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The Kremer–Grest (KG) polymer model is a standard model for studying generic polymer properties in molecular dynamics simulations. It owes its popularity to its simplicity and computational efficiency, rather than its ability to represent specific polymers species and conditions. Here we show that by tuning the chain stiffness it is possible to adapt the KG model to model melts of real polymers. In particular, we provide mapping relations from KG to SI units for a wide range of commodity polymers. The connection between the experimental and the KG melts is made at the Kuhn scale, i.e., at the crossover from the chemistry-specific small scale to the universal large scale behavior. We expect Kuhn scale-mapped KG models to faithfully represent universal properties dominated by the large scale conformational statistics and dynamics of flexible polymers. In particular, we observe very good agreement between entanglement moduli of our KG models and the experimental moduli of the target polymers.
LAPS-based monitoring of metabolic responses of bacterial cultures in a paper fermentation broth
(2020)
As an alternative renewable energy source, methane production in biogas plants is gaining more and more attention. Biomass in a bioreactor contains different types of microorganisms, which should be considered in terms of process-stability control. Metabolically inactive microorganisms within the fermentation process can lead to undesirable, time-consuming and cost-intensive interventions. Hence, monitoring of the cellular metabolism of bacterial populations in a fermentation broth is crucial to improve the biogas production, operation efficiency, and sustainability. In this work, the extracellular acidification of bacteria in a paper-fermentation broth is monitored after glucose uptake, utilizing a differential light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) system. The LAPS system is loaded with three different model microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Lactobacillus brevis) and the effect of the fermentation broth at different process stages on the metabolism of these bacteria is studied. In this way, different signal patterns related to the metabolic response of microorganisms can be identified. By means of calibration curves after glucose uptake, the overall extracellular acidification of bacterial populations within the fermentation process can be evaluated.
In this review article, we are going to present an overview on possible applications of light-addressable electrodes (LAE) as actuator/manipulation devices besides classical electrode structures. For LAEs, the electrode material consists of a semiconductor. Illumination with a light source with the appropiate wavelength leads to the generation of electron-hole pairs which can be utilized for further photoelectrochemical reaction. Due to recent progress in light-projection technologies, highly dynamic and flexible illumination patterns can be generated, opening new possibilities for light-addressable electrodes. A short introduction on semiconductor–electrolyte interfaces with light stimulation is given together with electrode-design approaches. Towards applications, the stimulation of cells with different electrode materials and fabrication designs is explained, followed by analyte-manipulation strategies and spatially resolved photoelectrochemical deposition of different material types.
Die Durchführung einer systematischen Literaturrecherche ist eine zentrale Kompetenz wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens und bildet daher einen festen Ausbildungsbestandteil von Bachelor- und Masterstudiengängen. In entsprechenden Lehrveranstaltungen werden Studierende zwar mit den grundlegenden Hilfsmitteln zur Suche und Verwaltung von Literatur vertraut gemacht, allerdings werden die Potenziale textanalytischer Methoden und Anwendungssysteme (Text Mining, Text Analytics) dabei zumeist nicht abgedeckt. Folglich werden Datenkompetenzen, die zur systemgestützten Analyse und Erschließung von Literaturdaten erforderlich sind, nicht hinreichend ausgeprägt. Um diese Kompetenzlücke zu adressieren, ist an der Hochschule Osnabrück eine Lehrveranstaltung konzipiert und projektorientiert umgesetzt worden, die sich insbesondere an Studierende wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher Studiengänge richtet. Dieser Beitrag dokumentiert die fachliche sowie technische Ausgestaltung dieser Veranstaltung und zeigt Potenziale für die künftige Weiterentwicklung auf.
Objective
In local SAR compression algorithms, the overestimation is generally not linearly dependent on actual local SAR. This can lead to large relative overestimation at low actual SAR values, unnecessarily constraining transmit array performance.
Method
Two strategies are proposed to reduce maximum relative overestimation for a given number of VOPs. The first strategy uses an overestimation matrix that roughly approximates actual local SAR; the second strategy uses a small set of pre-calculated VOPs as the overestimation term for the compression.
Result
Comparison with a previous method shows that for a given maximum relative overestimation the number of VOPs can be reduced by around 20% at the cost of a higher absolute overestimation at high actual local SAR values.
Conclusion
The proposed strategies outperform a previously published strategy and can improve the SAR compression where maximum relative overestimation constrains the performance of parallel transmission.
The SG1-mediated solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA, Mₙ = 300 g mol⁻¹) in the presence of a small amount of functional/reactive styrenic comonomer is investigated. Moieties such as pentafluorophenyl ester, triphenylphosphine, azide, pentafluorophenyl, halide, and pyridine are considered. A comonomer fraction as low as 5 mol% typically results in a controlled/living behavior, at least up to 50% conversion. Chain extensions with styrene for both systems were successfully performed. Variation of physical properties such as refractive index (for MMA) and phase transition temperature (for OEGMA) were evaluated by comparing to 100% pure homopolymers. The introduction of an activated ester styrene derivative in the polymerization of OEGMA allows for the synthesis of reactive and hydrophilic polymer brushes with defined thickness. Finally, using the example of pentafluorostyrene as controlling comonomer, it is demonstrated that functional PMMA-b-PS are able to maintain a phase separation ability, as evidenced by the formation of nanostructured thin films.
Mechano-pharmacological testing of L-Type Ca²⁺ channel modulators via human vascular celldrum model
(2020)
Background/Aims: This study aimed to establish a precise and well-defined working model, assessing pharmaceutical effects on vascular smooth muscle cell monolayer in-vitro. It describes various analysis techniques to determine the most suitable to measure the biomechanical impact of vasoactive agents by using CellDrum technology. Methods: The so-called CellDrum technology was applied to analyse the biomechanical properties of confluent human aorta muscle cells (haSMC) in monolayer. The cell generated tensions deviations in the range of a few N/m² are evaluated by the CellDrum technology. This study focuses on the dilative and contractive effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonists and antagonists, respectively. We analyzed the effects of Bay K8644, nifedipine and verapamil. Three different measurement modes were developed and applied to determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the study purpose. These three operation modes are called, particular time mode" (PTM), "long term mode" (LTM) and "real-time mode" (RTM). Results: It was possible to quantify the biomechanical response of haSMCs to the addition of vasoactive agents using CellDrum technology. Due to the supplementation of 100nM Bay K8644, the tension increased approximately 10.6% from initial tension maximum, whereas, the treatment with nifedipine and verapamil caused a significant decrease in cellular tension: 10nM nifedipine decreased the biomechanical stress around 6,5% and 50nM verapamil by 2,8%, compared to the initial tension maximum. Additionally, all tested measurement modes provide similar results while focusing on different analysis parameters. Conclusion: The CellDrum technology allows highly sensitive biomechanical stress measurements of cultured haSMC monolayers. The mechanical stress responses evoked by the application of vasoactive calcium channel modulators were quantified functionally (N/m²). All tested operation modes resulted in equal findings, whereas each mode features operation-related data analysis.
Seismic behavior of an existing unreinforced masonry building built pre-modern code, located in the City of Ohrid, Republic of North Macedonia has been investigated in this paper. The analyzed school building is selected as an archetype in an ongoing project named “Seismic vulnerability assessment of existing masonry structures in Republic of North Macedonia (SeismoWall)”. Two independent segments were included in this research: Seismic hazard assessment by creating a cite specific response spectra and Seismic vulnerability definition by creating a region - specific series of vulnerability curves for the chosen building topology. A reliable Seismic Hazard Assessment for a selected region is a crucial point for performing a seismic risk analysis of a characteristic building class. In that manner, a scenario – based method that incorporates together the knowledge of tectonic style of the considered region, the active fault characterization, the earth crust model and the historical seismicity named Neo Deterministic approach is used for calculation of the response spectra for the location of the building. Variations of the rupturing process are taken into account in the nucleation point of the rupture, in the rupture velocity pattern and in the istribution of the slip on the fault. The results obtained from the multiple scenarios are obtained as an envelope of the response spectra computed for the cite using the procedure Maximum Credible Seismic Input (MCSI). Capacity of the selected building has been determined by using nonlinear static analysis. MINEA software (SDA Engineering) was used for verification of the structural safety of the chosen unreinforced masonry structure. In the process of optimization of the number of samples, computational cost required in a Monte Carlo simulation is significantly reduced since the simulation is performed on a polynomial response surface function for prediction of the structural response. Performance point, found as the intersection of the capacity of the building and the spectra used, is chosen as a response parameter. Five levels of damage limit states based on the capacity curve of the building are defined in dependency on the yield displacement and the maximum displacement. Maximum likelihood estimation procedure is utilized in the process of vulnerability curves determination. As a result, region specific series of vulnerability curves for the chosen type of masonry structures are defined. The obtained probabilities of exceedance a specific damage states as a result from vulnerability curves are compared with the observed damages happened after the earthquake in July 2017 in the City of Ohrid, North Macedonia.
Modeling and upscaling of a pilot bayonettube reactor for indirect solar mixed methane reforming
(2020)
A 16.77 kW thermal power bayonet-tube reactor for the mixed reforming of methane using solar energy has been designed and modeled. A test bench for the experimental tests has been installed at the Synlight facility in Juelich, Germany and has just been commissioned. This paper presents the solar-heated reactor design for a combined steam and dry reforming as well as a scaled-up process simulation of a solar reforming plant for methanol production. Solar power towers are capable of providing large amounts of heat to drive high-endothermic reactions, and their integration with thermochemical processes shows a promising future. In the designed bayonet-tube reactor, the conventional burner arrangement for the combustion of natural gas has been substituted by a continuous 930 °C hot air stream, provided by means of a solar heated air receiver, a ceramic thermal storage and an auxiliary firing system. Inside the solar-heated reactor, the heat is transferred by means of convective mechanism mainly; instead of radiation mechanism as typically prevailing in fossil-based industrial reforming processes. A scaled-up solar reforming plant of 50.5 MWth was designed and simulated in Dymola® and AspenPlus®. In comparison to a fossil-based industrial reforming process of the same thermal capacity, a solar reforming plant with thermal storage promises a reduction up to 57 % of annual natural gas consumption in regions with annual DNI-value of 2349 kWh/m2. The benchmark solar reforming plant contributes to a CO2 avoidance of approx. 79 kilotons per year. This facility can produce a nominal output of 734.4 t of synthesis gas and out of this 530 t of methanol a day.
Können wir Skizzenblätter, die gemischte Systeme von Text und Bildanteilen zeigen, als räumliche und zeitliche Verdichtung von Reflexionsmilieus verstehen? Wie wirkt sich die durch die räumliche Begrenzung des Blatts bedingte gleichzeitige Anwesenheit von Text und Bild aus, welche Wechselwirkungen entfalten sich? Diese Fragenstellungen führen zur Definition der ‚Multidimensionalen Arbeitsblätter‘, die als geeignetes Medium der Analyse von entwerferischen Denkprozessen verstanden werden. Anhand von fünf Beispielen wird beschrieben, wie durch dekompositorische Prozeduren Zeichnungsgenealogien sichtbar gemacht werden können, die intensive Auskunft über Entwurfshandlungen geben.
