Interferences in coagulation tests -evaluation of the 570-nm method on the Dade Behring BCS analyser

Abstract The Dade Behring BCS is a coagulation analyser with optical reaction detection (standard 405 nm). The present study was conducted to evaluate measurement at 570 nm for analyses in interfering plasma samples. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen and D-dimer in normal (ns50), lipaemic (ns60), icteric (ns113), and haemolytic (ns58) samples were measured at 405 and 570 nm. As they are unaffected by the optical properties of the sample, the mechanical STAcompact analyser (Roche Diagnostics) and an ELISA technique were defined as the ''comparison'' methods. The percentage of valid PT results using the 570-nm method varied from 54% (lipaemic samples) to 97% (haemolytic samples). Valid aPTT measurements were found in 67% (lipaemic samples) up to 93% (icteric samples) of samples. Fibrinogen measurement revealed valid results in 58% (lipaemic samples) to 100% (haemolytic samples) of samples. The number of valid D-dimer results varied from 28% (lipaemic material) up to 100% (haemolytic material). Significant inter-method differences were found: aPTT in lipaemic (BCS 405 vs. 570 nm) and icteric samples (STAcompact vs. BCS 405 and 570 nm); fibrinogen in lipaemic (BCS 405 vs. 570 nm), icteric (BCS 405 vs. 570 nm; STAcompact vs. BCS 570 nm) and haemolytic samples (STAcompact vs. BCS 405 and 570 nm). Differences between the BCS 570-nm and the STAcompact methods were in most cases low and less pronounced than between the BCS 570-and 405-nm methods, making the BCS 570-nm method an alternative to measurement at 405 nm. Limitations have to be taken into account regarding lipaemic plasma

Fusionen und Übernahmen im Licht der Hybris – Überblick über den Forschungsstand

Eine hohe Anzahl von Fusionen und Übernahmen scheitert. Gleichwohl sind Fusionen und Übernahmen an der Tagesordnung. Als eine Erklärung hierfür wird die Hybris-Hypothese diskutiert, d.h. die These, dass sich Entscheidungsträger der aufnehmenden Unternehmen systematisch überschätzen. Um diese These zu testen und um gegebenenfalls Maßnahmen gegen Hybris zu ergreifen, sind verlässliche Indikatoren für Hybris erforderlich. Die Arbeit stellt die in der Literatur entwickelten Indikatoren vor und diskutiert deren Vor- und Nachteile. Although corporate acquisitions are ubiquitous a large number of M&A fails. One explanation for such failure is the hubris hypothesis for corporate takeovers. A decision maker affected with hubris (or overconfidence) will overestimate his abilities in raising potential synergies and is likely to make investment decisions destroying shareholder wealth. The growing literature on CEO hubris proposes various ways to measure hubris. We present these indicators and discuss possible advantages and drawbacks. (71 words) Schlüsselwörter Hybris - Mergers & Acquisitions Keywords Hubris - Mergers & Acquisitions JEL Classification G34 - M1

Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process flow and r-process β-decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will offer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes