The premise of genetic analysis is that a causal link exists between phenotypic and allelic variation. Yet it has long been documented that mutant phenotypes are not a simple result of a single DNA lesion, but rather are due to interactions of the focal allele with other genes and the environment. Although an experimentally rigorous approach, focusing on individual mutations and isogenic control strains, has facilitated amazing progress within genetics and related fields, a glimpse back suggests that a vast complexity has been omitted from our current understanding of allelic effects. Armed with traditional genetic analyses and the foundational knowledge they have provided, we argue that the time and tools are ripe to return to the under-explored aspects of gene function and embrace the context-dependent nature of genetic effects. We assert that a broad understanding of genetic effects and the evolutionary dynamics of alleles requires identifying how mutational outcomes depend upon the wild-type genetic background. Furthermore, we discuss how best to exploit genetic background effects to broaden genetic research programs.
The complexity and increasingly tight coupling of supply chains poses a major logistical challenge for leading companies. Another challenge is that leading companies -- under pressure from consumers, a critical public and legislative measures such as supply chain laws -- have to take more responsibility than before for their suppliers' labour standards. In this paper, we discuss a new approach that leading companies are using to try to address these challenges: algorithmic prediction of business risks, but also environmental and social risks. We describe the technical and cultural conditions for algorithmic prediction and explain how -- from the perspective of leading companies -- it helps to address both challenges. We then develop scenarios on how and with what kind of social consequences algorithmic prediction can be used by leading companies. From the scenarios, we derive policy options for different stakeholder groups to help develop algorithmic prediction towards improving labour standards and worker voice. -- Die Komplexität und zunehmend enge Kopplung vieler Lieferketten stellt eine große logistische Herausforderung für Leitunternehmen dar. Eine weitere Herausforderung best
In a recent article [Phys. Rev. Applied 6, 014017 (2016)], Chyba and Hand propose a new scheme to generate electric power continuously at the expense of Earth's kinetic energy of rotation, by using an appropriately shaped cylindrical shell of a well chosen conducting ferrite, rigidly attached to the Earth. No experimental confirmation is reported for the new prediction. In the present Refutation, I first use today's standard electromagnetism and essentially the same model as Chyba and Hand to show in a very simple way that no device of the proposed type can produce continuous electric power, whatever its configuration or size, in agreement with widespread expectation. Next, I show that the prediction of non-zero continuous power by Chyba and Hand results from a confusion of frames of reference at a critical step of their derivation. When the confusion is clarified, the prediction becomes exactly zero and the article under discussion appears as pointless. At the end, I comment about the persistent invocation by Chyba and Hand of the misleading legacy notion that quasi-static magnetic fields have an intrinsic velocity, and other questionable concepts.
(abridged) This thesis presents theoretical and statistical techniques broadly related to systems of dynamically-interacting particles composed of several different types of populations. They are applied to observations of dense star clusters (SCs) in order to study gravitational interactions between stars. We present a new analytic method of quantifying the frequency of encounters involving single, binary and triple stars. With this technique, we have shown that dynamical encounters involving triple stars occur commonly in at least some SCs, and that they are likely to be an important dynamical channel for stellar mergers to occur. We have also used our techniques to analyze observational data for a large sample of SCs taken from the ACS Survey for Globular Clusters. The results of this analysis are as follows: (1) We have compiled a homogeneous catalogue of stellar populations for every cluster in our sample, including main-sequence (MS), red giant branch, horizontal branch and blue straggler (BS) stars. (2) With this catalogue, we have quantified the effects of the cluster dynamics in determining the relative sizes and spatial distributions of these stellar populations. (3) Thes
In conducting preliminary analysis during an epidemic, data on reported disease cases offer key information in guiding the direction to the in-depth analysis. Models for growth and transmission dynamics are heavily dependent on preliminary analysis results. When a particular disease case is reported more than once or alternatively is never reported or detected in the population, then in such a situation, there is a possibility of existence of multiple reporting or under reporting in the population. In this work, a theoretical approach for studying reporting error in epidemiology is explored. The upper bound for the error that arises due to multiple reporting is higher than that which arises due to under reporting. Numerical examples are provided to support the arguments. This article mainly treats reporting error as deterministic and one can explore a stochastic model for the same.
The phenotypic consequences of individual mutations are modulated by the wild type genetic background in which they occur.Although such background dependence is widely observed, we do not know whether general patterns across species and traits exist, nor about the mechanisms underlying it. We also lack knowledge on how mutations interact with genetic background to influence gene expression, and how this in turn mediates mutant phenotypes. Furthermore, how genetic background influences patterns of epistasis remains unclear. To investigate the genetic basis and genomic consequences of genetic background dependence of the scallopedE3 allele on the Drosophila melanogaster wing, we generated multiple novel genome level datasets from a mapping by introgression experiment and a tagged RNA gene expression dataset. In addition we used whole genome re-sequencing of the parental lines two commonly used laboratory strains to predict polymorphic transcription factor binding sites for SD. We integrated these data with previously published genomic datasets from expression microarrays and a modifier mutation screen. By searching for genes showing a congruent signal across multiple datasets, we wer
Algorithmic decision support (ADS) is increasingly used in a whole array of different contexts and structures in various areas of society, influencing many people's lives. Its use raises questions, among others, about accountability, transparency and responsibility. Our article aims to give a brief overview of the central issues connected to ADS, responsibility and decision-making in organisational contexts and identify open questions and research gaps. Furthermore, we describe a set of guidelines and a complementary digital tool to assist practitioners in mapping responsibility when introducing ADS within their organisational context. -- Algorithmenunterstützte Entscheidungsfindung (algorithmic decision support, ADS) kommt in verschiedenen Kontexten und Strukturen vermehrt zum Einsatz und beeinflusst in diversen gesellschaftlichen Bereichen das Leben vieler Menschen. Ihr Einsatz wirft einige Fragen auf, unter anderem zu den Themen Rechenschaft, Transparenz und Verantwortung. Im Folgenden möchten wir einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Fragestellungen rund um ADS, Verantwortung und Entscheidungsfindung in organisationalen Kontexten geben und einige offene Fragen und Forschungslück
Recently, aggregated journal-journal citation networks were made accessible from the perspective of each journal included in the Science Citation Index see (http://www.leydesdorff.net/). The local matrices can be used to inspect the relevant citation environment of a journal using statistical analysis and visualization techniques from social network analysis. The inspection gives an answer to the question what the local impact of this and other journals in the environment is. In this study the citation environment of Angewandte Chemie was analysed. Angewandte Chemie is one of the prime chemistry journals in the world. Its environment was compared with that of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The results of the environment analyses give a detailed insight into the field-embeddedness of Angewandte Chemie. The impacts of the German and international editions of this journal are compared.
In software and hardware development MATLAB and Simulink are used to model cyber physical systems for many years, , especially in automation technology and the automotive industry. Compliance with the required product quality and project efficiency is facilitated by analyzing and transforming Simulink models. The existing API, provided by MATLAB is only suitable for programmatic changing of Simulink models. We show using our own tool which is used in industry, how such as a Simulink model can be edited more easily. For this purpose the model, is converted to an object-oriented class structure that provides convenient access and editing APIs and allows applying well-known algorithms and analyses from graph theory directly. It is also designed as a bi-directional tool, so it transforms a Simulink model into a graph representation and vice versa. ----- In der Software- und Hardwareentwicklung wird seit Jahren verstärkt MATLAB und Simulink für die Modellierung von cyberphysikalischen Systemen, insbesondere in der Automatisierungstechnik und der Automobilindustrie eingesetzt. Die Einhaltung der notwendigen Produktqualität und Projekteffizienz wird durch Analysen und Transformationen auf
This activity was created within the framework of the "Space for Education" project, which ams at experiencing physical principles on the basis of topics related to space travel. Artificial satellites are suitable as application-oriented examples to explain the effect of gravity on their orbits. This working material deals with the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) around the Earth. In simple calculations and representations, the students learn how the orbits of artificial satellites are created and which characteristic velocities occur. They compare their ISS results with those of geostationary satellites and discover applications of this particular orbit. Additional materials at: https://www.haus-der-astronomie.de/raum-fuer-bildung ----- Diese Aktivität wurde im Rahmen des Projekts "Raum für Bildung" erstellt, welches physikalische Prinzipien anhand der Raumfahrt erlebbar macht. Künstliche Satelliten eignen sich als anwendungsnahe Beispiele, um die Wirkung der Gravitation auf ihre Bahn näher zu erläutern. Dieses Arbeitsmaterial behandelt dazu exemplarisch den Orbit der Internationalen Raumstation (ISS) um die Erde. In einfachen Rechnungen und Darstellungen erfahren d
In this paper we prove the transcendence of $π$ using Hilbert's method. We also prove that all points constructible with compass and straightedge have algebraic coordinates. Thus we give a self-contained proof that squaring the circle is impossible, requiring only basic linear algebra, analysis and Cauchy's Integral Theorem. -- In diesem Aufsatz beweisen wir mit Hilberts Methode, dass $π$ transzendent ist. Weiter beweisen wir, dass alle mit Zirkel und Lineal konstruierbaren Punkte algebraische Koordinaten haben. Somit beweisen wir, dass die Quadratur des Kreises unmöglich ist. Der vorliegende Beweis ist in sich abgeschlossen und setzt nur grundlegende lineare Algebra und Analysis und den Cauchy'schen Integralsatz voraus.
With the increasing attention non-binary people receive in Western societies, strategies of gender-fair language have started to move away from binary (only female/male) concepts of gender. Nevertheless, hardly any approaches to take these identities into account into machine translation models exist so far. A lack of understanding of the socio-technical implications of such technologies risks further reproducing linguistic mechanisms of oppression and mislabelling. In this paper, we describe the methods and results of a workshop on gender-fair language and language technologies, which was led and organised by ten researchers from TU Wien, St. Pölten UAS, FH Campus Wien and the University of Vienna and took place in Vienna in autumn 2021. A wide range of interest groups and their representatives were invited to ensure that the topic could be dealt with holistically. Accordingly, we aimed to include translators, machine translation experts and non-binary individuals (as "community experts") on an equal footing. Our analysis shows that gender in machine translation requires a high degree of context sensitivity, that developers of such technologies need to position themselves cautious
If we consider information as the basis of action, it may be of interest to examine the flow and acquisition of information between the actors in traffic. The central question is, which signals an automaton has to receive, decode or send in road traffic in order to act safely and in a conform manner to valid standards. The phenomenon-signal-model is a method to structure the problem, to analyze and to describe this very signal flow. Explaining the basics, structure and application of this method is the aim of this paper. -- Betrachtet man Information als Grundlage des Handelns, so wird es interessant sein, Fluss und Erfassung von Information zwischen den Akteuren des Verkehrsgeschehens zu untersuchen. Die zentrale Frage ist, welche Signale ein Automat im Straßenverkehr empfangen, decodieren oder senden muss, um konform zu geltenden Maßstäben und sicher zu agieren. Das Phänomen-Signal-Modell ist eine Methode, das Problemfeld zu strukturieren, eben diesen Signalfluss zu analysieren und zu beschreiben. Der vorliegende Aufsatz erklärt Grundlagen, Aufbau und Anwendung dieser Methode.
Using author provided tags to predict tags for a new document often results in the overgeneration of tags. In the case where the author doesn't provide any tags, our documents face the severe under-tagging issue. In this paper, we present a method to generate a universal set of tags that can be applied widely to a large document corpus. Using IBM Watson's NLU service, first, we collect keywords/phrases that we call "complex document tags" from 8,854 popular reports in the corpus. We apply LDA model over these complex document tags to generate a set of 765 unique "simple tags". In applying the tags to a corpus of documents, we run each document through the IBM Watson NLU and apply appropriate simple tags. Using only 765 simple tags, our method allows us to tag 87,397 out of 88,583 total documents in the corpus with at least one tag. About 92.1% of the total 87,397 documents are also determined to be sufficiently-tagged. In the end, we discuss the performance of our method and its limitations.
Stereotype Vorstellungen von Mathematik und Mathematiker*innen beeinflussen das Interesse von Jugendlichen an MINT-Fächern. Daher plädiert dieser Beitrag dafür, populäre Filme und erfolgreiche Serien nicht nur im Fremdsprachenunterricht, sondern auch im Mathematikunterricht einzusetzen. Durch die Analyse audiovisueller Medien im Unterricht können verzerrte Darstellungen über Mathematiker*innen erkannt, die Gründe dafür benannt und alternative Sichtweisen entwickelt werden. Dies trägt dazu bei, das Bild der Mathematik zu entmystifizieren und den Spaß an Mathe und Englisch zu fördern. Die Einbindung sozialwissenschaftlicher Themen steigert zudem die Motivation der Schüler*innen.
The development of automated vehicles and automated driving functions is an exceptionally complex task that requires the integration of numerous, sometimes conflicting interests and various constraints already in the early stages of system design. This chapter explains important challenges in concept specifications for automated driving and presents a systematic process model that contributes to overcoming the special requirements in this field. In addition, it describes the successful implementation of a structured concept specification for an automated vehicle guidance system. -- Die Entwicklung automatisierter Fahrzeuge und Fahrfunktionen stellt eine ausgesprochen komplexe Aufgabe dar, die bereits im Zuge des Systementwurfs die Einbeziehung einer Vielzahl teilweise konfliktärer Interessen und diverser Randbedingungen erfordert. Dieses Kapitel erläutert wichtige Herausforderungen bei Konzeptspezifikationen im Themenfeld des automatisierten Fahrens und stellt ein systematisches Prozessmodell vor, das einen Beitrag zur Erfüllung der besonderen Anforderungen des automatisierten Fahrens an den Entwurf leistet. Darüber hinaus wird die erfolgreiche Durchführung einer strukturierten Kon
The Metropolis-adjusted Langevin algorithm (MALA) is a Metropolis-Hastings method for approximate sampling from continuous distributions. We derive upper bounds for the contraction rate in Kantorovich-Rubinstein-Wasserstein distance of the MALA chain with semi-implicit Euler proposals applied to log-concave probability measures that have a density w.r.t. a Gaussian reference measure. For sufficiently "regular" densities, the estimates are dimension-independent, and they hold for sufficiently small step sizes $h$ that do not depend on the dimension either. In the limit $h\downarrow0$, the bounds approach the known optimal contraction rates for overdamped Langevin diffusions in a convex potential. A similar approach also applies to Metropolis-Hastings chains with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck proposals. In this case, the resulting estimates are still independent of the dimension but less optimal, reflecting the fact that MALA is a higher order approximation of the diffusion limit than Metropolis-Hastings with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck proposals.
The aim of this article is to give practicing teachers an overview about the theory behind paperfolding, it is my qualifying thesis(Zulassungsarbeit) as a teacher in Germany. It is a survey about the relations between paperfolding and algebra, in particular Galois theory. We develop a system of fundamental foldings for paperfolding, discuss which field can be constructed using these techniques and advance to concrete constructions solving (classical) construction problems. Finally, we think about possible generalisations of the given system of fundamental constructions. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, aktiven Lehrern einen Überblick über die algebraische Theorie hinter Origami zu geben, der Artikel ist meine Zulassungsarbeit. Es handelt sich um einen Übersichtsartikel über die Relationen zwischen Origami und Algebra, insbesondere Galoistheorie. Wir entwickeln ein System von Grundkonstruktionen, diskutieren den Körper der mit Origami konstruierbaren Zahlen und wenden unser Wissen auf (klassische) Konstruktionsprobleme an. Zuletzt denken wir über mögliche Erweiterungen des gegebenen Systems fundamentaler Konstruktionen nach.
Freshwater lakes across North America and Europe are becoming noticeably browner, reducing underwater visibility and reshaping fish populations。 Research found that several popular sport fish, including trout, bass, perch, and whitefish, tend to decline in darker waters。 Meanwhile, walleye and northern pike often become more abundant because they a
PrivacyScore ist ein öffentliches Web-Portal, mit dem automatisiert überprüft werden kann, ob Webseiten gängige Mechanismen zum Schutz von Sicherheit und Privatheit korrekt implementieren. Im Gegensatz zu existierenden Diensten ermöglicht PrivacyScore, mehrere Webseiten in Benchmarks miteinander zu vergleichen, die Ergebnisse differenziert und im Zeitverlauf zu analysieren sowie nutzerdefinierte Kriterien für die Auswertung zu definieren. PrivacyScore verbessert dadurch nicht nur die Transparenz für Endanwender, sondern erleichtert auch die Arbeit der Datenschutz-Aufsichtsbehörden. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir das Konzept des Dienstes vor und wir erörtern, unter welchen Umständen das automatische Scannen und öffentliche "Anprangern" von Schwächen aus rechtlicher Sicht zulässig ist. -- This German article describes the technical and legal considerations surrounding PrivacyScore, a public web portal that allows automatic scans of websites for privacy and security problems. For an English article discussing the same system in more technical detail, but lacking the legal interpretation, see arXiv:1705.05139.