Implementation of a Remote Control Workplace to Realize Remote Train Control over 5G-Network in Real-World Testing

Remote diagnosis, control and recovery of malfunctioning automated and unmanned trains is seen as a key enabler for automatic train operation along the Grades of Automation taxonomy. Therefore, a major aim of the 5G-Reallabor project, which is set out to bring technology under research into field-testing setups, is the technical demonstration of remote train control over physical distance via a 5G mobile network connection. This technical demonstration requires the development and implementation of a remote control workplace, equipped with all necessary functionalities to attain remote control of a connected train in real-world employing 5G mobile network technology. Significant available knowledge from the prior development and setup of a remote control simulator, called the Train Operator Workplace, served as a starting point for the current topic under investigation. The key step in the process of implementing the remote control workplace for real-world purposes was the derivation of functional user requirements in terms of information needs and control functionality. In the domain of information needs the presentation of in-train train protection system information (European Train Control System), video footage, vehicle status data and traction/braking data was identified, documented in several functional user requirements and implemented accordingly. In the domain of the required control functionality user control over traction, several braking systems, vehicle functions such as horn, light or door release, video cameras and direction of travel were identified and technically realized. Additional safety-related functional requirements mainly related to network quality, connection or package loss were also identified and implemented. The process of scenario-based user requirement derivation and subsequent implementation into a real-world demonstration case ready to satisfy safetyrequirements for physically operating a train on railway infrastructure is presented. Lessonslearned in the field of automatic train operation are discussed to derive insights and bestpractice for further testing in this promising new field of research

Funktionale Tests von EULYNX Komponenten im RailSiTe®-Labor

Standardisierung und Harmonisierung spielen insbesondere im sicherheitskritischen Bahnsektor eine wesentliche Rolle. Im akkreditierten Testlabor RailSiTe® des DLR werden seit 2012 Tests für ETCS-Komponenten durchgeführt. Im Zuge der Entwicklung der EULYNX Spezifikationen wird das Testlabor um neue Schnittstellen erweitert, um zukünftig auch Eisenbahninfrastruktur unabhängig prüfen zu können

A technical demonstration of remote train operations using 5G mobile communications

The 5G-Reallabor in Braunschweig-Wolfsburg project has demonstrated the technical feasibility of Remote Train Operation (RTO) using 5G mobile communications with special consideration for any human-factor user requirements for the RTO workplace. During the demonstration, a rail vehicle was remotely controlled in two operating scenarios involving remote-controlled shunting and remote-controlled driving for the purpose of clearing an open track on infrastructure in Schlettau (Saxony, Germany) from an RTO workplace situated at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Braunschweig

Ecological Complex Systems

Main aim of this topical issue is to report recent advances in noisy nonequilibrium processes useful to describe the dynamics of ecological systems and to address the mechanisms of spatio-temporal pattern formation in ecology both from the experimental and theoretical points of view. This is in order to understand the dynamical behaviour of ecological complex systems through the interplay between nonlinearity, noise, random and periodic environmental interactions. Discovering the microscopic rules and the local interactions which lead to the emergence of specific global patterns or global dynamical behaviour and the noises role in the nonlinear dynamics is an important, key aspect to understand and then to model ecological complex systems.Comment: 13 pages, Editorial of a topical issue on Ecological Complex System to appear in EPJ B, Vol. 65 (2008

Genome-Wide SNP-genotyping array to study the evolution of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus Biotype 3

Vibrio vulnificus is an aquatic bacterium and an important human pathogen. Strains Of V. vulnificus are classified into three different biotypes. The newly emerged biotype 3 has been found to be clonal and restricted to Israel. In the family Vibrionaceae , horizontal gene transfer is the main mechanism responsible for the emergence of new pathogen groups. To better understand the evolution of the bacterium, and in particular to trace the evolution of biotype 3, we performed genome-wide SNP genotyping of 254 clinical and environmental V. vulnificus isolates with worldwide distribution recovered over a 30-year period, representing all phylogeny groups. A custom single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array implemented on the Illumina GoldenGate platform was developed based on 570 SNPs randomly distributed throughout the genome. In general, the genotyping results divided the V. vulnificus species into three main phylogenetic lineages and an additional subgroup, clade B, consisting of environmental and clinical isolates from Israel. Data analysis suggested that 69% of biotype 3 SNPs are similar to SNPs from clade B, indicating that biotype 3 and clade B have a common ancestor. The rest of the biotype 3 SNPs were scattered along the biotype 3 genome, probably representing multiple chromosomal segments that may have been horizontally inserted into the clade B recipient core genome from other phylogroups or bacterial species sharing the same ecological niche. Results emphasize the continuous evolution of V. vulnificus and support the emergence of new pathogenic groups within this species as a recurrent phenomenon. Our findings contribute to a broader understanding of the evolution of this human pathogen

Effect of ultrasonic activation of endodontic sealers on intratubular penetration and bond strength to root dentin

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic activation (UA) of endodontic sealers on dentin tubule penetration and the bond strength to root dentin. Method: One hundred single-rooted teeth were prepared with 40.06 nickel-titanium instruments and divided into 2 groups: with or without UA. Three resin-based sealers (MTA Fillapex [Angelus Dental Solutions, Londrina, PR, Brazil], Sealer Plus [MK Life Medical and Dental Products, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil], and AH Plus [Dentsply, DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany]; n 5 20) and 2 calcium silicate–based sealers (Sealer Plus BC [MK Life Medical and Dental Products] and EndoSequence BC [Brasseler, Savannah, GA], n 5 20) were used and subdivided (n 5 10) according to the protocols. Fluo-3 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) and rhodamine B dyes were added to the calcium silicate- and resin-based sealers, respectively. In the UA groups, the activation was performed for 40 seconds followed by lateral compaction. Samples were transversely sectioned to evaluate the dentin tubule penetration and the bond strength to root dentin. The penetration data were analyzed with the Student t test, 1-factor analysis of variance, and Bonferroni tests. Bond strength was eval- uated using the Student t test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn post hoc test. Results: Resin-based sealers showed the highest tubule penetration without UA (P , .05). UA significantly enhanced MTA Fillapex and Endosequence BC dentin tubule penetration (P , .05). AH Plus and Sealer Plus BC improved their bond strength to root dentin after UA (P , .05). AH Plus/ UA, Sealer Plus/UA, and Sealer Plus BC/UA presented the highest bond strength values (P , .05). Adhesive failures were predominant in all groups regardless of the use of ultrasound. Conclusions: UA interferes with tubule penetration and the bond strength to root dentin of resin- and calcium silicate–based sealers

Seroprevalence and seroincidence of Leptospira infection in dogs during a one-year period in an endemic urban area in Southern Brazil

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects both humans and animals. Dogs may serve as sentinels and indicators of environmental contamination as well as potential carriers for Leptospira. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and seroincidence of leptospirosis infection in dogs in an urban low-income community in southern Brazil where human leptospirosis is endemic. Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed that consisted of sampling at recruitment and four consecutive trimestral follow-up sampling trials. All households in the area were visited, and those that owned dogs were invited to participate in the study. The seroprevalence (MAT titers >= 100) of Leptospira infection in dogs was calculated for each visit, the seroincidence (seroconversion or four-fold increase in serogroup-specific MAT titer) density rate was calculated for each follow-up, and a global seroincidence density rate was calculated for the overall period. Results: A total of 378 dogs and 902.7 dog-trimesters were recruited and followed, respectively. The seroprevalence of infection ranged from 9.3% (95% CI; 6.7 - 12.6) to 19% (14.1 - 25.2), the seroincidence density rate of infection ranged from 6% (3.3 - 10.6) to 15.3% (10.8 - 21.2), and the global seroincidence density rate of infection was 11% (9.1 - 13.2) per dog-trimester. Canicola and Icterohaemorraghiae were the most frequent incident serogroups observed in all follow-ups. Conclusions: Follow-ups with mean trimester intervals were incapable of detecting any increase in seroprevalence due to seroincident cases of canine leptospirosis, suggesting that antibody titers may fall within three months. Further studies on incident infections, disease burden or risk factors for incident Leptospira cases should take into account the detectable lifespan of the antibody