Empirical research on relative and absolute effort estimation in software development projects

Should we be using relative estimation methods in software effort estimation? This thesis looks into an aspect of agile estimating by comparing the effects of using relative estimation methods with absolute estimation methods for software development effort estimates. The thesis describes a study conducted on a software development project where estimates in story points (relative) and ideal time (absolute) are provided using planning poker

Using the flipped classroom model of instruction to explore teaching and learning activities in mathematical education for engineers: An activity theory perspective

International audienceThe main concept of Flipped Classroom (FC) is to invert, or flip, the content of teaching in terms of what is done during the homework phase, compared to the activity in the class with the teacher. Traditionally, the students at higher education attend a lecture, accompanied with tasks to solve at home or in a colloquium arranged by the University. The FC model will alter this completely, giving the students the opportunity to watch the lectures at home using pre-recorded videos. When attending class, instead of listening to a lecture, the students spend the time in a more dialogue-based problem-solving activity. To capture this complexity, the poster proposes a conceptualization of FC within the Activity Theory Framework. </p

Provision of services for rehabilitation of children and adolescents with congenital cardiac disease: a survey of centres for paediatric cardiology in the United Kingdom

A postal questionnaire survey of the 17 centres for paediatric cardiology in the UK investigated the attitudes of staff towards rehabilitation and the current level of provision. The majority of respondents (82%) believed they should provide rehabilitation for their patients, but only one centre had a programme for rehabilitation. Few respondents (18%) believed they were meeting the needs of their patients' for rehabilitation. Major barriers to providing rehabilitation were funding and the wide geographical catchment areas

Subsidising consumer services: effects on employment, welfare and the informal economy

It is widely agreed that the opportunities for expansion of aggregate employment in the OECD area must be sought mainly in the private service sector. Thus,because of budgetary problems and voter resistance to higher tax rates, the scope for further expansion of public sector employment seems limited in most OECD countries. Furthermore, the primary sector will undoubtedly continue to release labour resources and, with normal growth rates, there is little prospect of a secular rise in manufacturing employment, since the increase in demand for manufactures is likely to be met through increases in labour productivity. In particular, the ongoing shifts in the international division of labour and the associated transition to the ‘knowledge-based economy’ within the OECD are likely to destroy a large number of manufacturing jobs for unskilled and lowskilled workers in the OECD area.

Hvordan kan sykepleier forebygge hypoglykemi hos eldre i sykehjem med diabetes type 2?

Studentarbeid i sykepleie (bachelorgrad) - Høgskolen i Bodø, 200

Hemicrania continua: major shortcomings in the new classification

Hemicrania continua ( HC) was described and coined by Sjaastad and Spierings in 1984. Later cases, carrying this appellation should, grossly, conform to this original description. The proposed classification criteria (ICHD, 3rd edition beta version) for HC has major shortcomings, and ordinary HC cases do not fulfill the proposed criteria. Relatively rare symptoms and signs are e.g. made obligatory (point C 1). And the recommended dosage of indomethacin- both test and long-term dosages-is unallowably high. In this way, bogus HC cases are systematically created. This irrational diagnostic system is in urgent need of a major revision

Double layer in an expanding plasma: Simultaneous upstream and downstream measurements

Ion energy measurements were taken simultaneously using one retarding field energy analyzer placed at the open end of the plasma source, and one in the plasma diffusion region of an expanding low pressure argon plasma. An electric double layer was found, which is well separated from the region of high magnetic field and which is downstream of the maximum in the magnetic field gradient. An axially movable analyzer was used to determine the position of the double layer. It appears to be more closely connected to the rapid change in diameter from the source to the diffusion chamber, but still has a radial dimension close to that of the source diameter. These results suggest that the double layer forms, not as much as a result of a magnetic nozzle, but rather as a reaction to a dramatic change in boundary conditions. Still, a magnetic field of at least a few tens of Gauss in the double layer region is necessary for its spontaneous formation

Socioeconomic inequalities in the quality of life of older Europeans in different welfare regimes

Background: Whether socioeconomic inequalities in health and well-being persist into old age and are narrower in more generous welfare states is debated. We investigated the magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in the quality of life of Europeans in early old age and the influence of the welfare regime type on these relationships.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: Data from individuals aged 50–75 years (n = 16 074) residing in 13 European countries were derived from Waves 2 and 3 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Slope indices of inequality (SIIs) were calculated for the association between socioeconomic position and CASP-12, a measure of positive quality of life. Multilevel linear regression was used to assess the overall relationship between socioeconomic position and quality of life, using interaction terms to investigate the influence of the type of welfare regime (Southern, Scandinavian, Post-communist or Bismarckian).&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Results: Socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life were narrowest in the Scandinavian and Bismarckian regimes, and were largest by measures of current wealth. Compared with the Scandinavian welfare regime, where narrow inequalities in quality of life by education level were found in both men (SII = 0.02, 95% CI: −1.09 to 1.13) and women (SII = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.05–2.17), the difference in quality of life between the least and most educated was particularly wide in Southern and Post-communist regimes.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusion: Individuals in more generous welfare regimes experienced higher levels of quality of life, as well as narrower socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt