Vom freiwilligen Seminar zur Q2-Pflichtveranstaltung

Definition of the problem: Ethical reasoning cannot be enforced. Voluntary understanding is a basic condition for the development of ethical competencies and attitudes. The aim of this survey was to investigate whether the presence of those students who attended our seminars compulsorily would have a negative effect upon the quality of the course. Methods and results: The participants of our small-group seminars in medical ethics were asked to complete a questionnaire on teaching aims, seminar atmosphere, moderation and importance of subjects. One hundred and ninety-two voluntary participants (2001/2) and 293 compulsory participants (2002/3) completed the questionnaire and were statistically compared. There was no significant difference between voluntary and compulsory participants in any of the important items. However, there were considerable differences in some items between male and female participants. Conclusion: We were surprised that there was no difference between the two groups. This leads us to hope that our concept of case-based small-group seminars will prove capable of realising our teaching aims for all students. The difference between male and female participants may have important didactic consequences and will be the subject of further studies.     

A 0.9 V 92 dB Double-Sampled Switched-RC Delta-Sigma Audio ADC

A 0.9 V third-order double-sampled delta-sigma audio ADC is presented. A new method using a combination of a switched-RC technique and a floating switched-capacitor double-sampling configuration enabled low-voltage operation without clock boosting or bootstrapping. A three-level quantizer with simple dynamic element matching was used to improve linearity. The prototype IC implemented in a 0.13 CMOS process achieves 92 dB DR, 91 dB SNR and 89 dB SNDR in a 24 kHz audio signal bandwidth, while consuming 1.5 mW from a 0.9 V supply. The prototype operates from 0.65 V to 1.5 V supply with minimal performance degradation.     

A simple handling technique for mammalian oocytes and embryos during preparation for transmission electron microscopy

Due to their small size, mammalian oocytes and embryos pose unique problems during preparation for transmission electron microscopy. This paper outlines a method which combines protein embedding with centrifugation to locate the specimens on the face of a Beem capsule mould. This method facilitates both the processing of oocytes with minimal loss and rapid location of the specimens within the block for simultaneous sectioning, staining and examination.     

Resistance to Fracture of a Partially Stabilized Zirconia/β-Alumina Composite

Partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) /β-alumina composites exhibit extensive non-elastic deformation during fracture. Repeated loading/stable fracture/unloading experiments were performed on chevron-notched four-point-bend specimens of the composite and pure PSZ. The energy consumption during the propagation of long cracks in the composite (∼500 J/m²) is 1 order of magnitude larger than for PSZ (∼50 J/m²). Breaking strengths of 127 MPa were obtained with a Weibull modulus of 43.     

A PROTOTYPE GRID FRAMEWORK FOR THE CHEMICAL PROCESS INDUSTRIES

This article presents a GRID framework for distributed computations in the chemical process industries. We advocate a generic agent-based GRID environment in which chemical processes can be represented, simulated, and optimized as a set of autonomous, collaborative software agents. The framework features numerous advantages in terms of scalability, software reuse, security, and distributed resource discovery and utilization. It is a novel example of how advanced distributed techniques and paradigms can be elegantly applied in the area of chemical engineering to support distributed computations and discovery functions in chemical process engineering. A prototype implementation of the proposed framework for chemical process design is presented to illustrate the concepts.     

Preparation of ultra‐low‐density microcellular materials

Microcellular polymeric materials can be obtained by the polymerization of a high‐internal‐phase emulsion. These materials are good candidates as targets toward inertial confinement fusion. This application requires severe specifications, including a very low density and a small cell size. In this study, we examined the influence of parameters such as emulsification conditions, surfactant nature, and the presence of a porogen on the obtainment of those requirements. It was possible to obtain microcellular polymeric foams with apparent densities as low as 0.0126 g/cm³. However, it was difficult to obtain very low material density and still maintain a small average pore size. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2053–2063, 2005     

A new adaptation of mapping method to study mixing of multiphase flows in mixers with complex geometries

The main objective of the present work is to modify the traditional mapping method for the simulation of distributive mixing of multiphase flows in geometries involving moving parts such as, internal mixers or twin-screw extruders without a limitation on their geometrical periodicity. The periodicity condition, limits the results of traditional mapping method to tracking mapping mesh between specific discrete time intervals or distances for that geometry is repeated, hence, result is only for fixed orientation of rotors. Imaginary domain method is introduced to track mapping mesh from one state to the next free of geometrical periodicity limitations. In this work the method is introduced and its applicability and accuracy is discussed in details. A two-dimensional (2D) simulation of mixing of two Newtonian fluids with different viscosities in an intermeshing internal mixer is used as a test case study. In this example the key issues of ability to predict mixing state in details for all orientations of rotors is presented. To reduce diffusion errors of mapping method in the boundaries of the rotors, mapping mesh refinement technique that relies upon one single reference mesh is also presented.     

Engaging the aging workforce: The relationship between perceived age similarity, satisfaction with coworkers, and employee engagement.

Business publications and the popular press have stressed the importance of creating conditions for meaningful employee expression in work roles, also known as engagement. Few empirical studies, however, have examined how individual or situational factors relate to engagement. Consequently, this study examines the interplay between employee age, perceived coworker age composition, and satisfaction with older (older than 55) and younger (younger than 40) coworkers on engagement using a sample of 901 individuals employed in the United Kingdom. Results indicated that satisfaction with one's coworkers related significantly to engagement. Moreover, perceived age similarity was associated with higher levels of engagement among older workers when they were highly satisfied with their coworkers over 55 and lower levels of engagement when they were not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)