Interaction-driven definition of e-business processes

Business-to-business interaction (B2Bi) is the next step for corporate IT [1]. Business relationships become increasingly dynamic, and new requirements emerge for data and process management. Standardisation initiatives are successfully targeting business ontology [4]. Still, business agility mainly depends on the flexibility of the business processes of a company. In the B2B space, traditional approaches to process modelling and management are inadequate. Today more than ever, traditional workflow management is crucial for the internal effectiveness of a company. Internal efficiency is a prerequisite for external agility. From both a technical and a business perspective, internal workflow management relies on specific assumptions in terms of resources involved in the process, as well as the process itself [2]. Level of control, availability, reliability, and cost stability are parameters that traditional process models and technology can almost take for granted. A single authority ruling on the process definition and the total control over process execution are also basic concepts for internal workflows. From a business perspective, a big upfront investment is put in the complete definition of process specifications. A different conceptual framework is required for the definition and management of e-business processes [3, 5]. The intrinsic capability to adapt to rapidly changing business requirements becomes crucial. The line of research explored in this paper derives from an approach to process modelling and management that explicitly targets the peculiarities and dynamics of B2Bi. In the model we propose, the upfront specification of the interaction logic of a company can be limited to partially specified processes and basic interaction rules. Specific information is then gathered from the observation of actual instances of business interaction, and used to refine and extend the initial model. In addition to the enforcement of explicit business requirement, the goal is to capture and leverage implicit operational knowledge. In the following sections, we present an overview of the methodology we are currently experimenting with for the inference of complex processes from business interaction flows. For our initial experiments, we focus on business messages compliant with the RosettaNet standard [4]

An architectural model for electronic services

In addition to producing a pervasive standard and atechnology framework, the Web Service initiative hasprompted businesses to re-examine their service deliverychannels. Back-end systems are already in place tocapture business knowledge and manage operationalstrategies and procedures. Web Services enable access tosuch systems, as well as basic orchestration. Theinfrastructure is in place to recreate the business-levelnotion of an electronic service. However, the gap betweentechnology-oriented and business-oriented models forservices is still considerable.In this paper, we outline a model for electronic servicesas defined by the FRESCO project. The model constitutesan architectural blueprint of the technical and businessinfrastructure for an electronic service. The focus is onthe provisional aspects of electronic services

Service-oriented modeling for e-business applications components

The emerging trends for e-business engineering revolve around specialisation and cooperation. Successful companies focus on their core competences, and rely on a network of business partners for the support services required to compose a comprehensive offer for their customers. Modulariy is crucial for a flexible e-business infrastructure, but related requirements seldom reflect on the design and operational models of business information systems. Software components are widely used for the implementation of e-business applications, with proved benefits in terms of system development and maintenance. We propose a service-oriented componentisation of ebusiness systems as a way to close the gap with the business models they support. Blurring the distinction between external services and internal capabilities, we propose a homogeneous model for the definition of ebusiness applications components. After a brief discussion on the foundational aspects of the approach, we present the process-based technique we adopted for component modelling. We then present an infrastructure compliant with the model proposed that we built on top of an EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) platform

WEB service interfaces for inter-organisational business processes an infrastructure for automated reconciliation

For the majority of front-end e-business systems, the assumption of a coherent and homogeneous set of interfaces is highly unrealistic. Problems start in the back-end, with systems characterised by a heterogeneous mix of applications and business processes. Integration can be complex and expensive, as systems evolve more in accordance with business needs than with technical architectures. E-business systems are faced with the challenge to give a coherent image of a diversified reality. Web services make business interfaces more efficient, but effectiveness is a business requirement of at least comparable importance. We propose a technique for automatic reconciliation of the Web service interfaces involved in inter-organisational business processes. The working assumption is that the Web service front-end of each company is represented by a set of WSDL and WSCL interfaces. The result of our reconciliation method is a common interface that all the parties can effectively enforce. Indications are also given on ways to adapt individual interfaces to the common one. The technique was embodied in a prototype that we also present

Serial mediation model predicting covid-19 vaccines acceptance in Portugal: The critical role of conspiracy theories in the wake of perceived quality of government communication and national stereotypes

