We propose a novel approach to abstractive Web summarization based on the observation that summaries for similar URLs tend to be similar in both content and structure. We leverage existing URL clusters and construct per-cluster word graphs that combine known summaries while abstracting out URL-specific attributes. The resulting topology, conditioned on URL features, allows us to cast the summar...

Linear models have enjoyed great success in structured prediction in NLP. While a lot of progress has been made on efficient training with several loss functions, the problem of endowing learners with a mechanism for feature selection is still unsolved. Common approaches employ ad hoc filtering or L1regularization; both ignore the structure of the feature space, preventing practicioners from en...

This paper describes how a mirror can be integrated as another view and another source of light patterns in an interactive reconstruction system with structured light, where the object, the camera, and the mirror can move. We show how a single pass of structured light can provide 3D points to accurately estimate the pose of a mirror, while also reconstructing 3D points on the object. We develop...

This qualitative case study illustrates barriers to informal argumentation and reasoned debate, i.e., critical discourse, in online forums. The case is the computer conference of a 15-week, graduate-level humanities course offered entirely at a distance. Twelve students, all with families and careers, were enrolled in the course. We read all messages as they were posted and interviewed five of ...