Polymorphic dynamic programming by algebraic shortcut fusion

Dynamic programming (DP) is a broadly applicable algorithmic design paradigm for the efficient, exact solution of otherwise intractable, combinatorial problems. However, the design of such algorithms is often presented informally in an ad-hoc manner, and as a result is often difficult to apply correctly. In this paper, we present a rigorous algebraic formalism for systematically deriving novel DP algorithms, either from existing DP algorithms or from simple functional recurrences. These derivations lead to algorithms which are provably correct and polymorphic over any semiring, which means that they can be applied to the full scope of combinatorial problems expressible in terms of semirings. This includes, for example: optimization, optimal probability and Viterbi decoding, probabilistic marginalization, logical inference, fuzzy sets, differentiable softmax, and relational and provenance queries. The approach, building on many ideas from the existing literature on constructive algorithmics, exploits generic properties of (semiring) polymorphic functions, tupling and formal sums (lifting), and algebraic simplifications arising from constraint algebras. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this formalism for some example applications arising in signal processing, bioinformatics and reliability engineering.Comment: Updated v9 with 2 additional figures and description

Automatic recognition of Bangla sign language

This thesis report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.Includes bibliographical references (page 39).Sign Language is the mode of communication among the deaf and dumb. However, integrating them into the main stream is very difficult as the majority of the society is unaware of their language. So, to bridge the communication gap between the hearing and speech impaired and the rest in Bangladesh, we conducted a research to recognize Bangla sign language using a computer-vision based approach. To achieve our goals we used Neural Networks to train individual signs. In the future, this research, besides helping as an interpreter, can also open doors to numerous other applications like sign language tutorials or dictionaries and also help the deaf and dumb to search the web or send mails more conveniently.Najeefa Nikhat ChoudhuryGolam KayasB. Computer Science and Engineerin

Methods for efficient, exact combinatorial computation in machine learning

Combinatorial problems are common in machine learning, but they are often large-scale, exponential or factorial complexity optimization problems, for which exhaustive methods are impractical. Heuristics are typically used instead but these are not provably optimal, although they may produce a workable compromise solution in a reasonable time. On the other hand, dynamic programming (DP) is an efficient and broadly applicable tool that finds exact solutions to combinatorial problems. However, DP lacks systematicity as most algorithms are derived in an ad-hoc, problem-specific manner. In the literature, there are attempts to standardize DP algorithms, but they are either unnecessarily general (constructive algorithmics) or have limited applications to different problems (Emoto’s GTA). In this thesis, we propose a rigorous algebraic approach that systematically solves DP problems either by deriving algorithms from existing ones, or by deriving them from simple functional recurrences. The main contribution is providing novel, exact solutions for combinatorial optimization problems in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Our novel formalism largely bypasses the need to invoke the often quite high level of abstraction present in classical constructive algorithmics, as well as providing algorithms that are provably correct and polymorphic over any semiring. These algorithms can be applied to any combinatorial problem expressible in terms of semirings as a consequence of polymorphism. This approach also contributes to systematicity in embedding combinatorial constraints applying tupling to avoid the need for ad-hoc backtracking

Workplace surveillance: A systematic review, integrative framework, and research agenda

Workplace surveillance has been a relevant issue in scholarly studies since the 1960s. However, given its interdisciplinary nature, research on workplace surveillance is highly fragmented and disjointed, leaving many unanswered questions. A systematic review was therefore conducted to unveil its antecedents, unpack its outcomes, and reveal its conceptual foundations. The review combined a concept-centric framework with a multilevel framework to provide nuanced insights into the literature from organisational, managerial, and employee perspectives. As a result, the review provides a detailed understanding of the tensions, contradictions, and challenges related to existing theorisations of workplace surveillance. A key contribution of this review is the synthesis of the findings into a comprehensive integrative conceptual framework that provides a succinct and informed summary of the antecedents, outcomes, and conceptual foundations that influence research on workplace surveillance. The systematic review also offers a research agenda to help advance the field of workplace surveillance

Use of the Internet by Health Professionals and Consumer Support Groups: a case analysis

This paper outlines case study research with Eye Believe a support group for patients who have had an eye removed usually (but not exclusively) due to ocular melanoma (cancer of the eye). It is a participative action research (PAR) project. The aim is to adopt a user-centric socio-technical approach to developing an online community to offer information and support to the group. The project will draw upon theories of knowledge creation and management through socialization, user participation in a health service context and the sociology of technology. In its initial stages the research was explorative. However, a conflict of interests immediately arose between the support group members and the health service representatives. Through this conflict it is anticipated that the research will now adopt a Critical Social Theory (CST) approach in aiming to empower the member\u27s of Eye Believe through their online community

Social Media and Development: Understanding NGO practices and perceptions

The goal of this study is to identify the perspectives that development NGOs attribute to organisational social media, and furthermore elaborate on an appropriate categorisation of these perspectives for social media use by development NGOs. How social media is used in the area of development, where the use goes far beyond the private sector purpose of publicity and converting a sale, is a key issue for NGOs. Fourteen development NGOs from the Netherlands that are actively using social media were selected for this study. Interviews were conducted to collect data from the decision makers and practitioners in these organisations. The grounded theory method combined with a multiple case study was applied for data analysis. The resulting preliminary framework presents us with four emerging perspectives, namely Technological, Individual, Collective and Contextual perspectives attributed to organisational social media use. We theorise that there are relationships between these four perspectives. This paper suggests that the understanding of (organisational) social media use among development NGOs can be better understood by identifying these perspectives and their inter-relationships. The implications of these findings for the literature on affordances and organisational social media use in the context of development and NGOs are discussed

SUPnP : Secure Access and Service Registration for UPnP-Enabled Internet of Things

Funding Information: This work was supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant CNS-1828363, and in part by the Sejong University Research Faculty Program under Grant 20212023.Peer reviewedPostprin

Resisting government rendered surveillance in a local authority

The paper illustrates and discusses how the performance management systems in a UK local authority are transformed into a surveillance system. A case study analysis reveals that the surveillance is engendered by central government and enacted by senior managers who conform to policies demanding the introduction of strict performance management systems that dehumanize work processes because employees are deemed untrustworthy. The paper shows that employees resist this government rendered surveillance because they believe it undermines their interests as well as the interests of the public by damaging the quality of the services delivered