Support System Requirements Research Articles

Research on the Application Framework of Generative AI in Emergency Response Decision Support Systems for Emergencies

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, generative AI has shown broad application prospects and potential in various fields. Frequent emergencies have put forward higher requirements for traditional Emergency Response Decision Support Systems (ERDSS). This paper proposes a theoretical framework of ERDSS based on generative AI (ERDSS-GAI), which deeply integrates generative AI with three stages of emergency response decision-making. The framework aims to leverage the advantages of generative AI in massive data processing, knowledge mining, strategy optimization, and other aspects, thereby enhancing the intelligence level and emergency response capability of ERDSS. The key components and implementation path of ERDSS-GAI are systematically explained from a theoretical perspective, and its application value is analyzed through the case of rainstorm and flood disaster in Shenzhen. This research demonstrates that generative AI can improve the scientific and refined level of emergency response decision-making, providing a theoretical framework and practical insights for its widespread adoption in emergency management.

User-Oriented Requirements for Artificial Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Sepsis: Study Protocol for a Multimethod Research Project (Preprint)

User-Oriented Requirements for Artificial Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Sepsis: Study Protocol for a Multimethod Research Project (Preprint)

An Investigation of the Mechanisms of Technology Transfer and Automation in Universities: A Case Study on Promoting Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystems at Bangladesh Open University

This study conducts a thorough analysis of the processes involved in technology transfer, automation, and entrepreneurship at Bangladesh Open University (BOU), using a qualitative research methodology. The study utilizes thematic analysis, supported by NVivo, to extract valuable insights from interviews with 30 important stakeholders, including academics, students, and administrators. The results indicate moderate achievements in the transfer of technology, characterized by difficulties in commercializing university research and developing robust industry connections. Within the field of automation, the study emphasizes the important role it plays in improving access to education, while also acknowledging the difficulties created by limited digital skills and unequal distribution of resources. The expansion of the entrepreneurship ecosystem at BOU is clearly visible, but, it is limited by a requirement for stronger support systems, namely in the areas of mentorship and funding. These qualitative views provide a detailed and subtle viewpoint on how BOU aligns with or deviates from well-known ideas like the Triple Helix Model and Academic Entrepreneurship Theory. They emphasize the distinct problems and opportunities that arise in an open university environment. The study’s results make significant contributions to scholarly discussions, highlighting the importance of customized approaches in incorporating technology and fostering entrepreneurial growth in higher education, particularly in the context of developing nations.

Design of information support systems for enterprises based on the principles of system analysis

The information support systems of enterprises and the tasks they perform are considered. An analysis of the basic requirements for information support systems was carried out. The basic principles of system analysis applicable to the design of an information support system are considered. The main directions of interaction between the enterprise information support system and other systems are identified based on the principles of system analysis. The information support system interacts with other systems based on the principles of system analysis, using data and analytical tools to make decisions on enterprise management and monitor the operation of other systems. The direction of ensuring security for the information support system is separately considered. The main stages of designing an information support system are formulated based on the principles of system analysis. Recommendations have been put forward for the further development of the information support system based on the principles of system analysis. These recommendations will help the enterprise continue to develop and improve the information support system in accordance with its needs and strategic goals.

Decision-making experiences and the need for decision aids in women considering vaginal birth after cesarean: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

This study aims to comprehensively explore the decision-making requirements of women contemplating vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). A meta-synthesis approach was employed for this study. Using an integrative methodology, we conducted a systematic assessment of women's experiences and needs related to VBAC decision-making. A comprehensive search was conducted across The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, SCOPUS, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and Wan Fang databases to identify pertinent studies between 2000 and 2022. Furthermore, the reference lists of the included studies were thoroughly examined. Fifteen studies were incorporated, from which seven themes emerged: emotional changes, preference for vaginal birth, unmet information needs, influences on decision-making, decision-making autonomy, aligning information provision with decision-support needs, and the requirement for support systems. Two primary syntheses were constructed on the decision-making process and the need for decision-making aids, respectively. Women opting for VBAC experienced emotional shifts during their decision-making process in pregnancy. There remains a need for an enhanced decision-making tool to guide them in their choice. Recommendations for implementation in VBAC decision aids include facilitating women's involvement in decision-making, satisfying their information needs, and delivering appropriate emotional support.

