Computer Sciences Commons^™

Visualizing Incongruity: Visual Data Mining Strategies For Modeling Humor In Text, Andrew Smigaj

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to investigate the use of visual data mining to model verbal humor. We explored various means of text visualization to identify key featrues of garden path jokes as compared with non jokes. With garden path jokes one interpretation is established in the setup but new information indicating some alternative interpretation triggers some resolution process leading to a new interpretation. For this project we visualize text in three novel ways, assisted by some web mining to build an informal ontology, that allow us to see the differences between garden path jokes and non jokes of …

Imitating The Brain: Autonomous Robots Harnessing The Power Of Artificial Neural Networks, Mohammad Khan

Computer Science Honors Papers

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) imitate biological neural networks, which can have billions of neurons with trillions of interconnections. The first half of this paper focuses on fully-connected ANNs and hardware neural networks. The latter half of this paper focuses on Deep Learning, a strategy in Artificial Intelligence based on massive ANN architectures. We focus on Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, some of which are capable of differentiating between thousands of objects by self-learning from millions of images. We complete research in two areas of focus within the field of ANNs, and we provide ongoing work for and recommend two more areas …

Performance Verification For Robot Missions In Uncertain Environments, Damian Lyons, Ron Arkin, Shu Jiang, Matt O'Brien, Feng Tang, Peng Tang

Faculty Publications

Abstract—Certain robot missions need to perform predictably in a physical environment that may have significant uncertainty. One approach is to leverage automatic software verification techniques to establish a performance guarantee. The addition of an environment model and uncertainty in both program and environment, however, means the state-space of a model-checking solution to the problem can be prohibitively large. An approach based on behavior-based controllers in a process-algebra framework that avoids state-space combinatorics is presented here. In this approach, verification of the robot program in the uncertain environment is reduced to a filtering problem for a Bayesian Network. Validation results …

Unboxing Cluster Heatmaps, Sophie J. Engle, S. Whalen, Alark Joshi, K. Pollard

Computer Science

Background: Cluster heatmaps are commonly used in biology and related fields to reveal hierarchical clusters in data matrices. This visualization technique has high data density and reveal clusters better than unordered heatmaps alone. However, cluster heatmaps have known issues making them both time consuming to use and prone to error. We hypothesize that visualization techniques without the rigid grid constraint of cluster heatmaps will perform better at clustering-related tasks.

Results: We developed an approach to “unbox” the heatmap values and embed them directly in the hierarchical clustering results, allowing us to use standard hierarchical visualization techniques as alternatives …

Transcription Through The Eye Of A Needle: Daily And Annual Cyclic Gene Expression Variation In Douglas-Fir Needles, Peter Dolan

Computer Science Publications

Background: Perennial growth in plants is the product of interdependent cycles of daily and annual stimuli that induce cycles of growth and dormancy. In conifers, needles are the key perennial organ that integrates daily and seasonal signals from light, temperature, and water availability. To understand the relationship between seasonal cycles and seasonal gene expression responses in conifers, we examined diurnal and circannual needle mRNA accumulation in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) needles at diurnal and circannual scales. Using mRNA sequencing, we sampled 6.1 × 109 reads from 19 trees and constructed a de novo pan-transcriptome reference that includes 173,882 tree-derived transcripts. Using …

A System To Monitor Cognitive Workload In Naturalistic High-Motion Environments, Bethany K. Bracken, Seth Elkin-Frankston, Noa Palmon, Michael Farry, Blaise De B Frederick

H-Workload 2017: Models and Applications (Works in Progress)

Across many careers, individuals face alternating periods of high and low attention and cognitive workload can impair cognitive function and undermine job performance. We have designed and are developing an unobtrusive system to Monitor, Extract, and Decode Indicators of Cognitive Workload (MEDIC) in naturalistic, high-motion environments. MEDIC is designed to warn individuals, teammates, or supervisors when steps should be taken to augment cognitive readiness. We first designed and manufactured a forehead sensor device that includes a custom fNIRS sensor and a three-axis accelerometer designed to be mounted on the inside of a baseball cap or headband, or standard issue gear …

