CBR and MBR techniques: review for an application in the emergencies domain

The purpose of this document is to provide an in-depth analysis of current reasoning engine practice and the integration strategies of Case Based Reasoning and Model Based Reasoning that will be used in the design and development of the RIMSAT system. RIMSAT (Remote Intelligent Management Support and Training) is a European Commission funded project designed to: a.. Provide an innovative, 'intelligent', knowledge based solution aimed at improving the quality of critical decisions b.. Enhance the competencies and responsiveness of individuals and organisations involved in highly complex, safety critical incidents - irrespective of their location. In other words, RIMSAT aims to design and implement a decision support system that using Case Base Reasoning as well as Model Base Reasoning technology is applied in the management of emergency situations. This document is part of a deliverable for RIMSAT project, and although it has been done in close contact with the requirements of the project, it provides an overview wide enough for providing a state of the art in integration strategies between CBR and MBR technologies.Postprint (published version

Supporting strategic design of workplace environments with case-based reasoning

XVII+279hlm.;24c

Using CBR to improve the usability of numerical models

In this thesis we show that CBR systems can be constructed from numerical models, so as to improve their usability. It is shown that CBR models may be queried in a flexible manner, and that the user may formulate queries consisting of constraints over both “input” and “output” variables of the numerical model. It is also shown that the constraints may be formulated using either nominal or continuous variables. A generalization of the CBR retrieval process to include constraints over unified “input-output” space is formulated as a framework for the method. The method is illustrated with practical engineering models: the pneumatic conveyor problem and the projectile problem. Comparisons are made on usability of CBR and numerical models for specific problems. It is shown that CBR models can answer questions difficult or impossible to formulate using numerical models, and that CBR models can be faster. The thesis also addresses a latent problem with the general method, which is of importance generally. This is to do with interpolation over nominal values in unified space. A novel method is proposed for interpolation over nominal values, termed Generalised Shepard Nearest Neighbour method (GSNN). GSNN can utilise distance metrics defined on the solution space of a CBR system. The properties and advantages of GSNN are examined in the thesis. A comparison is made with other CBR retrieval methods, using several examples, including the travel domain case base. It is shown that GSNN can out-perform conventional nearest neighbour methods. It is shown that GSNN has advantages in that it can find solutions not in the case base and it can find solutions not in the retrieval set. It is also shown that the performance of GSNN can be improved further by using it in conjunction with a diversity algorithm. The merit of using GSNN as a case selection component is examined, and it is shown that it can give good results in sparse case bases. Finally the thesis concludes with a survey of numerical models where CBR construction can be useful, and where benefits can be expected

Computational intelligence techniques in engineering

This article shows how CI techniques overpass the strict limits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) field and can help solving real problems from distinct engineering areas: Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. An introduction to each of the CI main areas is made and three systems are briefly described. The results are, in each case, very promisingN/

A process-based model of network capability development by a start-up firm

Start-up firms are notoriously resource and time poor. One way of addressing these deficits is to develop strategic capability to access, activate and co-shape resources with other firms in the start-up's network. The capability literature assumes such a development is inevitable, provided a start-up survives. But developing network capability depends on the managers of other firms, the deepening managerial understanding of business relationships, and the ability of the start-up managers to adjust to and understand interdependence in networks. We present a processual model of how managerial understanding of network capability develops, comprising of three parts each building on the earlier: (i) in relationships, (ii) through relationships and (iii) in the network. The model was inductively developed from a longitudinal study of a start-up firm. Also, two sensemaking processes were found to predominate â problem solving and social-cognitive processes. Our model highlights the role of the start-up manager in sensemaking with managers across a number of firms to resolve commercial problems. Thus, the independence many start-up managers seek must turn towards interdependence. Second, managers' temporal horizons and the specific temporal profile of events and activities inside the involved business relationships are important in understanding and developing, with other firms, network capability

A case-based system for lesson plan construction

Planning for teaching imposes a significant burden on teachers, as teachers need to prepare different lesson plans for different classes according to various constraints. Statistical evidence shows that lesson planning in the Malaysian context is done in isolation and lesson plan sharing is limited. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether a case-based system can reduce the time teachers spend on constructing lesson plans. A case-based system was designed SmartLP. In this system, a case consists of a problem description and solution pair and an attributevalue representation for the case is used. SmartLP is a synthesis type of CBR system which attempts to create a new solution by combining parts of previous solutions in the adaptation. Five activities in the CBR cycle retrieve, reuse, revise, review and retain are created via three types of design: application, architectural and user interface. The inputs are the requirements and constraints of the curriculum and the student facilities available, and the output is the solution, i.e. appropriate elements of a lesson plan. The retrieval module consists of five types of search advanced search, hierarchical, Boolean, basic and browsing. Solving a problem in this system involves obtaining a problem description, measuring the similarity of the current problem to previous problems stored in a database, retrieving one or more similar cases and attempting to reuse the solution of the retrieved cases, possibly after adaptation. Case adaptation for multiple lesson plans helps teachers to customise the retrieved plan to suit their constraints. This is followed by case revision, which allows users to access and revise their constructed lesson plans in the system. Validation mechanisms, through case verification, ensure that the retained cases are of quality. A formative study was conducted to investigate the effects of SmartLP on performance. The study revealed that all the lesson plans constructed with SmartLP assistance took significantly less time than the control lesson plans constructed without SmartLP assistance, although they might have access to computers and other tools. No significant difference in writing quality, measured by a scoring system, was noticed for the control group, who constructed lesson plans on the same tasks without receiving any assistance. The limitations of SmartLP are indicated and the focus of further research is proposed. Keywords: Case-based system, CBR approach, knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, case representation, evaluation, lesson planning

Using Design Patterns, Analysis Pattern, and Case-Based Reasoning to Improve Information Modeling and Method Engineering in Systems Development

Information modeling (IM) is the process of identifying information needs and models based onuser requirements and systems analysts’ perceptions during systems analysis and design. WhenIM is done correctly, it facilitates communication between the analysts and end-users about thefinal software product. In addition, successful IM provides a formal basis for both the analystsand the end-users about the tools and techniques that will be used in software development(SD), which, in turn, reduces costly overruns in time and money during systemsimplementation. Method engineering (ME) is the process of designing, constructing, andadapting information modeling methods for information systems development. As Siau (2003)and Kavakli (2005) point out that, while there has been a steady increase in IM and ME research(e.g. Kawalek & Wastell 2003, Kavakli 2005, Matulevicius 2005), most of the models reportedin recent literature are still primarily based on common sense approach, and, as a result, lack aslid theoretical foundation.This paper discusses the feasibility of combining design patterns (DPs), analysis patterns (APs) andcase-based reasoning (CBR) to improve information modeling and method engineering. Recentresearch in DP, AP, and CBR has proven that all those methods are effective in softwaredevelopment. In this paper, we propose a model that combines DP, AP and CBR as a tool toimprove IM and ME. We believe that the use of DP and AP, along with CBR will facilitate easiercommunication among systems analysts, end-users and software engineers thus improve on heefficiency in software development. In the paper, we also provide illustrative examples fromaccounting systems design to show the effectiveness of our proposed model. Finally, we provideevidence in this paper that the practical application of DPs, APs and CBR to systems developmentmakes it possible to identify and resolve critical issues and risks at earlier stages in IM and ME, andeventually lead to high quality end product

Integrated Frameworks for Effective Multi-criteria Decision Making in Reliability Centred Maintenance of Industrial Machines

No abstract availabl