About

Julie Schumacher’s first novel, The Body Is Water, was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. She is the author of nine other books, including the national best-seller, Dear Committee Members, for which she won the Thurber Prize for American Humor — she is the first woman to have won the Thurber Prize. Schumacher is a Regents professor of Creative Writing and English at the University of Minnesota.

Research topics

• Computer science
• Artificial intelligence
• Psychology
• Audiology
• Computer vision

Selected publications

• Die Erkundigungspflicht des Zeugen im Strafprozess

  MADOC (University of Mannheim) · 2016-01-01

  dissertation1st authorCorresponding

  Der Irrtum [des Zeugen] ist der größte Feind der Wahrheitsfindung vor Gericht", titelt Rolf Bender. "Um die Krone der strafprozessualen Beweisführung [den Zeugen] ist es schlecht bestellt", konstatiert Hans Dahs im Hinblick auf die Erkenntnisse der Aussagepsychologie.
\nTrotz der nachgewiesenen eingeschränkten Leistungsfähigkeit des Zeugen als Erkenntnismittel ist der Zeugenbeweis in der Gerichtspraxis von größter Bedeutung und in 95% der Fälle für die Urteilsfindung entscheidend.
\nWährend im Zivilprozessrecht eine Einsicht- und Mitbringpflicht für den Zeugen statuiert ist, findet sich im Strafprozessrecht keine derartige Regelung. Dennoch wird in der Gerichtspraxis regelmäßig, zumindest von Polizeibeamten, eine Vorbereitung auf ihre Zeugenaussage erwartet.
\nVor diesem Hintergrund setzt sich die vorliegende Arbeit mit einer für die Praxis des Strafprozesses zentralen Frage auseinander: Inwiefern ist der Zeuge verpflichtet, zur Verbesserung der Qualität seiner Aussage Erkundigungen einzuholen und sich auf seine Vernehmung vorzubereiten?
\nDabei stellt sich nicht nur die Frage nach einer Vorbereitungspflicht. Ebenso werden die Fragen erörtert, ob und inwieweit der Zeuge während und außerhalb der Hauptverhandlung zur Steigerung der Aussagequalität Erkundigungen einzuholen hat.
\nNachdem die Zeugenpflicht konkretisiert wurde, wird die Frage nach ihrer Durchsetzbarkeit beleuchtet. Abschließend erfolgt eine Diskussion über die Normierung einer (individuellen) Erkundigungspflicht.

• Effects of Coordinated Compression and Pinna Compensation Features on Horizontal Localization Performance in Hearing Aid Users

  Journal of the American Academy of Audiology · 2015-01-01 · 11 citations

  articleSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Hearing-impaired listeners localize sounds better unaided than aided. Wide dynamic range compression circuits operating independently at each ear in bilateral fittings, and microphone positions of different hearing aid styles, have been cited as a reason. Two hearing aid features, inter-ear coordinated compression (IE) and pinna compensation (PC), were developed to mitigate the compromised aided localization performance. PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of IE and PC on aided localization performance in the horizontal plane with hearing-impaired listeners. RESEARCH DESIGN: A single-blind, repeated-measures design was used. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 10 experienced hearing aid users with bilaterally symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss who had previously participated in localization training were evaluated. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Localization performance was measured using 12 loudspeakers spaced 30° apart on the horizontal plane. Aided performance was evaluated using a behind-the-ear hearing aid at four settings: omnidirectional microphone (Omni), Omni microphone with the PC feature, Omni microphone with IE, and Omni microphone with the PC feature and IE together. In addition, unaided localization performance was measured. RESULTS: Significant improvement in the localization accuracy was measured for sounds arriving from the back when comparing the PC with the Omni conditions. The use of IE reduced the magnitude of errors for some listeners for sounds originating from ±90°. The average reduction in the errors was 7.3°. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the use of the PC feature improved localization for sounds arriving from behind the listener. The use of IE may improve localization for some listeners for sounds arriving from the sides.

