An information states blackboard as an intelligent querying interface for snow and avalanche data

We present the graph-based querying paradigm used in the Regional Avalanche Information and Forecasting System (RAIFoS) for the collection and analysis of snow and weather related physical parameters in the Swiss Alps. The querying paradigm relies upon the issue of interactively constructing a semantically valid query graph on an Information States Blackboard as guided by meta-data elements standing for interpretations of conceptual model, data values and/or operations. The meta-data elements constitute the terms of a meta-data-driven query language (MDDQL) the interpretation of which is done interactively relying on a kind of finite state automaton

A Framework for Improving Adaptive Data Visualization in Decision Support Systems

Adaptive approaches are used to improve user experience and satisfaction for web browsing, based on profiling information gathered from user interactions. In decision support systems, the need for personalization adaptation has increased in order to provide more immediate and relevant information to decision makers, using web based access to data. Using visualizations for rendering complex query results, in real-time is of particular importance in many application domains. In this thesis we propose an approach, and a framework, for measuring history, experiences and satisfaction of users of a healthcare decision support system. The focus is on user selections of visualizations, based on the nature of queries generated. The aim of this framework is intended to provide collection of individual user experiences and satisfaction, in order to obtain a user population profile for later studies. The model used is a weighting scheme, but is designed to support later extensions and enhancements using \u27AI reasoning techniques\u27. This model was implemented and a usability study was conducted to validate improvements compared to non adaptive data visualization systems. The outcome of this research may lead to increased accuracy and reduced time of selection of visualization, over repeated usage, and is therefore important as a productivity enhancement approach

A multiparadigm approach to interpretation in architecture: exploring ideological meaning in political party headquarters

The attempts to make sense of the built environment are conceptualised within various disciplines also including linguistics and literature. Current theories in literary criticism support different movements in meaning studies. This paper proposes a multiparadigm approach for interpreting and knowing in architecture by employing disparate theoretical perspectives of literary criticism. The research intends to encompass intentionalist, structuralist and post-structuralist paradigms, where the textual meaning is questioned on the basis of the author, the text itself and the reader respectively. The first part elaborates on these major paradigms of literature and then provides extensive review in architectural studies

GeoBIM for built environment condition assessment supporting asset management decision making

The digital transformation in management of the built environment is more and more evident. While the benefits of location data, from Building Information Modelling or Geographical Information Systems, have been explored separately, their combination - GeoBIM - in asset management has never been explored. Data collection for condition assessment is challenging due to quantity, types, frequency and quality of data. We first describe the opportunities and challenges of GeoBIM for condition assessment. The theoretical approach is then validated developing an integrated GeoBIM model of the digital built environment, for a neighbourhood in Milan, Italy. Data are collected, linked, processed and analysed, through multiple software platforms, providing relevant information for asset management decision making. Good results are achieved in rapid massive data collection, improved visualisation, and analysis. While further testing and development is required, the case study outcomes demonstrated the innovation and the mid-term service-oriented potential of the proposed approach

Live Coding as a Model for Cultural Practice & Cultural-Epistemological Aspects of Live Coding

This report documents the program and the outcomes of Dagstuhl Seminar 13382 “Collaboration and learning through live coding”. Live coding is improvised interactive programming, typically to create electronic music and other digital media, done live with an audience. Our seminar was motivated by the phenomenon and experience of live coding. Our conviction was that those represent an important and broad, but seldom articulated, set of opportunities for computer science and the arts and humanities. The seminar participants included a broad range of scholars, researchers, and practitioners spanning fields from music theory to software engineering. We held live coding performances, and facilitated discussions on three main perspectives, the humanities, computing education, and software engineering. The main outcome of our seminar was better understanding of the potential of live coding for informing cross-disciplinary scholarship and practice, connecting the arts, cultural studies, and computing. The report is edited by Alan Blackwell and Alex McLean and James Noble and Julian Rohrhuber

Easing access to relational databases:investigating access to relational databases in the context of both novice and would-be expert users

Relational databases are commonplace in a wide variety of applications and are used by a broad range of users with varying levels of technical understanding. Extracting information from relational databases can be difficult; novice users should be able to do so without any understanding of the database structure or query languages and those who wish to become experts can find it difficult to learn the skills required. Many applications designed for the novice user demand some understanding of the underlying database and/or are limited in their ability to translate keywords to appropriate results. Some educational applications often fail to provide assistance in key areas such as using joins, learning textual SQL and building queries from scratch. This thesis presents two applications: Context Aware Free Text ANalysis (CAFTAN) that aims to provide accurate keyword query interpretations for novices, and SQL in Steps (SiS) designed for students learning SQL. Both CAFTAN and SiS are subject to detailed evaluations; the former is shown to be capable of interpreting keyword queries in a way similar to humans; the latter was integrated into an undergraduate databases course and showed the potential benefits of introducing graphical aids into a student's learning process. The findings presented in this thesis have the potential to improve keyword search over relational databases in both a generic and customised context, as well as easing the process of learning SQL for new experts

Geographic Information Systems and Science

Geographic information science (GISc) has established itself as a collaborative information-processing scheme that is increasing in popularity. Yet, this interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary system is still somewhat misunderstood. This book talks about some of the GISc domains encompassing students, researchers, and common users. Chapters focus on important aspects of GISc, keeping in mind the processing capability of GIS along with the mathematics and formulae involved in getting each solution. The book has one introductory and eight main chapters divided into five sections. The first section is more general and focuses on what GISc is and its relation to GIS and Geography, the second is about location analytics and modeling, the third on remote sensing data analysis, the fourth on big data and augmented reality, and, finally, the fifth looks over volunteered geographic information.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Open semantic hyperwikis

Wikis are lightweight, community-editable, web-based hypertext systems, which can be described as a website that anybody can edit. From this collaborative base has grown significant efforts at large-scale knowledge management such as Wikipedia. Recently, ‘semantic’ wiki systems have been developed with typed links, such that the structure of nodes and links is analogous to an RDF graph of resources and arcs: a machineprocessable representation of the relations between articles which can form part of the web of linked data. Despite this, the hypermedia side of wiki systems has so far largely been constrained to the web model of simple embedded, unidirectional links. This research considers the hypertext origins of wiki systems, asks, and answers how the technologies developed during decades of hypertext research may be applied to better manage their document, and thus knowledge, structure. We present experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis that additional hypermedia features would be useful to wiki editors on both macro- and micro-scales. Quantitative analysis of editing logs from a large-scale wiki shows that hyperstructure changes form a substantial proportion of editing effort. Conversely, qualitative user studies show that individual user editing can be better supported by classical but since overlooked hypertext features such as first-class links and transclusion. We then specify an extensive model for a ‘open semantic hyperwiki’ system which draws from these fields, based around first-class links with support for transclusion and advanced functional link types, with defined semantics for the role of versioning and parametric nodes in the linked data world, while mindful to preserve the core simplicity that allows non-expert users to contribute. This is followed by a practical approach to its implementation in terms of an existing experimental modular wiki foundation, and the actual prototype implementation, which has been made available as open source software. Finally, we work through applying the system to a set of real-world use cases which are currently employing classic, non-semantic wiki software, and evaluate the implementation in comparison to a conventional semantic wiki in a user study.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

MaTrigs : um ambiente de interface para mapeamento de triggers em modelo erc+

Orientadora : Laura Sánchez GarcíaDissertaçao (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ParanáResumo: O presente trabalho consiste em desenvolver um projeto de interfaces para visualizar triggers no modelo ERC+, Entidade Relacionamento Complexo Estendido, utilizando conceitos da Interação Ser Humano-Computador, como a Engenharia Cognitiva e a Engenharia Semiótica. No conceito de integração de esquemas de Banco de Dados, quanto mais informações a respeito das bases de dados a serem integradas estiverem disponíveis, mais o processo será facilitado. Atualmente, somente os aspectos estáticos são considerados para integração de bases de dados, deixando de lado os aspectos dinâmicos, em particular os triggers, que podem ser cruciais para identificar novas correspondências de dados ou até descartá-las. A contribuição deste trabalho se dá, não somente para o campo da integração de esquemas, mas também como ferramenta para consultar e visualizar os triggers em bases de dados isoladas, facilitando sua manipulação e gerenciamento.Abstract: The present work consists in developing an interface project to visualize triggers in the model ERC+, Entity Relationship Complex Extend, using Human-Computer Interaction concepts, as Cognitive and Semiotic Engineering. In the concept of integration of schemes for databases, the more information on databases to be integrated is available the more the process will be facilitated. Currently, only the static aspects, in particular the triggers which can be crucial to identify new correspondences of data or even discard them. In the environments of schema integration which envolve manu representations and cognitively complex human decisions the quality of the interface has a crucial importance. This work contributes, not only in the field of schema integration, but also as a tool to consult and visualize the triggers in isolated databases, facilitating its manipulation and management