Application of Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging in classification between fresh and frozen-thawed pork Longissimus Dorsi muscles

Fresh and frozen-thawed (F-T) pork meats were classified by Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging. Eight optimal wavelengths (624, 673, 460, 588, 583, 448, 552 and 609 nm) were selected by successive projections algorithm (SPA). The first three principal components (PCs) obtained by principal component analysis (PCA) accounted for over 99.98% of variance. Gray-level-gradient co-occurrence matrix (GLGCM) was applied to extract 45 textural features from the PC images. The correct classification rate (CCR) was employed to evaluate the performance of the partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) models, by using (A) the reflected spectra at full wavelengths and (B) those at the optimal wavelengths, (C) the extracted textures based on the PC images, and (D) the fused variables combining spectra at the optimal wavelengths and textures. The results showed that the best CCR of 97.73% was achieved by applying (D), confirming the high potential of textures for fresh and F-T meat discrimination.     

Markov analysis of qualitative dynamics1

Common sense sometimes predicts events to be likely or unlikely rather than merely possible. We extend methods of qualitative reasoning to predict the relative likelihoods of possible qualitative behaviors by viewing the dynamics of a system as a Markov chain over its transition graph. This involves adding qualitative or quantitative estimates of transition probabilities to each of the transitions and applying the standard theory of Markov chains to distinguish persistent states from transient states and to calculate recurrence times, settling times, and probabilities for ending up in each state. Much of the analysis depends solely on qualitative estimates of transition probabilities, which follow directly from theoretical considerations and which lead to qualitative predictions about entire classes of systems. Quantitative estimates for specific systems are derived empirically and lead to qualitative and quantitative conclusions, most of which are insensitive to small perturbations in the estimated transition probabilities. The algorithms are straightforward and efficient.     

Sicherer und wirtschaftlicher Betrieb von Kraftwerken – Ergebnis der Forschung im Bereich Werkstoffe,Auslegung und Instandhaltung

Safe and Economic Operation of Power Plants – Research Results in the Field of Materials, Design and Maintenance Components of power plants which undergo high temperatures are subjected to complex loading situations. The requirements on the used materials result from the special operation conditions of the plants and have to be adjusted to the steadily growing requirements on higher efficiency of the complete power plant as well as to those of safe and economic operation. The expenses for control and downtimes are directly connected with economic efficiency and availability. However, in case of new procedures or components it is not possible to revert to the existing know‐how. Different failure mechanisms than known before can occur. The same goes for the load situation. Therefore the knowledge base has to be extended to in‐advance or even parallely running scientific examinations that life assessment and maintenance strategies can be applied which guarantee the operational reliability and the efficiency of the plant. The main emphasis of these F&E works has to be put on condition monitoring based on actual operational data, the standard materials’ and component’s behaviour (deformation, damage and failure behaviour) in connection with design of components and the related material laws. In the framework of applied AVIF projects, following problems are handled:. – qualification of materials by determinating parameters related to practise. – optimal design of components by making available material laws and numerical tools. – economic manufacturing of components by qualifying processing methods such as welding. – The results can be transferred to concepts for safe and economic operation of power plants, especially for newly introduced materials for which there is no operational experience available.     

Einsatz moderner Informationstechnik im militärischen Bereich: Für den Verteidiger notwendig und verantwortbar

Zusammenfassung Nach Pädagogen, Ärzten etc. haben sich nun auch Informatiker für den Frieden organisiert. So sehr sich der Verfasser mit den Zielen von Friedensinitiativen identifizieren kann, so sieht er doch die Gefahr, daß diese Bemühungen insgesamt eher destabilisierend und damit kontraproduktiv wirken. Bevor im folgenden Beitrag dieser Gedankengang weiter ausgeführt wird, soll zunächst versucht werden, die Bereiche darzustellen, in denen bislang und in absehbarer Zukunft Rechensysteme in modern ausgerüsteten Streitkräften eingesetzt werden, wobei besonders auf die Situation in Mitteleuropa und speziell auf die Bundeswehr eingegangen wird. Es wird aufgezeigt, daß gerade der Verteidiger auf moderne Führungs- und Aufklärungssysteme angewiesen ist, insbesondere in der kritischen Anfangsphase eines Konflikts, und daß die Vertreter alternativer Verteidigungsstrukturen, die den Schwerpunkt auf defensiv ausgerüstete Verbände mit struktureller Nichtangriffsfähigkeit legen, wie auch offizielle Programme der NATO zur Verbesserung der konventionellen Verteidigungsfähigkeit auf moderne Technologie setzen. In diesem Zusammenhang wird ein Forschungsprojekt vorgestellt, das zum Ziel hat, die Wirksamkeit derartiger reaktiver, rüstungskontrollfreundlicher Verteidigungs- und Bewaffnungsstrukturen sowie moderner Technologie im Gefecht der verbundenen Waffen zu untersuchen. Entsprechend der Themenstellung dieses Sonderheftes soll schließlich auch auf moralisch-ethische Aspekte des Einsatzes moderner Informationstechnik für die Verteidigungsplanung eingegangen werden. Dies geschieht in der Form von Thesen, um die Aussagen als persönliche Meinung des Verfassers besonders zu kennzeichnen.     

1925年巴黎博览会与装饰艺术运动

一次博览会、一场艺术运动,是历史的契机将这两者结合在一起,也为设计艺术的璀璨银河中留下了绝无仅有的永恒光辉。1925年巴黎装饰艺术与现代工业博览会同装饰艺术运动两者之间,历经承载、展示、传播和启迪的历程推动了世界的进步,改变了人们的生活。我们回顾历史不仅是为了去陈述,而是在历史的积淀中迎接即将到来的2010年上海世博会以及未来设计为中国带来的巨变。     

Integrationsdefizite des IT-Controllings

Zusammenfassung  Der Beitrag basiert auf der Annahme, dass das IT-Controlling in zweifacher Hinsicht unter einem Integrationsdefizit leidet. Dies gilt zum einen für die unbefriedigende Synchronisation der Forschung mit Entwicklungen in der Praxis, zum anderen für die unzureichende Verzahnung mit den Methoden der Wirtschaftsinformatik. Ausgehend von dieser Annahme untersucht der Beitrag die historische Entwicklung des IT-Controllings, um daraus Thesen zum Integrationsstand abzuleiten. Die Untersuchung kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass Hinweise auf – nach wie vor – ungenutzte Integrationspotenziale vorliegen und identifiziert Potenziale einer weiter gehenden Integration. Aus der Analyse identifizierter Integrationspotenziale werden Anforderungen an eine methodenbezogene Integration abgeleitet und die Realisierung von Integrationspotenzialen an zwei Beispielen illustriert. This article is also available in English via and : Strecker S, Kargl H (2009) Integration Deficits of IT Controlling – Historical Background, Analysis of Integration Potentials and Method Integration. Bus Inf Syst Eng. doi: 10.1007/s12599-009-0053-4.     

Numerical verification of the continuous calculation method for tip stress during the driving process of the dynamic penetration test

This paper presents a calculation method for obtaining the continuous variation in stress between the tip and the soil during dynamic penetration tests, particularly in the case of using the Panda 3® penetration testing device. The originality of the method is that the tip stress can be computed continuously throughout the driving process. For each impact of the hammer on the penetrometer, data are recorded by sensors located at the top of the apparatus. Then, the stress at the tip and the displacement of the apparatus are calculated with a method based on the propagation of waves in the device. A three-dimensional numerical model of the penetration test, based on the Panda 3® specifications and using the discrete element method (DEM), is proposed in this paper. The purpose of the simulations is to validate the calculation method by comparing the curves of the tip stress versus the penetration distance obtained in two different ways, the first being the distance directly observed at the tip and the second being the distance calculated from the data recorded at the top of the penetrometer, as with the experimental device. The entire apparatus is represented, including the hammer, the rod, and the tip, and is driven into the model soil. The calculation method is applied, and the results are compared to the actual response of the soil to the driving of the penetrometer directly at the tip, which can be obtained with the numerical model. The responses are found to be very similar, confirming the theoretical framework and its underlying assumptions. This method is applied to dynamic penetration tests and provides the opportunity to obtain mechanical parameters other than the tip resistance from the tests.     

In the Pursuit of Pleasure: The Not so Fleeting Life of the Pavilion and its Ilk

Author and architecture critic for the London Evening Standard, Robert Bevan reflects on the enduring appeal of the temporary structure, speaking ‘to a latent desire for freedom and movement’ as a hangover of our nomadic past in a sedentary ‘civilised’ society. He highlights the type's historical apex in Henry VIII's palatial pop-up on the Field of the Cloth of Gold, questioning the purpose and purposelessness of more recent examples.