\r\n\t
",isbn:"978-1-83968-460-9",printIsbn:"978-1-83968-459-3",pdfIsbn:"978-1-83969-232-1",doi:null,price:0,priceEur:0,priceUsd:0,slug:null,numberOfPages:0,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"babca2dea1c80719111734cc57a21a4c",bookSignature:"Dr. Amin Talei",publishedDate:null,coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10404.jpg",keywords:"Water Budget, Ground Measurement, Satellite Data, Empirical Models, Physical Models, Data-Driven Models, Artificial Neural Network, Neuro-Fuzzy Systems, Genetic Programming, Irrigation Management, Drought, Aquifer Management",numberOfDownloads:null,numberOfWosCitations:0,numberOfCrossrefCitations:null,numberOfDimensionsCitations:null,numberOfTotalCitations:null,isAvailableForWebshopOrdering:!0,dateEndFirstStepPublish:"October 29th 2020",dateEndSecondStepPublish:"November 26th 2020",dateEndThirdStepPublish:"January 25th 2021",dateEndFourthStepPublish:"April 15th 2021",dateEndFifthStepPublish:"June 14th 2021",remainingDaysToSecondStep:"2 months",secondStepPassed:!0,currentStepOfPublishingProcess:3,editedByType:null,kuFlag:!1,biosketch:"A pioneering researcher in developing hydrological models using adaptive neuro-fuzzy systems, a pioneering researcher in tropical biofiltration systems, appointed head of the Civil Engineering Discipline in Monash University Malaysia.",coeditorOneBiosketch:null,coeditorTwoBiosketch:null,coeditorThreeBiosketch:null,coeditorFourBiosketch:null,coeditorFiveBiosketch:null,editors:[{id:"335732",title:"Dr.",name:"Amin",middleName:null,surname:"Talei",slug:"amin-talei",fullName:"Amin Talei",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/335732/images/system/335732.jpg",biography:"Associate Professor Amin Talei joined Monash University Malaysia in January 2013 and currently is the head of Civil Engineering discipline. His previous appointment was as researcher in School of Civil & Environmental Engineering of Nanyang Technological University of Singapore where he studied for his PhD during 2008-2011. His research is predominantly focused on hydrological modeling and flood forecasting using artificial intelligence techniques. Most recently, he has been also involved in research projects dealing with sustainable urban water management. To date, he has published over 50 articles in reputable journals and international conference proceedings. He has supervised several PhD and Master students and won the Supervisor of the Year Award in Monash University Malaysia in 2017. He has absorbed over AUD370,000 research funding from industry and international/national funding agencies since 2014 and is a chartered professional engineer of the Engineers Australia.",institutionString:"Monash University Malaysia",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"0",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Monash University Malaysia",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Malaysia"}}}],coeditorOne:null,coeditorTwo:null,coeditorThree:null,coeditorFour:null,coeditorFive:null,topics:[{id:"10",title:"Earth and Planetary Sciences",slug:"earth-and-planetary-sciences"}],chapters:null,productType:{id:"1",title:"Edited Volume",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"},personalPublishingAssistant:{id:"297737",firstName:"Mateo",lastName:"Pulko",middleName:null,title:"Mr.",imageUrl:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/297737/images/8492_n.png",email:"mateo.p@intechopen.com",biography:"As an Author Service Manager my responsibilities include monitoring and facilitating all publishing activities for authors and editors. From chapter submission and review, to approval and revision, copyediting and design, until final publication, I work closely with authors and editors to ensure a simple and easy publishing process. I maintain constant and effective communication with authors, editors and reviewers, which allows for a level of personal support that enables contributors to fully commit and concentrate on the chapters they are writing, editing, or reviewing. I assist authors in the preparation of their full chapter submissions and track important deadlines and ensure they are met. I help to coordinate internal processes such as linguistic review, and monitor the technical aspects of the process. As an ASM I am also involved in the acquisition of editors. Whether that be identifying an exceptional author and proposing an editorship collaboration, or contacting researchers who would like the opportunity to work with IntechOpen, I establish and help manage author and editor acquisition and contact."}},relatedBooks:[{type:"book",id:"5962",title:"Estuary",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"43058846a64b270e9167d478e966161a",slug:"estuary",bookSignature:"William Froneman",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/5962.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"109336",title:"Prof.",name:"William",surname:"Froneman",slug:"william-froneman",fullName:"William Froneman"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"1591",title:"Infrared Spectroscopy",subtitle:"Materials Science, Engineering and Technology",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"99b4b7b71a8caeb693ed762b40b017f4",slug:"infrared-spectroscopy-materials-science-engineering-and-technology",bookSignature:"Theophile Theophanides",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/1591.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"37194",title:"Dr.",name:"Theophanides",surname:"Theophile",slug:"theophanides-theophile",fullName:"Theophanides Theophile"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"3092",title:"Anopheles mosquitoes",subtitle:"New insights into malaria vectors",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"c9e622485316d5e296288bf24d2b0d64",slug:"anopheles-mosquitoes-new-insights-into-malaria-vectors",bookSignature:"Sylvie Manguin",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/3092.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"50017",title:"Prof.",name:"Sylvie",surname:"Manguin",slug:"sylvie-manguin",fullName:"Sylvie Manguin"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"3161",title:"Frontiers in Guided Wave Optics and Optoelectronics",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"deb44e9c99f82bbce1083abea743146c",slug:"frontiers-in-guided-wave-optics-and-optoelectronics",bookSignature:"Bishnu Pal",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/3161.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"4782",title:"Prof.",name:"Bishnu",surname:"Pal",slug:"bishnu-pal",fullName:"Bishnu Pal"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"72",title:"Ionic Liquids",subtitle:"Theory, Properties, New Approaches",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d94ffa3cfa10505e3b1d676d46fcd3f5",slug:"ionic-liquids-theory-properties-new-approaches",bookSignature:"Alexander Kokorin",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/72.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"19816",title:"Prof.",name:"Alexander",surname:"Kokorin",slug:"alexander-kokorin",fullName:"Alexander Kokorin"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"1373",title:"Ionic Liquids",subtitle:"Applications and Perspectives",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"5e9ae5ae9167cde4b344e499a792c41c",slug:"ionic-liquids-applications-and-perspectives",bookSignature:"Alexander Kokorin",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/1373.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"19816",title:"Prof.",name:"Alexander",surname:"Kokorin",slug:"alexander-kokorin",fullName:"Alexander Kokorin"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"57",title:"Physics and Applications of Graphene",subtitle:"Experiments",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"0e6622a71cf4f02f45bfdd5691e1189a",slug:"physics-and-applications-of-graphene-experiments",bookSignature:"Sergey Mikhailov",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/57.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"16042",title:"Dr.",name:"Sergey",surname:"Mikhailov",slug:"sergey-mikhailov",fullName:"Sergey Mikhailov"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"371",title:"Abiotic Stress in Plants",subtitle:"Mechanisms and Adaptations",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"588466f487e307619849d72389178a74",slug:"abiotic-stress-in-plants-mechanisms-and-adaptations",bookSignature:"Arun Shanker and B. Venkateswarlu",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/371.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"58592",title:"Dr.",name:"Arun",surname:"Shanker",slug:"arun-shanker",fullName:"Arun Shanker"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"878",title:"Phytochemicals",subtitle:"A Global Perspective of Their Role in Nutrition and Health",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ec77671f63975ef2d16192897deb6835",slug:"phytochemicals-a-global-perspective-of-their-role-in-nutrition-and-health",bookSignature:"Venketeshwer Rao",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/878.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"82663",title:"Dr.",name:"Venketeshwer",surname:"Rao",slug:"venketeshwer-rao",fullName:"Venketeshwer Rao"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"4816",title:"Face Recognition",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"146063b5359146b7718ea86bad47c8eb",slug:"face_recognition",bookSignature:"Kresimir Delac and Mislav Grgic",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/4816.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"528",title:"Dr.",name:"Kresimir",surname:"Delac",slug:"kresimir-delac",fullName:"Kresimir Delac"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}]},chapter:{item:{type:"chapter",id:"27624",title:"Palliative Care and Terminal Care of Children",doi:"10.5772/30736",slug:"palliative-care-and-terminal-care-of-children",body:'\n\t\tWhile modern palliative care movement began with the opening of St. Christopher\'s Hospice in London in 1960, it was not until 1990 that became widely used, when the World Health Organization adopted the definition of Palliative Care European Society for Care Palliative as "the active total care of patients whose disease does not respond to curative treatment", even if it is in advanced stage and progressive, yet pediatricians took longer to recognize the needs of some pediatric patients who require this type of attention, these patients still do not have access to specialists in palliative medicine than adults do have. As in all pediatric specialties, palliative medicine in children can not simply be imported, the more aspects are examined, children and adults look less and that is why palliative care should be developed from practice and experience pediatricians. 1\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tWhile adults often terminally be referred to specialized equipment, in contrast, pediatricians continue to accompany the patient and family. The advantages of this approach include the combination of skills and knowledge, professional presence known and felt that the patient and his family are not neglected.
\n\t\t\tPalliative care in children should be considered as an integrated model of care to seriously ill patient or a medical condition that may threaten your life and your family. Begins at diagnosis and continue to be the result of survival or death of the child, or coexisting with healing therapies that prolong life. The model must meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of children and their families, in order to enhance their quality of life while supporting members of the family members. That is why palliative care can be integrated into care plans of children and their families, whether the goal is to get the cure, prolong life, or only palliate and provide comfort until death.
\n\t\t\tTerminal illness is defined when a medical condition expected to cause death in a short period of time (three to six months), no matter whether treated or not. There are diagnostic criteria for establishing the condition of terminal illness, such as the presence of a progressive and incurable disease, there is no reasonable likelihood of response to specific treatment, the presence of numerous problems or severe symptoms, multiple, multifactorial and changeable and a great emotional impact on the patient, family and treatment team, with the possibility of death.2\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThis diagnosis should be performed for at least two doctors, one of which is in charge of the patient or physician, and (the) other (s) unrelated to the patient. To make the diagnosis of terminal illness we can support the therapeutic proportionality principle, this principle holds that there is a moral obligation to implement all those measures which have a therapeutic relationship due proportion between the means employed and expected outcome and those measures that this relationship is not met ratio is found to be disproportionate and would not be morally obligatory. Importantly, the trial about the proportionality of a medical intervention should be determined by reference to the overall benefit of therapy, and not just in relation to possible physiological effects that she is able to induce.
\n\t\t\tAs a child, when the family receives the news that one of his sons is in a position incurable and fatal disease in a relatively short time the entire structure is turned upside down: there will be uncertainty, fear, change roles, and changes family functioning and way of life of each of its members is for them that during the course of the disease the family will need psychosocial support of various kinds: information, facilitating the organization, access to social support structures, hold on stages of internal conflict and timely recognition of the moments of "exhaustion family."
\n\t\t\tThis chapter points out the importance of integrating pediatric palliative care in the process of care of hospitalized children, and reviewing the needs of pediatric patients as family and medical staff who serve them. In addition, some recommendations that can help health personnel to serve these children and families.
\n\t\tThe terminal phase of disease is a destructive experience for the child and their family members, especially in long-term diseases, inexorable course, where curative options are no longer a reality. Therefore the focus of attention must change radically and move to help pediatric patients and their family, have a better quality of life possible time left to live, through a multidisciplinary effort and qualified. The short life of a child, spent her brief and limited future, deprived of opportunities to see him live and enjoy their existence can generate anxiety, sadness, despair, anger, helplessness in the people around him, including both their parents and close relatives and health personnel in charge of your care is why it is considered palliative medicine as active and total care of patients and their families by a multiprofessional team when the disease is no longer responds to curative treatment and life expectancy is relatively short. The word "palliative" comes from the Latin word pallium, meaning blanket or deck. Thus, when the cause can not be cured, the symptoms are "covered" or "covered" with specific treatments, such as analgesics, and so on.
\n\t\t\tThe traditional view is that the main objectives that must be considered in palliative medicine are:
\n\t\t\tRelieve pain and other distressing symptoms;
Address psychological pediatric patients according to their chronological age;
Offer a support system to help the child understand his illness to promote active communication between family members and health personnel;
Provide a support system to help families cope with the patient\'s illness and cope with the mourning period.
Palliative care affirms life and recognizes that dying is a normal process, seeks neither to hasten nor postpone death, and this requires health professionals with high-level skills and expert care, individualized for each patient, attentive to details and sensitive, which is time consuming and palliative medicine is an attempt to restore the traditional role of doctors and nurses "to heal the sick, relieve when you can not cure, but always follow."
\n\t\t\tWhatever the type of care should be implemented the philosophy of palliative care in five specific categories, which provide evidence for discussions, evaluations and reflections and contribute to learning:
\n\t\t\tInitial assessment of the patient. Vital as it provides the physical, pathophysiological, social, environmental and spiritual illness.
Developing a work program. Options should include medical, ethical and humanitarian offers palliative medicine. Share concerns and perspectives of the patient\'s family, and medical equipment contributes to the pursuit of consensus and formulate a plan of care.
Review monitoring and updating treatment plan. Evaluates the information of the multidisciplinary team, patient and family, to judge the medical component of the treatment plan.
Assistance in the terminal phase and elaboration of grief. Allows to acquire knowledge about the symptoms of approaching death, fears, and beliefs of the family, preparing for the outcome, physical care of the dying, relief from suffering and elaboration of mourning for who is dying, with spiritual help needed.
Take an active role in her interdisciplinary group. It relates to supporting the work of other members, participation in the development and growth of the multidisciplinary team and training health staff and community about the philosophy, importance, needs and scope of palliative medicine. 3\n\t\t\t\t\t
In general, states that a patient is terminally ill with a disease that acute, subacute or chronic, the most common, of course subject to inexorable and palliative care, but also could be considered as a patient whose condition is classified as irreversible, treated or not and probably will die in a period of three to six months. Many ailments can lead to children prematurely to the terminal phase, mostly cancer, neurological damage, kidney disease, the immunopathy, congenital malformations, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and liver disease, each with specific characteristics that share similarities end.
\n\t\t\tCancer is largely responsible for the terminal phase in the pediatric age and is considered a serious public health problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mere mention of the word cancer mortified generates distress and immediate relationship with an incurable disease, although at present the cancer in children is no longer lethal, and many will have a chance to heal, but other have an unrelenting course and reach the terminal phase, though it is used all available treatments, testing new strategies and even experimental, but without the possibility of cure. In these particular cases life expectancy is very short, perhaps a few months and most patients die shortly after diagnosis. An estimated 2 to 10% of patients attending a highly specialized hospital are terminally ill, so accept that a child is at this stage involves a great responsibility, so the diagnosis must be made by a group of experts and staff in a trial.
\n\t\t\tIt is difficult to establish a precise definition of palliative care to include all children in need and to provide international standards for their implementation, as each country has different health resource models, models of care, philosophy, culture, politics, legal rules, and so on. However, there are children dying from cancer or other diseases that fail to be addressed in all their needs, and there are many reasons why this happens, among others, that childhood is not the age of death (kills more adults ) seems easier to care for the children by their parents, but not the pain and other symptoms that society, medicine, have taken less severe disease and death in children, which allegedly curative treatments are rarely abandoned, and yet, even in intensive care units raises increasingly limited therapeutic child care from the palliative approach is increasing in importance.
\n\t\t\tDeath has always been something that people tend to ignore out of fear. When death occurs in children is more striking because the parents expect to see healthy growth and development, represents the continuation and perpetuation of individuals, families, cultures, nations, even said that people who do not treat their children have no future also be considered "the hope of humanity." In addition to the immeasurable suffering in those parents happen all kind of feeling guilt, helplessness, failure, anger and punishment. For medical and paramedical staff, the meaning of the death of a child usually involves feelings of failure, helplessness and guilt, just as a great sense of grief for parents who suffer from this devastating loss. That is why parents are an essential part of palliative care of children, contributing to the care of affected are receiving care and instructions by the medical staff and paramedics should be encouraged so assertive communication, and and offer all possible facilities for this purpose.
\n\t\t\tChildren have needs in end-organic, psychological, familial, social and spiritual order to fulfill specific and if possible, requires the participation of a multidisciplinary team of health professionals. Palliative care is divided into specific and nonspecific. First used in surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and so on. (Large tumors, hydrocephalus in children with Chiari syndrome Ardnold, among others) in non-specific changes are analgesia, nutrition, hydration, constipation, management of pressure sores, vomiting, hygiene, insomnia, anxiety, depression treatment, counseling, social and spiritual management of other organic symptoms and signs.
\n\t\t\t\tRespecting the former management types (specific and nonspecific), we must also consider what you are like kittens maneuvers needed to integrate them into the following four aspects:
\n\t\t\t\tThe power, which can be provided in natural form or by nasogastric tube, instead of parenteral nutrition is not part of palliative treatment only if patients with short bowel and intestinal absorption problems.
Maintaining the hydration status of patients, through a baseline fluid intake, contributing to the welfare of children, as well as the best removal of bronchial secretions and oropharyngeal. This type of hydration is preferably orally.
Good oxygen through their various modes of application, but preferably without mechanical ventilatory support. Otherwise when the patient is under the support of a ventilator, when establishing its terminal state, extubation is part of the palliative management, but must be considered the minimum respiratory parameters assists.
It is necessary to consider the child\'s comfort, this can be done by placing it in a bed with adequate support for the patient with appropriate clothing. The comfort should be extended to visiting relatives, seeking a physical area of privacy in which to have a child living in an environment as comfortable as possible. In any case the room should be adequately ventilated. Try to avoid many people stay in the room and the presence of noise. It is important to maintain physical contact with the patient, touch is the last sense to the patient loses.
The child\'s hygiene is also critical, which is needed for both the nursing staff that treats you like family doing their daily bathroom cleaning personal clothing and bedding. To hydrate the skin can be massaged with moisturizing cream soft, provided it does not bother the child or cause pain.
Frequent changes of position, which must be common to modify support points that reduce circulation which may predispose to the appearance of scars and / or pressure ulcers.
Finally, consider the use of blood transfusions for severe anemia, when the child is likely to live for several days or weeks. The wet mouth and lips there for that commercial preparations that may be useful as parenteral hydration is not improving xerostomia. 4\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
It is also necessary to establish what are the purposes of a hospice program in pediatrics which should consider the following points:
\n\t\t\t\tThe income of a pediatric patient to a hospice program should be considered only if it is highly unlikely that the child reaches adulthood.
It is not intended to shorten life, but to control the physical and emotional symptoms in dignity for the patient and his family.
Do not hasten or postpone death.
Start from the beginning supported the diagnosis.
Seek to improve the quality of life of children and their families.
Provide comfort and pain relief is a fundamental right of the sick child and their management to be an essential part of treatment.
Provide comprehensive care, individual and continuing, accepting the values, desires and beliefs of the child as part of a whole.
Promote values and humanism.
There should be promotion of the truth.
Management should be made by a multidisciplinary team, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the proviso that any of the team members are trained to provide support in the child\'s needs or their families.
Provide tools to parents, guardians and other family members for communication and interaction with the child about his illness, condition, expectations, etc.
Provide ongoing emotional and spiritual support.
Complement the curative treatment when applicable.
Reaffirm life and see death as a natural process.
Palliative care does not end with the death of the patient, support the duel should take place as long as necessary to all those affected by the death of the child.
Set goals and limits for therapy in a child with chronic illness.
Make appropriate decisions at the end of life. 5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
The management of symptoms is a vital part of palliative care. Pain is the most prominent symptom, its frequency and impact on patient and family, but should not be left aside other symptoms such as dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, salivation and convulsions. Pain is a prominent symptom, not only in cancer patients, but also in other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and neurodegenerative diseases. It is essential for the management of pain, knowing the cause of it, since the treatment will depend on having a correct diagnosis. Opioids are of great value for moderate to severe pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by direct irritation of nerves and drugs such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline and gabapentin have demonstrated efficacy in controlling this type of pain. Another type of pain is somatic, which affects the bone and soft tissue treatment for this is given with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Visceral pain, which can be caused by distention or obstruction, requiring treatment with glucocorticoids or octreotide.
\n\t\t\t\tThe relief of pain and other distressing symptoms of is considered, rightly, the primary goal of palliative care in this way is considered palliative medicine as an expert in the management of end-stage patients to keep them virtually free of pain. You can also expect a high degree of relief from many symptoms. However, not being distracted and exhausted by unrelieved pain, patients may experience greater emotional and spiritual anguish when contemplating the nearness of death. Few do it with balance, most are psychologically defend themselves in various ways, and some are overwhelmed by anxiety, anger or fear of what is happening as the relatives and it is necessary to offer a personalized attention. The health team should seek to assist the patient has given his best, according to their personality, their family, their culture, beliefs, age, disease, its symptoms, anxieties and fears. It is necessary flexibility you need to know to find the patients where they are socially, culturally, psychologically, spiritually and physically.
\n\t\t\t\tSometimes the patient\'s symptoms in the dying phase can not be controlled with standard treatments and have to use palliative sedation which is defined as the deliberate administration of sedative drugs specifically to reduce intolerable suffering, derived from refractory symptoms, by decreased level of consciousness of the patient. The intolerable suffering should be determined by the patient as a symptom or condition which can not continue to endure. When the patient can not communicate is the opinion of caregivers and / or family members who must determine the nature intolerable suffering. Refractory symptoms are those for whom all possible treatment has failed or, at least, the use of other measures is not appropriate given the margin benefit / risk from the patient\'s situation.Because palliative sedation is done with refractory symptoms always mean a situation of great anxiety for the health care team. In the days that passed from the onset of sedation until the end of treatment, usually marked by the death of the patient, many decisions are taken to try to achieve the ultimate goal of a good death. Physicians should be aware of the anxiety from this situation and the importance that their anxiety has no effect on the decisions taken with the patient. The consensus in the health team for each of the decisions is essential to prevent an emotional overload at the time
\n\t\t\tIn addition to pain management specialists in this symptom, there are alternative therapies such as biofeedback (which corresponds to behavioral therapy for the relief of human suffering, with empirical and theoretical foundations, solidly scientific, which is an essential feature in your application ), hypnosis, massage and acupuncture, all play a vital role, more always go hand in hand with other therapies. Agitation can be treated with benzodiazepines; itching with a variety of oral antihistamines, nausea and vomiting with prochlorperazine or ondansetron. Seizures with diazepam and secretions with hyoscyamine.
\n\t\t\t\tThere are countless situations that generate conflict related to the treatment of children in its terminal phase, with serious birth defects, with severe or irreversible neurological damage and the complexity of this situation presents a series of feelings and conflict of values between the medical staff and paramedics so that you can not give absolute criteria but a series of recommendations to parents of these children, including:
\n\t\t\t\tParents or guardians are solely responsible for the decisions about treating your child in appropriate interaction with the treating physician who knows the child\'s illness. In these cases it is recommended the participation of the Ethics Committee of the institution for advice relevant to each particular case.
All children in the terminal phase have inherent dignity, values and rights as human beings and must receive all medical care considered reasonable to take them to the best possible existence.
The moral obligation of health workers towards the child is always sick, so the decision to withdraw or not to apply intensive management can be justified when it serves the best interests of the child, that is, when your near future is grim, full suffering or when new interventions only cause greater risks.
You should always consider the application acceptable minimum of palliative care in the following cases: those involving greater agony of the child or prolong the life of the unnecessary if, when suffering severe pain and intolerable only if the child is in state persistent vegetative or in the agonal phase of the disease. 6\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
In these cases it is also important ethical review but with certain peculiarities of the characteristics of his being in development and maturation. First and foremost, remember that life and human health have intrinsic value derived from the same human dignity. For the sanctity of life, every person, regardless of age and psychophysical characteristics, has-without exception-the same basic right to life and deserves respect and protection of society and all professionals dedicated to your care. This is helpful to the implementation of a set of ethical standards including casuistry, virtue ethics (aretológico), utilitarianism, the ethics or medical duties, however we must consider the bioethical model and of paramount are beneficence, autonomy, justice and nonmaleficence that might work well at the time of decision making by physicians and can be summarized in the fact that all the therapeutic actions tend to benefit patients, avoid damage with an appropriate and relevant information to parents or legal guardians choose the best decisions for their children that children receive the best treatments available to date and supported by quality scientific research proven methodology, but not excessive when is in final stage, always consider the good, proper and fair to them, thinking only in their best interests and to avoid unnecessary suffering.
\n\t\t\t\tThe contribution of psychology in this context includes aspects of care both for children with terminal illness and their families as different members of the multidisciplinary team. Psychological intervention can be carried out in at least four periods with both patients and relatives, before the impact caused by the onset of the disease after diagnosis of the disease and the start of the intervention during the disease progression and the process of death and finally after the death of the child.
\n\t\t\t\tIn relation to the patient, the task from the psychological point of view, focuses on the welfare assessment, pain and suffering as a result of the situation which is in addition to psychopathological symptoms such as anxiety, fear of death, depression or loss of control of the situation, this can be directed to the alleviation of the emotional impact while facilitating the process of adaptation to the disease. This assessment should be carried out continuously and flexible, as there are rapid changes in disease evolution, adapting to the characteristics and needs of each individual child.
\n\t\t\t\tIn relation to family assessment and intervention focus on work overload and emotional impact that occurs as a result of the proximity of the disease and its possible consequences. Do not forget that many times family members are the only ones who know the patient\'s diagnosis, hidden so that it does not suffer. Therefore, psychological intervention will aim to reduce psychosocial problems that this causes in family functioning and to assist the family in anticipation of mourning.
\n\t\t\t\tAs it relates to health workers providing palliative care, the action aims to facilitate both the management of emotions to the terminal as the communication situation between the different members of the health team towards further professional effectiveness. The latter at the organizational level is a powerful resource that can help prevent or reduce the risk of discouragement and decreased quality and quantity of efficiency. In this sense, communication skills with patients, families and among health professionals is essential from the first contact established to give the diagnosis to the patient\'s death. It is therefore necessary to raise the team development through techniques such as counseling, both to encourage training in assertive communication that allows people to show what they feel, what they think and what they need. 7\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tFinally the doctors and parents, with proper informed consent, must make decisions taking into account the benefits and burdens then they mean, also assessing alternative treatments. But as we have seen, with due respect for the thoughts, feelings or wishes of the child when their age and maturity you gain experience and judgment. Therefore desirable to add palliative care units in all hospitals and pediatric primary care teams working so that, with the terminal disease, lengthen or shorten not intended life but provide comfort while the child left to live while helping his family.
\n\t\t\tOnce the provider accepts medical services patient care, it also establishes a legal relationship (doctor-patient relationship) and is required to provide appropriate service and quality, conforms to the rules of law applicable in each country. It must be emphasized the need to recognize and protect the right to palliative care, likewise, is a responsibility of governments to ensure that palliative care accessible to all who need them. These recommendations emphasize the need to develop a coherent national policy framework and comprehensive palliative care that includes the following sections: principles and guidelines on palliative care services and structures that should tell the health care system, welfare policy and organization of the plan of palliative care, quality improvement and research on relevant issues in health care programs, education and training of specialist staff for the care of terminally ill patients, family support, communication, teamwork and mourning.
\n\t\t\t\tPalliative care should be an integral part of the Health Committee of the countries and as such should be an element of general health plans, and on specific programs, such as cancer, AIDS, or any patient in a terminal. The implementation of government programs should meet the need of any health system where there are patients in advanced stages and terminals of any kind, in all care settings and where it is considered a fundamental right and a priority in health programs public.8\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe role of pediatricians at the death of a child in the hospital is not easy to define, and the lack of guidelines leads to question if it works correctly. Supporting families after a sudden and unexpected death is particularly difficult. No time to prepare families and health personnel for the event, and it is likely that any further contact with the family involving the staff who do not know well. Offering a bereavement follow-up meeting to the families is an accepted part of clinical practice and is perceived as useful to help them. Unfortunately, there is little guidance on the objectives of these meetings or training to carry them out.
\n\t\t\tThe pediatric specialists we bring in our own references to death, which are formed along personal and professional experiences. Starts walking toward death when born, talk about it so widespread and yet death is a preventable and ignored issue. For many it is difficult to talk about death in a society that denies and trying desperately to forget their finitude and that is why death is just means suffering. Always without medical training to defend life against the death of patients. In the last hundred years there was an important step to reduce mortality at all levels, purpose made significant steps in terms of public health as well as major advances in diagnostic and therapeutic resources so the emphasis in medical education but the scientific and biomedical research as the basis of scientific knowledge applicable to the medical activity in contrast to the hitherto prevailing empirical knowledge in courses at the beginning of last century, this new model of medical education introduced significant advances in the effectiveness and efficiency of treatments, as well as contributing to the improvement of health indicators in the world.
\n\t\t\tHowever as a result of technological development in medicine was a fragmentation of knowledge within the medical training that led to multi-specialty discipline, which today produce serious difficulties in communicating with each other, along came the disintegration of the individual as a patient, an approach that little organ systems interact with each other, and that has led to the dehumanization of medical education. Pain, anxiety, suffering and death are concepts that are not included in the process of care and therefore has no place in the curricula of medical schools. Only sometimes the emphasis is on techniques and medical management to save lives and little or nothing to the development of clinical skills to deal with the pain and suffering, the death of patients and support for families facing the loss of a loved one.
\n\t\t\tPediatricians in their education in schools and hospitals where they perform their clinical fields learn to engage with life, all their training is geared towards healing and save the patient, not letting die, so the healing is the meaning of learning or reward the effort. That is why when death occurs, it brings frustration, feelings of inadequacy and limitation, may perceive the child\'s death as a particularly stressful event. There may also be feelings of helplessness, stress, moral and spiritual suffering, and the emergence of depressive symptoms and burnout syndrome. These aspects must be recognized and addressed proactively to prevent the loss of highly skilled medical personnel. The lack of respect between doctors of different environments, poor interdisciplinary communication, a hierarchical structure of authority, and feelings of helplessness in morally problematic situations contribute to stress and burnout of medical staff, rather than the death of children per se, It is therefore necessary supporting staff work better health while learning to develop adaptive responses to the demands of their work. In environments where demands are particularly intense a reasonable starting point would be to acknowledge this point and go beyond crisis intervention. So the challenge that is the pediatrician is to encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of clinical practice and training to improve pediatric palliative care and child-centered family.
\n\t\t\tCan you give some examples of ways to improve the quality of the workplace for medical staff that handles children in their terminal phase, including clear orders recorded as well as the following:
\n\t\t\tEstablish a systematic interdisciplinary meetings.
Create and actively maintain an atmosphere of open communication and respect.
Conduct regular ethical discussions between the medical and paramedical personnel.
Assign experienced clinicians with whom it is safe to discuss concerns and emotional responses on the patient or care plan.
Have team meetings relief after difficult cases, providing access to crisis intervention teams and psychologists when desired.
Carrying out acts of commemoration after the death of some patients.
Encourage follow up with the grieving families.
Recognize the grief associated with personal and professional losses.
Recognize the value of the provision of palliative care. 10\n\t\t\t\t\t
Health staff and particularly the pediatrician also goes through a grieving process, you may feel overwhelmed by having to help the bereaved parents as they have to develop their own grief, so it is necessary to the development of programs aiming at monitoring the mourning families and the healthcare professional. It takes scientific research to learn the process of learning to cope with multiple losses and accumulated health professionals and also consider interventions designed to improve the kind of education and support needed in the experience of dueling doctors in particular pediatricians who have daily contact with children in its terminal stage, such as oncologists, nephrologists, intensivists, and so on.
\n\t\t\tMedical schools, including the chairs of Pediatrics, the importance of what has been the subject of this dissertation, should be included as part of medical training, content related to child rights and family informed consent of parents and patients less capable of understanding the duty to maintain the privacy of children, protect their identity and knowledge of the behaviors for the care of critically ill children or risk death.
\n\t\tWe know that living the illness of a loved one, suffering and death is one of the most difficult life events faced by humans. When a boy joins innocence, helplessness and think he has not had time to live. The death of a child is the loss more traumatic for a parent as it also faces the experience of destruction of a part of himself, the most linked to projects and future hopes. The father\'s feelings are mixed feelings towards himself, towards the child and toward the couple. The death of a child can affect physical health and psychological well-being of members of the family for the rest of their lives.
\n\t\t\tWhen a family is informed that the child will die, a process of confusion and anguish in which decisions about the care and treatment of disease of a child and in desperate need of hope mixed.
\n\t\t\tTheir children do not suffer pain or disability. Parents can express feelings of worthlessness and guilt for having subjected her son to treatments that have not had the expected outcome. It is essential that before the change of therapeutic approach for parents to have confidence that has done everything possible to cure disease and save the life of her son and that he will provide comfort and symptom control. They may also feel conflicting emotions: protection / decoupling; hopelessness / guilt for surviving, disbelief and denial by the change in prognosis, fear of pain and suffering, the capacity to provide care, the emotional loss of control.
\n\t\t\tStudies of grief in parents suggests that pain control, care during the time of death, and conducting follow-up after the death of the child are factors that may reduce long-term distress in the grief of parents. In other words, improving the care of the sick child, symptom control and care in the dying can also be beneficial for long-term parents. In addition to caring for a child at the end of life at home facilitates the development of mourning. The family perspective is critical to advancing healthcare quality of pediatric palliative care.
\n\t\t\tThere is a cultural trend, especially in urban areas, to set aside the brothers of these situations and sometimes they are not even explain what is happening. But children are highly sensitive to the mood of your family and know that something is happening, then replace the lack of information on their fantasies and draw their own conclusions, for example, that your loved one have been abandoned or their misbehavior is the cause of the disease.Siblings may fear for the life of his ailing brother, to be able to get sick and die. Also face a loss of parental attention they can get angry, less time at home when the child is hospitalized, fewer gifts to his ailing brother, difficulty in understanding the gravity if no physical changes in the patient, shame about being a different family because his brother is disfigured. Sometimes they feel guilt for having escaped the disease, or have wished for the death of his brother. You will need to adapt to being provided with information tailored to their level of development, to be included in care, and that their care is delegated to trusted people and stable.
\n\t\t\tThe child can be cared for at home at the end of his life will facilitate the involvement of the brother in the situation, strengthen the bond between brothers and share games and joint activities, and farewell. Reactions to the death of a brother are varied: from no apparent response to the presence of somatic problems, nightmares, aggression, manipulation, learning difficulties, resentment toward parents for failing to be closer or more time with his brother. The clear and open communication, attention to the needs of the brothers for the rest of the family and maintaining a more normal life as possible, integrated into the serious situation of the sick sibling, will facilitate the adaptation process of dying, fired and the elaboration of grief.
\n\t\t\tOther significant family for the child and grandparents also suffer at the news of the evolution of the disease and its end of life, and will also be essential support for parents and siblings. The health team must identify the family dynamics and to address the emotional needs of siblings and other relatives integrating them into care when treating the sick child.11\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe final stage of the disease is the stage when the family needs more support as they go through the same stages as the patient but in different ways, trying to deny even imminent death, it is here to provide privacy, access to patient, show kindness, give comfort as with the patient. The doctor and the multidisciplinary team should get the patient to die decently in explaining a positive way to face death, treating patients in their dignity, not dependence. It is often the physician in charge of announcing the death and should provide the best conditions to face this task, this way the family will be satisfied with the care they provide.
\n\t\t\t\tThe contribution of psychology in this context includes aspects of attention both to terminally ill patients and their families as different members of the multidisciplinary team. In relation to family assessment and intervention focus on work overload and emotional impact that occurs as a result of the proximity of the disease and its possible consequences. Do not forget that many times family members are the only ones who know the patient\'s diagnosis, hidden so that it does not suffer. Therefore, psychological intervention will aim to reduce psychosocial problems that this causes in family functioning and to assist the family in anticipation of mourning.
\n\t\t\t\tMany families are unfamiliar with medical information, and are facing their own shock and anxiety during this critical hospital. Being aware that these circumstances may contribute to the confusion of families, many physicians state that all personnel involved and their different styles of communication, contribute to these difficulties. Very often, parents are lost with the new concepts, detailed explanations and unfamiliar terms when they need time and clear communication to assimilate and process information, so that improvements in communication increase the sense of parental control.
\n\t\t\t\tParents whose child is in the terminal stage of their disease may develop PTSD, and emotional disorders (anxiety and depression). Admission to a hospital medical establishment also negatively affects the family unit. The severity at admission and length of stay in services or departments of a hospital may have negative consequences for the family.
\n\t\t\t\tSeveral studies have documented the psychological benefits for parents and children, medical and economic needs emotional parents whose children are admitted to a hospital in terminal stage, so the medical and paramedical staff should be more sensitive to the needs of aid psychological family members to seek the help of the most qualified professionals in this work and also to provide, within its capabilities, continuous emotional support.
\n\t\t\t\tIn recent years, has developed an awareness on the emotional and spiritual needs all patients, their families and support staff. Terminal in each patient, these issues must become an indispensable part of treatment. That is why the doctor needs the support of parents, guardians and other staff responsible for patient care because it is important to keep routines before detection of the disease. The first step in treating depression and anxiety is the recognition thereof through communication with the child, which requires knowledge of normal development and spiritual development. To work with these patients is necessary to evaluate based on drawings, games, stuffed animals, stories, music and creating rituals, allowing children to express their fears and anxieties, and thus manage their emotional distress.
\n\t\t\t\tThe attitude of medical and health personnel to the severely ill or dying in a hospital, and to his family, and the type of information that these professionals provide can have a direct effect on the family\'s ability to adapt the loss of a loved one and spending a proper grieving process. Parents perceived slights or emotional distance from the health staff usually show a duel inadequate short and long term. Also, a caring emotional attitude has beneficial effects in the short and long term.
\n\t\t\tDespite the lack of specific guidelines that help medical personnel how to act in the last moments of a child\'s life so that they can support the family, some authors have proposed some recommendations:
\n\t\t\t\tTry to predict questions that may have parents but are afraid or unable to verbalize.
It is helpful for any family to know the expected course of death, even the unpleasant physical circumstances.
Leave plenty of time for goodbyes, visits and rituals. Privacy and familiar presence, if they want the child and family is another important aspect to provide comfort to both parties.
It is important to tell the family that may or may not happen during and after the withdrawal of life support. Moreover, even if parents do not accept the possibility of abandoning the medical interventions that extend life, the evidence suggests that some families do not only want, but can also benefit from the opportunity to be present during resuscitation efforts.
Do not forget to ask family members if they want to hold your baby with you or be with them in bed.
Should be told that the child will not feel pain and the medical staff will provide all necessary medication to ensure patient comfort.
The answer to the question of how long the child will survive after the limitation of life support is very important information, since families may develop unrealistic expectations about the time of death. It is very important to prepare for the fact that the child might not die, or death can occur within minutes or weeks, depending on many conditions associated with the disease and the patient\'s general condition.
Some children do not die in the highly complex services such as intensive care units so they must communicate this to parents and the medical team to properly ascertain both the transfer of the patient and the services they receive child.
Children need to know that they are not going to forget and parents shared experiences to remember. (Ensuring the importance, the continuing legacy and love are important aspects of parenting the child who will die). When death can be anticipated, measures to create memories during times of relative health or ongoing claims that they are loved and that they are not going to forget, are important.
For a child who dies suddenly, for example victims of trauma, some innovative approaches may be to create molds the child\'s hand, save a lock of hair, or take pictures or videos at moments when the family visit the child. Those involved in caring for the child will die, should seek to provide opportunities to create legacies or inheritances.
When the child was deeply sedated, parents may have the opportunity to see your child smile and see with open eyes before his death, an experience that sometimes has a great value.
Parents, siblings, other family members and friends may have to spend the final moments of the dying child, so that policies restricting visits to the different services of a hospital need a thorough discussion and review. 12\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
For the management of end-stage patients is necessary to integrate a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team who can take charge of the complex needs of these children, and the problems they face inside and outside the health institutions, especially in view of relieving their suffering and achieve an improvement in quality of life standards. It is essential for teamwork (which would include pediatricians or neonatologists, nurses, pain specialists, psychologists, thanatologists, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a spiritual leader within the team), which must prevail in a spirit binding, collaboration among its members, and a shared competence, ie a single goal, and a great patience and high tolerance for frustration.
\n\t\t\tUndoubtedly optimal care to patients and families in the service environment that serve patients in terminal stage, would also imply an institutional sensitivity to allow or permit the reflection of the team, including structural and organizational changes and the provision minimum financial resources that would enable the adequacy of care according to need.
\n\t\t\tFinally, the necessarily humanistic medicine, palliative care and a multidisciplinary unit that should work with the patient and his family twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, it is desirable that all members involved in the process to be the same philosophy and specific goals for the welfare and tranquility of the children and their families.
\n\t\tToday, information has become the main component of what we produce, do, buy, and consume. Having an economic value in almost all products and services that meet the needs of today’s societies, it has been now obligatory for individuals and organizations to obtain information technologies and to actively use them in both work and social life domains. Hence, in the current information age, where information is seen as power, this situation has made it imperative for organizations to become increasingly information-based and to benefit from information technologies in many processes and activities.
The intensive use of information technologies in many functions and processes has also required some changes in organizations [1]. This is due to the fact that information technologies, unlike traditional technologies, do not only change the technical fields but also affect the communication channels, decision-making functions and mechanisms, control, etc. [2]. Consequently, one of the most striking developments is on organizational structures that are becoming increasingly flattened and horizontal. Relatedly, information technologies have begun to take over the role of middle management, which supports decision-making processes of senior management and has reduced the importance of this level [3, 4, 5]. Similarly, while information technologies enable managers to obtain faster, more accurate, and more information [6, 7, 8], it also provides lower-level managers with more information about the general situation of the organization, the nature of current problems, and important organizational matters [9, 10, 11, 12].
Moreover, information technologies also have an important potential in determining whether organizations have a mechanical or an organic structure [13]. Within the mechanical organizational structures, people do not have much autonomy, and behaviors expected from employees are being careful and obedience to upper authority and respect for traditions. In such organizations, predictability, consistency, and stability are desirable phenomena. In contrast, people in organic structures have more freedom in shaping and controlling their activities, and being enthusiastic, creative, and taking risks have important places among the desired behaviors [14].
Accordingly, information technologies begin to influence the cultural values of the organization over time, through these transformations they create on organizational structures, processes, and operations. In other words, the fact that organizational structures are mechanical or organic causes the formation of diverse cultural values in organizations [15]. Therefore, the desired cultural values in mechanical organizations are quite different from those in organic structures [1, 16, 17]. In this context, this chapter deals with the influences of information technologies on cultural characteristics of organizations along with the reflections of the use of these technologies on organizational structures and their functioning.
When we look at studies on the relations between organizational culture and information technologies, we generally see the studies on the effects of culture on technology adaptation or use [18, 19, 20, 21], as well as on the effects of certain specific information technologies and applications (e.g., e-mail use, group support practices, etc.) on some aspects of any organizational culture [22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31]. However, the number of studies that consider the use of information technologies as a “whole” and that address “why” and “how” its effects on organizational culture occurred is still limited. And so, this chapter aims to examine and discuss the overall effects of the usage and intensity of information technologies established in organizations on the cultural life within.
In this context, the chapter plan is as follows: Firstly, the basic concepts related to information and information technologies are included. Emphasis is placed on the meaning differences between knowledge and information, and their connections to information technologies are tried to be explained briefly. Secondly, the effects of information technologies on organizational structure are given particular attention. The reason for this is that as a system of values, beliefs, assumptions, and practices [32], organizational culture encompasses many features closely related to structures of organizations. Thirdly, possible links between organizational structure and organizational culture are included. Fourthly, important theoretical approaches and studies on the relationships between information technologies and organizational culture are provided. Finally, by deepening a bit more and by emphasizing key points, some important arguments are discussed.
In the literature, the concepts of information and knowledge are sometimes expressed by a single term, “information.” However, although the concepts of knowledge and information are intertwined, they are two different concepts that have different meanings and describe different phenomena. The reason for this is that knowledge is also included in the concept of information as it is transformed into a commodity when it begins to be processed, stored, and shared by information technologies.
Becoming the basic elements of today’s economic, social, and cultural systems, information is obtained in a certain hierarchy. The images are at the beginning of the process, and the process is completed with a hierarchical staging in the form of data, information, and knowledge, respectively [33]. Image is located in the first step of the process. Humans copy the picture of any object and event they previously perceived by sensory organs. When faced with a similar phenomenon in the later stages of life, these pictures in the mind are redesigned. We call these pictures of realities occurring in the human mind as images [33]. The next stage, the data, contains symbols that represent events and their properties. For this reason, data are expressed as figures and/or facts without content and interpretation [34]. Information that constitutes the next stage of the process and is mixed with knowledge and used interchangeably is expressed as a reporting of one system’s own status to another system [33]. In information, associated data are combined for a specific purpose. Therefore, we can explain information as meaningful data [35]. Knowledge, on the other hand, is defined as personalized information that allows people to fully and accurately grasp what is happening around them and manifests itself in the form of thoughts, insights, intuition, ideas, lessons learned, practices, and experiences [36]. According to Kautz and Thaysen [37] who stated that knowledge is found only in the people’s minds, knowledge is, therefore, a subjective formation. In other words, knowledge is the form of information enriched with interpretation, analysis, and context [38]. However, here, it should be emphasized again by highlighting a very important issue that knowledge is also accepted as information when this knowledge begins to be processed, stored, shared, and used over information technologies. Therefore, after this, when talking about information, one should consider not only the information created by the data brought together in a meaningful way but also the knowledge shared and used over information technologies.
On the other hand, information technologies, used as the most important tool of generating value today, are defined as the technologies that enable processes such as recording and storing data, producing information through certain operational processes, and accessing, storing, and transmitting this produced information effectively and efficiently [39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46]. The term information technologies is used to cover computer and electronic communication technologies, as they are now inseparably intertwined in literature and everyday use and are generally used in this way [47]. In this context, data processing systems, management information systems (MIS), office automation systems, executive support systems, expert systems, intranet and extranet, electronic mail (e-mail), group applications (groupware), database management systems, decision support systems, artificial intelligence, and telecommunication systems can be given as examples of information technologies [33, 48, 49].
Towards the end of the twentieth century, the rapid changes with the impact of developments in information technologies led to the emergence of customer satisfaction-based, learning, knowledge-based, and constantly changing organizations [50]. The fact that organizations have become considerably information-based and benefit from information technologies intensively in their activities and processes has made also the changes in their organizational structures mandatory [1]. Accordingly, the effects of information technologies on organizational structure will be summarized under the subtitles of differentiation, centralization, and standardization/formalization, which are the three main components of organizational structure [15].
Differentiation within an organization occurs in three ways: Specialization/division of labor, horizontal and vertical differentiation, and hierarchy and size [15]. Specialization refers to the amount of different expertise or types of work [51, 52]. Specialization generally increases the number of subunits and makes it harder to understand the larger structure that people contribute to with their skills and expertise [53]. Information technologies have the potential to reduce this tendency by providing more access to information and experts at this point. In this way, access to information resources provides synergy [54].
Vertical and horizontal differentiation refers to the amount of hierarchical levels in an organization [55]. Information technologies, with the support of problem solving and decision-making, lead to the emergence of more flattened organizational structures as they require fewer levels within the hierarchy [56]. Since information technologies give employees in lower positions more autonomy to harmonize their activities, this can allow them to find and try better methods while performing their work. In this context, we can increasingly see that organizational structures have become horizontal and strengthened and that virtual organizations have begun to emerge as the most cost-effective structure [17].
In terms of hierarchy and size, Heinze and Stuart [4] argue that the mid-level management staff is unnecessary, increases bureaucracy, reduces efficiency, and has no function in organizations any more. Since most of the tasks performed by mid-level executives can be fulfilled by computers, both less costly and faster, information technology has begun to take over the role of mid-level management, which supports the decision-making process of senior management [5]. Sharing the same opinion, Fulk and DeSanctis [57] also stated that the largely witnessed situation in modern organizational designs is the reduction of intermediate-level managers and administrative support.
Centralization points to the extent to which decision-making power within an organization is scattered or centered [58]. Due to increasing local and global competition, many companies have started to leave their strategic decision-making task further down the organization to benefit from the expert people with more precise and timely local knowledge [10]. Information technologies affect these efforts directly in two ways. Firstly, information technologies increase local knowledge by contributing to obtaining closer information about market trends, opportunities, and customers. Secondly, information technologies can create synergies for organizations because, thanks to information technologies, communication and coordination between distributed decision makers, central planners, and senior managers can be realized more effectively and efficiently [59].
However, whether information technologies will lead to centralization or decentralization is a very controversial question. Regarding centralization, it enables managers to acquire faster, more accurate, and more information, reduces uncertainty, and allows them to make decisions that they cannot make before [6, 7, 8]. Conversely, by the use of other forms of information technologies (e.g., electronic bulletin boards), decentralization provides more information to lower- and mid-level managers about the general situation of the organization and the nature of current matters and problems [9, 10, 11, 12]. Raymond et al. [60] argued that because information technologies facilitate the use and transmission of information by all levels and units in the organization, it enables top management, which is the decision authority, to be disabled in certain areas and the decentralization of control. Thach and Woodman [61] maintained that this is due to the fact that as a result of sharing information at lower levels with the help of information technologies, this power of senior management has decreased to a certain extent, and the knowledge and participation of the staff in organizational matters have increased.
The literature shows that information technologies allow both centralization and decentralization. Researchers are in the agreement that information technologies make it possible for organizational managers to leave their decision-making power to a large part of the hierarchical levels without compromising the quality and timeliness of the decision [62, 63]. Keen [64] combined the concepts of centralization and decentralization and used the term “federated organization” in which organizations do not have to choose either because information technologies simultaneously allow centralization-decentralization [64, 65].
Formalization is the process of detailing how activities are coordinated for organizational purposes in order for employees and organizational units to respond routinely to recurring situations [51, 66]. Formalization involves rules, instructions, shared values, and norms [67]. In fact, formalization is based on the objective of more efficiency and less uncertainty [13].
Information technologies provide the ability to reduce the negative effects of formalization by facilitating the documenting and retrieving of information on organizational occurrences and endeavors that make behaviors and processes more consistent through formalization [63]. The more information technologies assist in reducing search times and preventing downtime, the more the administrative cost of formalization decreases and the productivity increases, which ultimately benefits the path to innovation [68].
Different organizational structures lead to the development of different cultural values [15]. The fact that the structure which an organization has established to control its activities and is defined as a formal system consisting of duties and authority relations is mechanical or organic causes the emergence of completely different cultural values, rules, and norms [69]. While mechanical structures are vertical, highly centralized, and almost everything in them are standardized, organic structures are horizontal, decentralized, and based on mutual adaptation [14]. People feel relatively less autonomous in vertical and centralized organizations, and being careful, obeying the upper authority, and respecting traditions are among the desired behaviors. Therefore, in a mechanical organizational structure, there are cultural values where predictability and stability are important [69]. In contrast, in horizontal and decentralized organizations, people can freely choose their own activities and control them. Creativity, courage, and risk-taking are given importance as desired behaviors. Therefore, organic structures contribute to the formation of cultures that value innovation and flexibility [15].
Organizational structure is also important for the development of cultural values that support integration and coordination. In a structure with stable task and role relations, sharing of rules and norms is more since there will be no communication problems and the information flow will be fast [70]. In organizations where the sharing of cultural values, norms, and rules is at a high level, the level of performance also increases [15]. Particularly in team or matrix structures where face-to-face communication is intense, the sharing of these cultural values and common reactions to the problems develop more rapidly [9].
Whether an organization is centralized or not causes different cultural values to emerge. In decentralized structures, authority is divided into subordinate levels, and an environment is created for the formation of cultural values in which creativity and innovation are rewarded [13]. Employees are allowed to use the organization’s resources and work in projects that they want, by spending some of their time in these projects, thus contributing to the production of innovative and creative products and services [15]. The structures of such organizations constitute the cultural values that give their employees the message “as long as it is in the interest of the organization, it is okay to do things in an innovative and the way you want.”
Conversely, in some organizations, it may be more important for employees not to decide on their own and all activities to be followed and controlled by their superiors. In such cases, a centralized structure is preferred to create cultural values that will ensure accountability and obedience [71]. Through norms and rules, all employees are expected to behave honestly and consistently and inform their superiors about wrongs or mistakes, because this is the only acceptable form of behavior within these structures [72].
Since working on the factors that determine the consequences of the adoption and use of information technologies, researchers have focused on people’s beliefs, values, assumptions, and codes of conduct. As a result, they have given names to this research field such as “socio-technical systems,” “social system,” “social structure,” and most recently “culture” [73]. For example, Markus and Robey [23] using “social elements” and Barley [26] using “social system” or “social structure” tried to explain this phenomenon. When examined more closely, it is seen that the details that these authors emphasize while depicting the case are the assumptions, beliefs, and values that exist in common among the group members, and this corresponds to the definition of organizational culture.
Research examining the relationships between information technologies and values, beliefs, and norms belonging to a particular group has gone through certain stages and used rich and complex research models to explain the relationships in each of these stages [74]. In the first studies on information technology applications, it has been suggested that information technologies cause changes in various organizational phenomena including structural features and thus have certain effects on organizations [74]. For instance, in some studies on adoption of groupware software, several researchers have used this deterministic approach to describe how groupware use affects communication and collaboration among employees and their productivity [27, 28]. These studies assume that certain results will certainly emerge after the adoption of information technologies, without considering the motives or activities that shape the use of information technologies by managers and employees. Like much more deterministic studies, these authors often assumed that information technologies would have predetermined influences on the adoption of information technologies, regardless of the environment in which information technologies were applied, how they were applied, and the users’ specific behaviors and particular purposes.
The second group of views concerning the relationships between organizational culture and information technologies includes the fact that information technologies are seen as a tool that can be used for any change that managers desire to make in organizational practices [22]. In studies in this approach, researchers believe that there is a wide range of possibilities to identify changes in organizational culture, structure, processes, and performance [22, 75]. Researchers from this tradition presume that with the right choice of information technologies and appropriate system design, managers can achieve whatever goals they desire.
These works were mostly adopted in the 1980s and reflect a perspective that managers think can manipulate organizational culture in the way they want. Often called “management and control,” “a functional or instrumental approach” to organizational culture, this methodology has caused serious debate in the literature [76]. This approach attributes great powers to the management level in this regard, which conflicts with anthropologists’ views that culture cannot be consciously controlled and goes much deeper to understand it [76]. Robey and Azevido [77] also do not accept the rational thought on the assumption that culture can be manipulated directly in this way.
Studies with this rational perspective in the information technology literature assume that managers can use information technologies as a leverage to make changes in the norms of behavior, strategy, structure, and performance among members within the organization. For example, in studies on group support systems (GSS), we find managers’ beliefs that they can use collaborative technologies to create a more cooperative organizational culture. This perspective was not accepted by Karsten [78] and some experimental research on GSS [30, 79]. Organizational necessity is no longer accepted, as it is viewed by information technology researchers as an overly simple approach [23, 80].
Researchers who take another approach suggest that information technologies and organizational culture can interact with each other to produce various results [22, 23]. These results can be in the form of adoption and effective use of information technologies (if there is a harmony between organizational culture and information technologies) or user reluctance, refusal, or sabotage (if no fit). Researchers who have been working on information systems since the 1980s have focused on understanding information technology features and functionality that cause effective or problematic information technology applications and the interaction between users’ values, assumptions, and other elements of organizational culture. In this regard, Romm et al. [81] argued that many forms of information technologies comprise cultural assumptions embedded within themselves and these assumptions may conflict with existing values of a particular organization. The authors argued that these embedded assumptions present information technologies as a “cultural boundary” and that a cultural analysis should be made to predict compliance or incompatibility. The authors in this approach warn managers to think of organizational culture as a binding limitation in information technology applications. In a warning by Pliskin et al. [76], managers are advised not to try to change the culture of the organization. Regarding this issue, Orlikowski [30] cites Lotus Notes (a group software) application at Alpha Corporation, a consultancy company. In this example, this system, which was established by the CEO of the company only with the benefits to be obtained, did not create the expected effects, became unsuccessful, and disappointed due to reasons such as no cultural analysis and inadequate training. Employees responded to the use of Notes with resistance and refrained from using it. The reason for this was that the employees in this organization, which had a competitive culture where information was seen as a power, avoided sharing information with others. As a result, this incompatibility between the collaborative culture that Notes had in itself and the competitive culture of the organization in question had failed this application of information technologies.
In a different approach, it is stated that information technologies and culture are not fixed and they are more flexible in terms of change [23, 75]. Managers in this approach may set specific goals for the use of information technologies, but actual results of the use of information technologies are not deterministic, and results cannot be predicted or controlled even under the best conditions [23]. The effects of information technologies are not deterministic because technology has interpretable flexibility considering that it can have different meanings for different employees. Similar technology can be interpreted in a different way by distinct people, based on certain assumptions, beliefs, and values. Robey and coauthors [24, 25], for instance, showed that it would be an empty attempt for organizational managers to try to intentionally manipulate the effects of these technologies, since there are many ways that diverse employees can configure a particular technology in different social environments.
Gopal and Prasad [31] also achieved similar results in their work on group support system (GSS), claiming that for researchers seeking fixed laws or regulations on how information technologies affect user behaviors, this would be an impossible goal to pursue. Conversely, the results of using information technologies depend on the symbolic meanings that information technologies have for a particular user. This work of Gopal and Prasad [31] expresses similar results with the work of Barley [26] and Robey and Sahay [25]. The authors stated that the symbolic meanings of certain technologies for users affect their perceptions of information technologies and their specific behaviors.
In the light of the above-mentioned approaches, arguments, and important studies in the literature, it will be useful to discuss some important points by deepening a little more and by emphasizing the key features related to the concepts of information, information technologies, and organizational culture.
First, organizational culture is a complex phenomenon that develops and changes in a historical process [32, 82, 83]. Thus, although it might seem like a plain and simple concept, organizational culture includes many subdimensions and processes. When considered as a complex pattern of these interactions of many factors with each other, it is also a difficult process to identify the direct and indirect effects of information technologies on organizational culture within this cluster of relationships and interactions. Moreover, culture is not a phenomenon that changes and develops in a short time and is therefore open to manipulations of managers. On the contrary, from this point of view, it is not possible to easily achieve control over cultural changes, and it is necessary to go much deeper [76]. So, it is not rational to expect that the rapid developments and changes in information technologies will cause changes in cultural characteristics at the same speed. In this sense, it could be inaccurate to seek direct relationships between two phenomena in question, whose rates of change are quite different.
Second, for cultural changes, there must also be changes in the basic assumptions, beliefs, and values on which the culture is built [84]. It would be misleading to expect little or intensive use of information technologies to cause changes in these rooted assumptions. For the desired changes in these basic assumptions, beliefs, and values, it is necessary to design the structure accordingly, to recruit employees who are qualified for the targeted culture, and to set ethical values and property rights to employees in accordance with this culture [15]. In this sense, information technologies may only catalyze the contribution of organizational structure to organizational culture.
Third, there are many and different types of hardware and software that fall under the scope of information technologies. It is not logical to accept all of them as homogeneous technologies in all aspects (with the same functions and features, similar usage areas, standard conditions they are applied, similar intentions, and behaviors of all users), and it can be, therefore, misleading to carry out research under a single “IT” concept from this perspective. The reason for this is that, as stated in the sections above, cultural features of each information technology application or product embedded in it might be different. The interactions between the cultural characteristics of the environment in which information technologies are applied and the unique cultural contents of information technologies may cause different results on the culture of the organization.
Fourth, contrary to what is believed, some of cultural features that we anticipate to support information technology applications and products may be interpreted otherwise by diverse people contingent on different assumptions, beliefs, and values. In fact, Robey et al. [24, 25] showed that managers cannot control the effects of these technologies, since different users can configure a particular technology in numerous ways in different social environments. Also, Gopal and Prasad [31] argued that this would be an impossible achievement for researchers looking for fixed laws or regulations on how information technologies affect user behaviors.
Fifth, information technologies were defined above as technologies that enable processing, storage, and sharing of information. The key concept in this definition is “knowledge-based” information and not the technology itself. Therefore, what makes information technologies essential and important is the information itself. According to the definition of knowledge, the most significant characteristic that differentiates it from information is its being a product of the human mind [37]. Because knowledge is the interpretation of information and expresses the value produced from it, qualifying information technologies as good-bad, useful-useless, and necessary-unnecessary can be a meaningless evaluation. So, the basic thing that creates value-added for organizations is not the technology used but the information itself, which is processed, stored, and shared on this technology. In this context, even if it is the latest, most advanced, and most expensive technology in the world, if the organization does not have a qualified human resource capable of producing knowledge that will create value-added, an appropriate organizational structure and culture that will activate this creative potential, and a management approach, all investments in these technologies will also be wasted.
This chapter has aimed to examine the impacts of information technologies on organizations’ cultures, and for this purpose, a special emphasis is given to the concept of “organizational structure” within the theoretical framework presented above. The most important reason for this is that relevant literature shows that organizational culture and organizational structure are in a very close relationship. Indeed, when the question items in the Denison organizational culture scale [85], which is the most frequently used in the literature, are examined, it is possible to see that most of these items point to many features of organizational structure concerning centralization, formalization, and differentiation dimensions. Therefore, it is a very rational approach to expect that information technologies can have direct and indirect effects on organizational cultures based on the influences of information technologies on structures of organizations. However, it should be underlined that different and controversial approaches and findings in the literature mentioned above on the relations between information technologies and organizational culture generate question marks in the minds as well.
In this regard, it is already quite difficult to draw a clear picture of the impacts of information technologies on cultural characteristics of organizations. The number of studies on the subject in the literature is still very limited. Accordingly, it is necessary to underline the great need for interdisciplinary studies in this field. But still, this study argues that the main factor that determines the actual impact and value of information technologies, which have become an integral part of human life in today’s world, is the information itself rather than technology, and it should be kept in mind that information technologies can only function as a means or tool in this knowledge-based social, economic, and cultural life. In other words, the determinant of the benefits, meaning, and importance of information technologies might be the conditions created by organizational factors such as cultural environment and organizational structure where knowledge is created, developed, and used and human resources have become the most important capital element and source of wealth.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
IntechOpen aims to guarantee that original material is published while at the same time giving significant freedom to our Authors. We uphold a flexible Copyright Policy, guaranteeing that there is no transfer of copyright to the publisher and Authors retain exclusive copyright to their Work.
',metaTitle:"Publication Agreement - Monograph",metaDescription:"IntechOpen aims to guarantee that original material is published while at the same time giving significant freedom to our authors. For that matter, we uphold a flexible copyright policy meaning that there is no transfer of copyright to the publisher and authors retain exclusive copyright to their work.",metaKeywords:null,canonicalURL:"/page/publication-agreement-monograph",contentRaw:'[{"type":"htmlEditorComponent","content":"When submitting a manuscript, the Author is required to accept the Terms and Conditions set out in our Publication Agreement – Monographs/Compacts as follows:
\\n\\nCORRESPONDING AUTHOR'S GRANT OF RIGHTS
\\n\\nSubject to the following Article, the Author grants to IntechOpen, during the full term of copyright, and any extensions or renewals of that term, the following:
\\n\\nThe foregoing licenses shall survive the expiry or termination of this Publication Agreement for any reason.
\\n\\nThe Author, on his or her own behalf and on behalf of any of the Co-Authors, reserves the following rights in the Work but agrees not to exercise them in such a way as to adversely affect IntechOpen's ability to utilize the full benefit of this Publication Agreement: (i) reprographic rights worldwide, other than those which subsist in the typographical arrangement of the Work as published by IntechOpen; and (ii) public lending rights arising under the Public Lending Right Act 1979, as amended from time to time, and any similar rights arising in any part of the world.
\\n\\nThe Author, and any Co-Author, confirms that they are, and will remain, a member of any applicable licensing and collecting society and any successor to that body responsible for administering royalties for the reprographic reproduction of copyright works.
\\n\\nSubject to the license granted above, copyright in the Work and all versions of it created during IntechOpen's editing process, including all published versions, is retained by the Author and any Co-Authors.
\\n\\nSubject to the license granted above, the Author and Co-Authors retain patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights to the Work.
\\n\\nAll rights granted to IntechOpen in this Article are assignable, sublicensable or otherwise transferrable to third parties without the specific approval of the Author or Co-Authors.
\\n\\nThe Author, on his/her own behalf and on behalf of the Co-Authors, will not assert any rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to object to derogatory treatment of the Work as a consequence of IntechOpen's changes to the Work arising from the translation of it, corrections and edits for house style, removal of problematic material and other reasonable edits as determined by IntechOpen.
\\n\\nAUTHOR'S DUTIES
\\n\\nWhen distributing or re-publishing the Work, the Author agrees to credit the Monograph/Compacts as the source of first publication, as well as IntechOpen. The Author guarantees that Co-Authors will also credit the Monograph/Compacts as the source of first publication, as well as IntechOpen, when they are distributing or re-publishing the Work.
\\n\\nThe Author agrees to:
\\n\\nThe Author will be held responsible for the payment of the agreed Open Access Publishing Fee before the completion of the project (Monograph/Compacts publication).
\\n\\nAll payments shall be due 30 days from the date of issue of the invoice. The Author or whoever is paying on behalf of the Author and Co-Authors will bear all banking and similar charges incurred.
\\n\\nThe Author shall obtain in writing all consents necessary for the reproduction of any material in which a third-party right exists, including quotations, photographs and illustrations, in all editions of the Work worldwide for the full term of the above licenses, and shall provide to IntechOpen, at its request, the original copies of such consents for inspection or the photocopies of such consents.
\\n\\nThe Author shall obtain written informed consent for publication from those who might recognize themselves or be identified by others, for example from case reports or photographs.
\\n\\nThe Author shall respect confidentiality during and after the termination of this Agreement. The information contained in all correspondence and documents as part of the publishing activity between IntechOpen and the Author and Co-Authors are confidential and are intended only for the recipients. The contents of any communication may not be disclosed publicly and are not intended for unauthorized use or distribution. Any use, disclosure, copying, or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
\\n\\nAUTHOR'S WARRANTY
\\n\\nThe Author and Co-Authors confirm and warrant that the Work does not and will not breach any applicable law or the rights of any third party and, specifically, that the Work contains no matter that is defamatory or that infringes any literary or proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, or any rights of privacy.
\\n\\nThe Author and Co-Authors confirm that: (i) the Work is their original work and is not copied wholly or substantially from any other work or material or any other source; (ii) the Work has not been formally published in any other peer-reviewed journal or in a book or edited collection, and is not under consideration for any such publication; (iii) Authors and any applicable Co-Authors are qualifying persons under section 154 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; (iv) Authors and any applicable Co-Authors have not assigned, and will not during the term of this Publication Agreement purport to assign, any of the rights granted to IntechOpen under this Publication Agreement; and (v) the rights granted by this Publication Agreement are free from any security interest, option, mortgage, charge or lien.
\\n\\nThe Author and Co-Authors also confirm and warrant that: (i) he/she has the power to enter into this Publication Agreement on his or her own behalf and on behalf of each Co-Author; and (ii) has the necessary rights and/or title in and to the Work to grant IntechOpen, on behalf of themselves and any Co-Author, the rights and licences in this Publication Agreement. If the Work was prepared jointly by the Author and Co-Authors, the Author confirms that: (i) all Co-Authors agree to the submission, license and publication of the Work on the terms of this Publication Agreement; and (ii) the Author has the authority to enter into this biding Publication Agreement on behalf of each Co-Author. The Author shall: (i) ensure each Co-Author complies with all relevant provisions of this Publication Agreement, including those relating to confidentiality, performance and standards, as if a party to this Publication Agreement; and (ii) remain primarily liable for all acts and/or omissions of each Co-Author.
\\n\\nThe Author agrees to indemnify IntechOpen harmless against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses, as well as all reasonable legal costs and expenses suffered or incurred by IntechOpen arising out of, or in connection with, any breach of the agreed confirmations and warranties. This indemnity shall not apply in a situation in which a claim results from IntechOpen's negligence or willful misconduct.
\\n\\nNothing in this Publication Agreement shall have the effect of excluding or limiting any liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
\\n\\nTERMINATION
\\n\\nIntechOpen has the right to terminate this Publication Agreement for quality, program, technical or other reasons with immediate effect, including without limitation (i) if the Author and/or any Co-Author commits a material breach of this Publication Agreement; (ii) if the Author and/or any Co-Author (being a private individual) is the subject of a bankruptcy petition, application or order; or (iii) if the Author and/or any Co-Author (as a corporate entity) commences negotiations with all or any class of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its debts, or makes a proposal for, or enters into, any compromise or arrangement with any of its creditors.
\\n\\nIn the event of termination, IntechOpen will notify the Author of the decision in writing.
\\n\\nIntechOpen’s DUTIES AND RIGHTS
\\n\\nUnless prevented from doing so by events beyond its reasonable control, IntechOpen, at its discretion, agrees to publish the Work attributing it to the Author and Co-Authors.
\\n\\nUnless prevented from doing so by events beyond its reasonable control, IntechOpen agrees to provide publishing services which include: managing editing (editorial and publishing process coordination, Author assistance); publishing software technology; language copyediting; typesetting; online publishing; hosting and web management; and abstracting and indexing services.
\\n\\nIntechOpen agrees to offer free online access to readers and use reasonable efforts to promote the Publication to relevant audiences.
\\n\\nIntechOpen is granted the authority to enforce the rights from this Publication Agreement on behalf of the Author and Co-Authors against third parties, for example in cases of plagiarism or copyright infringements. In respect of any such infringement or suspected infringement of the copyright in the Work, IntechOpen shall have absolute discretion in addressing any such infringement that is likely to affect IntechOpen's rights under this Publication Agreement, including issuing and conducting proceedings against the suspected infringer.
\\n\\nIntechOpen has the right to include/use the Author and Co-Authors names and likeness in connection with scientific dissemination, retrieval, archiving, web hosting and promotion and marketing of the Work and has the right to contact the Author and Co-Authors until the Work is publicly available on any platform owned and/or operated by IntechOpen.
\\n\\nMISCELLANEOUS
\\n\\nFurther Assurance: The Author shall ensure that any relevant third party, including any Co-Author, shall execute and deliver whatever further documents or deeds and perform such acts as IntechOpen reasonably requires from time to time for the purpose of giving IntechOpen the full benefit of the provisions of this Publication Agreement.
\\n\\nThird Party Rights: A person who is not a party to this Publication Agreement may not enforce any of its provisions under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
\\n\\nEntire Agreement: This Publication Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in relation to its subject matter. It replaces all prior agreements, draft agreements, arrangements, collateral warranties, collateral contracts, statements, assurances, representations and undertakings of any nature made by, or on behalf of, the parties, whether oral or written, in relation to that subject matter. Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Publication Agreement it has not relied upon any oral or written statements, collateral or other warranties, assurances, representations or undertakings which were made by or on behalf of the other party in relation to the subject matter of this Publication Agreement at any time before its signature (known as the "Pre-Contractual Statements"), other than those which are set out in this Publication Agreement. Each party hereby waives all rights and remedies which might otherwise be available to it in relation to such Pre-Contractual Statements. Nothing in this clause shall exclude or restrict the liability of either party arising out of any fraudulent pre-contract misrepresentation or concealment.
\\n\\nWaiver: No failure or delay by a party to exercise any right or remedy provided under this Publication Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
\\n\\nVariation: No variation of this Publication Agreement shall have effect unless it is in writing and signed by the parties, or their duly authorized representatives.
\\n\\nSeverance: If any provision, or part-provision, of this Publication Agreement is, or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to, or deletion of, a provision or part-provision under this clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this Publication Agreement.
\\n\\nNo partnership: Nothing in this Publication Agreement is intended to, or shall be deemed to, establish or create any partnership or joint venture or the relationship of principal and agent or employer and employee between IntechOpen and the Author or any Co-Author, nor authorize any party to make or enter into any commitments for, or on behalf of, any other party.
\\n\\nGoverning law: This Publication Agreement and any dispute or claim, including non-contractual disputes or claims arising out of, or in connection with it, or its subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts to settle any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, this Publication Agreement, including any non-contractual disputes or claims.
\\n\\nPolicy last updated: 2018-09-11
\\n"}]'},components:[{type:"htmlEditorComponent",content:'When submitting a manuscript, the Author is required to accept the Terms and Conditions set out in our Publication Agreement – Monographs/Compacts as follows:
\n\nCORRESPONDING AUTHOR'S GRANT OF RIGHTS
\n\nSubject to the following Article, the Author grants to IntechOpen, during the full term of copyright, and any extensions or renewals of that term, the following:
\n\nThe foregoing licenses shall survive the expiry or termination of this Publication Agreement for any reason.
\n\nThe Author, on his or her own behalf and on behalf of any of the Co-Authors, reserves the following rights in the Work but agrees not to exercise them in such a way as to adversely affect IntechOpen's ability to utilize the full benefit of this Publication Agreement: (i) reprographic rights worldwide, other than those which subsist in the typographical arrangement of the Work as published by IntechOpen; and (ii) public lending rights arising under the Public Lending Right Act 1979, as amended from time to time, and any similar rights arising in any part of the world.
\n\nThe Author, and any Co-Author, confirms that they are, and will remain, a member of any applicable licensing and collecting society and any successor to that body responsible for administering royalties for the reprographic reproduction of copyright works.
\n\nSubject to the license granted above, copyright in the Work and all versions of it created during IntechOpen's editing process, including all published versions, is retained by the Author and any Co-Authors.
\n\nSubject to the license granted above, the Author and Co-Authors retain patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights to the Work.
\n\nAll rights granted to IntechOpen in this Article are assignable, sublicensable or otherwise transferrable to third parties without the specific approval of the Author or Co-Authors.
\n\nThe Author, on his/her own behalf and on behalf of the Co-Authors, will not assert any rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to object to derogatory treatment of the Work as a consequence of IntechOpen's changes to the Work arising from the translation of it, corrections and edits for house style, removal of problematic material and other reasonable edits as determined by IntechOpen.
\n\nAUTHOR'S DUTIES
\n\nWhen distributing or re-publishing the Work, the Author agrees to credit the Monograph/Compacts as the source of first publication, as well as IntechOpen. The Author guarantees that Co-Authors will also credit the Monograph/Compacts as the source of first publication, as well as IntechOpen, when they are distributing or re-publishing the Work.
\n\nThe Author agrees to:
\n\nThe Author will be held responsible for the payment of the agreed Open Access Publishing Fee before the completion of the project (Monograph/Compacts publication).
\n\nAll payments shall be due 30 days from the date of issue of the invoice. The Author or whoever is paying on behalf of the Author and Co-Authors will bear all banking and similar charges incurred.
\n\nThe Author shall obtain in writing all consents necessary for the reproduction of any material in which a third-party right exists, including quotations, photographs and illustrations, in all editions of the Work worldwide for the full term of the above licenses, and shall provide to IntechOpen, at its request, the original copies of such consents for inspection or the photocopies of such consents.
\n\nThe Author shall obtain written informed consent for publication from those who might recognize themselves or be identified by others, for example from case reports or photographs.
\n\nThe Author shall respect confidentiality during and after the termination of this Agreement. The information contained in all correspondence and documents as part of the publishing activity between IntechOpen and the Author and Co-Authors are confidential and are intended only for the recipients. The contents of any communication may not be disclosed publicly and are not intended for unauthorized use or distribution. Any use, disclosure, copying, or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
\n\nAUTHOR'S WARRANTY
\n\nThe Author and Co-Authors confirm and warrant that the Work does not and will not breach any applicable law or the rights of any third party and, specifically, that the Work contains no matter that is defamatory or that infringes any literary or proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, or any rights of privacy.
\n\nThe Author and Co-Authors confirm that: (i) the Work is their original work and is not copied wholly or substantially from any other work or material or any other source; (ii) the Work has not been formally published in any other peer-reviewed journal or in a book or edited collection, and is not under consideration for any such publication; (iii) Authors and any applicable Co-Authors are qualifying persons under section 154 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; (iv) Authors and any applicable Co-Authors have not assigned, and will not during the term of this Publication Agreement purport to assign, any of the rights granted to IntechOpen under this Publication Agreement; and (v) the rights granted by this Publication Agreement are free from any security interest, option, mortgage, charge or lien.
\n\nThe Author and Co-Authors also confirm and warrant that: (i) he/she has the power to enter into this Publication Agreement on his or her own behalf and on behalf of each Co-Author; and (ii) has the necessary rights and/or title in and to the Work to grant IntechOpen, on behalf of themselves and any Co-Author, the rights and licences in this Publication Agreement. If the Work was prepared jointly by the Author and Co-Authors, the Author confirms that: (i) all Co-Authors agree to the submission, license and publication of the Work on the terms of this Publication Agreement; and (ii) the Author has the authority to enter into this biding Publication Agreement on behalf of each Co-Author. The Author shall: (i) ensure each Co-Author complies with all relevant provisions of this Publication Agreement, including those relating to confidentiality, performance and standards, as if a party to this Publication Agreement; and (ii) remain primarily liable for all acts and/or omissions of each Co-Author.
\n\nThe Author agrees to indemnify IntechOpen harmless against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses, as well as all reasonable legal costs and expenses suffered or incurred by IntechOpen arising out of, or in connection with, any breach of the agreed confirmations and warranties. This indemnity shall not apply in a situation in which a claim results from IntechOpen's negligence or willful misconduct.
\n\nNothing in this Publication Agreement shall have the effect of excluding or limiting any liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
\n\nTERMINATION
\n\nIntechOpen has the right to terminate this Publication Agreement for quality, program, technical or other reasons with immediate effect, including without limitation (i) if the Author and/or any Co-Author commits a material breach of this Publication Agreement; (ii) if the Author and/or any Co-Author (being a private individual) is the subject of a bankruptcy petition, application or order; or (iii) if the Author and/or any Co-Author (as a corporate entity) commences negotiations with all or any class of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its debts, or makes a proposal for, or enters into, any compromise or arrangement with any of its creditors.
\n\nIn the event of termination, IntechOpen will notify the Author of the decision in writing.
\n\nIntechOpen’s DUTIES AND RIGHTS
\n\nUnless prevented from doing so by events beyond its reasonable control, IntechOpen, at its discretion, agrees to publish the Work attributing it to the Author and Co-Authors.
\n\nUnless prevented from doing so by events beyond its reasonable control, IntechOpen agrees to provide publishing services which include: managing editing (editorial and publishing process coordination, Author assistance); publishing software technology; language copyediting; typesetting; online publishing; hosting and web management; and abstracting and indexing services.
\n\nIntechOpen agrees to offer free online access to readers and use reasonable efforts to promote the Publication to relevant audiences.
\n\nIntechOpen is granted the authority to enforce the rights from this Publication Agreement on behalf of the Author and Co-Authors against third parties, for example in cases of plagiarism or copyright infringements. In respect of any such infringement or suspected infringement of the copyright in the Work, IntechOpen shall have absolute discretion in addressing any such infringement that is likely to affect IntechOpen's rights under this Publication Agreement, including issuing and conducting proceedings against the suspected infringer.
\n\nIntechOpen has the right to include/use the Author and Co-Authors names and likeness in connection with scientific dissemination, retrieval, archiving, web hosting and promotion and marketing of the Work and has the right to contact the Author and Co-Authors until the Work is publicly available on any platform owned and/or operated by IntechOpen.
\n\nMISCELLANEOUS
\n\nFurther Assurance: The Author shall ensure that any relevant third party, including any Co-Author, shall execute and deliver whatever further documents or deeds and perform such acts as IntechOpen reasonably requires from time to time for the purpose of giving IntechOpen the full benefit of the provisions of this Publication Agreement.
\n\nThird Party Rights: A person who is not a party to this Publication Agreement may not enforce any of its provisions under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
\n\nEntire Agreement: This Publication Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in relation to its subject matter. It replaces all prior agreements, draft agreements, arrangements, collateral warranties, collateral contracts, statements, assurances, representations and undertakings of any nature made by, or on behalf of, the parties, whether oral or written, in relation to that subject matter. Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Publication Agreement it has not relied upon any oral or written statements, collateral or other warranties, assurances, representations or undertakings which were made by or on behalf of the other party in relation to the subject matter of this Publication Agreement at any time before its signature (known as the "Pre-Contractual Statements"), other than those which are set out in this Publication Agreement. Each party hereby waives all rights and remedies which might otherwise be available to it in relation to such Pre-Contractual Statements. Nothing in this clause shall exclude or restrict the liability of either party arising out of any fraudulent pre-contract misrepresentation or concealment.
\n\nWaiver: No failure or delay by a party to exercise any right or remedy provided under this Publication Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
\n\nVariation: No variation of this Publication Agreement shall have effect unless it is in writing and signed by the parties, or their duly authorized representatives.
\n\nSeverance: If any provision, or part-provision, of this Publication Agreement is, or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to, or deletion of, a provision or part-provision under this clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this Publication Agreement.
\n\nNo partnership: Nothing in this Publication Agreement is intended to, or shall be deemed to, establish or create any partnership or joint venture or the relationship of principal and agent or employer and employee between IntechOpen and the Author or any Co-Author, nor authorize any party to make or enter into any commitments for, or on behalf of, any other party.
\n\nGoverning law: This Publication Agreement and any dispute or claim, including non-contractual disputes or claims arising out of, or in connection with it, or its subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts to settle any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, this Publication Agreement, including any non-contractual disputes or claims.
\n\nPolicy last updated: 2018-09-11
\n'}]},successStories:{items:[]},authorsAndEditors:{filterParams:{sort:"featured,name"},profiles:[{id:"6700",title:"Dr.",name:"Abbass A.",middleName:null,surname:"Hashim",slug:"abbass-a.-hashim",fullName:"Abbass A. Hashim",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/6700/images/1864_n.jpg",biography:"Currently I am carrying out research in several areas of interest, mainly covering work on chemical and bio-sensors, semiconductor thin film device fabrication and characterisation.\nAt the moment I have very strong interest in radiation environmental pollution and bacteriology treatment. The teams of researchers are working very hard to bring novel results in this field. I am also a member of the team in charge for the supervision of Ph.D. students in the fields of development of silicon based planar waveguide sensor devices, study of inelastic electron tunnelling in planar tunnelling nanostructures for sensing applications and development of organotellurium(IV) compounds for semiconductor applications. I am a specialist in data analysis techniques and nanosurface structure. I have served as the editor for many books, been a member of the editorial board in science journals, have published many papers and hold many patents.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Sheffield Hallam University",country:{name:"United Kingdom"}}},{id:"54525",title:"Prof.",name:"Abdul Latif",middleName:null,surname:"Ahmad",slug:"abdul-latif-ahmad",fullName:"Abdul Latif Ahmad",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:null},{id:"20567",title:"Prof.",name:"Ado",middleName:null,surname:"Jorio",slug:"ado-jorio",fullName:"Ado Jorio",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais",country:{name:"Brazil"}}},{id:"47940",title:"Dr.",name:"Alberto",middleName:null,surname:"Mantovani",slug:"alberto-mantovani",fullName:"Alberto Mantovani",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:null},{id:"12392",title:"Mr.",name:"Alex",middleName:null,surname:"Lazinica",slug:"alex-lazinica",fullName:"Alex Lazinica",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/12392/images/7282_n.png",biography:"Alex Lazinica is the founder and CEO of IntechOpen. After obtaining a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, he continued his PhD studies in Robotics at the Vienna University of Technology. Here he worked as a robotic researcher with the university's Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Group as well as a guest researcher at various European universities, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). During this time he published more than 20 scientific papers, gave presentations, served as a reviewer for major robotic journals and conferences and most importantly he co-founded and built the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems- world's first Open Access journal in the field of robotics. Starting this journal was a pivotal point in his career, since it was a pathway to founding IntechOpen - Open Access publisher focused on addressing academic researchers needs. Alex is a personification of IntechOpen key values being trusted, open and entrepreneurial. Today his focus is on defining the growth and development strategy for the company.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"TU Wien",country:{name:"Austria"}}},{id:"19816",title:"Prof.",name:"Alexander",middleName:null,surname:"Kokorin",slug:"alexander-kokorin",fullName:"Alexander Kokorin",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/19816/images/1607_n.jpg",biography:"Alexander I. Kokorin: born: 1947, Moscow; DSc., PhD; Principal Research Fellow (Research Professor) of Department of Kinetics and Catalysis, N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.\r\nArea of research interests: physical chemistry of complex-organized molecular and nanosized systems, including polymer-metal complexes; the surface of doped oxide semiconductors. He is an expert in structural, absorptive, catalytic and photocatalytic properties, in structural organization and dynamic features of ionic liquids, in magnetic interactions between paramagnetic centers. The author or co-author of 3 books, over 200 articles and reviews in scientific journals and books. He is an actual member of the International EPR/ESR Society, European Society on Quantum Solar Energy Conversion, Moscow House of Scientists, of the Board of Moscow Physical Society.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics",country:{name:"Russia"}}},{id:"62389",title:"PhD.",name:"Ali Demir",middleName:null,surname:"Sezer",slug:"ali-demir-sezer",fullName:"Ali Demir Sezer",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/62389/images/3413_n.jpg",biography:"Dr. Ali Demir Sezer has a Ph.D. from Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Marmara (Turkey). He is the member of many Pharmaceutical Associations and acts as a reviewer of scientific journals and European projects under different research areas such as: drug delivery systems, nanotechnology and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Dr. Sezer is the author of many scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and poster communications. Focus of his research activity is drug delivery, physico-chemical characterization and biological evaluation of biopolymers micro and nanoparticles as modified drug delivery system, and colloidal drug carriers (liposomes, nanoparticles etc.).",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Marmara University",country:{name:"Turkey"}}},{id:"61051",title:"Prof.",name:"Andrea",middleName:null,surname:"Natale",slug:"andrea-natale",fullName:"Andrea Natale",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:null},{id:"100762",title:"Prof.",name:"Andrea",middleName:null,surname:"Natale",slug:"andrea-natale",fullName:"Andrea Natale",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"St David's Medical Center",country:{name:"United States of America"}}},{id:"107416",title:"Dr.",name:"Andrea",middleName:null,surname:"Natale",slug:"andrea-natale",fullName:"Andrea Natale",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia",country:{name:"United States of America"}}},{id:"64434",title:"Dr.",name:"Angkoon",middleName:null,surname:"Phinyomark",slug:"angkoon-phinyomark",fullName:"Angkoon Phinyomark",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/64434/images/2619_n.jpg",biography:"My name is Angkoon Phinyomark. I received a B.Eng. degree in Computer Engineering with First Class Honors in 2008 from Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand, where I received a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering. My research interests are primarily in the area of biomedical signal processing and classification notably EMG (electromyography signal), EOG (electrooculography signal), and EEG (electroencephalography signal), image analysis notably breast cancer analysis and optical coherence tomography, and rehabilitation engineering. I became a student member of IEEE in 2008. During October 2011-March 2012, I had worked at School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom. In addition, during a B.Eng. I had been a visiting research student at Faculty of Computer Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain for three months.\n\nI have published over 40 papers during 5 years in refereed journals, books, and conference proceedings in the areas of electro-physiological signals processing and classification, notably EMG and EOG signals, fractal analysis, wavelet analysis, texture analysis, feature extraction and machine learning algorithms, and assistive and rehabilitative devices. I have several computer programming language certificates, i.e. Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform 1.4 (SCJP), Microsoft Certified Professional Developer, Web Developer (MCPD), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, .NET Framework 2.0 Web (MCTS). I am a Reviewer for several refereed journals and international conferences, such as IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Optic Letters, Measurement Science Review, and also a member of the International Advisory Committee for 2012 IEEE Business Engineering and Industrial Applications and 2012 IEEE Symposium on Business, Engineering and Industrial Applications.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Joseph Fourier University",country:{name:"France"}}},{id:"55578",title:"Dr.",name:"Antonio",middleName:null,surname:"Jurado-Navas",slug:"antonio-jurado-navas",fullName:"Antonio Jurado-Navas",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/55578/images/4574_n.png",biography:"Antonio Jurado-Navas received the M.S. degree (2002) and the Ph.D. degree (2009) in Telecommunication Engineering, both from the University of Málaga (Spain). He first worked as a consultant at Vodafone-Spain. From 2004 to 2011, he was a Research Assistant with the Communications Engineering Department at the University of Málaga. In 2011, he became an Assistant Professor in the same department. From 2012 to 2015, he was with Ericsson Spain, where he was working on geo-location\ntools for third generation mobile networks. Since 2015, he is a Marie-Curie fellow at the Denmark Technical University. His current research interests include the areas of mobile communication systems and channel modeling in addition to atmospheric optical communications, adaptive optics and statistics",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"University of Malaga",country:{name:"Spain"}}}],filtersByRegion:[{group:"region",caption:"North America",value:1,count:5681},{group:"region",caption:"Middle and South America",value:2,count:5161},{group:"region",caption:"Africa",value:3,count:1683},{group:"region",caption:"Asia",value:4,count:10200},{group:"region",caption:"Australia and Oceania",value:5,count:886},{group:"region",caption:"Europe",value:6,count:15610}],offset:12,limit:12,total:117095},chapterEmbeded:{data:{}},editorApplication:{success:null,errors:{}},ofsBooks:{filterParams:{topicId:"7"},books:[{type:"book",id:"9553",title:"Cryptocurrency Economy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"2548b2dab88b36797382292832f86563",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Sebahattin Demirkan",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9553.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"336397",title:"Dr.",name:"Sebahattin",surname:"Demirkan",slug:"sebahattin-demirkan",fullName:"Sebahattin Demirkan"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10551",title:"Beyond Human Resources - Research Paths Towards a New Understanding of Workforce Management Within Organizations",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"4a34551c1324fb084e902ad7f56e584d",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Gonzalo Sánchez-Gardey, Dr. Fernando Martín-Alcázar and Dr. Natalia García-Carbonell",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10551.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"332101",title:"Prof.",name:"Gonzalo",surname:"Sánchez",slug:"gonzalo-sanchez",fullName:"Gonzalo Sánchez"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10753",title:"Taxes",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"9dc0293dca676c8e873312737c84b60c",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10753.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10755",title:"Corporate Governance",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"33697a6f655fc4d7f4a21a0a083a9096",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10755.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10757",title:"Agricultural Value Chain",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"732ee82bf579a4bc4c5c929ceba2db26",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10757.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10915",title:"Leadership",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"f8f21ec8134eff175fa49450269811d8",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10915.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10916",title:"Firm Value",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"0de75a8efe6a5f4c8d42858ca3016f08",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10916.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10917",title:"Entrepreneurship",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"904717638ed1e5538792e4d431fe59a5",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10917.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10918",title:"Digital Economy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"dbdfd9caf5c4b0038ff4446c7bc6a681",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10918.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10919",title:"Consumer Behavior",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"51700695578f48743b0514ba6d8735b2",slug:null,bookSignature:"",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10919.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}],filtersByTopic:[{group:"topic",caption:"Agricultural and Biological Sciences",value:5,count:9},{group:"topic",caption:"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology",value:6,count:17},{group:"topic",caption:"Business, Management and Economics",value:7,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Chemistry",value:8,count:7},{group:"topic",caption:"Computer and Information Science",value:9,count:10},{group:"topic",caption:"Earth and Planetary Sciences",value:10,count:5},{group:"topic",caption:"Engineering",value:11,count:14},{group:"topic",caption:"Environmental Sciences",value:12,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Immunology and Microbiology",value:13,count:5},{group:"topic",caption:"Materials Science",value:14,count:4},{group:"topic",caption:"Mathematics",value:15,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Medicine",value:16,count:60},{group:"topic",caption:"Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials",value:17,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Neuroscience",value:18,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science",value:19,count:6},{group:"topic",caption:"Physics",value:20,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Psychology",value:21,count:3},{group:"topic",caption:"Robotics",value:22,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Social Sciences",value:23,count:3},{group:"topic",caption:"Technology",value:24,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Veterinary Medicine and Science",value:25,count:2}],offset:12,limit:12,total:10},popularBooks:{featuredBooks:[{type:"book",id:"9208",title:"Welding",subtitle:"Modern Topics",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"7d6be076ccf3a3f8bd2ca52d86d4506b",slug:"welding-modern-topics",bookSignature:"Sadek Crisóstomo Absi Alfaro, Wojciech Borek and Błażej Tomiczek",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9208.jpg",editors:[{id:"65292",title:"Prof.",name:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi",middleName:"C. Absi",surname:"Alfaro",slug:"sadek-crisostomo-absi-alfaro",fullName:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi Alfaro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9139",title:"Topics in Primary Care Medicine",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ea774a4d4c1179da92a782e0ae9cde92",slug:"topics-in-primary-care-medicine",bookSignature:"Thomas F. Heston",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9139.jpg",editors:[{id:"217926",title:"Dr.",name:"Thomas F.",middleName:null,surname:"Heston",slug:"thomas-f.-heston",fullName:"Thomas F. Heston"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8697",title:"Virtual Reality and Its Application in Education",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ee01b5e387ba0062c6b0d1e9227bda05",slug:"virtual-reality-and-its-application-in-education",bookSignature:"Dragan Cvetković",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8697.jpg",editors:[{id:"101330",title:"Dr.",name:"Dragan",middleName:"Mladen",surname:"Cvetković",slug:"dragan-cvetkovic",fullName:"Dragan Cvetković"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9785",title:"Endometriosis",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"f457ca61f29cf7e8bc191732c50bb0ce",slug:"endometriosis",bookSignature:"Courtney Marsh",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9785.jpg",editors:[{id:"255491",title:"Dr.",name:"Courtney",middleName:null,surname:"Marsh",slug:"courtney-marsh",fullName:"Courtney Marsh"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9343",title:"Trace Metals in the Environment",subtitle:"New Approaches and Recent Advances",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ae07e345bc2ce1ebbda9f70c5cd12141",slug:"trace-metals-in-the-environment-new-approaches-and-recent-advances",bookSignature:"Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar, Hugo Saldarriaga-Noreña and Agnieszka Saeid",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9343.jpg",editors:[{id:"255959",title:"Dr.",name:"Mario Alfonso",middleName:null,surname:"Murillo-Tovar",slug:"mario-alfonso-murillo-tovar",fullName:"Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7831",title:"Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"c924420492c8c2c9751e178d025f4066",slug:"sustainability-in-urban-planning-and-design",bookSignature:"Amjad Almusaed, Asaad Almssad and Linh Truong - Hong",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7831.jpg",editors:[{id:"110471",title:"Dr.",name:"Amjad",middleName:"Zaki",surname:"Almusaed",slug:"amjad-almusaed",fullName:"Amjad Almusaed"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8468",title:"Sheep Farming",subtitle:"An Approach to Feed, Growth and Sanity",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"838f08594850bc04aa14ec873ed1b96f",slug:"sheep-farming-an-approach-to-feed-growth-and-sanity",bookSignature:"António Monteiro",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8468.jpg",editors:[{id:"190314",title:"Prof.",name:"António",middleName:"Cardoso",surname:"Monteiro",slug:"antonio-monteiro",fullName:"António Monteiro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8816",title:"Financial Crises",subtitle:"A Selection of Readings",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"6f2f49fb903656e4e54280c79fabd10c",slug:"financial-crises-a-selection-of-readings",bookSignature:"Stelios Markoulis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8816.jpg",editors:[{id:"237863",title:"Dr.",name:"Stelios",middleName:null,surname:"Markoulis",slug:"stelios-markoulis",fullName:"Stelios Markoulis"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9376",title:"Contemporary Developments and Perspectives in International Health Security",subtitle:"Volume 1",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"b9a00b84cd04aae458fb1d6c65795601",slug:"contemporary-developments-and-perspectives-in-international-health-security-volume-1",bookSignature:"Stanislaw P. Stawicki, Michael S. Firstenberg, Sagar C. Galwankar, Ricardo Izurieta and Thomas Papadimos",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9376.jpg",editors:[{id:"181694",title:"Dr.",name:"Stanislaw P.",middleName:null,surname:"Stawicki",slug:"stanislaw-p.-stawicki",fullName:"Stanislaw P. Stawicki"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7769",title:"Medical Isotopes",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"f8d3c5a6c9a42398e56b4e82264753f7",slug:"medical-isotopes",bookSignature:"Syed Ali Raza Naqvi and Muhammad Babar Imrani",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7769.jpg",editors:[{id:"259190",title:"Dr.",name:"Syed Ali Raza",middleName:null,surname:"Naqvi",slug:"syed-ali-raza-naqvi",fullName:"Syed Ali Raza Naqvi"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9279",title:"Concepts, Applications and Emerging Opportunities in Industrial Engineering",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"9bfa87f9b627a5468b7c1e30b0eea07a",slug:"concepts-applications-and-emerging-opportunities-in-industrial-engineering",bookSignature:"Gary Moynihan",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9279.jpg",editors:[{id:"16974",title:"Dr.",name:"Gary",middleName:null,surname:"Moynihan",slug:"gary-moynihan",fullName:"Gary Moynihan"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7807",title:"A Closer Look at Organizational Culture in Action",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"05c608b9271cc2bc711f4b28748b247b",slug:"a-closer-look-at-organizational-culture-in-action",bookSignature:"Süleyman Davut Göker",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7807.jpg",editors:[{id:"190035",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Süleyman Davut",middleName:null,surname:"Göker",slug:"suleyman-davut-goker",fullName:"Süleyman Davut Göker"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}}],offset:12,limit:12,total:5126},hotBookTopics:{hotBooks:[],offset:0,limit:12,total:null},publish:{},publishingProposal:{success:null,errors:{}},books:{featuredBooks:[{type:"book",id:"9208",title:"Welding",subtitle:"Modern Topics",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"7d6be076ccf3a3f8bd2ca52d86d4506b",slug:"welding-modern-topics",bookSignature:"Sadek Crisóstomo Absi Alfaro, Wojciech Borek and Błażej Tomiczek",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9208.jpg",editors:[{id:"65292",title:"Prof.",name:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi",middleName:"C. Absi",surname:"Alfaro",slug:"sadek-crisostomo-absi-alfaro",fullName:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi Alfaro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9139",title:"Topics in Primary Care Medicine",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ea774a4d4c1179da92a782e0ae9cde92",slug:"topics-in-primary-care-medicine",bookSignature:"Thomas F. Heston",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9139.jpg",editors:[{id:"217926",title:"Dr.",name:"Thomas F.",middleName:null,surname:"Heston",slug:"thomas-f.-heston",fullName:"Thomas F. Heston"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8697",title:"Virtual Reality and Its Application in Education",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ee01b5e387ba0062c6b0d1e9227bda05",slug:"virtual-reality-and-its-application-in-education",bookSignature:"Dragan Cvetković",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8697.jpg",editors:[{id:"101330",title:"Dr.",name:"Dragan",middleName:"Mladen",surname:"Cvetković",slug:"dragan-cvetkovic",fullName:"Dragan Cvetković"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9785",title:"Endometriosis",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"f457ca61f29cf7e8bc191732c50bb0ce",slug:"endometriosis",bookSignature:"Courtney Marsh",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9785.jpg",editors:[{id:"255491",title:"Dr.",name:"Courtney",middleName:null,surname:"Marsh",slug:"courtney-marsh",fullName:"Courtney Marsh"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9343",title:"Trace Metals in the Environment",subtitle:"New Approaches and Recent Advances",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ae07e345bc2ce1ebbda9f70c5cd12141",slug:"trace-metals-in-the-environment-new-approaches-and-recent-advances",bookSignature:"Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar, Hugo Saldarriaga-Noreña and Agnieszka Saeid",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9343.jpg",editors:[{id:"255959",title:"Dr.",name:"Mario Alfonso",middleName:null,surname:"Murillo-Tovar",slug:"mario-alfonso-murillo-tovar",fullName:"Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8468",title:"Sheep Farming",subtitle:"An Approach to Feed, Growth and Sanity",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"838f08594850bc04aa14ec873ed1b96f",slug:"sheep-farming-an-approach-to-feed-growth-and-sanity",bookSignature:"António Monteiro",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8468.jpg",editors:[{id:"190314",title:"Prof.",name:"António",middleName:"Cardoso",surname:"Monteiro",slug:"antonio-monteiro",fullName:"António Monteiro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8816",title:"Financial Crises",subtitle:"A Selection of Readings",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"6f2f49fb903656e4e54280c79fabd10c",slug:"financial-crises-a-selection-of-readings",bookSignature:"Stelios Markoulis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8816.jpg",editors:[{id:"237863",title:"Dr.",name:"Stelios",middleName:null,surname:"Markoulis",slug:"stelios-markoulis",fullName:"Stelios Markoulis"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7831",title:"Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"c924420492c8c2c9751e178d025f4066",slug:"sustainability-in-urban-planning-and-design",bookSignature:"Amjad Almusaed, Asaad Almssad and Linh Truong - Hong",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7831.jpg",editors:[{id:"110471",title:"Dr.",name:"Amjad",middleName:"Zaki",surname:"Almusaed",slug:"amjad-almusaed",fullName:"Amjad Almusaed"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9376",title:"Contemporary Developments and Perspectives in International Health Security",subtitle:"Volume 1",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"b9a00b84cd04aae458fb1d6c65795601",slug:"contemporary-developments-and-perspectives-in-international-health-security-volume-1",bookSignature:"Stanislaw P. Stawicki, Michael S. Firstenberg, Sagar C. Galwankar, Ricardo Izurieta and Thomas Papadimos",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9376.jpg",editors:[{id:"181694",title:"Dr.",name:"Stanislaw P.",middleName:null,surname:"Stawicki",slug:"stanislaw-p.-stawicki",fullName:"Stanislaw P. Stawicki"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7769",title:"Medical Isotopes",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"f8d3c5a6c9a42398e56b4e82264753f7",slug:"medical-isotopes",bookSignature:"Syed Ali Raza Naqvi and Muhammad Babar Imrani",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7769.jpg",editors:[{id:"259190",title:"Dr.",name:"Syed Ali Raza",middleName:null,surname:"Naqvi",slug:"syed-ali-raza-naqvi",fullName:"Syed Ali Raza Naqvi"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}}],latestBooks:[{type:"book",id:"8468",title:"Sheep Farming",subtitle:"An Approach to Feed, Growth and Sanity",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"838f08594850bc04aa14ec873ed1b96f",slug:"sheep-farming-an-approach-to-feed-growth-and-sanity",bookSignature:"António Monteiro",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8468.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"190314",title:"Prof.",name:"António",middleName:"Cardoso",surname:"Monteiro",slug:"antonio-monteiro",fullName:"António Monteiro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9523",title:"Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"5eb6ec2db961a6c8965d11180a58d5c1",slug:"oral-and-maxillofacial-surgery",bookSignature:"Gokul Sridharan",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9523.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"82453",title:"Dr.",name:"Gokul",middleName:null,surname:"Sridharan",slug:"gokul-sridharan",fullName:"Gokul Sridharan"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9785",title:"Endometriosis",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"f457ca61f29cf7e8bc191732c50bb0ce",slug:"endometriosis",bookSignature:"Courtney Marsh",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9785.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"255491",title:"Dr.",name:"Courtney",middleName:null,surname:"Marsh",slug:"courtney-marsh",fullName:"Courtney Marsh"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9018",title:"Some RNA Viruses",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"a5cae846dbe3692495fc4add2f60fd84",slug:"some-rna-viruses",bookSignature:"Yogendra Shah and Eltayb Abuelzein",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9018.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"278914",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Yogendra",middleName:null,surname:"Shah",slug:"yogendra-shah",fullName:"Yogendra Shah"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"8816",title:"Financial Crises",subtitle:"A Selection of Readings",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"6f2f49fb903656e4e54280c79fabd10c",slug:"financial-crises-a-selection-of-readings",bookSignature:"Stelios Markoulis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8816.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"237863",title:"Dr.",name:"Stelios",middleName:null,surname:"Markoulis",slug:"stelios-markoulis",fullName:"Stelios Markoulis"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9585",title:"Advances in Complex Valvular Disease",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ef64f11e211621ecfe69c46e60e7ca3d",slug:"advances-in-complex-valvular-disease",bookSignature:"Michael S. Firstenberg and Imran Khan",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9585.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"64343",title:null,name:"Michael S.",middleName:"S",surname:"Firstenberg",slug:"michael-s.-firstenberg",fullName:"Michael S. Firstenberg"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10150",title:"Smart Manufacturing",subtitle:"When Artificial Intelligence Meets the Internet of Things",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"87004a19de13702d042f8ff96d454698",slug:"smart-manufacturing-when-artificial-intelligence-meets-the-internet-of-things",bookSignature:"Tan Yen Kheng",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10150.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"78857",title:"Dr.",name:"Tan Yen",middleName:null,surname:"Kheng",slug:"tan-yen-kheng",fullName:"Tan Yen Kheng"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9386",title:"Direct Numerical Simulations",subtitle:"An Introduction and Applications",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"158a3a0fdba295d21ff23326f5a072d5",slug:"direct-numerical-simulations-an-introduction-and-applications",bookSignature:"Srinivasa Rao",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9386.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"6897",title:"Dr.",name:"Srinivasa",middleName:"P",surname:"Rao",slug:"srinivasa-rao",fullName:"Srinivasa Rao"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9139",title:"Topics in Primary Care Medicine",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ea774a4d4c1179da92a782e0ae9cde92",slug:"topics-in-primary-care-medicine",bookSignature:"Thomas F. Heston",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9139.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"217926",title:"Dr.",name:"Thomas F.",middleName:null,surname:"Heston",slug:"thomas-f.-heston",fullName:"Thomas F. Heston"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9208",title:"Welding",subtitle:"Modern Topics",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"7d6be076ccf3a3f8bd2ca52d86d4506b",slug:"welding-modern-topics",bookSignature:"Sadek Crisóstomo Absi Alfaro, Wojciech Borek and Błażej Tomiczek",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9208.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"65292",title:"Prof.",name:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi",middleName:"C. Absi",surname:"Alfaro",slug:"sadek-crisostomo-absi-alfaro",fullName:"Sadek Crisostomo Absi Alfaro"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}]},subject:{topic:{id:"22",title:"Robotics",slug:"physical-sciences-engineering-and-technology-robotics",parent:{title:"Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology",slug:"physical-sciences-engineering-and-technology"},numberOfBooks:99,numberOfAuthorsAndEditors:1355,numberOfWosCitations:3495,numberOfCrossrefCitations:3030,numberOfDimensionsCitations:5998,videoUrl:null,fallbackUrl:null,description:null},booksByTopicFilter:{topicSlug:"physical-sciences-engineering-and-technology-robotics",sort:"-publishedDate",limit:12,offset:0},booksByTopicCollection:[{type:"book",id:"9902",title:"Service Robotics",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"9b42f533ea14906bcd1e07df74b33ac2",slug:"service-robotics",bookSignature:"Volkan Sezer, Sinan Öncü and Pınar Boyraz Baykas",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9902.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"268170",title:"Dr.",name:"Volkan",middleName:null,surname:"Sezer",slug:"volkan-sezer",fullName:"Volkan Sezer"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"6864",title:"Autonomous Vehicles",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"c320902fc1cfc252c1db006b944996fb",slug:"autonomous-vehicles",bookSignature:"George Dekoulis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/6864.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"9833",title:"Prof.",name:"George",middleName:null,surname:"Dekoulis",slug:"george-dekoulis",fullName:"George Dekoulis"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"8883",title:"Autonomous Vehicle and Smart Traffic",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"841c82c0bf27716a7c800bc1180ad5de",slug:"autonomous-vehicle-and-smart-traffic",bookSignature:"Sezgin Ersoy and Tayyab Waqar",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8883.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"156004",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Sezgin",middleName:null,surname:"Ersoy",slug:"sezgin-ersoy",fullName:"Sezgin Ersoy"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"8872",title:"Multi Agent Systems",subtitle:"Strategies and Applications",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"6b0454f8f575d5d65603f329af59c80b",slug:"multi-agent-systems-strategies-and-applications",bookSignature:"Ricardo López - Ruiz",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8872.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"9849",title:"Prof.",name:"Ricardo",middleName:null,surname:"Lopez-Ruiz",slug:"ricardo-lopez-ruiz",fullName:"Ricardo Lopez-Ruiz"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7792",title:"Unmanned Robotic Systems and Applications",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"53805f091c3107536edd2579c9987649",slug:"unmanned-robotic-systems-and-applications",bookSignature:"Mahmut Reyhanoglu and Geert De Cubber",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7792.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"15068",title:"Dr.",name:"Mahmut",middleName:null,surname:"Reyhanoglu",slug:"mahmut-reyhanoglu",fullName:"Mahmut Reyhanoglu"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"6865",title:"Becoming Human with Humanoid",subtitle:"From Physical Interaction to Social Intelligence",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"e208316a62e4ab5b042486aea682ee18",slug:"becoming-human-with-humanoid-from-physical-interaction-to-social-intelligence",bookSignature:"Ahmad Hoirul Basori, Ali Leylavi Shoushtari and Andon Venelinov Topalov",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/6865.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"13394",title:"Prof.",name:"Ahmad Hoirul",middleName:null,surname:"Basori",slug:"ahmad-hoirul-basori",fullName:"Ahmad Hoirul Basori"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7779",title:"Path Planning for Autonomous Vehicle",subtitle:"Ensuring Reliable Driverless Navigation and Control Maneuver",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"91196f0aadb70bd5cecac290401d614f",slug:"path-planning-for-autonomous-vehicles-ensuring-reliable-driverless-navigation-and-control-maneuver",bookSignature:"Umar Zakir Abdul Hamid, Volkan Sezer, Bin Li, Yanjun Huang and Muhammad Aizzat Zakaria",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7779.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"268173",title:"Dr.",name:"Umar Zakir Abdul",middleName:null,surname:"Hamid",slug:"umar-zakir-abdul-hamid",fullName:"Umar Zakir Abdul Hamid"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7386",title:"Advances in Human and Machine Navigation Systems",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"a60a4da048a8bee2e12c3fe40236afe9",slug:"advances-in-human-and-machine-navigation-systems",bookSignature:"Rastislav Róka",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7386.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"112777",title:"Dr.",name:"Rastislav",middleName:null,surname:"Róka",slug:"rastislav-roka",fullName:"Rastislav Róka"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7227",title:"Applications of Mobile Robots",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"b4993517c29aed9abd474e362370e28a",slug:"applications-of-mobile-robots",bookSignature:"Efren Gorrostieta Hurtado",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7227.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"38850",title:"Dr.",name:"Efren",middleName:null,surname:"Gorrostieta Hurtado",slug:"efren-gorrostieta-hurtado",fullName:"Efren Gorrostieta Hurtado"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7400",title:"Multi-Agent Systems",subtitle:"Control Spectrum",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ba8de13ac5162187fbc7f932a7fb0b34",slug:"multi-agent-systems-control-spectrum",bookSignature:"Vladimir Shikhin",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7400.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"237011",title:"Dr.",name:"Vladimir",middleName:null,surname:"Shikhin",slug:"vladimir-shikhin",fullName:"Vladimir Shikhin"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"7270",title:"Agricultural Robots",subtitle:"Fundamentals and Applications",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"404b9128ab371832f2b7f0b6f32b2951",slug:"agricultural-robots-fundamentals-and-applications",bookSignature:"Jun Zhou and Baohua Zhang",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7270.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"242047",title:"Dr.",name:"Jun",middleName:null,surname:"Zhou",slug:"jun-zhou",fullName:"Jun Zhou"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"6322",title:"Advanced Path Planning for Mobile Entities",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"438f519ccb7ac4196660ada6b648e15f",slug:"advanced-path-planning-for-mobile-entities",bookSignature:"Rastislav Róka",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/6322.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"112777",title:"Dr.",name:"Rastislav",middleName:null,surname:"Róka",slug:"rastislav-roka",fullName:"Rastislav Róka"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}],booksByTopicTotal:99,mostCitedChapters:[{id:"10088",doi:"10.5772/8835",title:"Intention-Based Walking Support for Paraplegia Patients with Robot Suit HAL",slug:"intention-based-walking-support-for-paraplegia-patients-with-robot-suit-hal",totalDownloads:4593,totalCrossrefCites:15,totalDimensionsCites:166,book:{slug:"climbing-and-walking-robots",title:"Climbing and Walking Robots",fullTitle:"Climbing and Walking Robots"},signatures:"Kenta Suzuki, Gouji Mito, Hiroaki Kawamoto, Yasuhisa Hasegawa and Yoshiyuki Sankai",authors:null},{id:"240",doi:"10.5772/4876",title:"Geminoid: Teleoperated Android of an Existing Person",slug:"geminoid__teleoperated_android_of_an_existing_person",totalDownloads:3800,totalCrossrefCites:61,totalDimensionsCites:108,book:{slug:"humanoid_robots_new_developments",title:"Humanoid Robots",fullTitle:"Humanoid Robots: New Developments"},signatures:"Shuichi Nishio, Hiroshi Ishiguro and Norihiro Hagita",authors:[{id:"11981",title:"Prof.",name:"Hiroshi",middleName:null,surname:"Ishiguro",slug:"hiroshi-ishiguro",fullName:"Hiroshi Ishiguro"}]},{id:"172",doi:"10.5772/4808",title:"Limit Cycle Walking",slug:"limit_cycle_walking",totalDownloads:4521,totalCrossrefCites:9,totalDimensionsCites:91,book:{slug:"humanoid_robots_human_like_machines",title:"Humanoid Robots",fullTitle:"Humanoid Robots, Human-like Machines"},signatures:"Daan G.E. Hobbelen and Martijn Wisse",authors:null}],mostDownloadedChaptersLast30Days:[{id:"62563",title:"Online Mapping-Based Navigation System for Wheeled Mobile Robot in Road Following and Roundabout",slug:"online-mapping-based-navigation-system-for-wheeled-mobile-robot-in-road-following-and-roundabout",totalDownloads:759,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"applications-of-mobile-robots",title:"Applications of Mobile Robots",fullTitle:"Applications of Mobile Robots"},signatures:"Mohammed A. H. Ali and Musa Mailah",authors:[{id:"32016",title:"Prof.",name:"Musa",middleName:null,surname:"Mailah",slug:"musa-mailah",fullName:"Musa Mailah"},{id:"243606",title:"Dr.",name:"Mohammed A. H",middleName:null,surname:"Ali",slug:"mohammed-a.-h-ali",fullName:"Mohammed A. H Ali"}]},{id:"39430",title:"Novel Yinger Learning Variable Universe Fuzzy Controller",slug:"novel-yinger-learning-variable-universe-fuzzy-controller",totalDownloads:1662,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"fuzzy-controllers-recent-advances-in-theory-and-applications",title:"Fuzzy Controllers",fullTitle:"Fuzzy Controllers - Recent Advances in Theory and Applications"},signatures:"Ping Zhang and Guodong Gao",authors:[{id:"141337",title:"Dr.",name:"Ping",middleName:null,surname:"Zhang",slug:"ping-zhang",fullName:"Ping Zhang"},{id:"160791",title:"Dr.",name:"GuoDong",middleName:null,surname:"Gao",slug:"guodong-gao",fullName:"GuoDong Gao"}]},{id:"465",title:"Omnidirectional Mobile Robot - Design and Implementation",slug:"omnidirectional_mobile_robot_-__design_and_implementation",totalDownloads:40971,totalCrossrefCites:31,totalDimensionsCites:40,book:{slug:"bioinspiration_and_robotics_walking_and_climbing_robots",title:"Bioinspiration and Robotics",fullTitle:"Bioinspiration and Robotics Walking and Climbing Robots"},signatures:"Ioan Doroftei, Victor Grosu and Veaceslav Spinu",authors:null},{id:"70496",title:"Sky-Farmers: Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in Agriculture",slug:"sky-farmers-applications-of-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-in-agriculture",totalDownloads:710,totalCrossrefCites:2,totalDimensionsCites:3,book:{slug:"autonomous-vehicles",title:"Autonomous Vehicles",fullTitle:"Autonomous Vehicles"},signatures:"Chika Yinka-Banjo and Olasupo Ajayi",authors:null},{id:"73486",title:"Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Prosthetic and Orthotic Rehabilitation",slug:"application-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-prosthetic-and-orthotic-rehabilitation",totalDownloads:292,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"service-robotics",title:"Service Robotics",fullTitle:"Service Robotics"},signatures:"Smita Nayak and Rajesh Kumar Das",authors:[{id:"204704",title:"Mrs.",name:"Smita",middleName:null,surname:"Nayak",slug:"smita-nayak",fullName:"Smita Nayak"},{id:"321308",title:"Dr.",name:"Rajesh",middleName:null,surname:"Das",slug:"rajesh-das",fullName:"Rajesh Das"}]},{id:"67705",title:"Advanced UAVs Nonlinear Control Systems and Applications",slug:"advanced-uavs-nonlinear-control-systems-and-applications",totalDownloads:909,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"unmanned-robotic-systems-and-applications",title:"Unmanned Robotic Systems and Applications",fullTitle:"Unmanned Robotic Systems and Applications"},signatures:"Abdulkader Joukhadar, Mohammad Alchehabi and Adnan Jejeh",authors:null},{id:"51224",title:"Series Elastic Actuator: Design, Analysis and Comparison",slug:"series-elastic-actuator-design-analysis-and-comparison",totalDownloads:2498,totalCrossrefCites:2,totalDimensionsCites:5,book:{slug:"recent-advances-in-robotic-systems",title:"Recent Advances in Robotic Systems",fullTitle:"Recent Advances in Robotic Systems"},signatures:"Arnaldo Gomes Leal Junior, Rafhael Milanezi de Andrade and\nAntônio Bento Filho",authors:[{id:"182082",title:"Dr.",name:"Rafhael",middleName:"Milanezi De",surname:"Andrade",slug:"rafhael-andrade",fullName:"Rafhael Andrade"},{id:"185372",title:"Dr.",name:"Antônio",middleName:null,surname:"Bento Filho",slug:"antonio-bento-filho",fullName:"Antônio Bento Filho"},{id:"185373",title:"MSc.",name:"Arnaldo",middleName:null,surname:"Gomes Leal Junior",slug:"arnaldo-gomes-leal-junior",fullName:"Arnaldo Gomes Leal Junior"}]},{id:"74572",title:"Visibility-Based Technologies and Methodologies for Autonomous Driving",slug:"visibility-based-technologies-and-methodologies-for-autonomous-driving",totalDownloads:62,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:null,title:"Self-driving Vehicles and Enabling Technologies",fullTitle:"Self-driving Vehicles and Enabling Technologies"},signatures:"Said Easa, Yang Ma, Ashraf Elshorbagy, Ahmed Shaker, Songnian Li and Shriniwas Arkatkar",authors:null},{id:"62978",title:"Intelligent Robotic Perception Systems",slug:"intelligent-robotic-perception-systems",totalDownloads:1219,totalCrossrefCites:1,totalDimensionsCites:1,book:{slug:"applications-of-mobile-robots",title:"Applications of Mobile Robots",fullTitle:"Applications of Mobile Robots"},signatures:"Cristiano Premebida, Rares Ambrus and Zoltan-Csaba Marton",authors:[{id:"203409",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Cristiano",middleName:null,surname:"Premebida",slug:"cristiano-premebida",fullName:"Cristiano Premebida"},{id:"254880",title:"Dr.",name:"Rares",middleName:null,surname:"Ambrus",slug:"rares-ambrus",fullName:"Rares Ambrus"},{id:"254881",title:"Dr.",name:"Zoltan-Csaba",middleName:null,surname:"Marton",slug:"zoltan-csaba-marton",fullName:"Zoltan-Csaba Marton"}]},{id:"150",title:"Sensor-based Global Planning for Mobile Manipulators Navigation Using Voronoi Diagram and Fast Marching",slug:"sensor-based_global_planning_for_mobile_manipulators_navigation_using_voronoi_diagram_and_fast_march",totalDownloads:2690,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"mobile_robots_perception_navigation",title:"Mobile Robots",fullTitle:"Mobile Robots: Perception & Navigation"},signatures:"S. Garrido, D. Blanco, M.L. Munoz, L. Moreno and M. Abderrahim",authors:null}],onlineFirstChaptersFilter:{topicSlug:"physical-sciences-engineering-and-technology-robotics",limit:3,offset:0},onlineFirstChaptersCollection:[{id:"74572",title:"Visibility-Based Technologies and Methodologies for Autonomous Driving",slug:"visibility-based-technologies-and-methodologies-for-autonomous-driving",totalDownloads:63,totalDimensionsCites:0,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.95328",book:{title:"Self-driving Vehicles and Enabling Technologies"},signatures:"Said Easa, Yang Ma, Ashraf Elshorbagy, Ahmed Shaker, Songnian Li and Shriniwas Arkatkar"},{id:"74396",title:"Design Considerations for Autonomous Cargo Transportation Multirotor UAVs",slug:"design-considerations-for-autonomous-cargo-transportation-multirotor-uavs",totalDownloads:30,totalDimensionsCites:0,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.95060",book:{title:"Self-driving Vehicles and Enabling Technologies"},signatures:"Denis Kotarski, Petar Piljek and Josip Kasać"},{id:"74476",title:"Selected Issues and Constraints of Image Matching in Terrain-Aided Navigation: A Comparative Study",slug:"selected-issues-and-constraints-of-image-matching-in-terrain-aided-navigation-a-comparative-study",totalDownloads:58,totalDimensionsCites:0,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.95039",book:{title:"Self-driving Vehicles and Enabling Technologies"},signatures:"Piotr Turek, Stanisław Grzywiński and Witold Bużantowicz"}],onlineFirstChaptersTotal:19},preDownload:{success:null,errors:{}},aboutIntechopen:{},privacyPolicy:{},peerReviewing:{},howOpenAccessPublishingWithIntechopenWorks:{},sponsorshipBooks:{sponsorshipBooks:[{type:"book",id:"10176",title:"Microgrids and Local Energy Systems",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"c32b4a5351a88f263074b0d0ca813a9c",slug:null,bookSignature:"Prof. Nick Jenkins",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10176.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"55219",title:"Prof.",name:"Nick",middleName:null,surname:"Jenkins",slug:"nick-jenkins",fullName:"Nick Jenkins"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}}],offset:8,limit:8,total:1},route:{name:"profile.detail",path:"/profiles/167957/peter-weina",hash:"",query:{},params:{id:"167957",slug:"peter-weina"},fullPath:"/profiles/167957/peter-weina",meta:{},from:{name:null,path:"/",hash:"",query:{},params:{},fullPath:"/",meta:{}}}},function(){var e;(e=document.currentScript||document.scripts[document.scripts.length-1]).parentNode.removeChild(e)}()