bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Rise of Youth Unemployment and Youth NEETs in the CEECs After the 2008 Crisis
Authors: Gorkey Selda
Published: May 2020

This study examines the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on youth unemployment and NEETs in the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). It also analyses structural labor market problems in these economies such as youth unemployment by duration and skill, labor underutilization, and mismatch. The findings show that youth unemployment and NEET rates were more sensitive to the crisis in the CEECs compared to those in the EU-28. The highest increases were experienced in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Croatia for youth unemployment; and in Bulgaria, Latvia, Croatia, and Romania for youth NEETs. The NEET rates of 15-29 ages emerged as a more crucial issue than that of 15-24 ages. The examination of labor market structural problems shows that most of the relevant proxies worsened after the crisis in the CEECs; however, the proxies for Croatia were higher than the others. Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovak Republic also signal some structural problems, to a lesser extent.
NEETs Trapped in the Vicious Circle of Labor Market
Authors: Papadopoulou Olga
Published: May 2020

This chapter provides an overview of the situation of those young individuals who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) for the years of 2008-2018. The chapter examines the evolution of NEET rates, shortly after the Great Recession and for a decade, in the European Union in total and then by gender and educational level. A special focus is given to Greece, an ideal case study, since crisis transformed the national labor market, revealing signs of insecurity. Last but not least, special attention will be given toward measures of reformation of labor market policy as a means of responding to the emerging situation of NEETs.
Higher Education and Employment
Authors: Delgado Jose Ernesto Rangel , Boncheva Antonina Ivanova
Published: May 2020

The articulation of higher education and employment acquires special relevance due to its impact to the youth labor market. Some of the tendencies in the Mexican economy during the sixties and seventies and the beginning of the eighties until the 21st century are the following: the expansion of educational coverage, the urbanization of development and labor market, as well as the middle-class consolidation and graduate exclusion of the labor market. These factors oriented the higher education predominantly to human resources generation, firstly, for the industrial sector and, secondly, for the tertiary sector of the knowledge society with a large unemployment and underemployment of graduates.
Teleworking as a Form of Massive Recruitment in the Colombian Youth Labor Market
Authors: Miranda Cristian Camilo Vargas
Published: May 2020

The labour market has brought new mutations with the impact of globalization, the changes that have been taken internally in the face of the labour law, the recommendations and new conventions that have arisen within the International Labour Organization (ILO), and even with the environmental policies taken by states concerning the climatic phenomena that have been presented in recent times. The technological changes inherent in globalization, the expansion of the economy and the general market between states, and the subscription of free trade agreements have generated modernization in the face of the natural conception of the world of work, thus allowing the flexibility in the existing contractual modalities in labour law of Colombia.
Constructivism
Authors: Sözcü İbrahim
Published: May 2020

In this chapter, there is a philosophical analysis of constructivism, which is the product of postmodern understanding and is the most debated educational trend of the last period. In the first section, constructivism is analyzed in the light of ontological and epistemological foundations, and its relation with the subjectivist understanding of science is revealed. In the second part, the possibilities offered by constructivism in terms of educational practice are discussed. The focus of the study is to identify the intersections of all discourses on constructivism and to explain them based on these intersections. In order to bring the discussion to a philosophical ground, the authors believe that addressing the issue in an epistemological and ontological context will provide the philosophical essence of constructivist theory.
Project-Based Learning
Authors: Dilekli Yalçın
Published: May 2020

Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching approach designed for active learning processes. In PBL, students produce solutions to real-life problems. While they are trying to find solutions for a defined problem, they collect, classify, and comprehend data. As PBL is a student-centred approach; it is motivational because it appeals to the students' personal differences and supports students' socialization, thinking, and self-regulation skills. PBL focuses on individual differences in a learning process whereas the evaluation of the PBL focuses on multiple points of view. Some of the basic evaluation techniques are performance-based assessment, portfolio, journal, authentic assessment (rubric). There are 13 different project-based learning approaches including community studies, designing technological gadgets, environmental projects, expeditionary projects, field study, foxfire approach, micro-society studies, museum approach, problem-based approach, project approach in early childhood education, senior project approach, service learning, and work-based learning approaches.
Active Use of Analogy Method With Technology in Education
Authors: Çetinkaya Melike
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study is to reveal the analogy, which is an essential part of human thought in comprehending and comprehending concepts, and also an educational method compiled from the studies made in the literature. Analogies are a type of model, and their main purpose is to simplify and thus help us focus on the attributes of a particular part or a specific feature. In this chapter, the analogy method as an educational method is discussed in detail, the types of analogy, the issues to be considered in use and the development in technology, and the active use of the analogy method with technology are explained.
Flipped Learning
Authors: Zeybek Gülçin
Published: May 2020

