The results for heavy-light mesons are summarized in Table 1. The results presented here are based on the same statistical sample, consisting of 102 quenched configurations at β = 6.0 with lattice size 16 × 48, as used in our study of fB and fBs [1]. The details of the NRQCD action, the evolution equation for calculating the heavy quark propagator, the method used for setting the lattice scale,...

Companies are increasingly adopting a product-line approach to the development of safety-critical systems. A product line offers large-scale reuse by exploiting common features and assets shared by systems within a specific domain. In this paper, we discuss the challenges of justifying the safety of architectural configurations and variation when developing product-line safety cases. We then ad...

Increasing amounts of automation are being introduced to safety-critical domains. While the introduction of automation has led to an overall increase in reliability and improved safety, it has also introduced a class of failure modes, and new challenges in risk assessment for the new systems, particularly in the assessment of rare events resulting from complex inter-related factors. Designing s...

This paper tries to sum up the discussions held during the sessions of GREC’09, as well as at the final panel session. As it is always good to know where you are coming from, the paper briefly takes a look back at the discussions held two years earlier, before looking ahead at the future challenges for our research community. A number of points raised two years ago remain very much valid, but w...

This article lists fourteen open problems in artificial life, each of which is a grand challenge requiring a major advance on a fundamental issue for its solution. Each problem is briefly explained, and, where deemed helpful, some promising paths to its solution are indicated.

Many proposed autonomous systems are safety critical and will have to be certified before they can be operated. This paper reviews the challenges that autonomous systems pose for safety and the current state of relevant safety standards, concluding that autonomous system certification is possible under current regimes, but difficult given current safety analysis techniques. Some promising techn...

Minimizing radiation exposure while optimizing image quality is critical in diagnostic medical imaging. Radiologic technologists face complex challenges when implementing dose monitoring and reporting systems to assist in radiation safety efforts. Challenges include communicating the risks of radiation exposure, handling variations in dose measurement techniques, and working with a lack of stan...

With the rising number of teleworkers who are working in non-traditional work locations, health and safety issues are even more critical. While telework offers attractive alternatives to traditional work locations, it is not without challenges for employers and workers. A macroergonomics approach or work system design for telework programs is proposed to address these new challenges. This appro...

Nonclinical safety testing of new biotherapeutic entities represents its own challenges and opportunities in drug development. Hot topics in this field have been discussed recently at the 2nd Annual BioSafe European General Membership Meeting. In this feature article, discussions on the challenges surrounding the use of PEGylated therapeutic proteins, selection of cynomolgus monkey as preclinic...