Univ., Diss--Bonn, 2008.

Complete bilateral cleft lip and palate are one of the most severe forms of orofacial deformities. This is why their rehabilitation represents a special challenge to the interdisciplinary treatment team. The ideal procedure of treatment is still today an object of controversial discussions and the aim of many investigations. Especially the right moment for the repair of the hard palate is disputed. Thereby an undisturbed development of speech contrasts to an inhibition of growth because of resulting scar tissue. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of several treatment concepts the analysis of plaster models has been proved to be a suitable method. In this study the maxillary morphology of cleft patients with deciduous dentition was analysed following the investigations of KRAUSE (2005) that are concerning the infant situation. Thereby it was focused on the vertical development to which item only a few studies exist until now. The patients were treated following two different concepts with early or late closure of the palate respectively, which were compared. Additionally a comparison to a group of non cleft children was made. The group of investigation derived from the archive of the “Zentrum für Mund-, Kiefer-, Gesichtschirurgie” of the University of Leipzig including models of 16 patients at the average age of 4 years and 2 months of it. The therapy of all patients was done according to the same concept which included a similar closure of the lip at an average age of 5 months after an early orthodontic treatment according to HOTZ. The closure of the palate took place at the age of 10 up to 14 which was long before the time of investigation. They were compared to a reference group of 21 cleft patients of the former “Wolfgang-Rosenthal-Klinik” in Thallwitz. The average age in this group was 4 years and 8 months. These patients underwent the same procedure as well without an orthodontic treatment and with a two-phase lip closure at the age between 4 and 6 months. The repair of the palate was made only after our point of investigation. The control group of non cleft children finally originated in a collection of the former head of the orthodontic and prosthetic compartment of the University of Leipzig Prof. Dr. Kleeberg including models of 34 patients. Also these subjects had a complete deciduous dentition. However, the exact age could not be determined. All plaster casts were measured three-dimensionally with the reflex-microscope. As reference points served special points of the mucosal surface defined by ASHLEY-MONTAGU and SILLMAN as well as by MAZAHERI. To enable vertical measurements a plane of reference was constructed with the help of the tuberosity points and the half intercanine distance. The results showed clear differences between the two cleft groups as well as to the non cleft control group. Thereby it had to be discriminated between the results of the orthodontic treatment and the lip closure and those caused by the early or late repair of the palate respectively. Considering the vertical development especially the latter became obvious. So the segmental ends of the reference group showed a more pronounced cranial collapse than those of the group of investigation what is probably due to the late closure of the palate. However the premaxilla of the group of investigation was obviously more caudal situated so the incisal point showed a significant difference to the non cleft controls. On the contrary there were greater differences within the reference group regarding the vertical position of the premaxilla which was also more rotated than in the group of investigation. Probably because of the two-phase lip closure the right end of the premaxilla was more cranial located so the vertical distance between the alveolar segment and the premaxilla was greater on the left side. Furthermore the incisal point showed a greater deviation from the midline than it was in the group of investigation what is probably also due to the two-phase lip closure. The smallest deviation from the midline was found in the control group. In transversal direction there was a similar unfavorable relation between anterior and posterior arch width in both cleft groups, what became obvious with a significant smaller segmental angle than it was in the non cleft group. This was caused by a significant smaller anterior arch width in the group of investigation whereas the posterior arch width was almost normal. This was probably due to the early orthodontic treatment and the simultaneous lip closure as well as to the early palatal closure. In contrast the anterior arch width of the reference group showed hardly any differences but the posterior width was significant greater than in the control group. This development may have been caused by the late palatal repair allowing an unimpeded growth to take place. Finally the evaluation of the sagittal relations revealed a greater arch length in the cleft groups than in the control group. The greatest distance became again obvious in the reference group. For this difference was already measured in infancy one can presume that the closure of palate did not have a great influence on that development but the orthodontic treatment did. In summary it can be concluded that the time of palatal closure is mainly relevant concerning the vertical development but also in regard of the intertuberosity width. Thus the results of this study suggest a more favorable effect of an early closure of the palate. To verify these results further studies especially after palatal closure in the reference group are necessary. Furthermore a vertical measurement related to the cranium would be suitable.

Vertical baggers play an important role in the packaging of food granulates such as bite-sized snacks, candy and nuts. Increasing demands regarding productivity and throughput pressure manufacturers to employ increasingly sophisticated engineering tools over conventional design through trial and error and experience. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a powerful tool for prediction of bulk behavior, however randomness in the packaging process impairs reproducibility of simulations, especially when working in the typical range of particle counts less than 1000. This study looks into statistic methods to determine under which conditions adequate reliability of simulation results can be achieved. Both the influence of the goal variables used to describe the process and the influence of the particle count are discussed. The examples given can be adapted to similar scenarios and lay the foundation for future simulation assisted design of vertical filling processes.

This publication gives a brief overview about the main findings of Foth et al. (2019). Within this work, lidar observations of the vertical aerosol distribution above Punta Arenas, Chile (53:S and 70:9W) which have been performed with the Raman lidar PollyXT from December 2009 to April 2010 are presented. Pristine marine aerosol conditions related to the prevailing westerly circulation dominated the measurements. Lofted aerosol layers could only be observed eight times during the whole measurement period. One case study is presented showing long-range transport of smoke from biomass burning in Australia and regionally transported dust from the Patagonian Desert. The aerosol sources are identified by trajectory analyses with HYSPLIT and FLEXPART. However, seven of the eight analysed cases with lofted layers show an aerosol optical thickness (AOT) of less than 0.05. The ground-based lidar observations are supplemented by the AERONET Sun photometers and the space-borne lidar CALIOP on board of CALIPSO. The averaged AOT determined by CALIOP was 0:02 0:01 at Punta Arenas from 2009 to 2010. / Diese Publikation gibt einen kurzen Überblick über ein paar Ergebnisse aus Foth et al. (2019). In dieser Arbeit werden Lidarbeobachtungen der vertikalen aerosolverteilung über Punta Arenas, Chile (53:2S and 70:9W) präsentiert, welche mit dem Ramanlidar PollyXT zwischen Dezember 2009 und April 2010 durchgeführt wurden. Die Messungen sind durch reine marine Aerosolbedingungen in Verbindung mit vorherrschenden Westwinden gekennzeichnet. Abgehobene Aerosolschichten können nur acht mal während der gesamten Messperiode beobachtet werden. Einer der hier präsentierten Fälle zeigt weitreichenden Aerosoltransport von Rauch aus Biomasseverbrennung in Australien und regional transportierten Mineralstuab aus der patagonischen Wüste. Die Aerosolquellen wurden durch Trajektorienanalysen mit HYSPLIT und FLEXPART identifiziert. Allerdings zeigen sieben dieser acht Fälle mit abgehobenen Schichten ein optische Dicke des Aerosols (AOT) von weniger als 0,05. Die bodengebundenen Lidabeobachtungen werden durch AERONET Sonnenphotometer und das satellitengetragenge Lidar CALIOP an Bord von CALIPSO ergänzt. Die mittlere AOT, die mittels CALIOP zwischen 2009 und 2010 in Punta Arenas bestimmt wurde, beträgt 0:02 0:01.

Vertical baggers play an important role in the packaging of food granulates such as bite-sized snacks, candy and nuts. Increasing demands regarding productivity and throughput pressure manufacturers to employ increasingly sophisticated engineering tools over conventional design through trial and error and experience. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a powerful tool for prediction of bulk behavior, however randomness in the packaging process impairs reproducibility of simulations, especially when working in the typical range of particle counts less than 1000. This study looks into statistic methods to determine under which conditions adequate reliability of simulation results can be achieved. Both the influence of the goal variables used to describe the process and the influence of the particle count are discussed. The examples given can be adapted to similar scenarios and lay the foundation for future simulation assisted design of vertical filling processes.

Diese Dissertation setzt sich aus fünf Forschungspapieren zusammen. Jedes Kapitel enthält ein Papier. Das erste Kapitel untersucht den Zusammenhang zwischen der Größe des Kundenstamms einer Firma und ihrem Gewinn in einem Markt mit Wechselkosten. Entgegen unserer Intuition wird gezeigt, dass Firmen nicht immer von einer Vergrößerung ihres Kundenstamms profitieren, weil diese die Intensität des Wettbewerbs beeinflusst. Kapitel 2 führt eine ähnliche Untersuchung durch, aber für einen Markt, in dem die Konsumenten unvollständig über die Standorte der Anbieter informiert sind. Es zeigt sich auch hier, dass eine Firma nicht immer von einem großen Kundenstamm profitiert. Die zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen unterscheiden sich jedoch deutlich von denen in Kapitel 1. Kapitel 3 ist eine Erweiterung des Modells mit unvollständiger Konsumenteninformation hin zu einer vollständig dynamischen Version. Im Zentrum der Analyse stehen nun die dynamischen Eigenschaften des Modells. Unter den Annahmen über die graduelle Verbreitung von Information auf der Konsumentenseite entsteht Trägheit in den Marktanteilen der Firmen. Dynamik entsteht im Modell ausschließlich aufgrund der Verwendung von gemischten Preisstrategien. Kapitel 4 analysiert Wettbewerb in einem vertikal differenzierten Markt. Hier gibt es keine Trägheit auf der Nachfrageseite. Das Hauptergebnis der Analyse ist, dass Wohlfahrtsverluste, die im Duopol aus ineffizienter Qualitätswahl resultieren, in Märkten mit drei oder mehr Wettbewerbern fast vollständig verschwinden. Dieses überraschende Ergebnis resultiert aus einem Regimewechsel in der Art des Wettbewerbs, der beim Übergang vom Duopol zum Markt mit drei Wettbewerbern auftritt. Kapitel 5 ist eine Erweiterung von Kapitel 4. Während in Kapitel 4 ein quadratischer Zusammenhang zwischen Kosten bzw. Zahlungsbereitschaft und Qualität angenommen wurde, wird die Analyse nun für eine allgemeinere nicht-lineare Abhängigkeit durchgeführt. Es werden grundlegende Einsichten über das Funktionieren von vertikal differenzierten Märkten vermittelt. So zeigt sich, dass der allgemein postulierte Vorteil der Firma mit der höheren Produktqualität nicht allgemeingültig ist. Ob dieser besteht, hängt von der Art der strategischen Interaktion ab. / This dissertation consists of five independent research papers. Each chapter represents one paper. The first chapter analyzes the shape of the relation between the size of a firm’s customer base and profit in a market with consumer switching costs. Contrary to common wisdom, it is shown that a firm is not automatically better off with a larger customer base, as the size of its customer base affects the intensity of price competition. Chapter 2 performs a similar exercise, but for a market where consumers are not fully informed about the locations of the different suppliers. Once more, it is shown that firms do not always benefit from an increase in the size of their customer base. However, the underlying mechanisms are rather different than in the model with switching costs. Chapter 3 is an extension of the model introduced in chapter 2 to a fully dynamic game. The focus of chapter 3 is on the dynamics in a market with incomplete consumer information. Under the assumptions about the gradual diffusion of information among consumers, there is inertia in the market shares. Dynamics are generated solely by the firms’ usage of mixed pricing strategies. Chapter 4 analyzes competition in a vertically differentiated market. There is no inertia on the demand side. The main result of the analysis is, that welfare losses that stem from an inefficient choice of qualities in the duopoly case, disappear almost completely as soon as three or more competitors are in the market. This surprising result is related to a regime change in the nature of competition that occurs at the transition from duopoly to triopoly. Chapter 5 is an extension of chapter 4. Whereas the model introduced in chapter 4 was based on a quadratic relation between costs or willingness-to-pay and quality, the analysis is now extended to a more general non-linear dependency. The analysis provides fundamental insights into the functioning of vertically differentiated markets. Interestingly, the well-known high-quality advantage is not a robust feature of these markets. Whether it is obtained, depends on the nature of strategic interaction between the firms.

This volume contains contribution form the refereed “MobIS 2010” main program and selected papers of its tracks. The conference on information systems modeling was held in Dresden September 15-17, 2010. The guiding theme for MobIS 2010 focused on modeling topics between model-based management and component and service engineering.

No description available.

It is generally accepted that innovation of product, services and/or technologies, whether gradual or radical, is a source of competitive advantage for new and existing businesses. Adapting to changes in a volatile global market environment is a prerequisite for the sustainability of any business. The primary objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the cognitive, affective, lateral and vertical dimensions of interpersonal trust and organisational innovativeness within the Sasol Polymers, Chlor Alkali Business. In order to achieve the abovementioned objective, a literature review was conducted and a quantitative study undertaken using a target group of 189 individuals within the business. Primary data collection was undertaken in the form of a questionnaire which was compiled using items from standardised questionnaires published by previous researchers. Interpretation of the data revealed that the respondents are only moderately positive about the levels of interpersonal trust and organisational innovativeness within the business. In addition to this, although no causal relationship is implied, the research results revealed a practically significant positive correlation between the overall lateral, vertical, cognitive and affective-based trust constructs and the overall organisational innovativeness construct. The recommendation of this study centres on reinforcing all three facets of the trustworthiness construct mentioned in Meyer et al.’s (1995) model by constantly reminding people of the importance of “living” the Sasol Values. In addition to trustworthiness, the concept is further bolstered by firstly, ensuring that the competency and skills set gaps are identified and rectified, secondly, by continuously demonstrating caring behaviours and, thirdly, by ensuring that all interactions are governed by a set of accepted ethical behaviours. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

It is generally accepted that innovation of product, services and/or technologies, whether gradual or radical, is a source of competitive advantage for new and existing businesses. Adapting to changes in a volatile global market environment is a prerequisite for the sustainability of any business. The primary objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the cognitive, affective, lateral and vertical dimensions of interpersonal trust and organisational innovativeness within the Sasol Polymers, Chlor Alkali Business. In order to achieve the abovementioned objective, a literature review was conducted and a quantitative study undertaken using a target group of 189 individuals within the business. Primary data collection was undertaken in the form of a questionnaire which was compiled using items from standardised questionnaires published by previous researchers. Interpretation of the data revealed that the respondents are only moderately positive about the levels of interpersonal trust and organisational innovativeness within the business. In addition to this, although no causal relationship is implied, the research results revealed a practically significant positive correlation between the overall lateral, vertical, cognitive and affective-based trust constructs and the overall organisational innovativeness construct. The recommendation of this study centres on reinforcing all three facets of the trustworthiness construct mentioned in Meyer et al.’s (1995) model by constantly reminding people of the importance of “living” the Sasol Values. In addition to trustworthiness, the concept is further bolstered by firstly, ensuring that the competency and skills set gaps are identified and rectified, secondly, by continuously demonstrating caring behaviours and, thirdly, by ensuring that all interactions are governed by a set of accepted ethical behaviours. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013