Browsing by Author "Shen, Rao"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Applying the 5S Framework To Integrating Digital LibrariesShen, Rao (Virginia Tech, 2006-04-17)We formalize the digital library (DL) integration problem and propose an overall approach based on the 5S (Streams, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, and Societies) framework. We then apply that framework to integrate domain-specific (archaeological) DLs, illustrating our solutions for key problems in DL integration. An integrated Archaeological DL, ETANA-DL, is used as a case study to justify and evaluate our DL integration approach. We develop a minimum metamodel for archaeological DLs within the 5S theory. We implement the 5SSuite toolkit set to cover the process of union DL generation, including requirements gathering, conceptual modeling, rapid prototyping, and code generation. 5SSuite consists of 5SGraph, 5SGen, and SchemaMapper, which plays an important role during integration. SchemaMapper, a visual mapping tool, maps the schema of diverse DLs into a global schema for a union DL and generates a wrapper for each individual DL. Each wrapper transforms the metadata catalog of its DL to one conforming to the global schema. The converted catalogs are stored in the union catalog, so that the union DL has a global metadata format and union catalog. We also propose a formal approach to DL exploring services for integrated DLs based on 5S, which provides a systematic and functional method to design and implement DL exploring services. Finally, we propose a DL success model to assess integrated DLs from the perspective of DL end users by integrating 5S theory with diverse research on information systems success and adoption models, and information-seeking behavior models.
- ETANA-DL: A Digital Library for Integrated Handling of Heterogeneous Archaeological DataRavindranathan, Unni; Shen, Rao; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A.; Flanagan, James (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2004)Archaeologists have to deal with vast quantities of information, generated both in the field and laboratory. That information is heterogeneous in nature, and different projects have their own systems to store and use it. This adds to the challenges regarding collaborative research between such projects as well as information retrieval for other more general purposes. This paper describes our approach towards creating ETANA-DL, a digital library (DL) to help manage these vast quantities of information and to provide various kinds of services. The 5S framework for modeling a DL gives us an edge in understanding this vast and complex information space, as well as in designing and prototyping a DL to satisfy information needs of archaeologists and other user communities.
- ETANA-DL: Managing Complex Information Applications - an Archaeology Digital LibraryRavindranathan, Unni; Shen, Rao; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A.; Flanagan, James (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2004)Archaeological research results in the generation of large quantities of heterogeneous information managed by different projects using custom information systems. We will demonstrate a prototype Digital Library (DL) for integrating and managing archaeological data and providing services useful to various user communities. ETANA-DL is a model-based, componentized, extensible, archaeological DL that manages complex information sources using the client-server paradigm of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH).
- EtanaViz: A Visual User Interface to Archaeological Digital LibrariesShen, Rao; Vemuri, Naga Srinivas; Vijayaraghavan, Vidhya; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2005-10-01)Analyzing and hypothesizing are important scientific processes involved in archaeological activity. In this paper, we describe a visual user interface closely coupled with services for archaeological digital libraries, to help archaeologists analyze data and test hypotheses. Our system, EtanaViz, employs a dynamic hyperbolic tree to display hierarchical relationships among excavation records, based on spatial, temporal, and artifact-related taxonomies. Also, EtanaViz provides stacked bar charts to indicate categories. More specifically, we show how EtanaViz can help users analyze data about animal bones excavated from two archaeological sites, Tell Nimrin and Tell al-'Umayri'. The fauna are associated with cultural phases. Comparisons of animal bones from Tell Nimrin across cultural phases provide insights into changing subsistence strategies during these time periods. Inter-site comparisons also show shifts in animal use as well as long-term adaptations to environmental changes.
- Incremental, Semi-automatic, Mapping-Based Integration of Heterogeneous Collections into Archaeological Digital Libraries: Megiddo Case StudyRaghavan, Ananth; Vemuri, Naga Srinivas; Shen, Rao; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2005)Automation is an important issue when integrating heterogeneous collections into archaeological digital libraries. We propose an incremental approach through intermediary- and mapping-based techniques. A visual schema mapping tool within the 5S framework allows semi-automatic mapping and in-cremental global schema enrichment. 5S also helped speed up development of a new multi-dimensional browsing service. Our approach helps integrate the Me-giddo excavation data into a growing union archaeological DL, ETANA-DL.
- Integration of Heterogeneous Digital Libraries with Semi-automatic Mapping and Browsing: From Formalization to Specification to VisualizationShen, Rao; Vemuri, Naga Srinivas; Raghavan, Ananth; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Rangarajan, Divya; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2005)In this paper, we formalize the digital library (DL) integration problem and propose an overall approach based on the 5S framework. We apply 5S to domain-specific (archaeological) DLs, illustrating our solutions for key problems in DL integration. We use ETANA-DL as a case study to describe the process of semi-automatically generating a union catalog and a unified browsing service in an archaeological DL. A visual schema mapping tool is developed for union catalog creation. A pilot user study aids tool evaluation. Our approach is further validated through application of a general browsing component to two integrated DLs.
- Requirements Gathering and Modeling of Domain-Specific Digital Libraries with the 5S Framework: An Archaeological Case Study with ETANAShen, Rao; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2005)Requirements gathering and conceptual modeling are essential for the customization of digital libraries (DLs), to help attend the needs of target com-munities. In this paper, we show how to apply the 5S (Streams, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, and Societies) formal framework to support both tasks. The intuitive nature of the framework allows for easy and systematic requirements analysis, while its formal nature ensures the precision and correctness required for semi-automatic DL generation. More specifically, we show how 5S can help us define a domain-specific DL metamodel in the field of archaeology. Finally, an archaeological DL case study (from the ETANA project) yields informal and formal descriptions of two DL models (instances of the metamodel).
- Schema Mapper: A Visualization Tool for DL IntegrationRaghavan, Ananth; Rangarajan, Divya; Shen, Rao; Goncalves, Marcos A.; Vemuri, Naga Srinivas; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2005)Schema mapping is a challenging problem. It has come to the fore in recent years; there are important applications like database schema integration and, more recently, digital library merging of heterogeneous data. Previous studies have approached the schema mapping process either from algorithmic or visualization perspectives, with few integrating both. With Schema Mapper we demonstrate a semi-automatic tool for schema integration that combines a novel visual interface with an algorithm-based recommendation engine. Schemas are visualized as hyperbolic trees (see Fig. 1), thus allowing more schema nodes to be displayed at one time. Matches to selections are recommended to the user, which makes the mapping operation easier and faster.
- What is a Successful Digital Library?Shen, Rao; Vemuri, Naga Srinivas; Fan, Weiguo; Fox, Edward A. (2006-09-18)We synthesize diverse research in the area of digital library (DL) quality models, information systems (IS) success and adoption models, and information-seeking behavior models, to present a more integrated view of the concept of DL success. Such a multi-theoretical perspective, considering user community participation throughout the DL development cycle, supports understanding of the social aspects of DLs and the changing needs of users interacting with DLs. It also helps in determining when and how quality issues can be measured and how potential problems with quality can be prevented.
- An XML Log Standard and Tool for Digital Library Logging AnalysisGoncalves, Marcos A.; Luo, Ming; Shen, Rao; Ali, Mir Farooq; Fox, Edward A. (2002-09-01)Log analysis can be a primary source of knowledge about how digital library patrons actually use DL systems and services and how systems behave while trying to support user information seeking activities. Log recording and analysis allow evaluation assessment, and open opportunities to improvements and enhanced new services. In this paper, we propose an XML-based digital library log format standard that captures a rich, detailed set of system and user behaviors supported by current digital library services. The format is implemented in a generic log component tool, which can be plugged into any digital library system. The focus of the work is on interoperability, reusability, and completeness. Specifications, implementation details, and examples of use within the MARIAN digital library system are described.