On mind &; Turing’s machines

Turing’s notion of human computability is exactly right not only for obtaining a negative solution of Hilbert’s Entscheidungsproblem that is conclusive, but also for achieving a precise characterization of formal systems that is needed for the general formulation of the incompleteness theorems. The broad intellectual context reaches back to Leibniz and requires a focus on mechanical procedures; these procedures are to be carried out by human computers without invoking higher cognitive capacities. The question whether there are strictly broader notions of effectiveness has of course been asked for both cognitive and physical processes. I address this question not in any general way, but rather by focusing on aspects of mathematical reasoning that transcend mechanical procedures.Section 1 discusses Gödel’s perspective on mechanical computability as articulated in his [193?], where he drew a dramatic conclusion from the undecidability of certain Diophantine propositions, namely, that mathematicians cannot be replaced by machines. That theme is taken up in the Gibbs Lecture of 1951; Gödel argues there in greater detail that the human mind infinitely surpasses the powers of any finite machine. An analysis of the argument is presented in Section 2 under the heading Beyond calculation. Section 3 is entitled Beyond discipline and gives Turing’s view of intelligent machinery; it is devoted to the seemingly sharp conflict between Gödel’s and Turing’s views on mind. Their deeper disagreement really concerns the nature of machines, and I’ll end with some brief remarks on (supra-) mechanical devices in Section 4.     

Simulation-based optimization of personnel assignment planning in sequenced commercial vehicle assembly: A software tool for iterative improvement

This paper presents a simulation-based planning software for high complexity production settings which currently undergoes first real-data industry application tests in commercial vehicle assembly. The system will also be applicable in other industries with a sufficiently high number of products and variants. The solution enables the forecasting of required personnel and temporary additional workers (“floaters”) for every cycle at the production line. It periodically collects process times, sequence and feature data for the vehicles. The cumulated workload is calculated under consideration of flexibilities. A web-based user interface enables to set and change reference data, define process simulations and to compile diagrams and charts for the analysis of the results of the different simulation runs. Various filters as to time periods, vehicle types or feature variants allow the planner a target-oriented analysis and provide feedback for improving production line tacting. Finally, some qualitative results of a first industry test in commercial vehicle assembly give feedback about the usability of existing analytical features and desirable additional features.     

Zur Verantwortung des Informatikers-Militärische Anwendungen der Informatik

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Response-effect compatibility in manual choice reaction tasks.

This study investigated whether compatibility between responses and their consistent sensorial effects influences performance in manual choice reaction tasks. In Experiment 1 responses to the nonspatial stimulus attribute of color were affected by the correspondence between the location of responses and the location of their visual effects. In Experiment 2, a comparable influence was found with nonspatial responses of varying force and nonspatial response effects of varying auditory intensity. Experiment 3 ruled out the hypothesis that acquired stimulus-effect associations may account for this influence of response-effect compatibility. In sum the results show that forthcoming response effects influence response selection as if these effects were already sensorially present, suggesting that in line with the classical ideomotor theory, anticipated response effects play a substantial role in response selection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measurement of heat transfer coefficients in tubes by temperature oscillation analysis

An experimental technique and evaluation method is described for the determination of local heat transfer coefficients in tubes or other ducts. By means of a rotary mixing valve, cold and warm fluid flows are mixed in order to generate an arbitrarily shaped but periodically oscillating inlet temperature profile at the test tube. The propagation of the fundamental harmonic oscillation from the fluid to the outer surface of the tube wall is calculated analytically. Comparison of fluid and wall oscillations yields the heat transfer coefficient to be measured. The inaccurate measurement of fluid bulk temperature in the centre of the cross-section is compensated by an additional correction. Experiments were carried out with turbulent water flow through a copper tube. Measured heat transfer coefficients were compared to values calculated using Hausen's equation and good agreement was obtained.     

Aktuelle Aktivitäten zu den europäischen Rohstoff-Initiativen

The European Initiatives manifested in the Communications of the European Commission on Raw Materials, in the Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials and in the 2014 Call of the European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT) for a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) on Raw Materials lead to manifold Austrian activities on Government level and on level of the Montanuniversitaet Leoben. The ESEE Region, thus East- and Southeast Europe has a special role.     

Chinongruppenhaltige Polymere als Träger zur Immobilisierung von Enzymen

Crosslinked poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid chloride) was reacted with 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl benzoate to give a reactive carrier after saponification and oxidation. Its binding ability was tested with α-chymotrypsin. The binding ability as well as the enzyme activity could be increased by introduction of spacers, e.g. ethylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine between the poly(styrene)-matrix and p-benzoquinone. Also crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) was reacted with p-benzoquinone to give a reactive carrier, which could also immobilize α-chymotrypsin. Some properties of the immobilized α-chymotrypsin as activity, pH-optimum and storage stability were investigated.