Search Results (115)

The paper examines the phenomenon of urban envelopes, a conceptual parallel to building envelopes, which is considered an emerging theme in studies of the built environment. The term ‘envelope’ refers to various physical and non-physical occurrences in the built environment that delimit, enclose, or demarcate spatial configurations. In the first part of the paper, six distinct types of urban envelopes are identified: physical, programmatic, technological, ecological, environmental, and representational. These are defined based on a systematic literature review to clarify their form, role, and meaning in the context of contemporary cities. All six urban envelope types are formalised using ontology-building methods in Protégé and visualised through WebVOWL, producing domain-agnostic RDF/OWL models that support semantic interoperability. The results provide a concise definition of urban envelopes, which are becoming increasingly relevant in their non-physical representations, such as spaces of control (surveillance of public urban spaces), dynamic environmental and ecological phenomena (pollution, heat islands, and more), temporal or dynamic definitions of space use, and many others in the context of contemporary smart city development. The analysis of possible alignment with existing smart city-related ontologies is presented. By providing the methodology for linking urbanistic principles with data-driven smart city frameworks, the paper provides a unified methodological foundation for incorporating such emerging spatial phenomena into formal urban models. Full article

Modern agriculture faces increasing demands for productivity, sustainability, and real-time operational control, driven by challenges such as input overuse, climate variability, and environmental compliance. Operational monitoring systems have emerged as a critical tool to address these challenges by providing continuous, data-driven insights into field operations like tillage, planting, and spraying. However, the academic and practical understanding of operational monitoring remains fragmented, lacking a unified framework to integrate machine-level sensing, data processing, and decision-making. This paper introduces a classification scheme and conceptual framework for operational monitoring in precision agriculture, aiming to bridge this gap. The framework delineates the data–information flow from data acquisition to the execution of actions resulting from informed decisions, distinguishing between real-time control and strategic analysis. Additionally, the proposed classification categorizes operational monitoring into three functional roles, material accounting, logistics accounting, and predictive maintenance, aligned with the conceptual model of farm ontology. By synthesizing technological advancements in positioning systems, sensors, and data management, this study provides a structured approach for designing and deploying operational monitoring. The findings contribute to systematic thinking in farm information systems, supporting smarter, more responsive agricultural practices. Future research should explore the integration of AI and edge computing to further optimize operational monitoring and decision-making in agriculture. Full article

Financial institutions face data quality (DQ) challenges in regulatory reporting due to complex architectures where data flows through multiple systems. Data consumers struggle to assess quality because traditional DQ tools operate on data snapshots without capturing temporal event sequences and business contexts that determine whether anomalies represent genuine issues or valid behavior. Existing approaches address either semantic representation (ontologies for static knowledge) or temporal pattern detection (event processing without semantics), but not their integration. This paper presents CEDAR (Contextual Events and Domain-driven Associative Representation), integrating financial ontologies with event-driven processing for context-aware DQ assessment. Novel contributions include (1) ontology-driven rule derivation that automatically translates OWL business constraints into executable detection logic; (2) temporal ontological reasoning extending static quality assessment with event stream processing; (3) explainable assessment tracing anomalies through causal chains to violated constraints; and (4) standards-based design using W3C technologies with FIBO extensions. Following the Design Science Research Methodology, we document the first, early-stage iteration focused on design novelty and technical feasibility. We present conceptual models, a working prototype, controlled validation with synthetic equity derivative data, and comparative analysis against existing approaches. The prototype successfully detects context-dependent quality issues and enables ontological root cause exploration. Contributions: A novel integration of ontologies and event processing for financial DQ management with validated technical feasibility, demonstrating how semantic web technologies address operational challenges in event-driven architectures. Full article

Contemporary artificial intelligence is dominated by generative systems that excel at extracting patterns but fail to grasp meaning, sense, context, and experiential temporality. This limitation highlights the need for new computational wisdom that combines philosophical insights with advanced models to produce AI systems capable of authentic understanding. Sophimatics, as elaborated upon in this article, is introduced as a science of computational wisdom that rejects the purely syntactic manipulation of symbols characteristic of classical physical symbolic systems and addresses the shortcomings of generative statistical approaches. Building on philosophical foundations of dynamic ontology, intentionality and dialectical reasoning, Sophimatics integrates complex temporality, multidimensional semantic modeling, hybrid symbolic–connectionist logic, and layered memory structures to that the AI can perceive, remember, reason, and act in ethically grounded ways. This article, which is part of a set of papers, summarizes the theoretical framework underlying Sophimatics and outlines the conceptual results of the materials and methods, illustrating the potential of this approach to improve interpretability, contextual adaptation, and ethical deliberation compared to basic generative models. This is followed by a methodology and a complete formal model for translating philosophical categories into an operational model and specific architecture. This article represents Phase 1 of a six-phase research program, providing mathematical foundations for the architectural implementation and empirical validation presented in companion publications. Following this, several use cases are outlined, and then the Discussion Section anticipates the main results and perspectives for post-generative AI solutions within the Sophimatic paradigm. Full article

