bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
1.3.2 Behavioral Economics and the Design of Systems Engineering Measures
Authors: Brown Barclay 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe design of measures is an art and a science. Taking a systems thinking perspective in designing a measure requires considering how the measure will be used, what it means, what kind of behavior it will produce, and the results of that behavior. Treating the implementation of a measure as a move in a game can give new insights into what will happen when the measure is introduced. Measures may be ignored if it is not clear what they mean, or if there are no standards or goals for the measure. Measures that are published, evaluated and used to determine performance levels of people and groups, and which have standards, norms and goals, in turn affect behavior and are subject to gaming. It is these measures which must be analyzed for unintended, or worse yet, adverse consequences. Short of finding perfect measures, the practice of balancing measures can be used to mitigate such consequences.In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. (Yogi Berra)In pursuing a comprehensive approach to the measurement of systems engineering and systems development work, we must face difficulties in both theory and practice. The central questions we must answer are,
What should we measure?
How should we measure it?
What does it mean?
How will measuring this affect behavior?
Most work in the area of measures focuses on the first two questions. The field of data analytics and interpretation focuses on the third, and the field of behavioral economics is interested in the fourth. This paper will present some key ideas about how measures can be designed and conducted, applying some insights from these diverse fields.Part I will focus on current practice, as assessed in a series of informal interviews conducted by the author in 2011–2012 with several active, senior practitioners in systems engineering measurement, mostly in the aerospace and defense industry. The goal was to understand how systems engineering is measured in current practice and how those measures are used. Part II looks at the question of how measures are designed, their component parts and how meaning for measures can be determined. In Part III the focus is on unintended consequences of applying measures—the behavioral economics perspective. Some guidelines will be suggested for the successful design of measures that avoid or minimize unintended consequences. This paper aims to suggest a new way of thinking about and designing measures and does not claim to present an explicit solution to any or all measurements needs. In fact, it is likely that the topic of measurement will appear more problematic after understanding what follows, than before.
4.3.1 Systems Engineering Tradeoff Study Process Framework
Authors: Cilli Matthew V. , Parnell Gregory S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTradeoff studies are a critical tool to provide information to support decision making for discipline engineers, systems engineers, and program managers throughout the system life cycle. Unfortunately, the quality of trade studies is inconsistent between organizations and within organizations. This paper reports on part of an INCOSE effort to improve tradeoff studies and discusses a proposed INCOSE Decision Management Process aligned with ISO/IEC 15288. The proposed process discussed in this paper integrates decision analysis best practices with systems engineering activities to create a baseline from which future papers can explore possible innovations to further enhance tradeoff study quality. The process enables enterprises to develop an in‐depth understanding of the complex relationship between requirements, the design choices made to address each requirement, and the system level consequences of the sum of design choices across the full set of performance requirements as well as other elements of stakeholder value to include cost and schedule. Through data visualization techniques, decision makers can quickly understand and crisply communicate a complex trade‐space and converge on recommendations that are robust in the presence of uncertainty.
4.4.1 On Motivating People to Implement Systems Engineering
Authors: Hoehne Oliver M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractStart by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible1. This paper concentrates on the human aspect in Systems Engineering (SE), and describes the tailored SE approach the California High‐Speed Train System (CHSTS) project took in introducing and implementing SE principles while working with various stakeholders including federal regulators, state agencies, consultants, contractors, managers, peers and suppliers.Today the CHSTS project is applying various SE tools and methods, such as stakeholder management, concept documents, operational scenarios, requirements management (RM) including RM tools, requirements verification traceability matrices (RVTM), system architectures, interface management, verification and validation, version management, process tailoring, and others.The CHSTS is considered a large infrastructure project (LIP). Numerous studies have been performed, and papers written, about the value of Systems Engineering [1]. However, LIPs in general follow a different path, using the construction industry specific Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) approach. Large infrastructure projects have been reluctant to fully embrace and implement Systems Engineering principles, often for reasons similar to that depicted in Figure 1.Applying Systems Engineering to Large Infrastructure Projects [2]imageThis paper builds on technical papers previously submitted to INCOSE [3, 4], but focuses rather on the soft skills that were used to lead the client, management and peers to introduce and implement Systems Engineering principles. The paper will also address the gradual development of individual SE activities into a comprehensive Systems Engineering approach that will achieve the necessary, the possible and, ultimately, the impossible.
7.2.1 Towards a 4‐D Systems Engineering Cognitive Competency Model
Authors: Frank Moti 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMuch activity to develop systems engineering competency models has been done in recent years. This paper focuses on SE cognitive competencies. First, twelve SE competency models are presented, chronology sorted according to the published year. Then, only the cognitive competencies are extracted from each model and finally an integrated list of cognitive competencies is presented. The integrated list contains twenty cognitive competencies all related to systems thinking. This list is one dimension of a 4‐D SE Cognitive Competency Model. The other three dimensions are role, proficiency level and competency level. The model once validated may be used for systems engineering workforce selection and development, developing systems engineering curriculum and education programs and developing a tool for assessing systems engineering cognitive competencies.
8.4.2 Fundamentals of Agile Systems Engineering – Part 2
Authors: Dove Rick , LaBarge Ralph 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAgile systems‐engineering and agile‐systems engineering are two different concepts that share the word agile. In the first case the system of interest is an engineering process, and in the second case the system of interest is what is produced by an engineering process. The word agile refers to the adaptability and the sustainment of adaptability in both types of systems. Sustained adaptability is enabled by an architectural pattern and a set of system design principles that are fundamental and common to both types of systems. Research that identified this architectural pattern and design principles is reported, updated, and applied here in two Parts. Part 1 focuses on agile‐systems engineering, reviewing the origins, values, and core concepts that define and enable domain independent agility in any type of system. Part 2 focuses on agile systems‐engineering, identifying core agility‐enabling concepts in the software‐development domain‐specific practice known as Scrum, reviewing an agile hardware/software satellite‐development systems‐engineering case for its source of agility, and then suggesting the development of an agile systems‐engineering life cycle model as a natural next step.
9.1.1 Semantic Platforms for Cyber‐Physical Systems
Authors: Petnga Leonard , Austin Mark 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper describes the development of semantic platforms to support the modeling, architectural design, realization, and operation of cyber‐physical systems. Platform architectures work directly with formal models of domain knowledge (not just raw data) that are determinate, provable (ambiguity free), executable, and with semantic parameters and rule engines that reason with physical quantities and across domains. These concepts are exercised in a case study application: the “decision‐dilemma problem” for traffic systems.
9.2.1 The Many Faces of Systems Engineering
Authors: Zonnenshain Avigdor , Stauber Shuki 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article “The Many Faces of Systems Engineering” is based on a qualitative study that included, at its core, dozens of in‐depth interviews with prominent experts in the field. We have conversed with lead systems engineers, high ranking executives, academic experts and experienced consultants. Roughly one half of the study's participants are Israelis, with the other half hailing from a multitude of other countries. We felt it was important to present a wide spectrum of perspectives on this field, as it pertains to the different features of various industries and organizations.The main findings of this study are:
Systems engineering is a profession in the making that links the classical engineering disciplines with managerial and organizational systems.
since the early 1970's, the need to create integration, both between the various engineering disciplines and between engineering disciplines in general and non‐engineering systems grew constantly.
The importance of early planning has increased greatly
There is growing in the complexity of technological systems, along with the growing demand for suitable solutions to the needs of customers. This combination requires engineering teams that develop technological products that take into account non‐technological constraints, namely economic and managerial constraints.
The systems engineer's work of integration does not begin and end only with a technological context, but is also required in the “human” field, more than ever before
A systems engineer is an integrator of people who come from different disciplines, so as to promote technological project. The systems engineer should be essentially people‐oriented with “soft skills” like leadership, communication, teamwork and risk taking.
Systems engineers are people who are willing to enter into areas that are outside of their natural territory and they own multidisciplinary capabilities.
Systems engineering is a discipline in the making and it is not obvious that organizations will adopt it. Each industry may adopt it in different way. The difference in ‘systemic’ work patterns is not exclusive to comparisons between different industries. Each company has its own unique organizational culture, which affects the working patterns of systems engineering in the same company.
It is apparent that the main trends that created the need for systems engineering methodologies (the increase in the complexity of the systems, time and budget constraints and the level of customer involvement) will only expand with time, which will subsequently increase the need for systems engineering as well, especially in high‐tech organizations. Also, we expect that it will be adopted in non technological domains like education, healthcare.
This article is part of a study carried out within the “Gordon Center for Systems Engineering” – “The Technion, Israeli Institute of Technology”. This study seeks to examine questions of identity and nature in areas of content and of interest to systems engineers.
Managing IT Change—A New Role for HR
Authors: Worster Art , Weirich, Thomas R. , Andera Frank 
Published: October 2015

This article presents some new and different approaches to workforce management during the times of dramatic change introduced by the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. It requires strong leadership from a combination of both HR and financial leadership to develop and sell these programs; and once the outlines are developed, tools to monitor and promote program progress should be developed by HR. We have found that often there is resistance to these programs by functional leaders if two things are missing: (a) HR fails to define and oversee the program; and (b) financial leaders fail to develop the cost benefit justification and do not manage the cash reserves necessary to fund it.	© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Investigation Into Social Media Usage of Publicly Traded Companies
Authors: Uyar Ali , Boyar Ender 
Published: October 2015

Social media is the recent years' phenomenon; however, it is becoming an increasingly important platform of business organizations for communication with stakeholders. Firms that explore the power of this new way of communication gain advantages in the marketplace, since it enables fast interaction with employees and customers. In the accounting field, it is providing opportunities for communication with stockholders and other stakeholders, and can be used as vehicle of corporate reporting. Thus, the topic deserves to be researched from an accounting perspective as well as from other disciplines' perspectives. This article investigates the social media usage of listed companies at Borsa Istanbul, Turkey. The findings indicate that although some firms use social media, the usage is not at satisfactory level. Therefore, significance of social media should be brought to the attention of managers and board members of firms. They should develop a road map to use social media for the execution of firm strategy and for effective communication with stockholders and other stakeholders.	© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bombesin Receptor‐Activated Protein (BRAP) Modulates NF‐κB Activation in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Enhancing HDAC Activity
Authors: Liu Ying , Qin Xiao‐Qun , Weber Horst Christian , Xiang Yang , Liu Chi , Liu Hui‐Jun , Yang Huan , Jiang Jianxin , Qu Xiangping 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTOur previous studies provided evidence that bombesin receptor‐activated protein (BRAP), encoded by C6ORF89, is widely expressed in human airway epithelial cells and may play a role in the stress response of lung epithelia. In this study, we demonstrated that BRAP has a regulatory effect on NF‐κB transcriptional activity in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). BRAP overexpression by gene transfer inhibited both basal and inducible NF‐κB transcriptional activity in HBECs, whereas BRAP knockdown had the opposite effect. BRAP was shown to regulate NF‐κB activity by enhancing histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. In addition, BRAP might increase HDAC activity that leads to NF‐κB activation via its putative C‐terminal domain. Our study suggests that the BRAP protein is an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses in the human airway epithelium. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1069–1077, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CHANGING DELAY DISCOUNTING IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMPETING NEUROBEHAVIORAL DECISION SYSTEMS THEORY: A REVIEW
Authors: Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Jarmolowicz David P. , Mueller E. Terry , Bickel Warren K. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractExcessively devaluing delayed reinforcers co‐occurs with a wide variety of clinical conditions such as drug dependence, obesity, and excessive gambling. If excessive delay discounting is a trans‐disease process that underlies the choice behavior leading to these and other negative health conditions, efforts to change an individual's discount rate are arguably important. Although discount rate is often regarded as a relatively stable trait, descriptions of interventions and environmental manipulations that successfully alter discount rate have begun to appear in the literature. In this review, we compare published examples of procedures that change discount rate and classify them into categories of procedures, including therapeutic interventions, direct manipulation of the executive decision‐making system, framing effects, physiological state effects, and acute drug effects. These changes in discount rate are interpreted from the perspective of the competing neurobehavioral decision systems theory, which describes a combination of neurological and behavioral processes that account for delay discounting. We also suggest future directions that researchers could take to identify the mechanistic processes that allow for changes in discount rate and to test whether the competing neurobehavioral decision systems view of delay discounting is correct.
Sustaining the Pipeline: Experiences of International Female Engineers in U.S. Graduate Programs
Authors: Dutta Debalina 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundResearch regarding international female engineering graduate students tends to be aggregated with that about the experiences of international students in the United States or as the struggles of female engineers in engineering disciplines. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the unique experiences of international female students in U.S. engineering graduate programs.Purpose/HypothesisThis study examined the theoretical intersections of sustainability and liminality in the experiences of international female graduate students in U.S. engineering programs. The study explored the tensions and challenges faced by international female engineering students in navigating engineering graduate programs.Design/MethodUsing qualitative detailed interviews and focus groups conducted with 49 participants, I explored the ways international female engineering students understood the tensions they experienced and developed strategies of persistence in responding to their liminal status within the engineering graduate programs.ResultsThree themes on the practices of sustainability in navigating liminality emerged from the data: constructing inclusion, challenging invisibility, and reengineering professional efficacy. The themes reflect the everyday strategies of survival the students participate in amid the challenging environment of the academic organizations.ConclusionsInternational female engineers in U.S. graduate engineering programs exist in liminal spaces where their identities are continually being challenged. Through reconstructing inclusion, challenging their invisibility, and reengineering professional efficacy, they transform these liminal spaces to their advantage and persist in their struggles with the challenges they experience.
The effect of inpatient stress testing on subsequent emergency department visits, readmissions, and costs
Authors: Mallidi Jaya , Penumetsa Srikanth , Friderici Jennifer L. , Saab Fadi , Rothberg Michael B. 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDPatients with low‐risk chest pain are frequently readmitted for evaluation of recurrent chest pain. It is unknown whether stress testing during the first admission for chest pain is a cost‐effective means of reducing readmissions.METHODSUsing a hospital administrative database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥18 years admitted under “observation status” to Baystate Medical Center between January 2007 and July 2009 for chest pain without acute coronary syndrome. We compared subsequent emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and costs within 1 year for patients who had a stress test at index admission to those who did not, adjusting for age, gender, race, insurance, and comorbidities.RESULTSThe cohort included 3315 patients. Most (n = 2376, 71.7%) had a stress test during the index admission. Within 1 year, 256 (7.7%) patients returned to the ED at least once with chest pain. Of these, 112 (43.8%) were admitted during their first return visit. In the multivariable model, return visits for chest pain were negatively associated with previous stress testing (odds ratio [OR]: 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5 to 0.9). Once in the ED, however, the risk of admission did not vary by stress test during index admission (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.4). Overall costs, including index admission and follow‐up visits for chest pain, were higher for patients with stress testing at index admission.CONCLUSIONInpatient stress testing reduced subsequent resource utilization in terms of ED visits and resultant readmissions, but the savings were not enough to offset the cost of initial testing. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:564–568. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Provider‐to‐provider electronic communication in the era of meaningful use: A review of the evidence
Authors: Walsh Colin , Siegler Eugenia L. , Cheston Erin , O'Donnell Heather , Collins Sarah , Stein Daniel , Vawdrey David K. , Stetson Peter D. ,   for the Informatics Intervention Research Collaboration (I2RC)
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDElectronic communication between providers occurs daily in clinical practice but has not been well studied.PURPOSETo assess the impact of provider‐to‐provider electronic communication tools on communication and healthcare outcomes through literature review.DATA SOURCESOvid MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Academic Search Premier.STUDY SELECTIONPublication in English‐language peer‐reviewed journals. Studies provided quantitative provider‐to‐provider communication data, provider satisfaction statistics, or electronic health record (EHR) communication data.DATA EXTRACTIONLiterature review.DATA SYNTHESISTwo reviewers conducted the title review to determine eligible studies from initial search results. Three reviewers independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and full text (where appropriate) against inclusion and exclusion criteria.LIMITATIONSSmall number of eligible studies; few described trial design (20%). Homogeneous provider type (physicians). English‐only studies.CONCLUSIONSOf 25 included studies, all focused on physicians; most were observational (68%). Most (60%) described electronic specialist referral tools. Although overall use has been measured, there were no studies of the effectiveness of intra‐EHR messaging. Literature describing the effectiveness of provider‐to‐provider electronic communications is sparse and narrow in scope. Complex care, such as that envisioned for the Patient Centered Medical Home, necessitates further research. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:589–597. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine