Electric road vehicles - overview, concepts and research at Reutlingen university

The paper details the architecture of fully electrified vehicles as well as their new electronic systems. Examples of up-to-date electrical passenger cars are given. A very important question, that is the environmental foot-print of electrical vehicles compared to conventional ones, is examined. A research project is introduced where a fleet of two-wheeled vehicles is available for day-to-day use. Research on vehicles, software for fleet management and battery range prediction is described.В данной статье привeдены подробные сведения о принципе работы электрифицированных транспортных средств, а также описаны их новые электрические системы. Показан примеры уже существующих электрических пассажирских транспортных средств. Рассмотрено влияние электрифицированного транспорта на окружающую среду в сравнении с обычными видами транспорта. Приведен проект исследований, в рамках которого для ежедневного использования существует парк двух колесных электрифицированных транспортных средств. Описаны исследования, непосредственно связанные с электрифицированным транспортом, определением точного времени разряда батареи, а также программным обеспечением, позволяющим управлять парком таких транспортных средств.У статті наведено докладні відомості щодо принципів роботи електрифікованих транспортних засобів, а також описано їх нові електричні системи. Показано приклади вже існуючих електричних пасажирських транспортних засобів. Розглянуто вплив електрифікованого транспорту на навколишнє середовище у порівнянні із звичайними видами транспорту. На- ведено проект досліджень, у рамках якого існує парк двоколісних електрифікованих транспортних засобів для щоденного використання. Описано дослідження, безпосередньо пов'язані із електрифікованим транспортом, визначенням точного часу розряду батареї, а також програмним забезпеченням, що дозволяє керувати парком таких транспортних засобів

The Forensic Accountant in the Property and Casualty Insurance Claim Industry—Expense or a Cost Benefit

This paper describes how the insurance companies recognize and control the costs for loss payments and loss adjustment expenses (LLAE) while trying to be profitable. This discussion will concentrate on these costs and expenses within the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector. Categorization as loss payment or loss adjustment expenses (LAE) may be a cost benefit in determining which cost or expense to incur, in order to be more profitable. As the specific aspects of the P&C insurance are laid out, to include underwriting the risk, to the claims end involving investigating the claim, the insurance company will take certain steps and make business decisions in resolving these matters. Within the LLAE, the utilization of the forensic accounting services in investigating these matters and the decision to utilize these services could change the overall cost to the insurance company and the determination of their profitability. The economy is going through some turmoil. Major catastrophes like 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, along with the growth of insurance fraud, have made it a struggle for insurance companies to be profitable. The forensic accountant can be a fundamental tool in controlling costs and maximizing profits. The paper compares actual payments made by the carriers to the original costs for non-investigated claims. The overall savings is substantial. Applying these results to industry reported claims shows a large savings and this return on investment (ROI) becomes significant. Investigating claims by forensic accountants can lead to increased corporate profitability and benefit the consumer by reducing premiums

Energy flows along the production and use of secondary materials with a special focus on concrete

Urban mining in the existing building stock can contribute to securing raw materials and conserving natural resources if the potential of recycling construction waste is consistently exploited. From an ecological point of view, it is on the one hand interesting what amounts of primary materials can potentially be substituted and on the other how much energy need to be invested for this. At present, the recycling of construction waste usually is considered from a material perspective. There is lack of an approach, extending material-oriented considerations by energetic aspects. The aim is to develop a uniform research approach by which energy expenditure during recycling of important construction products can be determined. Besides concrete seven further construction products are  investigated. Recycling paths are described and analysed along waste management processing steps taking into account the quality of the demolition materials and the quality requirements of the possible new application variants in the construction sector. The result is a clear plea for more consistent recycling. The analyses of concrete indicate that "high-quality" recycling only results in energy advantages when "high-grade" demolition material is used. However, so-called "down-cycling" solutions allow resource conservation to be combined with energy savings, even with lower-quality demolition materials. The single-minded focus on "high-quality" recycling according to the general understanding should therefore be questioned. Instead, preference should be given to solutions that take resource conservation into account in a more holistic way especially with regard to resource conservation andclimate protection

The requirement of matrix ATP for the import of precursor proteins into the mitochondrial matrix and intermembrane space

The role of ATP in the matrix for the import of precursor proteins into the various mitochondrial subcompartments was investigated by studying protein translocation at experimentally defined ATP levels. Proteins targeted to the matrix were neither imported or processed when matrix ATP was depleted. Import and processing of precytochrome b2, (pb2), a precursor carrying a bipartite presequence, into the intermembrane space was also strongly dependent on matrix ATP. Preproteins, consisting of 220 or more residues of pb2 fused to dihydrofolate reductase, showed the same requirement for matrix ATP, whereas the import of shorter fusion proteins (up to 167 residues of pb2) was largely independent of matrix ATP. For those intermembrane-space-targeted proteins that did need matrix ATP, the dependence could be relieved either by unfolding these proteins prior to import or by introducing a deletion into the mature portion of the protein thereby impairing the tight folding of the cytochrome b5 domain. These results suggest the following: (a) The import of matrix-targeted preproteins, in addition to a membrane potential ΔΨ, requires matrix ATP [most likely to facilitate reversible binding of mitochondrial heat-shock protein 70 (mt-Hsp70) to incoming precursors], for two steps, securing the presequence on the matrix side of the inner membrane and for the completion of translocation; (b) in the case of intermembrane-space-targeted precursors with bipartite signals, the function of ATP/mt-Hsp70 is not obligatory, as components of the intermembrane-space-sorting pathway may substitute for ATP/mt-Hsp70 function (however, if a tightly folded domain is present in the precursor, ATP/mt-Hsp70 is indispensable); (c) unfolding on the mitochondrial surface of tightly folded segments of preproteins is facilitated by matrix-ATP/mt-Hsp70

From Writer to Teacher: The Gradual Release of Responsibility in an Early Childhood Education Writing Course for Pre-Service Teachers

Teaching students to become confident, capable writers is imperative in today’s world. Growing attention has been paid to the amount and kinds of writing students are experiencing in schools with an urgent plea for more time and attention given to writing instruction (Nagin, 2003; National Commission on Writing, 2003). Yet, few teachers feel well prepared to teach writing. In this special issue on writing methods courses, we discuss the evolution of our writing methods course for early childhood preservice teachers (PK-5). Specifically, we examine the current pedagogical practices within the course to support preservice teachers’ experiential learning. This piece examines how a gradual release of responsibility model with multiple units of study supports preservice teachers as writers and as future teachers of writers

Design Methodology for the Electrification of Urban Bus Lines with Battery Electric Buses

Electrically powered buses reduce CO$_{2}$ and noise emissions in urban areas and thus promote the trend towards more livable cities. Upon this reason, more and more cities are introducing their first electrified lines as pilot projects. However, no standardized technology has yet emerged, which is why statements on interactions between vehicle, operation and infrastructure in public transport are proving to be difficult to make. In order to be able to make statistically significant statements in this respect, a simulation model was developed that depicts the three subsystems vehicle, operation and infrastructure. On the basis of measurement data from the PRIMOVE research project in Mannheim, in which an urban bus line is operated with two electrically powered buses, the simulation model was validated and a data basis was laid for further investigations. As a result, simulation studies with more than 700 simulated operating days could be carried out, the results of which represent the input for the following statistical analysis. Based on this analysis, the interactions described above will be demonstrated in the design of the main technical parameters, the battery lifespan and the energy demand of electrical bus lines. Through the findings of these simulations, an optimized version of the already electrified bus line in Mannheim will then be presented. Finally, a novel design methodology for electrification based on a multi-objective optimization is introduced. All parameters of the system are variable in order to apply the presented methodology to other projects and thus underline the general validity of the work

Ökobilanzierung im Kontext planerischer Interessen - Bewertungsverfahren für Bauprodukte

Die ökologische Bewertung von Bauteilen stößt in der Praxis auf erhebliche Wissens- und Anwendungsdefizite. Die Komplexität der an Bauteile gestellten Forderungen und die unterschiedlichen Informationsinteressen von Bauherren, Planern und Produzenten erschweren die Entwicklung geeigneter Informations- und Bewertungsmodelle. Eine am IÖR durchgeführte Forschungsarbeit hat die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Ökobilanz als Analyse- und Bewertungsinstrument geprüft. Im Rahmen der Arbeit wurden methodische Probleme untersucht und ein Bewertungsansatz für Bauteile entwickelt. Es wird deutlich, dass die Ergebnisse der Ökobilanz für den Planer von Bedeutung sind, dass er als Entscheidungshilfe jedoch einen inhaltlich breiteren Bewertungsansatz benötigt. Es wird vorgeschlagen, die Bilanz von Bauteilen neben den für eine Ökobilanz typischen Umweltwirkungen um funktionsbezogene, technische, gesundheitsorientierte und wirtschaftliche Aspekte zu erweitern. Des Weiteren wird festgestellt, dass die Bilanzierung von Bauteilen vom methodischen Ansatz her stets eine Kombination aus Produkt- und Betriebsbilanz ist, wobei die betriebliche Bilanzierung aufgrund der langen Nutzungsdauer von Bauprodukten stärker in den Vordergrund rücken sollte.:Tabellenverzeichnis................................................................................VI Abbildungsverzeichnis...........................................................................VII Einleitung.................................................................................................1 A Bestimmung eines spezifischen Bilanzansatzes – methodische Untersuchungen zu Bilanzmodellen.........................................................5 1 Stoffstrombetrachtungen und Ökobilanz – Zusammenhänge...............7 1.1 Stoffstrombetrachtungen – Antwort auf das Umdenken in der Umweltpolitik...........................................................................................7 1.2 Stoffstrommanagement – Einordnung der Ökobilanz........................7 2 Unterschiedliche Bilanzmodelle im Rahmen von Stoffstrombetrachtungen – Methodendiskussion..............................................................................11 2.1 Ökobilanzen als Synonym für die Analyse und Bewertung von Stoff- und Energieflüssen......................................................................11 2.2 Unterschiedliche Bilanzmodelle im Rahmen von Stoffstrombetrachtungen.......................................................................12 2.3 Auswertung der dargestellten Modelle............................................22 3 Produkt- und Betriebs-Ökobilanzen – Detailuntersuchungen.............25 3.1 Ökobilanzen – allgemeine Definition................................................25 3.2 Produkt-Ökobilanzen nach ISO-Norm..............................................25 3.2.1 Festlegung des Zieles und des Untersuchungsrahmens..............28 3.2.2 Sachbilanz....................................................................................29 3.2.3 Wirkungsabschätzung..................................................................29 3.2.4 Auswertung..................................................................................30 3.3 Betriebs-Ökobilanzen......................................................................30 3.4 Produkt- und Betriebs-Ökobilanz im Vergleich.................................32 4 Spezifischer Bilanzansatz für Bauteile................................................34 4.1 Betrachtungsgegenstand Bauteil – Besonderheiten.......................34 4.2 Bestimmung eines spezifischen Bilanzansatzes für Bauteile...........35 B Eingrenzung eines spezifischen Bilanzrahmens – methodische Untersuchungen zu Betrachtungsinhalten und -grenzen......................39 1 Problembereiche im Rahmen der Produkt-Ökobilanz..........................41 1.1 Zieldefinition....................................................................................41 1.1.1 Funktionale Äquivalenz.................................................................42 1.1.2 Untersuchungsrahmen.................................................................45 1.2 Sachbilanz.......................................................................................52 1.2.1 Input- und Outputgrößen in der Sachbilanz..................................52 1.2.2 Methodische und datenbezogene Probleme.................................54 2 Spezifik des Bauteiles Außenwand im Kontext planerischer Interessen und Ziele.............................................................................58 2.1 Anforderungen an das Bauteil Außenwand......................................58 2.2 Anforderungen an das Bauen – gesetzliche Bestimmungen, Verordnungen und Vorschriften.............................................................59 2.3 Interessen und Ziele der Akteursgruppe Planer..............................60 2.4 Eingrenzung eines spezifischen Bilanzrahmens für das Bauteil Außenwand............................................................................................65 3 Beschreibung des spezifischen Bilanzrahmens...................................69 3.1 Lebenswegphasen..........................................................................69 3.2 Lebenswegkriterien.........................................................................71 3.2.1 Funktionale Anforderungen..........................................................72 3.2.2 Ökologische Anforderungen..........................................................75 3.2.3 Ökonomische Anforderungen........................................................77 C Bilanzbeispiel – Bauteilbewertung im Test.........................................79 1 Außenwandvergleich auf Grundlage ausgewählter Einzelkriterien.....81 1.1 Unterschiedliche Außenwandkonstruktionen – Aufbau und Mindestanforderungen..........................................................................81 1.2 Außenwandvergleich auf Grundlage unterschiedlicher Einzelkriterien ..............................................................................................................82 1.2.1 Bereich Funktion...........................................................................82 1.2.2 Bereich Gesundheit.......................................................................87 1.2.3 Bereich Stoffe/Energie..................................................................92 1.2.4 Bereich Ökonomie.........................................................................99 2 Außenwandvergleich – komplexe Bewertung...................................101 Zusammenfassung..............................................................................105 Anhang A – Spezifischer Bilanzansatz.................................................107 Anhang B – Spezifischer Bilanzrahmen................................................113 Anhang C – Bilanzbeispiel....................................................................117 Literaturverzeichnis.............................................................................12