Exploiting general-purpose background knowledge for automated schema matching

The schema matching task is an integral part of the data integration process. It is usually the first step in integrating data. Schema matching is typically very complex and time-consuming. It is, therefore, to the largest part, carried out by humans. One reason for the low amount of automation is the fact that schemas are often defined with deep background knowledge that is not itself present within the schemas. Overcoming the problem of missing background knowledge is a core challenge in automating the data integration process. In this dissertation, the task of matching semantic models, so-called ontologies, with the help of external background knowledge is investigated in-depth in Part I. Throughout this thesis, the focus lies on large, general-purpose resources since domain-specific resources are rarely available for most domains. Besides new knowledge resources, this thesis also explores new strategies to exploit such resources. A technical base for the development and comparison of matching systems is presented in Part II. The framework introduced here allows for simple and modularized matcher development (with background knowledge sources) and for extensive evaluations of matching systems. One of the largest structured sources for general-purpose background knowledge are knowledge graphs which have grown significantly in size in recent years. However, exploiting such graphs is not trivial. In Part III, knowledge graph em- beddings are explored, analyzed, and compared. Multiple improvements to existing approaches are presented. In Part IV, numerous concrete matching systems which exploit general-purpose background knowledge are presented. Furthermore, exploitation strategies and resources are analyzed and compared. This dissertation closes with a perspective on real-world applications

Contextualization of Protestant church liturgical gestures, among the Kankana-ey people, Benguet, Northern Philippines

A field-survey indicated that gesture forms used in Protestant Church liturgy arc not identified with the general culture among Kankana-ey, Northern Philippines. Based on an open-system approach to communication, the project identified two categories of gestures, ceremonial and spontaneous, within which eighteen gestures were compared between their use in Sunday church services and the general culture. In a sample of respondents, quantified data was obtained through in-depth interviews and photo-elicitation conducted in four selected congregations, within two denominations: the Episcopal Church and the Assemblies of God. These denominations represent two end points in the Protestant Church liturgical spectrum and results indicate that a difference exists in the forms used in both categories of gestures by both denominations between church and culture.Two reasons are offered to account for this difference in findings between gestures used in the liturgy and their use in culture: the slow pace adopted by Protestant missions to contextualize the church in the Philippines; and a "culture of dependence" that still existed in Protestant churches after independence from their parent body. Further research is needed to determine the level of contextualization on other forms of communication in the church such as preaching, teaching, counselling.The study findings indicate: that an emphasis on contextualization by Protestant misions at church planting level will help to avoid possible conflict between liturgical church forms and culture; that local church bodies must continually adapt forms of communication to the cultural context where they are located, while avoiding blandness, or the alienation of followers who are used to particular forms