  PublisherDOI

• Cultural Analysis of Digital Display Preference

  Journal of Vision · 2014-08-22 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  It is known that there are some cultural differences in how humans process visual information [e.g., Saiki, et al., 2013]; however, little is known about cultural variation in preferences for display characteristics. While much of perceived display quality is likely based on the fundamental properties of the human visual system (e.g., visual acuity), other display properties, such as color and white point, may differ systematically across cultures. Our study examined preferences for color gamut, white point, and gamma correction. Ten color gamuts, ranging from the standard sRGB area to over 130% NTSC (u'v' space) were simulated by symmetrically shifting all three primaries or just the red or green primaries. Four white points and two gamma values were also tested. The displays were calibrated and characterized at each location to control for variation in ambient lighting and changes in the displays over time. The experiment employed the method of paired comparisons where images of the same scene were presented on two displays positioned side-by-side. Each participant made 178 judgments per image for at least two images. Both real world and abstract images were used as image content. Experiments were conducted in multiple international locations across the globe, with at least twenty subjects from each locale, balanced for gender and including a wide range of ages. In general, people preferred displays with higher color gamut. Preferences for white point and gamma correction appear to be more susceptible to cultural influences. Interestingly, the variability in preferences differed, with more variability from Asian subjects. Image content also significantly impacted preference: preferences increased more systematically with real world images than abstract images. Previous work on image quality has also found a dependence on image content, which accounted for greater variability than the cultural differences [Fernandez, et al., 2005; Jun, et al., 2002]. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2014

  PublisherDOI

• Amplification for Listeners with a Moderately Severe High-Frequency Hearing Loss

  Journal of the American Academy of Audiology · 2014-06-01 · 5 citations

  articleSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Some evidence exists to support the use of an extended bandwidth (EBW) for those with a relatively mild to moderate degree of hearing loss. The use of frequency lowering is suggested for those with a severe/profound degree of hearing loss. The amplification option for those with a moderately severe hearing loss in the high frequencies is less clear. This study compared three amplification options for listeners with a moderately severe hearing loss in the high frequencies. PURPOSE: The efficacy of three amplification options-limited bandwidth to 4000 Hz, EBW, and frequency transposition-were evaluated for listeners with a moderately severe, high-frequency hearing loss. RESEARCH DESIGN: The experiment used a factorial repeated-measures design. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 13 adults with bilateral hearing loss of 50-70 dB HL at 4000 Hz served as test participants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The participants rated the sound quality of birdsongs and music when aided with the amplification options. Speech perception in quiet was measured at 50 dB SPL and 68 dB SPL input levels. The participants also completed a questionnaire on the best amplification option to use in different real-life environments during a 2 wk, take-home trial. The data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The findings showed that more listeners preferred the EBW for home use but that the frequency transposition was the least preferred. In addition, the performance of the EBW was better than that of the limited bandwidth in speech recognition but similar to that of the frequency transposition. CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the fitting of an EBW as the better choice for this group of listeners.

  PublisherDOI

• P‐33: Which Color Gamut Metric Best Predicts Human Display Preference?

  SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers · 2014-06-01

  article

  Abstract Advances in display technology depend on our ability to develop miniscule elements that emit a broad range of light intensities and colors. Existing technologies are limited and face trade‐offs between producing luminance and color. Photometry and colorimetry provide tools to help developers understand those trade‐offs and to set meaningful targets for the future. Uncertainty remains however as to which metrics provide the best guidelines. We examined the relationship between 8 color metrics and human preferences for displays that differed only in color gamut. We found that (1) volume metrics, computed from display luminance and color capacity, outperformed area metrics computed only from color and (2) of the color metrics we considered, CIECAM′02 saturation best predicted viewer preference.

  PublisherDOI

• Evaluation of a Localization Training Program for Hearing Impaired Listeners

  Ear and Hearing · 2014-08-27 · 29 citations

  articleSenior author

  In Brief Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based and a laboratory-based localization training program. Design: This study examined the effectiveness of a localization training program on improving the localization ability of 15 participants with a mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss. These participants had worn the study hearing aids in a previous study. The training consisted of laboratory-based training and home-based training. The participants were divided into three groups: a control group, a group that performed the laboratory training first followed by the home training, and a group that completed the home training first followed by the laboratory training. The participants were evaluated before any training (baseline), at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after baseline testing. All training was completed by the second month. The participants only wore the study hearing aids between the second month and the third month. Localization testing and laboratory training were conducted in a sound-treated room with a 360 degree, 12 loudspeaker array. There were three stimuli each randomly presented three times from each loudspeaker (nine test items from each loudspeaker) for a total of 108 items on each test or training trial. The stimuli, including a continuous noise, a telephone ring, and a speech passage “Search for the sound from this speaker” were high-pass filtered above 2000 Hz. The test stimuli had a duration of 300 ms, whereas the training stimuli had five durations (3 s, 2 s, 1 s, 500 ms, and 300 ms) and four back attenuation (−8, −4, −2, and 0 dB re: front presentation) values. All stimuli were presented at 30 dB SL or the most comfortable listening level of the participants. Each participant completed 6 to 8, 2 hr laboratory-based training within a month. The home training required a two-loudspeaker computer system using 30 different sounds of various durations (5) by attenuation (4) combinations. The participants were required to use the home training program for 30 min per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Results: Localization data were evaluated using a 30 degree error criterion. There was a significant difference in localization scores for sounds that originated from the back between baseline and 3 months for the two groups that received training. The performance of the control group remained the same across the 3 month period. Generalization to other stimuli and in the unaided condition was also seen. There were no significant differences in localization performance from other directions between baseline and 3 months. These results indicated that the training program was effective in improving the localization skills of these listeners under the current test set-up. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that hearing aid wearers can be trained on their front/back localization skills using either laboratory-based or home-based training program. The effectiveness of the training was generalized to other acoustic stimuli and the unaided conditions when the stimulus levels were fixed. The effectiveness of a home-based and laboratory-based localization training program was examined in 15 hearing aid wearers. Aided localization ability was evaluated within a 360-degree 12-loudspeaker array. Five participants served as control while the others participated in a home-based and laboratory-based localization training program. The results revealed a significant reduction of front/back reversal for the listeners who received localization training while the control group showed no improvement. Generalization to other stimuli and to the unaided condition was also seen. The training programs in this study may improve localization of stimuli presented from the back when the levels are fixed.

  PublisherDOI

• Effects of a Transient Noise Reduction Algorithm on Speech Understanding, Subjective Preference, and Preferred Gain

  Journal of the American Academy of Audiology · 2013-10-01 · 11 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND: Today's compression hearing aids with noise reduction systems may not manage transient noises effectively because of the short duration of these sounds compared to the onset times of the compressors and/or noise reduction algorithms. PURPOSE: The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of a transient noise reduction (TNR) algorithm on listening comfort, speech intelligibility in quiet, and preferred wearer gain in the presence of transients. RESEARCH DESIGN: A single-blinded, repeated-measures design was used. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen experienced hearing aid users with bilaterally symmetrical (≤7.5 dB) sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. RESULTS: Speech identification in quiet (no transient noise) was identical between the TNR On and the TNR Off conditions. The participants showed subjective preference for the TNR algorithm when "comfortable listening" was used as the criterion. Participants preferred less gain than the default prescription in the presence of transient noise sounds. However, the preferred gain was 2.9 dB higher when the TNR was activated than when it was deactivated. This translated to 12.1% improvement in phoneme identification over the TNR Off condition for soft speech. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the use of the TNR algorithm would not negatively affect speech identification. The results also suggested that this algorithm may improve listening comfort in the presence of transient noise sounds and ensure consistent use of prescribed gain. Such an algorithm may ensure more consistent audibility across listening environments.

  PublisherDOI

• PQM: A Quantitative Tool for Evaluating Decisions in Display Design

  Information Display · 2013-05-01 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Display manufacturers must continually make decisions about device performance with regard to such characteristics as resolution, luminance, and color. 3M has developed a new tool that enables product developers to forecast how these design factors affect users' perceptions of quality.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Active Learning of Ensemble Classifiers for Gesture Recognition

  Lecture notes in computer science · 2012-01-01 · 9 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Contrast Response Functions for Single Gabor Patches: ROI-Based Analysis Over-Represents Low-Contrast Patches for GE BOLD

  Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience · 2011-01-01 · 16 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF BOLD FMRI DATA IS A LINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BOLD RESPONSE AND THE UNDERLYING NEURAL ACTIVITY: increased BOLD responses should reflect proportionate increases in the underlying neural activity. While previous studies have demonstrated a linear relationship between the peak amplitude of the BOLD response and neural activity in primary visual cortex (V1), these studies have used stimuli that excite large areas of cortex, and the linearity of the BOLD response has not been demonstrated when only a small patch of cortex is stimulated. The BOLD response to isolated Gabor patches of increasing contrast was measured with gradient echo (GE) BOLD and spin echo (SE) BOLD at 7 T. Our primary finding is notable spatial heterogeneity of the BOLD contrast response, particularly for the GE BOLD data, resulting in a more reliably linear relationship between BOLD data and estimated neural responses in the center of the cortical representations of the individual Gabor patches than near the edges. A control experiment with larger sinusoidal grating patches confirms that the observed sensitivity to voxel selection in the regions of interest-based analysis is unique to the small stimuli.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Cheryl A. Olman

  University of Minnesota

  10 shared

• Francis Kuk

  Google (United States)

  4 shared

• Denise Keenan

  4 shared

• Chi Lau

  3 shared

• C. F. Quinn

  University of Minnesota

  3 shared

• Art Lathrop

  3M (United States)

  3 shared

• John Van Derlofske

  3M (United States)

  2 shared

• Petri Korhonen

  2 shared

Awards & honors

• Thurber Prize for American Humor
• University of Minnesota McKnight Research Award (2000)
• Minnesota State Arts Board Grant (1996)
• McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers/Loft Award in Creativ…
• ALA Notable book of the Year (1995)