The NESTOR Framework: how to Handle Hierarchical Data Structures

Περιέχει το πλήρες κείμενοIn this paper we study the problem of representing, managing and exchanging hierarchically structured data in the context of a Digital Library (DL). We present the NEsted SeTs for Object hieRarchies (NESTOR) framework defining two set data models that we call: the “Nested Set Model (NS-M)” and the “Inverse Nested Set Model (INSM)” based on the organization of nested sets which enable the representation of hierarchical data structures. We present the mapping between the tree data structure to NS-M and to INS-M. Furthermore, we shall show how these set data models can be used in conjunction with Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) adding new functionalities to the protocol without any change to its basic functioning. At the end we shall present how the couple OAI-PMH and the set data models can be used to represent and exchange archival metadata in a distributed environment

Plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings: numerical study on damage localization and evolution

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are advanced material systems used to enhance performance and in-service life of components operated at high temperatures in gas turbines and other power-generation devices. Because of complexity, numerical methods became important tools both for design of these coatings and for in-service life estimations and optimization. In this contribution, two main features that affect the TBCs’ performance, namely the roughness of the bond coat and the microstructure of the ceramic top coat, are discussed based on Finite Element Method (FEM) and Finite Element Microstructure MEshfree (FEMME) simulations that were used to calculate stresses and assess damage within the coating. Roughness data obtained from plasma-sprayed CoNiCrAlY + YSZ coated samples are supplemented to discuss assumptions and results of employed numerical models

Autologous tooth graft after endodontical treated used for socket preservation: A multicenter clinical study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the tooth extracted use as autologous tooth graft after endodontic root canal therapies used for socket preservation. To this purpose, the Tooth Transformer shredding and decontamination machine has been used. The graft obtained in this way, was inserted at the time of the extraction or at a second surgery altogether with the chosen regenerative therapy. This clinical trial enrolled patients with post-estractive defects requiring the restoration bone dimension and shape in the maxillary and mandibular zone. In addition, 98 patients with 119 extraction sockets were enrolled across 10 standardized centers. An innovative preparation method, using the dedicated automated device Tooth Transformer, able to transform autologous teeth in suitable grafting material, has been used. The extracted tooth was cleaned and treated using a Tooth Transformer and made a socket preservation. Thirteen Biopsies were realized to analyze the histologic outcomes at the average time of four months to demonstrate that the autologous tooth graft made from root after endodontic therapy should be used in human bone regeneration as graft for dental implant placement

The taxonomic name resolution service : an online tool for automated standardization of plant names

© The Author(s), 2013. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in BMC Bioinformatics 14 (2013): 16, doi:10.1186/1471-2105-14-16.The digitization of biodiversity data is leading to the widespread application of taxon names that are superfluous, ambiguous or incorrect, resulting in mismatched records and inflated species numbers. The ultimate consequences of misspelled names and bad taxonomy are erroneous scientific conclusions and faulty policy decisions. The lack of tools for correcting this ‘names problem’ has become a fundamental obstacle to integrating disparate data sources and advancing the progress of biodiversity science. The TNRS, or Taxonomic Name Resolution Service, is an online application for automated and user-supervised standardization of plant scientific names. The TNRS builds upon and extends existing open-source applications for name parsing and fuzzy matching. Names are standardized against multiple reference taxonomies, including the Missouri Botanical Garden's Tropicos database. Capable of processing thousands of names in a single operation, the TNRS parses and corrects misspelled names and authorities, standardizes variant spellings, and converts nomenclatural synonyms to accepted names. Family names can be included to increase match accuracy and resolve many types of homonyms. Partial matching of higher taxa combined with extraction of annotations, accession numbers and morphospecies allows the TNRS to standardize taxonomy across a broad range of active and legacy datasets. We show how the TNRS can resolve many forms of taxonomic semantic heterogeneity, correct spelling errors and eliminate spurious names. As a result, the TNRS can aid the integration of disparate biological datasets. Although the TNRS was developed to aid in standardizing plant names, its underlying algorithms and design can be extended to all organisms and nomenclatural codes. The TNRS is accessible via a web interface at http://tnrs.iplantcollaborative.org/ webcite and as a RESTful web service and application programming interface. Source code is available at https://github.com/iPlantCollaborativeOpenSource/TNRS/ webcite.BJE was supported by NSF grant DBI 0850373 and TR by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Australia,. BB and BJE acknowledge early financial support from Conservation International and TEAM who funded the development of early prototypes of taxonomic name resolution. The iPlant Collaborative (http://www.iplantcollaborative.org) is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (#DBI-0735191)

Interpenetrated Magnesium–Tricalcium Phosphate Composite: Manufacture, Characterization and In Vitro Degradation Test

Magnesium and calcium phosphates composites are promising biomaterials to create biodegradable load-bearing implants for bone regeneration. The present investigation is focused on the design of an interpenetrated magnesium–tricalcium phosphate (Mg–TCP) composite and its evaluation under immersion test. In the study, TCP porous preforms were fabricated by robocasting to have a prefect control of porosity and pore size and later infiltrated with pure commercial Mg through current-assisted metal infiltration (CAMI) technique. The microstructure, composition, distribution of phases and degradation of the composite under physiological simulated conditions were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, elemental chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that robocast TCP preforms were full infiltrated by magnesium through CAMI, even small pores below 2 lm have been filled with Mg, giving to the composite a good interpenetration. The degradation rate of the Mg–TCP composite displays lower value compared to the one of pure Mg during the first 24 h of immersion test.Magnesium and calcium phosphates composites are promising biomaterials to create biodegradable load-bearing implants for bone regeneration. The present investigation is focused on the design of an interpenetrated magnesium–tricalcium phosphate (Mg–TCP) composite and its evaluation under immersion test. In the study, TCP porous preforms were fabricated by robocasting to have a prefect control of porosity and pore size and later infiltrated with pure commercial Mg through current-assisted metal infiltration (CAMI) technique. The microstructure, composition, distribution of phases and degradation of the composite under physiological simulated conditions were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, elemental chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that robocast TCP preforms were full infiltrated by magnesium through CAMI, even small pores below 2 lm have been filled with Mg, giving to the composite a good interpenetration. The degradation rate of the Mg–TCP composite displays lower value compared to the one of pure Mg during the first 24 h of immersion test

An analysis of vehicle-road surface interaction for classifi cation of IRI in the frame of Slovak PMS

Równość jest jednym z podstawowych czynników jakości nawierzchni. Stanowi ona charakterystykę stanu drogi, jak również bezpieczeństwa na drodze i komfortu jazdy. Nierówności podłużne powodują niedogodności w ruchu drogowym i niebezpieczeństwo zmniejszenia oddziaływania między kołami a nawierzchnią. Wymienione aspekty zostały wzięte pod uwagę w analizie poziomów klasyfikacji w ramach Słowackiego PMS. Symulacje różnych warunków brzegowych podczas diagnostyki nawierzchni miały na celu przede wszystkim zbadanie wpływu nierówności na pojazd, a co za tym idzie, na komfort jazdy. Z drugiej strony, wpływ nierówności na oddziaływanie między nawierzchnią a kołem stanowił podstawowe kryterium oceny z punktu widzenia bezpieczeństwa. Przedmiotem artykułu jest obserwacja i ocena opisanych parametrów podczas przeprowadzonych symulacji i pomiarów eksperymentalnych. Do symulacji użyto dynamicznych charakterystyk prawdziwych pojazdów.Road evenness is one from basic factors of the pavement quality. It represents the characteristic of the road serviceability but also road safety and comfortable. The longitudinal unevenness causes the traffi c discomfort and danger of the wheel-pavement interaction decreasing. Listed aspects were taken into account for analyze of classifi cation levels in frame of the Slovak PMS. The simulations of different boundary conditions during pavement surface diagnostics were oriented above all to the response of unevenness to the vehicle and to the ride comfort consequently. On the other hand an effect of unevenness to interaction between surface and wheel was the basic criteria of evaluation from safety point of view. The paper is oriented to the observation and evaluation described parameters during realized simulations and experimental measurements. For simulations were used dynamic characteristics of real vehicles

The transportation planning process in Slovakia

The quality traffic-planning process is an important tool for achieving sustainable traffic. The modern platform for modeling and simulating traffic relations has also begun to be utilized in Slovakia. The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Zilina uses German software PTV VISION. The complex multi-modal traffic model for Zilina town was created with PTV VISION modules (Visem, Visum, Vissim). The article presents the process of formation, calibration and practical utilization of a traffic model for city traffic problem solution. The micro simulation of critical zones amends the traffic model. The classic four-stage disaggregate process was applied for Zilina transport modeling. The town was split into 108 traffic zones. The traffic zones were classified by social and demographic characteristics. Six groups of population were classified within the study area. The matrices of interzonal transport relations were used as output data of the VISEM module and the matrices were used for assignments of the traffic network. Parameters in the infrastructure network and traffic zones were defined in the VISUM module. The result of many years experience in the field of traffic engineering was inserted in the traffic model. The authors have used our large database of traffic surveys and the results of transport-sociological analyses. The data were useful for the setting and calibration of the traffic model. The authors have set up new local parameters for a distribution function. The impact of new developing areas and induced traffic relations on the central part of Zilina was also observed. Next, the new transport relations and traffic problems were analyzed. This chosen part of the transport network was imported into a microsimulation model in the VISSIM. New alternative transport solutions and the impact on the infrastructure loading were explored in microscopic models. The quality of traffic load depends on the input data in the microsimulation. The best way is by using the complex macroscopic point of view