bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Norwegian childhood cancer biobank
Authors: Hermansen Johanne U. , Wojcik Dorota M. , Robinson Nina , Pahnke Jens , Haugland Hans Kristian , Jamtøy Ann Helen , Flægstad Trond , Halvorsen Hanne , Lund Bendik , Baumbusch Lars O. , Munthe‐Kaas Monica C.
Published: September 2021

Background

The rapidly expanding era of “omics” research is highly dependent on the availability of quality‐proven biological material, especially for rare conditions such as pediatric malignancies. Professional biobanks provide such material, focusing on standardized collection and handling procedures, distinctive quality measurements, traceability of storage conditions, and accessibility. For pediatric malignancies, traditional tumor biobanking is challenging due to the rareness and limited amount of tissue and blood samples. The higher molecular heterogeneity, lower mutation rates, and unique genomic landscapes, however, renders biobanking of this tissue even more crucial.

Aim

The aim of this study was to test and establish methods for a prospective and centralized biobank for infants, children, and adolescents up to 18 years of age diagnosed with cancer in Norway.

Methods

Obtain judicial and ethical approvals and administration through a consortium, steering committee, and advisory board. Develop pipelines including SOPs for all aspects in the biobank process, including collection, processing and storing of samples and data, as well of quality controlling, safeguarding, distributing, and transport.

Results

The childhood cancer biobanking started at Oslo University Hospital in March 2017 and was from 2019 run as a national Norwegian Childhood Cancer Biobank. Informed consent and biological samples are collected regionally and stored centrally. Approximately 12 000 samples from 510 patients and have been included by January 1, 2021, representing a 96% consent and participation rate among our newly diagnosed patients.

Conclusion

A well‐functioning nationwide collection and centralized biobank with standardized procedures and national storage for pediatric malignancies has been established with a high acceptance among families.
Hybrid approach using machine learning algorithms for customers' churn prediction in the telecommunications industry
Authors: Beeharry Yogesh , Tsokizep Fokone Ristin
Published: September 2021

Ensemble learning involves using several individual classifiers and combining their predictions, which may result in better performance than a single classifier. This article proposes a two‐layer flexible voting ensemble model to predict the customer churn rates in the telecommunication industries. The datasets used in this study are from IBM Sample Data Sets and Duke University. Following the pre‐processing stage, the datasets have been categorized into an imbalanced and a balanced set. The balanced set comprises of an equal number of instances for both classes (‘churn’ and ‘not churn’). Extensive investigations were also carried out to determine the circumstances under which the model provides the best performance. The results of the hybrid algorithm with the IBM imbalanced dataset give an accuracy of 82.30% and an F1‐score of 63%. However, with the IBM balanced dataset, an accuracy of 76.20% and an F1‐score of 77.06% are obtained. When considering the dataset from Duke University an accuracy of 71.33% and an F1‐score of 14.3% are obtained with the imbalanced dataset. The proposed model provides an accuracy of 60.41% and an F1‐score of 64.13% with the corresponding balanced dataset. Test work results indicate that the approach adopted has significantly increased the F1‐score of the classification when considering a balanced dataset in both cases. Additionally, p‐values of less than 0.05 indicate that the results obtained with IBM imbalanced dataset and both balanced and imbalanced dataset from Duke University are statistically significant.
Grain yield response to cultivar and harvest time of the first crop in rice ratooning in southwestern Japan
Authors: Tanaka Ryo , Hakata Makoto , Nakano Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) ratooning has attracted attention due to its higher yield potential compared with conventional methods. Here, field experiments were conducted in southwestern Japan in 2019 and 2020 to determine the effects of cultivar (‘Takanari’, an indica cultivar, and ‘Koshihikari’, a japonica cultivar) and harvest time of the first crop (early and late) on the grain yields of the first and second crops in rice ratooning. For Koshihikari in 2019, grain yield of the second crop did not differ between harvest times. However, Takanari produced a lower grain yield at late harvest. Takanari had fewer spikelets, fewer filled spikelets, and a lower 1,000‐grain weight at late harvest. However, for Takanari in 2020, grain yield did not differ between harvest times. In 2019, the stubble nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content did not increase from early to late harvest, whereas the stubble leaf area index (LAI) decreased between harvest times; this difference was more apparent in Takanari than in Koshihikari. Contrastingly, in 2020, the NSC content increased from early to late harvest, but the stubble LAI did not differ between harvest times. Thus, the lower grain yield of late‐harvested Takanari in 2019 might be attributed to the lower stubble LAI resulting in fewer spikelets. In contrast, the maintained grain yield from early to late harvest in 2020 might be attributed to the maintenance of spikelet numbers via the higher stubble NSC content. Therefore, the sufficient stubble LAI and NSC could be essential for improving grain yield of the second crop.
Modeling and implementation of nonlinear boost converter using local feedback deep recurrent neural network for voltage balancing in energy harvesting applications
Authors: Noohi Mostafa , Mirvakili Ali , Sadrossadat Sayed Alireza
Published: September 2021

Balancing the voltage of series connected supercapacitors is a necessity. Various passive and active balancing techniques are reported for alleviating the problems of leakage and overvoltage. In this paper, a novel active balancing approach based on boost converter is presented leading to the implementation of a piezoelectric energy harvesting (EH) system. Besides, this nonlinear boost converter is designed, implemented, and modeled using a new macromodeling approach. In this regard, data measured by the implemented boost converter passed through local feedback deep recurrent neural networks (LFDRNNs), in order to model the nonlinear behavior of this converter, and this model can be used to design the EH system. LFDRNN can be trained directly using the input–output waveform samples of the main circuit without knowing its internal details, and the obtained model has similar accuracy compared to the original circuit. The main focus of this paper is the new LFDRNN macromodeling method which is associated with the boost converter‐based active balancing technique. Our experimental results show that LFDRNN extends the ability of conventional neural network‐based models to express the dynamic behavior of nonlinear circuits while increasing the accuracy. Additionally, LFDRNN‐based models are much faster than existing models in simulation tools.
Endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Current indications and treatment outcomes
Authors: Abe Seiichiro , Hirai Yuichiro , Uozumi Takeshi , Makiguchi Mai Ego , Nonaka Satoru , Suzuki Haruhisa , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Oda Ichiro , Saito Yutaka
Published: September 2021

Endoscopic resection (ER) is an alternate minimally invasive treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). We aimed to review the clinical indications and treatment outcomes of ER for SESCC. Endoscopic mucosal resection is relatively easy and efficient for SESCC ≤ 15 mm. In contrast, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is recommended to achieve en bloc resection for lesions >15 mm, in view of the accurate pathological evaluation. The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society guidelines recommend ER for non‐circumferential cT1a‐EP/LPM (epithelium/lamina propria mucosae), cT1a‐MM/T1b‐SM1 (muscularis mucosa/superficial submucosa ≤ 200μm) SESCC, and whole‐circumferential T1a‐EP/LPM SESCC ≤ 50 mm (upon implementing preventive measures for stenosis), considering the risk‐benefit balance of ER. It defines pT1a‐EP/LPM without lymphovascular invasion as a curative endoscopic resection. The guidelines recommend additional esophagectomy or chemoradiotherapy for pT1b SESCC or any SESCC, with lymphovascular invasion. However, there is no recommendation for or against the administration of additional treatments for pT1a‐MM without lymphovascular invasion, owing to limited evidence. Researchers have reported on high en bloc and R0 resection rates of ESD, and a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that clip‐line traction‐assisted ESD could significantly reduce the ESD procedural time. Moreover, steroid treatment has been developed to prevent post‐ESD esophageal strictures. There have been reports on favorable long‐term outcomes of ESD. However, most of them are retrospective studies. Further robust data in prospective trials are warranted to achieve a definitive evidence of ESD, which will be beneficial to patients with SESCC.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 predicts the development of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Scurt Florian G. , Menne Jan , Brandt Sabine , Bernhardt Anja , Mertens Peter R. , Haller Hermann , Chatzikyrkou Christos
Published: September 2021

Aim

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, screening strategies in order to prevent its development and/or retard its progression are of paramount importance. We investigated if monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) was associated with new onset microalbuminuria‐the earliest sign of the albuminuric phenotype of DN‐ in patients with type 2 DM and normoalbuminuria.

Methods

We measured MCP‐1 in serum and urine samples from patients of the Randomized Olmesartan And Diabetes Microalbuminuria Prevention (ROADMAP) study and its Observational Follow‐up (OFU) cohort. A case control design was used with inclusion of 172 patients who developed microalbuminuria (MA) and of 188 well matched controls who remained normoalbuminuric.

Results

The median duration of follow‐up for the ROADMAP cohorts was 6.5 years, whereas the mean time until occurrence of MA was 53.2 months. In the multivariate analysis, serum and urine MCP‐1 remained significant predictors of new onset MA. The risk for MA increased continuously with increasing serum and urine MCP‐1 levels but reached statistical significance only in the highest quartiles. The risk associations were stronger with serum MCP‐1.

Conclusions

MCP‐1 is a marker and possibly a mediator of early diabetic nephropathy. Further prospective studies are necessary to test whether diabetic patients with elevated MCP‐1 levels would benefit from specific therapeutic interventions.
Drug‐resistant epilepsy: Drug target hypothesis and beyond the receptors
Authors: Fonseca‐Barriendos Daniel , Frías‐Soria Christian Lizette , Pérez‐Pérez Daniel , Gómez‐López Rosenda , Borroto Escuela Dasiel O. , Rocha Luisa
Published: September 2021

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects more than 50 million people worldwide. Despite a recent introduction of antiseizure drugs for the treatment of epileptic seizures, one‐third of these patients suffer from drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The therapeutic target hypothesis is a cited theory to explain DRE. According to the target hypothesis, the failure to achieve seizure freedom leads to alteration of the structure and/or function of the antiseizure medication (ASM) target. However, this hypothesis fails to explain why patients with DRE do not respond to antiseizure medications of different targets. This review presents different conditions, such as epigenetic mechanisms and protein‐protein interactions that may result in alterations of diverse drug targets using different mechanisms. These novel conditions represent new targets to control DRE.
The global latent factor and international index futures returns predictability
Authors: Chang Shu‐Lien , Lee Hsiu‐Chuan , Lien Donald
Published: September 2021

This study investigates whether the global latent factor estimated using the three‐pass regression filter (TPRF) contains useful information for the development of a long‐short strategy for international index futures returns. Our results show that the long‐short portfolio strategy based on the TPRF forecast can provide higher excess profits than other competing approaches. We also find that the results remain unchanged within good and bad market conditions, the performance of the long‐short portfolio being better in bad market conditions than in good market conditions. Finally, the results remain unchanged even when the transaction costs are considered in the long‐short portfolio strategy based on the TPRF forecast.
Combined tumor‐associated macrophages biomarker predicting extremely poor outcome of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Sun Xiaoqing , Wang Caiqin , Chen Cui , Huang Jiajia , Wu Xianqiu , Wang Yu , He Xiaohua , Cao Jianghua , Jiang Wenqi , Sun Peng , Li Zhiming
Published: September 2021

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive and rare malignancy with poor prognosis. However, there are no reliable prognostic biomarkers for PCNSL in clinical practice. Here, we aimed to identify a reliable prognostic biomarker for predicting the survival of PCNSL patients. In this study, multiplex immunofluorescence and digital imaging analysis were used to characterize tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) immunophenotypes and the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 on TAMs, with regard to prognosis from diagnostic tumor tissue samples of 59 PCNSL patients. We found that the M2‐to‐M1 ratio was a more reliable prognostic biomarker for PCNSL than M1‐like or M2‐like macrophage infiltration. In addition, the combination of programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression on TAMs and the M2‐to‐M1 ratio in PCNSL demonstrated improved performance in prognostic discrimination than PD‐L1‐positive TAMs or M2‐to‐M1 ratio. To validate the prognostic significance of the combined TAMs associated biomarkers, they were integrated into the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) index and termed as IELSG‐M index. Kaplan–Meier plots showed that the IELSG‐M index could discriminate patients into low‐, intermediate‐ or high‐risk subgroups, better than IELSG, in terms of prognosis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of IELSG‐M was 0.844 for overall survival; superior to the IELSG model (0.580). Taken together, this study's findings showed that the combination of PD‐L1 on TAMs and the M2‐to‐M1 ratio could be strong prognostic predictive biomarkers for PCNSL and the IELSG‐M index had improved prognostic significance than the IELSG index.
Role of organisational factors on uptake and implementation of the B.strong brief intervention training program in Queensland Indigenous primary health care services
Authors: Sebastian Saji , Thomas David P. , Brimblecombe Julie , Arley Brian , Cunningham Frances C.
Published: September 2021

Issue addressed

The B.strong Program was an Indigenous health worker brief intervention (BI) training program delivered in Queensland from 2017‐2020. This study examines the organisational factors of participating Indigenous primary health care (PHC) services that impacted on B.strong's uptake and implementation in those services.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from 2019‐2020 with 20 B.strong Program trainees and four health service managers from eight purposively sampled Queensland PHC services, and one Queensland Department of Health manager, to examine their perceptions of uptake and implementation of the B.strong Program. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used as a framework for the evaluation. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo 11.

Results

Although strong PHC service support was evident for the uptake of face‐to‐face workshop training, it was not available to support trainees to complete online modules or for ongoing BI delivery to clients. Key organisational factors associated with both program uptake and implementation of BIs in PHC services were leadership engagement and implementation climate. Within these themes, embedding B.strong into operational practices of health services, having policies, processes and consistent administrative support to facilitate implementation, and addressing gaps in knowledge and skills of health workers were identified as needing to be improved. The study identified the lack of application of continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes to BIs at these health services as a barrier to effective implementation.

Conclusions

The study supports the establishment of BI specific CQI initiatives in health services and supports better engagement with organisational leadership in BI training to ensure their ongoing support of both the training and implementation of BI.
Formulas and Guidelines for Deriving Functional System Requirements from a Systems Engineering Model
Authors: Shelton John , Heisler Victoria , Sebacher Kristina
Published: September 2021

Within this paper, we discuss a specific approach to system‐level modeling using activities, with the goal of writing English‐language requirements for the System of Interest (SOI), and then using formulas which interact with the model to proceduralize the authorship process. This overall approach makes it possible for most technical participants in a program to do most of their development work in a collaborative modeling environment, spending most of their time dealing with technical issues rather than language issues, while implementing a rapid translation to English‐language functional requirements toward the end of the process which may eventually be automated.
Security as a Functional Requirement in the Future of Systems Engineering
Authors: Willett Keith D.
Published: September 2021

The Future of Systems Engineering (FuSE) Security project is an INCOSE‐led multi‐organizational collaboration exploring a roadmap of foundational topics for integrating security into systems engineering thinking and practices. Security as a Functional Requirement elaborates on one topic to help better elaborate security into systems thinking and integrate security into systems engineering processes. Details include integration of security into existing input‐output diagrams, convey standard security concepts with which to engage stakeholders, and establish security as an infinite game that requires security be an active consideration throughout the system lifecycle including operations.
UAF (Unified Architecture Framework) Based MBSE (UBM) Method to build a System of Systems Model
Authors: Abhaya Lalitha
Published: September 2021

The system model is defined as the main source of truth for systems engineering. Current MBSE methods are focused mainly on single systems. As per the literature, we lack the MBSE methods to develop the system models of System of Systems (SoS). Systems engineers use architecture frameworks for this purpose, but the huge number of views included within an architecture framework makes it difficult to select the appropriate views and expert knowledge is required to tailor the framework.

The UAF (Unified Architecture Framework) Based MBSE (UBM) method described within this paper addresses this issue. This method uses a selected subset from the UAF domain model and defines a step by step procedure to construct the system model for a complex, System of Systems in a military domain.
How can simplified requirements affect project efficiency – A case study in oil and gas
Authors: Fallrø Eirik , Falk Kristin
Published: September 2021

Requirements engineering is a constant challenge for companies executing complex projects. The oil and gas industry has been renowned for stringent stakeholder requirements driving costs. When the oil price plummeted six years ago, the industry had to adapt to make projects economically viable. Over the last four years, a major supplier to the industry has been executing three subsea production system projects as part of a frame agreement for a client. This case study investigates requirements engineering with a focus on cost savings. The paper examines data sources from the contractor and interviews with key project personnel. The main finding is that the contractor and client's efforts to simplify requirements have improved project efficiency. However, it has not been possible to quantify the exact benefit. Furthermore, the requirements engineering has been dependent on soft factors and collaboration during early study activities. This paper contributes with a description of a requirements engineering method. This is a collaborative method where the supplier adjusts the systems requirements, in close collaboration with the client, based on a detailed design in a very early phase of systems engineering. The research can also give additional insight into requirements engineering for other industries executing complex projects.
Requirement Patterns in the Construction Industry
Authors: Claghorn Ron , Shubayli Hussam
Published: September 2021

Requirement patterns for construction projects have evolved significantly in recent years to adapt to the digital transformation of the industry. The current pattern for specifications resembles System Modeling Language (SysML) blocks in that it provides a concise set of model‐ready properties and operations relevant to construction and asset management processes. This paper compares the characteristics of modern construction requirements to those listed in the INCOSE Guide for Writing Requirements. As a case study, this paper presents the methods and data required to convert a set of 262 legacy specification sections written in “natural language” into requirements that conform to the current pattern for construction specifications. Those specifications, along with project‐specific drawings, align much of the subsequent processes in a construction project.
Assessing a supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry following a worldwide pandemic
Authors: Jarlsberg Kristian Wedel , Mansouri Mo
Published: September 2021

Having faced difficulties in 2008 and 2014 with a sudden drop in oil prices, the industry must accept that 2020 will be included in the future list of disastrous years. However, it was even harder to prepare for the oil crisis of 2008 and 2014. This paper aims to look at a supplier of subsea production infrastructure to the oil‐ and gas industry and the situation during and following the COVID‐19 pandemic; with a system thinking perspective. System thinking models such as casual loop, CATWOE and Conceptagon will be applied in an effort to describe a supplier of submarine production infrastructure, its environment, and possible leverage points to improve the protentional outcome of these uncertain times.
Implementation of tailored requirements engineering and management principles in a supplier to the oil and gas industry
Authors: Hårstadsveen Jenny Camilla , Kokkula Satyanarayana
Published: September 2021

