The Interchange of (Meta)Models between MetaEdit+ and Eclipse EMF Using M3-Level-Based Bridges

Nowadays there are powerful tools for Domain-Specific Modeling. An ongoing problem is the insuffcient tool interoperability which complicates the development of complete tool chains or the re-use of existing metamodels, models, and model operations. In this paper we present the approach of M3-Level-Based Bridges and apply this approach to enable the interoperability between two selected tools. The first tool is MetaEdit+ with strengths in (meta)modeling and the second tool is the Eclipse Modeling Framework with advantages in model processing by transformation and generation tools

Business Process Modelling with Continuous Validation

In this paper, we demonstrate the prototype of a modelling tool that applies graph-based rules for identifying problems in business process models. The advantages of our approach are twofold. Firstly, it is not necessary to compute the complete state space of the model in order to find errors. Secondly, our technique can even be applied to incomplete business process models. Thus, the modeller can be supported by direct feedback during the model construction. This feedback does not only report problems, but it also identifies their reasons and makes suggestions for improvements

Model Interchange between ARIS and Eclipse EMF

The Architecture of integrated Information Systems (ARIS) is a technical space that is widely used in the area of business process management. The reuse of ARIS models in other working contexts is offered by ARIS-specific import and export interfaces. Nevertheless, the interoperability with other technical spaces is limited. In this paper, we explore ARIS language definition concepts and relate them to the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF). We describe an ARIS to EMF bridge which provides transformations of ARIS modeling languages and ARIS models to the EMF environment. Our bridge shows similarities and differences between the two approaches and provides technical interoperability that e.g. enables the processing of ARIS models in EMF-supporting tools (e.g. ATLAS Transformation Language)

Systemanalyse der Schaf- und Ziegenmilchproduktion in Deutschland

The production of sheep and goat milk in professional farming has become more important in the last decade. However, concrete underlying data are so far incomplete. Thus the aim of the system analysis was the accumulation of data and knowledge about sheep and goat milk production in Germany. Production processes and factors on farms are to be recorded as well as information about players in the processing and marketing sector. Through research, questionnaires and interviews with farmers, processors, commercial representatives and experts it was possible to generate a conclusive overview of this young sector. One outcome was a high proportion of organic farming (65% of dairy goat, 67% of dairy sheep farms). While there is much optimism with regards to further growth in production and demand, several hurdles from breeding to flock management and husbandry still have to be solve

Berechnung von Modelldifferenzen als Basis für die Evolution von Prozessmodellen

In diesem Beitrag wird die Berechnung von Differenzen zwischen Prozessmodellen betrachtet. Hierzu werden verschiedene Ansätze undWerkzeuge zur Berechnung von Differenzen beschrieben. Ausgehend von einem konkreten Anwendungsfall – einer EPK-zu-BPEL-Transformation – werden verschiedene Testkriterien aufgestellt, die anschließend zur Evaluierung von zwei Differenzbildungswerkzeugen dienen. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung entsprechend dargestellt

EPK-Validierung zur Modellierungszeit in der bflow* Toolbox

Dieser Beitrag stellt den Prototyp eines EPK-Modellierungswerkzeugs vor, der Verfahren zur Suche in Graphen nutzt, um Fehler in EPK-Modellen zu identifizieren. Dieses Werkzeug hat gegenüber bekannten Ansätzen zwei Vorzüge: Zum einen ist es nicht notwendig, den (oft sehr großen) Zustandsraum aller möglichen Abläufe in einem Modell zu berechnen. Zum Zweiten kann unser Ansatz auch auf noch nicht vollständig fertiggestellte Modelle angewendet werden. Der Modellierer wird sofort zur Modellierungszeit über mögliche Probleme sowie deren Ursachen informiert und erhält unmittelbare Vorschläge zur Beseitigung der Probleme

Ansatz zur ganzheitlichen Erstellung und Verarbeitung von Dienstleistungsmodellen

Obgleich die Notwendigkeit einer Dienstleistungsmodellierung ausreichend anerkannt ist, wird ein Fehlen einer ganzheitlichen Modellierungsmethode weiterhin bemängelt. Einen Grund für dieses Fehlen sehen die Autoren darin, dass bei der Erstellung von Dienstleistungsmodellen die Metamodellebenen oftmals nicht klar genug getrennt werden. Eine solche Trennung kann zu einer wesentlichen Verbesserung der Ergebnisse bei Forschungsbemühungen in der Domäne der Dienstleistungsmodellierung führen. Gleichzeitig impliziert eine Betrachtung von Metamodellebenen die Notwendigkeit der Interoperabilität auf der Ebene der Metametamodelle. Dieser Beitrag legt die Gründe für die Notwendigkeit einer klaren Betrachtung der Metamodellierungsebenen dar und zeigt die Möglichkeit eines Mappings auf der Ebene der Metametamodelle als elementares Gestaltungselement einer ganzheitlichen Modellierungsmethode auf

