bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do temperate tree species diversity and identity influence soil microbial community function and composition?
Authors: Khlifa Rim , Paquette Alain , Messier Christian , Reich Peter B. , Munson Alison D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStudies of biodiversity–ecosystem function in treed ecosystems have generally focused on aboveground functions. This study investigates intertrophic links between tree diversity and soil microbial community function and composition. We examined how microbial communities in surface mineral soil responded to experimental gradients of tree species richness (SR), functional diversity (FD), community‐weighted mean trait value (CWM), and tree identity. The site was a 4‐year‐old common garden experiment near Montreal, Canada, consisting of deciduous and evergreen tree species mixtures. Microbial community composition, community‐level physiological profiles, and respiration were evaluated using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and the MicroResp™system, respectively. The relationship between tree species richness and glucose‐induced respiration (GIR), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2) followed a positive but saturating shape. Microbial communities associated with species mixtures were more active (basal respiration [BR]), with higher biomass (glucose‐induced respiration [GIR]), and used a greater number of carbon sources than monocultures. Communities associated with deciduous tree species used a greater number of carbon sources than those associated with evergreen species, suggesting a greater soil carbon storage capacity. There were no differences in microbial composition (PLFA) between monocultures andSRmixtures. TheFDand theCWMof several functional traits affected bothBRandGIR. In general, theCWMof traits had stronger effects than didFD, suggesting that certain traits of dominant species have more effect on ecosystem processes than doesFD. Both the functions ofGIRandBRwere positively related to aboveground tree community productivity. Both tree diversity (SR) and identity (species and functional identity—leaf habit) affected soil microbial community respiration, biomass, and composition. For the first time, we identified functional traits related to life‐history strategy, as well as root traits that influence another trophic level, soil microbial community function, via effects onBRandGIR.
The association between inadequate prenatal care and future healthcare use among offspring in the Bedouin population
Authors: Estis‐Deaton Asia , Sheiner Eyal , Wainstock Tamar , Landau Daniella , Walfisch Asnat 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of inadequate prenatal care on long‐term morbidity among the offspring of an ethnic minority population.MethodsA retrospective population‐based cohort analysis was performed among all Bedouin women with singleton pregnancies who delivered in a tertiary medical center in Israel between January 1, 1991, and January 1, 2014. Morbidity was defined as pediatric hospitalization across six distinct disease categories before 18 years of age. The cumulative morbidity rates were compared for offspring born following pregnancies with either inadequate (<3 visits to prenatal care facility) or adequate prenatal care.RESULTSOverall, 127 396 neonates were included; 19 173 (15.0%) were born following inadequate prenatal care. Pediatric hospitalizations for all morbidities other than cardiovascular ones were less frequent among the inadequate prenatal care group than the adequate prenatal care group (P<0.05). Survival curves demonstrated a lowered cumulative incidence for all morbidities in the inadequate prenatal care group, with the exception of cardiovascular disease.ConclusionInadequate prenatal care correlated with reduced pediatric hospitalization rates among offspring, possibly owing to a lack of child healthcare service utilization within the Bedouin population.
Clinical characteristics and prognostic inflection points among long‐term survivors of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Son Joo‐Hyuk , Kong Tae‐Wook , Paek Jiheum , Song Kwan‐Heup , Chang Suk‐Joon , Ryu Hee‐Sug 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess clinical characteristics of long‐term survivors of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to define a prognostic inflection point for long‐term survival.MethodsA retrospective analysis was undertaken of patients with FIGO stage III or IV EOC treated at one center in South Korea from 2000 to 2012. Patients who survived 5 years or more were identified, and the periods of disease‐free survival and overall survival were evaluated for prognostic inflection points to indicate long‐term survival. Clinicopathologic data and treatment‐associated factors were assessed.ResultsIn total, 60 patients survived more than 5 years. Thirty‐three (55%) patients experienced disease recurrence and 11 (18%) died due to advanced EOC during a median follow‐up period of 92 months (range 61–205). Most recurrence events (32/33, 97%) and deaths (10/11, 91%) occurred within 6 years and 8 years, respectively. Although half the long‐term (>8 year) survivors with stage IIIC–IV disease experienced disease recurrence, they had a significantly longer platinum‐free interval (P=0.007) and tended to have received aggressive surgical treatments after disease recurrence (P=0.054), as compared with survivors for 5–8 years.ConclusionSurvival for 8 years might represent a prognostic inflection point for long‐term survival in advanced EOC.
Knowledge Based Decision Model for Architecting and Evolving Complex System‐of‐Systems
Authors: Raman Ramakrishnan , D'Souza Meenakshi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractArchitecting complex System‐of‐System (SoS) has evinced keen interest recently, specifically towards factoring in the operational and managerial independence of the constituent systems, and the evolutionary and adaptive nature of SoS development. Architectural decisions have a significant bearing on the operational measures of success, referred to as Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs), of the SoS. There is inherent uncertainty while making an architectural decision for complex SoS due to the incomplete knowledge on the implications of the decision. The impact on the MOEs of the SoS may be realized only later in the development lifecycle, influencing the performance and the emergent behavior of the SoS. Further, when learning cycles on the architectural decisions are experienced, once the implication of decision is realized, there needs to be means for incorporating the feedback on the decisions taken, and to reflect back on the uncertainty associated with the decisions. This paper proposes a knowledge based decision model for architecting and evolving complex SoS, that takes into account the uncertainty associated with architectural decisions and the learning cycles and feedback loops experienced. It also enables augmenting the architectural knowledge base, both at a constituent system level as well as at the System‐of‐System level. The proposed model adopts a decision oriented view that enables factoring in uncertainty, learning cycles and feedback loops in architectural decisions. It facilitates exploring the implications of various SoS evolution scenarios on architectural decisions, while analyzing MOEs of the SoS in relation to the MOEs of the constituent systems.
Framework for Problem Definition – A Joint Method of Design Thinking and Systems Thinking
Authors: Watanabe Kyoko , Tomita Yoshikazu , Ishibashi Kane , Ioki Makoto , Shirasaka Seiko 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInnovative system development is crucial to survive the global competition for many organizations. Engineers are turning their focus on the early phase of system development where the customers' needs and wants are defined and problems are defined. Combination of design thinking and systems thinking is considered as a beneficial prescription. And today, some kind of recipes are in great demand. This paper focuses on problem definition process in the early concept stage and introduces a framework for generating creative and innovative problem statements that would bring out more chances for innovative solutions. The framework had been developed for a project based learning program in Keio University. The framework consists of five approaches. Most of them require users to exert design thinking and systems thinking at the same time. The paper introduces step‐by‐step process for each approach and examples.
Viable Systems Analysis of the Wardley IT Evolution Framework
Authors: Bradley Joseph M. , Kristoff Eric 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn enterprise technology a perennial challenge is reconciliation of “Slow” IT with “Fast” IT. Slow IT is focused on an organization's reliability, stability, and control. Fast IT is driven by innovation, exploration, and adaptation. Tension between Slow IT and Fast IT is inherent to technology, but accelerating business disruptions increase that tension and its consequences. This paper leverages the Viable Systems Model (VSM) to evaluate an IT delivery approach for integrating Slow IT with Fast IT: the Wardley Pioneer Settler Town Planner (PST) trimodal structure. This paper first reviews challenges in enterprise technology management, and the effects of current and emerging disruptions. It then reviews the Viable Systems Model as a tool for analysis of enterprise IT models. Potential obstacles to VSM use are considered, specifically regarding the practical application to enterprise IT management. Then Wardley PST is decomposed using VSM and analyzed to assess its impact on enterprise IT system viability. The VSM proves effective for analyzing future organizational health, and enables us to conclude that the Wardley PST trimodal framework is a viable system that can integrate Slow IT with Fast IT.
MBSE Grid: A Simplified SysML‐Based Approach for Modeling Complex Systems
Authors: Morkevicius Aurelijus , Aleksandraviciene Aiste , Mazeika Donatas , Bisikirskiene Lina , Strolia Zilvinas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAfter an organization makes the decision to adopt model‐based systems engineering (MBSE), it must go a long way before this decision proves right. There are many obstacles in this way, like stories about unsuccessful MBSE applications, insufficient information on how to proceed, and employee resistance to the cultural change to name a few. Neither of them is a true issue, if suitable enablers for MBSE adoption are chosen. Nowadays, MBSE is enabled by Systems Modeling Language (SysML). However, SysML is neither a framework nor a method: it provides no information about the modeling process and thus must be combined with some methodology to become truly applicable. This paper summarizes the experience of various MBSE adoption projects in the form of a new approach for MBSE. The approach is based on the framework organized in a matrix view and is designated to guide system engineers through the modeling process and help them answer the questions, like how to start, how to structure the model, what views to build, which artefacts to deliver, and in what sequence.
Defining “System”: a Comprehensive Approach
Authors: Sillitto Hillary , Dori Dov , Griego Regina M. , Jackson Scott , Krob Daniel , Godfrey Patrick , Arnold Eileen , Martin James , McKinney Dorothy 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOver the past decades, a common definition of the term system has eluded researchers and practitioners alike. We reviewed over 100 current and historical definitions of system in an effort to understand perspectives and to propose the most comprehensive definition of this term. There is much common ground in different families of definition of system, but there are also important and significant differences. Some stem from different belief systems and worldviews, while others are due to a pragmatic desire to establish a clear definition for system within a particular community, disregarding wider considerations. In either case, it limits the effectiveness of various system communities' efforts to communicate, collaborate, and learn from the experience of other communities. We discovered that by considering a wide typology of systems, Bertalanffy's General Systems Theory provides a basis for a general, self‐consistent sensible framework, capable of accommodating and showing the relationships amongst the variety of different definitions of and belief systems pertaining to system. Emergence, the appearance of a new phenomenon or capability as a result of relation or interaction between objects, is key in differentiating between objects that are systems and those that are not. Hence we propose a family of definitions, related by the common theme of emergence, which is in line with both the realist and constructivist worldviews, and covers real and conceptual systems. We believe this better reflects the current scope of systems engineering and is required to support the aspirations expressed in INCOSE SE Vision 2025.
A Context‐Enabled Systems Development Method: The Case of Semi‐Autonomous Remotely Operated Vehicles in an Arctic Environment
Authors: Nykaas Anders Roe , Zhao Yang‐Yang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Arctic areas are the new point of focus for the oil and gas industry, due to its large reserves of hydrocarbons. However, the extreme climate makes direct operation of existing systems hazardous. Aiding the need to redesign the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) for the Arctic scene, this study aims to create a systemic method to enable system requirements development for an extreme and unfamiliar situation. This study jointly employs the system of systems thinking, contextual architecting, ConOps and hazard identification method to derive the systemic method to address the system of interest, and applies it in the case of battery requirements of a semi‐autonomous ROV for Arctic applications. In this way, based on expert interviews and second‐hand data, the field‐layout for a potential oilfield in the artic is firstly crafted; the working scenarios are created; finally, the power range of the ROV can be calculated. It is found that this method can enable an analytical way of determining the contexts impact on the system and thus may allow for the successful determination of system requirements in unknown contexts.
An Exploration of MBSE Through the Modelling of the S2TEP Space System
Authors: Kretzenbacher Michael , Lange Caroline , Harvey David 
Published: August 2017

AbstractModel Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has great potential for the development of spacecraft as it promises to provide a more effective way to handle complexity. As part of a student project, the application of MBSE in conceptual design was explored through the modelling with the GENESYS tool of a micro‐satellite currently being developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The project sought to find the value of utilising model‐based techniques and explore useful modelling techniques and applications to inform future MBSE efforts at the DLR. A model of the spacecraft was created in parallel to the system development. This allowed for some key benefits of MBSE to be found. MBSE was explored through both descriptive and analytic modelling of the spacecraft.
An Enterprise Feature Ontology for Feature‐Based Product Line Engineering
Authors: Krueger Charles , Clements Paul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFeature‐Based Software and Systems Product Line Engineering (“Feature‐Based PLE”) has emerged as a modern, repeatable, codified, and proven‐in‐practice specialization of generic PLE practice. Feature‐Based PLE involves automation‐supported configuration of engineering and operations artifacts from across an enterprise, to reflect the feature choices embodied by a product. Configuration of artifacts based on feature choices is a powerful narrative, but what actually constitutes a feature? A feature is a distinguishing characteristic that sets products apart (Kang et al. 1990) but in practice this concept encompasses a broad spectrum of granularity. Stakeholders who are concerned with the finest‐grained differences are very different from those who care about the coarsest‐grained differences. This paper presents an ontology for features that is capable of supporting an entire enterprise of product line engineering and business operations, and shows how various stakeholders throughout the enterprise can interact with these different kinds of features.
Crafting A Collaboration Space For The Conceptual‐Ization Of A Collaborative Engineering Service For The Management Of Modeled Engineering Artifacts Throughout Their Enterprise Lifecycle
Authors: VanZandt Lonnie 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEnterprise architecture, the specification of problems and their solutions for accomplishing the goals of a business, as a consequence of the involvement of numerous organizations and stakeholders and as a consequence of the applicability to numerous individuals, must be a collaborative engineering and a collaborative management activity. Therefore, resources, tools, repositories, and workflows that are either historically or optimally focused on supporting the engineering of a single engineer are inadequate and ultimately unsuitable for today's practical, complex enterprise architecture. A crisis exists in enterprise architecture and in systems engineering where contributors and decision makers can neither efficiently contribute to nor rationally decide on their enterprises because traditional and extant tools and systems are individual‐centric. Individuals and organizations struggle to accomplish goals nevertheless using a hodgepodge of practices and tools that can incontrovertibly be aspersed as “email and spreadsheet” engineering.
Using MBSE to Evaluate and Protect the Electrical Grid as a System of Systems
Authors: Hause Matthew 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA System of Systems (SoS) is a large complex system, with varying degrees of operational independence, managerial independence, evolutionary development, geographical distribution and lifecycle independence. Critical Infrastructure such as the electrical grid contains all the aspects of a SoS. Due to the ever‐increasing complexity of the grid, a single model encompassing all aspects of the grid would be impossible. Hence, we need to abstract the problem into a SoS set of aspects and examine the system both at the SoS level, as well as the detailed level. This will require the use of standardized systems modeling tools such as the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), and the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) to define the overall goals, strategies, capabilities, interactions, standards, operational and system architecture, system patterns and so forth. This paper will examine the electrical grid as a SoS, define common characteristics, identify issues and vulnerabilities and MBSE strategies for addressing them.
A Requirements' eye view of product development
Authors: Beasley Richard , Pickard Andrew C , Nolan Andy J 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSystems Engineering is about making “wholes that work”. The Systems Engineering approach and processes should avoid silos and ensure work is integrated, both between disciplines and between levels, as the solution is developed. The integrating thread is requirements. Requirements understanding will vary, and the status of the requirements will change, throughout the lifecycle. Therefore the product development cycle is looked at “from a requirements eye view”.
V&V – All the Way Through
Authors: Brown Dale A. , Johnson Chamara 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper is primarily aimed at industry sectors that are late to adopt Systems Engineering; such as Infrastructure and Ground Transportation. These sectors are in distinct contrast to mature, early Systems Engineering sector adopters, such as Aerospace and Defense. Verification and Validation must be executed as a cradle to grave process, as described in IEC15288, yet the authors have noted that this is not typically accomplished in the Infrastructure and Ground Transportation sectors. What is actually observed is the degradation of Verification and Validation into “site inspection and acceptance” at the very end of the project – which is the equivalent of attempting to “inspect quality into a product” that is already built. The issues with a final inspection approach was a key focal point for Joseph M. Juran and W. Edwards Deming when teaching Japanese manufacturers about Quality Assurance (QA) in the 1970s. Juran and Deming demonstrated the value of improving organizational processes throughout the process with stakeholders, rather than simply performing inspection (Quality Control or QC) at the process end.This paper provides some root cause analysis for this industry‐specific degradation of Verification and Validation. This paper further provides practical recommendations, including key features of a Verification and Validation Plan template, for correcting this situation. The recommendations are focused on the importance of using Quality Assurance over the project or systems lifecycle to enforce accountability and process discipline.
Aditi: A Systems view of Knowledge Processes
Authors: Nori Kesav V , Kumar Anand , Natarajan Swaminathan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractKnowledge is central to systems engineering. Systems engineering activities generate, evolve and utilize knowledge. The typical processes adopted as part of this endeavor are: a) Transforming observations into models, b) Formulating multiple‐models to capture different aspects, c) Developing a holistic understanding using these models, d) Enhancing the understanding by fostering social agreement between different observers, e) Identifying the engineering goals based on this understanding, f) Designing the intervention by achieving specific engineering goals, and g) Refining and evolving the engineered outcomes. Understanding these processes and their outcomes would aid in developing better foundations for the systems engineering practice. In this paper, the “Aditi” framework is proposed as a tool that practitioners can utilize to ascertain the theories and laws applicable to the various knowledge processes in systems engineering. The framework provides a simple approach to integrate the different knowledge processes by means of a collection of reinforcing loops.
Applying Design Thinking in Systems Engineering Process as an Extended Version of DIKW Model
Authors: Tomita Yoshikazu , Watanabe Kyoko , Shirasaka Seiko , Maeno Takashi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSystems engineering methodology has expanded its application fields into creating innovations and designing societal systems. In the present age, where everything has increased in complexity, systems engineers are challenged to solve ill‐defined problems to create innovations and to design societal systems. Design thinking has attracted attention as a methodology for solving ill‐defined problems. However, design thinking cannot create innovations or design societal systems by itself. It is effective when it is applied to the systems engineering process, and embedded in its processes. This paper proposes using the advantages of both design thinking and systems engineering to build the Structured Design Thinking Framework as an extension to the DIKW model. The framework has integrated the non‐structured design thinking process and the structured systems engineering process. We used this framework to redesign a local community in Japan and to design a new concept of aquarium, and confirmed that this framework works.