Theses and Dissertations from UMD
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New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
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Item MULTI-DOMAIN SEMANTIC MODELS AND REASONING FOR SAFETY-CRITICAL URBAN OPERATIONS(2022) Borjigin, Sachraa G.; Austin, Mark A.; Civil Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This dissertation explores the development of an integrated framework for multi-domain semantic modeling and reasoning, coupled to OptaPlanner, a real-time planning, and optimization tool. The investigation is motivated by abstractions from three safety-critical urban application domains: (a) small urban network operations, (b) airplane taxiing operations, and (c) planning and scheduling for disaster evacuation. From a systems modeling perspective, all three domains share the common interests of decision making supported by high-level situational awareness, and effective planning to avoid schedule conflicts and to assure system’s safety. Our integrated approach uses knowledge-based representation and reasoning: (1) to understand the relationships among the physical entities in each application domain that is complicated by other relevant participating domains, (2) reason semantic graphs with external events, and (3) transform and update semantic graphs in response to these external events for making further decisions. We investigate the usages of temporal, spatial, and graph theories, and understand what role ontologies play in deriving appropriate semantic models for urban applications. Semantic modeling and reasoning capabilities in the dissertation work are handled by Apache Jena and Jena Rules; temporal knowledge and reasoning are driven by time ontology and Allen’s Algebra for temporal relations; Spatial knowledge and reasoning are supported by spatial ontology and class that interfaces (AbstractGeometry) with the Java Topology Suite (JTS); The JGraphT is used to handle graph structures and conduct associated graph analyses, which is a Java library describing graph theory data structures and algorithms. Systems integration of these elements is adopted in the Whistle environment, a small scripting language that is able to process complex data types (i.e., physical units and quantities). While the scope of this dissertation is limited to the three case study applications, we expect that the new knowledge will set us on a pathway to assembly and planning for behavior scenarios across a wide range of urban applications.Item Rethinking analogical reasoning: The power of stimuli and task framework in understanding biomedical science, technological advancements, and social interactions(2021) Catanzarite, Nicole Crystal; Bolger, Donald J; Dunbar, Kevin N; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Analogical reasoning is a critical learning process, as it is thought to form the basis of the construction of knowledge and problem solving in novel contexts. To better understand how to leverage this strategy, knowledge of the cognitive mechanisms that underlie reasoning, as well as factors that modulate reasoning, is needed. Such knowledge can springboard the development of communication, presentation, and testing strategies that facilitate accurate comprehension of information. While the benefits of analogical reasoning are clear, researchers continue to debate whether humans are predisposed to reason on a surface level or on a deeper, analogical level. Since analogy can be employed in a variety of contexts, we sought to determine whether the successful engagement of analogy is context-dependent. To understand reasoning in social interactions, we investigated the types of relations individuals identified in situations involving negotiation, conflict, and resolution. These types of situations, described by short, fable-like stories, are a hallmark of classical analogical reasoning research paradigms. To expose applications of reasoning in science and technology (S&T), we explored how different strategies can be used to identify relations between the mechanisms of drug delivery and the defense capabilities of military-operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We found that numerous factors can selectively modulate reasoning and that reasoning strategy is situation-dependent. We also found that the way that individuals are probed or tested with targeted questions drives the way in which analogical reasoning is deployed. Consequently, analogical reasoning can be used to facilitate comprehension of technical concepts if asked to retrieve at a deeper conceptual level. Based on these findings, we argue that reasoning is a flexible and strategic process, rather than a fixed ability. As such, this suggests that analogical reasoning can be used to more effectively communicate and present scientific and technical information. Further, the strategic use of analogical reasoning has assessment, training, and strategic messaging applications in countless contexts, such as those within education, vocational training, healthcare, media, and even legal settings.