THE ROLE OF THE CUSTOMER IN THE ADOPTION OF AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES

This study focuses on the role the customer plays in the adoption and consolidation of Agile practices in software development firms. We considered two main aspects: 1) the degree of collaboration between customers and suppliers; 2) the degree of active participation of the customer in software development processes. We argue that both these factors affect the level of Agility of an organization. To investigate this topic we conducted a survey among firms that use agile software development methodologies. The sample of respondents was obtained from the social network Linkedin. We received one hundred and five valid questionnaires before subjecting the data to hierarchical linear regression analysis. Our findings suggest that a collaborative and active role of the customer increases Agility. This study provides original empirical data on the frequency of use of Agile practices in software development processes. From a theoretical point of view it clarifies the role of two different customer-related factors: customer collaboration and customer participation

Eduard Blasco Ferrer (Barcelona, 1956 - Bàstia, 2017)

Lip avulsions are a common result of orofacial trauma in dogs and cats. Vehicular trauma and bite wounds are common causes. Surgical therapy is highly successful with early decontamination and tension-free closure. This retrospective case series assessed the signalment, causes, lesion location, treatment and outcome of lip avulsion injuries in dogs and cats. A total of 23 patients with 24 lip avulsion injuries were included in the study. They were comprised of 11 dogs and 12 cats. The patients were generally young, with 68.2% under 3 years of age and 36.4% under 1 year of age. The most common known causes were animal bites (26.1%) and vehicular trauma (21.7%). In cats, the most common cause was vehicular trauma (25%). In dogs, the most common cause was an animal bite (45.4%). Bilateral rostral upper lip avulsion was most common in dogs (36.3%), whereas bilateral rostral lower lip avulsion was most common in cats (53.8%). Concurrent injuries were frequent in both species with tooth fractures reported in 34.7%. All lip avulsion injuries were treated via wound debridement and lavage followed by appositional repair with absorbable suture material. The most common short-term complication was wound dehiscence (21.4%). Surgical therapy was highly successful with no significant long-term complications reported. The results suggest that lip avulsion injuries are primarily seen in younger dogs and cats, usually result from vehicular trauma or animal bites, and are successfully managed with surgical repair

Stimulation of Human CD4+ T Lymphocytes via TLR3, TLR5 and TLR7/8 Up-Regulates Expression of Costimulatory and Modulates Proliferation

The cells of innate and adaptive immunity, although activated by different ligands, engage in cross talk to ensure a successful immune outcome. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system and have the ability to detect microbial infection and trigger host defence responses. Otherwise, human T lymphocytes are able to produce most TLRs. Thus, we analyze the capability of some TLR ligands to modulate the function of highly-purified CD4+ T cells. We found that agents acting via TLRs (poly I:C, a TLR3 ligand; flagellin, a TLR5 ligand; and R848, a TLR7/8 ligand) are able to regulate the expression of costimulatory molecules both on purified antigen presenting cells and on purified T lymphocytes. Moreover, the activation mediated by TLRs determines a kinetic expression of B7-family members such as through an inhibition of T lymphocytes delayed proliferation. These findings suggest a functional role of some invading microorganisms in regulating acquired immunity

Machine Learning in Falls Prediction; A cognition-based predictor of falls for the acute neurological in-patient population

Background Information: Falls are associated with high direct and indirect costs, and significant morbidity and mortality for patients. Pathological falls are usually a result of a compromised motor system, and/or cognition. Very little research has been conducted on predicting falls based on this premise. Aims: To demonstrate that cognitive and motor tests can be used to create a robust predictive tool for falls. Methods: Three tests of attention and executive function (Stroop, Trail Making, and Semantic Fluency), a measure of physical function (Walk-12), a series of questions (concerning recent falls, surgery and physical function) and demographic information were collected from a cohort of 323 patients at a tertiary neurological center. The principal outcome was a fall during the in-patient stay (n = 54). Data-driven, predictive modelling was employed to identify the statistical modelling strategies which are most accurate in predicting falls, and which yield the most parsimonious models of clinical relevance. Results: The Trail test was identified as the best predictor of falls. Moreover, addition of any others variables, to the results of the Trail test did not improve the prediction (Wilcoxon signed-rank p < .001). The best statistical strategy for predicting falls was the random forest (Wilcoxon signed-rank p < .001), based solely on results of the Trail test. Tuning of the model results in the following optimized values: 68% (+- 7.7) sensitivity, 90% (+- 2.3) specificity, with a positive predictive value of 60%, when the relevant data is available. Conclusion: Predictive modelling has identified a simple yet powerful machine learning prediction strategy based on a single clinical test, the Trail test. Predictive evaluation shows this strategy to be robust, suggesting predictive modelling and machine learning as the standard for future predictive tools

CONTINUANCE INTENTION IN CROWDSOURCING PROCESSES

With the growing popularity of Crowdsourcing (CS), companies are developing different strategies to tap into the creativity of the crowd. Some of these strategies imply the long-term involvement of communities of external individuals. Since participation in CS is voluntary, it is important to understand the determinants of participation. Several studies exist that investigated the motivations of participants in CS initiatives. These studies, however, did not make distinction between people who participate only once and people who after the first experience intend to participate again. This research attempts to explore the determinants of repeated participation, critical for the success of long-term CS strategies. We investigate the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on the intention continue for participants in CS initiatives. To address this objective, a survey involving individuals, who have participated at least once in CS initiatives, has been conducted. Hierarchical regression analysis has been used to test the hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that intrinsic motivations impact on the intention to continue for participants in CS initiatives. The impact of extrinsic motivations (i.e. monetary rewards and reputation) was found to be not significant. As a consequence, companies willing to adopt long-term CS strategies need to leverage intrinsic motivations in order to involve communities of external individuals in their innovation processes

