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The RailChain project designed, implemented, and experimentally evaluated a juridical recorder that is based on a distributed consensus protocol. That juridical blockchain recorder has been realized as distributed ledger on board the advanced TrainLab (ICE-TD 605 017) of Deutsche Bahn. For the project, a consortium consisting of DB Systel, Siemens, Siemens Mobility, the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, TÜV Rheinland InterTraffic, and Spherity has been formed. These partners not only concentrated competencies in railway operation, computer science, regulation, and approval, but also combined experiences from industry, research from academia, and enthusiasm from startups. Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) define distributed databases and express a digital protocol for transactions between business partners without the need for a trusted intermediary. The implementation of a blockchain with real-time requirements for the local network of a railway system (e.g., interlocking or train) allows to log data in the distributed system verifiably in real-time. For this, railway-specific assumptions can be leveraged to make modifications to standard blockchains protocols. EULYNX and OCORA (Open CCS On-board Reference Architecture) are parts of a future European reference architecture for control command and signalling (CCS, Reference CCS Architecture – RCA). Both architectural concepts outline heterogeneous IT systems with components from multiple manufacturers. Such systems introduce novel challenges for the approved and safety-relevant CCS of railways which were considered neither for road-side nor for on-board systems so far. Logging implementations, such as the common juridical recorder on vehicles, can no longer be realized as a central component of a single manufacturer. All centralized approaches are in question. The research project RailChain is funded by the mFUND program and gives practical evidence that distributed consensus protocols are a proper means to immutably (for legal purposes) store state information of many system components from multiple manufacturers. The results of RailChain have been published, prototypically implemented, and experimentally evaluated in large-scale field tests on the advanced TrainLab. At the same time, the project showed how RailChain can be integrated into the road-side and on-board architecture given by OCORA and EULYNX. Logged data can now be analysed sooner and also their trustworthiness is being increased. This enables, e.g., auditable predictive maintenance, because it is ensured that data is authentic and unmodified at any point in time. Das Projekt RailChain hat einen verteilten Juridical Recorder entworfen, implementiert und experimentell evaluiert, der auf einem echtzeitfähigen verteilten Konsensprotokoll basiert. Dieser Juridical Blockchain Recorder wurde als distributed ledger an Bord des advanced TrainLabs der Deutschen Bahn (ICE-TD 605 017) umgesetzt. Für das Projekt hat sich ein Konsortium aus DB Systel, Siemens, Siemens Mobility, dem Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering, der Technischen Universität Braunschweig, sowie TÜV Rheinland InterTraffic und Spherity formiert und dabei Kompetenzen aus den Bereichen Bahnbetrieb, Informatik und Zulassungswesen gebündelt. Die Partner kombinieren Erfahrungen aus der Industrie und die akademische Forschung mit der Aufbruchstimmung aus dem Start-Up-Umfeld. Distributed-Ledger-Technologien (DLTs) definieren verteilte Datenbanken und stellen ein digitales Protokoll für Transaktionen zwischen Geschäftspartnern dar, ohne dass ein Mittelsmann beteiligt sein müsste. Die Implementierung einer Blockchain mit Echtzeitanforderungen für das lokale Netzwerk einer Eisenbahnanlage (z. B. Stellwerk oder Zug) erlaubt es, die im verteilten System entstehenden Daten nachweislich in Echtzeit zu protokollieren. Dabei können eisenbahnspezifische Randbedingungen ausgenutzt werden, um Standard-Blockchain-Protokolle anzupassen. EULYNX und OCORA (Open CCS On-board Reference Architecture) sind Bestandteile einer zukünftigen europäischen Referenzarchitektur für das Leit- und Sicherungssystem (Reference CCS Architecture – RCA, Control Command and Signalling – CCS). Beide Architekturkonzepte skizzieren herstellerübergreifende, komponentenbasierende heterogene IT-Systeme. Solche Systeme bergen neue Herausforderungen, die bislang im Kontext der zugelassenen, sicherheitsrelevanten Leit- und Sicherungstechnik der Bahn weder strecken- noch fahrzeugseitig adressiert werden mussten. Logbuch-Implementierungen, wie der gängige Juridical Recorder auf Fahrzeugen, können nun nicht mehr als zentrale Systemkomponente eines einzelnen Herstellers umgesetzt werden. Alle zentralisierten Lösungsansätze sind in Frage gestellt. Das mFUND-geförderte Forschungsprojekt erbringt den praktischen Nachweis, dass Zustandsinformationen über eine Vielzahl von Systemkomponenten herstellerübergreifend und gerichtsfest mittels verteilten Konsensprotokollen gespeichert werden können. Ergebnisse von RailChain wurden publiziert, prototypisch implementiert und in großen Feldtests auf dem advanced TrainLab experimentell evaluiert. Gleichzeitig wurde aufgezeigt, wie sich RailChain in den mit OCORA und EULYNX vorgegebenen fahrzeug- und streckenseitigen Architekturentwurf integrieren lässt. Daten können dadurch zeitnaher ausgewertet werden und gleichzeitig wird ihre Vertrauenswürdigkeit erhöht. Dies ermöglicht u. a. nachvollziehbare zustandsorientierte Wartung, denn es kann jederzeit sichergestellt werden, dass die Daten authentisch sind und auch nicht verändert wurden.

Climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition can impact the integrity of ecosystems. Therefore, the EU Biodiversity Strategy foresees that Member States map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national territory. By example of Germany, this article presents a quantitative, spatially explicit as well as nationally, regionally and site-specifically applicable methodology for classifying and mapping forest ecosystems and identifying changes of their integrity comparing their reference states (1961-1990) with measured (1991-2010) und potential future conditions (2011-2017). To this end, measured environmental data were complemented by dynamic modelling of future climate and soil conditions. A fuzzy rule-based model for estimating spatial patterns and temporal trends of soil moisture was developed and tested at the federal and regional level. Forest ecosystem conditions were evaluated and ordinated at three levels (indicators, functions and ecosystem type) with regard to functionality, chemical and biological characteristics, stress tolerance against climate change and nitrogen deposition scenarios for the years 1961-1990, 1991-2011 and 2011-2070.

Die Charakterisierung der physikalischen Gesteinseigenschaften ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Geophysik. Aufgrund von natürlich gesteuerten Prozessen haben Gesteine unterschiedliche Eigenschaften auf verschiedenen Skalen, die durch Defekte, Risse oder Poren beeinflusst werden. Daher sind natürliche Kluftsysteme, ihre Eigenschaften und ihr Einfluss auf die petrophysikalischen Eigenschaften von entscheidender Bedeutung für die Erkundung von z. B. geothermischen Reservoiren. Es ist wichtig, den Einfluss von Kluftsystemen sowie das Vorhandensein von Porengeometrien auf allen Skalen zu verstehen, z.B. Karstformationen in großräumigen geologischen Strukturen. In der folgenden Dissertation werden klassische und fortgeschrittene Arbeitsabläufe der Riss- und Gesteinscharakterisierung zur Bestimmung potenzieller Lagerstätten vorgestellt. Es wird deutlich, dass diese geologischen Formationen durch Klüfte oder andere Porengeometrien beeinflusst werden und damit wirtschaftlich bedeutsam werden.

Technology transfer is not only about the transfer of technology, but also about the transfer of knowledge, as evidenced by definitions of KM within the biopharma industry and beyond. However, knowledge transfer is often not well structured and its effectiveness – in particular for tacit knowledge (i.e., know how) – is an opportunity for improvement which can lead to many benefits. This article profiles recent research into the topic of improving knowledge transfer during technology transfer and presents several recently developed frameworks for improving such. The article furthermore explains how the frameworks can be co-deployed in support of robust knowledge transfer, supported by an illustrative case study.

Accounting for the morphology of fractal-like particles is important for their in-situ characterization by optical diagnostics. Here, the formation of carbonaceous aerosol (soot) fractal-like particles by surface growth and agglomeration is investigated experimentally and numerically accounting for necking and multiple scattering between polydisperse primary particles (PPs) by Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) coupled with the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA). The DEM-derived number of constituent PPs, soot agglomerate effective density and differential scattering cross-sections for vertically-, Cv, and horizontally-polarized incident light, Ch, are in excellent agreement with those measured here in premixed ethylene flames. In contrast, using the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) theory and neglecting necking (aggregation) and polydispersity of constituent PPs underestimates the above Cv and Ch up to 50 %. A DEM-derived scaling law for PP aggregation and polydispersity is developed. Using this law in the RDG theory, the soot scattering cross-sections are in agreement with those estimated by rigorous DDA. Thus, both DEM-DDA and revised RDG theory can be used to optimize optical diagnostics for soot or carbon black characterization and selective sensing by fire (smoke) detectors.

The autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid (ATX-LPA) signaling pathway plays a role in a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or neurodegeneration. A link to the pathogenesis of glaucoma is suggested by an overactive ATX-LPA axis in aqueous humor samples of glaucoma patients. Analysis of such samples suggests that the ATX-LPA axis contributes to the fibrogenic activity and resistance to aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork. In order to inhibit or modulate this pathway, we developed a new series of ATX-inhibitors containing novel bicyclic and spirocyclic structural motifs. A potent lead compound (\(IC_{50}\) against ATX: 6 nM) with good \(\textit {in vivo}\) PK, favorable \(\textit {in vitro}\) property, and safety profile was generated. This compound leads to lowered LPA levels \(\textit {in vivo}\) after oral administration. Hence, it was suitable for chronic oral treatment in two rodent models of glaucoma, the experimental autoimmune glaucoma (EAG) and the ischemia/reperfusion models. In the EAG model, rats were immunized with an optic nerve antigen homogenate, while controls received sodium chloride. Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) was induced by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) in one eye to 140 mmHg for 60 min, followed by reperfusion, while the other untreated eye served as control. Retinae and optic nerves were evaluated 28 days after EAG or 7 and 14 days after I/R induction. Oral treatment with the optimized ATX-inhibitor lead to reduced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in both glaucoma models. In the optic nerve, the protective effect of ATX inhibition was less effective compared to the retina and only a trend to a weakened neurofilament distortion was detectable. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the dysregulation of the ATX-LPA axis in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients, in addition to the postulated outflow impairment, might also contribute to RGC loss. The observation that ATX-inhibitor treatment in both glaucoma models did not result in significant IOP increases or decreases after oral treatment indicates that protection from RGC loss due to inhibition of the ATX-LPA axis is independent of an IOP lowering effect.

Seit 1993 veranstaltet der Fachbereich Mathematik der TU Kaiserslautern jährlich die mathematischen Modellierungswochen. Die Veranstaltung erwuchs parallel zu der steigenden Relevanz angewandter mathematischer Forschungsgebiete, wie der Technomathematik und der Wirtschaftsmathematik. Sie soll dazu dienen, Schülerinnen und Schülern die Bedeutung mathematischer Arbeitsweisen in der heutigen Berufswelt, insbesondere in Industrie und Wirtschaft, begreifbar zu machen. Darüber hinaus bietet die Modellierungswoche den teilnehmenden Lehrkräften einen Einblick in die Projektarbeit mit offenen Fragestellungen im Rahmen der mathematischen Modellierung. In diesem Report beschreiben wir die Projekte, die während der Modellierungswoche im Dezember 2021 durchgeführt wurden. Der Themenschwerpunkt der Veranstaltung lautete "Wetter und Katastrophenschutz".

The aim of this study was to investigate whether recovery from eccentric squat exercise varies depending on age and to assess whether the use of a mixed-method recovery (MMR) consisting of cold water immersion and compression tights benefits recovery. Sixteen healthy and resistance-trained young (age, 22.1\(\pm\)2.1years; \(\it N\)=8) and master male athletes (age, 52.4\(\pm\)3.5years; \(\it N\)=8), who had a similar half squat 1-repetition maximum relative to body weight, completed two identical squat exercise training sessions, separated by a 2-week washout period. Training sessions were followed by either MMR or passive recovery (PR). Internal training loads [heart rate and blood lactate concentration (BLa)] were recorded during and after squat sessions. Furthermore, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, resting twitch force of the knee extensors, serum concentration of creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness (MS), and perceived physical performance capability (PPC) were determined before and after training as well as after 24, 48, and 72h of recovery. A three-way mixed ANOVA revealed a significant time effect of the squat protocol on markers of fatigue and recovery (p

