Let's say we have two semantic classes: "ConferenceGoer" and "BeverageDrinker". (01)
We can register both of these concepts, their type, and artifacts which
describe their construction (such as an RDF expression). We can also declare a
set of relationships and their type in the registry, so when I register
"BeverageDrinker" I could also register its semantic association with
"ConferenceGoer", so that someone navigating the registry could traverse both
the semantic associations in the registry and retrieve the syntax specific
expression. (02)
Note that the ebXML registry specification does not pre-assign semantics to
associations between entries or facts about entries, that is done as part of
implementing a registry instance and its underlying model. [disclaimer: the
mechanism for expressing that underlying model changed for v2.0 and I have not
explored the new version to any great degree... although I assume they enhanced
this capability in the new release :-) ] (03)
Several of us on this discussion thread are meeting in San Diego for a
UN/CEFACT meeting next week. We should try to get together with Duane and
other interested parties to discuss. (04)
John (05)
-----Original Message-----
From: Leo Obrst [mailto:lobrst@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 2:34 PM
To: [ontolog-forum]
Cc: duane@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Tools for the UBL Ontology Project (06)
Thanks, John. Yes, that's what I thought. So we can register these objects
(find them, etc.), but when we register them, can we also register a tool that
can interpret them? This could, for example, be a tool that CAN interpret the
semantics represented by the
ebXML-registered object. Also, of course, it could register their language of
representation and then anyone could register their tool for that
representation. (07)
Also, considering that an ontology these days really means both the
generic/universal information (assertions about classes/concepts, depending on
your terminology) and the instances of those classes (the "knowledge base",
assertions about individuals, facts, possibly
so-called "claims" which really are assertions about beliefs about facts,
etc.), can we register all of these, and instances will be linked to classes? (08)
Another question: can we establish "links" between ontologies? Most ontologies
these days are not monolithic but in fact may be distinct (created by separate
developers, as we anticipate here) but still have defined logical relations
between/among them. For example, OWL
supports a logically based "imports" relation in which certain entailments hold
between the imported and importing ontologies (or other constructs such as
sameClassAs, sameIndividualAs). Can these relations between ontologies be
handled? (09)
My guess is that all of the above can be registered, but would require a
pointer to an interpreter of their semantics. (010)
Thanks,
Leo (011)
"Yunker, John" wrote: (012)
> An ebXML registry can be extended using existing mechanisms to support
>resolving the types of navigation described by Leo. It does not however have
>these semantics in its core representation, which is what Duane refers to as
>"agnostic to the registry objects themselves".
>
> This extension would be a valuable exercise for making the ontology more
>generally accessible and useful. I would be interested in working on this
>effort.
>
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leo Obrst [mailto:lobrst@xxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 12:53 PM
> To: [ontolog-forum]
> Cc: duane@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Tools for the UBL Ontology Project
>
> Unfortunately, an ontology will not only be a taxonomy or set of taxonomies.
> So the question I think still stands: can an ebXML Registry handle a graph
> structure, i.e., a network? On the one hand, an ontology can be considered a
> collection of assertions (axioms) and be represented as a list. But implicitly
> or explicitly, it is a graph with multiple inheritance as opposed to a
> taxonomy with single inheritance, which is a tree.
>
> One issue of course is that if you define a property for a class, will an
> ebXML registry enable inheritance of that property down the subclass graph?
>
> An ontology is both the vocabulary plus the meaning of that vocabulary in
> machine-interpretable form. Really therefore, it is a logical/conceptual model
> on steroids.
>
> Now, if the ontology or ontologies are created in another tool (which can
> handle the above) and then entered into an ebXML registry, then what services
> can we expect from the registry?
>
> Thanks,
> Leo
>
> marion.royal@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > I forwarded this thread to Duane Nickull, of XML Global because I consider
> > him to be an expert on ebXML Reg/Rep. Here is his response and I am
> > including him as a courtesy copy should anyone wish to reply/comment.