Die qualitative und quantitative Detektion von Zielsubstanzen innerhalb einer wässrigen Probe ist für viele Fragestellungen von Interesse, etwa bei der Detektion von Kontaminationen in Trinkwasser in Krisensituationen. Hierbei ist es nicht nur wichtig, dass Pathogene möglichst sensitiv detektiert werden können, sondern auch, dass die Analyse schnell erfolgt, um Betroffenen im Katastrophenfall zügig sicheres Trinkwasser zu Verfügung stellen zu können. Da bei einem solchen Szenario nicht von einer in der Nähe befindlichen funktionierenden Laborinfrastruktur ausgegangen werden kann, ist es wichtig, dass die Messung direkt vor Ort erfolgen kann. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, ob eine derartige Schnellanalytik mithilfe von superparamagnetischen Beads (MBs) und der magnetischen Frequenzmischtechnik möglich ist. Dabei werden die MBs mit Hilfe von primären Antikörpern an die Zielsubstanz gebunden und mit sekundären Antikörpern an die Poren-Oberfläche eines Polyethylen-Filters fixiert (Sandwich-Immunoassay). So kann die Quantifizierung der Zielsubstanz auf eine magnetische Messung der immobilisierten MB-Marker zurückgeführt werden. Die magnetische Frequenzmischtechnik basiert auf der Anregung der Probe mit Magnetfeldern zweier verschiedener Frequenzen. Die durch die nichtlineare Magnetisierungsform der superparamagnetischen MBs entstehenden Mischfrequenzen werden typischerweise mithilfe einer zweistufigen Lock-in-Detektion analysiert (analoge Demodulation), die in einem Magnetreader als Handheldgerät realisiert wurde. Zusätzlich zu dieser Technik wurde das Prinzip der direkten Digitalisierung des gesamten Antwortsignals mit anschließender Fourier-Analyse der erzeugten Mischfrequenzen experimentell umgesetzt, um die Amplituden und Phasen mehrerer Mischfrequenzen simultan zu erfassen. Eine Möglichkeit zur Sensitivitätssteigerung ist die magnetische Aufkonzentration, indem vor der magnetischen Analyse eine Separation der MBs aus einem größeren Probenvolumen mittels magnetischem Feldgradienten durchgeführt wird. Zur Charakterisierung verschiedener kommerzieller MBs hinsichtlich ihrer magnetischen Separierbarkeit wurde ein Aufbau zur Messung ihrer magnetophoretischen Beweglichkeiten realisiert und ihre Geschwindigkeiten im Gradientenfeld mikroskopisch gemessen.Da eine Probe oftmals nicht nur auf eine einzige Zielsubstanz, sondern simultan auf mehrere verschiedene Pathogene hin untersucht werden soll, wurden verschiedene Ansätze entwickelt und getestet, die einen solchen multiparametrischen magnetischen Immunoassay ermöglichen. Einerseits wurde eine räumliche Separation der Bindungsbereiche für verschiedene Zielsubstanzen realisiert, die sequentiell ausgewertet werden können. Andererseits wurde die Unterscheidung von verschiedenen Zielsubstanzen anhand der Charakteristika der an sie gebundenen, verschieden funktionalisierten MB-Typen untersucht. Für eine solche Unterscheidung wurde zum einen die Anregefrequenz der magnetischen Frequenzmischtechnik während einer Messung variiert. Damit konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich verschiedene MB-Sorten anhand der Phase ihrer Frequenzmischsignale voneinander unterscheiden lassen. Weiterhin wurde gezeigt, dass sich der Signalverlauf einer binären Mischung zweier verschiedener MB-Typen als gradueller Übergang der Verläufe der beiden reinen MB-Lösungen ergibt. Eine weitere Analysemethode für einen multiparametrischen Immunoassay besteht darin, ein zusätzliches einstellbares statisches magnetisches Offsetfeld zu verwenden. Hierfür wurden mehrere Aufbauten auf Basis von Permanent- und Elektromagneten simuliert, konstruiert und charakterisiert. Mithilfe von Simulationen konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine auf diesem Verfahren beruhende Unterscheidung für MBs mit unterschiedlichen magnetischen Partikelmomenten möglich ist. Als direkte Anwendung des hier entwickelten Magnetreaders in Zusammenspiel mit der digitalen Demodulation wurde ein magnetischer Assay gegen die B-Untereinheit des Choleratoxins in Trinkwasser mit einem niedrigen Detektionslimit von 0,2 ng/ml demonstriert.
Neue Perspektiven für die Bahn in der Produktions- und Distributionslogistik durch Prozessautomation
(2020)
Im Projekt Coolplan‐ AIR geht es um die Fortentwicklung und Feld‐ Validierung eines Berechnungs‐ und Auslegungstools zur energieeffizienten Kühlung von Gebäuden mit luftgestützten Systemen. Neben dem Aufbau und der Weiterentwicklung von Simulationsmodellen erfolgen Vermessungen der Gesamtsysteme anhand von Praxisanlagen im Feld. Eine der betrachteten Anlagen arbeitet mit indirekter Verdunstung. Diese Veröffentlichung zeigt den Entwicklungsprozess und den Aufbau des Simulationsmodells zur Verdunstungskühlung in der Simulationsumgebung Matlab‐ Simulink mit der CARNOT‐ Toolbox. Das besondere Augenmerk liegt dabei auf dem physikalischen Modell des Wärmeübertragers, in dem die Verdunstung implementiert ist. Dem neuen Modellansatz liegt die Annahme einer aus der Enthalpie‐ Betrachtung hergeleiteten effektiven Wärmekapazität zugrunde. Des Weiteren wird der Befeuchtungsgrad als konstant angesehen und eine standardisierte Zunahme der Wärmeübertragung des feuchten gegenüber dem trockenen Wärmeübertrager angenommen. Die Validierung des Modells erfolgte anhand von Literaturdaten. Für den trockenen Wärmetauscher ist der maximale absolute Fehler der berechneten Austrittstemperatur (Zuluft) kleiner als ±0.1 K und für den nassen Wärmetauscher (Kühlfall) unter der Annahme eines konstanten Verdunstungsgrades kleiner als ±0.4 K.
