Conceptual Phase Research Articles

A multi-performance seismic design procedure to incorporate Crescent Shaped Braces in mid-rise frame structures

This paper introduces a novel procedure for the seismic design of a new class of seismic-resisting systems for mid-rise buildings obtained by incorporating special yielding steel braces known as Crescent Shaped Braces (CSBs) into Not Moment-Resisting Frames (NMRFs). The proposed design procedure is grounded on the Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) framework through the imposition of multiple seismic performance objectives with the aim of obtaining an almost uniform along-the-height seismic behavior. The desired uniform seismic behavior is ensured by imposing: (i) uniform inter-storey drifts under frequent earthquakes; (ii) widespread yielding of the braces along the building height under occasional earthquakes; (iii) minimum ductility capacity at all storeys to be exploited under rare earthquakes; (iv) minimum hardening stiffness for the mitigation of the second order (P-Δ) effects under very rare earthquakes. The desired performances are made possible by the specific features of the CSBs in terms of initial lateral stiffness, yielding strength, ductility capacity and final hardening response. The procedure is articulated in four conceptual phases and several steps to guide the professional engineer through all the main design phases, from the selection of the seismic performance objectives to the preliminary sizing of the CSB devices, up to the final design/verification through non-linear time-history analyses. The effectiveness of the proposed design procedure is finally demonstrated through an applicative example.

Meaningful measures for advanced cancer: Building a measure set to promote goal-concordant care.

210 Background: Research suggests that patients with advanced cancer do not reliably receive care consistent with their goals and values, indicating an important gap. While experts promote measurement of ‘goal concordant care’ this construct is difficult to measure due to definitional and data complexity. The 10 cancer hospitals of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers (ADCC) have collaboratively implemented interventions to improve goal concordant care and create a wholistic measure set through the Improving Goal Concordant Care (IGCC) Initiative. Methods: ADCC launched the 3 year initiative in 2020. Oncology, palliative care and quality experts completed conceptual work prior to launch including identifying core intervention components, specific aims and potential measures. Following an environmental scan, a workgroup brainstormed relevant measures, then applied feasibility and priority ratings. Patient/family advisors provided guidance. In 2020, a measure panel initiated technical development, using existing specifications as feasible. Claims-based measures were modeled. Following alpha testing, quarterly data submission of selected measures began in 2022. Results: During the conceptual phase, the workgroup identified 60 measures. 19 measures remained following the prioritization and feasibility rating; 14 have been tested and implemented to date (Table). A stakeholder (e.g., patients, physicians, administrators) assessment regarding each measure’s value in assessing quality and usefulness for improvement is in progress. Conclusions: In support of IGCC, we created a set of measures to assess progress towards achieving goal-concordant care. This measure set is intended to be useful in any cancer setting.[Table: see text]

Analysis-by-synthesis paradigm evolved into a new concept

This work aims at showing how the well-known analysis-by-synthesis paradigm has recently been evolved into a new concept. However, in contrast to the original idea stating that the created sound should not fail to pass the foolproof synthesis test, the recent development is a consequence of the need to create new data. Deep learning models are greedy algorithms requiring a vast amount of data that, in addition, should be correctly annotated. Annotation is a bottleneck to getting quality-reliable data as the process relies on annotating a person’s experience and, in many cases, personality-related issues. So, the new approach is to create synthesized data based on a thorough analytical examination of a musical/speech signal resulting in cues for a deep model of how to populate data to overcome this problem. Typically, a 2D feature space is employed, e.g., mel spectrograms, cepstrograms, chromagrams, etc., or a wave-based representation with the counterpart on the algorithmic side called wavenet. In this paper, examples of 2D musical/speech signal representation are presented, along with deep models applied. Creating new data in the context of applications is also shown. In conclusion, further possible directions of this paradigm development which is now beyond the conceptual phase, are presented.

