Showing papers by "Riichiro Mizoguchi published in 2009"

The water falls but the waterfall does not fall: New perspectives on objects, processes and events

Abstract: We challenge the widespread presumption that matter and objects are ontologically prior to processes and events, and also the less widespread but increasingly popular view that processes and events are ontologically prior to matter and objects. Instead we advance a third view according to which each of these pairs of categories is ontologically dependent on the other. In particular, taking a cue from an ontology of devices, we identify the object as an interface between those processes which are internal to it and those which are external to it and which it may be said to enact, thereby linking objects intrinsically to the processes in which they are involved as well as providing a more powerful determinant of object identity than more traditional, non-dynamic criteria based on demarcation from the environment. The internal processes are themselves external processes in relation to the components of the object which enact them, leading to a potentially open-ended recursive decomposition of both objects and processes in a complex web of mutual interdependency. We also discuss how matter is related to objects, and processes to events, bringing the four categories together in a diagram which clarifies the relations between them - often considered problematic - and establishes a framework for a highly general top-level ontology.

An Ontology Engineering Approach to the Realization of Theory-Driven Group Formation

Abstract: One of the main difficulties during the design of collaborative learning activities is adequate group formation. In any type of collaboration, group formation plays a critical role in the learners’ acceptance of group activities, as well as the success of the collaborative learning process. Nevertheless, to propose both an effective and pedagogically sound group formation is a complex issue due to multiple factors that influence group arrangement. The current (and previous) learner’s knowledge and skills, the roles and strategies used by learners to interact among themselves, and the teacher’s preferences are some examples of factors to be considered while forming groups. To identify which factors are essential (or desired) in effective group formation, a well-structured and formalized representation of collaborative learning processes, supported by a strong pedagogical basis, is desirable. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to present an ontology that works as a framework based on learning theories that facilitate group formation and collaborative learning design. The ontology provides the necessary formalization to represent collaborative learning and its processes, while learning theories provide support in making pedagogical decisions such as gathering learners in groups and planning the scenario where the collaboration will take place. Although the use of learning theories to support collaborative learning is open for criticism, we identify that they provide important information which can be useful in allowing for more effective learning. To validate the usefulness and effectiveness of this approach, we use this ontology to form and run group activities carried out by four instructors and 20 participants. The experiment was utilized as a proof-of-concept and the results suggest that our ontological framework facilitates the effective design of group activities, and can positively affect the performance of individuals during group learning.

Toward knowledge structuring of sustainability science based on ontology engineering

Abstract: In sustainability science (SS), it is difficult to identify what needs to be solved, and it is also not clear how to solve the problems that are identified. There has been no consensus on the underlying question of “What is structuring knowledge in SS?” This paper focuses on knowledge structuring accompanied by supporting of thinking. It addresses the key challenges associated with knowledge structuring in SS, identifies the requirements for the structuring of knowledge, proposes a reference model, and develops an ontology-based mapping tool as a solution to one layer of the reference model. First, we identify the important requirements for SS knowledge structuring. Second, we develop a reference model composed of five layers based on three of the requirements. Third, we develop an ontology-based mapping tool at Layer 2 of the reference model for meeting the two major challenges for SS, namely, identifying what problems should be addressed in SS itself and proposing solutions for those problems. The tool is designed to store and retrieve information regarding SS, to provide access to a prototype ontology for SS, and to create multiple maps of conceptual chains depending on a user’s interests and perspectives. Finally, we assess whether the developed tool successfully realizes the targeted part of the reference model for SS by examining the tool’s conformity to the reference model, as well as its usability, effectiveness, and constraints. Although several issues were identified in the prototype ontology and the mapping tool, the study concluded that the mapping tool is useful enough to facilitate the function of Layer 2. In particular, the mapping tool can support thinking about SS from the viewpoint of: (a) finding new potentials and risks of technological countermeasures studied in SS; (b) helping users to get a more comprehensive picture of problems and their potential solutions; and (c) providing an effective opportunity to come up with new ideas that might not be thought of without such a tool.

Ontology Engineering Environments

Abstract: Ontology engineering is a successor of knowledge engineering and is expected to play a critical role in the next generation knowledge processing by contributing to knowledge sharing/reuse and semantic interoperability of metadata. Although the importance of ontology is well-understood, building a good ontology is a hard task. This paper discusses ontology engineering environments with comparison between them. Because of the space limitation, four environments are selected: OntoEdit, WebODE, Protege and Hozo each of which covers a wide rage of ontology development process rather than being a single-purpose tool which should be covered elsewhere. First, several key factors to evaluate ontology development environments are discussed. The stress is laid on development process-related aspects rather than static characteristics of an environment. According to the factors, each environment is briefly overviewed followed by comparison between them with a summary table.

Using Ontological Engineering to Organize Learning/Instructional Theories and Build a Theory-Aware Authoring System

Abstract: This paper describes the achievements of an innovative eight-year research program first introduced in Mizoguchi and Bourdeau (2000), which was aimed at building a theory-aware authoring system by using ontological engineering. To date, we have proposed OMNIBUS, an ontology that comprehensively covers different learning/instructional theories and paradigms, and SMARTIES, a theory-aware and standards-compliant authoring system to create learning/instructional scenarios based on OMNIBUS. This approach was intended to bridge the gap between theory and practice in scientific and technological development, including learning/instruction support. The goals of this study included the following: that computers would (a) understand a variety of learning/instructional theories based on their organization, (b) utilize such understanding to help authors build learning/instructional scenarios, and (c) make such theoretically sound scenarios interoperable within the framework of technology standards. This paper suggests an ontological engineering solution to achieve these three goals and describes the implementation and feasibility demonstrations of the basic functions of SMARTIES, a solution that supports the design of learning/instructional scenarios based on multiple theories. Although the evaluation is far from complete in terms of practical use, we believe that the results of this study speak to high-level technical challenges of ITS authoring systems and the other areas of AIED, and therefore constitute a substantial contribution.

Estado da Arte em Web Semântica e Web 2.0: Potencialidades e Tendências da Nova Geração de Ambientes de Ensino na Internet

Abstract: As tecnologias educacionais com base na Web tem obtido excelente resultados nas ultimas decadas. Atualmente, diversos cursos no exterior e no Brasil sao oferecidos na modalidade “educacao a distância” onde a Internet e a plataforma base de comunicacao e interacao entre alunos e professores. Com os grandes avancos da Internet e a necessidade de oferecer formas mais eficazes de aprendizagem na Web, duas linhas de pesquisa estao em crescente expansao. A primeira delas e a Web Semântica que desenvolve tecnologias que permitem ao computador compartilhar e manipular as informacoes contidas na Web de forma adequada e inteligente. Com o uso desta tecnologia ambientes de aprendizagem ou agentes de software podem interagir entre si, trocar informacoes e auxiliar professores e alunos a selecionar, combinar e classificar o conteudo disponivel na Web. E a segunda e a Web 2.0, ou web Social, onde os usuarios sao beneficiados por diversas ferramentas para compartilhar e construir “conhecimento” de forma simples, interativa e colaborativa. O objetivo deste trabalho e estimular as pesquisas nacionais nestas areas apresentando o estado da arte sobre o uso da Web Semântica e da Web 2.0 no cenario educacional e a recente intersecao destas tecnologias para promover a nova geracao de ambientes educacionais para Web 3.0.

A functional ontology of artifacts

Abstract: The computer systems used in engineering domains include what are called design support systems embodying the sorts of knowledge? meaning, in this context, beliefs assumed by experts to be true?useful for designing artifacts. For such systems, functional knowledge plays a key role. It is the function of an artifact that is its defining feature; it gives the artifact its identity and it tells us what kind of artifact it is. People create and use artifacts in order to realize their functions because such realiza tion helps them to achieve their goals. Motivated by the importance of function to understanding and using artifacts, we have for some years been developing a functional ontology (Kitamura, et al. 2002; Kitamura 2006). In order to build an ontology it is crucial to maintain a consistent view of reality?for example a three-dimensionalist or four-dimensional ist view?throughout the process of ontology construction. To serve this need for consistency, we have proposed what we call a device-centered view of reality, and it is this which will be explained in this essay.

An Advanced Clinical Ontology

Abstract: This article discusses a fundamental issues of medical ontology based on ontological theory. We focus on "anatomical structure of organs" and "abnormal states in the human body". On the basis of the investigation, we distinguish organ-specific types from those independent of any organ to maximize the explicitness of ontology. The next feature of our ontology is to allow on-demand reorganization of is-a hierarchy of diseases instead of one fixed hierarchy to cope with various viewpoints which physician might have. We also take care of the notorious issue related to conflict of is-a and part-of relations.

The semantic Web : research and applications : 6th European Semantic Web Conference, ESWC 2009, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, May 31-June 4, 2009 : proceedings

Abstract: Invited Talks- Tonight's Dessert: Semantic Web Layer Cakes- Discovering and Building Semantic Models of Web Sources- Video Semantics and the Sensor Web- Keys, Money and Mobile Phone- Research Track- Querying Trust in RDF Data with tSPARQL- RadSem: Semantic Annotation and Retrieval for Medical Images- Semanta - Semantic Email Made Easy- The Sile Model - A Semantic File System Infrastructure for the Desktop- Who the Heck Is the Father of Bob?- Benchmarking Fulltext Search Performance of RDF Stores- A Heuristics Framework for Semantic Subscription Processing- Towards Linguistically Grounded Ontologies- Frame Detection over the Semantic Web- Word Sense Disambiguation for XML Structure Feature Generation- Improving Ontology Matching Using Meta-level Learning- Ontology Integration Using Mappings: Towards Getting the Right Logical Consequences- Using Partial Reference Alignments to Align Ontologies- Semantic Matching Using the UMLS- Embedding Knowledge Patterns into OWL- A Core Ontology of Knowledge Acquisition- ONTOCOM Revisited: Towards Accurate Cost Predictions for Ontology Development Projects- Ranking Approximate Answers to Semantic Web Queries- Tempus Fugit- Representing, Querying and Transforming Social Networks with RDF/SPARQL- Applied Temporal RDF: Efficient Temporal Querying of RDF Data with SPARQL- ReduCE: A Reduced Coulomb Energy Network Method for Approximate Classification- Hybrid Reasoning with Forest Logic Programs- SIM-DLA: A Novel Semantic Similarity Measure for Description Logics Reducing Inter-concept to Inter-instance Similarity- Decidability of with Transitive Closure of Roles- FO(ID) as an Extension of DL with Rules- A Tableau Algorithm for Handling Inconsistency in OWL- How to Trace and Revise Identities- Concept Search- Semantic Wiki Search- Applying Semantic Social Graphs to Disambiguate Identity References- Middleware for Automated Implementation of Security Protocols- Can RDB2RDF Tools Feasibily Expose Large Science Archives for Data Integration?- A Flexible API and Editor for SKOS- An Ontology of Resources: Solving the Identity Crisis- Mining Semantic Descriptions of Bioinformatics Web Resources from the Literature- Hybrid Adaptive Web Service Selection with SAWSDL-MX and WSDL-Analyzer- Enhancing Service Selection by Semantic QoS- Towards an Agent Based Approach for Verification of OWL-S Process Models- Leveraging Semantic Web Service Descriptions for Validation by Automated Functional Testing- Neighborhood-Based Tag Prediction- User Evaluation Study of a Tagging Approach to Semantic Mapping- Fuzzy Annotation of Web Data Tables Driven by a Domain Ontology- An Integrated Approach to Extracting Ontological Structures from Folksonomies- Reducing Ambiguity in Tagging Systems with Folksonomy Search Expansion- Semantic Web In-Use Track- Ontology-Based Service Discovery Front-End Interface for GloServ- A Resource List Management Tool for Undergraduate Students Based on Linked Open Data Principles- SCOVO: Using Statistics on the Web of Data- Media Meets Semantic Web - How the BBC Uses DBpedia and Linked Data to Make Connections- Creating Digital Resources from Legacy Documents: An Experience Report from the Biosystematics Domain- Collaborative Ocean Resource Interoperability: Multi-use of Ocean Data on the Semantic Web- ONKI SKOS Server for Publishing and Utilizing SKOS Vocabularies and Ontologies as Services- Ontology Libraries for Production Use: The Finnish Ontology Library Service ONKI- Demo Track- SAscha: Supporting the Italian Public Cooperation System with a Rich Internet Application for Semantic Web Services- Folksonomy Enrichment and Search- K-Tools: Towards Semantic Knowledge Management- The XMediaBox: Sensemaking through the Use of Knowledge Lenses- Controlled Natural Language for Semantic Annotation- Multilingual and Localization Support for Ontologies- WSMX 10: A Further Step toward a Complete Semantic Execution Environment- MoKi: The Enterprise Modelling Wiki- The Personal Knowledge Workbench of the NEPOMUK Semantic Desktop- Utilizing Semantics in the Production of iTV Shows- Knowledge Applications for Life Events: How the Dutch Government Informs the Public about Rights and Duties in the Netherlands- CultureSampo: A National Publication System of Cultural Heritage on the Semantic Web 20- A Rule System for Querying Persistent RDFS Data- RaDON - Repair and Diagnosis in Ontology Networks- Supporting the Reuse of Global Unique Identifiers for Individuals in OWL/RDF Knowledge Bases- Modeling and Enforcement of Business Policies on Process Models with Maestro- A Reasoning-Based Support Tool for Ontology Mapping Evaluation- Semanta - Semantic Email in Action- KiWi - A Platform for Semantic Social Software (Demonstration)- Pattern-Based Annotation of HTML-Streams- OntoComP: A Protege Plugin for Completing OWL Ontologies- Demo: HistoryViz - Visualizing Events and Relations Extracted from Wikipedia- Ontology Evolution with Evolva- Cupboard - A Place to Expose Your Ontologies to Applications and the Community- PhD Symposium- Effects of Using a Research Context Ontology for Query Expansion- Towards a Semantic Infrastructure for User Generated Mobile Services- Relational Databases as Semantic Web Endpoints- The Relevance of Reasoning and Alignment Incoherence in Ontology Matching- Towards a Semantic Service Broker for Business Grid- Evolva: A Comprehensive Approach to Ontology Evolution- A Context-Aware Approach for Integrating Semantic Web Technologies onto Mobile Devices- Dealing with Inconsistencies in DL-Lite Ontologies