Life Cycle Cost Model for Life Support Systems of Crewed Autonomous Transport for Deep Space Habitation

Intelligent transport systems are used in various transport systems, among which a special place is occupied by crewed autonomous transport systems such as space stations for deep space habitation. These objects have a complex and critical requirement for life support systems (LSSs) to maintain safe and habitable conditions for the crew in the isolated environment. This paper explores the different architectural options for life support systems (LSSs) in autonomous transport systems, specifically focusing on space stations. Three alternative LSS architectures are discussed: Open LSS (OLSS), Closed LSS (CLSS), and Mixed LSS (MLSS). Each architecture has its own advantages and disadvantages. OLSS relies on external resource delivery, reducing initial costs but increasing dependence on resupply missions. CLSS operates autonomously, generating resources onboard, but has higher initial costs and technological complexity. MLSS combines external delivery and onboard generation, providing flexibility and adaptability. The material emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness analysis at the early stages of design and identifies the boundary values of mission duration that determine the most effective LSS architecture choice. The material highlights the significance of striking the right balance between cost and performance to develop intelligent ecosystems of LSS for space stations and other autonomous transport systems.

Large-Deformation Failure Mechanism and Stability Control of a Swelling Soft Rock Roadway in a Sea Area: A Case Study in Eastern China

Coal mining in sea areas has higher requirements for geological support systems, technical equipment levels, and safety production capacities because of the complex engineering geological conditions of underwater coal mines. In this paper, the deformation failure mechanism and stability control of a typical swelling soft rock roadway in the Beizao coal mine in a sea area are studied. A series of mechanical experiments and theoretical analyses were conducted to research the mechanical properties and reasons for the deformation failure of the swelling soft rock roadway. The type of the large-deformation failure mechanism of the soft rock roadway was identified as type IIIABC, which could be converted to a simple one, such as type IIB. The proposed stability control measure, containing constant-resistance large-deformation bolts, steel mesh, floor hollow grouting cables, and steel fiber concrete, was applied to the site. A good supporting effect was achieved, which could provide a beneficial reference for swelling soft rock roadways in sea areas.

Origin and Possibilities of Life on MARS Environment: Theoretical Overview

For many years, there has been interest in and debate about the possibility of colonising Mars. The likelihood of establishing a human presence on Mars is increasing due to the quick development of technology and the growing desire to explore new horizons. An overview of the current state of research and development for Mars colonisation is given in this paper, along with information on opportunities and challenges related to the project. The study emphasises the advantages of colonising Mars, including the prospect of finding new resources and carrying out investigations that could advance human knowledge and technology. The paper also discusses the difficulties in settling on Mars, such as the hostile Martian environment, the requirement for sophisticated life support systems, and the psychological and physical effects of prolonged spaceflight. Overall, this paper offers a thorough examination of the state of research and development in relation to Mars colonisation and offers insights into the difficulties and possibilities presented by such a bold endeavour.

Ensuring stability at the stabilization stage of unmanned aircraft with a neuronetwork regulator

This article addresses the complex problems associated with controlling multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) amidst external disturbances and internal system nonlinearities. Conventional PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controllers often fail to ensure the stability of these vehicles in real-world settings. By using artificial neural networks to dynamically tune the PID controller coefficients, this study presents a solution to mitigate the limitations of traditional methods while ensuring system stability under a variety of environmental conditions. In addition, the paper emphasizes the distinct advantages of UAVs compared to manned aircraft. Their cost-effectiveness, stemming from the lack of requirements for pilot training and life support systems, positions UAVs as a highly effective tool for a variety of missions. This emphasis on cost-effectiveness demonstrates the potential of UAVs to outperform manned counterparts in a variety of tasks, thereby emphasizing the importance of promoting and improving this technology for widespread use in various industries. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the critical role that artificial neural networks play in enhancing the capabilities of PID controllers, and emphasizes the transformative impact of UAVs in the modern work landscape.

Approach for a Comprehensive Evaluation of Manufacturing Innovation Projects in the Early Phase of the Innovation Process

Driving innovation has become necessary for securing manufacturing companies' competitive capabilities in the context of digitalization, human centricity, sustainability, and resilience (Industry 5.0). However, due to its costs and uncertainties, the innovation process carries a high economic risk. Decisions of this magnitude can only be legitimized by a well-founded and thus often costly project evaluation. This paper aims to present a comprehensive evaluation approach to support companies in evaluating and classifying manufacturing innovation projects in the early phase of the innovation process. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis and expert interviews, a concept for an evaluation technique combining four dimensions has been elaborated. The first dimension is the potential analysis. It is evaluated using a type-1 Mamdani Fuzzy expert system, analyzing potentials to compute the effect of innovation on competitive strategic goals in manufacturing. Second, the initial efforts are identified by providing a structured list of possible expenses. The third dimension is an innovation project's overall risk to a company. It is calculated using an adapted Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. The failure modes are identified with the help of a comprehensive overview of potential risks that need to be evaluated regarding their significance, probability of occurrence, and reaction possibility. The fourth dimension helps the user to classify the selected innovation projects as incremental or radical for the company. The results of the four evaluation modules are summarized and visualized for their use in the decision-making process. Concluding, the approach has been validated by an initial use-case application to an industrial decision problem and verified by evaluating the approach's performance regarding the fundamental requirements for decision support systems.

Heterogeneous treatment effects of dexamethasone 12 mg versus 6 mg in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxaemia-Post hoc exploratory analyses of the COVID STEROID 2 trial.

Corticosteroids improve outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19. In the COVID STEROID 2 randomised clinical trial, we found high probabilities of benefit with dexamethasone 12 versus 6 mg daily. While no statistically significant heterogeneity in treatment effects (HTE) was found in the conventional, dichotomous subgroup analyses, these analyses have limitations, and HTE could still exist. We assessed whether HTE was present for days alive without life support and mortality at Day 90 in the trial according to baseline age, weight, number of comorbidities, category of respiratory failure (type of respiratory support system and oxygen requirements) and predicted risk of mortality using an internal prediction model. We used flexible models for continuous variables and logistic regressions for categorical variables without dichotomisation of the baseline variables of interest. HTE was assessed both visually and with p and S values from likelihood ratio tests. There was no strong evidence for substantial HTE on either outcome according to any of the baseline variables assessed with all p values >.37 (and all S values <1.43) in the planned analyses and no convincingly strong visual indications of HTE. We found no strong evidence for HTE with 12 versus 6 mg dexamethasone daily on days alive without life support or mortality at Day 90 in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxaemia, although these results cannot rule out HTE either.

VARIANT OF ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTIFICATION SYSTEM BASED ON 2D (QR) CODE.

Due to the development of digital technologies in the modern world, the requirements for life support systems and society, as well as for the documents involved in the work of these systems have increased significantly.There are many examples of such systems and almost all of them use documents in the form of a plastic card. As these are documents, the issues of protection of systems from unauthorized access are relevant, namely, the availability of security features and the reliability of the processes of identification and authentication of users.The article analyzes the existing "electronic elements of protection" and electronic elements of personalization of modern documents, namely the types, characteristics, processes of functioning.The evaluation of electronic security elements was carried out.It is established that the degree of security of the document is influenced by two main factors, such as access control and reading procedure, protected by basic access control.A protection system based on the personalization element is proposed.Such a system can be used as an analogue of more expensive options for the organization of access control at facilities, due to its simplicity, the likelihood of unauthorized access to algorithms and the process of its elements. The implementation of this system at checkpoints can significantly improve the management and security of the security system, the crossing process controlled area.The direction of further research is the development of a system with the transfer of personalized information from documents directly to the databases of machine reading systems.However, the most important parameter will remain the stability and protection against unauthorized interference in the operation of machine-readable electronic systems.

