Spoken content retrieval: A survey of techniques and technologies

Speech media, that is, digital audio and video containing spoken content, has blossomed in recent years. Large collections are accruing on the Internet as well as in private and enterprise settings. This growth has motivated extensive research on techniques and technologies that facilitate reliable indexing and retrieval. Spoken content retrieval (SCR) requires the combination of audio and speech processing technologies with methods from information retrieval (IR). SCR research initially investigated planned speech structured in document-like units, but has subsequently shifted focus to more informal spoken content produced spontaneously, outside of the studio and in conversational settings. This survey provides an overview of the field of SCR encompassing component technologies, the relationship of SCR to text IR and automatic speech recognition and user interaction issues. It is aimed at researchers with backgrounds in speech technology or IR who are seeking deeper insight on how these fields are integrated to support research and development, thus addressing the core challenges of SCR

User experiences of TORPEDO: TOoltip-poweRed Phishing Email DetectiOn

We propose a concept called TORPEDO to improve phish detection by providing just-in-time and just-in-place trustworthy tooltips. These help people to identify phish links embedded in emails. TORPEDO's tooltips contain the actual URL with the domain highlighted. Link activation is delayed for a short period, giving the person time to inspect the URL before they click on a link. Furthermore, TORPEDO provides an information diagram to explain phish detection. We evaluated TORPEDO's effectiveness, as compared to the worst case “status bar” as provided by other Web email interfaces. People using TORPEDO performed significantly better in detecting phishes and identifying legitimate emails (85.17% versus 43.31% correct answers for phish). We then carried out a field study with a number of TORPEDO users to explore actual user experiences of TORPEDO. We conclude the paper by reporting on the outcome of this field study and suggest improvements based on the feedback from the field study participants

Three applications of augmented reality technologies in structural engineering education

In technology terms, a real environment or personal space that is altered with digital media, such as images, is termed Augmented Reality (A.R.). From 2020 onwards, the next big thing in the technology sector will be A.R. The purpose of the current paper was to get ahead of the technology curve and develop applications of A.R. which could be used within structural engineering education both now and in the future. Three applications are presented. The first was a walking map/tour of Manchester and its buildings and bridges, whereby, at each stop, the tour is augmented with explanatory videos showing, amongst other things, structural load paths superimposed onto the actual structure. The second application was a structural engineering laboratory exercise that was augmented with videos explaining how to set up and use the apparatus from start to finish. The intention was to replace Lecturer/Technician assistance and make the exercise self-supporting. The final application used 360° video footage of a real construction site that was augmented with H&S/C.D.M. information. A unique 360° media suite at the University of Salford was used to display the video footage, which aided group work and also had a gaming element to the exercise whereby an X-box style controller was used to ‘point and shoot’ at perceived hazards and, if correct, pop ups would be revealed which would give mitigation measures and C.D.M. information. Quantative and qualitative means were used to measure the effectiveness of each application, with the general conclusion that further and continual refinement of the A.R. content would enhance effectiveness. There were no qualitative comments on the effectiveness of the technology, which implies that participants had few concerns about using the technology. There is promising potential of applying A.R. in structural engineering education in the future

Deliverable D2.7 Final Linked Media Layer and Evaluation

This deliverable presents the evaluation of content annotation and content enrichment systems that are part of the final tool set developed within the LinkedTV consortium. The evaluations were performed on both the Linked News and Linked Culture trial content, as well as on other content annotated for this purpose. The evaluation spans three languages: German (Linked News), Dutch (Linked Culture) and English. Selected algorithms and tools were also subject to benchmarking in two international contests: MediaEval 2014 and TAC’14. Additionally, the Microposts 2015 NEEL Challenge is being organized with the support of LinkedTV

European Parliament Preparatory Action: "Actual and desired state of the economic potential in regions outside the Greek capital Athens" Final Report

This is the final report of the European Parliament Preparatory Action: "Actual and desired state of the economic potential in regions outside the Greek capital Athens" (hereafter Preparatory Action or PA). It reviews the key activities of this preparatory action, its impacts, the remaining barriers to RIS3 implementation and presents a perspective on the way forward. Providing hands-on support to the refinement and implementation of the RIS3 strategy in the Greek Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh) has entailed the following activities: • Mutual learning: this has at core element of the preparatory action, and has offered a unique opportunity to all the stakeholders involved to share experiences and build a common understanding of RIS3, its potential and the real challenges to its implementation. • Optimisation of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) – the design, implementation and adaptation of a systematic participatory methodology for the EDP, centred on thematic focus groups. These events enabled the generation and articulation of innovation ideas and initiated the first necessary steps towards concrete projects. • Capacity building - two dedicated working groups were organised: one centred on issues of human resources mobility and one on RIS3 governance. Relevant stakeholders, under the guidance of an expert, discussed and formulated plans on how to tackle the different challenges at stake. • Identification of bottlenecks and systemic failures in RIS3 implementation - the region has good potential for diversification, but faces a wide set of legal and administrative barriers, which need to be addressed to enable the allocation of structural funds and other resources to support RIS3 implementation in an optimal way. • Communication and codification of activities - with the aim of replicating or adapting the activities of the preparatory action and the emerging learning opportunities for other regions, outcomes of all the events have been published on-line, as have methodological guidelines for the EDP process. Furthermore, further publications from these activities are foreseen in the near future. • Supporting tools for internationalisation and collaboration. The preparatory action has developed a set of online resources that aim at guiding the region in increasing its international outlook to RIS3 and its collaboration between research and industry. The Preparatory Action generated some very concrete impacts on the regions, among which the main ones are: • The mobilisation of a critical mass of researchers and business people (600+ people), which actively participated to the EDP focus groups and PDL events. This bottom-up process has increased mutual trust, created a 'momentum' in initiating change and increased the understanding of what RIS3 can contribute to this change. • The appreciation of networking and research-business collaboration across stakeholders and especially between research and business. Indeed, some informal networks have been organised, for instance in the wine and marble sector. • The creation of an action plan for both RIS3 governance and mobility of human resources. • Both the Managing Authority and regional stakeholders have better access to international counterparts, both in governance of RIS3 and in performing research and innovation. • The project has also determined a shift in perception as far as the European Commission is concerned, which is now perceived more as a collaborator. • The PA has stimulated and accelerated a discussion between the EC, regional and national authorities which has help to clarify – for the whole country – several aspects of RIS3 and Structural Funds. • The preparatory action has significantly influenced the way to design and implement the development strategy for the Region by engaging all relevant stakeholders from the outset.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt