Database Schema Integration Research Articles

A survey on business process view integration: past, present and future applications to blockchain

PurposeThe complexity of business environments often causes organizations to produce several inconsistent views of the same business process (BP), leading to fragmentation. BP view integration attempts to produce an integrated view from different views of the same model, facilitating the management of BP models.Design/methodology/approachTo study the trends of BP view integration, the authors conduct an extensive and systematic literature review to summarize findings since the 1970s. With a starting corpus of 918 documents, this survey draws up a systematic inventory of solutions used in academia and industry. By narrowing it down to 71 articles, the authors discuss in-depth 17 BP integration techniques papers, classifying each solution according to 9 criteria.FindingsThe authors' study shows that most view-integration methods (11) utilize annotation-based matching, based on formal merging rules. While most solutions are formalized, only approximately half are validated with a real-world use case scenario. View integration can be applied to areas other than database schema integration and BP view integration.Practical implicationsBy summarizing existing knowledge up to June 2021, the authors explore possible future research directions. The authors highlight the application of view integration to the blockchain research area, where stakeholders can have different views on the same blockchain. The authors expect that this study contributes to interdisciplinary research across view integration, namely to the context of blockchain.Originality/valueThis survey serves to pave the way for future trends, where the authors highlight the application of view integration to blockchain research.

Consolidation of database check constraints

Independent modeling of various modules of an information system (IS), and consequently database subschemas, may result in formal or semantic conflicts between the modules being modeled. Such conflicts may cause collisions between the integrated database schema of a whole IS and the modeled subschemas. In our previous work, we have proposed criteria and algorithms for identifying and resolving such conflicts so as to provide a consolidation of database subschemas with the integrated database schema with respect to various database concepts, such as domains, relation schemes, primary key constraints and referential integrity constraints. In this paper, we propose a new approach and algorithms for identifying conflicts and testing consolidation of subschemas with the integrated database schema against check constraints. The proposed approach is based on satisfiability modulo theory (SMT) solvers. Hereby, we propose the integration of SMT solvers into our MDSD tool, aimed at supporting a database schema integration process.

Enhancing Information Privacy and Data Sharing in a Healthcare IT Firm: The Case of Ricerro Communications

AbstractInformation privacy and data sharing are two conflicting but important data management concerns. As more data are shared among stakeholders, the design of information systems (IS) often emphasizes on data sharing at the expense of information privacy. Unfortunately, existing IS research on designing tools to enhance information privacy is isolated from actual use of the tools. In this research, we examined the design of a data sharing system in a real-world company. The company, Ricerro Communications, Inc., produces and markets wearable communications devices used mainly in healthcare organizations. Poor data sharing in Ricerro's multiple systems resulted in loss of information privacy and security and inefficiency, seriously affecting customer relationship management. A consulting team has analyzed Ricerro's needs, gathered stakeholder requirements, and developed a privacy-enhancing data integration solution, which consists of database schema integration and data migration from various sources t...

광역 실시간 웹 서비스를 위한 통합 사면 데이터베이스 시스템 개발

본 논문은 "낙석 및 산사태 방지를 위한 차세대 신기술개발(05지역특성B02-01)"과제와 관련하여 연구 사업에 참여하고 있는 제1세부과제와 제2세부과제의 사면정보 관련 데이터베이스들을 통합하여 이를 관리하기 위한 통합 관리 데이터베이스 시스템의 설계 및 개발과정에 대한 서술을 목적으로 한다. 또한 구축된 통합 데이터베이스 시스템을 기반으로 원스톱 검색 및 입력이 가능한 웹 기반 서비스 시스템에 대한 구현 결과를 설명한다. 통합 데이터베이스 시스템을 구축하기 위하여 각 세부과제에서 도출된 데이터를 수집 및 분석하고, 공유될 수 있는 데이터들을 통합하여 표준 통합 데이터베이스 스키마를 설계하고 이를 기반으로 통합 데이터베이스 관리 시스템 및 관리용 웹 서비스 시스템을 개발하였으며 이에 대한 구현 결과를 보인다. The main contribution of this paper is to propose the integrated database schema from several research projects included in "The Next Generation New Technology for Rock-falling and Landsliding Project". Furthermore this paper describes the development of integrated standard database system for the slopes databases. We also develop and implement the global real time web service system in order to provide one-stop data service for the slopes. In this paper, the new integrated database paradigm for rock-fall and landsliding data is designed and proposed and also data management system is developed based on the global web service system.

