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Gezielte Maßnahmen zur Förderung von Studentinnen in IT-Studiengängen: Ein Ansatz für den Campus Gummersbach der TH Köln
Get PDFDie Bachelorarbeit mit dem Titel ”Gezielte Maßnahmen zur Förderung von Studentinnen in IT-Studiengängen am Campus Gummersbach der TH Köln” verfolgt das Ziel, die Präsenz und den Erfolg von Frauen in den IT-Studiengängen der Technischen Hochschule Köln zu verbessern. Der Fokus dieser Arbeit liegt darauf, basierend auf empirischen Erkenntnissen und einem theoretischen Rahmen, realisierbare Fördermaßnahmen zu entwickeln. Zur Hauptmaßnahme gehört die Initiative ”Be a IT-Girl”, die durch verschiedene Ansätze wie ein spezifisches Podcast-Format und ein vielseitig nutzbares Raumkonzept die Gleichstellung und das Empowerment von Studentinnen fördern soll.
Die Arbeit wurde durch eine Kombination aus qualitativer und quantitativer Forschung gestützt, wobei Befragungen und Analysen zu den Herausforderungen und Bedürfnissen der Studentinnen am Campus Gummersbach durchgeführt wurden. Die entwickelten Maßnahmen wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Durchführbarkeit und erwarteten Effektivität bewertet, wobei ein besonderer Fokus auf die praktische Umsetzbarkeit und die Anpassung an die spezifischen Bedingungen Standort Gummersbach gelegt wurde.
Insgesamt bietet die Arbeit nicht nur einen tiefen Einblick in die Problemstellungen und Potenziale zur Förderung von Frauen in IT-Bereichen, sondern auch konkrete Lösungsansätze, die zu einer nachhaltigen Veränderung und Verbesserung der Situation beitragen können
Logistik-Infrastrukturbausteine mit städtebaulichem Anforderungsprofil (LISA): LISA-Projektentwicklungsansatz und -Leitfaden - Entwicklung stadtgerechter Logistikinfrastrukturbausteine für eine nachhaltigere Mobilität und Logistik der Stadt von (über-)morgen
Get PDFDie Studie „Logistik-Infrastrukturbausteine mit städtebaulichem Anforderungsprofil (LISA)“ untersucht die Entwicklung nachhaltiger städtischer Logistikinfrastrukturen/-immobilien und adressiert hierzu sowohl städtebauliche als auch logistische Herausforderungen. Ziel ist es, innovative und pragmatische Konzepte für die Entwicklung und Realisierung innerstädtischer Logistikknoten (Hubs) zu etablieren, die als zentrale Elemente dienen, um Güter effizient und emissionsarm in urbane Räume zu transportieren und dort weiter zu verteilen. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf der Integration urbaner Hubs in bestehende Stadtstrukturen, um sowohl die Lebensqualität als auch die Klimaresilienz urbaner Gebiete zu fördern.
Mithilfe des im Rahmen der Studie vorgestellten Leitfadens soll zudem die Identifikation und Bewertung geeigneter innerstädtischer Standorte für multifunktionale Hubs, die neben logistischen Funktionen auch ergänzende Nutzungen wie Handel, Büroflächen oder kulturelle Einrichtungen umfassen können, erleichtert werden. Der erarbeitete Ansatz berücksichtigt unterschiedliche Perspektiven von Stadtplanern/-entwicklern, Logistikern, Wirtschaftsförderern und der städtischen Verwaltung und soll die kooperative und interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit bei der Umsetzung urbaner Infrastruktur- und Projektentwicklungsstrategien unterstützen.
Die Studie entstand in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Technischen Hochschule Köln, Akteuren aus Logistik, Mobilität, Architektur und Stadtplanung sowie der KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung
Numerical Simulation and Analysis of the Manufacturing Process of Pre-Bulged Rupture Discs
Get PDFRupture discs, also known as bursting discs, are indispensable components in fluid-operated systems providing effective protection against hazardous over-pressure or partial vacuum. They belong to a special class of safety devices and are found in a variety of technical applications including pressure vessels, piping systems, reactors and boilers. In all application scenarios, rupture discs act as sacrificial parts that have to fail precisely at a predetermined differential pressure, opening a relief flow path for the working fluid. The membrane employed within rupture discs is usually made out of specific metal alloys or different material layers depending on the particular application. However, for many manufacturers of rupture discs, the production process is characterized by a lack of systematic procedures, relying instead on trial and error as well as empirical values. By means of thorough finite-element-based modeling and simulation of the bulge-forming process of rupture discs, including an elastic–plastic material law, large deformation, as well as contact mechanics, it is possible to accurately predict the resulting stress–strain behavior. All simulation results are rigorously validated through corresponding experiments conducted during the bulge-forming process. Therefore, this contribution provides a reliable basis for the parameter set-up during the manufacturing process of rupture discs
Neuropsychological Abnormalities Associated with Alcohol Dependence During Long-Term Rehabilitation Treatment of German Inpatients
Get PDFBackground: Alcohol dependence is associated with several neuropsychological abnormalities, such as increased impulsivity or attentional bias towards drug-related stimuli. However, it is debated whether these abnormalities are on the decline after long-term abstinence from alcohol. Inpatient rehabilitation treatment enables the longitudinal investigation of such variables during a long, largely secured, period of abstinence. Methods: This study involved alcohol-dependent patients consecutively admitted for a duration of 14–26 weeks to an inpatient rehabilitation treatment center located in a hospital specializing in substance use disorders. Craving and impulsivity were assessed with the means of two questionnaires (e.g., OCDS-G and BIS-11); conversely, attentional bias and problems with inhibition were measured with the help of two computer-based experiments (e.g., dot–probe task and stop–signal–reaction task). Investigations were conducted at entry, after 6 weeks, and during the last two weeks of the inpatient treatment. Results: A total of 130 patients with alcohol dependence (mean age 43.3 years; 78.5% male) completed the first, N = 102 the second, and N = 83 the final assessment. Over the whole period of inpatient treatment, there was a significant decrease in patients’ scores for both craving (t(83) = 7.8, p < 0.001) and impulsivity (t(82) = −3.75, p < 0.001, t(82) = 4.4, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes regarding attentional bias (t(82) = 0.16, p = 0.494) and inhibitory control (t(76) = 0.04, p = 0.482) scores. Conclusions: Neuropsychological abnormalities associated with alcohol dependence might persist even after a long abstinence period. The decrease in both craving and impulsivity levels may be explained by the protected, alcohol-free, hospital environment; however, patients’ risk of post-discharge relapse may remain high, as the basic neurobiological mechanisms of alcohol dependence may persist for long periods, and possibly for more than 3–6 months
Characterisation of Rouaite, an Unusual Copper-Containing Pigment in Early Modern English Wall Paintings, by Synchrotron Micro X-Ray Diffraction and Micro X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Get PDFAlthough the use of verditer, a synthetically produced copper carbonate pigment chemically analogous to azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2), in early modern wall paintings is regularly reported in grey literature, its detection in wall paintings is typically unavailable in a public forum. This article focusses on two particular samples (M9 and T1) initially suspected to contain copper blue pigments from decorative wall painting schemes in domestic houses across a range of status groups, in eastern and south-eastern England, dated to 1550-1650. Interest in verditer synthesis procedures is found in textual sources including both historic manuals and current scientific literature. The unreliability of the synthesis, particularly for blue verditer, however, is widely documented. Here, we report a multimodal study employing SEM-EDX, SR-μPXRD mapping, and SR-μXANES spectroscopy to characterise the phases present in two wall painting samples, one c. 1600/early 1600s (M9) and the other c. 1600 (T1). In addition to assessment of the presence of verditer, this study presents the first identification of rouaite, a synthetic copper hydroxynitrate mineral (Cu2(NO3)(OH)3), in wall painting samples. Rouaite, shown in a previous publication to be a common byproduct of replications of the historical verditer synthetic recipes, appears in combination with verditer and alone. Its infrequent identification in paintings and murals is considered in light of analytical challenges. The presence of copper hydroxychlorides is also discussed in the context of rouaite stability and degradation. These results represent a significant development in our knowledge of the early modern palette in England and historical verditer synthesis and advances our understanding of how these painting schemes may be best preserved in the future
Role of CD4+ T-Cells for Regulating Splenic Myelopoiesis and Monocyte Differentiation after Experimental Myocardial Infarction
Get PDFMyocardial infarction (MI) induces the generation of proinflammatory Ly6C high monocytes in the spleen and the recruitment of these cells to the myocardium. CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25 + T-cells (Tregs) promote the healing process after myocardial infarction by engendering a pro-healing differentiation state in myocardial monocyte-derived macrophages. We aimed to study the effects of CD4 + T-cells on splenic myelopoiesis and monocyte differentiation. We instigated MI in mice and found that MI-induced splenic myelopoiesis is abrogated in CD4 + T-cell deficient animals. Conventional CD4 + T-cells promoted myelopoiesis in vitro by cell–cell-contact and paracrine mechanisms, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signalling. Depletion of regulatory T-cells enhanced myelopoiesis in vivo, as evidenced by increases in progenitor cell numbers and proliferative activity in the spleen 5 days after MI. The frequency of CD4 + T-cells-producing factors that promote myelopoiesis increased within the spleen of Treg-depleted mice. Moreover, depletion of Tregs caused a proinflammatory bias in splenic Ly6C high monocytes, which showed predominantly upregulated expression of IFN-γ responsive genes after MI. Our results indicate that conventional CD4 + T-cells promote and Tregs attenuate splenic myelopoiesis and proinflammatory differentiation of monocytes
Sustainability Assessment of the Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Production System in Acapetahua and Villa Comaltitlán Municipalities
Get PDFElaeis guineensis Jacq. or oil palm is a native species of West Africa. Its oils, extracted from the fruit mesocarp and the kernel are widely used in the food industry, industrial applications, and bioenergy production. Due to its versatility, profitability and growing demand, the global oil palm agroindustry raises concerns regarding deforestation, effects in biodiversity, contamination and related to social issues such as labor conditions, poverty, and social conflicts. In Mexico, the establishment and subsequent growth of the oil palm industry was promoted by past government policies and financial support. In Chiapas the current main producer of the country, the expansion can be also attributed to oil palm resilience to floods, hurricanes, and the economic profitability.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the sustainability status of the oil palm production system within Acapetahua and Villa Comaltitlán Municipalities by analyzing the indicators of sustainability. To achieve this, the Evaluation Framework for Natural Resource Management Systems (MESMIS), was adapted to measure the attributes status of productivity, stability, reliability, resilience, self-management, equity, and adaptability, of the different dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social, political, and economic).
It was identified that MESMIS is an appropriate framework to study oil palm system in Acapetahua and Villa Comaltitlán municipalities. The methodology allowed the identification of critical points, and relevant indicators that include land use and vegetation cover changes, oil palm cashflow, good agricultural practices, farmers´ training, level of participation and farmers´ well-being. As a result, it was identified that vegetation and land use changes were principally from pastures land and previous oil palm plantations, and a positive profitability in the last two years. Soil and water conservation practices are implemented, and farmers have received different trainings principally from social mills, but other good agricultural practices and awareness of social problems should be improved, while the social participation evaluation showed a weak status of the political dimension
More Help Was Offered—But Was It Effective? First Responders and Volunteers in the 2021 Flood Disaster in Germany
Get PDFThe floods in 2021 in Germany laid bare the need to better integrate volunteers into official disaster management. An online survey with 1767 valid interviews after the floods in July 2021 reveals the shared experiences of professional and non-professional groups. Communication and coordination problems are the main results of the survey analysis. Overall satisfaction was a bit lower for the volunteers than for the professionals. The behavior of the superiors could have been more satisfactory. The preparation and opportunity for reflection could have been better after the operation. The information provision before and during the flood operation could have been more satisfactory. Worries were higher about elderly persons, and misinformation was a perceived danger. Problems experienced in the flood operations ranged from psychological stress to hygiene, self-endangerment, assignment of tasks, and misinformation, both from the media and official sources. Infrastructure-related problems included electricity, water, communication lines, roads, and rail. The suggestions for improvements ranged from communication and information about warnings and behavior to persons that transfer knowledge between organizations, digital exchange platforms, and exchange between countries
Uncovering the Dynamics of Multi‐Sector Impacts of Hydrological Extremes: A Methods Overview
Get PDFHydrological extremes, such as droughts and floods, can trigger a complex web of compound and cascading impacts (CCI) due to interdependencies between coupled natural and social systems. However, current decision‐making processes typically only consider one impact and disaster event at a time, ignoring causal chains, feedback loops, and conditional dependencies between impacts. Analyses capturing these complex patterns across space and time are thus needed to inform effective adaptation planning. This perspective paper aims to bridge this critical gap by presenting methods for assessing the dynamics of the multi‐sector CCI of hydrological extremes. We discuss existing challenges, good practices, and potential ways forward. Rather than pursuing a single methodological approach, we advocate for methodological pluralism. We see complementary or even convergent roles for analyses based on quantitative (e.g., data‐mining, systems modeling) and qualitative methods (e.g., mental models, qualitative storylines). The data‐driven and knowledge‐driven methods provided here can serve as a useful starting point for understanding the dynamics of both high‐frequency CCI and low‐likelihood but high‐impact CCI. With this perspective, we hope to foster research on CCI to improve the development of adaptation strategies for reducing the risk of hydrological extremes