It is known that the next generation grows intertwined with technology, can easily communicate with peers all over the world, adapt to new technological tools very quickly, and is fond of independence. For these reasons, it has become impossible to prepare the next generation for the future with the traditional education system. In a world where digital technology dominates our lives, the flipped learning model has emerged. In this model, the student performs cognitive activities on lower levels such as acquisition information and understanding before the course. The course focuses on higher level cognitive activities such as practice, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis with the support of peers and teachers. Thus, students are transformed from individuals informed by their teachers to individuals who reach information and take it to the next step. In this chapter, the flipped learning model was introduced; its benefits and limitations, researches about the model, recommendations for implementation are discussed.
Strategies to Enhance the Most Effective Classroom Management Techniques and Practices
Authors: Phajane Masello Hellen
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to explore and determine the most effective classroom management techniques and practices. This chapter includes a full review and critical analysis of research and literature associated with classroom discipline and ongoing management to promote positive learning. Owing to the diverse population of learners, changes in cultural behaviours, and the social and emotional pressure children experience, the classroom environment has become disorderly. Teachers need an effective classroom management plan that would help bring order and productive learning back into the classroom. As teachers learn more about a variety of classroom management approaches, they can sample techniques that would fit their needs. Not all classroom management programmes are geared to the same grade levels. Therefore, teachers can choose programmes that will best satisfy the needs of their own classroom's grade level. Teachers can choose between an approach for individual classrooms and a whole school approach to enhance learner behaviour.
Advances for Artificial Intelligence in Health Data Analytics to Drive Digital Systems Innovation
Authors: Sandhu Kamaljeet
Published: May 2020

Artificial intelligence in health (AIH) and health data has become a focus of attention for customers of health services, organizations providing health services, and the government organization monitoring the performance and outcome for health services. These three groups have vested interests in how, where, and when the health data can be used and delivered to facilitate and streamline the delivery and process for health services from adopting AIH. The driving force in AIH for health data analytics stems from the discovery of new information, analysis that seeks to provide a clear understanding of a problem, interpretation in making clear sense of the problem, and communication of meaningful data patterns that can be effectively used in finding solutions to drive digital systems innovation. Modern technology provides an important platform for the health data transformation at different stages of the process to deliver different kinds of health services adopting artificial intelligence.
An Affordance Perspective on the Enabling and Disruptive Effects of Social Media Tools on Self-Management of Chronic Illness
Authors: Isika Nwakego , Mendoza Antonette , Bosua Rachelle
Published: May 2020

This chapter examines the appropriation of social media tools by chronically ill adults to better understand and manage their illness using an affordance perspective. Despite the continued attention that information systems scholars have directed to studies on affordances and social media, there seems to be limited discussion on the negative, disruptive effects that social media could have on accomplishment of illness management goals. Accordingly, the authors argue that social media affordances could have both positive, enabling effects on illness management outcomes or negative, disruptive effects.
Professional Practices for Digital Healthcare
Authors: Edirippulige Sisira , Senanayake Buddhika
Published: May 2020

Digital health is quickly becoming an integral part of healthcare services. Research evidence suggests that digital health can benefit stakeholders involved in healthcare including patients and care providers. As digital health continues to integrate into routine healthcare, practitioners may require new knowledge, skills, and competencies to make the best use of it and to be able to communicate with an increasingly digitally enabled consumer. While much effort has been made to systematic education and training relating to digital health, which is an important aspect in developing the digital health workforce, it is important that governments and health systems consider digital health education and training as an important element in the process of implementing digital health within health services. Digital health education must be given its due recognition and support so that the future heath workforce has an opportunity to develop required knowledge and skills relating to digital health.
Digital Employability Skills and Training Needs for the Indian Healthcare Industry
Authors: Jain Esha
Published: May 2020

The utilization of computerized innovation in wellbeing applications is encountering a huge blast in huge part because of growing human services costs and the impediments of one-on-one treatment to meet the psychological well-being needs of the populace. Specifically, cell phone applications for wellbeing have become popular, which gives chances to grow current consideration past the customary facility setting. The objectives of this study were to identify the employability skills and training needs in the digital healthcare industry. Results showed that all the eight skills are important for the training of line service staff (e.g., communication, ICT, work engagement, teamwork, cognitive). As per the response, handling situations is one of the most critical skills required to perform the job followed by self-management, planning and organizing, and analytical skills. However, the type and requirement of skills vary from person to person.
Cinematic Works-Based Affective Urban Design Atmospheres
Authors: Abusaada Hisham
Published: May 2020

