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DataNord: A Data Competence Center for the Bremen Region

Bild: Lisa Jungmann / Universität Bremen
 
The University of Bremen, in close collaboration with the U Bremen Research Alliance and other partners, is establishing a data competence center for the entire region. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is supporting the establishment of the center with over 3.5 million euros.
 
“Our vision is to extend Bremen’s strong expertise in the field of data science to a data competence center with a lighthouse character, which can serve as a model for other regions in Germany,” says the project leader at the University of Bremen, Professor Rolf Drechsler, who is one of three spokespeople for the project. The goal of the interdisciplinary data competence center for the Bremen region (DataNord) is to create a place for researchers in the area to learn about data science, and research and network together, independent of boundaries in institutes and disciplines. Professor Frank Oliver Glöckner, spokesperson for the initiative at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), adds, “Digitalization is advancing steadily and the amount of available data is enormous. However, data is not useful unless it can be analyzed and transformed into knowledge. DataNord helps researchers gain the abilities needed to do this.”
 
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Dissertation from BIBA awarded the Logistics 2023 Science Prize

Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
 
The innovative concept of Selbination - the automatic selection and combination of suitable forecast models for optimal production planning convinced the jury of BVL - Bundesvereinigung Logistik. With his dissertation on this economically highly relevant topic, Dr.-Ing. Mirko Kück won the Science Award Logistics 2023, which was ceremoniously presented on October 20 at the German Logistics Congress in Berlin.
 
Dr. Kück did his doctorate at BIBA under Prof. Michael Freitag. We are pleased together with him and congratulate him!
 
Details
 
 
 
 

LogDynamics at the German Logistics Congress 2023

Image: Markus Knak
 
"Think Networks." is the guiding principle of the 40th German Logistics Congress, which will be held in Berlin from October 18 to 20, 2023. In keeping with the guiding principle, the presence of the LogDynamics Research Cluster will focus on digital networking. Our "Model Factory 4.0" not only inspires the technology-savvy visitors. Above all, it demonstrates in a playful way which digital services based on platforms are made possible by Industry 4.0 in logistics.
 
Details
 
 
 
 

Sustainability in Focus - Review of ENVOCONNECT 2023

Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
 
ENVOCONNECT took place for the first time in Bremerhaven on September 21 and 22, 2023. It brought together sustainability managers from port-related industries: Handling companies, global logisticians, medium-sized companies, start-ups, NGOs and research institutions. In the various formats: Keynotes, Best Cases, Panels and Sessions, exciting and forward-looking topics such as the energy transition in ports, climate protection and climate adaptation in infrastructure, green corridors and innovative propulsion systems were discussed.
 
Sustainability in logistics is also prominently on the agenda of the Research Cluster LogDynamics. Through our participation in the accompanying exhibition, we have set an example for "green" logistics. With numerous projects in cooperation with companies, we are already contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable port management and logistics. We stay on the ball and keep our eyes on the sustainable future.
 
Details
 
 
 
 

University of Bremen Involved in the Establishment of a Local Competence Center for Labor Research

Image: BIBA
 
A new major collaborative project at the University of Bremen with partners from research, development, and industry has started its work. It is aimed at establishing a local competence center for labor research. The BMBF is providing 9.7 million euros of funding for the project.
 
The central objective of the “Resource Development in Service Work – RessourcE” competence center is to develop solutions for workplace health as well as human resource development for semi-skilled workers in logistics and health-related services. In addition, the researchers will test these solutions and examine whether they can be transferred to other economic sectors. Low-skilled work is defined as activities that do not require formal qualifications.
 
BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik is involved in RessourcE as a project partner and coordinates the GEFA-L Practice Hub, in which solutions for health-promoting work design in logistics are being developed.
 
Press Release
 
 
 
 

PhD student Debarshee Bhardwaj Receives Prestigious Grant for Innovative Research at WCTRS 2023

Image: Universität Bremen
 
Debarshee Bhardwaj, a doctoral student in the Department of Global Supply Chain Management under the supervision of Prof. Aseem Kinra, presented at the World Conference on Transportation Research Society (WCTRS) 2023 in Montreal. His research, titled "How Do Managers Develop Hierarchies for Global Facility Location Country Selection Decisions Using Country Logistics Performance?" was well received at the event, earning him recognition and a prestigious $3,000 scholarship.
 
In his study, Debarshee Bhardwaj examines the decision-making processes of managers when selecting global locations, with a particular focus on logistics performance. His fresh perspective and findings attracted the attention of fellow researchers and industry experts alike, demonstrating the potential impact of his work on supply chain management practices. As a testament to the quality and significance of his research, Debarshee Bhardwaj was congratulated with a certificate of prestigious scholarship at the end of the conference. The recognition is an encouragement for future efforts on his PhD project.
 
WCTRS
 
 
 
 

Video Review: Supply Chain Day 2023

Image: Erik Wälz
 
We gladly remember this year's Supply Chain Day: On April 20, the BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik opened its doors and invited to the event "Sustainability in City Logistics". Co-organizers were the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Bremen-Oldenburg, the Bremen Research Cluster LogDynamics, the Environmental Business Office and the Bremen Chamber of Crafts.
 
Experts from politics, science and business presented the future vision of a green city and described the measures on the way to its realization. The impulse presentations provided the initial spark for the discussion in the World Café workshop. The conclusion was: the future belongs to a green city with a high quality of life, to which green logistics also makes its contribution. A guided tour in the BIBA Shop Floor Lab and in the LogDynamics Lab showed examples of synergies between logistics and sustainability from current research projects.
 
Now the video review with impressions of the event is ready - take a look and if you like it, feel free to come to the next Supply Chain Day on April 18, 2024!
 
To the video
 
 
 
 

New Center for Co-Constructive Artificial Intelligence

Image: Patrick Pollmeier / Universität Bremen
 
Universities of Bremen, Bielefeld and Paderborn combine research competencies to develop AI systems that can provide targeted support to humans in tasks.
 
Future artificial intelligence (AI) systems and, in particular, AI-based robots must be able to understand and assess not only their own actions, but also those of others. Scientists from the universities of Bremen, Bielefeld and Paderborn will now permanently bundle their research in this area at a cross-location center. In the "Joint Research Center on Cooperative and Cognition-enabled AI" (CoAI JRC), the expertise of the three strong research partners will enable new approaches in interaction and learning between humans and machines. Unprecedented in Germany, the center for "Co-constructive AI" will also contribute to the education of the next generation of research and technology leaders, representing a new perspective on AI in science and society. To this end, the CoAI JRC is planning a joint curriculum to inspire and empower young researchers in the field.
 
Press release of the University Bremen
 
 
 
 

Prizes Awarded for Outstanding Doctoral Supervision

Image: Universität Bremen / Jens Lehmkühler
 
The University of Bremen has honored outstanding doctoral supervisors for the third time. The two prizes went to the mathematician and computer scientist Nicole Megow and the political scientist Kerstin Martens. The prize money of 2,000 euros each was donated by the Alumni Association of the University of Bremen.
 
"At our university, there are numerous doctoral supervisors in all departments who take on this task with great commitment and heart and soul. Making this achievement more visible is a central concern of today's award ceremony," said the Vice-Rector for Internationality, Academic Qualification and Diversity, Dr. Mandy Boehnke, at the award ceremony in the Campus Space of the Sparkasse Bremen. Mandy Boehnke also thanked the Alumni Association of the University of Bremen e.V., which donated the prize.
 
Press release of the University Bremen
 
 
 
 

Large Crowd at the Open Campus - LogDynamics participates in the Sign of "Green" Technologies

Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
 
Lectures, lab visits and open-air concerts: On Saturday, June 24, 2023, the Open Campus of the University of Bremen was very busy with around 20,000 guests. The tours of the BIBA Shop Floor and the LogDynamics Lab were also well received - interested guests from Bremen and the surrounding area learned how production and logistics can be made genuinely "green" - away from compensation payments and towards the use of renewable energies and the application of efficiency technologies. The example from the Brede learning factory "Energy self-sufficient production", in which students construct an environmentally friendly pump that is used in the Blockland to protect rare birds, generated enthusiasm and further discussions.
 
Press release of the university of Bremen
 
 
 
 

Less Food Waste in Storage

Image: Foltan/ATB
 
Reducing spoilage of fresh foods such as apples during storage is the goal of a new project by the University of Bremen and the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomics (ATB) in Potsdam. To this end, the researchers want to develop a so-called digital twin - a replica of the fruit that is as accurate as possible - that monitors humidity. The project is funded with 600,000 euros until 2026. 
 
In order to meet consumer demand for fresh fruit all year round, apples are cooled by machine in a controlled atmosphere for several months. However, up to ten percent of all fruit spoils in the process. For Germany alone, this amounts to 100,000 tons of apples thrown away each year. Any way of reducing such losses is of great ecological and economic importance.
 
Press Release
 
 
 
 

LDIC 2024 Call for Papers

 
The International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics is a biennial conference organized by the research cluster LogDynamics. The next edition will be held on February 14 – 16, 2024 at the University of Bremen. Dynamics of logistic processes and networks are at the heart of the conference.
 
The Call for Papers is now open: we invite empirical, theoretical, methodological, and practice-oriented contributions addressing the modeling, planning, optimization and control of processes in supply chains, logistic networks, production systems, and material flow systems and facilities. LDIC 2024 provides a forum for the discussion of advances in that matter. Deadline for submission of full papers: September 1, 2023.
 
We look forward to your contribution and to welcoming you at the LDIC 2024 in Bremen!
 
LDIC Website www.ldic-conference.org
Call for Papers www.ldic-conference.org/ldic-conference/call
 
 
 
 

Twenty-Third International Working Seminar on Production Economics

 
The aim of this conference is to give researchers and practitioners the opportunity to meet, present research results and exchange ideas on topics in the field of production management. The interface here moves between technology and business/management. The ultimate goal is to create and develop knowledge to improve industrial practice and strengthen the methodological and theoretical base to support informed decision making. The conference will be held in Innsbruck, Austria, February 14 – 18. Deadline for full papers: January 14, 2024.
 
 
 
 

Doctoral Workshop: Setting Your Social Scientific Empirical Research in Action

June, 1 – 2 2023, Bremen
 
Meaningful social science research requires careful embedding through theory and method triangulation, conceptualization, operationalization, and quantitative validation, as well as the specification of control variables and boundary conditions.

In this workshop, Prof. Dr. Ajay Das and Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra will discuss with PhD students in Operations & Supply Chain Management and related disciplines ways to improve and refine their empirical research design.
 
Details
 
 
 
 

Supply Chain Day: The Future of City Logistics is Green

 
On the occasion of the nationwide Logistics Day on April 20, 2023, BIBA opened its doors and invited to the event "Sustainability in City Logistics". Co-organizers were the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Bremen-Oldenburg, the Research Cluster LogDynamics, the Environment Business Office and the Bremen Chamber of Crafts.
 
The invited experts from politics, science and business presented the future vision of a green city and described the measures on the way to its realization. Whether customer-specific, sustainable food logistics, city logistics with cargo bikes to revitalize the inner cities or microhubs to automate the last mile - the city is changing and is on the way to more ecological sustainability. The impulse presentations were the initial spark for the discussion in the World Café Workshop. The conclusion was: the future belongs to a green city with a high quality of life, to which green logistics also makes its contribution.
 
During a guided tour of the BIBA Shop Floor Lab and LogDynamics Lab, examples of synergies between logistics and sustainability from current research projects were presented. Around 50 guests from business and science accepted our invitation, joined in the discussion and exchanged ideas at the concluding get-together. Many thanks to all for their participation and contributions!
 
 
 
 

Bremen AI Researcher Michael Beetz Receives Coveted EU ERC Advanced Grant

Artificial intelligence is now achieving impressive results, but one important skill is still missing: planning actions in advance. Professor Michael Beetz from the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bremen is working on the foundations for the development of this competence - and has now been awarded the European ERC Advanced Grant, which is endowed with 2.5 million euros.
 
Press Release
 
 
 
 

Visit from Sri Lanka: Towards Cooperation in Education and Research

 
A delegation from Sri Lanka visited the University of Bremen and LogDynamics in BIBA on January 19, 2023, with the aim to intensify the cooperation. For many years, there has been an exchange between different working groups of LogDynamics with an increasing number of universities in Sri Lanka. This time a delegation of high-ranking representatives from two universities came to Bremen. Both universities are currently cooperating in SSAPI - Strategic Support for Accreditation of Programs and Internationalization at South Asian Higher Education Institutes, an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project, with the aim to advance the accreditation of the Asian partner universities. Among others, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. M.D. Lamawansa, with whom LogDynamics has been cooperating in Erasmus exchange projects for almost 10 years, and Ranjith Rubasinghe, founding president of the private research university Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC), which is a new partner, were present. Already last year, representatives of both institutions participated in a SSAPI training in Bremen. The next step will be another training in Sri Lanka, conducted by the European SSAPI partners.
 
 

CAMPUS CITY: Man, Robot and Shoes from the 3D Printer

 
On October 12, we hosted Bremen residents interested in robotics and artificial intelligence for CAMPUS CITY at the beautiful Fly Deck on Teerhof. The guests wanted to learn how these technologies can support humans in their work. In three presentations, we therefore demonstrated
  • how humans can give commands to a robotic system without using programming language.
  • in which type of work cooperation between humans and robots is useful and how it can work.
  • how to check the quality of 3D printed products and optimize it with artificial intelligence for the entire product series.
There was a lot of discussion, including whether the colleague robot can solve the shortage of skilled workers and what advantages shoes from the 3D printer bring. We would like to thank all guests for their interest and the stimulating exchange. We look forward to seeing you next year, when the motto will once again be "Uni Bremen comes to town"!
 
More information
 
 

WGTL Visits BIBA

 
Once a year, the German Academic Society for Logistics Engineering (WGTL e.V.) meets for the Logistics Colloquium to present their latest research results and discuss them from a scientific and applied perspective.
The 18th Logistics Colloquium took place at BIBA on September 26 and 27, 2022. Around 65 guests from science and industry came to Bremen to exchange ideas on various aspects of technical logistics. The topics ranged from construction and mechanical engineering design, planning, analysis and simulation of logistics systems, control technology and IT systems to management, organization and operation.
Three award winners were honored during a poster session. The first prize went to the poster " Hängefördersystem mit Funktionskomponenten aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen" by Dr.-Ing. Christine Schubert, Eric Penno, Dr.-Ing. Sven Eichhorn and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Golder. We congratulate the award winners and thank all guests for the exciting exchange!
 
 

New Member in LogDynamics: Prof. Dr. Björn Lüssem

 

Since September 2021, Dr. Lüssem has been a professor at the Institute for Microsensors, Actuators, and Systems (IMSAS) and a member of LogDynamics since July 2022. Prior to his appointment at the University of Bremen, Mr. Lüssem taught at Kent State University in Ohio/USA, and completed his habilitation at TU Dresden. Mr. Lüssem researches the application, integration, and fundamental operation of organic sensors. The mechanical flexibility of organic sensors, their stretchability, and their compatibility with biological systems expands the application field of flexible sensing. However, there is a gap between studies on single sensors and the integration of single sensors in larger systems. The goal of Mr. Lüssem's research is to close this gap and establish organic sensors as a tool in logistics and health, or neuroscience.

 

 
 
 

Finally a face-to-face event again!

 
After a one-year delay, the planned training within the project "Strategic Support for Accreditation of Programs and Internationalization at South Asian Higher Education Institutes - SSAPI" can finally take place in Bremen. IGS is the organizer of the event, which will take place from July 4 to 15, 2022 with about 40 participants. They come from the 10 SSAPI partner institutes in Bhutan, from the Maldives, from Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as from Portugal. The task of the European partners in this project is to support the Asian universities in their efforts towards internationalization as well as in the preparation of their international accreditation. 
 
The determination of the current situation in the partner institutes could be done digitally at the start of the project in January 2021. An initial analysis of needs also took place without the originally planned mobilities based on the data situation. Even initial training sessions were conducted online. But in the meantime, the project has reached a status that makes personal exchange on site indispensable for successful implementation. So in Bremen, people from six countries will meet in person for the first time who have already been working together online for 1.5 years. What can be expected is an intensive, well-prepared exchange and fruitful cooperation for the future. For SSAPI's hope is that this training in Bremen is only the prelude to a multitude of mobilities that can take better account of regional conditions through on-site coaching. 
 
SSAPI is funded by the European Union for three years within the framework of Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the field of higher education". Project Ref No. # 619438-EPP-1-2020-1-PK-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP.
 
 
 
 

Faculty Award for the Best Master's Thesis

 

Alexander Lindermayr received one of the Faculty Awards for the best master's thesis in computer science at this year's graduation ceremony of Faculty 3 (Mathematics and Computer Science). In his thesis on "Learning-Augmented Online Algorithms for the 2-Server Problem on the Line and Generalizations", he integrates predictions without quality guarantees into algorithm design and shows mathematical quality guarantees. His thesis was supervised in the Combinatorial Optimization and Logistics group of Prof. Dr. Megow and here Mr. Lindermayr continues his research as a PhD student.

 
 
 
 

Commended Paper Award for BIBA at IFAC MIM 2022

 

BIBA scientists were awarded the Commended Paper Award at the IFAC International Conference on Manufacturing Modeling, Management, and Control (IFAC MIM 2022). Tobias Sprodowski, Marit Hoff-Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, and Michael Freitag prevailed against the competition with their paper "Balance efficient shuttle routing and fast order execution on a vehicle compound". The winning paper deals with an optimization problem at a vehicle compound: In this problem, an efficient assignment of driving orders of vehicles to be loaded by driving personnel with optional shuttle usage is computed, and a minimum-time routing is determined downstream for each shuttle. In this context, additional model parameters were used to systematically adjust the shuttle routing to achieve the highest possible number of processed driving orders.

The tenth IFAC MIM 2022 were held in Nantes (France) from June 22th to 24th, 2022. With 757 participants, 545 presentations, and 15 parallel sessions, it was the largest IFAC MIM conference to date. BIBA participated in the conference with three papers on simulation-based optimization, machine learning, and vehicle routing and organized together with two Brazilian institutes the track “Intelligent Methods and Tools supporting Decision Making in Manufacturing Systems and Supply Chains”.

 

 
 
 

Dynamics in Logistics – Proceedings of LDIC 2022 Now Available

 
The proceedings of the eighth International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC 2022) are now available at Springer. The biennial LogDynamics conference addresses the identification, analysis and description of dynamics in logistics processes and networks and builds a bridge between theory and application. Special attention is given to the modeling, planning, optimization and control of processes in supply chains, logistic networks, production systems, and material flow systems and facilities. The editors of the proceedings are: Prof. Michael Freitag, Prof. Aseem Kinra, Prof. Herbert Kotzab und Prof. Nicole Megow.
 
Proceedings: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-05359-7
 
 

Changes at the Helm of LogDynamics

The Bremen Research Cluster for Dynamics in Logistics (LogDynamics) has two new spokesmen: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag and Prof. Dr. Herbert Kotzab will succeed Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Klaus-Dieter Thoben from April 2022 onwards. 
 
Prof. Freitag is head of the research group Planning and Control of Production and Logistics Systems in the Faculty of Production Engineering at the University of Bremen and Director of the BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik. He specializes in the planning and control of production and logistics, the use of Industry 4.0 technologies, and the automation and digitalization of material flows. Prof. Kotzab is head of the chair of General Business and Logistics Management in the Faculty of Business Studies and Economics at the University of Bremen. His research focuses on omni-channel retailing, efficient consumer response (ECR) and retail logistics. 
 
The dual speaker position is intended to clearly communicate the interdisciplinary nature of the research cluster. LogDynamics continues its active role in the scientific profiling of the University of Bremen and uses the synergies of its members with regard to the design and development of intelligent and sustainable production and logistics systems that meet the future requirements of a digitalized economy. In doing so, different methodological and technical approaches are used, combined and further developed.
 
 

Supply Chain Day at BIBA under the banner of artificial intelligence

 
On April 21, 2022 - the nationwide Supply Chain Day, BIBA opened its doors to the interested public and hosted an in-person event together with the Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Bremen and the research cluster LogDynamics. In three keynote speeches and a panel discussion, we explored, together with our guests, the questions of how artificial intelligence can support processes in production and logistics and what requirements exist for companies to use AI. In the subsequent guided tour in the BIBA shop floor lab, we showed examples of possible applications of AI in production and logistics and what advantages AI offers companies. Around 75 guests from industry and science accepted our invitation and joined in the discussion. A subsequent get-together provided a forum for further exchange and expert discussions.
 
Supply Chain Day
 
 

Industrial Engineering Students from Ecuador Visited IGS

 
Applied research and research-based learning are interesting, thinks Sylvia Novillo, a former doctoral candidate at the International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics. As a professor at the Universidad de Las Américas in Quito, Ecuador, she, therefore, pulled out all the stops to come to Bremen with a group of 15 students. With financial support from the DAAD, they came to Northern Germany in March for a two-week stay. On March 10 and 11, the group visited Bremen, first Jacobs University, and on the second day, the University of Bremen. After a tour of the LogDynamics Lab, the students presented their country, region, and aspects of teaching at UDLA in a joint talk that could be followed online via zoom. The presentation format was taken from a repertoire their professor had become familiar with during her time at IGS. These are good prospects for intensifying cooperation!
 
Dr. rer. pol. Sylvia Novillo is professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Chair of the Intelligent and Interactive Systems Laboratory (SI2Lab). UDLA is one of Ecuador's biggest and most important universities, with approximately 15,000 students, 41 undergraduate degrees, and 32 master's programs. It is ranked in the third position of the national universities according to the SCIMAGO Institute Rankings. It also has the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation (WASC).
 
 

Coming back to the IGS

 
Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Sylvia Novillo has been awarded her Ph.D. from the University of Bremen. She has been a doctoral candidate at the International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics (IGS). Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Dietrich Haasis, FB7, was her supervisor. Now, she returned to the IGS with 15 Industrial Engineering students of the Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) in Quito, Ecuador. The visit is funded by the DAAD scholarship program "Study Visits by Groups of Foreign Students."
 
Sylvia Novillo is now Chair of the Intelligent and Interactive Systems Laboratory (SI2Lab) at the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. UDLA is one of Ecuador's biggest and most important universities, with approximately 15,000 students, 41 undergraduate degrees, and 32 master's programs. It is ranked in the third position of the national universities according to the SCIMAGO Institute Rankings. It also has the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation (WASC).
 
Prof. Novillo will introduce the research activities and curriculum development at UDLA to identify further cooperation and mobilities opportunities by a presentation on Friday, 11th of March, 1 pm. You can join by Zoom:
 
uni-bremen.zoom.us/j/98439925800
 
 

Call for Papers: Special Issue “Logistics Research”

 
For Logistics Research – an Open Access journal hosted and published by the German Logistics Association (BVL) – BIBA at the University of Bremen in cooperation with the TU Braunschweig organize the Special Issue "Dynamics in Logistics – Models and Algorithms for Optimisation, Planning, and Control". In the Call for Papers we cordially invite to contribute to this Special Issue, possible topics are:
  • Data-driven modelling approaches/techniques (e.g. online models, digital twins, agent-based models)
  • Complexity reduction in modelling (e.g. clustering, decomposition, aggregation)
  • Planning and scheduling (e.g. simulation-based optimization)
  • Optimal/adaptive control
  • Complexity reduction in control (e.g. distributed or decentralized approaches, iterative/sequential schemes, coordination)
The submission deadline expires on May 31, 2022. The publication will be Open Access and free of charge. The SI Editors: Michael Freitag (Univ. Bremen), Jürgen Pannek (TU Braunschweig), and Tobias Sprodowski (BIBA) are looking forward to your contribution.
 
Call for Papers
 
 

Call for Papers: 18th Logistics Colloquium

 
The Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Technische Logistik (WGTL e.V.) invites you to the 18th Logistics Colloquium in Bremen. The annual event serves to promote the exchange of information and cooperation between scientists and practitioners in the field of technical logistics. This year, BIBA and LogDynamics is responsible for organizing and hosting the event. The Call for Papers invites contributions from academia and business practice that present current and innovative research and development projects in the field of technical logistics on the following topics:
  • Construction and mechanical engineering design
  • Control engineering and IT systems
  • Planning, analysis and simulation of logistic systems
  • Management, administration and operation
The Call for Papers is open and abstracts of papers may be submitted until April 29, 2022.
 
Details
Call for Papers
 
 

Scientific Exchange at the Virtual LDIC 2022

 
On February 23, the 8th International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC 2022) opened its virtual doors with the keynote talk by Prof. Julia Arlinghaus from the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. In her talk, she explored the risk factors of digitalization technologies in smart factories and supply chains. In the following parallel sessions, scientific papers have been presented, and a virtual guided tour through the LogDynamics Lab was an exciting supplement of the program.
 
On the second day, we started with the keynote presentation by Prof. Nils Boysen from the Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Germany. He highlighted new technologies, new delivery concepts, and new optimization problems of the last mile logistics. On the last day, we welcomed Prof. Dmitry Ivanov from the Berlin School of Economics and Law, who gave a keynote talk on the supply chain resilience.
 
The conference concluded with the Best-Paper-Award Ceremony. We herewith congratulate the award winner: Johan Los, Frederik Schulte, Matthijs T.J. Spaan and Rudy R. Negenborn for their paper “An Auction-Based Multi-Agent System for the Pickup and Delivery Problem with Autonomous Vehicles and Alternative Locations”.
 
We would like to thank all authors for their contribution to the conference with exciting and innovative outcomes from their recent research. We thank also all participants for their interest and active contribution to the scientific dialogue. We look forward to meeting you again at the LDIC 2024!
 
Website
Program
 
 

Award for pioneers of quantum computing

 
They were visionaries in what was then still a young field of research: more than ten years ago, a student project on quantum computers was launched at the University of Bremen under the direction of Prof. Dr. Rolf Drechsler. A scientific paper written during that time has now been honored with a "10-year Retrospective Most Influential Paper Award" at the ASP Design Automation Conference. This is because its results have laid important foundations for today's software solutions for quantum computers. To this day, the work is still highly influential in this field of research.  
 
Rolf Drechsler is particularly pleased that four former colleagues were honored along with him: Robert Wille is now a professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz and is still conducting research in the field of quantum computing. Mathias Soeken also works in this field at Microsoft Research. Both supervised the student project as young scientists at the time and earned their doctorates under Rolf Drechsler. The two former students Christoph Hilken and Nils Przigoda were also part of the project and received awards.
 
Press Release
 
 
 

Book "Dynamics in Logistics - Twenty-Five Years of Interdisciplinary Logistics Research in Bremen, Germany"

 
In 2021, the logistics researchers of the Bremen Research Cluster for Dynamics in Logistics (LogDynamics) celebrate 25 years of interdisciplinary and collaborative research. On this occasion, we published an open access book with articles by colleagues currently or formerly affiliated with LogDynamics. The book highlights the interdisciplinary aspects of logistics research. Featuring empirical, methodological, and practice-oriented articles, it addresses the modelling, planning, optimization and control of processes. Chiefly focusing on supply chains, logistics networks, production systems, and systems and facilities for material flows, the respective contributions combine research on classical supply chain management, digitalized business processes, production engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and mathematical optimization.
 
Details
 
 

50 Reasons WHY Exhibition with BIBA participation at Weserpark

 
Why is the University of Bremen an important part of Bremen's DNA? And where can it be found? The 50 Reasons WHY Exhibition provides answers to these questions. After being on display in the Lower Town Hall, visitors now have the opportunity to find out more about the University of Bremen and its large network at the Weserpark shopping center in Bremen-Osterholz and gain an insight into the versatility of this scientific institution.
On different exhibition boards, different actors who are connected to the university in many different ways are presented. BIBA is also present and waves the flag of modern, transparent and sustainable production and logistics in the service of society. For this purpose, we are dealing in numerous projects with the technological and organizational challenges that need to be solved in the context of Industry 4.0, with the possibilities of digitalization and the integration of humans into the processes.
 
Details
Press Release
 
 

Insights into the logistics of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - LogDynamics at Campus City

 
At the moment, the University of Bremen presents itself on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in the city of Bremen. LogDynamics was also present on October 21 and offered exciting presentations around logistics at its event "Logistics of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - From the First Container to Digital Transformation". The topics ranged from the history, present and future of container and port logistics to digitalization and the internationalization of logistics.
 
Details
 
 

Campus City: Logistics of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - From the First Container to the Digital Transformation

21 October 2021, Hutfilterstr. 24-26, Bremen
 
From October 16th to 30th, the University of Bremen presents itself on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in the city of Bremen. Lectures, guided tours, workshops and talk sessions will allow all interested parties to immerse themselves in the world of science and the university. LogDynamics is also part of it and offers exciting presentations around logistics with the on-site event "Campus City: Logistics of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - From the First Container to the Digital Transformation". The topics range from the history, present and future of container and port logistics to digitalization and the increasing globalization of logistics. We cordially invite you to learn about the evolution of logistics and the trends of the future in four entertaining, exciting presentations. Participation is free of charge, registration is possible from October 8th. 
 
Details & Registration
 
 

HMS 2021 Best Paper Award for BIBA-Scientist

 
At the 23rd Conference on Harbor, Maritime & Multimodal Logistics Modeling and Simulation 2021 (HMS 2021), the paper “Comparing a VR Ship Simulator Using an HMD with a Commercial Ship Handling Simulator in a CAVE Setup”, by BIBA scientist Rieke Leder and her former fellow student Matthis Laudan (Senacor Technologies AG), was honored with the Best Paper Award. The paper convinced the jury with the motivation to create more competence during the training of seafarers through extended simulator training. For this purpose, a simulator variant was introduced, which is more cost-effective and flexible compared to conventional simulators.
 
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Best Paper Award FDL 2021

 
At the "Forum on Specification & Design Language (FDL)", which took place from 8 to 10 September 2021 hybrid, the scientists Dr. Mehran Goli and Prof. Dr. Rolf Drechsler, both from the DFKI research department Cyber-Physical Systems, received the Best Paper Award for their publication entitled "VIP-VP: Early Validation of SoCs Information Flow Policies using System C-based Virtual Prototypes." The two scientists show how to optimise the design flow ad shorten time-to-market.
 
 
 

Dissertation award for Franziska Eberle

 
Franziska Eberle received the Dissertation Award 2021 of the German Operations Research Society for her thesis "Scheduling and Packing Under Uncertainty". The award ceremony was part of the joint annual conference of the Operations Research Societies of Austria (ÖGOR), Germany (GOR e.V.) and Switzerland (SVOR). Franziska Eberle did her PhD in the  group "Combinatorial Optimization and Logistics" at the faculty FB3 (mathematics and computer science) under supervision of Prof. Dr. Nicole Megow and started a postdoc position at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences recently.  
 
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OPEN CAMPUS of the University of Bremen Well Attended


The first digital OPEN CAMPUS of the University of Bremen attracted many visitors. BIBA and LogDynamics were on board with two online events: the international exchange "Who Wants to Become a Doctor in Logistics? Who Already Is?" and the virtual tour in the BIBA Shop Floor Lab and in the LogDynamics Lab "Logistics and Industry 4.0 - Product Meets Process, Digital Meets Real".
We would like to thank all visitors for their interest and active participation!
 

LDIC 2022 Call for Papers

 
The International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics is a biennial conference organized by LogDynamics. The next edition will be held on February 23 – 25, 2022 in BIBA at the University of Bremen. Dynamics of logistic processes and networks are at the heart of the conference. We invite empirical, theoretical, methodological, and practice-oriented contributions addressing the modeling, planning, optimization and control of processes in supply chains, logistic networks, production systems, and material flow systems and facilities. LDIC 2022 provides a forum for the discussion of advances in that matter. Deadline for submission of full papers: September 1, 2021.
 
Call for Papers
 

Lecture Series "Dynamics in Logistics - 25 Years of Logistics Research in Bremen"

May 5th, 2021, 5 p.m., online
 
2021 is an anniversary year: the University of Bremen celebrates its 50th anniversary, 55 years ago the first container was introduced by the Bremen Ports and the Bremen Research Cluster for Dynamics in Logistics (LogDynamics) has been successfully conducting logistics research in Bremen for 25 years. The interdisciplinary cooperation within the university as well as with external partners, such as the institutes BIBA, ISL and Jacobs University Bremen, has become an integral part of the research and transfer landscape in the federal state of Bremen and is appreciated by business and science both nationally and internationally.
 
We celebrate this anniversary with several activities. Among others, a lecture series "Dynamics in Logistics - 25 Years of Logistics Research in Bremen" (in German) starting on May 5. On the first Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6 pm, LogDynamics scientists will present their research activities. The topics range from container logistics to digitalization and sustainability issues.
 
Details & Registration
 
 

Virtual Tour in the BIBA Shop Floor Lab and LogDynamics Lab

 
LogDynamics considers the transfer of scientific results into the economy and society as one of its essential tasks. In the wake of digitalization, the LogDynamics Lab now also has a virtual image and is available for a virtual visit with numerous demonstrators. Please feel free to enter and experience exciting insights into our research and transfer activities in the virtual tour: www.virtual-biba.de
 
 

Successful Kick-Off for the Qualification of Scientific Innovation Ambassadors

 
In the project BreLogIK (short for "Bremen Logistics Transfer and Innovation Culture", in which LogDynamics is involved), 13 young scientists from various disciplines are being trained as scientific innovation ambassadors. From January 12 to 14, 2021, the first training module took place as a digital conference. In this context, 19 experts offered exciting insights into current developments in the logistics industry, logistics policy and logistics science in the Federal State of Bremen. The range of topics covered digitalization in the logistics sector, Bremen's strategy for port development, electromobility, and the possibilities of using hydrogen. The participants come from different scientific institutions in Bremen and all have a diverse background. The qualification is designed to support the opportunity of direct networking among the participants in order to develop interdisciplinary project ideas and to carry them into Bremen's logistics industry. After the scheduled completion of this qualification in July 2021, the newly trained innovation ambassadors will support regional logistics SMEs in boosting their innovation potential.
 
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System-Integrated Intelligence: Virtual Exchange at SysInt 2020

 
The 5th International Conference on System-Integrated Intelligence (SysInt) took place from 11 to 13 November 2020. The conference, which was first held in 2012, moved online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The forum for academia and industry focuses on the latest innovations and practices in the field of system-integrated intelligence and is a joint event hosted by the Universities of Bremen, Hanover and Paderborn, with LogDynamics as one of the co-organizers and host of the conference 2020. The event centered around the integration of new, intelligent functionalities into materials, components, systems and products.
 
