List Decoding of Locally Repairable Codes

We show that locally repairable codes (LRCs) can be list decoded efficiently beyond the Johnson radius for a large range of parameters by utilizing the local error correction capabilities. The new decoding radius is derived and the asymptotic behavior is analyzed. We give a general list decoding algorithm for LRCs that achieves this radius along with an explicit realization for a class of LRCs based on Reed-Solomon codes (Tamo-Barg LRCs). Further, a probabilistic algorithm for unique decoding of low complexity is given and its success probability analyzed

On Error Decoding of Locally Repairable and Partial MDS Codes

We consider error decoding of locally repairable codes (LRC) and partial MDS (PMDS) codes through interleaved decoding. For a specific class of LRCs we investigate the success probability of interleaved decoding. For PMDS codes we show that there is a wide range of parameters for which interleaved decoding can increase their decoding radius beyond the minimum distance with the probability of successful decoding approaching $1$, when the code length goes to infinity

Axonal Transport: CDKs as Traffic Signals for Motor-ists along the Axon?

SummaryA screen for axonal cargo mislocalization in Caenorhabditis elegans neurons implicates the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK-5 and PCT-1 and the cyclin CCY-1 in the regulation of the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein

Linking research education and education for sustainable development via projects

Published ArticleOne of the main tasks of universities is to prepare students for an academic or professional career, and to make them responsible members of society by giving them the motivation and skills to create a better future. Education for Sustainable Development is a core feature of education in a university of the 21th century and in society. In a university, it has two aspects: firstly, to educate students and to help future academics to contribute to sustainable development, secondly, to contribute to sustainability and to spread education for sustainable development in the community. We consider examples of successful cooperation between the university and its stakeholders via projects that are relevant for education for sustainable development. We analyse the success factors and the educational and sustainability impacts of these projects

Partial MDS Codes with Local Regeneration

Partial MDS (PMDS) and sector-disk (SD) codes are classes of erasure codes that combine locality with strong erasure correction capabilities. We construct PMDS and SD codes where each local code is a bandwidth-optimal regenerating MDS code. The constructions require significantly smaller field size than the only other construction known in literature

Civic engagement and project learning

Published ArticleExperiential learning gives students the chance to discover the course subject and to develop their skills in the context of practical activities. This can be achieved by social learning but also within projects and planning games. In the following, we start with a focus mainly on projects in cooperation with community government, but we show that action oriented learning can take place in the wider focus of civic engagement and community projects. University and community can learn from each other. Civic projects on one side help the government to gain insight and knowledge or to directly influence the community; and on the other side these projects give students the chance to gain practical experience and social competence by means of real-life projects. Usually, community based research and social learning is restricted to students in the social sciences. We give examples that show, that also students in economics and even in engineering can participate in civic projects with a mutual benefit for community, government and universitie

Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship : university's contribution to sustainable economic development

Published ArticleSustainable development has an economic, ecological and a social component. Innovation and entrepreneurship play an important role in the sustainable development of an economy, a region or a country. We consider the ways in which universities can support innovation and entrepreneurship, and we outline some of the supporting structures and methods. The corresponding community aspects are covered by the author's paper on Civic Engagement and Project Learning. The following results are based on the author's experiences mainly in Germany as a researcher, lecturer, engineer, manager and consultant. There are different ways for a university to support and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Although the aims and effects of innovation and entrepreneurship are quite different, universities have to support both in order to achieve a sustainable development of industry and society. Important aspects comprise motivation, modelling and management. The most important ways of support are given by the triad of education, research and direct support. Nevertheless, we must never forget, that people are the most important issue in innovation and entrepreneurship. Hence, motivation, information and networking play an important role