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Shifts from non‐obligate generalists to obligate specialists in simulations of mutualistic network assembly
Get PDFUnderstanding ecosystem recovery after perturbation is crucial for ecosystem conservation. Mutualisms contribute key functions for plants such as pollination and seed dispersal. We modelled the assembly of mutualistic networks based on trait matching between plants and their animal partners that have different degrees of specialization on plant traits. Additionally, we addressed the role of non‐obligate animal mutualists, including facultative mutualists or non‐resident species that have their main resources outside the target site. Our computer simulations show that non‐obligate animals facilitate network assembly during the early stages, furthering colonization by an increase in niche space and reduced competition. While non‐obligate and generalist animals provide most of the fitness benefits to plants in the early stages of the assembly, obligate and specialist animals dominate at the end of the assembly. Our results thus demonstrate the combined occurrence of shifts from diet, trait, and habitat generalists to more specialised animals
Phenomenological Prediction of the Band Diagram of Organic–Organic and Inorganic–Organic Heterointerfaces
No full textHerein, a phenomenological rule is presented for the estimation of electronic contact properties of organic–organic and inorganic–organic hetero interfaces, which is deduced from a large number of experimentally studied heterojunctions. The data for the present study are summarized from in situ step‐by‐step interface experiments using photoelectron spectroscopy. Organic and inorganic (oxide) materials are investigated which are used for the manufacturing of organic based optoelectronic devices in the InnovationLab Heidelberg. It is shown that the measured values of the interface dipole as well as of the band bending linearly depend on the work function difference between substrate and adsorbate. The data suggest that the investigated materials as technologically applied films contain a prototypical concentration of electron states at the interface and in the bulk, the charge of which is adjusted to reach thermodynamic equilibrium at a contact. As a consequence, a generally applicable empirical formula to predict the energetic band alignment due to dipole formation and the contact potential distribution due to band bending can be deduced, which is given by just the work function differences between the pristine layers. This result suggests that band bending as well as interface dipole formation are both attained by redistribution of electronic charge via integer charge transfer processes
...vor 50 Jahren - Wegbereiter einer modernen Politikwissenschaft
Get PDF1962 beruft die Technische Hochschule Darmstadt Arcadius Rudolph Lang Gurland auf den Lehrstuhl II für Wissenschaftliche Politik, eine Entscheidung, von der das Institut noch heute profitiert
Exploring Measures of Distinctiveness : An Evaluation Using Synthetic Texts
No full textMeasures of distinctiveness (aka keyness) are important tools for comparing groups of texts to identify each group's characteristic features. Evaluating these measures is essential to ensure their reliability and predictability. In our research, we developed and applied a new method for evaluating measures of distinctiveness. Our method uses a synthetically generated, homogenous text corpus to which we insert an artificial word whose frequency and dispersion are precisely manipulated. This approach allows us to determine each measure's sensitivity to variations in frequency and dispersion. Through our evaluation, we have uncovered previously unknown characteristics of these measures. Specifically, we discovered that the TF-IDF-based measure we used is more sensitive to dispersion variations than other dispersion-based measures. Moreover, we found that Eta cannot detect a word with a clear dispersion contrast when it has the same frequency in both the target and comparison groups. In our next steps, we aim to explore practical applications of this new knowledge about measures of distinctiveness
Encoding Imagism? Measuring Literary Imageability, Visuality and Concreteness via Multimodal Word Embeddings
No full textThis paper addresses the challenge of measuring "imageability" in literary texts — a concept from psycholinguistics that describes how words evoke sensory experiences. Imageability is connected to literature's immersive quality, but current methods face limitations due to vague definitions, poor lexical coverage, and difficulty scaling to sentence-level (/literary) analysis. To tackle this, we propose a data-driven approach using a multimodal model, alongside traditional word embeddings, to quantify imageability more effectively. Through three experiments: 1) a word-level analysis, 2) sentence-level comparison, and 3) a case study contrasting imagist and love poems — we test whether embeddings created with a multimodal model capture imageability, and the related features concreteness and visuality. We assess the extent to which multimodal embeddings capture imageability in literary texts, while considering compositionality and the multimodal nature of literary imagery
Walking on Colors: Investigating the Impact of Sidewalk Color Interventions on Restorative Experiences Using Edited Images and Virtual Reality
Get PDFUrban environments profoundly influence residents' health, with environmental and social stressors frequently cited as key contributors to mental health challenges. Natural environments are often recommended as optimal settings for alleviating mental fatigue and stress. Consequently, much research contrasts urban environments with natural ones, highlighting nature's greater potential to enhance mental well-being. This focus has led to limited exploration of how urban environments—particularly those with minimal or no greenery (i.e., “gray environments”)—can also support mental health. Nonetheless, investigating this is crucial, as gray environments commonly constitute residents' immediate surroundings, particularly for individuals with limited access to green spaces or reduced mobility. This dissertation aims to explore how urban design interventions can enhance the quality of urban spaces to promote mental health.
