A case-based reasoning approach for building a decision model

A methodology based on case-based reasoning is proposed to build a topological-level influence diagram. It is then applied to a project proposal review process. The formulation of decision problems requires much time and effort, and the resulting model, such as an influence diagram, is applicable only to one specific problem. However, some prior knowledge from the experience in modeling influence diagrams can be utilized to resolve other similar decision problems. The basic idea of case-based reasoning is that humans reuse the problem-solving experience to solve new problems.
In this paper, we suggest case-based decision class analysis (CB-DCA), a methodology based on case-based reasoning, to build an influence diagram. CB-DCA is composed of a case retrieval procedure and an adaptation procedure. Two measures are suggested for the retrieval procedure, one a fitting ratio and the other a garbage ratio. The adaptation procedure is based on decision-analytic knowledge and decision participants' domain-specific knowledge. Our proposed methodology has been applied to an environmental review process in which decision-makers need decision models to decide whether a project proposal is accepted or not. Experimental results show that our methodology for decision class analysis provides decision-makers with robust knowledge-based support.     

Categorizing approaches combining rule-based and case-based reasoning

Abstract: Rule-based and case-based reasoning are two popular approaches used in intelligent systems. Rules usually represent general knowledge, whereas cases encompass knowledge accumulated from specific (specialized) situations. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, which are proved to be complementary to a large degree. So, it is well justified to combine rules and cases to produce effective hybrid approaches, surpassing the disadvantages of each component method. In this paper, we first present advantages and disadvantages of rule-based and case-based reasoning and show that they are complementary. We then discuss the deficiencies of existing categorization schemes for integrations of rule-based and case-based representations. To deal with these deficiencies, we introduce a new categorization scheme. Finally, we briefly present representative approaches for the final categories of our scheme.     

A recommender mechanism based on case-based reasoning

Case-based reasoning (CBR) algorithm is particularly suitable for solving ill-defined and unstructured decision-making problems in many different areas. The traditional CBR algorithm, however, is inappropriate to deal with complicated problems and therefore needs to be further revised. This study thus proposes a next-generation CBR (GCBR) model and algorithm. GCBR presents as a new problem-solving paradigm that is a case-based recommender mechanism for assisting decision making. GCBR can resolve decision-making problems by using hierarchical criteria architecture (HCA) problem representation which involves multiple decision objectives on each level of hierarchical, multiple-level decision criteria, thereby enables decision makers to identify problems more precisely. Additionally, the proposed GCBR can also provide decision makers with series of cases in support of these multiple decision-making stages. GCBR furthermore employs a genetic algorithm in its implementation in order to reduce the effort involved in case evaluation. This study found experimentally that using GCBR for making travel-planning recommendations involved approximately 80% effort than traditional CBR, and therefore concluded that GCBR should be the next generation of case-based reasoning algorithms and can be applied to actual case-based recommender mechanism implementation.     

Knowledge-based treatment planning for adolescent early intervention of mental healthcare: a hybrid case-based reasoning approach

Abstract: Treatment planning is a crucial and complex task in the social services industry. There is an increasing need for knowledge-based systems for supporting caseworkers in the decision-making of treatment planning. This paper presents a hybrid case-based reasoning approach for building a knowledge-based treatment planning system for adolescent early intervention of mental healthcare. The hybrid case-based reasoning approach combines aspects of case-based reasoning, rule-based reasoning and fuzzy theory. The knowledge base of case-based reasoning is a case base of client records consisting of documented experience while that for rule-based reasoning is a set of IF–THEN rules based on the experience of social service professionals. Fuzzy theory is adopted to deal with the uncertain nature of treatment planning. A prototype system has been implemented in a social services company and its performance is evaluated by a group of caseworkers. The results indicate that hybrid case-based reasoning has an enhanced performance and the knowledge-based treatment planning system enables caseworkers to construct more efficient treatment planning in less cost and less time.     

A new approach to applicable memory-based reasoning

To appropriately utilize the rapidly growing amount of data and information is a big challenge for people and organizations. Standard information retrieval methods, using sequential processing combined with syntax-based indexing and access methods, have not been able to adequately handle this problem. We are currently investigating a different approach, based on a combination of massive parallel processing with case-based (memory-based) reasoning methods. Given the problems of purely syntax-based retrieval methods, we suggest ways of incorporating general domain knowledge into memory-based reasoning. Our approach is related to the properties of the parallel processing microchip MS160, particularly targeted at fast information retrieval from very large data sets. Within this framework different memory-based methods are studied, differing in the type and representation of cases, and in the way that the retrieval methods are supported by explicit general domain knowledge. Cases can be explicitly stored information retrieval episodes, virtually stored abstractions linked to document records, or merely the document records themselves. General domain knowledge can be a multi-relational semantic network, a set of term dependencies and relevances, or compiled into a global similarity metric. This paper presents the general framework, discusses the core issues involved, and describes three different methods illustrated by examples from the domain of medical diagnosis.     

Developing maintainable expert systems using case-based reasoning

Abstract: Maintainability problems associated with traditional software systems are exacerbated in rule-based systems. The very nature of that approach — separation of control knowledge and data-driven execution — hampers maintenance. While there are widely accepted techniques for maintaining conventional software, the same is not true for rule-based systems. In most situations, both a knowledge engineer and a domain expert are necessary to update the rules of a rule-based system. This paper presents, first, an overview of the software engineering techniques and object-oriented methods used in maintaining rule-based systems. It then discusses alternate paradigms for expert system development. The benefits of using case-based reasoning (from the maintenance point of view) are illustrated through the implementation of a case-based scheduler. The main value of the scheduler is that its knowledge base can be modified by the expert without the assistance of a knowledge engineer. Since changes in application requirements can be given directly to the system by the expert, the effort of maintaining the knowledge base is greatly reduced.     

Hybrid reasoning technique for improving context-aware applications

With the rapid adoption of GPS enabled smart phones and the fact that users are almost permanently connected to the Internet, an evolution is observed toward applications and services that adapt themselves using the user’s context, a.o. taking into account location information. To facilitate the development of such new intelligent applications, new enabling platforms are needed to collect, distribute, and exchange context information. An important aspect of such platforms is the derivation of new, high-level knowledge by combining different types of context information using reasoning techniques. In this paper, we present a new approach to derive context information by combining case-based and rule-based reasoning. Two use cases are detailed where both reasoners are used to derive extra useful information. For the desk sharing office use case, the combination of rule-based and case-based reasoning allows to automatically learn typical trajectories of a user and improve localization on such trajects with 42%. In both use cases, the hybrid approach is shown to provide a significant improvement.     

Overcoming rule-based rigidity and connectionist limitations through massively-parallel case-based reasoning

Symbol manipulation as used in traditional Artificial Intelligence has been criticized by neural net researchers for being excessively inflexible and sequential. On the other hand, the application of neural net techniques to the types of high-level cognitive processing studied in traditional artificial intelligence presents major problems as well. We claim that a promising way out of this impasse is to build neural net models that accomplish massively parallel case-based reasoning. Case-based reasoning, which has received much attention recently, is essentially the same as analogy-based reasoning, and avoids many of the problems leveled at traditional artificial intelligence. Further problems are avoided by doing many strands of case-based reasoning in parallel, and by implementing the whole system as a neural net. In addition, such a system provides an approach to some aspects of the problems of noise, uncertainty and novelty in reasoning systems. We are accordingly modifying our current neural net system (Conposit), which performs standard rule-based reasoning, into a massively parallel case-based reasoning version.     

基于知识支持的建筑施工质量控制系统研究

将知识管理的理念应用到施工质量控制中,加速施工质量控制中知识的循环过程,提高工程质量预测控制和事故诊断能力。通过湖北省建筑工程质量控制研究实践,开发了集建筑质量控制知识管理和决策支持功能于一体的施工质量控制和事故处理系统(CQIS),系统将正向规则推理和基于案例的推理(CBR)相结合,通过RBR接口调用RBR系统,提高案例推理质量诊断的能力,实现基于知识的综合推理功能。该系统已经获得科技成果鉴定和湖北省科技推广成果。     

