Computer Sciences Commons^™

Privacycanary: Privacy-Aware Recommenders With Adaptive Input Obfuscation, Thivya Kandappu, Arik Friedman, Roksan Borelli, Vijay Sivaraman

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Recommender systems are widely used by online retailers to promote products and content that are most likely to be of interest to a specific customer. In such systems, users often implicitly or explicitly rate products they have consumed, and some form of collaborative filtering is used to find other users with similar tastes to whom the products can be recommended. While users can benefit from more targeted and relevant recommendations, they are also exposed to greater risks of privacy loss, which can lead to undesirable financial and social consequences. The use of obfuscation techniques to preserve the privacy of user …

Review Synthesis For Micro-Review Summarization, Thanh-Son Nguyen, Hady W. Lauw, Panayiotis Tsaparas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Micro-reviews is a new type of user-generated content arising from the prevalence of mobile devices and social media in the past few years. Micro-reviews are bite-size reviews (usually under 200 characters), commonly posted on social media or check-in services, using a mobile device. They capture the immediate reaction of users, and they are rich in information, concise, and to the point. However, the abundance of micro-reviews, and their telegraphic nature make it increasingly difficult to go through them and extract the useful information, especially on a mobile device. In this paper, we address the problem of summarizing the micro-reviews of …

Bridging The Vocabulary Gap Between Health Seekers And Healthcare Knowledge, Liqiang Nie, Yiliang Zhao, Akbari Mohammad, Jialie Shen, Tat-Seng Chua

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The vocabulary gap between health seekers and providers has hindered the cross-system operability and the interuser reusability. To bridge this gap, this paper presents a novel scheme to code the medical records by jointly utilizing local mining and global learning approaches, which are tightly linked and mutually reinforced. Local mining attempts to code the individual medical record by independently extracting the medical concepts from the medical record itself and then mapping them to authenticated terminologies. A corpus-aware terminology vocabulary is naturally constructed as a byproduct, which is used as the terminology space for global learning. Local mining approach, however, may …

Will This Be Quick? A Case Study Of Bug Resolution Times Across Industrial Projects, Subhajit Datta, Prasanth Lade

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Resolution of problem tickets is a source of significant revenue in the worldwide software services industry. Due to the high volume of problem tickets in any large scale customer engagement, automated techniques are necessary to segregate related incoming tickets into groups. Existing techniques focus on this classification problem. In this paper, we present a case study built around the position that predicting the category of resolution times within a class of tickets and also the actual resolution times, is strongly beneficial to ticket resolution. We present an approach based on topic analysis to predict the category of resolution times of …

On Processing Reverse K-Skyband And Ranked Reverse Skyline Queries, Yunjun Gao, Qing Liu, Baihua Zheng, Mou Li, Gang Chen, Qing Li

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, for the first time, we identify and solve the problem of efficient reverse k-skyband (RkSB) query processing. Given a set P of multi-dimensional points and a query point q, an RkSB query returns all the points in P whose dynamic k-skyband contains q. We formalize RkSB retrieval, and then propose five algorithms for computing the RkSB of an arbitrary query point efficiently. Our methods utilize a conventional data-partitioning index (e.g., R-tree) on the dataset, and employ pre-computation, reuse and pruning techniques to boost the query efficiency. In addition, we extend our solutions to tackle an interesting variant …

Simapp: A Framework For Detecting Similar Mobile Applications By Online Kernel Learning, Ning Chen, Steven C. H. Hoi, Shaohua Li, Xiaokui Xiao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

With the popularity of smart phones and mobile devices, the number of mobile applications (a.k.a. "apps") has been growing rapidly. Detecting semantically similar apps from a large pool of apps is a basic and important problem, as it is beneficial for various applications, such as app recommendation, app search, etc. However, there is no systematic and comprehensive work so far that focuses on addressing this problem. In order to fill this gap, in this paper, we explore multi-modal heterogeneous data in app markets (e.g., description text, images, user reviews, etc.), and present "SimApp" -- a novel framework for detecting similar …

Use Of A High-Value Social Audience Index For Target Audience Identification On Twitter, Siaw Ling Lo, David Cornforth, Raymond. Chiong

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

With the large and growing user base of social media, it is not an easy feat to identify potential customers for business. This is mainly due to the challenge of extracting commercially viable contents from the vast amount of free-form conversations. In this paper, we analyse the Twitter content of an account owner and its list of followers through various text mining methods and segment the list of followers via an index. We have termed this index as the High-Value Social Audience (HVSA) index. This HVSA index enables a company or organisation to devise their marketing and engagement plan according …

