Ph.D. proposal presentation Jacobs University February 28, 2007

1. Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract Towards a Semantic Wiki for Science
Wikis Research Proposal for a Ph.D. thesis
Semantics
Semantic
Social
Software Christoph Lange
SWiM+
Prototype Jacobs University Bremen
Knowledge
(formerly International University Bremen)
Representation
Services
February 28, 2007
Case Studies
Conclusion
1 / 28

2. Abstract
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
A semantic wiki for science — think “Wikipedia++”
Abstract
Represent scientific knowledge
Wikis
. . . which can be utilised by services
Semantics
. . . in a collaborative environment
Semantic
Social
Software
How to motivate users to contribute?
SWiM+ Work plan towards the creation of SWiM+, the
Prototype Semantic Wiki for Mathematics and Other Sciences:
Knowledge Give the user services that exploit the knowledge
Representation
Access knowledge via “System Ontology” abstraction layer
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
2 / 28

3. Wikis in Science and Education
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract
Wikis Everything: e.g. Wikipedia
Semantics Domain-specific: e.g. PlanetMath
Semantic
Social Anyone can contribute
Software
SWiM+
Quick and easy
Prototype Create new knowledge . . .
Knowledge
Representation
. . . or learn by browsing or searching
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
3 / 28

4. Wiki: Nice for Humans, but . . .
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract
Wikis
Semantics
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies Imagine a scholar searching for:
Conclusion
sqrt{a^2 + b^2} = c, or: x^2 + y^2 = z^2
all theorems about triangles for which a proof exists
4 / 28

5. Semantic Markup
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Explicit markup of structures helps machines
Abstract . . . e.g. intelligent search engines
Wikis Tell the machine what you mean (= semantics)
Semantics . . . not what it looks like!
Semantic
Social Markup languages available for:
Software
Mathematics: Content MathML, OpenMath, OMDoc, . . .
SWiM+
Physics: PhysML
Prototype Chemistry: CML
Knowledge
Representation
Geodata: GML, SensorML, MarineML, ESML, . . .
From top to bottom (roughly): less structures, more data
Services
Technology transfer: mathematics −→ other sciences
Case Studies
Conclusion
5 / 28

6. Semantic Markup Allows for Inference
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Some dependencies among physical and mathematical theories
Ch. Lange (think “course modules”):
Abstract
depends on discrete
Wikis MP3
cosine
audio
Semantics transform
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
6 / 28

7. Semantic Markup Allows for Inference
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Some dependencies among physical and mathematical theories
Ch. Lange (think “course modules”):
Abstract
depends on discrete depends on
Wikis MP3 orthogonal
cosine
audio matrix
Semantics transform
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
7 / 28

8. Semantic Markup Allows for Inference
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Some dependencies among physical and mathematical theories
Ch. Lange (think “course modules”):
Abstract
depends on discrete depends on
Wikis MP3 orthogonal
cosine
audio matrix
Semantics transform
Semantic
Social
Software
depends on (transitive)
SWiM+
Prototype (cf. ActiveMath [Melis et al., 2004])
Knowledge Inference gives you more output than input.
Representation
Services
“I want to learn more about MP3 audio compression!”
Case Studies “Fine, but do you know what an orthogonal matrix is?”
Conclusion
Description logic (DL) reasoners to this efficiently.
8 / 28

9. Semantic Markup: Who Wants to Write it?
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
Pythagoras’ theorem again, in OMDoc/OpenMath:
for Science
<theorem id="pythagoras">
Ch. Lange
<CMP>In a rectangled triangle, ...</CMP>
<FMP>
Abstract <OMOBJ>
<OMA>
Wikis <OMS cd="relation" name="eq"/>
<OMA>
Semantics <OMS cd="arith" name="plus"/>
<OMA>
Semantic <OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
Social <OMV name="a"/>
Software <OMI>2</OMI>
</OMA>
SWiM+
<OMA>
Prototype <OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
<OMV name="b"/>
Knowledge <OMI>2</OMI>
Representation </OMA>
</OMA>
Services <OMA>
<OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
Case Studies <OMV name="c"/>
<OMI>2</OMI>
Conclusion
</OMA>
</OMA>
</OMOBJ>
</FMP>
</theorem> 9 / 28

10. Semantic Markup: Who Wants to Write it?
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
Pythagoras’ theorem again, in OMDoc/OpenMath:
for Science
<theorem id="pythagoras">
Ch. Lange
<CMP>In a rectangled triangle, ...</CMP>
<FMP>
Abstract <OMOBJ>
<OMA>
Wikis <OMS cd="relation" name="eq"/>
<OMA>
Semantics <OMS cd="arith" name="plus"/>
<OMA>
Semantic <OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
Social <OMV name="a"/>
Software <OMI>2</OMI> Theorem (pythagoras)
</OMA>
SWiM+
<OMA> In a rectangled triangle, . . .
<OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
Prototype
<OMV name="b"/> a2 + b 2 = c 2
Knowledge <OMI>2</OMI>
Representation </OMA>
</OMA>
Services <OMA>
<OMS cd="arith" name="power"/>
Case Studies <OMV name="c"/>
<OMI>2</OMI>
Conclusion
</OMA>
</OMA>
</OMOBJ>
</FMP>
</theorem> 10 / 28

