Realizing QVT with Graph Rewriting-Based Model Transformation

Model-based development is an increasingly applied method in producing software artifacts that is driven by model transformation. For instance, OMG's Model-Driven Architecture as a model-based approach to software development facilitates the synthesis of application programs from models created using customized, domain-specific model processors. Meta Object Facility 2.0 Query/ Views/ Transformation (QVT) is the OMG's standard for specifying model queries, views, and transformations. Extensive research of graph transformation provides a strong formal background for model transformation. The main contribution of this paper is to show how high-level constraint constructs facilitate to realize transformations specified in QVT with metamodel-based model transformation. As a result we can reuse the graph transformation constructs, and its formal background, which facilitates to make QVT transformations validated

Simulating emergent urban form: desakota in China

We propose that the emergent phenomenon know as ?desakota?, the rapidurbanization of densely populated rural populations in the newlydeveloped world, particularly China, can be simulated using agent-basedmodels which combine both local and global features. We argue thatdeskota represents a surprising and unusual form of urbanization wellmatchedto processes of land development that are driven from the bottomup but moderated by the higher-level macro economy. We develop asimple logic which links local household reform to global urban reform,translating these ideas into a model structure which reflects these twoscales. Our model first determines the rate of growth of different spatialaggregates using linear statistical analysis. It then allocates this growth tothe local level using developer agents who determine the transformation ormutation of rural households to urban pursuits based on local land costs,accessibilities, and growth management practices. The model is applied todesakota development in the Suzhou region between 1990 and 2000. Weshow how the global rates of change predicted at the township level in theWuxian City region surrounding Suzhou are tempered by localtransformations of rural to urban land uses which we predict using cellularautomata rules. The model, which is implemented in the RePast 3software, is validated using a blend of data taken from remote sensing andgovernment statistical sources. It represents an example of generativesocial science that fuses plausible behavior with formalized logics matchedagainst empirical evidence, essential in showing how novel patterns ofurbanization such as desakota emerge

Validation of requirements for transformation of an urban district to a smart city

The concept of a smart city is still debatable and yet gives attention to every country around the globe to provide their community with a better quality of life. New ideas for the development of a smart city have always evolved to enhance the quality, performance, and interactivity of services. This paper presents a model of a smart city based on the comparison of the chosen smart cities in the world and used the model to validate the requirements for the transformation of an urban district to a smart city. The proposed model for a smart city in this paper focuses on two major components, which are by utilizing IoTs (Internet of Things) in forming a model for a smart city and incorporating culture diversity. The relationship of components and culture influence are the foundation of designing the model of a smart city. In this research, the model of a smart city has been validated based on the requirements analysis from the survey instrument and the results show that the average mean of each element used is more than 4 out of 5. The model of a smart city can be used as a guideline for transformation of an urban district to a smart city

Welding of thin sheet steels in marine applications

Many metal structures are assembled from thin plate with welded supports for stiffness to resist local loadings. However, welded joints, which require large heat input, may incur significant distortion in the finished plate. Although the causes of distortion are known, and have been the focus of number of studies, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of process and physical parameters in causing distortion. The overall aim of this work is to identify the interaction of process and physical parameters in causing distortion of welded ferritic thin steel plates. Experimental measurements and the finite element method are used to identify the relationship between distortion and the influence of pre-existing (residual) stresses in the plates. Effect of onset of transformation temperature on distortion is examined. An improved comprehension of the mechanisms causing distortion, and a readily useable model to explore alternatives has significant potential in wide range of industries and thus is a major driving force for continued research. The ability to predict with reasonable certainty the geometry of distortion will enable users to evaluate alternative design and production parameters. The work is divided into eight chapters: The first chapter gives an introduction and lists the objectives of the research. A theoretical exploration of the problem in addition to a survey of relevant work with regard to the welding of ferritic steels, weld microstructures, residual stresses, finite element modelling (FEM) and an overview of experimental techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), neutron diffraction (ND) is given in chapter 2. In chapter 3 experimental investigation results including both post-weld and in-situ microstructure observation and residual stress distribution are presented and discussed [1, 2]. To provide a qualitative insight into fundamental understanding of development of residual stress, a finite element model that considers both the thermal and the transformation strains caused by solid-state phase transformation was developed and is presented in the chapter 4 [3]. A validated finite element model for computation of residual stresses is presented in the chapter 5 [4]. Special emphasis was placed on the effect of transformation temperature on residual stress development in both the actual weld and the model. Most of the modelling results were validated against experimental measurements. Chapter 6 presents a sensitivity study on the effect of parameter changes on distortion. An attempt was made to elucidate both the effect of transformation start temperature and the initial distortion on the final distortion [5]. Chapter 7 details application of a model for variant selection [6], which is based on work published in [7, 8] to actual welds. This work was performed to elucidate the effect of texture on residual stress. Finally the last chapter draws together the major conclusions of the thesis, and suggests future avenues of investigation to progress the research discussed here

