Personalized Multi-Scale Modeling of the Atria: Heterogeneities, Fiber Architecture, Hemodialysis and Ablation Therapy

This book targets three fields of computational multi-scale cardiac modeling. First, advanced models of the cellular atrial electrophysiology and fiber orientation are introduced. Second, novel methods to create patient-specific models of the atria are described. Third, applications of personalized models in basic research and clinical practice are presented. The results mark an important step towards the patient-specific model-based atrial fibrillation diagnosis, understanding and treatment

Dielectric Analysis of High Voltage Power Transformers

Dielectric tests have been used for decades for diagnosis of power transformers and bushings. In addition to the traditional tests at line frequency, modern types of dielectric tests using different frequencies and voltages have evolved. The article considers the scope of this principle, explaining the most common test procedures and describing what information can be derived from the measured values

Theories of Valuation - Building Blocks for Conceptualizing Valuation between Practice and Structure

Phenomena of attributing value to objects, practices, and people, and of assessing their value have become a popular subject in sociological research. Classification, among other valuation practices, represents a central topic in these studies. Thus, the sociology of valuation is emerging as a new field that, however, lacks common ground in theorizing about its subject even though preoccupation with valuation has a long-standing history in sociology. Authors such as Durkheim, Simmel, and Dewey have interpreted valuation as more than a specific localizable phenomenon, in that valuation is a constitutive element of the fundament of the social. Discussing classical approaches to valuation and relating them to current sociological work, we identify key concepts within different theoretical approaches that need to be taken into account when theorizing valuation. We suggest five building blocks - valuation practices, value structures, valuation infrastructure, valuation situations, and reflexivity of valuation - theories of valuation need to consider for coming to terms with the multi-faceted empirical studies in the sociology of valuation

Spatial Programming for Industrial Robots through Task Demonstration

We present an intuitive system for the programming of industrial robots using markerless gesture recognition and mobile augmented reality in terms of programming by demonstration. The approach covers gesture-based task definition and adaption by human demonstration, as well as task evaluation through augmented reality. A 3D motion tracking system and a handheld device establish the basis for the presented spatial programming system. In this publication, we present a prototype toward the programming of an assembly sequence consisting of several pick-and-place tasks. A scene reconstruction provides pose estimation of known objects with the help of the 2D camera of the handheld. Therefore, the programmer is able to define the program through natural bare-hand manipulation of these objects with the help of direct visual feedback in the augmented reality application. The program can be adapted by gestures and transmitted subsequently to an arbitrary industrial robot controller using a unified interface. Finally, we discuss an application of the presented spatial programming approach toward robot-based welding tasks

Reihe „Bürger*innenbeteiligung im Teilprojekt Vulnerabilität und Sicherheit in der gerechten Stadt (VERSS)“

Das vorliegende Working Paper ist das erste einer zweiteiligen Working‐Paper‐Reihe zum Thema „Bürger*innenbeteiligung“, die im Rahmen des vom BMBF geförderten Teilprojekts„Vulnerabilität und Sicherheit in der gerechten Stadt“ entstanden sind. Es bespricht die verschiedenen Verfahrensweisen in und Umgänge mit der Beteiligung von Bürger*innen. Zu diesem Zweck bereitet es den so genannten State of the Art auf und bespricht dabei den Aspekt der sozialen Nachhaltigkeit von Bürger*innenbeteiligung. Eine sozialnachhaltige Gestaltung und Planung von Beteiligungsverfahren zielt auf „passgenaue“ und sozialverträgliche Maßnahmen und Entwicklungen, die auf Kooperation, Anerkennung und Transparenz fußen. Welche Schritte gilt es dabei zu bedenken und wie werden Beteiligungsverfahren in der Forschung besprochen? Das vorliegende Working Paper stellt zunächst die Debatte zur Partizipation mit einem Anwendungsschwerpunkt auf Kommunen vor. Im Anschluss diskutieren wir eine Methodologie, die die theoretischen Argumente aufgreift und in die Anwendung durch den VERSS‐Werkzeugkasten mündet

Measuring Land Take: Usability of National Topographic Databases as Input for Land Use Change Analysis; A Case Study from Germany

The implementation of sustainable land policies is in need of monitoring methods that go beyond a mere description of the proportion values of land use classes. The annual statistical surface area report on actual land utilization (German: “Bodenfläche nach Art der tatsächlichen Nutzung”), published by the statistical offices of the German federal states and the federation, provides information on a set of pre-defined land use classes for municipalities, districts and federal states. Due to its surveying method of summing up usage information from cadastral registers, it is not possible to determine previous and subsequent usages of land parcels. Hence, it is hard to precisely indicate to what extent particular land use classes contribute to the settlement area increase. Nevertheless, this information is crucial to the understanding of land use change processes, which is needed for a subsequent identification of driving forces. To overcome this lack of information, a method for the spatial and quantitative determination of previous and subsequent land usages has been developed, implemented and tested. It is based on pre-processed land use data for different time slices, which are derived from authoritative geo-topographical base data. The developed method allows for the identification of land use changes considering small geometric shifts and changes in the underlying data model, which can be adaptively excluded from the balance

Rhodium(iii) complexes containing C4-bound N-heterocyclic carbenes: synthesis, coordination chemistry, and catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation

Direct metalation of C2-protected diimidozolium salts with RhCl₃ or [RhCl(cod)]₂ and KI afforded a series of new rhodium(III) complexes with abnormally C4-bound, cis-chelating NHC ligands. The complexes were isolated as dimetallic species containing two (μ²-I)₃-bridged rhodium(III) centers. In the presence of coordinating ligands such as CH₃CN, PPh₃, or dppe, the dimeric structure is readily cleaved and yields monometallic complexes. Crystallographic analysis of representative structures indicates a higher trans influence of abnormally C4-bound carbenes as compared to normal NHCs. The exceptionally strong donor ability of carbenes in such a C4 coordination mode increases the catalytic activity of the rhodium center and allows for efficient transfer hydrogenation of ketones in iPrOH/KOH

neutrophils are on the payroll

Viral hemorrhagic fever caused by hantaviruses is an emerging infectious disease for which suitable treatments are not available. In order to improve this situation a better understanding of hantaviral pathogenesis is urgently required. Hantaviruses infect endothelial cell layers in vitro without causing any cytopathogenic effect and without increasing permeability. This implies that the mechanisms underlying vascular hyperpermeability in hantavirus- associated disease are more complex and that immune mechanisms play an important role. In this review we highlight the latest developments in hantavirus-induced immunopathogenesis. A possible contribution of neutrophils has been neglected so far. For this reason, we place special emphasis on the pathogenic role of neutrophils in disrupting the endothelial barrier