11. The Semantic Author’s Dilemma
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract
Wikis macro-perspective: “OK, if I make the effort, others can find
Semantics
my formulæ using Google++”
Semantic
Social micro-perspective: “. . . but what do I gain from it?”
Software
SWiM+ Give the author added value in his particular situation!
Prototype [A. Kohlhase, Müller 2007]
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
11 / 28

12. Semantic Social Software
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract
Wikis
Semantics
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion [Spivack 2003, Schaffert 2006]
Here: Semantic Wiki + OMDoc and relatives
Integrate services, share their added value with the user
12 / 28

13. Applications of SWiM+ : Stakeholder Analysis
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
SWiM+
Abstract
• Semantic Markup
Wikis
• Services
Semantics
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype Scientists Scholars Semantic Web
Knowledge • Research • Learn • Access
Representation
• Collaboration • Search/Find • Reuse
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
13 / 28

14. Applications of SWiM+ : Science
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
Scientists want to formalise their ideas and develop theories
for Science collaboratively.
Ch. Lange
Example
Abstract
Wikis
E. In. Stein wants to elaborate on his hypotheses about
Semantics
“relativity”
Semantic
Social
Software
. . . and decides to build on the theory of “gravitation”
SWiM+ . . . developed by his colleague N. Ew. Ton
Prototype . . . which is still under development, though!
Knowledge
Representation If Ton changes some basic assumptions on gravitation,
Services
. . . Stein’s considerations might become invalid.
Case Studies
Conclusion
SWiM+ must be able to manage dependencies!
(cf. [Müller 2006])
14 / 28

15. Applications of SWiM+ : Education
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Adapt to the previous knowledge of a learner
Abstract
Needs to find what he wants by browsing or searching
Wikis
Semantics
An example from algebra (each theory on one wiki page):
Semantic
Social I already know the Show me the di-
Software group concepts depended rect dependencies!
ring (group and monoid)
upon
SWiM+
Prototype monoid
Knowledge
Representation Show me all depen- I want to know, but
semigroup dencies! (semigroup, remind me later
Services too)
Case Studies
Conclusion
15 / 28

16. Applications of SWiM+ : Semantic Web
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Weave the Semantic Web with SWiM+ — make scientific
Abstract
knowledge reusable on the web
Wikis
Semantics
Export knowledge extracted from markup to standard
Semantic
formats (RDF)
Social
Software
. . . which can be imported into other Semantic Web
applications
SWiM+
Prototype
Integrate external services
Knowledge e.g. MathWebSearch, our formula search engine
Representation
[M. Kohlhase, Șucan 2006]
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
16 / 28

17. SWiM (SWaM?) Prototype = IkeWiki + OMDoc
Towards a
Semantic Wiki First experiment (my diploma thesis)
for Science
Ch. Lange
editing, presentation, navigation; partial system ontology
Abstract
Wikis
Semantics
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
17 / 28

18. Scientific Knowledge Representation
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
I assume three levels of scientific knowledge [M. Kohlhase,
for Science 2006]:
Ch. Lange
Objects symbols, numbers, equations, molecules, . . .
Abstract Statements axioms, hypotheses, measurement results,
Wikis
examples; relationships: “proves”, “defines”,
Semantics
“exemplifies”, . . .
Semantic
Social Theories collections of interrelated statements, determine
Software
context: “What does the symbol h mean?”
SWiM+
Prototype Successfully applied to mathematics
Knowledge
Representation
OMDoc (M. Kohlhase)
Services Transferred to physics with small additions
Case Studies PhysML (Stamerjohanns et al.)
Conclusion Anticipation: also valid for chemistry (Murray-Rust),
geosciences (Baumann, Unnithan), . . .
18 / 28

19. System Ontology
Towards a
Semantic Wiki Ontology: formal, explicit specification of a
for Science
conceptualisation (of a specific domain)
Ch. Lange
System ontology (here): ontology of the systems built
Abstract
around a markup language (meta level!)
Wikis
Defines OMDoc
Semantics how to represent knowledge in
Models Maths
Semantic
Social
Software Theory
SWiM+ lives in imports OWL-DL
Prototype Statement
is a is a
implementation,
Knowledge
Representation is a with generic relation
Symbol is a Proof
Services defined by is a proves
types dependency
Case Studies and containment
Definition Assertion
Conclusion (both transitive)
exemplifies Example exemplifies
exemplifies
19 / 28

