Knowledge Based Systems: A Critical Survey of Major Concepts, Issues, and Techniques

This Working Paper Series entry presents a detailed survey of knowledge based systems. After being in a relatively dormant state for many years, only recently is Artificial Intelligence (AI) - that branch of computer science that attempts to have machines emulate intelligent behavior - accomplishing practical results. Most of these results can be attributed to the design and use of Knowledge-Based Systems, KBSs (or ecpert systems) - problem solving computer programs that can reach a level of performance comparable to that of a human expert in some specialized problem domain. These systems can act as a consultant for various requirements like medical diagnosis, military threat analysis, project risk assessment, etc. These systems possess knowledge to enable them to make intelligent desisions. They are, however, not meant to replace the human specialists in any particular domain. A critical survey of recent work in interactive KBSs is reported. A case study (MYCIN) of a KBS, a list of existing KBSs, and an introduction to the Japanese Fifth Generation Computer Project are provided as appendices. Finally, an extensive set of KBS-related references is provided at the end of the report

Expert systems in computer cartography

The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of expert system concepts to cartographic problems. Expert systems, a subfield of artificial intelligence, are computer programs based on knowledge and symbolic reasoning. The basic principles of expert systems will be explained. Areas of cartography that are most suitable for this new approach of computer-assisted cartography will be identified. Examples of cartographic expert systems will be discussed, problems identified, and future research efforts in the area of cartographic expert systems suggested

GlySpy: A software suite for assigning glycan topologies from sequential mass spectral data

GlySpy is a suite of algorithms used to determine the structure of glycans. Glycans, which are orderly aggregations of monosaccharides such as glucose, mannose, and fucose, are often attached to proteins and lipids, and provide a wide range of biological functions. Previous biomolecule-sequencing algorithms have operated on linear polymers such as proteins or DNA but, because glycans form complicated branching structures, new approaches are required. GlySpy uses data derived from sequential mass spectrometry (MSn), in which a precursor molecule is fragmented to form products, each of which may then be fragmented further, gradually disassembling the glycan. GlySpy resolves the structures of the original glycans by examining these disassembly pathways. The four main components of GlySpy are: (1) OSCAR (the Oligosaccharide Subtree Constraint Algorithm), which accepts analyst-selected MSn disassembly pathways and produces a set of plausible glycan structures; (2) IsoDetect, which reports the MSn disassembly pathways that are inconsistent with a set of expected structures, and which therefore may indicate the presence of alternative isomeric structures; (3) IsoSolve, which attempts to assign the branching structures of multiple isomeric glycans found in a complex mixture; and (4) Intelligent Data Acquisition (IDA), which provides automated guidance to the mass spectrometer operator, selecting glycan fragments for further MSn disassembly. This dissertation provides a primer for the underlying interdisciplinary topics---carbohydrates, glycans, MSn, and so on-and also presents a survey of the relevant literature with a focus on currently-available tools. Each of GlySpy\u27s four algorithms is described in detail, along with results from their application to biologically-derived glycan samples. A summary enumerates GlySpy\u27s contributions, which include de novo glycan structural analysis, favorable performance characteristics, interpretation of higher-order MSn data, and the automation of both data acquisition and analysis

A Knowledge-Based Expert Systems Primer and Catalog

For more than 20 years, artificial intelligence techniques have been applied to the development of computer programs that solve difficult problems. Although several expert systems are well known, it is all too easy to circumscribe the field based on these few examples. The purpose of this paper is to present the fundamentals of the field (the Primer), and to give a broad overview via concise descriptions of many rule-based expert systems and knowledge engineering frameworks (the Catalog)

Fifth Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications

The Fifth Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications brings together diverse technical and scientific work in order to help those who employ AI methods in space applications to identify common goals and to address issues of general interest in the AI community. Topics include the following: automation for Space Station; intelligent control, testing, and fault diagnosis; robotics and vision; planning and scheduling; simulation, modeling, and tutoring; development tools and automatic programming; knowledge representation and acquisition; and knowledge base/data base integration

BioMeRSA: The Biology media repository with semantic augmentation

With computers now capable of easily handling all kinds of multimedia files in vast quantity, and with the Internet now well-suited to exchange these files, we are faced with the challenge of organizing this data in such a way so as to make the information most useful and accessible. This holds true as well for media pertaining to the field of biology, where multimedia is particularly useful in education, as well as in research. To help address this, a software system with a Web-based interface has been developed for improving the accuracy and specificity of multimedia searching and browsing by integrating semantic data pertaining to the field of biology from the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS). Using the Biology Media Repository with Semantic Augmentation (BioMeRSA) system, users who are considered to be `experts\u27 can associate concepts from UMLS with multimedia files submitted by other users to provide semantic context for the files. These annotations are used to retrieve relevant files in the searching and browsing interfaces. A wide variety of image files are currently supported, with some limited support for video and audio files

