Puzzle Perfect

What do crosswords and Computer Science have in common? For starters there’s CSEE professor Marie desJardins. When she’s not furthering the field of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. desJardins has a crossword puzzle in hand. It’s no accident that she’s the top ranking female crossword solver in the Mid-Atlantic.

This March Dr. desJardins joined hundreds of puzzle pros at the 36^th annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Directed by New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz, it’s the nation’s oldest and   largest competition of its kind. Hundreds of competitors spend two days solving seven puzzles. It’s a race against the clock to prove their mental mettle.

“It’s a very unforgiving sport,” she says. “It’s like gymnastics. One little foot slipping off the balance beam and you’re not going to be on that podium.”

You need both speed and accuracy to succeed. Dr. desJardins can breeze through smaller puzzles in fifteen minutes; forty-five for the larger, Sunday-New-York-Times-sized puzzles. Though speed isn’t as important as accuracy in these competitions. One mistake can hurt as much as seven minutes of stalling. 

This year Dr. desJardins handed in seven perfect puzzles. That means getting every single word right—even those baffling clues pointing at pop-culture references or words all but erased from the English language. She placed 24^th out of 570 solvers, finishing 5^th in the “B” division.

Years ago Dr. desJardins discovered the tournament from the documentary Wordplay, which follows the personal and competitive lives of a band of crossword enthusiasts. One year she realized that the competition was during UMBC’s Spring Break. So she signed up and hit the road for Connecticut.  

“I wasn’t at all expecting to do well,” she says. It was a pleasant surprise when she placed in the top quarter of competitors. The success got her hooked. Since then, she’s been engaged in a personal battle to beat her own time. She has competed five times, and each year, her speed increases.  

Her secret to success? Practice is part of it. Dr.desJardins completes a lot of puzzles. She does them on Sunday morning with a cup of coffee. She does them to relax before bed. She’s adopted a policy of leaving no puzzle unfinished. Keeping a positive mindset is half the battle, she says.

Being a Computer Scientist may have something to do with it as well. Both require a knack for pattern recognition and problem solving. “It’s just the way my brain is wired,” she says.  

Had Dr. desJardins solved a mere two minutes quicker this year, she would have qualified for the finals in her division. Being a finalist would mean solving an oversized puzzle on a whiteboard against two fellow division “B” finalists. It’s a daunting and high-pressure test made tougher by the gaze of six hundred spectators. It’s no surprise that this is Dr. desJardins’ goal when she competes again next year.  

Photos: Top Right, courtesy UMBC Magazine Left, courtesty crosswordtournament.com

Every year, the UMBC Game Developers Club organizes a Digital Entertainment Conference (DEC) with a day of games industry veterans speaking on a variety of topics. This year's is on Saturday, April 27th, starting at 10am in the Engineering Building lecture hall on the UMBC campus.

The DEC is free, open to anyone, and features speakers from Firaxis Games, Zenimax, Pure Bang Games, Bioware Mythic, and Mindgrub. Whether you are a High School student, go to UMBC or another University, or are already working in a different industry, you are sure find interesting information about how the games industry works, how some current developers got started, and what they do. If you are a game developer, you are sure to find High School students, UMBC students and students from other Universities who are interested in jobs in the games industry.

Schedule:

So you’re in college now, and maybe you’ve found that even without seven straight hours of class a day, it’s still hard to get things done. Maybe you’ve got other commitments that keep you busy, or maybe you just haven’t built effective habits and don’t have the motivation to start big tasks.

On the other hand, maybe you think you’re moving along just fine – either way, you can benefit from these helpful time management tricks. Some are just tips, some are entire time management methods, and some are tools to help you out along the way.

1. Get it out of your head

The most essential part of good time management is to get your engagements out of your head and into a system that you have easy access to. Personally, there is no way I could keep everything I need to do memorized and not miss things. You have a lot of different obligations in college and it is important that you record everything you need to do for each of them, and also to keep them well organized. Here’s a few different ways you can do this.

A planner

Paper planners were and are still a great way to keep a calender and a record of all you need to do. Planners keep everything in one spot, and you can take a planner everywhere you go depending on its size.

However, this is College Info Geek – we like to use a little more modern approach.

Keep it online

There are countless web apps out there offering time management systems. The trick is finding one that integrates everything that has to do with time management; here’s the system I use that works extremely well for me.

The base of my system is firmly rooted in Google Calendar. I have a different colored calender for each different “part” of my life – class, work, events on campus, other events, homework, etc.

This works really well for me because I can take one look at the calendar and get an idea of where my time will be going for the week. Google Calender is my calendar of choice because it integrates so well with Gmail, so I can quickly add events as they come into my inbox.

For my to-do list I use Toodledo. Toodledo edges out competing to-do web apps like Remember The Milk and Tada Lists for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, everything is done from one screen; I don’t have to go to multiple pages to set up multiple lists like I do in Tada Lists. I can just add a task and tell Toodledo which folder to put it in and then give it a priority. Secondly, I like Toodledo because it integrates with the next program…

Pocket Informant is my mobile time management command center. I have an iPod Touch, and since I spend about 95% of my time under the cover of wifi, I’m constantly connected to the internet.

Pocket Informant is hands down my favorite calendar/to-do app available. While the full version is a little expensive, there is a free version available for you to try out if you have an iPod or iPhone (Pocket Informant is also available for Windows Mobile and Blackberry, and is coming soon to Android).

Pocket Informant syncs with both Google Calendar and Toodledo to create the perfect time management environment for when I’m away from the computer. I can view everything offline when I have no internet connection, and I can also create tasks and events. When my iPod gets a connection, the program will sync with Google Calendar and Toodledo and add any tasks or events I created to them.

Pocket Informant also has a powerful and easy-to-use interface that takes full advantage of the accelerometer. The calender portion of the application offers List, Day, Week, and Month views; the List, Day, and Month all look identical in portrait and landscape mode.

However, week view offers two different modes of viewing. Portrait mode gives each day of the week a box on the screen that displays a list of that day’s events and tasks; touching a certain day will bring up a hybrid week/list view as well.

In landscape mode you get a view very similar to Google Calendar; there are seven columns for each day of the week and each event is shown graphically in its time slot.

Pocket Informant also offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to tasks. The app offers three methods of task management: the Franklin Covey method, the Getting Things Done method, and the Toodledo method.

By default the Getting Things Done method will be selected; I find that method to be overkill for me, plus I love being able to sync tasks to my desktop, so I use the Toodledo method. I’m not familiar with the Franklin Covey method, but it’s nice to have another option.

Hopefully my method has at least given you an idea as to how to start building your own task and event management system. Let’s move on to some other tips.

2. Minimize Distractions

If you’re like me, your computer is a huge distraction. There are plenty of good ways to keep your computer from distracting you (turn it off, set it on fire, give it away), but what if you have work to do on your computer?

We are definitely part of a “multi-tasking” generation; that is, we pride ourselves on being able to manage a lot of things at once. This is especially true for out computers. I used to always keep Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, my RSS feeds, Skype, and other things open right alongside my homework.

Did it distract me? You bet.

You’d be kidding yourself if you thought it didn’t. Not only does frequently stopping to check social networks and other things waste time, but it also breaks your concentration.

I believe you actually waste more time trying to regain concentration after switching back to your work than you do actually engaging in the distraction! Plus, you retain less information if you are constantly switching your focus.

So, say you’re studying for finals and you need to concentrate. how do you minimize distractions when working on the computer?

Firstly, close the unimportant tabs in your browser and applications on your desktop. It won’t hurt you to be disconnected from social networks for an hour or two while you learn something worthwhile or get some homework done.

Some people advocate a “50/10″ rule (or variations of it), where you work for 50 minutes and take 10 off. Personally, I like to just sit down and crank out my work to completion before going back to leisurely pursuits. Which method you choose will depend on your work style.

If you really have to, you can use an extension to force yourself not to get distracted. Check out the StayFocused extension in my Chrome extension guide for an example.

Social network updates are not the only distractions you face when doing computer work. There are other things that can pull your eyes away from that dry math assignment; I like to personalize my desktop with cool wallpapers and Rainmeter gadgets. These things can create clutter that makes it hard to work.

However, you don’t need to do away with the nice desktop enhancements you have; just use an anti-distraction program like CinemaDrape. CinemaDrape blacks out everything on your screen except what lands inside an adjustable window. Simply adjust the window to display only what you’re working on.

Computer distractions aren’t the only think vying for your attention; you need to address the things in your work environment as well. Are you studying in a room with a bunch of people? Personally, I can study with my friends in the room and not have much of a problem as long as I’ve got my closed headphones. For others, solitude may be needed. Gauge this for yourself.

3. Start Your Day Early

I’m serious about this one. Starting your day early can be an excellent way to squeeze more time into your day.

I find that both myself and most of the people I know don’t do much work during the late hours of the night. Yet almost all of them tend to stay up really late, tailoring their schedules so they can sleep until 9 or 10 a.m. every day.

