IBM Journals to be included in IEEE Xplore

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and IBM, US, have announced a publishing agreement. Under the deal, all papers published in IBM journals will be available exclusively in the IEEE Xplore digital library (www.ieee.org/ieeexplore) from the first quarter of 2010 onwards. The aim is to disseminate key technical articles and papers in computer hardware, software and information systems to a wider audience of researchers and interested readers around the world.

The IBM Journal of Research and Development, which now includes the IBM Systems Journal, is claimed to be one of the top-cited journals in the field. The two, which have been published online since 1998, merged into one fee-based online publication in 2009. The production of future editions of the current publication, the IBM Journal of Research and Development, will be handled by IEEE. IBM will be responsible for the content acquisition and peer review, while IEEE assumes the article production, copy editing, data conversion, online hosting and maintenance.

Engineering Library Classes

The Engineering Library's Autumn Class Schedule is now available at http://www.lib.washington.edu/engineering/classes/classes.html.

Learn how to choose the right databases for your research, search them effectively, and even do a patent search!

Future nears with bionic lens

View this video that features UW EE faculty members Babak Parviz and Brian Otis.

Knovel University Challenge

Students: Take the Knovel University Challenge and win great prizes!

http://why.knovel.com/knovel-university-challenge-2009/about-the-contest.html

Pedro Domingos and Daniel Lowd publish in Synthesis Digital Library of Engineering & Computer Science

Markov Logic: An Interface Layer for Artificial Intelligence

Synthesis Lectures on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Pedro Domingos‌

University of Washington

Daniel Lowd‌

University of Washington

Abstract

Most subfields of computer science have an interface layer via which applications communicate with the infrastructure, and this is key to their success (e.g., the Internet in networking, the relational model in databases, etc.). So far this interface layer has been missing in AI. First-order logic and probabilistic graphical models each have some of the necessary features, but a viable interface layer requires combining both. Markov logic is a powerful new language that accomplishes this by attaching weights to first-order formulas and treating them as templates for features of Markov random fields. Most statistical models in wide use are special cases of Markov logic, and first-order logic is its infinite-weight limit. Artificial intelligence needs an interface layer, a language linking applications to their common infrastructure needs. AI applications involve high degrees of complexity and uncertainty. First-order logic handles complexity well and probabilistic graphical models do the same for uncertainty, but neither can cope effectively with both. Thus neither is sufficient for general AI. Markov logic is a powerful new language that seamlessly combines the two. Statements in Markov logic are simply weighted formulas in first-order logic, interpreted as templates for features of Markov random fields. Most statistical models in wide use are special cases of Markov logic, and first-order logic is its infinite-weight limit. Inference algorithms for Markov logic combine ideas from satisfiability, Markov chain Monte Carlo, belief propagation, and resolution. Learning algorithms make use of conditional likelihood, convex optimization, and inductive logic programming. Markov logic has been successfully applied to problems in information extraction and integration, natural language processing, robot mapping, social networks, computational biology, and others, and is the basis of the open-source Alchemy system.

Intro to Engineering Databases Class

Want to learn how to do research for your assignment efficiently and effectively? This one-hour session will go over the basic steps of doing a search for engineering research literature-- from choosing a database, constructing a search, and finding the articles or papers (online or in print). Bring a topic to research when you come.

What: Intro to Engineering Databases Class
When: May 11th, 2009. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Where: The Engineering Library (computer classroom on the 3rd floor)
Why: Search better, faster, stronger.

To register go here: http://lib.washington.edu/engineering/classes/classes.html

ISI Web of Knowledge Enhanced

ISI Web of Knowledge (also referred to as Web of Science) is an extremely useful tool for researching. It's a citation database, which means you can use it to find out how many times an article or author has been cited and where.

One of the neat new things you can do with Web of Knowledge is create citation maps (currently in beta, but worth checking out). ISI has recently announced enhanced citation mapping capabilities that let you create a colorful visual representation of citing/cited relationships. Here's an example:

More ISI updates.

Serials and Electronic Resources Review 2009

FYI: The UW Libraries is currently engaged in a serials and electronic resources review. Why? Estimated cuts in our information resources budget range from approximately $1.9 million to $2.4 million, which means we must start identifying possible titles to cancel.

A combined list of proposed titles for cancellation from all funds (including Engineering) will be posted on the web by summer 2009. Using faculty input and our principals and goals as guides, we will make final decisions in the fall.

You can find more information on the the official Serials and Electronic Resources Review 2009 page, including Frequently Asked Questions and a letter from the Dean of Libraries, Betsy Wilson.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.

How many engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

From the Rube Goldberg Contest at Purdue:

Inspired by cartoonist Rube Goldberg, college students nationwide compete to design a machine to complete a simple task using 20 or more steps.

The 2009 task was to replace an incandescent light bulb with a more energy-efficient, light-emitting design.

Check out our favorite entry, "Scene of the Crime," from the University of Illinois team. It won second place.

International Nuclear Information System Database now available free

From the International Atomic Energy Agency website:

3 April, 2009 - We are pleased to announce that access to INIS [International Nuclear Information System] database has been now opened to all Internet users around the world. Free, open and unrestricted access is available from the INIS Homepage (http://www.iaea.org/inisnkm), or directly from the following link: http://inisdb2.iaea.org

This initiative provides easy access to reliable nuclear information on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, including nonconventional literature, and makes nuclear knowledge readily available worldwide.

Established in 1970, INIS represents the world's largest database of scientific and technical literature on a wide range of subjects from nuclear engineering, safeguards and non-proliferation to applications in agriculture, health and industry.

Currently, the INIS Database contains over 3 million bibliographic records and almost 200,000 full-text nonconventional documents, consisting of scientific and technical reports and other non copyrighted information.