arXiv subjects

Mohamed Cheriet

Publications and source records attributed to Mohamed Cheriet.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Modified Hausdorff Fractal Dimension (MHFD)

The Hausdorff fractal dimension has been a fast-to-calculate method to estimate complexity of fractal shapes. In this work, a modified version of this fractal dimension is presented in order to make it more robust when applied in estimating complexity of non-fractal images. The modified Hausdorff fractal dimension stands on two features that weaken the requirement of presence of a shape and also reduce the impact of the noise possibly presented in the input image. The new algorithm has been evaluated on a set of images of different character with promising performance.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2015

Deviation Based Pooling Strategies For Full Reference Image Quality Assessment

The state-of-the-art pooling strategies for perceptual image quality assessment (IQA) are based on the mean and the weighted mean. They are robust pooling strategies which usually provide a moderate to high performance for different IQAs. Recently, standard deviation (SD) pooling was also proposed. Although, this deviation pooling provides a very high performance for a few IQAs, its performance is lower than mean poolings for many other IQAs. In this paper, we propose to use the mean absolute deviation (MAD) and show that it is a more robust and accurate pooling strategy for a wider range of IQAs. In fact, MAD pooling has the advantages of both mean pooling and SD pooling. The joint computation and use of the MAD and SD pooling strategies is also considered in this paper. Experimental results provide useful information on the choice of the proper deviation pooling strategy for different IQA models.

cs.MM↗

arXiv2015

A Decentralized Approach to Software-Defined Networks (SDNs)

Redistribution of the intelligence and management in the software defined networks (SDNs) is a potential approach to address the bottlenecks of scalability and integrity of these networks. We propose to revisit the routing concept based on the notion of regions. Using basic and consistent definition of regions, a region-based packet routing called SmartRegion Routing is presented. The flexibility of regions in terms of naming and addressing is then leveraged in the form of a region stack among other features placed in the associated packet header. In this way, most of complexity and dynamicity of a network is absorbed, and therefore highly fast and simplified routing at the inter-region level along with semi-autonomous intra-region routing will be feasible. In addition, multipath planning can be naturally realized at both inter and intra levels. A basic form of SmartRegion routing mechanism is provided. Simplicity, scalability, and manageability of the proposed approach would also bring future potentials to reduce energy consumption and environmental footprint associated to the SDNs. Finally, various applications, such as enabling seamless broadband access, providing beyond IP addressing mechanisms, and also address-equivalent naming mechanisms, are considered and discussed.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2015

Dynamic Bandwidth-Efficient BCube Topologies for Virtualized Data Center Networks

Network virtualization enables computing networks and data center (DC) providers to manage their networking resources in a flexible manner using software running on physical computers. In this paper, we address the existing issues with the classic DC network topologies in virtualized environment, and investigate a set of DC network topologies with the capability of providing dynamic structures according to the service-level required by the active traffic in a virtual DC network. In particular, we propose three main approaches to modify the structure of a classic BCube topology as a topology benchmark, and investigate their associated structural features and maximum achievable interconnected bandwidth for different routing scenarios. Finally, we run an extensive simulation program to check the performance of the proposed modified topologies in a simulation environment which considers failure analysis and also traffic congestion. Our simulation experiments, which are consistent to our design goals, show the efficiency of the proposed modified topologies comparing to the classic BCube in terms of bandwidth availability and failure resiliency.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2015

Quality of Experience (QoE) beyond Quality of Service (QoS) as its baseline: QoE at the Interface of Experience Domains

In this work, a new approach to the definition of the quality of experience is presented. By considering the quality of service as a baseline, that portion of the QoE that can be inferred from the QoS is excluded, and then the rest of the QoE is approached with the notion of QoE at a Boundary (QoEaaB). With the QoEaaB as the core of the proposed approach, various potential boundaries, and their associated unseen opportunities to improve the QoE are discussed. In particular, property, contract, SLA, and content are explored in terms of their boundaries and also their associated QoEaaB. With an interest in online video delivery, management of resource sharing and isolation associated with multi-tenant operations is considered. It is concluded that the proposed QoEaaB can bring a new perspective in QoE modeling and assessment toward a more enriched approach to improving the experience based on innovation and deep connectivity among actors.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2015

SmartPacket: Re-Distributing the Routing Intelligence among Network Components in SDNs

In this work, a new region-based, multipath-enabled packet routing is presented and called SmartPacket Routing. The proposed approach provides several opportunities to re-distribute the smartness and decision making among various elements of a network including the packets themselves toward providing a decentralized solution for SDNs. This would bring efficiency and scalability, and therefore also lower environmental footprint for the ever-growing networks. In particular, a region-based representation of the network topology is proposed which is then used to describe the routing actions along the possible paths for a packet flow. In addition to a region stack that expresses a partial or full regional path of a packet, QoS requirements of the packet (or its associated flow) is considered in the packet header in order to enable possible QoS-aware routing at region level without requiring a centralized controller.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2014

A Graph-based Perspective to Total Carbon Footprint Assessment of Non-marginal Technology-driven Projects - Use case of OTT/IPTV

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of green and sustainable projects has been found to be a necessary analysis in order to include all upstream, downstream, and indirect impacts. Because of the complexity of interactions, the differential impacts with respect to a baseline, i.e., a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, are commonly considered to relatively compare various projects. However, as the degree of penetration of a project in the baseline increases, the popular marginal assumption does no longer hold, and the differential impacts may become inconsistent. Although various mythologies have been successfully proposed and used to contain such a side effect, the bottom-up nature, which initiates the assessment from the project itself and ultimately widens the scope, could easily fail to acknowledge critical modifications to the baseline. This is highly relevant in terms of ICT's disruptive and dynamic technologies which push the baseline to become a marginal legacy. In this work, an analytic formalism is presented to provide a means of comparison of such technologies and projects. The core idea behind the proposed methodology is a magnitude-insensitive graph-based distance function to differentially compare a project with a baseline. The applicability of the proposed methodology is then evaluated in a use case of OTT/IPTV online media distribution services.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2014

Challenges and complexities in application of LCA approaches in the case of ICT for a sustainable future

In this work, three of many ICT-specific challenges of LCA are discussed. First, the inconsistency versus uncertainty is reviewed with regard to the meta-technological nature of ICT. As an example, the semiconductor technologies are used to highlight the complexities especially with respect to energy and water consumption. The need for specific representations and metric to separately assess products and technologies is discussed. It is highlighted that applying product-oriented approaches would result in abandoning or disfavoring of new technologies that could otherwise help toward a better world. Second, several believed-untouchable hot spots are highlighted to emphasize on their importance and footprint. The list includes, but not limited to, i) User Computer-Interfaces (UCIs), especially screens and displays, ii) Network-Computer Interlaces (NCIs), such as electronic and optical ports, and iii) electricity power interfaces. In addition, considering cross-regional social and economic impacts, and also taking into account the marketing nature of the need for many ICT's product and services in both forms of hardware and software, the complexity of End of Life (EoL) stage of ICT products, technologies, and services is explored. Finally, the impact of smart management and intelligence, and in general software, in ICT solutions and products is highlighted. In particular, it is observed that, even using the same technology, the significance of software could be highly variable depending on the level of intelligence and awareness deployed. With examples from an interconnected network of data centers managed using Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) technology and smart cooling systems, it is shown that the unadjusted assessments could be highly uncertain, and even inconsistent, in calculating the management component's significance on the ICT impacts.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2014

A Multi-Entity Input Output (MEIO) Approach to Sustainability - Water-Energy-GHG (WEG) Footprint Statements in Use Cases from Auto and Telco Industries

A new Input-Output model, called the Multi-Entity Input-Output (MEIO) model, is introduced to estimate the responsibility of entities of an ecosystem on the footprint of each other. It assumed that the ecosystem is comprised of end users, service providers, and utilities. The proposed MEIO modeling approach can be seen as a realization of the Everybody-in-the-Loop (EitL) framework, which promotes a sustainable future using behaviors and actions that are aware of their ubiquitous eco-socio-environment impacts. In this vision, the behavioral changes could be initiated by providing all actors with their footprint statement, which would be estimated using the MEIO models. First, a naive MEIO model is proposed in the form of a graph of actions and responsibility by considering interactions and goods transfers among the entities and actors along four channels. Then, the unnormalized responsibility and also the final responsibility among the actors are introduced, and then are used to re-allocate immediate footprint of actors among themselves. The footprint in the current model is limited to three major impacts: Water, Energy, and GHG emissions. The naive model is then generalized to Provider-perspective (P-perspective) and End User-perspective (E-perspective) MEIO models in order to make it more suitable to cases where a large number of end users are served by a provider. The E-perspective modeling approach particularly allows estimating the footprint associated to a specific end user. In two use cases from the auto and Telco industries, it has been observed that the proposed MEIO models are practical and dependable in allocating footprint to the provider and also to the end user, while i) avoiding footprint leakage to the end users and ii) handling the large numbers end users. In addition, it will be shown that the MEIO models could be sued to integrate Scope-3 and LCA approaches.

q-fin.GN↗

arXiv2014

Spiralet Sparse Representation

This is the first report on Working Paper WP-RFM-14-01. The potential and capability of sparse representations is well-known. However, their (multivariate variable) vectorial form, which is completely fine in many fields and disciplines, results in removal and filtering of important "spatial" relations that are implicitly carried by two-dimensional [or multi-dimensional] objects, such as images. In this paper, a new approach, called spiralet sparse representation, is proposed in order to develop an augmented representation and therefore a modified sparse representation and theory, which is capable to preserve the data associated to the spatial relations.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2014

IIGHGINT: A generalization to the modified GHG intensity universal indicator toward a production/consumption insensitive border carbon tax

A global agreement on how to reduce and cap human footprint, especially their GHG emissions, is very unlikely in near future. At the same time, bilateral agreements would be inefficient because of their neural and balanced nature. Therefore, unilateral actions would have attracted attention as a practical option. However, any unilateral action would most likely fail if it is not fair and also if it is not consistent with the world trade organization's (WTO's) rules, considering highly heterogeneity of the global economy. The modified GHG intensity (MGHGINT) indicator, hereafter called Inequality-adjusted Production-based GHGINT (IPGHGINT), was put forward to address this need in the form of a universal indicator applicable to every region regardless of its economic and social status. Nonetheless, the original MGHGINT indicator ignores hidden consumption-related emissions, and therefore it could be unfair to some production-oriented regions in the current bipolar production/consumption world. Here, we propose two generalizations, called Inequality-adjusted Consumption-based GHGINT (ICGHGINT) and Inequality-adjusted Production/Consumption-Insensitive GHGINT (IIGHGINT), to the IPGHGINT in order to combine both production and consumption emissions in a unified and balanced manner. The impact of this generalizations on the associated border carbon tax rates is evaluated in order to validate their practicality.

q-fin.GN↗

arXiv2013

Computer Simulation of 3-D Finite-Volume Liquid Transport in Fibrous Materials: a Physical Model for Ink Seepage into Paper

A physical model for the simulation ink/paper interaction at the mesoscopic scale is developed. It is based on the modified Ising model, and is generalized to consider the restriction of the finite-volume of ink and also its dynamic seepage. This allows the model to obtain the ink distribution within the paper volume. At the mesoscopic scale, the paper is modeled using a discretized fiber structure. The ink distribution is obtained by solving its equivalent optimization problem, which is solved using a modified genetic algorithm, along with a new boundary condition and the quasi-linear technique. The model is able to simulate the finite-volume distribution of ink.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2013

A maximal-information color to gray conversion method for document images: Toward an optimal grayscale representation for document image binarization

A novel method to convert color/multi-spectral images to gray-level images is introduced to increase the performance of document binarization methods. The method uses the distribution of the pixel data of the input document image in a color space to find a transformation, called the dual transform, which balances the amount of information on all color channels. Furthermore, in order to reduce the intensity variations on the gray output, a color reduction preprocessing step is applied. Then, a channel is selected as the gray value representation of the document image based on the homogeneity criterion on the text regions. In this way, the proposed method can provide a luminance-independent contrast enhancement. The performance of the method is evaluated against various images from two databases, the ICDAR'03 Robust Reading, the KAIST and the DIBCO'09 datasets, subjectively and objectively with promising results. The ground truth images for the images from the ICDAR'03 Robust Reading dataset have been created manually by the authors.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2013

