Difference Views for Visual Graph Query Building

Knowledge Graphs (KGs) contain vast amounts of linked resources that encode knowledge in various domains, which can be queried and searched for using specialized languages like SPARQL, a query language developed to query KGs. Existing visual query builders enable non-expert users to construct SPARQL queries and utilize the knowledge contained in these graphs. Query building is, however, an iterative and, often, visual process where the question of the user can change and differ throughout the process, especially for explorative search. Our visual querying interface communicates these change between iterative steps in the query building process using graph differences to contrast the changes and the evolution in the graph query. We also enable users to formulate their evolving information needs using a natural language interface directly integrated into the difference query view. We, furthermore, communicate the change in results in the result view by contrasting the differences in both result distribution and individual instances of the prototype graph and demonstrate the system's applicability through case studies on different ontologies and usage scenarios, illustrating how our system fosters, both, data exploration and analysis of domain-specific graphs.

OnSET: Ontology and Semantic Exploration Toolkit

Retrieval over knowledge graphs is usually performed using dedicated, complex query languages like SPARQL. We propose a novel system, Ontology and Semantic Exploration Toolkit (OnSET) that allows non-expert users to easily build queries with visual user guidance provided by topic modelling and semantic search throughout the application. OnSET allows users without any prior information about the ontology or networked knowledge to start exploring topics of interest over knowledge graphs, including the retrieval and detailed exploration of prototypical sub-graphs and their instances. Existing systems either focus on direct graph explorations or do not foster further exploration of the result set. We, however, provide a node-based editor that can extend on these missing properties of existing systems to support the search over big ontologies with sub-graph instances. Furthermore, OnSET combines efficient and open platforms to deploy the system on commodity hardware.

Cross-Modal Search and Exploration of Greek Painted Pottery

This paper focuses on digitally-supported research methods for an important group of cultural heritage objects, the Greek pottery, especially with figured decoration. The design, development and application of new digital methods for searching, comparing, and visually exploring these vases needs an interdisciplinary approach to effectively analyse the various features of the vases, like shape, decoration, and manufacturing techniques, and relationships between the vases. We motivate the need and opportunities by a multimodal representation of the objects, including 3D shape, material, and painting. We then illustrate a range of innovative methods for these representations, including quantified surface and capacity comparison, material analysis, image flattening from 3D objects, retrieval and comparison of shapes and paintings, and multidimensional data visualization. We also discuss challenges and future work in this area.