An Open Platform for Modeling Method Conceptualization: The OMiLAB Digital Ecosystem

This paper motivates, describes, demonstrates in use, and evaluates the Open Models Laboratory (OMiLAB)—an open digital ecosystem designed to help one conceptualize and operationalize conceptual modeling methods. The OMiLAB ecosystem, which a generalized understanding of “model value” motivates, targets research and education stakeholders who fulfill various roles in a modeling method\u27s lifecycle. While we have many reports on novel modeling methods and tools for various domains, we lack knowledge on conceptualizing such methods via a full-fledged dedicated open ecosystem and a methodology that facilitates entry points for novices and an open innovation space for experienced stakeholders. This gap continues due to the lack of an open process and platform for 1) conducting research in the field of modeling method design, 2) developing agile modeling tools and model-driven digital products, and 3) experimenting with and disseminating such methods and related prototypes. OMiLAB incorporates principles, practices, procedures, tools, and services required to address the issues above since it focuses on being the operational deployment for a conceptualization and operationalization process built on several pillars: 1) a granularly defined “modeling method” concept whose building blocks one can customize for the domain of choice, 2) an “agile modeling method engineering” framework that helps one quickly prototype modeling tools, 3) a model-aware “digital product design lab”, and 4) dissemination channels for reaching a global community. In this paper, we demonstrate and evaluate the OMiLAB in research with two selected application cases for domain- and case-specific requirements. Besides these exemplary cases, OMiLAB has proven to effectively satisfy requirements that almost 50 modeling methods raise and, thus, to support researchers in designing novel modeling methods, developing tools, and disseminating outcomes. We also measured OMiLAB’s educational impact

Transforming Haptic Storyboards into Diagrammatic Models: The Scene2Model Tool

Haptic storyboarding tools supporting Storytelling as a Design Thinking approach, enable early exploration and validation of design alternatives regarding services, new product (features), innovative processes and disruptive business models. They do however not communicate the exact meaning and the importance of each object nor do they show relationships between them. Yet when aiming to materialize an innovative idea these aspects need to be unambiguously described. Diagrammatic models play an essential role here as they capture different aspects of the problem. When computed by means of software they also explicitly show details which in haptic storyboards users implicitly fill with their own world-understanding, thus fostering a clear and transparent representation of the problem space. In addition, diagrammatic models can be enriched by semantics and subsequently be machine-queried, -analysed and -processed. The paper at hand shows the DIGITRANS Project approach for an automated transformation of haptic storyboards into diagrammatic models and their provision in a computer-aided design environment

The Imker Case Study - Practice with the Bee-Up Tool

Conceptual modelling is a technique which is essential for building enterprise information systems. The reason is not only because software systems have to be built, but also since domain specific requirements coming from the application area should be represented adequately. For this reason different modelling languages for data modelling, process modelling and systems modelling are developed. In this case study we deal with the fundamental conceptual modelling languages, like BPMN, EPC, ER, UML and Petri Nets. A tool support through Bee-Up is also given (www.omilab.org). This case study focuses on the domain of beekeeping throughout different areas, like the production of honey, bees in general and beekeepers (called Imker in German)

Modelling Perceived Risks Associated to the Entry of Complementors’ in Platform Enterprises: A Case Study

Third-party innovators, i.e., complementors, in platform enterprises develop and commercialize add-on products which are one of the main attraction points for customers. To ensure a sustainable evolution of the enterprise, the platform owner needs to attract and retain high-quality third-party innovators. We posit that the transaction costs incurred upon joining the enterprise as well as the controls imposed by the platform owner throughout the development and commercialization process shape the innovator’s perceived risk and influence his decision on whether to join or not. Based on a literature review, the paper at hand proposes a conceptual model for complementors to assess their perceived risk and subsequently evaluates the model in a case study of a platform enterprise for IT-based modelling tools. While some of the propositions are validated, i.e., that informational controls decrease the perceived environmental uncertainty and implicitly the perceived risks, other propositions, such as the fact that asset specificity is a deterrent to entering the platform enterprise could not be validated. Further case studies are necessary to provide a conclusive proof of the proposed model

Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children with Asthma

Background: Nowadays it is considered that a specific causal relationship exists between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux (GER), because of the aspiration of gastric refluate which leads to and maintain spasticity even real crisis of paroxystic expiratory dyspnea. This study explores this relationship and evaluates the results after treatment. Methods: 56 children diagnosed with asthma, hospitalized in a regional center of pediatric gastroenterology in Northeast Romania, underwent 24-hour continuous esophageal pH monitoring in order to establish the presence of GER. The Boix-Ochoa score was used to interpret the results. Proton pump inhibitors were administered to those with GER and the patients were reevaluated after 2 months. Results: 39 patients (69.64%) had GER, with a Boix-Ochoa score above normal (N < 11.99), and 17 patients (30.36%) had normal score. After administering proton pump inhibitors for 2 months, 7 patients still had high Boix-Ochoa score (17.95%). The result of this analysis shows that the presence of asthma increases the chance of GER by 2.86 times. Conclusions: In children with asthma we have to look for GER in order to treat, because it can help the treatment of asthma or even solve some cases resistant to standard treatment