VERTO: a visual notation for declarative process models

Declarative approaches to business process modeling allow to represent loosely-structured (declarative) processes in flexible scenarios as a set of constraints on the allowed flow of activities. However, current graphical notations for declarative processes are difficult to interpret. As a consequence, this has affected widespread usage of such notations, by increasing the dependency on experts to understand their semantics. In this paper, we tackle this issue by introducing a novel visual declarative notation targeted to a more understandable modeling of declarative processes

Foreign aid and business bottlenecks : a study of aid effectiveness

This paper proposes a new framework to analyze aid effectiveness. Using World Bank firm survey data and OECD aid flow data, the authors analyze whether aid targets areas that firms in developing countries have identified as obstacles for their growth and whether aid actually improves firms'perceptions of those areas. The analysis finds that aid does target the areas that firms have identified as obstacles; aid funding trade related projects is particularly effective in targeting the correct countries. For the most part, aid has a positive impact on improving firms'perceptions, particularly in the business environment. And for each target area, smaller aid disbursements tend to be more effective at improving firm perceptions than larger disbursements.Environmental Economics&Policies,Development Economics&Aid Effectiveness,Disability,Gender and Health,School Health

Intra-and inter-reliability of lower extremity muscle strength measurements using a hand-held dynamometer with and without a stabilization strap

Title: Intra-and inter-reliability of lower extremity muscle strength measurements using a hand-held dynamometer with and without a stabilization strap Authors: Emerenciana Ferro (PhD student); Dr. Elaine Trudelle-Jackson, Angie McQueary Chris Huff, and Jami Thomas Texas Woman’s University Purpose/Hypothesis: Study’s purposes: 1) determine the intra-and inter-tester reliability of the HHD with and without a stabilization strap for measuring quadriceps and hamstring strength, and 2) compare quadriceps and hamstring strength values obtained using a HHD with and without a stabilization strap. We hypothesized that intra- and inter-tester reliability would be improved with a strap, and muscle strength measured with a strap would be different than when measured without a strap. Number of subjects: 24 men and women (Mean age: 27.87±2.22 years). Materials/Methods: 2 trained entry-level students of physical therapy measured participants’ quadriceps and hamstring strength in the seated position using the same test procedures. Each of the testers performed the tests under 2 conditions: 1) securing the HHD to the lower leg just proximal to the medial and lateral malleoli on the anterior aspect for knee extensors, and posterior aspect for knee flexors, using a strap affixed to an immoveable object, and 2) stabilizing the HHD manually in the same locations as for condition 1. Two trials were performed for each test condition and the other of testing under the 2 conditions randomized. One tester repeated the tests under both conditions after a 20 min rest to assess intra-tester reliability. Results: Intra-tester reliability for measuring knee flexion and extension using a HHD with strap stabilization was excellent (ICC3,2 =.93 and .94, respectively). Intra-tester reliability of measurements taken without strap stabilization for knee flexion and extension was also excellent (ICC3,2 = .90 and .91, respectively). Inter-tester reliability for measuring knee flexion and extension using the HHD with a strap was good (ICC2,2 =.87 and .88) while inter-tester reliability without a stabilization strap was poor (ICC2,2 = .71 and .54, respectively). A dependent t-test showed no significant difference between hamstring strength values when taken with and without a strap (t= -1.52, p =1.41) but quadriceps strength values obtained with a stabilization strap were significantly greater (t= 5.93, p\u3c.001) than measurements taken without a strap. Conclusions: A HHD can be used effectively by a single tester to measure quadriceps and hamstring strength with or without a stabilization strap. When different testers are used however, a strap is needed to get consistent measures

Quality interoperability within digital libraries: the DL.org perspective

Quality is the most dynamic aspect of DLs, and becomes even more complex with respect to interoperability. This paper formalizes the research motivations and hypotheses on quality interoperability conducted by the Quality Working Group within the EU-funded project DL.org (<a href="http://www.dlorg.eu">http://www.dlorg.eu/</a>). After providing a multi-level interoperability framework – adopted by DL.org - the authors illustrate key-research points and approaches on the way to the interoperability of DLs quality, grounding them in the DELOS Reference Model. By applying the DELOS Reference Model Quality Concept Map to their interoperability motivating scenario, the authors subsequently present the two main research outcomes of their investigation - the Quality Core Model and the Quality Interoperability Survey