Conceptual Modeling Methodology Research Articles

Toward understanding sophisticated markets and consumers: a win-win strategic alternative

ObjetivoEste estudo aborda de forma conceitual dinâmicas inovadoras que estão surgindo no âmbito de certos segmentos de consumidores e setores empresariais. Essas novas dinâmicas incluem elementos como maior interesse na qualidade e no desenvolvimento de satisfatores voltados para garantir determinados padrões, bem como maior envolvimento do consumidor com o produto. Esses segmentos são identificados e rotulados aqui como mercados sofisticados.MetodologiaAtravés de uma revisão da literatura, seguindo uma metodologia de modelo conceitual, este estudo apresenta oito proposições científicas voltadas para a busca de uma compreensão mais profunda e completa desse tipo de mercados. Este artigo explora e discute algumas das diferenças essenciais dos mercados sofisticados em relação aos mercados tradicionais, com um duplo propósito: (1) reconhecer a existência dos mercados sofisticados como uma categoria distinta de negócios e (2) sugerir elementos e relações que podem constituir trabalhos interessantes de pesquisa no futuro.ResultadosEste processo de sofisticação pode ocorrer em diferentes indústrias. Através dessas proposições de pesquisa, este trabalho apresenta elementos que podem ajudar a aumentar a compreensão que temos desse tipo de consumidores e empresas em duas grandes vertentes: a relação consumidor-empresa e as implicações da comunicação para esses segmentos sofisticados.Originalidade/valorEstudos prévios focados em bens de luxo ou mercados especializados não conseguem explicar o que propomos aqui como o fenômeno de mercados sofisticados. Este estudo busca preencher essa lacuna na literatura propondo linhas de pesquisa com o objetivo de aprofundar a compreensão desse fenômeno.

GeoReservoir: An ontology for deep-marine depositional system geometry description

An ontology is a logical theory that accounts for a domain vocabulary’s intended meaning, allowing us to develop a computational artifact that explicitly and formally represents the community’s conceptualization related to a vocabulary. This paper presents the GeoReservoir ontology — the result of the ontological analysis of the terminology adopted by geologists in sedimentological studies about deep-marine depositional systems, which is one of the most relevant types of oil and gas reservoirs around the world. Despite the variety of studies describing the patterns of productive reservoirs, this domain demanded new approaches in conceptual modeling methodologies because the available terminology presents issues such as ambiguity and contamination of different interpretations in the terms’ definitions. Previous work has dealt with these issues in geology, resulting in the GeoCore, an ontology that explicitly defines the most generic entities in geology. However, the domain in focus still demanded a specialized ontology containing the particular terms found in reports about deep-marine deposits. GeoReservoir is an extension of GeoCore, which, in its turn, extends the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO), a foundational ontology for scientific domains. GeoReservoir takes advantage of both BFO and GeoCore’s foundations, allowing us to focus our effort on defining the domain-specific entities. A team of professional reservoir geologists supported the knowledge acquisition process. We developed the ontology in iterative steps from an initial prototype to a complete artifact containing the taxonomy of entities and the relations between the entities, being increasingly refined by the experts. We further present a case study demonstrating how one could describe a depositional system in GeoReservoir terms. Moreover, we validated the ontology against defined competency questions (CQs). This work’s final result is offering a sound, consistent and unambiguous terminology to support the integration of data and knowledge about deep-marine depositional system geometry and lithology.

1384. Conceptual Economic Model Methodology for Infant Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Program and its Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) used in infant national immunization programs have been shown to decrease AMR pneumococci. Cost-effectiveness models evaluating the value for money of PCV programs have not considered the economic impact of reducing antimicrobial prescribing or prolonged infections due to treatment failures. Standardized frameworks are needed for models to address outcomes and impact on health resource utilization related to AMR.MethodsWe developed a conceptual modeling methodology suitable for a health economic evaluation of an infant PCV program. We considered impact of PCVs on pneumococcal disease (PD) specifically related to clinical management of AMR-PD, including AMR epidemiology, antibiotic prescribing patterns, and healthcare resource utilization. Model inputs were evaluated regarding optimal and available data sources considering the complex nature of AMR at the national, regional, and global level.ResultsThe proposed framework considers impact of PCVs on antimicrobial prescribing due to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), community acquired pneumonia (CAP), and acute otitis media (AOM) across 3 pathways (Figure 1). The population and pathogen-level pathway describe epidemiology and vaccine impact. The care level pathway describes clinical disease management. The health outcomes pathway characterizes resistant or successfully treated PD costs and quality of life.Conceptual Economic Model Methodology ConclusionWe present a generalizable methodology to quantify impact of PCVs on cases and outcomes of PD related to AMR. Modelling vaccine-preventable burden of AMR-PD requires data extrapolations and assumptions due to the myriad of interconnected pathways (i.e. microbiology, epidemiology, environment, health systems). Further work is needed to validate assumptions and linkages across incomplete data sources.Disclosures Raymond Farkouh, PhD, Pfizer (Employee) Arianna Nevo, MPH, Pfizer, Inc. (Other Financial or Material Support, I am an employee of IQVIA. IQVIA received funding from Pfizer to carry out the project.) Jennifer Uyei, PhD, MPH, Pfizer, Inc. (Other Financial or Material Support, I am an employee of IQVIA. IQVIA received funding from Pfizer to carry out the project.) Cassandra Hall-Murray, PharmD, Pfizer, Inc. (Employee) Joseph Lewnard, PhD, Pfizer, Inc. (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member) Matthew Wasserman, MSc., Pfizer Inc. (Employee)

Frenemies: OPM and SysML Together in an MBSE Model

AbstractA Frenemy is “a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry.” (OED, 2018). The Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and the Object Process Methodology (OPM) are two such frenemies. OPM and SysML are different means of achieving Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), each with their own benefits, issues, supporters and detractors. The National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) defines MBSE as “an approach to engineering that uses models as an integral part of the technical baseline that includes the requirements, analysis, design, implementation, and verification of a capability, system, and/or product throughout the acquisition life cycle.” (NDIA, 2011) SysML is based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and includes diagrams that can be used to specify system requirements, behavior, structure and parametric relationships. SysML provides a means of defining high‐level abstract systems down to detailed physical systems. OPM is a “conceptual modeling language and methodology for capturing knowledge and designing systems. Based on a minimal universal ontology of stateful objects and processes that transform them, OPM can be used to formally specify the function, structure, and behavior of artificial and natural systems in a large variety of domains.” (ISO, 2015) OPM is used in some systems engineering graduate courses. Students graduating from these institutions are struggling to integrate the differing styles, philosophies, concepts and processes of SysML and OPM. A literature search reveals some papers that contrast SysML and OPM, but none that describe how the two can work together. This paper discusses a synergy of SysML and OPM in a SysML tool rather than promoting one language over another.

Real-time data warehouse loading methodology and architecture: a healthcare use case

In the healthcare context, existing systems suffer from the lack of supporting heterogeneity and dynamism. Consequently, resulting from sensors, streaming data brought another dimension to data mining research. This is due to the fact that, in data streams, only a time window is available. Contrary to the traditional data sources, data streams present new characteristics as being continuous, high-volume, open-ended and concept drift. To analyse event streams, data warehouse seems to be the answer to this problematic. However, classical data warehouse does not incorporate the specificity of event streams that are spatial, temporal, semantic and real-time. For these reasons, we focus inhere on presenting the conceptual modelling, the architecture and loading methodology of the real-time data warehouse by defining a new dimensionality and stereotype for classical data warehouse. To prove the efficiency of our real-time data warehouse, we adapt the model to a medical unit pregnancy care case study which show promising results.

Destructive Landscapes in the Context of Public Urban Space: Issues of Rehabilitation, Adaptation and Integration

This paper is dedicated to the challenge for many Russian cities — the transformation of abandoned complex terrain landscapes into public spaces designed to become bona fide elements of the architectural and artistic environment. The purpose of this work was to form an integrated methodology for the valorization of such landscapes based on the initial and prospective parameters of the area for creation of a sustainable model of development thereof. The main tasks are to consider various aspects of destructive landscapes transformation and to reveal their potential for evolving and restoring the natural resources while maintaining the well-balanced ecological, economic and social environment. The methodological aspect of the work was based on the Russian and foreign sources dedicated to the urban landscape issues. As the optimal methodology for conceptual modeling, we chose the approach to the city landscape as a “green-blue infrastructure”. The principles of its formation, which are closely related to the natural, ecological and “urboecological” implications, are also analyzed. The results of the research were used as to create the concept of reconstruction of the “Glebuchev ravine” destructive landscape, viewed as a historical urban environment within the city of Saratov with a development potential. The focus was not so much on the ultimate achievement of a certain project result but on the demonstration of the strategic approach to organizing the destructive landscape transformation process. The conceptual proposals set forth in the paper can serve as framework to resolve similar problems in many cities of the Russian Federation.

A multi-agent system for management information support of regional innovations

This paper presents development experience of architecture, principles of functioning, software engineering and modeling of multi-agent system for information support of regional business processes. The main purpose of the system is integration of distributed heterogeneous information resources and web-services devoted to innovations in the Internet. The system provides an automated search of potential business partners, an interactive innovation chains construction and selection thae most efficient of them. The necessity of system dynamics modeling methodology using in development of business processes support systems is discussed. Agent-based technologies are examined. Special attention is given to development of virtual business environment conceptual model. Our conceptual model is used as a basis for the system structure, algorithms, functionality and relationships between its main architectural components representation. Specifically, we show how to use the conceptual modeling methodology, system dynamics and multi-agent system technology in developing a multi-agent system for integration of distributed heterogeneous information resources and services devoted to innovations.

Conceptual Modeling of Inventory Management Processes as a Thinging Machine

A control model is typically classified into three forms: conceptual, mathematical and simulation (computer). This paper analyzes a conceptual modeling application with respect to an inventory management system. Today, most organizations utilize computer systems for inventory control that provide protection when interruptions or breakdowns occur within work processes. Modeling the inventory processes is an active area of research that utilizes many diagrammatic techniques, including data flow diagrams, Universal Modeling Language (UML) diagrams and Integration DEFinition (IDEF). We claim that current conceptual modeling frameworks lack uniform notions and have inability to appeal to designers and analysts. We propose modeling an inventory system as an abstract machine, called a Thinging Machine (TM), with five operations: creation, processing, receiving, releasing and transferring. The paper provides side-by-side contrasts of some existing examples of conceptual modeling methodologies that apply to TM. Additionally, TM is applied in a case study of an actual inventory system that uses IBM Maximo. The resulting conceptual depictions point to the viability of FM as a valuable tool for developing a high-level representation of inventory processes.

Towards a theoretical model on medicines as a health need

Medicines are considered one of the main tools of western medicine to resolve health problems. Currently, medicines represent an important share of the countries' healthcare budget. In the Latin America region, access to essential medicines is still a challenge, although countries have established some measures in the last years in order to guarantee equitable access to medicines. A theoretical model is proposed for analysing the social, political, and economic factors that modulate the role of medicines as a health need and their influence on the accessibility and access to medicines. The model was built based on a narrative review about health needs, and followed the conceptual modelling methodology for theory-building. The theoretical model considers elements (stakeholders, policies) that modulate the perception towards medicines as a health need from two perspectives – health and market – at three levels: international, national and local levels. The perception towards medicines as a health need is described according to Bradshaw's categories: felt need, normative need, comparative need and expressed need. When those different categories applied to medicines coincide, the patients get access to the medicines they perceive as a need, but when the categories do not coincide, barriers to access to medicines are created. Our theoretical model, which holds a broader view about the access to medicines, emphasises how power structures, interests, interdependencies, values and principles of the stakeholders could influence the perception towards medicines as a health need and the access to medicines in Latin American countries.

The Models of Granular System and Algebraic Quotient Space in Granular Computing

Granular computing (GrC) is an emerging computing paradigm, and it is an umbrella term exploring multilevel granularity. we present a generic abstract mathematical model of the granular system. Supposing the inter-granule structure as an algebra, we propose the algebraic quotient space model. In this model, the granulation is based on a congruence relation and all the congruence relations on a granular system form a complete semi-order lattice, which is the theoretical basis for transformation, composition and decomposition among different granularities. The different granulation rules between the topological quotient space model and the algebraic quotient space model lead to the dissimilarity while composing granularities. A real-world case study is presented that demonstrates how the algebraic quotient space model works in the network transmission by error-correcting code. These work shows that the granular system model and the algebraic quotient space model are powerful conceptual modeling and functional specification methodologies for GrC.

Experiential self-referential and selfless processing in mindfulness and mental health: Conceptual model and implicit measurement methodology.

We propose that Experiential Self-Referential Processing (ESRP)-the cognitive association of present moment subjective experience (e.g., sensations, emotions, thoughts) with the self-underlies various forms of maladaptation. We theorize that mindfulness contributes to mental health by engendering Experiential Selfless Processing (ESLP)-processing present moment subjective experience without self-referentiality. To help advance understanding of these processes we aimed to develop an implicit, behavioral measure of ESRP and ESLP of fear, to experimentally validate this measure, and to test the relations between ESRP and ESLP of fear, mindfulness, and key psychobehavioral processes underlying (mal)adaptation. One hundred 38 adults were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: control, meta-awareness with identification, or meta-awareness with disidentification. We then measured ESRP and ESLP of fear by experimentally eliciting a subjective experience of fear, while concurrently measuring participants' cognitive association between her/himself and fear by means of a Single Category Implicit Association Test; we refer to this measurement as the Single Experience & Self Implicit Association Test (SES-IAT). We found preliminary experimental and correlational evidence suggesting the fear SES-IAT measures ESLP of fear and 2 forms of ESRP- identification with fear and negative self-referential evaluation of fear. Furthermore, we found evidence that ESRP and ESLP are associated with meta-awareness (a core process of mindfulness), as well as key psychobehavioral processes underlying (mal)adaptation. These findings indicate that the cognitive association of self with experience (i.e., ESRP) may be an important substrate of the sense of self, and an important determinant of mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record

Supplemental Material for Experiential Self-Referential and Selfless Processing in Mindfulness and Mental Health: Conceptual Model and Implicit Measurement Methodology

Supplemental Material for Experiential Self-Referential and Selfless Processing in Mindfulness and Mental Health: Conceptual Model and Implicit Measurement Methodology

Scalable Scientific Workflows Management System SWFMS

In today’s electronic world conducting scientific experiments, especially in natural sciences domain, has become more and more challenging for domain scientists since “science” today has turned out to be more complex due to the two dimensional intricacy; one: assorted as well as complex computational (analytical) applications and two: increasingly large volume as well as heterogeneity of scientific data products processed by these applications. Furthermore, the involvement of increasingly large number of scientific instruments such as sensors and machines makes the scientific data management even more challenging since the data generated from such type of instruments are highly complex. To reduce the amount of complexities in conducting scientific experiments as much as possible, an integrated framework that transparently implements the conceptual separation between both the dimensions is direly needed. In order to facilitate scientific experiments ‘workflow’ technology has in recent years emerged in scientific disciplines like biology, bioinformatics, geology, environmental science, and eco-informatics. Much more research work has been done to develop the scientific workflow systems. However, our analysis over these existing systems shows that they lack a well-structured conceptual modeling methodology to deal with the two complex dimensions in a transparent manner. This paper presents a scientific workflow framework that properly addresses these two dimensional complexities in a proper manner.

When quantitative meets qualitative: enhancing OPM conceptual systems modeling with MATLAB computational capabilities

Conceptual modeling is an important initial stage in the life cycle of engineered systems. It is also highly instrumental in studying existing unfamiliar systems—the focus of scientific inquiry. Conceptual modeling methodologies convey key qualitative system aspects, often at the expense of suppressing quantitative ones. We present and assess two approaches for solving this computational simplification problem by combining Object-Process Methodology (OPM), the new ISO/PAS 19450 standard, with MATLAB or Simulink without compromising the holism and simplicity of the OPM conceptual model. The first approach, AUTOMATLAB, expands the OPM model to a full-fledged MATLAB-based simulation. In the second approach, OPM computational subcontractor, computation-enhanced functions replace low-level processes of the OPM model with MATLAB or Simulink models. We demonstrate the OPM computational subcontractor on a radar system computation. Experimenting with students on a model of an online shopping system with and without AUTOMATLAB has indicated important benefits of employing this computation layer on top of the native conceptual OPM model.

On Granular Algebra: A Denotational Mathematics for Modeling Granular Systems in Granular Computing

Granular computing is an emerging technology for modeling and implementing complex computing architectures, behaviors, and big data manipulations. This paper presents a recent development in denotational mathematics known as granular algebra, which enables a rigorous treatment of computing granules as a generic abstract mathematical structure and granular behaviors as a set of algebraic operations. A formal granule is introduced as a mathematical model that elicits a set of basic properties of computing granules. A set of algebraic operations on formal granules is rigorously defined for the relational, reproductive, and compositional operations. A real-world case study is presented that demonstrates how concrete granules and their algebraic operations are manipulated by granular algebra. This work demonstrates that granular algebra is not only a powerful conceptual modeling methodology for granular systems, but also a practical functional specification methodology for granular computing.

Conceptual Modeling Methodology of Multifunction Sensors on the Basis of a Fractal Approach

The problems of the multifunction sensors development make inefficient of design traditional methods application. Work purpose is an effective approach creation to the analysis and synthesis of sensors physical functional principle and creation on its basis mathematical, algorithmic and informational software for multifunction quantity sensors conceptual design automation. Authors propose the problem solution method based on fractal approach application to the theory of energy and information circuit models. For this purpose the physical functional principle sensor modeling fractal concept and mechanisms of its realization are created. This work results are new computer technique, software for the automatic synthesis of the multifunction sensors physical functional principle and two new multifunction sensors utility models automatically generated by developed software.

CAM

The problem of identifying relevant classes (entities) and associations (relationships) is a fundamental problem for conceptual modeling. In a previous work the authors introduced a conceptual modeling methodology named OMP (Ontology-based Modeling Patterns), which is based on the analysis of class categories representing entity types that are organized in the form of ontology. Since then the authors have explored a way to improve the methodology. As a result, in this paper the authors introduce a new conceptual modeling framework, entitled CAM (Class/Association-analysis-based Modeling), which is based on the analysis and classification of association types as well as entity types. The main objective of CAM is to serve as a tool to facilitate teaching the fundamentals of conceptual modeling to students in a systematic way, by providing extensible and adaptable entity/association classificatory systems that can be directly used in the problem-solving process. In this paper the authors present the CAM framework and illustrate its application.

On the feasibility of using conceptual modeling constructs for the design and analysis of XML data

XML is one of the most widely accepted data representation languages in today's Internet-dominated Computing. While most XML data on the net today use commonly known structures, the power of XML lies in the ability to develop application-specific structures and models. XER (Extensible Entity Relationship) is a conceptual modeling methodology that uses visual constructs reminiscent of Entity Relationship (ER) in the logical design of XML instead of relying on the text-based DTD (Document Type Definition) and XML Schema notations. In this paper, we demonstrate how XER can be used to effectively design and analyze applications that use XML data. We also compare XER against other design constructs to demonstrate that a conceptual modeling artifact can potentially be superior to other artifacts for modeling XML structures, by significantly improving accuracy, efficiency and user satisfaction.

Conceptual design and modeling of restored coastal wetlands

This paper presents a conceptual design methodology together with a simplified numerical modeling technique for evaluating, designing, and restoring coastal wetlands. The conceptual design methodology uses specific geomorphic relationships observed in neighboring mature marsh basins to develop a synthetic tidal channel network for the restoration site that reasonably predicts its characteristics once fully functional. The numerical modeling methodology consists of three uncoupled models applied iteratively that describe the hydrodynamics, supply channel erosion, and marsh plain accretion of the developing basin over time. The results from the conceptual design and modeling methodologies can be directly applied to the prediction and quantification of subtidal and intertidal habitat area that is likely to emerge in the restored site as it evolves and ultimately reaches a state of dynamic equilibrium.

A conceptual model for the production and transport planning process: An application to the automobile sector

This paper provides a conceptual foundation for understanding the production and transport planning process in the automobile sector context. To achieve this, a reference conceptual modelling methodology has been applied. Firstly, the main concepts related to the conceptual models are addressed. Then, a methodology for the identification and analysis of the inputs, outputs, processes and sub-processes of production and transport planning processes is used. Finally, a conceptual model that describes the main flows – products, information and decisions related to the production and transport planning process – in the automobile sector is developed.