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.     

Nonmonotonic reasoning with multiple belief sets

In complex reasoning tasks it is often the case that there is no single, correct set of conclusions given some initial information. Instead, there may be several such conclusion sets, which we will call belief sets. In the present paper we introduce nonmonotonic belief set operators and selection operators to formalize and to analyze structural aspects of reasoning with multiple belief sets. We define and investigate formal properties of belief set operators as absorption, congruence, supradeductivity and weak belief monotony. Furthermore, it is shown that for each belief set operator satisfying strong belief cumulativity there exists a largest monotonic logic underlying it, thus generalizing a result for nonmonotonic inference operations. Finally, we study abstract properties of selection operators connected to belief set operators, which are used to choose some of the possible belief sets. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Technology or methodology? Quantitative historical social research in Germany

Historical social research has developed with the availability of computer technology and has received increasing acceptance with the use of PCs. Methodological standards created by empirical social research are transferred to historical matters. Major contributors are: extension of the factual basis of history, correction of misjudgements, opening of whole groups of mass sources to historical research and bridging the gap between theory and empirical knowledge in the science of history. It complements a philosophical historiography without replacing it. In Germany historical social research has developed outside the traditional university institutes; the Zentrum fur Historische Sozialforschung and Quantum e.V. in Cologne are the major institutions in this context.Heinrich Best (D. Phil.) is a professor of sociology at the University of Cologne. He is director of the Social Science Information Centre (Bonn), director of the scientific advisory board of the Centre for Historical Social Research at his university, and president of the Association for Quantification and Formal Methods in Historical Social Research. Among his publications are Die Männer von Bildung and Besitz (1990) and Computers in the Humanities and Social Sciences (1991).     

Remote-Controlled Ambidextrous Robot Hand Concept

In the development of robotic limbs, the side of members is of importance to define the shape of artificial limbs and the range of movements. It is mainly significant tbr biomedical applications concerning patients suffering arms or legs injuries, fn this paper, the concept of an ambidextrous design lbr robot hands is introduced. The fingers can curl in one xvay or another, to imitate either a right hand or a left hand. The advantages and inconveniences of different models have been investigated to optimise the range and the maximum force applied by fingers. Besides, a remote control interthce is integrated to the system, allowing both to send comrnands through internet and to display a video streaming of the ambidextrous hand as feedback. Therefore, a robotic prosthesis could be used for the first time in telerehabilitation. The main application areas targeted are physiotherapy alter strokes or management of phantom pains/br amputees by/earning to control the ambidextrous hand. A client application is also accessible on Facehook social network, making the robotic limb easily reachable for the patients. Additionally the ambidextrous hand can be used tbr robotics research as well as artistic performances.     

Determination of phenols in coffee

The structure and quantity of phenols, occurring in two different roasted Robusta coffees and in four samples of roast coffee, were investigated. Identification and quantification were carried out after special extraction procedures and clean-up methods by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The quantities of 35 phenols investigated ranged from below 0.1 mg/kg to more than 1000 mg/kg. Sixteen phenols were identified in coffee for the first time.     

Channel tracking for RAKE receivers in closely spaced multipathenvironments

This paper deals with the problem of channel tracking for RAKE receivers in propagation environments characterized by closely spaced multipath components. After outlining why conventional single-path channel tracking algorithms fail in such scenarios, several new estimation algorithms are developed that are tailored to channels with closely spaced multipaths. This is achieved by removing or minimizing self-interference caused by multipath components. Other interfering users are treated as noise. Both timing tracking and phasor tracking and their interaction are covered in this paper. The derived algorithms are benchmarked against perfect channel knowledge on one hand and conventional tracking algorithms on the other hand, both in a UMTS test scenario. In moderate scenarios, the use of these new algorithms leads to performance improvements of up to 2 dB, in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at moderate bit error rates, and even manages to track the channel in conditions where conventional tracking algorithms fail completely     

Limits of FET modelling by lumped elements

Common lumped-element FET modelling is compared with the equivalent distributed-element formulation. The deviations are studied and the validity range of such lumped-element models is shown.