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The article deals with the challenges for art libraries in the digital age. It is pointed out that art libraries are increasingly emancipating themselves from traditional book collections and will play an important role in the storage, findability, and consumption of digital art. It is also emphasized that art libraries are located in different places and therefore need to provide different workspaces and settings for curators, students, and researchers. The article also discusses the impact of open access and open science in art history, as well as the need for a differentiated examination of digitization in art libraries. It is noted that art libraries are evolving into hybrid learning environments and should intensify collaboration with museums. [Extracted from the article]

Up to now, there is no equivalent to the smart city concept for rural areas. Such a concept can draw on the findings and experiences from the urban context, but must adequately take into account the characteristics and structures of rural areas. This is where the enrolment of a concept for smart countryside in this paper starts as an action-oriented framework. Through an integrative consideration of current trends and tendencies, normative debates about equality and justice as well as possibilities in various fields of action, it includes development options that become possible through digitalisation and 'smart' implementation. Their realisation should be strongly demanddriven. The concept includes also governance processes and knowledgemanagement, and the application of co-design approaches. Development potentials of digitalisation are seen beyond simple technology orientation. The concept of digitalisation presented here can contribute to a more comprehensive transformation of rural areas towards sustainability. It formulates a joint design mandate for politics, society and science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses digital neighbourhood communication in rural areas and its effects on local communal life. Therefore, survey data as well as guided interviews of residents in Metelen, county Steinfurt (Germany), are analysed. The results indicate that using digital neighbourhood platforms in rural communities intensifies contacts and further strengthens the feeling of social participation.However, digital neighbourhood contacts do not facilitate relationships concerning analogous material exchange, such as lending items. Furthermore, the analysis of the qualitative interviews shows that digital neighbourhood communication is used in the organisation of community life, presents local activities, and simplifies the organisation of local customs. All in all, those digital structures are mainly used for information purposes. Consequently, digital neighbourhood relations must be regarded when developing and organising future public services, although a functional usage is required to achieve a successful outcome. As digital contact emerges from analogous contact, occasions and infrastructure to actually ensure direct contact are inevitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper questions the transformational potential of teaching with digital technologies in elementary school by ethnographically examining the use of telepresence robots – which promise new forms of teaching ‚being there‘ – in terms of how it is carried out: How is teaching performatively processed with students who have a physical presence in the classroom even though they are at home? With the hardware „avatars“ a networked showing is observed, on the basis of which practices are analysed as a distributed network event (whose entanglements have been expanded by digitalisation). At the same time, and in contrast, it becomes visible how an increasingly incompatible instructional order is produced, which, for example, endeavors to demonstratively assign performance attributions and associated agency to single individuals. In the process, the accompanying practices experience an actualisation of meaning in contact with the digital, for example, when the teacher‘s tasks or questions seem to be more about demonstrating knowledge and this is instead used as a vehicle for situationally demonstrative practice or exemplification of the functional order of instruction under more difficult conditions: The contrast between the new and the old is used to emphasise the contours of the traditional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The e-prescription was introduced in Austria in 2022 and digitizes the prescription process in the healthcare system. The introduction of the e-prescription poses special challenges and risks, which are examined in the article from various perspectives. The e-prescription replaces the previous paper prescription and is intended to increase efficiency and improve data quality. The prescription process is carried out electronically from the prescription to the billing, with the relevant information being stored in the administrative system. The e-prescription can be redeemed using an e-card or QR code, and reimbursement is done exclusively electronically. The e-prescription enables the electronic prescribing of medications in Austria. The pharmacy electronically records the data and forwards it to the social insurance companies on a daily basis. However, there are certain areas where the e-prescription cannot be used, such as for long-term anesthetics. The system currently only applies to medications reimbursed by the social insurance companies. Data protection plays an important role in the digitization of the healthcare system, and appropriate technical and organizational measures must be taken to ensure an adequate level of protection. A risk analysis shows that the electronic prescription (e-prescription) provides effective security measures against dangers such as unauthorized access or forgery. As part of the Health Telematics Act, a closed network has been established to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of personal data. The e-prescription is considered more forgery-proof than the traditional paper prescription and can only be redeemed once. To prevent abuse, information about the patient and the issuer must be included, and the prescription must be electronically signed. Although there were initially difficulties, around 1.2 million e-prescriptions have already been issued and the system is largely implemented. The e-prescription is an important step towards digital health management, but further modernizations are still required. The Vienna Medical Chamber provides information on the topic of e-prescriptions on its website. There is also an FAQ document that answers questions about the e-prescription. There is excitement about the new e-prescription, as reported on orf.at. The electronic health record ELGA also provides information on digitization in healthcare. [Extracted from the article]

