Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

About: Mannheim University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Mannheim, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gene & Mass spectrometry imaging. The organization has 593 authors who have published 779 publications receiving 19248 citations. The organization is also known as: FH Mannheim & Mannheim College.

Moralische Maschinen – Zur ethischen Ununterscheidbarkeit von Mensch und Maschine

Abstract: Je intelligenter und autonomer Maschinen werden, desto dringlicher stellt sich die Frage, ob Maschinen auch moralisch handeln und ob sie selbst Trager moralischer Rechte und Pflichten sein konnen. Mit dem technologischen Fortschritt und neuer Moglichkeiten von Deep Learning, Body Hacking, Neuromorphic Computing und Enhancement verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen Mensch und Maschine immer mehr. Deshalb wird die Beantwortung der Frage, ob es prinzipielle Grunde gibt, die es ausschliesen, dass Maschinen moralische Verantwortung fur ihr Tun und Lassen haben, immer dringlicher. In diesem Beitrag werden verschiedene Vorschlage analysiert. Wir kommen zu dem Schluss, dass es moglich ist, dass hinreichend komplexe kunstliche Systeme in naher oder ferner Zukunft Personen mit moralischen Rechten, Pflichten und moralischer Verantwortung sein konnen.

Improving Surgical Training Phantoms by Hyperrealism: Deep Unpaired Image-to-Image Translation from Real Surgeries.

Abstract: Current ‘dry lab’ surgical phantom simulators are a valuable tool for surgeons which allows them to improve their dexterity and skill with surgical instruments. These phantoms mimic the haptic and shape of organs of interest, but lack a realistic visual appearance. In this work, we present an innovative application in which representations learned from real intraoperative endoscopic sequences are transferred to a surgical phantom scenario. The term hyperrealism is introduced in this field, which we regard as a novel subform of surgical augmented reality for approaches that involve real-time object transfigurations. For related tasks in the computer vision community, unpaired cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have shown excellent results on still RGB images. Though, application of this approach to continuous video frames can result in flickering, which turned out to be especially prominent for this application. Therefore, we propose an extension of cycle-consistent GANs, named tempCycleGAN, to improve temporal consistency. The novel method is evaluated on captures of a silicone phantom for training endoscopic reconstructive mitral valve procedures. Synthesized videos show highly realistic results with regard to (1) replacement of the silicone appearance of the phantom valve by intraoperative tissue texture, while (2) explicitly keeping crucial features in the scene, such as instruments, sutures and prostheses. Compared to the original CycleGAN approach, tempCycleGAN efficiently removes flickering between frames. The overall approach is expected to change the future design of surgical training simulators since the generated sequences clearly demonstrate the feasibility to enable a considerably more realistic training experience for minimally-invasive procedures.

Massenspektrometrie in der Biomedizin- und Pharmaforschung

Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a label-free technology for spatially resolved analysis of multiple compounds of interest in tissue sections. More specifically, MALDI-MSI enables visualization of spatial distributions of proteins, lipids, metabolites and drugs at cellular resolution. This innovative approach is successfully used in life sciences and biomedical/pharmaceutical research, for example as a sensitive tool for identification of sitespecific biomarkers.

Acquisition of practical skills in the protected learning space of a scientific community

Abstract: Digitalization is constantly forcing companies to refine their products, services and business models. To shape this change, companies expect not only knowledge of the technologies from the graduates of the respective study programs, but also comprehensive methodological and social competences. For this purpose, we describe the concept of a project semester in an Enterprise Computing study programme, which imparts the required skills. The task set by a partner in the industry allows the achievement of different goals and integrates the various dimensions. On this basis, we describe the best practices in the areas of project management, knowledge building, administration and dealing with customers and other stakeholders. The description of actually carried out projects shows the application of our concept and allows the reader to transfer the best practices to his own needs. Finally, we point out the advantages for the project participants and outline expansion potential.