SPIRE: a digital library for scientific information

In this paper we describe the architecture and implementation of a digital library framework for scientific data, particularly imagery, with a focus on support for content-based search. Content is specified by the user at one or more of the following abstraction levels: pixel, feature, and semantic. An object-definition mechanism has been developed that supports example-based and constraint-based specification of both simple and complex query targets.This framework incorporates a methodology yielding a computationally efficient implementation of image processing algorithms, thus allowing the interactive, real-time extraction and manipulation of user-specified features and content during the execution of queries. The framework is well-suited for searching scientific databases, including satellite imagery, and medical and seismic data repositories, where the richness of the information does not allow the a priori generation of exhaustive indexes.     

Using distributed objects for digital library interoperability

Information repositories are just one of many services tomorrow's digital libraries might offer. Other services include automated news summarization, trend analysis across news repositories, and copyright-related facilities. This distributed collection of services has the potential to be enormously helpful in performing information-intensive tasks. It could also turn such tasks into confusing, frustrating annoyances by forcing programmers and users to learn many interfaces and by confronting users with the bewildering details of fee-based services that were previously only accessible to professional librarians. The Stanford Digital Library project is addressing the problem of interoperability, which is particularly important because standardization efforts are lagging behind the development of digital library services. The authors used CORBA to implement information-access and payment protocols. These protocols provide the interface uniformity necessary for interoperability, while leaving implementers a large amount of leeway to optimize performance and to provide choices in service performance profiles. The authors' initial experience indicates that a distributed object framework does give clients and servers the flexibility to manage their communication and processing resources effectively     

Dependency management for digital preservation using semantic web technologies

The preservation of digital objects is a topic of prominent importance for archives and digital libraries. In this article, we focus on the problem of preserving the intelligibility of digital objects. We formalize the problem in terms of dependencies and specify a number of basic intelligibility-related tasks. In parallel, we introduce a preservation scenario as a means for clarifying the pros and cons of various representation and modeling languages that are used for the problem at hand, which reveals the benefits of adopting Semantic Web (SW) languages as a representation framework. To this end, we propose a minimal core ontology for representing intelligibility-related dependencies along with methodological hints for extending it. Finally, we report empirical and experimental results from applying the proposed approach on real data sets. It is worth mentioning that this approach can be used not only on SW-based repositories or archives, but also on those that are based on conventional approaches and languages (like EAST, DEDSL, XFDU/SAFE).     

Utilising semantic technologies for intelligent indexing and retrieval of digital images

The proliferation of digital media has led to a huge interest in classifying and indexing media objects for generic search and usage. In particular, we are witnessing a colossal growth in digital image repositories that are difficult to navigate using free-text search mechanisms, which often return inaccurate matches as they in principle rely on statistical analysis of query keyword recurrence in the image annotation or surrounding text. In this paper we present a semantically-enabled image annotation and retrieval engine that is designed to satisfy the requirements of the commercial image collections market in terms of both accuracy and efficiency of the retrieval process. Our search engine relies on methodically structured ontologies for image annotation, thus allowing for more intelligent reasoning about the image content and subsequently obtaining a more accurate set of results and a richer set of alternatives matchmaking the original query. We also show how our well-analysed and designed domain ontology contributes to the implicit expansion of user queries as well as the exploitation of lexical databases for explicit semantic-based query expansion.     

A digital library framework for biodiversity information systems

Biodiversity Information Systems (BISs) involve all kinds of heterogeneous data, which include ecological and geographical features. However, available information systems offer very limited support for managing these kinds of data in an integrated fashion. Furthermore, such systems do not fully support image content (e.g., photos of landscapes or living organisms) management, a requirement of many BIS end-users. In order to meet their needs, these users—e.g., biologists, environmental experts—often have to alternate between separate biodiversity and image information systems to combine information extracted from them. This hampers the addition of new data sources, as well as cooperation among scientists. The approach provided in this paper to meet these issues is based on taking advantage of advances in digital library innovations to integrate networked collections of heterogeneous data. It focuses on creating the basis for a next-generation BIS, combining new techniques of content-based image retrieval and database query processing mechanisms. This paper shows the use of this component-based architecture to support the creation of two tailored BIS systems dealing with fish specimen identification using search techniques. Experimental results suggest that this new approach improves the effectiveness of the fish identification process, when compared to the traditional key-based method.     

A visual digital library approach for time-oriented scientific primary data

Digital Library support for textual and certain types of non-textual documents has significantly advanced over the last years. While Digital Library support implies many aspects along the whole library workflow model, interactive and visual retrieval allowing effective query formulation and result presentation are important functions. Recently, new kinds of non-textual documents which merit Digital Library support, but yet cannot be fully accommodated by existing Digital Library technology, have come into focus. Scientific data, as produced for example, by scientific experimentation, simulation or observation, is such a document type. In this article we report on a concept and first implementation of Digital Library functionality for supporting visual retrieval and exploration in a specific important class of scientific primary data, namely, time-oriented research data. The approach is developed in an interdisciplinary effort by experts from the library, natural sciences, and visual analytics communities. In addition to presenting the concept and to discussing relevant challenges, we present results from a first implementation of our approach as applied on a real-world scientific primary data set. We also report from initial user feedback obtained during discussions with domain experts from the earth observation sciences, indicating the usefulness of our approach.     

Metadocuments supporting digital library information discovery

The World Wide Web is a decentralized, unmanaged, dynamically changing repository of digital documents. Waldens Paths provides tools that enable authors to collect, organize, annotate, and present Web-based information to reader communities via a linear metadocument called a path. Waldens Paths includes path authoring and reading interfaces supporting the contextualization of included materials to match authors goals as well as enabling browsing off the path to match readers personal interests. It also provides tools to manage these paths of transient Web materials based on the identification and evaluation of changes to the component pages. Experience with Waldens Paths in educational settings and changes to Web technology as well as the Web-savvyness of users have led to a variety of changes to earlier designs. Current directions of work include the development of methods for evaluating readers understanding via quizzes associated with paths and richer path structures.     

A virtual scientific communication environment based on a semantic scientific information system

This paper focuses on the principles and capabilities of a virtual communication system that facilitates new forms of scientific communications and evaluation of research productivity, as well as the specifics of its implementation based on the major Socionet open access research-information system. The innovative potential of the discussed environment is shaped by the use of a multi-aspect taxonomy of semantic linkages between the system’s information objects, their online declaration by the users, and the availability of a service to notify the authors of the objects being linked together of such event.     

空间信息网络多址接入技术研究进展

空间信息网络具有高动态拓扑,大时空尺度、多样化业务和星上资源受限等特点。随着星间组网技术的日益成熟和航天活动的不断增加,航天器用户的动态多址接入问题已经成为影响网络性能的关键因素,得到了国内外研究机构的广泛关注。首先分析了典型多址接入技术的主要特点;然后在空间信息网络场景中,对基于竞争的分布式接入控制、基于无冲突的集中式接入控制以及多协议混合接入控制等三种多址接入技术进行了性能分析,对比剖析了三种多址接入方法的优势与不足。最后,分别提出了典型多址接入技术在未来空间信息网络中的典型应用场景和适应性改造方法。     

中文网络文本的语义信息处理研究综述

从学术价值和应用价值两方面分析了将计算机学科与语言学学科的研究方法相结合对于研究网络文本的意义,分别从分析网络文本的特性、网络词汇的演化规律以及构建网络文本语言知识库、开发平台和支持工具等方面对该领域中的研究现状与相关工作予以描述与分析,试图明晰面向中文网络文本的语义信息处理的研究内容和路线,为相关研究的进一步开展奠定基础.     

ATPS: an adaptive trajectory prediction system based on semantic information for dynamic objects

Neural Computing and Applications - Obstacle trajectory prediction is a task in mobile robot dynamic obstacle avoidance. One of the most critical issues of dynamic obstacle trajectory prediction is...     

基于信息网格的数字图书馆研究

讨论了信息网格和数字图书馆之间的关系、应用以及构建基于信息网格的数字图书馆的关键技术,并给出了基于织女星信息网格的数字图书馆体系结构。     

数字图书馆网络存储系统的研究与设计

文章介绍了网络存储系统在数字图书馆中的重要性及设计原则,通过对网络存储技术的研究,提出了一种应用于数字图书馆的网络存储SAN-NAS,为以后数字图书馆的建设提供了参考。     

An integrated architecture for the provision of health telematic services based on digital library technologies

monolithic information system to effectively serve the needs of an entire healthcare organizational structure. Thus, information and telecommunications systems must primarily provide the infrastructure to support the effective integration of distributed and heterogeneous components, ensuring overall integrity in terms of functional and information interworking. This approach i.e., the integration of heterogeneous autonomous distributed systems, to developing and managing regional healthcare networks ensures the transfer and integration of consistent information between healthcare facilities, without imposing constraints on the operation of individual clinical units. This paper presents the results of an ongoing effort for the design and implementation of an architecture based on digital library technologies, for the provision of user-oriented telematic services in a regional healthcare network. Specifically, it addresses issues related to the provision of user-oriented services, transparent to the needs of different user groups and the requirements of specific tasks, based on: a) meta-information for the creation of an information infrastructure for the regional healthcare network which is, effectively, a multimedia distributed digital library, b) intelligent informationretrieval strategies to selectively retrieve information from multimedia data, c) agent-based technologies for effective service delivery adapted to the current user needs and the task at hand, and d) middleware services that explicitly reveal not only the characteristics of the information sources, but also address the context of specific telematic services, through appropriate mediation mechanisms. Received: 10 April 1997 / Revised: 6 July 1997 / Accepted: 5 August 1997     

Methods for integration of heterogeneous information resources in molecular biology in the digital library GeneExpress

Difficulties in integrating information resources (IRs) in molecular biology are due to a complex hierarchical and/or network organization of data, to their heterogeneity, complex interrelations, insufficient formalization, and to incompleteness. To overcome these difficulties, a digital library called GeneExpress has been under development in the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences. This system, which belongs to a new class of information systems, integrates a great number of data-bases and hundreds of computer programs designed for processing information on the structure and functions of DNA, RNA, and proteins. The foundation of our approach is provided by hypertext integration, integration on the basis of a unified object-oriented environment by mapping the data into a canonical model with the use of specially designed mediators, and semantic data integration. A prototype of an implementation of this approach used in the current version of GeneExpress is described.