bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Human Sperm Intracellular Water Volume by Electron Spin Resonance
Authors: KLEINHANS F. W. , TRAVIS V. S. , DU JUNYING , VILLINES P. M. , COLVIN K. E. , CRITSER J. K.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: An electron spin resonance technique using the spin label tempone and the broadening agent potassium chromium oxalate was used to measure the water volume of human sperm. The toxicity of tempone (5 mmol/L) and potassium chromium oxalate (50 mmol/L) to sperm was measured over a time span of 120 minutes using computer‐assisted semen analysis. Tempone had no effect on any computer‐assisted semen analysis parameters, including motility. Potassium chromium oxalate reduced sperm motility by an average of 24% during the first 30 minutes of exposure. After selection by swim‐up and correction for the presence of dead cells and cytoplasmic droplets, a water volume of 20.0 ± 2.9 μ3 was obtained. This yields a total volume of 33.9 μ3 if a water compartment of 59% by volume is assumed. These results are consistent with other shape‐independent techniques for measuring volume, but larger than the generally accepted optical and electronic particle counter sizes.
Secreted Products and Extracellular Matrix from Testicular Peritubular Myoid Cells Influence Androgen‐Binding Protein Secretion by Sertoli Cells in Culture
Authors: THOMPSON ERIK W. , BLACKSHAW ALAN W. , RAYCHOUDHURY SAMIR S.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Metabolic cooperation mediated by secreted factors between Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells has been well documented. We have confirmed that factors secreted by peritubular myoid cells modulate androgen‐binding protein (ABP) secretion by Sertoli cells and shown further that this can also be achieved with peritubular myoid cell extracellular matrix (ECM). While peritubular myoid cell ECM potentiated the stimulatory effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on Sertoli cell ABP secretion, secreted factors did not, suggesting that the two components influence Sertoli cells through distinct mechanisms. We also tested other factors and other cell lines for effects on ABP production by Sertoli cells. The addition of human plasma fibronectin or conditioned medium from the basement membrane‐producing Englebreth‐Holm‐Swarm sarcoma also stimulated ABP secretion by Sertoli cells. Cocultures of epithelial Sertoli cells with the cells of mesenchymal origin, such as testicular peritubular myoid cells, embryonic skin fibroblasts, and bladder smooth muscle cells, significantly stimulated ABP secretion by Sertoli cells, but coculture with the epithelial‐derived Martin‐Darby canine kidney cell line had no effect on Sertoli cell‐secreted ABP levels. Our data further define the epithelial‐mesenchymal cell interaction that exists between Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells in the mammalian testis.
Capability Assessment Model for Systems Engineering
Authors: Widmann E. R.
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the efforts of the Capability Assessment Working Group (CAWG) to develop a Capability Assessment Model and Method for Systems Engineering. The paper presents the charter of the CAWG, a brief history of its activities to date, a schedule of future activities, and some key issues facing the CAWG.
ACCOMMODATING CHANGE: THE DYNAMIC SYSTEM ENGINEERING PROCESS
Authors: Pittman R. Bruce
Published: September 2023

One of the goals of the original system engineering process defined in the Fort Belvoir Defense System Management College, System Engineering Management Guide and Army Field Manual 770–78 is to minimize changes during the system development process. With the rapid increase in the rate of technological change as well as the increase in the duration of major system development projects, this inability to accommodate change causes performance, cost and schedule problems. To address this need for change the author has developed a Dynamic System Engineering (DSE) Process that expands the bounds of the existing process to focus more attention on the front end of the system development process.
The NASA SEPIT Life Cycle
Authors: Fragomeni A.D. , Ryschkewitsch M.G. , Pieniazek L. , Pettis R. , Bain E. , Fleming R. , Morgan W.
Published: September 2023

The NASA Systems Engineering Process Improvement Team (SEPIT) has developed a NASA generic life cycle model of systems engineering and technical activities, to serve as a template in the development of project specific life cycles. The life cycle model is built around engineering process flow diagrams and includes descriptions of the objectives, processes, and products for each phase of the life cycle from initial customer needs and objectives to operation and finally, disposal of the system. The Life Cycle Model serves as a framework for the understanding and use of the other SEPIT products. The closely related Control Gates Standard is also described in some detail. This document describes the reviews that are used to assess progress and readiness for transitions in the project activities. After appropriate review and approval, the life cycle and the other products will serve as reference standards and/or guidance for use in the development of program and project plans.
SYSTEM‐LEVEL REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION UNDER A REVISED DoD ACQUISITION PROCESS
Authors: Kitterman Richard W. , Buede Dennis M.
Published: September 2023

A literature search and survey of practicing systems engineers demonstrate that systems engineering processes and roles are not well defined during initial elicitation, capture and analysis of requirements. Changes to DoD acquisition practices that impact this part of systems engineering are outlined and implications drawn. An expanded systems engineering role in requirements definition is identified. Also highlighted are implications regarding: methods that help engineers and those with needs to interact in defining and visualizing requirements, and; capturing and using, throughout the life cycle, the decision rationale that accompanies the requirements definition and system design process.
METHOD BEHIND THE MADNESS IN SYSTEM MODELING
Authors: Scheurer Robert P.
Published: September 2023

As systems grow in complexity, the value of system modeling is magnified. In addition to the system design itself, many benefits — ranging from a common team vision to improved design quality — are obtained from a system model. Important considerations in model development are discussed, including the introduction and utilization of methodologies, evaluation and application of automation tools, and training for project team members. Emphasis is placed on the significance of using a methodology for defining system design scope, design completeness, and process repeatability. Where applicable, effective metrics are also identified. Experiences in the administration and use of a specific methodology to produce multiple, graphical views of a system model are related by the author.
USING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION
Authors: Schoening William W. , Miller Andrew J.
Published: September 2023

Instead of just hoping that innovative solutions will happen, direct action can be taken to significantly improve the climate for innovation. Since the most innovative ideas usually reflect the most radical changes in a product, the logical place to look for an opportunity to innovate is at the earliest stages of concept exploration. A disciplined use of the systems engineering process at the very beginning will help identify top‐level changes in requirements allocation that lead to new and innovative solutions. This paper explores the relationship between innovation and systems engineering, and then describes six steps for implementing an investigative climate that fosters innovation.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MILITARY SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SIMULATOR
Authors: Bayliss Stephen S.
Published: September 2023

This paper describes the design and development of a simulator to be used to determine the quantitative ability of a Military Satellite Communications (Milsatcom) architecture to satisfy communications requirements. Both the architecture analysis process and the design and application of the simulation tool to this process are described.
A CASE STUDY: USING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TO FOSTER INNOVATION
Authors: Miller Andrew J. , Schoening William W.
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a case study that traces the history of the McDonnell Douglas Interactive Warfare Simulation (IWARS) from its initial conception to its current state. IWARS is a digital wargaming system created by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA) to assess aerospace system requirements, impacts, and tactics in modern combat environments. IWARS is part of MDA's systems analysis program and has proven to be a valuable tool for testing weapon system design concepts and creating environments that foster innovation. IWARS itself is an innovative concept that was not readily accepted when first proposed. Systems engineering concepts were required at the earliest stages of development in order to successfully create and sell IWARS.
ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE METRICS
Authors: DeLozier Randall , Snyder Neil
Published: September 2023

Implementation of a Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to engineering work required the development of a system of metrics which would serve as a meaningful management tool for evaluating effectiveness in accomplishing project objectives and in achieving improved customer satisfaction. A team effort was chartered with the goal of developing a system of engineering performance metrics which would measure customer satisfaction, quality, cost effectiveness, and timeliness. The approach to developing this system involved normal systems design phases including conceptual design, detailed design, implementation, and integration. The lessons learned from this effort will be explored in this paper. These lessons learned may provide a starting point for other large engineering organizations seeking to institute a performance measurement system.
A FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CAPABILITY
Authors: Brill James H. , Brammer Karl G.
Published: September 2023

The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) was developed by the Software Engineering Insitute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University to provide a methodology for assessing an organization's capability in software engineering. The paper presents an attempt to generalize the CMM from software engineering to systems engineering. Starting from an overview and comparison of systems and software engineering disciplines, a brief summary of the original CMM is provided. The authors analyze if and how its criteria and key areas are transferrable to systems engineering. Allowing for the differences between the systems and software engineering processes, they propose the modifications necessary to adapt and generalize the SEI methodology accordingly. As a result the outline of a Systems Engineering Maturity Model is presented.
ENABLING CONCURRENT ENGINEERING THROUGH BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Karas Len , Rhodes Donna
Published: September 2023

Engineering organizations are actively seeking ways to better enable concurrent engineering. At the IBM Federal Systems Company (FSC), we are finding behavioral analysis an excellent means to integrate the disciplines needed to develop complex systems.

Key to effective use of behavioral analysis are: (1) a shared methodology and (2) the support environment which makes the methodology executable. At IBM FSC, we are finding RDD‐100®, developed by the Ascent Logic Corporation, to provide an environment which is highly compatible with our existing system development methodology. We have found Requirements Driven Development, RDD‐100®, developed by Ascent Logic Corporation, to be well accepted by all of our various engineering organizations. Our expectation is that implementation of our methodology using RDD‐100® will greatly decrease the development cycle time as it encourages concurrent participation in the definition of the system model.
COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING: EMERGING TOOL TRENDS
Authors: Alford Mack
Published: September 2023

Although the CBSE task force has not yet reached agreement on a paradigm for design of distributed computing systems, a review of some tools used in practice to develop existing distributed systems reveals some emerging trends from the marketplace. These trends support the “allocation paradigm” for distributed design, but have conceptual clashes with traditional CASE tools, and lack of integration with requirements tools, but there is hope for the future.
FORMULATION OF THE OPTIMUM REPAIR POLICY PROBLEM WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Authors: Aslaksen Erik W.
Published: September 2023

This paper demonstrates how the concept of the value of the service provided by a system can be efficiently handled by the systems engineering methodology. Following a general formulation of the problem, two examples from the class of systems in which each element contributes to the system output are provided; the first to illustrate the allocation of repair effort to elements of unequal size, the second to show how the value placed on the output level influences the repair policy.
3.1.1 A Systems Engineer's Approach to Brain Surgery
Authors: Mackey William F.
Published: September 2023

What can a patient do when faced with a critical health challenge that might be body disabling or life threatening? This author when diagnosed with a brain tumor decided to apply the principles of systems engineering. As a result of applying a reasonable constraint at the early stages of evaluation, the solution to the challenge resulted in two relatively noninvasive cranial procedures, rather than the conventional craniotomy recommended by three of the five neurosurgeons consulted.

The approach elected by this author included several systems engineering processes such as developing a concept for the operation, a key requirement(s) definition, a tradeoff analysis of neuroradiosurgery systems, a risk analysis, and even an evaluation of the mission during medical follow‐up. Such medical procedures could not have been conducted successfully as few as 10 to 15 years ago.

The thesis of this paper is that patients can affect the outcome of the medical procedures to be conducted on them, and the approaches of the systems engineering discipline are extremely useful when appropriately applied to healthcare challenges.
1.2.2 Engineering of Complex Adaptive Systems using OpEMCSS
Authors: Clymer John R.
Published: September 2023

A graphical discrete event simulation library is proposed for the engineering of complex adaptive systems. This library works with EXTEND (Imagine That Inc), an inexpensive yet capable and easy to use simulation software package, and it is called Operational Evaluation Modeling for Context‐Sensitive Systems (OpEMCSS). Context‐Sensitive Systems (CSS) is a systems theory, based on finite state machines, that can assist a system designer in understanding and evaluating complex adaptive systems, represented as communicating concurrent (parallel) processes. CSS theory can be expressed using the OpEM graphical modeling language. Thus, OpEMCSS is a graphical simulation library that can model systems based on CSS theory and the OpEM language. As an example, an OpEMCSS model is discussed such that each of two intelligent agents learn rules that maximizes their average reward in the prisoner's dilemma game.
1.2.3 Web‐based Aerospace System Evaluation Software: The Development and Assessment of Conceptual Space Missions
Authors: Makins B.J. , Miller D.W.
Published: September 2023

The conceptual design of aerospace missions occurs when resources are at minimum, the trade space is vast, and experts are distributed. GINAware provides a quantitative methodology to evaluate vastly different mission architectures and offers a collaborative environment to share resources. This paper outlines the GINAware methodology: a model driven system engineering design process that develops, assesses, compares and optimizes conceptual space based missions. The process utilizes some established design tools, information technology and applies the Generalized Information Network Analysis (GINA) framework. Together, these tools help the end‐user systematically define the design, capability, and performance metrics of a mission. This process has been published on the World Wide Web in an effort to encourage collaboration and to foster productivity. A case study of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder mission is developed to illustrate the process.
1.2.4 A Web‐Enabled, Collaborative Solution for Product Development: The Enterprise Process Analysis Toolkit for Affordability (ePATA)
Authors: Moulder Roger D. , Reed Bruce R.
Published: September 2023

The virtual enterprise is becoming a reality. With the advances in communication and computer technology, organizations now have the capability to conduct real business over the Internet. From weekly staff meetings to actual product design and services, it is now possible to sit in the comfort of your own office and collaborate with your colleagues electronically. These advances are especially advantageous to those companies involved in the design and manufacture of new products. The focus of this paper is to present the progress made in developing software tools to support the Air Force Research Laboratory's Science and Technology (S&T) Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) process. The IPPD process applies a systems engineering approach to the research and development phase of system design using modified six sigma methods to provide a measurable way to evaluate and decide among competing design approaches. This measurement‐based approach involves an Integrated Product Team (IPT) comprising experts from every aspect of the project. They determine customer requirements and candidate technologies that may answer those requirements, then apply a series of metrics to analyze the technologies for performance, producibility, cost, schedule and risk tradeoffs to arrive at the best value design. Early research efforts indicated several tools would be needed to support the activities of the process. From requirements management to workflow, a suite of tools would provide program managers, scientists, engineers, cost analysts, etc. with the capability to effectively carry out their various duties in an integrated environment.

The enterprise version of PATA is appropriately named Enterprise PATA or ePATA. Implemented in JAVA, ePATA will run on any computer platform that provides an Internet connection and an appropriate Web browser. Besides such benefits as ease of maintenance and support, this type of implementation provides an enterprise capability for product development. That is, ePATA offers the capability to conduct systems engineering activities in a Web‐enabled, virtual enterprise environment. By way of review, we first present the S&T IPPD Process background. Next, we cover the first iteration of the tools to support the process—PATA. Finally, we discuss ePATA, its architecture, and functionality.
7.2.4 Discovering The Value of Systems Engineering
Authors: Ring Jack
Published: September 2023

Question: What could systems engineering do for my product, project, and organization? Answer: The practice of systems engineering could yield the best return on any investment you have ever made. Question: How much systems engineering is appropriate? Answer: It depends on your unique situation, and this paper outlines a way to find your answer.
1.3.1 Design‐to‐Market ‐ From Product Development to Market Potential
Authors: Vollerthun Andreas , Igenbergs Eduard
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a continuous information based model and process that integrates traditionally separated activities of marketing/market forecasting, determining requirements, and creating first conceptual designs. The process focuses on the very early systems engineering activities and aims at establishing a link between the economic and technical world of today's product development. This link is realized by mapping characteristic design parameters on market volume and thus evaluating different design alternatives. A general process of market, requirements, and concepts is proposed. Within this paper the focus is on the initial phase of market forecasting and establishes the link to the requirements phase. Using the development of the European satellite navigation system and the German market as an example, the initial process steps are demonstrated.
2.3.3 Fuzzy Sets as Requirements Antecedents
Authors: Carson Ronald S.
Published: September 2023

Arguments for requirements completeness have relied on the notions of mutually exclusive and universally complete antecedents to ensure complete requirements. The world of hardware tolerances suggests that mutual exclusivity and completeness may not be simultaneously achievable in realistic systems. The discipline of “fuzzy logic” does not require such mutual exclusivity, and the achievement of universally complete antecedents is inherent in the methodology. We show that the use of fuzzy logic methods is more appropriate for design rather than requirements definition.
8.3.4 The Relationship of Technology Change Management to Risk Management
Authors: Mosier S. P. , Guenterberg S. A. , Raphael R. R.
Published: September 2023

As the rate of technology change accelerates, technology change management and the risks associated with technology change grow increasingly important to every systems engineering endeavor. This paper provides an overview of both risk management and technology change management so the similarities of these processes can be highlighted. Further, this paper describes the interactions and synergies between risk management and technology change management, and between the specific elements of these two critical processes.
7.4.4 Complex System Product Development: Adding Value by Creating Information and Reducing Risk
Authors: Browning Tyson R. , Eppinger Steven D. , Deyst John J. , Whitney Daniel E.
Published: September 2023

Many firms expend a great amount of effort to identify and eliminate waste in their processes. Much recent effort has focused on lean manufacturing. Now lean product development has become a goal as well. Yet, in product development, determining how and when value is added is problematic. The goal of a product development process is to produce a product “recipe” that satisfies requirements. Design work is done both to specify the recipe in increasing detail and to verify that it does in fact conform to requirements. As design work proceeds, certainty increases surrounding the ability of the evolving product (and production process) design specifications to be the final product recipe (i.e., performance risk decreases). The goal of this paper is to advance the theory and practice of evaluating progress and added value in complex system product development. The paper proposes that making progress and adding value (to the customer) in complex system product development equate with producing useful information that reduces performance risk. The paper also contributes a methodology—the risk value method—that integrates current approaches such as technical performance measure (TPM) tracking charts and risk waterfall charts.
8.4.4 The Discovery Based Development Approach: A Process Aberration Or A Better Way To Develop Complex Applications?
Authors: Shupp Jeffrey K.
Published: September 2023

The world of complex software systems has been marred by a less than stellar track record. These systems have largely been the domain of civil or military government procurement, as opposed to commercial industry, since the former institutions can absorb not only the tremendous initial costs and long development time, but also the intrinsically higher risk of initial failure. However, the commercial world is beginning to move quickly toward much more sophisticated applications, and evidence suggests similar or worse rates of failures as complexity is increased.

One such complex system has been under development for five years at M&DS. In early 1998, it was headed for a classic default of specified capabilities on all major fronts: runtime performance, functional stability and quality. This paper examines the circumstances that led to this state, and the success that has since been achieved. Most important is not the fact that a recovery had been accomplished, but rather how a new approach, called out in this paper as Discovery Based Development, was instituted to repair the damage and reputation in weeks instead of months or years. Armed with this technique, and applied earlier in the normal incremental or spiral developments that typify the commercial marketplace, a much higher success rate is quite possible for complex systems.
2.6.2 An Approach to Develop a Systems Engineering Curriculum For Human Capital and Process Improvement
Authors: Burke Gregory D. , Harrison Michael J. , Fenton Robert E. , Carlock Paul G.
Published: September 2023

This paper describes the approach taken by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a Systems Engineering curriculum. The curriculum is designed and intended to support broader Agency initiatives for improving workforce professionalism, as well as product development and in‐service operations life‐cycle processes. It focuses not only on the knowledge base needed to perform satisfactorily as a systems engineer in the FAA, but also on the behavioral competencies needed for effective interactions in the FAA's team‐intensive system development environment. The required knowledge and behavioral competencies were defined first, and then an integrated professional development approach was conceived that stresses the acquisition of needed skills and competencies through a combination of on‐the‐job assignments and experiences, formal education and training courses, and self‐guided learning. The FAA's curriculum development approach provides a useful model for other organizations with similar goals and objectives to consider.
5.6.2 The Maturing Systems Engineering Data Exchange Standard AP‐233 & Your Role
Authors: Johnson Julian , Barbeau Sylvain , Herzog Erik , Giblin Michael
Published: September 2023

The data exchange standard identified as AP‐233, ‘systems engineering application protocol’ is to be established within the framework of ISO 10303, “STEP”, the Standard for the Technical Exchange of Product Data. The standard activity was initiated, and much initial technical work was pursued, by the European research project SEDRES. The work within AP‐233 has continued, building on the work of SEDRES, with a global industrial representation. This paper gives a status report on the AP‐233 activity. A follow‐on project SEDRES‐2, with expanded consortium, is well underway. The essence of the SEDRES‐2 mission statement is:to extend, validate and standardise the Systems Engineering (SE) data model and nurture its practical implementation and multi‐sector exploitation as a key enabler for industry. This paper explains the objectives, approach, time scales, and extended data scope of the SEDRES‐2 project, and gives a preview of early results from this next stage in achieving a comprehensive, workable systems engineering data exchange standard. Finally, it explains the significance of AP‐233 to your work, and what you can do to contribute to achieving the goal of a supported and adopted SE data standard.
6.6.1 Systems Engineering: From Process towards Profession
Authors: Arnold Stuart
Published: September 2023

Systems engineering competence is concerned with people, their development and how they make skilled engineering contributions to meet society's demanding need for quality system products and services. System life cycle processes, currently the subject of international standardization efforts, are used as a basis for developing a systems engineering competency framework. The value of this approach is seen to lie in the adoption of commonly agreed processes whose combined scope better matches the concept of systems engineering as a discipline. The progressive development of objective and assessable attainment levels for each life cycle process, based on a simple competency model, is seen as a route to structuring the development and achievement of recognised levels of individual systems engineering professionalism.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Melflufen, an Alkylating Peptide–Drug Conjugate, in Patients with Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Huledal Gunilla , Ruiz‐Garcia Ana , Kawakatsu Sonoko , Wang Xiaoning , Sjöberg Per , Gullbo Joachim , Pekar David , Norin Stefan , Jerling Markus
Published: September 2023

Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen) is a novel lipophilic peptide–drug conjugate recently approved in the European Union and the United Kingdom for the treatment of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma. Melflufen rapidly crosses the cell membrane, and inside tumor cells, melflufen utilizes peptidases and esterases to release entrapped hydrophilic metabolites with alkylating activity. In vitro, in whole blood, melflufen was rapidly distributed into blood cells and quickly converted to its main metabolite melphalan, with maximum cellular concentrations of noncovalently bound melflufen and melphalan after 1 and 6 minutes, respectively. Melphalan outflow from blood cells was slow, with peak concentrations in plasma after 25 minutes. The pharmacokinetics of melflufen was best described by a 2‐compartment model. Following a 30‐minutes intravenous infusion of 40 mg in 27 patients with relapsed refactory multiple myeloma, mean half‐life in the α phase of the curve was 1.24 minutes, half‐life in the β phase of the curve 26.7 minutes, and clearance 13.4 L/min. Desethyl‐melflufen exposure was below 20% compared to melflufen. Based on population analysis (298 patients with relapsed refactory multiple myeloma), the melphalan pharmacokinetics were well characterized by a 3‐compartment model with melflufen dosing into a peripheral compartment, assuming instantaneous distribution of melflufen into cells and subsequent rapid metabolism to melphalan. Mean clearance and central and deep peripheral volumes of distribution were 22.4 L/h, 2.70 L, and 51.3 L, respectively. Clearance increased and maximum concentration decreased with increasing body weight and estimated glomerular filtration rate. In conclusion, melflufen administration differs from melphalan administration by a more rapid distribution into cells, which, in conjunction with a rapid intracellular metabolism, allows for higher maximum concentrations of alkylating agents, and by a more extensive distribution of melphalan to peripheral tissues.
A health system's journey to preventing workplace violence: Use of multidisciplinary teamwork to unify efforts across a health system
Authors: Malone Jamie E. , Campbell Thomas P. , Curtis Ann M.
Published: September 2023

Workplace violence (WPV) is known to threaten the safety of patients and staff. In 2018, a wellness survey showed many employees had not received training on WPV prevention and felt unprepared to manage aggression. The health network's leaders knew they needed to take action. From various multidisciplinary committees, the leaders were able to create a comprehensive WPV prevention program. Some of the highlights of this program include forming a centralized security department, codes of conduct, and crisis response process, adopting tools to predict violence, and providing a range of education. Data from WPV events showed the health network had a statistically significant reduction in WPV events from 2020 to 2021. However, WPV events increased in 2022. This increase in 2022 mirrors national trends in WPV. There are a number of factors that may have impacted this increase. Regardless, the leaders at the health network are dedicated to continuously improving the WPV prevention program. Some of the ongoing projects include improving data collection methods and building a long‐term notification for highly violent individuals. This WPV prevention program relies on the commitment of its multidisciplinary team members and focuses on taking care of patients while also prioritizing the wellness of the staff.
Can wormlike micelle stiffness be estimated from zero‐shear viscosity? Experimental investigation with a model system and specific salt interactions
Authors: Alawami Nour S. , Weigandt Katie , Weston Javen S.
Published: September 2023

The microstructure of wormlike micelles (WLM) directly affects the rheological properties of their solutions. Investigating the structure–property relationships of WLM has long been a popular topic for researchers who have developed theoretical and empirical models to describe their viscoelastic behavior. All these models rely on a collection of characteristic “length” parameters that are often difficult to estimate using relatively simple rheological tests. In particular, the micelle stiffness, as described by the persistence length, can be difficult to measure experimentally, while being very impactful on the bulk rheology of WLM solutions. Here, an array of inorganic salts (NaCl, LiCl, MgCl2, NaBr, NaI, and Na2SO4) have been used to induce wormlike micelle formation in an aqueous solution of the surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulfate. Ion dissociation/association with the surfactant head groups and the hydrogen bond network of the water alters the effective stiffness of the micelles, allowing for an estimation of the stiffness using three different methods: (1) small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements, (2) oscillatory rheological measurements, and (3) steady rheological measurements with a thermodynamic packing parameter model. Each of these methods are then compared and shown to be consistent with each other for the micelle solutions tested. The consistency of the results across all the measurements suggests that the approach used in this study, which estimates micelle parameters using steady shear rheology and a thermodynamic model, could provide a simpler and more accessible method for estimating micelle parameters in a wide range of surfactant systems.
Automatic planning for head and neck seed implant brachytherapy based on deep convolutional neural network dose engine
Authors: Xiao Zhuo , Xiong Tianyu , Geng Lishen , Zhou Fugen , Liu Bo , Sun Haitao , Ji Zhe , Jiang Yuliang , Wang Junjie , Wu Qiuwen
Published: September 2023

Background

Seed implant brachytherapy (SIBT) is an effective treatment modality for head and neck (H&N) cancers; however, current clinical planning requires manual setting of needle paths and utilizes inaccurate dose calculation algorithms.

Purpose

This study aims to develop an accurate and efficient deep convolutional neural network dose engine (DCNN‐DE) and an automatic SIBT planning method for H&N SIBT.

Methods

A cohort of 25 H&N patients who received SIBT was utilized to develop and validate the methods. The DCNN‐DE was developed based on 3D‐unet model. It takes single seed dose distribution from a modified TG‐43 method, the CT image and a novel inter‐seed shadow map (ISSM) as inputs, and predicts the dose map of accuracy close to the one from Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). The ISSM was proposed to better handle inter‐seed attenuation. The accuracy and efficacy of the DCNN‐DE were validated by comparing with other methods taking MCS dose as reference. For SIBT planning, a novel strategy inspired by clinical practice was proposed to automatically generate parallel or non‐parallel potential needle paths that avoid puncturing bone and critical organs. A heuristic‐based optimization method was developed to optimize the seed positions to meet clinical prescription requirements. The proposed planning method was validated by re‐planning the 25 cases and comparing with clinical plans.

Results

The absolute percentage error in the TG‐43 calculation for CTV V100 and D90 was reduced from 5.4% and 13.2% to 0.4% and 1.1% with DCNN‐DE, an accuracy improvement of 93% and 92%, respectively. The proposed planning method could automatically obtain a plan in 2.5 ± 1.5 min. The generated plans were judged clinically acceptable with dose distribution comparable with those of the clinical plans.