Experience has shown that a priori created static resource allocation plans are vulnerable to runtime deviations and hence often become uneconomic or highly exceed a predefined soft deadline. The assumption of constant task execution times during allocation planning is even more unlikely in a cloud environment where virtualized resources vary in performance. Revising the initially created resource allocation plan at runtime allows the scheduler to react on deviations between planning and execution. Such an adaptive rescheduling of a many-task application workflow is only feasible, when the planning time can be handled efficiently at runtime. In this paper, we present the static low-complexity resource allocation planning algorithm (LCP) applicable to efficiently schedule many-task scientific application workflows on cloud resources of different capabilities. The benefits of the presented algorithm are benchmarked against alternative approaches. The benchmark results show that LCP is not only able to compete against higher complexity algorithms in terms of planned costs and planned makespan but also outperforms them significantly by magnitudes of 2 to 160 in terms of required planning time. Hence, LCP is superior in terms of practical usability where low planning time is essential such as in our targeted online rescheduling scenario.
We present new numerical results for shape optimization problems of interior Neumann eigenvalues. This field is not well understood from a theoretical standpoint. The existence of shape maximizers is not proven beyond the first two eigenvalues, so we study the problem numerically. We describe a method to compute the eigenvalues for a given shape that combines the boundary element method with an algorithm for nonlinear eigenvalues. As numerical optimization requires many such evaluations, we put a focus on the efficiency of the method and the implemented routine. The method is well suited for parallelization. Using the resulting fast routines and a specialized parametrization of the shapes, we found improved maxima for several eigenvalues.
Muscular activity in terms of surface electromyography (sEMG) is usually normalised to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). This study aims to compare two different MVIC-modes in handcycling and examine the effect of moving average window-size. Twelve able-bodied male competitive triathletes performed ten MVICs against manual resistance and four sport-specific trials against fixed cranks. sEMG of ten muscles [M. trapezius (TD); M. pectoralis major (PM); M. deltoideus, Pars clavicularis (DA); M. deltoideus, Pars spinalis (DP); M. biceps brachii (BB); M. triceps brachii (TB); forearm flexors (FC); forearm extensors (EC); M. latissimus dorsi (LD) and M. rectus abdominis (RA)] was recorded and filtered using moving average window-sizes of 150, 200, 250 and 300 ms. Sport-specific MVICs were higher compared to manual resistance for TB, DA, DP and LD, whereas FC, TD, BB and RA demonstrated lower values. PM and EC demonstrated no significant difference between MVIC-modes. Moving average window-size had no effect on MVIC outcomes. MVIC-mode should be taken into account when normalised sEMG data are illustrated in handcycling. Sport-specific MVICs seem to be suitable for some muscles (TB, DA, DP and LD), but should be augmented by MVICs against manual/mechanical resistance for FC, TD, BB and RA.
Interior transmission eigenvalue problems for the Helmholtz equation play an important role in inverse wave scattering. Some distribution properties of those eigenvalues in the complex plane are reviewed. Further, a new scattering model for the interior transmission eigenvalue problem with mixed boundary conditions is described and an efficient algorithm for computing the interior transmission eigenvalues is proposed. Finally, extensive numerical results for a variety of two-dimensional scatterers are presented to show the validity of the proposed scheme.
Armiranobetonske (AB) zgrade sa zidanom ispunom
se izvode u mnogim zemljama širom sveta. Iako se
zidana ispuna posmatra kao nekonstruktivni element, ona
značajno utiče na promenu dinamičkih karakteristika AB
ramovskih konstrukcija u toku zemljotresnog dejstva.
Odskora, značajan napor je utrošen na istraživanje
izolovanih ispuna, koje su odvojene od okolnog rama
obično ostavljanjem prostora između rama i ispune. U
ovom slučaju deformacija rama ne aktivira ispunu i na taj
način ispuna ne utiče na ponašanje rama. Ovaj rad
predstavlja rezultate istraživanja ponašanja AB
ramovskih zgrada sa INODIS sistemom koji izoluje ispunu
u odnosu na okolni ram. Uticaj izolovane ispune je prvo
ispitan na jednospratnim i jednobrodnim ramovima. Ovo
je iskorišćeno kao osnova za parametarsku analizu na
višespratnim i višebrodnim ramovima, kao i na primeru
zgrade. Promena krutosti i dinamičkih karakteristika je
analizirano kao i odgovor pri zemljotresnom dejstvu.
Izvršeno je poređenje sa praznom ramovskom
konstrukcijom kao i ramovima ispunjenim ispunom na
tradicionalni način. Rezultati pokazuju da je ponašanje
ramova sa izolovanom ispunom slično ponašanju praznih
ramova, dok je ponašanje ramova sa tradicionalnom
ispunom daleko drugačije i zahteva kompleksne
numeričke modele. Ovo znači da ukoliko se primeni
adekvatna konstruktivna mera izolacije ispune, proračun
ramovskim zgrada sa zidanom ispunom se može
značajno pojednostaviti.
