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Verification of knowledge bases based on containment checking
Levy. A.Y.; Rousset, M.C.
Building complex knowledge based applications requires encoding large amounts of domain knowledge. After acquiring knowledge from domain experts, much of the effort in building a knowledge base goes into verifying that the knowledge is encoded correctly. We consider the problem of verifying hybrid knowledge bases that contain both Horn rules and a terminology in a description logic. Our approach to the verification problem is based on showing a close relationship to the problem of query containment. Our first contribution, based on this relationship, is presenting a thorough analysis of the decidability and complexity of the verification problem, for knowledge bases containing recursive rules and the interpreted predicates =, {le}, < and {ne}. Second, we show that important new classes of constraints on correct inputs and outputs can be expressed in a hybrid setting, in which a description logic class hierarchy is also considered, and we present the first complete algorithm for verifying such hybrid knowledge bases.
Knowledge-based system verification and validation
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnson, Sally C.
The objective of this task is to develop and evaluate a methodology for verification and validation (V&V) of knowledge-based systems (KBS) for space station applications with high reliability requirements. The approach consists of three interrelated tasks. The first task is to evaluate the effectiveness of various validation methods for space station applications. The second task is to recommend requirements for KBS V&V for Space Station Freedom (SSF). The third task is to recommend modifications to the SSF to support the development of KBS using effectiveness software engineering and validation techniques. To accomplish the first task, three complementary techniques will be evaluated: (1) Sensitivity Analysis (Worchester Polytechnic Institute); (2) Formal Verification of Safety Properties (SRI International); and (3) Consistency and Completeness Checking (Lockheed AI Center). During FY89 and FY90, each contractor will independently demonstrate the user of his technique on the fault detection, isolation, and reconfiguration (FDIR) KBS or the manned maneuvering unit (MMU), a rule-based system implemented in LISP. During FY91, the application of each of the techniques to other knowledge representations and KBS architectures will be addressed. After evaluation of the results of the first task and examination of Space Station Freedom V&V requirements for conventional software, a comprehensive KBS V&V methodology will be developed and documented. Development of highly reliable KBS's cannot be accomplished without effective software engineering methods. Using the results of current in-house research to develop and assess software engineering methods for KBS's as well as assessment of techniques being developed elsewhere, an effective software engineering methodology for space station KBS's will be developed, and modification of the SSF to support these tools and methods will be addressed.
Intelligent Tools for Planning Knowledge base Development and Verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chien, Steve A.
A key obstacle hampering fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating, and maintaining the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems.
Use of metaknowledge in the verification of knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Morell, Larry J.
Knowledge-based systems are modeled as deductive systems. The model indicates that the two primary areas of concern in verification are demonstrating consistency and completeness. A system is inconsistent if it asserts something that is not true of the modeled domain. A system is incomplete if it lacks deductive capability. Two forms of consistency are discussed along with appropriate verification methods. Three forms of incompleteness are discussed. The use of metaknowledge, knowledge about knowledge, is explored in connection to each form of incompleteness.
Ontology-Based Empirical Knowledge Verification for Professional Virtual Community
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chen, Yuh-Jen
A professional virtual community provides an interactive platform for enterprise experts to create and share their empirical knowledge cooperatively, and the platform contains a tremendous amount of hidden empirical knowledge that knowledge experts have preserved in the discussion process. Therefore, enterprise knowledge management highly…
Analysis, Simulation, and Verification of Knowledge-Based, Rule-Based, and Expert Systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hinchey, Mike; Rash, James; Erickson, John; Gracanin, Denis; Rouff, Chris
Mathematically sound techniques are used to view a knowledge-based system (KBS) as a set of processes executing in parallel and being enabled in response to specific rules being fired. The set of processes can be manipulated, examined, analyzed, and used in a simulation. The tool that embodies this technology may warn developers of errors in their rules, but may also highlight rules (or sets of rules) in the system that are underspecified (or overspecified) and need to be corrected for the KBS to operate as intended. The rules embodied in a KBS specify the allowed situations, events, and/or results of the system they describe. In that sense, they provide a very abstract specification of a system. The system is implemented through the combination of the system specification together with an appropriate inference engine, independent of the algorithm used in that inference engine. Viewing the rule base as a major component of the specification, and choosing an appropriate specification notation to represent it, reveals how additional power can be derived from an approach to the knowledge-base system that involves analysis, simulation, and verification. This innovative approach requires no special knowledge of the rules, and allows a general approach where standardized analysis, verification, simulation, and model checking techniques can be applied to the KBS.
A formal approach to validation and verification for knowledge-based control systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Castore, Glen
As control systems become more complex in response to desires for greater system flexibility, performance and reliability, the promise is held out that artificial intelligence might provide the means for building such systems. An obstacle to the use of symbolic processing constructs in this domain is the need for verification and validation (V and V) of the systems. Techniques currently in use do not seem appropriate for knowledge-based software. An outline of a formal approach to V and V for knowledge-based control systems is presented.
Knowledge-based verification of clinical guidelines by detection of anomalies.
Duftschmid, G; Miksch, S
As shown in numerous studies, a significant part of published clinical guidelines is tainted with different types of semantical errors that interfere with their practical application. The adaptation of generic guidelines, necessitated by circumstances such as resource limitations within the applying organization or unexpected events arising in the course of patient care, further promotes the introduction of defects. Still, most current approaches for the automation of clinical guidelines are lacking mechanisms, which check the overall correctness of their output. In the domain of software engineering in general and in the domain of knowledge-based systems (KBS) in particular, a common strategy to examine a system for potential defects consists in its verification. The focus of this work is to present an approach, which helps to ensure the semantical correctness of clinical guidelines in a three-step process. We use a particular guideline specification language called Asbru to demonstrate our verification mechanism. A scenario-based evaluation of our method is provided based on a guideline for the artificial ventilation of newborn infants. The described approach is kept sufficiently general in order to allow its application to several other guideline representation formats. PMID:11259882
Knowledge based system verification and validation as related to automation of Space Station subsystems - Rationale for a knowledge based system lifecycle
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Richardson, Keith; Wong, Carla
The role of verification and validation (V and V) in software has been to support and strengthen the software lifecycle and to ensure that the resultant code meets the standards of the requirements documents. Knowledge-based system (KBS) V and V should serve the same role, but the KBS lifecycle is ill-defined. The rationale of a simple form of the KBS lifecycle is presented, including accommodation to certain critical KBS differences from software development.
Knowledge based system verification and validation as related to automation of space station subsystems: Rationale for a knowledge based system lifecycle
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Richardson, Keith; Wong, Carla
The role of verification and validation (V and V) in software has been to support and strengthen the software lifecycle and to ensure that the resultant code meets the standards of the requirements documents. Knowledge Based System (KBS) V and V should serve the same role, but the KBS lifecycle is ill-defined. The rationale of a simple form of the KBS lifecycle is presented, including accommodation to certain critical KBS differences from software development.
Systems, methods and apparatus for verification of knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hinchey, Michael G. (Inventor); Rash, James L. (Inventor); Erickson, John D. (Inventor); Gracinin, Denis (Inventor); Rouff, Christopher A. (Inventor)
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, domain knowledge is translated into a knowledge-based system. In some embodiments, a formal specification is derived from rules of a knowledge-based system, the formal specification is analyzed, and flaws in the formal specification are used to identify and correct errors in the domain knowledge, from which a knowledge-based system is translated.
Offline signature verification and skilled forgery detection using HMM and sum graph features with ANN and knowledge based classifier
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mehta, Mohit; Choudhary, Vijay; Das, Rupam; Khan, Ilyas
Signature verification is one of the most widely researched areas in document analysis and signature biometric. Various methodologies have been proposed in this area for accurate signature verification and forgery detection. In this paper we propose a unique two stage model of detecting skilled forgery in the signature by combining two feature types namely Sum graph and HMM model for signature generation and classify them with knowledge based classifier and probability neural network. We proposed a unique technique of using HMM as feature rather than a classifier as being widely proposed by most of the authors in signature recognition. Results show a higher false rejection than false acceptance rate. The system detects forgeries with an accuracy of 80% and can detect the signatures with 91% accuracy. The two stage model can be used in realistic signature biometric applications like the banking applications where there is a need to detect the authenticity of the signature before processing documents like checks.
Static and Completion Analysis for Planning Knowledge Base Development and Verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chien, Steve A.
A key obstacle hampering fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating, and maintaining the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems.
Expert verification of the knowledge base of FEED--a feedback expert system for EMS documentation.
Saini, Devashish; Orthner, Helmuth F; Berner, Eta S; Mirza, Muzna; Godwin, Charles J; Brown, Todd B
Feedback Expert System for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Documentation (FEED) has a rule-based knowledge base (KB) that was verified against specifications in a focus group consisting of six experts. The focus group suggested changes in almost all rules discussed, indicating that the KB did not meet specifications at that stage of development. However, enough information was gathered to address these issues in the next iteration of development. PMID:18999259
Experiences in improving the state of the practice in verification and validation of knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Culbert, Chris; French, Scott W.; Hamilton, David
Knowledge-based systems (KBS's) are in general use in a wide variety of domains, both commercial and government. As reliance on these types of systems grows, the need to assess their quality and validity reaches critical importance. As with any software, the reliability of a KBS can be directly attributed to the application of disciplined programming and testing practices throughout the development life-cycle. However, there are some essential differences between conventional software and KBSs, both in construction and use. The identification of these differences affect the verification and validation (V&V) process and the development of techniques to handle them. The recognition of these differences is the basis of considerable on-going research in this field. For the past three years IBM (Federal Systems Company - Houston) and the Software Technology Branch (STB) of NASA/Johnson Space Center have been working to improve the 'state of the practice' in V&V of Knowledge-based systems. This work was motivated by the need to maintain NASA's ability to produce high quality software while taking advantage of new KBS technology. To date, the primary accomplishment has been the development and teaching of a four-day workshop on KBS V&V. With the hope of improving the impact of these workshops, we also worked directly with NASA KBS projects to employ concepts taught in the workshop. This paper describes two projects that were part of this effort. In addition to describing each project, this paper describes problems encountered and solutions proposed in each case, with particular emphasis on implications for transferring KBS V&V technology beyond the NASA domain.
Guidelines for the verification and validation of expert system software and conventional software: Evaluation of knowledge base certification methods. Volume 4
Miller, L.A.; Hayes, J.E.; Mirsky, S.M.
This report presents the results of the Knowledge Base Certification activity of the expert systems verification and validation (V&V) guideline development project which is jointly funded by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Electric Power Research Institute. The ultimate objective is the formulation of guidelines for the V&V of expert systems for use in nuclear power applications. This activity is concerned with the development and testing of various methods for assuring the quality of knowledge bases. The testing procedure used was that of behavioral experiment, the first known such evaluation of any type of V&V activity. The value of such experimentation is its capability to provide empirical evidence for -- or against -- the effectiveness of plausible methods in helping people find problems in knowledge bases. The three-day experiment included 20 participants from three nuclear utilities, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission`s Technical training Center, the University of Maryland, EG&G Idaho, and SAIC. The study used two real nuclear expert systems: a boiling water reactor emergency operating procedures tracking system and a pressurized water reactor safety assessment systems. Ten participants were assigned to each of the expert systems. All participants were trained in and then used a sequence of four different V&V methods selected as being the best and most appropriate for study on the basis of prior evaluation activities. These methods either involved the analysis and tracing of requirements to elements in the knowledge base (requirements grouping and requirements tracing) or else involved direct inspection of the knowledge base for various kinds of errors. Half of the subjects within each system group used the best manual variant of the V&V methods (the control group), while the other half were supported by the results of applying real or simulated automated tools to the knowledge bases (the experimental group).
Nuclear Energy -- Knowledge Base for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-KAMS) Code Verification and Validation Data Standards and Requirements: Fluid Dynamics Version 1.0
Greg Weirs; Hyung Lee
V&V and UQ are the primary means to assess the accuracy and reliability of M&S and, hence, to establish confidence in M&S. Though other industries are establishing standards and requirements for the performance of V&V and UQ, at present, the nuclear industry has not established such standards or requirements. However, the nuclear industry is beginning to recognize that such standards are needed and that the resources needed to support V&V and UQ will be very significant. In fact, no single organization has sufficient resources or expertise required to organize, conduct and maintain a comprehensive V&V and UQ program. What is needed is a systematic and standardized approach to establish and provide V&V and UQ resources at a national or even international level, with a consortium of partners from government, academia and industry. Specifically, what is needed is a structured and cost-effective knowledge base that collects, evaluates and stores verification and validation data, and shows how it can be used to perform V&V and UQ, leveraging collaboration and sharing of resources to support existing engineering and licensing procedures as well as science-based V&V and UQ processes. The Nuclear Energy Knowledge base for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-KAMS) is being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory in conjunction with Bettis Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory, Utah State University and others with the objective of establishing a comprehensive and web-accessible knowledge base to provide V&V and UQ resources for M&S for nuclear reactor design, analysis and licensing. The knowledge base will serve as an important resource for technical exchange and collaboration that will enable credible and reliable computational models and simulations for application to nuclear power. NE-KAMS will serve as a valuable resource for the nuclear industry, academia, the national laboratories, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and
A Zero Knowledge Protocol For Nuclear Warhead Verification
Glaser, Alexander; Goldston, Robert J.
The verification of nuclear warheads for arms control faces a paradox: International inspectors must gain high confidence in the authenticity of submitted items while learning nothing about them. Conventional inspection systems featuring ''information barriers'', designed to hide measurments stored in electronic systems, are at risk of tampering and snooping. Here we show the viability of fundamentally new approach to nuclear warhead verification that incorporates a zero-knowledge protocol, designed such that sensitive information is never measured so does not need to be hidden. We interrogate submitted items with energetic neutrons, making in effect, differential measurements of neutron transmission and emission. Calculations of diversion scenarios show that a high degree of discrimination can be achieved while revealing zero information. Timely demonstration of the viability of such an approach could be critical for the nexxt round of arms-control negotiations, which will likely require verification of individual warheads, rather than whole delivery systems.
Video-Based Fingerprint Verification
Qin, Wei; Yin, Yilong; Liu, Lili
Conventional fingerprint verification systems use only static information. In this paper, fingerprint videos, which contain dynamic information, are utilized for verification. Fingerprint videos are acquired by the same capture device that acquires conventional fingerprint images, and the user experience of providing a fingerprint video is the same as that of providing a single impression. After preprocessing and aligning processes, "inside similarity" and "outside similarity" are defined and calculated to take advantage of both dynamic and static information contained in fingerprint videos. Match scores between two matching fingerprint videos are then calculated by combining the two kinds of similarity. Experimental results show that the proposed video-based method leads to a relative reduction of 60 percent in the equal error rate (EER) in comparison to the conventional single impression-based method. We also analyze the time complexity of our method when different combinations of strategies are used. Our method still outperforms the conventional method, even if both methods have the same time complexity. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed video-based method can lead to better accuracy than the multiple impressions fusion method, and the proposed method has a much lower false acceptance rate (FAR) when the false rejection rate (FRR) is quite low. PMID:24008283
Tools for Knowledge Acquisition and Verification in Medicine
Mars, Nicolass J. I.; Miller, Perry L.
Expert systems require large amounts of domain knowledge for non-trivial problem solving. Experience in developing such systems has shown that the process of acquiring domain knowledge and of determining whether the knowledge is consistent, complete, and correct is a major obstacle to wide introduction of knowledge-based systems. We discuss various tools which have been developed to assist in these two processes. These tools bring additional knowledge to bear, or provide better interfaces between a knowledge engineer and the knowledge-based system. The discussion of existing tools is preceded by a framework for classifying them, based on the additional knowledge used.
Knowledge-Based Aircraft Automation: Managers Guide on the use of Artificial Intelligence for Aircraft Automation and Verification and Validation Approach for a Neural-Based Flight Controller
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Broderick, Ron
The ultimate goal of this report was to integrate the powerful tools of artificial intelligence into the traditional process of software development. To maintain the US aerospace competitive advantage, traditional aerospace and software engineers need to more easily incorporate the technology of artificial intelligence into the advanced aerospace systems being designed today. The future goal was to transition artificial intelligence from an emerging technology to a standard technology that is considered early in the life cycle process to develop state-of-the-art aircraft automation systems. This report addressed the future goal in two ways. First, it provided a matrix that identified typical aircraft automation applications conducive to various artificial intelligence methods. The purpose of this matrix was to provide top-level guidance to managers contemplating the possible use of artificial intelligence in the development of aircraft automation. Second, the report provided a methodology to formally evaluate neural networks as part of the traditional process of software development. The matrix was developed by organizing the discipline of artificial intelligence into the following six methods: logical, object representation-based, distributed, uncertainty management, temporal and neurocomputing. Next, a study of existing aircraft automation applications that have been conducive to artificial intelligence implementation resulted in the following five categories: pilot-vehicle interface, system status and diagnosis, situation assessment, automatic flight planning, and aircraft flight control. The resulting matrix provided management guidance to understand artificial intelligence as it applied to aircraft automation. The approach taken to develop a methodology to formally evaluate neural networks as part of the software engineering life cycle was to start with the existing software quality assurance standards and to change these standards to include neural network
Empirical Analysis and Refinement of Expert System Knowledge Bases
Weiss, Sholom M.; Politakis, Peter; Ginsberg, Allen
Recent progress in knowledge base refinement for expert systems is reviewed. Knowledge base refinement is characterized by the constrained modification of rule-components in an existing knowledge base. The goals are to localize specific weaknesses in a knowledge base and to improve an expert system's performance. Systems that automate some aspects of knowledge base refinement can have a significant impact on the related problems of knowledge base acquisition, maintenance, verification, and learning from experience. The SEEK empiricial analysis and refinement system is reviewed and its successor system, SEEK2, is introduced. Important areas for future research in knowledge base refinement are described.
Knowledge based programming at KSC
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Tulley, J. H., Jr.; Delaune, C. I.
Various KSC knowledge-based systems projects are discussed. The objectives of the knowledge-based automatic test equipment and Shuttle connector analysis network projects are described. It is observed that knowledge-based programs must handle factual and expert knowledge; the characteristics of these two types of knowledge are examined. Applications for the knowledge-based programming technique are considered.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Miller, Randolph A.; Giuse, Nunzia B.
Few commonly available, successful computer-based tools exist in medical informatics. Faculty expertise can be included in computer-based medical information systems. Computers allow dynamic recombination of knowledge to answer questions unanswerable with print textbooks. Such systems can also create stronger ties between academic and clinical…
Rule-Based Runtime Verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Barringer, Howard; Goldberg, Allen; Havelund, Klaus; Sen, Koushik
We present a rule-based framework for defining and implementing finite trace monitoring logics, including future and past time temporal logic, extended regular expressions, real-time logics, interval logics, forms of quantified temporal logics, and so on. Our logic, EAGLE, is implemented as a Java library and involves novel techniques for rule definition, manipulation and execution. Monitoring is done on a state-by-state basis, without storing the execution trace.
Trajectory Based Behavior Analysis for User Verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pao, Hsing-Kuo; Lin, Hong-Yi; Chen, Kuan-Ta; Fadlil, Junaidillah
Many of our activities on computer need a verification step for authorized access. The goal of verification is to tell apart the true account owner from intruders. We propose a general approach for user verification based on user trajectory inputs. The approach is labor-free for users and is likely to avoid the possible copy or simulation from other non-authorized users or even automatic programs like bots. Our study focuses on finding the hidden patterns embedded in the trajectories produced by account users. We employ a Markov chain model with Gaussian distribution in its transitions to describe the behavior in the trajectory. To distinguish between two trajectories, we propose a novel dissimilarity measure combined with a manifold learnt tuning for catching the pairwise relationship. Based on the pairwise relationship, we plug-in any effective classification or clustering methods for the detection of unauthorized access. The method can also be applied for the task of recognition, predicting the trajectory type without pre-defined identity. Given a trajectory input, the results show that the proposed method can accurately verify the user identity, or suggest whom owns the trajectory if the input identity is not provided.
Verification in Referral-Based Crowdsourcing
Naroditskiy, Victor; Rahwan, Iyad; Cebrian, Manuel; Jennings, Nicholas R.
Online social networks offer unprecedented potential for rallying a large number of people to accomplish a given task. Here we focus on information gathering tasks where rare information is sought through "referral-based crowdsourcing": the information request is propagated recursively through invitations among members of a social network. Whereas previous work analyzed incentives for the referral process in a setting with only correct reports, misreporting is known to be both pervasive in crowdsourcing applications, and difficult/costly to filter out. A motivating example for our work is the DARPA Red Balloon Challenge where the level of misreporting was very high. In order to undertake a formal study of verification, we introduce a model where agents can exert costly effort to perform verification and false reports can be penalized. This is the first model of verification and it provides many directions for future research, which we point out. Our main theoretical result is the compensation scheme that minimizes the cost of retrieving the correct answer. Notably, this optimal compensation scheme coincides with the winning strategy of the Red Balloon Challenge. PMID:23071530
Verification in referral-based crowdsourcing.
Naroditskiy, Victor; Rahwan, Iyad; Cebrian, Manuel; Jennings, Nicholas R
Online social networks offer unprecedented potential for rallying a large number of people to accomplish a given task. Here we focus on information gathering tasks where rare information is sought through "referral-based crowdsourcing": the information request is propagated recursively through invitations among members of a social network. Whereas previous work analyzed incentives for the referral process in a setting with only correct reports, misreporting is known to be both pervasive in crowdsourcing applications, and difficult/costly to filter out. A motivating example for our work is the DARPA Red Balloon Challenge where the level of misreporting was very high. In order to undertake a formal study of verification, we introduce a model where agents can exert costly effort to perform verification and false reports can be penalized. This is the first model of verification and it provides many directions for future research, which we point out. Our main theoretical result is the compensation scheme that minimizes the cost of retrieving the correct answer. Notably, this optimal compensation scheme coincides with the winning strategy of the Red Balloon Challenge. PMID:23071530
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Black, William J.
Discussion of automatic abstracting of technical papers focuses on a knowledge-based method that uses two sets of rules. Topics discussed include anaphora; text structure and discourse; abstracting techniques, including the keyword method and the indicator phrase method; and tools for text skimming. (27 references) (LRW)
A New Approach to Nuclear Warhead Verification Using a Zero-Knowledge Protocol
Glaser,; Alexander,
Warhead verification systems proposed to date fundamentally rely on the use of information barriers to prevent the release of classified design information. Measurements with information carriers significantly increase the complexity of inspection systems, make their certification and authentication difficult, and may reduce the overall confidence in the verifiability of future arms- control agreements. This talk presents a proof-of-concept of a new approach to nuclear warhead verification that minimizes the role of information barriers from the outset and envisions instead an inspection system that a priori avoids leakage of sensitive information using a so-called zero-knowledge protocol. The proposed inspection system is based on the template-matching approach and relies on active interrogation of a test object with 14-MeV neutrons. The viability of the method is examined with MCNP Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations modeling the experimental setup, an investigation of different diversion scenarios, and an analysis of the simulated data showing that it does not contain information about the properties of the inspected object.
40 CFR 1066.250 - Base inertia verification.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
... mean values as described in 40 CFR 1065.602(b). (7) Calculate the base inertia error, I berror, for... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Base inertia verification. 1066.250... CONTROLS VEHICLE-TESTING PROCEDURES Dynamometer Specifications § 1066.250 Base inertia verification....
Pattern-based full-chip process verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ying, Changsheng; Kwon, Yongjun; Fornari, Paul; Perçin, Gökhan; Liu, Anwei
This paper discusses a novel pattern based standalone process verification technique that meets with current and future needs for semiconductor manufacturing of memory and logic devices. The choosing the right process verification technique is essential to bridge the discrepancy between the intended and the printed pattern. As the industry moving to very low k1 patterning solutions at each technology node, the challenges for process verification are becoming nightmare for lithography engineers, such as large number of possible verification defects and defect disposition. In low k1 lithography, demand for full-chip process verification is increasing. Full-chip process verification is applied post to process and optical proximity correction (OPC) step. The current challenges in process verification are large number of defects reported, disposition difficulties, long defect review times, and no feedback provided to OPC. The technique presented here is based on pattern based verification where each reported defects are classified in terms of patterns and these patterns are saved to a database. Later this database is used for screening incoming new design prior to OPC step.
Foundation: Transforming data bases into knowledge bases
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Purves, R. B.; Carnes, James R.; Cutts, Dannie E.
One approach to transforming information stored in relational data bases into knowledge based representations and back again is described. This system, called Foundation, allows knowledge bases to take advantage of vast amounts of pre-existing data. A benefit of this approach is inspection, and even population, of data bases through an intelligent knowledge-based front-end.
Universal Verification Methodology Based Register Test Automation Flow.
Woo, Jae Hun; Cho, Yong Kwan; Park, Sun Kyu
In today's SoC design, the number of registers has been increased along with complexity of hardware blocks. Register validation is a time-consuming and error-pron task. Therefore, we need an efficient way to perform verification with less effort in shorter time. In this work, we suggest register test automation flow based UVM (Universal Verification Methodology). UVM provides a standard methodology, called a register model, to facilitate stimulus generation and functional checking of registers. However, it is not easy for designers to create register models for their functional blocks or integrate models in test-bench environment because it requires knowledge of SystemVerilog and UVM libraries. For the creation of register models, many commercial tools support a register model generation from register specification described in IP-XACT, but it is time-consuming to describe register specification in IP-XACT format. For easy creation of register model, we propose spreadsheet-based register template which is translated to IP-XACT description, from which register models can be easily generated using commercial tools. On the other hand, we also automate all the steps involved integrating test-bench and generating test-cases, so that designers may use register model without detailed knowledge of UVM or SystemVerilog. This automation flow involves generating and connecting test-bench components (e.g., driver, checker, bus adaptor, etc.) and writing test sequence for each type of register test-case. With the proposed flow, designers can save considerable amount of time to verify functionality of registers. PMID:27483924
NES++: number system for encryption based privacy preserving speaker verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Xu, Lei; Feng, Tao; Zhao, Xi; Shi, Weidong
As speech based operation becomes a main hand-free interaction solution between human and mobile devices (i.e., smartphones, Google Glass), privacy preserving speaker verification receives much attention nowadays. Privacy preserving speaker verification can be achieved through many different ways, such as fuzzy vault and encryption. Encryption based solutions are promising as cryptography is based on solid mathematic foundations and the security properties can be easily analyzed in a well established framework. Most current asymmetric encryption schemes work on finite algebraic structures, such as finite group and finite fields. However, the encryption scheme for privacy preserving speaker verification must handle floating point numbers. This gap must be filled to make the overall scheme practical. In this paper, we propose a number system that meets the requirements of both speaker verification and the encryption scheme used in the process. It also supports addition homomorphic property of Pailliers encryption, which is crucial for privacy preserving speaker verification. As asymmetric encryption is expensive, we propose a method of packing several numbers into one plain-text and the computation overhead is greatly reduced. To evaluate the performance of this method, we implement Pailliers encryption scheme over proposed number system and the packing technique. Our findings show that the proposed solution can fulfill the gap between speaker verification and encryption scheme very well, and the packing technique improves the overall performance. Furthermore, our solution is a building block of encryption based privacy preserving speaker verification, the privacy protection and accuracy rate are not affected.
Glove-based approach to online signature verification.
Kamel, Nidal S; Sayeed, Shohel; Ellis, Grant A
Utilizing the multiple degrees of freedom offered by the data glove for each finger and the hand, a novel on-line signature verification system using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) numerical tool for signature classification and verification is presented. The proposed technique is based on the Singular Value Decomposition in finding r singular vectors sensing the maximal energy of glove data matrix A, called principal subspace, so the effective dimensionality of A can be reduced. Having modeled the data glove signature through its r-principal subspace, signature authentication is performed by finding the angles between the different subspaces. A demonstration of the data glove is presented as an effective high-bandwidth data entry device for signature verification. This SVD-based signature verification technique is tested and its performance is shown to be able to recognize forgery signatures with a false acceptance rate of less than 1.2%. PMID:18421114
Internet-based eligibility verification lowers costs, improves payment timeliness.
Bingham, A
Verification of claims eligibility traditionally is performed either through telephone communication between the payer's and provider's staff or through an EDI clearinghouse. These forms of verification offer inconsistent quality, often use out-of-date information, cost time and money, and may financially harm payers and providers by leading to delays in payments or claims denied after care has been rendered. Internet-based eligibility verification software reduces the number of rejected claims because it can access current information without using a clearinghouse. The software also allows earlier collection of copayments because these obligations can be identified accurately when care is rendered. By offering Internet-based eligibility verification, payers can help providers achieve financial benefits while gaining such benefits themselves. PMID:11271442
Effect of object identification algorithms on feature based verification scores
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Weniger, Michael; Friederichs, Petra
Many modern spatial verification techniques rely on feature identification algorithms. We study the importance of the choice of algorithm and its parameters for the resulting scores. SAL is used as an example to show that these choices have a statistically significant impact on the distributions of object dependent scores. Non-continuous operators used for feature identification are identified as the underlying reason for the observed stability issues, with implications for many feature based verification techniques.
Sensor-fusion-based biometric identity verification
Carlson, J.J.; Bouchard, A.M.; Osbourn, G.C.; Martinez, R.F.; Bartholomew, J.W.; Jordan, J.B.; Flachs, G.M.; Bao, Z.; Zhu, L.
Future generation automated human biometric identification and verification will require multiple features/sensors together with internal and external information sources to achieve high performance, accuracy, and reliability in uncontrolled environments. The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop a theoretical and practical basis for identifying and verifying people using standoff biometric features that can be obtained with minimal inconvenience during the verification process. The basic problem involves selecting sensors and discovering features that provide sufficient information to reliably verify a person`s identity under the uncertainties caused by measurement errors and tactics of uncooperative subjects. A system was developed for discovering hand, face, ear, and voice features and fusing them to verify the identity of people. The system obtains its robustness and reliability by fusing many coarse and easily measured features into a near minimal probability of error decision algorithm.
Verification strategies for fluid-based plasma simulation models
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mahadevan, Shankar
Verification is an essential aspect of computational code development for models based on partial differential equations. However, verification of plasma models is often conducted internally by authors of these programs and not openly discussed. Several professional research bodies including the IEEE, AIAA, ASME and others have formulated standards for verification and validation (V&V) of computational software. This work focuses on verification, defined succinctly as determining whether the mathematical model is solved correctly. As plasma fluid models share several aspects with the Navier-Stokes equations used in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the CFD verification process is used as a guide. Steps in the verification process: consistency checks, examination of iterative, spatial and temporal convergence, and comparison with exact solutions, are described with examples from plasma modeling. The Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS), which has been used to verify complex systems of PDEs in solid and fluid mechanics, is introduced. An example of the application of MMS to a self-consistent plasma fluid model using the local mean energy approximation is presented. The strengths and weaknesses of the techniques presented in this work are discussed.
Knowledge-based nursing diagnosis
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Roy, Claudette; Hay, D. Robert
Nursing diagnosis is an integral part of the nursing process and determines the interventions leading to outcomes for which the nurse is accountable. Diagnoses under the time constraints of modern nursing can benefit from a computer assist. A knowledge-based engineering approach was developed to address these problems. A number of problems were addressed during system design to make the system practical extended beyond capture of knowledge. The issues involved in implementing a professional knowledge base in a clinical setting are discussed. System functions, structure, interfaces, health care environment, and terminology and taxonomy are discussed. An integrated system concept from assessment through intervention and evaluation is outlined.
Knowledge based question answering
Pazzani, M.J.; Engelman, C.
The natural language database query system incorporated in the Knobs Interactive Planning System comprises a dictionary driven parser, APE-II, and script interpreter whch yield a conceptual dependency as a representation of the meaning of user input. A conceptualisation pattern matching production system then determines and executes a procedure for extracting the desired information from the database. In contrast to syntax driven q-a systems, e.g. those based on atn parsers, APE-II is driven bottom-up by expectations associated with word meanings. The goals of this approach include utilising similar representations for questions with similar meanings but widely varying surface structures, developing a powerful mechanism for the disambiguation of words with multiple meanings and the determination of pronoun referents, answering questions which require inferences to be understood, and interpreting ellipses and ungrammatical statements. The Knobs demonstration system is an experimental, expert system for air force mission planning applications. 16 refs.
Development to Release of CTBT Knowledge Base Datasets
Moore, S.G.; Shepherd, E.R.
For the CTBT Knowledge Base to be useful as a tool for improving U.S. monitoring capabilities, the contents of the Knowledge Base must be subjected to a well-defined set of procedures to ensure integrity and relevance of the con- stituent datasets. This paper proposes a possible set of procedures for datasets that are delivered to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for inclusion in the Knowledge Base. The proposed procedures include defining preliminary acceptance criteria, performing verification and validation activities, and subjecting the datasets to approvrd by domain experts. Preliminary acceptance criteria include receipt of the data, its metadata, and a proposal for its usability for U.S. National Data Center operations. Verification activi- ties establish the correctness and completeness of the data, while validation activities establish the relevance of the data to its proposed use. Results from these activities are presented to domain experts, such as analysts and peers for final approval of the datasets for release to the Knowledge Base. Formats and functionality will vary across datasets, so the procedures proposed herein define an overall plan for establishing integrity and relevance of the dataset. Specific procedures for verification, validation, and approval will be defined for each dataset, or for each type of dataset, as appropriate. Potential dataset sources including Los Alamos National Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National Laborato- ries have contributed significantly to the development of thk process.
Verification and Validation of Model-Based Autonomous Systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pecheur, Charles; Koga, Dennis (Technical Monitor)
This paper presents a three year project (FY99 to FY01) on the verification and validation of model based autonomous systems. The topics include: 1) Project Profile; 2) Model-Based Autonomy; 3) The Livingstone MIR; 4) MPL2SMV; 5) Livingstone to SMV Translation; 6) Symbolic Model Checking; 7) From Livingstone Models to SMV Models; 8) Application In-Situ Propellant Production; 9) Closed-Loop Verification Principle; 10) Livingstone PathFinder (LPF); 11) Publications and Presentations; and 12) Future Directions. This paper is presented in viewgraph form.
Biometric Subject Verification Based on Electrocardiographic Signals
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dusan, Sorin V. (Inventor); Jorgensen, Charles C. (Inventor)
A method of authenticating or declining to authenticate an asserted identity of a candidate-person. In an enrollment phase, a reference PQRST heart action graph is provided or constructed from information obtained from a plurality of graphs that resemble each other for a known reference person, using a first graph comparison metric. In a verification phase, a candidate-person asserts his/her identity and presents a plurality of his/her heart cycle graphs. If a sufficient number of the candidate-person's measured graphs resemble each other, a representative composite graph is constructed from the candidate-person's graphs and is compared with a composite reference graph, for the person whose identity is asserted, using a second graph comparison metric. When the second metric value lies in a selected range, the candidate-person's assertion of identity is accepted.
A token-flow paradigm for verification of rule-based expert systems.
Wu, C H; Lee, S J
This paper presents a novel approach to the verification of rule-based systems (RBSs). A graph structure, called the rule-dependency graph (RDG), is introduced to describe the dependency relationship among the rules of an RBS, in which each type of improper knowledge forms a specific topological structure. Knowledge verification is then performed by searching for such topological structures through a token-flow paradigm. An algorithm is provided, which automatically generates a minimally sufficient set of literals as test tokens in the detection procedure. The proposed scheme can be applied to rules of non-Horn clause form in both propositional and first-order logic, and restrictions imposed by other graph-based approaches can be avoided. Furthermore, explicit and potential anomalies of RBSs can be correctly found, and efficient run-time validation is made possible. PMID:18252394
Combining Task Execution and Background Knowledge for the Verification of Medical Guidelines
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hommersom, Arjen; Groot, Perry; Lucas, Peter; Balser, Michael; Schmitt, Jonathan
The use of a medical guideline can be seen as the execution of computational tasks, sequentially or in parallel, in the face of patient data. It has been shown that many of such guidelines can be represented as a 'network of tasks', i.e., as a number of steps that have a specific function or goal. To investigate the quality of such guidelines we propose a formalization of criteria for good practice medicine a guideline should comply to. We use this theory in conjunction with medical background knowledge to verify the quality of a guideline dealing with diabetes mellitus type 2 using the interactive theorem prover KIV. Verification using task execution and background knowledge is a novel approach to quality checking of medical guidelines.
Knowledge based SAR images exploitations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, David L.
One of the basic functions of SAR images exploitation system is the detection of man-made objects. The performance of object detection is strongly limited by performance of segmentation modules. This paper presents a detection paradigm composed of an adaptive segmentation algorithm based on a priori knowledge of objects followed by a top-down hierarchical detection process that generates and evaluates object hypotheses. Shadow information and inter-object relationships can be added to the knowledge base to improve performance over that of a statistical detector based only on the attributes of individual objects.
The Verification-based Analysis of Reliable Multicast Protocol
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wu, Yunqing
Reliable Multicast Protocol (RMP) is a communication protocol that provides an atomic, totally ordered, reliable multicast service on top of unreliable IP Multicasting. In this paper, we develop formal models for R.W using existing automatic verification systems, and perform verification-based analysis on the formal RMP specifications. We also use the formal models of RW specifications to generate a test suite for conformance testing of the RMP implementation. Throughout the process of RMP development, we follow an iterative, interactive approach that emphasizes concurrent and parallel progress between the implementation and verification processes. Through this approach, we incorporate formal techniques into our development process, promote a common understanding for the protocol, increase the reliability of our software, and maintain high fidelity between the specifications of RMP and its implementation.
Reusing Design Knowledge Based on Design Cases and Knowledge Map
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Yang, Cheng; Liu, Zheng; Wang, Haobai; Shen, Jiaoqi
Design knowledge was reused for innovative design work to support designers with product design knowledge and help designers who lack rich experiences to improve their design capacity and efficiency. First, based on the ontological model of product design knowledge constructed by taxonomy, implicit and explicit knowledge was extracted from some…
Wavelet-based verification of the quantitative precipitation forecast
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yano, Jun-Ichi; Jakubiak, Bogumil
This paper explores the use of wavelets for spatial verification of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF), and especially the capacity of wavelets to provide both localization and scale information. Two 24-h forecast experiments using the two versions of the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) on 22 August 2010 over Poland are used to illustrate the method. Strong spatial localizations and associated intermittency of the precipitation field make verification of QPF difficult using standard statistical methods. The wavelet becomes an attractive alternative, because it is specifically designed to extract spatially localized features. The wavelet modes are characterized by the two indices for the scale and the localization. Thus, these indices can simply be employed for characterizing the performance of QPF in scale and localization without any further elaboration or tunable parameters. Furthermore, spatially-localized features can be extracted in wavelet space in a relatively straightforward manner with only a weak dependence on a threshold. Such a feature may be considered an advantage of the wavelet-based method over more conventional "object" oriented verification methods, as the latter tend to represent strong threshold sensitivities. The present paper also points out limits of the so-called "scale separation" methods based on wavelets. Our study demonstrates how these wavelet-based QPF verifications can be performed straightforwardly. Possibilities for further developments of the wavelet-based methods, especially towards a goal of identifying a weak physical process contributing to forecast error, are also pointed out.
Expert and Knowledge Based Systems.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Demaid, Adrian; Edwards, Lyndon
Discusses the nature and current state of knowledge-based systems and expert systems. Describes an expert system from the viewpoints of a computer programmer and an applications expert. Addresses concerns related to materials selection and forecasts future developments in the teaching of materials engineering. (ML)
Population Education: A Knowledge Base.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jacobson, Willard J.
To aid junior high and high school educators and curriculum planners as they develop population education programs, the book provides an overview of the population education knowledge base. In addition, it suggests learning activities, discussion questions, and background information which can be integrated into courses dealing with population,…
A wavelet-based approach to face verification/recognition
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jassim, Sabah; Sellahewa, Harin
Face verification/recognition is a tough challenge in comparison to identification based on other biometrics such as iris, or fingerprints. Yet, due to its unobtrusive nature, the face is naturally suitable for security related applications. Face verification process relies on feature extraction from face images. Current schemes are either geometric-based or template-based. In the latter, the face image is statistically analysed to obtain a set of feature vectors that best describe it. Performance of a face verification system is affected by image variations due to illumination, pose, occlusion, expressions and scale. This paper extends our recent work on face verification for constrained platforms, where the feature vector of a face image is the coefficients in the wavelet transformed LL-subbands at depth 3 or more. It was demonstrated that the wavelet-only feature vector scheme has a comparable performance to sophisticated state-of-the-art when tested on two benchmark databases (ORL, and BANCA). The significance of those results stem from the fact that the size of the k-th LL- subband is 1/4k of the original image size. Here, we investigate the use of wavelet coefficients in various subbands at level 3 or 4 using various wavelet filters. We shall compare the performance of the wavelet-based scheme for different filters at different subbands with a number of state-of-the-art face verification/recognition schemes on two benchmark databases, namely ORL and the control section of BANCA. We shall demonstrate that our schemes have comparable performance to (or outperform) the best performing other schemes.
Automated knowledge-base refinement
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mooney, Raymond J.
Over the last several years, we have developed several systems for automatically refining incomplete and incorrect knowledge bases. These systems are given an imperfect rule base and a set of training examples and minimally modify the knowledge base to make it consistent with the examples. One of our most recent systems, FORTE, revises first-order Horn-clause knowledge bases. This system can be viewed as automatically debugging Prolog programs based on examples of correct and incorrect I/O pairs. In fact, we have already used the system to debug simple Prolog programs written by students in a programming language course. FORTE has also been used to automatically induce and revise qualitative models of several continuous dynamic devices from qualitative behavior traces. For example, it has been used to induce and revise a qualitative model of a portion of the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the NASA Space Shuttle. By fitting a correct model of this portion of the RCS to simulated qualitative data from a faulty system, FORTE was also able to correctly diagnose simple faults in this system.
Knowledge-based tracking algorithm
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Corbeil, Allan F.; Hawkins, Linda J.; Gilgallon, Paul F.
This paper describes the Knowledge-Based Tracking (KBT) algorithm for which a real-time flight test demonstration was recently conducted at Rome Air Development Center (RADC). In KBT processing, the radar signal in each resolution cell is thresholded at a lower than normal setting to detect low RCS targets. This lower threshold produces a larger than normal false alarm rate. Therefore, additional signal processing including spectral filtering, CFAR and knowledge-based acceptance testing are performed to eliminate some of the false alarms. TSC's knowledge-based Track-Before-Detect (TBD) algorithm is then applied to the data from each azimuth sector to detect target tracks. In this algorithm, tentative track templates are formed for each threshold crossing and knowledge-based association rules are applied to the range, Doppler, and azimuth measurements from successive scans. Lastly, an M-association out of N-scan rule is used to declare a detection. This scan-to-scan integration enhances the probability of target detection while maintaining an acceptably low output false alarm rate. For a real-time demonstration of the KBT algorithm, the L-band radar in the Surveillance Laboratory (SL) at RADC was used to illuminate a small Cessna 310 test aircraft. The received radar signal wa digitized and processed by a ST-100 Array Processor and VAX computer network in the lab. The ST-100 performed all of the radar signal processing functions, including Moving Target Indicator (MTI) pulse cancelling, FFT Doppler filtering, and CFAR detection. The VAX computers performed the remaining range-Doppler clustering, beamsplitting and TBD processing functions. The KBT algorithm provided a 9.5 dB improvement relative to single scan performance with a nominal real time delay of less than one second between illumination and display.
The data dictionary: A view into the CTBT knowledge base
Shepherd, E.R.; Keyser, R.G.; Armstrong, H.M.
The data dictionary for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) knowledge base provides a comprehensive, current catalog of the projected contents of the knowledge base. It is written from a data definition view of the knowledge base and therefore organizes information in a fashion that allows logical storage within the computer. The data dictionary introduces two organization categories of data: the datatype, which is a broad, high-level category of data, and the dataset, which is a specific instance of a datatype. The knowledge base, and thus the data dictionary, consist of a fixed, relatively small number of datatypes, but new datasets are expected to be added on a regular basis. The data dictionary is a tangible result of the design effort for the knowledge base and is intended to be used by anyone who accesses the knowledge base for any purpose, such as populating the knowledge base with data, or accessing the data for use with automatic data processing (ADP) routines, or browsing through the data for verification purposes. For these two reasons, it is important to discuss the development of the data dictionary as well as to describe its contents to better understand its usefulness; that is the purpose of this paper.
Knowledge based jet engine diagnostics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jellison, Timothy G.; Dehoff, Ronald L.
A fielded expert system automates equipment fault isolation and recommends corrective maintenance action for Air Force jet engines. The knowledge based diagnostics tool was developed as an expert system interface to the Comprehensive Engine Management System, Increment IV (CEMS IV), the standard Air Force base level maintenance decision support system. XMAM (trademark), the Expert Maintenance Tool, automates procedures for troubleshooting equipment faults, provides a facility for interactive user training, and fits within a diagnostics information feedback loop to improve the troubleshooting and equipment maintenance processes. The application of expert diagnostics to the Air Force A-10A aircraft TF-34 engine equipped with the Turbine Engine Monitoring System (TEMS) is presented.
Wavelet-based face verification for constrained platforms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sellahewa, Harin; Jassim, Sabah A.
Human Identification based on facial images is one of the most challenging tasks in comparison to identification based on other biometric features such as fingerprints, palm prints or iris. Facial recognition is the most natural and suitable method of identification for security related applications. This paper is concerned with wavelet-based schemes for efficient face verification suitable for implementation on devices that are constrained in memory size and computational power such as PDA"s and smartcards. Beside minimal storage requirements we should apply as few as possible pre-processing procedures that are often needed to deal with variation in recoding conditions. We propose the LL-coefficients wavelet-transformed face images as the feature vectors for face verification, and compare its performance of PCA applied in the LL-subband at levels 3,4 and 5. We shall also compare the performance of various versions of our scheme, with those of well-established PCA face verification schemes on the BANCA database as well as the ORL database. In many cases, the wavelet-only feature vector scheme has the best performance while maintaining efficacy and requiring minimal pre-processing steps. The significance of these results is their efficiency and suitability for platforms of constrained computational power and storage capacity (e.g. smartcards). Moreover, working at or beyond level 3 LL-subband results in robustness against high rate compression and noise interference.
Cooperating knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Feigenbaum, Edward A.; Buchanan, Bruce G.
This final report covers work performed under Contract NCC2-220 between NASA Ames Research Center and the Knowledge Systems Laboratory, Stanford University. The period of research was from March 1, 1987 to February 29, 1988. Topics covered were as follows: (1) concurrent architectures for knowledge-based systems; (2) methods for the solution of geometric constraint satisfaction problems, and (3) reasoning under uncertainty. The research in concurrent architectures was co-funded by DARPA, as part of that agency's Strategic Computing Program. The research has been in progress since 1985, under DARPA and NASA sponsorship. The research in geometric constraint satisfaction has been done in the context of a particular application, that of determining the 3-D structure of complex protein molecules, using the constraints inferred from NMR measurements.
Knowledge base rule partitioning design for CLIPS
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mainardi, Joseph D.; Szatkowski, G. P.
This describes a knowledge base (KB) partitioning approach to solve the problem of real-time performance using the CLIPS AI shell when containing large numbers of rules and facts. This work is funded under the joint USAF/NASA Advanced Launch System (ALS) Program as applied research in expert systems to perform vehicle checkout for real-time controller and diagnostic monitoring tasks. The Expert System advanced development project (ADP-2302) main objective is to provide robust systems responding to new data frames of 0.1 to 1.0 second intervals. The intelligent system control must be performed within the specified real-time window, in order to meet the demands of the given application. Partitioning the KB reduces the complexity of the inferencing Rete net at any given time. This reduced complexity improves performance but without undo impacts during load and unload cycles. The second objective is to produce highly reliable intelligent systems. This requires simple and automated approaches to the KB verification & validation task. Partitioning the KB reduces rule interaction complexity overall. Reduced interaction simplifies the V&V testing necessary by focusing attention only on individual areas of interest. Many systems require a robustness that involves a large number of rules, most of which are mutually exclusive under different phases or conditions. The ideal solution is to control the knowledge base by loading rules that directly apply for that condition, while stripping out all rules and facts that are not used during that cycle. The practical approach is to cluster rules and facts into associated 'blocks'. A simple approach has been designed to control the addition and deletion of 'blocks' of rules and facts, while allowing real-time operations to run freely. Timing tests for real-time performance for specific machines under R/T operating systems have not been completed but are planned as part of the analysis process to validate the design.
Approaches to the verification of rule-based expert systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Culbert, Chris; Riley, Gary; Savely, Robert T.
Expert systems are a highly useful spinoff of artificial intelligence research. One major stumbling block to extended use of expert systems is the lack of well-defined verification and validation (V and V) methodologies. Since expert systems are computer programs, the definitions of verification and validation from conventional software are applicable. The primary difficulty with expert systems is the use of development methodologies which do not support effective V and V. If proper techniques are used to document requirements, V and V of rule-based expert systems is possible, and may be easier than with conventional code. For NASA applications, the flight technique panels used in previous programs should provide an excellent way to verify the rules used in expert systems. There are, however, some inherent differences in expert systems that will affect V and V considerations.
A DVE Time Management Simulation and Verification Platform Based on Causality Consistency Middleware
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhou, Hangjun; Zhang, Wei; Peng, Yuxing; Li, Sikun
During the course of designing a time management algorithm for DVEs, the researchers always become inefficiency for the distraction from the realization of the trivial and fundamental details of simulation and verification. Therefore, a platform having realized theses details is desirable. However, this has not been achieved in any published work to our knowledge. In this paper, we are the first to design and realize a DVE time management simulation and verification platform providing exactly the same interfaces as those defined by the HLA Interface Specification. Moreover, our platform is based on a new designed causality consistency middleware and might offer the comparison of three kinds of time management services: CO, RO and TSO. The experimental results show that the implementation of the platform only costs small overhead, and that the efficient performance of it is highly effective for the researchers to merely focus on the improvement of designing algorithms.
Production-worthy full chip image-based verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yu, Zongchang; Zhang, Youping; Xiao, Yanjun; Li, Wanyu
At 65nm technology node and below, with the ever-smaller process window, it is no longer sufficient to apply traditional model-based verification at only the nominal condition. Full-chip, full process-window verification has started to integrate into the OPC flow at the 65nm production as a way of preventing potentially weak post-OPC designs from reaching the mask making step. Through process-window analysis can be done by way of simulating wafer images at each of the corresponding focus and exposure dose conditions throughout the process window using an accurate and predictive FEM model. Alternatively, due to the strong correlation between the post-OPC design sensitivity to dose variation and aerial image (AI) quality, the study of through-dose behavior of the post-OPC design can also be carried out by carefully analyzing the AI. These types of analysis can be performed at multiple defocus conditions to assess the robustness of the post-OPC designs with respect to focus and dose variations. In this paper, we study the AI based approach for post-OPC verification in detail. For metal layer, the primary metrics for verification are bridging, necking, and via coverage. In this paper we are mainly interested in studying bridging and necking. The minimum AI value in the open space gives an indication of its susceptibility to bridging in an over-dosed situation. Lower minimum intensity indicates less risk of bridging. Conversely, the maximum AI between the metal lines provides indication of potential necking issues in an under-dosed situation. At times, however, in a complex 2D pattern area, the location as to where the AI reaches either maximum or minimum is not obvious. This requires a full-chip, dense image-based approach to fully explore the AI profile of the entire space of the design. We have developed such an algorithm to find the AI maximums and minimums that will bear true relevance to the bridging and necking analysis. In this paper, we apply the full
A Property Restriction Based Knowledge Merging Method
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Che, Haiyan; Chen, Wei; Feng, Tie; Zhang, Jiachen
Merging new instance knowledge extracted from the Web according to certain domain ontology into the knowledge base (KB for short) is essential for the knowledge management and should be processed carefully, since this may introduce redundant or contradictory knowledge, and the quality of the knowledge in the KB, which is very important for a knowledge-based system to provide users high quality services, will suffer from such "bad" knowledge. Advocates a property restriction based knowledge merging method, it can identify the equivalent instances, redundant or contradictory knowledge according to the property restrictions defined in the domain ontology and can consolidate the knowledge about equivalent instances and discard the redundancy and conflict to keep the KB compact and consistent. This knowledge merging method has been used in a semantic-based search engine project: CRAB and the effect is satisfactory.
Performing Verification and Validation in Reuse-Based Software Engineering
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Addy, Edward A.
The implementation of reuse-based software engineering not only introduces new activities to the software development process, such as domain analysis and domain modeling, it also impacts other aspects of software engineering. Other areas of software engineering that are affected include Configuration Management, Testing, Quality Control, and Verification and Validation (V&V). Activities in each of these areas must be adapted to address the entire domain or product line rather than a specific application system. This paper discusses changes and enhancements to the V&V process, in order to adapt V&V to reuse-based software engineering.
A knowledge base architecture for distributed knowledge agents
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Riedesel, Joel; Walls, Bryan
A tuple space based object oriented model for knowledge base representation and interpretation is presented. An architecture for managing distributed knowledge agents is then implemented within the model. The general model is based upon a database implementation of a tuple space. Objects are then defined as an additional layer upon the database. The tuple space may or may not be distributed depending upon the database implementation. A language for representing knowledge and inference strategy is defined whose implementation takes advantage of the tuple space. The general model may then be instantiated in many different forms, each of which may be a distinct knowledge agent. Knowledge agents may communicate using tuple space mechanisms as in the LINDA model as well as using more well known message passing mechanisms. An implementation of the model is presented describing strategies used to keep inference tractable without giving up expressivity. An example applied to a power management and distribution network for Space Station Freedom is given.
Knowledge Base Editor (SharpKBE)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Tikidjian, Raffi; James, Mark; Mackey, Ryan
The SharpKBE software provides a graphical user interface environment for domain experts to build and manage knowledge base systems. Knowledge bases can be exported/translated to various target languages automatically, including customizable target languages.
Bounded Semantics of CTL and SAT-Based Verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Wenhui
Bounded model checking has been proposed as a complementary approach to BDD based symbolic model checking for combating the state explosion problem, esp. for efficient error detection. This has led to a lot of successful work with respect to error detection in the checking of LTL, ACTL (the universal fragment of CTL) and ACTL* properties by satisfiability testing. The use of bounded model checking for verification (in contrast to error detection) of LTL and ACTL properties has later also been studied. This paper studies the potentials and limitations of bounded model checking for the verification of CTL and CTL* formulas. On the theoretical side, we first provide a framework for discussion of bounded semantics, which serves as the basis for bounded model checking, then extend the bounded semantics of ACTL to a bounded semantics of CTL, and discuss the limitation of developing such a bounded semantics for CTL*. On the practical side, a deduction of a SAT-based bounded model checking approach for ACTL properties from the bounded semantics of CTL is demonstrated, and a comparison of such an approach with BDD-based model checking is presented based on experimental results.
A Scala DSL for RETE-Based Runtime Verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Havelund, Klaus
Runtime verification (RV) consists in part of checking execution traces against formalized specifications. Several systems have emerged, most of which support specification notations based on state machines, regular expressions, temporal logic, or grammars. The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has for an even longer period of time studied rule-based production systems, which at a closer look appear to be relevant for RV, although seemingly focused on slightly different application domains, such as for example business processes and expert systems. The core algorithm in many of these systems is the Rete algorithm. We have implemented a Rete-based runtime verification system, named LogFire (originally intended for offline log analysis but also applicable to online analysis), as an internal DSL in the Scala programming language, using Scala's support for defining DSLs. This combination appears attractive from a practical point of view. Our contribution is in part conceptual in arguing that such rule-based frameworks originating from AI may be suited for RV.
Maintaining a Knowledge Base Using the MEDAS Knowledge Engineering Tools
Naeymi-Rad, Frank; Evens, Martha; Koschmann, Timothy; Lee, Chui-Mei; Gudipati, Rao Y.C.; Kepic, Theresa; Rackow, Eric; Weil, Max Harry
This paper describes the process by which a medical expert creates a new knowledge base for MEDAS, the Medical Emergency Decision Assistance System. It follows the expert physician step by step as a new disorder is entered along with its relevant symptoms. As the expanded knowledge base is tested, inconsistencies are detected, and corrections are made, showing at each step the available tools and giving an example of their use.
Using Conceptual Analysis To Build Knowledge Bases.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shinghal, Rajjan; Le Xuan, Albert
This paper describes the methods and techniques called Conceptual Analysis (CA), a rigorous procedure to generate (without involuntary omissions and repetitions) knowledge bases for the development of knowledge-based systems. An introduction is given of CA and how it can be used to produce knowledge bases. A discussion is presented on what is…
Building validation tools for knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stachowitz, R. A.; Chang, C. L.; Stock, T. S.; Combs, J. B.
The Expert Systems Validation Associate (EVA), a validation system under development at the Lockheed Artificial Intelligence Center for more than a year, provides a wide range of validation tools to check the correctness, consistency and completeness of a knowledge-based system. A declarative meta-language (higher-order language), is used to create a generic version of EVA to validate applications written in arbitrary expert system shells. The architecture and functionality of EVA are presented. The functionality includes Structure Check, Logic Check, Extended Structure Check (using semantic information), Extended Logic Check, Semantic Check, Omission Check, Rule Refinement, Control Check, Test Case Generation, Error Localization, and Behavior Verification.
A Discussion of Knowledge Based Design
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wood, Richard M.; Bauer, Steven X. S.
A discussion of knowledge and Knowledge- Based design as related to the design of aircraft is presented. The paper discusses the perceived problem with existing design studies and introduces the concepts of design and knowledge for a Knowledge- Based design system. A review of several Knowledge-Based design activities is provided. A Virtual Reality, Knowledge-Based system is proposed and reviewed. The feasibility of Virtual Reality to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of aerodynamic and multidisciplinary design, evaluation, and analysis of aircraft through the coupling of virtual reality technology and a Knowledge-Based design system is also reviewed. The final section of the paper discusses future directions for design and the role of Knowledge-Based design.
Verification of Emergent Behaviors in Swarm-based Systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rouff, Christopher; Vanderbilt, Amy; Hinchey, Mike; Truszkowski, Walt; Rash, James
The emergent properties of swarms make swarm-based missions powerful, but at the same time more difficult to design and to assure that the proper behaviors will emerge. We are currently investigating formal methods and techniques for verification and validation of swarm-based missions. The Autonomous Nano-Technology Swarm (ANTS) mission is being used as an example and case study for swarm-based missions to experiment and test current formal methods with intelligent swarms. Using the ANTS mission, we have evaluated multiple formal methods to determine their effectiveness in modeling and assuring swarm behavior. This paper introduces how intelligent swarm technology is being proposed for NASA missions, and gives the results of a comparison of several formal methods and approaches for specifying intelligent swarm-based systems and their effectiveness for predicting emergent behavior.
Towards Trustable Digital Evidence with PKIDEV: PKI Based Digital Evidence Verification Model
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Uzunay, Yusuf; Incebacak, Davut; Bicakci, Kemal
How to Capture and Preserve Digital Evidence Securely? For the investigation and prosecution of criminal activities that involve computers, digital evidence collected in the crime scene has a vital importance. On one side, it is a very challenging task for forensics professionals to collect them without any loss or damage. On the other, there is the second problem of providing the integrity and authenticity in order to achieve legal acceptance in a court of law. By conceiving digital evidence simply as one instance of digital data, it is evident that modern cryptography offers elegant solutions for this second problem. However, to our knowledge, there is not any previous work proposing a systematic model having a holistic view to address all the related security problems in this particular case of digital evidence verification. In this paper, we present PKIDEV (Public Key Infrastructure based Digital Evidence Verification model) as an integrated solution to provide security for the process of capturing and preserving digital evidence. PKIDEV employs, inter alia, cryptographic techniques like digital signatures and secure time-stamping as well as latest technologies such as GPS and EDGE. In our study, we also identify the problems public-key cryptography brings when it is applied to the verification of digital evidence.
Knowledge-Based Network Operations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wu, Chuan-lin; Hung, Chaw-Kwei; Stedry, Steven P.; McClure, James P.; Yeh, Show-Way
An expert system is being implemented for enhancing operability of the Ground Communication Facility (GCF) of Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) Deep Space Network (DSN). The DSN is a tracking network for all of JPL's spacecraft plus a subset of spacecrafts launched by other NASA centers. A GCF upgrade task is set to replace the current GCF aging system with new, modern equipments which are capable of using knowledge-based monitor and control approach. The expert system, implemented in terms of KEE and SUN workstation, is used for performing network fault management, configuration management, and performance management in real-time. Monitor data are collected from each processor and DSCC's in every five seconds. In addition to serving as input parameters of the expert system, extracted management information is used to update a management information database. For the monitor and control purpose, software of each processor is divided into layers following the OSI standard. Each layer is modeled as a finite state machine. A System Management Application Process (SMAP) is implemented at application layer, which coordinates layer managers of the same processor and communicates with peer SMAPs of other processors. The expert system will be tuned by augmenting the production rules as the operation is going on, and its performance will be measured.
A SIFT feature based registration algorithm in automatic seal verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
He, Jin; Ding, Xuewen; Zhang, Hao; Liu, Tiegen
A SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) feature based registration algorithm is presented to prepare for the seal verification, especially for the verification of high quality counterfeit sample seal. The similarities and the spatial relationships between the matched SIFT features are combined for the registration. SIFT features extracted from the binary model seal and sample seal images are matched according to their similarities. The matching rate is used to define the similar sample seal that is similar with its model seal. For the similar sample seal, the false matches are eliminated according to the position relationship. Then the homography between model seal and sample seal is constructed and named HS . The theoretical homography is namedH . The accuracy of registration is evaluated by the Frobenius norm of H-HS . In experiments, translation, filling and rotation transformations are applied to seals with different shapes, stroke number and structures. After registering the transformed seals and their model seals, the maximum value of the Frobenius norm of their H-HS is not more than 0.03. The results prove that this algorithm can accomplish accurate registration, which is invariant to translation, filling, and rotation transformation, and there is no limit to the seal shapes, stroke number and structures.
An XQDD-Based Verification Method for Quantum Circuits
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Shiou-An; Lu, Chin-Yung; Tsai, I.-Ming; Kuo, Sy-Yen
Synthesis of quantum circuits is essential for building quantum computers. It is important to verify that the circuits designed perform the correct functions. In this paper, we propose an algorithm which can be used to verify the quantum circuits synthesized by any method. The proposed algorithm is based on BDD (Binary Decision Diagram) and is called X-decomposition Quantum Decision Diagram (XQDD). In this method, quantum operations are modeled using a graphic method and the verification process is based on comparing these graphic diagrams. We also develop an algorithm to verify reversible circuits even if they have a different number of garbage qubits. In most cases, the number of nodes used in XQDD is less than that in other representations. In general, the proposed method is more efficient in terms of space and time and can be used to verify many quantum circuits in polynomial time.
Verification issues for rule-based expert systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Culbert, Chris; Riley, Gary; Savely, Robert T.
Verification and validation of expert systems is very important for the future success of this technology. Software will never be used in non-trivial applications unless the program developers can assure both users and managers that the software is reliable and generally free from error. Therefore, verification and validation of expert systems must be done. The primary hindrance to effective verification and validation is the use of methodologies which do not produce testable requirements. An extension of the flight technique panels used in previous NASA programs should provide both documented requirements and very high levels of verification for expert systems.
Ethics, Inclusiveness, and the UCEA Knowledge Base.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Strike, Kenneth A.
Accepts most of Bull and McCarthy's rejection of the ethical boundary thesis in this same "EAQ" issue. Reinterprets their argument, using a three-part model of administrative knowledge. Any project for constructing an educational administration knowledge base is suspect, since little "pure" empirical and instrumental knowledge will be confirmed by…
Reliability-Based Decision Fusion in Multimodal Biometric Verification Systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kryszczuk, Krzysztof; Richiardi, Jonas; Prodanov, Plamen; Drygajlo, Andrzej
We present a methodology of reliability estimation in the multimodal biometric verification scenario. Reliability estimation has shown to be an efficient and accurate way of predicting and correcting erroneous classification decisions in both unimodal (speech, face, online signature) and multimodal (speech and face) systems. While the initial research results indicate the high potential of the proposed methodology, the performance of the reliability estimation in a multimodal setting has not been sufficiently studied or evaluated. In this paper, we demonstrate the advantages of using the unimodal reliability information in order to perform an efficient biometric fusion of two modalities. We further show the presented method to be superior to state-of-the-art multimodal decision-level fusion schemes. The experimental evaluation presented in this paper is based on the popular benchmarking bimodal BANCA database.
Unit testing-based approach for reconfigurable logic controllers verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Doligalski, Michał; Tkacz, Jacek; Bukowiec, Arkadiusz; Gratkowski, Tomasz
The paper presents unit testing-based approach to FPGA design in-circuit verification. Presented methodology is dedicated to modular reconfigurable logic controllers, but other ip-cores and systems can be verified as well. The speed and reproducibility of tests is key for rapid system prototyping, where the quality and reliability of the system is significance. Typically FPGA are programmed by means single (full) bitstream. Specific devices are able to be reconfigured partially. Usually the partial reconfiguration is a part of the design functionality. It enables the minimization of used resources or provides specific functionality like system adaptation. The paper presents the use of the partial reconfiguration as a toll for the designer. The unit testing approach well know form software engineering was adopted to modular logic controllers development. The simulation process results waveform files, the waveform can be used for synthesizable test bench generation.
Formal Verification for Embedded Systems Design Based on MDE
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Do Nascimento, Francisco Assis Moreira; da Silva Oliveira, Marcio Ferreira; Wagner, Flávio Rech
This work presents a Model Driven Engineering (MDE) approach for the automatic generation of a network of timed automata from the functional specification of an embedded application described using UML class and sequence diagrams. By means of transformations on the UML model of the embedded system, a MOF-based representation for the network of timed automata is automatically obtained, which can be used as input to formal verification tools, as the Uppaal model checker, in order to validate desired functional and temporal properties of the embedded system specification. Since the network of timed automata is automatically generated, the methodology can be very useful for the designer, making easier the debugging and formal validation of the system specification. The paper describes the defined transformations between models, which generate the network of timed automata as well as the textual input to the Uppaal model checker, and illustrates the use of the methodology with a case study to show the effectiveness of the approach.
Is pharmacy a knowledge-based profession?
Waterfield, Jon
An increasingly important question for the pharmacy educator is the relationship between pharmacy knowledge and professionalism. There is a substantial body of literature on the theory of knowledge and it is useful to apply this to the profession of pharmacy. This review examines the types of knowledge and skill used by the pharmacist, with particular reference to tacit knowledge which cannot be codified. This leads into a discussion of practice-based pharmacy knowledge and the link between pharmaceutical science and practice. The final section of the paper considers the challenge of making knowledge work in practice. This includes a discussion of the production of knowledge within the context of application. The theoretical question posed by this review, "Is pharmacy a knowledge-based profession?" highlights challenging areas of debate for the pharmacy educator. PMID:20498743
Knowledge-acquisition tools for medical knowledge-based systems.
Lanzola, G; Quaglini, S; Stefanelli, M
Knowledge-based systems (KBS) have been proposed to solve a large variety of medical problems. A strategic issue for KBS development and maintenance are the efforts required for both knowledge engineers and domain experts. The proposed solution is building efficient knowledge acquisition (KA) tools. This paper presents a set of KA tools we are developing within a European Project called GAMES II. They have been designed after the formulation of an epistemological model of medical reasoning. The main goal is that of developing a computational framework which allows knowledge engineers and domain experts to interact cooperatively in developing a medical KBS. To this aim, a set of reusable software components is highly recommended. Their design was facilitated by the development of a methodology for KBS construction. It views this process as comprising two activities: the tailoring of the epistemological model to the specific medical task to be executed and the subsequent translation of this model into a computational architecture so that the connections between computational structures and their knowledge level counterparts are maintained. The KA tools we developed are illustrated taking examples from the behavior of a KBS we are building for the management of children with acute myeloid leukemia. PMID:9082135
A knowledge base browser using hypermedia
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pocklington, Tony; Wang, Lui
A hypermedia system is being developed to browse CLIPS (C Language Integrated Production System) knowledge bases. This system will be used to help train flight controllers for the Mission Control Center. Browsing this knowledge base will be accomplished either by having navigating through the various collection nodes that have already been defined, or through the query languages.
76 FR 60112 - Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) Service
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
... From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) Service AGENCY: Social Security Administration. ACTION: Notice of Revised Transaction Fee for Consent Based Social Security Number...
78 FR 56266 - Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) Service
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
... From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) Service AGENCY: Social Security Administration. ACTION: Notice of Revised Transaction Fee for CBSV Service. SUMMARY: We provide fee-based...
Knowledge-based assistance in costing the space station DMS
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Henson, Troy; Rone, Kyle
The Software Cost Engineering (SCE) methodology developed over the last two decades at IBM Systems Integration Division (SID) in Houston is utilized to cost the NASA Space Station Data Management System (DMS). An ongoing project to capture this methodology, which is built on a foundation of experiences and lessons learned, has resulted in the development of an internal-use-only, PC-based prototype that integrates algorithmic tools with knowledge-based decision support assistants. This prototype Software Cost Engineering Automation Tool (SCEAT) is being employed to assist in the DMS costing exercises. At the same time, DMS costing serves as a forcing function and provides a platform for the continuing, iterative development, calibration, and validation and verification of SCEAT. The data that forms the cost engineering database is derived from more than 15 years of development of NASA Space Shuttle software, ranging from low criticality, low complexity support tools to highly complex and highly critical onboard software.
Ground-based visual inspection for CTBT verification
Hawkins, W.; Wohletz, K.
Ground-based visual inspection will play an essential role in On-Site Inspection (OSI) for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification. Although seismic and remote sensing techniques are the best understood and most developed methods for detection of evasive testing of nuclear weapons, visual inspection will greatly augment the certainty and detail of understanding provided by these more traditional methods. Not only can ground-based visual inspection offer effective documentation in cases of suspected nuclear testing, but it also can provide accurate source location and testing media properties necessary for detailed analysis of seismic records. For testing in violation of the CTBT, an offending state may attempt to conceal the test, which most likely will be achieved by underground burial. While such concealment may not prevent seismic detection, evidence of test deployment, location, and yield can be disguised. In this light, if a suspicious event is detected by seismic or other remote methods, visual inspection of the event area is necessary to document any evidence that might support a claim of nuclear testing and provide data needed to further interpret seismic records and guide further investigations. However, the methods for visual inspection are not widely known nor appreciated, and experience is presently limited. Visual inspection can be achieved by simple, non-intrusive means, primarily geological in nature, and it is the purpose of this report to describe the considerations, procedures, and equipment required to field such an inspection. The inspections will be carried out by inspectors from members of the CTBT Organization.
Verification of the Forecast Errors Based on Ensemble Spread
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Vannitsem, S.; Van Schaeybroeck, B.
The use of ensemble prediction systems allows for an uncertainty estimation of the forecast. Most end users do not require all the information contained in an ensemble and prefer the use of a single uncertainty measure. This measure is the ensemble spread which serves to forecast the forecast error. It is however unclear how best the quality of these forecasts can be performed, based on spread and forecast error only. The spread-error verification is intricate for two reasons: First for each probabilistic forecast only one observation is substantiated and second, the spread is not meant to provide an exact prediction for the error. Despite these facts several advances were recently made, all based on traditional deterministic verification of the error forecast. In particular, Grimit and Mass (2007) and Hopson (2014) considered in detail the strengths and weaknesses of the spread-error correlation, while Christensen et al (2014) developed a proper-score extension of the mean squared error. However, due to the strong variance of the error given a certain spread, the error forecast should be preferably considered as probabilistic in nature. In the present work, different probabilistic error models are proposed depending on the spread-error metrics used. Most of these models allow for the discrimination of a perfect forecast from an imperfect one, independent of the underlying ensemble distribution. The new spread-error scores are tested on the ensemble prediction system of the European Centre of Medium-range forecasts (ECMWF) over Europe and Africa. ReferencesChristensen, H. M., Moroz, I. M. and Palmer, T. N., 2014, Evaluation of ensemble forecast uncertainty using a new proper score: application to medium-range and seasonal forecasts. In press, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society. Grimit, E. P., and C. F. Mass, 2007: Measuring the ensemble spread-error relationship with a probabilistic approach: Stochastic ensemble results. Mon. Wea. Rev., 135, 203
Verification and Planning Based on Coinductive Logic Programming
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bansal, Ajay; Min, Richard; Simon, Luke; Mallya, Ajay; Gupta, Gopal
Coinduction is a powerful technique for reasoning about unfounded sets, unbounded structures, infinite automata, and interactive computations [6]. Where induction corresponds to least fixed point's semantics, coinduction corresponds to greatest fixed point semantics. Recently coinduction has been incorporated into logic programming and an elegant operational semantics developed for it [11, 12]. This operational semantics is the greatest fix point counterpart of SLD resolution (SLD resolution imparts operational semantics to least fix point based computations) and is termed co- SLD resolution. In co-SLD resolution, a predicate goal p( t) succeeds if it unifies with one of its ancestor calls. In addition, rational infinite terms are allowed as arguments of predicates. Infinite terms are represented as solutions to unification equations and the occurs check is omitted during the unification process. Coinductive Logic Programming (Co-LP) and Co-SLD resolution can be used to elegantly perform model checking and planning. A combined SLD and Co-SLD resolution based LP system forms the common basis for planning, scheduling, verification, model checking, and constraint solving [9, 4]. This is achieved by amalgamating SLD resolution, co-SLD resolution, and constraint logic programming [13] in a single logic programming system. Given that parallelism in logic programs can be implicitly exploited [8], complex, compute-intensive applications (planning, scheduling, model checking, etc.) can be executed in parallel on multi-core machines. Parallel execution can result in speed-ups as well as in larger instances of the problems being solved. In the remainder we elaborate on (i) how planning can be elegantly and efficiently performed under real-time constraints, (ii) how real-time systems can be elegantly and efficiently model- checked, as well as (iii) how hybrid systems can be verified in a combined system with both co-SLD and SLD resolution. Implementations of co-SLD resolution
Knowledge Based Systems and Metacognition in Radar
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Capraro, Gerard T.; Wicks, Michael C.
An airborne ground looking radar sensor's performance may be enhanced by selecting algorithms adaptively as the environment changes. A short description of an airborne intelligent radar system (AIRS) is presented with a description of the knowledge based filter and detection portions. A second level of artificial intelligence (AI) processing is presented that monitors, tests, and learns how to improve and control the first level. This approach is based upon metacognition, a way forward for developing knowledge based systems.
A collaborative knowledge base for cognitive phenomics
Sabb, FW; Bearden, CE; Glahn, DC; Parker, DS; Freimer, N; Bilder, RM
The human genome project has stimulated development of impressive repositories of biological knowledge at the genomic level and new knowledge bases are rapidly being developed in a 'bottom-up' fashion. In contrast, higher-level phenomics knowledge bases are underdeveloped, particularly with respect to the complex neuropsychiatric syndrome, symptom, cognitive, and neural systems phenotypes widely acknowledged as critical to advance molecular psychiatry research. This gap limits informatics strategies that could improve both the mining and representation of relevant knowledge, and help prioritize phenotypes for new research. Most existing structured knowledge bases also engage a limited set of contributors, and thus fail to leverage recent developments in social collaborative knowledge-building. We developed a collaborative annotation database to enable representation and sharing of empirical information about phenotypes important to neuropsychiatric research (www.Phenowiki.org). As a proof of concept, we focused on findings relevant to 'cognitive control', a neurocognitive construct considered important to multiple neuropsychiatric syndromes. Currently this knowledge base tabulates empirical findings about heritabilities and measurement properties of specific cognitive task and rating scale indicators (n = 449 observations). It is hoped that this new open resource can serve as a starting point that enables broadly collaborative knowledge-building, and help investigators select and prioritize endophenotypes for translational research. PMID:18180765
The Knowledge Bases of the Expert Teacher.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Turner-Bisset, Rosie
Presents a model for knowledge bases for teaching that will act as a mental map for understanding the complexity of teachers' professional knowledge. Describes the sources and evolution of the model, explains how the model functions in practice, and provides an illustration using an example of teaching in history. (CMK)
Mobile Pit verification system design based on passive special nuclear material verification in weapons storage facilities
Paul, J. N.; Chin, M. R.; Sjoden, G. E.
A mobile 'drive by' passive radiation detection system to be applied in special nuclear materials (SNM) storage facilities for validation and compliance purposes has been designed through the use of computational modeling and new radiation detection methods. This project was the result of work over a 1 year period to create optimal design specifications to include creation of 3D models using both Monte Carlo and deterministic codes to characterize the gamma and neutron leakage out each surface of SNM-bearing canisters. Results were compared and agreement was demonstrated between both models. Container leakages were then used to determine the expected reaction rates using transport theory in the detectors when placed at varying distances from the can. A 'typical' background signature was incorporated to determine the minimum signatures versus the probability of detection to evaluate moving source protocols with collimation. This established the criteria for verification of source presence and time gating at a given vehicle speed. New methods for the passive detection of SNM were employed and shown to give reliable identification of age and material for highly enriched uranium (HEU) and weapons grade plutonium (WGPu). The finalized 'Mobile Pit Verification System' (MPVS) design demonstrated that a 'drive-by' detection system, collimated and operating at nominally 2 mph, is capable of rapidly verifying each and every weapon pit stored in regularly spaced, shelved storage containers, using completely passive gamma and neutron signatures for HEU and WGPu. This system is ready for real evaluation to demonstrate passive total material accountability in storage facilities. (authors)
Model-Based Verification and Validation of Spacecraft Avionics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Khan, M. Omair; Sievers, Michael; Standley, Shaun
Verification and Validation (V&V) at JPL is traditionally performed on flight or flight-like hardware running flight software. For some time, the complexity of avionics has increased exponentially while the time allocated for system integration and associated V&V testing has remained fixed. There is an increasing need to perform comprehensive system level V&V using modeling and simulation, and to use scarce hardware testing time to validate models; the norm for thermal and structural V&V for some time. Our approach extends model-based V&V to electronics and software through functional and structural models implemented in SysML. We develop component models of electronics and software that are validated by comparison with test results from actual equipment. The models are then simulated enabling a more complete set of test cases than possible on flight hardware. SysML simulations provide access and control of internal nodes that may not be available in physical systems. This is particularly helpful in testing fault protection behaviors when injecting faults is either not possible or potentially damaging to the hardware. We can also model both hardware and software behaviors in SysML, which allows us to simulate hardware and software interactions. With an integrated model and simulation capability we can evaluate the hardware and software interactions and identify problems sooner. The primary missing piece is validating SysML model correctness against hardware; this experiment demonstrated such an approach is possible.
Updating knowledge bases with disjunctive information
Zhang, Yan; Foo, Norman Y.
It is well known that the minimal change principle was widely used in knowledge base updates. However, recent research has shown that conventional minimal change methods, eg. the PMA, are generally problematic for updating knowledge bases with disjunctive information. In this paper, we propose two different approaches to deal with this problem - one is called the minimal change with exceptions (MCE), the other is called the minimal change with maximal disjunctive inclusions (MCD). The first method is syntax-based, while the second is model-theoretic. We show that these two approaches are equivalent for propositional knowledge base updates, and the second method is also appropriate for first order knowledge base updates. We then prove that our new update approaches still satisfy the standard Katsuno and Mendelzon`s update postulates.
Operational verification of a blow out preventer utilizing fiber Bragg grating based strain gauges
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Turner, Alan L.; Loustau, Philippe; Thibodeau, Dan
Ultra-deep water BOP (Blowout Preventer) operation poses numerous challenges in obtaining accurate knowledge of current system integrity and component condition- a salient example is the difficulty of verifying closure of the pipe and shearing rams during and after well control events. Ascertaining the integrity of these functions is currently based on a manual volume measurement performed with a stop watch. Advances in sensor technology now permit more accurate methods of BOP condition monitoring. Fiber optic sensing technology and particularly fiber optic strain gauges have evolved to a point where we can derive a good representation of what is happening inside a BOP by installing sensors on the outside shell. Function signatures can be baselined to establish thresholds that indicate successful function activation. Based on this knowledge base, signal variation over time can then be utilized to assess degradation of these functions and subsequent failure to function. Monitoring the BOP from the outside has the advantage of gathering data through a system that can be interfaced with risk based integrity management software and/or a smart monitoring system that analyzes BOP control redundancies without the requirement of interfacing with OEM control systems. The paper will present the results of ongoing work on a fully instrumented 13-½" 10,000 psi pipe ram. Instrumentation includes commonly used pressure transducers, accelerometers, flow meters, and optical strain gauges. Correlation will be presented between flow, pressure, acceleration signatures and the fiber optic strain gauge's response as it relates to functional verification and component level degradation trending.
Knowledge-Based Learning: Integration of Deductive and Inductive Learning for Knowledge Base Completion.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Whitehall, Bradley Lane
In constructing a knowledge-based system, the knowledge engineer must convert rules of thumb provided by the domain expert and previously solved examples into a working system. Research in machine learning has produced algorithms that create rules for knowledge-based systems, but these algorithms require either many examples or a complete domain…
The Coming of Knowledge-Based Business.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Davis, Stan; Botkin, Jim
Economic growth will come from knowledge-based businesses whose "smart" products filter and interpret information. Businesses will come to think of themselves as educators and their customers as learners. (SK)
VESTA: a system-level verification environment based on C++
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Shahdadpuri, Mahendra V.; Sosa, Javier; Navarro, H. éctor; Montiel-Nelson, Juan A.; Sarmiento, Roberto
System verification is an important issue to do at every design step to ensure the complete system correctness. The verification effort is becoming more time-consuming due to the increase in design complexity. New environments are necessary to reduce the complexity of this task and, most importantly, reduce the time to develop it. Among the languages used in verification, C++ is powerful enough for encapsulating the necessary concepts in a set of classes and templates. This work introduces a framework that allows describing and verifying highly complex systems in a user-friendly and speedy way with C++ classes. These encapsulate hardware description and verification concepts and can be reused throughout a project and also in various development projects. Furthermore, the resulting libraries provide an easy-to-use interface for describing systems and writing test benches in C++, with a transparent connection to an HDL simulator. VESTA includes an advanced memory management with an extremely versatile linked list. The linked list access mode can change on-fly to a FIFO, a LIFO or a memory array access mode, among others. Experimental results demonstrate that the basic types provided by our verification environment excel the features of non-commercial solutions as Openvera or TestBuilder and commercial solutions such as 'e' language. Besides, the results achieved have shown significant productivity gain in creating reusable testbenches and in debugging simulation runs.
Knowledge-based system for computer security
Hunteman, W.J.
The rapid expansion of computer security information and technology has provided little support for the security officer to identify and implement the safeguards needed to secure a computing system. The Department of Energy Center for Computer Security is developing a knowledge-based computer security system to provide expert knowledge to the security officer. The system is policy-based and incorporates a comprehensive list of system attack scenarios and safeguards that implement the required policy while defending against the attacks. 10 figs.
Methodology for testing and validating knowledge bases
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Krishnamurthy, C.; Padalkar, S.; Sztipanovits, J.; Purves, B. R.
A test and validation toolset developed for artificial intelligence programs is described. The basic premises of this method are: (1) knowledge bases have a strongly declarative character and represent mostly structural information about different domains, (2) the conditions for integrity, consistency, and correctness can be transformed into structural properties of knowledge bases, and (3) structural information and structural properties can be uniformly represented by graphs and checked by graph algorithms. The interactive test and validation environment have been implemented on a SUN workstation.
An Insulating Glass Knowledge Base
Michael L. Doll; Gerald Hendrickson; Gerard Lagos; Russell Pylkki; Chris Christensen; Charlie Cureija
This report will discuss issues relevant to Insulating Glass (IG) durability performance by presenting the observations and developed conclusions in a logical sequential format. This concluding effort discusses Phase II activities and focuses on beginning to quantifying IG durability issues while continuing the approach presented in the Phase I activities (Appendix 1) which discuss a qualitative assessment of durability issues. Phase II developed a focus around two specific IG design classes previously presented in Phase I of this project. The typical box spacer and thermoplastic spacer design including their Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree diagrams were chosen to address two currently used IG design options with varying components and failure modes. The system failures occur due to failures of components or their interfaces. Efforts to begin quantifying the durability issues focused on the development and delivery of an included computer based IG durability simulation program. The focus/effort to deliver the foundation for a comprehensive IG durability simulation tool is necessary to address advancements needed to meet current and future building envelope energy performance goals. This need is based upon the current lack of IG field failure data and the lengthy field observation time necessary for this data collection. Ultimately, the simulation program is intended to be used by designers throughout the current and future industry supply chain. Its use is intended to advance IG durability as expectations grow around energy conservation and with the growth of embedded technologies as required to meet energy needs. In addition the tool has the immediate benefit of providing insight for research and improvement prioritization. Included in the simulation model presentation are elements and/or methods to address IG materials, design, process, quality, induced stress (environmental and other factors), validation, etc. In addition, acquired data
Distributed, cooperating knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Truszkowski, Walt
Some current research in the development and application of distributed, cooperating knowledge-based systems technology is addressed. The focus of the current research is the spacecraft ground operations environment. The underlying hypothesis is that, because of the increasing size, complexity, and cost of planned systems, conventional procedural approaches to the architecture of automated systems will give way to a more comprehensive knowledge-based approach. A hallmark of these future systems will be the integration of multiple knowledge-based agents which understand the operational goals of the system and cooperate with each other and the humans in the loop to attain the goals. The current work includes the development of a reference model for knowledge-base management, the development of a formal model of cooperating knowledge-based agents, the use of testbed for prototyping and evaluating various knowledge-based concepts, and beginning work on the establishment of an object-oriented model of an intelligent end-to-end (spacecraft to user) system. An introductory discussion of these activities is presented, the major concepts and principles being investigated are highlighted, and their potential use in other application domains is indicated.
The importance of knowledge-based technology.
Cipriano, Pamela F
Nurse executives are responsible for a workforce that can provide safer and more efficient care in a complex sociotechnical environment. National quality priorities rely on technologies to provide data collection, share information, and leverage analytic capabilities to interpret findings and inform approaches to care that will achieve better outcomes. As a key steward for quality, the nurse executive exercises leadership to provide the infrastructure to build and manage nursing knowledge and instill accountability for following evidence-based practices. These actions contribute to a learning health system where new knowledge is captured as a by-product of care delivery enabled by knowledge-based electronic systems. The learning health system also relies on rigorous scientific evidence embedded into practice at the point of care. The nurse executive optimizes use of knowledge-based technologies, integrated throughout the organization, that have the capacity to help transform health care. PMID:22407206
Patient Dependency Knowledge-Based Systems.
Soliman, F
The ability of Patient Dependency Systems to provide information for staffing decisions and budgetary development has been demonstrated. In addition, they have become powerful tools in modern hospital management. This growing interest in Patient Dependency Systems has renewed calls for their automation. As advances in Information Technology and in particular Knowledge-Based Engineering reach new heights, hospitals can no longer afford to ignore the potential benefits obtainable from developing and implementing Patient Dependency Knowledge-Based Systems. Experience has shown that the vast majority of decisions and rules used in the Patient Dependency method are too complex to capture in the form of a traditional programming language. Furthermore, the conventional Patient Dependency Information System automates the simple and rigid bookkeeping functions. On the other hand Knowledge-Based Systems automate complex decision making and judgmental processes and therefore are the appropriate technology for automating the Patient Dependency method. In this paper a new technique to automate Patient Dependency Systems using knowledge processing is presented. In this approach all Patient Dependency factors have been translated into a set of Decision Rules suitable for use in a Knowledge-Based System. The system is capable of providing the decision-maker with a number of scenarios and their possible outcomes. This paper also presents the development of Patient Dependency Knowledge-Based Systems, which can be used in allocating and evaluating resources and nursing staff in hospitals on the basis of patients' needs. PMID:9809275
Knowledge-based system for design of signalized intersections
Linkenheld, J.S. ); Benekohal, R.F. ); Garrett, J.H. Jr. )
For an efficient traffic operation in intelligent highway systems, traffic signals need to respond to the changes in roadway and traffic demand. The phasing and timing of traffic signals requires the use of heuristic rules of thumb to determine what phases are needed and how the green time should be assigned to them. Because of the need for judgmental knowledge in solving this problem, this study has used knowledge-based expert-system technology to develop a system for the phasing and signal timing (PHAST) of an isolated intersection. PHAST takes intersection geometry and traffic volume as input and generates appropriate phase plan, cycle length, and green time for each phase. The phase plan and signal timing change when intersection geometry or traffic demand changes. This paper describes the intended system functionality, the system architecture, the knowledge used to phase and time an intersection, the implementation of the system, and system verification. PHAST's performance was validated using phase plans and timings of several intersections.
Integrating Model-Based Verification into Software Design Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Yilmaz, Levent; Wang, Shuo
Proper design analysis is indispensable to assure quality and reduce emergent costs due to faulty software. Teaching proper design verification skills early during pedagogical development is crucial, as such analysis is the only tractable way of resolving software problems early when they are easy to fix. The premise of the presented strategy is…
Multimodal Speaker Verification Based on Electroglottograph Signal and Glottal Activity Detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ćirović, Zoran; Milosavljević, Milan; Banjac, Zoran
To achieve robust speaker verification, we propose a multimodal method which includes additional nonaudio features and glottal activity detector. As a nonaudio sensor an electroglottograph (EGG) is applied. Parameters of EGG signal are used to augment conventional audio feature vector. Algorithm for EGG parameterization is based on the shape of the idealized waveform and glottal activity detector. We compare our algorithm with conventional one in the term of verification accuracy in high noise environment. All experiments are performed using Gaussian Mixture Model recognition system. Obtained results show a significant improvement of the text-independent speaker verification in high noise environment and opportunity for further improvements in this area.
Fuzzy-logic-based safety verification framework for nuclear power plants.
Rastogi, Achint; Gabbar, Hossam A
This article presents a practical implementation of a safety verification framework for nuclear power plants (NPPs) based on fuzzy logic where hazard scenarios are identified in view of safety and control limits in different plant process values. Risk is estimated quantitatively and compared with safety limits in real time so that safety verification can be achieved. Fuzzy logic is used to define safety rules that map hazard condition with required safety protection in view of risk estimate. Case studies are analyzed from NPP to realize the proposed real-time safety verification framework. An automated system is developed to demonstrate the safety limit for different hazard scenarios. PMID:23020592
Bridging the gap: simulations meet knowledge bases
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
King, Gary W.; Morrison, Clayton T.; Westbrook, David L.; Cohen, Paul R.
Tapir and Krill are declarative languages for specifying actions and agents, respectively, that can be executed in simulation. As such, they bridge the gap between strictly declarative knowledge bases and strictly executable code. Tapir and Krill components can be combined to produce models of activity which can answer questions about mechanisms and processes using conventional inference methods and simulation. Tapir was used in DARPA's Rapid Knowledge Formation (RKF) project to construct models of military tactics from the Army Field Manual FM3-90. These were then used to build Courses of Actions (COAs) which could be critiqued by declarative reasoning or via Monte Carlo simulation. Tapir and Krill can be read and written by non-knowledge engineers making it an excellent vehicle for Subject Matter Experts to build and critique knowledge bases.
Decision support using causation knowledge base
Nakamura, K.; Iwai, S.; Sawaragi, T.
A decision support system using a knowledge base of documentary data is presented. Causal assertions in documents are extracted and organized into cognitive maps, which are networks of causal relations, by the methodology of documentary coding. The knowledge base is constructed by joining cognitive maps of several documents concerned with a societal complex problem. The knowledge base is an integration of several expertises described in documents, though it is only concerned with causal structure of the problem, and includes overall and detailed information about the problem. Decisionmakers concerned with the problem interactively retrieve relevant information from the knowledge base in the process of decisionmaking and form their overall and detailed understanding of the complex problem based on the expertises stored in the knowledge base. Three retrieval modes are proposed according to types of the decisionmakers requests: 1) skeleton maps indicate overall causal structure of the problem, 2) hierarchical graphs give detailed information about parts of the causal structure, and 3) sources of causal relations are presented when necessary, for example when the decisionmaker wants to browse the causal assertions in documents. 10 references.
Knowledge-based Autonomous Test Engineer (KATE)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Parrish, Carrie L.; Brown, Barbara L.
Mathematical models of system components have long been used to allow simulators to predict system behavior to various stimuli. Recent efforts to monitor, diagnose, and control real-time systems using component models have experienced similar success. NASA Kennedy is continuing the development of a tool for implementing real-time knowledge-based diagnostic and control systems called KATE (Knowledge based Autonomous Test Engineer). KATE is a model-based reasoning shell designed to provide autonomous control, monitoring, fault detection, and diagnostics for complex engineering systems by applying its reasoning techniques to an exchangeable quantitative model describing the structure and function of the various system components and their systemic behavior.
Model-based knowledge-based optical processors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Casasent, David; Liebowitz, Suzanne A.
An efficient 3-D object-centered knowledge base is described. The ability to on-line generate a 2-D image projection or range image for any object/viewer orientation from this knowledge base is addressed. Applications of this knowledge base in associative processors and symbolic correlators are then discussed. Initial test results are presented for a multiple degree of freedom object recognition problem. These include new techniques to achieve object orientation information and two new associative memory matrix formulations.
Knowledge-based optical system design
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nouri, Taoufik
This work is a new approach for the design of start optical systems and represents a new contribution of artificial intelligence techniques in the optical design field. A knowledge-based optical-systems design (KBOSD), based on artificial intelligence algorithms, first order logic, knowledge representation, rules, and heuristics on lens design, is realized. This KBOSD is equipped with optical knowledge in the domain of centered dioptrical optical systems used at low aperture and small field angles. It generates centered dioptrical, on-axis and low-aperture optical systems, which are used as start systems for the subsequent optimization by existing lens design programs. This KBOSD produces monochromatic or polychromatic optical systems, such as singlet lens, doublet lens, triplet lens, reversed singlet lens, reversed doublet lens, reversed triplet lens, and telescopes. In the design of optical systems, the KBOSD takes into account many user constraints such as cost, resistance of the optical material (glass) to chemical, thermal, and mechanical effects, as well as the optical quality such as minimal aberrations and chromatic aberrations corrections. This KBOSD is developed in the programming language Prolog and has knowledge on optical design principles and optical properties. It is composed of more than 3000 clauses. Inference engine and interconnections in the cognitive world of optical systems are described. The system uses neither a lens library nor a lens data base; it is completely based on optical design knowledge.
Knowledge-based diagnosis for aerospace systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Atkinson, David J.
The need for automated diagnosis in aerospace systems and the approach of using knowledge-based systems are examined. Research issues in knowledge-based diagnosis which are important for aerospace applications are treated along with a review of recent relevant research developments in Artificial Intelligence. The design and operation of some existing knowledge-based diagnosis systems are described. The systems described and compared include the LES expert system for liquid oxygen loading at NASA Kennedy Space Center, the FAITH diagnosis system developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the PES procedural expert system developed at SRI International, the CSRL approach developed at Ohio State University, the StarPlan system developed by Ford Aerospace, the IDM integrated diagnostic model, and the DRAPhys diagnostic system developed at NASA Langley Research Center.
Knowledge-based commodity distribution planning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Saks, Victor; Johnson, Ivan
This paper presents an overview of a Decision Support System (DSS) that incorporates Knowledge-Based (KB) and commercial off the shelf (COTS) technology components. The Knowledge-Based Logistics Planning Shell (KBLPS) is a state-of-the-art DSS with an interactive map-oriented graphics user interface and powerful underlying planning algorithms. KBLPS was designed and implemented to support skilled Army logisticians to prepare and evaluate logistics plans rapidly, in order to support corps-level battle scenarios. KBLPS represents a substantial advance in graphical interactive planning tools, with the inclusion of intelligent planning algorithms that provide a powerful adjunct to the planning skills of commodity distribution planners.
Knowledge-based flow field zoning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Andrews, Alison E.
Automation flow field zoning in two dimensions is an important step towards easing the three-dimensional grid generation bottleneck in computational fluid dynamics. A knowledge based approach works well, but certain aspects of flow field zoning make the use of such an approach challenging. A knowledge based flow field zoner, called EZGrid, was implemented and tested on representative two-dimensional aerodynamic configurations. Results are shown which illustrate the way in which EZGrid incorporates the effects of physics, shape description, position, and user bias in a flow field zoning.
Action-based verification of RTCP-nets with CADP
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Biernacki, Jerzy; Biernacka, Agnieszka; Szpyrka, Marcin
The paper presents an RTCP-nets' (real-time coloured Petri nets) coverability graphs into Aldebaran format translation algorithm. The approach provides the possibility of automatic RTCP-nets verification using model checking techniques provided by the CADP toolbox. An actual fire alarm control panel system has been modelled and several of its crucial properties have been verified to demonstrate the usability of the approach.
Method and computer product to increase accuracy of time-based software verification for sensor networks
Foo Kune, Denis; Mahadevan, Karthikeyan
A recursive verification protocol to reduce the time variance due to delays in the network by putting the subject node at most one hop from the verifier node provides for an efficient manner to test wireless sensor nodes. Since the software signatures are time based, recursive testing will give a much cleaner signal for positive verification of the software running on any one node in the sensor network. In this protocol, the main verifier checks its neighbor, who in turn checks its neighbor, and continuing this process until all nodes have been verified. This ensures minimum time delays for the software verification. Should a node fail the test, the software verification downstream is halted until an alternative path (one not including the failed node) is found. Utilizing techniques well known in the art, having a node tested twice, or not at all, can be avoided.
Integrating Fingerprint Verification into the Smart Card-Based Healthcare Information System
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moon, Daesung; Chung, Yongwha; Pan, Sung Bum; Park, Jin-Won
As VLSI technology has been improved, a smart card employing 32-bit processors has been released, and more personal information such as medical, financial data can be stored in the card. Thus, it becomes important to protect personal information stored in the card. Verification of the card holder's identity using a fingerprint has advantages over the present practices of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. However, the computational workload of fingerprint verification is much heavier than that of the typical PIN-based solution. In this paper, we consider three strategies to implement fingerprint verification in a smart card environment and how to distribute the modules of fingerprint verification between the smart card and the card reader. We first evaluate the number of instructions of each step of a typical fingerprint verification algorithm, and estimate the execution time of several cryptographic algorithms to guarantee the security/privacy of the fingerprint data transmitted in the smart card with the client-server environment. Based on the evaluation results, we analyze each scenario with respect to the security level and the real-time execution requirements in order to implement fingerprint verification in the smart card with the client-server environment.
Knowledge-based machine indexing from natural language text: Knowledge base design, development, and maintenance
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Genuardi, Michael T.
One strategy for machine-aided indexing (MAI) is to provide a concept-level analysis of the textual elements of documents or document abstracts. In such systems, natural-language phrases are analyzed in order to identify and classify concepts related to a particular subject domain. The overall performance of these MAI systems is largely dependent on the quality and comprehensiveness of their knowledge bases. These knowledge bases function to (1) define the relations between a controlled indexing vocabulary and natural language expressions; (2) provide a simple mechanism for disambiguation and the determination of relevancy; and (3) allow the extension of concept-hierarchical structure to all elements of the knowledge file. After a brief description of the NASA Machine-Aided Indexing system, concerns related to the development and maintenance of MAI knowledge bases are discussed. Particular emphasis is given to statistically-based text analysis tools designed to aid the knowledge base developer. One such tool, the Knowledge Base Building (KBB) program, presents the domain expert with a well-filtered list of synonyms and conceptually-related phrases for each thesaurus concept. Another tool, the Knowledge Base Maintenance (KBM) program, functions to identify areas of the knowledge base affected by changes in the conceptual domain (for example, the addition of a new thesaurus term). An alternate use of the KBM as an aid in thesaurus construction is also discussed.
The adverse outcome pathway knowledge base
The rapid advancement of the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework has been paralleled by the development of tools to store, analyse, and explore AOPs. The AOP Knowledge Base (AOP-KB) project has brought three independently developed platforms (Effectopedia, AOP-Wiki, and AOP-X...
Improving the Knowledge Base in Teacher Education.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rockler, Michael J.
Education in the United States for most of the last 50 years has built its knowledge base on a single dominating foundation--behavioral psychology. This paper analyzes the history of behaviorism. Syntheses are presented of the theories of Ivan P. Pavlov, J. B. Watson, and B. F. Skinner, all of whom contributed to the body of works on behaviorism.…
PharmGKB: the Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base.
Thorn, Caroline F; Klein, Teri E; Altman, Russ B
The Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base, PharmGKB, is an interactive tool for researchers investigating how genetic variation affects drug response. The PharmGKB Web site, http://www.pharmgkb.org , displays genotype, molecular, and clinical knowledge integrated into pathway representations and Very Important Pharmacogene (VIP) summaries with links to additional external resources. Users can search and browse the knowledgebase by genes, variants, drugs, diseases, and pathways. Registration is free to the entire research community, but subject to agreement to use for research purposes only and not to redistribute. Registered users can access and download data to aid in the design of future pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics studies. PMID:23824865
PharmGKB: The Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base
Thorn, Caroline F.; Klein, Teri E.; Altman, Russ B.
The Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base, PharmGKB, is an interactive tool for researchers investigating how genetic variation affects drug response. The PharmGKB Web site, http://www.pharmgkb.org, displays genotype, molecular, and clinical knowledge integrated into pathway representations and Very Important Pharmacogene (VIP) summaries with links to additional external resources. Users can search and browse the knowledgebase by genes, variants, drugs, diseases, and pathways. Registration is free to the entire research community, but subject to agreement to use for research purposes only and not to redistribute. Registered users can access and download data to aid in the design of future pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics studies. PMID:23824865
An Ebola virus-centered knowledge base.
Kamdar, Maulik R; Dumontier, Michel
Ebola virus (EBOV), of the family Filoviridae viruses, is a NIAID category A, lethal human pathogen. It is responsible for causing Ebola virus disease (EVD) that is a severe hemorrhagic fever and has a cumulative death rate of 41% in the ongoing epidemic in West Africa. There is an ever-increasing need to consolidate and make available all the knowledge that we possess on EBOV, even if it is conflicting or incomplete. This would enable biomedical researchers to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease and help develop tools for efficient diagnosis and effective treatment. In this article, we present our approach for the development of an Ebola virus-centered Knowledge Base (Ebola-KB) using Linked Data and Semantic Web Technologies. We retrieve and aggregate knowledge from several open data sources, web services and biomedical ontologies. This knowledge is transformed to RDF, linked to the Bio2RDF datasets and made available through a SPARQL 1.1 Endpoint. Ebola-KB can also be explored using an interactive Dashboard visualizing the different perspectives of this integrated knowledge. We showcase how different competency questions, asked by domain users researching the druggability of EBOV, can be formulated as SPARQL Queries or answered using the Ebola-KB Dashboard. PMID:26055098
An Ebola virus-centered knowledge base
Kamdar, Maulik R.; Dumontier, Michel
Ebola virus (EBOV), of the family Filoviridae viruses, is a NIAID category A, lethal human pathogen. It is responsible for causing Ebola virus disease (EVD) that is a severe hemorrhagic fever and has a cumulative death rate of 41% in the ongoing epidemic in West Africa. There is an ever-increasing need to consolidate and make available all the knowledge that we possess on EBOV, even if it is conflicting or incomplete. This would enable biomedical researchers to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease and help develop tools for efficient diagnosis and effective treatment. In this article, we present our approach for the development of an Ebola virus-centered Knowledge Base (Ebola-KB) using Linked Data and Semantic Web Technologies. We retrieve and aggregate knowledge from several open data sources, web services and biomedical ontologies. This knowledge is transformed to RDF, linked to the Bio2RDF datasets and made available through a SPARQL 1.1 Endpoint. Ebola-KB can also be explored using an interactive Dashboard visualizing the different perspectives of this integrated knowledge. We showcase how different competency questions, asked by domain users researching the druggability of EBOV, can be formulated as SPARQL Queries or answered using the Ebola-KB Dashboard. Database URL: http://ebola.semanticscience.org. PMID:26055098
Case-Based Tutoring from a Medical Knowledge Base
Chin, Homer L.
The past decade has seen the emergence of programs that make use of large knowledge bases to assist physicians in diagnosis within the general field of internal medicine. One such program, Internist-I, contains knowledge about over 600 diseases, covering a significant proportion of internal medicine. This paper describes the process of converting a subset of this knowledge base--in the area of cardiovascular diseases--into a probabilistic format, and the use of this resulting knowledge base to teach medical diagnostic knowledge. The system (called KBSimulator--for Knowledge-Based patient Simulator) generates simulated patient cases and uses these cases as a focal point from which to teach medical knowledge. It interacts with the student in a mixed-initiative fashion, presenting patients for the student to diagnose, and allowing the student to obtain further information on his/her own initiative in the context of that patient case. The system scores the student, and uses these scores to form a rudimentary model of the student. This resulting model of the student is then used to direct the generation of subsequent patient cases. This project demonstrates the feasibility of building an intelligent, flexible instructional system that uses a knowledge base constructed primarily for medical diagnosis.
Knowledge Discovery in Literature Data Bases
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Albrecht, Rudolf; Merkl, Dieter
The concept of knowledge discovery as defined through ``establishing previously unknown and unsuspected relations of features in a data base'' is, cum grano salis, relatively easy to implement for data bases containing numerical data. Increasingly we find at our disposal data bases containing scientific literature. Computer assisted detection of unknown relations of features in such data bases would be extremely valuable and would lead to new scientific insights. However, the current representation of scientific knowledge in such data bases is not conducive to computer processing. Any correlation of features still has to be done by the human reader, a process which is plagued by ineffectiveness and incompleteness. On the other hand we note that considerable progress is being made in an area where reading all available material is totally prohibitive: the World Wide Web. Robots and Web crawlers mine the Web continuously and construct data bases which allow the identification of pages of interest in near real time. An obvious step is to categorize and classify the documents in the text data base. This can be used to identify papers worth reading, or which are of unexpected cross-relevance. We show the results of first experiments using unsupervised classification based on neural networks.
Presentation planning using an integrated knowledge base
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Arens, Yigal; Miller, Lawrence; Sondheimer, Norman
A description is given of user interface research aimed at bringing together multiple input and output modes in a way that handles mixed mode input (commands, menus, forms, natural language), interacts with a diverse collection of underlying software utilities in a uniform way, and presents the results through a combination of output modes including natural language text, maps, charts and graphs. The system, Integrated Interfaces, derives much of its ability to interact uniformly with the user and the underlying services and to build its presentations, from the information present in a central knowledge base. This knowledge base integrates models of the application domain (Navy ships in the Pacific region, in the current demonstration version); the structure of visual displays and their graphical features; the underlying services (data bases and expert systems); and interface functions. The emphasis is on a presentation planner that uses the knowledge base to produce multi-modal output. There has been a flurry of recent work in user interface management systems. (Several recent examples are listed in the references). Existing work is characterized by an attempt to relieve the software designer of the burden of handcrafting an interface for each application. The work has generally focused on intelligently handling input. This paper deals with the other end of the pipeline - presentations.