The program comprised 58 papers, three keynote speeches and three virtual guided tours. It spanned the spectrum of content and methodologies relating to current research in the area of system-integrated intelligence. Two contributions were awarded: The Best Paper Award went to Jhohan Chavez Vega, Philipp Schorr, Tobias Kaufhold, Klaus Zimmermann, Lena Zentner, Valter Böhm for the Paper „Influence of Elastomeric Tensioned Members on the Characteristics of Compliant Tensegrity Structures in Soft Robotic Applications”. The Commended Paper Award was awarded to the contribution "Data-driven Context Awareness of Smart Products in Discrete Smart Manufacturing Systems” by Jürgen Lenz, Valerio Pelosi, Marco Taisch, Eric MacDonald and Thorsten Wuest.
 
www.sysint-conference.org
 
Open Access Proceedings in Procedia Manufacturing
 
 

Human-Technology-Interaction in the Digitalized Work Environment - WGAB as Guest at BIBA

 
On September 18 and 19, 2020, BIBA hosted this year's research seminar of the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Arbeits- und Betriebsorganisation (WGAB). The focus was on the topic "Human-Technology Interaction in the Digitalized Work Environment". Despite corona-related travel restrictions, many WGAB members were able to attend the seminar. Although the scientific exchange took place with some distance, it was no less stimulating and intensive. The following topics were discussed: Digital planning of hybrid work systems, potentials of human-robot collaboration, digital twin for human-technology interaction and last but not least home office before, during and after the corona crisis.
 
During the seminar, three new members, including the host Prof. Michael Freitag, were admitted to the WGAB. Furthermore, Dr. Birgit von See was awarded the WGAB dissertation prize by the TU Hamburg-Harburg for her work "A Framework for Action for the Digital Transformation of Value Networks". Dennis Keiser from BIBA accepted a prize for "Concept and Evaluation Parameters for Gamification in Manual Assembly" as the best employee contribution. A guided tour through the BIBA research hall completed the program. The proceedings of the WGAB research seminar are published by Gito-Verlag Gito-Verlag: DOI
 
 

Dynamics in Logistics – Proceedings of LDIC 2020 Now Available


These proceedings contain research papers presented at the 7th International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics, held in Bremen, Germany, February 2020. The conference is concerned with dynamic aspects of logistic processes and networks. The spectrum of topics reaches from the modelling, planning and control of processes, supply chain management, maritime logistics and innovative technologies and robot applications for cyber-physical production and logistics systems. The growing dynamic confronts the area of logistics with completely new challenges: it must become possible to describe, identify and analyze the process changes. Moreover, logistic processes and networks must be redevised to be rapidly and flexibly adaptable to continuously changing conditions. The editors are: Prof. Michael Freitag, Prof. Hans-Dietrich Haasis, Prof. Herbert Kotzab and Dr. Jürgen Pannek.

Link to publication
 
 

Virtual Supply Chain Day: Digital Information Logistics in the Home Office


April 16th was "Supply Chain Day" - even in times of Corona. In previous years we celebrated the day with events and workshops. This year we had to reschedule due to the special circumstances and for the first time we took a virtual approach. The result was the online workshop "Personal Efficiency and Effectiveness through Digitalization - Digital Information Logistics in the Home Office", which was attended by more than 50 participants.

In a video presentation we presented various aspects of self-organization and showed how to become more efficient and effective by using digital tools, e.g. in the home office. This was followed by practical examples and a discussion. The current topic, but also the possibility of virtual exchange, was well received by the participants. The new online format also met with a positive response.
 
 

International Logistics Researchers as Guests in Bremen - LDIC 2020 Presented the Setting

 
About 120 people interested in logistics from 18 countries met for three days in Bremen to present, discuss and exchange ideas at this year's LDIC conference. The program of the 7th International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics included 51 scientific presentations as well as four key note speeches, which impressively documented the broad spectrum of current logistics research and practice in terms of content and methodology. The participants were also able to take part in an exciting additional program. In the forefront of the conference, a doctoral workshop was offered as a satellite event. The accompanying program during the LDIC included guided tours of the Robotics Lab of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and the LogDynamics Lab as well as the workshop "B2B Platforms for Supply Chain Management and Logistics" from the EU project NIMBLE. The presentations as well as the subsequent exchange of ideas between the scientists took place on a very high level and testified to the high quality of the contributions and presentations. The organizers were able to award the best contributions with a Best Paper Award and two Commended Awards. All contributions to LDIC 2020 will be summarized in a Springer conference proceedings, which is expected to be published in May 2020 in the series Lecture Notes in Logistics.
 
 

The Berninghausen Prize 2019 goes to Prof. Anna Förster

 
On December 4th 2019, this year's prize for outstanding teaching (Berninghausen Prize) was awarded. Once again, a member of the research cluster LogDynamics won in the category "Outstanding, innovative course".   
 
The computer scientist Professor Anna Förster was awarded for her outstanding innovative course with didactically meaningful use of digital media. Anna Förster receives the award for the course "Fundamentals of Computer Science for Electrical Engineers". The jury was convinced that both the content and the teaching methods were state-of-the-art. Anna Förster changed her classes to "inverted classroom". The term refers to a teaching method in which the learning content is first elaborated by the learners and then applied in the classroom. This concept is very well received by students. They appreciate the possibility to work on the subject matter independently of time and place.
 
 

Visit of the Ethiopian Ambassador

 
The new Ethiopian ambassador in Berlin, Mulu Solomon Bezuneh, visited Bremen for the first time. In this context, she also took time on November 26th for LogDynamics and the IGS. The International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics (IGS) has attracted the ambassador's attention, as the IGS has supported more than 20 doctoral students from Ethiopia in a variety of scientific and organizational ways in recent years. The first doctoral student was Fasika Bete Georgise. He received his degree in production engineering from the University of Bremen in 2015 and has been teaching at his home university Hawassa ever since. At present, two Ethiopian doctoral students are at the IGS with a so-called sandwich scholarship. They spend three semesters each of their scientific research at the University of Bremen, but receive their degrees at their home university. With the support of IGS, the largest group so far consisting of 18 Ethiopian lecturers completed a three-month stay abroad at BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH, a partner in LogDynamics. In a project of the Texas Tech University, USA, together with the Bremen-based company INROS LACKNER SE, they were given access to scientific resources and practical experience.   
 
During her visit, the ambassador gained her own impression of the existing infrastructure, the LogDynamics Lab. She also took the opportunity to discuss the experiences and possibly necessary changes with professors, with the IGS coordinator and with the two Ethiopian doctoral students. The ambassador's visit was initiated by a former BIBA employee, Tesfaye Balcha, and coordinated with the participating institutions. He is currently actively involved in the community of Ethiopian and Friends of Ethiopia in Bremen.
 
 

Logistics Transfer and Innovation Culture in Bremen - now available online

 
The logistics sector is a major contributor to Bremen's economy. It prepares itself for the future and tackles topics such as "digitalization" and "innovations". The majority of the players are small and medium-sized who are faced with the task of meeting these challenges. Even if potentials are known, companies cannot maintain the necessary infrastructures and the corresponding strength to exploit these potentials on their own. The BreLogIK project (Bremer Logistik Transfer- und Innovationskultur), in which BIBA is involved as a partner, is a starting point here: It develops solutions to exploit these previously unused opportunities in close cooperation between Bremen's science and logistics industry. On the new website www.brelogik.de you can inform yourself about the project contents and our offers. In addition, you are cordially invited to become part of the project as a science ambassador. 
 
 

LogDynamics welcomes three new members and one new faculty

 
In November, the LogDynamics research cluster welcomed three new members: Prof. Dr. Gralf-Peter Calliess, Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hendro Wicaksono. Within the cluster, these scientists will provide support in the fields of supply chain management, production technology and, for the first time, law. 
 
With the membership of Prof. Calliess, Professor of Civil Law and International Business Law, LogDynamics has added a fifth faculty: Law. This new competence makes it possible to consider extremely relevant legal aspects of technological action in logistics. For example, the question of how the law changes through technical solutions and digitalization can be explored. Prof. Calliess deals exactly with these questions and founded the Institute for Commercial Law. The focus on maritime trade law and logistics fits perfectly into the research activities of LogDynamics. In addition, Prof. Calliess is already supervising an IGS doctoral candidate together with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans-Dietrich Haasis. 
 
Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra holds the professorship for Global Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Economics. His focus is on risk and uncertainty in SCM. He previously worked in the Operations Management Department at Copenhagen Business School. Prof. Kinra has worked with a number of LogDynamics members in the past and has already started initial activities. 
 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hendro Wicaksono is Professor of Industrial Engineering and Head of INDEED Research Group (Intelligent Data Management for Industry 4.0) at the Jacobs University. He moved to Bremen from the Institute for Information Management at KIT. His research focuses on holistic data management, from the optimization of planning and control to production.
 
 

LogDynamics Research Report 2018/19 published

 
Logistics has had a significant impact on the development of the world as it is today. It has driven and continues to inspire social, economic, and technological change. In addition, logistics also plays an important role in the economic and scientific location of Bremen. Research and education are fundamental to further expanding Bremen's success story. For almost 25 years, an interdisciplinary team from various departments of the University of Bremen and local institutions has been researching the logistics of tomorrow and beyond in the Bremen Research Cluster for Dynamics in Logistics (LogDynamics). The precursors to the Internet of Things were already developed in LogDynamics at the turn of the millennium. Regarding the strategies of the Bremen University and the federal state of Bremen, the research alliance covers the challenges of the future for Bremen and transfer its science consequently into society.

In the future, digitalization and artificial intelligence will reshape logistics substantially. People will become more and more the focus of attention and increasingly demand individualized logistics solutions. Besides, the climate and energy will be increasingly influential. The diversity-oriented International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics (IGS) of LogDynamics deals precisely with these topics and prepares doctoral candidates for the upcoming changes. The transfer of academic findings from science to society, business, politics, culture, and vice versa is another leading task of the future. Since 2018 the project BreLogIK (Bremen Logistics Transfer and Innovation Culture) is emphasizing this topic by cooperating with several local players beyond LogDynamics. The initiative focuses on reducing barriers within the cooperation of academia and industry to create a new type of infrastructures for innovation in logistics.

Against this background, the new LogDynamics Research Report offers an extract from education, research and transfer for the benefit of logistics in Bremen.
 
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German Logistics Congress: LogDynamics welcomes prominent guests

 
The research cluster LogDynamics is again represented with a booth at the German Logistics Congress this year. Our demonstrator for the use of low-cost sensor technology in port loading is attracting the interest of the visitors. The State Councilor for Science and Ports Tim Cordßen was also enthusiastic about these and other innovative logistics solutions. Together with State Councilor Cordßen, BHV President Dr.-Ing. Patric Drewes and BHV Managing Director Christoph Bruns were guests at our stand. 
 
The German Logistics Congress is one of Europe's most important events for logistics and supply chain management. In 2019 more than 3000 participants and 200 exhibitors will be represented.
 
 

Commended Paper Award for BIBA at IFAC MIM 2019

 
BIBA scientists were awarded the Commended Paper Award at this year's IFAC MIM. Abderrahim Ait Alla, Markus Kreutz, Daniel Rippel, Michael Lütjen and Michael Freitag were able to prevail against the competition with their paper "Simulation-Based Analysis of the Interaction of a Physical and a Digital Twin in a Cyber-Physical Production System". The award-winning article deals with the question of how the synchronization between a digital twin and its physical counterpart can be optimized with regard to the required number of sensors. In this context, an approach was developed in which a digital model is first created from the physical original in order to optimize the synchronization points using a software-in-the-loop approach.
 
The ninth international IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modeling, Management, and Control (IFAC MIM 2019) was held in Berlin from August 28th to 30th, 2019. With 750 participants, 540 presentations and 19 parallel sessions, it was the largest IFAC MIM conference to date. BIBA took part in the conference with three papers on indoor localization, offshore logistics and digital twins.
 
 

EIT Manufacturing

 
The manufacturing industry is facing major challenges due to increasing global competition, low-cost production in developing countries and scarce raw materials. EIT Manufacturing is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), in which BIBA is one of 50 core partners.

EIT Manufacturing’s mission is to bring European manufacturing actors together in innovation ecosystems that add unique value to European products, processes, services – and inspire the creation of globally competitive and sustainable manufacturing.
 
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