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In the last decade, numerous learning factories for education, training, and research have been built up in industry and academia. In recent years learning factory initiatives were elevated from a local to a European and then to a worldwide level. In 2014 the CIRP Collaborative Working Group (CWG) on Learning Factories enables a lively exchange on the topic "Learning Factories for future oriented research and education in manufacturing". In this paper results of discussions inside the CWG are presented. First, what is meant by the term Learning Factory is outlined. Second, based on the definition a description model (morphology) for learning factories is presented. The morphology covers the most relevant characteristics and features of learning factories in seven dimensions. Third, following the morphology the actual variance of learning factory manifestations is shown in six learning factory application scenarios from industrial training over education to research. Finally, future prospects of the learning factory concept are presented.
Venture capital and the innovative power of a state : econometric study including Google data
(2015)
This article focuses on venture capital investments and the innovative power of a state defined by its public infrastructure. The economic implications are evaluated by estimating several panel regression models. The novelty is twofold: on the one hand the research approach and on the other hand the new data set. The data ranges from 1995 to 2014 and consists of 10 European countries plus the US and Canada. For the first time we include Google search data on Venture Capital. The results show a significant increase in Venture Capital is mainly determined by economic conditions such as real GDP growth. The impact of the innovative power of a state is not significant. We find that Google data is positively related and significant in respect to Venture Capital investments too. Consequently, we confirm that private business investments cannot be created by government policy alone rather via solid macroeconomic conditions.
Influence of the respirator on volatile organic compounds : an animal study in rats over 24 hours
(2015)
Long-term animal studies are needed to accomplish measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for medical diagnostics. In order to analyze the time course of VOCs, it is necessary to ventilate these animals. Therefore, a total of 10 male Sprague–Dawley rats were anaesthetized and ventilated with synthetic air via tracheotomy for 24 h. An ion mobility spectrometry coupled to multi-capillary columns (MCC–IMS) was used to analyze the expired air. To identify background contaminations produced by the respirator itself, six comparative measurements were conducted with ventilators only. Overall, a number of 37 peaks could be detected within the positive mode. According to the ratio peak intensity rat/ peak intensity ventilator blank, 22 peaks with a ratio >1.5 were defined as expired VOCs, 12 peaks with a ratio between 0.5 and 1.5 as unaffected VOCs, and three peaks with a ratio <0.5 as resorbed VOCs. The peak intensity of 12 expired VOCs changed significantly during the 24 h measurement. These results represent the basis for future intervention studies. Notably, online VOC analysis with MCC–IMS is possible over 24 h in ventilated rats and allows different experimental approaches.
Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is diagnosed based upon medical history, neuropsychiatric examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, extensive laboratory analyses and cerebral imaging. Diagnosis is time consuming and labour intensive. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly diagnosed on clinical grounds.
Objective
The primary aim of this study was to differentiate patients suffering from AD, PD and healthy controls by investigating exhaled air with the electronic nose technique. After demonstrating a difference between the three groups the secondary aim was the identification of specific substances responsible for the difference(s) using ion mobility spectroscopy. Thirdly we analysed whether amyloid beta (Aβ) in exhaled breath was causative for the observed differences between patients suffering from AD and healthy controls.
Methods
We employed novel pulmonary diagnostic tools (electronic nose device/ion-mobility spectrometry) for the identification of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, we analysed breath pattern differences in exhaled air of patients with AD, those with PD and healthy controls using the electronic nose device (eNose). Using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), we identified the compounds responsible for the observed differences in breath patterns. We applied ELISA technique to measure Aβ in exhaled breath condensates.
Results
The eNose was able to differentiate between AD, PD and HC correctly. Using IMS, we identified markers that could be used to differentiate healthy controls from patients with AD and PD with an accuracy of 94%. In addition, patients suffering from PD were identified with sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Altogether, 3 AD patients out of 53 participants were misclassified. Although we found Aβ in exhaled breath condensate from both AD and healthy controls, no significant differences between groups were detected.
Conclusion
These data may open a new field in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Further research is required to evaluate the significance of these pulmonary findings with respect to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.
Pegelumsetzer mit einem ersten Eingang, der ein erstes Signal erfasst, wobei das erste Signal einen ersten Spannungspegel aufweist, einem Ausgang, der ein zweites Signal erzeugt, wobei das zweite Signal einen zweiten Spannungspegel aufweist, wobei der zweite Spannungspegel größer als der erste Spannungspegel ist und einem Differenzverstärker, der eine Differenzspannung erfasst, wobei der Differenzverstärker mit einer Versorgungsspannung und einer hochseitige Masse verbunden ist, wobei die Versorgungsspannung ein erstes Spannungspotential und die hochseitige Masse ein zweites Spannungspotential aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Eingang mit einer ersten Teilschaltung verbunden ist, wobei die erste Teilschaltung mit einer zweiten Teilschaltung unidirektional verbunden ist, wobei die zweite Teilschaltung mit der Versorgungsspannung und der hochseitigen Masse verbunden ist, wobei die zweite Teilschaltung mindestens zwei Ausgänge aufweist, die die Differenzspannung des Differenzverstärkers erzeugen, wobei über einen Versorgungsspannungseingang und einen hochseitigen Masseeingang eine zusätzliche Spannung einkoppelt und der Differenzverstärker das zweite Signal in Abhängigkeit der Differenzspannung, der Versorgungsspannung, der hochseitigen Masse und der zusätzlichen Spannung erzeugt.
Since its early beginnings in the form of correspondence schools, e-learning has generally sought to provide flexibility and high quality education. While these are indeed noble intentions, the reality of today's connected world demands that such programs focus on a different purpose. As the main purpose of e-learning shifts, so must be the design approaches.
Rethinking e-learning requires open-mindedness on the part of academies, designers, cyber educators, legislators, IT and administrators, but also the learners themselves. All who are involved in or impacted by e-learning programs must speak up and finally share their perspectives, but who will be listening? The key to rethinking e-learning lies in the ability of the stakeholders to listen to each other and make decisions which are in the best interest of the learner.
This chapter will propose a new purpose for e-learning and explore promising possibilities for learner-centered design. The future of e-learning can be shaped by the decisions made today, but before any decisions can be made, one must acknowledge e-learning's successes as well as its shortcomings. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage those who are impacted by e-learning to think about the future.
Der Zusammenbruch des Systems der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung und der sich daran anschließende Transformationsprozess zogen einen sektoralen Strukturwandel der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft nach sich. Die forcierte Deindustrialisierung und Tertiarisierung führte allerdings zu massiven Fehlentwicklungen, die bis eute die wirtschaftliche Lage des Landes bestimmen.
In der Untersuchung wird daher der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit ein Tertiarisierungsprozess für ein Transformationsland wie Kroatien als Option für eine erfolgreiche wirtschaftliche Entwicklung zu bewerten ist. Dafür müssen zunächst grundlegende theoretische Ansätze zu den Themengebieten Wachstum und Strukturwandel beschrieben, beurteilt und systematisiert werden. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass neuere modelltheoretische Untersuchungen weiterhin an der demand bias- und productivity bias-Hypothese gemäß Fourastié (1949) und Baumol (1967) ansetzen, um die Triebkräfte der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung hin zu einer Dienstleistungsgesellschaft zu erklären. Die Autorin identifiziert dabei zwei Theoriestränge: Einerseits wird in der Literatur versucht, die Überlegungen zum strukturellen Wandel mit der Wachstumstheorie "zu versöhnen", d. h. zu verbinden. Andererseits werden "Heilungschancen" der Baumolschen Kostenkrankheit auf Basis der Determinanten der Endogenen Wachstumstheorie und der Innovationsmerkmale von Dienstleistungen formuliert. Empirische Untersuchungen zum sektoralen Strukturwandel in ausgewählten europäischen Wohlfahrtsstaatssystemen zeigen weiterhin auf, dass die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung eines Landes zudem von gesellschaftlichen und politischen Faktoren bestimmt wird.
Im zweiten Teil der Studie werden mithilfe des theoretischen Instrumentariums die drei Entwicklungsstufen der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nachgezeichnet. Dabei zeigt sich, dass in der ersten Phase die Mängel der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung einen strukturellen Wandel und Produktivitätswachstum behinderten, während in den 1990er Jahren insbesondere die verfehlte Wirtschafts- und Sozialpolitik zu negativen volkswirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Folgen führte. Während des forcierten Integrationsprozesses in die EU wirkte sich die in der zweiten Hälfte der 2000er-Jahre einsetzende Wirtschaftskrise negativ auf den kroatischen Arbeitsmarkt aus. Die Analyse der Innovationsfähigkeit der kroatischen Wirtschaft sowie die Zusammenfassung der zentralen Erkenntnisse im letzten Teil der Studie zeigen auf, dass Wachstum und Beschäftigung zukünftig gefördert werden können, wenn in Kroatien der strukturelle und gesellschaftliche Wandel weiter fortgesetzt wird.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by incompletely reversible airway obstruction. This clinically heterogeneous group of patients is characterized by different phenotypes. Spirometry and clinical parameters, such as severity of dyspnea and exacerbation frequency, are used to diagnose and assess the severity of COPD. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could be detected in the exhaled breath of patients with COPD and whether these VOCs could distinguish COPD patients from healthy subjects. Moreover, we aimed to investigate whether VOCs could be used as biomarkers for classifying patients into different subgroups of the disease. Ion mobility spectrometry was used to detect VOCs in the exhaled breath of COPD patients. One hundred and thirty-seven peaks were found to have a statistically significant difference between the COPD group and the combined healthy smokers and nonsmoker group. Six of these VOCs were found to correctly discriminate COPD patients from healthy controls with an accuracy of 70%. Only 15 peaks were found to be statistically different between healthy smokers and healthy nonsmokers. Furthermore, by determining the cutoff levels for each VOC peak, it was possible to classify the COPD patients into breathprint subgroups. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, body mass index, and C-reactive protein seem to play a role in the discrepancies observed in the different breathprint subgroups.
In the luxury Fashion industry, consumers could be categorized into two groups: fashion leader and Fashion follower. Both groups of consumers purchase luxury fashion products aim at satisfying both their functional needs and social needs (i.e., social influence). Thus the demands of both consumer groups are related. In this paper, we construct a model to examine the effects of pricing and online retail service in luxury fashion firms with social influence. To maximize profit, we identify the optimal prices and online retail service when the luxury fashion firms provide the non-differentiated and differentiated online retail services, respectively. More insights are discussed.
Derzeit finden gravierende Veränderungen im Umfeld der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik statt, die eine große Chance für die optimierte Prozessführung und Wertschöpfung mit darauf abgestimmten vernetzt kommunizierenden Sensoren bieten. Diese Art "smarter" Sensoren stellen Dienste innerhalb eines Netzwerks bereit und nutzen Informationen daraus. Dadurch ergibt sich aktuell die Notwendigkeit, die Anforderungen an Prozesssensoren sowie an deren Kommunikationsfähigkeiten detaillierter zu beschreiben – vom einfachen Temperatursensor bis über heute in Entwicklung befindlichen Messsystemen hinaus –, da diese Technologieentwicklungen rasant voranschreiten. Vernetzte Sensoren sind die Voraussetzung für die Realisierung von Cyberphysischen Produktionssystemen (CPPS) und zukünftiger Automatisierungskonzepte für die Prozessindustrie, wie sie auch durch das Zukunftsprojekt "Industrie 4.0" adressiert werden.
Die Technologie-Roadmap liefert darüber hinaus Perspektiven für Forschungs- und Entwicklungsförderung und gibt Ansätze für die Normungsarbeit. Sie wird damit auch für Politik, Industrieverbände und Gremien von Interesse sein. Wenn sich die Exzellenz der Forschung und das ausgeprägte Know-how der Gerätehersteller und Anwender zu Forschungskonsortien auf Augenhöhe zusammentun und das Wissen gemeinsam vorangebracht wird, kommen faire und gut durchdachte Technologietransferprojekte mit Sicherheit zum Erfolg. Neben der technologischen Weiterentwicklung der Prozesssensoren ist von Herstellern und Anwendern die hohe Verfügbarkeit der komplexen Technologie sicherzustellen, damit weiterhin Vertrauen in die Technik besteht – vom Anwender bis ins Management.
Globale Beschaffungsstrukturen, Konsumgüterproduktion in Entwicklungsländern, Unternehmensethik und Sozialstandards - Sachverhalte, die im Zeitalter der Globalisierung an Bedeutung gewinnen und darauf hinweisen, dass Länder der Dritten Welt eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle in weltweiten Wertschöpfungsketten westlicher Unternehmen einnehmen. Dieser wachsende Anteil vieler Entwicklungsländer am Welthandel ist entwicklungspolitisch als großer Fortschritt zu sehen, weil diese stärker als in der Vergangenheit an Wachstum und Wohlstand teilhaben können. Leider verläuft dieser Aufholprozess aber nicht störungsfrei, da der damit einhergehende Verlagerungsprozess arbeitsintensiver Produktion oftmals zur Folge hat, dass westliche Konsumgüter in diesen Ländern unter menschenrechtlich untragbaren Bedingungen hergestellt werden, um Arbeits- und Herstellungskosten auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren sowie arbeitsrechtlichen Regelungen auf globaler Ebene zu entgehen. In einer übergeordneten Sichtweise geht es also um das Spannungsfeld von Ökonomie und Ethik, was seit langem Leitthema der Wirtschaftsethik ist. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit diese einen Beitrag zu einer Globalisierung mit menschlichem Antlitz leisten kann. Zu diesem Zweck untersucht das vorliegende Buch, ob das Managementkonzept der Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) zu einer Lösung und schrittweisen Annäherung von Ökonomie und Ethik im Globalisierungskontext führen kann. Angesichts der mangelnden Durchsetzbarkeit staatlich dirigistischer Strukturen auf internationaler Ebene wird daher die Frage nach dem Ort der Verantwortung neu gestellt und damit beantwortet, dass es vor allem Unternehmen und deren weltweiten Netzwerke sind, die durch ihr ethisch reflektiertes Handeln zu einer sozialeren Globalisierung beitragen können. Um diese jedoch verstärkt dazu zu motivieren, dieser Verantwortung nachzukommen, liegt ein besonderer Schwerpunkt dieses Buches auf der Entwicklung des CSR Business Case und der Frage, welche Faktoren entscheidend sind, wenn es um den betriebswirtschaftlichen Erfolg ethischen Engagements geht. Dafür ist es neben einer prozessorientierten Umsetzung in Produktion und Beschaffung ebenso wichtig, dieses Engagement mit Hilfe CSR-relevanter Marketinginstrumente an die Verbraucher zu kommunizieren und damit in ihr Bewusstsein sowie auf ihren Konsum- und Kaufradar zu bringen. In diesem Sinne werden die jeweils erforderlichen Implementierungsschritte und -instrumente so detailliert ausgearbeitet, dass sie unmittelbare Praxisrelevanz bekommen und zeigen, wie man von der hohen Abstraktionsebene der Globalisierung auf die Umsetzungsebene der Unternehmen gelangt und wie mit der anfänglichen Polarität zwischen Ethik und Ökonomie umgegangen werden kann. Somit soll das, was kurzfristig als Dilemma und Zielkonflikt erscheint, langfristig in ein produktives Handlungsfeld übersetzt werden, indem v.a. mittelständischen Unternehmen konkrete CSR-Handlungskompetenz an die Hand gegeben wird, weil diese aufgrund ihres enormen Stellenwerts in der deutschen Wirtschaft eine wichtige Rolle einnehmen können, CSR auf breiter Ebene durchzusetzen.
Real Time Charging (RTC) applications that reside in the telecommunications domain have the need for extremely fast database transactions. Today´s providers rely mostly on in-memory databases for this kind of information processing. A flexible and modular benchmark suite specifically designed for this domain provides a valuable framework to test the performance of different DB candidates. Besides a data and a load generator, the suite also includes decoupled database connectors and use case components for convenient customization and extension. Such easily produced test results can be used as guidance for choosing a subset of candidates for further tuning/testing and finally evaluating the database most suited to the chosen use cases. This is why our benchmark suite can be of value for choosing databases for RTC use cases.
Das Provisioning Tool automaIT wurde prototypisch um die Möglichkeit eines Data Discovery erweitert, mit dem Ziel, nicht durch automaIT verwaltete Systeme anbinden und steuern zu können. Daten aus dem Data Discovery werden mittels dem Tool Facter gesammelt und können dynamisch in ausführbare Modelle von automaIT integriert und ausgewertet werden. Dadurch kann der Verlauf weiterer Provisionierungsschritte gesteuert werden, ohne dass es eines manuellen Eingriffs bedarf.
In this paper it is first identified the trade-off among costs, flexibility and performances of autonomous robotic solutions for material handling processes, where adding value with automation is not as trivial as in production processes: hence the requirement for automated solutions to be simple, lean and efficient becomes even stricter. Then a method for modelling and comparing differential performances and costs of manual and autonomous solutions is developed. As a result of the method, a smart man-machine collaborative interface is designed and its impact evaluated on a specific case of study. Results are then generalized and prove the strong conclusions that in unconstrained environments, where full standardization cannot be achieved, the risk of investing in autonomous solutions can only be mitigated by creating a fast and smart man-machine collaborative interface.
According to a recent survey the great majority of players in logistics are planning to adopt one or more robotic solutions until 2019. Technical solutions for automation of processes in logistics are often available as a market-ready product, but the lack of standardization and skepticism towards long term investments are often the reasons why these solutions are not implemented on a large scale. This paper is set to bridge the gap between the world of technologies and the one of applications in order to help investors, robot producers and system integrators to decide on which branch of logistics to set their focus. The three main branches Courier Express Parcel (CEP), contract logistics and production logistics are briefly defined and distinguished through their characteristic factors and parameters. Then a method based on the analysis of three parameters (operative costs, required performance and flexibility) in the three branches is set to identify the most convenient branch of logistics for investing in new technologies, namely the one in which the risk of investment is lower, the return is higher and faster. The conclusion of the method shows that higher labor costs, strict regulations and higher standardization make the production logistics the most suitable branch for investments in emerging automation solutions.
Distraction of the driver is one of the most frequent causes for car accidents. We aim for a computational cognitive model predicting the driver’s degree of distraction during driving while performing a secondary task, such as talking with co-passengers. The secondary task might cognitively involve the driver to differing degrees depending on the topic of the conversation or the number of co-passengers. In order to detect these subtle differences in everyday driving situations, we aim to analyse in-car audio signals and combine this information with head pose and face tracking information. In the first step, we will assess driving, video and audio parameters reliably predicting cognitive distraction of the driver. These parameters will be used to train the cognitive model in estimating the degree of the driver’s distraction. In the second step, we will train and test the cognitive model during conversations of the driver with co-passengers during active driving. This paper describes the work in progress of our first experiment with preliminary results concerning driving parameters corresponding to the driver’s degree of distraction. In addition, the technical implementation of our experiment combining driving, video and audio data and first methodological results concerning the auditory analysis will be presented. The overall aim for the application of the cognitive distraction model is the development of a mobile user profile computing the individual distraction degree and being applicable also to other systems.
In this article feedback linearization for control-affine nonlinear systems is extended to systems where linearization is not feasible in the complete state space by combining state feedback linearization and homotopy numerical continuation in subspaces of the phase space where feedback linearization fails. Starting from the conceptual simplicity of feedback linearization, this new method expands the scope of their applicability to irregular systems with poorly expressed relative degree. The method is illustrated on a simple SISO–system and by controlling the speed and the rotor flux linkage in a three phase induction machine.
Competing logics in evaluating employee performance : building compromises through conventions
(2015)
Current research argues that competing institutional logistics1 can co-exist enduringly and investigates how organizations cope with such institutional complexity (Greenwood et al. 2011). Thereby, the role of practices for handling competing logics has been overlooked and it is currently only to limited extent understood how organizations establish compromises between competing logics. Therefore, we investigated the recent performance appraisal reform of a German public sector organization that occurred in 2008 (see also Kozica, Brandl 2015). BAND (the pseudonym for our organization) has been using performance appraisals for several decades, and performance appraisals have already become entrenched instruments (Zeitz, Mittal, McAulay 1999) for handling staff promotion decisions. While BAND accepted the accountability logic of the performance appraisal, the professional logic (which is based on trust and comradeship as a high value of being professional in our organization) is accepted too and BAND has established a fine-grained compromise between the different logics. During the recent reform of the performance appraisal system, however, this compromise has broken up and challenged organizational members to (re-)arrange a compromise. By using French convention school of thinking (Boltanski, Thévenot 2006) we address how BAND copes with conflicting logics by forming compromises in organizational practices. Thereby, we show that the concept of convention is particularly promising for understanding of how organizations deal with institutional complexity. More broadly, our argument contributes to the elaboration of an organizational theory for the institutional logics discussion that explains how organizational and individual actions are interlinked.
Purpose: This paper is to show what sustainable fashion is and how it has developed in recent years. Also the paper discusses which factors are important in order to be sustainable. Above all, it's about customers who show a lot interest in sustainable fashion. Child labor, working conditions, poor quality and poisonous substances are stricty rejected by these consumers. Amazingly, fashion companies that repeatedly hit the headlines with bad properties are very successful. It's about the sustainable oxymoron, the act and want of the consumer.
Findings: It is difficult to be sustainable. The reasons for that are the consumption, not much transparency in textile chains, fast fashion and much more. It's almost impossible for a product to achieve the 100 percent sustainability. On one hand the consumers want to have sustainable products, on the other hand they purchase for newness and cheap clothes. It has become clear that they buy in a conflict.
EAM ist ein holistischer Ansatz, um komplexe IT- und Unternehmensstrukturen darzustellen. Dabei ist es von zentraler Bedeutung, diese Strukturen möglichst komplett und übersichtlich zu visualisieren. Ein Ansatz, dies zu erreichen, ist eine multiperspektivische Darstellung von mehreren Views in einem Architekturcockpit. Dabei können mehrere Views simultan betrachtet und analysiert werden. Dadurch ist es möglich, die Auswirkungen einer Analyse des Views eines Stakeholders simultan aus den Views anderer Stakeholder betrachten zu können, um eventuelle Wechselwirkungen zu erkennen und einen allgemeinen Überblick über die Unternehmensarchitektur zu behalten. In dieser Arbeit zeigen wir, von der Konzeption über die Umsetzung bis zu einem Anwendungsbeispiel, wie ein solches Architekturcockpit realisiert werden kann.
Few unfocused factories outperform competitors, but Focus is elusive because the environment is constantly evolving and this requires changes to a factory’s key tasks. So how can focus be achieved and sustained? We present insights derived from an historical analysis of the German Hewlett-Packard server plant which went through a series of Focus changes over the years. Using this example, we provide clues for the right timing of Focus changes and discuss critical structural and infrastructural changes required during the Focus transitions, as well as cross-functional coordination and leadership challenges. Our assertion is that production operations constitute a system that can adapt to disruptive Change by using the levers of manufacturing policies to stay focused on a limited but absolutely essential task which creates a strategic advantage.
Bekanntlich spielen betriebswirtschaftliche Inhalte in der pharmazeutischen Ausbildung so gut wie keine Rolle, schließlich arbeiten die meisten Absolventen/innen dieses Studiengangs später in einer Offizin-Apotheke. Doch gerade in dieser Funktion werden sie zunehmend auch mit wirtschaftlichen Herausforderungen konfrontiert. Nicht nur als Apothekeninhaber. Welche sind dies?
Vertrieb geht heute anders
(2015)
Welche Kompetenzen befähigen der Vertrieb an sich und den einzelnen Vertriebsmitarbeiter, den internetaffinen, hochinformierten, kritischen und anspruchsvollen "Kunden 3.0" zu erreichen und zu überzeugen? Die Antworten auf diese Frage fußen auf den Ergebnissen einer Studie, die wir an der ESB Business School Reutlingen durchgeführt haben.
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Transmission Line Pulssystem zum Erzeugen eines elektrischen Pulses, sowie ein diesbezügliches Verfahren. Dabei umfasst das Transmission Line Pulssystem: eine Transmission Line, eine Energieversorgungsquelle zum Aufladen der Transmission Line und einen Entladungsschalter zum Auslösen einer Entladung der aufgeladenen Transmission Line, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Transmission Line eine Vielzahl von Einzelsegmenten umfasst, wobei jedes Einzelsegment über ein zugehöriges Einstellglied mit einem gemeinsamen Massepotential elektrisch verbunden ist, und wobei zumindest eines der Einstellglieder einen Einstellkondensator und einen Einstellschalter aufweist.
IOS 2.0 : new aspects on inter-organizational integration through enterprise 2.0 technologies
(2015)
This special theme of „Electronic Markets“ focuses on research concerned with the use of social technologies and "2.0" principles in the interaction between organization (i.e., with "inter-organizational systems (IOS) 2.0"). This theme falls within the larger space of Enterprise 2.0 research, but focuses in particular on inter-organizational use (between enterprises), not intra-organizational use (in a single enterprise). While there is great interest in practice regarding the use of 2.0 technologies to support intra-organizational communication, collaboration and interaction, information systems (IS) research has largely been oblivious to this important use of social technologies.
In a world with rapidly changing customer requirements and the increased role of technology, companies need more flexible systems to adapt their processes and react dynamically to changes. Adaptive Case Management (ACM) comes into consideration by providing a concept to adapt to changing business conditions. Within our research project we did a first foundational evaluation of the potential of ACM in supporting unpredictable sales processes. Based on a set of criteria we tested the concept of ACM with the open source tool Cognoscenti. The evaluation gave us the possibility to experience the concept of ACM. Hence we were able to provide a statement about the potential of ACM within the context of an unpredictable sales process, setting the path to further research and discussion of ACM in the area of sales processes.
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Schaltungsanordnung mit einer Bootstrap-Schaltung, die zumindest eine Hauptkapazität aufweist, von der die erste Seite mit einem ersten Zweig der Schaltungsanordnung und die zweite Seite mit einem auf veränderlichem Potential liegenden zweiten Zweig der Schaltungsanordnung verbunden ist. Die vorgeschlagene Schaltungsanordnung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass die Bootstrap-Schaltung parallel zur Hauptkapazität wenigstens eine weitere Kapazität aufweist, die über eine zweite Versorgungsspannung auf eine höhere Spannung aufladbar ist als die Hauptkapazität und über wenigstens ein Schaltelement zur Unterstützung der Hauptkapazität zuschaltbar ist. Bei der vorgeschlagenen Schaltungsanordnung kann in Abhängigkeit von der Dimensionierung der Bootstrap-Kapazitäten eine sehr viel kleinere Fläche mit höherem oder gleich bleibenden Spannungseinbruch oder eine nicht so starke Flächenreduzierung mit kleinerem Spannungseinbruch verglichen mit einer herkömmlichen Bootstrap-Schaltung erzielt werden.
Modern power DMOS transistors greatly benefit from the continuous advances of the technology, which yield devices with very low area-specific RDS,on figures of merit and therefore allow for significantly reduced active areas. However, in many applications, where the devices must dissipate high amounts of energy and thus are subjected to significant self-heating, the active area is not dictated by RDS,on requirements, but by the energy constraints. In this paper, a simple method of improving the energy capability and reliability of power DMOS transistors operating in pulsed conditions is proposed and experimentally verified. The method consists in redistributing the power density from the hotter to the cooler device regions, hence achieving a more homogeneous temperature distribution and a reduced peak temperature. To demonstrate the principle, a simple gate offset circuit is used to redistribute the current density to the cooler DMOS parts. No technology changes are needed for the implementation, only minor changes to the driver circuit are necessary, with a minimal impact on the additional required active area. Improvements in the energy capability from 9.2% up to 39% have been measured. Furthermore, measurements have shown that the method remains effective also if the operating conditions change significantly. The simplicity and the effectiveness of the implementation makes the proposed method suitable to be used in a wide range of applications.
A TLP system with a very low characteristic impedance of 1.5 Ω and a selectable pulse length from 0.5 to 6 μs is presented. It covers the entire operation region of many power semiconductors up to 700 V and 400 A. Ist applicability is demonstrated by determining the Output characteristics for two Cool MOS devices up to destruction.
Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is a widely used and `well-known’ technique of ion separation in the gaseous phase based on the differences in ion mobilities under an electric field. All IMS instruments operate with an electric field that provides space separation, but some IMS instruments also operate with a drift gas flow that provides also a temporal separation. In this review we will summarize the current IMS instrumentation. IMS techniques have received an increased interest as new instrumentation and have become available to be coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). For each of the eight types of IMS instruments reviewed it is mentioned whether they can be hyphenated with MS and whether they are commercially available. Finally, out of the described devices, the six most-consolidated ones are compared. The current review article is followed by a companion review article which details the IMS hyphenated techniques (mainly gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) and the factors that make the data from an IMS device change as a function of device parameters and sampling conditions. These reviews will provide the reader with an insightful view of the main characteristics and aspects of the IMS technique.
Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is a widely used and ‘well-known’ technique of ion separation in the gaseous phase based on the differences of ion mobilities under an electric field. This technique has received increased interest over the last several decades as evidenced by the pace and advances of new IMS devices available. In this review we explore the hyphenated techniques that are used with IMS, specifically mass spectrometry as an identification approach and a multi-capillary column as a pre-separation approach. Also, we will pay special attention to the key figures of merit of the ion mobility spectrum and how data sets are treated, and the influences of the experimental parameters on both conventional drift time IMS (DTIMS) and miniaturized IMS also known as high Field Asymmetric IMS (FAIMS) in the planar configuration. The present review article is preceded by a companion review article which details the current instrumentation and contains the sections that configure both conventional DTIMS and FAIMS devices. These reviews will give the reader an insightful view of the main characteristics and aspects of the IMS technique.
The following paper is dealing with the issue on which actual consumer lifestyle segmentation methods there are for particular European countries and accordingly for Europe as a whole. This is important for corporations to be able to place their products accurately by a consumer orientated marketing concerning the constant change of values and minds. Researching current literature, internet sources and documents, the state of the science is presented by a detailed description of the most popular lifestyle segmentation methods used in European countries. In addition to that, these instruments are discussed individually and then compared to each other. All instruments, the Sinus-Milieus, Euro-Socio-Styles, Roper-Consumer-Styles, RISC and Mosaic, are serving the same purpose even so they differ pretty much from each other. Each market research company has its own method to generate their model just as different segments and definitions for them. Furthermore every segmentation method is illustrated in a different way. This paper demonstrates all these instruments in detail and shows its advantages and disadvantages. Summing up literature research concerning the main research question, there are several models segmenting consumers in different lifestyle groups for e.g. in Germany, France or Great Britain, but still less models referring to the entire European market.
Qualitätssicherung aus Sicht einer unternehmensnahen Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften
(2015)
Mit der Umstellung auf Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge zur Harmonisierung des europäischen Hochschulsystems wurden die Hochschulen mit der Akkreditierung ihrer Studiengänge konfrontiert. Neben der formalen Erfüllung der Kriterien kristallisieren sich mittlerweile verschiedenste Qualitätssysteme heraus, die den Prozess der Qualitätsverbesserung unterstützen sollen. Leider geht damit gerade ein verwirrender Gebrauch verschiedener in der QM-Praxis eingeführter Begriffe einher. Bei dem Thema Qualität, Qualitätssicherung oder -management sind alle verantwortlich Handelnden gefragt. Sobald ihnen klar ist, dass ein Qualitätsmanagementsystem nicht automatisch immer nur überbordende Dokumentation bedeutet, sondern ein Managementwerkzeug ist, das sich in der Praxis bei richtiger Ausgestaltung zur Steuerung von Unternehmen und zur Erreichung der Ziele bewährt hat, wird die Scheu vor einer Einführung verfliegen.
Oldtimer als Wertanlage
(2015)
Der Oldtimermarkt hat sich in den Jahren 2007-2013 äußerst positiv entwickelt. In diesem Markt mit zunehmender wirtschaftlicher Relevanz sind die Preise in den letzten Jahrzehnten kontinuierlich gestiegen. Der Markt ist sehr vielschichtig und setzt sich aus einer Vielzahl von Akteuren auf der Angebots- und Nachfrageseite zusammen. Das gehandelte Gut, der Oldtimer, kann in zahlreiche Kategorien unterteilt werden und dies macht den Markt sehr komplex und z.T. unübersichtlich. Im Oldtimermarkt herrschen keine normalen Marktpreise wie etwa bei börsengehandelten Papieren. Oldtimerpreise basieren auf Schätz- und Transaktionswerten, werden im Endeffekt aber von dem Oldtimer - „Liebhaber“ bestimmt. Außerdem führen diverse Faktoren zu unterschiedlichen Preisen für identische Fahrzeugmodelle. Dies ist auch durch die Intransparenz des Marktes bedingt, da die meisten Transaktionen privat geschehen und die Informationen nicht für die breite Öffentlichkeit zugänglich gemacht werden. Nur etwa ein Fünftel aller Transaktionen wird über Auktionshäuser und Händler abgewickelt. Weitere Probleme des Marktes sind eine geringe Liquidität und ein erschwerter Marktzugang. Die Datensammlung über den Oldtimermarkt hat sich in den letzten Jahren allerdings stetig verbessert. Es sind inzwischen einige Oldtimer-Indizes entstanden, welche die Wertentwicklung der Oldtimer abbilden. Diese Indizes weisen einen durchweg positiven Trend auf und schlagen Börsen-Indizes wie bspw. den DAX. Nichtdestotrotz können diese Oldtimer – Indizes täuschen, da in ihnen nur ausgewählte Fahrzeuge enthalten sind und Unterhaltskosten nicht berücksichtigt werden. Korrelationsberechnungen belegen, dass die Asset – Klasse “Oldtimer“ eine geringe bzw. negative Korrelation zu anderen Anlagen besitzt. Dies ist eine gute Voraussetzung für den Oldtimer als Diversifikationsobjekt. In der Berechnung eines optimalen Portfolios wird gezeigt, dass die Asset – Klasse “Oldtimer“ in einem Portfolio aus liquiden Anlagen das Portfolio optimieren kann. Die Arbeit zeigt, dass Oldtimer eine gute Wertanlage sein können, wenn die hohe Mindestanlagesumme für die Direktinvestition in Top-Oldtimer bewältigt werden kann. Die besten Wertanlagen sind Oldtimer mit einer erfolgreichen (Renn-)Historie, die in geringen Stückzahlen gefertigt wurden und einen gewissen Grad an Originalität in Technik und Design aufweisen. Wird der Oldtimer als Einzel-Investment betrachtet, sollte stets auch die „emotionale“ Rendite berücksichtigt werden.
The current paper discusses the optimal choice of a filter time constant for filtering the steady state flux reference in an energy efficient control strategy for changing load torques. It is shown that by appropriately choosing the filter time constant as a fraction of the rotor time constant the instantaneous power losses after a load torque step can be significantly reduced compared to the standard case. The analysis for the appropriate choice of the filter time constant is based on a numerical study for three different induction motors with different rated powers.
An experimental study of a zero voltage switching SiC boost converter with an active snubber network
(2015)
This paper presents a quasi-resonant, zero voltage switching (ZVS) SiC boost converter for an output power of up to 10 kW. The converter is realized with an easily controllable active snubber network that allows a reduction of switching losses by minimizing the voltage stress applied to the active switch. With this approach, an increase of the switching frequency is possible, allowing a reduction of the system size. Experiments show a maximum converter efficiency up to 99.2% for a switching frequency of 100 kHz. A second version of the converter enables a further size reduction by increasing the switching frequency to 300 kHz while still reaching a high efficiency up to 98.4 %.
The experimental characterization of the thermal impedance Zth of large power MOSFETs is commonly done by measuring the junction temperature Tj in the cooling phase after the device has been heated, preferably to a high junction temperature for increased accuracy. However, turning off a large heating current (as required by modern MOSFETs with low on-state resistances) takes some time because of parasitic inductances in the measurement system. Thus, most setups do not allow the characterization of the junction temperature in the time range below several tens of μs.
In this paper, an optimized measurement setup is presented which allows accurate Tj characterization already 3 μs after turn-off of heating. With this, it becomes possible to experimentally investigate the influence of thermal capacitances close to the active region of the device. Measurement results will be presented for advanced power MOSFETs with very large heating currents up to 220 A. Three bonding variants are investigated and the observed differences will be explained.
Die Belastung mit Polychlorierten Biphenylen (PCB) war Anlass für die grundlegende Sanierung des Gebäudes 3 auf dem Reutlinger Hochschulcampus, in dem bis 2012 das Rechenzentrum im zweiten Stock, ein Teil der Fakultät Technik im ersten Stock und die Bibliothek im Erd- und im Untergeschoss untergebracht waren. Die Sanierung bot die Chance einer grundlegenden Nutzungsanpassung. Das zentral gelegene Gebäude wurde in den Jahren 2012 bis 2014 zu einem Servicegebäude umgebaut, in dem jetzt das Präsidium, die Verwaltung, das Auslandsamt und das Lernzentrum der Hochschule Reutlingen untergebracht sind.
Foam has been employed as an improved or enhanced oil recovery method to overcome gravity override and the channeling and fingering of the injected gas, which arises because of the low density and viscosity of the injected fluid combined with the rock heterogeneity. A major challenge, however, is the stability of the generated foam when it contacts the oil. In this study we investigate the feasibility of using inexpensive nanoparticles made of coal fly ash, an abundantly available waste product of coal power plants, as a foam booster. We investigate the viability of reducing the size of fly ash particles to 100−200 nm using high-frequency ultrasonic grinding. We also study the foaminess (foamability), strength, and stability of the foams made with minor concentrations of fly ash nanoparticles and surfactant, both in bulk and porous media. The effect of monovalent and divalent ion concentration on the foaminess of the nanoash suspension combined with very low concentrations of a commercial alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) surfactant, in the presence and absence of oil, is studied. We observe that bulk foam that contains very small amounts of nanoash particles shows a higher stability in the presence of model oils. Furthermore, experiments in porous media exhibit remarkably stronger foam with mixtures of nanoash and surfactant, such that the amount of produced liquids from the cores significantly increases. For the first time we show that nanoash can be used to stabilize nitrogen foam in the presence of crude oil at high temperature and pressure. In the presence of oil, the nanoash−AOS foam shows a higher stability, although crude oil tends to form stable emulsions in water in the presence of nanoash.
Purpose: Emotions play a central role in approach-avoidance customer conflicts in retailing. The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of emotions in the fashion retail environment, in particular to investigate how emotions can be best defined and clustered as well as how emotions affect the costumer behavior.
Findings: The conceptual paper reveals a framework explaining diverse theories of emotional models existing in literature. Moreover, the stimulus-organism-response model is applied to costumer behaviour in the fashion retail to explain the shopping experience under the influence of cognitive and affective emotional processes. Finally, it is concluded that point of sales have to be turned to point of emotions in order retailers are able to develop sustainable relationships with their customers.
Location-based services in buildings represent a great advantage for people to search places, products or people. In our paper we examine the feasibility of Bluetooth iBeacons for indoor localization. In the first part we define and evaluate the iBeacon technology through different experiments. In the second part our solution application is described. Our system is able to estimate the position of the user’s smartphone based on RSSI measurements. Therefore we used the built-in smartphone sensor and a building map with required sender information. Trilateration is used as positioning technique in contrast to fingerprinting to minimize beforehand effort. Results are promising but cannot reach the same accuracy level as sensor-fusion or fingerprinting approaches.
Context: Companies increasingly strive to adapt to market and ecosystem changes in real time. Gauging and understanding team performance in such changing environments present a major challenge.
Objective: This paper aims to understand how software developers experience the continuous adaptation of performance in a modern, highly volatile environment using Lean and Agile software development methodology. This understanding can be used as a basis for guiding formation and maintenance of high-performing teams, to inform performance improvement initiatives, and to improve working conditions for software developers.
Method: A qualitative multiple-case study using thematic interviews was conducted with 16 experienced practitioners in five organisations.
Results: We generated a grounded theory, Performance Alignment Work, showing how software developers experience performance. We found 33 major categories of performance factors and relationships between the factors. A cross-case comparison revealed similarities and differences between different kinds and different sizes of organisations.
Conclusions: Based on our study, software teams are engaged in a constant cycle of interpreting their own performance and negotiating its alignment with other stakeholders. While differences across organisational sizes exist, a common set of performance experiences is present despite differences in context variables. Enhancing performance experiences requires integration of soft factors, such as communication, team spirit, team identity, and values, into the overall development process. Our findings suggest a view of software development and software team performance that centres around behavioural and social sciences.
Die DGCH registriert vermehrt Klagen aus der klinischen Praxis hinsichtlich der nicht vollständigen Vernetzung bzw. Integration von Gerätesystemen im Chirurgischen OP. Die Anzahl, der Funktionsumfang und der Komplexitätsgrad der verwendeten Geräte nehmen ständig zu und machen die Bedienung immer aufwendiger und damit schwieriger und fehleranfälliger, sodass eine Verbesserung bei der Unterstützung im Ablauf wünschenswert ist. Die Sektion Computer- und telematikassistierte Chirurgie (CTAC) der DGCH hat es auf Veranlassung des Generalsekretärs deshalb übernommen, eine aktuelle Bestandsaufnahme vorzunehmen und mögliche Ansätze zur Verbesserung des derzeitigen Status zu bewerten.
An operating room is a stressful work environment. Nevertheless, all involved persons have to work safely as there is no space for mistakes. To ensure a high level of concentration and seamless interaction, all involved persons have to know their own tasks and the tasks of their colleagues. The entire team must work synchronously at all times. To optimize the overall workflow, a task manager supporting the team was developed. In parallel, a common conceptual design of a business process visualization was developed, which makes all relevant information accessible in real-time during a surgery. In this context an overview of all processes in the operating room was created and different concepts for the graphical representation of these user-dependent processes were developed. This paper describes the concept of the task manager as well as the general concept in the field of surgery.
The analysis of exhaled metabolites has become a promising field of research in recent decades. Several volatile organic compounds reflecting metabolic disturbance and nutrition status have even been reported. These are particularly important for long-term measurements, as needed in medical research for detection of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy. In this context, it has become urgent to investigate the effect of fasting and glucose treatment for breath analysis. In the present study, we used amodel of ventilated rats that fasted for 12 h prior to the experiment. Ten rats per group were randomly assigned for continuous intravenous infusion without glucose or an infusion including 25 mg glucose per 100 g per hour during an observation period of 12 h. Exhaled gas was analysed using multicapillary column ion-mobility spectrometry. Analytes were identified by the BS-MCC/IMS database (version 1209; B & S Analytik, Dortmund, Germany). Glucose infusion led to a significant increase in blood glucose levels (p<0.05 at 4 h and thereafter) and cardiac output (p<0.05 at 4 h and thereafter). During the observation period, 39 peaks were found collectively. There were significant differences between groups in the concentration of ten volatile organic compounds: p<0.001 at 4 h and thereafter for isoprene, cyclohexanone, acetone, p-cymol, 2-hexanone, phenylacetylene, and one unknown compound, and p<0.001 at 8 h and thereafter for 1-pentanol, 1-propanol, and 2-heptanol. Our results indicate that for long-term measurement, fasting and the withholding of glucose could contribute to changes of volatile metabolites in exhaled air.
Background: Multicapillary column ion-mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) may identify volatile components in exhaled gas. The authors therefore used MCC-IMS to evaluate exhaled gas in a rat model of sepsis, inflammation, and hemorrhagic shock.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and ventilated via tracheostomy for 10 h or until death. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and incision in 10 rats; a sham operation was performed in 10 others. In 10 other rats, endotoxemia was induced by intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. In a final 10 rats, hemorrhagic shock was induced to a mean arterial pressure of 35 +/- 5 mmHg. Exhaled gas was analyzed with MCC-IMS, and volatile compounds were identified using the BS-MCC/IMS-analytes database (Version 1209; B&S Analytik, Dortmund, Germany).
Results: All sham animals survived the observation period, whereas mean survival time was 7.9 h in the septic animals, 9.1 h in endotoxemic animals, and 2.5 h in hemorrhagic shock. Volatile compounds showed statistically significant differences in septic and endotoxemic rats compared with sham rats for 3-pentanone and acetone. Endotoxic rats differed significantly from sham for 1-propanol, butanal, acetophenone, 1,2-butandiol, and 2-hexanone. Statistically significant differences were observed between septic and endotoxemic rats for butanal, 3-pentanone, and 2-hexanone. 2-Hexanone differed from all other groups in the rats with shock.
Conclusions: Breath analysis of expired organic compounds differed significantly in septic, inflammation, and sham rats. MCC-IMS of exhaled breath deserves additional study as a noninvasive approach for distinguishing sepsis from inflammation.
This paper describes the design and outcomes of an experimental study that addresses stock-and-flow-failure from a cognitive perspective. It is based on the assumption that holistic (global) and analytic (local) processing are important cognitive mechanisms underlying the ability to infer the behavior of dynamic systems. In a stock-and-flow task that is structurally equivalent to the department store task, we varied the format in which participants are primed to think about an environmental system, in particular whether they are primed to concentrate on lower-level (local) or higher-level (global) system elements. 148 psychology, geography and business students participated in our study. Students’ answers support our hypothesis that global processing increases participants’ ability to infer the overall system behavior. The beneficial influence of global presentation is even stronger when data are presented numerically rather than in the form of a graph. Our results suggest presenting complex dynamic systems in a way that facilitates global processing. This is particularly important as policy-designers and decision makers deal with complex issues in their everyday and professional life.
Social and environmental risk management in supply chains : a survey in the clothing industry
(2015)
Almost daily, news indicates that there are environmental and social problems in globally fragmented supply chains. Even though conceptualisations of sustainable supply chain management suggest supplier-related risk management for sustainable products and processes as substantial for companies, research on how risk management for environmental and social issues in supply chains is performed has so far been neglected. This study aims at analysing both why companies in the clothing industry are performing management of social and environmental risks in their supply chain and what kind of action they are taking. Based on the literature on sustainable supply chain management and supply chain risk management as well as 10 expert interviews, a conceptual model for risk management in sustainable supply chains was developed. This model was tested in an empirical study in the clothing industry. The data were analysed by structural equation modelling. Results of the research show high statistical significance for the respective conceptual model. The main driver to perform risk management in environmental and social affairs is pressures and incentives from stakeholders. While companies’ corporate orientation mainly drives social actions, top management drives environmental affairs for differentiating themselves from competitors.
Reflectometry is known since long as an interferometric method which can be used to characterize surfaces and thin films regarding their structure and,to a certain degree,composition as well.Properties like layer structures,layer thickness,density,and interface roughness can be determined by fitting the obtained reflectivity data with an appropriate model using a recursive fitting routine. However,one major drawback of the reflectometric method is its restriction to planar surfaces.In this article we demonstrate an approach to apply X-ray and neutron reflectometry to curved surfaces by means of the example of bent bare and coated glass slides.We prove the possibility to observe all features like Fresnel decay,Kiessig fringes,Bragg peaks and off-specular scattering and are able to interpret the data using common fitting software and to derive quantitative results about roughness,layer thickness and internal structure. The proposed method has become practical due to the availability of high quality 2D-detectors. It opens up the option to explore many kinds and shapes of samples,which,due to their geometry,have not been in the focus of reflectometry techniques until now.
A 20 V, 8 MHz resonant DCDC converter with predictive control for 1 ns resolution soft-switching
(2015)
Fast switching power supplies allow to reduce the size and cost of external passive components. However, the capacitive switching losses of the power stage will increase and become the dominant part of the total losses. Therefore, resonant topologies are the known key to reduce the losses of the power stage. A power switch with an additional resonant circuit can be turned on under soft-switching conditions, ideally with zero-voltage-switching (ZVS). As conventional resonant converts are only efficient for a constant load, this paper presents a predictive regulation loop to approach soft-switching conditions under varying load and component tolerances. A sample and hold based detection circuit is utilized to control the turn-on of the power switch by a digital regulation. The proposed design was fabricated in a 180 nm high-voltage BiCMOS technology. The efficiency of the converter was measured to be increased by up to 16 % vs. worst case timing and by 13 % compared to a conventional hard-switching buck converter at 20 V input voltage and at approximately 8 MHz switching frequency.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the state of the art concerning the information demand of the sustainable consumer focusing on the characterization of the sustainable customer, the demanded information content with regard to fashion products and the expected information frame.
Findings: Key findings of this paper are that sustainable consumers share certain psychographics such as sustainable knowledge and perceived customer effectiveness. So demanded information content is about general sustainable knowledge and the concrete impact of sustainable purchase behavior. Fashion product attributes demanded are details about production, material and the after-purchase use. Concerning the information frame, consumers expect information to be credible, transparent and comprehensible. Eco-labels play an important role within the information frame.
A generic, knowledge-based method for automatic topology selection of analog circuits in a predefined analog reuse library is presented in this paper on the OTA (Operational Transconductance Amplifier) example. Analog circuits of a given circuit class are classified in a topology tree, where each node represents a specific topology. Child nodes evolve from their parent nodes by an enhancement of the parent node’s topological structure. Topology selection is performed by a depth first-search in the topology tree starting at the root node, thus checking topologies of increasing complexity. The decisions at each node are based on solving equations or – if this is not possible – on simulations. The search ends at the first (and thus the simplest) topology which can meet the specification after an adequate circuit sizing. The advantages of the generic, tree based topology selection method presented in this paper are shown in comparison to a pool selection method and to heuristic approaches. The selection is based on an accomplished chip investigation.
The interfacial compatibility between polymers and nanoclay fillers as well as the thermostability of both components are important characteristics for processing them into polymer composites. While the polymer component is often grafted using common polymerization reactions, the nanoclay component is usually surface modified by surfactant treatment to improve compatibility. In the present study, the polymer ethylene vinyl alcohol and a nanoclay filler based on natural bentonite are both surface modified by different silanes, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and methacryloxymethyltrimethoxysilane and their interfacial properties are investigated by inverse gas chromatography. The silane-modified samples had improved interfacial properties as reflected by a significant increase in dispersive and specific surface energies. Lewis acidities were determined using chloroform and 1,4-dioxane as polar probes and showed a good match between polymer and nanofiller interfaces. Lewis acidity was generally lower after silane-modification. Silanization yielded increased thermal stability of the treated samples. Thus, silanization led to improved compatibility and enhanced thermal stability which facilitates further processing.
Zwar war die Dramapädagogik nicht Konferenzschwerpunkt und eine eigene Sektion zum Thema wurde nicht – wie etwa 2009 – angeboten, dennoch gab es auf dem 26. DGFF Kongress meiner Ansicht nach für am Thema interessierte Lehrende und Forschende gute Impulse und Einblicke in einige derzeit im deutschsprachigen Raum laufende dramapädagogische Forschungsprojekte. Als mögliche Themen für weitere Forschung und/oder dramapädagogische 'Lobbyarbeit' schienen sich jedoch zwei Bereiche besonders herauszukristallieren: Wie können dramapädagogischer Elemente sinnvoll in den regulären Unterrichtsablauf eingebettet werden, so, dass diese Elemente von Lehrkräften und Schülern nicht nur als dekoratives 'nice to have' (etwa für die letzten 10 Minuten der Stunde) empfunden werden? Und sind dramapädagogische Elemente tatsächlich nur etwas für Lehrkräfte und Lernende mit besonderem 'Talent' und/oder 'Neigung', wie es offenbar diverse KongressteilnehmerInnen empfanden, oder können sie von allen Lehrkräften für alle Lernenden angewendet werden? In diesem Zusammenhang wäre eine weitere Etablierung der Vermittlung von dramapädagogischen Methoden als regulärem Bestandteil einer Lehramtsausbildung sicherlich wünschenswert.
Virtual prototyping of integrated mixed-signal smart-sensor systems requires high-performance co-simulation of analog frontend circuitry with complex digital controller hardware and embedded real-time software. We use SystemC/TLM 2.0 in combination with a cycle-count accurate temporal decoupling approach to simulate digital components and firmware code execution at high speed while preserving clock cycle accuracy and, thus, real-time behavior at time quantum boundaries. Optimal time quanta ensuring real-time capability can be calculated and set automatically during simulation if the simulation engine has access to exact timing information about upcoming communication events. These methods fail in case of non-deterministic, asynchronous events resulting in a possibly invalid simulation result. In this paper, we propose an extension of this method to the case of asynchronous events generated by blackbox sources from which a-priori event timing information is not available, such as coupled analog simulators or hardware in the loop. Additional event processing latency and/or rollback effort caused by temporal decoupling is minimized by calculating optimal time quanta dynamically in a SystemC model using a linear prediction scheme. For an example smart-sensor system model, we show that quasi- periodic events that trigger activities in temporally decoupled processes are handled accurately after the predictor has settled.
Enterprise Architecture (EA) management is an activity that seeks to foster the alignment of business and IT, and pursues various goals further operationalizing this alignment. Key to effective EA management is a framework that defines the roles, activities, and viewpoints used for EA management in accordance to the concerns that the stakeholders aim to address. Consensus holds that such frameworks are organization-specific and hence they are designed in governance activities for EA management. As of today, top-down approaches for governance are used to derive organization-specific frameworks. These usually lack systematic mechanisms for improving the framework based on the feedback of the responsible stakeholders. We outline a bottom-up approach for EA management governance that systematically observes the behavior of the actors to learn user concerns and recommend appropriate viewpoints. With this approach, we complement traditional top-down governance activities.
Im Bereich integrierter Schaltungen (ICs) für die Fahrzeugelektronik ist in den letzten Jahren ein Trend zum Einsatz komplexer Mixed-Signal-Komponenten erkennbar. Dies führt dazu, dass ein altes Problem zunehmend in den Fokus der EDA-Entwickler rückt: Während der digitale Entwurfsfluss hoch automatisiert ist, findet der Entwurf analoger Komponenten überwiegend in einem manuellen, zeitaufwändigen und interaktiven Entwurfsstil statt. Die folgende Arbeit beschreibt ein Konzept, diesen Mangel mit Hilfe eines durchgängigen analogen Entwurfsflusses unter Verwendung so genannter Modul-Generatoren zu mildern. Der vorgestellte Ansatz zur Erzeugung von Schaltkreis-Automatismen berücksichtigt die implizite Nutzung von Erfahrungswissen des Designers, bietet eine volle Topologie-Flexibilität und steigert die Wiederverwendung („re-use“) gängiger Schaltungstopologien. Die erreichten Zwischenergebnisse lassen einen erheblichen Nutzen erkennen und zeigen das Potenzial sogenannter „Parametrisierter Schaltkreise“ auf, den Automatisierungsgrad des analogen Schaltungsentwurfs zu steigern.
The physiology of vascular cells depends on stimulating mechanical forces caused by pulsatile flow. Thus, mechano-transduction processes and responses of primary human endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been studied to reveal cell-type specific differences which may contribute to vascular tissue integrity. Here, we investigate the dynamic reorientation response of ECs and SMCs cultured on elastic membranes over a range of stretch frequencies from 0.01 to 1 Hz. ECs and SMCs show different cell shape adaptation responses (reorientation) dependent on the frequency. ECs reveal a specific threshold frequency (0.01 Hz) below which no responses is detectable while the threshold frequency for SMCs could not be determined and is speculated to be above 1 Hz. Interestingly, the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions system, as well as changes in the focal adhesion area, can be observed for both cell types and is dependent on the frequency. RhoA and Rac1 activities are increased for ECs but not for SMCs upon application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain. Analysis of membrane protrusions revealed that the spatial protrusion activity of ECs and SMCs is independent of the application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain of 1 Hz while the total number of protrusions is increased for ECs only. Our study indicates differences in the reorientation response and the reaction times of the two cell types in dependence of the stretching frequency, with matching data for actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion realignment, RhoA/Rac1 activities, and membrane protrusion activity. These are promising results which may allow cell-type specific activation of vascular cells by frequency selective mechanical stretching. This specific activation of different vascular cell types might be helpful in improving strategies in regenerative medicine.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the main elements of successful customer loyalty programs in general and emotional components of the buying process in order to determine loyalty programs for fashion retailers.
Findings: The results of this study indicate that loyalty programs in fashion retail require considerable non-monetary benefits such as sense of exclusive membership and enhanced status to distinguish from competitors customer loyalty programs.
Die Entwicklung neuer Produkte findet nicht nur abteilungs-, sondern zunehmend organisationsübergreifend statt. Kooperationen in der Produktentstehung gewinnen folglich vermehrt an Bedeutung, was neue Anforderungen an den Produktentstehungsprozess (PEP) und die Zusammenarbeit in diesem schafft. Mit diesen Herausforderungen sieht sich auch der Forschungscampus ARENA2036 konfrontiert. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung eines für die interdisziplinäre, interorganisationale Zusammenarbeit geeigneten PEP-Modells. Dieses wird auf Basis von theoretischen Grundlagen, Experteninterviews und unter Berücksichtigung der praktischen Gegebenheiten in ARENA2036 modelliert. Der finale PEP untergliedert sich in einen übergeordneten Prozess, in den die individuellen PEPs der ARENA2036-Partner untergeordnet sind. Durch diese Struktur können die heterogenen PEPs der Partner vereint und die notwendige forscherische Freiheit und Flexibilität gewährleistet werden. Weiterhin wird der PEP durch geeignete Konzepte und Methoden der kooperativen Zusammenarbeit flankiert.
The German automotive industry succeeds by technological leadership. Several circumstances like politics of global warming or increased global competition force the whole industry to break new ground for new kinds of collaborative research and development. ARENA2036 represents such a new cooperation form that hosts diverse scientific and industrial partners in one campus in order to research innovative production and light-weight construction topics. The diversity of the partners in ARENA2036 challenges the new product development process (NPDP). In this case study the individual processes of the partners are analysed and a NPDP system is developed. The analysis bases on interviews covering all partners. The NPDP system supports the needs of the interdisciplinary and cross-company partners. It is characterized by a layered structure in order to preserve flexibility for research topics combined with institutionalized parts to manage interfaces. The final NPDP system is evaluated by the partners.
The automotive industry faces three major challenges – shortage of fossil fuels, politics of global warming and rising competition from new markets. In order to remain competitive companies have to develop more efficient and alternative fuel vehicles that meet the individual requirements of the customers. Functional Integration combined with new Technologies and materials are the key to stable success in this industry. The sustaining upward trend to system innovations within the last ten years confirms this. The development of complex products like automobiles claim skills of various disciplines e.g. engineering, chemistry. Furthermore, these skills are spread all over the supply chain. Hence the only way to stay successful in the automotive industry is cooperation and collaborative innovation. Interdisciplinary and interorganizational development has high demands on cooperation models especially in the automotive industry. In this case study cooperation models are analyzed and evaluated according to their applicability to interdisciplinary, interorganizational development projects in the automotive industry. Following, the research campus ARENA2036 is analyzed. ARENA2036 is an interdisciplinary, interorganizational development project housing automobile manufacturers, suppliers, research establishments and university institutes. Finally, based on interviews with the partners and the precede analyses of cooperation models, suggestions for implementation are given to ARENA2036.
Die Automobilindustrie steht insbesondere im Forschungs- und Entwicklungsbereich vor großen Herausforderungen. Es zeichnet sich eine deutliche Entwicklung hin zu Systeminnovationen ab, um den gestiegenen Anforderungen des Marktes gerecht zu werden. Voraussetzung hierfür ist die Kooperation von Unternehmen innerhalb der Wertschöpfungskette. In dieser Arbeit werden zunächst auf theoretischer Basis geeignete Kooperationsmodelle ausgewählt, die in einem zweiten Schritt anhand einer Nutzwertanalyse bewertet werden. Die Basis für die Bewertung bilden theoretische Überlegungen, die anhand von Experteninterviews validiert werden. Die Analyse zeigt, dass der Forschungscampus als auch das Branchencluster die beste Eignung aufweist. Abschließend werden die Erkenntnisse an einem Praxisobjekt angewandt.
Die Automobilindustrie sieht sich seit Jahren rasant verändernden Markt-, Umwelt- und Wettbewerbsbedingungen ausgesetzt. Der Entwicklungsprozess in der Automobilindustrie wird dadurch zunehmend komplexer. Die Einbeziehung neuer Partner aus anderen Industriebereichen und der Wissenschaft stellt hierbei ein großes Innovationspotential dar, insbesondere Systeminnovationen können hierdurch gefördert werden. Die Herausforderungen solch interdisziplinärer, interorganisationaler Entwicklungsprojekte können nur im geeigneten Umfeld gemeistert werden. In der Literatur als auch in der Industrie lassen sich zahlreiche Kooperationsmodelle identifizieren. Die Eignung dieser Modelle für die interdisziplinäre, interorganisationale Entwicklung in der Automobilindustrie wird anhand geeigneter Kriterien bewertet. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse der Analyse empirisch überprüft und für den praktischen Fall der ARENA2036 angewendet.
Purpose: Mobile robots are used in many areas of industry and commerce. This paper describes research on and development of a mobile platform, which is based on the concept of a ball-on-ball balancer, with two electrical drives at an angle of 90° providing a velocity vector in any direction in the horizontal plane. The purpose is to implement an originally novel principle for an omnidirectional mobile platform of very high agility, which is able at any given situation to move immediately in any direction without additional steering movements or steering mechanism.
Methodology: In advance of the design and implementation of the control strategy for the mobile device, the method of theoretical modelling of the vehicle’s properties and behaviour was applied. The developed theoretical and numerical dynamic models take into account all the control parameters which allow for the determination of the critical value of angular acceleration of the driving wheel. This is needed to prevent any slippage of the ball as this would result in the loss of accuracy of positioning. The equations of motion were implemented in the platform controller and tested. The mobile platform consists of a ball of 0.2 m radius driven in the X-Y plane by two wheels that are attached to servo motors. The mobile platform is controlled by a CAN PLC controller interfacing with the motor drives, accelerometers and a laser sensor for feedback. Wireless communication provides the interface with the station controller via Wi-Fi and XBee Series 2 modules.
Findings: The experimentally obtained results show that the mobile platform can be reliably controlled using the ball-onball balancer principle with the developed control algorithm. Additional application of a sensor for guiding the mobile platform along obstacles or guiding lines improves the accuracy of the movement.
Originality: The originality of the control strategy for a mobile platform with an omnidirectional drive, proposed at the paper, is the avoiding slippage by limiting the platform acceleration to below the critical value by means of monitoring and limiting the lead values of the feedback control loop of the driving wheels.
Practical value: Development of control strategy for the mobile robot, which is based on the concept of a ball-on-ball balancer with two electrical drives at an angle of 90° providing a velocity vector in any direction in the horizontal plane.
Quality-oriented selection of university partnerships : ESB Business School’s selection matrix
(2015)
Ein wichtiges Qualifikationsziel von heutigen Wirtschaftsingenieurstudien-programmen ist, Studierende dazu zu befähigen, vernetzt, ganzheitlich, interkulturell und interdisziplinär zu denken und zu handeln. Die Lehr- und Lerninnovation Quest 3C fördert durch ein integratives Blended-Learning Format sowohl die Vermittlung von grundlegendem Fachwissen als auch von berufsqualifizierenden Schlüsselkompetenzen.
Decision-making in the field of Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a complex task. Many organizations establish a set of complex processes and hierarchical structures to enable strategy-driven development of their EA. This leads to slow and inefficient decision-making entailing bad time-to-market and discontented stakeholders. Collaborative EA delineates a lightweight approach to enable EA decisions but often neglects strategic alignment. In this paper, we present an approach to integrate the concept of collaborative EA and goal-driven decision-making through collaborative modeling of goal-oriented information demands based on ArchiMate’s motivation extension to reach a goal-oriented EA decision support in a collaborative EA environment.
Flash SSDs are omnipresent as database storage. HDD replacement is seamless since Flash SSDs implement the same legacy hardware and software interfaces to enable backward compatibility. Yet, the price paid is high as backward compatibility masks the native behaviour, incurs significant complexity and decreases I/O performance, making it non-robust and unpredictable. Flash SSDs are black-boxes. Although DBMS have ample mechanisms to control hardware directly and utilize the performance potential of Flash memory, the legacy interfaces and black-box architecture of Flash devices prevent them from doing so.
In this paper we demonstrate NoFTL, an approach that enables native Flash access and integrates parts of the Flashmanagement functionality into the DBMS yielding significant performance increase and simplification of the I/O stack. NoFTL is implemented on real hardware based on the OpenSSD research platform. The contributions of this paper include: (i) a description of the NoFTL native Flash storage architecture; (ii) its integration in Shore-MT and (iii) performance evaluation of NoFTL on a real Flash SSD and on an on-line data-driven Flash emulator under TPCB, C,E and H workloads. The performance evaluation results indicate an improvement of at least 2.4x on real hardware over conventional Flash storage; as well as better utilisation of native Flash parallelism.
Computational breath analysis is a growing research area aiming at identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath to assist medical diagnostics of the next generation. While inexpensive and non-invasive bioanalytical technologies for metabolite detection in exhaled air and bacterial/fungal vapor exist and the first studies on the power of supervised machine learning methods for profiling of the resulting data were conducted, we lack methods to extract hidden data features emerging from confounding factors. Here, we present Carotta, a new cluster analysis framework dedicated to uncovering such hidden substructures by sophisticated unsupervised statistical learning methods. We study the power of transitivity clustering and hierarchical clustering to identify groups of VOCs with similar expression behavior over most patient breath samples and/or groups of patients with a similar VOC intensity pattern. This enables the discovery of dependencies between metabolites. On the one hand, this allows us to eliminate the effect of potential confounding factors hindering disease classification, such as smoking. On the other hand, we may also identify VOCs associated with disease subtypes or concomitant diseases. Carotta is an open source software with an intuitive graphical user interface promoting data handling, analysis and visualization. The back-end is designed to be modular, allowing for easy extensions with plugins in the future, such as new clustering methods and statistics. It does not require much prior knowledge or technical skills to operate. We demonstrate its power and applicability by means of one artificial dataset. We also apply Carotta exemplarily to a real-world example dataset on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While the artificial data are utilized as a proof of concept, we will demonstrate how Carotta finds candidate markers in our real dataset associated with confounders rather than the primary disease (COPD) and bronchial carcinoma (BC). Carotta is publicly available at http://carotta.compbio.sdu.dk.
The character of knowledge-intense processes is that participants decide the next process activities on base of the present information and their expert knowledge. The decisions of these knowledge workers are in general non-deterministic. It is not possible to model these processes in advance and to automate them using a process engine of a BPM system. Hence, in this context a process instance is called a case, because there is no predefined model that could be instantiated. Domain-specific or general case management systems are used to support the knowledge workers. These systems provide all case information and enable users to define the next activities, but they have no or only limited activity recommendation capabilities. In the following paper, we present a general concept for a self-learning system based on process mining that suggests the next best activity on quantitative and qualitative data for a given case. As a proof of concept, it was applied to the area of insurance claims settlement.
Gescannte Menschmodelle werden zunehmend für Experimente im VR-Bereich verwendet. Doch realistische Bewegungsabläufe bereitzustellen, ist eine zeitaufwendige Arbeit. Ziel der Ausarbeitung ist es, einen Workflow zu finden, der es ermöglicht, eine große Anzahl solcher Modelle innerhalb kürzester Zeit zu verarbeiten. Dafür betrachtet die Arbeit unterschiedliche Methoden zum Automatisieren von Skinning und Rigging, um Modelle in virtuellen Umgebungen auf Basis von Motion Tracking einsetzen zu können. Die Qualität der verarbeiteten Modelle wird anhand von Scans in unterschiedlichen Posen geprüft.
Dieses Lehrbuch bietet eine verständliche Darstellung eines zentralen Teilgebiets der Ökonomik. Da Inhalt und Aussagewert der Mikroökonomik häufig dadurch unklar bleiben, dass die Studenten zu viel rechnen müssen und dabei nicht mehr genügend zum Denken kommen, wird die Algebra in nur sparsamer Dosierung eingesetzt. Dafür stellt das Buch die grundlegenden Fragestellungen und Modelle umso klarer und lesefreundlicher dar und unterstützt das Lernen mit zahlreichen Kontrollfragen.
The proposed approach applies current unsupervised clustering approaches in a different dynamic manner. Instead of taking all the data as input and finding clusters among them, the given approach clusters Holter ECG data (longterm electrocardiography data from a holter monitor) on a given interval which enables a dynamic clustering approach (DCA). Therefore advanced clustering techniques based on the well known Dynamic TimeWarping algorithm are used. Having clusters e.g. on a daily basis, clusters can be compared by defining cluster shape properties. Doing this gives a measure for variation in unsupervised cluster shapes and may reveal unknown changes in healthiness. Embedding this approach into wearable devices offers advantages over the current techniques. On the one hand users get feedback if their ECG data characteristic changes unforeseeable over time which makes early detection possible. On the other hand cluster properties like biggest or smallest cluster may help a doctor in making diagnoses or observing several patients. Further, on found clusters known processing techniques like stress detection or arrhythmia classification may be applied.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a fundamental role in the economic system of the European Union: SMEs represent over 99 percent of all companies and provide two-thirds of the jobs in the private sector. Their innovativeness and economic success have significant influence on growth, jobs and prosperity in Europe.
Information technologies are regarded as key drivers of innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Modern information technologies (IT) offer SMEs today many opportunities to improve their competitiveness and market position. Thus, business processes can be designed efficiently, open up new market segments and strengthen the innovation capacity significantly. However, many SMEs still have difficulties in utilizing these new technologies efficiently in order to foster process and product innovation. This is partly due to the fact that many SMEs don’t use IT Service Management and waste resources in running basic IT-functions like the maintenance of printers, software or servers.
Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) is a discipline for managing IT systems centred on the customer’s perspective of IT’s contribution to the business. Thus, by strengthening the performance of SME’s IT departments, ITSM enables process innovation (e.g. eProcurement) and product innovations (e.g. client services) can be promoted. The EU-funded project "IT Service Management for small and medium-sized Enterprises of the Danube Region" (ITSM4SME) aims to make SMEs in the Danube Region aware of the potential of ITSM, to inspire SMEs about the use of information technology and to allow IT-enabled innovations. The aims of the project have been achieved inter alia through a simplified method for IT service management for small IT organisations, practical case studies, a "do-it-yourself" service management modelling tool, an eLearning portal and by training more than 300 participants from SMEs in pilot training courses in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia.
Big Data wird aktuell als einer der Haupttrends der IT-Industrie diskutiert. Big Data d. h. auf Basis großer Mengen unterschiedlich strukturierter Daten die Entscheidungen in Echtzeit oder prognostisch zu treffen. Von hochleistungsfähigen, schnell verfügbaren Prognoseverfahren erhofft man sich eine Risikominimierung für unternehmerische Entscheidungen in hochvolatilen Märkten.
War Anfang des Jahrtausends der Wertbeitrag der IT zum Unternehmenserfolg noch umstritten, so negieren diesen heute nur noch die wenigsten Geschäftsführer. Wie Wertschöpfung durch Alignment von Unternehmens- und IT-Strategie mittels passender IT-Architekturen erzeugt wird, scheint für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) verschiedenster Branchen noch immer mysteriös. Besonders fatal ist diese Lücke in den KMU der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft, die klassischen Industriesektoren als Innovationslieferanten dienen. An dieser Stelle setzt der vorliegende Bericht an. Er baut auf den Ergebnissen des Forschungsprojekts KonfIT-SSC auf, das in den vergangenen Jahren die Möglichkeit erforschte, mit Produktkonfiguratoren den „strategical fit“ zwischen Business und IT-Strukturen zu bewerkstelligen. Die zentrale Herausforderung bei diesem Vorhaben war es, Daten über Informationssystemstrukturen und die sie bestimmenden Ökosysteme so zu erheben, dass sie einer formalen Modellierung von Regelwerken und der Konfiguration von Geschäftsarchitekturen zugänglich werden. Der vorliegende Bericht liefert Antworten auf die Fragen, wie sich passende IT-Service Strategien für Unternehmen der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft erreichen lassen, welchen Beitrag Produktkonfiguratoren dabei liefern können und mit welchen Methoden sich Daten gewinnen lassen, um generische IT-Architekturen für KMU der Kreativbranche definieren zu können. Dabei werden im Verlauf neben den Antworten auf die wissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen auch die Ergebnisse der einzelnen Schritte zur Lösung der Aufgabenstellung in Form eines handelsüblichen Konfigurators dokumentiert. Als Methoden im Rahmen des Vorgehens kommen dabei zur Datengewinnung ein klassischer Literature Review, eine Online-Befragung sowie fünf Fallstudien in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen der Werbebranche, aber auch Interviews mit Experten zum Einsatz. Bei der Analyse der Daten werden die Modellierung von Wertschöpfungsnetzen (e3value und i*), aber auch die Referenzmodellierung von Unternehmensarchitekturen verwendet. Abschließend wird das Vorgehen bei der Entwicklung der Konfigurationsmodelle (Regelwerke) und der Implementierung erläutert.
This paper provides new evidence on the formation and anchoring of inflation expectations. I conduct a game experiment and analyze the adjustment as well as the impact of credible targets on expectations. In addition, I evaluate the idiosyncratic determinants on the formation of expectations. The analysis reveals six results: First, I find evidence that long-term inflation expectations are firmly anchored to a credible target. Second, a temporary deviation due to unexpected monetary policy might trigger a decline in credibility, and third a de-anchoring of expectations due to uncertainty. Fourth, I find that people change their expectations little if a credible target exists. Fifth, expectations exhibit a large degree of time-variance only in environments without a target. Sixth, the dynamic adjustment to an ‘incomplete’ equilibrium, which is theoretically unstable, is nevertheless rapid and persistent in case of credible targets. All in all, I demonstrate a unique game setup with contributions to both experimental and monetary economics.
A major lesson of the recent financial crisis is that money market freezes have major macroeconomic implications. This paper develops a tractable model in which we analyze the microeconomic and macroeconomic implications of a systemic banking crisis. In particular, we consider how the systemic crisis affects the optimal allocation of funding for businesses. We show that a central bank should reduce the interest rate to manage a systemic shock and hence smooth the macroeconomic consequences. Moreover, the analysis offers insight on the rational of bank behavior and the role of markets in a systemic crisis. We find that the failure to adopt the optimal policy can lead to economic fragility.
Usually financial crises go along with bubbles in asset prices, such as the housing bubble in the US in 2007. This paper attempts to build a mathematical model of financial bubbles from an econophysics, and thus a new perspective. I find that agents identify bubbles only with a time delay. Furthermore, I demonstrate that the detection of bubbles is different on either the individual or collective point of view. Second, I utilize the findings for a new definition of asset bubbles in finance. Finally, I extend the model to the study of asset price dynamics with news. In conclusion, the model provides unique insights into the properties and developments of financial bubbles.
The paper designs a quantum model of decision-making (QMDM) that utilizes neuroscientific evidence. The new model provides both normative and positive implications to economics. First, it enhances the study of decision-making which is an extension of the expected utility theory (EUT) in mathematical economics. Second, we demonstrate how the quantum model mitigates drawbacks of the expected utility theory of today.
This paper analyzes governance mechanisms for different group sizes. The European sovereign debt crisis has demonstrated the need of efficient governance for different group sizes. I find that self-governance only works for sufficiently homogenous and small neighbourhoods. Second, as long as the union expands, the effect of credible self-governance decreases. Third, spill-over effects amplify the size effect. Fourth, I show that sufficiently large monetary unions, are better off with costly but external governance or a free market mechanism. Finally, intermediate-size unions are most difficult to govern efficiently.
This paper develops a linear and tractable model of financial bubbles. I demonstrate the application of the linear model and study the root causes of financial bubbles. Moreover, I derive leading properties of bubbles. This model enables investors and regulators to react to market dynamics in a timely manner. In conclusion, the linear model is helpful for the empirical verification and detection of financial bubbles.
This paper examines the determinants of Google search in the banking area. The weekly Google data from 2004 to 2013 used for this study consists of the 30 largest banks, the Federal Reserve, and the European Central Bank. To my knowledge, this is the first study on the determinants of Google data. Firstly the paper shows that Google searches are correlated with several performance variables and market data, such as asset prices and trading volume. Secondly it demonstrates that banks´ internal performance data has a major influence whereas market data is rather insignificant. Moreover it is shown that Google search for central banks is largely determined by the level of interest rates as well as the inflation and output gap. This is evidence that central bank attention is primarily driven by the policy targets. Accordingly Google data can be applied to analyze the timely impact of monetary policy.
This paper is a review about the book "Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises" by Timothy Geithner. The book mainly discusses the policy decisions and implications of T. Geithner during his job as New York FED president and US-Treasury secretary under president Obama. The book reveals some hidden information about the decision-making process in both institutions. But it lacks a scientific foundation in order to explain the financial crisis in more detail. Hence, I think the book is less convincing than recognized in public. No doubt, Geithner crisis response deserves appreciation especially the "Stress Test". However, the overall book does not demonstrate that the response is sustainable in the long run and scientifically sound. Consequently, it is more a book on public policy and governance than economics.
This paper establishes a unique linkage between economic and sociological theories. I study the root causes of the euro crisis from both perspectives. I find that resolving the euro crisis requires economic and sociological insights, particularly in respect to the design of European institutions, rules, and regulations. I develop a new paradigm in attempt to tackle the euro crisis. This paper demonstrates the importance of an interdisciplinary dialogue and how this may safeguard the future of the Economic and Monetary Union.
We investigate public debt sustainability in Europe and leading industrialised countries. The recent debate about the debt ceiling in the US and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe demonstrate the urgency of the topic. We measure debt sustainability of public finance with a standard and alternative methodology and compare both results. We use panel data of 205 OECD countries from 1970 to 2014. The paper finds unsustainable public debt levels for almost all countries in the past decades. Furthermore, given the low economic growth and demographic challenge ahead, debt levels may upsurge even more. There is a huge looming ‘debt meltdown’ on the horizon if countries do not change public policy soon.
Die steigende Personalisierbarkeit von Produkten fuhrt zu einem wachsenden Variantenspektrum in der Fertigung. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund der damit einhergehenden Produktionskomplexität und den hohen Wandlungsanforderungen an die Montage werden viele komplexe Stückgüter weiterhin überwiegend manuell montiert. Visuelle Assistenzsysteme geben den Mitarbeitern die nötige Handlungsunterstützung, wenn kein Produkt dem anderen gleicht und damit das Fehlerpotenzial steigt.
From raw ion mobility measurements to disease classification : a comparison of analysis processes
(2015)
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a technology for the detection of volatile compounds in the air of exhaled breath that is increasingly used in medical applications. One major goal is to classify patients into disease groups, for example diseased versus healthy, from simple breath samples. Raw IMS measurements are data matrices in which peak regions representing the compounds have to be identified and quantified. A typical analysis process consists of pre-processing and peak detection in single experiments, peak clustering to obtain consensus peaks across several experiments, and classification of samples based on the resulting multivariate peak intensities. Recently several automated algorithms for peak detection and peak clustering have been introduced, in order to overcome the current need for human-based analysis that is slow, subjective and sometimes not reproducible. We present an unbiased comparison of a multitude of combinations of peak processing and multivariate classification algorithms on a disease dataset. The specific combination of the algorithms for the different analysis steps determines the classification accuracy, with the encouraging result that certain fully-automated combinations perform even better than current manual approaches.
The establishment of adipose tissue test systems is still a major challenge in the investigation of cellular and molecular interactions responsible for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases involving adipose tissue. Mature adipocytes are mainly involved in these pathologies, but rarely used in vitro, due to the lack of an appropriate culture medium which inhibits dedifferentiation and maintains adipocyte functionality. In our study, we showed that Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Ham's F-12 with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) reported for the culture of mature adipocytes favors dedifferentiation, which was accompanied by a high glycerol release, a decreasing release of leptin, and a low expression of the adipocyte marker perilipin A, but high expression of CD73 after 21 days. Optimized media containing FCS, biotin, pantothenate, insulin, and dexamethasone decelerated the dedifferentiation process. These cells showed a lower lipolysis rate, a high level of leptin release, as well as a high expression of perilipin A. CD73-positive dedifferentiated fat cells were only found in low quantity. In this work, we showed that mature adipocytes when cultured under optimized conditions could be highly valuable for adipose tissue engineering in vitro.
Perivascular cells are multilineage cells located around the vessel wall and important for wall stabilization. In this study, we evaluated a stem cell media and a perivascular cell-specific media for the culture of primary perivascular cells regarding their cell morphology, doubling time, stem cell properties, and expression of cell type-specific markers. When the two cell culture media were compared to each other, perivascular cells cultured in the stem cell medium had a more elongated morphology and a faster doubling rate and cells cultured in the pericyte medium had a more typical morphology, with several filopodia, and a slower doubling rate. To evaluate stem cell properties, perivascular cells, CD146 cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. It was seen that perivascular cells, as well as CD146 cells and MSCs, cultured in stem cell medium showed greater differentiation than cells cultured in pericyte-specific medium. The expression of pericyte-specific markers CD146, neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), myosin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) could be found in both pericyte cultures, as well as to varying amounts in CD146 cells, MSCs, and endothelial cells. The here presented work shows that perivascular cells can adapt to their in vitro environment and cell culture conditions influence cell functionality, such as doubling rate or differentiation behavior. Pericyte-specific markers were shown to be expressed also from cells other than perivascular cells. We can further conclude that CD146⁺ perivascular cells are inhomogeneous cell population probably containing stem cell subpopulations, which are located perivascular around capillaries.
Engineering of large vascularized adipose tissue constructs is still a challenge for the treatment of extensive high-graded burns or the replacement of tissue after tumor removal. Communication between mature adipocytes and endothelial cells is important for homeostasis and the maintenance of adipose tissue mass but, to date, is mainly neglected in tissue engineering strategies. Thus, new coculture strategies are needed to integrate adipocytes and endothelial cells successfully into a functional construct. This review focuses on the cross-talk of mature adipocytes and endothelial cells and considers their influence on fatty acid metabolism and vascular tone. In addition, the properties and challenges with regard to these two cell types for vascularized tissue engineering are highlighted.
In this paper, we propose a novel fitting method that uses local image features to fit a 3D morphable face model to 2D images. To overcome the obstacle of optimising a cost function that contains a non-differentiable feature extraction operator, we use a learning-based cascaded regression method that learns the gradient direction from data. The method allows to simultaneously solve for shape and pose parameters. Our method is thoroughly evaluated on morphable model generated data and first results on real data are presented. Compared to traditional fitting methods, which use simple raw features like pixel colour or edge maps, local features have been shown to be much more robust against variations in imaging conditions. Our approach is unique in that we are the first to use local features to fit a 3D morphable model. Because of the speed of our method, it is applicable for realtime applications. Our cascaded regression framework is available as an open source library at github.com/patrikhuber/ superviseddescent.