34 research outputs found

    Patterns of web site structure in urigraph

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    This paper introduces a Web site structure model called UriGraph and, using the model, describes several important patterns of site structure. Web site structure is defined as the collective information about the identity, identifier, position and composition of every resource constituting the Web site. UriGraph models the site's resource identifiers and through them the resource identity and composition, and indirectly the resource position. UriGraph is designed specifically for the Web and it is compatible with the current practice. It can be represented graphically and as an XML document

    The herpesviral Fc receptor fcr-1 down-regulates the NKG2D ligands MULT-1 and H60

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    Members of the α- and β-subfamily of herpesviridae encode glycoproteins that specifically bind to the Fc part of immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Plasma membrane resident herpesviral Fc receptors seem to prevent virus-specific IgG from activating antibody-dependent effector functions. We show that the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) molecule fcr-1 promotes a rapid down-regulation of NKG2D ligands murine UL16-binding protein like transcript (MULT)-1 and H60 from the cell surface. Deletion of the m138/fcr-1 gene from the MCMV genome attenuates viral replication to natural killer (NK) cell response in an NKG2D-dependent manner in vivo. A distinct N-terminal module within the fcr-1 ectodomain in conjunction with the fcr-1 transmembrane domain was required to dispose MULT-1 to degradation in lysosomes. In contrast, down-modulation of H60 required the complete fcr-1 ectodomain, implying independent modes of fcr-1 interaction with the NKG2D ligands. The results establish a novel viral strategy for down-modulating NK cell responses and highlight the impressive diversity of Fc receptor functions

    Capability Driven Development: An Approach to Designing Digital Enterprises

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    The need for organizations to operate in changing environments is addressed by proposing an approach that integrates organizational development with information system (IS) development taking into account changes in the application context of the solution. This is referred to as Capability Driven Development (CDD). A meta-model representing business and IS designs consisting of goals, key performance indicators, capabilities, context and capability delivery patterns, is being proposed. The use of the meta-model is validated in three industrial case studies as part of an ongoing collaboration project, whereas one case is presented in the paper. Issues related to the use of the CDD approach, namely, CDD methodology and tool support are also discussed

    Capability driven development: an approach to designing digital enterprises

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    The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12599-014-0362-0[EN] The need for organizations to operate in changing environments is addressed by proposing an approach that integrates organizational development with information system (IS) development taking into account changes in the application context of the solution. This is referred to as Capability Driven Development (CDD). A meta-model representing business and IS designs consisting of goals, key performance indicators, capabilities, context and capability delivery patterns, is being proposed. The use of the meta-model is validated in three industrial case studies as part of an ongoing collaboration project, whereas one case is presented in the paper. Issues related to the use of the CDD approach, namely, CDD methodology and tool support are also discussed.This work has been partially supported by the EU-FP7 funded project no: 611351 CaaS - Capability as a Service in Digital Enterprises.Berzisa, S.; Bravos, G.; Cardona Gonzalez, T.; Czubayko, U.; España, S.; Grabis, J.; Henkel, M.... (2015). Capability driven development: an approach to designing digital enterprises. Business and Information Systems Engineering. 57(1):15-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-014-0362-0S1525571ArchiMate (2013) An enterprise modeling language from the Open Group. http://www.opengroup.org/archimate/ . Accessed 3 Dec 2014Asadi M, Ramsin R (2008) MDA-based methodologies: an analytical survey. In: Proceedings Model driven architecture – foundations and applications (ECMDA-FA 2008), LNCS 5095, pp 419–431Barney JB (1991) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. J Manag 17(1):99–120Bērziša S, Bravos G, Gonzalez Cardona T, Czubayko U, España S, Grabis J, Henke lM, Jokste L, Kampars J, Koc H, Kuhr J, Llorca C, Loucopoulos P, Juanes Pascua lR, Sandkuh lK, Simic H, Stirna J, Zdravkovic J (2014) Deliverable 1.4: Requirements specification for CDD, CaaS – capability as a service for digital enterprises. FP7 project no 611351, Riga Technical University, Latvia. Submitted for reviewBubenko JA Jr, Persson A, Stirna J (2001) User guide of the knowledge management approach using enterprise knowledge patterns. Deliverable D3, IST programme project hypermedia and pattern based knowledge management for smart organisations. project no. IST-2000-28401, Royal Institute of Technology, SwedenBriand LC, Yue T, Labiche Y (2011) A systematic review of transformation approaches between user requirements and analysis models. Requir Eng 16:75–99De Kinderen S, Gordijn J, Akkermans H (2009) Reasoning about customer needs in multi-supplier ICT service bundles using decision models. In: Proceedings 11th international conference on enterprise information systems (ICEIS 2009), pp 131–136Deloitte (2009) Cloud computing: forecasting change. Deloitte Consulting, New York. http://public.deloitte.no/dokumenter/2_Cloud_Computing%5B1%5D.pdf . Accessed 3 Dec 2014Dey A (2001) Understanding and using context. Pers Ubiquitous Comput 5(1):4–7Gamma E, Helm R, Johnson R, Vlissides J (1995) Design patterns: elements of reusable object-oriented software architecture. Addison-Wesley, BostonGomes D, Gonçalves JM, Santos R, Aguiar R (2010) XMPP based context management architecture. In: Proceedings GLOBECOM workshop, IEEE, pp 1372–1377González A, España S, Ruiz M, Pastor Ó (2011) Systematic derivation of class diagrams from communication-oriented business process models. In: 12th working conference on business process modeling, development, and support (BPMDS’11). Springer LNBIP 81, pp 246–260Henkel M, Stirna J (2010) Pondering on the key functionality of model driven development tools: the case of mendix. In: Forbrig P, Günther H (eds) Proceedings business informatics research (BIR 2010), Springer LNBIP 64, pp 146–160Hervas R, Bravo J, Fontecha J (2010) A context model based on ontological languages – a proposal for information visualisation. J Univers Comput Sci 16(12):1539–1555Jarke M, Loucopoulos P, Lyytinen K, Mylopoulos J, Robinson W (2011) The brave new world of design requirements. Information Syst 36(7):992–1008Kaplan RS, Norton DP (2004) Strategy maps: converting intangible assets into tangible outcomes. Harvard Business School Press, BostonKleppe A, Warmer J, Bast W (2013) MDA explained. Addison-Wesley, BostonLoniewski G, Insfran E, Abrahao L (2010) A systematic review of the use of requirements engineering techniques in model-driven development. In: Proceedings model driven engineering languages and systems (MODELS 2010), Part II, LNCS 6395, pp 213–227Mohagheghi P, Dehlen V (2008) Where is the proof? - a review of experiences from applying MDE in industry. In: Proceedings model driven architecture – foundations and applications (ECMDA-FA 2008). LNCS 5095. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 432–443Nilsson AG, Tolis C, Nellborn C (eds) (1999) Perspectives on business modelling: understanding and changing organisations. Springer, HeidelbergOASIS (2011) Reference architecture foundation for service oriented architecture version 1.0, committee specification draft 03/public review draft 02 06 July 2011. http://docs.oasis-open.org/soa-rm/soa-ra/v1.0/soa-ra.pdf . Accessed 3 Dec 2014OMG (2011a) UML superstructure. http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/2.4.1/ . Accessed 3 Dec 2014OMG (2011b) Business process model and notation. http://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/2.0/ . Accessed 3 Dec 2014Osterwalder A, Pigneur Y (2003) Modeling value propositions in e-business. Proc 5th international conference on electronic commerce (ICEC 2003). ACM Conference Proceedings Series 50Papazoglou MP, Yang J (2002) Design methodology for web services and business processes. In: Proceedings 3rd international workshop on technologies for e-services (TES 03). LNCS 2444. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 54–64Pastor O, Giachetti G (2010) Linking goal-oriented requirements and model-driven development. In: Intentional perspectives on information systems engineering. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 257–276Porter ME (1985) Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press, New YorkRuiz M, Costal D, España S, Franch X, Pastor Ó (2014) Integrating the goal and business process perspectives in information system analysis. In: 26th International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE 2014). LNCS 8484. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 332–346Sheng Q, Yu J, Dustar S (eds) (2010) Enabling context-aware web services: methods, architectures, and technologies. Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca RatonSmanchat S, Ling S, Indrawan M (2008) A survey on context-aware workflow adaptations. In: Proceedings 6th international conference on advances in mobile computing and multimedia (MoMM 2008), New York, pp 414–417Stirna J, Grabis J, Henkel M, Zdravkovic J (2012) Capability driven development – an approach to support evolving organizations. In: The practice of enterprise modeling (PoEM 2012). LNBIP 134. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 117–131Vale S, Hammoudi S (2009) COMODE: a framework for the development of context-aware applications in the context of MDE. In: Proceedings 4th international conference on internet and web applications and services (ICIW 2009). IEEE, Venice, pp 261–266Wesenberg H (2011) Enterprise modeling in an agile world. In: Johannesson P, Krogstie J, Opdahl AL (eds) The practice of enterprise modeling (PoEM 2011). LNBIP 92. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 126–130Zdravkovic J, Stirna J, Henkel M, Grabis J (2013) Modeling business capabilities and context dependent delivery by cloud services. In: Proceedings advanced information systems engineering (CAiSE 2013). LNCS 7908. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 369–38

    ART in Europe, 2017: results generated from European registries by ESHRE

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    © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Study question: What are the data on ART and IUI cycles, and fertility preservation (FP) interventions reported in 2017 as compared to previous years, as well as the main trends over the years? Summary answer: The 21st ESHRE report on ART and IUI shows the continual increase in reported treatment cycle numbers in Europe, with a decrease in the proportion of transfers with more than one embryo causing an additional slight reduction of multiple delivery rates (DR) as well as higher pregnancy rates (PR) and DR after frozen embryo replacement (FER) compared to fresh IVF and ICSI cycles, while the number of IUI cycles increased and their outcomes remained stable. What is known already: Since 1997, ART aggregated data generated by national registries, clinics or professional societies have been gathered and analyzed by the European IVF-monitoring Consortium (EIM) and communicated in a total of 20 manuscripts published in Human Reproduction and Human Reproduction Open. Study design size duration: Data on European medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are collected by EIM for ESHRE on a yearly basis. The data on treatments performed between 1 January and 31 December 2017 in 39 European countries were provided by either National Registries or registries based on personal initiatives of medical associations and scientific organizations. Participants/materials setting methods: Overall, 1382 clinics offering ART services in 39 countries reported a total of 940 503 treatment cycles, including 165 379 with IVF, 391 379 with ICSI, 271 476 with FER, 37 303 with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), 69 378 with egg donation (ED), 378 with IVM of oocytes, and 5210 cycles with frozen oocyte replacement (FOR). A total of 1273 institutions reported data on 207 196 IUI cycles using either husband/partner's semen (IUI-H; n = 155 794) or donor semen (IUI-D; n = 51 402) in 30 countries and 25 countries, respectively. Thirteen countries reported 18 888 interventions for FP, including oocyte, ovarian tissue, semen and testicular tissue banking in pre- and postpubertal patients. Main results and the role of chance: In 21 countries (20 in 2016) in which all ART clinics reported to the registry, 473 733 treatment cycles were registered for a total population of approximately 330 million inhabitants, allowing a best-estimate of a mean of 1435 cycles performed per million inhabitants (range: 723-3286).Amongst the 39 reporting countries, the clinical PR per aspiration and per transfer in 2017 were similar to those observed in 2016 (26.8% and 34.6% vs 28.0% and 34.8%, respectively). After ICSI the corresponding rates were also similar to those achieved in 2016 (24% and 33.5% vs 25% and 33.2% in 2016). When freeze all cycles were removed, the clinical PRs per aspiration were 30.8% and 27.5% for IVF and ICSI, respectively.After FER with embryos originating from own eggs the PR per thawing was 30.2%, which is comparable to 30.9% in 2016, and with embryos originating from donated eggs it was 41.1% (41% in 2016). After ED the PR per fresh embryo transfer was 49.2% (49.4% in 2016) and per FOR 43.3% (43.6% in 2016).In IVF and ICSI together, the trend towards the transfer of fewer embryos continues with the transfer of 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 embryos in 46.0%, 49.2%, 4.5% and in 0.3% of all treatments, respectively (corresponding to 41.5%, 51.9%. 6.2% and 0.4% in 2016). This resulted in a reduced proportion of twin DRs of 14.2% (14.9% in 2016) and stable triplet DR of 0.3%. Treatments with FER in 2017 resulted in a twin and triplet DR of 11.2% and 0.2%, respectively (vs 11.9% and 0.2% in 2016).After IUI, the DRs remained similar at 8.7% after IUI-H (8.9% in 2016) and at 12.4% after IUI-D (12.4.0% in 2016). Twin and triplet DRs after IUI-H were 8.1% and 0.3%, respectively (in 2016: 8.8% and 0.3%) and 6.9% and 0.2% after IUI-D (in 2016: 7.7% and 0.4%). Amongst 18 888 FP interventions in 13 countries, cryopreservation of ejaculated sperm (n = 11 112 vs 7877 from 11 countries in 2016) and of oocytes (n = 6588 vs 4907 from eight countries in 2016) were the most frequently reported. Limitations reasons for caution: As the methods of data collection and levels of reporting vary amongst European countries, interpretation of results should remain cautious. Some countries were unable to deliver data about the number of initiated cycles and deliveries. Wider implications of the findings: The 21st ESHRE report on ART, IUI and FP interventions shows a continuous increase of reported treatment numbers and MAR-derived livebirths in Europe. Being already the largest data collection on MAR in Europe, efforts should continue to optimize data collection and reporting with the perspective of improved quality control, transparency and vigilance in the field of reproductive medicine. Study funding/competing interests: The study has received no external funding and all costs are covered by ESHRE. There are no competing interests.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation in European countries : statutory background, practice, storage and use

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    STUDY QUESTION: What is known in Europe about the practice of oocyte cryopreservation (OoC), in terms of current statutory background, funding conditions, indications (medical and ‘non-medical’) and specific number of cycles? SUMMARY ANSWER: Laws and conditions for OoC vary in Europe, with just over half the responding countries providing this for medical reasons with state funding, and none providing funding for ‘non-medical’ OoC. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: The practice of OoC is a well-established and increasing practice in some European countries, but data gathering on storage is not homogeneous, and still sparse for use. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OtC) is only practiced and registered in a few countries. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION: A transversal collaborative survey on OoC and OtC, was designed, based on a country questionnaire containing information on statutory or professional background and practice, as well as available data on ovarian cell and tissue collection, storage and use. It was performed between January and September 2015. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: All ESHRE European IVF Monitoring (EIM) consortium national coordinators were contacted, as well as members of the ESHRE committee of national representatives, and sent a questionnaire. The form included national policy and practice details, whether through current existing law or code of practice, criteria for freezing (age, health status), availability of funding and the presence of a specific register. The questionnaire also included data on both the number of OoC cycles and cryopreserved oocytes per year between 2010 and 2014, specifically for egg donation, fertility preservation for medical disease, ‘other medical’ reasons as part of an ART cycle, as well as for ‘non-medical reasons’ or age-related fertility decline. Another question concerning data on freezing and use of ovarian tissue over 5 years was added and sent after receiving the initial questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Out of 34 EIM members, we received answers regarding OoC regulations and funding conditions from 27, whilst 17 countries had recorded data for OoC, and 12 for OtC. The specific statutory framework for OoC and OtC varies from absent to a strict frame. A total of 34 705 OoC cycles were reported during the 5-year-period, with a continuous increase. However, the accurate description of numbers was concentrated on the year 2013 because it was the most complete. In 2013, a total of 9126 aspirations involving OoC were reported from 16 countries. Among the 8885 oocyte aspirations with fully available data, the majority or 5323 cycles (59.9%) was performed for egg donation, resulting in the highest yield per cycle, with an average of 10.4 oocytes frozen per cycle. OoC indication was ‘serious disease’ such as cancer in 10.9% of cycles, other medical indications as ‘part of an ART cycle’ in 16.1%, and a non-medical reason in 13.1%. With regard to the use of OoC, the number of specifically recorded frozen oocyte replacement (FOR) cycles performed in 2013 for all medical reasons was 14 times higher than the FOR for non-medical reasons, using, respectively, 8.0 and 8.4 oocytes per cycle. Finally, 12 countries recorded storage following OtC and only 7 recorded the number of grafted frozen/thawed tissues. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Not all countries have data regarding OoC collection, and some data came from voluntary collaborating centres, rather than a national authority or register. Furthermore, the data related to use of OoC were not included for two major players in the field, Italy and Spain, where numbers were conflated for medical and non-medical reasons. Finally, the number of cycles started with no retrieval is not available. Data are even sparser for OtC. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: There is a need for ART authorities and professional bodies to record precise data for practice and use of OoC (and OtC), according to indications and usage, in order to reliably inform all stakeholders including women about the efficiency of both methods. Furthermore, professional societies should establish professional standards for access to and use of OoC and OtC, and give appropriate guidance to all involved. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was supported by ESHRE. There are no conflicts of interest.peer-reviewe

    A Comparison of Stand-Level Volume Estimates from Image-Based Canopy Height Models of Different Spatial Resolutions

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    Digital aerial photogrammetry has recently attracted great attention in forest inventory studies, particularly in countries where airborne laser scanning (ALS) technology is not available. Further research, however, is required to prove its practical applicability in deriving three-dimensional (3D) point clouds and canopy surface and height models (CSMs and CHMs, respectively) over different forest types. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of image-based CHMs at different spatial resolutions (1 m, 2 m, 5 m) for use in stand-level forest inventory, with a special focus on estimation of stand-level merchantable volume of even-aged pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) forests. CHMs are generated by subtracting digital terrain models (DTMs), derived from the national digital terrain database, from corresponding digital surface models (DSMs), derived by the process of image matching of digital aerial images. Two types of stand-level volume regression models are developed for each CHM resolution. The first model is based solely on stand-level CHM metrics, whereas in the second model, easily obtainable variables from forest management databases are included in addition to CHM metrics. The estimation accuracies of the stand volume estimates based on stand-level metrics (relative root mean square error RMSE% = 12.53%–13.28%) are similar or slightly higher than those obtained from previous studies in which stand volume estimates were based on plot-level metrics. The inclusion of stand age as an independent variable in addition to CHM metrics improves the accuracy of the stand volume estimates. Improvements are notable for young and middle-aged stands, and negligible for mature and old stands. Results show that CHMs at the three different resolutions are capable of providing reasonably accurate volume estimates at the stand level
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