Diagonalization of a bosonic quadratic form using CCM: Application on a system with two interpenetrating square lattice antiferromagnets

While the diagonalization of a quadratic bosonic form can always be done using a Bogoliubov transformation, the practical implementation for systems with a large number of different bosons is a tedious analytical task. Here we use the coupled cluster method (CCM) to exactly diagonalise such complicated quadratic forms. This yields to a straightforward algorithm which can easily be implemented using computer algebra even for a large number of different bosons. We apply this method on a Heisenberg system with two interpenetrating square lattice antiferromagnets, which is a model for the quasi 2D antiferromagnet Ba_2Cu_3O_4Cl_2. Using a four-magnon spin wave approximation we get a complicated Hamiltonian with four different bosons, which is treated with CCM. Results are presented for magnetic ground state correlations.Comment: 4 pages, 2 Postscript figures, to be published in acta physica polonica A (European Conference 'Physics of Magnetism 99'

Effekte von Trainingsprogrammen zum Aggressionsmanagement in Gesundheitswesen und Behindertenhilfe:systematische Literaturübersicht

Hintergrund: Viele psychiatrische Klinken bieten Trainingsprogramme für Mitarbeiter zum Management drohender Patientenübergriffe an. Über die Effektivität dieser Programme ist bisher wenig bekannt. Methode: Eine systematische Literaturübersicht aller publizierten und auch der verfügbaren "grauen" Literatur zur Evaluation von Aggressionsmanagement-Programmen wurde durchgeführt. Die Studien wurden hinsichtlich der folgenden Ergebnisindikatoren ausgewertet: Anzahl der Gewaltvorfälle, Arbeitsausfälle, Verletzungen, Zwangsmaßnahmen, Wissen, Zuversicht in die eigenen Fertigkeiten sowie die Fertigkeiten selbst. Ergebnisse: Es wurden 48 Studien gefunden, die zwischen 1976 und 2005 veröffentlicht wurden. Die meisten Studien stammen aus dem psychiatrischen Bereich, einige andere aus der Arbeit mit intelligenzgeminderten Menschen und aus der Notfall-Medizin. Die Inhalte der Trainings waren überwiegend Kombinationen aus Deeskalation und körperlichen (Abwehr-)Techniken. Ausschließliche Deeskalationstrainings oder Körpertechniken-Trainings wurden nur selten evaluiert. Bis heute wurde nur eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie durchgeführt, die meisten Studiendesigns bestanden aus Kontrollgruppen- oder Vorher/Nachher-Konstellationen. Unabhängig von Setting und Studiendesign zeigten die meisten Studien nach den Trainingsprogrammen einen deutlichen Zugewinn an Wissen und Zuversicht, schwierige Situationen bewältigen zu können. Weniger klar waren die Resultate hinsichtlich der Anzahl der Vorfälle, Verletzungen etc. Verschiedene Studien fanden weniger Vorfälle und Folgen, andere hingegen fanden gleichbleibende oder sogar ansteigende Tendenzen. Diskussion: Der Befund, dass Trainingsprogramme mehr Wissen und Zuversicht bewirken, ist ein Wert für sich und sollte Anlass genug sein, solche Trainingsprogramme durchzuführen. Das unklare Ergebnis bezüglich der Vorfallszahlen könnte mit verschiedenen methodischen Problemen zusammenhängen. Möglicherweise steigt während solcher Interventionen die Sensibilität und Aufmerksamkeit gegenüber Aggression im Allgemeinen, so dass mehr Vorfälle berichtet werden

Evil and trauma in the construction of communties in 21st -century anglo-american literature

The aim of this essay is to analyze the effect that Evil has upon the creation and shaping of communities within Elisabeth Wein’s Novel Rose under Fire (2013). Most important it interrelates Communitarian Theory and Trauma Theory targeting the creation of a community based on the absence of exposure through the presence of traumatic features. It analyses particularly how shame can be understood as a key element that hinders the creation of a community through exposure, opening at the same time the path for a community rooted in the absence of exposure.Este trabajo analiza los efectos del Mal en la formación y definición de comunidades encontradas en la obra Rose under Fire (2013) de Elisabeth Wein. Este análisis relaciona el Pensamiento Comunitario con estudios sobre Trauma Psicológico fijando la atención en la ausencia de exposición causado por la presencia de síntomas traumáticos. En concreto, enfoca en el sentimiento de vergüenza como elemento clave que inhibe la exposición , dando así lugar a la creación de una comunidad basada en la ausencia de exposición

