bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The second victim requires more than Medice Cura Te Ipsum
Authors: Koyle Martin A. , Chua Michael E. , Kherani Tamizan , Pereira Nichole , Heiss Kurt
Published: May 2021

Burnout has attained epidemic proportions in all reaches of society. Only recently, has its impact in healthcare become a burning platform. Second victim syndrome, a consequence of an unforeseen adverse event, often precipitated by an error, can lead to a post-traumatic stress-like reaction, that is unique to healthcare workers. Often, the second victim suffers in silence, forced to rely on resilience. Peer support has been demonstrated to be beneficial in assisting healthcare workers in recovering from both burnout and second victim syndrome. Institutions and organizations must be more influential and responsive in supporting physicians and other healthcare workers in need.
Burnout in Canadian urology: Cohort analysis from the 2018 Canadian Urological Association census
Authors: Chan Ernest P. , Stringer Leandra S. , Forster Adam , Meeks William D. , Fang Raymond , Franc-Guimond Julie , Sener Alp
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Physician burnout is associated with medical error, patient dissatisfaction, and poorer physician health. Urologists have reported high levels of burnout and poor work-life integration compared with other physicians. Burnout rates among Canadian urologists has not been previously investigated. We aimed to establish the prevalence of Canadian urologist burnout and associated factors.

Methods: In the 2018 Canadian Urological Association census, the Maslach Burnout Inventory questions were assigned to all respondents. Responses from 105 practicing urologists were weighted by region and age group to represent 609 urologists in Canada. Burnout was defined as scoring high on the scales of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. Demographic and practice variables were assessed to establish factors associated with burnout. Comparisons were made to the results of the 2016 American Urological Association census.

Results: Overall, 31.8% of respondents met the criteria for burnout. There was no effect of subspecialty practice or practice setting on burnout. On univariate analysis, rates of burnout were highest among urologists under financial strain (50.8%), female urologists (45.3%), and early-to-mid-career urologists (37.7–41.8%). Factors associated with demanding practices and poor work-life integration were predictive of burnout. A total of 12.2% of urologists reported seeking burnout resources and 54.0% wished there were better resources available.

Conclusions: Urologist burnout in Canada is lower than reported in other countries, but contributing factors are similar. Urologists who report demanding clinical practices (particularly in early-to-mid career), poor work-life integration, financial strain, and female gender may benefit from directed intervention for prevention and management of burnout. Burnout resources for Canadian urologists require further development.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Academic Social Life in Riyadh with a Focus on the Outdoor Environment
Authors: Khogali Hind Abdelmoneim
Published: May 2021

On 18 March 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had reached global pandemic status. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia implemented a COVID-19 lockdown that lasted for four months. After the period of restrictions ended, people were supposed to return to their normal social lives; however, the lockdown had a psychological impact on people without them being aware of it. This research aimed to study the effect of COVID-19 on social life, mainly focusing on six public activities: visiting shopping malls, mosques, open spaces, interior space, psychological effect, and occupational aspects. The Method survey was distributed during lockdown including the six focus areas and collected using Google Forms. Also, a computer program simulation (ENVI-MET) was used to study and develop an outdoor environment. The research focuses on the outdoor environment to find solutions on a sample used Al Rouda Park in Riyadh. The results demonstrated that people are slowly returning to their social lives during the COVID-19 pandemic by steadily visiting shopping malls, mosques, and open spaces and half of respondents stay at home fearing COVID-19. The research concluded that people should apply health procedures during ongoing time in studied locations and should manage the elaborated psychological effects. 
Regels breken in het belang van de burger
Authors: Bernards Bernard , Schmidt Eduard
Published: May 2021

Breaking rules in the interest of citizens: do rebellious leaders cause rebellious professionals?

The recent decentralization of many healthcare and welfare responsibilities from the national to the municipal level in the Netherlands was aimed at reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and giving discretion to the professional. However, this is not (yet) fully achieved. Therefore, calls have been made for more purpose-driven organizations. Pro-social rule breaking, which refers to acts of rule breaking motivated by the benefits that this creates for citizens, might be a way to make organizations more focused on their organizational purpose. Since little is known about the antecedents of pro-social rule breaking, this article looks at the possible effects of red tape and supportive leadership on pro-social rule breaking behavior of professionals. Based on a quantitative large-n study of professionals in the social domain, the results show that red tape significantly affects pro-social rule breaking. Stimulating leadership does not affect pro-social rule breaking behavior, which may be caused by the fact that intended leader support is not be perceived that way by the professional. The article concludes with a discussion on the desirability of rule breaking in a public sector context, followed by practical implications and further avenues for researchers.
Curbing Drug Use in the Seychelles through Regulation beyond Legislation
Authors: Nourrice Amelie
Published: May 2021

Curbing Drug Use in the Seychelles through Regulation beyond Legislation

This article was written with the intention of figuring out why the Seychelles has been unable to douse the drug epidemic despite apparent vigorous efforts on the part of the government and of finding a new way of curtailing drug abuse without relying entirely on legislation, which although in some ways are necessary, has on its own, been incapable serving efficacy.

The article introduces a four step pyramid giving effect to a responsive approach which Braithwaite suggests lays ‘emphasis on the pyramidal regulatory structure, on regulation through engagement and dialogue rather than by dictat, on bringing third parties into what had been previously characterized as a binary regulator/regulatee interaction, and on the concept of the benign big gun.’

Thus, by building a drug user’s capacity and providing the apt restorative treatment before labelling him as an offender and subjecting him to incapacitation, the drug user is offered an opportunity at restoration.

The criteria featuring in the pyramid must work in conjunction with the law as this combination and the use of various actors at each tier is a significant way to effectively execute government policies without that strict and direct regulator/regulatee relationship whereby the former would otherwise lord it over the latter.
Reducing Ethnic Conflict in Guyana through Political Reform
Authors: Pierre Nicola
Published: May 2021

Reducing Ethnic Conflict in Guyana through Political Reform

This article discusses using constitutional reform to reduce ethnic conflict in Guyana. I start by exploring the determinants of ethnic conflict. I next examine Guyana’s ethnopolitical history to determine what factors led to political alignment on ethnic lines and then evaluate the effect of the existing political institutions on ethnic conflict. I close with a discussion on constitutional reform in which I consider a mix of consociationalist, integrative, and power-constraining mechanisms that may be effective in reducing ethnic conflict in Guyana’s ethnopolitical circumstances.
If it was shared on Facebook and Twitter, then it must be true. Een kwantitatief onderzoek naar de relatie tussen fake news en angst voor criminaliteit
Authors: Vandaele Birte , Snaphaan Thom , Hardyns Wim
Published: May 2021

If it was shared on Facebook and Twitter, then it must be true. A quantitative study of the relationship between fake news and fear of crime

The media are a main source of information on crime for citizens. Prior research shows that media and fear of crime are not independent of each other. Since fake news is spread through (social) media, the question arises what the relationship is between (perceived) fake news and fear of crime. To date, no large-scale representative research has been conducted on this topic. This study is based on a representative population survey (n = 1566) from 2019. This exploratory study shows a small but significant relation between the perceived prevalence of fake news and fear of crime.
DA EFETIVIDADE DOS BENEFÍCIOS POR INCAPACIDADE ANTE A POSSIBILIDADE DE MEDIAÇÃO ON LINE NO ÂMBITO ADMINISTRATIVO PELO INSTITUTO NACIONAL DO SEGURO SOCIAL
Authors: Maria Silverio da Costa Dallefi Nayara , Silveira Mozer , Rigoldi Vivianne
Published: May 2021

Disability benefits have undergone modifications in light of the Social Security Reform -Constitutional Amendment No. 103/2019: what was called sickness benefit and disability retirement, is now a temporary and permanent disability benefit, in addition to the criteria for calculating income initial monthly. All this modification resulted in its concession in a period of global social instability. This is because, months after the aforementioned constitutional amendment, the whole world is suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with changes in all sectors of society. It is worth mentioning that it was no different in relation to the National Institute of Social Security, in view of the granting of disability benefits, having the need to implement its entire digital system, with the creation of a field for the insertion of documents and carrying out indirect expertise, via online. In this scenario, mediation is of crucial importance as a way of solving many cases to be resolved at the administrative level, meeting the movement for legalization, and it may well have its applicability within the scope of cases brought to the National Institute of Social Security and, if implemented, generate effectiveness in the analysis of these benefits in favor of the insured party. This article aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the use of online mediation, if inserted in relation to disability benefits, in an administrative scope, from a historical-bibliographic research, aiming at the concretization and realization of better quality in the provision of State service, in relation to all the insured affected by some temporary or permanent disability.
Application of Lean Metrics for Analysis and Improvement in Software Maintenance Processes
Authors: Maciel Teresa Maria De Medeiros , Galvão Luciano Do Rêgo , Meira Silvio
Published: May 2021

This paper presents an experience about software processes performance analysis, from the perspective of Lean experience through an analysis developed on maintenance projects of an software company. To develop this analysis, a study and selection of Lean metrics was conducted. These metrics will serve as guidance for carrying out the data collection and its analysis. This paper reports this experience presenting the adopted metrics, collecting and structuring data, calculation and representation of each metric, as well as analysis considering the information provided by the metrics. Opportunities for improvement are identified and recommendations are explained.
Experiência de Implantação do MR-MPS-SV no Service Desk da ECO Sistemas
Authors: De Araujo Larissa Lopes , Mocny Elizabeth Cristina , Rocha Ana Regina , Gonçalves Taísa , Santos Gleison
Published: May 2021

