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Reusable components for knowledge modelling
In this work I illustrate an approach to the development of a library of problem solving components for knowledge modelling. This approach is based on an epistemological modelling framework, the Task/Method/Domain/Application (TMDA) model, and on a principled methodology, which provide an integrated view of both library construction and application development by reuse.
The starting point of the proposed approach is given by a task ontology. This formalizes a conceptual viewpoint over a class of problems, thus providing a task-specific framework, which can be used to drive the construction of a task model through a process of model-based knowledge acquisition. The definitions in the task ontology provide the initial elements of a task-specific library of problem solving components.
In order to move from problem specification to problem solving, a generic, i.e. taskindependent, model of problem solving as search is introduced, and instantiated in terms of the concepts in the relevant task ontology, say T. The result is a task-specific, but method-independent, problem solving model. This generic problem solving model provides the foundation from which alternative problem solving methods for a class of tasks can be defined. Specifically, the generic problem solving model provides i) a highly generic method ontology, say M; ii) a set of generic building blocks (generic tasks), which can be used to construct task-specific problem solving methods; and iii) an initial problem solving method, which can be characterized as the most generic problem solving method, which subscribes to M and is applicable to T. More specific problem solving methods can then be (re-)constructed from the generic problem solving model through a process of method/ontology specialization and method-to-task application.
The resulting library of reusable components enjoys a clear theoretical basis and provides robust support for reuse. In the thesis I illustrate the approach in the area of parametric design
A manufacturing model to support data-driven applications for design and manufacture
This thesis is primarily concerned with conceptual work on the Manufacturing
Model. The Manufacturing Model is an information model which describes the
manufacturing capability of an enterprise. To achieve general applicability, the
model consists of the entities that are relevant and important for any type of
manufacturing firm, namely: manufacturing resources (e.g. machines, tools,
fixtures, machining cells, operators, etc.), manufacturing processes (e.g. injection
moulding, machining processes, etc.) and manufacturing strategies (e.g. how these
resources and processes are used and organized). The Manufacturing Model is a four
level model based on a de—facto standard (i.e. Factory, Shop, Cell, Station) which
represents the functionality of the manufacturing facility of any firm.
In the course of the research, the concept of data—driven applications has emerged in
response to the need of integrated and flexible computer environments for the
support of design and manufacturing activities. These data—driven applications
require the use of different information models to capture and represent the
company's information and knowledge. One of these information models is the
Manufacturing Model.
The value of this research work is highlighted by the use of two case studies, one
related with the representation of a single machining station, and the other, the
representation of a multi-cellular manufacturing facility of a high performance
company
Expert systems and multivariate analysis in clinical chemistry
The object of this thesis is to explore how expert systems may be helpful in information
enhancement for clinical chemistry. Several prototypes have been built in order to
investigate the advantages and disadvantages. A discussion of existing and new ideas with
ample references has been added to create a birds eye view of the area, and to allow the
interested reader a deeper dive into the subject. lt is hoped that this thesis will act as a
catalyst in reverting the existing scepticism into enthousiasm.
Chapter 2 is a description of LITHOS, an expert system for X-ray diffraction analysis of
urinary calculi. A comparison of this system with CALCULI, a conventional computer
program for the same purpose is given in chapter 3. Chapter 4 contains a discussion of
acid-base nomenclature and a short description of CHEMPATII, an expert system for the
diagnosis of acid-base and electrolyte disorders. In chapter 5, examples and a discussion
are presented of multivariate analysis as a tool in clinical chemistry. Some explorations
in developing an expert system for the laboratory diagnosis of anemia (HEMO) are
discussed in chapter 6. Chapter 7 presents a general discussion of the application of
expert systems in clinical chemistry, as well as the experiences with the various systems
Esprit '90. Proceedings of the annual Esprit conference. Brussels, 12-15 November 1990. EUR 13148 EN
LC: A Mostly-strongly-timed Prototype-based Computer Music Programming Language that Integrates Objects and Manipulations for Microsound Synthesis
Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH
Peer production of Open Hardware: Unfinished artifacts and architectures in the hackerspaces
