Engineering Delta Modeling Languages

Delta modeling is a modular, yet flexible approach to capture spatial and temporal variability by explicitly representing the differences between system variants or versions. The conceptual idea of delta modeling is language-independent. But, in order to apply delta modeling for a concrete language, so far, a delta language had to be manually developed on top of the base language leading to a large variety of heterogeneous language concepts. In this paper, we present a process that allows deriving a delta language from the grammar of a given base language. Our approach relies on an automatically generated language extension that can be manually adapted to meet domain-specific needs. We illustrate our approach using delta modeling on a textual variant of statecharts.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. Proceedings of the 17th International Software Product Line Conference, Tokyo, September 2013, pp.22-31, ACM, 201

Integration of Heterogeneous Modeling Languages via Extensible and Composable Language Components

Effective model-driven engineering of complex systems requires to appropriately describe different specific system aspects. To this end, efficient integration of different heterogeneous modeling languages is essential. Modeling language integaration is onerous and requires in-depth conceptual and technical knowledge and ef- fort. Traditional modeling lanugage integration approches require language engineers to compose monolithic language aggregates for a specific task or project. Adapting these aggregates cannot be to different contexts requires vast effort and makes these hardly reusable. This contribution presents a method for the engineering of grammar-based language components that can be independently developed, are syntactically composable, and ultimately reusable. To this end, it introduces the concepts of language aggregation, language embed- ding, and language inheritance, as well as their realization in the language workbench MontiCore. The result is a generalizable, systematic, and efficient syntax-oriented composition of languages that allows the agile employment of modeling languages efficiently tailored for individual software projects.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development. Angers, Loire Valley, France, pp. 19-31, 201

Systemic Antifungal use in a Pediatric Cancer Center - Audit Comparing Pharmacy Dispensing Data with Patient - Derived Consumption

Background: The critical analysis of systemic antifungal use in pediatric cancer patients may elucidate targets for antifungal stewardship in the prophylaxis and treatment of Invasive Fungal Infection (IFI). Hitherto, any correlation between pharmacy dispensing data (antifungals) and patient-derived consumption in g/100 inpatient days is unknown. Methods: Retrospective audit (April 2016 - June 2018) of systemic antifungal use in a pediatric cancer center comparing pharmacy dispensing and patient derived consumption data. Results: Out of 203 consecutive patients, 18.7% received at least one cycle of systemic antifungal treatment (in total 86 cycles). The main antifungals used were fluconazole, liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin. Concerning the indication, 44 cycles referred to IFI prophylaxis, and 42 to therapy (28 empirical, 9 pre-emptive, 5 probable IFI). Pharmacy dispensing data for systemic antifungals (in g/100 inpatient days) showed no correlation to patient-derived consumption data and were 2.13 times higher. Discussion & conclusion: Pharmacy dispensing data do not realistically depict the actual use of antifungals in pediatric cancer patients. Patient - and case - related analyses and the implementation of electronic patient records are essential for a more precise analysis, paving the way for an antifungal stewardship program

Retrospective audit of antibiotic use in a university general pediatrics department using hospital pharmacy dispensing data

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in children’s hospitals, which is why regular monitoring of antibiotic use in hospitals is of great importance. This retrospective audit (60 months, January 2014 – December 2018) analyzes the antibiotic consumption at a university inpatient department of general pediatrics including neonatal and pediatric intensive care based on pharmacy dispensing data in units of grams per 100 patient days and in Defined Daily Doses per 100 patient days. The results provide potential targets for Antibiotic Stewardship interventions. Conversely, this audit elicits methodological limitations of the method of antibiotic surveillance in pediatrics recommended by the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin