HOW AGILE IS YOUR IT DEPARTMENT? – DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN FRAMEWORK-INDEPENDENT AGILE SCALING MATURITY MODEL

Many IT departments seek to capitalize on the benefits of agile development by scaling agile practices. To manage the complex scaling, established approaches and frameworks promise guidance. However, although existing works envision a clear target state, they lack relevant capabilities along the scaling process, especially for vertical agile scaling. Managers need these capabilities to assess their company’s status quo and develop a clear scaling roadmap. Thus, within this work, we use the Design Science Research paradigm to build and evaluate a framework-independent agile scaling maturity model that provides management with a tool for ex-ante identification and evaluation of agile scaling capabilities in five maturity stages. To evaluate our model, we applied it at KUKA IT, the IT department of an international provider of automation solutions. As a result, this work provides insights into the application and outlines how IT departments can operationalize and utilize our model to guide agile scaling

Strongly Radioiodine-Positive Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Metastasis of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

We present an interesting image of a strikingly intense radioiodine accumulation of a histologically proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma mimicking metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer in a 63-year-old woman with recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing radioiodine therapy. This interesting image should draw attention to considering pancreatic adenocarcinoma in radioiodine-positive pancreatic lesions

Radiation dose and image quality of high-pitch emergency abdominal CT in obese patients using third-generation dual-source CT (DSCT)

In this third-generation dual-source CT (DSCT) study, we retrospectively investigated radiation dose and image quality of portal-venous high-pitch emergency CT in 60 patients (28 female, mean age 56 years) with a body mass index (BMI) (3) 30 kg/m(2). Patients were dichotomized in groups A (median BMI 31.5 kg/m(2);n = 33) and B (36.8 kg/m(2);n = 27). Volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) were assessed. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and dose-independent figure-of-merit (FOM) CNR were calculated. Subjective image quality was assessed using a five-point scale. Mean values of CTDIvol, SSDE as well as normalized DLP and ED were 7.6 +/- 1.8 mGy, 8.0 +/- 1.8 mGy, 304 +/- 74 mGy * cm and 5.2 +/- 1.3 mSv for group A, and 12.6 +/- 3.7 mGy, 11.0 +/- 2.6 mGy, 521 +/- 157 mGy * cm and 8.9 +/- 2.7 mSv for group B (p 36.8 kg/m(2)

Measurement of structural integrity of the spinal cord in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging

Background The value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is low. Functional and quantitative MRI could be more accurate. We aimed to examine the value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord in patients with ALS. Patients and methods Fourteen patients with ALS and 15 sex- and age-matched controls were examined with DTI at a 3T MRI scanner. Region-of-interest (ROI) based fractional anisotropy measurements were performed at the levels C2-C4, C5-C7 and Th1-Th3. ROIs were placed at different anatomical locations of the axial cross sections of the spinal cord. Results FA was significantly reduced in ALS patients in anterolateral ROIs and the whole cross section at the C2-C4 level and the cross section of the Th1-Th3 level. There was a trend towards a statistically significant FA reduction in the anterolateral ROIs at the C5-C7 level in ALS patients. No significant differences between patients and controls were found in posterior ROIs. Conclusion FA was reduced in ROIs representing the motor tracts in ALS patients. DTI with FA measurements is a promising method in this circumstance. However, for DTI to become a valuable and established method in the diagnostic workup of ALS, larger studies and further standardisation are warranted

Immunotherapeutic Concepts to Target Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Focusing on the Role of Monoclonal Antibodies, Hypomethylating Agents and the Leukemic Microenvironment

Intensive chemotherapeutic protocols and allogeneic stem cell transplantation continue to represent the mainstay of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. Although this approach leads to remissions in the majority of patients, long-term disease control remains unsatisfactory as mirrored by overall survival rates of approximately 30%. The reason for this poor outcome is, in part, due to various toxicities associated with traditional AML therapy and the limited ability of most patients to tolerate such treatment. More effective and less toxic therapies therefore represent an unmet need in the management of AML, a disease for which therapeutic progress has been traditionally slow when compared to other cancers. Several studies have shown that leukemic blasts elicit immune responses that could be exploited for the development of novel treatment concepts. To this end, early phase studies of immune-based therapies in AML have delivered encouraging results and demonstrated safety and feasibility. In this review, we discuss opportunities for immunotherapeutic interventions to enhance the potential to achieve a cure in AML, thereby focusing on the role of monoclonal antibodies, hypomethylating agents and the leukemic microenvironment

Collapse of layer dimerization in the photo-induced hidden state of 1T-TaS2

Photo-induced switching between collective quantum states of matter is a fascinating rising field with exciting opportunities for novel technologies. Presently, very intensively studied examples in this regard are nanometer-thick single crystals of the layered material 1T-TaS2, where picosecond laser pulses can trigger a fully reversible insulator-to-metal transition (IMT). This IMT is believed to be connected to the switching between metastable collective quantum states, but the microscopic nature of this so-called hidden quantum state remained largely elusive up to now. Here, we characterize the hidden quantum state of 1T-TaS2 by means of state-of-the-art x-ray diffraction and show that the laser-driven IMT involves a marked rearrangement of the charge and orbital order in the direction perpendicular to the TaS2-layers. More specifically, we identify the collapse of interlayer molecular orbital dimers as a key mechanism for this non-thermal collective transition between two truly long-range ordered electronic crystals

Stabilization mechanism of molecular orbital crystals in IrTe2

Doped IrTe2 is considered a platform for topological superconductivity and therefore receives currently a lot of interest. In addition, the superconductivity in these materials exists in close vicinity to electronic order and the formation of molecular orbital crystals, which we explore here by means of high-pressure single crystal x-ray diffraction in combination with density functional theory. Our crystallographic refinements provide detailed information about the structural evolution as a function of applied pressure up to 42 GPa. Using this structural information for density functional theory calculations, we show that the local multicenter bonding in IrTe2 is driven by changes in the Ir-Te-Ir bond angle. When the electronic order sets in, this bond angle decreases drastically, leading to a stabilization of a multicenter molecular orbital bond. This unusual local mechanism of bond formation in an itinerant material provides a natural explanation for the different electronic orders in IrTe2. It further illustrates the strong coupling of the electrons with the lattice and is most likely relevant for the superconductivity in this material

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids Impact of Technology Advancement on Ablation Volumes in 115 Patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the advanced technology of the new ExAblate 2100 system (Insightec Ltd, Haifa, Israel) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound surgery on treatment outcomes in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids, as measured by the nonperfused volume ratio. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 115 women (mean age, 42 years; range, 27-54 years) with symptomatic fibroids who consecutively underwent MRI-guided focused ultrasound treatment in a single center with the new generation ExAblate 2100 system from November 2010 to June 2011. Mean +/- SD total volume and number of treated fibroids (per patient) were 89 +/- 94 cm(3) and 2.2 +/- 1.7, respectively. Patient baseline characteristics were analyzed regarding their impact on the resulting nonperfused volume ratio. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound treatment was technically successful in 115 of 123 patients (93.5%). In 8 patients, treatment was not possible because of bowel loops in the beam pathway that could not be mitigated (n = 6), patient movement (n = 1), and system malfunction (n = 1). Mean nonperfused volume ratio was 88% +/- 15% (range, 38%-100%). Mean applied energy level was 5400 +/- 1200 J, and mean number of sonications was 74 +/- 27. No major complications occurred. Two cases of first-degree skin burn resolved within 1 week after the intervention. Of the baseline characteristics analyzed, only the planned treatment volume had a statistically significant impact on nonperfused volume ratio. Conclusions: With technological advancement, the outcome of MRI-guided focused ultrasound treatment in terms of the nonperfused volume ratio can be enhanced with a high safety profile, markedly exceeding results reported in previous clinical trials

Pilotstudie Forschungsrating Soziologie: Vorbereitung, Durchführung, Ergebnisse der Erhebung soziologischer Publikationen

Das GESIS-IZ Sozialwissenschaften hat im Auftrag des Wissenschaftsrates von August 2006 bis April 2007 den publikationsbezogenen Bereich des Forschungsratings Soziologie durchgeführt. Dieses Forschungsrating dient als Pilotprojekt für die Leistungsbewertung der universitären und außeruniversitären Wissenschaft in der Bundesrepublik. Bei der Darlegung der konzeptionellen und technischen Umsetzung der Pilotstudie stehen drei Schritte im Fokus: die Bestimmung der Datengrundlage, die Verfahren der Publikationsrecherche und -validierung zur Erzeugung der Vorlagemenge durch GESIS-IZ, die Bearbeitung der neugemeldeten Publikationen und die Zusammenführung und Auswertung der Daten nach Maßgabe des Wissenschaftsrats. Die von GESIS-IZ entwickelte und implementierte Technologie des Online-Erfassungssystems wird in ihren Elementen und ihrer Funktion vorgestellt. Es werden die Anfragen und Anregungen ausgewertet, die während der 'Selbstmelde-Phase' über die E-Mail-Hotline eingingen. Hieran schließt sich eine detaillierte Betrachtung der 'Nichtmelder' an - derjenigen Personen, die sich nicht im Online-System angemeldet, ihre persönliche Seite weder angesehen, korrigiert noch ergänzt haben. Diese Gruppe ist auf Grundlage der vom Wissenschaftsrat gemeldeten Daten und weiterer Recherchen nach folgenden Kriterien genauer betrachtet worden: Verteilung nach akademischem Abschluss und Statusgruppe, nach Disziplinen und nach Alterskohorten. Fragen nach den Gründen für die Teilnahme oder Nichtteilnahme an der Pilotstudie können auf dieses Material zurückgreifen. In einer ergänzenden Stichprobenanalyse wird die SOLIS/CSA-Vorlage gegen elf weitere Datenbanken (u.a. Social SciSearch) und Kataloge (u.a. Dreiländerkatalog des HBZ) geprüft. Die differenzierte Betrachtung der nachgemeldeten Publikationen - aufgeschlüsselt nach Erscheinungsort und Dokumenttypen und mit Perspektive auf die Diversifizierung sozialwissenschaftlicher Publikationen - erlaubt Hinweise darauf, wie der Deckungsgrad des Nachweises sozialwissenschaftlicher Publikationen effizient optimiert werden kann. Ein abschließendes Kapitel fasst die Ergebnisse zusammen und systematisiert die Schlussfolgerungen mit Blick auf den Ausbau der GESIS-IZ-Informationsdienste. (ICF2