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This paper addresses the turn-on switching process of insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules with anti-parallel free-wheeling diodes (FWD) used in inductive load switching power applications. An increase in efficiency, i.e. decrease in switching losses, calls for a fast switching process of the IGBT, but this commonly implies high values of the reverse-recovery current overshoot. To overcome this undesired behaviour, a solution was proposed which achieves an independent control of the collector current slope and peak reverse recovery current by applying a gate current that is briefly turned negative during the turn-on process. The feasibility of this approach has already been shown, however, a sophisticated control method is required for applying it in applications with varying currents, temperature and device parameters. In this paper a solution based on an adaptive, iterative closed-loop ontrol is proposed. Its effectiveness is demonstrated by experimental results from a 1200 V/200A IGBT power module for different load currents and reverse-recovery current overshoots.
The superior electrical and thermal properties of silicon carbide (SiC) allow further shrinking of the active area of future power semiconductor devices. A lower boundary of the die size can be obtained from the thermal impedance required to withstand the high power dissipation during a short-circuit event. However, this implies that the power distribution is homogeneous and that no current filamentation has to be considered. Therefore, this work investigates this assumption by evaluating the stability of a SiC-MOSFET over a wide range of operation conditions by measurements up to destruction, thermal simulations, and high-temperature characterization.
Customer needs and requirements are getting increasingly diverse and consumers more and more want to express their individuality with the products they buy. Due to the emergence of the internet and possibilities given, customers no longer only play a passive role, but are actually enabled to determine what they are purchasing. Therefore customisation or personlisation approaches like the miadidas concept from adidas, providing customised performance shoes or sneakers are more popular than ever. The prosumer concept already plays an important role trying to satisfy the demands of customers in future. As apparel for outdoor activities represents the largest and most important part of the sports good market in Germany and is yet still expected to grow, the purpose of this study is, on the one hand to identify diverse prosumer concepts existing and on the other hand to examine to what extent companies of the outdoor industry already have implemented prosumer concepts. A content analysis of homepages and online shops of 30 different European and North American outdoor brands was conducted. Results show, that companies of the outdoor industry have already implemented several prosumer concepts, but most of them are mainly concentrating on one prosumer approach and the involvement of professional users of their products.
The amount of image data has been rising exponentially over the last decades due to numerous trends like social networks, smartphones, automotive, biology, medicine and robotics. Traditionally, file systems are used as storage. Although they are easy to use and can handle large data volumes, they are suboptimal for efficient sequential image processing due to the limitation of data organisation on single images. Database systems and especially column-stores support more stuctured storage and access methods on the raw data level for entiere series.
In this paper we propose definitions of various layouts for an efficient storage of raw image data and metadata in a column store. These schemes are designed to improve the runtime behaviour of image processing operations. We present a tool called column-store Image Processing Toolbox (cIPT) allowing to easily combine the data layouts and operations for different image processing scenarios.
The experimental evaluation of a classification task on a real world image dataset indicates a performance increase of up to 15x on a column store compared to a traditional row-store (PostgreSQL) while the space consumption is reduced 7x. With these results cIPT provides the basis for a future mature database feature.
Different sensor types using chemical and biochemical principles are described. The former are mainly gas sensors, the latter are applied especially to liquids. Those label-free direct detection methods are compared with applications where assays take advantage of labeled receptors.
Furthermore, selected applications in the area of gas sensors are discussed, and sensors for process control, point-of-care diagnostics, environmental analytics, and food analytics are reviewed. In addition, multiplexing approaches used in microplates and microarrays are described.
On account of the huge number of sensor types and the wide range of possible applications, only the most important ones are selected here.
In this paper we present our work in progress on revisiting traditional DBMS mechanisms to manage space on native Flash and how it is administered by the DBA. Our observations and initial results show that: the standard logical database structures can be used for physical organization of data on native Flash; at the same time higher DBMS performance is achieved without incurring extra DBA overhead. Initial experimental evaluation indicates a 20% increase in transactional throughput under TPC-C, by performing intelligent data placement on Flash, less erase operations and thus better Flash longevity.
