Patterns are used as building blocks for design and construction in many fields such as architecture, music, literature, etc. Researchers and practitioners in the information systems area have been exploring patterns and using them in system analysis and design. Patterns found in the analysis stage, when analysts create conceptual models to abstractly represent domain reality, are call business patterns or analysis patterns. Although various business patterns were proposed in previous studies, we found that business semantics were missing in these patterns. These business patterns failed to show functionalities that is essential to patterns in general. Most of these patterns were also not capable of describing business activities, the dynamic aspect of business. This study is conducted to address these issues. In this thesis, we provide a brief literature review on business patterns, and discuss the major problems we found in these studies. Then we introduce our research approach and the major outcomes. We propose a new definition of business patterns with business semantics, which enables us to recover the missing functionality in business patterns. We suggest the key elements to represent business patterns, and propose a two-level template (functional and operational) to describe these elements. Based on theR²M approach, we propose a modeling method with graphical notations to describe the operational level of patterns, where business activities can be modeled. Examples and a case study are provided in this thesis to demonstrate how to use the modeling method and how to use business patterns in practice.

Huge amount of data flows around the Internet every second, but for the data to be useful at its destination, it must be presented in a way such that the target has little problem interpreting it. Current data exchange technologies may rearrange the structure of data to suit expectations at the target. However, there may be semantics behind data (e.g. knowing the title of a book can determine its #pages) that may be violated after data translation. These semantics are expressed as integrity constraints (IC) in a database. Currently, there is no guarantee that the exchanged data conforms to the target’s ICs. As a result, existing applications (e.g. user queries) that assume such semantics will no longer function correctly. Current constraint repair techniques deal with data after it has been translated; thus take no consideration of the integrity constraints at the source. Moreover, such constraint repair methods usually involve addition/deletion/modification of data, which may yield incomplete or false data. We consider the constraints of both source and target schemas; together with the mapping, we can efficiently detect which constraint is violated and suggest ways to correct the mappings.

This thesis investigates lexical and grammatical aspect in two unrelated languages, Sencoten(the Saanich dialect of Straits Salish) and Japanese. In particular, the main focus is on how various perfect readings are derived in the two languages, which show striking similarities in this respect. In Sencoten, a particle kwlh yields various readings depending on the situation aspect and viewpoint aspect of the predicate with which it occurs (Kiyota 2006b). These various readings include an inceptive reading, an on-going situation reading, and a completion reading. The Japanese aspectual marker -tei- also induces a range of different readings: a progressive reading, a resultant state reading, and a perfect reading (Ogihara 1998a, Nishiyama 2006, a.o.). To account for these various readings, I propose that both kwlh in Sencoten and -tei- in Japanese are perfect markers. However, the actual semantic function of each is different: kwlh in Sencoten introduces a perfect time span (Pancheva 2003), whereas -tei- in Japanese denotes an anteriority relation between an event time and a reference time (Reichenbach 1947, Klein 1992, 1994), where the event time can be the time interval of a sub-event of a larger event. -Tei- also has a pragmatic component (or presupposition), just as Portner (2003) claims for the English perfect. Aspectual properties of predicates also play a crucial role in yielding the range of different readings. Therefore, this thesis also proposes a new aspectual classification of predicates in Sencoten and Japanese, which departs from the common classification of predicates based on Indo-European languages. In Sencoten, various readings are derived by interaction between the semantics of verbal predicates (i.e. lexical aspect), the semantics of the grammatical aspect (perfective or imperfective), and the semantics (and possibly pragmatics) of the perfect. In Japanese, the range of interpretations is due to interaction between the semantics of verbal aspect, the function of an adverb, and the semantics and pragmatics of the perfect. In other words, the same factors enter into my analysis of both Sencoten and Japanese, though there is one striking difference between the two languages: the perfective/imperfective opposition is involved in Sencoten, but not in Japanese.

Comparative constructions allow individuals to be compared according to different properties. Such comparisons form two classes, those that permit direct, comparisons (comparisons of measurements as in Seymour is taller than he is wide) and those that only allow indirect comparisons (comparisons of relative positions on separate scales as in Esme is more beautiful than Einstein is intelligent). Traditionally, these two types of comparisons have been associated with an ambiguity in the interpretations of the comparative and equative morphemes (see, Bartsch & Vennemann, 1972; Kennedy, 1999). In this thesis, I propose that there is no such ambiguity. The interpretations of the comparative and equative morphemes remain the same whether they appear in sentences that compare individuals directly or relative to two separate scales. To develop a unified account, I suggest that all comparisons involve a scale of universal degrees that are isomorphic to the rational (fractional) numbers between 0 and 1. All comparative and equative constructions are assigned an interpretation based on a comparison of such degrees. These degrees are associated with the two individuals being compared. Crucial to a unified treatment, the connection between individuals and universal degrees involves two steps. First individuals are mapped to a value on a primary scale that respects the ordering of such individuals according to the quality under consideration (whether it be height, beauty or intelligence). Second, this value on the primary scale is mapped to a universal degree that encodes the value's relative position with respect to other values. It is the ability of iv the universal degrees to encode positions on a primary scale that enables comparative and equative morphemes to either compare individuals directly or indirectly. A direct comparison results if measurements such as seven feet participate in the gradable property (as in Seven feet is tall). Such participation can sometimes result in an isomorphism between two primary scales and the ordering of measurements in a measurement system. When this occurs, comparing positions in the primary scales is equivalent to comparing measurements. If this type of isomorphism cannot be established then the sentence yields an indirect comparison.

There is no abstract available for this dissertation.

This thesis sets out to describe sign systems for communication using Axiomatic Functionalism as its theoretical framework. In doing so, the thesis also provides an important test to the claim of Axiomatic Functionalism that by using its premisses the semiotician (or linguist) has all the necessary "tools" s/he needs for the analysis and description (the one implies the other) of any semiotic system for communication (including Language). Using Axiomatic Functionalism the author attempts to describe a number of graphic semiotic systems for communication. He finds that for an adequate description of the signa (a generic term which includes various types of signs and symbols) in these systems further theoretical notions and definitions are needed. Discussing these the author concludes that for Axiomatic Functionalism to maintain its claim of universal applicability to any sign system for communication it needs to incorporate in its premisses the notions and definitions proposed here. The thesis begins by a brief general introduction to semiotics. This is followed by a discussion of what constitutes scientific theories in relation to semiotics (including linguistics). The relevant aspects of Axiomatic Functionalism are then discussed, after which certain original theoretical notions are introduced. These include: “mnemonic economy" (with its many manifestations including "mnemonic/pictorial motivation"), the "general organising principle" ("systemic principle"), "principle of coinage" (a mechanism for generating signa), and "signum-family”. Having established the necessary theoretical background, the author proceeds to describe various graphic “signum-systems" discussing their important features and establishing the types of signum they consist of and, consequently, the types of system they are, their complexity and the "plerology” (grammar) of each system, where present. The systems discussed include various systems used in books on plants; a system used in a book on "lace knitting"; a system used in working models; a system used in providing information about paintings in the "Classics of World Art" series of books; and a system used in the "Automobile Association" handbooks. Further Axiomatic Functionalist theoretical notions, directly relevant to the systems described thereafter, are then introduced. This is followed by a description of three systems: two computer "languages", the "Hexadecimal notation" and the "binary code", and the "Library of Congress classification system". A final brief "Epilogue" concludes the thesis.

This thesis argues that the scope of metonymy throughout history remains severely reduced to a process of word substitution and the signifying potential of the trope is limited to lexical representation. The study therefore proposes a semiotic approach to take the trope beyond this limitation and to develop a textual theory to the trope. A background study related to how metonymy is treated in previous studies is therefore necessary. This review of literature covers a long period starting from ancient Greece and going up to the present day. Chapters one and two of this thesis, which give this general background, show that the hypothesis is to a large extent valid. The thesis then examines another related hypothesis which is that metonymy is semiotic in nature and a semiotic approach to metonymy will solve the problem of reductionism in the treatment of this trope. Chapter three is devoted to an examination of this hypothesis. It shows that a semiotic approach to metonymy is not only possible but also crucial. The semiotic approach to metonymy basically concerns the treatment of metonymy as a sign which cuts across three domains of representation. These are the domain of words, the domain of concepts and the domain of things or objects. The last domain is itself treated from a semiotic perspective to stand for the domain of context at large. on the basis of this semiotic approach to metonymy a textual model of metonymic relations in text is constructed. this model is put to the test in chapter four. here the metonymic relations of form for form, form for concept, form for thing, thing for form and concept for form are brought to bear on the formal and semantic connectedness of text. in chapter five the metonymic relations of concept for concept, concept for thing, thing for thing and thing for concept are used to explain how these metonymic relations interact to provide a linkage between language, cognition and context.

No description available.

This thesis investigates lexical and grammatical aspect in two unrelated languages, Sencoten(the Saanich dialect of Straits Salish) and Japanese. In particular, the main focus is on how various perfect readings are derived in the two languages, which show striking similarities in this respect. In Sencoten, a particle kwlh yields various readings depending on the situation aspect and viewpoint aspect of the predicate with which it occurs (Kiyota 2006b). These various readings include an inceptive reading, an on-going situation reading, and a completion reading. The Japanese aspectual marker -tei- also induces a range of different readings: a progressive reading, a resultant state reading, and a perfect reading (Ogihara 1998a, Nishiyama 2006, a.o.). To account for these various readings, I propose that both kwlh in Sencoten and -tei- in Japanese are perfect markers. However, the actual semantic function of each is different: kwlh in Sencoten introduces a perfect time span (Pancheva 2003), whereas -tei- in Japanese denotes an anteriority relation between an event time and a reference time (Reichenbach 1947, Klein 1992, 1994), where the event time can be the time interval of a sub-event of a larger event. -Tei- also has a pragmatic component (or presupposition), just as Portner (2003) claims for the English perfect. Aspectual properties of predicates also play a crucial role in yielding the range of different readings. Therefore, this thesis also proposes a new aspectual classification of predicates in Sencoten and Japanese, which departs from the common classification of predicates based on Indo-European languages. In Sencoten, various readings are derived by interaction between the semantics of verbal predicates (i.e. lexical aspect), the semantics of the grammatical aspect (perfective or imperfective), and the semantics (and possibly pragmatics) of the perfect. In Japanese, the range of interpretations is due to interaction between the semantics of verbal aspect, the function of an adverb, and the semantics and pragmatics of the perfect. In other words, the same factors enter into my analysis of both Sencoten and Japanese, though there is one striking difference between the two languages: the perfective/imperfective opposition is involved in Sencoten, but not in Japanese.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Adelaide, Philosophy Dept.,1985. / Includes errata. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-156).