DEAL Springer
Understanding the fracture mechanisms in brazed joints offers opportunities to improve joint design and brazing processes. Traditional ex-situ methods cannot capture the material behavior in real-time, making in-situ observation during mechanical testing, such as in SEM, invaluable. In the present work, in-situ bending tests were used to observe the crack propagation in brazed joints exhibiting both ductile and brittle fracture mechanisms. Samples were prepared with precise geometries and notched to initiate cracks in the joining zone. These in-situ tests provide valuable data on the mechanical behavior of brazed joints, offering insights into their failure processes. Three different joints were analyzed: AISI 304 brazed with AgCu filler metal, Mar M 509 brazed with Co-based filler metal and mixed joints of AA 6082 and AISI 304 brazed with AlGeSi filler metal. In the medium strength joint brazed with Ag 272 filler metal, the fracture occurred by slipping through the eutectic. In the high strength joint brazed with Co 900 filler metal, the crack propagated transgranularly through the intermetallic phases and stopped at the interface between the intermetallic and Co solid solution. The AA 6082 / AISI 304 joint was studied using an overlap geometry, showing that microcracks formed as the bending stress increased, finally leading to a failure at the Al7Fe2Si intermetallic layer, a critical microstructural feature. The used test procedure is suitable for further observations on the fracture mechanism in joints brazed in specific geometries as well as using different brazing process parameters and comparing the results with existing investigations.
[Chemische Formeln nicht adäquat darstellbar.]
Optimierung von Geschäftsprozessen ist ein wichtiges Thema in der Praxis und in der Ausbildung für (Wirtschafts‑)Informatiker. Gegenwärtig konzentrieren sich Beiträge in der Fachliteratur zur Prozessoptimierung hauptsächlich auf die Perspektiven von Prozesseigentümern und Management, die Zeit- und Kosteneinsparungen anstreben. Dadurch kann der Aspekt der In- und Exklusion von Personen bei der Digitalisierung von Geschäftsprozessen leicht aus dem Fokus geraten.
Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt eine Methode vor, die die Teilnehmer an Diskussionen zu Prozessverbesserungen dazu bringt, frühzeitig Aspekte der Zugänglichkeit in die Betrachtungen einzuschließen und in der Folge beim Prozessdesign zu berücksichtigen.
Dazu wurde ein Satz von Karten entwickelt, die mögliche Beweggründe dafür beleuchten, eine digitale Anwendung nicht nutzen zu können oder zu wollen. Das Nachvollziehen dieser Beweggründe soll helfen, das Design von Prozessen und Anwendungen zu verbessern.
Insbesondere wird über positive Erfahrungen beim Einsatz des Kartensatzes in der Hochschullehre im Fach Informatik berichtet.
Hintergrund und Zielsetzung: Die steigende Anzahl Pflegebedürftiger und der Fachkräftemangel erhöhen den Bedarf an Pflegeleistungen in der stationären Langzeitpflege. Gesundheitsförderliche Ansätze sind wichtig, um den Versorgungsaufwand zu stabilisieren. Die Studie untersuchte, inwieweit Digitalisierungsansätze wie die gestengesteuerte Videospielkonsole „memoreBox“ Anreize für Gesundheitsförderung mit Fokus auf die zu Pflegenden und systematische Organisationsentwicklung bieten können.
Methodik: Die quantitative Analyse basierte auf Sekundärdaten aus dem von 2021 bis 2023 durchgeführten Projekt „memorePlus“ mit 89 Pflegeeinrichtungen in Deutschland. Ergänzend wurde eine Online-Befragung zu Technikeinsatz, digitaler Ausstattung, Akzeptanz digitaler Medien im Arbeitsalltag und Bereitschaft zur Organisationsentwicklung durchgeführt. Die statistische Analyse erfolgte mit hierarchischen Regressions- und Moderationsanalysen sowie deskriptiven Methoden.
Ergebnisse: Die Regressionsanalysen zeigten, dass die gespielten Minuten mit der memoreBox (M = 538.0) einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Bereitstellung als regelmäßiges Angebot hatten. Moderationsanalysen ergaben, dass weder Zeitersparnis noch geringer Personalaufwand die Beziehung zwischen Spielminuten und Bereitstellung beeinflussten. Die Akzeptanz digitaler Medien im Arbeitsalltag war moderat bis hoch.
Schlussfolgerung: Die Studie zeigt, dass eine hohe Gesamtspielzeit mit der memoreBox deren Etablierung als festes Aktivierungsangebot für die Bewohnenden fördert. Dafür sollten Einrichtungen proaktive Maßnahmen umsetzen, wie infrastrukturelle Anpassungen und ausreichende Ressourcen. Motivationssteigernde Maßnahmen können die Nutzung zusätzlich fördern. Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen sollten über digitale Angebote wie die memoreBox hinausgehen.
Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) offers a promising alternative to conventional sterilisation and disinfection methods, which are often unsuitable for thermolabile medical devices due to high temperatures, toxic chemicals or radiation. CAP-A efficiently inactivates microorganisms and viruses without compromising the material integrity. Given the ongoing risk of infection associated with ultrasound probes and other delicate diagnostic instruments, this study investigates whether an indirect CAP-A method can meet all requirements for effective and safe disinfection of thermolabile medical devices. The disinfection of thermolabile medical devices was carried out in a container saturated with indirect CAP-A. A transvaginal ultrasound probe was used as a reference product. The study involved six test organisms, with five measurements taken at six different measurement points. The study showed that Enterococcus hirae (mean logarithmic reduction factor (LRF) 6.23), Staphylococcus aureus (mean LRF 6.51), and Enterococcus faecium (mean LRF 6.16) demonstrated a germ reduction of 99.9999%. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mean LRF 5.40) and Escherichia coli (mean LRF 5.29), a germ reduction of 99.999% was achieved, and for Candida albicans (mean LRF 4.95) and Clostridioides difficile (mean LRF 4.62), a germ reduction of 99.99% was demonstrated. The log reduction demonstrates a complete inactivation of the six tested microorganisms. The initially defined requirements for an effective disinfection process for thermolabile medical devices were met in the CAP-A method. Regarding highly tenacious microorganisms, such as Clostridioides difficile, the method of CAP-A proved effective, superior to alcohol-based methods, and with no resistance development observed. Its efficacy is otherwise only known in corrosive chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide. However, these chemicals have corrosive-oxidative effects on the surfaces to be disinfected and are critical in terms of market launch and hazardous material classification. Therefore, the method of CAP-A, provides an effective, material-friendly alternative.
This work focuses on the detection and localization of small spherical fiducial markers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using neural networks. Two image processing pipelines based on U-Net and YOLO architectures were developed and evaluated on a data set of T1- and T2-weighted MRI with voxel sizes ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 mm. Detection performance is evaluated using the F1-score, whereas localization is evaluated using two metrics that describe the deviation of the predicted position from the true position. Although the benchmark method, a conventional image processing pipeline based on connected component analysis achieved marginally lower positioning errors, the neural network approaches outperformed it in terms of detection performance, especially by reducing false negatives. The results show that both pipelines achieve accurate marker detection and localization, with U-Net slightly outperforming YOLO in terms of positioning accuracy. A key advantage of the neural network-based pipelines is their ability to handle markers with non-uniform or incomplete appearance, which enhances their robustness in real-world scenarios and provides flexibility by eliminating the need for manual parameter adjustments. While neural networks offer the advantage that they can be easily adapted to various imaging conditions, their dependence on training data can be a limitation. The results suggest that neural network based pipelines offer a robust alternative for fiducial marker detection and localization.
Aim: The use of artificial intelligence in nursing has become increasingly important in recent years. In particular, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) such as ChatGPT offers the potential to improve care processes, support decision-making, and reduce workload. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of research on the use of GenAI in nursing and clinical practice.
Subject and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. Studies from the last 5 years (2019–2024) dealing with the use of GenAI in professional nursing and the improvement of nursing skills through AI were included. Studies on machine learning, deep learning, and specific disease contexts were excluded. A total of 13 studies were included in the analysis.
Results: GenAI in nursing and clinical practice can increase the efficiency of tasks such as scheduling and care planning, but there are currently significant gaps in decision accuracy and reliability. Studies show potential to reduce workload, but also point to the need for further research and technical improvements.
Conclusion: Although GenAI in nursing is promising, there are still significant limitations. Future developments and regulatory measures are needed to ensure the safe and effective use of GenAI in nursing practice.
In this paper we contextualize Carl Menger’s work in relation to the transformations of German political economy from the 1860s to the 1890s. We demonstrate that his Grundsätze (1871) was a culmination of the German subjectivist tradition which had started in the early nineteenth century. Menger’s synthesis of this tradition is comparable to Adam Smith’s synthesis of earlier knowledge in theWealth of Nations (1776). Menger’s contribution was continuous with the intellectual project of leading German economists, such as Wilhelm Roscher, to whom Menger had dedicated his book. Roscher, however, also promoted a historical turn, that was combined with a progressive policy agenda by a new generation of German economists after they founded the Verein für Socialpolitik in 1872. These divergent Roscherian legacies clashed vehemently in the Methodenstreit. During this debate Menger elaborated in his Untersuchungen (1883) an evolutionary and spontaneous theory of institutional change, in line with the legacy of the Scottish Enlightenment and in contrast to a more rationalist and constructivist theory of institutional change expounded by Gustav Schmoller and other Verein economists. The new policy-oriented direction of German political economy carried the day, also due the fundamental socio-economic transformations in the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, and prompted Menger to restate in 1891 the social policy agenda of the classical political economists, most prominently Smith. Menger’s recurrent proximities to Smithian political economy – in the synthetic contribution of 1871, the theoretical innovation of 1883, and the policy agenda of 1891 – suggest that his arguments are best understood as a defense of what Boettke has called the “mainline” in economics.
Background: As a result of demographic change, a further increase in the number of people in need of care in Germany can be expected in the future. Nursing activities performed by family members are a central component of care provision. Providing care for people in need of care is increasingly associated with additional physical and psychological stress for informal caregivers. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize groups of informal caregivers with regard to their well-being.
Methodology: The empirical study was based on a cross-sectional survey on home care in Saxony from 2019, which was intended as exploratory work to provide insights into the care situation in Saxony. The central component is a two-step cluster analysis with exclusively informal caregivers.
Results: The net sample size for the cluster analysis comprised 178 subjects who were involved in caring for relatives. The cluster analysis revealed two groups of caregiving relatives in Saxony, which were differentiated by a different experience of stress and various sociodemographic factors.
Discussion: Informal caregivers in Saxony are not a homogeneous group. Depending on various sociodemographic factors or the care effort and situation, they are confronted with different challenges in caring for relatives, which are directly reflected in their well-being. In order to achieve a targeted reduction in the burden on family caregivers, cooperation and constructive collaboration between political decision-makers, care and health insurers, and the various players in health and care provision is required.
Effects of local gas shielding on induction brazing of stainless steel: an experimental approach
(2024)
Ni-based brazing fillers are primarily utilized in vacuum furnaces or continuous furnaces. However, the application of such furnace techniques imposes technical and economic limitations on the size of brazeable components. Induction brazing offers an alternative to overcome these limitations, enabling the brazing of large components by means of localized heating and gas shielding. This study aims to improve the understanding of process control and required gas quality for effective brazing by conducting experiments on tube-to-tube joints using Ni-based brazing alloys. To determine their impact on brazing outcomes, process gases with varying oxygen contents were systematically tested. The microstructure of the brazed joints was analyzed by light microscopy. The influence of process gas quality on corrosion behavior was examined using a capillary microcell. High residual oxygen contents in the process gas led to a shift in the corrosion potentials. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the joints are affected. Therefore, the monotonic mechanical properties were investigated at ambient temperature. The findings of this research offer practical recommendations and present a newly developed shielding gas nozzle for industrial applications. These insights support the optimization of induction brazing processes and highlight the potential for increasing the quality and efficiency of brazing large components.
The introduction of fundamental hygiene protocols within the healthcare sector during the nineteenth century led to a significant reduction in mortality rates. Contemporary advancements, such as alcohol-based sanitizers, have further enhanced hand hygiene practices. However, these measures are often overlooked in nursing facilities, resulting in low staff compliance rates and increased cross-infection rates. Novel approaches, such as cold plasma hand disinfection, present promising alternatives due to their minimal skin damage and economic benefits. This study aims to compare the disinfectant efficacy of cold plasma aerosol under practical application conditions with an alcoholic hand disinfectant listed by the Association for Applied Hygiene. The microbial count on participants’ hands was measured, with particular attention paid to the spontaneous occurrence of fecal indicators and the presence of potentially infectious bacteria. A t-test for independent samples was conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference between the two cohorts regarding the research question. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean log colony-forming unit (CFU) values were significantly lower in the test cohort using only the cold plasma method for hand disinfection compared to the cohort using conventional alcohol-based hand disinfection. Moreover, it was demonstrated that, unlike alcohol-based hand disinfection, cold plasma application ensures the effective elimination of Staphylococcus aureus. The findings indicate that staff utilizing plasma disinfection have an average bacterial count that is 0.65 log units lower than those who regularly use alcohol-based hand disinfection. In addition to the efficacy of cold plasma disinfection, its superiority over alcohol-based hand disinfection was also established. Beyond offering economic and logistical advantages, cold plasma disinfection provides additional health benefits as it does not induce skin damage, unlike alcohol-based hand disinfection.
