NetMan Desktop Manager (NDM): Take the next step in Server Based Computing

Workshop der Mitarbeiter der EDV-Abteilungen der wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken in Thüringen am 09. Mai 2007, Erfur

Zoning of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: A Comprehensive Set of Geodata for Europe

Peer Reviewe

CT beam dosimetric characterization procedure for personalized dosimetry

Personalized dosimetry in computed tomography (CT) can be realized by a full Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of the scan procedure. Essential input data needed for the simulation are appropriate CT x-ray source models and a model of the patient's body which is based on the CT image. The purpose of this work is to develop comprehensive procedures for the determination of CT x-ray source models and their verification by comparison of calculated and measured dose distributions in physical phantoms. Mobile equipment together with customized software was developed and used for non-invasive determination of equivalent source models of CT scanners under clinical conditions. Standard and physical anthropomorphic CT dose phantoms equipped with real-time CT dose probes at five representative positions were scanned. The accumulated dose was measured during the scan at the five positions. ImpactMC, an MC-based CT dose software program, was used to simulate the scan. The necessary inputs were obtained from the scan parameters, from the equivalent source models and from the material-segmented CT images of the phantoms. 3D dose distributions in the phantoms were simulated and the dose values calculated at the five positions inside the phantom were compared to measured dose values. Initial results were obtained by means of a General Electric Optima CT 660 and a Toshiba (Canon) Aquilion ONE. In general, the measured and calculated dose values were within relative uncertainties that had been estimated to be less than 10%. The procedures developed were found to be viable and rapid. The procedures are applicable to any scanner type under clinical conditions without making use of the service mode with stationary x-ray tube position. Results show that the procedures are well suited for determining and verifying the equivalent source models needed for personalized CT dosimetry based on post-scan MC calculations.Peer reviewe

Measurement and simulation of the neutron response of the Nordball liquid scintillator array

The response of the liquid scintillator array Nordball to neutrons in the energy range 1.5 < T_n < 10 MeV has been measured by time of flight using a 252Cf fission source. Fission fragments were detected by means of a thin-film plastic scintillator. The measured differential and integral neutron detection efficiencies agree well with predictions of a Monte Carlo simulation of the detector which models geometry accurately and incorporates the measured, non-linear proton light output as a function of energy. The ability of the model to provide systematic corrections to photoneutron cross sections, measured by Nordball at low energy, is tested in a measurement of the two-body deuteron photodisintegration cross section in the range E_gamma=14-18 MeV. After correction the present 2H(gamma,n)p measurements agree well with a published evaluation of the large body of 2H(gamma,p)n data.Comment: 20 pages 10 figures, submitted Nucl. Instr. Meth.

Citizen science’s transformative impact on science, citizen empowerment and socio-political processes

Citizen science (CS) can foster transformative impact for science, citizen empowerment and socio-political processes. To unleash this impact, a clearer understanding of its current status and challenges for its development is needed. Using quantitative indicators developed in a collaborative stakeholder process, our study provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of CS in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Our online survey with 340 responses focused on CS impact through (1) scientific practices, (2) participant learning and empowerment, and (3) socio-political processes. With regard to scientific impact, we found that data quality control is an established component of CS practice, while publication of CS data and results has not yet been achieved by all project coordinators (55%). Key benefits for citizen scientists were the experience of collective impact (“making a difference together with others”) as well as gaining new knowledge. For the citizen scientists’ learning outcomes, different forms of social learning, such as systematic feedback or personal mentoring, were essential. While the majority of respondents attributed an important value to CS for decision-making, only few were confident that CS data were indeed utilized as evidence by decision-makers. Based on these results, we recommend (1) that project coordinators and researchers strengthen scientific impact by fostering data management and publications, (2) that project coordinators and citizen scientists enhance participant impact by promoting social learning opportunities and (3) that project initiators and CS networks foster socio-political impact through early engagement with decision-makers and alignment with ongoing policy processes. In this way, CS can evolve its transformative impact

Citizen science’s transformative impact on science, citizen empowerment and socio-political processes

Citizen science (CS) can foster transformative impact for science, citizen empowerment and socio-political processes. To unleash this impact, a clearer understanding of its current status and challenges for its development is needed. Using quantitative indicators developed in a collaborative stakeholder process, our study provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of CS in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Our online survey with 340 responses focused on CS impact through (1) scientific practices, (2) participant learning and empowerment, and (3) socio-political processes. With regard to scientific impact, we found that data quality control is an established component of CS practice, while publication of CS data and results has not yet been achieved by all project coordinators (55%). Key benefits for citizen scientists were the experience of collective impact (“making a difference together with others”) as well as gaining new knowledge. For the citizen scientists’ learning outcomes, different forms of social learning, such as systematic feedback or personal mentoring, were essential. While the majority of respondents attributed an important value to CS for decision-making, only few were confident that CS data were indeed utilized as evidence by decision-makers. Based on these results, we recommend (1) that project coordinators and researchers strengthen scientific impact by fostering data management and publications, (2) that project coordinators and citizen scientists enhance participant impact by promoting social learning opportunities and (3) that project initiators and CS networks foster socio-political impact through early engagement with decision-makers and alignment with ongoing policy processes. In this way, CS can evolve its transformative impact

Untersuchungen zum Einfluss der geometrischen Zuordnung der Förder- und Trennelemente auf das Abscheideverhalten von Tangentialdreschwerken

Der Fortschrittbericht zeigt Ergebnisse über das Abscheideverhalten von modernen Tangentialdreschwerken, sowohl in Ein- als auch in Zweitrommelanordnung. Im Vordergrund steht hierbei der Einfluss der geometrischen Zuordnung der Förder- und Trennelemente auf das Abscheideverhalten von Dreschwerk und Schüttler. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Untersuchungen wurden alle am Dresch- und Trennprozess beteiligten Baugruppen wie im realen Prozess gleichzeitig untersucht, so dass vor allem direkte Rückschlüsse auf das Abscheideverhalten des leistungsbegrenzenden Schüttlers gezogen werden können. ? Es zeigt sich, dass die Position des Schrägförderers nur geringe Einflüsse auf die Dresch- und Trennleistung des Dreschwerkes hat. Im Gegensatz hierzu hat die Wendetrommelposition große Einflüsse. Weiterhin wird über Ergebnisse zum Wendetrommeldurchmesser sowie zur Leistungsaufnahme der Förder- und Trennelemente berichtet. Darüber hinaus wird ein Vergleich zwischen Ein- und Zweitrommeldreschwerk gezeigt

Untersuchungen zum Einfluss der geometrischen Zuordnung der Förder- und Trennelemente auf das Abscheideverhalten von Tangentialdreschwerken

Der Fortschrittbericht zeigt Ergebnisse über das Abscheideverhalten von modernen Tangentialdreschwerken, sowohl in Ein- als auch in Zweitrommelanordnung. Im Vordergrund steht hierbei der Einfluss der geometrischen Zuordnung der Förder- und Trennelemente auf das Abscheideverhalten von Dreschwerk und Schüttler. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Untersuchungen wurden alle am Dresch- und Trennprozess beteiligten Baugruppen wie im realen Prozess gleichzeitig untersucht, so dass vor allem direkte Rückschlüsse auf das Abscheideverhalten des leistungsbegrenzenden Schüttlers gezogen werden können. ? Es zeigt sich, dass die Position des Schrägförderers nur geringe Einflüsse auf die Dresch- und Trennleistung des Dreschwerkes hat. Im Gegensatz hierzu hat die Wendetrommelposition große Einflüsse. Weiterhin wird über Ergebnisse zum Wendetrommeldurchmesser sowie zur Leistungsaufnahme der Förder- und Trennelemente berichtet. Darüber hinaus wird ein Vergleich zwischen Ein- und Zweitrommeldreschwerk gezeigt