Nordakademie

This article explores the integration of Brute Force (BF) methods and Greedy algorithms to develop a versatile decision tree (DT) algorithm that balances efficiency, complexity, and accuracy. The study introduces a parameterized search procedure that harnesses the strengths of both approaches, applicable to ensemble methods like AdaBoost and Random Forests (RFs). The primary research question investigates whether enhanced utilization of BF approaches can improve the quality of greedy DT algorithms without increasing their complexity. Key hypotheses address the trade-off between tree complexity and user interpretability, the potential for reduced complexity through BF methods, and the impact on computational time and accuracy. A qualitative field study supports these hypotheses, revealing that simpler DT structures are easier to interpret. Additionally, algorithmic evaluations suggest that incorporating BF methods can enhance the accuracy of greedy DTs without significantly extending computation time.

Accurate assessment of the state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of batteries provides critical information for effective operation in various battery applications. Such information optimizes charging, discharging, fault isolation, and maintenance decisions. Conventional techniques have shortcomings, including accuracy, cost, speed, and invasiveness. Recent research has introduced novel techniques, many exploiting magnetic field changes that occur during battery operation. This literature review summarizes conventional and novel measurement methodologies, highlighting any limitations of each. While magnetic field and X-ray approaches can overcome many of the shortcomings of conventional methods, further research is necessary to reduce costs, enhance safety, and enable real-time monitoring. The development of accurate, quick, and cost-effective measurement techniques will accelerate the integration of batteries into a rapidly increasing range of applications, including battery energy storage systems for behind the meter in buildings, facilitating electrification goals and the expansion of renewable energy.

Abstract Cross reality laboratories are widely used in education, yet research on the usability/user experience (UX) of these laboratories is still lacking. This study wants to start the discussion about challenges for usability/UX by interviewing practitioners from a large project for cross reality laboratories spanning multiple institutes in Germany. A total of 18 challenges were discovered, together with three target groups, namely, developers, maintainers, and learners. In addition, the tension between developers and usability is discussed. Open questions include the need to conduct further research with different target groups and how to increase usability for laboratory developers.

Promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at K-12 level motivates pupils to pursue technical careers at universities, which is of high importance due to skilled labor shortage and other factors. In particular, in Germany the population with a tertiary education level is less than the average in the European Union (35–41 %. Motivating the study of technical careers, this paper features a model for promoting STEM at the K-12 education level by developing joint teaching platforms with students at technical universities. The model is derived from hands-on experience at TU Berlin targeting a climate change topic: As part of student semester projects, Bachelor students integrated a humidity sensor into a drone and conducted atmospheric measurements. The resulting hard and software components provided by the students allowed the preparation of a lesson plan to promote STEM at the K-12 level. In this way, we synergically connect the means from the university with hands-on activities as means to promote STEM topics with K-12 students. The resulting benefits are manifold; students at the university develop technical skills and become part of a social intention to promote STEM topics on the one hand. On the second hand, pre-university students might have first-hand experiences with hardware prototypes and their applicability to relevant topics like climate change surveillance. The developed model may illustrate straightforward means for educators to design lesson plans, including actual practices at university and pre-university levels.

Qualitative evidence syntheses (QES) are still uncommon in German rehabilitation research, although robust syntheses of qualitative evidence may lead to more strongly scientifically based decisions in health care. This article introduces the topic of qualitative evidence synthesis by describing three different synthesis methods - thematic synthesis, meta-ethnography, and grounded theory synthesis - and illustrating them with examples from rehabilitation research. This is followed by guidance on selecting the appropriate QES-method and reflections on the challenges of QES that are associated with the literature search and quality assessment of the studies to be included in the synthesis. Likewise considerations on quality criteria and their application are taken into account. GRADE-CERQual provides guidance for assessing confidence of findings from QES. Finally the value of QES for rehabilitation research is discussed.

IEEE11073 SDC is a fast growing standard, which offers a lot of new oportunites for medical device manufacturers and their customers. The goal of this Standard is to decrease the workload for nurses and doctors and increase the patients wellbeing by automation and interconnectivity of medical devices. To ensure that the communication between SDC devices work correctly, even under big load and other special conditions, there is the need to test theses devices. In order to test these devices in different communication scenarios, a testing environment and testing tools in form of Hardware-in-the-loop(HIL) are needed. This Paper investigates a method of testing SDCdevices in different communications scenarios through a concept for a testing software and a prototype.