The dissertation adopts the theoretical framework of peer production to investigate the phenomena of open collaboration in hacker clubs through two case studies of small scale electronic artefacts. A critique of current theories of peer production is developed from a Science and Technology Studies point of view, arguing for the primacy of social constructivism over technological determinist narratives about the role of ICTs in late capitalism in general and hacker culture in particular. Properties of disruptive novelty and spontaneous emergence routinely attributed to ICTs – and by extension to the peer production practices of hackers – are approached sceptically with a historically informed ethnographic method that concentrates on continuities and contexts.La tesis adopta el marco teórico de la producción entre iguales para investigar los fenómenos de colaboración abierta en los clubs de hackers, a través de dos estudios de caso sobre artefactos electrónicos de pequeña escala. Se desarrolla una crítica de las teorías actuales sobre la producción entre iguales desde el punto de vista de los Estudios de Ciencia y Tecnología, defendiendo la primacía de la visión constructivista social por encima de las narrativas deterministas tecnológicas en el papel de las TIC en el capitalismo tardío, en general, y en la cultura hacker en particular. Nociones como la novedad perturbadora y la aparición espontánea, atribuidas habitualmente a las TIC y, por extensión, a las prácticas de producción entre iguales de los hackers, se tratan con escepticismo mediante un método etnográfico históricamente informado, que se concentra en las continuidades y contextos.La tesi adopta el marc teòric de la producció entre iguals per investigar els fenòmens de col·laboració oberta als clubs de hackers, a través de dos estudis de cas sobre artefactes electrònics de petita escala. S’hi desenvolupa una crítica de les teories actuals sobre la producció entre iguals des del punt de vista dels Estudis de Ciència i Tecnologia, defensant la primacia de la visió constructivista social per sobre de les narratives deterministes tecnològiques en el paper de les TIC en el capitalisme tardà, en general, i en la cultura hacker en particular. Nocions com la novetat pertorbadora i l’aparició espontània, atribuïdes habitualment a les TIC i, per extensió, a les pràctiques de producció entre iguals dels hackers, es tracten amb escepticisme mitjançant un mètode etnogràfic històricament informat, que es concentra en les continuïtats i els contextos.Societat de la informació i el coneixemen
Software curating : the politics of curating in/as (an) Open System(s)
The thesis examines how Information technologies have changed the practice of
curating. It proposes an Interdisciplinary approach that directly links curating (often
understood as an activity of artistic programming), computing (the activity of computer
programming) and a relatively recent Interest In software art (in which programming Is
understood as artistic practice). Although there Is much contemporary critical work
and practice that Is described as art-oriented programming or software art, the thesis
aims to explore a perceived gap In discussions around software curating.
Curators working with online technologies are presented with the challenge of how to
respond to new artistic forms that Involve programming: for Instance program-objects
that display dynamic and transformative properties, and that are distributed over
socio-technological networks. Although there are many examples of social platforms
and highly relevant examples of online 'art platforms', these still largely operate In
display mode replicating more conventional models of curating and the operations of
art Institutions In general. The tendency Is for these curatorial online systems to
concentrate on the display of executed code and pay less attention to source code.
New sensibilities are required that simultaneously reflect the significance of source
code as art, and software not as a production tool or a display platform but as cultural
practice that Is analogous to curating. What Is distinctive about the thesis Is that It
speculates on a curatorial model that emphasises the analogy to programming.
Consequently, the thesis argues for online software systems that display properties of
curating but reprocess established definitions by deliberately collapsing firm
distinctions between the fields of programming, artistic practice and curatorial
practice.
To consider these Issues, the thesis brings together a number of Inter-related fields of
critical Inquiry and situates curating In the context of theories of immateriality, a
critical discourse around software art practice, and an understanding of open systems.
The key Issue for the thesis becomes how power relations, control and agency are
expressed In new curatorial forms that Involve programming and networks; In other
words, the thesis Is concerned with the politics of curating In/as (an) open system(s).
Indeed, curating Itself can be described In terms of open systems, Implying a state In
which there Is continuous Interaction with the soclo-technological environment. The
system Is opened up to communicative processes that Involve producers/users and to
divergent exchanges that take place and that disrupt established social relations of
production and distribution. Thus, and Importantly for an understanding of the power
relations Involved, software opens up curating to dynamic possibilities and
transformations beyond the usual Institutional model (analogous to the model of
production associated with the industrial factory) Into the context of networks (and
what Is referred to by the Autonomists as the 'social factory'). The suggestion Is that
the curatorial process Is now closely Integrated with the dynamic soclo-technological
networks and with software that Is not simply used to curate but demonstrates the
activity of curatIng In Itself Consequently, the thesis offers an expanded description of
curating with respect to software In which agency Is reconstituted to Include alternative
dynamics of networks.
The curatorial model Is not only theorlsed but also deployed In the production of
experimental software for curating source code (kurator) that forms the practical part
of the doctoral research. in addition to a written thesis and software, two further
projects produced during the registration period 2002-2008 are Included in support of
the overall thesis: a conference CuratIng, Immaterlafity, Systems (CIS) (Tate Modern,
London 2005) and an edited book Curating immateriality: The Work of The Curator In
the Age of Network Systems (CI) (Autonomedia, New York 2006). The kurator software
Is a further development of the conference and subsequent book, and offers an online,
user-moderated curatorial system for further public modification. In so doing, the
argument Is that the curatorial process Is demonstrably a collective and distributed
executable that displays machinic agency. This Is what Is referred to in the thesis as
software curating.Faculty of Technology and Faculty
of Arts, University of Plymouth
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