Agile or Fragile? - The Depleting Effects of Agile Methodologies for Software Developers

Despite the increasing diffusion of agile software development methodologies (ASDM) in firms, aca-demic studies in this field – though rising in number – are largely missing out on the implications for the individual software developer. The application of agile methodologies in software development projects has significant impact on the individual developer’s way of working. While some empirical research evaluated the advantages of ASDM for individuals, potential negative consequences for de-velopers, who have to cope with multiple draining demands in their daily work, remains largely unex-plored. Using resource depletion theory as a lens, we develop a research model to examine how the use of ASDM potentially decreases individual job satisfaction and increases turnover intention. We suggest that the effect is mediated by developers’ level of depletion expressed by psychological strain. In addition, we aim to determine who is more or less affected by depletion in an agile context intro-ducing the capacity for self-control as a moderator. To test our model, we plan to conduct a cross-sectional field survey among software developers working in agile teams. Drawing attention to under-represented negative implications on an individual level, we want to contribute to a more balanced picture of ASDM use in theory and practice

Energizing or Depleting? Understanding the Effects of Agile Methodologies on Individual Software Developers™ Resources

Despite a considerable number of valuable studies in information systems research investigating agile software development methods (ASDM), the impact of ASDM on individual software developers and their inner resources in particular remains ambiguous. Fin

Energizing or Depleting? Understanding the Effects of Agile Methodologies on Individual Software Developers™ Resources

Despite a considerable number of valuable studies in information systems research investigating agile software development methods (ASDM), the impact of ASDM on individual software developers and their inner resources in particular remains ambiguous. Fin

Integrating Polar Research Into Undergraduate Curricula Using Computational Guided Inquiry

Polar research plays a vital role in developing our understanding of Earth’s climate system. It is intrinsically interdisciplinary, lending itself to integration into existing undergraduate courses. Here we explore introducing undergraduates to polar research through computational guided inquiry (CGI) modules taught in a variety of courses and disciplines. Students apply course disciplinary techniques to analysis of polar data or research, in the context of climate change, by working through educational modules that include spreadsheets (ExcelTM) or interactive computer programing (Python in a Jupyter Notebook), over a few class or lab periods. The goals of this exploratory curriculum project are to determine instructor perceptions of effectiveness of the educational modules for teaching preexisting disciplinary course objectives, as well as student perceptions of enjoyment and learning. Evaluation consisted of a student questionnaire and interviews with instructors by an external evaluator. Students and instructors overall reported positive experiences with the modules, highlighted the importance of polar data and climate literacy, and noted increases in student understanding of course learning goals and comfort with the computational tools. Professors further reported that students found the modules motivating, fun and engaging. Taken together, this suggests that the modules are an effective means of bringing polar research into undergraduate classrooms while satisfying instructor goals for course learning objectives. Lessons learned include the importance of providing material such as videos to help transition to the topics of polar research and climate change and of supporting widely varying computational fluency

Tacrolimus concentration/dose ratio influences renal functions after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) tacrolimus (Tac) is an effective immunosuppressant used after liver transplantation (LTx), but is often associated with CNI nephrotoxicity. Currently, there is no simple clinical predictor for CNI nephrotoxicity after LTx. We hypothesized that the Tac metabolism rate – defined as the blood concentration normalized by its daily dose (the C/D ratio) – is associated with post-LTx renal impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the relationship between the C/D ratio and post-transplant renal function in 179 patients who underwent LTx between 2000 and 2012 and were initially immunosuppressed with Tac, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. Six months after LTx, 115 patients were categorized into 1 of 2 groups based on their Tac C/D ratio (<1.09 or ≥1.09): fast (n=58) or slow (n=57) metabolizers. The renal function was determined 36 months after LTx using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as described by Cockcroft and Gault. RESULTS: At the time of LTx there was no statistically significant difference between the eGFR of fast and slow metabolizers. Six months (P=0.016), 12 months (P=0.001), and 36 months (P=0.018) after LTx, fast Tac metabolizers had significantly more impaired renal function than slow metabolizers. Because of a presumption of CNI nephrotoxicity, 32.8% of fast metabolizers and 14.0% of slow metabolizers were switched from Tac to other immunosuppressants (P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the Tac metabolism rate appears to influence renal function after LTx, suggesting that a C/D ratio of <1.09 is associated with increased CNI nephrotoxicity in LTx recipients.</p