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Die Internationalisierung ist mittlerweile ein zentraler Aspekt der gegenwärtigen ökonomischen Debatte. Inzwischen sind nämlich immer mehr Unternehmungen von der internationalen Verschmelzung der Märkte und Branchen betroffen. Haben lange Zeit überwiegend Großunternehmen und Konzerne über die nationalen Grenzen hinweg agiert, stellt sich zunehmend auch der Mittelstand der Herausforderung der Internationalisierung. Schließlich bieten sich international tätigen Firmen durch die Erschließung neuer Märkte unter anderem eine Reihe von attraktiven Wachstumschancen.
Bioakustik, ein interdisziplinäres Gebiet der Biologie zwischen Klang und Umwelt, erfährt durch die Kunstkopf-Hörbilder des Naturforschers und Tonmeisters Walter Tilgner eine plastische, wissenschaftliche Erweiterung. Mit dem binauralen Kunstkopfverfahren zeichnet er nicht nur einzelne tier- und vogelkundliche Laute auf, sondern die gesamte Umgebung und ihr typisches Klangbild. Während die Tierstimmenanalyse etwa der Ornithologie einzelne Formen des Vogelgesangs untersucht, geht es ihm und Hörkünstlern wie Gordon Hempton, dem ‚Soundtracker‘, um das Wechselspiel zwischen den Arten in Zeit und Raum. Auch die pädagogische Seite spielt eine Rolle, um den Rezipienten Naturklang als wertvolle Ressource nahezubringen. 1985 hat der Pionier Tilgner die ersten Naturlandschaften vollständig digital aufgenommen und bei WERGO mit dem Label ‚Natural Sound‘ als CD publiziert. Für den Komponisten und Wissenschaftler Dr. Bernie Krause aus Kalifornien repräsentieren solche Aufnahmen ökologische Nischen in der Landschaft, von typischen Klangverläufen geprägt. In seinem eigenen Vergleich dichter Naturräume in Südamerika, Afrika und Asien werden sie unverwechselbar als akustischer Fingerabdruck nachweisbar. Der Künstler- Forscher hat mit der Spektralanalyse so nicht nur seine ‚Nischen-Hypothese‘ entwickelt und empirisch bestätigt, sondern auch den Begriff der Biophonie geprägt: Naturklänge entfalten sich wie in einem musikalischen Stück, sie sind der Komposition einer (Bio-)Symphonie vergleichbar. Die Stimmen der Spezies bilden arin den ‚materialen Klang‘ (den Ausdruck verdanken wir dem Komponisten Johannes Wallmann in Berlin). Darauf wirken die zeitlichen Prozesse und räumlichen Faktoren der Umwelt, als ‚Geophony‘ aus Klima und Flora, durch Sonne, Wind, Erde und Wasser. Schließlich verändert auch der Mensch die Naturlandschaft durch technische Geräte, wie in der Tonaufnahme, und durch extensives Wirtschaften hin zur ‚Anthrophony‘. Der Klang der Natur ist also menschgemacht, und die Aufnahmen bedeuten nicht nur wertvollen Rohstoff für die Medien. Bioakustik und Biophonie fordern den Dialog von und über Natur und Kultur immer wieder neu heraus, wie hier im Spektrogramm einer Waldcollage, mit einer starken Motorsäge als Mittelpunkt [2].
Für Unternehmen ist es zunehmend von Interesse, durch Social-Media-Kommunikation nicht nur die Aufmerksamkeit der Zielgruppe zu wecken, sondern mit der aufmerksamkeitsstarken Ansprache die Wahrnehmung ihrer Marke und das marktbezogene Verhalten zu beeinflussen. Humorvolle Appelle sind in diesem Zusammenhang zur gängigen Werbepraxis geworden und finden auf Social Media in der direkten Interaktion zwischen Marken und ihrer Zielgruppe statt. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit wird humorvoll-schlagfertige Unternehmenskommunikation auf Social Media untersucht. Das Ziel war es, die Wirkungszusammenhänge zwischen derartiger Kommunikation, deren Bewertung, dem Markenimage, der Markenauthentizität und den Handlungsabsichten besser zu verstehen. Die Erkenntnisse über diese Zusammenhänge können sowohl der weiteren Erforschung als auch künftigen Marketingentscheidungen dienen.
Im Zuge dessen wurden die theoretischen Hintergründe moderner Markenkommunikation sowie der Konzepte Humor und Schlagfertigkeit ausgearbeitet. Der empirische Teil der Arbeit besteht aus der Konzipierung, Durchführung, Analyse und Ergebnisdiskussion einer quantitativen Studie. Zu den zentralen Ergebnissen zählt, dass sich der Grad an Humor und an Schlagfertigkeit darauf auswirkt, wie sehr die Kommunikation gefällt. Wenn diese gut gefällt, stärkt das wiederum das Markenimage. Auch die wahrgenommene Markenauthentizität bestimmt das Markenimage und wird selbst vor allem durch den Grad der Schlagfertigkeit bestimmt. Das Markenimage beeinflusst die Weiterleitungsabsicht der Kommunikation (virale Effekte) und die Kaufabsicht. Dabei unterscheidet sich humorvoll-schlagfertige Unternehmenskommunikation von neutraler Vergleichskommunikation hinsichtlich der Weiterleitungsabsicht signifikant.
1000 Meilen unter Strom, Rekordfahrt des in Offenburg entwickelten eFahrzeugs "Schluckspecht"
(2012)
Nach der Entwicklung eines sparsamen Demonstrationsfahrzeugs mit Dieselmotor und Brennstoffzellenfahrzeuge wurde ein Batteriefahrzeug entwickelt, das in Südafrika unter der Aufsicht von FIA-Ingenieuren 626,6 km fuhr, ohne dass die Batterie aufgeladen werden musste. Ein Demonstrationsfahrzeug des Japan Electrical Vehicle Club hielt den damaligen Weltrekordmit 555,6 km.
Knight Götz von Berlichingen (1480–1562) lost his right hand distal to the wrist due to a cannon ball splinter injury in 1504 in the Landshut War of Succession at the age of 24. Early on, Götz commissioned a gunsmith to build the first “Iron Hand,” in which the artificial thumb and two finger blocks could be moved in their basic joints by a spring mechanism and released by a push button. Some years later, probably around 1530, a second “Iron Hand” was built, in which the fingers could be moved passively in all joints. In this review, the 3D computer-aided design (CAD) reconstructions and 3D multi-material polymer replica printings of the first “Iron hand“, which were developed in the last few years at Offenburg University, are presented. Even by today’s standards, the first “Iron Hand”—as could be shown in the replicas—demonstrates sophisticated mechanics and well thought-out functionality and still offers inspiration and food for discussion when it comes to the question of an artificial prosthetic replacement for a hand. It is also outlined how some of the ideas of this mechanical passive prosthesis can be translated into a modern motorized active prosthetic hand by using simple, commercially available electronic components.
Positioning mobile systems with high accuracy is a prerequisite for intelligent autonomous behavior, both in industrial environments and in field robotics. This paper describes the setup of a robotic platform and its use for the evaluation of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms. A configuration using a mobile robot Husky A200, and a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor was used to implement the setup. For verification of the proposed setup, different scan matching methods for odometry determination in indoor and outdoor environments are tested. An assessment of the accuracy of the baseline 3D-SLAM system and the selected evaluation system is presented by comparing different scenarios and test situations. It was shown that the hdl_graph_slam in combination with the LiDAR OS1 and the scan matching algorithms FAST_GICP and FAST_VGICP achieves good mapping results with accuracies up to 2 cm.
Recent developments in information and communication technology, along with advanced displaying techniques and high computational performance open up new visualisation methods to both scientists and lecturers. Thus simulations of complex processes [1] can be computed and visualised in image sequences. The particular idea in our approach is the outsourcing of computationally intensive calculations to servers which then send the results back to mobile users. In order to improve interpretations of the visualised results, users can view them in a 3D-perspective or stereoscopically, given the technical requirements. Today’s technology even permits to view these visualisations on a mobile phone. An example for such a computationally intensive calculation originating from the theory of relativity is depicted in Figure 4.1-1.
Disturbances of the cardiac conduction system causing reentry mechanisms above the atrioventricular (AV) node are induced by at least one accessory pathway with different conducting properties and refractory periods. This work aims to further develop the already existing and continuously expanding Offenburg heart rhythm model to visualise the most common supraventricular reentry tachycardias to provide a better understanding of the cause of the respective reentry mechanism.
Background: This paper presents a novel approach for a hand prosthesis consisting of a flexible, anthropomorphic, 3D-printed replacement hand combined with a commercially available motorized orthosis that allows gripping.
Methods: A 3D light scanner was used to produce a personalized replacement hand. The wrist of the replacement hand was printed of rigid material; the rest of the hand was printed of flexible material. A standard arm liner was used to enable the user’s arm stump to be connected to the replacement hand. With computer-aided design, two different concepts were developed for the scanned hand model: In the first concept, the replacement hand was attached to the arm liner with a screw. The second concept involved attaching with a commercially available fastening system; furthermore, a skeleton was designed that was located within the flexible part of the replacement hand.
Results: 3D-multi-material printing of the two different hands was unproblematic and inexpensive. The printed hands had approximately the weight of the real hand. When testing the replacement hands with the orthosis it was possible to prove a convincing everyday functionality. For example, it was possible to grip and lift a 1-L water bottle. In addition, a pen could be held, making writing possible.
Conclusions: This first proof-of-concept study encourages further testing with users.
3D Produktpräsentationen im Internet sind komplexe Rich Media Anwendungen, bei deren Erstellung es viel zu beachten gilt. Diese Arbeit beleuchtet verschiedene Aspekte zur Erstellung von 3D Produktpräsentationen. Das Zielmedium Internet, die Gestaltung von 3D Produkten und Layouts, die Interaktivität von 3D Produktseiten, Technologien zu Erstellung, technische Hürden des Mediums, Visionen und ein Projektablauf sowie eine Perspektive zur Entwicklung von 3D Produktpräsentationen sind die inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte der Arbeit.
Technologie spielt im Sport schon immer eine große Rolle. Mit steigender Leistungsdichte im Spitzensport wird versucht mithilfe technischer Hilfsmittel dem Sportler die optimalen Umstände zu ermöglichen. Dazu gehört nicht nur Technik im Sportequiptment, sondern auch Sportuntersuchungen wie Leistungsdiagnostiken. Im Laufsport zählen dazu Ausdauer- und Krafttests. Bei Ausdauertests werden physiologische Parameter wie Laktat, Herzfrequenz oder Sauerstoffaufnahme gemessen. Zusätzlich wird die Lauftechnik für einen kurzen Zeitpunkt analysiert. Wie sich diese unter anhaltender Belastung verhält, wird nicht untersucht. Mit neuen Technologien im Bereich Bewegungsanalyse, können immer schneller größere Datensätze ausgewertet werden. Aus diesem Grund wird in dieser Studie die Lauftechnik über mehrere Zeitpunkte aufgezeichnet und nach Ermüdungserscheinungen untersucht.
Dazu wurde am Institut für angewandte Trainingswissenschaften (IAT) während einer komplexen Leistungsdiagnostik im März 2021 bei einem Laufbandstufentest (4x2000m oder 4x3000m) die Lauftechnik von 15 Elite- und Elitenachwuchsläufer:innen (m=8, w=7) mithilfe eines 3D-Bewegungsanalyse Systems nach Veränderungen in Winkelstellung und Bodenreaktionskraft untersucht. Als physiologische Vergleichsparameter wurde Herzfrequenz und Laktat aufgenommen.
