(Re)configuration based on model generation

Reconfiguration is an important activity for companies selling configurable products or services which have a long life time. However, identification of a set of required changes in a legacy configuration is a hard problem, since even small changes in the requirements might imply significant modifications. In this paper we show a solution based on answer set programming, which is a logic-based knowledge representation formalism well suited for a compact description of (re)configuration problems. Its applicability is demonstrated on simple abstractions of several real-world scenarios. The evaluation of our solution on a set of benchmark instances derived from commercial (re)configuration problems shows its practical applicability.Comment: In Proceedings LoCoCo 2011, arXiv:1108.609

Randomised trial of glutamine and selenium supplemented parenteral nutrition for critically ill patients

Background: Mortality rates in the Intensive Care Unit and subsequent hospital mortality rates in the UK remain high. Infections in Intensive Care are associated with a 2–3 times increased risk of death. It is thought that under conditions of severe metabolic stress glutamine becomes "conditionally essential". Selenium is an essential trace element that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Approximately 23% of patients in Intensive Care require parenteral nutrition and glutamine and selenium are either absent or present in low amounts. Both glutamine and selenium have the potential to influence the immune system through independent biochemical pathways. Systematic reviews suggest that supplementing parenteral nutrition in critical illness with glutamine or selenium may reduce infections and mortality. Pilot data has shown that more than 50% of participants developed infections, typically resistant organisms. We are powered to show definitively whether supplementation of PN with either glutamine or selenium is effective at reducing new infections in critically ill patients. Methods/design: 2 × 2 factorial, pragmatic, multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. The trial has an enrolment target of 500 patients. Inclusion criteria include: expected to be in critical care for at least 48 hours, aged 16 years or over, patients who require parenteral nutrition and are expected to have at least half their daily nutritional requirements given by that route. Allocation is to one of four iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous groups: glutamine, selenium, both glutamine & selenium or no additional glutamine or selenium. Trial supplementation is given for up to seven days on the Intensive Care Unit and subsequent wards if practicable. The primary outcomes are episodes of infection in the 14 days after starting trial nutrition and mortality. Secondary outcomes include antibiotic usage, length of hospital stay, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Discussion: To date more than 285 patients have been recruited to the trial from 10 sites in Scotland. Recruitment is due to finish in August 2008 with a further six months follow up. We expect to report the results of the trial in summer 2009. Trial registration: This trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number system. ISRCTN87144826Not peer reviewedPublisher PD

Towards Increased Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from WEEE– evaluation of CRMs at a component level and pre-processing methods for interface optimisation with recovery processes

Increasing recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a strategic priority to mitigate supply risks. Today, CRM recovery rates are generally low, with increases requiring new recovery processes and interface optimisation with pre-processing to ensure appropriate material flows for efficient recovery are generated. Here, results from an industrial trial to increase CRM recovery from WEEE are presented to inform development of pre-processing strategies which generate such material flows. Au, Ag, Co, Ga, Mg, Nb, Ru, Pd, Ir, Y, Nd, Sb, Ta and W are identified with XRF in components of a range of WEEE samples including within individual printed circuit board (PCB) components. CRM distribution in PCBs is mapped by visual inspection with reference to this data. Cost-effective methods to disassemble WEEE; isolate CRM bearing components, and upgrade/concentrate CRMs are evaluated for industrial adoption. A guillotine is found most suitable for LCD disassembly and separation of Au edge-contacts from PCBs, while cryocracking is best for isolation of internal components of digital media devices. Thermal PCB disassembly with a solder bath for simultaneous SMD removal and subsequent sieving to sort SMDs thereby concentrating CRMs for recovery is a promising approach. Microwave ashing of PCBs to concentrate CRMs is promising although off-gas treatment would be required. Recovery potential of identified CRMs from material streams generated is found to be poor due to lack of suitable recovery infrastructure except for precious and platinum group metals in PCBs, but available pyrometallurgical recovery permanently dissipates other CRMs present

The BLK Programme "Systematic Integration of Media, Information and Communication Technologies in Teaching and Learning"

Eine der zentralen derzeitigen Aufgaben des Schulsystems ist es, die neuen Medien auf einer pädagogischen Grundlage in alle Schulstufen und -arten zu implementieren. Ziel des BLK-Programms "Systematische Einbeziehung von Medien, Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in Lehr- und Lernprozesse" (SEMIK) ist es, einen Beitrag zu diesen notwendigen Innovationen zu leisten. Das Programm, das im September 1998 startete, umfasst 24 Projekte aus 16 Ländern und wird von Bund und Ländern über fünf Jahre gefördert. In diesem Überblick werden zunächst die Leitideen vorgestellt, unter denen die neuen Medien in die Schulen implementiert werden sollen: Dies sind erstens allgemeine Bildungsziele, die sich an den Anforderungen der Wissenschaft orientieren; zweitens das didaktische Leitkonzept der Problemorientierung und drittens die Notwendigkeit der Veränderung der Lernkultur durch die Integration neuer Medien in Schule und Unterricht. Auf der Basis dieser Leitideen werden im BLK-Programm fünf Schwerpunkte bearbeitet: (1) Entwicklung und Bereitstellung von technischen Tools, (2) Entwicklung von Unterrichtskonzepten, (3) Schulentwicklung, (4) Lehreraus- und Lehrerfortbildung sowie (5) Curriculumentwicklung. Diese Schwerpunkte werden jeweils mit einem konkreten Projekt vorgestellt. Um die Qualität des Programms zu sichern, wird eine Evaluation durchgeführt; das Evaluationskonzept wird abschließend skizziert. (DIPF/Orig.)One of the most important present tasks of the school System is to implement new media in all grades and kinds of schools with an educational perspective. Therefore, the programme "Systematic Integration of Media, Information and Communication Technologies in Teaching and Learning", funded by the BLK, aims at making a contribution to these necessary innovations. The programme, which has started in September 1998 and will last for five years, comprises projects of 16 federal states. At the beginning of this article, an overview of the programme\u27s principles will be presented which guide the Implementation of new media in the schools. These are firstly the general educational goals which are oriented by the standards of the increasingly knowledge-focussed society, secondly the didactical concepts of problem-oriented learning environments, and finally the necessity of reforming the learning culture by integrating new media in schools. On the basis of these principles the programme deals with the following focal points: (1) the development and provision of technical tools, (2) the development of concepts for teaching and learning, (3) school development, (4) education of teachers at universities and further education of teachers as well as (5) the modification of curricula. These focal points will be illustrated with examples of projects. At the end of the article, the planned evaluation of the programme will be outlined. (DIPF/Orig.

A classification of modeling variability in simulink

Today’s cars are characterized by many functional variants. There are many reasons for the underlying variability, from the adaptation to diverse markets to different technical aspects, which are based on a cross platform reuse of software functions. Inevitably, this variability is reflected in the model-based automotive software development. A modeling language, which is widely used for modeling embedded software in the automotive industry, is MATLAB/Simulink. There are concepts facing the high demand for a systematic handling of variability in Simulinkmodels. However, not every concept is suitable for every automotive application. In order to present a classification of concepts for modeling variability in Simulink, this paper first has to determine the relevant use cases for variant handling in modelbased automotive software development. Existing concepts for modeling variability in Simulink will then be presented before being classified in relation to the previously determined use cases