Reasoning in the OWL 2 Full Ontology Language using First-Order Automated Theorem Proving

OWL 2 has been standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as a family of ontology languages for the Semantic Web. The most expressive of these languages is OWL 2 Full, but to date no reasoner has been implemented for this language. Consistency and entailment checking are known to be undecidable for OWL 2 Full. We have translated a large fragment of the OWL 2 Full semantics into first-order logic, and used automated theorem proving systems to do reasoning based on this theory. The results are promising, and indicate that this approach can be applied in practice for effective OWL reasoning, beyond the capabilities of current Semantic Web reasoners. This is an extended version of a paper with the same title that has been published at CADE 2011, LNAI 6803, pp. 446-460. The extended version provides appendices with additional resources that were used in the reported evaluation

Prescottia equi gen. nov., comb. nov.: a new home for an old pathogen

The taxonomic status of Rhodococcus equi, originally isolated from foal specimens, has been the subject of discussion for a number of years. The chequered history of the taxon has prompted this polyphasic analysis of R. equi strains, close members of the genus Rhodococcus and representatives of other genera classified in the order Corynebacteriales, to establish the taxonomic position of this taxon. Thirty one R. equi strains, including the type strain, were examined for genotypic and numerical taxonomic properties. The resultant data are consistent with their classification in the order Corynebacteriales but the R. equi strains formed a distinct phyletic clade away from representatives of other members of the genus Rhodococcus in the 16S rRNA gene tree. Representatives of this clade shared their highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strain of Rhodococcus kunmingensis (95.2–98.1 %). However, the R. equi taxon was readily distinguished from R. kunmingensis and from the other members of the order Corynebacteriales using a combination of genotypic, chemotypic and phenotypic properties. On the basis of these data the R. equi strains are considered to represent a new genus. The name proposed for this taxon is Prescottia gen. nov., with Prescottia equi comb. nov. as the type species containing the type strain, C 7T (= ATCC 25729T = ATCC 6939T = CCUG 892T = CIP 54.72T = DSM 20307T = HAMBI 2061T = NBRC 14956T = JCM 1311T = JCM 3209T = LMG 18452T = NBRC 101255T = NCTC 1621T = NRRL B-16538T = VKM Ac-953T)

Synthetic and Structural Studies on Natural Coumarins

In the first part of the thesis, synthetic approaches to a number of natural coumarins are described. Oxidative cyclisation reactions of the prenylated phenolic coumarins osthenol and 7-demethylsuberosin are discussed. It has been found that, by varying the reaction conditions, cyclisation con be specifically directed to give either furanocoumarins or pyranocoumarins. In particular, the natural coumarins (+/-)-marmesin, (+/-)-columbianstin, (+/-)-decursinol and (+/-)-Iomatin have each been synthesised in high yield. The regioselective dehydration of (+/-)-columbianetin to give the naturally occurring isopropenyldihydrofurano-coumarin, masquin, has been investigated. Conditions for the regioselective dehydration of the linear hydroxyiso-propyldihydrofuranocoumarin, (+/-)-marmesin, to the previously unknown isopropenyldihydrofuranocoumarin have been determined. The corresponding reaction with the angular hydroxy-isopropyldihydrofuranocoumarin, (+/-)-columbianatin, has given synthetic (+/-)-masquin, which could not be separated from the isomeric isopropylfurocoumarin. Selenium dioxide oxidation of osthenol acetate has been shown to result in exclusive oxidation of the allylic methyl group. In the second section of the thesis, chemical evidence is presented which unequivocally establishes the structure of tomentin, the major aglycone of the wood of Prunus tomentosa, as 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxycoumarin. Attempts were made to introduce a 1,1-dimethylalIyl group at C-8 of tomentin with a view to obtaining a direct correlation with nieshoutol, the sternutatory constituent of Ptaeroxylon obliquum. The key synthetic precursor, O-1,1-dimethyl-allyltomentin, was found to undergo a novel charge-induoed ortho-Claisen rearrangement, at R. T., specifically to C-6. This blocked ortho-dienone failed to undergo a para-Claisen rearrangement on heating, while on reduction followed by aromatisation, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin was obtained. The complex mixture resulting from 1,1-dimethylpropargylation of tomentin has been separated and structures assigned to all of the principle components. The structures of two novel, isomeric, blocked ortho-dienones, each containing an alpha-3,3-dimethylallenyl group, have been rigorously secured on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and the reduction and aromatisation of one of them to the known natural coumarin, alloxanthoxyletin

Visualizing Abolition: Two Graphic Novels and a Critical Approach to Mass Incarceration for the Composition Classroom

This article outlines two graphic novels and an accompanying activity designed to unpack complicated intersections between racism, poverty, and (d)evolving criminal-legal policy. Over 2 million adults are held in U.S. prison facilities, and several million more are under custodial supervision, and it has become clearly unsustainable. In the last decade, there has been a shift in media conversations about criminality, yet only a few suggest decreasing our reliance upon incarceration. In meaningfully different ways, the two novels trace the development of incarceration from its roots in slavery to its contemporary anti-democratic iteration and offer an underpublicized alternative. Critical and community engagement pedagogies mobilize classrooms as exigencies of change. The use of illustrations alongside narration in both texts and this activity allow activist-scholars, both those who contributed to the texts and those in our classrooms, to approach incarceration with the breadth of an introductory overview yet achieve a depth and emotive power only possible through contextualized examples and striking visual storytelling. By explicitly highlighting the language of justice and incarceration and revealing their instability and contingency, students can not only visualize an array of alternatives to incarceration but also better understand the invisible yet powerful ways discourses construct meaning and leverage political power

Soliton dynamics in nonlinear planar systems

The work in this thesis is concerned with the study of stability and scattering of solitons in planar models ie where spacetime is (2+l)-dimensional. We consider both integrable models, where exact solutions can be written in closed form, and non-integrable models, where approximations and numerical methods must be employed. In chapter III we use a 'collective coordinate' approximation to study the scattering of solitons in a model motivated by elementary particle physics. In chapter IV we discuss a method to obtain approximate soliton configurations which can then be used to investigate soliton dynamics. In chapter V we perform a test of the 'collective coordinate' approximation by applying it to the study of classical and quantum soliton scattering in an integrable model, where exact results are known. Chapters VI and VII are concerned with an integrable chiral model. First we construct exact solutions using twistor methods and then we go on to study soliton stability using numerical techniques. Through computer simulations we find that there exist solitons which scatter in a way unlike any previously found in integrable models. Furthermore, this soliton scattering resembles very closely that found in certain non-integrable models, thereby providing a link between the two classes. Finally, chapter VIII is an outlook on current and future research

Drape optimization in woven composites manufacture.

This paper addresses the optimisation of forming in manufacturing of composites. A simplified finite element model of draping is developed and implemented. The model incorporates the non-linear shear response of textiles and wrinkling due to buckling of tows. The model is validated against experimental results and it is concluded that it reproduces successfully the most important features of the process. The simple character of the model results in low computational times that allow its use within an optimisation procedure. A genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimisation problem of minimising the wrinkling in the formed component by selecting a suitable holding force distribution. The effect of regularisation is investigated and the L-curve is used to select a regularisation parameter value. Optimised designs resulting from the inversion procedure have significantly lower wrinkling than uniform holding force profiles, while regularisation allows force gradients to be kept relatively low so that suggested process designs are feasible

Experimental investigation of NCF-on-tool contact

The true fibre contact length for NCF-on-tool contact was measured for an area of 8.29 mm × 11.54 mm over a range of normal pressures using microscopy. Contact length was approximately 67% lower than for unidirectional tow-on-tool contact at the same nominal pressure (240 kPa). This is because NCF stitching and gaps between tows significantly reduce fibre contact length compared to tow-on-tool fibre contact measurements. A Hertzian approach was used to estimate contact area from contact length

Frottement et lubrification en mise en forme = Numerical modelling of lubricated foil rolling

Free access articleInternational audienceUn modèle de lubrification en laminage à froid de tôle a été adapté au laminage en très faible épaisseur. Il prend en compte l'évolution de la géométrie des aspérités et de la pression du lubrifiant le long de l'emprise. Le frottement entre le cylindre et la rugosité de la tôle est représenté au choix par les modèles de Coulomb ou de Tresca. Dans le premier cas, la contrainte de cisaillement est limitée par la contrainte d'écoulement en cisaillement de la tôle. On introduit une nouvelle modification à ces lois standard pour simuler le frottement glissant dans les zones de réduction et le frottement collant dans la zone neutre centrale. On examine les variations de force de laminage, d'épaisseur de film lubrifiant et d'aire réelle de contact avec la vitesse de laminage, pour des conditions typiques du laminage d'aluminium en feuille mince, de 50 à 25 μm. = A model of lubricated cold strip rolling is extended to the thin foil case. The model considers the evolution of asperity geometry and lubricant pressure through the bite. Friction between the roll and the asperities on the strip is modelled using the Coulomb and Tresca friction factor approaches. The shear stress in the Coulomb friction model is limited to the shear yield stress of the strip. A novel modification to these standard friction laws is used to mimic slipping friction in the reduction regions and sticking friction in a central neutral zone. The variation of rolling load, lubricant film thickness and asperity contact area with rolling speed is examined, for conditions typical of rolling aluminium foil from a thickness of 50 to 25 $\mu$m

Genomic analyses confirm close relatedness between Rhodococcus defluvii and Rhodococcus equi (Rhodococcus hoagii)

Rhodococcus defluvii strain Ca11T was isolated from a bioreactor involved in extensive phosphorus removal. We have sequenced the whole genome of this strain and our comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses confirm its close relatedness with Rhodococcus equi (Rhodococcus hoagii) strains, which share >80% of the gene content. The R. equi virulence plasmid is absent though most of the chromosomal R. equi virulence-associated genes are present in R. defluvii Ca11T. These data suggest that although R. defluvii is an environmental organism, it has the potential to colonise animal hosts