This article investigates the implementation of a tailored requirements management system. Requirements management is becoming increasingly important, due to the growing complexity of umbilical systems coupled with efforts to reduce both project duration and project cost. We have investigated the use of a new system for requirements engineering and management, by interviewing stakeholders and analyzing the as‐is state of the company. Based on the findings, this paper proposes a requirements template and tailored functionalities to aid with requirements engineering and management. Results indicate that the use of requirement elicitation increased by 62 % through implementation of the proposed system. A survey with stakeholders reveals that they are positive to future implementation of the proposed system. In conclusion, the tailored requirements management system will be a step in the right direction for management of requirements and better control for members of the project teams.
Systems Thinking: A Critical Skill for Systems Engineers
Authors: Keating Charles B. , Katina Polinpapilinho F. , Jaradat Raed , Bradley Joseph M. , Hodge Richard
Published: September 2021

This paper examines Systems Thinking (ST) as a critical skill for systems engineers. There is neither a universally accepted definition nor agreement of the knowledge base for ST or how this ‘thinking skill’ is acquired. However, there is general agreement that ST is “good” and an essential skill for a future workforce, including systems engineers. Systems engineers must confront increasingly complex systems and their problems, elevating ST as an essential skill. To examine ST for systems engineers, two primary objectives are developed. First, we offer a review of the different literature and perspectives of what constitutes ST. This provides a foundation for the central themes that dominate the ST literature. Second, a framework depicting the nature, role, and utility offered by ST for systems engineers is developed. This framework provides the conceptual underpinnings of ST in relationship to Systems Theory. Emphasis is placed on ‘actionable’ ST skill development. The paper concludes with suggestions for the inculcation of ST into the development landscape for current and future systems engineers.
Employing a Model Based Conceptual Design Approach to Design for Resilience
Authors: Flanigan David , Robinson Kevin
Published: September 2021

During the development of a conceptual system, it is common to address the capability gaps or create additional capabilities in the system concept. The Model Based Conceptual Design (MBCD) approach can be helpful to identify, catalogue, trace, and develop these capabilities, particularly as they cross different domains. This paper explores the use of MBCD to insert and improve resilience within an existing MBCD schema. An approach is offered to evaluate how resilience may be viewed and analyzed by using an MBCD approach.
Social Science Solutions for the Systems Engineer: What's Needed
Authors: Dunford Charlotte , Beasley Richard , Palmer Erika
Published: September 2021

There have been many calls for systems engineering to bring the social sciences into systems engineering practice and research, as systems engineers have a host of issues in their practice that could benefit from engaging in a number of social science disciplines. With an organizational case study, this paper describes the problems in systems engineering practices stemming from social systems. Need statements collected from participants highlight what is needed for a social systems primer. The needs can be categorized into three broad themes: (1) A better understanding how social systems are different from technological systems; (2) How, therefore, social science theories and methods can improve our tailoring of systems engineering to different circumstances; and finally (3) how the findings from the social sciences can help engineers, as individuals, be more effective in their work. We discuss these need statements in relation to the development of the Social Systems Primer.
Innovative Approaches to Superset Asset Templates using Feature‐Based Product Line Engineering
Authors: Kobayashi June , Way Steve , Krauss Jonathan P. , Clements Paul
Published: September 2021

This paper discusses our experience applying Feature‐based Product Line Engineering (PLE) to a product line of hardware modules designed for use in space‐based and airborne systems. Feature‐based PLE involves the automatic configuration of engineering artifacts (maintained as supersets) into product‐specific instances based on that product's feature selections. We observed a 40% reduction in non‐recurring engineering costs in this product line. The paper also discusses an innovative approach we used to extend the ability of the PLE configurator tool to interface with analysis and simulation tools for which no actual tool integration currently exists.
Application of natural language processing for systematic requirement management in model‐based systems engineering
Authors: Riesener Michael , Dölle Christian , Becker Annika , Gorbatcheva Sofia , Rebentisch Eric , Schuh Günther
Published: September 2021

Today, manufacturing companies are confronted with an enormous number of product requirements, which increasingly demand an interaction of the different engineering disciplines mechanics, electric/electronic (E/E) and software. At the same time, companies must realize a shorter time to market, lower costs and higher quality. As a result, development methods are required, which support the fast, flexible and structured transfer of numerous requirements into products despite this increased complexity in processes and products. In this context, Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) takes advantage of the increasing digitalization of products and development processes. It provides structures and processes for the efficient processing of requirements by fostering the collaboration between different engineering disciplines and enabling early validation of the product. In this context, it is often challenging that requirements are not structured, but rather unstructured and heterogeneous. For the processing within MBSE, text‐based requirements today usually still have to be prepared with high manual effort. This paper presents a methodology that supports the transformation of unstructured and heterogeneous text‐based requirements using Natural Language Processing in order to prepare them for further processing within MBSE.
The Systems Engineering Conundrum: Where is the ENGINEERING?
Authors: Wasson Charles
Published: September 2021

Systems Engineering, as an emerging discipline was transformed from the Engineering of Systems in the early 1950's to focus on Managing the Development of Systems with a new Systems Management approach. The transformation was initiated to resolve conflicts between Engineering and Management paradigms that contributed to failures in post‐WWII complex system development and integration of new technologies. By today's standards, the transformation was a partial solution with unintended consequences, namely Systems Engineering's qualifications as an Engineering Discipline. … Where is the Engineering?

To answer the question, we explore the SE Technical Competency Gap, what it is and how it evolved, explore its impact on the Engineering of Systems that contributes to project technical, cost, and schedule performance issues SE is intended to minimize, and illustrate how the lack of a core technical framework that defines its concepts, principles, and practices leads to the proliferation of misinformation by the uninformed. Ultimately, the SE global community has a conundrum – continue its unwitting Systems Management approach under the premise of SE … or … to institute corrective actions to … restore … SE technical core competency qualifications as a bonafide, maturing Engineering Discipline to where it should be today postures for the future.
How Missile Engineering is Taking Product Line Engineering to the Extreme at Raytheon
Authors: Young Bobbi , Sanderson Tom , Thurman Matt , Turpin Jeffrey , O'Keefe Elizabeth , Clements Paul
Published: September 2021

This paper describes a new approach to designing and building missiles by Raytheon Missile and Defense Systems. Key aspects of the approach include (1) modular common components connected through identified standards, (2) modular open systems approaches and standards based interfaces, (3) Feature‐based Product Line Engineering (FbPLE) practices for identifying commonality and managing variation, and (4) implementing digital transformation through digital engineering capabilities to begin a missile's digital twin. Much more ambitious than simply reusing existing component designs from previously built missiles, this approach involves automatic generation, exploration, and pruning of an automatically generated trade space of possible missile designs that satisfy a given set of requirements. The goal is to radically lower development and production costs by rapidly settling on a viable design that can be taken to design validation, then complete design and production, all in a digital ecosystem. The paper focuses on the FbPLE aspect of the engineering approach and shows how its technology is used to create and manage the trade space, and then create a digital twin of a chosen design.
Integrating Safety Analysis into Model‐Based Systems Engineering for Aircraft Systems: A Literature Review and Methodology Proposal
Authors: Lai Kimberly , Robert Thomas , Shindman David , Olechowski Alison
Published: September 2021

Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has become increasingly popular within the aircraft industry in recent years. However, this model‐based approach presents a challenge as traditional safety analysis practices are unable to keep up, resulting in inconsistency between the system and safety domains. This paper proposes a methodology tailored towards aircraft systems that addresses this issue by integrating safety analysis into MBSE. This is achieved by extending the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) profile to account for safety data in the system model and utilizing an Application Programming Interface (API) to automate the generation of safety analysis artefacts. The proposed methodology also allows for requirements management integration to increase the efficiency of the system development process.
A concept for a digital thread based on the connection of system models and specific models
Authors: Bajzek Matthias , Faustmann Clemens , Krems Daniel , Kranabitl Philipp , Hick Hannes
Published: September 2021

This paper describes the concept of a method that uses an existing system model, that describes the system's functions, to select the most suitable models for development. The term model is understood to encompass models used during the development of systems that: have a certain degree of formalism, are digitizable, connectable and processable. The method describes how specific models that are required can be identified and how they could be connected. The method concept is explained using a well‐understood example taken from the development of automotive powertrains. After stating current challenges and problems in the development of complex systems in the automotive domain, a system cube is used as a structuring principle for models that describe certain system aspects such as structure and behavior. This concept acts as a starting point for the selection of the most suitable specific models allocated to system models based on the functional description of the considered system. Finally, the contribution of this research to the realization of a digital thread is discussed and future research topics are outlined.
Product portfolio mapping used to structure a mature sub‐system with large variation – A case study
Authors: Sundet Arne Odin , Syverud Elisabet , Kokkula Satyanarayana , Muller Gerrit
Published: September 2021

Managing mature products with high variability is an increasing concern for industrial companies. Product variability affects the operational streamlining efforts from product design to production, inventory, selling, and service. In this research, we follow a case where the company faces challenges in manufacturing cost and configuration of both existing and new variants. The purpose of this study is to investigate how product portfolio mapping can structure technical product data to ease the challenges. We analyzed more than 13,000 sales orders executed between 1997‐2019 of a mature sub‐system with large variability. We used Systems Architecting principles in combination with requirements from manufacturing and logistics to create a generic architecture that allows variability in the manufacturing flow. We added interface mapping, the manufacturing view, and the logistic view to enhance product portfolio analysis found in literature. We found significant improvements in both configuration time and the cost prediction accuracy. The company evaluated this research as an overall quality improvement that standardizes the workflow and remove existing bottlenecks.
A Metrics Framework to Facilitate Integration of Disaggregated Software Development
Authors: Cook Stephen C , Samalam Ashok , Unewisse Mark H
Published: September 2021

Contemporary defence information system developments are moving towards utilising Continuous Iterative Development (CID) employing cloud native software development approaches involving many contractors delivering various components. The key questions for capability managers not familiar with CID developments revolve around knowing how well the development is progressing and understanding how well the constituent systems to be delivered will integrate as time goes by. The authors were tasked to produce a metrics framework to address these questions and the resulting new construction is presented along with the key metrics and integration matrices. The paper concludes that the matrices will readily identify integration issues very early in the program because their instantiation will necessitate the evaluation of all nominated services between the constituent systems.
Organizational Redesign Through Digital Transformation: A Case Study in the Life Science Industry
Authors: Craig Timothy K , Zhao YangYang
Published: September 2021

In the process of developing novel drugs to treat diseases, including COVID‐19, companies consistently face challenges of budget and schedule overruns. Most R&D contractors involved have their own execution model in handling systems complexity, however a traditional way of executing the projects may not be sustainable for the growth and competitiveness. The case study discussed is a life‐science company performing structure‐based drug design research services. The shift of organizational execution model is enabled by the digital assistance and associated with the recent organizational structure change from hierarchy‐based to matrix‐based. We focus on the redesign of working process in organizational execution, which is the key determinant for project productivity and quality. However, there is no official international standard regarding organizational interface management. Using human‐centered design and systems engineering methodology as well as the best practices from the case study, this study presents an approach to enable a digital transformation of such an organizational redesign with improved performance.
Architecture Analysis Methods
Authors: Kumar Anand , Anand Edwin , Natarajan Swaminathan , Dandekar Aniruddha
Published: September 2021

Architecture as a discipline is gaining prominence in dealing with the size, sophistication, and complexity of human‐made entities. Organizations evaluate architectures to determine: fitness for purpose; presence or absence of characteristics; satisfaction of requirements; goodness, completeness, and consistency; effectiveness and suitability; coping with change; stakeholder concerns are addressed adequately and so on. Organizations find it difficult to evaluate architectures as there are few publicly known architecture analysis methods, most of the methods are proprietary, architecture descriptions use different terminologies, architecture/system characteristics are wide and varying in nature and there is considerable manual skill and effort involved. In this paper, a few architecture analysis methods that can be codified and used to evaluate a wide variety of architectures across different domains are presented. Further, the efficacy of these analysis methods is illustrated with appropriate examples.
MBSE Enabled Trade‐Off Analyses
Authors: Parnell Gregory S. , Shallcross Nicolas , Specking Eric , Phillips Matthew
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the potential to use Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools to perform trade‐off analysis of alternative systems decisions in the system life cycle from the concept stage to the retirement stage. Specially, we searched for integrated models that automate the simultaneous evaluation of the performance, effectiveness, stakeholder value, and cost of multiple alternative system designs. We used the Web of Science to perform a literature search to identify published papers that describe the use of MBSE tools to support automated analysis of alternatives and trade‐off analyses. We found very few papers that claimed to use MBSE to provide analysis of design alternatives or tradespace exploration. Based on the literature search insights, we identify and describe the required and desired capabilities to perform automated trade‐off analyses of performance, effectiveness, stakeholder value, and cost for multiple system design alternatives using integrated models.
Identifying misconceptions about oral radiology and medicine among dental students
Authors: Bezerra Hélen Kaline Farias , Passos Kamilla Karla Maurício , Leonel Augusto César Leal da Silva , Carvalho Elaine Judite de Amorim , Nascimento Eduarda Helena Leandro do , Ramos‐Perez Flávia Maria de Moraes , Perez Danyel Elias da Cruz
Published: September 2021

Purpose/objectives

Misconceptions are learning deficiencies that can lead to inappropriate clinical decision‐making in dental practice. Although misconceptions are common among students, they are rarely analyzed in dental education. Thus, this study aimed to identify and analyze students’ misconceptions about oral radiology and medicine at a Brazilian dental school.

Methods

Between October 2019 and March 2020, a self‐administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to dental students at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, which comprised multiple‐choice questions about oral radiology and medicine. The questions were divided into two groups: 10 knowledge‐based questions (less demand for reasoning) and five scenario‐based questions (higher demand for reasoning). The students' responses were assessed for correctness (correct or incorrect) and confidence (sure or unsure), while misconceptions were identified when a student was sure of an incorrect response. Pearson's chi‐square test was used to analyze the variables (α = 0.05).

