Towards Leveraging End-of-Life Tools as an Asset: Value Co-Creation based on Deep Learning in the Machining Industry

Sustainability is the key concept in the management of products that reached their end-of-life. We propose that end-of-life products have—besides their value as recyclable assets—additional value for producer and consumer. We argue this is especially true for the machining industry, where we illustrate an automatic characterization of worn cutting tools to foster value co-creation between tool manufacturer and tool user (customer) in the future. In the work at hand, we present a deep-learning-based computer vision system for the automatic classification of worn tools regarding flank wear and chipping. The resulting Matthews Correlation Coefficient of 0.878 and 0.644 confirms the feasibility of our system based on the VGG-16 network and Gradient Boosting. Based on these first results we derive a research agenda which addresses the need for a more holistic tool characterization by semantic segmentation and assesses the perceived business impact and usability by different user groups

Die Expression des Transkriptionsfaktors Engrailed-2 in Kolonkarzinomzelllinien : Spielt Engrailed-2 eine Rolle bei der Pathogenese?

Engrailed-2 ist ein Transkriptionsfaktor, der im Zentralnervensystem eine zentrale Rolle für das Überleben von mesenzephalen Neuronen und die Differenzierung von zerebellären Neuronen spielt. In Mammakarzinomen konnte zudem eine onkogene Wirkung von Engrailed-2 beschrieben werden. Da Engrailed-2 gemäß einer Microarray-Studie auch in Kolonkarzinomzellen exprimiert werden soll, wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit untersucht, ob Engrailed-2 auch bei der Pathogenese des kolorektalen Adenokarzinoms beteiligt ist. Mittels RT-PCR wurden acht verschiedene humane Kolonkarzinomzelllinien auf die Expression von Engrailed-2 untersucht und drei von acht Zelllinien als positiv identifiziert. Natives Gewebe aus dem Darm von adulten Mäusen zeigte dagegen kein Engrailed-2-spezifisches Amplifikationsprodukt. Immunhistochemisch konnten wir sowohl in normalem Darmgewebe als auch in Tumorgewebe immunpositive Signale nachweisen. Die positiven Zellen waren aber keine epithelialen Zellen, sondern Bindegewebszellen aus dem interstitiellen Raum. Eine Überexpression von Engrailed-2 in Engrailed-2-negativen Kolonkarzinomzellen wirkte weder wachstumsfördernd, noch war ein Einfluss auf die Differenzierung der Kolonkarzinomzellen zu beobachten. Damit muss geschlossen werden, dass Engrailed-2 zumindest keine gravierende Rolle bei der Pathogenese des Kolonkarzinoms spielt. Offensichtlich benötigt Engrailed-2 zelltyp-spezifische Kofaktoren, um sein Wirkungsspektrum entfalten zu können. Alternativ müsste ein bisher noch nicht bekannter Mechanismus postuliert werden, mit dem Engrailed-2 seinen wachstumsfördernden Einfluss auf Mammakarzinomzellen ausübt

Designing Resilient AI-based Robo-Advisors: A Prototype for Real Estate Appraisal

For most people, buying a home is a life-changing decision that involves financial obligations for many years into the future. Therefore, it is crucial to realistically assess the value of a property before making a purchase decision. Recent research has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to predict property prices accurately. As a result, more and more AI-based robo-advisors offer real estate estimation advice. However, a recent scandal has shown that automated algorithms are not always reliable. Triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the largest robo-advisors (Zillow) bought houses overvalued, eventually resulting in the dismissal of 2,000 employees. This demonstrates the current weaknesses of AI-based algorithms in real estate appraisal and highlights the need for troubleshooting AI advice. Therefore, we propose to leverage techniques from the explainable AI (XAI) knowledge base to help humans question AI consultations. We derive design principles based on the literature and implement them in a configurable real estate valuation artifact. We then evaluate it in two focus groups to confirm the validity of our approach. We contribute to research and practice by deriving design knowledge in accordance with a unique artifact

Can a user self-tuned exoskeleton control reduce walking metabolic cost?

The 11th International Symposium on Adaptive Motion of Animals and Machines. Kobe University, Japan. 2023-06-06/09. Adaptive Motion of Animals and Machines Organizing Committee.Poster Session P3

On the Scattering Phase for AdS_5 x S^5 Strings

We propose a phase factor of the worldsheet S-matrix for strings on AdS_5 x S^5 apparently solving Janik's crossing relation.Comment: 9 pages, v2: revised conclusions about agreement with perturbative string theory; minor changes, v3: resolution to above problems indicated, to appear in Mod. Phys. Lett.

Silicon nanocrystal synthesis with the atmospheric plasma source HelixJet

The HelixJet, a plasma source operating under atmospheric pressure with RF power, was used for the synthesis of silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) in the context of relevance in nanomedicine, sensor technology, and nanotechnology. The HelixJet was operated with a variety of He/Ar/H2/SiH4 gas mixtures to characterize the Si-NPs in regard to their size, crystallinity, structure, and photoluminescence. Distinct varieties of nanomaterials in the size range from 3 nm to over 100 nm were synthesized depending on the operation parameters of the HelixJet. Admixture of H2 alongside high RF powers led to the formation of crystalline nanoparticles with a strong photoluminescence intensity, where the photoluminescence properties as well as the nanocrystal synthesis yield were tunable by adjustment of the synthesis parameters. Post-synthesis in-flight annealing allowed the formation of large crystalline nanoparticles. In addition, the experiments conducted in this study resulted in a design improvement of the HelixJet plasma source that extends the stability of the operating range. Furthermore, the added spatial separation of the He/H2 and He/Ar/SiH4 streams (SiH4 injection on-axis) minimizes material deposition within the HelixJet and enables continuous long-term operation

A Human−Computer Interface Replacing Mouse and Keyboard for Individuals with Limited Upper Limb Mobility

People with physical disabilities in their upper extremities face serious issues in using classical input devices due to lacking movement possibilities and precision. This article suggests an alternative input concept and presents corresponding input devices. The proposed interface combines an inertial measurement unit and force sensing resistors, which can replace mouse and keyboard. Head motions are mapped to mouse pointer positions, while mouse button actions are triggered by contracting mastication muscles. The contact pressures of each fingertip are acquired to replace the conventional keyboard. To allow for complex text entry, the sensory concept is complemented by an ambiguous keyboard layout with ten keys. The related word prediction function provides disambiguation at word level. Haptic feedback is provided to users corresponding to their virtual keystrokes for enhanced closed-loop interactions. This alternative input system enables text input as well as the emulation of a two-button mouse