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Towards a tractography-based risk stratification model for language area associated gliomas (2021)

Tuncer, Mehmet Salih ; Salvati, Luca Francesco ; Grittner, Ulrike ; Hardt, Juliane ; Schilling, Ralph ; Bährend, Ina ; Silva, Luca Leandro ; Fekonja, Lucius S. ; Faust, Katharina ; Vajkoczy, Peter ; Rosenstock, Tizian ; Picht, Thomas

Objectives: Injury to major white matter pathways during language-area associated glioma surgery often leads to permanent loss of neurological function. The aim was to establish standardized tractography of language pathways as a predictor of language outcome in clinical neurosurgery. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 50 surgical cases of patients with left perisylvian, diffuse gliomas. Standardized preoperative Diffusion-Tensor-Imaging (DTI)-based tractography of the 5 main language tracts (Arcuate Fasciculus [AF], Frontal Aslant Tract [FAT], Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus [IFOF], Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus [ILF], Uncinate Fasciculus [UF]) and spatial analysis of tumor and tracts was performed. Postoperative imaging and the resulting resection map were analyzed for potential surgical injury of tracts. The language status was assessed preoperatively, postoperatively and after 3 months using the Aachen Aphasia Test and Berlin Aphasia Score. Correlation analyses, two-step cluster analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze associations of tractography results with language outcome after surgery. Results: In 14 out of 50 patients (28%), new aphasic symptoms were detected 3 months after surgery. The preoperative infiltration of the AF was associated with functional worsening (cc = 0.314; p = 0.019). Cluster analysis of tract injury profiles revealed two areas particularly related to aphasia: the temporo-parieto-occipital junction (TPO; temporo-parietal AF, middle IFOF, middle ILF) and the temporal stem/peri-insular white matter (middle IFOF, anterior ILF, temporal UF, temporal AF). Injury to these areas (TPO: OR: 23.04; CI: 4.11 – 129.06; temporal stem: OR: 21.96; CI: 2.93 – 164.41) was associated with a higher-risk of persisting aphasia. Conclusions: Tractography of language pathways can help to determine the individual aphasia risk profile presurgically. The TPO and temporal stem/peri-insular white matter were confirmed as functional nodes particularly sensitive to surgical injuries.

Effects of exercise training on bone mineral density and some health-related outcomes in HIV conditions : A randomized controlled trial (2020)

Ajidahun, Adedayo Tunde ; Myezwa, Hellen ; Ibeneme, Sam Chidi ; Magobotha, Sebastian ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Jingo, Maxwell ; Milner, Brenda ; Ravat, Sadiya ; Okoye, Ifeoma ; Schnaid, Edward ; Bischoff, Faith

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains prevalent co-morbidity, and among fracture patients. Few studies have investigated the role of exercise interventions in preventing bone demineralization in people who have fractures and HIV. If exercise exposed, HIV-infected individuals may experience improved bone health outcomes (BMD), function, quality of life (QoL). The study will aim to assess the impact of home based exercises on bone mineral density, functional capacity, QoL, and some serological markers of health in HIV infection among Nigerians and South Africans. Methods and design: The study is an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Patients managed with internal and external fixation for femoral shaft fracture at the study sites will be recruited to participate in the study. The participants will be recruited 2 weeks post-discharge at the follow-up clinic with the orthopaedic surgeon. The study population will consist of all persons with femoral fracture and HIV-positive and negative (HIV-positive medically confirmed) aged 18 to 60 years attending the above-named health facilities. For the HIV-positive participants, a documented positive HIV result, as well as a history of being followed-up at the HIV treatment and care center. A developed home based exercise programme will be implemented in the experimental group while the control group continues with the usual rehabilitation programme. The primary outcome measures will be function, gait, bone mineral density, physical activity, and QoL. Discussion: The proposed trial will compare the effect of a home-based physical exercise-training programme in the management of femoral fracture to the usual physiotherapy management programmes with specific outcomes of bone mineral density, function, and inflammatory markers.

Veränderung erzeugt Widerstand : Ein Bericht von der Mitgliederversammlung der DGSv vom 26. September 2020 in Hannover (2021)

Walpuski, Volker Jörn

Die Mitgliederversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Supervision und Coaching e. V. (DGSv) stand 2020 äußerlich im Zeichen von Covid-19 und damit Social Distancing, inhaltlich im Zeichen der konsequenten Fortführung begonnener Strategie- und Modernisierungsprozesse des Berufs- und Fachverbandes. Gleichzeitig aktualisierten diese Prozesse die Identitätsfrage des Verbandes.

Cora Baltussen in den USA : Lernerfahrungen für die Supervision in den Niederlanden und Deutschland (2021)

Walpuski, Volker Jörn

Cora Baltussen unternahm - wie zahlreiche europäische Sozialarbeitende - Anfang der 1950er Jahre eine 18-monatige Studienreise in die USA, um Casework und Supervision zu erlernen. Dieser Beitrag wertet ihren Summerreport von 1953 aus, der als Archivalie erhalten ist. So können ihre Lernerfahrungen in der historisch-kritischen Rekonstruktion kontextualisiert und in den Diskurs eingeordnet werden. Dabei werden erste Differenzierungen der frühen Supervisionsgeschichte ebenso sichtbar wie prägende Begegnungen und entstehende Netzwerke, die die Supervisionsentwicklung in Deutschland maßgeblich beeinflussten.

Usability Testing of Visual Policy Evaluation for Network Security Event Detection (2020)

Ahlers, Volker ; Hellmann, Bastian

The network security framework VisITMeta allows the visual evaluation and management of security event detection policies. By means of a "what-if" simulation the sensitivity of policies to specific events can be tested and adjusted. This paper presents the results of a user study for testing the usability of the approach by measuring the correct completion of given tasks as well as the user satisfaction by means of the system usability scale.

Characterization, Cure Rates and Associated Risks of Clinical Mastitis in Northern Germany (2020)

Schmenger, Anne ; Krömker, Volker

The control of clinical mastitis on dairy farms is an essential part of animal health management. Knowledge of the causative microorganisms, the cure rates achievable in the field and essential associated factors are crucial for proper control. The objectives of the present study were to characterize clinical mastitis cases in Germany and to analyze factors influencing cure rates and the recurrence rate. Milk samples of every clinical mastitis case occurring on 12 participating farms were examined cytomicrobiologically. Post-treatment quarter samples were taken after 14 and 21 days. Treatments were performed according to existing farm protocols. Of 2883 clinical mastitis cases, the most prevalent pathogens were Streptococcus (S.) uberis (20.2%) and coliforms (11.6%). In 35% of the milk samples, no bacteriological growth was detected. The overall bacteriological cure rate was 73.3%, while the cytological cure rate was 22.3%, the full cure rate 21.4% and the recurrence rate 18.8%. Regarding the pathogen distribution of severe mastitis, coliform bacteria were detected in 30.5% of the cases, whereas S. uberis was detected in 26.5% thereof. The results show that severe mastitis is caused almost as frequently by Gram-positive as by Gram-negative microorganisms. The low cytological cure rates show that the therapy needs to be further developed with regard to calming the inflammation. The obtained data can be very helpful in assessing internal mastitis scenarios and the effect of measures and therapies.

Unforced Errors bei Studien- und Abschlussarbeiten : Hinweise zur Endredaktion (2020)

Disterer, Georg

Vor der Abgabe einer Studien- oder Abschlussarbeit ist dringend eine sorgfältige Überarbeitung in Form einer Endredaktion vorzunehmen, um eine gute Bewertung der Arbeit nicht zu gefährden. Dies ist einfach; denn das Vorgehen ist schlicht und wenig aufwändig. Daher wäre es besonders ärgerlich, einfache Fehler nicht zu beheben und dafür Abzüge bei der Bewertung der Arbeit hinzunehmen. Für eine Endredaktion wird hiermit eine Anleitung vorgelegt.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae — Contagious or Environmental? (2020)

Wente, Nicole ; Krömker, Volker

Streptococcus dysgalactiae is among the most important pathogens causing bovine mastitis. Unfortunately, there is presently a lack of clear knowledge about the mode of transmission — contagious or environmental — of this pathogen. To obtain more information on this, knowledge of the genetic diversity of the isolated microorganisms at the farm level can be useful. To observe the strain variety in different herds of cattle, isolates of Strep. dysgalactiae were collected from clinical mastitis samples at different farms, and the strains were typed using the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method. Overall, we performed strain typing on 93 isolates from 16 farms in Germany and used an index to describe the degree of contagiosity of Strep. dysgalactiae at each farm. This index (CI) represents the number of isolates divided by the number of strains found in mastitis milk of clinical cases within a period of 14 months. The results differed between the farms. In one farm, all six Strep. dysgalactiae cases that occurred during the study period were caused by a single strain (CI = 6), while in another farm the six cases that occurred were caused by five different strains (CI = 1.2). All other farms fell between these two extremes. This indicates that Strep. dysgalactiae infections can occur via several routes of transmission. At the farm level, strain comparisons are necessary to determine the routes of transmission. Two strains were able to survive on the farm for a minimum of 14 months.

An Immersive Multi-User Virtual Reality for Emergency Simulation Training: Usability Study (2020)

Lerner, Dieter ; Mohr, Stefan ; Schild, Jonas ; Göring, Martin ; Luiz, Thomas

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used as simulation technology in emergency medicine education and training, in particular for training nontechnical skills. Experimental studies comparing teaching and learning in VR with traditional training media often demonstrate the equivalence or even superiority regarding particular variables of learning or training effectiveness. Objective: In the EPICSAVE (Enhanced Paramedic Vocational Training with Serious Games and Virtual Environments) project, a highly immersive room-scaled multi-user 3-dimensional VR simulation environment was developed. In this feasibility study, we wanted to gain initial insights into the training effectiveness and media use factors influencing learning and training in VR. Methods: The virtual emergency scenario was anaphylaxis grade III with shock, swelling of the upper and lower respiratory tract, as well as skin symptoms in a 5-year-old girl (virtual patient) visiting an indoor family amusement park with her grandfather (virtual agent). A cross-sectional, one-group pretest and posttest design was used to evaluate the training effectiveness and quality of the training execution. The sample included 18 active emergency physicians. Results: The 18 participants rated the VR simulation training positive in terms of training effectiveness and quality of the training execution. A strong, significant correlation (r=.53, P=.01) between experiencing presence and assessing training effectiveness was observed. Perceived limitations in usability and a relatively high extraneous cognitive load reduced this positive effect. Conclusions: The training within the virtual simulation environment was rated as an effective educational approach. Specific media use factors appear to modulate training effectiveness (ie, improvement through “experience of presence” or reduction through perceived limitations in usability). These factors should be specific targets in the further development of this VR simulation training.

Arbeitsklima in der Wirtschaftsinformatik spürbar verschieden (2020)

Disterer, Georg

Untersuchungen zu Berufen der Wirtschaftsinformatik bleiben weiterhin interessant, wenn sie helfen können, dem mittlerweile länger anhaltenden IT-Fachkräftemangel entgegenzuwirken. Eine Untersuchung der Hochschule Hannover zu Wirtschaftsinformatikern/-informatikerinnen in den ersten zehn Jahren im Beruf zeigt deren berufliche Ziele und die berufliche Zufriedenheit, die sie erlangen. Deutlich wird, dass Frauen und Männer das Arbeitsklima und die Arbeitsbedingungen sehr unterschiedlich wahrnehmen und daher auch unterschiedlich zufrieden sind. Dabei bemängeln Frauen vor allem Merkmale, die mit „fehlender Fairness“ zu beschreiben sind.

Potenziale von PROFIenergy in der Prozessindustrie (2020)

Niemann, Karl-Heinz ; Andreas, Würger

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt Einsatzpotenziale des Energiemanagementprofils PROFIenergy in der Prozessindustrie. Der Blick auf den Status von Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen in der Prozessindustrie zeigt, dass diese im Wesentlichen innerhalb der verfahrenstechnischen Optimierung angesiedelt sind. Noch hat sich der durchgängige Einsatz von technischen Energiemanagementsystemen (tEnMS) nicht etabliert. Diese Arbeit fokussiert Vorteile des tEnMS-Einsatzes und präsentiert „Best Practice“- Beispiele in der Prozessindustrie. Abschließend wird aufgezeigt, welches Potenzial das Energiemanagementprofil PROFIenergy liefern kann und welche Anwendungsfälle sich damit abdecken lassen.

Return to work after ischemic stroke in young adults : A registry-based follow-up study (2018)

Aarnio, Karoliina ; Rodríguez-Pardo, Jorge ; Siegerink, Bob ; Hardt, Juliane ; Broman, Jenna ; Tulkki, Lauri ; Haapaniemi, Elena ; Kaste, Markku ; Tatlisumak, Turgut ; Putaala, Jukka

Objective We aimed to investigate the proportion of young patients not returning to work (NRTW) at 1 year after ischemic stroke (IS) and during follow-up, and clinical factors associated with NRTW. Methods Patients from the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry with an IS occurring in the years 1994–2007, who were at paid employment within 1 year before IS, and with NIH Stroke Scale score ≤15 points at hospital discharge, were included. Data on periods of payment came from the Finnish Centre for Pensions, and death data from Statistics Finland. Multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed factors associated with NRTW 1 year after IS, and lasagna plots visualized the proportion of patients returning to work over time. Results We included a total of 769 patients, of whom 289 (37.6%) were not working at 1 year, 323 (42.0%) at 2 years, and 361 (46.9%) at 5 years from IS. When adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and NIH Stroke Scale score at admission, factors associated with NRTW at 1 year after IS were large anterior strokes, strokes caused by large artery atherosclerosis, high-risk sources of cardioembolism, and rare causes other than dissection compared with undetermined cause, moderate to severe aphasia vs no aphasia, mild and moderate to severe limb paresis vs no paresis, and moderate to severe visual field deficit vs no deficit. Conclusions NRTW is a frequent adverse outcome after IS in young adults with mild to moderate IS. Clinical variables available during acute hospitalization may allow prediction of NRTW.

Targeted panel sequencing in pediatric primary cardiomyopathy supports a critical role of TNNI3 (2019)

Kühnisch, Jirko ; Herbst, Christopher ; Al-Wakeel-Marquard, Nadya ; Dartsch, Josephine ; Holtgrewe, Manuel ; Baban, Anwar ; Mearini, Giulia ; Hardt, Juliane ; Kolokotronis, Konstantinos ; Gerull, Brenda ; Carrier, Lucie ; Beule, Dieter ; Schubert, Stephan ; Messroghli, Daniel ; Degener, Franziska ; Berger, Felix ; Klaassen, Sabine

The underlying genetic mechanisms and early pathological events of children with primary cardiomyopathy (CMP) are insufficiently characterized. In this study, we aimed to characterize the mutational spectrum of primary CMP in a large cohort of patients ≤18 years referred to a tertiary center. Eighty unrelated index patients with pediatric primary CMP underwent genetic testing with a panel-based next-generation sequencing approach of 89 genes. At least one pathogenic or probably pathogenic variant was identified in 30/80 (38%) index patients. In all CMP subgroups, patients carried most frequently variants of interest in sarcomere genes suggesting them as a major contributor in pediatric primary CMP. In MYH7, MYBPC3, and TNNI3, we identified 18 pathogenic/probably pathogenic variants (MYH7 n = 7, MYBPC3 n = 6, TNNI3 n = 5, including one homozygous (TNNI3 c.24+2T>A) truncating variant. Protein and transcript level analysis on heart biopsies from individuals with homozygous mutation of TNNI3 revealed that the TNNI3 protein is absent and associated with upregulation of the fetal isoform TNNI1. The present study further supports the clinical importance of sarcomeric mutation-not only in adult-but also in pediatric primary CMP. TNNI3 is the third most important disease gene in this cohort and complete loss of TNNI3 leads to severe pediatric CMP.

Correction to: Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on working conditions, leadership, and safety climate: a crosssectional study (2020)

Wagner, Anke ; Rieger, Monika A. ; Manser, Tanja ; Sturm, Heidrun ; Hardt, Juliane ; Martus, Peter ; Lessing, Constanze ; Hammer, Antje

Correction to: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3862-7 In the original publication of this article, the authors missed that reverse coding was necessary for the item “Do you work separate from your colleagues?” before calculating the scale ‘social relations’. So they corrected the analysis accordingly. The results with the revised scale show that there are no longer any significant differences between nurses and physicians with regard to this scale.

Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on working conditions, leadership, and safety climate: a cross-sectional study (2019)

Wagner, Anke ; Rieger, Monika A. ; Manser, Tanja ; Sturm, Heidrun ; Hardt, Juliane ; Martus, Peter ; Lessing, Constanze ; Hammer, Antje

Background: Promoting patient and occupational safety are two key challenges for hospitals. When aiming to improve these two outcomes synergistically, psychosocial working conditions, leadership by hospital management and supervisors, and perceptions of patient and occupational safety climate have to be considered. Recent studies have shown that these key topics are interrelated and form a critical foundation for promoting patient and occupational safety in hospitals. So far, these topics have mainly been studied independently from each other. The present study investigated hospital staffs’ perceptions of four different topics: (1) psychosocial working conditions, (2) leadership, (3) patient safety climate, and (4) occupational safety climate. We present results from a survey in two German university hospitals aiming to detect differences between nurses and physicians. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using a standardized paper-based questionnaire. The survey was conducted with nurses and physicians to assess the four topics. The instruments mainly consisted of scales of the German version of the COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire), one scale of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), scales to assess leadership and transformational leadership, scales to assess patient safety climate using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC), and analogous items to assess occupational safety climate. Results: A total of 995 completed questionnaires out of 2512 distributed questionnaires were returned anonymously. The overall response rate was 39.6%. The sample consisted of 381 physicians and 567 nurses. We found various differences with regard to the four topics. In most of the COPSOQ and the HSPSC-scales, physicians rated psychosocial working conditions and patient safety climate more positively than nurses. With regard to occupational safety, nurses indicated higher occupational risks than physicians. Conclusions: The WorkSafeMed study combined the assessment of the four topics psychosocial working conditions, leadership, patient safety climate, and occupational safety climate in hospitals. Looking at the four topics provides an overview of where improvements in hospitals may be needed for nurses and physicians. Based on these results, improvements in working conditions, patient safety climate, and occupational safety climate are required for health care professionals in German university hospitals – especially for nurses.

Guidelines and recommendations for ensuring Good Epidemiological Practice (GEP): a guideline developed by the German Society for Epidemiology (2019)

Hoffmann, Wolfgang ; Latza, Ute ; Baumeister, Sebastian E. ; Brünger, Martin ; Buttmann-Schweiger, Nina ; Hardt, Juliane ; Hoffmann, Verena ; Karch, André ; Richter, Adrian ; Schmidt, Carsten Oliver ; Schmidtmann, Irene ; Swart, Enno ; van den Berg, Neeltje

Objective To revise the German guidelines and recommendations for ensuring Good Epidemiological Practice (GEP) that were developed in 1999 by the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), evaluated and revised in 2004, supplemented in 2008, and updated in 2014. Methods The executive board of the DGEpi tasked the third revision of the GEP. The revision was arrived as a result of a consensus-building process by a working group of the DGEpi in collaboration with other working groups of the DGEpi and with the German Association for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), the German Region of the International Biometric Society (IBS-DR), the German Technology, Methods and Infrastructure for Networked Medical Research (TMF), and the German Network for Health Services Research (DNVF). The GEP also refers to related German Good Practice documents (e.g. Health Reporting, Cartographical Practice in the Healthcare System, Secondary Data Analysis). Results The working group modified the 11 guidelines (after revision: 1 ethics, 2 research question, 3 study protocol and manual of operations, 4 data protection, 5 sample banks, 6 quality assurance, 7 data storage and documentation, 8 analysis of epidemiological data, 9 contractual framework, 10 interpretation and scientific publication, 11 communication and public health) and modified and supplemented the related recommendations. All participating scientific professional associations adopted the revised GEP. Conclusions The revised GEP are addressed to everyone involved in the planning, preparation, execution, analysis, and evaluation of epidemiological research, as well as research institutes and funding bodies.

End-of-Life Options for Bio-Based Plastics in a Circular Economy—Status Quo and Potential from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective (2020)

Spierling, Sebastian ; Venkatachalam, Venkateshwaran ; Mudersbach, Marina ; Becker, Nico ; Herrmann, Christoph ; Endres, Hans-Josef

The bio-based plastic market is forecast to grow in the next years. With a growing market share and product range, the implementation of circular thinking is becoming more and more important also for bio-based plastics to enable a sound circular economy for these group of plastics. Therefore, it is important to assess the environmental performance for different end-of-life options of bio-based plastics from an early stage on. This review presents a comprehensive overview on the current status quo of different end-of-life options for bio-based plastics from an environmental perspective. Based on the status quo and the corresponding impact assessment results, the global plastic demand as well as the technical substitution potential of bio-based plastics, the environmental saving potential in case of the different end-of-life options was calculated. The review shows that there is a focus on polylactic acid (PLA) regarding end-of-life assessment, with studies covering all end-of-life options. The focus of the impact assessment has been set on global warming potential (GWP). With respect to GWP, the analysis of a future global potential of PLA showed, for mechanical recycling, the highest saving potential with 94.1 Mio. t CO2-eq. per year in comparison to virgin material.

Bacterial Load of the Teat Apex Skin and Associated Factors at Herd Level (2020)

Hohmann, Maria-Franziska ; Wente, Nicole ; Zhang, Yanchao ; Krömker, Volker

In order to reduce antimicrobial treatment and prevent environmental mastitis, the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between herd level factors and microbial load on teat ends with environmental mastitis pathogens. Quarterly farm visits of 31 dairy farms over a one-year period were used for statistical analysis. During each farm visit, teat-skin swabs, bedding and air samples were taken and management practices and herd parameters were documented. Total mesophilic bacteria, esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria were examined in the laboratory procedures from teat skin and environmental samples. Esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria on teat ends increased with high temperature–humidity indices (THI) in the barn during the spring and summer. Significantly more coliform bacteria on teat ends were found in herds with an increased percentage of normal or slightly rough teat ends. Cleaning cubicles more frequently, pre-cleaning teats before milking as well as post-dipping them after milking had a decreasing effect of teat-skin load with total mesophilic and coliform bacteria at the herd level. To conclude, teat-skin bacterial load with environmental pathogens is subject to fluctuations and can be influenced by aspects of farm hygiene.

Review of Literature To Understand Role of Pharmacy Professional in Health Management (2020)

Limaye, Dnyanesh

Background: The mission of the pharmacy profession is to improve public health through ensuring safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications. Population health management (PHP) is a process wherein opportunities are identified to improve the quality of health care delivered and thereby, promote better health outcomes for patients. Rationale: As concept of PHP is extremely important in today’s context, it is helpful to integrate data related to pharmacist in population health management practices. Authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on role of pharmacist in population health management practices. Method: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on literature on role of pharmacist in population health management practices by searching, PubMed Medline database using the following combination of keywords – pharmacist, population health. Truncation was used to ensure retrieval of all possible variations of search terms. The search was limited to articles published between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2019, human studies and English language. Results: Initial search resulted in a total of 281 studies, title abstract review to remove irrelevant studies resulted in 256 studies. Yearly trend showed that number of publications are decreasing. Highest number of publications were from Europe (47; 18%) and 29 publications (11%) discussed role of pharmacist in population health management of subjects in the age group of 10 to 20 years. Twenty five publications mentioned health management was done in the community settings. Advice on the lifestyle was mentioned in 242 (96%) and 10 (4%) publications offered advice about drugs during the health management. Pharmacists played important roles in population health management for e.g. as care provider in exploring the challenges faced in clinics for management of Type 2 DM. Pharmacists played an important role in increasing the quality of life of patients. Discussion: Population health management concept has evolved steadily over the past few decades and is now contributing to the ‘patient care journey’ at all stages. There were 24 (9%) publications from India. Specially designed and implemented Pharm D program would play a major role in Indian health care system in future. This will give an opportunity to pharmacists to work more prominently in Indian health care system. Conclusion: Authors are of the opinion that this is the first review encompassing the topic of pharmacist and population health management in the global context. It is clear that there is a global trend of moving towards involvement of pharmacist in healthcare management. This enables pharmacists to assume an expanded role and at same time it necessitates reforms in pharmacy education and practice

Digitalisierte Beratung zur effizienteren Selbstoptimierung : Kritische Anmerkungen zu digitalen Formaten arbeitsbezogener Beratung aus einer Gouvernementalitätsperspektive (2020)

Walpuski, Volker Jörn

»Digital(isiert)e« Beratung verspricht neben Innovation auch Flexibilität, Ubiquität, Globalität, Geschwindigkeit und Legitimität durch evidenzbasierte Wirksamkeit. Für eine sozialwissenschaftlich fundierte arbeitsweltliche Beratung wie Coaching und Supervision ist danach zu fragen, welches Menschen- und Weltbild sich hinter der Digitalisierung verbirgt und welche Anliegen sie transportiert. Dazu wird mit den Theorien Michel Foucaults der gegenwärtige Diskurs auf Steuerungslogiken und Machtverhältnisse hin kritisch analysiert. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Digitalisierung das »Zeitalter der Gouvernementalität« (Foucault) festigt: Humanistisch geprägte Werte und Ziele wie Reflexion, Anerkennung und Selbsterkenntnis treten in den Hintergrund, während die Nutzbarmachung und Optimierung des Selbst sowie des Beratungsprozesses wichtiger werden: Beratung will und muss effizienzgetrieben ihre Wirksamkeit evidenzbasiert legitimieren, und Digitalisierung erleichtert dies.

Factors affecting outcome in frameless non-isocentric stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia: a multicentric cohort study (2020)

Conti, Alfredo ; Acker, Gueliz ; Pontoriero, Antonio ; Hardt, Juliane ; Kluge, Anne ; Cacciola, Alberto ; Iatì, Giuseppe ; Kufeld, Markus ; Budach, Volker ; Vajkoczy, Peter ; Beltramo, Giancarlo ; Pergolizzi, Stefano ; Bergantin, Achille ; Loebel, Franziska ; Parisi, Silvana ; Senger, Carolin ; Romanelli, Pantaleo

Background: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Nevertheless, a proportion of patients will experience recurrence and treatment-related sensory disturbances. In order to evaluate the predictors of efficacy and safety of image-guided non-isocentric radiosurgery, we analyzed the impact of trigeminal nerve volume and the nerve dose/volume relationship, together with relevant clinical characteristics. Methods: Two-hundred and ninety-six procedures were performed on 262 patients at three centers. In 17 patients the TN was secondary to multiple sclerosis (MS). Trigeminal pain and sensory disturbances were classified according to the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scale. Pain-free-intervals were investigated using Kaplan Meier analyses. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors. Results: The median follow-up period was 38 months, median maximal dose 72.4 Gy, median target nerve volume 25mm3, and median prescription dose 60 Gy. Pain control rate (BNI I-III) at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months were 96.8, 90.9, 84.2, 81.4, 74.2, and 71.2%, respectively. Overall, 18% of patients developed sensory disturbances. Patients with volume ≥ 30mm3 were more likely to maintain pain relief (p = 0.031), and low integral dose (< 1.4 mJ) tended to be associated with more pain recurrence than intermediate (1.4–2.7 mJ) or high integral dose (> 2.7 mJ; low vs. intermediate: log-rank test, χ2 = 5.02, p = 0.019; low vs. high: log-rank test, χ2 = 6.026, p = 0.014). MS, integral dose, and mean dose were the factors associated with pain recurrence, while re-irradiation and MS were predictors for sensory disturbance in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The dose to nerve volume ratio is predictive of pain recurrence in TN, and re-irradiation has a major impact on the development of sensory disturbances after non-isocentric SRS. Interestingly, the integral dose may differ significantly in treatments using apparently similar dose and volume constraints.

Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors (2020)

Nitz, Julia ; Krömker, Volker ; Klocke, Doris ; Wente, Nicole ; Zhang, Yanchao ; tho Seeth, Martin

To reduce the negative effects of mastitis in dairy heifers in early lactation on the future milking performance, the aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and to relate this to risk factors at heifer and quarter level for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis. In total, 279 German Holstein Frisian heifers in three farms in Northern and Eastern Germany were included in this study. Quarter milk samples for cytomicrobiological examination were collected 3 +- 1 days after calving and 17 +- 3 days after calving, and risk factors at heifer and quarter level associated with intramammary infections and clinical mastitis were recorded during the trial period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression procedures and odds ratios were calculated. Calving at older ages increased the odds of intramammary infections with non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) and coryneforms 17 +- 3 days after calving compared to heifers calving at a younger age. Detaching of milking cups during milking is a risk factor for new infections between day 3 +- 1 and 17 +- 3 postpartum. The milk yield after calving is associated with a decrease in intramammary infections with environmental pathogens and clinical mastitis. A high milk yield assists the development of udder edema with an increased risk of intramammary infections with NAS and coryneforms. An increased somatic cell count (SCC) after calving increased the odds of intramammary infections with contagious pathogens 17 +- 3 days postpartum. The early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in dairy heifers. Udder quarters eliminated pathogens during early lactation by 6.9% for cases in this study. New infections manifest themselves up until 17 +- 3 days postpartum, especially with Corynebacterium spp. and NAS. In total, 82.9% of the infected quarters showed new infections with another pathogen species 17 +- 3 days postpartum than 3 +- 1 days postpartum. In conclusion, the early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in heifers with the possibility that udder quarters eliminate pathogens, but also the danger that new infections manifest themselves. Thus, the prevention of new infections by minimizing the associated risk factors is of great importance.

Manufacture of Hybrid Natural/Synthetic Fiber Woven Textiles for Use in Technical Biocomposites with Maximum Biobased Content (2019)

Shamsuyeva, Madina ; Winkelmann, Jana ; Endres, Hans-Josef

This feasibility study investigates the flexural properties of biocomposites containing woven flax textiles (plain, twill, satin) and woven twill patterned hybrid textiles containing flax-/glass or flax-/carbon mixture for lightweight applications. Synthetic fibers are integrated as weft and flax fibers are integrated as warp yarns using a double-rapier weaving machine with a Jacquard attachment. The corresponding biocomposites are manufactured via vacuum infusion process using a biobased epoxy resin as a matrix. The manufactured biocomposites are analyzed with regard to their density and flexural properties. The results show that the use of hybrid textiles offers a promising solution for the manufacture of biocomposites with a higher biobased content and significantly improved flexural properties. Furthermore, the introduction of high-performance synthetic fibers in textiles enables the manufacture of biocomposites with an isotropic mechanical performance.

Links between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms, maternal distress, infant gender and sensitivity in a high-risk population (2011)

Sidor, Anna ; Kunz, Elisabeth ; Schweyer, Daniel ; Eickhorst, Andreas ; Cierpka, Manfred

Background Maternal postpartum depression has an impact on mother-infant interaction. Mothers with depression display less positive affect and sensitivity in interaction with their infants compared to non-depressed mothers. Depressed women also show more signs of distress and difficulties adjusting to their role as mothers than non-depressed women. In addition, depressive mothers are reported to be affectively more negative with their sons than with daughters. Methods A non-clinical sample of 106 mother-infant dyads at psychosocial risk (poverty, alcohol or drug abuse, lack of social support, teenage mothers and maternal psychic disorder) was investigated with EPDS (maternal postpartum depressive symptoms), the CARE-Index (maternal sensitivity in a dyadic context) and PSI-SF (maternal distress). The baseline data were collected when the babies had reached 19 weeks of age. Results A hierarchical regression analysis yielded a highly significant relation between the PSI-SF subscale "parental distress" and the EPDS total score, accounting for 55% of the variance in the EPDS. The other variables did not significantly predict the severity of depressive symptoms. A two-way ANOVA with "infant gender" and "maternal postpartum depressive symptoms" showed no interaction effect on maternal sensitivity. Conclusions Depressive symptoms and maternal sensitivity were not linked. It is likely that we could not find any relation between both variables due to different measuring methods (self-reporting and observation). Maternal distress was strongly related to maternal depressive symptoms, probably due to the generally increased burden in the sample, and contributed to 55% of the variance of postpartum depressive symptoms.

Influence of early regulatory problems in infants on their development at 12 months: a longitudinal study in a high-risk sample (2013)

Sidor, Anna ; Fischer, Cristina ; Eickhorst, Andreas ; Cierpka, Manfred

Background: This study examined the extent to which regulatory problems in infants at 4 and 6 months influence childhood development at 12 months. The second aim of the study was to examine the influence maternal distress has on 4-month-old children’s subsequent development as well as gender differences with regard to regulatory problems and development. Methods: 153 mother-child dyads enrolled in the family support research project “Nobody slips through the net” constituted the comparison group. These families faced psychosocial risks (e.g. poverty, excessive demands on the mother, and mental health disorders of the mother, measured with the risk screening instrument Heidelberger Belastungsskala - HBS) and maternal stress, determined with the Parental Stress Index (PSI-SF). The children’s developmental levels and possible early regulatory problems were evaluated by means of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and a German questionnaire assessing problems of excessive crying along with sleeping and feeding difficulties (SFS). Results: A statistically significant but only low, inverse association between excessive crying, whining and sleep problems at 4 and 6 months and the social development of one-year-olds (accounting for 5% and 8% of the variance respectively) was found. Feeding problems had no effect on development. Although regulatory problems in infants were accompanied by increased maternal stress level, these did not serve as a predictor of the child’s social development at 12 months. One-year-old girls reached a higher level of development in social and fine motor skills. No gender differences were found with regard to regulatory problems, nor any moderating effect of gender on the relation between regulatory problems and level of development. Conclusions: Our results reinforce existing knowledge pertaining to the transactional association between regulatory problems in infants, maternal distress and dysfunctionality of mother-child interactions. They also provide evidence of a slight but distinct negative influence of crying and sleeping problems on children’s subsequent social development. Easily accessible support services provided by family health visitors (particularly to the so-called “at-risk families”) are strongly recommended to help prevent the broadening of children’s early regulatory problems into other areas of behavior.

