bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-1β Treatment of Endometrial Stromal Cells Does not Promote Their Adhesion to Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells in an in Vitro Model of Early-Stage Endometriosis
Authors: Lousse Jean-Christophe , Defrere Sylvie , Colette Sébastien , Van Langendonckt Anne , Donnez Jacques
Published: May 2021

In this study, we developed an original and reproducible quantitative in vitro model of endometrial cell adhesion to peritoneal mesothelial cells in order to better assess the impact of pro-inflammatory cytokines on early-stage endometriosis development. We demonstrated that pre-treatment with TNF-α and IL-1β does not promote endometrial stromal cell adhesion to peritoneal mesothelial cells.
Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pelvic Endometriosis
Authors: Maiorana Antonio , Incandela Domenico , Giambanco Laura , Alio Walter , Alio Luigi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Endometriosis remains a challenging condition for clinicians, research scientists, and patients alike. Routine clinical examination is insufficient to diagnose and evaluate the extent of pelvic endometriosis which can be assessed by means of imaging techniques, including transvaginal sonography (TVS), transrectal sonography (TRS), rectal endoscopic sonography (RES), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our purpose was to analyze the different imaging techniques and their efficacy for the ultrasound diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis.

Materials and methods

This review examined 85 studies on the ultrasound diagnosis of endometriosis published between 2005 and 2010. The structure of the review is based first on the anatomical location of the endometriosis lesion, and then on the study of the techniques used, including transvaginal sonography, transrectal sonography, rectal endoscopic sonography, and MRI.

Results

TVS is the first-line imaging technique for diagnosing pelvic endometriosis. Many studies have demonstrated that sensitivities and specificities of TVS for diagnosing endometriomas range from 75% to 91% and 88% to 99%, respectively, while for RES the percentages are 88% and 90%, respectively, for the diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis. TVS and RES can correctly diagnose posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) with an accuracy of 86.4% and 74.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

The analysis of these results show that ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic technique for the diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis. RES can help to identify the presence and the degree of wall infiltration of bowel sites. However, in patients with a consistent clinical suspicion of deep endometriosis, MRI is a good “all in one” examination to diagnose and define the exact extent of DIE.
Distribution and genetic diversity of two earthworms, Helodrilus oculatus and Satchellius mammalis (Clitellata: Lumbricidae) in Scandinavia
Authors: Martinsson Svante , Klinth Mårten , Erséus Christer
Published: May 2021

We report on the Scandinavian distribution of two earthworm species, Helodrilus oculatus and Satchellius mammalis. Both appear relatively new to the Scandinavian Peninsula, as they were not included in the monographic revisions of the earthworm fauna of Sweden and Norway in the mid-1900s. We provide recent records of both species from Norway and Sweden, H. oculatus also from Denmark, and haplotype networks of four markers (COI, 16S, H3, and ITS2) are used to visualise the genetic diversity within each species. There is moderate genetic variation in COI for both taxa, and for H. oculatus, there is a West-East division between the specimens from Norway, Gothenburg (western Sweden) and Bavaria (Germany), and the ones from eastern Sweden and the Bornholm island (easternmost Denmark). This could potentially be explained by different origin and colonisation routes. In the other markers the variation is limited, and in the nuclear genes no pattern to support this split is seen. We also analyse the phylogenetic positions of H. oculatus and S. mammalis in the family Lumbricidae by combining our data (including also some12S, 18S and 28S sequences) with a published dataset. We conclude that neither Helodrilus nor Satchellius are monophyletic. Helodrilus oculatus (type species of Helodrilus), however, forms a clade with some of its current congeners.
Arching over the Atlantic: Exploring Links between Brazilian and Angolan Musical Bows
Authors: Diaz Juan Diego , Assunção Matthias Röhrig , Beyer Gregory
Published: May 2021

Combining historical, organological, ethnographic, and musical analysis, this article explores the relationship between three musical bows— the Angolan hungu and mbulumbumba and the Brazilian berimbau—in the context of the South Atlantic African diaspora. Our intervention crisscrosses scholarly debates about the survival and adaptation of African musical bows in Brazil and capoeiristas’ discourses about the Angolan origins of capoeira and the berimbau. We argue for a direct connection between the hungu and berimbau, calling into question any such link to the mbulumbumba, one first posited by Gerhard Kubik in the 1970s and reasserted by subsequent scholars.

Esse artigo explora a relação entre três arcos musicais (o hungu e o mbulumbumba de Angola e o berimbau do Brasil) numa análise que combina enfoques histórico, organólogico, etnográfico e musical no contexto da diáspora do Atlântico Sul. Nossa intervenção engaja debates acadêmicos a respeito da sobrevivência e da adaptação dos arcos musicais no Brasil, e os discursos de capoeiristas sobre as origens angolanas da capoeira e do berimbau. Nós sustentamos uma conexão direta entre o hungu e o berimbau, questionando um vínculo direto com o mbulumbumba, como foi defendido por Gerhard Kubik nos anos de 1970 e reafirmado por estudiosos subsequentes.
Survivorship of the Hip Joint After Acetabulum Fracture
Authors: Preston Gordon , Heimke Isabella M. , Heindel Koan , Scarcella Nicholas R. , Furdock Ryan , Vallier Heather A.
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

The purposes of this study were to determine the rate of failure of the hip joint after acetabulum fracture and to identify risk factors.

