Dynamics of rural areas (DORA): National report - Germany

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Combining Spreadsheet Smells for Improved Fault Prediction

Spreadsheets are commonly used in organizations as a programming tool for business-related calculations and decision making. Since faults in spreadsheets can have severe business impacts, a number of approaches from general software engineering have been applied to spreadsheets in recent years, among them the concept of code smells. Smells can in particular be used for the task of fault prediction. An analysis of existing spreadsheet smells, however, revealed that the predictive power of individual smells can be limited. In this work we therefore propose a machine learning based approach which combines the predictions of individual smells by using an AdaBoost ensemble classifier. Experiments on two public datasets containing real-world spreadsheet faults show significant improvements in terms of fault prediction accuracy.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to be published in 40th International Conference on Software Engineering: New Ideas and Emerging Results Trac

Strategien zur Regulierung des Steinbrandes - Teilprojekt A: Strategien zur Regulierung des Steinbrandes (Tilletia caries) und des Zwergsteinbrandes (T. controversa) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Resistenz

In Feldversuchen wurden 30 Winterweizensorten an fünf verschiedenen Standorten auf ihre natürliche Resistenz gegenüber Steinbrand/Zwergsteinbrand untersucht. Dabei zeigten die Sorten/Zuchtlinien Stava, Tambor, Magnifik, SW 51136, Tommi, Tarso, Tataros, Jakobi, Korund, Pegassos, Toronto und Cardos eine Resistenz/Teilresistenz gegenüber Tilletia caries und/oder T. controversa. Ein Einfluß der Sporenherkunft auf das Resistenzverhalten der Sorten schien in einigen Fällen gegeben zu sein. Parallel wurde ein System zur Frühdiagnose des Befalls mit Hilfe eines immunologischen Nachweises über ELISA standardisiert und an ausgewählten Weizensorten angewandt. Bei Untersuchungen des Vegetationspunktes im Stadium EC 20 konnte an je 45 Einzelpflanzen eine gute Übereinstimmung zwischen Pilzgehalt in der Pflanze und Resistenzgrad gefunden werden. Damit sind die bisherigen Ergebnisse zur immunologischen Charakterisierung der Resistenz erfolgversprechend. Die Eignung von Blattchlorosen zur Vorhersage des Steinbrandbefalls wurde an einem Feldstandort (Bad Vilbel) und unter kontrollierten Bedingungen bis zum Stadium EC 20 überprüft. Dabei zeigte sich, dass der Zusammenhang zwischen Blattsymptom und Ährensymptom sortenabhängig ist. Die Erfassung der Frühsymptome eignet sich damit nicht generell zur Charakterisierung der Resistenz. Für die Mittelprüfung ist diese Form der Frühdiagnose mit ausgewählten Sorten jedoch weiterhin empfehlenswert. Die Pilzentwicklung und Verteilung wurde in der wachsenden Pflanze an ausgewählten Sorten mit verschiedenen Verfahren beschrieben. Der quantitative Pilznachweis über den ELISA deutet auf einen Pilzgehalt von >5 ng/gFGml in der Ährenanlage (EC 31) als nötige Menge zur Induktion der Brandähre hin. Die Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen an ausgewählten Sorten mit verminderter Anfälligkeit lassen Resistenzmechanismen in verschiedenen Stadien vermuten

Kulturelle Unterschiede in der internationalen Arbeitswelt

Das Ziel dieses Papers ist es, die kulturellen Unterschiede in internationalen Unternehmen zu analysieren. Es wird untersucht, in wie weit die Notwendigkeit besteht, Strategien und Firmenimage den unterschiedlichen kulturellen Normen der einzelnen Länder anzupassen. Durch die Berücksichtigung der politischen und wirtschaftlichen Aspekte sind Unterschiede in Gesetzen und administrativen Strukturen sowie in Religion, Bildung und Gender erkennbar. Neben der Verwendung von verfügbarer Literatur, Zeitungen und Internetquellen wurde ein Fragebogen an internationale Konzerne der verschiedenen Branchen verschickt und ein Interview mit einem HR Vize Präsidenten einer Kunststofffirma gehalten. Es wurde festgestellt, dass Unternehmen der Ansicht sind, dass kulturelle Unterschiede sowohl Schwierigkeiten als auch Vorteile bringen können. Probleme sind unteranderem im Personalmanagement und in der Produktauswahl für den Markt zu finden. Durch die Identifizierung mit dem Unternehmen können Motivation und Einstellung der Mitarbeiter und dadurch deren Leistung gesteigert werden. Von Bedeutung ist, dass man die neue Kultur in die Gesellschaft integriert, ohne radikale Veränderungen vorzunehmen. Es ist weiters wichtig, dass man einzelne ausländische Tochtergesellschaften auch international neben der Muttergesellschaft in die unterschiedlichen Kulturen zu integrieren versucht

The development of guidelines for the treatment of patients with mental disorders under particular consideration of rehabilitative aspects

Inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment is quite extensive in Germany. Three treatment systems (psychosomatic/psychotherapeutic healthcare, psychiatric/psychotherapeutic healthcare and rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders) exist relatively independently from one another. They show large areas of overlap, however, with regard to various criteria. This is due to the fact that, as opposed to many somatic illnesses, a clear distinction between acute-medical and rehabilitative elements cannot be made in the treatment of mental disorders

Clinical Experience with Off-Label Intrathecal Administration of Selected Antibiotics in Adults:An Overview with Pharmacometric Considerations

Drain-associated intracerebral infections are life-threatening emergencies. Their treatment is challenging due to the limited penetration of antibiotics to the site of infection, resulting in potentially inadequate exposure. The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens might force the use of off-label intrathecal (IT) doses of antibiotics. We reviewed the literature on general aspects determining intrathecal dosing regimen, using pharmacometric knowledge. We summarised clinical experience with IT doses of antibiotics that are usually not used intrathecally, as well as the outcome of the cases and concentrations reached in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Factors determining the IT regimen are the size of the ventricle system and the CSF drainage volume. With regard to pharmacometrics, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices are likely similar to those in non-cerebral infections. The following number (N) of cases were described: benzylpenicillin (&gt;50), ampicillin (1), ceftazidime (2), cephaloridine (56), ceftriaxone (1), cefotiam (1), meropenem (57), linezolid (1), tigecycline (15), rifampicin (3), levofloxacin (2), chloramphenicol (3) and daptomycin (8). Many side effects were reported for benzylpenicillin in the 1940–50s, but for the other antibiotics, when administered correctly, all side effects were minor and reversible. These data might help when choosing an IT dosing regimen in case there is no alternative option due to antimicrobial resistance.</p

Stability of 10 Beta-Lactam Antibiotics in Human Plasma at Different Storage Conditions

BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies have assessed the effects of therapeutic drug monitoring of frequently prescribed beta-lactam antibiotics, for which they were quantified in human plasma samples. Beta-lactams are considered unstable, leading to extra challenges in quantification. Therefore, to ensure sample stability and minimize sample degradation before analysis, stability studies are crucial. This study investigated the stability of 10 frequently used beta-lactam antibiotics in human plasma at relevant storage conditions for clinical use. METHODS: Amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, flucloxacillin, imipenem, meropenem, and piperacillin were analyzed using ultraperformance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Their short-term and long-term stabilities were investigated by measuring quality control samples at low and high concentrations against freshly prepared calibration standards. Measured concentrations at each time point were compared with the concentrations at T = 0. Antibiotics were considered stable if recovery results were between 85% and 115%. RESULTS: Short-term stability results indicated ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and meropenem to be stable up to 24 hours at room temperature. All evaluated antibiotics, except imipenem, were stable on ice in a cool box for 24 hours. Amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, and piperacillin were stable for 24 hours at 4-6°C. Cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, and meropenem were stable at 4-6°C up to 72 hours. Ceftriaxone and flucloxacillin were stable for 1 week at 4-6°C. Long-term stability results showed that all antibiotics were stable up to 1 year at -80°C, except imipenem and piperacillin, which were stable for 6 months at -80°C. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma samples for amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, flucloxacillin, and piperacillin may be stored for a maximum of 24 hours in a cool box. Refrigeration is suitable for plasma samples of amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, meropenem, and piperacillin for up to 24 hours and cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime and cefuroxime for 72 hours. Plasma samples for imipenem should be frozen directly at -80°C. For long-term storage, plasma samples can be stored at -80°C for a maximum of 6 months for imipenem and piperacillin and 12 months for all other evaluated antibiotics.</p

DiffErenCes in AntihypertenSive Drug Blood Levels in Patients with HypertensiON (DECISION):Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study Comparing Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Between Young and Elderly Patients

Adequate controlled blood pressure decreases the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the elderly are more vulnerable and thereby more prone to side effects of antihypertensive drugs. A lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in older patients makes specific and tailored advices towards antihypertensive drug therapy difficult. The aim of our study, DiffErenCes In antihypertenSive drug levels In patients with hypertensiON (DECISION), is to fill in this PK/PD knowledge gap and move towards precision dosing. DECISION is a prospective observational PK/PD study set up to determine the difference in exposure to the antihypertensive drugs, losartan and perindopril, measured by drug levels in blood. The area under the curve (AUC; PK) and furthermore the association between the AUC and the effect on blood pressure (PD) will be compared between elderly and younger patients

Quantification of Acetaminophen and Its Metabolites in Plasma Using UPLC-MS: Doors Open to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Special Patient Populations

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (APAP, paracetamol) is the most commonly used drug for pain and fever in both the United States and Europe and is considered safe when used at registered dosages. Nevertheless, differences between specific populations lead to remarkable changes in exposure to potentially toxic metabolites. Furthermore, extended knowledge is required on metabolite formation after intoxication, to optimize antidote treatment. Therefore, the authors aimed to develop and validate a quick and easy analytical method for simultaneous quantification of APAP, APAP-glucuronide, APAP-sulfate, APAP-cysteine, APAP-glutathione, APAP-mercapturate, and protein-derived APAP-cysteine in human plasma by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. METHODS: The internal standard was APAP-D4 for all analytes. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a reversed-phase Acquity ultraperformance liquid chromatography HSS T3 column with a runtime of only 4.5 minutes per injected sample. Gradient elution was performed with a mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate, formic acid in Milli-Q ultrapure water or in methanol at flow rate of 0.4 mL/minute. RESULTS: A plasma volume of only 10 muL was required to achieve both adequate accuracy and precision. Calibration curves of all 6 analytes were linear. All analytes were stable for at least 48 hours in the autosampler; the high quality control of APAP-glutathione was stable for 24 hours. The method was validated according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: This method allows quantification of APAP and 6 metabolites, which serves purposes for research, as well as therapeutic drug monitoring. The advantage of this method is the combination of minimal injection volume, a short runtime, an easy sample preparation method, and the ability to quantify APAP and all 6 metabolites