Computer Sciences Commons^™

Experimenting With Tcpa/Tcg Hardware, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bear, John Marchesini, Sean Smith, Omen Wild, Rich Macdonald

Computer Science Technical Reports

Over the last few years, our group has been working on applications of secure coprocessors---but has been frustrated by the limited computational environment and high expense of such devices. Over the last few years, the TCPA (now TCG) has produced a specification for a trusted platform module (TPM)---a small hardware addition intended to improve the overall security of a larger machine (and tied up with a still-murky vision of Windows-based trusted computing). Some commodity desktops now come up with these TPMs. Consequently, we began an experiment to see if (in the absence of a Non-Disclosure Agreement) we could use this …

Towards A Taxonomy Of Aspect-Oriented Programming., Mario Bernard Hankerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As programs continue to increase in size, it has become increasingly difficult to separate concerns into well localized modules, which leads to code tangling- crosscutting code spread throughout several modules. Thus, Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) offers a solution to creating modules with little or no crosscutting concerns. AOP presents the notion of aspects, and demonstrates how crosscutting concerns can be taken out of modules and placed into a centralized location.

In this paper, a taxonomy of aspect-oriented programming, as well as a basic overview and introduction of AOP, will be presented in order to assist future researchers in getting started on …

Interworking Methodologies For Dcom And Corba., Edwin Kraus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The DCOM and CORBA standards provide location-transparent access to network-resident software through language independent object interfaces. Although the two standards address similar problems, they do so in incompatible ways: DCOM clients cannot use CORBA objects, and CORBA clients cannot utilize DCOM objects, due to incompatible object system infrastructures.

This thesis investigates the performance of bridging tools to resolve the incompatibilities between DCOM and CORBA, in ways that allow clients to cross object system boundaries. Two kinds of tools were constructed and studied: tools that bind clients to services at compile time, and tools that support dynamic client-server bindings. Data developed …

Increasing Security In Mobile Ad Hoc Networks By Incentives To Cooperate And Secure Routing, Brandy Michelle Tyson

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

A mobile ad hoc network is a self-organizing network that relies on the cooperation of participating nodes in order to function properly. In this network, mobile users arrive within the common range of a wireless link and collaborate in constructing the network topology in order to facilitate communication. Mobile ad hoc networks do not rely on any fixed, centralized routing infrastructure, so there is no base station to provide connectivity. This must be provided by the participating nodes. Although mobile ad hoc networks are quite beneficial in sparse areas and rescue operations, they have several properties, such as unreliable wireless …

Spatiotemporal Databases: Models For Attracting Students To Research, Ágnes Bércesné Novák, Peter Revesz, Zsolt Tuza

School of Computing: Conference and Workshop Papers

In higher education professors often make much effort to introduce their students to research. Unfortunately, the present standard database systems curriculum is composed of well-settled subjects that do not lead to research. The challenge is to bring the research frontier closer to students at beginner level. In this paper we describe how it can be done in the area of spatiotemporal databases. We propose a new database systems curriculum and illustrate its benefits by mentioning several highly succsesful student projects in some recent experimental introductory database systems courses that followed the new curriculum.

A Subgroup Algorithm To Identify Cross-Rotation Peaks Consistent With Non-Crystallographic Symmetry, Ryan H. Lilien, Chris Bailey-Kellogg, Amy C. Anderson, Bruce R. Donald

Computer Science Technical Reports

Molecular replacement (MR) often plays a prominent role in determining initial phase angles for structure determination by X-ray crystallography. In this paper, an efficient quaternion-based algorithm is presented for analyzing peaks from a cross-rotation function to identify model orientations consistent with non-crystallographic symmetry (NCS), and to generate NCS-consistent orientations missing from the list of cross-rotation peaks. Our algorithm, CRANS, analyzes the rotation differences between each pair of cross-rotation peaks to identify finite subgroups of NCS. Sets of rotation differences satisfying the subgroup axioms correspond to orientations compatible with the correct NCS. The CRANS algorithm was first tested using cross-rotation peaks …

