Electrical and thermal measurements were conducted during the plasma electrolytic polishing (PEP) of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) materials to characterize energetic aspects of the process in relation to the temporal development of the gaseous layer near the workpiece. The power transferred to the workpiece is determined using a calorimetric probe and employing the time derivative of the temperature curve. It shows distinct heating phases due to the generation of the gaseous layer. At the beginning of the process, a typical power of 367 ± 17 W is transferred to the workpiece of a surface area of 14 cm2. At longer process times, a stabilized gaseous layer limits the power transferred to the workpiece to 183 ± 3 W. In an attempt to describe the heat transferred to the electrolyte, the electrolyte temperature was measured using a thermocouple situated 15 mm away from the workpiece. The local electrolyte temperature increases from 70 to 81 °C for an immersion depth of 20 mm. Moreover, the spatiotemporal development of the electrolyte temperature was obtained by 2D-hydrodynamic modeling using COMSOL Multiphysics®. The modeling results for the local temporal temperature development are in excellent agreement with the experimental values when the turbulent model is applied up to t = 65 s. Afterward, the laminar model leads to a better agreement. Furthermore, line scan x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that aliphatic carbon was preferentially removed. Only a slight compositional gradient in the vertical direction after the PEP process was observed.
The electrical conduction mechanism of resistive switching Prussian white (PW) thin films obtained by the electrodeposition method was examined by AC impedance spectroscopy and DC current–voltage measurements. Using an electrode tip to contact PW grown over Au, robust unipolar resistive switching was observed with a current change of up to three orders of magnitude, high repeatability, and reproducibility. Moreover, electrical impedance spectroscopy showed that the resistive switching comes from small conductive filaments formed by potassium ions before the establishment of larger conductive channels. Both voltammetry and EIS measurements suggest that the electrical properties and conductive filament formation are influenced by defects and ions present in the grain boundaries. Thus, PW is a potential material for the next generation of ReRAM devices.
Prussian blue (PB) layers were electrodeposited for the fabrication of Au/PB/Ag stacks to study the resistive switching effect. The PB layers were characterized by different techniques to prove the homogeneity, composition, and structure. Electrical measurements confirmed the bipolar switching behavior with at least 3 orders of magnitude in current and the effect persisting for the 200 cycles tested. The low resistance state follows the ohmic conduction with an activation energy of 0.2 eV.
Certifying Fully Dynamic Algorithms for Recognition and Hamiltonicity of Threshold and Chain Graphs
(2023)
Solving problems on graphs dynamically calls for algorithms to function under repeated modifications to the graph and to be more efficient than solving the problem for the whole graph from scratch after each modification. Dynamic algorithms have been considered for several graph properties, for example connectivity, shortest paths and graph recognition. In this paper we present fully dynamic algorithms for the recognition of threshold graphs and chain graphs, which are optimal in the sense that the costs per modification are linear in the number of modified edges. Furthermore, our algorithms also consider the addition and deletion of sets of vertices as well as edges. In the negative case, i.e., where the graph is not a threshold graph or chain graph anymore, our algorithms return a certificate of constant size. Additionally, we present optimal fully dynamic algorithms for the Hamiltonian cycle problem and the Hamiltonian path problem on threshold and chain graphs which return a vertex cutset as certificate for the non-existence of such a path or cycle in the negative case.
Abstract:
Background: Proctoring represents a cornerstone in the acquisition of state‐of‐the‐art cardiovascular interventions. Yet, travel restrictions and containment measures during the COVID‐19 pandemic limited on‐site proctoring for training and expert support in interventional cardiology.
Methods and Results: We established a teleproctoring setup for training in a novel patent foramen ovale closure device system (NobleStitch EL, HeartStitch Inc, Fountain Valley, CA) at our institution using web‐based real‐time bidirectional audiovisual communication. A total of 6 patients with prior paradoxical embolic stroke and a right‐to‐left shunt of grade 2 or 3 were treated under remote proctorship after 3 cases were performed successfully under on‐site proctorship. No major device/procedure‐related adverse events occurred, and none of the patients had a residual right‐to‐left shunt of grade 1 or higher after the procedure. Additionally, we sought to provide an overview of current evidence available for teleproctoring in interventional cardiology. Literature review was performed identifying 6 previous reports on teleproctoring for cardiovascular interventions, most of which were related to the current COVID‐19 pandemic. In all reports, teleproctoring was carried out in similar settings with comparable setups; no major adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Teleproctoring may represent a feasible and safe tool for location‐independent and cost‐effective training in a novel patent foramen ovale closure device system. Future prospective trials comparing teleproctoring with traditional on‐site proctoring are warranted.
Liquid deposition modeling is an energy-efficient, additive manufacturing process for pasty materials. Physical material properties were determined for a water-based paste consisting of the binder carboxymethyl cellulose and wood flour. A continuously operating dual screw extruder was developed, which was used to manufacture a table frame with a height of 18 cm.
The intention of the paper is to consider the role of technologies used to overcome the COVID-19’s challenges in higher education. On investigating, it has been found that the digital strategies utilizing innovation technologies help students to adapt to pandemic consequences. This study enlightens the various technologies that assist systems of healthcare and education in diverse aspects to outlive against COVID-19. Furthermore, the technological shift of world economy that happened during the pandemic and its influence in the society is discussed. Besides the considered innovation technologies, this paper also deals with changes that have taken place in education system of Kazakhstan in pandemic circumstances. Alongside our suggested solution for further educational process issues is also presented.
A detailed review of the literature is done on COVID-19, digital technologies in education, blended learning using appropriate keywords on SCOPUS, Springer, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. To get insights some relevant sites and blogs are also taken into account. We have identified technologies used in Kazakhstan that play an important role now.
There have been chosen exploratory and conclusive research design. Fifty-nine students provided qualitative responses; ninety-eight students and graduates participated in quantitative survey. The results of study has shown students’ increased awareness concerning blended learning.
The scientific novelty lies in the description of the experience gained by higher schools during the quarantine. We believe that in the future, blended learning should be used largely. The innovations in the learning process cover two areas. The first is related to software used. It is like creation of a virtual university that facilitates communication between students and teachers. The second area correlates with content, without which any innovation will fail.
Hintergrund/Zielstellung: Aufgrund des gestiegenen Informationsbedürfnisses von Patienten wird für Ärzte ein eigener Webauftritt als Informationsmittler mit dem Ziel der Patientengewinnung und -bindung zunehmend bedeutsam. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde daher die Patientenorientierung der Internetauftritte niedergelassener Fachärzte für Orthopädie und/oder Unfallchirurgie in Sachsen untersucht.
Methode/Stichprobe: Alle Websites der im Arztregister der Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Sachsen gelisteten Fachärzte für Orthopädie und/oder Unfallchirurgie wurden mithilfe einer standardisierten Checkliste analysiert.
Ergebnisse: Von allen untersuchten Fachärzten (n = 349) besaßen 140 (40,1 %) einen eigenen Internetauftritt. In der Arztpraxis durchgeführte diagnostische Methoden und Therapiemaßnahmen wurden auf je ca. 90,0 % der Websites genannt und auf ca. der Hälfte hiervon erklärt. Der Kontrast konnte auf 10 Websites angepasst werden. Eine Meinungsäußerung wurde den Patienten auf 28 Websites ermöglicht. Rechtlich verpflichtende Impressuminhalte wurden auf 45,0 % der Internetauftritte nicht hinreichend beachtet.
Diskussion/Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass die Gestaltung der Internetauftritte sowie deren Informationsgehalt differieren und Verbesserungspotenziale existieren. Ein standardisierter Kriterienkatalog könnte ein einheitliches Qualitätsniveau gewährleisten und von den Ärzten als Handlungsempfehlung genutzt werden.
Emotionale Kompetenzen und psychische Gesundheit: Eine Querschnittstudie in Gesundheitsberufen
(2021)
Hintergrund
Im Jahr 2020 waren 5,7 Mio. Menschen in Gesundheits- und Pflegeberufen tätig. Der Kontakt mit anderen Menschen ist in diesen Berufen Teil des Arbeitsauftrags und der Mensch ist der Arbeitsgegenstand.
Ziel der Arbeit
Das Ziel der Arbeit ist die Untersuchung der Auswirkung von psychischer Belastung (Arbeitsintensität, Spielräume), emotionaler Erschöpfung und emotionalen Kompetenzen (Regulation) auf das psychische Wohlbefinden bei Beschäftigten in Gesundheitsberufen.
Material und Methoden
Die Erhebung der Querschnittstudie von 624 Beschäftigten aus der Altenpflege und dem Rettungsdienst (72,5 % weiblich) erfolgte im Rahmen zweier Projekte zur betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung. Zum Einsatz kamen standardisierte validierte Verfahren, welche mittels Korrelationsanalysen sowie einer hierarchischen Regressionsanalyse zur Vorhersage des psychischen Wohlbefindens ausgewertet wurden.
Ergebnisse
Hohe Arbeitsintensität, hohe Spielräume, hohe emotionale Erschöpfung und eine hohe emotionale Kompetenz (Regulation) tragen zur Aufklärung des psychischen Wohlbefindens bei (R2 = 33 %).
Schlussfolgerung
Anhand der Ergebnisse wird deutlich, dass neben dem Erleben von Arbeit und Gesundheit auch emotionale Kompetenzen einen Einfluss auf die psychische Gesundheit bei Beschäftigten in Gesundheitsberufen haben. Damit leistet die Studie einen wichtigen Beitrag für die Entwicklung von Maßnahmen des betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements in diesen Berufsgruppen.
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between contextual work-related factors in terms of job demands (workload-WL) and job resources (work flexibility-WF), work-life conflict (WLC) and the burnout dimension emotional exhaustion (EE) in a large population-based sample. Building on the job demands resources model (JDRM), we have developed the hypothesis that WL has an indirect effect on EE that is mediated by WLC. We conducted a secondary analysis using data from the Dresden Burnout Study (DBS, N = 4246, mean age (SD) = 42.7 years (10.5); 36.4% male). Results from structural equation modelling revealed that EE is positively associated with WL (β = 0.15, p = 0.001) and negatively associated with WF (β = -0.13, p = 0.001), also after accounting for potential confounding variables (demography, depressive symptoms, and lifetime diagnosis of burnout). Both effects are mediated by WLC (β = 0.18; p = 0.001 and β = 0.08; p = 0.001, respectively) highlighting the important role of WLC in employee health. In summary, WF may help to reduce burnout symptoms in employees, whereas WL may increase them. Study results suggest that both associations depend on WLC levels.
The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of different disinfection protocols in a novel Enterococcus faecalis biofilm model based on a visualization method and to evaluate the potential alteration of dentinal surface. A total of 120 extracted human premolars were allocated to 6 groups with different irrigation protocols. The assessment of the effectiveness of each protocol and the alteration of dentinal surface were visualized by using SEM and fluorescence microscopy (DAPI). A dense E. faecalis biofilm with a penetration depth of 289 μm (medial part of the root canal) and 93 μm (apical part) validated that the biofilm model had been successfully implemented. A significant difference between the 3% NaOCl groups and all the other groups in both observed parts of the root canal (p < 0.05) was detected. However, the SEM analysis revealed that the dentinal surface in the 3% NaOCl groups was severely altered. The established biofilm model and the visualization method based on DAPI are appropriate for bacterial quantification and evaluation of the depth effect of different disinfection protocols in the root canal system. The combination of 3% NaOCl with 20% EDTA or MTAD with PUI allows the decontamination of deeper dentine zones within the root canal but simultaneously alters the dentinal surface.
Hintergrund: Der überwiegende Teil der Patienten in Deutschland verstirbt entgegen ihres Wunsches nicht zu Hause. Eine Entscheidungshilfe für das notfallmedizinische Team kann nachfolgende Klinikeinweisungen von Patienten am Lebensende vermeiden.
Material und Methoden: Die Entscheidungshilfe Notarzt wurde im Rahmen des G-BA-Projektes AVENUE-Pal basierend auf einem Expertenkonsens mittels qualitativer und quantitativer Befragungen entwickelt. Sie stellt einen Teilaspekt des Gesamtprojektes dar.
Ergebnisse: Die EH Notarzt definiert 7 Ziele, die durch die Dimensionen „Information“, „Beratung“, „Unterstützung“, „Schulung“, „Anleitung“, „Übung“, „Kooperation“ und „Dokumentation“ erreicht werden sollen. Die EH Notarzt stellt eine Möglichkeit der Optimierung der notfallmedizinischen Behandlung von Patienten am Lebensende dar.
Diskussion: Die EH Notarzt ist eine Entwicklung zur Verbesserung der präklinischen Versorgung von Patienten am Lebensende und zur Vermeidung von Klinikeinweisungen am Lebensende. Derzeit ist die EH Notarzt ein theoretisches Hilfsmittel, welches in die praktische Anwendung überführt werden und weiterhin an die Notwendigkeiten der täglichen Patientenversorgung angepasst werden muss.
Sieg/Maschmann, Unternehmensumstrukturierung – Arbeitsrecht, Datenschutz, Due Diligence, 3. Aufl.
(2022)
Der General
(2022)
Context
VR as an application to enhance well-being is sparsely researched in the elderly population. The aim of the pilot study was to analyze the effect of 360° videos of different categories on the state of mind of seniors in nursing facilities. Furthermore, for the implementation in everyday life, the usability of the system and the experience for seniors should be evaluated.
Methods
The VR experience was used as a supplement to existing care services in three facilities on eight subjects. Mood state was assessed using the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Happiness before and after the intervention. Demographic data and technology acceptance were collected beforehand. After the intervention, subjects were interviewed about confounding factors and side effects, and nursing home staff were interviewed about the usability of the system and the organizational concept of implementation.
Results
There was a positive effect on state of mind. Gender and spatial mobility turned out to be influencing factors. Categories containing people, animals and action achieved the highest increases in the state of mind. Interest in using technical devices correlated negatively with the change in mood state. None of the subjects found the VR goggles distracting or reported motion sickness. Very good usability was indicated by the employees.
Conclusion
A very high willingness to use this technology was found among nursing staff and residents. The tendencies of the positive effect of 360° videos on the state of mind, as well as differentiation based on the mentioned characteristics gender and spatial mobility, should be verified by a larger sample to empirically validate the use of this technology to increase the quality of life.
Abstract: This article reconstructs the path of the German economist Friedrich A. Lutz (1901–75) to American economics. The correspondence with his former teacher Walter Eucken, the founder of the Freiburg school, constitutes a crucial yet unexplored source for the article. Through Lutz's case, this article demonstrates the growing gulf between German and Anglo-Saxon economics during the late 1930s. In his native Germany, Lutz was trained in methodologically and institutionally focused economics, which differed fundamentally from the mathematical economics dominating Anglo-Saxon academia. He realized that an academic career in the United States would be impossible if he did not adapt to the new methods and if he did not abandon the methods of the German tradition. This gave rise to his internal Methodenstreit. After his emigration in 1938, he constantly experienced doubts and tensions because he was convinced that without considering institutions, mathematical economics could never explain the occurrence and essence of macroeconomic phenomena. Despite his stellar career at Princeton, it was only after his move to Zurich in 1953, where he taught history and theory of socioeconomics for the rest of his life, that Lutz could reconcile this internal Methodenstreit.
Effect of acoustic excitation on fiber-reinforced polypropylene and the influence on melt viscosity
(2021)
The paper describes a novel technological approach to influencing the rheological properties of thermoplastic materials exposed to acoustic energy. The flow behavior of polypropylene with different mass percentages of glass fibers is investigated in a parallel plate rheometer under high-frequency longitudinal excitation. The influence of oscillation frequency on the melt viscosity is explained by means of shear thinning criteria. The dependence of the oscillation shape using sinusoidal excitation on shear thinning as a function of different fiber reinforcement percentages is also investigated. A phenomenological view describes the mutually influencing parameters with regard to different material compositions and different excitation frequencies over the time course of the rheometric measurement. Interacting relationships are analyzed and discussed and the potential of the actuator system to influence the plastic melt is worked out. Based on this, a technological approach follows which describes the transfer of an oscillating mold surface to plastics processing methods, which, especially in the case of energy-intensive injection molding technology, leads to the expectation of possible resource efficiency in energy and material.
Abstract: Die Automobilindustrie befindet sich seit Jahren im Ausnahmezustand, da der Wechsel von einer Einheitsantriebsart hin zu einem Mix an Antriebsarten parallel zu globalen Krisen bewältigt werden muss. Der vorliegende Beitrag liefert dazu beispielhafte Betrachtungen zur indikativen Bewertung der gegensätzlichen Produktionsstrategien Mix- oder sortenreiner Produktion von Fahrzeugen mit alternativen und konventionellen Antrieben. Die Erkenntnisse können genutzt werden, um Modelle zur Wahl der richtigen Produktionsstrategien abzuleiten.
Abstract: Die Automobilproduktion steht aktuell vor der Herausforderung, einen sich weiter diversifizierenden Antriebsmix effizient zu produzieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag erläutert die grundsätzlichen Einflüsse alternativer Antriebsarten auf die Fahrzeugproduktion, welche mithilfe umfangreicher Experteninterviews ermittelt wurden. Diese Erkenntnisse können genutzt werden, um langfristig die richtigen Produktionsstrategien für die Gestaltung effizienter Produktionsnetzwerke abzuleiten.
The research was carried out for the selection of optimal options for the heat supply of multi-apartment buildings, taking as an example several new buildings in Yerevan. The purpose of the study is to confirm the choice of the best method of providing heat in apartment complexes. It was used to calculate and analyze the energy-economic and operational-technical indicators of individual heating boilers, small centralized systems, and hybrid systems to solve this problem. The calculations considered both natural gas tariffs and fluctuations in the value of the Armenian dram against the US dollar. The value of 1 kWh of thermal energy or specific heat capacity has been determined as an important criterion for choosing the most efficient method of heat supply, considering the careful analysis of almost all variable factors.
The science of ergonomics studies the conditions and effects of human labour in order to obtain rules for assessment and design. As working life changes, the general working conditions also change dynamically. The causes of such change processes are changes in working and lifestyle, human-technology-interaction, working time, as well as the demands on flexibility, mobility, decision-making skills and self-organization. The consequences of this development are a constant increase in the complexity of work-related requirements. The burdens associated with work can no longer be considered in a situational and detached way, as in many classical methods of work analysis, but should be taken into account in their holistic effect of mutual relations.
This article theoretically and empirically deals first with the question of whether the use of wearables provides support and assistance for the analysis of working conditions. Second it asks whether the application of wearables is a way to investigate complex stress conditions more effectively and whether it might supplement, substitute or further develop established and esteemed methods of work system analysis.