Satellite Contamination and Materials Outgassing Knowledge base
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minor, Jody L.; Kauffman, William J. (Technical Monitor)
Satellite contamination continues to be a design problem that engineers must take into account when developing new satellites. To help with this issue, NASA's Space Environments and Effects (SEE) Program funded the development of the Satellite Contamination and Materials Outgassing Knowledge base. This engineering tool brings together in one location information about the outgassing properties of aerospace materials based upon ground-testing data, the effects of outgassing that has been observed during flight and measurements of the contamination environment by on-orbit instruments. The knowledge base contains information using the ASTM Standard E- 1559 and also consolidates data from missions using quartz-crystal microbalances (QCM's). The data contained in the knowledge base was shared with NASA by government agencies and industry in the US and international space agencies as well. The term 'knowledgebase' was used because so much information and capability was brought together in one comprehensive engineering design tool. It is the SEE Program's intent to continually add additional material contamination data as it becomes available - creating a dynamic tool whose value to the user is ever increasing. The SEE Program firmly believes that NASA, and ultimately the entire contamination user community, will greatly benefit from this new engineering tool and highly encourages the community to not only use the tool but add data to it as well.
XML-Based SHINE Knowledge Base Interchange Language
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
James, Mark; Mackey, Ryan; Tikidjian, Raffi
The SHINE Knowledge Base Interchange Language software has been designed to more efficiently send new knowledge bases to spacecraft that have been embedded with the Spacecraft Health Inference Engine (SHINE) tool. The intention of the behavioral model is to capture most of the information generally associated with a spacecraft functional model, while specifically addressing the needs of execution within SHINE and Livingstone. As such, it has some constructs that are based on one or the other.
Knowledge-Based Query Construction Using the CDSS Knowledge Base for Efficient Evidence Retrieval.
Afzal, Muhammad; Hussain, Maqbool; Ali, Taqdir; Hussain, Jamil; Khan, Wajahat Ali; Lee, Sungyoung; Kang, Byeong Ho
Finding appropriate evidence to support clinical practices is always challenging, and the construction of a query to retrieve such evidence is a fundamental step. Typically, evidence is found using manual or semi-automatic methods, which are time-consuming and sometimes make it difficult to construct knowledge-based complex queries. To overcome the difficulty in constructing knowledge-based complex queries, we utilized the knowledge base (KB) of the clinical decision support system (CDSS), which has the potential to provide sufficient contextual information. To automatically construct knowledge-based complex queries, we designed methods to parse rule structure in KB of CDSS in order to determine an executable path and extract the terms by parsing the control structures and logic connectives used in the logic. The automatically constructed knowledge-based complex queries were executed on the PubMed search service to evaluate the results on the reduction of retrieved citations with high relevance. The average number of citations was reduced from 56,249 citations to 330 citations with the knowledge-based query construction approach, and relevance increased from 1 term to 6 terms on average. The ability to automatically retrieve relevant evidence maximizes efficiency for clinicians in terms of time, based on feedback collected from clinicians. This approach is generally useful in evidence-based medicine, especially in ambient assisted living environments where automation is highly important. PMID:26343669
Knowledge-Based Query Construction Using the CDSS Knowledge Base for Efficient Evidence Retrieval
Afzal, Muhammad; Hussain, Maqbool; Ali, Taqdir; Hussain, Jamil; Khan, Wajahat Ali; Lee, Sungyoung; Kang, Byeong Ho
Finding appropriate evidence to support clinical practices is always challenging, and the construction of a query to retrieve such evidence is a fundamental step. Typically, evidence is found using manual or semi-automatic methods, which are time-consuming and sometimes make it difficult to construct knowledge-based complex queries. To overcome the difficulty in constructing knowledge-based complex queries, we utilized the knowledge base (KB) of the clinical decision support system (CDSS), which has the potential to provide sufficient contextual information. To automatically construct knowledge-based complex queries, we designed methods to parse rule structure in KB of CDSS in order to determine an executable path and extract the terms by parsing the control structures and logic connectives used in the logic. The automatically constructed knowledge-based complex queries were executed on the PubMed search service to evaluate the results on the reduction of retrieved citations with high relevance. The average number of citations was reduced from 56,249 citations to 330 citations with the knowledge-based query construction approach, and relevance increased from 1 term to 6 terms on average. The ability to automatically retrieve relevant evidence maximizes efficiency for clinicians in terms of time, based on feedback collected from clinicians. This approach is generally useful in evidence-based medicine, especially in ambient assisted living environments where automation is highly important. PMID:26343669
Clips as a knowledge based language
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Harrington, James B.
CLIPS is a language for writing expert systems applications on a personal or small computer. Here, the CLIPS programming language is described and compared to three other artificial intelligence (AI) languages (LISP, Prolog, and OPS5) with regard to the processing they provide for the implementation of a knowledge based system (KBS). A discussion is given on how CLIPS would be used in a control system.
Evaluation of an electrocardiograph-based PICC tip verification system.
Oliver, Gemma; Jones, Matt
Performing a chest x-ray after insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is recognised as the gold standard for checking that the tip of the catheter is correctly positioned in the lower third of the superior vena cava at the right atrial junction; however, numerous problems are associated with this practice. A recent technological advancement has been developed that utilises changes in a patient's electrocardiograph (ECG) recorded from the tip of the PICC as a more reliable method. This evaluation discusses how a vascular access team in a large acute NHS Trust safely and successfully incorporated the use of ECG guidance technology for verification of PICC tip placement into their practice. PMID:24261004
Simulation-Based Verification of Autonomous Controllers via Livingstone PathFinder
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lindsey, A. E.; Pecheur, Charles
AI software is often used as a means for providing greater autonomy to automated systems, capable of coping with harsh and unpredictable environments. Due in part to the enormous space of possible situations that they aim to addrs, autonomous systems pose a serious challenge to traditional test-based verification approaches. Efficient verification approaches need to be perfected before these systems can reliably control critical applications. This publication describes Livingstone PathFinder (LPF), a verification tool for autonomous control software. LPF applies state space exploration algorithms to an instrumented testbed, consisting of the controller embedded in a simulated operating environment. Although LPF has focused on NASA s Livingstone model-based diagnosis system applications, the architecture is modular and adaptable to other systems. This article presents different facets of LPF and experimental results from applying the software to a Livingstone model of the main propulsion feed subsystem for a prototype space vehicle.
Modeling Guru: Knowledge Base for NASA Modelers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Seablom, M. S.; Wojcik, G. S.; van Aartsen, B. H.
Modeling Guru is an on-line knowledge-sharing resource for anyone involved with or interested in NASA's scientific models or High End Computing (HEC) systems. Developed and maintained by the NASA's Software Integration and Visualization Office (SIVO) and the NASA Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS), Modeling Guru's combined forums and knowledge base for research and collaboration is becoming a repository for the accumulated expertise of NASA's scientific modeling and HEC communities. All NASA modelers and associates are encouraged to participate and provide knowledge about the models and systems so that other users may benefit from their experience. Modeling Guru is divided into a hierarchy of communities, each with its own set forums and knowledge base documents. Current modeling communities include those for space science, land and atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, and oceanography. In addition, there are communities focused on NCCS systems, HEC tools and libraries, and programming and scripting languages. Anyone may view most of the content on Modeling Guru (available at http://modelingguru.nasa.gov/), but you must log in to post messages and subscribe to community postings. The site offers a full range of "Web 2.0" features, including discussion forums, "wiki" document generation, document uploading, RSS feeds, search tools, blogs, email notification, and "breadcrumb" links. A discussion (a.k.a. forum "thread") is used to post comments, solicit feedback, or ask questions. If marked as a question, SIVO will monitor the thread, and normally respond within a day. Discussions can include embedded images, tables, and formatting through the use of the Rich Text Editor. Also, the user can add "Tags" to their thread to facilitate later searches. The "knowledge base" is comprised of documents that are used to capture and share expertise with others. The default "wiki" document lets users edit within the browser so others can easily collaborate on the
Knowledge Based Understanding of Radiology Text
Ranum, David L.
A data acquisition tool which will extract pertinent diagnostic information from radiology reports has been designed and implemented. Pertinent diagnostic information is defined as that clinical data which is used by the HELP medical expert system. The program uses a memory based semantic parsing technique to "understand" the text. Moreover, the memory structures and lexicon necessary to perform this action are automatically generated from the diagnostic knowledge base by using a special purpose compiler. The result is a system where data extraction from free text is directed by an expert system whose goal is diagnosis.
Knowledge-based systems in Japan
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Feigenbaum, Edward; Engelmore, Robert S.; Friedland, Peter E.; Johnson, Bruce B.; Nii, H. Penny; Schorr, Herbert; Shrobe, Howard
This report summarizes a study of the state-of-the-art in knowledge-based systems technology in Japan, organized by the Japanese Technology Evaluation Center (JTEC) under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and the Advanced Research Projects Agency. The panel visited 19 Japanese sites in March 1992. Based on these site visits plus other interactions with Japanese organizations, both before and after the site visits, the panel prepared a draft final report. JTEC sent the draft to the host organizations for their review. The final report was published in May 1993.
Knowledge-based fragment binding prediction.
Tang, Grace W; Altman, Russ B
Target-based drug discovery must assess many drug-like compounds for potential activity. Focusing on low-molecular-weight compounds (fragments) can dramatically reduce the chemical search space. However, approaches for determining protein-fragment interactions have limitations. Experimental assays are time-consuming, expensive, and not always applicable. At the same time, computational approaches using physics-based methods have limited accuracy. With increasing high-resolution structural data for protein-ligand complexes, there is now an opportunity for data-driven approaches to fragment binding prediction. We present FragFEATURE, a machine learning approach to predict small molecule fragments preferred by a target protein structure. We first create a knowledge base of protein structural environments annotated with the small molecule substructures they bind. These substructures have low-molecular weight and serve as a proxy for fragments. FragFEATURE then compares the structural environments within a target protein to those in the knowledge base to retrieve statistically preferred fragments. It merges information across diverse ligands with shared substructures to generate predictions. Our results demonstrate FragFEATURE's ability to rediscover fragments corresponding to the ligand bound with 74% precision and 82% recall on average. For many protein targets, it identifies high scoring fragments that are substructures of known inhibitors. FragFEATURE thus predicts fragments that can serve as inputs to fragment-based drug design or serve as refinement criteria for creating target-specific compound libraries for experimental or computational screening. PMID:24762971
Explanation-based knowledge acquisition of electronics
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kieras, David E.
This is the final report in a project that examined how knowledge of practical electronics could be acquired from materials similar to that appearing in electronics training textbooks, from both an artificial intelligence perspective and an experimental psychology perspective. Practical electronics training materials present a series of basic circuits accompanied by an explanation of how the circuit performs the desired function. More complex circuits are then explained in terms of these basic circuits. This material thus presents schema knowledge for individual circuit types in the form of explanations of circuit behavior. Learning from such material would thus consist of first instantiating any applicable schemas, and then constructing a new schema based on the circuit structure and behavior described in the explanation. If the basic structure of the material is an effective approach to learning, learning about a new circuit should be easier if the relevant schemas are available than not. This result was obtained for both an artificial intelligence system that used standard explanation-based learning mechanisms and with human learners in a laboratory setting, but the benefits of already having the relevant schemas were not large in these materials. The close examination of learning in this domain, and the structure of knowledge, should be useful to future cognitive analyses of training in technical domains.
A knowledge based software engineering environment testbed
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gill, C.; Reedy, A.; Baker, L.
The Carnegie Group Incorporated and Boeing Computer Services Company are developing a testbed which will provide a framework for integrating conventional software engineering tools with Artifical Intelligence (AI) tools to promote automation and productivity. The emphasis is on the transfer of AI technology to the software development process. Experiments relate to AI issues such as scaling up, inference, and knowledge representation. In its first year, the project has created a model of software development by representing software activities; developed a module representation formalism to specify the behavior and structure of software objects; integrated the model with the formalism to identify shared representation and inheritance mechanisms; demonstrated object programming by writing procedures and applying them to software objects; used data-directed and goal-directed reasoning to, respectively, infer the cause of bugs and evaluate the appropriateness of a configuration; and demonstrated knowledge-based graphics. Future plans include introduction of knowledge-based systems for rapid prototyping or rescheduling; natural language interfaces; blackboard architecture; and distributed processing
Knowledge-based landmarking of cephalograms.
Lévy-Mandel, A D; Venetsanopoulos, A N; Tsotsos, J K
Orthodontists have defined a certain number of characteristic points, or landmarks, on X-ray images of the human skull which are used to study growth or as a diagnostic aid. This work presents the first step toward an automatic extraction of these points. They are defined with respect to particular lines which are retrieved first. The original image is preprocessed with a prefiltering operator (median filter) followed by an edge detector (Mero-Vassy operator). A knowledge-based line-following algorithm is subsequently applied, involving a production system with organized sets of rules and a simple interpreter. The a priori knowledge implemented in the algorithm must take into account the fact that the lines represent biological shapes and can vary considerably from one patient to the next. The performance of the algorithm is judged with the help of objective quality criteria. Determination of the exact shapes of the lines allows the computation of the positions of the landmarks. PMID:3519070
Advances in knowledge-based software engineering
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Truszkowski, Walt
The underlying hypothesis of this work is that a rigorous and comprehensive software reuse methodology can bring about a more effective and efficient utilization of constrained resources in the development of large-scale software systems by both government and industry. It is also believed that correct use of this type of software engineering methodology can significantly contribute to the higher levels of reliability that will be required of future operational systems. An overview and discussion of current research in the development and application of two systems that support a rigorous reuse paradigm are presented: the Knowledge-Based Software Engineering Environment (KBSEE) and the Knowledge Acquisition fo the Preservation of Tradeoffs and Underlying Rationales (KAPTUR) systems. Emphasis is on a presentation of operational scenarios which highlight the major functional capabilities of the two systems.
Database systems for knowledge-based discovery.
Jagarlapudi, Sarma A R P; Kishan, K V Radha
Several database systems have been developed to provide valuable information from the bench chemist to biologist, medical practitioner to pharmaceutical scientist in a structured format. The advent of information technology and computational power enhanced the ability to access large volumes of data in the form of a database where one could do compilation, searching, archiving, analysis, and finally knowledge derivation. Although, data are of variable types the tools used for database creation, searching and retrieval are similar. GVK BIO has been developing databases from publicly available scientific literature in specific areas like medicinal chemistry, clinical research, and mechanism-based toxicity so that the structured databases containing vast data could be used in several areas of research. These databases were classified as reference centric or compound centric depending on the way the database systems were designed. Integration of these databases with knowledge derivation tools would enhance the value of these systems toward better drug design and discovery. PMID:19727614
Compilation for critically constrained knowledge bases
Schrag, R.
We show that many {open_quotes}critically constrained{close_quotes} Random 3SAT knowledge bases (KBs) can be compiled into disjunctive normal form easily by using a variant of the {open_quotes}Davis-Putnam{close_quotes} proof procedure. From these compiled KBs we can answer all queries about entailment of conjunctive normal formulas, also easily - compared to a {open_quotes}brute-force{close_quotes} approach to approximate knowledge compilation into unit clauses for the same KBs. We exploit this fact to develop an aggressive hybrid approach which attempts to compile a KB exactly until a given resource limit is reached, then falls back to approximate compilation into unit clauses. The resulting approach handles all of the critically constrained Random 3SAT KBs with average savings of an order of magnitude over the brute-force approach.
Feasibility study on dosimetry verification of volumetric-modulated arc therapy-based total marrow irradiation.
Liang, Yun; Kim, Gwe-Ya; Pawlicki, Todd; Mundt, Arno J; Mell, Loren K
The purpose of this study was to develop dosimetry verification procedures for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-based total marrow irradiation (TMI). The VMAT based TMI plans were generated for three patients: one child and two adults. The planning target volume (PTV) was defined as bony skeleton, from head to mid-femur, with a 3 mm margin. The plan strategy similar to published studies was adopted. The PTV was divided into head and neck, chest, and pelvic regions, with separate plans each of which is composed of 2-3 arcs/fields. Multiple isocenters were evenly distributed along the patient's axial direction. The focus of this study is to establish a dosimetry quality assurance procedure involving both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) volumetric verifications, which is desirable for a large PTV treated with multiple isocenters. The 2D dose verification was performed with film for gamma evaluation and absolute point dose was measured with ion chamber, with attention to the junction between neighboring plans regarding hot/cold spots. The 3D volumetric dose verification used commercial dose reconstruction software to reconstruct dose from electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) images. The gamma evaluation criteria in both 2D and 3D verification were 5% absolute point dose difference and 3 mm of distance to agreement. With film dosimetry, the overall average gamma passing rate was 98.2% and absolute dose difference was 3.9% in junction areas among the test patients; with volumetric portal dosimetry, the corresponding numbers were 90.7% and 2.4%. A dosimetry verification procedure involving both 2D and 3D was developed for VMAT-based TMI. The initial results are encouraging and warrant further investigation in clinical trials. PMID:23470926
DFM flow by using combination between design based metrology system and model based verification at sub-50nm memory device
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kim, Cheol-kyun; Kim, Jungchan; Choi, Jaeseung; Yang, Hyunjo; Yim, Donggyu; Kim, Jinwoong
As the minimum transistor length is getting smaller, the variation and uniformity of transistor length seriously effect device performance. So, the importance of optical proximity effects correction (OPC) and resolution enhancement technology (RET) cannot be overemphasized. However, OPC process is regarded by some as a necessary evil in device performance. In fact, every group which includes process and design, are interested in whole chip CD variation trend and CD uniformity, which represent real wafer. Recently, design based metrology systems are capable of detecting difference between data base to wafer SEM image. Design based metrology systems are able to extract information of whole chip CD variation. According to the results, OPC abnormality was identified and design feedback items are also disclosed. The other approaches are accomplished on EDA companies, like model based OPC verifications. Model based verification will be done for full chip area by using well-calibrated model. The object of model based verification is the prediction of potential weak point on wafer and fast feed back to OPC and design before reticle fabrication. In order to achieve robust design and sufficient device margin, appropriate combination between design based metrology system and model based verification tools is very important. Therefore, we evaluated design based metrology system and matched model based verification system for optimum combination between two systems. In our study, huge amount of data from wafer results are classified and analyzed by statistical method and classified by OPC feedback and design feedback items. Additionally, novel DFM flow would be proposed by using combination of design based metrology and model based verification tools.
Real-time application of knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Brumbaugh, Randal W.; Duke, Eugene L.
The Rapid Prototyping Facility (RPF) was developed to meet a need for a facility which allows flight systems concepts to be prototyped in a manner which allows for real-time flight test experience with a prototype system. This need was focused during the development and demonstration of the expert system flight status monitor (ESFSM). The ESFSM was a prototype system developed on a LISP machine, but lack of a method for progressive testing and problem identification led to an impractical system. The RPF concept was developed, and the ATMS designed to exercise its capabilities. The ATMS Phase 1 demonstration provided a practical vehicle for testing the RPF, as well as a useful tool. ATMS Phase 2 development continues. A dedicated F-18 is expected to be assigned for facility use in late 1988, with RAV modifications. A knowledge-based autopilot is being developed using the RPF. This is a system which provides elementary autopilot functions and is intended as a vehicle for testing expert system verification and validation methods. An expert system propulsion monitor is being prototyped. This system provides real-time assistance to an engineer monitoring a propulsion system during a flight.
Knowledge-based public health situation awareness
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mirhaji, Parsa; Zhang, Jiajie; Srinivasan, Arunkumar; Richesson, Rachel L.; Smith, Jack W.
There have been numerous efforts to create comprehensive databases from multiple sources to monitor the dynamics of public health and most specifically to detect the potential threats of bioterrorism before widespread dissemination. But there are not many evidences for the assertion that these systems are timely and dependable, or can reliably identify man made from natural incident. One must evaluate the value of so called 'syndromic surveillance systems' along with the costs involved in design, development, implementation and maintenance of such systems and the costs involved in investigation of the inevitable false alarms1. In this article we will introduce a new perspective to the problem domain with a shift in paradigm from 'surveillance' toward 'awareness'. As we conceptualize a rather different approach to tackle the problem, we will introduce a different methodology in application of information science, computer science, cognitive science and human-computer interaction concepts in design and development of so called 'public health situation awareness systems'. We will share some of our design and implementation concepts for the prototype system that is under development in the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Informatics Research, in the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The system is based on a knowledgebase containing ontologies with different layers of abstraction, from multiple domains, that provide the context for information integration, knowledge discovery, interactive data mining, information visualization, information sharing and communications. The modular design of the knowledgebase and its knowledge representation formalism enables incremental evolution of the system from a partial system to a comprehensive knowledgebase of 'public health situation awareness' as it acquires new knowledge through interactions with domain experts or automatic discovery of new knowledge.
Irrelevance Reasoning in Knowledge Based Systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Levy, A. Y.
This dissertation considers the problem of reasoning about irrelevance of knowledge in a principled and efficient manner. Specifically, it is concerned with two key problems: (1) developing algorithms for automatically deciding what parts of a knowledge base are irrelevant to a query and (2) the utility of relevance reasoning. The dissertation describes a novel tool, the query-tree, for reasoning about irrelevance. Based on the query-tree, we develop several algorithms for deciding what formulas are irrelevant to a query. Our general framework sheds new light on the problem of detecting independence of queries from updates. We present new results that significantly extend previous work in this area. The framework also provides a setting in which to investigate the connection between the notion of irrelevance and the creation of abstractions. We propose a new approach to research on reasoning with abstractions, in which we investigate the properties of an abstraction by considering the irrelevance claims on which it is based. We demonstrate the potential of the approach for the cases of abstraction of predicates and projection of predicate arguments. Finally, we describe an application of relevance reasoning to the domain of modeling physical devices.
Knowledge-based simulation for aerospace systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Will, Ralph W.; Sliwa, Nancy E.; Harrison, F. Wallace, Jr.
Knowledge-based techniques, which offer many features that are desirable in the simulation and development of aerospace vehicle operations, exhibit many similarities to traditional simulation packages. The eventual solution of these systems' current symbolic processing/numeric processing interface problem will lead to continuous and discrete-event simulation capabilities in a single language, such as TS-PROLOG. Qualitative, totally-symbolic simulation methods are noted to possess several intrinsic characteristics that are especially revelatory of the system being simulated, and capable of insuring that all possible behaviors are considered.
Adaptive Knowledge Management of Project-Based Learning
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tilchin, Oleg; Kittany, Mohamed
The goal of an approach to Adaptive Knowledge Management (AKM) of project-based learning (PBL) is to intensify subject study through guiding, inducing, and facilitating development knowledge, accountability skills, and collaborative skills of students. Knowledge development is attained by knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and knowledge…
Verification Benchmarks to Assess the Implementation of Computational Fluid Dynamics Based Hemolysis Prediction Models.
Hariharan, Prasanna; D'Souza, Gavin; Horner, Marc; Malinauskas, Richard A; Myers, Matthew R
As part of an ongoing effort to develop verification and validation (V&V) standards for using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the evaluation of medical devices, we have developed idealized flow-based verification benchmarks to assess the implementation of commonly cited power-law based hemolysis models in CFD. Verification process ensures that all governing equations are solved correctly and the model is free of user and numerical errors. To perform verification for power-law based hemolysis modeling, analytical solutions for the Eulerian power-law blood damage model (which estimates hemolysis index (HI) as a function of shear stress and exposure time) were obtained for Couette and inclined Couette flow models, and for Newtonian and non-Newtonian pipe flow models. Subsequently, CFD simulations of fluid flow and HI were performed using Eulerian and three different Lagrangian-based hemolysis models and compared with the analytical solutions. For all the geometries, the blood damage results from the Eulerian-based CFD simulations matched the Eulerian analytical solutions within ∼1%, which indicates successful implementation of the Eulerian hemolysis model. Agreement between the Lagrangian and Eulerian models depended upon the choice of the hemolysis power-law constants. For the commonly used values of power-law constants (α = 1.9-2.42 and β = 0.65-0.80), in the absence of flow acceleration, most of the Lagrangian models matched the Eulerian results within 5%. In the presence of flow acceleration (inclined Couette flow), moderate differences (∼10%) were observed between the Lagrangian and Eulerian models. This difference increased to greater than 100% as the beta exponent decreased. These simplified flow problems can be used as standard benchmarks for verifying the implementation of blood damage predictive models in commercial and open-source CFD codes. The current study only used power-law model as an illustrative example to emphasize the need
Reducing software security risk through an integrated approach research initiative model based verification of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Protocol
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Powell, John D.
This document discusses the verification of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) communication protocol as a demonstration of the Model Based Verification (MBV) portion of the verification instrument set being developed under the Reducing Software Security Risk (RSSR) Trough an Integrated Approach research initiative. Code Q of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funds this project. The NASA Goddard Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) facility manages this research program at the NASA agency level and the Assurance Technology Program Office (ATPO) manages the research locally at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California institute of Technology) where the research is being carried out.
The Role of Causal Knowledge in Knowledge-Based Patient Simulation
Chin, Homer L.; Cooper, Gregory F.
We have investigated the ability to simulate a patient from a knowledge base. Specifically, we have examined the use of knowledge bases that associate findings with diseases through the use of probability measures, and their ability to generate realistic patient cases that can be used for teaching purposes. Many of these knowledge bases encode neither the interdependence among findings, nor intermediate disease states. Because of this, the use of these knowledge bases results in the generation of inconsistent or nonsensical patients. This paper describes an approach for the addition of causal structure to these knowledge bases which can overcome many of these limitations and improve the explanatory capability of such systems.
Applying knowledge compilation techniques to model-based reasoning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Keller, Richard M.
Researchers in the area of knowledge compilation are developing general purpose techniques for improving the efficiency of knowledge-based systems. In this article, an attempt is made to define knowledge compilation, to characterize several classes of knowledge compilation techniques, and to illustrate how some of these techniques can be applied to improve the performance of model-based reasoning systems.
SU-E-T-602: Patient-Specific Online Dose Verification Based On Transmission Detector Measurements
Thoelking, J; Yuvaraj, S; Jens, F; Lohr, F; Wenz, F; Wertz, H; Wertz, H
Purpose: Intensity modulated radiotherapy requires a comprehensive quality assurance program in general and ideally independent verification of dose delivery. Since conventional 2D detector arrays allow only pre-treatment verification, there is a debate concerning the need of online dose verification. This study presents the clinical performance, including dosimetric plan verification in 2D as well as in 3D and the error detection abilities of a new transmission detector (TD) for online dose verification of 6MV photon beam. Methods: To validate the dosimetric performance of the new device, dose reconstruction based on TD measurements were compared to a conventional pre-treatment verification method (reference) and treatment planning system (TPS) for 18 IMRT and VMAT treatment plans. Furthermore, dose reconstruction inside the patient based on TD read-out was evaluated by comparing various dose volume indices and 3D gamma evaluations against independent dose computation and TPS. To investigate the sensitivity of the new device, different types of systematic and random errors for leaf positions and linac output were introduced in IMRT treatment sequences. Results: The 2D gamma index evaluation of transmission detector based dose reconstruction showed an excellent agreement for all IMRT and VMAT plans compared to reference measurements (99.3±1.2)% and TPS (99.1±0.7)%. Good agreement was also obtained for 3D dose reconstruction based on TD read-out compared to dose computation (mean gamma value of PTV = 0.27±0.04). Only a minimal dose underestimation within the target volume was observed when analyzing DVH indices (<1%). Positional errors in leaf banks larger than 1mm and errors in linac output larger than 2% could clearly identified with the TD. Conclusion: Since 2D and 3D evaluations for all IMRT and VMAT treatment plans were in excellent agreement with reference measurements and dose computation, the new TD is suitable to qualify for routine treatment plan
Knowledge-based approach to system integration
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Blokland, W.; Krishnamurthy, C.; Biegl, C.; Sztipanovits, J.
To solve complex problems one can often use the decomposition principle. However, a problem is seldom decomposable into completely independent subproblems. System integration deals with problem of resolving the interdependencies and the integration of the subsolutions. A natural method of decomposition is the hierarchical one. High-level specifications are broken down into lower level specifications until they can be transformed into solutions relatively easily. By automating the hierarchical decomposition and solution generation an integrated system is obtained in which the declaration of high level specifications is enough to solve the problem. We offer a knowledge-based approach to integrate the development and building of control systems. The process modeling is supported by using graphic editors. The user selects and connects icons that represent subprocesses and might refer to prewritten programs. The graphical editor assists the user in selecting parameters for each subprocess and allows the testing of a specific configuration. Next, from the definitions created by the graphical editor, the actual control program is built. Fault-diagnosis routines are generated automatically as well. Since the user is not required to write program code and knowledge about the process is present in the development system, the user is not required to have expertise in many fields.
An object-based methodology for knowledge representation in SGML
Kelsey, R.L.; Hartley, R.T.; Webster, R.B.
An object-based methodology for knowledge representation and its Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) implementation is presented. The methodology includes class, perspective domain, and event constructs for representing knowledge within an object paradigm. The perspective construct allows for representation of knowledge from multiple and varying viewpoints. The event construct allows actual use of knowledge to be represented. The SGML implementation of the methodology facilitates usability, structured, yet flexible knowledge design, and sharing and reuse of knowledge class libraries.
NASDA knowledge-based network planning system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yamaya, K.; Fujiwara, M.; Kosugi, S.; Yambe, M.; Ohmori, M.
One of the SODS (space operation and data system) sub-systems, NP (network planning) was the first expert system used by NASDA (national space development agency of Japan) for tracking and control of satellite. The major responsibilities of the NP system are: first, the allocation of network and satellite control resources and, second, the generation of the network operation plan data (NOP) used in automated control of the stations and control center facilities. Up to now, the first task of network resource scheduling was done by network operators. NP system automatically generates schedules using its knowledge base, which contains information on satellite orbits, station availability, which computer is dedicated to which satellite, and how many stations must be available for a particular satellite pass or a certain time period. The NP system is introduced.
Knowledge-based systems and NASA's software support environment
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dugan, Tim; Carmody, Cora; Lennington, Kent; Nelson, Bob
A proposed role for knowledge-based systems within NASA's Software Support Environment (SSE) is described. The SSE is chartered to support all software development for the Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP). This includes support for development of knowledge-based systems and the integration of these systems with conventional software systems. In addition to the support of development of knowledge-based systems, various software development functions provided by the SSE will utilize knowledge-based systems technology.
Automated knowledge base development from CAD/CAE databases
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wright, R. Glenn; Blanchard, Mary
Knowledge base development requires a substantial investment in time, money, and resources in order to capture the knowledge and information necessary for anything other than trivial applications. This paper addresses a means to integrate the design and knowledge base development process through automated knowledge base development from CAD/CAE databases and files. Benefits of this approach include the development of a more efficient means of knowledge engineering, resulting in the timely creation of large knowledge based systems that are inherently free of error.
Knowledge base interpolation of path-dependent data using irregularly spaced natural neighbors
Hipp, J.; Keyser, R.; Young, C.; Shepard-Dombroski, E.; Chael, E.
This paper summarizes the requirements for the interpolation scheme needed for the CTBT Knowledge Base and discusses interpolation issues relative to the requirements. Based on these requirements, a methodology for providing an accurate and robust interpolation scheme for the CTBT Knowledge Base is proposed. The method utilizes a Delaunay triangle tessellation to mesh the Earth`s surface and employs the natural-neighbor interpolation technique to provide accurate evaluation of geophysical data that is important for CTBT verification. The natural-neighbor interpolation method is a local weighted average technique capable of modeling sparse irregular data sets as is commonly found in the geophysical sciences. This is particularly true of the data to be contained in the CTBT Knowledge Base. Furthermore, natural neighbor interpolation is first order continuous everywhere except at the data points. The non-linear form of the natural-neighbor interpolation method can provide continuous first and second order derivatives throughout the entire data domain. Since one of the primary support functions of the Knowledge Base is to provide event location capabilities, and the seismic event location algorithms typically require first and second order continuity, this is a prime requirement of any interpolation methodology chosen for use by the CTBT Knowledge Base.
Advanced software development workstation. Knowledge base design: Design of knowledge base for flight planning application
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Izygon, Michel E.
The development process of the knowledge base for the generation of Test Libraries for Mission Operations Computer (MOC) Command Support focused on a series of information gathering interviews. These knowledge capture sessions are supporting the development of a prototype for evaluating the capabilities of INTUIT on such an application. the prototype includes functions related to POCC (Payload Operation Control Center) processing. It prompts the end-users for input through a series of panels and then generates the Meds associated with the initialization and the update of hazardous command tables for a POCC Processing TLIB.
Reuse: A knowledge-based approach
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iscoe, Neil; Liu, Zheng-Yang; Feng, Guohui
This paper describes our research in automating the reuse process through the use of application domain models. Application domain models are explicit formal representations of the application knowledge necessary to understand, specify, and generate application programs. Furthermore, they provide a unified repository for the operational structure, rules, policies, and constraints of a specific application area. In our approach, domain models are expressed in terms of a transaction-based meta-modeling language. This paper has described in detail the creation and maintenance of hierarchical structures. These structures are created through a process that includes reverse engineering of data models with supplementary enhancement from application experts. Source code is also reverse engineered but is not a major source of domain model instantiation at this time. In the second phase of the software synthesis process, program specifications are interactively synthesized from an instantiated domain model. These specifications are currently integrated into a manual programming process but will eventually be used to derive executable code with mechanically assisted transformations. This research is performed within the context of programming-in-the-large types of systems. Although our goals are ambitious, we are implementing the synthesis system in an incremental manner through which we can realize tangible results. The client/server architecture is capable of supporting 16 simultaneous X/Motif users and tens of thousands of attributes and classes. Domain models have been partially synthesized from five different application areas. As additional domain models are synthesized and additional knowledge is gathered, we will inevitably add to and modify our representation. However, our current experience indicates that it will scale and expand to meet our modeling needs.
Knowledge translation of SAGE-based guidelines for executing with knowledge engine.
Kim, Jeong Ah; Cho, InSook; Kim, Yoon
SAGE is very powerful knowledge representation for guideline modeling and well-defined knowledge framework to integrate with terminology standard and EMR databases. Therefore, SAGE can be powerful tool for knowledge authoring for clinicians but guideline execution engine is not available yet. Commercial rule engines are verified for availability in clinical area but their authoring tools are not matured for clinical knowledge. In this paper, we suggest knowledge translator to convert SAGE-based guidelines into knowledge which commercial engine can execute. With this translation, we can take both advantages in modeling power of SAGE and interpretation capability of engines. PMID:18998978
Geothermal-resource verification for Air Force bases
Grant, P.R. Jr.
This report summarizes the various types of geothermal energy reviews some legal uncertainties of the resource and then describes a methodology to evaluate geothermal resources for applications to US Air Force bases. Estimates suggest that exploration costs will be $50,000 to $300,000, which, if favorable, would lead to drilling a $500,000 exploration well. Successful identification and development of a geothermal resource could provide all base, fixed system needs with an inexpensive, renewable energy source.
Knowledge-based analysis of microarrays for the discovery of transcriptional regulation relationships
Background The large amount of high-throughput genomic data has facilitated the discovery of the regulatory relationships between transcription factors and their target genes. While early methods for discovery of transcriptional regulation relationships from microarray data often focused on the high-throughput experimental data alone, more recent approaches have explored the integration of external knowledge bases of gene interactions. Results In this work, we develop an algorithm that provides improved performance in the prediction of transcriptional regulatory relationships by supplementing the analysis of microarray data with a new method of integrating information from an existing knowledge base. Using a well-known dataset of yeast microarrays and the Yeast Proteome Database, a comprehensive collection of known information of yeast genes, we show that knowledge-based predictions demonstrate better sensitivity and specificity in inferring new transcriptional interactions than predictions from microarray data alone. We also show that comprehensive, direct and high-quality knowledge bases provide better prediction performance. Comparison of our results with ChIP-chip data and growth fitness data suggests that our predicted genome-wide regulatory pairs in yeast are reasonable candidates for follow-up biological verification. Conclusion High quality, comprehensive, and direct knowledge bases, when combined with appropriate bioinformatic algorithms, can significantly improve the discovery of gene regulatory relationships from high throughput gene expression data. PMID:20122245
40 CFR 1066.250 - Base inertia verification.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
... inertia mean values as described in 40 CFR 1065.602(b) (8) Calculate the inertia error for the final base... acceleration rate and the nominal deceleration rate. (4) Use good engineering judgment to select two additional acceleration and deceleration rate pairs that cover the middle and upper rates expected during testing....
40 CFR 1066.250 - Base inertia verification.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
... mean values as described in 40 CFR 1065.602(b). (7) Calculate the base inertia error, I berror, for... nominal acceleration rate and the nominal deceleration rate. (4) Use good engineering judgment to select two additional acceleration and deceleration rates that cover the middle and upper rates...
Camera-based independent couch height verification in radiation oncology.
Kusters, Martijn; Louwe, Rob; Biemans-van Kastel, Liesbeth; Nieuwenkamp, Henk; Zahradnik, Rien; Claessen, Roy; van Seters, Ronald; Huizenga, Henk
For specific radiation therapy (RT) treatments, it is advantageous to use the isocenter-to-couch distance (ICD) for initial patient setup.(1) Since sagging of the treatment couch is not properly taken into account by the electronic readout of the treatment machine, this readout cannot be used for initial patient positioning using the isocenter-to-couch distance (ICD). Therefore, initial patient positioning to the prescribed ICD has been carried out using a ruler prior to each treatment fraction in our institution. However, the ruler method is laborious and logging of data is not possible. The objective of this study is to replace the ruler-based setup of the couch height with an independent, user-friendly, optical camera-based method whereby the radiation technologists have to move only the couch to the correct couch height, which is visible on a display. A camera-based independent couch height measurement system (ICHS) was developed in cooperation with Panasonic Electric Works Western Europe. Clinical data showed that the ICHS is at least as accurate as the application of a ruler to verify the ICD. The camera-based independent couch height measurement system has been successfully implemented in seven treatment rooms, since 10 September 2012. The benefits of this system are a more streamlined workflow, reduction of human errors during initial patient setup, and logging of the actual couch height at the isocenter. Daily QA shows that the systems are stable and operate within the set 1 mm tolerance. Regular QA of the system is necessary to guarantee that the system works correctly. PMID:26699308
Knowledge-based reusable software synthesis system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Donaldson, Cammie
The Eli system, a knowledge-based reusable software synthesis system, is being developed for NASA Langley under a Phase 2 SBIR contract. Named after Eli Whitney, the inventor of interchangeable parts, Eli assists engineers of large-scale software systems in reusing components while they are composing their software specifications or designs. Eli will identify reuse potential, search for components, select component variants, and synthesize components into the developer's specifications. The Eli project began as a Phase 1 SBIR to define a reusable software synthesis methodology that integrates reusabilityinto the top-down development process and to develop an approach for an expert system to promote and accomplish reuse. The objectives of the Eli Phase 2 work are to integrate advanced technologies to automate the development of reusable components within the context of large system developments, to integrate with user development methodologies without significant changes in method or learning of special languages, and to make reuse the easiest operation to perform. Eli will try to address a number of reuse problems including developing software with reusable components, managing reusable components, identifying reusable components, and transitioning reuse technology. Eli is both a library facility for classifying, storing, and retrieving reusable components and a design environment that emphasizes, encourages, and supports reuse.
IGENPRO knowledge-based operator support system.
Morman, J. A.
Research and development is being performed on the knowledge-based IGENPRO operator support package for plant transient diagnostics and management to provide operator assistance during off-normal plant transient conditions. A generic thermal-hydraulic (T-H) first-principles approach is being implemented using automated reasoning, artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic to produce a generic T-H system-independent/plant-independent package. The IGENPRO package has a modular structure composed of three modules: the transient trend analysis module PROTREN, the process diagnostics module PRODIAG and the process management module PROMANA. Cooperative research and development work has focused on the PRODIAG diagnostic module of the IGENPRO package and the operator training matrix of transients used at the Braidwood Pressurized Water Reactor station. Promising simulator testing results with PRODIAG have been obtained for the Braidwood Chemical and Volume Control System (CVCS), and the Component Cooling Water System. Initial CVCS test results have also been obtained for the PROTREN module. The PROMANA effort also involves the CVCS. Future work will be focused on the long-term, slow and mild degradation transients where diagnoses of incipient T-H component failure prior to forced outage events is required. This will enhance the capability of the IGENPRO system as a predictive maintenance tool for plant staff and operator support.
Finger-Vein Verification Based on Multi-Features Fusion
Qin, Huafeng; Qin, Lan; Xue, Lian; He, Xiping; Yu, Chengbo; Liang, Xinyuan
This paper presents a new scheme to improve the performance of finger-vein identification systems. Firstly, a vein pattern extraction method to extract the finger-vein shape and orientation features is proposed. Secondly, to accommodate the potential local and global variations at the same time, a region-based matching scheme is investigated by employing the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) matching method. Finally, the finger-vein shape, orientation and SIFT features are combined to further enhance the performance. The experimental results on databases of 426 and 170 fingers demonstrate the consistent superiority of the proposed approach. PMID:24196433
Respiratory gating with EPID-based verification: the MDACC experience
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Briere, Tina Marie; Beddar, Sam; Balter, Peter; Murthy, Ravi; Gupta, Sanjay; Nelson, Christopher; Starkschall, George; Gillin, Michael T.; Krishnan, Sunil
We have investigated the feasibility and accuracy of using a combination of internal and external fiducials for respiratory-gated image-guided radiotherapy of liver tumors after screening for suitable patients using a mock treatment. Five patients were enrolled in the study. Radio-opaque fiducials implanted adjacent to the liver tumor were used for daily online positioning using either electronic portal or kV images. Patient eligibility was assessed by determining the degree of correlation between the external and internal fiducials as analyzed during a mock treatment. Treatment delivery was based on the modification of conventional amplitude-based gating. Finally, the accuracy of respiratory-gated treatment using an external fiducial was verified offline using the cine mode of an electronic portal imaging device. For all patients, interfractional contribution to the random error was 2.0 mm in the supero-inferior direction, which is the dominant direction of motion due to respiration, while the interfractional contribution to the systematic error was 0.9 mm. The intrafractional contribution to the random error was 1.0 mm. One of the significant advantages to this technique is improved patient set-up using implanted fiducials and gated imaging. Daily assessment of images acquired during treatment verifies the accuracy of the delivered treatment and uncovers problems in patient set-up.
Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) development standards: A maintenance perspective
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Brill, John
Information on knowledge-based systems (KBS) is given in viewgraph form. Information is given on KBS standardization needs, the knowledge engineering process, program management, software and hardware issues, and chronic problem areas.
Case-based reasoning: The marriage of knowledge base and data base
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pulaski, Kirt; Casadaban, Cyprian
The coupling of data and knowledge has a synergistic effect when building an intelligent data base. The goal is to integrate the data and knowledge almost to the point of indistinguishability, permitting them to be used interchangeably. Examples given in this paper suggest that Case-Based Reasoning is a more integrated way to link data and knowledge than pure rule-based reasoning.
Verification of Gamma Knife extend system based fractionated treatment planning using EBT2 film
Natanasabapathi, Gopishankar; Bisht, Raj Kishor
Purpose: This paper presents EBT2 film verification of fractionated treatment planning with the Gamma Knife (GK) extend system, a relocatable frame system for multiple-fraction or serial multiple-session radiosurgery.Methods: A human head shaped phantom simulated the verification process for fractionated Gamma Knife treatment. Phantom preparation for Extend Frame based treatment planning involved creating a dental impression, fitting the phantom to the frame system, and acquiring a stereotactic computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan (Siemens, Emotion 6) of the phantom was obtained with following parameters: Tube voltage—110 kV, tube current—280 mA, pixel size—0.5 × 0.5 and 1 mm slice thickness. A treatment plan with two 8 mm collimator shots and three sectors blocking in each shot was made. Dose prescription of 4 Gy at 100% was delivered for the first fraction out of the two fractions planned. Gafchromic EBT2 film (ISP Wayne, NJ) was used as 2D verification dosimeter in this process. Films were cut and placed inside the film insert of the phantom for treatment dose delivery. Meanwhile a set of films from the same batch were exposed from 0 to 12 Gy doses for calibration purposes. An EPSON (Expression 10000 XL) scanner was used for scanning the exposed films in transparency mode. Scanned films were analyzed with inhouse written MATLAB codes.Results: Gamma index analysis of film measurement in comparison with TPS calculated dose resulted in high pass rates >90% for tolerance criteria of 1%/1 mm. The isodose overlay and linear dose profiles of film measured and computed dose distribution on sagittal and coronal plane were in close agreement.Conclusions: Through this study, the authors propose treatment verification QA method for Extend frame based fractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery using EBT2 film.
The representation of knowledge within model-based control systems
Weygand, D.P.; Koul, R.
Representation of knowledge in artificially intelligent systems is discussed. Types of knowledge that might need to be represented in AI systems are listed, and include knowledge about objects, events, knowledge about how to do things, and knowledge about what human beings know (meta-knowledge). The use of knowledge in AI systems is discussed in terms of acquiring and retrieving knowledge and reasoning about known facts. Different kinds of reasonings or representations are ghen described with some examples given. These include formal reasoning or logical representation, which is related to mathematical logic, production systems, which are based on the idea of condition-action pairs (production), procedural reasoning, which uses pre-formed plans to solve problems, frames, which provide a structure for representing knowledge in an organized manner, direct analogical representations, which represent knowledge in such a manner that permits some observation without deduction. (LEW)
Clinical knowledge-based inverse treatment planning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Yong; Xing, Lei
Clinical IMRT treatment plans are currently made using dose-based optimization algorithms, which do not consider the nonlinear dose-volume effects for tumours and normal structures. The choice of structure specific importance factors represents an additional degree of freedom of the system and makes rigorous optimization intractable. The purpose of this work is to circumvent the two problems by developing a biologically more sensible yet clinically practical inverse planning framework. To implement this, the dose-volume status of a structure was characterized by using the effective volume in the voxel domain. A new objective function was constructed with the incorporation of the volumetric information of the system so that the figure of merit of a given IMRT plan depends not only on the dose deviation from the desired distribution but also the dose-volume status of the involved organs. The conventional importance factor of an organ was written into a product of two components: (i) a generic importance that parametrizes the relative importance of the organs in the ideal situation when the goals for all the organs are met; (ii) a dose-dependent factor that quantifies our level of clinical/dosimetric satisfaction for a given plan. The generic importance can be determined a priori, and in most circumstances, does not need adjustment, whereas the second one, which is responsible for the intractable behaviour of the trade-off seen in conventional inverse planning, was determined automatically. An inverse planning module based on the proposed formalism was implemented and applied to a prostate case and a head-neck case. A comparison with the conventional inverse planning technique indicated that, for the same target dose coverage, the critical structure sparing was substantially improved for both cases. The incorporation of clinical knowledge allows us to obtain better IMRT plans and makes it possible to auto-select the importance factors, greatly facilitating the inverse
A framework for knowledge acquisition, representation and problem-solving in knowledge-based planning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Martinez-Bermudez, Iliana
This research addresses the problem of developing planning knowledge-based applications. In particular, it is concerned with the problems of knowledge acquisition and representation---the issues that remain an impediment to the development of large-scale, knowledge-based planning applications. This work aims to develop a model of planning problem solving that facilitates expert knowledge elicitation and also supports effective problem solving. Achieving this goal requires determining the types of knowledge used by planning experts, the structure of this knowledge, and the problem-solving process that results in the plan. While answering these questions it became clear that the knowledge structure, as well as the process of problem solving, largely depends on the knowledge available to the expert. This dissertation proposes classification of planning problems based on their use of expert knowledge. Such classification can help in the selection of the appropriate planning method when dealing with a specific planning problem. The research concentrates on one of the identified classes of planning problems that can be characterized by well-defined and well-structured problem-solving knowledge. To achieve a more complete knowledge representation architecture for such problems, this work employs the task-specific approach to problem solving. The result of this endeavor is a task-specific methodology that allows the representation and use of planning knowledge in a structural, consistent manner specific to the domain of the application. The shell for building a knowledge-based planning application was created as a proof of concept for the methodology described in this dissertation. This shell enabled the development of a system for manufacturing planning---COMPLAN. COMPLAN encompasses knowledge related to four generic techniques used in composite material manufacturing and, given the description of the composite part, creates a family of plans capable of producing it.
Knowledge base for expert system process control/optimization
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lee, C. W.; Abrams, Frances L.
An expert system based on the philosophy of qualitative process automation has been developed for the autonomous cure cycle development and control of the autoclave curing process. The system's knowledge base in the form of declarative rules is based on the qualitative understanding of the curing process. The knowledge base and examples of the resulting cure cycle are presented.
A Knowledge-Based System Developer for aerospace applications
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Shi, George Z.; Wu, Kewei; Fensky, Connie S.; Lo, Ching F.
A prototype Knowledge-Based System Developer (KBSD) has been developed for aerospace applications by utilizing artificial intelligence technology. The KBSD directly acquires knowledge from domain experts through a graphical interface then builds expert systems from that knowledge. This raises the state of the art of knowledge acquisition/expert system technology to a new level by lessening the need for skilled knowledge engineers. The feasibility, applicability , and efficiency of the proposed concept was established, making a continuation which would develop the prototype to a full-scale general-purpose knowledge-based system developer justifiable. The KBSD has great commercial potential. It will provide a marketable software shell which alleviates the need for knowledge engineers and increase productivity in the workplace. The KBSD will therefore make knowledge-based systems available to a large portion of industry.
System Engineering for the NNSA Knowledge Base
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Young, C.; Ballard, S.; Hipp, J.
To improve ground-based nuclear explosion monitoring capability, GNEM R&E (Ground-based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research & Engineering) researchers at the national laboratories have collected an extensive set of raw data products. These raw data are used to develop higher level products (e.g. 2D and 3D travel time models) to better characterize the Earth at regional scales. The processed products and selected portions of the raw data are stored in an archiving and access system known as the NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration) Knowledge Base (KB), which is engineered to meet the requirements of operational monitoring authorities. At its core, the KB is a data archive, and the effectiveness of the KB is ultimately determined by the quality of the data content, but access to that content is completely controlled by the information system in which that content is embedded. Developing this system has been the task of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and in this paper we discuss some of the significant challenges we have faced and the solutions we have engineered. One of the biggest system challenges with raw data has been integrating database content from the various sources to yield an overall KB product that is comprehensive, thorough and validated, yet minimizes the amount of disk storage required. Researchers at different facilities often use the same data to develop their products, and this redundancy must be removed in the delivered KB, ideally without requiring any additional effort on the part of the researchers. Further, related data content must be grouped together for KB user convenience. Initially SNL used whatever tools were already available for these tasks, and did the other tasks manually. The ever-growing volume of KB data to be merged, as well as a need for more control of merging utilities, led SNL to develop our own java software package, consisting of a low- level database utility library upon which we have built several
Regional MLEM reconstruction strategy for PET-based treatment verification in ion beam radiotherapy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gianoli, Chiara; Bauer, Julia; Riboldi, Marco; De Bernardi, Elisabetta; Fattori, Giovanni; Baselli, Giuseppe; Debus, Jürgen; Parodi, Katia; Baroni, Guido
In ion beam radiotherapy, PET-based treatment verification provides a consistency check of the delivered treatment with respect to a simulation based on the treatment planning. In this work the region-based MLEM reconstruction algorithm is proposed as a new evaluation strategy in PET-based treatment verification. The comparative evaluation is based on reconstructed PET images in selected regions, which are automatically identified on the expected PET images according to homogeneity in activity values. The strategy was tested on numerical and physical phantoms, simulating mismatches between the planned and measured β+ activity distributions. The region-based MLEM reconstruction was demonstrated to be robust against noise and the sensitivity of the strategy results were comparable to three voxel units, corresponding to 6 mm in numerical phantoms. The robustness of the region-based MLEM evaluation outperformed the voxel-based strategies. The potential of the proposed strategy was also retrospectively assessed on patient data and further clinical validation is envisioned.
Secure voice-based authentication for mobile devices: vaulted voice verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Johnson, R. C.; Scheirer, Walter J.; Boult, Terrance E.
As the use of biometrics becomes more wide-spread, the privacy concerns that stem from the use of biometrics are becoming more apparent. As the usage of mobile devices grows, so does the desire to implement biometric identification into such devices. A large majority of mobile devices being used are mobile phones. While work is being done to implement different types of biometrics into mobile phones, such as photo based biometrics, voice is a more natural choice. The idea of voice as a biometric identifier has been around a long time. One of the major concerns with using voice as an identifier is the instability of voice. We have developed a protocol that addresses those instabilities and preserves privacy. This paper describes a novel protocol that allows a user to authenticate using voice on a mobile/remote device without compromising their privacy. We first discuss the Vaulted Verification protocol, which has recently been introduced in research literature, and then describe its limitations. We then introduce a novel adaptation and extension of the Vaulted Verification protocol to voice, dubbed Vaulted Voice Verification (V3). Following that we show a performance evaluation and then conclude with a discussion of security and future work.
Color information verification system based on singular value decomposition in gyrator transform domains
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Abuturab, Muhammad Rafiq
A new color image security system based on singular value decomposition (SVD) in gyrator transform (GT) domains is proposed. In the encryption process, a color image is decomposed into red, green and blue channels. Each channel is independently modulated by random phase masks and then separately gyrator transformed at different parameters. The three gyrator spectra are joined by multiplication to get one gray ciphertext. The ciphertext is separated into U, S, and V parts by SVD. All the three parts are individually gyrator transformed at different transformation angles. The three encoded information can be assigned to different authorized users for highly secure verification. Only when all the authorized users place the U, S, and V parts in correct multiplication order in the verification system, the correct information can be obtained with all the right keys. In the proposed method, SVD offers one-way asymmetrical decomposition algorithm and it is an optimal matrix decomposition in a least-square sense. The transformation angles of GT provide very sensitive additional keys. The pre-generated keys for red, green and blue channels are served as decryption (private) keys. As all the three encrypted parts are the gray scale ciphertexts with stationary white noise distributions, which have camouflage property to some extent. These advantages enhance the security and robustness. Numerical simulations are presented to support the viability of the proposed verification system.
Methodology for the specification of communication activities within the framework of a multi-layered architecture: Toward the definition of a knowledge base
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Amyay, Omar
A method defined in terms of synthesis and verification steps is presented. The specification of the services and protocols of communication within a multilayered architecture of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) type is an essential issue for the design of computer networks. The aim is to obtain an operational specification of the protocol service couple of a given layer. Planning synthesis and verification steps constitute a specification trajectory. The latter is based on the progressive integration of the 'initial data' constraints and verification of the specification originating from each synthesis step, through validity constraints that characterize an admissible solution. Two types of trajectories are proposed according to the style of the initial specification of the service protocol couple: operational type and service supplier viewpoint; knowledge property oriented type and service viewpoint. Synthesis and verification activities were developed and formalized in terms of labeled transition systems, temporal logic and epistemic logic. The originality of the second specification trajectory and the use of the epistemic logic are shown. An 'artificial intelligence' approach enables a conceptual model to be defined for a knowledge base system for implementing the method proposed. It is structured in three levels of representation of the knowledge relating to the domain, the reasoning characterizing synthesis and verification activities and the planning of the steps of a specification trajectory.
Algorithm for ventricular capture verification based on the mechanical evoked response.
Yaacoby, E; Akselrod, S; Eldar, M; Glikson, M
Automatic pacemaker capture verification is important for maintaining safety and low energy consumption in pacemaker patients. A new algorithm was developed, based on impedance measurement between pacing electrode poles, which reflects the distribution of the conducting medium between the poles and changes with effective contraction. Data acquired during pacemaker implant in 17 subjects were analysed, with intracardiac impedance recorded while pacing was performed in the ventricle at varying energies, resulting in multiple-captured and non-captured beats. The impedance signals of all captured/non-captured beats were analysed using three different algorithms, based on the morphology of the impedance signal. The algorithm decision for each beat was compared with an actual capture or non-capture, as determined from the simultaneous recording of surface ECG. Two of the three algorithms (Z1 and Zn) were based on impedance values, and one (Z'n) was based on the first derivative of the impedance. Z1 was based on a single sample, whereas Z'n and Z'n were based on several samples in each beat. The total accuracy for each was Z1: 43%, Zn: 87%, Z'n: 92%. It was concluded that impedance-based capture verification is feasible, that a multiple rather than single sample approach for signal classification is both feasible and superior, and that first derivative analysis with multiple samples (Z'n) provides the best results. PMID:16255434
An object-based methodology for knowledge representation
Kelsey, R.L.; Hartley, R.T.; Webster, R.B.
An object based methodology for knowledge representation is presented. The constructs and notation to the methodology are described and illustrated with examples. The ``blocks world,`` a classic artificial intelligence problem, is used to illustrate some of the features of the methodology including perspectives and events. Representing knowledge with perspectives can enrich the detail of the knowledge and facilitate potential lines of reasoning. Events allow example uses of the knowledge to be represented along with the contained knowledge. Other features include the extensibility and maintainability of knowledge represented in the methodology.
Project-Based Learning and the Limits of Corporate Knowledge.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rhodes, Carl; Garrick, John
Analysis of management discourses, especially project-based learning and knowledge management, indicates that such terms as human capital, working knowledge, and knowledge assets construe managerial workers as cogito-economic subjects. Although workplace learning should develop economically related capabilities, such discourses imply that these…
Knowledge-Based Aid: A Four Agency Comparative Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McGrath, Simon; King, Kenneth
Part of the response of many development cooperation agencies to the challenges of globalisation, ICTs and the knowledge economy is to emphasise the importance of knowledge for development. This paper looks at the discourses and practices of ''knowledge-based aid'' through an exploration of four agencies: the World Bank, DFID, Sida and JICA. It…
Knowledge Sharing in an American Multinational Company Based in Malaysia
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ling, Chen Wai; Sandhu, Manjit S.; Jain, Kamal Kishore
Purpose: This paper seeks to examine the views of executives working in an American based multinational company (MNC) about knowledge sharing, barriers to knowledge sharing, and strategies to promote knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach: This study was carried out in phases. In the first phase, a topology of organizational mechanisms for…
Weather, knowledge base and life-style
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bohle, Martin
Why to main-stream curiosity for earth-science topics, thus to appraise these topics as of public interest? Namely, to influence practices how humankind's activities intersect the geosphere. How to main-stream that curiosity for earth-science topics? Namely, by weaving diverse concerns into common threads drawing on a wide range of perspectives: be it beauty or particularity of ordinary or special phenomena, evaluating hazards for or from mundane environments, or connecting the scholarly investigation with concerns of citizens at large; applying for threading traditional or modern media, arts or story-telling. Three examples: First "weather"; weather is a topic of primordial interest for most people: weather impacts on humans lives, be it for settlement, for food, for mobility, for hunting, for fishing, or for battle. It is the single earth-science topic that went "prime-time" since in the early 1950-ties the broadcasting of weather forecasts started and meteorologists present their work to the public, daily. Second "knowledge base"; earth-sciences are a relevant for modern societies' economy and value setting: earth-sciences provide insights into the evolution of live-bearing planets, the functioning of Earth's systems and the impact of humankind's activities on biogeochemical systems on Earth. These insights bear on production of goods, living conditions and individual well-being. Third "life-style"; citizen's urban culture prejudice their experiential connections: earth-sciences related phenomena are witnessed rarely, even most weather phenomena. In the past, traditional rural communities mediated their rich experiences through earth-centric story-telling. In course of the global urbanisation process this culture has given place to society-centric story-telling. Only recently anthropogenic global change triggered discussions on geoengineering, hazard mitigation, demographics, which interwoven with arts, linguistics and cultural histories offer a rich narrative
Utilizing knowledge-base semantics in graph-based algorithms
Darwiche, A.
Graph-based algorithms convert a knowledge base with a graph structure into one with a tree structure (a join-tree) and then apply tree-inference on the result. Nodes in the join-tree are cliques of variables and tree-inference is exponential in w*, the size of the maximal clique in the join-tree. A central property of join-trees that validates tree-inference is the running-intersection property: the intersection of any two cliques must belong to every clique on the path between them. We present two key results in connection to graph-based algorithms. First, we show that the running-intersection property, although sufficient, is not necessary for validating tree-inference. We present a weaker property for this purpose, called running-interaction, that depends on non-structural (semantical) properties of a knowledge base. We also present a linear algorithm that may reduce w* of a join-tree, possibly destroying its running-intersection property, while maintaining its running-interaction property and, hence, its validity for tree-inference. Second, we develop a simple algorithm for generating trees satisfying the running-interaction property. The algorithm bypasses triangulation (the standard technique for constructing join-trees) and does not construct a join-tree first. We show that the proposed algorithm may in some cases generate trees that are more efficient than those generated by modifying a join-tree.
Automated knowledge acquisition for second generation knowledge base systems: A conceptual analysis and taxonomy
Williams, K.E.; Kotnour, T.
In this paper, we present a conceptual analysis of knowledge-base development methodologies. The purpose of this research is to help overcome the high cost and lack of efficiency in developing knowledge base representations for artificial intelligence applications. To accomplish this purpose, we analyzed the available methodologies and developed a knowledge-base development methodology taxonomy. We review manual, machine-aided, and machine-learning methodologies. A set of developed characteristics allows description and comparison among the methodologies. We present the results of this conceptual analysis of methodologies and recommendations for development of more efficient and effective tools.
Automated knowledge acquisition for second generation knowledge base systems: A conceptual analysis and taxonomy
Williams, K.E.; Kotnour, T.
In this paper, we present a conceptual analysis of knowledge-base development methodologies. The purpose of this research is to help overcome the high cost and lack of efficiency in developing knowledge base representations for artificial intelligence applications. To accomplish this purpose, we analyzed the available methodologies and developed a knowledge-base development methodology taxonomy. We review manual, machine-aided, and machine-learning methodologies. A set of developed characteristics allows description and comparison among the methodologies. We present the results of this conceptual analysis of methodologies and recommendations for development of more efficient and effective tools.
Approximate Degrees of Similarity between a User's Knowledge and the Tutorial Systems' Knowledge Base
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mogharreban, Namdar
A typical tutorial system functions by means of interaction between four components: the expert knowledge base component, the inference engine component, the learner's knowledge component and the user interface component. In typical tutorial systems the interaction and the sequence of presentation as well as the mode of evaluation are…
Advancing the hydrogen safety knowledge base
Weiner, S. C.
The International Energy Agency's Hydrogen Implementing Agreement (IEA HIA) was established in 1977 to pursue collaborative hydrogen research and development and information exchange among its member countries. Information and knowledge dissemination is a key aspect of the work within IEA HIA tasks, and case studies, technical reports and presentations/publications often result from the collaborative efforts. The work conducted in hydrogen safety under Task 31 and its predecessor, Task 19, can positively impact the objectives of national programs even in cases for which a specific task report is not published. As a result, the interactions within Task 31 illustrate how technology information and knowledge exchange among participating hydrogen safety experts serve the objectives intended by the IEA HIA.
Advancing the hydrogen safety knowledge base
Weiner, S. C.
The International Energy Agency's Hydrogen Implementing Agreement (IEA HIA) was established in 1977 to pursue collaborative hydrogen research and development and information exchange among its member countries. Information and knowledge dissemination is a key aspect of the work within IEA HIA tasks, and case studies, technical reports and presentations/publications often result from the collaborative efforts. The work conducted in hydrogen safety under Task 31 and its predecessor, Task 19, can positively impact the objectives of national programs even in cases for which a specific task report is not published. As a result, the interactions within Task 31 illustrate how technologymore » information and knowledge exchange among participating hydrogen safety experts serve the objectives intended by the IEA HIA.« less
A system for EPID-based real-time treatment delivery verification during dynamic IMRT treatment
Fuangrod, Todsaporn; Woodruff, Henry C.; O'Connor, Daryl J.; Uytven, Eric van; McCurdy, Boyd M. C.; Kuncic, Zdenka; Greer, Peter B.
Purpose: To design and develop a real-time electronic portal imaging device (EPID)-based delivery verification system for dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) which enables detection of gross treatment delivery errors before delivery of substantial radiation to the patient.Methods: The system utilizes a comprehensive physics-based model to generate a series of predicted transit EPID image frames as a reference dataset and compares these to measured EPID frames acquired during treatment. The two datasets are using MLC aperture comparison and cumulative signal checking techniques. The system operation in real-time was simulated offline using previously acquired images for 19 IMRT patient deliveries with both frame-by-frame comparison and cumulative frame comparison. Simulated error case studies were used to demonstrate the system sensitivity and performance.Results: The accuracy of the synchronization method was shown to agree within two control points which corresponds to approximately ∼1% of the total MU to be delivered for dynamic IMRT. The system achieved mean real-time gamma results for frame-by-frame analysis of 86.6% and 89.0% for 3%, 3 mm and 4%, 4 mm criteria, respectively, and 97.9% and 98.6% for cumulative gamma analysis. The system can detect a 10% MU error using 3%, 3 mm criteria within approximately 10 s. The EPID-based real-time delivery verification system successfully detected simulated gross errors introduced into patient plan deliveries in near real-time (within 0.1 s).Conclusions: A real-time radiation delivery verification system for dynamic IMRT has been demonstrated that is designed to prevent major mistreatments in modern radiation therapy.
Safety Verification of a Fault Tolerant Reconfigurable Autonomous Goal-Based Robotic Control System
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Braman, Julia M. B.; Murray, Richard M; Wagner, David A.
Fault tolerance and safety verification of control systems are essential for the success of autonomous robotic systems. A control architecture called Mission Data System (MDS), developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, takes a goal-based control approach. In this paper, a method for converting goal network control programs into linear hybrid systems is developed. The linear hybrid system can then be verified for safety in the presence of failures using existing symbolic model checkers. An example task is simulated in MDS and successfully verified using HyTech, a symbolic model checking software for linear hybrid systems.
Verification of the two-dimensional hydrodynamic model based on remote sensing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sazonov, Alexey; Mikhailukova, Polina; Krylenko, Inna; Frolova, Natalya; Kireeva, Mariya
Mathematical modeling methods are used more and more actively to evaluate possible damage, identify potential flood zone and the influence of individual factors affecting the river during the passage of the flood. Calculations were performed by means of domestic software complex «STREAM-2D» which is based on the numerical solution of two-dimensional St. Venant equations. One of the major challenges in mathematical modeling is the verification of the model. This is usually made using data on water levels from hydrological stations: the smaller the difference of the actual level and the simulated one, the better the quality of the model used. Data from hydrological stations are not always available, so alternative sources of verification, such as remote sensing, are increasingly used. The aim of this work is to develop a method of verification of hydrodynamic model based on a comparison of actual flood zone area, which in turn is determined on the basis of the automated satellite image interpretation methods for different imaging systems and flooded area obtained in the course of the model. The study areas are Lena River, The North Dvina River, Amur River near Blagoveshchensk. We used satellite images made by optical and radar sensors: SPOT-5/HRG, Resurs-F, Radarsat-2. Flooded area were calculated using unsupervised classification (ISODATA and K-mean) for optical images and segmentation for Radarsat-2. Knowing the flow rate and the water level at a given date for the upper and lower limits of the model, respectively, it is possible to calculate flooded area by means of program STREAM-2D and GIS technology. All the existing vector layers with the boundaries of flooding are included in a GIS project for flood area calculation. This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 14-17-00155.
Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship in a Boundless Research System
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dell'Anno, Davide
International entrepreneurship and knowledge-based entrepreneurship have recently generated considerable academic and non-academic attention. This paper explores the "new" field of knowledge-based entrepreneurship in a boundless research system. Cultural barriers to the development of business opportunities by researchers persist in some academic…
Applying Knowledge-Based Techniques to Software Development.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Harandi, Mehdi T.
Reviews overall structure and design principles of a knowledge-based programming support tool, the Knowledge-Based Programming Assistant, which is being developed at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The system's major units (program design program coding, and intelligent debugging) and additional functions are described. (MBR)
4D offline PET-based treatment verification in scanned ion beam therapy: a phantom study
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kurz, Christopher; Bauer, Julia; Unholtz, Daniel; Richter, Daniel; Stützer, Kristin; Bert, Christoph; Parodi, Katia
At the Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, patient irradiation with scanned proton and carbon ion beams is verified by offline positron emission tomography (PET) imaging: the {β+} -activity measured within the patient is compared to a prediction calculated on the basis of the treatment planning data in order to identify potential delivery errors. Currently, this monitoring technique is limited to the treatment of static target structures. However, intra-fractional organ motion imposes considerable additional challenges to scanned ion beam radiotherapy. In this work, the feasibility and potential of time-resolved (4D) offline PET-based treatment verification with a commercial full-ring PET/CT (x-ray computed tomography) device are investigated for the first time, based on an experimental campaign with moving phantoms. Motion was monitored during the gated beam delivery as well as the subsequent PET acquisition and was taken into account in the corresponding 4D Monte-Carlo simulations and data evaluation. Under the given experimental conditions, millimeter agreement between the prediction and measurement was found. Dosimetric consequences due to the phantom motion could be reliably identified. The agreement between PET measurement and prediction in the presence of motion was found to be similar as in static reference measurements, thus demonstrating the potential of 4D PET-based treatment verification for future clinical applications.
HDM/PASCAL Verification System User's Manual
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hare, D.
The HDM/Pascal verification system is a tool for proving the correctness of programs written in PASCAL and specified in the Hierarchical Development Methodology (HDM). This document assumes an understanding of PASCAL, HDM, program verification, and the STP system. The steps toward verification which this tool provides are parsing programs and specifications, checking the static semantics, and generating verification conditions. Some support functions are provided such as maintaining a data base, status management, and editing. The system runs under the TOPS-20 and TENEX operating systems and is written in INTERLISP. However, no knowledge is assumed of these operating systems or of INTERLISP. The system requires three executable files, HDMVCG, PARSE, and STP. Optionally, the editor EMACS should be on the system in order for the editor to work. The file HDMVCG is invoked to run the system. The files PARSE and STP are used as lower forks to perform the functions of parsing and proving.
Improved knowledge diffusion model based on the collaboration hypernetwork
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Jiang-Pan; Guo, Qiang; Yang, Guang-Yong; Liu, Jian-Guo
The process for absorbing knowledge becomes an essential element for innovation in firms and in adapting to changes in the competitive environment. In this paper, we present an improved knowledge diffusion hypernetwork (IKDH) model based on the idea that knowledge will spread from the target node to all its neighbors in terms of the hyperedge and knowledge stock. We apply the average knowledge stock V(t) , the variable σ2(t) , and the variance coefficient c(t) to evaluate the performance of knowledge diffusion. By analyzing different knowledge diffusion ways, selection ways of the highly knowledgeable nodes, hypernetwork sizes and hypernetwork structures for the performance of knowledge diffusion, results show that the diffusion speed of IKDH model is 3.64 times faster than that of traditional knowledge diffusion (TKDH) model. Besides, it is three times faster to diffuse knowledge by randomly selecting "expert" nodes than that by selecting large-hyperdegree nodes as "expert" nodes. Furthermore, either the closer network structure or smaller network size results in the faster knowledge diffusion.
Knowledge Management in Role Based Agents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kır, Hüseyin; Ekinci, Erdem Eser; Dikenelli, Oguz
In multi-agent system literature, the role concept is getting increasingly researched to provide an abstraction to scope beliefs, norms, goals of agents and to shape relationships of the agents in the organization. In this research, we propose a knowledgebase architecture to increase applicability of roles in MAS domain by drawing inspiration from the self concept in the role theory of sociology. The proposed knowledgebase architecture has granulated structure that is dynamically organized according to the agent's identification in a social environment. Thanks to this dynamic structure, agents are enabled to work on consistent knowledge in spite of inevitable conflicts between roles and the agent. The knowledgebase architecture is also implemented and incorporated into the SEAGENT multi-agent system development framework.
Improvement of three-field based safety analysis code, SPACE, through verification and validation
Yang, J. H.; Kim, J. H.; Park, G. C.
To verify and validate the state-of-the-art safety analysis code, SPACE, features of three field governing equations were arranged and the comparative analysis with both analytic solution and experimental benchmarks were performed. With the world wide streamline on the safety analysis, SPACE uses two-fluid, three-field governing equations which aim to implement multi-dimensional and multi-scaled analysis. Through the Verification and Validation (V and V), developing code based on the three-field governing equation have not only been confirmed but also improved. V and V activities on SPACE have been conducted as to interfacial drag model in vertical turbulent flow. The verification of the interfacial drag model was based on cell size sensitivity test for confirming feasible calculation range of cell size. Furthermore, through the validation with analytic solution, the modification of the interfacial drag model in vertical turbulent annulus flow was carried out and the nominated model was incorporated. Modified interfacial drag model, Asali's correlation, yields improved result than previous interfacial drag model. The validation with experimental benchmarks had also been performed on the nearly horizontal counter current limitation. To confirm the possibility of the further application of the CCFL model in case with horizontal pipe, validation with nearly horizontal pipe experiment was carried out. V and V activities of SPACE with analytic solution and experimental benchmarks allow us to confirm/identify the tailorability for safety analysis. (authors)
Knowledge sources for evidence-based practice in rheumatology nursing.
Neher, Margit; Ståhl, Christian; Ellström, Per-Erik; Nilsen, Per
As rheumatology nursing develops and extends, knowledge about current use of knowledge in rheumatology nursing practice may guide discussions about future knowledge needs. To explore what perceptions rheumatology nurses have about their knowledge sources and about what knowledge they use in their practice, 12 nurses working in specialist rheumatology were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The analysis yielded four types of knowledge sources in clinical practice: interaction with others in the workplace, contacts outside the workplace, written materials, and previous knowledge and experience. Colleagues, and physicians in particular, were important for informal learning in daily rheumatology practice. Evidence from the medical arena was accessed through medical specialists, while nursing research was used less. Facilitating informal learning and continuing formal education is proposed as a way toward a more evidence-based practice in extended roles. PMID:25059719
The Knowledge Dictionary: A KBMS architecture for the many-to-many coupling of knowledge based-systems to databases
Davis, J.P.
The effective management and leveraging of organizational knowledge has become the focus of much research in the computer industry. One specific area is the creation of information systems that combine the ability to manage large stores of data, making it available to many users, with the ability to reason and make inferences over bodies of knowledge capturing specific expertise in some problem domain. A Knowledge Base Management System (KBMS) is a system providing management of a large shared knowledge base for (potentially) many knowledge-based systems (KBS). A KBMS architecture for coupling knowledge-based systems to databases has been developed. The architecture is built around a repository known as the Knowledge Dictionary-a multi-level self-describing framework that facilitates the KBS-DBMS integration. Th Knowledge Dictionary architecture allows the following enhancements to be made to be made to the KBS environment: knowledge sharing among multiple KBS applications; knowledge management of semantic integrity over large-scale (declarative) knowledge bases; and, knowledge maintenance as the declarative portion of the shared knowledge base evolves over time. This dissertation discusses the architecture of the Knowledge Dictionary, and the underlying knowledge representation framework, focusing on how it is used to provide knowledge management services to the KBS applications having their declarative knowledge base components stored as databases in the DBMS. The specific service investigated is the management of semantic integrity of the knowledge base.
EHR based Genetic Testing Knowledge Base (iGTKB) Development
Background The gap between a large growing number of genetic tests and a suboptimal clinical workflow of incorporating these tests into regular clinical practice poses barriers to effective reliance on advanced genetic technologies to improve quality of healthcare. A promising solution to fill this gap is to develop an intelligent genetic test recommendation system that not only can provide a comprehensive view of genetic tests as education resources, but also can recommend the most appropriate genetic tests to patients based on clinical evidence. In this study, we developed an EHR based Genetic Testing Knowledge Base for Individualized Medicine (iGTKB). Methods We extracted genetic testing information and patient medical records from EHR systems at Mayo Clinic. Clinical features have been semi-automatically annotated from the clinical notes by applying a Natural Language Processing (NLP) tool, MedTagger suite. To prioritize clinical features for each genetic test, we compared odds ratio across four population groups. Genetic tests, genetic disorders and clinical features with their odds ratios have been applied to establish iGTKB, which is to be integrated into the Genetic Testing Ontology (GTO). Results Overall, there are five genetic tests operated with sample size greater than 100 in 2013 at Mayo Clinic. A total of 1,450 patients who was tested by one of the five genetic tests have been selected. We assembled 243 clinical features from the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) for these five genetic tests. There are 60 clinical features with at least one mention in clinical notes of patients taking the test. Twenty-eight clinical features with high odds ratio (greater than 1) have been selected as dominant features and deposited into iGTKB with their associated information about genetic tests and genetic disorders. Conclusions In this study, we developed an EHR based genetic testing knowledge base, iGTKB. iGTKB will be integrated into the GTO by providing relevant
AOP Knowledge Base/Wiki Tool Set
Utilizing ToxCast Data and Lifestage Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to Drive Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)-Based Margin of Exposures (ABME) to Chemicals. Hisham A. El-Masri1, Nicole C. Klienstreur2, Linda Adams1, Tamara Tal1, Stephanie Padilla1, Kristin Is...
The process for integrating the NNSA knowledge base.
Wilkening, Lisa K.; Carr, Dorthe Bame; Young, Christopher John; Hampton, Jeff; Martinez, Elaine
From 2002 through 2006, the Ground Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research & Engineering (GNEMRE) program at Sandia National Laboratories defined and modified a process for merging different types of integrated research products (IRPs) from various researchers into a cohesive, well-organized collection know as the NNSA Knowledge Base, to support operational treaty monitoring. This process includes defining the KB structure, systematically and logically aggregating IRPs into a complete set, and verifying and validating that the integrated Knowledge Base works as expected.
A specialized framework for Medical Diagnostic Knowledge Based Systems.
Lanzola, G.; Stefanelli, M.
To have a knowledge based system (KBS) exhibiting an intelligent behavior, it must be endowed even with knowledge able to represent the expert's strategies, other than with domain knowledge. The elicitation task is inherently difficult for strategic knowledge, because strategy is often tacit, and, even when it has been made explicit, it is not an easy task to describe it in a form that may be directly translated and implemented into a program. This paper describes a Specialized Framework for Medical Diagnostic Knowledge Based Systems able to help an expert in the process of building KBSs in a medical domain. The framework is based on an epistemological model of diagnostic reasoning which has proved to be helpful in describing the diagnostic process in terms of the tasks by which it is composed of. PMID:1807566
Range verification of passively scattered proton beams based on prompt gamma time patterns
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Testa, Mauro; Min, Chul Hee; Verburg, Joost M.; Schümann, Jan; Lu, Hsiao-Ming; Paganetti, Harald
We propose a proton range verification technique for passive scattering proton therapy systems where spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) fields are produced with rotating range modulator wheels. The technique is based on the correlation of time patterns of the prompt gamma ray emission with the range of protons delivering the SOBP. The main feature of the technique is the ability to verify the proton range with a single point of measurement and a simple detector configuration. We performed four-dimensional (time-dependent) Monte Carlo simulations using TOPAS to show the validity and accuracy of the technique. First, we validated the hadronic models used in TOPAS by comparing simulations and prompt gamma spectrometry measurements published in the literature. Second, prompt gamma simulations for proton range verification were performed for the case of a water phantom and a prostate cancer patient. In the water phantom, the proton range was determined with 2 mm accuracy with a full ring detector configuration for a dose of ~2.5 cGy. For the prostate cancer patient, 4 mm accuracy on range determination was achieved for a dose of ~15 cGy. The results presented in this paper are encouraging in view of a potential clinical application of the technique.
Range verification of passively scattered proton beams based on prompt gamma time patterns.
Testa, Mauro; Min, Chul Hee; Verburg, Joost M; Schümann, Jan; Lu, Hsiao-Ming; Paganetti, Harald
We propose a proton range verification technique for passive scattering proton therapy systems where spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) fields are produced with rotating range modulator wheels. The technique is based on the correlation of time patterns of the prompt gamma ray emission with the range of protons delivering the SOBP. The main feature of the technique is the ability to verify the proton range with a single point of measurement and a simple detector configuration. We performed four-dimensional (time-dependent) Monte Carlo simulations using TOPAS to show the validity and accuracy of the technique. First, we validated the hadronic models used in TOPAS by comparing simulations and prompt gamma spectrometry measurements published in the literature. Second, prompt gamma simulations for proton range verification were performed for the case of a water phantom and a prostate cancer patient. In the water phantom, the proton range was determined with 2 mm accuracy with a full ring detector configuration for a dose of ~2.5 cGy. For the prostate cancer patient, 4 mm accuracy on range determination was achieved for a dose of ~15 cGy. The results presented in this paper are encouraging in view of a potential clinical application of the technique. PMID:25004257
Reconstruction based finger-knuckle-print verification with score level adaptive binary fusion.
Gao, Guangwei; Zhang, Lei; Yang, Jian; Zhang, Lin; Zhang, David
Recently, a new biometrics identifier, namely finger knuckle print (FKP), has been proposed for personal authentication with very interesting results. One of the advantages of FKP verification lies in its user friendliness in data collection. However, the user flexibility in positioning fingers also leads to a certain degree of pose variations in the collected query FKP images. The widely used Gabor filtering based competitive coding scheme is sensitive to such variations, resulting in many false rejections. We propose to alleviate this problem by reconstructing the query sample with a dictionary learned from the template samples in the gallery set. The reconstructed FKP image can reduce much the enlarged matching distance caused by finger pose variations; however, both the intra-class and inter-class distances will be reduced. We then propose a score level adaptive binary fusion rule to adaptively fuse the matching distances before and after reconstruction, aiming to reduce the false rejections without increasing much the false acceptances. Experimental results on the benchmark PolyU FKP database show that the proposed method significantly improves the FKP verification accuracy. PMID:24043391
Using Knowledge-Based Systems to Support Learning of Organizational Knowledge: A Case Study
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cooper, Lynne P.; Nash, Rebecca L.; Phan, Tu-Anh T.; Bailey, Teresa R.
This paper describes the deployment of a knowledge system to support learning of organizational knowledge at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a US national research laboratory whose mission is planetary exploration and to 'do what no one has done before.' Data collected over 19 weeks of operation were used to assess system performance with respect to design considerations, participation, effectiveness of communication mechanisms, and individual-based learning. These results are discussed in the context of organizational learning research and implications for practice.
Generating New Knowledge Bases in Educational Administration Professional Preparation Programs.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Powers, P. J.
This paper examines college and university educational administration (EDAD) professional-preparation programs and their current inertia caused by an intellectually based "war over standards" of knowledge and information. It describes how much of EDAD professional-preparation programs' approach to knowledge is largely premised in conventional…
Learning Science-Based Fitness Knowledge in Constructivist Physical Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sun, Haichun; Chen, Ang; Zhu, Xihe; Ennis, Catherine D.
Teaching fitness-related knowledge has become critical in developing children's healthful living behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a science-based, constructivist physical education curriculum on learning fitness knowledge critical to healthful living in elementary school students. The schools (N = 30) were randomly…
A Text Knowledge Base from the AI Handbook.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Simmons, Robert F.
Describes a prototype natural language text knowledge system (TKS) that was used to organize 50 pages of a handbook on artificial intelligence as an inferential knowledge base with natural language query and command capabilities. Representation of text, database navigation, query systems, discourse structuring, and future research needs are…
Knowledge-Based Hierarchies: Using Organizations to Understand the Economy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Garicano, Luis; Rossi-Hansberg, Esteban
Incorporating the decision of how to organize the acquisition, use, and communication of knowledge into economic models is essential to understand a wide variety of economic phenomena. We survey the literature that has used knowledge-based hierarchies to study issues such as the evolution of wage inequality, the growth and productivity of firms,…
Developing Learning Progression-Based Teacher Knowledge Measures
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jin, Hui; Shin, HyoJeong; Johnson, Michele E.; Kim, JinHo; Anderson, Charles W.
This study developed learning progression-based measures of science teachers' content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The measures focus on an important topic in secondary science curriculum using scientific reasoning (i.e., tracing matter, tracing energy, and connecting scales) to explain plants gaining weight and…
Conventional and Knowledge-Based Information Retrieval with Prolog.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Leigh, William; Paz, Noemi
Describes the use of PROLOG to program knowledge-based information retrieval systems, in which the knowledge contained in a document is translated into machine processable logic. Several examples of the resulting search process, and the program rules supporting the process, are given. (10 references) (CLB)
Grey Documentation as a Knowledge Base in Social Work.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Berman, Yitzhak
Defines grey documentation as documents issued informally and not available through normal channels and discusses the role that grey documentation can play in the social work knowledge base. Topics addressed include grey documentation and science; social work and the empirical approach in knowledge development; and dissemination of grey…
Experimental verification and comparison of mode shape-based damage detection methods
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Radzieński, M.; Krawczuk, M.
This paper presents experimental verification and comparison of damage detection methods based on changes in mode shapes such as: mode shape curvature (MSC), modal assurance criterion (MAC), strain energy (SE), modified Laplacian operator (MLO), generalized fractal dimension (GFD) and Wavelet Transform (WT). The object of the investigation is to determine benefits and drawbacks of the aforementioned methods and to develop data preprocessing algorithms for increasing damage assessment effectiveness by using signal processing techniques such as interpolation and extrapolation of measured points. Noise reduction algorithms based on moving average, median filter, and wavelet decomposition are also tested. The experiments were performed on an aluminium plate with riveted stiffeners. Damage was introduced in a form of damaged rivets and a saw cut in the angle bar. Measurements were made using a non-contact Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (SLDV) at 101 points in two rows, distributed over the structure height and positioned along two reinforcing ribs.
Knowledge Based Estimation of Material Release Transients
KBERT is an easy to use desktop decision support tool for estimating public and in-facility worker doses and consequences of radioactive material releases in non-reactort nuclear facilities. It automatically calculates release and respirable fractions based on published handbook data, and calculates material transport concurrently with personnel evacuation simulations. Any facility layout can be modeled easily using the intuitive graphical user interface.
Knowledge-Based Flight-Status Monitor
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Duke, E. L.; Disbrow, J. D.; Butler, G. F.
Conceptual digital computing system intended to monitor and interpret telemetered data on health and status of complicated avionic system in advanced experimental aircraft. Monitor programmed with expert-system software to interpret data in real time. Software includes rule-based model of failure-management system of aircraft that processes fault-indicating signals from avionic system to give timely advice to human operators in mission-control room on ground.
Software verification and testing
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
General procedures for software verification and validation are provided as a guide for managers, programmers, and analysts involved in software development. The verification and validation procedures described are based primarily on testing techniques. Testing refers to the execution of all or part of a software system for the purpose of detecting errors. Planning, execution, and analysis of tests are outlined in this document. Code reading and static analysis techniques for software verification are also described.
Conflict Resolution of Chinese Chess Endgame Knowledge Base
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Bo-Nian; Liu, Pangfang; Hsu, Shun-Chin; Hsu, Tsan-Sheng
Endgame heuristics are often incorperated as part of the evaluation function used in Chinese Chess programs. In our program, Contemplation, we have proposed an automatic strategy to construct a large set of endgame heuristics. In this paper, we propose a conflict resolution strategy to eliminate the conflicts among the constructed heuristic databases, which is called endgame knowledge base. In our experiment, the correctness of the obtained constructed endgame knowledge base is sufficiently high for practical usage.
M&V Guidelines: Measurement and Verification for Performance-Based Contracts Version 4.0
Document outlines the Federal Energy Management Program's standard procedures and guidelines for measurement and verification (M&V) for federal energy managers, procurement officials, and energy service providers.
Online Knowledge-Based Model for Big Data Topic Extraction
Khan, Muhammad Taimoor; Durrani, Mehr; Khalid, Shehzad; Aziz, Furqan
Lifelong machine learning (LML) models learn with experience maintaining a knowledge-base, without user intervention. Unlike traditional single-domain models they can easily scale up to explore big data. The existing LML models have high data dependency, consume more resources, and do not support streaming data. This paper proposes online LML model (OAMC) to support streaming data with reduced data dependency. With engineering the knowledge-base and introducing new knowledge features the learning pattern of the model is improved for data arriving in pieces. OAMC improves accuracy as topic coherence by 7% for streaming data while reducing the processing cost to half. PMID:27195004
Knowledge based systems: From process control to policy analysis
Marinuzzi, J.G.
Los Alamos has been pursuing the use of Knowledge Based Systems for many years. These systems are currently being used to support projects that range across many production and operations areas. By investing time and money in people and equipment, Los Alamos has developed one of the strongest knowledge based systems capabilities within the DOE. Staff of Los Alamos' Mechanical Electronic Engineering Division are using these knowledge systems to increase capability, productivity and competitiveness in areas of manufacturing quality control, robotics, process control, plant design and management decision support. This paper describes some of these projects and associated technical program approaches, accomplishments, benefits and future goals.
Knowledge based systems: From process control to policy analysis
Marinuzzi, J.G.
Los Alamos has been pursuing the use of Knowledge Based Systems for many years. These systems are currently being used to support projects that range across many production and operations areas. By investing time and money in people and equipment, Los Alamos has developed one of the strongest knowledge based systems capabilities within the DOE. Staff of Los Alamos` Mechanical & Electronic Engineering Division are using these knowledge systems to increase capability, productivity and competitiveness in areas of manufacturing quality control, robotics, process control, plant design and management decision support. This paper describes some of these projects and associated technical program approaches, accomplishments, benefits and future goals.
The knowledge base of bee navigation
Menzel; Geiger; Chittka; Joerges; Kunze; MÜLler
Navigation in honeybees is discussed against the background of the types of memories employed in the navigational task. Two questions are addressed. Do bees have goal-specific expectations, and when are novel routes travelled? Expectations are deduced from (1) context stimuli as determinants for local cue memories, (2) landmark-dependent path integration, (3) sequential learning of landmarks, and (4) motivation- and context-dependent memory retrieval. Novel routes are travelled under two conditions: (1) goal-cue-based piloting and (2) integration of simultaneously activated vector memories. Our data do not support the conclusion that memory integration in bees is organised by a cognitive map. The assumption of purely separate memories that are only retrieved according to the chain of events during navigational performance also appears to be inadequate. We favour the view that multiple memories are integrated using external and internal sources of information. Such configural memories lead to both specific expectations and novel routes. PMID:9317505
SU-E-T-278: Realization of Dose Verification Tool for IMRT Plan Based On DPM
Cai, Jinfeng; Cao, Ruifen; Dai, Yumei; Pei, Xi; Hu, Liqin; LIN, Hui; Zhang, Jun
Purpose: To build a Monte Carlo dose verification tool for IMRT Plan by implementing a irradiation source model into DPM code. Extend the ability of DPM to calculate any incident angles and irregular-inhomogeneous fields. Methods: With the virtual source and the energy spectrum which unfolded from the accelerator measurement data,combined with optimized intensity maps to calculate the dose distribution of the irradiation irregular-inhomogeneous field. The irradiation source model of accelerator was substituted by a grid-based surface source. The contour and the intensity distribution of the surface source were optimized by ARTS (Accurate/Advanced Radiotherapy System) optimization module based on the tumor configuration. The weight of the emitter was decided by the grid intensity. The direction of the emitter was decided by the combination of the virtual source and the emitter emitting position. The photon energy spectrum unfolded from the accelerator measurement data was adjusted by compensating the contaminated electron source. For verification, measured data and realistic clinical IMRT plan were compared with DPM dose calculation. Results: The regular field was verified by comparing with the measured data. It was illustrated that the differences were acceptable (<2% inside the field, 2–3mm in the penumbra). The dose calculation of irregular field by DPM simulation was also compared with that of FSPB (Finite Size Pencil Beam) and the passing rate of gamma analysis was 95.1% for peripheral lung cancer. The regular field and the irregular rotational field were all within the range of permitting error. The computing time of regular fields were less than 2h, and the test of peripheral lung cancer was 160min. Through parallel processing, the adapted DPM could complete the calculation of IMRT plan within half an hour. Conclusion: The adapted parallelized DPM code with irradiation source model is faster than classic Monte Carlo codes. Its computational accuracy and
Applications of DBV (design-based verification) for steep ramp-up manufacture
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kim, Tae Heon; Han, Dae-Han; Kim, Yong-Hyeon; Han, Min-Chul; Lee, Hong-Ji; Hong, Ae-Ran; Kim, Yoon-Min; Nam, In-Ho; Park, Yong-Jik; Oh, Kyung-Seok
Semiconductor industry has been experiencing rapid and continuous shrinkage of feature size along with Moore's law. As the VLSI technology scales down to sub 40nm process node. Control of critical dimension (CD) and Extraction of Unanticipated weak point pattern effects known as "hot spots" becoming more challenging and difficult. Therefore, experimental full-chip inspection methodologies for Control of critical dimension (CD) and hotspots extraction are necessary in order to reduce Turn-Around-Time (TAT) for steep ramp up Manufacture. In this paper, we introduce the concepts of an innovative reduction Turn-around-time (TAT) in manufacture production with applications of DBV (Design Based Verification). The noble methodologies employed by our own technology with application of DBV are highly advantageous for exactly determining for process judgment go or no-go about wafer process in mass-production of memory device.
A Framework for Performing Verification and Validation in Reuse Based Software Engineering
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Addy, Edward A.
Verification and Validation (V&V) is currently performed during application development for many systems, especially safety-critical and mission- critical systems. The V&V process is intended to discover errors, especially errors related to critical processing, as early as possible during the development process. The system application provides the context under which the software artifacts are validated. This paper describes a framework that extends V&V from an individual application system to a product line of systems that are developed within an architecture-based software engineering environment. This framework includes the activities of traditional application-level V&V, and extends these activities into domain engineering and into the transition between domain engineering and application engineering. The framework includes descriptions of the types of activities to be performed during each of the life-cycle phases, and provides motivation for the activities.
Simulation verification techniques study
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schoonmaker, P. B.; Wenglinski, T. H.
Results are summarized of the simulation verification techniques study which consisted of two tasks: to develop techniques for simulator hardware checkout and to develop techniques for simulation performance verification (validation). The hardware verification task involved definition of simulation hardware (hardware units and integrated simulator configurations), survey of current hardware self-test techniques, and definition of hardware and software techniques for checkout of simulator subsystems. The performance verification task included definition of simulation performance parameters (and critical performance parameters), definition of methods for establishing standards of performance (sources of reference data or validation), and definition of methods for validating performance. Both major tasks included definition of verification software and assessment of verification data base impact. An annotated bibliography of all documents generated during this study is provided.
THRIVE: threshold homomorphic encryption based secure and privacy preserving biometric verification system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Karabat, Cagatay; Kiraz, Mehmet Sabir; Erdogan, Hakan; Savas, Erkay
In this paper, we introduce a new biometric verification and template protection system which we call THRIVE. The system includes novel enrollment and authentication protocols based on threshold homomorphic encryption where a private key is shared between a user and a verifier. In the THRIVE system, only encrypted binary biometric templates are stored in a database and verification is performed via homomorphically randomized templates, thus, original templates are never revealed during authentication. Due to the underlying threshold homomorphic encryption scheme, a malicious database owner cannot perform full decryption on encrypted templates of the users in the database. In addition, security of the THRIVE system is enhanced using a two-factor authentication scheme involving user's private key and biometric data. Using simulation-based techniques, the proposed system is proven secure in the malicious model. The proposed system is suitable for applications where the user does not want to reveal her biometrics to the verifier in plain form, but needs to prove her identity by using biometrics. The system can be used with any biometric modality where a feature extraction method yields a fixed size binary template and a query template is verified when its Hamming distance to the database template is less than a threshold. The overall connection time for the proposed THRIVE system is estimated to be 336 ms on average for 256-bit biometric templates on a desktop PC running with quad core 3.2 GHz CPUs at 10 Mbit/s up/down link connection speed. Consequently, the proposed system can be efficiently used in real-life applications.
Research on simulation and verification system of satellite remote sensing camera video processor based on dual-FPGA
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ma, Fei; Liu, Qi; Cui, Xuenan
To satisfy the needs for testing video processor of satellite remote sensing cameras, a design is provided to achieve a simulation and verification system of satellite remote sensing camera video processor based on dual-FPGA. The correctness of video processor FPGA logic can be verified even without CCD signals or analog to digital convertor. Two Xilinx Virtex FPGAs are adopted to make a center unit, the logic of A/D digital data generating and data processing are developed with VHDL. The RS-232 interface is used to receive commands from the host computer, and different types of data are generated and outputted depending on the commands. Experimental results show that the simulation and verification system is flexible and can work well. The simulation and verification system meets the requirements of testing video processors for several different types of satellite remote sensing cameras.
Big data analytics in immunology: a knowledge-based approach.
Zhang, Guang Lan; Sun, Jing; Chitkushev, Lou; Brusic, Vladimir
With the vast amount of immunological data available, immunology research is entering the big data era. These data vary in granularity, quality, and complexity and are stored in various formats, including publications, technical reports, and databases. The challenge is to make the transition from data to actionable knowledge and wisdom and bridge the knowledge gap and application gap. We report a knowledge-based approach based on a framework called KB-builder that facilitates data mining by enabling fast development and deployment of web-accessible immunological data knowledge warehouses. Immunological knowledge discovery relies heavily on both the availability of accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized data and the proper analytics tools. We propose the use of knowledge-based approaches by developing knowledgebases combining well-annotated data with specialized analytical tools and integrating them into analytical workflow. A set of well-defined workflow types with rich summarization and visualization capacity facilitates the transformation from data to critical information and knowledge. By using KB-builder, we enabled streamlining of normally time-consuming processes of database development. The knowledgebases built using KB-builder will speed up rational vaccine design by providing accurate and well-annotated data coupled with tailored computational analysis tools and workflow. PMID:25045677
Big Data Analytics in Immunology: A Knowledge-Based Approach
Zhang, Guang Lan
With the vast amount of immunological data available, immunology research is entering the big data era. These data vary in granularity, quality, and complexity and are stored in various formats, including publications, technical reports, and databases. The challenge is to make the transition from data to actionable knowledge and wisdom and bridge the knowledge gap and application gap. We report a knowledge-based approach based on a framework called KB-builder that facilitates data mining by enabling fast development and deployment of web-accessible immunological data knowledge warehouses. Immunological knowledge discovery relies heavily on both the availability of accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized data and the proper analytics tools. We propose the use of knowledge-based approaches by developing knowledgebases combining well-annotated data with specialized analytical tools and integrating them into analytical workflow. A set of well-defined workflow types with rich summarization and visualization capacity facilitates the transformation from data to critical information and knowledge. By using KB-builder, we enabled streamlining of normally time-consuming processes of database development. The knowledgebases built using KB-builder will speed up rational vaccine design by providing accurate and well-annotated data coupled with tailored computational analysis tools and workflow. PMID:25045677
RKB: a Semantic Web knowledge base for RNA
Increasingly sophisticated knowledge about RNA structure and function requires an inclusive knowledge representation that facilitates the integration of independently –generated information arising from such efforts as genome sequencing projects, microarray analyses, structure determination and RNA SELEX experiments. While RNAML, an XML-based representation, has been proposed as an exchange format for a select subset of information, it lacks domain-specific semantics that are essential for answering questions that require expert knowledge. Here, we describe an RNA knowledge base (RKB) for structure-based knowledge using RDF/OWL Semantic Web technologies. RKB extends a number of ontologies and contains basic terminology for nucleic acid composition along with context/model-specific structural features such as sugar conformations, base pairings and base stackings. RKB (available at http://semanticscience.org/projects/rkb) is populated with PDB entries and MC-Annotate structural annotation. We show queries to the RKB using description logic reasoning, thus opening the door to question answering over independently-published RNA knowledge using Semantic Web technologies. PMID:20626922
BrainKnowledge: a human brain function mapping knowledge-base system.
Hsiao, Mei-Yu; Chen, Chien-Chung; Chen, Jyh-Horng
Associating fMRI image datasets with the available literature is crucial for the analysis and interpretation of fMRI data. Here, we present a human brain function mapping knowledge-base system (BrainKnowledge) that associates fMRI data analysis and literature search functions. BrainKnowledge not only contains indexed literature, but also provides the ability to compare experimental data with those derived from the literature. BrainKnowledge provides three major functions: (1) to search for brain activation models by selecting a particular brain function; (2) to query functions by brain structure; (3) to compare the fMRI data with data extracted from the literature. All these functions are based on our literature extraction and mining module developed earlier (Hsiao, Chen, Chen. Journal of Biomedical Informatics 42, 912-922, 2009), which automatically downloads and extracts information from a vast amount of fMRI literature and generates co-occurrence models and brain association patterns to illustrate the relevance of brain structures and functions. BrainKnowledge currently provides three co-occurrence models: (1) a structure-to-function co-occurrence model; (2) a function-to-structure co-occurrence model; and (3) a brain structure co-occurrence model. Each model has been generated from over 15,000 extracted Medline abstracts. In this study, we illustrate the capabilities of BrainKnowledge and provide an application example with the studies of affect. BrainKnowledge, which combines fMRI experimental results with Medline abstracts, may be of great assistance to scientists not only by freeing up resources and valuable time, but also by providing a powerful tool that collects and organizes over ten thousand abstracts into readily usable and relevant sources of information for researchers. PMID:20857233
Automated extraction of knowledge for model-based diagnostics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gonzalez, Avelino J.; Myler, Harley R.; Towhidnejad, Massood; Mckenzie, Frederic D.; Kladke, Robin R.
The concept of accessing computer aided design (CAD) design databases and extracting a process model automatically is investigated as a possible source for the generation of knowledge bases for model-based reasoning systems. The resulting system, referred to as automated knowledge generation (AKG), uses an object-oriented programming structure and constraint techniques as well as internal database of component descriptions to generate a frame-based structure that describes the model. The procedure has been designed to be general enough to be easily coupled to CAD systems that feature a database capable of providing label and connectivity data from the drawn system. The AKG system is capable of defining knowledge bases in formats required by various model-based reasoning tools.
Hidden Knowledge: Working-Class Capacity in the "Knowledge-Based Economy"
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Livingstone, David W.; Sawchuck, Peter H.
The research reported in this paper attempts to document the actual learning practices of working-class people in the context of the much heralded "knowledge-based economy." Our primary thesis is that working-class peoples' indigenous learning capacities have been denied, suppressed, degraded or diverted within most capitalist schooling, adult…
Collaborative Learning and Knowledge-Construction through a Knowledge-Based WWW Authoring Tool.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Haugsjaa, Erik
This paper outlines hurdles to using the World Wide Web for learning, specifically in a collaborative knowledge-construction environment. Theoretical solutions based directly on existing Web environments, as well as on research and system prototypes in the areas of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and ITS authoring systems, are suggested. Topics…
Computer Assisted Multi-Center Creation of Medical Knowledge Bases
Giuse, Nunzia Bettinsoli; Giuse, Dario A.; Miller, Randolph A.
Computer programs which support different aspects of medical care have been developed in recent years. Their capabilities range from diagnosis to medical imaging, and include hospital management systems and therapy prescription. In spite of their diversity these systems have one commonality: their reliance on a large body of medical knowledge in computer-readable form. This knowledge enables such programs to draw inferences, validate hypotheses, and in general to perform their intended task. As has been clear to developers of such systems, however, the creation and maintenance of medical knowledge bases are very expensive. Practical and economical difficulties encountered during this long-term process have discouraged most attempts. This paper discusses knowledge base creation and maintenance, with special emphasis on medical applications. We first describe the methods currently used and their limitations. We then present our recent work on developing tools and methodologies which will assist in the process of creating a medical knowledge base. We focus, in particular, on the possibility of multi-center creation of the knowledge base.
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids
Azmy, Yousry; Wang, Yaqi
The research team has developed a practical, high-order, discrete-ordinates, short characteristics neutron transport code for three-dimensional configurations represented on unstructured tetrahedral grids that can be used for realistic reactor physics applications at both the assembly and core levels. This project will perform a comprehensive verification and validation of this new computational tool against both a continuous-energy Monte Carlo simulation (e.g. MCNP) and experimentally measured data, an essential prerequisite for its deployment in reactor core modeling. Verification is divided into three phases. The team will first conduct spatial mesh and expansion order refinement studies to monitor convergence of the numerical solution to reference solutions. This is quantified by convergence rates that are based on integral error norms computed from the cell-by-cell difference between the code's numerical solution and its reference counterpart. The latter is either analytic or very fine- mesh numerical solutions from independent computational tools. For the second phase, the team will create a suite of code-independent benchmark configurations to enable testing the theoretical order of accuracy of any particular discretization of the discrete ordinates approximation of the transport equation. For each tested case (i.e. mesh and spatial approximation order), researchers will execute the code and compare the resulting numerical solution to the exact solution on a per cell basis to determine the distribution of the numerical error. The final activity comprises a comparison to continuous-energy Monte Carlo solutions for zero-power critical configuration measurements at Idaho National Laboratory's Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Results of this comparison will allow the investigators to distinguish between modeling errors and the above-listed discretization errors introduced by the deterministic method, and to separate the sources of uncertainty.
Scenario based seismic hazard assessment and its application to the seismic verification of relevant buildings
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Romanelli, Fabio; Vaccari, Franco; Altin, Giorgio; Panza, Giuliano
The procedure we developed, and applied to a few relevant cases, leads to the seismic verification of a building by: a) use of a scenario based neodeterministic approach (NDSHA) for the calculation of the seismic input, and b) control of the numerical modeling of an existing building, using free vibration measurements of the real structure. The key point of this approach is the strict collaboration, from the seismic input definition to the monitoring of the response of the building in the calculation phase, of the seismologist and the civil engineer. The vibrometry study allows the engineer to adjust the computational model in the direction suggested by the experimental result of a physical measurement. Once the model has been calibrated by vibrometric analysis, one can select in the design spectrum the proper range of periods of interest for the structure. Then, the realistic values of spectral acceleration, which include the appropriate amplification obtained through the modeling of a "scenario" input to be applied to the final model, can be selected. Generally, but not necessarily, the "scenario" spectra lead to higher accelerations than those deduced by taking the spectra from the national codes (i.e. NTC 2008, for Italy). The task of the verifier engineer is to act so that the solution of the verification is conservative and realistic. We show some examples of the application of the procedure to some relevant (e.g. schools) buildings of the Trieste Province. The adoption of the scenario input has given in most of the cases an increase of critical elements that have to be taken into account in the design of reinforcements. However, the higher cost associated with the increase of elements to reinforce is reasonable, especially considering the important reduction of the risk level.
Managing Project Landscapes in Knowledge-Based Enterprises
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stantchev, Vladimir; Franke, Marc Roman
Knowledge-based enterprises are typically conducting a large number of research and development projects simultaneously. This is a particularly challenging task in complex and diverse project landscapes. Project Portfolio Management (PPM) can be a viable framework for knowledge and innovation management in such landscapes. A standardized process with defined functions such as project data repository, project assessment, selection, reporting, and portfolio reevaluation can serve as a starting point. In this work we discuss the benefits a multidimensional evaluation framework can provide for knowledge-based enterprises. Furthermore, we describe a knowledge and learning strategy and process in the context of PPM and evaluate their practical applicability at different stages of the PPM process.
Knowledge-based fault diagnosis system for refuse collection vehicle
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tan, CheeFai; Juffrizal, K.; Khalil, S. N.; Nidzamuddin, M. Y.
The refuse collection vehicle is manufactured by local vehicle body manufacturer. Currently; the company supplied six model of the waste compactor truck to the local authority as well as waste management company. The company is facing difficulty to acquire the knowledge from the expert when the expert is absence. To solve the problem, the knowledge from the expert can be stored in the expert system. The expert system is able to provide necessary support to the company when the expert is not available. The implementation of the process and tool is able to be standardize and more accurate. The knowledge that input to the expert system is based on design guidelines and experience from the expert. This project highlighted another application on knowledge-based system (KBS) approached in trouble shooting of the refuse collection vehicle production process. The main aim of the research is to develop a novel expert fault diagnosis system framework for the refuse collection vehicle.