An Overview Of Steganography For The Computer Forensics Examiner (Updated Version, February 2015), Gary C. Kessler

Publications

"Steganography is the art of covered or hidden writing. The purpose of steganography is covert communication-to hide the existence of a message from a third party. This paper is intended as a high-level technical introduction to steganography for those unfamiliar with the field. It is directed at forensic computer examiners who need a practical understanding of steganography without delving into the mathematics, although references are provided to some of the ongoing research for the person who needs or wants additional detail. Although this paper provides a historical context for steganography, the emphasis is on digital applications, focusing on hiding information …

Con-Resistant Trust For Improved Reliability In A Smart Grid Special Protection System, Crystal M. Shipman, Kenneth M. Hopkinson, Juan L. Lopez Jr.

Faculty Publications

This paper applies a con-resistant trust mechanism to improve the performance of a communications-based special protection system to enhance its effectiveness and resiliency. Smart grids incorporate modern information technologies to increase reliability and efficiency through better situational awareness. However, with the benefits of this new technology come the added risks associated with threats and vulnerabilities to the technology and to the critical infrastructure it supports. The research in this paper uses con-resistant trust to quickly identify malicious or malfunctioning (untrustworthy) protection system nodes to mitigate instabilities. The con-resistant trust mechanism allows protection system nodes to make trust assessments based on …

Semi-Modular Delay Model Revisited In Context Of Relative Timing, Hoon Park, Anping He, Marly Roncken, Xiaoyu Song

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A new definition of semi-modularity to accommodate relative timing constraints in self-timed circuits is presented. While previous definitions ignore such constraints, the new definition takes them into account. The difference on a design solution for a well-known speed-independent circuit implementation of the Muller C element and a set of relative timing constraints that renders the implementation hazard free is illustrated. The old definition produces a false semi-modularity conflict that cannot exist due to the set of imposed constraints. The new definition correctly accepts the solution.

Design And Analysis Of Algorithms For Similarity Search Based On Intrinsic Dimension, Xiguo Ma

Dissertations

One of the most fundamental operations employed in data mining tasks such as classification, cluster analysis, and anomaly detection, is that of similarity search. It has been used in numerous fields of application such as multimedia, information retrieval, recommender systems and pattern recognition. Specifically, a similarity query aims to retrieve from the database the most similar objects to a query object, where the underlying similarity measure is usually expressed as a distance function.

The cost of processing similarity queries has been typically assessed in terms of the representational dimension of the data involved, that is, the number of features used …

Location Reliability And Gamification Mechanisms For Mobile Crowd Sensing, Manoop Talasila

Dissertations

People-centric sensing with smart phones can be used for large scale sensing of the physical world by leveraging the sensors on the phones. This new type of sensing can be a scalable and cost-effective alternative to deploying static wireless sensor networks for dense sensing coverage across large areas. However, mobile people-centric sensing has two main issues: 1) Data reliability in sensed data and 2) Incentives for participants. To study these issues, this dissertation designs and develops McSense, a mobile crowd sensing system which provides monetary and social incentives to users.

This dissertation proposes and evaluates two protocols for location reliability …

Adaptive Global Optimization Algorithms, William Phillips

Dissertations

Global optimization is concerned with finding the minimum value of a function where many local minima may exist. The development of a global optimization algorithm may involve using information about the target function (e.g., differentiability) and functions based on statistical models to better the worst case time complexity and expected error of similar deterministic algorithms.

Recent algorithms are investigated, new ones proposed and their performance is analyzed. Minimum, maximum and average case error bounds for the algorithms presented are derived. Software architecture implemented with MATLAB and Java is presented and experimental results for the algorithms are displayed.

The graphical capabilities …

Enabling Virtualization Technologies For Enhanced Cloud Computing, Kashifuddin Qazi

Dissertations

Cloud Computing is a ubiquitous technology that offers various services for individual users, small businesses, as well as large scale organizations. Data-center owners maintain clusters of thousands of machines and lease out resources like CPU, memory, network bandwidth, and storage to clients. For organizations, cloud computing provides the means to offload server infrastructure and obtain resources on demand, which reduces setup costs as well as maintenance overheads. For individuals, cloud computing offers platforms, resources and services that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

At the core of cloud computing are various virtualization technologies and the resulting Virtual Machines (VMs). Virtualization …

Local Selection Of Features And Its Applications To Image Search And Annotation, Jichao Sun