Conclusions

The proposed method can generate clinically acceptable plans quickly with high accuracy in dose evaluation, and thus has a high potential for clinical use in SIBT.
Responsible‐Care‐Wettbewerb: Doppelt Energie gespart
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: September 2023

Beim Responsible‐Care‐Wettbewerb zeichnete der Verband der chemischen Industrie die Evonik‐Standorte in Herne und Rheinfelden aus.
Women in Supramolecular Chemistry
Authors: McConnell Anna
Published: September 2023

An Area‐Specific Network Calling in the Community for Support.
Alle kannten jemanden in der Chemie
Authors: Schaffner Nicholas
Published: September 2023

Die Ausstellung „Arbeitswelt Chemie“ im Chemiemuseum Basel gibt Einblick in die Blütezeit der Basler chemischen Industrie in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Dabei haben die Ausstellungsmacher die Perspektive der Arbeitenden eingenommen, die in Produktion, Dienstleistung, Forschung und Verwaltung tätig waren.
Naltrexone/bupropion for binge‐eating disorder: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Grilo Carlos M. , Lydecker Janet A. , Jastreboff Ania M. , Pittman Brian , McKee Sherry A.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Binge‐eating disorder (BED) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder associated with obesity. Few evidence‐based treatments exist for BED, particularly pharmacological options. This study tested the efficacy of naltrexone/bupropion for BED.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 12‐week trial tested naltrexone/bupropion for BED with and without obesity. Eighty‐nine patients (70.8% women, 69.7% White, mean age 45.7 y, mean BMI 35.1 kg/m2, 77.5% with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were randomized to placebo (n = 46) or naltrexone/bupropion (n = 43), with randomization stratified by obesity status and gender; 92.1% completed post‐treatment assessments.

Results

Mixed models of binge‐eating frequency revealed significant reductions that did not differ significantly between naltrexone/bupropion and placebo. Logistic regression of binge‐eating remission rates revealed that naltrexone/bupropion and placebo did not differ significantly. Obesity status did not predict, or moderate, binge‐eating outcomes considered either continuously or categorically. Mixed models revealed that naltrexone/bupropion was associated with significantly greater percentage weight loss than placebo. Logistic regression revealed that naltrexone/bupropion had significantly higher rates of attaining ≥5% weight loss than placebo (27.9% vs. 6.5%). Obesity status did not predict or moderate weight‐loss outcomes.

Conclusions

Naltrexone/bupropion did not demonstrate effectiveness for reducing binge eating relative to placebo but showed effectiveness for weight reduction in patients with BED. Obesity status did not predict or moderate medication outcomes.
Registration of ‘Lontra’ malting barley: A two‐row, winter‐habit cultivar of interest to the craft malting and brewing industries
Authors: Morrissy Campbell P. , Filichkin Tanya , Fisk Scott P. , Helgerson Laura , Davenport Curtis , Silberstein Ron , Culp Darrin , Hayes Patrick M.
Published: September 2023

‘Lontra’ (Reg. no. CV‐378, PI 702797), experimental designation DH142010, is a two‐row winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. It is well adapted to the US Pacific Northwest. Lontra is a doubled haploid produced via anther culture and was advanced through fall‐planted trials from 2016 to 2021. Lontra was developed with the goal of commercial production as a malting cultivar for the craft malting industry; therefore, it was not tested in the American Malting Barley Association Pilot Program due to the limited number of selections that can be accommodated. Lontra has a solid record of agronomic performance, malting quality, beer quality, and beer sensory.
Effects of ginseng on short‐chain fatty acids and intestinal microbiota in rats with spleen‐qi deficiency based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and 16s rRNA technology
Authors: Zhang Meiyu , Pi Yijun , Ma Liting , Li Fangtong , Luo Jing , Cai Yongyu , Wu Yongxi , Liu Ming , Dai Yulin , Zheng Fei , Yue Hao
Published: September 2023

Rationale

Spleen‐qi deficiency syndrome, a common weakness syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine, results from insufficient spleen‐qi levels. For centuries, ginseng has been relied upon as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat spleen‐qi deficiency syndrome. Until now, the mechanism feature of ginseng in treating temper deficiency through intestinal bacteria and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

This study established a rat model of spleen‐qi deficiency via multi‐factor compound modeling that involved fatigue injury and a controlled diet. The content of SCFAs between different treatment groups was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. And the 16s rRNA sequencing technology was applied to reveal the effects of ginseng on the intestinal microecological environment of the rats.

Results

It was found that the ginseng treatment group exhibited the most remarkable regulatory effect on propionic acid, surpassing all other administration groups. Ginseng increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and decreased that of harmful bacteria at the genus level in rats with spleen‐qi deficiency syndrome. And propionic acid is significantly positively correlated with Lactobacillus level and significantly negatively correlated with uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae (p < 0.05). n‐Butyric acid is negatively correlated with the Faecalibaculum level (p < 0.01). n‐Valeric acid is significantly negatively correlated with the Romboutsia level (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The mechanism of ginseng treatment for spleen‐qi deficiency is elucidated from the perspective of gut microbiota and its metabolite SCFAs. It provides a new way for further development and utilization of ginseng and a theoretical basis.
Ball divergence for the equality test of crossing survival curves
Authors: You Na , He Xueyi , Dai Hongsheng , Wang Xueqin
Published: September 2023