Data Linkage Graph: computation, querying and knowledge discovery of life science database networks

Summary To support the interpretation of measured molecular facts, like gene expression experiments or EST sequencing, the functional or the system biological context has to be considered. Doing so, the relationship to existing biological knowledge has to be discovered. In general, biological knowledge is worldwide represented in a network of databases. In this paper we present a method for knowledge extraction in life science databases, which prevents the scientists from screen scraping and web clicking approaches.We developed a method for extraction of knowledge networks from distributed, heterogeneous life science databases. To meet the requirement of the very large data volume, the method used is based on the concept of data linkage graphs (DLG).We present an efficient software which enables the joining of millions of data points over hundreds of databases. In order to motivate possible applications, we computed networks of protein knowledge, which interconnect metabolic, disease, enzyme and gene function data.The computed networks enabled a holistic relationship among measured experimental facts and the combined biological knowledge. This was successfully applied for a high throughput functional classification of barley EST and gene expression experiments with the perspective of an automated pipeline for the provisioning of controlled annotation of plant gene arrays and chips.Availability: The data linkage graphs (XML or TGF format), the schema integrated database schema (GML or GRAPH-ML) and the graph computation software may be downloaded from the following URL: http://pgrc.ipk-gatersleben.de/dlg/

An approach to developing complex database schemas using form types

AbstractIn this paper we consider an approach to developing complex database schemas. Apart from the theoretical model of the approach, we also developed a CASE tool named Integrated Information Systems*Case, R.6.2 (IIS*Case) that supports the practical application of the approach. In this paper the basis of our approach to the design and integration of database schemas and ways of using IIS*Case is outlined. The main features of a new version of IIS*Case, developed in Java, are described. IIS*Case is based on the concept of ‘form type’ and supports the conceptual modelling of a database schema, generating subschemas and integrating them into a relational database schema in 3NF. IIS*Case provides an intelligent support for complex and highly formalized design and programming tasks. Having an advanced knowledge of information systems and database design is not a compulsory prerequisite for using IIS*Case. IIS*Case is based on a methodology of gradual integration of independently designed subschemas into a database schema. The process of independent subschema design may lead to collisions in expressing real‐world constraints. IIS*Case uses specialized algorithms for checking the consistency of constraints embedded in a database schema and its subschemas. This paper briefly outlines the application of the process of detecting collisions, and actions the designer may take to resolve them. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Semantic web infrastructure for fungal enzyme biotechnologists

The FungalWeb Ontology seeks to support various data integration needs of enzyme biotechnology from inception to product roll. Serving as a knowledgebase for decision support, the conceptualization seeks to link fungal species with enzymes, enzyme substrates, enzyme classifications, enzyme modifications, enzyme related intellectual property, enzyme retail and applications. The ontology, developed in the OWL language, is the result of the integration of numerous biological database schemas, web accessible text resources and components of existing ontologies. We assess the quantity of implicit knowledge in the FungalWeb Ontology by analyzing the range of tags in the OWL files and along with other description logic (DL) computable metrics of the ontology, contrast it with other publicly available bio-ontologies. Thereafter, we demonstrate how the FungalWeb Ontology supports its broad remit required in fungal biotechnology by (i) presenting application scenarios (ii) presenting the conceptualizations of the ontological frame able to support these scenarios and (iii) suggesting semantic queries typical of a fungal enzymologist involved in product development. Recognizing the complexity of the ontology query process for the non-technical manager we introduce a simplified query tool, Ontoligent Interactive Query (OntoIQ) that allows the user to browse and build queries from a selection of query patterns and ontology content. The OntoIQ interface supports users not familiar with writing DL syntax allowing them access to the ontology with expressive description logic reasoning tools. Finally we discuss the challenges encountered during the development of semantic infrastructure for fungal enzyme biotechnologists.

The bovine QTL viewer: a web accessible database of bovine Quantitative Trait Loci

BackgroundMany important agricultural traits such as weight gain, milk fat content and intramuscular fat (marbling) in cattle are quantitative traits. Most of the information on these traits has not previously been integrated into a genomic context. Without such integration application of these data to agricultural enterprises will remain slow and inefficient. Our goal was to populate a genomic database with data mined from the bovine quantitative trait literature and to make these data available in a genomic context to researchers via a user friendly query interface.DescriptionThe QTL (Quantitative Trait Locus) data and related information for bovine QTL are gathered from published work and from existing databases. An integrated database schema was designed and the database (MySQL) populated with the gathered data. The bovine QTL Viewer was developed for the integration of QTL data available for cattle. The tool consists of an integrated database of bovine QTL and the QTL viewer to display QTL and their chromosomal position.ConclusionWe present a web accessible, integrated database of bovine (dairy and beef cattle) QTL for use by animal geneticists. The viewer and database are of general applicability to any livestock species for which there are public QTL data. The viewer can be accessed at .