This chapter examines the dilemma of using the term “atmospheres” related to architectural history. It theorises the nature of this relationship, developing an analytical framework creating the architecture of the city as similar to artwork. In this chapter, the authors investigated through the aspects of cinematic works—ideas, themes, and dramatic text—and overarching effects of the technical elements. The question is: How can the urban designer use the artworks in the field of urban design? This chapter discusses the atmospheres in many artworks of Western and Egyptian thought to explore the effect of the architecture of cities in creating the atmospheres of the cities.
Global Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Subculture and Its Impact on Healthcare Organizations
Authors: Tomar Rohit Singh , Kulkarni Meenal
Published: May 2020

This chapter deals with the racial, ethnic, and religious subculture and its impact on the global healthcare organizations and their practices. This study is exploratory in nature where secondary sources have been analyzed to find out the answers of the selected objectives. A discussion-based approach has been used to compare and contrast various information regarding healthcare practice and the role of ethnicity and religion in affecting it. Healthcare seems to be affected by race, ethnicity, and religion, but there is a huge scope of quantitative analysis to get a detailed and comprehensive result.
Controlling Asthma Due to Air Pollution
Authors: Suthar Ankush H. , Pandya Purvi M.
Published: May 2020

The health of our respiratory systems is directly affected by the atmosphere. Nowadays, eruption of respiratory disease and malfunctioning of lung due to the presence of harmful particles in the air is one of the most sever challenge. In this chapter, association between air pollution-related respiratory diseases, namely dyspnea, cough, and asthma, is analysed by constructing a mathematical model. Local and global stability of the equilibrium points is proved. Optimal control theory is applied in the model to optimize stability of the model. Applied optimal control theory contains four control variables, among which first control helps to reduce number of individuals who are exposed to air pollutants and the remaining three controls help to reduce the spread and exacerbation of asthma. The positive impact of controls on the model and intensity of asthma under the influence of dyspnea and cough is observed graphically by simulating the model.
Spread of Tuberculosis Among Smokers
Authors: Pandya Purvi M. , Jayswal Ekta N. , Shah Yash
Published: May 2020

Smoking tobacco has some hazardous implications on an individual's physical, physiological, and psychological health; health of the passive smokers near him or her; and on the surrounding environment. From carcinomas to auto-immune disorders, smoking has a role to play. Therefore, there arises a need to frame a systemic pathway to decipher relationship between smoking and a perilous disease such as tuberculosis. This research work focuses on how drugs or medications can affect individuals who are susceptible to tuberculosis because of smoking habits and also on individuals who have already developed symptoms of tuberculosis due to their smoking addiction. The mathematical model is formulated using non-linear ordinary differential equations, and then threshold is calculated for different equilibrium points using next generation matrix method. Stability analysis along with numerical simulations are carried out to validate the data.
Dynamic Analysis of the Effect of Quitting Smoking Applications on Smoking Cessation
Authors: Selvam A. George Maria , Jacintha Mary
Published: May 2020

In this chapter, the authors considered a smoking cessation model formulated with a non-linear system of differential equations and obtained the continuous fractional order model and through discretization its discrete form to study the effectiveness of quitting smoking applications in giving up smoking. The existence of smoking free equilibria and smoking present equilibria are discussed, and the dynamical analysis of these two equilibria is put forward with the assistance of the smoking generation number. The numerical simulations aided by time series, phase portraits, and bifurcation diagrams confirm the results that are obtained analytically.
Fractional-Order Model to Visualize the Effect of Plastic Pollution on Rain
Authors: Jayswal Ekta N. , Pandya Purvi M.
Published: May 2020

In this era, one of the biggest issues faced by humans is due to plastic pollution as it dwells in environment and depletes the ecosystem. This affects the climate and disturbs the chain of rain, which is the common source of obtaining water body. Also, this resulting pollution causes the toxicity in rain. Accordingly, the mathematical model is framed by considering fractional order derivative. Pollution free and endemic equilibrium points are worked out for integer order system of non-linear differential equations. Local stability of equilibrium points brings attention on dynamical behavior of model with sufficient condition. With the help of basic reproduction number, bifurcation is analyzed, which shows the chaotic nature of this model. Providing Caputo derivative of fractional order, a numerical simulation has been done by taking different values of order for the system.
Control of Pest Population by Sterile Insect Technique Considering Logistic Growth With Spatial Spread Invasion and Optimal Production Policies
Authors: Chauhan Sudipa , Chaudhary Kuldeep , Bose Prianka , Bhatia Sumit Kaur
Published: May 2020

In this chapter, the authors have proposed a SIT model to eradicate the pest population. It has been assumed that the females after mating with wild males grow logistically. Pest population is being controlled with the release of sterile insects in their habitat. The model is formulated with the system of differential equations, and the authors have discussed the local stability analysis of deterministic logistic growth rate model. Further, they have also obtained a potential function by incorporating one-dimensional insect release with an invasion on patch size L, which has a toxic exterior as its surrounding. It has been obtained that, in the presence of spatial spread over a finite patch size, the sterile release of the insects produces a sudden declination of the pest population. Finally, the authors have obtained the optimal production of sterile male population using Pontryagin's maximum principle. The applicability of the proposed model is finally illustrated through numerical solution.
Cultural Diversity and Performance of Cameroonian Companies
Authors: Tagne Joel Stephan , Evou Jean Pierre
Published: May 2020

The objective of this study is to highlight the effects of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity on business sustainability in Cameroon. To achieve this objective, the authors used data from a survey conducted in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé by the Laboratory for Research in Fundamental and Applied Economics (LAREFA) of the University of Dschang. Using a censored Tobit model, the following results were obtained: (1) Ethnic diversity and linguistic diversity each have a positive effect on the sustainability of Cameroonian companies. However, when the linguistic diversity index is too high, its effect becomes significantly negative. (2) Whatever its level, religious diversity has a negative effect on the sustainability of Cameroonian companies.
Unit of Analysis in Digitally-Enabled Electronic Procurement Research
Authors: Rahim Md Mahbubur , Jabberzadeh Maryam , Ilhan Nergiz
Published: May 2020

E-procurement systems that have been in place for over a decade have begun incorporating digital tools like big data, cloud computing, internet of things, and data mining. Hence, there exists a rich literature on earlier e-procurement systems and advanced digitally-enabled e-procurement systems. Existing literature on these systems addresses many research issues (e.g., adoption) associated with e-procurement. However, one critical issue that has so far received no rigorous attention is about “unit of analysis,” a methodological concern of importance, for e-procurement research context. Hence, the aim of this chapter is twofold: 1) to discuss how the notion of “unit of analysis” has been conceptualised in the e-procurement literature and 2) to discuss how its use has been justified by e-procurement scholars to address the research issues under investigation. Finally, the chapter provides several interesting findings and outlines future research directions.
Evaluation of Customer Satisfaction in the Digital Environment
Authors: Taherdoost Hamed
Published: May 2020

Internet has become an important tool to deliver products, information, and services. Thus, customer satisfaction is increasingly recognized as a significant aspect of online business activities and is considered as a key determinant for successful digital services. Furthermore, since keeping current customers is more profitable than acquiring new clients, it is vital to gain customer satisfaction to achieve organizational goals. This introduces a new requirement to measure customer satisfaction as a factor for continuous business improvement. Therefore, there is a clear need for a theoretical survey instrument that integrates all aspects of customer satisfaction in the digital environment. The chapter responds to this need by its exploratory nature. In the first step, exploratory analysis is used to extract all customer satisfaction dimensions. Then, the exploratory factor analysis is used to cluster the factors effectively; thereby, further analysis including content validity, discriminate, and constructive testing is used to test the proposed survey instrument.
The Role of Neural Networks and Metaheuristics in Agile Software Development Effort Estimation
Authors: Kaushik Anupama , Tayal Devendra Kumar , Yadav Kalpana
Published: May 2020

In any software development, accurate estimation of resources is one of the crucial tasks that leads to a successful project development. A lot of work has been done in estimation of effort in traditional software development. But, work on estimation of effort for agile software development is very scant. This paper provides an effort estimation technique for agile software development using artificial neural networks (ANN) and a metaheuristic technique. The artificial neural networks used are radial basis function neural network (RBFN) and functional link artificial neural network (FLANN). The metaheuristic technique used is whale optimization algorithm (WOA), which is a nature-inspired metaheuristic technique. The proposed techniques FLANN-WOA and RBFN-WOA are evaluated on three agile datasets, and it is found that these neural network models performed extremely well with the metaheuristic technique used. This is further empirically validated using non-parametric statistical tests.
Intelligent Early Warning of Internet Financial Risks Based on Mobile Computing
Authors: Dong Mu Sheng
Published: May 2020

In order to establish the early warning model of internet finance, K-means algorithm improved by quantum evolutionary is used in this paper to divide risk early-warning interval by combining with the given initial value and the value-at-risk measured by China's well-known internet finance company. With the characteristics of parallelism and randomness, quantization algorithm is introduced into K-means algorithm to improve the search efficiency of original algorithm on the basis of maintaining the diversity of population. The sample is conducted with optimal segmentation by using improved algorithm to obtain the accurate early-warning interval and then the risk prediction model for internet financial institutions will be established by using the advantages of GMDH predictive mining and combining with the value-at-risk measured by “Renren Loan” Company. The effectiveness of early-warning model will be illustrated by comparing the actual situation of internet financial companies with more than 40,000 data of “Renren Loan” Company from January 2017 to October 2018.
An Alternative Splicing of Tupaia STING Modulated Anti-RNA Virus Responses by Targeting MDA5-LGP2 and IRF3
Authors: Xu Ling , Yu Dandan , Peng Li , Wu Yong , Fan Yu , Gu Tianle , Yao Yu-Lin , Zhong Jin , Chen Xinwen , Yao Yong-Gang
Published: May 2020

The stimulator of IFN genes (STING; also known as MITA, TMEM173, MPYS, or ERIS) is generally regarded as a key adaptor protein for sensing pathogenic DNA genomes. However, its role in RNA viral signaling as part of the innate immunity system remains controversial. In this study, we identified two isoforms of STING (a full-length Tupaia STING [tSTING-FL] and a Tupaia STING short isoform [tSTING-mini]) in the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), a close relative of primates. tSTING-FL played a key role in the HSV-1–triggered type I IFN signaling pathway, whereas tSTING-mini was critical for RNA virus-induced antiviral signaling transduction. tSTING-mini, but not tSTING-FL, interacted with tMDA5–tLGP2 and tIRF3 in resting cells. Upon RNA virus infection, tSTING-mini caused a rapid enhancement of the tMDA5–tLGP2-mediated antiviral response and acted earlier than tSTING-FL. Furthermore, tSTING-mini was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus during RNA virus infection and promoted tIRF3 phosphorylation through tSTING-mini–tIRF3 interaction, leading to a restriction of viral replication. After the initiation of antiviral effect, tSTING-mini underwent rapid degradation by tDTX3L–tPAPR9 via k48-linked ubiquitination through a proteasome-dependent pathway. Our results have shown alternative isoforms of STING counteract RNA virus infection in different ways.
Thorned heart. Description of a near-fatal cardiac embolism after percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Authors: Pigna Federica , Calamai Simone , Scioscioli Francesco , Buttarelli Lorenzo , Nicolini Francesco , Cervellin Gianfranco
Published: May 2020

Cement extravasation is a rather common complication of vertebroplasty, which can be observed in up to 30-40% of patients undergoing this procedure, further associated with venous leakage occurring in up to 24% of cases. Pulmonary embolism may eventually develop once the cement migrates within the pulmonary artery, and is the most common complication of cement extravasation (involving ~4.6% of patients). Intra-cardiac cement embolism is considerably less frequent, but is a potentially fatal complication, mostly managed with cardiac surgery. We describe here a rare case of near-fatal cardiac cement embolism, with a large fragment perforating the right ventricle and reaching the pericardium, who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) for syncope. The patient, who displayed this severe complication after a vertebroplasty procedure performed for osteoporotic compression fracture, needed cardiac surgery.
Impact of newer direct-acting antiviral drugs based on quality-adjusted life years
Authors: Vyas Bhavya H. , Darji Nishita H. , Rana Devang A. , Vyas Kaushal Y. , Malhotra Supriya D.
Published: May 2020

Context:

The Indian government is dispensing newer direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, which may have impact on hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients’ quality of life (QoL).

Aims:

To evaluate different DAA regimens and impact on QoL in terms of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in HCV patients and to measure cost-effectiveness.

Methods:

This prospective, observational study was carried out on patients who were diagnosed with HCV. Recruited patients were followed up until 12–24 weeks. Patients were recruited following the selection criteria. Along with demographic and drug details, the regimens used were analyzed and evaluated for cost minimization, cost-effectiveness, and cost–utility analysis. For health quality check, the Chronic Liver Disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was used which was also used for QALY assessment. Data were entered into MS Excel 2016. Difference in between the regimens for total cost was done using unpaired t-test and ANOVA test using SPSS 25.0. Overall cost-effectiveness, cost minimization, cost utility and cost of illness analysis was also calculated. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

A total of 31 patients were enrolled. A total of five drugs, namely, sofosbuvir, daclatasvir, ribavirin, velpatasvir, and ledipasvir were widely used. Sofosbuvir was most common (46.25%)component of drug combination in our study. A total of five types of regimen were used according to the genotype of patients. With 44,260.13 ± 15,884.92 INR of the total drug cost, 70.97% of patients spent around 30,000–40,000 INR for the whole pharmacotherapy. The total indirect cost was 2768.39 ± 3916.13 INR with the total direct cost of 48,660.90 ± 15,356.39 INR. The total cost including direct as well as indirect cost spent during 6-month therapy by 61.29% of patients was 40,000–50,000 INR. Based on the CLDQ score, QoL was 64.1 ± 25. Regimen 2 (sofosbuvir + velpatasavir) stood out with the lowest cost. Regimen 5 (ribavirin [200 mg] + sofosbuvir [400 mg] + velpatasvir [100 mg]) was found to be the most cost-effective. Considering 1 life year with good health after treatment, QALY was 0.31.

Conclusions:

Ribavirin (200 mg) + sofosbuvir (400 mg) + velpatasvir (100 mg) was found to be the cost-effective and cost-saving regimen among DAAs.
Information adequacy of medicine package inserts in India
Authors: Barkondaj Bikramjit , Mukhopadhyay Kaushik , Das Suvajit , Chatterjee Chandan , Mukherjee Sonali , Hazra Avijit
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

Package inserts (PIs) are used by physicians and other health-care providers as ready source of approved prescribing information. In India, they are subject to statutory regulations that specify the information to be provided under various headings. Uniformity of PIs with optimal level of information is desirable, the absence of which may lead to medication errors. This observational study aimed to evaluate the information adequacy and accuracy of PIs available in the Indian market.

Materials and Methods:

PIs of drugs marketed in India, and approved by United States Food and Drug Administration, were collected from various retail pharmacies through purposive sampling. The adequacy and accuracy of the information in each PI were evaluated with the help of a 25-item checklist prepared as per stipulations mentioned in statutory guidelines. Each required item of information was scored 1 if present and appropriate or 0 if absent or deemed incomplete or inaccurate. A total information adequacy score (IAS), with maximum value 25, was thereby calculated.

Results:

From the total 135 PIs analyzed, the median IAS was 17 (interquartile range 15–19). Deficiencies were observed under important headings. For example, “references” were mentioned in only 6.67% and “date of last updating” in only 19.26% of PIs. Other notable shortcomings were in “disposal” (not mentioned in 92.59%), “effects on ability to drive and use machines” (76.30%), “pharmaceutical incompatibilities” (66.67%), “shelf life” (62.96%), “excipients” (60.00%), and “overdose” (17.78%) information. Information on “generic name,” “composition,” and “indications” were however provided by all (100%) PIs.

Conclusions:

The information provided by PIs in India being inadequate, may not be able to serve as a reliable source of information.
A study to monitor errors in use of inhalation devices in patients of mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India
Authors: Akhoon Neha , S. Brashier D. B.
Published: May 2020

Context:

Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder which affects over 300 million people worldwide. Inhalation pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone in treatment of asthma, which is administered using inhaler devices. Studies show high prevalence of incorrect technique while inhaler usage, which renders to compromised disease control and increased healthcare cost.

Aims:

This study was aimed to monitor errors in use of inhalers and explore their relationship with patient characteristics and training given by healthcare providers, in patients suffering from mild to moderate bronchial asthma.

Settings and Design:

This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted after approval of Institutional ethics committee in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods and Material:

A total of 207 patients were recruited after they met the inclusion criteria and their informed consent was taken. Data regarding the patients’ socio-demographic information, education status and history of illness were logged on a case record form. Their inhalation techniques were assessed according to the checklist, errors were noted and patients were educated regarding correct technique using ‘teach-back training’ method.

Statistical analysis used:

Chi-square test, SPSS software.

Results:

Among the inhalers used, pMDI was most commonly prescribed (58%), followed by DPI (37.7%) and pMDI with spacer (4.3%). Irrespective of the type of inhaler used, overall 75.36% patients included in the study, showed errors in use of inhaler. Prevalence of errors in DPI, pMDI and pMDI with spacers was 78.2 %,77.8% and 22.2% respectively. Our study showed that education status of patient, training by healthcare provider and duration of inhaler use have statistically significant association (p< 0.05) with the prevalence of errors in inhaler usage.

Conclusion:

It is emphasized that dedicated and trained staff should be available for instructing patients and reinforcing by follow up checks should be considered.
A study of perceptions and exposure of drug promotional literature among clinicians in a teaching hospital
Authors: Sharma Sushil , Akhoon Neha , Moe Htet Wai , Nair Deepak R. , Shashidhar Venkat
Published: May 2020

Background:

Drug promotional literature (DPL) forms a major marketing technique of pharmaceutical companies for propagating information regarding a drug. Many a times, it is the only source on which treating physicians depend for updating their knowledge about the existing and novel drugs.

Aims and Objectives:

This study was conducted to understand the clinicians’ perceptions about DPL and its critical appraisal so that relevant interventions can be made.

Materials and Methods:

It was a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. A self-administered validated questionnaire was administered to 125 clinicians working in a medical college, which sought responses on their perception of various aspects including interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference and decision making based on the DPL which they encounter in their day-to-day practices. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

A total of 100 clinicians reciprocated with complete questionnaire. 99% of the clinicians were exposed to pharmaceutical promotional activities and around 79% clinicians accepted that drug promotion has a considerable bearing on their prescribing practices. Majority (79%) of the clinicians felt that the accuracy of the claims in the various forms of DPL was between 50-75%. Amongst the various forms of DPL, brochures were adjudged as the most useful followed by interactions with medical representatives, advertisements in medical journals and direct mailers. a majority of the clinicians (69%) felt that, though the claims in the DPL are balanced but are supported by poor evidence. Around 75% clinicians perceived the primary intention of drug promotional literature was to boost company sales. Around 84% clinicians felt that doctors’ integrity can be compromised by accepting gifts from medical representatives. Over 75% of clinicians believed that training in interacting with medical representatives and assessing other forms of drug promotional literature should be imparted to undergraduates in medical colleges.