It is a very common problem to test survival equality using the right‐censored time‐to‐event data in clinical research. Although the log‐rank test is popularly used in various studies, it may become insensitive when the proportional hazards assumption is violated. As follows, there have a variety of statistical methods being proposed to identify the discrepancy between crossing survival curves or hazard functions. The omnibus tests against general alternatives are usually preferred due to their wide applicability to complicated scenarios in real applications. In this paper, we propose two novel statistics to estimate the ball divergence using the right‐censored survival data, and then implement them in the equality test on survival time in two independent groups. The simulation analysis demonstrates their efficiency in identifying the survival discrepancy. Compared to the existing methods, our proposed methods present higher power in situations with complex distributions, especially when there is a scale shift between groups. Real examples illustrate its advantage in practical applications.
Regulating Phase Distribution of Dion–Jacobson Perovskite Colloidal Multiple Quantum Wells Toward Highly Stable Deep‐Blue Emission
Authors: He Haiyang , Xing Yifeng , Cui Zhongjie , Qin Shuaitao , Wen Zhuoqi , Yang Dan , Xie Haijiao , Mei Shiliang , Zhang Wanlu , Guo Ruiqian
Published: September 2023

Metal halide perovskite colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) hold great promise for modern photonics and optoelectronics. However, current studies focus on Ruddlesden–Popper (R–P) phase perovskite CQWs that contain bilayers of monovalent long‐chain alkylamomoniums between the separated perovskite octahedra layers. The bilayers are packed back‐to‐back via weak van der Waals interaction, resulting in inferior charge carrier transport and easier decomposition of perovskite. This report first creates a new type of perovskite colloidal multiple QWs (CMQWs) in the form of Dion–Jacobson (D–J) structure by introducing an asymmetric diammonium cation. Furthermore, the phase distribution is optimized by the synergistic effect of valeric acid and zwitterionic lecithin, finally achieving pure deep‐blue emission at 435 nm with narrow full width at half maximum. The diammonium layer in D–J perovskite CMQWs features extremely short width of only ≈0.6 nm, thereby contributing to more effective charge carrier transport and higher stability. Through the continuous photoluminescence (PL) measurement and corresponding theoretical calculation, the higher stability of D–J perovskite CMQWs than that of R–P structural CMQWs is confirmed. This work reveals the inherent superior stability of D–J structural CMQWs, which opens a new direction for fabricating stable perovskite optoelectronics.
Asymptotic tail properties of Poisson mixture distributions
Authors: Valiquette Samuel , Toulemonde Gwladys , Peyhardi Jean , Marchand Éric , Mortier Frédéric
Published: September 2023

Count data are omnipresent in many applied fields, often with overdispersion. With mixtures of Poisson distributions representing an elegant and appealing modelling strategy, we focus here on how the tail behaviour of the mixing distribution is related to the tail of the resulting Poisson mixture. We define five sets of mixing distributions, and we identify for each case whenever the Poisson mixture is in, close to or far from a domain of attraction of maxima. We also characterize how the Poisson mixture behaves similarly to a standard Poisson distribution when the mixing distribution has a finite support. Finally, we study, both analytically and numerically, how goodness‐of‐fit can be assessed with the inspection of tail behaviour.
Semantic‐aware two‐phase test case prioritization for continuous integration
Authors: Li Yingling , Wang Ziao , Wang Junjie , Chen Jie , Mou Rui , Li Guibing
Published: September 2023

Continuous integration (CI) is a widely applied development practice to allow frequent integration of software changes, detecting early faults. However, extremely frequent builds consume amounts of time and resources in such a scenario. It is quite challenging for existing test case prioritization (TCP) to address this issue due to the time‐consuming information collection (e.g. test coverage) or inaccurately modelling code semantics to result in the unsatisfied prioritization. In this paper, we propose a semantic‐aware two‐phase TCP framework, named SatTCP, which combines the coarse‐grained filtering and fine‐grained prioritization to perform the precise TCP with low time costs for CI. It consists of three parts: (1) code representation, parsing the programme changes and test cases to obtain the code change and test case representations; (2) coarse‐grained filtering, conducting the preliminary ranking and filtering of test cases based on information retrieval; and (3) fine‐grained prioritization, training a pretrained Siamese language model based on the filtered test set to further sort the test cases via semantic similarity. We evaluate SatTCP on a large‐scale, real‐world dataset with cross‐project validation from fault detection efficiency and time costs and compare it with five baselines. The results show that SatTCP outperforms all baselines by 6.3%–45.6% for mean average percentage of fault detected per cost (APFDc), representing an obvious upward trend as the project scale increases. Meanwhile, SatTCP can reduce the real CI testing by 71.4%, outperforming the best baseline by 17.2% for time costs on average. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of different configurations, flaky tests and hybrid techniques on the performance of SatTCP, respectively.