Gerenciamento de restrições de integridade para dados geoespaciais multi-escala

Orientador: Claudia Maria Bauzer MedeirosDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de ComputaçãoResumo: Trabalhar em questões relativas a dados geoespaciais presentes em múltiplas escalas apresenta inúmeros desafios que têm sido atacados pelos pesquisadores da área de GIS (Sistemas de Informação Geográfica). De fato, um dado problema do mundo real deve frequentemente ser estudado em escalas distintas para ser resolvido. Outro fator a ser considerado é a possibilidade de manter o histórico de mudanças em cada escala. Além disso, uma das principais metas de ambientes multi-escala _e garantir a manipulação de informações sem qualquer contradição entre suas diferentes representações. A noção de escala extrapola inclusive a questão espacial, pois se aplica também, por exemplo, _a escala temporal. Estes problemas serão analisados nesta dissertação, resultando nas seguintes contribuições: (a) proposta do modelo DBV (Database Version) multi-escala para gerenciar de forma transparente dados de múltiplas escalas sob a perspectiva de bancos de dados; (b) especificação de restrições de integridade multi-escala; (c) implementação de uma plataforma que suporte o modelo e as restrições, testados com dados reais multi-escalaAbstract: Work on multi-scale issues concerning geospatial data presents countless challenges that have been long attacked by GIScience (Geographic Information Science) researchers. Indeed, a given real world problem must often be studied at distinct scales in order to be solved. Another factor to be considered is the possibility of maintaining the history of changes at each scale. Moreover, one of the main goals of multi-scale environments is to guarantee the manipulation of information without any contradiction among the different representations. The concept of scale goes beyond issues of space, since it also applies, for instance, to time. These problems will be analyzed in this thesis, resulting in the following contributions: (a) the proposal of the DBV (Database Version) multi-scale model to handle data at multiple scales from a database perspective; (b) the specification of multi-scale integrity constraints; (c) the implementation of a platform to support model and constraints, tested with real multi-scale dataMestradoCiência da ComputaçãoMestre em Ciência da Computaçã

Visões em bancos de dados de grafos : uma abordagem multifoco para dados heterogêneos

Orientador: Claudia Maria Bauzer MedeirosTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de ComputaçãoResumo: A pesquisa científica tornou-se cada vez mais dependente de dados. Esse novo paradigma de pesquisa demanda técnicas e tecnologias computacionais sofisticadas para apoiar tanto o ciclo de vida dos dados científicos como a colaboração entre cientistas de diferentes áreas. Uma demanda recorrente em equipes multidisciplinares é a construção de múltiplas perspectivas sobre um mesmo conjunto de dados. Soluções atuais cobrem vários aspectos, desde o projeto de padrões de interoperabilidade ao uso de sistemas de gerenciamento de bancos de dados não-relacionais. Entretanto, nenhum desses esforços atende de forma adequada a necessidade de múltiplas perspectivas, denominadas focos nesta tese. Em termos gerais, um foco é projetado e construído para atender um determinado grupo de pesquisa (mesmo no escopo de um único projeto) que necessita manipular um subconjunto de dados de interesse em múltiplos níveis de agregação/generalização. A definição e criação de um foco são tarefas complexas que demandam mecanismos capazes de manipular múltiplas representações de um mesmo fenômeno do mundo real. O objetivo desta tese é prover múltiplos focos sobre dados heterogêneos. Para atingir esse objetivo, esta pesquisa se concentrou em quatro principais problemas. Os problemas inicialmente abordados foram: (1) escolher um paradigma de gerenciamento de dados adequado e (2) elencar os principais requisitos de pesquisas multifoco. Nossos resultados nos direcionaram para a adoção de bancos de dados de grafos como solução para o problema (1) e a utilização do conceito de visões, de bancos de dados relacionais, para o problema (2). Entretanto, não há consenso sobre um modelo de dados para bancos de dados de grafos e o conceito de visões é pouco explorado nesse contexto. Com isso, os demais problemas tratados por esta pesquisa são: (3) a especificação de um modelo de dados de grafos e (4) a definição de um framework para manipular visões em bancos de dados de grafos. Nossa pesquisa nesses quatro problemas resultaram nas contribuições principais desta tese: (i) apontar o uso de bancos de dados de grafos como camada de persistência em pesquisas multifoco - um tipo de banco de dados de esquema flexível e orientado a relacionamentos que provê uma ampla compreensão sobre as relações entre os dados; (ii) definir visões para bancos de dados de grafos como mecanismo para manipular múltiplos focos, considerando operações de manipulação de dados em grafos, travessias e algoritmos de grafos; (iii) propor um modelo de dados para grafos - baseado em grafos de propriedade - para lidar com a ausência de um modelo de dados pleno para grafos; (iv) especificar e implementar um framework, denominado Graph-Kaleidoscope, para prover o uso de visões em bancos de dados de grafos e (v) validar nosso framework com dados reais em aplicações distintas - em biodiversidade e em recursos naturais - dois típicos exemplos de pesquisas multidisciplinares que envolvem a análise de interações de fenômenos a partir de dados heterogêneosAbstract: Scientific research has become data-intensive and data-dependent. This new research paradigm requires sophisticated computer science techniques and technologies to support the life cycle of scientific data and collaboration among scientists from distinct areas. A major requirement is that researchers working in data-intensive interdisciplinary teams demand construction of multiple perspectives of the world, built over the same datasets. Present solutions cover a wide range of aspects, from the design of interoperability standards to the use of non-relational database management systems. None of these efforts, however, adequately meet the needs of multiple perspectives, which are called foci in the thesis. Basically, a focus is designed/built to cater to a research group (even within a single project) that needs to deal with a subset of data of interest, under multiple ggregation/generalization levels. The definition and creation of a focus are complex tasks that require mechanisms and engines to manipulate multiple representations of the same real world phenomenon. This PhD research aims to provide multiple foci over heterogeneous data. To meet this challenge, we deal with four research problems. The first two were (1) choosing an appropriate data management paradigm; and (2) eliciting multifocus requirements. Our work towards solving these problems made as choose graph databases to answer (1) and the concept of views in relational databases for (2). However, there is no consensual data model for graph databases and views are seldom discussed in this context. Thus, research problems (3) and (4) are: (3) specifying an adequate graph data model and (4) defining a framework to handle views on graph databases. Our research in these problems results in the main contributions of this thesis: (i) to present the case for the use of graph databases in multifocus research as persistence layer - a schemaless and relationship driven type of database that provides a full understanding of data connections; (ii) to define views for graph databases to support the need for multiple foci, considering graph data manipulation, graph algorithms and traversal tasks; (iii) to propose a property graph data model (PGDM) to fill the gap of absence of a full-fledged data model for graphs; (iv) to specify and implement a framework, named Graph-Kaleidoscope, that supports views over graph databases and (v) to validate our framework for real world applications in two domains - biodiversity and environmental resources - typical examples of multidisciplinary research that involve the analysis of interactions of phenomena using heterogeneous dataDoutoradoCiência da ComputaçãoDoutora em Ciência da Computaçã

Multi-Level Multi-Objective Programming and Optimization for Integrated Air Defense System Disruption

The U.S. military\u27s ability to project military force is being challenged. This research develops and demonstrates the application of three respective sensor location, relocation, and network intrusion models to provide the mathematical basis for the strategic engagement of emerging technologically advanced, highly-mobile, Integrated Air Defense Systems. First, we propose a bilevel mathematical programming model for locating a heterogeneous set of sensors to maximize the minimum exposure of an intruder\u27s penetration path through a defended region. Next, we formulate a multi-objective, bilevel optimization model to relocate surviving sensors to maximize an intruder\u27s minimal expected exposure to traverse a defended border region, minimize the maximum sensor relocation time, and minimize the total number of sensors requiring relocation. Lastly, we present a trilevel, attacker-defender-attacker formulation for the heterogeneous sensor network intrusion problem to optimally incapacitate a subset of the defender\u27s sensors and degrade a subset of the defender\u27s network to ultimately determine the attacker\u27s optimal penetration path through a defended network

