Transdisciplinary Journal of Engineering & Science

Systems Engineering Transformation: Transdisciplinary Endeavor

LynnDee Ford, Atila Ertas — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0700

System Engineering (SE) solves the most complex problems by bringing together societal issues, theoretical engineering, and the transformation of theory into products and services to better mankind and reduce suffering. The research of this paper utilizes transdisciplinary engineering to develop a SE methodology for the concept stage permitting proposal generation accuracy and expediency to provide solutions to counter regional aggressive threats.

Today’s world stage is witnessing superpower dominance over neighboring less military-capable nations. The societal impact goes beyond the borders of conflict and affects the world’s global market. In the deterrence of dominance, the United States’ posture is providing weapon systems to the victim in our increasingly unstable geopolitical environment. The US has many reasons to make this technology available to other nations; just as it has many reasons to constrain proliferation.

The United States Government is energizing the U.S. defense industry to provide the needed weapon systems following US prescribed acquisition methods. The sale of US weapon systems to International Customers is through a US defense contractor implementing a specialized acquisition model specific for international customers acquiring exportable defense articles. These constraints in the form of export regulations, critical to this paper, are essential to account for early in the concept development. The added complexity to concept development in international defense is that in addition to the usual, “what capabilities does the customer need to accomplish their mission?” and “what are the alternative solutions?” questions, we need to address the fact that US contracts may be required to limit capabilities and/or the technical solution space in opposition to the international customer’s desires. Whereas we normally turn to systems engineering processes to address such complex problems, we have found that the current SE methodology for the concept stage does not address the complexities associated with international sales.

The international customers’ need for complex solutions in an expedited time frame emphasizes the prime contractor’s complex and inadequate proposal concept stage. Under U.S. government procurement, the prime contractor shifts a portion of the design phase into the concept phase. This modality requires significant time and funding to fully develop the technical baseline, meanwhile, the international customer requires a solution to react to an immediate threat to their country’s safety. The main objective of this research is to develop a system engineering methodology for the concept stage to effectively understand the technical baseline maturity for proposals specific to International Customers.

Transdisciplinary Methodology for Refugee Resettlement Process

Atila Ertas, Derrick Tate — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 16:26:25 -0700

This paper’s primary goal is to present a novel transdisciplinary (TD) methodology for the
resettlement of refugees. Numerous factors, such as budgetary and cost concerns, federal law and policy,
administrative difficulties, security screening protocols, education and training, housing and health, crime
rate, socioeconomic issues, and many more, can be considered that influence the refugee resettlement
process. Refugee resettlement is a complex matter with numerous factors to consider. Using the Interactive
Collective Intelligent Management (ICIM) Workshop, the working group developed transdisciplinary collective
intelligence to investigate the issue. The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used to develop and clarify
a list of issues about the complex issue through the survey. A condensed example of refugee resettlement
that has ten TD solutions and six complex issue challenges created with ICIM. Using TD integrated tools,
TD solutions to create effective administrative processes that will significantly affect the challenging issues
associated with refugee resettlement have been examined.

The Intervention to Incentive the Use of Systemic-Transdisciplinary Attitudes

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:13:25 -0700

The objective is incentive the use of transdisciplinary systemic tools (TD-ST) for the improvement of TD-ST skills and attitudes by educational intervention in graduate students. The main findings were a) Attributes of the students that improved days after of the intervention (p≤ 0.05) with the highest percentage of variation were happiness (39%), union (41%) and integration (31%), knowledge and appropriation of the tools (50%) and several application potentials (38%). b) The improved attributes were classified as medium changes (attention capacity (0.47), cognitive process (0.46), perceptive function (0.46), linguistic function (0.52), creativity (0.5), use of TD-ST (0.68) and their appropriation (0.65), integration (0.52), joy (0.51) and interest in the use of TD-ST (0.52)), and high changes (union (0.70) and knowledge of the TD-ST (0.75)). c) Students prefer to be taught TD-ST in a creative way using didactic material and real-world, everyday applications. Trainers of transdisciplinary researchers have to develop in ourselves and in our students, skills and attitudes transdisciplinary systemic, basic to the sustainability.

Artificial Intelligence and the Transdisciplinary Human Mediation of HPTD-M

LEONARDO DA SILVA GUIMARÃES MARTINS DA COSTA — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:27:12 -0700

This article studies the scope of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the HPTD-M theory, i.e., the Holopraxis Transdisicplinary Management. It aims at collaborating to the debate on the limits of AI, including ChatGPT simulations, comparing the four types of intelligence in the HPTD-M Theory, namely empirical, emotional, rational, and intuitive, with the nine types of Gardner´s multiple intelligences theory (MI Theory). The types of intelligence are also compared with psychosomatics, the emotional shadow of the Western culture, the levels of the collective unconscious, and soft skills. The concept of mediating manager has an essential role in showing the limits of AI, which is an exceptional instrument for KNOWING but not UNDERSTANDING. An example of adequate use of AI through ChatGPT is demonstrated through a discussion on Plato's four virtues. A table considering the HPTD-M quaternary structure of intelligence shows how there cannot be consciousness awakening in AI, since it is limited to rationality. Besides, the HPTD-M’s three types of logic, i.e., Binary, Feedback, and Included Third, are another way to demonstrate that AI is based merely on the Binary logic. Management tools need to be used a priori with awareness of the limits of their applications. AI is no different, a disruptive technology that every professional will have to learn to deal with, like the personal computer in the late 1980s, an excellent rational tool, but not an empirical, emotional, or intuitive resource for problem solving. The AI binary logic does not apply to the complexity of human phenomena. Furthermore, AI can function as a consultant or assistant in terms of an efficient source of information, but not as an effective manager or decision maker. Roughly, through the managerial theory, effectiveness is to do the right thing, which is more than efficiency (to do things right). Then, in this author´s opinion constructed through simulations in the ChatGPT to obtain efficient results, the questions to AI need to be objective and precise in the concepts. There cannot be complex issues involving human phenomena: This is for the effective human decision maker, not for AI to answer since there can’t be consciousness awakening in AI.

Epistemology in AI (Transdisciplinary AI)

Ndubuisi Idejiora-Kalu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:40:20 -0700

A critical look at the evolution of AI strongly shows a sustained but stealth race to replace humans with AI. Early scientific literature and discourse on AI for some reasons (either to allow AI gain entry and acceptability in mainstream scientific and technological arena) vehemently deny this "human replacement agenda". This thinking pattern unknowingly shaped current scientific literature, discourse, general understanding of what AI is and its development and applicability (a reductionist thinking). This limits our understanding in both the beneficial and destructive capabilities of AI. But when considering a TD assessment on the developmental dynamic of AI, one would comfortably say and must be bold to admit, that indeed AI intends replacing humans and is on course for fulfilling this.

We see this AI human replacement agenda in intensified R&D efforts dedicated to developing powerful AI system of systems which massively augment human reasoning, most times far better. The inexhaustible list includes the AI replacement of formerly considered human-centric jobs, advanced autonomous weapon systems, killer robots and AI in warfare, intelligent facial recognition, biometric monitoring, integrating AI on biological, nuclear and space-based weapons systems, etc. If this is the direction AI is taking, then a secondary aim would surely arrive at integrating epistemology in AI or "grant spirits" for AI systems. This is because a distinctive characteristic of a human is his spirit and one cannot replace humans with AI without creating proportionate or appropriate spirits for the AI systems. Sooner or later our AI systems would have epistemological functions and possess spirits. The place of the soul for such AI systems would be attained as well. If human knowledge, beliefs, voices, clips and laws can be preserved long after they are gone as is possible in smart digital technologies, then spirit-based AI would indeed cause these humans to live forever. If the feat of a spirit enamored AI is near, then why worry? Indeed when considering that humans possess good and bad spirits (from the epistemology of rational and irrational inertia) then these AI systems would of course have good or bad spirits and be bad or good AI.

Would integrating a spirit into a rule-based or machine learning algorithmic structure of an AI system have benefits? Yes!, profound benefits too. A spirit-based AI would of course make possible the "possession of feelings" by AI systems, a feat unattainable in both algorithmic, operational and inferential basis of AI systems today. This inability of AI systems to have feelings has continued to remain a major setback in the acceptability (indeed trust) and utilization of AI. As we agree that the spirit in AI is possible, then overlooking efforts aimed at making this possible or allowing AI to attain this level unhindered (admitting dangers of human involvement in AI) could pose a dangerous threat which can become highly destructive to mankind. This calls for critical supervision (TD-based ethical policing) and the accompanying of the evolution, development and applicability of AI hence venerating the need for human mediation in AI both as a major TD research subject and applicable function.

A discussion would be made on my approach which considers the synergy of critical systems heuristics (CSH) and systems engineering (Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering) to create "Transdisciplinary AI" which would formulate methods of integrating "human" epistemology in expert systems. Human epistemology is emphasized because by the maturity of this future nature of AI, there would be terms known as "AI or machine epistemology" or "AI or machine spirits". The investigation begins with creating expert systems (knowledge-based systems) with these functions with plans of moving into robotics and other machine learning arena. Finally, to move the needle on what is considered permissible epistemology or permissible spirit of/in AI is a critical component of the study of human mediation and AI which must be given critical attention. This would be discussed as well.

Navigating "Wicked Problems" in Public Policy: The Power and Promise of Using SHAMROQ's Transdisciplinary Approach to Find Regulatory Text Patterns – A Mixed Method Study

Patrick Cook, Susan Mengel, Siva Parameswaran — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:05:28 -0700

In an era marked by significant public policy challenges, including climate change, public health, and economic inequality, traditional bureaucratic or technocratic methods prove increasingly inadequate. These so-called "wicked problems," characterized by their complexity and resistance to simple solutions, require more dynamic, inclusive approaches, that transcend jurisdictional boundaries. Embracing these approaches, we extend SHAMROQ, a novel transdisciplinary approach that combines Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, and Logic to extract, classify, and model deontic expressions from regulatory texts. This mixed-method study examines three CFR titles: Title 16 Commercial Practices, Title 45 Public Welfare, and Title 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations Systems, with an emphasis on the distribution of deontic expressions and identifying challenges in regulatory text. The results, supported by a chi-square test of independence with a highly significant p-value < .001 , show a strong association between deontic expression types and CFR Titles. This research also provides deeper insights into regulatory language complexity by broadening the analysis across CFR Titles 16, 45, and 48. Title 16 features diverse permissions and obligations, reflecting commercial law's complexity. Title 45 uses strict directives like 'must' and 'shall' for public welfare compliance, while Title 48 focuses on obligatory terms for federal acquisition, aligning with procurement demands. Such insights can inform future research and practical applications in regulatory analytics, compliance, and public policy.

Artificial Intelligence and Our Secret Mind: Human Mediation in Grey Zones

Mariana Thieriot Loisel — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:31:05 -0700

CIRET has set up an AI research group to highlight the need for human ethical mediation in the
age of digital technology and binary logic. Francisco Varela has observed that cognition can take place in
the computer field without appealing to consciousness. Yet human decision-making cannot be the result
of cognition alone and requires the interaction between cognition and consciousness. In fact, rationalist
and reductionist models borrowed from the hard sciences have only shown a mechanistic vision of AI or
a biological-environmental vision, which cannot be applied to complex human phenomena occurring in a
grey zone. In this grey or fuzzy zone of mediation, conciliation, and repair, we need the dialectical process
or dialogue between consciousness and cognition. In this context, the proposal of mediating leaders and
managers appears as a possible ethical alternative to demonstrate that consciousness is beyond the logic
of the computer. Humans must remain responsible for all the effective decisions that will help us solve
problems theoretically and concretely. We therefore need an emerging global wisdom that flows from our
conversations about AI and appeals to human consciousness at all its levels of reality. This group produced
a Symposium on November 21 and 22, 2023, in which we imagine that AI may be at the service of human
evolution and resiliency in “learning to be societies” instead of contributing to block our evolutions: if AI
remains a work tool. . . Certainly it will because the creation sparkles still a mystery for men themselves.

Charrettes for Developing a Transdisciplinary Approach in Urban Housing

Esen Gökçe özdamar — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:20:18 -0700

This article is based on the importance of coexistence in urban housing and the search for methods that are capable of increasing the forms and tendencies of dwellers’ participation. Today, with shifting roles in architecture, an approach derived from the interaction of architects, designers, planners, experts, and dwellers is needed to weave an overlapping fusion of different housing approaches. Therefore, today, how can a seamless collaboration be established in cities such as İstanbul, where participation is relatively low? One possible approach to rethinking coexistence as a design process is to apply transdisciplinary (TR) approaches through the architecture and design charrettes that enable active participation through the open and interactive dialogues they provide. Therefore, the role of architectural charrettes in the application of the participatory nature of the TR approach can ensure the development of an open and interactive atmosphere.

Transdisciplinary approach to reduce electricity consumption using system dynamics

Seyed Hamed Moosavirad, Amirreza Torabi, Mitra Mirhosseini — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:29:06 -0700

The electricity sector holds a paramount position in Iran's energy landscape and plays a pivotal role in economic decision-making. Data indicates that Iran's average annual energy consumption has surged by approximately 10% each year over the past decade. The transdisciplinary approach to reducing electricity consumption involves an integrated method that goes beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Consequently, to regulate electricity usage through macro and national strategies, it is imperative to contemplate soft and qualitative methodologies employed in the analysis of socio-economic systems, particularly through the lens of system dynamics. This study aims to scrutinize the influence of diverse socio-cultural policies on diminishing electricity consumption utilizing system dynamics as a transdisciplinary approach. The primary objective of this model is to assess the repercussions of various socio-cultural policies on the forthcoming trajectory. Findings from research conducted in Kerman, a province in Iran, underscore that if the current scenario persists, electricity consumption will persistently escalate over the next decade. However, the results indicate that the implementation of pertinent educational and promotional policies can mitigate the growth rate of electricity consumption.

A Statistical Review of the Impact of COVID-19 on the World

Zeenat Zaidi — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:02:05 -0600

The COVID-19 epidemic has caused an unparalleled era of disruption, significantly impacting public health, the environment, the economy, and civilizations globally. This data analysis offers a thorough examination of COVID-19's worldwide effects. Through statistical methods, it explores the epidemic's spread, mechanics of transmission, and social repercussions. In addition, it carries out quantitative research to comprehend how the pandemic affects society's behavior, healthcare systems, and the environment. To understand the substantial repercussions of the pandemic, the review combines many datasets and presents data from a reliable source. Through the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, this review focuses on the pandemic's effects from several perspectives, such as public health measurements, societal shifts, and environmental changes. The findings demonstrate the horrifying cost of human deaths and describe how society has adapted to new issues and routines. The study additionally examines the data's graphical and tabular format, which comprises the total number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities that have been confirmed in nine different nations.

IT-Enabled WGCNA for Critical Gene Module Mapping and Therapy Optimization: Advancing Leukemia Care

Rinela Kapçiu, Brikena Preni, Eglantina Kalluçi — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:07:09 -0600

Acquiring a profound comprehension of the complex correlation between genes is essential for progressing treatment and diagnostics in acute leukemia research. This work utilizes WGCNA to analyze the gene expression data obtained from 72 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia. This approach has not been widely employed in this particular setting previously. Our first objective was to identify essential gene modules and core genes that could offer a novel insight into the fundamental causes of the disease. To ensure the precision of the gene expression data, a thorough pre-processing is carried out, which includes normalization and quality control techniques. The WGCNA technique produces a gene co-expression network that targets explicitly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). This network is designed primarily to exploit pairwise correlations, as the underlying data is meant to create such a network. The modules identified via hierarchical clustering are assigned distinct colors to aid in recognizing gene expression patterns and associations that may not be readily apparent when examining individual genes in isolation. An essential component of our research involved identifying pivotal genes inside these modules using several centrality metrics, including degree, closeness, and betweenness centralities. These genes are suspected to have a crucial role in starting and progressing acute leukemia. We must mention that genes such as M91438_at and S82362_s_at came out as significant, in line with their centrality in the network analysis. However, it is privileged that these results hold a promise for further validation. The study throws open trails for future research, especially in experimental validation of these genes. These findings indeed have the potential to contribute to the development of targeted therapies and improvement in diagnostic methods, resulting in better patient outcomes in acute leukemia. This study also highlights the applicability of WGCNA towards unraveling leukemia's genomics, underscoring the continued exploration in this critical area of medical research.

3D Printed Capacitive Ink Sensors for Sustainable Electronics

Dr. Gaganpreet Kaur, Abhi Saxena — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The current revolution of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart homes cannot be possible if the cost of current sensors and circuitry is not reduced. In this work we present an effective conductive ink/paint by experimenting with various materials under different compositions and use this conductive paint for the fabrication of capacitive sensors in the electrical circuits. Additionally, the proposed capacitive ink used for printing the sensors offers a lot of flexibility and creativity in designing the circuits. The conductive paint can be used in wearables because of its unique advantage of being very thin, water resistant and versatile to all surfaces. The capacitive ink proposed offers high conductivity and has demonstrated improved switching capability over the traditional capacitive sensors.

An Improved CNN model for Identifying Tomato Leaf Diseases

DEBABRAT BHARALI — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:15:43 -0600

A major loss in gross domestic product, quantity and quality of products produced, as well as tomato production, is caused by diseases in tomato leaves due to which farmers have a difficult time in controlling and monitoring the health of tomato leaves, one of which is leaf disease. In our project, we developed an Enhanced CNN by using data augmentation techniques to identify the seven classes(blight ,leaf curl, leaf miner ,Alteneria, leaf spot, cutwork infected) of tomato leaf diseases. Using 27807 trainable parameters, the enhanced CNN obtains the maximum training accuracy of ninety nine point nine eight percent(99.98%) and validating accuracy of ninety eight point four percent(98.4%) .With fewer parameters, The Enhanced CNN can more accurately determine the type of illness of tomato leaf. Our Enhanced CNN model also determine the type of illness of tomato leaf when tested with the images of diseased tomato leaf collected from the internet sources.Using 152850 trainable parameters the enhanced CNN obtain the maximum training accuracy of 99.68% and validation accuracy of 89%.