Utilizing Statistical Semantic Similarity Techniques for Ontology Mapping——with Applications to AEC Standard Models

The objective of this paper is to introduce three semi-automated approaches for ontology mapping using relatedness analysis techniques. In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, there exist a number of ontological standards to describe the semantics of building models. Although the standards share similar scopes of interest, the task of comparing and mapping concepts among standards is challenging due to their differences in terminologies and perspectives. Ontology mapping is therefore necessary to achieve information interoperability, which allows two or more information sources to exchange data and to re-use the data for further purposes. The attribute-based approach, corpus-based approach, and name-based approach presented in this paper adopt the statistical relatedness analysis techniques to discover related concepts from heterogeneous ontologies. A pilot study is conducted on IFC and CIS/2 ontologies to evaluate the approaches. Preliminary results show that the attribute-based approach outperforms the other two approaches in terms of precision and F-measure.     

A semiparametric method for predicting bankruptcy

Bankruptcy prediction methods based on a semiparametric logit model are proposed for simple random (prospective) and case–control (choice‐based; retrospective) data. The unknown parameters and prediction probabilities in the model are estimated by the local likelihood approach, and the resulting estimators are analyzed through their asymptotic biases and variances. The semiparametric bankruptcy prediction methods using these two types of data are shown to be essentially equivalent. Thus our proposed prediction model can be directly applied to data sampled from the two important designs. One real data example and simulations confirm that our prediction method is more powerful than alternatives, in the sense of yielding smaller out‐of‐sample error rates. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Subspecific identity of the Amargosa pupfish, Cyprinodon nevadensis, from Crystal Spring, Ash Meadows, Nevada

Samples of pupfish from Crystal, Marsh, and Point of Rocks springs, Ash Meadows, Nevada, were examined to determine the subspecific identity of Cyprinodon nevadensis presently inhabiting Crystal Spring. Meristic and morphometric analyses indicate that Crystal Spring is inhabited by C. n. mionectes. The presence of this subspecies is most likely explained by their precarious survival in the spring's outflow after they were eliminated by transplanted largemouth bass in the spring pool, and their subsequent reestablishment throughout the spring system after the extirpation of the bass.     

Elevational changes in woody vegetation along three streams in Washington County, Utah

Patterns of change in the woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) of the riparian communities of three streams draining the slopes of the Pine Valley Mountains in Washington County, Utah, were examined. Thirty-nine study sites were established adjacent to the streams along an elevational gradient where vegetation, plant population, and species data were taken. Vegetation and species patterns varied with respect to elevation and geographical location. Vegetation of the high- and low-elevation areas was distinctly different, while that of the mid-elevations was transitional to both. Geographical patterns showed a north-south transition in vegetation between the Mojave and Great Basin deserts. Size-class distribution curves for 11 tree species showed varying degrees of survival with respect to age and location. Root sprouting was highly important in the reproductive effort of six of the trees. Species distribution patterns followed transriparian and intrariparian gradients within the riparian community.     

Nutrient relationships between Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. and its host Artemisia pygmaea Gray in the Uinta Basin of Utah, USA

Patterns of mineral nutrient uptake and distribution within the roots, stems, and leaves of Artemisia pygmaea and in the vascular parasite Orobanche fasciculata were investigated. All nutrients studied were magnified over concentrations found in the soil into the host and parasite. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc were magnified along the flow gradient of soil-roots-stems-leaves of the host. All others increased in the roots and then decreased in the stems and leaves. Orobanche fasciculata concentrated phosphorus, potassium, and sodium over soil and root concentrations while excluding to some degree all others.     

Selecting wilderness areas to conserve Utah's biological diversity

Congress is currently evaluating the wilderness status of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in Utah. Wilderness areas play many important roles, and one critical role is the conservation of biological diversity. We propose that objectives for conserving biodiversity on BLM lands in Utah be to (1) ensure the long-term population viability of native animal and plant species, (2) maintain the critical ecological and evolutionary processes upon which these species depend, and (3) preserve the full range of communities, successional stages, and environmental gradients. To achieve these objectives, wilderness areas should be selected so as to protect large, contiguous areas, augment existing protected areas, buffer wilderness areas with multiple-use public lands, interconnect existing protected areas with dispersal and movement corridors, conserve entire watersheds and elevational gradients, protect native communities from invasions of exotic species, protect sites of maximum species diversity, protect sites with rare endemic species, and protect habitats of threatened and endangered species. We use a few comparatively well-studied taxa as examples to highlight the importance of particular BLM lands.     

Ecological relationships of curlleaf mountain-mahogany ( Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.) communities in Utah and implications for management

Curlleaf mountain-mahogany is a widely distributed shrubby tree of western North America. Well-developed stands are most often found on warm, dry, rocky ridges and slopes at high elevations on mostly southern exposures. It can, however, be found onall exposures. The species appears to be indifferent to substrate with soils which are invariably shallow and of low fertility. However, the nitrogen-fixing root nodules help overcome soil deficiencies. This highly palatable species is preferred by mountain sheep, mountain goats, deer, and elk. Its nutritive value (about 12% protein) and digestibility ratings (around 50%) in the winter are high when compared with most other associated winter browse species. Early research with curlleaf mountain-mahogany basically dealt with two major management problems: (1) how to increase available forage production on old, even-aged stands too tall for big game to browse, and (2) how to increase reproduction in these same communities. Selective dozer thinning, sometimes in conjunction with the seeding of fast-growing plants, appears to be a promising management technique providing browse until the younger curlleaf becomes established.     

Vegetation and soil factors in the relation to slope position on foothill knolls in the Uinta Basin of Utah

Vegetation and soil differences with respect to slope position were studied on foothill knolls in the Uinta Basin of Utah. Plant communities on windswept ridges (top of slope) exhibited several unique characteristics when compared to the other slope communities. These communities at the top and base of slopes were sufficiently different in respect to plant life form composition, plant cover, wind-adapted growth forms, and percent exposed rock that they should be considered separate community types. Mineral concentrations in plant tissue and soil samples declined downslope in some cases and increased in others. Diversity decreased downslope as shrubs became dominant over grasses and forbs. Management of these communities should require special consideration due to the changes in the community structure with slope position.     

加薪时代,中小企业将如何应对?

<正>根据联合国的数字,美国工人一年创造63885美元的价值,聚全球之首;爱尔兰工人排第二,一年创造55986美元;第三是卢森堡工人,55641美元;比利时和法国分排第四、第五,各为55235美元和54609美元。按小时算,挪威工人居第一,每小时创造37.99美元的价值;美国工人第二,每小时