A Study Of The Suitability Of Irobex For High-Speed Exchange Of Large Data Objects, Casey T. Deccio, Joseph Ekstrom, Charles D. Knutson, D. Ryan Partridge, Kevin B. Tew

Faculty Publications

This paper demonstrates that careful tuning of the OBEX and IrLAP negotiated parameters allows OBEX to scale well for use with large data objects and high transmission rates. Due to the substantial time overhead inherent in link turnarounds, minimizing turnarounds during the transmission of a large object helps to maximimize link efficiency. The IrLAP window size and OBEX packet size significantly impact the number of required turnarounds during the transmission of a large object. When these parameters are properly tuned, maximum throughput can be achieved, and OBEX performs efficiently at high data rates.

An Iterative Beam Search Algorithm For Degenerate Primer Selection, Richard Souvenir

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping is an important molecular genetics process in the early stages of producing results that will be useful in the medical field. Due to inherent complexities in DNA manipulation and analysis, many different methods have been proposed for a standard assay. One of the proposed techniques for performing SNP Genotyping requires amplifying regions of DNA surrounding a large number of SNP loci. In order to automate a portion of this particular method, it is necessary to select a set of primers for the experiment. Selecting these primers can be formulated as the Multiple Degenerate Primer Design …

Resource Configuration And Network Design In Extensible Networks, Sumi Y. Choi

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

The goal of packet-switched networks has conventionally been delivering data to users. This concept is changing rapidly as current technologies make it possible to build network processing engines that apply intermediary services to data traffic. This trend introduces an extensive range of ways to develop and operate applications by allowing processing services customized for applications' needs at intermediate network users, as it can relieve individuals from the need to acquire, install, and maintain software in end systems to perform required functions. As such network services become more widely used, it will become increasingly important for service providers to have effective …

Efficient Customizable Middleware, Ravi Pratap Maddimsetty

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

The rather large feature set of current Distributed Object Computing (DOC) middleware can be a liability for certain applications which have a need for only a certain subset of these features but have to suffer performance degradation and code bloat due to all the present features. To address this concern, a unique approach to building fully customizable middleware was undertaken in FACET, a CORBA event channel written using AspectJ. FACET consists of a small, essential core that represents the basic structure and functionality of an event channel into which additional features are woven using aspects so that the resulting event …

Semantic (Web) Technology In Action: Ontology Driven Information Systems For Search, Integration, And Analysis, Amit P. Sheth, Cartic Ramakrishnan

Kno.e.sis Publications

Semantics is seen as the key ingredient in the next phase of the Web infrastructure as well as the next generation of information systems applications. In this context, we review some of the reservations expressed about the viability of the Semantic Web. We respond to these by identifying a Semantic Technology that supports the key capabilities also needed to realize the Semantic Web vision, namely representing, acquiring and utilizing knowledge. Given that scalability is a key challenge, we briefly review our observations from developing three classes of real world applications and corresponding technology components: search/browsing, integration, and analytics. We distinguish …

Semantic Web Processes: Semantics Enabled Annotation, Discovery, Composition, And Orchestration Of Web Scale Processes, Jorge Cardoso, Amit P. Sheth

Kno.e.sis Publications

This tutorial deals with the evolution of inter- Enterprise and Web scale process to support e-commerce and e-services. It taps into the promises of two of the hottest R&D and technology areas: Web services and the Semantic Web. It presents how applying semantics to each of the steps in the Semantic Web Process lifecycle can help address critical issues in reuse, integration and scalability.

Using Dynamic Optimization For Control Of Real Rate Cpu Resource Management Applications, Varin Vahia, Ashvin Goel, David Steere, Jonathan Walpole, Molly H. Shor

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this paper we design a proportional-period optimal controller for allocating CPU to real rate multimedia applications on a general-purpose computer system. We model this computer system problem in to state space form. We design a controller based on dynamic optimization LQR tracking techniques to minimize short term and long term time deviation from the current time stamp and also CPU usage. Preliminary results on an experimental set up are encouraging.

Pyro: A Python-Based Versatile Programming Environment For Teaching Robotics, D. Blank, D. Kumar, Lisa A. Meeden, H. Yanco

Computer Science Faculty Works

In this article we describe a programming framework called Pyro, which provides a set of abstractions that allows students to write platform-independent robot programs. This project is unique because of its focus on the pedagogical implications of teaching mobile robotics via a top-down approach. We describe the background of the project, its novel abstractions, its library of objects, and the many learning modules that have been created from which curricula for different types of courses can be drawn. Finally, we explore Pyro from the students' perspective in a case study.

Enabling Computer Decisions Based On Eeg Input, Benjamin J. Culpepper, Robert M. Keller

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

Multilayer neural networks were successfully trained to classify segments of 12-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data into one of five classes corresponding to five cognitive tasks performed by a subject. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to segregate obvious artifact EEG components from other sources, and a frequency-band representation was used to represent the sources computed by ICA. Examples of results include an 85% accuracy rate on differentiation between two tasks, using a segment of EEG only 0.05 s long and a 95% accuracy rate using a 0.5-s-long segment.

A Longitudinal Metric Study Of Postgresql Software Archeology In Open Source, Terry Franklin Byrum

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Open source software development is credited as the basic fuel powering much of the Internet, especially the Web. While many organizations rely heavily on open source, few studies have focused on the dynamics of development methodology. This document contains the results of a longitudinal metric study of the open source database PostgreSQL representing an 8 year period of community development. This study is software archeology, excavating bits of an Internet community, a cultural group, for understanding. Longitudinally, McCabe's cyclomatic complexity and Halstead's software science change tempo in accordance with PostgreSQL's maturity, though meritocracy practices of open source might suggest greater …

Viewer-Based Directional Querying For Mobile Applications, Keith Gardiner, James Carswell

Conference papers

With the steady and fast advancements in the integration of geographic information systems and mobile location-based services, interest in exploiting this technology for Cultural Heritage (CH) data sharing has become apparent. In this area there has been an increasing need to integrate positional information with non-positional data and add a spatial dimension to the definition of a users “context”. In this paper we describe an implementation of a viewer-based directional query processor that operates on an Oracle Spatial database. The spatial position and orientation are taken from the viewer’s perspective. Using this frame of reference a view-port is defined in …

Multi-Phase Homework Assignments In Cs I And Cs Ii, James Huggins

Computer Science Presentations And Conference Materials

ll of the panelists have used small sets of related programming assignments in introductory CS courses. These assignments are essentially larger programs which are developed during several separate phases. This approach has several advantages: • Students are able to develop more realistic and interesting programs. • Students are motivated to write better code as well as documentation. Those who don't are quickly confronted by the implications. • Student interest in completing the projects is better sustained, since there is continuity from one project to the next. • It models desirable techniques such as iterative development and encapsulation. • It demonstrates …

Constraint Datalog In Trust Management, Scot Anderson

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Constraint Datalog holds an increasing role in Trust Management. We discuss several Trust Management systems and give a description of the environment and requirements for Trust Management. Constraint Datalog using addition constraints and approximation theory provides an expressive semantic with which to describe security policies for credentials, delegations and authorizations. Approximation theory allows halting in Constraint Datalog over addition constraints. We use the decision problem of Diophantine equations to show that Constraint Datalog over addition constraints is complete. Combining these two concepts provides an approximately complete, safe language. The problem of constant additions to closed languages provides reasons for using …

Rank-Aware Query Optimization, Ihab F. Ilyas, Rahul Shah, Walid G. Aref, Jeffrey S. Vitter, Ahmed K. Almagarmid

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Efficient Execution Of Sliding-Window Queries Over Data Streams, Moustafa A. Hammad, Walid G. Aref, Michael J. Franklin, Mohammed P. Mokbel, Ahmed K. Elmagarmid

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Impact Of Shill Bidding In Online English Auctions, Bharat Bhargava, Mamata Jenamani, Yuhui Zhong

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

An Approach To Identifying Beneficial Collaboration Securely In Decentralized Logistics Systems, Richard Cho, Chris Clifton, Ananth V. Ilyer, Wei Jiang, Murat Kantarioglu

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Data Analysis In The Antes System, Yavuz Tor

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that can be used as an indicator for the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Border Health Office, in University of Texas - Pan American, organizes screenings in schools for acanthosis nigricans. Screening results are, then, collected and evaluated in the Border Health Office. The ANTES System is a computer system that stores and manages the data collected in those screenings.

This study is on the analysis of those collected data to track the progress of data entry, to evaluate the progress on obesity and related problems, and to discover the …

Visualization Of Internet Web Pages Based On Authority And Word Frequency, David Navarro

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The growth, accessibility, and integration of the World Wide Web with contemporary information utilization provides a rich domain in which to explore information retrieval systems. One approach in the evolution of retrieval systems couples successful and long-standing techniques of information retrieval with new techniques, such as visualization. The system developed and reported in this thesis takes this approach. It builds upon well-known techniques of information retrieval including stemming, keyword matching, and cosine similarity. It also incorporates the new and relatively successful hubs and authority approach, which describes Web documents by their reference by other documents. Finally, it develops a new …

Antes: A Web-Based Acanthosis Nigricans And Other Obesity Related Information System, Chunyue Wang

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Acanthosis nigricans is a cutaneous marker associated with systemic disorders and may serve as an indicator for risk of Type 2 diabetes. Acanthosis nigricans screening can help identify children who have high insulin levels and who may be at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The ANTES system is a computerization attempt for acanthosis nigricans control of the student population from elementary schools and secondary schools in Texas. A general description of the system and the medical and history background of the ANTES program is given. The technology applied to the system is demonstrated. An overview of the system operation status …

Software Development Productivity And Cycle Time Reduction, Victor A. Clincy

Faculty Articles

Increasing software developers' productivity and reducing the software development process' cycle time are key goals for organizations responsible for building software applications. This paper proposes four major areas impacting an organization's ability to increase developer productivity and reduce development cycle time. The four areas are (1) organizational structure and climate, (2) reward system, (3) software development process and (4) the use of software design and testing tools.

An Algorithm For Clearing Combinatorial Markets, Josiane Domgang Nzouonta

Theses and Dissertations

It was recently shown possible to solve single item auctions without revealing any secret except for the solution. Namely, with vMB-share [4], the seller and the buyer only learn each other's identity and the selling price for a chosen M+1 pricing scheme. No trusted party was necessary. In this thesis, we show how vMB-share can be extended for the clearing of combinatorial negotiations with several items, buyers and sellers. We first show how the more general problem can be reduced to a virtual form, relatively similar to the single-item auctions. Then, some modifications in the cryptographic techniques of vMB-share are …

A Fit-Gap Analysis Of E-Business Curricula Vs. Industry Need, S. Davis, Keng Siau, K. Dhenuvakonda

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The alignment of e-business academic programs with the e-business market is examined using a fit-gap analysis. Two high-end business schools, ranked independently by US News and Business Week, were chosen as sample. A total of 391 different e-commerce courses were identified, which were classified into 24 categories. Out of these, there are two broad and distinct tracks in e-business curricula, with one track paving the way for an e-business career with a prevailing focus on the business aspect and the other track leading to a career focusing on technology and Web-based systems development. Industry demand for e-business professionals and the …

Flocking Over 3d Terrain, Joel Gompert

School of Computing: Technical Reports

A method is presented for animating herds of animals that can follow terrain while being efficient enough to run in real-time. This method involves making simple modifications to Reynolds’ agent-based flocking algorithm. The modifications use only local properties of the terrain, and thus have low complexity. This method focuses on using terrain that can be described as an elevation grid, but it may be extendible to arbitrary terrain. The flocking algorithm with these modifications produces naturally behaving herds that follow the terrain. They will swerve around hills and attempt to follow paths that reduce energy expenditure. The terrain-following rule added …