Management von Ideen: Stand in der Praxis Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung im deutschsprachigen Raum in Zusammenarbeit mit der IHK Innovations- und Technologieberatung

Unternehmen stehen im Wettbewerb vor der Herausforderung, permanent neue Produkte hervorbringen zu müssen. Zudem sind für den Erhalt der Wettbewerbsposition kontinuierliche Qualitätsverbesserungen im bestehenden Produktangebot und in den Wertschöpfungsprozessen erforderlich. Ausgangspunkt für diese Innovations- und Qualitätsorientierung der Unternehmen sind unternehmensintern sowie - extern hervorgebrachte Ideen. Die Generierung, Entwicklung und Auswahl von Ideen ist zu einem entscheidenden Faktor geworden, der die Agenda von Managern immer stärker bestimmt. Ein professionell durchgeführtesManagement von Ideen kann positiv zum Erfolg von Unternehmen beitragen. Während in jüngster Zeit vor allem die externe Seite der Ideengenerierung im Kontext von Open Innovation-Ansätzen thematisiert wurde , ist die interne, mitarbeiterbezogene Perspektive nur unzureichend beleuchtet. Im Zentrum der Diskussion zur Bedeutung von Mitarbeiterideen standen bislang funktional isolierte Konzepte, wie das oft im Personalwesen verankerte BVW (Betriebliche Vorschlagswesen) oder der im Qualitätsmanagement angesiedelte KVP (Kontinuierlicher Verbesserungsprozess). Eine umfassende, d.h. konzeptübergreifende Analyse der Ausgestaltung des Umgangs mit Mitarbeiterideen in der Praxis wurde bisher vernachlässigt. Die IHK Innovationsberatung Hessen hat deshalb zusammen mit dem Lehrstuhl für Technologie- und Innovationsmanagement der Philipps-Universität Marburg eine empirische Studie zum Management von Ideen im deutschsprachigen Raum durchgeführt. Neben den verschiedenen Parametern zur Ausgestaltung des systematischen und integrierten Managements von Ideen in der Praxis waren auch die Rahmenbedingungen sowie die Erfolgswirkung der Modelle von Interesse. Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen auf, dass Unternehmen sehr unterschiedlich an die Ausgestaltung ihres Managements von Ideen herangehen. Es ergibt sich ein breites Spektrum an praktisch relevanten Ausgestaltungsalternativen. Es wird deutlich, dass zwar viele Unternehmen seit Jahrzehnten Ideen-Management-Systeme wie bspw. BVW oder KVP nutzen. Es offenbaren sich aber Inkonsistenzen sowie eine lückenhafte Wahrnehmung der Managementaufgabe in den einzelnen Systemen. Erschreckend ist zudem, dass diese Systeme häufig isoliert voneinander bestehen, d.h. nicht koordiniert oder gar integriert sind. Dies hat Redundanzen und nicht genutzte Synergien zur Folge. Kurzum, die Ausgestaltung weist trotz nachgewiesener Erfolgswirkung deutliche Optimierungspotenziale auf

Measurements of complement factor H-related protein (BTA-TRAK (TM) assay) and nuclear matrix protein (NMP22 assay) - Useful diagnostic tools in the diagnosis of urinary bladder cancer?

Between 1997 and 2000 we investigated in a prospective study the voided urine samples of all consecutive patients undergoing cystoscopy independent from their clinical background (n=705) with the BTA-TRAK(TM) assay (Bard Diagnostics, Redmont, USA) detecting complement factor H-related protein (CFHrP) and the NMP22 assay (Matritech, Newton, USA) measuring nuclear matrix protein, which is supposed to be specific for bladder cancer. The individuals were divided into three groups concerning the clinical background: 233 patients had urological diseases, 268 patients had urinary bladder cancer and 150 patients had other urological malignancies. Based on the clinical findings we compared our results with well established diagnostic methods for urinary bladder cancer such as cytology and the detection of hematuria. In addition, we investigated urine samples from 30 healthy individuals and 24 patients with urinary tract infection without performing cystoscopy. Following the recommendations of the European Group on Tumor Markers we used 95% specificity for benign urological diseases and urinary tract infections, which resulted in a sensitivity of 17% for active bladder cancer for the BTA-TRAK(TM) assay and 31% for NMP22. We compared these results with the detection of hematuria (specificity: 72%) and cytology, which had a sensitivity of 64% and 89%, respectively. Subsequently, we calculated sensitivity and specificity for the detection of relapse of the disease. Again using 95% specificity, in this case for patients with no evidence of disease (NED), in patients with recurrent disease the BTA-TRAK(TM) assay showed % sensitivity as compared to 12% for the NMP22 assay. Due to an insufficient specificity and sensitivity, both tests can neither be clinically useful in screening of high risk patients, nor in primary diagnosis of bladder cancer. They cannot replace neither cystoscopy nor cytology. In the follow-up care more investigations may be necessary to prove the benefit of existing diagnostic strategies for the discrimination between active and inactive bladder cancer

Robust extraction of baseline signal of atmospheric trace species using local regression

The identification of atmospheric trace species measurements that are representative of well-mixed background air masses is required for monitoring atmospheric composition change at background sites. We present a statistical method based on robust local regression that is well suited for the selection of background measurements and the estimation of associated baseline curves. The bootstrap technique is applied to calculate the uncertainty in the resulting baseline curve. The non-parametric nature of the proposed approach makes it more flexible than other commonly used statistical data filtering methods. Application to carbon monoxide (CO) measured from 1996 to 2009 at the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch (Switzerland, 3580m asl.), and to measurements of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) from Jungfraujoch (2000 to 2009) and Mace Head (Ireland, 1995 to 2009) demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of the proposed approach. The determined average annual change of CO at Jungfraujoch for the 1996 to 2009 period as estimated from filtered annual mean CO concentrations is -2.2 1.1 ppb/yr. For comparison, the linear trend of unfiltered CO measurements at Jungfraujoch for this time period is -2.9 1.3 ppb/yr

The cocoa of excellence and international cocoa awards initiatives: rewarding diversity and excellence in producing high-quality cocoa origins

The Cocoa of Excellence (CoE) and International Cocoa Awards (ICA) were launched by Bioversity International, CIRAD, and EVENT International in 2008. EVENT International is the organiser of the "Salon du Chocolat" in Paris every year and the International Cocoa Awards (ICA) ceremonies. The CoE/ICA was partially supported by the project: "Cocoa of Excellence: Unravelling and celebrating diverse flavour qualities of cocoas to promote market differentiation" from Oct. 2009 to Sept. 2011, funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) supervised by the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). The partners in the Cocoa of Excellence CFC/ICCO project were Bioversity International (Project Executing Agency), CIRAD, Event International, ICCO, the Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries Cocoa (COPAL), the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Mars Inc., Barry Callebaut, Belcolade and Cacao Atlanta (joined in 2011) with contributions in kind from the Cocoa Research Unit (now Cocoa Research Centre) of the University of the West Indies (CRC/UWI) and ICAM. A total of 152, 147 and 119 bean samples were provided by individual farmers or farmers' organizations from 20, 19 and 22 cocoa producing countries to participate in the CoE/ICA in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Liquors were elaborated by CIRAD (2009 and 2010) and Mars (2011) from all samples, using agreed standard procedures. These liquors were characterised first by a Jury of International Expert for basic flavours (acidity, bitterness and astringency), for "positive" flavours (cocoa, fresh fruits, brown fruits, floral, nutty, sweetness, spicy and woody) and for "overall preference". The best 50 liquors from this first assessment were transformed into chocolates according to an agreed protocol and nominated for the ICA's at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 50 chocolate samples were evaluated by a second Jury comprised of approximately 20 chocolate professionals. ICA awards were attributed to samples from each of the four main cocoa producing regions: (1) Africa, (2) South-East Asia and the Pacific, (3) Central America and the Caribbean, and (4) South America. The ICA awards were handed to country representatives during special events at the Salon du Chocolat. The CoE Programme triggered a strong interest in many cocoa producing countries due to the potential benefits of recognition of the quality of nominated and Awarded samples. The Awards are a very important recognition of the work of the many producers who all benefit, even if only one or a few of them end up winning an Award. Twenty-seven cocoa producing countries out of the 40 participated in at least one of the three CoE/ICA editions (2009, 2010 and 2011). Several countries have expressed an interest in organising a national selection process. The efficient and effective implementation of the CoE project relies on well-2 functioning national organizations with capacity to coordinate the process at the national level and liaise efficiently with the many producers of cacao for fine chocolates. Bioversity, CIRAD, and EVENT are committed to continue the CoE Programme and are seeking interest from sponsorships. COPAL is considering taking on the role of interfacing with producing countries with Bioversity providing an overall coordination together with CIRAD and EVENT. Continuous engagement in the Programme was assured from the industry partners. The CoE/ICA editions will be carried out every two years and the next one will be in 2013. Visit www.cocoaofexcellence.org for all information on previous editions, technical guidelines, forms and contacts (Résumé d'auteur

A global strategy for the conservation and use of cacao genetic resources, as the Foundation for a sustainable cocoa economy

The future of the world cocoa economy depends on the availability of genetic diversity and the sustainable use of this broad genetic base to breed improved varieties. Decreasing cacao genetic diversity (in situ, on-farm and conserved in collections) is a serious problem and all its many causes need to be urgently addressed: the destruction of the Amazonian rainforests, changing patterns of land use, the spread of pests and diseases, sudden changes in climate, and threats from natural disasters and extreme weather. These factors are resulting in an irreversible loss of the cacao genetic diversity so essential for farmers, breeders, and consumers. Most of the countries involved in the improvement and production of cacao are highly dependent on genes and varieties characterized and conserved in other countries and regions. Effective management of cacao genetic resources can therefore only be carried out through international collaboration. A considerable portion of the global cacao diversity is in situ, in farmers' fields and held in genebanks around the world, including two international collections maintained at the Cocoa Research Centre of the University of the West Indies (CRC/UWI), Trinidad and Tobago, and at the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Costa Rica. Unfortunately, much of the genetic resources maintained in national collections is under-used or at risk, and funding remains insufficient and unstable. The vision of the Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources is to improve the livelihoods of the 5-6 million farmers in developing countries across tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America and the 40-50 million people who depend upon cocoa for their livelihoods. The specific goal is to optimize the conservation and maximize the use of cacao genetic resources as the foundation of a sustainable cocoa economy. This it does by bringing together national and international players in public and private sectors. The expected outputs are: (1) the cacao genepool is conserved in situ and ex situ for the long term by a global network of partners, (2) the global system for the safe exchange of cacao germplasm is strengthened, (3) the use of cacao genetic diversity is optimized and (4) the effectiveness of global efforts to conserve and use cacao genetic resources is assured. To ensure these outputs are implemented, the first and urgent task will be to secure funding for the existing cacao genetic diversity currently maintained in ex situ collections and accessible in the public domain. CacaoNet will work towards the establishment of an endowment fund for the conservation and use of the most valuable resources in perpetuity. At the centre of the Global Strategy is the Global Strategic Cacao Collection (GSCC): a "virtual genebank" of accessions of highest priority for conservation, wherever they are physically located. The accessions will be selected to capture the greatest range of genetic (allelic) richness and key traits of interest to users. The inclusion of materials in the GSCC will be on the basis that governments concerned will be willing to place them in the public domain, and will take the necessary political and legal steps to do so and thus to make this material available to users worldwide. The Global Strategy, developed by the Global Network for Cacao Genetic Resources (CacaoNet), is the result of a consultation process that drew upon the global cocoa community's expertise in all aspects of cacao genetic resources. It provides a clear framework to secure funding for the most urgent needs to ensure that cacao diversity is conserved, used and provides direct benefits to the millions of small-scale cacao farmers around the world. (Résumé d'auteur

Models, unification, and simulations: Margaret C. Morrison (1954–2021)

The philosophy of science community mourns the loss of Margaret Catherine Morrison, who passed away on January 9, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Margie, as she was known to all who knew her, was highly regarded for her influential contributions to the philosophy of science, particularly her studies of the role of models and simulations in the natural and social sciences. These contributions made her a world-leading philosopher of science, instrumental in shifting philosophers' attention from the structure of scientific theories to the practice of science. Her sophisticated studies of the function of models in scientific practice drew on detailed knowledge of the theories and experiments of physics as well as the history of physics. In emphasizing the autonomy of scientific models and their interventional character, her insights had some affinity with Cartwright's and Hacking’s views on phenomenological laws, entity realism, the instrumentalist interpretation of scientific theories, and the disunity of science. But Morrison’s approach was distinguished by the conviction that the existence of unobservable entities cannot be defended independently of the theories that support their evidence, and that scientific practice cannot be adequately understood without examining the reasons for theory unification

Symphony on the Danube: A Classical Music Cruise

Suggested readings for the Penn Alumni Travel cruise along the Danube. See the Library Guide for the bibliography here

Minimally invasive, imaging guided virtual autopsy compared to conventional autopsy in foetal, newborn and infant cases: study protocol for the paediatric virtual autopsy trial

BACKGROUND: In light of declining autopsy rates around the world, post-mortem MR imaging is a promising alternative to conventional autopsy in the investigation of infant death. A major drawback of this non-invasive autopsy approach is the fact that histopathological and microbiological examination of the tissue is not possible. The objective of this prospective study is to compare the performance of minimally invasive, virtual autopsy, including CT-guided biopsy, with conventional autopsy procedures in a paediatric population. METHODS/DESIGN: Foetuses, newborns and infants that are referred for autopsy at three different institutions associated with the University of Zurich will be eligible for recruitment. All bodies will be examined with a commercial CT and a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, masked to the results of conventional autopsy. After cross-sectional imaging, CT-guided tissue sampling will be performed by a multifunctional robotic system (Virtobot) allowing for automated post-mortem biopsies. Virtual autopsy results will be classified with regards to the likely final diagnosis and major pathological findings and compared to the results of conventional autopsy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard. DISCUSSION: There is an urgent need for the development of alternative post-mortem examination methods, not only as a counselling tool for families and as a quality control measure for clinical diagnosis and treatment but also as an instrument to advance medical knowledge and clinical practice. This interdisciplinary study will determine whether virtual autopsy will narrow the gap in information between non-invasive and traditional autopsy procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01888380

“A very orderly retreat”: Democratic transition in East Germany, 1989-90

East Germany's 1989-90 democratisation is among the best known of East European transitions, but does not lend itself to comparative analysis, due to the singular way in which political reform and democratic consolidation were subsumed by Germany's unification process. Yet aspects of East Germany's democratisation have proved amenable to comparative approaches. This article reviews the comparative literature that refers to East Germany, and finds a schism between those who designate East Germany's transition “regime collapse” and others who contend that it exemplifies “transition through extrication”. It inquires into the merits of each position and finds in favour of the latter. Drawing on primary and secondary literature, as well as archival and interview sources, it portrays a communist elite that was, to a large extent, prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and capable of learning from “reference states” such as Poland. Although East Germany was the Soviet state in which the positions of existing elites were most threatened by democratic transition, here too a surprising number succeeded in maintaining their position while filing across the bridge to market society. A concluding section outlines the alchemy through which their bureaucratic power was transmuted into property and influence in the “new Germany”