The Car Resequencing Problem with Pull-Off Tables

The car sequencing problem determines sequences of different car models launched down a mixed-model assembly line. To avoid work overloads of workforce, car sequencing restricts the maximum occurrence of labor-intensive options, e.g., a sunroof, by applying sequencing rules. We consider this problem in a resequencing context, where a given number of buffers (denoted as pull-off tables) is available for rearranging a stirred sequence. The problem is formalized and suited solution procedures are developed. A lower bound and a dominance rule are introduced which both reduce the running time of our graph approach. Finally, a real-world resequencing setting is investigated.mixed-model assembly line, car sequencing, resequencing

The LIBOR Market Model

This thesis is devoted to the calibration of the lognormal LIBOR Market Model to caplets and swaptions. Using a Hermite Bessel spline interpolation scheme, calibration of yield curves is performed by fitting to a set of spot rate fixings, forward rate agreements and swaps. Rebonato’s parameterization of instantaneous forward rate volatilities is used to calibrate to caplet volatilities. Instantaneous forward rate correlations are explored by estimating a historical forward rate correlation matrix and by implying them from swaption quotes. We parameterize instantaneous forward rate correlations with Schoenmakers & Coffey’s 3-parameter form and Lutz’ New 5-parameter form and show that the latter outperforms the former. We derive Rebonato’s approximate swaption volatility formula and apply it to a swaption matrix. Caplet volatilities are bootstrapped from flat cap volatilities and a Monte Carlo simulation of the LIBOR Market Model is carried out

Pneumatically Driven Environmental Control System In Aircrafts Based On A Vapor-compression Cycle

The environmental control system is an essential subsystem of an aircraft, which has to comply some vital tasks. These include the setting of the desired temperature, humidity and cabin pressure, as well as ensuring the fresh air or oxygen supply and air quality. The requirements must be achieved in very different ambient conditions. This refers to the environmental conditions in the flight and ground cases, and also to the different climate zones. In addition, the existing interfaces to the aircraft must be taken into account. State of the art in currently used commercial aircrafts is an environmental control system, which is based on the air cycle and is driven by bleed air from the engine. This technology allows only a significantly lower coefficient of performance for the given boundary conditions compared to a vapor-compression refrigeration system. Therefore the potential application of the vapor cycle in the aircraft air conditioning system is investigated in a research project with the cooperation partner Airbus. The new system has to be developed as a replacement of the existing air cycle system. In a detailed simulation model the thermodynamic state variables are calculated for every element and different operating cases. The calculation results are then used to investigate and size the main components, e.g. heat exchangers and turbomachinery. After the optimization of the system parameters and the individual components the new system is compared with the existing system. The benchmark shows a considerably decrease of bleed air mass flow for the reference cases on ground and in flight, both at hot ambient conditions

Pipelined Algorithms to Detect Cheating in Long-Term Grid Computations

This paper studies pipelined algorithms for protecting distributed grid computations from cheating participants, who wish to be rewarded for tasks they receive but don't perform. We present improved cheater detection algorithms that utilize natural delays that exist in long-term grid computations. In particular, we partition the sequence of grid tasks into two interleaved sequences of task rounds, and we show how to use those rounds to devise the first general-purpose scheme that can catch all cheaters, even when cheaters collude. The main idea of this algorithm might at first seem counter-intuitive--we have the participants check each other's work. A naive implementation of this approach would, of course, be susceptible to collusion attacks, but we show that by, adapting efficient solutions to the parallel processor diagnosis problem, we can tolerate collusions of lazy cheaters, even if the number of such cheaters is a fraction of the total number of participants. We also include a simple economic analysis of cheaters in grid computations and a parameterization of the main deterrent that can be used against them--the probability of being caught.Comment: Expanded version with an additional figure; ISSN 0304-397

Zum widersprüchlichen Ort subjektiver Artikulationen von Mobilität (und Bildung). Eine Replik auf Sebastian Zicks Ansatz einer kritischen Mobilitätsforschung

In dieser Replik wird Sebastian Zicks Untersuchung biographisch-narrativer Verhältnissetzungen zu Imperativen der Mobilität zum Gegenstand kritischer Nachfragen gemacht. So wird im Folgenden der Status subjektiver Artikulationen in methodologischer und bildungsphilosophischer Hinsicht befragt, um von dort aus die Widersprüchlichkeit in der Analyse bildender Erfahrungen herauszuarbeiten. (DIPF/Orig.)In this replica, Sebastian Zick’s investigation of biographical-narrative relationships to imperatives of mobility is made the subject of critical questions. In the following, the status of subjective articulations from a methodological and educational-philosophical point of view is questioned in order to work out the contradictions in the analysis of educational experiences. (DIPF/Orig.

The pragmatics of blessings in Gedeo (south Ethiopia)

The Gedeo, a Cushitic-speaking group in southern Ethiopia, have a long tradition of blessing expressions ingrained in their native cosmology. The pragmatics of the Gedeo people's blessing utterances are examined in this article. Pertinent information was gathered from knowledgeable senior community members through interviews, and focus group discussions conducted between November 2020 and December 2021. The technique of gathering data also included non-participant observations. We have thematically analysed the data based on the situations in which the blessings are expressed and used to convey the intended meanings in the specific contexts, The expressive functions of blessings in Gedeo vary from context to context as would be expected, but, interestingly, they frequently revolve around praising Mageno ‘the Creator,’ shielding fellow community members from harm, boosting the land's productivity, safeguarding the environment, and upholding the general well-being of the community. We conclude that, while blessings have diverse meanings depending on the context in which they are expressed, their overall purpose is to preserve communal harmony and order

SeptiFast Real-Time PCR for Detection of Bloodborne Pathogens in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock

Several studies have been performed investigating the role of a real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay LightCycler® SeptiFast® with inconsistent results. In prospective evaluation of adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock SeptiFast assay and blood culture results were compared regarding concordance, the impact of SeptiFast assay on antimicrobial therapy adjustment, time to results and the role of SeptiFast assay as a marker of disease severity. 63 blood sample sets were collected from 57 patients. 51 (80.9%) results were concordant negative and 7 (11.1%) concordant positive. In one (1.6%) sample set blood culture was positive and SeptiFast assay negative, in three (4.8%) sample sets with negative blood cultures pathogens were detected by SeptiFast assay and in one (1.6%) patient an additional pathogen was detected by SeptiFast assay. If blood culture is considered as „gold standard“, 1 (1.6%) SeptiFast false negative and 4 (6.3%) false positive results were identified (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 92.6%, negative predictive value 97.8%). Antibiotic treatment was adjusted according to SeptiFast assay in 4 (6.3%) cases. Time to final results was significantly shorter with SeptiFast assay (32 ± 23 h vs. 97 ± 28 h, p<0.0001). Positive SeptiFast assay was not associated with higher mortality, C-reactive protein or procalcitonin (p=0.74, p=0.44 and p=0.12, respectively). According to our results SeptiFast assay can be used as a valuable add-on to blood culture in diagnostic workup of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock but it cannot replace the blood culture

Connoisseurship today between “top-down design” and “bottom-up’ capabilities

It is yet unknown if, in the foreseeable future, thanks to rapid increases in artificial intelligence capabilities, databases will take over standard tasks of art historians, such as the stylistic classification of drawings into centuries and schools and the attribution of works to specific artists. However, the digital availability of an almost unimaginably huge volume of pictorial material has already led to major changes in art historical work with Old Master drawings. In an initial step, this paper proposes using the terms ‘top-down design’ and ‘bottom-up processes’, borrowed from the book The Evolution of Minds by American philosopher Daniel C. Dennett, to describe the re-positioning of the concept of connoisseurship in light of the digitisation of nearly all collections of drawings in the world. A second step highlights the particular insights that a digital approach to the object can generate in terms of the materiality of the drawing, which will make it necessary to modify the traditional concept of connoisseurship and art historical expertise