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Mikrokleben
(2005)
Changes in intestinal microflora in rats induced by oral exposure to low lead (II) concentrations
(2015)
Heterogeneous Composites on the Basis of Microbial Cells and Nanostructured Carbonized Sorbents
(2012)
The fact that microorganisms prefer to grow on liquid/solid phase surfaces rather than in the surrounding aqueous phase was noticed long time ago [1]. Virtually any surface – animal, mineral, or vegetable – is a subject for microbial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation. It would be adequate to name just a few notorious examples on microbial colonization of contact lenses, ship hulls, petroleum pipelines, rocks in streams and all kinds of biomedical implants. The propensity of microorganisms to become surface-bound is so profound and ubiquitous that it vindicates the advantages for attached forms over their free-ranging counterparts [2]. Indeed, from ecological and evolutionary standpoints, for many microorganisms the surface-bound state means dwelling in nutritionally favorable, non-hostile environments [3]. Therefore, in most of natural and artificial ecosystems surface-associated microorganisms vastly outnumber organisms in suspension and often organize into complex communities with features that differ dramatically from those of free cells [4].
Sampling of dry surfaces for microorganisms is a main component of microbiological safety and is of critical importance in many fields including epidemiology, astrobiology as well as numerous branches of medical and food manufacturing. Aspects of biofilm formation, analysis and removal in aqueous solutions have been thoroughly discussed in literature. In contrast, microbial communities on air-exposed (dry) surfaces have received significantly less attention. Diverse surface sampling methods have been developed in order to address various surfaces and microbial groups, but they notoriously show poor repeatability, low recovery rates and suffer from lack of mutual consistency. Quantitative sampling for viable microorganisms represents a particular challenge, especially on porous and irregular surfaces. Therefore, it is essential to examine in depth the factors involved in microorganisms’ recovery efficiency and accuracy depending on the sampling technique used. Microbial colonization, retention and community composition on different dry surfaces are very complex and rely on numerous physicochemical and biological factors. This study is devoted to analyze and review the (a) physical phenomena and intermolecular forces relevant for microbiological surface sampling; (b) challenges and problems faced by existing sampling methods for viable microorganisms and (c) current directions of engineering and research aimed at improvement of quality and efficiency of microbiological surface sampling.
The existence of several mobile operating systems, such as Android and iOS, is a challenge for developers because the individual platforms are not compatible with each other and require separate app developments. For this reason, cross-platform approaches have become popular but lack in cloning the native behavior of the different operating systems. Out of the plenty cross-platform approaches, the progressive web app (PWA) approach is perceived as promising but needs further investigation. Therefore, the paper at hand aims at investigating whether PWAs are a suitable alternative for native apps by developing a PWA clone of an existing app. Two surveys are conducted in which potential users test and evaluate the PWA prototype with regard to its usability. The survey results indicate that PWAs have great potential, but cannot be treated as a general alternative to native apps. For guiding developers when and how to use PWAs, four design guidelines for the development of PWA-based apps are derived based on the results.
Im Rahmen von Forschungsvorhaben des BMBF und verschiedener Industriepartner betreibt der Lehrstuhl für Wärmeübertragung und Klimatechnik der RWTH Aachen Pilotanlagen und Prüfstände für Untersuchungen auf dem Gebiet der Heißgasfiltration mit keramischen Filterelementen. Als wesentlicher Garant für den Erfolg der Forschungsarbeit muß die auf das jeweilige Projekt genau abgestimmte Meß- und Regelungstechnik angesehen werden. Hierbei zählt neben der Auswahl geeigneter Hardwarekomponenten auch die Softwareentwicklung unter einer leistungsstarken und zuverlässigen Programmierumgebung. Anhand des Aufbaus dreier Versuchsanlagen im Technikumsmaßstab soll das Anforderungsprofil an die Meßtechnik bis hin zur Umsetzung innerhalb der Anlage skizziert werden. Der Heißgasfiltrationsprüfstand im Heizkraftwerk der RWTH Aachen dient der Beobachtung des Reinigungsverhaltens keramischer Filterelemente bei der Heißgasentstaubung im Temperaturbereich bis 850 Grad C. Wesentlich für die Meßwerterfassung ist hierbei die Kopplung eines Orion-Datenloggers der Firma Schlumberger mit LabView 4.0. Im Hochtemperaturofen des Lehrstuhls werden instationäre Druckmessungen an einer keramischen Filterkerze während eines Abreinigungsimpulses bei 950 Grad C mit hoher Samplingrate durchgeführt. Hierbei übernimmt eine durch LabView 4.0 angesteuerte E-Series Karte der Firma National Instruments die Signalaufnahme. Die katalytische Schadstoffreduktion und Entstaubung heißer Rauchgase bei 900 Grad C sind Ziele der Untersuchungen in einer erstellten Versuchsanlage mit einem Quarzglasreaktor. Die Signalerfassung und -konditionierung erfolgt über SCXI in Verbindung mit LabView 4.0, die Steuerung der Anlage übernehmen zwei Multifunktionskarten (National Instruments).
Ice melting probes
(2023)
The exploration of icy environments in the solar system, such as the poles of Mars and the icy moons (a.k.a. ocean worlds), is a key aspect for understanding their astrobiological potential as well as for extraterrestrial resource inspection. On these worlds, ice melting probes are considered to be well suited for the robotic clean execution of such missions. In this chapter, we describe ice melting probes and their applications, the physics of ice melting and how the melting behavior can be modeled and simulated numerically, the challenges for ice melting, and the required key technologies to deal with those challenges. We also give an overview of existing ice melting probes and report some results and lessons learned from laboratory and field tests.
"To assess the habitability of the icy environments in the solar system, for example, on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus, the scientific analysis of material embedded in or underneath their ice layers is very important. We consider self-steering robotic ice melting probes to be the best method to cleanly access these environments, that is, in compliance with planetary protection standards. The required technologies are currently developed and tested."
Searching optimal continuous-thrust trajectories is usually a difficult and time-consuming task. The solution quality of traditional optimal-control methods depends strongly on an adequate initial guess because the solution is typically close to the initial guess, which may be far from the (unknown) global optimum. Evolutionary neurocontrol attacks continuous-thrust optimization problems from the perspective of artificial intelligence and machine learning, combining artificial neural networks and evolutionary algorithms. This chapter describes the method and shows some example results for single- and multi-phase continuous-thrust trajectory optimization problems to assess its performance. Evolutionary neurocontrol can explore the trajectory search space more exhaustively than a human expert can do with traditional optimal-control methods. Especially for difficult problems, it usually finds solutions that are closer to the global optimum. Another fundamental advantage is that continuous-thrust trajectories can be optimized without an initial guess and without expert supervision.
A technology reference study for a multiple near-Earth object (NEO) rendezvous mission with solar sailcraft is currently carried out by the authors of this paper. The investigated mission builds on previous concepts, but adopts a strong micro-spacecraft philosophy based on the DLR/ESA Gossamer technology. The main scientific objective of the mission is to explore the diversity of NEOs. After direct interplanetary insertion, the solar sailcraft should—within less than 10 years—rendezvous three NEOs that are not only scientifically interesting, but also from the point of human spaceight and planetary defense. In this paper, the objectives of the study are outlined and a preliminary potential mission profile is presented.
