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We explore developing rich semantic models of systems. Specifically, we consider structured causal explanations about state changes in those systems. Essentially, we are developing process-based dynamic knowledge graphs. As an example, we construct a model of the causal threads for geological changes proposed by the Snowball Earth theory. Further, we describe an early prototype of a graphical interface to present the explanations. Unlike statistical approaches to summarization and explanation such as Large Language Models (LLMs), our approach of direct representation can be inspected and verified directly., Comment: 2023 ICADL

We explore using the Suggested Upper Merged Ontology (SUMO) to develop a semantic simulation. We provide two proof-of-concept demonstrations modeling transitions in a simulated gasoline engine using a general-purpose programming language. Rather than focusing on computationally highly intensive techniques, we explore a less computationally intensive approach related to familiar software engineering testing procedures. In addition, we propose structured representations of terms based on linguistic approaches to lexicography.

We have proposed going beyond traditional ontologies to use rich semantics implemented in programming languages for modeling. In this paper, we discuss the application of executable semantic models to two examples, first a structured definition of a waterfall and second the cardiopulmonary system. We examine the components of these models and the way those components interact. Ultimately, such models should provide the basis for direct representation.

Mechanisms are a fundamental concept in many areas of science. Nonetheless, there has been little effort to develop structures to represent mechanisms. We explore the issues in developing a basic semantic modeling framework for describing some types of mechanisms. We draw together threads from a number of different approaches and then consider two examples. From this survey, we propose a rich Semantic Modeling Framework (SMF) based on Transitionals and hierarchies of Aggregates and Mechanisms, which could be implemented with the XFO programming environment. Potentially, the framework will be useful for developing direct-representation scientific research reports and community models.

Faceted classifications define dimensions for the types of entities included. In effect, the facets provide an "ontological commitment". We compare a faceted thesaurus, the Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT), with ontologies derived from the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO2), which is an upper (or formal) ontology widely used to describe entities in biomedicine. We consider how the AAT and BFO2-based ontologies could be coordinated and integrated into a Human Activity and Infrastructure Foundry (HAIF). To extend the AAT to enable this coordination and integration, we describe how a wider range of relationships among its terms could be introduced. Using these extensions, we explore richer modeling of topics from AAT that deal with Technology. Finally, we consider how ontology-based frames and semantic role frames can be integrated to make rich semantic statements about changes in the world.

We have proposed that ontologies and programming languages should be more closely aligned. Specifically, we have argued that the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO2) has many features that are consistent with object-oriented analysis, design, and modeling. Here, we describe the eXtended Formal Ontology (XFO), a programming environment we developed to support semantic modeling. We then use XFO to implement a Traffic Light Microworld and discuss more complex applications.

We analyze challenges for the development of the Human Activities and Infrastructures Foundry. We explore a rich semantic modeling approach to describe two Korean ceramic water droppers used to mix ink for calligraphy, how they were produced and the reasons for their differing aesthetic. Our modeling supports schema and allows for transitions of Entities based on the relationships to other Entities with which they are associated. We explore the similarity of our approach to object-oriented analysis and modeling.

Direct representation knowledgebases can enhance and even provide an alternative to document-centered digital libraries. Here we consider realist semantic modeling of everyday activities and infrastructures in such knowledgebases. Because we want to integrate a wide variety of topics, a collection of ontologies (a foundry) and a range of other knowledge resources are needed. We first consider modeling the routine procedures that support human activities and technologies. Next, we examine the interactions of technologies with aspects of social organization. Then, we consider approaches and issues for developing and validating explanations of the relationships among various entities.

Rather than using text for scientific research reports, we have proposed developing highly-structured reports with rich semantic models. In this paper, we consider detailed structures for the components of research reports using a modeling framework based on a rigorous upper ontology. For instance, we consider the use of structured descriptions of Research Designs to support evaluation of internal and external validity. In addition, collections of highly-structured scientific research reports would be the key component of a set of evolving and interlocking highly-structured scientific knowledgebases.

Developing and organizing new knowledge is a core activity for scholars. Recently, ontologies have been introduced as an approach for organizing knowledge. However, most ontologies do not readily support the development and organization of new knowledge. By comparison, to ontology, epistemology is the study of what can be known. Aspects of epistemology include the acquisition of and justification for new knowledge. Thus, we need to coordinate ontology with epistemology. Because we are developing frameworks for capturing knowledge across several scholarly domains, we describe the work in this paper as exploring structured applied epistemology. Unlike other recent proposals for new approaches to scholarly publishing, we propose an integrated and comprehensive approach. We have explored direct representation based on the rigorous Basic Formal Ontology and in this paper, we consider how epistemology can be incorporated with that. In addition to highly-structured scientific research reports, we also consider how to develop highly-structured descriptions of historical events on which historical analyses can be based.

A highly structured description of entities and events in histories can support flexible exploration of those histories by users and, ultimately, support richly-linked full-text digital libraries. Here, we apply the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) to structure a passage about the Roman Constitution from Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Specifically, we consider the specification of Roles such as Consuls, Activities associated with those Roles, and Procedures for accomplishing those Activities., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Presented at the Italian Research Conference on Digital Libraries (IRCDL 2015), Bozen-Bolzano, Italy, 29-30 January, 2015

Most tools for accessing digitized historical newspapers emphasize relatively simple search; but, as increasing numbers of digitized historical newspapers and other historical resources become available we can consider much richer modes of interaction with these collections. For instance, users might use exploratory search for looking at larger issues and events such as elections and campaigns or to get a sense of "the texture of the city" or "what the city was thinking". To take full advantage of rich interface tools, the content of the newspapers needs to be described systematically and accurately. Moreover, collections of multiple newspapers need to be richly cross-indexed across titles and even with historical resources beyond the newspapers., Comment: IFLA Newspaper Section IFLA Newspaper Meeting, New Delhi, February 2010

We describe steps toward an interactive directory for the town of Norfolk, Nebraska for the years 1899 and 1900. This directory would extend the traditional city directory by including a wider range of entities being described, much richer information about the entities mentioned and linkages to mentions of the entities in material such as digitized historical newspapers. Such a directory would be useful to readers who browse the historical newspapers by providing structured summaries of the entities mentioned. We describe the occurrence of entities in two years of the Norfolk Weekly News, focusing on several individuals to better understand the types of information which can be gleaned from historical newspapers and other historical materials. We also describe a prototype program which coordinates information about entities from the traditional city directories, the federal census, and from newspapers. We discuss the structured coding for these entities, noting that richer coding would increasingly include descriptions of events and scenarios. We propose that rich content about individuals and communities could eventually be modeled with agents and woven into historical narratives.

Scientific research is highly structured and some of that structure is reflected in research reports. Traditional scientific research reports are yielding to interactive documents which expose their internal structure and are richly linked to other materials. In these changes, there are opportunities to take advantage of the structure in scientific research reports which previously have not been systematically captured. Thus, we explore ways of capturing more of the structure of research in reports about the research and we use that structure to support the development of a new generation of document browsers which include novel interaction widgets. We apply the browsers incorporating the conceptual modeling framework to full-text research reports from the Public Library of Science (PLoS). In addition, we describe the application of model-oriented constructs to facilitating highly interlinked digital libraries.

WQ is a Web-based system that reflects some of the ideas found in WebQuests. This paper analyzes the characteristics that make the WebQuests so popular and determines which of their components give them the greatest educational value. The WQ system, which the authors have implemented, presents sites to be browsed and searched. It allows students to make notes on those sites, and it lets the student manage those notes to respond to the Quest. Ultimately, the WQ system is intended to incorporate collaboration, integrate digital libraries, be scalable, and support a wide variety of content areas. (Contains 19 references and 2 figures.) (Author)