Digital maturity and readiness model for Kazakhstan SMEs

The implementation of digital transformation features is highly required to provide sustainable growth and a high level of competitiveness. One of the essential components of the ensuring of SMEs readiness for digital transformation is a digital maturity model that can assess the maturity level based on the features of SMEs in Kazakhstan. This study is focused on the development of digital maturity and readiness model for Kazakhstan SMEs by revision of currently existing digital maturity models, defining the significant features of SMEs in Kazakhstan and developing dimensions, sub-dimensions and levels of the model. The proposed model consists of 6 dimensions and 15 sub-dimensions that are sufficient to assess major dimensions involved in digital transformation. The six layers are used to define the level of digital readiness. The developed model was validated through a survey conducted among 12 managers of the company with approximately 150 employees. The model allowed identifying significant areas for improvement and provided the recommendations for movement to the next maturity level

A prognostic index predicting survival in transformed Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Histological transformation into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a rare complication in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) usually associated with a poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a prognostic index for survival in transformed WM patients. Through this multicenter, international collaborative effort, we developed a scoring system based on data from 133 patients with transformed WM who were evaluated between 1995 and 2016 (training cohort). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to propose a prognostic index with 2-year survival after transformation as an end-point. For external validation, a data set of 67 patients was used to evaluate the performance of the model (validation cohort). By multivariate analysis, three adverse covariates were identified as independent predictors of 2-year survival after transformation: elevated serum LDH (2 points), platelet count < 100 x 109/L (1 point) and any previous treatment for WM (1 point). Three risk groups were defined: low-risk (0-1 point, 24% of patients), intermediate-risk (2-3 points, 59%, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.4) and high-risk (4 points, 17%, HR = 7.5). Two-year survival rates were 81%, 47%, and 21%, respectively (P < 0.0001). This model appeared to be a better discriminant than the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the revised IPI (R-IPI). We validated this model in an independent cohort. This easy-to-compute scoring index is a robust tool that may allow identification of groups of transformed WM patients with different outcomes and could be used for improving the development of risk-adapted treatment strategies

Business Process Modeling Abstraction Based on Semi-Supervised Clustering Analysis

The most prominent Business Process Model Abstraction (BPMA) use case is the construction of the process “quick view” for rapidly comprehending a complex process. Some researchers propose process abstraction methods to aggregate the activities on the basis of their semantic similarity. One important clustering technique used in these methods is traditional k-means cluster analysis which so far is an unsupervised process without any priori information, and most of the techniques aggregate the activities only according to business semantics without considering the requirement of an order-preserving model transformation. The paper proposes a BPMA method based on semi-supervised clustering which chooses the initial clusters based on the refined process structure tree and designs constraints by combining the control flow consistency of the process and the semantic similarity of the activities to guide the clustering process. To be more precise, the constraint function is discovered by mining from a process model collection enriched with subprocess relations. The proposed method is validated by applying it to a process model repository in use. In an experimental validation, the proposed method is compared to the traditional k-means clustering (parameterized with randomly chosen initial clusters and an only semantics-based distance measure), showing that the approach closely approximates the decisions of the involved modelers to cluster activities. As such, the paper contributes to the development of modeling support for effective process model abstraction, facilitating the use of business process models in practice

Calibration and Validation of CN Values for Watershed Hydrological Response

The amount of rainfall can be used to estimate the runoff that enters a reservoir. Runoff is influenced by land use, and soil type greatly affects the amount of runoff that will occur. This study discusses the development of a hydrological model with the application of the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC-HMS) in the Karangmumus watershed using soil data that has been verified in the field and divided into soil zones based on soil permeability testing in the laboratory. With the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geospatial Hydrological Model (HEC-GeoHMS) applications, it is possible to identify the flow of the Karangmumus watershed and the Lempake Dam in Kalimantan by simulating the rain runoff process. The hydrological model was developed in the HEC-HMS by recording daily rainfall events from 2009 to 2019. With a daily period, then, the zoning soil type data was entered based on the results of soil permeability testing with the help of the application of the soil conservation curve method (SCS-CN), then discharge transformation, and calculation of water loss, including routing with Muskingum and SCS-Hydrograph applications. Based on the distribution of the CN value, the theoretical runoff is calculated and then calibrated with the observed discharge in 2017 and 2018, and then validated with the observed discharge in 2019, showing good results with a coefficient of determination between 0.89 to 0.92. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-01-06 Full Text: PD

