ESTIMATING EFFORT FOR LOW-CODE APPLICATIONS

Two issues continually plaguing the software industry are software size calculation and project effort estimation. Incorrect estimates may lead to inappropriate allocation of resources (people), shortage of time, insufficient funds, and possibly project failure. The purpose of this study is to explore current methods of software effort estimation and the applicability to low-code application development. The study seeks to answer the research question: Can the current methods be used to estimate effort for applications built with low-code platforms? The goal is to analyze some of the popular estimation methods to see if they can be applied to low-code application development

ESTIMATING EFFORT FOR LOW-CODE APPLICATIONS

Two issues continually plaguing the software industry are software size calculation and project effort estimation. Incorrect estimates may lead to inappropriate allocation of resources (people), shortage of time, insufficient funds, and possibly project failure. The purpose of this study is to explore current methods of software effort estimation and the applicability to low-code application development. The study seeks to answer the research question: Can the current methods be used to estimate effort for applications built with low-code platforms? The goal is to analyze some of the popular estimation methods to see if they can be applied to low-code application development

Contaminated Ventilator Air Flow Sensor Linked to Bacillus cereus Colonization

We investigated Bacillus cereus–positive tracheal aspirates from infants on ventilators in a neonatal intensive care unit. Multilocus sequence typing determined a genetic match between strains isolated from samples from a casepatient and from the air flow sensor in the ventilator. Changing the sterilization method for sensors to steam autoclaving stopped transmission. Because of ubiquity in the environment, the recovery of Bacillus species from clinical specimens is often considered a clinically inconsequential contamination. Nevertheless, an accumulating body of literature suggests that contamination with this organism should not be routinely dismissed (1). Severe and lethal Bacillus cereus infections have been described in newborn infants, with higher frequency among premature infants. The types of B. cereus infections in newborns included central nervous system, respiratory tract, primary bacteremia, and sepsis (2–4). Nosocomial outbreaks of B. cereus implicating hospital linens, manual ventilation balloons, contaminated diapers, and contaminated ventilator equipment have also been reported (5–9). The Study The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted this investigation in response to the hospital’s identification of an increased number of tracheal aspirates that were positive for B. cereus collected from newborns who were on ventilators during March–May

Stigma or respect : lesbian-parented families negotiating school settings

This article explores the interface between lesbian-parented families and main-stream society through the example of schools. Lesbian-parented families are an increasingly visible family form; they are diverse and complex and raise challenges for heteronormative social institutions. Based on qualitative family interviews with lesbian-parented families in Melbourne, we discuss the dialectic between schools and families. In many heteronormative school contexts family members were stigmatized and burdened by secrecy and fear about their family configuration. However, there were also a significant minority of family members who felt respected, supported and safe within the school environment.These parents and children were out and proud about their families, and schools had responded with acceptance in both the schoolyard and the curriculum. We discuss the contextual factors (including social location and family formation), impacting on and constraining the interface between the families and schools, and point to opportunities for change

DNA prime/Adenovirus boost malaria vaccine encoding P. falciparum CSP and AMA1 induces sterile protection associated with cell-mediated immunity

Contains fulltext : 118242.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Gene-based vaccination using prime/boost regimens protects animals and humans against malaria, inducing cell-mediated responses that in animal models target liver stage malaria parasites. We tested a DNA prime/adenovirus boost malaria vaccine in a Phase 1 clinical trial with controlled human malaria infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The vaccine regimen was three monthly doses of two DNA plasmids (DNA) followed four months later by a single boost with two non-replicating human serotype 5 adenovirus vectors (Ad). The constructs encoded genes expressing P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1). The regimen was safe and well-tolerated, with mostly mild adverse events that occurred at the site of injection. Only one AE (diarrhea), possibly related to immunization, was severe (Grade 3), preventing daily activities. Four weeks after the Ad boost, 15 study subjects were challenged with P. falciparum sporozoites by mosquito bite, and four (27%) were sterilely protected. Antibody responses by ELISA rose after Ad boost but were low (CSP geometric mean titer 210, range 44-817; AMA1 geometric mean micrograms/milliliter 11.9, range 1.5-102) and were not associated with protection. Ex vivo IFN-gamma ELISpot responses after Ad boost were modest (CSP geometric mean spot forming cells/million peripheral blood mononuclear cells 86, range 13-408; AMA1 348, range 88-1270) and were highest in three protected subjects. ELISpot responses to AMA1 were significantly associated with protection (p = 0.019). Flow cytometry identified predominant IFN-gamma mono-secreting CD8+ T cell responses in three protected subjects. No subjects with high pre-existing anti-Ad5 neutralizing antibodies were protected but the association was not statistically significant. SIGNIFICANCE: The DNA/Ad regimen provided the highest sterile immunity achieved against malaria following immunization with a gene-based subunit vaccine (27%). Protection was associated with cell-mediated immunity to AMA1, with CSP probably contributing. Substituting a low seroprevalence vector for Ad5 and supplementing CSP/AMA1 with additional antigens may improve protection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT00870987