Language-independent look-ahead for checking multi-perspective declarative process models

Declarative process modelling languages focus on describing a process by restrictions over the behaviour, which must be satisfied throughout the whole process execution. Hence, they are well suited for modelling knowledge-intensive processes with many decision points. However, such models can be hard to read and understand, which affect the modelling and maintenance of the process models tremendously as well as their execution. When executing such declarative (multi-perspective) process models, it may happen that the execution of activities or the change of data values may result in the non-executability of crucial activities. Hence, it would be beneficial to know all consequences of decisions to give recommendations to the process participants. A look-ahead attempts to predict the effects of executing an activity towards possible consequences within an a priori defined time window. The prediction is based on the current state of the process execution, the intended next event and the underlying process model. While execution engines for single-perspective imperative process models already implement such functionality, execution approaches, for multi-perspective declarative process models that involve constraints on data and resources, are less mature. In this paper, we introduce a simulation-based look-ahead approach for multi-perspective declarative process models. This approach transforms the problem of a context-aware process simulation into a SAT problem, by translating a declarative multi-perspective process model and the current state of a process execution into a specification of the logic language Alloy. Via a SAT solver, process trajectories are generated that either satisfy or violate this specification. The simulated process trajectories are used to derive consequences and effects of certain decisions at any time of process execution. We evaluate our approach by means of three examples and give some advice for further optimizations

Inflammaging is driven by upregulation of innate immune receptors and systemic interferon signaling and is ameliorated by dietary restriction

Aging is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammation known as inflammaging in multiple tissues, representing a risk factor for age-related diseases. Dietary restriction (DR) is the best-known non-invasive method to ameliorate aging in many organisms. However, the molecular mechanism and the signaling pathways that drive inflammaging across different tissues and how they are modulated by DR are not yet understood. Here we identify a multi-tissue gene network regulating inflammaging. This network is characterized by chromatin opening and upregulation in the transcription of innate immune system receptors and by activation of interferon signaling through interferon regulatory factors, inflammatory cytokines, and Stat1-mediated transcription. DR ameliorates aging-induced alterations of chromatin accessibility and RNA transcription of the inflammaging gene network while failing to rescue those alterations on the rest of the genome. Our results present a comprehensive understanding of the molecular network regulating inflammation in aging and DR and provide anti-inflammaging therapeutic targets

Das Modernitätspotential der alten Sprachen und ihre Bedeutung für die Identität Europas = The Potential of Modernity of the old Languages and their Meaning for European Identity. ZEI Discussion Papers: 2002, C 98

[From the Introduction]. 1. Einleitung Die Welt im Aufbruch zu sich selbst – so könnte man die Situation zu Beginn des dritten Jahrtausends überschreiben: Zuvor weit voneinander entfernte, durch wirtschaftliche, politische und kulturelle Gräben getrennte Lebensräume wachsen zusammen, Menschen, die zuvor schon rein physisch voneinander isoliert waren, können scheinbar schrankenlos miteinander kommunizieren, Medien, Computertechnik und Internet eröffnen die Möglichkeit zu totaler weltweiter Präsenz, damit einhergehend lockt die simultane Verfügbarkeit eben dieser totalen globalen Präsenz zum Eintritt ins ‘globale Dorf’. Neue Möglichkeiten wirtschaftlicher, politischer und kultureller Aktivität fordern zum globalen Wettbewerb auf und eröffnen Chancen neuer wirtschaftlicher Prosperität, sozialen Aufstiegs oder politischen Einflusses für Einzelne ebenso wie für ganze Staaten. Wohin dieser Modernisierungsschub führen wird, läßt sich momentan nur ahnen. Von einer generellen Tempobeschleunigung (‘acceleration’) ist immer wieder die Rede. Was gestern noch galt, steht heute in Frage und wird morgen nur noch Schnee von gestern sein. Ein weiteres Stichwort ist ‘Individualisierung’. Die prinzipielle Möglichkeit, per Mausklick jede beliebige Information aufrufen, mit dem Flugzeug binnen Stunden jeden beliebigen Ort der Erde erreichen und zudem – unter einem etwas weiteren (Lebens-) Horizont – mit entsprechender Kompetenz, gutem Gespür für den ‘Markt’ und ein bißchen Glück auch persönlich unabhängig von sozialer Herkunft, sogar z. T. unabhängig vom eigenen formalen Bildungshintergrund zu frei gesteckten Lebenszielen aufbrechen zu können, erweckt den Eindruck bedingungsloser Offenheit und Mobilität in geistiger, räumlicher und sozialer Hinsicht