Results

A total of 1380 responses were collected. Misconceptions represented 24.3% (n = 336) of the total responses and 56.8% of the incorrect responses. The mean misconceptions per student were 3.7 (range, 0–8). Students who chose incorrect answers tended to have higher confidence levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, misconceptions were more frequent for scenario‐based questions (25.7%) than for knowledge‐based questions (23.7%) (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

A large number of misconceptions existed among participants. Our findings will aid educators and students in identifying misconceptions and planning measures to prevent and correct them.
Adhesions as a risk factor for postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy and the potential efficacy of adhesion barriers
Authors: Okubo Satoshi , Shindoh Junichi , Kobayashi Yuta , Matsumura Masaru , Hashimoto Masaji
Published: September 2021

Background

The actual efficacy of use of adhesion barriers during liver surgery remains to be fully understood.

Methods

We conducted an extensive review of clinical data and operation videos of 210 patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy to clarify the factors associated with the degree of adhesion as evaluated by the TORAD score.

Results

Adhesion barriers were placed in 131 patients (Seprafilm® [n = 77], Adspray® [n = 32], and Interceed® [n = 22)]), but not in the remaining 79 patients during the previous surgery. Multivariate analysis identified a high adhesion severity score at relaparotomy as being associated with an increased risk of postoperative global morbidity (odds ratio [OR], 1.75 per +1 point, P < .001) and major morbidity (OR, 1.88 per +1 point; P < .001), and use of an adhesion barrier at the previous surgery as being an independent predictor of a low adhesion severity score (OR, 0.21; P < .001). Use of adhesion barriers showed tendency toward lower adhesion severity scores at relaparotomy as compared to the control group, irrespective of the type of adhesion barrier used.

Conclusion

A high degree of adhesion formation was directly associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity after relaparotomy, and use of adhesion barriers appears to reduce the extent of adhesion.
“That future age of which we can only dream”: Exploring the origins of the climate crisis in the Story of Progress
Authors: Smith Michael B.
Published: September 2021

The principal source of the ecological ruptures planet Earth is currently experiencing—the unfolding climate emergency above all—is a story a small subset of humans have been telling themselves and living according to the precepts for about 300 years. Slowly and often reluctantly the number of adherents to this story has grown until there are few places on the planet where the story does not hold at least partial sway. Over the past 300 years, the Story of Progress has evolved from a possibility to an article of faith. Examining the history of the Story of Progress makes visible the degree to which the idea of Progress has become woven into language itself, making it difficult to articulate other possibilities—and, therefore, difficult to escape the story that has produced a catastrophic climate crisis.
Left bundle branch pacing: An evolving site for physiological pacing
Authors: Mulia Eka P. B. , Amadis Muhammad R. , Julario Rerdin , Dharmadjati Budi B.
Published: September 2021

For patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, cardiac pacing is the only appropriate treatment option. Electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony caused by traditional right ventricular apical pacing leads to left ventricular dysfunction and atrial arrhythmias. Physiological pacing stimulates natural cardiac conduction, resulting in synchronized ventricular contraction. Even if His bundle pacing (HBP) is an ideal physiological pacing modality, it is technically not always feasible because of high capture thresholds, disease in the distal His bundle, and follow‐up troubleshooting issues. Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has been proposed as a viable alternative to HBP since it provides lead stability, a low and stable pacing threshold, and correction of distal conduction system disease.
A meta‐analysis integrating 20 years of workplace incivility research: Antecedents, consequences, and boundary conditions
Authors: Han Soojung , Harold Crystal M. , Oh In‐Sue , Kim Joseph K. , Agolli Anastasiia
Published: September 2021

In this study, we propose and examine an integrative framework to investigate factors contributing to the experience of workplace incivility (including victim demography, dispositional individual differences, and environmental factors); the affective, health‐related, social exchange‐based, and behavioral outcomes associated with experienced incivility; and boundary conditions for their relationships. To this end, we conduct a comprehensive meta‐analysis on the antecedents and consequences of experienced workplace incivility based on 253 statistically independent samples from 219 primary studies and examine several moderators such as differences in time‐related research design (cross‐sectional vs. time‐lagged), incivility instigator source, and occupation. Further, by integrating meta‐analytic effect sizes from the current study with effect sizes from existing meta‐analyses, we also investigate the extent to which the impact of experienced incivility on outcomes differs from that of higher intensity forms of workplace mistreatment inclusive of bullying, abusive supervision, and sexual harassment, thereby enhancing understanding regarding the nomological net of experienced incivility in comparison with more intense forms of workplace mistreatment. We discuss the implications of these findings along with study limitations and future directions for incivility scholarship.