Free‐form reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and composite components: Calculation of cross‐section values A resource‐efficient use of concrete as a construction material can be achieved by adapting the individual shape of a component under consideration to the stresses that occur and by arranging composite construction materials (e. g. reinforcing steel, prestressing steel or structural steel) in suitable areas of the component. Due to the advancing digitalisation in the construction industry, for example in the context of Building Information Modeling, computer‐aided 3D modelling methods are increasingly being used in the planning of structures. These allow engineers to design components in free form. In reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and composite construction, the design of such components is currently still associated with great effort. In the context of the development of a practical method for the calculation of free‐form concrete components, this paper presents a CAD‐integrated method for the calculation of cross‐section values. Cross‐section values are required as an essential calculation basis when real, three‐dimensional structural components are treated using simplified calculation theories, such as the beam theory. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical fundamentals of a method for the calculation of cross‐section values of free‐form concrete, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and compound components are presented. The calculation method is based on flat geometric regions described by Non‐uniform rational B‐Spline tensor product surfaces, which can be extracted from solid models, for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Simulation training is indispensable in emergency medicine, especially for enhancing patient safety. Methods and technologies used include a wide spectrum ranging from simple skill trainers to complex full-scale simulated environments integrating standardized patient actors. Limitations include the simulation of dynamic changes of clinical symptoms, the depiction of emotions and patient movements as well as complex environments, such as lively traffic. Extended reality (XR) holds the potential to overcome these limitations. Methods/aims: Starting with the technological basis and the didactic considerations in the field of XR, the paper reflects the potentials and limitations of this new technology in the domain of medical simulation training. Further focus is put on the integration of XR into existing training curricula. Results: The XR covers various technologies, ranging from PC-based applications that are similar to conventional computer games, over virtual realities enabling spatially freely navigable 3‑dimensional simulation (using closed 3D glasses: head mounted displays, HMD), to mixed-reality applications that combine virtual elements and real physical objects; however, technology alone does not stimulate learning. As with other simulation methods, it is crucial with XR to implement learning objectives, methods and technologies in a suitable teaching-learning arrangement and to familiarize teachers and students with the new technology. Evidence in the literature with respect to learning success is limited by the heterogeneity of technologies, target groups, teaching-learning arrangements and learning outcomes. Overall, significant increases can be shown for the intrinsic motivation of learners, and for high emotional participation (measured as perceived presence in the virtual environment). Discussion: Technological developments and the increasing use of digital media in emergency medical education and training favor the leap from XR-based pure demonstration projects to educational practice. Decisive for the educational success are the clear orientation towards concrete learning goals and a thorough familiarization with the new technology. Conclusion: Simulation training based on XR expands the spectrum of existing simulation methods to integrate new dimensions of learning objectives. Further research on the effectiveness of this method is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older people are marginalized in different ways. Examples include social exclusion and stereotypes such as “the lonely and technologically incompetent elderly”. But in the digital age, opportunities for digital empowerment exist alongside marginalization problems: Innovative technical research and development projects are exploring whether and how robots and avatars can help promote social connectedness and inclusion among older people. One of such initiatives is the CO-HUMANICS project. This paper presents the results of an interview study with women and men over 60 years of age. Older people showed heterogeneous attitudes towards robotic-assisted and avatar-assisted interpersonal communication as it will be enabled by the technology developed in the CO-HUMANICS project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperation between the Saxon State and University Library Dresden (SLUB Dresden) and the Subject of Economics, Engineering and Housekeeping/Social Affairs (EEH/S) at the Technische Universität Dresden is especially highlighted in projects with the SLUB Makerspace. In a real learning space, both partners intensively benefit from each other's technical equipment and the expert knowledge of the associates, especially in technical areas such as plastics engineering and wood technology. Links in the cooperation between the SLUB Makerspace and EEH/S are based on comparable theory and methodology. This text features the progression of both Units as producers of knowledge out of real learning spaces into a space inside virtuality. The focal point of this paper is the presentation of results from a project concerning the creation of immersive 360° learning resources usable for academic and proto-vocational education. The project is a facile example for knowledge transfer from the physical to the digital realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the state of research on the topic of media and age in Switzerland. The results of the literature analysis show that only very few studies with data from Switzerland are available on this research topic. These analysis focus theoretically and empirically on the digital age divide, namely on the still comparatively low use of information and communication technologies by older people. A shared finding from these studies is the observation that, on the one hand, the digital access and use divides have largely been overcome, but that considerable skill divides continue to exist between the generations. The paper complements the descriptive analysis with normative recommendations on how the digital age divide could be reduced. Finally, further research needs are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital learning and self-assessment tools have gained importance in medical education over the last years and are pushing back print media more and more. They enable flexible learning that is aligned with current state exams and the latest scientific findings. Embedded videos, interactive graphics and practice questions offer a more diverse learning experience than using books alone. While the commercial learning tools cover the state examinations' content well, they often lack what is additionally taught in different faculties. At the same time, the dominance of a few providers is tied to rising costs for students or to provide campus licenses. Faculties may thus offer literature and learning platforms of less variety, and an intensive and broad examination of subjects and problems is made more difficult. The promotion and nationwide availability of locally initiated non-commercial learning and examination tools can counteract this development. Electronic learning platforms enable efficient exam preparation with the presentation of exam questions. Paper-based preparatory exams have already been almost completely replaced by their electronic counterparts. Digital exams offer decisive advantages over paper-based exams, for example with the embedding of video sequences and increased feasibility of sequential questions, and should become standard not only in exam preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online platform for the management of digital visual data for the condition monitoring of protective coatings on marine steel structures The paper presents an online platform for the annotation and management of visual digital data, which allows for the condition monitoring and maintenance modelling of protective coatings of marine steel structures by means of digital image data only. A 10‐step procedure is introduced which includes the data acquisition, transfer of the data into the online platform, the annotation and management of the data by means of special tools and methods, and the modelling for condition monitoring and maintenance purposes. Some special applications of the platform are exemplary illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current considerations on the design of effective teaching in higher education frequently revolve around the choice of a suitable format, i.e., how and to what extent teaching should (also) continue to take place in the digital realm. This paper is based on a systematic literature review of N = 44 meta-analyses (publication period 2011--2022) on the learning-related effectiveness of the teaching formats online teaching, blended learning (including flipped classroom) in comparison with traditional face-to-face teaching. The results provide an evidence-based foundation for recommendations on the use of the formats in higher education teaching. Predominantly small positive effects of the teaching formats on cognitive learning outcomes, practical skills, and student assessments are found. Rarely, medium effects are reported, with blended learning formats showing a slight advantage over online and traditional face-to-face teaching. The magnitude of effect sizes also depends on the inclusion criteria of the meta-analyses. Furthermore, the moderator analyses indicate that additional variance is explained in particular by design features that can be modified by teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the last decade, several reports and policies published by the Chinese government have highlighted the need to integrate elderly people into ongoing digitization processes. Against this backdrop my paper sheds light on how digitization in China’s aging society is discussed in scholarly discourse and in media practice. In a first step, I will show that researching the relationship between media and age is a comparatively young tradition in China. Next, I will sketch both progress and obstacles in the structural construction of learning opportunities for the elderly. Finally, I will outline the main focal points of the national scholarly debate before outlining research gaps, special educational needs, and needs for action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning is generally recognised as the practice of spatial organisation. Planning instruments, such as land-use plans and zoning plans, are used to structure development, to reduce building densities and to densify. While planning instruments themselves and their interpretation, practical use and implementation have been widely studied, in contrast technical implementation and its active role in planning processes have remained mostly unexplored. This paper addresses this research gap by considering the ways in which common techniques - primarily graphical CAD programmes - operate in planning processes. The basic assumption here is that CAD programmes not only make planning possible, but also play a significant role in shaping it, since digital technology is used to inscribe and stabilise spatial organisation in plans. Prominent concepts from Science and Technology Studies are used to demonstrate how CAD programmes give urban complexity a new material form - that of the plan. They contribute significantly to a core area of planning and thus to the specific ordering of our built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]