Discussion of stern-first-method in ship handling for ship operation, education & training using fast time simulation

Some port approaches require challenging manoeuvring strategies for arrival and departure, specifically under heavy wind and current conditions. In recent papers a discussion of the “Stern-First-Method” SFM was started suggesting that it would be beneficial to go astern into the harbour instead of the conventional bow first method. In this paper the SAMMON software for “Simulation Augmented Manoeuvring Design, Monitoring & Conning” will be used to analyse this SFM for challenging scenarios to provide insights into the potential benefits of this methods. This software is based on the innovative “Rapid Advanced Prediction & Interface Technology” (RAPIT) to simulate the ships motion with complex dynamic math models and to display the ships’ future track immediately based on Fast Time Simulation in an Electronic Navigational Chart for any rudder, thruster or engine manoeuvre planned by the navigator. The SAMMON system has been developed and matured over years, and promising experiences were made at the Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende MSCW and other centres. Currently, specifically the use of the SAMMON Manoeuvring Planning tool will be an element of the transfer of knowledge within the current ERASMUS+ project EURO-ZA between the partners from Europe South Africa. The benefits for increasing the effectiveness of lecturing and simulator training have been proven in previous publications and will be made visible in this paper by using simulator ships both twin screw and azimuth propulsion for discussion of the SFM manoeuvring strategies.Peer Reviewe

Experimental Comparison and Evaluation of the Affymetrix Exon and U133Plus2 GeneChip Arrays

Affymetrix exon arrays offer scientists the only solution for exon-level expression profiling at the whole-genome scale on a single array. These arrays feature a new chip design with no mismatch probes and a radically new random primed protocol to generate sense DNA targets along the entire length of the transcript. In addition to these changes, a limited number of validating experiments and virtually no experimental data to rigorously address the comparability of all-exon arrays with conventional 3'-arrays result in a natural reluctance to replace conventional expression arrays with the new all-exon platform.Using commercially available Affymetrix arrays, we assess the performance of the Human Exon 1.0 ST (HuEx) and U133 Plus 2.0 (U133Plus2) platforms directly through a series of 'spike-in' hybridizations containing 25 transcripts in the presence of a fixed eukaryotic background. Specifically, we compare the measures of expression for HuEx and U133Plus2 arrays to evaluate the precision of these measures as well as the specificity and sensitivity of the measures' ability to detect differential expression.This study presents an experimental comparison and systematic cross-validation of Affymetrix exon arrays and establishes high comparability of expression changes and probe performance characteristics between Affymetrix conventional and exon arrays. In addition, this study offers a reliable benchmark data set for the comparison of competing exon expression measures, the selection of methods suitable for mapping exon array measures to the wealth of previously generated microarray data, as well as the development of more advanced methods for exon- and transcript-level expression summarization

The RNA-binding protein PTBP1 is necessary for B cell selection in germinal centers.

Antibody affinity maturation occurs in germinal centers (GCs), where B cells cycle between the light zone (LZ) and the dark zone. In the LZ, GC B cells bearing immunoglobulins with the highest affinity for antigen receive positive selection signals from helper T cells, which promotes their rapid proliferation. Here we found that the RNA-binding protein PTBP1 was needed for the progression of GC B cells through late S phase of the cell cycle and for affinity maturation. PTBP1 was required for proper expression of the c-MYC-dependent gene program induced in GC B cells receiving T cell help and directly regulated the alternative splicing and abundance of transcripts that are increased during positive selection to promote proliferation

Simulation Augmented Manoeuvring Design and Monitoring - a New Method for Advanced Ship Handling

A fast time simulation tool box is under development to simulate the ships motion with complex dynamic models and to display the ships track immediately for the intended or actual rudder or engine manoeuvre. Based on this approach the innovative Simulation Augmented Manoeuvring Design and Monitoring - SAMMON tool box will allow for (a) a new type of design of a manoeuvring plan as enhancement exceeding the common pure way point planning (b) an unmatched monitoring of ship handling processes to follow the underlying manoeuvring plan. During the manoeuvring process the planned manoeuvres can be constantly displayed together with the actual ship motion and the predicted future track which is based on actual input data from the ship's sensors and manoeuvring handle positions. This SAMMON tool box is intended be used on board of real ships but it is in parallel an effective tool for training in ship handling simulators: (a) in the briefing for preparing a manoeuvring plan for the whole exercise in some minutes, (b) during the exercise run to see the consequences of the use of manoeuvring equipment even before the ship has changed her motion and (c) in debriefing sessions to discuss potential alternatives of the students decisions by simulating fast variations of their choices during the exercises. Examples will be given for results from test trials on board and in the full mission ship handling simulator of the Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende

Innovative Fast Time Simulation Tools for Briefing / Debriefing in Advanced Ship Handling Simulator Training and Ship Operation

The innovative “Simulation-Augmented Manoeuvring Design, Monitoring & Control” system (SAMMON) based on Fast Time Simulation (FTS) technology was developed at the Institute for Innovative Ship Simulation and Maritime Systems (ISSIMS) of the Maritime Simulation Centre Warnemuende MSCW. The system consists of software modules for (a) Manoeuvring Design & Planning, (b) Monitoring & Control based on Multiple Dynamic Prediction and (c) Trial & Training. It is based on complex ship dynamic models for rudder, thruster or engine manoeuvre simulation under different environmental conditions. It is an effective tool for lecturing and demonstrating ship\u27s motion characteristics, as well as for ship handling simulator training. It allows the trainee to immediately see the results of the actual rudder, engine or thruster commands, without having to wait for the real-time response of the vessel. The Maritime Simulation Centre of AIDA Cruises at Rostock/Germany and the CSMART Center for Simulator Maritime Training of Carnival Corporation at Almere/NL have some experience with the use of this new technology to improve simulator training in Advanced Ship Handling Training courses. Examples of its application in briefing/debriefing and introductory lectures for simulator exercises specifically for typical cruise ships with Twin-Screw and Rudder systems will be presented in the paper and at the conference