Tools of Measurement for European Travelers – George Staunton’s An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China (1797)

Today the Macartney mission and the account of it written down by George Staunton is being widely regarded as a milestone in the way how the west viewed China and its people. However, such a travel report did not necessarily give an ‘objective’ account on another country or culture. Therefore it is important to consider the mindset of the travelers. The Europeans had specific knowledge about China already prior to their departure and especially what they believed to know about the attitude of the Chinese towards science and technology was important. The travelers of the embassy othered the Chinese, based on assumptions made by Enlightenment thinkers and philosophers who wrote extensively about China. This chapter will analyze the way that the Europeans othered the Chinese in that context. Two hundred years after the embassy, in 1992, the British Association for Chinese Studies presented several papers on the Macartney embassy. While the travel account has been object of studies in many different fields and papers from many disciplines were presented, none of them focuses on the underlying agenda of the Europeans; that is their approach towards science and technology. The embassy is correctly considered a collision of fundamentally different civilizations and ideologies. However, the question of in how far the approach towards science, technology and the relation that they share towards progress is responsible for this collision remains unanswered. In fact many science and technology studies focused on the advances of the sciences within a culture; the attitude of a culture towards science in general was on the other hand rarely an object of study

Performance of a corona ion source for measurement of sulfuric acid by chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The performance of an ion source based on corona discharge has been studied. This source is used for the detection of gaseous sulfuric acid by chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) through the reaction of NO−3 ions with H2SO4. The ion source is operated under atmospheric pressure and its design is similar to the one of a radioactive (americium-241) ion source which has been used previously. The results show that the detection limit for the corona ion source is sufficiently good for most applications. For an integration time of 1 min it is ~6×104 molecule cm−3 of H2SO4. In addition, only a small cross-sensitivity to SO2 has been observed for concentrations as high as 1 ppmv in the sample gas. This low sensitivity to SO2 is achieved even without the addition of an OH scavenger. When comparing the new corona ion source with the americium ion source for the same provided H2SO4 concentration, both ion sources yield almost identical values. These features make the corona ion source investigated here favorable over the more commonly used radioactive ion sources for most applications where H2SO4 is measured by CIMS

Modeling of packed bed membrane reactors: impact of oxygen distribution on conversion and selectivity in partial oxidation systems

In this thesis the focus is on the effect of the oxygen distribution on the performance of the PBMR in terms of conversion and selectivities. A detailed description of the oxygen transport through the membrane is not considered in this work. Here, the membrane is considered as an ideal distributor with a fixed membrane flow, independent from the reaction conditions inside the packed bed. This assumption enables an independent discussion of the influence of the oxygen distribution on the performance of the PBMR

Numerical simulations of mixing conditions and aerosol dynamics in the CERN CLOUD chamber

To study the effect of galactic cosmic rays on aerosols and clouds, the Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD) project was established. Experiments are carried out at a 26.1 m3 tank at CERN (Switzerland). In the experiments, the effect of ionizing radiation on H2SO4 particle formation and growth is investigated. To evaluate the experimental configuration, the experiment was simulated using a coupled multidimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) – particle model. In the model the coupled fields of gas/vapor species, temperature, flow velocity and particle properties were computed to investigate mixing state and mixing times of the CLOUD tank's contents. Simulation results show that a 1-fan configuration, as used in first experiments, may not be sufficient to ensure a homogeneously mixed chamber. To mix the tank properly, two fans and sufficiently high fan speeds are necessary. The 1/e response times for instantaneous changes of wall temperature and saturation ratio were found to be in the order of few minutes. Particle nucleation and growth was also simulated and particle number size distribution properties of the freshly nucleated particles (particle number, mean size, standard deviation of the assumed log-normal distribution) were found to be distributed over the tank's volume similar to the gas species

Experimental particle formation rates spanning tropospheric sulfuric acid and ammonia abundances, ion production rates, and temperatures

Binary nucleation of sulfuric acid and water as well as ternary nucleation involving ammonia are thought to be the dominant processes responsible for new particle formation (NPF) in the cold temperatures of the middle and upper troposphere. Ions are also thought to be important for particle nucleation in these regions. However, global models presently lack experimentally measured NPF rates under controlled laboratory conditions and so at present must rely on theoretical or empirical parameterizations. Here with data obtained in the European Organization for Nuclear Research CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber, we present the first experimental survey of NPF rates spanning free tropospheric conditions. The conditions during nucleation cover a temperature range from 208 to 298 K, sulfuric acid concentrations between 5 × 10^5 and 1 × 10^9 cm^(−3), and ammonia mixing ratios from zero added ammonia, i.e., nominally pure binary, to a maximum of ~1400 parts per trillion by volume (pptv). We performed nucleation studies under pure neutral conditions with zero ions being present in the chamber and at ionization rates of up to 75 ion pairs cm^(−3) s^(−1) to study neutral and ion-induced nucleation. We found that the contribution from ion-induced nucleation is small at temperatures between 208 and 248 K when ammonia is present at several pptv or higher. However, the presence of charges significantly enhances the nucleation rates, especially at 248 K with zero added ammonia, and for higher temperatures independent of NH_3 levels. We compare these experimental data with calculated cluster formation rates from the Atmospheric Cluster Dynamics Code with cluster evaporation rates obtained from quantum chemistry

How the traditional office evolved into the digital workplace

The nature of workplaces is changing. Digital technology has constantly evolved and enabled workplaces to progress from being static in location to becoming independent of location. Digital technology enabled a digital workplace that can always be with the employee. The objective of this dissertation is to investigate the drivers and enablers behind the evolution of the workplace from a traditional office to a digital workplace. Through the use of expert interviews from important industries in Germany and secondary research the aim is to determine the key drivers behind the digitalization of workplaces as well as the technologies that enabled this workplace transformation. The industries are ranging from consulting, the medium-sized industry, telecommunication, digital marketing and management. The findings of the dissertation are that the drivers for businesses to digitalize their workplaces are often work culture related. This stems from the wish for more flexible working conditions to the covid-19 pandemic and an increase in complex work as well as others. The digitalization of workplaces is especially supported and enabled through key technologies like SaaS, Cloud services, Customer analytics systems among others. Finally, current findings from the literature as well as expert interviews, certify that companies will get the most productivity and efficiency from their employees if they grant them the freedom of choice with their work environment.A natureza dos locais de trabalho está a mudar. A tecnologia digital tem evoluído constantemente e permitiu que os locais de trabalho passassem de estáticos no local para independentes do local. A tecnologia digital possibilitou um local de trabalho digital que pode estar sempre com o empregado. O objectivo desta dissertação é investigar os condutores e capacitadores por detrás da evolução do local de trabalho, de um escritório tradicional para um local de trabalho digital. Através da utilização de entrevistas de peritos de indústrias importantes na Alemanha e de investigação secundária, o objectivo é determinar os principais motores por detrás da digitalização dos locais de trabalho, bem como as tecnologias que permitiram esta transformação do local de trabalho. As indústrias vão desde a consultoria, a indústria de média dimensão, as telecomunicações, o marketing digital e a gestão. As conclusões da dissertação são que os motores das empresas para digitalizar os seus locais de trabalho estão muitas vezes relacionados com a cultura de trabalho. Isto deriva do desejo de condições de trabalho mais flexíveis à pandemia covid-19 e de um aumento do trabalho complexo, bem como de outros. A digitalização dos locais de trabalho é especialmente apoiada e possibilitada através de tecnologias chave como SaaS, serviços Cloud, sistemas analíticos de clientes, entre outros. Finalmente, os resultados actuais da literatura, bem como as entrevistas de peritos, certificam que as empresas obterão a maior produtividade e eficiência dos seus empregados se lhes concederem a liberdade de escolha com o seu ambiente de trabalho

Thermodynamics of the formation of sulfuric acid dimers in the binary (H_2SO_4–H_2O) and ternary (H_2SO_4–H_2O–NH_3) system

Sulfuric acid is an important gas influencing atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). Both the binary (H_2SO_4–H_2O) system and the ternary system involving ammonia (H_2SO_4–H_2O–NH_3) may be important in the free troposphere. An essential step in the nucleation of aerosol particles from gas-phase precursors is the formation of a dimer, so an understanding of the thermodynamics of dimer formation over a wide range of atmospheric conditions is essential to describe NPF. We have used the CLOUD chamber to conduct nucleation experiments for these systems at temperatures from 208 to 248 K. Neutral monomer and dimer concentrations of sulfuric acid were measured using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS). From these measurements, dimer evaporation rates in the binary system were derived for temperatures of 208 and 223 K. We compare these results to literature data from a previous study that was conducted at higher temperatures but is in good agreement with the present study. For the ternary system the formation of H_2SO_4·NH_3 is very likely an essential step in the formation of sulfuric acid dimers, which were measured at 210, 223, and 248 K. We estimate the thermodynamic properties (dH and dS) of the H_2SO_4·NH_3 cluster using a simple heuristic model and the measured data. Furthermore, we report the first measurements of large neutral sulfuric acid clusters containing as many as 10 sulfuric acid molecules for the binary system using chemical ionization–atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometry

Farbkorrektur und Profilierung einer Digitalkamera mittels Approximation

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist, eine Digitalkamera farblich zu korrigieren und die Korrektur in ein ICC-Kameraprofil zu übertragen. Dazu werden verschiedene Modelle entwickelt, in denen die Farbdaten der Kamera im XYZ, Yxy und Lab Farbraum mathematisch an die Werte einer Referenz approximiert werden. Die Algorithmen der Korrekturfunktion werden anschließend in ein LUT basiertes ICC-Profil übertragen, um die Farbkorrektur in der Praxis anwenden zu können

Das Aufklärungsgespräch vor Strahlentherapie - eine qualitative und quantitative Analyse der Arzt-Patienten-Interaktion mit Hilfe des Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS)

Es handelt sich um eine Kohortenstudie mit Krebspatienten, die zum strahlentherapeutischen Aufklärungsgespräch das Universitätsklinikum Marburg besuchten. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte durch das Abhören und Kodieren von Aufklärungsgesprächen, die auf Tonbandkassetten aufgenommen worden waren. Hierbei wurde das modifizierte Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) verwendet. Auf diese Weise erfolgte neben einer qualitativen Analyse (Bewertung der Gesamtstimmung) und einer quantitativen Analyse (Kodierungshäufigkeit von einzelnen Variablen) die Dokumentation der äußeren Umstände. Von den insgesamt 63 zur Verfügung stehenden Tonbandaufnahmen erfüllten 57 die Einschlusskriterien und wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Die Aufklärungsgespräche wurden von drei Fachärzten für Strahlentherapie geführt, deren Patientengruppen sich in den demographischen Basisdaten wie Alter, Geschlecht und Familienstand ebenso wie in den klinischen Kriterien Diagnose und Therapieziel nicht wesentlich unterschieden. Die Untersuchung der Arzt-Patienten-Interaktionen unter Verwendung des RIAS ergab in zahlreichen Kategorien sowohl der inhaltlichen Kodierung (quantitative Analyse) als auch der Kodierung der Gesamtstimmung (qualitative Analyse) signifikante Unterschiede im Gesprächsverhalten sowohl der drei Ärzte als auch der jeweiligen Patientengruppe. Obwohl es sich in der Studie um Aufklärungsgespräche für eine einzige Therapieform, nämlich die Strahlentherapie, handelte und sich die drei Patientengruppen nicht signifikant in ihren Charakteristiken unterschieden, dennoch die Gesprächsinhalte signifikant in Abhängigkeit vom aufklärenden Arzt differierten. Demnach erfolgt ein medizinisches Aufklärungsgespräch nur bis zu einem gewissen Grad in standardisierter Form und hängt wesentlich von persönlichen Merkmalen der aufklärenden Person ab. Gesprächsinhalte wie das Ausdrücken von Zustimmung oder die positive Charakterisierung Dritter sowie das Ansprechen emotionaler Aspekte führten dazu, dass sich der Patient häufiger verbal äußerte und stärker in das Gespräch einbrachte. Auch das Vermeiden von Äußerungen des Arztes, die Einfluss auf den Patienten hinsichtlich der Änderung von Verhaltensweisen oder Alltagsabläufen haben könnten, führte zu einer stärkeren Partizipation des Patienten am Aufklärungsdialog.Demgegenüber zeigte sich Verunsicherung der Patienten und daraus folgend nur geringe Beteiligung am Gespräch, wenn die Vermittlung medizinischen Wissens (Aussagen zu Untersuchungsergebnissen, Medikamenten, Therapien, Nebenwirkungen, zur Diagnose und zum organisatorischen Ablauf der kommenden Zeit) im Vordergrund stand. Ähnliche Effekte zeigten sich, wenn die Entscheidung und damit die Verantwortung für die Therapie dem Patienten zugewiesen wurden.Weiterhin konnte belegt werden, dass eine Beeinflussung der Gesprächspartner auf verschiedenen Gesprächsebenen stattfand. Sprach der Patient emotionale Themen an, zeigte Verunsicherung, Ängste oder negative Gefühle, antwortete der Arzt darauf mit empathischen Aussagen oder auch näheren fachlichen Erläuterungen. Sprach ein Gesprächspartner medizinisch-fachliche Gesprächsinhalte, beziehungsweise nicht-medizinische, alltägliche Themenbereiche an, wurden diese überzufällig häufig innerhalb der entsprechenden Kodierungskategorien beantwortet.Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen weiterhin ein geschlechtsspezifisches Gesprächsverhalten. Frauen verbalisierten signifikant häufiger Ängste und Sorgen und stellten mehr Fragen zu Nebenwirkungen der Strahlentherapie, zu medizinischen Sachverhalten und zu organisatorischen Abläufen. Männer versuchten dagegen häufiger, die Verantwortung für Therapieentscheidungen oder organisatorische Abläufe auf den Arzt zu übertragen. Die Einbeziehung der Patienten in die Entscheidung über die Therapie und den Therapieablauf unter Berücksichtigung ihrer kognitiven und psychoemotionalen Situation in den Aufklärungsgesprächen wird häufig vernachlässigt oder ineffektiv durchgeführt. 88% der in die Studie involvierten Patienten wurden nicht nach ihrer Meinung zur Therapie gefragt, mit weiteren 46% der Patienten wurde nicht über Therapiealternativen gesprochen. Wurden die Patienten zu einer Entscheidung bezüglich des weiteren Therapieverlaufes aufgefordert, konnte bei einem Großteil der untersuchten Patienten deutliche Anzeichen von Überforderung beobachtet werden. Zusammenfassend ist als Ergebnis dieser Studie festzustellen, dass eine effiziente und umfassende Schulung und Fortbildung von Ärzten, Medizinstudenten und medizinischem Personal auf dem Gebiet der Gesprächsführung eine wichtige Aufgabe darstellt, um dem Patienten durch adäquate Kommunikation eine verantwortliche Beteiligung am Therapiegeschehen zu ermöglichen und damit einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum Therapieerfolg zu leisten