Dissertations

In multimedia applications, direct representations of data objects typically involve hundreds or thousands of features. Given a query object, the similarity between the query object and a database object can be computed as the distance between their feature vectors. The neighborhood of the query object consists of those database objects that are close to the query object. The semantic quality of the neighborhood, which can be measured as the proportion of neighboring objects that share the same class label as the query object, is crucial for many applications, such as content-based image retrieval and automated image annotation. However, due to …

Rice And Mouse Quantitative Phenotype Prediction In Genome-Wide Association Studies With Support Vector Regression, Abdulrhman Fahad M. Aljouie

Theses

Quantitative phenotypes prediction from genotype data is significant for pathogenesis, crop yields, and immunity tests. The scientific community conducted many studies to find unobserved quantitative phenotype high predictive ability models. Early genome-wide association studies (GWAS) focused on genetic variants that are associated with disease or phenotype, however, these variants manly covers small portion of the whole genetic variance, and therefore, the effectiveness of predictions obtained using this information may possibly be circumscribed [ 1 ].

Instead, this study shows prediction ability from whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) data of 1940 genotyped stoke mouse with - 12k SNPs, and 413 …

Cancer Risk Prediction With Next Generation Sequencing Data Using Machine Learning, Nihir Patel

Theses

The use of computational biology for next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis is rapidly increasing in genomics research. However, the effectiveness of NGS data to predict disease abundance is yet unclear. This research investigates the problem in the whole exome NGS data of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) available at dbGaP. Initially, raw reads from samples are aligned to the human reference genome using burrows wheeler aligner. From the samples, structural variants, namely, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and Insertion Deletion (INDEL) are identified and are filtered using SAMtools as well as with Genome Analyzer Tool Kit (GATK). Subsequently, the variants are …

A Defeasible Reasoning Framework For Human Mental Workload Representation And Assessment, Luca Longo

Conference papers

Human mental workload (MWL) has gained importance in the last few decades as an important design concept. It is a multifaceted complex construct mainly applied in cognitive sciences and has been defined in many different ways. Although measuring MWL has potential advantages in interaction and interface design, its formalisation as an operational and computational construct has not sufficiently been addressed. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing an extensible framework built upon defeasible reasoning, and implemented with argumentation theory (AT), in which MWL can be better defined, measured, analysed, explained and applied in different human–computer interactive contexts. …

Mapping Legume Roots Can Determine Best Performing Crops, Frédérique C. Guinel

Clear Language Summaries

Legume plants have a mutually beneficial relationship with bacteria. These beneficial bacteria live in nodules found on plant roots. Until recently there was no way to systematically measure the roots the nodules are found on and to place accurately the nodules on these roots. The research team created software and a method to measure multiple root parameters which were not available previously. This allows different plant varieties to be compared with precise measurements of the root structure in order to figure out which plants will grow better.

Online Security, Cryptography, And Quantum Computing, Lynn Ziegler

Forum Lectures

Most secure online transactions are handled using RSA encryption for key exchange to prevent interception of private information like credit card numbers, bank accounts, etc. Unfortunately, development of quantum computers could break RSA (and other encryption systems). I will speak about the problem and potential solutions if quantum computers become available.

The Effect Of Computerized Cognitive Training On The Working Memory And Mathematics Achievement Of Low Achievers, Shalette Ashman-East

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Computerized cognitive training is recognized as an appropriate tool in enhancing working memory in individuals with and without physical limitations. Previous researchers have examined the application of computerized cognitive training in stroke patients, children suffering from ADHD, and older adults. Presently, there is a lack of controlled studies regarding computerized cognitive training in low-achieving primary school students. The goal of this study was to examine the interactions among working memory, computerized cognitive training and academic achievement. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether low-achieving primary school students would significantly improve their mathematics achievement (as measured by the Grade Four Literacy …

Dynamic Game-Theoretic Models To Determine The Value Of Intrusion Detection Systems In The Face Of Uncertainty, David Paul Moured

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Firms lose millions of dollars every year to cyber-attacks and the risk to these companies is growing exponentially. The threat to monetary and intellectual property has made Information Technology (IT) security management a critical challenge to firms. Security devices, including Intrusion Detections Systems (IDS), are commonly used to help protect these firms from malicious users by identifying the presence of malicious network traffic. However, the actual value of these devices remains uncertain among the IT security community because of the costs associated with the implementation of different monitoring strategies that determine when to inspect potentially malicious traffic and the costs …

Design And Development Of A Framework For Traffic Management In A Global Manufacturing Enterprise: The American Standard Case Study, Nathaniel J. Melby

