bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Human Factor Concepts in the Lifecycle of Aerospace Systems
Authors: Silva Jackelynne
Published: November 2014

This paper explains the need for a thorough understanding of the integration of human factors during all phases of a product's lifecycle in aerospace systems. The analysis is performed from a systems perspective, where humans are the nucleus of the system needed to accomplish a goal, rather than isolated parts looking to complete a single task. The lack of human factor considerations in early design phases triggers human errors during the assembly and test phases, creating increase in cost and slip on schedule. The paper proposes different measures that can be incorporated to current aerospace programs that deal with human safety. It also provides approaches for entrepreneurs and rising aerospace companies to be able to integrate human factor concepts in the development of their products. If human factor requirements are taken into account, costly errors at the manufacturing stage can be reduced when small errors are found early in the program.
Knowledge Capture, Cross Boundary Communication and Early Validation with Dynamic A3 Architectures
Authors: Singh Vickram , Muller Gerrit
Published: November 2014

Understanding and extracting systems information is a time consuming, demanding and expensive process. Complicating factors are cross‐boundary communication methods and tools. We combine an informal and formal systems engineering method; Lean manufacturing principles and Model Based systems Engineering (MBSE) resulting in Dynamic A3 architecture. Dynamic A3 Architecture is a hierarchy of overviews from super‐system to sub‐system that the reader can navigate through active links. We applied the method to a lube oil system of a gas turbine package. We found that Dynamic A3 Architecture can ease internal and cross boundary communication, train new employees, facilitate knowledge capture, and share common understanding of the “system of interest”. A functional sequence diagram, which is a hybrid of a state and functional diagram, can assist in early validation of process applications.
Teaching Systems Engineering to Undergraduates; Experiences and Considerations
Authors: Muller Gerrit , Bonnema G. Maarten
Published: November 2014

Undergraduates need a teaching style that fits their limited experience. Especially in systems engineering this is an issue, since systems engineering connects to so many different stakeholders with so many different concerns while the students have experienced only thus far only a few of these concerns and met only few stakeholders. Students need to become aware of the inherent ambiguities, uncertainties, and unknowns in the systems world, in contrast to the focused world of mono‐disciplinary engineering. There is a difference between the more traditional engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, etc.) and the upcoming and broader disciplines like industrial design engineering and systems engineering itself.
1.2.3 Reducing Scrap & Rework
Authors: Nolan Andy J. , Pickard Andrew C.
Published: November 2014

A complex system almost always remains uncertain late into its development. In gas turbine engine control systems at Rolls‐Royce, typically 50% of the development costs of the software can be spent on corrections and modifications (scrap & rework). The scrap & rework is caused by both the evolution of the system and risks in the design and implementation. The paper summarises over 10 years of research in measuring, managing and reducing scrap & rework.
4.6.1 Affordability Considerations: Cost Effective Capability
Authors: Bobinis Joseph , Garrison Cheryl , Haimowitz Jay , Klingberg Jeff , Mitchell Terry , Tuttle Paul
Published: November 2014

This paper examines how best to determine the contextual and dynamic attributes of an affordable system. The complexity of the problem cannot be overstated. The affordability trade space is composed of a relational set of attributes that are contextually sensitive; once this set is bounded, the need arises for an implicit comparison to other systems, sub‐systems and components. The problem may be embedded in how systems are designed, how they are governed, and how they are evolved. Considerations are provided to help resolve the complexities involved in identifying and evaluating what an affordable system is.

Most of the existing literature is focused on cost comparison or performance comparison of systems separately; the literature which addresses a perspective of how cost and capability of systems can be integrated is found under the disciplines of Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV) and Value Engineering (VE), but appears insufficient in providing an encompassing framework in which to develop a design for affordability trade space. Both of these disciplines may not adequately address the life cycle or temporal dimensions of systems.

To address this deficiency, INCOSE and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) have worked to define affordability, and identify related concerns, through ongoing working groups since late 2009. Both organizations have developed definitions for use in this context. Even though affordability has been defined by NDIA, INCOSE and Military Operations Research Society (MORS), in discussions at the recent MORS Special Meeting on Affordability Analysis – How do we do it? (Oct.2012), the Development Planning Working Group discovered that affordability analysis was contextually‐sensitive, often leading to misunderstanding and fragmented perspectives. Various industry working groups have recommended developing and formalizing affordability analysis processes, including recognizing the difference between cost and affordability analyses… Key insights include the need to consistently define an affordability context, and establish a framework for the appropriate analytic process. They also have determined that accountability for affordability needs to be assigned across the life cycle.

System Engineers must understand that the affordability trade space is fluid, an ever changing set of boundaries that evolve as mission needs evolve, and recognize that any affordable solution is essentially a “snapshot” within that trade space at any point in the life of the system.
1.2.1 Combating Uncertainty in the Workflow of Systems Engineering Projects
Authors: Papke Barry , Dove Rick
Published: November 2014

Throughout the Systems Engineering Lifecycle events require personnel, systems, equipment, facilities and information to converge on time and at the right place in order to achieve a program objective. Unpredictability in any predecessor event can mean unpredictability for the overall project. The Last Planner is a production and planning method initially deployed in 1992 in the building construction industry as part of an effort to reduce work flow variability and improve production efficiency in the construction industry. The two key elements of the Last Planner are (1) a change in project management from a task‐oriented to a work‐flow oriented model and (2) processes to improve reliability of the workflow within the team or group performing the work. This paper examines the systems engineering lifecycle as a production lifecycle and explores the application of key elements of the Last Planner as a tool for system engineers to address uncertainty and unpredictability in the execution of a project.
Systems Engineering Process of a CubeSat from the Perspective of Operations
Authors: Arnaut Bruno Morato , Viot Diego Dutra , Costa Lucas Lopes , Loureiro Geilson , Bürger Eduardo Escobar , Franchitto Marcelo
Published: November 2014

This paper presents the application of a systems concurrent engineering approach to university CubeSats development. The university CubeSat, object of this paper, is a joint development between the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE) and the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA). The effort consists in developing a Brazilian CubeSat platform that can be industrialized in Brazil and takes advantage of a Systems Engineering Process approach. This Systems Engineering Process applied on the CubeSat includes mission and life‐cycle analysis, requirements engineering, functional analysis, architecture design, and uses an operation life‐cycle scenario as an example. The approach is supposed to be applied to every life‐cycle process. Thus, System Engineering Process gives a wide range view of the problem, guiding engineers to develop product and organization solutions throughout life‐cycle. This approach helps to solve technical and management issues that sometimes are not encompassed with just experienced staff and standard methods.
1.2.2 Closing the loop for lifecycle product management in Norwegian subsea systems
Authors: Mjånes Jan Ove , Haskins Cecilia , Piciaccia Luca A.
Published: November 2014

Systems that we deploy in subsea natural environments face many of the same challenges as space‐based systems. This means that they are complex and often embedded as systems of systems. Norwegian firms excel in this industry and are increasingly applying systems engineering processes to ensure the success of their projects. However, these processes are defined as product development activities that do not accommodate the full product lifecycle. This paper investigates the project execution processes of a Norwegian subsea supplier and compares them to the systems engineering process baseline provided by ISO/IEC 15288:2008 for further analysis. Insights from this analysis are used to propose modifications to the current practices by closing the loop with a unified lifecycle model that bridges departmental divides. The research was performed as part of the master's thesis by the first author. Reflections on the usefulness of the standard as guidance are also offered.
Capabilities and Requirements Engineering: Research Challenges
Authors: Antunes Gonçalo , Vieira Ricardo , Borbinha José
Published: November 2014

The concept of capability can be used to provide a holistic view of a product or system, while offering new ways of dealing with complexity. Despite being a concept successfully adopted in several areas, there is opportunity for innovative usages in the engineering of systems. Traditionally, system development methods begin with the gathering and analysis of requirements, and as such, the final product is expected to be in line with the needs of the stakeholders. However, many engineering problems are often situated in complex socio‐technical contexts, where systems are characterized as being highly contextual and uncertainty is a constant. Moreover, potential solutions might involve the adoption and integration of off‐the‐shelf solutions into the systems, or even the reutilization of existing solutions in different settings than those for which they were conceived initially, which is not particularly considered in nowadays engineering methods. This work proposes the usage of the concept of capability in requirements engineering, relating it to the concept of requirement. Based on this proposal, research challenges are identified.
Intelligent Method Mix Delivers Right First Time Specifications
Authors: Mauseler Marc
Published: November 2014

The approach presented in this paper describes how specifications can be created right first time. This includes identifying the real customer needs, and avoiding both over‐ and under‐specification. Another result is a complete functional view on the deliverable to specify that is a valuable element to have an efficient communication between all involved parties starting from customers and stakeholders to project leader and designer. The key is the right selection and combination of methods for the project related situation on the one hand. On the other hand the tailoring of each applied method is as much as important than the right method selection itself. The approach is validated by different projects specifying different deliverables in different time frames.
Update on the Model Based Systems Engineering on the Europa Mission Concept Study
Authors: Bayer Todd J. , Chung Seung , Cole Bjorn , Cooke Brian , Dekens Frank , Delp Chris , Gontijo I. , Wagner Dave
Published: November 2014

In May 2012 the Europa study team delivered to NASA the final reports on three distinct concepts for exploring Europa on a limited budget. The depth and quality of these reports have been widely praised by independent reviewers as well as by our sponsor. The application of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques is credited with enabling the team to study three quite different mission concepts for the resources normally sufficient to study only one or two. The Europa MBSE infusion itself has been awarded the NASA Systems Engineering Excellence Award in 2012. The Europa team is now preparing for its Mission Concept Review and has reaffirmed and strengthened the MBSE application. Significant new capabilities have been completed, most importantly the Powered Equipment List (PEL) and the computation of scenario‐based power and energy margins. This paper provides an update on the continued successful application of MBSE in the dynamic environment of early mission formulation, the significant new results produced and several additional lessons learned in the process.
8.4.2 On the Right Track: A Case for Applying Systems Engineering to Writing Transport Policy
Authors: Evans Rhianne , Roberts Clive
Published: November 2014

Government policy documents communicate the high‐level requirements for many of the complex systems at the centre of modern society. In Great Britain, national and European policy has a significant influence on transport systems. However, government publications are often difficult to interpret by the engineers responsible for the delivery of political objectives. The Systems Engineering discipline advocates the importance of accurately defining the purpose of a system early in the development stage. However, efforts in this area are typically focussed on engineering processes. Yet if high‐level requirements are poorly defined at a policy level, this can be detrimental to the success of a system. This research therefore proposes the application of Systems Engineering principles earlier in the lifecycle, during the policy‐writing process. The paper presents an analysis of the 2011 European Union White Paper for transport, which was compared against Systems Engineering best practice. The results show ambiguity, poor structure and lack of traceability in the document. The paper provides an introduction to the problem and identifies a number of alternative approaches for writing policy which will be further explored in future work. The case study focusses on the British rail system, but lessons learned can equally be applied to transport systems worldwide, and other policy‐driven domains.
Information Technology (IT) Project Management Failures: Pioneering Grounded Theory Exploring the IT Project Failure Trend Data Sampling Selection Methodology
Authors: Stoica Rosana , Brouse Peggy
Published: November 2014

This paper addresses the qualitative component of the data collection, analysis and validation process within a Multi‐method research framework. The “functional” purpose of this research is to uncover the key “soft factors” impacting Information technology project success (and failures). The authors hypothesize that alarming (and increasing) rates of IT Project Failure (Stoica and Brouse, 2012) are strong indicators that this systemic trend has not yet been addressed from a root cause perspective. This trend has been explored from a distinctive lens integrating Grounded Theory, Social Theory and Systems Dynamic principles within the Multi‐method construct. This study capitalizes its validation against Field Methods within Social Sciences (Guest at. al., 2006). This key purpose of this paper is to present the statistical robustness as well as challenges of the data (post collection) gathered for the assessment of this systemic issue (and not its “functional” interpretation – which is addressed on separate publications).
System Architecture Process and Modeling in the Development of an Innovative Battery System
Authors: Snyder Ray
Published: November 2014

A prototype Aluminum‐air battery system was developed for exploration of the use of the technology in future electric vehicles. A system engineering process was applied to architecture the system that included hazard analysis and the application of the resulting safety constraints. The system development was also modeled in SysML up to handoff to the component domain specific developments. This article describes the broad lines of the development direction and choices and the accompanying modeling. The modeling approach can permit gains for reuse in subsequent projects, and can also aid the quick communication of the choices that were made in case new needs call them in question. We show how heterogeneous external models can be constructed around a central SysML model.
9.5.1 Functional Architecture's Mental Roadblocks and Other Things Your Mother Didn't Tell You
Authors: Armstrong James R.
Published: November 2014

There are several concepts that are critical to effective development of a functional architecture that tend to be challenging to the new practitioner, even when they are experienced engineers. They are seldom discussed in the exiting literature addressing what functional architecture is and how to do modeling as part of it. This paper provides the most important of these points as seen both in the classroom and in practice.
2.2.1 Sharing the Total Cost of Ownership of Electric Vehicles: A Study on the Application of Game Theory
Authors: Góngora Hugo G. Chalé , Doufene Abdelkrim , Krob Daniel
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we present the contribution of game theory to the search of architectural equilibrium in the context of complex systems engineering. Our design approach is based on the use of an architectural design framework and of optimization models, illustrated by a practical example in which the system of interest is a commercial electric vehicle in its ecosystem. We rely on systems engineering in order to clearly understand the system we want to study and its environment, during the entire life cycle of the system. For interdependent decisions between stakeholders in the lifecycle of the system, the concept of equilibrium is important. Architectural equilibrium of the system guarantees its integration in its environment, the stability of the environment and the satisfaction of all stakeholders. This is modeled as a game in the sense of game theory leading to a Nash equilibrium, which allows anticipating for changes in an uncertain environment (departure of a stakeholder, arrival of a new actor, changes in requirements or constraints and so on).
3.1.1 Transformative Affordability for System Architecture Design
Authors: Herald Thomas E.
Published: November 2014

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has undergone major evolutionary shifts in recent years that include movement from a platform focus to a mission objective, from single‐purpose solutions to systems with adaptive relevancy, from focus on primary systems only to embracing holistic solutions integrating enabling and support systems and from acquisition‐only costs to complete life cycle cost analyses. Dr. Robert Gates, challenged contractors to define and deliver compliant ‘80% solutions‘.* How does this affordability challenge change architecture design?

* Dr. Gates: “Finally, I concluded we needed to shift away from the 99 percent exquisite, service‐centric platforms that are so costly and so complex that they take forever to build and only then are deployed in very limited quantities. With the pace of technological and geopolitical change and the range of possible contingencies, we must look more to the 80 percent multi‐service solutions that can be produced on time, on budget and in significant numbers.”
On Contradiction and Systems Thinking
Authors: Yeo K T
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a systems insight on Mao TseTung's classic, On Contradiction, representing his philosophical thinking about social and political transformation, through the dialectic thought of the universality and particularity of contradiction. The identification and resolution of contradictions move human society forward. The application of the theory of contradiction is through recognizing and separating the principal from non‐principal contradictions and the grasping and dealing with the principal aspects of such contradictions. The theory of contradiction provides an alternative frame of mind suitable for high level analysis of stakeholders' needs and requirements. The notion of contradiction is not be perceived negatively by recognising the Law of the Unity of Opposites. For application, an example on resolving contradictions in the development of Singapore's national water system is included; and a comparison is also made to contrast the principles of contradiction versus the Theory of Constraint (TOC) for systems improvement.
Measures of Inland Waterway Network Resilience
Authors: Baroud Hiba , Barker Kash , Ramirez‐Marquez Jose
Published: November 2014

Inland waterways represent a vital component in the larger multi‐modal transportation network that maintains commodity flows across the US. These waterways are subject to disruptive events including whether malevolent attacks, natural disasters, manmade accidents, or common failures. As such, an ability to quantify the vulnerability and recoverability of inland waterways, as it pertains to the inclusive measure of network resilience, is addressed in this work. The paper deploys existing resilience measures to quantify the resilience of inland waterway networks, including: (i) a stochastic measure of time required for the network to achieve full resilience, and (ii) associated resilience‐based component importance measures that highlight the critical waterway links that contribute to waterway network resilience. A data‐driven case study illustrates these metrics to describe commodity flows along the various links of the US Mississippi River Navigation System.
5.1.1 Applying Systems Architecture to Technology Policy Research: Models of Space Activity in Developing Countries
Authors: Wood Danielle
Published: November 2014

This paper presents results from a study on emerging satellite programs in developing countries. A Systems Architecture Framework is used as a tool to enable social science research in technology policy. The study finds that the Architectural Framework is useful for integrating concepts from disparate literature communities; decomposing a socio‐technical system into progressively lower levels of analysis; and synthesizing findings to enable explanation and theory building.
4.3.3 Systems Engineering Implications of Neuroscience Discoveries
Authors: McKinney Dorothy , Contractor Shazad
Published: November 2014

Systems engineering practices and heuristics generally reflect implicit assumptions that participants in the systems engineering process behave rationally, and that communications between stakeholders work effectively. Sometimes these assumptions prove accurate, and the systems engineering process is successful. But many times the systems engineering process does not obtain the intended results, even though practitioners and stakeholders have good intentions, extensive knowledge, and impressive skills. Developments in cognitive neuroscience and behavioral economics over recent decades offer insights into how and why humans may behave irrationally, and why human communication may not work as intended. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some interesting discoveries in cognitive neuroscience and behavioral economics, and discuss their implications for systems engineering.
2.5.2 Architecting in the Fourth Dimension Temporal Aspects of DoDAF
Authors: Hause Matthew , Kihlstrom Lars‐Olof
Published: November 2014

The capture of system structure, behavior, configuration, interaction, and compliance is common practice in architectures. These are largely static views showing a specific configuration or behavior. IEEE Std 610.12–1990 defines architecture as “the fundamental organization of a system embodied in its components, their relationships to each other, and to the environment, and the principles guiding its design and evolution.” (IEEE, 1990) Modeling this evolution or the temporal aspects in architecture frameworks such as the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) was previously problematic. With the release of DoDAF version 2.0, architectures can now take the fourth dimension (Time) into account. The challenge is to identify areas of architecture where time can be modeled and how to take best advantage of it. Also problematic is how to express these concepts without having to expose all the internal ontological relationships upon which DoDAF is built. The Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) delivers an implementation of DoDAF 2.0 that provides a clear and concise way of expressing these concepts without requiring the user to become an expert in the DoDAF 2.0 “internal wiring” and detailed ontological concepts. This paper will examine the temporal concepts defined in DoDAF 2.0 and show how time can be effectively integrated into a model to express essential temporal concepts.
4.5.1 Rebuilding the Tower of Babel The Case for a Unified Architecture Framework
Authors: Hause Matthew
Published: November 2014

The book of Genesis tells the story of how the peoples of the earth came together to build an enormous tower. To confound them in their task, God changed the languages of the different groups of people so that they were unable to communicate. Since they could not coordinate their efforts, the project was abandoned and the different groups dispersed throughout the world. The same problem exists today in the world of Enterprise Architecture Frameworks. Although they express similar concepts, interchange between the different frameworks is awkward at best, time consuming, and leads to misunderstanding and miscommunication. This lack of communication was highlighted in a recent report on the conflict in Afghanistan, where the lack of interchange of architectures was cited as a limiting factor in coalition efforts and may have contributed to loss of life. This paper will assess the current situation, examine international efforts to solve it, and identify future challenges. This will include:

The role of standards for collaboration and communication

Standards and standards organizations

The Object Management Group (OMG)

A brief history of Military Architectural Frameworks

The interoperability problems of frameworks

The Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) effort

Using reference architectures to define a common conceptual “dictionary”

Systems engineering, acquisition, and process

Vertical and horizontally complementary emerging standards

Future problems and potential solutions.
2.2.2 Assessing product development efficiency at Volvo Powertrain
Authors: Bergsjö Dag , Stig Daniel Corin , Johansson Per
Published: November 2014

Measuring the performance of a development process is highly difficult, especially before it has led to an outcome such as a product. Furthermore, even with a diagnosis at hand showing the strengths and weaknesses of the development process, the information can seldom be used to answer the paramount question: How should the organization allocate its process improvement resources to best support its objectives?

This paper presents a survey‐based method for identifying which areas for process improvement are likely to have the strongest impact on company objectives, called outcomes. The survey has been completed by respondents within the organization and uses the data to present three different analyses. The first analysis shows the perceived current fulfillment within the organization of a number of principles identified as important for successful development. The second analysis is a regression analysis commonly used in marketing research to measure the impact of each principle on five outcomes: Efficiency/Effectiveness, Lead‐Time, Innovation, Satisfaction and Product Quality. The two first analyses are then combined to a third analysis that provides a pie chart for each outcome with the principles possessing the highest potential for further improving that particular outcome. A case study at the automotive company, Volvo Powertrain, shows how the method was used to assess and compare process improvement potential at two development sites. The results clearly show that the analyses provide different views of what principles deserve attention for process improvement activities at the case company. The two principles deemed to be most attractive, based on their impact on outcomes, were currently neither among the highest nor the lowest performing principles. As a result of the study, Volvo Powertrain chose to start several improvement activities to work with the high‐potential principles. The improvement can then be measured using annual surveys to track improvements and manage deviations from the plan.
The Ultra Survey Mission: Crafting A Systems Architecture Design Project
Authors: Vinarcik Michael J.
Published: November 2014

Systems Architecture (SA) is a key discipline in System Engineering; robust architectures enable success and flawed architectures limit engineered systems. However, SA is challenging to teach students because it is less of a “hard” science. At the University of Detroit Mercy, students in the MS Product Development (MPD) and Advanced Electric Vehicle (AEV) Certificate programs are exposed to a full term of SA. This class stresses the development of heuristics through exposure to mini case studies, class discussions, and several projects (including a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum to study multiple examples of competing historical architectures). The capstone project in this class requires teams of students to create a new architecture for a given set of criteria. This year's project was to create a space probe architecture that could meet mission objectives given a challenging set of constraints and to create DODAF Viewpoints to communicate the architecture.
Systems Architecting and Program Management with the Design Structure Matrix (DSM)
Authors: Browning Tyson
Published: November 2014

The design structure matrix (DSM) is a powerful tool for visualizing, analyzing, innovating, and improving system architectures, including those of products, processes, and organizations. The DSM helps to confront and manage system complexities and their implications. Akin to a traditional N2 chart and the System‐System matrix in the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), the DSM is a square matrix showing relationships between system elements. These elements can be components, teams, activities, or others. By analyzing the DSM, one can prescribe a better (e.g., more modular) system architecture. Adding a time‐basis enables one to prescribe a faster, lower‐risk process. Because the DSM highlights process feedbacks, it helps identify iterations and rework loops—key drivers of cost and schedule risk. The DSM is concise and visually appealing and is used in many organizations across diverse industries. Users have found the tool extremely useful for fostering architectural innovation and enabling the situation awareness and empowerment that motivates people executing complex processes. This tutorial introduces the DSM and three distinctive applications useful to product developers, system architects and engineers, and project and program managers. Real‐life examples are presented from the aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and other industries. Participants will engage in hands‐on exercises (building DSM models) and come away with a clearer understanding of the drivers of critical, emergent behaviors in systems and how to identify these using a DSM. Participants will receive a copy of the presentation materials and access to free tools that can be applied immediately to systems for quick results and insights.
Introduction to Pattern‐Based Systems Engineering (PBSE): Leveraging MBSE Techniques
Authors: Schindel William , Peterson Troy
Published: November 2014

This workshop is a practitioner's introduction to Pattern‐Based Systems Engineering (PBSE), including a specific system domain illustration suitable for educational use. INCOSE thought leaders have discussed the need to address 10:1 more complex systems with 10:1 reduction in effort, using people from a 10:1 larger community than the “systems expert” group INCOSE currently reaches. Through the PBSE Project, the project team proposes to enable INCOSE membership, and the larger systems community beyond INCOSE, to achieve such order‐of‐magnitude improvements. PBSE leverages the power of Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to rapidly deliver benefits to a larger community. Projects using PBSE get a “learning curve jumpstart” from an existing Pattern, gaining the advantages of its content, and improve that pattern with what they learn, for future users. The major aspects of PBSE have been defined and practiced some years across a number of enterprises and domains, but with limited INCOSE community awareness. A related tutorial was recently provided at the INCOSE 2012 Great Lakes Regional Conference, and well‐attended.
Applied Systems Engineering: Fundamentals for Project Success
Authors: Scott Zane
Published: November 2014

Systems engineering methods are critical to project success. The world of systems engineering is changing rapidly. Rather than confining our practice to the realm of large stand‐alone, single purpose military/aerospace systems, we must now develop military and commercial systems across a wide range of size, cost, and complexity. Many principles remain constant, but the systems engineering processes of yesterday are no longer universally applicable. At its heart systems engineering is a disciplined application of creative thought to the practical problems facing the engineer. The way in which you think about the problem and the possible systems solutions controls the outcome of your design effort. This tutorial will bring into focus the issues and considerations surrounding the choice of methods and approach. We will consider the classic systems engineering domains of requirements, behavior, architecture, and V&V. But instead of treating these in isolation, we will handle these fundamentals within a flexible systems engineering process suitable for system development tasks spanning the complexity spectrum. Our emphasis will be on eliciting the proper requirements, understanding both the problem and solution domains, enhancing communication among the design team and the stakeholders, and satisfying the system need. Throughout the tutorial we will address methods for banishing rework, minimizing risk, and meeting cost and schedule targets‐ all the while maintaining a high level of confidence in our solution. Through discussions of the fundamental concepts integrated with sample exercises, we will maintain our focus upon the true deliverables ‐ the system itself and overall project success.
Congenital and acquired ADAMTS13 deficiency: Two mechanisms, one patient
Authors: Ferrari Barbara , Cairo Andrea , Pontiggia Silvia , Mancini Ilaria , Masini Luciano , Peyvandi Flora
Published: November 2014

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life‐threatening microangiopathy with a heterogeneous and largely unpredictable course. It is caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency, that can be either congenital or due to anti‐ADAMTS13 autoantibodies development. ADAMTS13 deficiency is necessary but not always sufficient to cause acute clinical manifestations and trigger factors may be needed. We report the case of a woman diagnosed with congenital TTP in her adulthood, presenting with anti‐ADAMTS13 autoantibodies in acute phase during ticlopidine consumption. Noteworthy, the two ADAMTS13 mutations identified in this patient are novel: one is a splice‐site mutation located in intron 11 (c.1308+2_5delTAGG) and the other is a point missense mutation in exon 29 (c.4184T>C leading to p.Leu1395Pro substitution). Since congenital TTP is an extremely rare disease and drug‐induced TTP is an uncommon side effect of treatment with ticlopidine, the simultaneous occurrence of both mechanisms of disease in one patient is exceptional. This case represents TTP as a multifactorial disease, with ADAMTS13 genetic abnormality and environmental exposures acting together in determining individual clinical phenotype. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:252–256, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tips and tricks of the surgical technique for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: mesenteric approach and modified distal pancreatectomy with en‐bloc celiac axis resection
Authors: Hirono Seiko , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: November 2014

Borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic cancer involves the portal vein and/or superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV), major arteries including the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or common hepatic artery (CHA), and sometimes includes the involvement of the celiac axis. We herein describe tips and tricks for a surgical technique with video assistance, which may increase the R0 rates and decrease the mortality and morbidity for BR pancreatic cancer patients. First, we describe the techniques used for the “artery‐first” approach for BR pancreatic cancer with involvement of the PV/SMV and/or SMA. Next, we describe the techniques used for distal pancreatectomy with en‐bloc celiac axis resection (DP‐CAR) and tips for decreasing the delayed gastric emptying (DGE) rates for advanced pancreatic body cancer. The mesenteric approach, followed by the dissection of posterior tissues of the SMV and SMA, is a feasible procedure to obtain R0 rates and decrease the mortality and morbidity, and the combination of this aggressive procedure and adjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy may improve the survival of BR pancreatic cancer patients. The DP‐CAR procedure may increase the R0 rates for pancreatic cancer patients with involvement within 10 mm from the root of the splenic artery, as well as the CHA or celiac axis, and preserving the left gastric artery may lead to a decrease in the DGE rates in cases where there is more than 10 mm between the tumor edge and the root of the left gastric artery. The development of safer surgical procedures is necessary to improve the survival of BR pancreatic cancer patients.
Effect of degree of hydrolysis on the bioavailability of corn gluten meal hydrolysates
Authors: Jin Jian , Ma Haile , Zhou Cunshan , Luo Min , Liu Wan , Qu Wenjuan , He Ronghai , Luo Lin , Yagoub Abu El‐Gasim A.
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Under the situation that the shortage of proteins and large quantity of corn gluten meal (CGM), which is a superior protein resource, is under‐exploited, the enzymatic hydrolysis of CGM was employed to improve its bioavailability because of its special amino acid composition.

RESULTS

The apparent faecal digestibility and true faecal digestibility of all corn gluten meal hydrolysates (CGMHs) decreased in varied amounts compared with those of CGM. However, the protein efficiency ratio, the net protein ratio, the biological value, and the net protein utilization of the CGMHs with degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 4.94% and with DH of 10.06% increased significantly (P < 0.05). The results of in vitro gastro‐intestinal digestion showed that the molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition among different DHs resulted in variances in bioavailability.

CONCLUSION

Partial hydrolysis of CGM can improve its bioavailability, providing a future protein supplement for protein resources.© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term impact of deficit irrigation on the physical quality of berries in ‘Crimson Seedless’ table grapes
Authors: Conesa Maria R , de la Rosa Jose M , Artés‐Hernández Francisco , Dodd Ian C , Domingo Rafael , Pérez‐Pastor Alejandro
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

In table grapes, berry firmness influences consumer acceptance so it is important to avoid berry shattering and dehydration during their post‐harvest life. Since studies of irrigation effects on table grape quality are comparatively rare, sensory evaluation aimed to identify high‐quality berries obtained under different deficit irrigation treatments. A 3‐year study examined the effects of deficit irrigation strategies on some physical quality attributes at harvest, after 28 days of cold storage at 0 °C and after an additional shelf‐life period of 3 days at 15 °C. Control vines were irrigated to ensure non‐limiting water conditions (110% of crop evapo‐transpiration), while both regulated deficit irrigation treatment (RDI) and partial root‐zone drying (PRD) treatments applied 35% less water post‐veraison. The null irrigation treatment (NI) only received natural precipitation (72% less water than control vines).

RESULTS

Total yield and physical quality at harvest were not significantly affected by RDI or PRD. Only severe deficit (NI) decreased berry size, and this treatment had the most dehydrated berries and the worst sensory scores post‐harvest. After cold storage, increased berry shattering of the PRD treatment was correlated with lower leaf xylem abscisic acid (ABA) concentration at the time of harvest. Overall quality, especially stem browning, determined the shelf‐life, and longer storage duration tended to diminish treatment differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Only NI clusters showed lower quality than their irrigated counterparts. Neither RDI nor PRD had any noticeable effect on berry quality at the end of cold storage and shelf‐life, with the slight differences detected between these treatments related to stem browning and dehydration. Sensory results were similar in RDI and PRD, which provided grapes that were more acceptable to consumers than the control. Thus, it is possible to decrease irrigation of table grapes without adversely affecting the physical quality of the berries. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Mirror Therapy Combined With Biofeedback Functional Electrical Stimulation for Motor Recovery of Upper Extremities After Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Jung Hee , Lee Byoung‐Hee
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy in combination with biofeedback functional electrical stimulation (BF‐FES) on motor recovery of the upper extremities after stroke. Twenty‐nine patients who suffered a stroke > 6 months prior participated in this study and were randomly allocated to three groups. The BF‐FES + mirror therapy and FES + mirror therapy groups practiced training for 5 × 30min sessions over a 4‐week period. The control group received a conventional physical therapy program. The following clinical tools were used to assess motor recovery of the upper extremities: electrical muscle tester, electrogoniometer, dual‐inclinometer, electrodynamometer, the Box and Block Test (BBT) and Jabsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT), the Functional Independence Measure, the Modified Ashworth Scale, and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) assessment. The BF‐FES + mirror therapy group showed significant improvement in wrist extension as revealed by the Manual Muscle Test and Range of Motion (p < 0.05). The BF‐FES + mirror therapy group showed significant improvement in the BBT, JTHT, and SSQOL compared with the FES + mirror therapy group and control group (p < 0.05). We found that BF‐FES + mirror therapy induced motor recovery and improved quality of life. These results suggest that mirror therapy, in combination with BF‐FES, is feasible and effective for motor recovery of the upper extremities after stroke. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viruses and disease: emerging concepts for prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Herrington CS , Coates PJ , Duprex WP
Published: November 2014

Viruses cause a wide range of human diseases, ranging from acute self‐resolving conditions to acute fatal diseases. Effects that arise long after the primary infection can also increase the propensity for chronic conditions or lead to the development of cancer. Recent advances in the fields of virology and pathology have been fundamental in improving our understanding of viral pathogenesis, in providing improved vaccination strategies and in developing newer, more effective treatments for patients worldwide. The reviews assembled here focus on the interface between virology and pathology and encompass aspects of both the clinical pathology of viral disease and the underlying disease mechanisms. Articles on emerging diseases caused by Ebola virus, Marburg virus, coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, Nipah virus and noroviruses are followed by reviews of enteroviruses, HIV infection, measles, mumps, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). The issue concludes with a series of articles reviewing the relationship between viruses and cancer, including the role played by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of lymphoma and carcinoma; how human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are involved in the development of skin cancer; the involvement of hepatitis B virus infection in hepatocellular carcinoma; and the mechanisms by which Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) leads to Kaposi's sarcoma. We hope that this collection of articles will be of interest to a wide range of scientists and clinicians at a time when there is a renaissance in the appreciation of the power of pathology as virologists dissect the processes of disease. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical properties of hybrid structural composites reinforced with nanosilica
Authors: Panse Prachi , Anand Anoop , Murkute Vinod , Ecka Avinash , Harshe Rahul , Joshi Makarand
Published: November 2014

Epoxy‐based hybrid structural composites reinforced with 14 nm spherical silica particles were investigated for mechanical properties as a function of nanosilica loading fractions. Composites were fabricated using continuous glass or carbon fiber of unidirectional architecture and nanosilica dispersed epoxy, through resin film infusion process. Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in resin matrix was ensured by an optimized ultrasound‐assisted process. Although resin viscosity marginally reduces in the presence of nanosilica enabling a better control in composite manufacturing process, glass transition temperature of epoxy remained unaffected at low weight fractions. Compressive strength of hybrid glass or carbon fiber/epoxy composites showed more than 30–35% increase with nanosilica at a concentration as low as 0.2 wt%. Tensile and compressive properties of hybrid composites in transverse direction to the reinforcement remained unaffected. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1216–1222, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers