bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Genetic Risk Variant for Multiple Sclerosis Severity is Associated with Brain Atrophy
Authors: Gasperi Christiane , Wiltgen Tun , McGinnis Julian , Cerri Stefano , Moridi Thomas , Ouellette Russell , Pukaj Albert , Voon Cuici , Bafligil Cemsel , Lauerer Markus , Andlauer Till F. M. , Held Friederike , Aly Lilian , Shchetynsky Klementy , Stridh Pernilla , Harroud Adil , Wiestler Benedikt , Kirschke Jan S. , Zimmer Claus , Baras Aris , Piehl Fredrik , Berthele Achim , Granberg Tobias , Kockum Ingrid , Hemmer Bernhard , Mühlau Mark
Published: September 2023

The minor allele of the genetic variant rs10191329 in the DYSF‐ZNF638 locus is associated with unfavorable long‐term clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis patients. We investigated if rs10191329 is associated with brain atrophy measured by magnetic resonance imaging in a discovery cohort of 748 and a replication cohort of 360 people with relapsing multiple sclerosis. We observed an association with 28% more brain atrophy per rs10191329*A allele. Our results encourage stratification for rs10191329 in clinical trials. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms may enhance our understanding of pathophysiology and identify treatment targets. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1080–1085
Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation Activity‐Stability Maps for Perovskite Oxides Containing 3d, 4d and 5d Transition Metals
Authors: Liang Xiao , Yan Wensheng , Yu Yinglong , Zhang Kexin , An Wei , Chen Hui , Zou Yongcun , Zhao Xiao , Zou Xiaoxin
Published: September 2023

Improving catalytic activity without loss of catalytic stability is one of the core goals in search of low‐iridium‐content oxygen evolution electrocatalysts under acidic conditions. Here, we synthesize a family of 66 SrBO3 perovskite oxides (B=Ti, Ru, Ir) with different Ti : Ru : Ir atomic ratios and construct catalytic activity‐stability maps over composition variation. The maps classify the multicomponent perovskites into chemical groups with distinct catalytic activity and stability for acidic oxygen evolution reaction, and highlights a chemical region where high catalytic activity and stability are achieved simultaneously at a relatively low iridium level. By quantifying the extent of hybridization of mixed transition metal 3d‐4d‐5d and oxygen 2p orbitals for multicomponent perovskites, we demonstrate this complex interplay between 3d‐4d‐5d metals and oxygen atoms in governing the trends in both activity and stability as well as in determining the catalytic mechanism involving lattice oxygen or not.
Exploring the intensifying effect of periodate/hydroxylamine oxidation process for the effective mineralization of textile dyes effluents with consideration of environmental matrices
Authors: Belghit Aouattef , Merouani Slimane , Dehane Aissa
Published: September 2023

This study delved into the potential of periodate/hydroxylamine process (PI/HA) as an efficient method for the degradation and mineralization of textile dyes. The PI/HA process generates a range of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can degrade organic pollutants. The effects of processing conditions, common minerals, organic components, including humic acid and surfactants, and various real environmental matrices, i.e. deionized water, seawater, natural mineral water and treated wastewater effluent, on the PI/HA process efficiency were examined. The results showed that the PI/HA process could remove over 50% of initial dyes concentration in just 10 s, with 80% removal achieved at 10 min using a PI/HA molar ratio of 1 (1.5/1.5 mM). Further adjustments could result in 100% removal in less than 5 min. The process efficiently abated organic matter, with total organic carbon (TOC) reductions exceeding 80% at 60 min and ~90% at 120 min. Radical scavengers showed that •OH played a dominant role (~76%), while 1O2 contributed to a lesser extent (~8.5%). The degradation was more efficient at lower pH, a higher PI to HA molar ratio. The process was unaffected by low concentrations of common mineral anions and surfactants. Higher degradation levels were observed in natural mineral water and seawater.
An adaptive feedback regulation method of wireless power transfer systems for compensating battery‐based source's fluctuations
Authors: Zhang Qiye , Cai Changsong , Zhao Yanpu , Wang Junhua , Zhang Fan , Luo Yang , Wu Xi
Published: September 2023

This article proposes an adaptive feedback regulation method for wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, which can be applied to solve the problem of the drop in input voltage from the emergency power supply such as a battery‐based source. The whole WPT system transfers power mainly through the mutual inductance between the transmitter and receiver coils. The compensation coils are accessed to form the power feedback side, which can achieve constant voltage output by adjusting the duty cycle of the DC/DC converter. Furthermore, the finite element simulation result analyzes the constant voltage output characteristics of the proposed topology under different load conditions. Finally, an 85 kHz prototype based on the proposed method is built and tested to verify the performance and effectiveness of the design. The proposed method achieves a constant 48 V output when the load varies from 60 to 120 Ω and the horizontal offset distance varies from 20 to 80 mm.
Performance of polar codes with low complexity cyclic redundancy check aided bit‐flipping for successive cancellation list decoding over power line channels
Authors: Zhou Yu , Li Yue , Zhao Shuangshuang , Gao Fan , Zhou Chao , Mu Zhuowen
Published: September 2023

