As ontologias sob a perspectiva da teoria do conceito

We sought to demonstrate the relationship between ontologies, Knowledge Organization Systems (KOSs) formed by hierarchically organized entities and named in order to reflect a certain domain of knowledge, and the concept theory (CT) proposed by Ingetraut Dahlberg, who seeks to understand how the concepts are formed, what types of concepts exist and how they relate. Based on the fact that the classes and instances that compose the ontologies can be treated as concepts and also considering that the CT is applied to other KOSs, such as thesauri, a qualitative bibliographical research was carried out in order to investigate how Dahlberg's theory can be applied to a broader understanding of these systems of organization. It was verified that ontologies - taking into account all the elements that compose them (classes, instances, properties and facets) - may be understood through theoretical framework of CT, such as the formation of concepts and the different relationships that can be established among these. To demonstrate how this occurs, a simplified ontology was developed and each of the elements of its structure were discussed from the CT approach. It was concluded, in the end, that the approach of the ontologies through CT could provide a more efficient construction of these systems, since it allows a greater understanding of the domain to be described. However, it is important to emphasize that, although this approach provides greater completeness to the domains described in the ontologies, it is necessary to clearify that each ontology has a specific motivation for its development, that will limit how complete the definitions of the concepts can be. Therefore, even though the CT approach to ontologies may provide greater completeness, it is not always desirable, so it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the ontology and how it will be used

As ontologias sob a perspectiva da teoria do conceito

We sought to demonstrate the relationship between ontologies, Knowledge Organization Systems (KOSs) formed by hierarchically organized entities and named in order to reflect a certain domain of knowledge, and the concept theory (CT) proposed by Ingetraut Dahlberg, who seeks to understand how the concepts are formed, what types of concepts exist and how they relate. Based on the fact that the classes and instances that compose the ontologies can be treated as concepts and also considering that the CT is applied to other KOSs, such as thesauri, a qualitative bibliographical research was carried out in order to investigate how Dahlberg's theory can be applied to a broader understanding of these systems of organization. It was verified that ontologies - taking into account all the elements that compose them (classes, instances, properties and facets) - may be understood through theoretical framework of CT, such as the formation of concepts and the different relationships that can be established among these. To demonstrate how this occurs, a simplified ontology was developed and each of the elements of its structure were discussed from the CT approach. It was concluded, in the end, that the approach of the ontologies through CT could provide a more efficient construction of these systems, since it allows a greater understanding of the domain to be described. However, it is important to emphasize that, although this approach provides greater completeness to the domains described in the ontologies, it is necessary to clearify that each ontology has a specific motivation for its development, that will limit how complete the definitions of the concepts can be. Therefore, even though the CT approach to ontologies may provide greater completeness, it is not always desirable, so it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the ontology and how it will be used

Proposta de uma ferramenta para classificação arquivística com base em ontologias

This article describes and demonstrates a tool developed to reduce the subjective aspect inherent to archival classification, making it more consistent. Taking into account that classification errors can affect several other archival functions, especially appraisal and description, we’ve developed a software that we called Ontological Classifier (OntoClass). This software, through the creation of an ontology based on the classification scheme of a corporate body, is able to determine the class to which a document belongs based on terms arranged in a list. The theoretical basis was carried out through a bibliographic research and the development of the tool was made using the Python 3.7 programming language and the SPARQL query language. We conclude that although OntoClass reaches its goal, it is still necessary to test it in real situations and there are some requirements that must be met in order to achieve the desired results.Buscou-se construir e demonstrar uma ferramenta desenvolvida a fim de reduzir o aspecto subjetivo inerente à classificação arquivística, tornando-a mais consistente. Tendo-se em conta que erros de classificação podem prejudicar a grande maioria das funções arquivísticas, especialmente a avaliação e a descrição, foi elaborado um software denominado Ontological Classifier (OntoClass). Esse software, por meio da criação de uma ontologia a partir do plano de classificação de uma entidade produtora de documentos, é capaz de determinar a classe à qual um documento pertence com base em termos autorizados dispostos em uma lista. A fundamentação teórica foi realizada por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e o desenvolvimento da ferramenta foi feito com uso da linguagem de programação Python 3.7 e da linguagem de consulta SPARQL. A partir de testes realizados com uma ontologia simples criada especificamente para este trabalho, conclui-se que o OntoClass alcança seu objetivo, apesar de ainda serem necessários testes em situações reais e apesar de haver alguns requisitos a cumprir para obter resultados positivos de sua utilização

As ontologias na perspectiva da teoria do conceito e da semiótica discursiva: aspectos teórico-conceituais

Theoretical study about ontologies, relating its structure (composed of classes, properties and instances) with the theoretical tools of Ingetraut Dahlberg’s Concept Theory and Discursive Semiotics. The research started from the premise that ontologies can have in Concept Theory a safe basis to be constructed, so that the information is understood by a semantic perspective. However, it was hypothesized that, if the ontologies were based on the theoretical tool of Discursive Semiotics, it would be possible to obtain a higher theoretical subsidy and, consequently, to enable the construction of more efficient ontologies that would allow an improvement both in the use of the ontologies for knowledge representation and for the interoperability between different systems, considering that the information approach as discourse acts on the basis of the phenomenon of signification, that is, it is more in depth than the semantic approach through which ontologies are currently constructed. Thus, we tried to answer the following question: how can Discourse Semiotics contribute to the understanding and construction of ontologies? In view of this, the bibliographic and descriptive research was carried out in four phases: the first one, a bibliographical review; the second one, whose objective was to understand how the Concept Theory relates to the structure and construction of the ontologies and how this same structure can be adapted to the concepts brought by Discursive Semiotics; the third, with the development of two ontologies, one based on Concept Theory and another based on Semiotics; and the fourth, comparing the two theoretical approaches and the two ontologies, trying to highlight the differences and similarities between them. Finally, it was concluded that the hypothesis formulated is valid, but with some reservations: the ontologies based on Discursive Semiotics, although can be constructed and used, features elements of arbitrary and uncommon naming, so that they may not completely obey the criteria that an ontology must meet (complicating ontology reuse, for example). Nevertheless, Semiotics certainly contributes to a better understanding of these organizational systems in their structure and in what concerns the concepts that are inserted in them.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorEstudo teórico acerca de ontologias, relacionando sua estrutura (composta por classes, propriedades e instâncias) com o ferramental teórico da Teoria do Conceito de Ingetraut Dahlberg e da Semiótica Discursiva. A pesquisa partiu da premissa de que as ontologias podem ter na Teoria do Conceito uma base segura para serem construídas, de maneira que a informação é entendida por uma perspectiva semântica. No entanto, formulou-se a hipótese de que, caso as ontologias tomassem como fundamento o ferramental teórico da Semiótica Discursiva, seria possível obter maior subsídio teórico e, consequentemente, possibilitar a construção de ontologias mais eficazes, que possibilitassem uma melhoria tanto no uso das ontologias para representação do conhecimento quanto para a interoperabilidade entre sistemas diferentes, considerando que a abordagem da informação como discurso atua a partir dos fundamentos do fenômeno da significação, ou seja, é mais aprofundada que a abordagem semântica através da qual as ontologias são atualmente construídas. Assim, procurou-se responder à seguinte questão-foco: como a Semiótica Discursiva pode contribuir para a compreensão e construção de ontologias? Diante disso, a pesquisa, bibliográfica e descritiva, foi realizada em quatro fases: a primeira, de revisão bibliográfica; a segunda, cujo objetivo foi entender como a Teoria do Conceito se relaciona à estrutura e construção das ontologias e como essa mesma estrutura pode se adequar aos conceitos trazidos pela Semiótica Discursiva; a terceira, com o desenvolvimento de duas ontologias, uma com base na Teoria do Conceito e outra com base na Semiótica; e a quarta, em que foi realizada uma comparação entre as duas abordagens teóricas e as duas ontologias, procurando destacar as diferenças e similaridades existentes entre elas. Ao fim, concluiu-se que a hipótese formulada é válida, porém com algumas ressalvas: as ontologias fundamentadas na Semiótica Discursiva, apesar de poderem ser construídas e utilizadas, possuem como característica marcante elementos de nomeação arbitrária e pouco comum, de modo que podem não obedecer completamente aos critérios a que uma ontologia deve atender (possuindo reúso dificultado, por exemplo). No entanto, ainda assim, a Semiótica certamente contribui para entender melhor esses sistemas de organização em sua estrutura e no que concerne aos conceitos que são neles inseridos

The discourse in ontologies : an approach from Discursive Semiotics

Buscou-se compreender, com a utilização da Semiótica Discursiva, de que forma elementos sociais, históricos e ideológicos podem ser reconhecidos e explicitados na representação de um domínio de conhecimento por meio de uma ontologia. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e descritiva em que, a partir do referencial teórico estudado, foi elaborada uma ontologia que possui fundamentação na Semiótica Discursiva – denominada ontologia semiológica. Essa ontologia, por conta de sua fundamentação teórica, foi construída de uma forma diferente daquela utilizada em ontologias “tradicionais”, especificamente no que concerne à formação dos axiomas que caracterizam os conceitos. Por conta de sua estrutura diferenciada, a ontologia semiológica possibilitou uma forma de explicitar as condições de produção discursiva – condições sócio-histórico-ideológicas – presentes na representação de um domínio. Concluiu-se que, apesar de a ontologia semiológica não ser tão eficiente, tendo em conta os requisitos a que uma ontologia deve atender, esse tipo de ontologia pode auxiliar na investigação de questões importantes para a representação da informação e do conhecimento, especialmente no que tange ao discurso veiculado, mesmo que indiretamente, pelos Sistemas de Organização do Conhecimento (SOCs).It was sought to understand how, in knowledge representation made on ontologies, social, historical and ideological elements can be recognized and explained through Discursive Semiotics. A bibliographic and descriptive research was carried out in which, on the basis of the theoretical framework studied, an ontology was elaborated based on Discursive Semiotics – denominated semiological ontology –, so that the axioms that form it were developed in a different way from that one used in "traditional" ontologies. This semiological ontology provided a way of explaining the conditions of discursive production - socio-historical-ideological conditions - of an ontology. It was concluded that, although the semiological ontology is not so efficient, not meeting all the requirements that an ontology must meet, this way of constructing ontologies can help in the investigation of questions pertinent to knowledge representation

La formación del discurso en ontologías

This paper presents a study of ontologies based on the Discursive Semiotics theoretical framework. An ontology was developed based on this perspective, making it possible to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this model. From the developed ontology, it was investigated how the concepts (classes) of an ontology are formed with regard to the bias of the developer, the ontologist, subject inserted in a given socio-historical-ideological reality. Objective: To understand, using Discursive Semiotics, how social, historical and ideological elements can be recognized and explained in the representation of a knowledge domain through an ontology. Methodology: A bibliographical and descriptive research was carried out in which, based on the studied theoretical framework, an ontology was elaborated based on Discursive Semiotics – called semiological ontology. This ontology, because of its theoretical foundation, was constructed in a different way from that used in “traditional” ontologies, specifically as regards the formation of the axioms that characterize the concepts. Results: Due to its differentiated structure, the semiological ontology allowed a way to explain the conditions of discursive production – socio-historical-ideological conditions – present in the representation of a domain. Conclusions: It was concluded that although semiological ontology is not as efficient, considering the requirements that an ontology must meet, this type of ontology can help in the investigation of important issues for the representation of information and knowledge, especially regarding the discourse conveyed, even indirectly, by the Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS).Este artículo presenta un estudio de ontologías basado en la herramienta teórica Semiótica discursiva. Se desarrolló una ontología desde esta perspectiva, lo que permitió analizar las ventajas y desventajas de este modelo. A partir de la ontología desarrollada, se investigó cómo se forman los conceptos (clases) de una ontología con respecto al sesgo del desarrollador, el ontólogo, sujeto insertado en una realidad socio-histórica-ideológica dada. Objetivo: comprender, utilizando la semiótica discursiva, cómo los elementos sociales, históricos e ideológicos pueden ser reconocidos y explicados en la representación de un dominio del conocimiento a través de una ontología. Metodología: se llevó a cabo una investigación bibliográfica y descriptiva en la que, basándose en el marco teórico estudiado, se elaboró una ontología basada en semiótica discursiva, llamada ontología semiológica. Esta ontología, debido a su fundamento teórico, se construyó de manera diferente a la utilizada en las ontologías "tradicionales", específicamente en lo que respecta a la formación de los axiomas que caracterizan los conceptos. Resultados: debido a su estructura diferenciada, la ontología semiológica permitió una forma de explicar las condiciones de producción discursiva - condiciones socio-históricas-ideológicas - presentes en la representación de un dominio. Conclusiones: se concluye que aunque la ontología semiológica no es tan eficiente, teniendo en cuenta los requisitos que debe cumplir una ontología, este tipo de ontología puede ayudar en la investigación de cuestiones importantes para la representación de información y conocimiento, especialmente con respecto al discurso transmitido, incluso indirectamente, por los Sistemas de Organización del Conocimiento (SOC)

A proposal for a tool for records classification based on ontologies

Buscou-se construir e demonstrar uma ferramenta desenvolvida a fim de reduzir o aspecto subjetivo inerente à classificação arquivística, tornando-a mais consistente. Tendo-se em conta que erros de classificação podem prejudicar a grande maioria das funções arquivísticas, especialmente a avaliação e a descrição, foi elaborado um software denominado Ontological Classifier (OntoClass). Esse software, por meio da criação de uma ontologia a partir do plano de classificação de uma entidade produtora de documentos, é capaz de determinar a classe à qual um documento pertence com base em termos autorizados dispostos em uma lista. A fundamentação teórica foi realizada por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e o desenvolvimento da ferramenta foi feito com uso da linguagem de programação Python 3.7 e da linguagem de consulta SPARQL. A partir de testes realizados com uma ontologia simples criada especificamente para este trabalho, conclui-se que o OntoClass alcança seu objetivo, apesar de ainda serem necessários testes em situações reais e apesar de haver alguns requisitos a cumprir para obter resultados positivos de sua utilização.This article describes and demonstrates a tool developed to reduce the subjective aspect inherent to archival classification, making it more consistent. Taking into account that classification errors can affect several other archival functions, especially appraisal and description, we’ve developed a software that we called Ontological Classifier (OntoClass). This software, through the creation of an ontology based on the classification scheme of a corporate body, is able to determine the class to which a document belongs based on terms arranged in a list. The theoretical basis was carried out through a bibliographic research and the development of the tool was made using the Python 3.7 programming language and the SPARQL query language. We conclude that although OntoClass reaches its goal, it is still necessary to test it in real situations and there are some requirements that must be met in order to achieve the desired results

Estradiol, but not dehydroepiandrosterone, decreases parasitemia and increases the incidence of cerebral malaria and the mortality in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected CBA mice

Universidade Federal do Pará. Núcleo de Medicina Tropical. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Departamento de Patologia. Belém, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Departamento de Fisiologia. Belém, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Imunologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Departamento de Fisiologia. Belém, PA, Brasil.Objective: The effect of castration and subsequent replacement of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or estradiol on parasitemia, mortality and incidence of cerebral malaria (CM) was evaluated in CBA mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Methods: Female mice were castrated, and groups of 12–15 animals received daily injections of DHEA, estradiol or saline. Four days after the start of treatment, mice were inoculated with 1 ! 106 P. berghei ANKA-parasitized erythrocytes. DHEA treatment was continued during the 5 days after infection, and estradiol was administered during the follow-up. Parasitemia was evaluated daily in Giemsastained blood smears. Signs of CM were determined by the manifestation of coma, limb paralysis and/or convulsions. Plasma TNF- levels were evaluated by sandwich ELISA. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the brain of moribund mice was measured by the method of Bredt and Snyder. Results: In non-castrated infected mice, the incidence of CM was 50%, and plasma TNF- increased and brain NOS activity decreased compared to non-infected controls. Castration had no major effect on the parameters analyzed (parasitemia, mortality, CM incidence, TNF- levels or NOS activity). Estradiol replacement caused a decrease in parasitemia but resulted in higher CM incidence and faster mortality, with an increase in NOS activity. Conclusions: Estradiol modulated the immune response of P. berghei ANKA-infected CBA mice, decreasing parasitemia and increasing NOS activity, and impacted negatively on survival and CM incidence, showing that neuroimmunoendocrine interactions are important in the physiopathogenesis of malaria infections