Refine
Year of publication
- 2019 (139) (remove)
Document Type
- Journal article (139) (remove)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (139)
Institute
- ESB Business School (59)
- Life Sciences (34)
- Technik (21)
- Informatik (15)
- Texoversum (10)
Publisher
- Elsevier (28)
- Springer (10)
- Wiley (7)
- De Gruyter (6)
- MDPI (6)
- MIM, Marken-Institut München (6)
- Lange (4)
- Thexis Verlag (4)
- American Chemical Society (3)
- Emerald (3)
- IEEE (3)
- WOTech (3)
- Altop Verlag (2)
- Harnisch (2)
- Hochschule Reutlingen (2)
- IBP, Internat. Business Press Publisher (2)
- MIT Center for Information Systems Research (2)
- Sciamus GmbH (2)
- VDE Verlag (2)
- Verlagsgruppe Handelsblatt (2)
- WEKA Fachmedien (2)
- AfM Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Marketing (1)
- Business Perspectives (1)
- Cambridge University Press (1)
- Circle International (1)
- Common Ground Publishing (1)
- DUZ Verlags- und Medienhaus GmbH (1)
- European Association for the Development of Renewable Energy, Environment and Power Quality (1)
- Fromm (1)
- GESIS (1)
- GITO Verlag (1)
- Hanser (1)
- Haufe (1)
- Haufe-Lexware (1)
- IIAR (1)
- IM Publications Open LLP (1)
- IOP Publishing (1)
- IdW-Verlag (1)
- Ifo-Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (1)
- JoVE (1)
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (1)
- MIT (1)
- Meisenbach (1)
- New Business Verlag (1)
- PeerJ Inc. (1)
- Public Verlagsgesellschaft und Anzeigenagentur (1)
- Riga Technical University Press (1)
- SAGE Publications Ltd (1)
- Sage Publishing (1)
- Schäffer-Poeschel (1)
- Talent First Network (1)
- Tamkang University (1)
- Taylor & Francis (1)
- VCW (1)
- VDI Fachmedien (1)
- Vogel Business Media (1)
- WGTL (1)
- World Scientific Publishing (1)
- Xi'an Polytechnic University (1)
Sowohl die Zahl als auch die Relevanz gemeinnütziger Vereine in und für Deutschland ist immens. Gleichwohl erstaunt, dass die Rechnungslegung gemeinnütziger Vereine nur rudimentär geregelt ist und in der Forschungspraxis bisher eher wenig beleuchtet wird. Vor allem für die oftmals nur ehrenamtlich tätigen Vereinsvorstände stellt dies eine Herausforderung dar. Der vorliegende Beitrag schafft einen Überblick über die aktuelle Situtation der Vereinsrechnungslegung in Deutschland und erhebt im Rahmen einer empirischen Untersuchung die aktuellen Herausforderungen. Aus den Ergebnissen lassen sich wichtige Implikationen für die rechnungslegenden Vereine, die Adressaten dieser Rechnungslegung, den Gesetzgeber und die Prüfer der Berichte ableiten.
Defining the antecedents of experience co-creation as applied to alternative consumption models
(2019)
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework of experience co-creation that captures the multi-dimensionality of this construct, as well as a research process for defining of the antecedents of experience co-creation.
Design/methodology/approach – The framework of experience co-creation was conceptualized by means of a literature review. Subsequently, this framework was used as the conceptual basis for a qualitative content analysis of 66 empirical papers investigating alternative consumption models (ACMs), such as renting, remanufacturing, and second-hand models.
Findings – The qualitative content analysis resulted in 12 categories related to the consumer and 9 related to the ACM offerings that represent the antecedents of experience co-creation. These categories provide evidence that, to a large extent, the developed conceptual framework allows one to capture the multi-dimensionality of the experience co-creation construct.
Research limitations/implications – This study underscores the understanding of experience co-creation as a function of the characteristics of the offering – which are, in turn, a function of the consumers’ motives as determined by their lifeworlds – as well as to service design as an iterative approach to finding, creating and refining service offerings.
Practical implications – The investigation of the antecedents of experience co-creation can enable service providers to determine significant consumer market conditions for forecasting the suitability and viability of their offerings and to adjust their service designs accordingly.
Originality/value – This paper provides a step toward the operationalization of the dimension-related experience co creation construct and presents an approach to defining the antecedents of experience co-creation by considering different research perspectives that can enhance service design research.
Manufacturing has to adapt to changing situations in order to stay competitive.It demands a flexible and easy-to-use integration of production equipment and ICT systems. The contribution of this paper is the presentation of the implementation of the Manufacturing Integration Assistant (MIALinx). The integration steps range from integrating sensors over collecting and rule-based processing of sensor information to the execution of required actions. Furthermore, we describe the implementation of MIALinx by commissioning it in a manufacturing environment to retrofit legacy machines for Industrie 4.0. Finally, we validate the suitability of our approach by applying our solution in a medium-size company.
Age-dependent migratory behavior of human endothelial cells revealed by substrate microtopography
(2019)
Cell migration is part of many important in vivo biological processes and is influenced by chemical and physical factors such as substrate topography. Although the migratory behavior of different cell types on structured substrates has already been investigated, up to date it is largely unknown if specimen's age affects cell migration on structures. In this work, we investigated age-dependent migratory behavior of human endothelial cells from young (≤ 31 years old) and old (≥ 60 years old) donors on poly(dimethylsiloxane) microstructured substrates consisting of well-defined parallel grooves. We observed a decrease in cell migration velocity in all substrate conditions and in persistence length perpendicular to the grooves in cells from old donors. Nevertheless, in comparison to young cells, old cells exhibited a higher cell directionality along grooves of certain depths and a higher persistence time. We also found a systematic decrease of donor age dependent responses of cell protrusions in orientation, velocity and length, all of them decreased in old cells. These observations lead us to hypothesize a possible impairment of actin cytoskeleton network and affected actin polymerization and steering systems, caused by aging.
Die Digitalisierung im Einkauf findet als schleichender Prozess statt, wird allerdings vom Vertrieb nur ungenügend wahrgenommen und genutzt. In Anbetracht der bereits hohen, weiter wachsenden Quote eingekaufter Waren und Leistungen an den Umsatzkosten ein kritischer Befund. Fehlinterpretationen der Anforderungen sind die Folge. Wie kann man hier Abhilfe schaffen? Eine Analyse der Entwicklungen im Einkauf zeigt Handlungsempfehlungen für den Vertrieb auf und fordert eine schnelle Reaktion.
Um sich den neuen Herausforderungen zu stellen und eine wettbewerbsstarke Position im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung zu schaffen, wird vermehr in Digitalisierungsvorhaben investiert und digitale Geschäftsmodelle werden entwickelt. Was brauch ein mittelständisches Unternehemen, um sich erfolgreich in das digitale Zeitalter aufzumachen?
Auch das Liquiditäts- und Working Capital Management unterliegt einem ständigen Wandel. So hatte die Liquiditätssicherung nach Ausbruch der Finanzkrise 2008/09 in vielen Unternehmen höchste Priorität. In Zeiten niedriger Zinsen können die Kapitalkosten vernachlässigt werden, wodurch die Notwendigkeit sinkt, Bestände des Working Capital zu reduzieren. Bei steigenden Zinsen und/oder einer schwachen konjunkturellen Entwicklung verschärft sich dagegen der Zielkonflikt zwischen Sicherheit und Rentabilität.
Mögliche Verbesserungen ergeben sich beim Liquiditäts- und Working Capital Management durch die Digitalisierung, die den Informationsaustausch zwischen dem Unternehmen und seinemn Supply-Chain-Partnern beschleunigt. Damit lässt sich an vielen Stellen des Wertschöpfungsprozesses die Effizienz steigern.
The aim of this work was to investigate the mean fill weight control of a continuous capsule-filling process, whether it is possible to derive controller settings from an appendant process model. To that end, a system composed out of fully automated capsule filler and an online gravimetric scale was used to control the filled weight. This setup allows to examine challenges associated with continuous manufacturing processes, such as variations in the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the mixture due to fluctuations of the feeders or due to altered excipient batch qualities. Two types of controllers were investigated: a feedback control and a combination of feedback and feedforward control. Although both of those are common in the industry, determining the optimal parameter settings remains an issue. In this study, we developed a method to derive the control parameters based on process models in order to obtain optimal control for each filled product. Determined via rapid automated process development (RAPD), this method is an effective and fast way of determining control parameters. The method allowed us to optimize the weight control for three pharmaceutical excipients. By conducting experiments, we verified the feasibility of the proposed method and studied the dynamics of the controlled system. Our work provides important basic data on how capsule filler can be implemented into continuous manufacturing systems.
Frost reduction in mechanical balanced ventilation by efficient means of preheating cold supply air
(2019)
This study has focused on evaluating the financial potential of wastewater and geothermal heat recovery systems in a multi-family building. The recovered heat was used to improve the performance of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system during the coldest days in central Sweden. The main issue, which was targeted with these solutions, was to reduce frost formation in the system and hence increase its thermal efficiency. By looking at the life cycle cost over a lifespan of 20 years, the observed systems were being evaluated economically. Furthermore, statistical analyses were carried-out to counter the uncertainty that comes with the calculation. It was found that the studied wastewater systems have a high possibility of generating savings in this period, while the one fed by geothermal energy is less likely to compensate for its high initial cost. All designed systems however, managed to reduce operational cost by 35-45% due to lower energy usage.
Standardisation of breath sampling is important for application of breath analysis in clinical settings. By studying the effect of room airing on indoor and breath analytes and by generating time series of room air with different sampling intervals we sought to get further insights into room air metabolism, to detect the relevance of exogenous VOCs and to make conclusions about their consideration for the interpretation of exhaled breath. Room air and exhaled breath of a healthy subject were analysed before and after room airing. Furthermore a time series of room air with doors and windows closed was taken over 84 h by an automatic sampling every 180 min. A second times series studied room air analytes over 70 h with samples taken every 16.5 min. For breath and room air measurements an IMS coupled to a multi-capillary column (IMS/MCC) [Bio-Scout® - B&S Analytik GmbH, Dortmund, Germany] was used. The peaks were characterized using the Software Visual Now (B&S Analytik, Dortmund Germany) and identified using the software package MIMA (version 1.1, provided by the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken, Germany) and the database 20160426_SubstanzDbNIST_122 (B & S Analytik GmbH, Dortmund, Germany). In the morning 4 analytes (Decamethylcylopentasiloxane [541-02-6]; Pentan-2-one [107-87-9] – Dimer; Hexan-1-al [66-25-1]; Pentan-2-one [107-87-9]) – Monomer showed high intensities in the room air and exhaled breath. They were significantly but not equally reduced by room airing. The time series about 84 h showed a time dependent decrease of analytes (limonen-monomer and -dimer; Decamethylcylopentasiloxane, Butan-1-ol, Butan-1-ol) as well as increase (Pentan-2-one [107-87-9] – Dimer). Shorter sampling intervals exhibited circadian variations of analyte concentrations for many analytes. Breath sampling in the morning needs room airing before starting. Then the variation of the intensity of indoor analytes can be kept small. The time series of indoor analytes show, that their intensities have a different behaviour, with time dependent declines, constant increases and circadian variations, dependent on room airing. This has implications on the breath sampling procedure and the intrepretation of exhaled breath.
Exogenous factors of influence on exhaled breath analysis by ion-mobility spectrometry (MCC/IMS)
(2019)
The interpretation of exhaled breath analysis needs to address to the influence of exogenous factors, especially to a transfer of confounding analytes by the test persons. A test person who was exposed to a disinfectant had exhaled breath analysis by MCC/IMS (Bioscout®) after different time intervals. Additionally, a new sampling method with inhalation of synthetic air before breath analysis was tested. After exposure to the disinfectant, 3-Pentanone monomer, 3-Pentanone dimer, Hexanal, 3-Pentanone trimer, 2-Propanamine, 1-Propanol, Benzene, Nonanal showed significantly higher intensities, in exhaled breath and air of the examination room, compared to the corresponding baseline measurements. Only one ingredient of the disinfectant (1-Propanol) was identical to the 8 analytes. Prolonging the time intervals between exposure and breath analysis showed a decrease of their intensities. However, the half-time of the decrease was different. The inhalation of synthetic air - more than consequently airing the examination room with fresh air - reduced the exogenous and also relevant endogenous analytes, leading to a reduction and even changing polarity of the alveolar gradient. The interpretation of exhaled breath needs further knowledge about the former residence of the proband and the likelihood and relevance of the inhalation of local, site-specific and confounding exogenous analytes by him. Their inhalation facilitates a transfer to the examination room and a detection of high concentrations in room air and exhaled breath, but also the exhalation of new analytes. This may lead to a misinterpretation of these analytes as endogenous resp. disease-specific ones.
Im Frühjahr 1817 unternahm der damalige Professor Friedrich List an der Universität Tübingen eine Reise nach Frankfurt a. M., wo zu dieser Zeit die berühmte Ostermesse stattfand. Dort traf er mit den Anführern der Kaufleute zusammen, die darüber klagten, dass die zaghafte wirtschaftliche Entwicklung unter den vielen Zollschranken und den Billigimporten aus England stark zu leiden habe. Deshalb forderten sie die Abschaffung der Binnenzölle und die Bildung einer Wirtschaftsunion. Im Auftrag der Kaufleute verfasste List seine berühmt gewordene Petition an die Bundesversammlung, die lose Interessenvertretung des Deutschen Bundes in Frankfurt. Als die Petition mit großem Beifall aufgenommen wurde, gründete List im Hochgefühl seines Erfolges spontan den "Allgemeinen Deutschen Handels- und Gewerbsverein" – die erste Interessenvertretung deutscher Kaufleute. Er legte damit den Grundstein für den politischen Prozess zur Gründung des Zollvereins von 1834, der wiederum die Vorstufe zur Gründung des Deutschen Reiches von 1871 bildete. Lists damalige Forderungen sind zurzeit wieder hoch aktuell.
Woven piezoelectric sensors as part of the textile reinforcement of fiber reinforced plastics
(2019)
Sensor integration in fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) structures enables online process and structural health monitoring (SHM). This paper describes the development and application of woven fabric-based piezoelectric impact and bending sensors for integration into FRP. The work focuses on design and characterization of woven piezoelectric sensors, especially as a part of the reinforcement structure. The reinforcement of the component acts as a sensor in itself and therefore no additional external objects in the form of sensor components or sensor fibers, which could create unwanted weak points within the FRP, are added. The bending test results reveal a direct relationship between the applied load and the sensor signal. Furthermore, the appropriate sensor position in the component cross section was determined and the influence of thermal polarization on the sensor properties was investigated.
In addition to increased safety by detecting possible overload, continuous component monitoring by sensor integration makes the use of fiber reinforced plastics more cost-effective. Since the components are continuously monitored, one can switch from time-based to condition-based maintenance. However, the integration of conventional sensor components causes weak points, as foreign objects are inserted into the reinforcing structure. In this paper, we examine the use of the textile reinforcement as a sensor in itself. We describe how bending sensors can be formed by slightly modifying in the composite’s reinforcement structure. We investigated two different sensor principles. (1) The integration of textile plate capacitors into the structure; (2) The construction of textile piezo elements as part of the reinforcing structure. The bending test results reveal that textile plate capacitors show a load-dependent signal output. The samples with textile piezo elements show a significant increase in signal strength.
In spite of many studies, knowledge about the fundamental factors influencing adhesion between addition curing silicones and aluminum substrates is very limited. The aim of this publication is to evaluate the influence of the formulation and the surface state of the adherend on bond strength. For this purpose, the composition of an addition curing silicone was systematically varied and the effects on both material and bond properties were examined. Additionally, the influence of surface aging at different humidities (0% r. h., 34% r. h., 82% r. h.) of acid etch pretreated aluminum substrates was considered. It is shown that the mechanical properties of the silicone material can be easily adjusted over a wide range by changing the formulation. Although high tensile strengths up to 9.2 MPa for the silicone material can be achieved, lap-shear strengths remain moderate at approximately 3.5 MPa. Predominant adhesive failures show the limited adhesive strength of the basic formulation without additives. Basic ingredients of addition curing silicones without additives are able to reach a certain adhesive strength. However, this strength was quite limited and adhesion promoters are required to further improve adhesion. The humidity at which the pretreated substrates are stored has an overall minor influence on bond strength. Surprisingly, bond strength tends to increase with the storage time of aluminum substrates despite lower surface energies in comparison to freshly pretreated substrates. All in all, the storage conditions of aluminum had a rather small influence on adhesion, whereas the composition of the silicone adhesive strongly influences bond strength.
Digitalization changes the manufacturing dramatically. In regard of employees’ demands, global trends and the technological vision of future factories, automotive manufacturing faces a huge number of diverse challenges. Currently, research focuses on technological aspects of future factories in terms of digitalization. New ways of work and new organizational models for future factories have not been described yet. There are assumptions on how to develop the organization of work in a future factory but up to now, literature shows deficits in scientifically substantiated answers in this research area. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to present an approach on a work organization design for automotive Industry 4.0 manufacturing. Future requirements were analyzed and deducted to criteria that determine future agile organization design. These criteria were then transformed into functional mechanisms, which define the approach for shopfloor organization design
Most antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic mimics (SMAMPs) are thought to act by permeabilizing cell membranes. For antimicrobial therapy, selectivity for pathogens over mammalian cells is a key requirement. Understanding membrane selectivity is thus essential for designing AMPs and SMAMPs to complement classical antibiotics in the future. This study focuses on membrane permeabilization induced by SMAMPs and their selectivity for membranes with different lipid compositions. We measure release and fluorescence lifetime of a self-quenching dye in lipid vesicles. Apart from the dose-response, we quantify the strength of individual leakage events, and, employing cumulative kinetics, categorize permeabilization behavior. We propose that differing selectivities in a series of SMAMPs arise from a combination of the effect of the antimicrobial agent and the susceptibility of the membrane (with a given lipid composition) for certain types of leakage behavior. The unselective and hemolytic SMAMP is found to act mainly by the asymmetry stress mechanism, mediated by hydrophobic insertion of SMAMPs into lipid layers. The more selective SMAMPs induced leakage events occurring stochastically over several hours. Lipid intrinsic properties might additionally amplify the efficiency of leakage events. Leakage behavior changes with both the design of the SMAMP and the lipid composition of the membrane. Understanding how leakage behavior contributes to the selectivity and activity of antimicrobial agents will aid the design and screening of antimicrobials. An understanding of the underlying processes facilitates the comparison of membrane permeabilization across in vitro and in vivo assays.
An ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy method was developed that can quantitatively characterize a technical copper surface to determine oxide layers and organic impurities. The oxide layers were produced by a heating step at 175 ℃ for four different times (range = 1–10 min). Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to establish a relation between the UV–Vis spectra and film thickness measurements using Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiles. The validation accuracy of the regression is in the range of approximately 2.3 nm. The prediction model allowed obtaining an estimation of the oxide layer thickness with an absolute error of 2.9 nm. Alternatively, already known methods cannot be used because of the high roughness of the technical copper surfaces. An integrating sphere is used to measure the diffuse reflectance of these surfaces, providing an average over all angles of illumination and observation.
Palladium-doped silica materials with SiCH3 groups were fabricated by sol-gel method under various calcination atmospheres and membranes were made thereof by coating process. The results showed that air atmosphere can lead to the partial oxidation of metallic Pd0 to PdO while N2 and H2 atmospheres can effectively prevent metallic Pd0 from being oxidized. H2 atmosphere is proved to be a more prominent way to slow down the decomposition of organic SiCH3 group than N2 and air atmospheres. The surface area, micropore volume and porosity of palladium-doped silica membrane material calcined in H2 atmosphere are much higher than those calcined in N2 atmosphere. Compared with N2 atmosphere, the palladium-doped silica membranes calcined in H2 atmosphere showed higher H2 permeability and H2/CO2 selectivity before and after the steam exposure. The apparent activation energy of H2 permeation through the palladium-doped silica membrane calcined under H2 atmosphere (2.51 ± 0.05 kJ/mol) was slightly lower than that calcined under N2 atmosphere (2.84 ± 0.04 kJ/mol). Calcination atmosphere plays some role in membrane performance, which has greater influence on the permeance than on the gas permselectivity. Calcination under H2 atmosphere is well conducive to improve the gas permeance and H2 permselectivity of palladium-doped silica membrane.
Three established test methods employed for evaluating the abrasion or wear resistance of textile materials were compared to gain deeper insight into the specific damaging mechanisms to better understand a possible comparability of the results of the different tests. The knowledge of these mechanisms is necessary for a systematic development of finishing agents improving the wear resistance of textiles. Martindale, Schopper, and Einlehner tests were used to analyze two different fabrics made of natural (cotton) or synthetic (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers, respectively. Samples were investigated by digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to visualize the damage. Damage symptoms are compared and discussed with respect to differences in the damaging mechanisms.
Water jacket systems are routinely used to control the temperature of Petri dish cell culture chambers. Despite their widespread use, the thermal characteristics of such systems have not been fully investigated. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive set of theoretical, numerical and experimental analyses to investigate the thermal characteristics of Petri dish chambers under stable and transient conditions. In particular, we investigated the temperature gradient along the radial axis of the Petri dish under stable conditions, and the transition period under transient conditions. Our studies indicate a radial temperature gradient of 3.3 °C along with a transition period of 27.5 min when increasing the sample temperature from 37 to 45 °C for a standard 35 mm diameter Petri dish. We characterized the temperature gradient and transition period under various operational, geometric, and environmental conditions. Under stable conditions, reducing the diameter of the Petri dish and incorporating a heater underneath the Petri dish can effectively reduce the temperature gradient across the sample. In comparison, under transient conditions, reducing the diameter of the Petri dish, reducing sample volume, and using glass Petri dish chambers can reduce the transition period.
The promise of immutable documents to make it easier and less expensive for consumers and producers to collaborate in a verifiable way would represent an enormous progress, especially as companies strive for establish service contracts which are based on the flow of many small transactions using machine-to-machine communication. The blockchain technology logs these data, verifies the authenticity and make them available for service offers. This work deals with an architecture enabling to setup order processing between consumers and produceers using blockchain. In this way, the technical feasibility is shown and the special characteristics of blockchain production networks will be discussed.
Der vorliegende Artikel untersucht die Möglichkeiten des Trendthemas Chatbots und bietet gleichzeitig einen Orientierungsrahmen für Unternehmen. Um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit im digitalen Zeitalter weiterhin gewährleisten zu können, müssen Unternehmen auf die wachsenden Ansprüche der Kunden reagieren. Hierfür sind Chatbots eine ideale Variante, die Kundenkommunikation effizienter, individueller und kostengünstiger zu gestalten. Chatbots könnten sich in Zukunft zur wichtigsten Schnittstelle zwischen dem Unternehmen und seinen Kunden entwickeln. Die durchgeführten Expertenbefragungen und Tests kommen allerdings zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Potenziale der Chatbots noch nicht voll ausgeschöpft werden. Insbesondere in den Bereichen Natural Language Processing, Intelligenz und Automatisierung stoßen aktuelle CHatbots an ihre Grenzen und finden somit in der Gesellschaft nur bedingt Akzeptanz.
Sowohl bei den industriellen als auch wissenschaftlichen Institutionen nimmt die Anwendung der additiven Fertigung stetig zu und ist insbesondere in den Bereichen der Prototypenentwicklung nicht mehr wegzudenken. Die werkzeuglose Herstellung von Teilen ermöglicht eine dynamische Nutzung der Produktionsressourcen bis unmittelbar zum Fertigungsstart. Dies erlaubt, einerseits in den Bereichen der Feinterminierung und Ablaufplanung, agil auf Veränderungen zu reagieren und andererseits Modelle unterschiedlicher Fertigungsaufträge miteinander zu kombinieren, um somit eine hohe Effizienz der Fertigungsanlagen zu erreichen. Bei der Nutzung von multiplen Anlagen in einem Unternehmen oder im Partnerverbund stellt die vorhandene Intransparenz Unternehmen und Unternehmensnetzwerke vor viele Herausforderungen. Die Blockchain Technologie ermöglicht eine gemeinsame Datenbasis zwischen den Teilnehmern. Die Einträge werden protokolliert und die Authentizität der Teilnehmer wird gewährleistet. Dies führt, im Falle der Beziehung zwischen Kunden und Produzenten, zu einer nachprüfbaren Zusammenarbeit, da Unternehmen Dienstleistungsverträge abschließen, die auf dem Fluss vieler kleiner Transaktionen basieren. In diesem Beitrag wird dargestellt, wie verfügbare additive Fertigungsressourcen erkannt werden, sowie, unter der Verwendung der Blockchain-Technologie, in einem dezentralen Produktionsnetzwerk angeboten und von unterschiedlichen Akteuren genutzt werden können.
Theory predicts that market‐timing activities bias Jensen's alpha (JA). However, empirical studies have failed to find consistent evidence of this bias. We tackle this puzzle in a nested model analysis and show that the bias contains an exogenous market component that is unrelated to market‐timing skill. In a comprehensive empirical analysis of US mutual funds, we find that the timing‐induced bias in JA is mainly driven by this market component, which is uncorrelated with measured timing activities. Measures of total performance that allow for timing activities are virtually identical to JA, even if timing activities are present in the evaluated fund. Hence, we conclude that JA is a sufficient measure of total performance.
Contemporary public enterprises differ from their forebears. Today, they are more similar to private enterprises, receiving far more attention than previously, when privatization processes all over the world were in the spotlight. Furthermore, the broad research stream of entrepreneurship has so far neglected the consideration of public enterprises. To set a future research agenda, the author examines the dispersed literature using an integrative and organizing framework to identify major topics and research findings. This paper reviews articles that investigate the entrepreneurship in contemporary public enterprises. Despite the growing scholarly interest globally, this systematic literature review indicates there is no more than a loose connection between the literature streams of public entrepreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship. Specifically, the review shows that the multidimensional concept of entrepreneurial orientation has thus far been ignored, although autonomy plays a significant role in the literature review, namely in the context of the interference of the public owner. It also reveals other essential research gaps, such as the development of a modern theory of public enterprises. The linked research stream of public-sector corporate entrepreneurship offers a broad area of scholarly research and should encourage further investigation.
Artificial adipose tissue (AT) constructs are urgently needed to treat severe wounds, to replace removed tissue, or for the use as in vitro model to screen for potential drugs or study metabolic pathways. The clinical translation of products is mostly prevented by the absence of a vascular component that would allow a sustainable maintenance and an extension of the construct to a relevant size. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the suitability of a novel material based on bacterial cellulose (CBM) on the defined adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and the maintenance of the received adipocytes (diffASCs) and human microvascular endothelial cells (mvECs) in mono- and coculture. A slight acceleration of adipogenic differentiation over regular tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) was seen on CBM under defined conditions, whereas on the maintenance of the generated adipocytes, comparable effects were detected for both materials. CBM facilitated the formation of vascular like structures in monoculture of mvECs, which was not observed on TCPS. By contrast, vascular-like structures were detected in CBM and TCPS in coculture by the presence of diffASCs. Concluding, CBM represents a promising material in vascularized AT engineering with the potential to speed up and simplify the in vitro setup of engineered products.
Candidate experience
(2019)
Um die ökologischen und ökonomischen Potenzaile der Elektromobilität zu nutzen, setzen kommunale Energieversorger heute auf das Betreiben öffentlicher Ladestationen, den Handel mit Ladestationen und das Bereitstellen spezieller Elektromobilitätstarife; ebenso auf elektrifiziertes Carsharing oder das Vermieten elektrifizierter Fahrzeuge und den Betrieb elektrifizierter Omnibusse im ÖPNV. Auch die Entwicklung und Planung individueller Elektromobilitätskonzepte, teils in Kombination mit Photovoltaikanlage, gehören in einigen Unternehmen zum Portfolio. Für die Zukunft sollten Stadtwerke ihre Aktivitäten im Bereich Elektromobilität an individuell definierten Zielen und Strategien ausrichten.
With on-demand access to compute resources, pay-per-use, and elasticity, the cloud evolved into an attractive execution environment for High Performance Computing (HPC). Whereas elasticity, which is often referred to as the most beneficial cloud-specific property, has been heavily used in the context of interactive (multi-tier) applications, elasticity-related research in the HPC domain is still in its infancy. Existing parallel computing theory as well as traditional metrics to analytically evaluate parallel systems do not comprehensively consider elasticity, i.e., the ability to control the number of processing units at runtime. To address these issues, we introduce a conceptual framework to understand elasticity in the context of parallel systems, define the term elastic parallel system, and discuss novel metrics for both elasticity control at runtime as well as the ex post performance evaluation of elastic parallel systems. Based on the conceptual framework, we provide an in depth analysis of existing research in the field to describe the state-of-the art and compile our findings into a research agenda for future research on elastic parallel systems.
Der Sondermaschinenbau ist durch eine hohe Variantenvielfalt und komplexe Materialflüsse charakterisiert (Reinhart, Bredow & Pohl, 2009, S. 131). Die vorliegende Publikation stellt die im Zuge eines Praxisprojekts angewendeten Vorgehensweisen zur Materialflussoptimierung im Sondermaschinenbau vor. Dabei werden Erfahrungswerte und Hindernisse herausgearbeitet.
Social Selling gewinnt im B-to-B-Vertrieb immer mehr an Bedeutung. Um auf dem globalen Wettbewerbsfeld mithalten zu können, genügt es nicht mehr, seine Kunden über die traditionellen Verkaufskanäle zu identifizieren und zu erreichen. Für diesen Zweck bietet LinkedIn das Vertriebstool Sales Navigator an. Doch wo ist dieses Tool im Social Selling einzuordnen? Können dadurch Mehrwerte im Vertriebsprozess generiert werden? Mithilfe von Experteninterviews werden diese Fragen im Folgenden erörtert.
The development and preservation of children’s innate creativity as they enter their professional career has grown in importance due to fundamental changes in today’s economy and society. It is therefore key to understand how teaching strategies can contribute to educational change in the early stages of schooling. Design teaching encompasses a variety of skills that can help schools shift their focus to foster children’s natural ability to “ask why” in their search for learning how to think and create. This article presents the results of an interdisciplinary workshop involving university students aiming to develop new educational approaches to foster children’s creativity through design to be implemented in the elementary school curriculum of the German federal state Baden-Württemberg. To support the workshop participants in providing a holistic concept within a compressed time period, a sustainability framework was included to further articulate their brief. The teams who were composed of chemists, computer scientists, designers, and engineers, followed the Design Thinking process to develop their proposals. A kick-off meeting presenting results of an international qualitative survey with elementary school teachers, as well as expert input during the workshop addressing the relevant topics, provided teams with key information to define their design directions. Concepts designed by each team exhibited a comprehensive solution resulting in both the abstract “education idea” and physical embodiments of the tools. Their outputs included products, interior concepts to be implemented in classrooms, exercises as well as games to support the newly developed educational models. The benefits and limitations of these concepts along with key observations of participants’ interdisciplinary collaboration are presented and discussed herein. Future work will investigate the Design knowledge of German elementary school teachers more in depth and will involve testing the new concepts in German elementary school environments.
In smart factories, maintenance is still an important aspect to safeguard the performance of their production. Especially in case of failures of machine components diagnosis is a time-consuming task. This paper presents an approach for a cyber-physical failure management system, which uses information from machines such as programmable logic controller or sensor data and IT systems to support the diagnosis and repairing process. Key element is a model combining the different information sources to detect deviations and to determine a probable failed component. Furthermore, the approach is prototypically implemented for leakage detection in compressed air networks.
Design thinking is inherently and invariably oriented towards the future in that all design is for products, services or events that will exist in the future, and be used by people in the future. This creates an overlap between the domains of design thinking and strategic foresight. A small but significant literature has grown up in the strategic foresight field as to how design thinking may be used to improve its processes. This paper considers the other side of the relationship: how methods from the strategic foresight field may advance design thinking, improving insight into the needs and preferences of users of tomorrow, including how contextual change may suddenly and fundamentally reshape these. A side-by-side comparison of representative models from each field is presented, and it is shown how these may be assembled together to create foresight-informed design-based innovation.
The flexible and easy-to-use integration of production equipment and IT systems on the shop floor becomes more and more a success factor for manufacturing to adapt rapidly to changing situations. The approach of the Manufacturing Integration Assistant (MIALinx) is to simplify this challenge. The integration steps range from integrating sensors over collecting and rule-based processing of sensor information to the execution of required actions. This paper presents the implementation of MIALinx to retrofit legacy machines for Industry 4.0 in a manufacturing environment and focus on the concept and implementation of the easy-to-use user interface as a key element.
For the widespread establishment of a circular economy, the acceptance of used products among consumers is a prerequisite. This paper investigates the customer experience of product service systems related to used products (PSSuP), such as renting, remanufacturing, and second-hand models, and aims to point out the offering characteristics that effect customer response and customer engagement. This study was conducted by means of a content analysis-based literature review of 69 empirical PSSuP studies. A frequency analysis of the categories that determine customer experience creation was conducted, as well as a contingency analysis to reveal the interrelationship between these categories. On this basis, the different PSSuP types were compared, and four strategic orientations of customer experience creation in PSSuP are pointed out: price, confidence, convenience, and delight orientation. For each of these strategic orientations, supportive PSSuP offering characteristics are specified. Building on the findings of this study, theoretical and managerial implications for product–service systems marketing are pointed out, and the need for research on the role of information and communication technology as an enabler of customer experience creation in PSSuP is highlighted.
New approaches to respiratory assist: bioengineering an ambulatory, miniaturized bioartificial lung
(2019)
Although state-of-the-art treatments of respiratory failure clearly have made some progress in terms of survival in patients suffering from severe respiratory system disorders, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), they failed to significantly improve the quality of life in patients with acute or chronic lung failure, including severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or ARDS as well. Limitations of standard treatment modalities, which largely rely on conventional mechanical ventilation, emphasize the urgent, unmet clinical need for developing novel(bio)artificial respiratory assist devices that provide extracorporeal gas exchange with a focus on direct extracorporeal CO2 removal from the blood. In this review, we discuss some of the novel concepts and critical prerequisites for such respiratory lung assist devices that can be used with an adequate safety profile, in the intensive care setting, as well as for long-term domiciliary therapy in patients with chronic ventilatory failure. Specifically, we describe some of the pivotal steps, such as device miniaturization, passivation of the blood-contacting surfaces by chemical surface modifications, or endothelial cell seeding, all of which are required for converting current lung assist devices into ambulatory lung assist device for long-term use in critically ill patients. Finally, we also discuss some of the risks and challenges for the long-term use of ambulatory miniaturized bioartificial lungs.
Die Auswirkungen der digitalen Revolution sind vielfältig. So gibt es inzwischen immer ausgefeiltere Möglichkeiten, um mit Kunden in den Dialog zu treten. Unternehmen stehen deshalb vor der Herausforderung, die verschiedenen Kanäle und Kontaktpunkte mit ihren Kunden systematisch zu managen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei der Informations- und Entscheidungsprozess des Kunden - die Customer Journey. Sie gilt im Marketing als Königsdisziplin, bei der es darum geht, wie man am besten die "Reise des Kunden" erfasst, um Zielgruppen genau an der richtigen Stelle anzusprechen und Budgets gezielt in bestimmte Kanäle zu steuern. Marketing- und Vertriebsverantwortliche müssen sich daher Folgendes fragen: Was erwartet der Endkunde an den verschiedenen Touchpoints und wie sieht seine Customer Journey aus? Wie werden Unternehmen diesen Anforderungen gerecht?
We report on the reflectance, transmittance and fluorescence spectra (λ=200–1200nm) of four types of chicken eggshells (white, brown, light green, dark green) measured in situ without pretreatment and after ablation of 20–100 μm of the outer shell regions. The color pigment protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is embedded in the protein phase of all four shell types as highly fluorescent monomers, in the white and light green shells additionally as non-fluorescent dimers, and in the brown and dark green shells mainly as non-fluorescent poly-aggregates. The green shell colors are formed from an approximately equimolar mixture of PPIX and biliverdin. The axial distribution of protein and color pigments were evaluated from the combined reflectances of both the outer and inner shell surfaces, as well as from the transmittances. For the data generation we used the radiative transfer model in the random walk and Kubelka-Munk approaches.
Zur Ermittlung des Quo Vadis bewerten die Teilnehmer mit „trifft zu“ bis „trifft nicht zu“, inwieweit sie die neun Trends als Kerntrend der Digitalisierung ansehen. Auf Basis der Antworten werden ein bis vier Punkte vergeben und ein Ranking erstellt. Die Auswertung ergibt, dass Vernetzte Produktion, gefolgt von Big-Data-Analytics und digitale Kommunikation als wichtigste Kerntrends gesehen werden. Cloud Computing, Internet der Dinge und Digitale Geschäftsmodelle werden dagegen weniger als Kerntrends angenommen.
The paper describes a new stimulus using learning factories and an academic research programme - an M.Sc. in Digital Industrial Management and Engineering (DIME) comprising a double degree - to enhance international collaboration between four partner universities. The programme will be structured in such a way as to maintain or improve the level of innovation at the learning factories of each partner. The partners agreed to use Learning Factory focus areas along with DIME learning modules to stimulate international collaboration. Furthermore, they identified several research areas within the framework of the DIME program to encourage horizontal and vertical collaboration. Vertical collaboration connects faculty expertise across the Learning Factory network to advance knowledge in one of the focus areas, while Horizontal collaboration connects knowledge and expertise across multiple focus areas. Together they offer a platform for students to develop disciplinary and cross-disciplinary applied research skills necessary for addressing the complex challenges faced by industry. Hence, the university partners have the opportunity to develop the learning factory capabilities in alignment with the smart manufacturing concept. The learning factory is thus an important pillar in this venture. While postgraduate students/researchers in the DIME program are the enablers to ensure the success of entire projects, the learning factory provides a learning environment which is entirely conducive to fostering these successful collaborations. Ultimately, the partners are focussed on utilising smart technologies in line with the digitalization of the production process.
100 Jahre nach der Gründung des Bauhauses betrete ich die Bauhaus Universität Weimar und frage mich, wie das wohl damals war? Vor 100 Jahren haben Gropius, Muche, Mies van der Rohe, Schlemmer und Itten Vorlesungen hier gehalten und jetzt bin ich dran. Wir schreiben Geschichte! Deren Geist weht immer noch in den original erhaltenen Gebäuden und Räumen. Bei der genaueren Betrachtung des Bauhauses, das Weltruhm erlangt hat, kann man einiges lernen. Beispielsweise lohnt die Überlegung, was das Marketing vom Bauhaus lernen kann.
A fully passive RFID temperature sensor SoC with an accuracy of ±0.4 ◦C (3σ) from 0 ◦C to 125 ◦C
(2019)
This paper presents a fully passive 13.56 -MHz RFID temperature sensor system-on-chip. Its power management unit operates over a large temperature range using a zero temperature coefficient bias source. On-chip temperature sensing is accomplished with low-voltage, low-power CMOS circuitry, and time-domain signal processing. Two readout commands have been defined to study supply noise sensitivity: 1) standard readout, where just a single set of data is transferred to the reader and 2) serial readout, where several sets of data are sent one after the other to the reader. With the standard readout command, the sensor suffers from interference from the RFID command packet and outputs interference as well, while the sensor outputs no interference with the serial readout command. Measurements show that sensor resolution with serial readout is improved by a factor of approximately 16 compared to standard readout. The chip was fabricated in a standard 0.35-μm CMOS technology and chip-on-board mounted to a tuned RFID transponder coil on an aluminum core FR4 PCB substrate. Real time wireless temperature sensing has been demonstrated with a commercial HF RFID reader. With a two-point calibration, the SoC achieves a 3σ sensing accuracy of ±0.4 ◦C from 0◦C to 125 ◦C.
Am Beispiel von zwei Unternehmen mit stark unterschiedlichen Strom- und Wärmebedarfswerten zeigt sich, dass aufgrund einer Amortisationszeit im günstigsten Fall von etwa 2 Jahren der Einsatz von Blockheizkraftwerken in jedem Fall wirtschaftlich lohnenswert ist. Dabei wird deutlich, dass die Auslegung des Blockheizkraftwerkes stark von den Strom- und Wärmebedarfswerten abhängt und dass der Pufferspeicher keinesfalls zu klein ausgelegt werden sollte. Das gute wirtschaftliche Ergebnis gilt bereits für den standardmäßig eingesetzten wärmegeführten Betrieb des Blockheizkraftwerkes, wobei eine intelligente stromoptimierte Steuerung mit Lastspitzenmanagement die Wirtschaftlichkeit weiter verbessert. Grundsätzlich ist darauf zu achten, dass Blockheizkraftwerke auf einen längerfristigen Betrieb ausgelegt sind. Bei jährlichen Betriebszeiten von 4.000 Stunden bis 8.000 Stunden ergibt sich ein Betrieb des Blockheizkraftwerkes über 6 bis 12 Jahre.
Welche Trends beeinflussen die Customer-Journey im B-to-B und wie wird sie in naher Zukunft aussehen? Dieser Beitrag wirft einen Blick auf zukünftige Trends, welche die Customer-Journey im B-to-B erheblich beeinflussen werden. Exemplarisch wird die Ausgestaltung und Optimierung der zukünftigen Customer-Journey mittels Lead-Profiling am Beispiel der Künstlichen Intelligenz aufgezeigt, bei der neue Technologien Daten nutzbringend verwenden. Darüber hinaus steht die Customer-Journey-Transformation im Mittelpunkt. Schließlich ist es doch gerade die komplexe Transformation der Customer-Journey, die aufgrund ihrer Komplexität häufig von den Unternehmen vernachlässigt wird.
Das Thema Energieflexibilität und Anpassung der eigenerzeugten Energie an die Energieerzeugung aus regenerativen Energien gewinnt an Bedeutung. Regulierbare Eigenerzeugungsanlagen können zur Stabilisierung des Netzes einen enormen Beitrag leisten. Dieser Aufsatz zeigt, welchen Effekt der Einsatz von BHWK auf die Galvanikbranche hat und wie nicht nur die eigenen Energiekosten reduziert, sondern auch die Möglichkeit geschaffen wird, auf Signale der Energiewirtschaft zu reagieren, ohne die Energieversorgung zu unterbrechen.
Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) have great potential for bone tissue engineering. Cryogels, mimicking the three-dimensional structure of spongy bone, represent ideal carriers for these cells. We developed poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogels, containing hydroxyapatite to mimic inorganic bone matrix. Cryogels were additionally supplemented with different types of proteins, namely collagen (Coll), platelet rich plasma (PRP), immune cells-conditioned medium (CM), and RGD peptides (RGD). The different protein components did not affect scaffolds’ porosity or water-uptake capacity, but altered pore size and stiffness. Stiffness was highest in scaffolds with PRP (82.3 kPa), followed by Coll (55.3 kPa), CM (45.6 kPa), and RGD (32.8 kPa). Scaffolds with PRP, CM, and Coll had the largest pore diameters (~60 µm). Ad MSCs were osteogenically differentiated on these scafffolds for 14 days. Cell attachment and survival rates were comparable for all four scaffolds. Runx2 and osteocalcin levels only increased in Ad-MSCs on Coll, PRP and CM cryogels. Osterix levels increased slightly in Ad-MSCs differentiated on Coll and PRP cryogels. With differentiation alkaline phosphatase activity decreased under all four conditions. In summary, besides Coll cryogel our PRP cryogel constitutes as an especially suitable carrier for bone tissue engineering. This is of special interest, as this scaffold can be generated with patients’ PRP.
Cancer cells invade confined microchannels via a self-directed mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition
(2019)
Cancer cell invasion through physical barriers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) requires a complex synergy of traction force against the ECM, mechanosensitive feedback, and subsequent cytoskeletal rearrangement. PDMS microchannels were used to investigate the transition from mesenchymal to amoeboid invasion in cancer cells. Migration was faster in narrow 3 μm-wide channels than in wider 10 μm channels, even in the absence of cell-binding ECM proteins. Cells permeating narrow channels exhibited blebbing and had smooth leading edge profiles, suggesting an ECM-induced transition from mesenchymal invasion to amoeboid invasion. Live cell labeling revealed a mechanosensing period in which the cell attempts mesenchymal-based migration, reorganizes its cytoskeleton, and proceeds using an amoeboid phenotype. Rho/ROCK (amoeboid) and Rac (mesenchymal) pathway inhibition revealed that amoeboid invasion through confined environments relies on both pathways in a time- and ECM dependent manner. This demonstrates that cancer cells can dynamically modify their invasion programming to navigate physically confining matrix conditions.
In vitro models of human adipose tissue may serve as beneficial alternatives to animal models to study basic biological processes, identify new drug targets, and as soft tissue implants. With this approach, we aimed to evaluate adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) and mature adipocytes (MA) comparatively for the application in the in vitro setup of adipose tissue constructs to imitate native adipose tissue physiology. We used human primary MAs and human ASCs, differentiated for 14 days, and encapsulated them in collagen type I hydrogels to build up a three-dimensional (3D) adipose tissue model. The maintenance of the models was analyzed after seven days based on a viability staining. Further, the expression of the adipocyte specific protein perilipin A and the release of leptin and glycerol were evaluated. Gene transcription profiles of models based on dASCs and MAs were analyzed with regard to native adipose tissue. Compared to MAs, dASCs showed an immature differentiation state. Further, gene transcription of MAs suggests a behavior closer to native tissue in terms of angiogenesis, which supports MAs as preferred cell type. In contrast to native adipose tissue, genes of de novo lipogenesis and tissue remodeling were upregulated in the in vitro attempts.
On-chip metallization, especially in modern integrated BCD technologies, is often subject to high current densities and pronounced temperature cycles due to heat dissipation from power switches like LDMOS transistors. This paper continues the work on a sensor concept where small sense lines are embedded in the metallization layers above the active area of a switching LDMOS transistor. The sensors show a significant resistance change that correlates with the number of power cycles. Furthermore, influences of sense line layer, geometry and the dissipated energy are shown. In this paper, the focus lies on a more detailed analysis of the observed change in sense line resistance.
Today, virtualizing pharma R&D is increasingly related with data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), technologies that have been developed by software companies outside the healthcare sector. The process of virtualizing pharma R&D is closely related to the technological advancements that result in the generation of large data sets ranging from genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, medical imaging, IoT wearables and large clinical trials, making it necessary for pharma companies to find new ways to store and ultimately analyze information. As a consequence, pharma companies are experimenting with AI in R&D ranging from in-silico drug design to clinical trail participants identification or dosage error reduction.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of psychological contract breach on the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive workplace behavior (CWB) and the moderating effect of employment status in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 212 supervisor–subordinate dyads in a large Chinese state-owned air transportation group. AMOS 17.0 software was used to examine the hypothesized predictions and the theoretical model.
Findings – The results showed that psychological contract breach partially mediates the effect of job insecurity on CWB, including organizational counterproductive workplace behavior and interpersonal counterproductive workplace behavior. In addition, the relationships between job insecurity, psychological contract breach and CWB differ significantly between permanent workers and contract workers.
Originality/value – The present study provides a new insight into explaining the linkage between job insecurity and negative work behaviors as well as suggestions to managers on minimizing the harmful effects of job insecurity.
Polyurethane-bases block copolymers (TPCUs) are block-copolymers with systematically varied soft and hard segments. They have been suggested to serve as material for chondral implants in joint regeneration. Such applications may require the adhesion of chondrocytes to the implant surface, facilitating cell growth while keeping their phenotype. Thus, aims of this work were (1) to modify the surface of soft biostable polyurethane-based model implants (TPCU and TSiPCU) with high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) using an optimized multistep strategy of immobilization, and (2) to evaluate bioactivity of the modified TPCUs in vitro. Our results show no cytotoxic potential of the TPCUs. HAbioactive molecules (Mw =700kDa) were immobilized onto the polyurethane surface via polyethylenimine (PEI) spacers, and modifications were confirmed by several characterization methods. Tests with porcine chondrocytes indicated the potential of the TPCU-HA for inducing enhanced cell proliferation.
Mystery shopping (MS) is a widely used tool to monitor the quality of service and personal selling. In consultative retail settings, assessments of mystery shoppers are supposed to capture the most relevant aspects of sales people’s service and sales behavior. Given the important conclusions drawn by managers from MS results, the standard assumption seems to be that assessments of mystery shoppers are strongly related to customer satisfaction and sales performance. However, surprisingly scant empirical evidence supports this assumption. We test the relationship between MS assessments and customer evaluations and sales performance with large-scale data from three service retail chains. Surprisingly, we do not find asubstantial correlation. The results show that mystery shoppers are not good proxies for real customers. While MS assessments are not related to sales, our findings confirm the established correlation between customer satisfaction measurements and sales results.
