Towards an effective interoperability of models within the 'Systems Engineering' applied to aeronautics

Aeronautics is a typical field of application of the Systems Engineering, since aircraft includes many on–board equipments. The Systems Engineering provides some suitable tool for an effective description of their functional behavior but a detailed design needs a quantitative investigation. This task is performed by resorting to modeling techniques, which define all the equations required to predict the dynamic behavior in operation. Physical phenomena are described by numerical models, which nowadays have to be connected to the tools of the Systems Engineering to proceed with a really integrated product life management. This task is a fascinating feature of the so–called ‘inter–operability’, which can be implemented among methods, models and numerical tools. A test case is herein shown and concerns the modeling of a de–icing system for a regional turboprop. A brief description of the modeling activity is proposed, then tools of the System Engineering are applied to perform a review of requirements. Limits of functional models are explored as well as some weak information about functions and requirements in the physical models is detected. Region of inter–operability of the two modeling environments is consequently defined. The available methodologies for interoperating the design tools are discussed, by resorting to the tasks of the ARTEMIS–CRYSTAL project

Applying interoperability to the validation of embedded systems design in aeronautics

The Systems Engineering provides some suitable tool for an effective description of the functional behavior of systems and of their architecture,but a detailed design activity needs for a quantitative investigation,which is typically based on some set of equations,including the main design parameters. The test case here shown concerns the modeling of a de–icing system for a regional turboprop,being a public use case developed within the frame of the CRYSTAL project.The description of the system architecture within the SysML language is done by means of Rhapsody through Use Case Diagrams(UCD), Internal Block Diagrams(IBD) and State Machine Diagrams(STM),after a Requirement Analysis(REQ) performed in DOORS.A suitable integration with the physical model of the de-icing system in the Simulink environment allows a suitable refinement of requirements, an assessment of the system configuration as well as the detection of the most critical issues of the design of such system. A complete description of all the phenomena occurring in operation is given by numerical models thus,in addition to the architecture of the system identified through a SysML functional analysis and a design synthesis,a physical model of the de-icing system developed in Simulink is associated. The functional model is used to define the components to be included into the system and the layout most compatible with the functions required.The physical model is suitable to investigate the system dynamic behavior through a time-dependent numerical simulation. A strong cooperation between the two models is a current goal of the development of this engineering method,to reach a complete interoperability of tools for a simultaneous investigation which could reduce the time to develop the product and enhance the possibility of suitably relating functions,system components,interfaces and performances within a unique and integrated design environment

A phase II study of biweekly oxaliplatin plus infusional 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid (FLFOX-4) as first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicity and clinical activity of biweekly oxaliplatin in combination with infusional 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid administered every 2 weeks (FOLFOX4 regimen) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Patients and methods: Sixty-one previously untreated AGC patients were treated with oxaliplatin 85mg/m2 on day 1, folinic acid (FA) 200mg/m2 as a 2-h infusion followed by bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 400 mg/m2 and a 22-h infusion of 5-FU, 600 mg/m2, repeated for two consecutive days every 2 weeks. Results: All patients were assessable for toxicity and response to treatment. Patient characteristic were: sex (male, 38; female, 23); median age, 64 years (range, 47–75 years); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS): 0, nine patients; 1, 39 patients; 2, 13 patients; metastatic disease, 56 patients; locally advanced disease, five patients. Four (7%) complete responses (CR) and 19 partial responses (PR) were observed (overall response rate, 38%). Stable disease (SD) was observed in 22 (36%) patients, with progressive disease (PD) in the other six (10%) patients. Median time to progression (TTP) and median overall survival (OS) were 7.1 and 11.2 months, respectively. NCI common toxicity criteria grade 3 and 4 hematologic toxic effects were neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia in 36%, 10% and 5% patients, respectively. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy was recorded in three (5%) patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusion: FOLFOX-4 is an active and well tolerated chemotherapy. RR, TTP and OS were comparable with those of other oxaliplatin-based regimens, suggesting a role for this combination in gastric cancer