Large Margin Low Rank Tensor Analysis

Other than vector representations, the direct objects of human cognition are generally high-order tensors, such as 2D images and 3D textures. From this fact, two interesting questions naturally arise: How does the human brain represent these tensor perceptions in a "manifold" way, and how can they be recognized on the "manifold"? In this paper, we present a supervised model to learn the intrinsic structure of the tensors embedded in a high dimensional Euclidean space. With the fixed point continuation procedures, our model automatically and jointly discovers the optimal dimensionality and the representations of the low dimensional embeddings. This makes it an effective simulation of the cognitive process of human brain. Furthermore, the generalization of our model based on similarity between the learned low dimensional embeddings can be viewed as counterpart of recognition of human brain. Experiments on applications for object recognition and face recognition demonstrate the superiority of our proposed model over state-of-the-art approaches.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2013

Unsupervised ensemble of experts (EoE) framework for automatic binarization of document images

In recent years, a large number of binarization methods have been developed, with varying performance generalization and strength against different benchmarks. In this work, to leverage on these methods, an ensemble of experts (EoE) framework is introduced, to efficiently combine the outputs of various methods. The proposed framework offers a new selection process of the binarization methods, which are actually the experts in the ensemble, by introducing three concepts: confidentness, endorsement and schools of experts. The framework, which is highly objective, is built based on two general principles: (i) consolidation of saturated opinions and (ii) identification of schools of experts. After building the endorsement graph of the ensemble for an input document image based on the confidentness of the experts, the saturated opinions are consolidated, and then the schools of experts are identified by thresholding the consolidated endorsement graph. A variation of the framework, in which no selection is made, is also introduced that combines the outputs of all experts using endorsement-dependent weights. The EoE framework is evaluated on the set of participating methods in the H-DIBCO'12 contest and also on an ensemble generated from various instances of grid-based Sauvola method with promising performance.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2013

A Modified GHG Intensity Indicator: Toward a Sustainable Global Economy based on a Carbon Border Tax and Emissions Trading

It will be difficult to gain the agreement of all the actors on any proposal for climate change management, if universality and fairness are not considered. In this work, a universal measure of emissions to be applied at the international level is proposed, based on a modification of the Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHG-INT) measure. It is hoped that the generality and low administrative cost of this measure, which we call the Modified Greenhouse Gas Intensity measure (MGHG-INT), will eliminate any need to classify nations. The core of the MGHG-INT is what we call the IHDI-adjusted Gross Domestic Product (IDHIGDP), based on the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). The IDHIGDP makes it possible to propose universal measures, such as MGHG-INT. We also propose a carbon border tax applicable at national borders, based on MGHG-INT and IDHIGDP. This carbon tax is supported by a proposed global Emissions Trading System (ETS). The proposed carbon tax is analyzed in a short-term scenario, where it is shown that it can result in significant reduction in global emissions while keeping the economy growing at a positive rate. In addition to annual GHG emissions, cumulative GHG emissions over two decades are considered with almost the same results.

q-fin.GN↗

arXiv2012

Curved Space Optimization: A Random Search based on General Relativity Theory

Designing a fast and efficient optimization method with local optima avoidance capability on a variety of optimization problems is still an open problem for many researchers. In this work, the concept of a new global optimization method with an open implementation area is introduced as a Curved Space Optimization (CSO) method, which is a simple probabilistic optimization method enhanced by concepts of general relativity theory. To address global optimization challenges such as performance and convergence, this new method is designed based on transformation of a random search space into a new search space based on concepts of space-time curvature in general relativity theory. In order to evaluate the performance of our proposed method, an implementation of CSO is deployed and its results are compared on benchmark functions with state-of-the art optimization methods. The results show that the performance of CSO is promising on unimodal and multimodal benchmark functions with different search space dimension sizes.

cs.NE↗

arXiv2011

A prototype system for handwritten sub-word recognition: Toward Arabic-manuscript transliteration

A prototype system for the transliteration of diacritics-less Arabic manuscripts at the sub-word or part of Arabic word (PAW) level is developed. The system is able to read sub-words of the input manuscript using a set of skeleton-based features. A variation of the system is also developed which reads archigraphemic Arabic manuscripts, which are dot-less, into archigraphemes transliteration. In order to reduce the complexity of the original highly multiclass problem of sub-word recognition, it is redefined into a set of binary descriptor classifiers. The outputs of trained binary classifiers are combined to generate the sequence of sub-word letters. SVMs are used to learn the binary classifiers. Two specific Arabic databases have been developed to train and test the system. One of them is a database of the Naskh style. The initial results are promising. The systems could be trained on other scripts found in Arabic manuscripts.

cs.CV↗