89,926 research outputs found
When Kernel Methods meet Feature Learning: Log-Covariance Network for Action Recognition from Skeletal Data
Human action recognition from skeletal data is a hot research topic and
important in many open domain applications of computer vision, thanks to
recently introduced 3D sensors. In the literature, naive methods simply
transfer off-the-shelf techniques from video to the skeletal representation.
However, the current state-of-the-art is contended between to different
paradigms: kernel-based methods and feature learning with (recurrent) neural
networks. Both approaches show strong performances, yet they exhibit heavy, but
complementary, drawbacks. Motivated by this fact, our work aims at combining
together the best of the two paradigms, by proposing an approach where a
shallow network is fed with a covariance representation. Our intuition is that,
as long as the dynamics is effectively modeled, there is no need for the
classification network to be deep nor recurrent in order to score favorably. We
validate this hypothesis in a broad experimental analysis over 6 publicly
available datasets.Comment: 2017 IEEE Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) Workshop
Modulating Image Restoration with Continual Levels via Adaptive Feature Modification Layers
In image restoration tasks, like denoising and super resolution, continual
modulation of restoration levels is of great importance for real-world
applications, but has failed most of existing deep learning based image
restoration methods. Learning from discrete and fixed restoration levels, deep
models cannot be easily generalized to data of continuous and unseen levels.
This topic is rarely touched in literature, due to the difficulty of modulating
well-trained models with certain hyper-parameters. We make a step forward by
proposing a unified CNN framework that consists of few additional parameters
than a single-level model yet could handle arbitrary restoration levels between
a start and an end level. The additional module, namely AdaFM layer, performs
channel-wise feature modification, and can adapt a model to another restoration
level with high accuracy. By simply tweaking an interpolation coefficient, the
intermediate model - AdaFM-Net could generate smooth and continuous restoration
effects without artifacts. Extensive experiments on three image restoration
tasks demonstrate the effectiveness of both model training and modulation
testing. Besides, we carefully investigate the properties of AdaFM layers,
providing a detailed guidance on the usage of the proposed method.Comment: Accepted by CVPR 2019 (oral); code is available:
https://github.com/hejingwenhejingwen/AdaF
Controversy Analysis and Detection
Seeking information on a controversial topic is often a complex task. Alerting users about controversial search results can encourage critical literacy, promote healthy civic discourse and counteract the filter bubble effect, and therefore would be a useful feature in a search engine or browser extension. Additionally, presenting information to the user about the different stances or sides of the debate can help her navigate the landscape of search results beyond a simple list of 10 links . This thesis has made strides in the emerging niche of controversy detection and analysis. The body of work in this thesis revolves around two themes: computational models of controversy, and controversies occurring in neighborhoods of topics. Our broad contributions are: (1) Presenting a theoretical framework for modeling controversy as contention among populations; (2) Constructing the first automated approach to detecting controversy on the web, using a KNN classifier that maps from the web to similar Wikipedia articles; and (3) Proposing a novel controversy detection in Wikipedia by employing a stacked model using a combination of link structure and similarity. We conclude this work by discussing the challenging technical, societal and ethical implications of this emerging research area and proposing avenues for future work
A debate between Steve Fuller and Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti on 'scientific progress, human progress and Christian theology'
This piece is the first of new annual feature of the journal, entitled 'Debate'. Two scholars offer their contrasting reflections on a topic of interest β this year, it is 'scientific progress, human progress and Christian theology'. The debate is opened by American sociologist Steve Fuller, who briefly presents his thesis on the subject, proposing in the end the Church to be more open to an 'adventurous approach to nature' in his opinion more consonant with today's 'emerging biometrically oriented genetic science'. In answer, Italian theologian Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti explains that, from a Christian perspective, human progress needs to respect the 'ontological foundations of creature itself' in order to avoid the 'illusion' of a false progress. Taking these thoughts into account, Fuller replies clarifying his points. The debate is concluded by remarks from the Editor
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