Requirements traceability in model-driven development: Applying model and transformation conformance

The variety of design artifacts (models) produced in a model-driven design process results in an intricate relationship between requirements and the various models. This paper proposes a methodological framework that simplifies management of this relationship, which helps in assessing the quality of models, realizations and transformation specifications. Our framework is a basis for understanding requirements traceability in model-driven development, as well as for the design of tools that support requirements traceability in model-driven development processes. We propose a notion of conformance between application models which reduces the effort needed for assessment activities. We discuss how this notion of conformance can be integrated with model transformations

Abstract Platform and Transformations for Model-Driven Service-Oriented Development

In this paper, we discuss the use of abstract platforms and transformation for designing applications according to the principles of the service-oriented architecture. We illustrate our approach by discussing the use of the service discovery pattern at a platform-independent design level. We show how a trader service can be specified at a high-level of abstraction and incorporated in an abstract platform for service-oriented development. Designers can then build platform-independent models of applications by composing application parts with this abstract platform. Application parts can use the trader service to publish and discover service offers. We discuss how the abstract platform can be realized into two target platforms, namely Web Services (with UDDI) and CORBA (with the OMG trader)

Costs and benefits of multiple levels of models in MDA development

In Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) development, models of a distributed application are carefully defined so as to remain stable in face of changes in technology platforms. As we have argued previously in [1, 3], models in MDA can be organized into different levels of platformindependence. In this paper, we analyze the costs and benefits of maintaining separate levels of models with transformations between these levels. We argue that the number of levels of models and the degree of automation of transformations between these levels depend on a number of design goals to be balanced, including those of maximizing the efficiency of the design process and maximizing the reusability of models and transformations

The role of the service concept in model-driven applications development

This paper identifies two paradigms that have influenced the design of distributed applications: the middleware-centred and the protocol-centred paradigm, and proposes a combined use of these two paradigms. This combined use incorporates major benefits from both paradigms: the ability to reuse middleware infrastructures and the ability to treat distributed coordination aspects as a separate object of design through the use of the service concept. A careful consideration of the service concept, and its recursive application, allows us to define an appropriate and precise notion of platform-independence that suits the needs of model-driven middleware application development

Parasitismo em canídeos do Concelho de Óbidos

Apresentação em painelO grande interesse manifestado pelos Serviços Veterinários Municipais do Concelho de Óbidos na implementação de medidas preventivas para minimizar os riscos de contaminação ambiental e de Saúde Pública, levou à realização dum estudo, durante o ano de 2009, nos canídeos deste concelho com vista à identificação do parasitismo e determinação dos períodos e áreas de maior risco de contaminação. Nas nove freguesias, recolheu-se um total de 548 amostras de fezes de canídeos (5,00 % do efectivo canino). Realizaram-se análises coprológicas qualitativas (métodos de Willis e sedimentação espontânea) e quantitativas (método de McMaster). Efectuaram-se ainda colheitas de ixodídeos em cerca de 10% da população de cães, durante o período de Vacinação anti-rábica e o seu estudo taxonómico baseou-se em Travassos Dias (1994) e Walker et al. (2000). Das amostras de fezes observadas, 274 (50%00 %) apresentaram formas de eliminação parasitária. Nas amostras positivas identificaram-se ovos de Ancylostomatidae (79,92%), (Ascarididae - Toxocara canis e Toxascaris leonina) (12,04%), Trichuris sp. (40,15%), Strongyloides sp. (18,98%), oocistos de Isospora sp. (2,55%) e Sarcocystis sp. (0,37%) e proglótides grávidos de Dipylidium caninum (0,74%). A prevalência variou consoante a freguesia em estudo (mínimo - 15,63%, em Sobral da Lagoa; máximo – 73,86%, no Vau). Predominarem as infecções simples na maioria das freguesias (55,56%), no entanto, quatro delas (44,44%), apresentaram superioridade de associações mistas (A-dos-Negros, Olho Marinho, Usseira e Vau). O estudo estacional permitiu evidenciar um aumento do número de amostras positivas, ao longo do ano: Inverno - 9,67%; Primavera - 11,86%; Verão - 13,50%; Outono - 14,96%. Com excepção do Inverno, onde se registou maior gravidade das infecções com superioridade de associações (50,94%), nas restantes estações, predominaram as infecções simples. No estudo dos ixodídeos, a carga parasitária média por animal foi de 5 exemplares. Predominaram os exemplares adultos (98,80%) relativamente às formas imaturas (1,21%). Verificou-se uma maior preponderância de machos (90 exemplares, 54,22%), relativamente às fêmeas (74 espécimes, 27,82%). Nos 166 exemplares colhidos identificaram-se duas espécies: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, com 150 exemplares, o que corresponde a 90,36%, e Rhipicephalus pusillus, com um total de 16 espécimes (10 machos e 6 fêmeas), equivalente a 9,64%. The great interest showed by the Veterinary County Offices on the implementation of prophylactic measures to minimize the risks of parasitic environmental contamination by dog faeces and its impact on Public Health, led to a study, to understand the existing parasitism and to assess the period and area of major risk of transmission. A total of 548 dog faeces samples (5% of the local canine population) was collected from public spaces, pavements, gardens and abandoned fields in nine sites. Coprological exams were performed by qualitative (Willis and spontaneous sedimentation methods) and quantitative techniques (McMaster method). Ixodid specimens were also collected from 10% of the local canine population, during the anti-rabic vaccination, and identified based on Travassos Dias (1994) and Walker et al. (2000) criteria. Egg output was registered in a total of 274 (50%) samples. Ancylostomatidae (79,92%), (Ascarididae - Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina) (12,04%), Trichuris sp. (40,15%) and Strongyloides sp. (18,98%) eggs, and Isospora sp. (2,55%) and Sarcocystis sp. (0,37%) oocysts were observed. Gravid proglotids of Dipylidium caninum (0,74%) was also evidenced. In the study area the overall prevalence varied from 15,63%, in Sobral da Lagoa to 73,86%, in Vau. Simple infection was predominant in the great majority of the studied areas, although four of them showed higher co-infections (A-dos-Negros, Olho Marinho, Usseira and Vau). Seasonal study enhanced an increase in the number of positive samples along the year (Winter - 9,67%; Spring - 11,86%; Summer - 13,50%; Autumn - 14,96%), excluding the Winter period, when more severe infections related to co-infections were noticed (50,94%), simple infections prevailed. In ixodid studies, the average of parasitic load was 5 specimens for dog. Adults were predominant (98,80%) in relation to immature (1,21%) and the number of males (90 specimens, 54,22%) was higher than females (74, 27,82). In a sample of 166 ixodids two species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, (150 individuals, 90,36%), and Rhipicephalus pusillus, (16 specimens, 9,64%)

