bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Parking Service Design by Service Blueprint Approach
Authors: Lee Ching-Hung  , Wang Yu-Hui  , Trappey Amy J.C.
Published: February 2025

A good shopping center must provide good car and motorcycle parking space, in order to meet customer demand for parking. Therefore, to improve service quality and optimize customer parking experience are still key goals for innovation. This study uses the case of Taipei 101 Mall to enhance service design based on the service blueprint method to analyze the parking principles and direction of improvement. Service blueprints help businesses establish and improve the service model of operation, and can formulate the individual service duties of the service system. It could reduce the poor linkage of strategy and culture to technology to develop services by a problem-oriented design approach. After service blueprint method is implemented, the case company's current service and deficiencies are depicted and thus new and innovative service can be designed and achieved. The new service model will become a new technological paradigm for parking services.
Addressing Product-Service Manufacturing in Globalised Markets: an Industrial Case Study
Authors: Peruzzini Margherita  , Marilungo Eugenia
Published: February 2025

Product-service (P-S) represents an interesting business trend for manufacturing enterprises to push innovation since it allows increasing the value perceived by the customers and better satisfying their needs over time by adding a wide range of services to a physical product. In this context understanding how to configure the global design and production network in order to realize a P-S solution and properly reconfigure the processes against rapidly changing of P-S requirements is a complex problem area. For this purpose new methods are necessary to deal with the complex, dynamic and transient nature of product-services and create a dynamic global network able to effectively manage the flexible design and production requirements demanded by the increasing business need for rapid P-S change. The research presents an industrial case study focusing on a manufacturing company facing the configuration of its production network in order to provide a new P-S idea and innovate its actual product portfolio. In particular, the study defines a methodology to elicit the P-S network configuration requirements and support the P-S introduction in a traditional manufacturing scenario. By using such a method the company is able to define a solution to plan and configure the required network in case of P-S production and organize the partners and the interactions among them.
Critical Factors in Successful Performance Based Contracting Environment
Authors: Byrne Trevor  , Mo John P.T.
Published: February 2025

Recent trend around the world among the owners of complex engineering systems such as aircraft or oil refinery is to include consideration for the sustainment of the system. The goal is to attain desired capability levels that can be measured as a performance outcome of systems in-service. There are two parts in the contractual framework: system acquisition and sustainment (in-service support). The sustainment agreement imposes significant risks because the revenue is now tied with the actual system performance which can be out of the control of the manufacturer. There is a lot of uncertainties in the performance-based contracting environment and questions have to be asked by both sides of the contract. The manufacturers should ask whether it is beneficial for them to take on the risks to be committed. The asset owner should ask whether the contractor has given sufficient evidence that they can meet the stringent performance-based contracting environment. This paper attempts to answer these questions by exploring from experience and people involved in performance based contracts the concept and value for money to the contracting parties.
Assessing the Requirements and Viability of Distributed Electric Vehicle Supply
Authors: Mo John P.T.
Published: February 2025

Climate change has been a serious debate topic in almost every country in the world. The need to reduce carbon emission is acknowledged universally irrespective of which side of the climate debate. The development of future electric vehicles will have significant benefits on the environment if this vehicle can be adopted by the general public as the primary mode of transport. However, the existing infrastructure for manufacturing and supporting fossil fuel based vehicles does not fit the operation model of electric vehicle. The industry, supply chain, community and general public need to understand how the new electric vehicle operation system works and what benefits it will bring to them. This paper examines the manufacturing and operational issues of electric vehicles and explores the view of a new global supply chain that will foster design, develop, manufacture and support of electric vehicles. A business plan is proposed to describe the rationale of how to create, deliver, and capture value in terms of economic, social and innovation for supplying electric vehicles to the community.
Internet of Things for eHealth in a Physiologic and Sensorial Perspective Supported by the Cloud
Authors: Luis-Ferreira Fernando  , Ghimire Sudeep  , Jardim-Goncalves Ricardo
Published: February 2025

The generality of people living in modern societies are these days converted to the usage of mobile devices. There are a myriad of functionalities, which are of use in daily tasks as developers try to address each one's needs. Some devices are meant to provide music others communication services and others all that and much more. The technological trends place connected devices everywhere, in a so called Internet of Things, a vision that is becoming materialized in personal scenarios like in intelligent homes where domotics provides devices for user's comfort and amusement. However, with all those communicating devices with underlying computational power, it is questionable what benefits can be achieved by a person acquainted to a daily usage of such devices. Research reported in this paper tried to find answers and point directions for a true health benefit of mobile and remote devices by retrieving physiological and sensorial information supported by the cloud.
Synchronizing Structural Health Monitoring with Scheduled Maintenance of Aircraft Composite Structures
Authors: Chen Xi  , Ren He  , Bil Cees  , Jiang Hongwei
Published: February 2025

