bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The State of Systems Engineering Technical Practice versus Discipline: A Survey of INCOSE Chapter Attendees in North America
Authors: Wasson Charles 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn 2017, the author initiated a Systems Engineering (SE) Fundamentals Research Project to assess the “current state” of SE practice versus the “should be state” of the discipline of SE. Peer level Engineering often question and challenge SE as a domain of Engineering due to a lack of codified concepts, principles, and practices despite having a body of knowledge.This paper summarizes results of a series of research surveys concerning the “gap” between the state of SE practice versus the discipline of SE. Survey results represent “core samples” from INCOSE chapter meeting attendees at geographically dispersed locations in North America. Survey participants included INCOSE Systems Engineering Professionals (SEPs) i.e., INCOSE Acquisition SEPs (ASEPs), Certified SEPs (CSEPs), Expert SEPs (ESEPs), Non‐SEP members, and non‐members. Project survey results correlate with Wasson's (2018) personal assessment over 30 years and serve as a frame of reference for INCOSE's Future of SE (FuSE) Team for instituting corrective actions to achieve its Vision 2025.The paper concludes with findings and recommended corrective actions that industry, government, academia, professional societies, and standards organizations collectively need to reestablish SE technical core competency as a cornerstone of the discipline of SE. Then, in combination with SE Management and processes, achieve a proper balance between the two (Ryschkewitsch, et al, 2009).
A Roadmap for Advancing the State of the Practice of Model Based Systems Engineering for Government Acquisition
Authors: Noguchi Ryan A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractModel‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging paradigm for improving the practice of systems engineering, in which integrated sets of digital system models serve as the focal point for knowledge management, technical communication, and data interchange. Adoption of MBSE by Government prime contractors has grown significantly, often motivated by the drive for improved efficiency from the commercial elements of their businesses. Interest in adopting MBSE on the Government side of that interface has also grown, motivated not only by desire for improved efficiency but also by the need for a better approach for managing the complexity of those Government mission enterprises. This roadmap was created as an initial attempt at establishing a shared vision to drive discussions among the Government acquisition community—and the associated community of prime contractors, systems engineering and integration (SE&I) contractors, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC)—to drive investment and collaboration to improve the state of the practice of MBSE within this community.
Speaking in Tongues: The Systems Engineering Challenge
Authors: Scott Zane 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe Hebrew Scriptures tell the well‐known story of the construction of the tower of Babel. That project is easily begun using the single language common to all the people of the time.But in response to the plan to build a tower to the gates of heaven, God plants different languages among the builders frustrating their ability to communicate. This effectively halts the project and ends in the dispersal of the peoples to the “ends of the earth.”The ancient story carries a warning for our attempts to broaden the practice of systems engineering beyond the familiar bounds of defense and aerospace. Unlike the tower builders whose acquired problems halted their progress after a successful start, twenty‐first century systems engineers are severely language‐challenged from the outset. The demands of new domains involve the languages of diverse stakeholders and subject‐matter experts. The demands of concurrent engineering involve communicating with a variety of disciplines with their own models, methods and languages.This paper explores the challenges posed by the diversity of languages outside the usual market space and suggests possible solutions for them.
Evaluation of COTS Hardware Assemblies for use in Risk Averse, Cost Constrained Space‐based Systems
Authors: Katz Tami 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA need for reduction in cost has driven many aerospace companies to consider using Commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) hardware products during a space‐based system design and development phase. Newly developed fixed‐price space systems have a difficult challenge to address; they need to optimize their processes and requirements for cost while still adhering to the appropriate level of risk and rigor for their project. For many government‐funded fixed‐price projects, there is still an expectation of compliance to government standards and associated proof, which can be a challenge when evaluating usage of COTS hardware that may contain limited documentation. This paper presents research done to date for COTS usage in both the software and hardware domains, building upon this to provide a framework for evaluation and verification of COTS hardware assemblies used in a risk averse, cost constrained space‐based applications.
Alternatives for Managing Atmospheric Warming
Authors: Carson Ronald S. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe current discussion regarding global warming (or “climate change”) centers on managing the contribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) to incremental warming due to enhanced absorption of infrared radiation. If we are concerned about the warming, what is most important is the atmospheric heating regardless of cause. The incremental effect of CO2 may enhance this, but it is not the dominant mechanism of atmospheric warming, which is solar irradiance and the net absorption compared with reflection. This paper analyzes the large energy flows from the sun, human‐generated heat and CO2 emissions, several alternative energy conversion and generation strategies, and the resulting contributions to atmospheric heating. It is shown that increasing terrestrial albedo can offset the effects of fossil fuel combustion on both direct heating and incremental heating from CO2 emissions, and represents a viable alternative to replacing fossil‐fuel combustion with solar power.
Applying and analyzing A3 Architecture Overviews in a complex and dynamic engineering environment
Authors: Pesselse Wilco , Hofman Theo , Simons Martin , Muller Gerrit 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis research analyzes the implementation of the A3 Architecture Overview (A3AO) method at Mercedes‐Benz R&D. An A3AO captures, organizes and presents architectural information of a complex system on an A3 sized paper. The goal is to communicate architectural knowledge in a human‐oriented way, assuring all stakeholders obtain and maintain a common understanding and overview of the system.The A3AO method was applied to ‘high‐voltage charging systems’. Two higher‐level A3AOs and three A3AOs on more in‐depth topics were created. The charging system is considered to be representative for the engineering environment of Mercedes‐Benz R&D. General results showed that the A3AO method is useful in documenting and communicating architectural knowledge of a system. It furthermore produces good overviews of a complex system, which can be used in discussions and to train new employees.The two main impact factors ensuring sufficient added value are the format and the integration in the development process.
A Modified Variable Neighbourhood Search Heuristic for the Multi‐Mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with A Case Study
Authors: Chakrabortt Ripon K , Abbasi Alireza , Ryan Michael J 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper provides a fast near‐optimum solution to the Multi‐Mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (MRCPSP), for projects with activities that have known deterministic renewable and non‐renewable resource requirements. Multi‐modes allows any activity to execute one of many alternative combinations of resource usages and durations, while each activity needs to pick the most feasible one. This type of setting is more prevalent for real‐life project schedules, which necessitates systematic methodologies and advanced solution approaches in harmony with real‐world implementations. This study proposes a Modified Variable Neighbourhood Search Heuristic (MVNSH) algorithm as an advanced optimization technique for scheduling projects. To validate our approach, exhaustive computational tests were carried out by using relevant benchmark instances. The MVNSH algorithm has been shown to be faster and more accurate than many existing heuristic methods. This research also contributes to developing a practical decision support system for resolving real‐life constraints in multi‐mode resource‐constrained projects.
The comparison of the effects of local cooling and heating on apoptosis and pyroptosis of early‐stage pressure ulcers in rats
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhu Liang , Xing Fengmei , Zhao Ping , Wang Fenglan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe exploration of an effective method for preventing and treating pressure ulcers (PUs) is a hot topic in medical research. Recently, disputes about the choice of heat and cold therapies have emerged for the prevention and treatment of clinical PUs. The present study was designed to compare the effect of cool and heat therapies on pyroptosis and apoptosis of early‐stage PUs in rats. Sixty SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, heating group, and cooling group. We established a rat model of early‐stage PUs by using an ischemia‐reperfusion method. At the end of the experiment, the tissue underneath the compressed region was collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, a TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling assay, a Western blot analysis, and a mitochondrial swelling experiment. Our results suggested that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and pyroptosis were involved in the formation of early‐stage PUs, and local heating increased the PU injury in rats, while local cooling reduced the PU injury in rats. This study showed that heat therapy might not be suitable for the clinical treatment and care of early‐stage PUs, while cold therapy may be more appropriate.
Life satisfaction and social anxiety among left‐behind children in rural China: The mediating role of loneliness
Authors: Wang Lei , Yao Jun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study examined the mediating effects of loneliness in the relationship between social anxiety and life satisfaction. Four hundred and forty two left‐behind children in rural China, who completed the Social Anxiety Subscale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale, participated in the study. Results indicated that compared with both parent migration children, the scores of life satisfaction in the mother‐only and father‐only migration children were strongly higher, but did not differ across genders and ages. Additionally, social anxiety and loneliness negative predicted life satisfaction. More important, the mediation analysis revealed a partial mediating effect of loneliness in the links from social anxiety to life satisfaction. These findings call on more attention from the government and related sectors of society, and propose that loneliness improvement program may have a preventive function for promoting the life satisfaction among left‐behind children.
Interplay between neutrophils and trophoblast cells conditions trophoblast function and triggers vascular transformation signals
Authors: Calo Guillermina , Sabbione Florencia , Pascuali Natalia , Keitelman Irene , Vota Daiana , Paparini Daniel , Ramhorst Rosanna , Parborell Fernanda , Trevani Analía , Leirós Claudia Pérez 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNormal placentation entails highly regulated interactions of maternal leukocytes with vascular and trophoblast cells to favor vascular transformation. Neutrophil activation and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation associate with poor placentation and severe pregnancy complications. To deepen into the mechanisms of trophoblast–neutrophil interaction, we explored the effects of NETs on trophoblast cell function and, conversely, whether trophoblast cell‐derived factors condition neutrophils to favor angiogenesis and anti‐inflammatory signals required for fetal growth. NETs isolated from activated neutrophils hindered trophoblast cell migration. Trophoblast conditioned media prevented the effect as well as the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) known to regulate trophoblast and neutrophil function. On the other hand, factors released by trophoblast cells and VIP shaped neutrophils to a proangiogenic profile with increased vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis and increased capacity to promote vascular transformation. Results presented here provide novel clues to reconstruct the interaction of trophoblast cells and neutrophils in vivo during placentation in humans.
Length Matters: Short Base‐Plate Angle Guides May Lead to Guide‐Wire Mal‐Positioning When Inserting a DHS. A Radiographic Modeling Study
Authors: Sheharyar Khurram , Newton Ashley W. , Harrison William J. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTThe dynamic hip screw (DHS) consists of a barrel‐plate fixed to the relatively‐straight proximal femoral shaft, and a screw which slides within the barrel at a fixed angle, usually 135°. The guide‐wire is inserted using a guide at the set angle. Guide design varies between manufacturers, with some new guides being particularly short. We analysed the impact of guide design on the resulting trajectory of the guidewire, and its potential to cause a surgical error. Twenty AP hip radiographs were analysed. Trauma Cad (Brainlab, Munich, Germany) software was used to template a 4‐hole 135° DHS onto the intact femur with the screw positioned in the center of the head. A template of a Stryker (Michigan, USA) 135° DHS guide (37 mm long) was then overlaid at the hip screw entry point, and the set trajectory marked. The divergence between the two trajectories was measured (α angle). The distance the guide would have to be moved inferiorly to attain the correct position in the head was then noted. The median divergence (α angle) caused by the guide relative to the ideal position was 6° (range 2–12). This led to the guidewire placement being a median of 9.1 mm (range 3–23) superior in the head (β).To achieve the correct position of the wire in the head, the guide needed to be moved inferiorly a median of 8 mm (range 2–10). © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:574–577, 2020
Spatial distribution and landscape associations of large‐antlered deer
Authors: Cain Rebecca L. , Snow Nathan P. , Crawford Joanne C. , Williams David M. , Porter William F. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTFor more than a century, the Boone and Crockett Club has kept records of harvest locations for 38 categories of North American big game, which includes measurement details and sizes of enduring characteristics (e.g., antlers, skulls, horns). All white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) entered in the Club records (i.e., record deer) have large antlers because the measurements must meet or exceed a minimum size to qualify for entry. We used the records from the Club to test the hypothesis that the spatial distribution in the harvest of record deer was related to the number of antlered deer harvested, variations in land productivity, soil mineral content, and attributes of land cover for 9 states in the midwestern United States. We used a Bayesian theoretical framework to develop a spatial model that examined the influence of explanatory variables on the number of record deer harvested in each county. In our study area, 3,658 record deer were harvested in 692 of the 856 counties (80.8%). More record deer were harvested in counties that had more high‐contrast edges, less contiguous land cover, and greater variation in soil productivity. These results provide information for managers and hunters to better understand the spatial distribution of record deer and factors that are correlated with their distribution. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Equine‐assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis
Authors: White‐Lewis Sharon 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimsA concept analysis was conducted to clarify the attributes, antecedents and meaning of equine‐assisted therapy and present an operational definition.DesignConcept analysis.MethodsWalker and Avant's concept analysis method was used to analyse equine‐assisted therapy, using horses as healers by defining and enumerating the attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents. Example cases are presented.ResultsDefining attributes include the following: a human participant with an equine physically present to assist the human participant, a treatment or intervention as a result of the interactions between an equine and a human participant, a purposeful and regulated interaction and a positive health outcome goal from the interaction. Antecedents include a live horse with a human physically able to interact with the horse, a facilitator and accessibility to an equine‐assisted therapy (EAT) programme. Consequences include improved balance, well‐being, quality of life, trust, spasticity, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, nurse presence, pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.
Hypothetical model of perceived adherence to treatment among patients with coronary heart disease after a percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kähkönen Outi , Kankkunen Päivi , Saaranen Terhi , Miettinen Heikki , Kyngäs Helvi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo test the hypothetical model of adherence to treatment among patients with coronary disease after percutaneous coronary intervention.DesignA descriptive, explanatory, cross‐sectional survey.MethodsThe study was conducted in 2013 with 416 patients in five hospitals in Finland. The adherence of patients with chronic disease instrument, the adherence visual analogue scale, the social support for people with coronary heart disease instrument, the EuroQoL five‐dimensional scale and EuroQoL visual analogue scale were used. The data were analysed using descriptive statistic. The hypothetical model was tested using structural equation modelling.ResultsThe hypothetical model explained 30% of perceived adherence to treatment. Structural equation modelling confirmed that motivation, support from physicians and next of kin had direct associations with adherence. Indirectly, informational support, results of care, perceived health, anxiety and depression were associated with adherence. The background variables associated with adherence were gender, relationship, physical activity, consumption of vegetables and consumption of alcohol.
The influence of personality factors, value appraisals, and control appraisals on cognitive test anxiety
Authors: Thomas Christopher L. , Cassady Jerrell C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCognitive test anxiety is a considerable barrier to academic success. The control value theory of achievement emotions suggests emotions within academic situations—including test‐anxious responses—follow from control and value appraisals. Furthermore, the control value theory suggests a multitude of individual‐level factors that influence appraisals. However, few investigations have explored the interactive influence of enduring personality traits and control and value appraisals on the experience of cognitive test anxiety. The current study was designed to explore the relationship among openness to experience, neuroticism, conscientiousness, control and value appraisals, and cognitive test anxiety. Participants (N = 481) completed the Big Five Inventory, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, and the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale‐Short Form. Using exploratory structural equation modeling, we demonstrated that value and control appraisals were important predictors of cognitive test anxiety. Furthermore, results indicated that openness to experience was a positive predictor of value appraisals. Finally, results indicated that higher levels of control appraisals were associated with higher levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience and lower levels of neuroticism. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the determinants of cognitive test anxiety and have implications for efforts designed to identify test‐anxious students.
Engineering of Hydrogel Materials with Perfusable Microchannels for Building Vascularized Tissues
Authors: Xie Ruoxiao , Zheng Wenchen , Guan Liandi , Ai Yongjian , Liang Qionglin 
Published: September 2019

AbstractVascular systems are responsible for various physiological and pathological processes related to all organs in vivo, and the survival of engineered tissues for enough nutrient supply in vitro. Thus, biomimetic vascularization is highly needed for constructing both a biomimetic organ model and a reliable engineered tissue. However, many challenges remain in constructing vascularized tissues, requiring the combination of suitable biomaterials and engineering techniques. In this review, the advantages of hydrogels on building engineered vascularized tissues are discussed and recent engineering techniques for building perfusable microchannels in hydrogels are summarized, including micromolding, 3D printing, and microfluidic spinning. Furthermore, the applications of these perfusable hydrogels in manufacturing organ‐on‐a‐chip devices and transplantable engineered tissues are highlighted. Finally, current challenges in recapitulating the complexity of native vascular systems are discussed and future development of vascularized tissues is prospected.
Elemental composition of total dry particulate matter deposited in the selected industrial areas within Lagos state
Authors: Adebanjo Sunday Adekunle , Jimoda Lukuman Adekilekun , Alade Abass O. , Alamu Adejoke Oluseyi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe total particulate matter (PM) deposited within 17 selected industrial areas in Lagos state during the dry season (December 2015 to January 2016) was studied. Deposition gauges measuring 0.2 meters (m) in diameter by 0.15 m in depth were placed at the sampling locations for a period of one month to collect the total deposited PM. The PM was then characterized using energy‐dispersive X‐ray florescence (EDXRF). The sources of the heavy metals were evaluated using enrichment factor (EF) analysis. Factor analysis (FA) was then used to determine the correlations between the identified heavy metals. Twenty‐three elements—sodium (Na), silicon (Si), phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), lead (Pb), tungsten (W), polonium (Po), and actinium (Ac)—were characterized in the PM collected at the sampling sites. The iron elemental ratio ranged from 0.0003 to 3.8848. The EF ranged from 0.0015 to 1697.47, including at the control location. The FA, using principal component analysis techniques, revealed seven factor loadings with 90.03% cumulative, which suggests that the sources are anthropogenic, such as from industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and the combustion of fuel.