Der Einfluss kultureller Unterschiede beim IT-Offshoring

Recently, offshoring of information systems (IS) services to external vendors has seen considerable growth. Outsourcing to vendors in foreign countries causes unique challenges which need to be understood and managed effectively. This paper explores cultural differences in IS offshoring arrangements involving German client organizations that outsource application development activities to Indian vendors. For this purpose, a research framework is developed based on both theoretical considerations and specific empirical observations from multiple case studies. The goal is to (1) explore the nature of cultural differences in offshoring arrangements in depth and to (2) analyze the relationship between those cultural differences and offshoring success.     

SMRs – overview,international developments,safety features and the GRS simulation chain

The Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) gGmbH as the main technical support organization for the German Federal Government in nuclear safety has been dealing with small modular reactors (SMRs) for about one decade since SMRs are one interesting option for new builds in most countries worldwide which continue to use nuclear energy for commercial electricity production. Currently four different SMR designs are in operation, four in construction, one is licensed, and further 12 are in a licensing process. In this paper, definitions, history, and current developments of SMRs are presented. Subsequently, selected trends of SMR development such as factory fabrication and transport, compactness and modularity, core design, improved core cooling, exclusion of accidents, features for preventing and limiting the impact of severe accidents, economic viability, competitiveness and licensing are discussed. Modeling gaps of the GRS simulation chain programs with a view to applications in nuclear licensing procedures are identified and a strategy for closing these gaps is presented. Finally, selected work on the extension and improvement of the simulation chain and first generic test analyses are presented.     

Demontage von Komposit-Bauteilen – Potenzial energetischer Materialien zur Demontage von Rotorblättern

Rotor blades of wind turbines are a challenge for recycling due to the composite materials used and their large-volume construction. The article presents a new approach for the disassembly of composite components with energetic materials. The results illustrate the different disassembly effects of detonating cords and cutting charges as well as the dependence on the material fractions, the material thickness, the layer structure or even the fibre architecture.     

Alkaline hydrogels as ion-conducting coupling material for electrochemical chloride extraction

One method to rehabilitate chloride-contaminated reinforced concrete structures is electrochemical chloride extraction, by which chloride ions are extracted from the pore system of the concrete using an externally applied voltage. Although many factors influence the efficacy of electrochemical chloride extraction, a number of these, such as the concrete cover and the chloride profile, are predefined by the structure. One factor with major influence that can be improved is the coupling material. In this contribution, we present a suitable coupling material in the form of a highly alkaline hydrogel, with which the applied voltage can be reduced from 40–50 to 1 V under laboratory conditions. The reduction is due to the high conductivity of the gel and its excellent electrolytic contact with concrete. In a field test on chloride-infested car-park columns, more than 95% of the chloride could be extracted with 2–3 cycles, each comprising of 21 days of extraction and 7 days of rest. During the entire treatement, the gel did not require any attending to, such as replacing evaporated moisture.     

Solvent extraction and separation of light rare earth elements (La,Pr and Nd) in the presence of lactic acid as a complexing agent by Cyanex 272 in kerosene and the effect of citric acid,acetic acid and Titriplex Ⅲ as auxiliary agents

At present, the use of rare earth elements(REEs) has become an inevitable necessity in many modern industries. In general, liquid extraction is the best commercial method for extracting REEs due to its ability to control high volumes of liquids with electrical load. With the aim of improving a separation technology that would be superior to the existing extraction systems, the extraction behaviors of La(Ⅲ),Pr(Ⅲ), and Nd(Ⅲ) from an HCI medium with Cyanex 272 in the presence of the complexing agent lactic acid(HLac) and auxiliary agents citric acid(H_3 Cit), acetic acid(HAc), and Titriplex Ⅲ have been reported.The effect of pH and lactic acid concentration has been examined. The use of lactic acid as a complexing agent leading to a high extraction of REEs with Cyanex 272 at pH = 5 was compared with systems without lactic acid. The results show that the use of acetic acid along with lactic acid leads to an increase in the extraction percentage of LREEs. While use of citric acid and Titriplex Ⅲ reduces the extraction percentage of LREEs. Finally, the presence of Titriplex Ⅲ together with lactic acid could lead to an increase in the separation factor of Pr and Nd.     

Expertensysteme für die Verfahrenstechnik

Expert systems in chemical and process engineering . A survey is given of expert systems in chemical and process engineering and adjacent fields of knowledge. The article assumes a knowledge of the basic concepts of artificial intelligence and expert-system technology. The expert systems, arranged according to their function and domain of expertise, are described and discussed with emphasis on information of interest to the potential user, e.g. on applications, construction, and implementation. Finally, an attempt is made to give an outlook on future applications of technical expert systems and on the abilities which these systems are expected to possess.     

A novel intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving cell formation problem

The formation of manufacturing cells forms the backbone of designing a cellular manufacturing system. In this paper, we present a novel intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm for the cell formation problem. The proposed solution method benefits from the advantages of particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and self-organization map neural networks by combining artificial individual intelligence and swarm intelligence. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm significantly outperforms PSO and yields better solutions than the best solutions existed in the literature of cell formation. The application of the proposed approach is examined in a case problem where real data is utilized for cell reconfiguration of an actual company involved in agricultural manufacturing sector.

     

Die zweite Geo‐Geum‐Brücke in Südkorea – Schrägkabelbrücke und Vorlandbrücke für Straßenverkehr mit Verbundfachwerkträger

The 2nd Geo Geum Grand Bridge in Korea – cable‐stayed bridge and approach bridge with composite truss girder for roadway traffic. The 2nd Geo Geum Grand Bridge forms part of the fixed connection from the mainland to the Island of Geo Geum in South Korea (Fig. 1). This high level crossing is composed of a 912 m long approach viaduct and a 1116 m long stay cable bridge with a main span of 480 m. The approach viaduct is a continuous girder with regular spans of 120 m. The superstructure of both bridges is a composite truss girder bridge, which carries a 2 lane highway on top and a pedestrian and bicycle way on the lower deck. The main design considerations were function as a high‐way, innovation in design and visual harmony with its surround‐ings. The stay cables are arranged in a single plane at the centre of the bridge, their semi‐fan arrangement with bundled configur‐ation gives a very special and unique appearance.