Solution Concept Research Articles

Harnessing Multi-Domain Knowledge for User-Centric Product Conceptual Design

Abstract Conceptual design is the design phase that deploys product functions and structures based on user requirements and ultimately generates conceptual design solutions. The increasing diversification of products has led to the promotion of customized design that involves deep user participation. As a result, there has been a growing focus on user-centric conceptual design. In this regard, the relationship among users, designers, and design solutions has been changed, which has brought challenges to the traditional designer-oriented design model. To address the complex understanding and decision-making problem caused by deeper user participation, emerging new user-centric product conceptual design model needs to be discussed. In the new design model, addressing the changing or growing requirements of users through the design of solutions and leveraging multi-domain knowledge to guide the conceptual design process are the critical areas of focus. To further describe this design model, this paper examines the user-centric interconnection among users, designers, design solutions, and multi-domain knowledge. In order to optimize design solutions, the solution resolution process and knowledge mapping based on design deviations are considered effective approaches. In addition, the paper also presents the types of design deviations and the multi-domain knowledge support techniques.

Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: Durable Solution, Assessment and Reviews

The protracted internal displacement crisis in Nigeria has led to significant challenges for the affected population and has strained the country's resources and infrastructure. This paper focuses on the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, exploring the concept of durable solutions, the importance of comprehensive assessments, and the necessity of regular reviews in addressing their plight. The concept of durable solutions forms the cornerstone of addressing displacement crises, aiming to provide sustainable outcomes for IDPs. This study examines the three recognized durable solutions: voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement, and analyzes their applicability in the Nigerian context. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that considers socio-economic factors, security conditions, and the protection of IDPs' rights. Comprehensive assessments play a vital role in understanding the needs and vulnerabilities of IDPs, facilitating informed decision-making and resource allocation. This study highlights the importance of conducting thorough assessments, including demographic data, living conditions, access to basic services, and psychosocial support. It emphasizes the role of government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and research institutions in undertaking these assessments to guide effective interventions. Regular reviews of displacement situations are crucial to monitor progress, identify gaps, and adapt strategies accordingly. This study emphasizes the significance of periodic evaluations of policies, programs, and interventions aimed at addressing internal displacement in Nigeria. It underscores the importance of stakeholder involvement, including IDPs themselves, in these review processes to ensure their perspectives are considered and their voices heard. Furthermore, the work acknowledges the challenges inherent in addressing the plight of IDPs in Nigeria, including limited resources, security concerns, and the complexity of the underlying causes of displacement. It emphasizes the need for a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach, involving the government, humanitarian actors, civil society, and the international community, to achieve durable solutions for IDPs.

Toward the validation of VR-HMDs for medical education: a systematic literature review

The latest technological advancements in the domain of virtual reality (VR) have created new opportunities to use VR as a training platform for medical students and practitioners more broadly. Despite the growing interest in the use of VR as a training tool, a commonly identified gap in VR-training for medical education is the confidence in the long-term validity of the applications. A systematic literature review was undertaken to explore the extent of VR (in particular head-mounted displays) applications for medical training with an additional focus on validation measures. The papers included in this review discussed empirical case studies of specific applications; however, these were mostly concerned with human–computer interaction and were polarized between demonstrating that a conceptual technology solution was feasible for simulation or looked at specific areas of VR usability with little discussion on validation measures for long-term training effectiveness and outcomes. The review uncovered a wide range of ad hoc applications and studies in terms of technology vendors, environments, tasks, envisaged users and effectiveness of learning outcomes. This presents decision-making challenges for those seeking to adopt, implement and embed such systems in teaching practice. The authors of this paper then take a wider socio-technical systems perspective to understand how the holistic training system can be engineered and validated effectively as fit for purpose, through distillation of a generic set of requirements from the literature review to aid design specification and implementation, and to drive more informed and traceable validation of these types of systems. In this review, we have identified 92 requirement statements in 11 key areas against which a VR-HMD training system could be validated; these were grouped into design considerations, learning mechanisms and implementation considerations.

Challenges in Flexible Manufacturing Technologies for the Final Assembly in the Commercial Vehicle Industry

Increasing customer demands and product diversity as well as emerging technologies and market trends, such as the establishment of new driveline technologies, like e-mobility or hydrogen, present challenges for manufacturing companies in the commercial vehicle industry. Consequently, companies must strengthen their focus to the aspect of flexibility within their manufacturing processes. This paper contributes to the state of the art in flexible manufacturing technologies research, which enables manufacturing companies to deal with these increasing flexibility requirements. Focussing on the area of final assembly the paper takes a holistic perspective and characterizes the readiness of automotive companies to be able to implement flexible manufacturing technologies. The system ecosystem and the process organization of automotive companies are examined with respect to the requirements of flexible manufacturing. Finally, gaps that hinder the implementation of flexible manufacturing technologies are identified and described, and possible solution concepts for the identified gaps are proposed.

A frame of understanding to better link nature-based solutions and urban planning

Reinforcement of the concept of nature-based solutions in urban environments calls for their better introduction and linkage into urban planning. The paper is focused on the relationship between nature-based solutions and spatial realities, based on reciprocity among natural processes and urban patterns, emphasising the recognition of using and mimicking natural processes in urban environments. A classification framework as a form of knowledge aggregation is suggested. A matrix that simultaneously addresses the role of natural processes in nature-based solutions and the ability of such processes to deliver results for improving urban environments is proposed. Accordingly, there are three characteristic groups of solutions suggested, (1) those only using natural processes, (2) those using and mimicking natural processes and (3) those only mimicking natural processes, which implementation potentials are commented against four different types of urban patterns, to show what group of the nature-based solutions may best suit any type of spatial agglomeration. Beside green infrastructure as currently the most often addressed manifestation of nature-based solutions in cities, the paper reflects also on the physical processes as inevitable parts of nature. In relation to urban planning, sites and their characteristics are seen as a crucial aspect of nature-based solutions. The arguments are built upon exhaustive literature and case studies review, resulted in the matrix showing the matching relations among nature-based solutions and societal challenges aiming for better urban environment. Additionally, there are also sets of recommendations for bridging the policy-implementation gaps to bring nature-based solutions closer to urban planning, suggested.

Programming 3D Curves with Discretely Constrained Cylindrical Inflatables.

Programming inflatable systems to deform to desired 3Dshapes opens up multifarious applications in robotics, morphing architecture, and interventional medicine. This work elicits complex deformations by attaching discrete strain limiters to cylindrical hyperelastic inflatables. Using this system, a method is presented to solve the inverse problem of programming myriad 3D centerline curves upon inflation. The method entails two steps: first, a reduced-order model generates a conceptual solution giving coarse indications of strain limiter placement on the undeformed cylindrical inflatable. This low-fidelity solution then seeds a finite element simulation nested within an optimization loop to further tune strain limiter parameters.Weleverage this framework to achieve functionality through a priori programmed deformations of cylindrical inflatables, including 3D curve matching, self-tying knotting, and manipulation. The results hold broad significance for the emerging computational design of inflatable systems.

Linking friction, social coordination and the speed of evolution

We consider a model of social coordination and network formation where agents decide on an action in a coordination game and on whom to form costly links with. We explore the role of linking friction, where an agent cannot change all of her links simultaneously when choosing an alternative linking decision. Given linking friction, interaction structures are not fully flexible. We introduce a new solution concept of static equilibria, local Nash equilibria, and find that the set of local Nash equilibria may include action-heterogenous strategy profiles. Furthermore, risk-dominant strategy profiles are stochastically stable when linking friction is restrictive, and payoff-dominant strategy profiles are stochastically stable when linking friction becomes less restrictive. More importantly, linking friction can greatly accelerate the emergence of payoff-dominant strategy profiles.

Urban agriculture, local economic development and climate change: conceptual linkages

ABSTRACTGlobally, cities have become hubs for economic activity, productivity, and important platforms for achieving sustainable development goals. The potential of urban agriculture (UA) in improving urban local economies and urban micro-climate has been acknowledged in the literature. The study looked at how the concepts of UA, local economic development (LED), and climate change can be treated in unison. Based on the review of credible published papers on the various concepts of UA, LED, climate change and nature-based solutions (NBS), a proposed conceptual framework was developed in this paper showing the linkages. The paper established that UA could boost LED, build resilient urban settlements, and promote social inclusiveness, but with social challenges. It is therefore recommended that policymakers make UA a crucial aspect of their agenda in the coming years to address the local economic and climate challenges now and in the future.