Power lines have complex transmission characteristics and noise interference when used as information transmission channel, thus limiting their data‐carrying rate and reliability. Impulsive noise is the most dominant factor degrading the performance of communication systems over power lines. To combat the impulsive noise, polar codes are introduced into the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)‐based power line communication (PLC) system. Because the successive cancelation list bit‐flip (SCLF) decoding algorithm of polar codes has high decoding complexity, a low complexity segmented cyclic redundancy check (CRC)‐aided SCLF decoding is proposed to improve the decoding performance. The decoding process can be terminated early with segmented CRC, which can reduce the bit‐flip decoding complexity significantly with short and medium block lengths. Experimental results demonstrate that for various configurations, the proposed decoder outperforms the traditional CRC‐aided SCL decoder in terms of decoding performance and complexity, and the suggested polar codes‐based OFDM‐based PLC system can reduce the bit error rate of the system in the presence of impulsive noise.
Study on the dielectrophoretic characteristics of malaria‐infected red blood cells
Authors: Panklang Nitipong , Vijitnukoonpradit Kitipob , Putaporntip Chaturong , Chotivanich Kesinee , Nakano Michihiko , Horprathum Mati , Techaumnat Boonchai
Published: September 2023

Malaria is a tropical disease caused by parasites in the genus Plasmodium, which still presents 241 million cases and nearly 627,000 deaths recently. In this work, we used the dielectrophoresis (DEP) to characterize red blood cells in a microchannel. The purpose of this work is to determine the difference between the normal and the malaria‐infected cells based on the DEP characteristics. The samples were infected cells and normal red blood cells, which were either prepared in culture or obtained from volunteers. Diamond‐shaped and curved micropillars were used to create different degrees of DEP in the gap between them. The DEP crossover frequencies were observed with the diamond‐shaped micropillars. The cell velocity under negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP) at a low frequency was examined with the curved micropillars. The measured lower crossover frequencies were remarkably different between the malaria‐infected cells and the normal cells, whereas the higher crossover frequencies were similar among the samples. The velocity under nDEP was lower for the infected cells than the normal cells. The results imply that the malaria infection significantly decreases the capacitance but increases the conductance of the cell membrane, whereas a change in cytoplasmic conductivity may occur in a later stage of infection.
Tracing past extreme floods on an alluvial fan using geophysical surveying
Authors: Arboleda‐Zapata Mauricio , Guillemoteau Julien , Lucía Ana , Eberle Joachim , Tronicke Jens , Korup Oliver
Published: September 2023

Sedimentary units in alluvial fans may record gradual transport and deposition during multiple floods or sediment‐laden flows or, conversely, during few catastrophic events. While outcrops are a valuable source of direct information to constrain past geomorphic and hydrologic processes, such exposures are scarce, especially along aggrading rivers or those that have been subject to recent catastrophic sedimentation. In this context, near‐surface geophysical techniques can constrain the dimensions, internal architecture, composition, and petrophysical properties of different sedimentary units. We consider the Grimmbach alluvial fan in the cuesta landscape of southwestern Germany, which was heavily impacted by sediment and wood loads during a flash flood in 2016; published radiocarbon dates indicate that at least three floods similar to the one in 2016 may have occurred since the 17th century. To test whether and to which detail near‐surface geophysics might reveal the sedimentary legacy of these floods, we survey the Grimmbach alluvial fan using detailed topographic data and geophysical imaging based on electromagnetic induction, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ground‐penetrating radar. Our geophysical results indicate former channel courses and two coarse bar deposits up to 3 m below the surface, which are comparable with the more extensive bar deposits of the 2016 flood. From the ERT models, we interpret coarse, up to 5 m thick, gravel lag overlying bedrock at a maximum depth of 10 m. Our geophysical results also highlight patches of finer materials derived from gradual sedimentation and soil development. Overall, our results show that the Grimmbach alluvial fan may have formed and reshaped during catastrophic flows, which likely caused channel avulsions. Our findings point to the need to reconsider flash flood and debris‐flow hazards in similar headwaters and fans of this seemingly quiescent cuesta landscape in southern Germany.
The Effect of Single‐Dose Phenylpropanolamine on Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension Controlled by β Blockers
Authors: O'Connell Mary Beth , Gross Cynthia R.
Published: September 2023

We studied the effect of phenylpropanolamine on blood pressures in seven patients whose hypertension was controlled with β blockers. Rapid‐release phenylpropanolamine 25 mg and placebo were given on separate days according to a double‐blind, randomized, two‐period crossover design. The crossover analyses detected significant drug effects without carryover or period effects for both systolic and diastolic pressures. The peak systolic blood pressures after phenylpropanolamine averaged 8 mm Hg higher than those measured after placebo. Similarly, the peak diastolic pressures after phenylpropanolamine averaged 4.9 mm Hg higher than those with placebo. Baseline weights, blood pressures, and pulses did not significantly differ between patient groups or change significantly across study periods. Usual single and therapeutic doses of phenylpropanolamine caused small but statistically significant increases in blood pressure. If such changes are not considered when antihypertensive therapy is altered or initiated, patients may receive excessive or unnecessary drugs.
The Safety of Halobetasol 0.05% Ointment in the Treatment of Psoriasis
Authors: Watson William A. , Kalb Robert E. , Siskin Stewart B. , Freer Jack P. , Krochmal Lincoln
Published: September 2023

The effects on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis of the ultra‐high potency corticosteroid halobetasol in the treatment of psoriasis were evaluated in seven patients with extensive, long‐standing plaque psoriasis. Each patient applied 3.5 g halobetasol 0.05% ointment in the morning and evening for 7 days. Morning plasma Cortisol levels and 24‐hour urinary excretion of 17‐hydroxycorticosteroid were determined before and on the last 2 days of treatment; plasma Cortisol levels were also determined 4 and 5 days after completion of therapy. Morning plasma Cortisol concentrations did not decrease significantly during treatment, and no values were below the normal range. Mean 24‐hour urinary 17‐hydroxycorticosteroid excretion fell from 6.6 ± 1.4 mg to 5.1 ± 1.4 mg. Two patients had mild, localized pruritus and stinging with the initial ointment application. No other adverse cutaneous effects were observed. Halobetasol was also clinically efficacious over the 7 days of treatment, based on evaluation of pruritus, erythema, scaling, and plaque elevation. These results demonstrate no adverse effects of the drug on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis at doses that are clinically effective in the management of plaque psoriasis.
Protective Effect of a Novel Thromboxane Antagonist, BAY‐U3405, on Canine Myocardial Damage After Coronary Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion
Authors: Fiedler Volker B. , Perzborn Elisabeth , Seuter Friedel
Published: September 2023

