Publikationsserver der Ostbayerischen Technischen Hochschule Regensburg
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Cash demand in times of crises: a global perspective
No full textWe analyse the repercussions of different kinds of crises on cash demand in an international perspective. Our case studies are based on time series of banknotes in circulation in a selection of 16 countries and currency areas across all continents over the period from 1990 to 2022. We distinguish between six different kinds of crises: (1) uncertainty of the digital infrastructure, (2) confidence crises of the financial system, (3) natural disasters, (4) political crises, (5) inflationary crises, and (6) exchange rate crises. Our case studies suggest that crises are likely to have contributed to the dynamic growth in demand for banknotes in the countries analysed. This applies both to small and large banknote denominations
Preservation of wetting ridges using field-induced plasticity of magnetoactive elastomers
No full textHypothesis.
The presence of a wetting ridge is crucial for many wetting phenomena on soft substrates. Conventional experimental observations of a wetting ridge require permanent presence of a droplet. The magnetic field-induced plasticity effect (FIPE) of soft magnetoative elastomers (MAEs) allows one to overcome this limitation. Depositing a droplet onto an MAE surface and applying a magnetic field fixes the wetting ridge in place due to the FIPE. The droplet can be removed to investigate the ridge with ease using conventional optical methods.
Experiments.
The wetting ridge is observed on MAEs with different shear moduli and different material thicknesses by confocal laser scanning microscopy (LSM). The preservation quality of the ridge is analyzed for several values of magnetic field from 10 mT to 270 mT. To verify the plausibilty of results obtained, the measured shape is compared to a theoretical model by Style & Dufresne.
Findings.
Upon removal of the sessile droplet, the deformation remains embossed onto the MAE surface as long as the magnetic field remains applied. The height of the ridge peak on soft samples (effective shear modulus
kPa) is close to the theoretical prediction for a magnetic flux density of 50 mT. The magnitude of the external magnetic field magnifies the height of the wetting ridge
Envision a Future of Living with Robots through Participatory Theatre
No full textWith the goal to facilitate societal discussion, the interactive exhibitioin “Living with Robots”, open to the public at the Science Night in Regens-burg, Germany in 2024 gave visitors the opportunity to imagine a life with robots at home, at work, for care, and education. It was set up with multiple stations of which an improvisation theatre was the highlight. Most of public presentations of robots emphasize the power of technology; the exhibition was intentionally designed to set apart from this. We chose theatric play as the medium of engagement and communication, and it was shown to be fruitful. In this paper, we draw implications from our experiences and present some preliminary results on the public opinions of living with robots
Improving health-related quality of life for people with aphasia through peer support using the digital network PeerPAL
No full textBackground:
Aphasia is often associated with psychosocial changes that may affect health-related quality of life, risk of depression or social participation. One possible intervention to address these psychosocial changes is peer contact. However, this often requires professional support (e.g. supervised support groups), whereas a digital option may allow for autonomous, asynchronous peer contact. Therefore, we developed an app adapted to the specific needs of people with aphasia to stimulate digital and analogue interactions.
Aims:
The aim of the study was to evaluate a tailored app for people with aphasia that can be used to establish peer contact and enable digital and analogue interactions. The impact of using the app on health-related quality of life, social participation and depression prevention was analysed.
Methods & Procedures:
The study design was a pre-post wait-list-controlled comparison in which half of the participants (n = 18) waited three months before starting the intervention, and the other half of the participants (n = 18) started the intervention immediately. During the intervention, the app was used by all participants (n = 36) for three months after a training session, followed by three months of optional app use until follow-up. Health-related quality of life (SAQOL39g, GHQ-12), communicative participation (CPIB), social support (F-SozU), depression markers (GDS, DISCs), and activity in the app were recorded at each time point. Analyses were mainly non-parametric to calculate changes during the intervention and to compare the intervention with the waiting period. The study is registered in the German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS00023855).
Outcomes & Results:
SAQOL-39g data improved significantly for the whole group during the intervention period (z = -3.043, p = 0.002, r = -0.598), but not during the waiting period (z = 0.402, p = 0.705). Scores remained stable until follow-up, and there was no worsening of depression markers over the entire period. No linear correlation was found between the improvement in SAQOL-39g and activity in the app (p = 0.329, r = 0.167).
Conclusions:
People with aphasia were able to use the app and showed an intervention-specific effect on health-related quality of life. The amount of activity in the app seems to be less critical for changes. Other factors, such as feeling connected to peers, appear to be relevant. Future studies should explore who might benefit most from the app
A re-usable 3D-printed training model for the endodontic management of dental trauma in immature teeth
No full textAIM:
To develop a 3D-printed model enabling treatment simulation of trauma-related endodontic and restorative procedures like revitalization or placement of an apical plug on teeth with incomplete root formation.
METHODOLOGY:
To generate a realistic training model suitable for trauma-related simulations, CT-Data sets were segmented, combined, adjusted and optimized using computer-aided design features. Specific focus was on optimally reflecting characteristics of immature teeth like open apical foramina and thin root walls. For reflection of the revitalization process, a set-up including a tube filled with red liquid under pressure was developed to be perforated during the procedure by the trainee, simulating bleeding from the apical papilla into the root canal system. Design was based on a combination of cost-effective simple parts combined with 3D-printed components to achieve maximal accessibility, exchangeability and re-usability. Model assembly and preparation were described in step-by-step instructions.
RESULTS:
As a result of the developmental process, the presented model qualifies for the training of the endodontic management of complications on immature teeth after dental trauma. Step-by-step descriptions aligned with the clinical procedures are performable for a revitalization procedure, for pulpotomy followed by fragment re-attachment and splint application and for placement of an apical plug using hydraulic calcium silicate cements.
CONCLUSIONS:
The model successfully achieved its intended objectives, so that it may be used in the future in various dental trauma treatment simulations for undergraduate and postgraduate education on the endodontic management of trauma-related therapies in immature teeth. Its common manufacturing process, affordability and re-usability support accessibility and sustainability
Assessing the techno-economic benefits of LEMs for different grid topologies and prosumer shares
No full textThe shift toward decentralized and renewable energy sources has introduced significant challenges to traditional power systems, necessitating innovative market designs. Local energy markets present a viable solution for integrating distributed energy resources such as photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles, and heat pumps. This study investigates the techno-economic implications of local energy markets compared to conventional market designs, focusing on their impact on average energy prices and operational peak power. Through comprehensive simulations across various grid topologies with varying penetration levels of the distributed energy resources, totaling 400 simulation setups, we demonstrate that local energy markets can enhance economic efficiency and grid stability with 99% of the scenarios boasting lower average energy prices and 80% lower operational peak power levels. The findings suggest that local energy markets can play a role in the future energy system, provided that additional infrastructure, management costs, and bureaucratic complexity are kept to a minimum
Unearthing Corporate Greenwashing: A Content Analysis of Sustainability Reporting in the Mining Sector
No full textGreenwashing is a common form of corporate disinformation that is often challenging for the general public to detect. Companies engage in greenwashing in their reporting to mislead shareholders and stakeholders about their environmental efforts, seeking to enhance legitimacy and gain competitive advantages. While systems for identifying greenwashing exist, they typically focus on advertising, leaving greenwashing in corporate reports underexamined. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a qualitative content analysis of a climate report from a mining and commodity trading company, considering the company’s profile, the report’s target audience, and current research. The findings reveal that the company employs numerous subtle greenwashing strategies to project a more sustainable image through strategic omissions, hedging and vague long-term goals. Moreover, this research broadens the scope of greenwashing analysis to include corporate reporting, which targets a more informed audience, such as shareholders and experts, rather than the general public. The results underscore the need for stricter regulation of sustainability reports and highlight the importance of fostering greater scrutiny among shareholders
Entwicklungsorientierte Unterstützung von Familien mit psychischen Erkrankungen im Landkreis Regensburg 2012–2022 – Darstellung nachhaltiger Interventions- und Präventionsstrategien
No full textPsychisch erkrankte Eltern und deren Kinder bedürfen für deren Unterstützung einer entwicklungsorientierten Perspektive. Denn einerseits können sich psychische Erkrankungen auf elterliche Kompetenzen auswirken, andererseits weisen Kinder psychisch erkrankter Eltern eine erhöhte Vulnerabilität auf, selbst psychische Krankheiten zu entwickeln. Nicht zuletzt können psychische Erkrankungen mit Auswirkungen auf weitere Lebensbereiche der Familien verbunden sein, wie beruflicher Tätigkeit und damit verbundener finanzieller Ressourcen sowie sozialen Kontakten mit möglicher Isolation, der Freizeitgestaltung u.a.m.. Dadurch kann die Erreichung altersentsprechender Entwicklungsaufgaben der Kinder und Eltern erschwert werden. Ein entwicklungsorientierter Ansatz der Hilfen integriert alle Akteure und Institutionen der Hilfen, neben den psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutischen für Kinder, Jugendliche und Erwachsene, jene der Jugend- und Familienhilfe sowie weiterer Tätigkeitsfelder der Sozialen Arbeit, der Angehörigenverbände bis hin zu Schule und Kindertagesstätten. Dadurch kommt ein entwicklungsorientierter Ansatz zentralen Anliegen der Ottawa-Charta nach, u.a. der Vernetzung der Gesundheitsdienste und psychosozialer Unterstützungsangebote, der Befähigung Betroffener sowie der Bereitstellung möglichst förderlicher Ausgangs- und Entwicklungsbedingungen für Kinder und Jugendliche. Dadurch sollen die Erreichung altersspezifischer Entwicklungsaufgaben und Teilhabe verbessert und die Risiken für die Transmission von Entwicklungsrisiken infolge elterlicher psychischer Erkrankungen minimiert werden. Vorgestellt wird die Arbeit der regionalen Arbeitsgruppe Kinder und psychisch erkrankte Eltern (KupkE) sowie zwei Projekte, die eine Weiterentwicklung des Versorgungsangebotes für Familien mit einem psychisch erkrankten Elternteil und deren Kinder anstreben. Ein Projekt versucht die professionelle außerhäusliche bzw. familienergänzende Kindertagesbetreuung für Unter-3-jährige in das Hilfsnetz einzubeziehen. Ein weiteres Projekt versucht den Ansatz der Genesungsbegleitung (EX-IN) dahingehend zu erweitern, dass Genesungsbegleiterinnen und -begleiter, die selbst in Elternverantwortung sind, psychisch erkrankte Eltern durch ihre Expertise aus Erfahrung unterstützen können
Enhancing Layer Adhesion in Material Extrusion AM with Adaptive Laser Preheating Integrated in Printhead
No full textMaterial extrusion is a widely used AM process and is gaining more acceptance in industry applications due to its material variety, flexibility, and low cost. However, its usage is limited by a process-related anisotropy caused by insufficient interlayer bonding due to reduced temperature in the process zone. To enhance layer adhesion, an adaptive laser preheating system is integrated in a conventional printhead around the extrusion nozzle. The setup with eight fiber coupled diode laser allows preheating in feed direction and investigation of various intensity profiles. The article describes the experimental setup and significant improvements achieved. Laser preheating with different intensity distributions (spot, sickle or ring shaped) show an incasement of up to 85 % of the mechanical properties in the build-up direction. However, due to the additional energy input by the laser, controlled cooling of the workpiece becomes a crucial factor and is investigated as well
Sozialpädagogisches Gestalten in kleinräumigen Gemeinden
No full textOtger Autrata hatte schon im Jahr 2006 unter Bezugnahme auf Lothar Böhnisch und Hans Gängler relativ allgemein einen Paradigmenwechsel in Richtung einer sozialräumlichen Gestaltung von Hilfe- und Bildungsarbeit eingefordert. Auch jüngere sozialpädagogische Arbeiten mahnen diesen Wandel der Perspektiven ein und arbeiten daran. Die Rede ist hier von kollektiver gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung bei vor allem in der Planung zu berücksichtigenden angemessenen Räumen für Kinder & Jugendliche, von neuen Raumentwürfen, die in ihrer pädagogischen Bedeutung zu betrachten sind, sowie von neuen Qualitäten, denen Konzepte offener Jugend- und Bildungsarbeit insgesamt geschuldet sind.
In diesem Beitrag werden Redeweisen über Jugendprobleme und -arbeit in niederösterreichischen Gemeinden empirisch in den Blick genommen. In der „Multiple Case Study“ zu insgesamt sechs Gemeinden im Feld lokaler Jugendarbeit – in ausgewählten Ergebnissen und im Design verknappt dargestellt – wird empirisch durchdrungen, was von Entscheidungsträger/innen, Expert/innen, Helfer/innen und
Jugendlichen selbst in den untersuchten Gemeinden als „problematisch“ sowie als „gelungen“ an existierender Jugendarbeit dargestellt wird. Die für gewöhnlich vor den Planungen und Lösungen kommunaler Sozialpolitik stehenden lokaltypischen Problemdiagnosen bzw. die hieran anschließenden Hilfen (vgl. dazu Armut in Österreich. Bestandsaufnahme, Trends, Risikogruppen. Wien: Braumüller, S. 308–328) wurden konversationsanalytisch untersucht. Rezepte (Collected papers. The Hague, Martinus Nihoff, S. 64–88) einer möglichen Einflussnahme und Gestaltung aus dieser Untersuchung abzuleiten und diese letztlich zu organisations- und sozialpädagogischen Handlungsempfehlungen für die in der offenen Bildungsarbeit Tätigen zu überführen, bildet das Anliegen dieses Beitrags