ZHAW digitalcollection (Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences)
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Between adaptation and innovation : young people’s spaces during the pandemic and the challenges for open child and youth work
No full textAuf Basis erster Erkenntnisse aus dem transformativen Forschungsprojekt Jugend und Raum geht der Artikel der Frage nach, wie Jugendliche mit den durch die Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung der Covid 19-Pandemie verursachten sozialräumlichen Einschränkungen umgingen und welche Anforderungen sich daraus für die Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit ableiten lassen
Identification and characterization of the elusive protein backbone of the immuno-dominant and species-specific Em2(G11) metacestode antigen of Echinococcus multilocularis
No full textAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is a severe zoonotic disease in humans. One of the major metacestode antigens of E. multilocularis is the Em2 or Em2(G11) native purified antigen. The Em2 antigen is used for the serological and histopathological diagnosis of AE in humans and plays an important role in parasite–host interactions. As the Em2(G11) antigen is a mucin-type and glycosylated protein, the protein backbone has not been identified yet. We have targeted the protein backbone identification through mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the Em2(G11) antigen. As a result, we evidenced that the Em2(G11) antigen consists of 33 unique protein candidates of which the most abundant was ‘’EmuJ_001105600.1’’. This protein (889 amino acids) had 427 predicted glycosylation sites. Amino acid composition comparison was in agreement with earlier studies and further confirmed the candidate of interest as the most likely Em2(G11) protein backbone. NCBI BLAST revealed no other known protein homologues in related Echinococcus species nor helminths. After successfully producing this protein recombinantly (Em2rec), a monoclonal antibody (mAbEm2rec) was raised against it. Immunohistochemical stainings of liver tissue sections of AE patients showed that the mAbEm2rec reacts specifically with E. multilocularis antigens solely after deglycosylation with an O-glycosidase cocktail. Similarly, in ELISA, the mAbEm2rec recognized the recombinant and native antigens of E. multilocularis after deglycosylation. These results reveal the nature of this highly glycosylated and specific protein, where mucins are covering the proteomic backbone. For antibody detection in human patients, the native Em2(G11) antigen was superior compared to the Em2rec antigen, indicating the importance of glycosylated epitopes in this immuno-dominant antigen. Of note is the second most abundant protein in the Em2(G11) antigen, namely phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EmuJ_000292700.1). PEPCK is known to play an important part in the metabolic pathway of gluconeogenesis in E. multilocularis. However, whether this co-eluted protein has any functional importance in the parasite-host interplay of nutrients, growth, and diagnostic significance, is not explored. By combining various approaches, we were able to uncover and confirm the protein backbone of the diagnostic Em2(G11) antigen of E. multilocularis
Transforming teaching practice into blended learning : a case study on the role of values and influence
No full textThis chapter explores the impact of values and influence on the success of designing and implementing a new blended learning concept for the module Cleaning Services Management in the bachelor’s programme in Facility Management at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. This new concept focuses on the potential to improve blended learning concepts within higher education. This chapter will discuss a case study that is based on a learning sequence of eight units, where students were tasked with developing a cleaning concept using project-based learning and is characterised by an intuitive writing narrative based on experiences, as well as on critical peer feedback. The findings reveal that personal values and traditional power-play in higher education impact effectiveness in both positive and negative ways because they influence underlying driving principles which one cannot easily change. Therefore, the approach to a change intervention should involve more than only the tangible concept. This chapter sheds light on the practical implications of values and influence and therefore also student-focused learning in Hospitality Management. The insights gained will assist stakeholders in designing and implementing new learning concepts in a more successful way
ProMCDA : a Python package for probabilistic multi-criteria decision analysis
No full textMulti-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is a formal process used to assist decision-makers in structuring complex decision problems and providing recommendations based on a comprehensive evaluation of alternatives. This evaluation is conducted by selecting relevant criteria and subcriteria, which are then aggregated according to the preferences of the decision-makers to produce a ranking or classification of the alternatives (Bouyssou et al., 2006; Roy, 1996). A wide range of MCDA methods are available in the literature for integrating information to classify alternatives into preference classes or rank them from best to worst (Cinelli et al., 2022). Among these, composite indicators (CIs) are commonly used synthetic measures for ranking and benchmarking alternatives across complex concepts (Greco et al., 2019). Examples of CI applications include environmental quality assessment (Oţoiu & Grădinaru, 2018), resilience of energy supply (Gasser et al., 2020), sustainability (Volkart et al., 2016), and global competitiveness (Klaus Schwab, 2018).
However, the final ranking of alternatives in MCDA can be influenced by various factors such as uncertainty in the criteria, the choice of weights assigned to them, and the selection of methods for normalization and aggregation to construct CIs (Cinelli et al., 2020; Langhans et al., 2014). To address these challenges, the ProMCDA Python module has been developed to allow decision-makers to explore the sensitivity and robustness of CI results in a user-friendly manner. This tool facilitates sensitivity analysis related to the choice of normalization and aggregation methods and accounts for uncertainty in criteria and weights, providing a systematic approach to understanding the impact of these factors on decision outcomes
Finding consensus on trust in AI in health care : recommendations from a panel of international experts
No full textBackground: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health care has become a crucial element in the digital transformation of health systems worldwide. Despite the potential benefits across diverse medical domains, a significant barrier to the successful adoption of AI systems in health care applications remains the prevailing low user trust in these technologies. Crucially, this challenge is exacerbated by the lack of consensus among experts from different disciplines on the definition of trust in AI within the health care sector.
Objective: We aimed to provide the first consensus-based analysis of trust in AI in health care based on an interdisciplinary panel of experts from different domains. Our findings can be used to address the problem of defining trust in AI in health care applications, fostering the discussion of concrete real-world health care scenarios in which humans interact with AI systems explicitly.
Methods: We used a combination of framework analysis and a 3-step consensus process involving 18 international experts from the fields of computer science, medicine, philosophy of technology, ethics, and social sciences. Our process consisted of a synchronous phase during an expert workshop where we discussed the notion of trust in AI in health care applications, defined an initial framework of important elements of trust to guide our analysis, and agreed on 5 case studies. This was followed by a 2-step iterative, asynchronous process in which the authors further developed, discussed, and refined notions of trust with respect to these specific cases.
Results: Our consensus process identified key contextual factors of trust, namely, an AI system’s environment, the actors involved, and framing factors, and analyzed causes and effects of trust in AI in health care. Our findings revealed that certain factors were applicable across all discussed cases yet also pointed to the need for a fine-grained, multidisciplinary analysis bridging human-centered and technology-centered approaches. While regulatory boundaries and technological design features are critical to successful AI implementation in health care, ultimately, communication and positive lived experiences with AI systems will be at the forefront of user trust. Our expert consensus allowed us to formulate concrete recommendations for future research on trust in AI in health care applications.
Conclusions: This paper advocates for a more refined and nuanced conceptual understanding of trust in the context of AI in health care. By synthesizing insights into commonalities and differences among specific case studies, this paper establishes a foundational basis for future debates and discussions on trusting AI in health care
3D Master-basierte Methode zur Optimierung der Kostenkalkulation von PBF-LB/M-Fertigteilen
No full textThe 3D Master method streamlines the transfer of product information from design to production, utilizing 3D model files containing Product Manufacturing Information (PMI). This approach facili-tates direct access to crucial data for metal additive manufacturing (MAM) parts, including materials, geometric dimensions, and tolerances (GD&T) for each manufacturing step. By leveraging this data, the 3D Master method enables the automation of accurate cost evaluation.
This paper introduces a method leveraging the 3D Master to automate precise manufacturing cost calculation for MAM parts using powder-based fusion (PBF) processes. It proposes a frame based on the quality level of the data provided by the customer to quantify the accuracy of the estimated cost, thanks to a performance index (KPI). A build cost model based on an optimal volumetric energy density calculation is achieved through a theoretical and statistical approach is also provided. The study, conducted on 20 reference MAM parts of varying geometrical complexities, demonstrates a relative deviation of normalized actual and calculated cost difference below 10 %.
This cost model and the KPI give solid foundations for the service provider to assess the production cost at the early stages of the production process and lay the groundwork for a commercial online service platform offering reliable and adapted quotes for AM part production within minutes
DAOs as property owners : a conceptual exploration from the perspective of organizational system theory
No full textThe development of Bitcoin and its underlying technology blockchain has enabled a new phenomenon called decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). DAOs can be perceived as self-governing organizations whose management is based on programmed and encoded rules on a decentralized and distributed peer-to-peer network. These DAOs typically manage and allocate funds, often in the form of cryptocurrencies. However, in recent years, a variety of DAOs have been established to provide services (e.g., currency exchange, project financing), curate collections (e.g., art collections), or own and manage real assets (e.g., land). Currently, DAO literature focuses mainly on online communities managing digital assets; however, DAOs owning physical properties differ from them in localized communities, asset indivisibility, and additional complexity in collective acquisition, ownership, limited physical capacity, and decentralized governance. Such property-owning DAOs are interesting, because they fuel the transition from purely online organizations into organizations integrating with the physical world. From an organizational system theory perspective this article explores how a DAO owning properties could be designed by exploring three DAO projects that own properties. Applying a conceptual research design, we first identify DAO Design Principles obtained by traditional organizational system theory, followed by examining and describing the core organizational principles for property-owning DAOs. Based on a comprehensive discussion of the conceptual findings, we present a research agenda for further studies on DAOs owning properties
Berufsbildner*in: Brücken zwischen Praxis und Theorie
No full textHebammen mit aktueller Berufserfahrung haben ein vertieftes Verständnis für berufliche An- und Herausforderungen und bereichern Lehre und Forschung mit praxisrelevanten Fragestellungen und einer berufsfeldspezifischen Perspektive (Artelt & Kunter, 2019). Im Projekt EdgeLab wurde ein Weiterbildungsmodul konzipiert, das auf berufspraktischer Erfahrung basierende Lernergebnisse anrechnet. Wie das funktioniert, zeigt der folgende Artikel
A method for the adoption of DevOps in SMEs
No full textDevOps represents a novel paradigm in business and information technology, aimed at bridging the gap between development and operations. While existing literature predominantly explores DevOps adoption in large enterprises, the applicability of resulting methods and frameworks to smaller enterprises remains limited. This paper addresses this gap by investigating small and medium enterprises (SMEs), offering insights into how such enterprises have successfully implemented DevOps or, for those facing challenges, how to overcome obstacles during implementation. Our research endeavors focus on developing a methodology tailored to the unique requirements of successful DevOps implementation in SMEs. This methodology has been rigorously tested in domestic Swiss SMEs, involving collaboration with experts and internal IT development teams. Through validation processes, we refined our methodology, resulting in the formulation of an adoption method, a checklist, and a meta-model designed to streamline the DevOps adoption process for SMEs. Our findings demonstrate that the developed method holds practical implications and significantly facilitates the implementation process. However, it is crucial to customize the methodology to align with the specific characteristics of each company before implementation. This approach ensures that the methodology effectively addresses the individual needs and challenges encountered by SMEs, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of successful DevOps adoption