bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Chemotherapy‐Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Tortorice Peter V. , O'Connell Mary Beth
Published: September 2023

Cancer chemotherapy is associated with numerous toxicities such as nausea and vomiting (emesis). The frequency, onset, and duration of emesis depend largely on the emetogenic potential of specific agents. An exact mechanism for chemotherapy‐induced emesis (CIE) is not known but is thought to occur through several noxious actions and numerous neuronal pathways. The three types of CIE are acute, delayed, and anticipatory. Nonchemotherapy causes of emesis should be considered before diagnosing CIE. Once the diagnosis is established, antiemetic regimens should be recommended based on characteristics of the patients and the agents. Phenothiazines, butyrophenones, cannabinoids, metoclopramide, corticosteroids, and benzodiazepines have been successful in preventing and treating CIE. Combinations of these drugs have also been successful and are still being investigated for improved emetic protection with fewer adverse reactions. Investigational agents such as serotonin antagonists may prove to be effective with few toxic effects. Despite the minimal information available on delayed and anticipatory nausea and vomiting, attempts should be made to treat them. Suggested guidelines for the management of CIE have been developed.
Patterns of Antibiotic Use and Expenditures During 7 Years at a University Hospital
Authors: Fletcher Courtney V. , Metzler Diane , Borchardt‐Phelps Pamela , Rodman John H.
Published: September 2023

Before 1982, annual retrospective drug‐use audits clearly established the pattern of increased antibiotic use and expenditures at the University of Minnesota Hospital. At that point, a concurrent trend analysis system was developed to track this use by individual drug and therapeutic class, to identify trends in use for qualitative evaluation, and to provide an assessment of any intervention intended to alter use. Monthly use of all injectable antibiotics and antifungal agents, and selected oral antifungals has been tracked since 1982 as both defined daily doses and dollars. Use patterns in 1981 served as baseline. The defined daily dose index, which captures changes associated with intensity of antibiotic use per patient, increased 62% from baseline through 1988. This increase, however, resulted in a disproportionate 228% rise from baseline in antibiotic expenditures to nearly $3 million/year for 1988. The defined daily dose index peaked in 1985, declined in 1986, and remained stable for 1987 and 1988. Qualitative drug‐use review programs were associated with this positive change. These results demonstrate the utility of concurrent trend analysis as a resource‐management tool and as a measure of effectiveness for collaborative physician‐pharmacist programs to foster safe, appropriate, and economical use of antiinfective agents.
A Multiinstitutional Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Ketorolac Tromethamine, Acetaminophen plus Codeine, and Placebo in Cancer Pain
Authors: Carlson Robert W. , Borrison Richard A. , Sher Harvey B. , Eisenberg Peter D. , Mowry Phyllis Ager , Wolin Edward M.
Published: September 2023

Seventy‐five patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were randomly assigned in a double‐blind fashion to receive first‐dose ketorolac tromethamine 10 mg orally, acetaminophen 600 mg plus codeine 60 mg orally, or placebo, followed by subsequent doses of ketorolac or acetaminophen plus codeine four times daily for 7 days. Patient characteristics were similar among the treatment groups. The first‐dose observation documented that both ketorolac and acetaminophen plus codeine produced an equivalent reduction in cancer pain and were superior to placebo as measured by pain intensity differences and pain relief. Multidose comparison documented a small but statistically significant advantage in mean daily pain relief favoring acetaminophen plus codeine, although there were no differences in mean daily ratings of overall effects for either study medication. Adverse symptoms were acceptable with both ketorolac and acetaminophen plus codeine. We conclude that ketorolac has significant analgesic activity in patients with cancer pain, although its precise role in the treatment regimen of these patients remains undefined. (Pharmacotherapy 1990;10(3):211–216)
Dopamine versus Dobutamine: Are All the Facts There?
Authors: Mutnick Alan H. , Szymusiak‐Mutnick Barbara , Drea Edward J.
Published: September 2023

During the last 5 years we believe that the prescribing of dobutamine has increased over that of the older agent dopamine. The literature reports advantages such as less tachycardia, less peripheral vasoconstriction, and fewer increases in intracardiac pressures with dobutamine as opposed to dopamine. After a thorough review of the literature, we were unable to find conclusive evidence of these initial findings, and present several studies to show potential flaws in their interpretation that may help explain the increased use of dobutamine over dopamine. The overuse of dobutamine, if it does exist, must be dealt with by pharmacy departments in an informed, yet unbiased fashion, to aid in preventing the continued escalation of health care costs.
The Use of Aztreonam in Pediatric Patients: A Review
Authors: Bosso John A. , Black Philip G.
Published: September 2023

Aztreonam is the first monobactam available for use in this country. A parenteral antibiotic, its antibacterial spectrum is limited to gram‐negative aerobic pathogens. The drug's pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicologic properties are reviewed. Based on early experience in pediatric patients, certain recommendations can be made for the use of aztreonam.
Androgen‐induced Prevention of the Outgrowth of Cranial Gonadal Suspensory Ligaments in Fetal Rats
Authors: VAN DER SCHOOT P. , ELGER W.
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Normal and disturbed testicular descent is frequently approached exclusively through a consideration of the caudal testicular suspensory apparatus. This is surprising, because embryonal gonads develop with both cranial and caudal suspensory ligaments, and the sexes differ with respect to the persistence and development of both the cranial and the caudal ligaments. The current study examined the possible role of fetal testicular androgens in male‐specific failure of the development of the cranial gonadal suspensory apparatus in rats. Normal male fetuses were studied, as well as fetuses exposed to the anti‐androgen flutamide from day 10 after conception. Females were given daily injections of methyl‐testosterone alone or in combination with the anti‐androgen cyproterone acetate from day 15 after conception, and were studied on day 22. The cranial ligaments remained of minor extension in normal males but developed considerably in females. They developed in female fashion in males exposed to flutamide, and persisted throughout postnatal life. Cranial ligaments did not develop in females that had been exposed to methyl‐testosterone. Simultaneous treatment with a large dose of cyproterone acetate effectively counteracted this effect. Fetal testicular testosterone thus appears to play a key role in the prevention of the outgrowth of the cranial gonadal/genital ligament in rats. The supposed function of this suspensory apparatus makes it likely that its persistence in males, as the consequence of inappropriate androgen action during fetal life, facilitates disturbance of testicular descent. This finding may contribute to understanding developmental disorders underlying disturbed testis descent in humans.
Secretory Leucocyte Protease Inhibitor in the Male Genital Tract: PSA‐Induced Proteolytic Processing in Human Semen and Tissue Localization
Authors: OHLSSON KJELL , BJARTELL ANDERS , LILJA HANS
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor, SLPI, is a low‐molecular‐weight, acid‐stable protein present in the liquid part of fresh human ejaculate but not demonstrable in the gel structure. No fragmentation of SLPI occurred during gel dissolution, but a slow proteolytic cleavage of SLPI was seen on incubation of the liquified semen at 37°C. The same pattern of degradation products was seen after incubation of SLPI with prostatic secretion and also with purified prostate‐specific antigen, PSA. We could identify Arg 20‐Tyr 21 and Met 73‐Leu 74 to be the primary cleavage sites upon proteolytic modification of SLPI by purified PSA. However, we did not find any inhibition of the enzymatic activity of PSA by SLPI, even at a 100‐fold molar excess of the inhibitor. The slow degradation of SLPI facilitated sampling and the reliable determination of the normal level of SLPI in seminal plasma, which was about 20 mg/L.

We investigated the glandular origion of SLPI in the genital tract by immunocytochemistry. A strong immunostaining for SLPI was demonstrated in epithelial cells within the glandular lumina of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and epididymis but not in the stromal parts of these glands. In addition the immunostaining was also detected in the deferent ducts and the germinal epithelium of the testes. Taking into account that SLPI is a strong inhibitor of several proteases, including leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G, the results suggest that SLPI has a local protective function against proteolytic degradation of the male reproductive tract tissues during inflammation.
A Panel of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human Sperm
Authors: TANG SHUO , BEAN BARRY
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: To help identify and characterize antigens involved in sperm functions and immune infertility, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were raised against human sperm antigens. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction of serum from a male donor with a spontaneous high titer of IgG‐positive antisperm reactivity (as determined by immunobead binding) was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. This IgG preparation was coupled to Sepharose 4B and was used for immunoaffinity purification of antigens from a detergent‐solubilized extract of pooled normal human sperm. The affinity‐purified antigens were used to immunize female mice, and the resultant spleen cells were fused with SP 2/0 mouse myeloma cells to generate hybridomas. A single‐step semisolid methylcellulose method was used to isolate hybridomas for the selection of positive clones, which were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty‐two positive hybridoma lines were selected for immunolocalization and cross‐reactivity studies using an avidin‐biotin complex assay. Distinctive staining patterns and distribution of sperm antigens were observed for 10 mAbs. Among them, the cross‐reactivity with human lymphocytes was not observed for four mAbs.
Human Sperm Capacitation Induced by Biological Fluids and Progesterone, but Not by NADH or NADPH, Is Associated With the Production of Superoxide Anion
Authors: de LAMIRANDE EVE , HARAKAT AZIZ , GAGNON CLAUDE
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Recent evidence indicated that human sperm capacitation is associated with an increased production of superoxide anion (O2.−). To further study the role and importance of (O2.−). in capacitation, we investigated whether the (O2.−). generation is a general feature of capacitating spermatozoa, irrespective of the inducer used, and is correlated with capacitation levels and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of two sperm proteins (p105/p81). We also studied the time courses of (O2.−). production and action. Percoll‐washed human spermatozoa were incubated in Ham's F‐10 medium, supplemented or not supplemented with various capacitation inducers and in the presence or absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Sperm capacitation was measured by induction of the acrosome reaction with lysophosphatidylcholine, (O2.−). production was measured by chemiluminescence, and tyrosine phosphorylation was measured by immunodetection after electrophoresis and western blotting of sperm proteins. Progesterone and ultrafiltrates of human fetal cord serum, follicular fluid, and seminal plasma individually promoted sperm generation of (O2.−)., tyrosine phosphorylation of p105/p81, and capacitation. Fetal cord serum ultrafiltrate triggered a five‐fold higher (O2.−). production than the other inducers (1,700 ± 300 and 300 to 400 mV/10s/8×10 cells, respectively), a phenomenon possibly associated with the higher potency of this fluid to promote sperm hyperactivation. The production of (O2.−). by spermatozoa was rapid and transient. SOD prevented sperm capacitation triggered by the inducers mentioned above, but only when SOD was added at the beginning of incubation, and not after 30 minutes, indicating that the (O2.−). initiates a chain of early events leading to sperm capacitation. NADH and NADPH (5 mM) triggered sperm capacitation and phosphorylation of p105/p81, but these processes were not prevented by SOD or catalase, nor were they associated with an increased (O2.−). production. Therefore, these cofactors appeared to act by mechanisms different from those used by the other inducers studied. The sperm enzyme responsible for the (O2.−). generation may be very different from the NADPH oxidase of neutrophils.
The Effects of Aging on the Seminiferous Epithelium and the Blood—Testis Barrier of the Brown Norway Rat
Authors: LEVY SHIRLEY , SERRE VALERIE , HERMO LOUIS , ROBAIRE BERNARD
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT: Steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis decrease in aging Brown Norway rats. We therefore hypothesized that there must be accompanying morphological changes taking place in the seminiferous tubules of the aging testis. The testes of Brown Norway rats ranging in age from 3 to 24 months were prepared for light and electron microscopy. To assess the integrity of the blooc–testis barrier with age, a lanthanum nitrate study was done. The normal seminiferous tubules present in rats at 3 and 12 months of age were largely replaced at 24 months by fully regressed tubules that were virtually devoid of germ cells and contained large intercellular spaces. An electron‐microscopic study of these regressed tubules showed a complete loss of cyclical variations of the organelles of the Sertoli cells. The nucleus was more irregularly shaped and was present at various levels in the epithelium. The endoplasmic reticulum was a loose, vesiculated network that was unlike the elaborate, tubular, anastomotic network noted in young animals. The lysosomes were large, oddlyshaped, and contained lipidic inclusions, in contrast to the distinct membrane‐bound lysosomes and dense core bodies found in the young animals. Adjacent Sertoli cell processes encompassed large, empty intercellular spaces, possibly occupied previously by germ cells. The typical Sertoli‐Sertoli junctions of the blood–testis barrier in the young animal were rarely seen at 24 months and were replaced by focal contact points, usually between three Sertoli cell processes. In the aged animals, lanthanum nitrate permeated the basal and adluminal compartments, extending between Sertoli cell processes and entering the intercellular spaces and lumen. In summary, during aging, there is a breakdown of the blood–testis barrier, and there are striking changes in the appearance of Sertoli cells. These results suggest a possible intrinsic limitation that prevents stem cells from renewing themselves, whether because of a degeneration of immunological origin or because of a lack of Sertoli cell support.
Cell‐ and Region‐Specific Localization of Lysosomal and Secretory Proteins and Endocytic Receptors in Epithelial Cells of the Cauda Epididymitis and Vas Deferens of the Adult Rat
Authors: ANDONIAN SERO , HERMO LOUIS
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT:The epithelial cells lining the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens are active in endocytosis and have an abundance of lysosomes and a well‐characterized secretory apparatus. However, little is known about the nature of lysosomal proteins contained within lysosomes, the types of receptors on the cell surface, and the types of proteins secreted by these cells. In the present study, cathepsins A, D, B, and sulfated glycoprotein (SGP)‐1, well‐characterized lysosomal proteins, as well as SGP‐2, a secretory protein and lowdensity lipoprotein receptor–related protein‐2 (LRP‐2), an endocytic receptor, were immunolocalized at the light‐microscopic level within epithelial cells of the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens. Principal cells showed numerous intensely reactive lysosomes for cathepsins A, D, and SGP‐1 in all regions of the cauda and vas deferens and for cathepsin B only in the cauda epididymidis. Basal cells were intensely reactive for cathepsin A, unreactive for cathepsins D and B, and weakly reactive for SGP‐1 in the cauda region. In the vas deferens, these cells were intensely reactive for cathepsin A and SGP‐1 and unreactive for cathepsin B; in the case of cathepsin D, basal cells were weakly reactive in the proximal vas deferens but intensely reactive in the middle and distal vas deferens. Clear cells, present in the cauda region and proximal vas deferens, were intensely reactive for cathepsin A, weakly reactive for SGP‐1, and unreactive for cathepsins D and B, while narrow cells found mainly in the proximal vas deferens were intensely reactive for cathepsins A, D, and SGP‐1 and unreactive for cathepsin B. Thus, the expression of different lysosomal enzymes in the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens is not only cell‐ but also region‐specific, suggesting differences in the type of substrates internalized by these cells. SGP‐2, a secretory protein, showed a checkerboardlike staining pattern in the cytoplasm of principal cells of the cauda epididymidis, while the cytoplasm of all principal cells were intensely reactive in the vas deferens. This type of reaction, as well as staining of sperm, suggests that SGP‐2 is secreted into the lumen, where it functions in relation to sperm. The endocytic receptor LRP‐2 was noted only on the apical surface of principal cells of the cauda and vas deferens and in spherical structures indicative of endosomes suggestive of their role in the uptake of various ligands, including SGP‐2, for which it has a high binding affinity. Thus SGP‐2 in the cauda and vas deferens is not only secreted but endocytosed by principal cells, suggestive of an active turnover in the lumen. In summary, the epithelial cells of the cauda and vas deferens show marked differences in expression of lysosomal proteins, SGP‐2, and LRP‐2 suggestive of differences in their functional activity while sperm are stored and protected in these regions.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VERSUS SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
Authors: Kaspersen Mark
Published: September 2023

The relationship between systems engineering and the engineering profession of Systems Engineer is poorly understood. This lack of understanding is one of the major factors contributing to the confusion and complexity associated with developing a common understanding of systems engineering in industry and academia. The purpose of this paper is to clearly define the relationship between systems engineering and Systems Engineers, and to explain why differentiation between the two is critical to the development of a common and widespread understanding of systems engineering.
COMPUTER‐AIDED REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE
Authors: Fiksel Joseph
Published: September 2023

Integrated product development (IPD) is becoming a standard practice for manufacturers of complex systems, and has been incorporated into the DoD's draft Mil‐Spec 499B. The IPD approach involves a cross‐functional design team that considers the entire product life cycle, thus shortening development time while assuring design quality and integrity. An essential tool for IPD is a comprehensive requirements management system to keep track of the flowdown from customer needs to system specifications.

An especially challenging aspect of requirements management is Design for Environment (DFE), which encompasses health, safety, and environmental protection over the entire product life cycle, including manufacture, use, service, and disposal or recovery. As with any DFX discipline, effective implementation of DFE requires design metrics, guidelines and verification methods. These must be deployed within an integrated system framework in order to provide useful guidance to IPD teams during fast‐cycle product development.
A Survey of Systems Engineering Design Automation Tools
Authors: Kuhn Dorothy A. , Sampson Mark E.
Published: September 2023

The paper surveys the current field of Systems Engineering Design Automation tools, applications, and their relationship to successful implementation of Concurrent Engineering. As well, it gives a future view of where the tools are going and why they are becoming increasingly important in the pursuit of improving engineering productivity and reducing engineering cycle time.
USING STRUCTURED PROCESS IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES ON THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS
Authors: Tiel Richard F.
Published: September 2023

Continuous process improvement is the hallmark of Total Quality Management. Structured techniques for process improvement are used within AT&T and they are documented in our Process Quality Management and Improvement (PQMI) Guidelines. AT&T Federal Systems (FSAT) has established a Quality Architecture that serves to organize the process management improvements using PQMI techniques. The Quality Architecture is structured around the Malcolm Baldrige categories.

The Process Management Team (PMT) for Systems Engineering has documented a standard process for use throughout Federal Systems. The process uses standard metrics for measuring the effectiveness of process improvements. These metrics also provide data for estimating costs during project planning. This PMT has formed lower‐level PMTs for the Systems Engineering subprocesses of Systems Engineering Management, Risk Management, Requirements Definition, System Analysis and Optimization, Documentation, and System Integration. Each of these lower level PMTs is documenting standard processes, developing tools and templates, and analyzing process metrics to identify improvement opportunities. A Product Realization Process (PRP) defines the interaction and timing of all the processes needed for executing a program.

This paper describes our Quality Architecture, PQMI techniques, process improvement results, and plans for more process improvement.
SYSTEM ENGINEERING IN A LOW COST, CONCURRENT ENGINEERING, SMALL PROJECT ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Churchill Michael J. , McPherson Scott A. , Weston Thomas C.
Published: September 2023

To do high tech, high quality projects at lower cost requires that concurrent engineering, high productivity software tools and innovative management techniques all be used. We have successfully created a low cost system development process which also fully integrates needed System Engineering descriptives. This paper describes our novel approaches to management structure, team integration, plus planning and conduct of system engineering. This process is now a role model for new projects in our organization, and has broad application.
MANAGING INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAMS DURING THE REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION PHASE
Authors: Martin James N.
Published: September 2023

This paper describes our experiences in managing Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) during the requirements definition phase of a hardware development and production project. IPTs were used to correct deficiencies found in hardware during field trials. The hardware had to be redesigned quickly with little risk to the rest of the program. The operating methods of these multifunctional teams will be described along with the tools and techniques used. Systems Engineering orchestrated the team efforts both from within the teams and from outside. We will compare the traditional teaming techniques with this new approach. The RDD‐100™ Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tool was used very effectively in managing and documenting the requirements. An in‐depth look at the role of the Systems Engineer in this environment will be examined.
Analyzing Systems for Understandability: Structured Process Flows (SPFs)
Authors: Tamanaha Doris Y.
Published: September 2023

As industry becomes more disciplined in system engineering, a hallmark of maturity and control is the ability to measure processes. Recent focus on process improvements have included models and metrics. This paper presents a process flow model that is suitable for communicating process descriptions to a wide audience and which can serve as a platform for metrics for both processes and products.

Large, complex, distributed command and control systems have been analyzed with a number of coordinated paradigms, including the model described in this paper. Structured Process Flows (SPFs), which were developed at Hughes Aircraft, give an integrated overview of systems complementary to partitioned structured analysis models. It is a leveled, end‐to‐end threaded view of the major processes in a system and provides the necessary first view of the system, while enabling decomposition for details. SPFs are examined as a platform for understanding processes, for exploration of metrics, and as a mechanism for collecting measurements.
Startup Guide for Systems Engineering Metrics
Authors: Fisher Gerard H.
Published: September 2023

Given the financial constraints of today's business environment and the government thrust toward Total Quality Management (TQM), optimizing the systems engineering process is critical to economic success. The key to process improvement and optimization is regular cycles of planning, execution, measurement, evaluation and process revision. The purpose of this paper is to summarize a guide being prepared for NCOSE members to assist them in initiating a metrics program in their systems engineering organizations. This guide will address 1) the organizational motivations for a metrics program, 2) roles and responsibilities, 3) initiating a metrics program, 4) frequency and methods of data collection, 5) analysis of data, and 6) metrics databases. In addition, the guide will contain aids to a metrics program such as checklists, reference lists, and a list of NCOSE members willing to assist you in implementing a metrics program. Finally, the NCOSE Metrics Working Group hopes to supplement this with an appendix of lessons learned by other NCOSE members in their metrics programs.
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering: Cooperative or Competitive?
Authors: Wray Richard B.
Published: September 2023

Even though Systems Engineering (SE) and Software Engineering (SWE) have a common interest in building new software‐intensive systems, there often appear to be difficulties existing between them in achieving this common interest. In future systems developments, these difficulties are not acceptable due to the changing government development environment for large systems acquisitions and increasing software content. There are many common engineering approaches which should encourage these two disciplines to cooperate in advancing their common interests. However, cooperation means they must jointly change the way they currently do business to reduce their difficulties in working together. The difficulties between SE and SWE, differences in viewpoints, their common interests, and recommendations for improvements to their difficulties are identified.
1.2.1 Realizing Complete Traceability With An Integrated Systems Engineering Environment (ISEE)
Authors: Hyer Scott A. , Jones Mark W.
Published: September 2023

The development of any major system involves a dynamic atmosphere of ideas, people, and information. Traceability (from requirements to functions to physical architecture) grounds a system and all its confusing details to the founding ideas that are critical to its success. Documenting the process (i.e., decision rationale, considered and discarded alternatives, changes, approvals, etc.) is as important as documenting the system requirements, concept, and design themselves. As chronicled in this paper, the US Navy has undertaken an effort using RDD‐100® to provide such traceability with an Integrated Systems Engineering Environment (ISEE) for the Navy Theater Wide Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (NTW TBMD) Program. The NTW ISEE is used to centrally locate all technical information related to the engineering development of the NTW TBMD system. It supports critical activities such as specification development, concept definition, and certification by utilizing critical database capabilities. Such an information management environment has become a necessity in developing large systems.
1.3.2 Towards a Common Management Process for Projects, Systems Engineering and Software Development?
Authors: Davies John K
Published: September 2023

In harmonising Systems Engineering, Project Management and Software Development Processes, the aim is to provide each project with a single source of best‐practice process definition for the activities it needs to carry out. In this paper, several methods of harmonisation are considered: producing a combined Project Management and Systems Engineering Process, closely integrating the processes, and having loosely coupled engineering and management processes. Drivers for each option are discussed and their advantages and draw‐backs explored.

The major issues that emerge are ‘Should Engineering Management be part of the Systems Engineering Process or part of the Project Management Process?’ and ‘Can Engineering Management be considered in a separate process to the Engineering itself?’ In considering these issues, methods and tool issues to support process harmonisation are discussed. The optimum solution to these issues probably depends on the structure of the project and the organisations involved, but it is argued that for Integrated Project Teams, a common management process offers many advantages.
5.4.2 An Advanced Methodology for the Design Process of a Satellite
Authors: Stoewer Heinz , Hartmann Ralf , von Richter L.A.J. Baron
Published: September 2023

This paper describes a methodical and logical approach of process design as employed within the Satellite Design Office at Dornier Satellite Systems GmbH. It concerns the concept development phase (Phase A/B). Many papers have been written on the subject of the concept design centers, but nearly none of them describe the intern design process. At last this paper focuses on the method in which way the design process is analyzed as well as on the description of the process itself. All involved disciplines during a design project are described as well as their prime interfaces.
3.5.2 Continuous Appraisal Method (CAM)… A New Paradigm for Benchmarking Process Maturity
Authors: Crowder W. Neil , Carr Marvin J.
Published: September 2023

The publication of EIA/IS 731.1 Systems Engineering Capability Model (SECM) establishes a standard against which an organization determines its level of process maturity for systems engineering. EIA/IS 731.2 SECM Appraisal Method provides guidance on the conduct of an appraisal using the SECM. The EIA/IS 731.2 method of derterming the process maturity level is based upon the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) CMM® (Capability Maturity Model) Based Assessment for Internal Process Improvement (CBA IPI) that has been the engineering process maturity appraisal method of choice since its first use in 1994. This paper presents an alternative method for appraising an orgnaization's engineering maturity level—the Continuous Appraisal Method (CAM). CAM provides a significant advantage over the CBA IPI in three areas. First the cost of using CAM is significantly lower than using CBA IPI. Second, CAM allows considerable felexability in scheduling program time during the appraisal. Third, CAM becomes an integral part an organization's process improvement initiative by providing timely feedback on process improvement opportunities.
1.6.3 Cognitive and Personality Characteristics of Successful Systems Engineers
Authors: Frank Moti
Published: September 2023

According to the title, an extensive research was conducted with an objective to identify the characteristics of engineers with high ‘engineering systems thinking’ thinking skills and the processes by which it is acquired. The main question of the research was “what are the qualifications (knowledge, skills and aptitudes) required from systems engineers?” The General Systems Theory (GST) and the SCAW Model (Systematic Curriculum Alignment and Watch Model) for curriculum design of engineering disciplines constitute the theoretical frame of the research. Eighty‐three categories were found in 28 interviews, 14 lectures and 2 observation sites which may be assorted as follows: Ten categories referring to the definition of engineering systems thinking. Four categories deal with various types of systems thinking. Fifteen categories relate to knowledge required from systems engineers. Thirty‐one categories cover the skills demanded of systems engineers. Fifteen categories explore the personal aptitudes demanded of the systems engineers. Lastly, eight categories examine processes through which the system thinking capability is developed.
Estrogen and testosterone supplementation improves tendon healing and functional recovery after rotator cuff repair
Authors: Tashjian Robert Z. , Zitnay Jared , Kazmers Nikolas H. , Veerabhadraiah Shivakumar R. , Zelada Antonio C. , Honeggar Matthew , Chalmers Peter N. , Henninger Heath B. , Jurynec Michael J.
Published: September 2023

Failure of healing after rotator cuff repair (RCR) is common. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of systemic estrogen or testosterone supplementation on tendon healing after RCR. Seventy‐two adult male mice were utilized for all experiments. The supraspinatus tendon was transected and repaired with 6‐0 Prolene suture on the left shoulder of 51 animals. Mice were segregated into three groups postoperative: (1) vehicle group (VG; n = 18), (2) estrogen group (EST; n = 17), and (3) testosterone group (TST; n = 16). An unrepaired control group (unrepaired, n = 21) did not have surgery. Utilizing these animals, histological analysis, activity testing, biomechanical testing and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) was performed. At 8 weeks post‐RCR, TST, and EST supplementation improved the overall histologic structure of the repaired enthesis site. No differences in ultimate failure loads or stiffness were detected between VG, EST, and TST groups after biomechanical testing. RCR caused a reduction in wheel activity compared to unrepaired controls and supplementation with TST restored wheel activity. RNA‐seq analysis indicated that estrogen and testosterone regulated different pathways associated with enthesis healing, including a suppression of inflammatory signaling. Supplementation with sex hormones improved the structure of the repaired tendon enthesis and significantly regulated expression of diverse pathways regulating multiple biological processes. Testosterone administration following RCR restored wheel activity without having a detrimental impact on biomechanical strength. Future human studies of sex hormone supplementation after RCR are warranted as supplementation in an animal model may improve tendon enthesis healing.
Raman identification of pigments and opacifiers: Interest and limitation of multivariate analysis by comparison with solid state spectroscopical approach—I. Lead‐tin and Naples Yellow
Authors: Burlot Jacques , Vangu Divine , Bellot‐Gurlet Ludovic , Colomban Philippe
Published: September 2023

Lead‐tin/Naples Yellow provides a bright yellow color often used in combination with a blue‐colored glass to obtain a variety of green hues to decorate enameled glass, metalware, and ceramics. From the analysis of about hundreds of enameled objects from French and Chinese productions of the 18th century, we identify and compare the Raman signatures representative of these yellow pigments. For the first time, we propose several procedures that allow us to compare our data with those obtained from the literature on the spectra of synthesized pigments also characterized by XRD. A first approach is a reasoned analysis of the parameters obtained from the spectral decomposition carried out on spectra visually selected as the most different and the “purest.” A second approach uses multivariate analyses with principal component analysis (PCA) or hierarchical clustering of the spectra and of the band parameters originating from a spectral decomposition. It appears that the precise identification of the phase from simple observation of the sole Raman signature may be unreliable when only main peaks are detected due to the large non‐stoichiometry of the phases and the resulting similarity of the Raman signatures. PCA analysis of the total Raman spectra does not allow relevant classifications due to the strong contributions induced by the bands of the silicate matrix. However, the combination of a reasoned analysis of the Raman spectra with the PCA of spectroscopic parameters extracted from Raman spectral decomposition appears effective in categorizing the different pigments. From the results discussed, at least three types of Raman signatures are identified for each Sn‐ and Sb‐based pigment and correlate with the type, the period, and the location of enamel production.
Improvement of the Mathematical Model for Quality Assurance in the Determination of Kinetic Parameters of Thermal Degradation of Polypropylene Through Thermogravimetric Analysis
Authors: Fregoso‐Israel Esteban , Olvera‐Treviño Ángeles , Romero‐Hernández Juan Enrique , Hernández‐Segura Gerardo Omar , Álvarez‐Maciel Carlos
Published: September 2023

Robust mathematical treatment of the Ozawa/Flynn/Wall isoconversion method is conducted to determine the value and uncertainty of the activation energy and pre‐exponential factor for the degradation of polypropylene in thermogravimetric analysis experiments at constant heating rates. The present work employs mathematical models and uncertainty propagation techniques based on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement to estimate the Arrhenius activation energy and pre‐exponential factor due to the uncertainty of the integration constant b, both in a linear and a third‐degree reciprocal polynomial model with respect to x. The error arising from Doyle's linear approximation in the improper integral of temperature in the Arrhenius equation is examined, and an alternative method is proposed to correct this error, reducing it to 0.032% in the working interval of −200 ≤ x ≤ −15, where x = −E/RT. Given the increased sensitivity of modern thermogravimetric analysis equipment, these improvements are considered essential for obtaining reliable results that align with experimental precision limits compared to previous works. Thus, this allows for the development of an enhanced quality assurance framework by providing more robust uncertainty estimation and a better understanding of the method. Moreover, this approach can be applied to other similar polymer system.
Verification of satellite and model products against a dense rain gauge network for a severe flooding event in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Agyekum Jacob , Amekudzi Leonard K. , Stein Thorwald , Aryee Jeffrey N. A. , Atiah Winifred Ayinpogbilla , Adefisan Elijah Adesanya , Danuor Sylvester K.
Published: September 2023

Floods as a result of severe storms cause significant impacts on lives and properties. Therefore, timely and accurate forecasts of the storms will reduce the associated risks. In this study, we look at the characteristics of a storm on 28 June, 2018 in Kumasi from a rain gauge network and satellite data, and reanalysis data. The storm claimed at least 8 lives and displaced 293 people in Kumasi, Ghana. The ability of satellite and reanalysis data to capture the temporal variations of the storm was assessed using a high temporal resolution (accumulation per minute) rain gauge data. We employed the observation data from the Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry–Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) rain gauges to assess the storm's onset, duration, and cessation. Subsequently, the performance of the ERA5 reanalysis and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite precipitation estimates in capturing the rainfall is assessed. Both GPM and the ERA5 had difficulty reproducing the hourly pattern of the rain. However, the GPM produced variability that is similar to the observed. Generally, the region of maximum rainfall was located in the southern parts of the study domain in ERA5, while GPM placed it in the northern parts. The study contributes a verification measure to improve weather forecasting in Ghana as part of the objectives of the GCRF African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (SWIFT) project.
Whole knee joint mapping using a phase modulated UTE adiabatic T1ρ (PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ) sequence
Authors: Ma Yajun , Carl Michael , Tang Qingbo , Moazamian Dina , Athertya Jiyo S. , Jang Hyungseok , Bukata Susan V. , Chung Christine B. , Chang Eric Y. , Du Jiang
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To develop a 3D phase modulated UTE adiabatic T1ρ (PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ) sequence for whole knee joint mapping on a clinical 3 T scanner.

Methods

This new sequence includes six major features: (1) a magnetization reset module, (2) a train of adiabatic full passage pulses for spin locking, (3) a phase modulation scheme (i.e., RF cycling pair), (4) a fat saturation module, (5) a variable flip angle scheme, and (6) a 3D UTE Cones sequence for data acquisition. A simple exponential fitting was used for T1ρ quantification. Phantom studies were performed to investigate PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ's sensitivity to compositional changes and reproducibility as well as its correlation with continuous wave–T1ρ measurement. The PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ technique was then applied to five ex vivo and five in vivo normal knees to measure T1ρ values of femoral cartilage, meniscus, posterior cruciate ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, patellar tendon, and muscle.

Results

The phantom study demonstrated PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ's high sensitivity to compositional changes, its high reproducibility, and its strong linear correlation with continuous wave–T1ρ measurement. The ex vivo and in vivo knee studies demonstrated average T1ρ values of 105.6 ± 8.4 and 77.9 ± 3.9 ms for the femoral cartilage, 39.2 ± 5.1 and 30.1 ± 2.2 ms for the meniscus, 51.6 ± 5.3 and 29.2 ± 2.4 ms for the posterior cruciate ligament, 79.0 ± 9.3 and 52.0 ± 3.1 ms for the anterior cruciate ligament, 19.8 ± 4.5 and 17.0 ± 1.8 ms for the patellar tendon, and 91.1 ± 8.8 and 57.6 ± 2.8 ms for the muscle, respectively.

Conclusion

The 3D PM‐UTE‐AdiabT1ρ sequence allows volumetric T1ρ assessment for both short and long T2 tissues in the knee joint on a clinical 3 T scanner.
Numerical multi‐span segmented trapdoor test with viscoelastic boundary for soil arching within pile‐supported embankment under cyclic loading
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zhang Ling , Zhou Shuai , Lin Wei , Chen Yun‐Hao , Zhao Ming‐Hua
Published: September 2023

Dynamic wave reflections would interfere with the laboratory observation of the soil arching under cyclic loading when a traditional trapdoor model with rigid boundaries was used. This problem would be prominent when investigating the soil arching in pile‐supported embankments where the stationary support (pile) would be small, making the rigid boundary close to the domain of interest affected by dynamic loads. To avoid dynamic wave reflections and narrow the calculation domain, soil arching within a pile‐supported embankment under cyclic loading is numerically investigated in a multi‐span segmented trapdoor model with flexible boundaries by the particle flow code (PFC). In addition, a pavement structure is included and the springs supporting the trapdoor follow a bi‐linear constitutive model. The energy‐absorbing flexible boundary at the bottom weakens the dynamic wave reflections and is in favor of passing vertical dynamic waves to compact the fill and weaken the influence of cyclic loading on the soil arching effect during the loading stage. Lateral flexible boundaries would facilitate realistically reproducing the effect of cyclic loading on the soil arching because they could consider the weakening of the plugging effect that occurs during the lateral expansion. The development of soil arches of mid‐span and side‐span are different when the load applied at the mid‐span is laterally transferred to adjacent spans by the arching effect.
Factors influencing the burnout dimensions among nurses: A cross‐sectional study in South Korea
Authors: Cha Chiyoung , Baek Gumhee
Published: September 2023

Aim

To investigate the factors influencing three dimensions of burnout among clinical nurses in South Korea.

Design

Descriptive, correlational and cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We recruited 300 clinical nurses to participate in an online survey conducted in June 2021. Purposive sampling was used for the survey. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis.

Results

The regression models explained 55.8%, 45.8% and 34.3% variances in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment respectively. Emotional exhaustion was influenced by experience in the current department, working overtime, shift type, depression, job stress and emotional labour. Depersonalization was influenced by gender, hospital size, the associated department, overtime, coping strategies, depression and emotional labour. Personal accomplishment was influenced by clinical experience, shift type, resilience and the perceived threat of coronavirus disease 2019.
Evaluation of the elastic field in phase‐field crystal simulations
Authors: Punke Maik , Skogvoll Vidar , Salvalaglio Marco
Published: September 2023

The phase‐field crystal model (PFC) describes crystal structures at diffusive timescales through a periodic order parameter representing the atomic density. One of its main features is that it naturally incorporates elastic and plastic deformation. To correctly interpret numerical simulation results or devise extensions related to the elasticity description, it is important to have direct access to the elastic field. In this work, we discuss its evaluation in classical PFC models based on the Swift–Hohenberg energy functional. We consider approaches where the stress field can be derived from the microscopic density field (i.e., the order parameter) and a simple novel numerical routine is proposed. By numerical simulations, we demonstrate that it overcomes some limitations of currently used methods. Moreover, we shed light on the elasticity description conveyed by classical PFC models, characterizing a residual stress effect present at equilibrium. We show explicitly and discuss the evaluation of the elastic fields in prototypical representative cases involving an elastic inclusion, a grain boundary, and dislocations.