Approaches of production planning and control under Industry 4.0: A literature review

Purpose: Industry 4.0 technologies significantly impact how production is planned, scheduled, and controlled. Literature provides different classifications of the tasks and functions of production planning and control (PPC) like the German Aachen PPC model. This research aims to identify and classify current Industry 4.0 approaches for planning and controlling production processes and to reveal researched and unexplored areas of the model. It extends a reduced version that has been published previously in Procedia Computer Science (Herrmann, Tackenberg, Padoano & Gamber, 2021) by presenting and discussing its results in more detail. Design/methodology/approach: In an exploratory literature review, we review and classify 48 publications on a full-text basis with the Aachen PPC model’s tasks and functions. Two cluster analyses reveal researched and unexplored tasks and functions of the Aachen PPC model. Findings: We propose a cyber-physical PPC architecture, which incorporates current Industry 4.0 technologies, current optimization methods, optimization objectives, and disturbances relevant for realizing a PPC system in a smart factory. Current approaches mainly focus on production control using real-time information from the shop floor, part of in-house PPC. We discuss the different layers of the cyber-physical PPC architecture and propose future research directions for the unexplored tasks and functions of the Aachen PPC model. Research limitations/implications: Limitations are the strong dependence of results on search terms used and the subjective eligibility assessment and assignment of publications to the Aachen PPC model. The selection of search terms and the texts’ interpretation is based on an individual’s assessment. The revelation of unexplored tasks and functions of the Aachen PPC model might have a different outcome if the search term combination is parameterized differently. Originality/value: Using the Aachen PPC model, which holistically models PPC, the findings give comprehensive insights into the current advances of tools, methods, and challenges relevant to planning and controlling production processes under Industry 4.0Peer Reviewe

An Educational Serious Game for investigating perceived Impacts of Digital Technologies on Employee Well-Being and Organizational Performance

... This paper presents a serious game in which players assess digital technologies’ impact on organizational performance and employee well-being, enabling to collect data about intercultural differences between people’s decisions. Serious games are games designed to acquire knowledge or skills through playful applications (Dörner, Göbel, Effelsberg, & Wiemeyer, 2016) but enable to collect data from collective activities while playing the game.Applying the serious game in an educational context, the aims of the serious game are twofold: 1. To educate players about evaluating the impact of technological solutions on multiple objectives of employee well-being and organizational performance. 2. To investigate intercultural diferences in people’s choices between traditional and technological solutions concerning organizational performance and employee well-being. [Aus: Introduction

Разработка технологии восстановления деталей автомобилей и тракторов с последующим упрочнением пластическим деформированием.

В разделе объект и методы исследования выполнен аналитический обзор по теме работы и обоснован выбор темы выпускной работы бакалавра. В разделе расчеты и аналитика представлены необходимые инженерные расчеты, связанные с организацией работ по восстановлению распределительного вала двигателя КамАЗ-740. В разделе "Социальная ответственность" выявлены опасные и вредныеIn the section of the object and methods of research, an analytical review of the topic of work was carried out and the choice of the topic of the bachelor's thesis was substantiated. The calculations and analytics section presents the necessary engineering calculations related to the organization of work on the restoration of the camshaft of the KAMAZ-740 engine. In the section "Social responsibility" identified dangerous and harmful factors, as well as measures for their elimination. The section “Financial Management, Resource Efficiency and Resource Saving” provides an economic assessment of design decisions. The final qualifying work was done in the text editor Microsoft Word 2007 and the graphical editor KOMPAS 3D V16.

Use-Case Studie eines auf der Nutzung von Handlungsfehlern basierenden AR-Lernsystems zur kritischen Reflexion der technischen Umsetzbarkeit

Empirische Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass das Verursachen von Fehlern und das Erleben von Fehlerkonsequenzen eine effektive Lerngelegenheit darstellen (Harteis, Bauer & Gruber, 2008, Kapur, 2015). Daher wird ein Lernsystem für die gewerblichtechnische Berufsbildung entwickelt, welches auf der Simulation von bestehenden Arbeitsprozessen basiert und die Repräsentation von aus menschlichen Handlungen resultierenden Fehlerkonsequenzen ermöglicht. Während der Nutzung des Systems arbeiten Lernende an einem realen Arbeitsplatz und können schwerwiegende, negative Handlungsfolgen statt in der Realität in AR erfahren. Die Fehlerkonsequenzen werden Lernenden durch die Integration einer Augmented-Reality-Anwendung (AR) visualisiert. Dieser Beitrag behandelt die technische Umsetzbarkeit eines solchen ARLernsystems. Hierzu wird ein eigens entwickelter Use-Case herangezogen, welcher eine realitätsnahe Arbeitsaufgabe abbildet

Systemkonzept und Modellierung beruflicher Handlungen im FeDiNAR-AR-Lernsystem

Bei Betrachtung des gegenwärtigen Stands der Ausbildung in gewerblich-technischen Berufen zeigt sich, dass es viele gute Ansätze zur Integration moderner Technologien gibt, um den Lernprozess zu unterstützen oder zu vereinfachen (z. B. Fehling, 2017; Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, 2019). Die meisten technischen Ansätze eint, dass sie die Darstellung von Funktions- und Wirkzusammenhängen von technischen Systemen in Ausbildungs- und Lernsituationen unterstützen. Es reicht für die zukünftige Beruflichkeit vor dem Hintergrund verschiedener Szenarien (vgl. Frenz, Heinen & Schlick, 2015) jedoch nicht aus, lediglich Technologien abzubilden. Stattdessen müssen Fachkräfte bei der Problemlösung im realen Arbeitsprozess gefördert werden (vgl. z. B. Abele, 2014; Rauner, 2017). Im Gegensatz zu reinen Funktions- und Wirkzusammenhängen liegen hier multiple technische Systemzustände vor. Das FeDiNAR-Verbundprojekt möchte hierfür ein AR-gestütztes Lehr-Lernkonzept entwickeln, das sich auf die Ausführung von beruflichen Tätigkeiten bezieht und lernortübergreifend genutzt werden kann.[... aus der Einleitung

Complete Epstein-Barr virus seropositivity in a large cohort of patients with early multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a large cohort of patients with early multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 901 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) participating in the German National MS cohort, a prospective cohort of patients with early MS with stringent inclusion criteria. Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1 and viral capsid antigen (VCA) antibodies were measured in diluted sera by chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIAs). Sera of EBNA-1 and VCA antibody-negative patients were retested undiluted by an EBV IgG immunoblot. For comparison, we retrospectively analysed the EBV seroprevalence across different age cohorts, ranging from 0 to >80 years, in a large hospital population (N=16 163) from Berlin/Northern Germany. RESULTS: EBNA-1 antibodies were detected by CLIA in 839 of 901 patients with CIS/RRMS. Of the 62 patients without EBNA-1 antibodies, 45 had antibodies to VCA as detected by CLIA. In all of the remaining 17 patients, antibodies to EBV were detected by immunoblot. Altogether, 901 of 901 (100%) patients with CIS/RRMS were EBV-seropositive. EBV seropositivity increased with age in the hospital population but did not reach 100% in any of the investigated age cohorts. CONCLUSION: The complete EBV seropositivity in this large cohort of patients with early MS strengthens the evidence for a role of EBV in MS. It also suggests that a negative EBV serology in patients with suspected inflammatory central nervous system disease should alert clinicians to consider diagnoses other than MS

Treatment choices and neuropsychological symptoms of a large cohort of early MS

Objective To assess clinical characteristics, distribution of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), and neuropsychological symptoms in a large cohort of patients with early-stage MS. Methods The German National MS Cohort is a multicenter prospective longitudinal cohort study that has recruited DMT-naive patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) since 2010. We evaluated their baseline characteristics and the prevalence of neuropsychological symptoms. Results Of 1,124 patients, with a 2.2: 1 female-to-male ratio and median age at onset of 31.71 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 26.06-40.33), 44.6% and 55.3% had CIS and RRMS, respectively. The median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at baseline was 1.5 (IQR: 1.0-2.0). A proportion of 67.8% of patients started DMT after a median time of 167.0 days (IQR 90.0-377.5) since the first manifestation. A total of 64.7% and 70.4% of the 762 patients receiving early DMT were classified as CIS and RRMS, respectively. Fatigue, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were detected in 36.5%, 33.5%, and 14.7% of patients, respectively. Conclusion Baseline characteristics of this large cohort of patients with early, untreated MS corroborated with other cohorts. Most patients received early DMT within the first year after disease onset, irrespective of a CIS or RRMS diagnosis. Despite the low EDSS score, neuropsychological symptoms affected a relevant proportion of patients

K(2P)18.1 translates T cell receptor signals into thymic regulatory T cell development

It remains largely unclear how thymocytes translate relative differences in T cell receptor (TCR) signal strength into distinct developmental programs that drive the cell fate decisions towards conventional (Tconv) or regulatory T cells (Treg). Following TCR activation, intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is the most important second messenger, for which the potassium channel K(2P)18.1 is a relevant regulator. Here, we identify K(2P)18.1 as a central translator of the TCR signal into the thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) selection process. TCR signal was coupled to NF-kappa B-mediated K(2P)18.1 upregulation in tTreg progenitors. K(2P)18.1 provided the driving force for sustained Ca2+ influx that facilitated NF-kappa B- and NFAT-dependent expression of FoxP3, the master transcription factor for Treg development and function. Loss of K(2P)18.1 ion-current function induced a mild lymphoproliferative phenotype in mice, with reduced Treg numbers that led to aggravated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, while a gain-of-function mutation in K(2P)18.1 resulted in increased Treg numbers in mice. Our findings in human thymus, recent thymic emigrants and multiple sclerosis patients with a dominant-negative missense K(2P)18.1 variant that is associated with poor clinical outcomes indicate that K(2P)18.1 also plays a role in human Treg development. Pharmacological modulation of K(2P)18.1 specifically modulated Treg numbers in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we identified nitroxoline as a K(2P)18.1 activator that led to rapid and reversible Treg increase in patients with urinary tract infections. Conclusively, our findings reveal how K(2P)18.1 translates TCR signals into thymic T cell fate decisions and Treg development, and provide a basis for the therapeutic utilization of Treg in several human disorders.Peer reviewe