Looking Into Collaborative Learning: Design from Macro-and Micro-Script Perspectives

Abstract: Design of collaborative learning (CL) scenarios is a complex task, but necessary if the goal of the collaboration is learning. Creating well-thought-out CL scenarios requires experience and knowledge about different learning/instructional theories and practices related to collaboration. Inexperienced designers, who may not have all the needed knowledge to formulate pedagogically sound collaborative learning plans, may have difficulties to design CL activities. Thus, although CL has shown to be effective, it is not often used in classroom adequately. To tackle this problem, this paper presents an ontology for CL, that aims at modeling not only the learning activities, but also the rationale for their configuration in pedagogical terms. This ontology allows modeling the expected interactions among students as well as the mechanisms that promote or enhance collaboration structured across several sessions and involve individual and collaborative activities. Finally, the paper discusses an application of the presented ontology to support the design of pedagogically sound CL scenarios.

Some Ontological Distinctions of Function Based on the Role Concept

Abstract: Function is an important aspect of artifacts in engineering design. Although many definitions of function have been proposed in the extensive research mainly in engineering design and philosophy, the relationship among them remains unclear. Aiming at a contribution to this problem, this paper investigates some ontological issues based on the role concept in ontological engineering. We discuss some ontological distinctions of function such as essentiality and actuality and then propose some fundamental kinds of function such as essential function and capacity function. Based on them, we categorize some existing definitions in the literature and clarify the relationship among them. Then, a model of function in a product life-cycle is proposed. It represents the changes of existence of the individuals of each kind of function, which are caused by designing, manufacturing and use. That model enables us to give answers to some ontological questions such as when and where a function exists and what a function depends on. The consideration on these issues provides engineers with some differentiated viewpoints for capturing functions and thus contributes to consistent functional modeling from a specific viewpoint. The clarified relationships among the kinds of function including the existing definitions in the literature will contribute to interoperability among functional models based on the different kinds and/or definitions.Copyright © 2009 by ASME

Addressing the Interplay of Culture and Affect in HCI: An Ontological Approach

Abstract: Culture and affect are closely tied domains that have been considered separately in HCI until now. After carefully reviewing research done in each of those domains, a formal ontology engineering approach brings us to identify and structure useful concepts for considering their interplay.

Toward a Learning/Instruction Process Model for Facilitating the Instructional Design Cycle

Abstract: Many instructional design models have been proposed and their benefits are evident. However, there is lack of a common and formal notation to describe the product of the design. This causes difficulty in evaluating the product (the course) in the development. To eliminate the difficulty, we need a formal framework which has enough semantics for keeping the consistency of the product. Thus, this work aims at proposing a unified modeling framework for learning and instruction based on ontologies that has the potential to support some phases of instructional design. Furthermore, we give an example of how one-to-one instruction and collaborative learning are modeled on the proposed framework.

Structuring Learning/Instructional Strategies through a State-based Modeling

Abstract: This study, through the ontological engineering approach, aims at building a conceptual basis that encourages instructional designers in better understanding of learning/instructional theories, which mean that instructional designers can select and integrate appropriate strategies from theories within an instructional context. This paper proposes a methodology of structuring the theories in terms of strategies included in them, in which strategies can be structured independent of paradigms and theories.

An ontological approach to support teachers in designing instruction using ICT

Abstract: In this study, we have developed a system called FIMA (Flexible Instructional Design Support Multi-Agent System) which supports teachers dynamically in designing instruction by facilitating their thinking in ways characteristic of expert teachers’ thought processes: 1) multiple viewpoints thinking, 2) contextualized thinking and 3) problem framing and reframing strategy. We especially focus on instructional design that integrates the use of information and communication technology (ICT). In this paper, we describe one function of FIMA: to evaluate ICT-use instruction designed by teachers and support them according to results of the evaluation.

Overview of the Academic Roadmap of Robotics Technology

Abstract: The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan has commissioned the establishment of an academic roadmap (ARM) to indicate the long-term direction of scientific research fields relating to robotics. First, in May 2006, a preparatory study group was set up at the Robotics Society of Japan, and in July this was superceded by the establishment of the Robot Technology (RT) Science and Technology Combined Strategy Study Research Committee. Next, the three societies involved cooperated in the establishment of robotics research committees assigned to the following three fields to obtain an overview of research fields from an academic viewpoint. They also drew up a time axis identifying important milestones for the advancement of research and assembled a collection of research reports [1]: • Human-centered Integrated System Research ARM Committee: Robotics Society of Japan, Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence and Japan Ergonomics Society. • Integrated Information Field ARM Committee: Robotics Society of Japan and Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence. • Advanced Engineering Research ARM Committee: Robotics Society of Japan.

Knowledge Structuring Tool for Sustainability Science Based on Ontology Engineering

Abstract: In Sustainability Science (SS) it is not only difficult to identify what needs to be solved but how to solve the problems once identified. There has been no consensus on underlying question of “What is structuring in SS?” This paper focuses on articulating in the form of a reference model a set of required elements, functions, and actions for structuring SS knowledge and on realizing a part of that reference model by developing a prototype knowledge system for mapping relevant concepts and their linkages in SS. First, we develop a reference model composed of five layers. Second, we develop an ontology-based mapping tool as a tentative solution at Layer 2 of the reference model. Third, we assess whether the developed tool is compliant with the reference model for SS. This study concluded that the developed tool can facilitate divergent exploration, the function of Layer 2.

