Introducing case management : opening workflow management's black box

Workflow management systems are very adequate for supporting the flow of work through enterprises, but do not deliver coordination support to end-users within the work items they perform. In this paper, the concept of case management is introduced, which specifically targets this type of support. Its associated technology is intended to be used as a harmonious extension of workflow technology, instead of a competing system. A discussion in some depth is presented of the concept, methods, and technology of case management, as well as experiences with its application in industry

A declarative approach for flexible business processes management

Abstract. Management of dynamic processes in an important issue in rapidly changing organizations. Workflow management systems are systems that use detailed process models to drive the business processes. Current business process modelling languages and models are of imperative nature – they strictly prescribe how to work. Systems that allow users to maneuver within the process model or even change the model while working are considered to be the most suitable for dynamic processes management. However, in many companies it is not realistic to expect that end-users are able to change their processes. Moreover, the imperative nature of these languages forces designer to over-specify processes, which results in frequent changes. We propose a fundamental paradigm shift for flexible process management and propose a more declarative approach. Declarative models specify what should be done without specifying how it should be done. We propose the ConDec language for modelling and enacting dynamic business processes. ConDec is based on temporal logic rather than some imperative process modelling language. Key words: Workflow management, declarative model specification, dynamic workflow, flexibility, temporal logic

Resurgence in Ice Nuclei Measurement Research

The accuracy and precision of current ice nuclei (IN) instruments is reported and progress made toward addressing apparent shortfalls in past ice nuclei measurements is studied. Most new IN instruments can measure at controlled conditions below water saturation and, in some cases, well below -40°C. The UF FRIDGE and the Tel Aviv University (TAU) FRIDGE have showed much lower concentrations of ice nuclei than any of the CFDC instruments. A postanalysis of the measurements has revealed that the petroleum jelly used to increase thermal contact between the collection filter and the cooling stage became mobile at the low pressure operational conditions and condensed on the ice nuclei, leading to a deactivation effect. The longer evaporation section of the ZINC instrument permits extension of measurements to a higher water supersaturation bound before water droplets begin to survive through to the optical detector