> >
> > Duane Nickull wrote:
> >
> > Yes please:
> >
> > The ebXML Registry could work as a Terminology servver since it is
> > largely agnostic to the Registry Objects themselves. What would have to
> > be studied is the classification trees, artifact structure (+ syntax)
> > and specialized associations needed to facilitate setting an ebXML
> > registry up as a terminology server.
> >
> > Some of this work has been started based on providing a semantic
> > equivalency function between elements of disparate taxonomies by
> > relating them to each other within certain contexts. This work involves
> > taking the UN/CEFACT Core Components methodologies and deriving an XML
> > syntax representation of both CC's and BIE's. Those artifacts are then
> > referenced via an ebXML and a uni or bilateral reference is made between
> > classes of equivalent objects.
> >
> > I support an open source project. It may be nice to tie in some of TB
> > Lee's work on semantic Web.
> >
> > Duane
> >
> > marion.royal@xxxxxxx wrote:
> > > Duane
> > > Would be happy to tie you into this thread if you would like to respond.
> > >
> > > --------------------------
> > > Marion A. Royal
> > > U.S. General Services Administration
> > > 202.208.4643 (Office)
> > > 202.302.4634 (Mobile)
> > >
> > > Sent from PDA - Please excuse fat thumbs.
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: ontolog-forum-bounces
> > > Sent: 03/04/2003 12:06 PM
> > > To: ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Proposal for UBL Ontology Project
> > >
> > >
> > > In a message dated 3/3/2003 10:58:11 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
> > > farrukh.najmi@xxxxxxx writes:
> > >
> > >> A good way to do a virtual project is to do an open source project.
> > >
> > >
> > > Fully agree this is the way to go.
> > >
> > >> I would like to propose that the proposed UBL ontologies be managed
> > >> using ebXML Registry as an Ontology Server. There are many interesting
> > >> features that an ebXML Registry has to offer as an ontology server. A
> > >> partial list includes:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > This is interesting as I have not thought of the ebXML registry as
> > > an Ontology server. For example, I do not believe the RIM supports
> > > the formal notion of 'subclassOf" which would be critical. While I
> > > believe we could use a custom association with this label, that is
> > > weaker than the notion of subclass being built into the RIM. For
> > example,
> > > a formal notion of subclass would allow the child information object to
> > > automatically inherit the attributes of the parent. Please correct me
> > > if I am misunderstanding the RIM or its implications.
> > >
> > > Additionally, I would recommend the Ontology classes be associated
> > > with a terminology registry for each concept (in essence equating a
> > > class with a concept). Following step 3, in the protege Ontology 101
> > > document, we need to enumerate important terms in the Ontology.
> > > I am proposing a step beyond enumeration to formal definition with
> > > concept, terms and referents. Is the ebXML registry suitable for a
> > > terminology
> > > registry? Or do people know of others?
> > >
> > > - Mike
> > > -------------------------------
> > > Michael C. Daconta
> > > Chief Scientist, Advanced Programs Group
> > > McDonald Bradley, Inc.
> > > www.daconta.net
> >
> > --
> > VP Strategic Relations,
> > Technologies Evangelist
> > XML Global Technologies
> > ****************************
> > ebXML software downloads - http://www.xmlglobal.com/prod/
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > To Post: mailto:ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Msg Archives: http://ontolog.cim3.net/forum/ontolog-forum/
>
> --
> _____________________________________________
> Dr. Leo Obrst The MITRE Corporation
> mailto:lobrst@xxxxxxxxx Intelligent Information Management/Exploitation
> Voice: 703-883-6770 7515 Colshire Drive, M/S H305
> Fax: 703-883-1379 McLean, VA 22102-7508, USA
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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> _________________________________________________________________
> To Post: mailto:ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Msg Archives: http://ontolog.cim3.net/forum/ontolog-forum/ (013)
--
_____________________________________________
Dr. Leo Obrst The MITRE Corporation
mailto:lobrst@xxxxxxxxx Intelligent Information Management/Exploitation
Voice: 703-883-6770 7515 Colshire Drive, M/S H305
Fax: 703-883-1379 McLean, VA 22102-7508, USA (014)
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