Successfully Navigating the Project Lifecycle for Deployment of Centralized Biogas Projects—The Case of Solrød Biogas

The aim of this study is to identify non-technological critical success factors (CSFs) that influence the different phases of the project life cycle for the deployment of centralized biogas projects; as there is a knowledge gap in this area. This was performed by applying a longitudinal process analysis approach and an analytical framework based on findings from previous studies. Data were collected through extensive document collection and analysis, combined with in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study resulted in the identification of a total of 30 non-technological critical success factors in the case of Solrød Biogas. These were subsequently linked to one of the different phases of the project lifecycle (conceptualization phase, planning phase, execution phase) or categorized as general CSFs. We hope that the findings in this study can help ensure better management of biogas projects and enhance the capabilities of governmental bodies in supporting projects in the future, so a higher rate of centralized biogas projects is successfully implemented both in Denmark and other countries

The Reggio Emilia atelier as a place of disruption: remaking pedagogical alliances through aesthetics and experimentation

ABSTRACT This article concerns itself with the potential for ateliers to disrupt conformist approaches to pedagogy in early childhood education and care. An illustration of the role of the atelier in amplifying the aesthetics of the experience of the educational project of Reggio Emilia illuminates how disruption of conformity can be activated through the pedagogical alliances that the atelier solicits, taking a broad view of such alliances to encompass correspondences between humans and materials. Insights are shared from a research project and installation, the Digital Investigations Atelier, a collaboration between academic-researchers and teacher-researchers who work with young children in a variety of education and care settings in Perth, Western Australia. Data that ‘glow’, which for some reason, possibly intangible, stood out, are shared to illuminate conceptual phases of aesthetics, alliances, and experimentation in the creation of the installation and its opening to visitors. The article contends that conventional pedagogies, those that yearn for the predictability of recipes by the minute and elevate neoliberalism’s longing for linearity, are devoid of aesthetics and experimentation, leaving little space for imagining correspondences. Instead, it is speculated that ateliers can be places of disruption, where pedagogical alliances can be re-imagined and remade through aesthetics and experimentation..

Capturing Diabetes-Related Distress and Burden From the Perspective of Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for an Explorative Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundDiabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life. Many patients experience high diabetes-related distress as well as depression and anxiety symptoms, which are associated with poor diabetes self-management. As disease management is a central component in diabetes treatment, poor management enhances the occurrence of micro- and macrovascular complications. This emphasizes the relevance of reducing diabetes-related distress and providing adequate treatment options addressing the individual psychosocial burden of patients with diabetes. Since patients’ perspectives diverge significantly from those of practitioners in terms of relevant treatment aspects, the patient perspective on, for example, barriers to and facilitators of diabetes treatment is crucial for adequate and effective treatment as well as improvements to self-management and therefore, needs to be further explored.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine diabetes-related distress, the course of distress throughout diabetes management, as well as barriers and facilitating factors in dealing with diabetes from the individual perspective of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study employs a mixed methods design combining qualitative and quantitative data. Semistructured interviews (N=40) will be conducted with patients with type 1 diabetes (n=20) and patients with type 2 diabetes (n=20). The primary outcomes comprise (1) diabetes-related distress, (2) the severity of distress, (3) the course of distress throughout diabetes management, (4) barriers, and (5) facilitating factors. Questionnaires will provide data on the following secondary outcomes: diabetes-related emotional distress (the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale), symptoms of depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire, German version), personality functioning (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis-Structure Questionnaire), mentalizing capacities (Mentalization Questionnaire), epistemic trust (Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire) and experiences of child maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), and the overall health status of the patient (routine medical data).ResultsAs of April 2022, the conceptualization phase of the study was finalized. Ethics approval was received in January 2022 from the local ethics committee of the Justus Liebig University Giessen – Faculty of Medicine (AZ 161/21).ConclusionsThis study will provide insights into the individual perspective of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes regarding their experiences with diabetes management and what they perceive to be relevant, obstructive, or beneficial. The insights gained could help further tailor diabetes treatment to the individual needs of patients with diabetes and therefore optimize diabetes self-management.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trial Register DRKS00024999; https://tinyurl.com/2wb4xdh8International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/38477

Gastrointestinal tract-based implicit measures for cognition, emotion and behavior

Implicit physiological measures such as heart rate and skin conductance convey information about someone's cognitive or affective state. Currently, gastrointestinal (GI) tract-based markers are not yet considered while both the organs involved as well as the microbiota populating the GI tract are bidirectionally connected to the brain and have a relation to emotion, cognition and behavior. This makes GI tract-based measures relevant and interesting, especially because the relation may be causal, and because they have a different timescale than current physiological measures. This perspective paper (1) presents the (mechanistic) involvement of the GI tract and its microbiota in emotion, cognition and behavior; (2) explores the added value of microbiome-based implicit measures as complementary to existing measures; and (3) sets the priorities to move forward. Five potential measures are proposed and discussed in more detail: bowel movement, short-chain fatty acids, tyrosine and tryptophan, GI tract flora composition, and cytokine levels. We conclude (1) that the involvement of the GI tract in emotion, cognition and behavior is undisputed, (2) that GI tract-based implicit measures are still in a conceptual phase of development but show potential and (3) that the first step to bring this field forward is to start validation studies in healthy humans and that are designed in the context of implicit measurements.

A digital-integrated solution for a customised 3D design process of garments

We live in a digital era in which we have become accustomed to using digital applications to access services or purchase products for daily professional activities, communication/socialisation, or entertainment. The digital transformation of the industry (including the apparel industry) is based on a new approach: the model is developed digitally, presented to the customer, physically manufactured for use and then recorded and made available for purchase on digital platforms. The latter can stimulate connections between customers and manufacturers; in this way, the customer can make specific requests regarding the desired product, and the manufacturer can provide the customer with specific details. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a big role in the fashion industry. They are used for the design, production, and distribution of fashion items, communication, and even product co-design. This paper illustrates a method to develop business attire patterns for different professions where a dress code is required (management structures, banking, commercial activities, flight attendants, etc.) by automatically integrating 3D customer data (obtained through a 3D scanning process) and product information. Both product information (dimensions, materials and accessories, manufacturing conditions, e.g.) and information about the customer’s body (size, posture, conformation) can be integrated into the conceptual development phase in a tailored (customised) way. The virtual interactive simulation of the product on the avatar representing the customer (virtual 3D prototyping) makes it possible to assess the appearance of the garment on the human body and whether the design requirements have been met.

MODEL MIASTA

The design and development of cities is the most complicated phenomenon in the domain of shaping space. It is the result of planned human activities related to land parcellation, building infrastructure, establishing safety rules, creating a friendly scale and aesthetics of public spaces. It is also the result of spontaneous processes that take place without strict control. It is influenced by economy, demography, environmental factors, as well as wars, conflicts, and competition between entities. In architecture, it is possible to build knowledge and competences by performing tests on a 1:1 scale. Although expensive and difficult, it sometimes brings the desired results and opens the perspective to new design techniques. In urban planning, the subject of creative activities is too complex to test final solutions. The time from design to implementation is too long to use your own experience even indirectly. The only way to test urban ideas in the conceptual phase is to create models. Both geometric and social features could be represented. The most perfect contemporary models attempt to comprise many processes of city functioning, including spontaneous activities conditioned by external and internal factors.

An application of adaptive normalization evolutionary optimization ANMOGA for missile fin design based on trajectory parameters

System design is a complicated and iterative process. Accordingly, a robust optimization procedure should be involved during the design process to minimize complications and time consumed for the whole process. The present research proposes a new methodology to design missile fins that can lessen the gap between the conceptual and final phases during the missile design process. The proposed methodology is based on a new dynamic adaptive multi-objective optimization algorithm accompanied by a selection scheme to choose a single optimum design amongst a Pareto set of solutions. The adaptive normalization multi-objective evolutionary algorithm can be used in any system design. This algorithm is capable of predicting Pareto fronts for multi-objective optimization problems at very good dispersion. In addition, a selection scheme is provided to help decision-makers choose a single optimum amongst Pareto front points. The proposed algorithm is tested against several multi-objective test functions as well as the application of a selection scheme to the obtained Pareto fronts. The results showed the robustness of the proposed algorithm in the prediction of convex fronts. However, it still needs more improvement to deal with non-convex ones. An application for the considered algorithm is also provided as a case study to design tail fins for a conventional missile configuration. The output configuration of the designed fins has very reasonable dimensions when compared to similar configurations.

Design exploration by using a genetic algorithm and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)

This paper presents a computational design exploration method called GA+TRIZ, which aids designers in defining the design problem clearly, making a parametric model where pertinent variables are included, obtaining a series of suitable solutions, and resolving existing conflicts among design objectives. The goal is to include the designer's qualitative and performance-based quantitative design goals in the design process, while promoting innovative ideas for resolving contradictory design objectives. The method employed is a Genetic Algorithm (GA), earlier implemented in an automated design exploration process called ParaGen, in combination with the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), a novel methodology to assist architects and structural engineers in the conceptual phase of design. The GA+TRIZ method promotes automated design exploration, investigation of unexpected solutions, and continuous interaction with the computational generating system. Finally, this paper presents two examples that illustrate how the GA+TRIZ method assists designers in problem structuring, design exploration, and decision-making.

Fifty years of shape grammars: A systematic mapping of its application in engineering and architecture

Shape grammars allow a designer to explore a diverse and broad design space. Especially among architects and engineers, the opportunity to evaluate numerous alternatives in the conceptual phase facilitates creativity. Since the introduction of shape grammars 50 years ago, significant research and development have been performed: new applications, combinations with optimisation and integration in digital environments, among others. Consequently, there is a need to map the existing literature to encourage further progress in the field and a lower threshold for those interested in learning more about shape grammars. This study, therefore, presents a systematic mapping of shape grammars in architecture and engineering. Mapping is performed by identifying a query of relevant keywords used in five databases, with the results forming the basis of the mapping. Each of the included articles is then screened to filter out those that do not fit the content criteria. The remaining publications are then evaluated and organised based on the attributes’ application, research type, implementation, engineering and optimisation. The outcome is organised in explanatory illustrations and tables. The final discussion highlights the extensive work performed with shape grammars in the generation of two-dimensional floor plans, an increase in digital development in recent years and the need for further research. The findings indicate a gap between the state of the art and the necessary level of applicability for shape grammars to be an attractive design tool, especially for non-experts.

Re-thinking polyamide thin film formation: How does interfacial destabilization dictate film morphology?

Unravelling synthesis-morphology-performance relations of thin-film polyamide (PA) selective layers prepared via interfacial polymerization (IP) is essential for tailor-made membrane design. Here, an approach is outlined, which links synthesis and morphology in terms of the interfacial stability of a system undergoing IP, with the notion that a transition from a stable to an unstable state corresponds to a morphological shift of the resultant film, e.g., from smooth to crumpled. Within the proposed framework, physical parameters related to a variety of synthesis conditions are identified and classified based on their effect on two defined criteria: the polymer formation rate and/or the system susceptibility to instability. A conceptual phase diagram maps the morphological regimes with respect to the relevant parameter space. Our analysis, based on available literature data, illustrates how PA morphology, as observed in published SEM images, transitions from smooth to crumpled, exhibits a remarkable correlation with the defined parameter space, and hereby the stability of the system. Re-thinking experimental results in this manner highlights not only the underlying physics, but also identifies potential pitfalls when variations of synthesis conditions result in conflicting effects. Our motivation is to encourage experimental design based on the developed framework supplemented by theoretical quantification, which will strengthen the fundamental understanding of IP for a given chemistry, with the goal of providing a clear physical toolbox for IP-based membrane design.

A CPN-Based Approach for Studying Impacts of Communication Delays on Safety and Availability of Safety-Critical Distributed Networked Control Systems

With the great advances in computer science and communication technology, more and more control systems are implemented as distributed networked control systems (DNCSs). Due to the nature of the time delay of communication networks, it is of importance to investigate how communication delays affect the systems from different perspectives. Most of the literature by far focus on analyzing the impacts of time delays on the system stability or safety control with mathematical models (i.e., differential equations), which are of interest in the early phases of the system development (e.g., the conceptual phase). However, in the later phases of the system development (e.g., architecture design or system implementation), qualitative as well as quantitative safety analysis based on system models that describe the concrete structures, interactions between components, and state transitions of the underlying systems is desirable. Additionally, the availability of a control system is of interest from the perspective of operation. This article studies the impacts of communication delays on the safety and availability of DNCSs by a colored-Petri-net-based approach. To exemplify the proposed approach, a simplified communication-based train control system is presented.

Design aspects of the feed boxes of the Super-FRS Local Cryogenics System

The Super-FRS is an electromagnetic separator and spectrometer designed for the production and selection of highly energetic and intense exotic heavy-ion beams. It is part of the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) particle accelerator currently under construction at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The Super-FRS will feature in total 63 superconducting magnet cryostats: 27 dipoles, 35 multiplets (7 short and 28 long), and the GLAD experiment magnet. The Super-FRS Local Cryogenics will distribute and feed cold helium from the central cryogenic plant “CRYO2” to the magnet cryostats. Daisy-chain like arrays of feed and end boxes are connected via transfer line pieces. Each single magnet cryostat is supplied by one feed box via a jumper connection. The dipole, short- and long multiplets require different helium mass streams at different operation modes. Moreover, the Local Cryogenics system must follow the Super-FRS curvature and irregular pattern of cryostat locations. In order to simplify the production process, lower the risk of technical mistakes, and increase the flexibility of the installation sequence during the conceptual design project phase an effort was made to develop a uniform construction of the feed boxes for all cryostat types. The paper provides the description of the Super-FRS Local Cryogenics system and the process requirements for all cryostat types in all possible operation modes. The Super-FRS feed box flow scheme and features that allow for unification of its design for all cryostat types are also presented.

Advancing the smart city objectives of electric demand management and new services to residents by home automation—learnings from a case

Smart city projects explore solutions to improve the sustainability of urban infrastructure. In Kalasatama, a new smart city district being built in Helsinki, a solution to excite the availability of electric demand management and other energy-related services for residents is being tested. The city has made installing a specified minimum set of home automation devices obligatory in each apartment in the district, with the intention that entrepreneurial companies would start to offer energy management solutions based on that automation. This case study examines the utilisation of home automation in energy management at a point in time when approximately one-third of the dwellings in the smart city district are complete. According to the results of the study, companies developing and building apartments in the area of Kalasatama do not seem to find the regulation concerning home automation to be directly beneficial. Also, the availability of energy management services, based on the home automation solution, seems to remain low for the residents of the district. Based on these findings, we propose that similar smart city projects should be subject to a wider dialogue between policymakers and prospective market participants in the project conceptualisation phase.

Redefining Structural Art: A Neuroaesthetics Perspective on the Art of Structural Design

Structural art should not be marginalised as an integral part of structural design. By reviewing historical understandings of structural art, this article discusses the ambiguous and neglected perspective of structural art on architectural design and human perception dimensions, concentrating the attention of structural art on the question of human aesthetic perception. Based on significant changes in how art is perceived due to recent neuroaesthetics research, this article introduces recent findings from cognitive neuroscience regarding embodied perception principles, sheds new light on the aesthetic experiences inherent in the built environment, and clarifies and expands previously held beliefs about structural art. Finally, while emphasising the significance of structural art, this article attempts to provide a body-informed perspective on structural art that can aid in incorporating human neuroaesthetic perception principles during the conceptual phase of the structural design process, thereby redefining the effect of structures on architectural space and aesthetics, thus redefining structural art.

Development of the Versatile Test Reactor Probabilistic Risk Assessment

The Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is a fast spectrum test reactor currently being developed in the United States under the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE). The mission of the VTR is to enable accelerated testing of advanced reactor fuels and materials required for advanced reactor technologies. The conceptual design of the 300-MW(thermal), sodium-cooled, metallic-fueled, pool-type fast reactor has been led by U.S. national laboratories in collaboration with General Electric-Hitachi and Bechtel National Inc. To facilitate risk-informed design and authorization activities during the conceptual development phase, a conceptual design probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) was performed for the VTR. This paper provides an overview of the development of the VTR conceptual design PRA, including key DOE and industry standards and the PRA analysis approach and structure. In addition, the results of the VTR conceptual design PRA are provided, which include its use within authorization documentation and design decisions, along with important lessons learned during the process. The work reported in the paper is the result of studies supporting a VTR conceptual design, cost, and schedule estimate for DOE-NE to make a decision on procurement. As such, it is preliminary.

Differential temporo-spatial pattern of electrical brain activity during the processing of abstract concepts related to mental states and verbal associations

Refined grounded cognition accounts propose that abstract concepts might be grounded in brain circuits involved in mentalizing. In the present event-related potential (ERP) study, we compared the time course of neural processing in response to semantically predefined abstract mental states and verbal association concepts during a lexical decision task. In addition to scalp ERPs, source estimates of underlying volume brain activity were determined to reveal spatio-temporal clusters of greater electrical brain activity to abstract mental state vs. verbal association concepts, and vice versa. Source estimates suggested early (onset 194 ms), but short-lived enhanced activity (offset 210 ms) to verbal association concepts in left occipital regions. Increased occipital activity might reflect retrieval of visual word form or access to visual conceptual features of associated words. Increased estimated source activity to mental state concepts was obtained in visuo-motor (superior parietal, pre- and postcentral areas) and mentalizing networks (lateral and medial prefrontal areas, insula, precuneus, temporo-parietal junction) with an onset of 212 ms, which extended to later time windows. The time course data indicated two processing phases: An initial conceptual access phase, in which linguistic and modal brain circuits rapidly process features depending on their relevance, and a later conceptual elaboration phase, in which elaborative processing within feature-specific networks further refines the concept. This study confirms the proposal that abstract concepts are based on representations in distinct neural circuits depending on their semantic feature content. The present research also highlights the importance of investigating sets of abstract concepts with a defined semantic content.

Integrating inquiry-based learning and computer supported collaborative learning into flipped classroom: effects on academic writing performance and perceptions of students of railway engineering

The objective of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the extent to which three types of instruction could improve writing performance of railway engineering students and (b) to explore students’ perceptions of flipped classroom, Edmodo, and Google Docs for improving their academic writing performance. The participants were 61 undergraduate students of railway engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), who were divided into integrated flipped, conventional flipped, and traditional non-flipped groups. For the integrated flipped group, the inquiry-based learning was conducted in terms of five phases of orientation, conceptualization, investigation, data interpretation, and conclusion. They also used Edmodo and Google Docs as the two collaborative platforms for promoting writing skills. The conventional group only watched the instructional videos before the class, while for the traditional group neither the instructional videos nor the technological tools were used for improving their writing skills. The results of ANOVA revealed significant differences among the three groups in that learners in the integrated flipped group significantly outperformed those in the other groups, particularly in terms of the components of grammar and fluency. In addition, this approach made the learners more engaged, motivated, satisfied, and less anxious. The results also showed learners’ positive attitudes toward the pedagogical values of Edmodo and Google Docs.