New fixed-time synchronization results for discontinuous dynamic networks: A novel two-stage analysis approach

This paper concerns the issue of fixed-time synchronization (FXTS) for complex networks composed of dynamical nodes with discontinuous dynamics, abbreviated as discontinuous dynamic networks, under the concept of Filippov solution. In terms of [Formula: see text]-norm and [Formula: see text]-norm, two types of simple control schemes without the linear feedback part are, respectively, designed to compel the considered discontinuous dynamic network to fixed-timely synchronize with a desired trajectory. By utilizing a novel two-stage analysis approach, some new FXTS criteria are derived. Compared with the existing research works, the established theoretical results not only are more relaxed, but also improve the estimation accuracy of synchronous settling time. Finally, the validity of the analytical results is verified via numerical simulations.

A multidimensional approach to the resource allocation problem (RAP) through the prism of industrial information integration (III)

The problem of resource allocation has been studied by applying diversified models and methods. There are efficient approaches to solving this task based on mathematical modeling, experts’ assessment, optimization methods, and others. However, the development of the modern world emphasizes the need of applying a new paradigm to deal with traditional problems. Industrial Informational Integration (III) as a new subject claims a multidimensional approach to achieve the company's goals in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Today managers have to make faster decisions and revise them as quickly as possible. With the rise of sustainability considerations and digital transformation, classical approaches to industrial management should be transformed. In this article, we assume III as a driving tool for increasing the accuracy of business process management (BPM) on the example of the resource allocation problem (RAP). Our research considers the dissonance problem of local optimum different from overall system target goals within a multi-project industrial environment. This paper seeks to bring the discussion forward by analyzing the existing approaches and designing the integrated methodological framework for the resource assignment process relevant to a centralized resource management system.We have a broad view of resource allocation to the applicants through the prism of information integration, including sustainable development, systems performance improvement, and strategic goals achievement. The research article integrates several management, planning, and control tools with resource allocation methods. In the first step, we investigated diversified approaches towards the RAP for the multi-project economic environment and then proposed revised solutions combined with advanced managerial techniques. To meet the requirements of digital transformation, some computer-based conceptual solutions for RAP are proposed.The purpose of the present study is to contribute to the research field by claiming that the RAP can be solved within the information-integrated framework containing alternatives and limitations of each method to achieve many combinations reflecting to particular system requirements and target goals. To this extent, the RAP relies on efficient integration opportunities within an industrial multi-project system enabling transparent strategic goals transfer, cooperation, and operational excellence with a high service level provided.

Systemic Conception of the Data Acquisition of Digital Twin Solutions for Use Case-Oriented Development and Its Application to a Gearbox

Digital Twins are being used more and more frequently and provide information from the Real Twin for different applications. Measurements on the Real Twin are required to obtain information, which in many cases requires the installation of supplementary sensors. For their conception and design, it is particularly important that the measuring principles are selected purposefully and the appropriate sensors are integrated at the goal-oriented measuring positions without impairing the functions and other properties of the Real Twin by the integration of these sensors. In this article, a “Design for Digital Twin” approach is discussed for the systematic procedure and demonstrated using a multi-staged gearbox as a concrete example. The approach focuses on the mechanical and hardware side of the Real Twin. For the systematic conception and design of the Digital Twin solution, an understanding of the stakeholder demands and the expected use cases is necessary. Based on the stakeholder demands and use cases, the relevant product properties can be determined. Using the relevant properties, an iterative process of conception, design, and analysis takes place. The conception is carried out by means of target-oriented cause–effect analyses, taking into account systemic interrelations of the Real Twin components and systematics for the selection of measurement principles. Systemic considerations, combined with an effect graph, allow for the analysis and evaluation of disturbing factors.

Design of a mini collection of shoes and fashion accessories

This paper summarizes the development and creation process of the author's Suprematism-inspired mini-collection of shoes and fashion accessories. During the design process, the focus was on creating conceptual solutions from several components in order to reduce the consumption of materials and the possibility of applying the "upcycling" method, i.e. the creative use of leather production scraps in the realization of the model. The experimental part of the work describes the development of prototypes of women's sneakers, boots and backpacks from conceptual solutions, project drawings and the selection of materials for production to model making and the production of templates. Through the use of digital tools, realistic representations of the future models were created. From all these models, the most attractive and suitable for the production of prototypes were selected. As a result, the author's mini-collection of boots, sneakers and backpacks is presented, focusing on design, functionality and quality, as well as the possibility of a longer product life and use according to the guidelines of sustainable fashion.

