Bilateral Multi-Perspective Matching for Natural Language Sentences (1702.03814v3)

Abstract: Natural language sentence matching is a fundamental technology for a variety of tasks. Previous approaches either match sentences from a single direction or only apply single granular (word-by-word or sentence-by-sentence) matching. In this work, we propose a bilateral multi-perspective matching (BiMPM) model under the "matching-aggregation" framework. Given two sentences $P$ and $Q$, our model first encodes them with a BiLSTM encoder. Next, we match the two encoded sentences in two directions $P \rightarrow Q$ and $P \leftarrow Q$. In each matching direction, each time step of one sentence is matched against all time-steps of the other sentence from multiple perspectives. Then, another BiLSTM layer is utilized to aggregate the matching results into a fix-length matching vector. Finally, based on the matching vector, the decision is made through a fully connected layer. We evaluate our model on three tasks: paraphrase identification, natural language inference and answer sentence selection. Experimental results on standard benchmark datasets show that our model achieves the state-of-the-art performance on all tasks.

Overview of Formatting Guidelines for IJCAI-17 Paper Submissions

The paper "IJCAI--17 Formatting Instructions," authored by Carles Sierra, serves as an indispensable guide for researchers submitting their work to the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) 2017. The document comprehensively outlines the formatting requirements and submission guidelines to ensure uniformity and compatibility across all conference proceedings.

Length and Submission Nuances

The instructions begin by specifying the length parameters for paper submissions: each accepted full paper is allowed up to six pages, with an additional page for references. Authors have the option to purchase up to two extra pages for a fee. However, initial submissions must conform to a six-page limit, excluding references.

Word Processing and Formatting Software

IJCAI provides \LaTeX{} macros and a Microsoft Word template to facilitate the formatting process. Authors using alternative word processing tools must ensure their final manuscript closely mimics the provided samples. This flexibility ensures that contributors from diverse technological backgrounds can adhere to the guidelines.

Layout Specifications

Manuscripts should be formatted in a two-column layout on 8.5x11 inch paper. Specific measurements for margins, column widths, and column gaps are provided to standardize the presentation. These dimensions are crucial for maintaining the professional appearance and readability of the conference proceedings.

Electronic Manuscript Requirements

The submission must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Authors are advised to use the Times Roman font for uniformity, and instructions for generating PDFs on different operating systems are provided. Specifying the American letter format during formatting is emphasized to avoid discrepancies in the final print.

Title and Author Information

The title and author details should be centered and formatted in specified fonts (14-point bold for the title, 12-point bold for author names). The provision for acknowledging sponsoring agencies via footnotes is also included. Particularly for the blind review process, authors must omit their names and affiliations and use third-person references to their prior work to maintain anonymity.

Abstract and Main Text Formatting

The abstract must be placed at the beginning of the first column, formatted in the same font as the main text but with a slight indentation. The abstract should succinctly summarize the paper's thesis and conclusions within 200 words, providing readers a quick overview of the research's purpose and significance.

Section and Subsection Headings

Clear guidelines are provided for formatting section and subsection headings, utilizing various font sizes and styles to differentiate between levels of headings. The document employs frequent headings for demonstration purposes, though authors are encouraged to use fewer in their submissions to maintain clarity and focus.

Citations and References

The paper details the correct format for citations and reference lists, advocating for the use of BibTeX to ensure consistency. Examples illustrate multiple author citations, ambiguous cases, and collapsed references, equipping authors with the knowledge to accurately attribute sources.

Figures and Tables

Guidelines for including illustrations such as figures and tables focus on their placement within the text, the necessity for electronic rendering, and considerations for black and white reproduction. Numbering and captioning instructions ensure that all visual aids are seamlessly integrated into the manuscript.

Conclusion: Practical and Theoretical Implications

This thorough set of instructions has profound implications for both the practical aspects of paper submission and the broader theoretical rigor involved in academic publishing. By adhering to these detailed guidelines, authors can contribute to a high standard of presentation and clarity, thereby facilitating greater dissemination and impact of their research within the AI community.

Furthermore, the emphasis on uniformity aids in the paper review process, allowing reviewers to focus on content over formatting inconsistencies. As IJCAI continues to be a prestigious venue for AI research, such meticulous preparation ensures that the conference remains a beacon of high-quality, accessible scientific discourse. Future developments in AI may further streamline these processes, potentially leveraging advanced formatting tools and automated compliance checks to ease the burden on authors and reviewers alike.