Exploring accumulative query expansion for relevance feedback

For the participation of Dublin City University (DCU) in the Relevance Feedback (RF) track of INEX 2010, we investigated the relation between the length of relevant text passages and the number of RF terms. In our experiments, relevant passages are segmented into non-overlapping windows of xed length which are sorted by similarity with the query. In each retrieval iteration, we extend the current query with the most frequent terms extracted from these word windows. The number of feedback terms corresponds to a constant number, a number proportional to the length of relevant passages, and a number inversely proportional to the length of relevant passages, respectively. Retrieval experiments show a signicant increase in MAP for INEX 2008 training data and improved precisions at early recall levels for the 2010 topics as compared to the baseline Rocchio feedback

Some research advances in computer graphics that will enhance applications to engineering design

Research in man/machine interactions and graphics hardware/software that will enhance applications to engineering design was described. Research aspects of executive systems, command languages, and networking used in the computer applications laboratory are mentioned. Finally, a few areas where little or no research is being done were identified

Brain Resilience: Shedding Light into the Black Box of Adventure Processes

Understanding of the active beneficial processes of adventure learning remains elusive. Resilience may provide one foundation for understanding the positive adaptation derived from Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) and Adventure Therapy (AT) programming. From a neurological perspective, resilience may be explained by the brain’s innate capability to adapt its structure (growth of new cells) and function (re-wiring of existing cells) directly in response to environmental exposure. This paper explores the role of known brain responses to experiences analogous to adventure programming based on themes from a key literature review. The fundamental paradigm of ‘stress and recovery’ contends that a balance of neurobiological processes help realign psychosocial equilibrium in the short term and over time. Through progressive, repeated exposure to custom-built outdoor challenges, the concept of brain resilience may provide a scientific platform for understanding the mechanisms of achieving meaningful, authentic and healthy outcomes. It could also help to begin to illuminate a section of the black box of adventure processes

Modelling and simulation framework for reactive transport of organic contaminants in bed-sediments using a pure java object - oriented paradigm

Numerical modelling and simulation of organic contaminant reactive transport in the environment is being increasingly relied upon for a wide range of tasks associated with risk-based decision-making, such as prediction of contaminant profiles, optimisation of remediation methods, and monitoring of changes resulting from an implemented remediation scheme. The lack of integration of multiple mechanistic models to a single modelling framework, however, has prevented the field of reactive transport modelling in bed-sediments from developing a cohesive understanding of contaminant fate and behaviour in the aquatic sediment environment. This paper will investigate the problems involved in the model integration process, discuss modelling and software development approaches, and present preliminary results from use of CORETRANS, a predictive modelling framework that simulates 1-dimensional organic contaminant reaction and transport in bed-sediments

"Nice" Rational Functions

We consider simple rational functions $R_{mn}(x)=P_m(x)/Q_n(x)$, with $P_m$ and $Q_n$ polynomials of degree $m$ and $n$ respectively. We look for "nice" functions, which we define to be ones where as many as possible of the roots, poles, critical points and (possibly) points of inflexion are integer or, at worst, rational

Agricultural Tenure in England and Wales 2007

The report presents a repeat of a 1989-90 postal survey to explore the land tenurial changes in England and Wales that have resulted from legislative and structural change. Clearly, since 1990, the introduction of Farm Business Tenancies means that the two sets of results, while not directly comparable, allows the occupancy of land under unconventional forms of tenancy to be explored and contrasted. Furthermore, many factors influence the occupancy of land including taxation, inheritance laws, the profitability of farming, and structural and policy changes within the industry. Therefore, the occupancy of agricultural land in 2007 should be set against this backcloth of socio-political changes that impact upon the industry. Finally, this report is split into two sections, the first focuses on the occupation of land in England and Wales using weighted sample data, while the second explores some of the dynamics behind land tenure using the unweighted sample data.Land Tenure, Farm Business Tenancies, Agricultural Occupancy, Informal Tenure Agreements, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use,

Panel Discussion on Inducer Design Criteria

This article reports a panel discussion titled Inducer Design Criteria presented at the 9th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena and Dynamics of Rotating Machinery (ISROMAC-9). The presentations of the panelists and the subsequent discussions are summarized. It is shown that cavitation instabilities are major problems in modern turbopumps and that design criteria to eliminate them are needed. Available design methods for inducers and marine propellers are reviewed, and new criteria to enhance stability are proposed. The current status of CFD is reviewed and an example of successful application is shown. Discussions of several specific topics are reported and future research needs are noted