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Intrinsic factors as well as environmental effects influence dairy cow activity. Due to a high prevalence of indoor housing in Germany, the stable flooring may be highly influential. Therefore, an accelerometer measured the activity of 91 Holstein-Frisian cows over 169 days, to validate, if there is a difference in dairy cow activity caused by different floorings (i.e. rubber and concrete flooring). Statistical analysis with an exponential model resulted a significant difference in daily activity, caused by the compared floorings (p < 0.01). A cows level of activity was reduced by days in milk and lactation number. This negative correlation was stronger on rubber flooring than on concrete. Thus, difference in dairy cow activity diminished with days in milk and over lactations. In general decreasing activity, could be the consequence of a change in dairy cow behavior within and across lactations. That this effect was higher on rubber, can be explained through more comfort for the locomotor of the cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022 a new feature for public libraries was introduced to the German Library Statistics (DBS) program – the DBS Blitzlicht/Flashlight. The article describes the concept, objectives and experiences during the first run in 2022, as well as possible uses of the results. Findings relating to various topics from special offers for refugees, to sustainability and restrictions due to COVID-19 are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training and supplemental oxygen during exercise training during pulmonary rehabilitation practice in comparison with only exercise training on lung functions, blood gases, lactate levels, respiratory muscle pressures, dyspnea, walking distances, quality of life, and depression in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The main outcome measure is exercise capacity (6-minute walk test), and the secondary end-point included quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (mean ± SD age, 65.4 ± 6.5 years) with a mean bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration of 39.4 ± 7%, undergoing an 8-week outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, were randomized to either non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training, supplemental oxygen during exercise training, or exercise training groups. The improvements in respiratory muscle strength were higher in non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training patients than the moderate improvements in the exercise training group. Both non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training and supplemental oxygen during exercise training groups showed significant increases in the 6-minute walk test and incremental shuttle walk test. However, the increase in walking distance was better in non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training group (69.8 ± 53.2 m in 6-minute walk test and 66.6 ± 65.2 m in incremental shuttle walk test, P = .001 and P = .005, respectively) compared to supplemental oxygen during exercise training group (42.5 + 55.5 m in 6-minute walk test and 53.5 + 70.2 m in incremental shuttle walk test, P = .01 each, respectively). The total St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score was similar in all study groups after the intervention. Symptoms of depression significantly improved only in non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and exercise training group (-2.8 + 2.8, P = .006). CONCLUSION: Non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) added to supplemental oxygen during exercise training was associated with better physiological adaptations than other modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: A small percentage of acute pulmonary thromboembolisms (PTE) persist as chronic fibrin clots, potentially leading to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A scoring system for evaluating the burden of acute PTE based on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) findings was tested for its association with CTEPH within one year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort of 475 patients with a definitive diagnosis of acute PTE, the Qanadli score (QS) was calculated on the initial CTPA. Through regular follow-up over 1 year, symptomatic patients underwent extensive evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 475 patients enrolled in the study [age 58.3 ± 16.6, 195 (41.1%) female, QS: 13.01 ± 7.37/40], 321 patients completed the study. A total of 22 (6.8%) patients were definitively diagnosed with CTEPH. In univariate analysis, the initial QS was significantly higher in patients with subsequent CTEPH than in patients without (17 ± 5.6 vs. 13 ± 7.6, P = .009). QS was directly associated with CTEPH (odds ratio: 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.16, P = .042). The evolution of CTEPH in men could be predicted with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54% when a cut-off point of 14.5 (43.5%) was set for QS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in this setting was 0.74 with a P-value of .032. Qanadli score failed to predict CTEPH in women. CONCLUSION: Scoring the clot burden in the pulmonary arteries through the Qanadli method can predict the evolution of CTEPH only in men 1 year after acute PTE. Women comprise most of the CTEPH patients. Thus, strict follow-up adherence seems to be even more important in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Pleural fluid pH measurement is recommended for tube thoracostomy decisions in complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions. However, pleural fluid pH may be affected by blood pH in critically ill patients with common systemic acid-base disorders. We aimed to investigate the use of pleural fluid lactate to distinguish culture-positive parapneumonic effusions from other pleural effusions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 121 eligible patients (51 female and 70 male). All patients with pleural effusion who underwent thoracentesis were assessed. Pleural fluid lactate was measured by a blood gas analyzer. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients, 30 (24.8%) were transudate and 91 (75.2%) were exudate. Of the 91 patients with exudative pleural effusion, 61 were diagnosed as culture-negative parapneumonic, 13 as culture-positive parapneumonic, 9 as malignant, and 8 as other exudative effusion. There was a strong positive linear association between serum pH and pleural fluid pH (R = 0.77, P < .001). The post hoc tests for pleural fluid lactate revealed there was a significant difference between culture-positive parapneumonic versus culture-negative parapneumonic groups (P = .004), culture-positive parapneumonic versus transudative effusion groups (P < .001), culture-negative parapneumonic versus transudative effusion groups (P = .008) and lastly; malignant effusion versus transudative effusion groups (P = .001). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis for culture-positive parapneumonic indicated a cutoff of 4.55 mmol/L for pleural fluid lactate to have a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 84.3% (positive predictive value: 37%, negative predictive value: 96.8%). CONCLUSION: A cutoff of 4.55 mmol/L of pleural fluid lactate can be used as a useful tool to distinguish culture-positive parapneumonic effusions from other effusions in critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the results of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery treatment for brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with modern systemic treatment methods (immunotherapy, targeted agents, and current chemotherapy agents). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases who underwent stereotactic radio surge ry/fr actio nated stereotactic radiosurgery in the Radiation Oncology Clinic of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between February 21, 2019, and August 15, 2022. The study's primary endpoint was accepted as the lesions' response status after stereotactic radio surge ry/fr actio nated stereotactic radiosurgery. The secondary endpoint was accepted as the patients' intracranial progression-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: This study included 85 patients treated for 174 lesions. Their median follow-up was 6.6 (range: 1-42) months. Their median intracranial progression-free survival after radiotherapy was 5.3 (range: 1-33) months, and their median overall survival was 6.6 (range: 1-42) months. Concurrent immunotherapy was administered to 10 (11%) patients and targeted therapy to 8 (9%). Magnetic resonance imaging indicated that 14 (6%) patients had a complete response, 62 (35.6%) had a partial response, 10 (5.7%) had stable disease, and 23 (13.2%) had progressive disease. The complete response rate was significantly higher in patients receiving targeted therapy (P < .001; odds ratio = 0.0025, 95% CI = 0.006-0.109). Intracranial recurrence was observed in 28 (32.9%) patients after stereotactic radio surge ry/fr actio nated stereotactic radiosurgery: 7 (8.2%) were inside the radiotherapy field, 13 (15.3%) were outside the radiotherapy field, and 8 (9.4%) overlapped the radiotherapy field. Intracranial progression-free survival was higher in patients receiving concomitant immunotherapy (P = .028; hazard ratio = 0.107, 95% CI = 0.015-0.783). However, overall survival was higher in patients receiving targeted therapy (P = .035; hazard ratio = 0.217, 95% CI = 0.053-0.897). CONCLUSION: Using current systemic agents with radiotherapy for brain metastasis significantly affected post-radiotherapy intracranial progression-free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the event of a mass casualty incident (MCI), the situation-related shortage of medical resources does not end when the patients are transported from the scene of the incident. Consequently, an initial triage is required in the receiving hospitals. In the first step, the aim of this study was to create a reference patient vignette set with defined triage categories. This allowed a computer-aided evaluation of the diagnostic quality of triage algorithms for MCI situations in the second step. Methods: A total of 250 case vignettes validated in practice were entered into a multistage evaluation process by initially 6 and later 36 triage experts. This algorithm—independent expert evaluation of all vignettes—served as the gold standard for analyzing the diagnostic quality of the following triage algorithms: Manchester triage system (MTS module MCI), emergency severity index (ESI), Berlin triage algorithm (BER), the prehospital algorithms PRIOR and mSTaRT, and two project algorithms from a cooperation between the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan—intrahospital Jordanian-German project algorithm (JorD) and prehospital triage algorithm (PETRA). Each patient vignette underwent computerized triage through all specified algorithms to obtain comparative test quality outcomes. Results: Of the original 250 vignettes, a triage reference database of 210 patient vignettes was validated independently of the algorithms. These formed the gold standard for comparison of the triage algorithms analyzed. Sensitivities for intrahospital detection of patients in triage category T1 ranged from 1.0 (BER, JorD, PRIOR) to 0.57 (MCI module MTS). Specificities ranged from 0.99 (MTS and PETRA) to 0.67 (PRIOR). Considering Youden's index, BER (0.89) and JorD (0.88) had the best overall performance for detecting patients in triage category T1. Overtriage was most likely with PRIOR, and undertriage with the MCI module of MTS. Up to a decision for category T1, the algorithms require the following numbers of steps given as the median and interquartile range (IQR): ESI 1 (1–2), JorD 1 (1–4), PRIOR 3 (2–4), BER 3 (2–6), mSTaRT 3 (3–5), MTS 4 (4–5) and PETRA 6 (6–8). For the T2 and T3 categories the number of steps until a decision and the test quality of the algorithms are positively interrelated. Conclusion: In the present study, transferability of preclinical algorithm-based primary triage results to clinical algorithm-based secondary triage results was demonstrated. The highest diagnostic quality for secondary triage was provided by the Berlin triage algorithm, followed by the Jordanian-German project algorithm for hospitals, which, however, also require the most algorithm steps until a decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding statistics for 2022 of the DGHT-AG Lacertids show impressive results. A total of 555 lizards were kept and 2,093 offspring were produced. The majority of the offspring belonged to the genera Takydromus, Podarcis, and Timon. The emerald swift Takydromus smaragdinus was the most commonly bred species with 502 offspring. The ruin lizard Podarcis siculus and the ocellated lizard Timon lepidus took second and third place, respectively. The breeding results were reported by members of the AG Lacertids. [Extracted from the article]

This study deals with agent demotion and self-reference in German as an academic language used by non-native speakers. It examines two comparative corpora consisting of German language Master theses written by L1 and L2 speakers, it detects significant differences between the two groups. A comparison with a previous study of Bachelor theses shows that such differences diminish with increasing academic expertise. At Bachelor level, constructions that are rarely used by L1 speakers tend to be even less common with L2 speakers. At Master level, this effect seems to have waned. Apart from statistical analyses, the study also examines some forms of non-standard language use by the L2 speakers that may be traced to Polish influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On‐site fire inspection by German fire brigades – fire tests in situ The German fire brigades have been systematically recording significant fires in buildings since 2016. Part of this recording is checking whether objectives are being violated. Together with the Technical University of Munich, the Munich fire brigade on behalf of the expert group for fire prevention of the German fire brigades evaluates this data on behalf of all fire brigades involved in Germany. This article presents the method and the first findings from these statistics. First trends show a considerably high number of smoke spreads, the direct effect of fire‐fighting measures and of organizational fire protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effects of performance statistics in the field of education. It emphasizes that optimizing the performance of the school system and students is of great importance. The text examines the imperatives of performance statistics in three sections: Faster, Higher, and Stronger. It is pointed out that these logics contradict a communal effort towards performance optimization. The article also discusses the influence of performance optimization and competitive thinking in the school sector and raises the question of whether these impair the communal nature of performance and isolate individuals. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: According to the Master Plan 2020, science education will play a critical role in future medical curricula. Science modules have already been implemented at many locations. Other medical faculties will follow in the next few years, as legislation is expected to make recommendations of the national competence-based learning objectives curriculum for medicine (NKLM) mandatory. This article aims to present an implementation example from epidemiology and biometry as a contribution to the didactic discussions within the data sciences in medicine. Project description: We report on our experiences with a data analysis project for second-year medical students, which has been compulsory at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2019. The project is intended to train the scientific skills required from the subjects of epidemiology and biometry for student research projects. Emphasis is placed on responsible data handling, transparency, and reproducibility. For example, the writing of a statistical analysis plan is required prior to data access. Improved standardization of materials, optional use of the English language, and digital support will be implemented to help manage the project when student numbers increase. Discussion: The experience from five years is very positive, although a formal evaluation of the learning success is still pending. Current challenges concern staffing, additional time and supervision requirements for those students who do statistical programming with R, and improved integration into the medical curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding statistics for the years 2017 and 2018 have been published. Due to Corona, there was less exchange and therefore fewer reports than in previous years. The statistics contain information about the number of breedings of various turtle species. The breeding statistics for 2017/2018 show that there are a total of 67 keepers of land turtles who hold 125 different species. The number of breedings is 3,480. For water turtles, there are 68 keepers who hold 108 different species. The number of breedings is 2,867. The number of keepers and species varies from year to year. [Extracted from the article]

Semantic software technologies transform large quantities of structured and unstructured data into computer-readable and computer-usable knowledge networks. The creation and maintenance of knowledge networks are achieved through agile interaction between humans and computers. With customized editors, Natural Language Processing, semantic classification and self-learning processes, context and text understanding gradually and increasingly mature. Such knowledge networks deliver explainable and comprehensible results. They are of great value for research and companies in every industry and open the door to innovative applications both within companies and for customers: Examples include editorial systems and product information systems with content and formal support for new digital information services and products, 360° input for business decisions and search and aggregation of semantic connections in existing content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital learning and teaching have become significantly more relevant for training, specialist training and advanced training because of the requirements during the Corona pandemic. This also applies to higher education. As a digital healthcare service provider, Thieme supports information and communication processes in medicine and related health and natural sciences for the benefit of young medical professionals, among others. In this article, we introduce via medici. Thiemes digital learning and teaching portal offers students and lecturers professionally tailored and practical content for all phases within medical studies: starting with the introduction to medical content in the pre-clinical and clinical phase, followed by practice-oriented knowledge and completed with hands-on preparation for the major state examinations using the original IMPP questions. Students can display the content in via medici in accordance with their university's curriculum, among other things, and thus study in a focused manner throughout the term. Lecturers have the possibility to compile medical content from via medici for their students to prepare for or to follow up on courses and to combine it with their own teaching materials and other external content. via medici is thus more and more becoming an individual learning and teaching environment for universities. Thieme is increasingly focusing on the (further) development of digital products, offerings and solutions. In addition, traditional teaching media will continue to play an important role in the Thieme Group's portfolio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding statistics for 2021 of the DGHT-AG Lacertids show the successes in breeding lizards in terrariums. Although many members of the AG Lacertids keep and breed lizards, only a few participate in the internal breeding statistics. However, breeding successes are important to maintain lizard populations in terrariums and to demonstrate our expertise as contacts for terrarium keepers, scientists, and authorities. In total, at least 178 lizards were kept and 321 offspring were produced in 2021, with the common wall lizard, the Kurdish lizard, and the eastern emerald lizard having the most successful breeding. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: This quantitative study investigates the connection between client satisfaction and occupational therapy interventions in a psychosocial rehabilitation in Austria. These interventions had been subject to change, from a handicraft focus, to interventions which also include aspects of everyday life. Method: From May to July 2017, 127 clients answered a written questionnaire about the occupational therapy offered and their satisfaction with this service. Results were analysed with SPSS 25 (level of significance a<0.05). Non-parametric tests such as the Spearman-Brown rank correlation and cross-tabulations were applied. Results: Client satisfaction increased significantly in 2017 compared to 2014. As in the 2014 survey, three therapy-related factors have a positive impact on satisfaction: when clients reported they were working on goals, benefiting from reflection sessions and gaining experience. According to the 2017 survey after the change, the socio-demographic factors age, gender, occupation/unemployment and education level have no significant influence on client satisfaction. Except for the educational level factor, these results also correspond to the 2014 survey before the change. Conclusion: Changing occupational therapy to everyday orientation, all clients can be reached equally well, regardless of socio-demographic factors, and satisfaction can be increased. Presumably, this is due to an intensified focus on everyday life, and due to the possibility to individualise interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High average daily weight gain of calves before weaning is of vital importance for economic profitability in suckler cow industries. Furthermore, it could indicate the fitness of the animals. The aim of the present study was to identify possible influencing factors for calf growth as well as to analyse the relationships between udder traits of Angus suckler cows and average daily gain (ADG) of their calves kept extensively on pasture. From April 2016 to March 2017 the ADG from birth to weaning of 330 Angus calves on five farms in various regions of Germany was recorded. The average daily gain at weaning was 1,098 g. For statistical analysis a mixed linear model was used. Calves with higher birth weights showed higher ADG (p < 0.0001). Calves from primiparous dams had lower ADG than calves from multiparous dams (p < 0.05). Calves from cows with medium-sized udders had higher ADG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, calves of suckler cows with mediumsized udders had higher average daily gains, wherefore the use of udder volume as a functional trait in breeding of extensively kept suckler cows might be reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Editorial" of the journal "Ophidia" reports on the latest issue of the professional journal. It is mentioned that Josef Beck was able to win Thomas Lindner as the second chairman and specialist editor of the working group. The issue contains exciting contributions from members of the working group who report on their experiences with the keeping and breeding of various snake species. A main article deals with the keeping and reproduction of the Blandings night tree snake. The issue is rounded off with the breeding statistics of the last year. [Extracted from the article]

The letter to the editor titled "Statistics unfortunately need to be interpreted differently" by Heinz-Harald Abholz deals with the interpretation of statistics regarding the recognition of specialist titles in general medicine. Abholz argues that the mere increase in the number of specialist recognitions does not say much about the development of the field's importance in healthcare. He emphasizes that it is more important to consider the percentage of general medicine specialist recognitions compared to all specialist recognitions. Abholz concludes by stating that the field needs to be made more attractive by improving working conditions in order to save it from "extinction". [Extracted from the article]

The availability of administrative data and official statistics data for (basic) research becomes increasingly a determinant for the competitiveness of a country's research capabilities. This is particular true for the social sciences including economics as well as health research and could provide an important contribution for evidencebased politics and public administration. In Austria, the greatest challenges are the unclear and uneven legal situation and political resistance against a more open and better structured access to registry and statistical data for science. From an international perspective, the accessibility of administrative data is self-evident and state of the art in many European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AIMS (African Institute of Mathematical Sciences) supports the higher mathematical education of African Master students by providing postgraduate courses, which are taught by lecturers from both local and international institutes. This report reflects the author's own experience; it aims to motivate lecturers to offer courses or supervision of research topics for AIMS students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A large data set of material property tests of neat seawater‐mixed OPC grout is analysed and compared with existing assumptions of EN 19902. Cube tests and cylindrical compressive strength tests show higher standard deviation than normal concrete and recommendations for acceptance criteria for quality and conformity control are made. The effect of high heat of hydration was investigated but no significant effect on strength development in the time frames considered could be reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer (C53 by ICD-10) have to be corrected significantly upwards after excluding the women from the reference population whose uterus was removed surgically. The current study is based on the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) according to which the prevalence of hysterectomy in Germany in 2011 among women aged over 18 years was 17.4%. As per age pattern of this prevalence the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are corrected. Maximal corrections can be found women of 70-79 years. In this age group the incidence rate is corrected from 13.6 to 22.5 by 65.4%, the mortality rate from 7.5 to 12.4 by 65.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the development and status quo of repositories in Austria, which have received an important impulse by the project e-Infrastructures Austria. While in the years following the "Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Scientific Knowledge" (2003), mainly the areas of publications and Green Open Access were dealt with, but recently research data has become increasingly popular, especially in the context of initiatives like the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). This upturn is also reflected in the ongoing increase in the number of Austrian repositories listed in the Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR) and the Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data.org). By means of statistical evaluations it was ascertained which types of documents are included in these repositories, which academic disciplines they represent, the extent of their content, which software is used, whether already existing interfaces (such as OAI) are available and which policies are being followed for the respective repositories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meta-analyses have a great impact on medical decision-making. Random errors are, however, often the reason for misinterpretation of interventional effects in meta-analyses.Objective: The aim of this article is to introduce authors and readers of meta-analyses to the problem of random errors. The article presents trial sequential analysis (TSA) as a suitable and user-friendly method that adjusts for the risk of random errors in meta-analyses.Material and Methods: The practical application of TSA is illustrated and exemplified using regional anesthesiology procedures versus conventional pain therapy with respect to the prevention of persistent postoperative pain after breast cancer surgery or thoracotomy. The results were compared with those from conventional meta-analytical methods.Results: Conventional meta-analytical methods showed a significant advantage for patients after breast cancer surgery as well as after thoracotomy for regional anesthesia procedures with respect to the reduction of persistent postoperative pain. By means of TSA it could be concluded for thoracotomy that the evidence of this meta-analysis was sufficient. In contrast, the TSA for breast cancer surgery showed that based on the current data set and on the basis of relevant assumptions, it is potentially a false indication of an effect. There is currently no evidence that regional anesthesia leads to a significant reduction of persistent postoperative pain.Conclusion: The TSA is a suitable tool to minimize the risk of random errors and for a more reliable assessment of the evidence for the results of a meta-analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DARIAH-DE infrastructure with its services and solutions provides the basis for various research endeavours in the digital humanities. With five years of funding for DARIAH-DE and nine years for TextGrid - part of DARIAH-DE since 2015 - today DARIAH-DE has more than 3 100 users. Their diversity and connection to DARIAH are the topic of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that effect of a treatment method is to be advertised according to the so-called "scientific gold standard", that a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with an adequate statistical evaluation is available, which has been included in the discussion process among experts through publication and insights gained from patient experience reports are not sufficient for this.

Libraries play a fundamental role in society. In order to make library services visible, the Library Index BIX measures the performance of public and academic libraries in Germany. An increasing number of libraries from other countries join the BIX every year. Austrian university libraries make up the largest group of foreign participants. Committed to develop quality management systems, library performance measurement plays an important role at the universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The article defends an interpretation of mental illness as mental dysfunction. It develops a concept in line with the naturalistic viewpoint in the philosophy of medicine. Methods: The concept of mental function is scrutinized. Functions are regarded as effects of traits that enable an organism to live independently. The significance of this theoretical perspective for the psychiatric practice is discussed. Finally, the developed conceptualization is compared to the current edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM). Results and discussion: It is emphasized that the theoretical conceptualization of mental disorder determines what may justifiably and in a scientifically valid way be deemed a disease entity. Nevertheless, the practical perspective needs an additional element of individual well-being as not every mental dysfunction involves impairment in this respect. It is claimed that the DSM takes a perspective similar to the one defended in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posed are the preliminary results of library census in the Russian Federation of 2010 to 2011. Given is the characteristic of the main indicators and problems of such an accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of the current preparation of ICD-11 and DSM-5, there is a discussion whether syndromal approaches should replace the traditional nosological diagnosis in psychiatry. From a historical point of view the syndromal approach results from a reaction to the nosological model of Emil Kraepelin. Later the syndromal diagnostic approach became more important because it enabled a quantitative-dimensional assessment and analysis of psychopathological data using modern statistical procedures. However, attempts to ascribe the traditional nosological categories to psychopathological syndromes using multivariate statistical methods have failed. The syndromal approach allows a differentiated recording of the cross-sectional symptomatology; however, a plurality of different syndromes might be registered without considering meaningful principles of classification and longitudinal aspects. The syndromal approach should be complemented by a nosological classification based mainly on the psychopathological course due to the absence of consistent neurobiological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries substantially invest in electronic resources, reach out to new audiences and stress their perception as 'hybrid' information providers. So far, however, libraries have lacked an aggregate statistical measure that supports them in advocacy, funding and in assessing progress and return on investment into virtual services. The Centre for Digital Media Transition at Stuttgart Media University researches the drivers and manifestations of digital media transition and their implications on society. A research team developed a standardized count of library web site visits which in the meantime is used by more than 420 libraries in Germany and other European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author explores the problem what it takes for transactional analysis to be regarded as an academically based method. It will be shown that the principles of hermeneutics developed by H.-G. Gadamer fit very well for answering this question. For Gadamer the objectivity of hermeneutic truth occurs, when people are moved by the truth. It happens to them and they will be formed by the truth. This type of knowledge cannot be acquired by reading a book, but it must be experienced. It is a practical not a theoretical knowledge. There is no general method to prove the truth. What remains is to use statistical procedures to prove the successful application of the concepts of transactional analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution curves of grades of malignancy for colorectal carcinomas and pancreatic carcinomas have not been stable over the years and investigations have shown a clear variability in the temporal distribution. Colon carcinomas were found to diminish considerably in aggressiveness in different time periods and colorectal carcinomas were found to increase in aggressiveness in some years. However, the distribution curve of grades of malignancy varies in both carcinomas over time and this variation follows a random distribution. In contrast to colorectal carcinomas, pancreatic carcinomas have not been followed up for very long time periods. While the distribution curve of malignancy was unchanged in most countries an increase in malignancy was observed in two countries. For colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas increases in malignancy are linked to a highly significant decrease in the number of cancers with lowest grades of malignancy. Even though the exact nature of variations in these malignancy distribution curves is incompletely understood, these variations appear important for comparative outcome statistics in cancer therapy as the aggressiveness of these malignancies has a direct bearing on the overall prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fraud is as old as Mankind. There are an enormous number of historical documents which show the interaction between truth and untruth; therefore it is not really surprising that the prevalence of publication discrepancies is increasing. More surprising is that new cases especially in the medical field generate such a huge astonishment. In financial mathematics a statistical tool for detection of fraud is known which uses the knowledge of Newcomb and Benford regarding the distribution of natural numbers. This distribution is not equal and lower numbers are more likely to be detected compared to higher ones. In this investigation all numbers contained in the blinded abstracts of the 2009 annual meeting of the Swiss Society of Anesthesia and Resuscitation (SGAR) were recorded and analyzed regarding the distribution. A manipulated abstract was also included in the investigation. The χ-test was used to determine statistical differences between expected and observed counts of numbers. There was also a faked abstract integrated in the investigation. A p<0.05 was considered significant. The distribution of the 1,800 numbers in the 77 submitted abstracts followed Benford's law. The manipulated abstract was detected by statistical means (difference in expected versus observed p<0.05). Statistics cannot prove whether the content is true or not but can give some serious hints to look into the details in such conspicuous material. These are the first results of a test for the distribution of numbers presented in medical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online survey was made to learn more about the opinion and attitude of the Austrians concerning digital literature. The results are being discussed in this article. They are intended to deliver concrete data for digitizing institutions to be able to evaluate the situation of digitization in Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their answer to our critical evaluation of their meta-analysis about long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP), Leichsenring and Rabung claim that all our critical points could be rejected. This is surprising, as the authors already confirmed different shortcomings of their analysis. Our major criticism is that the meta-analysis is based on very few high-quality studies (including follow-up assessments), but on many studies with poor quality and/or observational studies resulting in serious publication bias. Neither the treatment of interest (LTPP) nor the target group is sufficiently circumscribed, but the very few studies are misinterpreted as if confirming efficacy of all psychodynamic interventions for nearly all psychiatric groups. Superior efficacy over other effective psychological interventions is mentioned, although not justified by data. Patient selection bias which is a major issue in long-term treatments is not addressed adequately and led to erroneous conclusions that the more treatment people receive, the higher the benefit. To conclude, the authors try to suggest far-reaching conclusions which are only based on a few studies with poor data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a number of statistics relating to holdings and finances of French university libraries, based on the official figures in "Annuaire des Bibliothèques Universitaire." Tallies are given of book holdings, microforms, and journals. Figures for library budgets, electronic resources, numbers of patron visits, and number of materials loaned out are presented.

The present article discusses politically relevant aspects of the work of the Prussian statistician Richard Böckh (1824–1907), a renowned specialist on language statistics, nationality policy and general demographics in his day. Two of his publications are focused on: the article “Über die statistische Bedeutung der Volksprache” (‘On the Statistical Significance of the National Tongue’, 1866), in which Böckh expresses the view that nationality is defined exclusively by virtue of language, and the book Der Deutschen Volkszahl und Sprachgebiet in den europäischen Staaten (‘The Number and Areal Extension of Germans in the States of Europe’, 1869), in which he proposes a catalogue of linguistic human rights. The purpose of the present article is to analyse the public reception of Böckh’s works in two contexts: the Franco-German war of 1870/71, when the German public interpreted Böckh’s ideas as justifying the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, and the debates over the Official Language question in Prussia in 1873–1876. Finally, two characteristic aspects of Böckh’s activities in his later years are highlighted: his active support of Auslandsdeutschtum (German minorities outside the Reich), and his protest at the misuse of statistics for anti-semitic propaganda around 1880. The latter issue in particular, though courageous, proves just how much the formerly popular language-based concept of nationality was already on the defensive ten years after the foundation of the German Reich in 1871. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a report on a panel on the measurement of the success of national and dynastic actors in the era of Enlightenment, convened during the Historikertag, the annual congress of the Verband der Historiker und Historikerinnen Deutschlands (VHD) and Verband der Geschichtslehrer Deutschlands (VGD) professional associations in Göttingen, Germany, from September 23-26, 2014. Topics discussed included the effectiveness of symbolic communication of rank and social status in 18th century, the use of statistics as measures of political successes, and the organization of knowledge espoused by French politician Jean-Baptiste Colbert.

The book of Chow gives an overview over many controversial aspects in conducting and analyzing of clinical trials. The author of this book review (translation of the ISCB Bulletin) concludes, that all parties involved in clinical trials should have access to the book to enable them to cope with the most important controversial aspects in planning and execution of clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]