Enforcing reputation constraints on business process workflows

The problem of trust in determining the flow of execution of business processes has been in the centre of research interst in the last decade as business processes become a de facto model of Internet-based commerce, particularly with the increasing popularity in Cloud computing. One of the main mea-sures of trust is reputation, where the quality of services as provided to their clients can be used as the main factor in calculating service and service provider reputation values. The work presented here contributes to the solving of this problem by defining a model for the calculation of service reputa-tion levels in a BPEL-based business workflow. These levels of reputation are then used to control the execution of the workflow based on service-level agreement constraints provided by the users of the workflow. The main contribution of the paper is to first present a formal meaning for BPEL processes, which is constrained by reputation requirements from the users, and then we demonstrate that these requirements can be enforced using a reference architecture with a case scenario from the domain of distributed map processing. Finally, the paper discusses the possible threats that can be launched on such an architecture

Effects of wetland design and invasive species removal on carbon and microbial communities in restored wetlands

Multiple wetland ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and nutrient removal are influenced by microbial communities and dissolved organic matter (DOM). I examined DOM composition, carbon metabolism, and microbial communities in three created wetlands, which had distinct hydrology, vegetation and antecedent land-use. To study differences between wetlands, porewater and soil were collected from each wetland in spring, summer, and fall of 2018. DOM was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrometry, soil microbial community composition was examined using 16S ribosomal sequencing, and CO2 and CH4 production rates were measured in anaerobic soil incubations. Structural DOM composition varied significantly between the three wetlands but did not vary seasonally. There were distinct differences in the microbial community composition of each wetland, which correlated with soil chemistry factors but did not correlate with CH4 or CO2 production rates. Average CH4/CO2 production ratios were approximately 1:1 for all sites in the spring and summer and approached 3:1 in the fall, with no differences between sites. This suggests that while DOM characteristics and microbial communities in created wetlands are impacted by site characteristics, these differences have less effect on carbon metabolism. I also examined the effects of invasive species removal via herbicide application on microbial communities in one of the wetlands. Soil was collected in the spring and summer before and after the application of glyphosate herbicide and microbial communities were examined using 16S ribosomal sequencing. There were significant and persistent changes in the microbial community following invasive species removal through application of herbicide. Further study is needed to determine direct causal relationships between invasive species control measures and microbial community changes, to determine whether shifts in microbial communities persist past a single growing season and to identify impacts of invasive removal and herbicide application on key wetland functions

Utah State University Return to Play Criteria Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is a very traumatic experience. Most of these injuries will be a complete rupture of that ligament, and because of the nature of the ligament, the repair process will require surgery; however, a small number of athletes have learned how to successfully stabilize the ACL-deficient knee and return to activity (Hartigan et al, 2010). For the thousands of athletes who undergo surgery to repair their ACL, this is in hopes they can return to physical competition and an active lifestyle. The ACL is also repaired in hopes of preventing joint degradation. Each of these athletes will respond differently to the surgery, and will see post-operative complications such as: amount of swelling, decreased range of motion, muscle loss, and physical pain. This non-exhaustive list of possible complications affects future progress of the athlete and may be indicative of problems to come. After the ACL is surgically repaired, then the athlete begins the long and hard process of physical therapy. The post-operative complications can lead to the length of time involved in physical therapy and this will vary with each athlete. The athlete\u27s dedication to rehabilitation as well as their mental approach will also affect the time frame. The general consensus that physicians have adopted is a six month minimum return to play, but most athletes are closer to the eight or nine month time frame. After each ACL repair, the main question on the athlete\u27s mind is, When can I return to sport and full activity? There are many factors that play into this loaded question, and an athlete needs to be aware of these before they return to sport and full activity. It is very important to understand that an early return, before an athlete is ready, can lead to major setbacks and even another ACL rupture. After discussing this issue at length with Lori Olsen, Physical Therapist for Utah State University, the decision was made that a return to play criteria was needed for ACL reconstruction. This criteria would inform an athlete on what needs to be accomplished before they can return to their sport and full activity. Although there is no set return to play criteria, there are different tests and techniques being used, and Utah State University would benefit from a more developed return to play criteria for ACL reconstruction. Not only would this criteria be beneficial for current athletes, it would also be beneficial for prospective athletes who are planning to transfer or attend Utah State University. If they have had prior ACL reconstructions, they will be evaluated with this criteria to see where they are currently. This will determine how healthy the athlete is and the level of liability they are to Utah State athletics. In discussion with numerous physicians and faculty, they are excited about the idea of such a criteria and agree that the current situation needs to be changed. This criteria will help to determine readiness to return to sport and lifelong success of the athlete

West Greenland\u27s Cod-to-Shrimp Transition: Local Dimensions of Climatic Change

Abstract West Greenland\u27s transition from a cod-fishing to a shrimp-fishing economy, ca. 1960-90, provides a case study in the human dimensions of climatic change. Physical, biological, and social systems interacted in complex ways to affect coastal communities. For this integrated case study, we examine linkages between atmospheric conditions (including the North Atlantic Oscillation), ocean circulation, ecosystem conditions, fishery activities, and the livelihoods and population changes of two West Greenland towns: Sisimiut, south of Disko Bay, and Paamiut, on the southwest coast. Sisimiut prospered as a fishing center through the cod-to-shrimp transition. Paamiut, more specialized in cod fishing, declined. Their stories suggest two general propositions about the human dimensions of climatic change. First, socially important environmental changes result not simply from climatic change, but from interactions between climate, ecosystem, and resource usage. Second, environmental changes affect people differentially and through interactions with social factors. Social networks and cohesion (social capital) are important, in addition to skills (human capital), investments (physical capital), and alternative resources (natural capital): all shape how the benefits and costs are distributed

Ultraprecise Single Point Inverted Cutting Strategies for Multi-axis Fabrication of Right Triangular Prismatic Retroreflectors

The optical phenomenon of retroreflection (RR) is described as light rays contacting a surface and being redirected back to their originating source. While applications are many and varied, their primary focus is safety in low-light conditions, and the focus of this research is toward automotive applications. Few geometric shapes are capable of retroreflection. Among them are the lens-and-mirror, and cube corner geometry; however, the right triangular prism (RTP) has been introduced as a viable alternative. This study demonstrates a more efficient fabrication technology when compared to current industry practices. The ultraprecise single point inverted cutting (USPIC) technology was envisioned as a combination of diamond turning and multi-axis machining. The unique cutting kinematics of USPIC required the development of dedicated tooling and a postprocessor for machine automation. Experimental results have demonstrated both the feasibility of this approach, and that RTP arrays fabricated by this technology outperform those fabricated through conventional means

Camouflage: how the visual arts and sociology make sense of the military

The military is the core institution of state sanctioned violence in Western liberal democracies. In the last decade or so the role of the military has changed and militarism has become an increasingly conspicuous aspect of public life. The idea of camouflage is used and developed to explore how collaboration between the visual arts and sociology can be used to denaturalise the taken-for-granted assumptions and beliefs about the military in Australian society. Camouflage is explained in its military utility, its psychological concept (Gestalt theory) the art camouflage movement and their developed techniques (eg Cubism, Dadaism), and in terms of deconstruction or sociological critique as a tool for making social relations that are culturally camouflaged visible

The Sandtown-Winchester Neighborhood Transformation Initiative: Lessons Learned About Community Building & Implementation

Describes challenges in implementing a ten-year community building initiative in Baltimore. Includes community capacity investment, early decision-making, power relationships, race and class issues, and neighborhood leadership