A conceptual framework was first developed through a literature and practice review to demonstrate the link between multi-scale urban design and recovery—a multifaceted process allowing individuals to reduce or pause from stress—illustrating the potential pathways involved. The dissertation subsequently focused on the role of micro-scale urban design in facilitating recovery, investigating how artificial ground murals can enhance restorative walking experiences in gray urban streets. Two-dimensional (2D) street images and virtual reality (VR) were used to present ground mural design conditions with varying colors (i.e., warm, cool, and achromatic) and patterns (i.e., curvilinear and rectilinear/angular). Restorative experiences were indicated by participants’ responses on mood states (pleasure, energetic arousal, and relaxation) and perceived restorativeness (PR) as measured by the shortened Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS, Berto, 2005) to each design scenario.
Results showed that ground murals significantly influence pedestrians' perceptions in gray urban settings. Cool color and curvilinear designs notably improved restorative environmental qualities, while warm color designs decreased relaxation. Findings further indicated that design variations led to distinct perceptual outcomes; specifically, the 2D study revealed that cool colors enhanced pleasure and PR more than other colors, whereas warm colors reduced relaxation the most, and achromatic designs elicited the least excitement and restorativeness perception. Curvilinear designs outperformed rectilinear designs in enhancing PR. The VR study yielded consistent results, although with fewer significant findings, possibly due to the higher ecological validity of VR, which may impose a greater cognitive load compared to static 2D image viewing.
The dissertation emphasizes the potential of urban design to promote recovery across multiple scales, enhancing existing frameworks on the impact of urban design on mental health. Furthermore, the two empirical studies highlighted the positive effects of ground mural design on restorative experiences, expanding evidence for the role of micro-scale urban design interventions in promoting mental health and underscoring the importance of enhancing the quality of gray urban spaces for boosting mental health
Vor 60 Jahren ... Eine Holzbrücke für den Bundespräsidenten
No full textDer erste Bundespräsident Theodor Heuss (1884–1963) besuchte vor 60 Jahren die TH Darmstadt. Anlass waren die Feierlichkeiten zum 150. Geburtstag des Chemikers Justus von Liebig (1803–1873). Liebig wurde als Sohn eines Drogisten und Farbenhändlers in der Darmstädter Altstadt geboren und revolutionierte zahlreiche Bereiche der Chemie
Der Architekt des Kurhauses Trifels
Get PDFSeit zwei Jahren ist das Kurhaus Trifels, zwischen 1909 und 1911 ursprünglich als Ludwigshafener Erholungsheim Trifels erbaut, eine wissenschaftliche Tagungsstätte. die Mitglieder der TU Darmstadt nutzen rege das Seminarhotel mit seinen rund 20 Zimmern, sechs Seminarräumen und ausgezeichneter Küche
Intergenerational Domination
Get PDFThe political and ethical status of future generations is commonly discussed within conceptual frameworks like intergenerational justice, rights, or welfare. In this article, I argue that the concept of domination can provide a novel perspective on the philosophy of intergenerational relations. To that end, I first advance and defend a (slightly) revised conception of domination, drawing on Philip Pettit’s neorepublican view. Second, I establish a prima facie case for the existence of intergenerational domination and address four major objections to the claim that the present generation dominates future generations: the non-concurrency challenge, a modified version of the non-identity problem, the inescapability objection, and the problem of historical domination. Finally, I explore some implications and conceptual advantages of the framework of intergenerational domination. As a theoretical foundation of a comprehensive analysis of structures of domination, the proposed framework may contribute to identifying and reducing domination within and across generations
Virtual flight deck crew assistance utilizing artificial intelligence methods to interpret NOTAMs: a user acceptance study
Get PDFOver the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have become deeply embedded in everyday applications. Great progress has been made, which is why these methods are now being introduced to other areas including aviation. The use of such methods in safety-critical areas like aviation, medicine or jurisdiction, entails not only benefits but also challenges, such as regulatory and ethical aspects and the necessary acceptance of users and other stakeholders. This research paper presents the findings of a qualitative user study conducted to investigate the potential benefits of integrating AI on the flight deck to improve the usability of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). Currently, pilots receive a large amount of NOTAMs for each flight. This overload of information can lead to important information being overlooked. Semi-structured interviews with ten pilots were conducted to gather their perspectives on current challenges in their daily work with NOTAMs, acceptance of AI-based methods in aviation with focus on the flight deck and possible fields of applications. Recommendations are derived for future developments. The findings suggest that methods based on AI have the potential to improve the usability of NOTAMs, making them more efficient and user-friendly for pilots. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of addressing pilots’ concerns and taking into account human factors, safety considerations, and the need for effective human–machine collaboration