Conclusion:

Physicians need to be aware that the pharmaceutical industry may use drug advertisements to influence prescription patterns even when this results in distortion of scientific facts. The pharmaceutical industry should be more responsible and more meticulous in making sure that pharmaceutical claims referring to scientific studies are quoted accurately.
Adhesives, Sealants, and Heat Transfer Materials in Battery Systems: A Primer on Materials, Applications, and End-Use Performance Requirements
Authors:   Battery Systems Adhesives, Sealants and Heat Transfer Matl's
Published: May 2020

This SAE Information Report introduces key concepts and properties of adhesives, sealants, and HTMs and the roles they serve in present-day battery systems applications. The basic chemistry and properties of the three types of materials are summarized along with important health and environmental information. Relevant material dispense methodologies and equipment for material dispensing is reviewed. A series of representative battery applications examples employing adhesives, sealants, and HTMs is also provided with particular attention given to end-use performance.
Financial Conditions Index and Economic Performance in Nigeria
Authors: Ejem Chukwu Agwu , Ogbonna Udochukwu Godfrey
Published: May 2020

The main aim of this study is to construct a financial conditions index for Nigeria and analyze its predictive power for future growth rate and inflationary trend. The study is based on yearly time series data from 1985 to 2018. The variables included in the construction of the index are riskless interest rate, stock market index, exchange rate, credit to private sector and interest rate spread. The weights attached to these variables are derived from ARDL coefficients, while the predictive power of the constructed index is examined within the VAR framework. The results from the ARDL model shows that credit to private sector and stock market index are the most significant factors for nominal GDP, hence having a substantial weight in the resultant financial conditions index. However, the results from VAR impulse response function and forecast error variance decomposition suggest that the constructed financial conditions index contain very little predictive information about future growth rate and inflationary trend.
How Multimedia Support Collaborative Research: Best Practices
Authors: Regaña Cristóbal Ballesteros , Piñero-Virué Rocío P. , Reyes-Rebollo Miguel Mª
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the potential for online multimedia materials as alternative learning tools for the collaborative training of teachers in the design of research-based teaching. A case study using a team of three trainee teachers was used to develop a process of initial training in the design of a constructivist and research-based teaching unit supported by online multimedia material. The results obtained from the research allowed some principles to be identified and basic recommendations and alternative lines of action to be given for designing online multimedia materials. Online multimedia materials can be alternative teaching tools that contribute, with other materials, to the development of constructivist, collaborative, and research-based strategies which help provide the necessary support for improving the initial and ongoing training of new teachers in the design of teaching from a research perspective.
Main barriers to ICT teacher training and disability
Authors: Montenegro Rueda Marta , Fernández Cerero José
Published: May 2020

From the earliest ages, the commitment to an inclusive education needs the impulse of an educational system that opens its schools to all students. This reality would not be possible today without taking into account the educational support provided by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the inclusive process, since they constitute the scaffolding that will allow participation and the realization of tasks adjusted to the possibilities and interests of the people. In the process of integration of ICT in the classroom, teachers are a key element since, as has been shown in numerous studies, one of the critical factors for the success of educational systems is the existence of trained, motivated teachers. The purpose is to know the main barriers or obstacles for the development of teacher training plans in ICT for people with disabilities, as well as the priority aspects for training. In the empirical part of the study, 241 interviews with professionals from the Spanish educational sector (members of management teams, ICT coordinators, directors and technological advisors of teacher training centers) were analyzed. Among the conclusions, we can highlight that the main barriers that hinder the implementation of ICT training activities and disability in most of the autonomous communities are determined in the first place by economic factors, lack of time, and teachers’ attitude. The conclusions of the study make it necessary to adopt important measures in the initial training of teachers in order to be trained in the incorporation and appropriate use of ICT in teaching people with different types of disabilities, especially taking into account that the reality that we face every time has more innovative and enriching technological tools that offer us a wide range of applications and adequate tools for this purpose.
“The Hour of the Code”: Computational thinking workshop in a primary school in Guarda, Portugal
Authors: Brigas Carlos Jorge Jorge , Figueiredo José Alberto Quitério
Published: May 2020

In recent years, there has been an increased effort to introduce coding and computational thinking in early childhood education. In accordance with the international trend, programming has become an increasingly growing focus in European education. The idea of introducing computer programming in the classroom dates back to the late 1960s. The introduction of programming language provides an opportunity to engage in logical and abstract thinking, problem solving, and the creative design process. One of the best-known initiatives is The Hour of Code. This initiative is being implemented in 180 countries and more than 700 million students have participated. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code,” to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. This article describes a workshop held under the “The Hour of the Code” initiative and implemented in the primary schools of Guarda, Portugal. The activity took place at the school and lasted two hours. Students from the first to the fourth grade participated, with ages ranging from 6-11 years. The teachers of the activity were university professors of computer engineering and students of computer engineering.
Keamanan Layanan Internet Banking Dalam Transaksi Perbankan
Authors: Hendarsyah Decky
Published: May 2020

Internet saat ini merupakan salah satu kebutuhan pokok terutama bagi pengguna teknologi informasi. Internet sudah merambah ke seluruh bidang kehidupan mulai dari bisnis, pendidikan, kesehatan dan lain-lain sebagai wujud kemajuan teknologi dan informasi. Dunia perbankan seolah tidak mau ketinggalan dengan kemajuan teknologi dan informasi. Buktinya perbankan saat ini sudah mengembangkan layanan dan jasa-jasa perbankan yang diselaraskan dengan kemajuan teknologi dan informasi. Sebagai contoh saat ini perbankan sudah mengeluarkan suatu layanan yang bernama Electronic Banking (E-Banking). Di mana salah satu layanan dari E-Banking adalah Internet Banking yang berfungsi sebagai alternatif melakukan transaksi perbankan secara online menggunakan Internet. Internet Banking mempermudah nasabah dalam bertransaksi perbankan secara online baik transaksi finansial maupun transaksi non finansial kecuali melakukan transaksi setoran atau penarikan tunai. Tetapi ketika menggunakan layanan Internet Banking apakah sudah aman? Karena ketika menggunakan Internet, perangkat komunikasi atau perangkat komputer terhubung ke jaringan komputer global, sehingga sangat rentan terhadap serangan keamanan atau kejahatan Internet Banking. Oleh sebab itu dalam makalah ini menjelaskan tentang konsep keamanan, manfaat internet banking, bagaimana bentuk-bentuk serangan keamanan terhadap Internet Banking. Kemudian dalam makalah ini juga memberi penjelasan bagaimana mencegah terjadinya serangan atau kejahatan dalam Internet Banking. Makalah ini juga menjelaskan model-model keamanan Internet Banking serta melakukan perbandingan terhadap layanan Internet Banking dari beberapa bank di Indonesia baik fasilitas maupun keamanannya. Sehingga nasabah bank yang ingin menggunakan layanan Internet Banking mendapat pengetahuan dan dapat memilih bank yang memberikan keamanan layanan Internet Banking lebih baik dan aman serta dapat mengurangi angka kejahatan online terutama dalam layanan Internet Banking.
Enhanced Dynamic Authorized Secured Protocol (EDASP) for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: J.R. Arunkumar
Published: May 2020

In Wireless Sensor Networks arrange is the technique for transferring new code or modifying the reasonableness of existing code. For security reasons, each code update ought to be authenticated to ignore unauthenticated from mounting malignant code with in the Wireless Sensor Networks. Totally existing reinventing conventions depend on the incorporated technique wherein single the base station has the position to inductee rewrite the programming. On the other hand, it is required and some of the time required for different approved system clients to simultaneously and straightforwardly reinvent sensor nodes while excluding the base station, which is referenced to as disseminated reconstructing of program. The system vender can even allot distinctive reinventing benefits to various clients Very as of late, a novel ensured and appropriated reconstructing program convention named Enhanced Secure Dynamic Authorized Secured protocol has been proposed, which is the principal exertion of its sort. Alternately, right now, distinguish a trademark configuration deficiency in the client preprocessing period of EDASP and approve that it is defenseless to a pantomime assault by which an enemy can basically imitate any approved client to finish reinventing. Thusly, we propose a straightforward adjustment to fix the perceived security issue without losing any highlights of. The Node c Enhanced Dynamic Authorized Secured protocol order calculation is utilized to sort the sensor hub before transmitting the code picture. Every single client need to confirm the sensor in its benefit list before sending the code picture.
Authentication Scheme Based On Blow Fish Cryptography In Categorized Sensor Networks
Authors: M. Sundarrajan
Published: May 2020

In categorized sensor network deployment, many applications uses different sensor
nodes and communicate with sensor nodes. In WSN peer-to-peer sensor network consists of hundreds to several thousand sensor nodes connect locally with neighboring nodes and send data over the network. However, sensor networks meet challenges to provide security using Symmetric public key cryptosystem. Sensor networks are also vulnerable to several node attacks by an adversary. For this reason, message authentication schemes are required to prevent such node attacks from an attacker. This paper focuses on scalable Message authentication scheme, it is proposed based on Blue Fish Cryptography (BFC). The message authentication scheme proposed also provides source assurance of security.