The effects of a novel thromboxane antagonist, (3R)‐3‐(4‐fluorophenylsulfonamido)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐9‐carbazolepropanoic acid (BAY‐U3405), on myocardial damage due to ischemia and reperfusion (added to accelerate the initiated injury) were studied in anesthetized dogs. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded for 6 hours and reperfused for 30 minutes. BAY‐U3405, 1 mg/kg, was injected intravenously 15 minutes after LAD occlusion, followed by continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/hour starting at 30 minutes after occlusion. The drug had no hemodynamic effects. During the experiments 6 of 14 animals died of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the placebo‐vehicle controls (3 during occlusion and 3 during reperfusion); in the drug‐treated group 5 of 13 dogs died of VF (all during occlusion none during reperfusion). This difference in total mortality and cause was not statistically significant. Reperfusion arrhythmias were largely suppressed by BAY‐U3405: 201 ± 43 versus 689 ± 98 irregular beats during 30 minutes (p < 0.001) in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Coronary collateral flow, obtained from a load‐line analysis by measurement of retrograde coronary flow, and collateral index were similar in both groups. Therefore, BAY‐U3405 did not alter collateral blood supply to the ischemic myocardium. Infarct size, determined with tetrazolium staining, was reduced by 65% (p < 0.01) after its administration. These results suggest that thromboxane antagonism by BAY‐U3405 may delay infarct expansion and reduce the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias during reperfusion of previously ischemic myocardium.
Effect of Fucoidin on Human Sperm‐Zona Pellucida Interactions
Authors: OEHNINGER ERGIO , CLARK GARY F. , FULGHAM DAVID , BLACKMORE PETER F. , MAHONY MARY C. , ACOSTA ANIBAL A. , HODGEN GARY D.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: The authors recently reported that fucoidin (a polymer of predominantly L‐fucose sulfate) produced a strong, significant, and dose‐dependent inhibition of sperm‐zona binding under hemizona assay conditions. The current studies were designed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying this inhibitory activity. Using computerized semen analysis, the monoclonal anti‐sperm antibody T‐6 and indirect immunofluorescence technique, and the fura‐2 indicator, no significant impact of fucoidin on sperm motion parameters, on the spontaneous acrosome reaction, or its prerequisite, the increase in calcium influx, were observed. Subsequently, a mild acid hydrolysis of the fucoidin molecule was performed, followed by sizing hydrolysates in a Biogel P2 column and separating fractions (n = 6). All fucoidin fragments significantly inhibited tight binding of human sperm to human zona pellucida under hemizona assay conditions (range, 56%‐94%) when tested individually. These results provide further evidence that the effect of fucoidin is produced by a receptor‐ligand association.
Low Levels of Nitric Oxide Promote Human Sperm CapacitationIn Vitro
Authors: Zini Armand , de Lamirande Eve , Gagnon Claude
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT:The influence of nitric oxide on human sperm hyperactivation and capacitation, as well as its mechanism of action and its possible origin from spermatozoa were studied. Percoll‐washed spermatozoa from healthy volunteers were incubated in Ham's F‐10 medium supplemented or not with the nitric oxide‐releasing agents, diethylamine‐NONOate or spermine‐NONOate, in combination or not with superoxide dismutase or catalase (scavengers for the superoxide anion and for hydrogen peroxide, respectively), or with sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, or preincubated NONOates. Sperm hyperactivation, capacitation, and nitric oxide synthase activity were determined. High concentrations (0.3 to 1 mM) of NONOates reduced sperm motility. However, a lower concentration (0.1 mM) of the two NONOates had no effect on the percentage of sperm motility or of hyperactivation but resulted in a significant increase in sperm capacitation (24% ± 4%) when compared to that of control spermatozoa (Ham's F‐10 alone, 12% ± 2%). Nitric oxide released by the NONOates appeared responsible for this effect because sodium nitrate or nitrite or preincubated NONOates (to exhaust the formation of nitric oxide) had no influence on sperm capacitation. Catalase, but not superoxide dismutase, abolished the capacitating action of the NONOates. No nitric oxide synthase activity was detected in spermatozoa, whether they were in their basal state or already capacitated. Furthermore, the nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor L‐NGnitroarginine methyl ester did not block sperm capacitation induced by fetal cord serum ultrafiltrate. It is therefore concluded that, although spermatozoa do not possess detectable nitric oxide synthase activity, low levels of nitric oxide induce human sperm capacitation, and this action likely involves hydrogen peroxide.
Testis Factors That May Regulate Gene Expression: Evidence From a Patient With Kartagener's Syndrome
Authors: PHILLIPS DAVID M. , JOW WILLIAM W. , GOLDSTEIN MARK
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Patients with Kartagener's syndrome characteristically have immotile cilia and flagella. Ultrastructural analysis of the efferent ducts of the patient described in this report revealed that the cilia totally lacked dynein arms. Based on clinical findings his respiratory cilia also were not functional. In contrast, this patient's spermatozoa were motile and displayed normal ultrastructure, including dynein arms. This suggests that two genes exist that code for slightly different proteins with analogous functions; one of these genes functions in somatic tissue and the other in the male germ tissue. Differential gene expression in somatic and male germ tissue may be related to the syncytial nature of male germ cells, low scrotal temperature, or haploid gene expression.
Single‐Step Isolation of Bovine Seminal Platelet‐Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase
Authors: SOUBEYRAND SEBASTIEN , MANJUNATH PUTTASWAMY
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Bovine seminal platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase was isolated to >90% purity in a single step using a butyl sepharose column. The procedure involves the elution of the activity by use of an ethanol gradient. Protein binds readily to the resin in the absence of high ionic strength and elutes as a peak centered at 30% ethanol. Approximately 2 mg (by Bradford; 5 mg by weight) of the enzyme can thus be easily obtained from 9 ml of seminal plasma. The specific activity of the purified protein was 22 μmol/minute/mg. About 10% of the loaded activity systematically passed unadsorbed through the column, even after repassing. Most of this activity, however, was attributed to the same or a very similar enzyme that cross‐reacts with polyclonal antibodies directed against the highly purified platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase. The enzyme was acid‐labile but very resistant to freezing and lyophilization. This purification procedure should constitute a valuable asset to investigators interested in platelet‐activating factor and platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase roles in reproductive biology.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHODS COMPARED
Authors: Armstrong James R.
Published: September 2023

Considerable confusion exists concerning the various methods used in the Function‐Requirement‐Architecture‐Test (F‐R‐A‐T) activities of systems engineering. Functional Flow Block Diagrams, Requirements Allocation Sheets, State Diagrams, N2 Charts, Schematic Block Diagrams, Behavior Diagrams, and others are common. IDEF adds Data Flow Diagrams, Context Diagrams, and Relationship Diagrams. Software analysts have recently created Object Oriented Analysis. From Japan, we get Quality Functional Deployment.

These various methods can be compared and contrasted by first using systems engineering to functionally analyze engineering, then looking at the function each method performs. The methods can then be compared and analyzed for the strengths, weaknesses, and application of each.

An important conclusion is that the new approaches focus on significantly small subsets of the overall systems engineering analysis tasks. Consequently, serious shortfalls in overall understanding of the system may result if they are the only form of analysis used.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING EDUCATION A NEW PARADIGM
Authors: Unwin Ernest A. , Wymore A. Wayne , Scherer William T.
Published: September 2023

This paper suggests that the time is right for the adoption of a position by NCOSE to define and defend a strong undergraduate Systems Engineering curriculum. This would lead to the formal definition of SE career paths directly out of college which, in turn, should reduce the net time required to become a viable senior Systems Engineer. The paper proposes a broad‐based curriculum which, coincidentally, meets many of the requirements espoused today by engineering educators (but essentially ignored by the implementors) for modernizing the traditional engineering programs. Since we are starting from scratch, we have an excellent opportunity to define and implement a curriculum to take us into the 21st century.
EDUCATING SYSTEMS ENGINEERS FOR AN IMPENDING METATECHNOLOGY IN PRODUCT AND PROCESS SYSTEMS
Authors: Kendree Thomas L. McKendree
Published: September 2023

This paper introduces the concept of metatechnologies—technologies which have substantial effects on and through other technologies. It then discusses molecular nanotechnology, a major impending metatechnology that systems engineers need to understand. What they need to know, including a survey of minimum performance characteristics, is reviewed. Finally, several educational strategies which systems engineers might use to educate themselves about molecular nanotechnology are discussed.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DESIGN OF A SUBURB
Authors: Heidel Karen , Wymore Wayne
Published: September 2023

The Office of Energy and the Environment of the City of Tucson chose 900 acres in the Tucson metropolitan area for the purpose of developing the Solar Village, a showcase for the adaptation of urban development to the desert environment through appropriate technology. Requirements for the Solar Village include: minimal impact on the desert environment, maximal utilization of local building materials in architecture adapted to the desert climate, maximal recycling of waste products, conservation of water and harvest of rain, maximal use of solar energy, economic, social, ethnic and religious integration without ghettoes, and more: requirements for health, education, transportation, security and other quality of life aspects ‐ and costs of all kinds. This paper discusses how systems engineering, in system life cycle phase 1, captured, quantified, organized, precisely defined and recorded this plethora of requirements and rendered them operational for decision making in subsequent life cycle phases.
SYSTEM INTEGRATION VIA TELECOMMUNICATION
Authors: Andresen Morten , Asbjornsen O. Andreas
Published: September 2023

The paper shows a case history on system inte‐gration by telecommunication between a research institute and an industrial system development. The system is a multipurpose furnace for steel and metal recovery from scrap iron dust. The furnace design, the metallurgical operation, with its control system, are under evaluation and testing. The research group is located in Norway, far away from the furnace location in Alton, Illinois. The distance between the two locations is about 4,500 miles.

The paper shows the practical integration of the two distant locations, how data are transmitted and used, how models are developed and checked, and how human communication is accomplished. The cost savings in the telecommunication process are astounding. The principles of systems engineering are applied to the configuration of the communication system and to evaluate the performance of both the production system under development, and the telecommunication system for testing.
INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT—PROCEDURES AND TOOLS
Authors: Brekka Lawrence T. , Vlay George J.
Published: September 2023

Risk management is an essential ingredient of effective program management. At each phase of a program, information available to the responsible engineers and managers provides needed identification and understanding of the risks facing the program. Close monitoring of significant risk areas as part of the normal reporting and review process provides the tracking needed to determine when a potential problem has turned into a real problem and action has to be taken. The information must be reported to the right level of management to permit the needed redirection of the program. Effective analysis of the risks identified in this process requires the combined use of engineering, schedule and cost analysis tools at each level of management. This paper describes procedures for planning and executing effective risk management, and the tools that are needed for the supporting analyses.
CONTRACT RISK EXPOSURE
Authors: Riggs Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2023

Of all the characterizations of the world in which we live and work, uncertainty is one of the most pervasive. The interaction between uncertainty or probabilistic outcomes and that which is at stake, such as cost (dollars), schedule (time), and technical performance have precipitated the increasing importance of risk management.

This paper addresses the identification of risk sources in the context of contract management. “Clusters” of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements are analyzed to determine which WBS elements are exposing the contract to the most risk. Identification and prioritization of the relative contract risk exposure for the WBS elements of the cluster results in a risk assessment of the contract at the WBS element level.
AUTOMATED GENERATION OF THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT PLAN BASED UPON AN EXECUTABLE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS MODEL
Authors: Skipper J. Franklin , Shier Randy
Published: September 2023

The objective of the SEMP document is to provide a single integrated plan which describes specifically how the system engineering organization plans to manage and control the evolution of a design through the various phases of a specific program. Programs change over time, therefore to become a useful plan, the SEMP must be capable of constant update and regeneration.
Distributed Design of Computer‐Based Systems: Needed Academic Programs
Authors: Holtzman Julian
Published: September 2023

This paper summarizes the portion of the panel session on Distributed Design of Computer Based Systems devoted to a discussion of academic programs. Some of the key elements identified by the CBSE Task Force for Distributed Design of Computer Based Systems in both research and practice are briefly reviewed. Academic programs and some comments on supporting research follow. The basic conclusion is that current teaching programs are inadequate in content and emphasis on the Systems Engineering aspects and that university‐based research, in general, lacks a focus on solving problems of significance to practitioners and rarely is “scaleable” to real‐world situations.
4.2.3 COST ENGINEERING WITHIN A MODEL‐BASED DESIGN PROCESS FOR SATELLITE SYSTEMS
Authors: Quirmbach O. , Wilke M. , Igenbergs E.
Published: September 2023

This paper describes a method to integrate cost analysis, cost planning, accounting and systems engineering within one integrated system model. It is called Integrated System Cost Model — ISCOM. This model has been implemented in a tool supporting the important early phase of satellite design. The tool is called MuSSat – Modelling and Simulation of Satellite Systems – provides the user with the means to easily and quickly model all aspects – and the various interdependencies between them – of a satellite system and to compare various alternative designs (Wilke, Quirmbach et al. 1999). Basis of the software tool is a modelling methodology developed at the Institute of Astronautics at the Technical University of Munich, which allows an integrated way of product, process and cost planning.

MuSSat supports Target Costing process by allocating Target Costs to functions, objects and processes. Therefore it provides creation of cost tables for all kind of system elements in order to get element specific and actual cost estimation relationships. Thus MuSSat enables a company to improve its performance in the new market segment of commercial satellite applications by supporting integrated concurrent engineering.
1.3.3 Are Formal Methods Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Ankrum T. Scott
Published: September 2023

Formal Methods is a term used to describe the use of a formal language for the specification of a software product at some level. The use of a formal language allows requirements to be specified more crisply and less ambiguously than a textual document. It can also allow the developers to formally prove that an implementation meets the specified requirements. Some formal languages can even be transformed into executable code. The use of formal methods is explored for large software projects in commercial enterprises, government, and the military. A comparison is made of the attributes and results of these projects. A table at the end supports the conclusion that formal methods can be successful on a large scale.
1.4.3 Safety assessment of system architectures
Authors: Murdoch John , Kirkham Peter , McDermid John A. , Wilkinson Philip
Published: September 2023

Emerging standards and guidelines in the safety engineering field call for the application of safety assessment techniques throughout the development cycle of systems. Since much early work on design projects falls within the discipline ofsystems engineering, questions arise about the applicability of safety assessment techniques to system architectural descriptions and about the role of such analyses. A safety assessment technique applicable to system architectures is proposed, based on the classic concept ofinterfacesand derived from the HAZOP techique widely used in the process industries. The role of the technique in the wider integration of safety and design processes is discussed. A prototype tool to support the analysis is described and a trial of its use in an industrial application is reported. A concluding discussion considers the integration of safety and design processes.
4.4.1 A Collaborative Systems Engineering Approach For Achieving Early Landing Gear Systems Maturity
Authors: Mussad Aymen
Published: September 2023

This paper describes the systems methodology created to exploit in‐service aircraft experience to influence the design of a new landing gear system.

The paper opens with an overview of systems requirements, evolution of the design loop, followed by the tools and techniques developed to ensure early product maturity at Entry Into Service (EIS).

Key concepts such as the philosophy of approach, ‘why & how‘, process drivers to implement experiential knowledge into the design and the relationship between maturity and reliability will be discussed.
8.4.2 Enabling Changes in Systems throughout the Entire Life‐Cycle – Key to Success ?
Authors: Schulz Armin P. , Fricke Ernst , Igenbergs Eduard
Published: September 2023

In the past decades the world has been changing in almost every aspect. Systems development is facing rapidly changing and increasingly global environments in markets, competition, technology, regulatory and societal systems. Systems to be delivered must be designed not only to meet customer or market needs, but increasingly to meet requirements and constraints of systems sharing its operational context and throughout their entire lifecycle. The design of a system must provide for a continuous evolution of its architecture either by upgrading a system already in service or releasing a new version.

Based on these key challenges imosed on development systems, this paper will evolve the idea of incorporating changeability into a systems architecture. Flexibility, agility, robustness, and adaptability as four key aspects of changeability will be defined and described. Design principles to enable flexibility, agility, robustness, and adaptability within integrated systems are proposed and described. A measurement of a degree of implementation of certain aspects of changeability as well as cost associated with it are addressed with metrics. A basic process outlining and guiding an application of the framework described concludes this paper. Examples from varying industries will illustrate the applicability and implementation of selected principles.

Thus this paper spans a view from why, when and where, what, and how changeability has to be incorporated into a systems architecture.
6.6.2 An Ontology For Standards
Authors: Velman J. R. , Widmann E. R.
Published: September 2023

The paper continues the exploration of standards that the authors initiated in [1] and continued in [2] and [3]. It provides an ontology for standards—a specification of the things and relationships relevant to the topic of standards. The ontology is presented using the ISO standard graphical language, EXPRESS‐G. It uses concepts from mathematical logic to clarify the content, meaning, and use of standards. Characteristics and elements of standards that are independent of any particular usage of the standard are defined. The subject matter of standardization is classified and a taxonomy is presented. Instances of earliest use of each part of the taxonomy are described. The means of establishing standards is discussed, together with the question of voluntary versus mandatory compliance. The paper closes with a set of conclusions regarding management process standards. The paper concentrates on those aspects of standards of importance to systems engineering, and includes numerous illustrative examples.
9.5 A Systems Comparison of Public Perception and Policy towards Genetic Engineering in the EU and the US
Authors: Kraus Florian , Negele Herbert , Bereano Philip L.
Published: September 2023

There has been a steadily increasing debate during the last years about how to regulate genetically modified organisms and their use in food processing and agriculture. As the discussion advanced, one could identify two fundamentally different positions, represented by the United States and the European Union.

The goal of this work was to figure out possible reasons for the obvious differences in public perception and policy between the EU and the US. The approach to the problem is based on Peter Checkland's “Soft Systems Methodology”, which was adopted to the specific problem situation. It revealed a fair number of factors which are contributing to the different development of the situation in the EU and in the US. Nevertheless, the interaction of those reasons appears to be even more important than each single reason. Systemigrams, developed by Boardman, were used to further analyze and display those interactions in a transparent manner.
Self‐ambivalence: Naming a contemporary work–family problem that has no name
Authors: Hoobler Jenny M. , Masterson Courtney R. , Rogers Kristie
Published: September 2023

As workers and family members, individuals ought to celebrate seemingly positive events (e.g., a promotion and the purchase of a home). Yet, the numerous identities that contemporary workers hold increase the likelihood of an event that is pleasant in one domain being problematic in another and more cognitively and affectively complex than anticipated. We theorize that these events are likely to prompt self‐evaluations that are positive (“I'm a success!”) and negative (“I'm a failure.”) across one's identity set, with questions such as “Who have I become?” and “Is this who I ought to be?” The result is self‐ambivalence, that is, a simultaneously oppositional orientation toward oneself. We view this as a contemporary cognitive and affective experience for which theorizing in work and family is largely absent. Our conceptual model begins with “work–family ought events,” events accompanied by both possibilities and limitations that prompt identity‐related self‐examination. We acknowledge the influence of multi‐level social systems including organizational, societal, individual, and partner factors, which can intensify self‐ambivalence. We propose the experience of self‐ambivalence has implications for self‐concept clarity and ultimately well‐being in both the work and family domains and extend theory on this problem of self‐ambivalence, a problem that heretofore “had no name.”
Safety and efficacy comparisons of intravenous trastuzumab biosimilars to the reference product medicine in treatment‐naïve and switch‐over patients with breast cancer: a systematic and meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Nina K. , Musa Hala , Soriano Michael , Batger Mellissa , Hawkins Bryson , Ramzan Iqbal , Hibbs David E. , Ong Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab biosimilars to reference trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a biologic pharmaceutical product, has improved survival in hormone‐oestrogen receptor 2 positive breast cancer. However, due to its high economic burden, ‘highly similar’ products known as biosimilars have been developed. Yet, concerns remain around the equivalency of efficacy and safety between biosimilars and their reference biologic.

Data Sources

A systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases were searched from inception to 26 April 2021 to obtain all randomised control trial data reporting on safety and efficacy outcomes of patients with breast cancer treated with trastuzumab biosimilars.

Study Selection

Studies were required to investigate and report on the safety and/or efficacy of trastuzumab. No restrictions were placed on study setting or intervention type and any study which reported at least one efficacy or safety outcome was included. A head‐to‐head comparison between the biosimilar and its reference biologic was not required for inclusion in the results. Only studies using randomised control trials were included. There was no restriction on the language the study was published in, and all abstracts, raw clinical trial data, and full‐text studies were eligible.

Results

Forty‐one studies were identified to report on patients treated with trastuzumab. The odds of achieving an overall response rate in patients treated with a trastuzumab biosimilar compared to the reference over at least 24 weeks of treatment was 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–1.29). The proportion of patients experiencing any treatment emergent adverse events were comparable between the two study arms, 1.07 (95% CI 0.87–1.32). The switching group contained one study with 342 patients in the meta‐analysis.

Conclusion

Trastuzumab biosimilars have comparable efficacy and safety to reference trastuzumab in treatment‐naïve patients. However, evidence is lacking for switching patients from reference trastuzumab to biosimilars, so further work is required in the switch‐over population.
Delta‐shock for a class of systems of conservation laws of the Keyfitz–Kranzer type
Authors: Li Shiwei
Published: September 2023

Riemann problem for a class of systems of conservation laws of Keyfitz–Kranzer type is solved. The Riemann solutions contain three kinds of interesting structures, two of which contain vacuum and the other includes delta‐shock. The generalized Rankine–Hugoniot relation and improved entropy condition are proposed to solve the delta‐shock. Besides, with the use of the vanishing viscosity method, all of the existence, uniqueness, and stability of the solutions involving the delta‐shock are proved.
Structured low‐rank reconstruction for navigator‐free water/fat separated multi‐shot diffusion‐weightedEPI
Authors: Dong Yiming , Koolstra Kirsten , Li Ziyu , Riedel Malte , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Börnert Peter
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Multi‐shot diffusion‐weighted EPI allows an increase in image resolution and reduced geometric distortions and can be combined with chemical‐shift encoding (Dixon) to separate water/fat signals. However, such approaches suffer from physiological motion‐induced shot‐to‐shot phase variations. In this work, a structured low‐rank‐based navigator‐free algorithm is proposed to address the challenge of simultaneously separating water/fat signals and correcting for physiological motion‐induced shot‐to‐shot phase variations in multi‐shot EPI‐based diffusion‐weighted MRI.