Fuga de la Suprema. Los moriscos en búsqueda de la benevolencia del papa

La historiografía puede contar con unas pocas aportaciones sobre la vertiente de la diáspora morisca en Italia tras su destierro de la Península ibérica (1609-14), mientras que carecen del todo los estudios sobre los contactos entre los moriscos e Italia previos a la expulsión general. A principios del siglo XVII, una nueva oleada represiva afectaba a la comunidad morisca en los territorios de la Monarquía. Con esta aportación me propongo referir y contextualizar la fuga a Roma de un grupo de moriscos aragoneses, afectados por los rumores de denuncias que corrían a su cargo ante los Inquisidores españoles. Con el objetivo de llegar a la ciudad del papa, los moriscos se autodenunciarían ante el Santo Oficio romano con la esperanza de obtener un trato más benévolo que el esperado en sus patrias. De ese modo, estos individuos podían volver a sus territorios de origen exhibiendo los documentos de absolución que el Pontífice, a través del Tribunal inquisitorial romano, les había otorgado, beneficiándose de facto de una situación de inmunidad. Con el propósito de comentar estas ocurrencias: –describiré el perfil de estos moriscos imputados en Roma–; pondré de manifiesto los conflictos jurisdiccionales surgidos entre el Santo Oficio romano y español, a raíz de las sentencias de absolución expedidas por el primero en favor de estos perseguidos.Historiography counts with few contributions about the Morisco diaspora in Italy after its expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula (1609-14); however any study on contacts between the Morisco and Italy prior to the general expulsion has been done. The aim of this contribution is to report and contextualize the escape to Rome of a group of Aragonese Moriscos, affected by rumors of denunciations against them before the Spanish Inquisitors. In order to reach the city of the Pope, the Moriscos denounced themselves before the Holy Office with the hope of obtaining a treatment more benevolent than in their homeland. Thereby these individuals could return to their original territories displaying the documents of absolution that the Pontifex gave them through the Roman Inquisitorial Tribunal, taking profit of a situation of immunity. Analyzing these facts I will describe the profile of these Moriscos imputed jurisdictional conflicts that arose between the Holy Office of Rome and that of Spain, following the verdicts of absolution issued by the first in favor of those persecuted.Esta investigación ha sido realizada gracias a la beca otorgada por el Centro de Estudios Mudéjares de Teruel y se enmarca dentro del proyecto Nuevas perspectivas de historia social en los territorios hispánicos del Mediterráneo Occidental en la Edad Moderna (HAR2014-53298-C2-1), dirigido por el prof. Ricardo Franch Benavent

Rifugiati. I moriscos e l'Italia (1550-1650)

Con el fin de disertar sobre un segmento de la trayectoria histórica de unos refugiados, el autor se pregunta acerca de las dificultades a las que estos se enfrentan en sus nuevos destinos; analiza el comportamiento de los territorios de acogida, tanto de la población como de las autoridades civiles y eclesiásticas, frente a la llegada de algunos, cientos, miles de personas; investiga sobre los problemas que surgen del contacto entre los prófugos y los sitios de su asentamiento, temporal o permanente. Refugiados y sus destinos: los primeros son los moriscos, los segundos los territorios italianos. El marco histórico es un siglo del Antiguo Régimen (1550-1650), lapso cronológico en el cual los moriscos dejan sus huellas entre los papeles pertenecientes a los mundos italianos. La tesis defiende la disolución silenciosa de la minoría morisca entre los nuevos vecinos, a pesar de la mala reputación de la que gozaban antes de su llegada, y, de rebote, pone en entredicho la categoría de identidad

The Role of Cognitive Factors in Predicting Balance and Fall Risk in a Neuro-Rehabilitation Setting

INTRODUCTION: There is a consistent body of evidence supporting the role of cognitive functions, particularly executive function, in the elderly and in neurological conditions which become more frequent with ageing. The aim of our study was to assess the role of different domains of cognitive functions to predict balance and fall risk in a sample of adults with various neurological conditions in a rehabilitation setting. METHODS: This was a prospective, cohort study conducted in a single centre in the UK. 114 participants consecutively admitted to a Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit were prospectively assessed for fall accidents. Baseline assessment included a measure of balance (Berg Balance Scale) and a battery of standard cognitive tests measuring executive function, speed of information processing, verbal and visual memory, visual perception and intellectual function. The outcomes of interest were the risk of becoming a faller, balance and fall rate. RESULTS: Two tests of executive function were significantly associated with fall risk, the Stroop Colour Word Test (IRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.03) and the number of errors on part B of the Trail Making Test (IRR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.49). Composite scores of executive function, speed of information processing and visual memory domains resulted in 2 to 3 times increased likelihood of having better balance (OR 2.74 95% CI 1.08 to 6.94, OR 2.72 95% CI 1.16 to 6.36 and OR 2.44 95% CI 1.11 to 5.35 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that specific subcomponents of executive functions are able to predict fall risk, while a more global cognitive dysfunction is associated with poorer balance