Oral cancer awareness among university students from Karachi, Pakistan (2019)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Ziesenis, Patrick ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Ahmad, Mansoor ; Saeed, Farah ; Alam, Mahboob ; Rizvi, Ramla ; Kapadi, Atul ; Sathe, Sushama ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Oral cancers (OC) are malignant lesions occurring in the oral cavity that include squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), salivary gland and odontogenic neoplasms. Even though it is the eighth most common malignancy globally but in Pakistan it is the second commonest type of cancer. Lack of awareness about ill-effects of preventable risk factors of oral cancer increases the burden of disease due to the associated high cost of treatment, permanent impairment and high mortality. Hence, awareness can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of oral cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during April to May 2018. Three hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 277 agreed to participate. Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: There were 125 (45%) males and 152 (55%) females in the study and response rate was 94%. Sixty one percent (154/250) respondents correctly identified smoking, and tobacco chewing as possible causes of oral cancer. Almost one third (74%; 184/250) respondents correctly responded that oral cancer does not spread from person to person through touch or speaking. Sixty six percent (164/250) respondents believed that oral cancer is curable. Mean score of knowledge was higher in females (61%) than males (53%). Significantly higher number of females compared to male participants answered correctly to questions regarding cause of oral cancer, spread of disease and occurrence of oral cancer in AIDS patients. Conclusions: Participants showed poor knowledge about oral cancer. Female participants showed better knowledge compared to male counterparts. Details about oral cancer should be incorporated in the university curriculum and periodic awareness programs should be organized for students.

Is the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAPI) a valid measure of child abuse potential among mothers and fathers of young children in Germany? (2019)

Liel, Christoph ; Meinck, Franziska ; Steinert, Janina I. ; Kindler, Heinz ; Lang, Katrin ; Eickhorst, Andreas

Background: In order to prevent child abuse, instruments measuring child abuse potential (CAP) need to be appropriate, reliable and valid. Objective: This study aimed to confirm the 6-factor structure of the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAPI) in a German sample of mothers and fathers, and to examine longitudinal predictors of CAP. Participants and setting: Two waves of data were collected from 197 mothers and 191 fathers of children aged 10–21 months for the “Kinder in Deutschland–KiD 0–3” in-depth study. Families were stratified based on prior self-report data for screening purposes. Methods: 138 fathers and 147 mothers were included in the analysis (invalid: 25% mothers, 30% fathers). First, validity of reporting was examined. Second, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to assess factor structure. Third, internal reliability and criterion validity were examined. Finally, multivariate poisson regressions investigated longitudinal predictors of CAP in mothers. Results: A previously established six-factor structure was confirmed for mothers but not fathers. CFA failed for fathers due to large numbers of variables with zero variance. For mothers, internal consistency and criterion validity were good. BCAPI score at follow-up was associated with baseline BCAPI score (β= 00.08), stress (β= 0.06), education (β=-0.19) and alcohol use(β= .58). Conclusions: Findings confirm the six-factor structure of the BCAPI among German mothers. The clinical use of the BCAPI in fathers is not recommended as it might produce data that are hard to interpret. Further research with fathers is needed to establish if this is due to limitations with this dataset or with the questionnaire.

Perception of university students about doctors and quality of health care provision at clinics: a multi-national study in India, Pakistan, Spain and United States of America (2020)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Shankar Pitani, Ravi ; Sathe, Sushama ; Chivate, Sanika ; Jagadale, Prabhas ; Saeed, Farah ; Alam, Syed Mahboob ; Rodilla, Vicent ; Mounib, Chaimae ; Santiesteban Jr., Edel

Background: Patient satisfaction is considered as an indicator of the healthcare quality. Information on patient satisfaction based on medical expertise of the physician, interpersonal skills, physician-patient interaction time, perception and needs of the patient allow policymakers to identify areas for improvement. Primary care services and healthcare structure differ between the countries. The present study was done to determine and analyze the determinants associated with patient satisfaction in India, Pakistan, Spain and USA. Methods: This descriptive study was performed in January to August 2019 among students from Mumbai University, India, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain, Texas State University, Texas, USA. On the basis of the eligibility criterion (those who gave a written informed consent and were registered students of respective university) 890 (India: 369, Pakistan: 128, Spain: 195, USA: 99) students were selected for the present study. Results: India had almost similar male (49%) to female (51%) ratio of participants. For other 3 countries (PK, ES, US), female participant percentage was nearly 20% or even more as compared to male participants. Overall participant’s satisfaction score about medial expertise of the doctor were highest in India (71%) and were lowest in Spain (43%). Overall satisfaction score about time spent with doctor were highest for India (64%) and were lowest for Spain (41%). Overall satisfaction score about communication with doctor were highest for US (60%) and were lowest for PK (53%). Overall satisfaction score for medical care given by the doctor was lowest in PK (43%) and was highest in US (64%). Overall satisfaction about doctor, highest number of US (83%) and lowest number of PK (32%) participants were satisfied about medical interaction with doctors. Conclusions: These multi-country findings can provide information for health policy making in India, Pakistan, Spain and USA. Although the average satisfaction per country, except Pakistan is more than 60%, the results suggest that there is ample room for improvement.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic usage among university students from Karachi, Pakistan (2019)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Ziesenis, Patrick ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Ahmad, Mansoor ; Saeed, Farah ; Rizvi, Ramla ; Kapadi, Atul ; Sathe, Sushama ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Antimicrobial resistance has become a serious global problem. A potential post-antibiotic era is threatening present and future medical advances. In Pakistan, the usage of antibiotic is unnecessarily high and due to over exposure to these drugs, bacteria are developing resistance against these drugs. It is necessary to improve public awareness about the rational use of antibiotics in order to bring a change in consumer’s behaviour. Therefore, present study was undertaken to assess the existing knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic usage among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during May-June 2018. 200 students were approached to participate in the study of which 159 agreed to participate (males: 70, females: 89). Pretested questionnaire was distributed to the study subjects and the collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Substantial number of (33% and 50%) participants were unaware about the differences in antibiotic: anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic: antipyretics respectively. 29% of the participants thought it is right to stop antibiotics only based on symptomatic improvement. Thirty nine percent and eighty three percent participants believed that antibiotics should always be prescribed to treat flu like symptoms and pneumonia respectively. Conclusions: Participants demonstrated average knowledge about antibiotics. Similarly, their attitude and practice toward antibiotic use was associated with misconceptions. An educational intervention is necessary to make them aware about rational use of antibiotics.

Expectancy, usage and acceptance by general practitioners and patients: exploratory results from a study in the German outpatient sector (2017)

Albrecht, Urs-Vito ; Afshar, Kambiz ; Illiger, Kristin ; Becker, Stefan ; Hartz, Tobias ; Breil, Bernhard ; Wichelhaus, Daniel ; von Jan, Ute

Objective: The study’s objective was to assess factors contributing to the use of smart devices by general practitioners (GPs) and patients in the health domain, while specifically addressing the situation in Germany, and to determine whether, and if so, how both groups differ in their perceptions of these technologies. Methods: GPs and patients of resident practices in the Hannover region, Germany, were surveyed between April and June 2014. A total of 412 GPs in this region were invited by email to participate via an electronic survey, with 50 GPs actually doing so (response rate 12.1%). For surveying the patients, eight regional resident practices were visited by study personnel (once each). Every second patient arriving there (inclusion criteria: of age, fluent in German) was asked to take part (paper-based questionnaire). One hundred and seventy patients participated; 15 patients who did not give consent were excluded. Results: The majority of the participating patients (68.2%, 116/170) and GPs (76%, 38/50) owned mobile devices. Of the patients, 49.9% (57/116) already made health-related use of mobile devices; 95% (36/38) of the participating GPs used them in a professional context. For patients, age (P<0.001) and education (P<0.001) were significant factors, but not gender (P>0.99). For doctors, neither age (P¼0.73), professional experience (P>0.99) nor gender (P¼0.19) influenced usage rates. For patients, the primary use case was obtaining health (service)-related information. For GPs, interprofessional communication and retrieving information were in the foreground. There was little app-related interaction between both groups. Conclusions: GPs and patients use smart mobile devices to serve their specific interests. However, the full potentials of mobile technologies for health purposes are not yet being taken advantage of. Doctors as well as other care providers and the patients should work together on exploring and realising the potential benefits of the technology.

A study to assess knowledge and attitude towards HIV among students from Mumbai university (2019)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Bhasi, Aishwarya ; Dhule, Aditya ; Dugane, Rajesh ; Borkar, Asang ; Shankar Pitani, Ravi ; Sathe, Sushama ; Kapadi, Atul

Background: India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world. The Indian epidemic is characterized by low levels in the general population and elevated concentrations among high-risk groups. The present study was planned to determine the awareness of HIV among students from Mumbai University. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May–June 2017. Two hundred and fifty students were approached to participate in the study of which 199 agreed to participate (males: 132; females: 67). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Study participants had high knowledge (86%) and attitude score (87%). There was no significant difference between males and female participants for attitude and knowledge, except for one question regarding knowledge about HIV transmission via breastfeeding to child. Conclusions: Present study showed that there are no misconceptions or negative attitudes regarding HIV among students. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size across India is recommended for further investigation.

Politicians’ Self-Reported Social Media Activities (2019)

Kelm, Ole ; Dohle, Marco ; Bernhard, Uli

The growing importance of social media in the political arena seems to be in line with the mediatization of politics thesis, which states that mediated communication is becoming more important in politics and increasingly influences political processes. However, how politicians’ social media activities and politicians’ perceptions concerning social media have developed over time has rarely been examined. Moreover, it is unclear how the politicians’ activities and perceptions are related to each other. Referring to theoretical approaches, such as the influence of presumed influence approach, four surveys were conducted among German parliamentarians (MPs) between 2012 and 2016 (n = 194/149/170/118). The results indicate that the MPs’ self-reported social media activities and perceptions have remained remarkably constant since 2012. Regression analyses indicate that MPs’ self-reported social media activities and perceptions are hardly related to each other. This raises the question whether mediatization processes are indeed driven by politicians’ perceptions about media influences.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic usage among students from Mumbai University (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Naware, Sanika ; Bare, Priyanka ; Dalvi, Shreya ; Dhurve, Ketaki ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Shankar Pitani, Ravi ; Kanso, Zeinab ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Discovery of antibiotics have helped to manage the devastating diseases. Presently, the antibiotic era is threatened by the emergence of high level of antibiotic resistance of important pathogens. Misuse of antibiotics poses a serious risk to infectious disease control. It is necessary to improve public awareness to bring a change in the behavior of consumers. Therefore, present study was undertaken to assess the existing knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic usage among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. 300 students were approached to participate in the study of which 250 agreed to participate (males: 117; females: 133). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Substantial number (33% and 40%) participants were unaware about the differences in antibiotic-anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic-antipyretics respectively. 28% of the participants thought it is right to stop antibiotics only based on symptoms improvement. Sixty eight percent and seventy nine percent participants believed that antibiotics should always be prescribed to treat flu like symptoms and pneumonia respectively. Conclusions: Participants demonstrated poor knowledge about antibiotics. Similarly, their attitude and practice toward antibiotic use was associated with misconceptions. An educational intervention can be introduced to make them aware about rational antibiotic practices.

The benefits of agreeing on what matters most: Team cooperative norms mediate the effect of co-leaders' shared goals on safety climate in neonatal intensive care units (2018)

Kuntz, Ludwig ; Scholten, Nadine ; Wilhelm, Hendrik ; Wittland, Michael ; Hillen, Hendrik Ansgar

BACKGROUND: Safety climate research suggests that a corresponding climate in work units is crucial for patient safety. Intensive care units are usually co-led by a nurse and a physician, who are responsible for aligning an interprofessional workforce and warrant a high level of safety. Yet, little is known about whether and how these interprofessional co-leaders jointly affect their unit's safety climate. PURPOSE: This empirical study aims to explain differences in the units' safety climate as an outcome of the nurse and physician leaders' degree of shared goals. Specifically, we examine whether the degree to which co-leaders share goals in general fosters a safety climate by pronouncing norms of interprofessional cooperation as a behavioral standard for the team members' interactions. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A cross-sectional design was used to gather data from 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Germany. Survey data for our variables were collected from the unit's leading nurse and the leading physician, as well as from the unit's nursing and physician team members. Hypotheses testing at unit level was conducted using multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: Our analyses show that the extent to which nurse-physician co-leaders share goals covaries with safety climate in NICUs. This relationship is partially mediated by norms of interprofessional cooperation among NICU team members. Our final model accounts for 54% of the variability in safety climate of NICUs. CONCLUSION: Increasing the extent to which co-leaders share goals is an effective lever to strengthen interprofessional cooperation and foster a safety climate among nursing and physician team members of hospital units.

Modified ‘Stable Schools’ as a Consulting Tool for Organic Dairy Herds (2020)

Hansmann, Verena ; Volling, Otto ; Krömker, Volker

The aim of this study was to examine the opinions of farmers on a consulting project, which was established for organic dairy farms in Northern Germany involving different animal health experts who participated in the meetings. Furthermore, the properties of measures that are of decisive importance for implementation on the farms were identified to improve consultancy services for dairy farming. Once a year, the farmers met on a host-farm in one of three groups consisting of five to nine farms, a facilitator and an expert. At each meeting, a host-farm was visited and the analysed data of all participating farms of the previous year were presented to the group members. Each farmer had the possibility to report on success stories and issues concerning his herd. During discussions, the farmers first proposed mutual farm-specific measures for improving herd health and animal welfare. Afterwards, the expert named possible interventions and commented on the given measures of the farmers. All measures were noted by the facilitator. At the end of each meeting, each farmer could choose which of the given measures he wanted to implement. Open group-interviews as well as anonymous questionnaires for the farmers were used at the meetings in winter 2016/2017 to evaluate their perception of this consulting project and to determine which properties of measures were important for implementation on the farms. Based on the results of this study, the participating farmers were very positive towards this kind of consulting project. They favoured the participation of an expert during the meetings and the analysis of farm-specific data. Farmers mostly chose measures for implementation proposed by farmers and approved by the expert, followed by those proposed by the expert only. Measures were chosen when they were practical in the implementation, effective, efficient and took a low additional workload for implementation.

Case-control study on factors associated with a decreased milk yield and a depressed health status of dairy herds in northern Germany (2019)

Jensen, Katharina Charlotte ; Frömke, Cornelia ; Schneider, Bettina ; Do Duc, Phuong ; Gundling, Frieder ; Birnstiel, Katrin ; Schönherr, Franziska ; Scheu, Theresa ; Kaiser-Wichern, Anika ; Woudstra, Svenja ; Seyboldt, Christian ; Hoedemaker, Martina ; Campe, Amelie

Background In the past years, it became apparent that health status and performance differ considerably within dairy farms in Northern Germany. In order to obtain clues with respect to possible causes of these differences, a case-control study was performed. Case farms, which showed signs of health and performance problems, and control farms, which had none of these signs, were compared. Risk factors from different areas such as health management, housing, hygiene and nutrition were investigated as these are known to be highly influential. The aim of this study was to identify major factors within these areas that have the strongest association with health and performance problems of dairy herds in Northern Germany. Results In the final model, a lower energy density in the roughage fraction of the diet, more pens with dirty lying areas and a low ratio of cows per watering spaces were associated with a higher risk for herd health problems. Moreover, case farms were affected by infections with intestinal parasites, lungworms, liver flukes and Johne’s Disease numerically more often than control farms. Case farms more often had pens with raised cubicles compared to the deep bedded stalls or straw yards found in control farms. In general, the hygiene of the floors and beddings was worse in case farms. Concerning nutrition, the microbiological and sensory quality of the provided silages was often insufficient, even in control farms. Less roughage was provided to early lactating cows and the feed was pushed to the feeding fence less frequently in case farms than in control farms. Conclusions The results show that milk yield and health status were associated with various factors from different areas stressing the importance of all aspects of management for good animal health and performance. Moreover, this study confirmed well-known risk factors for health problems and performance losses. These should better be taken heed of in herd health management.

A systematic scorecard-based approach to site assessment in preparation for Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials in affected countries (2020)

Salami, Kolawole ; Imbault, Nathalie ; Erlebach, Aljoscha ; Urban, Johanna ; Zoglowek, Mike ; Tornieporth, Nadia G.

Background: We sought to develop and test an objective scorecard-based system for assessing and categorizing available research sites in Lassa fever-affected countries based on their preparedness and capability to host Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. Methods: We mapped available clinical research sites through interrogation of online clinical trial registries and relevant disease-based consortia. A structured online questionnaire was used to assess the capability of clinical trial sites to conduct Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. We developed a new scoring template by allocating scores to questionnaire parameters based on perceived importance to the conduct of clinical trials as described in the WHO/TDR Global Competency Framework for Clinical Research. Cutoff points of 75% and 50% were used to categorize sites into categories A, B, or C. Results: This study identified 44 clinical trial sites in 8 Lassa fever-affected countries. Out of these, 35 sites were characterized based on their capacity to hold Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. A total of 14 sites in 4 countries were identified as ready to host Lassa fever vaccine trials immediately or with little support. Conclusion: It is feasible to hold Lassa fever vaccine trials in affected countries based on the outcome of the survey. However, the findings are to be validated through sites' visits. This experience with a standardized and objective method of the site assessment is encouraging, and the site selection method used can serve as an orientation to sponsors and researchers planning clinical trials in the region.

Noise patterns in visceral surgical procedures: Analysis of second-bysecond dBA data of 599 procedures over the course of one year (2020)

Baltin, Christoph Tobias ; Wilhelm, Hendrik ; Wittland, Michael ; Hölscher, Arnulf H. ; Stippel, Dirk ; Astvatsatourov, Anatoli

The objective of this study is to analyze noise patterns during 599 visceral surgical procedures. Considering work-safety regulations, we will identify immanent noise patterns during major visceral surgeries. Increased levels of noise are known to have negative health impacts. Based on a very finegrained data collection over a year, this study will introduce a new procedure for visual representation of intra-surgery noise progression and pave new paths for future research on noise reduction in visceral surgery. Digital decibel sound-level meters were used to record the total noise in three operating theatres in one-second cycles over a year. These data were matched to archival data on surgery characteristics. Because surgeries inherently vary in length, we developed a new procedure to normalize surgery times to run cross-surgery comparisons. Based on this procedure, dBA values were adjusted to each normalized time point. Noise-level patterns are presented for surgeries contingent on important surgery characteristics: 16 different surgery types, operation method, day/night time point and operation complexity (complexity levels 1–3). This serves to cover a wide spectrum of day-to-day surgeries. The noise patterns reveal significant sound level differences of about 1 dBA, with the mostcommon noise level being spread between 55 and 60 dBA. This indicates a sound situation in many of the surgeries studied likely to cause stress in patients and staff. Absolute and relative risks of meeting or exceeding 60 dBA differ considerably across operation types. In conclusion, the study reveals that maximum noise levels of 55 dBA are frequently exceeded during visceral surgical procedures. Especially complex surgeries show, on average, a higher noise exposure. Our findings warrant active noise management for visceral surgery to reduce potential negative impacts of noise on surgical performance and outcome.

Antimicrobial Activity of a Phage Mixture and a Lactic Acid Bacterium against Staphylococcus aureus from Bovine Mastitis (2020)

Titze, Isabel ; Krömker, Volker

The antimicrobial activity of a phagemixture and a lactic acid bacteriumagainst Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine origin was investigated in vitro with regard to possible applications in the therapy of udder inflammation (mastitis) caused by bacterial infections. The S. aureus isolates used for inoculation derived from quarter foremilk samples of mastitis cases. For the examination of the antimicrobial activity, the reduction of the S. aureus germ density was determined [log10 cfu/mL]. The phage mixture consisted of the three obligatory lytic and S. aureus-specific phages STA1.ST29, EB1.ST11 and EB1.ST27 (1:1:1). The selected Lactobacillus plantarum strain with proven antimicrobial properties and the phage mixture were tested against S. aureus in milk, both alone and in combination. The application of the lactic acid bacterium showed only a low reduction ability for a 24 h incubation period. The bacteriophage mixture as well as its combination with the lactic acid bacterium showed high antimicrobial activity against S. aureus for a 24 h incubation period at 37 C, with only the phage mixture showing significance.

Prevention of Intramammary Infections by Prepartum External Application of a Teat Dip Containing Lactic Acid Bacteria with Antimicrobial Properties in Dairy Heifers (2020)

Paduch, Jan-Hendrik ; Lücking, Johanna ; Mansion-de Vries, Elisabeth ; Zinke, Claudia ; Wente, Nicole ; Krömker, Volker

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of the prepartum external treatment of teats with a combination of four lactic acid bacteria strains viz. Lactobacillus (Lb.) rhamnosus ATCC 7469, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis ATCC 11454, Lb. paracasei 78/37 (DSM 26911), and Lb. plantarum 118/37 (DSM 26912) on the postcalving udder health of dairy heifers. The study used a split-udder design. Two weeks before the expected calving date, one of two contralateral teats of a teat pair was dipped with an aqueous suspension of lactic acid bacteria (final bacterial counts 8.40–8.47 log10-transformed CFU/mL) once in a week until calving; the other teat of the pair was not treated. After calving, quarter foremilk samples were taken and investigated cyto-microbiologically. In total, 629 teat pairs of 319 heifers were included. There was an association between the treatment and intramammary infections caused by the major udder-pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and enterococci, as well as clinical mastitis in the first 100 days after calving. The present study indicates that intramammary infections with major pathogens and clinical mastitis may be prevented by regular prepartum external application of lactic acid bacteria in dairy heifers.

An Approach to Calculate and Visualize Intraoperative Scattered Radiation Exposure (2009)

Wagner, Markus ; Duwenkamp, Christopher ; Dresing, Klaus ; Bott, Oliver J.

During the intraoperative radiograph generation process with mobile image intensifier systems (C-arm) most of the radiation exposure for patient, surgeon and operation room personal is caused by scattered radiation. The intensity and propagation of scattered radiation depend on different parameters, e.g. the intensity of the primary radiation, and the positioning of the mobile image intensifier. Exposure through scattered radiation can be minimized when all these parameters are adjusted correctly. Because radiation is potentially dangerous and could not be perceived by any human sense the current education on correct adjustment of a C-arm is designed very theoretical. This paper presents an approach of scattered radiation calculation and visualization embedded in a computer based training system for mobile image intensifier systems called virtX. With the help of this extension the virtX training system should enrich the current radiation protection training with visual and practical training aspects.

Results of a Literature Review to Prepare Data Modelling in the Context of Kidney Transplant Rejection Diagnosis (2019)

Katzensteiner, Matthias ; Ludwig, Wolfram ; Marschollek, Michael ; Bott, Oliver J.

Due to demographic change the number of serious kidney diseases and thus required transplantations will increase. The increased demand for donor organs and a decreasing supply of these organs underline the necessity for effective early rejection diagnostic measures to improve the lifetime of transplants. Expert systems might improve rejection diagnostics but for the development of such systems data models are needed that encompass the relevant information to enable optimal data aggregation and evaluation. Results of a literature review concerning published data models and information systems concerned with kidney transplant rejection diagnostic lead to a set of data elements even if no papers could be identified that publish data models explicitly.

Familiär im Norden – Nachlese zur 26. BOBCATSSS in Riga, Lettland (2018)

Blümel, Ina ; Clausing, Silke ; Altemeier, Franziska ; Andresen, Amelie ; Brun, Aline ; Dony, Carina ; Kaminski, Marisa ; Pellowski, Antje ; Schugt, Helena ; Talk, Anne

Bereits zum dritten Mal in Folge nahm eine zehnköpfige Gruppe Studierender der Hochschule Hannover aus dem Vollzeit- sowie dem berufsbegleitenden Bachelor-Studiengang Informationsmanagement, in Begleitung zweier Dozentinnen, an der BOBCATSSS-Konferenz teil. Nachdem bisher ausschließlich auf der Hochschulwebseite und tagesaktuell im Blog über Erfahrungen und Erlebnisse während der drei BOBCATSSS-Exkursionen berichtet wurde, folgt hiermit nun ein zusammenhängender Beitrag über die diesjährige Konferenz vom 24. bis zum 26. Januar 2018 in Riga, Lettland. Die BOBCATSSS-Konferenz ist eine internationale Konferenz der Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaften. Im Gegensatz zu IFLA & Co wird sie fast ausschließlich von Studierenden wechselnder Universitäten in Europa ausgerichtet.

Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Based Carbon Nanofibers: The Role of Creep Stress towards Cyclization and Graphitization (2018)

Bin Ali, Annas ; Dreyer, Bastian ; Renz, Franz ; Tegenkamp, Christoph ; Sindelar, Ralf

The properties of these carbon nanostructures are determined by the structure and orientation of the graphitic domains during pyrolysis of carbon precursors. In this work, we investigated systematically the impact of creep stress during the stabilization process on the cyclization and molecular orientation of polyacrylonitrile as well as the graphitized structure after high temperature carbonization. Therefore, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is electrospun and then stabilized with and without application of creep stress at different temperatures. The effect of creep stress on cyclization was monitored via Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) and it was found that the degree of cyclization varies with the application of creep stress during the initial stages of cyclization at low temperatures (190°C and 210°C) in contrast to cyclization done at higher temperature (230°C). Herman molecular orientation factor was evaluated by polarized FTIR for PAN nanofibers cyclized with and without creep stress at 230°C-10 h. Subsequently, carbonization was performed at 1000°C and 1200°C for nanofibers cyclized at 230°C-10 h. Our results from XRD and Raman spectroscopy shows that the degree of graphitization and ordering of graphitic domains was enhanced for PAN nanofibers that were creep stressed during the cyclization process, even though both PAN nanofibers cyclized with creep stress and without creep stress showed the same amount of cyclized material. This increased degree of graphitization can be tracked to application of creep stress during the stabilization process which obviously favors the formation of sp2-hybridized carbon planes in the carbonization process. This finding highlights the impact of mechanical stress linking the cyclization of PAN nanofibers to graphitization. Our results will pave the way for a deeper understanding of mechano-chemical processes to fabricate well-aligned graphitic domains which improves the mechanical and electrical properties of CNFs.

Efficacy of Bacteriophages Against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Bovine Mastitis (2020)

Titze, Isabel ; Lehnherr, Tatiana ; Lehnherr, Hansjörg ; Krömker, Volker

The lytic efficacy of bacteriophages against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine milk was investigated in vitro, regarding possible applications in the therapy of udder inflammation caused by bacterial infections (mastitis). The host range of sequenced, lytic bacteriophages was determined against a collection of 92 Staphylococcus (S.) aureus isolates. The isolates originated from quarter foremilk samples of clinical and subclinical mastitis cases. A spot test and a subsequent plaque assay were used to determine the phage host range. According to their host range, propagation and storage properties, three phages, STA1.ST29, EB1.ST11, and EB1.ST27, were selected for preparing a bacteriophage mixture (1:1:1), which was examined for its lytic activity against S. aureus in pasteurized and raw milk. It was found that almost two thirds of the isolates could be lysed by at least one of the tested phages. The bacteriophage mixture was able to reduce the S. aureus germ density in pasteurized milk and its reduction ability was maintained in raw milk, with only a moderate decrease compared to the results in pasteurized milk. The significant reduction ability of the phage mixture in raw milk promotes further in vivo investigation.

Graphene Nanoplatelet (GNPs) Doped Carbon Nanofiber (CNF) System: Effect of GNPs on the Graphitic Structure of Creep Stress and Non-Creep Stress Stabilized Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) (2020)

Bin Ali, Annas ; Renz, Franz ; Koch, Julian ; Tegenkamp, Christoph ; Sindelar, Ralf

Improving the graphitic structure in carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is important for exploiting their potential in mechanical, electrical and electrochemical applications. Typically, the synthesis of carbon fibers with a highly graphitized structure demands a high temperature of almost 2500 °C. Furthermore, to achieve an improved graphitic structure, the stabilization of a precursor fiber has to be assisted by the presence of tension in order to enhance the molecular orientation. Keeping this in view, herein we report on the fabrication of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) doped carbon nanofibers using electrospinning followed by oxidative stabilization and carbonization. The effect of doping GNPs on the graphitic structure was investigated by carbonizing them at various temperatures (1000 °C, 1200 °C, 1500 °C and 1700 °C). Additionally, a stabilization was achieved with and without constant creep stress (only shrinkage stress) for both pristine and doped precursor nanofibers, which were eventually carbonized at 1700 °C. Our findings reveal that the GNPs doping results in improving the graphitic structure of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Further, in addition to the templating effect during the nucleation and growth of graphitic crystals, the GNPs encapsulated in the PAN nanofiber matrix act in-situ as micro clamp units performing the anchoring function by preventing the loss of molecular orientation during the stabilization stage, when no external tension is applied to nanofiber mats. The templating effect of the entire graphitization process is reflected by an increased electrical conductivity along the fibers. Simultaneously, the electrical anisotropy is reduced, i.e., the GNPs provide effective pathways with improved conductivity acting like bridges between the nanofibers resulting in an improved conductivity across the fiber direction compared to the pristine PAN system.

Beratung und ihre Ethik : Impulse aus der Beratungskritik und aus Foucaults Philosophie (2019)

Austermann, Frank

In der philosophischen Ethik wird unterschieden zwischen deskriptiver Ethik, normativer Ethik und Metaethik. In diesem Beitrag steht die normative Ethik im Mittelpunkt. Es soll die Frage erörtert werden, welche ethischen Kriterien für die Praxis von Beratung gelten sollten. Zu diesem Zweck werden zunächst beratungskritische Traditionen angeführt und im Anschluss professionsethische Überlegungen mit Rückgriff auf Impulse aus Foucaults Philosophie angestellt.

Zu den demokratischen, emanzipatorischen und internationalen Wurzeln der Profession Supervision am Beispiel von Cora Baltussens Beratungsverständnis (2019)

Austermann, Frank

Mit Blick auf Cora Baltussens Leben, Wirken und Beratungsverständnis werden die demokratischen, emanzipatorischen und internationalen Wurzeln der Rezeption der Profession Supervision in Deutschland in den 1950er und 1960er Jahren betont. Das ist besonders notwendig angesichts kritischer Weiterentwicklungen von Supervision und Coaching, bei denen die professionsethischen Grundlagenfragen zum Teil aus dem Blick geraten.

Ökonomisierung in der Beratung? Zur Notwendigkeit gesellschaftspolitischer Diskurse im Hinblick auf Supervision und Coaching (2015)

Austermann, Frank

Verschriftlichung des Grußworts auf der Fachtagung „Supervision im Suppenküchenstaat - Zur Ökonomisierung der Sozialen Arbeit im Spiegel von Supervision und Coaching“ (Friedberg, 20.10.2014)

In Vitro Susceptibility of Mastitis Pathogens Isolated from Clinical Mastitis Cases on Northern German Dairy Farms (2020)

Bolte, Josef ; Zhang, Yanchao ; Wente, Nicole ; Krömker, Volker

The present research study investigated the susceptibility of common mastitis pathogens—obtained from clinical mastitis cases on 58 Northern German dairy farms—to routinely used antimicrobials. The broth microdilution method was used for detecting the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Streptococcus agalactiae (n = 51), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (n = 54), Streptococcus uberis (n = 50), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 85), non-aureus staphylococci (n = 88), Escherichia coli (n = 54) and Klebsiella species (n = 52). Streptococci and staphylococci were tested against cefquinome, cefoperazone, cephapirin, penicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefalexin/kanamycin. Besides cefquinome and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, Gram-negative pathogens were examined for their susceptibility to marbofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. The examined S. dysgalactiae isolates exhibited the comparatively lowest MICs. S. uberis and S. agalactiae were inhibited at higher amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cephapirin concentration levels, whereas S. uberis isolates additionally exhibited elevated cefquinome MICs. Most Gram-positive mastitis pathogens were inhibited at higher cloxacillin than oxacillin concentrations. The MICs of Gram-negative pathogens were higher than previously reported, whereby 7.4%, 5.6% and 11.1% of E. coli isolates had MICs above the highest concentrations tested for cefquinome, marbofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, respectively. Individual isolates showed MICs at comparatively higher concentrations, leading to the hypothesis that a certain amount of mastitis pathogens on German dairy farms might be resistant to frequently used antimicrobials.

Coaching, das Personal entwickelt, Personen ausschließt und Personenentwicklung instrumentalisiert. Ein diskursanalytischer Blick auf Schreyöggs Beratungsverständnis und ihren Rückgriff auf Neubergers "Personalentwicklung" (2013)

Austermann, Frank

Was bedeutet es beratungswissenschaftlich und beratungspraktisch, wenn wie bei Astrid Schreyögg Coaching als Instrument einer Personalentwicklung im Sinne Oswald Neubergers verstanden wird, der ausdrücklich betont: „Der Mensch ist Mittel. Punkt.“ Wie ist ein solches Coachingverständnis diskursanalytisch zuzuordnen, in dem eine bestimmte Arbeits‐ und Organisationspsychologie sich in den Dienst eines bestimmten Verständnisses von Personalwirtschaft stellt? Wie wirkt sich dies in der konkreten Beratungspraxis aus? Welches Menschenbild liegt einem solchen Coaching zugrunde? Lassen sich historisch Modelle rekonstruieren, in denen psychologische Methoden und Techniken im Interesse einer bestimmten ökonomistischen Weltanschauung und Haltung instrumentalisiert wurden? Der Autor vertritt die These, dass „Psychotechnik“ und „Menschenökonomie“ aus den 1910er‐ und 1920er‐Jahren charakteristische Ähnlichkeiten mit einem personalentwicklungsorientierten Coaching aufweisen, wie es Schreyögg unter Rückgriff auf Neubergers Lehrbuch vertritt.

Supervision oder Seelsorge - das ist hier die Frage. Ein diskursanalytischer Diskussionsbeitrag zur pastoralpsychologischen Supervision (2012)

Austermann, Frank

Der Autor setzt sich mit der Frage auseinander, ob pastoralpsychologisch ausgebildete Seelsorger/innen besonders geeignet sind, Mitarbeitende in Kirche und Diakonie zu supervidieren? In der Auseinandersetzung mit Vertretern der pastoralpsychologischen Supervision kommt er zu dem Ergebnis, dass die postulierten Vorteile nur dann zum Tragen kommen, wenn die Supervisoren ihre berufsbezogene Beratungstätigkeit von der theologischen Arbeit zu unterscheiden und zu trennen wissen.

Foucault im Jobcenter : Supervision in einem widersprüchlichen gesellschaftlichen Feld (Teil 2) (2018)

Griewatz, Hans-Peter ; Walpuski, Volker Jörn

Ziel dieses zweiten Teils ist eine ausführliche (struktur-)hermeneutische Rekonstruktion und Interpretation des Falles, den wir 2017 im ersten Teil dieses Artikels zur Illustration einer historischen, gesellschaftskritischen und makrosoziologischen Perspektive auf den Wandel der Arbeitswelt und den aktivierenden Sozialstaat verwendet hatten. Diese Perspektive tritt nun zugunsten biografischer, sozialwissenschaftlicher und pädagogischer sowie institutions- und organisationstheoretischer Interpretationen und Analysen des Feldes Jobcenter zurück. In ihm spiegeln sich die im ersten Teil beschriebenen Desintegrationsdynamiken wie in einem Brennglas wider. Die biografische Interpretation baut auf der Gestaltmehrdeutigkeit von Biografien nach Rosenthal auf, sie thematisiert die biografischen Übergänge, die eng mit der Bewältigung der Entwicklungsaufgaben korrelieren. Darüber hinaus werden sozialwissenschaftlich sowohl psychoanalytische als auch rollen-, habitus- und machttheoretische Aspekte eine wichtige Rolle spielen. In der institutions- und organisationstheoretischen Interpretation werden die Strukturen und das Beratungsverständnis der Jobcenter als gesellschaftliche Institution analysiert. Beratungswissenschaftlich und supervisionstheoretisch bedeutsam aus der Sicht der Autoren ist, dass sowohl Supervisor_innen als auch die Mitarbeitenden in den Jobcentern über biografietheoretische, sozialwissenschaftliche und sozial-pädagogischen Wissensbestände verfügen sollten, damit sie die komplexen, unverstandenen und aufgrund der Aktenlage häufig fragmentierten Biografien ihrer ‚Kund_innen‘ besser verstehen und beurteilen können. Nur dann scheint auch eine advokatorische Ethik greifen zu können, die das unverstandene Material nicht zu Ungunsten ihrer Klient_innen auslegt. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, einen sozial- und strukturhermeneutischen Verstehenszugang in dieses für die Supervision interessante Feld zu eröffnen, der zugleich homologe Übertragungsmöglichkeiten in andere gesellschaftliche Felder ermöglichen kann.

„Foucault im Jobcenter“ : Supervision in einem widersprüchlichen gesellschaftlichen Feld (Teil 1) (2017)

Griewatz, Hans-Peter ; Walpuski, Volker Jörn

Erwerbsarbeit ist nach wie vor der wichtigste Faktor gesellschaftlicher Teilhabe. Jobcenter erfüllen aus diesem Grund eine wichtige gesellschaftliche Funktion. Aufgrund ihrer verwickelten und konfliktreichen Geschichte ist ihre gesellschaftliche Verortung schwierig. Jobcenter sind bisher, trotz ihrer Größe und gesellschaftlichen Relevanz für maßgebliche Bevölkerungsteile, kaum beratungswissenschaftlich untersucht worden. Unserer Ansicht scheint es notwendig zu sein, sich intensiver mit dem gesellschaftlichen Feld der Jobcenter zu beschäftigten: Zum einen, weil Beratung selbst eine herausgehobene Bedeutung im Jobcenter besitzt und zum anderen, weil die Jobcenter ein wichtiges Feld für die Supervision werden könnten. Dieser Artikel soll daher eine erste kasuistische Grundlage für eine kritische Reflexion bieten und wird in zwei Teilen erscheinen. Der erste Teil wird eine grundlagentheoretische Einführung in das Thema sein. Darauf aufbauend rekonstruieren wir in einem zweiten Teil einen Fall aus dem Jobcenter, der in der nächsten Ausgabe der FoRuM Supervision unter dem Titel ‚Fallverstehen und Fallrekonstruktion‘ analysiert und reflektiert werden wird.

Great Transformation: Die Zukunft moderner Gesellschaften (2019)

Walpuski, Volker

Ein Konferenzrückblick: Das DFG-Forschungskolleg „Postwachstumsgesellschaften“ hatte gemeinsam mit der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie (DGS) zu einer gemeinsamen fünftägigen Konferenz vom 23. bis 27. September 2019 an die Friedrich Schiller-Universität Jena geladen, und rund 700 Wissenschaftler*innen und Studierende kamen aus dem In- und Ausland, um an den rund 150 Veranstaltungen teilzunehmen. Begleitet wurde die Konferenz von einem umfänglichen Kulturprogramm mit Konzerten, Kinofilmen und Kunst, und rechtzeitig zur Konferenz erschien als Tagungsband auch eine lesenswerte 600-seitige Sonderausgabe des Berliner Journals für Soziologie (Dörre et al. 2019). Das Konferenzprogramm stand einerseits unter der Thematik der „Great Transformation“, also der auf Karl Polanyi (1886-1964) zurückgehenden These einer zunehmenden Vermarktlichung und Verselbstständigung der Wirtschaft gegenüber der Gesellschaft (vgl. Polanyi 1944), die das DFG-Forschungskolleg rund um die Soziologen Klaus Dörre, Hartmut Rosa und Stefan Lessenich als Titel gewählt hat. Andererseits tagten einige Sektionen der DGS als Regionalkonferenz, um sektionsspezifische Panels durchzuführen.

A Hybrid Approach to Assignment of Library of Congress Subject Headings (2018)

Wartena, Christian ; Franke-Maier, Michael

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) are popular for indexing library records. We studied the possibility of assigning LCSH automatically by training classifiers for terms used frequently in a large collection of abstracts of the literature on hand and by extracting headings from those abstracts. The resulting classifiers reach an acceptable level of precision, but fail in terms of recall partly because we could only train classifiers for a small number of LCSH. Extraction, i.e., the matching of headings in the text, produces better recall but extremely low precision. We found that combining both methods leads to a significant improvement of recall and a slight improvement of F1 score with only a small decrease in precision.

Accuracy of Magnetometer-Guided Sentinel Lymphadenectomy after Intraprostatic Injection of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Prostate Cancer: The SentiMag Pro II Study (2019)

Winter, Alexander ; Engels, Svenja ; Goos, Philipp ; Süykers, Marie-Christin ; Gudenkauf, Stefan ; Henke, Rolf-Peter ; Wawroschek, Friedhelm

Radioisotope-guided sentinel lymph node dissection (sLND) has shown high diagnostic reliability in prostate (PCa) and other cancers. To overcome the limitations of the radioactive tracers, magnetometer-guided sLND using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) has been successfully used in PCa. This prospective study (SentiMag Pro II, DRKS00007671) determined the diagnostic accuracy of magnetometer-guided sLND in intermediate- and high-risk PCa. Fifty intermediate- or high-risk PCa patients (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >= 10 ng/mL and/or Gleason score >= 7; median PSA 10.8 ng/mL, IQR 7.4–19.2 ng/mL) were enrolled. After the intraprostatic SPIONs injection a day earlier, patients underwent magnetometer-guided sLND and extended lymph node dissection (eLND, followed by radical prostatectomy. SLNs were detected in in vivo and in ex vivo samples. Diagnostic accuracy of sLND was assessed using eLND as the reference. SLNs were detected in all patients (detection rate 100%), with 447 sentinel lymph nodes SLNs (median 9, IQR 6–12) being identified and 966 LNs (median 18, IQR 15–23) being removed. Thirty-six percent (18/50) of patients had LN metastases (median 2, IQR 1–3). Magnetometer-guided sLND had 100% sensitivity, 97.0% specificity, 94.4% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, 0.0% false negative rate, and 3.0% additional diagnostic value (LN metastases only in SLNs outside the eLND template). In vivo, one positive SLN/LN-positive patient was missed, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.4%. In conclusion, this new magnetic sentinel procedure has high accuracy for nodal staging in intermediate- and high-risk PCa. The reliability of intraoperative SLN detection using this magnetometer system requires verification in further multicentric studies.

Systematizing IT Risks (2019)

Disterer, Georg

IT risks — risks associated with the operation or use of information technology — have taken on great importance in business, and IT risk management is accordingly important in the science and practice of information management. Therefore, it is necessary to systematize IT risks in order to plan, manage and control for different risk-specific measures. In order to choose and implement suitable measures for managing IT risks, effect-based and causebased procedures are necessary. These procedures are explained in detail for IT security risks because of their special importance.

Resistance of Injection Molded Wood-Polypropylene Composites against Basidiomycetes According to EN 15534-1 : New Insights on the Test Procedure, Structural Alterations, and Impact of Wood Source (2019)

Krause, Kim Christian ; Brischke, Christian ; Koddenberg, Tim ; Buschalsky, Andreas ; Militz, Holger ; Krause, Andreas

In this study, we investigated injection molded wood-polypropylene composites based on various wood sources and their decay resistance against white rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown rot (Coniophora puteana) in a laboratory test according to EN 15534-1:2014. The manufactured composites consisted of poplar (Populus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.), and a commercial wood source (Arbocel® C100), respectively. All formulations were compounded on a co-rotating twin screw extruder and subsequently injection molded to wood–PP specimens with a wood content of 60% or 70% by weight. It was found that the test procedure had a significant eﬀect on the mechanical properties. Loss in mechanical properties was primarily caused by moisture and less by fungal decay. Moisture caused a loss in the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of 34 to 45% and 29 to 73%, respectively. Mean mass and wood mass losses were up to a maximum of 3.7% and 5.3%, respectively. The high resistance against fungal decay was generally attributed to the encapsulation of wood by the polymer matrix caused by sample preparation, and enhanced by reduced moisture uptake during the preconditioning procedure. Notable diﬀerences with respect to the wood particle source and decay fungi were also observed. Structural characterization confirmed the decay pattern of the fungi such as void cavities close the surface and the deposition of calcium oxalates.

Integriertes Anlagenengineering zur Erhöhung der Energieeffizienz - Steuerungsprogramme automatisch aus Engineering-Daten erzeugen (2019)

Würger, Andreas ; Niemann, Karl-Heinz ; Fay, Alexander ; Gienke, Michael ; Paulick, Martin

Bei der Integration technischer Energiemanagementsysteme (tEnMS) in Automatisierungsanlagen fällt ein hoher Engineering-Aufwand an, besonders für die Steuerungsprogrammierung. Dieser Engineering-Aufwand ist für industrielle Anwender der Hauptgrund, integrierte tEnMS nicht einzusetzen. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes „Integriertes Anlagenengineering zur Erhöhung der Energieeffizienz (IAE4)“ (Förderkennzeichen: ZN2948; Forschungsprofessur des Landes Niedersachsen/Volkswagenstiftung) wurde untersucht, wie sich dieser Engineering-Aufwand reduzieren lässt. Hierzu wurde ein Software-Werkzeug entwickelt, das die benötigten Steuerungsprogramme automatisch aus Engineering-Daten und Gerätebeschreibungsdateien generiert. Dieser Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse des IAE4-Projektes vor.

Response of Gait Output and Handgrip Strength to Changes in Body Fat Mass in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women (2019)

Ibeneme, Sam ; Ezeigwe, Chinenye ; Ibeneme, Georgian C. ; Ezuma, Amarachi ; Okoye, Ifeoma ; Nwankwo, Joseph M.

Background: Available preliminary data on menopause does not relate changes in body fat mass (BFM) and handgrip strength (HGS) (an indicator of body/muscle strength) to gait parameters. Objective: To determine the relationship between BFM, HGS and gait parameters, namely, stride length (SL) (an indicator of walking balance/postural stability), stride frequency (SF), and velocity (V) (gait out- put), to guide gait training. Methods: Ninety consenting (45 postmenopausal and 45 premenopausal) female staffof the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were randomly selected and assessed for BFM and HGS with a hydration monitor and dynamometer, respectively, in an observational study. The mean of 2 trials of the number of steps and time taken to cover a 10-m distance at normal speed was used to calculate SF, SL, and V. Data were analyzed using an independent t test and a Pearson correlation coefficient at P < 0.05. Results: Premenopausal (BFM = 42.93% [12.61%], HGS = 27.89 [7.52] kg, stride ratio = 1.43, and velocity = 1.04 [0.01] m/sec) and postmenopausal (BFM = 41.55% [12.71%], HGS = 30.91 [7.07] kg, stride ratio = 1.44, and velocity = 1.06 [0.01] m/sec) women showed no significant differences in gait output/velocity ( t = 0.138; P = 0.89; d = 0.029). At postmenopause, BFM was significantly and negatively ( r = –0.369; r 2 = 0.1362; P = 0.013) correlated with SL, whereas HGS was positively and significantly ( r = 0.323; r 2 = 0.104; P = 0.030) correlated with gait output at premenopause. Conclusions: BFM may adversely influence walking balance at postmenopause, whereas HGS may enhance gait output at premenopause but not postmenopause. Therefore, muscle strengthening alone may not enhance gait output in postmenopausal women without balance training.

Transformational Ethics: The Concept of Obedience in Post-Conciliar Jesuit Thinking (2019)

Schnoor, Antje

The paper sheds light on the change in the concept of obedience within the Society of Jesus since the 1960s. In the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, a so-called crisis of authority and obedience took place in the Catholic Church and the religious orders. As a consequence, the notions of responsibility and conscience came to the fore in the Jesuit definition of obedience. The religious concept of obedience, that is the obedience towards God, was reassessed as a service to humanity. The paper analyzes how the change in the concept of obedience gave rise to the promotion of social justice, which the Society of Jesus proclaimed at General Congregation 32 in 1974/75. By including the promotion of social justice into their central mission, Jesuits not only fundamentally transformed their self-conception, but also their ethical values. The paper argues that the pursuit of social justice became a form of religious obedience.

Biofilm Challenge: Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Bovine Udders versus Staphylococci (2019)

Wallis, Jonathan K. ; Krömker, Volker ; Paduch, Jan-Hendrik

Mastitis poses a considerable threat to productivity and to animal welfare on modern dairy farms. However, the common way of antibiotic treatment does not always lead to a cure. Unsuccessful cures can, among other reasons, occur due to biofilm formation of the causative agent. This has attracted interest from researchers to introduce promising alternative therapeutic approaches, such as the use of beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In fact, using LAB for treating mastitis probably requires the formation of a beneficial biofilm by the probiotic bacteria. The present study investigated the ability of five LAB strains, selected on the basis of results from previous studies, to remove and to replace pathogenic biofilms in vitro. For this purpose, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus ATCC 12,600 and two strains—S. xylosus (35/07) and S. epidermidis (575/08)—belonging to the group of coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were allowed to form biofilms in a 96-well plate. Subsequently, the LAB were added to the well. The biofilm challenge was evaluated by scraping off and suspending the biofilm cells, followed by a plate count of serial dilutions using selective media. All the LAB strains successfully removed the staphylococcal biofilms. However, only Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and L. plantarum 2/37 formed biofilms of their own to replace the pathogenic ones.

Impact of physical exercises on immune function, bone mineral density, and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review with meta-analysis (2019)

Ibeneme, Sam Chidi ; Irem, Franklin Onyedinma ; Iloanusi, Nneka Ifeyinwa ; Ezuma, Amarachi Destiny ; Ezenwankwo, Fortune Elochukwu ; Okere, Philip Chinedu ; Nnamani, Amaka Obiageli ; Ezeofor, Salome Nwaelom ; Dim, Ngozi Regina ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Compromised immune function, associated with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection, is improved by antiretroviral therapy (ART) which also decreases bone mineral density (BMD), and possibly the quality of life (QoL). However, physical (aerobic/resistance) exercises, were reported to induce reverse effects in uninfected individuals and were appraised in the literature for evidence of similar benefits in people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA). The main study objective was to evaluate the impact of physical (aerobic and resistance) exercises on CD4+ count, BMD and QoL in PLWHA. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration protocol. Searching databases, up to June 2017, only randomized control trials investigating the effects of either aerobic, resistance or a combination of both exercise types with a control/other intervention(s) for a period of at least 4 weeks among adults living with HIV, were included. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies. Data were extracted and risk of bias (ROB) was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration ROB tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using random effect models using the Review Manager (RevMan) computer software. Results: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria(n = 491 participants at study completion) comprising male and female with age range 22–66 years. Two meta-analyses across 13 sub-group comparisons were performed. However, there were no RCTs on the impact of physical exercises on BMD in PLWHA. The result showed no significant change in CD4+ count unlike a significant effect of 5.04 point (95%CI:-8.49,-3.74,p = 0.00001) for role activity limitation due to physical health (QoL sub-domain). Overall, the GRADE evidence for this review was of moderate quality. Conclusions: There was evidence that engaging in moderate intensity aerobic exercises (55–85% Maximum heart rate-MHR), for 30–60 min, two to five times/week for 6–24 weeks significantly improves role activity limitation due to physical health problems, otherwise physical(aerobic or/and resistance) exercises have no significant effects on CD4+ count and other domains of QoL. Also, there is lack of evidence on the impact of exercises on BMD in PLWHA due to the paucity of RCTs. The moderate grade evidence for this review suggests that further research may likely have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effects and may change the estimate.

Informationsmanager auf dem Arbeitsmarkt. Ergebnisse einer Absolventenbefragung der Hochschule Hannover (2017)

Bertram, Jutta

Anlässlich einer bevorstehenden Curriculumsrevision führte der Bachelorstudiengang Informationsmanagement der Hochschule Hannover im März 2016 eine Studie unter all seinen bisherigen Absolventen durch (Abschlussjahrgänge 2008 bis 2015). Bei einer Grundgesamtheit von 303 Personen antworteten 200 (66%). Die Ergebnisse enthalten ein retrospektives Feedback auf das Studium und skizzieren die Strukturreform, die daraus als Konsequenz erwächst. Zudem geben sie Aufschluss über Berufseinmündung und Berufsverlauf der Alumni und umfassen Eckdaten über ihr erstes und aktuelles Beschäftigungsverhältnis. Der Übergang vom Studium in den Beruf gestaltet sich bei dem Gros der Befragten problemlos. Ein Drittel der Alumni schließt ein Masterstudium an. Zum Befragungszeitpunkt liegt die Beschäftigungsquote bei 96%. Davon arbeiten 64 % unbefristet. Die thematische Breite des IM-Curriculums spiegelt sich in einer Vielfalt von Branchen und Tätigkeiten wider, die die Alumni mit ihrem aktuellen Beschäftigungsverhältnis abdecken. Die Befragten äußern insgesamt eine große Zufriedenheit mit ihrer beruflichen Entwicklung, allerdings hätten sie sich im Studium mehr Orientierung und größere Wahlfreiheit bei der Fächerbelegung gewünscht. Das revidierte Curriculum wird deshalb mehr Verbindlichkeit und zugleich größere Flexibilität bei der Schwerpunktwahl vorsehen.

On Teaching International Courses on Health Information Systems (2017)

Ammenwerth, Elske ; Knaup, Petra ; Winter, Alfred ; Bauer, Axel W. ; Bott, Oliver J. ; Gietzelt, Matthias ; Haarbrandt, Birger ; Hackl, Werner O. ; Hellrung, Nils ; Hübner-Bloder, Gudrun ; Jahn, Franziska ; Jaspers, Monique W. ; Kutscha, Ulrike ; Machan, Christoph ; Oppermann, Bianca ; Pilz, Jochen ; Schwartze, Jonas ; Seidel, Christoph ; Slot, Jan-Eric ; Smers, Stefan ; Spitalewsky, Katharina ; Steckel, Nathalie ; Strübing, Alexander ; van der Haak, Minne ; Haux, Reinhold ; ter Burg, Willem J.

Background: Health information systems (HIS) are one of the most important areas for biomedical and health informatics. In order to professionally deal with HIS well-educated informaticians are needed. Because of these reasons, in 2001 an international course has been established: The Frank – van Swieten Lectures on Strategic Information Management of Health Information Systems. Objectives: Reporting about the Frank – van Swieten Lectures and about our students‘ feedback on this course during the last 16 years. Summarizing our lessons learned and making recommendations for such international courses on HIS. Methods: The basic concept of the Frank – van Swieten lectures is to teach the theoretical background in local lectures, to organize practical exercises on modelling sub-information systems of the respective local HIS and finally to conduct Joint Three Days as an international meeting were the resulting models are introduced and compared. Results: During the last 16 years, the Universities of Amsterdam, Braunschweig, Heidelberg/Heilbronn, Leipzig as well as UMIT were involved in running this course. Overall, 517 students from these universities participated. Our students‘ feedback was clearly positive. The Joint Three Days of the Frank – van Swieten Lectures, where at the end of the course all students can meet, turned out to be an important component of this course. Based on the last 16 years, we recommend common teaching materials, agreement on equivalent clinical areas for the exercises, support of group building of international student groups, motivation of using a collaboration platform, ensuring quality management of the course, addressing different levels of knowledge of the students, and ensuring sufficient funding for joint activities. Conclusions: Although associated with considerable additional efforts, we can clearly recommend establishing such international courses on HIS, such as the Frank – van Swieten Lectures.

Expectancy, usage and acceptance by general practitioners and patients: exploratory results from a study in the German outpatient sector (2017)

Albrecht, Urs-Vito ; Afshar, Kambiz ; Illiger, Kristin ; Becker, Stefan ; Hartz, Tobias ; Breil, Bernhard ; Wichelhaus, Daniel ; von Jan, Ute

Objective The study’s objective was to assess factors contributing to the use of smart devices by general practitioners (GPs) and patients in the health domain, while specifically addressing the situation in Germany, and to determine whether, and if so, how both groups differ in their perceptions of these technologies. Methods GPs and patients of resident practices in the Hannover region, Germany, were surveyed between April and June 2014. A total of 412 GPs in this region were invited by email to participate via an electronic survey, with 50 GPs actually doing so (response rate 12.1%). For surveying the patients, eight regional resident practices were visited by study personnel (once each). Every second patient arriving there (inclusion criteria: of age, fluent in German) was asked to take part (paper-based questionnaire). One hundred and seventy patients participated; 15 patients who did not give consent were excluded. Results The majority of the participating patients (68.2%, 116/170) and GPs (76%, 38/50) owned mobile devices. Of the patients, 49.9% (57/116) already made health-related use of mobile devices; 95% (36/38) of the participating GPs used them in a professional context. For patients, age (P < 0.001) and education (P < 0.001) were significant factors, but not gender (P > 0.99). For doctors, neither age (P = 0.73), professional experience (P > 0.99) nor gender (P = 0.19) influenced usage rates. For patients, the primary use case was obtaining health (service)-related information. For GPs, interprofessional communication and retrieving information were in the foreground. There was little app-related interaction between both groups. Conclusions GPs and patients use smart mobile devices to serve their specific interests. However, the full potentials of mobile technologies for health purposes are not yet being taken advantage of. Doctors as well as other care providers and the patients should work together on exploring and realising the potential benefits of the technology.

Self-medication practices among university students from Karachi, Pakistan (2017)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Saeed, Farah ; Ahmad, Mansoor ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Self-medication, practiced globally is an important public health problem. Research studies have indicated inappropriate self‐medication results in adverse drug reactions, disease masking, antibiotic resistance and wastage of healthcare resources. The objectives of the study were to explore overall self-medication and antibiotic self-medication prevalence among students of university students in Karachi, Pakistan along with probable reasons, indications, and sources of advice for self-medication. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out among students from university of Karachi, Pakistan during the time period of September to November 2016. Pretested questionnaire was distributed to 320 students, collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24. Results: From 320 students, 311 (83 male and 228 female) students participated in the study giving a response rate of 97%. Prevalence of self-medication was 66%. Belonging to higher monthly family income group was associated with likelihood of self-medication. Antibiotic self-medication prevalence was 39%. Lack of time (39%), and old prescription (35%) were the main reasons for self-medication. Pharmacy shop (75%) was the main source for self-medication. In case of antibiotics, 44% students changed the dosage of antibiotic and 50% students stopped antibiotics after the disappearance of the symptoms. Conclusions: Antibiotic self-medication (39%) and self-medication with other drugs among university students of Karachi is a worrisome problem. Our findings highlight the need for planning interventions to promote the judicious use of general medicines as well as that of antibiotics.

Low-cost, in-liquid measuring system using a novel compact oscillation circuit and quartz-crystal microbalances (QCMs) as a versatile biosensor platform (2017)

Beißner, Stefan ; Thies, Jan-Wilhelm ; Bechthold, Christopher ; Kuhn, Philipp ; Thürmann, Bettina ; Dübel, Stefan ; Dietzel, Andreas

Quartz-crystal microbalances (QCMs) are commercially available mass sensors which mainly consist of a quartz resonator that oscillates at a characteristic frequency, which shifts when mass changes due to surface binding of molecules. In addition to mass changes, the viscosity of gases or liquids in contact with the sensor also shifts the resonance but also influences the quality factor (Q-factor). Typical biosensor applications demand operation in liquid environments leading to viscous damping strongly lowering Q-factors. For obtaining reliable measurements in liquid environments, excellent resonator control and signal processing are essential but standard resonator circuits like the Pierce and Colpitts oscillator fail to establish stable resonances. Here we present a lowcost, compact and robust oscillator circuit comprising of state-of-the-art commercially available surface-mount technology components which stimulates the QCMs oscillation, while it also establishes a control loop regulating the applied voltage. Thereby an increased energy dissipation by strong viscous damping in liquid solutions can be compensated and oscillations are stabilized. The presented circuit is suitable to be used in compact biosensor systems using custom-made miniaturized QCMs in microfluidic environments. As a proof of concept we used this circuit in combination with a customized microfabricated QCM in a microfluidic environment to measure the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in buffer (PBS) down to concentrations as low as 5 μgmL -1.

Knowledge and attitude towards voluntary blood donation among students from Mumbai University (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Naik, Pooja ; Varekar, Tejal ; Salunkhe, Priyanka ; Shah, Chaitali ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Sathe, Sushama ; Kapadi, Atul ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Blood is scarce; its demand far outweighs the supply. In addition to limited supply, the issue of safety especially with regard to the risk of transfusion transmissible infection is also an issue of utmost concern especially in the developing countries. Blood transfusion services in India have gained special significance in recent years and forms a vital part of national health care system. Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) is the safest of all types of blood donations. One of the potential sources that can be tapped for blood donation is the young and physically fit students from educational institutions across India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May–June 2017. Two hundred and fifty students were approached to participate in the study of which 201 agreed to participate (males: 104; females: 97). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: High number of participants agreed about encouraging general public about voluntary blood donation (96%; 193/201), lack of awareness about VBD in general public (82%; 164/201). But not a single participant was able to respond to the knowledge part of the questionnaire with 100% accuracy. Almost all the participants had correct knowledge about blood groups (98%; 196/201) and blood matching need (195/201; 97%). Conclusions: Participants showed good attitude but demonstrated poor knowledge about voluntary blood donation. Details about blood donation should be incorporated in the undergraduate curriculum and periodic awareness programs should be organized for students.

Self-medication practices in urban and rural areas of western India: a cross sectional study (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Krause, Gerard

Background: Concerns about practice of self-medication (SM) world across are based on associated risks such as adverse reactions, disease masking, increased morbidity, wastage of resources and antibiotic resistance. SM is likely to differ between rural and urban areas of India. Systematically retrieved evidence on these differences are required in order to design targeted measures for improvement. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study among the general population in urban (Matunga) and rural (Tala) areas of Maharashtra, India to explore SM practices and its associated factors. Face to face interviews were conducted using the validated study questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: A total of 1523 inhabitants from 462 households were interviewed between [June/2015] and [August /2015], 778 (51%) of them in rural and 745 (49%) in urban areas. Overall self-medication prevalence was 29.1% (urban; 51.5%, rural; 7.7%, OR 12.7, CI 9.4-17.2) in the study participants. Participants having chronic disease (OR: 3.15, CI: 2.07-4.79) and from urban areas (OR:15.38, CI:8.49-27.85) were more likely to self-medicate. Self-medication practices were characterized by having old prescription (41.6%) as the main reason, fever (39.4%) as top indication and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Agents) as the most self-medicated category of drugs (40.7%). Conclusions: The present study documented that the prevalence of self-medication is associated with place of residence, and health status of the study participants. Self-medication is still a major issue in western Maharashtra, India and is majorly an urban phenomenon. Status of implementation of existing regulations should be reconsidered.

Oral cancer awareness among students from Mumbai University (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Bhatkhande, Gauri ; Sabu, Shweta ; Jain, Aashvi ; Taskar, Poorva ; Gupta, Utkarsh ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Sathe, Sushama ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Kanso, Zeinab

Background: Oral cancer is among the top three types of cancers in India. Severe alcoholism, use of tobacco in the form of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and betel nut chewing are the most common risk factors for oral cancer. Often individuals with pre cancer even notice the alterations, such as reduced mouth opening in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), but they are not aware about the causes and consequences of these changes. Awareness about causes and features of oral cancers can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of oral cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. Five hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 400 agreed to participate. Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: There were 199 (49%) males and 201 (50%) females in the study and response rate was (80%). Respondents had good knowledge about oral cancer. Seventy four percent (268/362) respondents correctly identified smoking, and tobacco chewing as possible causes of oral cancer. Almost all (96%; 348/362) respondents correctly responded that oral cancer does not spread from person to person through touch or speaking. Seventy two percent (260/362) respondents believed that oral cancer is curable. Significantly higher number of male (98%) compared to female participants answered correctly to questions regarding spread of disease and occurrence of oral cancer in AIDS patients. Conclusions: Participants showed good knowledge about oral cancer. Female participants showed lesser knowledge compared to male counterparts. Details about oral cancer should be incorporated in the undergraduate curriculum and periodic awareness programs should be organized for students.

Knowledge, and attitude towards human papilloma virus infection among pharmacy students in Mumbai, India (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Mehta, Drashty ; Singh, Shakshi ; Pardeshi, Apurva ; Patil, Tanvi ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Sathe, Sushama ; Kapadi, Atul ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that may cause cervical cancer and other malignancies including those of the vulva, anus, vagina, penis, head and neck. In most Asian countries including India, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Awareness about HPV and cervical cancer, use of vaccines can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May - June 2017. Two hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 142 were selected to participate (males: 54; females: 88). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Participants had fair knowledge (61% average) about HPV, whereas knowledge about symptoms, prevention and spread of HPV was very poor i.e. 18%. Knowledge about HPV vaccine was 50% and 78% participants had positive attitude for HPV vaccine. Conclusions: This study showed the lacunas in the pharmacy curriculum and urgent need to create awareness of HPV among bachelor of pharmacy students from Mumbai University.

Review of new medical devices approvals by USFDA during the period of 2010 to 2014 (2018)

Limaye, Rewati ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Medical devices are health care products distinguished from drugs for regulatory purposes in most countries based on mechanism of action. Unlike drugs, medical devices operate via physical or mechanical means and are not dependent on metabolism to accomplish their primary intended effect. Developing new medical devices requires clinical investigations and approval process goes through similar process like drugs. Medical device approvals in the period of 2010 to 2014 were searched from USFDA website. Disease burden data in the similar period was searched from centers for disease control and prevention website. Collected data was analyzed to know number of approved devices, top therapy areas, and mechanism of action of these devices. Out of a total of 200 medical devices approvals in the time period of 2010 to 2014, maximum number of devices (51; 25.5%) were approved in the year 2011, cardiovascular (78; 39%) was the top therapy area. Highest number (180; 90%) of approved medical devices belonged to the category III and maximum number (73; 36.5%) of approved medical devices had ―mechanical‖ mechanism of action. The top 3 causes of deaths in USA during 2010 to 2014 were heart disease, cancer and followed by respiratory infection. There was a match between the top diseases and the medical device approvals for top 2 diseases in USA i.e. heart disease, and cancer. With respect to respiratory infections and ailments which was the 3rd leading cause of death only one device was approved out of 200 approvals in total.

Knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among pharmacy students from Mumbai university (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Deshpande, Omkar ; Gite, Pratik ; Chavan, Sushil ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Sathe, Sushama ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people worldwide. The overall prevalence (3.0-11.9 / 1,000) and incidence (0.2-0.6/1,000) of epilepsy in India are comparable to the rates of high-income countries. The high prevalence of negative attitudes towards epilepsy has been highlighted by several studies. Pharmacy students represent a better-educated section of society regarding drugs and have the potential to create awareness, and influence attitudes towards the disease. Thus, it is important that they have the appropriate and updated knowledge and appropriate attitude towards epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs. Objective of the present study was to determine the Mumbai University pharmacy student’s awareness about epilepsy, so as to know the kind of education and awareness strategies that would be applicable to them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. Two hundred and fifty students were approached to participate in the study of which 213 agreed to participate (males: 107; females: 106). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Response rate for this study was 85.2% (213/250). Ninety six percent (204/213) of the participants had heard or read about epilepsy. Overall knowledge was poor (40.2%) and attitude was fair (75.3%). None of the participants were aware about recent research regarding hereditary nature of epilepsy. Only 2 (0.98%) students were aware how to perform the first aid in epilepsy. Only 6.8% participants felt that epileptics should participate in sports. Conclusions: The findings of this study show that, even with extensive curriculum covering diseases, drugs and relevant laws of land, the knowledge and attitude scores were low. There is a need to have focused education and campaigns to increase the knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy.

A study to determine the knowledge of pharmacovigilance among pharmacy students from Mumbai university (2018)

Limaye, Dnyanesh ; Shah, Purav ; Shah, Akhil ; Pillay, Ragini ; Modak, Viraj ; Chaudhari, Ameya ; Sydymanov, Arlan ; Limaye, Vaidehi ; Pitani, Ravi Shankar ; Sathe, Sushama ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: Pharmacovigilance (PV); also known as drug safety surveillance, is the science of enhancing patient care and patient safety regarding the use of medicines by collecting, monitoring, assessing, and evaluating information from healthcare providers and patients. Pharmacists are pivotal players in adverse drug event (ADE) monitoring and reporting. However, most pharmacists are unaware or not knowledgeable about the guidelines used by their respective countries’ drug regulatory bodies. It is the need of the hour to train pharmacy students on the concept of pharmacovigilance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pharmacy students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. On the basis of the eligibility criterion 352 students were selected for the present study. Four hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 201 agreed to participate (males: 179; females: 173). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Overall pharmacovigilance knowledge (44%) and perception (58%) was low among the participants of the present study. Seventy four percent of the participants felt that adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting should be made compulsory for healthcare professionals. And only 21% agreed that the topic of Pharmacovigilance is well covered in pharmacy curriculum. Conclusions: Pharmacy council of India, pharmacy teacher’s association and respective pharmacy college should take necessary steps to increase the knowledge and create awareness regarding pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting among pharmacy students.

On the slow implementation of pilot projects: Suspected causes from the perspective of statutory health insurance funds (2018)

Wessels, Michael ; Geuen, Dorith

Background: The system of nursing care in Germany is currently changing. For years, a further development of cooperation in the health care sector has been discussed. And thus a change in the distribution of tasks between health care professions. In 2008, the legislature introduced the introduction of pilot projects for the transfer of medicinal tasks to nurses according to § 63 para. 3c Social Code V. The implementation is very sluggish. The aim of the study was to analyze the reasons for this sluggish implementation from the perspective of the statutory health insurance funds. Methods: Quantitative survey of all statutory health insurance funds (n=124) in Germany. Results: To ensure supply, 94 % of health insurance companies consider the transfer of medical tasks to non-medical care providers as a sensible approach. Also 96 % consider this to be very important in order to ensure care. Although 96 % of health insurance funds support the implementation of pilot projects, only 8 % are in fact involved in such contracts; 71 % do not plan own pilot projects for the future. In the view of the statutory health insurance funds, legal obstacles (90 %), resistance by medical representatives (84 %), unresolved financing (74 %) and liability issues (70 %) as well as non-applicable regulations in G-BA-directive (79 %) and the law (85 %). Less than half (46 %) of the health insurance companies suspect high costs causing the slow implementation. Discussion: The amendments adopted by the legislature in the current reform of the law on care professions can be described as appropriate; in particular the fact that statutory health insurance funds should implement and carry out appropriate pilot projects by 31 December 2020. Transfer

Flow rate dependent continuous hydrolysis of protein isolates (2018)

Sewczyk, Tim ; Hoog Antink, Marieke ; Maas, Michael ; Kroll, Stephen ; Beutel, Sascha

Food protein hydrolysates are often produced in unspecific industrial batch processes. The hydrolysates composition underlies process-related fluctuations and therefore the obtained peptide fingerprint and bioactive properties may vary. To overcome this obstacle and enable the production of specific hydrolysates with selected peptides, a ceramic capillary system was developed and characterized for the continuous production of a consistent peptide composition. Therefore, the protease Alcalase was immobilized on the surface of aminosilane modified yttria stabilized zirconia capillaries with a pore size of 1.5 μm. The loading capacity was 0.3 μg enzyme per mg of capillary with a residual enzyme activity of 43%. The enzyme specific peptide fingerprint produced with this proteolytic capillary reactor system correlated with the degree of hydrolysis, which can be controlled over the residence time by adjusting the flow rate. Common food proteins like casein, sunflower and lupin protein isolates were tested for continuous hydrolysis in the developed reactor system. The peptide formation was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Various trends were found for the occurrence of specific peptides. Some are just intermediately occurring, while others cumulate by time. Thus, the developed continuous reactor system enables the production of specific peptides with desired bioactive properties.

Burden and factors associated with post-stroke depression in East central Nigeria (2017)

Ibeneme, Sam Chidi ; Nwosu, Akachukwu ; Anyachukwu, Canice Chukwudi ; Ibeneme, Georgian C. ; Bakare, Muideen O. ; Fortwengel, Gerhard ; Limaye, Dnyanesh

Objective: To determine the burden and factors associated with post-stroke depression in East central Nigeria. Method: We carried out this cross-sectional study of 50 stroke survivors (mean age=54.8 ± 8.8 years), at the physiotherapy Department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Data were collected using Becks Depression Inventory , it was analyzed using Z-scores, Chi-square test and univariate logistic regression. Results: PSD was more common in females (45.45%); middle-age(60%) adults(27-36/47-56 years respectively); living with spouse (45%); left cerebral lesions (40.74%). Self-employed and unemployed (66.67%), respectively. Age was significantly associated with depression (p=0.03), and was related to the risk ofOR3.7 (95% CI 1.1-12.0 ) Conclusion: Age could be a risk factor for PSD, which was more prevalent in the elderly than young/middle-age adults, female gender, left cerebral lesion, complications, cold case; those living with a spouse, self-employed and unemployed.

Organisation der ITSicherheit in der Produktion : in zehn Schritten zur sicheren Produktionsanlage (2018)

Niemann, Karl-Heinz

Der folgende Beitrag befasst sich mit der IT-Sicherheit von Produktionsanlagen aus Betreibersicht. Hierbei liegt der Fokus auf den organisatorischen Aspekten der IT-Sicherheit. In einer Bestandsaufnahme werden zunächst die Probleme herausgearbeitet, die entstehen, sofern sich eine Organisation im Wesentlichen auf technische Aspekte der IT-Sicherheit konzentriert. Daraus wird die Notwendigkeit organisatorischer Maßnahmen abgeleitet. Eine Betrachtung von Normen und Standards, die sich mit den organisatorischen Aspekten der IT-Sicherheit in der Produktion befassen, liefert das Grundgerüst für die Ableitung eines Maßnahmenplans. Der daraus resultierende 10-Punkte-Plan zur Umsetzung der IT-Sicherheit in der Produktion schließt den Beitrag ab.

The challenge of extra-intra craniometry: a computer-assisted three-dimensional approach on the equine skull (2017)

Lang, A. ; Brucker, P. ; Ludwig, M. ; Wrede, Tibor ; Theunert, Joscha ; Gasse, H.

Background: The topographical correlations between certain extracranial and intracranial osseous points of interest (POIs), and their age-related changes, are indispensable to know for a diagnostical or surgical access to intracranial structures; however, they are difficult to assess with conventional devices. Materials and methods: In this pilot study, the 3-dimensional coordinates of extra-/intracranial POIs were determined, thus avoiding perspective distortions that used to be intrinsic problems in 2-dimensional morphometry. The data sets were then analysed by creating virtual triangles. The sizes, shapes, and positions of these triangles described the extent and the directions of the age-related shifts of the POIs. A selection of extracranial and intracranial POIs were marked on half skulls of four warmblood horses in two age groups (young: 6 weeks, n = 2; old: 14 and 17 years, n = 2). The x-, y-, and z-coordinates of these POIs were determined with a measurement arm (FaroArm Fusion, FARO Europe®). Direct distances between the POIs as well as their indirect distances on the x-, y-, and z-axis, and angles were calculated. Results: The analysed virtual triangles revealed that some parts of the skull grew in size, but did not change in shape/relative proportions (proportional type of growth, as displayed by POI A and POI B at the Arcus zygomaticus). The same POIs (A and B) remained in a very stable relationship to their closest intracranial POI at the Basis cranii on the longitudinal axis, however, shifted markedly in the dorso-lateral direction. In contrast, a disproportional growth of other parts of the cranium was, for example, related to POI C at the Crista nuchae, which shifted strongly in the caudal direction with age. A topographically stable reference point (so-called anchor point) at the Basis cranii was difficult to determine. Conclusions: Two candidates (one at the Synchondrosis intersphenoidalis, another one at the Synchondrosis sphenooccipitalis) were relatively stable in their positions. However, the epicentre of (neuro-)cranial growth could only be pinpointed to an area between them.

Toward a service-based workflow for automated information extraction from herbarium specimens (2018)

Kirchhoff, Agnes ; Bügel, Ulrich ; Santamaria, Eduard ; Reimeier, Fabian ; Röpert, Dominik ; Tebbje, Alexander ; Güntsch, Anton ; Chaves, Fernando ; Steinke, Karl-Heinz ; Berendsohn, Walter

Over the past years, herbarium collections worldwide have started to digitize millions of specimens on an industrial scale. Although the imaging costs are steadily falling, capturing the accompanying label information is still predominantly done manually and develops into the principal cost factor. In order to streamline the process of capturing herbarium specimen metadata, we specified a formal extensible workflow integrating a wide range of automated specimen image analysis services. We implemented the workflow on the basis of OpenRefine together with a plugin for handling service calls and responses. The evolving system presently covers the generation of optical character recognition (OCR) from specimen images, the identification of regions of interest in images and the extraction of meaningful information items from OCR. These implementations were developed as part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft funded a standardised and optimised process for data acquisition from digital images of herbarium specimens (StanDAP-Herb) Project.

Association between teat skin colonization and intramammary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in herds with automatic milking systems (2019)

Svennesen, Line ; Nielsen, Søren S. ; Mahmmod, Yasser S. ; Krömker, Volker ; Pedersen, Karl ; Klaas, Ilka C.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between teat skin colonization and intramammary infection (IMI) with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus agalactiae at the quarter level in herds with automatic milking systems. Milk and teat skin samples from 1,142 quarters were collected from 300 cows with somatic cell count >200,000 cells/mL from 8 herds positive for Strep. agalactiae. All milk and teat skin samples were cultured on calf blood agar and selective media. A subset of samples from 287 quarters was further analyzed using a PCR assay (Mastit4 PCR; DNA Diagnostic A/S, Risskov, Denmark). Bacterial culture detected Staph. aureus in 93 (8.1%) of the milk samples and 75 (6.6%) of the teat skin samples. Of these, 15 (1.3%) quarters were positive in both the teat skin and milk samples. Streptococcus agalactiae was cultured in 84 (7.4%) of the milk samples and 4 (0.35%) of the teat skin samples. Of these, 3 (0.26%) quarters were positive in both the teat skin and milk samples. The PCR detected Staph. aureus in 29 (10%) of the milk samples and 45 (16%) of the teat skin samples. Of these, 2 (0.7%) quarters were positive in both the teat skin and milk samples. Streptococcus agalactiae was detected in 40 (14%) of the milk samples and 51 (18%) of the teat skin samples. Of these, 16 (5.6%) quarters were positive in both the teat skin and milk samples. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between teat skin colonization and IMI at the quarter level. Based on bacterial culture results, teat skin colonization with Staph. aureus resulted in 7.8 (95% confidence interval: 2.9; 20.6) times higher odds of Staph. aureus IMI, whereas herd was observed as a major confounder. However, results from the PCR analyses did not support this association. Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from the teat skin with both PCR and bacterial culture, but the number of positive teat skin samples detected by culture was too low to proceed with further analysis. Based on the PCR results, Strep. agalactiae on teat skin resulted in 3.8 (1.4; 10.1) times higher odds of Strep. agalactiae IMI. Our results suggest that Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae on teat skin may be a risk factor for IMI with the same pathogens. Focus on proper teat skin hygiene is therefore recommended also in AMS.

Walking balance is mediated by muscle strength and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: an observational study (2018)

Ibeneme, Sam C. ; Ekanem, C. ; Ezuma, A. ; Iloanusi, N. ; Lasebikan, N.N. ; Lasebikan, O.A. ; Oboh, O.E.

Background: Depletion of ovarian hormone in postmenopausal women has been associated with changes in the locomotor apparatus that may compromise walking function including muscle atrophy/weakness, weight gain, and bone demineralization. Therefore, handgrip strength (HGS), bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition [percentage body fat mass (%BFM), fat mass (FM), Fat-free mass (FFM) and body mass index (BMI)], may significantly vary and predict WB in postmenopausal women. Consequently, the study sought to 1. Explore body composition, BMD and muscle strength differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women and 2. Explore how these variables [I.e., body composition, BMD and muscle strength] relate to WB in postmenopausal women. Method: Fifty-one pre-menopausal (35.74 + 1.52) and 50 postmenopausal (53.32 + 2.28) women were selected by convenience sampling and studied. Six explanatory variables (HGS, BMD, %BFM, FFM, BMI and FM) were explored to predict WB in postmenopausal women: Data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression, ANCOVA, independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient at p < 0.05. Result: Postmenopausal women had higher BMI(t = + 1.72; p = 0.04), %BFM(t = + 2.77; p = .003), FM(t = + 1.77; p = 0.04) and lower HGS(t = − 3.05; p = 0.001),compared to the premenopausal women. The predicted main effect of age on HGS was not significant, F(1, 197) = 0.03, p = 0.06, likewise the interaction between age and %BFM, F(1, 197) = 0.02, p = 0.89; unlike the predicted main effect of %BFM, F(1, 197) = 10.34, p = .002, on HGS. HGS was the highest predictor of WB (t = 2.203; β=0.3046) in postmenopausal women and combined with T-score right big toe (Tscorert) to produce R2 = 0.11;F (2, 47)=4.11;p = 0.02 as the best fit for the predictive model. The variance (R2) change was significant from HGS model (R2 = 0.09;p = 0.03) to HGS + Tscorert model (R2 = 0.11;p = 0.02). The regression model equation was therefore given as: WB =5.4805 + 0.1578(HGS) + (− 1.3532) Tscorert. Conclusion: There are differences in body composition suggesting re-compartmentalization of the body, which may adversely impact the (HGS) muscle strength in postmenopausal women. Muscle strength and BMD areassociated with WB, although, only contribute to a marginal amount of the variance for WB. Therefore, other factors in addition to musculoskeletal health are necessary to mitigate fall risk in postmenopausal women.

Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Bovine Mastitis in Eight Countries: Genotypes, Detection of Genes Encoding Different Toxins and Other Virulence Genes (2018)

Monistero, Valentina ; Graber, Hans Ulrich ; Pollera, Claudia ; Cremonesi, Paola ; Castiglioni, Bianca ; Bottini, Enriqueta ; Ceballos-Marquez, Alejandro ; Lasso-Rojas, Laura ; Krömker, Volker ; Wente, Nicole ; Petzer, Inge-Marie ; Santisteban, Carlos ; Runyan, Jeff ; Veiga dos Santos, Marcos ; Gomes Alves, Bruna ; Piccinini, Renata ; Bronzo, Valerio ; Abbassi, Mohamed Salah ; Ben Said, Meriam ; Moroni, Paolo

Staphylococcus aureus is recognized worldwide as one of the major agents of dairy cow intra-mammary infections. This microorganism can express a wide spectrum of pathogenic factors used to attach, colonize, invade and infect the host. The present study evaluated 120 isolates from eight different countries that were genotyped by RS-PCR and investigated for 26 different virulence factors to increase the knowledge on the circulating genetic lineages among the cow population with mastitis. New genotypes were observed for South African strains while for all the other countries new variants of existing genotypes were detected. For each country, a specific genotypic pattern was found. Among the virulence factors, fmtB, cna, clfA and leucocidins genes were the most frequent. The sea and sei genes were present in seven out of eight countries; seh showed high frequency in South American countries (Brazil, Colombia, Argentina), while sel was harboured especially in one Mediterranean country (Tunisia). The etb, seb and see genes were not detected in any of the isolates, while only two isolates were MRSA (Germany and Italy) confirming the low diffusion of methicillin resistance microorganism among bovine mastitis isolates. This work demonstrated the wide variety of S. aureus genotypes found in dairy cattle worldwide. This condition suggests that considering the region of interest might help to formulate strategies for reducing the infection spreading.

Preisdifferenzierung im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel – eine Literaturrecherche (2017)

Garashchuk, Julia ; Clasen, Michael ; Theuvsen, Ludwig

Preisdifferenzierung ist ein altbekanntes Thema und spielt eine wichtige Rolle bei der Preissetzung im Online-Handel. Das Ziel dieses Beitrages ist eine kurze Darstellung der relevanten Literatur zum Thema „Preisdifferenzierung im stationären und Online-Lebensmitteleinzelhandel".

Zukunftsforschung und strategische Vorausschau für die Landwirtschaft (2017)

Clasen, Michael

In diesem Artikel wird die strategische Vorausschau als eine Methode der Zukunftsforschung vorgestellt. Die entwickelten Szenarien können Entscheidern helfen, besser auf zukünftige Entwicklungen vorbereitet zu sein. Die GIL könnte eine Plattform sein, um Trends in der Landwirtschaft und Agrarinformatik zu identifizieren.

How do digital agricultural startups achieve critical mass? A qualitative analysis (2017)

Gubanova, Anna ; Clasen, Michael ; Theuvsen, Ludwig

This paper presents the results of 11 in-depth interviews with digital agricultural startups. The results reveal seven main assumptions startups make about the situation on the agricultural market, their target group, their growth and the challenges they face.

Ein wirtschaftliches Ausgleichssystem für regionale Regelenergie-Leistungen virtueller Biogas-Verbundkraftwerke (2017)

Schirmer, Daniel ; Eicke, Chris ; Iezzi, Marco ; Daum, Andreas ; Krause, Manfred

Der zukünftig steigende Bedarf an Bereitstellung von Regelenergie aus regenerativen Kraftwerken sowie sinkende EEG-Tarifstrukturen im Bereich Biogas führen zur Notwendigkeit einer Entwicklung alternativer Betriebs- und Vergütungsmodelle. Der vorliegende Beitrag skizziert ein wirtschaftliches Ausgleichssystem für virtuelle Biogas-Verbundkraftwerke. Es beschreibt, welche Kosten und Erlöse in virtuellen Biogas-Verbünden generiert werden, sofern diese teilautomatisiert und auf die regionale Netzstabilität fokussiert betrieben werden. Das wirtschaftliche Ausgleichssystem ist ein Teil des im Forschungsvorhaben VKV Netz zu entwickelnden Steuerungssystems für virtuelle Biogas-Verbundkraftwerke (http://vkvnetz.de).

Ein Steuerungssystem für den netzorientierten Betrieb virtueller Biogas-Verbundkraftwerke (2017)

Eicke, Chris ; Schirmer, Daniel ; Iezzi, Marco ; Daum, Andreas ; Krause, Manfred

Der zunehmende Anteil erneuerbarer Energien an der Stromproduktion Deutschlands erfordert einen ebenso steigenden Anteil der erneuerbaren Energien an der Bereitstellung von Regelenergie zur Stabilisierung der Stromnetze. Durch die Möglichkeit der zeitlichen Entkopplung von Gas- und Stromproduktion ist insbesondere die Biogastechnologie für die Bereitstellung von Regelenergie geeignet. Der vorliegende Beitrag skizziert ein Steuerungssystem für virtuelle Biogas-Verbundkraftwerke, dessen Oberziel die Stabilisierung des Stromnetzes ist. Die Entwicklung des Systems erfolgt im Zuge des Forschungsprojekts VKV Netz und wird durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie gefördert.

Noninferiority trial investigating the efficacy of a nonantibiotic intramammary therapy in the treatment of mild- to-moderate clinical mastitis in dairy cows with longer lasting udder diseases (2018)

Marco, Ziesch ; Nicole, Wente ; Zhang, Yanchao ; Zaremba, W. ; Engl, S. ; Krömker, Volker

A nonblinded, positively controlled, noninferiority trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an alternative, nonantibiotic therapy with Masti Veyxym® to reduce ineffective antibiotic usage in the treatment of nonsevere clinical mastitis (CM) in cows with longer lasting udder diseases. The solely intramammary treatment with Masti Veyxym® (three applications, 12 hr apart) and the combined treatment with Masti Veyxym® and antibiotics as usual on the farm according to label of the respective product were compared with the reference treatment of solely antibiotic therapy. The matched field study was conducted on eight free-stall dairy farms located in Eastern Germany. Cases of mild-to-moderate CM in cows with longer lasting high somatic cell counts in preceding dairy herd improvement test days and with previous CM cases in current lactation were randomly allocated to one of the three treatment groups. A foremilk sample of the affected quarter was taken before treatment and again approximately 14 days and 21 days after the end of therapy for cyto-bacteriological examination. Primary outcomes were clinical cure (CC) and no CM recurrence within 60 days after the end of treatment (no R60). Bacteriological cure (BC) and quarter somatic cell count (QSCC) cure were chosen as secondary outcomes although low probabilities of BC and QSCC cure for selected cows were expected. The study resulted in the following findings: the pathogens mostly cultured from pretreatment samples were Streptococcus uberis, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. There were no significant differences between the two test treatments in comparison with the reference treatment regarding all outcome variables. The sole therapy with Masti Veyxym® resulted in a numerically lower likelihood of BC without significant differences to the reference treatment. The combined therapy group showed a numerically higher nonrecurrence rate than the two other treatment groups and noninferiority compared to the reference treatment was proven. Having regard to the selection criteria of cows in this study, the findings indicated that sole treatment with Masti Veyxym® in nonsevere CM cases may constitute an alternative therapy to reduce antibiotics. However, noninferiority evaluations were mostly inconclusive. Further investigations with a larger sample size are required to confirm the results and to make a clear statement on noninferiority.

Konzeption eines Web-basierten Portals zur Studiengangauswahl (2012)

Mack, Dagmar

Für die Studiengang-Auswahl existiert eine Reihe i. d. R. Fragebogen-gestützter Online-Studiengangfinder. Eine Analyse zeigte Optimierungspotenziale: Studienangebote sind meist auf ein Bundesland oder eine Hochschule beschränkt oder, allgemein beschrieben, die individuelle Studiengang-Auswahl ist nur mit Unschärfen möglich. Letzteres wirkt sich z. B. bei Bindestrich-Studiengängen (z. B. Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) aus, die je nach Hochschule inhaltlich variieren können. Hier setzt das Portal an. Ziele sind: Bereitstellung der in der Sprachwelt Studieninteressierter gehaltenen Fragebögen, Möglichkeit für Hochschulen/Einrichtungen, Studiengänge bereitzustellen.

Interprofessional collaboration in nursing homes (interprof): development and piloting of measures to improve interprofessional collaboration and communication: a qualitative multicentre study (2018)

Müller, Christiane A. ; Fleischmann, Nina ; Cavazzini, Christoph ; Heim, Susanne ; Seide, Svenja ; Geister, Christina ; Tetzlaff, Britta ; Hoell, Andreas ; Werle, Jochen ; Weyerer, Siegfried ; Scherer, Martin ; Hummers, Eva

Background: Given both the increase of nursing home residents forecast and challenges of current interprofessional interactions, we developed and tested measures to improve collaboration and communication between nurses and general practitioners (GPs) in this setting. Our multicentre study has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FK 01GY1124). Methods: The measures were developed iteratively in a continuous process, which is the focus of this article. In part 1 “exploration of the situation”, interviews were conducted with GPs, nurses, nursing home residents and their relatives focusing on interprofessional interactions and medical care. They were analysed qualitatively. Based on these results, in part 2 “development of measures to improve collaboration”, ideas for improvement were developed in nine focus groups with GPs and nurses. These ideas were revisited in a final expert workshop. We analysed the focus groups and expert workshop using mind mapping methods, and finally drew up the compilation of measures. In an exploratory pilot study "study part 3" four nursing homes chose the measures they wanted to adopt. These were tested for three months. Feasibility and acceptance of the measures were evaluated via guideline interviews with the stakeholders which were analysed by content analyses. Results: Six measures were generated: meetings to establish common goals, main contact person, standardised pro re nata medication, introduction of name badges, improved availability of nurse/GP and standardised scheduling/ procedure for nursing home visits. In the pilot study, the measures were implemented in four nursing homes. GPs and nurses reviewed five measures as feasible and acceptable, only the designation of a “main contact person” was not considered as an improvement. Conclusions: Six measures to improve collaboration and communication could be compiled in a multistep qualitative process respecting the perspectives of involved stakeholders. Five of the six measures were positively assessed in an exploratory pilot study. They could easily be transferred into the daily routine of other nursing homes, as no special models have to exist in advance. Impact of the measures on patient oriented outcomes should be examined in further research. Trial registration: Not applicable.

Delphi Method Variants in Information Systems Research: Taxonomy Development and Application (2017)

Strasser, Artur

Delphi is a frequently used research method in the information systems (IS) field. The last fifteen years have seen many variants of the Delphi Method proposed and used in IS research. However, these variants do not seem to be properly derived; while all variants share certain characteristics, their reasoning for differentiation inconsistently varies. It seems that researchers tend to create “new” Delphi Method variants, although the underlying modification of the Delphi Method is, in fact, minor. This leads to a heterogeneity of Delphi Method variants and undermines scientific rigor when using Delphi. The study addresses this deficit and (1) identifies different variants of Delphi and determines their characteristics, (2) critically reflects to what extent a clear distinction between these variants exists, (3) shows the clearly distinguishable Delphi Method variants and their characteristics, (4) develops a proposed taxonomy of Delphi Method variants, and (5) evaluates and applies this taxonomy. The proposed taxonomy helps clearly differentiate Delphi Method variants and enhances methodological rigor when using the Delphi Method.

First International Conference on Health Research, Hannover, Germany (2017)

Fortwengel, Gerhard

Editorial to the Special Edition on Clinical Trials, featuring scientific articles presented during 2016 at the First International Conference on Health Research held at the Hochschule Hannover, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in Hannover, Germany.

Which Benefits Are Mentioned Most Often in Drug Development Publications? (2017)

Strüver, Vanessa

Objectives: The aim was to identify theoretically expected as well as actually reported benefits from drug development and the importance of individual patient benefits compared to the collective benefits to society in general. Background: Ethical guidelines require that clinical research involving humans offer the potential for benefit. A number of characteristics can be applied to define research benefit. Often benefit is categorized as being either direct or indirect. Indirect benefits can involve collective benefits for society rather than any benefits to the trial patient or subject. The purpose of this review was to examine which potential individual and societal benefits were mentioned as being expected in publications from government experts and which were mentioned in publications describing completed drug development trial results. Methods: Literature on research benefit was first identified by searching the PubMed database using several combinations of the key words benefit and clinical research. The search was limited to articles published in English. A Google search with the same combinations of key words but without any language limitation was then performed. Additionally, the reference lists of promising articles were screened for further thematically related articles. Finally, a narrative review was performed of relevant English- and German-language articles published between 1996 and 2016 to identify which of several potential benefits were either theoretically expected or which were mentioned in publications on clinical drug development trial results. Results: The principal benefits from drug development discussed included 2 main types of benefit, namely individual benefits for the patients and collective benefits for society. Twenty-one of an overall total of 26 articles discussing theoretically expected benefits focused on individual patient benefits, whereas 17 out of 26 articles mentioned collective benefits to society. In these publications, the most commonly mentioned theoretically expected individual patient benefit was the chance to receive up-to-date care (38.1%). A general increase in knowledge about health care, treatments, or drugs (70.6%) was the most commonly mentioned theoretically expected benefit for society. In contrast, all 13 publications reporting actual benefits of clinical drug development trials focused on personal benefits and only 1 of these publications also mentioned a societal benefit. The most commonly mentioned individual benefit was an increased quality of life (53.9%), whereas the only mentioned collective benefit to society was a general gain of knowledge (100.0%). Conclusions: Both theoretically expected and actually reported benefits in the majority of the included publications emphasized the importance of individual patient benefits from drug development rather than the collective benefits to society in general. The authors of these publications emphasized the right of each individual patient or subject to look for and expect some personal benefit from participating in a clinical trial rather than considering societal benefit as a top priority. From an ethical point of view, the benefits each individual patient receives from his or her participation in a clinical trial might also be seen as a societal benefit, especially when the drug or device tested, if approved for marketing, would eventually be made available for other similar patients from the country in which the clinical trial was conducted.

Roads to Health in Developing Countries: Understanding the Intersection of Culture and Healing (2017)

Ibeneme, Sam C. ; Ezuma, A. ; Fortwengel, Gerhard

Background: The most important attribute to which all human beings aspire is good health because it enables us to undertake different forms of activities of daily living. The emergence of scientific knowledge in Western societies has enabled scientists to explore and define several parameters of health by drawing boundaries around factors that are known to influence the attainment of good health. For example, the World Health Organization defined health by taking physical and psychological factors into consideration. Their definition of health also included a caveat that says, “not merely the absence of sickness.” This definition has guided scientists and health care providers in the Western world in the development of health care programs in non-Western societies. Objective: However, ethnomedical beliefs about the cause(s) of illness have given rise to alternative theories of health, sickness, and treatment approaches in the developing world. Thus, there is another side to the story. Method: Much of the population in developing countries lives in rural settings where the knowledge of health, sickness, and care has evolved over centuries of practice and experience. The definition of health in these settings tends to orient toward cultural beliefs, traditional practices, and social relationships. Invariably, whereas biomedicine is the dominant medical system in Western societies, traditional medicine — or ethno-medicine — is often the first port of call for patients in developing countries. Results: The 2 medical systems represent, and are influenced by, the cultural environment in which they exist. On one hand, biomedicine is very effective in the treatment of objective, measurable disease conditions. On the other hand, ethnomedicine is effective in the management of illness conditions or the experience of disease states. Nevertheless, an attempt to supplant 1 system of care with another from a different cultural environment could pose enormous challenges in non-Western societies. Conclusion: In general, we, as human beings, are guided in our health care decisions by past experiences, family and friends, social networks, cultural beliefs, customs, tradition, professional knowledge, and intuition. No medical system has been shown to address all of these elements; hence, the need for collaboration, acceptance, and partnership between all systems of care in cultural communities. In developing countries, the roads to health are incomplete without an examination of the intersection of culture and healing. Perhaps mutual exclusiveness rather inclusiveness of these 2 dominant health systems is the greatest obstacle to health in developing countries.

Public release of hospital quality data for referral practices in Germany: results from a cluster-randomised controlled trial (2017)

Emmert, Martin ; Meszmer, Nina ; Jablonski, Lisa ; Zinth, Lena ; Schöffski, Oliver ; Taheri-Zadeh, Fatemeh

Objective: To evaluate the impact of different dissemination channels on the awareness and usage of hospital performance reports among referring physicians, as well as the usefulness of such reports from the referring physicians’ perspective. Data sources/Study setting: Primary data collected from a survey with 277 referring physicians (response rate = 26.2%) in Nuremberg, Germany (03–06/2016). Study design: Cluster-randomised controlled trial at the practice level. Physician practices were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) physicians in the control arm could become aware of the performance reports via mass media channels (Mass Media, npr MM=132, nph MM=147); (2) physicians in the intervention arm also received a printed version of the report via mail (Mass and Special Media, npr MSM=117; nph MSM=130). Principal findings: Overall, 68% of respondents recalled hospital performance reports and 21% used them for referral decisions. Physicians from the Mass and Special Media group were more likely to be aware of the performance reports (OR 4.16; 95% CI 2.16–8.00, p < .001) but not more likely to be influenced when referring patients into hospitals (OR 1.73; 95% CI 0.72–4.12, p > .05). On a 1 (very good) to 6 (insufficient) scale, the usefulness of the performance reports was rated 3.67 (±1.40). Aggregated presentation formats were rated more helpful than detailed hospital quality information. Conclusions: Hospital quality reports have limited impact on referral practices. To increase the latter, concerns raised by referring physicians must be given more weight. Those principally refer to the underlying data, the design of the reports, and the lack of important information.

Do Physicians Respond to Web-Based Patient Ratings? An Analysis of Physicians’ Responses to More Than One Million Web-Based Ratings Over a Six-Year Period (2017)

Emmert, Martin ; Sauter, Lisa ; Sander, Uwe ; Taheri-Zadeh, Fatemeh

Background: Physician-rating websites (PRWs) may lead to quality improvements in case they enable and establish a peer-to-peer communication between patients and physicians. Yet, we know little about whether and how physicians respond on the Web to patient ratings. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe trends in physicians’ Web-based responses to patient ratings over time, to identify what physician characteristics influence Web-based responses, and to examine the topics physicians are likely to respond to. Methods: We analyzed physician responses to more than 1 million patient ratings displayed on the German PRW, jameda, from 2010 to 2015. Quantitative analysis contained chi-square analyses and the Mann-Whitney U test. Quantitative content techniques were applied to determine the topics physicians respond to based on a randomly selected sample of 600 Web-based ratings and corresponding physician responses. Results: Overall, physicians responded to 1.58% (16,640/1,052,347) of all Web-based ratings, with an increasing trend over time from 0.70% (157/22,355) in 2010 to 1.88% (6377/339,919) in 2015. Web-based ratings that were responded to had significantly worse rating results than ratings that were not responded to (2.15 vs 1.74, P<.001). Physicians who respond on the Web to patient ratings differ significantly from nonresponders regarding several characteristics such as gender and patient recommendation results (P<.001 each). Regarding scaled-survey rating elements, physicians were most likely to respond to the waiting time within the practice (19.4%, 99/509) and the time spent with the patient (18.3%, 110/600). Almost one-third of topics in narrative comments were answered by the physicians (30.66%, 382/1246). Conclusions: So far, only a minority of physicians have taken the chance to respond on the Web to patient ratings. This is likely because of (1) the low awareness of PRWs among physicians, (2) the fact that only a few PRWs enable physicians to respond on the Web to patient ratings, and (3) the lack of an active moderator to establish peer-to-peer communication. PRW providers should foster more frequent communication between the patient and the physician and encourage physicians to respond on the Web to patient ratings. Further research is needed to learn more about the motivation of physicians to respond or not respond to Web-based patient ratings.

Automatic Identification of Synonym Relations in the Dutch Parliament’s Thesaurus (2017)

Aga, Rosa Tsegaye ; Wartena, Christian ; Lange, Otto ; Aders, Nelleke

For indexing archived documents the Dutch Parliament uses a specialized thesaurus. For good results for full text retrieval and automatic classification it turns out to be important to add more synonyms to the existing thesaurus terms. In the present work we investigate the possibilities to find synonyms for terms of the parliaments thesaurus automatically. We propose to use distributional similarity (DS). In an experiment with pairs of synonyms and non-synonyms we train and test a classifier using distributional similarity and string similarity. Using ten-fold cross validation we were able to classify 75% of the pairs of a set of 6000 word pairs correctly.

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