Este artigo descreve a experiência da ECO Sistemas com a implementação do nível G MR-MPS-SV no seu Service Desk. A implementação teve inicio em Setembro de 2013 e a avaliação oficial foi concluída em Dezembro de 2013. Os resultados obtidos indicam aumento de produtividade na prestação do serviço e visibilidade de SLA atendida, além da criação de base histórica.
Ambiente Colaborativo Semântico Voltado à Aprendizagem Organizacional para Empresas de Desenvolvimento de Software
Authors: Menolli André , Pinto Sofia , Reinerh Sheila , Malucelli Andreia
Published: May 2021

A aprendizagem organizacional auxilia as organizações a melhorar seus processos por meio de reuso de experiências. No entanto, não é uma tarefa trivial alcançar a aprendizagem organizacional. Dessa forma, são necessários meios que facilitem e incentivem o compartilhamento e a disseminação dos conhecimentos. Este trabalho propõe um ambiente colaborativo semântico, baseado em objetos e unidades de aprendizagem, voltado à aprendizagem organizacional. Uma implementação inicial do ambiente proposto foi realizada, e um experimento com este ambiente executado. Os resultados mostram que a abordagem é viável para a melhoria da aprendizagem organizacional em equipes de desenvolvimento de software.
Estimativa de Esforço em Projetos Ágeis de Software Utilizando Mapas de Kohonen
Authors: Lira Werney Ayala Luz , Alves Francisco Vanderson De Moura , Dos Santos Neto Pedro De Alcântara , Rabelo Ricardo De Andrade Lira , Britto Ricardo De Sousa
Published: May 2021

O desenvolvimento de software por meio de metodos ágeis está diretamente ligado a execução das várias atividades planejadas ao longo das iterações. Boas estimativas de prazos tornam projeto estável, a equipe de desenvolvimento mais segura e o cliente mais satisfeito. No entanto, estimar o prazo de desenvolvimento de uma tarefa é algo sensível a erros, uma vez que todas as tecnicas possuem alguma limitação prática de uso. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a realização de um estudo sobre o uso de mapas auto-organizáveis de Kohonen para auxiliar nessas estimativas, fornecendo uma estimativa inicial do tempo de duração de uma tarefa, utilizando como base medidas obtidas de tarefas semelhantes e previamente realizadas. Para avaliar aabordagem foram utilizados dados obtidos de uma empresa de desenvolvimento de software local. A partir da avalição foi possível tirar conclusões relativas a qualidade dos registros feitos pelos desenvolvedores dessa empresa, e avaliar a precisao da estimativa feita pela abordagem.
Definição e Aplicação de um Processo de Testes Ágeis: um Relato de Experiência
Authors: Santos Ismayle S. , Franco Wellington , Sabóia Bruno , Andrade Rossana M. C.
Published: May 2021

Por promover uma entrega rápida de código útil e gerenciar mudanças de prioridades, optou-se por usar o Scrum em vários projetos de pesquisa e desenvolvimento realizados no nosso laboratório de pesquisa em parceria com uma empresa fabricante de celular. Este artigo define um processo de testes ágeis com base nas experiências de usar o Scrum nesses projetos e relata a aplicação deste processo no desenvolvimento de sistemas móveis. Também são descritas as lições aprendidas no uso do processo e que resultaram na melhoria do mesmo, os benefícios alcançados e os resultados de um survey aplicado com a equipe.
Um Comparativo na Execução de Testes Manuais e Testes de Aceitação Automatizados em uma Aplicação Web
Authors: Pinheiro Vanilton De Souza Freire , Valentim Natasha M. Costa , Vincenzi Auri Marcelo Rizzo
Published: May 2021

Garantia da qualidade por meio de testes é essencial no processo de desenvolvimento de software. Entretanto, o alto custo da execução de testes manuais e o número cada vez maior de ambientes de testes web solicitados pelos clientes dificultam manter a qualidade do produto e cumprir o prazo estabelecido. Para solucionar este problema é proposto o uso da técnica Behavior-Driven Development em conjunto com Selenium WebDriver e JUnit. Este artigo apresenta um estudo de caso da técnica, relatando os ganhos obtidos como redução no esforço de execução de testes em uma aplicação web. Também são apresentadas as lições aprendidas do estudo de caso.
Uso de gamificação como auxílio para melhoria de processos: relato de experiência
Authors: Cavalcante Niedja , Amâncio Francisco Dione de Sousa , Jucá Emanuelle Nogueira , Rodrigues Morgana Viana
Published: May 2021

Este artigo relata a experiência da utilização de práticas de gamificação em uma empresa de desenvolvimento de soluções em tecnologia da informação, que tem como meta maximizar o atendimento de objetivos estratégicos por meio da melhoria dos processos. Com base na análise do contexto da organização um campeonato foi estruturado para tratar objetivos estratégicos relacionados à operação. O uso das práticas de gamificação resultou em um crescimento da motivação, engajamento e integração entre os colaboradores e contribuiu para o aumento da aderência aos processos organizacionais em 40% e na capacitação dos colaboradores em 214%.
Fault model-based variability testing
Authors: Machado Ivan Do Carmo , De Almeida Eduardo Santana
Published: May 2021

