Computer Sciences Commons^™

A Self-Organizing Neural Architecture Integrating Desire, Intention And Reinforcement Learning, Ah-Hwee Tan, Yu-Hong Feng, Yew-Soon Ong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper presents a self-organizing neural architecture that integrates the features of belief, desire, and intention (BDI) systems with reinforcement learning. Based on fusion Adaptive Resonance Theory (fusion ART), the proposed architecture provides a unified treatment for both intentional and reactive cognitive functionalities. Operating with a sense-act-learn paradigm, the low level reactive module is a fusion ART network that learns action and value policies across the sensory, motor, and feedback channels. During performance, the actions executed by the reactive module are tracked by a high level intention module (also a fusion ART network) that learns to associate sequences of actions …

Preference Queries In Large Multi-Cost Transportation Networks, Kyriakos Mouratidis, Yimin Lin, Man Lung Yiu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Research on spatial network databases has so far considered that there is a single cost value associated with each road segment of the network. In most real-world situations, however, there may exist multiple cost types involved in transportation decision making. For example, the different costs of a road segment could be its Euclidean length, the driving time, the walking time, possible toll fee, etc. The relative significance of these cost types may vary from user to user. In this paper we consider such multi-cost transportation networks (MCN), where each edge (road segment) is associated with multiple cost values. We formulate …

Efficient Verification Of Shortest Path Search Via Authenticated Hints, Man Lung Yiu, Yimin Lin, Kyriakos Mouratidis

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Shortest path search in transportation networks is unarguably one of the most important online search services nowadays (e.g., Google Maps, MapQuest, etc), with applications spanning logistics, spatial optimization, or everyday driving decisions. Often times, the owner of the road network data (e.g., a transport authority) provides its database to third-party query services, which are responsible for answering shortest path queries posed by their clients. The issue arising here is that a query service might be returning sub-optimal paths either purposely (in order to serve its own purposes like computational savings or commercial reasons) or because it has been compromised by …

Efficient Cca-Secure Pke From Identity-Based Techniques, Junzuo Lai, Robert H. Deng, Shengli Liu, Weidong Kou

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Boneh, Canetti, Halevi, and Katz showed a general method for constructing CCA-secure public key encryption (PKE) from any selective-ID CPA-secure identity-based encryption (IBE) schemes. Their approach treated IBE as a black box. Subsequently, Boyen, Mei, and Waters demonstrated how to build a direct CCA-secure PKE scheme from the Waters IBE scheme, which is adaptive-ID CPA secure. They made direct use of the underlying IBE structure, and required no cryptographic primitive other than the IBE scheme itself. However, their scheme requires long public key and the security reduction is loose. In this paper, we propose an efficient PKE scheme employing identity-based …

Probabilistic Public Key Encryption With Equality Test, Guomin Yang, Chik How Tan, Qiong Huang, Duncan S. Wong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We present a (probabilistic) public key encryption (PKE) scheme such that when being implemented in a bilinear group, anyone is able to check whether two ciphertexts are encryptions of the same message. Interestingly, bilinear map operations are not required in key generation, encryption or decryption procedures of the PKE scheme, but is only required when people want to do an equality test (on the encrypted messages) between two ciphertexts that may be generated using different public keys. We show that our PKE scheme can be used in different applications such as searchable encryption and partitioning encrypted data. Moreover, we show …

Uav Video Coverage Quality Maps And Prioritized Indexing For Wilderness Search And Rescue, Cameron Engh, Michael A. Goodrich, Bryan S. Morse

Faculty Publications

Video-equipped mini unmanned aerial vehicles (mini-UAVs) are becoming increasingly popular for surveillance, remote sensing, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations, all of which rely on thorough coverage of a target observation area. However, coverage is not simply a matter of seeing the area (visibility) but of seeing it well enough to allow detection of targets of interest, a quality we here call “see-ability”. Video flashlights, mosaics, or other geospatial compositions of the video may help place the video in context and convey that an area was observed, but not necessarily how well or how often. This paper presents a …

