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Successful products at least precisely meet the customers’ expectations and, in the best case, exceed them. To develop successful products, customer expectations must be translated into requirements. With the increasing functionalities of products in recent years, the customers’ expectations regarding product interaction and its behavior in different environmental conditions have also become more extensive. Current approaches of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) enable developing complex mechatronic products seamlessly from requirements to functions and solutions on a parameter level. However, there is a lack of approaches that systematically translate complex customer expectations into functional and design requirements as a starting point for further development.In this contribution we present a method and a corresponding meta-model that allows to systematically formalize the dependencies of different stakeholders and their expectations as well as different environmental conditions and constraints. From these dependencies, operating states are elicited that represent a set of simultaneously valid stakeholder expectations with their corresponding constraints. From these operating states, functional and design requirements are systematically derived as a basis for the model-based design of the system under development. Our meta-model is compatible to the established modeling language SysML, thus, existing approaches for the function-oriented model-based system development can benefit directly from these formally modeled requirements.Our publication signposts the potential for systematic and formal translation of customer expectations into operating states as well as requirements and thus enables a targeted, customer-centric and function-oriented development of mechatronic systems. We applied our method in an interdisciplinary, industrial project using the example of a thermal management system of a battery electric vehicle.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the first fluid physics experiment performed aboard a spacecraft during the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. Since then, NASA has conducted over 80 fluids physics ex...

SUMMARYSalmonella is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne illness. We report the collaborative investigative efforts of US and Canadian public health officials during the 2013–2014 international outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder. The investigation included open-ended interviews of ill persons, traceback, product testing, facility inspections, and trace forward. Ninety-four persons infected with outbreak strains from 16 states and four provinces were identified; 21% were hospitalized and none died. Fifty-four (96%) of 56 persons who consumed chia seed powder, reported 13 different brands that traced back to a single Canadian firm, distributed by four US and eight Canadian companies. Laboratory testing yielded outbreak strains from leftover and intact product. Contaminated product was recalled. Although chia seed powder is a novel outbreak vehicle, sprouted seeds are recognized as an important cause of foodborne illness; firms should follow available guidance to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination during sprouting.

Ein 6 Jahre alt gewordenes Madchen wurde aus dem Nichtschwimmerbereich geborgen; die Reanimation blieb erfolglos. Makroskopisch und histologisch waren keine charakteristischen Zeichen des Ertrinkens nachweisbar. In der radiologischen Untersuchung erschien das Herz des verstorbenen Madchens makroskopisch vergrosert und erweitert. Die histologische Untersuchung ergab den Verdacht auf eine Myokarditis. Als Zusatzuntersuchung erfolgte zum Ausschluss einer moglichen Gefasanomalie eine koronarangiographische Untersuchung im Flat-Panel-Computertomographen (Kontrastmittel: Protein-Bariumsulfat-Suspension). Hier konnte eine Koronaranomalie ausgeschlossen werden, jedoch zeigten sich eine Gefasengstelle und ein Kalibersprung in Asten der rechten Koronararterie. Linksventrikular war die Gefasdarstellung flachendeckend. Im rechtsventrikularen Versorgungsgebiet fand sich eine weniger ausgepragte verzweigte Gefasdarstellung der peripheren arteriellen Endstrombahn. Die Befunde im Flat-Panel-CT konnten in Zusammenschau mit den makroskopischen und den histologischen Untersuchungsergebnissen auf eine mogliche kardiale Disposition hinweisen, die fur das Eintreten eines Badetods infrage kommt. Jedoch gibt es hierzu derzeit fur Kinder und Jugendliche kaum radiologische reprasentative Post-mortem-Vergleichsdaten.

In this paper, we introduce a promising high resolution multistage approach for THz cameras for the detection and curvature extraction of metal fragments. The capability of this technique is demonstrated by detecting a 4 mm × 7 mm large metal fragment placed on a plank of beechwood.

For the purpose of a high-precision object recognition (OR) system at THz frequencies, a 140 GHz super-resolution imaging system is presented in this paper. Conventional THz camera imaging systems are limited by their pixel numbers resulting in distorted and noisy low-resolution (LR) images hindering the possibility of correct object recognition. In this paper methods for improving the resolution of a 140 GHz camera are proposed based on super-resolution (SR) reconstruction methods typically used for low-cost optical components. The experimental validations are performed with a geometrically complex target.

