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Speed is a great concern in the recursive shortest spanning tree (RSST) algorithm as its applications are focused on image segmentation and video coding, in which a large amount of data is processed. Several efficient RSST algorithms have been proposed in the literature, but the linking properties are not properly addressed and used in these algorithms and they are intended to produce a truncated RSST. This paper categorizes the linking process into three classes based on link weights. These linking processes are defined as the linking process for link weight equal to zero (LPLW-Z), the linking process for link weight equal to one (LPLW-O), and the linking process for link weight equal to real number (LFLW-R). We study these linking properties and apply them to an efficient RSST algorithm. The proposed efficient RSST algorithm is novel, as it makes use of linking properties, and its resulting shortest spanning tree is truly identical to that produced by the conventional algorithm. Our experimental results show that the percentages of links for the three classes are 17%, 27%, and 58%, respectively. This paper proposes a prediction method for LPLW-O, as a result of which the vertex weight of the next region can be determined by comparing sizes of the merging regions. It is also demonstrated that the proposed LPLW-O with prediction approach is applicable to the multiple-stage merging. Our experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a substantial improvement over the conventional RSST algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MPEG-4 standard enables the representation of video as a collection of objects. This paper describes an automatic system that exploits such a representation. Our system consists of two parts: real-time content extraction algorithms and a real-time multi-object rate control method. We present two approaches to content extraction: foreground segmentation based on two cameras and face segmentation based on a single camera. The main contributions of this paper are: 1) under a stereo camera setup, we improve a disparity estimation algorithm to obtain crisp and smooth boundaries of foreground objects; 2) for a single camera scenario, we propose a novel algorithm for face detection and tracking, combining facial color and structure information; and 3) we develop a constant-quality variable bitrate (CQ-VBR) control algorithm that guarantees the quality specification for each object obtained from the two content extraction methods. Both segmentation algorithms run in real-time on a low-cost media processor and have been tested extensively in various indoor environments. The CQ-VBR control algorithm is a useful tool for the evaluation of object-based coding. For low-bit-rate applications, we can achieve significant reduction in the overall bitrate, while maintaining the same visual quality of the foreground/face object as compared to conventional frame-based coding. Based on tests conducted on several sequences of different complexity levels, the bit-rate savings can be up to 48%. The satisfactory foreground segmentation (results presented) permits porting a live foreground object into arbitrary scenes to create composite video. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of repair of a complex system can usually be approximated by the following two types: minimal repair for which the system is restored to its functioning state with minimum effort, or perfect repair for which the system is replaced or repaired to a good-as-new state. When both types of repair are possible, an important problem is to determine the repair policy; that is, the type of repair which should be carried out after a failure. In this paper, an optimal allocation problem is studied for a monotonic failure rate repairable system under some resource constraints. In the first model, the numbers of minimal & perfect repairs are fixed, and the optimal repair policy maximizing the expected system lifetime is studied. In the second model, the total amount of repair resource is fixed, and the costs of each minimal & perfect repair are assumed to be known. The optimal allocation algorithm is derived in this case. Two numerical examples are shown to illustrate the procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses some of the difficulties in the paper: "A BDD-based algorithm for reliability analysis of phased-mission systems" by X. Zang, H. Sun, and K. S. Trivedi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current control in inverter-driven machine systems is the inner most component of the hierarchy of control loops. If the control of current in the machine is not fast and accurate then it is difficult, if not impossible, to build a high-performance drive system. Unfortunately, the implementation of current control in power electronic systems is not ideal. Practical effects can have a significant influence on its performance. This paper examines one of these effects, dead time, and considers the influence it has on the performance of predictive current controllers (PCCs). The paper presents analysis that shows that a PCC implicitly compensates for voltage loss due to dead time. Also, a modified PCC is introduced that reduces the zero-current-clamp problem caused by dead time. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the analysis and confirm the performance of the new algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of transmission lines is bask in undergraduate electrical engineering education. In relevant courses, a key subject is the Smith chart (SC), which is a graphical device providing insight. This paper develops certain formulas that can further enhance students' understanding, including an unconventional set of conductance/susceptance transformation equations, as well as simplified versions useful for highly mismatched lines, where it is sometimes difficult to use the SC. All formulas are developed from well-known facts of transmission-line theory. sc interpretations of many of the analytical results are provided. The analytical investigations thus supplement the SC. For highly mismatched lines, the formulas bring out certain resemblances to the resonant series RLC circuit, thus providing an interesting connection to the familiar subject of ordinary circuit theory. Lastly, students can also benefit from the mathematical tools used herein; these include simple ideas of asymptotic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A testability transformation is a source-to-source transformation that aims to improve the ability of a given test generation method to generate test data for the original program. This paper introduces testability transformation, demonstrating that it differs from traditional transformation, both theoretically and practically, while still allowing many traditional transformation rules to be applied. The paper illustrates the theory of testability transformation with an example application to evolutionary testing. An algorithm for flag removal is defined and results are presented from an empirical study which show how the algorithm improves both the performance of evolutionary test data generation and the adequacy level of the test data so-generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses typical grounding practices and ground fault protection methods for medium-voltage generator stators, highlighting their merits and drawbacks. Particular attention is given to applications of multiple generators connected to a single bus. The paper also provides an overview of the generator damage mechanism during stator ground faults. Problem areas associated with each type of grounding are identified and solutions are discussed. The paper also provides a list of references on the topic. The paper is intended as a guide to aid engineers in selecting adequate grounding and ground fault protection schemes for medium-voltage industrial and commercial generators for new installations, for evaluating existing systems, and for future expansion of facilities, to minimize generator damage from stator ground faults. These topics are presented in four separate parts, Parts 1-4. Part 1 covers scope, introduction, user examples of stator ground failure, and theoretical basis for the problem. Part 2 discusses various grounding methods used in industrial applications. Part 3 describes protection methods for the various types of grounding and Part 4 provides a conclusion and bibliography of additional resource material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses typical grounding practices and ground fault protection methods for medium-voltage generator stators, highlighting their merits and drawbacks. Particular attention is given to applications of multiple generators connected to a single bus. The paper also provides an overview of the generator damage mechanism during stator ground faults. Problem areas associated with each type of grounding are identified and solutions are discussed. The paper also provides a list of references on the topic. The paper is intended as a guide to aid engineers in selecting adequate grounding and ground fault protection schemes for medium-voltage industrial and commercial generators for new installations, for evaluating existing systems, and for future expansion of facilities, to minimize generator damage from stator ground faults. These topics are presented in four separate parts, Parts 1-4. Part 1 covers scope, introduction, user examples of stator ground failure, and theoretical basis for the problem. Part 2 discusses various grounding methods used in industrial applications. Part 3 describes protection methods for the various types of grounding and Part 4 provides a conclusion and bibliography of additional resource material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Requirements engineering is concerned with the elicitation of high-level goals to be achieved by the envisioned system, the refinement of such goals and their operationalization into specifications of services and constraints and the assignment of responsibilities for the resulting requirements to agents such as humans, devices, and software. Requirements engineering processes often result in goals, requirements, and assumptions about agent behavior that are too ideal; some of them are likely not to be satisfied from time to time in the running system due to unexpected agent behavior. The lack of anticipation of exceptional behaviors results in unrealistic, unachievable, and/or incomplete requirements. As a consequence, the software developed from those requirements will not be robust enough and will inevitably result in poor performance or failures, sometimes with critical consequences on the environment. This paper presents formal techniques for reasoning about obstacles to the satisfaction of goals, requirements, and assumptions elaborated in the requirements engineering process. A first set of techniques allows obstacles to be generated systematically from goal formulations and domain properties. A second set of techniques allows resolutions to be generated once the obstacles have been identified thereby. Our techniques are based on a temporal logic formalization of goals and domain properties; they are integrated into an existing method for goal-oriented requirements elaboration with the aim of deriving more realistic, complete, and robust requirements specifications. A key principle in this paper is to handle exceptions at requirements engineering time and at the goal level, so that more freedom is left for resolving them in a satisfactory way. The various techniques proposed are illustrated and assessed in the context of a real safety-critical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: This article lends empirical evidence to this research area of factors influencing students’ choice of and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Background: Understanding these factors is crucial as it informs recruitment and support interventions provided to students and constitutes a premise to improving graduation rates. The social cognitive career theory (SCCT) was used as a theoretical framework to provide insight regarding factors influencing students’ choice of qualifications. Research Questions: What is the state of research on the factors influencing students’ choice of and success in STEM programmes? Which of these factors have interested most researchers? What research themes are covered in articles investigating these factors? Methodology: This study followed the general bibliometric analysis workflow—study design, data collection, data analysis, data visualization, and interpretation. Data collection followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and metaanalysis (PRISMA) guidelines. From an initial set of 408 articles, 179 related to the theme and were published in the Web of Science between 2004 and 2020. These articles were analyzed using the standard bibliometric metrics. Findings: Findings indicate that this research field is still growing. Thirty-two factors were identified and rated based using an objective assessment criterion. In addition, a classification of the factors is presented based on the SCCT. This study provides a theoretical reference for improving success rates for STEM qualifications and better understanding the theme. The study proposes a research agenda of what future research in the field should focus on, based on current gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT includes 11 research articles. The relevance and usefulness of the articles are summarized. In addition, it is noted that the publication is changing the name of one of the journal's departments from "Technology and Innovation Management" to "Technology, InnovationManagement and Entrepreneurship" to reflect the increasing significance entrepreneurship is gaining in practice and academia related to engineering and business around the world. Other related publication issues are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Collocated adaptive control of underactuated mechanical systems is still a concern for the control community. The main difficulty comes from the nonlinearity of the collocated inverse dynamics with respect to the base parameters, which forbids the direct application of classical adaptive control schemes. This paper extends and encompasses the Slotine's adaptive control, which was developed for fully actuated mechanical systems, to stabilize the collocated state space of an underactuated mechanical system. The key point is to define the sliding variable as the difference between the system's velocity and an exogenous state whose dynamics is considered as control input. We first revisit the Slotine's result in view of this definition and then show how to extend it to the underactuated case. Stability and convergence of time-varying reference trajectories for the collocated dynamics are shown to be in the sense of Lyapunov. Global well-posedness of the control laws is achieved by means of a new algebraic property of the mass matrix. Simulations, comparisons to existing control strategies, and experimental results on a two-link manipulator verify the soundness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Provides instructions and guidelines to prospective authors who wish to submit manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of HVdc transmission technology, the isolation of dc faults is becoming increasingly important. As the most effective solution, hybrid HVdc circuit breaker (CB) is not mature enough, which has restricted its engineering application. Accordingly, this paper proposes an auxiliary dc CB scheme suitable for HVdc grid. In this scheme, the traditional half-bridge modular multilevel converter (MMC) is partially innovated to have the ability of auxiliary breaking operation. With the effect of the MMC auxiliary breaking (MAB) operation at both ends of the fault line, the dc fault current can be easily interrupted and isolated by low-cost CB unit installed in the dc transmission line. The equivalent circuit under MAB process is analyzed, and the fault isolation sequences are designed. Furthermore, the economic comparative analysis among three schemes is performed. Finally, a four-terminal bipolar HVdc grid test model is built in PSCAD/EMTDC; in addition, an MMC prototype with proposed scheme is also developed. The simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publishing histograms with $\epsilon$ -differential privacy has been studied extensively in the literature. Existing schemes aim at maximizing the utility of the published data, while previous experimental evaluations analyze the privacy/utility trade-off. In this paper, we provide the first experimental evaluation of differentially private methods that goes beyond utility, emphasizing also on another important aspect, namely efficiency. Towards this end, we first observe that all existing schemes are comprised of a small set of common blocks. We then optimize and choose the best implementation for each block, determine the combinations of blocks that capture the entire literature, and propose novel block combinations. We qualitatively assess the quality of the schemes based on the skyline of efficiency and utility, i.e., based on whether a method is dominated on both aspects or not. Using exhaustive experiments on four real datasets with different characteristics, we conclude that there are always trade-offs in terms of utility and efficiency. We demonstrate that the schemes derived from our novel block combinations provide the best trade-offs for time critical applications. Our work can serve as a guide to help practitioners engineer a differentially private histogram scheme depending on their application requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation voltage reduction (CVR) and distributed-generation (DG) integration are popular strategies implemented by utilities to improve energy efficiency. This paper investigates the interactions between CVR and DG placement to minimize load consumption in distribution networks, while keeping the lowest voltage level within the predefined range. The optimal placement of DG units is formulated as a stochastic optimization problem considering the uncertainty of DG outputs and load consumptions. A sample average approximation algorithm-based technique is developed to solve the formulated problem effectively. A multiple replications procedure is developed to test the stability of the solution and calculate the confidence interval of the gap between the candidate solution and optimal solution. The proposed method has been applied to the IEEE 37-bus distribution test system with different scenarios. The numerical results indicate that the implementations of CVR and DG, if combined, can achieve significant energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attracting K–12 students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is viewed as a critical element for benefiting both the economy and society. This paper describes an outreach program, conducted in a Brooklyn, NY, USA, public middle school, aimed at educating students in mechatronics, biology, and bioinspiration. The program is designed to foster student interest in STEM subjects, especially engineering-related concepts, by actively demonstrating their application in solving tangible real-world problems. It consists of a series of lectures and practical activities that culminate with a hands-on bioinspiration-based event at the New York Aquarium. Survey results show that students who participated in the program have a better understanding of the relationship between engineering and nature, demonstrate improved knowledge of select STEM topics, and are more interested in pursuing STEM careers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, we describe research results arising from a technology transfer exercise on agent-oriented requirements engineering with an industry partner. We introduce two improvements to the state-of-the-art in agent-oriented requirements engineering, designed to mitigate two problems experienced by ourselves and our industry partner: (1) the lack of systematic methods for agent-oriented requirements elicitation and modelling; and (2) the lack of prescribed deliverables in agent-oriented requirements engineering. We discuss the application of our new approach to an aircraft turnaround simulator built in conjunction with our industry partner, and show how agent-oriented models can be derived and used to construct a complete requirements package. We evaluate this by having three independent people design and implement prototypes of the aircraft turnaround simulator, and comparing the three prototypes. Our evaluation indicates that our approach is effective at delivering correct, complete, and consistent requirements that satisfy the stakeholders, and can be used in a repeatable manner to produce designs and implementations. We discuss lessons learnt from applying this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We propose in this paper to consider code-smells detection as a distributed optimization problem. The idea is that different methods are combined in parallel during the optimization process to find a consensus regarding the detection of code-smells. To this end, we used Parallel Evolutionary algorithms (P-EA) where many evolutionary algorithms with different adaptations (fitness functions, solution representations, and change operators) are executed, in a parallel cooperative manner, to solve a common goal which is the detection of code-smells. An empirical evaluation to compare the implementation of our cooperative P-EA approach with random search, two single population-based approaches and two code-smells detection techniques that are not based on meta-heuristics search. The statistical analysis of the obtained results provides evidence to support the claim that cooperative P-EA is more efficient and effective than state of the art detection approaches based on a benchmark of nine large open source systems where more than 85 percent of precision and recall scores are obtained on a variety of eight different types of code-smells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper we develop a general framework to reason about testing. The difficulty of testing is assessed in terms of the amount of tests that must be applied to determine whether the system is correct or not. Based on this criterion, five testability classes are presented and related. We also explore conditions that enable and disable finite testability, and their relation to testing hypotheses is studied. We measure how far incomplete test suites are from being complete, which allows us to compare and select better incomplete test suites. The complexity of finding that measure, as well as the complexity of finding minimum complete test suites, is identified. Furthermore, we address the reduction of testing problems to each other, that is, we study how the problem of finding test suites to test systems of some kind can be reduced to the problem of finding test suites for another kind of systems. This enables to export testing methods. In order to illustrate how general notions are applied to specific cases, many typical examples from the formal testing techniques domain are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The framework of dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) contains many favorable properties for the execution of robotic trajectories, such as indirect dependence on time, response to perturbations, and the ability to easily modulate the given trajectories, but the framework in its original form remains constrained to the kinematic aspect of the movement. In this paper, we bridge the gap to dynamic behavior by extending the framework with force/torque feedback. We propose and evaluate a modulation approach that allows interaction with objects and the environment. Through the proposed coupling of originally independent robotic trajectories, the approach also enables the execution of bimanual and tightly coupled cooperative tasks. We apply an iterative learning control algorithm to learn a coupling term, which is applied to the original trajectory in a feed-forward fashion and, thus, modifies the trajectory in accordance to the desired positions or external forces. A stability analysis and results of simulated and real-world experiments using two KUKA LWR arms for bimanual tasks and interaction with the environment are presented. By expanding on the framework of DMPs, we keep all the favorable properties, which is demonstrated with temporal modulation and in a two-agent obstacle avoidance task. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Variability models represent the common and variable features of products in a product line. Since the introduction of FODA in 1990, several variability modeling languages have been proposed in academia and industry, followed by hundreds of research papers on variability models and modeling. However, little is known about the practical use of such languages. We study the constructs, semantics, usage, and associated tools of two variability modeling languages, Kconfig and CDL, which are independently developed outside academia and used in large and significant software projects. We analyze 128 variability models found in 12 open--source projects using these languages. Our study 1) supports variability modeling research with empirical data on the real-world use of its flagship concepts. However, we 2) also provide requirements for concepts and mechanisms that are not commonly considered in academic techniques, and 3) challenge assumptions about size and complexity of variability models made in academic papers. These results are of interest to researchers working on variability modeling and analysis techniques and to designers of tools, such as feature dependency checkers and interactive product configurators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including "Alliance Portfolios and Patent Output: The Case of Biotechnology Alliances," by J. McGill and colleague, "The Role of Intellectual Capital In Knowledge Transfer," and "Project Pathogens: The Anatomy of Omission Errors in Construction and Resource Engineering Project."

The article presents a calendar of events for activities related to the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for September-October 2008 including workshops and symposiums on information and computer system security, advanced video and signal-based surveillance, and genetic and evolutionary computing.

The article offers guidelines for authors related to the journal focused on engineering department of the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society.

The article presents information about some of the latest research results in the field of ever increasing information being published on numerous Web sites. An ever increasing volume of information is being published on Web sites and this vast amount of accessible information has raised many new opportunities and challenges for knowledge discovery and data engineering researches. In Web search, although general purpose search engines are very useful, finding specific or targeted information can still be a frustrating experience. Highly effective, domain specific and personalized search techniques are not yet mainstream.

Background: Swales's Create a Research Space (CaRS) is a popular model for writing research article (RA) introductions. CaRS prescribes three broad moves—establishing a territory, establishing a niche, and presenting the present work. This study assesses the applicability of a problem-solution patterns (PSP) approach to facilitate Move 1 in CaRS by analyzing RAs in materials science and engineering. Research questions: 1. Is structuring an RA introduction using problem-solution patterns a common approach in published RAs in materials science and engineering? 2. How does PSP facilitate the setting of boundaries between territory and niche in these RAs? Literature review: Variants of CaRS have been widely applied to study RA introductions. Even though the 2004 version of CaRS has been deemed effective in describing the structure of RA introductions in a number of disciplines, its prescription of Move 1 may not be easily operationalized in teaching engineering research writing. For problem- or application-based RAs, the territory can be established with PSP while preserving other CaRS moves. Methodology: This exploratory study employs a text analysis approach to assess 30 RA introductions from three materials science and engineering journals. Results and discussion: PSP is found in most RA introductions. By integrating PSP into CaRS, the proposed model can capture problem-solution cyclicity as a build-up move for territory and niche establishment. Conclusion: Because problem-solving is central to engineering research, RA introductions can be structured using naturally-occurring problem-solution patterns. PSP-CaRS may serve as an effective writing model for RA introductions in engineering-related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The further development of future semiconductor devices necessitates methods for characterization on an atomic scale. This ab initio investigation reveals consequences of nitrogen treatment of the state-of-the-art high-k gate-stacks. The model allows a profound characterization of the SiO2 interface layer for different impurity concentrations. The presented results explain recent experimental observations qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Beyond that, a fundamental understanding is given, which can be used as an essential instrument for future reliability engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate a system composed of mixtures of one-shot units with nonhomogeneous and time-dependent characteristics. We propose analytical expressions to predict system reliability metrics and consider a physics-statistics-based lifetime model to demonstrate the units’ failure mechanism as well as its failure process uncertainty. We design a sequence of optimum accelerated non-destructive testing (NDT) plans to predict the reliability metrics of the system and show that a well-designed sequential accelerated NDTs is an effective approach to shorten the test duration with negligible consequence on system reliability metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The value proposition for the installation of power factor (PF) correction (PFC) to avoid costly utility penalties is easily understood. The attractive payback of such PFC opportunities often pushes the project ahead without engineering considerations. In the case of medium-voltage PFC, lack of upfront engineering can lead to unexpected consequences in the performance of the PFC equipment ranging from nuisance trips and blown fuses to catastrophic failure in the extreme. In this paper, the authors propose a systematic approach to the design of PFC for medium-voltage systems. Three actual case studies were selected to illustrate this systematic approach and show that it can be applied regardless of the size, type, and complexity of the facility. Such a methodology is composed of load flow and harmonic measurements, harmonic analysis, utility billing demand and PF analysis, and reactive compensation specification in the form of either capacitors or harmonic filters, if needed. Diverse and competing design constraints, including daily and week load cycles, nearby utility capacitors, switched or stepped requirements, specifics of utility tariffs, loads with high harmonic content, and harmonic resonance, are identified, analyzed, and then incorporated into the solution to ensure successful performance of the PFC equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper summarizes the discussions held during the First IEEE Life Sciences Grand Challenges Conference, held on October 4–5, 2012, at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, and the grand challenges identified by the conference participants. Despite tremendous efforts to develop the knowledge and ability that are essential in addressing biomedical and health problems using engineering methodologies, the optimization of this approach toward engineering the life sciences and healthcare remains a grand challenge. The conference was aimed at high-level discussions by participants representing various sectors, including academia, government, and industry. Grand challenges were identified by the conference participants in five areas including engineering the brain and nervous system; engineering the cardiovascular system; engineering of cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention; translation of discoveries to clinical applications; and education and training. A number of these challenges are identified and summarized in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This index covers all technical items - papers, correspondence, reviews, etc. - that appeared in this periodical during the year, and items from previous years that were commented upon or corrected in this year. Departments and other items may also be covered if they have been judged to have archival value. The Author Index contains the primary entry for each item, listed under the first author's name. The primary entry includes the co-authors' names, the title of the paper or other item, and its location, specified by the publication abbreviation, year, month, and inclusive pagination. The Subject Index contains entries describing the item under all appropriate subject headings, plus the first author's name, the publication abbreviation, month, and year, and inclusive pages. Note that the item title is found only under the primary entry in the Author Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Team working is becoming increasingly important in modern organizations due to its beneficial outcomes. A team's performance levels are determined by complex interactions between the attributes of its individual members, the communication and dynamics between members, the working environment, and the team's work tasks. As organizations evolve, so too does the nature of team working. During the past two decades, product development in engineering organizations has increasingly been undertaken by multidisciplinary integrated product teams. Such increasing complexity means that the nature of research methods for studying teams must also evolve. Accordingly, this paper proposes an agent-based modeling approach for simulating team working within an engineering environment, informed by research conducted in two engineering organizations. The model includes a number of variables at an individual level (competency, motivation, availability, response rate), team level (communication, shared mental models, trust), and task level (difficulty, workflow), which jointly determine team performance (quality, time to complete the task, time spent working on the task). In addition to describing the model's development, the paper also reports the results of various simulation runs that were conducted in response to realistic team working scenarios, together with its validation. Finally, the paper discusses the model's practical applications as a tool for facilitating organizational decision making with respect to optimizing team working. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses an all-encompassing approach to increase the number of students in engineering through innovative outreach, recruiting, and retention programs. Prior to adopting these programs, the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman, experienced a reduction in engineering enrollment similar to the trend that has occurred across the U.S. over the last few years. As a result, the school investigated the key factors that influence selection of engineering as a career path and initiated a corrective program to reverse this trend. The program involves focusing on the present through retention, on the immediate future through recruiting, and on the distant future through outreach. The focus of all of these programs is to mobilize the OU-ECE faculty and student body to present advanced engineering technologies, innovative demonstrations, and hands-on activities at a level that the individual student can understand and appreciate. Student surveys and interviews are used to assess the program qualitatively, and OU-ECE enrollment numbers are used as a quantitative assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

“Multisourcing” has emerged as an important strategy for global information technology (IT) service outsourcing in today's turbulent business environment. The existing literature on IT service provides only limited insights into this phenomenon. However, in the manufacturing domain, a similar concept, supply base management, has been extensively studied. In this paper, we integrate related research in IT service and manufacturing to explore how firms can successfully pursue global multisourcing strategy in IT service. Specifically, we first conceptualize a firm's multisourcing supply base along the dimensions of breadth and depth and theorize about the impact of these two dimensions on outsourcing outcomes. Second, based on this framework, we analyze four configurations of multisourcing supply base. Finally, we conduct case studies of two global financial services firms to illustrate the configurations and identify patterns of evolution of global multisourcing strategy in customized information systems development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, we review recent developments in the field of outsourcing and offshoring and the implications for engineering management. We examine three aspects involved in outsourcing and offshoring, namely, sourcing models, coordination, and value extracted from outsourcing projects. We conclude that additional research is needed on recent trends in outsourcing and the impact of such change process on the practice of engineering management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The globalization of complex engineering services has resulted in physically dispersed teams that can no longer rely on the traditional and familiar oral transmission of engineering expertise nor can they assume knowledge of their team members’ culture. Yet, such teams need to be able coordinate effectively the dispersed knowledge of team members. We know little about how cultural differences among engineering team members impact the coordination of dispersed knowledge, so called transactive memory systems (TMSs)—or “who knows what” and “who knows who knows what.” In this paper, we present a longitudinal case study of a dispersed, cross-cultural team involving U.S. and Romanian engineers. The cultural differences in values, practices, and institutions had a major impact on TMS indicators of specialization, coordination, and credibility. The paper demonstrates how the cultural differences impeded TMS development. The results provide insight into TMS as an implicit coordination mechanism in a global team. We provide advice in terms of interventions that can promote the development of TMS in a culturally diverse team. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes the structure and the underlying rationale of a new course dedicated to capability maturity model integration (CMMI)-directed design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs)-based biomedical applications that stresses: 1) engineering-, medico-engineering-, and informatics-related issues; 2) design for general- and special-purpose systems; and 3) the creation of synergistic effects that enable formation of entrepreneurial multidisciplinary teams able to organize and implement the development of these health-related pervasive computing applications. Formal education so far still focuses on treating only strictly separated and specialized topic areas. However, as the need for cooperation and mutual learning between students oriented toward different fields grows, the need for a multidisciplinary educational approach becomes more and more important. For a technical education to be complete, it is no longer enough to train scientists and engineers solely in technical areas. In development and implementation of technology-driven applications, multidisciplinary issues should be properly addressed in the academic sense. The interdisciplinary understanding and synergy achieved are tested through examinations and workshops. The transdisciplinary knowledge improvement is also statistically evaluated, using a system of metrics developed experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting the diffusion of innovations plays a major role in managing technology development and in engineering management overall. In this paper, we extend the conventional Bass model stochastically by specifying the error process of sales as log-normal and mean-reverting. Our model satisfies the following reasonable properties, which are generally ignored in the existing literature: sales cannot be negative, the error process can have a memory, and sales fluctuate more when they are high and less when they are low. The conventional and widely used model that assumes normally distributed error term does not have these properties. We address how to forecast properly under the log-normal and mean-reverting error process, and show analytically and numerically that in our extended model sales forecasts can substantially alter conventional Bass forecasts. We also analyze the model empirically, showing that our extension can improve the accuracy of future sales forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fit represents a central concept for organizational design, but extant research maintains a static focus on fit, a focus that is incommensurate with the fundamentally dynamic nature of organizations and their environments. Most key organizational environments are inherently dynamic; hence, the corresponding organizational designs required for fit are necessarily dynamic too. The problem is, the dynamics of fit are not addressed well by extant theory in organization and management sciences. Alternatively, organizations can be viewed as systems of purposeful design, and designing organizations to maintain fit and respond to dynamic environments over time may be informed well by theory and practice in engineering fields where such design is well established. In this paper, we abstract to the level of airplane design, and we utilize the dynamical language and integrated system of concepts, definitions, and interrelationships from the engineering field Aerodynamics to extend organization and management sciences and address the problem of organizational design in a dynamic context. We begin with a focused summary of the literature regarding the nature of organizational fitness. We then outline a conceptual model adapted to organizational design from Aerodynamics, and we summarize the key aerodynamics concepts stability and maneuverability to inform our conceptualization in terms of both airplane and organization design. This paper enables us to articulate a set of propositions and measures that form a basis for empirical testing. This paper also reveals important, dynamic organizational design tradeoffs and implications, and it shows how such conceptualization can elucidate new insights via comparison with and extension to extant theory. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Information about several papers discussed at the IEEE International Magnetics conference is presented. The conference was of outstanding scientific and technical quality. The conference featured several personalities in the electrical and computer engineering industry including Ryusuke Hasegawa, Michael McHenry and Hiroaki Muraoka.

This paper proposes a boundary analysis method for reliability and economic assessment in distribution systems. The main purpose is to deal with uncertainties of input data, especially when statistical information is unavailable or insufficient. The presented method uses interval numbers to enclose variability and incertitude in reliability and economic parameters, and provides the estimates on upper and lower bounds of reliability and economic indices. The proposed method has been applied to real-life distribution reinforcement projects. Case studies demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents both analytical models and Monte Carlo simulations concerning strain engineering in n-type silicon FinFETs. Our analysis identifies the stress configurations and the physical mechanisms able to produce a significant stress-induced mobility enhancement and provides the insight necessary for device optimization. We first derive analytical expressions for the stress-induced changes of the subband minima and of the transport masses, which clearly identify the stress components leading to mobility improvements. Then, we present multisubband Monte Carlo mobility simulations, which confirm the potentials for remarkable stress-induced mobility enhancements in n-FinFETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of process-induced stress on the generation current of fully strained Si1-x Gex source/drain junctions. The Ge content of the compressively strained SiGe epitaxial layer plays a key role the tensile stress levels present in the underlying Si substrate. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements were employed to further investigate the leakage current enhancement due to the stress-induced bandgap narrowing in the Si depletion region, when extended defects are formed. An empirical approach is proposed to describe the Ge content dependence of the bandgap-shrinkage-induced leakage current. An increase of the intrinsic carrier concentration as a function of the stress mismatch is observed. Moreover, the role of the epilayer thickness in the generation current is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]