Gradient based hyper-parameter optimisation for well conditioned kriging metamodels

In this work a two step approach to efficiently carrying out hyper parameter optimisation, required for building kriging and gradient enhanced kriging metamodels, is presented. The suggested approach makes use of an initial line search along the hyper-diagonal of the design space in order to find a suitable starting point for a subsequent gradient based optimisation algorithm. During the optimisation an upper bound constraint is imposed on the condition number of the correlation matrix in order to keep it from being ill conditioned. Partial derivatives of both the condensed log likelihood function and the condition number are obtained using the adjoint method, the latter has been derived in this work. The approach is tested on a number of analytical examples and comparisons are made to other optimisation approaches. Finally the approach is used to construct metamodels for a finite element model of an aircraft wing box comprising of 126 thickness design variables and is then compared with a sub-set of the other optimisation approaches.     

Symbolic Cache Analysis for Real-Time Systems

Caches impose a major problem for predicting execution times of real-time systems since the cache behavior depends on the history of previous memory references. Too pessimistic assumptions on cache hits can obtain worst-case execution time estimates that are prohibitive for real-time systems. This paper presents a novel approach for deriving a highly accurate analytical cache hit function for C-programs at compile-time based on the assumption that no external cache interference (e.g. process dispatching or DMA activity) occurs. First, a symbolic tracefile of an instrumented C-program is generated based on symbolic evaluation, which is a static technique to determine the dynamic behavior of programs. All memory references of a program are described by symbolic expressions and recurrences and stored in chronological order in the symbolic tracefile. Second, a cache hit function for several cache architectures is computed based on a cache evaluation technique. Our approach goes beyond previous work by precisely modelling program control flow and program unknowns, modelling large classes of cache architectures, and providing very accurate cache hit predictions. Examples for the SPARC architecture are used to illustrate the accuracy and effectiveness of our symbolic cache prediction.     

Protokollierung im Abrufverfahren

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Consumers' Creative Talent: Which Characteristics Qualify Consumers for Open Innovation Projects? An Exploration of Asymmetrical Effects

Virtual customer integration and open innovation are considered as appropriate means to improve the success of new product development. However, only when consumers are qualified and motivated to contribute promising ideas and relevant know‐how they are able to add value to a producer's innovation process. In this study, we explore the symmetric and asymmetric impact of various creativity components on consumers' idea generation, concept development, or prototype building abilities as well as interest in co‐creation projects. Our results show that creativity components are of different importance. While some characteristics are needed above certain thresholds to successfully accomplish a certain development task, exceeding those does not necessarily lead to better outputs. Other characteristics improve the creative output only if they exceed specific levels.     

Methods for the Reduction of Odometry Errors in Over-Constrained Mobile Robots

This paper presents an analysis of odometry errors in over-constrained mobile robots, that is, vehicles that have more independent motors than degrees of freedom. Examples of over-constrained vehicles are the various 6-wheeled Mars Rovers like Rocky-7, Rocky-8, or Fido.Based on our analysis we developed two novel measures aimed at reducing odometry errors. We also developed a novel method that serves as a framework for the implementation of the two new measures, as well as for other, conventional error reducing measures.One of the two new measures, called Fewest Pulses Measure, makes use of the observation that most terrain irregularities, as well as wheel slip, result in an erroneous overcount of encoder pulses. The second new measure, called Cross-coupled Control Measure, optimizes the motor control algorithm of the robot to reduce synchronization errors that would otherwise result in wheel slip with conventional controllers.The novel method that serves as a framework for other measures is based on so-called Expert Rules. In this paper we formulate three expert rules aimed at reducing dead-reckoning errors. Two of these expert rules are related to the foregoing discussion on error reducing measures. The third expert rule adds a gyroscope to the system and we re-examine the effectiveness of the odometry error-reducing measures in the context of this addition.In the work described in this paper we modified a Pioneer AT skid-steer platform by providing it with four independent drive motors and encoders. We implemented our error-reducing measures and the expert rule method on this over-constrained platform and present experimental results.     

Vorratsdatenspeicherung: Ein fundamentaler Verfassungsverstoß

Zusammenfassung  Bie Bundesregierung will die Vorratsdatenspeicherung nach der EG-Richtlinie 2006/24/EG vom 15. M?rz 2006 durch einen neu geschaffenen § 113 a TKG umsetzen. Die Regelung ist erheblichen verfassungsrechtlichen Bedenken ausgesetzt, weil sie zu einer anlasslosen Massenspeicherung von Verkehrsdaten zu unbestimmten Zwecken führt. Sie führt zu einem Paradigmenwechsel im Verh?ltnis zwischen Bürger und Staat. Nicht die Einschr?nkung der Freiheit wird begründungspflichtig, sondern im Gegenteil die Ausübung der bürgerlichen Grundfreiheiten der elektronischen Kommunikation. Dr. Johann Bizer Stellvertretender Landesbeauftragter für den Datenschutz Schleswig-Holstein, Unabh?ngiges Landeszentrum für Datenschutz (ULD).     

Molecular simulations of droplet evaporation by heat transfer

Droplet evaporation by heat transfer is investigated by molecular dynamics simulations for a pure Lennard-Jones fluid. Two different initial conditions are treated: (1) a droplet surrounded by its vapor in equilibrium, (2) a cold droplet surrounded by warm vapor. In both cases heat is transferred from a heat bath. Results are the numbers of droplet molecules N _d and density, drift velocity, and temperature profiles as functions of time. For the small droplets considered N _d depends on the definition of a droplet molecule. The density profiles as function of time show a transition from a droplet with liquid–vapor interface to a cluster of interfacial type and finally to the gas state. The temperature at a given time is nearly constant within the droplets or clusters but strong gradients occur in the gas. In case of evaporation of a cold droplet surrounded by warm vapor we observed initially cooling down of the droplet corresponding to pressure jump evaporation and thereafter slower evaporation because of lower initial state vapor density.     

SEM investigations of etched heavy ion tracks

It is shown that the scanning electron microscope (SEM) is an invaluable tool for the investigation of etched ion tracks, particularly in the submicron range. The SEM makes it possible to measure doses with track detectors two orders of magnitude higher than when they are measured by a light microscope. Furthermore, the SEM is used for investigation of the etched-track cross sections over the full length of the channels. Growing of metal needles in the membranes by microgalvanic deposition allows replication of the form of the etched channels. After the membrane is dissolved, the metal needle replicas instead of the membrane can be investigated. It will be shown that the SEM is an important tool for the investigation of etched heavy ion tracks in solids.     

Real-time contactless measurement of robot pose in six degrees of freedom

For dynamically measuring position in three degrees of freedom laser tracking systems are well known. Up to now no possibility to measure also orientation using the same laser beam has been known. We present a technique to incorporate orientation measurement into a laser tracking system that requires only minor changes in the existing hardware. The method is based on the analysis of an image of the reflected laser beam intensity distribution. In this image the edges of a slightly modified retroreflector represent a function of the orientation of the end-effector holding the retroreflector. It is shown that from this image the orientation can be determined uniquely and in real time.

A laser tracking system including position and orientation measurement constitutes an instrument to accurately determine robot performance as well as to acquire hints on how to improve robot models and control algorithms.     

Syndrome of myxomas, spotty skin pigmentation, and endocrine overactivity (Carney complex)

Primary testicular neoplasms are common in dogs, but metastases to the testes are rare. Three dogs had enlargement of the testes and associated structures. Upon histological examination, the enlargements were due to metastatic adenocarcinomas. Further examination identified the gastrointestinal tract as the primary site of the metastatic neoplasms in all three cases. The testicular metastases reflected widespread metastatic disease. When metastatic adenocarcinoma is found in the testes and associated structures in dogs, the gastrointestinal tract should be examined closely for a primary tumor site.