bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Common terminology, well established techniques and methods are key success factors of Requirements Engineering: the contribution of RE certification to project success
Authors: Salinesi Camille , Sturm Stefan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAs numerous studies, such as the well‐known Chaos report by the Standish Group, show it, Requirements Engineering (RE) is among the main key success factors of ICT projects. In order to improve project success a stronger focus has to be set on the early project phases, i.e. the Requirements Engineering. With several specialised international conferences series and scientific journals, the literature offers a wealth of research findings from novel methods, techniques and tools, to case study reports, surveys, experiment reports, literature reviews, etc. Many professional books have been published, and mature tools are available on the market. How comes with all this material, the profession does not get the appropriate attention? How comes people who need to practice RE lack so frequently of even the basic knowledge in RE? The position taken in this paper is that a common understanding of the terminology and of widely acknowledged techniques and methods can be established through certification, which in its turns shall contribute to better project success. Starting from an analysis of the salient problems, the paper describes the driving principles of certification, and shows its implementation with the IREB CPRE (Certified Professional in Requirements Engineering) scheme. Based on testimony by a sample from the 16.000+ IREB certified people shows the papers demonstrates the multiple outcome of being CPRE: improved project management, increased customer and user satisfaction, more innovative products and services among others.
Making new and integrated sense of heterogeneous pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Smith Gary Robert 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPre‐eclampsia is a dangerous condition that effects around 3‐8% of all pregnancies. Due to the complexity of its origin, condition and relationships with a host of factors it is colloquially known as the “disease of theories”. Arguably well established reductionist approaches inherent in the domain of disease treatment have as yet been unable to unravel this problem and the only effective treatment currently available is early delivery of the foetus and placenta. Systems Thinking however is claimed as a vehicle for tackling complex problems and as a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than isolated things and events. Elaborating on a new paradigm of systems thinking established from cancer and taking into account other emerging works of new thinking for pre‐eclampsia, proposals are made that might prove useful for the understanding and potential treatment of the condition.
Applying Systems Thinking in shaping South Africa's Electricity System
Authors: Stoker PW , Fick JIJ 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe paper analyses the current situation in respect of South Africa's electricity situation and asks the question if Systems Thinking, more specifically as it pertains to the theory of Complex Adaptive Systems, would make a contribution to improved Electrical Energy decision making.The authors applied a specific branch of Complex Adaptive Systems (namely “edge of chaos” theory) by following an example based argumentative approach in their research. This led to the following observations:

Information in respect of Electrical Energy and South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as presented in the National Development Plan, Integrated Energy Plan and Integrated Resource Plan appears to be inconsistent.
The sensitivity of Energy Intensity, the (lack of) accuracy with which it can be forecasted, and its alignment with expected growth sectors in the South African economy should be well understood and carefully monitored in shaping the future of the country's Electricity System.The paper concludes that the mental framework which Systems Thinking provides, and specifically the theory which explains the behavior of Complex Adaptive Systems, could make a positive contribution towards achieving quicker coherence in respect of South Africa's future Electricity System. Furthermore that such coherence will lead to quicker emergence of the single most important characteristic of the “RSA (Incorporated) system” ‐ its economic growth.
The case for nuclear electricity in South Africa – An economic view
Authors: Stoker PW , Fick JIJ , Ndube LK , Tlape N , Vuba M 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper makes the economic case for nuclear electricity in South Africa. The importance to the economy of having clean, reliable and affordable electricity serves as background against which the case is made for the cost for electricity by means of nuclear generation.The aim of the paper is to provide a realistic, objective and honest prediction of the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) which could be expected from deployment of two 1600MWe reactors on the Thyspunt site. The paper does not follow the traditional approach whereby sensitivity analysis is performed on key LCOE parameters such as construction time and discount rate. It rather assumes realistic values for these parameters, based on global indicators and taking account of the South African context. It describes pre‐requisite conditions that must be met for these assumptions to be valid. The authors submit that this approach is typical of the systems approach to resolving highly complex intra‐disciplinary problems.The paper proposes a project capitalization plan and reports the calculated LCOE generated by a nuclear plant at R1.28/kWh.It is concluded that an advanced capitalization plan holds many advantages, but these come at the price of very complex contractual arrangements. It was further argued that pre‐requisites for such advanced capitalization schemes include a stable socio‐political situation, predictable legislative environment and a vibrant economy.
A Case Study into the status of Requirements Management in the South African defence industry
Authors: Surju Sunil , Benade Siebert 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn the systems engineering domain, there are several processes that are necessary for success, one of them is requirements engineering. This is a study of the requirements management process, traceability tools and workforce in the defence environment. A review of the literature suggested that good requirements management is important for success in projects; tools can be an enabler and the workforce can negatively or positively influence the requirements process. The author is an employee of Armscor and works on capital acquisition programmes in a project management capacity. Prior investigations within Armscor, the acquisition and procurement agency for the Department of Defence (DOD), revealed that problems exists in managing requirements internal and externally. The objective of this research was to determine the extent of these problems specifically focussed on the requirements process, the supporting tools and the workforce influences. The research followed a multiple case study strategy. It was a qualitative study with semi‐structured interviews conducted with respondents from four organisations i.e. DOD, Armscor and two Defence Industry Organisations namely DIO1 and DIO2. The results revealed that the requirements processes on the higher organisational levels required improvements and the problems discussed in the literature review were similar; tools played an important role in facilitating good requirements management and creating traceability. The workforce issues contributed largely to poor requirements management.
A Systems Engineering approach for the deployment of an atmospheric monitoring station
Authors: Venter A.D. , Stoker P.W. , Fick J.I.J. , Vakkari V. , van Zyl P.G. , Beukes J.P. , Laakso L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this paper the importance of a Systems Engineering (SE) approach is reiterated for developing and managing an atmospheric monitoring station. A newly established comprehensive atmospheric monitoring station, the Welgegund Atmospheric Monitoring Station (WAMS), was used as a case study ‐ system of interest (SOI). In agreement with commercial projects, the Customer Need has shown that the SOI life‐cycle may be time intensive with significant financial impacts. The Operational Concept was visualised in terms of physical requirements, operational methodology and final deliverables. Functional Analysis emphasised the design importance of the measurement station for continuous operation and to remain relevant throughout the system life‐cycle. Physical architectures and interfaces were scrutinised to maximise the efficiency of the SOI. Testing was vital and remains a continuous process. By continuing to implement the SE approach, the WAMS will satisfy the changing and unique stakeholder requirements throughout the system life‐cycle. The paper concludes that the SE framework provided made a positive contribution since the initial design and has adequately identified all the requirements in order for WAMS to be implemented on time, within budget and to the level of performance required.
Communicating with the C‐Suite: Turning Systems Engineer‐Speak into Executive‐Speak
Authors: Walden David D. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCommunication is an essential soft skill of the Systems Engineer. Systems Engineers are called upon to communicate with numerous internal and external stakeholders. Sometimes a Systems Engineer has to communicate to top‐level senior executives. They are often known as the C‐Suite, since many of the executives’ titles start with “C,” for Chief (e.g., Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer). This paper describes several ways in which Systems Engineers can be more effective in communicating with the C‐Suite.
Introducing the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook Version 4
Authors: Walden David D. , Roedler Garry J. , Forsberg Kevin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe objective of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Systems Engineering Handbook is to describe key process activities performed by systems engineers and other engineering professionals throughout the life cycle of a system. It also describes a wide range of fundamental system concepts that broaden the thinking of the systems engineering practitioner, such as system thinking, system science, life cycle management, specialty engineering, system‐of‐systems, and complex systems. This handbook defines the discipline and practice of systems engineering for students and practicing professionals alike, providing an authoritative reference that is acknowledged world‐wide.Editors of the Systems Engineering Handbook will give an overview of Version 4 that is scheduled to be released in January of 2015. They will describe the overall impetus for change, highlight changes from the previous versions, and describe the new content added for this version.
Prevascularized silicon membranes for the enhancement of transport to implanted medical devices
Authors: Worthington Kristan S. , Wiley Luke A. , Mullins Robert F. , Tucker Budd A. , Nuxoll Eric 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRecent advances in drug delivery and sensing devices for in situ applications are limited by the diffusion‐limiting foreign body response of fibrous encapsulation. In this study, we fabricated prevascularized synthetic device ports to help mitigate this limitation. Membranes with rectilinear arrays of square pores with widths ranging from 40 to 200 μm were created using materials (50 μm thick double‐sided polished silicon) and processes (photolithography and directed reactive ion etching) common in the manufacturing of microfabricated sensors. Vascular endothelial cells responded to membrane geometry by either forming vascular tubes that extended through the pore or completely filling membrane pores after 4 days in culture. Although tube formation began to predominate overgrowth around 75 μm and continued to increase at even larger pore sizes, tubes formed at these large pore sizes were not completely round and had relatively thin walls. Thus, the optimum range of pore size for prevascularization of these membranes was estimated to be 75–100 μm. This study lays the foundation for creating a prevascularized port that can be used to reduce fibrous encapsulation and thus enhance diffusion to implanted medical devices and sensors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1602–1609, 2016.
Monodispers and Multifunctional Magnetic Composite Core Shell Microspheres for Demulsification Applications
Authors: Ali Nisar , Zhang Baoliang , Zhang Hepeng , Zaman Wajed , Ali Sarmad , Ali Zafar , Li Wei , Zhang Qiuyu 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIron oxide@Poly(Glycidylmethacrylate‐methyl methacrylate‐divinyl benzene) magnetic composite core shell microspheres Fe3O4@P(GMA‐MMA‐DVB) with epoxy group on the surface was designed and synthesized by solvothermal process followed by distillation polymerization. The surface epoxy group was modified with amino group of ethylene diamine (EDA) to prepare Fe3O4@P(GMA‐MMA‐DVB)/NH2 microspheres, and then effects of modification on the structure, interfacial behavior and hence demulsification of the amino modified epoxy coating were examined. The prepared magnetic microspheres were characterized using a laser particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis indicates the presence of epoxy group, amino group and Fe3O4 in the final Fe3O4@P(GMA‐MMA‐DVB) and Fe3O4@P(GMA‐MMA‐DVB)/NH2 magnetic core shell microspheres. Our experimental results show that Fe3O4@P(GMA‐MMA‐DVB)/NH2 magnetic core shell microspheres exhibit good interfacial and demulsification properties and able to remove emulsified water from stable emulsion. The resulting microspheres showed excellent magnetic properties and further these can be recycled and reused by magnetic separation.
On the Strongest Form of a Theorem of Whitney for Hamiltonian Cycles in Plane Triangulations
Authors: Brinkmann Gunnar , Souffriau Jasper , Van Cleemput Nico 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this article, we investigate hamiltonian cycles in plane triangulations. The aim of the article is to find the strongest possible form of Whitney's theorem about hamiltonian triangulations in terms of the decomposition tree defined by separating triangles. We will decide on the existence of nonhamiltonian triangulations with given decomposition trees for all trees except trees with exactly one vertex with degree and all other degrees at most 3. For these cases, we show that it is sufficient to decide on the existence of nonhamiltonian triangulations with decomposition tree K1, 4 or K1, 5. We also give computational results on the size of a possible minimal nonhamiltonian triangulation with these decomposition trees.
Surgical site infection impact of pelvic exenteration procedure
Authors: Moghadamyeghaneh Zhobin , Hwang Grace S. , Hanna Mark H. , Carmichael Joseph C. , Mills Steven , Pigazzi Alessio , Stamos Michael J. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundWe sought to investigate morbidity and infectious complications following pelvic exenteration (PEx) and compare infectious complications of patients undergoing PEx and conventional rectal resections.MethodsThe NSQIP database was utilized to examine the clinical data of patients undergoing elective rectal resections during 2005–2013. Multivariate regression analysis was used to compare postoperative complications of patients who underwent PEx and proctectomy procedure.ResultsWe sampled a total of 7,950 patients who underwent rectal resection. Of these, 303 (3.8%) patients underwent pelvic exenteration. Mortality, morbidity, and infectious complications of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration were 1.7%, 65.7%, and 42.6%, respectively. Patients who underwent PEx had a significantly higher rate of morbidity (AOR: 2.01, P < 0.01), overall infectious complications (AOR: 1.49, P < 0.01), hemorrhagic complications (AOR: 3.36, P < 0.01), and surgical site infections (SSI) (AOR: 1.23, P = 0.04) compared to patients who underwent proctectomy. Return to operation room (AOR: 4.99, P < 0.01), obesity (AOR: 1.43, P < 0.01), disseminated cancer (AOR: 1.30, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with SSI complications.ConclusionPostoperative morbidity and infectious complication are significantly higher after PEx procedure. Return to operation room, obesity, and disseminated cancer are strongly associated with surgical site infections complications in rectal surgery. Specific consideration to infectious complications is recommended for these patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:533–537. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Main Environmental Features Leading to Recent Land Abandonment in Murcia Region (Southeast Spain)
Authors: Alonso‐Sarría Francisco , Martínez‐Hernández Carlos , Romero‐Díaz Asunción , Cánovas‐García Fulgencio , Gomariz‐Castillo Francisco 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLand abandonment is a global phenomenon whose environmental consequences are difficult to assess. The Murcia region is one of the most arid regions in southern Europe and also one of the most prone to land abandonment. This study researches which environmental features are more relevant to explain abandonment at the agricultural plot scale. Geomorphometric features were measured at different scales to investigate which scales could be more relevant. Two different models have been used: logistic regression, a statistical model that allows the interpretation of the involved features, and Random Forest, a machine learning model with a higher predictive power but lower interpretability. The combined use of both such models allows a set of predictors to be selected, which, when used with Random Forest, produce a map that is highly accurate for predicting abandonment and, when used with logistic regression, produce an interpretable model. The main conclusion is that climate is the most relevant factor to explain land abandonment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Therapeutic Developments for Tics and Myoclonus
Authors: Jankovic Joseph 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTTics and myoclonus are phenomenologically similar given that both are jerk‐like movements, but, in contrast to myoclonus, tics are often preceded by premonitory sensations and are typically associated with a variety of behavioral comorbidities, including attention deficit and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. There are many other clinical features that help differentiate these two hyperkinetic disorders. Whereas behavioral and antidopaminergic therapies are most effective in the management of tics, clonazepam, other anticonvulsants, and serotonergic drugs are often used to control myoclonic movements. Botulinum toxin may also be helpful in focal tics and in segmental forms of myoclonus. DBS plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of these disorders, particularly when they are generalized and are disabling despite optimal medical therapy. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Body mass index mediates inflammatory response to acute dietary challenges
Authors: Matone Alice , O'Grada Colm M. , Dillon Eugene T. , Morris Ciara , Ryan Miriam F. , Walsh Marianne , Gibney Eileen R. , Brennan Lorraine , Gibney Michael J. , Morine Melissa J. , Roche Helen M. 
Published: August 2015

ScopeAcute metabolic challenges provide an opportunity to identify mechanisms of metabolic and nutritional health. In this study, we assessed the transcriptomic response to oral glucose and lipid challenges in a cohort of individuals ranging in age and BMI. The main goal is to identify whether BMI can mediate the metabolic and transcriptional response to dietary challenges, and the differences between lipid and glucose tests.Methods and resultsTwo hundred fourteen healthy adults were assigned to the challenges and twenty‐three individuals were selected for further transcriptomic proofing, using microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Through linear‐mixed models and network analysis, different sets of transcripts and pathways were identified that responded to the challenges depending on BMI. Different transcripts that responded to the lipid and glucose tests, independently of BMI, were also identified. In the network analysis, inflammatory and adhesion processes were strongly represented for both challenges.ConclusionOur results indicate that BMI is strongly linked to the transcriptomic and metabolic response to acute challenges. The emerging biological processes are mainly inflammation‐related pathways, highlighting an interconnection between obesity, inflammation/adhesion, and response to nutritional challenge. The comparison between lipid and glucose challenges shows how these trigger a substantially different molecular response.
A compact multiband reject inverted double‐E microstrip filter on textile substrate
Authors: Cavalcante Gustavo A. , Minervino Diego R. , D'Assunção Adaildo G. , Neto Valdemir P. Silva , D'Assunção Adaildo G. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThis article presents the development of textile compact microstrip filters using jeans fabric dielectric substrates and pure copper polyester taffeta fabric conducting strips. Microstrip circuits such as antennas, filters, and frequency selective surfaces on textile materials exhibit some advantages over the traditional ones on microwave dielectric substrates, such as high flexibility, low weight, low cost, and easy fabrication. The proposed textile filter with inverted double‐E geometry is analyzed using the wave concept iterative procedure (WCIP), a full‐wave method, and through Ansoft Designer software. Filters with multiband reject performance are designed. For the purpose of validation, prototypes are manufactured and measured. Simulation (WCIP and Ansoft Designer) and measurement results are in excellent agreement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2543–2548, 2015
A compact antenna with frequency and pattern reconfigurable characteristics
Authors: Pan Yong , Ma Yongta , Xiong Jiang , Hou Ziye , Zeng Yue 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThis article proposes a compact printed frequency and pattern reconfigurable antenna. The antenna has a low profile, low cost, and small size of 58.0 × 40.0 × 1.2 mm3, and mainly consists of dual symmetrical radiators, two rectangle parasitic elements and one inverted T‐shape ground plane which may acts as a reflector. By loading the parasitic elements and selecting different radiators to connect to the feed, the proposed antenna can switch among three operating frequencies (2.01–2.26 GHz, 2.28–2.52 GHz, and 3.73–4.02 GHz) and select patterns between two kinds of radiating patterns with main lobe directions of
and
in the xoy plane. Comparing the expected results with measured results, a good agreement is obtained. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2467–2471, 2015