Software Product Lines (SPL) testing techniques are commonly focused on handling variability from a high level abstraction perspective, despite the importance of understanding the nature of issues emerging from source code that could affect the overall quality of products. In this investigation, we present a framework aimed to handle such a neglected issue by augmenting an SPL testing process with fault modeling support. Fault modeling is an strategy employed to capture the behaviour of the system against faults. By understanding the nature of faults before developing the tests might improve the likelihood of finding particular classes of errors. The proposed framework encompasses test assessment, to evaluate the effectiveness of existing test suites, and test design, by focusing on fault-prone elements. We carried out a controlled experiment to assess the test effectiveness of the proposed framework. Software engineers from an industrial partner acted as subjects. The assessment has shown promising results that confirm the hypothesis that combining fault models in an SPL testing process performs significantly better on improving the quality of test inputs.
An Empirical Analysis of Mobile Apps’ Popularity Metrics in Mobile Software Ecosystems
Authors: Gomes Ludymila L. A. , Fontão Awdren L. , Bezerra Allan J. S. , Dias-Neto Arilo C.
Published: May 2021

The growing of mobile platforms in the last years has changed the software development scenario and challenged developers around the world in building successful mobile applications (apps). Users are the core of a mobile software ecosystem (MSECO). Thus, the quality of an app would be related to the user satisfaction, which could be measured by its popularity in App Store. In this paper, we describe the results of a mapping study that identified and analyzed how metrics on apps’ popularity have been addressed in the technical literature. 18 metrics were identified as related to apps’ popularity (users rating and downloads the most cited). After that, we conducted a survey with 47 developers acting within the main MSECOs (Android, iOS and Windows) in order to evaluate these 18 metrics regarding their usefulness to characterize app's popularity. As results, we observed developers understand the importance of metrics to indicate popularity of apps in a different way when compared to the current research.
API Recommendation System for Software - Game Category
Authors: Hernández Luisa , Afonso Júnior Paulo , Costa Heitor
Published: May 2021

Software development depends on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to achieve their goals. However, choosing the right APIs remains as a difficult ask for software engineers. Considering that recommendation systems are emerging to support software engineers in their decision-making task and Games industry has a huge economic and cultural success, we proposed a technique that considers Game category from SourceForge and recommends PIs to software engineers with software in initial (not using APIs) or advanced (using some APIs) stage of software development. We used collaborative filtering technique along with frequent Itemset mining technique for generating the corresponding large and top-N lists of APIs recommended. We evaluated lists performance based on two classification accuracy metrics (precision and recall) and one efficacy metric (recall rate), obtaining promising outcomes. Thus, the results of evaluation metrics showed that our technique could make useful API recommendations for software engineers with Game software that used a small number of APIs or did not use any API. Besides, our technique was able to put relevant APIs even in high-ranking positions, even in small top-N lists, of APIs recommended.
CAS 2.0: Evolução e Automação do Checklist de Avaliação do Scrum para Projetos de Software
Authors: Da Cunha Thiago F. V. , Santos Ismayle De S. , De Macedo Alysson A. , Monteiro Alberto H. M. T. , Aragão Bruno S. , Andrade Rossana M. C.
Published: May 2021

Este trabalho propõe uma evolução e automação de um checklist já existente, denominado Checklist de Avaliação do Scrum (CAS), componente do Agile DMAIC, que é um método para avaliar e melhorar o uso do Scrum em projetos de software. Com o CAS, e possível avaliar a abrangência do Scrum nos projetos e identificar melhorias. A evolução apresentada neste artigo visa ampliar a inspeção de princípios e práticas ágeis, e foi realizada de forma sistemática. A automação possibilita que o CAS consolide a visão das equipes sobre o Scrum e forneça resultados em tempo real, a partir de um preenchimento online. Para avaliar o CAS 2.0, ele foi aplicado em quinze projetos reais e seus resultados são também discutidos neste artigo.
Measures Suitable for SPC: A Systematic Mapping
Authors: Brito Daisy Ferreira , Barcellos Monalessa Perini
Published: May 2021

The growing interest of organizations in improving their software processes has lead them to aim at achieving the high maturity, where statistical process control (SPC) is demanded. Through SPC is possible to know processes behavior, predict their performance in future projects and monitor them in order to meet the stablished goals. One of the challenges to perform SPC is the selection of measures suitable for it. Although the literature suggests measures to be used in SPC, information is dispersed. Aiming to provide a consolidated set of measures useful for SPC, as well as the related processes and goals supported by the measures, we conducted a mapping study. This paper presents the study and discusses the main findings.
Testing Non-Functional Requirements: Lacking of Technologies or Researching Opportunities?
Authors: Ribeiro Victor V. , Travassos Guilherme H.
Published: May 2021

Software testing aims to reveal failures due to the lack of conformity (defects) among functional and non-functional requirements and the implemented system. Thus, defects can be identified and fixed, improving software quality. However, despite several works emphasizing the importance of non-functional requirements (NFRs), there is an insufficient amount of software testing approaches dealing with them. The lack of NFR evaluation may be the cause of low-quality software that does not meet users need, influencing software project success. Goal: To organize a body of knowledge regarding NFRs and software testing approaches available in the technical literature and reveal the gaps between testable NFRs and software testing approaches. Method: To perform structured literature reviews to identify NFRs and software testing approaches dealing with testable NFRs. To combine both results, reveal research opportunities and organize a body of knowledge regarding NFRs and software testing approaches. Results: From 224 identified NFRs, 87 were described, and 47 software testing approaches observed. Only eight approaches are empirically evaluated. No testing approaches were identified for 11 testable NFRs. Furthermore, regarding the testing process, we did not observe any testing approach covering the test planning phase. Conclusion: Despite their importance, many testable NFRs seem not be tested due to the lack of appropriate software testing approaches yet. Also, the existing testing approaches do not cover all testing processes activities and, in general, lack empirical evidence about their feasibility and performance, making their use in software projects risky.
Semantic Documentation in Project Management
Authors: Bastos Erick Casagrande , Barcellos Monalessa Perini , Falbo Ricardo De Almeida
Published: May 2021

The existence of project management supporting tools did not eliminate the need of using desktop documents in this domain. However, retrieving information from documents is usually not trivial and depends on human effort. In this work we propose the use of semantic documentation in the project management domain as a way of getting useful information from data recorded in documents and spreadsheets. For this, we developed the Software Project Management Ontology and explored it to create features to support activities related to scope, time and cost management. The features were implemented in a specialization of the Infrastructure for Managing Semantic Documents, which was evaluated through an experimental study.
Cumulative Groundwater Impact Assessment and Management – An Example in Practice
Authors: Pandey Sanjeev , Cox Randall , Flook Steven
Published: May 2021

Production of coal seam gas (CSG), or coal bed methane, requires large-scale depressurisation of a target formation by extracting groundwater, which, in turn, has the potential to affect overlying and underlying aquifers. This leads to wide-ranging stakeholder concerns around the impacts on groundwater assets such as water supply bores, groundwater-dependent ecosystems and connected watercourses. Around 2010, the CSG industry in Queensland, Australia grew rapidly with the expansion of operations in the Surat and Bowen basins by multiple operators. This particularly raised concerns about the cumulative effects, because the target coal seams are part of the Great Artesian Basin – one of the world’s largest aquifers. To respond to this challenge, an innovative framework was developed to provide for an independent cumulative impact assessment and to set up arrangements for managing those impacts. This chapter describes the main thrust of that framework.
Reducing Emerging Contaminants Ensuing from Rusting of Marine Steel Installations
Authors: Hanini Karima , Boudiba Sameh , Benahmed Merzoug
Published: May 2021

Marine steel installations are usually subject to biocorrosion due to their immersing in seawater. Biocorrosion-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, often form biofilms on materials, inducing chemical changes in these materials and in the surrounding liquid medium. The formed biofilms resulting from this phenomenon are considered as emerging contaminants. In this work, in addition to the realization of the electrodeposition of zinc on a steel in chloride bath with various concentrations of Taxus baccata extracts as additives using a direct courant supply, the study of the corrosion of the obtained substrates was performed in seawater as an aggressive environment. The efficiency against corrosion was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarizations and weight loss measurements. The coated surface morphology was analyzed using brightness meter, thickness meter and adhesion tests. The experimental results showed that all tested extracts performed the quality of the zinc deposits and their efficiency against corrosion indicating that coated samples in the presence of the extracts were more resistant minimizing the emerging contaminants in seawater.
Pretargeted Theranostics
Authors: Staudt Markus , M. Herth Matthias , B.M. Poulie Christian
Published: May 2021

Personalized medicine is becoming an integral part of our healthcare system, in which theranostics play a fundamental role. Nanomedicines such as monoclonal antibodies are a commonly used targeting vector in such approaches due to their outstanding targeting abilities as well as their capabilities to function as drug delivery vehicles. However, the application of nanomedicines in a clinical setting is connected with several challenges. For example, nanomedicines typically possess slow pharmacokinetics in respect to target accumulation and excretion. For targeted radionuclide therapy, this results in high radiation burden to healthy tissue. For drug delivery systems, long circulation and excretion times of the nanomedicine complicate site-specific release approaches and limit as such the usability of these strategies. One way to circumvent these challenges is the use of pretargeting strategies, which allow to separate the accumulation and excretion of nanomedicines from the actual diagnostic or therapeutic application. As such, pretargeting allows to use theranostic concepts utilizing the same nanomedicine and determine the success chances with diagnostic measures before initiating therapy. This chapter will explain the concept of pretargeted theranostics, which pretargeting systems have thus far been developed and compare how these systems performed.
Prosthetics for Lower Limb Amputation
Authors: Senthil Selvam P. , Sandhiya M. , Chandrasekaran K. , Hepzibah Rubella D. , Karthikeyan S.
Published: May 2021