SWEL'09 @ AIED'09: Ontologies and Social Semantic Web for Intelligent Educational Systems

Abstract: An important target for educational Web application researchers and developers today is to provide means to unite, as much as possible, the efforts in creating information and knowledge components that are easily accessible, shareable, reusable and modifiable by others. Within the educational field, this motivates efforts to achieve semantically rich, well-structured, standardised and verified learning content. Ontologies and Semantic Web standards allow achieving such reusability, shareability and interoperability among educational Web resources. Conceptualizations, ontologies and the available Web standards such as XML, XTM, RDF(S), OWL, OWL-S, RuleML, LOM, SCORM and IMS-LD allow specification of components in a standard way. The notion of Social Semantic Web describes an emerging design approach for building Semantic Web applications which employs Social Software approaches. Social Semantic Web systems are usually characterized through their emphasis on collaborative creation, usage and continuous refinement of Semantic Web structures by groups of humans. Social Semantic Web systems typically elicit domain knowledge through semiformal ontologies, taxonomies or folksonomies. Ontologies, Semantic Web and Social Semantic Web techniques offer new perspectives on intelligent educational systems by supporting more adequate and accurate representations of learners, their learning goals, learning material and contexts of its use, as well as more efficient access and navigation through learning resources. The SWEL'09@AIED'09 workshop focuses on the best practices of using these technologies for knowledge representation, adaptation and personalization in educational settings. We will discuss lessons learned, benefits and further steps to be undertaken. SWEL’09@AIED’09 is seventh in the series, following the workshop on Concepts and Ontologies in Web-based Educational Systems at ICCE’2002, the three sessions of SWEL’04 (in conjunction with ITS’04, AH’04, and ISWC’04), the three sessions in 2005 (in conjunction with AIED’05, ICALT’05, and K-CAP’05), the session in 2006 at AH’06, the session in 2007 in conjunction with AIED’07 and the session at ITS 2008. SWEL has an established audience and a Web portal hosting related resources – the Ontologies for Education (O4E) Portal (http://o4e.iiscs.wssu.edu/xwiki/bin/view/Blog/).

Proceedings of the 2009 conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education: Building Learning Systems that Care: From Knowledge Representation to Affective Modelling

Abstract: This publication covers papers presented at the Artificial Intelligence in Education conference 2009 (AIED). AIED2009 is part of an ongoing series of biennial international conferences for top quality research in intelligent systems and cognitive science for educational computing applications. The conference provides opportunities for the cross-fertilization of techniques from many fields that make up this interdisciplinary research area, including: artificial intelligence, computer science, cognitive and learning sciences, education, educational technology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, linguistics and the many domain-specific areas for which AIED systems have been designed and evaluated. AIED2009 focuses on the theme Building learning systems that care: from knowledge representation to affective modelling. The key research question is how to tackle the complex issues related to building learning systems that care, ranging from representing knowledge and context to modelling social, cognitive, metacognitive and affective dimensions. This requires multidisciplinary research that links theory and technology from artificial intelligence, cognitive science and computer science with theory and practice from education and the social sciences.IOS Press is an international science, technical and medical publisher of high-quality books for academics, scientists, and professionals in all fields. Some of the areas we publish in: -Biomedicine -Oncology -Artificial intelligence -Databases and information systems -Maritime engineering -Nanotechnology -Geoengineering -All aspects of physics -E-governance -E-commerce -The knowledge economy -Urban studies -Arms control -Understanding and responding to terrorism -Medical informatics -Computer Sciences

Por um modelo de processo de instrução/aprendizagem para facilitar o ciclo de design instrucional

Abstract: Muitos modelos de design instrucional foram pro- postos e seus beneficios sao evidentes. No entanto, ha falta de uma notacao comum e formal para descrever o produto da concepcao. Isso faz com que haja dificuldade na avalia- cao do produto (o curso) em desenvolvimento. Para elimi- nar essa dificuldade, precisamos de uma estrutura formal que tenha semântica suficiente para manter a consistencia do produto. Assim, este trabalho tem por objetivo propor um padrao de modelo unificado para o ensino e aprendi- zagem baseado em ontologias, que tenha potencial para apoiar algumas fases do ciclo de design instrucional. Alem disso, damos um exemplo de como a instrucao um a um e a aprendizagem colaborativa sao modeladas com base no padrao proposto.

Ontology Mapping of PATO to YATO for the improvement of interoperability of quality description

Abstract: To facilitate broad interoperability for phenotype information between different ontological frameworks, we developed a reference ontology, PATO2YATO_ Quality, with the careful mapping of terms of PATO which is a quality ontology commonly used for biological phenotype annotation to the latest toplevel ontology, YATO, which represents advanced modeling of quality-related concepts. This represents of interrelationships among quality-related concepts to provide fully integration of qualitative values and quantitative values obtained from phenotyping experiments and advanced representation of more detailed quality description. Introduction The description of qualities is a core issue for the integration of biological phenotype information. The Phenotype Quality Ontology (PATO) provides a practical basis for the integration of phenotype information across species. Typically, it is used for “entity plus quality” (E+Q) annotation of experimental parameters and parameter values. However, there are multiple different methods of quality description recommended by the different top-level ontologies. Recently, Yet Another Top-level Ontology (YATO) has been developed. YATO represents not only ordinal quality descriptions covered by DOLCE and GALEN but also advanced quality descriptions not covered them. For the realization of more broad interoperability and advanced quality description of phenotypic quality using PATO terms, we developed a reference ontology called “PATO2YATO_Quality”. Results We have worked out mapping of terms in the PATO2YATO framework by the careful examination with the helps of flags for subset of “attribute slim” and “value slim” embed in OBO format file of PATO as the remains of previous version. In this ongoing work, we currently have mapped about 500 terms of version 1.132 of PATO (quality_v1.132.obo) to YATO: (UpperOntology090112.ont: http://www.ei.sanken.osakau.ac.jp/hozo/onto_library/upperOnto.htm). In PATO2YATO_Quality, quality-related concepts (dependent entities) are arranged as two hierarchies, “Quality type” and “Quality value”, both of these are essential for an ontologically correct description of a change in quality. Furthermore, it allows systematic integration of numerical scales values and detailed representation such as and . We have started discussion with PATO developers to establish certain interoperability between two ontologies. PATO2YATO_Quality is available at: http://www.brc.riken.jp/lab/bpmp/Ontologies/PATO 2YATO/P2Y_Quality.html. Its OWL version, exported from Hozo, will be available soon. Conclusion We worked out mapping of PATO terms to the YATO framework, and successfully represented both the advanced meaning of each concept and the interrelationships among them. Acknowledgements With thanks to the Dr. Georgios V. Gkoutos for kindly sending us post-coordinated MP library, and for meaningful discussion. References 1. Gkoutos GV, Green EC, Mallon AM, Blake A, Greenaway S, Hancock JM and Davidson D. Ontologies for the description of mouse phenotypes. Comp Funct Genomics. 2004:5:545–551. 2. Aranguren ME, Antezana E, Kuiper M and Stevens R. Applying ontology design patterns in bio-ontologies, Proc. of 16th International Conference:2008:LNAI 5268:7–16. 3. Mizoguchi R. Yet Another Top-level Ontology: YATO, Proceedings of the 2nd Interdisciplinary Ontology Meeting, 2009: in press. 4. Masuya H and Mizoguchi R. Toward fully integration of mouse phenotype information, Proceedings of the 2nd Interdisciplinary Ontology Meeting, 2009: in press.