Stephan Russ-Mohl (Hrsg.). Streitlust und Streitkunst. Diskurs als Essenz der Demokratie

Unser Planet wird von globalen Krisen erschüttert. Wir erleben «Wandel» derzeit hautnah, auf ganz verschiedenen Ebenen. Die Frage, wie wir kommunizieren, ist deshalb von elementarer Bedeutung. Mittels Kommunikation bewahren oder entwickeln wir im Angesicht von Risiken gemeinsame Denk- und Handlungsspielräume. Es sind deshalb alle Initiativen zu begrüssen, die den kommunikativen Austausch zwischen Individuen und Institutionen beleuchten und kritisch hinterfragen. Zum einen, weil vieles in unseren herkömmlichen Kommunikationspraxen dringender Anstrengungen zur Verbesserung bedarf. Zum anderen aber auch, weil genauso vieles dringend restaurierungs bzw. erneuerungswürdig ist. In diesem Sinn wirft diese Rezension einige Schlaglichter auf eine vielversprechende Buchreihe, die im Kölner Herbert van Halem-Verlag erscheint und vom emeritierten Professor für Journalistik und Medienmanagement Stephan Russ-Mohl kuratiert wird. Es geht im Folgenden also um die «Schriften zur Rettung des öffentlichen Diskurses»

Stable and Clumped Isotope Characterization of Authigenic Carbonates in Methane Cold Seep Environments

Cold seep environments are characterized by methane-rich fluid migration and discharge at the seafloor. These environments are also intimately linked to microbial communities, which oxidize methane anaerobically, increase alkalinity and promote authigenic carbonate precipitation. We have analyzed a suite of methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) crusts from the North and Barents Sea using stable and clumped isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, δ⁴⁴Ca, and Δ₄₇) to characterize the sources of fluids as well as the environment of carbonate authigenesis. We additionally assess the potential of MDACs as a Δ₄₇-based paleotemperature archive. The MDACs occur as three main textural-mineralogic types: micritic Mg-calcite cements, micritic aragonite cements and cavity filling aragonite cements. We find that micritic Mg-calcite cements have low δ¹³C_(VPDB) values (−30 to −47‰), high δ⁴⁴Ca_(SW) values (−0.4 to −0.8‰), and Δ₄₇-temperatures (0–6 °C) consistent with shallow sub-seafloor precipitation in isotopic equilibrium. Micritic aragonite cements and cavity filling aragonite cements both have a wider range in δ¹³C_(VPDB) values (−18 to −58‰), lower δ⁴⁴Ca_(SW) values (−0.8 to −1.6‰) and a larger range in Δ₄₇-based apparent temperatures (–2 – 25 °C) with samples displaying equilibrium and disequilibrium clumped isotope values. The range in apparent temperatures as well as δ⁴⁴Ca_(SW) values seen in the aragonite MDACs suggest two kinetic processes: a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) due to the incomplete equilibration of carbon and oxygen isotopes among DIC species from the different sources of DIC (i.e., seawater, methane-sourced DIC and DIC residual to CO₂ degassing or diffusion) and a KIE due to a fast, irreversible precipitation affecting the cations, particularly Ca, bound to carbonate mineral. Our results improve the understanding of kinetic effects on clumped isotope temperatures in MDACs and demonstrate how the multi-isotopic approach combined with textural-mineralogic criteria can be used to identify MDACs for accurate paleotemperature reconstructions

Development of a new immersive virtual reality (VR) headset-based dexterity training for patients with multiple sclerosis: Clinical and technical aspects.

BACKGROUND Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activities of daily living and quality of life. OBJECTIVE To develop a new immersive virtual-reality (VR) headset-based dexterity training to improve impaired manual dexterity in persons with MS (pwMS) while being feasible and usable in a home-based setting. METHODS The training intervention was tailored to the specific group of pwMS by implementing a simple and intuitive application with regard to hardware and software. To be efficacious, the training intervention covers the main functions of the hands and arm relevant for use in everyday life. RESULTS Taking clinical, feasibility, usability as well as technical aspects with regard to hardware and software into account, six different training exercises using hand tracking technology were developed on the Meta quest 2 using Unity. CONCLUSION We report the developmental process of a new immersive virtual VR headset-based dexterity training for pwMS implementing clinical and technical aspects. Good feasibility, usability, and patient satisfaction was already shown in a feasibility study qualifying this training intervention for further efficacy trials

Phantasmagorie statt Fetisch:Zur modernen Signatur der Dinge

Dinge besitzen eine Ausstrahlung, sie können bezaubern und erschrecken, faszinieren und bannen. Diese Erfahrung machen Menschen nicht nur mit ›auratischen‹ oder ›authentischen‹ Kunstwerken, auch im Zeitalter der technischen Reproduzierbarkeit scheinen Dinge ein Eigenleben zu führen. Nachdem konstruktivistische Zugänge versuchten, ihnen genau dieses auszutreiben, kehrt es seit einiger Zeit wieder: in der Rede von der Aktivität der Objekte und der Macht der Dinge

Bidirectional 868/915 MHz wireless module powered with energy harverster

In this paper, we present a work that allows bidirectional communications in the 868/915 MHz ISM bands, using the power generated by energy harvesters. Our investigations show that a clear channel assessment, receive of acknowledge and resend of the message are possible within a limited, but reasonable time. The design relies on the use of low power microcontrollers and transceivers, and low energy management techniques

Evaluation of granular media to wastewater treatment; advanced primary treatment utilising modified pumice, titanomagnetite and ceramic nozzles.

The treatment of wastewater to higher standards is becoming increasingly important as legislation and public perception demand reduced impact of human activity on the environment. Filtration of primary treated effluent (PTE) and secondary treated effluent (STE) offers a possible sustainable technology for meeting or partially meeting these demands. Granular media filtration, if used at all, is typically incorporated in wastewater treatment as a polishing step following secondary biological treatment and flocculation. The use of filtration following primary sedimentation has not been practised widely. The objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of filtering PTE using New Zealand’s indigenous volcanic deposits as filter media in a recently developed dual media filtration system incorporating porous ceramic nozzles. The two media types studied included titanomagnetite (TM) and Silicon Sponge (SS). Titanomagnetite is an ironsand concentrate with a very fine grain size (0.07 to 0.18mm). Silicon Sponge is abraded river pumice and was available in two sizes: SS 14/24 (0.6 to 1 mm) and SS 7 /14 (0.4 to 2 mm). The surface of TM grains is smooth and that of SS is highly porous due to the vesiculated structure of pumice, while maintaining a low abrasive factor. In order to test filtration behaviour of TM and SS media, bench-scale experiments, using glass columns were performed. A model effluent was prepared from reconstituted dairy farm manure. Suspended particle sizes in farm dairy effluent (FDE) were similar to those measured for PTE. Most of the bench trials used FDE. Filtration trends were easy monitored by turbidity reduction. About 50% of FDE turbidity was removed by 100 mm TM columns. TM performance was improved by the addition of TM fines but flows were reduced. Unmodified TM retained most particles larger than 5 µm. This would likely to remove protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium. The effect of pH on turbidity removal by TM beds was significant. Turbidity removal increased from 40 to 80% upon the lowering of the effluent pH from 6.5 to 3.5. Raising the pH above 6.5 had no effect. No pH-induced change in particle size distribution of the effluent was observed. A pH of 3.5 is below the isoelectric point of TM and it is likely that the enhanced turbidity removal was due to electrostatic effects. In bench-scale filtration of PTE at pH 6.5, a 100 mm depth of TM removed 30% of the turbidity. Increasing the bed depth for TM did not lead to significant further improvement in filter performance. In the case of filtration by a fine SS (14/24), 25% turbidity removal was achieved using a 500 mm bed. Increasing the bed depth to 1800 mm increased turbidity removal to 50%. In glass column experiments, a 1000 mm deep bed of coarse SS (7 /14) removed 30% of the turbidity. An increase to 35% occurred when the bed depth, using this medium was increased to 1600 mm. The same media when used in larger pilot plant filters removed 50% of the turbidity. A particular feature of the TM medium was its ease of fluidisation at flowrates < 10 m/h. This characteristics make it a suitable medium for pulsed bed operation. A feature of the SS medium was its large hydraulic conductivity and high solids holding capacity. On the basis of the results obtained from the bench trials, evaluation filter units incorporating the essential features of the porous ceramic dual media (PCDM) system were constructed. The evaluation systems were equipped with under drains that incorporated a variety of purpose designed titanomagnetite ceramic (TMC) nozzles held in place by a tube bolt that also delivered air and water during filtration and backwashing. Investigation of the flow characteristics of the TMC nozzles showed that the major flow-regulating factor in the nozzle system was the water orifice in the bolt stem. Resistance in up-flow was consistently larger than resistance in down-flow. This was attributed to differences in the hydrodynamics of flow in each direction. Re-designing the bolt could lead to a 30% reduced flow-restriction during backwashing. Biofilm growth on the TM and SS filtration media and the TMC used to manufacture the ceramic nozzles was studied by prolonged immersion in partially digested effluent. SS media showed a high degree of vesicular space and under aerobic conditions, affinity for loose attachment of organic material. TM showed most anaerobic film growth, accompanied by formation of a red iron oxide deposit. Significantly little biofilm growth on the ceramic material was observed. Such growth, if it occurred, could block the nozzles. Pilot plant evaluation trials using PTE showed that for SS, filtration efficiency increased steeply with bed depth up to a bed depth of 500 mm, irrespective of the grade of SS used. At depths greater than 500 mm, filtration efficiency increased more slowly with depth. Run times were typically of 50 h duration by which time flow rates under a constant head of 2700 mm had decreased from 12 m/h to 1 m/h. Bed loadings were as high as 100 kg/m³ at the top of the bed with a mean of 22 kg/m³. In the case of TM, a minimum bed depth of 100 mm was required in order to accommodate the TMC tube nozzles. Deeper beds blocked after very short run times. Flowrates of 1 m/h or less and run times of 1 h or less were observed. For both types of media, solids were easily dislodged during backwashing. Pulsed backwashing greatly reduced backwash water requirements and in the case of SS beds yielded sludge with solids content suitable for anaerobic digestion. Flow-dynamics through PCDM filter nozzles showed increased resistance in upflow being caused by designs in the nozzle-bolt. Vena contracta effects provide an explanation. PCDM filtration using SS as the major medium offers a viable technology for the continuous removal of much of the TSS from PTE. A potential energy saving can be envisaged from the reduced aeration required for reduced BOD loadings going to secondary biological treatment. In addition, the concentrated backwash water from bed backwashing, can be transferred directly to anaerobic digesters. Reduced CO₂ generation and an increase in methane production would off-set installation and running costs of the filter in about 15 years

Austreibung der Schatten?:Die fröhliche Wissenschaft gegen ihre neuen Bewunderer verteidigt

Gegenwärtig scheinen sich verschiedene medien- und techniktheoretische Diskurse darin einig zu sein, dass Anthropozentrismus zu kritisieren sei. Einst richteten sich philosophische Vorstöße, die ein »Ende des Menschen« formulierten, gegen ein reduziertes Bild vom Menschen in der Moderne, das diesen einseitig als vernünftig handelnden homo faber bestimmte. Zwar wird heute auch auf diese Einsprüche referiert, allerdings zugrunde gelegt, dass »der Mensch« tatsächlich die Welt unterdrücke und ausbeute.Christine Blättler, »Austreibung der Schatten?: Die fröhliche Wissenschaft gegen ihre neuen Bewunderer verteidigt«, in Conatus und Lebensnot: Schlüsselbegriffe der Medienanthropologie, hg. v. Astrid Deuber-Mankowsky und Anna Tuschling, Cultural Inquiry, 12 (Wien: Turia + Kant, 2017), S. 173–91 <https://doi.org/10.37050/ci-12_08

Nicht abgedichtet gegen Erfahrung:Zu Genesis und Geltung des Experiments

Ausgehend von Benjamins Texten erörtert die Wissenschaftsphilosophin Christine Blättler das in den Science Studies diskutierte Verhältnis von Genesis und Geltung und die damit verbundene Frage hinsichtlich der angemessenen Darstellungsweise von Erfahrung unter epistemologischen und sozialphilosophischen Gesichtspunkten. Sie geht dabei vom New Experimentalism aus, welcher sich gegen den in der Wissenschaftstheorie lange Zeit vorherrschenden Primat der Theorie wendet. Dem Experiment wird dabei eine autonome und objektive Funktion in der Wissensgenerierung zugesprochen. Diese Hinwendung zum Experiment steht zugleich für eine Abwendung vom Subjekt und für eine verstärkte Zuwendung zu dem, was sich als eine aperspektivische Objektivität bezeichnen ließe. Blättler setzt an diesem Punkt an, um mithilfe von Benjamins Begriff der Konstellation und seinen Überlegungen zum Erfahrungs- und Wahrnehmungswandel zu einer flexibleren Auffassung bezüglich des Verhältnisses von Objekt, Technik und Subjekt zu gelangen, die es erlaubt, den Gegensatz von Genesis und Geltung zu überwinden.Christine Blättler, »Nicht abgedichtet gegen Erfahrung: Zu Genesis und Geltung des Experiments«, in Aura und Experiment: Naturwissenschaft und Technik bei Walter Benjamin, hg. v. Kyung-Ho Cha, Cultural Inquiry, 13 (Wien: Turia + Kant, 2017), S. 188–202 <https://doi.org/10.37050/ci-13_11