Applying Model-Driven Engineering to Development Scenarios for Web Content Management System Extensions

Web content management systems (WCMSs) such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal have established themselves as popular platforms for instantiating dynamic web applications. Using a WCMS instance allows developers to add additional functionality by implementing installable extension packages. However, extension developers are challenged by dealing with boilerplate code, dependencies between extensions and frequent architectural changes to the underlying WCMS platform. These challenges occur in frequent development scenarios that include initial development and maintenance of extensions as well as migration of existing extension code to new platforms. A promising approach to overcome these challenges is represented by model-driven engineering (MDE). Adopting MDE as development practice, allows developers to define software features within reusable models which abstract the technical knowledge of the targeted system. Using these models as input for platform-specific code generators enables a rapid transformation to standardized software of high quality. However, MDE has not found adoption during extension development in the WCMS domain, due to missing tool support. The results of empirical studies in different domains demonstrate the benefits of MDE. However, empirical evidence of these benefits in the WCMS domain is currently lacking. In this work, we present the concepts and design of an MDE infrastructure for the development and maintenance of WCMS extensions. This infrastructure provides a domain-specific modelling language (DSL) for WCMS extensions, as well as corresponding model editors. In addition, the MDE infrastructure facilitates a set of transformation tools to apply forward and reverse engineering steps. This includes a code generator that uses model instances of the introduced DSL, an extension extractor for code extraction of already deployed WCMS extensions, and a model extraction tool for the creation of model instances based on an existing extension package. To ensure adequacy of the provided MDE infrastructure, we follow a structured research methodology. First, we investigate the representativeness of common development scenarios by conducting interviews with industrial practitioners from the WCMS domain. Second, we propose a general solution concept for these scenarios including involved roles, process steps, and MDE infrastructure facilities. Third, we specify functional and non-functional requirements for an adequate MDE infrastructure, including the expectations of domain experts. To show the applicability of these concepts, we introduce JooMDD as infrastructure instantiation for the Joomla WCMS which provides the most sophisticated extension mechanism in the domain. To gather empirical evidence of the positive impact of MDE during WCMS extension development, we present a mixed-methods empirical investigation with extension developers from the Joomla community. First, we share the method, results and conclusions of a controlled experiment conducted with extension developers from academia and industry. The experiment compares conventional extension development with MDE using the JooMDD infrastructure, focusing on the development of dependent and independent extensions. The results show a clear gain in productivity and quality by using the JooMDD infrastructure. Second, we share the design and observations of a semi-controlled tutorial with four experienced developers who had to apply the JooMDD infrastructure during three scenarios of developing new (both independent and dependent) extensions and of migrating existing ones to a new major platform version. The aim of this study was to obtain direct qualitative feedback about acceptance, usefulness, and open challenges of our MDE approach. Finally, we share lessons learned and discuss the threats to validity of the conducted studies

Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research - Review and Research Prospects

Since historical times, cartographic maps have revealed spatial relations and enabled decisions and processes. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow for acquisition, management, analysis, and presentation of geospatial objects. With free geospatial data becoming available through open data policies and an increasing amount of digitally connected objects in the Internet of Things (IoT), GIS are becoming indispensable to Information Systems (IS) research. However, the consideration and relevance of GIS has only been investigated rarely. We examine, how and in which fields of application GIS have been studied in the IS literature and elicit the importance of GIS regarding their design and usage. A systematic literature review leads us to develop four research propositions. Our results indicate that GIS are still an undeservedly underrepresented discipline in IS and should be more theorized, put center-stage in design-oriented research, and considered for creating superior value co-creation in service systems

Designing a GIS-AHP-Based Spatial Decision Support System for Discovering and Visualizing Suitable Locations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

With rising interest in electric mobility, the need for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) increases. Since few attempts have been made to address this problem, a visualized Geographic Information System (GIS) approach using geospatial data and a weighted multicriteria analysis considering the proximity to users and the existing energy grid have not been developed yet. Since the visualization of decision problems has been found to be beneficial for decision processes, our goal is to design a Spatial Decision Support System using an AHP approach to support decision-makers to identify suitable locations for EVCS using a GIS to map and visualize the results. We use design science research to design our system as a prototype and find that implementing an AHP approach within a GIS application offers potential to increase added value for decision-making processes

One Concept, Many Opinions: How Scientists in Germany Think About the Concept of Bioeconomy