Spatial Data Harmonisation in Regional Context in Accordance with INSPIRE Implementing Rules

Spatial data seamless exchange and interoperable usage has become a necessity in efficient data management and competitive positioning in the European Union. Conceptual and technical framework for the spatial data and services interoperability is specified within the EU INSPIRE Directive. The Directive provides flexible and modular structure, giving the opportunity for customisation of the data specifications and usage. From the data publisher level to the European spatial data infrastructure, this opened the question of disharmony of the spatial data structure and sharing. Arisen challenges in data harmonisation process are thus subject of interest for different formalisation approaches. This study approaches the spatial data harmonisation process focusing on the area of Western Balkans, the region of Europe with countries that have similar interest for implementation of the INSPIRE Directive. With the main aim to propose the improvement to regional data harmonisation process, the study is focused on geology as the spatial theme. The study (1) analyses the INSPIRE data harmonisation process, (2) assesses critical factors of the process in the region and (3) tests the implementation of the INSPIRE data model harmonised in accordance with user needs. Results of the analysis present the structure and formalisation concepts of the INSPIRE data model, its extensibility, means for securing interoperability and standardised approach in defining data model elements. Critical factors of the harmonisation process are assessed through semi-structured questionnaire answered by competent representatives of the Western Balkans countries. The results show that, on a regional level, spatial data managers have made progress towards compliance and are familiar with the Directive. However, they lack a coordinated approach and implementation guidance. Aside from the low capacities, due to the current state of the data structures, harmonisation is a highly complex process and a goal that is difficult to reach. The outcomes of the INSPIRE defined harmonisation process and user needs are implemented on a practical example, a INSPIRE Theme Geology dataset from a Western Balkans region stakeholder. The user needs and data model structure characteristics of the regional geology dataset were integrated in the formal description of the source and transformed to target INSPIRE data model. The concept required structuring the source model to meet both INSPIRE and local requirements. The study general aim was reached by implementing the INSPIRE data harmonisation with fulfilling the main objectives – creating market-oriented, interoperable and accessible dataset, meeting national legal requirements towards the geological data management and increasing efficiency of data usage. Further application of the developed approach is seen as the implementation methodology for other INSPIRE themes and other geographical regions.Spatial data seamless usage and exchange has become a necessity in management of natural resources, environmental risk assessment, infrastructural planning and various other industrial domains. Framework for spatial data seamless usage is specified within the EU INSPIRE Directive on the continent-wide level. The Directive enables customisation of the data specifications and usage. However, high-level specification raised the issue of disharmony of the spatial data structure and sharing on regional level. Challenges in data harmonisation process therefore became subject of interest for different research approaches. This study approaches the spatial data harmonisation process focusing on the area of Western Balkans, the region of Europe with countries that have similar interest for implementation of the INSPIRE Directive. With the main aim to propose the improvement to regional data harmonisation process, the study is focused on geology as the spatial theme. The study assesses the regional needs and, in that light, develops the example of geological spatial data harmonisation. The needs and the critical factors of the harmonisation process are assessed through a questionnaire answered by competent representatives of the Western Balkans countries. It was found that spatial data managers in the region have made progress towards compliance and are familiar with the Directive. However, they lack a coordinated approach and implementation guidance. Moreover, the current state of the datasets structure makes harmonisation a complex process and a goal that is difficult to reach. Geology dataset from a Western Balkans region stakeholder was used as a practical example for testing the harmonisation process in accordance with user needs and INSPIRE requirements. The result was harmonised INSPIRE conformant spatial dataset, with validated seamless sharing and usage possibilities of the spatial dataset on both local and EU-wide level. The study showed the possibility of applying the INSPIRE data harmonisation, with fulfilling the main objectives of (1) creating market-oriented, interoperable and accessible dataset, (2) meeting national legal requirements towards the geological data management and (3) increasing efficiency of data usage. Further application of the presented approach is seen as the implementation methodology for other spatial themes and different geographical regions

Extending Building Information Modeling (BIM) interoperability to geo-spatial domain using semantic web technology

As Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications become more sophisticated and used within other knowledge domains, the limitations of existing data exchange and sharing methods become apparent. The integration of BIM and Geographic Information System (GIS) can offer substantial benefits to manage the planning process during the design and construction stages. Currently, building (and geospatial) data are shared between BIM software tools through a common data format, such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). Because of the diversity and complexity of domain knowledge across BIM and GIS systems, however, these syntactic approaches are not capable of overcoming semantic heterogeneity. This study uses semantic web technology to ensure the highest level of interoperability between existing BIM and GIS tools. The proposed approach is composed of three main steps; ontology construction, semantic integration through interoperable data formats and standards, and query of heterogeneous information sources. Because no application ontology is available to encompass all IFC classes with different attributes, we first develop an IFC-compliant ontology describing the hierarchy structure of BIM objects. Then, we can translate the building's elements and GIS data into semantic web standard formats. Once the information has been gathered from different sources and transformed into an appropriate semantic web format, the SPARQL query language is used in the last step to retrieve this information from a dataset. The completeness of the methodology is validated through a case study and two use case examples.Ph.D

Semantic validation in spatio-temporal schema integration

This thesis proposes to address the well-know database integration problem with a new method that combines functionality from database conceptual modeling techniques with functionality from logic-based reasoners. We elaborate on a hybrid - modeling+validation - integration approach for spatio-temporal information integration on the schema level. The modeling part of our methodology is supported by the spatio-temporal conceptual model MADS, whereas the validation part of the integration process is delegated to the description logics validation services. We therefore adhere to the principle that, rather than extending either formalism to try to cover all desirable functionality, a hybrid system, where the database component and the logic component would cooperate, each one performing the tasks for which it is best suited, is a viable solution for semantically rich information management. First, we develop a MADS-based flexible integration approach where the integrated schema designer has several viable ways to construct a final integrated schema. For different related schema elements we provide the designer with four general policies and with a set of structural solutions or structural patterns within each policy. To always guarantee an integrated solution, we provide for a preservation policy with multi-representation structural pattern. To state the inter-schema mappings, we elaborate on a correspondence language with explicit spatial and temporal operators. Thus, our correspondence language has three facets: structural, spatial, and temporal, allowing to relate the thematic representation as well as the spatial and temporal features. With the inter-schema mappings, the designer can state correspondences between related populations, and define the conditions that rule the matching at the instance level. These matching rules can then be used in query rewriting procedures or to match the instances within the data integration process. We associate a set of putative structural patterns to each type of population correspondence, providing a designer with a patterns' selection for flexible integrated schema construction. Second, we enhance our integration method by employing validation services of the description logic formalism. It is not guaranteed that the designer can state all the inter-schema mappings manually, and that they are all correct. We add the validation phase to ensure validity and completeness of the inter-schema mappings set. Inter-schema mappings cannot be validated autonomously, i.e., they are validated against the data model and the schemas they link. Thus, to implement our validation approach, we translate the data model, the source schemas and the inter-schema mappings into a description logic formalism, preserving the spatial and temporal semantics of the MADS data model. Thus, our modeling approach in description logic insures that the model designer will correctly define spatial and temporal schema elements and inter-schema mappings. The added value of the complete translation (i.e., including the data model and the source schemas) is that we validate not only the inter-schema mappings, but also the compliance of the source schemas to the data model, and infer implicit relationships within them. As the result of the validation procedure, the schema designer obtains the complete and valid set of inter-schema mappings and a set of valid (flexible) schematic patterns to apply to construct an integrated schema that meets application requirements. To further our work, we model a framework in which a schema designer is able to follow our integration method and realize the schema integration task in an assisted way. We design two models, UML and SEAM models, of a system that provides for integration functionalities. The models describe a framework where several tools are employed together, each involved in the service it is best suited for. We define the functionalities and the cooperation between the composing elements of the framework and detail the logics of the integration process in an UML activity diagram and in a SEAM operation model