Architecting Option Content

This paper presents an approach to determine the proper number of levels required on independent product architectural attributes, given their ability to generate added revenue through more direct targeting to smaller segments, and given the added costs of doing so. This is done in as simple and readily implementable manner as possible, making use only of conjoint data and cost estimates. From this, the order in which to consider added breakouts across the different attributes are prioritized. From this, for any minimum level of profit worth considering, a set of attribute levels to offer on each architectural attribute can be selected. Then, for any selected set of attribute levels to offer, the most effective product family using those levels is determined from the permutations.Center for Innovation in Product Developmen

How to Use Tools to Enable Lean Product Development

Presentation on tools for lean P

Characterization of Highly Concentrated Elastin-Like Polypeptide Solutions: Rheometric Properties and Phase Separation Analysis

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are environmentally responsive biopolymers. These protein based polymers are specific in that they exhibit phase separation in response to a number of stimuli. Some of these stimuli include temperature, light, and pH. There are a large number of factors to consider when designing ELP constructs that allow for control of the transitioning behavior, some of which include amino acid sequences, protein concentration, salt concentration, and the polymer chain length. Elastin-like polypeptides are soluble in water at low temperatures, however, upon an increase in temperature, the proteins become insoluble in water and phase separate. This point of temperature triggered phase transitioning shows lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior and is referred to as the inverse transition temperature (Tt). The transition is completely reversible and the ELPs will return back into solution upon decreasing temperature below the Tt.The linear elastin-like polypeptide (GVGVP)40 and the trimerized (GVGVP)40-foldon were expressed in a bacterial system using Escherichia coli (E. coli). Exploiting ELP temperature triggered transitioning to an insoluble state, highly concentrated protein solutions were formed for each sample. In this study, various rheometric experiments were conducted on (GVGVP)40 and (GVGVP)40-foldon. The storage, G\u27, and loss, G , dynamic moduli were determined to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of highly concentrated ELP solutions. Shear viscosities as functions of time, temperature, and concentration were determined. As well, various other rheological properties were determined and used to help better understand and characterize these highly concentrated ELP solutions. The ELPs studied showed shear thinning characteristics along with more viscous compared to elastic behaviors at all angular frequencies. A power law model was fit to relate the viscosity of the solutions to the protein concentration. Starting at high concentrations then diluting stepwise t

Characterization of Highly Concentrated Elastin-Like Polypeptide Solutions: Rheometric Properties and Phase Separation Analysis

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are environmentally responsive biopolymers. These protein based polymers are specific in that they exhibit phase separation in response to a number of stimuli. Some of these stimuli include temperature, light, and pH. There are a large number of factors to consider when designing ELP constructs that allow for control of the transitioning behavior, some of which include amino acid sequences, protein concentration, salt concentration, and the polymer chain length. Elastin-like polypeptides are soluble in water at low temperatures, however, upon an increase in temperature, the proteins become insoluble in water and phase separate. This point of temperature triggered phase transitioning shows lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior and is referred to as the inverse transition temperature (Tt). The transition is completely reversible and the ELPs will return back into solution upon decreasing temperature below the Tt.The linear elastin-like polypeptide (GVGVP)40 and the trimerized (GVGVP)40-foldon were expressed in a bacterial system using Escherichia coli (E. coli). Exploiting ELP temperature triggered transitioning to an insoluble state, highly concentrated protein solutions were formed for each sample. In this study, various rheometric experiments were conducted on (GVGVP)40 and (GVGVP)40-foldon. The storage, G\u27, and loss, G , dynamic moduli were determined to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of highly concentrated ELP solutions. Shear viscosities as functions of time, temperature, and concentration were determined. As well, various other rheological properties were determined and used to help better understand and characterize these highly concentrated ELP solutions. The ELPs studied showed shear thinning characteristics along with more viscous compared to elastic behaviors at all angular frequencies. A power law model was fit to relate the viscosity of the solutions to the protein concentration. Starting at high concentrations then diluting stepwise t

Characterization of Highly Concentrated Elastin-Like Polypeptide Solutions: Rheometric Properties and Phase Separation Analysis

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are environmentally responsive biopolymers. These protein based polymers are specific in that they exhibit phase separation in response to a number of stimuli. Some of these stimuli include temperature, light, and pH. There are a large number of factors to consider when designing ELP constructs that allow for control of the transitioning behavior, some of which include amino acid sequences, protein concentration, salt concentration, and the polymer chain length. Elastin-like polypeptides are soluble in water at low temperatures, however, upon an increase in temperature, the proteins become insoluble in water and phase separate. This point of temperature triggered phase transitioning shows lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior and is referred to as the inverse transition temperature (Tt). The transition is completely reversible and the ELPs will return back into solution upon decreasing temperature below the Tt.The linear elastin-like polypeptide (GVGVP)40 and the trimerized (GVGVP)40-foldon were expressed in a bacterial system using Escherichia coli (E. coli). Exploiting ELP temperature triggered transitioning to an insoluble state, highly concentrated protein solutions were formed for each sample. In this study, various rheometric experiments were conducted on (GVGVP)40 and (GVGVP)40-foldon. The storage, G\u27, and loss, G , dynamic moduli were determined to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of highly concentrated ELP solutions. Shear viscosities as functions of time, temperature, and concentration were determined. As well, various other rheological properties were determined and used to help better understand and characterize these highly concentrated ELP solutions. The ELPs studied showed shear thinning characteristics along with more viscous compared to elastic behaviors at all angular frequencies. A power law model was fit to relate the viscosity of the solutions to the protein concentration. Starting at high concentrations then diluting stepwise t

Modularization to Support Multiple Brand Platforms

Methods to determine acceptable architecture for multiple platforms supporting multiple brands must represent both platform cost saving commonization as well as revenue enhancing brand distinctions. Functional architecting methods determine modularization based upon functional concerns. Brand identity is additionally determined by sensory aesthetics. We introduce three architecting rules to maintain brand identity in platforms. A dominant theme must be ensured on each product of a brand, and this must be transferred to each product's specifications and aesthetics. Elements critical to brand identity must be made common across all products in a brand. For any platform, brand specific elements must be maintained unique on each product variant. The set of elements not identified as a brand carrier can be made common to a platform. A matrix representation of each platform and its supported brand variants is useful as an architecting tool.Center for Innovation in Product Developmen

When “altering brain function” becomes “mind control”

Functional neurosurgery has seen a resurgence of interest in surgical treatments for psychiatric illness. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology is the preferred tool in the current wave of clinical experiments because it allows clinicians to directly alter the functions of targeted brain regions, in a reversible manner, with the intent of correcting diseases of the mind, such as depression, addiction, anorexia nervosa, dementia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. These promising treatments raise a critical philosophical and humanitarian question. “Under what conditions does ‘altering brain function’ qualify as ‘mind control’?” In order to answer this question one needs a definition of mind control. To this end, we reviewed the relevant philosophical, ethical, and neurosurgical literature in order to create a set of criteria for what constitutes mind control in the context of DBS. We also outline clinical implications of these criteria. Finally, we demonstrate the relevance of the proposed criteria by focusing especially on serendipitous treatments involving DBS, i.e., cases in which an unintended therapeutic benefit occurred. These cases highlight the importance of gaining the consent of the subject for the new therapy in order to avoid committing an act of mind control

Establishing Quantitative Economic Value for Features and Functionality of New Products and New Services (CHAPTER N)

This chapter has two key themes: (1) a list of customer needs is interesting, but insufficient for many development decisions, (2) establishing a quantified, dollar value for each requirement is more helpful. To that end, we present an approach and method to establishing the quantitative monetary value for new product features and performance. This approach is targeted to product development managers and engineers engaged at the “front-end” of the product development process when the decisions about selection and trade-off of product functions and features are made. This approach examines the customer’s business operations and essentially establishing their business case for your product down to the feature and performance levels. This provides for much better trade-off decisions in new product development. This approach also helps to identify whitespace opportunities, those new product and/or service opportunities that are not being served by any current product. Moreover, because the methodology is fine grained, the whitespace opportunities are resolved into clear and actionable product development projects.Center for Innovation in Product Developmen

Analysis of Neuronal and Microglial Responses to Implanted Silicon Devices through Immunohistochemistry and CLARITY

Brain computer interfaces (BCI’s) and implantable cortical devices have recently emerged in research as promising treatment methods for a variety of neurological problems such as motor dysfunction, memory loss, and sudden onset seizures. The number of people currently suffering from a loss of nervous system function as a result of neurodegenerative diseases or injury creates a need for reliable neural prostheses. The autoimmune response of the Central Nervous System (CNS) when introduced with a foreign object such as an electrode shank quickly impedes signal strength and degrades the functional life of the device. Two different experimental methods were used to analyze the host tissue responses to implantation with silicon micro-electrodes and micro-wires. In situ device capture histology was used to obtain fluorescent images of neurons and activated microglia in rat and mouse brain slices with an electrode still present. A recent method, CLARITY, was used to obtain images of green fluorescent microglia in un-sectioned mouse brains post mortem. Both methods utilized a laser-equipped inverted confocal microscope to obtain the images. The results show that increasing tissue transparency with CLARITY and two photon imaging can give detailed information about the tissue immune response in an implanted brain. Through comparison to various controls, changes in density, movement, and conformation of neurons and microglia surrounding electrode implants will help increase the understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved and likely be used to identify future targets for research