Tapping the power of employee perceptions

Organizations more and more attempt to utilize employee survey data for evidence-based management (EbM) and organizational change. However, employee survey models are often underdeveloped in structure and seldom systematically validated, what limits their value for these purposes. The aim of the presented thesis was to address this gap with three studies developing, validating and applying the first published integrative science-based employee survey process model. Based on a review of scientific employee survey models, in the first study, seven potential process models are proposed. These models are comparatively tested by applying structural-equation-modelling to a meta-analytical synthesis of N = 123 meta-analyses from psychology, management science and business research. We find evidence for a mediation model with two general dimensions of employees’ perceived work environment affecting their job attitudes and organizational outcomes. In the second study, this model is validated in three large-scale empirical field studies. The studies support causality of the models’ structural assumptions as well as its generalizability to an analysis on work unit level. With the third study, a case example of working with survey data generated with the newly developed model to acquire evidence for EbM in practice is presented. Overall, the research contributes to the employee survey literature by developing a first all-around scientifically sound employee survey model with validated causal model structure and offering first evidence for the relevance of multi-level modeling in employee survey models. Further, it contributes theoretically to the understanding of people outcomes and organizational adaptability emergence from employees’ work environment perceptions. In sum, this thesis provides a survey model with which organizations can apply survey data for EbM to improve organizational development and managerial decision-making.Angesichts sich konstant verändernder politischer und wirtschaftlicher Rahmenbedingungen versuchen immer mehr Unternehmen, Daten aus Mitarbeiter-befragungen als Ausgangspunkt für gezielte Organisationsentwicklung und für Evidenz-basiertes Management (EbM) zu nutzen. Existierende Messmodelle für Mitarbeiter-befragungen sind jedoch in ihren strukturellen Annahmen oft unterentwickelt und kaum systematisch validiert, was ihren Nutzen für diese Zwecke einschränkt. Ziel der vorliegenden Doktorarbeit ist es deshalb, diese Lücke zu schließen und über drei Studien das erste integrative wissenschaftliche Strukturmodell für Mitarbeiterbefragungen zu entwickeln, zu validieren und in der Praxis beispielhaft für EbM anzuwenden. Ausgehend von einem Review aktuell wissenschaftlich publizierter Messmodelle für Mitarbeiterbefragungen werden, in Studie 1, sieben potenzielle Strukturmodelle deduziert. Auf der Basis einer meta-meta-analytischen Synthese von 123 Meta-Analysen aus den Bereichen Psychologie, Management Science und Business Research werden diese sieben Modelle deduzierten mittels meta-meta-analytischen Strukturgleichungs-modellen vergleichend getestet. Die Ergebnisse stützen ein Mediationsmodell, das zwei zentrale Dimensionen der wahrgenommenen Arbeitsumgebung beschreibt, die die Arbeitseinstellungen von Mitarbeitern und organisationale Leistungsindikatoren beeinflussen. Dieses sogenannte Transformation-Transaction Model wird in Studie 2 in drei großen Feldstudien empirisch validiert. Die Ergebnisse stützen die Kausalität der strukturellen Annahmen des Modells sowie dessen Generalisierbarkeit für Auswertungen und Analysen auf Abteilungsebene. Zuletzt präsentiert Studie 3 als Anwendungsbeispiel, wie aus Mitarbeiterbefragungsdaten, die auf Basis des neu entwickelten Modells erhoben wurden, in der Praxis Evidenz für EbM generiert werden kann. Zusammengefasst leistet die vorliegende Doktorarbeit einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Mitarbeiterbefragungsliteratur, indem sie ein erstes wissenschaftlich fundiertes Mitarbeiterbefragungsmodell mit validierter kausaler Modellstruktur entwickelt und darüber hinaus erste Hinweise für die Relevanz von Multilevel-Modellierung in Mitarbeiterbefragungsmodellen liefert. Theoretisch trägt die Arbeit ferner zu einem vertieften Verständnis davon bei, wie die Wahrnehmungen der Arbeitsumgebung von Mitarbeitern deren Arbeitseinstellungen und die Anpassungsfähigkeit der Organisation beeinflussen können. Insgesamt, wird mit dem Transformation-Transaction Model ein Mitarbeiterbefragungsmodell präsentiert, über das Organisationen Befragungsdaten zielgerichtet für EbM verwenden können, um ihre Organisationsentwicklung zu fördern und Management-Entscheidungen zu verbessern

A Model-Based Approach for the Management of Electronic Invoices

The globalized market pushes companies to expand their business boundaries to a whole new level. In order to efficiently support this environment, business transactions must be executed over the Internet. However, there are several factors complicating this process, such as the current state of electronic invoices. Electronic invoice adoption is not widespread because of the current format fragmentation originated by national regulations. In this paper we present an approach based on Model-Driven Engineering techniques and abstractions for supporting the core functions of invoice management systems. We compare our solution with the traditional implementations and try to analyze the advantages MDE can bring to this specific domain