Using a multi-level tailored design process to develop a customer satisfaction survey for university evaluation

A multi-level procedure is described in order to develop a total quality management survey tool in the field of engineering academia. As a first step a review of available evaluation tools for universities is conducted, resulting in over 150 items used for evaluation purposes. Secondly all dimensions of educational evaluation used in previous research are summarized, resulting in 15 dimensions. In a third step, items are assigned to the dimensions, overlapping items were combined or removed, and item content and dimensions were adjusted to the specific conditions of the target faculty. Fourthly, the resulting twelve dimensions were used in first, investigative interviews in the target population. Results indicate that eleven dimensions sufficiently mapped all aspects of evaluation. After revising the items to improve understanding in a fifth step cognitive pretests were conducted. The final revision resulted in 83 items assigned to eleven dimensions

Empirical competence-testing: A psychometric examination of the German version of the Emotional Competence Inventory

The “Emotional Competence Inventory“ (ECI 2.0) by Goleman and Boyatzis assesses emotional intelligence (EI) in organizational context by means of 72 items in 4 clusters (self-awareness, self- management, social awareness, social skills) which at large consist of 18 competencies. Our study examines the psychometric properties of the first German translation of this instrument in two different surveys (N = 236). If all items are included in reliability analysis the ECI is reliable (Cronbach’s Alpha = .90), whereas the reliability of the four sub dimensions is much smaller (Alpha = .62 - .81). For 43 items the corrected item-total correlation with its own scale is higher than correlations with the other three clusters. Convergent validity was examined by using another EI instrument (Wong & Law, 2002). We found a significant correlation between the two instruments (r = .41). The German version of the ECI seems to be quite useful, although the high reliability is achieved by a large number of items. Possibilities of improvement are discussed

Emotional Intelligence and its consequences for occupational and life satisfaction - Emotional Intelligence in the context of irrational beliefs

According to Albert Ellis' theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy irrational beliefs (IB) lead to maladaptive emotions. A central component of irrationality is the denial of one's own possibilities to control important aspects of life. A specific IB is that one cannot control and thus cannot avoid certain emotion states. Emotion research considers regulative emotion control a pivotal component of the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). A negative association between IB and EI can thus be theoretically derived from both concepts. Furthermore both should be related to life satisfaction. We examined the relationship between IB and EI using standardized questionnaire instruments and the predictive value of both concepts regarding life satisfaction. We found a significant negative correlation between both conceptions (r = -.21). Life satisfaction and occupational satisfaction are better predicted by IB. R² increases from .04 to .12 when both concepts are incorporated in regression analysis

Wirksamkeit einer Kombinationsbehandlung bestehend aus Osteopathie und Hypnose bei Schmerzpatienten

Eine experimentelle Kontrollgruppenstudie untersucht die Wirksamkeit einer Kombinationsbehandlung bei Schmerzpatienten. Die Behandlungsintervention bestand aus Osteopathie als physischer und Hypnose als psychologischer Behandlung. Es wurden 56 Schmerzpatienten über 2-3 Therapiesitzungen osteopathisch behandelt. Zusätzlich hörte Gruppe eins während der Behandlung eine Hypnose-CD zur Schmerzreduktion, während die Kontrollgruppe eine Entspannungs-CD hörte. Die Untersuchung wurde als Doppelblindstudie an verschiedenen Behandlungszentren durchgeführt. Zur Überprüfung der kurzfristigen Wirksamkeit werden t-Tests über 2 Messzeitpunkte (Prä- und Post- Katamnesen), sowie Effektstärken berechnet. Folgende abhängige Variable werden mittels standardisierter Verfahren erfasst: Schmerzintensität, Schmerzempfindung, allgemeine psychische und physische Symptome und Lebenszufriedenheit. Für alle Variablen ergibt sich im Prä-Post-Vergleich eine signifikante Verbesserung beider Behandlungsgruppen mit mittleren Effektstärken. Differentielle Wirksamkeitsunterschiede zwischen den beiden Gruppen ergeben sich nicht. Es kann ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den Behandelnden nachgewiesen werden. Anwendungsimplikationen werden diskutiert

Wir bitten um ein differenziertes Urteil: Möglichkeiten zur Reduktion von Nondifferentiation bei Rating-Skalen

Nondifferentiation ist ein generelles Phänomen bei der Einschätzung von Meinungsgegenständen mittels Rating-Skalen: Zwischen den Meinungsgegenständen wird nicht so deutlich unterschieden, wie aufgrund der Skalen möglich. In zwei experimentellen Studien zu unterschiedlichen Meinungsgegenständen werden in der Literatur diskutierte Verfahren zur Reduzierung der Nondifferentiation zusammen mit einem hierfür bisher nicht verwendeten Verfahren (konstante Summe, KS) hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf Nondifferentiation verglichen. Eine erste Studie (N = 139) belegt eine signifikant erhöhte Differenzierung bei KS im Vergleich zu einem verbalen Einschub. Für eine zweite Studie werden in einer Voruntersuchung (N = 138) stark positiv und stark negativ eingeschätzte Meinungsgegenstände ausgewählt, die in der anschließenden Hauptuntersuchung (N = 200) ohne Messwiederholung bewertet werden. Hierbei werden insgesamt 3 verschiedene Verfahren zur Verbesserung der Differenzierung verwendet und einem rein verbalen Einschub gegenübergestellt. Auch hierbei erweist sich die KS generell als das Verfahren, das die höchste Differenzierung bewirkt

Effects of rapid prey evolution on predator-prey cycles

We study the qualitative properties of population cycles in a predator-prey system where genetic variability allows contemporary rapid evolution of the prey. Previous numerical studies have found that prey evolution in response to changing predation risk can have major quantitative and qualitative effects on predator-prey cycles, including: (i) large increases in cycle period, (ii) changes in phase relations (so that predator and prey are cycling exactly out of phase, rather than the classical quarter-period phase lag), and (iii) "cryptic" cycles in which total prey density remains nearly constant while predator density and prey traits cycle. Here we focus on a chemostat model motivated by our experimental system [Fussmann et al. 2000,Yoshida et al. 2003] with algae (prey) and rotifers (predators), in which the prey exhibit rapid evolution in their level of defense against predation. We show that the effects of rapid prey evolution are robust and general, and furthermore that they occur in a specific but biologically relevant region of parameter space: when traits that greatly reduce predation risk are relatively cheap (in terms of reductions in other fitness components), when there is coexistence between the two prey types and the predator, and when the interaction between predators and undefended prey alone would produce cycles. Because defense has been shown to be inexpensive, even cost-free, in a number of systems [Andersson and Levin 1999, Gagneux et al. 2006,Yoshida et al. 2004], our discoveries may well be reproduced in other model systems, and in nature. Finally, some of our key results are extended to a general model in which functional forms for the predation rate and prey birth rate are not specified.Comment: 35 pages, 8 figure

Development of randomized trials in adults with medulloblastoma - the example of EORTC 1634-BTG/NOA-23

Simple Summary Medulloblastoma is rare after puberty. Among several molecular subgroups that have been described, the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup is highly overrepresented in the post-pubertal population and can be targeted with smoothened (SMO) inhibitors. However, no practice-changing prospective clinical trials have been published in adults to date. Tumors often recur, and treatment toxicity is relevant. Thus, the EORTC 1634-BTG/NOA-23 trial for post-pubertal patients with standard risk medulloblastoma will aim to increase treatment efficacy and to decrease treatment toxicity. Patients will be randomized between standard-dose vs. reduced-dosed radiotherapy, and SHH-subgroup patients will also be randomized between the SMO inhibitor sonidegib (Odomzo(TM,), Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Inc., New York, USA) in addition to standard radio-chemotherapy vs. standard radio-chemotherapy alone. In ancillary studies, we will investigate tumor tissue, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, magnetic resonance images, and radiotherapy plans to gain information that may improve future treatment. Patients will also be monitored long-term for late side effects of therapy, health-related quality of life, cognitive function, social and professional live outcomes, and reproduction and fertility. In summary, EORTC 1634-BTG/NOA-23 is a unique multi-national effort that will help to council patients and clinical scientists for the appropriate design of treatments and future clinical trials for post-pubertal patients with medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma is a rare brain malignancy. Patients after puberty are rare and bear an intermediate prognosis. Standard treatment consists of maximal resection plus radio-chemotherapy. Treatment toxicity is high and produces disabling long-term side effects. The sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup is highly overrepresented in the post-pubertal and adult population and can be targeted by smoothened (SMO) inhibitors. No practice-changing prospective randomized data have been generated in adults. The EORTC 1634-BTG/NOA-23 trial will randomize patients between standard-dose vs. reduced-dosed craniospinal radiotherapy and SHH-subgroup patients between the SMO inhibitor sonidegib (Odomzo(TM), Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Inc., New York, USA) in addition to standard radio-chemotherapy vs. standard radio-chemotherapy alone to improve outcomes in view of decreased radiotherapy-related toxicity and increased efficacy. We will further investigate tumor tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid as well as magnetic resonance imaging and radiotherapy plans to generate information that helps to further improve treatment outcomes. Given that treatment side effects typically occur late, long-term follow-up will monitor classic side effects of therapy, but also health-related quality of life, cognition, social and professional outcome, and reproduction and fertility. In summary, we will generate unprecedented data that will be translated into treatment changes in post-pubertal patients with medulloblastoma and will help to design future clinical trials.Neurolog

Towards a unified description of light ion fusion cross section excitation functions

A description of light heavy-ion fusion, taking into account both entrace-channel characteristics and compound-nucleus properties, is derived within a unified theory of nuclear reactions. The dependence of the imaginary fusion potential on the level density of the compound nucleus is revealed. The "1"2C+"1"2C, "1"2C+"1"4N, "1"0B+"1"6O and "1"6O+"1"6O fusion cross sections are calculated for E_c_m#<=#120 MeV and compared with experimental data. The excitation energy dependence of the level-density parameter of "2"4Mg, "2"6Al and "3"2S is inferred below 5 MeV/A. A realistic nuclear level-density model, describing the experimental level-density parameters of highly excited nuclei, is shown to be consistent with both the global features and details of the fusion cross section. "1"2C+"1"2C and "1"6O+"1"6O fusion cross section oscillations are predicted at large excitation energies, reflecting the structure of the level density of the highly excited light compound nuclei. Differences of the "1"2C+"1"4N and "1"0B+"1"6O fusion reaction mechanisms are discussed in terms of specific entrance-channel characteristics. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: ZA 5141(5386) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman