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Digital platforms are often characterized as enablers of new ecosystems. However, platforms are sometimes introduced into pre-existing ecosystems, where a platform’s ability to harmonize with the ecosystem is critical for its success. This article draws on the case of digital healthcare platforms and introduces the concept of platform grafting, which denotes the process of integrating a new platform into a pre-existing ecosystem, leading to a coevolutionary process of adapting both the platform and the surrounding ecosystem. Dynamic capabilities are critical for successfully integrating the platform into the ecosystem, and this article provides a capabilities framework for understanding platform grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk management has always been a trend in manufacturing related literature in the era of zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM). However, a gap still exists to present a holistic viewpoint of the integration for a product and its related processes involved during decision-making in manufacturing industry. The (knowledge-driven) integrated-decision support system indicates the opportunity by integrating the product design and manufacturing processes related risks in a manufacturing industry to make better decisions at the shop floor. It further proposes a direction towards development of a decision support system framework for their respective risks' identification as well as mitigation to enhance the quality, while minimizing time and cost. Over the years, risk identification has been considered well but risk mitigation has mostly been overlooked in the published literature. This paper scanned over a thousand papers from renowned journals published between 2005 and 2024. Currently, the evolution involved in the advancement of decision support tools for risk management has been reviewed by utilizing systematic literature review methodology. The study also provides a design overview, highlighting its features, pros, and cons of the existing methods which can be used for risk identification, prioritization, and mitigation in the development of a dynamic decision support system to aim (data-driven) zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM). Lastly, the paper discusses the current challenges and opportunities to lessen the manufacturing recalls in the industry, followed by phases of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regrettably, the triple global catastrophe of pollution, natural loss, and climate change coexists with the global socioeconomic problems of poverty and inequality. Temperatures are increasing at an unprecedented rate; biodiversity is disappearing swiftly, with potentially dire consequences for all of us; and pollution is becoming a global issue, killing millions of people annually and continuing to worsen. There is no normative vacuum in which the 169 targets and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born or placed. They are based on international law and designed to be compliant with the commitments made in a number of soft law instruments and international agreements. There is, of course, a connection between international law and the SDGs. What kind of relationship do they have? How much and how may the SDGs and international law complement one another to improve systems integration .In an effort to leverage the relationship for global sustainability, this paper investigates these issues from two angles. First, do the SDGs play a key role in bringing together different international organizations to work toward the ultimate goal of sustainable development? Most international institutions function in relative isolation and may pursue conflicting interests since they are engrossed in their respective mandates and goals. Goal-setting, as a governance technique to prioritize, motivate, and provide direction, has been proposed by some observers as a way to improve the overall performance of current institutions in fostering sustainable development. Insofar as providing consistency to an otherwise divergent and even inconsistent set of institutional arrangements, how effective are the SDGs likely to be? Second, is it conceivable that international law will aid in the integrated implementation of the SDGs? The SDGs themselves have come under fire for lacking consistency, even though they pride themselves on being “integrated and indivisible. This is a problem since the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) experience has demonstrated that achieving these governance goals on their own could have unforeseen consequences. While certain MDG targets were achieved, the MDGs’ spirit was not. Then, despite its fragmented structure, how and to what degree may international law integrate the SDGs and aims and aid in the achievement of long-term sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many efforts from multiple academic and industrial disciplines have studied the notion of context. The systems engineering and human systems integration fields, however, lack a generalized definition and characterization of context, in particular the operational context of complex sociotechnical systems. This paper reviews context definitions and builds a generalized definition of the operational context of complex sociotechnical systems. The objective is then to identify and extract context properties which are often implicit in the literature and do not necessarily appear in the definitions. However, eliciting them is helpful for understanding what context is made of, how it relates to complex sociotechnical systems comprising human and non‐human agents, and how an early understanding of the operational context can prove valuable to designing efficient and robust systems. Our analysis is followed by an example of how our definition and derived properties apply to the case study of the design of a remote and virtual air traffic control center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Human Readiness Level (HRL) scale is a simple nine‐level scale that brings structure and consistency to the real‐world application of user‐centered design. It enables multidisciplinary consideration of human‐focused elements during the system development process. Use of the standardized set of questions comprising the HRL scale results in a single human readiness number that communicates system readiness for human use. The Human Views (HVs) are part of an architecture framework that provides a repository for human‐focused system information that can be used during system development to support the evaluation of HRL levels. This paper illustrates how HRLs and HVs can be used in combination to support user‐centered design processes. A real‐world example for a U.S. Army software modernization program is described to demonstrate application of HRLs and HVs in the context of user‐centered design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust and trusted digital human representations are necessary to successfully account for human considerations in model‐based systems engineering (MBSE). Multiple domains and modeling frameworks leverage verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) processes to characterize when and under what conditions a model is valid to establish credibility. A literature review was completed on mathematical, physics‐based, software development, discrete event simulation, agent‐based, system dynamics, and MBSE models with the goal of proposing a process for performing VV&A on digital engineering (DE) and MBSE models for sociotechnical systems. However, this research also revealed the need for a broader framework to characterize the risk associated with using these models for making high‐consequence decisions. While accomplishing the literature review, another approach to building credibility was identified that is used heavily in the financial industry, namely model risk management (MRM). This process is extended by leveraging MRM approaches from within the financial community to propose a framework for sociotechnical model users to characterize the risk of using MBSE models to make programmatic decisions. The primary contribution of this work is to document a meta‐analysis of model VV&A while proposing an alternative approach to characterizing and communicating credibility that was discovered during this analysis. This approach could be a viable option for ensuring the credibility of human systems integration in MBSE models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing decarbonization critically depends on the integration of PV systems into microgrids. However, this integration faces challenges, including the variability of photovoltaic solar energy production, the demands of energy management, and the complexities of grid synchronization and communication. To address these challenges, a PV emulator platform is an essential tool. This paper presents a novel four-layer PV emulator platform that seamlessly integrates power systems, control systems, measurement instrumentation, and communication processes. The proposed platform enables the emulation of I-V curves and the dynamic adjustment of operating points—including both the maximum power point (MPP) and power reserve point (PRP)—as well as temperature and irradiance while providing sufficient power capacity for microgrid integration. To validate its effectiveness, the platform was assessed for its capability to adjust operating points, such as MPPs or PRPs, under varying irradiance and temperature conditions. The results show that the platform effectively adjusts operating points with a deviation of less than 5% from theoretical values and successfully tracks a sequence of operating points. This performance underscores the platform's potential in integrating and managing PV systems within microgrid environments, thereby advancing the path to decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional short circuit ratio index does not consider the impact of energy storage devices (ESDs) and cannot be used for the collaborative optimization of ESDs and renewable energy sources (RESs). Therefore, this paper proposes a novel synergistic capacity short circuit ratio (SCSCR) index, which can reflect the interaction between multiple RESs and ESDs on each bus under different capacities. Based on the proposed SCSCR, a coordinated optimization method of RESs and ESDs is proposed. It ensures system strength while determining the optimal location and capacity proportion of RESs and ESDs. Firstly, the location and capacity proportion of RESs are obtained through optimization method because the system strength is mainly determined by RESs connection points. Secondly, the optimal location and capacity proportion of the ESDs are found under the optimal configuration of the RESs. The proposed optimization method ensures the system strength while obtaining the optimal location and optimal capacity proportion of RESs and ESDs. Finally, the simulation results verify the effectiveness of this method on the IEEE 9 bus and 39 bus systems, providing reference for the site selection and efficient operation of RESs and ESDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a bidirectional isolated DC‐DC converter with low voltage stress is introduced to utilise in energy storage frameworks. Two sets of coupled inductors (CI) and a transformer are utilized on the low‐voltage side to increase voltage gain. Through the series connection of the secondary windings of the CIs with the primary windings of the transformer, the concluded voltage gain is improved by the multiplication of the turns ratios of CI and transformer. As a result, the voltage gains as well as the voltage stresses in both directions can be flexibly improved through three degrees of freedom, which are the turns ratios of the CIs, transformer and duty cycle. Clamp capacitors accomplish active clamping, and the energy saved within the leakage inductance is recycled. Additionally, some switches are performed with soft‐switching and partially diminished switching losses. The steady‐state analysis and extensive performance comparison of the proposed converter prove that the proposed converter outperforms the similar previous converters in the state‐of‐the‐art. An 800 W 48 V/380 V prototype is developed to prove the performance of the proposed converter. The peak efficiency amounts of the proposed system in the high step‐down and high step‐up modes are 95.8% and 96.2%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the rapid growth in the efficiency of medical imaging is undeniable, the expansion of health information technology (HIT) into medical imaging has not been as seamless or well-integrated as it was thought to be. The socio-technical complexities in medical imaging associated with HIT systems can cause risks to patient harm and inconvenience, both individually and collectively, often in new, unforeseen, and unexpected ways. This study reflects a retrospectively collected single incident report related to medical imaging HIT systems, aiming to develop a set of preventive and corrective strategies. A combination of multiple deductive approaches (existing frameworks), i.e., HIT Classification Systems and 18-step medical imaging process workflow and inductive method (content analysis), were used to analyze the incident. The incident was identified as a "system configuration"-related software issue, contributed by system upgrade-changes in hardware and software. The incident was determined to occur during steps 10-12, i.e., "study selection and retrieval," "calling up of patient's referral," and "image review and interpretation," causing severe disruptions in the clinical workflow for several weeks. We propose 16 preventive and corrective strategies grouped under four key areas based on the sociotechnical aspects associated with HIT systems. The key areas are (i) preparation and integration for upgraded systems, (ii) training for medical imaging specialists, (iii) contingency planning/immediate backup system, and (iv) system design and configuration. These strategies are expected to help healthcare staff, analysts, reporters, researchers, and relevant stakeholders improve care delivery and patient safety in medical imaging in the context of any system upgrades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultracold atoms exquisitely controlled by lasers are the quantum foundation, particularly for sensing, timekeeping, and computing, of state-of-the-art quantum science and technology. However, the laboratory-scale infrastructure for such optical-atomic quantum apparatus rarely translates into commercial applications. A promising solution is miniaturizing the optical layouts onto a chip-scale device integrated with cold atoms inside a compact ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber. For prototyping purposes, however, rapidly loading or exchanging test photonic devices into a UHV chamber is limited by the evacuation time from atmospheric pressures to the optimal pressures for ultracold atoms of 1 × 10−11 Torr, a process that typically takes weeks or months without cryogenics. Here, we present a loadlock apparatus and loading procedure capable of venting, exchanging, and evacuating back to < 1 × 1 0 − 11 Torr in under 24 h. Our system allows for rapid testing and benchmarking of various photonic devices with ultracold atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is pivotal in advancing industrial automation, offering significant improvements in connectivity and efficiency. However, the integration of heterogeneous devices within IIoT systems presents substantial challenges, primarily due to the diversity in device hardware, protocols, and functionalities. In this paper, we propose a new pattern language specifically designed to enhance interoperability and operational efficiency across industrial settings. Drawing from a case study of the State Company for Automotive Industry (S.C.A.I.) in Iraq, this study details the development and integration of eleven interrelated patterns. These patterns were carefully combined based on identified relationships, forming a comprehensive pattern language that addresses key aspects of system heterogeneity, including device communication, data security, and system scalability. The pattern language was validated using the Delphi process theory, engaging industry experts to refine and optimize the framework for practical application. The implementation of this pattern language led to significant improvements in system integration, enabling seamless communication between diverse devices and enhancing operational workflows. The case study demonstrates the practical viability of the proposed pattern language in enhancing interoperability within real-world Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. Furthermore, the replicable nature of this framework makes it a valuable resource for other industrial environments seeking to harness the power of IIoT technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Since COVID-19, the European Commission (EC) has sought to expand its activities in health through the development of a European Health Union and within it the Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). Methods: The authors applied a discourse analysis to documents establishing HERA to investigate how the EC legitimated the creation of this institution. They focused on how it framed health emergencies, how it framed the added value of HERA, and how it linked HERA to existing EU activities and priorities. Findings: Their analysis demonstrates that security-based logics have been central to the EC's legitimation of HERA in alignment with a "securitization of health" occurring worldwide in recent decades. This legitimation can be understood as part of the EC's effort to promote future integration in health in the absence of new competences. Conclusions: Securitization has helped the EC raise its profile in health politically without additional competences, thereby laying the groundwork for potential future integration. Looking at the discursive legitimation of HERA sheds light not only on whether the EC is expanding its health powers but also how it strategizes to do so. HERA, while constrained, allows the EC to further deepen security-driven integration in health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although orbital angular momentum (OAM) is extensively explored and researched in various scientific domains, its practical application in wireless communications still faces numerous challenges. Notably, existing OAM beam generation technologies need to meet the diversified demands of modern wireless communication, such as miniaturization, cost‐effectiveness, and system integration. Driven by the immense potential of OAM in communication systems, in this work, an innovative method based on leaky cables capable of simultaneously generating multiple vortex beams, overcoming a series of implementation issues associated with multiplexing emitters, is introduced. A design prototype is fabricated and tested, and the measurement results align closely with the simulations, validating the multifunctionality and practicality of the method. Moreover, the proposed strategy can seamlessly extend to optical frequencies using the concept of leaky fibers. In this method, not only efficient spatial utilization and excellent isolation are realized but also high cost‐effectiveness is possessed. Compared to previous strategies, this technique may have an impact on simplifying the establishment of communication system platforms based on OAM multiplexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials have revolutionized the battery industry by enhancing energy storage capacities and charging speeds, and their application in hydrogen (H2) storage likewise holds strong potential, though with distinct challenges and mechanisms. H2 is a crucial future zero-carbon energy vector given its high gravimetric energy density, which far exceeds that of liquid hydrocarbons. However, its low volumetric energy density in gaseous form currently requires storage under high pressure or at low temperature. This review critically examines the current and prospective landscapes of solid-state H2 storage technologies, with a focus on pragmatic integration of advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), magnesium-based hybrids, and novel sorbents into future energy networks. These materials, enhanced by nanotechnology, could significantly improve the efficiency and capacity of H2 storage systems by optimizing H2 adsorption at the nanoscale and improving the kinetics of H2 uptake and release. We discuss various H2 storage mechanisms—physisorption, chemisorption, and the Kubas interaction—analyzing their impact on the energy efficiency and scalability of storage solutions. The review also addresses the potential of "smart MOFs", single-atom catalyst-doped metal hydrides, MXenes and entropy-driven alloys to enhance the performance and broaden the application range of H2 storage systems, stressing the need for innovative materials and system integration to satisfy future energy demands. High-throughput screening, combined with machine learning algorithms, is noted as a promising approach to identify patterns and predict the behavior of novel materials under various conditions, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with experimental trials. In closing, we discuss the increasing involvement of various companies in solid-state H2 storage, particularly in prototype vehicles, from a techno-economic perspective. This forward-looking perspective underscores the necessity for ongoing material innovation and system optimization to meet the stringent energy demands and ambitious sustainability targets increasingly in demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] In recent years, numerous survey optical observation instruments, including the Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Survey Telescope, have been constructed and put into operation domestically and internationally. These telescopes have generated massive amounts of data through continuous observations, discovering numerous high-value transient sources. To address the increasing number of transient sources, limited domestic telescope observation resources, and enhance the follow-up observation response capability of the Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Survey Telescope, the Nanshan Transient Source Follow-up Observation System in Xinjiang was designed and constructed. [Methods] The research team prioritized mature commercial products, considering equipment stability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of future upgrades within a limited budget. They tackled challenges related to the hardware of the supernova and optical variables automated follow-up observing system (SNOVA) dealing with mismatched dimensions of commercial off-the-shelf products and inadequate original load-bearing designs. Custom mechanical interfaces were created between subsystems during assembly and adjustment to resolve issues such as back focal distance matching of the telescope optical system and the filter system load-bearing capacity. Building on this hardware setup, they achieved coordinated control of each subsystem through a unified upper-level control software by debugging control software drivers and interface protocols. [Results] The SNOVA successfully implemented a closed-loop workflow for routine follow-up observations. Each night, the TMTS survey system processes data and cross-references it with databases to identify key targets for further observation. These targets are filtered based on the detection performance criteria, generating an observation system list with parameters such as target name, coordinates, filters, exposure time, and the number of repeats. This list is synchronized to the SNOVA main control machine via FTP. After an astronomical twilight, the environmental monitoring system assesses whether the conditions are suitable for observation. If so, the astronomical dome is remotely opened, and the ACP control software sequentially activates each subsystem. Once the detector cools, the system performs autofocus based on temperature and other parameters before starting the night observation tasks. Upon completion, the SNOVA data processing system automatically scans the observation data folder for the night and performs data preprocessing based on bias, dark current, flat field, and target source data. [Conclusions] Through careful selection, installation, and debugging of hardware and software, the project team successfully automated the operation of the entire follow-up observation system, which provides high-quality data for follow-up observations of transient sources and aids in precisely determining their physical parameters and evolutionary properties. Additionally, it offers an effective means for conducting remote observation internships. The SNOVA boasts high hardware stability, rapid iteration of control software drivers, and low post-development costs. With the adaptive modifications of the project team, the SNOVA is characterized by low set-up cost and strong portability, making it an excellent reference for similar projects and suitable for the follow-up observation needs of the numerous survey projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the last decade, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation has been established as a safe, efficient, reliable, and flexible method for performing real-time simulation. Furthermore, in the automotive sector, the HIL system has been recommended in the ISO 26262 standard as a powerful platform for performing realistic simulation during system integration testing. As a result of performing HIL black-box tests, the results of executing test cases (TCs) are reported as pass/fail without determining the nature and root causes of the underlying failures. The conventional analysis process of the failed TCs relies on expert knowledge. The higher the number of failed TCs, the higher the cost of manual analysis in terms of time and effort. In light of the shortcomings of existing methodologies, this study presents a novel intelligent framework capable of analyzing failed TCs without the need for expert knowledge or code access. To this end, a convolutional auto-encoder-based deep-learning approach is proposed to extract representative features from the textual description of the failed TCs. Furthermore, k-means-based clustering is used to categorize the extracted features according to their respective failure classes. To illustrate the effectiveness and validate the performance of the proposed method, a virtual test drive with real-time HIL simulation is presented as a case study. The proposed model exhibits superior clustering performance compared to other standalone k-means algorithms, as demonstrated by the David Bouldin Index (DBI) and accuracy values of 0.5184 and 94.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed model shows a significant advantage in terms of feature extraction and clustering performance compared to the current state-of-the-art fault-analysis method. The proposed approach not only supports the validation process and improves the safety and reliability of the systems but also reduces the costs of manual analysis in terms of time and effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zhejiang Electric Power is the property of Zhejiang Electric Power Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a dynamic homotopy technique that can be used to calculate a preliminary result for a power flow problem (PFP). This result can then be used as an initial estimate to efficiently solve the PFP using either the classical Newton-Raphson (NR) method or its fast decoupled version (FDXB) while still maintaining high accuracy. The preliminary stage for the dynamic homotopy problem is formulated and solved by employing integration techniques, where implicit and explicit schemes are studied. The dynamic problem assumes an initial condition that coincides with the initial estimate for a traditional iterative method such as NR. In this sense, the initial guess for the FPF is adequately set as a flat start, which is a starting for the case when this initialization is of difficult assignment for convergence. The static homotopy method requires a complete solution of a PFP per homotopy pathway point, while the dynamic homotopy is based on numerical integration methods. This approach can require only one LU factorization at each point of the pathway. Allocating these points properly helps avoid several PFP resolutions to build the pathway. The hybrid technique was evaluated for large-scale systems with poor conditioning, such as a 109,272-bus model and other test systems under stressed conditions. A scheme based on the implicit backward Euler scheme demonstrated the best performance among other numerical solvers studied. It provided reliable partial results for the dynamic homotopy problem, which proved to be suitable for achieving fast and highly accurate solutions using both the NR and FDXB solvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid evolution of automotive software necessitates efficient and accurate development and verification processes. This study proposes a virtual electronic control unit (vECU) that allows for precise software testing without the need for hardware, thereby reducing developmental costs and enabling cloud-native development. The software was configured and built on a Hyundai Autoever AUTomotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) classic platform, Mobilgene, and Renode was used for high-fidelity emulations. Custom peripherals in C# were implemented for the FlexTimer, system clock generator, and analog-to-digital converter to ensure the proper functionality of the vECU. Renode's GNU debugger server function facilitates detailed software debugging in a cloud environment, further accelerating the developmental cycle. Additionally, automated testing was implemented using a vECU tester to enable the verification of the vECU. Performance evaluations demonstrated that the vECU's execution order and timing of tasks and runnable entities closely matched those of the actual ECU. The vECU tester also enabled fast and accurate verification. These findings confirm the potential of the AUTOSAR-compatible Level-4 vECU to replace hardware in development processes. Future efforts will focus on extending capabilities to emulate a broader range of hardware components and complex system integration scenarios, supporting more diverse research and development efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is anticipated that the downsizing of the CMOS device will end soon, but Moore’s law will continue for several more generations. In recent technology nodes, the performance improvement and higher density of CMOS integrated circuits depended on the smaller footprint resulting from a larger fin height of FinFETs. As device scaling approaches its end, every possible method to increase chip density has been extensively explored. These include the introduction of nanosheet or forksheet structures, better arrangement of power rails and three-dimensional stacking technologies from the device level to the system level. In this review, we highlight various strategies for extending Moore’s law. We discuss the challenges of nanosheet transistors, which are believed to be the ultimate MOS structure and will be implemented in the next technology node. We also discuss some alternative ultimate MOS structures. Nevertheless, from the technological and economic points of view, the mainstream technology in the coming decades should be 3D stacking technology such as CFET at the device level and monolithic 3D technology for system integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a widespread, abundant and zero-emission renewable energy source, solar energy has garnered significant attention as a highly feasible alternative to fossil fuels in the global energy transition. However, low overall utilization efficiency is a considerable technical obstacle to the traditional solar energy systems. In recent decades, the full-spectrum solar energy systems, where diverse solar spectral conversion methods can be synergized based on the spectral splitting technology, becomes one of the most promising solutions. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art full-spectrum solar energy systems based on spectral splitting technology. The four mainstream approaches of spectral splitting based on reflection, diffraction, refraction and absorption are introduced with the physical mechanisms and characteristics. Subsequently, tens of typical full-spectrum solar energy systems based on spectral splitting are categorized regarding energy flow topology into 4 major modes and 17 sub-modes with respective detailed analysis focused on the system integration and distinctive advantage. Next, the existing and potential applications possible for different spectral bands are summarized. Finally, conclusions and perspectives are given as the guidance for future research. • 4 mainstream approaches of spectral splitting (SS) are comparatively introduced. • Tens of full-spectrum solar energy systems based on SS are chosen as samples. • System samples are topologically categorized into 4 major modes and 17 sub-modes. • Existing and potential applications possible for different spectral bands are summarized. • Conclusions and perspectives are given as the guidance for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the resolution of the problem of adapting the practice of HRM to the modern context of sustainable development to raise the flexibility of organizational systems. The purpose of the article is to develop a new approach to achieving the flexibility of organizational systems through change management in HRM—sustainable HRM—and substantiate its advantages in the "Decade of Action." The authors have systematized and analyzed the international experience of 59 countries in 2022. The method of regression analysis was used to compile an econometric model of the dependence of commercial manifestations of the flexibility of organizational systems on the factors of change management in HRM. As a result, the authors substantiate the significant contribution of sustainable HRM to the flexibility of organizational systems in the "Decade of Action." The prospect of increasing the flexibility of organizational systems in the "Decade of Action" through sustainable HRM has been revealed, associated with an increase in market capitalization, production and export complexity, and global brand value (top 5000). The main conclusion is that sustainable HRM is a promising sustainable HRM as an alternative to the existing approach of change management practices using HRM for the flexibility of modern organizational systems, thus filling a gap in the literature. For the first time, the existence of commercial implications of sustainable HRM for the flexibility of organizational systems has been proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an emerging transportation system that aims at revolutionizing urban mobility through the deployment of small electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The development of UAM is largely driven by advances in Intelligent Technology (IT). This review article provides an overview of the UAM system and discusses the application of IT in UAM. Major challenges facing UAM are also identified, and an outlook on the future of this promising transportation system is presented. Our main conclusions suggest that IT is a fundamental driver of UAM, enabling a range of applications such as air traffic management and autonomous drone control. However, the UAM system is facing a number of challenges, including eVTOL technology, system integration issues, and noise pollution. Despite these challenges, the future of UAM appears promising; as a disruptive transportation mode, UAM is expected to play an important role in addressing the growing demand of urban transportation in the coming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated sorting of sweetpotatoes is necessary to reduce labor dependence and costs that are significant at today's sweetpotato packing sheds. Although optical sorters have been widely adopted in commercial packing lines for many horticultural commodities, there remains an unmet need to develop dedicated technology for the automated grading and sorting of sweetpotatoes. Sorting mechanisms are the critical component that physically segregates products according to quality grades determined by a machine vision or imaging system. This study presents the new engineering prototypes and evaluation of three different pneumatically powered mechanisms for sorting sweetpotatoes online. Among the three sorters, the sorting mechanism, which employs a linear air cylinder to drive a paddle directly striking products, achieved the best overall accuracy and repeatability of 98% and 96.8%, respectively, at conveyor speeds of 4–12 cm/s. The sorter based on a rotary actuator also delivered decent accuracy and repeatability of 97.9% and 95.6%, respectively. The best-performing sorting mechanism was integrated with a machine vision system that graded sweetpotatoes based on size and surface defect conditions to separate graded sweetpotatoes into three quality categories. The errors of 0–1% due to the sorting process were obtained at conveyor speeds of 4–12 cm/s, confirming the efficacy of the manufactured sorting mechanisms. There was a declining trend with the conveyor speed in the performance of the sorting mechanisms when evaluated either in a standalone or integrated configuration. The proposed sorting mechanisms that are simple in construction and operation and of low cost are useful for developing a more full-fledged sorting system. More research is needed to enhance sorting performance and conduct extensive tests at higher conveyor speeds for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health and well-being of children in the first 2000 days has a lasting effect on educational achievement and long-term chronic disease in later life. However, the lack of integration between high-quality data, analytic capacity and timely health improvement initiatives means practitioners, service leaders and policymakers cannot use data effectively to plan and evaluate early intervention services and monitor high-level health outcomes. Objective: Our exploratory study aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of the system and clinical requirements of a state-wide paediatric learning health system (LHS) that uses routinely collected data to not only identify where the inequities and variation in care are, but also to also inform service development and delivery where it is needed most. Method: Our approach included reviewing exemplars of how administrative data are used in Australia; consulting with clinical, policy and data stakeholders to determine their needs for a child health LHS; mapping the existing data points collected across the first 2000 days of a child's life and geospatially locating patterns of key indicators for child health needs. Results: Our study identified the indicators that are available and accessible to inform service delivery and demonstrated the potential of using routinely collected administrative data to identify the gap between health needs and service availability. Conclusion: We recommend improving data collection, accessibility and integration to establish a state-wide LHS, whereby there is a streamlined process for data cleaning, analysis and visualisation to help identify populations in need in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the PRODEC scenario‐based design method is the incremental cross‐fertilization and refinement of procedural scenarios and declarative configurations. It uses virtual prototypes of the developed systems (mainly life‐critical systems) to conduct human‐in‐the‐loop simulations (HITLSs). Based on human systems integration (HSI) principles and criteria, as well as expertise and experience in the domain at stake, this HSI approach grounded in virtual environments requires a clear definition of physical and cognitive tangibility metrics to assess the distance between virtual and tangible (grasp) dimensions of the system being developed when it is put to work. PRODEC considers human and machine systems described in terms of structures and functions incrementally designed using procedural scenarios (i.e., stories) in task and activity networks, which provide life to declarative configurations (i.e., system's functions and structures). This active modeling and simulation process enables the discovery of emergent structures and functions of the system being developed when it is virtually operated. PRODEC's use is illustrated in an example. We discuss the use of PRODEC and its results as to how they can be used with digital twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction project information for FM team control and maintenance is vital. However, current practices indicate significant data drops during the handover stage, leading to rework during FM systems integration of inaccurate, delivered information. Although challenges in BIM implementation are well studied, there is a current lack of best practices from FM industry experts highlighting challenges with a specific focus on the areas of the data drop. Therefore, the aim is to develop a framework that can reduce data loss and improve data management. The objectives include robust literature review on challenges of information loss during handover phase, management and frameworks; Adopting case study and workshops to identify information loss challenges, framework development and validation with industry experts. This paper adopted a grounded theory approach to explore literature and conducted case studies, including a series of semistructured interviews and a workshop with FM industry experts. The findings show the areas and causes of information loss and how to manage them through the developed information loss management framework (ILMF). Practical Applications: With the start of any type of project, planning and establishing rules from the beginning facilitates the smooth transition between different phases. Similarly, in construction projects, this research provides guidelines on how facility managers can manage information loss when exchanged through projects' stages. Furthermore, with the continuing advancements in the construction world, the facility management should be equipped with management and leadership guidelines as presented in the proposed framework to reduce data loss during handover. However, there are cost and contractual issues that prohibit any involvement of the facility manager in early project stages. The results of this study provide an identification of professional practices do's and do not's that facilitate the management and development of projects with the support of the latest technologies in the market. Ultimately, developing a guide that adapts international standards. The study's contribution to knowledge includes the development of a new information loss management framework that adopts BIM and ISO standards after exploring the existing data management frameworks in the literature that lack data loss management as a focus. The framework works as a guide for various stakeholders such as designers, contractors with a focus on FM to facilitates data coordination and management to reduce information loss, its creation and validation were conducted in collaboration with industry experts. Furthermore, its novelty lies in integrating FM role, information management, information loss, address project life cycle, and adopts the ISO 19650 series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical investigation for a solar air heater integrated with a multi-section solar distiller has been conducted with a novel design of solar distiller with interior sections. A mathematical description of the solar distiller is made and solved with a MATLAB code. The air flow in the solar air heater, the water height in the solar distiller, and the number of interior sections have all been studied. To validate the numerical system, an experimental system was built. The theoretical model and the experiment performed appear to be in satisfactory correlation. The best working conditions occur when the system is run with a lower air flow rate, a lower saline water height, and a greater number of interior sections with productivity reaching 1242.6 ml/m2 per day, a gain output ratio (GOR) about 0.622 and air heater efficiency about 35%. In the normal case of output salinity between 0 and 500 ppm, the cost was reduced by 96.7%, and by 96.3% in the case of four interior sections. Water cost reduction is also observable at the same output salinity, with 54.1% at 0 ppm and 62.4% at 200 ppm between number of interior sections = 0 and 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon is a key element in industrial production, but CO2 is also a greenhouse gas whose release into the atmosphere must be avoided. If its generation cannot be avoided for process‐related reasons, then a comprehensive carbon management is required to enable climate‐neutral production in industry. In the Carbon2Chem® project, partners from industry and science are successfully researching technical components that enable the implementation of concepts for CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) as part of carbon management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the joint research project Carbon2Chem®, mathematical models are used to simulate operating scenarios of cross‐industry networks, in particular chemical plants in industrial environments with high CO2 emissions. In this context, a cloud‐based distributed co‐simulation is used to enable the parallelized simulation of a large number of different variants. This enables optimal design of the plant networks and the efficient determination of optimal operating conditions. The architecture of this approach is described, and its performance is examined and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system integration of cross‐industrial networks in the Carbon2Chem® project relies on numerical simulations. Hence, this study validates the methanol synthesis loop models vs. the measurements from a demonstration plant, focusing on the thermodynamic, kinetic, and dynamic aspects. The plant can produce up to 500 L per week of methanol from real blast furnace gases of the thyssenkrupp steel plant in Duisburg. Despite its small size, it comprises a recycle gas loop and an original reactor tube of 6 m in length. After validation, the simulation models are used to analyze the dynamic operation limits of the plant, and they are transferred to the model of an industrial size to analyze the operation of cross‐industrial networks with volatile boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Securing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications is essential as intelligent transportation system integration progresses to guarantee the dependability and safety of connected vehicles. Our study presents a novel approach aimed at strengthening the security of vehicles in V2X networks. The proposed system utilizes the virtual honeypots technique, referred to as PotRSU, within roadside units (RSU) to gather data from heterogeneous sources. The malicious entities that are drawn from all incoming traffic are recorded by the PotRSU. We utilized machine learning algorithms to effectively identify intrusion. The analysis and experimentation conducted on the proposed system exhibit 99.01% accuracy in identifying malicious nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel integration of Systems Engineering (SE) methodologies and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in the design of robotic systems, focusing on enhancing underwater robotic missions. Using the conceptual design of an underwater exploration vehicle as a case study, we demonstrate how SE can systematically incorporate I4.0 tools to improve mission performance and meet stakeholder expectations. The study begins with an overview of the SE approach, emphasizing the conceptual design stage and aligning it with the application and case study of design theories. We then explore various I4.0 technologies, highlighting their functional benefits rather than technical specifics and addressing design methods for I4.0. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are examined in terms of classification, components, and tasks, showcasing their evolution driven by technological advancements, thus tackling the complexity and design of complex systems. The core of our study involves defining stakeholder expectations, using quality function deployment for requirements definition, and performing a functional and logical decomposition of the ROV system. To deal with design fixation within the design team, we developed a tool to help integrate new technologies by also empathizing with their functional capabilities rather than the technology itself. Our approach underscores the importance of understanding and incorporating new technologies functionally, aligning with the transition towards Industry/Society 5.0. This work not only illustrates the synergy between SE and I4.0, but also offers a structured methodology for advancing the design and functionality of complex systems, setting a blueprint for future developments in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this research, a new approach to safeguard against Loss of Field (LOF) in a synchronous generator, in the presence of a series compensation capacitor, is introduced. LOF can lead to detrimental effects on both the generator and the power network. Impedance-based negative and positive offset MHO relays are employed for the rapid recognition of LOE occurrences in the network. However, issues arise when a series compensation capacitor is integrated into the system, causing maloperation of the protection relays. The introduction of the series compensation capacitor alters the total impedance value, necessitating adjustments to the relay settings for precise functionality. The variation in the overall impedance of the system leads to the underreaching and overreaching of a relay. The study provides detailed explanations and comparisons of both types of MHO relays, along with their respective settings. A simulation is applied in DIGSILENT to assess the effect of series compensation capacitors on offset MHO (negative and positive) relay LOF protection. Ultimately, the article concludes by summarizing the pros and cons of both relay schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the traditional integrated wiring system has many inconveniences in management, which affects the stability and efficient operation of the entire system, an intelligent building energy management control system in the Internet of Things era is proposed. In terms of hardware, design intelligent building switches, and in terms of software, plan the IP address of intelligent building wiring based on the Internet of Things, formulate comprehensive backbone wiring layout structure of intelligent building, set up auxiliary power distribution horizontal lines, and connect intelligent building wiring data, so as to realize intelligent building integrated wiring .On this basis, the architecture design of the wiring assistant design system is carried out, and the artificial intelligence building integrated wiring assistant system is realized with the help of the Net platform, and the system test is carried out. The experimental results show that the PM10 concentration parameters and the energy consumption simulation curve are highly consistent with the actual value curve. According to the calculation of the data volume points, the coincidence degrees can reach 96.4% and 98.9%, respectively. The experimental results show that the designed wiring system is superior to the traditional wiring system in terms of energy saving, and has certain reference value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To evaluate competitive advantages of IT system integrators in Ukraine. To investigate the influence of industry factors on the formation of competitive advantages using cases of the mining and fuel & energy industries. Methodology. The empirical basis of the study was presented by performance indicators of the leading system integrator companies of Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research was the scoring method using weight coefficients and the graphic method of creating a radial diagram of competitive advantages. During the research, the following methods were used: analysis and synthesis (to study the components of competitive advantages and to form integral indicators), induction and deduction (to form market trends and to identify enterprise strategies), classification (to form indicators that determine competitive advantages). Findings. In the process of research, a model of competitive advantages for system integrator companies was formed. A methodology was developed and an assessment of competitive advantages of the leading system integrators of IT industry of Ukraine was carried out. A radial diagram of competitive advantages was created. It allows performing a comparative analysis of the factors of company competitive advantages with the aim to form a development strategy to improve the competitive position of the company in the market. Features of influence of the industry factors on the formation of competitive advantages of system integrators were considered and this influence was evaluated using cases of the mining and fuel & energy industries. Originality. A model and methodology for assessing competitive advantages for system integrator companies in IT industry were proposed; the main factors of competitive advantages for system integrators have been identified. The necessity of taking industry factors into account when assessing the competitive advantages of these enterprises has been proposed and confirmed by the research results. Practical value. The applied value of the research lies in the possibility of applying the developed model and methodology to assess the competitive advantages of system integrators. The results of such an assessment can be used by system integrators to develop a competitive strategy and improve their competitive positions in the market. Customers (including enterprises in the mining and fuel & energy industries) can use evaluation elements when conducting procurement (tender) procedures for selection of contractors for the implementation of system integration projects. Also, the results of the study can be used for the analysis of the system integration market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refrigeration challenges in regions with electricity shortages significantly decrease the quality of life for residents. In response to the prevalent refrigeration challenges in power-deficient areas, a novel distributed solar refrigeration system, comprising an evacuated U-tube solar collector and elastocaloric refrigerator, is theoretically introduced. Theoretical formulations for the energy efficiency and cooling power of the solar refrigeration system are presented to facilitate predictive assessments of the performance properties. Under typical conditions, the energy efficiency and cooling power of the solar refrigeration system are, respectively, 4.84% and 200.15 W. Subsequently, an extensive parameter study is conducted to comprehensively uncover key performance influencers and identify avenues for improvement. In addition, local sensitivity analyses identify that the length ratio is the top influential parameter, while the heat transfer fluid flow rate is the least sensitivity. A pragmatic case study, conducted with the weather data of Ningbo City, China, serves to empirically predict the performance of the hybrid system within the constraints of practical circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enable machines to understand human-centric images and videos, they need the capability to detect human–object interactions. This capability has been studied using various approaches, but previous research has mainly focused only on recognition accuracy using widely used open datasets. Given the need for advanced machine-learning systems that provide spatial analysis and services, the recognition model should be robust to various changes, have high extensibility, and provide sufficient recognition speed even with minimal computational overhead. Therefore, we propose a novel method that combines the skeletal method with object detection to accurately predict a set of $ \langle $ human, verb, object $ \rangle $ triplets in a video frame considering the robustness, extensibility, and lightweight of the model. Training a model with similar perceptual elements to those of humans produces sufficient accuracy for advanced social systems, even with only a small training dataset. The proposed model is trained using only the coordinates of the object and human landmarks, making it robust to various situations and lightweight compared with deep-learning methods. In the experiment, a scenario in which a human is working on a desk is simulated and an algorithm is trained on object-specific interactions. The accuracy of the proposed model was evaluated using various types of datasets.

This study delineates a suite of architectural views and a security perspective tailored to guide the deployment and integration of Social Robots in Public Spaces (SRPS). It commences with a business context view that utilizes the customer-producer-supplier model, underscoring the value of SRPS to various stakeholders and illustrating how robots can enhance user experiences and drive economic benefits. The system context view details the intricate interactions among the social robot, stakeholders, public spaces, and external systems, highlighting essential considerations for successful deployment, from technical configurations to stakeholder engagement. The functional view elaborates on the operational dynamics of the robot within its environment, focusing on user interaction and data management capabilities. Additionally, the security perspective delves into security considerations vital for safeguarding the SRPS across various domains, including identity and access management, application and network security, and data privacy. The paper also contextualizes these views through a city ferry use case, demonstrating their practical application and reinforcing the importance of multifaceted planning and analysis in real-world settings. This approach provides a strategic framework views for developing SRPS that are viable, efficient, and secure, fostering successful adoption in diverse public environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore factors influencing suppliers' acceptance, integration challenges, expected benefits and support from customers when implementing a customer-introduced digital supply chain system. Design/methodology/approach: The study investigates the perspective of suppliers using a mixed methodology approach that combines qualitative interviews with a large-scale quantitative survey conducted among 220 internationally located suppliers of an automotive-industrial firm. Findings: As a result, the authors identified 11 factors that drive suppliers' acceptance of customer-introduced digital supply chain systems. These factors have been ranked based on their importance. The top three important factors identified were the digital system being provided at no cost to the suppliers, the system's ability to save time and the system offering benefits to the suppliers. Research limitations/implications: Further research can be conducted to validate the perspective of suppliers in other industries. Additionally, future studies can investigate the effectiveness of fulfilling these acceptance factors within an actual digital integration setup. Practical implications: Companies can leverage these insights to accelerate their digital supply chain integration efforts. The insights on acceptance factors, challenges, benefits and support expected by suppliers can serve as a valuable guide for policy and decision makers within the industry. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is among the first to investigate the perspective of suppliers in the integration of a customer's digital supply chain. By including the supplier's perspective, this study makes a significant contribution to the academic literature about supply chain digitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated sorting of sweetpotatoes is necessary to reduce labor dependence and costs that are significant at today’s sweetpotato packing sheds. Although optical sorters have been widely adopted in commercial packing lines for many horticultural commodities, there remains an unmet need to develop dedicated technology for the automated grading and sorting of sweetpotatoes. Sorting mechanisms are the critical component that physically segregates products according to quality grades determined by a machine vision or imaging system. This study presents the new engineering prototypes and evaluation of three different pneumatically powered mechanisms for sorting sweetpotatoes online. Among the three sorters, the sorting mechanism, which employs a linear air cylinder to drive a paddle directly striking products, achieved the best overall accuracy and repeatability of 98% and 96.8%, respectively, at conveyor speeds of 4–12 cm/s. The sorter based on a rotary actuator also delivered decent accuracy and repeatability of 97.9% and 95.6%, respectively. The best-performing sorting mechanism was integrated with a machine vision system that graded sweetpotatoes based on size and surface defect conditions to separate graded sweetpotatoes into three quality categories. The errors of 0–1% due to the sorting process were obtained at conveyor speeds of 4–12 cm/s, confirming the efficacy of the manufactured sorting mechanisms. There was a declining trend with the conveyor speed in the performance of the sorting mechanisms when evaluated either in a standalone or integrated configuration. The proposed sorting mechanisms that are simple in construction and operation and of low cost are useful for developing a more full-fledged sorting system. More research is needed to enhance sorting performance and conduct extensive tests at higher conveyor speeds for practical application.

Nowadays a major energy transition aimed at cutting CO2 emissions has begun, with the ambitious goal of drastically reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. In this context, energy storage systems play a key role in ensuring a stable, secure and time-aligned energy availability. Open sorption thermal energy storages (TESs) can contribute to such transition, since they are simple and cheap devices able to provide a hot airflow with a high energy density and to store energy for long time. In this work, open sorption TES systems operated with Zeolite13X are investigated with a focus on the integration in practical applications. First, the experimental analysis and modelling of the sole TES system is described. Then, the integration of the TES at system level is carried out. The analysis evidences that a significant reduction of storage capacity occurs if air humidification is necessary before the adsorption process or afterwards to keep adequate indoor comfort conditions for the occupants. For the exemplary case study considered, an energy density of 150 kWhm−3 can drop to 40 kWhm−3 in case of complete compensation of the adsorbed water through a humidifier. This paper provides useful guidelines for evaluating the performance of a TES integrated system in terms of specific energy and efficiency. It also identifies applications involving high latent loads (e.g., swimming pools, locker rooms) or for which low relative air humidity is required (e.g. interior of vehicles to prevent condensation on windows) as particularly beneficial for using a TES system.

Objective The development of urban underground space in China is showing a trend towards diversification, depth, and complexity, making it challenging to diagnose and decision-making on causative factors through multi-dimensional data integration. Therefore, there is a need to carry out research on the next generation comprehensive operation monitoring system. Method The current status of existing underground infrastructure operation monitoring systems is introduced. Based on disaster events in urban metro and underground complex, the integration of smart cities with IoT (internet of things) technology is proposed. Through data fusion with existing monitoring technologies, research is conducted on the integration of real-time perception data, control systems, and decision-making mechanisms related to urban underground infrastructure operation comprehensive monitoring platforms and existing monitoring systems. Result & Conclusion Multi-dimensional perception data fusion and unified management are achieved through unified interface bus and multi-protocol conversion technology. By integrating with existing monitoring system platforms, the intelligent identification of underground infrastructure operating status, intelligent classification and identification of various hazard sources are realized to provide intelligent diagnosis and analysis decision support. Unified security authentication technology enables the control of operator levels and dynamic configuration management of permissions.