Methods:

Acetabulum fractures treated over 17 years at a level-1 trauma center were reviewed. Patient, injury, and treatment factors were assessed regarding possible association with failure of the hip joint: end-stage arthrosis and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Results:

Seventy percent were treated with primary open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Seventy-two (12.5%) of 575 fractures underwent THA; 64 were after initial ORIF. The mean follow-up was 80 months, and the median time to THA was 14 months (range 10-200 months). Age, body mass index, fracture type, marginal impaction, and hip dislocations were independent predictors of hip joint failure. The mean injured age of THA patients was 53 versus 43 (P < 0.001). T-type fractures were most likely to fail (21% within 2 years, 45% within 10 years, P = 0.001). Other injury features: marginal impaction and posterior hip dislocation were associated with failure with odds ratios 2.79 and 1.73, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Eighty-five percent of native hips survived; the median time to THA was 14 months. Most who had THA had initial posterior fracture-dislocations. Older age, elevated body mass index, T-type pattern, marginal impaction, and hip dislocation increase the likelihood of hip joint failure.
Is urologist burnout different on the other side of the pond? A European perspective
Authors: Pang Karl H. , Webb Thomas E. , Esperto Francesco , Osman Nadir I.
Published: May 2021

The rate of burnout among physicians appears to be on the rise and urologist are no exception. In fact, urology appears to be one of the specialties most affected, with European urologists reporting burnout rates of up to 54% and those working in the United States up to 68%.

Herein, we review the relatively few studies looking at burnout in European urologists to estimate its prevalence and discuss what could be done to reverse the trend. A total of seven studies were identified assessing burnout in urologists in Europe and Turkey. While the rates vary (9.3–68%), they indicate that burnout is prevalent within urology, with data from other studies suggesting there is a rising trend. Although the topic has been studied for many years, with an increased focus in the last decade, little seems to have been done to improve the situation.
Study on the Velocity Analysis Method of Low SNR Seismic Data
Authors: He Jianbo , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Mingdong
Published: May 2021

When the signal to noise ratio of seismic data is very low, velocity spectrum focusing will be poor., the velocity model obtained by conventional velocity analysis methods is not accurate enough, which results in inaccurate migration. For the low signal noise ratio (SNR) data, this paper proposes to use partial Common Reflection Surface (CRS) stack to build CRS gathers, making full use of all of the reflection information of the first Fresnel zone, and improves the signal to noise ratio of pre-stack gathers by increasing the number of folds. In consideration of the CRS parameters of the zero-offset rays emitted angle and normal wave front curvature radius are searched on zero offset profile, we use ellipse evolving stacking to improve the zero offset section quality, in order to improve the reliability of CRS parameters. After CRS gathers are obtained, we use principal component analysis (PCA) approach to do velocity analysis, which improves the noise immunity of velocity analysis. Models and actual data results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
Reservoir Characteristics of Buried-hill Draping Zone in L Oilfield, Offshore China
Authors: Liu Yujuan , Zhang Qianping , Zheng Bin , Zhang Jing , Qu Zhaozhao
Published: May 2021

The reservoir in different parts of buried-hill draping zone is often quite different, so it is of great significance to clarify the reservoir characteristics for exploration and development. Based on core, well logging, seismic data and production data, reservoir characteristics of oil layer Ⅱ in the lower second member of Dongying Formation of L oilfield, Bohai Bay Basin, offshore eastern China are systematically studied. Analyses of seismic facies, well-seismic combination, paleogeomorphology, and sedimentary characteristics are carried out. Sediment source supply, lake level and buried hill basement geomorphology all contribute to reservoir quality. The research suggests that the different parts of buried-hill draping zone can be divided into four types. Reservoir thickness and physical properties vary. The area where the provenance direction is consistent with the ancient valley direction is a favorable location for the development of high-quality reservoirs. Under the guidance of the results, oilfield production practices in L oilfield offshore China are successful. Knowledge gained from study of L oilfield has application to the development of other similar fields.
Andere Tijden
Authors: van Ostaijen Mark
Published: May 2021

Editorial

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.
‘We gaan het gewoon doen!’
Authors: van Bochove Marianne , Rusinovic Katja , Koops-Boelaars Suzanna , van Hoof Joost
Published: May 2021

Rebellious initiatives in education and housing

Both education and housing are highly regulated sectors in the Netherlands. According to various stakeholders, regulations and formal and informal rules hinder the development of new initiatives aimed at providing attention to personal needs and wishes of children (in education) and older people (in housing). This article focuses on founders of initiatives in both sectors that, despite institutional obstacles, dare to do things differently. We adopt a rebellion perspective, which focuses on how individual and collective actors aim to create favorable circumstances for providing better services, even if this means they have to disrupt existing institutions. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 founders of rebellious initiatives in education and housing for older people. According to the founders, what makes them different from others is having a dream, learning by doing, and critically assessing rules and regulations. Founders in both sectors not only interpret rules differently, but also try to change them. In order to do so, they need supportive internal and external contexts, which they create through personal contacts and social media. Although rebellion in both sectors has many similarities, sector-specific institutional settings and past events do shape its appearance.
Rebel-leren: hoe een rebelse sector tot lerend verantwoorden komt
Authors: Stoopendaal Annemiek , van der Scheer Wilma
Published: May 2021

Rebel learning: how a rebellious sector makes learning and reflection accountable

Healthcare is often dominated by the curative domain. Yet, for a new way of improving of and accounting for quality of care, we have to shift our focus to the care for people with disabilities. Since long, quality of care is translated into performance indicators and standards. This reductive way of measuring quality was pursued for the entire healthcare sector. Where this might fit in with hospital care, it was experienced as constraining in care for the disabled. In this sector it was seen as a poor representation of the plurality of healthcare provision. A number of ‘quality rebels’ aimed to create a more suitable and rich Quality Framework for the sector, with attention for objective, subjective and intersubjective dimensions of care. In this article, we analyze the way in which the sector has realized this aim, and we show how this rebellious sector succeeded in transforming the idea of accountability for quality of care, by emphasizing on the reflection and learning processes that take place at all levels of the sector, and beyond. A new approach which requires a continuous cycle of disrupting, creating, and maintaining institutionalized patterns of thinking and doing. It requires ‘rebel learning’.
De hoogte van de uitkomstdrempel en legitimiteit
Authors: Jacobs Kristof
Published: May 2021

Dossier

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Pleidooi voor democratische vrijheid
Authors: Brummer Coen
Published: May 2021

Boekensignalement

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Nieuwe waarden
Authors: Hochstenbach Cody
Published: May 2021

Van de redactie

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.
2021/1 EELC’s review of the year 2020
Authors: Houweling Ruben , Petrylaitė Daiva , Hrdlicka Marianne , Kun Attila , Calcaterra Luca , Maffei Francesca , Lhernould Jean-Philippe , Bruun Niklas , Vos Jan-Pieter , Ratti Luca , Poruban Andrej , Kerr Anthony , Dorssemont Filip
Published: May 2021

2021/1 EELC’s review of the year 2020

Various of our academic board analysed employment law cases from last year. However, first, we start with some general remarks.
2021/2 Warning strike timing (HU)
Authors: Oláh Zsófia , Rácz Ildikó
Published: May 2021

2021/2 Warning strike timing (HU)

This case involved an employer who claimed that a trade union organised an unlawful warning strike. The Curia (the highest judicial authority in Hungary) found that the trade union violated its obligation to cooperate with the employer according to Act No. 7 of 1989 on Strikes. The Curia and also the Regional Courts made some clear points on the question of the timing of a warning strike. The employer must be notified of a planned strike in sufficient time, which requirement also applies in the case of warning strikes. The time can be considered as sufficient if the employer is able to fulfil its rights to protect its property, prevent damage resulting from the strike, to carry out its duties to protect life and property, and to organise work accordingly. Failing this obligation, the warning strike is unlawful. The notice shall state the date and time that such action will commence.
2021/7 The termination of employment by mutual agreement or by resignation occurring on the employer’s initiative to be considered when establishing the actual number of employees collectively dismissed (RO)
Authors: Suciu Andreea , Serban Andreea
Published: May 2021

2021/7 The termination of employment by mutual agreement or by resignation occurring on the employer’s initiative to be considered when establishing the actual number of employees collectively dismissed (RO)

The Vaslui Tribunal has recently annulled an individual dismissal decision issued during the state of alert in Romania due to formalities which had not been observed by the employer. While the judge invested with determining the matter limited their analysis to the elements contained in the individual dismissal decision, the judicial assistant ascertained, within a competing opinion, that the dismissal decision should have been annulled for other reasons, namely for the fact that, in reality, the employer had implemented a collective redundancy process without observing the procedure and employees’ rights in the event of such dismissal. Relying on the provisions of Directive 98/59/EC of 20 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies, the judicial assistant has made an exhaustive analysis of the conditions required for the existence of a collective dismissal.

While the competing opinion does not have the same effect as a court ruling, it is part of the judicial procedure and, from this perspective, the independence and impartiality of all the members of the court and their obedience solely to the law is maintained.
2021/8 High Court rules that ‘workers’ should be protected from health and safety detriment (UK)
Authors: Crossley Shalina
Published: May 2021

2021/8 High Court rules that ‘workers’ should be protected from health and safety detriment (UK)

The UK failed properly to implement EU health and safety law by restricting protection from detriment on health and safety grounds to ‘employees’, the High Court (HC) ruled in a recent case. Such protection should be extended to the broader category of ‘workers’. Importantly, this ruling potentially increases employers’ exposure to Covid-19-related health and safety claims.
2021/9 AGET Iraklis: another belated victory for the employer (GR)
Authors: Mitsopoulou Effie
Published: May 2021

2021/9 AGET Iraklis: another belated victory for the employer (GR)

The Supreme Court of Greece has clarified that the validity of terminations is not affected by the lack of consultation with the employees’ representatives, as per Directive 2002/14/EC on a general framework for informing and consulting employees. In case of non-compliance with such obligation, alternative administrative or judicial measures can be provided by the Member States. It further reiterated that the expediency and necessity of the company’s business decision to suddenly interrupt its plant operation cannot be subject to judicial control.
2021/10 Employee’s right to a guaranteed payment arises after a court decision for opening of bankruptcy proceedings is published (BG)
Authors: Tchakarova Kalina
Published: May 2021

2021/10 Employee’s right to a guaranteed payment arises after a court decision for opening of bankruptcy proceedings is published (BG)

The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court has ruled that an employee’s right to a guaranteed payment from the Guaranteed Receivables Fund arises only after a court decision for opening of bankruptcy proceedings has been issued and the decision has been published in the Commercial Register with the Registry Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria. Therefore, if this condition is not met, the employee is not entitled to such payment even if the employer is de facto insolvent.
2021/11 Expiration of leave only with prior information from the employer, even if the employee was not able to take the leave due to illness, a reduction of work capacity or an incapacity for work? (GE)
Authors: Gorontzi Katharina , Stephan Nina , Rosauer Jule
Published: May 2021

2021/11 Expiration of leave only with prior information from the employer, even if the employee was not able to take the leave due to illness, a reduction of work capacity or an incapacity for work? (GE)

According to German law, leave entitlements of an employee shall in principle expire at the end of the calendar year or a permissible carryover period. However, based on the case law of the ECJ, this shall only apply if the employer has previously enabled and summoned the employee to take leave and the employee has nevertheless not taken it. But what happens if an employee is incapacitated for work for a longer period of time and therefore is unable to take his or her annual leave? Does the employer also have to inform this employee about their leave entitlement? The Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht, ‘BAG’) recently had to deal with this question in two cases and now the ECJ will have to address this matter. This is because the BAG has asked the ECJ to decide whether and when an employee’s entitlement to paid leave can expire if an employee loses their ability to work during the course of the leave year, while the employee could have taken at least part of the annual leave before becoming incapacitated for work, but the employee was not properly informed by the employer about their leave entitlement.
Text-mining for Lawyers: How Machine Learning Techniques Can Advance our Understanding of Legal Discourse
Authors: Dyevre Arthur
Published: May 2021

Text-mining for Lawyers: How Machine Learning Techniques Can Advance our Understanding of Legal Discourse

Many questions facing legal scholars and practitioners can be answered only by analysing and interrogating large collections of legal documents: statutes, treaties, judicial decisions and law review articles. I survey a range of novel techniques in machine learning and natural language processing – including topic modelling, word embeddings and transfer learning – that can be applied to the large-scale investigation of legal texts
Teaching Technology to (Future) Lawyers
Authors: Barczentewicz Mikołaj
Published: May 2021

Teaching Technology to (Future) Lawyers

The article offers a reflection on how applications of computer technology (including data analytics) are and may be taught to (future) lawyers and what are the benefits and limitations of the different approaches. There is a growing sense among legal professionals and law teachers that the technological changes in the practice of law are likely to promote the kind of knowledge and skills that law graduates often do not possess today. Teaching computer technology can be done in various ways and at various depths, and those different ways and levels have different cost and benefit considerations. The article discusses four models of teaching technology: (1) teaching basic technological literacy, (2) more advanced but general technology teaching, (3) teaching computer programming and quantitative methods and (4) teaching a particular aspect of technology – other than programming (e.g. cybersecurity). I suggest that there are strong reasons for all current and future lawyers to acquire proficiency in effective uses of office and legal research software and standard means of online communication and basic cybersecurity. This can be combined with teaching of numerical and informational literacy. I also claim that advanced technology topics, like computer programming, should be taught only to the extent that this is justified by the direct need for such skills and knowledge in students’ future careers, which I predict to be true for only a minority of current lawyers and law students.
Polish journal “Issues in Childhood Care and Education”: the issues of state, children and family
Authors: Smolińska-Theiss Barbara , Theiss Wiesław
Published: May 2021

The article presents the selected issues discussed in the articles published in Polish journal entitled “Issues in Childhood Care and Education” in the years 1961–2021. The analysis included: the socialist ideology and upbringing ideals, the slogan/program “for united front” of upbringing, education and care in socialism, as well as the following problems: care and educational pedagogy, activities of pedagogical institutions, the “let's close orphanages” program, upbringing and school, improving childcare.
Cooperation between the school, parents and educational day care centres in Paris
Authors: Rurka Anna
Published: May 2021