Worst case and probabilistic analysis of the 2-Opt algorithm for the TSP

2-Opt is probably the most basic local search heuristic for the TSP. This heuristic achieves amazingly good results on “real world” Euclidean instances both with respect to running time and approximation ratio. There are numerous experimental studies on the performance of 2-Opt. However, the theoretical knowledge about this heuristic is still very limited. Not even its worst case running time on 2-dimensional Euclidean instances was known so far. We clarify this issue by presenting, for every p∈N , a family of L p instances on which 2-Opt can take an exponential number of steps. Previous probabilistic analyses were restricted to instances in which n points are placed uniformly at random in the unit square [0,1]2, where it was shown that the expected number of steps is bounded by O~(n10) for Euclidean instances. We consider a more advanced model of probabilistic instances in which the points can be placed independently according to general distributions on [0,1] d , for an arbitrary d≥2. In particular, we allow different distributions for different points. We study the expected number of local improvements in terms of the number n of points and the maximal density ϕ of the probability distributions. We show an upper bound on the expected length of any 2-Opt improvement path of O~(n4+1/3⋅ϕ8/3) . When starting with an initial tour computed by an insertion heuristic, the upper bound on the expected number of steps improves even to O~(n4+1/3−1/d⋅ϕ8/3) . If the distances are measured according to the Manhattan metric, then the expected number of steps is bounded by O~(n4−1/d⋅ϕ) . In addition, we prove an upper bound of O(ϕ√d) on the expected approximation factor with respect to all L p metrics. Let us remark that our probabilistic analysis covers as special cases the uniform input model with ϕ=1 and a smoothed analysis with Gaussian perturbations of standard deviation σ with ϕ∼1/σ d

Linagliptin Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Hepatic Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obesity

Linagliptin (tradjenta™) is a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. DPP-4 inhibition attenuates insulin resistance and improves peripheral glucose utilization in humans. However, the effects of chronic DPP-4 inhibition on insulin sensitivity are not known. The effects of long-term treatment (3–4 weeks) with 3 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day linagliptin on insulin sensitivity and liver fat content were determined in diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Chow-fed animals served as controls. DPP-4 activity was significantly inhibited (67–89%) by linagliptin (P<0.001). Following an oral glucose tolerance test, blood glucose concentrations (measured as area under the curve) were significantly suppressed after treatment with 3 mg/kg/day (–16.5% to –20.3%; P<0.01) or 30 mg/kg/day (–14.5% to –26.4%; P<0.05) linagliptin (both P<0.01). Liver fat content was significantly reduced by linagliptin in a dose-dependent manner (both doses P<0.001). Diet-induced obese mice treated for 4 weeks with 3 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day linagliptin had significantly improved glycated hemoglobin compared with vehicle (both P<0.001). Significant dose-dependent improvements in glucose disposal rates were observed during the steady state of the euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp: 27.3 mg/kg/minute and 32.2 mg/kg/minute in the 3 mg/kg/day and 30 mg/kg/day linagliptin groups, respectively; compared with 20.9 mg/kg/minute with vehicle (P<0.001). Hepatic glucose production was significantly suppressed during the clamp: 4.7 mg/kg/minute and 2.1 mg/kg/minute in the 3 mg/kg/day and 30 mg/kg/day linagliptin groups, respectively; compared with 12.5 mg/kg/minute with vehicle (P<0.001). In addition, 30 mg/kg/day linagliptin treatment resulted in a significantly reduced number of macrophages infiltrating adipose tissue (P<0.05). Linagliptin treatment also decreased liver expression of PTP1B, SOCS3, SREBP1c, SCD-1 and FAS (P<0.05). Other tissues like muscle, heart and kidney were not significantly affected by the insulin sensitizing effect of linagliptin. Long-term linagliptin treatment reduced liver fat content in animals with diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, and may account for improved insulin sensitivity

Cell Origin of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Determines a Different Healing Performance in Cardiac Regeneration

The possible different therapeutic efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) derived from umbilical cord blood (CB), adipose tissue (AT) or bone marrow (BM) for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) remains unexplored. This study was to assess the regenerative potential of hMSC from different origins and to evaluate the role of CD105 in cardiac regeneration. Male SCID mice underwent LAD-ligation and received the respective cell type (400.000/per animal) intramyocardially. Six weeks post infarction, cardiac catheterization showed significant preservation of left ventricular functions in BM and CD105+-CB treated groups compared to CB and nontreated MI group (MI-C). Cell survival analyzed by quantitative real time PCR for human GAPDH and capillary density measured by immunostaining showed consistent results. Furthermore, cardiac remodeling can be significantly attenuated by BM-hMSC compared to MI-C. Under hypoxic conditions in vitro, remarkably increased extracellular acidification and apoptosis has been detected from CB-hMSC compared to BM and CD105 purified CB-derived hMSC. Our findings suggests that hMSC originating from different sources showed a different healing performance in cardiac regeneration and CD105+ hMSC exhibited a favorable survival pattern in infarcted hearts, which translates into a more robust preservation of cardiac function