Historically, the Gaussian assumption for noise and interferences has dominated signal processing. The justification for this assumption is usually given by the well known central limit theorem which allows an elegant, manageable, and meaningful mathematical description of noise. Nevertheless, some communication scenarios are characterized by impulsive properties on behalf of Gaussian noise, so they are non-Gaussian distributed. Channels which are corrupted with impulsive noise can be found in several domains like for example powerline communications, ethernet traffic, underwater signal processing, or as proven in this project also the multiuser interferences of ultra wideband (UWB) communication systems. After describing and discussing impulsive noise models in detail, a comparison of their distributions has been carried out showing the suitability of the different models for solving selected problems. For example, it is well known that the channel capacity with additive impulsive noise channels is always greater than the one of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels supposed that the signal to noise ratio (SNR) remains unchanged. In this project the capacity of channels corrupted by impulsive noise has been investigated. An example shows the negative effect of the widely used hard limiter (for impulsive noise clipping) and suggests the use of an alternative one called soft limiter allowing no loss of information. Furthermore, UWB systems have been investigated regarding multiuser interferences. It is proven that the multiuser interferences of impulse radio systems are impulsive. Their probability density function is determined analytically and confirmed by simulation results. Taking this result into account a new receiver structure has been developed allowing the suppression of impulsive noise without use of a limiter. The performance of this receiver is proven by simulation.

The presented dissertation is concerned with anisotropic curvature motion of two-dimensional parametric surfaces as well as their application in surface fairing and surface restauration. Mainly the so called anisotropic mean curvature motion (AMCM) and the anisotropic Willmore-flow are being treated. These flows are generalizations of the classical mean curvature flow and the classical Willmore-flow, respectively. The anisotropies are induced by positive, 1-homogenous and convex functions, which can be regarded as support functions of convex bodies, so called Wulff-shapes. Being a method of fourth order of differentiation in the surface coordinates, the anisotropic Willmore-flow allows the prescription of boundary values for the position of the boundary itself as well as for the surface normals on the boundary of a surface patch under consideration. Hence it is an appropriate method for the reconstruction of partially destroyed surfaces. In this work a numerical scheme for the anisotropic Willmore-flow is presented, which is based on an operator splitting of the fourth order evolution equation into two weak equations of first order of differentiation, which is discretized using linear finite elements in space. In particular the discretization of the AMCM turns out to be one of these equations. Based on the AMCM a method for the fairing of surfaces with crystalline edges is developed. Modifications of the discrete AMCM are also used for surface modeling purposes. Schemes for the artificial aging and for virtual engraving of surfaces are presented. Further on a subdivision scheme based on the isotropic mean curvature motion is introduced. Finally, the isotropic as well as the anisotropic Willmore-flow is employed for the restauration of partially destroyed triangulated surfaces.

Scientists and banking industry experts agree that shareholder value orientation requires to have comprehensive financial control including risk management and capital budgeting in place. We analyse, to what extent German, Austrian and Swiss banks have implemented the multiple, complex theoretical concepts of measuring market, credit and operational risk as well as capital budgeting. The empirical study focuses on universal banks. We analyse, if there is evidence for different financial goals and according differences in the financial control system due to different equity-/ shareholders of private, savings and rural banks.

In order to obtain detailed information on the interaction of bivalent cations with alginates especially the effects of sequence and acetylation degree the several types of alginates were treated with different solutions of manganese(II)and analysed by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy. The usage of paramagnetic manganese(II) ions lead to a strong influence on the NMR signals of all adjacent nuclei which is based on the dipolar coupling with electron spins of the paramagnetic species. It was found that there are different carbons involved in the interaction of polymannurante and polyguluronate. In alternating sequences the GM/MG parts of the alginates show the strongest interaction with manganese. Additionally it was found that the acetylated parts of the chain show no interaction with the paramagnetic ion. The strong affinity of manganese to the GM/MG-pairs could be a reason for the founded preference of the bacteria to produce alternating alginates. That applies for the amount of the acetyl groups in the alginate. The acetylation degree is another tool to affect the stability of the alginate/cation complexes and therewith for the gelmatrix of alginate/cation gels

