Information Integration Model Research Articles

A polygenic model for integration of linkage and pathway information

We introduce an approximate model for linkage curves which accommodates the polygenic structure of complex diseases and accounts for the simultaneous action of closely located genes. The model is extended so that information on biological pathways can be integrated. Using data on rheumatoid arthritis, we describe some of the many applications which the model allows: it can be used to test for residual linkage in the presence of already established loci, to derive a global test for linkage, to test for the relevance of a gene list in terms of linkage and to help in candidate gene prioritization by integration of gene-pathway annotation data.

Random Field Model for Integration of Local Information and Global Information

This paper presents a proposal of a general framework that explicitly models local information and global information in a conditional random field. The proposed method extracts global image features as well as local ones and uses them to predict the scene of the input image. Scene-based top-down information is generated based on the predicted scene. It represents a global spatial configuration of labels and category compatibility over an image. Incorporation of the global information helps to resolve local ambiguities and achieves locally and globally consistent image recognition. In spite of the model's simplicity, the proposed method demonstrates good performance in image labeling of two datasets.

Model evaluation using grouped or individual data

Analyzing the data of individuals has several advantages over analyzing the data combined across the individuals (the latter we term group analysis): Grouping can distort the form of data, and different individuals might perform the task using different processes and parameters. These factors notwithstanding, we demonstrate conditions in which group analysis outperforms individual analysis. Such conditions include those in which there are relatively few trials per subject per condition, a situation that sometimes introduces distortions and biases when models are fit and parameters are estimated. We employed a simulation technique in which data were generated from each of two known models, each with parameter variation across simulated individuals. We examined how well the generating model and its competitor each fared in fitting (both sets of) the data, using both individual and group analysis. We examined the accuracy of model selection (the probability that the correct model would be selected by the analysis method). Trials per condition and individuals per experiment were varied systematically. Three pairs of cognitive models were compared: exponential versus power models of forgetting, generalized context versus prototype models of categorization, and the fuzzy logical model of perception versus the linear integration model of information integration. We show that there are situations in which small numbers of trials per condition cause group analysis to outperform individual analysis. Additional tables and figures may be downloaded from the Psychonomic Society Archive of Norms, Stimuli, and Data, www.psychonomic.org/archive.

Web-based management information system of reverse supply chain

Reverse supply chain is a new management mode to win competition for enterprises; information system is an effective tool to support the implementation of reverse supply chain management in enterprises. A system structure was set up and the information integration model was put forward based on the web, and then the operating mechanism of reverse supply chain was elaborated.

Holistic sense‐making: conflicting opinions, creative ideas, and collective intelligence

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to introduce a generic conceptual and methodological framework for the study of emergent social and intellectual patterns and trends in a diverse range of sense‐and decision‐making activities.Design/methodology/approachThe development of the framework is driven by three motivating challenges: capturing the collective intelligence of science, fostering scientific discoveries in science and e‐Science, and facilitating evidence‐based librarianship (EBL). The framework is built on concepts such as structural holes and intellectual turning points, methodologies and techniques for progressive knowledge domain visualization and differentiation of conflicting opinions, and information integration models to achieve coherent transitions between different conceptual scales.FindingsStructural holes and turning points are detected and validated with the domain of terrorism research as an example. Conflicting opinions are differentiated in the form of a decision tree of phrases with the greatest information gains. Fundamental issues concerning the reliability of common assumptions across multiple levels of granularity are identified. Knowledge diffusion is studied in terms of information integration between a geographic space and an intellectual space.Research limitations/implicationsThis study characterizes a holistic sense‐making approach with three exemplar themes. Future research is needed to develop theoretical foundations and corresponding techniques to sustain additional themes.Practical implicationsThe work contributes to the practice of improving our understanding of the collective intelligence in science.Originality/valueThe value of the work is the conceptual and methodological contributions to address various phenomena across micro‐ and macroscopic levels.

An industrial network flow information integration model for supply chain management and intelligent transportation

Industrial network flow involves three domains: infrastructure, individual subjects of movement, and planning and control of the movement. Examples include supply chain and intelligent transportation. These traditionally isolated domains can be digitally connected to enhance their performance. Digitization of the infrastructure provides real-time data to facilitate its operation, while digitally connecting the subjects to the infrastructure allows for tailored services and support to particular subjects. Connection of both to the enterprise information systems enables adaptive control for the application (e.g. logistics) at a global optimization level. Previous results in the field cover separate aspects of planning/routing, real-time monitoring, and trip support. Toward this end, a new highway-based subject-infrastructure-enterprise (SIE) information integration model using digital connection is proposed to the field of industrial network flow control for application to intelligent transportation and supply chain management. The SIE model supports industrial network flow control in a way comparable to an adaptive control panel administering an automated material handling system. In this metaphor, the global infrastructure becomes ‘controllable’ similar to factory conveyors and automated guided vehicles. This paper presents a conceptual design substantiated with information requirements analysis. An empirical experiment at locations in New York State shows the technical feasibility of the digital connection envisioned.

