Perceptual evaluation of color gamut mapping algorithms

The recommendation of the CIE has been followed as closely as possible to evaluate the accuracy of five color gamut mapping algorithms (GMAs)—two nonspatial and three spatial algorithms—by psychophysical experiments with 20 test images, 20 observers, one test done on paper and a second one on display. Even though the results do not show any overall “winner,” one GMA is definitely perceived as not accurate. The importance of a high number of test images to obtain robust evaluation is underlined by the high variability of the results depending on the test images. Significant correlations between the percentage of out‐of‐gamut pixels, the number of distinguishable pairs of GMAs, and the perceived difficulty to distinguish them have been found. The type of observers is also important. The experts, who prefer a spatial GMA, show a stronger consensus and look especially for a good rendering of details, whereas the nonexperts hardly make a difference between the GMAs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 470–476, 2008     

Automatic coding of dialogue acts in collaboration protocols

Although protocol analysis can be an important tool for researchers to investigate the process of collaboration and communication, the use of this method of analysis can be time consuming. Hence, an automatic coding procedure for coding dialogue acts was developed. This procedure helps to determine the communicative function of messages in online discussions by recognizing discourse markers and cue phrases in the utterances. Five main communicative functions are distinguished: argumentative, responsive, informative, elicitative, and imperative. A total of 29 different dialogue acts are specified and recognized automatically in collaboration protocols. The reliability of the automatic coding procedure was determined by comparing automatically coded dialogue acts to hand-coded dialogue acts by a human rater. The validity of the automatic coding procedure was examined using three different types of analyses. First, an examination of group differences was used (dialogue acts used by female versus male students). Ideally, the coding procedure should be able to distinguish between groups who are likely to communicate differently. Second, to examine the validity of the automatic coding procedure through examination of experimental intervention, the results of the automatic coding procedure of students, with access to a tool that visualizes the degree of participation of each student, were compared to students who did not have access to this tool. Finally, the validity of the automatic coding procedure of dialogue acts was examined using correlation analyses. Results of the automatic coding procedure of dialogue acts of utterances (form) were related to results of a manual coding procedure of the collaborative activities to which the utterances refer (content). The analyses presented in this paper indicate promising results concerning the reliability and validity of the automatic coding procedure for dialogue acts. However, limitations of the procedure were also found and discussed.     

Synthesis and properties of PDMS modified waterborne polyurethane–acrylic hybrid emulsion by solvent-free method

A new type of polysiloxane modified polyurethane–acrylic hybrid emulsion was synthesized by solvent-free method and the polysiloxane was introduced into the soft segment of polyurethane chains using dihydroxybutyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The formed film from the hybrid emulsion could provide obviously higher water-resistance property. The preparation technologies such as the content of carboxy group and acrylic monomer, the rate and the time of emulsification were discussed systematically. The chain structure and the particle size were confirmed by the analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The effect of PDMS content on the water resistance and the mechanical property were investigated by absorbed water ratio, water contact angle and dynamic mechanical measurement.     

Determination of the total concentration and speciation of Al(III) in tea infusions

The aluminium species in different tea infusions were investigated, by determining their stability constants and concentration. This was done for some particular samples using a simple experimental method based on the sorption of aluminium on the strongly sorbing resin Chelex 100, by a batch procedure. From the thermodynamic information obtained it is possible to calculate the concentration of the different species, and in particular that of the free metal ion, which is very important for evaluating the adsorption of aluminium on biological membranes. It was found that aluminium in the tea infusions here considered is present at high total concentration, approximately 0.1 mM, but mainly linked to strong complexes, for instance with side reaction coefficient higher than 10(5.11) at pH 3.95 in one case (tea 1). This could be the reason for the low toxicity of aluminium in tea. These strong complexes were not dissociated even in the presence of Chelex 100. In this case only a limiting value of the reaction coefficient could be evaluated. The presence of the very strong complexes was found in all the tea sample here considered. In two of the considered samples (one black and one green tea) a part of Al(III) was linked to less strong complexes, for example with a reaction coefficient 10(4.14) (tea 2, pH 4.20). The presence in the considered tea infusions of other substances able to complex aluminium was also detected, by the well known ligand titration procedure, at concentration ranging from 0.65 to 3.37 mM in three tea infusions, and at somewhat higher concentration in the case of the ready drink, which was also considered for comparison.     

Tuning fuzzy power-system stabilizers in multi-machine systems by global optimization algorithms based on efficient domain partitions

In this paper, the problem of global tuning of fuzzy power-system stabilizers (FPSSs) present in a multi-machine power system in order to damp the power system oscillations is considered. In particular, it is formulated as a problem of global minimization of a multiextremal black-box function over a multidimensional hyperinterval. A global optimization technique, recently proposed, is used for solving the stated problem: the search hyperinterval is partitioned into smaller hyperintervals and the objective function is evaluated only at two vertices corresponding to the main diagonal of the generated hyperintervals, thus avoiding unnecessary ponderous simulations. Then, the performances of this technique are numerically compared with ones of a genetic algorithm (GA).     

直接斜率波前复原算法的控制效果分析

建立自适应光学系统功率谱抑制函数的概念，分析了采用直接斜率波前复原算法的自适应当光学系统的控制效果，理论分析与６１单元自适应光学系统上的实验结果表明，直接斜率波前复原算法将导致控制效果下降。     

3^n阶矩阵乘法的分块算法

针对３＾ｎ阶矩阵的乘法运行，给出了一种分块算法，其乘法运行量比常规的矩阵乘法计算方法和补零的基－２算法都有所减少。     

THE ANALYSIS OF THE SEPARATED LAYERS ALGORITHM BY DOMAIN DECOMPOSITION METHOD

From the principle of of the Domain Decomposition Method (DDM), we analyse the 2nd-order linear elliptic partial differential problems and link the Separated-Layers Algorithm (SLA) with DDM. The mathematical properties of SLA and numerical example are presented to obtain satisfactory computation results. For general linear differential ones, also are the structure of SLA and its characteristics discussed.     

CAL delivery selection criteria and authoring systems

Abstract  In the past, authoring systems have been used to generate computer-assisted learning materials that have often followed the rather restrictive programmed learning format. A number of innovative ways of using recently developed systems to develop CAL packages that include a wider range of learning activities (access to data bases, simulations, interactive video, etc.) are described. Analogous to the concept of a media selection model, a computer delivery mode selection model is presented as an aid to decision making for designers. This increase in flexibility should broaden the applicability of computerassisted learning (CAL) to a wider range of educational objectives and raise the level of the cognitive emphasis in learning packages, as well as facilitate the implementation of visually appealing materials. The paper also implies a standard of acceptability for authoring systems.     

KNOWLEDGE-BASED FEATURE DISCOVERY FOR EVALUATION FUNCTIONS

Since Samuel's work on checkers over thirty years ago, much effort has been devoted to learning evaluation functions. However, all such methods are sensitive to the feature set chosen to represent the examples. If the features do not capture aspects of the examples significant for problem solving, the learned evaluation function may be inaccurate or inconsistent. Typically, good feature sets are carefully handcrafted and a great deal of time and effort goes into refining and tuning them. This paper presents an automatic knowledge-based method for generating features for evaluation functions. The feature set is developed iteratively: features are generated, then evaluated, and this information is used to develop new features in turn. Both the contribution of a feature and its computational expense are considered in determining whether and how to develop it further.
This method has been applied to two problem-solving domains: the Othello board game and the domain of telecommunications network management. Empirical results show that the method is able to generate many known features and several novel features and to improve concept accuracy in both domains.