A novel direct solid-state emission spectroanalytical method based on the pulsed sliding spark source has been developed. The technique is characterised by a radiative transient discharge plasma propagating along the surface of a dielectric solid matrix enforced between a pair of electrodes in air at atmospheric pressure, where matrix excitation is driven by plasma-particle interaction based on geometry- and source opto-electric-modulated electron impact excitation. This dissertation embodies the results of the systematic theoretical and experimental study of the sliding spark which aimed at the analytical development of the technique for trace quantitative spectroscopy of the heavy elements embedded in the dielectric matrix surface layers. The optical emission spectrum, when detected and measured in the wavelength range 212511 nm at about 0.05 nm spectral resolution using optical fibre transmission in conjunction with a holographic blazed grating CCD spectrometer, was found to be suitable for simultaneous multi-elemental analysis. Investigation of the spectral characteristics of several heavy metals embedded in a variety of dielectric matrices (a boro-silicate simulate, borax, polyvinyl-alcohol, cellulose, teflon, Al-Zr simulate ceramic powder, simulate and River sediment samples) has led to the realisation of an empirical scheme for optimal identification and selection of the optically thin lines that are suitable for trace quantitative analysis. The utility of the lines depends on the element and sample matrix. Use of PVC as a matrix modifier results in increased sensitivity through formation of volatile halides. Comprehensive characterisation of the measured spectra provides empirical evidence to exploit the sliding spark at fast pulse frequency also as an atom source for combined emission, fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy applicable to the elucidation of structural and molecular information by temporal gating, time-resolved techniques. Practical approaches found in the search for an appropriate calibration strategy for quantitative analysis include the use of internal standards based on Y and La (added) and Si and C (matrix-derived) spectral lines, which compensate for the differing ablation yield, signal drifts and matrix effects in and between complex matrices. Accurate analytical models have been derived for Mn, Ti, V, Ni, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Al, Fe, Zn, and Hg. A quantification methodology has been developed based on sediment and as model matrix, which combines high sensitivity and satisfactory reproducibility for Mn, Ti, V, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Al, Fe, and Zn. Trace quantitative analysis of dielectric solid matrices by sliding spark spectroscopy is realised in the concentration range from several hundred ppb to thousands of ppm depending on the analyte (and the spectral line utilized) and on the calibration strategy adopted for the quantification. The elemental limits of detection vary from several hundred ppb to few tens of ppm depending on the element, analysed matrix, spectral line, and calibration method. Qualitative speciation analysis is possible for Mn, V, Pb, Ti, Cu, and Co. Sliding spark spectroscopy has been validated as a new, simple but robust and versatile technique for the direct trace analysis of complex solid dielectric and refractory matrices with a reproducibility at 12 %, a precision characterised by a confidence interval of (0.510) %, and an accuracy by relative efficiency of 010 % by the successful analyses of Certified Reference Materials (Stream sediments), sewage sludge, a PVC polymer, an independent XRF laboratory analysis of River Rhine sediment, and by the results of comparative analyses made of the same elements using ICP and XRF (polarised radiation, 3-D Cartesian geometry) techniques.

In more recent time electronic, electromechanical, bioelectric and optical technologies, which settle in device products of medical technology, have a crucial portion of medical successes. As extended senses of a physician modern sensors especially in diagnostic systems and also in therapy devices take up a key role. The present study treats the aspects, which are important with the use of sensors in medical applications in the core. In the center of attention are in particular the constructional aspect of the adaptation of medical measuring technique to the employment surrounding field at and in humans. Constructing on fundamental views of the different levels of the sensor adaptation regarding spacial accession, material employment, compatibility of procedures and methods, man-machine-sensor-interaction and law compliance a sensor application typology, which characterizes and differentiates between three main forms of operational areas, forms the structuring framework for an adaptation scheme shown by examples. One concrete problem field each of current own medical technology developments will be motivated regarding its medical topic and typical constructional function conversions and conversion variants will be pointed out and discussed.

Testability analysis for analog circuits provides valuable information for designers and test engineers. Such information includes a number of testable and nontestable elements of a circuit, ambiguity groups, and nodes to be tested. This information is useful for solving the fault diagnosis problem. In order to verify the functionality of analog circuits, a large number of specifications have to be checked. However, checking all circuit specifications can result in prohibitive testing times on expensive automated test equipment. Therefore, the test engineer has to select a finite subset of specifications to be measured. This subset of specifications must result in reducing the test time and guaranteeing that no faulty chips are shipped. This research develops a novel methodology for testability analysis of linear analog circuits based on pole-zero analysis and on pole-zero sensitivity analysis. Based on this methodology, a new interpretation of ambiguity groups is provided relying on the circuit theory. The testability analysis methodology can be employed as a guideline for constructing fault diagnosis equations and for selecting the test nodes. We have also proposed an algorithm for selecting specifications that need to be measured. The element testability concept will be introduced. This concept provides the degree of difficulty in testing circuit elements. The value of the element testability can easily be obtained using the pole sensitivities. Then, specifications which need to be measured can be selected based on this concept. Consequently, the selected measurements can be utilized for reducing the test time without sacrificing the fault coverage and maximizing the information for fault diagnosis.

In this thesis chitosan and ß-cyclodextrin were used as candidates in medical textile applications. The antimicrobial activity of dissolved chitosan was evaluated quantitatively against both bacteria and fungi by different methods. The activity increased by increasing the concentration of chitosan. As a result, chitosan was applied as antimicrobial finishing agent to cotton by different anchor groups. Bacterial activity of chitosan-treated cotton was measured by tetrazolium/formazan test method. A water soluble chitosan derivative, namely carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS)was synthesized and characterized. CMCTS was applied to pre-cationized cotton forming ionically crosslinked cotton. The improvement in physical properties of cotton combined with a moderate antibacterial activity was achieved. In dentistry, chitosan films were applied to Molloplast® B, soft liner based material for dentures to treat the denture stomatitis. Also ß-cyclodextrin was used in pharmaceutical applications. Two antimycotic drugs were complexed by ß-cyclodextrin. The drug delivery and the solubility of the complexes were measured and evaluated by the laser nephelometry in microtiter plate in-vitro.

Different polymers were used as antimicrobial finishing agent in textile application. Different methods were used to functionalize polyvinylamine, chitosan and cylcodextrin onto fibres. The finished fabrics were chracterized by different analytical tools. In addition the antibacterial activity of the modified surfaces was evaluated by Tetrazolium-Formazan test. A surface test agent (Toluol) was complexed by ß-Cyclodextrin and its deliverey was evaluated by olfactometry.

Microorganisms in biofilms are kept together by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS are key molecules for the structure, function and organization of biofilms. Chemical and / or physical isolation methods are being used for the quantitative separation of EPS from biofilms. The yield of EPS depends on the method of isolation. Four different methods of EPS isolation were used in this work (separation by stirring and centrifugation, use of a cation exchange resin, extraction with formaldehyde and extraction with formaldehyde and NaOH) on pure culture biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and biofilms from sewage treatment systems. The isolation by stirring and centrifugation was suitable for pure culture biofilms. If calcium was present in the growth medium stirring and centrifugation alone was not sufficient. The isolation of EPS was successful with the cation exchange method. The method of choice for the isolation of EPS from environmental biofilms was the cation exchange method. EPS from pure culture biofilms of P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens did not only consist of polysaccharides, but also of significant amounts of proteins. In environmental biofilms humic substances and DNA were found in addition to polysaccharides and proteins. Detailed studies of the EPS from P. aeruginosa showed, that the EPS consisted of 70 % (w/w) of alginate. Alginate showed a clear heterogeneity in relation to charge (acetylated and non-acetylated fraction) and molar mass. Neutral carbohydrates were not found in the EPS after total hydrolysis followed by thin layer chromatography. Proteins amounted to 28 % (w/w) of the EPS. It is assumable that this not only related to enzymes, but also structural proteins (e. g. lectins). Rhamnose lipids (mainly di-rhamno lipid) were also found in the EPS (small amount of 1 % (w/w)); these molecules may also play an important role in the development of the biofilm structure. By increasing the time of biofilm cultivation P. aeruginosa produced (related to cell number) more EPS (mainly alginate). The composition of the EPS was depending on the nutrient medium. In synthetic media high amounts of polysaccharides and almost no proteins (in contrast to rich media) were detected in the EPS. EPS of pure culture biofilms of P. fluorescens contained carbohydrates (57 % (w/w)) and proteins (28 % (w/w)). Acetyl groups (5 % (w/w)) and glucose and galactose after hydrolysis and thin layer chromatography were detected in the EPS. Possibly the exopolysaccharide of P. fluorescens is an acetylated galactoglucan. In the analyzed sludges of waste water treatment proteins followed by carbohydrates made up the main components of the EPS. Humic substances and small amounts of DNA were detected in these EPS. The EPS of aquatic biofilms contained large amounts of humic substances. Uronic acids were not detected in any analyzed environmental biofilm. Therefore acidic polysaccharides in these biofilms cannot play any role in the stabilization of biofilms by cross linking the EPS with multivalent cations. Instead of that, humic substances, nucleic acids and acidic proteins could be responsible for cross linking.