Towards conflictual narrative mechanics

We propose a five steps methodology to retrieve, reconstruct and analyse conflict related narratives in a standardized and automated way. Our methodology combines AI and network analysis techniques to build a visual representation of key agents and entities involved in a conflict and to characterize their relations. Unlike the majority of existing methods, ours can be applied to any type of conflict, as, through two data downloading phases, it first generates a bird’s-eye representation and then a fine-grained map of any conflict. Given the broad applicability of the proposed methodology, we believe that this work moves the first steps towards a better understanding of conflictual narrative mechanics

Narrativizing Knowledge Graphs

Any natural language expression of a set of facts - that can be represented as a knowledge graph - will more or less overtly assume a specific perspective on these facts. In this paper we see the conversion of a given knowledge graph into natural language as the construction of a narrative about the assertions made by the knowledge graph. We, therefore, propose a specific pipeline that can be applied to produce linguistic narratives from knowledge graphs using an ontological layer and corresponding rules that turn a knowledge graph into a semantic specification for natural language generation. Critically, narratives are seen as necessarily committing to specific perspectives taken on the facts presented. We show how this most commonly neglected facet of producing summaries of facts can be brought under control

A multiplex approach of MS, 1D-, and 2D-NMR metabolomicsin plant ontogeny A case study on Clusia minor L. organs (leaf, flower, fruit, and seed)

Introduction The genus Clusia L. is mostly recognised for the production of prenylated benzophenones and tocotrienol derivatives. Objectives The objective of this study was to map metabolome variation within Clusia minor organs at different developmental stages. Material and Methods In total 15 organs/stages (leaf, flower, fruit, and seed) were analysed by UPLC-MS and 1H- and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC)-NMR-based metabolomics. Results This work led to the assignment of 46 metabolites, belonging to organic acids(1), sugars(2) phenolic acids(1), flavonoids(3) prenylated xanthones(1) benzophenones(4) and tocotrienols(2). Multivariate data analyses explained the variability and classification of samples, highlighting chemical markers that discriminate each organ/stage. Leaves were found to be rich in 5-hydroxy-8-methyltocotrienol (8.5 μg/mg f.w.), while flowers were abundant in the polyprenylated benzophenone nemorosone with maximum level detected in the fully mature flower bud (43 μg/mg f.w.). Nemorosone and 5-hydroxy tocotrienoloic acid were isolated from FL6 for full structural characterisation. This is the first report of the NMR assignments of 5-hydroxy tocotrienoloic acid, and its maximum level was detected in the mature fruit at 50 μg/mg f.w. Seeds as typical storage organ were rich in sugars and omega-6 fatty acids. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a comparative 1D-/2D-NMR approach to assess compositional differences in ontogeny studies compared with LC-MS exemplified by Clusia organs. Results derived from this study provide better understanding of the stages at which maximal production of natural compounds occur and elucidate in which developmental stages the enzymes responsible for the production of such metabolites are preferentially expressed

An Ontological Model of User Preferences

The notion of preferences plays an important role in many disciplines including service robotics which is concerned with scenarios in which robots interact with humans. These interactions can be favored by robots taking human preferences into account. This raises the issue of how preferences should be represented to support such preference-aware decision making. Several formal accounts for a notion of preferences exist. However, these approaches fall short on defining the nature and structure of the options that a robot has in a given situation. In this work, we thus investigate a formal model of preferences where options are non-atomic entities that are defined by the complex situations they bring about

Isolation of bis-indole alkaloids with antileishmanial and antibacterial activities from Peschiera van heurkii (syn. Tabernaemontana van heurkii)

Des extraits de feuilles et d'écorces de tiges de #Peschiera van heurkii (Muell. Arg.) L. Allorge, (Syn. #Tabernaemontana van heurkii Muell. Arg.) ont montré une activité antileishmanienne et antibactérienne significative. Les activités étaient concentrées dans les fractions alcaloïdiques, desquelles ont été isolés et identifiés 20 alcaloïdes indoliques et bis-indoliques. La plus forte activité leishmanicide et antibactérienne fut observée avec les alcaloïdes dimères conodurine (1), N-démethyle - conodurine (=gabunine) et conoduramine. Les deux premiers composés se sont avérés faiblement toxiques vis-à-vis des cellules hôtes les macrophages, tout en présentant une forte toxicité pour les formes intracellulaires du parasite. #In vitro$, l'alcaloïde (1) s'est avéré moins actif que le médicament de référence, le glucantime (=N-methylglucamine antimonate). (Résumé d'auteur