Theory and Methods

We propose an iterative, model‐based reconstruction pipeline that applies structured low‐rank regularization to estimate and eliminate the shot‐to‐shot phase variations in a data‐driven way, while separating water/fat images. The algorithm is tested in different anatomies, including head–neck, knee, brain, and prostate. The performance is validated in simulations and in‐vivo experiments in comparison to existing approaches.

Results

In‐vivo experiments and simulations demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared to extra‐navigated and an alternative self‐navigation approach. The proposed algorithm demonstrates the capability to reconstruct in the multi‐shot/Dixon hybrid space domain under‐sampled datasets, using the same number of acquired EPI shots compared to conventional fat‐suppression techniques but eliminating fat signals through chemical‐shift encoding. In addition, partial Fourier reconstruction can also be achieved by using the concept of virtual conjugate coils in conjunction with the proposed algorithm.

Conclusion

The proposed algorithm effectively eliminates the shot‐to‐shot phase variations and separates water/fat images, making it a promising solution for future DWI on different anatomies.
Multi‐echo–based fat artifact correction for CEST MRI at 7 T
Authors: Tkotz Katharina , Liebert Andrzej , Gast Lena V. , Zeiger Paula , Uder Michael , Zaiss Moritz , Nagel Armin M.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

CEST MRI is influenced by fat signal, which can reduce the apparent CEST contrast or lead to pseudo‐CEST effects. Our goal was to develop a fat artifact correction based on multi‐echo fat–water separation that functions stably for 7 T knee MRI data.

Methods

Our proposed algorithm utilizes the full complex data and a phase demodulation with an off‐resonance map estimation based on the Z‐spectra prior to fat–water separation to achieve stable fat artifact correction. Our method was validated and compared to multi‐echo–based methods originally proposed for 3 T by Bloch–McConnell simulations and phantom measurements. Moreover, the method was applied to in vivo 7 T knee MRI examinations and compared to Gaussian fat saturation and a published single‐echo Z‐spectrum–based fat artifact correction method.

Results

Phase demodulation prior to fat–water separation reduced the occurrence of fat–water swaps. Utilizing the complex signal data led to more stable correction results than working with magnitude data, as was proposed for 3 T. Our approach reduced pseudo‐nuclear Overhauser effects compared to the other correction methods. Thus, the mean asymmetry contrast at 3.5 ppm in cartilage over five volunteers increased from −9.2% (uncorrected) and −10.6% (Z‐spectrum–based) to −1.5%. Results showed higher spatial stability than with the fat saturation pulse.

Conclusion

Our work demonstrates the feasibility of multi‐echo–based fat–water separation with an adaptive fat model for fat artifact correction for CEST MRI at 7 T. Our approach provided better fat artifact correction throughout the entire spectrum and image than the fat saturation pulse or Z‐spectrum–based correction method for both phantom and knee imaging results.
Experiences of parents whose school‐aged children were treated with therapeutic hypothermia as newborns: A focus group study
Authors: Kokkonen Nassef Sari , Blennow Bohlin Mats , Jirwe Maria
Published: September 2023

Aim

To describe parents' past and present experiences of their newborn infant's therapeutic hypothermia (TH) treatment after perinatal asphyxia 10–13 years after the event.

Background

Newborn infants are treated with TH following perinatal asphyxia to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design using focus groups (FGs).

Methods

Twenty one parents to 15 newborn infants treated with TH between 2007 and 2009 participated in five FGs. The FGs were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework approach. The SRQR checklist was followed for study reporting.

Results

Two main categories were identified: hardships and reliefs during TH treatment and struggles of everyday life. Both categories include three subcategories, the first: (1) concern and gratitude for the unrecognized treatment, (2) insufficiency of information and proposed participation and (3) NICU nurses instilled security and hope. The second with subcategories: (1) unprocessed experiences of the TH treatment, (2) later challenges at school and (3) existential and psychological challenges in everyday life.

Conclusion

TH of their newborns affected the parents psychologically not only during the treatment, but lasted months and years later. Information and communication with health care professionals and school management were inefficient and inadequate. The parents' concerns could be prevented by an improved identification and understanding of the problems and the needs of the infants and their families before discharge.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

Through more personalized and efficient preparation and communication by the nursing staff before discharge, many of the parents' worries and problems could be reduced. Check‐up of parents' needs of psychosocial support before and after discharge and offering counselling should become routine. Also, nurses at Well‐Baby Clinics and in school health care should receive knowledge about TH treatment and the challenges the children and the parents experience.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participation of parents was limited to the data provided through interviews.