The official bioeconomy strategies in Europe and Germany pursue a technology-based implementation pathway and stipulate a wide range of objectives to be achieved with a bio-based economy. Reviews of the scientific and societal debate have shown that the technology fix meets criticism and that there is a controversial discussion about possible ways to shape the transition process. Against this background, an online survey was carried out among scientists involved in a regional bioeconomy research program in southern Germany in order to gain insight into their understanding of a bioeconomy. Moreover, the survey provides information about cooperation and major challenges in the future development of three biomass utilization pathways: biogas, lignocellulose, and microalgae. The analysis showed that a resource-oriented understanding of a bioeconomy is favored. The political objectives for a European bioeconomy are widely accepted, and it is expected that ongoing research can significantly contribute to achieving these goals. The two different pathways for shaping the bioeconomy that are discussed in the debate—the technology-based approach and the socio-ecological approach—are considered compatible rather than contrary. Up to now, scientific cooperation has prevailed, while cooperation with societal stakeholders and end-users has played a minor role

Point-of-Care Diabetes Monitoring via Breath Acetone Detection

Purpose: Diabetes can be a life-long disease which requires continuous blood-glucose monitoring. Currently technology, albeit good, does have its draw-backs; in particular that it is an invasive technique which causes discomfort to the individual. Therefore, low compliance can ultimately lead to other health issues. Approaches are underway to develop a portable, hand-held, noninvasive monitoring device to detect the biomarker, acetone, found in the breath of diabetics. By creating films of poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), acetone can react with these via a Petasis reaction. This alters the physicochemical nature of the film, providing a quantification of acetone, and thus hopefully blood-glucose levels, in a non-invasive manner. Methods: UV-transmitting poly(methyl methacrylate) slides are coated with a system of PAH/PVBBA at differing pH values and are then exposed to acetone/water vapor. Concentrations of acetone evaluated are 0.1–10 ppm. The slides are next subjected to the light emitted by a diode with a peak wavelength of 300 ± 5 nm. The transmitted light is detected by a UV-photosensor with an integrated transimpedance amplifier that produces a voltage output as a function of absorption. Results: We have successfully synthesized poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and multilayered with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). We have been able to cross-link these two polymers using only acetone vapor and are developing a hand-held device. Analyzing the difference in output voltage from exposed to unexposed slides at varying acetone concentrations, provides is a linear relationship up to 2500 ppb, which is above the high point for breath acetone concentration. Conclusions: We have been able to develop a technology that accurately detects acetone vapor. We are engineering a hand-held breathalyzer device to detect acetone in the breath of diabetic individuals and are attempting to optimize its capabilities

Utilizing single-use technology for diabetes monitoring via breath acetone

Diabetes can be a life-long disease which requires regular blood-glucose monitoring. Current technology, albeit good, does have its draw-backs; in particular that it is an invasive technique which causes discomfort to the individual. Therefore, low compliance is observed which can ultimately lead to other health issues. Approaches are underway to develop a portable, hand-held, noninvasive monitoring device to detect the biomarker, acetone, found in the breath of diabetics. By creating single-use sensor slides from polymers films of poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), acetone can react with these via a Petasis reaction. Analyzing the difference in output voltage from exposed to unexposed slides at varying acetone concentrations, using a light emitting diode with a UV-photosensor and an integrated transimpedance amplifier, provides a linear relationship up to 2500 ppb, which is above the high point for breath acetone concentrations. We have engineered a hand-held breathalyzer device to detect acetone in the breath of diabetic individuals and have clinically correlated the results with blood glucose. The single-use sensor slides will ultimately provide patients with diabetes with a means of determining blood-glucose levels in a completely non-invasive manner. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Food Waste Generation at Household Level: Results of a Survey among Employees of Two European Research Centers in Italy and Germany

There is a broad consensus in literature that private households are significant contributors to the total amount of food waste in the EU. Thus, any strategy to meaningfully combat food wastage must put the end consumer in the center of prevention activities. This requires deeper insights into people`s motivations to discard still edible food and knowledge about potential barriers to reduce wasting. This paper reports on results of an online survey among two European research centers in Italy (JRC/Ispra) and Germany (KIT/Karlsruhe). The focus of the survey was on households behaviors (shopping, eating, and food preparation habits) and its influence on the generation of food waste. Furthermore, reasons for the disposal of food as well as measures and technologies most needed to prevent wastage were discussed. The results of the survey are analyzed, especially with regard to two questions: (1) Are there considerable differences between Ispra and Karlsruhe? (2) Are there considerable similarities or inconsistencies with the results of previous studies

Comparison of small molecules VEGFR inhibitors in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factors receptors (VEGFR) inhibitors play a vital role in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. These are small molecules that predominantly exhibit anti-angiogenesis activity in conjunction with other anti-tumor effects. These drug therapies are approved for the use in patients as frontline agents or adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma. However, VEGFR inhibitors are associated with undesirable adverse events, with some having a more manageable toxicity profile compared to others. As a result, choice of treatment poses a challenge for healthcare providers and patients. Nonetheless, these agents demonstrate improved disease/progression free survival (DFS/PFS) values and remain a critical component in the treatment of kidney cancer