Comparing stochastic design decision belief models : pointwise versus interval probabilities.

Decision support systems can either directly support a product designer or support an agent operating within a multi-agent system (MAS). Stochastic based decision support systems require an underlying belief model that encodes domain knowledge. The underlying supporting belief model has traditionally been a probability distribution function (PDF) which uses pointwise probabilities for all possible outcomes. This can present a challenge during the knowledge elicitation process. To overcome this, it is proposed to test the performance of a credal set belief model. Credal sets (sometimes also referred to as p-boxes) use interval probabilities rather than pointwise probabilities and therefore are more easier to elicit from domain experts. The PDF and credal set belief models are compared using a design domain MAS which is able to learn, and thereby refine, the belief model based on its experience. The outcome of the experiment illustrates that there is no significant difference between the PDF based and credal set based belief models in the performance of the MAS

DFM synthesis approach based on product-process interface modelling. Application to the peen forming process.

Engineering design approach are curently CAD-centred design process. Manufacturing information is selected and assessed very late in the design process and above all as a reactive task instead of being proactive to lead the design choices. DFM appraoches are therefore assesment methods that compare several design alternatives and not real design approaches at all. Main added value of this research work concerns the use of a product-process interface model to jointly manage both the product and the manufacturing data in a proactive DFM way. The DFM synthesis approach and the interface model are presented via the description of the DFM software platform

DFM synthesis approach based on product-process interface modelling. Application to the peen forming process.

International audienceEngineering design approach are curently CAD-centred design process. Manufacturing information is selected and assessed very late in the design process and above all as a reactive task instead of being proactive to lead the design choices. DFM appraoches are therefore assesment methods that compare several design alternatives and not real design approaches at all. Main added value of this research work concerns the use of a product-process interface model to jointly manage both the product and the manufacturing data in a proactive DFM way. The DFM synthesis approach and the interface model are presented via the description of the DFM software platform

Unification of multiple models for complex system development

In the design of automotive product, the constant evolution of customer requirements and international regulations leads to new considerations of the sys-tem design process. The authors propose a modeling approach for complex system design based on the coupling of collaborative models and heterogeneous experts’ (i.e. authoring) models used for product behavior assessment. The approach aims at modeling a system at different systemic and temporal levels in the design pro-cess and allows a flexible navigation with the possibility of changing or adding models in the design space. The purpose behind the use of this approach is to lead to an optimal design solution in the context of innovative design for complex sys-tem

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Object Representation and Reasoning Using Halfspaces and Logic

Shapes and objects represent important ways with which to perceive and reason about the world. This paper develops a framework which uniformly encompasses both planar and non-planar surfaces to represent graphical objects in three dimensions. Based on the concept of halfspaces this framework allows the representation of volumes as predicates in logic. This representation is applied to demonstrate object concepts associated with reasoning about the topology of objects as individuals as well as groups of objects at the early, conceptual phase of designing. The example shows how both planar and non-planar boundaries of objects are treated uniformly

Idea development can occur using imagery only during early conceptual designing

This paper shows that expert architects can effectively develop ideas without sketching during early conceptual designing. We analysed design protocols of six expert architects working on two different design problems under two different conditions, one in which they were blindfolded and one in which they were sketching. Architects developed design ideas efficiently when they were blindfolded, as opposed to the common view that they would better develop ideas with sketching