http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/48 Interdisciplinary center focused on computing at the boundaries—where computing touches the outside world. http://smartech.gatech.edu/retrieve/7663 http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/48 Search the Channel search http://smartech.gatech.edu/simple-search http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/20068 Title: Lethality and Autonomous Systems: Survey Design and Results <br/> <br/>Authors: Moshkina, Lilia; Arkin, Ronald C. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This article reports the methods and results of an on-line survey addressing the issues surrounding lethality and autonomous systems that was conducted as part of a research project for the U.S. Army Research Office. The data from this survey were analyzed both qualitatively, providing a comparison between four different demographic samples targeted in the survey (namely, robotics researchers, policymakers, the military, and the general public), and quantitatively, for the robotics researcher demographic. In addition to the analysis, the design and administration of this survey and a discussion of the survey results are provided. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/20065 Title: Multiple Object Selection in Pattern Hierarchies <br/> <br/>Authors: Jang, Justin; Rossignac, Jarek <br/> <br/>Abstract: Hierarchies of patterns of features, of subassemblies, or of CSG sub-expressions are used in architectural and mechanical CAD to eliminate laborious repetitions from the design process. Yet, often the placement, shape, or even existence of a selection of the repeated occurrences in the pattern must be adjusted. The specification of a desired selection of occurrences in a hierarchy of patterns is often tedious (involving repetitive steps) or difficult (requiring interaction with an abstract representation of the hierarchy graph). The OCTOR system introduced here addresses these two drawbacks simultaneously, offering an effective and intuitive solution, which requires only two mouse-clicks to specify any one of a wide range of possible selections. It does not require expanding the graph or storing an explicit list of the selected occurrences and is simple to compute. It is hence well suited for a variety of CAD applications, including CSG, feature-based design, assembly mock-up, and animation. We discuss a novel representation of a selection, a technology that makes it possible to use only two mouse-clicks for each selection, and the persistence of these selections when the hierarchy of patterns is edited. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/20060 Title: Description of Computer Science Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Initial Explorations <br/> <br/>Authors: Chetty, Marshini; Buckhalter, Celeste; Best, Michael L.; Grinter, Rebecca E.; Guzdial, Mark <br/> <br/>Abstract: Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in need of technology innovators who are equipped to leverage technologies in locally relevant domains such as health, government and education. To create skilled graduates who can build and shape locally relevant technologies, higher education institutes in Africa must have Computer Science (CS) education programs that meet local needs, for example, to satisfy the demand for entrepreneurs to build industry and strengthen an economy. This paper characterizes the current state of CS education in SSA in order to identify opportunities for addressing education challenges and to make suggestions that may improve the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in this region. We present the results of a survey of CS educators in SSA institutions of higher education, which was aimed at exploring the issues they face. In addition to the continued chronic under-funding of SSA education, we found that universities in SSA have smaller departments, less focus on Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and offer a variety of courses aside from undergraduate Bachelors degrees. We discuss directions to improve CS curricula through investing in locally tailored courses and changing perceptions of the value of SSA CS higher education programs, standards and educators. Further, we reflect on the challenges of conducting research on SSA. We conclude that further research in this area is needed to build on the ideas we offer here to continue to strengthen CS higher education in SSA. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/20059 Title: Optimized Blist Form (OBF) <br/> <br/>Authors: Rossignac, Jarek <br/> <br/>Abstract: Any Boolean expressions may be converted into positive-form, which has only union and intersection operators. Let E be a positive-form expression with n literals. Assume that the truth-values of the literals are read one at a time. The numbers s(n) of steps (operations) and b(n) of working memory bits (footprint) needed to evaluate E depend on E and on the evaluation technique. A recursive evaluation performs s(n)=n–1 steps but requires b(n)=log(n)+1 bits. Evaluating the disjunctive form of E uses only b(n)=2 bits, but may lead to an exponential growth of s(n). We propose a new Optimized Blist Form (OBF) that requires only s(n)=n steps and b(n)=⌈log2j⌉ bits, where j=⌈log2(2n/3+2)⌉. We provide a simple and linear cost algorithm for converting positive-form expressions to their OBF. We discuss three applications: (1) Direct CSG rendering, where a candidate surfel stored at a pixel is classified against an arbitrarily complex Boolean expression using a footprint of only 6 stencil bits; (2) the new Logic Matrix (LM), which evaluates any positive form logical expression of n literals in a single cycle and uses a matrix of at most n×j wire/line connections; and (3) the new Logic Pipe (LP), which uses n gates that are connected by a pipe of ⌈log2j⌉ lines and when receiving a staggered stream of input vectors produces a value of a logical expression at each cycle. <br/> <br/>Description: Tech Report GIT-GVU-07-10 (original number: GIT-GVU-06-18) revised on May 23, 2007. Tue, 22 May 2007 22:58:59 GMT