Aims: The CARTOFINDER module allows for simultaneous and automated detection of repetitive focal and rotational activations in patients with atrial arrhythmias. This study aimed to validate the CARTOFINDER algorithm for the detection of potential drivers for atrial fibrillation (AF) and to access their potential impact on individual arrhythmia substrates. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients underwent AF ablation for persistent AF (PERS), using a 3D-mapping system with the integrated CARTOFINDER module. Regions of interest (ROIs) were identified before and after ablation, and their spatial and temporal relationship was correlated with areas of fibrosis. Results: Procedural success was achieved in all patients and 42% received ablation beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). AF termination was observed in 6 patients (12%). The mean procedure duration was 134 \(\pm\) 29 min. ROIs were revealed in all patients (mean \(\it n\) = 77 \(\pm\) 52) and there was no statistical evidence for a predilection site. There was no significant anatomical correlation between ROIs and bipolar low voltage. Remapping confirmed the elimination of ROIs in relation to the individual ablation site, a limited reproducibility of rotational ROIs and persistent focal activity over time in some anatomical segments. ROIs were not a predictor for AF recurrence during following ablation. Conclusions: CARTOFINDER mapping can be integrated into a routine workflow for AF ablation. ROIs could be discriminated in all patients and an ablation effect was observed in some patients, whereas persistent activity was found in certain anatomical segments, even after ablation. ROIs might be an additional ablation target when we are able to understand the individual substrate.

Inequality of opportunity, particularly when overlaid with socioeconomic, ethnic, or cultural differences, may limit the scope of cooperation between individuals. A central question, then, is how to overcome such obstacles to cooperation. We study this question in the context of Germany, by asking whether the propensity of immigrant youth to cooperate with native peers was affected by a major integration reform: the introduction of birthright citizenship. Our unique setup exploits data from a large-scale lab-in-the-field experiment in a quasi-experimental evaluation framework. We find that the policy caused male, but not female, immigrants to significantly increase their cooperativeness toward natives. We show that the increase in out-group cooperation among immigrant boys is an outcome of more trust rather than a reflection of stronger other- regarding preferences towards natives. In exploring factors that may explain these behavioral effects, we present evidence that the policy also led to a near-closure of the educational achievement gap between young immigrant men and their native peers. Our results highlight that, through integration interventions, governments can modify prosocial behavior in a way that generates higher levels of efficiency in the interaction between social groups.

Background: To test the value of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in prostate biopsies for changes in biopsy results and its impact on treatment decision-making. Methods: Between January 2017–June 2020, all patients undergoing prostate biopsies were identified and evaluated regarding additional IHC staining for diagnostic purpose. Final pathologic results after radical prostatectomy (RP) were analyzed regarding the effect of IHC at biopsy. Results: Of 606 biopsies, 350 (58.7%) received additional IHC staining. Of those, prostate cancer (PCa) was found in 208 patients (59.4%); while in 142 patients (40.6%), PCa could be ruled out through IHC. IHC patients harbored significantly more often Gleason 6 in biopsy (p < 0.01) and less suspicious baseline characteristics than patients without IHC. Of 185 patients with positive IHC and PCa detection, IHC led to a change in biopsy results in 81 (43.8%) patients. Of these patients with changes in biopsy results due to IHC, 42 (51.9%) underwent RP with 59.5% harboring ≥pT3 and/or Gleason 7–10. Conclusions: Patients with IHC stains had less suspicious characteristics than patients without IHC. Moreover, in patients with positive IHC and PCa detection, a change in biopsy results was observed in >40%. Patients with changes in biopsy results partly underwent RP, in which 60% harbored significant PCa.

This article provides a summarizing account of the results obtained in the current collaborative work of four research institutes concerning near-wall flow in turbomachinery. Specific questions regarding the influences of boundary layer development on blades and endwalls as well as loss mechanisms due to secondary flow are investigated. These address skewness, periodical distortion, wake interaction and heat transfer, among others. Several test rigs with modifiable configurations are used for the experimental investigations including an axial low speed compressor, an axial high-speed wind tunnel, and an axial low-speed turbine. Approved stationary and time resolving measurements techniques are applied in combination with custom hot-film sensor-arrays. The experiments are complemented by URANS simulations, and one group focusses on turbulence-resolving simulations to elucidate the specific impact of rotation. Juxtaposing and interlacing their results the four groups provide a broad picture of the underlying phenomena, ranging from compressors to turbines, from isothermal to non-adiabatic, and from incompressible to compressible flows.

The embryonic extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes transition to mature ECM as development progresses, yet specific transition mechanisms ensuring ECM proteostasis and their regulatory impact are poorly defined. Fibrillin microfibrils are macromolecular ECM complexes serving structural and regulatory roles. In mice, Fbn1 and Fbn2, encoding major microfibrillar components, are strongly expressed during embryogenesis, but fibrillin-1 is the major component observed in adult tissue microfibrils. Here, analysis of mouse Adamts6 and Adamts10 mutant embryos, lacking these homologous secreted metalloproteases individually and in combination, along with in vitro analysis of microfibrils, measurement of ADAMTS6-fibrillin affinities and N-terminomics identification of ADAMTS6-cleaved sites, demonstrates a transcriptionally adapted system for fibrillin-2 proteolysis that contributes to postnatal fibrillin-1 dominance. The lack of ADAMTS6, alone and in combination with ADAMTS10 led to excess fibrillin-2 in perichondrium, with impaired skeletal development resulting from a drastic reduction of aggrecan, cartilage link protein and impaired BMP, but not TGFβ signaling in cartilage. Although ADAMTS6 cleaves fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 as well as fibronectin, which provides the initial scaffold for microfibril assembly, primacy of the protease-substrate relationship between ADAMTS6 and fibrillin-2 was unequivocally established by reversal of these defects in Adamts6-/- embryos by genetic reduction of Fbn2, but not Fbn1.

The present work shows that thermal expansion experiments can be used to measure the \(\gamma\)'-solvus temperatures of four Ni-base single-crystal superalloys (SX), one with Re and three Re-free variants. In the case of CMSX-4, experimental results are in good agreement with numerical thermodynamic results obtained using ThermoCalc. For three experimental Re-free alloys, the experimental and calculated results are close. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the chemical compositions of the \(\gamma\)- and the \(\gamma\)'-phases can be reasonably well predicted. We also use resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to show how elastic coefficients depend on chemical composition and temperature. The results are discussed in the light of previous results reported in the literature. Areas in need of further work are highlighted.

Die Felix-Klein-Modellierungswoche ist eine Projektwoche für Schülerinnen und Schüler der gymnasialen Oberstufe. Wir beschreiben hier die Projekte, die während der Modellierungswoche im Februar 2021 durchgeführt wurden.

Die Rechtsfolgen einer fehlgeschlagenen Anteilsabtretung stellen ein rechtspraktisches Problem des GmbH-Rechts dar, dessen Lösungswege üblicherweise im Schuldrecht gesucht werden. Der Anwendung der schuldrechtlichen Rechtsinstitute im Rahmen des § 16 Abs. 1 GmbHG geht die Frage voran, ob das durch die Legitimationswirkung charakterisierte Auseinanderfallen von Herrschaftsrecht und Herrschaftsmöglichkeit zur Anwendung des Eigentümer-Besitzer-Verhältnisses führen kann. Der Übertragbarkeit der drei Komponenten der Vindikationslage – Sache, Eigentum, Besitz – und deren Interdependenzen auf die durch die Legitimationswirkung hervorgerufene Situation widmet sich diese Arbeit. Im Wege des systematischen Vergleichs der Rechtsbeziehungen weist der Autor eine Vergleichbarkeit nach und schlägt eine analoge Anwendung des Eigentümer-Besitzer-Verhältnisses vor. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Rechtsgegenständlichkeit der Mitgliedschaft und die Ausdehnung des Besitzbegriffs auf unkörperliche Rechtsprodukte.