The current aircraft maintenance philosophy, referred to as scheduled maintenance, follows a preventative strategy in which maintenance tasks are carried out at predetermined intervals or according to prescribed criteria related to safety, operational and economic aspects. Emerging technologies, such as Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), are proposed by airframe manufacturers to reduce long-term maintenance cost and increase aircraft availability. It introduces a timely and automatic diagnostic and prognostic capability which may bring substantial changes to the current maintenance philosophy. This study investigates an integrated approach of scheduled maintenance and SHM by suggestion various logical maintenance procedures. A probabilistic model is established to examine the effects of the SHM synchronization with scheduled maintenance and the impact on both safety and economy.
Strategic Development of LTE Mobile Communication Technology Based on Patent Map Analysis
Authors: Trappey Amy J.C.  , Chen Lynn W.L.  , Chang Juice Y.C.  , Yeh Mike F.M.
Published: February 2025

Information, communication, optoelectronic, and semi-conductor industry are major industries in Taiwan. In mobile communication industry, the 4th generation (4G) can be categorized into two major techniques, i.e. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Many 4G related patents were filed and granted globally, particularly in major markets such as US, Europe, and China, in recent years. When comparing LTE and WiMAX, LTE gradually dominates the technology landscape in 4G telecommunication development. This research depicts the LTE technology development trend and also chooses Wi-LAN Inc. as the major assignee for detailed patent map and its intellectual property rights (IPRs) analysis. The LTE patent documents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database are searched. And, the research identifies 62 Wi-LAN patents as major target patents. These patents are analyzed with various patent statistic views (also called patent maps), which include the statistics of patent counts based on International Patent Classification (IPC), forward citation counts, patents in quality levels, and patents categorization in technology-function matrix. Patents are evaluated to find the high quality patents, which may lead to the litigation in the future. Finally, the technology-function matrix indicates Wi-LAN R&D focuses of the key technologies, i.e., to improve efficiency and stability of 4G transmission. Consequently, a competitor of Wi-LAN can develop new technologies and file new patents to avoid infringing upon existing IPRs. Companies can also increase their cross-licensing opportunities when more patents were granted to them in essential and/or complementary sub-technologies. Thus, this research provides critical intelligence to the LTE-related companies for enhancing their R&D and patenting strategies.
Applying Simulated Annealing to the Nurse Rostering Problem in an Emergency Department
Authors: Lin Shih-Wei  , Lee Yueh-E.  , Chen Li-Chen  , Chang Her-Kun  , Lin Chih-Feng
Published: February 2025

As living standards rise, patient requirements for medical quality increase. To provide better service, human resource management of hospitals has become a critical issue. Because the shortage of manpower and hospitals must have nursing staff standing by round the clock, unreasonable roster may be generated. As a result, nursing staff do not have enough rest time, resulting in low work efficiency. To prevent this situation, a roster satisfying the requirements of both the nursing staff and the health care regulations is required. This is especially true of the emergency department, discussed in this study. An emergency department may have 12 types of shifts and over one hundred nursing staff to be scheduled. In addition to the hard constraints of legal regulations and hospital policies, staff scheduling should also consider the soft constraints of the personal preferences of individual nursing staff. This makes it a time-consuming work. Therefore, this study proposes a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm to solve this problem. In order to validate performance of the algorithm, data collected from the emergency department of a large-scale hospital in northern Taiwan was scheduled via our approach and compared with the manual rosters. The results showed that the SA obtained a roster which met both the hard and soft constraints, as well as the requirements of the hospital, within one hour, even in months with tight manpower.
Security Issues for Mobile Devices
Authors: Andreeski Cvetko
Published: February 2025

The history of smart phones and tablet computers is relatively short from a historical point of view, yet these devices are widely used for personal and business tasks daily. We present the advances of these devices in comparison to laptop and other computers with an awareness of their abilities to safeguard data. They are used as devices that hold sensitive information; and they are intended for use with different type of wireless and mobile communication lines. This kind of communication increases the risk of data transfer. Their characteristics (dimensions, processing power, networking etc.), working environment, stored information and their value, makes them suitable for theft and abuse. This paper addresses the problem of countermeasures needed to make smart phones and tablets more secure. Besides the fact that the first commercially available tablet computer was presented only three years ago, sales increase significantly each year. According to the analysis of the web site statista.com, in the last quarter of 2012 76% more tablet computers were purchased in comparison with the same quarter in 2011. According to the research expectations, this trend should continue in the next few years, and in 2016 we can expect around 283 million tablet computers to be purchased which will exceed purchases of laptop computers.
Modeling Single Piles under Lateral Impact
Authors: Briaud Jean-Louis  , Mirdamadi Alireza  , Asadollahi Mojdeh
Published: February 2025

In this paper the behavior of single piles under lateral impact is investigated by using the performed pendulum and bogie tests. Three types of soil deposits were used in the experimental tests including hard clay, loose sand and crushed limestone. The acceleration and displacement of the striking mass are measured. The results show that the soil response to impact is a function of soil stiffness; however the inertia and damping resistance are also important contributors. In order to model the system, a Single Degree of Freedom (SDF) model with two different basic materials is used to find the best simple model to predict the behavior of piles under impact. Finally an advanced model with multi degree of freedom is used to analyze a single pile under the pickup truck impact with 60 miles per hour. The results of the simple model and the experimental tests are compared with the LS-DYNA simulations.
Influence of Thermal Condition on the Extraction Characteristics of Steel Strip Reinforcing Members
Authors: Hashimoto Hijiri  , Yamanashi Takahiro  , Hayashi Hirochika  , Yamaki Masahiko
Published: February 2025

Cases of deformation in reinforced soil retaining walls have been reported in Hokkaido, Japan. Based on a survey of the deformed cases, the deformation was attributed to poor winter construction in which portions of the embankment soil froze and then subside during the thawing period, which resulted in bulging of the wall.
Design, construction and performance of a tied-wall embankment supported on concrete column ground improvement
Authors: Gniel J.  , Haberfield C.
Published: February 2025

A 5 m high earth fill embankment comprising vertical side-walls constructed from precast concrete wall panels tied together using steel straps was constructed on a 10 m thick deposit of soft clay. Due to the relatively small specified settlement tolerances of the embankment/wall structure, ground improvement in the form of drilled displacement columns (unreinforced concrete columns) was used to improve the engineering properties of the embankment foundation. This paper discusses the design and construction of the embankment and foundation system and compares the predicted settlements with those measured after construction. Discussion on the quality control measures adopted during construction is also provided.
Comparative analysis of piled foundation design of a highrise building in Bangkok subsoils
Authors: Phienwej N.  , Amornfa K.  , Cheang W.
Published: February 2025

A comparative analysis of a deep foundation of a highrise building in Bangkok subsoil shows that adoption of the piled raft design concept could result in a significant cost saving of the foundation work. When the raft was placed in the first stiff clay layer, the load share by piles was reduced to 77% from 100% generally considered in the traditional practice. The required number of piles could be significantly reduced without scarifying stability of the foundation and settlement requirement for the building. The 3D FEM analysis yielded a more realistic settlement condition of raft and load distribution of piles than the conventional plate on spring analysis owing to its direct and complete consideration of soil structure interaction.
Soil-structure interaction analyses for the study of nuclear power plant foundation alternatives under static and seismic loading
Authors: Vaníček Martin  , Vaníček Ivan
Published: February 2025

Main aim of the study was the evaluation of the possibility to realize construction of nuclear power plant from the foundation point of view for selected locality of the wider character and for existing geological and geotechnical conditions. Paper describes feasibility study, during which both static and seismic loadings were evaluated. Geological and geotechnical conditions are therefore briefly specified. For 2 typical representatives of nuclear blocs of the third generation produced world-wide (one for lower capacity around 1200 MW and second one for roughly 1800 MW) subsoil improvement was proposed in different alternatives. These alternatives were consequently verified using numerical soil-structure interaction modelling.
An efficient method for estimating the dynamic response of base-isolated structure with SSI effect
Authors: Haiyang Zhuang  , Xu Yu  , Chao Zhu
Published: February 2025

To investigate the effect of soil-structure dynamic interaction (SSI effect) on the dynamic response of base-isolated structure, some shaking table tests have been completed before. Based on the test results and the existed studies, an efficient simplified model and corresponding calculation method to estimate the dynamic characteristic of base-isolated structure with SSI effect is developed and verified. Compared with the shaking table test and with the standard specification method suggested in China code without SSI effect, the new developed method can efficiently reflect the influence law and degree of SSI effect on the dynamic responses of base-isolated structure.
Pseudo-static analysis of flexible retaining structures including seismic thrust dependency on wall deformation
Authors: Becci Bruno  , Carni Marco
Published: February 2025

The design of flexible retaining structures is very frequently conducted using simplified soil-structure interaction schemes such as the well known non-linear spring method. With this method, several distinguishing aspects of flexible wall behaviour can be usually captured with reasonable accuracy with regards to construction stages and static conditions. Seismic design, however, still represents a challenging aspect. In this paper some common issues of seismic analysis with the spring method are addressed and a proposal to include seismic effects within a pseudo-static framework is presented. Some examples analyzed with the proposed approach are finally discussed.
Seismic Soil-Interaction on Earth Retaining Structures. Performance-based seismic design of a Retaining Wall
Authors: Jurado Cabañes Carlos
Published: February 2025

The design of containment walls suffering seismic loads traditionally has been realized with methods based on pseudoanalitic procedures such as Mononobe-Okabe's method, which it has led in certain occasions to insecure designs, that they have produced the ruin of many containment walls suffering the action of an earthquake. A method is proposed in this paper for the design of containment walls in different soils, suffering the action of an earthquake, based on Performance-Based Seismic Design.
Soil-structure interaction calculations of a high-rise building and subsoil consisting of sedimentary strata
Authors: Ulitsky V.M.  , Shashkin A.G.  , Shashkin K.G.  , Lisyuk M.B.
Published: February 2025

Soil-structure interaction calculations constitute a basis for design decision making on a structure of any building even an ordinary housing. The importance of soil-structure interaction calculations largely increases when unique structures are designed for which construction there is no experience in geotechnical conditions of a given area. Special interest is placed on calculations of a high-rise building on soft subsoil where there is a necessity to estimate soil strains caused by application of unusually high loads.
A bold constructive method for the retaining structures of the excavation of the underground parking Clinics, in Brazil
Authors: Maffei C.E.M.  , Gonçalves H.H.S.  , Guazzelli M.C.
Published: February 2025

This work presents a heady constructive method used for the retaining structures of the Underground Parking Clinics. The project of the parking includes 315m long for 15,5m wide and 4 undergrounds which work was concluded in the end of 1998. The retaining structures of the excavation was executed through screw piles of 80cm diameter, with 23m of length, spaced at every 2,50 m. The slabs of structure of the parking had been set up with precast beams of prestressed-concrete and the bottom slab with cast in-in-place reinforced concrete. The excavation was accomplished in two phases, in the first one the walls worked as cantilever; and the second one, after the installation of the upper slab working as struts, it was made the final excavation.
Assessment Analysis of Lateral Movement of Gate Shaft Structure on Fractured Rock Mass, Jatigede Dam Area, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Putera Agung M A.  , Pramusandi S.  , Ardianto A.  , Sunaryo B.
Published: February 2025

Gate shaft is one of parts the power waterway system of dam structure and as an intake vertical tunnel or well function for hydroelectric power plants in Jatigede area, Sumedang, West Java. Paper concerns some consideration in determining a constitutive model of soil and rock material. Comparison of existing lateral movement and the analysis results identified that Hoek – Brown failure criterion were more suitable than Mohr – Coulomb. Study analysis was carried out using without and with reinforcement system, the risk assessment to a rock shaft during excavation is greater than that to a soil shaft, even though the two averages designed safety factors are the same. For the analysis, it should be considered to use the failure criteria of intermediate material.
Effects of deep excavations on adjacent foundations
Authors: Leung C.F.  , Ong D.E.L.
Published: February 2025

With rapid development in metropolitan areas, deep excavation and tunnelling are often carried out close to existing buildings or infrastructure. The soil movement due to excavation may cause damages to adjacent foundation, worse for shallow foundations as compared to deep foundations. In this keynote paper, the latest development and understanding of soil-structure interaction involving foundation subject to adjacent excavation are presented; with references to successfully implemented projects or research work based on finite element modelling, centrifuge experiments and field monitoring, observations and interpretations. The novel concept of limiting soil pressure due to excavation stress relief is also presented.
The Monotonicity Imaging Method for PECT
Authors: Tamburrino Antonello  , Su Zhiyi  , Lei Naiguang  , Udpa Lalita  , Udpa Satish
Published: February 2025

This paper is focused on the non-iterative imaging of defects in a conductive material using pulsed eddy current testing. The approach for imaging is based on the monotonicity of the time constants of the natural modes of eddy current induction phenomenon. The hypothesis is proved numerically with the help of a finite element model. This result makes it possible to apply a real-time non-iterative imaging algorithm, initially developed for elliptic problems such as electrical resistance tomography, to a parabolic problem such as eddy current testing.
The New Sub-wavelength Microstructures in Super-resolution Imaging Based on Stepped Impedance Resonator
Authors: Gao Qiang  , Wang Xiao-Hua  , Gong Zhi-Shuang  , Wang Bing-Zhong
Published: February 2025

Based on the intensive study of wire medium, some novel super-resolution imaging structures (structure of curving wires, structure of uniform impedance resonator and structure of stepped impedance resonator) are proposed in this paper. These novel structures have a wider range of applications, including curtailing the size of structure, which can be applied to compact equipments. The resolution of each structure is λ/10 and λ/15, respectively.
Development of Electromagnetic Non-destructive Testing Method for the Inspection of Heat Exchanger Tubes of Japan Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor—Part II: Detection of Flaws on the Inner Surface Using Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Sasaki Kota  , Yusa Noritaka  , Wakai Takashi  , Hashizume Hidetoshi
Published: February 2025

This study reports evaluations of applicability of a microwave nondestructive testing method for a flaw inside heat exchanger tubes in JSFR, which is a straight long-range tube whose diameter is 11.0 mm. Design of microwave probe profile on the basis of numerical simulations on transmission characteristics at the probe are carried out and the plate-structure microwave probe which enables to largely introduce microwaves into a pipe is confirmed. Experimental evaluations using straight brass pipe whose diameter and length are 11.0 mm and 12.0 m, respectively, reveal that good agreement between predicted location of a flaw and true locations.
“Search” the Stress Distribution for the Test Magnetic Field
Authors: Zhong Liqiang  , Li Luming
Published: February 2025

Stress concentration is an important cause of metal structure failures. In ferromagnetic materials, the nearby magnetic field changes when there is stress concentration. This phenomenon has been used to test stress concentrations. However, the mechanism that magnetic field changed by stress concentration is complicated, obtaining detailed stress information or even evaluating the impact of stress is difficult. This paper presents a method based on genetic algorithm to help analyze the stress distribution using the magnetic field. The ferromagnetic specimens are firstly discretized into finite elements and the initial stress value of elements is set as the “genes” of the initial parent chromosome. Then, the group “evolved”, and their descendants are selected with the law that the surface magnetic field shall close to the magnetic field. The results show that during the evolution, the stress distribution can be closer and closer to the real situation.
Electromagnetic Evaluation of Arterial Aneurysm and Stenosis in Electromechanical Model of Arterial System
Authors: Borik Stefan  , Cap Ivo  , Capova Klara
Published: February 2025

The article deals with implementation of arterial malformations to the arterial system model based on electromechanical analogy. The analysis of the impact of aneurysm and stenosis was performed by using simulations of several pathological degrees of these defects. The malformations were placed in segment of popliteal artery. Blood flow, pressure and power changes were evaluated.
Heights on algebraic curves
Authors: Shaska T.  , Beshaj L.
Published: February 2025

In these lectures we cover basics of the theory of heights starting with the heights in the projective space, heights of polynomials, and heights of the algebraic curves. We define the minimal height of binary forms and moduli height for algebraic curves and prove that the moduli height of superelliptic curves ${\mathfrak{H} (f) \le c_0 \tilde{H} (f)}$ where c0is a constant and $\tilde{H}$ the minimal height of the corresponding binary form. For genus g = 2 and 3 such constant is explicitly determined. Furthermore, complete lists of curves of genus 2 and genus 3 hyperelliptic curves with height 1 are computed.
Designing Free-range Assignments
Authors: Fang Berlin  , Shewmaker Jennifer  , Self Scott
Published: February 2025

For classes with students from diverse disciplines, professors should consider allowing multiple formats of expression in completing assignments. We call these kind of open-ended assignments “free-range assignments”. To design free-range assignments, professors should provide freedom, resources, expectations, examples, reflection, articulation, networks, guidance and evaluation. Professors may also want to consider using technology tools to facilitate the design of such assignments.
Motivational Influences in a Transnational Music Virtual Studio: A Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Fiocchetta Gemma  , Della Ventura Michele
Published: February 2025

A science of e-learning involves the scientific investigation of how people learn in electronic learning environments. This paper reports about experiments carried out with OPEN SoundS, which is a musical environment designed and developed as a virtual studio where students and teachers from all over the world, can create collaborative musical projects. The main aim is to uphold a strong level of motivation. The results are two-fold: firstly, students achieved better results in the area of music technology and in the area of theory, analysis and composition; secondly, e-learning strategy is superior to the traditional learning method in terms of learning motivation.
Using Science Fiction Prototyping to Decrease the Decline of Interest in STEM Topics at the High School Level
Authors: De Lepe Mary  , Olmstead William  , Russell Connor  , Cazarez Lizbeth  , Austin Lloyd
Published: February 2025

In order to address the lack of student interest in STEM subjects and the dwindling number of students pursuing STEM careers, the Creative Science Foundation (CSF) has developed an easy to deploy educational strategy. This strategy, effectively titled Science Fiction Prototyping, utilizes science fiction stories and material to “explore the possible implications of research and technology on humans, societies, and the world.” It is also possible that these prototypes can be used to increase STEM motivation in students. The researchers will first perform a meta-analysis and literature review to determine the present outlook of STEM curriculum, student interest in STEM careers, and student enrollment in STEM careers after graduation. Other parts of the research project include a pilot study to explore the feasibility of using science fiction prototypes within a high school environment to increase student interest and attraction to STEM related careers.
An Overview of Capturing Live Experience with Virtual and Augmented Reality
Authors: Fominykh Mikhail  , Wild Fridolin  , Smith Carl  , Alvarez Victor  , Morozov Mikhail
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we review the use of virtual and augmented reality technologies for capture and externalization of tacit knowledge from complex activity in knowledge-intensive professions. We focus on technologies for converting experience hidden in activity with the aim to boost industry competitiveness, innovation, and facilitate learning on the job. As such types of knowledge and experience are difficult to capture and represent in traditional media, we explore emerging technology along two lines of investigation. First, we look at applications of virtual reality to then, second, focus on using sensors, augmented reality, and wearable technologies. We discuss existing and future applications of experience capturing with virtual and augmented reality technologies. This review provides a comprehensive overview for those interested in recording virtual, real, and augmented activities, methods for delivering the recorded data, and extracting knowledge.
EdCCDroid: An Education Pilot Prototype for Introducing Code-Combat using LUA
Authors: Wood Conor  , Mentzelopoulos Markos  , Protopsaltis Aristidis
Published: February 2025

The current paper present a serious game prototype developed to assist the learning of programming at a university level. The game is called EdCCDroid, and is based on Code-Combat, currently the only game field targeting audience for programming learning compared to other games that would see users touch on the purely logically side of programming without having the user entering any code. Code Combat allows users to use script languages such as javascript, Lua, python etc. as input in order to progress through a small story or compete against other players. The paper reports on a “Learn & Play” game prototype that encourages students to understand the fundamentals of programming, through algorithmic design sceptic tasks, using Robots as Avatars to perform certain tasks within the game world. The paper explores the use of the UNITY 3D libraries to design the game, the real-time interactive platform used and the instructions in Lua format. The goal of the game is to produce an attractive game theme environment as part of the game simulation concept, targeting the development of an easy use Head Up Display (HUD) for writing the equivalent task code in Lua., Feedback is provided in case of errors and a visual output of the game state is being produced with the motion/interaction of the game world-bots. The paper also reports on the usability evaluation results from a pilot study conducted with 14 participants.
Gender-Specific Differences in Cognitive Profiles of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Results of the Prospective Dementia Registry Austria (PRODEM-Austria)
Authors: Pusswald Gisela  , Lehrner Johann  , Hagmann Michael  , Dal-Bianco Peter  , Benke Thomas  , Loitfelder Marisa  , Marksteiner Josef  , Mosbacher Jochen  , Ransmayr Gerhard  , Sanin Guenter  , Schmidt Reinhold
Published: February 2025

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common age-related diseases in the western world. Gender differences in neuropsychological functions are seldom evaluated in AD.
Neuropathology of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Knowledge and the Potential for New Treatments
Authors: Khundakar Ahmad A.  , Thomas Alan J.
Published: February 2025

Depression is among the most common behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and leads to more rapid decline and higher mortality. Treatment for depression in dementia has centered on conventional antidepressant drug treatment based around the monoamine hypothesis of depression. However, recent major studies have suggested that conventional antidepressant treatments that aim to correct underlying deficits in monoamine neurotransmitters are not effective for depression in dementia. Postmortem studies have also suggested that depression in dementia does not arise from serotonergic or noradrenergic abnormalities, or indeed from the degenerative pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, considerable recent evidence has suggested that alterations in glutamatergic transmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This supports the view that treatment-resistant depressed patients, such as many dementia patients, may benefit from agents affecting glutamate transmission. This review will thus draw together the wealth of pathological data examining the basis of depression in Alzheimer's disease and relate this to current thinking on treatment, with the aim of generating discussion on potential novel therapeutic strategies.
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Functional Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Munro Catherine E.  , Donovan Nancy J.  , Guercio Brendan J.  , Wigman Sarah E.  , Schultz Aaron P.  , Amariglio Rebecca E.  , Rentz Dorene M.  , Johnson Keith A.  , Sperling Reisa A.  , Marshall Gad A.
Published: February 2025

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as apathy and depression, commonly accompany cognitive and functional decline in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prior studies have shown associations between affective NPS and neurodegeneration of medial frontal and inferior temporal regions in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD dementia.
Corpus Callosum Structure is Topographically Correlated with the Early Course of Cognition and Depression in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Di Paola Margherita  , Phillips Owen  , Orfei Maria Donata  , Piras Fabrizio  , Cacciari Claudia  , Caltagirone Carlo  , Spalletta Gianfranco
Published: February 2025

Corpus callosum (CC) abnormalities may cause cognitive and neuropsychiatric complications due to reduced hemispheric integration. Over a one-year period, we investigated whether the CC structure of 20 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) was linked to the evolution of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. We also investigated whether this anatomical-clinical relationship was localized topographically on the CC by combining voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging approaches. We assessed patients' global cognitive deterioration and neuropsychiatric symptoms with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Increased global cognitive deterioration during the early course of AD was significantly related to reduced white matter density (p=0.004) and fractional anisotropy (FA) (p=0.012) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) (p =0.017) at the level of the CC isthmus/splenium. Further, increased depression severity was significantly related to reduced FA (p=0.008) and increased MD (p=0.018) at the level of the CC rostrum. These results indicate that changes in early myelinated CC fibers, which subserve the lateral temporal and parietal cortices and are less vulnerable to damage, may be related to cognitive impairment. Furthermore, changes in late myelinated CC fibers, which connect the orbitofrontal cortices and are more vulnerable to damage, may be related to the earliest neuropsychiatric symptoms of AD, such as depression.
Aircraft Bi-level Life Cycle Cost Estimation
Authors: Zhao Xiaojia  , Verhagen Wim J.C.  , Curran Richard
Published: February 2025

In an integrated aircraft design and analysis practice, Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is essential for decision making. The LCC of an aircraft is ordinarily partially estimated by emphasizing a specific cost type. However, an overview of the LCC including design and development cost, production cost, operating cost and disposal cost is not provided. This may produce biased cost estimates. Moreover, aircraft LCC estimation is largely dependent on the availability of input parameters. It is often a problem for the analyst to supply a limited group of data into a detailed cost estimation process. Therefore, it is necessary to provide flexibility in conducting both high level and detail level LCC assessments based on the data accessibility. An input-dependent bi-level LCC estimation method is proposed. It illustrates the comprehensive estimation of the cost elements in the LCC with clearly defined high level and detail level analyses to form the final cost. Knowledge of the product and the life cycle process are structured based on a pre-defined meta model and logic rules. Cost is then evaluated by traversing the meta model linked with computing capabilities. This method is applied on a case study concerning A330-200 aircraft. With the support of weight estimation and bottom-up process-based parametric cost estimation methods, it builds up a practical costing approach in quantifying the influence of LCC to the product life cycle.
Design for Assistive Technology: a Preliminary Study
Authors: Miyake Okumura Maria Lucia  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris
Published: February 2025

The Integrated Product Development (IPDP) for Assistive Technology (AT) is a complex process that involves different areas of knowledge. This process normally uses methods, techniques and tools that help IPDP in a Concurrent Engineering environment, providing the integration of areas to meet the AT product requirements. In fact, it should be noted that the requirements of AT product user have different needs once the users have physical, sensory or cognitive limitations. This is the case of people with disabilities and physiological aging, whose population is globally increasing on a significant scale. Thus, there is a gap in the IPDP to comprehend and interpret data of the specific needs users to set the Product Design for Assistive Technology. This gap can be filled by a moderator that attributes an assisting function in the information mediation between multidisciplinary areas for the development of the product design oriented for AT. This paper presents a preliminary design model oriented for Assistive Technology and its structure performs a moderator role in IPDP in order to meet the users' expectations and allow reliable and easy information sharing between design participants. Data collection is a survey of existing IPDP models and configurations of “Design for” that support the stages of the development process. This approach make possible to detect and provide relevant data, which includes the most used and significant processes. As a result, we can highlight the key functions identified in the Design model for Assistive Technology.
What is the Next Big Innovation Management Theme?
Authors: de Graaf Rob  , Onassis Iason
Published: February 2025

The next big innovation management theme, what could it possible be? Are we stuck with standardizing the End to End innovation process, using innovation ecosystems and lean forever or is there more to come? There is more to come, the next big thing may be an evolutionary innovation process sucking in all kinds of best practices, it may be white spot analysis, helping companies to look beyond their current horizons, or having the user take over innovation, and pulling their ideas through the corporate ranks to get them to market.
A Novel Hybrid Multiple Attribute Decision Making Procedure for Aspired Agile Application
Authors: Chou Shuo-Yan  , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung  , Yu Chien-Chou
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a novel hybrid multiple attribute decision-making (HMADM) procedure to ensure that aspiration levels of the agile application outcomes are achieved. The agile is a concept widely applied by organizations worldwide to enhance their capabilities for better managing software development projects. The agile application requires a pragmatic procedure to handle decision making and continuous improvements over the application life cycle. The proposed procedure evaluates and systemizes inter-influence effects among agile application factors in a context of an influential network relation map (INRM). The INRM helps managers find routes in making application decisions, meanwhile, determining improvement strategies for implementing the selected decisions toward aspiration levels. A numerical example is used to illustrate applicability of the proposed procedure. The results showed that by applying HMADM model, this study can provide a significant foundation to ensure that the best agile application outcomes are reached.
Consumer-Oriented Emotional Design Using a Correlation Handling Strategy
Authors: Chang Danni  , Huang Yuexiang  , Chen Chun-Hsien  , Khoo Li Pheng
Published: February 2025

Emotional product design is of great importance in new product development (NPD). Especially, Kansei engineering has been widely advocated because of its effectiveness and reliability in handling consumers' emotional requirements. However, the following key issues in Kansei engineering have not been well addressed: 1) how to capture human emotions, 2) how to identify the relationships between products and emotional needs, and 3) how a product can be improved to better fit consumers' emotional needs. This research aims at realizing a product design system for emotional effect (PDSEE) to facilitate emotional design processes. Generally, the proposed PDSEE comprises three modules, i.e. an emotional needs management module (ENMM) to capture and manipulate customer emotions, a product classification module (PCM) to examine the relationship between the product and emotions, and a product reconfiguration module (PRM) to manage and analyze product attributes so as to achieve product configurations with desired emotional impacts. To illustrate the capability of the prototype PDSEE, a case study of wedding ring design is presented. The results show that the prototype system is able to handle a large number of Kansei adjectives, address relationships between Kansei and products, and effectively identify key product parameters for designing new products with better emotional impacts.
Measuring and Evaluating Source Code Logs Using Static Code Analyzer
Authors: Shen Gang  , Luo Fan  , Hong Gang
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we investigate the evaluation of the logs in software source code. Logs usually play the critical role in detecting, tracing and removing bugs of the software in the software development process. More importantly, after the delivery to the customers, software developers have to rely on the log records to locate bugs other than reproduce the software defects in the customer's environment. Therefore, there are strong quality and efficiency demands for good logs in the software source code. We model the source code as a hierarchy of graph models by presenting the relationships of different components of the source code, namely function call stacks, control flows and data flows. Then the fundamental metrics can be generated by the static analysis of these models and the metrics will be further processed to form the measurements of the log statements in the following dimensions: correctness, efficiency, maintainability, extensibility and conformity. We use a few open source projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and discuss the directions of the future research.
Sustainment Management in the Royal Australian Navy
Authors: Henry Robert  , Bil Cees
Published: February 2025

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) like many industries faces ongoing challenges in the support of their assets, acquisitions, budgets and workforce management. Unlike other industries, the ADF is heavily affected by changes in Government, changes in Government policy direction, diversity of potential conflict scenarios and the manner in which budgets are set. This has led to a series of decisions being made that have addressed problems in the short term but have not adequately considered long term implications. More often than not, Government directives to deliver improved efficiencies come along with a corresponding budget cut, a direction to maintain services and capability without any real guidance on how this could or should be achieved and this continues to impact on the organisation long after the incumbent Government has left office. Resultant problem areas within the ADF maritime such as engineering and maintenance are covered by a number of Reports including the more recent Rizzo Report. The purpose of this paper is to look at the area of Sustainment Management within the ADF from a maritime perspective and the holistic view that defence industries need to consider in the development of their Support Solutions when entering into support arrangements such as Alliances and In-Service Support contracts.
Application of Lean Methods into Aircraft Maintenance Processes
Authors: Pogačnik Borut  , Tavčar Jože  , Duhovnik Jože
Published: February 2025

Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MRO) have to be competitive and attractive for the existing and new customers. Aircraft ground time at the MRO has to be as short as possible as well as cost efficient without reducing the quality of the accomplished work.