A Modern Approach to Visualise Structured and Unstructured Space Missions' Data

In this paper the Visualisation and Data Analysis (ViDA) project, currently being developed at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), is presented. ViDA is a modern, interactive, web-based frontend tool designed to efficiently explore various types of data generated by space missions. It is more than just a telemetry display tool and, as such, includes features from business intelligence, data science and AI tools, while being focused on the multi-spacecraft operations use case. The paper describes how the big data challenges (volume, variety, variability, complexity, value) in the context of spacecraft operations have been addressed and how the adopted solutions have been integrated into ViDA. It also highlights the importance of contextual knowledge as crucial point for the design and implementation of ViDA. The techniques used for creating appropriate visual representations of the data and their relations are described. Such visualisations are specifically designed to deliver interpretable results to the users, thus helping them to quickly extract knowledge from them during their analytical process. Finally, the integration of ViDA into the ground system and its connections to the other tools in the telemetry/telecommand chain are discussed

Potential of FX06 to prevent disease progression in hospitalized non-intubated COVID-19 patients — the randomized, EU-wide, placebo-controlled, phase II study design of IXION

Background: More than 2.7 million hospitalizations of COVID-19-infected patients have occurred in Europe alone since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020. Interventions against SARS-CoV-2 are still in high need to prevent admissions to ICUs worldwide. FX06, a naturally occurring peptide in humans and other mammals, has the potential to reduce capillary leak by improving endothelial dysfunction and thus preventing the deterioration of patients. With IXION, we want to investigate the potential of FX06 to prevent disease progression in hospitalized, non-intubated COVID-19 patients. Methods: IXION is an EU-wide, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel, randomized (2:1) phase II clinical study. Patient recruitment will start in September 2022 (to Q2/2023) in Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Romania, Portugal, and France. A total of 306 hospitalized patients (>= 18 years and < 75 years) with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and a COVID-19 severity of 4-6 according to the WHO scale will be enrolled. After randomization to FX06 or placebo, patients will be assessed until day 28 (and followed up until day 60). FX06 (2 x 200 mg per day) or placebo will be administered intravenously for 5 consecutive days. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate a difference in the proportion of patients with progressed/worsened disease state in patients receiving FX06 compared to patients receiving placebo. Secondary endpoints are lung function, oxygen saturation and breathing rate, systemic inflammation, survival, capillary refill time, duration of hospital stay, and drug accountability. Discussion: With IXION, the multidisciplinary consortium aims to deliver a new therapy in addition to standard care against SARS-CoV-2 for the clinical management of COVID-19 during mild and moderate stages. Potential limitations might refer to a lack of recruiting and drop-out due to various possible protocol violations. While we controlled for drop-outs in the same size estimation, recruitment problems may be subject to external problems difficult to control for

Americanization as a driver of CEO pay in Europe: The moderating role of CEO power

This paper examines the relationship between Americanization and CEO pay levels in Europe and how this relationship is moderated by CEO power. Based on neo-institutional theory, our study provides empirical support for a link between Americanization and CEO pay levels. Drawing on a sample of large listed European firms, our results suggest that various dimensions of Americanization, i.e., Americanization of the CEO, of the firm and of the industry, can be associated with higher CEO pay. Combining neo-institutional approaches with managerial power perspectives, we show that Americanization can have an even stronger effect on pay when the CEO is powerful

Neuberufungen von DAX-30-Vorständen und -Aufsichtsräten: Wie reagiert der Aktienmarkt auf den Doktortitel von Top-Managern?

Unter den Topmanagern von Aktiengesellschaften im deutschsprachigen Raum lässt sich weiterhin eine starke Verbreitung des Doktortitels feststellen. Doch macht es für Investoren einen Unterschied, ob ein neuberufenes Mitglied im Vorstand oder Aufsichtsrat promoviert ist oder nicht? Auf der Basis einer Ereignisstudie, die die Neuberufungen in DAX-30-Unternehmen analysiert, wird im vorliegenden Beitrag gezeigt, dass ein Doktortitel von Investoren unter bestimmten Bedingungen durchaus positiv gewertet wird; vor allem Doktortitel in Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften werden bei produzierenden Unternehmen geschätzt. Allerdings verdeutlicht die Studie auch, dass ein Doktortitel nicht in allen Fällen mit Kursaufschlägen belohnt wird

Der Doktortitel unter Vorstands- und Aufsichtsratsmitgliedern der DAX-30-Unternehmen. Immer noch weit verbreitet und von hoher Bedeutung?

In den Führungsetagen deutscher Großunternehmen ließ sich über Jahrzehnte hinweg eine starke Verbreitung des Doktortitels feststellen. Doch welche Rolle spielt der Doktortitel heutzutage unter den Vorständen und Aufsichtsräten der DAX-30-Unternehmen? Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt, dass mit rund 45 % weiterhin ein hoher Anteil der Top-Manager promoviert ist. Es bestehen allerdings wesentliche Unterschiede zwischen einzelnen Branchen; zudem sind jüngere Top-Manager seltener promoviert als ältere Top-Manager

Attracting talent through diversity at the top:The impact of TMT diversity and firms' efforts to promote diversity on employer attractiveness

At a time where firms encounter a “race for talent”, it is crucial for many MNCs to present themselves as attractive employers. Failing to position themselves in the international labor market can reduce firms' ability to acquire valuable international human capital, thereby generating disadvantageous organizational effects. Against this backdrop, drawing on signaling theory and employer branding literature, our paper aims to shed light on the association between nationality diversity in the executive suite and MNCs' employer attractiveness. Our lines of argument build on the notion that top management team composition can affect MNCs' efforts to promote diversity among their employees. This focus on diversity, in turn, can affect MNCs' employer attractiveness. Examining firms from various European countries, we find that top management team nationality diversity is positively associated with firms' employer attractiveness for foreign job seekers. We also show that a firm's efforts to promote diversity mediate the relationship between TMT nationality diversity and employer attractiveness. We therefore advance the academic debate on diversity as an employer branding tool and a means to enhance employer attractiveness. In practical terms, we also provide valuable insights for firms wishing to transform into (more) diverse entities.</p

Low-velocity impact on thick-wall wound composites for the sizing of hydrogen storage tanks

Global climate changes and more recently energy crisis raise challenges on the society which can be partially tackled by technological breakthrough. For some decades, energy systems for air, maritime or rail transportation are evolving towards the use of hydrogen as an emission free and renewable fuel. Before the hydrogen is converted in fuel cells to water the storage is realised either in composite tank structures under high pressure, under cryogenic conditions at low pressure or in chemical reaction systems. In the present study, linerless tank structures of type V made exclusively of composite material are investigated under operational pressure of 700 bar for railway transportation systems. To improve the sizing of wound composite tanks and optimize their lightweight potential, particular risks (tool drop, tank drop according to R134e, hail and stone impact) are considered and simulated additionally to sizing criteria such as burst pressure. As a first step towards complete structure simulation, the wound material is characterized in split-disk, tensile and bending tests. The damage mechanisms during impact events are investigated on segments with various thicknesses and winding sequences impacted at low velocity in the drop tower at DLR Institute of Structures and Design. Numerical models are developed along the building block approach to validate the material behaviour on the coupon level and predict the tank failure under various load cases. In simulation, a thick-thick shell element formulation is investigated in LS-DYNA to reproduce accurately failure mechanisms in the material thickness. The numerical approach is based on a physically-based continuum damage model for composite materials, whose mechanical properties are calculated virtually using microscopic unit cells. Delaminations are predicted with cohesive zone model and a tri-linear traction-separation law. The present paper highlights the main building blocks of the numerical toolchain and their potential to reproduce complex failure mechanisms under impact loading. Key results of the preliminary experimental test campaign are presented

Development of CMC Combustion Chambers for Advanced Propellants in Space Propulsion

In the DLR project "Future Fuels", combustion chamber structures made of lightweight and high temperature stable ceramic matrix composites were in the focus of the development. In a first step, C/C-SiC tubes manufactured via the liquid silicon infiltration process and based on three different carbon fibre types and two different production methods for the CFRP preforms, were characterized. In biaxial pressure tests, all the different tubes could withstand the required inner pressure of 60 bar. Highest fracture strength was obtained with wet filament wound tubes based on ultra-high-modulus fibres, whereas tubes manufactured via prepreg wrapping using high tenacity fibre fabrics, offered a cost-effective alternative

Time to ventilation and success rate of airway devices in microgravity: A randomized crossover manikin-trial using an underwater setting

BACKGROUND: Medical support for space exploration missions must prepare for severe medical events in conditions of microgravity. A key component to managing these events is techniques of airway management. The aim of the present trial is to compare airway management devices in simulated microgravity. METHODS: In this randomized cross-over trial (RCT), four different devices were compared under simulated microgravity conditions utilizing a neutrally buoyant free-floating underwater manikin and poolside in normal gravity (control group). The primary endpoint was the successful placement of the airway device. The secondary endpoints were the number of attempts and the duration of each attempt. RESULTS: A total of 20 participants performed placement of each device in both gravity conditions in an Airway mannequin. The fastest time to initial ventilation in simulated microgravity was possible with the laryngeal tube (18.9 ± 8 seconds) followed by laryngeal mask (20.1 ± 9 seconds). The I-gel® supraglottic airway device required substantially more time for successful insertion in simulated microgravity (35.4 ± 25 seconds) as did endotracheal tube intubation by direct laryngoscopy (70.4 ± 35 seconds). Simulated microgravity conditions prolonged time to initial ventilation by 3.3 seconds (LM), 3.9 seconds (LT), 19.9 seconds (I-gel) and 43.1 seconds (endotracheal intubation, ETI) when compared to poolside attempts in normogravity. CONCLUSION: In simulated microgravity conditions, use of the laryngeal tube or laryngeal mask provided the quickest time to initial ventilation, without deliberate tethering of the mannequin and rescuer to a fixed surface. Endotracheal intubation required significantly longer procedure times and, thus, was considered insufficient for clinical use in microgravity

Using supraglottic airways by paramedics for airway management in analogue microgravity increases speed and success of ventilation

In the next few years, the number of long-term space missions will significantly increase. Providing safe concepts for emergencies including airway management will be a highly challenging task. The aim of the present trial is to compare different airway management devices in simulated microgravity using a free-floating underwater scenario. Five different devices for airway management [laryngeal mask (LM), laryngeal tube (LT), I-GEL, direct laryngoscopy (DL), and video laryngoscopy (VL)] were compared by n = 20 paramedics holding a diving certificate in a randomized cross-over setting both under free-floating conditions in a submerged setting (pool, microgravity) and on ground (normogravity). The primary endpoint was the successful placement of the airway device. The secondary endpoints were the number of attempts and the time to ventilation. A total of 20 paramedics (3 female, 17 male) participated in this study. Success rate was highest for LM and LT and was 100% both during simulated microgravity and normogravity followed by the I-GEL (90% during microgravity and 95% during normogravity). However, the success rate was less for both DL (60% vs. 95%) and VL (20% vs. 60%). Fastest ventilation was performed with the LT both in normogravity (13.7 ± 5.3 s; n = 20) and microgravity (19.5 ± 6.1 s; n = 20). For the comparison of normogravity and microgravity, time to ventilation was shorter for all devices on the ground (normogravity) as compared underwater (microgravity). In the present study, airway management with supraglottic airways and laryngoscopy was shown to be feasible. Concerning the success rate and time to ventilation, the optimum were supraglottic airways (LT, LM, I-GEL) as their placement was faster and associated with a higher success rate. For future space missions, the use of supraglottic airways for airway management seems to be more promising as compared to tracheal intubation by DL or VL