Ever since the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, governments have aimed for herd immunity. Yet, many countries are far from achieving this goal mainly due to vaccine refusal. Previous research has pointed to conspiracy beliefs and the role of trust in governments as predictors of vaccine acceptance, yet a more comprehensive explanatory model is still missing. Using data from a convenience sample of 377 residents in Portugal (Mage = 33.56, SD = 13.67), the present study extends previous research by proposing a serial mediation model in the prediction of vaccine acceptance. The results confirm the critical role of conspiracy beliefs mediating the link between perceived quality of government communication and general vaccine acceptance (Model 1) as well as national stereotypes and acceptance of the Sinovac vaccine from China (Model 2). The implications are discussed considering that Portugal is currently ranked the second country in the world with the highest vaccination rate.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Expressões de microagressões dirigidas a mulheres no contexto do sistema de saúde: uma abordagem baseada em incidentes críticos

Purpose. Patients belonging to social minorities can be exposed to various forms of discrimination in the healthcare context. Previous research in this domain has overlooked expressions of microaggressions against women and the role of intersectional identities. This study aims to uncover the themes that underly the experience of microaggressions by diverse women in Portugal. Methods. Using an interview model based on the Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954) 17 women were interviewed about their microaggression experiences in the healthcare setting. Among those with an intersectional identity, social minority membership was also based on ethnicity, LGB sexual orientation and functional diversity. Results. A total of 17 microaggressive themes were retrieved, five of which were found to be related to microaggressions towards women in general and a total of seven were unique for women with specific intersectional identities. Another four themes reflected providers’ general attitudes towards patients without being related to gender or any intersectional minority group, and one theme described systemic microaggressions. Conclusion. Some of the retrieved themes reflect microaggressions that women seem to experience in their everyday life but that are exacerbated by the health provider-patient power disparity. Some themes appear to be specific to the healthcare context and related to providers’ lack of patient-centeredness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

What kinds of microaggressions do women experience in the health care setting? Examining typologies, context and intersectional identities

Microaggressions are everyday verbal and non-verbal indignities, promoted intentionally or by well-intentioned people towards minority and disadvantaged individuals or groups. Microaggressions are often unconscious, socially normalized and naturalized. This qualitative study intended to examine and understand microaggressions lived by women with different intersectional identities (women of Color, immigrant women, straight women, LGBTQ+ women, functionally diverse women) in the Portuguese healthcare context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using the Critical Incident Technique. Seventeen self-identified female feminists, activists and/or that were involved with NGOs and organizations actively committed to social causes participated. Content and thematic analysis were used in order to recognize the different microaggressive forms (microinsults, microinvalidations, microassaults) and manifestations (verbal, nonverbal/behavioral, environmental) committed in the healthcare context. The results are discussed in light of diversity training opportunities to raise awareness about subtle forms of discrimination among health care practitioners.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unusual cytotoxic sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides from cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum).

Two new sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides, 13-hydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (1) and 13,15-dihydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (2), have been isolated from whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum). Their structures, which possess an unusual 6-O-sulfate-glucopyranosyl moiety, were determined through the interpretation of 2D NMR spectral data and H/D exchange ESI-MS experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 were screened for their toxicity on Jurkat cells. Both compounds inhibited cellular proliferation with IC50 values of 8.1 and 4.2 mg, respectively

NIR-emission from Yb(III)- and Nd(III)-based complexes in the solid state sensitized by a ligand system absorbing in a broad UV and visible spectral window

In this contribution, we present the synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic investigation of the heteroleptic (R,R)-YbL1(tta) and (R,R)-NdL1(tta) complexes (with tta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate and L1 = N,N'-bis(2-(8-hydroxyquinolinate)methylidene)-1,2-(R,R or S,S)-cyclohexanediamine) in the solid state. The f-f metal-centered NIR luminescence emission of Nd(III) and Yb(III) is efficiently sensitized by both chromophoric ligands in a very broad range of wavelengths [from 250 to 600 nm, in the case of Nd(III) and from 250 to 650 nm, for Yb(III)]. A possible energy transfer mechanism is proposed: for (R,R)-NdL1(tta) complex a classical Ligand-to-Metal Energy Transfer (LMET) mechanism (antenna effect) is suggested, whilst in the case of the (R,R)-YbL1(tta) complex, the presence of a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) state determines the sensitization of Yb(III) luminescence. We propose that this level is populated by the singlet and triplet excited states belonging to pi -> pi* and n -> pi* transitions of both ligands and it can transfer the excitation energy to F-2(5/2)