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Extrem rechte und rassistische Gewalt : Auswirkungen – Handlungs- und Bewältigungsmuster – Konsequenzen
Full text linkExtrem rechte und rassistische Gewalt ist Teil des Lebens von rassistisch vulnerablen Menschen. Die Auswirkungen auf die Betroffenen und deren Bewältigungsmuster sind noch unzureichend erforscht. Das Buch fokussiert aus den Perspektiven von Betroffenen und von Fachkräften die Formen und Kontexte extrem rechter und rassistischer Gewalt und deren Auswirkungen auf das Alltagsleben. Darauf aufbauend werden die von Betroffenen entwickelten Handlungs- und Bewältigungsmuster im Umgang mit Gewalt erörtert und (fehlende) institutionelle Antworten auf extrem rechte und rassistische Gewalt diskutiert
Attending [to] Futures : Matters of Politics in Design Education, Research, Practice
Full text linkAcknowledging the ways in which design (as practices, forms of knowledge, and sets of objects) is accountable for ongoing social and environmental injustices, this anthology contains contributions that envision alternative ways of exploring and designing more livable futures. Attending to these futures requires a reckoning with a multiplicity of actors and contexts, from institutional norms and regulations, to pedagogies, curricula, programs, digital tools, infrastructures, and architectural environments. Last but not least, attention is drawn to the mechanisms and protocols by which these futures are imagined and shaped. This includes critically examining the ways in which design is talked about, taught, and learned in order to empower future designers to engage with the political issues, cultural conditions, and social and environmental implications of their work
Impact of Navier’s Slip and MHD on a Hybrid Nanofluid Flow over a Porous Stretching/Shrinking Sheet with Heat Transfer
Full text linkThe main objective of this study is to explore the inventive conception of the magnetohydrodynamic flow of a hybrid nanofluid over-porous stretching/shrinking sheet with the effect of radiation and mass suction/injection. The hybrid nanofluid advances both the manufactured nanofluid of the current region and the base fluid. For the current investigation, hybrid nanofluids comprising two different kinds of nanoparticles, aluminium oxide and ferrofluid, contained in water as a base fluid, are considered. A collection of highly nonlinear partial differential equations is used to model the whole physical problem. These equations are then transformed into highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations using an appropriate similarity technique. The transformed differential equations are nonlinear, and thus it is difficult to analytically solve considering temperature increases. Then, the outcome is described in incomplete gamma function form. The considered physical parameters namely, magnetic field, Inverse Darcy number, velocity slip, suction/injection, temperature jump effects on velocity, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt number profiles are reviewed using plots. The results reveal that magnetic field, and Inverse Darcy number values increase as the momentum boundary layer decreases. Moreover, higher values of heat sources and thermal radiation enhance the thermal boundary layer. The present problem has various applications in manufacturing and technological devices such as cooling systems, condensers, microelectronics, digital cooling, car radiators, nuclear power stations, nano-drag shipments, automobile production, and tumour treatments
InsurTech in the United States and Germany—What Are the Drivers Behind the Different Business Models?
Full text linkComparing the InsurTech ecosystems of the United States and Germany (Europe), there are significant regional differences in the choice of business models. While many InsurTechs in the United States have opted for the business model of a fully licensed insurer, this business model is much less common in Europe. In Europe, many InsurTechs seem to shy away from applying for a license as an insurer and limit themselves to the business model of a broker or a managing general agent. This paper analyzes the factors that influence an InsurTech's choice of business model when deciding whether or not to apply for an insurance license. It examines the impact of different local market environments on these decisions, as well as the role that access to venture capital plays in business model decisions and how regulators and their actions influence the decision‐making process
Nonlinear Approach to Jouguet Detonation in Perpendicular Magnetic Fields
Full text linkThe focus of this paper was Jouguet detonation in an ideal gas flow in a magnetic field. A modified Hugoniot detonation equation has been obtained, taking into account the influence of the magnetic field on the detonation process and the parameters of the detonation wave. It was shown that, under the influence of a magnetic field, combustion products move away from the detonation front at supersonic speed. As the magnetic field strength increases, the speed of the detonation products also increases. A dependence has been obtained that allows us to evaluate the influence of heat release on detonation parameters
Cohesion Is Lower in Virtualized Collaborations: A Comparison of Teams’ Network Structure
Full text linkVirtualization fundamentally changes how social relations form, but its effect on network structure in collaborative teams is poorly understood. This paper compares team networks from nine government-funded projects that were conducted virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic with 15 prepandemic projects from the same funding program. Results of our comparative analysis of 2,746 dyadic ties in 24 teams showed lower levels of network density, clustering, and structural cohesion in virtualized projects, indicating fragmented virtual teams. Furthermore, expressive networks, defined by the sharing of personal information, were affected more than instrumental networks, which revolve around the sharing of expert knowledge
Functional Design Analysis of Two Current Extended-Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lenses
Full text linkPurpose: To evaluate the differences between two extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses, the Alcon IQ Vivity and the Bausch & Lomb LuxSmart and to compare them with a simple monofocal lens, the Alcon IQ, using a simulation-based approach.
Methods: A mathematical lens model was created for each lens type based on a measured surface geometry. The lens model was then used in a raytracer to calculate a refractive power map of the lens and a ray propagation image for the focal zone.
Results: The simulations confirm the enhanced depth of focus of these two lenses. There are apparent differences between the models. For the Vivity, more light is directed into the far focus in low light conditions, whereas the LuxSmart behaves more pupil independent and prioritizes intermediate vision.
Conclusions: The simulation-based approach was effective in evaluating and comparing the design aspects of these lenses. It can be positioned as a valuable third tool for lens characterization, complementing in vivo studies and in vitro measurements.
Translational Relevance: With this approach not only focusing on the resulting optical performance, but the underlying functional mechanisms, it paves the way forward for a better adaptation to the individual needs and preferences of patients
Leitlinien zur Ermöglichung einer inklusiven Medienbildung mit digitalen Spielen
Full text linkDie vorliegenden Leitlinien sind im Projekt „InGame – Medienbildung inklusiv mit digitalen Spielen“ entwickelt worden, das von Mai 2022 bis April 2024 von einem Team von Forschenden an der TH Köln und am JFF – Institut für Medienpädagogik in Forschung und Praxis in München umgesetzt und von der Stiftung Deutsche Jugendmarke gefördert wurde. Sie umfassen Maßnahmen, die erforderlich sind, damit zukünftig alle Menschen unge-/behindert, selbstbestimmt und diskriminierungsfrei an der digitalen Spielekultur partizipieren und sie mitgestalten können. Die Leitlinien richten sich an die Pädagogik, Kinder- und Jugendhilfe, Politik und Spieleentwicklun
Jahresbericht 2023 der Kölner Forschungsstelle Rückversicherung
Full text linkDie Rückversicherungsbranche sieht sich auch weiterhin bedeutenden Herausforderungen gegenüber. Im Jahr 2023 wurde sie neben dem anhaltenden Ukraine-Krieg und den Schäden durch Naturkatastrophen auch von der Energiekrise und der Inflation beeinflusst.
Die Kölner Forschungsstelle Rückversicherung analysiert die aktuellen Entwick-lungen des Rückversicherungsmarktes und begleitet diese gegebenenfalls durch Forschungsprojekte. Dabei verbindet die Forschungsstelle RV ihre Forschungs-aktivitäten mit der Rückversicherungspraxis. Hiermit und mit Hilfe der Durchführung des jährlichen Kölner Rückversicherungs-Symposiums und der Jahrestagung des Förderkreises Rückversicherung wird ein bidirektionaler Wissenstransfer zwischen Theorie und Praxis betrieben.
Die Inhalte dieser beiden wissenschaftlichen Veranstaltungen sowie die bearbei-teten Forschungsprojekte fließen in die Lehre an dem Institut für Versicherungs-wesen ein und komplettieren so die praxisorientierte Ausbildung in dem Bereich der Rückversicherung.
In der Kölner Forschungsstelle Rückversicherung sind derzeit acht Mitarbeiter*innen beschäftigt und zudem drei Professoren tätig. Dabei werden sämtliche Personal-, Sach- und Reisekosten vollständig aus Drittmitteln des Förderkreises Rückversi-cherung finanziert. Zu diesen Finanzierungen gehört unter anderem die Promotion von Herrn Frank Cremer. Zudem betreut Prof. Dr. Jan-Phillip Schmidt die Promotion von Herrn Phillip Sampson.
Die im Rahmen der 14. Jahrestagung 2021 des Förderkreises Rückversicherung beschlossene finanzielle Unterstützung des gemeinnützigen Vereins „Hilfe für Guinea e.V.“ wurde in 2023 fortgesetzt. Durch die jährliche Spende an dieses Projekt erfüllt die Kölner Forschungsstelle Rückversicherung das für einen offiziellen Forschungsschwerpunkt geforderte Kriterium „Gesellschaftliches Engagement“. Die Spende kommt dem Projekt La Lumière Scolaire zugute. Dieses Projekt finanziert den Schulbau und den laufenden Schulbetrieb für Kinder von Körperbehinderten und Obdachlosen in Guinea.
Die Kölner Forschungsstelle Rückversicherung ist von der TH Köln als offizieller Forschungsschwerpunkt akkreditiert
Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Tetracyclic Pyrrolocarbazoles Inhibiting Heterotetrameric Protein Kinase CK2
Full text linkThe serine/threonine kinase CK2 (formerly known as casein kinase II) plays a crucial role in various CNS disorders and is highly expressed in various types of cancer. Therefore, inhibiting this key kinase could be promising for the treatment of these diseases. The CK2 holoenzyme is formed by the recruitment of two catalytically active CK2α and/or CK2α′ subunits by a regulatory CK2β dimer. Starting with the lead furocarbazole W16 (4) inhibiting the CK2α/CK2β interaction, analogous pyrrolocarbazoles were prepared and tested for their protein–protein interaction inhibition (PPII). The key step of the synthesis was a multicomponent Levy reaction of 2-(indolyl)acetate 6, benzaldehydes 7, and N-substituted maleimides 8. Targeted modifications were performed by the saponification of the tetracyclic ester 9a, followed by the coupling of the resulting acid 10 with diverse amines. The replacement of the O-atom of the lead furocarbazole 4 by an N-atom in pyrrolocarbazoles retained or even increased the inhibition of the CK2α/CK2β interaction. The large benzyloxazolidinyl moiety of 4 could be replaced by smaller N-substituents without the loss of the PPII. The introduction of larger substituents at the 2-position and/or at p-position of the phenyl moiety at the 10-position to increase the surface for the inhibition of the PPI did not enhance the inhibition of the CK2α/CK2β association. The strong inhibition of the CK2α/CK2β association by the histidine derivative (+)-20a (Ki = 6.1 µM) translated into a high inhibition of the kinase activity of the CK2 holoenzyme (CK2α2β2, IC50 = 2.5 µM). Thus, 20a represents a novel lead compound inhibiting CK2 via the inhibition of the association of the CK2α and Ck2β subunits