Beiträge des Verkehrssystem-Managements zum stadtverträglicheren Straßenverkehr : Straßenbenutzungsabgaben, Zufahrtbeschränkung und elektrisch angetriebene Stadtautos im Vergleich

Ziel dieser Dissertation ist die Dokumentation der Beiträge von drei ausgewählten Maßnahmen des Verkehrssystem-Managements (VSM) einschließlich der notwendigen Voraussetzungen für ihren Einsatz sowie der Vergleich ihrer Fähigkeit, zu einem stadtverträglicheren Straßenverkehr beitragen zu können. Als Maßnahmen wurden die Straßenbenutzungsabgaben, die Zufahrtbeschränkung und der Einsatz elektrisch getriebener Stadtautos ausgewählt. Als Kriterien der Stadtverträglichkeit wurden Lärm, Luftschadstoffe, Erreichbarkeit, Kosten, Unfälle, Auswirkungen auf den ruhenden Verkehr und Trennwirkung herangezogen. Anhand der Beispielstadt Berlin - bisher ohne Erfahrung mit einer der genannten Maßnahmen - wurde der Einsatz der Maßnahmen in einem Ballungsgebiet untersucht und verglichen. Die Auswirkungen der Maßnahme Straßenbenutzungsabgaben mit zwei Varianten einer elektronischen Gebührenerfassung (vom S-Bahn-Ring gebildetes einfaches Kordonmodell und Vier-Quadranten-Modell mit einer Fläche von je 100 qm) zeigen beim Lärm nur geringe Verbesserungen gegenüber dem Ohne-Fall, bei den Luftschadstoffen können jedoch deutliche Reduktionen erzielt werden. Bei der Erreichbarkeit, bei den Unfällen und bei der Trennwirkung sind positive Wirkungen erkennbar, beim ruhenden Verkehr können bei einer Berücksichtigung der dann nicht mehr durchgeführten Fahrten in der Stadt erhebliche Flächeneinsparungen (92 bzw. 176 ha) erzielt werden. Negativ zu sehen sind die Kosten (54 bzw. 64 Mio. DM). Diese werden jedoch durch die jährlichen Einnahmen durch die Abgabenerhebung (150 bzw. 400 Mio. DM) mehr als kompensiert. Wegen der größeren Reduktionswirkung des Vier-Quadranten-Modells ist dieser Planungsvariante der Vorzug zu geben. Bei der Maßnahme Zufahrtbeschränkung für einen Teil der Berliner City West zeigen sich bei den Kriterien der Stadtverträglichkeit bis auf die Kosten (ca. 5 Mio. DM Investitionskosten) die gleichen Wirkungen wie bei den Straßenbenutzungsabgaben. Die Maßnahme hat jedoch mit einer Fläche von 2,2 km2 eine nur sehr beschränkte räumliche Auswirkung. Beim Einsatz elektrisch angetriebener Stadtautos mit einem Anteil von 10% an den Pkw ergeben sich erkennbare positive Wirkungen nur bei den Luftschadstoffen und beim ruhenden Verkehr. Einzeln betrachtet bewegen sich die Fahrzeuge mit Elektromotor zwar leiser fort (bis zu 10 dB(A)). Dieser Vorteil hat jedoch nur geringe Auswirkungen im Stadtverkehr zusammen mit normalen Pkw. Die Kosten für eine Vollausstattung mit Ladestationen in der Beispielstadt (889 Mio. DM) übersteigen die Kosten der beiden anderen VSM-Maßnahmen. Erreichbarkeit (ohne Berücksichtigung von Nutzervorteilen), Auswirkungen auf Unfälle und Trennwirkung bleiben unverändert. Zusätzlich zur Untersuchung der Stadtverträglichkeit wurden in der Arbeit u.a. Erhebungen zu Fahrprofilen und Untersuchungen zum Einfluß der Stadtautos auf Zeitbedarfswert und Sättigungsverkehrsstärke an Lichtsignalanlagen gemacht. In über 90% der Fälle kann die Tagesdistanz mit einem Elektrofahrzeug zurückgelegt werden, wenn die Batterie eine Reichweite von 80 km ermöglicht. Die Zeit für eine achtstündige Nachladung zwischen den Einsätzen des Pkw (Nachtzeit) ist in über 90% der Fälle vorhanden. Ein Zweisitzer mit geringen Gepäckraum ist für die überwiegende Mehrheit der Fahrten ausreichend

Genetic Basis for Saccharomyces cerevisiae Biofilm in Liquid Medium

Biofilm-forming microorganisms switch between two forms: free-living planktonic and sessile multicellular. Sessile communities of yeast biofilms in liquid medium provide a primitive example of multicellularity and are clinically important because biofilms tend to have other growth characteristics than free-living cells. We investigated the genetic basis for yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, biofilm on solid surfaces in liquid medium by screening a comprehensive deletion mutant collection in the Σ1278b background and found 71 genes that were essential for biofilm development. Quantitative northern blots further revealed that AIM1, ASG1, AVT1, DRN1, ELP4, FLO8, FMP10, HMT1, KAR5, MIT1, MRPL32, MSS11, NCP1, NPR1, PEP5, PEX25, RIM8, RIM101, RGT1, SNF8, SPC2, STB6, STP22, TEC1, VID24, VPS20, VTC3, YBL029W, YBL029C-A, YFL054C, YGR161W-C, YIL014C-A, YIR024C, YKL151C, YNL200C, YOR034C-A, and YOR223W controlled biofilm through FLO11 induction. Almost all deletion mutants that were unable to form biofilms in liquid medium also lost the ability to form surface-spreading biofilm colonies (mats) on agar and 69% also lost the ability to grow invasively. The protein kinase A isoform Tpk3p functioned specifically in biofilm and mat formation. In a tpk3 mutant, transcription of FLO11 was induced three-fold compared with wild-type, but biofilm development and cell–cell adhesion was absent, suggesting that Tpk3p regulates FLO11 positive posttranscriptionally and negative transcriptionally. The study provides a resource of biofilm-influencing genes for additional research on biofilm development and suggests that the regulation of FLO11 is more complex than previously anticipated

Correction of complex nonlinear signal response from a pixel array detector

The pulsed free-electron laser light sources represent a new challenge to photon area detectors due to the intrinsic spontaneous X-ray photon generation process that makes single-pulse detection necessary. Intensity fluctuations up to 100% between individual pulses lead to high linearity requirements in order to distinguish small signal changes. In real detectors, signal distortions as a function of the intensity distribution on the entire detector can occur. Here a robust method to correct this nonlinear response in an area detector is presented for the case of exposures to similar signals. The method is tested for the case of diffuse scattering from liquids where relevant sub-1% signal changes appear on the same order as artifacts induced by the detector electronics

Open video data sharing in developmental and behavioural science

Video recording is a widely used method for documenting infant and child behaviours in research and clinical practice. Video data has rarely been shared due to ethical concerns of confidentiality, although the need of shared large-scaled datasets remains increasing. This demand is even more imperative when data-driven computer-based approaches are involved, such as screening tools to complement clinical assessments. To share data while abiding by privacy protection rules, a critical question arises whether efforts at data de-identification reduce data utility? We addressed this question by showcasing the Prechtl's general movements assessment (GMA), an established and globally practised video-based diagnostic tool in early infancy for detecting neurological deficits, such as cerebral palsy. To date, no shared expert-annotated large data repositories for infant movement analyses exist. Such datasets would massively benefit training and recalibration of human assessors and the development of computer-based approaches. In the current study, sequences from a prospective longitudinal infant cohort with a total of 19451 available general movements video snippets were randomly selected for human clinical reasoning and computer-based analysis. We demonstrated for the first time that pseudonymisation by face-blurring video recordings is a viable approach. The video redaction did not affect classification accuracy for either human assessors or computer vision methods, suggesting an adequate and easy-to-apply solution for sharing movement video data. We call for further explorations into efficient and privacy rule-conforming approaches for deidentifying video data in scientific and clinical fields beyond movement assessments. These approaches shall enable sharing and merging stand-alone video datasets into large data pools to advance science and public health

CELTIC Initiative Project Madeira: A P2P Approach to Network Management

The vision of the Celtic-Initiative project Madeira is to provide novel technologies for a logically meshed Network Management System that facilitates self-management and dynamic behaviour of nodes within networks. These approaches should enable adaptable services and the management of network elements of increasing number, heterogeneity and transience, thereby reducing OPEX. In this paper, we set the scope for investigations within the project and give an outline of our approach. We present a scenario that challenges today’s state of the art in Network Management and upon which we are building our case study for a detailed investigation of feasibility. Finally, we describe a preliminary conceptual system architecture and application data model, and give an insight into the expected final project results

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen

LSST: from Science Drivers to Reference Design and Anticipated Data Products

(Abridged) We describe here the most ambitious survey currently planned in the optical, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). A vast array of science will be enabled by a single wide-deep-fast sky survey, and LSST will have unique survey capability in the faint time domain. The LSST design is driven by four main science themes: probing dark energy and dark matter, taking an inventory of the Solar System, exploring the transient optical sky, and mapping the Milky Way. LSST will be a wide-field ground-based system sited at Cerro Pach\'{o}n in northern Chile. The telescope will have an 8.4 m (6.5 m effective) primary mirror, a 9.6 deg$^2$ field of view, and a 3.2 Gigapixel camera. The standard observing sequence will consist of pairs of 15-second exposures in a given field, with two such visits in each pointing in a given night. With these repeats, the LSST system is capable of imaging about 10,000 square degrees of sky in a single filter in three nights. The typical 5$\sigma$ point-source depth in a single visit in $r$ will be $\sim 24.5$ (AB). The project is in the construction phase and will begin regular survey operations by 2022. The survey area will be contained within 30,000 deg$^2$ with $\delta<+34.5^\circ$, and will be imaged multiple times in six bands, $ugrizy$, covering the wavelength range 320--1050 nm. About 90\% of the observing time will be devoted to a deep-wide-fast survey mode which will uniformly observe a 18,000 deg$^2$ region about 800 times (summed over all six bands) during the anticipated 10 years of operations, and yield a coadded map to $r\sim27.5$. The remaining 10\% of the observing time will be allocated to projects such as a Very Deep and Fast time domain survey. The goal is to make LSST data products, including a relational database of about 32 trillion observations of 40 billion objects, available to the public and scientists around the world.Comment: 57 pages, 32 color figures, version with high-resolution figures available from https://www.lsst.org/overvie