7851375
The Simon-Yule Approach to Bibliometric Modeling
Abstract Using an index approach to take into account the scattering pattern of the observed values, Chen and Leimkuhler showed that the three well-known bibliometric distributions (i.e., Lotka's law of scientific productivity, Bradford's law of bibliographic scattering, and Zipf's law of word frequency) are equivalent. Furthermore, Chen showed that Lotka's law can be derived from a generating mechanism (the Simon-Yule Model) proposed by Herbert A. Simon. In this paper, we use a simulation algorithm based on the Simon-Yule model to conduct computational experimentation on these three laws. The results indicate that the probability of a new entry (α), be it constant or decreasing, determines the characteristics of all three distributions.
16469592
IT businesses and franchising: a research proposal
Franchising has been popular as a growth strategy for small businesses; it is even more so in today's global and information-based economy. In early 2001, Entrepreneur magazine-well known for its Franchise 500 listing-added a tech businesses category to its franchise zone with three subcategories: Internet businesses, tech training, and miscellaneous tech businesses. This study applies Herbert Simon's model for business firm growth as a theory-grounded solution to help managers understand the growth dynamics of IT-based franchising businesses. We present a research proposal with a pilot study of the growth of 27 IT-based franchise businesses, and explain how to relate the parameters of Simon's model to strategic variables that can give managers a valuable strategic tool to understand the context of their industrial competition in IT-based franchising.
14708618
Enhancing UML Conceptual Modeling through the Use of Virtual Reality
UML is one of the major conceptual modeling tools in Object-Oriented software engineering. However, recently more and more concerns arise from the modeling quality of UML. Among them, limitation of the two-dimensional presentation of its notations is reported to be significant. By bringing in the concepts of Steoropsis (3-D appearance), animation, interaction and immersion, Virtual Reality may improve the UML modeling quality. Specifically, in this paper we analyze the modeling quality of UML by using recent published literature in conceptual modeling. We then recommend the use of Virtual Reality to enhance the modeling quality of UML. Some examples of how Virtual Reality can be used to improve UML modeling quality are given. Finally, we propose a research framework for enhancing the quality of UML conceptual modeling through the use of Virtual Reality.
32843088
Analysis of Zipf's law: An index approach
Abstract A rigorous analysis of Zipf's law is made using an index for the sequence of observed values of the variables in a Zipf-type relationship. Three important properties relating rank, count, and frequency are identified. Using this approach, the shape of Zipf-type curves can be described in terms of three distinct regions and two parameters of the Mandelbrot-Zipf law. This result has considerable practical significance, since it provides rigorous foundations for the application of Zipf's law.
365943
Modeling and Storing Scientific Protocols
We propose an abstract model for scientific protocols, where several atomic operators are proposed for protocol composition We distinguish two different layers associated with scientific protocols: design and implementation, and discuss the mapping between them We illustrate our approach with a representative example and describe ProtocolDB, a scientific protocol repository currently in development Our approach benefits scientists by allowing the archiving of scientific protocols with the collected data sets to constitute a scientific portfolio for the laboratory to query, compare and revise protocols.
26820236
3-D IFS fractals as real-time graphics model
Abstract Fractals have recently been attracting increasing research interest. Unlike conventional geometrical figures, fractals have unlimited details—a potentially useful feature for artistic images. One way to generate fractals is to use Iterated Function Systems (IFS). There have been significant research efforts on 2-D IFS. Programs for rendering 2-D IFS fractals are readily available. 3-D IFS appear to be a natural extension but remain an area to be investigated. This paper explores the use of 3-D IFS for creating fascinating fractal scenes. An efficient coloring, lighting and mist effects scheme is proposed. A program using the proposed scheme has been developed that can render delicate scenes consisting of multiple IFS fractals in real-time on the PC.
34404148
Stochastic sketching: a new method for global optimization
Abstract In this paper, we propose Stochastic sketching for global optimization based on a simulation of human behaviour. Stochastic sketching tries to do things simply in the human way without too much interpretation instead of modeling the thought and strategies of human beings and applying an artificial model to problems. We introduce and discuss concepts and components essential to stochastic sketching in detail, including sampling guide, zooming controller, sketching model, precision threshold, and satisfaction probability. Experimental results of stochastic sketching on several test functions and a set of recommended parameter settings are given, as well as preliminary comparisons between stochastic sketching and related evolutionary algorithms including evolution strategies, evolutionary programming, and genetic algorithms.
8440158
Improved information maximization based face and facial feature detection from real-time video and application in a multi-modal person identification system
In this paper an improved face detection method based on our previous information-based maximum discrimination approach is presented that maximizes the discrimination between face and non-face examples in a training set without using color or motion information. A short review of our previous method is given together with a description of a recent improvement of its detection speed. A person identification system has been developed that performs multi-modal person identification in real-time video based on this newly improved face detection method together with speaker identification.
22185885
Artificial Life for Image Segmentation
Artificial life has been successfully used for understanding biological systems and in many applications in robotics, computer graphics, etc. In this paper, we pioneer the use of artificial life for image segmentation, a challenging area in image processing. Our method associates each pixel in an image with a life and it evolves according to a system of rules. The segmented partitions emerge when the state of the lives reaches an equilibrium. The artificial life approach is promising in image processing because it is inherently parallel and coincides with the self-governing biological process. In addition, it has the advantage of the integration of both detail preservation and noise removal. The experiments demonstrate the feasibility of the artificial life approach on both intensity images and color images. We also compared the approach with other four commonly used methods for three different kinds of noise corrupted images.