Bei der Analyse der Daten wurden diese in der Gruppe betrachtet. Dabei haben sich schwach signifikante Veränderungen (p=0,047) der vertikalen Bodenreaktionskraft links am Ende der Stufe aufgezeigt. Weitere signifikante Unterschiede (p=0,020) sind im maximalen Kniehub links zu einem größerer Hüftwinkel am Ende sichtbar. Da sonst keine signifikanten Unterschiede zu sehen sind, lässt sich, bei dem hier durchgeführten Protokoll, nicht statistisch gesichert feststellen, ob auftretende Ermüdungserscheinungen die Lauftechnik beeinflussen und verändern. Um festzustellen, ob es geschlechts- oder protokollanhängige Effekte hinsichtlich einer ermüdungsbedingte Lauftechnikveränderung gibt, wurde auch dies statistisch untersucht.
Hier zeigten sich jeweils in einzelnen Parametern signifikante Unterschiede (Parameter TO\_knee\_left; p=0,026) in der Geschlechtsspezifik und in der protokollabhängigen Untersuchung (Parameter TSw\_hip\_left; p=0,04)
Für weitere Studien zur Untersuchung von Lauftechnikveränderung sollten umfangreichere physiologische Daten zur genaueren Betrachtung der Ermüdung verwendet werden. Grundsätzlich müsste das Protokoll auf eine maximale Ausbelastung (beispielsweise Dauerstufentest von 10-15km oder Ausbelastungs-/Abbruchtest) ausgelegt sein.
Grundlegend ist festzustellen, dass sich Simi-Shape als 3D-Bewegungsanalyse-Methode eignet, um spezifische Parameter in der Lauftechnik zu diagnostizieren, gerade hinsichtlich der Effizienz im Auswerteprozess.
3D-Druck für Privatanwender
(2014)
„It’s basically like a hot-glue gun that uses the same kind of plastic used to make Legos“
So beschreibt Bre Pettis, CEO von Makerbot Industries, das 3D-Druckverfahren welches bei den meisten 3D Druckern für den privaten Gebrauch verwendet wird. Was ist der 3D-Druck eigentlich? Wo kann er eingesetzt werden? Wird irgendwann ein 3D-Drucker in jedem Haushalt zu finden sein? Um Antworten auf diese Fragen zu finden, habe ich im Rahmen meiner Bachelorarbeit einen 3D-Drucker zusammengebaut und versucht mehr über diese spannende Zukunftstechnologie zu erfahren.
Die Arbeit behandelt das Thema 3D-Gestensteuerungen als MIDI-Controller in Audioanwendungen. Es wird anhand der momentan verfügbaren 3D-Gesten-Steuerungstechnik erforscht, welche Einsatzmöglichkeiten im Bereich der Audiotechnik beziehungsweise im Sounddesign gegeben sind. Die Erforschung der technischen Grundlagen aus Software und Hardware-Modulen als auch die Performance-Bewertungen bilden die technischen Grundlagen ab, während anschliessend ausgewählte Audioanwendungen beschrieben werden, welche in einer Befragung auf ihre Nutzbarkeit überprüft werden. Es wird beschrieben wie man mit einer 3D-Gestensteuerung, wie dem Kinect-Sensor, Musik oder Sounds produzieren kann, und wie man diese Technik sinnvoll einsetzten kann.
Die vorliegende Bachelorthesis befasst sich mit der Reproduktion der ersten „eisernen Hand“ des Götz von Berlichingen. Die Aufgabenstellung ist es, einen Öffnungsmechanismus zu entwickeln, welcher die zwei Fingerblöcke in die geöffnete Grundstreckstellung zurückführt, wenn die Finger zur Handinnenfläche eingefahren sind. Außerdem sollen die Fingerblöcke in drei verschiedenen Positionen einrasten können, wenn sie nach innen gedrückt werden. Insgesamt soll die Mechanik der Fingerblöcke durch 3D-unterstützte Optimierung von Bauteilen verbessert und unterstützt werden.
Der neukonstruierte Öffnungsmechanismus beinhaltet eine Drehfeder pro Fingerblock. Zudem begünstigt die CAD-Optimierung des Daumensystems und des Fingersystems die Mechanik der Fingerblöcke.
In 4D printing, an additively manufactured component is given the ability to change its shape or function in an intended and useful manner over time. The technology of 4D printing is still in an early stage of development. Nevertheless, interesting research and initial applications exist in the literature. In this work, a novel methodical approach is presented that helps transfer existing 4D printing research results and knowledge into solving application tasks systematically. Moreover, two different smart materials are analyzed, used, and combined following the presented methodical approach to solving the given task in the form of recovering an object from a poorly accessible space. This is implemented by self-positioning, grabbing, and extracting the target object. The first smart material used to realize these tasks is a shape-memory polymer, while the second is a polymer-based magnetic composite. In addition to the presentation and detailed implementation of the methodical approach, the potentials and behavior of the two smart materials are further examined and narrowed down as a result of the investigation. The results show that the developed methodical approach contributes to moving 4D printing closer toward a viable alternative to existing technologies due to its problem-oriented nature.
5 Jahre OHRbits - Resümee und neue Ideen Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung des privaten Rundfunks in kleinen Regionen wie der Ortenau, binnen der letzten 20 Jahre, gesondert der Privaten Rundfunkgesellschaft Ortenau KG. Hierzu wurden die Möglichkeiten von Kundenbindungsmassnahmen im Hörfunk, wie den seit fünf Jahren existierenden OHRbits, untersucht und deren Entwicklung, Stärken und Schwächen, untersucht. Um Konzepte für die Zukunft entwickeln zu können wurde eine Umfrage unter 800 Programmteilnehmern sowie einer Auswahl an Partnerunternehmen der OHRbits durchgeführt. Auf diesen Resultaten basierend wurden nun neue Konzepte entwickelt. Neben diesem Zweig wurden überregionale Systeme wie Payback oder Happy Digits untersucht und vorgestellt, sowie das OHRbits-System mit Systemen anderer Zeitungsverlage, verglichen, genauer mit der LeserPlus-Card der Mittelbadischen Presse, der BZCard der Badischen Zeitung, sowie der CleverKarte der Lüneburger Landeszeitung.
