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Key message Genomic relationship matrices based on mid-parent and family bulk genotypes represent cost-efficient alternatives to full genomic prediction approaches with individually genotyped early generation selection candidates. Abstract The routine usage of genomic selection for improving line varieties has gained an increasing popularity in recent years. Harnessing the benefits of this approach can, however, be too costly for many small-scale breeding programs, as in most genomic breeding strategies several hundred or even thousands of lines have to be genotyped each year. The aim of this study was thus to compare a full genomic prediction strategy using individually genotyped selection candidates with genomic predictions based on genotypes obtained from pooled DNA of progeny families as well as genotypes inferred from crossing parents. A population of 722 wheat lines representing 63 families tested in more than 100 multi-environment trials during 2010–2019 was for this purpose employed to conduct an empirical study, which was supplemented by a simulation with genotypic data from further 3855 lines. A similar or higher prediction ability was achieved for grain yield, protein yield, and the protein content when using mid-parent or family bulk genotypes in comparison with pedigree selection in the empirical across family prediction scenario. The difference of these methods with a full genomic prediction strategy became furthermore marginal if pre-existing phenotypic data of the selection candidates was already available. Similar observations were made in the simulation, where the usage of individually genotyped lines or family bulks was generally preferable with smaller family sizes. The proposed methods can thus be regarded as alternatives to full genomic or pedigree selection strategies, especially when pedigree information is limited like in the exchange of germplasm between breeding programs.

Climate change and global regulations for CO2 emission reduction are nowadays the drivers for the megatrend to E-mobility. Initiated with the hybridization of the power train the industry arrived today at the battery driven electric vehicle. Here one of the most important sub-assemblies is the E-axle, which consists of an electric machine and a reduction gearbox. Market requirements like rising power density, energy efficiency, maintenance free operation and cost efficiency require adequate technical solutions on component level. Especially the rolling bearing is subjected to high demanding operating conditions. High dynamics, poor lubrication, elevated temperature levels, risk of current leakage and others more need to be considered and call for a customized bearing design. For bearing dimensioning and development work on component level an SKF proprietary simulation software toolkit is available. By that it is possible to model the entire E-axle, to analyze the bearing reactions and to optimize the bearing components in terms of service life and efficiency. The simulation of cage deformation at high rotor speed is crucial to develop a high-speed cage design. The potential risk of electrical continuity which damages balls and raceways and reduce grease life, is another issue which asks for a technical solution. With the focus on bearing technology an E-axle and its specific operating conditions will be described, simulation tools and calculation results presented and the current SKF bearing portfolio for E-mobility applications introduced.

Motivated by legislative and environmental restrictions, cost efficient lightweight design for automotive applications is becoming more and more important. While designing the automotive body completely out of CFRP is too expensive for series production, multi-material hybrid structures represent a good compromise between cost and weight reduction.

The current trend of mass customization pushes conventional production techniques to their limits. In the case of forming technology, limitations in terms of adaptability and flexibility emerge, while additive manufacturing lacks in the manufacturing of large, geometrically simple components. Combining both processes has potential to use the strengths of each process and thus realize time and cost efficient mass customization. As the interactions between the processes have not been fully investigated yet, in this work a distinct modelling approach in LS-DYNA is used to examine the influence of the additively manufactured elements on the formability. Namely, varying geometric properties and number of pins created with additive manufacturing are in the focus of this research. The used material is the alloy Ti-6Al-4V, which requires processing at elevated temperatures due to its low formability at room temperature. The results show a clear influence of the additively manufactured elements on the formability.

Purpose and hypothesis The main purpose of the study is to put focus on the costs related to treating posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries and the possible implications of chosen treatment strategy to the respective institutions and society. Methods Costs of treating PCL injuries nonoperatively and for both single-bundle (SB) and double-bundle (DB) reconstruction were estimated. These costs were translated into equivalent quality-adjusted life years (QALY) given a threshold value of Euro (€) 70,000 per QALY. Expected gain in knee osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) quality of life (QoL) following surgery based on KOOS data from 112 patients was used as a basis for calculating the cost efficiency ratio. Results The average calculated cost of nonoperative treatment was €3382. Incremental cost for SB PCLR was €8585 (154%) and another increment of €5220 (61%) for DB PCLR using numbers from a European hospital. This is equivalent to increments of 0.074 (SB) and another 0.075 (DB) QALYs given the €70,000 threshold. For DB to be as cost efficient as SB reconstruction, the incremental gain in KOOS QoL has to be at the same level as for SB reconstruction compared to nonoperative treatment. Conclusion Though surgical reconstruction adds a substantial cost to nonoperative treatment alone, it can be considered cost-effective. Double-bundle reconstruction is less cost efficient than SB reconstruction, but should probably still be considered the treatment of choice for certain patient categories. Randomized controlled trials looking at outcome following nonoperative, SB and DB PCL reconstruction are needed. The clinical relevance of this is that surgical reconstruction of PCL injuries is a cost-efficient treatment alternative in patients with an isolated PCL injury. This finding should be taken into consideration when deciding on how to treat these injuries. Level of evidence III.

Taking first a cursory look at the three framework conditions—security of supply, affordability/cost efficiency and market economy in the electricity sector—we note: Together with “environmental compatibility”, the first two framework conditions—security of supply and affordability—form the famous energy policy triad in Germany, which is cited at the beginning of almost every brochure, on every website and in every speech given by the German government. As such they actually do serve as fundamental guidelines, indeed as framework conditions, which all German energy policy needs to comply with. Or with which it must at least claim compliance. This triad emerged quite independently of, and much earlier than, the Energiewende. It has existed for decades, and every German government, whatever its constellation, has accepted it as a baseline and advocated for it. By contrast, the principle that energy policy, specifically the Energiewende policy, should operate within the conceptual boundaries of a market economy, in particular with respect to electricity generation, is more implicit and (as previously mentioned) originated more recently. Nevertheless, we can certainly assume that most major political players in Germany approve of this principle.

Currently many governments are struggling to contain the cost of reliable and equitable healthcare systems. The efficiency of the system is necessary to support the wellness of citizens as well as the economic and social progress of the country. By applying our proposed universal risk management methods, healthcare system stakeholders can gain the insights needed to create continuous cost management programs by identifying opportunities to improve cost efficiency without reducing the quality of care or excluding individuals who need access to universal healthcare services.

Currently many governments are struggling to contain the cost of reliable and equitable healthcare systems. The efficiency of the system is necessary to support the wellness of citizens as well as the economic and social progress of the country. By applying the universal risk management methods presented in this book, healthcare system stakeholders can gain the insights needed to create continuous cost management programs by identifying opportunities to improve cost efficiency without reducing the quality of care or reach out to individuals who need access to universal healthcare services. These are ambitious goals, but achievable as the dynamic complexity inherent in healthcare systems becomes understood and the subsequent determinism is fully managed.

Robotic rehabilitation devices offer prospects in improving the therapy outcome in stroke patients. In particular the combination with tele-rehabilitation functionality may be beneficial to reduce cost, which is especially required for home-based rehabilitation. In this paper a device is presented that allows for exercising supination/pronation, dorsiflexion, and finger training. Its communication architecture follows a modular design approach. The Qt-based graphical UI can be executed on different operating systems and devices including the cost-effective Rasperry Pi single-board computer. Tele-rehabilitation functionality is implemented based on SSL-encrypted RESTful web services following a three-tier architecture. Cost is reduced by omitting expensive sensors. A torque sensor is replaced with current-based torque sensing, used for progress measurement and interactive exercises. The evaluation shows accurate results after compensating the static friction, justifying the omission of an additional torque sensor. Torque measurements during passive exercises showed higher and more asymmetric ratings for a stroke patient than for a healthy subject indicating that this measurement may be used as an estimator of spasticity.

This paper presents a novel method for measuring with great precision the stereoacuity, that is the smallest depth difference that can be detected in binocular vision. The proposed technique is implemented by a software program that runs on a PC with 3D capabilities. The 3D technology is exploited to provide two different images to the two eyes. The measurement is performed by a classical random dot test, but differently to other tests printed on paper or plastic, the images shown to the patient can vary and the disparity between the two images can be set in order to exactly measure the stereoacuity. Moreover, thanks to the exploited 3D technology, the test does not present any monocular clue. These features allow delivering the test also in groups (instead of individuals) like school classes, and to reduce the risk of undetected amlyopia. The system can be easily operated also by not specialized personnel and this may further increase the cost efficiency of the test. We present the experiments carried on with a large set of children of age between five and seven years. We discuss the results and compare our technique with some traditional approaches.

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) has gathered a lot of interest as a good wireless technology in pervasive computing. However, the security challenge should be addressed for secure and reliable communication in RFID environment. The main goal of this paper is exploring a way to authenticate the RFID users with the cost efficiency and secure estimation advantages. The proposed mechanism inherits the benefits of existing positioning and authenticating technologies and applies a dynamic authentication method with a random generated node to help the reader estimates the distance and authenticates the user simultaneously. Our design focuses on determining the secure location of user extension by relying on RFID reader and computes distance deviation between time-based and coordinate-base estimation method.

A major trend in computer architecture is multi-core processors. To fully exploit this type of parallel processor chip, programs running on it will have to be parallel as well. This means that even hard real-time embedded systems will be parallel. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that methods to analyze the timing properties of parallel real-time systems are developed. This paper presents an algorithm that is founded on abstract interpretation and derives safe approximations of the execution times of parallel programs. The algorithm is formulated and proven correct for a simple parallel language with parallel threads, shared memory and synchronization via locks.