Towards run-time monitoring of web services conformance to business-level agreements

Web service behaviour is currently specified in a mixture of ways, often using methods that are only partially complete. These range from static functional specifications, based on interfaces in WSDL and preconditions in RIF, to business process simulations using executable process-based models such as BPEL, to detailed quality of service (QoS) agreements laid down in a service level agreement (SLA). This paper recognises that something similar to a SLA is required at the higher business level to govern the contract between service producers, brokers and consumers. We call this a business level agreement (BLA) and within this framework, seek to unify disparate aspects of functional specification, QoS and run-time verification. We propose that the method for validating a web service with respect to its advertised BLA should be based on run-time service monitoring. This is a position paper towards defining these goals

Development of a Cost-Effective Concrete Bridge Deck Preservation Program: Volume 1—Development and Implementation of the Experimental Program

The deterioration of bridge decks has been identified as a major problem in Indiana. The primary cause of this deterioration is salt water ingress from the application of deicing salts during the winter. Deicing chemicals placed on the road mix with water and enter the deck through cracks and the pore structure of the concrete. This results in corrosion of the reinforcing steel and scaling of the surface, which leads to a shortened bridge deck life and costly deck replacement. The objective of this study is to investigate potentially effective and economic bridge deck preservation methods to significantly extend the service life of bridge decks, and as a result, extend the life of bridge structures in the State of Indiana. The research is presented in two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the development and implementation of the experimental program. A survey of State Departments of Transportation identified the types of bridge deck preservation programs that are currently in use, the methods that they have employed in the past, and the perceived level of success with these programs and methods. A literature review provided information regarding specific products that performed well, characteristics of broader chemical families and their best uses, and other variables that may influence the effectiveness of sealers. The results of the DOT survey and literature review were used to determine the materials and methods to be further investigated in the experimental study. Based on this background, a series of macrocell specimens were constructed, and a salt water exposure regimen was initiated to examine the effectiveness of deck/crack sealer materials and application methods that were identified. Volume 2 presents the results of this study which were developed through the analysis of the recorded electrical activity after 1600 days of exposure followed by autopsy of the specimens. A visual rating scheme was used to assess the specimens during autopsy and to demonstrate the correspondence between the observed severity of corrosion and the recorded electrical activity. In addition, a deck sealer was applied to specimens with preexisting corrosion to evaluate the sealer\u27s effectiveness in slowing the rate of corrosion. The deck sealer products were studied further by correlating both the sealer penetration depth and the chloride penetration profile with the products\u27 effectiveness in resisting corrosion activity. A preliminary field application of crack sealer to an existing bridge deck was completed to evaluate processes, equipment, and other required resources. Finally, recommendations are provided regarding product selection and application to enable cost effective implementation of a bridge deck sealing program across the State of Indiana

Development of a Cost-Effective Concrete Bridge Deck Preservation Program: Volume 2—Final Results and Recommendations

The deterioration of bridge decks has been identified as a major problem in Indiana. The primary cause of this deterioration is salt water ingress from the application of deicing salts during the winter. Deicing chemicals placed on the road mix with water and enter the deck through cracks and the pore structure of the concrete. This results in corrosion of the reinforcing steel and scaling of the surface, which leads to a shortened bridge deck life and costly deck replacement. The objective of this study is to investigate potentially effective and economic bridge deck preservation methods to significantly extend the service life of bridge decks, and as a result, extend the life of bridge structures in the State of Indiana. The research is presented in two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the development and implementation of the experimental program. A survey of State Departments of Transportation identified the types of bridge deck preservation programs that are currently in use, the methods that they have employed in the past, and the perceived level of success with these programs and methods. A literature review provided information regarding specific products that performed well, characteristics of broader chemical families and their best uses, and other variables that may influence the effectiveness of sealers. The results of the DOT survey and literature review were used to determine the materials and methods to be further investigated in the experimental study. Based on this background, a series of macrocell specimens were constructed, and a salt water exposure regimen was initiated to examine the effectiveness of deck/crack sealer materials and application methods that were identified. Volume 2 presents the results of this study which were developed through the analysis of the recorded electrical activity after 1600 days of exposure followed by autopsy of the specimens. A visual rating scheme was used to assess the specimens during autopsy and to demonstrate the correspondence between the observed severity of corrosion and the recorded electrical activity. In addition, a deck sealer was applied to specimens with preexisting corrosion to evaluate the sealer\u27s effectiveness in slowing the rate of corrosion. The deck sealer products were studied further by correlating both the sealer penetration depth and the chloride penetration profile with the products\u27 effectiveness in resisting corrosion activity. A preliminary field application of crack sealer to an existing bridge deck was completed to evaluate processes, equipment, and other required resources. Finally, recommendations are provided regarding product selection and application to enable cost effective implementation of a bridge deck sealing program across the State of Indiana

