Abstract
Collaborative industrial systems are becoming an emergent paradigm towards flexibility. One promising solution are service-oriented industrial automation systems, but integrated software methodologies and major frame-works for the engineering are still missing. This paper presents an overview of the current results on a unified and integrated methodology based on intrinsic and novel features of Petri nets. These nets are applied to the modeling, analysis, service management, embedded software controllers, decision support system and monitoring, to improve the fundamentals in the engineering of service-oriented automation systems. The solution may contribute to the reduction of the design, operational and reconfiguration phases in the life-cycle of novel automation environments. Results were obtained and discussed from simulations and real industrial demonstrators.

Abstract
Nowadays virtual communities are spread all over the web, providing users a cyber-place to share a common purpose and interact with each other around the world. These environments face new challenges in order to provide their users with better tools to interact and fulfill the environment's goals. In this context we propose a model to create regulated interaction environments based on the theater metaphor: the Social Theatres. A multi-layer software architecture (ASTeaS) was developed to support this web-based interaction model, allowing easy construction of such social interaction spaces and adaptation to users' devices. In this paper we discuss the usage of interaction regulation in virtual environments supported by the Social Theatres model, evaluating the users interaction in case study scenarios. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
In this paper we describe how declarative process modeling together with ontologies can be used to build complex clinical process models. Our approach supports the definition of functional, behavioral, organizational, data and operational process perspectives, resulting in an expressive and flexible modeling language. We use constraints for representing inter-process dependencies and constraint propagation for finding which processes are executable in user selected or given scenarios. Knowledge about the organizational perspective of a clinical ontology can be represented and imported from RDF files for interfacing with other applications. We implemented our approach in ESProNa, a Logtalk application running on SWI-Prolog extended with the CLP(FD) constraint library and the N3 parser Henry.

Abstract
Using automatic extraction of keywords and semi-automatic creation of domain ontologies it is possible to achieve a richer description of learning resources, with positive effects on subsequent searches. Based on this concept, we developed a repository named TREE - Teaching Resources for Engineering Education, to efficiently store and provide access to learning and scientific resources and as a service to preserve and disseminate intellectual property in the Engineering community. The TREE repository is based on open source tools and free Web services. In this paper we describe the TREE repository and how it uses Semantic Web technologies to improve search and retrieval of learning objects. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of an existing web application of inventory management for electronics laboratories, accounting for usability principles and best practices for user interface design. The iLab project efficiently manages the inventory, requests, users (borrowings, purchases, etc.) and associated historic and workflow information. This enables users to queue requests and track their statuses. Usability is critical for for the success of such application. A web based interface is to be designed using usability principles, making sure all end-users use the application in an intuitive and effective way. To achieve these goals the study consisted on four phases: plan, analyze, design and, test and refine. After this study it has been concluded that with this methodology developers are able to create more user-friendly and efficient applications.

Abstract
As mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell types, the delivery of exogenous genes to this type of cell can be an important tool in tissue regeneration and engineering. However transfection of MSCs using nonviral gene delivery vectors is difficult, the development of more efficient and safe DNA vehicles being necessary. Moreover, specific transfection of MSCs may be required to avoid unwanted side effects in other tissues. In this study, a novel family of gene delivery vectors based on poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers functionalized with peptides displaying high affinity toward MSCs was prepared. The vectors were characterized with respect to their ability to neutralize, bind and compact plasmid DNA (pDNA). The complexes formed between the vectors and pDNA were analyzed concerning their size, zeta-potential, capacity of being internalized by cells and transfection efficiency. These new vectors exhibited low cytotoxicity, receptor-mediated gene delivery into MSCs and transfection efficiencies superior to those presented by native dendrimers and by partially degraded dendrimers.