Balanced scorecard performance assessment in a medical imaging department

The authors present and discuss the development of a strategic management model based on the Balanced Scorecard by Kaplan and Norton to implement in an imaging ward and the relations with Performance Measurement System that allows for the monitoring of the service's evolution, the alignment of objectives, and the evaluation of individual employees within the strategy of the ward and the hospital

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism in acutely decompensated chronic heart failure

Spironolactone was likely to provide faster congestion relief. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract Background/objectives Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) use in acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (ADCHF) may improve congestion through diuretic effect and prevent neurohormonal activation. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effect and safety of spironolactone in ADCHF. Methods Prospective, experimental, single-center, and single-blinded trial. Patients were treated with: standard ADCHF therapy or oral spironolactone 50–100 mg/d plus standard ADCHF therapy. Results During a 1 year period, 100 patients were enrolled, 50 included in the treatment group. Mean (SD) spironolactone dose (mg) at day 1 was 94.5 ± 23.3 and at day 3 was 62.7 ± 24.3. Worsening renal function (increase in pCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL from day 1 to day 3) was more likely to occur in control group (20% vs. 4%; p = 0.038), serum potassium did not differ between groups, and plasma NTproBNP had a significant decrease in spironolactone group at day 3 (median [IQR], 2488 [4579] vs. 1555 [1832]; p = 0.05). Furthermore, a greater proportion of patients in the treatment group were free of congestion at day 3: less edema, rales, jugular venous pressure (JVP) and orthopnea (all, p < 0.05). In addition, a significantly higher proportion of patients were on oral furosemide at day 3 (44% vs. 82%; p < 0.001). Conclusions Our study supports the safety of high dose spironolactone in ADCHF and suggests a positive impact in the resolution of congestion. The important findings of our pilot study need to be confirmed in larger trials

Using silvopastoral systems for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in the Colombian Amazon

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) are strategic in neutralizing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in livestock production systems, particularly in the tropics. This research assessed the mitigation potential of SPS on the carbon footprint (CFP) neutralizing in one integrated livestock farm of cow-calf and pig production system in the Colombian Amazon. Annual carbon accumulation rate (ACAR) in MgCO2e ha− 1y−1, was evaluated on living above-ground biomass including trees and shrubs > 2 cm DBH and pasture, and leaf litter and below-ground biomass including coarse and fine roots, soil organic carbon 0–10 cm deep, and total ACAR adding up all components in live fences (LF), scattered trees (ST), fallows (FW), fodder bank (FB) and pastures (PT). The GHG emissions in MgCO2e ha− 1y−1 were accounted in CO2 from liming, urea, fuel, electricity, and supplementation, CH4 from enteric methane, manure, and organic fertilization and N2O from urine and manure. The C balance was obtained from the differences between ACAR of SPS on farm and the CFP per surface. Mean total ACAR expressed in MgC ha− 1y−1 were 9.0 ± 4.6 in FW, 7.0 ± 1.2 in LF, 5.5 ± 0.8 in ST, 4.2 ± 0.2 in FB and 2.9 ± 0.1 in PT. Mean CFP was 3.7 MgCO2e ha− 1y−1, 5.3 MgCO2e Live Weight ha− 1y−1, and 23.6 MgCO2e Live Weight Gain y− 1. The CFP (area) can be neutralized with total ACAR value of 2.1 ha− 1 for LF, 1.6 ha− 1 for FW, 2.6 ha− 1 for ST, 3.5 ha− 1 for FB and 5.1 ha− 1 for PT. The Silvopastoral systems have a higher potential for neutralizing GHG emissions than pasture-based scenario when considering the ACAR in above-ground biomass.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio