Showing papers by "University of Applied Sciences, Mainz published in 2008"

Towards 3D Spatial Data Infrastructures (3D-SDI) based on open standards — experiences, results and future issues

Abstract: The creation of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) has been an important and actively studied topic in geoscience research for years. It is also regarded in politics and by decision makers as leveraging technology for reducing thr time and cost of geo services for internal usage as well as for public information services. In Europe, the new INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe) directive 2007/2/EC provides general rules for implementating national spatial data infrastructures for environmental policies. SDIs must rely on open standards specified by the Open Geospatial Consortium (CSW, WMS, WFS, WCS, WPS, OpenLS, etc.)

Additivity of national accounts reconsidered

Abstract: It is well known that the use of chained indices in economic accounting systems leads to volume figures (deflated nominal values) that are inherently non-additive. This inconvenience for users is caused by a mathematical impossibility result. Recognizing this state of affairs, in this article a deflation method will be developed that uses chained indices of a certain functional form but leads to volume figures that exhibit additivity and can be nicely interpreted.

Towards Participatory Design and Evaluation of Theremin-based Musical Interfaces

Abstract: Being one of the earliest electronic instruments the basic principles of the Theremin have often been used to design new musical interfaces. We present the structured design and evaluation of a set of 3D interfaces for a virtual Theremin, the VRemin. The variants differ in the size of the interaction space, the interface complexity, and the applied IO devices. We conducted a formal evaluation based on the well-known AttrakDiff questionnaire for evaluating the hedonic and pragmatic quality of interactive products. The presented work is a first approach towards a participatory design process for musical interfaces that includes user evaluation at early design phases.

Bedeutung der Materiallogistik im Schnittstellenmanagement der Operationsabteilungen

Abstract: Die Einfuhrung eines pauschalierten Entgeltsystems fuhrte zu einer massiven Erhohung des Kostendrucks auf die Kliniken. Dadurch wurde der Fokus bei dem Versuch der Prozessoptimierung insbesondere auf die kostenintensiven Bereiche, und damit auf die Operationsabteilungen, gelenkt. Die Arbeit in den Operationsabteilungen zeichnet sich durch eine zwingende Verzahnung der Tatigkeiten einer Vielzahl von Berufsgruppen sowie der Verfugbarkeit unterschiedlicher Materialien aus. Die Moglichkeit der Optimierung des Personaleinsatzes wurde bereits in zahlreichen Publikationen dargestellt, in denen die Bedeutung eines OP-Managements herausgearbeitet wurde. Bisher wurde die Bedeutung der Materiallogistik in diesem Kontext noch selten beschrieben. Zur plangerechten Durchfuhrung einer Operation bedarf es nicht nur der Prasenz des benotigten Personals, sondern auch der zeitgerechten Verfugbarkeit des benotigten Materials. In diesem Kontext kommt der Sterilgutversorgung eine zentrale Rolle zu, da die OP-Instrumente im Rahmen der Medizinprodukte an den meisten Kliniken die kritische Ressource darstellen. Um eine Koordination der OP-Tatigkeit mit dem Produktionsablauf der Sterilgutversorgungsabteilung herzustellen, ist die organisatorische Anbindung an das OP-Management nahe liegend. An einer deutschen Universitatsklinik wurde daher die Sterilgutversorgungsabteilung in das OP-Management der Klinik fur Anasthesiologie integriert. Hierdurch konnte einerseits eine enge Abstimmung in den Arbeitsprozessen und zugleich durch die direkte Interaktion mit dem OP eine deutliche Einsparung in den Produktionskosten der Sterilguter erreicht werden. Die Sterilgutversorgung kann somit sinnvoll in ein OP-Management integriert werden und stellt ein interessantes neues Geschaftsfeld der OP-Organisation dar.

Additivity of Deflated Input–Output Tables in National Accounts

Abstract: Input–output tables deflated by chained prices indices are not additive over product rows. This paper discusses the reasons and suggests a remedy. The new method proposed is based on a distinction, in concept, between ‘real value’, on the one hand, and variation in ‘volume’, on the other. The first corrects for the monetary variation of the unit of account resulting from inflation, while the latter isolates the variation of one product price relative to the other products, caused by the forces of supply and demand on each individual commodity market. An example of the resulting growth analysis is compiled for the Dutch economy between years 1990 and 2000.

Risk assessment methodology for longitudinal business microdata

Abstract: The paper introduces several matching approaches for simulating data attacks and thereby rating the degree of confidentiality associated with some confidential longitudinal business microdata file. From the data intruder’s perspective, the advantages and disadvantages for each of these approaches are discussed. Moreover, we analyse the possibility to combine these approaches in order to determine a global measure for the re-identification risk for some confidential microdata file. Finally, the real re-identification risk is estimated taking the example of German federal business microdata.

Geographical analysis of hierarchical business structures by interactive drill down

Abstract: This paper deals with the geographical analysis and visualization of network marketing. The aim of the study was to develop interactive visual methods, which help to answer questions related to the analysis of network marketing structures. Those questions were the basis for the research and development performed. The challenges tackled in the paper result from data analysis, which includes a combination of structural data and their geographical position. An approach utilizing interactive drill down was developed. The resulting prototype summarizes the findings and allows the validation of the results.

Use of Local Surface Curvature Estimation for Adaptive Vision System Based on Active Light Projection

Abstract: In this paper, we present a new 3D reconstruction approach based on local surface curvature analysis. Its integration can make a normal active stereoscopic system intelligent, and capable to produce directly optimized 3D model. The iterative 3D reconstruction process begins with a sparse and regular point pattern. Based on the reconstructed 3D point cloud, the local surface curvature around each 3D point is estimated. Those 3D points located in flat areas are removed from the 3D model, and a new pattern is created to project more points onto the object where there is high surface curvature. The 3D model is thus refined progressively during the acquisition process, and finally an optimized 3D model is obtained. Our numerous experiments showed that compared to the 3D models generated by commercial system, the loss of morphological quality is negligible, and the gain by the simplification of the model is considerable.

Sandwich-Dachbauteile für Flachdächer

Abstract: Bei den zur Zeit verwendeten Sandwich-Dachbauteilen ist die ausere Deckschicht prinzipiell immer trapezprofiliert, da die Bauteil-Langsfugen durch Uberlappung der auseren Deckbleche gut realisierbar sind und durch die Eigenbiegesteifigkeit der profilierten Deckbleche eine Durchbiegungszunahme infolge Kriechverformungen der Kernschichten weitgehend verhindert wird – auch bei langzeitiger Belastung aus Schnee und Eigengewicht. Insbesondere bei Flachdachern von Industriegebauden ergeben sich jedoch durch die profilierten Deckbleche einige Nachteile, z. B. bei der Abdichtung von Dachdurchbruchen. Auserdem muss wegen der Regenwasserfuhrung stets eine Verlegung vom First zur Traufe vorgesehen werden, was immer eine Unterkonstruktion mit Pfetten erfordert. Im Rahmen eines Forschungsvorhabens wurden deshalb Sandwich-Dachbauteile mit ebenen Deckschichten entwickelt, bei denen Dachdurchbruche einfach abgedichtet werden konnen und eine Verlegung quer zur Dachneigung – von Binder zu Binder (ohne Pfetten) – moglich ist. Dabei wurden alle erforderlichen Untersuchungen zum Kriechverhalten, zur Abdichtung der Bauteilfugen und zu speziellen Befestigungen durchgefuhrt und praxisgerechte Losungen vorgeschlagen. Sandwich panels for roof covering. Sandwich panels for roof covering, which are currently used, are in principle always equipped with a trapezoidal profiled face. It is because of this geometry that the longitudinal joints of the panels are easy made by overlapping the external metal faces. The bending stiffness of these profiled faces also largely avoid the increasing in deflection caused by creep effects of the core as a result of long-time loading from snow and self weight. In particular for flat roofs of industrial buildings there are some disadvantages caused by the profiling of the outer faces, e. g. the sealing of openings in the roof. Furthermore the mounting of the profiled panels always have to be realized in the direction of apex to cullis because of the rain water flow conditions. This requirement premises a substructure with purlins. In the described research project sandwich panels with flat faces were developed, where penetrations can be sealed in an easy way and mounting of the panels perpendicular to the roof pitch, from frame to frame (without purlins) is possible. All necessary research was conducted, in particular with regards to creeping effects, sealing of the panel joint and special fixings. On the base of the obtained research results, practice oriented solutions are proposed.