Semantic Web Infrastructure for Fungal Enzyme Biotechnologists

The FungalWeb Ontology aims to support the data integration needs of enzyme biotechnology from inception to product roll. Serving as a knowledgebase for decision support, the conceptualization seeks to link fungal species with enzymes, enzyme substrates, enzyme classifications, enzyme modifications, enzyme related intellectual property, enzyme retail and applications. The ontology, developed in the OWL language, is the result of the integration of numerous biological database schemas, web accessible text resources and components of existing ontologies. We assess the quantity of implicit knowledge in the Fungal Web ontology by analyzing the range of tags in the OWL files and along with other description logic (DL) computable metrics of the ontology, contrast it with other publicly available bio-ontologies. Thereafter we demonstrate how the FungalWeb Ontology supports its broad remit required in fungal biotechnology by (i) suggesting semantic queries typical of a fungal enzymologist involved in product development, (ii) presenting application scenarios, and (iii) presenting the conceptualizations of the ontological frame able to support these scenarios. Recognizing the complexity of the ontology query process for the non-technical manager we introduce a simplified query tool, Ontologent Interative Query (OntoIQ) that allows the user to browse and build queries from a selection of query patterns. The OntoIQ interface supports users not familiar with writing DL syntax allowing them access to the ontology with expressive description logic and automated reasoning tools. Finally we discuss the challenges encountered during the development of semantic infrastructure for fungal enzyme biotechnologists.

A comprehensive database schema integration method based on the theory of formal concepts

Integrating heterogeneous database schemata is a major task in federated database design where preexisting and heterogeneous database systems need to be integrated virtually by providing a homogenization database interface. Most proposed schema integration methods suffer from very complex result schemata and insufficient handling of extensional relations, i.e. in the way how redundant data of the input systems are dealt with. Redundancy among the input systems may thus remain undetected and, hence, remains uncontrolled. Our GIM (Generic Integration Model) method is based on the elegant and mathematically founded theory of formal concept analysis (FCA). The main idea is to integrate schemata into one formal context which is a binary relation between a set of attributes and a set of base extensions (set of potential objects). From that context we apply an FCA-algorithm to semi-automatically derive a concept lattice which we interpret as an inheritance hierarchy of classes for a homogenized schema. Thus, the integration task following our method can be supported by tools.

Resolution of Semantic Heterogeneity in Database Schema Integration Using Formal Ontologies

This paper addresses the problem of handling semantic heterogeneity during database schema integration. We focus on the semantics of terms used as identifiers in schema definitions. Our solution does not rely on the names of the schema elements or the structure of the schemas. Instead, we utilize formal ontologies consisting of intensional definitions of terms represented in a logical language. The approach is based on similarity relations between intensional definitions in different ontologies. We present the definitions of similarity relations based on intensional definitions in formal ontologies. The extensional consequences of intensional relations are addressed. The paper shows how similarity relations are discovered by a reasoning system using a higher-level ontology. These similarity relations are then used to derive an integrated schema in two steps. First, we show how to use similarity relations to generate the class hierarchy of the global schema. Second, we explain how to enhance the class definitions with attributes. This approach reduces the cost of generating or re-generating global schemas for tightly-coupled federated databases.

An Intelligent Mediator-Based Framework for Enterprise Application Integration

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is a major problem confronting manufacturing organizations that have deployed large-scale enterprise information systems and aim to coordinate inter- and intraorganizational product development, supply-chain, and customer management activities. Successful EAI is a key enabling step toward implementation of viable Product Life-cycle Management (PLM) strategies. Extant EAI technologies, such as distributed object and messaging technologies for communication and ontology-based database schema integration, are tedious to develop and maintain in an organization. Though workflow management systems have enabled process coordination of both manual and system-oriented tasks in organizations, coping with the lack of adaptability and inter-operability in workflow systems is a manual and resource intensive effort. Recent advances in (i) standardized, modular, and distributed software delivery frameworks, such as web services; (ii) standard semantic markup languages for developing domain ontologies; and (iii) intelligent process coordination frameworks promise the development of flexible, responsive, integrated, and organic process management architectures. In this paper, we present an intelligent mediator-based architecture for enabling EAI. Intraorganizational information sources and services are made available via a web-services framework. An Integrated Service Planning and Execution (ISP&E) framework interleaves service composition and execution at the mediator to fulfill service requests. Processes that interleave information gathering and transactional tasks are generated using domain-independent Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) AI planning and a domain-specific ontology and then executed in a scalable and reliable manner. Benefits and limitations of mediator-based frameworks for EAI and topics for further research are discussed based on a prototype development experience.

