Record linkage refers to the task of finding and linking records (in a single database or in a set of data sources) that refer to the same entity. Automating the record linkage process is a challenging problem, and has been the topic of extensive research for many years. However, the changing nature of the linkage process and the growing size of data sources create new challenges for this task. This thesis studies the record linkage problem for Web data sources. Our hypothesis is that a generic and extensible set of linkage algorithms combined within an easy-to-use framework that integrates and allows tailoring and combining of these algorithms can be used to effectively link large collections of Web data from different domains. To this end, we first present a framework for record linkage over relational data, motivated by the fact that many Web data sources are powered by relational database engines. This framework is based on declarative specification of the linkage requirements by the user and allows linking records in many real-world scenarios. We present algorithms for translation of these requirements to queries that can run over a relational data source, potentially using a semantic knowledge base to enhance the accuracy of link discovery. Effective specification of requirements for linking records across multiple data sources requires understanding the schema of each source, identifying attributes that can be used for linkage, and their corresponding attributes in other sources. Schema or attribute matching is often done with the goal of aligning schemas, so attributes are matched if they play semantically related roles in their schemas. In contrast, we seek to find attributes that can be used to link records between data sources, which we refer to as linkage points. In this thesis, we define the notion of linkage points and present the first linkage point discovery algorithms. We then address the novel problem of how to publish Web data in a way that facilitates record linkage. We hypothesize that careful use of existing, curated Web sources (their data and structure) can guide the creation of conceptual models for semi-structured Web data that in turn facilitate record linkage with these curated sources. Our solution is an end-to-end framework for data transformation and publication, which includes novel algorithms for identification of entity types and their relationships out of semi-structured Web data. A highlight of this thesis is showcasing the application of the proposed algorithms and frameworks in real applications and publishing the results as high-quality data sources on the Web.

Amphibian populations are declining on a global scale and although disease outbreaks are a commonly accepted hypothesis they are not the only one. My aims for my thesis were to study the home range of Leiopelma hamiltoni, to determine whether a photographic database could be used to individual identified them and monitor the health status of the population. Habitat loss is a possible cause. For this reason monitoring an animals' home range is a possible method to detect early impacts the population is facing. By tracking 12 L. hamiltoni within a 12 m x 6 m grid on Maud Island, it was shown that the home range size can vary from 0.5 m2 to 25 m2 based on the minimum convex polygon method. However, to track multiple individuals it is important to be able to distinguish among frogs. The commonly used methods of identification, such as toe clipping, pose potentially detrimental effects. Therefore, non-invasive methods based on natural markings need to be established. Through the use of the dark pigmented patterns found on the skin of L. hamiltoni individuals can be identified on recapture with a mean accuracy of 93%. By developing a database to maintain the photographs used for individual identification, the database can also be used to monitor the status of the population. During 2003 numerous L. hamiltoni were observed with denuded patches predominantly on the facial region. By monitoring five individuals within the captive facility at the University of Canterbury it was discovered that frogs appear to be able to cure themselves. Through researching the home range requirements and developing a photographic database to monitor the population status of L. hamiltoni, it will aid in the management of ensuring the long-term survival of this archaic species of frog.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1985.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1963.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1985.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1963.

Submitted by Raul Sardinha Netto null (raul_sardinha@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-01-08T10:36:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Escrita em dois tempos o vivido e o refletido por um professor iniciante.pdf: 5905144 bytes, checksum: f80272a71b6b03cb463082ee6e97cc49 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Aparecida Puerta null (dripuerta@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-01-08T18:34:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sardinhanetto_r_me_rcla.pdf: 5533556 bytes, checksum: b8355c20af2dbcc17e8cc7e80ebee48c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-08T18:34:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sardinhanetto_r_me_rcla.pdf: 5533556 bytes, checksum: b8355c20af2dbcc17e8cc7e80ebee48c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-25 / O presente estudo tem a pretensão em se constituir em uma reflexão metacrítica e autoral sobre as experiências da prática docente e as suas possibilidades de ser no contemporâneo, com vistas a constituir o autor em autor de sua história e sujeito de sua prática. Os objetivos da dissertação são: 1. Realizar uma reflexão metacrítica sobre o processo de elaboração de saberes sobre a própria docência no início da profissão; 2. Analisar a importância do registro escrito para a emergência da compreensão da experiência docente. De natureza qualitativa, a pesquisa utiliza como instrumento metodológico os registros escritos por mim produzidos durante os primeiros anos da profissão para compreender a constituição do sujeito professor através de uma reflexão metacrítica dos saberes da própria docência, valorizando a produção desses registros como meio possível para compreensão da experiência docente. Para a análise desses dados fundamentei-me no paradigma indiciário (GINZBURG, 1989), pois procurei indícios contidos nas práticas cotidianas narradas. Os dados foram organizados a partir de um inventário dos documentos da pesquisa (PRADO e MORAIS, 2011) que me permitiram dimensionar o olhar para a análise dos registros, que possibilitassem compreender a contextualização profissional. Essa contextualização foi problematizada a partir de uma reflexão metacrítica, com o intuito de compreender como as marcas da profissionalidade e professoralidade do profissional professor, e suas implicações nos saberes da prática docente. O trabalho pode contribuir para a questão do professor iniciante, sobretudo, nas reflexões e implicações que a experiência docente pode contribuir para a formação de saberes próprios no início da profissão. Contribui, também, para pensar o papel da escola enquanto lugar de formação, auxiliando os gestores do cotidiano escolar em como mediar os problemas cotidianos que emergem no processo educativo. / The present study intends to constitute a metacritical and authorial reflection on the experiences of the teaching practice and its possibilities of being in the contemporary, aiming to constitute the author as author of its history and subject of its practice. The objectives of the dissertation are one. To carry out a metacritical reflection on the process of elaboration of knowledge about the teaching itself at the beginning of the profession; 2. Analyze the importance of the written record for the emergence of the understanding of the teaching experience. Of a qualitative nature, the research uses as methodological instrument the records written by me during the first years of the profession to understand the constitution of the subject teacher through a met acritical reflection of the knowledge of the teaching itself, valuing the production of these records as a possible means for understanding of teaching experience. For the analysis of these data I was based on the indicia paradigm (Ginz, 1989), because I looked for clues contained in the daily practices narrated. The data were organized from an inventory of the research documents (PRADO and MORAIS, 2011) that allowed me to size the look for the analysis of the records, which made it possible to understand the professional contextualization. This contextualization was problematized from a met acritical reflection, aiming to understand how the marks of the professionalism and professorship of the professional teacher, and their implications in the knowledge of the teaching practice. The work can contribute to the question of the beginning teacher, especially in the reflections and implications that the teaching experience can contribute to the formation of own knowledge at the beginning of the profession. It also helps to think about the role of the school as a place of formation, helping the managers of the daily school in how to mediate the daily problems that emerge in the educational process.