Medially: A Provenance-Aware Remote Health Monitoring Middleware, Atanu Roy Chowdhury, Ben Falchuk, Archan Misra

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper presents MediAlly, a middleware for supporting energy-efficient, long-term remote health monitoring. Data is collected using physiological sensors and transported back to the middleware using a smart phone. The key to MediAlly's energy efficient operations lies in the adoption of an Activity Triggered Deep Monitoring (ATDM) paradigm, where data collection episodes are triggered only when the subject is determined to possess a specified context. MediAlly supports the on-demand collection of contextual provenance using a novel low-overhead provenance collection sub-system. The behaviour of this sub-system is configured using an application-defined context composition graph. The resulting provenance stream provides valuable insight …

A Multi-Key Pirate Decoder Against Traitor Tracing Schemes, Yongdong Wu, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper we introduce an architecture for a multi-key pirate decoder which employs decryption keys from multiple traitors. The decoder has built-in monitoring and self protection functionalities and is capable of defeating most multiple-round based traitor tracing schemes such as the schemes based on the black-box confirmation method. In particular, the proposed pirate decoder is customized to defeat the private key and the public key fully collusion resistant traitor tracing (FTT) schemes, respectively. We show how the decoder prolongs a trace process so that the tracer has to give up his effort. FTT schemes are designed to identify all …

K-Anonymity In The Presence Of External Databases, Dimitris Sacharidis, Kyriakos Mouratidis, Dimitris Papadias

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The concept of k-anonymity has received considerable attention due to the need of several organizations to release microdata without revealing the identity of individuals. Although all previous k-anonymity techniques assume the existence of a public database (PD) that can be used to breach privacy, none utilizes PD during the anonymization process. Specifically, existing generalization algorithms create anonymous tables using only the microdata table (MT) to be published, independently of the external knowledge available. This omission leads to high information loss. Motivated by this observation we first introduce the concept of k-join-anonymity (KJA), which permits more effective generalization to reduce the …

On The Complexity Of Scheduling University Courses, April L. Lovelace

Master's Theses

It has often been said that the problem of creating timetables for scheduling university courses is hard, even as hard as solving an NP-Complete problem. There are many papers in the literature that make this assertion but rarely are precise problem definitions provided and no papers were found which offered proofs that the university course scheduling problem being discussed is NP-Complete.

This thesis defines a scheduling problem that has realistic constraints. It schedules professors to sections of courses they are willing to teach at times when they are available without overloading them. Both decision and optimization versions are precisely defined. …

Software Internationalization: A Framework Validated Against Industry Requirements For Computer Science And Software Engineering Programs, John Huân Vũ

Master's Theses

View John Huân Vũ's thesis presentation at http://youtu.be/y3bzNmkTr-c.

In 2001, the ACM and IEEE Computing Curriculum stated that it was necessary to address "the need to develop implementation models that are international in scope and could be practiced in universities around the world." With increasing connectivity through the internet, the move towards a global economy and growing use of technology places software internationalization as a more important concern for developers. However, there has been a "clear shortage in terms of numbers of trained persons applying for entry-level positions" in this area. Eric Brechner, Director of Microsoft Development Training, suggested …

Autonomous Satellite Operations For Cubesat Satellites, Jason Lionel Anderson

Master's Theses

In the world of educational satellites, student teams manually conduct operations daily, sending commands and collecting downlinked data. Educational satellites typically travel in a Low Earth Orbit allowing line of sight communication for approximately thirty minutes each day. This is manageable for student teams as the required manpower is minimal. The international Global Educational Network for Satellite Operations (GENSO), however, promises satellite contact upwards of sixteen hours per day by connecting earth stations all over the world through the Internet. This dramatic increase in satellite communication time is unreasonable for student teams to conduct manual operations and alternatives must be …

Constant Rmr Solutions To Reader Writer Synchronization, Vibhor Bhatt, Prasad Jayanti

Computer Science Technical Reports

We study Reader-Writer Exclusion, a well-known variant of the Mutual Exclusion problem where processes are divided into two classes--readers and writers--and multiple readers can be in the Critical Section (CS) at the same time, although no process may be in the CS at the same time as a writer. Since readers don't conflict with each other, they should not obstruct each other. Specifically, the concurrent entering property must be satisfied: if all writers are in the remainder section, each reader should be able to enter the CS in a bounded number of its own steps. Three versions of the Reader-Writer …

Biologically Inspired Computing: The Darpa Synapse Program & The Hierarchical Temporal Memory, Dan Hammerstrom

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

This presentation provides an update on biologically inspired computation. In particular, it focuses on two important developments in this area, the DARPA SyNAPSE program (Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics) and the HTM (Hierarchical Temporal Memory) being developed by Numenta.

The SyNAPSE Program’s ultimate goal is to build a low-power, compact electronic chip combining novel analog circuit design and a neuroscience-inspired architecture that can address a wide range of cognitive abilities: perception, planning, decision making and motor control. According to DARPA program manager Todd Hylton, “Our research progress in this area is unprecedented, No suitable electronic synaptic device that …

Design And Implementation Of A Podcast Recording Studio For Business Communications, Timothy W. Mclaughlin

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Podcasting is the creation of recorded information and its delivery over the Internet, using web syndication technology. Businesses around the world are increasing their use of podcasts as a means for delivering information to their customers and employees. The purpose of this project paper is to examine the business need for podcasting, and to demonstrate that businesses can assemble an inexpensive recording studio to create podcasts. The review of previous literature included an examination of why podcasting has become important to business communications; how some businesses are currently using podcasting as a communications tool; the technology involved in podcasting; and …

Develop Best Practices For Designing Internal Business Database-Driven Web Applications, Stephen C. Rash

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

When developing using newer technology, it is important for smaller information technology organizations to have universally accepted set of best practices to be able to successfully complete that type of endeavor. How can these universally accepted set of best practices be developed? Conducting research on accepted best practices can build the basis for your theories and assumptions. Next, in the context of your applications, develop an example application in the newer technology to test your theories and assumptions. Build the application like a construction project, the initial design is the blueprint, the database is the foundation and the user interface …

Participatory Action Research In Learning Commons Design Planning, Margaret Brown-Sica, Karen Sobel, Erika Rogers

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to document the process the Auraria Library went through to plan research methods to produce information for their learning commons project.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview and the results of one library’s planning methods using user-centered and participatory action research (PAR) principles. It includes a literature review and data gathered from several information gathering sessions. It also discusses useful resources and ideologies found outside the field of library science, such as “placemaking” and the concept of “third place.”

Findings – Adopting values that honor user-centered, evidence-based decision making is a …

Coset: Cooperative Set Last Level Caches, Dongyuan Zhan, Hong Jiang, Sharad Seth

School of Computing: Technical Reports

The speed gap between processors and DRAM remains a crit-ical performance bottleneck for contemporary computer systems, which necessitates an effective management of last level caches (LLC) to minimize expensive off-chip accesses. However, because all sets in a conventional set-associative cache design are statically assigned an equal number of blocks, the LLC capacity utilization can drastically diminish when the cache actually exhibits non-uniform capacity demands across the sets. To reveal the wide exis-tence of set-level non-uniformity of capacity demand in real appli-cations, this technical report first establishes an accurate metric for measuring individual sets’ capacity demands by developing a group of …

Evaluation And Development Of Selection Criteria To Guide Organizational Selection Of A Project Management Maturity Model, Diane Zandin

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Organizations wishing to measurably and continuously improve processes often look towards maturity models, such as OPM3 and CMMI, as their panacea. However, selecting the wrong model for the organizations goals and resources can result in project failure. This study, focusing on OPM3 and CMMI, proposes a guidance tool that can help organizations select the right maturity model. The study is framed in the state government context due to the complexity and relative insularity of that environment. In addition to being a limited based, state governments have several limiters that factor into project selection, namely budget and taxpayer transparency. Using several …

Designing Successful Online Courses - Part 2, Kathleen P. King

Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning

Once again, our major goal is to provide faculty with consistent guidance through the many instructional decisions and design steps they need to pursue in this process. This process is a fantastic opportunity to craft a virtual learning space in which people can engaging in learning beyond the constraints of time and space.

Five Strategies For Successful Writing Of Reports And Essays, Kathleen P. King

Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning

Many people cannot get started with their literary projects because they do not know where to start. In this brief article, I share insight from years of teaching students and professionals of all ages how to prepare professional work.

Studying The Performance Of Wireless Mesh Networks Using The Hxh Transport Control Protocol, Timothy Scott Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

As the need to remain connected increases, more and more people are turning to wireless mesh networks because they reduce the need for network infrastructure. Unfortunately, TCP does not perform well in such networks. HxH, an alternate protocol, has shown great promise in simulations, but since it relies on exploiting passive feedback, real measurements are needed to determine how effective the protocol really is. This thesis uses a measurement study on a wireless mesh network to characterize the performance of the HxH protocol in real-world networks. Several aspects of the HxH protocol do in fact perform well on real networks, …

Modeling And Visualization Of Cardiovascular Systems, Thomas Wischgoll

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Modeling complex organs, such as the human heart, requires a detailed understanding of the geometric and mechanical properties of that organ. Similarly, the model is only as accurate as the precision of the underlying properties allow. Hence, it is of great importance that accurate measurements of the geometric configuration are available. This paper describes the different steps that are necessary for creating and visualizing such a vascular model, ranging from determining a basic geometric model, gathering statistical data necessary to extend an existing model up to the visualization of the resulting large-scale vascular models.

Understanding Classification Decisions For Object Detection, Will Landecker, Michael David Thomure, Melanie Mitchell

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Computer vision systems are traditionally tested in the object detection paradigm. In these experiments, a vision system is asked whether or not a specific object--for example an animal--occurs in a given image. A system that often answers correctly is said to be very accurate. In this talk, we will discuss some ambiguity that exists in this measure of accuracy. We will also propose a new measure of object-detection accuracy that addresses some of this ambiguity, and apply this measure to the hierarchical "standard model" of visual cortex.

Design Of A Software Framework Prototype For Scientific Model Interoperability, Eric Fritzinger, Sohei Okamoto

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

19 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -What are models? -Mathematical models used to describe a system -E.g. Atmospheric, Oceanic, Ecological, etc… -Algorithmic calculations which take input and produce estimated results -Weather forecasting, global warming predictions, sea level estimations, etc… -Models are invaluable

Architecture And Usability Aspects Of Environmental Data Portals, Michael Mcmahon, Jr.

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

12 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -Web Portal: A web site that acts as a starting point or gateway to Internet content, services, and information. Portals expose this information via a consistent set of visual elements and organizational constructs that improve the user experience and may relate, unify, or otherwise enhance the content. -Data Portal: A web site that acts as a starting point or gateway to Internet content, web/data services, and related information. Portals expose this information via a consistent set of visual elements and organizational constructs that improve the user experience and relate, …

Survey Of Environmental Data Portals: Features, Characteristics, And Reliability Issues, Shahram Latifi, David Walker

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

24 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -What is a Data Portal? -Presents information from diverse sources in a unified way -Enables instant, reliable and secure exchange of information over the Web -The "portal" concept is to offer a single web page that aggregates content from several systems or servers.

Goals, Plans, And Strategies Of The Cyberinfrastructure Project Component, Sergiu Dascalu

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

15 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -Team -Goal and Targets -Strategies and Activities -Progress: Activities & Milestones -Plans

Research Poster: Software Frameworks For Improved Productivity In Climate Change Research, Sohei Okamoto

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

Research poster

Databases In Courts: The Kenyan Experience, Samwel Otieno Oyuuh

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

One of the most significant challenges faced by courts today is managing the performance of their case management system to meet growing case loads efficiently and effectively. There are many different types of technology to help in developing an electronic courtroom, but the underlying technology is the database. Databases are used by courts for maintaining case records, personnel and other court management data. But many conditions such as training and technological infrastructure need to be in place to support successful systems. This work presents the results of a survey of case management operations and practices in Kenya. Current state of …