Object-oriented Information Model Research Articles

Methods for development and application of data standards in an ontology-driven information model for measuring, managing, and computing social determinants of health for individuals, households, and communities evaluated through an example of asthma

ObjectiveTo describe methods to approach application of data standards to integrate social determinants of health (SDoH) into EHRs through evaluation of a case of clinical decision support for pediatric asthma. Materials and MethodsWe identified a list of environmental factors important for managing pediatric asthma. We identified and integrated data from local outdoor air quality monitors with elements available from the clinic’s EHR and self-reported indoor air quality questionnaire data. We assessed existing SDoH frameworks, assessment tools, and terminologies to identify representative data standards for these environmental SDoH measures. ResultsWe found many-to-many relationships between the multiple framework domains, the environmental exposure measures collected, and existing standards. The majority of concepts did not accurately align with environmental exposure measurements. We propose an ontology-driven information framework methodology to apply standards for SDoH measurements to support measuring, managing, and computing SDoH data. DiscussionTo support methods of integrating SDoH data in the EHR via an ontology-driven information framework, a common SDoH ecosystem should be developed descriptively and prescriptively integrating framework domains, assessment tools, and standard ontologies to support future data sharing, aggregation, and interoperability. A hierarchical object-oriented information model should be adopted to manage SDoH to extend beyond patient-centered orientation of EHRs to orient to households and communities. ConclusionSDoH data pose unique challenges and opportunities in collecting, measuring, and managing health information. Future work is needed to define data standards for implementing SDoH in a hierarchical, object-oriented information model representing multiple units of orientation including individuals, households, and communities.

An object-oriented information model for territorial system management

This article examines an object-oriented geospatial information model for territorial system management, its benefits compared to current automated territorial management systems, and special aspects of its development and implementation in multi-level geoinformation systems. The presented study reflects the major functions of geoinformation materials used in spatial planning, particularly in Earth remote sensing. A territorial information management model is developed from the perspective of the object-oriented geoinformation approach. The study identifies the major functions of the proposed management system and demonstrates what kinds of problems can be solved using this system, develops a spatial algorithmic model for managerial decision-making and a methodology for analyzing local territorial system characteristics; and introduces basic information arrays that can be used to solve practical territorial management problems at various levels.

A model-based measurement method for intelligent circuit breaker with data communication

In this paper, an object-oriented information model of an intelligent vacuum circuit breaker based on its physical structure and function (service) was established to integrate the measuring information flow of field parameters, the monitoring information flow of status data, and the operating and controlling information flow. The status parameters of the intelligent vacuum breaker were detected by analysing the principles and methods based on IEC61850 and IEC62271 standards. The IEC 61850 standard repository can be extended according to the characteristics of the intelligent vacuum breaker status parameters, and the IED server model was constructed to be suitable for the vacuum breaker. A key feature of the new method is the use of a multimode fibre that is incorporated into the IED server model to transmit the status parameters from the target to the sensor. The main characteristic of the measurement method is that it exhibits real-time transmission of data collection. The model includes temperature testing of the switch contact, vacuum arc testing, detection of vacuum switch motion and primary circuit parameters testing. Furthermore, we show how the IEC61850 standard can be used to give a better insight on data communication of the data collector and intelligent circuit breaker. Experimental results showed that the feasibility of intelligent vacuum breaker status monitoring through the switching-on test. It purposes to achieve information integration and a frame communication platform for the intelligent vacuum breaker.

Generic OPC UA Server Framework

This paper describes a new approach for generic design and efficient development of OPC UA servers. Development starts with creation of a design file, in XML format, describing an object-oriented information model of the target system or device. Using this model, the framework generates an executable OPC UA server application, which exposes the per-design OPC UA address space, without the developer writing a single line of code. Furthermore, the framework generates skeleton code into which the developer adds the necessary logic for integration to the target system or device.This approach allows both developers unfamiliar with the OPC UA standard, and advanced OPC UA developers, to create servers for the systems they are experts in while greatly reducing design and development effort as compared to developments based purely on COTS OPC UA toolkits. Higher level software may further benefit from the explicit OPC UA server model by using the XML design description as the basis for generating client connectivity configuration and server data representation. Moreover, having the XML design description at hand facilitates automatic generation of validation tools.In this contribution, the concept and implementation of this framework is detailed along with examples of actual production-level usage in the detector control system of the ATLAS experiment at CERN and beyond.

Case Study

This case study focuses on the operational performance of a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-rated building with the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to evaluate its capacity to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE). Retrofit options for renewable energy implementation are examined in conjunction with scenarios of building operation. In this study, two different BIM processes have been conducted for the energy modeling: object-oriented geometric information modeling (e.g., envelope, doors, windows, walls, zones, etc.) with a BIM tool and energy modeling (e.g., materials, heat resistance, location, weather data, renewables, etc.) with an energy simulation tool. The simulation model is compared to the real building performance and alternative renewable energy scenarios are evaluated. The results are used to make recommendations for the optimization of building performance and consideration of energy-efficient strategies for building performance enhancement. The research points to discontinuities between photovoltaic panel degradation over time and the LEED credit.

Integration of product data management and CAD systems by Java-COM bridge

An object-oriented product information model is established for extraction of product data from a CAD system so that an integrated interface can be built to achieve integration between heterogeneous product data management and CAD systems. An interface program is developed by combining Java-Com bridge and COM to achieve real-time data exchange without using neutral files. An automatic product structure tree building algorithm is proposed to store data in an organised way in a product data management system, and a dead-cycle detection algorithm is proposed to keep the input defect-free. The trial operations of the newly developed system indicate that the approach is effective for integrating of product data management and CAD systems for real-time data exchange.

An object-oriented information model for manufacturability analysis of printed circuit board fabrication

Assessing the manufacturability of a design is important for lowering the printed circuit board (PCB) cost, increasing process yield, and reducing the time-to-market. Many have recognized the need for a neutral information model for sharing product information, however, the modeling and exchange of manufacturing information is equally important to the successful manufacturability evaluation. Modeling the manufacturing information for PCBs is fraught with difficulty. The reasons are that the PCB industry experiences frequent technical advances, design knowledge is separated from process knowledge, and a great variation exists among companies in processes and capabilities. To address these issues an EXPRESS object-oriented manufacturing model of the manufacturing equipment and manufacturing process capabilities is proposed. The model is developed by considering PCB design and fabrication separately and then identifying the couplings between design decisions and the realization of those features in manufacturing. The data model captures equipment imposed limitations on designs and the couplings between design parameters and their impact on the manufacturing system. The model forms the basis of a manufacturability evaluation system for PCB fabrication and is illustrated through an example.

CONSCOM: An OO Construction Scheduling and Change Management System

In a companion paper, an object-oriented (OO) information model was presented for construction scheduling, cost optimization, and change order management (CONSCOM), based on the creation of a domain-specific development framework. The framework architecture is developed using generic software design elements, called patterns, which provide effective low-level solutions for creating, organizing, and maintaining objects. The OO model has been implemented in a prototype software system for management of construction projects, called CONSCOM, using the Microsoft Foundation Class library in Visual C++. CONSCOM is particularly suitable for highway construction change order management. It can be used by the owner as an intelligent decision support system in schedule reviews, progress monitoring, and cost-time trade-off analysis for change order approval. The OO information model for construction scheduling cost management can be integrated into a concurrent engineering model for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.

OO Information Model for Construction Project Management

Recently, the writers developed a general and powerful mathematical model for scheduling construction projects. An optimization formulation was presented with the goal of minimizing the direct construction cost. The nonlinear optimization problem was solved by the recently patented neural dynamics model of Adeli and Park. In this paper an object-oriented (OO) information model is presented for construction scheduling, cost optimization, and change order management (CONSCOM) based on the new construction scheduling model. The goal is to lay the foundation for a new generation of flexible, powerful, maintainable, and reusable software system for the solution of construction scheduling problems. The model is presented as a domain-specific development framework using the Microsoft Foundation Class library and utilizing the software reuse feature of the framework. The framework reuse architecture is more flexible and powerful than other reuse techniques such as components and patterns. A companion paper presents the implementation of the OO information model in a prototype software system for management of construction projects, called CONSCOM.

Management Information Model Engineering

Information Modeling is an important aspect of software systems and has been use d in various fields of information technology over the years. Its importance has become greater with the advent of object-oriented systems during the last decad e. Object-oriented information modeling aims to provide an abstract view of a sy stem in terms of the constituent objects and their relationships. In the world o f system, network and service management, management information modeling has si milar requirements as in other fields of information science but faces stronger restrictions due to the nature of the problem domain. Special information modeli ng techniques, notations and methodologies have been developed, leading to a man agement-specific approach which we will term Management Information Model Engineering.

Issues in designing an information model for application development

IBM's object-oriented information model lets a customer share data among various tools for application development. This paper discusses several issues in designing the information model, namely (1) techniques for diagrams (an essential part of communication between an information model designer and other designers or tool writers), (2) organization of the design of the information model (an essential step when many designers design anything large), and (3) technical content. These discussions of the experience of designing the information model should be valuable for further design of the information model and for other design efforts, e.g., involving other models or other integration of tools.

An object-oriented information model for computer-aided control engineering

The aim of modern computer-aided engineering research is to create integrated sets of tools that support all stages of the control-systems design life-cycle. The most efficient way to achieve the exchange of data between the tools of the integrated environment is to define an information model that is shared by all tools and maintained by a common software environment. An object-oriented information model for life-cycle support of computer-aided control engineering is presented in this paper, and a possible architecture for its implementation is suggested. The model has been formally specified in the information modelling language EXPRESS. Object-oriented methods are also to be used for database support and inter-tool communications. The design is evaluated against previously published information models for computer-aided control engineering.

An Object-Oriented Information Model for Intelligent Modelling

The principal objective of this paper is to report on the development of a framework for intelligent modelling aimed at the formulation of models for science and engineering systems. After an introduction of the features of modelling, three aspects and three basic steps of particular relevance to the modelling framework are indicated. In particular, the knowledge structure of modelling will be considered in the context of both the modelling process and the functionality of system representation. The main body of the paper is concerned with describing the object-oriented information model for modelling which will form the heart of the knowledge-based system together with remarks on aspects of its usability.

A hypermanager for a computer integrated concurrent process engineering environment

As one of the most important issues in the development of a computer integrated concurrent process engineering environment, this paper first draws the system requirements into data browsing and tool access management. A hyper-manager is then designed which introduces hyper-objects as front end. These hyper-objects are hyper-linked with system objects and support tools locally or remotely which are configured in a multi-dimensional object-oriented information model (MDOOM) and a concurrent tasking activity model. The MDOOM allows switching the information and support tools between different dimensions and the activity model maintains the tool availability to prevent conflicts. Integrated with WWW, the hyper-manager allows browsing both local and remote data and carrying out multiple tasks. A prototype system implemented in Tcl/Tk linking with Prolog has demonstrated a desirable functionality.

An object-oriented information modeling methodology for manufacturing information systems

In this paper, we propose a new information modeling methodology for manufacturing information systems, called OOMIS (Object-Oriented modeling methodology for Manufacturing Information Systems). The proposed methodology consists of an analysis phase and a design phase. In the analysis phase, manufacturing functions are decomposed into component functions to define the information flow among the manufacturing functions and their infrastructures. The manufacturing functions are described with functional diagrams. Then, functional diagrams are transformed into three types of tables: function, data, and operation tables. In the design phase, these tables are translated into an object-oriented information model. The information model consists of a class dictionary and class relationship diagrams. Through an aggregation and integration process, these tables are transformed into a class dictionary which consists of function classes and entity classes. The function classes describe manufacturing functions and the entity classes describe manufacturing data. The class relationships (generalization, aggregation, and interaction) are defined in the semantic design process. The integrated information model supports semantic properties of the manufacturing information and can be directly for translated into a specific data dictionary of OODBMS.

Specification of behavioral semantics in object-oriented information modeling

Specification of behavioral semantics in object-oriented information modeling

SONET and OSI: making a connection

The application of open system interconnection (OSI) protocol and management principles to synchronous optical network (SONET) operations and management is described. The role of the seven-layer OSI protocol stack in allowing SONET network elements to communicate with each other and with operation systems (OSs) by way of SONET data communications channels, local area networks (LANs), and wide-area packet-switched networks is discussed. The use of object-oriented information modeling techniques and the services of the common management information service element (CMISE) for developing standardized operations messages are described. The transition from the current operations communications environment supported by many OSs to the fully OSI-based target environment is briefly discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>