Users' effectiveness and satisfaction for image retrieval

This paper presents results from an initial user study exploring the relationship between system effectiveness as quantified by traditional measures such as precision and recall, and users’ effectiveness and satisfaction of the results. The tasks involve finding images for recall-based tasks. It was concluded that no direct relationship between system effectiveness and users’ performance could be proven (as shown by previous research). People learn to adapt to a system regardless of its effectiveness. This study recommends that a combination of attributes (e.g. system effectiveness, user performance and satisfaction) is a more effective way to evaluate interactive retrieval systems. Results of this study also reveal that users are more concerned with accuracy than coverage of the search results

The Relationship between IR Effectiveness Measures and User Satisfaction

This paper presents an experimental study of users assessing the quality of Google web search results. In particular we look at how users' satisfaction correlates with the effectiveness of Google as quantified by IR measures such as precision and the suite of Cumulative Gain measures (CG, DCG, NDCG). Results indicate strong correlation between users' satisfaction, CG and precision, moderate correlation with DCG, with perhaps surprisingly negligible correlation with NDCG. The reasons for the low correlation with NDCG are examined

Blade Tip Rubbing Stress Prediction

An analytical model was constructed to predict the magnitude of stresses produced by rubbing a turbine blade against its tip seal. This model used a linearized approach to the problem, after a parametric study, found that the nonlinear effects were of insignificant magnitude. The important input parameters to the model were: the arc through which rubbing occurs, the turbine rotor speed, normal force exerted on the blade, and the rubbing coefficient of friction. Since it is not possible to exactly specify some of these parameters, values were entered into the model which bracket likely values. The form of the forcing function was another variable which was impossible to specify precisely, but the assumption of a half-sine wave with a period equal to the duration of the rub was taken as a realistic assumption. The analytical model predicted resonances between harmonics of the forcing function decomposition and known harmonics of the blade. Thus, it seemed probable that blade tip rubbing could be at least a contributor to the blade-cracking phenomenon. A full-scale, full-speed test conducted on the space shuttle main engine high pressure fuel turbopump Whirligig tester was conducted at speeds between 33,000 and 28,000 RPM to confirm analytical predictions

Lamb wave near field enhancements for surface breaking defects in plates

Near field surface wave ultrasonic enhancements have previously been used to detect surface breaking defects in thick samples using Rayleigh waves. Here, we present analogous surface wave enhancements for Lamb waves propagating in plates. By tracking frequency intensities in selected regions of time-frequency representations, we observe frequency enhancement in the near field, due to constructive interference of the incident wave mode with those reflected and mode converted at the defect. This is explained using two test models; a square based notch and an opening crack, which are used to predict the contribution to the out-of-plane displacement from the reflected and mode converted waves. This method has the potential to provide a reliable method for the near field identification and characterisation of surface breaking defects in plates

Honour killings, partial defences and the exclusionary conduct model

The partial defence of loss of control, as set out in s54 and s55 Coroners and Justice Act 2009 makes clear that those fearing violence will be partially exculpated from the harsh mandatory life sentence a murder conviction mandates, while a killing out of sexually jealousy will not. What is less clear is which other circumstances, and emotions, will be included under the umbrella of the two qualifying trigger to the partial defence. This article considers if honour killings in particular will be able to achieve a successful loss of control plea, and a missed opportunity to have such cases excluded expressly by the wording of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Battered women: Loss of control and lost opportunities

Battered women who kill their abuser and the problem they create in regards to access to justice has been discussed for many years by many academics. The English legal system has attempted to update partial defences to murder to remedy the situation, through the abolition of the problematic and gendered provocation defence, replacing it with another based upon loss of control contained within the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. This work considers these updates, how effective they may be, and considers through comparative analysis with other jurisdictions if other solutions are available, and how English law should proceed

Relevance Judgments between TREC and Non-TREC Assessors

This paper investigates the agreement of relevance assessments between official TREC judgments and those generated from an interactive IR experiment. Results show that 63% of documents judged relevant by our users matched official TREC judgments. Several factors contributed to differences in the agreements: the number of retrieved relevant documents; the number of relevant documents judged; system effectiveness per topic and the ranking of relevant documents

Loss of self-control as a defence: the key to replacing provocation

Discusses the introduction under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 s.54 of loss of control as a partial defence to murder, to replace the common law partial defence of provocation abolished under s.56. Considers why the law recognises human frailty in the form of a defence based on loss on self control and why the requirement for the loss of self-control to be sudden has been dropped. Highlights clarification of the "reasonable person" concept provided by subss.54(1)(c) and (3). Applies the "qualifying triggers" in s.55 to the facts of the two leading cases on provocation