20. Where is the Knowledge?
Towards a
Semantic Wiki Semantic wiki: One page = one concept
for Science
SWiM+ : One page = one statement or theory
Ch. Lange
(small, reusable pages, but not too small)
Abstract Semantic Web tools need more explicit representation of
Wikis the knowledge (extract from markup!)
Semantics
Semantic Example
Social
Software A wiki page: Extracted RDF triples (= graph):
SWiM+ proves
Prototype
<omdoc> Proof Theorem
<proof id="pyth-proof" type type
Knowledge for="pythagoras">
Representation proves
... pyth-proof pythagoras
Services </proof>
Case Studies </omdoc>
<pyth-proof, rdf:type, omdoc:Proof>
Conclusion
<pyth-proof, omdoc:proves, pythagoras>
(omdoc:* → OMDoc system ontology)
20 / 28

21. Service Programming Interface: Access the
Knowledge
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange Make generic services work for all markup languages
(= all scientific domains)
Abstract
“SciML” researchers will identify common traits of the
Wikis
system ontologies (expected: theory/statement/object,
Semantics
containment, dependency)
Semantic
Social
Formalise that upper system ontology for SWiM+ !
Software
Analyse services to design programming interface:
SWiM+
What knowledge do they need? Inference required?
Prototype
Knowledge Also model a system ontology of the wiki;
Representation inference over both
Services
Many user questions to a proof page ⇒ must be hard to
Case Studies
understand ⇒ auto-create examples for special cases
Conclusion
21 / 28

22. Which Services? Added Value?
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Plan services using added-value analysis
Abstract [A. Kohlhase/Müller 2007]:
Wikis
1 Core problem
Semantics 2 Core solution
Semantic
Social
3 Benefits/sacrifices
Software 4 . . . may trigger new core problems
SWiM+ Their objective: Motivate user to take action!
Prototype
Provide benefits while the user contributes
Knowledge
Representation In semantic wikis also: instant gratification
Services “Thanks for your contribution, and look . . . ”
Case Studies
Conclusion
22 / 28

23. Example: Auto-Completion Service
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Support easy linking (wiki )
Ch. Lange
facilitate editing text (markup )
Abstract Suggest links to appropriate targets
Wikis
Semantics
<proof for="p_
Semantic
Social
Software
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
23 / 28

24. Example: Auto-Completion Service
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Support easy linking (wiki )
Ch. Lange
facilitate editing text (markup )
Abstract Suggest links to appropriate targets
Wikis
Semantics
<proof for="p_
Semantic partial-diff-eqn
Social proton
Software
pythagoras
SWiM+
Prototype
Knowledge
Representation
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
24 / 28

25. Example: Auto-Completion Service
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science Support easy linking (wiki )
Ch. Lange
facilitate editing text (markup )
Abstract Suggest links to appropriate targets
Wikis
Semantics
<proof for="p_
Semantic partial-diff-eqn
Social proton
Software
pythagoras
SWiM+
Prototype
Find all known instances of the range of the relation
Knowledge
Representation Proof–proves–? starting with “p”
Services First service to be implemented, because:
Case Studies
does not require DL reasoning (no transitivity)
Conclusion
easy to evaluate productivity of volunteers
25 / 28

26. More Ideas for Services
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Already specified:
Abstract Dependency Management: simple assistance
Wikis (later: locutor [Müller 2006])
Semantics
Dependency Graph Navigation (see above)
Semantic
Social
Software
“Edit-in-place” (section-wise editing of long documents)
SWiM+ Planned:
Prototype
QMath, an easy syntax for formulae
Knowledge
Representation MathWebSearch interface
Services
Added-value analysis will give more ideas.
Case Studies
Conclusion
26 / 28

27. Case Studies
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
Ch. Lange
Abstract Science Our group is working on the cross-domain
Wikis integration of scientific markup languages
Semantics test SWiM+ in a heterogeneous environment
Semantic
Social Education M. Kohlhase’s slides for “General Computer
Software
Science” available as s EX (OMDoc-like
T
SWiM+
A
LTEX)
Prototype
convert, import, evaluate learning and
Knowledge
Representation interaction services
Services
Case Studies
Conclusion
27 / 28

28. Better Wikipedia, Better Semantic Web
Towards a
Semantic Wiki
for Science
benefit
n
ve
Ch. Lange
-e
ak
e
Abstract
br
Wikis
Semantics
SWiM+ Formal Methods
Semantic
(2009)
Social
Software
my challenge
SWiM+
Prototype Wikipedia Semantic Web
Knowledge
Representation
(today)
WWW
Services
(Web 1.0)
Case Studies
Conclusion
sacrifice
28 / 28