DRIVER Technology Watch Report

This report is part of the Discovery Workpackage (WP4) and is the third report out of four deliverables. The objective of this report is to give an overview of the latest technical developments in the world of digital repositories, digital libraries and beyond, in order to serve as theoretical and practical input for the technical DRIVER developments, especially those focused on enhanced publications. This report consists of two main parts, one part focuses on interoperability standards for enhanced publications, the other part consists of three subchapters, which give a landscape picture of current and surfacing technologies and communities crucial to DRIVER. These three subchapters contain the GRID, CRIS and LTP communities and technologies. Every chapter contains a theoretical explanation, followed by case studies and the outcomes and opportunities for DRIVER in this field

Knowledge-based automatic tolerance analysis system

Tolerance measure is an important part of engineering, however, to date the system of applying this important technology has been left to the assessment of the engineer using appropriate guidelines. This work offers a major departure from the trial and error or random number generation techniques that have been used previously by using a knowledge-based system to ensure the intelligent optimisation within the manufacturing system. A system to optimise manufacturing tolerance allocation to a part known as Knowledge-based Automatic Tolerance Analysis (KATA) has been developed. KATA is a knowledge-based system shell built within AutoCAD. It has the ability for geometry creation in CAD and the capability to optimise the tolerance heuristically as an expert system. Besides the worst-case tolerancing equation to optimise the tolerance allocation, KATA's algorithm is supported by actual production information such as machine capability, types of cutting tools, materials, process capabilities etc. KATA's prototype is currently able to analyse a cylindrical shape workpiece and a simple prismatic part. Analyses of tolerance include dimensional tolerance and geometrical tolerance. KATA is also able to do angular cuts such as tapers and chamfers. The investigation has also led to the significant development of the single tolerance reference technique. This method departs from the common practice of multiple tolerance referencing technique to optimise tolerance allocation. Utilisation of this new technique has eradicated the error of tolerance stackup. The retests have been undertaken, two of which are cylindrical parts meant to test dimensional tolerance and an angular cut. The third is a simple prismatic part to experiment with the geometrical tolerance analysis. The ability to optimise tolerance allocation is based on real production data and not imaginary or random number generation and has improved the accuracy of the expected result after manufacturing. Any failure caused by machining parameters is cautioned at an early stage before an actual production run has commenced. Thus, the manufacturer is assured that the product manufactured will be within the required tolerance limits. Being the central database for all production capability information enables KATA to opt for several approaches and techniques of processing. Hence, giving the user flexibility of selecting the process plan best suited for any required situation

The Chemist in the College Chemistry Classroom: A Case Study of Excellence.

Prominent in the agenda of science education research nowadays are studies focusing on the science teacher/professor. Consequently, this study focuses on a particular chemistry professor at Louisiana State University. He was chosen because of his outstanding and award-winning teaching activities; his voluntary workshops for area high school chemistry teachers; and his active involvement with a college chemistry curriculum reform committee, serving as chairman of the committee. Additionally, his continuing accomplishments and engagements with inorganic chemistry research activities are noteworthy. He was studied for three semesters in his teaching of introductory level chemistry to a large freshman class and his teaching of upper level chemistry to graduates and senior undergraduates as well as during his interactions with his own graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Other activities aimed at educational efforts at the precollege level and the overall academic environment of the area are included. As a qualitative case study, it employs the interpretive methods of participant interviewing; field-note taking in and outside the classroom, from participant observations; collection of documents/artifacts from the professor\u27s classes. This case study provided new insights/findings concerning excellence in college chemistry teaching, which includes the following: (a) Cooperative group work among students taking college chemistry courses, especially introductory level courses, promoted some significant academic, personal and social as well as other affective outcomes necessary for college students to succeed in chemistry. (b) Frequent use of history and philosophy of chemistry in college chemistry classrooms as well as numerous references to current human and societal efforts in chemistry was well embraced by students and as such sustained their interest in chemistry learning. (c) The use of multiple traditional and non-traditional assessment techniques adequately accommodated the learning needs/styles of the diverse student population in the classroom. (d) The overall establishment of a non-threatening and accommodative learning environment appeared to be a crucial factor in success at recruiting and retaining students in chemistry. Based upon the findings, it is recommended, among others, that research activities and instructional activities in college chemistry departments need to be equally embraced and should not be dichotomized