AUTHORS: A. El Ganadi, R. A. Vigliermo, L. Sala, M. Vanzini, F. Ruozzi, F. Ruozzi, S. Bergamaschi

URL: https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3536/03_paper.pdf

Work Package : WP5

Keywords: Libraries and Archives in CH, Digital Libraries and Religious Archives, ChatGPT, Islamic studies, Arabic script languages, Islamic knowledge classification, Islamic subjects

Abstract
This research evaluates the capabilities of ChatGPT in assisting with the categorization of an Islamic digital library exploiting incremental Machine Learning and Transfer Learning techniques. Noticeably, ChatGPT showcased a remarkable familiarity with Islamic knowledge, evident in its ability to classify subjects hierarchically based on their importance, from Qur’anic Studies to Modern Islamic Thought. The library aimed to cater to a diverse Arabic Islamic audience with collections sourced from varied digital donations. Despite ChatGPT’s commendable proficiency, challenges arose. In light of ChatGPT’s significant performance, several challenges arose, with interpretability, generalization, and the hallucination issue standing out as the most critical obstacles.

AUTHORS: S. Bergamaschi, R. Martoglia, F. Ruozzi, R. A. Vigliermo, L. Sala, M. Vanzini

URL: https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3365/short11.pdf

Work Package : WP5

Keywords: Cultural heritages, Non-Latin alphabets, Knowledge extraction, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Big data management, Long-term preservation, Big data integration, Named Entity Recognition

Abstract
The services provided by today’s cutting-edge digital library systems may benefit from new technologies that can improve cataloguing efficiency and cultural heritages preservation and accessibility. Below, we introduce the recently started Digital Maktaba (DM) project, which suggests a new model for the knowledge extraction and semi-automatic cataloguing task in the context of digital libraries that contain documents in non-Latin scripts (e.g. Arabic). Since DM involves a large amount of unorganized data from several sources, particular emphasis will be placed on topics such as big data integration, big data analysis and long-term preservation. This project aims to create an innovative workflow for the automatic extraction of information and metadata and for a semi-automated cataloguing process by exploiting Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Intelligence and data management techniques to provide a system that is capable of speeding up, enhancing and supporting the librarian’s work. We also report on some promising results that we obtained through a preliminary proof of concept experimentation. (Short paper, discussion paper)

AUTHORS: L. Sala

URL: https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3478/paper17.pdf

Work Package : WP5

Keywords: Data Integration, Cross-Language Record Linkage, Knowledge Extraction, Long-term Preservation

Abstract
Digital Humanities (DH) is an interdisciplinary field that has grown rapidly in recent years, requiring the creation of an efficient and uniform platform capable of managing various types of data in several languages. This paper presents the research objectives and methodologies of my PhD project: the creation of a novel framework for Knowledge Extraction and Multilingual Data Integration in the context of digital libraries in non-Latin languages, in particular Arabic, Persian and Azerbaijani. The research began with the Digital Maktaba (DM) project and continued within the PNRR ITSERR infrastructure, in which the DBGroup1 participates. The project aims to develop a two-component framework consisting of a Knowledge Extraction Subsystem and a Data Integration Subsystem. The case study is based on the DM project, which seeks to create a flexible and efficient digital library for preserving and analyzing multicultural heritage documents by exploiting the available and ad-hoc created datasets, Explainable Machine Learning , Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies and Data Integration approaches. Key challenges and future developments in Knowledge Extraction and Data Integration are examined, which involve leveraging the MOMIS system for Data Integration tasks and adopting a microservices-based architecture for the effective implementation of the system. The goal is to provide a versatile platform for organizing and integrating various data sources and languages, thereby fostering a more inclusive and accessible global perspective on cultural and historical artefacts that encourage collaboration in building an expanding knowledge base.

AUTHORS: L. Sala, R. Martoglia, M. Vanzini, R. A. Vigliermo

URL: https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3234/paper1.pdf

Work Package : WP5

Keywords: Cultural heritage, Digital Library, Islamic sciences, Arabic script OCR, Information extraction, Output alignment, Page layout analysis, Semiautomatic cataloguing, Software tool usage demo.

Abstract
Digital Maktaba (DM) is an interdisciplinary project to create a digital library of texts in non-Latin
alphabets (Arabic, Persian, Azerbaijani). The dataset is made available by the digital library heritage
of the ”La Pira” library in the history and doctrines of Islam based in Palermo, which is the hub of the
Foundation for Religious Sciences (FSCIRE, Bologna). Establishing protocols for the creation, maintenance
and cataloguing of historical content in non-Latin alphabets is the long-term goal of DM. The first step of
this project was to create an innovative workflow for automatic extraction of information and metadata
from title pages of Arabic script texts. The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool uses various
recognition systems, text processing techniques and corpora in order to provide accurate extraction and
metadata of document content. In this paper we address the ongoing development of this novel tool
and, for the first time, we present a demo of the current version that we have designed for the extraction
and cataloguing process by showing a use case on an Arabic book frontispiece. In particular, we delve
into the details of the tool workflow for automatically converting and uploading PDFs from the digital
library, for the automatic extraction of cataloguing metadata and the semiautomatic (at the current stage)
process of cataloguing. We also shortly discuss future prospects and the many additional features that
we are planning to develop.

AUTHORS: S. Bergamaschi, R. Martoglia, F. Ruozzi, R. A. Vigliermo, L. Sala, M. Vanzini

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/11/3995

Work Package : WP5

Keywords: digital libraries; minority languages; humanistic informatics; computer archiving; intercultural communication

Abstract
The linguistic and social impact of multiculturalism can no longer be neglected in any sector, creating the urgent need of creating systems and procedures for managing and sharing cultural heritages in both supranational and multi-literate contexts. In order to achieve this goal, text sensing appears to be one of the most crucial research areas. The long-term objective of the DigitalMaktaba project, born from interdisciplinary collaboration between computer scientists, historians, librarians, engineers and linguists, is to establish procedures for the creation, management and cataloguing of archival heritage in non-Latin alphabets. In this paper, we discuss the currently ongoing design of an innovative workflow and tool in the area of text sensing, for the automatic extraction of knowledge and cataloguing of documents written in non-Latin languages (Arabic, Persian and Azerbaijani). The current prototype leverages different OCR, text processing and information extraction techniques in order to provide both a highly accurate extracted text and rich metadata content (including automatically identified cataloguing metadata), overcoming typical limitations of current state of the art approaches. The initial tests provide promising results. The paper includes a discussion of future steps (e.g., AI-based techniques further leveraging the extracted data/metadata and making the system learn from user feedback) and of the many foreseen advantages of this research, both from a technical and a broader cultural-preservation and sharing point of view.

AUTHORS: Filippo DIARA

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/6/9/317

Work Package: WP 9 – Taurus

Abstract
This paper deals with a metrological and qualitative evaluation of the Artec 3D structured-light scanners: Micro and Space Spider. As part of a larger European project called ITSERR, these scanners are tested to reconstruct small archaeological artefacts, in particular cuneiform tablets with different dimensions. For this reason, Micro and Space Spider are compared in terms of the entire workflow, from preparatory work to post-processing. In this context, three cuneiform replica tablets will serve as examples on which the Artec scanners will have to prove their worth. Metric analyses based on distance maps, RMSe calculations and density analyses will be carried out to understand metrological differences between these tools. The creation of 3D models of cuneiform tablets is the first step in developing a virtual environment suitable for sharing the archaeological collection with collaborators and other users. The inclusion of semantic information through specific ontologies will be the next step in this important project.

AUTHORS: S. Bergamaschi, R. Martoglia, F. Ruozzi, R. A. Vigliermo, L. Sala, M. Vanzini

URL: https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3462203.3475927

Abstract
Managing and sharing cultural heritages also in supranational and multi-literate contexts is a very hot research topic. In this paper we discuss the research we are conducting in the DigitalMaktaba project, presenting the first steps for designing an innovative workflow and tool for the automatic extraction of knowledge from documents written in multiple non-Latin languages (Arabic, Persian and Azerbaijani languages). The tool leverages different OCR, text processing techniques and linguistic corpora in order to provide both a highly accurate extracted text and a rich metadata content, overcoming typical limitations of current state-of-the-art systems; this will enable in the near future the development of an automatic cataloguer which we hope will ultimately help in better preserving and conserving culture in such a demanding scenario.