Software Tools Research Articles

Study on the Impact of Professional Identity of Guilin University Students majoring in Science, Engineering and Aerospace on the Effectiveness of Science Popularization

This paper firstly analyses the role and value of popularization of science, and then takes undergraduates of Guilin Polytechnic College of Aeronautics and Astronautics as the research object, and uses the SPSS20 software tool to gain an in-depth understanding and explore the influence of aerospace undergraduates of Polytechnic College of Aeronautics and Astronautics on the effect of aerospace popularisation of science and the media effect of self-efficacy from the three dimensions of professional emotions, professional attitudes, and professional cognition under the sense of professional identity.To this end, a research model was constructed to validate the variables by setting the structural relationship between the variables and the media effect through a theoretical examination of the variables. the only aerospace university in Guilin City, Guangxi Province, was selected, and a 10-day questionnaire survey was conducted from 30 January to 8 February 2024 with 557 undergraduate students from the School of Aerospace and Astronautics in the first, second, third and fourth years as the research subjects. After analysing the data from the recovered questionnaires to determine the relationship between the variables, the following observations were made by verifying the mediated effects:First, professional identity has a significant effect on science effectiveness. Second, professional identity has a significant effect on self-efficacy. Third, self-efficacy has a significant effect on science popularisation effect. Fourth, professional identity had a significant effect on science popularisation effect through self-efficacy, and the mediating effect of self-efficacy was statistically significant.

Comparison of CAD Software for Designing Cellular Structures for Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies provide significant design freedom, which is highly desirable in today’s fast-paced product design processes. However, most of the parametric CAD software tools used today do not fully utilize this potential for freedom of form and design. Design mechanisms, such as topology optimization (TO), generative design (GD), and lattice structures, are available on the market to help designers minimize weight and material cost while maximizing the stiffness and flexibility of planned designs. This paper proposes a benchmarking approach for designers and engineers to select a suitable software tool for lattice structure generation for their specific applications. The approach includes preselecting software tools based on a weighted point evaluation of seven significant criteria. The tools are then evaluated based on key metrics such as computing time and file size of exported structures, as well as the following six distinctive attributes: usability, reliability, availability, performance, support, and cost. The evaluation process considers a total of 32 defined features. The investigation produced clear recommendations regarding overall performance, reliability, and user experience. The findings indicate that the option of a comprehensive support offering, as well as the initial and operational costs, are significant drivers in the decision-making process.

The Better Operative Outcomes Software Tool (BOOST) Prospective Study: Improving the Quality of Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Low-Resource Settings

ABSTRACT Purpose Post-operative vision impairment is common among patients who have undergone cataract surgery in low-resource settings, impacting quality of clinical outcomes and patient experience. This prospective, multisite, single-armed, pragmatic validation study aimed to assess whether receiving tailored recommendations via the free Better Operative Outcomes Software Tool (BOOST) app improved surgical outcomes, as quantified by post-operative unaided distance visual acuity (UVA) measured 1–3 days after surgery. Methods During the baseline data collection round, surgeons in low and middle-income countries recorded clinical characteristics of 60 consecutive cataract cases in BOOST. Additional data on the causes of poor outcomes from 20 consecutive cases with post-operative UVA of <6/60 (4–12 weeks post-surgery) were entered to automatically generate tailored recommendations for improvement, before 60 additional consecutive cases were recorded during the follow-up study round. Average UVA was compared between cases recorded in the baseline study round and those recorded during follow-up. Results Among 4,233 cataract surgeries performed by 41 surgeons in 18 countries, only 2,002 (47.3%) had post-operative UVA 6/12 or better. Among the 14 surgeons (34.1%) who completed both rounds of the study (1,680 cases total), there was no clinically significant improvement in post-operative average UVA (logMAR units ±SD) between baseline (0.50 ± 0.37) and follow-up (0.47 ± 0.36) rounds (mean improvement 0.03, p = 0.486). Conclusions Receiving BOOST-generated recommendations did not result in improved UVA beyond what could be expected from prospective monitoring of surgical outcomes alone. Additional research is required to assess whether targeted support to implement changes could potentiate the uptake of app-generated recommendations and improve outcomes.

An experimental study on the impact of Wushu routine learning on executive functions of 7 - 8 years old female children

Executive function is one of the essential components of human cognitive function. Studies have found that improving executive function has a better impact on children’s academic achievement, behavioral performance, and mental health. This study employed an experimental design to investigate the effects of different types of motor learning on the development of 7-8-year-old children's executive functions. The intervention was the Wushu routine learning; sample size was 37 female children (experimental group 23, control group14), mean age was 7.38 years. The study applied the psychological experimental research software E-prime 2.0 developed by Psychology Software Tools, Inc. to evaluate the experimental groups' inhibitory function, refreshing function, and conversion function level by completing the Flanker task, 1-back task, and more-odd shifting task. The results showed that the intervention effect of motor learning was mainly manifested in the conversion function, while it had no significant effect on the inhibitory function and refreshing function. Different intervention duration of motor learning did not have significantly different effects on executive function.

Fc-COOH modified MIL-101(Cr) as enhanced photocatalyst to efficiently degrade tetracycline under visible light

MIL-101(Cr) is an ideal material for wastewater treatment due to its large specific surface area, excellent water stability, and chemical stability. However, its limited light absorption capacity hinders its application. We loaded ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) onto MIL-101(Cr) by a post-synthetic modification method, which resulted in the MOF possessing excellent optical properties while maintaining its original skeleton structure. The MIL-101(Cr)/Fc-COOH (1:2), (abbreviated as CFCC-2) exhibited the best performance, achieving a removal rate of 96% for tetracycline (TC) in just 30 min. This removal rate is significantly higher compared to MIL-101(Cr) and Fc-COOH, which achieved removal rates of only 15% and 21%, respectively. We propose a possible Z-type heterojunction mechanism between MIL-101(Cr) and Fc-COOH to explain the excellent photocatalytic performance of CFCC-2. The intermediates in TC were identified using LC-MS, and the toxicity of these intermediates was predicted and evaluated through the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.). This study provides new insights into the design and fabrication of MIL-101(Cr)-based catalysts as photodegrading organic pollutants.

A state-of-the-art review of studies on urban green infrastructure for thermal resilient communities

Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) plays a critical role in creating Thermal Resilient Communities (TRCs) by mitigating the adverse climate change impacts and enhancing thermal resilience. In this paper, we consider a range of UGI types, from street trees, urban parks, green spaces, and building-integrated UGI components, such as green roofs and green walls. It is intended that the thermal/aerodynamic effects of UGI be analyzed and the influence of UGI at three spatial scales within urban communities be provided; more specifically: microclimate scale, building scale, and individual scale. The study discusses the findings of 218 papers published since 2010 to elaborate on recent progress in this field. This review delves into three fundamental aspects related to UGI: a) the underlying mechanisms allowing UGI to affect the environment and human health, b) the modeling efforts undertaken to simulate these effects, and c) measurement studies providing empirical data and verifying the models. Additionally, the effects of UGI across the three scales and related aspects are discussed, and the importance of integrative mechanisms and coupled modeling approaches is emphasized. Key methodologies for integrating microclimate and building simulations are summarized, highlighting the data exchange protocols and software tools. In contrast to previous reviews, this study has analyzed major measurement studies, categorizing them into full-scale and sub-scale studies. As a conclusion, several potential directions for future research are identified, including advanced physical and data driven UGI models, enhanced coupled simulations for indoor-outdoor interactions, establishment of measurement datasets for benchmarking both UGI modeling and coupled simulations.

Photothermal-synergistic peroxymonosulfate activation promoting carbamazepine degradation by Porphyra-derived porous biochar composites: Performance, mechanism, transformation pathway and practical application

Heterogeneous catalysis with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation has received increasing attention in recalcitrant contaminants treatment, but multidimensional coupling via engineered biochar materials and photothermal synergy is still rare. Herein, we reported photothermal-synergistic PMS activation by Porphyra-derived porous biochar composites (ZnS/NBC) for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation. Benefitting from the high specific surface area, highly graphitic structure and strong light-to-heat conversion ability, ZnS/NBC10/PMS/light system showed enhanced degradation performance and nearly complete mineralization of CBZ. Meanwhile, this system maintained high degradation efficiency in real water bodies and natural sunlight condition, respectively. Mechanism analysis confirmed that the predominant role of 1O2 and the auxiliary involvement of SO4−, OH and electron transfer jointly contributed to the CBZ degradation. Finally, the possible degradation pathways of CBZ were elaborated based on the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results and Fukui index calculations, and the diminishing ecotoxicity of the accompanying degradation intermediate was evaluated using the toxicity estimation software tool. This study provides a new insight for advancing a comprehensive utilization of photothermal conversion and biochar-based PMS activators to organic wastewater purification.

THE SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF KINESIO TAPE ON THE SKIN TEMPERATURE OF THE UPPER TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

The aim of the study is to verify the short-term effects of Kinesio Tape on the skin temperature of the upper trapezius muscle in asymptomatic subjects. Twenty-five university students were submitted to application of Y shaped Kinesio Tape over the upper trapezius muscle. Thermographic data was captured with and without KT and exported to FLIR Tools software, where the minimum, maximum and average of the skin temperature of the region between the strips was obtained. Paired t test were used to compare the outcomes of baseline with KT condition. There was no difference on the minimum (p = 0,283), maximum (p = 0,783) and average (p = 0,377) of the skin temperature of the upper trapezius muscle between the strips of KT. Therefore, there was no effect of Kinesio Tape over the skin temperature of the upper trapezius muscles in asymptomatic subjects. Future studies should try to evaluated areas below the strips or around involved areas and with different methodologies to evaluated KT effects on skin temperature.

STUDY OF PREFRONTAL OXYGENATION DURING EMOTIONAL THINKING USING FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (FNIRS)

Introduction: This section provides an overview of the project and introduces the topic. It should include the background, objectives, and scope of the research. Literature Review: This section reviews relevant literature related to the topic to provide a better understanding of the existing research and technology available. It should include sources such as books, academic journals, and online articles. Methodology: This section outlines the methodology used to design and develop the project, including the hardware and software components, programming languages and tools used, and testing procedures. System Design: This section describes the architecture and design of the system, including the hardware and software components, communication protocols, and interfaces. It should provide a detailed explanation of how the system is structured. Implementation: This section details the process of implementing the system, including the setup of the hardware and software components, programming of the microcontroller and sensors, and integration of any external platforms. Results and Evaluation: This section presents the results of the testing and evaluation of the system, including the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the system in achieving its objectives. It should also discuss any limitations or challenges encountered during testing. Conclusion and Future Work: This section summarizes the research findings and provides recommendations for future work. It should discuss any potential for further development and improvement of the system.

MetSim: Integrated Programmatic Access and Pathway Management for Xenobiotic Metabolism Simulators.

Xenobiotic metabolism is a key consideration in evaluating the hazards and risks posed by environmental chemicals. A number of software tools exist that are capable of simulating metabolites, but each reports its predictions in a different format and with varying levels of detail. This makes comparing the performance and coverage of the tools a practical challenge. To address this shortcoming, we developed a metabolic simulation framework called MetSim, which comprises three main components. A graph-based schema was developed to allow metabolism information to be harmonized. The schema was implemented in MongoDB to store and retrieve metabolic graphs for subsequent analysis. MetSim currently includes an application programming interface for four metabolic simulators: BioTransformer, the OECD Toolbox, EPA's chemical transformation simulator (CTS), and tissue metabolism simulator (TIMES). Lastly, MetSim provides functions to help evaluate simulator performance for specific data sets. In this study, a set of 112 drugs with 432 reported metabolites were compiled, and predictions were made using the 4 simulators. Fifty-nine of the 112 drugs were taken from the Small Molecule Pathway Database, with the remainder sourced from the literature. The human models within BioTransformer and CTS (Phase I only) and the rat models within TIMES and the OECD Toolbox (Phase I only) were used to make predictions for the chemicals in the data set. The recall and precision (recall, precision) ranked in order of highest recall for each individual tool were CTS (0.54, 0.017), BioTransformer (0.50, 0.008), Toolbox in vitro (0.40, 0.144), TIMES in vivo (0.40, 0.133), Toolbox in vivo (0.40, 0.118), and TIMES in vitro (0.39, 0.128). Combining all of the model predictions together increased the overall recall (0.73, 0.008). MetSim enabled insights into the performance and coverage of in silico metabolic simulators to be more efficiently derived, which in turn should aid future efforts to evaluate other data sets.

OpenAnnotateApi: Python and R packages to efficiently annotate and analyze chromatin accessibility of genomic regions.

Chromatin accessibility serves as a critical measurement of physical contact between nuclear macromolecules and DNA sequence, providing valuable insights into the comprehensive landscape of regulatory mechanisms, thus we previously developed the OpenAnnotate web server. However, as an increasing number of epigenomic analysis software tools emerged, web-based annotation often faced limitations and inconveniences when integrated into these software pipelines. To address these issues, we here develop two software packages named OpenAnnotatePy and OpenAnnotateR. In addition to web-based functionalities, these packages encompass supplementary features, including the capability for simultaneous annotation across multiple cell types, advanced searching of systems, tissues and cell types, and converting the result to the data structure of mainstream tools. Moreover, we applied the packages to various scenarios, including cell type revealing, regulatory element prediction, and integration into mainstream single-cell ATAC-seq analysis pipelines including EpiScanpy, Signac, and ArchR. We anticipate that OpenAnnotateApi will significantly facilitate the deciphering of gene regulatory mechanisms, and offer crucial assistance in the field of epigenomic studies. OpenAnnotateApi for R is available at https://github.com/ZjGaothu/OpenAnnotateR and for Python is available at https://github.com/ZjGaothu/OpenAnnotatePy.

Harmonizing Innovation: A Journey through the History of Computational Music

The history of computational music traces a fascinating journey of innovation and creativity, intertwining disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, music theory, and psychology. From its inception in the mid-20th century to its current state of sophistication, computational music has evolved into a multifaceted field encompassing algorithmic composition, digital signal processing, machine learning, and interactive music systems. Pioneering works such as Roads' "The Computer Music Tutorial" and Biles' "GenJam" exemplify the early endeavors in digital sound synthesis and algorithmic composition. The roots of computational music extend back to the 1950s and 1960s with the pioneering efforts of Max Mathews, John Chowning, and Lejaren Hiller, laying the groundwork for future advancements. Technological breakthroughs in the 1970s and 1980s, including the advent of digital audio workstations and FM synthesis, further propelled the field forward. The 1990s and 2000s witnessed democratization and accessibility with the rise of affordable software tools and online collaboration platforms. Today, computational music continues to evolve with the emergence of deep learning and generative AI techniques, albeit accompanied by ethical considerations regarding copyright ownership and algorithmic bias. In conclusion, the history of computational music underscores the transformative power of technology in shaping musical expression and invites us to explore new frontiers where creativity knows no bounds.

Training and tool supply to enhance food safety behaviors among ready-to-eat chicken vendors in informal markets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: A randomized-controlled trial

In Burkina Faso, street food vendors are key in ensuring food safety in urban markets, particularly within the poultry value chain. The sale of high-risk ready-to-eat chicken by these vendors poses substantial health hazards, emphasizing the urgency for capacity-building to enhance food safety practices. This study evaluated the effect of a participatory interactive three-day training program coupled with tool supply on self-reported and observed behavior, and knowledge, attitudes, and cognitions of vendors of ready-to-eat chicken meat in Ouagadougou's informal markets. A two-armed RCT was conducted, including pre- and post-training vendor surveys, along with direct outlet observations. Total sample size comprised 162 vendors, with 72 in the treatment group and 90 in the control group. Self-reported behavior - measured on a five-point scale - significantly improved in the treatment group including higher frequency of mask wearing (1.8 ± 0.8 vs 2.5 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) and inspecting nail hygiene (4.3 ± 0.8 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). Treatment outlets improved on securing adequate evisceration platforms (1.3 ± 0.6 vs. 1.0 ± 0.5, p = 0.054), regular carcass water renewal (61.8% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.038), and handwashing during carcass management (1.1 ± 0.5 vs. 0.9 ± 0.3, p = 0.008). Better adherence to handwashing (1.1 ± 0.4 vs. 0.9 ± 0.3, p = 0.051), fork use (58.9% vs. 41.8%, p = 0.029), proper handwashing facilities (38.4% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.014), and waste management (64.4% vs. 37.8%, p < 0.001) were observed in treatment outlets. Trained vendors scored significantly higher than controls on knowledge (effect size 0.75, p < 0.001). Vendors rated the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, trust in materials/tools - measured on a five-point scale - as high, and perceived mean increased daily profits (21,242 FCFA) and number of customers (8.3) following training. In conclusion, training combined with a tool package proved effective in fostering significant food safety behavior changes, underscoring its substantial impact beyond just knowledge enhancement. For lasting behavior changes, ongoing training and support, an enabling environment, and strong incentives that prioritize vendor food safety behaviors in informal markets are crucial.

Computational Decision Support for PE Diagnosis based on Ventilation Perfusion Ratio.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether computer-aided, semi-automated 3D lung lobe quantification can support decision-making on PE diagnosis based on the ventilation-perfusion ratio in clinical practice. A study cohort of 100 patients (39 male, 61 female, age 64.8±15.8 years) underwent ventilation/perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (V/Q-SPECT/CT) to exclude acute PE on SPECT/CT OPTIMA NM/CT 640 (GE Healthcare). Two 3D lung lobe quantification software tools (Q. Lung: Xeleris 4.0, GE Healthcare and LLQ: Hermes Hybrid 3D Lung Lobar Quantification, Hermes Medical Solutions) were used to evaluate the numerical lobar ventilation/perfusion ratio (VQR) and lobar volume/perfusion ratio (VPR). A test of linearity and equivalence of the two 3D software tools was performed using Pearson, Spearman, quadratic weighted kappa and the mean squared deviation for VPR/VQR. An algorithm was developed that identified PE candidates using ROC analysis. The agreement between the PE findings of an experienced nuclear medicine expert and the calculated PE candidates was represented by the magnitude of the YOUDEN index (J) and the size of the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). Both 3D software tools showed good comparability. The YOUDEN index for QLUNG(VPR/VQR)/LLQ(VPR/VQR) was in the range from 0.2 to 0.5. The mean AUC averaged over all lung lobes for QLUNG(VPR) was 0.66, CI95%: ±14.0%, for QLUNG(VQR) 0.66, CI95%: ±13.3%, for LLQ(VPR) 0.64, CI95%: ±14.7% and for LLQ(VQR) 0.65, CI95%: ±13.1%. This study reveals that 3D software tools are feasible for numerical PE detection. The clinical decision can be supported by using a numerical algorithm based on ROC analysis.

Gamification as an Aesthetic Trend in Communication of Russian Brands

The article is devoted to the issues of communication of brands with the audience and identifies the trends in technologies for creating communication messages. The empirical data is received based on the review of 71 advertising projects – winners of ADCR Awards 2023 – Russian professional competition in the field of creativity, design, and advertising, established in 2004. Of these, 26 communication solutions are labeled as created on the basis of gamification – an approach characteristic of computer games used in software tools and non-game content to attract audiences and increase their involvement. The author makes an attempt to classify gamified solutions based on technological solutions in order to identify the main trends in the organization of communication messages in the advertising industry. The review showed that advertising practitioners are adopting different techniques: AR technology, MR reality technology, modeling a special event as a format for creating a viral environment, and the active introduction of artificial intelligence into advertising practice. It is concluded that gamification techniques are aimed at generating creative solutions that are similar in values to target audiences of brands.

An Active Approach for Teaching and Learning Electrical Technology

This contribution describes the change in methodology introduced in the subject of electrical technology within the industrial technologies engineering degree at Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València. The main purpose of the methodology change was to improve the attainment of student outcomes by the introduction of project-based learning supported by flipped teaching. Moreover, a software tool was developed that generates standard exercise statements for the design of electrical installations. Using this tool, students can practice with different problem exercises, enter their solution, and receive immediate feedback on their results, improving the teaching–learning experience. The level of student outcomes attained was improved, and other positive aspects arose from the experience, such as boosting students’ responsibility in their own learning (learn to learn), their ability to solve problems, and students’ motivation. Furthermore, the instructors’ opinions on the methodology change were highly positive.

Assessing the feasibility and sustainability of a surfactin production process: a techno-economic and environmental analysis.

Biosurfactants have been profiled as a sustainable replacement for chemical-based surfactants since these bio-based molecules have higher biodegradability. Few research papers have focused on assessing biosurfactant production to elucidate potential bottlenecks. This research aims to assess the techno-economic and environmental performance of surfactin production in a potential scale of 65m3, considering different product yields and involving the European energy crisis of 2021-2022. The conceptual design, simulation, techno-economic, and environmental assessments were done by applying process engineering concepts and software tools such as Aspen Plus v.9.0 and SimaPro v.8.3.3. The results demonstrated the high economic potential of surfactin production since the higher values in the market offset the low fermentation yields, low recovery efficiency, and high capital investment. The sensitivity analysis of the economic assessment elucidated a minimum surfactin selling price between 29 and 31 USD/kg of surfactin, while a minimum processing scale for economic feasibility between 4 and 5kg/h is needed to reach an equilibrium point. The environmental performance must be improved since the carbon footprint was 43kg CO2eq/kg of surfactin. The downstream processing and energy demand are the main bottlenecks since these aspects contribute to 63 and 25% of the total emissions. The fermentation process and downstream process are key factors for future optimization and research.

An easy to use tool for the analysis of subcellular mRNA transcript colocalisation in smFISH data

Single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation (smFISH) has become a valuable tool to investigate the mRNA expression of single cells. However, it requires a considerable amount of programming expertise to use currently available open-source analytical software packages to extract and analyse quantitative data about transcript expression. Here, we present FISHtoFigure, a new software tool developed specifically for the analysis of mRNA abundance and co-expression in QuPath-quantified, multi-labelled smFISH data. FISHtoFigure facilitates the automated spatial analysis of transcripts of interest, allowing users to analyse populations of cells positive for specific combinations of mRNA targets without the need for computational image analysis expertise. As a proof of concept and to demonstrate the capabilities of this new research tool, we have validated FISHtoFigure in multiple biological systems. We used FISHtoFigure to identify an upregulation in the expression of Cd4 by T-cells in the spleens of mice infected with influenza A virus, before analysing more complex data showing crosstalk between microglia and regulatory B-cells in the brains of mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. These analyses demonstrate the ease of analysing cell expression profiles using FISHtoFigure and the value of this new tool in the field of smFISH data analysis.

Impact of digital advancements on accounting, auditing and reporting literature: insights, practice implications and future research directions

Purpose The study aims to use bibliometric and scientometric analysis to conduct a detailed investigation on the impact of disruptive technologies in accounting and reporting literature. To draw both academics and practitioners through accelerated research activities, the study also aims to look into the significance of these disruptive technologies, their potential and the opportunities they present for the accounting profession. Design/methodology/approach With the use of the Scopus database and a combination of accounting, reporting, auditing and technology-related keywords, 1660 research articles published between 2008 and 2023 were included in the sample. To provide graphical analysis of bibliometric data and visualize research findings such as bibliographic coupling, co-citation and keyword co-occurrence, this study used the R-biblioshiny and VOSViewer tools. Findings The findings demonstrate a growth in scholarly interest in the study’s area, particularly in recent years. The bibliometric analysis focuses on three key uses and applications of technology in the accounting and auditing professions: the adoption of continuous auditing and monitoring in the audit profession, the use of software tools in the audit and accounting professions and the connections between information systems and audit. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by examining current research trends on the use of technology in the accounting and reporting professions, identifying gaps in the literature and, most importantly, proposing a research agenda for the field. This study’s data came entirely from English-language articles and reviews in the Scopus database. It also considers studies that are directly relevant to the use of technology in accounting and reporting.

Planning Tools for Decentralized Heat Supply: Modeling the Effects of Volatile Renewable Energies

An increasing share of decentralized feed-in is necessary for the transition of district heating networks but it comes with various challenges. Software tools for modelling, simulation and optimization allow a theoretical examination of those challenges and possible solutions. Some of these have been used and further developed in the research project ZellFlex. One selected examination is the flexibility of supply temperatures by varying setpoint temperatures for a decentral solar thermal system (500 m²) integrated into an existing district heating network. The analysis of the supply temperature distribution in the network showed: A decrease of the solar thermal feed-in set point temperature by 5 K compared to the supply temperature of the central heat producer seemed acceptable in terms of security of supply, while a 10 K reduction comes with a high risk of undersupply. Furthermore, it was discovered that the points of time with the lowest supply temperatures at the consumers were just before and after they were provided with solar heat due to specific effects concerning temperature loss of the fluid.