A generalized expert system for database design

Generalized Expert System for Database Design (GESDD) is a compound expert system made up of two parts: (1) an expert system for generating methodologies for database design, called ESGM; and (2) an expert system for database design, called ESDD. ESGM provides a tool for the database design expert to specify different design methodologies or to modify existing ones. The database designer uses ESDD in conjunction with one of these methodologies to design a database starting from the requirement specification phase and producing a logical schema in one of the well-known data models, namely, the hierarchical data model, the network data model, or the relational data model. The system is evolutive in the sense that an existing methodology can be modified or a novel methodology can be added to the existing ones. GESDD is a menu-driven system and it is coded in Prolog     

GAMEES: a probabilistic environment for expert systems

This paper describes GAMEES (Graphical Modelling Environment for Expert Systems), an interactive graphical environment for building and processing Belief Networks and Influence Diagrams. We review the existing systems designed for analogous purposes, and, after a brief introduction to Belief Networks and Influence Diagrams, we describe the graphical interface, discuss algorithms for probabilistic inference on these networks and illustrate the current implementation of GAMEES. The system has been designed for being integrated within wider expert systems and actually it is part of the Therapy Advisor module within an expert system for the management of anemic patients.     

An object-based architecture for biomedical expert database systems

Objects play a major role in both database and artificial intelligence research. In this paper, we present a novel architecture for expert database systems that introduces an object-based interface between relational databases and expert systems. We exploit a semantic model of the database structure to map relations automatically into object templates, where each template can be a complex combination of join and projection operations. Moreover, we arrange the templates into object networks that represent different views of the same database. Separate processes instantiate those templates using data from the base relations, cache the resulting instances in main memory, navigate through a given network's objects, and update the database according to changes made at the object layer. In the context of an immunologic-research application, we demonstrate the capabilities of a prototype implementation of the architecture. The resulting model provides enhanced tools for database structuring and manipulation. In addition, this architecture supports efficient bidirectional communication between database and expert systems through the shared object layer.     

Design and implementation issues in an integrated database management system for engineering design environment

The need for a unified database management system for various engineering applications has long been felt. Due to the conflicting requirements, so far, most of the attempts in this field are at best partially successful. This paper presents broad perspectives of design and implementation issues of an integrated database management system. A unique feature of the system is its ability to define a unifying data model for matrices and relations. The system also provides for a unified language interface for different user groups. System architecture and a few distinguishing features are described. An evaluation of the system is presented.     

Visual programming environment for hybrid expert systems

This paper proposes an architecture for hybrid expert system development which combines expert problem-solving functions and other conventional computational functions by visual programming technology. The visual programming technique is used both for task-specific knowledge representation and for procedural programming for connecting functional components. In knowledge representation, knowledge is visually represented in the form of decision tables and decision trees. In procedural visual programming, each functional object is displayed as a box-shaped icon with accessible ports which are connected by wires on the graphic editor. Based on the architecture, an expert system shell for the classification task, called HOLON/VP(DT), is incorporated in a visual programming system called HOLON/VP. This paper briefly describes the tool and its evaluation based on some application systems developed with the tool.     

A database design for the runtime environment of a robotic workcell

Intelligent robotic workcell activities have come to require a database framework for arranging, storing and accessing information in real-time about the workcell environment in a standard way. After a brief introduction to the theory of databases (DB), we examine the general topic of robotic workcells, identify characteristics typical of robotic applications, and then present a survey of DB-related work in the robotics domain. We then construct a set of design constraints based on our analysis of robotic applications, and describe a suitable software architecture. The paper concludes with a discussion of experience gained with two generations of DB implementations.     

An investigation of expert systems for die design

This article introduces fuzzy set theory to process the design details of the uncertain portion in die design, and assist the designer to transform those design items with fuzziness into those with definite and reasonable design attributes. For the design parameters of die block thickness, die clearance angle and die sets choice in die design, which possess intermediate features, fuzzy cluster analysis is used to obtain the design attributes. As for single-sided die clearance, stripper pressure and guide bushing-type die design, whose theory or empirical formulas possess uncertainty coefficients or preference design parameters, the fuzzy weighted average method is adopted to obtain the feature parameters that conform with the die design requirement. This study established an expert system prototype to combine the aforementioned uncertainty problems into two kinds of die design, and help the designer obtain a definite design strategy when faced with uncertain design items.     

HI-RISE and beyond: directions for expert systems in design

This paper commences with a brief introduction to expert systems and then describes the HI-RISE expert system for structural design in terms of scope, problem solving strategy, knowledge representation and implementation. It then discusses the potential for developing an expert system capable of innovative design and describes the possibility of developing a generic expert system framework appropriate for any structural design problem.     

Communication problems of expert systems in manufacturing environment

Recently increasingly artificial intelligent methods are used in the computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) applications. Real-time expert system shells are good tools to develop intelligent cell controllers. The first part of this paper summarises the communication problems of the expert systems in the CIM applications in the level of connection point of view. Then a research application called SSQA are shortly described with its aims and modules. The third part explains the way of the communication in SSQA.     

Integrated decision support and expert systems in a computer integrated manufacturing environment

In a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment, well planning, control and operational process require both expert knowledge of the area, and powerful decision support capabilities. This paper discusses the features of decision support systems and expert systems, and their integration to support the major functions from marketing and strategic level considerations to manufacturing operational planning and process. From the hierarchical structure of information flow in a company, this paper attempts to find the best way of combining decision support systems with expert systems in enhancing the planning, control and operational functions in a CIM environment.     

Security and privacy for multimedia database management systems

This paper describes security and privacy issues for multimedia database management systems. Multimedia data includes text, images, audio and video. It describes access control for multimedia database management systems and describes security policies and security architectures for such systems. Privacy problems that result from multimedia data mining are also discussed.

Security design in distributed database systems

This paper deals with data security design in a distributed environment. A goal of the paper is to present a multiphase security design methodology reflecting the current approach to data base design. The aggregated distributed environment is considered, and a multilevel logical security system architecture is examined. For each level the content of the security logical schemata is defined and described. Finally, mapping rules between the logical levels are presented.     

Knowledge-based expert systems in offshore structural design

With the world growing more complex, computers must help not only by doing ordinary computing but also by doing computing that exhibits intelligence. Efforts in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to intelligent problem solving led to the development of expert systems. An expert system is a useful tool for solving ill defined problems that require a great deal of specialized knowledge that experts in a particular field acquire from long experiences with such tasks. The expert knowledge is contained in what is aptly called a knowledge base.

Offshore structural design is significantly influenced by expert human knowledge. Much of the knowledge is heuristic and attained through experience over the years. The objective of this paper is to highlight the possible use of expert systems in the area of offshore structures. A brief overview of knowledge systems followed by an application example is presented.     

Multi-level security in database management systems

Multi-level secure database management system (MLS-DBMS) security requirements are defined in terms of the view of the database presented to users with different authorizations. These security requirements are intended to be consistent with DoD secure computing system requirements. An informal security policy for a multi-level secure database management system is outlined, and mechanisms are introduced that support the policy. Security constraints are the mechanism for defining classification rules, and query modification is the mechanism for implementing the classification policy. These mechanisms ensure that responses to users' queries can be assigned classifications which will make them observable to the querying users.     

Microcomputers and distributed database management systems

The role of a DDBMS is to provide overall system integrity, appropriate data access, and recovery over the whole network. Many of the supermicros with powerful 16 and 32 bit architectures will soon be running advanced DBMS and DDBMS software, thus, playing an important role as a distributed database on a network. The article discusses this and future trends.     

Transaction management in distributed heterogeneous database management systems

Current distributed, heterogeneous database management systems (DBMSs) address the issue of distributed transaction management (DTM) in two different ways: some systems rely solely on unmodified local transaction managers (LTMs), thereby helping preserve local DBMS autonomy, but limit functionality (e.g. allow only unsynchronized retrievals, preclude distributed updates, etc.); others maintain full functionality but require the (re)design of the LTMs to enforce homogeneous DTM across all heterogeneous DBMSs, thereby giving up most of the local DBMS autonomy.

The goal of the work presented here is to establish the minimum set of modifications to LTMs that allow synchronized retrievals and distributed updates (whenever semantic conflicts can be resolved), and will continue to maintain a high degree of local DBMS autonomy. The problems of: (1) distribution of responsibility between DTM and LTMs, (2) concatenation of functionally-equivalent LTM mechanisms, and (3) providing compensation mechanisms for functionally-limited LTMs are introduced. Solutions to the above problems are shown to exist. However, the interconnection of autonomous, heterogeneous DBMSs is significantly more difficult than anticipated, despite communication standardization and current optimism.     

数据库系统交易型负载自适应管理

数据库系统的负载自适应是指数据库系统通过对负载的过滤和控制有效利用系统资源去满足负载性能要求的过程。自治数据库系统负载管理框架（Autonomic Workload Management Framework,AWMF）是一种负载自适应的总体框架,给出了负载自适应的基本组件和主要工作过程。研究AWMF对交易型负载（Transactional Workload）的有效性,提出了基于查询成本（Query Cost）的交易型负载的排队网络模型,以该模型作为性能预测部件实现了AWMF的原型实现——查询调度器,通过实验验证了AWMF对交易型负载的有效性。     

An evaluation of expert systems for software engineering management

The development of four separate, prototype expert systems to aid in software engineering management is described. Given the values for certain metrics, these systems provide interpretations which explain any abnormal patterns of these values during the development of a software project. The four expert systems which solve the same problem, were built using two different approaches to knowledge acquisition, a bottom-up approach and a top-down approach and two different expert system methods, rule-based deduction and frame-based abduction. In a comparison to see which methods might better suit the needs of this field, it was found that the bottom-up approach led to better results that did the top-down approach, and the rule-based deduction systems using simple rules provided more complete and correct solutions than did the frame-based abduction systems