Managing digital libraries using semantic web technologies

The aim of this work is to improve retrieval and navigation services on bibliographic data held in digital libraries. This paper presents the design and implementation of OntoBib¸ an ontology-based bibliographic database system that adopts ontology-driven search in its retrieval. The presented work exemplifies how a digital library of bibliographic data can be managed using Semantic Web technologies and how utilizing the domain specific knowledge improves both search efficiency and navigation of web information and document retrieval.

Policy-centric integration and dynamic composition of autonomic computing techniques

This paper presents innovative work in the development of policy-based autonomic computing. The core of the work is a powerful and flexible policy-expression language AGILE, which facilitates run-time adaptable policy configuration of autonomic systems. AGILE also serves as an integrating platform for other self-management technologies including signal processing, automated trend analysis and utility functions. Each of these technologies has specific advantages and applicability to different types of dynamic adaptation. The AGILE platform enables seamless interoperability of the different technologies to each perform various aspects of self-management within a single application. The various technologies are implemented as object components. Self-management behaviour is specified using the policy language semantics to bind the various components together as required. Since the policy semantics support run-time re-configuration, the self-management architecture is dynamically composable. Additional benefits include the standardisation of the application programmer interface, terminology and semantics, and only a single point of embedding is required.

BSHM meetings: BMS History of Mathematics Splinter Group

Introduction to abstracts from papers given at BMS History of Mathematics Splinter Group, held 17 April 2007, in Swansea.

Grey video compression methods using fractals

The authors' experience in the treatment of grey video compression using fractals is summarized and compared with other research in the same field. Experience with parallel and distributed computing is also discussed.

A critical examination of node-similarity based graph matching algorithms

In this paper, we shall critically examine a special class of graph matching algorithms that follow the approach of node-similarity measurement. A high-level algorithm framework, namely node-similarity graph matching framework (NSGM framework), is proposed, from which, many existing graph matching algorithms can be subsumed, including the eigen-decomposition method of Umeyama, the polynomial-transformation method of Almohamad, the hubs and authorities method of Kleinberg, and the kronecker product successive projection methods of Wyk, etc. In addition, improved algorithms can be developed from the NSGM framework with respects to the corresponding results in graph theory. As the observation, it is pointed out that, in general, any algorithm which can be subsumed from NSGM framework fails to work well for graphs with non-trivial auto-isomorphism structure.

BSHM meetings: British Mathematics Colloquium

Report on the British Mathematics Colloquium, which took place in York, 25-28 March 2008. Also includes abstracts of the individual talks.

Multilevel approaches applied to the capacitated clustering problem

This paper presents two multilevel refinement algorithms for the capacitated clustering problem. Multilevel refinement is a collaborative technique capable of significantly aiding the solution process for optimisation problems. The central methodologies of the technique are filtering solutions from the search space and reducing the level of problem detail to be considered at each level of the solution process. The first multilevel algorithm uses a simple tabu search while the other executes a standard local search procedure. Both algorithms demonstrate that the multilevel technique is capable of aiding the solution process for this combinatorial optimisation problem.

[BSHM meetings] Topics in the history of financial mathematics: early commerce to chaos in modern stock markets

This account provides an overview of the study day, entitled 'Topics in the History of Financial Mathematics: Early commerce to chaos in modern stock markets,' held by the British Society for the History of Mathematics jointly with Gresham College, at Gresham College, London on 25th April 2008. The series of talks explored the development of mathematics and mathematical techniques in a commercial and financial context.

Reviews: making mathematics with needlework

Review of Making Mathematics with Needlework, edited by Sarah-Marie Belcastro and Carolyn Yackel, published by AK Peters Ltd, 2007 (ISBN 978-1-56881-331-8).

[Book review] Collaborative learning in mathematics

Review of: Collaborative Learning in Mathematics: A challenge to our beliefs and practices by Malcolm Swan, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, paperback £24.95, ISBN 981-1-86201-311-7; hardback £44.95, ISBN 978-1-86201-316-2.

Some issues on assessment methods and learning in mathematics and statistics

This paper looks at the application of some of the assessment methods in practice with the view to enhance students’ learning in mathematics and statistics. It explores the effective application of assessment methods and highlights the issues or problems, and ways of avoiding them, related to some of the common methods of assessing mathematical and statistical learning. Some observations made by the author on good assessment practice and useful approaches employed at his institution in designing and applying assessment methods are discussed. Successful strategies in implementing assessment methods at different levels are described.