Collaborative Semantic Authoring

In the context of the semantic Web, notions of collaboration, interoperability, and reuse are intrinsically interrelated: interoperability implies reuse, which in turn is a form of collaboration. If we adopt this viewpoint, the semantic Web becomes essentially a medium for knowledge exchange, in which the knowledge produced by one agent is consumed by another agent, possibly to create new knowledge. A collaboration-centric perspective on the semantic Web introduces both challenges and interesting research directions. Clearly, it's no longer desirable that the process of authoring semantic content necessarily take place in a room full of experts and ontologists. Indeed, as we move from classic Web 2.0 technologies to scenarios in which semantic content is created, our technologies need to change so that it becomes possible to create and exchange knowledge transparently, in accordance with the medium's openness and the knowledge producers' various goals and skill levels. In this article, we examine three modalities for collaborative semantic authoring based on selecting and reusing external, open semantic resources. These three ways of creating semantic content correspond to three levels of interaction between the user and the created resources. We illustrate each level by describing a tool we designed in the context of our research on semantic Web applications at the Knowledge Media Institute.     

Validation of Analytical Multiparameter Homogenization Models for Out-of-Plane Loaded Masonry Walls by Means of the Finite Element Method

The linear elastic analysis of in-plane and out-of-plane loaded masonry walls is still significant under service loads and is required by codes of practice, therefore the knowledge of the homogenized mechanical properties of masonry is of relevant interest. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problem of the out-of-plane loaded masonry walls in detail and to assess the accuracy and reliability of different homogenization approaches presented in the technical literature, with particular interest in recent explicit formulas obtained through an asymptotic model (as reported by Cecchi and Sab in 2002). Several meaningful comparisons are presented for different types of new and historical masonry structures currently employed in Italy. The validation of the analytical models is carried out by means of a three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) out-of-plane homogenization. A final structural comparison among analytical models, FE out-of-plane homogenization, and a computationally expensive heterogeneous 3D FE model is discussed for a simply supported square panel laterally loaded.     

Abstract reduction in directed model checking CCS processes

Model checking tools face a combinatorial blow up of the state-space (commonly known as the state explosion problem) that must be addressed to formally verify concurrent systems. We propose an approach combining abstraction techniques and heuristic search to overcome the problem above. In particular, heuristic search can avoid the bottleneck of the exhaustive exploration of the global state graph of a system, while retaining the advantages of abstraction techniques.     

Water soluble trehalose-derived oligoamides

A new family of oligotrehaluronamides was synthesized through the polycondensation of α,α-trehaluronic acid dimethyl ester and different diamines or polyamines. In particular, diamines with different molecular structure (1,n-alkylene diamines, aromatic diamine, and alkyleneoxydiamine) were used in order to modulate the molecular weights and the physical characteristics of the products, such as T_g, hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, and solubility. α,α-Trehaluronic acid was obtained from a renewable source as α,α-trehalose. The syntheses of oligotrehaluronamides were carried out in different solvents such as ethanol, methanol, THF and DMSO, using triethylamine as catalyst. All the compounds obtained in this study were characterized through FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights were evaluated by ¹H-NMR and in some cases compared with those obtained from ESI-MS spectrometry. Glass transition temperatures and melting points were detected by differential scanning calorimetry. Low molecular weight oligoamides, containing several hydroxyl groups, are water-soluble and could be used in water-based formulations.     

A new hydroxyapatite-based biocomposite for bone replacement

Since the 1970s, various types of ceramic, glass and glass–ceramic materials have been proposed and used to replace damaged bone in many clinical applications. Among them, hydroxyapatite (HA) has been successfully employed thanks to its excellent biocompatibility. On the other hand, the bioactivity of HA and its reactivity with bone can be improved through the addition of proper amounts of bioactive glasses, thus obtaining HA-based composites. Unfortunately, high temperature treatments (1200 °C ÷ 1300 °C) are usually required in order to sinter these systems, causing the bioactive glass to crystallize into a glass–ceramic and hence inhibiting the bioactivity of the resulting composite. In the present study novel HA-based composites are realized and discussed. The samples can be sintered at a relatively low temperature (800 °C), thanks to the employment of a new glass (BG_Ca) with a reduced tendency to crystallize compared to the widely used 45S5 Bioglass®. The rich glassy phase, which can be preserved during the thermal treatment, has excellent effects in terms of in vitro bioactivity; moreover, compared to composites based on 45S5 Bioglass® having the same HA/glass proportions, the samples based on BG_Ca displayed an earlier response in terms of cell proliferation.     

Evaluation of 4-(4-Fluorobenzyl)piperazin-1-yl]-Based Compounds as Competitive Tyrosinase Inhibitors Endowed with Antimelanogenic Effects

There is a considerable attention for the development of inhibitors of tyrosinase (TYR) as therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders in humans. Continuing in our efforts to identify TYR inhibitors, we describe the design, synthesis and pharmacophore exploration of new small molecules structurally characterized by the presence of the 4-fluorobenzylpiperazine moiety as key pharmacophoric feature for the inhibition of TYR from Agaricus bisporus (AbTYR). Our investigations resulted in the discovery of the competitive inhibitor [4-(4-fluorobenzyl)piperazin-1-yl]-(3-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)methanone 26 (IC₅₀=0.18 μM) that proved to be ∼100-fold more active than reference compound kojic acid (IC₅₀=17.76 μM). Notably, compound 26 exerted antimelanogenic effect on B16F10 cells in absence of cytotoxicity. Docking analysis suggested its binding mode into AbTYR and into modelled human TYR.     

Coupling Interrupted Fischer and Multicomponent Joullié-Ugi to Chase Chemical Diversity: from Batch to Sustainable Flow Synthesis of Peptidomimetics

The generation of peptidomimetic substructures for medicinal chemistry purposes requires effective and divergent synthetic methods. We present in this work an efficient flow process that allows quick modulation of reagents for Joullié-Ugi multicomponent reaction, using spiroindolenines as core motifs. This sterically hindered imine equivalent could successfully be diversified using various isocyanides and amino acids in generally good space-time yields. A telescoped flow process combining interrupted Fischer reaction for spiroindolenine synthesis and subsequent Joullié-Ugi-type modification resulted in product formation in very good overall yield in less than 2 hours compared to 48 hours required in batch mode. The developed protocol can be seen as a general tool for rapid and facile generation of peptidomimetic compounds. We also showcase preliminary biological assessments for the prepared compounds.     

Application of a multicriteria methodology for evaluation of energy alternatives for hydrogen production for the automotive sector – Case study

This paper presents a case study focusing on fourteen most used energy alternatives in Brazil, possible to feed large scale hydrogen production plants for the automotive sector. The evaluations are made using a Decision Making Support Method, MACBETH - Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique, with the computational code M-MACBETH 3.2.0, using criteria that include economic and financial, technological, environmental and social aspects. The selected criteria that were used in the assessment, for each of the energy alternatives are capital to be invested in a plant, leveled cost of electric energy produced, CO₂ emissions, mortality rate due to the technology use and energy efficiency of technology. The main results obtained showed that photovoltaics off grid electric energy is the most attractive alternative, followed by the photovoltaic on grid alternative, for an eventual automotive hydrogen program in Brazil.