In Notre-Dame de Paris’ digital twin, the massive data is characterized by its variability in terms of production and documentation. The question of provenance appears as the missing link in digital heritage data and a fortiori in the provenance of knowledge. The problem can be formulated as follows: the heterogeneity of data means variability as multi-device, multitemporal, multiscalar, with spatial granularity, and multi-layered and semantic complexity. The objective of this article is to improve the quality and consistency of paradata and to bridge the practical gap between mass 3D digitization and mass data enrichment in the data lineage of cultural heritage digital collections. FAIR principles, provenance, and context are keys in the data management workflows. We propose an innovative solution to integrate provenance and context seamlessly into these workflows, enabling more cohesive and reliable data enrichment. In this article, we use both conceptual modeling and quick prototyping: we posit that existing conceptual models can be used as complementary modules to document the provenance and context of research activity metadata. We focus on three models, namely the W7, the PROV ontology, and the CIDOC CRM. These models express different aspects of data and knowledge provenance. The use case from Notre-Dame de Paris’ research demonstrates the validity of the proposed hybrid modular conceptual modeling to dynamically manage the Provenance Level of Detail in cultural heritage data. Full article

The cultural heritage of the Liao dynasty in Chifeng encompasses significant historical and cultural information that requires systematic digital preservation and management. However, heterogeneous data sources across museums, archives, and research institutions lack semantic interoperability, creating barriers for cross-system integration and knowledge discovery. This study proposes a standardized knowledge graph construction method by integrating the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model version 7.2 with large language models. A unified ontology framework enables semantic consistency across diverse heritage data, while Generative Pre-trained Transformer-based models automatically extract structured triples from unstructured texts through prompt engineering and entity disambiguation, with the resulting knowledge graph implemented in Neo4j graph database. The constructed knowledge graph integrates 106 immovable cultural heritage records from Chifeng City with approximately 20 types of semantic relationships, forming a comprehensive semantic network covering people, places, events, time, and materials. K-means clustering reveals five cultural value themes, including “Nomadic Imperial Power System” and “Multi-Capital Governance Network”, while geospatial mapping identifies a “dual-core and ring-belt” distribution pattern for heritage protection zoning. This research demonstrates how international semantic standards can be integrated with artificial intelligence technologies to enable interoperable cultural heritage knowledge systems, providing practical implications for cross-institutional heritage management and archaeological survey planning. Full article

A landform is a physical feature of the Earth’s surface with its own recognizable shape. Most current automated landform identification methods use Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) techniques. Such methods segment the terrain into landform elements and assemble them into topographic objects and landforms. Usually, these methods are specific to the landform to be identified. However, geomorphologist experts can contextually recognize any landform on the Earth’s surface in relation to its environment. They have a holistic view of the landscape, adopting a physiographic approach for the interpretation of the observed regions, the objects that they contain and their relationships. Moreover, geomorphological processes leave marks on the Earth’s surface that enable geomorphologists to identify homogeneous regions by recognizing features known as structural elements. In this paper, we show that the physiographic approach can be formalized and that the context of appearance of a landform and its association with other types of landforms can be represented as a landsystem. We propose a conceptual model that organizes the main concepts and relationships characterizing the physiographic approach: they are used to formalize landsystems, landforms and structural elements. The approach is illustrated using a case study of the identification of landsystems characteristic of mountainous glacial valleys. We developed a software to automatically identify landsystems, in a way that is compatible with the geomorphologists’ physiographic approach. The core of this system is a knowledge base implemented as a Neo4j graph database. We also provide details about the logical transformation of the conceptual model and the corresponding ontologies in Noe4j structures. The tool automates the identification of landsystems in accordance with geomorphological practices, facilitating the integration of expert knowledge in the computational workflows. Full article