A simple measuring method for acquiring the radiation pattern of an ultrawide band Vivaldi antenna is presented. The measuring is performed by combining two identical Vivaldi antennas and some of the intrinsic properties of a stepped-frequency continue wave radar (SFCW radar) in the
range from 1.0 GHz to 6.0 GHz. A stepper-motor provided the azimuthal rotation for one of the antennas from 0 ◦ to 360 ◦. The tests have been performed within the conventional environment (laboratory / office) without using an anechoic chamber or absorbing materials. Special measuring devices have not been used either. This method has been tested with different pairs of Vivaldi antennas and it can be also used for different ones (with little or no change in the system), as long as their operational
bandwidth is within the frequency range of the SFCW radar.
Keywords — SFCW Radar, Antenna Gain Characterization,
Azimuthal Radiation Pattern
Gamification is increasingly successful in the field of education and health. However, beyond call-centers and applications in human resources, its utilization within companies remains limited. In this paper, we examine the acceptance of gamification in a large company (with over 17,000 employees) across three generations, namely X, Y, and Z. Furthermore, we investigate which gamification elements are suited for business contexts, such as the dissemination of company principles and facts, or the organization of work tasks. To this end, we conducted focus group discussions, developed the prototype of a gamified company app, and performed a large-scale evaluation with 367 company employees. The results reveal statistically significant intergenerational disparities in the acceptance of gamification: younger employees, especially those belonging to Generation Z, enjoy gamification more than older employees and are most likely to engage with a gamified app in the workplace. The results further show a nuanced range of preferences regarding gamification elements: avatars are popular among all generations, badges are predominantly appreciated by Generations Z and Y, while leaderboards are solely liked by Generation Z. Drawing upon these insights, we provide recommendations for future gamification projects within business contexts. We hope that the results of our study regarding the preferences of the gamification elements and understanding generational differences in acceptance and usage of gamification will help to create more engaging and effective apps, especially within the corporate landscape.
Threat Modeling is a vital approach to implementing ”Security by Design” because it enables the discovery of vulnerabilities and mitigation of threats during the early stage of the Software Development Life Cycle as opposed to later on when they will be more expensive to fix. This thesis makes a review of the current threat Modeling approaches, methods, and tools. It then creates a meta-model adaptation of a fictitious cloud-based shop application which is tested using STRIDE and PASTA to check for vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and impact risk. The Analysis is done using Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool and IriusRisk. Finally, an evaluation of the results is made to ascertain the effectiveness of the processes involved with highlights of the challenges in threat modeling and recommendations on how security developers can make improvements.
The Internet of Things is spreading significantly in every sector, including the household, a variety of industries, healthcare, and emergency services, with the goal of assisting all of those infrastructures by providing intelligent means of service delivery. An Internet of Vulnerabilities (IoV) has emerged as a result of the pervasiveness of the Internet of Things (IoT), which has led to a rise in the use of applications and devices connected to the IoT in our day-to-day lives. The manufacture of IoT devices are growing at a rapid pace, but security and privacy concerns are not being taken into consideration. These intelligent Internet of Things devices are especially vulnerable to a variety of attacks, both on the hardware and software levels, which leaves them exposed to the possibility of use cases. This master’s thesis provides a comprehensive overview of the Internet of Things (IoT) with regard to security and privacy in the area of applications, security architecture frameworks, a taxonomy of various cyberattacks based on various architecture models, such as three-layer, four-layer, and five-layer. The fundamental purpose of this thesis is to provide recommendations for alternate mitigation strategies and corrective actions by using a holistic rather than a layer-by-layer approach. We discussed the most effective solutions to the problems of privacy and safety that are associated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and presented them in the form of research questions. In addition to that, we investigated a number of further possible directions for the development of this research.
This thesis focuses on the development and implementation of a Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) communication framework within the ns-3 network simulator, specifically targeting the LoRaWAN model network. The primary aim is to analyse the behaviour and performance of DTLS protocols across different network conditions within a LoRaWAN context. The key aspects of this work include the following.
Utilization of ns-3: This thesis leverages ns-3’s capabilities as a powerful discrete event network simulator. This platform enables the emulation of diverse network environments, characterized by varying levels of latency, packet loss, and bandwidth constraints.
Emulation of Network Challenges: The framework specifically addresses unique challenges posed by certain network configurations, such as duty cycle limitations. These constraints, which limit the time allocated for data transmission by each device, are crucial in understanding the real-world performance of DTLS protocols.
Testing in Multi-client-server Scenarios: A significant feature of this framework is its ability to test DTLS performance in complex scenarios involving multiple clients and servers. This is vital for assessing the behaviour of a protocol under realistic network conditions.
Realistic Environment Simulation: By simulating challenging network conditions, such as congestion, limited bandwidth, and resource constraints, the framework provides a realistic environment for thorough evaluation. This allows for a comprehensive analysis of DTLS in terms of security, performance, and scalability.
Overall, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of DTLS protocols by providing a robust tool for their evaluation under various and challenging network conditions.
A report from the World Economic Forum (2019) stated loneliness as the third societal stressor in the world, mainly in western countries. Moreover, research shows that loneliness tends to be experienced more severely by young adults than other age groups (Rokach, 2000), which is the case of university students who face profound periods of loneliness when attending university in a new place (Diehl et al., 2018). Digital technology, especially mental health apps (MHapps), have been viewed as promising solutions to address this distress in universities, however, little evidence on this topic reveals uncertainty around how these resources impact individual well-being. Therefore, this research proposed to investigate how the gamified social mobile app Noneliness reduced loneliness rates and other associated mental health issues of students from a German university. As little work has focused on digital apps targeting loneliness, this project also proposed to describe and discuss the app’s design and development processes. A multimethod approach was adopted: literature review on high-efficacy MHapps design, gamification for mental health and loneliness interventions; User Experience Design and Human-centered Computing. Evaluations occurred according to the app’s development iterations, which assessed four versions (from prototype to Beta) through quantitative and qualitative studies with university students. The main results obtained regarding the design aspects were: users' preference for minimalistic interfaces; importance in maintaining privacy and establishing trust among users; students' willingness to use an online support space for emotional and educational support. Most used features were those related to group discussions, private chats and university social events. Preferred gamification elements were those that provided positive reinforcement to motivate social interactions (e.g. Points, Levels and Achievements). Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial with university students (N = 12), showed no statistically significant interactions in reducing loneliness among experimental group members (n = 7, x² = 3.500, p-value = 0.477, Cramer’s V = 0.27) who made continued use of the app for six weeks. On the other hand, the app showed effects of moderate magnitude on loneliness reduction in this group. The app also demonstrated relatively strong magnitude effects on other associated variables, such as depression and stress in the experimental group. In addition to motivating the conduct of further studies with larger samples, the findings point to a potential app effectiveness not only to reduce loneliness, but also other variables that may be associated with the distress.
Lithium-ion batteries exhibit slow voltage dynamics on the minute time scale that are usually associated with transport processes. We present a novel modelling approach toward these dynamics by combining physical and data-driven models into a Grey-box model. We use neural networks, in particular neural ordinary differential equations. The physical structure of the Grey-box model is borrowed from the Fickian diffusion law, where the transport domain is discretized using finite volumes. Within this physical structure, unknown parameters (diffusion coefficient, diffusion length, discretization) and dependencies (state of charge, lithium concentration) are replaced by neural networks and learnable parameters. We perform model-to-model comparisons, using as training data (a) a Fickian diffusion process, (b) a Warburg element, and (c) a resistor-capacitor circuit. Voltage dynamics during constant-current operation and pulse tests as well as electrochemical impedance spectra are simulated. The slow dynamics of all three physical models in the order of ten to 30 min are well captured by the Grey-box model, demonstrating the flexibility of the present approach.
Pure orbital blowout fractures occur within the confines of the internal orbital wall. Restoration of orbital form and volume is paramount to prevent functional and esthetic impairment. The anatomical peculiarity of the orbit has encouraged surgeons to develop implants with customized features to restore its architecture. This has resulted in worldwide clinical demand for patient-specific implants (PSIs) designed to fit precisely in the patient’s unique anatomy. Material extrusion or Fused filament fabrication (FFF) three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has enabled the fabrication of implant-grade polymers such as Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), paving the way for a more sophisticated generation of biomaterials. This study evaluates the FFF 3D printed PEEK orbital mesh customized implants with a metric considering the relevant design, biomechanical, and morphological parameters. The performance of the implants is studied as a function of varying thicknesses and porous design constructs through a finite element (FE) based computational model and a decision matrix based statistical approach. The maximum stress values achieved in our results predict the high durability of the implants, and the maximum deformation values were under one-tenth of a millimeter (mm) domain in all the implant profile configurations. The circular patterned implant (0.9 mm) had the best performance score. The study demonstrates that compounding multi-design computational analysis with 3D printing can be beneficial for the optimal restoration of the orbital floor.
Background:
Ankle braces aim to reduce lateral ankle sprains. Next to protection, factors influencing user compliance, such as sports performance, motion restriction, and users’ perceptions, are relevant for user compliance and thus injury prevention. Novel adaptive protection systems claim to change their mechanical behavior based on the intensity of motion (eg, the inversion velocity), unlike traditional passive concepts of ankle bracing.
Purpose:
To compare the performance of a novel adaptive brace with 2 passive ankle braces while considering protection, sports performance, freedom of motion, and subjective perception.
Study Design:
Controlled laboratory study.
Methods:
The authors analyzed 1 adaptive and 2 passive (one lace-up and one rigid brace) ankle braces, worn in a low-cut, indoor sports shoe, which was also the no-brace reference condition. We performed material testing using an artificial ankle joint system at high and low inversion velocities. Further, 20 male, young, healthy team sports athletes were analyzed using 3-dimensional motion analysis in sports-related movements to address protection, sports performance, and active range of motion dimensions. Participants rated subjective comfort, stability, and restriction experienced when using the products.
Results:
Subjective stability rating was not different between the adaptive and passive systems. The rigid brace was superior in restricting peak inversion during the biomechanical testing compared with the passive braces. However, in the material test, the adaptive brace increased its stiffness by approximately 400% during the fast compared with the slow inversion velocities, demonstrating its adaptive behavior and similar stiffness values to passive braces. We identified minor differences in sports performance tasks. The adaptive brace improved active ankle range of motion and subjective comfort and restriction ratings.
Conclusion:
The adaptive brace offered similar protective effects in high-velocity inversion situations to those of the passive braces while improving range of motion, comfort, and restriction rating during noninjurious motions.
Clinical Relevance:
Protection systems are only effective when used. Compared with traditional passive ankle brace technologies, the novel adaptive brace might increase user compliance by improving comfort and freedom of movement while offering similar protection in injurious situations.
The NaSiO Institute (Institute for Sustainable Silicate Research in Offenburg, https://inasio.hs-offenburg.de/) has been working for years on climate-friendly alternatives to insulation materials and inorganic binders, as well as the reasonable use of construction waste in the building industry. The aim of research is to realize the enormous CO 2 saving potential of the construction sector worldwide. A stopping of climate heating will only succeed if these climate-friendly alternatives are used in the construction industry. This is the only way to realize the enormous CO2 savings that will be needed in future to comply with the Paris Agreement.
Treadmills are essential to the study of human and animal locomotion as well as for applied diagnostics in both sports and medicine. The quantification of relevant biomechanical and physiological variables requires a precise regulation of treadmill belt velocity (TBV). Here, we present a novel method for time-efficient tracking of TBV using standard 3D motion capture technology. Further, we analyzed TBV fluctuations of four different treadmills as seven participants walked and ran at target speeds ranging from 1.0 to 4.5 m/s. Using the novel method, we show that TBV regulation differs between treadmill types, and that certain features of TBV regulation are affected by the subjects’ body mass and their locomotion speed. With higher body mass, the TBV reductions in the braking phase of stance became higher, even though this relationship differed between locomotion speeds and treadmill type (significant body mass × speed × treadmill type interaction). Average belt speeds varied between about 98 and 103% of the target speed. For three of the four treadmills, TBV reduction during the stance phase of running was more intense (> 5% target speed) and occurred earlier (before 50% of stance phase) unlike the typical overground center of mass velocity patterns reported in the literature. Overall, the results of this study emphasize the importance of monitoring TBV during locomotor research and applied diagnostics. We provide a novel method that is freely accessible on Matlab’s file exchange server (“getBeltVelocity.m”) allowing TBV tracking to become standard practice in locomotion research.
Melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine or cyanuramide, C3H6N6) is a trimer of cyanamide, with a 1,3,5-triazine skeleton (Figure 3.5-1). The molecule contains 66% nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant properties due to its release of nitrogen gas when burned or charred. The word melamine (from German) is a combination of the word melam (which is a distillation derivative of ammonium thiocyanate) and amine [1]. Melamine is also a metabolite of cyromazine, an insecticide in which the proton of an NH2-group is substituted by a cyclopropyl group.
Electronic pills, smart capsules or miniaturized microsystems swallowed by human beings or animals for various biomedical and diagnostic applications are growing rapidly in the last years. This paper searched out the important existing electronic pills in the market and prototypes in research centers. Further objective of this research is to develop a technology platform with enhanced feature to cover the drawback of most
capsules. The designed telemetry unit is a synchronous bidirectional communication block using continuous phase DQPSK of 115 kHz low carrier frequency for inductive data transmission suited for human body energy transfer. The communication system can assist the electronic pill to trigger an actuator for drug delivery, to record temperature, or to measure pH of the body. It consists additionally to a 32bit processor, memory, external peripheries, and detection facility. The complete system is designed to fit small-size mass medical application with low power consumption, size of 7x25mm. The system is designed, simulated and emulated on FPGA.
In recent years, physically unclonable functions (PUFs) have gained significant attraction in IoT security applications, such as cryptographic key generation and entity authentication. PUFs extract the uncontrollable production characteristics of different devices to generate unique fingerprints for security applications. When generating PUF-based secret keys, the reliability and entropy of the keys are vital factors. This study proposes a novel method for generating PUF-based keys from a set of measurements. Firstly, it formulates the group-based key generation problem as an optimization problem and solves it using integer linear programming (ILP), which guarantees finding the optimum solution. Then, a novel scheme for the extraction of keys from groups is proposed, which we call positioning syndrome coding (PSC). The use of ILP as well as the introduction of PSC facilitates the generation of high-entropy keys with low error correction costs. These new methods have been tested by applying them on the output of a capacitor network PUF. The results confirm the application of ILP and PSC in generating high-quality keys.
A novel peptidyl-lys metalloendopeptidase (Tc-LysN) from Tramates coccinea was recombinantly expressed in Komagataella phaffii using the native pro-protein sequence. The peptidase was secreted into the culture broth as zymogen (~38 kDa) and mature enzyme (~19.8 kDa) simultaneously. The mature Tc-LysN was purified to homogeneity with a single step anion-exchange chromatography at pH 7.2. N-terminal sequencing using TMTpro Zero and mass spectrometry of the mature Tc-LysN indicated that the pro-peptide was cleaved between the amino acid positions 184 and 185 at the Kex2 cleavage site present in the native pro-protein sequence. The pH optimum of Tc-LysN was determined to be 5.0 while it maintained ≥60% activity between pH values 4.5—7.5 and ≥30% activity between pH values 8.5—10.0, indicating its broad applicability. The temperature maximum of Tc-LysN was determined to be 60 °C. After 18 h of incubation at 80 °C, Tc-LysN still retained ~20% activity. Organic solvents such as methanol and acetonitrile, at concentrations as high as 40% (v/v), were found to enhance Tc-LysN’s activity up to ~100% and ~50%, respectively. Tc-LysN’s thermostability, ability to withstand up to 8 M urea, tolerance to high concentrations of organic solvents, and an acidic pH optimum make it a viable candidate to be employed in proteomics workflows in which alkaline conditions might pose a challenge. The nano-LC-MS/MS analysis revealed bovine serum albumin (BSA)’s sequence coverage of 84% using Tc-LysN which was comparable to the sequence coverage of 90% by trypsin peptides.
Governments have restricted public life during the COVID-19 pandemic, inter alia closing sports facilities and gyms. As regular exercise is essential for health, this study examined the effect of pandemic-related confinements on physical activity (PA) levels. A multinational survey was performed in 14 countries. Times spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as in vigorous physical activity only (VPA) were assessed using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Data were obtained for leisure and occupational PA pre- and during restrictions. Compliance with PA guidelines was calculated based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). In total, n = 13,503 respondents (39 ± 15 years, 59% females) were surveyed. Compared to pre-restrictions, overall self-reported PA declined by 41% (MVPA) and 42.2% (VPA). Reductions were higher for occupational vs. leisure time, young and old vs. middle-aged persons, previously more active vs. less active individuals, but similar between men and women. Compared to pre-pandemic, compliance with WHO guidelines decreased from 80.9% (95% CI: 80.3–81.7) to 62.5% (95% CI: 61.6–63.3). Results suggest PA levels have substantially decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stakeholders should consider strategies to mitigate loss in PA in order to preserve health during the pandemic.
In recent years, the topic of embedded machine learning has become very popular in AI research. With the help of various compression techniques such as pruning, quantization and others compression techniques, it became possible to run neural networks on embedded devices. These techniques have opened up a whole new application area for machine learning. They range from smart products such as voice assistants to smart sensors that are needed in robotics. Despite the achievements in embedded machine learning, efficient algorithms for training neural networks in constrained domains are still lacking. Training on embedded devices will open up further fields of applications. Efficient training algorithms would enable federated learning on embedded devices, in which the data remains where it was collected, or retraining of neural networks in different domains. In this paper, we summarize techniques that make training on embedded devices possible. We first describe the need and requirements for such algorithms. Then we examine existing techniques that address training in resource-constrained environments as well as techniques that are also suitable for training on embedded devices, such as incremental learning. At the end, we also discuss which problems and open questions still need to be solved in these areas.
Nowadays decarbonisation of the energy system is one of the main concerns for most governments. Renewable energy technologies, such as rooftop photovoltaic systems and home battery storage systems, are changing the energy system to be more decentralised. As a consequence, new ways of energy business models are emerging, e.g., peer-to-peer energy trading. This new concept provides an online marketplace where direct energy exchange can occur between its participants. The purpose of this study is to conduct a content analysis of the existing literature, ongoing research projects, and companies related to peer-to-peer energy trading. From this review, a summary of the most important aspects and journal papers is assessed, discussed, and classified. It was found that the different energy market types were named in various ways and a proposal for standard language for the several peer-to-peer market types and the different actors involved is suggested. Additionally, by grouping the most important attributes from peer-to-peer energy trading projects, an assessment of the entry barrier and scalability potential is performed by using a characterisation matrix.
A Review on Kinetic Energy Harvesting with Focus on 3D Printed Electromagnetic Vibration Harvesters
(2021)
The increasing amount of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and wearables require a reliable energy source. Energy harvesting can power these devices without changing batteries. Three-dimensional printing allows us to manufacture tailored harvesting devices in an easy and fast way. This paper presents the development of hybrid and non-hybrid 3D printed electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters. Various harvesting approaches, their utilised geometry, functional principle, power output and the applied printing processes are shown. The gathered harvesters are analysed, challenges examined and research gaps in the field identified. The advantages and challenges of 3D printing harvesters are discussed. Reported applications and strategies to improve the performance of printed harvesting devices are presented.
It is generally agreed that the development and deployment of an important amount of IoT devices throughout the world has revolutionized our lives in a way that we can rely on these devices to complete certain tasks that may have not been possible just years ago which also brought a new level of convenience and value to our lives.
This technology is allowing us in a smart home environment to remotely control doors, windows, and fridges, purchase online, stream music easily with the use of voice assistants such as Amazon Echo Alexa, also close a garage door from anywhere in the world to cite some examples as this technology has added value to several domains ranging from household environments, cites, industries by exchanging and transferring data between these devices and customers. Many of these devices’ sensors, collect and share information in real-time which enables us to make important business decisions.
However, these devices pose some risks and also some security and privacy challenges that need to be addressed to reach their full potential or be considered to be secure. That is why, comprehensive risk analysis techniques are essential to enhance the security posture of IoT devices as they can help evaluate the robustness and reliability towards potential susceptibility to risks, and vulnerabilities that IoT devices in a smart home setting might possess.
This approach relies on the basis of ISO/IEC 27005 methodology and risk matrix method to highlight the level of risks, impact, and likelihood that an IoT device in smart home settings can have, map the related vulnerability, threats and risks and propose the necessary mitigation strategies or countermeasures that can be taken to secure a device and therefore satisfying some security principles. Around 30 risks were identified on Amazon Echo and the related IoT system using the methodology. A detailed list of countermeasures is proposed as a result of the risk analysis. These results, in turn, can be used to elevate the security posture of the device.
A simple Method for quantifying Triazine Herbicides using Thin-Layer Chromatography and a CCD-Camera
(2010)
We present a video-densitometric quantification method for the triazine herbicides atraton, terbumeton, simazine, atrazine, and terbutylazine. Triazine herbicides were separated on silica gel using methyl-t-butyl ether, cyclohexane (1 + 1, v/v) as mobile phase. The quantification is based on a derivation reaction using chlorine and starch-iodine which forms red-brown triazine zones. Measurements were carried out using a 16 bit ST-1603ME CCD camera with 1.56 megapixel from Santa Barbara Instrument Group, Inc., Santa Barbara, USA. A white LED was used for illumination purposes. The range of linearity covers two magnitudes using the (1/R-1) expression data transformation. The signal-to-noise ratio increases directly linearly with the measurement time. The separation method is cheap, fast and reliable.
In short-reach connections, large-diameter multimode fibres allow for robust and easy connections. Unfortunately, their propagation properties depend on the excitation conditions. We propose a launching technique using a fibre stub that can tolerate fabrication tolerances in terms of tilts and off-sets to a large extent. A study of the influence of displaced connectors along the transmission link shows that the power distributions approach a steady-state power distribution very similar to the initial distribution established by the proposed launching scheme.
Decentralized applications (dApp) have proliferated in recent years, but their long-term viability is a topic of debate. However, for dApps to be sustainable, and suitable for integration into a larger service networks, they need to attract users and promise reliable availability. Therefore, assessing their longevity is crucial. Analyzing the utilization trajectory of a service is, however, challenging due to several factors, such as demand spikes, noise, autocorrelation, and non-stationarity. In this study, we employ robust statistical techniques to identify trends in currently popular dApps. Our findings demonstrate that a significant proportion of dApps, across a range of categories, exhibit statistically significant positive overall trends, indicating that success in decentralized computing can be sustainable and transcends specific fields. However, there is also a substantial number of dApps showing negative trends, with a disproportionately high number from the decentralized finance (DeFi) category. Furthermore, a more detailed inspection of time series segments shows a clearly diminishing proportion of positive trends from mid-2021 to the present. In summary, we conclude that the dApp economy might have lost some momentum, and that there is a strong element of uncertainty regarding its future significance.
The increase of the Internet of Things (IoT) calls for secure solutions for industrial applications. The security of IoT can be potentially improved by blockchain. However, blockchain technology suffers scalability issues which hinders integration with IoT. Solutions to blockchain’s scalability issues, such as minimizing the computational complexity of consensus algorithms or blockchain storage requirements, have received attention. However, to realize the full potential of blockchain in IoT, the inefficiencies of its inter-peer communication must also be addressed. For example, blockchain uses a flooding technique to share blocks, resulting in duplicates and inefficient bandwidth usage. Moreover, blockchain peers use a random neighbor selection (RNS) technique to decide on other peers with whom to exchange blockchain data. As a result, the peer-to-peer (P2P) topology formation limits the effective achievable throughput. This paper provides a survey on the state-of-the-art network structures and communication mechanisms used in blockchain and establishes the need for network-based optimization. Additionally, it discusses the blockchain architecture and its layers categorizes existing literature into the layers and provides a survey on the state-of-the-art optimization frameworks, analyzing their effectiveness and ability to scale. Finally, this paper presents recommendations for future work.
In this paper, a temperature-dependent viscoplasticity model is presented that describes thermal and cyclic softening of the hot work steel X38CrMoV5-3 under thermomechanical fatigue loading. The model describes the softening state of the material by evolution equations, the material properties of which can be determined on the basis of a defined experimental program. A kinetic model is employed to capture the effect of coarsening carbides and a new isotropic cyclic softening model is developed that takes history effects during thermomechanical loadings into account. The temperature-dependent material properties of the viscoplasticity model are determined on the basis of experimental data measured in isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue tests for the material X38CrMoV5-3 in the temperature range between 20 and 650 ∘C. The comparison of the model and an existing model for isotropic softening shows an improved description of the softening behavior under thermomechanical fatigue loading. A good overall description of the experimental data is possible with the presented viscoplasticity model, so that it is suited for the assessment of operating loads of hot forging tools.
Air traffic control today still works primarily with classical sensors like primary and Secondary Surveillance Radars (PSR, MSSR, Mode-S) [1]. Upcoming is a new technology, ADS (Automatic Dependent Surveillance), which derives positional information from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and distributes this data together with additional information from the on-board Flight Management System (FMS) to other aircraft (air-to-air) and to ADS groundstations (air-to-ground). [2] Because the transmission of the data takes place on a shared broadcasting media, like the 1090 MHz Extended Squitter (ES) channel, the technology is also referred to as ADS-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Featherweight Generic Go (FGG) is a minimal core calculus modeling the essential features of the programming language Go. It includes support for overloaded methods, interface types, structural subtyping, and generics. The most straightforward semantic description of the dynamic behavior of FGG programs is to resolve method calls based on runtime type information of the receiver. This article shows a different approach by defining a type-directed translation from FGG− to an untyped lambda-calculus. FGG− includes all features of FGG but type assertions. The translation of an FGG− program provides evidence for the availability of methods as additional dictionary parameters, similar to the dictionary-passing approach known from Haskell type classes. Then, method calls can be resolved by a simple lookup of the method definition in the dictionary. Every program in the image of the translation has the same dynamic semantics as its source FGG− program. The proof of this result is based on a syntactic, step-indexed logical relation. The step index ensures a well-founded definition of the relation in the presence of recursive interface types and recursive methods. Although being non-deterministic, the translation is coherent.
We present a densitometric quantification method for triclosan in toothpaste, separated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and using a 48-bit flatbed scanner as the detection system. The sample was band-wise applied to HPTLC plates (10 × 20 cm), with fluorescent dye, Merck, Germany (1.05554). The plates were developed in a vertical developing chamber with 20 min of chamber saturation over 70 mm, using n-heptane–methyl tert-butyl ether–acetic acid (92:8:0.1, V/V) as solvent. The RF value of triclosan is hRF = 22.4, and quantification is based on direct measurements using an inexpensive 48-bit flatbed scanner for color measurements (in red, green, and blue) after plate staining with 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide (Gibbs' reagent). Evaluation of the red channel makes the measurements of triclosan very specific. For linearization, an extended Kubelka–Munk expression was used for data transformation. The range of linearity covers more than two orders of magnitude and is between 91 and 1000 ng. The separation method is inexpensive, fast and reliable.
The Metering Bus, also known as M-Bus, is a European standard EN13757-3 for reading out metering devices, like electricity, water, gas, or heat meters. Although real-life M-Bus networks can reach a significant size and complexity, only very simple protocol analyzers are available to observe and maintain such networks. In order to provide developers and installers with the ability to analyze the real bus signals easily, a web-based monitoring tool for the M-Bus has been designed and implemented. Combined with a physical bus interface it allows for measuring and recording the bus signals. For this at first a circuit has been developed, which transforms the voltage and current-modulated M-Bus signals to a voltage signal that can be read by a standard ADC and processed by an MCU. The bus signals and packets are displayed using a web server, which analyzes and classifies the frame fragments. As an additional feature an oscilloscope functionality is included in order to visualize the physical signal on the bus. This paper describes the development of the read-out circuit for the Wired M-Bus and the data recovery.