Past, present and future of information and knowledge sharing in the construction industry: Towards semantic service-based e-construction

The paper reviews product data technology initiatives in the construction sector and provides a synthesis of related ICT industry needs. A comparison between (a) the data centric characteristics of Product Data Technology (PDT) and (b) ontology with a focus on semantics, is given, highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. The paper advocates the migration from data-centric application integration to ontology-based business process support, and proposes inter-enterprise collaboration architectures and frameworks based on semantic services, underpinned by ontology-based knowledge structures. The paper discusses the main reasons behind the low industry take up of product data technology, and proposes a preliminary roadmap for the wide industry diffusion of the proposed approach. In this respect, the paper stresses the value of adopting alliance-based modes of operation

The state of adoption and the challenges of systematic variability management in industry

Handling large-scale software variability is still a challenge for many organizations. After decades of research on variability management concepts, many industrial organizations have introduced techniques known from research, but still lament that pure textbook approaches are not applicable or efficient. For instance, software product line engineering—an approach to systematically develop portfolios of products—is difficult to adopt given the high upfront investments; and even when adopted, organizations are challenged by evolving their complex product lines. Consequently, the research community now mainly focuses on re-engineering and evolution techniques for product lines; yet, understanding the current state of adoption and the industrial challenges for organizations is necessary to conceive effective techniques. In this multiple-case study, we analyze the current adoption of variability management techniques in twelve medium- to large-scale industrial cases in domains such as automotive, aerospace or railway systems. We identify the current state of variability management, emphasizing the techniques and concepts they adopted. We elicit the needs and challenges expressed for these cases, triangulated with results from a literature review. We believe our results help to understand the current state of adoption and shed light on gaps to address in industrial practice.This work is supported by Vinnova Sweden, Fond Unique Interminist´eriel (FUI) France, and the Swedish Research Council. Open access funding provided by University of Gothenbur

Mathematical modelling in cellular biology through compartmentalisation and conservation laws

The aim of this thesis focuses on addressing several open questions in cell biology by using different mathematical approaches and numerical analysis methods to study the evolution of distinct protein families in various cellular phenomena, such as cell polarisation and cytoskeleton remodelling. Our approaches are based on conservation laws and compartmentalisation of proteins within appropriate geometrical subdomains representing different cellular structures, such as the cell membrane and cytosol. The Rho GTPase are proteins responsible of coordinating the cell polarisation response, which is a biological process involving a huge number of different proteins and intricate networks of biochemical reactions. Rho GTPases localise their activity in specific cell regions where they interact with the cell cytoskeleton. Reducing the biological assumptions to a minimal level of complexity, we will present a simple qualitative model for cell polarisation in which proteins cycle between cell membrane and cytosol in an active and inactive form. This is described through a bulk-surface system of two reaction-diffusion equations coupled by the boundary condition. The model supports pattern formation and we will confirm this claim by using both mathematical analysis and simulations. The bulk-surface finite element method is presented and used to solve the model on different geometries. Secondly, we will present a mathematical model for keratin intermediate filament dynamics in resting cells. This model, characterised by a quantitative approach, is a datadriven extension of a pre-existing model, initially introduced by Portet et al. (PlosONE, 2015). We will discuss the new assumptions and modelling ideas, and compare the solution of our model to the experimental data. Part of the biological impact of our model relies in its ability to estimate the amount of assembled and disassembled keratin material as a function of space and time, consistent with the biological model proposed by Windoffer et al. (Journal of Cell Biology, 2011). In the last part we will introduce a second mathematical model for keratin spatiotemporal dynamics in non-resting cells. In this case, the model is derived on two- and three-dimensional geometries and accounts for a more detailed description of the processes involved in the keratin cytoskeleton remodelling process. The evolution of three different forms of keratin is modelled by a system composed of one reaction-diffusion equation and two reaction-advection-diffusion equations. Keratin kinetics are also described by the boundary conditions, which are posed both at the cell membrane and at the nuclear envelope. In solving the model, we will use the Streamline Upwind Petrov Galerkin method, as described in the text. In conclusion, in view of a future estimation of biologically relevant parameters, a simulation is presented, showing consistency of our mathematical model with the biological model proposed by Windoffer et al. (Journal of Cell Biology, 2011). In summary, this thesis presents methods and techniques for data-driven modelling supported by rigorous mathematical analysis and novel numerical methods and simulations. Our approach involving the use of quantitative methods serves as a blue-print for how to study the synergy interplay between mathematics and its applications to experimental sciences

Modeling ontology views: An abstract view model for semantic web

The emergence of Semantic Web (SW) and the related technologies promise to make the web a meaningful experience. However, high level modelling, design and querying techniques proves to be a challenging task for organizations that are hoping to utilize the SW paradigm for their industrial applications. To address one such issue, in this paper, we propose an abstract view model with conceptual extensions for the SW. First we outline the view model, its properties and some modelling issues with the help of an industrial case study example. Then, we provide some discussions on constructing such views (at the conceptual level) using a set of operators. Later we provide a brief discussion on how such this view model can utilized in the MOVE [1] system, to design and construct materialized Ontology views to support Ontology extraction

A numerical approach to studying cell dynamics

The focus of this thesis is to propose and implement a highly efficient numerical method to study cell dynamics. Three key phases are covered: mathematical modelling, linear stability analytical theory and numerical simulations using the moving grid finite element method. This aim is to study cell deformation and cell movement by considering both the mechanical and biochemical properties of the cortical network of actin filaments and its concentration. These deformations are assumed to be a result of the cortical actin dynamics through its interaction with a protein known as myosin II in the cell cytoskeleton. The mathematical model that we consider is a continuum model that couples the mechanics of the network of actin filaments with its bio-chemical dynamics. Numerical treatment of the model is carried out using the moving grid finite element method. By assuming slow deformations of the cell boundary, we verify the numerical simulation results using linear stability theory close to bifurcation points. Far from bifurcation points, we show that the model is able to describe the deformation of cells as a function of the contractile tonicity of the complex formed by the association of actin filaments with the myosin II motor proteins. Our results show complex cell deformations and cell movements such as cell expansion, contraction, translation and protrusions in accordance with experimental observations. The migratory behaviour of cells plays a crucial role in many biological events such as immune response, wound healing, development of tissues, embryogenesis, inflammation and the formation of tumours