I’m guessing that many of you do the same, so just consider what I’m saying here. How much do you think you could get done with a few extra hours in the morning?

Oscar, the man behind the blog Freestyle Mind, set his wake-up time to 5 a.m. for 30 days – you can view his conclusions here. In my own life I’ve found that getting up early gives me much more time, especially if there are things I have to do in the morning.

I take a military physical training class three days a week at 6 a.m., and after that I work at 8:00 until class starts at either 11:00 or 12:30; as a result I’m done with class and work by 3:00 p.m. at the latest, every day. I have from 3:00 until around 10:30 to do all my homework, attend clubs, and hang out with friends. All I need to do is make sure I go to bed at a decent time so I’m well-rested enough to keep up the routine.

4. Wring Class Out For All It’s Worth

The average college student spends between 2-4 hours in class every day, and many of them waste that time spacing off or only passively listening. Those who do have to make up for the lost time after class by studying extra-hard; why not learn all you can during the time you’ve already allotted to do so?

My method of paying attention in class involves keeping my writing hand going the entire time. During my first year of college I noticed that I was much more alert in the classes I actively took notes in than in the ones I just listened to. I also retained a lot more information.

You can squeeze even more value out of your classes by recording them. I advise making sure your professor is O.K. with this first (they likely will be), but recording your classes can give you another method of review come study time.

The more ways we process information, the better we retain it – so listening to a lecture over again before bed can be a great way to go over the material you’re studying. Another great time to listen to past lectures is during your workouts or when you go running.

5. Break Down Your Tasks

Ok, so sitting down to cross off “Write 8-page essay” from your task list may not be very easy to do. The solution is to break down those herculean tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

The Getting Things Done method of task management suggests that you break down tasks until each one can be performed in only a few minutes; while this may be extreme, it is an important time management skill to learn.

“Write intro paragraph” is a much easier task to get done, and crossing it off your list will motivate you to continue onto the next one. If you really want to get into this type of task management, Cal Newport’s adaptation of Getting Things Done for college students may be for you.

Name: Fahad Zafar

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: GOOGLE

Location of the Organization (City, State): Mountain View, California

Title of Your Position:Software Engineer

Major(s)/Minor(s):Computer Science 

Expected Graduation Date (Month & Year): September 2014

1. Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research or service-learning position/assignment, including your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.

This year, I had the privilege to work for Google, one of the biggest technology companies in the world. It was a great learning opportunity where I met many skilled, smart and creative people. I worked with the YouTube editor team on developing new video effects and integrating an external code source into their platform.

2. What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company and what have you found most challenging?

I found the work environment at Google to be very motivating, open and creative. I dealt with intelligent and highly skilled people working on real world problems, which proved to be a very uplifting experience. I truly enjoyed working with in this unique company culture. Working with the massive company code-base was initially challenging, but thanks to my team members, it all fell into place sooner than expected.

3. What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another summer activity?

4. How do you see your summer work as meaningful? Has it given you a chance to work on issues or with communities that matter to you?

Yes. I enjoy working with video/image data. Working with YouTube made me understand how to deliver meaningful experiences to millions of people.

5. How has your summer experience shaped the way you think about your power to impact the world? This might involve skills you’ve gained, information you’ve learned, mentors you’ve connected with, or projects you’ve completed.

This individual will directly contribute to the toolchain and production pipeline for an upcoming Firaxis title, and work closely with the graphics and systems teams.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a small C/C++ code sample.  

Required Coursework:    CMSC 341, 313, 331, 435, or equivalent , with strong GPA

Other majors will be considered depending on background.

Required skills:      Comfortable in C/C++.   

                                    Strong programming skills. 

                   Understands OO design and software engineering principles

Good communication and problem solving skills.  Able to work independently.

Preferred Skills:   

      Familiar with MSVC, Perforce and CMake.   

      Exposure to SQL, C#,  HLSL/GLSL, and flex/bison are pluses.

      Familiarity with adobe photoshop or AutoDesk 3DSMax are large pluses.

      Previous engineering experience (internship/co-op) is highly preferred.

Apply today through UMBCworks!