Cardiovascular Risk Factors Are Associated With Future Cancer

BACKGROUND The extent to which co-occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer is due to shared risk factors or other mechanisms is unknown. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the association of standard CVD risk factors, CVD biomarkers, pre-existing CVD, and ideal cardiovascular (CV) health metrics with the development of future cancer. METHODS This study prospectively followed Framingham Heart Study and PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) study participants free of cancer at baseline and ascertained histology-proven cancer. This study assessed the association of baseline CV risk factors, 10-year atherosclerotic (ASCVD) risk score, established CVD biomarkers, prevalent CVD, and the American Heart Association (AHA) Life's Simple 7 CV health score with incident cancer using multivariable Cox models. Analyses of interim CVD events with incident cancer used time-dependent covariates. RESULTS Among 20,305 participants (mean age 50 +/- 14 years; 54% women), 2,548 incident cancer cases occurred over a median follow-up of 15.0 years (quartile 1 to 3: 13.3 to 15.0 years). Traditional CVD risk factors, including age, sex, and smoking status, were independently associated with cancer (p < 0.001 for all). Estimated 10-year ASCVD risk was also associated with future cancer (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.16 per 5% increase in risk; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.17; p < 0.001). The study found that natriuretic peptides (tertile 3 vs. tertite 1; HR: 1.40; 95% 0:1.03 to 1.91; p 0.035) were associated with incident cancer but not high-sensitivity troponin (p 0.47). Prevalent CVD and the development of interim CV events were not associated with higher risk of subsequent cancer. However, ideal CV health was associated with tower future cancer risk (HR: 0.95 per 1-point increase in the AHA health score; 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS CVD risk, as captured by traditional CVD risk factors, 10-year ASCVD risk score, and natriuretic peptide concentrations are associated with increased risk of future cancer. Conversely, a heart healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of future cancer. These data suggest that the association between CVD and future cancer is attributable to shared risk factors. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Cardiovascular disease related circulating biomarkers and cancer incidence and mortality:is there an association?

Aims Recent studies suggest an association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer incidence/mortality, but the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. We aimed to examine biomarkers previously associated with CVD and study their association with incident cancer and cancer-related death in a prospective cohort study. Methods and results We used a proteomic platform to measure 71 cardiovascular biomarkers among 5032 participants in the Framingham Heart Study who were free of cancer at baseline. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox models to examine the association of circulating protein biomarkers with risk of cancer incidence and mortality. To account for multiple testing, we set a 2-sided false discovery rat

Aldosterone decreases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo in mice and in murine islets

Aldosterone concentrations increase in obesity and predict the onset of diabetes. We investigated the effects of aldosterone on glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro

Service network analysis for agricultural mental health

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Farmers represent a subgroup of rural and remote communities at higher risk of suicide attributed to insecure economic futures, self-reliant cultures and poor access to health services. Early intervention models are required that tap into existing farming networks. This study describes service networks in rural shires that relate to the mental health needs of farming families. This serves as a baseline to inform service network improvements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A network survey of mental health related links between agricultural support, health and other human services in four drought declared shires in comparable districts in rural New South Wales, Australia. Mental health links covered information exchange, referral recommendations and program development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>87 agencies from 111 (78%) completed a survey. 79% indicated that two thirds of their clients needed assistance for mental health related problems. The highest mean number of interagency links concerned information exchange and the frequency of these links between sectors was monthly to three monthly. The effectiveness of agricultural support and health sector links were rated as less effective by the agricultural support sector than by the health sector (p < .05). The most highly linked across all areas of activity were Rural Financial Counsellors, the Department of Primary Industry Drought Support Workers and Community Health Centres. Hence for a mental health service network targeting farming families these are three key agencies across the spectrum of case work to program development. The study limitations in describing service networks relate to the accuracy of network bounding, self report bias and missing data from non participants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Aligning with agricultural agencies is important to build effective mental health service pathways to address the needs of farming populations. Work is required to ensure that these agricultural support agencies have operational and effective links to primary mental health care services. Network analysis provides a baseline to inform this work. With interventions such as local mental health training and joint service planning to promote network development we would expect to see over time an increase in the mean number of links, the frequency in which these links are used and the rated effectiveness of these links.</p

Association of Cardiometabolic Disease With Cancer in the Community

BACKGROUND: Obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction have been associated with cancer risk and severity. Underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine associations of obesity and related cardiometabolic traits with incident cancer. METHODS: FHS (Framingham Heart Study) and PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) study participants without prevalent cancer were studied, examining associations of obesity, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots, and C-reactive protein (CRP) with future cancer in Cox models. RESULTS: Among 20,667 participants (mean age 50 years, 53% women), 2,619 cancer events were observed over a median follow-up duration of 15 years. Obesity was associated with increased risk for future gastrointestinal (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.05-1.60), gynecologic (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.08-2.45), and breast (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.05-1.66) cancer and lower risk for lung cancer (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.44-0.87). Similarly, waist circumference was associated with increased risk for overall, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic but not lung cancer. VAT but not subcutaneous adipose tissue was associated with risk for overall cancer (HR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05-1.43), lung cancer (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.01-3.66), and melanoma (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.02-2.38) independent of BMI. Last, higher CRP levels were associated with higher risk for overall, colorectal, and lung cancer (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and abdominal adiposity are associated with future risk for specific cancers (eg, gastrointestinal, gynecologic). Although obesity was associated with lower risk for lung cancer, greater VAT and CRP were associated with higher lung cancer risk after adjusting for BMI

A Screen for Spore Wall Permeability Mutants Identifies a Secreted Protease Required for Proper Spore Wall Assembly

The ascospores of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are surrounded by a complex wall that protects the spores from environmental stresses. The outermost layer of the spore wall is composed of a polymer that contains the cross-linked amino acid dityrosine. This dityrosine layer is important for stress resistance of the spore. This work reports that the dityrosine layer acts as a barrier blocking the diffusion of soluble proteins out of the spore wall into the cytoplasm of the ascus. Diffusion of a fluorescent protein out of the spore wall was used as an assay to screen for mutants affecting spore wall permeability. One of the genes identified in this screen, OSW3 (RRT12/YCR045c), encodes a subtilisin-family protease localized to the spore wall. Mutation of the active site serine of Osw3 results in spores with permeable walls, indicating that the catalytic activity of Osw3 is necessary for proper construction of the dityrosine layer. These results indicate that dityrosine promotes stress resistance by acting as a protective shell around the spore. OSW3 and other OSW genes identified in this screen are strong candidates to encode enzymes involved in assembly of this protective dityrosine coat