This paper identifies and tackles the challenges of the requirements engineering discipline when applied to development of AI-based complex systems. Due to their complex behaviour, there is an immanent need for a tailored development process for such systems. However, there is still no widely used and specifically tailored process in place to effectively and efficiently deal with requirements suitable for specifying a software solution that uses machine learning. By analysing the related work from software engineering and artificial intelligence fields, potential contributions have been recognized from agent-based software engineering and goal-oriented requirements engineering research, as well as examples from large product development companies. The challenges have been discussed, with proposals given how and when to tackle them. RE4AI taxonomy has also been outlined, to inform the tailoring of development process.
Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is the smallest peptidoglycan fragment able to trigger the immune response. Structural modification of MDP can lead to the preparation of analogs with improved immunostimulant properties, including desmuramyl peptides (DMPs). The aim of this work was to prepare the desmuramyl peptide (L-Ala-D-Glu)-containing adamantyl-triazole moiety and its mannosylated derivative in order to study their immunomodulatory activities in vivo. The adjuvant activity of the prepared compounds was evaluated in a murine model using ovalbumin as an antigen, and compared to the reference adjuvant ManAdDMP. The results showed that the introduction of the lipophilic adamantyl-triazole moiety at the C-terminus of L-Ala-D-Glu contributes to the immunostimulant activity of DMP, and that mannosylation of DMP modified with adamantyl-triazole causes the amplification of its immunostimulant activity.
Project management helps accomplish the common purpose of a project with defined requirements and desired quality. Teaching project management for graduate and undergraduate students requires combining optimal foundation in theory with maximal usability in practice, as well as project management tools support. Finding an optimal balance between theory and practice, and motivating students to broaden their understanding of the PM area is an exciting and challenging task. If successful, students' research projects may yield attractive outcomes. This paper presents our experience in a PM course and illustrates the resulting student projects.
Structural alterations of the aglycon portions of α-mannosides influence their inhibitory potency toward type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli. The aim of our work was to prepare and explore inhibitory properties of novel mannosylated N-aryl-substituted 3-hydroxypyridine-4-ones because they possess needed structural characteristics as possible FimH antagonists. Hemagglutination inhibitory tests showed that the examined 3-hydroxypyridine-4-one α-mannosides exhibited better inhibitory activity than methyl α-d-mannopyranoside used as a reference compound. Molecular modeling studies revealed the specific interactions responsible for the observed binding activities toward the mannose-specific FimH lectin. The activity depends on the substituent in p-position on the aglycon aromatic ring.
Wearables may have notable potential as an assistive technology for persons with various difficulties. Although quite popular, smartwatches' niches are still revealing. One of them is definitely in the domain of assistive technology due to their communication and location features. Positioning features enable parents or caregivers to know the whereabouts of child or persons with disabilities, thus increasing their safety. The paper presents smartwatch tracking system for people with complex communication needs with emphasis on detection of smartwatch wearer's common movement routes. The application is a result of multidisciplinary research performed in the area of information and communication technology, as an assistive technology aiming to explore the technological possibilities of connecting new generations of mobile devices and their technological supplements, or wearables, in order to establish a different communication and location aids.
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