Hochschule Konstanz University of Applied Sciences
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Geschichten vom Anpacken für eine klimafreundliche Zukunft: Formulierung eines wissenschaftsbasierten Storytelling Ansatzes und Erkenntnisse aus ersten Prototypen in der Region Konstanz
No full textNovel AI-Based Algorithm for the Automated Computation of Coronal Parameters in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients
No full textStudy design:
Retrospective, mono-centric cohort research study.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study is to validate a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm against human-generated ground truth for radiographic parameters of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Methods:
An AI-algorithm was developed that is capable of detecting anatomical structures of interest (clavicles, cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine and sacrum) and calculate essential radiographic parameters in AP spine X-rays fully automatically. The evaluated parameters included T1-tilt, clavicle angle (CA), coronal balance (CB), lumbar modifier, and Cobb angles in the proximal thoracic (C-PT), thoracic, and thoracolumbar regions. Measurements from 2 experienced physicians on 100 preoperative AP full spine X-rays of AIS patients were used as ground truth and to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. The agreement between human raters and AI was compared by means of single measure Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC; absolute agreement; .75 rated as excellent), mean error and additional statistical metrics.
Results:
The comparison between human raters resulted in excellent ICC values for intra- (range: .97-1) and inter-rater (.85-.99) reliability. The algorithm was able to determine all parameters in 100% of images with excellent ICC values (.78-.98). Consistently with the human raters, ICC values were typically smallest for C-PT (eg, rater 1A vs AI: .78, mean error: 4.7°) and largest for CB (.96, -.5 mm) as well as CA (.98, .2°).
Conclusions:
The AI-algorithm shows excellent reliability and agreement with human raters for coronal parameters in preoperative full spine images. The reliability and speed offered by the AI-algorithm could contribute to the efficient analysis of large datasets (eg, registry studies) and measurements in clinical practice
Think BIQ: Gender Differences, Entrepreneurship Support and the Quality of Business Idea Description
No full textEntrepreneurship support, its influencing factors and female entrepreneurship are recently discussed topics with great relevance for society and politics. However, research on the subject has been divergent in its results and lacks a focus on the impact of support programs’ characteristics concerning different types of entrepreneurs. Thus, we conduct a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis on entrepreneurship support characteristics aiming to shed light on possible gender differences occurring in respective programs. We investigate the quality of business idea descriptions, as a predecessor for a high-potential business model, operationalized using inter alia causation and effectuation theory and social role theory as possible explanations. In our fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis on a sample of 911 Norwegian ventures, we find a variety of differences related to the entrepreneurs’ gender. For instance, that financial support combined with a well described key contribution or careful planning seem to be more important antecedents for female entrepreneurs’ business idea quality than for males. Moreover, it seems a well-described key contribution has a positive effect on the outcome variable in most cases. Another interesting finding concerns the entrepreneurs’ network partners, where we found evident gender differences in our combinations. Female entrepreneurs seemingly benefitted from rather small networks, and males from big networks, although the former possess larger networks in the sample. In conclusion, we find that gender differences in combinations of entrepreneurship support for high business idea quality still occur even in a country like Norway, calling for an adaption of the provided support and environment
Schlüsselkompetenz Vernetztes Denken
No full textDieses Buch bietet eine kompakte Einführung in die systemische Denkweise und die Methodik des Vernetzten Denkens. Tragfähige Entscheidungen und Handlungen in unserer vernetzten und komplexen Welt erfordern, sich mit anderen Denk- und Sichtweisen vertraut zu machen und in systemisch-vernetzten Zusammenhängen zu denken. Dazu benötigen die Entscheider ein tiefergehendes Verständnis über das Denken in Wirkungszusammenhängen und wie sich diese bildhaft darstellen lassen. Mittels vieler motivierender Beispiele zeigt dieses essential, was Systemdenken ausmacht und wie sich diese Denkweise in die eigene Entscheidungspraxis umsetzen lässt
Contested “automobility”: Peasants, townsfolks, and infrastructures of road transport in interwar central and western India (c. 1919–39)
No full textInfrastructure-making in interwar India was a dynamic, multilayered process involving roads and vehicles in urban and rural sites. One of their strongest playgrounds was Bombay Presidency and the Central Provinces in central and western India. Focusing on this region in the interwar period, this paper analyzes the varied relationship between peasant households and town-centred modernizing agents in the making of road transport infrastructures. The central argument of this paper is about the persistence of bullock carts over motor cars in the region. This persistence was grounded in the specific regional environment, the effects of the 1930s economic depression, and the priorities of social classes. Pinpointing these connections, the paper highlights that “modernization” of infrastructure was not a simple, linear process of progressivist change, nor did it mean the survival of apparently “old” technologies in the modern era. Instead, the paper pays attention to conflicting social complexities, implications, and meanings of the connection between infrastructure and modernity that modernization assumptions often overlook. Here, the paper shows how technological change occurred as a result of real, material class interests pulling infrastructural technology in different directions. This was where and why arguments of road-motor lobbyists and cart advocates eventually clashed, and Gandhian social workers resisted motor transport in defense of peasant interests
Advancing AI for Climate Action
No full textArtificial Intelligence (AI) combined with cyber-physical systems (CPS) can play a vital role in eliminating greenhouse gas emissions across sectors. The transition from fossil fuels to renewables is achieved through electrification, introducing complexity in systems deployment, integration, and efficient orchestration of electrified economic systems. AI-driven CPS are uniquely suited to manage this complexity, potentially accelerating decarbonisation efforts.
This Policy Brief advocates for the mainstreaming of AI-driven CPS for climate change risk mitigation. To effectively realise the Intelligent Decarbonation (IDC) potential, AI-driven CPS must be elevated to a global level of collaboration and coordination, fostering clear IDC principles and guidelines, capacity building and technology transfer. The importance of IDC governance is emphasised to avoid unwanted path dependency and to avert a technology-centric approach, which has proven to yield limited results. A shift from trustworthy to sustainable AI is necessary to eliminate AI’s own carbon footprint
Multifactorial Evaluation of Spatial Suitability and Economic Viability of Light Green Bridges Using Remote Sensing Data and Spatial Urban Planning Criteria
No full textMulti-faceted stresses of social, environmental, and economic nature are increasingly challenging the existence and sustainability of our societies. Cities in particular are disproportionately threatened by global issues such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, air pollution, etc. In addition, urban space is often too limited to effectively develop sustainable, nature-based solutions while accommodating growing populations. This research aims to provide new methodologies by proposing lightweight green bridges in inner-city areas as an effective land value capture mechanism. Geometry analysis was performed using geospatial and remote sensing data to provide geometrically feasible locations of green bridges. A multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to identify suitable locations for green bridges investigating Central European urban centers with a focus on German cities as representative examples. A cost-benefit analysis was performed to assess the economic feasibility using a case study. The results of the geometry analysis identified 3249 locations that were geometrically feasible to implement a green bridge in German cities. The sample locations from the geometry analysis were proved to be validated for their implementation potential. Multi-criteria decision analysis was used to select 287 sites that fall under the highest suitable class based on several criteria. The cost-benefit analysis of the case study showed that the market value of the property alone can easily outweigh the capital and maintenance costs of a green bridge, while the indirect (monetary) benefits of the green space continue to increase the overall value of the green bridge property including its neighborhood over time. Hence, we strongly recommend light green bridges as financially sustainable and nature-based solutions in cities worldwide
Studie zu den Anforderungen und Erwartungen der Generation Z an den Einzelhandel
Get PDFDas veränderte Einkaufs- und Konsumverhalten vieler Kunden stellt den Einzelhandel vor große Herausforderungen. Dabei scheint besonders die junge Generation Z, die mit dem Internet, sozialen Medien und digitalen Anwendungen aufgewachsen ist, nicht mehr den traditionellen Konsummustern zu entsprechen und erwartet eine Anpassung des Einzelhandels an ihre Bedürfnisse. Um herauszufinden, welche Anforderungen junge Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten an den Einzelhandel stellen und wie sich diese zwischen verschiedenen Generationen unterscheiden, wurden mehr als 300 Personen aller Altersgruppen befragt. Zu den Schwerpunkten der Untersuchung zählten das Einkaufsverhalten, die Personalisierung von Kommunikation und Angeboten sowie die Nutzung digitaler Services und Technologien im Einzelhandel