Willingness-to-pay for alternative fuel vehicle characteristics : a stated choice study for Germany
(2016)
In the light of European energy efficiency and clean air regulations, as well as an ambitious electric mobility goal of the German government, we examine consumer preferences for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) based on a Germany-wide discrete choice experiment among 711 potential car buyers. We estimate consumers’ willingness to-pay and compensating variation (CV) for improvements in vehicle attributes, also taking taste differences in the population into account by applying a latent class model with 6 distinct consumer segments. Our results indicate that about 1/3 of the consumers are oriented towards at least one AFV option, with almost half of them being AFV-affine, showing a high probability of choosing AFVs despite their current shortcomings. Our results suggest that German car buyers’ willingness-to-pay for improvements of the various vehicle attributes varies considerably across consumer groups and that the vehicle features have to meet some minimum requirements for considering AFVs. The CV values show that decision-makers in the administration and industry should focus on the most promising consumer group of ‘AFV aficionados’ and their needs. It also shows that some vehicle attribute improvements could increase the demand for AFVs cost-effectively, and that consumers would accept surcharges for some vehicle attributes at a level which could enable their private provision and economic operation (e.g. fast-charging infrastructure). Improvement of other attributes will need governmental subsidies to compensate for insufficient consumer valuation (e.g. battery capacity).
Virtual prototyping of integrated mixed-signal smart sensor systems requires high-performance co-simulation of analog frontend circuitry with complex digital controller hardware and embedded real-time software. We use SystemC/TLM 2.0 in conjunction with a cycle-count accurate temporal decoupling approach (TD) to simulate digital components and firmware code execution at high speed while preserving clock-cycle accuracy and, thus, real-time behavior at time quantum boundaries. Optimal time quanta ensuring real-time capability can be calculated and set automatically during simulation if the simulation engine has access to exact timing information about upcoming inter-process communication events. These methods fail in the case of non-deterministic, asynchronous events, resulting in potentially invalid simulation results. In this paper, we propose an extension to the case of asynchronous events generated by blackbox sources from which a priori event timing information is not available, such as coupled analog simulators or hardware in the loop. Additional event processing latency or rollback effort caused by temporal decoupling is minimized by calculating optimal time quanta dynamically in a SystemC model using a linear prediction scheme. We analyze the theoretical performance of the presented predictive temporal decoupling approach (PTD) by deriving a cost model that expresses the expected simulation effort in terms of key parameters such as time quantum size and CPU time per simulation cycle. For an exemplary smart-sensor system model, we show that quasi-periodic events that trigger activities in TD processes are handled accurately after the predictor has settled.
Die aktuellen Umbrüche in der Energiewirtschaft, hauptsächlich ausgelöst durch die zunehmende Dezentralisierung der Stromerzeugung, stellen die Energieversorgungsunternehmen (EVU) vor große Herausforderungen. Gleichzeitig steigt die Wettbewerbsintensität durch den digitalisierungsbedingten Einstieg branchenfremder Unternehmen stark an. Die technologischen, gesellschaftlichen, politischen und wirtschaftlichen Trends und Entwicklungen deuten darüber hinaus darauf hin, dass sich Tempo und Ausmaß dieses Umbruchs in Zukunft noch verstärken werden. EVU sehen sich demnach wachsenden Anforderungen hinsichtlich Energieeffizienz, Integration von erneuerbaren Energien und Kundenbedürfnissen gegenüber, die teilweise disruptive Anpassungen in Strategie und Geschäftsmodellen erforderlich machen. Die zu beantwortende Frage hierbei ist: Wie können innovative Geschäftsmodelle entwickelt und umgesetzt werden?
Purpose – This paper aims to complement the current understanding about user engagement in electronic word-of-mouth (eWoM) communications across online services and product communities. It examines the effect of the senders’ prior experience with products and services, and their extent of acquaintance with other community members, on user engagement with the eWoM.
Design/methodology/approach – The study used a sample of 576 unique user postings from the corporate fan page of two German firms: a service community of a telecom provider and a product community of a car manufacturer. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the conceptual model.
Findings – Senders’ prior experience and acquaintance positively affect user engagement with eWoM, and these effects differ across communities for products and services and across their influence on “likes” and “comments”. The results also suggest that communities for products are orientated toward information sharing, while those discussing services engage in information building.
Research limitations/implications – This research explains mechanisms of user engagement with eWoM and opens directions for future research around motives, content and social media tools within the structures of online communities. The insights on information-handling dimensions of online tools and antecedents to their use contribute to the research on two prioritized topics by the Marketing Science Institute – "Measuring and
Communicating the Value of Online Marketing Activities and Investments" and "Leveraging Digital/Social/Mobile Technology".
Practical implications – This research offers insights for firms to leverage user engagement and facilitate eWoM generation through members who have a higher number of acquaintances or who have more experience with the product or service. Executives should concentrate their community engagement strategies on the identification and utilization of power users. The conceptualization and empirical test about the role of likes and comments will help social media managers to create and better capture value from their social media metrics.
Originality/value – The insights about the underlying factors that influence engagement with eWoM advance our understanding about the usage of online content.
Industrie 4.0 - Ausblick
(2016)
Für Unternehmen ist es wichtig, frühzeitig die strategischen Weichen für ihre Industrie 4.0-Stoßrichtung zu stellen und Erfahrung im Umgang mit Industrie 4.0-Technologien aufzubauen. Allerdings werden einige der Industrie 4.0-relevanten Technologien voraussichtlich erst in 5 bis 10 Jahren ihr Effizienzpotential voll ausschöpfen können. Die Einführung von Industrie 4.0 betrifft nahezu alle Bereiche eines Unternehmens und ist deshalb nicht nur als digitale Transformation, sondern auch als Kulturwandel in der Organisation zu verstehen, zu planen und aktiv zu managen. Themen wie Datenschutz und IT-Sicherheit sind nicht nur wichtige Voraussetzungen für eine erfolgreiche Industrie 4.0-Einführung, sondern müssen als wesentliche Akzeptanz- und Erfolgsfaktoren konsequent und durchgängig in den digitalen Systemen verankert werden.
Der Wärmespeicher einer KWK-Anlage kann genutzt werden, um den Betrieb des BHKWs in die Zeiten des Stromverbrauchs zu verlagern. Die Ad-hoc-Zuschaltfunktion verbessert das Ergebnis gegenüber eines auf Basis von Prognosen erstellten Fahrplans. Zu beachten sind allerdings eine erhöhte Anzahl BHKW-Starts und erhöhte Wärmeverluste am Speicher. Die deutlich besten Ergebnisse werden für BHKW mit Leistungsmodulation erzielt.
Significant advances have been achieved in mobile robot localization and mapping in dynamic environments, however these are mostly incapable of dealing with the physical properties of automotive radar sensors. In this paper we present an accurate and robust solution to this problem, by introducing a memory efficient cluster map representation. Our approach is validated by experiments that took place on a public parking space with pedestrians, moving cars, as well as different parking configurations to provide a challenging dynamic environment. The results prove its ability to reproducibly localize our vehicle within an error margin of below 1% with respect to ground truth using only point based radar targets. A decay process enables our map representation to support local updates.
Bei weitgehend gleicher Ausstattung und neuen Anforderungen an die Hochschulrechenzentren rücken Kooperationen zunehmend in den Mittelpunkt. Für diese,
auch hochschulartenübergreifende, Kooperationen genügt der klassische informelle Rahmen vielfach nicht mehr. Für eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit sind einige Voraussetzungen zu erfüllen. Rechenzentren treten in neuer Rolle als Provider von Dienstleistungen für Nutzer auch außerhalb ihrer eigenen Hochschule auf. Ebenso
könnten sie sich zukünftig verstärkt in der Nutzerperspektive wiederfinden. IT-Service-Einrichtungen müssen sich ihrer neuen Rolle als Diensteanbieter und Nutzer von Diensten Dritter bewusst werden und diese in ihre Überlegungen für die Ausgestaltung neuer Dienste einfließen lassen.
In contrast to IC design, MEMS design still lacks sophisticated component libraries. Therefore, the physical design of MEMS sensors is mostly done by simply drawing polygons. Hence, the sensor structure is only given as plain graphic data which hinders the identification and investigation of topology elements such as spring, anchor, mass and electrodes. In order to solve this problem, we present a rule-based recognition algorithm which identifies the architecture and the topology elements of a MEMS sensor. In addition to graphic data, the algorithm makes use of only a few marking layers, as well as net and technology information. Our approach enables RC-extraction with commercial field solvers and a subsequent synthesis of the sensor circuit. The mapping of the extracted RC-values to the topology elements of the sensor enables a detailed analysis and optimization of actual MEMS sensors.
Optimization-based design automation for analog ICs still remains behind the demands. A promising alternative is given by procedural approaches such as parameterized generators, also known as PCells. We are working on a complete analog design flow based on parameterized generators for entire circuits and corresponding layout modules. Because the conventional programming of such enhanced generators is far too complicated and costly, new methods are needed to ease their development. This paper presents gPCDS (graphical PCDS), a novel tool for a designer-oriented development of schematic module generators, integrated into a common schematic entry environment. The tool is based on PCDS (Parameterized Circuit Description Scheme), a meta-language for the creation of parametrized analog circuits. Schematic module generators are a very desirable complement to layout module generators in order to achieve a seamless schematic- driven layout design flow on module level. By facilitating a way of generator development that matches a design expert’s mentality, gPCDS contributes to close this gap in the analog design flow.
In analog layout design, chip floorplans are usually still handcrafted by human experts. Particularly, the nondiscrete variability of block dimensions must be exploited thereby, which is a serious challenge for optimization-based algorithmic floorplanners. This paper presents a fundamentally new automation approach based on self-organization, in which floorplan blocks can autonomously move, rotate and deform themselves to jointly let compact results emerge from a synergistic flow of interaction. Our approach is able to minimize area and wirelength, supports nonslicing floorplan structures, can consider fully variable block dimensions, accounts for a fixed rectilinear boundary, and works absolutely deterministic. The approach is innovatively different from conventional, top-down oriented floorplanning algorithms.
This paper enhances SWARM, a novel deterministic analog layout automation approach based on the idea of cellular automata. SWARM implements a decentralized interaction model in which responsive layout modules, covering basic circuit types, autonomously move, rotate and deform themselves to let constraint-compliant, compact layout solutions emerge from a synergetic flow of self-organization. With the ability to consider design constraints both implicitly and explicitly, SWARM joins the layout quality of procedural generators with the flexibility of optimization algorithms, combining these two kinds of automation into a “bottom-up meets top-down” flow. The new enhancements are demonstrated in an OTA example, depicting the power of SWARM and its enormous potential for future developments.
Using a Fabry-Pérot-microresonator with controllable cavity lengths in the λ/2-regime, we show the controlled modification of the vibronic relaxation dynamics of a fluorescent dye molecule in the spectral and time domain. By altering the photonic mode density around the fluorophores we are able to shape the fluorescence spectrum and enhance specifically the probability of the radiative transitions from the electronic excited state to distinct vibronic excited states of the electronic ground state. Analysis and correlation of the spectral and time resolved measurements by a theoretical model and a global fitting procedure allows us to reveal quantitatively the spectrally distributed radiative and non-radiative relaxation dynamics of the respective dye molecule under ambient conditions at the ensemble level.
The limited interfaces of today's IC design environments for editing PCell parameters hinder a solid advancement towards more complex analog PCell modules. This paper presents Hierarchical Instance Parameter Editing (HIPE), a highly flexible concept for the customization of PCell sub-instances. Introducing a new type of parameter, HIPE facilitates the dynamic creation of multi-level editing forms reflecting the actual contents of a PCell instance. This approach greatly improves a PCell's ease-of-use, substantially simplifies PCell development, and allows for a hierarchical execution of parameter validation callbacks. Our HIPE implementation has been integrated into a professional PCell development tool and represents a key enabling technology for upcoming generations of high-level hierarchical PCells.
Methods for increasing the energy efficiency of induction motors by an appropriate control strategy have been a subject of research during the last years. Several methods for loss minimization have been developed for induction motors operated in a steady state. In recent years, some solutions for the dynamic case have been given as well either using an online or offline optimization approach, implying a certain computational burden, which is undesired in practice. This paper shows that the appropriate application of steady state techniques during transients due to a changing motor torque is a suboptimal strategy with an acceptable performance for efficiency optimization given an induction machine where saturation effects of the main inductance must be considered. The optimization problem is simplified such that a simple suboptimal solution is possible and the quality of the suboptimal solution is investigated by simulations and measurements. The proposed solution is simple, easy to implement, and does not require an online optimization. In addition, the influence of magnetizing induction saturation is considered.
This paper presents a laboratory experiment integrating the fields of electronics design, power electronics and drive control. The aim of this experiment is first to illustrate the need for a deep knowledge and the challenges in power electronics and its applications, in this particular case for drive control. The different tasks in this experiment are executed on a complete setup for a brushless dc motor test bench. The tasks assigned to the students are designed such that, in some tasks the knowledge from a particular field, power electronics, electronic design or drive control is deepened, whereas in other tasks the knowledge from more than one of these fields is needed to solve the given problem. Thus, the experiment trains students in the particular domains but illustrates as well the links between power electronics, electronic design and drive control.
Der Beitrag erweitert aus der theoretischen Perspektive der Soziologie der Konventionen (Économie des Conventions, EC) die Forschung zur pragmatischen Dimension des organisationalen Gedächtnisses. Dabei wird erstens argumentiert, dass Konventionen als organisationales Gedächtnis verstanden werden können, in denen gespeichert wird, wie Koordinationsprobleme erfolgreich lösbar sind. Zweitens wird anhand des Akteurstatus der EC sowie des Konzepts der Handlungsregime diskutiert, wie Akteure auf gespeichertes Wissen zugreifen. Und drittens wird die bislang nicht berücksichtigte normative Dimension des organisationalen Gedächtnisses analysiert. Dabei wird argumentiert, dass Akteure sich auf Konventionen gestützt rechtfertigen, wenn sie Elemente des organisationalen Gedächtnisses aufgreifen. Insgesamt trägt der Beitrag dazu bei, die Verbindung von kollektivem Gedächtnis und Entscheidung besser zu verstehen, indem sie auf Basis der EC als eine interaktionistische, pragmatische und normativ geprägte Aushandlung von Erinnerungen in konkreten Situationen betrachtet wird.
One of the challenges in condition monitoring systems is the residual life time prediction. This prediction is done based on statistical methods, based on physical knowledge about the considered process or a combination of these approaches. Physical knowledge of the system is a result of long-term experience of process operators. However, it can be gained as well by analyzing appropriately designed process models. The additional benefit of such models is that particular effects and their impact on the process behavior can be analyzed in detail and without plant operation in a shorter time. The current contribution developed in the framework of the research project Model Based Hierarchic Condition Monitoring presents such models for condition monitoring of roller chains. First, already existing high order dynamic models given by nonlinear differential equations of such chains are extended to incorporate effects that occur due to a deterioration of the chain condition. Then, a simple model is developed and compared to the high order model. Based on the two models the change in the process behavior due to a deterioration of the roller chain condition is analyzed to illustrate that these models can be used in future research in the above mentioned research project to better predict the residual life time of the considered roller chains.
Wie sieht eine erfolgreiche Einführung von Industrie 4.0 aus? Dieses Buch stellt das Konzept, die Paradigmen und relevanten Technologien von Industrie 4.0 sowie deren Gesamtzusammenhänge systematisch vor. Entgegen der gängigen, rein technologischen und anwendungsbezogenen Betrachtungsweise, führt das Buch zusätzlich strategische, taktische und operative Betrachtungsebenen zu einem integrativen Strang zusammen. Zentrales Herzstück dabei ist ein Vorgehensmodell, das den Handlungsbedarf auf strategischer und operativer Ebene beschreibt. Ein Praxisfall, unterschiedliche Industrie 4.0-Use Cases und namhafte Experten aus Forschung und Praxis machen diese Lektüre interessant für Neueinsteiger, aber auch für Umsetzungsinteressierte des mittleren und oberen Managements, die eine neue Sichtweise auf die Komplexität des Themas gewinnen möchten. Das Glossar macht das Buch zum wertvollen Nachschlagewerk für das Thema Industrie 4.0.
Pultrusion of braids
(2016)
Im Zuge des Lean Managements die Prozesse nach ökonomischen Aspekten zu optimieren, gehört für die meisten Unternehmen heute zum Standard. Die wenigsten beziehen bislang allerdings ökologische Aspekte mit ein - obwohl auch das zur Wirtschaftlichkeit beiträgt. Voraussetzung für eine stetige Reduzierung von Energieverbrauch und Emissionen ist erstens ein systematisches Vorgehen. Zweitens bedarf es exakter Kennzahlen, die in Echtzeit verfügbar sind.
KMUs sehen sich häufig aus finanziellen Gründen nicht in der Lage, in grundlegende Technologien der Industrie 4.0 zu investieren. So wird als Hauptvorbehalt eine vermeintlich schlechte Kosten-Nutzen-Relation bzw. langfristige Pay-Back-Zyklen angegeben. Die aktuellen Herausforderungen liegen derzeit eher bei der immer weiter voranschreitenden Internationalisierung sowie dem ansteigenden Innovationsdruck durch den Wettbewerb. Natürlich ist bekannt, dass die zunehmende Vernetzung der Produktionsanlagen in der Industrie 4.0 zudem Risiken in der IT- und Datensicherheit mit sich bringt. Auch Datenqualitäts-, Stabilitäts-, Schnittstellenprobleme oder rechtliche Probleme sind ausschlaggebend für die Verunsicherung der Unternehmen. Durch die zukünftig immer weiter ansteigende Vernetzung zwischen Unternehmen und Stakeholdern, müssen sich insbesondere Zulieferunternehmen in der Pflicht sehen, das Thema Industrie 4.0 aufzugreifen und sich damit auseinander zu setzen. Gerade diese Unternehmen müssen sich vor Augen führen, dass sie nur durch den zukünftigen Einsatz geeigneter Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien noch in der Lage sein werden, Teil der Wertschöpfungskette zwischen ihren Kunden und Lieferanten zu sein.
Das vorliegende Buch ist als Vorlesungsbegleiter zur Vorlesung Fluidmechanik im 3. Semester des Bachelorstudiengangs Maschinenbau an der Fakultät Technik der Hochschule Reutlingen konzipiert. In dieser Vorlesung werden Grundlagen der Fluidmechanik behandelt. Der Inhalt des Vorlesungsstoffes ist im Hinblick auf die zur Verfügung stehende knappe Zeit sowie die sehr unterschiedlichen Vorkenntnisse der Studierenden so aufgebaut, dass die angehenden Ingenieurinnen und Ingenieure für ihre künftigen Aufgaben die erforderlichen grundlegenden Kompetenzen auf dem Gebiet der Fluidmechanik erwerben.
Anhand von Übungen und Fallstudien lassen sich in diesem Band die zentralen Kapitel und Themen des Lehrbuchs optimal wiederholen und vertiefen.
Der Aufbau des Übungsbuchs orientiert sich an den wichtigsten im Lehrbuch vorgestellten Controlling- Instrumenten. Zu jedem Werkzeug bietet es Aufgaben und Fragestellungen aus der Praxis.
Mithilfe der umfangreichen Fallstudie der X-presso AG, die auch in Englisch dargestellt wird, können die Studierenden sich die englische Terminologie aneignen. Zusätzlich werden zusammenhängende und anspruchsvollere Aufgabenstellungen auf Prüfungsniveau angeboten.
Mit ausführlichen Lösungsvorschlägen zu jeder Aufgabe. Die 3. Auflage greift alle Aktualisierungen des Lehrbuchs auf.
Wer mit Argumenten Veränderungen bewirken will, muss seine Ansprechpartner für seine Lösungsansätze gewinnen. Ob dies gelingt, ist heutzutage keine Frage von rhetorischem Talent und Charisma mehr. Denn Techniken des Storylinings und Storytellings machen eine Professionalisierung betriebswirtschaftlicher Argumentation und Gedankenführung für jedermann möglich.
Kennzahlen zur Liquidität
(2016)
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the applicability of current benchmarking proposals for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to suggest a condensed process for logistics benchmarking in SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper starts by outlining why the logistics function is of increasing importance for SMEs. It discusses the benefit of logistics benchmarking and typical SME restrictions in benchmarking. Available approaches to benchmarking are discussed and their weaknesses when applied to SME logistics benchmarking are analyzed. The paper develops a new benchmarking process framework for SME logistics benchmarking and reports findings of a case application in three German SMEs.
Eine gut funktionierende Logistik ist ein wichtiger Wettbewerbsfaktor. Um ihren Beitrag zum Unternehmenserfolg ermitteln zu können, müssen ihre Kosten aber bestimmbar sein. Daran hapert es häufig. Dabei gibt es Ansätze, um Logistikkosten von anderen Kosten abzugrenzen. Unternehmen müssen nur konkrete Regeln für ihren Einsatz berücksichtigen.
Fremdkapital ist aktuell „billig“, doch die Investitionstätigkeit von Unternehmen bleibt zurückhaltend. Wer investieren möchte, muss in erster Linie die Höhe der Kapitalkosten berücksichtigen, die im Gegensatz zu den Zinsen nur leicht gesunken sind. Controller brauchen geeignete Ansätze, um zukünftige Kapitalkosten in Investitionsentscheidungen einzubeziehen.
The internet of things, enterprise social networks, adaptive case management, mobility systems, analytics for big data, and cloud environments are emerging to support smart connected i.e. digital products and services and the digital transformation. Biological metaphors for living and adaptable ecosystems are currently providing the logical foundation for resilient run-time environments with serviceoriented digitization architectures and for self-optimizing intelligent business services and related distributed information systems. We are investigating mechanisms for flexible adaptation and evolution of information systems with digital architecture in the context of the ongoing digital transformation. The goal is to support flexible and agile transformations for both business and related information systems through adaptation and dynamical evolution of their digital architectures. The present research paper investigates mechanisms of decision analytics for digitization architectures, putting a spotlight to internet of things micro-granular architectures, by extending original enterprise architecture reference models with digitization architectures and their multi-perspective architectural decision management.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a widely used modification for drug delivery systems. It reduces undesired interaction with biological components, aggregation of complexes and serves as a hydrophilic linker of ligands for targeted drug delivery. However, PEGylation can also lead to undesired changes in physicochemical characteristics of chitosan/siRNA nanoplexes and hamper gene silencing.
To address this conflicting issue, PEG-chitosan copolymers were synthesized with stepwise increasing degrees of PEG substitution (1.5% to 8.0%). Subsequently formed PEG-chitosan/siRNA nanoplexes were characterized physicochemically and biologically. The results showed that small ratios of chitosan PEGylation did not affect nanoplex stability and density. However, higher PEGylation ratios reduced nanoplex size and charge, as well as cell uptake and final siRNA knockdown efficiency.
Therefore, we recommend fine-tuning of PEGylation ratios to generate PEG-chitosan/siRNA delivery systems with maximum bioactivity. The degree of PEGylation for chitosan/siRNA nanoplexes should be kept low in order to maintain optimal nanoplex efficiency.
Wie digital ist ein Unternehmen aufgestellt? Wie weit ist es im Vergleich mit anderen Unternehmen der Branche? Um dies zu eruieren, eignen sich digitale Reifegradmodelle. Sie bieten eine Beschreibung der Ist-Situation, regen zur Reflexion über die wichtigen Fragen der Digitalisierung an und zeigen, welche Faktoren sich beeinflussen. Kontinuierlich eingesetzt lassen sie sich als Monitoring des digitalen Transformationsprozesses nutzen.
Herein the optimization of the physicochemical properties and surface biocompatibility of polyelectrolyte multilayers of the natural, biocompatible and biodegradable, linear polysaccharides hyaluronan and chitosan by Hofmeister anions was systematically investigated. We demonstrated that there is an interconnection between the bulk and surface properties of HA/Chi multilayers both varying in accordance with the arrangement of the anions in the Hofmeister series. Kosmotropic anions increased the hydration, thickness, micro- and macro-roughness, and hydrophilicity and improved the biocompatibility of the films by reduction (2 orders of magnitude) of the films stiffness and complete anti-thrombogenicity.
Die "économie des conventions" (EC) leistet einen wertvollen Beitrag dazu, das Geschehen in und zwischen Organisationen zu erklären und kann Führungskräfte dabei unterstützen, reflektierte und fundierte Entscheidungen zu treffen. Der Beitrag zeigt dies exemplarisch anhand einer Personalentscheidung auf. Dadurch bekommen interessierte PraktikerInnen, denen diese Theorie bislang fremd ist, einen ersten Einblick in die Relevanz der "économie des conventions" (EC) für ihre Arbeit.
Long-term stability of membranes in membrane distillation operation is a problem nowadays which prevents the industrial breakthrough of this separation process. Fouling or slow pore wetting are the basic reasons for this.
Membrane distillation membranes were made by NIPS process rendering the membrane asymmetrically to achieve low permeation resistance and pores which can be over coated with polyelectrolyte polymers thus leading to thermopervaporation membranes. Those membranes prohibit pore wetting and may strongly reduce resorption of organic substances on for membrane distillation typically used hydrophobic surfaces thus leading to longterm operation stability in dewatering including stable membrane cleaning.
Asymmetric PVDF membranes have been coated with cation exchange polyelectrolyte leading to a very thin, defect-free layer which has a high permeation rate for water due to the domain structure of phase-separated hydrophilic and hydrophobic three-dimensional structures.
Based on well-established robotic concepts of autonomous localization and navigation we present a system prototype to assist camera-based indoor navigation for human utilization implemented in the Robot Operating System (ROS). Our prototype takes advantage of state-of-the-art computer vision and robotic methods. Our system is designed for assistive indoor guidance. We employ a vibro tactile belt to serve as a guiding device to render derived motion suggestions to the user via vibration patterns. We evaluated the effectiveness of a variety of vibro-tactile feedback patterns for guidance of blindfolded users. Our prototype demonstrates that a vision-based system can support human navigation, and may also assist the visually impaired in a human-centered way.
Dieser Artikel zeigt, dass und wie die Ideen, Werkzeuge und Lösungsansätze von Lean Management im Sales-Umfeld genutzt werden können. Es wird verdeutlicht, wie der Wertschöpfungsanteil eigener Vertriebsprozesse gesteigert und gleichzeitig die Verschwendung aus Kundensicht minimiert werden kann. Ein wesentliches Werkzeug stellt hierfür die Methode des Wertstromdesigns dar, die vom Autor und seinen Partnern speziell auf die Besonderheiten von Vertriebsprozessen adaptiert wurde. Fokus ist hierbei das Hervorheben der unterschiedlichsten Arten der Verschwendung innerhalb von Prozessen dieser Art, um so einen Lösungsfindungsprozess zu initiieren. Es wird das Potenzial dieser Methodik verdeutlicht und die Anwendung erläutert. Abschließend wird diskutiert, wie eine Kultur der Veränderung auch innerhalb von Sales-Organisationen realisiert und eine Nachhaltigkeit von Veränderungen gefördert werden kann.
The deterioration of the shielding performance of electromagnetic interference finger stock gaskets in a corrosive environment is investigated. The visualization of the real contact area shows a drastic reduction of the engaged active contact region between fingers and their mating surfaces in presence of corrosives residues. In fact, additional openings occur besides the “Tlike” holes due to the porous nature of gaskets. This leads to a strong degradation of the shielding effectiveness. Modified Bethe’s theory is used to estimate the equivalent circuit parameters while the shielding effectiveness in terms of ratio between two transfer functions is obtained upon applying the filter theory. Quantitative measurements carried out for different gasket types show a good agreement with calculated results, demonstrating thus the validity of the approach.
Organizations identified the opportunities of big data analytics to support the business with problem-specific insights through the exploitation of generated data. Sociotechnical solutions are developed in big data projects to reach competitive advantage. Although these projects are aligned to specific business needs, common architectural challenges are not addressed in a comprehensive manner. Enterprise architecture management is a holistic approach to tackle complex business and IT architectures. The transformation of an organization’s EA is influenced by big data transformation processes and their data-driven approach on all layers. In this paper, we review big data literature to analyze which requirements for the EA management discipline are proposed. Based on a systematic literature identification, conceptual categories of requirements for EA management are elicited utilizing an inductive category formation. These conceptual categories of requirements constitute a category system that facilitates a new perspective on EA management and fosters the innovation-driven evolution of the EA management.
discipline.
Analysis is an important part of the enterprise architecture management process. Prior to decisions regarding transformation of the enterprise architecture, the current situation and the outcomes of alternative action plans have to be analysed. Many analysis approaches have been proposed by researchers and current enterprise architecture management tools implement analysis functionalities. However, few work has been done structuring and classifying enterprise architecture analysis approaches. This paper collects and extends existing classification schemes, presenting a framework for enterprise architecture analysis classification. For evaluation, a collection of enterprise architecture analysis approaches has been classified based on this framework. As a result, the description of these approaches has been assessed, a common set of important categories for enterprise architecture analysis classification has been derived and suggestions for further development are drawn.
Assuming that employment prospects in the country of education represent a pull factor for international students to enroll in higher education programs abroad and a selling proposition for higher education institutions campaigning for international students, this study aims at investigating the validity of these prospects. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with recruiters of 12 companies in Germany and Russia. A content analysis was applied to identify and compare employment opportunities and barriers for international graduates with domestic degrees at individual, organizational, and institutional levels. Findings include that country-specific human capital components are highly valued by employers, that the organization’s stage of internationalization determines the valuation of human capital components as well as the availability of customized recruiting practices, and that the institutional framewor —particularly the law on labor migration—influences employers’ receptivity for international graduates as well as their international staffing strategies in general. Findings are interpreted on the background of pertinent theoretical perspectives. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations given for international students, higher education institutions, employers, and policy-makers.
Die Krise des Euro hat gezeigt, dass die Währungsunion ohne gemeinsame Wirtschaftsunion unvollständig ist. Diese ist auch heute unrealistisch. Umso wichtiger ist es, die Solidität des Euro auf eine funktionsfähige Regelbindung zu gründen und aus der Wirtschafts- und Fiskalpolitik der Eurostaaten eine gemeinsame Stabilitätskultur zu entwickeln. Bodo Herzog entwirft dafür einen Weg in der Tradition der deutschen Ordnungspolitik: Eine regelgebundene Währungsunion, die auf einem besseren Regelwerk beruht, dessen Einhaltung gemeinsam, einheitlich und strikt beachtet wird.
The power supply is one of the major challenges for applications like internet of things IoTs and smart home. The maintenance issue of batteries and the limited power level of energy harvesting is addressed by the integrated micro power supply presented in this paper. Connected to the 120/230 Vrms mains, which is one of the most reliable energy sources and anywhere indoor available, it provides a 3.3V DC output voltage. The micro power supply consists of a fully integrated ACDC and DCDC converter with one external low voltage SMD buffer capacitor. The micro power supply is fabricated in a low cost 0.35 μm 700 V CMOS technology and covers a die size of 7.7 mm². The use of only one external low voltage SMD capacitor, results in an extremely compact form factor. The ACDC is a direct coupled, full wave rectifier with a subsequent bipolar shunt regulator, which provides an output voltage around 17 V. The DCDC stage is a fully integrated 4:1 SC DCDC converter with an input voltage as high as 17 V and a peak efficiency of 45 %. The power supply achieves an overall output power of 3 mW, resulting in a power density of 390 μW/mm². This exceeds prior art by a factor of 11.