Uncertainty in Ontologies: Dempster-Shafer Theory for Data Fusion Applications

Nowadays ontologies present a growing interest in Data Fusion applications. As a matter of fact, the ontologies are seen as a semantic tool for describing and reasoning about sensor data, objects, relations and general domain theories. In addition, uncertainty is perhaps one of the most important characteristics of the data and information handled by Data Fusion. However, the fundamental nature of ontologies implies that ontologies describe only asserted and veracious facts of the world. Different probabilistic, fuzzy and evidential approaches already exist to fill this gap; this paper recaps the most popular tools. However none of the tools meets exactly our purposes. Therefore, we constructed a Dempster-Shafer ontology that can be imported into any specific domain ontology and that enables us to instantiate it in an uncertain manner. We also developed a Java application that enables reasoning about these uncertain ontological instances.Comment: Workshop on Theory of Belief Functions, Brest: France (2010

An Estimation of Producer Preferences, and the Wage, Hours, and Gross Sales Effects of Migrant Labor in Alabama's Horticulture Industry

Using 2002 survey data, this study employs log-linear regression analysis to examine the effects of migrant labor on wages, hours, and gross sales in Alabama's horticulture industry. A binomial probit model is added to measure producer decisions to hire migrant workers. The presence of migrant workers is found to raise average wages within green industry firms, but exhibits no significant effects on hours and sales.Labor and Human Capital,

Report on the 2019 International Association of University Libraries Pre-Conference Seminar: Library Strategies for Research Support Excellence

The Library Strategies for Research Support Excellence half-day seminar was held on the 23 June 2019 at the Reid Library, University of Western Australia (UWA). The event was organised by International Association of University Libraries (IATUL), UWA and Curtin University, and was sponsored by CNKI. The seminar provided an opportunity for senior university library leaders from around the world, including China, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Africa to discuss the current initiatives and challenges associated with research support in their respective regions

Copyright in the Time of COVID-19: An Australian Perspective

COVID-19 has raised many challenges in terms of applying Australian copyright legislation and related policies to higher education context. This paper describes the experience of Copyright Officers at Curtin University and Murdoch University from the initial stages of border-control measures affecting delivery of learning materials to students in China, to the wider disruption of the pandemic with many countries implementing lockdown measures, to the current environment where remote delivery is the “new normal.” The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth of Australia) provides narrow fair dealing exceptions (sections 40 and 41) and broader but more uncertain flexible dealing exceptions (section 200AB), creating a barrier for educators providing access to the information resources needed for teaching, learning, and research. The uncertainty of applying section 200AB was exacerbated by the conditions caused by the pandemic. The authors describe their experiences in providing copyright support during the pandemic as well as how the copyright services adapted to meet requirements

Turbulent mixing and its impact on lower tropospheric moisture over tropical ocean

The variability of lower-tropospheric humidity is a crucial feature of the tropical climate. Among the processes that impact moisture budget, the vertical transport by turbulent mixing is generally overlooked. Using observations from CINDY/DYNAMO campaign, this is a first attempt to quantify it over the tropical ocean. Turbulent patches of ~100 m depth are observed in relation with large vertical gradients of specific humidity. Intense mixing is diagnosed within these intermittent patches. Three approaches are used to diagnose the overall effect of this intermittent turbulence. Large uncertainties on the corresponding eddy diffusivity coefficient arise from parameters hard to experimentally constrain. However, dry conditions are associated with steep moisture vertical gradients above the boundary layers. Owing to the uncertainties on the eddy diffusivity, these gradients can correspond to negligible or to significant moisture tendencies (~0.5-1 g kg-1 day-1) during the recovery following a dry intrusion or the preconditioning stage of an MJO

Swimming In The Deep End: Curtin Library’s Deep Dive Into Data...

In 2017 Curtin University Library staff commenced an initiative to explore library data through analysis and visualisation tools. A Working Group was formed of self-selected staff from across the library who had a common interest in opportunities to use data and analytics tools. A key focus was to seek innovative ways to use data and have a measureable impact on library operations and future planning. An environmental scan of the data landscape in academic libraries suggests five core areas of activity – the use of library data to gain insights, the need to upskill library staff in data methods, the demand for data literacy programs for library clients, the value of building partnerships and collaborations within the institution to support data programs, and the increasing use of library facilities to provide data-rich learning spaces. The group’s work fell across all of these areas. This paper will describe the development of the group and its practical outcomes including the innovative use of data to inform a multi-year building project at Curtin University’s Robertson Library in Western Australia. The application of data analysis and interactive visualisation methods has enabled the Library to model different ways of identifying print materials that can be deselected. The Working Group provided a leadership role in fostering data-related professional development and learning opportunities for library staff and clients. One such example was the hosting of regular ‘hacky hour’ sessions which inspired others to embrace new tools such as R, RShiny, Python, Jupyter Notebooks and GitLab to solve real-life challenges in their day-to-day work

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Alström syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A case series of the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings in seven adult Alström patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seven patients from the National Specialist Commissioning Group Centre for Alström Disease, Torbay, England, UK, completed the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging protocol to assess cardiac structure and function in Alström cardiomyopathy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All patients had some degree of left and right ventricular dysfunction. Patchy mid wall gadolinium delayed enhancement was demonstrated, suggesting an underlying fibrotic process. Some degree of cardiomyopathy was universal. No evidence of myocardial infarction or fatty infiltration was demonstrated, but coronary artery disease cannot be completely excluded. Repeat scanning after 18 months in one subject showed progression of fibrosis and decreased left ventricular function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adult Alström cardiomyopathy appears to be a fibrotic process causing impairment of both ventricles. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance scanning has helped clarify the underlying disease progression and responses to treatment. Confirmation of significant mutations in the <it>ALMS1 </it>gene should lead to advice to screen the subject for cardiomyopathy, and metabolic disorders.</p

Correlation between Sub-Tg relaxation processes and mechanical behavior for different hydrothermal ageing conditions in epoxy assemblies

The aim of this study is to understand aging phenomena by monitoring physical parameters after real and simulated aging experiments. This study focuses on aluminum-epoxy assemblies, which are commonly used on spacecraft structures. Different samples are submitted to simulated aging tests. Influence of temperature and moisture is analyzed. Evolution with aging is characterized at two different scales. The macroscopic behavior of the assemblies is studied by single lap shear test. A decrease in the shear rupture stress is observed with increasing temperature and relative humidity. It is demonstrated that temperature has more important influence. The molecular behavior in the adhesive joint is studied by dynamic dielectric spectroscopy measurements. This experiment gives access to molecular mobility in the adhesive. Dipolar entities are identified as evolving with aging conditions. The temperature is more effective than moisture at this scale. An interpretation of the molecular mobility before and after aging shows that water is an important parameter of this study. A link between mechanical and molecular behavior with hydrothermal aging is found. The decrease of mechanical properties occurs while failures become interfacial. In the same time, the interactions between hydroxyether and water increase. The evolution of the macroscopic behavior of the bonded assemblies is due to this combination observed at different scales

Analysis of movement variability in cycling : An exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest repeatability of Blue Trident inertial measurement units (IMUs) and VICON Nexus kinematic modelling in analysing the Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) during a maximal effort 4000 m cycling bout in different body segments/joints. An additional aim was to determine if changes in the LyE existed across a trial. Twelve novice cyclists completed four sessions of cycling; one was a familiarisation session to determine a bike fit and become better accustomed to the time trial position and pacing of a 4000 m effort. IMUs were attached to the head, thorax, pelvis and left and right shanks to analyse segment accelerations, respectively, and reflective markers were attached to the participant to analyse neck, thorax, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle segment/joint angular kinematics, respectively. Both the IMU and VICON Nexus test-retest repeatability ranged from poor to excellent at the different sites. In each session, the head and thorax IMU acceleration LyE increased across the bout, whilst pelvic and shank acceleration remained consistent. Differences across sessions were evident in VICON Nexus segment/joint angular kinematics, but no consistent trend existed. The improved reliability and the ability to identify a consistent trend in performance, combined with their improved portability and reduced cost, advocate for the use of IMUs in analysing movement variability in cycling. However, additional research is required to determine the applicability of analysing movement variability during cycling