Solar sails are large and lightweight reflective structures that are propelled by solar radiation pressure. This chapter covers their orbital and attitude dynamics and control. First, the advantages and limitations of solar sails are discussed and their history and development status is outlined. Because the dynamics of solar sails is governed by the (thermo-)optical properties of the sail film, the basic solar radiation pressure force models have to be described and compared before parameters to measure solar sail performance can be defined. The next part covers the orbital dynamics of solar sails for heliocentric motion, planetocentric motion, and motion at Lagrangian equilibrium points. Afterwards, some advanced solar radiation pressure force models are described, which allow to quantify the thrust force on solar sails of arbitrary shape, the effects of temperature, of light incidence angle, of surface roughness, and the effects of optical degradation of the sail film in the space environment. The orbital motion of a solar sail is strongly coupled to its rotational motion, so that the attitude control of these soft and flexible structures is very challenging, especially for planetocentric orbits that require fast attitude maneuvers. Finally, some potential attitude control methods are sketched and selection criteria are given.
Subject of this case is Deutsche Telekom Services Europe (DTSE), a service center for administrative processes. Due to the high volume of repetitive tasks (e.g., 100k manual uploads of offer documents into SAP per year), automation was identified as an important strategic target with a high management attention and commitment. DTSE has to work with various backend application systems without any possibility to change those systems. Furthermore, the complexity of administrative processes differed. When it comes to the transfer of unstructured data (e.g., offer documents) to structured data (e.g., MS Excel files), further cognitive technologies were needed.
Robotic process automation (RPA) has attracted increasing attention in research and practice. This chapter positions, structures, and frames the topic as an introduction to this book. RPA is understood as a broad concept that comprises a variety of concrete solutions. From a management perspective RPA offers an innovative approach for realizing automation potentials, whereas from a technical perspective the implementation based on software products and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are relevant. RPA is industry-independent and can be used, for example, in finance, telecommunications, and the public sector. With respect to RPA this chapter discusses definitions, related approaches, a structuring framework, a research framework, and an inside as well as outside architectural view. Furthermore, it provides an overview of the book combined with short summaries of each chapter.
Im Rahmen der digitalen Transformation werden innovative Technologiekonzepte, wie z. B. das Internet der Dinge und Cloud Computing als Treiber für weitreichende Veränderungen von Organisationen und Geschäftsmodellen angesehen. In diesem Kontext ist Robotic Process Automation (RPA) ein neuartiger Ansatz zur Prozessautomatisierung, bei dem manuelle Tätigkeiten durch sogenannte Softwareroboter erlernt und automatisiert ausgeführt werden. Dabei emulieren Softwareroboter die Eingaben auf der bestehenden Präsentationsschicht, so dass keine Änderungen an vorhandenen Anwendungssystemen notwendig sind. Die innovative Idee ist die Transformation der bestehenden Prozessausführung von manuell zu digital, was RPA von traditionellen Ansätzen des Business Process Managements (BPM) unterscheidet, bei denen z. B. prozessgetriebene
Anpassungen auf Ebene der Geschäftslogik notwendig sind. Am Markt werden bereits unterschiedliche RPA-Lösungen als Softwareprodukte angeboten. Gerade bei operativen Prozessen mit sich wiederholenden Verarbeitungsschritten in unterschiedlichen Anwendungssystemen sind gute Ergebnisse durch RPA dokumentiert, wie z. B. die Automatisierung von 35 % der Backoffice-Prozesse bei Telefonica. Durch den vergleichsweise niedrigen Implementierungsaufwand verbunden mit einem hohen Automatisierungspotenzial ist in der Praxis (z. B. Banken, Telekommunikation, Energieversorgung) ein hohes Interesse an RPA vorhanden. Der Beitrag diskutiert RPA als innovativen Ansatz zur
Prozessdigitalisierung und gibt konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis. Dazu wird zwischen modellgetriebenen und selbstlernenden Ansätzen unterschieden. Anhand von generellen Architekturen von RPA-Systemen werden Anwendungsszenarien sowie deren Automatisierungspotenziale, aber auch Einschränkungen, diskutiert. Es folgt ein strukturierter Marktüberblick ausgewählter RPA-Produkte. Anhand von drei konkreten Anwendungsbeispielen wird die Nutzung von RPA in der Praxis verdeutlicht.
Because of customer churn, strong competition, and operational inefficiencies, the telecommunications operator ME Telco (fictitious name due to confidentiality) launched a strategic transformation program that included a Business Process Management (BPM) project. Major problems were silo-oriented process management and missing cross-functional transparency. Process improvements were not consistently planned and aligned with corporate targets. Measurable inefficiencies were observed on an operational level, e.g., high lead times and reassignment rates of the incident management process.
Intelligent autonomous software robots replacing human activities and performing administrative processes are reality in today’s corporate world. This includes, for example, decisions about invoice payments, identification of customers for a marketing campaign, and answering customer complaints. What happens if such a software robot causes a damage? Due to the complete absence of human activities, the question is not trivial. It could even happen that no one is liable for a damage towards a third party, which could create an uncalculatable legal risk for business partners. Furthermore, the implementation and operation of those software robots involves various stakeholders, which result in the unsolvable endeavor of identifying the originator of a damage. Overall it is advisable to all involved parties to carefully consider the legal situation. This chapter discusses the liability of software robots from an interdisciplinary perspective. Based on different technical scenarios the legal aspects of liability are discussed.
The investigation of atomic resonance fluorescence has always been of special interest as a means for the determination of atomic parameters. In addition, information on the interaction mechanism between atoms and radiation can be obtained. In the standard fluorescence experiment the frequency distribution of the incident photons is larger than the natural width of the respective transition; as a consequence the correlation time in the photon-atom interaction is determined by the lifetime of the atoms in the excited state. With the development of lasers and especially of tunable dye lasers in recent years it became possible to study the case where the incident radiation has a spectral distribution which is narrower than the natural width. This corresponds to a correlation time of the incoming light wave which is much longer than the excited-state lifetime. In this chapter a survey of experiments on the resonance fluorescence of atoms in monochromatic laser fields will be given.
Die Fallstudie FAYMONVILLE beschäftigt sich damit, wie es dem Familienunternehmen Faymonville aus Ostbelgien gelungen ist, sich zu einem der führenden Hersteller in seiner Branche zu entwickeln. Die gezielte Identifizierung neuer Märkte, die Fokussierung auf die relevanten Kundenbedürfnisse und eine konsistente Produktpolitik mit einem abgestimmten Fertigungskonzept legen die Grundsteine für den Erfolg. Das vorliegende Fallbeispiel zeigt anschaulich, wie es gelingen kann, den prinzipiellen Widerspruch zwischen wirtschaftlicher und kundenindividueller Fertigung erfolgreich aufzulösen.
3D-Imaging
(2009)
A concept for the analysis and optimal design of reinforced concrete structures is described. It is based on a nonlinear optimization algorithm and a finite element program for linear and nonlinear analysis of structures. With the aim of minimal cost design a two stage optimization using efficient gradient algorithm is developed. The optimization problems on global (structural) and local (crosssectional) level are formulated. A parallelization concept for solving the two stage optimization problem in minimal time is presented. Examples are included to illustrate the practical use and the effectively of the parallelization in the area of engineering design.
Industrial units consist of the primary load-carrying structure and various process engineering components, the latter being by far the most important in financial terms. In addition, supply structures such as free-standing tanks and silos are usually required for each plant to ensure the supply of material and product storage. Thus, for the earthquake-proof design of industrial plants, design and construction rules are required for the primary structures, the secondary structures and the supply structures. Within the framework of these rules, possible interactions of primary and secondary structures must also be taken into account. Importance factors are used in seismic design in order to take into account the usually higher risk potential of an industrial unit compared to conventional building structures. Industrial facilities must be able to withstand seismic actions because of possibly wide-ranging damage consequences in addition to losses due to production standstill and the destruction of valuable equipment. The chapter presents an integrated concept for the seismic design of industrial units based on current seismic standards and the latest research results. Special attention is devoted to the seismic design of steel thin-walled silos and tank structures.
Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt den seismischen Nachweis von Mauerwerksbauten in Deutschland auf Grundlage der DIN EN 1998‐1/NA vor, wobei auch die wesentlichen Änderungen zu der Norm DIN 4149 vergleichend erläutert werden. Vorgestellt werden die Definition der Erdbebeneinwirkung, das seismische Verhalten von Mauerwerksbauten und die Erläuterung der Rechenverfahren. Darauf aufbauend wird die Anwendung an drei Praxisbeispielen demonstriert.
Berechnung und Bemessung von durch Erdbeben beanspruchten Mauerwerksbauten nach DIN 4149 (04.2005)
(2007)
Mauerwerksbauten
(2003)
Thermal management in E-carsharing vehicles - preconditioning concepts of passenger compartments
(2015)
The issue of thermal management in electric vehicles includes the topics of drivetrain cooling and heating, interior temperature, vehicle body conditioning and safety. In addition to the need to ensure optimal thermal operating conditions of the drivetrain components (drive motor, battery and electrical components), thermal comfort must be provided for the passengers. Thermal comfort is defined as the feeling which expresses the satisfaction of the passengers with the ambient conditions in the compartment. The influencing factors on thermal comfort are the temperature and humidity as well as the speed of the indoor air and the clothing and the activity of the passengers, in addition to the thermal radiation and the temperatures of the interior surfaces. The generation and the maintenance of free visibility (ice- and moisture-free windows) count just as important as on-demand heating and cooling of the entire vehicle. A Carsharing climate concept of the innovative ec2go vehicle stipulates and allows for only seating areas used by passengers to be thermally conditioned in a close-to-body manner. To enable this, a particular feature has been added to the preconditioning of the Carsharing electric vehicle during the electric charging phase at the parking station.
Geologisch-geotechnischer Planungsprozess von Tunnelbauten mit Schwerpunkt tiefliegender Tunnel
(2014)
Hydraulic modeling is the classical approach to investigate and describe complex fluid motion. Many empirical formulas in the literature used for the hydraulic design of river training measures and structures have been developed using experimental data from the laboratory. Although computer capacities have increased to a high level which allows to run complex numerical simulations on standard workstation nowadays, non-standard design of structures may still raise the need to perform physical model investigations. These investigations deliver insight into details of flow patterns and the effect of varying boundary conditions. Data from hydraulic model tests may be used for calibration of numerical models as well. As the field of hydraulic modeling is very complex, this chapter intends to give a short overview on capacities and limits of hydraulic modeling in regard to river flows and hydraulic structures only. The reader shall get a first idea of modeling principles and basic considerations. More detailed information can be found in the references.
Next Generation Manufacturing promises significant improvements in performance, productivity, and value creation. In addition to the desired and projected improvements regarding the planning, production, and usage cycles of products, this digital transformation will have a huge impact on work, workers, and workplace design. Given the high uncertainty in the likelihood of occurrence and the technical, economic, and societal impacts of these changes, we conducted a technology foresight study, in the form of a real-time Delphi analysis, to derive reliable future scenarios featuring the next generation of manufacturing systems. This chapter presents the organization dimension and describes each projection in detail, offering current case study examples and discussing related research, as well as implications for policy makers and firms. Specifically, we highlight seven areas in which the digital transformation of production will change how we work, how we organize the work within a company, how we evaluate these changes, and how employment and labor rights will be affected across company boundaries. The experts are unsure whether the use of collaborative robots in factories will replace traditional robots by 2030. They believe that the use of hybrid intelligence will supplement human decision-making processes in production environments. Furthermore, they predict that artificial intelligence will lead to changes in management processes, leadership, and the elimination of hierarchies. However, to ensure that social and normative aspects are incorporated into the AI algorithms, restricting measurement of individual performance will be necessary. Additionally, AI-based decision support can significantly contribute toward new, socially accepted modes of leadership. Finally, the experts believe that there will be a reduction in the workforce by the year 2030.