Hybride Dienstleistungen und Wandel der Arbeit

In diesem Projektbericht werden aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Logistik im Zuge der vierten industriellen Revolution und der damit verbundenen Digitalisierung von Wertschöpfungsnetzwerken und logistischen Tätigkeiten aufgegriffen. Die Branche der Logistik nimmt zahlreichen Stimmen in der laufenden Debatte zufolge eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Umsetzung von Industrie 4.0-Lösungen ein. Dies wirft Fragen nach der Digitalisierung industrieller und logistischer Prozesse und den Folgen für Logistikarbeit auf. Mit der Entwicklung und Implementierung digitaler Technologien und den entsprechenden innovativen Geschäftsmodellen gehen mitunter erhebliche Veränderungen in den Arbeits- und Organisationsstrukturen einher. Diese Entwicklungen sind bei der Umsetzung so genannter hybrider Dienstleistungen in der Logistik zu beobachten. Die Arbeiten des Forschungsgebietes Industrie- und Arbeitsforschung richten sich auf diese technologischen Innovationen und hybriden Dienstleistungen und verfolgen u.a. im Forschungsprojekt „Innovationslabor - Hybride Dienstleistungen in der Logistik“ die Frage, welche Konsequenzen für die Arbeit sich aus der vernetzten Interaktion von Menschen und Technik in Industrie und Logistik ergeben. Der Fokus des Arbeitspapiers liegt auf den Entwicklungsperspektiven von Logistikarbeit in ihren vielfältigen Facetten und Erscheinungsformen, die sich aus einer fortschreitenden Digitalisierung ergeben können. Er greift zunächst die schwierige Konturierung einer Querschnitts- und Wachstumsbranche auf, die quer zu traditionellen Wirtschaftszweigsystematiken definiert wird. Anschließend werden Entwicklungstrends der Digitalisierung in der Logistik 4.0 kritisch reflektiert. Daran anknüpfend werden die mitunter widersprüchlichen Trendbestimmungen zum Wandel der Logistikarbeit vorgestellt. Abschließend werden einige zentrale Herausforderungen bei der Gestaltung guter Arbeit unter den Bedingungen der Digitalisierung in der Logistik benannt.The main topic of this paper is the current development of logistics in the wake of the fourth industrial revolution and the digitalization of value chain processes as well as logistic activities. Many experts therefore consider a key role of the digitization of logistics in the implementation of Industry 4.0. However, there is agreement that the consequence of the digitization of value chains, the implementation of digital technology (software and hardware) as well as the corresponding innovative business models also causes considerable changes in the work and organizational structures. These changing trends of hybrid services in logistics represent an important subject in the research project "Innovationslabor - Hybride Dienstleistungen in der Logistik" of the TU Dortmund. Initially, the focus of this paper is on logistics as a cross-sector and growth sector in terms of its economic development and employment structure. In addition to the "logistics industry", the paper also analyses the effects of digital transformation on logistical employment. The conceptual basis is the socio-technical approach, which, as an analytical framework, is capable of capturing and analyzing logistical value-chain-systems as interdependent subsystems

Gratwanderung zwischen Tradition und Innovation: Reifeprüfung der New Economy

"Krise und Marktturbulenzen kennzeichnen derzeit das einstige Wirtschaftswunder New Economy. Der Neue Markt Aktienindex (Nemax) ist auf rund 400 Punkte abgestürzt und notiert im Sommer 2002 noch rund 270 Unternehmen (2001: 340), Insolvenzen, Firmenpleiten und finanzielle Einbußen der Gründer, Investoren, Anleger und Mitarbeiter bestimmen das aktuelle Tagesgeschehen. Interessenkonflikte zwischen Managern und Beschäftigten sowie Auseinandersetzungen um Arbeitsbedingungen und Kündigungen trüben das 'Familienidyll' der New Economy. Gleichzeitig sind aus jungen Turnschuhbetrieben solide Mittelstandsunternehmen geworden, die auf Bewährtes aus der Old Economy zurückgreifen. Hierbei gewinnt auch das Thema Mitbestimmung an Bedeutung. Wer jedoch meint, Betriebsräte und Gewerkschaften finden quasi im Selbstlauf ihren Weg in die Neue Wirtschaft, der verkennt die Praxis und die Bedürfnisse der Beschäftigten. Dies legt eine schriftliche Befragung im Nemax notierter Unternehmen nahe, die im Sommer 2002 vom Lehrstuhl Organisationssoziologie und Mitbestimmungsforschung an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) durchgeführt wurde." (Autorenreferat

CoSimPy: An open-source python library for MRI radiofrequency Coil EM/Circuit Cosimulation

Background and objectives: The Electromagnetic/Circuit cosimulation method represents a valuable and effective strategy to address those problems where a radiative structure has to interact with external supporting circuitries. This is of particular concern for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), radiofrequency (RF) coils design, where the supporting circuitry optimisation represents, generally, a crucial aspect. This article presents CoSimPy, an open-source Python circuit simulation library for Electromagnetic/Circuit cosimulations and specifically optimised for MRI, RF coils design.Methods: CoSimPy is designed following an Object-orientated programming. In addition to the essential methods aimed to performed the Electromagnetic/Circuit cosimulations, many others are implemented both to simplify the standard workflow and to evaluate the RF coils performance. In this article, the theory which underlies the fundamental methods of CoSimPy is shown together with the basic framework of the library.Results: In the paper, the reliability of CoSimPy is successfully tested against a full-wave electromagnetic simulations involving a reference setup. The library is made available httys://github.com/umbertozanovello/CoSimpy under together with a detailed documentation providing guidelines and examples. CoSimPy is distributed under the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) license.Conclusions: CoSimPy demonstrated to be an agile tool employable for Electromagnetic/Circuit cosimulations. Its distribution is meant to fulfil the needs of several researchers also avoiding duplication of effort in writing custom implementations. CoSimPy is under constant development and aims to represent a coworking environment where scientists can implement additional methods whose sharing can represent an advantage for the community. Finally, even if CoSimPy is designed with special focus on MRI, it represents an efficient and practical tool potentially employable wherever electronic devices made of radiative and circuitry components are involved. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V

Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger - a systematic review

Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the finger is an established procedure for advanced osteoarthritis. As there are different techniques of fusion, it seems necessary to evaluate the results. Primary outcome of this review was to evaluate different arthrodesis methods of the PIP joint and describe different numbers of non-unions. Secondary outcome was to evaluate time to consolidation. Respective complications, if mentioned, were listed additionally. The review process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The selected databases were PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library. Studies reporting outcomes of the arthrodesis with a defined technique and radiological consolidation were included. Complication rates and types were recorded. In total, 6162 articles could be identified, 159 full-texts were assessed and 64 studies were included. Methodological quality was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. A total of 1923 arthrodeses of the PIP joint could be identified. Twelve different surgical techniques were described, four of these techniques with compression at the arthrodesis site. The most frequently used techniques were K-wires (n = 743, 14 studies), tension-band (n = 313, 15 studies) and compression screws (n = 233, 12 studies). The lowest rate of described non-unions in compression techniques was 3.9% with the compression screw. The highest non-union rate of 8.6% was achieved by interosseous wiring. All the described techniques can achieve the goal of fusing an osteoarthritic joint. There is a tendency in the more recent literature for the use of compression techniques

The association between thyroid function biomarkers and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The relation between thyroid function biomarkers and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents is currently unclear. Cross-sectional data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Baseline) was analyzed to assess the association between thyroid function biomarkers and ADHD in a population-based, nationally representative sample. The study cohort included 11,588 children and adolescents with 572 and 559 having an ADHD diagnosis or symptoms, respectively. ADHD symptoms were assessed through the Inattention/Hyperactivity subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. ADHD diagnosis was determined by a physician or psychologist. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations were determined enzymatically. Adjusted regression models were used to relate serum TSH, fT3, and fT4 with risk for ADHD diagnosis or symptoms. In children, a 1 mIU/l higher TSH was related to a 10% lower risk (odds ratio [OR] 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–1.00) of ADHD diagnosis. We found a significant positive association between fT3 and continuously assessed ADHD symptoms in children (β 0.08; 95% CI 0.03–0.14). Our results suggest that physical maturity may influence the association between thyroid function biomarkers and risk for ADHD

Erwerbsregulierung in hochqualifizierter Wissensarbeit: individuell und kollektiv, diskursiv und partizipativ

"Die vielfältigen Veränderungen, denen das deutsche duale Modell der Interessenregulierung ausgesetzt ist, bedingen aus wissenschaftlicher Perspektive eine Erweiterung der theoretisch-konzeptionellen Konzepte industrieller Beziehungen. In diesem Beitrag wird unter Berücksichtigung aktueller Diskussionen ein Konzept von Erwerbsregulierung vorgeschlagen, das die durch Wissensarbeit, neue Technologien, Wettbewerbsverschärfung und Globalisierung verursachten Umwälzungen einfangen soll. Einige Aspekte dieses Konzeptes werden anhand eigener Forschungen zu Arbeits- und Beteiligungsmustern in der digitalen Wirtschaft erläutert und begründet. Dabei zeigen die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten Betriebsfallstudien sowie eine quantitative Unternehmensbefragung, dass neue Formen und Arenen individueller und kollektiver Aushandlung sowie neue Partizipationsbeziehungen in wissensintensiven Dienstleistungsunternehmen traditionelle Regulierungsmuster ergänzen oder zum Teil ersetzen." (Autorenreferat)"Substantial changes in the traditional dual German model of interest regulation require an extension of the theoretical framework of industrial relations. Considering current research and debates the article proposes a concept of labour regulation in order to capture the basic shifts induced by knowledge work, new technologies, globalisation and increased competition. Some basic elements of this framework of labour regulation are illustrated and substantiated by research results of case studies and a company survey in the digital economy. The empirical findings show that new forms and arenas of individual and collective bargaining as well as new participation relations in knowledge intensive service companies complement and sometimes replace the traditional patterns of regulation." (author's abstract

3D Extrusion Printing of Biphasic Anthropomorphic Brain Phantoms Mimicking MR Relaxation Times Based on Alginate-Agarose-Carrageenan Blends

The availability of adapted phantoms mimicking different body parts is fundamental to establishing the stability and reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. The primary purpose of such phantoms is the mimicking of physiologically relevant, contrast-creating relaxation times T1 and T2. For the head, frequently examined by MRI, an anthropomorphic design of brain phantoms would imply the discrimination of gray matter and white matter (WM) within defined, spatially distributed compartments. Multichannel extrusion printing allows the layer-by layer fabrication of multiple pastelike materials in a spatially defined manner with a predefined shape. In this study, the advantages of this method are used to fabricate biphasic brain phantoms mimicking MR relaxation times and anthropomorphic geometry. The printable ink was based on purely naturally derived polymers: alginate as a calcium-cross-linkable gelling agent, agarose, iota- carrageenan, and GdCl3 in different concentrations (0-280 mu mol kg-1) as the paramagnetic component. The suggested inks (e.g., 3Alg-1Agar-6Car) fulfilled the requirements of viscoelastic behavior and printability of large constructs (>150 mL). The microstructure and distribution of GdCl3 were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In closely monitored steps of technological development and characterization, from monophasic and biphasic samples as printable inks and cross-linked gels, we describe the construction of large-scale phantom models whose relaxation times were characterized and checked for stability over time