Knowledge-based fault diagnosis system for refuse collection vehicle
Tan, CheeFai; Juffrizal, K.; Khalil, S. N.; Nidzamuddin, M. Y.
The refuse collection vehicle is manufactured by local vehicle body manufacturer. Currently; the company supplied six model of the waste compactor truck to the local authority as well as waste management company. The company is facing difficulty to acquire the knowledge from the expert when the expert is absence. To solve the problem, the knowledge from the expert can be stored in the expert system. The expert system is able to provide necessary support to the company when the expert is not available. The implementation of the process and tool is able to be standardize and more accurate. The knowledge that input to the expert system is based on design guidelines and experience from the expert. This project highlighted another application on knowledge-based system (KBS) approached in trouble shooting of the refuse collection vehicle production process. The main aim of the research is to develop a novel expert fault diagnosis system framework for the refuse collection vehicle.
A Natural Language Interface Concordant with a Knowledge Base
Han, Yong-Jin; Park, Seong-Bae; Park, Se-Young
The discordance between expressions interpretable by a natural language interface (NLI) system and those answerable by a knowledge base is a critical problem in the field of NLIs. In order to solve this discordance problem, this paper proposes a method to translate natural language questions into formal queries that can be generated from a graph-based knowledge base. The proposed method considers a subgraph of a knowledge base as a formal query. Thus, all formal queries corresponding to a concept or a predicate in the knowledge base can be generated prior to query time and all possible natural language expressions corresponding to each formal query can also be collected in advance. A natural language expression has a one-to-one mapping with a formal query. Hence, a natural language question is translated into a formal query by matching the question with the most appropriate natural language expression. If the confidence of this matching is not sufficiently high the proposed method rejects the question and does not answer it. Multipredicate queries are processed by regarding them as a set of collected expressions. The experimental results show that the proposed method thoroughly handles answerable questions from the knowledge base and rejects unanswerable ones effectively. PMID:26904105
Evaluation of database technologies for the CTBT Knowledge Base prototype
Keyser, R.; Shepard-Dombroski, E.; Baur, D.; Hipp, J.; Moore, S.; Young, C.; Chael, E.
This document examines a number of different software technologies in the rapidly changing field of database management systems, evaluates these systems in light of the expected needs of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Knowledge Base, and makes some recommendations for the initial prototypes of the Knowledge Base. The Knowledge Base requirements are examined and then used as criteria for evaluation of the database management options. A mock-up of the data expected in the Knowledge Base is used as a basis for examining how four different database technologies deal with the problems of storing and retrieving the data. Based on these requirement and the results of the evaluation, the recommendation is that the Illustra database be considered for the initial prototype of the Knowledge Base. Illustra offers a unique blend of performance, flexibility, and features that will aid in the implementation of the prototype. At the same time, Illustra provides a high level of compatibility with the hardware and software environments present at the US NDC (National Data Center) and the PIDC (Prototype International Data Center).
Spark, an application based on Serendipitous Knowledge Discovery.
Workman, T Elizabeth; Fiszman, Marcelo; Cairelli, Michael J; Nahl, Diane; Rindflesch, Thomas C
Findings from information-seeking behavior research can inform application development. In this report we provide a system description of Spark, an application based on findings from Serendipitous Knowledge Discovery studies and data structures known as semantic predications. Background information and the previously published IF-SKD model (outlining Serendipitous Knowledge Discovery in online environments) illustrate the potential use of information-seeking behavior in application design. A detailed overview of the Spark system illustrates how methodologies in design and retrieval functionality enable production of semantic predication graphs tailored to evoke Serendipitous Knowledge Discovery in users. PMID:26732995
Knowledge-based interpretation of outdoor natural color scenes
Ohta, Y.
One of the major targets in vision research is to develop a total vision system starting from images to a symbolic description, utilizing various knowledge sources. This book demonstrates a knowledge-based image interpretation system that analyzes natural color scenes. Topics covered include color information for region segmentation, preliminary segmentation of color images, and a bottom-up and top-down region analyzer.
Knowledge discovery based on experiential learning corporate culture management
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tu, Kai-Jan
A good corporate culture based on humanistic theory can make the enterprise's management very effective, all enterprise's members have strong cohesion and centripetal force. With experiential learning model, the enterprise can establish an enthusiastic learning spirit corporate culture, have innovation ability to gain the positive knowledge growth effect, and to meet the fierce global marketing competition. A case study on Trend's corporate culture can offer the proof of industry knowledge growth rate equation as the contribution to experiential learning corporate culture management.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Online-Offline, 1999
This theme issue on knowledge includes annotated listings of Web sites, CD-ROMs and computer software, videos, books, and additional resources that deal with knowledge and differences between how animals and humans learn. Sidebars discuss animal intelligence, learning proper behavior, and getting news from the Internet. (LRW)
Performance evaluation of wavelet-based face verification on a PDA recorded database
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sellahewa, Harin; Jassim, Sabah A.
The rise of international terrorism and the rapid increase in fraud and identity theft has added urgency to the task of developing biometric-based person identification as a reliable alternative to conventional authentication methods. Human Identification based on face images is a tough challenge in comparison to identification based on fingerprints or Iris recognition. Yet, due to its unobtrusive nature, face recognition is the preferred method of identification for security related applications. The success of such systems will depend on the support of massive infrastructures. Current mobile communication devices (3G smart phones) and PDA's are equipped with a camera which can capture both still and streaming video clips and a touch sensitive display panel. Beside convenience, such devices provide an adequate secure infrastructure for sensitive & financial transactions, by protecting against fraud and repudiation while ensuring accountability. Biometric authentication systems for mobile devices would have obvious advantages in conflict scenarios when communication from beyond enemy lines is essential to save soldier and civilian life. In areas of conflict or disaster the luxury of fixed infrastructure is not available or destroyed. In this paper, we present a wavelet-based face verification scheme that have been specifically designed and implemented on a currently available PDA. We shall report on its performance on the benchmark audio-visual BANCA database and on a newly developed PDA recorded audio-visual database that take include indoor and outdoor recordings.
Arranging ISO 13606 archetypes into a knowledge base.
Kopanitsa, Georgy
To enable the efficient reuse of standard based medical data we propose to develop a higher level information model that will complement the archetype model of ISO 13606. This model will make use of the relationships that are specified in UML to connect medical archetypes into a knowledge base within a repository. UML connectors were analyzed for their ability to be applied in the implementation of a higher level model that will establish relationships between archetypes. An information model was developed using XML Schema notation. The model allows linking different archetypes of one repository into a knowledge base. Presently it supports several relationships and will be advanced in future. PMID:25160140
Knowledge-Based Object Detection in Laser Scanning Point Clouds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Boochs, F.; Karmacharya, A.; Marbs, A.
Object identification and object processing in 3D point clouds have always posed challenges in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. In practice, this process is highly dependent on human interpretation of the scene represented by the point cloud data, as well as the set of modeling tools available for use. Such modeling algorithms are data-driven and concentrate on specific features of the objects, being accessible to numerical models. We present an approach that brings the human expert knowledge about the scene, the objects inside, and their representation by the data and the behavior of algorithms to the machine. This "understanding" enables the machine to assist human interpretation of the scene inside the point cloud. Furthermore, it allows the machine to understand possibilities and limitations of algorithms and to take this into account within the processing chain. This not only assists the researchers in defining optimal processing steps, but also provides suggestions when certain changes or new details emerge from the point cloud. Our approach benefits from the advancement in knowledge technologies within the Semantic Web framework. This advancement has provided a strong base for applications based on knowledge management. In the article we will present and describe the knowledge technologies used for our approach such as Web Ontology Language (OWL), used for formulating the knowledge base and the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) with 3D processing and topologic built-ins, aiming to combine geometrical analysis of 3D point clouds, and specialists' knowledge of the scene and algorithmic processing.
Knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation in a rule-based expert system.
Chang, B L; Hirsch, M
It is important to understand and describe how nurses make diagnostic decisions. This article describes the process by which knowledge is acquired and represented in a rule-based expert system for nursing diagnosis. Knowledge acquisition was obtained by tapping the expertise of clinical nurse specialists who were able to articulate the elements present in their diagnostic decisions. Knowledge representation was achieved using a commercially-available software package. VP Expert (Berkeley, CA). The clinical nurse specialists contributed many of the heuristics in the determination of self-care deficit as a nursing diagnosis. Three models of rules for the determination of self-care deficit, bathing are provided. These models represent a method for discriminating between levels of patient dependence. A description of rules that define specific causes, such as immobility are also included. They will be tested in the clinical setting. PMID:1933658
Dynamic Strategic Planning in a Professional Knowledge-Based Organization
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Olivarius, Niels de Fine; Kousgaard, Marius Brostrom; Reventlow, Susanne; Quelle, Dan Grevelund; Tulinius, Charlotte
Professional, knowledge-based institutions have a particular form of organization and culture that makes special demands on the strategic planning supervised by research administrators and managers. A model for dynamic strategic planning based on a pragmatic utilization of the multitude of strategy models was used in a small university-affiliated…
Category vs. Object Knowledge in Category-Based Induction
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Murphy, Gregory L.; Ross, Brian H.
In one form of category-based induction, people make predictions about unknown properties of objects. There is a tension between predictions made based on the object's specific features (e.g., objects above a certain size tend not to fly) and those made by reference to category-level knowledge (e.g., birds fly). Seven experiments with artificial…
Malaysia Transitions toward a Knowledge-Based Economy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mustapha, Ramlee; Abdullah, Abu
The emergence of a knowledge-based economy (k-economy) has spawned a "new" notion of workplace literacy, changing the relationship between employers and employees. The traditional covenant where employees expect a stable or lifelong employment will no longer apply. The retention of employees will most probably be based on their skills and…
Developing and Assessing Teachers' Knowledge of Game-Based Learning
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shah, Mamta; Foster, Aroutis
Research focusing on the development and assessment of teacher knowledge in game-based learning is in its infancy. A mixed-methods study was undertaken to educate pre-service teachers in game-based learning using the Game Network Analysis (GaNA) framework. Fourteen pre-service teachers completed a methods course, which prepared them in game…
Knowledge management: An abstraction of knowledge base and database management systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Riedesel, Joel D.
Artificial intelligence application requirements demand powerful representation capabilities as well as efficiency for real-time domains. Many tools exist, the most prevalent being expert systems tools such as ART, KEE, OPS5, and CLIPS. Other tools just emerging from the research environment are truth maintenance systems for representing non-monotonic knowledge, constraint systems, object oriented programming, and qualitative reasoning. Unfortunately, as many knowledge engineers have experienced, simply applying a tool to an application requires a large amount of effort to bend the application to fit. Much work goes into supporting work to make the tool integrate effectively. A Knowledge Management Design System (KNOMAD), is described which is a collection of tools built in layers. The layered architecture provides two major benefits; the ability to flexibly apply only those tools that are necessary for an application, and the ability to keep overhead, and thus inefficiency, to a minimum. KNOMAD is designed to manage many knowledge bases in a distributed environment providing maximum flexibility and expressivity to the knowledge engineer while also providing support for efficiency.
Radiochromic film based transit dosimetry for verification of dose delivery with intensity modulated radiotherapy
Chung, Kwangzoo; Lee, Kiho; Shin, Dongho; Kyung Lim, Young; Byeong Lee, Se; Yoon, Myonggeun; Son, Jaeman; Yong Park, Sung
Purpose: To evaluate the transit dose based patient specific quality assurance (QA) of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for verification of the accuracy of dose delivered to the patient. Methods: Five IMRT plans were selected and utilized to irradiate a homogeneous plastic water phantom and an inhomogeneous anthropomorphic phantom. The transit dose distribution was measured with radiochromic film and was compared with the computed dose map on the same plane using a gamma index with a 3% dose and a 3 mm distance-to-dose agreement tolerance limit. Results: While the average gamma index for comparisons of dose distributions was less than one for 98.9% of all pixels from the transit dose with the homogeneous phantom, the passing rate was reduced to 95.0% for the transit dose with the inhomogeneous phantom. Transit doses due to a 5 mm setup error may cause up to a 50% failure rate of the gamma index. Conclusions: Transit dose based IMRT QA may be superior to the traditional QA method since the former can show whether the inhomogeneity correction algorithm from TPS is accurate. In addition, transit dose based IMRT QA can be used to verify the accuracy of the dose delivered to the patient during treatment by revealing significant increases in the failure rate of the gamma index resulting from errors in patient positioning during treatment.
KBGIS-II: A knowledge-based geographic information system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Smith, Terence; Peuquet, Donna; Menon, Sudhakar; Agarwal, Pankaj
The architecture and working of a recently implemented Knowledge-Based Geographic Information System (KBGIS-II), designed to satisfy several general criteria for the GIS, is described. The system has four major functions including query-answering, learning and editing. The main query finds constrained locations for spatial objects that are describable in a predicate-calculus based spatial object language. The main search procedures include a family of constraint-satisfaction procedures that use a spatial object knowledge base to search efficiently for complex spatial objects in large, multilayered spatial data bases. These data bases are represented in quadtree form. The search strategy is designed to reduce the computational cost of search in the average case. The learning capabilities of the system include the addition of new locations of complex spatial objects to the knowledge base as queries are answered, and the ability to learn inductively definitions of new spatial objects from examples. The new definitions are added to the knowledge base by the system. The system is performing all its designated tasks successfully. Future reports will relate performance characteristics of the system.
KBGIS-2: A knowledge-based geographic information system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Smith, T.; Peuquet, D.; Menon, S.; Agarwal, P.
The architecture and working of a recently implemented knowledge-based geographic information system (KBGIS-2) that was designed to satisfy several general criteria for the geographic information system are described. The system has four major functions that include query-answering, learning, and editing. The main query finds constrained locations for spatial objects that are describable in a predicate-calculus based spatial objects language. The main search procedures include a family of constraint-satisfaction procedures that use a spatial object knowledge base to search efficiently for complex spatial objects in large, multilayered spatial data bases. These data bases are represented in quadtree form. The search strategy is designed to reduce the computational cost of search in the average case. The learning capabilities of the system include the addition of new locations of complex spatial objects to the knowledge base as queries are answered, and the ability to learn inductively definitions of new spatial objects from examples. The new definitions are added to the knowledge base by the system. The system is currently performing all its designated tasks successfully, although currently implemented on inadequate hardware. Future reports will detail the performance characteristics of the system, and various new extensions are planned in order to enhance the power of KBGIS-2.
Developing a kidney and urinary pathway knowledge base
Background Chronic renal disease is a global health problem. The identification of suitable biomarkers could facilitate early detection and diagnosis and allow better understanding of the underlying pathology. One of the challenges in meeting this goal is the necessary integration of experimental results from multiple biological levels for further analysis by data mining. Data integration in the life science is still a struggle, and many groups are looking to the benefits promised by the Semantic Web for data integration. Results We present a Semantic Web approach to developing a knowledge base that integrates data from high-throughput experiments on kidney and urine. A specialised KUP ontology is used to tie the various layers together, whilst background knowledge from external databases is incorporated by conversion into RDF. Using SPARQL as a query mechanism, we are able to query for proteins expressed in urine and place these back into the context of genes expressed in regions of the kidney. Conclusions The KUPKB gives KUP biologists the means to ask queries across many resources in order to aggregate knowledge that is necessary for answering biological questions. The Semantic Web technologies we use, together with the background knowledge from the domain's ontologies, allows both rapid conversion and integration of this knowledge base. The KUPKB is still relatively small, but questions remain about scalability, maintenance and availability of the knowledge itself. Availability The KUPKB may be accessed via http://www.e-lico.eu/kupkb. PMID:21624162
Effective domain-dependent reuse in medical knowledge bases.
Dojat, M; Pachet, F
Knowledge reuse is now a critical issue for most developers of medical knowledge-based systems. As a rule, reuse is addressed from an ambitious, knowledge-engineering perspective that focuses on reusable general purpose knowledge modules, concepts, and methods. However, such a general goal fails to take into account the specific aspects of medical practice. From the point of view of the knowledge engineer, whose goal is to capture the specific features and intricacies of a given domain, this approach addresses the wrong level of generality. In this paper, we adopt a more pragmatic viewpoint, introducing the less ambitious goal of "domain-dependent limited reuse" and suggesting effective means of achieving it in practice. In a knowledge representation framework combining objects and production rules, we propose three mechanisms emerging from the combination of object-oriented programming and rule-based programming. We show these mechanisms contribute to achieve limited reuse and to introduce useful limited variations in medical expertise. PMID:8770532
Weather-type stratified verification of quantitative precipitation forecasts with the feature based technique SAL
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zimmer, M.; Wernli, H.
Recently, a new generation of NWP models has been developed with a horizontal grid spacing that allows the explicit simulation of deep convection. In this study, we investigate whether this new category of models produces better precipitation forecasts than the previous model generation with parameterized deep convection - and in particular, we like to investigate whether the differences are more pronounced during certain weather types. Quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) from 20 deterministic forecast models from the MAP D-PHASE experiment are analysed with the feature-based verification technique SAL during the DOP (Demonstration Observation Period; June till November 2007). SAL contains three independent components that consider aspects of the structure (S), amplitude (A) and location (L) of the precipitation field in a pre-defined domain, in this study the German part of the COPS area. The weather type classification is based upon an objective front analysis tool recently developed at the ETH Zurich. This tool identifies fronts as regions with intense horizontal gradients in the equivalent potential temperature field at 850 hPa. It allows to distinguish between quasi-stationary fronts and propagating warm and cold fronts. We will use the objectively identified fronts to classify precipitation events either as pre-frontal, frontal or post-frontal, and in the absence of any significant frontal structures and for warm surface conditions as air-mass convection. The observational data set used for the verification has an hourly time resolution and is based upon a disaggregation technique, which combines the high temporal resolution of radar data with the fairly high accuracy of the amount of precipitation obtained from rain gauge measurements. All precipitation data sets have been transformed onto the same grid with a horizontal grid space of 7 km. Evaluations of daily accumulated QPFs show that most of the very high resolution models (i.e. those without
Learning Science-Based Fitness Knowledge in Constructivist Physical Education
Sun, Haichun; Chen, Ang; Zhu, Xihe; Ennis, Catherine D.
Teaching fitness-related knowledge has become critical in developing children's healthful living behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a science-based, constructivist physical education curriculum on learning fitness knowledge critical to healthful living in elementary school students. The schools (N = 30) were randomly selected from one of the largest school districts in the United States and randomly assigned to treatment curriculum and control conditions. Students in third, fourth, and fifth grade (N = 5,717) were pre- and posttested on a standardized knowledge test on exercise principles and benefits in cardiorespiratory health, muscular capacity, and healthful nutrition and body flexibility. The results indicated that children in the treatment curriculum condition learned at a faster rate than their counterparts in the control condition. The results suggest that the constructivist curriculum is capable of inducing superior knowledge gain in third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children. PMID:26269659
A knowledge-based system for prototypical reasoning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lieto, Antonio; Minieri, Andrea; Piana, Alberto; Radicioni, Daniele P.
In this work we present a knowledge-based system equipped with a hybrid, cognitively inspired architecture for the representation of conceptual information. The proposed system aims at extending the classical representational and reasoning capabilities of the ontology-based frameworks towards the realm of the prototype theory. It is based on a hybrid knowledge base, composed of a classical symbolic component (grounded on a formal ontology) with a typicality based one (grounded on the conceptual spaces framework). The resulting system attempts to reconcile the heterogeneous approach to the concepts in Cognitive Science with the dual process theories of reasoning and rationality. The system has been experimentally assessed in a conceptual categorisation task where common sense linguistic descriptions were given in input, and the corresponding target concepts had to be identified. The results show that the proposed solution substantially extends the representational and reasoning 'conceptual' capabilities of standard ontology-based systems.
Interactive classification: A technique for acquiring and maintaining knowledge bases
Finin, T.W.
The practical application of knowledge-based systems, such as in expert systems, often requires the maintenance of large amounts of declarative knowledge. As a knowledge base (KB) grows in size and complexity, it becomes more difficult to maintain and extend. Even someone who is familiar with the knowledge domain, how it is represented in the KB, and the actual contents of the current KB may have severe difficulties in updating it. Even if the difficulties can be tolerated, there is a very real danger that inconsistencies and errors may be introduced into the KB through the modification. This paper describes an approach to this problem based on a tool called an interactive classifier. An interactive classifier uses the contents of the existing KB and knowledge about its representation to help the maintainer describe new KB objects. The interactive classifier will identify the appropriate taxonomic location for the newly described object and add it to the KB. The new object is allowed to be a generalization of existing KB objects, enabling the system to learn more about existing objects.
Video-based cargo fire verification system with fuzzy inference engine for commercial aircraft
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sadok, Mokhtar; Zakrzewski, Radek; Zeliff, Bob
Conventional smoke detection systems currently installed onboard aircraft are often subject to high rates of false alarms. Under current procedures, whenever an alarm is issued the pilot is obliged to release fire extinguishers and to divert to the nearest airport. Aircraft diversions are costly and dangerous in some situations. A reliable detection system that minimizes false-alarm rate and allows continuous monitoring of cargo compartments is highly desirable. A video-based system has been recently developed by Goodrich Corporation to address this problem. The Cargo Fire Verification System (CFVS) is a multi camera system designed to provide live stream video to the cockpit crew and to perform hotspot, fire, and smoke detection in aircraft cargo bays. In addition to video frames, the CFVS uses other sensor readings to discriminate between genuine events such as fire or smoke and nuisance alarms such as fog or dust. A Mamdani-type fuzzy inference engine is developed to provide approximate reasoning for decision making. In one implementation, Gaussian membership functions for frame intensity-based features, relative humidity, and temperature are constructed using experimental data to form the system inference engine. The CFVS performed better than conventional aircraft smoke detectors in all standardized tests.
In situ timing and pointing verification of the ICESat altimeter using a ground-based system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Magruder, L.; Silverberg, E.; Webb, C.; Schutz, B.
To provide validation of the ICESat laser altimeter time of measurement and geolocation, a ground-based technique was implemented at White Sands Space Harbor (WSSH), during the Laser 2a and 3a operational periods. The activities used an electro-optical detection system and a passive array of corner cube retro reflectors (CCR). The detectors and the CCRs were designed to provide an independent assessment of the laser footprint location, while the detectors also provide timing verification. This ground-based system unambiguously validated the elevation product time tag to 3 μsec +/- 1 μsec. In addition, the ground equipment provided in situ geolocations of the laser pulse. Comparing the in situ results to the ICESat GLA14 data product the positions differ by 10.6 m +/- 4.5 m for Laser 2a (Release 21) operations and 7.5 m +/- 6.6 m for Laser 3a (Release 23). These comparisons correlate to pointing validations at this site, for the specific overflight configurations.
Towards Open-World Person Re-Identification by One-Shot Group-Based Verification.
Zheng, Wei-Shi; Gong, Shaogang; Xiang, Tao
Solving the problem of matching people across non-overlapping multi-camera views, known as person re-identification (re-id), has received increasing interests in computer vision. In a real-world application scenario, a watch-list (gallery set) of a handful of known target people are provided with very few (in many cases only a single) image(s) (shots) per target. Existing re-id methods are largely unsuitable to address this open-world re-id challenge because they are designed for (1) a closed-world scenario where the gallery and probe sets are assumed to contain exactly the same people, (2) person-wise identification whereby the model attempts to verify exhaustively against each individual in the gallery set, and (3) learning a matching model using multi-shots. In this paper, a novel transfer local relative distance comparison (t-LRDC) model is formulated to address the open-world person re-identification problem by one-shot group-based verification. The model is designed to mine and transfer useful information from a labelled open-world non-target dataset. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms both non-transfer learning and existing transfer learning based re-id methods. PMID:27046499
MetaShare: Enabling Knowledge-Based Data Management
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pennington, D. D.; Salayandia, L.; Gates, A.; Osuna, F.
MetaShare is a free and open source knowledge-based system for supporting data management planning, now required by some agencies and publishers. MetaShare supports users as they describe the types of data they will collect, expected standards, and expected policies for sharing. MetaShare's semantic model captures relationships between disciplines, tools, data types, data formats, and metadata standards. As the user plans their data management activities, MetaShare recommends choices based on practices and decisions from a community that has used the system for similar purposes, and extends the knowledge base to capture new relationships. The MetaShare knowledge base is being seeded with information for geoscience and environmental science domains, and is currently undergoing testing on at the University of Texas at El Paso. Through time and usage, it is expected to grow to support a variety of research domains, enabling community-based learning of data management practices. Knowledge of a user's choices during the planning phase can be used to support other tasks in the data life cycle, e.g., collecting, disseminating, and archiving data. A key barrier to scientific data sharing is the lack of sufficient metadata that provides context under which data were collected. The next phase of MetaShare development will automatically generate data collection instruments with embedded metadata and semantic annotations based on the information provided during the planning phase. While not comprehensive, this metadata will be sufficient for discovery and will enable user's to focus on more detailed descriptions of their data. Details are available at: Salayandia, L., Pennington, D., Gates, A., and Osuna, F. (accepted). MetaShare: From data management plans to knowledge base systems. AAAI Fall Symposium Series Workshop on Discovery Informatics, November 15-17, 2013, Arlington, VA.
Knowledge-based GIS techniques applied to geological engineering
Usery, E. Lynn; Altheide, Phyllis; Deister, Robin R.P.; Barr, David J.
A knowledge-based geographic information system (KBGIS) approach which requires development of a rule base for both GIS processing and for the geological engineering application has been implemented. The rule bases are implemented in the Goldworks expert system development shell interfaced to the Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ERDAS) raster-based GIS for input and output. GIS analysis procedures including recoding, intersection, and union are controlled by the rule base, and the geological engineering map product is generted by the expert system. The KBGIS has been used to generate a geological engineering map of Creve Coeur, Missouri.
A prototype knowledge-based simulation support system
Hill, T.R.; Roberts, S.D.
As a preliminary step toward the goal of an intelligent automated system for simulation modeling support, we explore the feasibility of the overall concept by generating and testing a prototypical framework. A prototype knowledge-based computer system was developed to support a senior level course in industrial engineering so that the overall feasibility of an expert simulation support system could be studied in a controlled and observable setting. The system behavior mimics the diagnostic (intelligent) process performed by the course instructor and teaching assistants, finding logical errors in INSIGHT simulation models and recommending appropriate corrective measures. The system was programmed in a non-procedural language (PROLOG) and designed to run interactively with students working on course homework and projects. The knowledge-based structure supports intelligent behavior, providing its users with access to an evolving accumulation of expert diagnostic knowledge. The non-procedural approach facilitates the maintenance of the system and helps merge the roles of expert and knowledge engineer by allowing new knowledge to be easily incorporated without regard to the existing flow of control. The background, features and design of the system are describe and preliminary results are reported. Initial success is judged to demonstrate the utility of the reported approach and support the ultimate goal of an intelligent modeling system which can support simulation modelers outside the classroom environment. Finally, future extensions are suggested.
Knowledge-based simulation using object-oriented programming
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sidoran, Karen M.
Simulations have become a powerful mechanism for understanding and modeling complex phenomena. Their results have had substantial impact on a broad range of decisions in the military, government, and industry. Because of this, new techniques are continually being explored and developed to make them even more useful, understandable, extendable, and efficient. One such area of research is the application of the knowledge-based methods of artificial intelligence (AI) to the computer simulation field. The goal of knowledge-based simulation is to facilitate building simulations of greatly increased power and comprehensibility by making use of deeper knowledge about the behavior of the simulated world. One technique for representing and manipulating knowledge that has been enhanced by the AI community is object-oriented programming. Using this technique, the entities of a discrete-event simulation can be viewed as objects in an object-oriented formulation. Knowledge can be factual (i.e., attributes of an entity) or behavioral (i.e., how the entity is to behave in certain circumstances). Rome Laboratory's Advanced Simulation Environment (RASE) was developed as a research vehicle to provide an enhanced simulation development environment for building more intelligent, interactive, flexible, and realistic simulations. This capability will support current and future battle management research and provide a test of the object-oriented paradigm for use in large scale military applications.
Web-Based Learning as a Tool of Knowledge Continuity
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jaaman, Saiful Hafizah; Ahmad, Rokiah Rozita; Rambely, Azmin Sham
The outbreak of information in a borderless world has prompted lecturers to move forward together with the technological innovation and erudition of knowledge in performing his/her responsibility to educate the young generations to be able to stand above the crowd at the global scene. Teaching and Learning through web-based learning platform is a…
PLAN-IT - Knowledge-based mission sequencing
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Biefeld, Eric W.
PLAN-IT (Plan-Integrated Timelines), a knowledge-based approach to assist in mission sequencing, is discussed. PLAN-IT uses a large set of scheduling techniques known as strategies to develop and maintain a mission sequence. The approach implemented by PLAN-IT and the current applications of PLAN-IT for sequencing at NASA are reported.
Knowledge Based Engineering for Spatial Database Management and Use
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Peuquet, D. (Principal Investigator)
The use of artificial intelligence techniques that are applicable to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are examined. Questions involving the performance and modification to the database structure, the definition of spectra in quadtree structures and their use in search heuristics, extension of the knowledge base, and learning algorithm concepts are investigated.
Planning and Implementing a High Performance Knowledge Base.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cortez, Edwin M.
Discusses the conceptual framework for developing a rapid-prototype high-performance knowledge base for the four mission agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture and their university partners. Describes the background of the project and methods used for establishing the requirements; examines issues and problems surrounding semantic…
CACTUS: Command and Control Training Using Knowledge-Based Simulations
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hartley, Roger; Ravenscroft, Andrew; Williams, R. J.
The CACTUS project was concerned with command and control training of large incidents where public order may be at risk, such as large demonstrations and marches. The training requirements and objectives of the project are first summarized justifying the use of knowledge-based computer methods to support and extend conventional training…
Cataloging and Expert Systems: AACR2 as a Knowledge Base.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hjerppe, Roland; Olander, Birgitta
Describes a project that developed two expert systems for library cataloging using the second edition of the Anglo American Cataloging Rules (AACR2) as a knowledge base. The discussion covers cataloging as interpretation, the structure of AACR2, and the feasibility of using expert systems for cataloging in traditional library settings. (26…
Designing a Knowledge Base for Automatic Book Classification.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kim, Jeong-Hyen; Lee, Kyung-Ho
Reports on the design of a knowledge base for an automatic classification in the library science field by using the facet classification principles of colon classification. Discusses inputting titles or key words into the computer to create class numbers through automatic subject recognition and processing title key words. (Author/LRW)
Value Creation in the Knowledge-Based Economy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Fang-Chun
Effective investment strategies help companies form dynamic core organizational capabilities allowing them to adapt and survive in today's rapidly changing knowledge-based economy. This dissertation investigates three valuation issues that challenge managers with respect to developing business-critical investment strategies that can have…
The Ignorance of the Knowledge-Based Economy. The Iconoclast.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McMurtry, John
Castigates the supposed "knowledge-based economy" as simply a public relations smokescreen covering up the free market exploitation of people and resources serving corporate interests. Discusses the many ways that private industry, often with government collusion, has controlled or denied dissemination of information to serve its own interests.…
Ada as an implementation language for knowledge based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rochowiak, Daniel
Debates about the selection of programming languages often produce cultural collisions that are not easily resolved. This is especially true in the case of Ada and knowledge based programming. The construction of programming tools provides a desirable alternative for resolving the conflict.
After the Crash: Research-Based Theater for Knowledge Transfer
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Colantonio, Angela; Kontos, Pia C.; Gilbert, Julie E.; Rossiter, Kate; Gray, Julia; Keightley, Michelle L.
Introduction: The aim of this project was to develop and evaluate a research-based dramatic production for the purpose of transferring knowledge about traumatic brain injury (TBI) to health care professionals, managers, and decision makers. Methods: Using results drawn from six focus group discussions with key stakeholders (consumers, informal…
Special Issue: Decision Support and Knowledge-Based Systems.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Stohr, Edward A.; And Others
Six papers dealing with decision support and knowledge based systems are presented. Five of the papers are concerned in some way with the use of artificial intelligence techniques in individual or group decision support. The sixth paper presents empirical results from the use of a group decision support system. (CLB)
Fusion of hand vein, iris and fingerprint for person identity verification based on Bayesian theory
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Xiuyan; Liu, Tiegen; Deng, Shichao; Wang, Yunxin
Biometric identification is an important guarantee for social security. In recent years, as the development of social and economic, the more accuracy and safety of identification are required. The person identity verification systems that use a single biometric appear inherent limitations in accuracy, user acceptance, universality. Limitations of unimodal biometric systems can be overcome by using multimodal biometric systems, which combines the conclusions made by a number of unrelated biometrics indicators. Aiming at the limitations of unimodal biometric identification, a recognition algorithm for multimodal biometric fusion based on hand vein, iris and fingerprint was proposed. To verify person identity, the hand vein images, iris images and fingerprint images were preprocessed firstly. The region of interest (ROI) of hand vein image was obtained and filtered to reduce image noises. The multiresolution analysis theory was utilized to extract the texture information of hand vein. The iris image was preprocessed through iris localization, eyelid detection, image normalization and image enhancement, and then the feature code of iris was extracted from the detail images obtained using wavelet transform. The texture feature information represented fingerprint pattern was extracted after filtering and image enhancement. The Bayesian theorem was employed to realize the fusion at the matching score level and the fusion recognition result was finally obtained. The experimental results were presented, which showed that the recognition performance of the proposed fusion method was obviously higher than that of single biometric recognition algorithm. It had verified the efficiency of the proposed method for biometrics.
Enhanced spacer-is-dielectric (sid) decomposition flow with model-based verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Du, Yuelin; Song, Hua; Shiely, James; Wong, Martin D. F.
Self-aligned double patterning (SADP) lithography is a leading candidate for 14nm node lower-metal layer fabrication. Besides the intrinsic overlay-tolerance capability, the accurate spacer width and uniformity control enables such technology to fabricate very narrow and dense patterns. Spacer-is-dielectric (SID) is the most popular flavor of SADP with higher flexibility in design. In the SID process, due to uniform spacer deposition, the spacer shape gets rounded at convex mandrel corners, and disregarding the corner rounding issue during SID decomposition may result in severe residue artifacts on device patterns. Previously, SADP decomposition was merely verified by Boolean operations on the decomposed layers, where the residue artifacts are not even identifiable. This paper proposes a model-based verification method for SID decomposition to identify the artifacts caused by spacer corner rounding. Then targeting residue artifact removal, an enhanced SID decomposition flow is introduced. Simulation results show that residue artifacts are removed effectively through the enhanced SID decomposition strategy.
Verification of the ASTER/TIR atmospheric correction algorithm based on water surface emissivity retrieved
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tonooka, Hideyuki; Palluconi, Frank D.
The standard atmospheric correction algorithm for five thermal infrared (TIR) bands of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is currently based on radiative transfer computations with global assimilation data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In the present paper, we verify this algorithm using 100 ASTER scenes globally acquired during the early mission period. In this verification, the max-min difference (MMD) of the water surface emissivity retrieved from each scene is used as an atmospheric correction error index, since the water surface emissivity is well known; if the MMD retrieved is large, an atmospheric correction error also will be possibly large. As the results, the error of the MMD retrieved by the standard atmospheric correction algorithm and a typical temperature/emissivity separation algorithm is shown to be remarkably related with precipitable water vapor, latitude, elevation, and surface temperature. It is also mentioned that the expected error on the MMD retrieved is 0.05 for the precipitable water vapor of 3 cm.
National Nuclear Security Administration Knowledge Base Core Table Schema Document
The National Nuclear Security Administration is creating a Knowledge Base to store technical information to support the United States nuclear explosion monitoring mission. This document defines the core database tables that are used in the Knowledge Base. The purpose of this document is to present the ORACLE database tables in the NNSA Knowledge Base that on modifications to the CSS3.0 Database Schema developed in 1990. (Anderson et al., 1990). These modifications include additional columns to the affiliation table, an increase in the internal ORACLE format from 8 integers to 9 integers for thirteen IDs, and new primary and unique key definitions for six tables. It is intended to be used as a reference by researchers inside and outside of NNSA/DOE as they compile information to submit to the NNSA Knowledge Base. These ''core'' tables are separated into two groups. The Primary tables are dynamic and consist of information that can be used in automatic and interactive processing (e.g. arrivals, locations). The Lookup tables change infrequently and are used for auxiliary information used by the processing. In general, the information stored in the core tables consists of: arrivals; events, origins, associations of arrivals; magnitude information; station information (networks, site descriptions, instrument responses); pointers to waveform data; and comments pertaining to the information. This document is divided into four sections, the first being this introduction. Section two defines the sixteen tables that make up the core tables of the NNSA Knowledge Base database. Both internal (ORACLE) and external formats for the attributes are defined, along with a short description of each attribute. In addition, the primary, unique and foreign keys are defined. Section three of the document shows the relationships between the different tables by using entity-relationship diagrams. The last section, defines the columns or attributes of the various tables. Information that is
Modeling materials failures for knowledge based system applications
Roberge, P.R.
The evaluation of the probability of given premises to play a role in a final outcome can only be done when the parameters involved and their interactions are properly elucidated. But, for complex engineering situations, this often appears as an insurmountable task. The prediction of failures for the optimization of inspection and maintenance is such an example of complexity. After reviewing the models of expertise commonly used by knowledge engineers, this paper presents an object-oriented framework to guide the elicitation and organization of lifetime information for knowledge based system applications.
Recognition mechanisms for schema-based knowledge representations
Havens, W.S.
The author considers generalizing formal recognition methods from parsing theory to schemata knowledge representations. Within artificial intelligence, recognition tasks include aspects of natural language understanding, computer vision, episode understanding, speech recognition, and others. The notion of schemata as a suitable knowledge representation for these tasks is discussed. A number of problems with current schemata-based recognition systems are presented. To gain insight into alternative approaches, the formal context-free parsing method of earley is examined. It is shown to suggest a useful control structure model for integrating top-down and bottom-up search in schemata representations. 46 references.
'Medical Knowledge' and 'Tradition' of Colonial Korea: Focused on Kudo's "Gynecology"-based Knowledge.
Hong, Yang Hee
This article attempts to illuminate the ways in which Kudo's medical knowledge based on 'gynecological science' constructed the cultural 'traditions' of colonial Korea. Kudo appears to have been quite an influential figure in colonial Korea in that his writings on the relationship between women's crime, gynecological science and the Chosŏn society granted a significant amount of intellectual authority. Here, I examine Kudo's position within colonial Korea as a producer and propagator of medical knowledge, and then see how women's bodies were understood according to his gynecological knowledge. It also traces the ways in which Kudo's gynecological knowledge represents Chosŏn society and in turn invents the 'traditions' of Chosŏn. Kudo's knowledge of "gynecology" which had been formed while it traveled the states such as Japan, Germany and France served as an important reference for his representation of colonial Korean society. Kudo was a proponent of biological evolution, particularly the rules of 'atavism' put forth by the criminal anthropologist Cesare Lombroso, and argued that an unique social environment caused 'alteration of sexual urges' and primitive cruelty in Chosŏn women. According to Kudo, The social environment was none other than the practice of 'early marriage,' which went against the physiology of women. To Kudo, 'early marriage' was an old 'tradition' of Chosŏn and the cause of heinous crimes, as well as an unmistakable indicator of both the primitiveness and savageness of Chosŏn. While Lombroso considered personal factors such as stress as the cause of women's crimes, Kudo saw Chosŏn women's crimes as a national characteristic. Moreover, he compared the occurrence rate of husband murders by provinces, based on which he categorized the northern population of Chosŏn as barbaric Manchurian and the southern population as the superior Japanese, a combination of racism and scientific knowledge. Kudo's writings provide an insight into the
A knowledge-based care protocol system for ICU.
Lau, F; Vincent, D D
There is a growing interest in using care maps in ICU. So far, the emphasis has been on developing the critical path, problem/outcome, and variance reporting for specific diagnoses. This paper presents a conceptual knowledge-based care protocol system design for the ICU. It is based on the manual care map currently in use for managing myocardial infarction in the ICU of the Sturgeon General Hospital in Alberta. The proposed design uses expert rules, object schemas, case-based reasoning, and quantitative models as sources of its knowledge. Also being developed is a decision model with explicit linkages for outcome-process-measure from the care map. The resulting system is intended as a bedside charting and decision-support tool for caregivers. Proposed usage includes charting by acknowledgment, generation of alerts, and critiques on variances/events recorded, recommendations for planned interventions, and comparison with historical cases. Currently, a prototype is being developed on a PC-based network with Visual Basic, Level-Expert Object, and xBase. A clinical trial is also planned to evaluate whether this knowledge-based care protocol can reduce the length of stay of patients with myocardial infarction in the ICU. PMID:8591604
Dust forecast over North Africa: verification with satellite and ground based observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Singh, Aditi; Kumar, Sumit; George, John P.
Arid regions of North Africa are considered as one of the major dust source. Present study focuses on the forecast of aerosol optical depth (AOD) of dust over different regions of North Africa. NCMRWF Unified Model (NCUM) produces dust AOD forecasts at different wavelengths with lead time upto 240 hr, based on 00UTC initial conditions. Model forecast of dust AOD at 550 nm up to 72 hr forecast, based on different initial conditions are verified against satellite and ground based observations of total AOD during May-June 2014 with the assumption that except dust, presence of all other aerosols type are negligible. Location specific and geographical distribution of dust AOD forecast is verified against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) station observations of total and coarse mode AOD. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) dark target and deep blue merged level 3 total aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) retrieved dust AOD at 532 nm are also used for verification. CALIOP dust AOD was obtained by vertical integration of aerosol extinction coefficient at 532 nm from the aerosol profile level 2 products. It is found that at all the selected AERONET stations, the trend in dust AODs is well predicted by NCUM up to three days advance. Good correlation, with consistently low bias (~ +/-0.06) and RMSE (~ 0.2) values, is found between model forecasts and point measurements of AERONET, except over one location Cinzana (Mali). Model forecast consistently overestimated the dust AOD compared to CALIOP dust AOD, with a bias of 0.25 and RMSE of 0.40.
ISPE: A knowledge-based system for fluidization studies
Reddy, S.
Chemical engineers use mathematical simulators to design, model, optimize and refine various engineering plants/processes. This procedure requires the following steps: (1) preparation of an input data file according to the format required by the target simulator; (2) excecuting the simulation; and (3) analyzing the results of the simulation to determine if all specified goals'' are satisfied. If the goals are not met, the input data file must be modified and the simulation repeated. This multistep process is continued until satisfactory results are obtained. This research was undertaken to develop a knowledge based system, IPSE (Intelligent Process Simulation Environment), that can enhance the productivity of chemical engineers/modelers by serving as an intelligent assistant to perform a variety tasks related to process simulation. ASPEN, a widely used simulator by the US Department of Energy (DOE) at Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) was selected as the target process simulator in the project. IPSE, written in the C language, was developed using a number of knowledge-based programming paradigms: object-oriented knowledge representation that uses inheritance and methods, rulebased inferencing (includes processing and propagation of probabilistic information) and data-driven programming using demons. It was implemented using the knowledge based environment LASER. The relationship of IPSE with the user, ASPEN, LASER and the C language is shown in Figure 1.
Selection of Construction Methods: A Knowledge-Based Approach
Skibniewski, Miroslaw
The appropriate selection of construction methods to be used during the execution of a construction project is a major determinant of high productivity, but sometimes this selection process is performed without the care and the systematic approach that it deserves, bringing negative consequences. This paper proposes a knowledge management approach that will enable the intelligent use of corporate experience and information and help to improve the selection of construction methods for a project. Then a knowledge-based system to support this decision-making process is proposed and described. To define and design the system, semistructured interviews were conducted within three construction companies with the purpose of studying the way that the method' selection process is carried out in practice and the knowledge associated with it. A prototype of a Construction Methods Knowledge System (CMKS) was developed and then validated with construction industry professionals. As a conclusion, the CMKS was perceived as a valuable tool for construction methods' selection, by helping companies to generate a corporate memory on this issue, reducing the reliance on individual knowledge and also the subjectivity of the decision-making process. The described benefits as provided by the system favor a better performance of construction projects. PMID:24453925
The Knowledge-Based Software Assistant: Beyond CASE
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Carozzoni, Joseph A.
This paper will outline the similarities and differences between two paradigms of software development. Both support the whole software life cycle and provide automation for most of the software development process, but have different approaches. The CASE approach is based on a set of tools linked by a central data repository. This tool-based approach is data driven and views software development as a series of sequential steps, each resulting in a product. The Knowledge-Based Software Assistant (KBSA) approach, a radical departure from existing software development practices, is knowledge driven and centers around a formalized software development process. KBSA views software development as an incremental, iterative, and evolutionary process with development occurring at the specification level.
Knowledge acquisition for case-based reasoning systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Riesbeck, Christopher K.
Case-based reasoning (CBR) is a simple idea: solve new problems by adapting old solutions to similar problems. The CBR approach offers several potential advantages over rule-based reasoning: rules are not combined blindly in a search for solutions, solutions can be explained in terms of concrete examples, and performance can improve automatically as new problems are solved and added to the case library. Moving CBR for the university research environment to the real world requires smooth interfaces for getting knowledge from experts. Described are the basic elements of an interface for acquiring three basic bodies of knowledge that any case-based reasoner requires: the case library of problems and their solutions, the analysis rules that flesh out input problem specifications so that relevant cases can be retrieved, and the adaptation rules that adjust old solutions to fit new problems.
Design of a knowledge-based welding advisor
Kleban, S.D.
Expert system implementation can take numerous forms ranging form traditional declarative rule-based systems with if-then syntax to imperative programming languages that capture expertise in procedural code. The artificial intelligence community generally thinks of expert systems as rules or rule-bases and an inference engine to process the knowledge. The welding advisor developed at Sandia National Laboratories and described in this paper deviates from this by codifying expertise using object representation and methods. Objects allow computer scientists to model the world as humans perceive it giving us a very natural way to encode expert knowledge. The design of the welding advisor, which generates and evaluates solutions, will be compared and contrasted to a traditional rule- based system.
SAFOD Brittle Microstructure and Mechanics Knowledge Base (BM2KB)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Babaie, Hassan A.; Broda Cindi, M.; Hadizadeh, Jafar; Kumar, Anuj
Scientific drilling near Parkfield, California has established the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD), which provides the solid earth community with short range geophysical and fault zone material data. The BM2KB ontology was developed in order to formalize the knowledge about brittle microstructures in the fault rocks sampled from the SAFOD cores. A knowledge base, instantiated from this domain ontology, stores and presents the observed microstructural and analytical data with respect to implications for brittle deformation and mechanics of faulting. These data can be searched on the knowledge base‧s Web interface by selecting a set of terms (classes, properties) from different drop-down lists that are dynamically populated from the ontology. In addition to this general search, a query can also be conducted to view data contributed by a specific investigator. A search by sample is done using the EarthScope SAFOD Core Viewer that allows a user to locate samples on high resolution images of core sections belonging to different runs and holes. The class hierarchy of the BM2KB ontology was initially designed using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), which was used as a visual guide to develop the ontology in OWL applying the Protégé ontology editor. Various Semantic Web technologies such as the RDF, RDFS, and OWL ontology languages, SPARQL query language, and Pellet reasoning engine, were used to develop the ontology. An interactive Web application interface was developed through Jena, a java based framework, with AJAX technology, jsp pages, and java servlets, and deployed via an Apache tomcat server. The interface allows the registered user to submit data related to their research on a sample of the SAFOD core. The submitted data, after initial review by the knowledge base administrator, are added to the extensible knowledge base and become available in subsequent queries to all types of users. The interface facilitates inference capabilities in the
Using the DOE Knowledge Base for Special Event Analysis
Armstrong, H.M.; Harris, J.M.; Young, C.J.
The DOE Knowledge Base is a library of detailed information whose purpose is to support the United States National Data Center (USNDC) in its mission to monitor compliance with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). One of the important tasks which the USNDC must accomplish is to periodically perform detailed analysis of events of high interest, so-called "Special Events", to provide the national authority with information needed to make policy decisions. In this paper we investigate some possible uses of the Knowledge Base for Special Event Analysis (SEA), and make recommendations for improving Knowledge Base support for SEA. To analyze an event in detail, there are two basic types of data which must be used sensor-derived data (wave- forms, arrivals, events, etc.) and regiohalized contextual data (known sources, geological characteristics, etc.). Cur- rently there is no single package which can provide full access to both types of data, so for our study we use a separate package for each MatSeis, the Sandia Labs-developed MATLAB-based seismic analysis package, for wave- form data analysis, and ArcView, an ESRI product, for contextual data analysis. Both packages are well-suited to pro- totyping because they provide a rich set of currently available functionality and yet are also flexible and easily extensible, . Using these tools and Phase I Knowledge Base data sets, we show how the Knowledge Base can improve both the speed and the quality of SEA. Empirically-derived interpolated correction information can be accessed to improve both location estimates and associated error estimates. This information can in turn be used to identi~ any known nearby sources (e.g. mines, volcanos), which may then trigger specialized processing of the sensor data. Based on the location estimate, preferred magnitude formulas and discriminants can be retrieved, and any known blockages can be identified to prevent miscalculations. Relevant historic events can be identilled either by
Knowledge-based design of complex mechanical systems
Ishii, K.
The recent development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques allows incorporation of qualitative aspects of design into the computer aids. This thesis presents a framework for applying AI techniques to the design of complex mechanical systems. A complex, yet well-understood design example as a vehicle for the effort is used. The author first reviews how experienced designers use knowledge at various stages of system design. He then proposes a knowledge-based model of the design process and develop frameworks for applying knowledge engineering in order to construct a consultation system for the designers. He proposes four such frameworks for use at different stages of design: (1) Design Compatibility Analysis (DCA) analyzes the compatibility of the designer's design alternatives with the design specification, (2) Initial Design Suggestion (IDS) provides the designer with reasonable initial estimates of the design variables, (3) Rule-based Sensitivity Analysis (RSA) guides the user through redesign, and (4) Active Constraint Deduction (ACD) identifies the bottlenecks of design by heuristic knowledge. These frameworks eliminate unnecessary iterations and allows the user to obtain a satisfactory solution rapidly.
Evidence-based patient education: knowledge transfer to endodontic patients.
Sorrell, John T; McNeil, Daniel W; Gochenour, Lori L; Jackson, C Russell
Evidence-based treatment is emphasized in oral health care, but there has been less focus on empirically demonstrating the effects of patient education. Attempts to educate patients must be empirically demonstrated in order to provide evidence-based guidance to practitioners and educators. We conducted two studies that assessed information acquisition during five-minute audiovisual films on oral hygiene procedures, endodontic procedures, and fear about pain during root canal therapy. A fifteen-item Dental Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ), with three subscales each focusing on the content of one of the films, was developed and psychometrically evaluated. Study 1 included 268 undergraduates; study 2 involved 104 endodontic patients. Participants completed the DKQ, viewed one of the three films, and repeated the questionnaire. The effects of information on knowledge were assessed using 3 (film group) X 3 (subscale of the DKQ) X 2 (time) repeated measures ANOVAs. Scores improved in a content-specific fashion relevant to the film viewed among undergraduates, F(4, 263)=211.33, p<.001, partial eta(2)=.62 and endodontic patients, F(4, 99)=87.22, p<.001, partial eta(2)=.63. The results provide evidence for using brief informational film as an efficacious method to increase patient knowledge, at least in the short term. The DKQ is proposed as a tool to assess patient knowledge in the arenas of oral hygiene and endodontics. PMID:19910479
Knowledge-based architecture for airborne mine and minefield detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Agarwal, Sanjeev; Menon, Deepak; Swonger, C. W.
One of the primary lessons learned from airborne mid-wave infrared (MWIR) based mine and minefield detection research and development over the last few years has been the fact that no single algorithm or static detection architecture is able to meet mine and minefield detection performance specifications. This is true not only because of the highly varied environmental and operational conditions under which an airborne sensor is expected to perform but also due to the highly data dependent nature of sensors and algorithms employed for detection. Attempts to make the algorithms themselves more robust to varying operating conditions have only been partially successful. In this paper, we present a knowledge-based architecture to tackle this challenging problem. The detailed algorithm architecture is discussed for such a mine/minefield detection system, with a description of each functional block and data interface. This dynamic and knowledge-driven architecture will provide more robust mine and minefield detection for a highly multi-modal operating environment. The acquisition of the knowledge for this system is predominantly data driven, incorporating not only the analysis of historical airborne mine and minefield imagery data collection, but also other "all source data" that may be available such as terrain information and time of day. This "all source data" is extremely important and embodies causal information that drives the detection performance. This information is not being used by current detection architectures. Data analysis for knowledge acquisition will facilitate better understanding of the factors that affect the detection performance and will provide insight into areas for improvement for both sensors and algorithms. Important aspects of this knowledge-based architecture, its motivations and the potential gains from its implementation are discussed, and some preliminary results are presented.
Online Handwritten Signature Verification Using Neural Network Classifier Based on Principal Component Analysis
Iranmanesh, Vahab; Ahmad, Sharifah Mumtazah Syed; Adnan, Wan Azizun Wan; Arigbabu, Olasimbo Ayodeji; Malallah, Fahad Layth
One of the main difficulties in designing online signature verification (OSV) system is to find the most distinctive features with high discriminating capabilities for the verification, particularly, with regard to the high variability which is inherent in genuine handwritten signatures, coupled with the possibility of skilled forgeries having close resemblance to the original counterparts. In this paper, we proposed a systematic approach to online signature verification through the use of multilayer perceptron (MLP) on a subset of principal component analysis (PCA) features. The proposed approach illustrates a feature selection technique on the usually discarded information from PCA computation, which can be significant in attaining reduced error rates. The experiment is performed using 4000 signature samples from SIGMA database, which yielded a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 7.4% and a false rejection rate (FRR) of 6.4%. PMID:25133227
Online handwritten signature verification using neural network classifier based on principal component analysis.
