A Review of Semantic Search Methods to Retrieve Information from the Qur’an Corpus

The Holy Qur’an is the most important resource for the Islamic sciences and the Arabic language (Iqbal et al., 2013). Muslims believe that the Qur’an is a revelation from Allah that was given 1,356 years ago. The Qur’an contains about 80,000 words divided into 114 chapters (Atwell et al., 2011). A chapter consists of a varying number of verses. This holy book contains information on diverse topics, such as life and the history of humanity and scientific knowledge (Alrehaili and Atwell, 2014). Corpus linguistics methods can be applied to study the lexical patterns in the Qur’an; for example, the Qur’an is one of the corpora available on the SketchEngine website. Qur’an researchers may want to go beyond word patterns to search for specific concepts and information. As a result, many Qur’anic search applications have been built to facilitate the retrieval of information from the Qur’an. Examples of these web applications are Qurany (Abbas, 2009), Qur’an Explorer (Explorer, 2005), Tanzil (Zarrabi-Zadeh, 2007), Qur’anic Arabic corpus (Dukes, 2013), and Quran.com. The techniques used to retrieve information from the Qur’an can be classified into two types: semantic-based and keyword-based. Semantic-based search techniques are concept-based which retrieves results by matching the contextual meaning of terms as they appear in a user’s query, whereas the keyword-based search technique returns results according to the letters in the word(s) of a query (Sudeepthi et al., 2012). The majority of Qur’anic search tools employ the keyword search technique. The existing Qur’anic semantic search techniques include the ontology-based technique (concepts) (Yauri et al., 2013), the synonyms-set technique (Shoaib et al., 2009), and the cross language information retrieval (CLIR) technique (Yunus et al., 2010). The ontology-based technique searches for the concept(s) matching a user’s query and then returns the verses related to these concept(s). The synonyms-set method produces all synonyms of the query word using WordNet and then returns all Qur’anic verses that contain words matching any synonyms of the query word. Cross language information retrieval (CLIR) translates the words of an input query into another language and then retrieves verses that contain words matching the translated words. On the other hand, keyword-based techniques include keyword matching, the morphologically-based technique (Al Gharaibeh et al., 2011), and use of a Chabot (Abu Shawar and Atwell, 2004). The keyword matching method returns verses that contain any of the query words. The morphologically-based technique uses stems of query words to search in the Qur’an corpus. In other words, this technique generates all other forms of the query words and then finds all Qur’anic verses matching those word forms. The Chabot selects the most important words such as nouns or verbs from a user query and then returns the Qur’anic verses that contain any words matching the selected words. There are several deficiencies with the Qur’anic verses (Aya’at) retrieved for a query using the existing keyword search technique. These problems include the following: some irrelevant verses are retrieved, some relevant verses are not retrieved, or the sequence of retrieved verses is not in the right order (Shoaib et al., 2009). Misunderstanding the exact meaning of input words forming a query and neglecting some theories of information retrieval contribute significantly to limitations in the keyword-based technique (Raza et al.). Additionally, Qur’anic keyword search tools use limited Islamic resources related to the Qur’an. This affects the accuracy of the retrieved results. Moreover, current Qur’anic semantic search techniques have limitations in retrieved results. The main causes of these limitations include the following: semantic search tools use one source of Qur’anic ontology that does not cover all concepts in the Holy Qur’an, and Qur’anic ontologies are not aligned to each other, leading to inaccurate and uncomprehensive resources for Qur’anic ontology. To overcome the limitations in both semantic and keyword search techniques, we designed a framework for a new semantic search tool called the Qur’anic Semantic Search Tool (QSST). This search tool aims to employ both text-based and semantic search techniques. QSST aligns the existing Quranic ontologies to reduce the ambiguity in the search results. QSST can be divided into four components: a natural language analyser (NLA), a semantic search model (SSM), a keywords search model (KSM), and a scoring and ranking model (SRM). NLA tokenizes a user’s query and then applies different natural language processing techniques to the tokenized query. These techniques are the following: spelling correction, stop word removal, stemming, and part of speech tagging (POS). After that, the NLA uses WordNet to generate synonyms for the reformatted query words and sends these synonyms to the SSM and the KSM. The SSM searches in the Qur’anic Ontology database to find the related concepts of the normalised query and then returns results. At the same time, KSM retrieves results based on words matching the input words. SRM refines the results retrieved from both KSM and SSM by eliminating the redundant verses. Next, SRM ranks and scores the refined results. Finally, SRM presents the results to the user. References Abbas, N. H. 2009. Quran 'search for a concept' tool and website. MRes thesis, University of Leeds. Abu Shawar, B. and Atwell, E. 2004. An Arabic chatbot giving answers from the Qur'an. Proceedings of TALN. 4(2), pp.197-202. Al Gharaibeh, A. et al. 2011. The usage of formal methods in Quran search system. In: Proceedings of international conference on information and communication systems, Ibrid, Jordan. pp.22-24. Alrehaili, S. M. and Atwell, E. 2014. Computational ontologies for semantic tagging of the Quran: A survey of past approaches. In: LREC 2014 Proceedings. Atwell, E. et al. 2011. An artificial intelligence approach to Arabic and Islamic content on the internet. In: Proceedings of NITS 3rd National Information Technology Symposium. Dukes, K. 2013. Statistical parsing by machine learning from a classical Arabic treebank. PhD thesis. Explorer, Q. 2005. Quran Explorer [Online]. [Accessed 26 October 2014]. Available from: http://www.quranexplorer.com/Search/Default.aspx Iqbal, R. et al. 2013. An experience of developing Quran ontology with contextual information support. Multicultural Education & Technology Journal. 7, pp.333-343. Raza, S.A. et al. An essential framework for concept based evolutionary Quranic search engine (CEQSE). Shoaib, M. et al. 2009. Relational WordNet model for semantic search in Holy Quran. Emerging Technologies, 2009. ICET 2009. International Conference on, 2009. IEEE, 29-34. Sudeepthi, G. et al. 2012. A survey on semantic web search engine. International Journal of Computer Science, 9. Yauri, A. R. et al. 2013. Quranic verse extraction based on concepts using OWL-DL ontology. Research Journal of Applied Sciences Engineering and Technology. 6, pp.4492-4498. Yunus, M. et al. 2010. Semantic query for Quran documents results. Open Systems (ICOS), 2010 IEEE Conference on, 2010. IEEE, 1-5. Zarrabi-Zadeh, H. 2007. Tanzil [Online]. [Accessed 26 October 2014]. Available from: http://tanzil.net

Qur’anic search tool based on ontology of concepts

The Holy Quran is the most important resource for the Islamic sciences and Arabic Language (Iqbal et al., 2013). Additionally, this holy book contains knowledge on diverse topics such as life and history of humanity, and scientific knowledge (Alrehaili and Atwell, 2014). As a consequence, many Qur’anic search applications have been built to facilitate the retrieval of knowledge from the Quran. Examples of these web applications are Qurany (Abbas, 2009), Quran Explorer (Explorer, 2005), Tanzil (Zarrabi-Zadeh, 2007), and Qur’anic Arabic corpus (Dukes, 2013). The techniques used to retrieve information from Qur’an can be classified as semantic-based and text-based. The existing semantic search techniques are: ontology-based (concepts) (Yauri et al., 2013), Synonyms-set (Shoaib et al., 2009), and Cross Language Information retrieval (CLIR) (Yunus et al., 2010). On the other hand, text-based techniques are Keyword matching, and Morphological-based (Al Gharaibeh et al., 2011). The majority of Qur’anic search tools employ a keyword search technique while minority of tools use a semantic technique. There are several deficiencies with the verses (Aya’at) retrieved for a query using existing search tools. These problems are: some irrelevant verses are retrieved, some relevant verses are not retrieved, or the sequence of retrieved verses is not in the right order (Shoaib et al., 2009) . The significant reasons for unsatisfactory searching results are: absence of an accurate and comprehensive resource for Islamic ontology (Alrehaili and Atwell, 2014), and neglecting some theories of information retrieval . This project aims to construct a useful Qur’anic search tool by employing both text-based techniques, and semantic search techniques. The research will answer two questions: Is it possible to implement a useful search tool based on Qur’anic ontology, and Qur’anic datasets? And How to assess the efficiency and accuracy of an existing Qur’anic ontology? Furthermore, the main project objectives are to understand the problem by evaluating existing Qur’anic semantic search, assess the current Islamic ontologies and find out how these ontologies can be developed, and find the latest search techniques to employ in a Qur’anic search engine

A Multimodality Hybrid Gamma-Optical Camera for Intraoperative Imaging

The development of low profile gamma-ray detectors has encouraged the production of small field of view (SFOV) hand-held imaging devices for use at the patient bedside and in operating theatres. Early development of these SFOV cameras was focussed on a single modality-gamma ray imaging. Recently, a hybrid system-gamma plus optical imaging-has been developed. This combination of optical and gamma cameras enables high spatial resolution multi-modal imaging, giving a superimposed scintigraphic and optical image. Hybrid imaging offers new possibilities for assisting clinicians and surgeons in localising the site of uptake in procedures such as sentinel node detection. The hybrid camera concept can be extended to a multimodal detector design which can offer stereoscopic images, depth estimation of gamma-emitting sources, and simultaneous gamma and fluorescence imaging. Recent improvements to the hybrid camera have been used to produce dual-modality images in both laboratory simulations and in the clinic. Hybrid imaging of a patient who underwent thyroid scintigraphy is reported. In addition, we present data which shows that the hybrid camera concept can be extended to estimate the position and depth of radionuclide distribution within an object and also report the first combined gamma and Near-Infrared (NIR) fluorescence images.Peer-reviewedPublisher Versio

Simulations of events for the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment

The LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter search aims to achieve a sensitivity to the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross-section down to (1–2)×10−12 pb at a WIMP mass of 40 GeV/c2. This paper describes the simulations framework that, along with radioactivity measurements, was used to support this projection, and also to provide mock data for validating reconstruction and analysis software. Of particular note are the event generators, which allow us to model the background radiation, and the detector response physics used in the production of raw signals, which can be converted into digitized waveforms similar to data from the operational detector. Inclusion of the detector response allows us to process simulated data using the same analysis routines as developed to process the experimental data

Phytochemical investigations of three Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae Sensu APG II) species

The genus Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae sensu APG II) is endemic to Madagascar and its phytochemistry has not been described previously. The phytochemistry of three species in this genus has been investigated and eight compounds, including three bufadienolides (compounds 1, 4, and 5), a norlignan (2), and four homoisoflavonoids (compounds 3 and 6-8) have been isolated and identified. Compounds 1-3 and 6-8 have not been described previously. The COX-2 inhibitory activity of compound 6 and compound 7 acetate (compound 7A) were investigated on isolated colorectal cancer cells. Compounds 6 and 7A inhibited COX-2 by 10% and 8%, respectively, at a concentration of 12.5 M compared to 12% for 1 mM aspirin (the positive control)

Projected sensitivity of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment to the 0νββ decay of Xe 136

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment will enable a neutrinoless double β decay search in parallel to the main science goal of discovering dark matter particle interactions. We report the expected LZ sensitivity to Xe136 neutrinoless double β decay, taking advantage of the significant (>600 kg) Xe136 mass contained within the active volume of LZ without isotopic enrichment. After 1000 live-days, the median exclusion sensitivity to the half-life of Xe136 is projected to be 1.06×1026 years (90% confidence level), similar to existing constraints. We also report the expected sensitivity of a possible subsequent dedicated exposure using 90% enrichment with Xe136 at 1.06×1027 years

Fundamental investigation into tool wear and surface quality in high-speed machining of Ti6Al4V alloy

This paper reports a fundamental investigation consisting of systematic trials into the response of Ti6Al4V alloy to high-speed machining using carbide inserts. It is a useful extension to work previously published, and aims at assessing the impact of the process parameters, depth of cut, cutting speed and feed rate in addition to cutting length, and their interrelations, on observed crater and flank wear and roughness of the machined surface. The results showed that abrasion was the most important flank wear mechanism at high speed. It also showed that increased cutting length accelerated crater wear more than exhibited flank wear and had considerable effect on surface roughness. In particular, crater wear increased by over 150% (on average), and flank wear increased by 40% (on average) when increasing cutting length from 40 to 120 mm. However, cutting the same length increased surface roughness by 50%, which helps explain how progression of tool wear leads to deteriorated surface quality. ANOVA was used to perform statistical analyses of the measured data and revealed that cutting length and depth of cut had the greatest effect on both crater and flank wear of the cutting tool. These results confirm that high-speed machining of Ti6Al4V alloy is a reliable process, with cutting speed identified as having a relatively small influence on the tool wear and resultant roughness of the machined surface relative to other parameters

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers