A Framework for Dynamic Web Services Composition

Dynamic composition of web services is a promising approach and at the same time a challenging research area for the dissemination of service-oriented applications. It is widely recognised that service semantics is a key element for the dynamic composition of Web services, since it allows the unambiguous descriptions of a service's capabilities and parameters. This paper introduces a framework for performing dynamic service composition by exploiting the semantic matchmaking between service parameters (i.e., outputs and inputs) to enable their interconnection and interaction. The basic assumption of the framework is that matchmaking enables finding semantic compatibilities among independently defined service descriptions. We also developed a composition algorithm that follows a semantic graph-based approach, in which a graph represents service compositions and the nodes of this graph represent semantic connections between services. Moreover, functional and non-functional properties of services are considered, to enable the computation of relevant and most suitable service compositions for some service request. The suggested end-to-end functional level service composition framework is illustrated with a realistic application scenario from the IST SPICE project

An Algorithm for Automatic Service Composition

Telecommunication companies are struggling to provide their users with value-added services. These services are expected to be context-aware, attentive and personalized. Since it is not economically feasible to build services separately by hand for each individual user, service providers are searching for alternatives to automate service creation. The IST-SPICE project aims at developing a platform for the development and deployment of innovative value-added services. In this paper we introduce our algorithm to cope with the task of automatic composition of services. The algorithm considers that every available service is semantically annotated. Based on a user/developer service request a matching service is composed in terms of component services. The composition follows a semantic graph-based approach, on which atomic services are iteratively composed based on services' functional and non-functional properties

Reflection properties of zeta related functions in terms of fractional derivatives

We prove that the Weyl fractional derivative is a useful instrument to express certain properties of the zeta related functions. Specifically, we show that a known reflection property of the Hurwitz zeta function ¿(n, a) of integer first argument can be extended to the more general case of ¿(s, a), with complex s, by replacement of the ordinary derivative of integer order by Weyl fractional derivative of complex order. Besides, ¿(s, a) with (s) > 2 is essentially the Weyl (s-2)-derivative of ¿(2, a). These properties of the Hurwitz zeta function can be immediately transferred to a family of polygamma functions of complex order defined in a natural way. Finally, we discuss the generalization of a recently unveiled reflection property of the Lerch''s transcendent

A Combination Of The -α3.7 And -medii Alleles Causing Hemoglobin H Disease In A Brazilian Patient

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)39180832014/00984-3, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Effect of raw sugar cane bagasse on performance and ingestive behavior of beef cattle

Avaliou-se o efeito da utilização do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar in natura (BIN), obtido por dois métodos de extração do açúcar, moagem convencional ou difusão, como fonte de fibra em dietas que continham bagaço tratado sob pressão e vapor (BTPV), como principal fonte de volumoso sobre o desempenho e o comportamento ingestivo de bovinos confinados. Para avaliação do desempenho, foram utilizados 84 machos não castrados das raças Nelore, Canchim e Holandesa, com média de peso inicial de 270kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso. Para a avaliação do comportamento ingestivo, foram utilizados quatro garrotes da raça Nelore, em delineamento de quadrado latino 4 x 4. Os tratamentos consistiram na substituição do BTPV pelo BIN na matéria seca, constituindo as dietas experimentais: 5% BIN moagem convencional; 5% BIN difusão, 10% BIN difusão e 15% BIN difusão. O consumo de MS foi menor no tratamento com 15% de BIN obtido por difusão (BINdif), em relação ao teor de inclusão de 10%. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos para ganho diário de peso, conversão alimentar e peso vivo final entre os tratamentos. Os tempos despendidos com as atividades de ruminação (minutos/kg de MS) e mastigação (minutos/kg de MS ou de FDN) foram maiores (P<0,05) no tratamento com 15% de BINdif na dieta. O BINdif pode ser utilizado como fonte de fibra íntegra em até 15% da MS da dieta sem prejudicar o desempenho dos animais.This study was conducted to evaluate effects of replacing steam pressure treated sugar cane bagasse by two types of raw sugar cane bagasse extracted through grinding or diffusion, on performance and ingestive behavior of beef cattle. Eighty four young bulls (Nelore, Canchim and Holstein) with 270kg of body weight at the beginning of the experiment were used in a randomized block design. Ingestive behavior was evaluated using four Nelore young bulls in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments were the direct substitution of steam pressure treated sugarcane bagasse by raw bagasse (RB), corresponding to the experimental treatments: 5% RB from grinding; 5% RB from diffusion; 10% RB from diffusion and 15% RB from diffusion. Dry matter intake was lower in treatment with 15% of bagasse obtained by diffusion (BINdif) in comparison to 10% BINdif. There were no differences (P>0.05) among treatments for average daily gain, feed conversion and final live weight. Ruminating time (minutes/kg of DM) and chewing time (minutes/kg of DM or NDF) was greater (P>0.05) when BINdif was added at 15% level to diets. BINdif can be added up to 15% of the dietary DM with no detrimental effect on beef cattle performance

Behaviour and performance of lactating sows housed in different types of farrowing rooms during summer

AbstractThirty mixed-parity Landrace×Large White sows were used to evaluate the effects of the type of farrowing room on 28-day lactation behaviour under tropical conditions during summer. The sows were allocated in a completely randomised design with three treatments with 10 replicates according to parity number and body weight, with each animal being considered an experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a conventional farrowing room (T1); a conventional farrowing room with floor cooling under the sow (T2); and a semi-outdoor farrowing room without a cage and with access to a fenced field (T3). The sows from T1 and T2 groups were exposed to mean maximum and minimum environmental temperatures of 25.7 and 21.0°C, respectively, and the sows from the T3 group to average maximum and minimum environmental temperatures of 26.5 and 20.7°C, respectively. The feed consumption of T3 sows was numerically higher than the T1 and T2 sows (+9.5% on average). The body-weight loss was influenced at 28days (P<0.10) by treatment, being that the T3 sows gained weight (+4.7kg) while the T1 and T2 sows lost weight (−11.9 and −3.7kg, respectively for T1 and T2). The T3 sows showed a higher percentual litter mortality than the T1 and T2 sows (3.2% vs. 0% vs. 7.8%, respectively for T1, T2 and T3 sows). From farrowing until day 28 of lactation, the T2 and T3 sows showed higher lactation efficiency when compared with the T1 sows (72% vs. 87% vs. 88%, respectively for T1, T2 and T3 sows). The T1 sows showed higher (P<0.01) frequencies of visits to the feeder and drinker (+38% on average). The T3 sows spent more time (P<0.01) at the drinker than T1 and T2 sows (23 vs. 23 vs. 32min, respectively for T1, T2 and T3 sows). The T3 sows showed a higher (P<0.10) frequency of nursing than the other treatments (+15% on average). T1 and T2 sows were found to spend more time (P<0.01) performing other postures during 24h than sows maintained in T3 (50 vs. 51 vs. 22min/d, respectively for T1, T2 and T3). It is concluded that cooling of the floor under the sow in the conventional farrowing room or the use of semi-outdoor farrowing rooms improves the thermal environment and the lactation efficiency of the sows housed in hot ambient temperatures at 28-day lactation in the summer period, indicating an improved welfare

Semileptonic D decay into scalar mesons: a QCD sum rule approach

Semileptonic decays of D-mesons into scalar hadronic states are investigated. Two extreme cases are considered: a) the meson decays directly into an uncorrelated scalar state of two two mesons and b) the decay proceeds via resonance formation. QCD sum rules including instanton contributions are used to calculate total and differential decay rates under the two assumptions.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, e-mail: [email protected]

Dissecting kinetically coupled quintessence: phenomenology and observational tests

We investigate an interacting dark energy model which allows for the kinetic term of the scalar field to couple to dark matter via a power-law interaction. The model is characterised by scaling solutions at early times, which are of high interest to alleviate the coincidence problem, followed by a period of accelerated expansion. We discuss the phenomenology of the background evolution and of the linear scalar perturbations and we identify measurable signatures of the coupling in the dark sector on the cosmic microwave background, the lensing potential auto-correlation and the matter power spectra. We also perform a parameter estimation analysis using data of cosmic microwave background temperature, polarisation and lensing, baryonic acoustic oscillations and supernovae. We find that the strength of the coupling between the dark sectors, regulated by the parameter α, is constrained to be of order 10-4. A model selection analysis does not reveal a statistical preference between ΛCDM and the Kinetic model

Growth, feed intake, carcass characteristics, and meat fatty acid profile of lambs fed soybean oil partially replaced by fish oil blend

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean oil by fish oil on dry matter intake (DMI), growth, carcass characteristics, and meat fatty acid profile of feedlot lambs. Fifty Santa Ines male lambs with 17.1±2.8 of initial body weight (BW) were individually penned and used in a randomized complete block design with 10 blocks and 5 treatments. Dietary treatments, dry matter (DM) basis, consisted of: (1) control diet (CONT) with a 10:90 of forage to concentrate ratio, (2) control diet supplemented with 40g/kg of soybean oil (0FO), (3) control diet supplemented with 2.5g/kg of fish oil blend+37.5g/kg of soybean oil (25FO), (4) control diet supplemented with 5g/kg of fish oil blend+35g/kg of soybean oil (50FO), and (5) control diet supplemented with 7.5g/kg of fish oil blend+32.5g/kg of soybean oil (75FO). Diets were mixed once daily and fed ad libitum. At the end of the 84-day feeding trial, all animals were slaughtered for carcass characteristics evaluations and meat fat acid profile determination. Animals fed soybean oil had reduced DMI compared to control; however, the average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE) and final BW were not affected. The animals fed fish oil had similar DMI, ADG, FE and final BW to those receiving the control treatment. The DMI, ADG, FE and final BW were not affected by the increasing substitution of soybean oil for fish oil. Most carcass characteristics were not affected by treatments. The shrink after chilling was lower for the 50FO diet. Short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids were similar for all diets. Stearic acid concentration was higher for lambs fed the fat diets vs. control. However, stearic acid concentration decreased linearly when fish oil replaced soybean oil. Vaccenic acid concentration was higher for lambs fed fat diets vs. control. In addition, vaccenic acid increased linearly with fish oil inclusion. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 showed higher concentration in meat of animals fed diets containing fish oil compared to control, but it was not affected by soybean oil inclusion. Feeding small amounts of fish oil blend plus soybean oil does not exert an additional effect on the concentration of CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 in relation to the exclusive use of soybean oil. However, the mixture of 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean oil is recommended, because it improves the lipid profile of the meat by increasing the concentration of vaccenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Additionally, supplementing 7.5g/kg DM of fish oil blend mixed with 32.5g/kg DM of soybean had no negative effect on the feed intake, ADG, FE and carcass characteristics of the lambs fed high concentrate diet

Crystal Structure And Low Temperature Physical Properties Of Ho2 Co Ga8 Intermetallic Antiferromagnet

We have synthesized single crystalline samples of Ho2 Co Ga8 intermetallic compound using a Ga-flux method. This compound crystallizes with a tetragonal structure, space group P4mmm, and lattice parameters a=4.219 (5) Å and c=10.99 (2) Å. This structure is a bilayer version of the HoCo Ga5 (1-1-5) which hosts a series of heavy-fermion superconductors and complex antiferromagnetic intermetallic systems. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity revealed that Ho2 Co Ga8 is a metallic Curie-Weiss paramagnet at high temperature and presents an antiferromagnetic ordering below TN ∼5 K. The low temperature magnetic properties of this compound show the effects of tetragonal crystalline electrical field and the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosid interactions and the results presented here are compared with a broader description of the evolution of the low- T magnetic properties of structurally related series of rare-earth based tetragonal 2-1-8 and 1-1-5 compounds. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.1037Continentino, M.A., V. Löhneysen, H., Rosch, A., Vojta, M., Wölfle, P., (2005) Braz. J. Phys., 35, p. 197. , 0103-9733 10.1590/S0103-97332005000100018, ();, Rev. Mod. Phys. 79, 1015 (2007)Thompson, J.D., Movshovich, R., Fisk, Z., Bouquet, F., Curro, N.J., Fisher, R.A., Hammel, P.C., Sarrao, J.L., (2001) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 226-230, p. 5. , and references thereinPagliuso, P.G., Movshovich, R., Bianchi, A.D., Nicklas, M., Moreno, N.O., Thompson, J.D., Hundley, M.F., Fisk, Z., (2002) Physica B, 312-313, p. 129Moreno, N.O., Hundley, M.F., Pagliuso, P.G., Movshovich, R., Nicklas, M., Thompson, J.D., Sarrao, J.L., Fisk, Z., (2002) Physica B, 312-313, p. 274Bianchi, A., Movshovich, R., Vekhter, I., Pagliuso, P.G., Sarrao, J.L., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, p. 257001Sarrao, J.L., Morales, L.A., Thompson, J.D., Scott, B.L., Stewart, G.R., Wastin, F., Rebizant, J., Lander, G.H., (2002) Nature (London), 420, p. 297Bauer, E.D., Thompson, J.D., Sarrao, J.L., Morales, L.A., Wastin, F., Rebizant, J., Griveau, J.C., Stewart, G.R., (2004) Phys. Rev. Lett., 93, p. 147005Pagliuso, P.G., Garcia, D.J., Miranda, E., Granado, E., Lora-Serrano, R., Giles, C., Duque, J.G.S., Rettori, C., (2006) J. Appl. Phys., 99, pp. 08P703. , and references thereinGranado, E., Uchoa, B., Malachias, A., Lora-Serrano, R., Pagliuso, P.G., Westfahl Jr., H., (2006) Phys. Rev. B, 74, p. 214428Lora-Serrano, R., Giles, C., Granado, E., Garcia, D.J., Miranda, E., Agüero, O., Mendoņa Ferreira, L., Pagliuso, P.G., (2006) Phys. Rev. B, 74, p. 214404Hieu, N.V., Shishido, H., Nakashima, H., Sugiyama, K., Settai, R., Takeuchi, T., Matsuda, T.D., Nuki, Y., (2007) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 310, p. 1721Hudis, J., Hu, R., Broholm, C.L., Mitrovic, V.F., Petrovic, C., (2006) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 307, p. 301Yokaichiya, F., Giles, C., (2004) Physica B, 345, p. 82Yu, G., Yarmolyuk, Ya.P., Gladyshevskii, E.I., (1979) Kristallografiya, 24, p. 242Bao, W., Pagliuso, P.G., Sarrao, J.L., Thompson, J.D., Fisk, Z., (2001) Phys. Rev. B, 64, p. 020401. , (R)Adriano, C., Lora-Serrano, R., Giles, C., De Bergevin, F., Lang, J.C., Srajer, G., Mazzoli, C., Pagliuso, P.G., (2007) Phys. Rev. B, 76, p. 104515Amara, M., Gaĺra, R.M., Morin, P., Voiron, J., Burlet, P., (1995) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 140-144, p. 1157Kletowski, Z., Slawinski, P., (1990) Solid State Commun., 76, p. 867Czopnik, A., (1995) Phys. Status Solidi A, 147, p. 3