Lutheran Social Services is Seeking Interns

Internship Position: Refugee Recertification Program Intern (Volunteer)

Location: Baltimore, MD

Commitment: 20 hours/week for 3 months (Minimum)

APPLY VIA UMBCworks or E-mail your resume and cover letter to: Deepti  Scharf, Outreach and Support Specialist, at ScharfD@lssnca.org

LSS/NCA clients represent a wide variety of work experiences and talents. Our amazing pool of international clients includes professional artists, musicians, doctors, lawyers, UN consultants and interpreters. Even during these difficult economic times, we have worked as a team to assist refugees and asylees with employment and have secured a wide variety of jobs ranging from TV news broadcasting to nursing assistance. This internship is an excellent opportunity to work intimately with a diverse group of people and to network with the greater Baltimore community. 

Many refugees and asylees arrive in the U.S. with decades of experience in fields such as accounting, IT, teaching, engineering, and nursing.   These individuals face significant challenges joining the workforce in a professional position because employers in the United States do not recognize their advanced degrees or licenses from their home countries. The Refugee Recertification Program works with these clients to help them navigate the complex credentialing and recertification process and to find a job in their field.  

Roles and Responsibilities

•    Outreach to recruit new clients

•    Advise clients throughout the re-credentialing process on subjects such as resumes, the job search, self-presentation and trainings

•    Arrange and conduct workshops and trainings for client benefit

•    Develop and assist with presentations on RRP to partners through print media, power points

•    Recruit potential partners and employers through social networking

•    Work toward furthering career development for RRP clients.

•    Coordinate with LSS/NCA employment workers to develop job leads and placements

•    Assist in developing new training materials

Required Qualifications

•    Excellent written and oral communication skills

•    Interest and experience educating, networking, and communicating

•    Passionate about helping people and working in a multi-cultural environment

•    Able to think creatively, develop strategies, and see them through to completion

•    Detail-oriented and

•    Able to work independently

•    Willingness to be patient, understanding and flexible

Information Systems Council of Majors Speaker Series

Technology, Diversity and Lifelong Learning

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski
President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

3:00-4:30pm Friday, 26 April 2013, ITE102

As an ongoing service to UMBC our student group, the Information Systems Council of Majors (ISCOM), has developed a speaker series to bring industry professionals, academic luminaries, and prominent regional figures to discuss topics relating to technology, education, or topics of the speakers choosing.

This month our very special guest is Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. He will meet with members of ISCOM and UMBC students who are interested in hearing him speak about diversity, lifelong learning and of course technology. There will be interactive sessions prior to his remarks and our President Tabitha Haverkamp will provide closing remarks.

PhD Dissertation Defense

Analysis of brain network connectivity
using spatial information

Sai Ma

1:00pm Thursday, 18 April 2013, ITE 325b

In current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research, one of the most active areas involves exploring statistical dependencies among brain regions, known as functional connectivity analysis. Data-driven methods, especially independent component analysis (ICA), have been successfully applied to fMRI data to extract distributed brain networks and offer an opportunity to investigate functional connectivity on a network level, thus at a multivariate level. However, the independence assumption in ICA is neither necessarily nor typically satisfied in real applications and an extension is desirable. Furthermore, most current ICA-based studies focus on the use of temporal information and second-order statistics for functional connectivity analysis. Taking spatial information and higher-order statistics in fMRI data into account is expected to lead to better understanding of the overall brain network connectivity in healthy controls and also in patients with mental disorders, such as schizophrenia.

We develop a dependent component analysis (DCA) framework to generalize the ICA-based connectivity analysis methods by grouping components into maximally independent clusters. First, we define functional network connectivity as the statistical dependence among spatial components, instead of the typically used temporal correlation. Based on this definition, we use a hypothesis test to automatically generate functional connectivity structure for a large number of brain networks. After that, we separate dependent components within a given cluster using prior information, such as sparsity and experimental paradigm information, to achieve a better decomposition. We also combine this DCA-based clustering analysis with graph-theoretical analysis to discover significant group differences in topological properties of functional connectivity structure. To extend the methodologies currently available for functional connectivity, we propose an independent vector analysis (IVA) based scheme to extract and analyze dynamic functional connectivity.

The methods we develop offer advantages for effective and efficient examination of not only static, but also dynamic functional connectivity among different brain networks. We identify significant differences in functional connectivity structure between healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia, which may prove useful to serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis. We also find task-induced modulations in functional connectivity when comparing different active states in the brain. Furthermore, we observe temporal variability in functional connectivity structure and physiologically meaningful group differences in dynamic connectivity among several brain networks. Our methods can provide insights to understanding of functional characteristics of the brain network organization in healthy individuals and patients with schizophrenia.

Committee: Dr. Adali (Chair), Dr. Morris, Dr. Rutledge, Dr. LaBerge, Dr. Phlypo, Dr. Calhoun, and Dr. Westlake