CE is becoming more and more important in many fields of bioanalytical chemistry. Besides optical detection, hyphenation to ESI-MS detection is increasingly applied for sensitive identification purposes. Unfortunately, many CE techniques and methods established in research and industry are not compatible to ESI-MS since essential components of the background electrolyte interfere in ES ionization. In order to identify unknown peaks in established CE methods, here, a heart-cut 2D-CE separation system is introduced using a fully isolated mechanical valve with an internal loop of only 20 nL. In this system, the sample is separated using potentially any non-ESI compatible method in the first separation dimension. Subsequently, the portion of interest is cut by the internal sample loop of the valve and reintroduced to the second dimension where the interfering compounds are removed, followed by ESI-MS detection. When comparing the separation efficiency of the system with the valve to a system using a continuous capillary only a slight increase in peak width is observed. Ultraviolet/visible detection is integrated in the first dimension for switching time determination, enabling reproducible cutting of peaks of interest. The feasibility of the system is successfully demonstrated by a 2D analysis of a BSA tryptic digest sample using a nonvolatile (phosphate based) background electrolyte in the first dimension.

The aim of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between walking activity and physical function (PF) in community-dwelling older adults. Physical activity (PA, pedometry) and PF (self-report [SF-36] and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) were assessed in 836 individuals. Accumulated PA was categorized into four groups (1 = ≤ 2,500; 2 = 2,501–5,000; 3 = 5,001–7,500; and 4 = ≥ 7,501 steps/day). Across individual groups 1–4, SF-36 scores increased from 66.9 ± 25.0% to 73.5 ± 23.2% to 78.8 ± 19.7% to 81.3 ± 20.6%, and 6MWT increased from 941.7 ± 265.4 ft to 1,154.1 ± 248.2 ft to 1,260.1 ± 226.3 ft to 1,294.0 ± 257.9 ft. Both SF-36 and 6MWT scores were statistically different across all groups, apart from groups 3 and 4. PA and ranks of groups were highly significant predictors (p < .0001) for both SF-36 and 6MWT. There was a positive dose-response relationship evident for both SF-36 and 6MWT with increasing levels of PA. Low levels of PA appear to be an important indicator of poor functionality in older adults.

Die zunehmende Komplexität moderner Produktionsanlagen stellt die technische Instandhaltung vor gesteigerte Herausforderungen. Beim Auftreten eines Fehlers ist es im ersten Schritt notwendig, dessen genaue Ursache zu diagnostizieren, noch bevor die eigentliche Reparatur beginnen kann. Als ein Befähiger von Industrie 4.0 bilden Cyber-Physical Systems die Grundlage für ein neuartiges Assistenzsystem, welches die Diagnostik hochentwickelter Produktionsanlagen effizienter gestaltet. The increasing complexity of sophisticated production plants poses new challenges in the field of technical maintenance. The initial step in the repair procedure is a problem root-cause analysis. As a key enabler of the Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems form the core of novel assistant systems, which deliver more efficient diagnostic mechanisms for production facilities.

The analysis of complex samples requires powerful separation techniques. Here, 2D chromatographic separation techniques (e.g. LC-LC, GC-GC) are increasingly applied in many fields. Electrophoretic separation techniques show a different selectivity in comparison to LC and GC and very high separation efficiency. Thus, 2D separation systems containing at least one CE-based separation technique are an interesting alternative featuring potentially a high degree of orthogonality. However, the generally small volumes and strong electrical fields in CE require special coupling techniques. These technical developments are reviewed in this work, discussing benefits and drawbacks of offline and online systems. Emphasis is placed on the design of the systems, their coupling, and the detector used. Moreover, the employment of strategies to improve peak capacity, resolution, or sensitivity is highlighted. Various applications of 2D separations with CE are summarized.

The hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for peptide and protein analysis. It provides high separation power in combination with sensitive and selective detection and the possibility of analyte identification. Unfortunately, many proven capillary electrophoresis methods are not compatible with electrospray-mass spectrometry since several compounds of best separating background electrolytes are interfering in the electrospray ionization. Here, we describe a two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis system using the second dimension as a cleanup stage in order to remove interfering compounds to enable electrospray-mass spectrometry coupling.

The hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for peptide and protein analysis. It provides high separation power in combination with sensitive and selective detection and the possibility of analyte identification. Unfortunately, many proven capillary electrophoresis methods are not compatible with electrospray-mass spectrometry since several compounds of best separating background electrolytes are interfering in the electrospray ionization. Here, we describe a two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis system using the second dimension as a cleanup stage in order to remove interfering compounds to enable electrospray-mass spectrometry coupling.

We report on our measurements of the Lande g-factors for rovibrational states in the 10V-band of carbon disulfide. Our improved accuracy enabled us to increase the measurements precision of previous studies and additionally determine the Lande g-factors for nearly all previously assigned transitions.

We report on an injection-seeded Ti:sapphire laser pumped by the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser. Due to an excellent spatial beam profile and narrow linewidth near the Fourier transform limit we are able to achieve high conversion efficiencies and stable output power in harmonic generation as well as in sum and difference frequency mixing with the pump pulse. The laser system can potentially cover a spectral range from 190 to over 6000 nm.

International audience; Research on innovative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools is done on station and on-farm in the PURE project. The idea is that IPM tools are tested under well-defined conditions in experimental orchards. Subsequently, they are tested in commercial orchards as part of a total IPM system where drawbacks and bottlenecks become clear. In subsequent on-station experiments the drawbacks or bottlenecks are solved and adjusted IPM tools are again tested in commercial orchards. We call this the "design - assessment - adjustment cycle". It is meant, together with co-innovation techniques, to promote uptake of innovative IPM tools by commercial farmers. For apple, new innovations are the use of exclusion netting against codling moth (Cydia pomonella), and the use of an antagonist against conidia of Venturia inaequalis. For pear, the overwintering inoculum of brown spot of pear (Stemphylium vesicarium) is reduced by antagonists and natural fertilisers, and the control of pear sucker (Cacopsylla pyricola) is promoted by natural enemies. For both apple and pear an innovative canopy adapted sprayer is used to reduce emissions and to further reduce pesticide use. Efficacy of these innovative IPM tools and IPM systems is assessed by the newly developed software for environmental effects: SYNOPS, for economic effects: PREMISE, and for overall sustainability, including economic, social and environmental aspects: DEXiPM-pomefruit. Results show that the overall sustainability of the conventional system is already high. Nevertheless, innovative IPM tools provided an improvement of environmental quality with an efficient control of diseases or pests. The cost for running the innovative IPM systems was often higher than the conventional system.

Nowadays women delay their childbirth to the 30ies. Therefore, more breast cancer patients haven't completed their family planning and want to get children after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Because of anthracycline and cyclophosphamide containing polychemotherapies for the adjvuant treatment of breast cancer, about 50 % of the patients will be ammenorrhoic after finishing treatment. So far there are no valid treatment options for preserving ovarian function after chemotherapy. There is no increased risk for relapse if a breast cancer patient becomes pregnant. However, the timing of the pregnancy has not yet been fixed. It depends on the prognosis, the age, the personal situation and personal preferences.

Background: Hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) has given insight into the dynamics of rapid sperm transport inside the female genital tract. Results: While there is an increase of an ipsilateral transport on the side bearing the dominant follicle in 70% of the subjects in the periovulatory phase, 15% of the patients do not demonstrate transport to the fallopian tubes (negative HSSG). In these patients the pregnancy rate achieved spontaneously or by intrauterine insemination is significantly reduced compared to the patients who showed an intact transport mechanism confirmed by positive HSSG. On the other hand, by means of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), pregnancy rates were higher in the group of patients showing negative HSSG ( P Conclusions: Our data clearly indicate that HSSG is a helpful method to evaluate the integrity of the utero-tubal transport mechanism. As pregnancy rates remain low in patients with negative HSSG, this result should be considered as an indication for IVF-treatment even in patients with patent fallopian tubes and normozoospermia of the partner.

Background. Uterine peristalsis sustains sperm transport and can be detected by hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG). This study is the first to be designed to investigate utero-tubal transport function by HSSG and uterine contractility by intrauterine pressure measurement (IUP) consecutively on the same day in the periovulatory phase. Methods. Twenty-one female subjects (mean age 28.4 years) without a gynecologic history were examined sequentially by HSSG and IUP on the same day to evaluate uterine contractility in relation to the utero-tubal transport function. In HSSG, intact transport function was visualized by the rapid uptake of 99 m -technetium-marked albumin aggregates through the female genital tract. In IUP, the frequency of uterine contractions (UC/min), amplitude of uterine contractions and basal pressure tone were detected via a intrauterine catheter. HSSG and IUP were embedded in cycle monitoring with measurement of LH and estradiol. Results. In HSSG, a positive transport of inert particles wa...

To investigate interactions between neural (movement) and chemical (hypoxia) respiratory drives during exercise, we analyzed coordination between breathing and cycling rhythms in normoxia (N) and hypoxia (H, 14.5% O(2)). Twenty women [28 (1) years old] cycled for 6 min at three workloads (55%, 75%, and 95% peak oxygen consumption, VO(2peak); WL1, WL2, and WL3) in N and H. Leg movements, respiratory parameters, peripheral oxygen saturation, and heart rate were continuously recorded. The degree of coordination (%COORD) was quantified as the percentage of breaths starting during the same phase of leg movement. Ventilatory response to isocapnic hypoxia (VRH) was assessed at rest during an exposure to an end-tidal PO(2) of 50 mmHg. There were no differences in %COORD between N and H at any of the three workloads, but %COORD increased significantly from WL1 to WL3 in H. There was no correlation between VRH and %COORD. In conclusion, chemical and neural respiratory drives did not competitively interact: coordination between breathing and cycling rhythms was not reduced during H and did not depend on individual VRH.

Hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) is a simple method to evaluate the transport function of uterus and fallopian tubes. There is a quick uptake of radionuclides into the uterus and a transport to the side bearing the dominant follicle in 70 % of the patients in the late follicular phase of the cycle. Uptake and transport of the immotile radionuclides imitate the directed sperm transport through the female genital tract at the time of ovulation. 214 of 796 infertility patients with proven patency of fallopian tubes (27 %) showed only an uptake of the particles without a transport towards the fallopian tubes (negative HSSG). In these patients no spontaneous pregnancy occurred and pregnancy rate remained low by the means of timed intercourse or insemination. Indeed, the pregnancy rate (8.4 %) was significantly lower compared with the patients who became pregnant by timed intercourse, insemination or spontaneously and had a positive HSSG before (15 %; p=0.001). However, the pregnancy rate that could only be achieved by methods of ART was significantly higher in the group of patients with negative HSSG (57 % vs. 25 %, p=0.05). Our data suggest that HSSG is a new method to evaluate the integrity of the inner genital tract's transport function, especially in patients suffering from idiopathic infertility. Impaired transport function (negative HSSG) should be considered as an indication for IVF-treatment.

The analysis of complex samples requires powerful separation techniques. Here, 2D chromatographic separation techniques (e.g. LC-LC, GC-GC) are increasingly applied in many fields. Electrophoretic separation techniques show a different selectivity in comparison to LC and GC and very high separation efficiency. Thus, 2D separation systems containing at least one CE-based separation technique are an interesting alternative featuring potentially a high degree of orthogonality. However, the generally small volumes and strong electrical fields in CE require special coupling techniques. These technical developments are reviewed in this work, discussing benefits and drawbacks of offline and online systems. Emphasis is placed on the design of the systems, their coupling, and the detector used. Moreover, the employment of strategies to improve peak capacity, resolution, or sensitivity is highlighted. Various applications of 2D separations with CE are summarized.

The aim of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between walking activity and physical function (PF) in community-dwelling older adults. Physical activity (PA, pedometry) and PF (self-report [SF-36] and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) were assessed in 836 individuals. Accumulated PA was categorized into four groups (1 = ≤ 2,500; 2 = 2,501-5,000; 3 = 5,001-7,500; and 4 = ≥ 7,501 steps/day). Across individual groups 1-4, SF-36 scores increased from 66.9 ± 25.0% to 73.5 ± 23.2% to 78.8 ± 19.7% to 81.3 ± 20.6%, and 6MWT increased from 941.7 ± 265.4 ft to 1,154.1 ± 248.2 ft to 1,260.1 ± 226.3 ft to 1,294.0 ± 257.9 ft. Both SF-36 and 6MWT scores were statistically different across all groups, apart from groups 3 and 4. PA and ranks of groups were highly significant predictors (p.0001) for both SF-36 and 6MWT. There was a positive dose-response relationship evident for both SF-36 and 6MWT with increasing levels of PA. Low levels of PA appear to be an important indicator of poor functionality in older adults.

