Practical Software Research Articles

Vendor-independent software shows limited variability in speckle tracking strain measurements on images of different vendors

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Vendors use proprietary speckle tracking software algorithms for echocardiographic strain measurements, which results in high inter-vendor variability. Little is known about potential advantages or disadvantages of using vendor-independent software in clinical practice. Purpose We therefore investigated the reproducibility, accuracy, and ability to identify scar of strain measurements on images from different vendors by using a vendor-independent software. Methods A vendor-independent software (TomTec Image Arena) was used to analyze datasets of 63 patients which were obtained on four ultrasound machines from different vendors (GE, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba). We measured the tracking feasibility, inter-vendor bias, the relative and absolute test-re-test variability of strain measurements and their ability to detect scar. Cardiac magnetic resonance delayed enhancement images were used as the reference standard of scar definition. Results Tracking feasibility differed depending on the image source (p < 0.05). Variability of global longitudinal strain (GLS) (Figure 1A) was similar (ANOVA p = 0.124) among the images of different vendors whereas variability of segmental longitudinal strain (SLS) (Figure 1B) showed modest difference (ANOVA- peak systolic strain (PS); p = 0.077, end-systolic strain (ES); p = 0.171, post-systolic strain (PSS); p = 0.020). Relative test-re-test variability of GLS showed no differences (ANOVA p = 0.360). Absolute test-re-test errors of SLS measurements showed modest differences among images of different vendors (ANOVA- PS; p = 0.018, ES; p = 0.001, PSS; p = 0.090). No relevant difference in scar detection capability was observed (Figure 1C). Conclusions Vendor independent software leads to low bias among strain measurements on images from different vendors. Likewise, measurement variability and the ability to identify scar becomes similar. Our findings suggest that a vendor independent speckle tracking software could help to overcome inter-vendor bias. To which extend such measurements would be more accurate compared to vendor specific software remains to be determined. Abstract Figure 1

An environment for sustainable research software in Germany and beyond: current state, open challenges, and call for action.

Research software has become a central asset in academic research. It optimizes existing and enables new research methods, implements and embeds research knowledge, and constitutes an essential research product in itself. Research software must be sustainable in order to understand, replicate, reproduce, and build upon existing research or conduct new research effectively. In other words, software must be available, discoverable, usable, and adaptable to new needs, both now and in the future. Research software therefore requires an environment that supports sustainability. Hence, a change is needed in the way research software development and maintenance are currently motivated, incentivized, funded, structurally and infrastructurally supported, and legally treated. Failing to do so will threaten the quality and validity of research. In this paper, we identify challenges for research software sustainability in Germany and beyond, in terms of motivation, selection, research software engineering personnel, funding, infrastructure, and legal aspects. Besides researchers, we specifically address political and academic decision-makers to increase awareness of the importance and needs of sustainable research software practices. In particular, we recommend strategies and measures to create an environment for sustainable research software, with the ultimate goal to ensure that software-driven research is valid, reproducible and sustainable, and that software is recognized as a first class citizen in research. This paper is the outcome of two workshops run in Germany in 2019, at deRSE19 - the first International Conference of Research Software Engineers in Germany - and a dedicated DFG-supported follow-up workshop in Berlin.

A new method to measure the three-dimensional solubility parameters of acrylate rubber and predict its oil resistance

As people pay more and more attention to environmental protection and the high cost of diesel and gasoline, in order to reduce environmental pollution and use cost, some low-pollution and low-cost components, such as alcohols (ethanol, etc.) and esters (methyl acetate, etc.), are added to diesel and gasoline. Due to the addition of new components, the swelling degree of rubber products will also change. In the literature, this method is often used to test the oil resistance of vulcanizates directly by immersing them in oil. In this paper, a new method is used to predict the oil resistance of vulcanizates. In order to investigate the swelling property of acrylate rubber more comprehensively and predict its oil resistance, the swelling behavior of carboxylic acrylate rubber (AR12) produced by Zeon Corporation (Japan) was measured by swelling method in 24 different organic solvents, and the value of one-dimensional solubility parameter (δ) of AR12 was obtained, ranging from 18 to 22 MPa1/2. The swelling data were analyzed by Hansen Solubility Parameter in Practice software, and the three-dimensional solubility parameter sphere, two-dimensional solubility parameter graph and three-dimensional solubility parameter of AR12 were thus obtained. The values of the three-dimensional solubility parameter of AR12 were δd = 18.30 MPa1/2, δp = 7.10 MPa1/2 and δh = 5.60 MPa1/2, respectively. There is an energy difference (Ra) between AR12 and the 24 solvents, and the swelling ratio (q) of AR12 in the 24 solvents presents an inverse “S”-shaped curve as the Ra values between them change. The experimental results proved that the three-dimensional solubility parameters were more accurate in predicting swelling performance than that of one-dimensional solubility parameter. To verify the experimental results, the relationships of Ra, q and δt values with the volume fractions of two groups of solvent mixtures were established. The experimental results showed the same as those obtained by a single solvent, which further proved the correlation of rubber swelling responses. This new method can be used to predict the oil resistance of rubber, and its advantages compared to traditional methods are using more environmentally friendly and cheaper liquid instead of toxic or expensive liquid. This method can be used not only to evaluate acrylate rubber, but also predict the oil resistance of other polymers.

Reducing Antimicrobial Use by Implementing Evidence-Based, Management-Related Prevention Strategies in Dairy Cows in Switzerland

The aim of this study was to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) on dairy farms that implemented evidence-based management strategies. The study not only examined whether these strategies led to a reduction in AMU in practice, but also examined the influence of the level of their implementation on AMU. For data analysis, practice software recordings of the farm veterinarians were used. The AMU data of 50 farms with prevention strategies applied (intervention group, IG) over 3 years (2017–2019) and of 74 farms without prevention strategies (control group, CG) over 2 years (2018–2019) were analyzed. Project participation was supported with 500 Swiss francs (~545 USD) per farmer per year. The AMU was compared between the IG and CG using the treatment incidence. In December 2017/January 2018, the farmers of the IG had chosen at least one of the proposed 17 prevention strategies from one of three sectors, i.e., udder health, uterine health and/or replacement calf health. The prevention strategies, were developed in a standard operating procedure protocol and were discussed in detail with the farmers before the implementation. Forty-eight farms chose at least one udder strategy, 10 farms at least one uterine strategy and 37 farms at least one calf strategy. By choosing an udder health strategy or a uterine health strategy, the corresponding systemically administered AMU could be significantly reduced (p < 0.04) in the IG compared with the CG. In addition, udder strategies that were well-implemented led to a significant reduction (p = 0.05) of intramammary “highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA)” (quinolones, cephalosporins 3rd and higher generation, macrolides and ketolides, glycopeptides, and polymyxins). The level of implementation was significantly lower in 2019 compared to 2018 (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). No significant reduction in AMU could be achieved for the calf sector. A reduction of AMU in dairy farms is possible by implementing evidence-based management-related prevention strategies. The level of implementation has only an influence on the consumption of HPCIA. The reduction of AMU in practice by means of evidence-based measures requires supportive human resources instead of financial support, because financial support for farmers seems not to motivate them sufficiently.

The Paramak: automated parametric geometry construction for fusion reactor designs.

During the conceptual design process of fusion reactors it is useful to rapidly prototype different design concepts and assess their suitability against a range of high level requirements. Rapid prototyping allows the 'fail early' mantra of other fields to be applied to engineering design. Furthermore, the rapid generation of low fidelity analysis allows fast exploration of design space, which enables better decisions to be made during concept selection and the detailed design phase. The Paramak is an open-source tool that aims to provide automated parameter driven 3D CAD models for fusion reactor components and magnetic fusion reactors. The geometry produced is compatible with several analysis workflows and this allows iterative automated model building and analysis to help steer the design concept optimisation process. The Paramak uses CadQuery 2 to create the 3D CAD model. The Paramak framework is used to create a few example reactor configurations including: a spherical reactor, a regular large radius tokamak and a compact submersion tank reactor. Input parameters for the various reactors that the Paramak can generate generally fall into three categories: continuous ranges such as blanket thickness, integer ranges such as number of toroidal field coils and categorical parameters such as type of divertor. The Paramak facilitates parameter studies where users can investigate the impact of input design parameters on the reactor performance. The use of modern software practices allows the geometry to be continuously tested in analysis workflows to ensure it is fit for purpose. The generation of output metrics from input parameters lends itself to the use of data science and machine learning approaches in order to steer the design. The Paramak provides rapid construction of analysis ready CAD in a manner that allows the designer to save time when exploring the design space for design studies and facilitate automated generative design.

СТАНОВЛЕНИЕ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИЙ МЕЛИОРИРУЕМОГО ЗЕМЛЕДЕЛИЯ

The key problem of the development of digitalization in agriculture remains the low interest of commodity producers in these innovations, which actualizes the role of science in providing large-scale information support to the solutions received in terms of the effectiveness of their practical use and recommendations for preventing unforeseen consequences that help attract farmers ' investments to their development and implementation. The purpose of this research is to form a resource of information and analytical support for the formation of digitalization of agricultural technologies of reclaimed agriculture based on the results of studying, analyzing and systematizing data and information about both the advantages and achievements, as well as about the difficulties and negative indicators of the use of digital technologies in the crop production system of agriculture. The basic method of research is the theory of system analysis, analog and expert assessments. The analysis of the use of automated control systems for technological processes of land reclamation in agricultural production has been carried out, which has established a low level of implementation of developed and tested in practice software and technical automation complexes. The priority number of objective and subjective reasons for insufficient investment attractiveness for commodity producers of digitalization of technological processes of agricultural production is shown. A list of priority technologies for the successful development of digitalization of reclaimed agroecosystems has been formed, including digital modeling, analytical procedures based on large amounts of data, neural networks and artificial intelligence, the industrial Internet of Things, cloud technologies. The principles of effective functioning of automated systems and measures for integrating the latter into the agricultural production system are presented. Overcoming the difficulties and complications of the process of digitalization of agro-reclamation technologies will more than pay off by increasing labor productivity, reducing production costs, and improving product quality.

СТАНОВЛЕНИЕ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИЙ МЕЛИОРИРУЕМОГО ЗЕМЛЕДЕЛИЯ

The key problem of the development of digitalization in agriculture remains the low interest of commodity producers in these innovations, which actualizes the role of science in providing large-scale information support to the solutions received in terms of the effectiveness of their practical use and recommendations for preventing unforeseen consequences that help attract farmers ' investments to their development and implementation. The purpose of this research is to form a resource of information and analytical support for the formation of digitalization of agricultural technologies of reclaimed agriculture based on the results of studying, analyzing and systematizing data and information about both the advantages and achievements, as well as about the difficulties and negative indicators of the use of digital technologies in the crop production system of agriculture. The basic method of research is the theory of system analysis, analog and expert assessments. The analysis of the use of automated control systems for technological processes of land reclamation in agricultural production has been carried out, which has established a low level of implementation of developed and tested in practice software and technical automation complexes. The priority number of objective and subjective reasons for insufficient investment attractiveness for commodity producers of digitalization of technological processes of agricultural production is shown. A list of priority technologies for the successful development of digitalization of reclaimed agroecosystems has been formed, including digital modeling, analytical procedures based on large amounts of data, neural networks and artificial intelligence, the industrial Internet of Things, cloud technologies. The principles of effective functioning of automated systems and measures for integrating the latter into the agricultural production system are presented. Overcoming the difficulties and complications of the process of digitalization of agro-reclamation technologies will more than pay off by increasing labor productivity, reducing production costs, and improving product quality.

УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ МЕТОДІВ І ЗАСОБІВ НАВЧАННЯ СУЧАСНИХ ФАХІВЦІВ З ОБЛІКУ І ОПОДАТКУВАННЯ

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the introduction of effective methods and means of training modern specialists in accounting and taxation in the process of teaching accounting disciplines in higher educational institutions. The paper analyzes the process of training modern accountants who are able to solve complex problems and perform applied tasks in the field of accounting, analysis, audit, control and taxation. It is proved that for the formation of an educated and literate personality of the analyst-accountant it is necessary to take into account the possibilities of modern information technologies, methods and means of teaching in the learning process. Through the introduction of the latest technologies and teaching methods, higher education has the opportunity to prepare graduates with appropriate qualifications who can quickly adapt to changes in the information environment. The issues of improving the quality of domestic education, bringing it closer to the needs of society and the labor market are considered. It is noted that successful integration into the European educational space is impossible without the development of advanced methods, techniques and teaching aids in higher education. Also, on the level of mastery of modern teaching methods depends on the humanistic orientation of the teacher, his professional competence, pedagogical abilities, pedagogical techniques, which are elements of pedagogical skills and determine the effectiveness of the educational process as a whole. The article analyzes various forms, methods and means of education in educational institutions. It is noted that in general there is a shortage of methodological developments, theoretical and methodological developments related to the organization of modern teaching of accounting disciplines in terms of digitalization of the economy – the driving force of information and communication technologies in everyday life, enterprises and society. As a result of the research, it was concluded that teaching methods should be based on practical classes and software for accounting and analytical processes, encouraging students to study the discipline. The process of studying at the university in accounting specialties should be based on the practical application of all acquired knowledge in the field of organization and maintenance of accounting using automated accounting programs. As a result, it is proposed to introduce into the educational process software products of the line 1C and BAS.

ID-correspondence: a measure for detecting evolutionary coupling

Evolutionary coupling is a well investigated phenomenon in software maintenance research and practice. Association rules and two related measures, support and confidence, have been used to identify evolutionary coupling among program entities. However, these measures only emphasize the co-change (i.e., changing together) frequency of entities and cannot determine whether the entities co-evolved by experiencing related changes. Consequently, the approach reports false positives and fails to detect evolutionary coupling among infrequently co-changed entities. We propose a new measure, identifier correspondence (id-correspondence), that quantifies the extent to which changes that occurred to the co-changed entities are related based on identifier similarity. Identifiers are the names given to different program entities such as variables, methods, classes, packages, interfaces, structures, unions etc. We use Dice-Sorensen co-efficient for measuring lexical similarity between the identifiers involved in the changed lines of the co-changed entities. Our investigation on thousands of revisions from nine subject systems covering three programming languages shows that id-correspondence can considerably improve the detection accuracy of evolutionary coupling. It outperforms the existing state-of-the-art evolutionary coupling based techniques with significantly higher recall and F-score in predicting future co-change candidates.

Social RE-PBL: An Approach for Teaching Requirements Engineering Using PBL, SNSs, and Cloud Storages and File-Sharing Services

Requirements engineering process showed that it has the potential to affect software development process and consequently cause unexpected problems in the produced software. Reducing the likelihood of such issues requires proper preparation for software engineering students during their undergraduate studies to reduce the gap between theory and practice. Students must develop the soft skills that are needed to practice software engineering activities, especially requirements engineering. Accordingly, encouraging students to learn and practice requirements engineering concepts and activities are required. Students undertake the requirements engineering course in one semester, where the lecturer focuses on delivering the theoretical concepts to students which creates teacher-centred learning. It is difficult for students to develop the required critical thinking and communication skills that enable them to solve real-world problems in such a teacher-centred environment. This study uses Project-Based Learning (PBL), Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and cloud enhanced communication to design a non-traditional teaching approach to improve students’ learning and to achieve a learner-centred learning environment in a requirements engineering course. The developed approach was applied to a requirements engineering course at our university to investigate its effectiveness and its impact on students’ learning ability. The students in the investigational group learned with the new method; however, the students in the control group learned with the traditional learning method. The results of our experiment show that the proposed approach significantly improved the achievement, motivation and attitude of our students as well as

ВОПРОСЫ ОЦЕНКИ НАДЕЖНОСТИ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ СИСТЕМ ХРАНЕНИЯ ДАННЫХ ДЛЯ МОБИЛЬНЫХ ДАТА-ЦЕНТРОВ

Introduction: the review is conducted in the field of modern approaches to the creation and improvement of methods for assessing the reliability of data storage systems of mobile data centers designed for the continuous provision of a high-quality set of basic and additional information services. At the same time, services are provided to consumers in any place of their location, where typical data centers solve not only the tasks of building the information infrastructure of organizations, departments and individual large enterprises, but also tasks focused on ensuring the information security of these infrastructures. The goals and objectives of data storage systems as the technological basis of mobile data centers, the features of architectures, technologies and conditions for their construction and operation are summarized and systematized. The reliability indicators of data storage systems are studied and formulated, the role and place of reliability assessment tasks are investigated. The relevance of ensuring the accuracy and multi-criteria reliability assessment in the interests of decision making support for the design and construction of data storage systems is justified. The subject of the study is the reliability of data storage systems as a set of interconnected components (channels, switches, blade servers, disks, disk arrays, and libraries), as well as the conditions for designing and building systems of this class that affect their reliability. Purpose: analysis of existing and development of new scientific and methodological tools and software for assessing the reliability of mobile data center data storage systems to ensure reliable and multi-criteria (taking into account the variety of components and interaction schemes) analysis of the reliability of both storage systems themselves and mobile data centers as a whole. Results: a method for analyzing the reliability of data storage systems for mobile data centers, consisting of a number of sequential steps, is proposed. The method and algorithm of its implementation are based on the logical-probabilistic approach to reliability assessment, are simple in software implementation and rational in terms of efficiency and computational complexity. Practical relevance: the presented approach allows us to formulate reliability indicators and evaluate the reliability of complex structures of data storage systems. A practical software implementation in C++ in the Visual Studio development environment has been implemented. The results of a computational experiment are obtained, which can serve as input data when making a decision on the choice of storage systems at the stages of design, project approval, replacement or update of data storage systems for mobile data centers.

СИНТЕЗ БАРКЕРОПОДІБНИХ ПОСЛІДОВНОСТЕЙ З АДАПТАЦІЄЮ ДО ВЕЛИЧИНИ ЗАВАДИ

The method of synthesis of noise-resistant barker-like code sequences with the use of ideal ring bundles has been improved. The method for fast finding of such noise-like noise-resistant code sequences, which are able to find and correct errors in accordance with the length of the obtained code sequence, has been improved. An algorithm is implemented to quickly find such noise-resistant barker-like code sequences that are able to find and correct errors in accordance with the length of the obtained code sequence. A simulation model of noise-tolerant barker-like coding with the use of ideal ring bundles has been developed. The possibility of reducing the redundancy of noise-tolerant code sequences by cutting code sequences by a certain number of bits without losing the regenerative capacity of noise-tolerant codes has been investigated. Theoretical analysis of the possibilities of this approach and its effectiveness is performed. Several series of experimental studies of the reliability of the described method on different data samples were performed and its functional efficiency was confirmed. The analysis of the obtained data and identification of key factors influencing the result is carried out. The practical software implementation of the simulation model of noise-tolerant barker-like coding for finding and correcting errors in the obtained noise-tolerant barker-like code sequences is carried out. The used methods and algorithms of data processing, the main components for message processing and their purpose are described. The possibility of reducing the redundancy of noise-tolerant code sequences by reducing the code sequences by a certain number of bits without losing the reproducibility of noise-tolerant codes has been investigated. Theoretical analysis of the possibilities of this approach and its effectiveness is performed. Several series of experimental studies of the reliability of the described method on different data samples were performed and its functional efficiency was confirmed. The analysis of the obtained results is performed and the main factors influencing the obtained result are determined. The proposed noise-tolerant barker-like code sequences have practical value, because with the help of the obtained barker-like code sequence it is quite simple and fast to find up to 50 % and correct up to 25 % of distorted characters from the length of noise-tolerant barker-like code sequence.

Reflections on the quality improvement of undergraduate dissertations—based on the perspective of statistics reform

For undergraduate students of economics and management, statistics is a core course of the discipline and also an important course for cultivating students' research ability. The article establishes a statistics course system oriented to improve the quality of undergraduate thesis, proposes to add excellent thesis as a statistics teaching case, and fits the statistics course to improve the thesis selection and writing ability of undergraduate economics and management students by assigning professional survey report tasks and increasing statistical software practice. It provides support for reforming the statistics curriculum system and comprehensively cultivating innovative talents in economics and management from a new perspective.

A Methodological Review of Machine Learning in Applied Linguistics

The traditional linear regression in applied linguistics (AL) suffers from the drawbacks arising from the strict assumptions namely: linearity, and normality, etc. More advanced methods are needed to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional method and grapple with intricate linguistic problems. However, there is no previous review on the applications of machine learning (ML) in AL, the introduction of interpretable ML, and related practical software. This paper addresses these gaps by reviewing the representative algorithms of ML in AL. The result shows that ML is applicable in AL and enjoys a promising future. It goes further to discuss the applications of interpretable ML for reporting the results in AL. Finally, it ends with the recommendations of the practical programming languages, software, and platforms to implement ML for researchers in AL to foster the interdisciplinary studies between AL and ML.

An environment for sustainable research software in Germany and beyond: current state, open challenges, and call for action

Research software has become a central asset in academic research. It optimizes existing and enables new research methods, implements and embeds research knowledge, and constitutes an essential research product in itself. Research software must be sustainable in order to understand, replicate, reproduce, and build upon existing research or conduct new research effectively. In other words, software must be available, discoverable, usable, and adaptable to new needs, both now and in the future. Research software therefore requires an environment that supports sustainability. Hence, a change is needed in the way research software development and maintenance are currently motivated, incentivized, funded, structurally and infrastructurally supported, and legally treated. Failing to do so will threaten the quality and validity of research. In this paper, we identify challenges for research software sustainability in Germany and beyond, in terms of motivation, selection, research software engineering personnel, funding, infrastructure, and legal aspects. Besides researchers, we specifically address political and academic decision-makers to increase awareness of the importance and needs of sustainable research software practices. In particular, we recommend strategies and measures to create an environment for sustainable research software, with the ultimate goal to ensure that software-driven research is valid, reproducible and sustainable, and that software is recognized as a first class citizen in research. This paper is the outcome of two workshops run in Germany in 2019, at deRSE19 - the first International Conference of Research Software Engineers in Germany - and a dedicated DFG-supported follow-up workshop in Berlin.

DIGITALIZATION IN CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIOREHABILITATION IN THE PERIOD OF COVID-19: THE ROLE OF ECG MARKERS IN CARDIOPROTECTION

The aim of the work - to study the possibility of introducing ECG quantitative assessmentby its digital processing using the software in the real clinical practice to optimizetreatment in assessment of drugs’effectiveness at the stage of the patients’ rehabilitationin the time of COVID-19.Material and methods. The effectiveness of the drugs, used in rehabilitation, was analyzedaccording to the methodology of our previous study, 78 patients were diagnosed withacute Q-myocardial infarction in comparison with 46 patients who had stable angina IIfunctional class.Results. Tivortin and Tivorel increase Δ%RR-SDNN, which is associated with a reductionof the risk of adverse events and activation of the parasympathetic contour, Tivortinoptimizes ST-slope and accelerates transient depression of the ST-segment that reducesthe risk of death from cardiovascular disease and increases the antiarrhythmic effect,and also, the addition of "Tivortin" and "Tivorel" reduces the dispersion of the QTinterval, which indicates an anti-ischemic effect. An increasе of Δ%RR-SDNN index ishigher for bisoprolol than for amiodarone and indicates a positive effect, as a decreaseof this indicator is a risk factor for overall and cardiac mortality; amiodarone stimulatesthe activation of the parasympathetic contour; both drugs reduce the dispersion of QTinterval, which indicated anti-ischemic effect; amiodarone less efficiently affects ST-slopethan bisoprolol, but the effect of these drugs is associated with a reduction of adverseevents.Conclusion. The effectiveness of the assessment of the metabolic therapy at the stage ofrehabilitation of patients with cardiac pathology using the drugs "Tivortin", "Tivorel" incomparison with amiodarone and bisoprolol has been proved. Rehabilitation during theconstellation of acute myocardial infarction and COVID-19 is complicated by a decreaseof the number of admitted patients, more complicated course of the disease duringconstellation, non-urgent coronary interventions, a large number of complications, and aslowdown in rehabilitation measures.

Antimicrobial consumption: Comparison of three different data collection methods

The increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance represents a global threat. As a result, surveillance programmes monitoring antimicrobial consumption and resistance in animals have been implemented in several countries throughout the world. However, such programmes depend on the accurate and detailed collection of data on antimicrobial consumption. For this reason, the aim of this longitudinal study was to compare the consistency of data on antimicrobial consumption between three different data collection methods.Antimicrobial consumption data associated to udder health were collected from 20 veterinary practices and 92 dairy farms for 18 months. The compared data sources were: 1) data extracted from veterinary practice software 2) farm treatment journals and 3) on-farm discarded drug packages (garbage). Two different procedures were chosen to analyse the data issued from treatment journals: 1) only complete entries were analysed 2) entries with missing dosage were supplemented with the information provided by the Swiss Compendium of Veterinary Medicinal Products. The antimicrobial data were divided into intramammary preparations used during lactation (IMM), intramammary preparations used for dry off (DRY) and systemic treatments (SYS). We compared the quantities of injectors (IMM and DRY), the quantities of active substances (SYS) and the treatment incidences (TI) for the defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 cow-days (IMM and SYS) and the defined course dose (DCD) per 1000 cow-days (DRY). Additionally, the variety of antimicrobial products among the different data sources was compared.The highest quantity of antimicrobials for IMM, DRY and SYS could be collected with the software data. The lowest quantity was collected by using the data of the treatment journal with only complete entries. For IMM and DRY, software and garbage performed similar, with agreement on the number of injectors used in 56.1% of the analysed cases. The widest variety of intramammary antimicrobial preparations was found in the garbage whilst most systemic preparations were collected using software data. The results of the study show a lack of data consistency between the three different data sources. None of the methods was able to collect the integral antimicrobial consumption in the participating farms. Finally, the results emphasise the need to implement a standardised system to quantify and assess the antimicrobial consumption at veterinary practice and farm level.

Software engineering practices for scientific software development: A systematic mapping study

Background:The development of scientific software applications is far from trivial, due to the constant increase in the necessary complexity of these applications, their increasing size, and their need for intensive maintenance and reuse. Aim:To this end, developers of scientific software (who usually lack a formal computer science background) need to use appropriate software engineering (SE) practices. This paper describes the results of a systematic mapping study on the use of SE for scientific application development and their impact on software quality. Method:To achieve this goal we have performed a systematic mapping study on 359 papers. We first describe a catalog of SE practices used in scientific software development. Then, we discuss the quality attributes of interest that drive the application of these practices, as well as tentative side-effects of applying the practices on qualities. Results:The main findings indicate that scientific software developers are focusing on practices that improve implementation productivity, such as code reuse, use of third-party libraries, and the application of “good” programming techniques. In addition, apart from the finding that performance is a key-driver for many of these applications, scientific software developers also find maintainability and productivity to be important. Conclusions:The results of the study are compared to existing literature, are interpreted under a software engineering prism, and various implications for researchers and practitioners are provided. One of the key findings of the study, which is considered as important for driving future research endeavors is the lack of evidence on the trade-offs that need to be made when applying a software practice, i.e., negative (indirect) effects on other quality attributes.

A Practical Learning Simulation Software with Specific Applications for Printed Circuit Board Soldering/De-soldering Ability Certifications

This paper mainly develops a practical learning printed circuit board (PCB) soldering/de-soldering simulation software to be the reference of the specialized characteristic curriculum for a school. The proposed learning simulation software can train students with the soldering knowledge, the soldering technology, the electronic component identification, and the usage of the instruments. The research aims at inspiring students to be interested in circuitry soldering technology and have different thoughts on electronic/information/mechanical related technology applications. In this paper, the developed practical learning simulation software utilizes Visual Basic programming language as the developing tool and adopts the Bluetooth voice- activated tracking self-propelled vehicle and the number guessing game main control PCBs as the circuitry soldering training targets which was developed by Taiwan Embedded Microcontroller Development Institution (TEMI). The proposed simulation tool has been used as the learning exploration with the students at Kao Yuan University in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. According to the experimental results, the developed simulation tool could provide three contributions. First, it can be an interactive- and interesting-oriented learning tool. Second, it can cultivate and inspire students learning soldering technology efficiently and effectively to meet the needs in the industry. Third, it can cultivate more professional and technical students actively participate in seeking solutions to problems.

Building Empathy: Exploring Digital Native Characteristic to Create Learning Instruction for Learning Computer Graphic Design

Technology leading to massive changes, include the way of learning. As the digital natives, students have different ways of learning, especially in courses that use technological devices, such as computers graphic design. Exploring information by building empathy from a student's perspective, can give more authentic information and find opportunities for designing better learning instructional that more needed-based. The purpose of this study is to explore student’s characteristics, and find criteria of learning instructional that needed-based and future-orientated. This is qualitative research, using case-study through interviews, focus group discussion, and an instrument of empathy map, with qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. The study showed that students have no difficulty in accessing and using complex technology, this is in accordance with their characteristics as digital native. Students not only need to develop computer graphics capabilities technically, but also need to develop ability operating software in design practice. This is where other study skills related as designer and creating learning environment that suits for students are needed. Empathy framework bring positive impact to find new learning objectives and creating learning instruction. This finding suggests following future research on instructional learning that stimulate student’s ability that concentrate on designer's skills in their future.