Simulation-Based Engineering of Heterogeneous Collaborative Systems—A Novel Conceptual Framework

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors:

The article title is: "The System-of-Systems Approach to Model Driven Simulation of Sustainable Urban Ecosystems", however is a conceptual model, because there are no Figures with simulation results.

I recommend the use of System Dynamics methodology to analyse and simulate complex models systemic.

 

Author Response

Respond to Reviewer:

 

Dear authors:

The article title is: "The System-of-Systems Approach to Model Driven Simulation of Sustainable Urban Ecosystems", however is a conceptual model, because there are no Figures with simulation results.

 

Respectable Reviewer 1

 

            Thank you for your review! We accept your comment on the article title. That was also the suggestion from another Reviewer too. We have decided to change the article's title to better suites the context and research results.

 

The new title of the revised article is: 

 

Simulation-based Engineering of Heterogeneous Collaborative Systems - A Novel Conceptual Framework

 

I recommend the use of System Dynamics methodology to analyse and simulate complex models systemic.

 

 Response to Review 1:

           We have specified the Conceptual Framework as an entry-level artifact and aim to gradually transform it into an operational or a software counterpart (or even both). For the Conceptual Frameworks evaluation, there are four proposed approaches that we have founded in available literature: Theory Synthesis, Theory Analysis, Typology, and Model. The latter two: the Typology (through the categorization of dimensions) and the Model (dynamic relationships predicted through model-based engineering), were dominant in preparing the article. That is why simulating of conceptual framework model was not the verification option.

 

            General comment:  

We have prepared a new revision of the articles' content and structure with several upgrades, and we would be grateful to receive your comments on the revised article content.

 

Best regards:

Prof. dr Branko Perisic

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript theme is cultivating, Yet this has several potential flaws and needs to be improved in several places to match the journal standards.

1. The title of the manuscript needs to be revised. The Title should be impressive and eye-catching and must be reflecting the core findings/methodology of the work.

2.       The first concern is the language of the manuscript, especially the abstract. The abstract in its current form is highly adolescent. The context is wired and twisted and difficult to understand. Dear authors, The Abstract is the front face of the manuscript; please keep the sentence simple, concise, and straightforward so that is easy to understand and reflects the core findings of the work; Avoid sloppy and clumsy writing that makes the sentences vague. Authors are advised to consult a language expert in the domain or a native language processor and carefully proofread before resubmission.

3. Incorporate a robust tabular comparison of the proposed Approach to Model Driven Simulation of Sustainable Urban Ecosystems with other state-of-the-art studies/analyses/approaches (on relevant parameters of current interest) recently published in high-impact journals (not older than 2017) in the domain. 

4. Based on the tabular comparison, please mention (point-wise in bullets) the previous drawback/research gaps that motivated you to pursue this study. (As authors already discussed).

5. Then Highlight your contribution (Point-wise) to addressing the research gap (as you already mentioned).

6. Incorporate the complete organization of the article at the end of the introduction section; i.e. How the manuscript has been organized??

7. The Figures are of very low quality and not matching the journal standards.

8. The approach/Framework is highly bookish and Theoretical, while scientific contributions are trivial.

9. The Result section seems poor from the journal perspective; Kindly Strengthen the result section by incorporating some more test cases of interest supported by relevant graphics and followed by numeric analysis in support of the test cases. In the current form, this doesn't justify the work properly.

 

Extensive amendment required.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

 

 

This paper elaborates on the model of a sustainable extendible conceptual framework with domain-specific moderation support for model-based simulations and engineering of complex heterogeneous systems. The domain knowledge representation, modeling, and management elaboration influenced the domain meta-model and corresponding supportive management architecture specification.

 

1.       In introduction part, the structure is not clear for me. Moreover, too many issues in page 4.

2.       The motivation of this manuscript should be emphasized at the beginning.

3.       The authors should add “related work” section.

4.       The quantitative analysis should be added.

5.       “In the specified model, the Broker is an abstract concept that delegates its responsibilities to the Broker Service Delegate”. What does this mean?

6.       Some important references, such as Smart Collaborative Evolvement for Virtual Group Creation in Customized Industrial IoT, Distributed Broadcasting in Dynamic Networks, should be added and discussed.

7.       The English grammar should be improved.

The English grammar should be improved.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors:

 

Thank you for considering my comments

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 Thank you for considering my comments

Respectable Reviewer!

 

           Thank You again for all the previous suggestions and comments that helped us express the main articles' issues clearly and soundly.  We have upgraded the overall manuscript structure, form, technical and scientific background, and contributions, accordingly.

 

Best regards!

Prof. Branko Perisic

Reviewer 2 Report

Authors have professionally addressed the reviewers comments. The revised manuscript touches the journal standards and now liable to be published.

Moderate English language editing required.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have professionally addressed the reviewers' comments. The revised manuscript touches the journal standards and is now liable to be published.

Respectable Reviewer!

 

           Thank You again for all the previous suggestions and comments that helped us express the main articles' issues clearly and soundly. We have upgraded the overall manuscript structure, form, technical and scientific background, and contributions according to them. We are particularly grateful for suggestions concerning the Title and Abstracts' content and expressiveness. The suggested comparative analysis of related frameworks added significant strength to the concluding section and the directions for future work.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate English language editing is required.

Agree: 

Through the article's revision, we cross-checked the entire content with the generous help of two of our University colleagues and one professor of the English language. We believe that the grammar level, sentence structure and clarity, and overall language quality are now more appropriate than before.

 

Best regards!

Prof. Branko Perisic

 

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors didn’t modify the paper point-by-point based on previous comments at all. Please add suggested content and improve the paper carefully.

  

1.       In introduction part, the structure is not clear for me. Moreover, too many issues in page 4.

2.       The motivation of this manuscript should be emphasized at the beginning.

3.       The authors should add “related work” section.

4.       The quantitative analysis should be added.

5.       “In the specified model, the Broker is an abstract concept that delegates its responsibilities to the Broker Service Delegate”. What does this mean?

6.       Some important references, such as Smart Collaborative Evolvement for Virtual Group Creation in Customized Industrial IoT, Distributed Broadcasting in Dynamic Networks, should be added and discussed.

7.       The English grammar should be improved.

N/A

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 3

Reviewer 3 Report

The current version looks good.

The current version looks good.