Chemical warfare threats require the development of diverse models for the assessment of countermeasures. Human skin products, Skin 2 ® (differentiating keratinocytes on a fibroblast-collagen matrix) and EpiDerm® (differentiating keratinocytes) were exposed (2 h) to the sulfur mustard 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, 1-2 mg l -1 min -1 ) in humidified air or to humidified air alone. Tissues were evaluated histologically, ultrastructurally and for viability 22 h later; media and tissues were also analyzed for inflammatory mediators. Histology showed that CEES induced the separation of dermal and epidermal regions in Skin 2 with severe damage to basal keratinocytes. Histology and electron microscopy of both products revealed condensation of nuclear chromatin, retraction of spinous processes, collapse of the tonofibrillar network and cytoplasmic vacuolization and blebbing in those cells with loss of pseudobasement membrane integrity. Exposure of Skin 2 to CEES increased extracellular interleukin-la (IL-la), prostaglandin-E 2 (PGE 2 ) and especially IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) release (56334 vs 84 614 pg ml -1 ), but decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6, 4755 vs 351 pg ml -1 ). Exposure of EpiDerm to CEES led to unaffected extracellular and reduced intracellular IL-1α (371 vs 92 pg ml -1 ). Extracellular IL-1Ra greatly increased (2375 vs 24875 pg ml -1 ), whereas cellular levels decreased (165425 vs 96625 pg ml -1 ), Extracellular (224 vs 68 pg ml -1 ) and intracellular (485 vs 233 pg ml -1 ) soluble interleukin-1 receptor II (sIL-1RII) decreased. Prostanglandin E 2 increased (1835 vs 2582 pg ml -1 ), whereas heat shock protein 70A (Hsp70A) remained statistically unchanged (57000 vs 96000 pg ml -1 ). Failure to obtain a heat shock response to CEES may contribute to the susceptibility of tissue to the alkylating agent. Consistent and marked responses of cellular and extracellular IL-1Ra to CEES suggest a potential for use as a tissue status marker and primary antiinflammatory regulator in skin.

Various well-defined ruthenium alkylidene complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were used for the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 7-methylnorbornene and 7-methylnorbornadiene. The influence of the ligands on the tacticity of the resulting polymers was examined and compared with polymers obtained using the Grubbs’ catalyst.

This paper is driven by the likelihood that as humans start to work in outer-space, that these civilian space farers will not resemble the astronauts of today, but more closely resembles the workforce here on earth. This paper will identify some likely human-tended space commerce opportunities, focusing on those in low earth orbit (LEO). This presentation has refrained from identifying Lunar based, Martian based or other exo-Earth commerce opportunities, beyond LEO, mostly because these commercial opportunities are too ill-defined at this point in time. These commercial opportunities will create a need for a space-based workforce that will more closely resemble the workforces here on earth than the astronaut community currently servicing space vehicles and structures.

ZweiN-heterocyclischeCarbenligandenaufeinmalsindvielleichteinerzuviel, zumindest wenn man hochaktive Rutheniumkatalysatoren fur die Olefinmetathese haben mochte. Dichtefunktionalrechnungen empfehlen den Austausch des zweiten Carbenliganden in den erfolgreichen ROMP-Katalysatoren 1 durch koordinativ labilere Liganden wie in 2 oder 3. In beiden Fallen erreicht man eine deutliche Steigerung der katalytischen Aktivitat.

Two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands at once may be one too many, at least if you intend to have highly active ruthenium catalysts for olefin metathesis. Density functional calculations recommend the replacement of the second carbene ligand in the successful ROMP catalysts 1 by coordinatively more labile ligands as in 2 or 3. In both cases, the catalytic activity is greatly improved.