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Managed Bandwidth Services (MBSs) use Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees to effectively control traffic flows and reduce network delay. In the past, the provision of MBS in a global manufacturing enterprise was a difficult task for network administrators. However, advances in recently emerging technologies, such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS), Integrated Services (IntServ), Differentiated Services (DiffServ), and Constraint-based Routing (CBR), hold promise to make MBS implementation more manageable. QoS technologies, such as DiffServ and IntServ, offer the benefits of better application performance and delivery of reliable network service. As a consequence of network traffic loads, …

Grafalgo - A Library Of Graph Algorithms And Supporting Data Structures, Jonathan Turner

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

This report provides an overview of Grafalgo, an open-source library of graph algorithms and the data structures used to implement them. The programs in this library were originally written to support a graduate class in advanced data structures and algorithms at Washington University. Because the code's primary purpose was pedagogical, it was written to be as straightforward as possible, while still being highly efficient. Grafalgo is implemented in C++ and incorporates some features of C++11. The library is available on an open-source basis and may be downloaded from https://code.google.com/p/grafalgo/. Source code documentation is at www.arl.wustl.edu/~jst/doc/grafalgo. While not designed as production …

Gathering The Requirements For A Mobile Device Tutorial For Older Adults, Michele A. Washington

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The United States, as well as other nations, is experiencing an increase in the older adult population. As a result of older adults living longer, mobile devices can be a major component in improving older adults' quality of life. However, older adults may encounter difficulties when using the mobile devices. This research examined the requirements in addressing the needs of older adults when using a mobile device. Specifically, the research focused on gathering the task and feature requirements for a mobile device tutorial for older adults. The approach was accomplished by the development of a mobile device questionnaire, which was …

Digital Forensics Tool Interface Visualization, Roberto A. Altiero

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Recent trends show digital devices utilized with increasing frequency in most crimes committed. Investigating crime involving these devices is labor-intensive for the practitioner applying digital forensics tools that present possible evidence with results displayed in tabular lists for manual review. This research investigates how enhanced digital forensics tool interface visualization techniques can be shown to improve the investigator's cognitive capacities to discover criminal evidence more efficiently. This paper presents visualization graphs and contrasts their properties with the outputs of The Sleuth Kit (TSK) digital forensic program. Exhibited is the textual-based interface proving the effectiveness of enhanced data presentation. Further demonstrated …

Advantages Of A Finite Extensible Nonlinear Elastic Potential In Lattice Boltzmann Simulations, Tai-Hsien Wu, Dewei Qi

The Hilltop Review

A new structure, generalized lattice nonlinear spring model (GLNSM), which adopts non-linear FENE-LJ potential instead of harmonic potential, has been coupled with lattice Boltzmann simulation for solving fluid-solid interaction problem. In this article, a significant work is the relationship between the GLNSM (FENE-LJ potential) and Young’s modulus has been described in detail. A validation has also been presented to prove that GLNSM is reliable.

Wi-Fi Location Determination For Semantic Locations, Keith J. Kelley

The Hilltop Review

In Wi-Fi location determination literature, little attention is paid to locations that do not have numeric, geometric coordinates, though many users prefer the convenience of non-coordinate locations (consider the ease of giving a street address as opposed to giving latitude and longitude). It is not often easy to tell from the title or abstract of a Wi-Fi location determination article whether or not it has applicability to semantic locations such as room-level names. This article surveys the literature through 2011 on Wi-Fi localization for symbolic locations.

A Comparative Study Of Email Forensic Tools, Vamshee Krishna Devendran, Hossain Shahriar, Victor Clincy

Faculty Articles

Over the last decades, email has been the major carrier for transporting spam and malicious contents over the network. Email is also the primary source of numerous criminal activities on the Internet. Computer Forensics is a systematic process to retain and analyze saved emails for the purpose of legal proceedings and other civil matters. Email analysis is challenging due to not only various fields that can be forged by hackers or malicious users, but also the flexibility of composing, editing, deleting of emails using offline (e.g., MS Outlook) or online (e.g., Web mail) email applications. Towards this direction, a number …

Static Conflict Detection For A Policy Language, Alix Trou, Robert Dockins, Andrew Tolmach

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present a static control flow analysis used in the Simple Unified Policy Programming Language (SUPPL) compiler to detect internally inconsistent policies. For example, an access control policy can decide to both “allow” and “deny” access for a user; such an inconsistency is called a conflict. Policies in Suppl. follow the Event-Condition-Action paradigm; predicates are used to model conditions and event handlers are written in an imperative way. The analysis is twofold; it first computes a superset of all conflicts by looking for a combination of actions in the event handlers that might violate a user-supplied definition of conflicts. SMT …