A mechanistic perspective on plastically flexible coordination polymers

Mechanical flexibility in single crystals of covalently bound materials is a fascinating and poorly understood phenomenon. We present here the first example of a plastically flexible one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymer. The compound [Zn(μ‐Cl)2(3,5‐dichloropyridine)2]n is flexible over two crystallographic faces. Remarkably, the single crystal remains intact when bent to 180°. A combination of microscopy, diffraction, and spectroscopic studies have been used to probe the structural response of the crystal lattice to mechanical bending. Deformation of the covalent polymer chains does not appear to be responsible for the observed macroscopic bending. Instead, our results suggest that mechanical bending occurs by displacement of the coordination polymer chains. Based on experimental and theoretical evidence, we propose a new model for mechanical flexibility in 1D coordination polymers. Moreover, our calculations propose a cause of the different mechanical properties of this compound and a structurally similar elastic material

Hydrodynamical simulations of the jet in the symbiotic star MWC 560 I. Structure, emission and synthetic absorption line profiles

We performed hydrodynamical simulations with and without radiative cooling of jet models with parameters representative for the symbiotic system MWC 560. For symbiotic systems we have to perform jet simulations of a pulsed underdense jet in a high density ambient medium. We present the jet structure resulting from our simulations and calculate emission plots which account for expected radiative processes. In addition, our calculations provide expansion velocities for the jet bow shock, the density and temperature structure in the jet, and the propagation and evolution of the jet pulses. In MWC 560 the jet axis is parallel to the line of sight so that the outflowing jet gas can be seen as blue shifted, variable absorption lines in the continuum of the underlying jet source. Based on our simulations we calculate and discuss synthetic absorption profiles. Based on a detailed comparison between model spectra and observations we discuss our hydrodynamical calculations for a pulsed jet in MWC 560 and suggest improvements for future models.Comment: 17 pages, 26 figures, accepted for publication in A &

The AXES research video search system

We will demonstrate a multimedia content information retrieval engine developed for audiovisual digital libraries targeted at academic researchers and journalists. It is the second of three multimedia IR systems being developed by the AXES project1. The system brings together traditional text IR and state-of-the-art content indexing and retrieval technologies to allow users to search and browse digital libraries in novel ways. Key features include: metadata and ASR search and filtering, on-the-fly visual concept classification (categories, faces, places, and logos), and similarity search (instances and faces)

A tradeoff between robustness to environmental fluctuations and speed of evolution

Organisms must cope with both short- and long-term environmental changes to persist. In this study we investigated whether life histories trade-off between their robustness to short-term environmental perturbations and their ability to evolve directional trait changes. We could confirm the tradeoff by modeling the eco-evolutionary dynamics of life-histories along the fast-slow pace-of-life continuum. Offspring dormancy and high adult survival rates allowed for large population sizes to be maintained in face of interannual environmental fluctuations but limited the speed of trait evolution with ongoing environmental change. In contrast, precocious offspring maturation and short-living adults promoted evolvability while lowering demographic robustness. This tradeoff had immediate consequences on extinction dynamics in variable environments. High evolvability allowed short-lived species to cope with long-lasting gradual environmental change, but came at the expense of more pronounced population declines and extinction rates from environmental variability. Higher robustness of slow life-histories helped them persist better on short timescales

Function Analysis for Selecting Automated Machine Learning Solutions

Methods of machine learning (ML) are notoriously difficult for enterprises to employ productively. Data science is not a core skill of most companies, and acquiring external talent is expensive. Automated machine learning (Auto-ML) aims to alleviate this, democratising machine learning by introducing elements such as low-code / no-code functionalities into its model creation process. Multiple applications are possible for Auto-ML, such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), predictive modelling and optimization. However, employing Auto-ML still proves difficult for companies due to the dynamic vendor market: The solutions vary in scope and functionality while providers do little to delineate their offerings from related solutions like industrial IoT-Platforms. Additionally, the current research on Auto-ML focuses on mathematical optimization of the underlying algorithms, with diminishing returns for end users. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview over available, user-friendly ML technology through a descriptive model of the functions of current Auto-ML solutions. The model was created based on case studies of available solutions and an analysis of relevant literature. This method yielded a comprehensive function tree for Auto-ML solutions along with a methodology to update the descriptive model in case the dynamic provider market changes. Thus, the paper catalyses the use of ML in companies by providing companies and stakeholders with a framework to assess the functional scope of Auto-ML solutions

Automation Potential in the Workflow of a Scrub Nurse

One of the heavily burdened actors in the operating theatre is the scrub nurse who is responsible for the organized and orderly workflow in the operating theatre. One of the main tasks of the scrub nurse is to perform quick and appropriate instrumentation because fast and proactive instrumentation is crucial for the success of the operation. The actual deficiency of specialist staff in the healthcare sector is motivating the automation of repetitive tasks and simple work steps in order to relieve staff in the future and free up capacity for complex and important activities. A robotic assistance system appears to be a suitable solution for many of these challenges. The vision is to develop advanced assistance systems for the handling of instruments in future surgical procedures. In this work, surgery of the carpal tunnel was chosen as example task. The focus lied on the type and scope of the individual working steps. The analysis was carried out by video analyses and by observing corresponding surgical procedures. Based on the results of the analysis, potentials for improving the workflow were derived and requirements for a robotic assistance system were defined

Experimental parameter study on synthesis gas production by steam-oxygen fluidized bed gasification of sewage sludge

Federal State of Baden-Württember

Ecological consequences of Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) cultivation in Europe

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) was first introduced to Europe from North America more than 150years ago, was then planted on a large scale and is now the economically most important exotic tree species in European forests. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of Douglas fir on soil chemistry, plants, arthropods and fungi. Douglas fir shapes its abiotic environment similarly to native tree species such as Norway spruce, silver fir or European beech. In general, many organisms have been shown to be able to live together with Douglas fir and in some cases even benefit from its presence. Although the number of species of the ground vegetation and that of arthropod communities is similar to those of native conifer species, fungal diversity is reduced by Douglas fir. Special microclimatic conditions in the crown of Douglas fir can lead to reduced arthropod densities during winter with possible negative consequences for birds. The ecological impacts of Douglas fir are in general not as severe as those of other exotic tree species, e.g., Pinus spp. in South Africa and Ailanthus altissima, Prunus serotina and Robinia pseudoacacia in Europe. Nonetheless, Douglas fir can negatively impact single groups of organisms or species and is now regenerating itself naturally in Europe. Although Douglas fir has not been the subject of large-scale outbreaks of pests in Europe so far, the further introduction of exotic organisms associated with Douglas fir in its native range could be more problematic than the introduction of Douglas fir itself