Process Implications of E-prescribing Information Integration Models: United States versus a Middle East Approach

E-prescribing automates the manual prescription process which enables physicians, pharmacies and payers to gain access to information that contributes to patient safety, controlling costs, and gaining business intelligence. In this article, the information flow of the leading e-prescribing approaches in the United States (US) is compared with an e-prescribing system under development in a Middle East country. The focus is on the implication of process changes (e.g., shift in roles) and the secondary use of information that results from the integration of the prescription information chain. The comparison highlights differences in implementation that will impact the adoption of e-prescribing in the US. For example, the US approach requires a physician to specify where the e-prescription is to be sent, which in the past was solely a patient decision. In contrast, the approach by the Middle East company is for a cyber-mediary to hold the e-prescription until retrieved by the pharmacy a patient chooses.

The application of electronic commerce and information integration in the construction industry

Many parties involved in the construction industry have convinced the importance of electronic commerce (EC) for improving business processes, cutting cost, and providing comprehensive information. However, currently the application of EC is relatively limited and ineffective. These systems are always non-interoperable which creates problems for the stakeholders in construction projects. This paper aims to analyze the E-commerce application system and develop a system for the parties to collaborate and share information effectively. In this paper, four information flats are summarized based on the literature survey and field investigation, and the information integration model for EC is built up using IFC and XML. It should provide a useful reference for China to promote the development of EC in the construction industry.

Development and implementation of an integrated quality information system—a China experience

As quality is one of the essential factors for manufacturing success in the global market, the Quality Engineering Laboratory (QEL) of BeiHang University (BUAA) has been focusing on the research of methodologies for integrated quality information processes to support quality management for more than 10 years. An integrated quality information system—QQ-Enterprise has been developed for Chinese manufacturing industries. A three-dimensional quality information integration model and a flexible architecture are proposed in this paper. The development of the QQ-Enterprise, which is a general-purpose IQIS developing toolkit designed specially for the Chinese manufacturing environment, and an implementation template are also presented.

A XML-based Model for Integration of Individual Health Information

Objective: For disease prevention and health promotion, it is important that individual health information is managed continuously and can be retrieved easily when necessary. We propose a model for integrated management of diverse individual health information that is generated and managed in heterogeneous Health Information System(HIS)s at hospitals or health centers. Methods: We use XML and relational database together to represent the health information structurally and manage it flexibly. In order to show the effectiveness of our method, we developed a prototype of Intermediate System for integration and analysed the result. Results: The Intermediate System for integration provides the schema of health information, represents the information in forms of XML strings by the subjects, and stores each XML string as one field of relational database. In each heterogeneous HIS, there is an adaptor that transforms the health information into XML according to the schema. The messages for transmission between each HIS and Intermediate System are represented in XML. Conclusion: The experimental study shows that using relational database and XML together provides a flexible, extensible and structured way of representing complex, time-variant and large-scale information, on the premise that the database tables are distributed according to the status of server.

A model of biodiversity information integration

We proposes a model of biodiversity information integration involving data describing biodiversity entities from different layers and angles using artificial intelligence. Based on analysis of current biodiversity database systems and the demands of biodiversity researchers, this model supports decision-making on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. According to the Dublin Core metadata template and the standard of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH), the model builds up a platform, in both website and CDROM forms, to publish data in different data formats (text, image, vector data, audio, and video) from distributed databases. Data exchange could be implemented smoothly among remote databases and/or between remote and local databases according to the standard of OAI-PMH.

MDR과 온톨로지를 결합한 3계층 정보 통합 시스템

한 도메인 내에서 다양한 데이터베이스의 데이터를 공유하고 표준화하기 위해 MDR(Metadata Registry)을 이용하여 정보를 통합할 수 있다. 그러나 MDR을 구축하는 조직간 데이터요소 표현의 불일치 때문에 MDR간 광역적인 정보를 통합하는데 어려움이 있다. 또한 웹과 같은 다양한 데이터베이스가 존재하는 환경에서 통합된 정보를 검색하고자 하는 사용자는 각각의 데이터베이스 스키마 정보를 확보하기엔 한계가 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 MDR과 온톨로지(Ontology)를 결합한 3계층 정보 통합 시스템을 제안한다. MDR간 데이터요소의 관계를 사상시키고 표현의 불일치를 해결하기 위해 MDR의 표준성기능과 온톨로지의 개념과 관계기능을 결합한 정보 통합 모델을 정의하고 에이전트 기술을 적용한 계층적이고 독립적인 정보 통합 아키텍처를 제안한다. 온톨로지는 사용자의 질의에서 개념을 추출하기 위한 의미망(semantic network)의 역할과 MDR간의 데이터요소 관계를 설정하기 위한 기능으로 적용되었다. MDR과 지식베이스(Knowledge Base)는 데이터요소간 표현 불일치를 해결하기 위해 적용하였다. 이러한 핵심요소를 고려하여 제안된 아키텍처를 사용하여 MDR과 온톨로지를 결합한 3계층 정보 통합 시스템을 구현하였다. To share and standardize information, especially in the database environments, MDR (Metadata Registry) can be used to integrate various heterogeneous databases within a particular domain. But due to the discrepancies of data element representation between organizations, global information integration is not so easy. And users who are searching integrated information on the Web have limitation to obtain schema information for the underlying source databases. To solve those problems, in this paper, we present a 3-layered Information Integration System (LI2S) based on MDRs and Ontology. The purpose of proposed architecture is to define information integration model, which combine both of the nature of MDRs standard specification and functionality of ontology for the concept and relation. Adopting agent technology to the proposed model plays a key role to support the hierarchical and independent information integration architecture. Ontology is used as for a role of semantic network from which it extracts concept from the user query and the establishment of relationship between MDRs for the data element. (MDR and Knowledge Base are used as for the solution of discrepancies of data element representation between MDRs. Based on this architectural concept, LI2S was designed and implemented.

Flexibility versus generalizability in model selection.

Which quantitative method should be used to choose among competing mathematical models of cognition? Massaro, Cohen, Campbell, and Rodriguez (2001) favor root mean squared deviation (RMSD), choosing the model that provides the best fit to the data. Their simulation results appear to legitimize its use for comparing two models of information integration because it performed just as well as Bayesian model selection (BMS), which had previously been shown by Myung and Pitt (1997) to be a superior alternative selection method because it considers a model's complexity in addition to its fit. In the present study, after contrasting the theoretical approaches to model selection espoused by Massaro et al. and Myung and Pitt, we discuss the cause of the inconsistencies by expanding on the simulations of Massaro et al. Findings demonstrate that the results from model recovery simulations can be misleading if they are not interpreted relative to the data on which they were evaluated, and that BMS is a more robust selection method.

A perspective on the history of Strong Motion Seismology

Today, Strong Motion Seismology is widely recognized as an effective bridge between earthquake information from earth sciences and the engineering practice for mitigating the earthquake hazard. This paper describes how this development of Strong Motion Seismology occurred in a relatively short time span of around three decades. We also discuss the emergence of the concept of the master model for a broader integration of earthquake information, of which Strong Motion Seismology is a key part, promoted at the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) in the past decade. We shall conclude the paper with a future perspective for Strong Motion Seismology.

Measuring information integration model for CAD/CMM

A CAD/CMM workpiece modeling system based on IGES file is proposed. The modeling system is implemented by using a method of labelling the tolerance items of 3D workpiece. The concept-feature face is used in the method. Firstly the CAD data of workpiece are extracted and recognized automatically. Then a workpiece model is generated, which is the integration of pure 3D geometry form with its corresponding inspection items. The principle of workpiece modeling is also presented. At last, the experiment results are shown and correctness of the model is certified.

Static information model of the cell controller layer for integrated circuit packaging with the unified modelling language

This paper introduces a static information model of the cell controller layer for integrated circuit packaging with the unified modelling language (UML). First of all, the die bonder and wire bonder of the IC packaging system were analysed. The information needs of these two machines and the communication interface between them and the connection system were explored. Then the integrated method of the cell controller systems was introduced to establish the information framework of the cell controller. The unified modelling language (UML) is applied, which uses the use case diagram and class diagram to define the function communication interface and relation between the actor of the die bonder and wire bonder. Without first considering the relation between the system's inner structure and the behaviour, the proposed method clearly expressed the functional requirement of the system and the information flow among related systems. Furthermore, the information model of the cell controller layer in the packaging system was established to represent the information flow and communication interface between the IC packaging cell controller and the connecting systems. This can serve as the analysis and design model for system development and information integration in the future.

LOOSELY-SPECIFIED QUERY PROCESSING IN LARGE-SCALE INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Challenging issues for processing queries specified over large-scale information spaces (e.g., Digital Libraries or the World Wide Web) include the diversity of the information sources in terms of their structures, query interfaces and search capabilities, as well as the dynamics of sources continuously being added, removed or upgraded. In this paper, we give an innovative solution for query planning in such environments. The foundation of our solution is the Dynamic Information Integration Model (DIIM) which supports the specification of not only content but also capabilities of resources without requiring the establishment of a uniform integration schema. Besides the development of the DIIM model, contributions of this paper include: (1) the introduction of the notion of fully specified queries that are semantically equivalent to a loosely-specified query; (2) a translation algorithm of a loosely-specified query into a set of semantically equivalent feasible query plans that are consistent with the binding patterns of query templates of the individual sources (capability descriptions in DIIM) and with interrelationships between informations sources (expressed as join constraints in DIIM); and (3) a search restriction algorithm for optimizing query processing by pruning the search space into the relevant subspace of a query. The plans obtained by the proposed query planning process which is composed of the search restriction and translation algorithms can be shown to correspond to query plans semantically equivalent to the initial loosely-specified input query.

The role of internal and external information in foraging decisions of Melipona workers (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae)

Social insect foragers have to make foraging decisions based on information that may come from two different sources: information learned and memorised through their own experience (“internal” information) and information communicated by nest mates or directly obtained from their environment (“external” information). The role of these sources of information in decision-making by foragers was studied observationally and experimentally in stingless bees of the genus Melipona. Once a Melipona forager had started its food-collecting career, its decisions to initiate, continue or stop its daily collecting activity were mainly based upon previous experience (activity on previous days, the time at which foraging was initiated the day(s) before, and, during the day, the success of the last foraging flights) and mediated through direct interaction with the food source (load size harvested and time to collect a load). External information provided by returning foragers advanced the start of foraging of experienced bees. Most inexperienced bees initiated their foraging day after successful foragers had returned to the hive. The start of foraging by other inexperienced bees was stimulated by high waste-removal activity of nest mates. By experimentally controlling the entries of foragers (hence external information input) it was shown that very low levels of external information input had large effect on the departure of experienced foragers. After the return of a single successful forager, or five foragers together, the rate of forager exits increased dramatically for 15 min. Only the first and second entry events had large effect; later entries influenced forager exit patterns only slightly. The results show that Melipona foragers make decisions based upon their own experience and that communication stimulates these foragers if it concerns the previously visited source. We discuss the organisation of individual foraging in Melipona and Apis mellifera and are led to the conclusion that these species behave very similarly and that an information-integration model (derived from Fig. 1) could be a starting point for future research on social insect foraging.

Loosely-Specified Query Processing in Large-Scale Information Systems

Challenging issues for processing queries specified over large-scale information spaces (for example, Digital Libraries or the World Wide Web) include the diversity of the information sources in terms of their structures, query interfaces and search capabilities, as well as the dynamics of sources continuously being added, removed or upgraded. In this paper, we give an innovative solution for query planning in such environments. The foundation of our solution is the Dynamic Information Integration Model (DIIM) which supports the specification of not only content but also capabilities of resources without requiring the establishment of a uniform integration schema. Besides the development of the DIIM model, contributions of this paper include: (1) the introduction of the notion of fully specified queries that are semantically equivalent to a loosely-specified query; (2) a translation algorithm of a loosely-specified query into a set of semantically equivalent feasible query plans that are consistent with the binding patterns of query templates of the individual sources (capability descriptions in DIIM) and with interrelationships between information sources (expressed as join constraints in DIIM); and (3) a search restriction algorithm for optimizing query processing by pruning the search space into the relevant subspace of a query. The plans obtained by the proposed query planning process which is composed of the search restriction and translation algorithms can be shown to correspond to query plans semantically equivalent to the initial loosely-specified input query.

A Process Approach to Remediating Word-Decoding Deficiencies in Chapter 1 Children

Difficulties in remediating reading deficiencies in Chapter 1 children have been well documented. Using samples of children from this population, we report the results of two studies employing a recently developed program designed to remediate word-decoding deficiencies. The Process-Based Reading Enhancement Program (PREP) is based on the Luria-Das model of information integration. It involves instruction twice weekly over 14 to 16 weeks. In Study 1, 50 children were randomly selected from a fourth-grade Chapter 1 population. From this group, random assignment was made to experimental and comparison groups ( N=25 in each group). The PREP was administered using a student-teacher ratio of 2 to 1. The Word Attack and Word Identification subtests of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised (WRMT-R) were used as pre- and posttests. For both measures, significant group-by-time interactions were detected. In Study 2, a different sample of 100 Chapter 1 fourth-grade children was randomly divided into remediation and comparison groups (after attrition, Ns=37 and 41, respectively). As in Study 1, all children were pretested and posttested on alternate forms of the Word Attack and Word Identification subtests of the WRMT-R. The time x treatment interactions were significant for both measures. The results of these studies support the efficacy of the PREP to improve word-reading and decoding abilities.