaneta N. Tasheva, Borislav P. Stoyanov
Venue: Proceedings of the 5th international conference on Computer systems and technologies (2004)

The sequences with complex pseudorandom structure, ideal autocorrelation function, close to zero cross-correlation function for all possible pairs of sequences from a set have extreme importance for several practical applications, such as communications, radars and cryptanalysis. As a result, the sequences with mentioned abilities are intensively studied during the past fifty years. Despite of great efforts, at present small number of these sequences are known and they couldn't meet the fast raising requirements of the manufacturers and consumers of communication services. With regard to these reasons in our paper we prove a new algorithm for synthesis of so-named Complementary Sequences introduced by Golay, which not only have ideal ACF, but also exist for arbitrary large length. In the paper is shown also that the recently proposed generalized matrix signals are a derivative from generalized complementary sequences.
Task computing for ubiquitous multimedia services
Authors: Zhexuan Song, Ryusuke Masuoka, Jonathan Agre, Yannis Labrou
Venue: Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on Mobile and ubiquitous multimedia (2004)

The Task Computing framework is designed to operate in dynamic ubiquitous environments in which a mobile computing user dynamically discovers the current set of available semantically defined services. Task Computing allows the end-user to easily and seamlessly integrate and manipulate services found on their own computer, the nearby devices and relevant remote web services. The user can create, execute and monitor complex tasks resulting from compositions of these services. In this paper, how Task Computing addresses some issues in mobile and ubiquitous multimedia applications and some of the multimedia related semantic services currently implemented in this framework are described.
Extracting Social Knowledge in the Intelligent Conversational Channel for Agent Communication
Authors: S. M. F. D. Syed Mustapha
Venue: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications - Volume 2 (2005)

Intelligent Conversational Channel (ICC) is a community channel developed to facilitate knowledge sharing activities by utilizing multiple agents to create virtual community. The concept of social knowledge is emphasized as the major source of knowledge to be shared among communities. The social knowledge is extracted not only from the community talks but also from scientific documents. We show the architecture of the system to do this and methodology for social knowledge extraction. Agents are used as the communicator to the community members to deliver the knowledge in a conversational manner.
Book review: Computation of Language: An Essay on Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics in Natural Man-Machine Communication By Roland Hausser (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1989)
Venue: ACM SIGART Bulletin (1991)

Computation of Language is a self-styled essay that addresses issues in natural-language syntax, semantics, and pragmatics from the perspectives of natural-language processing (NLP), formal-language theory (FLT), and philosophy of language. Subtitling a 425-page book an "essay" is somewhat unusual, since an essay usually has the length of a journal article. Yet the word does seem to fit in the sense that an essay can be an "attempt," for the book attempts to provide a philosophical foundation, in terms of a comprehensive theory of natural-language communication, for the practical task of designing and constructing a natural-language-communicating robot (NLC-robot). Hausser fails, however, to connect satisfactorily his philosophical and practical discussions. The book is not a single essay at all: it's really three essays,1 loosely related by their general concern with language and computation, yet without the sort of sustained unity one would expect for a project of the scope of Hausser's. Though the book as a whole lacks unity, it's not without other virtues. Hausser proposes an interesting delineation of the proper spheres of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and the book's parts are insightful and often novel in presentation, thus making them individually worthwhile.
Monomial orthogonal polynomials of several variables
Authors: Yuan Xu
Venue: Journal of Approximation Theory (2005)

A monomial orthogonal polynomial of several variables is of the form xα - Qα(x) for a multiindex α ∈ Nd+10 and it has the least L2 norm among all polynomials of the form xα - P(x), where P and Qα are polynomials of degree less than the total degree of xα. We study monomial orthogonal polynomials with respect to the weight function Πd+1i=1|xi|2ki on the unit sphere Sd as well as for the related weight functions on the unit ball and on the standard simplex. The results include explicit formula, L2 norm, and explicit expansion in terms of known orthonormal basis. Furthermore, in the case of κ1=... = κd+1, an explicit basis for symmetric orthogonal polynomials is also given.