At the time of introduction of the television, the video format was optimized given both economical and technological constraints. The resulting video format is not necessarily optimal for the ...current display technology. Moreover, current consumer-level priced and state-of-the-art scan-rate converters enable a spatio-temporal decoupling of the received video and the displayed video. This paper presents the results of a subjective assessment indicating the preferred CRT-display format.
In the last decade, software product management has received much practical attention, though research in this area is still scattered. In this paper, we present a reference framework for software ...product management, in which the key process areas, namely portfolio management, product roadmapping, release planning and requirements management, are identified, as well as the stakeholders and their relations. With this reference framework, we provide a structure for a body of knowledge for software product management
In this paper, we present the Functional Architecture Framework (FAF) to support requirements management in software businesses with large numbers of customers and high volumes of requirements for ...future releases. The FAF assists in maintaining an overview of all pending requirements relating to different components of both the functional and technical software architecture, thereby taking dependencies and product variability in consideration. We show the application of the FAF in three case studies at different software vendors with requirements volumes. Lessons learned are presented based on the usage data of requirements management and the architectural evolution of the products.
Implementing software product portfolio management Jagroep, E.; van de Weerd, I.; Brinkkemper, S. ...
2011 Fifth International Workshop on Software Product Management (IWSPM),
2011-Aug.
Conference Proceeding
In this paper, we present a research conducted on implementing product portfolio management (PPM) processes in software organizations. Based on interviews and literature study, we developed an ...implementation model intended for software companies aiming to implement PPM processes that span the entire organizational portfolio. The model presents a step by step implementation of the product portfolio management process and also takes into account related subjects. In addition, we present a maturity matrix that shows 28 capabilities that should be realized during this implementation. The implementation model has been evaluated using expert interviews and in a case study in a large Dutch software company.
The maturity of Software Product Management (SPM) in software companies is generally low. In order to enhance the overall maturity of SPM in the industry, we are developing a knowledge infrastructure ...that helps product managers in increasing their knowledge of the field and improving the SPM processes in their organization. An important part of this infrastructure is the assessment of a company's current situation. This paper presents a novel approach to assessing a company's SPM processes, by deducing its maturity based on process-deliverable diagrams. The approach is implemented using MetaCase's MetaEdit+, and evaluated in seven cases.
Product managers play a pivotal role in maximizing value for software companies. To assist product managers in their activities the Software Product Management (SPM) Maturity Matrix has been created ...that enables product managers to benchmark their organization, assess individual processes and apply best practices to create an effective SPM environment. Although a number of case studies and expert evaluations have been performed, a large scale quantitative analysis has not yet been conducted to evaluate this instrument. This research evaluates and improves the SPM Maturity Matrix based on 62 case studies. The cases were analyzed to uncover anomalies: blocking questions, blocking levels, and undifferentiating questions. The anomalies were then discussed in a workgroup with experts which resulted in suggested improvements to address the anomalies. The suggestions of the workgroup will be used to improve the SPM Maturity Matrix. As an additional result, the case studies also provide valuable insight into the maturity of software companies in industry.
Optimal television scanning format for CRT-displays Bellers, E.B.; de Weerd, I.; de Haan, G. ...
ICCE. International Conference on Consumer Electronics (IEEE Cat. No.01CH37182),
2001
Conference Proceeding
Current consumer-level priced and state-of-the-art scan-rate converters enable a spatio-temporal decoupling of the received video and the displayed video. This paper presents the results of a ...subjective assessment indicating the preferred CRT-display format.
The interferons (IFNs) were originally described over 50 years ago, identified by their ability to confer viral resistance to cells. We now know that they are much more than just anti‐viral cytokines ...collectively having roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses, in tumor surveillance and defense, and modulation of immune cell function. Three types of IFN have now been described, simply referred to as type I, II and III. Distinguishable by the unique receptors that they rely on for signal transduction, the three types of IFN have specific and varied roles in the maintenance of human health and defense against pathogens. In mounting an IFN‐mediated immune response, the human body has developed the ability to regulate IFN‐mediated signal transduction. Like all cytokines, the ability of a cell to respond to IFN is completely dependent on the presence of its cognate receptor on the surface of the target cell. Thus, one of the major mechanisms used by the human body to regulate the strength and duration of the IFN response is through regulation of receptor levels, thereby altering the cytokine‐specific responsiveness of the target cell. This review will discuss the receptor system utilized by the type I IFNs and compare it with that of the type II and III IFNs, which also regulate immune responses through controlling receptor level on the cell surface.
The innate immune response recognises pathogens and sterile danger signals to generate effector cytokines, such as type I interferons (IFNs), with a high degree of sophistication. The May/June 2012 issue provides a series of reviews of the role of type I IFNs in regulating immune responses. Topics to be covered include the reason for the induction of IFNs, type I IFNs interactions with and regulation of target cells (e.g. T cells, B cells and Th10 cells) in the immune system, and the roles and mechanisms of IFNs in specific organs or diseases. The accompanying web focus presents links to related articles from across Nature Publishing Group to provide more background information about these proteins.
Abstract
Welfare problems are commonly found in both conventional and organic production of broiler chickens. In order to reduce the extent of welfare problems, it has been suggested to provide ...stimulating, enriched environments. The aim of the present paper is to provide a review of the effect on behavior and welfare of the different kinds of environmental enrichments in the production of broilers that have been described in the scientific literature. Environmental enrichment is defined as an improvement of the environment of captive animals, which increases the behavioral opportunities of the animal and leads to improvements of the biological function. This definition has been broadened to include practical and economic aspects, as any enrichment strategy that adversely affects the health of animals or that has too many economic or practical constraints will never be implemented on commercial farms and thus never benefit animals. Environmental enrichment for broilers often has the purpose of satisfying behavioral needs and/or stimulating the broilers to an increased level of activity, which among others will reduce the occurrence of leg problems. Potentially successful environmental enrichments for broiler chickens are elevated resting-places, panels, barriers, and bales of straw ("point-source enrichment"), as well as covered verandas and outdoor ranges ("complex enriched environments"). Many of the ideas for environmental enrichment for broilers need to be further developed and studied, preferably in commercial trials, with respect to the use, the effect on behavior and on other welfare aspects such as leg health, and the interaction with genotype, production system, stocking density, light, and flock size. In addition, information on the practical application and the economics of the production system is often lacking, although it is important for application in practice.
Excessive levels of trait anxiety are a risk factor for psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders and substance abuse. High trait anxiety has been associated with altered cognitive ...functioning, in particular with an attentional bias towards aversive stimuli. Decision-making is a crucial aspect of cognitive functioning that relies on the correct processing and control of emotional stimuli. Interestingly, anxiety and decision-making share underlying neural substrates, involving cortico-limbic pathways, including the amygdala, striatum and medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between trait anxiety, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and complex decision-making, measured by the Iowa Gambling Task, in healthy male and female volunteers. The main focus of this study was the inclusion of gender as a discriminative factor. Indeed, we found distinct gender-specific effects of trait anxiety: in men, both low and high anxiety groups showed impaired decision-making compared to medium anxiety individuals, whereas in women only high anxiety individuals performed poorly. Furthermore, anxiety affected decision-making in men early in the task, i.e. the exploration phase, as opposed to an effect on performance in women during the second part of the test, i.e. the exploitation phase. These findings were related to different profiles of trait anxiety in men and women, and were independent of performance in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and cortisol levels. Our data show gender-specific effects of trait anxiety on emotional decision-making. We suggest gender-specific endophenotypes of anxiety to exist, that differentially affect cognitive functioning.
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