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Events for October 25, 2011
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Loss Minimization for Voice Onset Time (VOT) Measurement, Phoneme Alignment, and Phoneme Recognition
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Joseph Keshet, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, TTI-Chicago
Talk Title: Loss Minimization for Voice Onset Time (VOT) Measurement, Phoneme Alignment, and Phoneme Recognition
Abstract: In discriminative learning one is interested in training a system to optimize a certain desired measure of performance, or task loss. In binary classification one typically tries to minimize the error rate. But in prediction for more complex tasks, such as phoneme recognition or voice onset time (VOT) measurement, each task has its own loss. Phoneme recognition performance is measured in terms of phoneme error rate (edit distance) and VOT measurement is quantitatively assessed by the mean deviation from the manually labeled VOT. In the talk I will present two algorithms applied to VOT measurement, phoneme alignment, and phoneme recognition, where the goal is to minimize the specific loss for each task.
In the first part of the talk I will present the problem of automatic VOT measurement and define its loss. I will describe an algorithm which is based on structural support vector machines (SVMs) to minimize this loss. Applied to initial voiceless stops from four corpora (read and conversational speech), the agreement between automatic and manual measurements was found to be near human inter-judge agreement. The experimental results also show that this algorithm provides an accurate and efficient technique for large-scale phonetic analysis.
While algorithms based on structural SVMs are aimed at minimizing the task loss, they actually minimize a surrogate to the task loss, and there is no guarantee about the actual task loss. In the second part of the talk, I will describe a new theorem stating that a general learning update rule directly corresponds to the gradient of the task loss. Based on this update rule I will present a new algorithm for minimizing the unique task loss of phoneme alignment. I will present empirical results on phoneme alignment of a standard test set from the TIMIT corpus, which surpass all previously reported results on this problem. I will show how this update rule can be applied to continuous-density HMMs and will present empirical results on phoneme recognition of TIMIT, showing our approach outperforms previous results on large-margin training of HMMs.
This is joint work with Chih-Chieh Cheng, Tamir Hazan, David McAllester, Morgan Sonderegger, and Mark Stoehr.
Biography: Joseph Keshet received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tel Aviv University in 1994 and 2002. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the School of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2007. From 1995 to 2002 he was a researcher at IDF, and won the prestigious ``Israel Defense Prize'' award for outstanding research and development achievements. From 2007 to 2009 he was a post-doctoral researcher at IDIAP Research Institute in Switzerland. Since 2009 he has been a Research Assistant Professor at TTI-Chicago. He was the founder of and currently chairs the Machine Learning for Speech and Language Processing chapter of the International Speech Communication Association (ISCA), and was one of the organizers of the first Symposium on Machine Learning for Speech and Language Processing. His research interests are in speech and language processing, with a particular interest in speech recognition. His current research focuses on the design, analysis and implementation of machine learning algorithms for the domain of speech and language processing.
Host: Professor Shrikanth Narayanan
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mary Francis
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Path to Mobile Broadband and Cloud Computing in Taiwan
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Professor Yi-Bing Lin , National Chiao Tung University
Talk Title: Path to Mobile Broadband and Cloud Computing in Taiwan
Abstract: : This talk will consist of two recent high-tech developments in Taiwan; namely, mobile broadband and cloud computing. First, we will introduce mobile broadband reinforcement cycle and, based on this reinforcement cycle concept, we describe how fast developments in mobile broadband technologies have occurred in Taiwan. In particular, we will elaborate on the evolution path toward 4G, including the All-IP architecture (SAE). We describe the TD-LTE research in National Chiao Tung University (NCTU). With the support of Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), NCTU has deployed a TD-LTE network. In 2010, we collaborated with Chunghwa Telecom, China Mobile Ltd. and ITRI to conduct the world's first cross-strait TD-LTE trial that connected high-definition conference calls between Taiwan and Shanghai through Hong Kong, which was a great success and has pushed Taiwanâs mobile broadband communications into a new era. In the future, we will deploy a TD-LTE testing environment in Taiwan in the next stage. In the second part of the talk, we will describe the R&D efforts in cloud computing in Taiwan.
Biography: Professor Yi-Bing Lin is Vice President and Chair professor of National Chiao Tung University (NCTU). He is a senior technical editor of IEEE Network. He serves on the editorial boards of IEEE Trans. on Vehicular Technology. He is General or Program Chair for prestigious conferences including ACM MobiCom 2002. He is Guest Editor for several journals including IEEE Transactions on Computers. Lin is the author of the books Wireless and Mobile Network Architecture (Wiley, 2001), Wireless and Mobile All-IP Networks (John Wiley,2005), and Charging for Mobile All-IP Telecommunications (Wiley, 2008). Lin received numerous research awards including 2005 NSC Distinguished Researcher, 2006 Academic Award of Ministry of Education and 2008 Award for Outstanding contributions in Science and Technology, Executive Yuen. He is in the advisory boards or the review boards of various government organizations in Taiwan including Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and National Science Council. He is a member of board of directors, Chunghwa Telecom. Lin is AAAS Fellow, ACM Fellow, IEEE Fellow, and IET Fellow.
Host: Prof. C.-C. Jay Kuo
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia Veal
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Astani CEE Department Oral Dissertation Defense
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Sanghee Shin, CEE Ph.D. Candidate
Talk Title: Electroremediation of Offshore Muds Contaminated with Heavy Metals
Abstract:
The electroremediation process requires much needed research work to be optimized for up-scaling and improving economic efficiency. This is particularly true when applying the technology to highly heterogeneous and complex mineralogy materials such as offshore sediments and muds. Laboratory batch tests were performed on field retrieved specimens of contaminated offshore muds near Abu Dhabi Ports of United Arab Emirates. The influence of various process parameters that determine the optimum operating conditions and sustainable enhancement of electrokinetic remediation was investigated. Excellent results of decontamination of seven heavy metals were achieved. The removal of heavy metals by management of the in-situ chlorine gas (Cl2) production was also investigated. The tests showed a high removal efficiency of heavy metals at the cathode end of cores after 24 hours of EK application. Electrokinetics is also proposed to improve acidizing operations, i.e., increase the penetration distance. Aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid (usually 15%) are pumped into the carbonate formations to enlarge the pores and pre-existing fractures. However, the penetration distance of acid is very short. By applying D.C. current, one can drive the acid for long distances into the formation being acidized.
Advisor: Prof. Najmedin Meshkati
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209 Conference Room
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Epstein Institute Seminar Series / ISE 651 Seminar
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 04:00 PM - 05:20 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Jian Cao, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University
Series: Epstein Institute Seminar Series
Abstract: Manufacturing has enormous opportunities to make transiting and transformative contributions to sustainability. This talk focuses on two technologies and their fundamentals that will enhance energy and material efficiency. These two technologies are: friction/wear reduction via surface texturing and incremental forming for better energy/material utilization. It has been noted that friction/wear consumes about one third of total energy generated. Traditional friction and wear reduction strategies include: reduction of the surface roughness of contact parts, deposition of low friction coatings on the substrate surfaces, and lubrication of the interface. A relatively new approach is the creation of surface texture features in the micro-scale range on the surface of the interface part. Our work has demonstrated that significant tribological improvements for friction reduction are achieved when properly designed dimples are formed on the surface of contacting parts. Methods of producing surface texturing are reviewed, which leads to a very promising process, micro-rolling process. On increasing material efficiency, incremental forming deforms a metal piece point by point through an active control of forming tools. It has shown great process flexibility and a significant increase in forming limit to reduce material consumption. These two advantages have placed this incremental forming process as an alternative process for low volume, flexible and point-of-need production. Recent advancements on the understanding of deformation mechanism and process innovations to increase geometrical accuracy are presented.
Biography: Jian Cao received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T. in 1995. She is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University. During her tenure at Northwestern, she took a one-year leave at General Motors and a two-year leave at the National Science Foundation as a program director. Her primary interests are in the mechanics analysis, particularly instability analysis and material characterization in sheet metal forming, design of macro/micro metal forming and composite sheet forming processes. Professor Cao is a Fellow of Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and an associate member of the International Academy for Production Engineering. Her awards include NSF CAREER award, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, the Young Investigator Award from the Japan-US Flexible Automation, and the Young Investigator Award from the ASME Applied Mechanics Division. Professor Cao is an associate editor for the ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics and an editor for the International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing. She is an active member of ASME. Her continuous contribution to the society was recognized by the ASME Dedicated Service Award. In addition, Prof. Cao is the President of the SME North America Manufacturing Research Institute, and a co-director of the NSF Summer Institute on Nanomechanics, Nanomaterials and Micro/Nano-manufacturing.
Host: Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
More Information: Seminar-Cao.doc
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - Room 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Georgia Lum
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ASBME: General Meeting 8
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Alternate Careers-Law Practice with Diana Mercer and Med School with Antonio Olivarez. If you are thinking about law school, Diana Mercer will be talking about practicing law. In addition, if you are pre-med or interested in medical school, Antonio Olivarez will be talking about his experience as a first year medical student at Keck. Come to the meeting to learn more!
Location: TCC227
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering
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Edwards Lifesciences Info Session
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Join representatives of this company as they share general company information and available opportunities.
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: All Viterbi Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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UPS Info Session
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Workshops & Infosessions
Learn about UPSâs freight, logistics, and supply chain management business, what skill sets they are looking for in an ideal job candidate, and what job positions they are currently hiring for. Feel free to bring your resume. All majors are welcome!
Dress code is smart casual. As always, free food will be provided.
***Skillocracy representatives will be present from 6-6:10pm to discuss an awesome opportunity to participate in a USC marketing competition sponsored by Toyota and Yahoo! There's a big cash prize AND they are incredibly interested in having ISA members participate!!!***
Toyota and Yahoo! are sponsoring a student marketing competition at USC. Itâs a chance to work on a real-world creative challenge, and earn prizes of over $1,000 for the winning teams. The competition is to help improve the auto shopping experience for first-time car buyers. This is a chance to work in teams on a real-world marketing challenge and help improve Toyotaâs business! The competition is organized through Skillocracy, and more details are available at www.skillocracy.com. Fill out your application by November 4, with an early application deadline of October 25. We will accept 25 students, and you can apply individually or in teams of 4-5! More details: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263437053699594Location: H. Leslie Hoffman Hall Of Business Administration (HOH) - 422
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Information Systems Association (ISA)
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Fluor Info Session
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Workshops & Infosessions
Come out to hear Maureen Price, a Director of Process Engineering, talk about her work at Fluor and how chemical engineers there are involved in refinery operations, biomass gasification, solar grade silicon production, and other cutting edge technologies! Fluor is looking to hire entry level engineers this year, so be sure not to miss this opportunity! Food and drinks will be provided!
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 107
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC American Institute of Chemical Engineers
