bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of HELIX: A Competency Model for Complex Problem Solving
Authors: McDermott Tom , Hutchison Nicole , Crick Ruth 
Published: September 2021

AbstractToday's systems are continuing to increase in complexity, and employers have placed a premium on critical and systems thinking skills. The World Economic Forum (WEF) reports that an increasing share of jobs are focused more heavily on soft skills or a combination of soft and technical skills. The WEF 5‐year survey of most desired job skills highlight the growing focus on the cognitive and relationship‐building aspects of the future workspace. “Complex Problem Solving” has topped the list in both the 2015 and 2020 reports. This paper consolidates and proposes a common framework for lifelong learning in the engineering domain, targeted at practical tools that help engineers solve complex problems, think and learn more holistically, and apply that learning to team leadership. Although the work has been focused on engineering roles, it may be generally applied to any domain where complex problem solving is at a premium. The framework identifies five complex problem‐solving competency sets: sensemaking, adaptive and computational thinking, a design mindset, system architecting and communicating, and leading teams through cycles of learning. These competencies are developed through the experience of a learning infrastructure which integrates learning with the work do be done, through facilitating learning and performance in systems thinking, team leadership and personal learning power and self‐leadership. This paper presents the framework, the background research that led to its development, and how it might be delivered through teaching and mentoring on complex projects.
A Guide for Systems Engineers to Finding Your Role in 21st‐Century Software‐Dominant Organizations
Authors: Sheard Sarah , Bouyaud Mickael , Osaisai Macaulay , Siviy Jeannine , Nidiffer Kenneth E. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe decision makers in many software‐dominant organizations, such as the FAANGs (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google), evolved quickly from coders and software engineers unfamiliar with the advantage of the big‐picture view of the software and of the organizations developing the software. INCOSE's Systems and Software Interface Working Group (SaSIWG) has been reading a fable of such an organization that found itself in a typical terrible state, unable to respond quickly and effectively to customer needs, because it was tied up in a complex mess of silos, dependencies, management rules, and blame. While the book has garnered praise as the answer to many software organizations’ problems, it quite significantly omits any mention of systems engineering as well as much positive mention of architecture or project management.In response, the SaSIWG has been working on a set of tools to help first ourselves and then INCOSE systems engineers understand several important aspects of such organizations. First, how do such systems engineering‐deficient organizations work? Second, what does their terminology mean at a top level, in a way that doesn't take a computer science degree to understand or a day to look up? Third, how can a systems engineer break into the software engineering conversation and leave it without feeling defeated and overwhelmed by the unfamiliar jargon, but rather knowing they can be and have been useful? Finally, how can systems engineers plan in the long run to assist in engineering the complex system that is the software development enterprise and ecosystem? This is not always acknowledged as a system needing engineering, but it is universally acknowledged as “the problem” when it is not well engineered.This paper provides an overview of the tools that are being developed and outlines the guide that the group is hoping to create.
Technical Leadership of Virtual and Remotely Distributed Teams
Authors: Dazzi Francesco , McKelvin Mark , Gallego Elena , McCoy Sean , Keen W. Patrick , Weigel Allison , Ziliox Lisa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe world is increasingly virtual and complex, with many relationships and teams at a global scale. The situation will not be changing any time soon. Sometimes, it is only possible to interact at a distance, of not only time zones and space, but also sometimes interpersonal distance, where names and voices make up another person. Regardless, technical teams will need good leadership to address complex situations in these virtual and remotely distributed (VaRD) environments. So, in a VaRD environment, do leadership practices and skills have to change? Do the tools, techniques, and technology make current practices for leadership in general, and the application of those practices obsolete? Maybe not.This paper seeks to examine the nature of what is really changing when leading in a VaRD environment through the lens of engineers leading teams in global and complex technical challenges. Those perspectives are analyzed to determine the factors that go into a VaRD environment. In addition, this paper analyzes how interactions between teams compare to an in‐person environment, how leadership practices are applied in this environment, and how technical leadership is tailored for these new environments.
Workforce and Evaluation and Training for Digital Engineering in the US Department of Defense
Authors: Hutchison Nicole , Tao Hoong Yan See , Pepe Kara , Blackburn Mark , Verma Dinesh , Peak Russell , Baker Adam , Whitcomb Clifford , Khan Rabia 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDigital engineering (DE) is “an integrated digital approach that uses authoritative sources of systems’ data and models as a continuum across disciplines to support lifecycle activities from concept through disposal. A DE ecosystem is an interconnected infrastructure, environment, and methodology that enables the exchange of digital artifacts from an authoritative source of truth.” (DAU, 2017) Digital transformation is fundamentally changing the way acquisition and engineering are performed across a wide range of government agencies, industries, and academia and is characterized by the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, changing fundamental operations and how results are delivered in terms of new value to customers. It includes cultural change centered on alignment across leadership, strategy, customers, operations, and workforce evolution. In 2020, the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) developed a Digital Engineering Competency Framework (DECF) to support the US Department of Defense (DoD). This paper provides an update to the DECF (version. 1.1) and a mapping of some existing DoD training resources against the DECF. It discusses gaps and provides a few high‐level recommendations on how to build DE competency in the DoD acquisition workforce. Though the DECF and the training included here are specific to the DoD, the competency framework is intended to be relevant to anyone working in the DE space.
Using Digital Viewpoint Concept Model for Defining Digital Engineering Information Exchange
Authors: McGervery Sean , Tseng Celia , Hambrick Tamara 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe objective of the DVM concept model is to characterize the content and relationships involved in the exchange of digital artifacts and its curation for stakeholder use and consumption. The Digital Engineering Information Exchange Working Group (DEIX WG) developed this concept model to describe the interactions and challenges of exchanging a diverse set of information in a digital environment. The DEIX WG is a collaboration between the International Council of Systems Engineers (INCOSE), the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Subcommittee, and the Department of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (DoD/OUSE (R&E)). The DEIX WG supports the strategic objective to accelerate the digital engineering transformation by evolving the characterization of the content and relationships involved in the exchange of digital artifacts between disciplines and stakeholders throughout the engineering lifecycle.
Molecular weight determination of adeno‐associate virus serotype 8 virus‐like particle either carrying or lacking genome via native nES gas‐phase electrophoretic molecular mobility analysis and nESI QRTOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Zoratto Samuele , Weiss Victor U. , van der Horst Jerre , Commandeur Jan , Buengener Carsten , Foettinger‐Vacha Alexandra , Pletzenauer Robert , Graninger Michael , Allmaier Guenter 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVirus‐like particles (VLPs) are proteinaceous shells derived from viruses lacking any viral genomic material. Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) is a non‐enveloped icosahedral virus used as VLP delivery system in gene therapy (GT). Its success as vehicle for GT is due to its selective tropism, high level of transduction, and low immunogenicity. In this study, two preparations of AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) VLPs either carrying or lacking completely genomic cargo (i.e., non‐viral ssDNA) have been investigated by means of a native nano‐electrospray gas‐phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analyzer (GEMMA) (native nES GEMMA) and native nano‐electrospray ionization quadrupole reflectron time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MS) (native nESI QRTOF MS). nES GEMMA is based on electrophoretic mobility principles: single‐charge nanoparticles (NPs), that is, AAV8 particle, are separated in a laminar sheath flow of dry, particle‐free air and a tunable orthogonal electric field. Thus, the electrophoretic mobility diameter (EMD) of a bio‐NP (i.e., diameter of globular nano‐objects) is obtained at atmospheric pressure, which can be converted into its MW based on a correlation. First is the native nESI QRTOF. MS's goal is to keep the native biological conformation of an analyte during the passage into the vacuum. Subsequently, highly accurate MW values are obtained from multiple‐charged species after deconvolution. However, once applied to the analysis of megadalton species, native MS is challenging and requires customized instrumental modifications not readily available on standard devices. Hence, the analysis of AAV8 VLPs via native MS in our hands did not produce a defined charge state assignment, that is, charge deconvolution for exact MW determination was not possible. Nonetheless, the method we present is capable to estimate the MW of VLPs by combining the results from native nES GEMMA and native ESI QRTOF MS. In detail, our findings show a MW of 3.7 and 5.0 MDa for AAV8 VLPs either lacking or carrying an engineered genome, respectively.
Stepwise‐clustered heatwave downscaling and projection for Guangdong Province
Authors: Ren Jiayan , Huang Guohe , Li Yongping , Zhou Xiong , Lu Chen , Duan Ruixin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHeatwave events over Guangdong have attracted recent attention under changing climate conditions. It is desired to explore the future changes of heatwave due to its associated consequences on society economy and environment. In this study, a stepwise‐clustered heatwave downscaling approach (i.e., SCHW) was developed for the projection of HWs in Guangdong. The heatwave indicators (occurrence, duration, magnitude, intensity, frequency, and accumulated intensity) were investigated from both the absolute and relative definitions of heatwave events (i.e., AHWs and RHWs) based on the multi‐model ensemble of 13 coupled model intercomparison projected phase 5 (CMIP5) global climate models (GCMs) under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). The trends (i.e., 0.18–0.29°C per decade under RCP4.5 and 0.30–0.58°C per decade under RCP8.5) of the projected daily maximum temperature indicate that Guangdong would experience continuous warming in the future. The occurrence, frequency, and accumulated intensity of heatwave would increase by 198%, 272%, and 346% in the 2080s (i.e., 2066–2095) under RCP8.5 compared to the historical period (i.e., 1976–2005), respectively. Moreover, the three indicators of HWs are projected to have more substantial increases over inland Guangdong than its costal parts. The spatial variation of occurrence of absolute and relative heatwave under RCP8.5 (2.80 and 2.78) is larger than these under RCP4.5 (2.50 and 2.32) during 2080s (i.e., 2066–2095). The projections of future HWs can help provide valuable information for assessing extreme climate change and identifying desired adaptation strategies.
Spatial 3D mapping of forest soil carbon stocks in Hesse, Germany
Authors: Heitkamp Felix , Ahrends Bernd , Evers Jan , Meesenburg Henning 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundForest soils are an important reservoir of organic carbon (OC) and a potential source or sink for atmospheric CO2. Prediction of OC stock changes under ongoing climatic and management changes requires a spatial explicit base. Knowledge of the vertical distribution of OC stocks is very important, since varying soil layers may be affected differently by environmental change.AimThree‐dimensional regionalization of OC stocks of the forest floor (FFC) and 5 cm depth increments of the mineral soil (SOC) of Hesse, Germany.MethodsDatasets of the second National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI II) were used for parametrization of hierarchical generalized additive models (hGAM). Validation was performed by a 10 times repeated 10‐fold cross‐validation, and spatial model uncertainty was assessed.ResultsDepth‐dependent validation indicated that model performance was best between 15 and 60 cm (amount of variance explained ≈ 0.5). All covariates showed plausible partial effects. FFC stocks were predicted to be highest under coniferous forest with a high influence of N deposition. Climate and potential cation exchange capacity affected SOC stocks markedly, whereas soil class and parent material were most important for the depth distribution. Overall, average predicted OC stocks were between 78.0 and 92.5 t ha−1, amounting to 67.6 to 80.1 Mt for all forest soils of Hesse. Between 16% and 24% were stored in the forest floor. Sixty‐eight percent to 69% of predicted SOC stocks were stored in the upper 30 cm. Model uncertainty was highest at locations with high elevation or ground water influence.ConclusionsThis work provides the first spatial explicit database for OC stocks of forest soils in Hesse at an intermediate scale. Stocks can be assessed flexibly for varying depth from the forest floor down to 100 cm. Uncertainty analysis informs about locations, where the model results have to be handled with care.
Radical scavenging behavior of butylated hydroxytoluene against oxygenated free radicals in physiological environments: Insights from DFT calculations
Authors: Boulebd Houssem 
Published: September 2021

AbstractButylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic antioxidant widely used as a preservative in foods containing fat, the petroleum industry, and pharmaceuticals. Herein, a systematic investigation of reaction mechanisms and kinetics of BHT initiated by HO• and HOO• radicals in physiological environments has been reported for the first time. The overall rate coefficients were determined according to the QM‐ORSA (quantum mechanics‐based test for overall free radical scavenging activity) procedure at the M06‐2X/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory. The radical adduct formation has been found to be the decisive mechanism for HO• scavenging in both polar and lipid media with koverall = 1.39 × 1012 and 1.13 × 1011 M–1 s–1, respectively. While this mechanism has no contribution to HOO• scavenging in physiological environments which mainly takes place via the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism (koverall = 2.51 × 105 and 1.70 × 104 M–1 s–1 in water and lipid media, respectively). The obtained findings are consistent with the available experimental data, which validates the accuracy of the calculations.
Benefits of Cochlear Implantation in Childhood Unilateral Hearing Loss (CUHL Trial)
Authors: Brown Kevin D. , Dillon Margaret T. , Park Lisa R. 
Published: September 2021

Objectives/HypothesesChildren with unilateral sensory hearing loss (UHL) struggle to understand speech in noise and locate the origin of sound and have reduced quality of hearing. This clinical trial will determine the benefits of cochlear implantation in children with UHL.Study DesignProspective clinical trial.MethodsTwenty children with at least moderate to profound sensory hearing loss and poor speech perception (word score <30%) in one ear and normal hearing in the contralateral ear participated in a Food and Drug Administration‐approved clinical trial. Subjects were evaluated for speech perception in quiet, speech perception in noise, sound localization, and subjective benefits after implantation.ResultsCNC word score perception in quiet significantly improved (1% to 50%, P < .0001) by 12 months after activation. Speech perception in noise by BKB‐SIN significantly improved in all three noise configurations; there was a 3.6 dB advantage in head shadow (P < .0001), a 1.6 dB advantage in summation (P = .003), and a 2.5 dB advantage in squelch (P = .0001). Localization improved by 26° at 9 months (P < .0001). Speech, Spatial, and Qualities (SSQ) demonstrated significant improvements in speech (5.2 to 7.4, P = .0012), qualities of hearing (5.9 to 7.5, P = .0056), and spatial hearing (2.7 to 6.6, P < .0001). SSQ subscales associated with binaural hearing were significantly improved, as was listening effort (P = .0082). Subjects demonstrated a non‐significant improvement in fatigue.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that children with UHL significantly benefit from cochlear implantation.Level of EvidenceLevel 3 Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S18, 2022
Evaluation of hyperspectral imaging to quantify perfusion changes during the modified Allen test
Authors: Linek Matthäus , Felicio‐Briegel Axelle , Freymüller Christian , Rühm Adrian , Englhard Anna Sophie , Sroka Ronald , Volgger Veronika 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the capability of hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a contact‐less and noninvasive technology, to monitor perfusion changes of the hand during a modified Allen test (MAT) and cuff occlusion test. Furthermore, the study aimed at obtaining objective perfusion parameters of the hand.MethodsHSI of the hand was performed on 20 healthy volunteers with a commercially available HSI system during a MAT and a cuff occlusion test. Besides gathering red‐green‐blue (RGB) images, the perfusion parameters tissue hemoglobin index (THI), (superficial tissue) hemoglobin oxygenation (StO2), near‐infrared perfusion (NIR), and tissue water index (TWI) were calculated for four different regions of interest on the hand. For the MAT, occlusion (OI; the ratio between the condition during occlusion and before occlusion) and reperfusion (RI; the ratio between the non‐occlusion state and the prior occlusion state) indices were calculated for each perfusion parameter. All data were correlated to the clinical findings.ResultsFalse‐color images showed visible differences between the various perfusion conditions during the MAT and cuff occlusion test. THI, StO2, and NIR behaved as expected from physiology, while TWI did not in the context of this study. During rest, mean THI, StO2, and NIR of the hand were 34 ± 2, 72 ± 9, and 61 ± 6, respectively. The RI for THI showed a roundabout threefold increase after reperfusion of both radial and ulnar artery and was thus, distinctly pronounced when compared with StO2 and NIR (~1.25). The OI was lowest for THI when compared with StO2 and NIR.ConclusionsHSI with its parameters THI, StO2, and NIR proved to be suitable to evaluate perfusion of the hand. By this, it could complement visual inspection during the MAT for evaluating the functionality of the superficial palmary arch before radial or ulnar artery harvest. The presented RI might deliver useful comparative values to detect pathological perfusion disorders at an early stage. As microcirculation monitoring is crucial for many medical issues, HSI shows potential to be used, besides further applications, in the monitoring of (free) flaps and transplants and microcirculation monitoring of critically ill patients.
Corrosion properties of Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 in static liquid lead–bismuth eutectic at 500°C
Authors: Zhu Huiping , Liu Xudong , Chang Baochen , Li Xiaobo , Qi Muran , Wang Yifeng , Niu Fenglei , Ma Yan , Lyu Liangliang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFor lead‐cooled fast reactors and accelerator‐driven subcritical systems, the surface corrosion behavior of candidate structural materials in lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) is a key issue, which determines whether the material is applicable. The candidate materials of two typical MAX phases, Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2, were immersed in static LBE with saturated oxygen concentration at 500°C for up to 3000 h. The corrosion behaviors of Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, X‐ray diffraction, and Raman spectra. The experimental results showed that elements interdiffusion between LBE and sample matrix occurred on both Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 surfaces, which led to the formation of the diffusion layer. The dominant component of the diffusion layer is PbTiO3, which makes the corroded surface fragile in a stress environment. Besides, there were differences in structures of corroded sample surfaces between Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2. The corrosion layer of Ti3SiC2 consisted of two layers, while only one single layer formed on Ti3AlC2 surfaces. The stable oxide layer consisting of SiO2 and TiO2 can protect Ti3SiC2 samples from further LBE corrosion and maintain the integrity of the surfaces. For Ti3AlC2 samples, it is hard to form a continuous Al2O3 protective layer, thus no stable oxide layer was detected on the corroded surfaces. Compared with Ti3AlC2, Ti3SiC2 showed better corrosion resistance in LBE.
Thermoplastic Polyamide Elastomers: Synthesis, Structures/Properties, and Applications
Authors: Gong Shun , Zhao Shikun , Chen Xiangyang , Liu Huipeng , Deng Jianping , Li Suyuan , Feng Xinxing , Li Yucai , Wu Xin , Pan Kai 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPAEs) have emerged as important thermoplastic elastomer materials with significant potentials owing to their excellent low‐temperature flexibility, easy processability, lightweight, good thermal stability and mechanical properties, etc. Over the last few decades, TPAEs have rapidly developed into a large variety of kinds of TPAEs. Striking advancements have been achieved in this research field. Unfortunately, there is not yet a review to summarize the progress. The present paper summarizes the major advancements dealing with TPAEs, in which synthesis, structures/properties as well as applications are introduced in detail. Moreover, current challenges and main developmental directions dealing with TPAEs are also presented. This review may motivate more interest in TPAEs, further facilitating their all‐side research and more large‐scale applications.