When translocation dynamics becomes anomalous

Recent single molecule experiments probing the passage process of a short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) through a membrane channel (translocation) allow to measure the passage time distribution. Building on a recent modelling approach (D. K. Lubensky and D. R. Nelson, Biophys. J. 77, 1824 (1999)), which has been demonstrated to be valid for chains of up to $\simeq 300$ nucleotides and therefore well applies to the system we have in mind, we discuss the consequences if the associated dynamics is not of Markov origin, but if strong memory effects prevail during the translocation. Motivation is drawn from recent results indicating that the distribution of translocation times is broader than predicted by simple Markovian models based on Brownian motion.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, RevTeX4, submitted to Biophys.

Outcome Analysis of the Use of Cerament® in Patients with Chronic Osteomyelitis and Corticomedullary Defects

Background: Chronic osteomyelitis (OM) is a progressive but mostly low-grade infection of the bones. The management of this disease is highly challenging for physicians. Despite systematic treatment approaches, recurrence rates are high. Further, functional and patient-reported outcome data are lacking, especially after osseous defects are filled with bioresorbable antibiotic carriers. Objective: To assess functional and patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) following the administration of Cerament (R) G or V due to corticomedullary defects in chronic OM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from 2015 to 2020, including all patients who received Cerament (R) for the aforementioned reason. Patients were diagnosed and treated in accordance with globally valid recommendations, and corticomedullary defects were filled with Cerament (R) G or V, depending on the expected germ spectrum. Patients were systematically followed up, and outcome measures were collected during outpatient clinic visits. Results: Twenty patients with Cierny and Mader type III OM were included in this study and followed up for 20.2 +/- 17.2 months (95%CI 12.1-28.3). Ten of these patients needed at least one revision (2.0 +/- 1.3 revisions per patient (95%CI 1.1-2.9) during the study period due to OM persistence or local wound complications. There were no statistically significant differences in functional scores or PROMs between groups. Conclusion: The use of Cerament (R) G and V in chronic OM patients with corticomedullary defects appears to have good functional outcomes and satisfactory PROMs. However, the observed rate of local wound complications and the OM persistence rate may be higher when compared to previously published data

POST-PANDEMIC FLIGHT: ESTABLISHING THE MISSION OF THE AIRCRAFT CABIN OF THE FUTURE FROM THE PASSENGER’S POINT OF VIEW

As this paper is written, the world has been struck with a global pandemic, difficult to contain and very easy to spread. The most effective countermeasure so far is social distancing, to ensure no aerosols are exchanged. This poses a vast challenge in small, enclosed spaces, like an aircraft cabin. Unfortunately, such a countermeasure has had a great impact on the airlines and their business all over the globe. As the pandemic is not subsiding and scientists are predicting that similar situations will emerge more often in the future, it is highly necessary to take a look at the current state of the air travel and what it will have to offer to the passengers of the future. In the scope of InDiCaD (Innovative Digital Cabin Design), an internal project at German Aerospace Center (DLR), research has been done on the impact of the Covid-19 on the willingness of the passengers to fly under the given circumstances. The results of the research are threefold; firstly, a scenario where Covid-19 has left no traces, then a scenario where the consequences are enormous and the last one where the passengers are still willing to travel, albeit with an extra set of demands concerning health. These scenarios were used as a base to form mission definition for the cabin of the future as well as the fictive persona’s, depicting the passengers of the future. Through a series of workshops, there requirements have been used as foundation for building the morphological chart, consisting of partial design solutions. In this paper, the method of gathering and analysing the data will be shown as well as the resulting mission definition. The forth flowing list of requirements for designing an innovative cabin from a passenger’s point of view, able to cope with these unpreceded circumstances, will also be presented. The results of the workshop series will be shown, as well as an example of possible design outcome. To wrap up, an outlook into the future work during the project will be depicted, including the in-depth research as well as conceptual design solutions for the posed challenges

Urban Mobility: Airtaxi Cabin from a Passengers Point of View

Within German Aerospace Center (DLR), a project called HorizonUAM was launched in July 2020. Its main goal is to develop and design an aerial vehicle which would support the infrastructure of the ever-growing cities. The vehicle will be designed for the four different scenarios: airport shuttle, intracity transport, intercity transport and suburban connection. This paper shows the research concerning the potential users of the vehicle including their requirements and shows a possible design solution for an airtaxi cabin. The process has followed the Design Thinking Method, ensuring a central role for the users. To determine whether there are potential passengers willing to use such a vehicle, in-depth research has been done. Data found in previously done research has been compared with results of the in-house research, consisting of a number of workshops with representatives of German population as well as results form questionnaires sent out to a different group of German population. Based on this data, different fictive personas are created, to aid in understanding of the user’s needs. In addition, trend analysis on how the urban mobility is developing, has also been executed. The state-of-the-art solutions available are analyzed and their strengths and weaknesses determined. The entire research has resulted in an extensive list of requirements for the design of the cabin. To address such a complex design challenge, a morphological chart has been created, systematically deconstructing the main function into subfunctions. This has been done by multiple workshops with a constant team. This paper will show how the different scenarios influence the cabin design and will establish whether it is possible to serve multiple scenarios with a single cabin, from a passenger’s point of view. In addition, it will demonstrate the level of acceptance among alleged passengers and their vision on how a cabin of such a vehicle should look like and what it should focus on. Furthermore, it will display how the results of previously committed research are translated into first ideas, sketched as well as 2D as 3D

Permanently updated 3D‑model of actual geometries of research environments

This report describes the approach to create permanently updated 3D models of research aircraft and laboratory facilities. Therefore, optical metrology scans the research environment in its raw or as-delivered condition. The result is a virtual model of the actual geometry and, in comparison to reference data (e.g. CAD-data), the smallest inaccuracies can be identi- fied and analyzed. The exact position of non-rigid components, like riser ducts, electronics or isolation, can be determined in the models. Further changes to the layout of these facilities are permanently digitized and added to the virtual model of the environment. This can be a new recording of the entire facility or of individual areas that are affected by the changes. The individual, newly recorded models are then integrated into the existing model. This creates an always up-to-date 3D model of the research environment, which is added to its digital twin and can be observed there. In combination with CAD data, future conversion and installation measures are planned in advance and analyzed virtually in relation to the up-to-date geometry and installation space data. In addition, the virtual models of the aircraft cabins can be used to support the lengthy approval and certification process at an early stage

Applying an Interior VR Co-Design Approach for the Medical Deployment Vehicle of the Future

Designing the cabin of future rescue helicopter concepts is characterized by a high level of complexity. Besides the technical and mission-specific requirements of the helicopter system, new cabin designs must particularly meet the individual requirements to provide a high level of functionality and usability for all user groups. In addition, the prototyping, planning and execution of user tests is enormously time-consuming and costly, which increases the complexity of the development process. The implementation of a user-centered design approach in conjunction with an optimized prototyping and feedback process can provide an effective solution in this context. Therefore, this paper aims to present the applied Co-Design process for the design of a novel rescue helicopter cabin using an immersive prototyping and feedback process. As part of this approach, the focus is on conducting and evaluating user workshops with a particular emphasis on medical crew and pilots with experience in air rescue. The first phase of each workshop initially involves exchanging experiences, challenges, and problem scenarios from daily operations through a discussion among participants. The second workshop phase involves brainstorming and idea exchange for a novel concept using a digital concept board and notes. With the help of a moderator, these ideas are then transferred to the virtual reality mockup using the Gravity Sketch tool and reevaluated and optimized by participants in real-time. This approach provides a significant contribution to the development of a future emergency medical deployment vehicle concept for the DLR project Chaser in course of the DLR guiding concept 4 “Rescue Helicopter 2030”. Moreover, the combination between the Co-Design process and the immersive prototyping and optimization approach in virtual reality offers new and effective opportunities for a more efficient and user-centered cabin design. Additionally, this approach can be applied to the design of further and future cabin concepts, making them more tangible and evaluable for end-users

Can Urban Air Mobility become reality? Opportunities, challenges and selected research results

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a new air transportation system for passengers and cargo in urban environments, enabled by new technologies and integrated into multimodal transportation systems. The vision of UAM comprises the mass use in urban and suburban environments, complementing existing transportation systems and contributing to the decarbonization of the transport sector. Initial attempts to create a market for urban air transportation in the last century failed due to lack of profitability and community acceptance. Technological advances in numerous fields over the past few decades have led to a renewed interest in urban air transportation. UAM is expected to benefit users and to also have a positive impact on the economy by creating new markets and employment opportunities for manufacturing and operation of UAM vehicles and the construction of related ground infrastructure. However, there are also concerns about noise, safety and security, privacy and environmental impacts. Therefore, the UAM system needs to be designed carefully to become safe, affordable, accessible, environmentally friendly, economically viable and thus sustainable. This paper provides an overview of selected key research topics related to UAM and how the German Aerospace Center (DLR) contributed to this research in the project "HorizonUAM - Urban Air Mobility Research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)". Selected research results that support the realization of the UAM vision are briefly presented.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, project HorizonUA