Review of target objects for the group-operated unmanned aerial vehicles application

Currently, the big number of companies, and specifically in Russia, is engaged in designing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). It is caused by the tendency to reduce human labor in various fields of activity, in particular, associated with a great risk to life and health. All these factors lead to the steady growth of different-type missions for the UAV application. Urgency of the research generates considerable interest towards the issues of the UAV application. As part of developing a method for determining UAV design parameters, the author analyzed the results in this domain, considering the operation in a group of aircraft. In order to propose a conceptual aircraft solution for designing a model, the analysis of target objects for the UAV group application was conducted. The article considers various target objects for the application of UAV groups. The result of the analysis for target objects can form the basis for the conclusion involved with the imposed requirements for the design of this UAV class. Compared to other specialists’ articles, this paper is distinguished by synthesizing the achievements in the sphere of group-operated UAV design, as well as by establishing the basic trends for their application while conducting warfare.

Solving the Fractional Schrödinger Equation with Singular Initial Data in the Extended Colombeau Algebra of Generalized Functions

This manuscript aims to highlight the existence and uniqueness results for the following Schrödinger problem in the extended Colombeau algebra of generalized functions. 1 / ı ∂ / ∂ t u t , x − △ u t , x + v x u t , x = 0 , t ∈ R + , x ∈ R n , v x = δ x , u 0 , x = δ x , where δ is the Dirac distribution. The proofs of our main results are based on the Gronwall inequality and regularization method. We conclude our article by establishing the association concept of solutions.

Un/natural disasters IV: a philosophy of warning and alarming multiple simultaneous un/natural disasters

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the phenomenon of multiple simultaneous un/natural disasters (MSDs). This study also aims to describe the importance and contribution of philosophy in describing MSDs warning and alarming systems.Design/methodology/approachThe paper summarizes topics in the philosophy of MSDs that were covered in detail in previous research in order to continue with the topic of the philosophy of MSDs alarming and warning. A practical solution to conceptual paradoxes is researched by means of conceptual-morphological analysis.FindingsThe paper proposes a conceptual idea for MSDs alarming system which is its main topic; namely, it offers a conceptual solution to a series of practical-conceptual paradoxes that occur before, during and after MSDs.Research limitations/implicationsThis is only a conceptual research, and it does not deal with particular technological solutions.Practical implicationsThe proposed solution of this research could be implemented in various warning and alarm systems.Originality/valueThe proposed concept of a universal alarm system for MSDs was not previously proposed.

Dissipative solutions and Markov selection to the complete stochastic Euler system

We introduce the concept of stochastic measure-valued solutions to the complete Euler system describing the motion of a compressible inviscid fluid subject to stochastic forcing, where the nonlinear terms are described by defect measures. These solutions are weak in the probabilistic sense (probability space is not a given ‘priori’, but part of the solution) and analytical sense (derivatives only exist in the sense distributions). In particular, we show that existence and weak-strong principle (i.e. a weak measure-valued solution coincides with a strong solution provided the later exists) hold true provided they satisfy some form of energy balance. Finally, we show the existence of Markov selection to the associated martingale problem.

The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ as a tool for enhancing the sustainable development of marine aquaculture

This paper applies the IUCN Global Standard for Nature based Solutions™ self-assessment tool (published in 2020) to two aquaculture case studies. Data from the case studies were compiled by the authors. In Zanzibar, secondary data were obtained through a previous project, which included a stakeholder workshop in Zanzibar (in 2019) and one deliverable published by the IUCN on Zanzibar of their catalogue “Aquaculture and Marine Conservation”. In Indonesia, the original data were provided by the Blue Natural Capital Funding Facility (BNCFF) and the associated local teams. The analysis of the data, the information provided, and the scoring itself were done by the authors, in association with local teams in both areas. The results of the two assessments, discussed in the paper and presented in detail in the Supplementary materials, can be considered original research, never previously published in a scientific journal. The concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems for achieving a variety of societal benefits. The IUCN released the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ to help design, assess, strengthen, and upscale NbS interventions. In the current context of growing uncertainties for the future of coastlines and oceans, aquaculture has been recognized as a positive activity for achieving sustainable development in coastal communities; supporting food security, poverty alleviation, and economic resilience; and contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems in some cases. However, the sustainability of aquaculture systems has often been criticized. Aquaculture initiatives in coastal areas can achieve both nature conservation and sustainable development objectives, but reflection on the conditions under which this would happen is needed. This article examines aquaculture systems through the lens of the NbS concept and the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™, along with other sustainability concepts and instruments currently used in the context of aquaculture. The application of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™’s to two case studies is explored: seaweed farming in Zanzibar in marine conservation areas and shrimp farming coupled with mangrove restoration in Indonesia. The results show that the NbS concept underpinning the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could help in the overall assessment of aquaculture systems and improve their sustainability by highlighting both their positive outcomes and issues requiring further examination in relation to marine biodiversity benefits, socio-economic development, and/or governance. The IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could provide an operational framework to implement existing concepts, such as the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture, contribute to clarifying critical issues in aquaculture development, and provide guidance for the development of a new type of aquaculture project, specifically designed as NbS. This finding advocates the context-dependent exploration and promotion of aquaculture projects as NbS.

On Cooperative Game Approaches For Optimal Portfolio Selection

Cooperative game theory is concerned with exploring schemes for allocating payoffs among rational participants in coalitions and has produced several solution designs due to the different emphasis on criteria such as stability and fairness, but this theory has not been widely applied in the field of portfolio selection. In this paper, we explore further applications of the solution concepts of cooperative games based on the model of optimal portfolio selection developed in previous studies, which is modelled in a static form of a non-cooperative zero-sum game between investors and the market and a cooperative game between investors. We propose a risk modified Shapley value based on the tradeoff between return and risk in the financial market based on the Shapley value, and the performance of this solution shows an evident improvement. We also introduce some other solution concepts of cooperative games and give an approach to construct a nucleolus-based portfolio using Maschler's scheme to compute the nucleolus, and the results demonstrate that the allocation schemes based on the cooperative game theory perform well.

Measure-Valued Low Mach Number Limits of Ideal Fluids

As a framework for handling low Mach number limits we consider a notion of measure-valued solution of the incompressible Euler system which explicitly formulates the usually suppressed dependence on the pressure variable. We clarify in which sense such a measure-valued solution is generated as a low Mach limit and state sufficient conditions for this convergence. For the special case of pressure-free solutions we are able to give such sufficient conditions only on the incompressible solution itself. As a necessary condition for low Mach limits we obtain a Jensen-type inequality. The same necessary condition actually holds true for limits of weak solutions or vanishing viscosity limits. We illustrate that this Jensen inequality is not trivially fulfilled. Since measure-valued solutions in the classical sense are always generated by weak solutions, this shows that our solution concept contains more information and that low Mach limits lead to a partial selection criterion for incompressible solutions.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Use of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation

The concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) has been endorsed by multiple international organizations as one of the priority approaches to address climate-related challenges. These solutions are versatile, and can simultaneously address challenges such as climate impacts, public health, inequality, and the biodiversity crisis, being uniquely suited for urban adaptation. NbS are particularly relevant in the developing world, where strategies should be as self-reliant as possible, reducing the need for technological processes that require expensive and complex maintenance. NbS can also promote political, societal, cultural, and ultimately, systems change. The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on the use of NbS for urban adaptation, identifying the main opportunities, challenges, and, most specifically, knowledge gaps, which can be addressed in subsequent research. The present paper identifies four types of knowledge gaps that are particularly relevant for the use of NbS for urban adaptation: future climate uncertainty, lack of site-specific technical design criteria, governance strategies, and effectiveness assessment evaluation. To overcome local governments’ limitations, specific implementation strategies and structures should be considered, centered on knowledge transfer within a transdisciplinary and participatory framework. These should be developed in partnership with urban planning entities, seeking to consolidate these approaches in policies that support social resilience and institutional capacity. Therefore, urban adaptation should be initiated with pilot projects to simultaneously address the urgency for implementation, while allowing urban planning practices the time to adjust, building capacity at the local level, and filling knowledge gaps through the assessment of effectiveness. The climate-resilience of urban tree species adequate to the future climate was identified as a relevant knowledge gap for the implementation of NbS.