The Linkage to Business Goals in Data Science Projects

Modern data analytics equips businesses to make data-driven decisions by revealing patterns and insights that enhance strategic planning, operational efficiency, and process optimization. Its applications encompass personalized marketing through customer segmentation, predictive modelling for fraud detection, and enhancing security. A significant methodology in this realm is the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM), where the Business Understanding phase aims to ensure data science projects align with overarching business goals. However, challenges arise when these business objectives are ambiguous, ill-defined, or evolving. The complexity of data analytics projects underscores the need for domain expertise and robust collaboration between data scientists, business stakeholders, and domain experts. The imperative is to bridge the technical and business perspectives, manage expectations, and define project scopes. The short paper at hand addresses the question how data analytic goals can systematically align with business objectives in data science projects. By incorporating methods from Enterprise Architecture Management, we propose a structured approach for goal determination in data science projects, ensuring business and data mining objectives are seamlessly integrated

A Literature Review on the Challenges of Applying Test-Driven Development in Software Engineering

Due to the ongoing trend of digitalization, the importance of software for today’s society is continuously increasing. Naturally, there is also a huge interest in improving its quality, which led to a highly active research community dedicated to this aim. Consequently, a plethora of propositions, tools, and methods emerged from the corresponding efforts. One of the approaches that have become highly prominent is the concept of test-driven development (TDD) that increases the quality of created software by restructuring the development process. However, such a big change to the followed procedures is usually also accompanied by major challenges that pose a risk for the achievement of the set targets. In order to find ways to overcome them, or at least to mitigate their impact, it is necessary to identify them and to subsequently raise awareness. Furthermore, since the effect of TDD on productivity and quality is already extensively researched, this work focuses only on issues besides these aspects. For this purpose, a literature review is presented that focuses on the challenges of TDD. In doing so, challenges that can be attributed to the three categories of people, software, and process are identified and potential avenues for future research are discussed

Contrasting the Necessary Skills of Leaders in Classical and Agile Software Development

As a consequence of the necessities of the digital age, agility is becoming more and more important in software development. Consequently, agile change management is increasingly coming into focus and many projects are undergoing a transformation process from classic software development to agile software development. Through this, managers are confronted with new tasks and requirements. To explore the associated effects and needs, this publication examines how managers who have worked in traditional software development apply their skills learned there to agile software development. For this purpose, six interviews with industry experts were conducted and the corresponding results are presented and discussed

Entwicklung von Remote-Labs zum erfahrungsbasierten Lernen

In den Ingenieurwissenschaften bietet das Lernen in Laboren ein besonderes Potenzial zum Erwerb auch außerfachlicher Kompetenzen, das in der Regel jedoch kaum genutzt wird. Das Beispiel eines fernsteuerbaren Labors mit einer Lernumgebung, die unterschiedliche Lernpfade einbindet, zeigt, wie erfahrungsbasiertes Lernen in der Hochschule ermöglicht werden kann. 23.01.2013 | Tobias Haertel, Claudius Terkowsky, Dominik May & Christian Pleul (Dortmund

Predicting the need for renal replacement therapy using a vascular occlusion test and tissue oxygen saturation in patients in the early phase of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increased mortality in critically ill patients, especially in patients with multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In daily clinical practice, the grading of AKI follows the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. In most cases, a relevant delay occurs frequently between the onset of AKI and detectable changes in creatinine levels as well as clinical symptoms. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based, non-invasive ischemia–reperfusion test (vascular occlusion test (VOT)) together with unprovoked (under resting conditions) tissue oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) measurements, contain prognostic information in the early stage of MODS regarding the developing need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: Within a period of 18 months, patients at the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital with newly developed MODS (≤24 h after diagnosis, APACHE II score ≥20) were included in our study. The VOT occlusion slope (OS) and recovery slope (RS) were recorded in addition to unprovoked StO 2 . StO 2 was determined non-invasively in the area of the thenar muscles using a bedside NIRS device. The VOT was carried out by inflating a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm. AKI stages were determined by the changes in creatinine levels, urinary output, and/or the need for RRT according to KDIGO. Results: 56 patients with MODS were included in the study (aged 62.5 ± 14.4 years, 40 men and 16 women, APACHE II score 34.5 ± 6.4). Incidences of the different AKI stages were: no AKI, 16.1% ( n = 9); AKI stage I, 19.6% ( n = 11); AKI stage II, 25% ( n = 14); AKI stage III, 39.3% ( n = 22). Thus, 39.3% of the patients ( n = 22) developed the need for renal replacement therapy (AKI stage III). These patients had a significantly higher mortality over 28 days (RRT, 72% ( n = 16/22) vs. no RRT, 44% ( n = 15/34); p = 0.03). The mean unprovoked StO 2 of all patients at baseline was 81.7 ± 11.1%, and did not differ between patients with or without the need for RRT. Patients with RRT showed significantly weaker negative values of the OS (−9.1 ± 3.7 vs. −11.7 ± 4.1%/min, p = 0.01) and lower values for the RS (1.7 ± 0.9 vs. 2.3 ± 1.6%/s, p = 0.02) compared to non-dialysis patients. Consistent with these results, weaker negative values of the OS were found in higher AKI stages (no AKI, −12.7 ± 4.1%/min; AKI stage I, −11.5 ± 3.0%/min; AKI stage II, −11.1 ± 3.3%/min; AKI stage III, −9.1 ± 3.7%/min; p = 0.021). Unprovoked StO 2 did not contain prognostic information regarding the AKI stages. Conclusions: The weaker negative values of the VOT parameter OS are associated with an increased risk of developing AKI and RRT, and increased mortality in the early phase of MODS, while unprovoked StO 2 does not contain prognostic information in that regard

A novel echocardiographic-based classification for the prediction of peri-device leakage following left atrial appendage occluder implantation

(1) Background: The assessment of residual peri-device leakages (PDL) after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) remains crucial for post-procedural management. Our study aimed to verify a novel echocardiographic classification for the prediction of PDL. (2) Methods: Echocardiographic data of 72 patients who underwent percutaneous LAAO were evaluated. All echo images were analyzed by two independent investigators using standard analysis software (Image-Arena IA-4.6.4.44 by TomTec ® , Munich, Germany). A total number of 127 studies was evaluated. Forty-four patients had baseline studies, at 45 days and at 6 months post-implantation. We propose a morphological classification of LAA devices based on the amount of echodensity inside the devices into three types: type A showing complete homogenous thrombosis, type B incompletely thrombosed device with inhomogeneous echo-free space 50% of device in various planes, which we called the “ice-cream cone” sign. Each type was matched to the degree of PDL and clinical outcome parameters. (3) Results: Patients with type C had the highest percentage of PDL at 45 days follow-up (type A: 24%, type B: 31%, type C 100% PDL, p < 0.001) and at 6 months follow-up (type A: 7%, type B: 33%, type C 100% PDL, p < 0.001). Notably, device size in patients with PDL was larger than that in patients without PDL at 6 months follow-up (25.6 ± 3.5 mm vs. 28.7 ± 3.4 mm, p = 0.004). Device size in patients with type C appearance was the largest of the three types (type A: 25.9 ± 3.6 mm, type B: 25.8 ± 3.4 mm, type C 29.8 ± 3.0 mm, type A vs. C; p = 0.019; type B vs. C, p = 0.007). (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, PDL are common post-LAAO, and their frequency is underestimated and under-recognized. PDL are much more common in patients with larger LAA ostial sizes and likely lower longitudinal compression. Type C appearance of the LAAO devices (“ice-cream cone sign”) has a high positive predictive value for PDL. Further studies are needed for better delineation of the clinical importance of this proposed classification

Rationale and Design of JenaMACS—Acute Hemodynamic Impact of Ventricular Unloading Using the Impella CP Assist Device in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction: Cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction or heart failure entails a reduction in end organ perfusion. Patients who cannot be stabilized with inotropes and who experience increasing circulatory failure are in need of an extracorporeal mechanical support system. Today, small, percutaneously implantable cardiac assist devices are available and might be a solution to reduce mortality and complications. A temporary, ventricular, continuous flow propeller pump using magnetic levitation (Impella ® ) has been approved for that purpose. Methods and Study Design: JenaMACS (Jena Mechanical Assist Circulatory Support) is a monocenter, proof-of-concept study to determine whether treatment with an Impella CP ® leads to improvement of hemodynamic parameters in patients with cardiogenic shock requiring extracorporeal, hemodynamic support. The primary outcomes of JenaMACS are changes in hemodynamic parameters measured by pulmonary artery catheterization and changes in echocardiographic parameters of left and right heart function before and after Impella ® implantation at different support levels after 24 h of support. Secondary outcome measures are hemodynamic and echocardiographic changes over time as well as clinical endpoints such as mortality or time to hemodynamic stabilization. Further, laboratory and clinical safety endpoints including severe bleeding, stroke, neurological outcome, peripheral ischemic complications and occurrence of sepsis will be assessed. JenaMACS addresses essential questions of extracorporeal, mechanical, cardiac support with an Impella CP ® device in patients with cardiogenic shock. Knowledge of the acute and subacute hemodynamic and echocardiographic effects may help to optimize therapy and improve the outcome in those patients. Conclusion: The JenaMACS study will address essential questions of extracorporeal, mechanical, cardiac support with an Impella CP ® assist device in patients with cardiogenic shock. Knowledge of the acute and subacute hemodynamic and echocardiographic effects may help to optimize therapy and may improve outcome in those patients. Ethics and Dissemination: The protocol was approved by the institutional review board and ethics committee of the University Hospital of Jena. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants of the study. The results of this study will be published in a renowned international medical journal, irrespective of the outcomes of the study. Strengths and Limitations: JenaMACS is an innovative approach to characterize the effect of additional left ventricular mechanical unloading during cardiogenic shock via a minimally invasive cardiac assist system (Impella CP ® ) 24 h after onset and will provide valuable data for acute interventional strategies or future prospective trials. However, JenaMACS, due to its proof-of-concept design, is limited by its single center protocol, with a small sample size and without a comparison group

Is This a “Fettecke” or Just a “Greasy Corner”? About the Capability of Laypersons to Differentiate between Art and Non-Art via Object's Originality

Which components are needed to identify an object as an artwork, particularly if it is contemporary art? A variety of factors determining aesthetic judgements have been identified, among them stimulus-related properties such as symmetry, complexity and style, but also person-centred as well as context-dependent variables. We were particularly interested in finding out whether laypersons are at all able to distinguish between pieces of fine art endorsed by museums and works not displayed by galleries and museums. We were also interested in analysing the variables responsible for distinguishing between different levels of artistic quality. We ask untrained (Exp.1) as well as art-trained (Exp.2) people to rate a pool of images comprising contemporary art plus unaccredited objects with regard to preference, originality, ambiguity, understanding and artistic quality. Originality and ambiguity proved to be the best predictor for artistic quality. As the concept of originality is tightly linked with innovativeness, a property known to be appreciated only by further, and deep, elaboration (Carbon, 2011 i-Perception, 2, 708–719), it makes sense that modern artworks might be cognitively qualified as being of high artistic quality but are meanwhile affectively devaluated or even rejected by typical laypersons—at least at first glance

A Holistic View of Adaptive Supply Chain in Retailing Industry

The retailing industry witnessed a significant shift from conventional retailing to online marketplaces, inducing many challenges on the common practices of supply chain. Supply chains are normally subject to a wide range of disruptions, that are caused by certain events. Still, few organizations are relying on appropriate data streams and required technologies to detect and report on potential disruptions in supply chain. As a result, current supply chains remain marginally adaptive and lack the ability to react to the dynamic nature of markets on strategic as well as operative levels, which leads to loss of optimization potential. Therefore, in this study, we investigate data sources that might be beneficial to develop adaptive supply chain management (A-SCM) practices. This paper presents a holistic view of A-SCM that includes a thorough analysis of the problem domain and nature, often used data sources, employed solution techniques and finally the adopted objective function