The Chapter will include a brief note on Amputation, Particularly Lower Limb Amputation (LLA), Levels and Causes of LLA. Importance of Prosthetics for LLA are explained in detail. The types of Prosthesis, Application (Donning & Doffing) of prosthesis are included in this chapter. Diagrammatic representation of the prosthesis are added too. Bio mechanical component is explained in detail within this chapter. The advantages and disadvantages of each and every Lower limb Prosthesis are clearly mentioned. Moreover, the Gait analysis & Training after the application of prosthesis are discussed. The reader will get a complete picture of Prosthetics for Lower limb Amputation by going through this chapter for lower limb prosthesis.
Creating a Democratic Culture in Managing Classroom Contexts of Disability – Part 1
Authors: Alexander Gregg , Mhlongo Duma
Published: May 2021

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa ratified Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System- a policy document which made an explicit declaration to create inclusive classroom contexts within a targeted period of 20 years. Succinctly, this declaration has cast the year 2021, as a major social justice milestone for citizens with disabilities. The chapter strongly believes that this milestone deserves to attract both critical dialogue and empirical engagements as to determine the impact of the Education White Paper 6. Internationally, there are various policy guidelines available, in the quest to create a democratic classroom context with the objective of accommodating diversity, more specifically to address oppressive and non-inclusive disability contexts. The reader audience will be taken across various discourses on disability rights and literature readings responding to redress within the realm of the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation, among others. Before the chapter concludes, a reflective activity is provided; together with a practical assessment activity where the authors create a democratic culture-centric lesson plan meant to support teachers in their inclusive education quest to create ideal democratic classroom contexts.
Sustainable Use of Biochar in Environmental Management
Authors: Abukari Ammal , Abukari Imoro Ziblim , Zarouk Imoro Abubakari , Ballu Duwiejuah Abudu
Published: May 2021

Conversion of agricultural wastes into eco-friendly and low cost biochar is not only a smart recycling strategy but a panacea to environmental pollution management. Agricultural wastes biochar can be an effective alternative technique for controlling contaminants due to its low cost, high-efficiency, simple to use, ecological sustainability and reliability in terms of public safety. Biochars have made substantial breakthroughs in reducing greenhouse gases emissions, reducing soil nutrient leaching, sequester atmospheric carbon into the soil, increasing agricultural productivity, and reducing bioavailability of environmental contaminants. Recent advances in the understanding of biochars warrant a proper scientific evaluation of the relationship between its properties and impact on soil properties, environmental pollutant remediation, plant growth, yield, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The main factors controlling biochar properties include the nature of feedstock, heat transfer rate, residence time and pyrolysis temperature. Biochar efficacy in pollutants management largely depends on its elemental composition, ion-exchange capacity, pore size distribution and surface area, which vary with the nature of feedstock, preparation conditions and procedures. The chapter explored the possibility of using biochar from agricultural wastes as a suitable alternative for the remediation of environmental pollutants, soil conditioning and the long-term biochar application in the environment.
Foundations for Promoting LGBT+ Social Justice through Early Childhood Teacher Education
Authors: S. Kennedy Adam
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents a framework for early childhood (EC) teacher education experiences that align with aims of LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, plus other identities) social justice. The chapter begins with an introduction to the populations addressed: children of LGBT-led families, trans people, children who represent gender diversity, and LGBT+ teachers. Ethical and teaching responsibilities of educators who serve children aged birth to five are shared, including the work of authors in the interrelated fields within EC education. Examples of supportive educator competencies are shared across three critical aims: including and supporting LGBT-led families, supporting children’s explorations of gender (including combating gender bias), and supporting LGBT+ educators. Next, a model for authentic, field-based EC educator preparation is presented, including strategies for better linking preparation to practice. Finally, resources for EC educators and those who prepare them are provided. The overall goal of the chapter is to integrate topics, competencies, and issues typically treated separately into a more holistic view of the possibilities within EC teacher education to enhance the inclusivity of preparation programs, broaden the knowledge and skills of pre-service educators, and positively influence the lives of LGBT+ individuals.
The Ecology of Bioluminescence
Authors: Srivastava Aditya , Katiyar Kalpna
Published: May 2021

Bioluminescence, or the ability to emit light biologically, has evolved multiple times across various taxa. As fascinating as the phenomenon is, various studies have been undertaken to harness this phenomenon for human use. However, the origins, distribution and ecology of bioluminescence still remain obscure. The capability to produce biological light is found in various species, ranging from tiny bacteria to huge fishes like lantern sharks. Many organisms that do not possess this ability partake in symbiotic relationships, resulting in a variety of anatomical and behavioral modifications. The ecological interactions resulting from bioluminescence are even more interesting and diverse, but many of them are still shrouded in mystery because of a lack of in-situ study. As agreed by many, bioluminescence conferred certain evolutionary advantages which still remain unclear. In spite of the lack of understanding, many spectacular ecological interactions like offence, defense, courtship or intra-specific synchrony have been observed, studied and documented, and their significance understood. As far as humans are concerned, efforts are being made to channel this capability to the best of our use, though some of these are still in their infancy. This chapter explores the origins, ecology and future prospects of bioluminescence in detail.
Microarrays and NGS for Drug Discovery
Authors: Pop Laura-Ancuta , Zanoaga Oana , Chiroi Paul , Nutu Andreea , S. Korban Schuyler , Stefan Cristina , Irimie Alexandru , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: May 2021

Novel technologies and state of the art platforms developed and launched over the last two decades such as microarrays, next-generation sequencing, and droplet PCR have provided the medical field many opportunities to generate and analyze big data from the human genome, particularly of genomes altered by different diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and obesity. This knowledge further serves for either new drug discovery or drug repositioning. Designing drugs for specific mutations and genotypes will dramatically modify a patient’s response to treatment. Among other altered mechanisms, drug resistance is of concern, particularly when there is no response to cancer therapy. Once these new platforms for omics data are in place, available information will be used to pursue precision medicine and to establish new therapeutic guidelines. Target identification for new drugs is necessary, and it is of great benefit for critical cases where no alternatives are available. While mutational status is of highest importance as some mutations can be pathogenic, screening of known compounds in different preclinical models offer new and quick strategies to find alternative frameworks for treating more diseases with limited therapeutic options.
Functional Textile for Active Wear Clothing
Authors: Guru Ramratan , Kumar Anupam , Kumar Rohit
Published: May 2021

Moisture management property is an important aspect of any fabric meant for active wear fabric, which decides the comfort level of that fabric specially used as active wear garments. Regular physical activity is important to maintain consistency in human health. To achieve comfort and functional support during various activities such as walking, stretching, jogging etc., athletes and sports persons use active wear clothing. A fabric’s moisture management performance is also influenced by its air and water vapour permeability. The moisture management finish (MMF) and Antimicrobial finish (AMF) have been used to increase moisture absorbency; improves wetting, wicking action and antimicrobial performance. In this study, influence of MMF and AMF finishes on the moisture management property of different knitted active wear fabrics had been carried out. For the study two different knit fabrics of 100% Polyester and 100% Nylon with three different GSM levels (100, 130 and 160) has been selected. Further two varieties of commercially available functional fabric finishes have been also taken for the study. The result shows that in case of finished fabric at certain concentration level, as the fabric GSM increases the value of Accumulative one-way transport index (OWTI) %, water vapour permeability but same time drying rate increases. The result shows that in case of finished fabric at certain concentration level, as the fabric GSM increases the value of accumulative one-way transport index (OWTI) %, water vapour permeability decreases but same time drying rate increases. The knitted fabrics of 100% Polyester and 100% Nylon composition follow the similar trend. Further with the increase of fabric finish concentration level, OWTI %, and water vapour permeability (WVP) factor decreases while the drying rate increases.
Mathematical Models of Serotonin, Histamine, and Depression
Authors: Best Janet , Marie Buchanan Anna , Frederik Nijhout Herman , Hashemi Parastoo , C. Reed Michael
Published: May 2021

The coauthors have been working together for ten years on serotonin, dopamine, and histamine and their connection to neuropsychiatric illnesses. Hashemi has pioneered many new experimental techniques for measuring serotonin and histamine in real time in the extracellular space in the brain. Best, Reed, and Nijhout have been making mathematical models of brain metabolism to help them interpret Hashemi’s data. Hashemi demonstrated that brain histamine inhibits serotonin release, giving a direct mechanism by which inflammation can cause a decrease in brain serotonin and therefore depression. Many new biological phenomena have come out of their joint research including 1) there are two different reuptake mechanisms for serotonin; 2) the effect of the serotonin autoreceptors is not instantaneous and is long-lasting even when the extracellular concentrations have returned to normal; 3) that mathematical models of serotonin metabolism and histamine metabolism can explain Hashemi’s experimental data; 4) that variation in serotonin autoreceptors may be one of the causes of serotonin-linked mood disorders. Here we review our work in recent years for biological audiences, medical audiences, and researchers who work on mathematical modeling of biological problems. We discuss the experimental techniques, the creation and investigation of mathematical models, and the consequences for neuropsychiatric diseases.
Pharmacotherapy for COVID-19: A Ray of Hope
Authors: Kapoor Mayank , Kumar Panda Prasan , Mohanty Vivek
Published: May 2021

Most viral infections have limited treatment options available and the same holds for COVID-19, its causative agent being the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Drugs used in the past against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) viruses, which belong to the same family of viruses as the novel Coronavirus included ribavirin, interferon (alfa and beta), lopinavir-ritonavir combination, and corticosteroids. There remains controversy regarding their efficacy to date, except for the last one. Hence, large-scale multicentric trials are being conducted involving multiple drugs. Chloroquine and hydroxy-chloroquine were initially taking the race ahead but have now been rejected. Remdesivir was a promising candidate, for which the FDA had issued an emergency use authorization, but now is not recommended by the WHO. Convalescent plasma therapy had promising results in the early severe viremia phase, but the PLACID trial made an obscure end. Only corticosteroids have shown demonstrable benefits in improving mortality rates among severe COVID-19 cases. Many new modalities like monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are discussed. In this chapter, we review the therapeutic drugs under investigation for the COVID-19 treatment, their mode of action, degree of effectiveness, and recommendations by different centers regarding their use in current settings.
Assessment of Dysphagia as a Risk Factor of Chronic Cough
Authors: Jamróz Barbara , Milewska Magdalena , Chmielewska-Walczak Joanna , Lachowska Magdalena , Dąbrowska-Bender Marta , Arcimowicz Magdalena , Staniszewska Anna , Brytek-Matera Anna , Niemczyk Kazimierz
Published: May 2021

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia in patients with chronic cough and its relationship with the long-term persistence of these symptoms. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients. All patients underwent physical examination, ENT assessment, videolaryngoscopy, functional phoniatric assessment at rest and speech, Water-Swallow Test, and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing disorders with Reflux Finding Score. Reflux Symptom Index questionnaire was performed. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee Review Board (KB/39/A/2016). Results: The results of the RFS and the RSI questionnaire showed the risk of reflux in participating patients. The patients presented episodes of spillage, double swallows, penetration, aspiration and residue of food at the hypopharynx. The results of functional assessment correlated with the Water-Swallow Test. The correlation between Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing disorders and Water-Swallow Test results was found for aspiration risk, spillage, and retention of saliva. Conclusion: The results of the study showed prevalence of dysphagia in most patients with chronic chough. It seems that phoniatric assessment in those cases should be expanded and the following tests should be performed: assessment of the laryngeal elevation, Water-Swallow Test, and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing disorders.
Role of Pomegranate in the Management of Cancer
Authors: Thotambailu Amulya , Cheriamane Deepu , Santhepete Manjula , Kumar Bhandary Satheesh , Avanippully Jiju , Bhadravathi Prakash
Published: May 2021

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has been used since ages as a folk medicine. Studies have shown that pomegranate extracts have a role in various signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cellular transformation, hyperproliferation, angiogenesis, initiation of tumorigenesis, and eventually suppressing the final steps of tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this chapter, we have discussed some of the polyphenolic constituents present in pomegranate and their medical value, and we then discussed studies on chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic properties of pomegranate against various types of cancer, such as skin, prostate, colon, head and neck and lung cancers in cell culture systems, animal models and humans.
Taenia solium microRNAs: Potential Biomarkers and Drug Targets in Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Gastón Pérez Matías
Published: May 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) found in animals, plants, and some viruses belongs to the heterogeneous class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which posttranscriptional regulates gene expression. They are linked to various cellular activities such as cell growth, differentiation, development and apoptosis. Also, they have been involved in cancer, metabolic diseases, viral infections and clinical trials targeting miRNAs has shown promising results. This chapter provides an overview on Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps miRNAs, their possible biological functions, their role in host–parasite communication and their potential role as biomarkers and drug targets.
Sepsis Associated Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Setyawati Titik , Aditya Ricky , Trihartini Maskoen Tinni
Published: May 2021

AKI is a syndrome consisting of several clinical conditions, due to sudden kidney dysfunction. Sepsis and septic shock are the causes of AKI and are known as Sepsis-Associated AKI (SA-AKI) and accounted for more than 50% of cases of AKI in the ICU, with poor prognosis. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function for several hours/day, which results in the accumulation of creatinine, urea and other waste products. The most recent definition was formulated in the Kidney Disease consensus: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO), published in 2012, where the AKI was established if the patient’s current clinical manifestation met several criteria: an increase in serum creatinine levels ≥0.3 mg/dL (26.5 μmol/L) within 48 hours, an increase in serum creatinine for at least 1.5 times the baseline value within the previous 7 days; or urine volume ≤ 0.5 ml/kg body weight for 6 hours. The AKI pathophysiology includes ischemic vasodilation, endothelial leakage, necrosis in nephrons and microtrombus in capillaries. The management of sepsis associated with AKI consisted of fluid therapy, vasopressors, antibiotics and nephrotoxic substances, Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) and diuretics. In the analysis of the BEST Kidney trial subgroup, the likelihood of hospital death was 50% higher in AKI sepsis compared to non-sepsis AKI. Understanding of sepsis and endotoxins that can cause SA-AKI is not yet fully known. Some evidence suggests that renal microcirculation hypoperfusion, lack of energy for cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial injury and cycle cell arrest can cause SA-AKI. Rapid identification of SA-AKI events, antibiotics and appropriate fluid therapy are crucial in the management of SA-AKI.