@article{WeberBorchseniusDistletal., author = {Weber, Felix and Borchsenius, Fredrik and Distl, Johann and Braun, Christian}, title = {Performance of Numerically Optimized Tuned Mass Damper with Inerter (TMDI)}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {12}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {12}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/app12126204}, pages = {1 -- 15}, abstract = {In recent years, the Tuned Mass Damper with inerter (TMDI) has received significant attention. The inerter is defined to exert a force that is in proportion to the relative acceleration of the two inerter terminals. Here, two TMDI topologies are investigated. The conventional topology is given by the inerter being in parallel to the spring and viscous damper of the TMDI. The other topology is the serial arrangement of spring, inerter and viscous damper being in parallel to the stiffness of the mass spring oscillator of the TMDI. While the first topology intends to increase the inertial force of the TMDI, the second topology aims at producing an additional degree of freedom. The considered TMDI concepts are simulated for harmonic and random excitations, with parameters set according to those described in the literature and with numerically optimized parameters which minimize the primary structure displacement response. The classical TMD is used as a benchmark. The findings are twofold. The conventional TMDI with typical inertance ratio of 1\% and the very small value of 0.02\% performs significantly worse than the classical TMD with the same mass ratio. In contrast, the TMDI with an additional degree of freedom can improve the mitigation of the primary structure if the inertance ratio is set very small and if the TMDI parameters are numerically optimized.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BaumannMeyerSickendiek, author = {Baumann, Timo and Meyer-Sickendiek, Burkhard}, title = {Deep Learning meets Post-modern Poetry}, series = {TwinTalks 2020: Understanding and Facilitating Collaboration in Digital Humanities 2020, proceedings of the Twin Talks 2 and 3 workshops at DHN 2020 and DH 2020, Ottawa Canada and Riga Latvia, July 23 and October 20, 2020}, booktitle = {TwinTalks 2020: Understanding and Facilitating Collaboration in Digital Humanities 2020, proceedings of the Twin Talks 2 and 3 workshops at DHN 2020 and DH 2020, Ottawa Canada and Riga Latvia, July 23 and October 20, 2020}, editor = {Krauwer, Steven and Fišer, Darja}, publisher = {RWTH Aachen}, issn = {1613-0073}, pages = {30 -- 36}, abstract = {We summarize our project Rhythmicalizer in which we analyze a corpus of post-modern poetry in a combination of qualitative hermeneutical and computational methods, as we have run the project over the course of the past three years (and preparing it for some time before that). Interdisciplinary work is always challenging and we here focus on some of the highlights of our collaboration.}, language = {en} } @article{BayerstadlerBecquinBinderetal., author = {Bayerstadler, Andreas and Becquin, Guillaume and Binder, Julia and Botter, Thierry and Ehm, Hans and Ehmer, Thomas and Erdmann, Marvin and Gaus, Norbert and Harbach, Philipp and Hess, Maximilian and Klepsch, Johannes and Leib, Martin and Luber, Sebastian and Luckow, Andre and Mansky, Maximilian and Mauerer, Wolfgang and Neukart, Florian and Niedermeier, Christoph and Palackal, Lilly and Pfeiffer, Ruben and Polenz, Carsten and Sepulveda, Johanna and Sievers, Tammo and Standen, Brian and Streif, Michael and Strohm, Thomas and Utschig-Utschig, Clemens and Volz, Daniel and Weiss, Horst and Winter, Fabian}, title = {Industry quantum computing applications}, series = {EPJ Quantum Technology}, volume = {8}, journal = {EPJ Quantum Technology}, publisher = {Springer}, organization = {Springer}, doi = {10.1140/epjqt/s40507-021-00114-x}, pages = {1 -- 17}, abstract = {Quantum computing promises to overcome computational limitations with better and faster solutions for optimization, simulation, and machine learning problems. Europe and Germany are in the process of successfully establishing research and funding programs with the objective to dvance the technology's ecosystem and industrialization, thereby ensuring digital sovereignty, security, and competitiveness. Such an ecosystem comprises hardware/software solution providers, system integrators, and users from research institutions, start-ups, and industry. The vision of the Quantum Technology and Application Consortium (QUTAC) is to establish and advance the quantum computing ecosystem, supporting the ambitious goals of the German government and various research programs. QUTAC is comprised of ten members representing different industries, in particular automotive manufacturing, chemical and pharmaceutical production, insurance, and technology. In this paper, we survey the current state of quantum computing in these sectors as well as the aerospace industry and identify the contributions of QUTAC to the ecosystem. We propose an application-centric approach for the industrialization of the technology based on proven business impact. This paper identifies 24 different use cases. By formalizing high-value use cases into well-described reference problems and benchmarks, we will guide technological progress and eventually commercialization. Our results will be beneficial to all ecosystem participants, including suppliers, system integrators, software developers, users, policymakers, funding program managers, and investors.}, language = {en} } @article{PitFiskFreihautetal., author = {Pit, Sabrina and Fisk, Malcolm and Freihaut, Winona and Akintunde, Fashola and Aloko, Bamidele and Berge, Britta and Burmeister, Anne and Ciac{\^a}ru, Adriana and Deller, J{\"u}rgen and Dulmage, Rae and Han, Tae Hwa and Hao, Qiang and Honeyman, Peter and Huber, Peter C. and Linner, Thomas and Lundberg, Stefan and Nwamara, Mofoluwaso and Punpuing, Kamolpun and Schramm, Jennifer and Yamada, Hajime and Yap, Jason C. H.}, title = {COVID-19 and the ageing workforce: global perspectives on needs and solutions across 15 countries}, series = {International Journal for Equity in Health volume}, volume = {20}, journal = {International Journal for Equity in Health volume}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1186/s12939-021-01552-w}, pages = {1 -- 22}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has a direct impact on the employment of older people. This adds to the challenge of ageism. The World Health Organization has started a worldwide campaign to combat ageism and has called for more research and evidence-based strategies that have the potential to be scaled up. This study specifically aims to identify solutions to combat the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the global ageing workforce. METHODS: We present 15 case studies from different countries and report on what those countries are doing or not doing to address the impact of COVID-19 on ageing workers. RESULTS: We provide examples of how COVID-19 influences older people's ability to work and stay healthy, and offer case studies of what governments, organizations or individuals can do to help ensure older people can obtain, maintain and, potentially, expand their current work. Case studies come from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Across the countries, the impact of COVID-19 on older workers is shown as widening inequalities. A particular challenge has arisen because of a large proportion of older people, often with limited education and working in the informal sector within rural areas, e.g. in Nigeria, Thailand and China. Remedies to the particular disadvantage experienced by older workers in the context of COVID are presented. These range from funding support to encouraging business continuity, innovative product and service developments, community action, new business models and localized, national and international actions. The case studies can be seen as frequently fitting within strategies that have been proven to work in reducing ageism within the workplace. They include policy and laws that have increased benefits to workers during lockdowns (most countries); educational activities such as coaching seniorpreneurship (e,g, Australia); intergenerational contact interventions such as younger Thai people who moved back to rural areas and sharing their digital knowledge with older people and where older people reciprocate by teaching the younger people farming knowledge. CONCLUSION: Global sharing of this knowledge among international, national and local governments and organizations, businesses, policy makers and health and human resources experts will further understanding of the issues that are faced by older workers. This will facilitate the replication or scalability of solutions as called for in the WHO call to combat ageism in 2021. We suggest that policy makers, business owners, researchers and international organisations build on the case studies by investing in evidence-based strategies to create inclusive workplaces. Such action will thus help to challenge ageism, reduce inequity, improve business continuity and add to the quality of life of older workers.}, language = {en} } @article{GoeppelFrikelHaltmeier, author = {G{\"o}ppel, Simon and Frikel, J{\"u}rgen and Haltmeier, Markus}, title = {Feature Reconstruction from Incomplete Tomographic Data without Detour}, series = {Mathematics}, volume = {10}, journal = {Mathematics}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/math10081318}, abstract = {In this paper, we consider the problem of feature reconstruction from incomplete X-ray CT data. Such incomplete data problems occur when the number of measured X-rays is restricted either due to limit radiation exposure or due to practical constraints, making the detection of certain rays challenging. Since image reconstruction from incomplete data is a severely ill-posed (unstable) problem, the reconstructed images may suffer from characteristic artefacts or missing features, thus significantly complicating subsequent image processing tasks (e.g., edge detection or segmentation). In this paper, we introduce a framework for the robust reconstruction of convolutional image features directly from CT data without the need of computing a reconstructed image first. Within our framework, we use non-linear variational regularization methods that can be adapted to a variety of feature reconstruction tasks and to several limited data situations. The proposed variational regularization method minimizes an energy functional being the sum of a feature dependent datafitting term and an additional penalty accounting for specific properties of the features. In our numerical experiments, we consider instances of edge reconstructions from angular under-sampled data and show that our approach is able to reliably reconstruct feature maps in this case.}, language = {en} } @article{ChristBrechtMauereretal., author = {Christ, Andreas and Brecht, Benjamin and Mauerer, Wolfgang and Silberhorn, Christine}, title = {Theory of quantum frequency conversion and type-II parametric down-conversion in the high-gain regime}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {15}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, number = {5}, publisher = {IOP}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/15/5/053038}, abstract = {Frequency conversion (FC) and type-II parametric down-conversion (PDC) processes serve as basic building blocks for the implementation of quantum optical experiments: type-II PDC enables the efficient creation of quantum states such as photon-number states and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR)-states. FC gives rise to technologies enabling efficient atom-photon coupling, ultrafast pulse gates and enhanced detection schemes. However, despite their widespread deployment, their theoretical treatment remains challenging. Especially the multi-photon components in the high-gain regime as well as the explicit time-dependence of the involved Hamiltonians hamper an efficient theoretical description of these nonlinear optical processes. In this paper, we investigate these effects and put forward two models that enable a full description of FC and type-II PDC in the high-gain regime. We present a rigorous numerical model relying on the solution of coupled integro-differential equations that covers the complete dynamics of the process. As an alternative, we develop a simplified model that, at the expense of neglecting time-ordering effects, enables an analytical solution. While the simplified model approximates the correct solution with high fidelity in a broad parameter range, sufficient for many experimental situations, such as FC with low efficiency, entangled photon-pair generation and the heralding of single photons from type-II PDC, our investigations reveal that the rigorous model predicts a decreased performance for FC processes in quantum pulse gate applications and an enhanced EPR-state generation rate during type-II PDC, when EPR squeezing values above 12 dB are considered.}, language = {en} } @article{RohdeMauererSilberhorn, author = {Rohde, Peter P. and Mauerer, Wolfgang and Silberhorn, Christine}, title = {Spectral structure and decompositions of optical states, and their applications}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {9}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/9/4/091}, pages = {91}, abstract = {We discuss the spectral structure and decomposition of multi-photon states. Ordinarily 'multi-photon states' and 'Fock states' are regarded as synonymous. However, when the spectral degrees of freedom are included this is not the case, and the class of 'multi-photon' states is much broader than the class of 'Fock' states. We discuss the criteria for a state to be considered a Fock state. We then address the decomposition of general multi-photon states into bases of orthogonal eigenmodes, building on existing multi-mode theory, and introduce an occupation number representation that provides an elegant description of such states. This representation allows us to work in bases imposed by experimental constraints, simplifying calculations in many situations. Finally we apply this technique to several example situations, which are highly relevant for state of the art experiments. These include Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, spectral filtering, finite bandwidth photo-detection, homodyne detection and the conditional preparation of Schr{\"o}dinger kitten and Fock states. Our techniques allow for very simple descriptions of each of these examples.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RamsauerKiszkaMauerer, author = {Ramsauer, Ralf and Kiszka, Jan and Mauerer, Wolfgang}, title = {A Novel Software Architecture for Mixed Criticality Systems}, series = {Digital Transformation in Semiconductor Manufacturing: Proceedings of the 1st and 2nd European Advances in Digital Transformation Conference, EADTC 2018, Zittau, Germany and EADTC 2019, Milan, Italy}, booktitle = {Digital Transformation in Semiconductor Manufacturing: Proceedings of the 1st and 2nd European Advances in Digital Transformation Conference, EADTC 2018, Zittau, Germany and EADTC 2019, Milan, Italy}, editor = {Keil, Sophia and Lasch, Rainer and Lindner, Fabian and Lohmer, Jacob}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing}, address = {Cham}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-48602-0_11}, pages = {121 -- 128}, abstract = {The advent of multi-core CPUs in nearly all embedded markets has prompted an architectural trend towards combining safety critical and uncritical software on single hardware units. We present a novel architecture for mixed criticality systems based on Linux that allows us to consolidate critical and uncritical parts onto a single hardware unit. CPU virtualisation extensions enable strict and static partitioning of hardware by direct assignment of resources, which allows us to boot additional operating systems or bare metal applications running aside Linux. The hypervisor Jailhouse is at the core of the architecture and ensures that the resulting domains may serve workloads of different criticality and can not interfere in an unintended way. This retains Linux's feature-richness in uncritical parts, while frugal safety and real-time critical applications execute in isolated domains. Architectural simplicity is a central aspect of our approach and a precondition for reliable implementability and successful certification. While standard virtualisation extensions provided by current hardware seem to suffice for a straight forward implementation of our approach, there are a number of further limitations that need to be worked around. This paper discusses the arising issues, and evaluates the suitability of our approach for real-world safety and real-time critical scenarios.}, language = {en} } @article{FrazzicaPalombaDawoud, author = {Frazzica, Andrea and Palomba, Valeria and Dawoud, Belal}, title = {Thermodynamic Performance of Adsorption Working Pairs for Low-Temperature Waste Heat Upgrading in Industrial Applications}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/app11083389}, abstract = {The present work aims at the thermodynamic analysis of different working pairs in adsorption heat transformers (AdHT) for low-temperature waste heat upgrade in industrial processes. Two different AdHT configurations have been simulated, namely with and without heat recovery between the adsorbent beds. Ten working pairs, employing different adsorbent materials and four different refrigerants, have been compared at varying working boundary conditions. The effects of heat recovery and the presence of a temperature gradient for heat transfer between sinks/sources and the AdHT components have been analyzed. The achieved results demonstrate the possibility of increasing the overall performance when internal heat recovery is implemented. They also highlight the relevant role played by the existing temperature gradient between heat transfer fluids and components, that strongly affect the real operating cycle of the AdHT and thus its expected performance. Both extremely low, i.e., 40-50 degrees C, and low (i.e., 80 degrees C) waste heat source temperatures were investigated at variable ambient temperatures, evaluating the achievable COP and specific energy. The main results demonstrate that optimal performance can be achieved when 40-50 K of temperature difference between waste heat source and ambient temperature are guaranteed. Furthermore, composite sorbents demonstrated to be the most promising adsorbent materials for this application, given their high sorption capacity compared to pure adsorbents, which is reflected in much higher achievable specific energy.}, language = {en} } @article{WalterSchwanzerHagenetal., author = {Walter, Stefanie and Schwanzer, Peter and Hagen, Gunter and Haft, Gerhard and Rabl, Hans-Peter and Dietrich, Markus and Moos, Ralf}, title = {Modelling the Influence of Different Soot Types on the Radio-Frequency-Based Load Detection of Gasoline Particulate Filters}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {20}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {9}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/s20092659}, pages = {1 -- 19}, abstract = {Gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) are an appropriate means to meet today's emission standards. As for diesel applications, GPFs can be monitored via differential pressure sensors or using a radio-frequency approach (RF sensor). Due to largely differing soot properties and engine operating modes of gasoline compared to diesel engines (e.g., the possibility of incomplete regenerations), the behavior of both sensor systems must be investigated in detail. For this purpose, extensive measurements on engine test benches are usually required. To simplify the sensor development, a simulation model was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics((R)) that not only allowed for calculating the loading and regeneration process of GPFs under different engine operating conditions but also determined the impact on both sensor systems. To simulate the regeneration behavior of gasoline soot accurately, an oxidation model was developed. To identify the influence of different engine operating points on the sensor behavior, various samples generated at an engine test bench were examined regarding their kinetic parameters using thermogravimetric analysis. Thus, this compared the accuracy of soot mass determination using the RF sensor with the differential pressure method. By simulating a typical driving condition with incomplete regenerations, the effects of the soot kinetics on sensor accuracy was demonstrated exemplarily. Thereby, the RF sensor showed an overall smaller mass determination error, as well as a lower dependence on the soot kinetics.}, language = {en} } @article{WunderlichHauslerMaerkletal., author = {Wunderlich, Lukas and Hausler, Peter and Maerkl, Susanne and Bierl, Rudolf and Hirsch, Thomas}, title = {Nanoparticle Determination in Water by LED-Excited Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging}, series = {Chemosensors}, volume = {9}, journal = {Chemosensors}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2227-9040}, doi = {10.3390/chemosensors9070175}, pages = {1 -- 9}, abstract = {The increasing popularity of nanoparticles in many applications has led to the fact that these persistent materials pollute our environment and threaten our health. An online sensor system for monitoring the presence of nanoparticles in fresh water would be highly desired. We propose a label-free sensor based on SPR imaging. The sensitivity was enhanced by a factor of about 100 by improving the detector by using a high-resolution camera. This revealed that the light source also needed to be improved by using LED excitation instead of a laser light source. As a receptor, different self-assembled monolayers have been screened. It can be seen that the nanoparticle receptor interaction is of a complex nature. The best system when taking sensitivity as well as reversibility into account is given by a dodecanethiol monolayer on the gold sensor surface. Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, 29 nm in diameter and with a similar refractive index to the most common silica nanoparticles were detected in water down to 1.5 mu g mL(-1). The sensor can be fully regenerated within one hour without the need for any washing buffer. This sensing concept is expected to be easily adapted for the detection of nanoparticles of different size, shape, and composition, and upon miniaturization, suitable for long-term applications to monitor the quality of water.}, language = {en} } @article{TreutweinLoeschelHippetal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and Hipp, Matthias and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Secondary malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer after intensity-modulated radiotherapy with and without flattening filter}, series = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, volume = {21}, journal = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/acm2.13088}, pages = {197 -- 205}, abstract = {Men treated for localized prostate cancer by radiotherapy have often a remaining life span of 10 yr or more. Therefore, the risk for secondary malignancies should be taken into account. Plans for ten patients were evaluated which had been performed on an Oncentra (R) treatment planning system for a treatment with an Elekta Synergy (TM) linac with Agility (TM) head. The investigated techniques involved IMRT and VMTA with and without flattening filter. Different dose response models were applied for secondary carcinoma and sarcoma risk in the treated region and also in the periphery. As organs at risk we regarded for carcinoma risk urinary bladder, rectum, colon, esophagus, thyroid, and for sarcoma risk bone and soft tissue. The excess absolute risk (EAR) was found very similar in the treated region for both techniques (IMRT and VMAT) and also for both with and without flattening filter. The secondary sarcoma risk resulted about one magnitude smaller than the secondary carcinoma risk. The EAR to the peripheral organs was statistically significant reduced by application of the flattening filter free mode concerning the flattening filter as main source of scattered dose. Application of flattening filter free mode can thus support to reduce second malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{TerbrackClausHerrmann, author = {Terbrack, Hajo and Claus, Thorsten and Herrmann, Frank}, title = {Energy-Oriented Production Planning in Industry}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {13}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {23}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/su132313317}, pages = {1 -- 32}, abstract = {Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in production planning has received increased attention in the last years, resulting in a large number of research articles so far. With the paper at hand, we review the literature on energy-oriented production planning. The aim of this study is to derive similar core issues and related properties along energy-oriented models within hierarchical production planning. For this, we carry out a systematic literature review and analyze and synthesize 375 research articles. We classify the underlying literature with a novel two-dimensional classification scheme and identify three key topics and five frequently found characteristics, which are presented in detail throughout this article. Based on these results, we state several potentials for further research.}, language = {en} } @article{BenderFahriogluYamaciTaneri, author = {Bender, Guzide and Fahrioglu Yamaci, Rezan and Taneri, Bahar}, title = {CRISPR and KRAS: a match yet to be made}, series = {Journal of biomedical science}, volume = {28}, journal = {Journal of biomedical science}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1186/s12929-021-00772-0}, pages = {1 -- 25}, abstract = {CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems are one of the most fascinating tools of the current era in molecular biotechnology. With the ease that they provide in genome editing, CRISPR systems generate broad opportunities for targeting mutations. Specifically in recent years, disease-causing mutations targeted by the CRISPR systems have been of main research interest; particularly for those diseases where there is no current cure, including cancer. KRAS mutations remain untargetable in cancer. Mutations in this oncogene are main drivers in common cancers, including lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, which are severe causes of public health burden and mortality worldwide, with no cure at hand. CRISPR systems provide an opportunity for targeting cancer causing mutations. In this review, we highlight the work published on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS mutations directly, as well as CRISPR applications targeting mutations in KRAS-related molecules. In specific, we focus on lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. To date, the limited literature on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS, reflect promising results. Namely, direct targeting of mutant KRAS variants using various CRISPR systems resulted in significant decrease in cell viability and proliferation in vitro, as well as tumor growth inhibition in vivo. In addition, the effect of mutant KRAS knockdown, via CRISPR, has been observed to exert regulatory effects on the downstream molecules including PI3K, ERK, Akt, Stat3, and c-myc. Molecules in the KRAS pathway have been subjected to CRISPR applications more often than KRAS itself. The aim of using CRISPR systems in these studies was mainly to analyze the therapeutic potential of possible downstream and upstream effectors of KRAS, as well as to discover further potential molecules. Although there have been molecules identified to have such potential in treatment of KRAS-driven cancers, a substantial amount of effort is still needed to establish treatment strategies based on these discoveries. We conclude that, at this point in time, despite being such a powerful directed genome editing tool, CRISPR remains to be underutilized for targeting KRAS mutations in cancer. Efforts channelled in this direction, might pave the way in solving the long-standing challenge of targeting the KRAS mutations in cancers.}, language = {en} } @article{TreutweinStegerLoescheletal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and Steger, Felix and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {The influence of radiotherapy techniques on the plan quality and on the risk of secondary tumors in patients with pituitary adenoma}, series = {BMC cancer}, volume = {20}, journal = {BMC cancer}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-020-6535-y}, pages = {1 -- 13}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: This planning study compares different radiotherapy techniques for patients with pituitary adenoma, including flatness filter free mode (FFF), concerning plan quality and secondary malignancies for potentially young patients. The flatness filter has been described as main source of photon scatter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients with pituitary adenoma were included. An Elekta Synergy™ linac was used in the treatment planning system Oncentra® and for the measurements. 3D plans, IMRT, and VMAT plans and non-coplanar varieties were considered. The plan quality was evaluated regarding homogeneity, conformity, delivery time and dose to the organs at risk. The secondary malignancy risk was calculated from dose volume data and from measured dose to the periphery using different models for carcinoma and sarcoma risk. RESULTS: The homogeneity and conformity were nearly unchanged with and without flattening filter, neither was the delivery time found substantively different. VMAT plans were more homogenous, conformal and faster in delivery than IMRT plans. The secondary cancer risk was reduced with FFF both in the treated region and in the periphery. VMAT plans resulted in a higher secondary brain cancer risk than IMRT plans, but the risk for secondary peripheral cancer was reduced. Secondary sarcoma risk plays a minor role. No advantage was found for non-coplanar techniques. The FFF delivery times were not shortened due to additional monitor units needed and technical limitations. The risk for secondary brain cancer seems to depend on the irradiated volume. Secondary sarcoma risk is much smaller than carcinoma risk in accordance to the results of the atomic bomb survivors. The reduction of the peripheral dose and resulting secondary malignancy risk for FFF is statistically significant. However, it is negligible in comparison to the risk in the treated region. CONCLUSION: Treatments with FFF can reduce secondary malignancy risk while retaining similar quality as with flattening filter and should be preferred. VMAT plans show the best plan quality combined with lowest peripheral secondary malignancy risk, but highest level of second brain cancer risk. Taking this into account VMAT FFF seems the most advantageous technique for the treatment of pituitary adenomas with the given equipment.}, language = {en} } @article{GrabitzFriedmannGeppetal., author = {Grabitz, Peter and Friedmann, Zoe and Gepp, Sophie and Hess, Leonard U. and Specht, Lisa and Struck, Maja and Tragert, Sophie Kira and Walther, Tobias and Klemperer, David}, title = {Quantity and quality of conflict of interest policies at German medical schools}, series = {BMJ open}, volume = {10}, journal = {BMJ open}, number = {9}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group}, doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039782}, pages = {1 -- 8}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To assess the quantity and evaluate the quality of policies and curricula focusing on conflicts of interests (COI) at medical schools across Germany. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, survey of medical schools, standardised web search. SETTING: Medical schools, Germany. PARTICIPANTS: 38 German medical schools. - INTERVENTIONS: We collected relevant COI policies, including teaching activities, by conducting a search of the websites of all 38 German medical schools using standardised keywords for COI policies and teaching. Further, we surveyed all medical schools' dean's offices. Finally, we adapted a scoring system for results we obtained with 13 categories based on prior similar studies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Presence or absence of COI-related policies, including teaching activities at medical school. The secondary outcome was the achieved score on a scale from 0 to 26, with high scores representing restrictive policies and sufficient teaching activities. RESULTS: We identified relevant policies for one medical school via the web search. The response rate of the deans' survey was 16 of 38 (42.1\%). In total, we identified COI-related policies for 2 of 38 (5.3\%) German medical schools, yet no policy was sufficient to address all COI-related categories that were assessed in this study. The maximum score achieved was 12 of 26. 36 (94.7\%) schools scored 0. No medical school reported curricular teaching on COI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a low level of action by medical schools to protect students from undue commercial influence. No participating dean was aware of any curriculum or instruction on COI at the respective school and only two schools had policies in place. The German Medical Students Association and international counterparts have called for a stronger focus on COI in the classroom. We conclude that for German medical schools, there is still a long way to go.}, language = {en} } @article{FeldRochGaboretal., author = {Feld, Sebastian and Roch, Christoph and Gabor, Thomas and Seidel, Christian and Neukart, Florian and Galter, Isabella and Mauerer, Wolfgang and Linnhoff-Popien, Claudia}, title = {A Hybrid Solution Method for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem Using a Quantum Annealer}, series = {Frontiers in ICT}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in ICT}, publisher = {Frontiers}, doi = {10.3389/fict.2019.00013}, pages = {1 -- 13}, abstract = {he Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) is an NP-optimization problem (NPO) that has been of great interest for decades for both, science and industry. The CVRP is a variant of the vehicle routing problem characterized by capacity constrained vehicles. The aim is to plan tours for vehicles to supply a given number of customers as efficiently as possible. The problem is the combinatorial explosion of possible solutions, which increases superexponentially with the number of customers. Classical solutions provide good approximations to the globally optimal solution. D-Wave's quantum annealer is a machine designed to solve optimization problems. This machine uses quantum effects to speed up computation time compared to classic computers. The problem on solving the CVRP on the quantum annealer is the particular formulation of the optimization problem. For this, it has to be mapped onto a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem. Complex optimization problems such as the CVRP can be translated to smaller subproblems and thus enable a sequential solution of the partitioned problem. This work presents a quantum-classic hybrid solution method for the CVRP. It clarifies whether the implementation of such a method pays off in comparison to existing classical solution methods regarding computation time and solution quality. Several approaches to solving the CVRP are elaborated, the arising problems are discussed, and the results are evaluated in terms of solution quality and computation time.}, language = {en} } @article{DrechslerKieslMeinfelderetal., author = {Drechsler, J{\"o}rg and Kiesl, Hans and Meinfelder, Florian and Raghunathan, Trivellore E. and Rubin, Donald B. and Schenker, Nathaniel and Zell, Elizabeth R.}, title = {In Memory of Professor Susanne R{\"a}ssler}, series = {Journal of Official Statistics}, volume = {35}, journal = {Journal of Official Statistics}, number = {1}, publisher = {de Gruyter}, doi = {10.2478/jos-2019-0013}, pages = {285 -- 286}, language = {en} } @article{Rill2017, author = {Rill, Georg}, title = {Reducing the cornering resistance by torque vectoring (X International Conference on Structural Dynamics, EURODYN 2017)}, series = {Procedia Engineering}, volume = {199}, journal = {Procedia Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.proeng.2017.09.393}, pages = {3284 -- 3289}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Usually, torque vectoring is used to reduce a significant understeer behavior at high speed cornering. Thus, providing larger vehicles with a sportive touch. Even on typical front wheel driven cars torque vectoring control is available now. Torque vectoring is nearly a standard on electric driven vehicles. Complex control and optimization strategies are applied to improve the maneuverability in particular or to enhance the driving behavior and reduce the energy consumption in addition. This paper shows, that a quite simple strategy will enhance the maneuverability and simultaneously reduce the cornering resistance in sharp bends. At first, a case study with a fully non-linear and three-dimensional vehicle model is performed. It turned out that a full drive torque shift to the outer wheels improves the maneuverability and reduces the cornering resistance in addition. This results are verified by an optimization performed with a simpler four-wheeled handling model. Here, the front steering angles and the driving torques at each of the four wheels are considered as free parameters. Minimizing the cornering resistance by taking the equations of motion for the four-wheeled handling model as constraints will deliver an optimal set of parameters then.}, language = {en} } @article{MaierKnottMaerzetal., author = {Maier, Johannes and Knott, Bernadette and M{\"a}rz, Manuel and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) radiation therapy of right sided breast cancer with and without flattening filter - A treatment planning study}, series = {Radiation oncology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Radiation oncology}, publisher = {BMC, Part of Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1186/s13014-016-0687-6}, abstract = {Background: The aim of the study was to compare the two irradiation modes with (FF) and without flattening filter (FFF) for three different treatment techniques for simultaneous integrated boost radiation therapy of patients with right sided breast cancer. Methods: An Elekta Synergy linac with Agility collimating device is used to simulate the treatment of 10 patients. Six plans were generated in Monaco 5.0 for each patient treating the whole breast and a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) volume: intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and a tangential arc VMAT (tVMAT), each with and without flattening filter. Plan quality was assessed considering target coverage, sparing of the contralateral breast, the lungs, the heart and the normal tissue. All plans were verified by a 2D-ionisation-chamber-array and delivery times were measured and compared. The Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Significantly best target coverage and homogeneity was achieved using VMAT FFF with V95\% = (98.7 +/- 0.8) \% and HI = (8.2 +/- 0.9) \% for the SIB and V95\% = (98.3 +/- 0.7) \% for the PTV, whereas tVMAT showed significantly lowest doses to the contralateral organs at risk with a D-mean of (0.7 +/- 0.1) Gy for the contralateral lung, (1.0 +/- 0.2) Gy for the contralateral breast and (1.4 +/- 0.2) Gy for the heart. All plans passed the gamma evaluation with a mean passing rate of (99.2 +/- 0.8) \%. Delivery times were significantly reduced for VMAT and tVMAT but increased for IMRT, when FFF was used. Lowest delivery times were observed for tVMAT FFF with (1:20 +/- 0:07) min. Conclusion: Balancing target coverage, OAR sparing and delivery time, VMAT FFF and tVMAT FFF are considered the preferable of the investigated treatment options in simultaneous integrated boost irradiation of right sided breast cancer for the combination of an Elekta Synergy linac with Agility and the treatment planning system Monaco 5.0.}, language = {en} }