Background: Hypertension is a common heart condition in the United States (US) and severely impacts racial and ethnic minority populations. While the understanding of hypertension has grown considerably, there remain gaps in US healthcare research. Specifically, there is a lack of focus on undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in primary care settings.
Aim: The present study investigates factors associated with undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in primary care patients with hypertension. The study also examines whether Black/African Americans are at higher odds of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension compared to White patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic health records (EHR) data from the University of Utah primary care health system. The study included for analysis 24,915 patients with hypertension who had a primary care visit from January 2020 to December 2020. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the odds of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension.
Results: Among 24,915 patients with hypertension, 28.6% (n = 7,124) were undiagnosed and 37.4% (n = 9,319) were uncontrolled. Factors associated with higher odds of undiagnosed hypertension included age 18–44 (2.05 [1.90–2.21]), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (1.13 [1.03–1.23]), Medicaid (1.43 [1.29-1.58]) or self-pay (1.32 [1.13-1.53]) insurance, CCI 1-2 (1.79 [1.67-1.92]), and LDL-c ≥ 190 mg/dl (3.05 [1.41–6.59]). For uncontrolled hypertension, risk factors included age 65+ (1.11 [1.08–1.34]), male (1.24 [1.17–1.31]), Native-Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (1.32 [1.05-1.62]) or Black/African American race (1.24 [1.11-1.57]) , and self-pay insurance (1.11 [1.03-1.22]).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension is prevalent in primary care. Critical risk factors for undiagnosed hypertension include younger age, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, very high LDL-c, low comorbidity scores, and self-pay or medicaid insurance. For uncontrolled hypertension, geriatric populations, males, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and Black/African Americans, continue to experience greater burdens than their counterparts. Substantial efforts are needed to strengthen hypertension diagnosis and to develop tailored hypertension management programs in primary care, focusing on these populations.
Die Corona-Pandemie machte deutlich, dass der Großteil der Unternehmen und Bildungseinrichtungen in Deutschland nicht auf die Digitalisierung alltäglicher Arbeitsprozesse eingestellt ist. Obwohl moderne Technologien – von onlinebasierten Kommunikationstools bis hin zu Künstlicher Intelligenz – mehr und mehr zur Verfügung stehen, werden diese bislang unzureichend angewandt. Wesentliche Grundlage für die Praxiswirksamkeit entsprechender Systeme ist die Verwaltung und Nutzung durch geschultes Personal. Aufgrund des IT-Fachkräftemangels fehlt dieses Personal aktuell. Zeitgleich erfolgt auch die Wissensvermittlung im Rahmen von Aus- und Weiterbildung weiterhin hauptsächlich durch Präsenzangebote. Durch das Aufeinandertreffen dieses Faktors mit dem bereits vorhandenen Fachkräftemangel entsteht eine zunehmende Divergenz zwischen wirtschaftlichen Anforderungen und bestehenden Ressourcen. Unvorhersehbare Ereignisse, beispielsweise die aktuelle Coronakrise, verstärken diese Situation weiter. Wissensvermittlung muss daher sowohl in Unternehmen als auch in Forschung an vorherrschende digitale Strukturen angepasst werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt an einem Praxisbeispiel auf Hochschulebene, wie dieser Prozess realisiert werden kann. Im Rahmen der Umsetzung wurden bestehende Vorgehensmodelle für die Konzipierung von digitalen Schulungen anhand einer SAP-Schulung umgesetzt und erweitert. Durch eine nachgelagerte Evaluation durch Lehrkräfte und Studierende, konnten wesentliche Erkenntnisse zur Funktionalität und Weiterentwicklung digitaler Schulungsangebote gewonnen werden. Prospektiv müssen diese Ergebnisse auf diverse IT-Schulungen übertragen werden, um den Kontext New Learning zu stärken und dem Fachkräftemangel nachhaltig entgegenzuwirken.
Im Bereich der modernen Antriebstechnik sind immer höhere Leistungsdichten gefordert, weshalb die herkömmlichen formschlüssigen Welle-Nabe-Verbindungen zunehmend an ihre mechanischen Grenzen stoßen. Vor diesem Hintergrund erschien im November 2021 die Norm DIN 3689 Teil 1 für die hypotrochoidische Profilgeometrie als vielversprechende Alternative, welche in genannter Norm die Abkürzung H‑Profil erhalten hat. Auf Basis umfangreicher Bauteilversuche nach dem Treppenstufenverfahren wurde ihr dynamisches Tragverhalten bei einer schwellenden Torsionsbelastung untersucht. Die unter dieser Vorgehensweise ermittelten experimentellen Kerbwirkungszahlen sowie ertragbaren Torsionsmomentamplituden geben einen ersten Einblick in die dynamische Torsionsbeanspruchbarkeit in Abhängigkeit der Profilparameter Mitnehmerzahl und Profilexzentrizität. Ergänzend wurde auch der Einfluss des Werkstoffs der Welle betrachtet.Für die alleinige H‑Profilwelle ohne Nabe existieren bereits verlässliche Berechnungsgleichungen, welche auf einer analytischen Methode beruhen. Für den statischen Lastfall wurden diese Gleichungen bereits experimentell abgesichert. Die Ergebnisse werden im hier vorliegenden Beitrag für die reine Torsionsbeanspruchung vorgestellt und zeitnah in den Berechnungsteil 2 der Norm DIN 3689 einfließen. Damit wird dem Konstrukteur ein Werkzeug zur Verfügung gestellt, womit er zukünftig die Auslegung der H‑Profilwellen und die Berechnung erforderlicher statischer Sicherheiten vornehmen kann. Zur Abschätzung der dynamischen Übertragungsfähigkeit werden rein rechnerische Kerbwirkungszahlen der untersuchten H‑Profilwellen vorgestellt, deren Gegenüberstellung mit den experimentellen Werten der Verbindung zudem die Wirkung der tribologischen Beanspruchung im Kontakt zwischen Welle und Nabe auf die Gestaltfestigkeit aufzeigt.Die zu den herkömmlichen Formschlussverbindungen vergleichsweise niedrigen Kerbwirkungszahlen der alleinigen H‑Profilwellen und auch der Verbindungen mit Nabe aufgrund der geometriebedingt geringeren Kerbwirkung lassen in Kombination mit einer wirtschaftlichen Herstellbarkeit hypotrochoidischer Profile eine erfolgversprechende Zukunft erwarten.
We present the development of multifunctional blue-emission organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using TADF-exciplex materials. These OLEDs exhibit sensitivity to external stimuli and achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 11.6% through partly liquid processing. This technique allows for large-scale production on arbitrary geometries.
The potential multifunctionality of the devices arises from their response to low external magnetic fields (up to 100 mT) with an efficiency up to 2.5% for magnetoconductance, while maximum magneto-electroluminescence effects of 4.1% were detected. We investigated novel aspects, including the utilization of two organic materials without further doping and the investigation of the impact of 2,2ʹ,2″-(1,3,5-Benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole) (TPBi) processing in liquid and vapor form. The insights gained provide a fundamental understanding regarding the applicability of exciplex (EX) materials for fully solution-processed OLEDs through a deliberate omission of doping. Our work represents a significant advancement on the path towards multifunctional OLED technology, with potential applications in cost-efficient, scalable organic full-color displays and advanced sensing system.
Multiplikatorenkonzepte zu Stress- und Emotionsregulation im Rettungsdienst – ein Scoping-Review
(2024)
Hintergrund: Beschäftigte im Rettungsdienst sind einem erhöhten Risiko ausgesetzt, psychische Beeinträchtigungen zu entwickeln, da sie in ihrem Berufsalltag hohen körperlichen und emotionalen Stressoren ausgesetzt werden. Der Umgang mit diesen Stressoren stellt eine wichtige Ressource dar, um im Sinne der Salutogenese eine Bewältigung vorzunehmen. Damit die Förderung der Stress- und Emotionsregulation nicht nur auf einer Verhaltensebene wirksam wird, bieten sich Multiplikatorenkonzepte mit einer verhältnisbezogenen Verzahnung in die Arbeitssysteme an.
Ziel der Arbeit: Die Überprüfung der verfügbaren Evidenz von Multiplikatorenkonzepten zur Stress- und Emotionsregulation im Rettungsdienst ist das Ziel des Scoping-Reviews.
Material und Methoden: Die Übersicht orientiert sich inhaltlich am Modell der Salutogenese und methodisch am Konzept des Joanna Briggs Institute zur Durchführung von Scoping-Reviews. Die Recherche basierte auf den Suchoberflächen PubMed sowie PubPsych (alle Evidenzquellen) und erstreckte sich auf deutsch- und englischsprachige Literatur im Zeitraum von 1997 bis 2023. Alle Schritte der Datensichtung und -extraktion wurden von zwei Reviewern unabhängig voneinander durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse: Für die Überprüfung der verfügbaren Evidenz wurden insgesamt 22.345 Datensätze identifiziert und gesichtet. Abschließend konnten vier Volltexte eingeschlossen werden. Die Interventionen richten sich neben Mitarbeitenden des Rettungsdiensts auch an andere Berufsgruppen. Alle Trainings sind modular aufgebaut. Die psychosozialen Widerstandsressourcen sind vielfältig. In drei von vier Studien können kleine Ergebnisse belegt werden; eine Intervention erhöht die Selbstwirksamkeit der Teilnehmenden.
Diskussion: Es gibt weltweit keine spezifischen Konzepte, die sich explizit an Mitarbeitende des Rettungsdiensts richten. Gezielte Interventionen sind aufgrund der hohen Belastungen der Berufsgruppe erforderlich.
Duplex steels are used for applications that require high strength and ductility combined with good corrosion resistance. An economical welding technology to handle these steels is achieved by combining the MIG and TIG arc processes. The aim is to improve welding speed and quality by utilizing a TIG-MIG hybrid welding process to join 1.4462 duplex steel with a thickness of 2 mm. The interaction between the two arcs, caused by the blowing effect, is an enormous challenge that can be counteracted with a defined torch position and current modulation. For this purpose, a variation of the MIG (pulsed and AC pulsed arc) and TIG process (AC and pulsed DC) took place. The influence of electrical parameters on process stability and material transfer was investigated. For analysis, an evaluation of high-speed recordings (5000 frames per second) and synchronized measured current/voltage curves (200 kHz) is carried out. Based on a number of selected specimens, a welding procedure test according to ISO 15614-1 is performed to determine the welding seam quality. The test includes the characterization by tensile and hardness testing and macroscopic and microscopic examination. Additionally, the specimens are examined according to ISO 5817.
The demand for thorough disinfection within ambulances is essential, given the in-vehicle medical procedures and the potential high risk of infections due to patients' open wounds. One solution that can address this hygiene challenge involves the application of reactive products generated from atmospheric (air) oxygen and water vapor, activated through the use of cold plasma. Cold plasma's charged particles perforate the cell membranes of microorganisms. This process does not work in human cells, as proteins in the form of enzymes within the body break down the cold plasma and protect the cells. The study was done on an ambulance that was contaminated in eight places. Samples were taken from each site, and two surfaces measuring approximately 8 × 8 cm were carefully sealed and marked. These surfaces were deliberately contaminated by applying an Enterococcus faecium suspension of 8.5 × 107 CFU/mL using a sterile cotton swab. It was followed by the disinfection procedure, that was initiated with the PLASMOCAR device. It was positioned on the front workspace and operated for a duration of 30 min, utilizing the vehicle's onboard voltage. Throughout the operation, all doors and windows were closed and the vehicle's air conditioning system remained active. After the completion of the disinfection process, samples were collected from the surfaces for bacterial counts. A reduction of 3.73 log levels in initial bacteria was accomplished within the rescue vehicle for Enterococcus faecium, equivalent to a 10–fourfold reduction in bacteria, eliminating up to 99.99% of the initial microorganisms. This success makes the process well-suited and convenient as an ongoing "background" procedure to enhance the established disinfection procedures. The established disinfection procedures outlined in the hygiene plan must be promptly implemented whenever mechanical surface cleaning is required. The use of PLASMOCAR offers an extra layer of protection and security, significantly decreasing the risk of microorganism transmission through cross-contamination and aerosols. This is a significant benefit for the well-being of both staff and patients.
Die für die Planung des Materialflusses relevanten Fertigungsprozesse lassen sich sehr genau planen, beispielsweise über die Leistung der Maschine (Durchsatz je Zeiteinheit). Bei der Planung eines Projektes spielen logistische Prozesse, die zu den Kernprozessen eines Unternehmens gehören, eine wichtige Rolle. Jedoch werden sie meist nur grob terminiert und mit großen Puffern kalkuliert. Dies kann zu einer Verlängerung der Projektdauer führen. Für eine genauere Terminierung eines Projektes ist es daher entscheidend, die Dauer der logistischen Prozesse mindestens in dem Maße wie die Fertigungsprozesse zu ermitteln, um das Risiko einer Projektverzögerung zu minimieren. In diesem Beitrag wird deshalb eine Methode zur datenbasierten Schätzung von Prozessdauern mit dem Ziel der Wiederverwendung von Projektwissen vorgestellt, die es dem Projektmanagement ermöglichen soll, Dauern von logistischen Prozessen präziser zu schätzen als das aktuell basierend auf Erfahrungswissen erfolgt. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt dabei auf der Herleitung der Entwurfsaktivitäten. Durch die Anwendung der Methode soll das Projektmanagement von einer genaueren, datenbasierten Schätzung von (Logistik‑)Prozessdauern profitieren und so entstandenes Wissen über einen Ontologieansatz wiederverwenden können.
Background: Stroke is one of the most frequent causes of death in Germany and the developed countries. After a stroke, those affected often suffer particularly from functional motor restrictions of the upper extremities. Newer techniques such as the BCI-FES systems aim to establish a communication channel between the brain and external devices with a neuromuscular intervention. The electrical activity of the brain is measured, processed, translated into control signals and can then be used to control an application.
Methods: As a mixed-methods design (exploratory design), eight guideline-based expert interviews were conducted first. For the quantitative expert survey, 95 chief physicians from the field of neuromedicine in rehabilitation facilities nationwide were subsequently invited to participate in an online survey.
Results: In our data analysis, we found that doctors are largely open-minded towards new technical rehabilitation systems. In addition to the proper functioning of the system, they consider the understanding of the functionality and the meaningfulness of the system to be particularly important. In addition, the system should be motivating for individuals, generate meaningful movements, be easy to use, evidence-based and quick to set up. Concerns were expressed regarding the understanding of the system’s processes, especially in the acute phase after a stroke, as well as the excessive expectation of results from the system on the part of the persons. The experts named stroke patients in rehabilitation phase C, which is about mobilization and recovery, as well as all persons who can understand the language requirements as benefiting groups of people.
Conclusion: The present study shows that more research should and must be done in the field of BCI-FES interfaces, and various development trends have been identified. The system has the potential to play a leading role in the rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future. Nevertheless, more work should be done on the improvement and implementation as well as the system’s susceptibility to interference in everyday patient life.
Context: VR as an application to enhance well-being is sparsely researched in the elderly population. The aim of the pilot study was to analyze the effect of 360° videos of different categories on the state of mind of seniors in nursing facilities. Furthermore, for the implementation in everyday life, the usability of the system and the experience for seniors should be evaluated.
Methods: The VR experience was used as a supplement to existing care services in three facilities on eight subjects. Mood state was assessed using the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Happiness before and after the intervention. Demographic data and technology acceptance were collected beforehand. After the intervention, subjects were interviewed about confounding factors and side effects, and nursing home staff were interviewed about the usability of the system and the organizational concept of implementation.
Results: There was a positive effect on state of mind. Gender and spatial mobility turned out to be influencing factors. Categories containing people, animals and action achieved the highest increases in the state of mind. Interest in using technical devices correlated negatively with the change in mood state. None of the subjects found the VR goggles distracting or reported motion sickness. Very good usability was indicated by the employees.
Conclusion: A very high willingness to use this technology was found among nursing staff and residents. The tendencies of the positive effect of 360° videos on the state of mind, as well as differentiation based on the mentioned characteristics gender and spatial mobility, should be verified by a larger sample to empirically validate the use of this technology to increase the quality of life.