Towards A Not Obtrusive Low Cost Biosystem To Assess Risk Perception In Workplace Through Stress Detection, Emanuele Bellini, Serena Benevenuti, Chiara Batistini

H-Workload 2017: Models and Applications (Works in Progress)

The main aim of the article is to build a method to assess risk perception in real time in order to early detect and prevent risk behaviors and possible human errors. To this end, the relation between mental workload and stress as critical factors affecting risk perception has been investigated. In particular the mental-physical activation generated by an increment of the workload has the effect of reducing the resources needed to perceive risk increasing the worker vulnerability. The complexity of the stress phenomenon suggested the adoption of an integrated view. The Functional Model has been adopted to for its holistic …

Reducing Peak Workload In The Cockpit: A Human In The Loop Simulation Evaluating New Runway Selection Tool, Tanja Bos, Rolf Zon, Wilfred Rouwhorst

H-Workload 2017: Models and Applications (Works in Progress)

In efforts to increase safety and reduce peak workload situations in the cockpit, a tool with a different interaction style was developed for use in case of a runway change instructed by Air Traffic Control during approach. In an experiment a workload comparison was made between the new tool and the conventional cockpit. Workload was measured by means of a self-rating after each experiment run, as well as eye blink frequency during each run. Results show that the self-rated workload decreases with the new tool for one of the two crew members and the blink frequency suggests a workload decrease …

Pop-Up Java: An Augmented Reality Mobile Game To Teach Java, Richard Myers

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference

As computers become more and more ubiquitous, it becomes increasingly important and prevalent to teach coding. Coding builds important life skills such as organization, higher order thinking, self-esteem, socialization and teamwork, among many others. However, learning the skills necessary to design and create an efficient program from scratch takes a lot of practice that can often be confusing and frustrating to newcomers.

There are a large number of programming languages in the world, each with their own merits. The TIOBE Programming Community Index calculates the popularity of programming languages by tallying search queries on major search engines, and shows that …

Levity Polymorphism (Extended Version), Richard A. Eisenberg, Simon Peyton Jones

Computer Science Faculty Research and Scholarship

Parametric polymorphism is one of the lynchpins of modern typed programming. A function that can work seamlessly over a variety of types simplifies code, helps to avoid errors introduced through duplication, and and is easy to maintain. However, polymorphism comes at a very real cost, one that each language with support for polymorphism has paid in different ways. This paper describes this cost, proposes a theoretically simple way to reason about the cost—that kinds, not types, are calling conventions—and details one approach to dealing with polymorphism that works in the context of a language, Haskell, that prizes both efficiency …

A Robust Framework For Mining Youtube Data, Zifeng Tian

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

YouTube is currently the most popular and successful video sharing website. As YouTube has broad and profound social impact, YouTube analytics has become a hot research area. The videos on YouTube have become a treasure of data. However, getting access to the immense and massive YouTube data is a challenge. Previous research, studies, and analysis so far, are only conducted on very small volumes of YouTube video data. To date, there exists no mechanism to systematically and continuously collect, process and store the rich set of YouTube data. This thesis presents a methodology to systematically and continuously mine and store …

Helping Businesses Embrace Transformational Technology, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Research from the SMU School of Information Systems is helping institutions understand both the benefits and risks of real-time business transactions.

Professor Ma, together with SIS colleagues Professors Robert Kauffman, Guo Zhiling and Mei Lin, are investigators on a project studying the feasibility of implementing real-time payment and settlement systems.

See the paper:

• Near real-time retail payment and settlement systems mechanism design
• Mechanism design for near real-time retail payment and settlement systems

Harnessing Technology To Improve The Consumer Experience, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Professor Guo Zhiling is studying the impact of information technology on consumer behaviour and business strategy.

See the papers:

• Assessing the impact of recommendation agents on on-line consumer unplanned purchase behavior
• Assessing the moderating effect of consumer product knowledge and online shopping experience on using recommendation agents for customer loyalty

Walking Firms Through It Decisions, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Is it better to be an early adopter or wait till the technology matures? Professor Ma Dan helps companies make data-driven decisions.

See the papers:

• The pricing strategy analysis for the Software-as-a-Service business model
• Cloud services from a consumer perspective.

Using Smartphones To Turn Cities Into Innovation Engines, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Can smartphones improve our quality of life and make cities run more efficiently? Professor Rajesh Balan is working towards this vision.

See the papers:

• Real-time trip information service for a large taxi fleet
• Smartwatch based food diary and eating analytics
• Need accurate user behaviour?: Pay attention to groups!

Pushing Boundaries In Software Analytics, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Professor David Lo is working to push the boundaries of what can be done by analysing huge amounts of software data.

See the papers:

• AutoQuery: Automatic construction of dependency queries for code search
• Information retrieval and spectrum based bug localization: Better together

Keeping Data Safe From Prying Eyes, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

An expert in information security research, Professor Robert Deng is constantly trying to beat hackers at their own game.

See the papers:

• Launching generic attacks on iOS with approved third-party applications
• Universally composable RFID mutual authentication
• Attribute-based cloud storage with secure provenance over encrypted data

Smart Homes Enhance Seniors’ Safety, Singapore Management University

Research@SMU: Connecting the Dots

Professor Tan Hwee Pink and researchers at iCity Lab are using sensors to increase the safety of seniors who live independently in their own homes.

See the papers:

• Online detection of behavioral change using unobtrusive eldercare monitoring system
• Improving the sensitivity of unobtrusive inactivity detection in sensor-enabled homes for the elderly
• SHINESeniors: Personalized services for active ageing-in-place

Mass Transfer Effects Of Particle Size On Brewing Espresso, Sichen Zhong, Lauren Elizabeth Stork

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Research Publications

The extraction process for coffee is complicated due to the nature of the coffee. In this paper, we studied the particle size distribution for coffee grinds and further analyzed that with the help of an inverted microscope and a scanning electron microscope. We drew a conclusion that the coffee grinds can be divided into two parts: cell fragments with smaller particles size and intact coffee cells with larger particles. The intact coffee cell was found to be a porous media. Therefore, we tried to brew the espresso with both normal grind size coffee and sieved coffee to study the extraction …

Raspberry Pi Sensor Array, Justin J. Taylor, Shawn Daley, Matthew E. Wise

CUP Undergraduate Research

The Raspberry Pi is a fully operational, credit card sized computer that costs $40. When a monitor and keyboard are connected, it can perform any task that a desktop computer can accomplish. The Raspberry Pi uses Linux based operating systems which can be easy to use and learn. Integrating the Pi into projects is made easy by connecting specific hardware components and programming them with the Python computer language. Python is widely used by many companies including Google and Reddit. The Pi is faster and more user-friendly than similar boards such as Arduino. Additionally, there are online support forums from …

Swedish Immigrant Trail Game Report, Dr. Forrest Stonedahl

Swenson Center Faculty Research Stipend Reports

During the 2017-2018 academic year, I led a collaborative interdisciplinary project to develop a historical fiction video game focused on the Swedish immigration story. With bristling debates over modern immigration in national and international politics, it seems more important than ever for us to look to history to understand the immigrant experience, both at a personal level (immigrants' lives and stories), and at a broader cultural and economic level to understand the impact they have had on our nation, and that our nation has had on them.

Virtuo-Its: An Interactive Tutoring System To Teach Virtual Memory Concepts Of An Operating System, Venkata Krishna Kanth Musunuru

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Interactive tutoring systems are software applications that help individuals to learn difficult concepts. They can allow students to interact with ideas from essential mathematics to more complicated subjects like software engineering. This thesis concentrates on one such interactive tutoring system (ITS) designed for teaching concepts related to operating system virtual memory. Operating system concepts can be troublesome to learn without having someone or something to explain them. Even when an instructor is able to provide detailed explanations, it is still exceptionally difficult for students without a computer science foundation to comprehend these concepts. Students require a sophisticated set of mental …

Intelligent Tutoring System Effects On The Learning Process, Ali Talib Qasim Al-Aqbi

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The traditional education systems that have been used for several centuries have evolved very slowly and might be ineffective for addressing diverse learning styles and levels of preparation. This system is characterized by many students interacting with a single teacher, who is unable to address the individual needs of every student. Therefore, some students can become frustrated and fail to reach their educational potential. An Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), which is a computer application used to provide students with one-to-one supplemental tutoring tailored to the student's learning style and pace, is of interest to educators for improving student learning. To …