Die Versorgung von Neubauten soll möglichst weitgehend unabhängig von fossilen Energieträgern erfolgen. Erneuerbare Energien spielen dafür eine gewichtige Rolle. Eine gute Möglichkeit, erneuerbare Energien ohne viel zusätzlichen Aufwand nutzbar zu machen, ist, bereits vorhandenen Komponenten im Gebäude zusätzliche Funktionen zu geben. Hier kann bspw. die Fassade oder das Dach solarthermisch aktiviert oder durch Fotovoltaikmodule ergänzt werden. Auch Tiefgründungen können neben der statischen Funktion noch eine geothermische Funktion zur Aufnahme oder Abgabe von Wärme erhalten. Neben der Erzeugung bietet sich auch für die Verteilung der Wärme oder Kälte im Gebäude die Integration in Bauteile an. Hier kann bspw. der Boden durch eine Fußbodenheizung oder die Decke durch Deckenstrahlplatten aktiviert werden.
Im Rahmen der Veröffentlichung wird auf die thermische Aktivierung von Stahlkomponenten eingegangen. Es wird eine Lösung vorgestellt, die vorgehängte hinterlüftete Stahlfassade (VHF) solarthermisch zu aktivieren. Außerdem werden zwei Möglichkeiten zur geothermischen Aktivierung von Tiefgründungen mittels Stahlpfählen gezeigt. Zuletzt wird ein System zur thermischen Aktivierung von Stahltrapezprofilen an der Decke erläutert, welches Wärme zuführen oder bei Bedarf abführen kann.
We present first results from a newly developed monitoring station for a closed loop geothermal heat pump test installation at our campus, consisting of helix coils and plate heat exchangers, as well as an ice-store system. There are more than 40 temperature sensors and several soil moisture content sensors distributed around the system, allowing a detailed monitoring under different operating conditions.In the view of the modern development of renewable energies along with the newly concepts known as Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 (high-tech strategy from the German government), we created a user-friendly web application, which will connect the things (sensors) with the open network (www). Besides other advantages, this allows a continuous remote monitoring of the data from the numerous sensors at an arbitrary sampling rate.Based on the recorded data, we will also present first results from numerical simulations, taking into account all relevant heat transport processes.The aim is to improve the understanding of these processes and their influence on the thermal behavior of shallow geothermal systems in the unsaturated zone. This will in turn facilitate the prediction of the performance of these systems and therefore yield an improvement in their dimensioning when designing a specific shallow geothermal installation.
As part of the transnational research project EDITOR, a parabolic trough collector system (PTC) with concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) was installed and commissioned in Limassol, Cyprus. The system is located on the premises of the beverage manufacturer KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd. and its function is to supply process steam for the factory's pasteurisation process [1]. Depending on the factory's seasonally varying capacity for beverage production, the solar system delivers between 5 and 25 % of the total steam demand. In combination with the C-TES, the solar plant can supply process steam on demand before sunrise or after sunset. Furthermore, the C-TES compensates the PTC during the day in fluctuating weather conditions. The parabolic trough collector as well as the control and oil handling unit is designed and manufactured by Protarget AG, Germany. The C-TES is designed and produced by CADE Soluciones de Ingeniería, S.L., Spain. In the focus of this paper is the description of the operational experience with the PTC, C-TES and boiler during the commissioning and operation phase. Additionally, innovative optimisation measures are presented.
The application of mathematical optimization methods for water supply system design and operation provides the capacity to increase the energy efficiency and to lower the investment costs considerably. We present a system approach for the optimal design and operation of pumping systems in real-world high-rise buildings that is based on the usage of mixed-integer nonlinear and mixed-integer linear modeling approaches. In addition, we consider different booster station topologies, i.e. parallel and series-parallel central booster stations as well as decentral booster stations. To confirm the validity of the underlying optimization models with real-world system behavior, we additionally present validation results based on experiments conducted on a modularly constructed pumping test rig. Within the models we consider layout and control decisions for different load scenarios, leading to a Deterministic Equivalent of a two-stage stochastic optimization program. We use a piecewise linearization as well as a piecewise relaxation of the pumps’ characteristics to derive mixed-integer linear models. Besides the solution with off-the-shelf solvers, we present a problem specific exact solving algorithm to improve the computation time. Focusing on the efficient exploration of the solution space, we divide the problem into smaller subproblems, which partly can be cut off in the solution process. Furthermore, we discuss the performance and applicability of the solution approaches for real buildings and analyze the technical aspects of the solutions from an engineer’s point of view, keeping in mind the economically important trade-off between investment and operation costs.
Successful optimization requires an appropriate model of the system under consideration. When selecting a suitable level of detail, one has to consider solution quality as well as the computational and implementation effort. In this paper, we present a MINLP for a pumping system for the drinking water supply of high-rise buildings. We investigate the influence of the granularity of the underlying physical models on the solution quality. Therefore, we model the system with a varying level of detail regarding the friction losses, and conduct an experimental validation of our model on a modular test rig. Furthermore, we investigate the computational effort and show that it can be reduced by the integration of domain-specific knowledge.
Die NATO definiert den Cyberspace als die "Umgebung, die durch physische und nicht-physische Bestandteile zum Speichern, Ändern, und Austauschen von Daten mit Hilfe von Computer-Netzwerken" [NATO CCDCOE]. Darüber hinaus ist es ein Medium menschlicher Interaktion. IT Angriffe sind feindselige, nichtkooperative Interaktionen, die mittels Konflikttheorie beschrieben werden können. Durch die Anwendung dieses Gedankengebäudes auf IT Sicherheit von Organisationen können eine Reihe von Verbesserungen in Unternehmen identifiziert werden.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare several osteosynthesis techniques (intramedullary headless compression screws, T-plates, and Kirschner wires) for distal epiphyseal fractures of proximal phalanges in a human cadaveric model.
