Pandemic SiM - Impact analysis and improvement potentials for pandemic airport security processes

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hit aviation and airports in multiples ways. As air transport is recovering cautiously from the severe losses due to travel restrictions this paper examines consequences of measures required to minimize contamination risks along travel processes at airports. In a simulation model we apply these measures in an exemplarily way focusing on the security check area of a medium sized European airport. The paper describes the modelling as well as results and findings of the simulation runs. It will show how capacity, waiting times and waiting space are affected, thus posing new challenges for airports due to increasing cost, and how further research could contribute to some relief in this regard

Gekoppelte Passagierflusssimulation zur Optimierung des Turnaroundprozesses

In den Einzelprozessen des Turnarounds nehmen die Passagierbewegungen des Boarding und des Deplaning eine zentrale Rolle ein, da sie auf dem kritischen Pfad des Turnarounds liegen. Kommt es in einem dieser Prozesse zu Verzögerungen, so wirkt sich dies sofort auf die Dauer des Gesamtprozesses aus. Ist die Verzögerung so groß, dass der geplante Take-Off Slot für diesen Flug verpasst wird, wächst die Verzögerung noch weiter, da ein neuer freier Slot zugewiesen werden muss. und es damit zu einer weiteren Folgeverspätung kommt. Gleichwohl bewegen sich die Einzelprozesse im Terminal und in der Flugzeugkabine bereits in ihrem lokalen Optimum. Durch Kopplung einer Passagierflusssimulation im Terminal mit einer Boardingsimulation in der Flugzeugkabine soll untersucht werden, wie sich mögliche Entwicklungen und Restriktionen in einem dieser Bereiche auf die Gesamtprozesse der Reisekette des Passagiers auswirken können. Zusätzlich soll mit Hilfe dieser gekoppelten Simulation langfristig bewertet werden, ob Maßnahmen die bereits im Terminal vorbereitet werden können, helfen das Boarding in der Kabine effizienter zu gestalten

Post-Pandemic Impact Analysis for airport processes from security to boarding – How to respond the next pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic globally affected the complete transport sector and especially passenger air transport with nosediving traffic numbers, wide-ranging travel restrictions and long-lasting uncertainties (see IATA, 2020). As air travel starts to recover cautiously from severe losses of traffic volumes over the pre-pandemic year 2019 and travel restrictions are relaxing, air transport providers have to ensure that passengers as well as people working within the air transport sector will remain safe and be prepared for the next Pandemic. For Example, arboviruses have the potential to spark the next epidemic, warns the World Health Organisation (WHO) and it might only be a question of time when the next pandemic will rise. Airports need to prepare to cope with the next pandemic efficiently and effectively. For this purpose, we develop a toolbox to analyse and evaluate operational measures along the process chain of travelling at an airport.This paper examines the contamination risks at airports covering the travel process from security checks to aircraft seat. In our study we examine the possibility of an infection by dint of simulation with the Pandemic Simulation Model (Pandemic SiM). For this purpose, we advanced an earlier version of Pandemic SiM that only covered the security check area by adding typical boarding processes of a medium sized European airport. The model is based on a real European airport serving around 12 million passengers per year (in 2019). The simulation model incorporates a new algorithm calculating the probability of spreading a virus (like COVID-19) via droplet, airborne or contact transmission during different airport travel processes along the travel chain. The algorithm considers different infection situations and incidence values and allows for a quantification of infection risks per individual simulated passenger. Based on the output of the simulations of the process chain in combination with that algorithm we can show the effectiveness of measures like social distancing and their consequences to minimize contamination risks along travel processes at airports. The paper describes the modelling, the algorithm to calculate contamination risks, as well as results and findings of the simulation runs. It will show how contamination risks, capacity, waiting times and waiting space are affected. This will provide airport operators with decision support for challenges arising from the need to be prepared for the next pandemic

A Smeared Crack Modelling Approach for Aggregate Interlock and Mixed Mode Fracture of Concrete

The intention of this contribution is the numerical description of the rarely investigated phenomenon of mixed mode fracture in plain concrete. Since cracks in concrete are typically subjected to both normal and shear displacements, a new material model called fictitious rough crack model (FRCM) is proposed which combines mode I fictitious crack models with aggregate interlock models. For modelling the mixed mode behavior as the result of coexisting cohesive concrete behavior and aggregate interlock stresses along concrete cracks, mode I behavior is considered as the main influence on crack formation at the crack tip and mode II behavior (aggregate interlock) is assumed to occur when translations are induced along the crack surfaces (slip). The combination of these tension-softening and shear-transfer laws and the resulting shear and normal stresses of both mechanisms in the crack characterizes the main idea of the model. Well-known experimental benchmark problems are solved both for validation of the proposed model as well as for comparison with renowned concrete models of commercial FE software. The analysis shows that the FRCM can simulate the transition from mode I fracture to mixed mode fracture in the structural response while the comparison with commercial numerical approaches demonstrates the lack of appropriate consideration of aggregate interlock and mixed mode behavior in commercial FE software

Did You Sleep Well, Darling?—Link between Sleep Quality and Relationship Quality

Schlarb A, Claßen M, Schuster E-S, Neuner F, Hautzinger M. Did You Sleep Well, Darling?—Link between Sleep Quality and Relationship Quality. Health. 2015;7(12):1747-1756.Background: Relationship quality and sleep quality influenced physiological and psychological health. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine a possible connection between relationship satisfaction and sleep quality and to test a theoretical model of sleep quality as related to relationship and psychological well-being. Methods: Fifty-one heterosexual, cohabitating couples between 24 and 70 years old participated. The relationship quality was measured by the German short version of relationship questionnaire. To determine the sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a two-week sleep diary were implemented. To gather information about psychological well-being, especially depression and anxiety, the German Symptom Checklist was used. Results: Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and relationship quality correlated significantly negative. In addition, the study found a positive correlation between sleep duration and relationship quality. In a multiple regression model, fighting and mental strain explained 38% of variance of sleep quality. Depression, anxiety and relationship quality showed no further improvement of the model. These findings suggested that relationship quality, constructive partnership behavior and mental strain played an essential role in sleep quality

CASTILLO DE LA LUZ [Material gráfico]

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, 201

Removal of hydrogen from Ti VT 1-0 under action of accelerated electrons

The process of hydrogen removal from titanium of VT1-0 grade under the action of accelerated electrons has been studied experimentally. The irradiation was carried out by an electron beam with energies of 25-40 keV during 15-60 min. The information on the hydrogen content in samples from titanium of VT1-0 grade has been obtained both before and after irradiation with accelerated electrons. The activation energy of hydrogen desorption from titanium has been calculated. It was found that the increase of the time and the energy of an irradiation lead to the decrease of the residual hydrogen content in the titanium samples

Wasserstoff als neuer Energieträger in der Luftfahrt

Der Workshop bringt Experten der Luftfahrt und neuer Energieträger zusammen, um Thesen über Wasserstoff als neuen Energieträger in der Luftfahrt zu diskutieren. Einem fünfminütigen Impulsvortrag zu den jeweiligen Thesen folgt eine zehnminütige Diskussion. 10:00-10:10: Vorstellung (Martin Winter, Institut für Verkehrsforschung; Klaus Lütjens, Institut für Luftverkehr) 10:10-10:25: „Wasserstoff wird in der Herstellung deutlich teurer sein als fossiles Kerosin, aber etwas günstiger als synthetische Kraftstoffe.“ (Patrick Jochem, Institut für Vernetzte Energiesysteme) 10:25-10:40: „Die hohe gewichtsbezogene Energiedichte von Wasserstoff ist für die Luftfahrt bedeutender als für bodengebundene Verkehrsträger und könnte daher trotz technischer Herausforderungen eine luftfahrttechnische Nutzung begünstigen.“ (Markus Kühlen, Institut für Luftverkehr) 10:40-10:55: „Auf Basis von fortgeschrittenen Flüssigwasserstofftanks und weiteren Technologieentwicklungen könnte Wasserstoff als Energieträger in der Luftfahrt für Flugzeuge in allen Marktsegmenten mit abnehmendem Nutzen für lange Distanzen nutzbar sein.“ (Markus Kühlen, Institut für Luftverkehr) 10:55-11:10: „Für die Betankung von Flugzeugen mit Wasserstoff sind hohe Investitionen und geeignete Flächen für neue Infrastrukturen an Flughäfen notwendig.“ (Axel Claßen, Institut für Luftverkehr) 11:10-11:25: „Die Klimawirkung infolge von CO2- und nicht-CO2-Effekten ist für Wasserstoffflugzeuge im Vergleich zu mit Kohlenwasserstoffen betriebenen Flugzeugen besonders niedrig.“ (Thorsten Ehlers, Institut für Luftverkehr) 11:25-11:40: „Die Wirtschaftlichkeit von Wasserstoff in der Luftfahrt ist nur bei einer hohen globalen Bepreisung von CO2-Emissionen und weiteren klimaerwärmenden Emissionen („Nicht-CO2-Effekte“) gegeben.“ (Janina Scheelhaase, Institut für Luftverkehr) 11:40-11:55: „Die Entwicklung von Wasserstoffflugzeugen muss einhergehen mit hoher Planungssicherheit bei der Regulierung, dem Hochlauf der Erzeugung von grünem Wasserstoff und dem Infrastrukturausbau an Flughäfen.“ (Janina Scheelhaase, Institut für Luftverkehr

Organ Preservation in Rectal Cancer: The Patients' Perspective

Organ preservation after a clinical complete response to radiochemotherapy is currently one of the most discussed topics in the management of rectal cancer. However, the patients' perspective has only been poorly studied so far. In this multicenter study, we examined 49 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The willingness to participate in an organ preservation study and the acceptance of the associated aspects such as intensified radiochemotherapy protocols, the need for close follow-up examinations and local regrowth rates were assessed. Attitudes were correlated with baseline quality of life parameters and psychological scales for “fear of progression”, “locus of control”, “depression”, and the “willingness to take risks”. A total of 83% of patients would consider the deferral of surgery in case of a clinical complete response (cCR). Three monthly follow-up studies and a 25% local regrowth rate are considered acceptable by 95% and 94% respectively. While 41% would be willing to exchange cure rates for a non-operative treatment strategy, a potentially more toxic radiochemotherapy in order to increase the probability of a cCR was the aspect with the lowest acceptance (55%). Psychological factors, in particular “locus of control” and “willingness to take risks”, influenced patient preferences regarding most of the assessed parameters. While in general a broad acceptance of an organ-preserving treatment can be expected, patient preferences and concerns regarding different aspects of this strategy vary widely and require specific consideration during shared decision making