Crisis management in smart cities demands coherent, interoperable, and reusable semantic models to represent complex systems, their risks, crisis situations, interdependencies, and decision-making processes across all lifecycle phases, i.e., prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. This paper presents the TERMINUS (TERritorial Management and INfrastructures ontology for institutional and industrial USage) ontology, a BFO (Basic Formal Ontology)-aligned conceptual model based on semantic patterns for the crisis management lifecycle operationalized as both ontology design patterns (ODPs) to structure the ontology and ontology query patterns (OQPs) to use it in specific contexts. ODPs capture reusable conceptual structures for modeling domains, while OQPs provide SPARQL (SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language)-based templates to retrieve and reason over knowledge graph instances derived from these model chunks. The approach ensures semantic continuity from conceptual modeling to operational applications, enabling automated scenario generation, cascading risk analysis, and participatory decision-making. We position the patterns within the crisis management lifecycle and demonstrate their use through real-world case studies, covering semantic spatio-temporal risk assessment, interdependent infrastructure risk cascades, creative emergency scenario design, and recovery planning. Evaluation results highlight the ontology’s ability to support domain experts in generating plausible context-specific models, fostering collaborative validation, and enhancing preparedness and resilience. TERMINUS thus provides a versatile and interoperable semantic infrastructure for integrating ontologies and knowledge graphs into urban crisis management workflows. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestalt therapy traditionally opposes categorical diagnostic labelling due to its fundamental inconsistency with phenomenological and process-oriented ontology. However, this epistemological rigour can limit integration with structured evidence-based interventions for complex personality organizations such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite the evidence base for DBT and Schema Therapy in treating BPD, these approaches may inadvertently minimize the lived phenomenological experience and organismic wisdom central to recovery. Meanwhile, Gestalt therapy’s anti-diagnostic stance limits its integration with structured evidence-based protocols. This paper proposes a hybrid theoretical model that addresses this gap by integrating the clinical epistemology of Gestalt therapy with Linehan’s biosocial theory of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and schema-focused interventions, while preserving the core principles of Gestalt. Methods: we present a model of theoretical integration that draws on Gestalt contact theory, the four modules of DBT (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) and the experiential techniques of Schema Therapy. The integration focuses on the dialectic of acceptance and change, which mirrors Gestalt’s paradoxical theory of change. The proposed framework preserves the non-protocol dimension of Gestalt therapy while incorporating the pragmatic utility of DBT and Schema Therapy. Results: key conceptual contributions we propose include: (1) theorizing the “Draft Self” as the object and subject of therapeutic work, (2) integrating mindfulness and grounding as embodied processes within live Gestalt experiments, (3) activation techniques to explore the identity fragmentation endemic to BPD. Conclusions:his integration offers a coherent, embodied, and process-oriented framework for understanding and treating BPD that validates patients’ lived experience, mobilizes evidence-based interventions, and opens up meaningful intertheoretical dialogue. Full article

This paper introduces the concept of evolving actor–network ontologies (EANO) as a new paradigm for cultural digital twins. Building on actor–network theory, EANO reframes ontologies from static representations into reflexive, dynamic structures in which semantic interpretations are continuously negotiated among heterogeneous actors. We propose a five-layer architecture that operationalizes this principle, embedding reflexivity, actor salience, and systemic parameters such as resistance and volatility directly into the ontological model. To illustrate this approach, we present minimal simulations that demonstrate how different actor constellations and systemic conditions lead to distinct patterns of semantic evolution, ranging from expert erosion to contested equilibria and balanced coexistence. Rather than serving as predictive models, these simulations exemplify how EANO captures semantic plurality and contestation within a transparent and interpretable framework. The contribution of this work is thus twofold: it provides a conceptual foundation for evolving ontologies in digital heritage and a lightweight demonstration of how such models can be instantiated and explored computationally. Full article

Rapid urbanization and the proliferation of heterogeneous urban data have intensified the challenges of semantic interoperability and integrated urban governance. To address this, we propose the Smart City Ontology Framework (SMOF), a standards-driven ontology that unifies Building Information Modeling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT), and relational data. SMOF organizes five core modules and eleven major entity categories, with universal and extensible attributes and relations to support cross-domain data integration. SMOF was developed through competency questions, authoritative knowledge sources, and explicit design principles, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with real governance needs. Its evaluation combined three complementary approaches against baseline models: quantitative metrics demonstrated higher attribute richness and balanced hierarchy; LLM as judge assessments confirmed conceptual completeness, consistency, and scalability; and expert scoring highlighted superior scenario fitness and clarity. Together, these results indicate that SMOF achieves both structural soundness and practical adaptability. Beyond structural evaluation, SMOF was validated in two representative urban service scenarios, demonstrating its capacity to integrate heterogeneous data, support graph-based querying and enable ontology-driven reasoning. In sum, SMOF offers a robust and scalable solution for semantic data integration, advancing smart city governance and decision-making efficiency. Full article

