A Study on the Use of Ontologies to Represent Collective Knowledge

The development of ontologies has become an area of considerable research interest over the past number of years. Domain ontologies are often developed to represent a shared understanding that in turn indicates cooperative effort by a user community. However, the structure and form that an ontology takes is predicated both on the approach of the developer and the cooperation of the user community. A shift has taken place in recent years from the use of highly specialised and expressive ontologies to simpler knowledge models, progressively developed by community contribution. It is within this context that this thesis investigates the use of ontologies as a means to representing collective knowledge. It investigates the impact of the community on the approach to and outcome of knowledge representation and compares the use of simple terminological ontologies with highly structured expressive ontologies in community-based narrative environments

Beyond Borders

Beyond BordersEvangelization in Our Tim

Reflections on an Experiment, Evaluating the Impact of Spatialisation on Exploration

This paper reports on an experiment designed to evaluate whether visualising a digital library (using a spatialisation technique) can influence exploratory search behaviour. In the experiment we asked participants to complete a set of novel tasks using one of two interfaces - a visualisation interface, ExploViz, and its search-based equivalent, LibSearch. A set of measures were used to capture sensemaking and exploratory behaviour and to analyse cognitive load. As results were non-significant, we reflect upon the design of the experiment, consider possible issues and suggest how these could be addressed in future iterations

Optimising existing digital workflow for structural engineering organisations through the partnering of BIM and Lean processes

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is now seen as one of the leading transformative processes within the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector and has the potential to assist in streamlining the structural design process. However, its practical implementation can often add another layer to the existing workflow and can result, to its detriment, in the primary objective of optimising structural workflows being hindered. This can lead to structural organisations producing 3D models in tandem with traditional drawings, a lack of human intervention regarding software interoperability, and a reluctance to move away from conventional work methods. This paper will explore how a lean approach to BIM adoption can optimise the digital structural workflow, thereby enhancing BIM adoption. Although much research has been conducted on BIM as an enabler of Lean, there remains a gap regarding the synergies in how Lean tools can advance BIM adoption within the structural discipline. The closing of this knowledge gap will be advanced by comparing existing digital workflows within a structural organisation against a proposed integrated BIM workflow underpinned through Lean. The findings highlight that while BIM and Lean offer enhanced digital solutions to modernise structural design office workflows, the true capability of these tools will not be realised without a cultural change

ExploroBOT: Rapid Exploration with Chart Automation

General-purpose visualization tools are used by people with varying degrees of data literacy. Often the user is not a professional analyst or data scientist and uses the tool infrequently, to support an aspect of their job. This can present difficulties as the user’s unfamiliarity with visualization practice and infrequent use of the tool can result in long processing time, inaccurate data representations or inappropriate visual encodings. To address this problem, we developed a visual analytics application called exploroBOT. The exploroBOT automatically generates visualizations and the exploration guidance path (an associated network of decision points, mapping nodes where visualizations change). These combined approaches enable users to explore visualizations based on a degree of “interestingness”. The user-driven approach draws on the browse/explore metaphor commonly applied in social media applications and is supported by guided navigation. In this paper we describe exploroBOT and present an evaluation of the tool

Public / Private BIM: An Irish Perspective

The current economic difficulties have affected most practitioners within the industry and, as a result, many firms and contractors are bidding for fewer projects, resulting in below-cost tenders. It is clear that, many firms and contractors are now operating on thin margins; which makes it increasingly difficult for them to commit to the introduction of new software applications and system upgrades. The transition to Building Information Modelling (BIM) from traditional 2D CAD by Irish firms and contractors has been a relatively slow process compared with our international colleagues. There are many reasons for this, including lack of resources, lack of awareness, ignorance, misunderstanding and adversity. The lack of BIM promotion and BIM training opportunities within the industry has meant that very few people possess the basic requirement to successfully embrace BIM at a level which would be considered efficient. BIM is the new way of operating and it is gaining momentum; the industry simply cannot turn a blind eye to the technology or it will be left behind. The industry must therefore adapt and change current working practices in order to compete with other established and recognized BIM nations. This paper will evaluate BIM in the international context and, investigate if these methodologies can be transferred to the Irish construction industry. This paper will also aim to identify obstacles and drivers for Irish firms, contractors and Government Departments with regard to BIM adoption, as well as the behavioural and cultural elements which are preventing BIM adoption in Ireland. It is hoped that the research findings will demonstrate a business case for the implementation of BIM, for both public and private sector organization

Movement restriction does not modulate sensory and perceptual effects of exercise-induced arm pain

BACKGROUND: Movement restriction has been proposed as an important modulator of changes in sensory and perceptual function and motor imagery performance that are observed in musculoskeletal pain syndromes. There are no empirical data to support this view. PURPOSE: The primary objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of movement restriction on local and widespread sensory, perceptual and motor imagery changes after exercise-induced muscular pain. Further objectives were to investigate whether changes in sensory perception are correlated with pain intensity and tactile acuity or motor imagery performance. METHODS: In forty healthy volunteers, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the non-dominant elbow flexors was induced using eccentric contractions until exhaustion. Participants were then randomised into two groups: a movement restriction group (wearing a sling) or a control group (not wearing a sling). Sensory and perceptual functions were measured using a range of sensory tests and a motor imagery performance task (left/right limb judgements). RESULTS: Movement restriction did not modulate any of the measures. We found concurrent mechanical hypoesthesia (p \u3c 0.01), reduced tactile acuity (p = 0.02) and pressure hyperalgesia (p \u3c 0.01) at the painful side. We found evidence of widespread pressure hyperalgesia. Impaired tactile acuity was associated with a decrease in pain threshold to pressure (r = -0.34, p = 0.03). Motor imagery performance was unchanged (p \u3e 0.35) by pain or movement restriction. CONCLUSION: Short-term movement restriction did not influence local and widespread sensory changes induced by experimentally induced muscular pain