Collaboratively Detecting Http-Based Distributed Denial Of Service Attack Using Software Defined Network, Ademola A. Ikusan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, there have been a lot of attacks on the web servers of critical companies and organization. As much as these organizations tighten their security, it always tends not to be enough to stop all the attacks towards their servers. These attack vectors are so difficult to stop because of the technicalities behind the attack. Furthermore, there are different classes of distributed denial of service(DDoS) attacks such as the high rates (SYN Flood attacks, ARP Flood attacks, etc), low-rate(HTTP-GET, HTTP-POST). Although there are different ways to stop high rate DDoS attacks by traffic sampling and detecting malformed packets …

Finding Street Gang Member Profiles On Twitter, Lakshika Balasuriya

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The crime and violence street gangs introduce into neighborhoods is a growing epidemic in cities around the world. Today, over 1.4 million people, belonging to more than 33,000 gangs, are active in the United States, of which 88% identify themselves as being members of a street gang. With the recent popularity of social media, street gang members have established online presences coinciding with their physical occupation of neighborhoods. Recent studies report that approximately 45% of gang members participate in online offending activities such as threatening, harassing individuals, posting violent videos or attacking someone on the street for something they said …

Model Preparation And User Interface Aspects For Microsoft Hololens Medical Tutorial Applications, Andrew J. Mcnutt

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Augmented Reality (AR) is the combination of computer vision and graphics to allow a device to derive context about the environment and to display relevant information to the user. The Microsoft Hololens is the latest wearable AR device that includes a series of infrared sensors to perform hand tracking and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, a wave guide optics system to project holograms, and an independent untethered operating system. This thesis will explore the hardware and software capabilities of the device, prepare 3D graphical models, and understand the user interface. Specifically, in our research the target application is a tutorial on …

Which Value X Best Represents A Sample X1, ..., Xn: Utility-Based Approach Under Interval Uncertainty, Andrzej Pownuk, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many practical situations, we have several estimates x₁, ..., x_n of the same quantity x. In such situations, it is desirable to combine this information into a single estimate x. Often, the estimates come with interval uncertainty, i.e., instead of the exact values x_i, we only know the intervals [x_i] containing these values. In this paper, we formalize the problem of finding the combined estimate x as the problem of maximizing the corresponding utility, and we provide an efficient (quadratic-time) algorithm for computing the resulting estimate.

Establishing A-Priori Performance Guarantees For Robot Missions That Include Localization Software, Damian Lyons, Ron Arkin, Shu Jiang, Matt O'Brien, Feng Tang, Peng Tang

Faculty Publications

One approach to determining whether an automated system is performing correctly is to monitor its performance, signaling when the performance is not acceptable; another approach is to automatically analyze the possible behaviors of the system a-priori and determine performance guarantees. Thea authors have applied this second approach to automatically derive performance guarantees for behaviorbased, multi-robot critical mission software using an innovative approach to formal verification for robotic software. Localization and mapping algorithms can allow a robot to navigate well in an unknown environment. However, whether such algorithms enhance any specific robot mission is currently a matter for empirical validation. Several …

Review Of Trends In Health Social Media Analysis, Liliya Akhtyamova, Mikhail Alexandrov, John Cardiff

Conference Papers

This paper surveys recent publications (2008-2017) on using social media data to study public health. The survey describes the main topics being discussed in forums and presents short information about methods and tools used for analysis health social media. We put especial attention on adverse drug reaction detection problem (ADR).

Adverse Drug Extraction In Twitter Data Using Convolutional Neural Network, Liliya Akhtyamova, John Cardiff, Mikhail Alexandrov

Conference Papers

The study of health-related topics on social media has become a useful tool for the early detection of the different adverse medical conditions. In particular, it concerns cases related to the treatment of mental diseases, as the effects of medications here often prove to be unpredictable. In our research, we use convolutional neural networks (CNN) with word2vec embedding to classify user comments on Twitter. The aim of the classification is to reveal adverse drug reactions of users. The results obtained are highly promising, showing the overall usefulness of neural network algorithms in this kind of tasks.