Te Pou: An Indigenous Framework to Evaluate the Inclusion of Family Voice in Family Violence Homicide Reviews

PurposeWithin this paper we evaluate the inclusion of the family voice in the domestic homicide review process. We use an Indigenous rubric (Te Pou) developed to ensure a culturally appropriate framework for conducting fatality reviews. We further draw on the creative potential of Indigenous knowledge systems, applying them alongside Western understandings of the engagement of family in homicide reviews, to seed new knowledge. This review has been undertaken early in the process of implementing family interviews to learn from current practices, seeking to improve them and, thereby, be better hosts for those invited to be part of a review.MethodsThe process of including family input into the in-depth reviews of family violence homicide reviews, conducted between October 2019 and November 2021, was reviewed against the guidelines specified within Te Pou.ResultsWhile there were strengths within the current process, the review established that further work is required to fully embed cultural understandings and processes within homicide reviews. Indeed, the current process and legislative framework in which it is based, works against relational obligations of reciprocity and a duty to care.ConclusionsUsing indigenous frameworks and research methods, it is possible to determine how homicide review processes have the potential to embed trauma rather than providing an opportunity for critical reflection and healing. Repositioning homicide reviews will require a reconceptualization of the legislative framework and support system requirements for review panels.

DYNAMIC MODELLING OF AMMONIA CRACKERS AND HYDROGEN PEM FUEL CELLS FOR SHIPPING APPLICATIONS

The pathway towards sustainable maritime propulsion is unclear. One concept is using ammonia as a fuel. This study investigated using an ammonia cracker (a device to convert ammonia to hydrogen) and a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell. This requires a hydrogen buffer tank and purification, each process has been dynamically modelled. Simulations show the power demand for different vessel types (cargo and survey) for several routes. This enabled analysis of ammonia demand and system requirements during: in port; manoeuvring; cruising; surveying. The same simulations ran for other potential setups to facilitate a fair comparison of the technical challenges, storage requirements, and support system requirements (e.g. batteries). Results showed that the total system plus fuel for this concept for a case study cargo voyage would weigh 150 tonnes and require 586 m3 of volume. For comparison, a liquid hydrogen system for the same voyage weighed 35 tonnes and required 222 m3 .

Surgeons' requirements for a surgical support system to improve laparoscopic access

Creating surgical access is a critical step in laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons have to insert a sharp instrument such as the Veress needle or a trocar into the patient’s abdomen until the peritoneal cavity is reached. They solely rely on their experience and distorted tactile feedback in that process, leading to a complication rate as high as 14% of all cases. Recent studies have shown the feasibility of surgical support systems that provide intraoperative feedback regarding the insertion process to improve laparoscopic access outcomes. However, to date, the surgeons’ requirements for such support systems remain unclear. This research article presents the results of an explorative study that aimed to acquire data about the information that helps surgeons improve laparoscopic access outcomes. The results indicate that feedback regarding the reaching of the peritoneal cavity is of significant importance and should be presented visually or acoustically. Finally, a solution should be straightforward and intuitive to use, should support or even improve the clinical workflow, but also cheap enough to facilitate its usage rate. While this study was tailored to laparoscopic access, its results also apply to other minimally invasive procedures.

Information and communication technologies as a tool and incentive for strategic decision making

Purpose. To analyze the peculiarities of the use of ICT and their structural components. To formulate requirements for strategic decision-making systems. To identify the impact of ICT on creation of new opportunities and threats. To form a basic structural scheme of using ICT in strategic decision-making. Methodology. Methods of critical and comparative analysis were used to determine the topic and purpose of the study. Method of system analysis was used for the formation of the basic structural scheme of ICT when making strategic decisions. The method of induction and deduction was used to study the features of ICT and their structural components. Idealization and formalization method to analyze the problems and threats associated with the use of ICT. Method of analysis and synthesis to identify and study in detail the indirect effects of related industries on the formation of strategic decision-making. Findings. Requirements for decision support and decision-making systems, their software components as well as for the quality of data that determines the relevance of decisions were formulated. The need is pointed out to create powerful information centers that can serve a significant number of enterprises, combining their use with a distributed network of enterprise information centers. The analysis of the dynamics of gas consumption confirmed the situational nature of strategic decision-making by certain consumer groups and the weak level of ICT use. Originality. The basic structural scheme of ICT uses in making strategic decisions by enterprise management is formed. The reasons for the lack of generalized principles of strategic digital transformation of enterprises are identified. It is established that the state and tendencies of changes of branches which influence the activity of the analyzed enterprise are though indirect but significant and should be subject to the strategic analysis. Practical value. The proposed basic structural scheme of ICT use can be used as a model in the implementation of ICT at the enterprise. The results of theoretical research and practical testing of the proposed approach can be widely used for the analysis of the dynamics of natural gas consumption.

PROCESSES OF THE TELECOM OPERATOR’S INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE TRANSFORMATION

The subject of the article is the architecture of information systems of telecom operators (BSS/OSS), requirements for it and the processes of its transformation. The goal is to transform the existing information environment of the operator into an open digital ecosystem, in accordance with business and technological requirements for the functionality and architecture of information systems of communication operators, which will introduce new business models, services and products, communication channels, and increase competitiveness. The following tasks were solved at the study: analysis of the current state of telecommunications and information systems used by telecom operators; analysis of requirements for business support and operational information systems, collection and analysis of requirements for the architecture of modern information systems in the field of telecommunications, analysis of the transformation process from the existing BSS/OSS architecture of the communication operator into the target architecture of the digital communications provider, elaboration of a recommendations for an intermediate architecture. To solve these problems, methods of system and business analysis were used, in particular, methods of analysis of software requirements, technologies for developing software application architecture. The following results were obtained. The current state of the telecommunications services industry, the features of the existing information systems of telecommunications operators (BSS/OSS) and the requirements for the architecture of such systems was analyzed. Strategies of transition to modern architecture was considered and analyzed. The target architecture of the digital service provider's information ecosystem and the process of transforming the existing BSS/OSS architecture into the target architecture were considered. Intermediate migration architecture was proposed. Conclusions: the transformation to modern information architecture will ensure compliance of BSS/OSS systems with market requirements and new technologies, adapt to their changes, allow operators to increase competitiveness, reduce operating and capital costs, create technological conditions for open digital ecosystem and transform the operator into a digital services provider. It was recommended to use an intermediate architecture based on the open standardized TMF API for such transformation.

Applicability of Different Electronic Record Types for Use in Patient Recruitment Support Systems: Comparative Analysis

BackgroundClinical trials constitute an important pillar in medical research. It is beneficial to support recruitment for clinical trials using software tools, so-called patient recruitment support systems; however, such information technology systems have not been frequently used to date. Because medical information systems' underlying data collection methods strongly influence the benefits of implementing patient recruitment support systems, we investigated patient recruitment support system requirements and corresponding electronic record types such as electronic medical record, electronic health record, electronic medical case record, personal health record, and personal cross-enterprise health record.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to (1) define requirements for successful patient recruitment support system deployment and (2) differentiate and compare patient recruitment support system–relevant properties of different electronic record types.MethodsIn a previous study, we gathered requirements for patient recruitment support systems from literature and unstructured interviews with stakeholders (15 patients, 3 physicians, 5 data privacy experts, 4 researchers, and 5 staff members of hospital administration). For this investigation, the requirements were amended and categorized based on input from scientific sessions. Based on literature with a focus on patient recruitment support system–relevant properties, different electronic record types (electronic medical record, electronic health record, electronic medical case record, personal health record and personal cross-enterprise health record) were described in detail. We also evaluated which patient recruitment support system requirements can be achieved for each electronic record type.ResultsPatient recruitment support system requirements (n=16) were grouped into 4 categories (consent management, patient recruitment management, trial management, and general requirements). All 16 requirements could be partially met by at least 1 type of electronic record. Only 1 requirement was fully met by all 5 types. According to our analysis, personal cross-enterprise health records fulfill most requirements for patient recruitment support systems. They demonstrate advantages especially in 2 domains (1) supporting patient empowerment and (2) granting access to the complete medical history of patients.ConclusionsIn combination with patient recruitment support systems, personal cross-enterprise health records prove superior to other electronic record types, and therefore, this integration approach should be further investigated.

Metabolic response of Chlorella vulgaris to a transient thermal environment for supporting simultaneous air revitalization and thermal control in a crewed habitat

Implementing multifunctional bioregenerative technologies may provide mission carbon loop closure while simultaneously addressing multiple environmental control and life support system requirements. This paper proposes using water-based algal medium for thermal control of the spacecraft cabin, while taking advantage of the algae's photosynthetic activity for air revitalization. Consequently, this could expose the algal culture to transient thermal environments fluctuating between +4 °C and +30 °C, in the span of minutes, reflecting the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) internal thermal control and cabin system. This paper presents an initial investigation of the metabolic response of Chlorella vulgaris to transient environmental temperatures, reflecting temperature ranges and cycling frequency of the ISS cooling loop (+9 °C to +27 °C, 30 min). The constant 19 °C control represented the time-averaged temperature of the cycled condition. Growth and acclimation were observed in both tested conditions through pH, dissolved oxygen, optical density, and photosynthetic quantum yield measurements. However, there was significant reduction in the oxygen production rate, measured pH, and optical density for the cycled temperature condition when compared to the control (cycled temperature = 0.95 gO2 L−1 d−1, pH = 6.75, OD = 0.05; control = 1.17 gO2 L−1 d−1, pH = 8.20, OD = 0.08). No significant reduction in growth rate or photosynthetic quantum yield were recorded between the two tested conditions. Growth rate of the cycled temperature condition reflected those of psychrotolerant algae, suggesting some amount of culture acclimation to the rapidly dynamic environment. Results suggest that while C. vulgaris was viable within the tested temperature environment reflecting the ISS thermal control loop and cabin, there was a measurable reduction in the oxygen production rate.

Automation platform independent multi-agent system for robust networks of production resources in industry 4.0

The Cyber-Physical Production System (CPPS) is a concept derived from software (cyber) and hardware (physical) applications and is based on global information exchange between such systems. The CPPS is known as a trend of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) focusing on flexibility regarding new products and adaptability to new requirements. This paper focuses on two I4.0 scenarios described by the Platform Industrie 4.0 that describe challenges for the industry towards its digital future. First, it looks at the Order Controlled Production (OCP) scenario that deals with flexible and self-configuring production networks. It describes the dynamic organization of production resources required to execute a production order. Second, the Adaptable Factory (AF) application scenario is discussed, which focuses on the configuration of production resources and describes the adaptability of an individual facility through (physical) modification. This paper first provides a detailed analysis of the requirements from these scenarios. Furthermore, it analyses the current Multi-Agent System (MAS) architectures and agent-based planning and decision support systems requirements. MAS can be used to create application-independent I4.0 systems with arbitrary hardware automation platforms. To create a scalable communication network that also supports application independence and enables the semantically machine-readable description of the exchanged data, the OPC UA standard was adopted. As a result of the study, the concept shows how different and independent automation platforms can be seamlessly connected via OPC UA. The proposed MAS concept has been evaluated in different use cases, namely OCP and AF.