Iranmanesh, Vahab; Ahmad, Sharifah Mumtazah Syed; Adnan, Wan Azizun Wan; Yussof, Salman; Arigbabu, Olasimbo Ayodeji; Malallah, Fahad Layth
One of the main difficulties in designing online signature verification (OSV) system is to find the most distinctive features with high discriminating capabilities for the verification, particularly, with regard to the high variability which is inherent in genuine handwritten signatures, coupled with the possibility of skilled forgeries having close resemblance to the original counterparts. In this paper, we proposed a systematic approach to online signature verification through the use of multilayer perceptron (MLP) on a subset of principal component analysis (PCA) features. The proposed approach illustrates a feature selection technique on the usually discarded information from PCA computation, which can be significant in attaining reduced error rates. The experiment is performed using 4000 signature samples from SIGMA database, which yielded a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 7.4% and a false rejection rate (FRR) of 6.4%. PMID:25133227
A radar-based verification of precipitation forecast for local convective storms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rezacova, Daniela; Sokol, Zbynek; Pesice, Petr
Local flash flood storms with a rapid hydrological response are a real challenge for quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF). It is relevant to assess space domains, to which the QPF approaches are applicable. In this paper an attempt is made to evaluate the forecasting capability of a high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) model by means of area-related QPF verification. The results presented concern two local convective events, which occurred in the Czech Republic (CR) on 13 and 15 July 2002 and caused local flash floods. We used the LM COSMO model (Lokall Model of the COSMO consortium) adapted to the horizontal resolution of 2.8 km over a model domain covering the CR. The 18 h forecast of convective precipitation was verified by using radar rainfall totals adjusted to the measured rain gauge data. The grid point-related root mean square error (RMSE) value was calculated over a square around the grid point under the assumption that rainfall values were randomly distributed within the square. The forecast accuracy was characterized by the mean RMSE over the whole verification domain. We attempt to show a dependence of both the RMSE field and the mean RMSE on the square size. The importance of a suitable merger between the radar and rain gauge datasets is demonstrated by a comparison between the verification results obtained with and without the gauge adjustment. The application of verification procedure demonstrates uncertainties in the precipitation forecasts. The model was integrated with initial conditions shifted by 0.5° distances. The four verifications, corresponding to the shifts in the four directions, show differences in the resulting QPF, which depend on the size of verification area and on the direction of the shift.
Knowledge/geometry-based Mobile Autonomous Robot Simulator (KMARS)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cheng, Linfu; Mckendrick, John D.; Liu, Jeffrey
Ongoing applied research is focused on developing guidance system for robot vehicles. Problems facing the basic research needed to support this development (e.g., scene understanding, real-time vision processing, etc.) are major impediments to progress. Due to the complexity and the unpredictable nature of a vehicle's area of operation, more advanced vehicle control systems must be able to learn about obstacles within the range of its sensor(s). A better understanding of the basic exploration process is needed to provide critical support to developers of both sensor systems and intelligent control systems which can be used in a wide spectrum of autonomous vehicles. Elcee Computek, Inc. has been working under contract to the Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Wright Research and Development Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to develop a Knowledge/Geometry-based Mobile Autonomous Robot Simulator (KMARS). KMARS has two parts: a geometry base and a knowledge base. The knowledge base part of the system employs the expert-system shell CLIPS ('C' Language Integrated Production System) and necessary rules that control both the vehicle's use of an obstacle detecting sensor and the overall exploration process. The initial phase project has focused on the simulation of a point robot vehicle operating in a 2D environment.
Knowledge-based assistant for ultrasonic inspection in metals
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Franklin, Reynold; Halabe, Udaya B.
Ultrasonic is a popular nondestructive testing technique for detecting flaws in metals, composites and other materials. A major limitation of this technique for successful field implementation is the need for skilled labor to identify an appropriate testing methodology and conduct the inspection. A knowledge-based assistant that can help the inspector in choosing the suitable testing methodology would greatly reduce the cost for inspection while maintaining reliability. Therefore a rule-based decision logic that can incorporate the expertise of a skilled operator for choosing a suitable ultrasonic configuration and testing procedure for a given application is explored and reported in this paper. A personal computer (PC) based expert system shell, VP Expert, is used to encode the rules and assemble the knowledge to address the different methods in ultrasonic inspection for metals. The expert system will be configured in a question-answer format. Since several factors (such as frequency, couplant, sensors, etc.) influence the inspection, appropriate decisions have to be made about each factor depending on the type of inspection method and the intended use of the metal. This knowledge base will help in identifying the methodology for detecting flaws, cracks, and thickness measurements, etc., which will lead to increase safety.
A knowledge-based clustering algorithm driven by Gene Ontology.
Cheng, Jill; Cline, Melissa; Martin, John; Finkelstein, David; Awad, Tarif; Kulp, David; Siani-Rose, Michael A
We have developed an algorithm for inferring the degree of similarity between genes by using the graph-based structure of Gene Ontology (GO). We applied this knowledge-based similarity metric to a clique-finding algorithm for detecting sets of related genes with biological classifications. We also combined it with an expression-based distance metric to produce a co-cluster analysis, which accentuates genes with both similar expression profiles and similar biological characteristics and identifies gene clusters that are more stable and biologically meaningful. These algorithms are demonstrated in the analysis of MPRO cell differentiation time series experiments. PMID:15468759
Measuring Knowledge Elaboration Based on a Computer-Assisted Knowledge Map Analytical Approach to Collaborative Learning
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zheng, Lanqin; Huang, Ronghuai; Hwang, Gwo-Jen; Yang, Kaicheng
The purpose of this study is to quantitatively measure the level of knowledge elaboration and explore the relationships between prior knowledge of a group, group performance, and knowledge elaboration in collaborative learning. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the level of knowledge elaboration. The collaborative learning objective in…
Automated annual cropland mapping using knowledge-based temporal features
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Waldner, François; Canto, Guadalupe Sepulcre; Defourny, Pierre
Global, timely, accurate and cost-effective cropland mapping is a prerequisite for reliable crop condition monitoring. This article presented a simple and comprehensive methodology capable to meet the requirements of operational cropland mapping by proposing (1) five knowledge-based temporal features that remain stable over time, (2) a cleaning method that discards misleading pixels from a baseline land cover map and (3) a classifier that delivers high accuracy cropland maps (> 80%). This was demonstrated over four contrasted agrosystems in Argentina, Belgium, China and Ukraine. It was found that the quality and accuracy of the baseline impact more the certainty of the classification rather than the classification output itself. In addition, it was shown that interpolation of the knowledge-based features increases the stability of the classifier allowing for its re-use from year to year without recalibration. Hence, the method shows potential for application at larger scale as well as for delivering cropland map in near real time.
Knowledge-based visualization of time-oriented clinical data.
Shahar, Y.; Cheng, C.
We describe a domain-independent framework (KNAVE) specific to the task of interpretation, summarization, visualization, explanation, and interactive exploration in a context-sensitive manner through time-oriented raw clinical data and the multiple levels of higher-level, interval-based concepts that can be abstracted from these data. The KNAVE exploration operators, which are independent of any particular clinical domain, access a knowledge base of temporal properties of measured data and interventions that is specific to the clinical domain. Thus, domain-specific knowledge underlies the domain-independent semantics of the interpretation, visualization, and exploration processes. Initial evaluation of the KNAVE prototype by a small number of users with variable clinical and informatics training has been encouraging. Images Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:9929201
Knowledge-based zonal grid generation for computational fluid dynamics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Andrews, Alison E.
Automation of flow field zoning in two dimensions is an important step towards reducing the difficulty of three-dimensional grid generation in computational fluid dynamics. Using a knowledge-based approach makes sense, but problems arise which are caused by aspects of zoning involving perception, lack of expert consensus, and design processes. These obstacles are overcome by means of a simple shape and configuration language, a tunable zoning archetype, and a method of assembling plans from selected, predefined subplans. A demonstration system for knowledge-based two-dimensional flow field zoning has been successfully implemented and tested on representative aerodynamic configurations. The results show that this approach can produce flow field zonings that are acceptable to experts with differing evaluation criteria.
A knowledge based model of electric utility operations. Final report
This report consists of an appendix to provide a documentation and help capability for an analyst using the developed expert system of electric utility operations running in CLIPS. This capability is provided through a separate package running under the WINDOWS Operating System and keyed to provide displays of text, graphics and mixed text and graphics that explain and elaborate on the specific decisions being made within the knowledge based expert system.
A knowledge-based expert system for inferring vegetation characteristics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kimes, Daniel S.; Harrison, Patrick R.; Ratcliffe, P. A.
A prototype knowledge-based expert system VEG is presented that focuses on extracting spectral hemispherical reflectance using any combination of nadir and/or directional reflectance data as input. The system is designed to facilitate expansion to handle other inferences regarding vegetation properties such as total hemispherical reflectance, leaf area index, percent ground cover, phosynthetic capacity, and biomass. This approach is more robust and accurate than conventional extraction techniques previously developed.
Current and future trends in metagenomics : Development of knowledge bases
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mori, Hiroshi; Yamada, Takuji; Kurokawa, Ken
Microbes are essential for every part of life on Earth. Numerous microbes inhabit the biosphere, many of which are uncharacterized or uncultivable. They form a complex microbial community that deeply affects against surrounding environments. Metagenome analysis provides a radically new way of examining such complex microbial community without isolation or cultivation of individual bacterial community members. In this article, we present a brief discussion about a metagenomics and the development of knowledge bases, and also discuss about the future trends in metagenomics.
Verification of sectoral cloud motion based direct normal irradiance nowcasting from satellite imagery
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Schroedter-Homscheidt, Marion; Gesell, Gerhard
The successful integration of solar electricity from photovoltaics or concentrating solar power plants into the existing electricity supply requires an electricity production forecast for 48 hours, while any improved surface irradiance forecast over the next upcoming hours is relevant for an optimized operation of the power plant. While numerical weather prediction has been widely assessed and is in commercial use, the short-term nowcasting is still a major field of development. European Commission's FP7 DNICast project is especially focusing on this task and this paper reports about parts of DNICast results. A nowcasting scheme based on Meteosat Second Generation cloud imagery and cloud movement tracking has been developed for Southern Spain as part of a solar production forecasting tool (CSP-FoSyS). It avoids the well-known, but not really satisfying standard cloud motion vector approach by using a sectoral approach and asking the question at which time any cloud structure will affect the power plant. It distinguishes between thin cirrus clouds and other clouds, which typically occur in different heights in the atmosphere and move in different directions. Also, their optical properties are very different - especially for the calculation of direct normal irradiances as required by concentrating solar power plants. Results for Southern Spain show a positive impact of up to 8 hours depending of the time of the day and a RMSD reduction of up to 10% in hourly DNI irradiation compared to day ahead forecasts. This paper presents the verification of this scheme at other locations in Europe and Northern Africa (BSRN and EnerMENA stations) with different cloud conditions. Especially for Jordan and Tunisia as the most relevant countries for CSP in this station list, we also find a positive impact of up to 8 hours.
Knowledge-based processing for aircraft flight control
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Painter, John H.; Glass, Emily; Economides, Gregory; Russell, Paul
This Contractor Report documents research in Intelligent Control using knowledge-based processing in a manner dual to methods found in the classic stochastic decision, estimation, and control discipline. Such knowledge-based control has also been called Declarative, and Hybid. Software architectures were sought, employing the parallelism inherent in modern object-oriented modeling and programming. The viewpoint adopted was that Intelligent Control employs a class of domain-specific software architectures having features common over a broad variety of implementations, such as management of aircraft flight, power distribution, etc. As much attention was paid to software engineering issues as to artificial intelligence and control issues. This research considered that particular processing methods from the stochastic and knowledge-based worlds are duals, that is, similar in a broad context. They provide architectural design concepts which serve as bridges between the disparate disciplines of decision, estimation, control, and artificial intelligence. This research was applied to the control of a subsonic transport aircraft in the airport terminal area.
A proven knowledge-based approach to prioritizing process information
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Corsberg, Daniel R.
Many space-related processes are highly complex systems subject to sudden, major transients. In any complex process control system, a critical aspect is rapid analysis of the changing process information. During a disturbance, this task can overwhelm humans as well as computers. Humans deal with this by applying heuristics in determining significant information. A simple, knowledge-based approach to prioritizing information is described. The approach models those heuristics that humans would use in similar circumstances. The approach described has received two patents and was implemented in the Alarm Filtering System (AFS) at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). AFS was first developed for application in a nuclear reactor control room. It has since been used in chemical processing applications, where it has had a significant impact on control room environments. The approach uses knowledge-based heuristics to analyze data from process instrumentation and respond to that data according to knowledge encapsulated in objects and rules. While AFS cannot perform the complete diagnosis and control task, it has proven to be extremely effective at filtering and prioritizing information. AFS was used for over two years as a first level of analysis for human diagnosticians. Given the approach's proven track record in a wide variety of practical applications, it should be useful in both ground- and space-based systems.
Knowledge-based vision and simple visual machines.
Cliff, D; Noble, J
The vast majority of work in machine vision emphasizes the representation of perceived objects and events: it is these internal representations that incorporate the 'knowledge' in knowledge-based vision or form the 'models' in model-based vision. In this paper, we discuss simple machine vision systems developed by artificial evolution rather than traditional engineering design techniques, and note that the task of identifying internal representations within such systems is made difficult by the lack of an operational definition of representation at the causal mechanistic level. Consequently, we question the nature and indeed the existence of representations posited to be used within natural vision systems (i.e. animals). We conclude that representations argued for on a priori grounds by external observers of a particular vision system may well be illusory, and are at best place-holders for yet-to-be-identified causal mechanistic interactions. That is, applying the knowledge-based vision approach in the understanding of evolved systems (machines or animals) may well lead to theories and models that are internally consistent, computationally plausible, and entirely wrong. PMID:9304684
Shapelearner: Towards Shape-Based Visual Knowledge Harvesting
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Zheng; Liang, Ti
The explosion of images on the Web has led to a number of efforts to organize images semantically and compile collections of visual knowledge. While there has been enormous progress on categorizing entire images or bounding boxes, only few studies have targeted fine-grained image understanding at the level of specific shape contours. For example, given an image of a cat, we would like a system to not merely recognize the existence of a cat, but also to distinguish between the cat's legs, head, tail, and so on. In this paper, we present ShapeLearner, a system that acquires such visual knowledge about object shapes and their parts. ShapeLearner jointly learns this knowledge from sets of segmented images. The space of label and segmentation hypotheses is pruned and then evaluated using Integer Linear Programming. ShapeLearner places the resulting knowledge in a semantic taxonomy based on WordNet and is able to exploit this hierarchy in order to analyze new kinds of objects that it has not observed before. We conduct experiments using a variety of shape classes from several representative categories and demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of our method.
What is a necessary knowledge base for sleep professionals?
Harding, S M; Hawkins, J W
Sleep medicine is multidisciplinary, and sleep medicine professionals should be trained to evaluate and treat all 88 sleep disorders. Sleep medicine specialists require a fund of knowledge that goes beyond what is obtained during a pulmonary fellowship. Skills required for a pulmonary sleep professional include: sleep medicine, neurobiology, psychiatry, neuro-psychology, neurology, pediatrics, and even limited exposure in otolaryngology, oral maxillofacial surgery, and dentistry. There is a paucity of published information concerning curricular requirements. Required skills for a sleep professional include proficiency in the clinical skills of sleep medicine as well as the technical skills of polysomnography. There is a very large knowledge content area requirement in both the basic sciences of sleep and the clinical aspects of sleep medicine. There are also important clinical skills content areas. As with all medical professionals, sleep professionals should have the highest ethical standards and a strong sense of responsibility toward their patients. A sleep medicine professional also has to be knowledgeable about administrative and legal aspects specific to sleep medicine. This essay reviews a sleep professional knowledge base model with emphasis on the requirements for a pulmonary sleep professional. PMID:11868148
The Knowledge Base in Education Administration: Did NCATE Open a Pandora's Box?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Achilles, C. M.; DuVall, L.
The controversial nature of the knowledge base of educational administration is discussed in this paper. Included are a definition of professionalism, a discussion of how to build and develop a knowledge base, and a review of the obstacles to knowledge base development. Elements of a consensual knowledge base include theory, practice, and other…
Development of an Inquiry-Based Learning Support System Based on an Intelligent Knowledge Exploration Approach
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wu, Ji-Wei; Tseng, Judy C. R.; Hwang, Gwo-Jen
Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) is an effective approach for promoting active learning. When inquiry-based learning is incorporated into instruction, teachers provide guiding questions for students to actively explore the required knowledge in order to solve the problems. Although the World Wide Web (WWW) is a rich knowledge resource for students to…
Optical/digital identification/verification system based on digital watermarking technology
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Herrigel, Alexander; Voloshynovskiy, Sviatoslav V.; Hrytskiv, Zenon D.
This paper presents a new approach for the secure integrity verification of driver licenses, passports or other analogue identification documents. The system embeds (detects) the reference number of the identification document with the DCT watermark technology in (from) the owner photo of the identification document holder. During verification the reference number is extracted and compared with the reference number printed in the identification document. The approach combines optical and digital image processing techniques. The detection system must be able to scan an analogue driver license or passport, convert the image of this document into a digital representation and then apply the watermark verification algorithm to check the payload of the embedded watermark. If the payload of the watermark is identical with the printed visual reference number of the issuer, the verification was successful and the passport or driver license has not been modified. This approach constitutes a new class of application for the watermark technology, which was originally targeted for the copyright protection of digital multimedia data. The presented approach substantially increases the security of the analogue identification documents applied in many European countries.
"Expert" Verification of Classroom-Based Indicators of Teaching and Learning Effectiveness for Professional Renewable Certification.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Naik, Nitin S.; And Others
The results are provided of a statewide content verification survey of "expert" educators designed to verify indicators in the 1989-90 System for Teaching and Learning Assessment and Review (STAR) as reasonable expectations for beginning and/or experienced teachers (BETs) in Louisiana and as providing professional endorsement at the fundamental…
A New "Moodle" Module Supporting Automatic Verification of VHDL-Based Assignments
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gutierrez, Eladio; Trenas, Maria A.; Ramos, Julian; Corbera, Francisco; Romero, Sergio
This work describes a new "Moodle" module developed to give support to the practical content of a basic computer organization course. This module goes beyond the mere hosting of resources and assignments. It makes use of an automatic checking and verification engine that works on the VHDL designs submitted by the students. The module automatically…
7 CFR 983.67 - Random verification audits.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
...' pistachio inventory shall be subject to random verification audits by the committee to ensure compliance with the terms of the order, and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (b) Committee staff or agents of the committee, based on information from the industry or knowledge of possible violations, may...
Challenges in implementing a knowledge editor for the Arden Syntax: knowledge base maintenance and standardization of database linkages.
Jenders, Robert A.; Dasgupta, Balendu
CONTEXT: Incorporation of research findings into clinical practice lags behind their dissemination in the medical literature. Arden Syntax is a standard that could be used to encode evidence in a clinical decision support system (CDSS). However, dissemination of knowledge is hampered by lack of standard linkages to clinical databases. OBJECTIVE: To create a knowledge editor that facilitates transfer of knowledge from the medical literature to clinical practice via a CDSS. METHODS: Using a Web browser-based application, we implemented linkages to MEDLINE to permit queries on demand and registration of queries to be executed periodically, with results copied into Arden Medical Logic Modules (MLMs). To facilitate standardization of MLMs, database linkages are encoded using emerging HL7 standards such as a data model (virtual medical record). CONCLUSIONS: A Web-based application can facilitate transfer of knowledge into clinical practice and knowledge base maintenance through periodic queries and deployment of standards for knowledge representation. PMID:12463846
Designing and Developing a NASA Research Projects Knowledge Base and Implementing Knowledge Management and Discovery Techniques
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dabiru, L.; O'Hara, C. G.; Shaw, D.; Katragadda, S.; Anderson, D.; Kim, S.; Shrestha, B.; Aanstoos, J.; Frisbie, T.; Policelli, F.; Keblawi, N.
The Research Project Knowledge Base (RPKB) is currently being designed and will be implemented in a manner that is fully compatible and interoperable with enterprise architecture tools developed to support NASA's Applied Sciences Program. Through user needs assessment, collaboration with Stennis Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA's DEVELOP Staff personnel insight to information needs for the RPKB were gathered from across NASA scientific communities of practice. To enable efficient, consistent, standard, structured, and managed data entry and research results compilation a prototype RPKB has been designed and fully integrated with the existing NASA Earth Science Systems Components database. The RPKB will compile research project and keyword information of relevance to the six major science focus areas, 12 national applications, and the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). The RPKB will include information about projects awarded from NASA research solicitations, project investigator information, research publications, NASA data products employed, and model or decision support tools used or developed as well as new data product information. The RPKB will be developed in a multi-tier architecture that will include a SQL Server relational database backend, middleware, and front end client interfaces for data entry. The purpose of this project is to intelligently harvest the results of research sponsored by the NASA Applied Sciences Program and related research program results. We present various approaches for a wide spectrum of knowledge discovery of research results, publications, projects, etc. from the NASA Systems Components database and global information systems and show how this is implemented in SQL Server database. The application of knowledge discovery is useful for intelligent query answering and multiple-layered database construction. Using advanced EA tools such as the Earth Science Architecture Tool (ESAT), RPKB will enable NASA and
Temporal and contextual knowledge in model-based expert systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Toth-Fejel, Tihamer; Heher, Dennis
A basic paradigm that allows representation of physical systems with a focus on context and time is presented. Paragon provides the capability to quickly capture an expert's knowledge in a cognitively resonant manner. From that description, Paragon creates a simulation model in LISP, which when executed, verifies that the domain expert did not make any mistakes. The Achille's heel of rule-based systems has been the lack of a systematic methodology for testing, and Paragon's developers are certain that the model-based approach overcomes that problem. The reason this testing is now possible is that software, which is very difficult to test, has in essence been transformed into hardware.
Building a knowledge based economy in Russia using guided entrepreneurship
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Reznik, Boris N.; Daniels, Marc; Ichim, Thomas E.; Reznik, David L.
Despite advanced scientific and technological (S&T) expertise, the Russian economy is presently based upon manufacturing and raw material exports. Currently, governmental incentives are attempting to leverage the existing scientific infrastructure through the concept of building a Knowledge Based Economy. However, socio-economic changes do not occur solely by decree, but by alteration of approach to the market. Here we describe the "Guided Entrepreneurship" plan, a series of steps needed for generation of an army of entrepreneurs, which initiate a chain reaction of S&T-driven growth. The situation in Russia is placed in the framework of other areas where Guided Entrepreneurship has been successful.
Design and Mechanical Evaluation of a Capacitive Sensor-Based Indexed Platform for Verification of Portable Coordinate Measuring Instruments
Avila, Agustín Brau; Mazo, Jorge Santolaria; Martín, Juan José Aguilar
During the last years, the use of Portable Coordinate Measuring Machines (PCMMs) in industry has increased considerably, mostly due to their flexibility for accomplishing in-line measuring tasks as well as their reduced costs and operational advantages as compared to traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). However, their operation has a significant drawback derived from the techniques applied in the verification and optimization procedures of their kinematic parameters. These techniques are based on the capture of data with the measuring instrument from a calibrated gauge object, fixed successively in various positions so that most of the instrument measuring volume is covered, which results in time-consuming, tedious and expensive verification procedures. In this work the mechanical design of an indexed metrology platform (IMP) is presented. The aim of the IMP is to increase the final accuracy and to radically simplify the calibration, identification and verification of geometrical parameter procedures of PCMMs. The IMP allows us to fix the calibrated gauge object and move the measuring instrument in such a way that it is possible to cover most of the instrument working volume, reducing the time and operator fatigue to carry out these types of procedures. PMID:24451458
Design and mechanical evaluation of a capacitive sensor-based indexed platform for verification of portable coordinate measuring instruments.
Avila, Agustín Brau; Mazo, Jorge Santolaria; Martín, Juan José Aguilar
During the last years, the use of Portable Coordinate Measuring Machines (PCMMs) in industry has increased considerably, mostly due to their flexibility for accomplishing in-line measuring tasks as well as their reduced costs and operational advantages as compared to traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). However, their operation has a significant drawback derived from the techniques applied in the verification and optimization procedures of their kinematic parameters. These techniques are based on the capture of data with the measuring instrument from a calibrated gauge object, fixed successively in various positions so that most of the instrument measuring volume is covered, which results in time-consuming, tedious and expensive verification procedures. In this work the mechanical design of an indexed metrology platform (IMP) is presented. The aim of the IMP is to increase the final accuracy and to radically simplify the calibration, identification and verification of geometrical parameter procedures of PCMMs. The IMP allows us to fix the calibrated gauge object and move the measuring instrument in such a way that it is possible to cover most of the instrument working volume, reducing the time and operator fatigue to carry out these types of procedures. PMID:24451458
Verification of the FtCayuga fault-tolerant microprocessor system. Volume 1: A case study in theorem prover-based verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Srivas, Mandayam; Bickford, Mark
The design and formal verification of a hardware system for a task that is an important component of a fault tolerant computer architecture for flight control systems is presented. The hardware system implements an algorithm for obtaining interactive consistancy (byzantine agreement) among four microprocessors as a special instruction on the processors. The property verified insures that an execution of the special instruction by the processors correctly accomplishes interactive consistency, provided certain preconditions hold. An assumption is made that the processors execute synchronously. For verification, the authors used a computer aided design hardware design verification tool, Spectool, and the theorem prover, Clio. A major contribution of the work is the demonstration of a significant fault tolerant hardware design that is mechanically verified by a theorem prover.
Knowledge-based inference engine for online video dissemination
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhou, Wensheng; Kuo, C.-C. Jay
To facilitate easy access to rich information of multimedia over the Internet, we develop a knowledge-based classification system that supports automatic Indexing and filtering based on semantic concepts for the dissemination of on-line real-time media. Automatic segmentation, annotation and summarization of media for fast information browsing and updating are achieved in the same time. In the proposed system, a real-time scene-change detection proxy performs an initial video structuring process by splitting a video clip into scenes. Motional and visual features are extracted in real time for every detected scene by using online feature extraction proxies. Higher semantics are then derived through a joint use of low-level features along with inference rules in the knowledge base. Inference rules are derived through a supervised learning process based on representative samples. On-line media filtering based on semantic concepts becomes possible by using the proposed video inference engine. Video streams are either blocked or sent to certain channels depending on whether or not the video stream is matched with the user's profile. The proposed system is extensively evaluated by applying the engine to video of basketball games.
Knowledge-based imaging-sensor fusion system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Westrom, George
An imaging system which applies knowledge-based technology to supervise and control both sensor hardware and computation in the imaging system is described. It includes the development of an imaging system breadboard which brings together into one system work that we and others have pursued for LaRC for several years. The goal is to combine Digital Signal Processing (DSP) with Knowledge-Based Processing and also include Neural Net processing. The system is considered a smart camera. Imagine that there is a microgravity experiment on-board Space Station Freedom with a high frame rate, high resolution camera. All the data cannot possibly be acquired from a laboratory on Earth. In fact, only a small fraction of the data will be received. Again, imagine being responsible for some experiments on Mars with the Mars Rover: the data rate is a few kilobits per second for data from several sensors and instruments. Would it not be preferable to have a smart system which would have some human knowledge and yet follow some instructions and attempt to make the best use of the limited bandwidth for transmission. The system concept, current status of the breadboard system and some recent experiments at the Mars-like Amboy Lava Fields in California are discussed.
Knowledge Data Base of extreme weather events in Europe
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Friedrich, K.
The knowledge data base is a collection of extreme weather events within the region of RA VI of WMO (Europe and Middle East) for the last 50 years. The focal point of the data base is the impact of weather extremes and damage. The input comes from different data collections as the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), the Dartmouth Flood Observatory (DFO), the archive of extreme weather events of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and GLIDE Number Database. Different raster datasets were used to define the geographical extent of those events. The combination of information as disaster type, geometry, duration, damage, causes, measured extremes and anomalies with geographical information gives the possibility to visualize those events in GIS and to use a spatial search algorithm to detect events in a certain region. This database will be applied in a Climate Watch System, which has been suggested by the WMO. Climate Watch Systems are early warning systems, which use climate monitoring data and results from long-range forecasts to detect critical weather periods such as heatwave, coldwave, flood, drought, wildfire and others. If the monitoring gives an indication of outstanding weather events and the long-range forecast shows continuation of those events, the knowledge data base can provide information about impact of similar events, hazards and damage in the affected region. The knowledge data base was developed in the WMO RA VI Pilot Regional Climate Centre on Climate Monitoring (RCC-CM). RCCs are Centres of Excellence that assist National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NHMS) in a given region to deliver better climate services and products including regional long-range forecasts, and to strengthen their capacity to meet national climate information needs. Access to visualization of the data base for NMHS will be provided by connection to the Web Mapping Service of a geo server.
Strategic Plan for Nuclear Energy -- Knowledge Base for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-KAMS)
Kimberlyn C. Mousseau
The Nuclear Energy Computational Fluid Dynamics Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-CAMS) system is being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in collaboration with Bettis Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Utah State University (USU), and other interested parties with the objective of developing and implementing a comprehensive and readily accessible data and information management system for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) verification and validation (V&V) in support of nuclear energy systems design and safety analysis. The two key objectives of the NE-CAMS effort are to identify, collect, assess, store and maintain high resolution and high quality experimental data and related expert knowledge (metadata) for use in CFD V&V assessments specific to the nuclear energy field and to establish a working relationship with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop a CFD V&V database, including benchmark cases, that addresses and supports the associated NRC regulations and policies on the use of CFD analysis. In particular, the NE-CAMS system will support the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program, which aims to develop and deploy advanced modeling and simulation methods and computational tools for reliable numerical simulation of nuclear reactor systems for design and safety analysis. Primary NE-CAMS Elements There are four primary elements of the NE-CAMS knowledge base designed to support computer modeling and simulation in the nuclear energy arena as listed below. Element 1. The database will contain experimental data that can be used for CFD validation that is relevant to nuclear reactor and plant processes, particularly those important to the nuclear industry and the NRC. Element 2. Qualification standards for data evaluation and classification will be incorporated and applied such that validation data sets will result in well
Knowledge-based system for flight information management. Thesis
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ricks, Wendell R.
The use of knowledge-based system (KBS) architectures to manage information on the primary flight display (PFD) of commercial aircraft is described. The PFD information management strategy used tailored the information on the PFD to the tasks the pilot performed. The KBS design and implementation of the task-tailored PFD information management application is described. The knowledge acquisition and subsequent system design of a flight-phase-detection KBS is also described. The flight-phase output of this KBS was used as input to the task-tailored PFD information management KBS. The implementation and integration of this KBS with existing aircraft systems and the other KBS is described. The flight tests are examined of both KBS's, collectively called the Task-Tailored Flight Information Manager (TTFIM), which verified their implementation and integration, and validated the software engineering advantages of the KBS approach in an operational environment.
Disease Related Knowledge Summarization Based on Deep Graph Search
Wu, Xiaofang; Yang, Zhihao; Li, ZhiHeng; Lin, Hongfei; Wang, Jian
The volume of published biomedical literature on disease related knowledge is expanding rapidly. Traditional information retrieval (IR) techniques, when applied to large databases such as PubMed, often return large, unmanageable lists of citations that do not fulfill the searcher's information needs. In this paper, we present an approach to automatically construct disease related knowledge summarization from biomedical literature. In this approach, firstly Kullback-Leibler Divergence combined with mutual information metric is used to extract disease salient information. Then deep search based on depth first search (DFS) is applied to find hidden (indirect) relations between biomedical entities. Finally random walk algorithm is exploited to filter out the weak relations. The experimental results show that our approach achieves a precision of 60% and a recall of 61% on salient information extraction for Carcinoma of bladder and outperforms the method of Combo. PMID:26413521
Application of knowledge based watershed transform approach to road detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mei, Tiancan; Li, Deren; Qin, Qianqing
An approach for automatic road extraction from remote sensing image is presented. The extraction is based on the knowledge about the road in high-resolution image. The information about the road is utilized to implement the watershed algorithm and guide the region merging. First, the Kalman filter algorithm is used to detect the straight line in the image, the center point of parallel line pairs is utilized as marker point to modify the morphological gradient of the input image by geodesic reconstruction, the modified gradient image is then segmented by the watershed transform. The segmentation result is input to region merging process. This process applies the region adjacency graph (RAG) representation of the segmented regions and knowledge about the road to execute the region merging, which significantly reduce the merging time. The proposed scheme was tested on remote sensing images of 2m resolution, and the results show that the extraction of road is quite promising.
Knowledge-based requirements analysis for automating software development
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Markosian, Lawrence Z.
We present a new software development paradigm that automates the derivation of implementations from requirements. In this paradigm, informally-stated requirements are expressed in a domain-specific requirements specification language. This language is machine-understable and requirements expressed in it are captured in a knowledge base. Once the requirements are captured, more detailed specifications and eventually implementations are derived by the system using transformational synthesis. A key characteristic of the process is that the required human intervention is in the form of providing problem- and domain-specific engineering knowledge, not in writing detailed implementations. We describe a prototype system that applies the paradigm in the realm of communication engineering: the prototype automatically generates implementations of buffers following analysis of the requirements on each buffer.
Structure of the knowledge base for an expert labeling system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rajaram, N. S.
One of the principal objectives of the NASA AgRISTARS program is the inventory of global crop resources using remotely sensed data gathered by Land Satellites (LANDSAT). A central problem in any such crop inventory procedure is the interpretation of LANDSAT images and identification of parts of each image which are covered by a particular crop of interest. This task of labeling is largely a manual one done by trained human analysts and consequently presents obstacles to the development of totally automated crop inventory systems. However, development in knowledge engineering as well as widespread availability of inexpensive hardware and software for artificial intelligence work offers possibilities for developing expert systems for labeling of crops. Such a knowledge based approach to labeling is presented.
Evidence-based medicine and the reconfiguration of medical knowledge.
Timmermans, Stefan; Kolker, Emily S
Over the past decade, different parties in the health care field have developed and disseminated clinical practice guidelines as part of evidence-based medicine. These formal tools based on a scientific evaluation of the research literature purport to tell health care professionals how to practice medicine. Because clinical practice guidelines shift the knowledge base in the health care field through standardization, they remain controversial within and outside medicine. In this paper, we evaluate the predictive accuracy of four medical professionalization theories--functionalism, Freidson's theory of professional dominance, deprofessionalization theory, and the theory of countervailing powers--to account for (1) the shift from pathophysiology to epidemiology with guidelines, (2) the creation of practice guidelines, and (3) the effects of clinical practice guidelines on the autonomy of health professionals. In light of the mixed predictive record of professionalization theories, we conclude with a need for "evidence-based sociology" and a recalibration of basic premises underlying professionalization theories. PMID:15779473
Dynamic reasoning in a knowledge-based system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rao, Anand S.; Foo, Norman Y.
Any space based system, whether it is a robot arm assembling parts in space or an onboard system monitoring the space station, has to react to changes which cannot be foreseen. As a result, apart from having domain-specific knowledge as in current expert systems, a space based AI system should also have general principles of change. This paper presents a modal logic which can not only represent change but also reason with it. Three primitive operations, expansion, contraction and revision are introduced and axioms which specify how the knowledge base should change when the external world changes are also specified. Accordingly the notion of dynamic reasoning is introduced, which unlike the existing forms of reasoning, provide general principles of change. Dynamic reasoning is based on two main principles, namely minimize change and maximize coherence. A possible-world semantics which incorporates the above two principles is also discussed. The paper concludes by discussing how the dynamic reasoning system can be used to specify actions and hence form an integral part of an autonomous reasoning and planning system.
A survey of Existing V&V, UQ and M&S Data and Knowledge Bases in Support of the Nuclear Energy - Knowledge base for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-KAMS)
Hyung Lee; Rich Johnson, Ph.D.; Kimberlyn C. Moussesau
The Nuclear Energy - Knowledge base for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NE-KAMS) is being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory in conjunction with Bettis Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Utah State University and others. The objective of this consortium is to establish a comprehensive knowledge base to provide Verification and Validation (V&V) and Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) and other resources for advanced modeling and simulation (M&S) in nuclear reactor design and analysis. NE-KAMS will become a valuable resource for the nuclear industry, the national laboratories, the U.S. NRC and the public to help ensure the safe operation of existing and future nuclear reactors. A survey and evaluation of the state-of-the-art of existing V&V and M&S databases, including the Department of Energy and commercial databases, has been performed to ensure that the NE-KAMS effort will not be duplicating existing resources and capabilities and to assess the scope of the effort required to develop and implement NE-KAMS. The survey and evaluation have indeed highlighted the unique set of value-added functionality and services that NE-KAMS will provide to its users. Additionally, the survey has helped develop a better understanding of the architecture and functionality of these data and knowledge bases that can be used to leverage the development of NE-KAMS.
Case-based reasoning for space applications: Utilization of prior experience in knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
King, James A.
The goal is to explain Case-Based Reasoning as a vehicle to establish knowledge-based systems based on experimental reasoning for possible space applications. This goal will be accomplished through an examination of reasoning based on prior experience in a sample domain, and also through a presentation of proposed space applications which could utilize Case-Based Reasoning techniques.
Interoperability-oriented Integration of Failure Knowledge into Functional Knowledge and Knowledge Transformation based on Concepts Mapping
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Koji, Yusuke; Kitamura, Yoshinobu; Kato, Yoshikiyo; Tsutsui, Yoshio; Mizoguchi, Riichiro
In conceptual design, it is important to develop functional structures which reflect the rich experience in the knowledge from previous design failures. Especially, if a designer learns possible abnormal behaviors from a previous design failure, he or she can add an additional function which prevents such abnormal behaviors and faults. To do this, it is a crucial issue to share such knowledge about possible faulty phenomena and how to cope with them. In fact, a part of such knowledge is described in FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) sheets, function structure models for systematic design and fault trees for FTA (Fault Tree Analysis).
A methodology for evaluating potential KBS (Knowledge-Based Systems) applications
Melton, R.B.; DeVaney, D.M.; Whiting, M.A.; Laufmann, S.C.
It is often difficult to assess how well Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) techniques and paradigms may be applied to automating various tasks. This report describes the approach and organization of an assessment procedure that involves two levels of analysis. Level One can be performed by individuals with little technical expertise relative to KBS development, while Level Two is intended to be used by experienced KBS developers. The two levels review four groups of issues: goals, appropriateness, resources, and non-technical considerations. Those criteria are identified which are important at each step in the assessment. A qualitative methodology for scoring the task relative to the assessment criteria is provided to alloy analysts to make better informed decisions with regard to the potential effectiveness of applying KBS technology. In addition to this documentation, the assessment methodology has been implemented for personal computers use using the HYPERCARD{trademark} software on a Macintosh{trademark} computer. This interactive mode facilities small group analysis of potential KBS applications and permits a non-sequential appraisal with provisions for automated note-keeping and question scoring. The results provide a useful tool for assessing the feasibility of using KBS techniques in performing tasks in support of treaty verification or IC functions. 13 refs., 3 figs.
Nursing faculties' knowledge and attitude on evidence-based practice
Mehrdad, Neda; Joolaee, Soodabeh; Joulaee, Azadeh; Bahrani, Naser
Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the main professional competencies for health care professionals and a priority for medicine and nursing curriculum as well. EBP leads to improve effective and efficient care and patient outcomes. Nurse educators have responsibility to teach the future nurses, and an opportunity to promote patient outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe nurse educators' knowledge and attitude on EBP. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted in nursing faculties of two major universities of medical sciences affiliated to Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Data were gathered using a three-section questionnaire. Content and face validity was further enhanced by submitting it to nursing research and education experts. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 11 software. Results: According the results, nursing faculties' knowledge of EBP was mainly moderate (47.1%). Significant statistical relationship was found between the level of knowledge with education and teaching experience in different nursing programs. Nurses generally held positive attitudes toward EBP (88.6%) and there was no statistical significant relationship with demographic variables. Conclusion: Nursing educators are in a position to influence nursing research in clinical practice in the future. Therefore, it is critical to achieve implementation of EBP and be a change agent for a paradigm shift toward EBP. PMID:23922597
Agent-Based Knowledge Discovery for Modeling and Simulation
Haack, Jereme N.; Cowell, Andrew J.; Marshall, Eric J.; Fligg, Alan K.; Gregory, Michelle L.; McGrath, Liam R.
This paper describes an approach to using agent technology to extend the automated discovery mechanism of the Knowledge Encapsulation Framework (KEF). KEF is a suite of tools to enable the linking of knowledge inputs (relevant, domain-specific evidence) to modeling and simulation projects, as well as other domains that require an effective collaborative workspace for knowledge-based tasks. This framework can be used to capture evidence (e.g., trusted material such as journal articles and government reports), discover new evidence (covering both trusted and social media), enable discussions surrounding domain-specific topics and provide automatically generated semantic annotations for improved corpus investigation. The current KEF implementation is presented within a semantic wiki environment, providing a simple but powerful collaborative space for team members to review, annotate, discuss and align evidence with their modeling frameworks. The novelty in this approach lies in the combination of automatically tagged and user-vetted resources, which increases user trust in the environment, leading to ease of adoption for the collaborative environment.
Knowledge based system for Satellite data product selection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Goyal, R.; Jayasudha, T.; Pandey, P.; Rama Devi, D.; Rebecca, A.; Manju Sarma, M.; Lakshmi, B.
In recent years, the use of satellite data for geospatial applications has multiplied and contributed significantly towards development of the society. Satellite data requirements, in terms of spatial and spectral resolution, periodicity of data, level of correction and other parameters, vary for different applications. For major applications, remote sensing data alone may not suffice and may require additional data like field data. An application user, even though being versatile in his application, may not know which satellite data is best suited for his application, how to use the data and what information can be derived from the data. Remote sensing domain experts have the proficiency of using appropriate data for remote sensing applications. Entrenching domain expertise into the system and building a knowledge base system for satellite data product selection is vital. Non specialist data users need a user-friendly software which guides them to the most suitable satellite data product on the basis of their application. Such tool will aid the usage for apt remote sensed data for various sectors of application users. Additionally, the consumers will be less concerned about the technical particulars of the platforms that provide satellite data, instead focusing on the content and values in the data product, meeting the timelines and ease of access. Embedding knowledge is a popular and effective means of increasing the power of using a system. This paper describes a system, driven by the built-in knowledge of domain experts, for satellite data products selection for geospatial applications.
Camera-Based Online Signature Verification with Sequential Marginal Likelihood Change Detector
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Muramatsu, Daigo; Yasuda, Kumiko; Shirato, Satoshi; Matsumoto, Takashi
Several online signature verification systems that use cameras have been proposed. These systems obtain online signature data from video images by tracking the pen tip. Such systems are very useful because special devices such as pen-operated digital tablets are not necessary. One drawback, however, is that if the captured images are blurred, pen tip tracking may fail, which causes performance degradation. To solve this problem, here we propose a scheme to detect such images and re-estimate the pen tip position associated with the blurred images. Our pen tracking algorithm is implemented by using the sequential Monte Carlo method, and a sequential marginal likelihood is used for blurred image detection. Preliminary experiments were performed using private data consisting of 390 genuine signatures and 1560 forged signatures. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improved performance in terms of verification accuracy.
The structure of surface texture knowledge
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yan, Wang; Scott, Paul J.; Jiang, Xiangqian
This research aims to create an intelligent knowledge-based system for engineering and bio-medical engineering surface texture, which will provide expert knowledge of surface texture to link surface function, specification of micro- and nano-geometry through manufacture, and verification. The intelligent knowledge base should be capable of incorporating knowledge from multiple sources (standards, books, experts, etc), adding new knowledge from these sources and still remain a coherent reliable system. A new data model based on category theory will be adopted to construct this system.
Category vs. Object Knowledge in Category-based Induction
Murphy, Gregory L.; Ross, Brian H.
In one form of category-based induction, people make predictions about unknown properties of objects. There is a tension between predictions made based on the object's specific features (e.g., objects above a certain size tend not to fly) and those made by reference to category-level knowledge (e.g., birds fly). Seven experiments with artificial categories investigated these two sources of induction by looking at whether people used information about correlated features within categories, suggesting that they focused on feature-feature relations rather than summary categorical information. The results showed that people relied heavily on such correlations, even when there was no reason to think that the correlations exist in the population. The results suggested that people's use of this strategy is largely unreflective, rather than strategically chosen. These findings have important implications for models of category-based induction, which generally ignore feature-feature relations. PMID:20526447
Knowledge-based decision support for patient monitoring in cardioanesthesia.
Schecke, T; Langen, M; Popp, H J; Rau, G; Käsmacher, H; Kalff, G
An approach to generating 'intelligent alarms' is presented that aggregates many information items, i.e. measured vital signs, recent medications, etc., into state variables that more directly reflect the patient's physiological state. Based on these state variables the described decision support system AES-2 also provides therapy recommendations. The assessment of the state variables and the generation of therapeutic advice follow a knowledge-based approach. Aspects of uncertainty, e.g. a gradual transition between 'normal' and 'below normal', are considered applying a fuzzy set approach. Special emphasis is laid on the ergonomic design of the user interface, which is based on color graphics and finger touch input on the screen. Certain simulation techniques considerably support the design process of AES-2 as is demonstrated with a typical example from cardioanesthesia. PMID:1402299
ProbOnto: ontology and knowledge base of probability distributions
Swat, Maciej J.; Grenon, Pierre; Wimalaratne, Sarala
Motivation: Probability distributions play a central role in mathematical and statistical modelling. The encoding, annotation and exchange of such models could be greatly simplified by a resource providing a common reference for the definition of probability distributions. Although some resources exist, no suitably detailed and complex ontology exists nor any database allowing programmatic access. Results: ProbOnto, is an ontology-based knowledge base of probability distributions, featuring more than 80 uni- and multivariate distributions with their defining functions, characteristics, relationships and re-parameterization formulas. It can be used for model annotation and facilitates the encoding of distribution-based models, related functions and quantities. Availability and Implementation: http://probonto.org Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:27153608
Portable Knowledge-Based Diagnostic And Maintenance Systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Darvish, John; Olson, Noreen S.
It is difficult to diagnose faults and maintain weapon systems because (1) they are highly complex pieces of equipment composed of multiple mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic assemblies, and (2) talented maintenance personnel are continuously being lost through the attrition process. To solve this problem, we developed a portable diagnostic and maintenance aid that uses a knowledge-based expert system. This aid incorporates diagnostics, operational procedures, repair and replacement procedures, and regularly scheduled maintenance into one compact, 18-pound graphics workstation. Drawings and schematics can be pulled up from the CD-ROM to assist the operator in answering the expert system's questions. Work for this aid began with the development of the initial knowledge-based expert system in a fast prototyping environment using a LISP machine. The second phase saw the development of a personal computer-based system that used videodisc technology to pictorially assist the operator. The current version of the aid eliminates the high expenses associated with videodisc preparation by scanning in the art work already in the manuals. A number of generic software tools have been developed that streamlined the construction of each iteration of the aid; these tools will be applied to the development of future systems.
Knowledge-based processing for aircraft flight control
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Painter, John H.
The purpose is to develop algorithms and architectures for embedding artificial intelligence in aircraft guidance and control systems. With the approach adopted, AI-computing is used to create an outer guidance loop for driving the usual aircraft autopilot. That is, a symbolic processor monitors the operation and performance of the aircraft. Then, based on rules and other stored knowledge, commands are automatically formulated for driving the autopilot so as to accomplish desired flight operations. The focus is on developing a software system which can respond to linguistic instructions, input in a standard format, so as to formulate a sequence of simple commands to the autopilot. The instructions might be a fairly complex flight clearance, input either manually or by data-link. Emphasis is on a software system which responds much like a pilot would, employing not only precise computations, but, also, knowledge which is less precise, but more like common-sense. The approach is based on prior work to develop a generic 'shell' architecture for an AI-processor, which may be tailored to many applications by describing the application in appropriate processor data bases (libraries). Such descriptions include numerical models of the aircraft and flight control system, as well as symbolic (linguistic) descriptions of flight operations, rules, and tactics.
Knowledge-based approach to video content classification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Yu; Wong, Edward K.
A framework for video content classification using a knowledge-based approach is herein proposed. This approach is motivated by the fact that videos are rich in semantic contents, which can best be interpreted and analyzed by human experts. We demonstrate the concept by implementing a prototype video classification system using the rule-based programming language CLIPS 6.05. Knowledge for video classification is encoded as a set of rules in the rule base. The left-hand-sides of rules contain high level and low level features, while the right-hand-sides of rules contain intermediate results or conclusions. Our current implementation includes features computed from motion, color, and text extracted from video frames. Our current rule set allows us to classify input video into one of five classes: news, weather, reporting, commercial, basketball and football. We use MYCIN's inexact reasoning method for combining evidences, and to handle the uncertainties in the features and in the classification results. We obtained good results in a preliminary experiment, and it demonstrated the validity of the proposed approach.
Knowledge-based approach to video content classification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Yu; Wong, Edward K.
A framework for video content classification using a knowledge-based approach is herein proposed. This approach is motivated by the fact that videos are rich in semantic contents, which can best be interpreted and analyzed by human experts. We demonstrate the concept by implementing a prototype video classification system using the rule-based programming language CLIPS 6.05. Knowledge for video classification is encoded as a set of rules in the rule base. The left-hand-sides of rules contain high level and low level features, while the right-hand-sides of rules contain intermediate results or conclusions. Our current implementation includes features computed from motion, color, and text extracted from video frames. Our current rule set allows us to classify input video into one of five classes: news, weather, reporting, commercial, basketball and football. We use MYCIN's inexact reasoning method for combining evidences, and to handle the uncertainties in the features and in the classification results. We obtained good results in a preliminary experiment, and it demonstrated the validity of the proposed approach.
Knowledge-based system to assess air crew training requirements
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Smith, Barry R.; Banda, Carolyn P.
A description is given of a prototype training assessment tool developed as part of a computer-based cockpit design and analysis workstation that estimates the training resources and time imposed by the anticipated mission and cockpit design. Embedding instructional system and training analysis domain knowledge in a production system environment, the tool allows crew station designers to readily determine the training ramifications of their choices for cockpit equipment, mission tasks, and operator qualifications. Initial results have been validated by comparison to an existing training program, demonstrating the tool's utility as a conceptual design aid and illuminating areas for future development.
Knowledge-based machine vision systems for space station automation
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ranganath, Heggere S.; Chipman, Laure J.
Computer vision techniques which have the potential for use on the space station and related applications are assessed. A knowledge-based vision system (expert vision system) and the development of a demonstration system for it are described. This system implements some of the capabilities that would be necessary in a machine vision system for the robot arm of the laboratory module in the space station. A Perceptics 9200e image processor, on a host VAXstation, was used to develop the demonstration system. In order to use realistic test images, photographs of actual space shuttle simulator panels were used. The system's capabilities of scene identification and scene matching are discussed.
Knowledge-based potential functions in protein design.
Russ, William P; Ranganathan, Rama
Predicting protein sequences that fold into specific native three-dimensional structures is a problem of great potential complexity. Although the complete solution is ultimately rooted in understanding the physical chemistry underlying the complex interactions between amino acid residues that determine protein stability, recent work shows that empirical information about these first principles is embedded in the statistics of protein sequence and structure databases. This review focuses on the use of 'knowledge-based' potentials derived from these databases in designing proteins. In addition, the data suggest how the study of these empirical potentials might impact our fundamental understanding of the energetic principles of protein structure. PMID:12163066
Melody-based knowledge discovery in musical pieces
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rybnik, Mariusz; Jastrzebska, Agnieszka
The paper is focused on automated knowledge discovery in musical pieces, based on transformations of digital musical notation. Usually a single musical piece is analyzed, to discover the structure as well as traits of separate voices. Melody and rhythm is processed with the use of three proposed operators, that serve as meta-data. In this work we focus on melody, so the processed data is labeled using fuzzy labels, created for detecting various voice characteristics. A comparative analysis of two musical pieces may be performed as well, that compares them in terms of various rhythmic or melodic traits (as a whole or with voice separation).
Statistical Design for Biospecimen Cohort Size in Proteomics-based Biomarker Discovery and Verification Studies
Skates, Steven J.; Gillette, Michael A.; LaBaer, Joshua; Carr, Steven A.; Anderson, N. Leigh; Liebler, Daniel C.; Ransohoff, David; Rifai, Nader; Kondratovich, Marina; Težak, Živana; Mansfield, Elizabeth; Oberg, Ann L.; Wright, Ian; Barnes, Grady; Gail, Mitchell; Mesri, Mehdi; Kinsinger, Christopher R.; Rodriguez, Henry; Boja, Emily S.
Protein biomarkers are needed to deepen our understanding of cancer biology and to improve our ability to diagnose, monitor and treat cancers. Important analytical and clinical hurdles must be overcome to allow the most promising protein biomarker candidates to advance into clinical validation studies. Although contemporary proteomics technologies support the measurement of large numbers of proteins in individual clinical specimens, sample throughput remains comparatively low. This problem is amplified in typical clinical proteomics research studies, which routinely suffer from a lack of proper experimental design, resulting in analysis of too few biospecimens to achieve adequate statistical power at each stage of a biomarker pipeline. To address this critical shortcoming, a joint workshop was held by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), with participation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An important output from the workshop was a statistical framework for the design of biomarker discovery and verification studies. Herein, we describe the use of quantitative clinical judgments to set statistical criteria for clinical relevance, and the development of an approach to calculate biospecimen sample size for proteomic studies in discovery and verification stages prior to clinical validation stage. This represents a first step towards building a consensus on quantitative criteria for statistical design of proteomics biomarker discovery and verification research. PMID:24063748
Knowledge-Based Reinforcement Learning for Data Mining
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kudenko, Daniel; Grzes, Marek
experts have developed heuristics that help them in planning and scheduling resources in their work place. However, this domain knowledge is often rough and incomplete. When the domain knowledge is used directly by an automated expert system, the solutions are often sub-optimal, due to the incompleteness of the knowledge, the uncertainty of environments, and the possibility to encounter unexpected situations. RL, on the other hand, can overcome the weaknesses of the heuristic domain knowledge and produce optimal solutions. In the talk we propose two techniques, which represent first steps in the area of knowledge-based RL (KBRL). The first technique [1] uses high-level STRIPS operator knowledge in reward shaping to focus the search for the optimal policy. Empirical results show that the plan-based reward shaping approach outperforms other RL techniques, including alternative manual and MDP-based reward shaping when it is used in its basic form. We showed that MDP-based reward shaping may fail and successful experiments with STRIPS-based shaping suggest modifications which can overcome encountered problems. The STRIPSbased method we propose allows expressing the same domain knowledge in a different way and the domain expert can choose whether to define an MDP or STRIPS planning task. We also evaluated the robustness of the proposed STRIPS-based technique to errors in the plan knowledge. In case that STRIPS knowledge is not available, we propose a second technique [2] that shapes the reward with hierarchical tile coding. Where the Q-function is represented with low-level tile coding, a V-function with coarser tile coding can be learned in parallel and used to approximate the potential for ground states. In the context of data mining, our KBRL approaches can also be used for any data collection task where the acquisition of data may incur considerable cost. In addition, observing the data collection agent in specific scenarios may lead to new insights into optimal data
Design of Composite Structures Using Knowledge-Based and Case Based Reasoning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lambright, Jonathan Paul
A method of using knowledge based and case based reasoning to assist designers during conceptual design tasks of composite structures was proposed. The cooperative use of heuristics, procedural knowledge, and previous similar design cases suggests a potential reduction in design cycle time and ultimately product lead time. The hypothesis of this work is that the design process of composite structures can be improved by using Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and Knowledge-Based (KB) reasoning in the early design stages. The technique of using knowledge-based and case-based reasoning facilitates the gathering of disparate information into one location that is easily and readily available. The method suggests that the inclusion of downstream life-cycle issues into the conceptual design phase reduces potential of defective, and sub-optimal composite structures. Three industry experts were interviewed extensively. The experts provided design rules, previous design cases, and test problems. A Knowledge Based Reasoning system was developed using the CLIPS (C Language Interpretive Procedural System) environment and a Case Based Reasoning System was developed using the Design Memory Utility For Sharing Experiences (MUSE) xviii environment. A Design Characteristic State (DCS) was used to document the design specifications, constraints, and problem areas using attribute-value pair relationships. The DCS provided consistent design information between the knowledge base and case base. Results indicated that the use of knowledge based and case based reasoning provided a robust design environment for composite structures. The knowledge base provided design guidance from well defined rules and procedural knowledge. The case base provided suggestions on design and manufacturing techniques based on previous similar designs and warnings of potential problems and pitfalls. The case base complemented the knowledge base and extended the problem solving capability beyond the existence of
A knowledge base for Vitis vinifera functional analysis
Background Vitis vinifera (Grapevine) is the most important fruit species in the modern world. Wine and table grapes sales contribute significantly to the economy of major wine producing countries. The most relevant goals in wine production concern quality and safety. In order to significantly improve the achievement of these objectives and to gain biological knowledge about cultivars, a genomic approach is the most reliable strategy. The recent grapevine genome sequencing offers the opportunity to study the potential roles of genes and microRNAs in fruit maturation and other physiological and pathological processes. Although several systems allowing the analysis of plant genomes have been reported, none of them has been designed specifically for the functional analysis of grapevine genomes of cultivars under environmental stress in connection with microRNA data. Description Here we introduce a novel knowledge base, called BIOWINE, designed for the functional analysis of Vitis vinifera genomes of cultivars present in Sicily. The system allows the analysis of RNA-seq experiments of two different cultivars, namely Nero d'Avola and Nerello Mascalese. Samples were taken under different climatic conditions of phenological phases, diseases, and geographic locations. The BIOWINE web interface is equipped with data analysis modules for grapevine genomes. In particular users may analyze the current genome assembly together with the RNA-seq data through a customized version of GBrowse. The web interface allows users to perform gene set enrichment by exploiting third-party databases. Conclusions BIOWINE is a knowledge base implementing a set of bioinformatics tools for the analysis of grapevine genomes. The system aims to increase our understanding of the grapevine varieties and species of Sicilian products focusing on adaptability to different climatic conditions, phenological phases, diseases, and geographic locations. PMID:26050794
The 2004 knowledge base parametric grid data software suite.
Wilkening, Lisa K.; Simons, Randall W.; Ballard, Sandy; Jensen, Lee A.; Chang, Marcus C.; Hipp, James Richard
One of the most important types of data in the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research and Engineering (GNEM R&E) Knowledge Base (KB) is parametric grid (PG) data. PG data can be used to improve signal detection, signal association, and event discrimination, but so far their greatest use has been for improving event location by providing ground-truth-based corrections to travel-time base models. In this presentation we discuss the latest versions of the complete suite of Knowledge Base PG tools developed by NNSA to create, access, manage, and view PG data. The primary PG population tool is the Knowledge Base calibration integration tool (KBCIT). KBCIT is an interactive computer application to produce interpolated calibration-based information that can be used to improve monitoring performance by improving precision of model predictions and by providing proper characterizations of uncertainty. It is used to analyze raw data and produce kriged correction surfaces that can be included in the Knowledge Base. KBCIT not only produces the surfaces but also records all steps in the analysis for later review and possible revision. New features in KBCIT include a new variogram autofit algorithm; the storage of database identifiers with a surface; the ability to merge surfaces; and improved surface-smoothing algorithms. The Parametric Grid Library (PGL) provides the interface to access the data and models stored in a PGL file database. The PGL represents the core software library used by all the GNEM R&E tools that read or write PGL data (e.g., KBCIT and LocOO). The library provides data representations and software models to support accurate and efficient seismic phase association and event location. Recent improvements include conversion of the flat-file database (FDB) to an Oracle database representation; automatic access of station/phase tagged models from the FDB during location; modification of the core
Framework Support For Knowledge-Based Software Development
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huseth, Steve
The advent of personal engineering workstations has brought substantial information processing power to the individual programmer. Advanced tools and environment capabilities supporting the software lifecycle are just beginning to become generally available. However, many of these tools are addressing only part of the software development problem by focusing on rapid construction of self-contained programs by a small group of talented engineers. Additional capabilities are required to support the development of large programming systems where a high degree of coordination and communication is required among large numbers of software engineers, hardware engineers, and managers. A major player in realizing these capabilities is the framework supporting the software development environment. In this paper we discuss our research toward a Knowledge-Based Software Assistant (KBSA) framework. We propose the development of an advanced framework containing a distributed knowledge base that can support the data representation needs of tools, provide environmental support for the formalization and control of the software development process, and offer a highly interactive and consistent user interface.
Network fingerprint: a knowledge-based characterization of biomedical networks
Cui, Xiuliang; He, Haochen; He, Fuchu; Wang, Shengqi; Li, Fei; Bo, Xiaochen
It can be difficult for biomedical researchers to understand complex molecular networks due to their unfamiliarity with the mathematical concepts employed. To represent molecular networks with clear meanings and familiar forms for biomedical researchers, we introduce a knowledge-based computational framework to decipher biomedical networks by making systematic comparisons to well-studied "basic networks". A biomedical network is characterized as a spectrum-like vector called "network fingerprint", which contains similarities to basic networks. This knowledge-based multidimensional characterization provides a more intuitive way to decipher molecular networks, especially for large-scale network comparisons and clustering analyses. As an example, we extracted network fingerprints of 44 disease networks in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. The comparisons among the network fingerprints of disease networks revealed informative disease-disease and disease-signaling pathway associations, illustrating that the network fingerprinting framework will lead to new approaches for better understanding of biomedical networks. PMID:26307246
Hospital nurses' use of knowledge-based information resources.
Tannery, Nancy Hrinya; Wessel, Charles B; Epstein, Barbara A; Gadd, Cynthia S
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the information-seeking practices of nurses before and after access to a library's electronic collection of information resources. This is a pre/post intervention study of nurses at a rural community hospital. The hospital contracted with an academic health sciences library for access to a collection of online knowledge-based resources. Self-report surveys were used to obtain information about nurses' computer use and how they locate and access information to answer questions related to their patient care activities. In 2001, self-report surveys were sent to the hospital's 573 nurses during implementation of access to online resources with a post-implementation survey sent 1 year later. At the initiation of access to the library's electronic resources, nurses turned to colleagues and print textbooks or journals to satisfy their information needs. After 1 year of access, 20% of the nurses had begun to use the library's electronic resources. The study outcome suggests ready access to knowledge-based electronic information resources can lead to changes in behavior among some nurses. PMID:17289463
A knowledge based system for scientific data visualization
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Senay, Hikmet; Ignatius, Eve
A knowledge-based system, called visualization tool assistant (VISTA), which was developed to assist scientists in the design of scientific data visualization techniques, is described. The system derives its knowledge from several sources which provide information about data characteristics, visualization primitives, and effective visual perception. The design methodology employed by the system is based on a sequence of transformations which decomposes a data set into a set of data partitions, maps this set of partitions to visualization primitives, and combines these primitives into a composite visualization technique design. Although the primary function of the system is to generate an effective visualization technique design for a given data set by using principles of visual perception the system also allows users to interactively modify the design, and renders the resulting image using a variety of rendering algorithms. The current version of the system primarily supports visualization techniques having applicability in earth and space sciences, although it may easily be extended to include other techniques useful in other disciplines such as computational fluid dynamics, finite-element analysis and medical imaging.
Mindtagger: A Demonstration of Data Labeling in Knowledge Base Construction
Shin, Jaeho; Ré, Christopher; Cafarella, Michael
End-to-end knowledge base construction systems using statistical inference are enabling more people to automatically extract high-quality domain-specific information from unstructured data. As a result of deploying DeepDive framework across several domains, we found new challenges in debugging and improving such end-to-end systems to construct high-quality knowledge bases. DeepDive has an iterative development cycle in which users improve the data. To help our users, we needed to develop principles for analyzing the system's error as well as provide tooling for inspecting and labeling various data products of the system. We created guidelines for error analysis modeled after our colleagues' best practices, in which data labeling plays a critical role in every step of the analysis. To enable more productive and systematic data labeling, we created Mindtagger, a versatile tool that can be configured to support a wide range of tasks. In this demonstration, we show in detail what data labeling tasks are modeled in our error analysis guidelines and how each of them is performed using Mindtagger. PMID:27144082
The AI Bus architecture for distributed knowledge-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schultz, Roger D.; Stobie, Iain
The AI Bus architecture is layered, distributed object oriented framework developed to support the requirements of advanced technology programs for an order of magnitude improvement in software costs. The consequent need for highly autonomous computer systems, adaptable to new technology advances over a long lifespan, led to the design of an open architecture and toolbox for building large scale, robust, production quality systems. The AI Bus accommodates a mix of knowledge based and conventional components, running on heterogeneous, distributed real world and testbed environment. The concepts and design is described of the AI Bus architecture and its current implementation status as a Unix C++ library or reusable objects. Each high level semiautonomous agent process consists of a number of knowledge sources together with interagent communication mechanisms based on shared blackboards and message passing acquaintances. Standard interfaces and protocols are followed for combining and validating subsystems. Dynamic probes or demons provide an event driven means for providing active objects with shared access to resources, and each other, while not violating their security.
Strong earthquakes knowledge base for calibrating fast damage assessment systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Frolova, N.; Kozlov, M.; Larionov, V.; Nikolaev, A.; Suchshev, S.; Ugarov, A.
At present Systems for fast damage and loss assessment due to strong earthquakes may use as input data: (1) information about event parameters (magnitude, depth and coordinates) issued by Alert Seismological Surveys; (2) wave-form data obtained by strong-motion seismograph network; (3) high resolution space images of the affected area obtained before and after the event. When data about magnidute, depth and location of event are used to simulate possible consequences, the reliability of estimations depends on completeness and reliability of databases on elements at risk (population and built environment); reliability of vulnerability functions of elements at risk; and errors in strong earthquakes' parameters determination by Alert Seismological Surveys. Some of these factors may be taken into account at the expense of the System calibration with usage of well documented past strong earthquakes. The paper is describing the structure and content of the knowledge base about well documented strong events, which occurred in last century. It contains the description of more than 1000 events. The data are distributed almost homogeneously as the losses due to earthquakes are concerned; the most events are in the magnitude range 6.5 -7.9. Software is created to accumulate and analyze the information about these events source parameters and social consequences. Created knowledge base is used for calibration the Fast Damage Assessment Tool, which is at present on duty with the framework of EDRIM Program. It is also used as additional information by experts who analyses the results of computations.
An Ontology-Based Conceptual Model For Accumulating And Reusing Knowledge In A DMAIC Process
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nguyen, ThanhDat; Kifor, Claudiu Vasile
DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) is an important process used to enhance quality of processes basing on knowledge. However, it is difficult to access DMAIC knowledge. Conventional approaches meet a problem arising from structuring and reusing DMAIC knowledge. The main reason is that DMAIC knowledge is not represented and organized systematically. In this article, we overcome the problem basing on a conceptual model that is a combination of DMAIC process, knowledge management, and Ontology engineering. The main idea of our model is to utilizing Ontologies to represent knowledge generated by each of DMAIC phases. We build five different knowledge bases for storing all knowledge of DMAIC phases with the support of necessary tools and appropriate techniques in Information Technology area. Consequently, these knowledge bases provide knowledge available to experts, managers, and web users during or after DMAIC execution in order to share and reuse existing knowledge.
Knowledge-based classification of neuronal fibers in entire brain.
Xia, Yan; Turken, U; Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan L; Gabrieli, John D
This work presents a framework driven by parcellation of brain gray matter in standard normalized space to classify the neuronal fibers obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in entire human brain. Classification of fiber bundles into groups is an important step for the interpretation of DTI data in terms of functional correlates of white matter structures. Connections between anatomically delineated brain regions that are considered to form functional units, such as a short-term memory network, are identified by first clustering fibers based on their terminations in anatomically defined zones of gray matter according to Talairach Atlas, and then refining these groups based on geometric similarity criteria. Fiber groups identified this way can then be interpreted in terms of their functional properties using knowledge of functional neuroanatomy of individual brain regions specified in standard anatomical space, as provided by functional neuroimaging and brain lesion studies. PMID:16685847
TMS for Instantiating a Knowledge Base With Incomplete Data
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
James, Mark
A computer program that belongs to the class known among software experts as output truth-maintenance-systems (output TMSs) has been devised as one of a number of software tools for reducing the size of the knowledge base that must be searched during execution of artificial- intelligence software of the rule-based inference-engine type in a case in which data are missing. This program determines whether the consequences of activation of two or more rules can be combined without causing a logical inconsistency. For example, in a case involving hypothetical scenarios that could lead to turning a given device on or off, the program determines whether a scenario involving a given combination of rules could lead to turning the device both on and off at the same time, in which case that combination of rules would not be included in the scenario.
Expert operator's associate: A knowledge based system for spacecraft control
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Nielsen, Mogens; Grue, Klaus; Lecouat, Francois
The Expert Operator's Associate (EOA) project is presented which studies the applicability of expert systems for day-to-day space operations. A prototype expert system is developed, which operates on-line with an existing spacecraft control system at the European Space Operations Centre, and functions as an 'operator's assistant' in controlling satellites. The prototype is demonstrated using an existing real-time simulation model of the MARECS-B2 telecommunication satellite. By developing a prototype system, the extent to which reliability and effectivens of operations can be enhanced by AI based support is examined. In addition the study examines the questions of acquisition and representation of the 'knowledge' for such systems, and the feasibility of 'migration' of some (currently) ground-based functions into future spaceborne autonomous systems.
Knowledge-based navigation of complex information spaces
Burke, R.D.; Hammond, K.J.; Young, B.C.
While the explosion of on-line information has brought new opportunities for finding and using electronic data, it has also brought to the forefront the problem of isolating useful information and making sense of large multi-dimension information spaces. We have built several developed an approach to building data {open_quotes}tour guides,{close_quotes} called FINDME systems. These programs know enough about an information space to be able to help a user navigate through it. The user not only comes away with items of useful information but also insights into the structure of the information space itself. In these systems, we have combined ideas of instance-based browsing, structuring retrieval around the critiquing of previously-retrieved examples, and retrieval strategies, knowledge-based heuristics for finding relevant information. We illustrate these techniques with several examples, concentrating especially on the RENTME system, a FINDME system for helping users find suitable rental apartments in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Incorporating Feature-Based Annotations into Automatically Generated Knowledge Representations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lumb, L. I.; Lederman, J. I.; Aldridge, K. D.
Earth Science Markup Language (ESML) is efficient and effective in representing scientific data in an XML- based formalism. However, features of the data being represented are not accounted for in ESML. Such features might derive from events (e.g., a gap in data collection due to instrument servicing), identifications (e.g., a scientifically interesting area/volume in an image), or some other source. In order to account for features in an ESML context, we consider them from the perspective of annotation, i.e., the addition of information to existing documents without changing the originals. Although it is possible to extend ESML to incorporate feature-based annotations internally (e.g., by extending the XML schema for ESML), there are a number of complicating factors that we identify. Rather than pursuing the ESML-extension approach, we focus on an external representation for feature-based annotations via XML Pointer Language (XPointer). In previous work (Lumb &Aldridge, HPCS 2006, IEEE, doi:10.1109/HPCS.2006.26), we have shown that it is possible to extract relationships from ESML-based representations, and capture the results in the Resource Description Format (RDF). Thus we explore and report on this same requirement for XPointer-based annotations of ESML representations. As in our past efforts, the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) allows us to illustrate with a real-world example this approach for introducing annotations into automatically generated knowledge representations.
Knowledge-based control of an adaptive interface
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lachman, Roy
The analysis, development strategy, and preliminary design for an intelligent, adaptive interface is reported. The design philosophy couples knowledge-based system technology with standard human factors approaches to interface development for computer workstations. An expert system has been designed to drive the interface for application software. The intelligent interface will be linked to application packages, one at a time, that are planned for multiple-application workstations aboard Space Station Freedom. Current requirements call for most Space Station activities to be conducted at the workstation consoles. One set of activities will consist of standard data management services (DMS). DMS software includes text processing, spreadsheets, data base management, etc. Text processing was selected for the first intelligent interface prototype because text-processing software can be developed initially as fully functional but limited with a small set of commands. The program's complexity then can be increased incrementally. The intelligent interface includes the operator's behavior and three types of instructions to the underlying application software are included in the rule base. A conventional expert-system inference engine searches the data base for antecedents to rules and sends the consequents of fired rules as commands to the underlying software. Plans for putting the expert system on top of a second application, a database management system, will be carried out following behavioral research on the first application. The intelligent interface design is suitable for use with ground-based workstations now common in government, industrial, and educational organizations.
The Knowledge Base Interface for Parametric Grid Information
Hipp, James R.; Simons, Randall W.; Young, Chris J.
The parametric grid capability of the Knowledge Base (KBase) provides an efficient robust way to store and access interpolatable information that is needed to monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. To meet both the accuracy and performance requirements of operational monitoring systems, we use an approach which combines the error estimation of kriging with the speed and robustness of Natural Neighbor Interpolation. The method involves three basic steps: data preparation, data storage, and data access. In past presentations we have discussed in detail the first step. In this paper we focus on the latter two, describing in detail the type of information which must be stored and the interface used to retrieve parametric grid data from the Knowledge Base. Once data have been properly prepared, the information (tessellation and associated value surfaces) needed to support the interface functionality, can be entered into the KBase. The primary types of parametric grid data that must be stored include (1) generic header information; (2) base model, station, and phase names and associated ID's used to construct surface identifiers; (3) surface accounting information; (4) tessellation accounting information; (5) mesh data for each tessellation; (6) correction data defined for each surface at each node of the surfaces owning tessellation (7) mesh refinement calculation set-up and flag information; and (8) kriging calculation set-up and flag information. The eight data components not only represent the results of the data preparation process but also include all required input information for several population tools that would enable the complete regeneration of the data results if that should be necessary.
Autonomous Cryogenic Load Operations: Knowledge-Based Autonomous Test Engineer
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schrading, J. Nicolas
The Knowledge-Based Autonomous Test Engineer (KATE) program has a long history at KSC. Now a part of the Autonomous Cryogenic Load Operations (ACLO) mission, this software system has been sporadically developed over the past 20 years. Originally designed to provide health and status monitoring for a simple water-based fluid system, it was proven to be a capable autonomous test engineer for determining sources of failure in the system. As part of a new goal to provide this same anomaly-detection capability for a complicated cryogenic fluid system, software engineers, physicists, interns and KATE experts are working to upgrade the software capabilities and graphical user interface. Much progress was made during this effort to improve KATE. A display of the entire cryogenic system's graph, with nodes for components and edges for their connections, was added to the KATE software. A searching functionality was added to the new graph display, so that users could easily center their screen on specific components. The GUI was also modified so that it displayed information relevant to the new project goals. In addition, work began on adding new pneumatic and electronic subsystems into the KATE knowledge base, so that it could provide health and status monitoring for those systems. Finally, many fixes for bugs, memory leaks, and memory errors were implemented and the system was moved into a state in which it could be presented to stakeholders. Overall, the KATE system was improved and necessary additional features were added so that a presentation of the program and its functionality in the next few months would be a success.
Hyperincursion and the Globalization of the Knowledge-Based Economy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Leydesdorff, Loet
In biological systems, the capacity of anticipation—that is, entertaining a model of the system within the system—can be considered as naturally given. Human languages enable psychological systems to construct and exchange mental models of themselves and their environments reflexively, that is, provide meaning to the events. At the level of the social system expectations can further be codified. When these codifications are functionally differentiated—like between market mechanisms and scientific research programs—the potential asynchronicity in the update among the subsystems provides room for a second anticipatory mechanism at the level of the transversal information exchange among differently codified meaning-processing subsystems. Interactions between the two different anticipatory mechanisms (the transversal one and the one along the time axis in each subsystem) may lead to co-evolutions and stabilization of expectations along trajectories. The wider horizon of knowledgeable expectations can be expected to meta-stabilize and also globalize a previously stabilized configuration of expectations against the axis of time. While stabilization can be considered as consequences of interaction and aggregation among incursive formulations of the logistic equation, globalization can be modeled using the hyperincursive formulation of this equation. The knowledge-based subdynamic at the global level which thus emerges, enables historical agents to inform the reconstruction of previous states and to co-construct future states of the social system, for example, in a techno-economic co-evolution.
A knowledge-based system design/information tool
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Allen, James G.; Sikora, Scott E.
The objective of this effort was to develop a Knowledge Capture System (KCS) for the Integrated Test Facility (ITF) at the Dryden Flight Research Facility (DFRF). The DFRF is a NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) facility. This system was used to capture the design and implementation information for NASA's high angle-of-attack research vehicle (HARV), a modified F/A-18A. In particular, the KCS was used to capture specific characteristics of the design of the HARV fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (FCS). The KCS utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge-based system (KBS) technology. The KCS enables the user to capture the following characteristics of automated systems: the system design; the hardware (H/W) design and implementation; the software (S/W) design and implementation; and the utilities (electrical and hydraulic) design and implementation. A generic version of the KCS was developed which can be used to capture the design information for any automated system. The deliverable items for this project consist of the prototype generic KCS and an application, which captures selected design characteristics of the HARV FCS.
DRILL: a standardized radiology-teaching knowledge base
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rundle, Debra A.; Evers, K.; Seshadri, Sridhar B.; Arenson, Ronald L.
Traditionally, radiologists have collected and saved interesting cases in their film formats to teach medical students, residents, and physicians. These cases are classified according to various coding schemes, although current schemes alone are insufficient to meet today's educational needs. Teaching methods and cases also vary among institutions, along with the manner in which instructors present information to their students. In order to address this problem, the authors developed a standardized radiology teaching knowledge database known as the Digital Radiology Image Learning Library (DRILL). DRILL is a relational image knowledge database providing access to standard mammography cases in digital image format along with a pool of clinical and radiological information on a per-case basis. The development platform chosen is a standard Apple Macintosh-II computer and the Oracle database environment. The data entry and query interfaces are implemented in HyperCard. Images are stored on magnetic disk but could be stored on optical media. Since the personal computer platform was chosen, a wide variety of course building tools are available through which a teacher can construct a course, such as authoring and multi-media systems for building computer based courses, or word processors for writing course outlines tests. The interface also provides image conversion tools which convert images into PC-compatible formats.
Compiling knowledge-based systems from KEE to Ada
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Filman, Robert E.; Bock, Conrad; Feldman, Roy
The dominant technology for developing AI applications is to work in a multi-mechanism, integrated, knowledge-based system (KBS) development environment. Unfortunately, systems developed in such environments are inappropriate for delivering many applications - most importantly, they carry the baggage of the entire Lisp environment and are not written in conventional languages. One resolution of this problem would be to compile applications from complex environments to conventional languages. Here the first efforts to develop a system for compiling KBS developed in KEE to Ada (trademark). This system is called KATYDID, for KEE/Ada Translation Yields Development Into Delivery. KATYDID includes early prototypes of a run-time KEE core (object-structure) library module for Ada, and translation mechanisms for knowledge structures, rules, and Lisp code to Ada. Using these tools, part of a simple expert system was compiled (not quite automatically) to run in a purely Ada environment. This experience has given us various insights on Ada as an artificial intelligence programming language, potential solutions of some of the engineering difficulties encountered in early work, and inspiration on future system development.
Assessment of ground-based atmospheric observations for verification of greenhouse gas emissions from an urban region
McKain, Kathryn; Wofsy, Steven C.; Nehrkorn, Thomas; Eluszkiewicz, Janusz; Ehleringer, James R.; Stephens, Britton B.
International agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions require verification to ensure that they are effective and fair. Verification based on direct observation of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations will be necessary to demonstrate that estimated emission reductions have been actualized in the atmosphere. Here we assess the capability of ground-based observations and a high-resolution (1.3 km) mesoscale atmospheric transport model to determine a change in greenhouse gas emissions over time from a metropolitan region. We test the method with observations from a network of CO2 surface monitors in Salt Lake City. Many features of the CO2 data were simulated with excellent fidelity, although data-model mismatches occurred on hourly timescales due to inadequate simulation of shallow circulations and the precise timing of boundary-layer stratification and destratification. Using two optimization procedures, monthly regional fluxes were constrained to sufficient precision to detect an increase or decrease in emissions of approximately 15% at the 95% confidence level. We argue that integrated column measurements of the urban dome of CO2 from the ground and/or space are less sensitive than surface point measurements to the redistribution of emitted CO2 by small-scale processes and thus may allow for more precise trend detection of emissions from urban regions. PMID:22611187
Knowledge-based biomedical word sense disambiguation: comparison of approaches
Background Word sense disambiguation (WSD) algorithms attempt to select the proper sense of ambiguous terms in text. Resources like the UMLS provide a reference thesaurus to be used to annotate the biomedical literature. Statistical learning approaches have produced good results, but the size of the UMLS makes the production of training data infeasible to cover all the domain. Methods We present research on existing WSD approaches based on knowledge bases, which complement the studies performed on statistical learning. We compare four approaches which rely on the UMLS Metathesaurus as the source of knowledge. The first approach compares the overlap of the context of the ambiguous word to the candidate senses based on a representation built out of the definitions, synonyms and related terms. The second approach collects training data for each of the candidate senses to perform WSD based on queries built using monosemous synonyms and related terms. These queries are used to retrieve MEDLINE citations. Then, a machine learning approach is trained on this corpus. The third approach is a graph-based method which exploits the structure of the Metathesaurus network of relations to perform unsupervised WSD. This approach ranks nodes in the graph according to their relative structural importance. The last approach uses the semantic types assigned to the concepts in the Metathesaurus to perform WSD. The context of the ambiguous word and semantic types of the candidate concepts are mapped to Journal Descriptors. These mappings are compared to decide among the candidate concepts. Results are provided estimating accuracy of the different methods on the WSD test collection available from the NLM. Conclusions We have found that the last approach achieves better results compared to the other methods. The graph-based approach, using the structure of the Metathesaurus network to estimate the relevance of the Metathesaurus concepts, does not perform well compared to the first two
SU-E-T-505: CT-Based Independent Dose Verification for RapidArc Plan as a Secondary Check
Tachibana, H; Baba, H; Kamima, T; Takahashi, R
Purpose: To design and develop a CT-based independent dose verification for the RapidArc plan and also to show the effectiveness of inhomogeneous correction in the secondary check for the plan. Methods: To compute the radiological path from the body surface to the reference point and equivalent field sizes from the multiple MLC aperture shapes in the RapidArc MLC sequences independently, DICOM files of CT image, structure and RapidArc plan were imported to our in-house software. The radiological path was computed using a three-dimensional CT arrays for each segment. The multiple MLC aperture shapes were used to compute tissue maximum ratio and phantom scatter factor using the Clarkson-method. In this study, two RapidArc plans for oropharynx cancer were used to compare the doses in CT-based calculation and water-equivalent phantom calculation using the contoured body structure to the dose in a treatment planning system (TPS). Results: The comparison in the one plan shows good agreement in both of the calculation (within 1%). However, in the other case, the CT-based calculation shows better agreement compared to the water-equivalent phantom calculation (CT-based: -2.8% vs. Water-based: -3.8%). Because there were multiple structures along the multiple beam paths and the radiological path length in the CT-based calculation and the path in the water-homogenous phantom calculation were comparatively different. Conclusion: RapidArc treatments are performed in any sites (from head, chest, abdomen to pelvis), which includes inhomogeneous media. Therefore, a more reliable CT-based calculation may be used as a secondary check for the independent verification.
Knowledge-Based Framework: its specification and new related discussions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rodrigues, Douglas; Zaniolo, Rodrigo R.; Branco, Kalinka R. L. J. C.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a common application of critical embedded systems. The heterogeneity prevalent in these vehicles in terms of services for avionics is particularly relevant to the elaboration of multi-application missions. Besides, this heterogeneity in UAV services is often manifested in the form of characteristics such as reliability, security and performance. Different service implementations typically offer different guarantees in terms of these characteristics and in terms of associated costs. Particularly, we explore the notion of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) in the context of UAVs as safety-critical embedded systems for the composition of services to fulfil application-specified performance and dependability guarantees. So, we propose a framework for the deployment of these services and their variants. This framework is called Knowledge-Based Framework for Dynamically Changing Applications (KBF) and we specify its services module, discussing all the related issues.
A model for a knowledge-based system's life cycle
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kiss, Peter A.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has initiated a Committee on Standards for Artificial Intelligence. Presented here are the initial efforts of one of the working groups of that committee. The purpose here is to present a candidate model for the development life cycle of Knowledge Based Systems (KBS). The intent is for the model to be used by the Aerospace Community and eventually be evolved into a standard. The model is rooted in the evolutionary model, borrows from the spiral model, and is embedded in the standard Waterfall model for software development. Its intent is to satisfy the development of both stand-alone and embedded KBSs. The phases of the life cycle are detailed as are and the review points that constitute the key milestones throughout the development process. The applicability and strengths of the model are discussed along with areas needing further development and refinement by the aerospace community.
Image-based querying of urban knowledge databases
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cho, Peter; Bae, Soonmin; Durand, Fredo
We extend recent automated computer vision algorithms to reconstruct the global three-dimensional structures for photos and videos shot at fixed points in outdoor city environments. Mosaics of digital stills and embedded videos are georegistered by matching a few of their 2D features with 3D counterparts in aerial ladar imagery. Once image planes are aligned with world maps, abstract urban knowledge can propagate from the latter into the former. We project geotagged annotations from a 3D map into a 2D video stream and demonstrate their tracking buildings and streets in a clip with significant panning motion. We also present an interactive tool which enables users to select city features of interest in video frames and retrieve their geocoordinates and ranges. Implications of this work for future augmented reality systems based upon mobile smart phones are discussed.
Strategic Positioning of HRM in Knowledge-Based Organizations
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thite, Mohan
With knowledge management as the strategic intent and learning to learn as the strategic weapon, the current management focus is on how to leverage knowledge faster and better than competitors. Research demonstrates that it is the cultural mindset of the people in the organisation that primarily defines success in knowledge intensive…
Background Knowledge in Learning-Based Relation Extraction
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Do, Quang Xuan
In this thesis, we study the importance of background knowledge in relation extraction systems. We not only demonstrate the benefits of leveraging background knowledge to improve the systems' performance but also propose a principled framework that allows one to effectively incorporate knowledge into statistical machine learning models for…
Three-dimensional dose prediction based on two-dimensional verification measurements for IMRT.
Sumida, Iori; Yamaguchi, Hajime; Kizaki, Hisao; Aboshi, Keiko; Yamada, Yuji; Yoshioka, Yasuo; Ogawa, Kazuhiko
Dose verifications for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are generally performed once before treatment. A 39-fraction treatment course for prostate cancer delivers a dose prescription of 78 Gy in eight weeks. Any changes in multileaf collimator leaf position over the treatment course may affect the dosimetry. To evaluate the magnitude of deviations from the predicted dose over an entire treatment course with MLC leaf calibrations performed every two weeks, we tracked weekly changes in relative dose error distributions measured with two-dimensional (2D) beam-by-beam analysis. We compared the dosimetric results from 20 consecutive patient-specific IMRT quality assurance (QA) tests using beam-by-beam analysis and a 2D diode detector array to the dose plans calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS). We added back the resulting relative dose error measured weekly into the original dose grid for each beam. To validate the prediction method, the predicted doses and dose distributions were compared to the measurements using an ionization chamber and film. The predicted doses were in good agreement, within 2% of the measured doses, and the predicted dose distributions also presented good agreement with the measured distributions. Dose verification results measured once as a pretreatment QA test were not completely stable, as results of weekly beam-by-beam analysis showed some variation. Because dosimetric errors throughout the treatment course were averaged, the overall dosimetric impact to patients was small. PMID:25207574
Development and validation of MCNPX-based Monte Carlo treatment plan verification system
Jabbari, Iraj; Monadi, Shahram
A Monte Carlo treatment plan verification (MCTPV) system was developed for clinical treatment plan verification (TPV), especially for the conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans. In the MCTPV, the MCNPX code was used for particle transport through the accelerator head and the patient body. MCTPV has an interface with TiGRT planning system and reads the information which is needed for Monte Carlo calculation transferred in digital image communications in medicine-radiation therapy (DICOM-RT) format. In MCTPV several methods were applied in order to reduce the simulation time. The relative dose distribution of a clinical prostate conformal plan calculated by the MCTPV was compared with that of TiGRT planning system. The results showed well implementation of the beams configuration and patient information in this system. For quantitative evaluation of MCTPV a two-dimensional (2D) diode array (MapCHECK2) and gamma index analysis were used. The gamma passing rate (3%/3 mm) of an IMRT plan was found to be 98.5% for total beams. Also, comparison of the measured and Monte Carlo calculated doses at several points inside an inhomogeneous phantom for 6- and 18-MV photon beams showed a good agreement (within 1.5%). The accuracy and timing results of MCTPV showed that MCTPV could be used very efficiently for additional assessment of complicated plans such as IMRT plan. PMID:26170554
A national knowledge-based crop recognition in Mediterranean environment
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cohen, Yafit; Shoshany, Maxim
Population growth, urban expansion, land degradation, civil strife and war may place plant natural resources for food and agriculture at risk. Crop and yield monitoring is basic information necessary for wise management of these resources. Satellite remote sensing techniques have proven to be cost-effective in widespread agricultural lands in Africa, America, Europe and Australia. However, they have had limited success in Mediterranean regions that are characterized by a high rate of spatio-temporal ecological heterogeneity and high fragmentation of farming lands. An integrative knowledge-based approach is needed for this purpose, which combines imagery and geographical data within the framework of an intelligent recognition system. This paper describes the development of such a crop recognition methodology and its application to an area that comprises approximately 40% of the cropland in Israel. This area contains eight crop types that represent 70% of Israeli agricultural production. Multi-date Landsat TM images representing seasonal vegetation cover variations were converted to normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) layers. Field boundaries were delineated by merging Landsat data with SPOT-panchromatic images. Crop recognition was then achieved in two-phases, by clustering multi-temporal NDVI layers using unsupervised classification, and then applying 'split-and-merge' rules to these clusters. These rules were formalized through comprehensive learning of relationships between crop types, imagery properties (spectral and NDVI) and auxiliary data including agricultural knowledge, precipitation and soil types. Assessment of the recognition results using ground data from the Israeli Agriculture Ministry indicated an average recognition accuracy exceeding 85% which accounts for both omission and commission errors. The two-phase strategy implemented in this study is apparently successful for heterogeneous regions. This is due to the fact that it allows
How Quality Improvement Practice Evidence Can Advance the Knowledge Base.
O'Rourke, Hannah M; Fraser, Kimberly D
Recommendations for the evaluation of quality improvement interventions have been made in order to improve the evidence base of whether, to what extent, and why quality improvement interventions affect chosen outcomes. The purpose of this article is to articulate why these recommendations are appropriate to improve the rigor of quality improvement intervention evaluation as a research endeavor, but inappropriate for the purposes of everyday quality improvement practice. To support our claim, we describe the differences between quality improvement interventions that occur for the purpose of practice as compared to research. We then carefully consider how feasibility, ethics, and the aims of evaluation each impact how quality improvement interventions that occur in practice, as opposed to research, can or should be evaluated. Recommendations that fit the evaluative goals of practice-based quality improvement interventions are needed to support fair appraisal of the distinct evidence they produce. We describe a current debate on the nature of evidence to assist in reenvisioning how quality improvement evidence generated from practice might complement that generated from research, and contribute in a value-added way to the knowledge base. PMID:27584696
Incremental Knowledge Base Construction Using DeepDive
Shin, Jaeho; Wu, Sen; Wang, Feiran; De Sa, Christopher; Zhang, Ce; Ré, Christopher
Populating a database with unstructured information is a long-standing problem in industry and research that encompasses problems of extraction, cleaning, and integration. Recent names used for this problem include dealing with dark data and knowledge base construction (KBC). In this work, we describe DeepDive, a system that combines database and machine learning ideas to help develop KBC systems, and we present techniques to make the KBC process more efficient. We observe that the KBC process is iterative, and we develop techniques to incrementally produce inference results for KBC systems. We propose two methods for incremental inference, based respectively on sampling and variational techniques. We also study the tradeoff space of these methods and develop a simple rule-based optimizer. DeepDive includes all of these contributions, and we evaluate Deep-Dive on five KBC systems, showing that it can speed up KBC inference tasks by up to two orders of magnitude with negligible impact on quality. PMID:27144081
FunSecKB: the Fungal Secretome KnowledgeBase
Lum, Gengkon; Min, Xiang Jia
The Fungal Secretome KnowledgeBase (FunSecKB) provides a resource of secreted fungal proteins, i.e. secretomes, identified from all available fungal protein data in the NCBI RefSeq database. The secreted proteins were identified using a well evaluated computational protocol which includes SignalP, WolfPsort and Phobius for signal peptide or subcellular location prediction, TMHMM for identifying membrane proteins, and PS-Scan for identifying endoplasmic reticulum (ER) target proteins. The entries were mapped to the UniProt database and any annotations of subcellular locations that were either manually curated or computationally predicted were included in FunSecKB. Using a web-based user interface, the database is searchable, browsable and downloadable by using NCBI's RefSeq accession or gi number, UniProt accession number, keyword or by species. A BLAST utility was integrated to allow users to query the database by sequence similarity. A user submission tool was implemented to support community annotation of subcellular locations of fungal proteins. With the complete fungal data from RefSeq and associated web-based tools, FunSecKB will be a valuable resource for exploring the potential applications of fungal secreted proteins. Database URL: http://proteomics.ysu.edu/secretomes/fungi.php PMID:21300622
Identification of threats using linguistics-based knowledge extraction.
Chew, Peter A.
One of the challenges increasingly facing intelligence analysts, along with professionals in many other fields, is the vast amount of data which needs to be reviewed and converted into meaningful information, and ultimately into rational, wise decisions by policy makers. The advent of the world wide web (WWW) has magnified this challenge. A key hypothesis which has guided us is that threats come from ideas (or ideology), and ideas are almost always put into writing before the threats materialize. While in the past the 'writing' might have taken the form of pamphlets or books, today's medium of choice is the WWW, precisely because it is a decentralized, flexible, and low-cost method of reaching a wide audience. However, a factor which complicates matters for the analyst is that material published on the WWW may be in any of a large number of languages. In 'Identification of Threats Using Linguistics-Based Knowledge Extraction', we have sought to use Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) and other similar text analysis techniques to map documents from the WWW, in whatever language they were originally written, to a common language-independent vector-based representation. This then opens up a number of possibilities. First, similar documents can be found across language boundaries. Secondly, a set of documents in multiple languages can be visualized in a graphical representation. These alone offer potentially useful tools and capabilities to the intelligence analyst whose knowledge of foreign languages may be limited. Finally, we can test the over-arching hypothesis--that ideology, and more specifically ideology which represents a threat, can be detected solely from the words which express the ideology--by using the vector-based representation of documents to predict additional features (such as the ideology) within a framework based on supervised learning. In this report, we present the results of a three-year project of the same name. We believe these results clearly
Evaluation of lexicon size variations on a verification and rejection system based on SVM, for accurate and robust recognition of handwritten words
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ricquebourg, Yann; Coüasnon, Bertrand; Guichard, Laurent
The transcription of handwritten words remains a still challenging and difficult task. When processing full pages, approaches are limited by the trade-off between automatic recognition errors and the tedious aspect of human user verification. In this article, we present our investigations to improve the capabilities of an automatic recognizer, so as to be able to reject unknown words (not to take wrong decisions) while correctly rejecting (i.e. to recognize as much as possible from the lexicon of known words). This is the active research topic of developing a verification system that optimize the trade-off between performance and reliability. To minimize the recognition errors, a verification system is usually used to accept or reject the hypotheses produced by an existing recognition system. Thus, we re-use our novel verification architecture1 here: the recognition hypotheses are re-scored by a set of support vector machines, and validated by a verification mechanism based on multiple rejection thresholds. In order to tune these (class-dependent) rejection thresholds, an algorithm based on dynamic programming has been proposed which focus on maximizing the recognition rate for a given error rate. Experiments have been carried out on the RIMES database in three steps. The first two showed that this approach results in a performance superior or equal to other state-of-the-art rejection methods. We focus here on the third one showing that this verification system also greatly improves results of keywords extraction in a set of handwritten words, with a strong robustness to lexicon size variations (21 lexicons have been tested from 167 entries up to 5,600 entries) which is particularly relevant to our application context cooperating with humans, and only made possible thanks to the rejection ability of this proposed system. The proposed verification system, compared to a HMM with simple rejection, improves on average the recognition rate by 57% (resp. 33% and 21%) for
A first-principles generic methodology for representing the knowledge base of a process diagnostic expert system
Reifman, J.; Briggs, L.L.; Wei, T.Y.C.
In this paper we present a methodology for identifying faulty component candidates of process malfunctions through basic physical principles of conservation, functional classification of components and information from the process schematics. The basic principles of macroscopic balance of mass, momentum and energy in thermal hydraulic control volumes are applied in a novel approach to incorporate deep knowledge into the knowledge base. Additional deep knowledge is incorporated through the functional classification of process components according to their influence in disturbing the macroscopic balance equations. Information from the process schematics is applied to identify the faulty component candidates after the type of imbalance in the control volumes is matched against the functional classification of the components. Except for the information from the process schematics, this approach is completely general and independent of the process under consideration. The use of basic first-principles, which are physically correct, and the process-independent architecture of the diagnosis procedure allow for the verification and validation of the system. A prototype process diagnosis expert system is developed and a test problem is presented to identify faulty component candidates in the presence of a single failure in a hypothetical balance of plant of a liquid metal nuclear reactor plant.
Deductive Verification of Cryptographic Software
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Almeida, Jose Barcelar; Barbosa, Manuel; Pinto, Jorge Sousa; Vieira, Barbara
We report on the application of an off-the-shelf verification platform to the RC4 stream cipher cryptographic software implementation (as available in the openSSL library), and introduce a deductive verification technique based on self-composition for proving the absence of error propagation.
The Knowledge-Based Economy and E-Learning: Critical Considerations for Workplace Democracy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Remtulla, Karim A.
The ideological shift by nation-states to "a knowledge-based economy" (also referred to as "knowledge-based society") is causing changes in the workplace. Brought about by the forces of globalisation and technological innovation, the ideologies of the "knowledge-based economy" are not limited to influencing the production, consumption and economic…
Knowledge-based approach to multiple-transaction processing and distributed data-base design
Park, J.T.
The collective processing of multiple transactions in a data-base system has recently received renewed attention due to its capability of improving the overall performance of a data-base system and its applicability to the design of knowledge-based expert systems and extensible data-base systems. This dissertation consists of two parts. The first part presents a new knowledge-based approach to the problems of processing multiple concurrent queries and distributing replicated data objects for further improvement of the overall system performance. The second part deals with distributed database design, i.e., designing horizontal fragments using a semantic knowledge, and allocating data in a distributed environment. The semantic knowledge on data such as functional dependencies and semantic-data-integrity constraints are newly exploited for the identification of subset relationships between intermediate results of query executions involving joins, such that the (intermediate) results of queries can be utilized for the efficient processing of other queries. The expertise on the collective processing of multiple transactions is embodied into the rules of a rule-based expert system, MTP (Multiple Transaction Processor). In the second part, MTP is applied for the determination of horizontal fragments exploiting the semantic knowledge. Heuristics for allocating data in local area networks are developed.
A Simple Visual Ethanol Biosensor Based on Alcohol Oxidase Immobilized onto Polyaniline Film for Halal Verification of Fermented Beverage Samples
Kuswandi, Bambang; Irmawati, Titi; Hidayat, Moch Amrun; Jayus; Ahmad, Musa
A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase (AOX) immobilised onto polyaniline (PANI) film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples is described. This biosensor responds to ethanol via a colour change from green to blue, due to the enzymatic reaction of ethanol that produces acetaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, when the latter oxidizes the PANI film. The procedure to obtain this biosensor consists of the immobilization of AOX onto PANI film by adsorption. For the immobilisation, an AOX solution is deposited on the PANI film and left at room temperature until dried (30 min). The biosensor was constructed as a dip stick for visual and simple use. The colour changes of the films have been scanned and analysed using image analysis software (i.e., ImageJ) to study the characteristics of the biosensor's response toward ethanol. The biosensor has a linear response in an ethanol concentration range of 0.01%–0.8%, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.996. The limit detection of the biosensor was 0.001%, with reproducibility (RSD) of 1.6% and a life time up to seven weeks when stored at 4 °C. The biosensor provides accurate results for ethanol determination in fermented drinks and was in good agreement with the standard method (gas chromatography) results. Thus, the biosensor could be used as a simple visual method for ethanol determination in fermented beverage samples that can be useful for Muslim community for halal verification. PMID:24473284
A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase immobilized onto polyaniline film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples.
Kuswandi, Bambang; Irmawati, Titi; Hidayat, Moch Amrun; Jayus; Ahmad, Musa
A simple visual ethanol biosensor based on alcohol oxidase (AOX) immobilised onto polyaniline (PANI) film for halal verification of fermented beverage samples is described. This biosensor responds to ethanol via a colour change from green to blue, due to the enzymatic reaction of ethanol that produces acetaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, when the latter oxidizes the PANI film. The procedure to obtain this biosensor consists of the immobilization of AOX onto PANI film by adsorption. For the immobilisation, an AOX solution is deposited on the PANI film and left at room temperature until dried (30 min). The biosensor was constructed as a dip stick for visual and simple use. The colour changes of the films have been scanned and analysed using image analysis software (i.e., ImageJ) to study the characteristics of the biosensor's response toward ethanol. The biosensor has a linear response in an ethanol concentration range of 0.01%-0.8%, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.996. The limit detection of the biosensor was 0.001%, with reproducibility (RSD) of 1.6% and a life time up to seven weeks when stored at 4 °C. The biosensor provides accurate results for ethanol determination in fermented drinks and was in good agreement with the standard method (gas chromatography) results. Thus, the biosensor could be used as a simple visual method for ethanol determination in fermented beverage samples that can be useful for Muslim community for halal verification. PMID:24473284
Independent calculation-based verification of IMRT plans using a 3D dose-calculation engine
Arumugam, Sankar; Xing, Aitang; Goozee, Gary; Holloway, Lois
Independent monitor unit verification of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans requires detailed 3-dimensional (3D) dose verification. The aim of this study was to investigate using a 3D dose engine in a second commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for this task, facilitated by in-house software. Our department has XiO and Pinnacle TPSs, both with IMRT planning capability and modeled for an Elekta-Synergy 6 MV photon beam. These systems allow the transfer of computed tomography (CT) data and RT structures between them but do not allow IMRT plans to be transferred. To provide this connectivity, an in-house computer programme was developed to convert radiation therapy prescription (RTP) files as generated by many planning systems into either XiO or Pinnacle IMRT file formats. Utilization of the technique and software was assessed by transferring 14 IMRT plans from XiO and Pinnacle onto the other system and performing 3D dose verification. The accuracy of the conversion process was checked by comparing the 3D dose matrices and dose volume histograms (DVHs) of structures for the recalculated plan on the same system. The developed software successfully transferred IMRT plans generated by 1 planning system into the other. Comparison of planning target volume (TV) DVHs for the original and recalculated plans showed good agreement; a maximum difference of 2% in mean dose, − 2.5% in D95, and 2.9% in V95 was observed. Similarly, a DVH comparison of organs at risk showed a maximum difference of +7.7% between the original and recalculated plans for structures in both high- and medium-dose regions. However, for structures in low-dose regions (less than 15% of prescription dose) a difference in mean dose up to +21.1% was observed between XiO and Pinnacle calculations. A dose matrix comparison of original and recalculated plans in XiO and Pinnacle TPSs was performed using gamma analysis with 3%/3 mm criteria. The mean and standard deviation of pixels passing
Independent calculation-based verification of IMRT plans using a 3D dose-calculation engine.
Arumugam, Sankar; Xing, Aitang; Goozee, Gary; Holloway, Lois
Independent monitor unit verification of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans requires detailed 3-dimensional (3D) dose verification. The aim of this study was to investigate using a 3D dose engine in a second commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for this task, facilitated by in-house software. Our department has XiO and Pinnacle TPSs, both with IMRT planning capability and modeled for an Elekta-Synergy 6MV photon beam. These systems allow the transfer of computed tomography (CT) data and RT structures between them but do not allow IMRT plans to be transferred. To provide this connectivity, an in-house computer programme was developed to convert radiation therapy prescription (RTP) files as generated by many planning systems into either XiO or Pinnacle IMRT file formats. Utilization of the technique and software was assessed by transferring 14 IMRT plans from XiO and Pinnacle onto the other system and performing 3D dose verification. The accuracy of the conversion process was checked by comparing the 3D dose matrices and dose volume histograms (DVHs) of structures for the recalculated plan on the same system. The developed software successfully transferred IMRT plans generated by 1 planning system into the other. Comparison of planning target volume (TV) DVHs for the original and recalculated plans showed good agreement; a maximum difference of 2% in mean dose, - 2.5% in D95, and 2.9% in V95 was observed. Similarly, a DVH comparison of organs at risk showed a maximum difference of +7.7% between the original and recalculated plans for structures in both high- and medium-dose regions. However, for structures in low-dose regions (less than 15% of prescription dose) a difference in mean dose up to +21.1% was observed between XiO and Pinnacle calculations. A dose matrix comparison of original and recalculated plans in XiO and Pinnacle TPSs was performed using gamma analysis with 3%/3mm criteria. The mean and standard deviation of pixels passing gamma
Development of a Prototype Model-Form Uncertainty Knowledge Base
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Green, Lawrence L.
Uncertainties are generally classified as either aleatory or epistemic. Aleatory uncertainties are those attributed to random variation, either naturally or through manufacturing processes. Epistemic uncertainties are generally attributed to a lack of knowledge. One type of epistemic uncertainty is called model-form uncertainty. The term model-form means that among the choices to be made during a design process within an analysis, there are different forms of the analysis process, which each give different results for the same configuration at the same flight conditions. Examples of model-form uncertainties include the grid density, grid type, and solver type used within a computational fluid dynamics code, or the choice of the number and type of model elements within a structures analysis. The objectives of this work are to identify and quantify a representative set of model-form uncertainties and to make this information available to designers through an interactive knowledge base (KB). The KB can then be used during probabilistic design sessions, so as to enable the possible reduction of uncertainties in the design process through resource investment. An extensive literature search has been conducted to identify and quantify typical model-form uncertainties present within aerospace design. An initial attempt has been made to assemble the results of this literature search into a searchable KB, usable in real time during probabilistic design sessions. A concept of operations and the basic structure of a model-form uncertainty KB are described. Key operations within the KB are illustrated. Current limitations in the KB, and possible workarounds are explained.
Peyronie's disease: urologist's knowledge base and practice patterns.
Sullivan, J; Moskovic, D; Nelson, C; Levine, L; Mulhall, J
Peyronie's disease (PD) is a poorly understood clinical entity. We performed an in-depth analysis of the knowledge base and current practice patterns of urologists in the United States. A 46-question instrument was created by two experienced PD practitioners and emailed to current American Urology Association members nationally. Questions were either multiple-choice or used a visual analogue scale. Responses regarding treatment options were answered by ranking a list of utilized therapies by preference. Data were aggregated and mean values for each category compiled. Responses were received from 639 urologists (67% in private practice). Almost all (98%) reported seeing PD patients with regularity. Twenty-six percent believed PD prevalence is ≤1%, a small fraction (5%) reporting prevalence as ≥10%. Only 3% referred patients to a subspecialist in PD. Twenty-six percent believed PD is a condition that does not warrant any treatment. The preferred initial management was with oral agents (81%). Of those who used intralesional injections as first line, verapamil was most commonly selected (67%). Seventy-nine percent perform surgery for PD with 86% reporting the optimal timing at ≥12 months after onset of symptoms. Seventy percent perform penile plication, most commonly the Nesbit technique (54%), 61% perform implant surgery and 37% reported performing plaque incision/excision and grafting. Although PD is now a more recognized condition, there are still large variances in knowledge and management strategies. Prospective clinical studies are needed to elucidate standardized management guidelines and a more cohesive strategy to manage this common disease. PMID:25331235
Designing Information Systems for Nursing Practice: Data Base and Knowledge Base Requirements of Different Organizational Technologies
Ozbolt, Judy G.
A prequisite to designing computer-aided information systems to support nurse decision making is to identify the kinds of decisions nurses make and to specify the data and the knowledge required to make those decisions. Perrow's (1970) models of organizational technologies, which consider the variability of stimuli and the nature of search procedures for deciding what to do about the stimuli, offer a useful approach to analyzing nurse decision making. Different assumptions about stimuli and search procedures result in different models of nursing, each with its own requirements for a knowledge base and a data base. Professional standards of nursing practice generally assume that clients are unique and therefore treat the stimuli with which nurses deal are highly varied. Existing nursing information systems, however, have been designed as though the stimuli had little variability. Nurses involved in developing the next generation of computer systems will need to identify appropriate models of nursing and to specify the data bases as knowledge bases accordingly.
LLNL Middle East, North Africa and Western Eurasia Knowledge Base
O'Boyle, J; Ruppert, S D; Hauk, T F; Dodge, D A; Ryall, F; Firpo, M A
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Ground-Based Nuclear Event Monitoring (GNEM) program has made significant progress populating a comprehensive Seismic Research Knowledge Base (SRKB) and deriving calibration parameters for the Middle East, North Africa and Western Eurasia (ME/NA/WE) regions. The LLNL SRKB provides not only a coherent framework in which to store and organize very large volumes of collected seismic waveforms, associated event parameter information, and spatial contextual data, but also provides an efficient data processing/research environment for deriving location and discrimination correction surfaces. The SRKB is a flexible and extensible framework consisting of a relational database (RDB), Geographical Information System (GIS), and associated product/data visualization and data management tools. This SRKB framework is designed to accommodate large volumes of data (almost 3 million waveforms from 57,000 events) in diverse formats from many sources (both LLNL derived research and integrated contractor products), in addition to maintaining detailed quality control and metadata. We have developed expanded look-up tables for critical station parameter information (including location and response) and an integrated and reconciled event catalog data set (including specification of preferred origin solutions and associated phase arrivals) for the PDE, CMT, ISC, REB and selected regional catalogs. Using the SRKB framework, we are combining traveltime observations, event characterization studies, and regional tectonic models to assemble a library of ground truth information and phenomenology (e.g. travel-time and amplitude) correction surfaces required for support of the ME/NA/WE regionalization program. We also use the SRKB to integrate data and research products from a variety of sources, such as contractors and universities, to merge and maintain quality control of the data sets. Corrections and parameters distilled from the LLNL SRKB
A clinical trial of a knowledge-based medical record.
Safran, C; Rind, D M; Davis, R B; Sands, D Z; Caraballo, E; Rippel, K; Wang, Q; Rury, C; Makadon, H J; Cotton, D J
To meet the needs of primary care physicians caring for patients with HIV infection, we developed a knowledge-based medical record to allow the on-line patient record to play an active role in the care process. These programs integrate the on-line patient record, rule-based decision support, and full-text information retrieval into a clinical workstation for the practicing clinician. To determine whether use of a knowledge-based medical record was associated with more rapid and complete adherence to practice guidelines and improved quality of care, we performed a controlled clinical trial among physicians and nurse practitioners caring for 349 patients infected with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV); 191 patients were treated by 65 physicians and nurse practitioners assigned to the intervention group, and 158 patients were treated by 61 physicians and nurse practitioners assigned to the control group. During the 18-month study period, the computer generated 303 alerts in the intervention group and 388 in the control group. The median response time of clinicians to these alerts was 11 days in the intervention group and 52 days in the control group (PJJ0.0001, log-rank test). During the study, the computer generated 432 primary care reminders for the intervention group and 360 reminders for the control group. The median response time of clinicians to these alerts was 114 days in the intervention group and more than 500 days in the control group (PJJ0.0001, log-rank test). Of the 191 patients in the intervention group, 67 (35%) had one or more hospitalizations, compared with 70 (44%) of the 158 patients in the control group (PJ=J0.04, Wilcoxon test stratified for initial CD4 count). There was no difference in survival between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.18, log-rank test). We conclude that our clinical workstation significantly changed physicians' behavior in terms of their response to alerts regarding primary care interventions and that these
Validation and verification of expert systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gilstrap, Lewey
Validation and verification (V&V) are procedures used to evaluate system structure or behavior with respect to a set of requirements. Although expert systems are often developed as a series of prototypes without requirements, it is not possible to perform V&V on any system for which requirements have not been prepared. In addition, there are special problems associated with the evaluation of expert systems that do not arise in the evaluation of conventional systems, such as verification of the completeness and accuracy of the knowledge base. The criticality of most NASA missions make it important to be able to certify the performance of the expert systems used to support these mission. Recommendations for the most appropriate method for integrating V&V into the Expert System Development Methodology (ESDM) and suggestions for the most suitable approaches for each stage of ESDM development are presented.
Verification of Geometric Model-Based Plant Phenotyping Methods for Studies of Xerophytic Plants
Drapikowski, Paweł; Kazimierczak-Grygiel, Ewa; Korecki, Dominik; Wiland-Szymańska, Justyna
This paper presents the results of verification of certain non-contact measurement methods of plant scanning to estimate morphological parameters such as length, width, area, volume of leaves and/or stems on the basis of computer models. The best results in reproducing the shape of scanned objects up to 50 cm in height were obtained with the structured-light DAVID Laserscanner. The optimal triangle mesh resolution for scanned surfaces was determined with the measurement error taken into account. The research suggests that measuring morphological parameters from computer models can supplement or even replace phenotyping with classic methods. Calculating precise values of area and volume makes determination of the S/V (surface/volume) ratio for cacti and other succulents possible, whereas for classic methods the result is an approximation only. In addition, the possibility of scanning and measuring plant species which differ in morphology was investigated. PMID:27355949
A Tool for Verification and Validation of Neural Network Based Adaptive Controllers for High Assurance Systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gupta, Pramod; Schumann, Johann
High reliability of mission- and safety-critical software systems has been identified by NASA as a high-priority technology challenge. We present an approach for the performance analysis of a neural network (NN) in an advanced adaptive control system. This problem is important in the context of safety-critical applications that require certification, such as flight software in aircraft. We have developed a tool to measure the performance of the NN during operation by calculating a confidence interval (error bar) around the NN's output. Our tool can be used during pre-deployment verification as well as monitoring the network performance during operation. The tool has been implemented in Simulink and simulation results on a F-15 aircraft are presented.
Verification of Geometric Model-Based Plant Phenotyping Methods for Studies of Xerophytic Plants.
Drapikowski, Paweł; Kazimierczak-Grygiel, Ewa; Korecki, Dominik; Wiland-Szymańska, Justyna
This paper presents the results of verification of certain non-contact measurement methods of plant scanning to estimate morphological parameters such as length, width, area, volume of leaves and/or stems on the basis of computer models. The best results in reproducing the shape of scanned objects up to 50 cm in height were obtained with the structured-light DAVID Laserscanner. The optimal triangle mesh resolution for scanned surfaces was determined with the measurement error taken into account. The research suggests that measuring morphological parameters from computer models can supplement or even replace phenotyping with classic methods. Calculating precise values of area and volume makes determination of the S/V (surface/volume) ratio for cacti and other succulents possible, whereas for classic methods the result is an approximation only. In addition, the possibility of scanning and measuring plant species which differ in morphology was investigated. PMID:27355949
Prospector II: Towards a knowledge base for mineral deposits
McCammon, R.B.
What began in the mid-seventies as a research effort in designing an expert system to aid geologists in exploring for hidden mineral deposits has in the late eighties become a full-sized knowledge-based system to aid geologists in conducting regional mineral resource assessments. Prospector II, the successor to Prospector, is interactive-graphics oriented, flexible in its representation of mineral deposit models, and suited to regional mineral resource assessment. In Prospector II, the geologist enters the findings for an area, selects the deposit models or examples of mineral deposits for consideration, and the program compares the findings with the models or the examples selected, noting the similarities, differences, and missing information. The models or the examples selected are ranked according to scores that are based on the comparisons with the findings. Findings can be reassessed and the process repeated if necessary. The results provide the geologist with a rationale for identifying those mineral deposit types that the geology of an area permits. In future, Prospector II can assist in the creation of new models used in regional mineral resource assessment and in striving toward an ultimate classification of mineral deposits. ?? 1994 International Association for Mathematical Geology.
A knowledge based expert system for condition monitoring
Selkirk, C.G.; Roberge, P.R.; Fisher, G.F.; Yeung, K.K.
Condition monitoring (CM) is the focus of many maintenance philosophies around the world today. In the Canadian Forces (CF), CM has played an important role in the maintenance of aircraft systems since the introduction of spectrometric oil analysis (SOAP) over twenty years ago. Other techniques in use in the CF today include vibration analysis (VA), ferrography, and filter debris analysis (FDA). To improve the usefulness and utility gained from these CM techniques, work is currently underway to incorporate expert systems into them. An expert system for FDA is being developed which will aid filter debris analysts in identifying wear debris and wear level trends, and which will provide the analyst with reference examples in an attempt to standardize results. Once completed, this knowledge based expert system will provide a blueprint from which other CM expert systems can be created. Amalgamating these specific systems into a broad based global system will provide the CM analyst with a tool that will be able to correlate data and results from each of the techniques, thereby increasing the utility of each individual method of analysis. This paper will introduce FDA and then outline the development of the FDA expert system and future applications.
SmartWeld: A knowledge-based approach to welding
Mitchiner, J.L.; Kleban, S.D.; Hess, B.V.; Mahin, K.W.; Messink, D.
SmartWeld is a concurrent engineering system that integrates product design and processing decisions within an electronic desktop engineering environment. It is being developed to provide designers, process engineers, researchers and manufacturing technologists with transparent access to the right process information, process models, process experience and process experts, to realize``right the first time`` manufacturing. Empirical understanding along with process models are synthesized within a knowledge-based system to identify robust fabrication procedures based on cost, schedule, and performance. Integration of process simulation tools with design tools enables the designer to assess a number of design and process options on the computer rather than on the manufacturing floor. Task models and generic process models are being embedded within user friendly GUI`s to more readily enable the customer to use the SmartWeld system and its software tool set without extensive training. The integrated system architecture under development provides interactive communications and shared application capabilities across a variety of workstation and PC-type platforms either locally or at remote sites.
Automatic tumor segmentation using knowledge-based techniques.
Clark, M C; Hall, L O; Goldgof, D B; Velthuizen, R; Murtagh, F R; Silbiger, M S
A system that automatically segments and labels glioblastoma-multiforme tumors in magnetic resonance images (MRI's) of the human brain is presented. The MRI's consist of T1-weighted, proton density, and T2-weighted feature images and are processed by a system which integrates knowledge-based (KB) techniques with multispectral analysis. Initial segmentation is performed by an unsupervised clustering algorithm. The segmented image, along with cluster centers for each class are provided to a rule-based expert system which extracts the intracranial region. Multispectral histogram analysis separates suspected tumor from the rest of the intracranial region, with region analysis used in performing the final tumor labeling. This system has been trained on three volume data sets and tested on thirteen unseen volume data sets acquired from a single MRI system. The KB tumor segmentation was compared with supervised, radiologist-labeled "ground truth" tumor volumes and supervised k-nearest neighbors tumor segmentations. The results of this system generally correspond well to ground truth, both on a per slice basis and more importantly in tracking total tumor volume during treatment over time. PMID:9688151
Speech-Language Pathologists' Knowledge of Genetics: Perceived Confidence, Attitudes, Knowledge Acquisition and Practice-Based Variables
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tramontana, G. Michael; Blood, Ingrid M.; Blood, Gordon W.
The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the general knowledge bases demonstrated by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the area of genetics, (b) the confidence levels of SLPs in providing services to children and their families with genetic disorders/syndromes, (c) the attitudes of SLPs regarding genetics and communication…
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Grebowsky, G. J.
Present LANDSAT data formats are reviewed to clarify how the geodetic location and registration capabilities were defined for P-tape products and RBV data. Since there is only one geometric model used in the master data processor, geometric location accuracy of P-tape products depends on the absolute accuracy of the model and registration accuracy is determined by the stability of the model. Due primarily to inaccuracies in data provided by the LANDSAT attitude management system, desired accuracies are obtained only by using ground control points and a correlation process. The verification of system performance with regards to geodetic location requires the capability to determine pixel positions of map points in a P-tape array. Verification of registration performance requires the capability to determine pixel positions of common points (not necessarily map points) in 2 or more P-tape arrays for a given world reference system scene. Techniques for registration verification can be more varied and automated since map data are not required. The verification of LACIE extractions is used as an example.
Multilayered Knowledge: Understanding the Structure and Enactment of Teacher Educators' Specialized Knowledge Base
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Selmer, Sarah; Bernstein, Malayna; Bolyard, Johnna
In order to corroborate and grow teacher educator knowledge (TEK) scholarship, this paper describes an in-depth-focused exploration of a group of teacher educators providing professional development. Our grounded data analysis allowed us to define different major elements, sub-elements, and components that comprise TEK, as well as make explicit…
Increasing levels of assistance in refinement of knowledge-based retrieval systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Baudin, Catherine; Kedar, Smadar; Pell, Barney
The task of incrementally acquiring and refining the knowledge and algorithms of a knowledge-based system in order to improve its performance over time is discussed. In particular, the design of DE-KART, a tool whose goal is to provide increasing levels of assistance in acquiring and refining indexing and retrieval knowledge for a knowledge-based retrieval system, is presented. DE-KART starts with knowledge that was entered manually, and increases its level of assistance in acquiring and refining that knowledge, both in terms of the increased level of automation in interacting with users, and in terms of the increased generality of the knowledge. DE-KART is at the intersection of machine learning and knowledge acquisition: it is a first step towards a system which moves along a continuum from interactive knowledge acquisition to increasingly automated machine learning as it acquires more knowledge and experience.
A verification system of RMAP protocol controller
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Khanov, V. Kh; Shakhmatov, A. V.; Chekmarev, S. A.
The functional verification problem of IP blocks of RMAP protocol controller is considered. The application of the verification method using fully- functional models of the processor and the internal bus of a system-on-chip is justified. Principles of construction of a verification system based on the given approach are proposed. The practical results of creating a system of verification of IP block of RMAP protocol controller is presented.
General Environmental Verification Specification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Milne, J. Scott, Jr.; Kaufman, Daniel S.
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center s General Environmental Verification Specification (GEVS) for STS and ELV Payloads, Subsystems, and Components is currently being revised based on lessons learned from GSFC engineering and flight assurance. The GEVS has been used by Goddard flight projects for the past 17 years as a baseline from which to tailor their environmental test programs. A summary of the requirements and updates are presented along with the rationale behind the changes. The major test areas covered by the GEVS include mechanical, thermal, and EMC, as well as more general requirements for planning, tracking of the verification programs.
Explaining Verification Conditions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Deney, Ewen; Fischer, Bernd
The Hoare approach to program verification relies on the construction and discharge of verification conditions (VCs) but offers no support to trace, analyze, and understand the VCs themselves. We describe a systematic extension of the Hoare rules by labels so that the calculus itself can be used to build up explanations of the VCs. The labels are maintained through the different processing steps and rendered as natural language explanations. The explanations can easily be customized and can capture different aspects of the VCs; here, we focus on their structure and purpose. The approach is fully declarative and the generated explanations are based only on an analysis of the labels rather than directly on the logical meaning of the underlying VCs or their proofs. Keywords: program verification, Hoare calculus, traceability.
Cognitive Bias in Systems Verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Larson, Steve
Working definition of cognitive bias: Patterns by which information is sought and interpreted that can lead to systematic errors in decisions. Cognitive bias is used in diverse fields: Economics, Politics, Intelligence, Marketing, to name a few. Attempts to ground cognitive science in physical characteristics of the cognitive apparatus exceed our knowledge. Studies based on correlations; strict cause and effect is difficult to pinpoint. Effects cited in the paper and discussed here have been replicated many times over, and appear sound. Many biases have been described, but it is still unclear whether they are all distinct. There may only be a handful of fundamental biases, which manifest in various ways. Bias can effect system verification in many ways . Overconfidence -> Questionable decisions to deploy. Availability -> Inability to conceive critical tests. Representativeness -> Overinterpretation of results. Positive Test Strategies -> Confirmation bias. Debiasing at individual level very difficult. The potential effect of bias on the verification process can be managed, but not eliminated. Worth considering at key points in the process.
Widening the Knowledge Acquisition Bottleneck for Constraint-Based Tutors
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Suraweera, Pramuditha; Mitrovic, Antonija; Martin, Brent
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are effective tools for education. However, developing them is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process. A major share of the effort is devoted to acquiring the domain knowledge that underlies the system's intelligence. The goal of this research is to reduce this knowledge acquisition bottleneck and better…
Knowledge-based operation and management of communications systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heggestad, Harold M.
Expert systems techniques are being applied in operation and control of the Defense Communications System (DCS), which has the mission of providing reliable worldwide voice, data and message services for U.S. forces and commands. Thousands of personnel operate DCS facilities, and many of their functions match the classical expert system scenario: complex, skill-intensive environments with a full spectrum of problems in training and retention, cost containment, modernization, and so on. Two of these functions are: (1) fault isolation and restoral of dedicated circuits at Tech Control Centers, and (2) network management for the Defense Switched Network (the modernized dial-up voice system currently replacing AUTOVON). An expert system for the first of these is deployed for evaluation purposes at Andrews Air Force Base, and plans are being made for procurement of operational systems. In the second area, knowledge obtained with a sophisticated simulator is being embedded in an expert system. The background, design and status of both projects are described.
Knowledge-based operation and management of communications systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Heggestad, Harold M.
Expert systems techniques are being applied in operation and control of the Defense Communications System (DCS), which has the mission of providing reliable worldwide voice, data and message services for U.S. forces and commands. Thousands of personnel operate DCS facilities, and many of their functions match the classical expert system scenario: complex, skill-intensive environments with a full spectrum of problems in training and retention, cost containment, modernization, and so on. Two of these functions are: (1) fault isolation and restoral of dedicated circuits at Tech Control Centers, and (2) network management for the Defense Switched Network (the modernized dial-up voice system currently replacing AUTOVON). An expert system for the first of these is deployed for evaluation purposes at Andrews Air Force Base, and plans are being made for procurement of operational systems. In the second area, knowledge obtained with a sophisticated simulator is being embedded in an expert system. The background, design and status of both projects are described.
Knowledge base navigator facilitating regional analysis inter-tool communication.
Hampton, Jeffery Wade; Chael, Eric Paul; Hart, Darren M.; Merchant, Bion John; Chown, Matthew N.
To make use of some portions of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Knowledge Base (KB) for which no current operational monitoring applications were available, Sandia National Laboratories have developed a set of prototype regional analysis tools (MatSeis, EventID Tool, CodaMag Tool, PhaseMatch Tool, Dendro Tool, Infra Tool, etc.), and we continue to maintain and improve these. Individually, these tools have proven effective in addressing specific monitoring tasks, but collectively their number and variety tend to overwhelm KB users, so we developed another application - the KB Navigator - to launch the tools and facilitate their use for real monitoring tasks. The KB Navigator is a flexible, extensible java application that includes a browser for KB data content, as well as support to launch any of the regional analysis tools. In this paper, we will discuss the latest versions of KB Navigator and the regional analysis tools, with special emphasis on the new overarching inter-tool communication methodology that we have developed to make the KB Navigator and the tools function together seamlessly. We use a peer-to-peer communication model, which allows any tool to communicate with any other. The messages themselves are passed as serialized XML, and the conversion from Java to XML (and vice versa) is done using Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB).
Knowledge-based graphical interfaces for presenting technical information
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Feiner, Steven
Designing effective presentations of technical information is extremely difficult and time-consuming. Moreover, the combination of increasing task complexity and declining job skills makes the need for high-quality technical presentations especially urgent. We believe that this need can ultimately be met through the development of knowledge-based graphical interfaces that can design and present technical information. Since much material is most naturally communicated through pictures, our work has stressed the importance of well-designed graphics, concentrating on generating pictures and laying out displays containing them. We describe APEX, a testbed picture generation system that creates sequences of pictures that depict the performance of simple actions in a world of 3D objects. Our system supports rules for determining automatically the objects to be shown in a picture, the style and level of detail with which they should be rendered, the method by which the action itself should be indicated, and the picture's camera specification. We then describe work on GRIDS, an experimental display layout system that addresses some of the problems in designing displays containing these pictures, determining the position and size of the material to be presented.
Sustaining Knowledge Building as a Principle-Based Innovation at an Elementary School
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zhang, Jianwei; Hong, Huang-Yao; Scardamalia, Marlene; Teo, Chew Lee; Morley, Elizabeth A.
This study explores Knowledge Building as a principle-based innovation at an elementary school and makes a case for a principle- versus procedure-based approach to educational innovation, supported by new knowledge media. Thirty-nine Knowledge Building initiatives, each focused on a curriculum theme and facilitated by nine teachers over eight…
Analytical derivation of distortion constraints and their verification in a learning vector quantization-based target recognition system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Iftekharuddin, Khan M.; Razzaque, Mohammad A.
We obtain a novel analytical derivation for distortion-related constraints in a neural network- (NN)-based automatic target recognition (ATR) system. We obtain two types of constraints for a realistic ATR system implementation involving 4-f correlator architecture. The first constraint determines the relative size between the input objects and input correlation filters. The second constraint dictates the limits on amount of rotation, translation, and scale of input objects for system implementation. We exploit these constraints in recognition of targets varying in rotation, translation, scale, occlusion, and the combination of all of these distortions using a learning vector quantization (LVQ) NN. We present the simulation verification of the constraints using both the gray-scale images and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA's) Moving and Stationary Target Recognition (MSTAR) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images with different depression and pose angles.
Knowledge-based optical coatings design and manufacturing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guenther, Karl H.; Gonzalez, Avelino J.; Yoo, Hoi J.
The theory of thin film optics is well developed for the spectral analysis of a given optical coating. The inverse synthesis - designing an optical coating for a certain spectral performance - is more complicated. Usually a multitude of theoretical designs is feasible because most design problems are over-determined with the number of layers possible with three variables each (n, k, t). The expertise of a good thin film designer comes in at this point with a mostly intuitive selection of certain designs based on previous experience and current manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturing a designed coating poses yet another subset of multiple solutions, as thin if in deposition technology has evolved over the years with a vast variety of different processes. The abundance of published literature may often be more confusing than helpful to the practicing thin film engineer, even if he has time and opportunity to read it. The choice of the right process is also severely limited by the given manufacturing hardware and cost considerations which may not easily allow for the adaption of a new manufacturing approach, even if it promises to be better technically (it ought to be also cheaper). On the user end of the thin film coating business, the typical optical designer or engineer who needs an optical coating may have limited or no knowledge at all about the theoretical and manufacturing criteria for the optimum selection of what he needs. This can be sensed frequently by overly tight tolerances and requirements for optical performance which sometimes stretch the limits of mother nature. We introduce here a know1edge-based system (KBS) intended to assist expert designers and manufacturers in their task of maximizing results and minimizing errors, trial runs, and unproductive time. It will help the experts to manipulate parameters which are largely determined through heuristic reasoning by employing artificial intelligence techniques. In a later state, the KBS will include a
A UMLS-based Knowledge Acquisition Tool for Rule-based Clinical Decision Support System Development
Achour, Soumeya L.; Dojat, Michel; Rieux, Claire; Bierling, Philippe; Lepage, Eric
Decision support systems in the medical field have to be easily modified by medical experts themselves. The authors have designed a knowledge acquisition tool to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a knowledge base by the domain expert and its sharing and reuse by other institutions. The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) contains the domain entities and constitutes the relations repository from which the expert builds, through a specific browser, the explicit domain ontology. The expert is then guided in creating the knowledge base according to the pre-established domain ontology and condition–action rule templates that are well adapted to several clinical decision-making processes. Corresponding medical logic modules are eventually generated. The application of this knowledge acquisition tool to the construction of a decision support system in blood transfusion demonstrates the value of such a pragmatic methodology for the design of rule-based clinical systems that rely on the highly progressive knowledge embedded in hospital information systems. PMID:11418542
Design Considerations and Experimental Verification of a Rail Brake Armature Based on Linear Induction Motor Technology
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sakamoto, Yasuaki; Kashiwagi, Takayuki; Hasegawa, Hitoshi; Sasakawa, Takashi; Fujii, Nobuo
This paper describes the design considerations and experimental verification of an LIM rail brake armature. In order to generate power and maximize the braking force density despite the limited area between the armature and the rail and the limited space available for installation, we studied a design method that is suitable for designing an LIM rail brake armature; we considered adoption of a ring winding structure. To examine the validity of the proposed design method, we developed a prototype ring winding armature for the rail brakes and examined its electromagnetic characteristics in a dynamic test system with roller rigs. By repeating various tests, we confirmed that unnecessary magnetic field components, which were expected to be present under high speed running condition or when a ring winding armature was used, were not present. Further, the necessary magnetic field component and braking force attained the desired values. These studies have helped us to develop a basic design method that is suitable for designing the LIM rail brake armatures.
Local ties verification based on analysis of long-term SLR and GPS solutions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Szafranek, Karolina; Schillak, Stanislaw; Araszkiewicz, Andrzej; Figurski, Mariusz; Lehmann, Marek; Lejba, Pawel
The ITRF is determined on the basis of long-term observations by the following four techniques: GNSS, SLR, DORIS and VLBI. Analysis of the data delivered by different techniques provides a stable reference frame. Improvement of further ITRS realizations requires the advancement in the geometry of co-location network and the increase of agreement between the local ties in co-location sites, while many significant disagreements between techniques are being noticed. Ground local ties measurements are usually made once over a period of time, whereas different factors can cause change of its real value (earthquakes, change of GNSS antennas or different method of their calibration which result in different coordinates values in ITRF), which lead to the idea of co-locations vectors monitoring for the purpose of its verification. The authors analyzed solutions from several distributed globally SLR-GNSS sites. The data gathered between 1996-2011 by these two techniques were processed using coherent strategies (the same models and parameters were used). Up to now, results of coordinates and velocities determination with exemplary times series were introduced. The presentation goal is to show the results of analysis of NEU time series of SLR and GPS solutions reduced to the SLR markers positions using local ties in order to verify their values. Agreement of both types of solutions proves the good quality and timeliness of ground measurements, while high discrepancies point out that there is a need for their repetition to improve next ITRS realizations (e.g. ITRF2013).
Environmental Technology Verification: Test Report of Mobile Source Selective Catalytic Reduction--Nett Technologies, Inc., BlueMAX 100 version A urea-based selective catalytic reduction technology
Nett Technologies' BlueMAX 100 version A Urea-Based SCR System utilizes a zeolite catalyst coating on a cordierite honeycomb substrate for heavy-duty diesel nonroad engines for use with commercial ultra-low–sulfur diesel fuel. This environmental technology verification (ETV) repo...
Verification and validation benchmarks.
Oberkampf, William Louis; Trucano, Timothy Guy
Verification and validation (V&V) are the primary means to assess the accuracy and reliability of computational simulations. V&V methods and procedures have fundamentally improved the credibility of simulations in several high-consequence fields, such as nuclear reactor safety, underground nuclear waste storage, and nuclear weapon safety. Although the terminology is not uniform across engineering disciplines, code verification deals with assessing the reliability of the software coding, and solution verification deals with assessing the numerical accuracy of the solution to a computational model. Validation addresses the physics modeling accuracy of a computational simulation by comparing the computational results with experimental data. Code verification benchmarks and validation benchmarks have been constructed for a number of years in every field of computational simulation. However, no comprehensive guidelines have been proposed for the construction and use of V&V benchmarks. For example, the field of nuclear reactor safety has not focused on code verification benchmarks, but it has placed great emphasis on developing validation benchmarks. Many of these validation benchmarks are closely related to the operations of actual reactors at near-safety-critical conditions, as opposed to being more fundamental-physics benchmarks. This paper presents recommendations for the effective design and use of code verification benchmarks based on manufactured solutions, classical analytical solutions, and highly accurate numerical solutions. In addition, this paper presents recommendations for the design and use of validation benchmarks, highlighting the careful design of building-block experiments, the estimation of experimental measurement uncertainty for both inputs and outputs to the code, validation metrics, and the role of model calibration in validation. It is argued that the understanding of predictive capability of a computational model is built on the level of
Impact of knowledge-based software engineering on aerospace systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Peyton, Liem; Gersh, Mark A.; Swietek, Gregg
The emergence of knowledge engineering as a software technology will dramatically alter the use of software by expanding application areas across a wide spectrum of industries. The engineering and management of large aerospace software systems could benefit from a knowledge engineering approach. An understanding of this technology can potentially make significant improvements to the current practice of software engineering, and provide new insights into future development and support practices.
Temporal reasoning for diagnosis in a causal probabilistic knowledge base.
Long, W
We have added temporal reasoning to the Heart Disease Program (HDP) to take advantage of the temporal constraints inherent in cardiovascular reasoning. Some processes take place over minutes while others take place over months or years and a strictly probabilistic formalism can generate hypotheses that are impossible given the temporal relationships involved. The HDP has temporal constraints on the causal relations specified in the knowledge base and temporal properties on the patient input provided by the user. These are used in two ways. First, they are used to constrain the generation of the pre-computed causal pathways through the model that speed the generation of hypotheses. Second, they are used to generate time intervals for the instantiated nodes in the hypotheses, which are matched and adjusted as nodes are added to each evolving hypothesis. This domain offers a number of challenges for temporal reasoning. Since the nature of diagnostic reasoning is inferring a causal explanation from the evidence, many of the temporal intervals have few constraints and the reasoning has to make maximum use of those that exist. Thus, the HDP uses a temporal interval representation that includes the earliest and latest beginning and ending specified by the constraints. Some of the disease states can be corrected but some of the manifestations may remain. For example, a valve disease such as aortic stenosis produces hypertrophy that remains long after the valve has been replaced. This requires multiple time intervals to account for the existing findings. This paper discusses the issues and solutions that have been developed for temporal reasoning integrated with a pseudo-Bayesian probabilistic network in this challenging domain for diagnosis. PMID:8830922
Evolving Expert Knowledge Bases: Applications of Crowdsourcing and Serious Gaming to Advance Knowledge Development for Intelligent Tutoring Systems
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Floryan, Mark
This dissertation presents a novel effort to develop ITS technologies that adapt by observing student behavior. In particular, we define an evolving expert knowledge base (EEKB) that structures a domain's information as a set of nodes and the relationships that exist between those nodes. The structure of this model is not the particularly novel…
RegenBase: a knowledge base of spinal cord injury biology for translational research
Callahan, Alison; Abeyruwan, Saminda W.; Al-Ali, Hassan; Sakurai, Kunie; Ferguson, Adam R.; Popovich, Phillip G.; Shah, Nigam H.; Visser, Ubbo; Bixby, John L.; Lemmon, Vance P.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) research is a data-rich field that aims to identify the biological mechanisms resulting in loss of function and mobility after SCI, as well as develop therapies that promote recovery after injury. SCI experimental methods, data and domain knowledge are locked in the largely unstructured text of scientific publications, making large scale integration with existing bioinformatics resources and subsequent analysis infeasible. The lack of standard reporting for experiment variables and results also makes experiment replicability a significant challenge. To address these challenges, we have developed RegenBase, a knowledge base of SCI biology. RegenBase integrates curated literature-sourced facts and experimental details, raw assay data profiling the effect of compounds on enzyme activity and cell growth, and structured SCI domain knowledge in the form of the first ontology for SCI, using Semantic Web representation languages and frameworks. RegenBase uses consistent identifier schemes and data representations that enable automated linking among RegenBase statements and also to other biological databases and electronic resources. By querying RegenBase, we have identified novel biological hypotheses linking the effects of perturbagens to observed behavioral outcomes after SCI. RegenBase is publicly available for browsing, querying and download. Database URL: http://regenbase.org PMID:27055827
RegenBase: a knowledge base of spinal cord injury biology for translational research.
Callahan, Alison; Abeyruwan, Saminda W; Al-Ali, Hassan; Sakurai, Kunie; Ferguson, Adam R; Popovich, Phillip G; Shah, Nigam H; Visser, Ubbo; Bixby, John L; Lemmon, Vance P
Spinal cord injury (SCI) research is a data-rich field that aims to identify the biological mechanisms resulting in loss of function and mobility after SCI, as well as develop therapies that promote recovery after injury. SCI experimental methods, data and domain knowledge are locked in the largely unstructured text of scientific publications, making large scale integration with existing bioinformatics resources and subsequent analysis infeasible. The lack of standard reporting for experiment variables and results also makes experiment replicability a significant challenge. To address these challenges, we have developed RegenBase, a knowledge base of SCI biology. RegenBase integrates curated literature-sourced facts and experimental details, raw assay data profiling the effect of compounds on enzyme activity and cell growth, and structured SCI domain knowledge in the form of the first ontology for SCI, using Semantic Web representation languages and frameworks. RegenBase uses consistent identifier schemes and data representations that enable automated linking among RegenBase statements and also to other biological databases and electronic resources. By querying RegenBase, we have identified novel biological hypotheses linking the effects of perturbagens to observed behavioral outcomes after SCI. RegenBase is publicly available for browsing, querying and download.Database URL:http://regenbase.org. PMID:27055827
TPSPET—A TPS-based approach for in vivo dose verification with PET in proton therapy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Frey, K.; Bauer, J.; Unholtz, D.; Kurz, C.; Krämer, M.; Bortfeld, T.; Parodi, K.
Since the interest in ion-irradiation for tumour therapy has significantly increased over the last few decades, intensive investigations are performed to improve the accuracy of this form of patient treatment. One major goal is the development of methods for in vivo dose verification. In proton therapy, a PET (positron emission tomography)-based approach measuring the irradiation-induced tissue activation inside the patient has been already clinically implemented. The acquired PET images can be compared to an expectation, derived under the assumption of a correct treatment application, to validate the particle range and the lateral field position in vivo. In the context of this work, TPSPET is introduced as a new approach to predict proton-irradiation induced three-dimensional positron emitter distributions by means of the same algorithms of the clinical treatment planning system (TPS). In order to perform additional activity calculations, reaction-channel-dependent input positron emitter depth distributions are necessary, which are determined from the application of a modified filtering approach to the TPS reference depth dose profiles in water. This paper presents the implementation of TPSPET on the basis of the research treatment planning software treatment planning for particles. The results are validated in phantom and patient studies against Monte Carlo simulations, and compared to β+-emitter distributions obtained from a slightly modified version of the originally proposed one-dimensional filtering approach applied to three-dimensional dose distributions. In contrast to previously introduced methods, TPSPET provides a faster implementation, the results show no sensitivity to lateral field extension and the predicted β+-emitter densities are fully consistent to the planned treatment dose as they are calculated by the same pencil beam algorithms. These findings suggest a large potential of the application of TPSPET for in vivo dose verification in the daily
A Comparison of Books and Hypermedia for Knowledge-based Sports Coaching.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vickers, Joan N.; Gaines, Brian R.
Summarizes and illustrates the knowledge-based approach to instructional material design. A series of sports coaching handbooks and hypermedia presentations of the same material are described and the different instantiations of the knowledge and training structures are compared. Figures show knowledge structures for badminton and the architecture…
Analysis of a Knowledge-Management-Based Process of Transferring Project Management Skills
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ioi, Toshihiro; Ono, Masakazu; Ishii, Kota; Kato, Kazuhiko
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for the transfer of knowledge and skills in project management (PM) based on techniques in knowledge management (KM). Design/methodology/approach: The literature contains studies on methods to extract experiential knowledge in PM, but few studies exist that focus on methods to convert…
The Research for Knowledge Management System of Virtual Enterprise Based on Multi-agent
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bo, Yang; Xu, Shenghua
By analyzing the features and knowledge management system of virtual enterprise, the research introduces the complex adaptive systems into the knowledge management system of virtual enterprise. It offers a model based on the knowledge management system of virtual enterprise and discusses the functions of each agent as well as mutual communication and coordination mechanism.
Soil water repellency: the knowledge base, advances and challenges
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Doerr, S. H.
The topic of soil water repellency (SWR or soil hydrophobicity) has moved from being perhaps a little known curiosity a few decades ago to a well established sub-discipline of soil physics and soil hydrology. In terms of the number of journal publications, SWR is comparable with other physical soil properties or processes such as crusting, aggregation or preferential flow. SWR refers to a condition when soil does not wet readily when in contact with water. This may be evident at the soil surface, when SWR leads to prolonged ponding on soils despite the presence of sufficient pore openings, or in the soil matrix, as manifest by enhanced uneven wetting and preferential flow that is not caused by structural in homogeneity. Amongst major milestones advancing the knowledge base of SWR have been the recognition that: (1) many, if not most, soils can exhibit SWR when the soil moisture content falls below a critical threshold, (2) it can be induced (and destroyed) during vegetation fires, but many soils exhibit SWR irrespective of burning, (3) it can be caused, in principle, by a large variety of naturally-abundant chemical compounds, (4) it is typically highly variable in space, time and its degree (severity and persistence), and (5) its impacts on, for example, soil hydrology, erosion and plant growth have the potential to be very substantial, but also that impacts are often minor for naturally vegetated and undisturbed soils. Amongst the key challenges that remain are: (a) predicting accurately the conditions when soils prone to SWR actually develop this property, (b) unravelling, for fire effected environments, to what degree any presence of absence of SWR is due to fire and post-fire recovery, (c) the exact nature and origin the material causing SWR at the molecular level in different environments, (d) understanding the implications of the spatial and temporal variability at different scales, (e) the capability to model and predict under which environmental conditions
Towards a knowledge-based system to assist the Brazilian data-collecting system operation
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rodrigues, Valter; Simoni, P. O.; Oliveira, P. P. B.; Oliveira, C. A.; Nogueira, C. A. M.
A study is reported which was carried out to show how a knowledge-based approach would lead to a flexible tool to assist the operation task in a satellite-based environmental data collection system. Some characteristics of a hypothesized system comprised of a satellite and a network of Interrogable Data Collecting Platforms (IDCPs) are pointed out. The Knowledge-Based Planning Assistant System (KBPAS) and some aspects about how knowledge is organized in the IDCP's domain are briefly described.
EPID-based verification of the MLC performance for dynamic IMRT and VMAT
Rowshanfarzad, Pejman; Sabet, Mahsheed; Barnes, Michael P.; O'Connor, Daryl J.; Greer, Peter B.
Purpose: In advanced radiotherapy treatments such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), verification of the performance of the multileaf collimator (MLC) is an essential part of the linac QA program. The purpose of this study is to use the existing measurement methods for geometric QA of the MLCs and extend them to more comprehensive evaluation techniques, and to develop dedicated robust algorithms to quantitatively investigate the MLC performance in a fast, accurate, and efficient manner. Methods: The behavior of leaves was investigated in the step-and-shoot mode by the analysis of integrated electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images acquired during picket fence tests at fixed gantry angles and arc delivery. The MLC was also studied in dynamic mode by the analysis of cine EPID images of a sliding gap pattern delivered in a variety of conditions including different leaf speeds, deliveries at fixed gantry angles or in arc mode, and changing the direction of leaf motion. The accuracy of the method was tested by detection of the intentionally inserted errors in the delivery patterns. Results: The algorithm developed for the picket fence analysis was able to find each individual leaf position, gap width, and leaf bank skewness in addition to the deviations from expected leaf positions with respect to the beam central axis with sub-pixel accuracy. For the three tested linacs over a period of 5 months, the maximum change in the gap width was 0.5 mm, the maximum deviation from the expected leaf positions was 0.1 mm and the MLC skewness was up to 0.2 Degree-Sign . The algorithm developed for the sliding gap analysis could determine the velocity and acceleration/deceleration of each individual leaf as well as the gap width. There was a slight decrease in the accuracy of leaf performance with increasing leaf speeds. The analysis results were presented through several graphs. The accuracy of the method was assessed
A Map-Based Service Supporting Different Types of Geographic Knowledge for the Public.
Zhou, Mengjie; Wang, Rui; Tian, Jing; Ye, Ning; Mai, Shumin
The internet enables the rapid and easy creation, storage, and transfer of knowledge; however, services that transfer geographic knowledge and facilitate the public understanding of geographic knowledge are still underdeveloped to date. Existing online maps (or atlases) can support limited types of geographic knowledge. In this study, we propose a framework for map-based services to represent and transfer different types of geographic knowledge to the public. A map-based service provides tools to ensure the effective transfer of geographic knowledge. We discuss the types of geographic knowledge that should be represented and transferred to the public, and we propose guidelines and a method to represent various types of knowledge through a map-based service. To facilitate the effective transfer of geographic knowledge, tools such as auxiliary background knowledge and auxiliary map-reading tools are provided through interactions with maps. An experiment conducted to illustrate our idea and to evaluate the usefulness of the map-based service is described; the results demonstrate that the map-based service is useful for transferring different types of geographic knowledge. PMID:27045314
A Map-Based Service Supporting Different Types of Geographic Knowledge for the Public
Zhou, Mengjie; Wang, Rui; Tian, Jing; Ye, Ning; Mai, Shumin
The internet enables the rapid and easy creation, storage, and transfer of knowledge; however, services that transfer geographic knowledge and facilitate the public understanding of geographic knowledge are still underdeveloped to date. Existing online maps (or atlases) can support limited types of geographic knowledge. In this study, we propose a framework for map-based services to represent and transfer different types of geographic knowledge to the public. A map-based service provides tools to ensure the effective transfer of geographic knowledge. We discuss the types of geographic knowledge that should be represented and transferred to the public, and we propose guidelines and a method to represent various types of knowledge through a map-based service. To facilitate the effective transfer of geographic knowledge, tools such as auxiliary background knowledge and auxiliary map-reading tools are provided through interactions with maps. An experiment conducted to illustrate our idea and to evaluate the usefulness of the map-based service is described; the results demonstrate that the map-based service is useful for transferring different types of geographic knowledge. PMID:27045314
Lesson Study: Developing a Knowledge Base for Elementary Writing Instruction
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McQuitty, Vicki
Concern about students' writing skills has led to recommendations that elementary teachers receive more professional development in how to teach writing (National Commission on Writing, 2006). However, there is currently little evidence about the knowledge teachers need to teach writing well, and it is therefore difficult for teacher…
What Portion of the Knowledge Base Do Practicing Administrators Utilize?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wildman, Louis
There is a lack of empirical evidence describing the actual problems encountered by school leaders and the knowledge that they use to find solutions to those problems. This paper presents findings of a study that explored the problems faced by members of a graduate educational-administration class. The participants, 22 practicing public school…
Drug Education Based on a Knowledge, Attitude, and Experience Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Grant, John A.
Results of a questionnaire concerning factual knowledge of attitudes toward, and experience with a variety of drugs are reported. It was concluded that marihuana and other drugs are readily available to secondary school students, and widespread experimentation exists; however, a strict dichotomy exists between marihuana and other drugs. (Author/BY)
Technological Discourse on CAS-Based Operative Knowledge
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mann, Giora; Dana-Picard, Thierry; Zehavi, Nurit
This article begins with a comparison of two groups of teachers, working on the same tasks in Analytic Geometry. One group has only basic experience in CAS-assisted problem solving, and the other group has extensive experience. The comparison is discussed in terms of the interplay between reflection, operative knowledge and execution. The findings…
Of Tacit Knowledge, Texts and Thing-based Learning (TBL)
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rangachari, P. K.
Practical knowledge has two dimensions--a visible, codified component that resembles the tip of an iceberg. The larger but crucial tacit component which lies submerged consists of values, procedures and tricks of the trade and cannot be easily documented or codified. Undergraduate science students were given an opportunity to explore this…
Portal-based Knowledge Environment for Collaborative Science
Schuchardt, Karen L.; Pancerella, Carmen M.; Rahn, Larry; Didier, Brett T.; Kodeboyina, Deepti; Leahy, David; Myers, James D.; Oluwole, O.; Pitz, William; Ruscic, Branko; Song, Jing; Laszewski, Gregor V.; Yang, Christine
The Knowledge Environment for Collaborative Science (KnECS) is an open source portal that integrates collaboration tools, data and metadata management, and scientific applications. We describe KnECS features, numerous science applications and their requirements, the benefits derived, and the integration approaches. Finally we discuss isues and challenges for the future.
Working Knowledge and Work-Based Learning: Research Implications. Working Paper.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McIntyre, John
The research implications of the concepts of working knowledge and work-based learning were examined. A research agenda for work-based learning arising from the analysis of "working knowledge" was presented. The agenda listed questions pertaining to the following areas: (1) the conditions bringing about work-based learning; (2) the nature of…
A Model of Knowledge Based Information Retrieval with Hierarchical Concept Graph.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kim, Young Whan; Kim, Jin H.
Proposes a model of knowledge-based information retrieval (KBIR) that is based on a hierarchical concept graph (HCG) which shows relationships between index terms and constitutes a hierarchical thesaurus as a knowledge base. Conceptual distance between a query and an object is discussed and the use of Boolean operators is described. (25…
Knowledge and Use of Intervention Practices by Community-Based Early Intervention Service Providers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Paynter, Jessica M.; Keen, Deb
This study investigated staff attitudes, knowledge and use of evidence-based practices (EBP) and links to organisational culture in a community-based autism early intervention service. An EBP questionnaire was completed by 99 metropolitan and regionally-based professional and paraprofessional staff. Participants reported greater knowledge and use…
Diagnosis by integrating model-based reasoning with knowledge-based reasoning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bylander, Tom
Our research investigates how observations can be categorized by integrating a qualitative physical model with experiential knowledge. Our domain is diagnosis of pathologic gait in humans, in which the observations are the gait motions, muscle activity during gait, and physical exam data, and the diagnostic hypotheses are the potential muscle weaknesses, muscle mistimings, and joint restrictions. Patients with underlying neurological disorders typically have several malfunctions. Among the problems that need to be faced are: the ambiguity of the observations, the ambiguity of the qualitative physical model, correspondence of the observations and hypotheses to the qualitative physical model, the inherent uncertainty of experiential knowledge, and the combinatorics involved in forming composite hypotheses. Our system divides the work so that the knowledge-based reasoning suggests which hypotheses appear more likely than others, the qualitative physical model is used to determine which hypotheses explain which observations, and another process combines these functionalities to construct a composite hypothesis based on explanatory power and plausibility. We speculate that the reasoning architecture of our system is generally applicable to complex domains in which a less-than-perfect physical model and less-than-perfect experiential knowledge need to be combined to perform diagnosis.
Telescope performance verification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Swart, Gerhard P.; Buckley, David A. H.
While Systems Engineering appears to be widely applied on the very large telescopes, it is lacking in the development of many of the medium and small telescopes currently in progress. The latter projects rely heavily on the experience of the project team, verbal requirements and conjecture based on the successes and failures of other telescopes. Furthermore, it is considered an unaffordable luxury to "close-the-loop" by carefully analysing and documenting the requirements and then verifying the telescope's compliance with them. In this paper the authors contend that a Systems Engineering approach is a keystone in the development of any telescope and that verification of the telescope's performance is not only an important management tool but also forms the basis upon which successful telescope operation can be built. The development of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) has followed such an approach and is now in the verification phase of its development. Parts of the SALT verification process will be discussed in some detail to illustrate the suitability of this approach, including oversight by the telescope shareholders, recording of requirements and results, design verification and performance testing. Initial test results will be presented where appropriate.
Generation and use of measurement-based 3-D dose distributions for 3-D dose calculation verification.
Stern, R L; Fraass, B A; Gerhardsson, A; McShan, D L; Lam, K L
A 3-D radiation therapy treatment planning system calculates dose to an entire volume of points and therefore requires a 3-D distribution of measured dose values for quality assurance and dose calculation verification. To measure such a volumetric distribution with a scanning ion chamber is prohibitively time consuming. A method is presented for the generation of a 3-D grid of dose values based on beam's-eye-view (BEV) film dosimetry. For each field configuration of interest, a set of BEV films at different depths is obtained and digitized, and the optical densities are converted to dose. To reduce inaccuracies associated with film measurement of megavoltage photon depth doses, doses on the different planes are normalized using an ion-chamber measurement of the depth dose. A 3-D grid of dose values is created by interpolation between BEV planes along divergent beam rays. This matrix of measurement-based dose values can then be compared to calculations over the entire volume of interest. This method is demonstrated for three different field configurations. Accuracy of the film-measured dose values is determined by 1-D and 2-D comparisons with ion chamber measurements. Film and ion chamber measurements agree within 2% in the central field regions and within 2.0 mm in the penumbral regions. PMID:1620042
Construction of dynamic stochastic simulation models using knowledge-based techniques
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Williams, M. Douglas; Shiva, Sajjan G.
Over the past three decades, computer-based simulation models have proven themselves to be cost-effective alternatives to the more structured deterministic methods of systems analysis. During this time, many techniques, tools and languages for constructing computer-based simulation models have been developed. More recently, advances in knowledge-based system technology have led many researchers to note the similarities between knowledge-based programming and simulation technologies and to investigate the potential application of knowledge-based programming techniques to simulation modeling. The integration of conventional simulation techniques with knowledge-based programming techniques is discussed to provide a development environment for constructing knowledge-based simulation models. A comparison of the techniques used in the construction of dynamic stochastic simulation models and those used in the construction of knowledge-based systems provides the requirements for the environment. This leads to the design and implementation of a knowledge-based simulation development environment. These techniques were used in the construction of several knowledge-based simulation models including the Advanced Launch System Model (ALSYM).
Fuzzy knowledge base construction through belief networks based on Lukasiewicz logic
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lara-Rosano, Felipe
In this paper, a procedure is proposed to build a fuzzy knowledge base founded on fuzzy belief networks and Lukasiewicz logic. Fuzzy procedures are developed to do the following: to assess the belief values of a consequent, in terms of the belief values of its logical antecedents and the belief value of the corresponding logical function; and to update belief values when new evidence is available.
Knowledge-based and model-based hybrid methodology for comprehensive waste minimization in electroplating plants
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Luo, Keqin
The electroplating industry of over 10,000 planting plants nationwide is one of the major waste generators in the industry. Large quantities of wastewater, spent solvents, spent process solutions, and sludge are the major wastes generated daily in plants, which costs the industry tremendously for waste treatment and disposal and hinders the further development of the industry. It becomes, therefore, an urgent need for the industry to identify technically most effective and economically most attractive methodologies and technologies to minimize the waste, while the production competitiveness can be still maintained. This dissertation aims at developing a novel WM methodology using artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, and fundamental knowledge in chemical engineering, and an intelligent decision support tool. The WM methodology consists of two parts: the heuristic knowledge-based qualitative WM decision analysis and support methodology and fundamental knowledge-based quantitative process analysis methodology for waste reduction. In the former, a large number of WM strategies are represented as fuzzy rules. This becomes the main part of the knowledge base in the decision support tool, WMEP-Advisor. In the latter, various first-principles-based process dynamic models are developed. These models can characterize all three major types of operations in an electroplating plant, i.e., cleaning, rinsing, and plating. This development allows us to perform a thorough process analysis on bath efficiency, chemical consumption, wastewater generation, sludge generation, etc. Additional models are developed for quantifying drag-out and evaporation that are critical for waste reduction. The models are validated through numerous industrial experiments in a typical plating line of an industrial partner. The unique contribution of this research is that it is the first time for the electroplating industry to (i) use systematically available WM strategies, (ii) know quantitatively and
Multibody modeling and verification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wiens, Gloria J.
A summary of a ten week project on flexible multibody modeling, verification and control is presented. Emphasis was on the need for experimental verification. A literature survey was conducted for gathering information on the existence of experimental work related to flexible multibody systems. The first portion of the assigned task encompassed the modeling aspects of flexible multibodies that can undergo large angular displacements. Research in the area of modeling aspects were also surveyed, with special attention given to the component mode approach. Resulting from this is a research plan on various modeling aspects to be investigated over the next year. The relationship between the large angular displacements, boundary conditions, mode selection, and system modes is of particular interest. The other portion of the assigned task was the generation of a test plan for experimental verification of analytical and/or computer analysis techniques used for flexible multibody systems. Based on current and expected frequency ranges of flexible multibody systems to be used in space applications, an initial test article was selected and designed. A preliminary TREETOPS computer analysis was run to ensure frequency content in the low frequency range, 0.1 to 50 Hz. The initial specifications of experimental measurement and instrumentation components were also generated. Resulting from this effort is the initial multi-phase plan for a Ground Test Facility of Flexible Multibody Systems for Modeling Verification and Control. The plan focusses on the Multibody Modeling and Verification (MMV) Laboratory. General requirements of the Unobtrusive Sensor and Effector (USE) and the Robot Enhancement (RE) laboratories were considered during the laboratory development.