Propagation of quasi-simple waves in a compressible rotating atmosphere

Summary A class of self-propagating linear and nonlinear travelling wave solutions for compressible rotating fluid is studied using both numerical and analytical techiques. It is shown that, in general, a three dimensional linear wave is not periodic. However, for some range of wave numbers depending on rotation, horizontally propagating waves are periodic. When the rotation is equal to , all horizontal waves are periodic. Here, is the ratio of specific heats. The analytical study is based on phase space analysis. It reveals that the quasi-simple waves are periodic only in some plane, even when the propagation is horizontal, in contrast to the case of non-rotating flows for which there is a single parameter family of periodic solutions provided the waves propagate horizontally. A classification of the singular points of the governing differential equations for quasi-simple waves is also appended.     

Residual encoder-decoder up-sampling for structural preservation in noise removal

Multimedia Tools and Applications - While denoising 3D MRI, structural preservation is a very critical process in the medical region. However, Rician noise in MRI has affected the image quality...     

Conceptualization,measurement, and application of semantic transparency in visual notations

Numerous visual notations are present in technical and business domains. Notations have to be cognitively effective to ease the planning, documentation, and communication of the domains’ concepts. Semantic transparency (ST) is one of the elementary principles that influence notations’ cognitive effectiveness. However, the principle is criticized for not being well defined and challenges arise in the evaluations and applications of ST. Accordingly, this research’s objectives were to answer how the ST principle is defined, operationalized, and evaluated in present notations as well as applied in the design of new notations in ICT and related areas. To meet these objectives, a systematic literature review was conducted with 94 studies passing the selection process criteria. The results reject one of the three aspects, which define semantic transparency, namely “ST is achieved with the use of icons.” Besides, taxonomies of related concepts and research methods, evaluation metrics, and other findings from this study can help to conduct verifiable ST-related experiments and applications, consequently improving the visual vocabularies of notations and effectiveness of the resulting diagrams.

     

Korrosion von ölgefeuerten Zentralheizungskesseln

Corrosion of oil-fired domestic boilers Depending on the surface temperature of the flue gas side the corrosion of oil fired domestic boilers proceeds either mainly by acid corrosion or by oxygen corrosion:

• – At surface temperatures of 60°C and higher the corrosion mechanism of acid corrosion prevails and the corrosion rates amount to 0.1–0.3 mm/year (values referred to continuous burner operation). The corrosion products consist of soluble iron(II)- and iron(III)sulfates. Higher corrosion rates can be attributed to an appreciable catalytic formation of sulfur trioxide on the corrosion products formed on the convective heating surfaces.
• – At surface temperatures of 40°C the mechanism of oxygen corrosion already dominates and the corrosion rates are about ten times higher (1.5–3 mm/year, referred to continous burner operation). The high portion of ioron oxide hydrates, especially goethit (α-FeOOH), makes the corrosion products difficult to remove.
• – Distinctly reduced service lives are also expected for the so called reduced temperature boilers (“Niedertemperaturkessel”) and low temperature boiers (“Tieftemperaturkessel”): According to the manufacturers these boilers may be operated at boiler water temperatures well below 60°C, as they are equipped with constructive measures to enhance the surface temperature on the flue gas side. However, these measures are only fully effective under stationary conditions.

Some of the results were obtained from weight loss measurements on test specimen made from St 35.8 and gray cast iron, that were exposed to the flue gases of an oil fired experimental boiler. Other important results come from field measurements of the sulfuric acid content of about 30 boilers that are in practical use.     

A prototype scanning stylus profilometer for rapid measurement of small surface areas

A novel stylus based profiling instrument has been developed for rapid measurement of small surface areas. Outlined in the following paper are some of the key features of the prototype system including the wideband stylus pick-up and the dedicated scanning traverse mechanism. In addition, some preliminary results obtained by scanning the instrument over several different surfaces are presented.     

Exploring the use of information visualization for digital libraries

This paper presents the findings from a study conducted to explore the current and future use of information visualization (IV) for digital libraries (DL). A series of query techniques and participatory design workshops were employed with the goal of actively involving users in identifying the key characteristics and applications of IV for DLs. The methodology employed, key findings and overall conclusions are presented and discussed.     

Exploring multi-user interactions with dynamic NFC-displays

Near Field Communication (NFC) is an emerging technology for touch-based mobile interactions with single- and multi-tagged objects. Although the latter may allow for simultaneous and collaborative interactions, most prototypes were not designed for multiple users and were only evaluated with single-user interactions. In this paper, we investigate the design, usability and user experience of multi-user interactions on dynamic NFC-displays. These interactive surfaces use a grid of NFC-tags for the direct manipulation of projected application user interfaces. In two user studies with three prototypes for multi-user interaction, we evaluated the performance of dynamic NFC-displays, interactions among users and the interplay between mobile devices and large displays.     

SEMPA – Ein Ansatz des Semantischen Prozessmanagements zur Planung von Prozessmodellen

Currently process modeling is mostly done manually. Therefore, the initial design of process models as well as changes to process models which are frequently necessary to react to new market developments or new regulations are time-consuming tasks. In this paper we introduce SEMPA, an approach for the partly automatic planning of process models. Using ontologies to semantically describe actions – as envisioned in Semantic Business Process Management –, a process model for a specified problem setting can be created automatically. In comparison to existing planning algorithms our approach creates process models including control structures and is able to cope with complex and numerical input and output parameters of actions. The prototypical implementation as well as an example taken from the financial services domain illustrate the practical benefit of our approach.     

Zur personellen Verankerung der IT-Funktion im Vorstand börsennotierter Unternehmen: Ergebnisse einer inhaltsanalytischen Betrachtung

On the Rate of Board Members with IT Responsibilities in Firms Listed on the Stock Exchange: Results of a Content Analysis: This article reports on a content analysis that investigates the rate of board members with IT responsibilities in firms listed on the stock exchange in the German speaking countries. Furthermore, the study ascertains the correlation of six factors – which become evident through content analysis – with the rate of board members with IT responsibilities. A total of 679 annual reports of German, Austrian, and Swiss corporations have been analyzed. The results show that in Germany and Switzerland 26 percent of the firms investigated have a board member with IT responsibilities, in Austria the rate is 23 percent. Additionally, the results show that turnover and number of employees are highly positively correlated with the rate of board members with IT responsibilities. Furthermore, the data show a correlation between industry and the rate of board members with IT responsibilities.     

Entwicklung Serviceorientierter Architekturen zur Integration von Produktion und Dienstleistung – Eine Konzeptionsmethode und ihre Anwendung am Beispiel des Recyclings elektronischer Geräte

Offering product-service bundles (consisting of products and services) is becoming more important for companies. Modifying the organizational structure of the cooperation as well as adapting to changing customer demands requires versatile information systems. Implementing Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) is one attempt to provide this flexibility. Currently, there is little methodical guidance for the identification, specification and implementation of services as building blocks of Service Oriented Architectures. Accounting for this need, a conceptual approach is designed, which adapts approaches of customer integration, and combines a business and IT analysis. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by designing a Service Oriented Architecture for the recycling of electronic equipment. Implementing services for other product-service bundles will support additional integration scenarios. By standardizing services, a sound integration of products and services can be backed by providing a reference architecture.