铁路超限超重货物装载加固可拓实例推理方法

铁路超限超重货物具有长大、笨重和价值昂贵等特征,装载加固影响因素众多且无法完全量化表达,超限超重货物装载加固决策问题是一个半结构化问题,设计装载加固可拓实例推理技术对提升铁路超限超重货物安全装载水平和运输质量尤为重要。结合铁路超限超重货物特征及其装载加固决策要素,采用可拓基元与实例推理技术,构造超限超重货物装载加固实例推理基础数据与推理规则模块的可拓基元模型,分析装载加固可拓实例属性取值特征,给出局部与全局相似度计算公式,设计超限超重货物装载加固可拓实例推理算法,确定待解实例的解。实例运用表明所给出的可拓实例推理方法可制定出合理安全的装载加固方案,切实有效解决铁路超限超重货物装载加固决策问题。     

Case-based reasoning is a methodology not a technology

This paper asks whether case-based reasoning is an artificial intelligence (AI) technology like rule-based reasoning, neural networks or genetic algorithms or whether it is better described as a methodology for problem solving, that may use any appropriate technology. By describing four applications of case-based reasoning (CBR), that variously use: nearest neighbour, induction, fuzzy logic and SQL, the author shows that CBR is a methodology and not a technology. The implications of this are discussed.     

Case-based reasoning for intelligent support of construction negotiation

Negotiation and conflict resolution are major ill-structured and complex problems in construction. Due to the uncertain and changing nature of the processes, it is important for negotiators to have access to previous records, to communicate effectively with each other, and to have an agent acting as the mediator when deadlocks occur. This paper presents a computer model which employs case-based reasoning (CBR) to provide intelligent support to construction negotiations. This model has been implemented in the MEDIATOR, a computer program that utilises previous cases as a basis for addressing new problems. In contrast to conventional expert systems (ESs) that use compiled knowledge in problem solving, the system selects similar cases to help in solving a given negotiation problem. The selected case is then modified and adapted to generate proposals that should move people towards a settlement.     

Incorporating domain-specific knowledge into a genetic algorithm to implement case-based reasoning adaptation

In case-based reasoning systems the adaptation phase is a notoriously difficult and complex step. The design and implementation of an effective case adaptation algorithm is generally determined by the type of application which decides the nature and the structure of the knowledge to be implemented within the adaptation module, and the level of user involvement during this phase. A new adaptation approach is presented in this paper which uses a modified genetic algorithm incorporating specific domain knowledge and information provided by the retrieved cases. The approach has been developed for a CBR system (CBEM) supporting the use and design of numerical models for estuaries. The adaptation module finds the values of hundreds of parameters for a selected numerical model retrieved from the case-base that is to be used in a new problem context. Without the need of implementing very specific adaptation rules, the proposed approach resolves the problem of acquiring adaptation knowledge by combining the search power of a genetic algorithm with the guidance provided by domain-specific knowledge. The genetic algorithm consists of a modifying version of the classical genetic operations of initialisation, selection, crossover and mutation designed to incorporate practical but general principles of model calibration without reference to any specific problems. The genetic algorithm focuses the search within the parameters' space on those zones that most likely contain the required solutions thus reducing computational time. In addition, the design of the genetic algorithm-based adaptation routine ensures that the parameter values found are suitable for the model approximation and hypotheses, and complies with the problem domain features providing correct and realistic model outputs. This adaptation method is suitable for case-based reasoning systems dealing with numerical modelling applications that require the substitution of a large number of parameter values.     

Experience,introspection and expertise: Learning to refine the case-based reasoning process

The case-based reasoning paradigm models how reuse of stored experiences contributes to expertise. In a case-based problem-solver, new problems are solved by retrieving stored information about previous problem-solving episodes and adapting it to suggest solutions to the new problems. The results are then themselves added to the reasoner's memory in new cases for future use. Despite this emphasis on learning from experience, however, experience generally plays a minimal role in models of how the case-based reasoning process is itself performed. Case-based reasoning systems generally do not refine the methods they use to retrieve or adapt prior cases, instead relying on static pre-defined procedures. The thesis of this article is that learning from experience can play a key role in building expertise by refining the case-based reasoning process itself. To support that view and to illustrate the practicality of learning to refine case-based reasoning, this article presents ongoing research into using introspective reasoning about the case-based reasoning process to increase expertise at retrieving and adapting stored cases.     

Learning fuzzy rules for similarity assessment in case-based reasoning

Fundamental to case-based reasoning is the assumption that similar problems have similar solutions. The meaning of the concept of “similarity” can vary in different situations and remains an issue. This paper proposes a novel similarity model consisting of fuzzy rules to represent the semantics and evaluation criteria for similarity. We believe that fuzzy if-then rules present a more powerful and flexible means to capture domain knowledge for utility oriented similarity modeling than traditional similarity measures based on feature weighting. Fuzzy rule-based reasoning is utilized as a case matching mechanism to determine whether and to which extent a known case in the case library is similar to a given problem in query. Further, we explain that such fuzzy rules for similarity assessment can be learned from the case library using genetic algorithms. The key to this is pair-wise comparisons of cases with known solutions in the case library such that sufficient training samples can be derived for genetic-based fuzzy rule learning. The evaluations conducted have shown the superiority of the proposed method in similarity modeling over traditional schemes as well as the feasibility of learning fuzzy similarity rules from a rather small case base while still yielding competent system performance.     

Automated sleep stage scoring using hybrid rule- and case-based reasoning.

We propose an automated method for sleep stage scoring using hybrid rule- and case-based reasoning. The system first performs rule-based sleep stage scoring, according to the Rechtschaffen and Kale's sleep-scoring rule (1968), and then supplements the scoring with case-based reasoning. This method comprises signal processing unit, rule-based scoring unit, and case-based scoring unit. We applied this methodology to three recordings of normal sleep and three recordings of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Average agreement rate in normal recordings was 87.5% and case-based scoring enhanced the agreement rate by 5.6%. This architecture showed several advantages over the other analytical approaches in sleep scoring: high performance on sleep disordered recordings, the explanation facility, and the learning ability. The results suggest that combination of rule-based reasoning and case-based reasoning is promising for an automated sleep scoring and it is also considered to be a good model of the cognitive scoring process.     

An introduction to case-based reasoning

Case-based reasoning means using old experiences to understand and solve new problems. In case-based reasoning, a reasoner remembers a previous situation similar to the current one and uses that to solve the new problem. Case-based reasoning can mean adapting old solutions to meet new demands; using old cases to explain new situations; using old cases to critique new solutions; or reasoning from precedents to interpret a new situation (much like lawyers do) or create an equitable solution to a new problem (much like labor mediators do). This paper discusses the processes involved in case-based reasoning and the tasks for which case-based reasoning is useful.This article is excerpted from Case-Based Reasoning by Janet Kolodner, to be published by Morgan-Kaufmann Publishers, Inc. in 1992.This work was partially funded by darpa under Contract No. F49620-88-C-0058 monitored by AFOSR, by NSF under Grant No. IST-8608362, and by ARI under Contract No. MDA-903-86-C-173.     

Introducing attribute risk for retrieval in case-based reasoning

One of the major assumptions in case-based reasoning is that similar experiences can guide future reasoning, problem solving and learning. This assumption shows the importance of the method used for choosing the most suitable case, especially when dealing with the class of problems in which risk, is relevant concept to the case retrieval process. This paper argues that traditional similarity assessment methods are not sufficient to obtain the best case; an additional step with new information must be performed necessary, after applying similarity measures in the retrieval stage. When a case is recovered from the case base, one must take into account not only the specific value of the attribute but also whether the case solution is suitable for solving the problem, depending on the risk produced in the final decision. We introduce this risk, as new information through a new concept called risk information that is entirely different from the weight of the attributes. Our article presents this concept locally and measures it for each attribute independently.     

Adaptive case-based reasoning using retention and forgetting strategies

Case-based reasoning systems need to maintain their case base in order to avoid performance degradation. Degradation mainly results from memory swamping or exposure to harmful experiences and so, it becomes vital to keep a compact, competent case base. This paper proposes an adaptive case-based reasoning model that develops the case base during the reasoning cycle by adding and removing cases. The rationale behind this approach is that a case base should develop over time in the same way that a human being evolves her overall knowledge: by incorporating new useful experiences and forgetting invaluable ones. Accordingly, our adaptive case-based reasoning model evolves the case base by using a measure of “case goodness” in different retention and forgetting strategies. This paper presents empirical studies of how the combination of this new goodness measure and our adaptive model improves three different performance measures: classification accuracy, efficiency and case base size.