Urban Digital Twins for Smart Cities and Citizens:The Case Study of Herrenberg, Germany

Cities are complex systems connected to economic, ecological, and demographic conditions and change. They are also characterized by diverging perceptions and interests of citizens and stakeholders. Thus, in the arena of urban planning, we are in need of approaches that are able to cope not only with urban complexity but also allow for participatory and collaborative processes to empower citizens. This to create democratic cities. Connected to the field of smart cities and citizens, we present in this paper, the prototype of an urban digital twin for the 30,000-people town of Herrenberg in Germany. Urban digital twins are sophisticated data models allowing for collaborative processes. The herein presented prototype comprises (1) a 3D model of the built environment, (2) a street network model using the theory and method of space syntax, (3) an urban mobility simulation, (4) a wind flow simulation, and (5) a number of empirical quantitative and qualitative data using volunteered geographic information (VGI). In addition, the urban digital twin was implemented in a visualization platform for virtual reality and was presented to the general public during diverse public participatory processes, as well as in the framework of the "Morgenstadt Werkstatt" (Tomorrow's Cities Workshop). The results of a survey indicated that this method and technology could significantly aid in participatory and collaborative processes. Further understanding of how urban digital twins support urban planners, urban designers, and the general public as a collaboration and communication tool and for decision support allows us to be more intentional when creating smart cities and sustainable cities with the help of digital twins. We conclude the paper with a discussion of the presented results and further research directions

CAVE 3D: Software Extensions for Scientific Visualization of Large-scale Models

AbstractNumerical analysis of large-scale and multidisciplinary problems on high-performance computer systems is one of the main computational challenges of the 21st century. The amount of data processed in complex systems analyses approaches peta- and exascale. The technical possibility for real-time visualization, post-processing and analysis of large-scale models is extremely important for carrying out comprehensive numerical studies. Powerful visualization is going to play an important role in the future of large-scale models. In this paper, we describe several software extensions aimed to improve visualization performance for large-scale models and developed by our team for 3D virtual environment systems such as CAVEs and Powerwalls. These extensions include an algorithm for real-time generation of isosurfaces on large meshes and a visualization system designed for massively parallel computing environment. Besides, we describe an augmented reality system developed by the part of our team in Stuttgart

Application Steering in a Collaborative Environment

In this showcase we will present live running simulations which are integrated into the Access Grid in a variety of different ways. An example of this is the use of vncto distribute a desktop on which the simulation is being displayed. Another example is the redirection of the visualization into vic to make 3D animations available over the Access Grid. Other examples that will be explored are the use of SGI’s OpenGL VizServer to direct the output of a graphics supercomputer located on the Grid to the AG locations. We will also utilize the ability of the next generation AG software to directly link with visualization toolkits such as vtk, AVS/Express, or COVISE as an integrated part of the Virtual Venue as this functionality has developed by the time of the SC2003 demonstrations. We also demonstrate steering in a collaborative setting using a steering service which is fully compliant with OGSI and with the proposed OGSA architecture. This can be integrated with current Grid middleware (e.g. GT2 and UNICORE) using a specially developed Perl hosting environment, OGSI:Lite

Radfahren auf realen und virtuellen Flächen – Das NRVP-Projekt Cape Reviso

Das durch den Nationalen Radverkehrsplan (NRVP) vom Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitaler Infrastruktur (BMVI) geförderte Verbundprojekt Cape Reviso (Cyclist And PEdestrians on REal and VIrtual Shared rOads) befasst sich mit der Problematik, welche möglichen Konflikte Fußgängerinnen, Fußgänger, Radfahrerinnen und Radfahrer im täglichen Verkehr ausgesetzt sind. Ziel ist es, Optimierungsstrategien für Führungsformen und Knotenpunkte durch Erfassung des gegenwärtigen Zustandes und Simulationen von Variationen in Living Labs zu entwickeln. Der Ansatz verfolgt Methoden im realen und virtuellen Raum. Die aus den Erkenntnissen entwickelten Werkzeuge und Empfehlungen für eine moderne Stadt- und Verkehrsplanung sollen helfen, durch gute Infrastruktur die Attraktivität des Zu-Fuß-Gehens und Radfahrens zu steigern, speziell vor dem Fokus der Reduktion von Stress und Konflikten. Oftmals bilden diese eben ein persistierendes Hemmnis in der Gruppe der unentschlossenen Radfahrerinnen, Radfahrer, Fußgängerinnen und Fußgänger. In der Realität bleiben gefährliche und Stress auslösende Knotenpunkte und Führungsformen oft unerkannt, da die Unfallzahlen in einem Erhebungsgebiet zu gering sind. Die zu entwickelnden Werkzeuge zielen daher darauf ab, Situationen und Orte zu erfassen und zu messen, in denen Radfahrende und Zu-Fuß-Gehende sich subjektiv unsicher fühlen (Stress empfinden) oder es zu gefährlichen Situationen (Beinahe-Unfällen) kommt. Zielgruppe des Projektes sind nicht ausschließlich Stadt- und Verkehrsplanerinnen sowie Stadt- und Verkehrsplaner. Die entwickelnden Werkzeuge sind quelloffen und verhältnismäßig günstig. Sie können so nicht nur von Kommunen für die Planung, sondern auch von Initiativen und Verbänden eingesetzt werden, um sich für sichere Verkehrsbedingungen einzusetzen. Um breite Zielgruppen mit den Projektergebnissen anzusprechen, werden die entwickelten Werkzeuge direkt angewendet und aus dieser Anwendung allgemeingültige Empfehlungen abgeleitet. Beispielhaft werden in diesem Beitrag erste Ergebnisse aus der freiwilligen Messkampagne mit dem OpenBikeSensor (OBS) in Stuttgart sowie erste Analysen des Straßennetzwerkes mit „Space Syntax“ vorgestellt

Unique gene expression and MR T2 relaxometry patterns define chronic murine dextran sodium sulphate colitis as a model for connective tissue changes in human Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronically relapsing inflammation, tissue remodeling and fibrosis are hallmarks of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in connective tissue in a chronic murine model resulting from repeated cycles of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) ingestion, to mimic the relapsing nature of the human disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were exposed to DSS in drinking water for 1 week, followed by a recovery phase of 2 weeks. This cycle of exposure was repeated for up to 3 times (9 weeks in total). Colonic inflammation, fibrosis, extracellular matrix proteins and colonic gene expression were studied. In vivo MRI T 2 relaxometry was studied as a potential non-invasive imaging tool to evaluate bowel wall inflammation and fibrosis. RESULTS: Repeated cycles of DSS resulted in a relapsing and remitting disease course, which induced a chronic segmental, transmural colitis after 2 and 3 cycles of DSS with clear induction of fibrosis and remodeling of the muscular layer. Tenascin expression mirrored its expression in Crohn's colitis. Microarray data identified a gene expression profile different in chronic colitis from that in acute colitis. Additional recovery was associated with upregulation of unique genes, in particular keratins, pointing to activation of molecular pathways for healing and repair. In vivo MRI T2 relaxometry of the colon showed a clear shift towards higher T2 values in the acute stage and a gradual regression of T2 values with increasing cycles of DSS. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated cycles of DSS exposure induce fibrosis and connective tissue changes with typical features, as occurring in Crohn's disease. Colonic gene expression analysis revealed unique expression profiles in chronic colitis compared to acute colitis and after additional recovery, pointing to potential new targets to intervene with the induction of fibrosis. In vivo T2 relaxometry is a promising non-invasive assessment of inflammation and fibrosis