Equivalence of Keyed Relational Schemas by Conjunctive Queries

The concept of two schemas being equivalent is fundamental to database design, schema integration, and data model translation. An important notion of schema equivalence, query equivalence, was introduced by Atzeni et al., and used to evaluate the correctness of schema transformations. The logically equivalent notion of calculous equivalence, as well as three progressively more general notions of schema equivalence were introduced in 1984 by Hull, who showed that two schemas with no dependencies are equivalent (under all four notions of equivalence) if and only if they are identical (up to renaming and re-ordering of attributes and relations). Hull also conjectured that the same result holds for schemas with primary keys. In this work, we resolve the conjecture in the affirmative for the case of query equivalence based on mappings using conjunctive relational queries with equality selections.

Putting ontologies to use

Interest in the nature, development and use of ontologies is becoming increasingly widespread. Since the early nineties, numerous workshops have been held. Representatives from historically separate disciplines concerned with philosophical issues, knowledge acquisition and representation, planning, process management, database schema integration, natural language processing and enterprise modelling, came together to identify a common core of issues of interest. There was highly varied and inconsistent usage of a wide variety of terms, most notably, “ontology”, rendering cross-discipline communication difficult. However, progress was made toward understanding the commonality among the disciplines. Subsequent workshops addressed various aspects of the field, including theoretical issues, methodologies for building ontologies, as well as specific applications in government and industry.

ON AUTOMATIC REASONING FOR SCHEMA INTEGRATION

Success in database schema integration depends on the ability to capture real world semantics of the schema objects, and to reason about the semantics. Earlier schema integration approaches mainly rely on heuristics and human reasoning. In this paper, we discuss an approach to automate a significant part of the schema integration process. Our approach consists of three phases. An attribute hierarchy is generated in the first phase. This involves identifying relationships (equality, disjointness and inclusion) among attributes. We discuss a strategy based on user-specified semantic clustering. In the second phase, a classification algorithm based on the semantics of class subsumption is applied to the class definitions and the attribute hierarchy to automatically generate a class taxonomy. This class taxonomy represents a partially integrated schema. In the third phase, the user may employ a set of well-defined comparison operators in conjunction with a set of restructuring operators, to further modify the schema. These operators as well as the automatic reasoning during the second phase are based on subsumption. The formal semantics and automatic reasoning utilized in the second phase is based on a terminological logic as adapted in the CANDIDE data model. Classes are completely defined in terms of attributes and constraints. Our observation is that the inability to completely define attributes and thus completely capture their real world semantics imposes a fundamental limitation on the possibility of automatically reasoning about attribute definitions. This necessitates human reasoning during the first phase of the integration approach.

A comparative analysis of methodologies for database schema integration

One of the fundamental principles of the database approach is that a database allows a nonredundant, unified representation of all data managed in an organization. This is achieved only when methodologies are available to support integration across organizational and application boundaries. Methodologies for database design usually perform the design activity by separately producing several schemas, representing parts of the application, which are subsequently merged. Database schema integration is the activity of integrating the schemas of existing or proposed databases into a global, unified schema. The aim of the paper is to provide first a unifying framework for the problem of schema integration, then a comparative review of the work done thus far in this area. Such a framework, with the associated analysis of the existing approaches, provides a basis for identifying strengths and weaknesses of individual methodologies, as well as general guidelines for future improvements and extensions.

Distributed data bases: A summary of research

The overall objective for distributed data bases is the sharing of data among several distinct but inter-connected computing facilities through an integrating mechanism. A review of the literature indicates that little progress has been made in this area due to the large number of technological problems involved. Some researchers have obtained analytical/theoretical results in the area of physical data allocation under the restrictive assumptions of static and known access patterns and independence between programs and data. The remaining unsolved technological and operational problems include measurement and evaluation techniques, maintenance of multiple image files, and security/privacy. In the next five to ten years significant benefits would accrue if data translation techniques, an integrated data base control system, and the integrated data base schema and physically distributed data issues were investigated.