Systematic evaluation of software product line architectures

The architecture of a software product line is one of its most important artifacts as it represents an abstraction of the products that can be generated. It is crucial to evaluate the quality attributes of a product line architecture in order to: increase the productivity of the product line process and the quality of the products; provide a means to understand the potential behavior of the products and, consequently, decrease their time to market; and, improve the handling of the product line variability. The evaluation of product line architecture can serve as a basis to analyze the managerial and economical values of a product line for software managers and architects. Most of the current research on the evaluation of product line architecture does not take into account metrics directly obtained from UML models and their variabilities; the metrics used instead are difficult to be applied in general and to be used for quantitative analysis. This paper presents a Systematic Evaluation Method for UML-based Software Product Line Architecture, the SystEM-PLA. SystEM-PLA differs from current research as it provides stakeholders with a means to: (i) estimate and analyze potential products; (ii) use predefined basic UML-based metrics to compose quality attribute metrics; (iii) perform feasibility and trade-off analysis of a product line architecture with respect to its quality attributes; and, (iv) make the evaluation of product line architecture more flexible. An example using the SEI’s Arcade Game Maker (AGM) product line is presented as a proof of concept, illustrating SystEM-PLA activities. Metrics for complexity and extensibility quality attributes are defined and used to perform a trade-off analysis

Modeling the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in ObR-E’s: The Eight (8) Coordinates

The need to formulate quantifiers for water, energy and food (WEF) is necessary sequel to conservation issues worldwide. Existing methodologies on the WEF nexus appear less fitting in sustainability arguments because of incompleteness. This article analyzes the WEF nexus in open but restricted environments (ObR-E’s) with completeness assumption in form of the known inter-intra dependence of nexus elements for sustainability and better conservation practice. The analysis leads to the discovery of the Jalingo equation whose any non simplistic solution is a solution to the WEF problem in some ObR-E’s world wide. It is important to seek other non simplistic solutions for this equation under certain constraints known to affect WEF in ObR-E’s of specialty

Matching fields of a long superconducting film

We obtain the vortex configurations, the matching fields and the magnetization of a superconducting film with a finite cross section. The applied magnetic field is normal to this cross section, and we use London theory to calculate many of its properties, such as the local magnetic field, the free energy and the induction for the mixed state. Thus previous similar theoretical works, done for an infinitely long superconducting film, are recovered here, in the special limit of a very long cross section.Comment: Contains a REVTeX file and 4 figure

My heart is racing! Psychophysiological dynamics of skilled racecar drivers

Our purpose was to test the multi-action plan (MAP) model assumptions in which athletes’ psychophysiological patterns differ among optimal and suboptimal performance experiences. Nine professional drivers competing in premier race categories (e.g., Formula 3, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge) completed the study. Data collection involved monitoring the drivers’ perceived hedonic tone, accuracy on core components of action, posture, skin temperature, respiration rate, and heart rate responses during a 40-lap simulated race. Time marks, gathered at three standardized sectors, served as the performance variable. The A1GP racing simulator (Allinsport, Modena) established a realistic race platform. Specifically, the Barcelona track was chosen due to its inherently difficult nature characterized by intermittent deceleration points. Idiosyncratic analyses showed large individual differences in the drivers’ psychophysiological profile, as well as distinct patterns in regards to optimal and suboptimal performance experiences. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed. Action (e.g., attentional control) and emotion (e.g., biofeedback training) centered applied sport psychology implications are advanced

“Trading daughters for livestock”: An ethnographic study of facilitators of child marriage in Lira district, Northern Uganda

Child marriage remains a significant challenge in Uganda despite national policies, legislation and programs for improved rights of girls. This ethnographic study aimed to explore underlying drivers of child marriage in Lira district, Northern Uganda. We applied a triangulation of qualitative methods; in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observations. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. Our study findings showed that child marriage is still prevalent in the study area and the practice was also carried out at designated markets, at which girls were traded in exchange of livestock. The main drivers of child marriage were identified as poverty and survival strategies; socio-cultural beliefs and norms; and school dropouts. Determined efforts are needed to address the socio-cultural drivers of child marriage, keep girls in school, address poverty through targeting the family and individual level with appropriate incentives to address the economic needs of girls and families to delay marriage, enforce laws prohibiting the practice of child marriage, equip teenagers with accurate information on SRHR and ensure that parents support their daughters to be educated and responsible adults.   Le mariage d’enfants reste un défi majeur en Ouganda malgré les politiques, la législation et les programmes nationaux pour l'amélioration des droits des filles. Cette étude ethnographique visait à examiner les facteurs sous-jacents du mariage d’enfants dans le district de Lira, dans le nord de l'Ouganda. Nous avons utilisé une triangulation des méthodes qualitatives; des entretiens approfondis, des groupes de discussion, des entretiens avec des informateurs clés et des observations. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide d’une thématique qualitative pour l’analyse de données. Les résultats de notre étude ont montré que le mariage d’enfants est toujours répandu dans la zone d'étude et que la pratique a été également effectuée dans des marchés désignés, où les filles étaient échangées contre du bétail. Les principaux moteurs du mariage d’enfants ont été identifiés comme étant la pauvreté et les stratégies de survie, croyances et normes socioculturelles et le décrochage scolaire. Des efforts résolus sont nécessaires pour traiter les facteurs socioculturels du mariage d’enfants, faire en sorte que les filles restent à l'école, lutter contre la pauvreté tout en ciblant des incitations appropriées pour répondre aux besoins économiques des filles au niveau individuel et familial et des familles pour retarder le mariage, faire appliquer les lois interdisant cette pratique du mariage d’enfants, fournir aux adolescents des informations précises sur la SDSR et veiller à ce que les parents donnent soutien à leurs filles à devenir des adultes éduqués et responsables

Effect of biofertilizers and neem oil on the entomopathogenic fungi beauveria bassiana (Bals.) vuill. and metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) sorok.

The in vitro fungitoxic effect of three biofertilizers, E.M.-4, Multibion Ô and Supermagro used in organic agriculture and the neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana was studied. These products were mixed in a medium where the two fungi were inoculated, and germination, vegetative growth and conidiogenesis were assessed. The biofertilizers Supermagro and E.M.- 4 showed to be less toxic for the two fungi whereas MultibionÔ caused major inhibition on M. anisopliae, with reductions in germination (-37.74%), colony diameter (-30.26%) and conidiogenesis (-42.62%). Neem oil promoted a larger negative effect on B. bassiana, inhibiting germination (-45.27%), colony diameter (-36.62%) and conidiogenesis (-84.93%)

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF TUSCAN SAUSAGE OF CHICKEN MEAT WITH THE ADDITION OF QUINOA

The meat has exceptional organoleptic characteristics associated with its nutritional value, convert it into a food of animal origin most valued by consumers.  Due to the lack of time to eat properly, people started to consume more frequently, manufactured products, fried foods, sweets and sandwiches, disregarding the negative factors to health.  Aiming at the need to prepare food with low cholesterol levels, this study aimed to prepare and study the sensory acceptance of Tuscan sausage of chicken meat with the addition of quinoa. The practice of preparing formulations followed the standard procedure for the preparation of sausage from Tuscany using gut collagen and 3.0 % of quinoa. The samples were analyzed for protein (g 100g-1), fat (g100g-1), moisture content (g 100g-1), caloric value (kcal/g) and sensory analyses. The results of microbiological and physicochemical were within normal limits required by law, qualifying products made fit for human consumption.  A sensory acceptance test was carried out with 30 untrained panelists. The marks awarded by the panelists for the color, juiciness, odor flavor, texture and overall acceptance attributes were between 4 (Moderately Good) and 5 (Very Good), indicating that formulations are within the zone of acceptance. The marks awarded by the judges for the purchase of attitude corresponds to "Certainly Buy", showing that this product can be marketed