IS-78: LonWorks® goes into hazardous areas

This paper introduces LonWorks technology, intrinsic safety and how the two are combined in the IS-78 physical channel which enables networks to be taken into hazardous areas. The capabilities of the physical channel are described, together with some applications in which it has been used.     

Einsatzpotenziale von XML in Business-Intelligence-Systemen

This article describes the actual applications of XML in the context of Business- Intelligence-Systems (BI). The potentials and synergies of XML and BI will be emphasized.

1. XML applications can be found within all levels of BI-systems.
2. The application of core-standards will be introduced as well as the possibilities of BI specific-standards.
3. The discussion of the impact of XML for BI-systems follows along the dimensions: externalisation, integration, standardisation and rationalization.

     

Systeme für das Management digitaler Rechte

Media companies and producers of intellectual property are currently threatened with massive information product piracy. Digital Rights Management Systems (DRMS) offer technical copyright protection measures to protect content against digital piracy. The authors give an overview about the status quo of DRMS from a functional, technical and architectural perspective. Apart from purely technological issues, it is also essential to take the economic aspects of DRMS into consideration. The trade-off between content protection and total cost of ownership of a DRMS installation will require the determination of a suitable level of technical copyright protection for a given context.     

Allokationsethik aus Sicht des Personalmanagements im Krankenhaus

Definition of the problem It is widely acknowledged that resource allocations are taking place at various levels of the health care system. On the macro level, resources are allocated according to societal and political considerations within the system as a whole. On the micro level, it is the health care organization where allocations have to be made. Ethical analyses of this micro level usually deal with decisions of health care professionals since they affect patients directly. Arguments Allocation decisions by management are of less interest to the ethical literature, although they define the framework for patient care. In this respect, this concerns not only the use of drugs or infrastructure but also of human resources. Human resource management, therefore, is deeply involved in allocation decisions and, thereby, must shoulder a threefold responsibility: towards the health of the patient, the employees, and the organization. The objective of this article is to analyze the ethics of allocation that derives from this threefold responsibility from the perspective of human resource management in a hospital. Conclusion For an adequate ethical analysis of allocation in a hospital, human resource management has to be considered, since personnel is the most precious resource to allocate in a hospital.     

Managing Agricultural Pollution Using a Linked Geographical Information System and Non-Point Source Pollution Model

This study documents the development of a link between a geographical information system (GIS) and a non-point source pollution model. The GIS ARC/INFO was linked to the agricultural non-point source pollution model and ORACLE data sources. Application of the system is demonstrated using the Bedford-Ouse catchment as a suitable case study. Water quality impacts are predicted from source data describing topography, soils, land use and river network. The model results were in agreement with observed nitrate concentrations at the catchment outlet, and more appropriate data sources are considered to be the main priority for improving model predictive ability. Management scenarios were established to assess the impact of changing agricultural management practices on predicted water quality. The approach has significant potential for the management of agricultural pollution in the UK.     

The Life-Cycle Analysis of Small-Scale Sewage-Treatment Processes

The environmental impact of small-scale sewage-treatment works has been evaluated using the technique of 'life-cycle analysis'. Three sewage-treatment works with different process options were analysed to identify and quantify material use, energy use and environmental releases during construction, operation and demolition. This enabled (i) a comparison to be made between process options, and (ii) the identification of opportunities for the improvement of environmental performance. Subject to satisfactory sewage treatment and sludge disposal, the technique identified additional impacts of importance, which have implications for energy management, works design, supplier management and general environmental policy. Life-cycle analysis provides a useful insight into environmental impact and has potential for wider application within the water industry.