The article focuses on the cooperation between the school, parents and educational day care centres operating in the child protection system in Paris. It takes into account the way children and parents participate in this collaboration. In the range of services offered under the child protection system, day care centres are recognized as innovative due to the cross-sectoral nature of the support offered. The data was collected through two stages of interviews with parents and children. 23 children and young people aged 8 to 16 and 22 families participated in the study. Research interviews were also conducted with interdisciplinary teams and specialists involved in the collaboration. Documents on the situation of all 23 examined children were analysed. The presented study received positive opinions from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of Paris Nanterre University. The study was funded by the National Observatory for Child Protection and the four associations participating in the study.
A AFETIVIDADE NA RELAÇÃO PROFESSOR-ALUNO E O PROCESSO ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM: DISCUSSÃO DE DADOS MEDIATIZADA PELO PORTAL CAPES
Authors: Mari Machado de Miranda Rodrigues Gleice , Elizabel Blaszko Caroline , Tavares Ujiie Nájela
Published: May 2021

The study discusses theinfluence of affectivity on teacher-student relationships and their contributions to the teaching-learning process. The objective is to highlightthe importance of affectivity throughout the schooling process and its respective impacts on student preparation and learning, also alerting to the need for new academic research on affectivity in the classroom. The problem that guided this study is what are the contributions of affectivity in the teacher-student relationship and its impacts on the teaching-learning process.The structure of the article is divided into three main themes, which are: conceptualizations and reflections on learning and affectivity, the importance of affectivity in the teacher-student relationship and in learning, and finally, the datasurvey and analysis. The methodology is bibliographic in nature, enriched with the state of knowledge, from the Periodic Portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), in the last decade. Of the articles found, nineteen focus on the descriptor affectivity, covering the stages of early childhood education, elementary school, high school, higher education and distance education, which showed the importance of the teacher and his influence through the development of interactions, harmonious and affective relationships established from early childhood education to higher education. It was concluded that, throughout the schooling process, affectivity is an essential factor, which generates positive reflexes in education, and that the teacher is essential to the development of affective relationships established at all levels of education.
Endomarketing na Melhoria de Processos de Software
Authors: De Araújo Diogo Pinheiro , Porto Josiane Brietzke
Published: May 2021

A concorrência austera entre empresas desenvolvedoras de software ocasiona a busca das mesmas por qualificação e adequação de seus processos às boas práticas de modelos como o MPS e o CMMI. Porém, existem aspectos que devem ser levados em consideração, como o fator humano, que podem influenciar projetos e iniciativas nessa área. Buscando tratar a influência do fator humano, esse trabalho analisou os principais instrumentos de Endomarketing presentes e considerados importantes na melhoria de processos de software, segundo a percepção de profissionais da área, em nível nacional, através de uma survey. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a presença desses instrumentos na melhoria de processos de software está aquém do quão importante é considerado pelos especialistas.
Agile DMAIC: Um Método para Avaliar e Melhorar o Uso do Scrum em Projetos de Software
Authors: V. da Cunha Thiago Ferraz , Andrade Rossana M. C.
Published: May 2021

Scrum abrange a melhoria contínua e, naturalmente, tende a evoluir a sua própria implementação ao longo do tempo. No entanto, ele pode ser mal utilizado, atrasando seus benefícios de produtividade e qualidade. Para que isso não ocorra, é necessária a avaliação periódica de como seus princípios e práticas são compreendidos e implementados. Alguns modelos de maturidade permitem medir a forma de adoção de práticas ágeis, entretanto, esses modelos usualmente são generalistas e por isso muito extensos. Então, este artigo propõe o Agile DMAIC, um método que visa identificar e solucionar problemas no uso do Scrum, fornecendo medições qualitativas e quantitativas do quão distante a sua aplicação está de sua melhor implementação possível. Para avaliar o Agile DMAIC, ele é aplicado em sete projetos reais e seus resultados são também discutidos neste artigo.
Percepções sobre um Processo de Software sob o Ponto de Vista das Equipes de Desenvolvimento: Um Estudo de Caso
Authors: L. Dias Jr. Jose Jorge , P. Belo Andson Felipe , Dias Fernanda N. M.
Published: May 2021

Um dos primeiros passos ao iniciar um processo de melhoria de software é entender como o processo atual é percebido pelas equipes de desenvolvimento. Neste sentido, este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso, apoiado por uma metodologia qualitativa, em uma empresa pública com o objetivo de verificar se o processo de software é compreendido, útil, importante e utilizado adequadamente sob o ponto de vista das equipes de desenvolvimento. Para isso foi utilizada o método de Análise de Conteúdo temática categorial. Os resultados evidenciam problemas relacionados principalmente a aspectos da aprendizagem e utilização do processo.
Uma Arquitetura de Referência para Medição de Software
Authors: Maretto Ciro Xavier , Barcellos Monalessa Perini
Published: May 2021

Medição de software é prática fundamental para o gerenciamento de projetos e melhoria de processos de software. Em modelos que tratam a melhoria de processos em níveis, tais como o MR MPS-SW e o CMMI, a medição começa nos níveis iniciais e evolui na medida em que a maturidade aumenta. Nos níveis mais altos, a medição inclui controle estatístico de processos. Para realizar medição efetivamente, uma infraestrutura computacional é necessária. Este artigo apresenta uma arquitetura de referência para medição de software desenvolvida com base em uma ontologia de referência. Como prova de conceito, a proposta foi usada para desenvolver uma arquitetura específica e uma ferramenta. A avaliação preliminar da proposta foi feita em um estudo experimental.
Web DUE: Uma Técnica de Inspeção de Usabilidade de Mockups de Aplicações Web Guiada Por Zonas Próprias de Páginas Web
Authors: Rivero Luis , Conte Tayana
Published: May 2021

Usabilidade é um dos atributos de qualidade de software que afetam a aceitação das aplicações desenvolvidas. No entanto, apesar do aumento do número de métodos de inspeção de usabilidade de aplicações Web, a maioria destes métodos só pode ser aplicada nas últimas etapas do processo de desenvolvimento, aumentando o custo de correção dos problemas identificados. Com o intuito de solucionar esta dificuldade, nesta pesquisa de mestrado foram propostas as tecnologias Design Usability Evaluation (DUE): (a) a técnica Web DUE, que é específica para inspeção de usabilidade de protótipos de baixa fidelidade (ou mockups) de aplicações Web; e (b) a ferramenta Mockup DUE que apoia sua aplicação. Além de apresentar como foram desenvolvidas estas tecnologias, este artigo apresenta a avaliação experimental das mesmas, sua evolução, e os resultados e benefícios decorrentes desta pesquisa.
Avaliação Experimental da Abordagem SMarty para Gerenciamento de Variabilidade em Linhas de Produto de Software Baseadas em UML
Authors: Marcolino Anderson S. , OliveiraJr Edson
Published: May 2021

A abordagem de Linha de Produto de Software (LPS) permite a reutilização de artefatos de software por meio da atividade de gerenciamento de variabilidades (GV), que gerencia os artefatos variantes de uma linha. Para apoiar o gerenciamento efetivo, abordagens são adotadas. Stereotype-based Management of Variability (SMarty) e uma abordagem de GV baseada em UML, e assim como as demais abordagens existentes, carecem de evidencias de sua efetividade para que possam ser aplicadas em âmbito acadêmico e industrial. Este artigo apresenta a extensao de SMarty para a identificação de variabilidades em modelos de sequencia da UML, bem como a realização de um conjunto de estudos experimentais que avaliam a efetividade de SMarty em comparação com outras abordagens significativas da literatura atual. Os resultados eviden-ciam que SMarty se mostra efetiva para gerir variabilidades, aumentando o n ́ıvel de qualidade e garantia de derivação de produtos específicos em LPSs.
Experimental Evaluation of FMCheck: A Replication Study
Authors: Souza Iuri S. , De Mello Rafael M. , Almeida Eduardo S. de , Werner Cláudia M. L. , Travassos Guilherme H.
Published: May 2021

Software Product Lines are usually specified using feature models. A hierarchically arranged set of features with different relationships among them represents a feature model. However, there is a lack of techniques to support the detection of semantic defects in feature models. In this context, it was recently developed FMCheck, a checklist-based inspection technique to support the detection of defects in feature models. The results of a first study conducted by FMCheck's developers indicated its feasibility (more effective) when compared to ad-hoc techniques. This paper reports the replication accomplished by an independent research group following a different experimental design but using the same artifacts. The obtained results strengthened the previous findings, indicating that FMCheck is more effective than ad-hoc inspections. However, additional replications should be performed with different experimental designs to understand better the influence of the artifacts inspected over such findings.
Software Productivity Measurement and Prediction Methods: what can we tell about them?
Authors: Chapetta Wladmir Araujo , Travassos Guilherme Horta
Published: May 2021

An adequate way of making software organizations to remain competitive is to ensure their innovative capacity and the continuous increasing of their software process productivity with quality. Indeed, the ability on increasing the software productivity relies on among other issues in the organization's measurement and prediction capacity. Productivity refers to the rate at which a company produces goods, and its observation takes into account the number of people and the amount of other necessary resources to produce such goods. However, it is not clear how productivity can be observed when the product is software. Therefore, this work presents the results of an investigation regarding software productivity measurement and prediction methods. A previous systematic literature review was evolved and re-executed, limited to the year 2013. It allowed the identification of 89 new primary studies evidencing that: (1) ratio-based and weighted factors analyses still represent most of the methods applied to measure, describe and interpret software productivity; (2) 24 factors present evidence of influencing productivity, and; (3) SLOC-based measures, despite the criticism and issues associated with these sort of measurements, are the most common measures used in the studies.
Um Survey sobre a Pertinência e Relevância de Critérios de Decisão para Apoiar o Gerenciamento de Itens de Dívida Técnica
Authors: Ribeiro Leilane Ferreira , Spínola Rodrigo Oliveira
Published: May 2021

O termo dívida técnica (DT) é utilizado para descrever os custos de longo prazo decorrentes de atalhos tomados no desenvolvimento e evolução do software. As estratégias de gerenciamento da DT identificam itens da dívida e avaliam quando e se eles devem ser pagos. Utilizar critérios de decisão pode apoiar a escolha do momento mais adequado para pagamento desses itens. No entanto, pouco ainda se sabe sobre a aplicabilidade dos critérios que têm sido propostos na literatura técnica. Nesse contexto, este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um survey que foi executado com o objetivo de caracterizar critérios de decisão identificados na literatura técnica com respeito à sua pertinência e relevância no apoio à gestão da DT. Ao total, 33 respostas foram obtidas e permitiram identificar o conjunto de critérios pertinentes, além de ordená-los pelos seus respectivos níveis de relevância.
Implantação de Gerência de Riscos em um Projeto de Software de um Setor Público do MS
Authors: Cagnin Maria Istela , Monteiro Bruno De Freitas , Alves Rebecca França , Fukunaga Thiago Yudi , Weber Vanessa De Moraes , Paiva Débora Maria Barroso
Published: May 2021

Muitos projetos de software não obtêm sucesso, pois seus riscos não são gerenciados. Para atender os seus diversos projetos de software uma organização de software deve levar em consideração uma metodologia de Gerência de Riscos que seja dinâmica, efetiva e de rápida aplicação. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a implantação de uma metodologia de gerência de riscos, chamada RisAgi, em um projeto de software real de um setor público do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Após a implantação, foi conduzida uma avaliação e observou-se que a metodologia RisAgi foi fácil de aprender e possibilitou a elaboração de um conjunto mínimo de artefatos suficientes para apoiar a gerência de riscos. Assim, acreditase que a metodologia RisAgi possa ser implantada de maneira satisfatória em outras organizações de software.
Die Qualität der Abschlussprüfung
Authors: Gundel Astrid
Published: May 2021

In practice, there is widespread uncertainty about how the supervisory board must monitor the quality of the audit. In the legal literature, too, the topic has so far been dealt with only marginally. The dissertation first analyzes the regulatory framework that ensures audit quality, which can be subdivided into statutory quality requirements and statutory requirements for quality assurance mechanisms. Based on this, the goal, subject matter and intensity of audit monitoring are defined in more detail from a legal perspective.
Impact of Climate Change on Maize and Pigeonpea Yields in Semi-Arid Kenya
Authors: Musundi Kwena Kizito , Karuku G.N. , Ayuke F.O. , Esilaba A.O.
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of climate change on intercrops of maize and improved pigeonpea varieties developed. Future climate data for Katumani were downscaled from the National Meteorological Research Centre (CNRM) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) climate models using the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM) version 4.2. Both models predicted that Katumani will be warmer by 2°C and wetter by 11% by 2100. Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model version 7.3 was used to assess the impact of both increase in temperature and rainfall on maize and pigeonpea yield in Katumani. Maize crop will increase by 141–-150% and 10–-23 % in 2050 and 2100, respectively. Intercropping maize with pigeonpea will give mixed maize yield results. Pigeonpea yields will decline by 10–20 and 4–9% by 2100 under CSIRO and CNRM models, respectively. Intercropping short and medium duration pigeonpea varieties with maize will reduce pigeonpea yields by 60–80 and 70–90% under the CSIRO and CNRM model, respectively. There is a need to develop heat and waterlogging-tolerant pigeonpea varieties to help farmers adapt to climate change and to protect the huge pigeonpea export market currently enjoyed by Kenya.
Screening and Potential Uses of Contaminated Spent Mushroom (Pleurotusspp.)
Authors: Shanmugavelu Mathipriya , Sevugaperumal Ganesan
Published: May 2021

The commercial production of mushrooms generates a co-product, a virtually inexhaustible supply of spent mushroom substrate (SMS). It represents an ideal growth medium for plants and plant disease suppressive quality. Here we discussed about the contaminated microbial flora of SMS, potential antifungal and plant growth promoting activities, the results of these findings were also discussed in relation to the usage of SMS as a potential product for organic farming. SMS contained moisture content 72%, EC 1.75 mmho.cm−1 and had pH of 6.1. The cellulose and hemicellulose content of paddy straw substrate were 30.25%, 23.18% and 15.31% dry weight respectively. Growth in terms of root and shoot weight of the seedlings of green gram, black gram, tomato and chili were significantly higher when grown in 60% SMS amended soil. Spent mushroom compost from Pleurotus eous used in this study harbored bacterial population including, Bacillus sp., Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas sp. and E. coli. Bacterial isolate B1 was identified as Bacillus sp., isolate B2 was identified as Clostridium sp., isolate B3 as Pseudomonas sp. and B4 as Escherichia coli. These bacterial strains showed significant antagonistic activity against soil borne pathogenic fungi viz., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Phytophthora sp. and Aspergillus sp.
Fate and Occurrences of Pharmaceuticals and Their Remediation from Aquatic Environment
Authors: Sekhar Giri Ardhendu
Published: May 2021

Pharmaceuticals have been present in our world’s waters since humans began experimenting with medicines; however, product propagation and ready access to pharmaceuticals coupled with burgeoning human population have significantly increased the loading of these compounds into the environment. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are considered to produce a biological activity on humans and animals. Drugs manufacturing processes lead to release of toxic organic compounds and their metabolites into the environment. Safety and toxicology studies have used to investigate the side effects of pharmaceuticals on human and animal health. Treatment processes can and do reduce the concentrations of pharmaceuticals in water, however, the degree of efficacy is often a function of chemical structure, cost, and energy. All treatment processes have some degree of side effects, such as generation of residuals or by-products. This paper provides a concise report on removal of PhACs by recent advances oxidation processes (AOPs) where hydroxyl radicals (HO . ) acts as a common oxidant and the improvement of biodegradability to a level amicable for subsequent biological treatment.
Ovarian Cancer Genetics and the Implications
Authors: Mirisse Acharige Shyamika , Cheng Yeoh Chit
Published: May 2021

Ovarian cancers mostly arise sporadically, however about 20–25% of the cases arise as a part of hereditary syndromes. There are numerous mutations involved in the ovarian cancer development and more to be discovered. Knowing the pathogenic variants of the mutations present in the ovarian cancers are important in developing and practising of risk reduction strategies in asymptomatic carriers, genetic counselling, prognostication and decision on treatment. This chapter will focus on the various types of mutations found in ovarian cancers and their implications- when considering testing, treatment options and insight for the next level of Improvement in cancer care.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Novel Propellant Design for Mars Ascent Vehicles
Authors: Kara Ozan , Karabeyoglu Arif
Published: May 2021

This chapter briefly introduces hybrid rocket propulsion for general audience. Advantageous of hybrid rockets over solids and liquids are presented. This chapter also explains how to design a test setup for hybrid motor firings. Hybrid propulsion provides sustainable, safe and low cost systems for space missions. Therefore, this chapter proposes hybrid propulsion system for Mars Ascent Vehicles. Paraffin wax is the fuel of the rocket. Propulsion system uses CO2/N2O mixture as the oxidizer. The goal is to understand the ignition capability of the CO2 as an in-situ oxidizer on Mars. CO2 is known as major combustion product in the nature. However, it can only burn with metallic powders. Thus, metallic additives are added in the fuel grain. Results show that CO2 increase slows down the chemical kinetics thus reduces the adiabatic flame temperature. Maximum flammability limit is achieved at 75% CO2 by mass in the oxidizer mixture. Flame temperature is 1700 K at 75% CO2. Ignition quenches below the 1700 K.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: The Hidden Enemy
Authors: Zahra Merzouk Fatima , Oualim Sara , Sabry Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the most common cardiomyopathy in pregnancy. It is potentially life-threatening. It is, diagnosed in women without a history of heart disease 1 month before delivery or within 5 months. It is marked by heart failure and left ventricular dyshfunction. The evolution is favorable. LV function improves within 6 months in the majority of patients, but long-lasting mortality and morbidity are not infrequent. Recent work suggests the critical toxic role for late-gestational hormones on the maternal vasculature and the genetic underpinnings of PPCM. Complications include different types of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure and ischemic stroke. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) can be used to risk stratify women for adverse events. Management of peripartum cardiomyopathy is based on treatment of heart failure. The addition of bromocriptine seemed to improve LVEF. Close monitoring of pregnant women with cardiomyopathy by multidisciplinary team is recommended.
Mass Spectrometry and Its Importance for the Analysis and Discovery of Active Molecules in Natural Products
Authors: Noriega Paco , Gortaire Gabriela , Osorio Edison
Published: May 2021

Mass spectrometry is one of the best techniques for analyzing the structure of a molecule. It usually provides information about the molecular weight of a substance, and it can present atomic mass units and up to ten thousandths of atomic mass units depending on the accuracy of the mass analyzer. In addition, it provides information on the positive ions formed in the ionization process, which is linked to the chemical structure of the molecule and the nature of the bonds. This technique is widely used for analyzing compounds from natural products. The development of the technique combined with the use of software and databases has been remarkable in recent years, improving the ionization processes and the ion analysis. Since natural products generally constitute a mixture of a complex quantity of components, mechanisms have been developed for coupling to chromatographic techniques of various kinds. This review aims to show how mass spectrometry has contributed to the qualitative quality control in natural products, as well as in the finding of new metabolites of industrial interest.