Flexibility “of” vs. “in” Systems: A Complementary Strategy for Designing Fleet-Based Systems for Uncertainty

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Stephen Sapol ◽  
Zoe Szajnfarber
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Flexible Design ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Military Vehicles ◽  
Complementary Approach ◽  
The Face ◽  
Complementary Strategy

Abstract Complex systems must sustain value over extended lifetimes, often in the face of significant uncertainty. Flexibility “in” systems has been shown to be highly valuable for Large Monolithic Systems (LMS). However, other research highlighted that the value of flexibility “in” is highly contingent on delays in implementation. These limitations become more important when applied to other classes of complex systems, including Fleet-Based Systems (FBS). To overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a complementary approach to flexible design, termed “Flexibility ‘of’” and applies it to a case study of a fleet of military vehicles (an FBS). Unlike LMS, FBS are composed of multiple identical units that collectively deliver value. While each unit is itself a complex system (e.g., a tank or aircraft), the collective nature of the operations provides additional paths to flexibility: in addition to implementing flexibility at the vehicle level, flexibility can be applied to the management of the fleet. Flexibility “of” involves procuring a mixed capability fleet upfront and then actively managing which subsets of that fleet are deployed to meet emerging needs. Our results demonstrate the potential value for an “of” strategy and provide guidance for when different flexibility strategies should be adopted alone or in combination.

scholarly journals Instantiation of complexity of students and teachers' learnings in an EFL classroom

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-436
Author(s):  
Nayibe Rosado
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
State School ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Learning Journals ◽  
Software Program

This article reports on some of the results of a study whose objective was to interpret students' and teachers' learning as it emerged out of the interactions generated in and beyond the context of their EFL class in a state school in Barranquilla, Colombia. In this study I use principles of complex systems (MORIN, 1994) to make sense of the learning systems of students and teachers in an EFL class in Barranquilla, Colombia. The data for this ethnographic case-study include classroom observations, interviews, learning journals and documents (students' notebooks, worksheets, quizzes, and syllabus). A qualitative software program (Atlas.ti 6.0) was used to process data. Results from this study contribute to understand learning as a complex system by approaching students' learning from a complex perspective recursively connected to teachers' learning.

Developing Biomimetic Guidelines for the Highly Optimized and Robust Design of Complex Products or Their Components

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anosh P. Wadia ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Biomimetic Design ◽  
Biological Domain ◽  
The Face ◽  
Complex System Design

Improved complex system design methods can lead to innovative, efficient, and robust product designs. This research aims at improving the design of products that compose a portion of, or exist within, a complex system. Before attempting to improve product designs, one requires a better understanding and characterization of complex systems. One method to characterize optimized and robust complex systems is to use the Theory of Highly Optimized Tolerance (HOT). The theory states that highly optimized and tolerant complex systems are robust in conditions for which they were designed, but fragile in the face of unanticipated events. Highly robust and optimized complex systems are abundant in the biological domain. In fact, nature represents a vast resource for innovative solutions to varied design problems. Leveraging these solutions to solve engineering problems is often referred to as biomimetic design. This research analyzes twenty bio-inspired engineering products including the biological system from which they were derived. The HOT theory is used analyze the biomimetic systems and identify the inherent characteristics that make the designs robust to their environment. These characteristics were reviewed to identify common features and trends present within the information transfer between the biological and engineering domains. Finally, the inferred features and trends were abstracted into usable guidelines stated as nine biomimetic design guidelines. Similar to the forty Theory of Inventive Problem Solving principles, these bio-inspired guidelines could aid engineers in developing innovative and robust solutions to design problems. In fact, a similarity between some of the biomimetic design guidelines and TRIZ principles is observed. This correlation suggests that solutions perceived as innovative in the engineering domain match those in nature.

Multi-level approach for important component identification and reliability evaluation for complex system by survival signature

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 262-288
Author(s):  
Liling Ge ◽  
Yingjie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Reliability Analysis ◽  
Production System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Actual Production ◽  
Machining System ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Critical Components

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical components of a complex system by using survival signature. First, a complex system is abstracted with varying scales and generates a multi-levels model. Then reliability evaluations can be conducted by survival signature from rough to fine for tracing and identifying them. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated by an actual production system. Design/methodology/approach The paper mainly applies a multi-level evaluating strategy for the reliability analysis of complex systems with components of multiple types. In addition, a multi-levels model of a complex system is constructed and survival signature also used for evaluation. Findings The proposed approach was demonstrated to be the feasibility by an actual production system that is used in the case study. Research limitations/implications The case study was performed on a system with simple network structure, but the proposed approach could be applied to systems with complex ones. However, the approach to generate the digraphs of abstraction levels for complex system has to be developed. Practical implications So far the approach has been used for the reliability analysis of a machining system. The approach that is proposed for the identification of critical components also can be applied to make maintenance decision. Originality/value The multi-level evaluating strategy that was proposed for reliability analysis and the identification of critical components of complex systems was a novel method, and it also can be applied as index to make maintenance planning.

KELOMPOK MUSIK REJUNG PESIRAH: STRATEGI ADAPTASI PADA MASYARAKAT PALEMBANG

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
Dwi Putri Agustini
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Traditional Music ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
The People ◽  
Musical Arrangements ◽  
The Face ◽  
Cultural Modification ◽  
Traditional Arts

The present phenomenon has clearly brought a change and the influence of the development of traditional music in Palembang society, if this is not carefully addressed, it will experience a shift, alienation and even lose its supporters. The rejung pesirah music group is one of the music groups that still maintains traditional arts in the people of Palembang. This study examines how the adaptation strategy of the rejung pesirah music group in dealing with changes and developments in Palembang society. For this reason, the approach used is cultural anthropology with qualitative case study research methods in Palembang. Data collection is done through observation, interviews and document studies that use triangulation techniques as the validation of the data, while for data analysis through content analysis and interactive models. The results showed that the adaptation strategy undertaken by the rejung pesirah music group was an act and creative ability and had a positive mindset, understanding in responding to changes and needs as an impulse to develop in the face of environmental change and development through learning processes and cultural modification, which resulted a creativity that is the creation of songs, musical arrangements, and musical instruments in the rejung pesirah music group.

scholarly journals Effects and mechanisms of an allied health research position in a Queensland regional and rural health service: a descriptive case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel J. Wenke ◽  
Anna Tynan ◽  
Annette Scott ◽  
Sharon Mickan
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
Building Research ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Rural Health Service ◽  
Use Of Technology

The aim of the present case study is to illustrate the outcomes of a dedicated allied health (AH) research position within a large Queensland regional and rural health service. The secondary aim of the case study is to describe the enabling and hindering mechanisms to the success of the role. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the Executive Director of Allied Health and the current AH research fellow incumbent within the health service. A focus group was also undertaken with six stakeholders (e.g. clinicians, team leaders) who had engaged with the research position. Outcomes of the AH research fellow included clinical and service improvements, enhanced research culture and staff up-skilling, development of research infrastructure and the formation of strategic research collaborations. Despite being a sole position in a geographically expansive health service with constrained resources, key enabling mechanisms to the success of the role were identified, including strong advocacy and regular communication with the Executive. In conclusion, the case study highlights the potential value of an AH research position in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Factors to facilitate ongoing success could include additional research and administrative funding, as well as increased use of technology and team-based research. What is known about the topic? Dedicated research positions embedded within health care settings are a well cited strategy to increase research capacity building of allied health professionals (AHPs). However the majority of these positions are within metropolitan health settings and unique challenges exist for these roles in regional and rural areas. Few studies have described the impact of dedicated AH research positions within regional health centres or the factors which facilitate or hinder their role. What does this paper add? Dedicated research positions within a non-metropolitan Australian health service may have a positive impact on AH clinical services, research culture, staff upskilling, research infrastructure and research collaborations. Key enabling mechanisms to support the role may include advocacy from higher level management, strong networks and communication channels. Additional research and administrative funding, the use of technology and team based research may enhance sustainability of such roles. What are the implications for practitioners? AH research positions have potential value in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Health managers and researchers should be aware of the unique challenges to these roles and consider mechanisms that may best enhance and sustain outcomes of the positions including: the development of infrastructure (i.e. technology, website of resources), networks, and communication strategies (i.e. regular meetings with leadership and promotion internally).

scholarly journals William James and the Sustainable Transformation of Values, with a Case Study for Rethinking the American Dream

Human Arenas ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Croce
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
American Dream ◽  
William James ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Many

AbstractThis article addresses the call of the Psychology of Global Crises conference for linkage of academic work with social issues in three parts: First, examples from conference participants with their mix of bold calls for social transformation and realization of limits, a combination that generated few clear paths to achieving them. Second, presentation of Jamesian practical idealism with psychological insights for moving past impediments blocking implementation of ideals. And third, a case study of impacts from the most recent prominent crisis, the global pandemic of 2020, which threatens to exacerbate the many crises that had already been plaguing recent history. The tentacles of COVID’s impact into so many problems, starting with economic impacts from virus spread, present an opportunity to rethink the hope for constant economic growth, often expressed as the American Dream, an outlook that has driven so many of the problems surging toward crises. Jamesian awareness of the construction of ideological differences and encouragement of listening to those in disagreement provide not political solutions, but psychological preludes toward improvements in the face of crises.

scholarly journals Principled Decision-Making Workflow with Hierarchical Bayesian Models of High-Throughput Dose-Response Measurements

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Eric J. Ma ◽  
Arkadij Kummer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Noisy Data ◽  
Hierarchical Bayesian ◽  
Hierarchical Bayesian Models ◽  
Melting Temperatures ◽  
Hierarchical Bayesian Estimation ◽  
The Face ◽  
Point Data

We present a case study applying hierarchical Bayesian estimation on high-throughput protein melting-point data measured across the tree of life. We show that the model is able to impute reasonable melting temperatures even in the face of unreasonably noisy data. Additionally, we demonstrate how to use the variance in melting-temperature posterior-distribution estimates to enable principled decision-making in common high-throughput measurement tasks, and contrast the decision-making workflow against simple maximum-likelihood curve-fitting. We conclude with a discussion of the relative merits of each workflow.

scholarly journals Indicators, security and sovereignty during COVID-19 in the Global South

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-260
Author(s):  
John Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Third World ◽  
Global South ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
The Face ◽  
Global North ◽  
The Government

AbstractThe spread of COVID-19 has seen a contest over health governance and sovereignty in Global South states, with a focus on two radically distinct modes: (1) indicators and metrics and (2) securitisation. Indicators have been a vehicle for the government of states through the external imposition and internal self-application of standards and benchmarks. Securitisation refers to the calling-into-being of emergencies in the face of existential threats to the nation. This paper contextualises both historically with reference to the trajectory of Global South states in the decades after decolonisation, which saw the rise and decline of Third-World solidarity and its replacement by neoliberalism and global governance mechanisms in health, as in other sectors. The interaction between these modes and their relative prominence during COVID-19 is studied through a brief case-study of developments in Kenya during the early months of the pandemic. The paper closes with suggestions for further research and a reflection on parallel trends within Global North states.

Evaluating the alliance in videolink teletherapy

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 33-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
G J Ghosh ◽  
P M Mclaren ◽  
J P Watson
Keyword(s):  
Working Alliance ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Working Alliance Inventory ◽  
The Face

The use of videoconferencing in psychotherapy remains largely unexplored. Videoconferencing compromises the range and quality of interactional information and thus might be expected to affect the working alliance (WA) between client and therapist, and consequently the process and outcome of therapy. A single case study exploring the effect of videoconferencing on the development of the WA in the psychological treatment of a female–male transsexual is described. The self-rated Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) was used to measure client and therapist perceptions of the WA after each session over 10 sessions of eclectic therapy conducted over a videolink. The serial WAI measurements charting the development of the WA in 4 cases of 10-session, face-to-face therapy by Horvath and Marx1 were used as a quasi-control. Therapist and client impressions of teletherapy are described. WAI scores were essentially similar to the face-to-face control group except for lower client-rated bond subscale scores. It is suggested that client personality factors accounted for this difference and that videoconferencing did not impair the development of an adequate working alliance or successful therapeutic outcome.

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