The data present in this article affords insides in the characterization of a newly described bi-functional furan-melamine monomer, which is used for the production of monodisperse, furan-functionalized melamine formaldehyde particles. In the related research article Urdl et al., 2019 data interpretations can be found. The furan functionalization of particles is necessary to perform reversible Diels-Alder reactions with maleimide (BMI) crosslinker to form thermoreversible network systems. To understand the reaction conditions of Diels Alder (DA) reaction with a Fu-Mel monomer and a maleimide crosslinker, model DA reaction were performed and evaluated using dynamic FT-IR measurements. During retro Diels-Alder (rDA) reactions of the monomer system, it was found out that some side reaction occurred at elevated temperatures. The data of evaluating the side reaction is described in one part of this manuscript. Additional high resolution SEM images of Fu Mel particles are shown and thermoreversible particle networks with BMI2 are shown. The data of different Fu-Mel particle networks with maleimide crosslinker are presented. Therefore, the used maleimide crosslinker with different spacer lengths were synthesized and the resulting networks were analyzed by ATR-FT-IR, SEM and DSC.
In der zunehmenden Individualisierung von Produkten zeigt sich, dass Kundennähe und digital vernetzte Zusammenarbeit aller Partner wertvolle Erfolgspotenziale darstellen. Für komplexe Kundenauftragsprozesse gilt es, zu vernetzen und die Prozesse und Systeme in Form eines ganzheitlichen Ansatzes zukunftsfähig zu gestalten. Dabei wird der Herausforderung begegnet, Daten und Dokumente zu digitalisieren und den manuellen Aufwand zu reduzieren. Der Untersuchungsgegenstand ist der Abwicklungsprozess, ausgehend von einer Online-Konfiguration durch den Kunden bis zur Bestellabwicklung. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Vorgehensmodell aufgezeigt, das Unternehmen in die Lage versetzt, ihren Kundenauftragsprozess durch ein digitales Geschäftsmodell zukunftsfähig auszugestalten. Nutzenpotenziale sind eine verstärkte Kundenbindung durch eng verzahnte digitale Kollaboration, verstärkte Wirtschaftlichkeit durch Reduktion der Prozesskosten sowie eine Optimierung der Customer Experience durch effiziente Abläufe.
Model-based hearing diagnosis based on wideband tympanometry measurements utilizing fuzzy arithmetic
(2019)
Today's audiometric methods for the diagnosis of middle ear disease are often based on a comparison of measurements with standard curves that represent the statistical range of normal hearing responses. Because of large inter-individual variances in the middle ear, especially in wideband tympanometry (WBT), specificity and quantitative evaluation are greatly restricted. A new model-based approach could transform today's predominantly qualitative hearing diganostics into a quantitative and tailored, patient-specific diagnosis, by evaluating WBT measurements with the aid of a middle-ear model. For this particular investigation, a finite element model of a human ear was used. It consisted of an acoustic ear canal and a tympanic cavity model, a middle-ear with detailed nonlinear models of the tympanic membrane and annular ligament, and a simplified inner-ear model. This model has made it possible to identify pathologies from measurements, by analyzing the parameters through senstivity studies and parameter clustering. Uncertainties due to the lack of knowledge, subjectivity in numerical implementation and model simplification are taken into account by the application of fuzzy arithmetic. The most confident parameter set can be determined by applying an inverse fuzzy method on the measurement data. The principle and the benefits of this model-based approach are illustrated by the example of a two-mass oscillator, and also by the simulation of the energy absorbance of an ear with malleus fixation, where the parameter changes that are introduced can be determined quantitatively through the system identification.
Cleanable bag filter : comparisons of different testing methods of ageing of filter materials
(2019)
Cleanable bag filters are used to separate dust and other airborne particulate systems. Due to typical process conditions, they are subject to thermal, chemical and mechanical stress during use. The main objective of the IGF project no. 18307 "Investigation of the chemical and thermal degradation of cleanable filter media and improvement of their resistance by surface modification", was the development of a valid test method which can reproduce degradation caused by high temperatures and aggressive chemical atmospheres in a practice-oriented but time-saving manner. Within the IGF project, 2 accelerated ageing methods were applied, both of which have the decisive advantage of investigating damage in the gas phase. Many resistances of filter materials are otherwise carried out by immersing the materials in a mostly liquid damage medium at a defined temperature. These resistances are difficult to transfer ageing in the gas phase.
The purpose of this paper is to assess if the strategy development of the fashion industry is oriented to the long or short term. Following the theory of dynamic capabilities, this paper argues that a long term strategic orientation can be observed in corporate foresight activities. A multi methodological research approach is chosen to answer the research question. The findings suggest that the fashion industry is lagging behind other industries in terms of future orientation and therefore long-term strategy development, even though the challenges in the business environment are not perceived as less relevant.
Forschungsfrage: Wie können sich Unternehmen als attraktive Arbeitgeber positionieren, wenn sie bei jungen Bewerbern der Generation Y kaum bekannt sind und ihre Produkte als wenig attraktiv wahrgenommen werden?
Methodik: Szenariostudie mit Daten aus einer schriftlichen Befragung
Praktische Implikationen: Solche Unternehmen sollten auf die Nutzenversprechen einer Employer Brand setzen, um sich als attraktiver Arbeitgeber für diese Zielgruppe zu positionieren. Voraussetzung dafür ist eine auf die Zielgruppe abgestimmte und präzise Kommunikation über die relevanten Attraktivitätsmerkmale.
Successful digital offerings are created at the intersection of what technologies can deliver and what customers want and will pay for. That point of intersection, however, has proved to be elusive. To find it, companies must experiment repeatedly, cocreate with customers, and assemble cross-functional development teams - and the insights gleaned along the way must be shared internally.
In this article, we discuss how several of the nearly 200 companies we've studied have built and exercised these capabilities. We also take a close look at how one company, Schneider Electric, is using them to acquire and share customer insights.
Stronger than they look
(2019)
»Flexible Arbeitspraktiken: Eine Analyse aus pragmatischer Perspektive«. Traditional human resource management (HRM) research can hardly relate to today's developments in the world of work. Organizational boundaries are blurred because of the complexity due to globalization, digitalization, and demographic changes. In practice, new ways of organizing work can be found that depend on the specifics of the work situation. In this paper, we build on the economics of convention (EC) to elaborate on the current challenges HRM scholarship is confronted with and provide a theoretical lens that goes beyond the tension between market and bureaucracy principles in actual employment settings. We apply EC’s situationalist methodology to examples of the challenging coordination of flexibility in the workplace. We explain two hybrid forms of coordination – compromises and local arrangements – and highlight the dynamics of employment practices in organizations related to these forms. Thereby, we show that different modes of coordination in employment are applied in a fluctuating manner that depends on the specific situations. In doing so, we further seek to remind HRM scholars of the fruitfulness of the pragmatist perspective in analyzing work practices, as well as extending its conceptual toolkit for future analysis.
Vielen Unternehmen gelingt es aufgrund der hohen Komplexität nicht, sich bietende Chancen der digitalen Transformation der Arbeitswelt auszuschöpfen und Risiken zu vermeiden. Um die Digitalisierung aktiv gestalten zu können, müssen die für die jeweiligen Digitalisierungsinitiativen relevanten Handlungsfelder identifiziert werden. Hier setzt die vorliegende Forschung an. Anhand einer Einzelfallstudie in einem mittelgroßen deutschen Versicherungsunternehmen werden im vorliegenden Beitrag die konkreten Auswirkungen der digitalen Transformation auf die beteiligten Mitarbeiter analysiert und Implikationen diskutiert. Hierzu wurde ein Digitalisierungsprojekt, und zwar die Digitalisierung der bislang papierbasierten analogen Geschäftsprozesse (E-Akte), in den Blick genommen. Auf Basis der Durchführung und Auswertung von 24 Interviews, in denen die direkten Effekte der Veränderungsmaßnahme aus Sicht der Mitarbeiter und Führungskräfte erfasst und analysiert wurden, ließen sich 10 Handlungsfelder identifizieren, in denen sich die Arbeitswelt des untersuchten Unternehmens durch die Digitalisierung des Geschäftsprozesses verändert.
Vielen Entscheidern fällt es aufgrund der hohen Komplexität schwer, die Digitalisierung der Arbeitswelt gezielt im Unternehmen zu gestalten. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie bieten dafür einen empirisch fundierten strukturierten Rahmen. Der Digitalisierungsatlas zeigt auf, welche zentralen Dimensionen der Arbeitswelt sich wie verändern können, wie sie miteinander zusammenhängen und wie sie für digitale Arbeitswelten gestaltbar sind. So können Entscheider gezielt Veränderungsmaßnahmen unter Berücksichtigung aller relevanten Aspekte in ihrem Unternehmen planen und systematisch umsetzen. Dennoch ist der Digitalisierungsatlas nicht als Anleitung für die digitale Transformation zu verstehen, sondern als systematische Orientierungshilfe: Jede Veränderungsmaßnahme eines Unternehmens ist ein individueller Vorgang und kann verschiedene Aspekte der Arbeitswelt in unterschiedlichem Ausmaß betreffen. Dabei ist es wichtig, Aspekte gezielt und nur auf Basis begründeter Überlegungen anzupassen.
In this paper, we deal with optimizing the monetary costs of executing parallel applications in cloud-based environments. Specifically, we investigate on how scalability characteristics of parallel applications impact the total costs of computations. We focus on a specific class of irregularly structured problems, where the scalability typically depends on the input data. Consequently, dynamic optimization methods are required for minimizing the costs of computation. For quantifying the total monetary costs of individual parallel computations, the paper presents a cost model that considers the costs for the parallel infrastructure employed as well as the costs caused by delayed results. We discuss a method for dynamically finding the number of processors for which the total costs based on our cost model are minimal. Our extensive experimental evaluation gives detailed insights into the performance characteristics of our approach.
Parallel applications are the computational backbone of major industry trends and grand challenges in science. Whereas these applications are typically constructed for dedicated High Performance Computing clusters and supercomputers, the cloud emerges as attractive execution environment, which provides on-demand resource provisioning and a pay-per-use model. However, cloud environments require specific application properties that may restrict parallel application design. As a result, design trade-offs are required to simultaneously maximize parallel performance and benefit from cloud-specific characteristics.
In this paper, we present a novel approach to assess the cloud readiness of parallel applications based on the design decisions made. By discovering and understanding the implications of these parallel design decisions on an application’s cloud readiness, our approach supports the migration of parallel applications to the cloud.We introduce an assessment procedure, its underlying meta model, and a corresponding instantiation to structure this multi-dimensional design space. For evaluation purposes, we present an extensive case study comprising three parallel applications and discuss their cloud readiness based on our approach.
Was kann ein produzierender Mittelständler tun, damit die Möglichkeiten für einen effizienteren Umgang mit Energie in seinem Betrieb auch ausgeschöpft werden? Die Ergebnisse eines zweijährigen Forschungsprojektes in Baden-Württemberg: Energieeffizienz ist für die kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) ein grundsätzlich bedeutsames Thema, größtenteils gleichbedeutend mit anderen strategischen oder operativen Fragen. Je größer die Unternehmen, umso mehr trifft das zu ; die Unterschiede nach Energiebedarf sind hingegen gering. Erfolgsversprechende Maßnahmen sind: die Unternehmen müssen Energieeffizienz strategisch verankern und ihre Führung darauf ausrichten, sollten möglichst viele verschiedene Maßnahmen umsetzen und die Belegschaft sensibilisieren. Aber auch die gesellschaftliche Meinung "treibt" die Unternehmen zu mehr Energieeffizienz.
Design thinking
(2019)
Design Thinking als eigenständige Disziplin gibt es bereits seit den sechziger Jahren, aber erst 2005 wurde die Managementlehre darauf aufmerksam. Seitdem wird das Konzept in der Wirtschaft und an den Hochschulen immer populärer, da sich "thinking like a designer" als erfolgreiche Methode erwiesen hat, um Innovationen anzustoßen und Probleme zu beseitigen. Zu den zahlreichen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von Design Thinking zählt das Design neuer Produkte und Dienstleistungen, die Prozessentwicklung und -implementierung sowie die Organisationsgestaltung.
In vitro, hydrogel-based ECMs for functionalizing surfaces of various material have played an essential role in mimicking native tissue matrix. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used to build microfluidic or organ-on-chip devices compatible with cells due to its easy handling in cast replication. Despite such advantages, the limitation of PDMS is its hydrophobic surface property. To improve wettability of PDMS-based devices, alginate, a naturally derived polysaccharide, was covalently bound to the PDMS surface. This alginate then crosslinked further hydrogel onto the PDMS surface in desired layer thickness. Hydrogel-modified PDMS was used for coating a topography chip system and in vitro investigation of cell growth on the surfaces. Moreover, such hydrophilic hydrogel-coated PDMS is utilized in a microfluidic device to prevent unspecific absorption of organic solutions. Hence, in both exemplary studies, PDMS surface properties were modified leading to improved devices.
Although integrins are responsible for the interaction of cells with their environment, e.g., the extracellular matrix or artificial substrates, there is still a lack of knowledge about their role in cell adhesion and migration on protein-coated substrates with microtopography. Understanding such interactions could lead to new applications in e.g., medical implants as well as shed light on processes such as embryonic development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumor progression. In this work, the influence of surface topography and chemistry on αvβ3 and α5β1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration of healthy and malignant human cell types (human coronary artery endothelial cells, human osteosarcoma cells, and human skin fibroblasts cells) was studied, using microgrooved and flat substrates covered by two different extracellular proteins, fibronectin and vitronectin. Although some general behaviors can be observed, cell migration (speed, directionality, and persistence time) and morphological adaptation (cell area, aspect ratio, and circularity) of cells on protein coated microgrooved substrates are mainly dependent on the cell type and its specific integrin expression.
Digital light microscopy techniques are among the most widely used methods in cell biology and medical research. Despite that, the automated classification of objects such as cells or specific parts of tissues in images is difficult. We present an approach to classify confluent cell layers in microscopy images by learned deep correlation features using deep neural networks. These deep correlation features are generated through the use of gram-based correlation features and are input to a neural network for learning the correlation between them. In this work we wanted to prove if a representation of cell data based on this is suitable for its classification as has been done for artworks with respect to their artistic period. The method generates images that contain recognizable characteristics of a specific cell type, for example, the average size and the ordered pattern.
Die digitale Transformation verändert branchenübergreifend Geschäftsmodelle und ist damit ein Schlüssel für den langfristigen Unternehmenserfolg. In der Praxis scheitert sie jedoch häufig an der richtigen Umsetzung. Der Digital-Business-Excellence-Ansatz soll Unternehmen helfen, den digitalen Wandel erfolgreich zu gestalten.
The detection and characterisation of oxide layers on metallic copper samples plays an important role for power electronic modules in the automotive industry. However, since precise identification of oxide layers by visual inspection is difficult and time consuming due to inhomogeneous colour distribution, a reliable and efficient method for estimating their thickness is needed. In this study, hyperspectral imaging in the visible wavelength range (425–725 nm) is proposed as an in-line inspection method for analysing oxide layers in real-time during processing of copper components such as printed circuit boards in the automotive industry. For implementation in the production line a partial least square regression (PLSR) model was developed with a calibration set of n = 12 with about 13,000 spectra per sample to determine the oxide layer thickness on top of the technical copper surfaces. The model shows a good prediction performance in the range of 0–30 nm compared to Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiles as a reference method. The root mean square error (RMSE) is 1.75 nm for calibration and 2.70 nm for full cross validation. Applied to an external dataset of four new samples with about 13,000 spectra per sample the model provides an RMSE of 1.84 nm for prediction and demonstrates the robustness of the model during real-time processing. The results of this study prove the ability and usefulness of the proposed method to estimate the thickness of oxide layers on technical copper. Hence, the application of hyperspectral imaging for the industrial process control of electronic devices is very promising.
Ein Halo-Effekt liegt vor, wenn der Eindruck eines dominanten Merkmals die Beurteilung anderer Eigenschaften eines Objekts beeinflusst. Es handelt sich um eine kognitive Verzerrung, die zu verzerrten Beurteilungen führt. In einem sportbezogenenen Kontext ist der Halo-Effekt bislang kaum erforscht worden, obwohl dies wesentlich dazu beitragen könnte, das Denken und Verhalten von Sportfans zu verstehen. Das Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist es, die Frage zu beantworten, die gleichermaßen für die Theorie und die Praxis des Sportmanagements von Interesse ist: gibt es einen Halo-Effekt im Fußball? Der Beitrag präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung, in deren Rahmen Fans von Vereinen aus der deutschen Fußball-Bundesliga befragt wurden.
Melamine–formaldehyde (MF) resins are widely used as adhesives and finishing materials in the wood industry. During resin cure, either methylene ether or methylene bridges are formed, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional resin network. Not only the curing degree, but also the chemical species present in the cured resin determine the quality of the final product. Analytical methods allowing a detailed investigation of network formation are of great benefit to manufacturers. In the present work, resin cure of an MF precondensate is studied at different temperatures (100–200 °C) without considering the initial pH as a factor. Isoconversional kinetic analysis based on exothermal curing enthalpies enables calculation of the crosslinking degree at a given time/temperature regime. A semiquantitative determination of the chemical groups present is performed based on solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance data. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has shown to be a fast and reliable analytical tool with high sensitivity toward functional groups and with great potential for at‐line process control.
A new two-dimensional fluorescence sensor system was developed for in-line monitoring of mammalian cell cultures. Fluorescence spectroscopy allows for the detection and quantification of naturally occurring intra- and extracellular fluorophores in the cell broth. The fluorescence signals correlate the the cells' current redox state and other relevant process parameters. Cell culture pretests with twelve different excitation wavelengths showed that only three wavelengths account for a vast majority of spectral variation. Accordingly, the newly developed device utilizes three high-power LEDs as excitation sources in combination with a back-thinned CCD-spectrometer for fluorescence detection.
Die Passagierzahlen an deutschen Flughäfen steigen konstant. Flughafenmedien bieten daher ein großes Potenzial für Werbetreibende, eine hohe Reichweite zu generieren sowie hochwertige Zielgruppen spezifisch anzusprechen. Insbesondere digitale Werbemedien genießen an Flughäfen eine große Beliebtheit und werden von der Mehrzahl der Reisenden in der Regel stärker wahrgenommen als analoge Werbung. Sie bleiben besser im Gedächtnis und sorgen für eine willkommene Abwechslung während der oftmals langen Verweildauer am Flughafen.
Homogeneous and monodispersed furan functionalised melamine-formaldehyde particles were produced. As a precursor, 2-chloro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (Mel) was selectively substituted with 2-aminomethyl furan (Fu) units in a convenient one step reaction. The pure reaction product Fu-Mel, which was used without further purification, was reacted with formaldehyde by conventional sol-gel condensation in aqueous medium to yield chemically homogenous, spherically shaped and monodispersed particles. The particles were analysed using ATR-FT-IR, Raman, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, TGA, SEM and DSC measurements. The reactivity of the furan groups located at the particle surface was studied by performing a thermoreversible Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction with bis-maleimide coupling agents. The formed networks showed thermoreversible behaviour, which was characterised by dynamic IR and DSC measurements.
We report an investigation into the distribution of copper oxidation states in oxide films formed on the surfaces of technical copper. The oxide films were grown by thermal annealing at ambient conditions and studied using Auger depth profiling and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Both Auger and UV–Vis data were evaluated applying multivariate curve resolution (MCR). Both experimental techniques revealed that the growth of Cu2O dominates the initial ca. 40 nm of oxide films grown at 175 °C, while further oxide growth is dominated by CuO formation. The largely coincident results from both experimental approaches demonstrates the huge benefit of the application of UV–Vis spectroscopy in combination with MCR analysis, which provides access to information on chemical state distributions without the need for destructive sample analysis. Both approaches are discussed in detail.
This paper develops a new methodology in order to study the role of dynamic expectations. Neither reference-point theories nor feedback models are sufficient to describe human expectations in a dynamic market environment. We use an interdisciplinary approach and demonstrate that expectations of non-learning agents are time-invariant and isotropic. On the contrary, learning enhances expectations. We uncover the “yardstick of expectations” in order to assess the impact of market developments on expectations. For the first time in the literature, we reveal new insights about the motion of dynamic expectations. Finally, the model is suitable for an AI approach and has major implications on the behaviour of market participants.
Nach der Euro- und Wirtschaftskrise in den Jahren seit 2010 verzeichnet die Europäische Union (EU) derzeit einen soliden Wirtschaftsaufschwung in allen Mitgliedstaaten. Der Anteil Europas an der Weltwirtschaft beträgt rund 30 Prozent. Das europäische Wirtschaftswachstum ist 2018 mit 2,1 Prozent sogar größer als das in Deutschland mit 1,6 Prozent. Eine Analyse der Dauer von Aufschwungsphasen zeigt, dass Europa im Vergleich zur Weltwirtschaft sogar unerwarteter Spitzenreiter ist. Seit den 1970er-Jahren liegt die durchschnittliche Dauer eines europäischen Wirtschaftsaufschwungs bei über dreißig Quartalen; sie ist mithin deutlich höher als in den USA und Japan.
This paper studies option pricing based on a reverse engineering (RE) approach. We utilize artificial intelligence in order to numerically compute the prices of options. The data consist of more than 5000 call- and put-options from the German stock market. First, we find that option pricing under reverse engineering obtains a smaller root mean square error to market prices. Second, we show that the reverse engineering model is reliant on training data. In general, the novel idea of reverse engineering is a rewarding direction for future research. It circumvents the limitations of finance theory, among others strong assumptions and numerical approximations under the Black–Scholes model.
This paper generalizes the theory of policy uncertainty with the new literature on rational inattention. First, the model demonstrates that inattention is dependent on the signal variance and the policy parameter. Second, I discover a novel trade-off showing that a policy instrument mitigates attention. Third, the policy instrument is non-linear and reciprocal to both the size and variance of the signal. The unifying theory creates new implications to economic theory and public policy alike.
Disziplinierung ohne politische Diskriminierung: warum es Marktkräfte in der Währungsunion bedarf!
(2019)
Die Reform der Währungsunion sollte folgende zwei Aspekte verknüpfen: einerseits die Übernahme einer stärkeren politischen Stabilitätsverantwortung und andererseits die Stärkung der Marktkräfte. Nur so kann das Prinzip von Eigenverantwortung und Haftung abgesichert werden. Zudem sollte die Politik im Euroraum einen Abwicklungsmechanismus für überschuldete Mitgliedsländer etablieren.
Jeder weiß, dass die Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie ein Nachhaltigkeitsproblem hat und es neuer Lösungsansätze bedarf. Auch Konsumenten und deren Verhalten haben einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Erfolgsaussichten einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung. Welche Rolle und Bedeutung obliegt jedoch dem einzelnen Mitarbeiter in diesem Prozess? Und welche Handlungsmaßnahmen können daraus abgeleitet werden? Eine empirische Analyse von über 100 internationalen Bekleidungsunternehmen gibt Aufschluss.
Im Rahmen dieses Aufsatzes soll anhand eines Praxisbeispiels aufgezeigt werden, wie sich vor dem Hintergrund des aktuellen KWK-Gesetzes die Entscheidung für eine KWK-Anlage mit einer größeren Leistung bereits heute wirtschaftlich auswirkkt. Darüber hinaus wird eine Methode zur Festlegung des optimalen Pufferspeichervolumens vorgestellt.
Due to the lack of sophisticated component libraries for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), highly optimized MEMS sensors are currently designed using a polygon driven design flow. The advantage of this design flow is its accurate mechanical simulation, but it lacks a method for an efficient and accurate electrostatic analysis of parasitic effects of MEMS. In order to close this gap in the polygon-driven design flow, we present a customized electrostatic analysis flow for such MEMS devices. Our flow features a 2.5D fabrication-process simulation, which simulates the three typical MEMS fabrication steps (namely deposition of materials including topography, deep reactive-ion etching, and the release etch by vapor-phase etching) very fast and on an acceptable abstraction level. Our new 2.5D fabrication-process simulation can be combined with commercial field-solvers such as they are commonly used in the design of integrated circuits. The new process simulation enables a faster but nevertheless satisfactory analysis of the electrostatic parasitic effects, and hence simplifies the electrical optimization of MEMS.
Development of an easy teaching and simulation solution for an autonomous mobile robot system
(2019)
With mass customized production becoming the mainstream, industries are shifting from large-scale manufacturing to flexible and customized production of small batch sizes. Agile manufacturing strategies adopted by SMEs are driving the usage of collaborative robots in today's factories. Major challenges in the adoption of cobots in the industry are the lack of a highly trained workforce to program the robot to perform complex tasks and integration of robot systems to other smart devices in the factory. In addition, the teaching and simulation by non-robotics experts of many industrial collaborative robot systems like the KUKA LBR iiwa is a major challenge, since these systems are designed to be programmed by robot experts and not by shop floor workers or other non-experts. This paper describes the research and development activities done for reducing the barriers in operation and ensure holistic integration of LBR iiwa cobot in the assembly on the example of the ESB Logistics Learning Factory. These include a visual programming solution for the easy teaching of various tasks. Robotic tasts are classified based on common robotics applications and application-specific blocks abstracting specific actions are implemented. A factory worker with no programming competency cour create robot programs by combining these blocks using a Graphical User Interface. In addition, a simulation solution was developed to visualized, analyse, and optimize robotic workflow before deployment. an autonomous mobile robot is integrated with the LBR iiw to improve reconfigurability and thus also the productivity. The system as a whole is controlled using an event-driven distributed control system. Finally, the capabilities of the system are analysed based on the design principles of Industrie 4.0 and potential future research ideas are discussed to further improve the system.
Additive manufacturing is a key technology which applies the ideas of Industry 4.0 in order to enable the production of personalized and highly customized products economically. Especially small and medium sized companies often lack the competence and experience to evaluate objectively and profoundly the potential of additive manufacturing technologies in small and medium sized companies. Furthermore, the method has been validated in a small medical technology company evaluating the additive manufacturing potential of an existing surgery tool.
Die Landessprache in der Lehre - welche Bedeutung kommt ihr bei der Internationalisierung zu?
(2019)
Seit der Jahrhundertwende wird erfolgreich die Intensivierung des Austauschs zwischen wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen betrieben, auch national, aber vor allem international. Anfänglich schien klar, dass gute Indikatoren für die "Internationalisierung" genannte Entwicklung die Anteile ausländischer Wissenschaftler und Studierender sind. Konsens über sinnvolle Zielgrößen für die Indikatoren gibt es jedoch bisher nicht. Nach einiger Zeit flachte sich der anfängliche Anstieg dieser Quoten etwas ab. Mit der Folge einer weiteren Steigerung dieses Indikators ist neuerdings international der Trend zur Anglophonisierung der Lehre zu beobachten.
Anders als Digital-ICs, die hochautomatisiert entworfen werden können, ist der Entwurf analoger ICs bis heute Handarbeit. Übliche auf Optimierung basierende Automatisierungsverfahren scheitern. Die Ursachen wurden jetzt in einem Forschungsprojekt untersucht, um neue Ansätze zur Entwurfsautomatisierung analoger ICs abzuleiten.
Beim Guerilla Marketing handelt es sich um die Auswahl untypischer und undogmatischer Marketingaktivitäten, die mit einem oftmals vergleichsweise geringen Mitteleinsatz eine möglichst große Wirkung erzielen sollen. Im Kern zielt Guerilla Marketing darauf ab, anders zu sein und aufzufallen. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über Methoden und Instrumente des Guerilla Marketing-Mix, die sich insbesondere (aber nicht nur) für Startups im Wettbewerb gegen etablierte, mit entsprechenden finanziellen Ressourcen ausgestattete Unternehmen eignen.
The desire to combine advanced user friendly interfaces with a product personality communicating environmental friendliness to customers poses new challenges for car interior designers, as little research has been carried out in this field to date. In this paper, the creation of three personas aimed at defining key German car users with pro environmental behaviour is presented. After collecting ethnographic data of potential drivers through literature review, information about generation and Euro car segment led to the definition of three key user groups. The resulting personas were applied to determine the most important interaction points in car interior. Finally, present design cues of eco-friendly product personality developed in the field of automotive design were explored. Our work presents three strategic directions for the design development of future in-car user interfaces named as a) foster multimodal mobility; b) emphasize the interlinkage economy - sustainable driving; and c) highlight new technological developments. The presented results are meant as an impulse for developers to fit the needs of green customers and drivers when designing user-friendly HMI components.
Established companies are facing two transformations involving digital technologies: becoming digitized and becoming digital. The platforms enabling these transformations are fundamentally different in their purpose, target state, success metrics — and especially, in the key responsibilities of senior leaders. Because of these differences, companies will need to apply new rules new roles, processes, metrics, and norms — to the new digital platform. To develop new rules leaders should (1) separate the teams working on the digital platform, (2) allow digital platform leaders to experiment with new rules, and (3) identify new leaders and coach them to succeed with new rules. Given the time it takes to establish new rules, companies need to start breaking old rules now.