M.Sc. (Computer science) / Knowledge representation suffers from certain problems, which is not a result of the inadequacies of knowledge representation schemes, but of the way in which they are used and implemented. In the first part of this dissertation we examine the relational model (as used in relational database management systems) and we examine frames (a knowledge representation scheme used in expert systems), as proposed by M. Minsky [MIN75]. We then provide our own definition of frames. In the second part, we examine similarities between the two models (the relational model and our frame model), establishing frames as a superclass of relations. We then define normalization for frames and examine how normalization might solve some of the problems we have identified. We then examine the integration of knowledge-based systems and database management systems and classify our normalization of frames as such an attempt. We conclude by examining the place of normalization within the expert system development life cycle

This thesis describes development of the Tarot game for mobile devices. The game is developed in Java - J2ME. The application allows to play Tarot to one through four people. The player intelligence represented by the mobile device is implemented as an expert system. The expert system rules can be changed without necessity to recompile the application. Designed and implemented expert system uses a lightweight version of Prolog language as a knowledge base. The system requires the rules of precisely defined form specified in this thesis.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Knowledge acquisition is not only the most important but also most difficult task knowledge engineers face when they begin to develop expert systems. One of the first problems they encounter is the need to identify at least one individual with appropriate expertise who is able and willing to participate in the development project. They must also be able to use a variety of techniques to elicit the knowledge that they require. These include such traditional knowledge acquisition methods as interviewing, thinking-aloud protocol analysis, on-site observation, and repertory grid analysis. As expert system applications have become more complex, knowledge engineers have found that they must work with and tap the domain knowledge of not one but several individuals. They have also discovered that the traditional methods do not work well in eliciting the knowledge residing in a group of individuals. The complexity of the systems, the difficulties inherent in working with multiple experts, and the lack of appropriate tools have combined to make the knowledge acquisition task even more arduous and time consuming. Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) have been proven to be useful tools for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a multiplicity of group activities. It would appear that by bringing experts together in a GDSS environment and using computer-based tools to facilitate group interaction and information exchange, a knowledge engineer could eliminate many of these problems. This research was designed to explore the possibility of using a GDSS environment to facilitate knowledge acquisition from multiple experts. The primary research question was "Does A GDSS environment facilitate the acquisition of knowledge from multiple experts?" The principle contributions of this research are (1) demonstration of the first use of a GDSS environment to elicit knowledge from multiple experts; (2) establishment of a methodology for knowledge acquisition in a GDSS environment; (3) development of process models for acquiring knowledge; (4) development of guidelines for designing and evaluating group support tools; and (5) recognition of some implications of using a computer-supported cooperative approach to extract knowledge from a group of experts. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)

The primary purpose of the study was to develop an expert system that could C D perform medical diagnoses In selected problem areas, and C2) provide diagnostic Insights to assist medical students In their training. An expert system Is a computer-based set of procedures and algorithms that can solve problems In a given domain. Two research questions were proposed. The first was "Given a problem space defined by a matrix of diseases and symptoms, can a computer-based model be derived that will consistently perform accurate and efficient diagnoses of cases within that problem area?" The second question was "If the techniques derived from the model are taught to a medical student, is there a subsequent improvement of diagnostic skill?" An expert system was developed which met the objectives of the study. It was able to diagnose cases in the two problem areas studied with an accuracy of 94-95%. Furthermore, it was able to perform those diagnoses in a very efficient manner, often using no more than the theoretical minimum number of steps. The expert system employed three phases: rapid search by discrimination, confirmation by pattern matching against prototypes, and elimination of some candidates (impossible states) by making use of negative information. The discrimination phase alone achieved accuracies of 73-78%. By comparison, medical students achieved mean accuracies of 54-55% in the same problem areas. This suggests that novices could improve their diagnostic accuracy by approximately 20% by following the simple rules used in the first phase of the expert system. Curricular implications are discussed. When 49 first-year medical students at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine were exposed to some of the insights of the expert system by means of a videotaped 10- minute lecture, their diagnostic approach was modified and the accuracy of their diagnoses did improve. However, the degree of Improvement was not statistically significant. Recommendations for further research are made.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-139).

Orientador: Marcio Luiz de Andrade Netto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-13T23:17:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Schiavini_MarcosMelo_M.pdf: 13404383 bytes, checksum: fe85c025b2fd3ced855421c365c05348 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1991 / Resumo: A tese apresenta uma contribuição para agilizar e organizar o processo de aquisição de conhecimento necessário ao desenvolvimento de sistemas Especialistas. Para tanto é descrita uma ferramenta computacional de auxilio ao processo de aquisição e engenharia de conhecimento - CAKE - que emprega um modelo do domínio durante sua interação com o especialista. O modelo é elaborado e representado com o auxílio do KADS, uma metodologia de construção de sistemas baseados em conhecimento [WIELINGA 89]. Com esse trabalho visamos obter uma ferramenta de aquisição de conhecimento que não apenas apresente as vantagens de empregar um modelo como também não tenha seu uso limitado a apenas um domínio particular. Para tanto concebemos uma ferramenta que deixa explícito o modelo utilizado para guiar o processo de aquisição de conhecimento. O engenheiro do conhecimento pode alterar a ferramenta para adequá-la às suas necessidades / Abstract: The theses presents a contribution to facilitate and to organize the knowledge acquisition process necessary in the development of Expert Systems. A computer aided knowledge acquisition and engineering tool - CAKE -that employs a domain model in its interaction with the expert is proposed. The model is constructed and represented with the help of KADS, a methodology to construct knowledge based systems [WIELINGA 89]. It is intended, with this work, to obtain a knowledge acquisition tool that not only has the advantages of using a model, but also does not have its applicability limited to a particular domain. For this purpose, we have conceived a tool that leaves explicit the model used in guiding the knowledge acquisition processo The knowledge engineer is able to modify the tool to make the necessary adaptations for his further needs / Mestrado / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica