Towards automation of user interface design

This paper suggests an approach to automatic software design in the domain of graphical user interfaces. There are still some drawbacks in existing user interface management systems (UIMS's) which basically offer only quantitative layout specifications via direct manipulation. Our approach suggests a convenient way to get a default graphical user interface which may be customized and redesigned easily in further prototyping cycles

Alternatives to current disease-modifying treatment in MS: what do we need and what can we expect in the future?

Abstract. : Disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) are now widely available, and their beneficial effects on relapse rates, magnetic resonance imaging outcomes and, in some cases, relapse-related disability have been shown in numerous clinical studies. However, as these treatments are only partially effective in halting the MS disease process, the search for improved treatment regimens and novel therapies must continue. Strategies to improve our therapeutic armamentarium have to take into account the different phases or parts of the pathogenesis of the disease. Available treatments address systemic immune dysfunction, blood-brain barrier permeability and the inflammatory process in the central nervous system. Currently, patients who fail to respond adequately to first-line DMTs are often considered as candidates for intensive immunosuppression with cytostatic agents or even autologous stem cell transplantation.However, new approaches are being developed. Combination therapies offer an alternative approach that may have considerable potential to improve therapeutic yield and, although likely to present considerable challenges in terms of trial design, this certainly seems to be a logical step forward in view of the complex pathology of MS. Several new drugs are also being developed with the aim of providing more effective, convenient and/or specific modulation of the inflammatory component of the disease. These treatments include humanised monoclonal antibodies such as the anti-VLA-4 antibody natalizumab, inhibitors of intracellular activation, signalling pathways and T-cell proliferation, and oral immunomodulators such as sirolimus, teriflunomide or statins. There remains, however, an urgent need for treatments that protect against demyelination and axonal loss, or promote remyelination/regeneration. Due to the chronicity of MS, the therapeutic window for neuroprotective agents is wider than that following stroke or acute spinal cord injury, and may therefore allow the use of some drugs that have proven disappointing in other situations. Novel potential neuroprotective agents such as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid antagonists and ion-channel blockers will be entering Phase II trials in MS in the near future, and it is hoped that these agents will mark the start of a new era for DMTs for M

Adding a piece to the puzzle of Latin American blood donors and the potential risk of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in Germany

Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection and has become a global health concern due to population mobility, as well as non-vectorial transmission routes. Several countries outside Latin America (LA) have reported transfusion-associated transmission, but equivalent studies in Germany are lacking. This study aims to collect first data on the risk of transfusion associated transmission as well as LA blood donors originating from CD endemic countries in Germany Materials and methods: A total of 305 blood donors who were assumed to be at risk for T. cruzi infection were retrospectively (267) as well as prospectively (38) selected at German blood donation sites in Bavaria and Berlin, and all retrospectively as well as 27 prospectively selected were serologically screened. Prospective study subjects additionally filled out a questionnaire. Results: All samples tested seronegative for T. cuzi specific antibodies. Prospectively enrolled study subjects all had high socio-economic status including good education. Knowledge regarding CD was limited but willingness to donate frequently was high. Blood donation rates from donors born in LA countries seem to increase from 2015. Discussion: Although no transfusion associated T. cruzi infection has been documented in Germany, it has likely already happened unnoticed, or will do in the near future. Performing risk-adapted serology-based blood donor screenings in Germany could avoid transfusion-associated transmission events as well as contribute to active case detection. Moreover, larger, and ongoing studies are needed to increase the evidence base as well as end the neglect of CD in Germany

Zur voraussichtlichen Entwicklung des Arbeitsmarktes in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland im Jahre 1973

Der konjunkturelle Wiederaufschwung wird sich im Jahre 1973 verstärkt fortsetzen. Es kann davon ausgegangen werden, daß das reale Inlandsprodukt in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 1973 gegenüber 1972 um 5 % zunehmen wird. Bei gleichzeitigem Anstieg der Produktivität um rund 4 1/2 % errechnet sich somit ein Mehrbedarf von rund 150 000 Erwerbstätigen (+ 1/2 %). Das inländische Erwerbspersonenpotential nimmt auch 1973 weiterhin ab. ( - 230 000 Personen ). Es werden weitere Veränderungen prognostiziert: Rückgang der Zahl der registrierten Arbeitslosen von 246 ooo im Jahresdurchschnitt 1972 auf rund 180 000, Abbau der "Stellenreserven" von 224 000 im Vorjahr auf 60 000 im Jahresdurchschnitt 1973, die Zahl der ausländischen Arbeitnehmer steigt auf 2,45 Mio. im Jahresdurchschnitt 1973 (Vorjahr 2,28 Mio.). Das gesamtwirtschaftliche Arbeitsvolumen wird um 1 % größer sein als im Vorjahr. Die Teilzeitbeschäftigung von Frauen nimmt wie in den Vorjahren um etwa 1 % zu. Der für das Bundesgebiet insgesamt prognostizierte Beschäftigungsanstieg im Jahre 1973 wird mit unterschiedlicher Intensität in allen Bundesländern zu verzeichnen sein, mit Ausnahme von Berlin (West). Die Zahl der ausländischen Arbeitnehmer wird in allen Regionen ansteigen, die Arbeitslosigkeit überall zurückgehen. Die Regionalprognose enthält erstmals eine Vorausschätzung der Beschäftigung in der Industrie insgesamt und in fünf Industriegruppen.Arbeitsmarktentwicklung, Industrie, Frauenerwerbstätigkeit, Teilzeitarbeit, Arbeitskräfteangebot, Arbeitskräftenachfrage, regionaler Arbeitsmarkt - Entwicklung

Experimental evaluation in computer science: a quantitative study

A survey of over 400 recent research articles suggests that computer scientists publish relatively few papers with experimentally validated results. The survey includes complete volumes of several refereed computer science journals, a conference, and 50 titles drawn at random from all articles published by ACM in 1993. The journals Optical Engineering (OE) and Neural Computation (NC) were used for comparison. Of the papers in the random sample that would require experimental validation, 40% have none at all. In journals related to software engineering, this fraction is over 50%.In comparison, the fraction of papers lacking quantitative evaluation in OE and NC is only 15% and 12%, respectively. Conversely, the fraction of papers that devote one fifth or more of their space to experimental validation is almost 70% for OE and NC,while it is a mere 30% for the CS random sample and 20% for software engineering.The low ratio of validated results appears to be a serious weakness in computer science research.This weakness should be rectified for the long-term health of the field

Strangeness at SIS energies

In this contribution we discuss the physics of strange hadrons in low energy ($\simeq 1-2 \rm AGeV$) heavy ion collision. In this energy range the relevant strange particle are the kaons and anti-kaons. The most interesting aspect concerning these particles are so called in-medium modifications. We will attempt to review the current status of understanding of these in medium modifications. In addition we will briefly discuss other issues related with kaon production, such as the nuclear equation of state and chemical equilibrium.Comment: Proceedings Strange Quark Matter 2003, Atlantic Beach, NC, USA, March 200

Di-Electron Bremsstrahlung in Intermediate-Energy pn and Dp Collisions

Invariant mass spectra of di-electrons stemming from bremsstrahlung processes are calculated in a covariant diagrammatical approach for the exclusive reaction D p \to p_{\rm sp} n p e^+ e^- with detection of a forward spectator proton, p_{sp}. We employ an effective nucleon-meson theory for parameterizing the sub-reaction n p \to n p e^+ e^- and, within the Bethe-Salpeter formalism, derive a factorization of the cross section in the form {d\sigma_{D p \to p_{\rm sp} n p e^+ e^-}}/{dM}= {d\sigma_{n p \to n p e^+ e^-}}/{dM} \times kinematical factor related solely to the deuteron (M is the e^+ e^- invariant mass). The effective nucleon-meson interactions, including the exchange mesons \pi, \sigma, \omega and \rho as well as excitation and radiative decay of \Delta(1232), have been adjusted to the process pp \to pp e^+ e^- at energies below the vector meson production threshold. At higher energies, contributions from \omega and \rho meson excitations are analyzed in both, NN and Dp collisions. A relation to two-step models is discussed. Subthreshold di-electron production in Dp collisions at low spectator momenta is investigated as well. Calculations have been performed for kinematical conditions envisaged for forthcoming experiments at HADES