This paper explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence and semantic technologies to support the creation of intelligent Heritage Digital Twins, digital constructs capable of representing, interpreting, and reasoning over cultural data. This study focuses on transforming the often fragmented and unstructured documentation produced in cultural heritage into coherent Knowledge Graphs aligned with internationally recognised standards and ontologies. Two complementary AI-assisted workflows are proposed: one for extracting and formalising structured knowledge from heritage science reports and another for enhancing AI models through the integration of curated ontological knowledge. The experiments demonstrate how this synergy facilitates both the retrieval and the reuse of complex information while ensuring interpretability and semantic consistency. Beyond technical efficacy, this paper also addresses the ethical implications of AI use in cultural heritage, with particular attention to transparency, bias mitigation, and meaningful representation of diverse narratives. The results highlight the importance of a reflexive and ethically grounded deployment of AI, where knowledge extraction and machine learning are guided by structured ontologies and human oversight, to ensure conceptual rigour and respect for cultural complexity. Full article

The aging population in Europe and other developed regions is accelerating the demand for adaptable domestic environments that support independent living and care at home. In this context, ontologies offer a promising approach to represent and manage knowledge about built environments, smart technologies, and user needs—especially within Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems. This paper presents a systematic literature review examining the role of ontologies in the reconfiguration of domestic living spaces, with a focus on their application in design processes and decision support systems. Following the PRISMA methodology, 14 relevant works published between 2000 and 2025 were identified and analyzed. The review explores key aspects such as ontology conceptualization, reuse, engineering methodologies, integration with CAD systems, and validation practices. The results show that research on this topic is fragmented yet growing, with the first contribution dated 2005 and peaks in 2016, 2018, and 2024. Most works (11) were conference papers, with Europe leading the contributions, particularly Italy. Half of the reviewed ontologies were developed “from scratch”, while the rest relied on conceptualizations such as BIM. Ontology reuse was inconsistent: only 50% of works reused existing models (e.g., SAREF, SOSA, BOT, ifcOWL), and few adopted Ontology Design Patterns. While 11 works followed ontology engineering methodologies—mostly custom or established methods such as Methontology or NeOn—stakeholder collaboration was reported in less than 36% of cases. Validation practices were weak: only six studies presented use cases or demonstrators. Integration with CAD systems remains at a prototypical stage, primarily through semantic enrichment and SWRL-based reasoning layers. Remaining gaps include poor ontology accessibility (few provide URLs or W3IDs), limited FAIR compliance, and scarce modeling of end-user needs, despite their relevance for AAL solutions. The review highlights opportunities for collaborative, human-centered ontology development aligned with architectural and medical standards to enable scalable, interoperable, and user-driven reconfiguration of domestic environments. Full article

This paper introduces the Intensional Conceptualization Model for Open Environments (ICMOE), a formal framework designed to enable semantic integration in dynamic and distributed systems. Grounded in intensional logic and formalized via a domain-specific language (ICMOE-L) built on Description Logic (DL), the model distinguishes between intensional and extensional semantics, allowing structured representation and evolution of concepts, relations, and domain rules under the open world assumption. ICMOE supports advanced semantic reasoning through an interpretation function that bridges relational data and ontological structures. A formal complexity analysis shows that reasoning with ICMOE-L has a worst-case complexity of O(n) ), where n is the total number of TBox and ABox axioms. To validate its effectiveness, ICMOE is evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative metrics. The model achieves a Concept Coverage score of 0.94, Semantic Depth of 0.89, Dynamic Adaptability Index of 0.91, Semantic Rule Density of 0.85, and Ontology Alignment Efficiency of 0.88. These results demonstrate ICMOE’s superior scalability, semantic richness, and adaptability when compared to foundational models such as those by Guarino and Bealer—making it a robust solution for open distributed environments. Full article

Loess landslide disasters are influenced by a multitude of factors, including slope conditions, triggering mechanisms, and spatial attributes. Extracting these factors from unstructured geological texts is challenging due to nested entities, semantic ambiguity, and rare domain-specific terms. This study proposes a joint extraction framework guided by a domain ontology that categorizes six types of loess landslide influencing factors, including spatial relationships. The ontology facilitates conceptual classification and semi-automatic nested entity annotation, enabling the construction of a high-quality corpus with eight tag types. The model integrates a Soft-Lexicon mechanism that enhances character-level GloVe embeddings with explicit lexical features, including domain terms, part-of-speech tags, and word boundary indicators derived from a domain-specific lexicon. The resulting hybrid character-level representations are then fed into a BiLSTM-CRF architecture to jointly extract entities, attributes, and multi-level spatial and causal relationships. Extracted results are structured using a content-knowledge model to build a spatially enriched knowledge graph, supporting semantic queries and intelligent reasoning. Experimental results demonstrate improved performance over baseline methods, showcasing the framework’s effectiveness in geohazard information extraction and disaster risk analysis. Full article