Methods
A total of 90 proximal phalanges from 30 specimens (index, ring, and middle fingers) were used for this study. After stripping off all soft tissue, a transverse distal epiphyseal fracture was simulated at the proximal phalanx. The 30 specimens were randomly assigned to 1 fixation technique (30 per technique), either a 3.0-mm intramedullary headless compression screw, locking plate fixation with a 2.0-mm T-plate, or 2 oblique 1.0-mm Kirschner wires. Displacement analysis (bending, distraction, and torsion) was performed using optical tracking of an applied random speckle pattern after osteosynthesis. Biomechanical testing was performed with increasing cyclic loading and with cyclic load to failure using a biaxial torsion-tension testing machine.
Results
Cannulated intramedullary compression screws showed significantly less displacement at the fracture site in torsional testing. Furthermore, screws were significantly more stable in bending testing. Kirschner wires were significantly less stable than plating or screw fixation in any cyclic load to failure test setup.
Conclusions
Intramedullary compression screws are a highly stable alternative in the treatment of transverse distal epiphyseal phalangeal fractures. Kirschner wires seem to be inferior regarding displacement properties and primary stability.
Clinical relevance
Fracture fixation of phalangeal fractures using plate osteosynthesis may have the advantage of a very rigid reduction, but disadvantages such as stiffness owing to the more invasive surgical approach and soft tissue irritation should be taken into account. Headless compression screws represent a minimally invasive choice for fixation with good biomechanical properties.
Masonry is used in many buildings not only for load-bearing walls, but also for non-load-bearing enclosure elements in the form of infill walls. Many studies confirmed that infill walls interact with the surrounding reinforced concrete frame, thus changing dynamic characteristics of the structure. Consequently, masonry infills cannot be neglected in the design process. However, although the relevant standards contain requirements for infill walls, they do not describe how these requirements are to be met concretely. This leads in practice to the fact that the infill walls are neither dimensioned nor constructed correctly. The evidence of this fact is confirmed by the recent earthquakes, which have led to enormous damages, sometimes followed by the total collapse of buildings and loss of human lives. Recently, the increasing effort has been dedicated to the approach of decoupling of masonry infills from the frame elements by introducing the gap in between. This helps in removing the interaction between infills and frame, but raises the question of out-of-plane stability of the panel. This paper presents the results of the experimental campaign showing the out-of-plane behavior of masonry infills decoupled with the system called INODIS (Innovative decoupled infill system), developed within the European project INSYSME (Innovative Systems for Earthquake Resistant Masonry Enclosures in Reinforced Concrete Buildings). Full scale specimens were subjected to the different loading conditions and combinations of in-plane and out-of-plane loading. Out-of-plane capacity of the masonry infills with the INODIS system is compared with traditionally constructed infills, showing that INODIS system provides reliable out-of-plane connection under various loading conditions. In contrast, traditional infills performed very poor in the case of combined and simultaneously applied in-plane and out-of-plane loading, experiencing brittle behavior under small in-plane drifts followed by high out-of-plane displacements. Decoupled infills with the INODIS system have remained stable under out-of-plane loads, even after reaching high in-plane drifts and being damaged.
The fundamental modeling of energy systems through individual unit commitment decisions is crucial for energy system planning. However, current large-scale models are not capable of including uncertainties or even risk-averse behavior arising from forecasting errors of variable renewable energies. However, risks associated with uncertain forecasting errors have become increasingly relevant within the process of decarbonization. The intraday market serves to compensate for these forecasting errors. Thus, the uncertainty of forecasting errors results in uncertain intraday prices and quantities. Therefore, this paper proposes a two-stage risk-constrained stochastic optimization approach to fundamentally model unit commitment decisions facing an uncertain intraday market. By the nesting of Lagrangian relaxation and an extended Benders decomposition, this model can be applied to large-scale, e.g., pan-European, power systems. The approach is applied to scenarios for 2023—considering a full nuclear phase-out in Germany—and 2035—considering a full coal phase-out in Germany. First, the influence of the risk factors is evaluated. Furthermore, an evaluation of the market prices shows an increase in price levels as well as an increasing day-ahead-intraday spread in 2023 and in 2035. Finally, it is shown that intraday cross-border trading has a significant influence on trading volumes and prices and ensures a more efficient allocation of resources.
Die autonome, unbemannte Luftfahrt ist einer der Schlüsselsektoren für die Zukunft der Luftfahrt. In diesem rasant wachsenden Bereich nehmen senkrecht startende und senkrecht landende Flugzeuge (Vertical Take-Off and Landing – VTOL) einen besonderen Platz ein. Ein VTOL-Flugzeug (manchmal auch „Transitionsfluggerät“ genannt) verbindet die Eigenschaft des Helikopters, überall starten und landen zu können, mit den Geschwindigkeits-, Reichweiten und Flugdauervorteilen des Starrflüglers. Grundsätzlich wird die Senkrechtstart- und -landefähigkeit sowohl von zivilen als auch von militärischen Betreibern unbemannter Fluggeräte (UAVs) gewünscht. Trotzdem bietet der Markt nur eine geringe Anzahl von VTOL-UAVs, da qualitativ hochwertige Entwürfe eine ausgesprochene Herausforderung in der Entwicklung darstellen. An der FH Aachen wird deshalb seit über 5 Jahren an der Auslegung und Analyse von solchen unbemannten VTOL Flugzeugen geforscht. Das neuste Projekt ist der Eigenentwurf einer großen, senkrechtstartenden Transportdrohne. Das „PhoenAIX“ getaufte Fluggerät wird von Falk Götten und Felix Finger im Rahmen einer EFRE-Förderung entwickelt.
Pressure distribution to the distal biceps tendon at the radial tuberosity: a biomechanical study
(2020)
Purpose
Mechanical impingement at the narrow radioulnar space of the tuberosity is believed to be an etiological factor in the injury of the distal biceps tendon. The aim of the study was to compare the pressure distribution at the proximal radioulnar space between 2 fixation techniques and the intact state.
Methods
Six right arms and 6 left arms from 5 female and 6 male frozen specimens were used for this study. A pressure transducer was introduced at the height of the radial tuberosity with the intact distal biceps tendon and after 2 fixation methods: the suture-anchor and the cortical button technique. The force (N), maximum pressure (kPa) applied to the radial tuberosity, and the contact area (mm²) of the radial tuberosity with the ulna were measured and differences from the intact tendon were detected from 60° supination to 60° pronation in 15° increments with the elbow in full extension and in 45° and 90° flexion of the elbow.
Results
With the distal biceps tendon intact, the pressures during pronation were similar regardless of extension and flexion and were the highest at 60° pronation with 90° elbow flexion (23.3 ± 53.5 kPa). After repair of the tendon, the mean peak pressure, contact area, and total force showed an increase regardless of the fixation technique. Highest peak pressures were found using the cortical button technique at 45° flexion of the elbow and 60° pronation. These differences were significantly different from the intact tendon. The contact area was significantly larger in full extension and 15°, 30°, and 60° pronation using the cortical button technique.
Conclusions
Pressures on the distal biceps tendon at the radial tuberosity increase during pronation, especially after repair of the tendon.
Clinical relevance
Mechanical impingement could play a role in both the etiology of primary distal biceps tendon ruptures and the complications occurring after fixation of the tendon using certain techniques.
This paper presents an approach for UAV propulsion system qualification and validation on the example of FH Aachen's 25 kg cargo UAV "PhoenAIX". Thrust and power consumption are the most important aspects of a propulsion system's layout. In the initial design phase, manufacturers' data has to be trusted, but the validation of components is an essential step in the design process. This process is presented in this paper. The vertical takeoff system is designed for efficient hover; therefore, performance under static conditions is paramount. Because an octo-copter layout with coaxial rotors is considered, the impact of this design choice is analyzed. Data on thrust, voltage stability, power consumption, rotational speed, and temperature development of motors and controllers are presented for different rotors. The fixed-wing propulsion system is designed for efficient cruise flight. At the same time, a certain static thrust has to be provided, as the aircraft needs to accelerate to cruise speed. As for the hover-system, data on different propellers is compared. The measurements were taken for static conditions, as well as for different inflow velocities, using the FH-Aachen's wind-tunnel.
Activated carbons are known as excellent adsorbents. Their applications include the adsorptive removal of color, odor, taste, undesirable organic and inorganic pollutants from drinking and waste water; air purification in inhabited spaces; purification of many chemicals, pharmaceutical products and many others. This chapter elucidates the role of normal microflora in the maintenance of human health and presents materials on possible clinical displays of microecological infringements and ways of their correction. It presents new developments concerning new probiotics with immobilized Lactobacillus and Bacillus. The chapter considers the mechanisms of the intestine disbacteriosis correction by sorbed probiotics. It demonstrates the advantages and creation prospects of immobilized probiotics developed on the basis of carbonized rice husk. There are great prospects for the development of medical biotechnology due to use of carbon sorbents with a nanostructured surface. Microbial communities form a biocenosis of the biotope and together with the host organism create permanent or temporary ecosystems.
As researchers continue to seek the expansion of the material base for additive manufacturing, there is a need to focus attention on the Ni–Cu group of alloys which conventionally has wide industrial applications. In this work, the G-NiCu30Nb casting alloy, a variant of the Monel family of alloys with Nb and high Si content is, for the first time, processed via the laser powder bed fusion process (LPBF). Being novel to the LPBF processes, optimum LPBF parameters were determined, and hardness and tensile tests were performed in as-built conditions and after heat treatment at 1000 °C. Microstructures of the as-cast and the as-built condition were compared. Highly dense samples (99.8% density) were achieved after varying hatch distance (80 µm and 140 µm) with scanning speed (550 mm/s–1500 mm/s). There was no significant difference in microhardness between varied hatch distance print sets. Microhardness of the as-built condition (247 HV0.2) exceeded the as-cast microhardness (179 HV0.2.). Tensile specimens built in vertical (V) and horizontal (H) orientations revealed degrees of anisotropy and were superior to conventionally reported figures. Post heat treatment increased ductility from 20% to 31% (V), as well as from 16% to 25% (H), while ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) were considerably reduced.
The paper presents a method for the quantitative assessment of choroidal blood flow using an OCT-A system. The developed technique for processing of OCT-A scans is divided into two stages. At the first stage, the identification of the boundaries in the selected portion was performed. At the second stage, each pixel mark on the selected layer was represented as a volume unit, a voxel, which characterizes the region of moving blood. Three geometric shapes were considered to represent the voxel. On the example of one OCT-A scan, this work presents a quantitative assessment of the blood flow index. A possible modification of two-stage algorithm based on voxel scan processing is presented.
Water suppliers are faced with the great challenge of achieving high-quality and, at the same time, low-cost water supply. Since climatic and demographic influences will pose further challenges in the future, the resilience enhancement of water distribution systems (WDS), i.e. the enhancement of their capability to withstand and recover from disturbances, has been in particular focus recently. To assess the resilience of WDS, graph-theoretical metrics have been proposed. In this study, a promising approach is first physically derived analytically and then applied to assess the resilience of the WDS for a district in a major German City. The topology based resilience index computed for every consumer node takes into consideration the resistance of the best supply path as well as alternative supply paths. This resistance of a supply path is derived to be the dimensionless pressure loss in the pipes making up the path. The conducted analysis of a present WDS provides insight into the process of actively influencing the resilience of WDS locally and globally by adding pipes. The study shows that especially pipes added close to the reservoirs and main branching points in the WDS result in a high resilience enhancement of the overall WDS.
Retinal endothelial function in cardiovascular risk patients: A randomized controlled exercise trial
(2020)
The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on retinal microvascular endothelial function in cardiovascular (CV) risk patients. In the randomized controlled trial, middle-aged and previously sedentary patients with increased CV risk (aged 58 ± 6 years) with ≥ two CV risk factors were randomized into a 12-week HIIT (n = 33) or control group (CG, n = 36) with standard physical activity recommendations. A blinded examiner measured retinal endothelial function by flicker light-induced maximal arteriolar (ADmax) and venular (VDmax) dilatation as well as the area under the arteriolar (AFarea) and venular (VFarea) flicker curve using a retinal vessel analyzer. Standardized assessments of CV risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, and retinal endothelial function were performed before and after HIIT. HIIT reduced body mass index, fat mass, and low-density lipoprotein and increased muscle mass and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Both ADmax (pre: 2.7 ± 2.1%, post: 3.0 ± 2.2%, P = .018) and AFarea (pre: 32.6 ± 28.4%*s, post: 37.7 ± 30.6%*s, P = .016) increased after HIIT compared with CG (ADmax, pre: 3.2 ± 1.8%, post: 2.9 ± 1.8%, P = .254; AFarea, pre: 41.6 ± 28.5%*s, post: 37.8 ± 27.0%*s, P = .186). Venular function remained unchanged after HIIT. There was a significant association between ∆-change VO2peak and ∆-changes ADmax and AFarea (P = .026, R² = 0.073; P = .019, R² = 0.081, respectively). 12-weeks of HIIT improved retinal endothelial function in middle-aged patients with increased CV risk independent of the reduction in classical CV risk factors. Exercise has the potential to reverse or at least postpone progression of small vessel disease in older adults with increased CV risk under standard medication. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis seems to be a sensitive tool to detect treatment effects of exercise interventions on retinal microvascular endothelial function in middle-aged individuals with increased CV risk.
Masked hypertension is known to induce microvascular complications. However, it is unclear whether early microvascular changes are already occurring in young, otherwise healthy adults. We therefore investigated whether retinal microvascular calibers and acute responses to a flicker stimulus are related to masked hypertension. We used the baseline data of 889 participants aged 20–30 years who were taking part in the African Prospective study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension. Clinic and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were measured. The central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent were calculated from fundus images, and retinal vessel dilation was determined in response to flicker light-induced provocation. A smaller CRAE was observed in those with masked hypertension vs. those with normotension (157.1 vs. 161.2 measuring units, P < 0.001). In forward multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, only CRAE was negatively related to masked hypertension [adjusted R² = 0.267, β = −0.097 (95% CI = −0.165; −0.029), P = 0.005], but other retinal microvascular parameters were not associated with masked hypertension. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, masked hypertension [OR = 2.333, (95% CI = 1.316; 4.241), P = 0.004] was associated with a narrower CRAE. In young healthy adults, masked hypertension was associated with retinal arteriolar narrowing, thereby reflecting early microvascular alterations known to predict cardiovascular outcomes in later life.
Purpose
Globally, a detrimental shift in cardiovascular disease risk factors and a higher mortality level are reported in some black populations. The retinal microvasculature provides early insight into the pathogenesis of systemic vascular diseases, but it is unclear whether retinal vessel calibers and acute retinal vessel functional responses differ between young healthy black and white adults.
Methods
We included 112 black and 143 white healthy normotensive adults (20–30 years). Retinal vessel calibers (central retinal artery and vein equivalent (CRAE and CRVE)) were calculated from retinal images and vessel caliber responses to flicker light induced provocation (FLIP) were determined. Additionally, ambulatory blood pressure (BP), anthropometry and blood samples were collected.
Results
The groups displayed similar 24 h BP profiles and anthropometry (all p > .24). Black participants demonstrated a smaller CRAE (158 ± 11 vs. 164 ± 11 MU, p < .001) compared to the white group, whereas CRVE was similar (p = .57). In response to FLIP, artery maximal dilation was greater in the black vs. white group (5.6 ± 2.1 vs. 3.3 ± 1.8%; p < .001).
Conclusions
Already at a young age, healthy black adults showed narrower retinal arteries relative to the white population. Follow-up studies are underway to show if this will be related to increased risk for hypertension development. The reason for the larger vessel dilation responses to FLIP in the black population is unclear and warrants further investigation.
Large scale central receiver systems typically deploy between thousands to more than a hundred thousand heliostats. During solar operation, each heliostat is aligned individually in such a way that the overall surface normal bisects the angle between the sun’s position and the aim point coordinate on the receiver. Due to various tracking error sources, achieving accurate alignment ≤1 mrad for all the heliostats with respect to the aim points on the receiver without a calibration system can be regarded as unrealistic. Therefore, a calibration system is necessary not only to improve the aiming accuracy for achieving desired flux distributions but also to reduce or eliminate spillage. An overview of current larger-scale central receiver systems (CRS), tracking error sources and the basic requirements of an ideal calibration system is presented. Leading up to the main topic, a description of general and specific terms on the topics heliostat calibration and tracking control clarifies the terminology used in this work. Various figures illustrate the signal flows along various typical components as well as the corresponding monitoring or measuring devices that indicate or measure along the signal (or effect) chain. The numerous calibration systems are described in detail and classified in groups. Two tables allow the juxtaposition of the calibration methods for a better comparison. In an assessment, the advantages and disadvantages of individual calibration methods are presented.