University of Applied Sciences, Mainz

About: University of Applied Sciences, Mainz is a education organization based out in Mainz, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Point cloud & Ontology (information science). The organization has 171 authors who have published 299 publications receiving 3725 citations.

A new approach to edge-preserving smoothing for edge extraction and image segmentation

Abstract: This paper introduces a new approach to edge-preserving smoothing of digital images. It is designed for an effective elimination of the image noise within digital images what is an essential step in applications like edge detection or image segmentation. The approach presented here tries to overcome some of the disadvantages of existing smoothing filters and is conceived as an extension of the edge-preserving Maximum Homogeneity Neighbour Filter. The algorithm cleans up the image noise in the homogeneous areas, but preserves all image structures like edges or corners. It is shown that the new filter algorithm combines the advantageous features of different types of filters. The algorithm is not only applicable to grayscale images, but can be extended to multi-channel data, like color images too. The performance of the algorithm is achieved by a more complex and differentiating treatment of the image data compared to conventional concepts.

Efficient, profitable and safe banking: an oxymoron? Evidence from a panel VAR approach

Abstract: Efficiency is considered a key factor when evaluating a bank's performance Moreover, efficiency enhancement is an explicit policy objective in the Single Market Directive of the European Commission But efficiency improvements may come at the expense of deteriorating bank profits and excessive risk-taking Both the quantitative effects and dynamic reactions of performance in response to efficiency improvements remain often unclear on both theoretical and empirical grounds We analyze the dynamic relations between efficiency and performance in the German banking market To this end we use panel data for all German banks for the years from 1993 to 2004 and estimate impulse response functions (IRF) derived from a vector autoregressive model The IRF estimate the response of a shock in efficiency on profits or default probabilities The former is estimated with stochastic frontier analysis, the latter is estimated with a hazard rate model The results indicate that a positive unit shift in efficiency reduces the probability of default and increases profits On the one hand, we find evidence that the long-run impact of profit efficiency on risk is larger than for cost efficiency However, cost efficiency impacts with a shorter time lag on the probability of default On the other hand, cost efficiency has on average a slightly larger impact on profits than profit efficiency

Individual competences for sustainable purchasing and supply management (SPSM): A literature and practice perspective

Abstract: Implementing sustainability into global supply networks remains a challenge for companies. Purchasing and supply management (PSM) interacts closely with supply network actors, thus influencing how the firm’s value creation is delivered. While previous sustainable PSM (SPSM) research has shed light on how to manage sustainability on an organizational level, the individual competences PSM professionals require are less understood. The paper aims to discuss this issue.,The authors conducted a systematic literature review to determine the current research coverage of specific competences and knowledge required to implement sustainability. The authors complemented this with data from 46 interviews with practitioners. From coding the data with NVivo, a first comprehensive competence overview for SPSM was developed.,The literature review results, complemented with interview data, highlight that functional-oriented, cognition-oriented, social-oriented and meta-oriented competences form part of a comprehensive SPSM competence model. We propose a framework that includes these, and integrates two behavioral moderators on the organizational level, i.e. situational enabling, as well as empowerment and obligation.,While the proposed framework provides a basic first systematization of SPSM competences, further research is needed to extend it. There is ample opportunity to shed further light on both individual and organizational-level factors that influence the application of SPSM competences, and therefore SPSM behavior.,The results have implications for higher education and professional training programs in companies. The framework provides an overview of competences needed for SPSM. The discussion highlights the need to apply education and training methods for different types of competences that are suitable for conveying implicit knowledge apart from explicit knowledge.,Adressing a current research gap in sustainability-related competences in PSM, the overall framework highlights SPSM competences of interest to both scholars and managers alike.

Integration of high-resolution spatial and spectral data acquisition systems to provide complementary datasets for cultural heritage applications

Abstract: Modern optical measuring systems are able to record objects with high spatial and spectral precision. The acquisition of spatial data is possible with resolutions of a few hundredths of a millimeter using active projection-based camera systems, while spectral data can be obtained using filter-based multispectral camera systems that can capture surface spectral reflectance with high spatial resolution. We present a methodology for combining data from these two discrete optical measuring systems by registering their individual measurements into a common geometrical frame. Furthermore, the potential for its application as a tool for the non-invasive monitoring of paintings and polychromy is evaluated. The integration of time-referenced spatial and spectral datasets is beneficial to record and monitor cultural heritage. This enables the type and extent of surface and colorimetric change to be precisely characterized and quantified over time. Together, these could facilitate the study of deterioration mechanisms or the efficacy of conservation treatments by measuring the rate, type, and amount of change over time. An interdisciplinary team of imaging scientists and art scholars was assembled to undertake a trial program of repeated data acquisitions of several valuable historic surfaces of cultural heritage objects. The preliminary results are presented and discussed.