Use of student performance data of state-wide comparison tests and centralized examinations for instructional improvement in Brandenburg

Ergebnisse von Vergleichsarbeiten (VERA) und zentralen Abschlussprüfungen bieten eine bedeutsame Datengrundlage zur Unterrichtsentwicklung. Innerhalb der Schule stellt die Fachkonferenz eine Schlüsselrolle zur Verarbeitung der Ergebnisse und zur Einleitung von Entwicklungsmaßnahmen dar. In diesem Beitrag wird deshalb am Beispiel des Bundeslandes Brandenburgs untersucht, inwieweit Ergebnisse von VERA und den Prüfungen zum Mittleren Schulabschluss (MSA) in Fachkonferenzen (N = 98) für Unterrichtsentwicklung genutzt werden, ob es Unterschiede in der Einschätzung und Nutzung der beiden Testsysteme gibt, ob beide Datenquellen gemeinsam verwendet werden und welche Faktoren (Einstellungen und Organisationsmerkmale) die Nutzung der Ergebnisse vorhersagen. VERA- und MSA-Ergebnisse werden in der Mehrzahl der Fachkonferenzen für die Weiterentwicklung von Aufgaben verwendet. Die Initiierung datengestützter Unterrichtsentwicklung erfolgt am häufigsten auf Basis beider Datenquellen gemeinsam. Dennoch zeigt sich, dass MSA-Ergebnisse im Vergleich zu VERA häufiger Ausgangspunkt für Entwicklungsaktivitäten sind und der MSA als Datengrundlage z. B. nützlicher wahrgenommen wird. Bedeutsame Prädiktoren für die Nutzung der VERA-Ergebnisse sind die eingeschätzte Nützlichkeit und die Ausrichtung des Curriculums an den Bildungsstandards, wohingegen die MSA Nutzung primär mit dem Ausmaß kollegialer Unterrichtsentwicklung zusammenhängt. (DIPF/Orig.)Results of state-wide comparison tests (VERA) and centralized examinations provide an important data base for improving the quality of instruction. Within the school, the conference of teachers of the individual departments plays a key role in processing the test results and in initiating activities that lead to instructional change. This study investigates to what extent the results of VERA and the intermediate school-leaving certificate (MSA) are used in teacher conferences in the federal state Brandenburg (N = 98). We further examined if the use of data differs between the two tests, if teachers use the data of both tests simultaneously, and what factors (attitudes and organizational characteristics) predict the data use. VERA and MSA results are used in the majority of teacher conferences for the improvement of class assignments. The initiation of data-driven instructional improvement is carried out most often based on both data sources. Nevertheless, our findings show that MSA results were more frequently used and were considered more useful than the results of VERA. Significant predictors for data use of VERA results are perceived usefulness and whether the school’s curriculum is based on national educational standards. In contrast, data use of MSA results is associated primarily with the extent of collegial instructional improvement. (DIPF/Orig.

The effectiveness of supported employment programs : Meta-regression analysis of the global secular trend, 1990-2015

Importance: Supported employment programs aim to re-integrate unemployed people with mental illness into the competitive labour market. While it is known that short-term economic developments like the 2008 recession may have negative consequences on the supported employment effectiveness rates, research into long-term secular trends has not yet been conducted. Objective: The primary objective of the regression analysis was to assess the effectiveness of supported employment programs for clients with any mental disorder over a longer time period. Further objectives were a comparison to prevocational training and the identification of moderating variables. Data sources: We retrieved publications on randomized controlled trials and on routine implementation programs that were included in four recent systematic reviews on supported employment for people with mental illness, plus very recent publications that were identified by a new search. This search was conducted in the following databases: Pubmed, PsycInfo, CINAHL (Cumulative Index on Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Google Scholar. Study selection: We included any publication that was used in the four meta-analyses plus very recently published studies. The included studies were conducted between 1990 and 2015. Data extraction and synthesis: 80 studies with 14,437 participants were included in the analysis. Data was extracted by one author and cross-checked by the second author. We have conducted univariate and multivariate meta-regressions on the basis of a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions. The best-fitting model was computed by utilizing a statistical model selection procedure. Main Outcome and Measures: The outcome was the competitive employment rate over time. The year of study conduction (1990 to 2015) was regressed on the competitive employment rate. Regression coefficient estimates were computed and graphically displayed. Results: The competitive employment rate of supported employment programs was negatively associated with the study year (estimate -0.0068, CI -0.0114 - -0.0021) and the study period 2008 to 2015 had a larger decline in the competitive employment rate than the period 2000 to 2007. For prevocational training we found no change (estimate 0.0002, CI -0.0059 – 0.0063). Significant moderators were covariates study year/study period, augmented programs and study design (RCT vs. routine implementation). Conclusions and relevance: Results of this meta-regression suggest that supported employment programs have become less effective over time. Supported employment programs need to adapt to a changing labour market that is becoming more challenging to people with mental illness

The Epidemic Failure Cycle hypothesis: Towards understanding the global community’s recent failures in responding to an epidemic

Background: Within a few years, the global community has failed twice in responding to large viral infec- tion outbreaks: the Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in 2020. There is, however, no systematic approach or research available that analyses the repeated failures with regard to an adequate response to an epidemic. Methods: For a better understanding of failing societal responses, we have analysed the available research literature on societal responses to epidemics and we propose a framework called the ‘Epidemic Failure Cycle’ (EFC). Results: The EFC consists of four phases: Negligence, Arrogance/Denial, Panic and Analysis/Self-criticism. These phases fit largely with the current World Health Organization pandemic influenza phases: Inter- pandemic, Alert, Pandemic, Transition. By utilizing the Ebola epidemic and the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic as case studies, we show striking similarities in the response to these outbreaks during both crises. Finally, we suggest three major areas to be of utmost importance for triggering and maintaining the EFC. In terms of ecology, zoonoses, supposed to be the main biological origin for virus epidemics, have been largely neglected by politicians, the media and the scientific community. Socioeconomic and cultural conditions such as harsh living and working conditions as well as conspiracy theories hinder effective preventive and counter measures against epidemics. Lastly, in terms of epistemology, the reliance on knowledge about previous outbreaks has led to slow and inadequate decisions. Conclusions: We conclude that any current society has to be aware of the risks of repeating responses to epidemics that will fail. Being aware of the societal mechanisms that trigger inadequate responses may help to get to more appropriate decisions in the face of an epidemic

Models of mental health problems: a quasi-systematic review of theoretical approaches

Background: Mental health and mental illness have been contested concepts for decades, with a wide variety of models being proposed. To date, there has been no exhaustive review that provides an overview of existing models. Aim: To conduct a quasi-systematic review of theoretical models of mental health problems. Methods: We searched academic databases, reference lists, and an electronic bookshop for literature that proposed, endorsed, reviewed, or critiqued such models. Papers, book chapters, and books were included with material by researchers, clinicians, non-medical professions, and service users writing between 2000 to June 2020 being considered. The study was registered with the Open Science Framework (No. osf.io/r3tjx). Results: Based on 110 publications, we identified 34 different models which were grouped into five broader categories. Many models bridged two or more categories. Biological and psychological approaches had the largest number of models while social, consumer and cultural models were less diversified. Due to the non-empirical nature of the publications, several limitations in terms of search and quality appraisal apply. Conclusions: We conclude that mental health care needs to acknowledge the diversity of theoretical models on mental health problems

Exact Gap Computation for Code Coverage Metrics in ISO-C

Test generation and test data selection are difficult tasks for model based testing. Tests for a program can be meld to a test suite. A lot of research is done to quantify the quality and improve a test suite. Code coverage metrics estimate the quality of a test suite. This quality is fine, if the code coverage value is high or 100%. Unfortunately it might be impossible to achieve 100% code coverage because of dead code for example. There is a gap between the feasible and theoretical maximal possible code coverage value. Our review of the research indicates, none of current research is concerned with exact gap computation. This paper presents a framework to compute such gaps exactly in an ISO-C compatible semantic and similar languages. We describe an efficient approximation of the gap in all the other cases. Thus, a tester can decide if more tests might be able or necessary to achieve better coverage.Comment: In Proceedings MBT 2012, arXiv:1202.582