\r\n\tThe aim of this book will be to describe the most common forms of dermatitis putting emphasis on the pathophysiology, clinical appearance and diagnostic of each disease. We also will aim to describe the therapeutic management and new therapeutic approaches of each condition that are currently being studied and are supposed to be used in the near future.
",isbn:null,printIsbn:"979-953-307-X-X",pdfIsbn:null,doi:null,price:0,priceEur:0,priceUsd:0,slug:null,numberOfPages:0,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"278931ae110500350d8b64805c70f193",bookSignature:"Dr. Eleni Papakonstantinou",publishedDate:null,coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7934.jpg",keywords:"Atopic eczema, Interleukin, Topical corticosteroids, Hand eczema, Blisters, Pruritus, Irritant contact dermatitis, Allergic contact dermatitis, Discoid eczema, Sebaceous glands, Inflammatory dermatitis, Facial rash",numberOfDownloads:null,numberOfWosCitations:0,numberOfCrossrefCitations:0,numberOfDimensionsCitations:0,numberOfTotalCitations:0,isAvailableForWebshopOrdering:!0,dateEndFirstStepPublish:"February 5th 2019",dateEndSecondStepPublish:"March 19th 2019",dateEndThirdStepPublish:"May 18th 2019",dateEndFourthStepPublish:"August 6th 2019",dateEndFifthStepPublish:"October 5th 2019",remainingDaysToSecondStep:"2 years",secondStepPassed:!0,currentStepOfPublishingProcess:5,editedByType:null,kuFlag:!1,biosketch:null,coeditorOneBiosketch:null,coeditorTwoBiosketch:null,coeditorThreeBiosketch:null,coeditorFourBiosketch:null,coeditorFiveBiosketch:null,editors:[{id:"203520",title:"Dr.",name:"Eleni",middleName:null,surname:"Papakonstantinou",slug:"eleni-papakonstantinou",fullName:"Eleni Papakonstantinou",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/203520/images/system/203520.jpg",biography:"Dr. med. Eleni Papakonstantinou is a Doctor of Medicine graduate and board certified Dermatologist-Venereologist. She studied medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece and she continued with her dermatology specialty in Germany (2012-2017) at the University of Magdeburg and Hannover Medical School, where she completed her dissertation in 2016 with research work on atopic dermatitis in children. During this time she gained wide experience in the whole dermatological field with special focus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases and also the prevention and treatment of melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin tumors. Her research interests were beside atopic dermatitis and pruritus also the pathophysiology of blistering dermatoses. In addition to lectures at german and international congresses, she has published several articles in german and international journals and her work has been awarded with various prizes (poster prize of the German Dermatological Society for the project: 'Bullous pemphigoid and comorbidities' (DDG Leipzig 2016), 'Michael Hornstein Memorial Scholarship' (EADV Athens 2016), travel grant (EAACI Vienna 2016). Since 2017, she works as a specialist dermatologist in private practice in Dortmund, in Germany. Parallel she co-administrates an international dermatologic network, Wikiderm International and she writes a dermatology public guide for patients, as she is convinced that evidence-based knowledge has to be shared not only with colleagues but also with patients.",institutionString:"Private Practice, Dermatology and Venereology",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"1",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:null}],coeditorOne:null,coeditorTwo:null,coeditorThree:null,coeditorFour:null,coeditorFive:null,topics:[{id:"16",title:"Medicine",slug:"medicine"}],chapters:null,productType:{id:"1",title:"Edited Volume",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"},personalPublishingAssistant:{id:"270941",firstName:"Sandra",lastName:"Maljavac",middleName:null,title:"Ms.",imageUrl:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/270941/images/7824_n.jpg",email:"sandra.m@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:"6550",title:"Cohort Studies in Health Sciences",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"01df5aba4fff1a84b37a2fdafa809660",slug:"cohort-studies-in-health-sciences",bookSignature:"R. Mauricio Barría",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/6550.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"88861",title:"Dr.",name:"R. Mauricio",surname:"Barría",slug:"r.-mauricio-barria",fullName:"R. Mauricio Barría"}],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:"69932",title:"Simplexity: A Hybrid Framework for Managing System Complexity",doi:"10.5772/intechopen.90030",slug:"simplexity-a-hybrid-framework-for-managing-system-complexity",body:'For several decades [1] complexity management represents a standard constituent of the generic management body of knowledge. This signals that complexity management is far from being a hype or a management fad [2]. Across numerous disciplines of natural, social, and systems sciences, the complexity approach serves as a holistic framework for various types of formal modeling [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. It utilizes complexity as a key unit of analysis. The spectrum of approaches includes, for instance, mass production, risk management, international management, the design of hybrids (vehicles, learning methods, plants, materials, strategies, etc.), dynamic nonlinear systems, change management, descriptive statistics, conflict management, probability theory, catastrophe theory, chaos theory, dissipative structures, as well as fuzzy set theory and management.
Not all variants of “complex” or “simple” are denoted by exactly these terms. Quite often, terms like “sophisticated,” “diverse,” “maxi,” “big,” “mega” (e.g., megaproject management), “multi,” “poly,” “distant,” “nontransparent,” “full” (e.g., full service, full or fat clients), or “fuzzy” are used to delineate complexity. The “weak versus strong” wording, for instance, has an (ambiguous) connection to the complex-simple distinction: weak signals are in fact complex due to their hidden, ambiguous, conjectural, unclear, or fuzzy character. In contrast, there is no affinity between the so-called weak or strong ties and complex or simple ties. Likewise, “light” does not always mean “simple”: “Light” versions in terms of minimal requirements for equity of start-ups are in fact simple. In contrast, “light” signaling a reduced amount of detrimental ingredients (tar in cigarettes, sugar in sodas, etc.) does not imply simplicity.
The management of complexity follows two antithetic paradigms: on the one hand, simplification, i.e., the reduction of complexity, and, on the other hand, complexification, i.e., the augmentation of complexity. Among scientists and practitioners, there is a manifest bias for the simplification paradigm, in terms of “taming,” “cutting through,” “killing,” “overcoming,” or “fighting” complexity. The mantra of complexity reduction [8, 9] is reflected in philosophical and methodological concepts like Occam’s razor, ceteris paribus assumptions, austerity, dogmatism, order, parsimony or amnesty, and “one in, one (or two or three) out” rules for fighting red tape (bureaucracy), in management concepts such as concentration on core competencies, freezing specifications of products, averaging, summarizing, standardizing, off-the-peg products, eliminating items, filtering noise, streamlining, 0CX (zero complexity), closed innovation, closed shops, simple rules, less-is-more effect, preprocessing rules, reduction rules (e.g., “kernelization”), damping of oscillatory systems, churn management, funnels, stabilizing, homeostasis, equilibria, linearization, lean management, 80:20 rule, focusing, establishing regularities (e.g., on the timeline: rhythmic intervention and equidistant check-ups [10]), normal distribution, abstraction, practices following “simplify your life” guidelines or “Keep It Short and Simple” (KISS) slogans, as well as everyday phenomena such as using abbreviations, concise and brief descriptions “in a nutshell,” or halo, primacy, and recency effects.
Nevertheless, a comparatively long list of complexity-friendly approaches such as mixes, product variants, customer segmentation, portfolios, open innovation [11], management by exception, double-loop learning, deutero learning, borderless organization, wisdom of crowds and swarm intelligence (“the many”), black swans [12], chance [13], multiplex relationships, informal relationships, creative destruction, 360-degree feedbacks, models of embeddedness, paradoxes (inventor’s paradox, Icarus’ paradox, anti-patterns, Red Queen effect, etc.), incomplete contracts, hybrid concepts like mass customization [14], coopetition [15], co-production, organized anarchy or hybrid clouds, production detours, triangulation as a measurement principle, intermittent reinforcement schedules, power law tails (e.g., the “long tail”), divide et impera strategies, blended learning, leagility, it takes three to tango-constellations [16], extended (mixed and augmented) reality, arborescent structures (binary, bifurcate, treelike, etc.), prosumers, frenemies, customized, personalized, turnkey or bespoke problem solutions, “thinking outside the box” slogans, and “breaking down silos” mentality, documents a plea for “embracing” complexity. In the same vein, complexity serves as the core of business models, e.g., in the shape of full service, diversification, mass personalization, derivatives, blue ocean strategies, or hyper-competition [17].
Both paradigms have evident drawbacks, partly owing to the superficiality of the implicitly underlying distinction between “bad” complexity and “good” complexity. Against the background of their respective strengths-weaknesses profiles, a mix or hybrid blend of the two approaches serves as a promising heuristic: Following the generic best-of-both-worlds logic of hybrids, the strengths of one second-best approach are capable of compensating the weaknesses of the opposite second-best approach to some extent—without just neutralizing “minus-operations” by “plus-operations.” An optimistic blending scenario even allows for the accumulation of strengths. The term “simplexity” has been proposed to capture the essence of this simple-complex-hybrid [18, 19, 20, 21, 22]. Within the scope of patterns for handling complexity in conflicts, simplexity represents the opposite of tit-for-tat patterns which rely on “more-more” or “less-less” procedures.
Existing simplexity models [23, 24, 25, 26] advocate, for example, simple infrastructures, rules, and heuristics [27, 28, 29, 30] for optimizing complex systems. In addition to the explicit simplexity approaches, some models like divergent-convergent problem solving or sedimented change [31] implicitly deploy simplexity, e.g., in terms of less volatility obtained via more ambiguity. Along the lines of simplexity, the punctuated equilibrium concept [32, 33] mixes phases of continuous change (or even stasis) and discontinuous change in the evolution of social systems. In models of path dependence, episodes of minimal variance (diversity) follow episodes of high variance [34].
The underlying blending approach is not just delineating the coexistence of simplicity and complexity. Moreover, simplexity stands for connections between the two paradigms, both cause-effect relationships (e.g., simplicity causing complexity), and means-end relationships like simplicity mastering complexity. In mathematical or sciences models (chaos theory, catastrophe theory, bifurcation theory, etc. [35, 36]), research on “order out of chaos” and “chaos out of order” [37] characterizes specific linkages between complexity and simplicity.
At first glance, some hybrid concepts like glocalization (characterized by the slogan “Think global, act local”) also belong to the cluster of complex-simple models. However, glocalization factually represents a predominantly complex approach since the underlying formula correctly reads “Think global, act multi-local.”
Unfortunately, prevalent models of simplexity not only suffer from common infancy problems typical of all innovative and particularly of paradoxical approaches. Their utility is deeply impaired by fundamental misconceptions. Existing models of simplexity mainly recommend the solution of “complex” problems by simple means. Yet, the underlying creed “simple rules for complex organizations” goes along with several inconsistencies.
A coherent notion of complexity or simplicity is missing. Whereas simplicity is specified in terms of numbers of rules, hierarchical levels and specialists, semi-structures, clarity, unambiguity, and persistence, the complexity of decisions or organizations is only vaguely specified (big business? high-tech business? diversified portfolios? global players?), quite often not relying on the same unit of analysis as simplicity.
A distinction between formal and content-specific ways of modeling problems and solutions is not stringently deployed. For the modeling of companies and their environment, primarily system theory has made us familiar with the distinction between formal modeling (elements, relations) on the one hand and content-specific modeling (brands, employees, computers, compensation, corporate culture, etc.) on the other hand. However, existing simplexity approaches do not differentiate between “complex tasks” (formal modeling) and “difficult tasks” [38] (content-specific modeling) nor between “simple” and “easy”. “Difficulty” denotes the overall challenge of solving problems, e.g., bootstrapping is difficult due to a restricted availability of money, skills, and knowledge. For levels of extreme difficulty, terms like intractability, dilemmas, wicked problems [39, 40], super wicked problems [41], mission impossible, or death spirals have been proposed.
In contrast, “complexity” only captures the formal aspects of a challenge, such as ill-structured problems, multitude, instability, unpredictability, ambiguity, and uncertainty. Difficulty, e.g., as a feature of matrix structures, normally implies complexity. However, formal modeling has to make complexity explicit, in matrix organizations, for instance, in terms of the number of matrix managers required, two-line system, or conflicts. This also applies to priority sequencing rules (e.g., random selection or longest processing time). Likewise, the concept of antifragility [42], also a mix of difficulty and complexity, is based on specific stressors, mistakes, or shocks that cause better performance. Within a formal complexity-focused modeling, this concept is labeled “complex” since the achieved improvement is counter-inductive or paradox. In the same vein, “feasible,” “viable,” “intangible,” “cheap,” “disproportionate,” and other notions cognate to simple (or complex) require some refinement as for their implicit complexity. Thus, the performance of a plan B depends on its content. Through the lens of complexity management, it depends on alternatively relying on two different plans A and B. In analogy, organizational “tents and palaces” differ with respect to their missions, from a complexity angle with regard to their respective stability.
The complexity-focused versus difficulty-focused modeling also applies for mindfulness, a concept that foremost serves as a potential to handle difficulty [43]. Coping mindfully is accomplished by focusing on the essentials such as the bottom-line problem(s). However, complexity approaches per se do not provide guidelines for prioritizing or ranking according to relevance.
Along these lines, the specific threats spotted in a SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (e.g., new entrants, substitutes, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, competitive rivalry) are difficult whenever appropriate strengths to cope with these threats do not exist. In this case, a complexity-based modeling informs about the number of threats, level of imbalance of power, surprise, misleading signaling of competitors, and further complexity aspects.
Likewise, single-loop, double-loop and triple-loop learning differ with respect to the learning content (actions, rules, learning method). The wording signals that they also differ from a complexity point of view with respect to the diversity of learning modes.
Conversely, focusing on the one, i.e., most restricting bottleneck, may be considered as simple. Yet, spotting this critical bottleneck in a sea of bottlenecks, covering, for instance, possible political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal constraints diagnosed via a PESTEL analysis, is truly difficult. In the same vein, decomposing a problem into subproblems makes problem solving easier but simultaneously also more complex given the additional task of integrating the partial solutions.
Finally, as a nonacademic exemplification, “living in summertime” is easy (“fish jumping,” “cotton high”). Whether it is simple (transparent, unambiguous, predictable, non-chaotic, etc.) has to be clarified via some formal modeling. In analogy, the frequently addressed “writing of a short letter” is primarily difficult because elaborating and focusing the content takes time. In addition, it is “complex” since a complex input (lot of time spent on writing) goes along with an ostensibly simple output (short letter).
The lesson learned from these examples reads: The lack of differentiation between complexity-focused modeling and content-specific modeling, typical of prevalent simplexity models, most likely turns any model into some complexity reasoning and concurrently “complexity” into a platitude.
In existing models of simplexity, there is no stringent differentiation between complexity load and complexity potential, i.e., resources deployable to cope with the respective complexity load. Actually, organizations may be (as well) considered as complex owing to the scope of their resources, their versatility, technical capacities, and dynamic capabilities (ambidexterity, change readiness, etc.). Including potential into the notion of complexity explains, for instance, that in times of Big Data capabilities [44], the complexity-triggered risks of information overload or paralysis by analysis may have to be reconsidered. The extension of complexity-based modeling also makes clear that so-called small worlds are not genuine “simple” worlds: even though one node “simply” needs a handful of immediate ego-centered connections, its worldwide connectedness requires a complex relationship potential provided by the totality of all nodes.
The ample evidence of high performance (when working with simple rules, semi-structures, or fast and frugal heuristics) provided in prevalent models signals optimism bias and meliorism. Failure due to following simple rules is hardly ever addressed. Consequently, groupthink (e.g., self-censorship) which is simple but not high performing is disregarded. This also holds for activities following, for instance, the arm’s-length principle or the forward-backward scheduling in project management which are complex but performing.
The trade-off between effectiveness and efficiency is underestimated when arguing that simple rules “work.” Complex “detours” in management like the “divide and rule strategy,” step-by-step implementation, decomposition of tasks, decomposition of time series, or the involvement of third parties (impartial conflict managers, bartering, clearing houses, election monitors, etc.) are effective although not necessarily efficient.
Effectiveness is frequently cut down to adaptability, flexibility, fluidity, adjustment, or agility. This bias results in neglecting “compatibility,” “interoperability,” “standardization” (e.g., the company language, non-discrimination policies), as well as “economies of scale and scope” as relevant performance criteria.
The focus on structure in prevalent simplexity models goes along with a rudimentary notion of infrastructure. In addition to structure and routines (i.e., the traditional core of governance), infrastructure comprises human capabilities (e.g., empowered “complex practitioners,” “comps”), self-organization, information technology, and trust. Furthermore, structure or infrastructure do not necessarily constitute disabling and restricting constraints, e.g., of repertoire and options, but may serve as enablers (e.g., of more latitude, degrees of freedom).
Hybrid entities (apart from complex-simple hybrids such as organic-mechanistic mixes), like public private partnerships, mixed top-down and bottom-up coordination, prosuming, coopetition (e.g., generic and brand-name drugs in the same corporate portfolio), chaordic systems, leagility, or the mixed push-pull control of supply chains, represent—despite their effectiveness—alien elements in the majority of prevalent simplexity models, most likely due to their complex genes.
Finally, the focus on opportunities leads to neglecting risks and the infrastructure for risk management. However, the inherent plea for self-organization requires underpinning infrastructures to cope with some downsides of self-organization such as non-compliance, discrimination, shadow economy, plagiarism, corruption, managerial entrenchment, moral hazard, bootlegging, and reactance.
In addition to the inherent inconsistencies delineated above, prevalent models of simplexity underestimate or even ignore the meta-complexity of their core basic concepts: management and complexity. As a consequence, the handling of complexity degenerates into a truism, a pseudo-guideline, or a misleading compass. The following sections contour the implicit meta-complexity of the architecture.
In addition to the complexity of complexity management, a closer look at the complexity concept reveals several architectural features of meta-complexity. Actually, there is no such thing as “the” monolithic complexity. The following sections deal with the variety of building blocks (components, domains, and dimensions) and their connectedness. Strictly speaking, any reference to “complexity” should be specified by three coordinates, i.e., component, domain, and dimension.
Simplexity approaches have to accommodate themselves to the generic complexity of managing complexity. Across the board, the three generic building blocks of management processes, i.e., objectives, context, and instruments, are marked by complexity in terms of multitude, diversity, ambiguity, and instability. The scope of performance measures, i.e., effectiveness and efficiency, is not just a matter of multitude, i.e., a complex multi-criterion system, but also of trade-offs between criteria. Furthermore, objectives are subject to changes: Levels of aspiration vary in accordance with success or failure (e.g., from maximizing to satisficing). Moreover, factors like the installed base effect or the volatile weighing of performance criteria cause instability of pursued performance levels.
The complexity of the context, particularly the environment of an organizational entity, is a constituting feature of prevalent management models. Standard models of environmental analysis screen various domains of the context. As a rule, the screening discovers divergent trends in different domains, e.g., imbalances of power on procurement markets may differ from those on sales markets. Portfolio analysis, for instance, is marked by ambiguity with respect to the supposed differential controllability of the two portfolio dimensions, e.g., market growth versus market share. Instability in the shape of turbulent environments is commonly considered the touchstone of professional management.
Last but not least, meta-complexity also characterizes the instruments of complexity management, as a rule hallmarked by multitude, diversification, and hybrid mixes. A core challenge for managing complexity is ambiguity due to an overlap of emergent and engineered variants of complexity. For the understanding and the handling of this overlay, generic hybrid or mixed management concepts like rational heuristics [45], bounded rationality, ecological rationality, logical incrementalism, guided evolution, bricolage, patching, or controlled chaos have been conceived. They combine the “reconstruction” of emergent complexity phenomena (evolution, behavior) and the purposeful “construction” of “optimal” complexity-focused concepts (development, action).
Reconstruction relies on understanding emergent complexity-related patterns such as coevolution, ecological rationality, path dependence, the transitivity principle (“enemies of my friends are my enemies”), regression toward the mean, central tendency bias (in survey-based data collection), viral dissemination, rules of thumb, frozen accidents, percolation, ripple effects, heuristics out of the “adaptive toolbox” of individuals (e.g., recognition heuristic, representativeness heuristic, naïve allocation), chunking, framing, stereotypes, antifragility, Brooks’ law, the simplicity paradox, and other unintended consequences or paradoxes as well as trends and hypes. In fact, models of emergent simplexity quite often deal with irrationality, dysfunctionalities, misfits, and paradoxes, e.g., handling of cognitive dissonance, amnesia, neurotic defense mechanisms, bipolar disorders, or adverse selection. The Darwinian model of evolution composed of complexity augmenting “variation and reproduction” and complexity reducing “selection and retention” represents a seminal emergent simplexity pattern.
The construction of (optimal) complexity is based on means-end models of standardization, commoditization, industrialization of services business models, carry-over parts, elimination (e.g., of negative aspects), smoothing, averaging, linearization, accelerating or decelerating of change [46], hiding, or camouflage. Thus, some complexity-driven cyberattacks like email bombing aim at overwhelming the capacity of servers. In pricing, more transparency (i.e., less complexity) can be obtained by partitioned pricing and less transparency (i.e., more complexity) by drip pricing.
To sum up, the resulting hybrid management models of simplexity management consist of a fusion of emergent building blocks (i.e., context and unintended effects or side effects such as collateral damage and externalities) and engineered building blocks (i.e., means and ends): The winner-take-all phenomenon—creating, for instance, the so-called GAFA world, i.e., dominated by players like Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon—perfectly illustrates the hybridity of simplexity management; it combines emergent complex processes (e.g., by facilitating network effects) on the (multi-sided) demand sector (i.e., more customers) with simplifying the supply sector (i.e., fewer vendors, quasi-monopoly). Likewise, congestion models (such as traffic or network congestions) combine emergent building blocks (e.g., queueing delays) and engineered ones, e.g., congestion avoidance.
Unlike prevalent approaches which consider complexity solely as a load, stress, hardship, or evil, an unbiased approach differentiates between two components of complexity [47]: A straining complexity load and a valuable complexity potential that can be used for handling this load. The spectrum of complexity potential comprises both hard factors (e.g., Big Data analytics, warehouse management software for chaotic storage, data highways, memory capacity, network capacity with a different reach of wide area networks and local area networks, facilities, transmission capacity, Internet infrastructure, built-in flexibility, delay-tolerant networking, upward compatibility, slack, float, buffers, space, safety stocks, commons, complex adaptive systems, traffic system capacity, capital, project budget, patents, claims, etc.) and soft factors such as complexity competencies [48]; open culture (shared values and beliefs); self-organization; intelligence; entrepreneurship; conflict tolerance; forbearance; patience; role flexibility; versatility; ambiguity tolerance; single-loop, double-loop, and triple-loop learning; mindfulness; trust; “loopholing” (finding and exploiting loopholes); meta-competences; and dynamic capabilities [49].
One has to keep in mind that a complexity potential captures merely formal features of the resources in question (e.g., available worktime, high availability of servers), not all aspects of the asset, e.g., not skill or will factors of individuals.
All interactive systems, i.e., communication, exchange, supply chains, value nets, competition, conflict, or teams, entail domains for each player involved, e.g., each stakeholder of a company. From a complexity point of view, every domain comprises two components attributed to the respective actor. As a consequence, concepts that look similar through the complexity lens, e.g., “second sourcing” and “dual sourcing”, have to be distinguished as “customer-driven risk management” versus “manufacturer-driven risk management,” respectively.
Without an attribution to actors, the differentiation between load and potential is factually impossible since the complexity potential of one party may constitute a complexity load for the other party: Hence, a plan B represents a potential for the respective planning player but a load other players have to cope with. Likewise, in distributive conflict constellations, claims and negotiating faculties of one party constitute a load for the opposite party. In the same way, customer lock-in represents a potential for the vendors but a latitude-narrowing load for the customers.
In integrative conflict management, neutral third parties are characterized by a specific profile of components: On the one hand, their complexity load consists of the diverging interests of the conflicting parties. The complexity potential on the other hand contains skills for detecting and emphasizing communalities, e.g., shared superordinate goals.
The component architecture requires the clarification of some fuzzy basic concepts: in the case of “diversity,” this clarification identifies this notion either as a complexity load (e.g., different standards, lack of communalities, tension, Babylonian confusion) or a complexity potential (e.g., scope, interdisciplinarity, source of creativity) depending on the respective context.
The two-component model goes along with several patterns of simplexity (Section 4.3). Many of them rely on a blend of reducing load (simplification) and augmenting potential (complexification). Thus, in simplexity-oriented conflict management, models combine de-escalation strategies, i.e., the investment in reducing discrepancies between involved parties or decoupling parties on the one hand with establishing conflict tolerance as well as promoting integrative strategies of negotiating (for win-win situations) on the other hand. In the same vein, post-merger integration combines dismantling of discrepancies and establishing of more commonalities.
An in-depth analysis reveals that complexity itself constitutes a multi-facet construct covering several dimensions [50]. One-dimensional concepts which alternatively focus on either size (e.g., number of stakeholders or iterations, mass production) or uncertainty (e.g., randomness, discontinuity) are incapable of capturing all relevant aspects. Even two-dimensional models like the Duncan matrix (complexity and dynamics) [51], Stacey matrix [52], and the Cynefin model or three-dimensional approaches like the diversity-ambiguity-turbulence model do not embrace all facets of complexity. More useful are four-dimensional models like the so-called VUCA-world model (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity), IBM’s four Vs of Big Data (volume, variety, velocity, and veracity), or the four-dimensional model of multitude, diversity, ambiguity, and dynamics [47]. Examples of high complexity illustrate both complexity load (lists on the left sides) and complexity potential (lists on the right side) in Figure 1.
Dimensions of complexity.
Quite often, each of the four categories covers several complexity aspects as sub-dimensions. So, in time series analysis (e.g., of climate data), it is assumed that dynamics consist of one or several systematic patterns (global warming trend, seasonal fluctuations, long term cycles, etc.) and of random noise (e.g., extreme and erratic weather). As outlined in Figure 1, the whole spectrum of exemplifications of complexity can be construed and explained by a combination of four dimensions of complexity. This umbrella concept unifies the prevalently separated modeling in terms of complicatedness, multitude, dynamics, uncertainty, and complexity. Consequently, when applying the four-dimensional terminology, the terms “complex adaptive system” or “complex dynamical systems” [53, 54] have to be paraphrased by referring to two dimensions of complexity, e.g., by “diverse and adaptive/dynamic systems.”
For a better comprehension of the meta-complexity challenge, the four dimensions are consolidated in Figure 1 to two “archetypes”: The two dimensions of the “both-and” or “conjunctive” or “additive” complexity can be consolidated to diversity, since diversity implies at least two items (i.e., numerosity), likewise the two dimensions of the “either-or” or “disjunctive” or “alternative” complexity to dynamics, since dynamics—like ambiguity—also diminishes the identity of an entity over time. In analogy, complexity potentials to handle big numbers or heterogeneity can be packed to an integration potential, correspondingly the capabilities to handle fuzziness and volatility to a flexibility potential [55, 56, 57, 58, 59].
This compact two-dimensional approach allows a specific differentiation between “simple” and “complex” complexity: An extremely complex complexity load results from an accumulation of diversity and dynamics. The simultaneous coexistence of additive complexity (short: diversity) and alternative complexity (short: dynamics) characterizes hyper-complexity [55, 60]. This challenge transcends the mere propagation of complexity across the four dimensions, e.g., the propagation of volume into variety, diversity into ambiguity, or ambiguity into volatility.
Consequently, one should consider that the umbrella term “complexity” houses two significantly different species of complexity: So, one variant of complex organizational structures is characterized by many and fine-grained regulations, typical of hierarchies. Another variant relies on few and ambiguous regulations (e.g., opening clauses, incomplete contracts, delegation). However, against the background of manifold interconnections between the dimensions (Section 3.6), complexity does not consist of two strictly separated islands. In fact, the connections, e.g., in the shape of complexity propagation across dimensions, serve as bridges between these islands. For example, due to inter-dimensional connections, hybrids are usually characterized by two rather different categories of complexity features: diversity (“fusion of two worlds”) and ambiguity (“lack of identity”).
In contrast to this complementary accumulation on the load component of complexity, there is a considerable risk of a conflict between the concurrent availability of an integration potential (for handling diversity) and a flexibility potential (for handling turbulence). Awareness for this imminent conflict comes, for instance, from the so-called organizational dilemma according to which diverse team configurations facilitate flexibility (e.g., creative problem solving) but inhibit integration in terms of reaching consensus. In the same vein, unrelated diversification (i.e., a high level of diversity in the shape of conglomerate diversification) supports flexibility (e.g., risk management) but does not generate synergy (i.e., integration). In contrast, related diversification serves as a source of synergy, though not being capable to support risk management.
Nevertheless the resolution of this conflict seems feasible, for instance, by deploying simplexity concepts. Thus, some sophisticated pricing systems like two-part tariffs [61] manage to mix integration (by means of a fixed price component reflecting ordinary average costs or consumption) and flexibility by a variable price component for deviations. Likewise, mass customization delivers both integration (cost-efficient manufacturing of standard modules) and flexibility (customized configuration of modules).
Meta-complexity requires a holistic approach covering several domains of complex phenomena. Domains are defined in the shape of specific actors (stakeholders in value adding networks, individual and collective actors such as teams or coalitions, etc.), populations (swarms, crowds, customer segments, etc.), temporal units (periods, episodes), spatial units (terrains, countries, geographical regions, etc.), levels in hierarchical systems such as product-trees and organizations, knowledge domains (e.g., know-that, know-why, know-how), organizational units (companies, departments, divisions, projects, committees, etc.), and domains of diversity such as gender, age, language, and ethnicities as well as performance domains (e.g., the perspectives in a balanced scorecard). Unfortunately, standards for domain demarcation, either horizontal or vertical, are missing. This gap is responsible for another facet of meta-complexity. Anyhow, the common reference to “the” (turbulent) environment as “one” domain lacks differentiation since different domains of environment show different complexity aspects, e.g., the upstream domain versus the downstream domain of a supply chain.
In general, inter-domain simplexity is the result of the increasing complexity load in one domain in conjunction with a compensatory decrease in a separate domain in order to avoid an increase of the overall complexity load. Thus, standardization in procurement and production (simplicity) is frequently fused with personalization (complexity) in marketing.
Meta-complexity is not just a matter of multicomponent, multidimension, or multi-domain constellations. In addition to this coexistence of the building blocks, the architecture also encompasses various connections between them [62]: Just like light creates shadow, mass and diversity (frequently labeled “complicatedness”) constitute a driver of the significantly different features of complexity, i.e., ambiguity and dynamics, traditionally viewed as complexity in the narrower sense. Prevalent approaches like matrix-based concepts of complexity ignore these varieties of derivative complexity by assuming an orthogonal configuration of the respective dimensions (e.g., diversity and turbulence).
Connections between the building blocks of complexity are logical or empirical as well as emergent or engineered. Logical connections between dimensions arise from the fact that alternative complexity logically implies additive complexity: So, ambiguity as well as change is based on a heterogeneous set of items. Likewise, flexibility requires multiplicity and diversity, e.g., in the case of dual sourcing, hedging, or plan B. Finally, all complexity dimensions imply multiplicity.
The landscape of interconnections encompasses connections within one component, one dimension, or one domain and between two or more components, dimensions, or domains. In addition to two-stage connections, there are typical multistage inter-dimension as well as inter-domain connections. Multidimension connections result from a multistage proliferation, e.g., reduced group size logically going along with less diversity, more identity, and less fluctuation. Multistage inter-domain connections are characteristic of conflict management, e.g., in the shape escalating or de-escalating, of several sequential tit-for-tat interactions or of the triggering of follow-up conflicts possibly involving additional parties. Bidirectional connections (e.g., feedback loops) may yield spiraling effects such as death spirals or the spiral of trust evolution.
Intra-component connections (across domains) deal with interconnected complexity loads (e.g., jobs and follow-up jobs) or complexity potentials (e.g., automation, outsourcing). Exemplifications of intra-dimension connections are (1) dynamics relying on multiple patterns of change, in the case of climate change, for instance, trends, i.e., global warming, and random erratic weather, (2) the linkage between the numerosity of nodes and of edges, and (3) multiple diversity, e.g., the endeavor to reach a simultaneous balance with respect to gender, age, ethnicities, and nationality in committees. Conflicts and follow-up conflicts as well as cost overruns and delays in managing projects illustrate the essence of intra-domain connectedness.
Some inter-component connections warrant a congruence of complexity load and potential. Thus, Say’s law of markets assumes that supply volume creates its demand volume, whereas Keynes’ law states that demand creates its own supply. In contrast, the so-called pig cycle model is characterized by the imbalance of demand volume (load) and supply volume (potential) caused by lags in the adjustment process. Remanence constitutes another example of an unbalanced constellation caused by latency: Even though jobs or projects (load) have been finished, extant human resources, facilities, and machinery (potential) cause (remanent) costs. Learning or experience curves deal with another load-potential connection, i.e., the improvement of skills and knowledge (potential) as a result of learning by doing or repetitive execution of jobs (load).
Fragility constitutes an emergent simplexity pattern between load and potential: An increasing complexity load, e.g., in the shape of ruinous competition, stress, or avoidance-avoidance conflicts, impairs coping capabilities due to the degeneration of muscle, disabling of capabilities, or panicking.
Inter-dimension connections occur predominantly as simplification or complexification patterns. Thus, the number of members in social networks triggers diversity, possibly yielding both positive and negative network effects. Likewise, ambiguity may cause volatility or oscillations.
As is generally known, systems management emphasizes the inter-domain connections between two formal domains: the number and scope of elements (e.g., companies in a supply chain or supply network) and the multiplicity or diversity of relations (e.g., flows of information, of merchandise, and of money). Against this background, the focused dealing with the complexity of a single enterprise, market, business unit, department, period or episode, etc., detached from other systems or subsystems, is necessarily bound to underestimate the actual scope of the respective complexity challenge or potential since it neglects the inter-domain connections.
Moral hazard in complexity parlance assumes a complex nontransparent situation regarding the attribution of outcomes to activities of an individual as member of a collective (team, community, insurance entity). The lack of transparence motivates and enables an individual member to exploit the complexity of a system to increase his individual utility at the cost of the other members which creates inequality (diversity) among the members.
The following examples illustrate the simplexity-based variants of connections between domains:
The law of large numbers implies simplexity: numerosity (e.g., many trials) creates less uncertainty, i.e., better estimations.
In adverse selection, a nontransparent situation, i.e., a factually skewed diversity of clientele against the background of an assumed balanced diversity, paradoxically creates the homogeneity of the clientele: the selection process reduces the diversity of factual customers, unfortunately adversely to the intentions of the provider of the service in question.
Information flow analysis with a complexity focus captures diversity like media breaks (e.g., digital to print media) and dynamics in the shape of error propagation across domains, both across departments and along supply chains (e.g., bullwhip effect). In the same manner, complexity-focused material flow analysis deals with delays, inventories, just-in-time sourcing (complexity load), and diversity of multimodal and intermodal transportation systems (e.g., last mile delivery, railroad combined transport) as complexity potential.
Inter-level connections within multilevel systems (e.g., organizational hierarchies, product trees, global, regional, and national standards systems) concern top-down dissemination (e.g., control and command, compliance) and bottom-up dissemination (suggestions, good practices, benchmarks, etc.).
In business relationship management (e.g., supplier relationship management), a balance is required between the domains of interdependency (e.g., reciprocal exchange, sharing, distribution of property rights) and integration (e.g., standards, solidarity, trust).
Border management, i.e., relocating borders between two (or more) domains as well as merging or splitting existing domains, aims to achieve more interdependency and integration inside certain domains than between different domains. Border management is accomplished, for instance, via mergers and acquisitions, joint venturing, spin-offs, carve-outs, sourcing (insourcing-outsourcing), customer segmentation, decoupling the push-domain and the pull-domain of a supply chain, regulating access to information, and radically switching from closed to open innovation. In multilevel entities, e.g., corporations comprising the domain of a holding company and the domain of subsidiaries, the relocation of borders frequently results in centralization or decentralization.
From a simplexity angle, insourcing, at first glance a pattern of simplification by means of reducing dependence on suppliers, constitutes in fact a simplexity pattern: the reduction of interdependence with external suppliers goes hand in hand with a higher demand for proprietary resources and internal coordination.
The building blocks of simplexity-focused management originate from a management architecture composed of an abstract-generic paradigm level, a pattern level, and a concrete-palpable parameter level. Paradigms of simplification, complexification, or simplexity have an ample extent combined with a poor specification, whereas parameters (e.g., processes and tools of diagnosing, planning, implementing, measurement) have a narrow extension coupled with high specification. In between, patterns (e.g., punctuated equilibrium, sedimented change, transitivity principle, priority rules for modifying complexity load or potential, attractors) are marked by a medium range of application as well as a mean precision. Paradigms and patterns serve as frameworks for the application of parameters.
The two-component model serves as a guideline for a balanced handling of complexity: Neither merely reducing nor solely augmenting complexity but aligning complexity load and complexity potential represents the suitable heuristics for handling complexity.
According to the generic fit-performance model, the fit, match, balance, congruity, or congruence of complexity load and complexity potential helps approximating the optimal system performance. This also includes temporal congruence, i.e., the synchronization of load and potential. The congruence approach comprises both the notions of requisite complexity (e.g., Ashby’s law) and requisite simplicity.
The underlying idea of congruence bears a specific ambiguity: As illustrated in Figure 2, congruence represents a corridor, not just a line. The corridor concept partially intersects with the Ashby space [63]. The corridor encompasses slack constellations, i.e., slightly more potential than load, as well as stretch constellations, i.e., slightly more load than potential. As a consequence, this tolerance approach deviates from the stringent (temporal) alignment applied in just-in-time strategies. The corridor implies the existence of tolerable imbalances in terms of slight overload (“stretch” to mobilize potential), as well as slight surplus, e.g., “slack” to respond to unexpected increases in complexity load as well as so-called tit-for-two-tats strategies in conflict management, allowing the opponent to defect from the agreed upon strategy twice which requires a tolerance potential on the side of the “forgiving” party. Finally, the corridor leaves space for contradictions and paradoxes like escalating commitment [64].
Alignment of complexity load and complexity potential.
The idea of load-potential congruence is elucidated by the following examples:
In dealing with systems of (linear) equations, congruence (warranting solution) is reached if the number of unknowns (complexity load) equals the number of equations (complexity potential).
The paradigm of sensemaking [65] fosters a congruence by reducing the complexity load (primarily in the shape of the unknown) to a level that makes sense, i.e., is comprehensible with available knowledge (potential).
Several hybrid concepts of organization are capable of furnishing a hyper-complex congruence, i.e., both an integration and flexibility potential as response to a blended load of diversity and dynamics. Thus, in strategic management holdings, the corporate center (shared services) is in charge of integration, whereas the subsidiaries (business units) are in charge of flexibility. In a similar way, “decentralized centralization,” i.e., centers of competence installed in units or nodes of decentralized organizational entities (corporations, networks, etc.), delivers both integration and flexibility. Likewise, franchise systems or a cooperation between a big (pharmaceutical) corporation and a small (biotechnology) start-up yields integration and flexibility. Finally, the slogan “small within big is beautiful” conveys the conjunction of integration and flexibility.
Congruence-focused simplexity management is efficient since it eliminates excess complexity both in the load component (e.g., an overlap of self-organization and intervention, overlapping of competences) and in the potential component (“waste”).
As for effectiveness, e.g., in terms of creativity and adaptability, the congruency between high levels of load and of potential delineates the notorious “edge of chaos” which actually constitutes a “region of chaos.”
Conversely, incongruence causes the risk of complexity-driven failure: Thus, a lack of synchronization of load and availability of potential may engender delays, inventories, or unpunctuality. In the same vein, so-called super wicked problems are characterized by the fact that the time (load) available for solving the respective problem (e.g., damping the greenhouse effect) is shorter than the time needed to develop countervailing strategies of problem solving, e.g., reaching a consensus on climate laws or proactive measures like a carbon tax [41].
In interactive contexts, the inherent existence of two loads and two potentials requires differentiated investigating into congruence or incongruence. So, a complexity view of so-called asymmetrical information between two actors (e.g., principal and agent) is characterized by a discrepancy of two complexity potentials: The actor having an informational advantage (agent) augments his potential by disinformation, e.g., hiding, camouflage, faking, misleading signaling, and creating ambiguity. This increases the incongruence with the principal’s potential.
Competition goes hand in hand with typical interrelationships between the complexity components of the two actors involved. Thus, in a two-competitor constellation, the complexity potential of competitor I (e.g., surprising) most likely creates a complexity load (“threat”) for competitor II which causes incongruence. In contrast, cooperative interactions merge the respective resources and equally the complexity potentials.
Whenever the relationship between the actors is unclear which economically corresponds to the hybrid constellation of coopetition, load-potential relationships are also ambiguous, like in the case of so-called good competitors.
Simplexity management operates on two categories of patterns: (1) blending patterns which answer the question: “How can simplicity and complexity be mixed?” and (2) assignment patterns that clarify which component, domain, or dimension serves as an arena for simplification and which for complexification.
For blending simplicity and complexity, a scope of several patterns of blending is available. Awareness for this scope comes, for example, from blending exploitation and exploration according to the pattern of contextual ambidexterity or the pattern of structural ambidexterity. Again, this spectrum of amalgam, multilevel, sequential, sectoral, subsidiary, and situated patterns of blending options [66] illustrates how meta-complexity is underestimated in existing simplexity approaches that normally assume a “one and only” blending pattern.
Within amalgam mixes the blending is performed in a “total” fashion, yielding new genuinely hybrid frameworks that incorporate both genes of their parent paradigms. For instance, two-part tariff pricing operates with prices simultaneously composed of a fixed (simple) and a variable (complex) component. The multilevel blending pattern combines, for instance, a simple (stable) macro-level with complex (dynamic) microlevels. In a similar fashion, the blended Water-Scrum-Fall model [67] relies on a disciplined (simplified) handling of project specification and release, which serves as a framework for (complex) agile scrum processes in the design phase of the project.
In the case of sectoral and sequential blending, complexity managers pick different paradigms to apply them in distinct sectors, i.e., dimensions, components, and domains (areas, episodes, etc.) of the entire problem solving process: Along these lines, mass customizing is based upon standard modules (simplicity) in conjunction with creating a customized configuration of these modules (complexity) [14]. In the same vein, the unfreeze-move-refreeze pattern of attitude change relies on a sequential blending of complexification episodes (unfreeze, move) and simplification episodes (refreeze). So-called hybrid systems are capable of mixing continuous incremental changes (“flowing”) and discrete dynamic behavior (“jumping”). By means of the outlined blending patterns, simple and complex strategies can be contingently assigned to different segments of the context, e.g., the intra-company context versus external targets.
Subsidiary blending, another blending pattern familiar from management by exception, combines a default (standard) approach (e.g., simplification) and a fallback approach (e.g., complexification). Thus, time pacing may serve as a default, event pacing as an exception. Finally, blended menus offer simplification and complexification as alternative options for ad hoc choices. As for problem solving tactics, the situated choice is between simple straight procedures (e.g., immediate performing) and complex detour procedures (e.g., rest before performing, problem decomposition). Likewise, path constitution comprises a “complex” path breaking option or a “simple” path dependence option [34].
The cluster of assignment patterns locates simplicity and complexity in the load or the potential component. In unison with the simplexity paradigm, simplexity pattern clarifies ways of obtaining a congruence of complexity load and complexity potential via appropriate assignment strategies as portrayed in Figure 2.
Some of the patterns rely on strategies of complexity reduction, i.e., ease strategies reducing the complexity load and cut strategies reducing (idle) potential. Along these lines, more (less) slack represents the appropriate response to more (less) turbulence.
Inversely, strategies of complexity augmentation cover pull strategies (“complexity load requires more potential”) and push strategies (“complexity potential requires more deployment”). Thus, in team development, norming, i.e., consensus, cohesion and commitment to rules (pulling potential), serves as a response to conflicts in the storming stage (pushing load). Likewise, practicing high-frequency trading requires sophisticated algorithms as technical infrastructure.
Blended pull ease—as well as push cut—strategies constitute the simplexity patterns, operating on two diametrical modifications of complexity load and complexity potential in the pursuit of load-potential congruence.
Thus, strategies of conflict management for developing more potential (tolerance, third party involvement, etc.) in conjunction with less load (decoupling of parties, providing proprietary assets, reduced claims, etc.) follow this pattern. In the same vein, flexi-time models usually rely on a compromise between three stakeholders of worktime, i.e., customers, employers, and employees. The divergence of interests, i.e., extended availability, avoidance of overtime payments, and work-family balance, is mitigated by deploying potential-enhancing devices (e.g., customer self-service, working remote) and sophisticated compromises like glide time.
Also in a pull-ease mode, so-called blue ocean strategies rely on designing innovative business models (pulling potential) that avoid competition (easing load).
In contrast, outsourcing relies on cut-pull strategies: In comparison to insourcing, outsourcing requires less investment in production activities but more investment in transaction activities.
The landscape of patterns contains various proliferation patterns, i.e., more-more or less-less strategies. According to this logic, multitude and diversity trigger major changes in response (dynamics), e.g., when red lines are crossed, quota fulfilled, or critical values (e.g., break-even points) reached. Similarly, according to Gresham’s law, the multiplicity of currency generates diversity in terms of a differentiation of functions (“store of value” versus “medium of exchange”) between “good money” and “bad money.” In the same vein, democracy combines the majority rule (multitude) with the protection of minority rights (diversity). In addition, the landscape is characterized by several simplexity patterns.
Thus, so-called incomplete contracts require only a modest investment of time for conclusion (simplification) but go along with frequent renegotiations (complexification). Optimal lot sizing (achieved by balancing ordering costs and inventory costs) through the lens of complexity relies on choosing between many small quantities and few big quantities. Likewise, the optimal dosage of change relies on choosing between many small steps (incrementalism) and few big jumps (low multiplicity in conjunction with high rates of change), at the extreme, a single “big bang.”
Sedimented change, i.e., the overlay of an old and a new regime, combines less volatility obtained via more ambiguity. Likewise, backward compatibility of software versions as well as transition periods (e.g., for the redesign of the energy portfolio) helps avoid abrupt change at the cost of more concomitant ambiguity. Standardization (simplification) constitutes the backlash to an increasing number of elements (complexification). Amalgam hybrids such as intrapreneurs or prosumers are marked by a high diversity in just one single domain.
Complexity-oriented managers are more familiar with handling inter-domain complexity or simplicity patterns than simplexity patterns: Thus, the handling of errors (deviations) such as the increasing complexity load caused by the bullwhip effect requires more complexity potential, e.g., integrative supply chain cooperation or hybrid push-pull strategies for controlling value adding processes. Another complexification pattern results from the fact that the respective requirements of vendors and customers concerning the duration of the “fuzziness or nontransparency phase” in the life cycle of a product or service normally diverge. This discrepancy goes along with various complexity patterns. So, manufacturers want to freeze product specification as soon as possible (in order to avoid costs of parallel developments), in contrast customers as late as possible, i.e., just-in-time for use. Compromises are based on postponement [68, 69], modularization, or prosuming, i.e., product finalization by the customer, for instance, by finishing a vanilla box. Likewise, late cancelations (risk of no shows) can be handled by overbooking in conjunction with cancelations fees. Some travel agencies want to keep, for instance, their hotel accommodation services or carriers opaque, i.e., prefer late specification, whereas some customers want transparent specified offers as soon as possible. Price discrimination, i.e., a price reduction for partly transparent services (so-called opaque pricing), constitutes an appropriate strategy to find a compromise.
In addition to the sketched complexity patterns, the following examples illustrate the logic of domain-focused simplexity patterns:
In organizational design we encounter various simplexity patterns covering two domains: Thus, the dismantling of hierarchies (reduced vertical span of hierarchy levels) is accompanied by an increase of the horizontal span of management. Furthermore, simplexity patterns support the optimal dosage of change: In change management projects, simplexity patterns help obtain an optimal dosage of change pacing by combining “complex” event pacing and “simple” time pacing of change initiatives [10].
Multilateralization implies the propagation of the number of nodes (n) into the number of edges (e.g., n(n-1)). However, this complexification pattern is not universal: There are various strategies to damp the numerical increase of edges; hub-and-spoke networks, for instance, are characterized by an increase of nodes (due to logistics on a global scale) but harness the number of connections between these nodes. Likewise, simplexity-focused negotiating between multiple parties (e.g., players in value nets) operates on selected multi-bilateral interactions in lieu of multilateral network-shaped interactions.
Complex overreactions (in the form of panic, actionism, “law and order” attitudes, bureaucratization, etc.) to “simple” stimuli like stress of competition or weak signals of disorder represent a complexity escalation comparable to the “butterfly effect” or bifurcation in chaos theory. In the same vein, complex (chaotic) bifurcations in the shape of disorientation may also be the paradoxical consequence of ample but contradictory information such as contradicting first and second opinions or suspicion of fake information. In contrast to prevalent models of decision-making such as the attention, interest, desire, action (AIDA) formula that convert more knowledge into focused action, action is inhibited by a confusing knowledge base, a paradox commonly labeled as “paralysis by analysis.”
In managing mergers and acquisitions, a merger (i.e., upsizing) is frequently accompanied by a demerger (downsizing), e.g., whenever the upsizing violates a ceiling (critical value) like market power. Subsequent episodes (temporal domains) are sometimes characterized by simplexity patterns in contrast to proliferation patterns. This holds for path dependence, i.e., episodes of randomness followed by episodes of regularity and stability. In analogy, the escalation of conflicts with external parties (increased diversity) is capable of de-escalating internal conflicts (reduced diversity) via increasing solidarity.
The development of more competence for self-organizing accompanied by less formal organization (intervention, planning, controlling, etc.) constitutes the simplexity logic behind empowerment, agile management, and various leadership approaches.
Collusion, i.e., a species of cooperation among competitors in terms of a reduction of the intensity of conflict (simplification), provokes various conflicts (complexification) in other affected domains, i.e., with antitrust authorities, with competitors that are not members of the cartel, and with (negatively) affected customers.
Likewise, the so-called freemium pricing models apply standard low prices for basic products (simple diversity) and price discrimination for premium products (complex diversity).
Patterns of harmonizing capacities (e.g., airline capacities and airport capacities, power generation and power transmission capacities) frequently use simplexity patterns, first and foremost a combined upsizing and downsizing of capacities. Short-term optimization efforts align capacities to the bottleneck domain by dismantling idle capacities. Long-term optimization involves investment in the upsizing of bottleneck sectors.
The determination of the so-called customer order decoupling point (demand penetration point) between the push and the pull control domains of a value chain relies on simplexity patterns: A switchover from make-to-stock to make-to-order strategies, for instance, goes along with curtailing the push domain in favor of expanding the pull domain.
Change in management quite often relies on a mix of learning (enrichment of the behavioral repertoire) and unlearning (simplification of the behavioral repertoire) [70].
In conflict management an empowerment of the conflicting parties reduces the need to involve third parties or to practice organizational escalation.
The so-called rolling planning deploys a sophisticated simplexity pattern that combines detailed short-term plans with aggregate (rough-cut) long-term planning.
Within the outlined framework, i.e., the congruence paradigm and the component-, dimension-, and domain-focused patterns, parameters provide a more palpable orientation for deploying simplexity, primarily by further specifying blending patterns and assignment patterns. On this level, each blending pattern is quantitatively specified by fixing the proportions of blending: In sequential blending the duration of the simplification and complexification episodes substantiates the qualitative blending. 50:50 proportions stand for a balanced blending, while an 80:20 ratio indicates the dominance of one category, typical of subsidiary blending. The same logic applies to push and pull proportions in value chain management, make and buy proportions in blended procurement, and the contractual fixing of shares by mutual agreements in managing conflicts. The specification of assignment patterns delivers numerical change rates, appropriate levels of decomposition (for instance, sentences, words, syllables, and letters in linguistic parsing), and optimal numbers of reinforcements.
The parameter level of simplexity management comprises (a) processes (measuring, representation, diagnosing, planning, implementing) and (b) corresponding methods, tools, skills, hardware, and software to support these activities.
Measurement provides some metrics of complexity. The spectrum comprises counting (numerosity), N/K ratios (number of elements/number of connections per element) [36], statistics of central tendency (mean, median, mode), variance, range, standard deviation (variety), probabilities and entropy (fuzziness), and volatility (dynamics). Yet, as a rule, complexity can only be measured on ordinal scales, differentiating “more” and “less” complexity. This also holds for the underlying concepts of “congruence” and “incongruence.”
The representation of simplexity patterns relies on several media of verbal representation (papers, narratives, storytelling, parables featuring Icarus, Red Queen, David and Goliath, etc.), numerical representation (median, variance, homogeneity indices, sensitivity indices, number of factors extracted in factor analysis, data mining, etc.), and visual representation, e.g., metaphors (e.g., chameleons, Janus head, organizational tents and palaces, icebergs), maps (mind-mapping, road maps, heat maps, canvases, etc.), and charts (e.g., matrices, arborescent structures, diagrams, graphs, fitness landscapes).
Diagnosing the antecedents, varieties, and consequences (e.g., in-congruence) of simplexity strategies requires collecting weak signals (for proactive complexity management), screening (supported by gamification in the shape of signaling games and screening games), target-performance comparisons, benchmarks, radars, scenario analysis, gap analysis, and forecasting methods.
Planning, i.e., searching for or approximating optimal size, optimal conflict intensity, or optimal change rates, is based on operational heuristics [71]. The spectrum covers qualitative rules of thumb, intuition, educated guesses, best practices, plausibility, trial and error, as well as some quantitative methods, e.g., computational heuristics based on simulation. Holistic planning across several domains requires meta-heuristics rather than local search heuristics. Thus, so-called tabu search improves efficiency by avoiding coming back to previously visited solutions that already turned out to be blind alleys.
Implementing the hybrid concept of simplexity into a context consisting of the communities of simplifiers and complexifiers requires a communication-based “selling,” going through unfreeze-move-freeze-processes, training, as well as stepwise procedures, e.g., piloting [66].
A major lesson learned of this introduction to simplexity is the need of a holistic (i.e., complex) handling of complexity. Against the background of the multicomponent, multi-domain, and multidimension architecture of complexity, any characterization of an entity as “(very) complex” or “simple” is inadequate. Hence, the prevalent piecemeal approaches are incapable of capturing the essence of the complexity construct. So, it remains unclear whether “complex organization” refers to complexity load, complexity potential (or the connection of the two components), additive complexity or alternative complexity, or an entire system versus just certain areas (domains) of the respective system. In other words, a holistic characterization of complexity must be based on (at least) three coordinates.
Unlike several complexity-focused heuristics, simplexity does not primarily constitute an iterative heuristics on the parameter level that supports some fine-tuning in search of the optimal degree of complexity, for instance, iterative downsizing-upsizing in search of the right size of a business unit or resource management that develops from insourcing via outsourcing to backsourcing. In fact, simplexity consists of an idiosyncratic paradigm that clarifies not only the denotation but also the connotation of complexity beyond the crude antipodes of “bad complexity” (mess, disorder, etc.) and “good complexity” (latitude, momentum, etc.). Moreover, the simplexity framework contains manifold patterns that are helpful in dealing with the varieties of complexity.
The heuristic power of this framework is not exhausted by just remodeling implicit approaches like moral hazard and push-pull control in terms of complexity. In fact, the approach furnishes a better understanding and better design than prevalent modeling. The paradigm enables compensating the weaknesses of simplification and complexification beyond merely coping with taming or exploiting complexity.
Despite these strengths, inherent deficiencies of the simplexity framework propose various lessons that have still to be learned. The lack of appropriate metrics is a major drawback of simplexity reasoning, especially when it comes to “estimating” congruence or incongruence. Moreover, the different alleys to obtain congruence in Figure 2 have to be evaluated to answer the following question: What determines whether contractionary strategies (ease, cut) or expansionary strategies (push, pull) represent the optimal pathway to congruence? In different contexts these strategies will go along with different costs or time lags, e.g., reducing load in comparison to strengthening potential or downsizing potential.
Another critical drawback has already been repeatedly addressed: Unfortunately, complexity management in general and simplexity in particular go along with a substantial meta-complexity. Hence, the manual for the simplexity-product is quite extent and may impair practicality. The well-known ambivalence of being fascinated and confused by complexity might turn into perplexity given the meta-complexity of the simplexity framework.
This leads to a generic dilemma between an approach effective, but complex on the one hand and acceptable on the other hand. Any attempt to implement simplexity will have to find a compromise between these oppositional objectives. It can be achieved by a mixed effort to (a) improve the meta-potential in the context, i.e., awareness, capacities, and skills for handling simplexity and (b) assimilate the paradigm to available capabilities and readiness. Fortunately, the concept entails several built-in options of developing a “simplexity light” version to further acceptance without questioning the essence of the model. To accomplish such a simplification of simplexity, the congruence corridor can be widened, i.e., by accepting varieties of minor misfit of complexity load and complexity potential or even prioritizing efficiency of complexity management: This would justify the situated deploying of non-hybrid models of complexity handling, most likely focused on the simplification of complexity load. All the strengths and weaknesses considered, adopting the simplexity framework realistically means relying on a “perpetual beta.”
The objective of this review was to assess whether there is a correlation between hindlimb proximal suspensory ligament desmopathy (hindlimb PSD) and sacroiliac dysfunction (SID), and provide an understanding of the current thought process of examining these disorders. There are several studies examining the coexistence of back pain and poor performance, however for the most part, the discussion focusses on the efficacy of diagnostic techniques of the thoracolumbar region with some recognition of influencing factors [1, 2, 3]. Some authors have assumed a correlation between the two disorders in their treatment programmes [4, 5] but none quantified the association or correlation of the two conditions. There are limited studies that have looked at the structure of the sacroiliac region and applied those principles to locomotion [2] however there are many text books that describe the structure alone [6, 7]. This chapter explores the two conditions and explores the background and present theories behind hindlimb PSD and SID.
The sacroiliac joint lies deep within the pelvis of the horse, made up of the sacrum (five vertebrae fused together) and the surrounding ligaments. It is known as an atypical synovial joint [2] and a cartilaginous joint [7]. The iliac surface has fibrocartilage coverage, with the sacral surface lined with hyaline cartilage, thus creating a modified symphysis [8]. There is great variation in the joint form from L shaped to C shaped either being relatively flat or concaved, although most are at an angle of 30° [2].
The sacroiliac joint lies between the ilium wings, forming a synchondrosis that is held in place by a multitude of ligaments. These ligaments are called the dorsal and ventral sacrosciatic ligaments and the broad sacrotuberous ligament [7]. The dorsal sacrosciatic ligament has two elements, a band that runs from the dorsal tuber sacrale to the apex of the sacral spinous processes; with the lateral dorsal sacrosciatic ligament running from the tuber sacrale and ilial wing to the sacral crest on the lateral aspect. The broad sacrotuberous ligament runs from the sacrum and transverse processes of the 1st and 2nd caudal vertebrae to the ischiatic spine and tuber ischium [2, 7]. The function of this joint is to provide a relatively inelastic structure that is capable of asymmetric pelvic deformation during movement [2, 9]. The muscle structure of the back plays significant influential roles in both anatomy and biomechanics.
The movement of the horses back differs depending on the location and mediolateral swing of body mass; dorsoventral movement is seen with the greatest being middle of the back (40–47 mm per peak per stride) with a reduction cranially and caudally [10, 11, 12]. The natural movement of the lumbosacral area and the hindlimb produce a sinusoidal movement of no more than 4° within each stride cycle. Extension within this sinusoidal curve starts just moments before ground contact with the hoof, with the hindlimb at maximal protraction. In the sound horse this means that movement of the sacroiliac joint is minimal as longissimus dorsi is inactive in the impact and support phase of the flight arc of the hoof, in theory resulting in a stable joint [12, 13, 14]. Having said that linear regression revealed a significant deviation in movement over Lumbar 1 and Sacral 3 correlated to increasing speed [12]. This indicated that the movement of the back and sacroiliac joint is complex [2] and changes with every change in pace (Figure 1) [11].
Schematic of the right lateral view of the pelvis showing the position of the sacroiliac joint between the wings of the ilium and wing of the sacrum and the sacrotuberous ligament (adapted from [2]).
The movement within the joint is assumed to be little [15] due to the middle gluteal and surrounding ligaments holding it in place. Despite this, a series of studies of the human sacroiliac joint revealed adaptations to forces transmitted through the joint; which was seen as roughened areas on the contrasting surfaces [16]. Comparable studies of the equine sacrum have looked at nutational forces to determine the degree of movement and suggested there is limited movement [2]. However, another investigation raised the interesting point that when the sacrotuberous ligament was cut there was a marked increase in movement [2]. This would seem obvious, as its function is to reduce movement but does suggest that ligament damage or laxity could cause increased asymmetrical movement which in itself could have an adverse effect on the soft tissue structures of the distal limb.
The structure of the third interosseous muscle, also known as the suspensory ligament, the middle interosseous muscle or the interosseous ligament, is relatively straight forward. It originates from the proximal palmer surface of the metacarpal bones, running distally where just proximal to the sesamoid bones it bifurcates inserting on to each of the two sesamoid bones. From here it travels as the extensor branch joining the common digital extensor tendon. Even though it is termed a muscle, it is believed that once the horse matures it becomes completely collagenous in nature [7]. However, this is an over simplification as others describe the ligament as having a reduction of muscle fibres [17], while still retaining some which reduce with increased age [18, 19]. Muscle fibres quantitation showed a difference of 40% between the Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds with the Thoroughbred having less muscle fibres than its counterpart, with more muscle content being found in the hindlimb suspensory ligament than the forelimb [20]. It was also noted that the proximal region of the suspensory ligament contained less muscular tissue [19, 21]. This work also showed that the number of muscle fibres reduced with increased work intensity, thus suggesting that the suspensory ligament becomes less elastic and more susceptible to strain with increased work load (Figure 2).
Schematic left lateral view showing the interosseous ligament of the hindlimb (adapted from Budras et al. [6]).
The composition of the interosseous muscle is something of a hybrid, with the majority being collagen fibres but approximately 10% being type I muscle fibres and less than 5% type II muscle fibres. The suspensory ligament is defined by the infrequent fibroblasts embedded in the collagen matrix. These fibres are dispersed differently throughout the length of the ligament. Proximally, they are grouped as loose fascicles medially and laterally with the greater concentration just below the surface. As it reaches the three quarter mark they become less distinct, fewer in number with reduced striations. Interestingly these fibres are arranged pinnately between 45 and 80° [17, 22, 23] leading to theories that high forces are created because of the greater pinnate angle in order to stabilise the joint and indications that its purpose is anti-fatigue and postural support [24]. This was supported further by the suggestion that the elasticity of the lower limb, creating a vibration of 30–40 Hz, needs damping to reduce the likelihood of damage to tendons or bones and that this is achieved through these short muscle fibres [25, 26]. Due to the elastic nature of the suspensory ligament, it is unable to cope with sudden surges in force and is not built to deal with increased amounts of fatigue [27, 28]. It has also been noted that as the age of the horse increases so does the stiffness of a tendon unit which in turn could induce a change in kinematics [29].
It is commonly understood that tendons and ligaments play an important role in elastic strain energy during locomotion. Humans and ungulates have evolved to have more efficient locomotory systems; with equine evolution determining the distal limb muscle mass would not only be challenging to manoeuvre but very costly in terms of energy expenditure. Thus we see tendons and ligaments in the distal limb as a means of storing elastic energy [25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33]. In order for the horse to utilise this mechanism within the suspensory ligament the energy from the ground reaction force is stored as strain energy to retract the limb [27, 32] helping to produce the break over point [34].
The function of the suspensory ligament is to stabilise the metacarpophalangeal joint and hindlimb in preventing hyper flexion in locomotion but also to act as part of the stay apparatus in preventing collapse of the fetlock joint when immobile [35, 36] effectively acting as passive control [17, 28]. However, the suspensory ligament differs slightly in its role compared to the other tendons of the distal limb. For example, the maximal stress the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) functions at is 40–50 MPa (mega-pascal units) compared to the suspensory ligament functioning at 18–25 MPa when in gallop; of course this is maximal output and decreases with decreased speeds. To gain a relative perspective, muscles work at 200–240 MPa. By comparison this seems quite small but provides an elastic energy saving of 25% for the suspensory ligament and 40% for the SDFT and DDFT which translates into an energy saving of 1.23 J/Kg at trot and 6 J/Kg at the gallop [33]; thus reducing metabolic expenditure [25, 31].
Biewener [31] calculated the peak activity stress mean standard deviation on the fore and hindlimb suspensory ligament with 53 ± 14% from walk to trot and 23 ± 19% into gallop. When ground reaction forces are considered and coupled with an increase in pace, the change in stress has an astonishingly small mean of 4%. This could be due to the kinematic calculation methods or potentially due to the biomechanical nature of the suspensory ligament. As the hoof makes contact with the ground, the suspensory ligament briefly stretches as a reaction to the ground reaction force and the sinking action of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint. The ligament then shortens to create an anti-hyperextension force. This elastic strain energy depends greatly upon the tendon shape and volume. These are varied as the suspensory ligament bifurcates distally resulting in a greatly reduced cross sectional area, leaving it under greater stress and strain [25, 31]. The elastic property of the lower limb is also heavily influenced by the individual gait pattern of each horse.
In order to understand the process of veterinary examination and its resultant observations; it is imperative to fully understand the kinematics and kinetics of the locomotion of the horse. The structure and function of the cursorial musculoskeletal systems have evolved to provide structures and patterns of movement that favour acceleration, manoeuvrability speed and endurance [30, 37, 38] which has been harnessed over centuries for various disciplines such as racing and dressage.
It is also important to note the influence central pattern generators (CPG) and proprioception have on the biomechanics of the horse. The regulated rhythm of a pace is created by the CPG neurons which are capable of generating the stimuli and therefore a rhythmic motor behaviour. Even though some believe that the CPG neurons are capable of producing this regulatory rhythm without stimulus, sensory feedback is still required [39, 40]. Minute differences the timings or intensity of these impulses of the right and left central pattern generators cause asymmetrical movement [41]. Horses that have modified their locomotory movement in an attempt to compensate for discomfort or pain of either hindlimb PSD or SID will in effect cause the CPG neurons to adapt their “pacemaker” like outputs; thus creating a new norm for the horses locomotion [38].
Locomotion occurs as a result of torque at the hip joint [42, 43] and ground reaction forces exerted on the hoof which in gallop can be as much as 2.5 times the horses body weight [44, 45], with equal magnitude working in the opposite direction providing propulsion [46]. Therefore, it is worth considering the kinematic pattern of hoof placement, to determine how the pathology of SID and hindlimb PSD may occur. The structure and function of the cursorial musculoskeletal systems have evolved to provide structures and patterns of movement that favour acceleration, manoeuvrability speed and endurance [30, 37].
The hoof does not hit the ground with a total sole impact, but instead, as a measure of control, impacts the ground with the lateral edge. This reduces the concussive effect of the initial ground contact [47, 48]. It is important to remember that the hoof at ground contact is moving forward and downward during the initial loading phase [38]. The degree of impact when the hoof hits the ground is determined by several factors; the 57:43% split of vertical impulse for fore and hindlimb respectively [23, 38], the hoof mass, size and shape of the hoof, contact surface, type of shoe i.e. racing plate or hunter with or without grips or studs. These all influence the vertical and horizontal hoof velocity, and degree of slip [37, 38, 49]. The degree of lameness also has a large influence on interplay between hoof and ground reaction force [14].
Several studies have analysed hoof velocity [38, 44, 50], two of which have considered horizontal hoof velocity of fore and hindlimbs; one demonstrating the greatest being in the non-leading limb [49] and other the leading limb [51]. The hoof velocity and leading limb has important implications to the structures in the hindlimbs; if it is the forelimb the majority of the velocity will be absorbed by the thoracic sling, if it is the hindlimb the velocity can only end at the sacroiliac joint, although this is greatly simplified. Having said that, longitudinal velocity reduces (regardless of limb) as the horse starts to break in early stance phase. In this early phase the hindlimb suspensory ligament (third interosseous muscle) is at its peak inertial capacity to prevent hyper extension, while at the same time the pitch avoidance movement of raising the head and neck backwards increases forces on the pelvic limb, as the weight is shifted backwards in the late stance phase. This increases propulsion of the moment arms of the hindlimbs, creating oscillating forces though the hindlimb [28, 52]. These oscillating forces are created with hoof-ground impact causing the limb to vibrate in a craniocaudal movement at 30–40 Hz, the greatest impact being distal in the limb. The muscles of the hindlimb act as adequate shock absorbers however risk of soft tissue damage increases with the increase in loading cycles [26]. This suggests that the greater the work load and discipline level of the horse, the more likely they are to sustain an injury. One method of removing force is slipping or sliding. The hoof is designed to allow an element of slip as a natural method of dissipating energy [53] however if sliding continues in the right conditions this can increase the risk of damage to soft tissue structures. Coupled with the ground reaction forces, this means that there are two opposing forces meeting at the horizontal axis, namely the sacroiliac joint [51].
There are many variable factors when considering the relationship between hindlimb PSD and SID; one of which is the natural biological variation in every horse, in that no two are exactly the same in conformation which ultimately enhances or impedes function. Discipline desirable traits have been documented for enhancing performance, such as the warmblood breeds for dressage, with greater hock angle reducing the incidences of injury compare to those with smaller hock angles [54, 55]. However, this was refuted in a later study of 66 warmblood horses that had the supposedly undesirable tarsal joint angle of <155.50° [56]. This was agreed with in another study examining the hock angles of 194 Warmblood horses with hindlimb PSD [57]. Hobbs et al. [54] described a selection of horses that had variations between contralateral limbs conformation and those with bone morphology variance in contralateral limbs [58]. The results of these differences may induce compensatory movements in an attempt to redistribute the weight through the stride cycle. In an attempt to counter this, and stabilise the gait, the hindlimbs may start to load in a pattern similar to a lame horse. Having said that this load distribution pattern may come from the horses’ handedness. This raises the question, if the horse is not physiologically capable of creating vertical impulsion (due to straight hocks), how and where will this affect the soft tissue structures in the hindlimb?
Asymmetries come in many forms, however each will have a marked effect on the biomechanics of the horse and more importantly the ground reaction forces; in the horses attempt to maintain equilibrium [54]. Of course, this need to maintain stability has different ground reaction forces depending on breed. Elite dressage Lusitano horses had lower vertical impulses compared to their Dutch Warmblood counterparts in collected trot with a range of 1.64 ± 0.02 N/Kg and 1.90 ± 0.08 N/Kg respectively. However this evened out with a change from collected trot to passage, with minimal difference being seen. Nevertheless, the key point in this is that the centre of mass is moved closer to the hindlimbs in the higher movements. Heim and co-authors [11] demonstrated a significant difference between Franches-Montagnes stallions (n = 27) and a general populous of horses (n = 6) in the dorsoventral movement (p < 0.02) and mediolateral movement (p < 0.01) for the spine, although to say this is a generalisation of differing anatomical parts and their role in locomotion. There is also the influence of the rider to consider here; not only as their body mass is part of the calculation but as the elite rider is capable of re-balancing even the most uneducated of horses to maintain the uphill longitudinal balance that is required of a dressage horse [59]. Dyson and colleagues [60] refuted this in their pilot study of rider weight, in that the weight of the rider had a greater significance than body mass index. Although this situation is not definitive, as there are many influencing factors in this scenario. For example, the balance of the rider and the dynamics between saddle and rider, both of which have a role in distribution of forces. In essence if the rider is displaced by an ill-fitting saddle or the rider is inexperienced the horse has to re-balance itself in order to compensate [10, 44], which in itself produces compensatory locomotion. Another interesting factor relating to distribution of forces, body movement and rider interaction was demonstrated during the heavy and very heavy rider trials, as the horse demonstrated 3/8 lameness (based on the 0–8 grade lameness scale where 0 is sound and 8 is nonweightbearing) with these heavier riders [60]. The thoracolumbar width changed with weight of rider, from 3.9% with a light rider to 2.8% with a heavy rider. Heim et al. [11] noted that there was less mediolateral movement in the vertebrae when under saddle, with a difference of approximately 10 mm in the 3rd lumbar vertebrae as compared to an 8 mm difference in the movement of the tuber sacrale. This suggested that the horses may be bracing themselves against the movement of the heavier rider. However this was an observation and not a direct conclusion. It was also suggested that the interactive surface between horse and rider, the saddle, if not fitted correctly increased the mediolateral movement of the rider, which led to their conclusion that the closer contact the rider has with the horse the more likely they are to be working in equilibrium with them [10].
The conformation of the hoof capsule and the angle of the internal structures have a role to play in suspensory ligament desmopathy and limb kinematics. A significant level of research focusses on the correlation between the navicular bone angle and force applied to the deep digital flexor tendon [44, 61]. Although the research was not directed at the hindlimb suspensory ligament; their findings still shed light on this area due to the anatomical angle of bordering structure and limb kinematics. The shape of the hoof has been reported to change the kinetics and kinematics of the distal limb. Dyson et al. [61] reported that the distal phalanx to hoof wall angle and distal phalanx to horizontal angle were smallest for deep digital flexor tendon injuries at 52.27° ± 3.29 and 50.32° ± 3.70 (mean ± SD) respectively. However, it would seem there was no direct correlation between that and the angles of the hoof wall. Research suggests that optimal hoof angles for both front and back feet should be 50–55° [62]. In addition, minimal correlation between the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx angle and deep digital flexor tendon injury has been found and the hoof wall angle was not the same as the distal phalanx angle [61], which could account for natural variation in hoof pastern axis.
The deviation of distal phalanx angle affects the orientation of the structures above it and subsequently the metacarpophalangeal joint; which in turn has the potential to cause soft tissue injuries [63, 64]. This is because the ground reaction forces are reduced delaying break-over to latter breaking phase [64] whereas the horse should have increased loading at this point [62, 65]. This has the potential to reduce the strain on the interosseous muscle but could also inhibit the elastic strain energy needed to create its passive force.
Kane et al. [63] identified 43 race horses with ruptured suspensory ligaments with lower heel and toe angles; for example the difference between the toe heel angle control group and those with suspensory apparatus failure was 1.3° less, a relatively small number in terms of angles but quite significant over the lifetime of a horse. In real terms this means that an increase in angle of 10° increases the chance of suspensory ligament failure by 6.75 times [63].
Shoeing has been used since domestication of the horse as a means to improve performance and help maintain hoof balance. The combination of farriery techniques like rolled toes, plus different types of shoe have a significant effect on the horse’s feet and their movement [34, 45, 66]. It could be assumed that the application of the shoe would only affect the gait pattern of the horse but an 11% vertical displacement of the trunk has been observed [66], which implies a physiological effect of the structures of the back over a lifetime of a horse. Different types of shoe also have varying effects on the horse [67]. The glue on heart bar increased strain of the suspensory ligament while the racing plate alone increased strain in the superficial digital flexor tendon, interestingly when packing was added to the racing plate the increased strain was seen in the suspensory ligament. Others demonstrated an increase force of 101 N between the unshod and the steel shod foot [45, 66]. However, when looking at this in greater detail it can be seen that there is a difference in kinetics between the two states. By comparison the shod foot remains medial throughout the entire stance phase putting greater strain on the medial aspect of the limb structures. This is due to the gripping nature of the steel shoe which effectively shortens the natural slip effect of the bare foot and increases musculoskeletal forces after impact, altering the dampening effect of the suspensory ligament and preventing hoof and frog expansion on impact [34]. The stride duration also increased with the application of a shoe from (mean) 694 to 706 ms as did the stride length from 2.78 to 2.82 m; with the stride protraction and retraction decreasing after the application of shoes. This was seen as the carpal joint extending later in the swing phase and the foot being behind the movement at impact [66]. The unshod foot lands medially to then shift laterally at mid stance to then move back again medially. The application of a metal shoe removed the hoofs natural cycle of wear from the equation, which proved to be beneficial for the horse when assessing the morphology of 100 feral Brumbies [68]. Increased substrate hardness and distance travelled reduced the likelihood of hoof wall flare, however a possible negative of this is the loading of the peripheral sole in locomotion as well as the expected loading of the hoof wall [68].
There are many influencing factors when taking into consideration the relationship between horse and rider; the riders ability to control their balance, the weight of the rider and the fit of the saddle, all of these factors can have an effect on the equilibrium and the physiology of the horse. The influence of rider weight on horse movement has also been investigated. Riders were classified as light, medium, heavy and very heavy; all of which were classified as experienced riders [69]. Horses were subjectively and objectively observed with inertial sensors to determine movement at the poll and pelvis, each horse was then assessed with each rider. All heavy and very heavy rider assessments were abandoned due to temporary lameness inducement, suggesting a biomechanical change with the introduction of a dynamic load. In a study that used a lead weight added to the saddle they found the addition of weight extended the spine [70]. Thoracolumbar width changes have also been observed in another study, differing by 7.3% from the lightest to heaviest riders [71]. Variables such as saddle fit were accounted for by Master Saddlers checking prior to the tests being ridden and on the days of the test being ridden. However oscillation of the saddle in trot was reported with all rider weight groups; very heavy 14.0%, heavy 50.0%, medium 76.9% and light 84.6%, although there was no depth of discussion as to the occurrence of this except to say not all saddles fitted perfectly. Saddle bounce also occurred with the very heavy rider on 4 out of 6 horses, although this was associated with the horse being crooked in canter. Having said that, in the objective gait analysis a pelvic minimal difference of 2.2 ± 4.8 (mean ± SD) was observed [72].
Influential factors also include rider height and leg length, as this affects the fit of the saddle for both horse and rider, plus the rider’s core strength for which it is assumed that an increase in core strength would reduce rider movement in the saddle. One of the stark conclusions drawn from this study was that lameness was observed in most of the horses when being ridden regardless of rider weight (that was not apparent in hand) and that the heavier riders consistently induced severe lameness [71, 72]. This research did not answer the question of rider weight ratio but it highlighted the importance of a well-fitting saddle and the role that it plays in maintaining normal gait patterns for that horse.
An important consideration is also the discipline of the horse and the movements they are required to perfect. An example of this was elite dressage horses which are required to produce collection; “maintaining impulsion from behind to allow a lighter shoulder”, to carry out higher level movements thus distinguishing the important factor of higher proportion of bodyweight carried by the pelvic limb [73]. Although this was recognised there was no appreciation that the movement must originate in the sacroiliac joint. Furthermore the link between tarsal joint compressions was made but not associated to orthopaedic injury. However this point was contradicted by the description that the greatest movement of the SIJ to be on the transverse plane [2]. This allowed for a wider overall viewpoint comparing the likelihood of SID by disciplines; with dressage horses and show jumpers being more susceptible [2]. This suggested that SID is induced by the greater degree of collection required of each discipline and increased angles of the moment arms of the hindlimbs, in effect reducing stability of the joint.
Data analysis primarily segregates elite and non-elite horses in order to classify gross morphology [73], demonstrating the understanding that each discipline has a differing physiological impact. This is then subdivided to location or type of injury. Conversely, they did not make the distinction in forelimb and hindlimb suspensory ligament injuries, and although there were a significant number of classifications observed, it was not stated whether these were distinct individual injuries or if the horses had sustained more than one [73]. However Barstow and Dyson [1] went a step further and subdivided their cohort into sacroiliac pain only and sacroiliac pain with hindlimb lameness; thus starting to demonstrate a correlation between the two. In comparison, others recognised the presence of other abnormalities but mainly focussed on osseous changes [74]. Dyson [61] considered an alternative perspective of tarsal conformation predisposing horses to PSD and acknowledged biomechanics as a possible influencing factor but again with no correlation to SID.
The surface that horses work on have to be taken into consideration as they directly influence the impact on hoof loading (hoof sliding and the declarative longitudinal forces) and therefore the reaction of the limb structures [38]. Surfaces vary based on their composition, a ménage situation will have a hard under layer with surface applied to a specific depth, while some race tracks will run on turf. The most important element here is the cushion depth as this has the potential to absorb some of the concussion [75, 76]. Having said that, a softer surface encourages the toe to pivot causing a rotational force on the distal limb structures [38]. In a human based assessment it was found that peak forces reduced with an increase in compliant surfaces [76]. The compliance of track surfaces has also been examined, each type of surface had a distinct effect on the hoof velocity and swing phase, with the greatest deformation coming from the most compliant surface [75]. Even though it was noted that this surface caused significant increases in stance time and angle of hoof on landing, they did not draw any conclusions from this or discuss the soft tissue implications for the horse. However, it does imply that the suspensory ligament would have to sustain its force for a prolonged period and thus potentially fatigue if longer stance time occurred. This concept was looked at in greater detail with the use of a dynamometric shoe applied to three race horses which showed that turf surfaces had a greater ground reaction force (42.9 ± 3.8 g; mean ± SEM) compared to synthetic surfaces which reduced the ground reaction forces significantly (28.5 ± 2.9 g; mean ± SEM) [77]. This implies that there will be less impact on the soft tissue structures of the hindlimb and subsequently the sacroiliac joint.
In order to gain a full understanding of the relationship between hindlimb PSD and SID, the way in which the horse works, its discipline and level, plus the rider influence and ability must be considered [73, 78, 82]. Barstow and Dyson [1] used rider colloquialisms to aid quantification of lameness; this is very subjective even when well versed in this terminology [12]. This highlights the need to be objective and specific in pinpointing lameness. Similarly another study used anecdotal evidence to support their hypothesis of sports performance level and orthopaedic injury diagnosis, suggesting that this is frequently seen in practice but not yet documented [73]. Having said that, some studies [4, 5] have noted that some horses may suffer concurrent injuries of the sacroiliac joint or proximal suspensory (respectively) but did not draw conclusions from this regarding cause and effect or relationship.
As already stated, it is difficult, if not impossible to ascertain where the pain is coming from within the sacroiliac joint; one of the possibilities is the articular surface. As the horse ages there is an increased likelihood of cartilaginous deterioration irrespective of breed type or discipline. This deterioration and possible changes may be the result of long term laxity of the surrounding ligaments [83] which in itself could cause instability of the sacroiliac joint or degenerative suspensory desmitis which would alter the gait pattern of the horse permanently [84]. Another factor, of course, could be the ground reaction forces and the impact of hard work on hard ground for sustained periods.
It is recognised that lameness of the hindlimb creates compensatory movements within the lumbosacral region [74, 85]. Signs of subtle discomfort or pain are not so easily detected. A reduction in equine motivation to work or refusing jumps or bolting with their rider can be seen [4]. However, use of inertial measurement units can make the process of assessing asymmetry objective. The assessment of 60 horses used for polo showed 36 horses (60%) demonstrated an asymmetrical movement in the head, pelvic or both [86]. Statistical analysis linear regression revealed none of these measures had a slope greater in difference than zero. This tells us two things; that inertial measures are able to quantify small asymmetries in the horse but the value of this in a lameness evaluation must be left with the veterinary professionals to interpret. In reality this technology is not commonly used in practice and the standardised approach is to use diagnostic nerve blocks to determine the area of pain. However, this is not straight forward as they need to be used in conjunction with clinical examination and imaging modalities. In fact Pilsworth and Dyson [87] described clinically sound horses receiving a palmer nerve block to have a change in gait. This was echoed by Denoix and co-authors [88] when describing the pitfalls of sacroiliac nerve blocks, in that potential error could cause a false positive. In contrast others focussed on the biomechanics of the entire vertebral column [11, 82] but limited the discussion of the limbs to kinematics. This was echoed following assessment of the dynamic asymmetry of polo ponies, which again reverberated the question of correlation and cause [89].
The need to be more specific was demonstrated by Murray et al. [73] in their results making reference to thoracolumbar and pelvis but not specifically the SIJ. Goff and co-authors [90] advanced this to identify degenerative changes of the SIJ causing poor performance. However there is no correlation to unilateral or bilateral distal limb lameness. To emphasise the need to be unambiguous Murray et al. [73] used a large sample size (1069 horses), which potentially could be representative of the equine population. However, as the study was conducted at a referral hospital it would not represent primary veterinarians seeing acute injuries or stages of disease; emphasising the need for a retrospective study of primary veterinary practices.
In a study by Barstow and Dyson [1] 296 horses were assessed for SIJ pain, of which 203 (80%) showed hindlimb lameness with 181 specifically identified with proximal suspensory desmitis (89% [94% bilateral, 6% unilateral]). Although this represents relatively small numbers by comparison to sports performance studies [73] its findings are significant and showed a direct correlation. Furthermore, the work up of the horses was carried out by the same veterinarian reducing the likelihood of subjectivity in gait analysis.
In a similar study the prevalence of orthopaedic injuries was examined, classifying the horse by injury alone [91]. Having said that, discipline was acknowledged but no relationship established; although the kinematics of the show jumper’s pelvic limb were noted. A limitation of this study was that the information was extracted from yard records rather than from veterinarian’s records. Furthermore the initial assessments were made by several veterinarians potentially providing greater diversity in objectivity of lameness detection. In contrast, a unique perspective examining the likelihood of heritable degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis in the Peruvian Paso was published [92]. Dyson [61] demonstrated an understanding of this but also questioned conformation as a predisposing factor.
All of this begs the question as to how a horse with sacroiliac dysfunction and hindlimb PSD can be identified? Generalised pain detection using facial expressions has been used for many years with infants. Langford et al. [93] took this principle and adapted it to form the mouse grimace scale for those used in biomedical research, this was hailed as a great success as a pain indicator. Miller et al. [94] developed this further to include pain behaviours. The assessment of pain has always been subjective and relative to the experience of the practitioner, formalising a grimace scale for horses [95] has made this an objective process for the equine veterinarian. There are general indicators of pain as seen in the horse grimace scale whereby an assessment of the horses facial postures are calculated on an ethogram to determine general level of pain. For example, a horse with tension above the eye alone may not be indicative of pain, but coupled with ears stiffly backwards and prominent chewing muscles, it may indicate a level of pain [95]. The facial grimace scale alone has been identified as limiting an ethogram for equine pain behaviours both ridden and in hand has been developed [60]. Importantly this study ensured its efficacy by refining its use with a “within observer repeatability study” to confirm this as a suitable tool for quantifying pain behaviours. This concept was taken a step forward in order to develop a scale for the ridden horse, for example the horse moving on three tracks in trot or canter could be an indicator of sacroiliac pain [69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96]. Some other indicators are a direct reflexion of the location of pain such as bucking going into canter demonstrating pain in the sacroiliac region; however, a horse at the very start of its education may resist the rider and buck out of frustration. Having said that, persistent displays of these behaviours are a direct indicator of pain [69]. There are many more subtle signs including asymmetry of the tuber coxae and the tuber ischii that can be visually assessed by the practitioner, asymmetrical muscle mass of the superficial gluteal and holding the tail to one side can also be seen as pain indicators [97]. Saddle slip has also been identified as an indicator of hindlimb lameness with a direct correlation between bilateral and unilateral lameness (p = 0.344 and p = 0.286 respectively) [98]. This advancement could improve criteria in determining the subtle variations in lameness between sacroiliac dysfunction and hindlimb PSD.
Research in the last 10 years has focussed on poor performance and diagnostic techniques, back pain and biomechanics or suspensory ligament disease. The correlation of information to demonstrate that lameness may be from one or more sites in the horse is limited. This indicates the necessity for further studies to determine whether there are correlations between hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy and sacroiliac disease. Understanding whether correlations are present between the two disorders could have an impact on evaluation and diagnosis, treatment and recovery, prognostics and welfare.
Albert A. Rizvanov (
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
IntechOpen publishes different types of publications
",metaTitle:"Types of publications",metaDescription:"IntechOpen publishes different types of publications",metaKeywords:null,canonicalURL:null,contentRaw:'[{"type":"htmlEditorComponent","content":"IntechOpen Edited Volumes are integrated collections of chapters about particular topics that present new areas of research or novel syntheses of existing research and, as such, represent perspectives from various authors.
\\n\\nEdited Volumes can be comprised of different types of chapters:
\\n\\nRESEARCH CHAPTER – A research chapter reports the results of original research thus contributing to the body of knowledge in a particular area of study.
\\n\\nREVIEW CHAPTER – A review chapter analyzes or examines research previously published by other scientists, rather than reporting new findings thus summarizing the current state of understanding on a topic.
\\n\\nCASE STUDY – A case study involves an in-depth, and detailed examination of a particular topic.
\\n\\nPERSPECTIVE CHAPTER – A perspective chapter offers a new point of view on existing problems, fundamental concepts, or common opinions on a specific topic. Perspective chapters can propose or support new hypotheses, or discuss the significance of newly achieved innovations. Perspective chapters can focus on current advances and future directions on a topic and include both original data and personal opinion.
\\n\\nINTRODUCTORY CHAPTER – An introductory chapter states the purpose and goals of the book. The introductory chapter is written by the Academic Editor.
\\n\\nMonographs is a self-contained work on a particular subject, or an aspect of it, written by one or more authors. Monographs usually have between 130 and 500 pages.
\\n\\nTYPES OF MONOGRAPHS:
\\n\\nSingle or multiple author manuscript
\\n\\nCompacts provide a mid-length publishing format that bridges the gap between journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, and cover content across all scientific disciplines.
\\n\\nCompacts are the preferred publishing option for brief research reports on new topics, in-depth case studies, dissertations, or essays exploring new ideas, issues, or broader topics on the research subject. Compacts usually have between 50 and 130 pages.
\\n\\nCollection of papers presented at conferences, workshops, symposiums, or scientific courses, published in book format
\\n"}]'},components:[{type:"htmlEditorComponent",content:"IntechOpen Edited Volumes are integrated collections of chapters about particular topics that present new areas of research or novel syntheses of existing research and, as such, represent perspectives from various authors.
\n\nEdited Volumes can be comprised of different types of chapters:
\n\nRESEARCH CHAPTER – A research chapter reports the results of original research thus contributing to the body of knowledge in a particular area of study.
\n\nREVIEW CHAPTER – A review chapter analyzes or examines research previously published by other scientists, rather than reporting new findings thus summarizing the current state of understanding on a topic.
\n\nCASE STUDY – A case study involves an in-depth, and detailed examination of a particular topic.
\n\nPERSPECTIVE CHAPTER – A perspective chapter offers a new point of view on existing problems, fundamental concepts, or common opinions on a specific topic. Perspective chapters can propose or support new hypotheses, or discuss the significance of newly achieved innovations. Perspective chapters can focus on current advances and future directions on a topic and include both original data and personal opinion.
\n\nINTRODUCTORY CHAPTER – An introductory chapter states the purpose and goals of the book. The introductory chapter is written by the Academic Editor.
\n\nMonographs is a self-contained work on a particular subject, or an aspect of it, written by one or more authors. Monographs usually have between 130 and 500 pages.
\n\nTYPES OF MONOGRAPHS:
\n\nSingle or multiple author manuscript
\n\nCompacts provide a mid-length publishing format that bridges the gap between journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, and cover content across all scientific disciplines.
\n\nCompacts are the preferred publishing option for brief research reports on new topics, in-depth case studies, dissertations, or essays exploring new ideas, issues, or broader topics on the research subject. Compacts usually have between 50 and 130 pages.
\n\nCollection of papers presented at conferences, workshops, symposiums, or scientific courses, published in book format
\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:5774},{group:"region",caption:"Middle and South America",value:2,count:5240},{group:"region",caption:"Africa",value:3,count:1721},{group:"region",caption:"Asia",value:4,count:10411},{group:"region",caption:"Australia and Oceania",value:5,count:897},{group:"region",caption:"Europe",value:6,count:15812}],offset:12,limit:12,total:118381},chapterEmbeded:{data:{}},editorApplication:{success:null,errors:{}},ofsBooks:{filterParams:{hasNoEditors:"0",sort:"dateEndThirdStepPublish",topicId:"6,5"},books:[{type:"book",id:"9662",title:"Vegetation Index and Dynamics",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"0abf2a59ee63fc1ba4fb64d77c9b1be7",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Eusebio Cano Carmona, Dr. Ricardo Quinto Canas, Dr. Ana Cano Ortiz and Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9662.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"87846",title:"Dr.",name:"Eusebio",surname:"Cano Carmona",slug:"eusebio-cano-carmona",fullName:"Eusebio Cano Carmona"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9659",title:"Fibroblasts - Advances in Cancer, Autoimmunity and Inflammation",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"926fa6446f6befbd363fc74971a56de2",slug:null,bookSignature:"Ph.D. Mojca Frank Bertoncelj and Ms. Katja Lakota",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9659.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"328755",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Mojca",surname:"Frank Bertoncelj",slug:"mojca-frank-bertoncelj",fullName:"Mojca Frank Bertoncelj"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"8977",title:"Protein Kinase - New Opportunities, Challenges and Future Perspectives",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"6d200cc031706a565b554fdb1c478901",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8977.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"329385",title:"Dr.",name:"Rajesh",surname:"Singh",slug:"rajesh-singh",fullName:"Rajesh Singh"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10557",title:"Elaeis guineensis",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"79500ab1930271876b4e0575e2ed3966",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Hesam Kamyab",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10557.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"225957",title:"Dr.",name:"Hesam",surname:"Kamyab",slug:"hesam-kamyab",fullName:"Hesam Kamyab"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10218",title:"Flagellar Motility in Cells",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"5fcc15570365a82d9f2c4816f4e0ee2e",slug:null,bookSignature:"Prof. Yusuf Bozkurt",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10218.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"90846",title:"Prof.",name:"Yusuf",surname:"Bozkurt",slug:"yusuf-bozkurt",fullName:"Yusuf Bozkurt"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10750",title:"Solanum tuberosum - a Promising Crop for Starvation Problem",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"516eb729eadf0d1a9d1d2e6bf31e8e9c",slug:null,bookSignature:"Prof. Mustafa Yildiz and Dr. Yasin Ozgen",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10750.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"141637",title:"Prof.",name:"Mustafa",surname:"Yildiz",slug:"mustafa-yildiz",fullName:"Mustafa Yildiz"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10797",title:"Cell Culture",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"2c628f4757f9639a4450728d839a7842",slug:null,bookSignature:"Prof. Xianquan Zhan",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10797.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"223233",title:"Prof.",name:"Xianquan",surname:"Zhan",slug:"xianquan-zhan",fullName:"Xianquan Zhan"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10772",title:"Parasitic Plants",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"31abd439b5674c91d18ad77dbc52500f",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez and Dr. Hector Sato",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10772.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"281854",title:"Dr.",name:"Ana Maria",surname:"Gonzalez",slug:"ana-maria-gonzalez",fullName:"Ana Maria Gonzalez"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10737",title:"Equus",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"258ffafc92a7c9550bb85f004d7402e7",slug:null,bookSignature:"Associate Prof. Adriana Pires Neves",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10737.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"188768",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Adriana",surname:"Pires Neves",slug:"adriana-pires-neves",fullName:"Adriana Pires Neves"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10777",title:"Plant Reproductive Ecology - Recent Advances",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"3fbf391f2093649bcf3bd674f7e32189",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Balkrishna Ghimire",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10777.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"206647",title:"Dr.",name:"Balkrishna",surname:"Ghimire",slug:"balkrishna-ghimire",fullName:"Balkrishna Ghimire"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10749",title:"Legumes",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"49d3123cde96adbe706adadebebc5ebb",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Jose Carlos Jimenez-Lopez",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10749.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"33993",title:"Dr.",name:"Jose Carlos",surname:"Jimenez-Lopez",slug:"jose-carlos-jimenez-lopez",fullName:"Jose Carlos Jimenez-Lopez"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10751",title:"Bovine Science",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!0,hash:"9e3eb325f9fce20e6cefbce1c26d647a",slug:null,bookSignature:"Dr. Muhammad Abubakar",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10751.jpg",editedByType:null,editors:[{id:"112070",title:"Dr.",name:"Muhammad",surname:"Abubakar",slug:"muhammad-abubakar",fullName:"Muhammad Abubakar"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}],filtersByTopic:[{group:"topic",caption:"Agricultural and Biological Sciences",value:5,count:19},{group:"topic",caption:"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology",value:6,count:5},{group:"topic",caption:"Business, Management and Economics",value:7,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Chemistry",value:8,count:8},{group:"topic",caption:"Computer and Information Science",value:9,count:6},{group:"topic",caption:"Earth and Planetary Sciences",value:10,count:7},{group:"topic",caption:"Engineering",value:11,count:21},{group:"topic",caption:"Environmental Sciences",value:12,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Immunology and Microbiology",value:13,count:4},{group:"topic",caption:"Materials Science",value:14,count:6},{group:"topic",caption:"Mathematics",value:15,count:1},{group:"topic",caption:"Medicine",value:16,count:25},{group:"topic",caption:"Neuroscience",value:18,count:2},{group:"topic",caption:"Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science",value:19,count:3},{group:"topic",caption:"Physics",value:20,count:3},{group:"topic",caption:"Psychology",value:21,count:4},{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:1}],offset:12,limit:12,total:24},popularBooks:{featuredBooks:[{type:"book",id:"9521",title:"Antimicrobial Resistance",subtitle:"A One Health Perspective",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"30949e78832e1afba5606634b52056ab",slug:"antimicrobial-resistance-a-one-health-perspective",bookSignature:"Mihai Mareș, Swee Hua Erin Lim, Kok-Song Lai and Romeo-Teodor Cristina",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9521.jpg",editors:[{id:"88785",title:"Prof.",name:"Mihai",middleName:null,surname:"Mares",slug:"mihai-mares",fullName:"Mihai Mares"}],equalEditorOne:{id:"190224",title:"Dr.",name:"Swee Hua Erin",middleName:null,surname:"Lim",slug:"swee-hua-erin-lim",fullName:"Swee Hua Erin Lim",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/190224/images/system/190224.png",biography:"Dr. Erin Lim is presently working as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is affiliated as an Associate Professor to Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Selangor, Malaysia. She obtained her Ph.D. from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2010 with a National Science Fellowship awarded from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia and has been actively involved in research ever since. Her main research interests include analysis of carriage and transmission of multidrug resistant bacteria in non-conventional settings, besides an interest in natural products for antimicrobial testing. She is heavily involved in the elucidation of mechanisms of reversal of resistance in bacteria in addition to investigating the immunological analyses of diseases, development of vaccination and treatment models in animals. She hopes her work will support the discovery of therapeutics in the clinical setting and assist in the combat against the burden of antibiotic resistance.",institutionString:"Abu Dhabi Women’s College",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Perdana University",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Malaysia"}}},equalEditorTwo:{id:"221544",title:"Dr.",name:"Kok-Song",middleName:null,surname:"Lai",slug:"kok-song-lai",fullName:"Kok-Song Lai",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/221544/images/system/221544.jpeg",biography:"Dr. Lai Kok Song is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan in 2012. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Lai worked as a Senior Scientist at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. His current research areas include antimicrobial resistance and plant-pathogen interaction. His particular interest lies in the study of the antimicrobial mechanism via membrane disruption of essential oils against multi-drug resistance bacteria through various biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches. Ultimately, he hopes to uncover and determine novel biomarkers related to antibiotic resistance that can be developed into new therapeutic strategies.",institutionString:"Higher Colleges of Technology",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"8",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Higher Colleges of Technology",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"United Arab Emirates"}}},equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10020",title:"Operations Management",subtitle:"Emerging Trend in the Digital Era",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"526f0dbdc7e4d85b82ce8383ab894b4c",slug:"operations-management-emerging-trend-in-the-digital-era",bookSignature:"Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Germano Lambert-Torres and Erik Bonaldi",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10020.jpg",editors:[{id:"181603",title:"Dr.",name:"Antonella",middleName:null,surname:"Petrillo",slug:"antonella-petrillo",fullName:"Antonella Petrillo"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9560",title:"Creativity",subtitle:"A Force to Innovation",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"58f740bc17807d5d88d647c525857b11",slug:"creativity-a-force-to-innovation",bookSignature:"Pooja Jain",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9560.jpg",editors:[{id:"316765",title:"Dr.",name:"Pooja",middleName:null,surname:"Jain",slug:"pooja-jain",fullName:"Pooja Jain"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9385",title:"Renewable Energy",subtitle:"Technologies and Applications",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"a6b446d19166f17f313008e6c056f3d8",slug:"renewable-energy-technologies-and-applications",bookSignature:"Tolga Taner, Archana Tiwari and Taha Selim Ustun",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9385.jpg",editors:[{id:"197240",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Tolga",middleName:null,surname:"Taner",slug:"tolga-taner",fullName:"Tolga Taner"}],equalEditorOne:{id:"186791",title:"Dr.",name:"Archana",middleName:null,surname:"Tiwari",slug:"archana-tiwari",fullName:"Archana Tiwari",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/186791/images/system/186791.jpg",biography:"Dr. Archana Tiwari is Associate Professor at Amity University, India. Her research interests include renewable sources of energy from microalgae and further utilizing the residual biomass for the generation of value-added products, bioremediation through microalgae and microbial consortium, antioxidative enzymes and stress, and nutraceuticals from microalgae. She has been working on algal biotechnology for the last two decades. She has published her research in many international journals and has authored many books and chapters with renowned publishing houses. She has also delivered talks as an invited speaker at many national and international conferences. Dr. Tiwari is the recipient of several awards including Researcher of the Year and Distinguished Scientist.",institutionString:"Amity University",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"1",institution:{name:"Amity University",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"India"}}},equalEditorTwo:{id:"197609",title:"Prof.",name:"Taha Selim",middleName:null,surname:"Ustun",slug:"taha-selim-ustun",fullName:"Taha Selim Ustun",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/197609/images/system/197609.jpeg",biography:"Dr. Taha Selim Ustun received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. He is a researcher with the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, AIST (FREA), where he leads the Smart Grid Cybersecurity Laboratory. Prior to that, he was a faculty member with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. His current research interests include power systems protection, communication in power networks, distributed generation, microgrids, electric vehicle integration, and cybersecurity in smart grids. He serves on the editorial boards of IEEE Access, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, Energies, Electronics, Electricity, World Electric Vehicle and Information journals. Dr. Ustun is a member of the IEEE 2004 and 2800, IEC Renewable Energy Management WG 8, and IEC TC 57 WG17. He has been invited to run specialist courses in Africa, India, and China. He has delivered talks for the Qatar Foundation, the World Energy Council, the Waterloo Global Science Initiative, and the European Union Energy Initiative (EUEI). His research has attracted funding from prestigious programs in Japan, Australia, the European Union, and North America.",institutionString:"Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, AIST (FREA)",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"1",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Japan"}}},equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8985",title:"Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"5c2e219a6c021a40b5a20c041dea88c4",slug:"natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences",bookSignature:"Edward R. Rhodes and Humood Naser",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8985.jpg",editors:[{id:"280886",title:"Prof.",name:"Edward R",middleName:null,surname:"Rhodes",slug:"edward-r-rhodes",fullName:"Edward R Rhodes"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10192",title:"Background and Management of Muscular Atrophy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"eca24028d89912b5efea56e179dff089",slug:"background-and-management-of-muscular-atrophy",bookSignature:"Julianna Cseri",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10192.jpg",editors:[{id:"135579",title:"Dr.",name:"Julianna",middleName:null,surname:"Cseri",slug:"julianna-cseri",fullName:"Julianna Cseri"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10065",title:"Wavelet Theory",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d8868e332169597ba2182d9b004d60de",slug:"wavelet-theory",bookSignature:"Somayeh Mohammady",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10065.jpg",editors:[{id:"109280",title:"Dr.",name:"Somayeh",middleName:null,surname:"Mohammady",slug:"somayeh-mohammady",fullName:"Somayeh Mohammady"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9644",title:"Glaciers and the Polar Environment",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"e8cfdc161794e3753ced54e6ff30873b",slug:"glaciers-and-the-polar-environment",bookSignature:"Masaki Kanao, Danilo Godone and Niccolò Dematteis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9644.jpg",editors:[{id:"51959",title:"Dr.",name:"Masaki",middleName:null,surname:"Kanao",slug:"masaki-kanao",fullName:"Masaki Kanao"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9243",title:"Coastal Environments",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"8e05e5f631e935eef366980f2e28295d",slug:"coastal-environments",bookSignature:"Yuanzhi Zhang and X. San Liang",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9243.jpg",editors:[{id:"77597",title:"Prof.",name:"Yuanzhi",middleName:null,surname:"Zhang",slug:"yuanzhi-zhang",fullName:"Yuanzhi Zhang"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7847",title:"Medical Toxicology",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"db9b65bea093de17a0855a1b27046247",slug:"medical-toxicology",bookSignature:"Pınar Erkekoglu and Tomohisa Ogawa",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7847.jpg",editors:[{id:"109978",title:"Prof.",name:"Pınar",middleName:null,surname:"Erkekoglu",slug:"pinar-erkekoglu",fullName:"Pınar Erkekoglu"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9027",title:"Human Blood Group Systems and Haemoglobinopathies",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d00d8e40b11cfb2547d1122866531c7e",slug:"human-blood-group-systems-and-haemoglobinopathies",bookSignature:"Osaro Erhabor and Anjana Munshi",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9027.jpg",editors:[{id:"35140",title:null,name:"Osaro",middleName:null,surname:"Erhabor",slug:"osaro-erhabor",fullName:"Osaro Erhabor"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8558",title:"Aerodynamics",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"db7263fc198dfb539073ba0260a7f1aa",slug:"aerodynamics",bookSignature:"Mofid Gorji-Bandpy and Aly-Mousaad Aly",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8558.jpg",editors:[{id:"35542",title:"Prof.",name:"Mofid",middleName:null,surname:"Gorji-Bandpy",slug:"mofid-gorji-bandpy",fullName:"Mofid Gorji-Bandpy"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}}],offset:12,limit:12,total:5252},hotBookTopics:{hotBooks:[],offset:0,limit:12,total:null},publish:{},publishingProposal:{success:null,errors:{}},books:{featuredBooks:[{type:"book",id:"9521",title:"Antimicrobial Resistance",subtitle:"A One Health Perspective",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"30949e78832e1afba5606634b52056ab",slug:"antimicrobial-resistance-a-one-health-perspective",bookSignature:"Mihai Mareș, Swee Hua Erin Lim, Kok-Song Lai and Romeo-Teodor Cristina",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9521.jpg",editors:[{id:"88785",title:"Prof.",name:"Mihai",middleName:null,surname:"Mares",slug:"mihai-mares",fullName:"Mihai Mares"}],equalEditorOne:{id:"190224",title:"Dr.",name:"Swee Hua Erin",middleName:null,surname:"Lim",slug:"swee-hua-erin-lim",fullName:"Swee Hua Erin Lim",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/190224/images/system/190224.png",biography:"Dr. Erin Lim is presently working as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is affiliated as an Associate Professor to Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Selangor, Malaysia. She obtained her Ph.D. from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2010 with a National Science Fellowship awarded from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia and has been actively involved in research ever since. Her main research interests include analysis of carriage and transmission of multidrug resistant bacteria in non-conventional settings, besides an interest in natural products for antimicrobial testing. She is heavily involved in the elucidation of mechanisms of reversal of resistance in bacteria in addition to investigating the immunological analyses of diseases, development of vaccination and treatment models in animals. She hopes her work will support the discovery of therapeutics in the clinical setting and assist in the combat against the burden of antibiotic resistance.",institutionString:"Abu Dhabi Women’s College",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Perdana University",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Malaysia"}}},equalEditorTwo:{id:"221544",title:"Dr.",name:"Kok-Song",middleName:null,surname:"Lai",slug:"kok-song-lai",fullName:"Kok-Song Lai",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/221544/images/system/221544.jpeg",biography:"Dr. Lai Kok Song is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan in 2012. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Lai worked as a Senior Scientist at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. His current research areas include antimicrobial resistance and plant-pathogen interaction. His particular interest lies in the study of the antimicrobial mechanism via membrane disruption of essential oils against multi-drug resistance bacteria through various biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches. Ultimately, he hopes to uncover and determine novel biomarkers related to antibiotic resistance that can be developed into new therapeutic strategies.",institutionString:"Higher Colleges of Technology",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"8",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Higher Colleges of Technology",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"United Arab Emirates"}}},equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10020",title:"Operations Management",subtitle:"Emerging Trend in the Digital Era",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"526f0dbdc7e4d85b82ce8383ab894b4c",slug:"operations-management-emerging-trend-in-the-digital-era",bookSignature:"Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Germano Lambert-Torres and Erik Bonaldi",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10020.jpg",editors:[{id:"181603",title:"Dr.",name:"Antonella",middleName:null,surname:"Petrillo",slug:"antonella-petrillo",fullName:"Antonella Petrillo"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9560",title:"Creativity",subtitle:"A Force to Innovation",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"58f740bc17807d5d88d647c525857b11",slug:"creativity-a-force-to-innovation",bookSignature:"Pooja Jain",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9560.jpg",editors:[{id:"316765",title:"Dr.",name:"Pooja",middleName:null,surname:"Jain",slug:"pooja-jain",fullName:"Pooja Jain"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9385",title:"Renewable Energy",subtitle:"Technologies and Applications",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"a6b446d19166f17f313008e6c056f3d8",slug:"renewable-energy-technologies-and-applications",bookSignature:"Tolga Taner, Archana Tiwari and Taha Selim Ustun",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9385.jpg",editors:[{id:"197240",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Tolga",middleName:null,surname:"Taner",slug:"tolga-taner",fullName:"Tolga Taner"}],equalEditorOne:{id:"186791",title:"Dr.",name:"Archana",middleName:null,surname:"Tiwari",slug:"archana-tiwari",fullName:"Archana Tiwari",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/186791/images/system/186791.jpg",biography:"Dr. Archana Tiwari is Associate Professor at Amity University, India. Her research interests include renewable sources of energy from microalgae and further utilizing the residual biomass for the generation of value-added products, bioremediation through microalgae and microbial consortium, antioxidative enzymes and stress, and nutraceuticals from microalgae. She has been working on algal biotechnology for the last two decades. She has published her research in many international journals and has authored many books and chapters with renowned publishing houses. She has also delivered talks as an invited speaker at many national and international conferences. Dr. Tiwari is the recipient of several awards including Researcher of the Year and Distinguished Scientist.",institutionString:"Amity University",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"1",institution:{name:"Amity University",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"India"}}},equalEditorTwo:{id:"197609",title:"Prof.",name:"Taha Selim",middleName:null,surname:"Ustun",slug:"taha-selim-ustun",fullName:"Taha Selim Ustun",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/197609/images/system/197609.jpeg",biography:"Dr. Taha Selim Ustun received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. He is a researcher with the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, AIST (FREA), where he leads the Smart Grid Cybersecurity Laboratory. Prior to that, he was a faculty member with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. His current research interests include power systems protection, communication in power networks, distributed generation, microgrids, electric vehicle integration, and cybersecurity in smart grids. He serves on the editorial boards of IEEE Access, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, Energies, Electronics, Electricity, World Electric Vehicle and Information journals. Dr. Ustun is a member of the IEEE 2004 and 2800, IEC Renewable Energy Management WG 8, and IEC TC 57 WG17. He has been invited to run specialist courses in Africa, India, and China. He has delivered talks for the Qatar Foundation, the World Energy Council, the Waterloo Global Science Initiative, and the European Union Energy Initiative (EUEI). His research has attracted funding from prestigious programs in Japan, Australia, the European Union, and North America.",institutionString:"Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, AIST (FREA)",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"1",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Japan"}}},equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"8985",title:"Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"5c2e219a6c021a40b5a20c041dea88c4",slug:"natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences",bookSignature:"Edward R. Rhodes and Humood Naser",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/8985.jpg",editors:[{id:"280886",title:"Prof.",name:"Edward R",middleName:null,surname:"Rhodes",slug:"edward-r-rhodes",fullName:"Edward R Rhodes"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10192",title:"Background and Management of Muscular Atrophy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"eca24028d89912b5efea56e179dff089",slug:"background-and-management-of-muscular-atrophy",bookSignature:"Julianna Cseri",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10192.jpg",editors:[{id:"135579",title:"Dr.",name:"Julianna",middleName:null,surname:"Cseri",slug:"julianna-cseri",fullName:"Julianna Cseri"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"10065",title:"Wavelet Theory",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d8868e332169597ba2182d9b004d60de",slug:"wavelet-theory",bookSignature:"Somayeh Mohammady",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10065.jpg",editors:[{id:"109280",title:"Dr.",name:"Somayeh",middleName:null,surname:"Mohammady",slug:"somayeh-mohammady",fullName:"Somayeh Mohammady"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9243",title:"Coastal Environments",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"8e05e5f631e935eef366980f2e28295d",slug:"coastal-environments",bookSignature:"Yuanzhi Zhang and X. San Liang",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9243.jpg",editors:[{id:"77597",title:"Prof.",name:"Yuanzhi",middleName:null,surname:"Zhang",slug:"yuanzhi-zhang",fullName:"Yuanzhi Zhang"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"9644",title:"Glaciers and the Polar Environment",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"e8cfdc161794e3753ced54e6ff30873b",slug:"glaciers-and-the-polar-environment",bookSignature:"Masaki Kanao, Danilo Godone and Niccolò Dematteis",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9644.jpg",editors:[{id:"51959",title:"Dr.",name:"Masaki",middleName:null,surname:"Kanao",slug:"masaki-kanao",fullName:"Masaki Kanao"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}},{type:"book",id:"7847",title:"Medical Toxicology",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"db9b65bea093de17a0855a1b27046247",slug:"medical-toxicology",bookSignature:"Pınar Erkekoglu and Tomohisa Ogawa",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/7847.jpg",editors:[{id:"109978",title:"Prof.",name:"Pınar",middleName:null,surname:"Erkekoglu",slug:"pinar-erkekoglu",fullName:"Pınar Erkekoglu"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter"}}],latestBooks:[{type:"book",id:"9243",title:"Coastal Environments",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"8e05e5f631e935eef366980f2e28295d",slug:"coastal-environments",bookSignature:"Yuanzhi Zhang and X. San Liang",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9243.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"77597",title:"Prof.",name:"Yuanzhi",middleName:null,surname:"Zhang",slug:"yuanzhi-zhang",fullName:"Yuanzhi Zhang"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10020",title:"Operations Management",subtitle:"Emerging Trend in the Digital Era",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"526f0dbdc7e4d85b82ce8383ab894b4c",slug:"operations-management-emerging-trend-in-the-digital-era",bookSignature:"Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Germano Lambert-Torres and Erik Bonaldi",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10020.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"181603",title:"Dr.",name:"Antonella",middleName:null,surname:"Petrillo",slug:"antonella-petrillo",fullName:"Antonella Petrillo"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9521",title:"Antimicrobial Resistance",subtitle:"A One Health Perspective",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"30949e78832e1afba5606634b52056ab",slug:"antimicrobial-resistance-a-one-health-perspective",bookSignature:"Mihai Mareș, Swee Hua Erin Lim, Kok-Song Lai and Romeo-Teodor Cristina",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9521.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"88785",title:"Prof.",name:"Mihai",middleName:null,surname:"Mares",slug:"mihai-mares",fullName:"Mihai Mares"}],equalEditorOne:{id:"190224",title:"Dr.",name:"Swee Hua Erin",middleName:null,surname:"Lim",slug:"swee-hua-erin-lim",fullName:"Swee Hua Erin Lim",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/190224/images/system/190224.png",biography:"Dr. Erin Lim is presently working as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is affiliated as an Associate Professor to Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Selangor, Malaysia. She obtained her Ph.D. from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2010 with a National Science Fellowship awarded from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia and has been actively involved in research ever since. Her main research interests include analysis of carriage and transmission of multidrug resistant bacteria in non-conventional settings, besides an interest in natural products for antimicrobial testing. She is heavily involved in the elucidation of mechanisms of reversal of resistance in bacteria in addition to investigating the immunological analyses of diseases, development of vaccination and treatment models in animals. She hopes her work will support the discovery of therapeutics in the clinical setting and assist in the combat against the burden of antibiotic resistance.",institutionString:"Abu Dhabi Women’s College",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Perdana University",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Malaysia"}}},equalEditorTwo:{id:"221544",title:"Dr.",name:"Kok-Song",middleName:null,surname:"Lai",slug:"kok-song-lai",fullName:"Kok-Song Lai",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/221544/images/system/221544.jpeg",biography:"Dr. Lai Kok Song is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi Women\\'s College, Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan in 2012. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Lai worked as a Senior Scientist at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. His current research areas include antimicrobial resistance and plant-pathogen interaction. His particular interest lies in the study of the antimicrobial mechanism via membrane disruption of essential oils against multi-drug resistance bacteria through various biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches. Ultimately, he hopes to uncover and determine novel biomarkers related to antibiotic resistance that can be developed into new therapeutic strategies.",institutionString:"Higher Colleges of Technology",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"8",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"Higher Colleges of Technology",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"United Arab Emirates"}}},equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9560",title:"Creativity",subtitle:"A Force to Innovation",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"58f740bc17807d5d88d647c525857b11",slug:"creativity-a-force-to-innovation",bookSignature:"Pooja Jain",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9560.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"316765",title:"Dr.",name:"Pooja",middleName:null,surname:"Jain",slug:"pooja-jain",fullName:"Pooja Jain"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9669",title:"Recent Advances in Rice Research",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"12b06cc73e89af1e104399321cc16a75",slug:"recent-advances-in-rice-research",bookSignature:"Mahmood-ur- Rahman Ansari",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9669.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"185476",title:"Dr.",name:"Mahmood-Ur-",middleName:null,surname:"Rahman Ansari",slug:"mahmood-ur-rahman-ansari",fullName:"Mahmood-Ur- Rahman Ansari"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10192",title:"Background and Management of Muscular Atrophy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"eca24028d89912b5efea56e179dff089",slug:"background-and-management-of-muscular-atrophy",bookSignature:"Julianna Cseri",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10192.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"135579",title:"Dr.",name:"Julianna",middleName:null,surname:"Cseri",slug:"julianna-cseri",fullName:"Julianna Cseri"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9550",title:"Entrepreneurship",subtitle:"Contemporary Issues",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"9b4ac1ee5b743abf6f88495452b1e5e7",slug:"entrepreneurship-contemporary-issues",bookSignature:"Mladen Turuk",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9550.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"319755",title:"Prof.",name:"Mladen",middleName:null,surname:"Turuk",slug:"mladen-turuk",fullName:"Mladen Turuk"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"10065",title:"Wavelet Theory",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d8868e332169597ba2182d9b004d60de",slug:"wavelet-theory",bookSignature:"Somayeh Mohammady",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10065.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"109280",title:"Dr.",name:"Somayeh",middleName:null,surname:"Mohammady",slug:"somayeh-mohammady",fullName:"Somayeh Mohammady"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9313",title:"Clay Science and Technology",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"6fa7e70396ff10620e032bb6cfa6fb72",slug:"clay-science-and-technology",bookSignature:"Gustavo Morari Do Nascimento",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9313.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"7153",title:"Prof.",name:"Gustavo",middleName:null,surname:"Morari Do Nascimento",slug:"gustavo-morari-do-nascimento",fullName:"Gustavo Morari Do Nascimento"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9888",title:"Nuclear Power Plants",subtitle:"The Processes from the Cradle to the Grave",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"c2c8773e586f62155ab8221ebb72a849",slug:"nuclear-power-plants-the-processes-from-the-cradle-to-the-grave",bookSignature:"Nasser Awwad",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9888.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"145209",title:"Prof.",name:"Nasser",middleName:"S",surname:"Awwad",slug:"nasser-awwad",fullName:"Nasser Awwad"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}]},subject:{topic:{id:"16",title:"Medicine",slug:"medicine",parent:{title:"Health Sciences",slug:"health-sciences"},numberOfBooks:1511,numberOfAuthorsAndEditors:39573,numberOfWosCitations:21767,numberOfCrossrefCitations:11544,numberOfDimensionsCitations:29307,videoUrl:null,fallbackUrl:null,description:null},booksByTopicFilter:{topicSlug:"medicine",sort:"-publishedDate",limit:12,offset:0},booksByTopicCollection:[{type:"book",id:"10192",title:"Background and Management of Muscular Atrophy",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"eca24028d89912b5efea56e179dff089",slug:"background-and-management-of-muscular-atrophy",bookSignature:"Julianna Cseri",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10192.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"135579",title:"Dr.",name:"Julianna",middleName:null,surname:"Cseri",slug:"julianna-cseri",fullName:"Julianna Cseri"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9027",title:"Human Blood Group Systems and Haemoglobinopathies",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"d00d8e40b11cfb2547d1122866531c7e",slug:"human-blood-group-systems-and-haemoglobinopathies",bookSignature:"Osaro Erhabor and Anjana Munshi",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9027.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"35140",title:null,name:"Osaro",middleName:null,surname:"Erhabor",slug:"osaro-erhabor",fullName:"Osaro Erhabor"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9406",title:"Clinical Implementation of Bone Regeneration and Maintenance",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"875a140c01518fa7a9bceebd688b0147",slug:"clinical-implementation-of-bone-regeneration-and-maintenance",bookSignature:"Mike Barbeck, Nahum Rosenberg, Patrick Rider, Željka Perić Kačarević and Ole Jung",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9406.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"204918",title:"Dr.",name:"Mike",middleName:null,surname:"Barbeck",slug:"mike-barbeck",fullName:"Mike Barbeck"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9122",title:"Cosmetic Surgery",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"207026ca4a4125e17038e770d00ee152",slug:"cosmetic-surgery",bookSignature:"Yueh-Bih Tang",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9122.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"202122",title:"Prof.",name:"Yueh-Bih",middleName:null,surname:"Tang",slug:"yueh-bih-tang",fullName:"Yueh-Bih Tang"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9134",title:"Recent Advances in Digital System Diagnosis and Management of Healthcare",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ff00a5718f23cb880b7337b1c36b5434",slug:"recent-advances-in-digital-system-diagnosis-and-management-of-healthcare",bookSignature:"Kamran Sartipi and Thierry Edoh",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9134.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"29601",title:"Dr.",name:"Kamran",middleName:null,surname:"Sartipi",slug:"kamran-sartipi",fullName:"Kamran Sartipi"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9569",title:"Methods in Molecular Medicine",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"691d3f3c4ac25a8093414e9b270d2843",slug:"methods-in-molecular-medicine",bookSignature:"Yusuf Tutar",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9569.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"158492",title:"Prof.",name:"Yusuf",middleName:null,surname:"Tutar",slug:"yusuf-tutar",fullName:"Yusuf Tutar"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9157",title:"Neurodegenerative Diseases",subtitle:"Molecular Mechanisms and Current Therapeutic Approaches",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"bc8be577966ef88735677d7e1e92ed28",slug:"neurodegenerative-diseases-molecular-mechanisms-and-current-therapeutic-approaches",bookSignature:"Nagehan Ersoy Tunalı",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9157.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"82778",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Nagehan",middleName:null,surname:"Ersoy Tunalı",slug:"nagehan-ersoy-tunali",fullName:"Nagehan Ersoy Tunalı"}],equalEditorOne:null,equalEditorTwo:null,equalEditorThree:null,productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"9839",title:"Outdoor Recreation",subtitle:"Physiological and Psychological Effects on Health",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"5f5a0d64267e32567daffa5b0c6a6972",slug:"outdoor-recreation-physiological-and-psychological-effects-on-health",bookSignature:"Hilde G. Nielsen",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/9839.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"158692",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Hilde G.",middleName:null,surname:"Nielsen",slug:"hilde-g.-nielsen",fullName:"Hilde G. Nielsen"}],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:"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:"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"}}],booksByTopicTotal:1511,mostCitedChapters:[{id:"19013",doi:"10.5772/21983",title:"Cell Responses to Surface and Architecture of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds",slug:"cell-responses-to-surface-and-architecture-of-tissue-engineering-scaffolds",totalDownloads:9697,totalCrossrefCites:109,totalDimensionsCites:230,book:{slug:"regenerative-medicine-and-tissue-engineering-cells-and-biomaterials",title:"Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering",fullTitle:"Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering - Cells and Biomaterials"},signatures:"Hsin-I Chang and Yiwei Wang",authors:[{id:"45747",title:"Dr.",name:"Hsin-I",middleName:null,surname:"Chang",slug:"hsin-i-chang",fullName:"Hsin-I Chang"},{id:"53659",title:"Ms.",name:"Yiwei",middleName:null,surname:"Wang",slug:"yiwei-wang",fullName:"Yiwei Wang"}]},{id:"46479",doi:"10.5772/57353",title:"Floating Drug Delivery Systems for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease",slug:"floating-drug-delivery-systems-for-eradication-of-helicobacter-pylori-in-treatment-of-peptic-ulcer-d",totalDownloads:1995,totalCrossrefCites:79,totalDimensionsCites:180,book:{slug:"trends-in-helicobacter-pylori-infection",title:"Trends in Helicobacter pylori Infection",fullTitle:"Trends in Helicobacter pylori Infection"},signatures:"Yousef Javadzadeh and Sanaz Hamedeyazdan",authors:[{id:"94276",title:"Prof.",name:"Yousef",middleName:null,surname:"Javadzadeh",slug:"yousef-javadzadeh",fullName:"Yousef Javadzadeh"},{id:"98229",title:"Dr.",name:"Sanaz",middleName:null,surname:"Hamedeyazdan",slug:"sanaz-hamedeyazdan",fullName:"Sanaz Hamedeyazdan"}]},{id:"25512",doi:"10.5772/30872",title:"Epidemiology of Psychological Distress",slug:"epidemiology-of-psychological-distress",totalDownloads:8066,totalCrossrefCites:57,totalDimensionsCites:145,book:{slug:"mental-illnesses-understanding-prediction-and-control",title:"Mental Illnesses",fullTitle:"Mental Illnesses - Understanding, Prediction and Control"},signatures:"Aline Drapeau, Alain Marchand and Dominic Beaulieu-Prévost",authors:[{id:"84582",title:"Dr.",name:"Aline",middleName:null,surname:"Drapeau",slug:"aline-drapeau",fullName:"Aline Drapeau"},{id:"84605",title:"Dr.",name:"Alain",middleName:null,surname:"Marchand",slug:"alain-marchand",fullName:"Alain Marchand"},{id:"84606",title:"Dr.",name:"Dominic",middleName:null,surname:"Beaulieu-Prévost",slug:"dominic-beaulieu-prevost",fullName:"Dominic Beaulieu-Prévost"}]}],mostDownloadedChaptersLast30Days:[{id:"43758",title:"Anxiety Disorders in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period",slug:"anxiety-disorders-in-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period",totalDownloads:39763,totalCrossrefCites:11,totalDimensionsCites:20,book:{slug:"new-insights-into-anxiety-disorders",title:"New Insights into Anxiety Disorders",fullTitle:"New Insights into Anxiety Disorders"},signatures:"Roberta Anniverno, Alessandra Bramante, Claudio Mencacci and Federico Durbano",authors:[{id:"157077",title:"Dr.",name:"Federico",middleName:null,surname:"Durbano",slug:"federico-durbano",fullName:"Federico Durbano"},{id:"166382",title:"Dr.",name:"Roberta",middleName:null,surname:"Anniverno",slug:"roberta-anniverno",fullName:"Roberta Anniverno"}]},{id:"70711",title:"Fetal Growth Restriction",slug:"fetal-growth-restriction",totalDownloads:1706,totalCrossrefCites:1,totalDimensionsCites:1,book:{slug:"growth-disorders-and-acromegaly",title:"Growth Disorders and Acromegaly",fullTitle:"Growth Disorders and Acromegaly"},signatures:"Edurne Mazarico Gallego, Ariadna Torrecillas Pujol, Alex Joan Cahuana Bartra and Maria Dolores Gómez Roig",authors:[{id:"202446",title:"Ph.D.",name:"Maria Dolores",middleName:null,surname:"Gómez Roig",slug:"maria-dolores-gomez-roig",fullName:"Maria Dolores Gómez Roig"},{id:"311835",title:"Dr.",name:"Edurne",middleName:null,surname:"Mazarico",slug:"edurne-mazarico",fullName:"Edurne Mazarico"}]},{id:"70405",title:"Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery: How We Do it with Limited Resources",slug:"hemostasis-in-cardiac-surgery-how-we-do-it-with-limited-resources",totalDownloads:2694,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:null,title:"Contemporary Applications of Biologic Hemostatic Agents across Surgical Specialties - Volume 1",fullTitle:"Contemporary Applications of Biologic Hemostatic Agents across Surgical Specialties - Volume 1"},signatures:"Fevzi Sarper Türker",authors:null},{id:"64851",title:"Herbal Medicines in African Traditional Medicine",slug:"herbal-medicines-in-african-traditional-medicine",totalDownloads:9954,totalCrossrefCites:10,totalDimensionsCites:17,book:{slug:"herbal-medicine",title:"Herbal Medicine",fullTitle:"Herbal Medicine"},signatures:"Ezekwesili-Ofili Josephine Ozioma and Okaka Antoinette Nwamaka\nChinwe",authors:[{id:"191264",title:"Prof.",name:"Josephine",middleName:"Ozioma",surname:"Ezekwesili-Ofili",slug:"josephine-ezekwesili-ofili",fullName:"Josephine Ezekwesili-Ofili"},{id:"211585",title:"Prof.",name:"Antoinette",middleName:null,surname:"Okaka",slug:"antoinette-okaka",fullName:"Antoinette Okaka"}]},{id:"59779",title:"Effective Communication in Nursing",slug:"effective-communication-in-nursing",totalDownloads:6504,totalCrossrefCites:2,totalDimensionsCites:4,book:{slug:"nursing",title:"Nursing",fullTitle:"Nursing"},signatures:"Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya",authors:[{id:"73330",title:"Dr.",name:"Nokuthula",middleName:null,surname:"Sibiya",slug:"nokuthula-sibiya",fullName:"Nokuthula Sibiya"}]},{id:"64858",title:"The Neurobiology of Anorexia Nervosa",slug:"the-neurobiology-of-anorexia-nervosa",totalDownloads:892,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"anorexia-and-bulimia-nervosa",title:"Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa",fullTitle:"Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa"},signatures:"Ashley Higgins",authors:null},{id:"63771",title:"The Role of Catheter Reshaping at the Angiographic Success",slug:"the-role-of-catheter-reshaping-at-the-angiographic-success",totalDownloads:536,totalCrossrefCites:0,totalDimensionsCites:0,book:{slug:"angiography",title:"Angiography",fullTitle:"Angiography"},signatures:"Yakup Balaban",authors:[{id:"252647",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Yakup",middleName:null,surname:"Balaban",slug:"yakup-balaban",fullName:"Yakup Balaban"}]},{id:"61866",title:"Plants Secondary Metabolites: The Key Drivers of the Pharmacological Actions of Medicinal Plants",slug:"plants-secondary-metabolites-the-key-drivers-of-the-pharmacological-actions-of-medicinal-plants",totalDownloads:5564,totalCrossrefCites:13,totalDimensionsCites:32,book:{slug:"herbal-medicine",title:"Herbal Medicine",fullTitle:"Herbal Medicine"},signatures:"Rehab A. Hussein and Amira A. El-Anssary",authors:[{id:"212117",title:"Dr.",name:"Rehab",middleName:null,surname:"Hussein",slug:"rehab-hussein",fullName:"Rehab Hussein"},{id:"221140",title:"Dr.",name:"Amira",middleName:null,surname:"El-Anssary",slug:"amira-el-anssary",fullName:"Amira El-Anssary"}]},{id:"17956",title:"Sexual and Reproductive Function in Chronic Kidney Disease and Effect of Kidney Transplantation",slug:"sexual-and-reproductive-function-in-chronic-kidney-disease-and-effect-of-kidney-transplantation",totalDownloads:11790,totalCrossrefCites:1,totalDimensionsCites:1,book:{slug:"after-the-kidney-transplant-the-patients-and-their-allograft",title:"After the Kidney Transplant",fullTitle:"After the Kidney Transplant - The Patients and Their Allograft"},signatures:"Mahboob Lessan-Pezeshki and Shirin Ghazizadeh",authors:[{id:"26564",title:"Prof.",name:"Mahboob",middleName:null,surname:"Lessan Pezeshki",slug:"mahboob-lessan-pezeshki",fullName:"Mahboob Lessan Pezeshki"},{id:"26571",title:"Prof.",name:"Shirin",middleName:null,surname:"Ghazizadeh",slug:"shirin-ghazizadeh",fullName:"Shirin Ghazizadeh"}]},{id:"64747",title:"Bone Development and Growth",slug:"bone-development-and-growth",totalDownloads:3711,totalCrossrefCites:6,totalDimensionsCites:9,book:{slug:"osteogenesis-and-bone-regeneration",title:"Osteogenesis and Bone Regeneration",fullTitle:"Osteogenesis and Bone Regeneration"},signatures:"Rosy Setiawati and Paulus Rahardjo",authors:null}],onlineFirstChaptersFilter:{topicSlug:"medicine",limit:3,offset:0},onlineFirstChaptersCollection:[{id:"75604",title:"Normal Puerperium",slug:"normal-puerperium",totalDownloads:0,totalDimensionsCites:null,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.96348",book:{title:"Midwifery"},signatures:"Subrat Panda, Ananya Das, Arindam Mallik and Surajit Ray Baruah"},{id:"75596",title:"The Use of a Dynamic Elastomeric Fabric Orthotic Intervention in Adolescents and Adults with Scoliosis",slug:"the-use-of-a-dynamic-elastomeric-fabric-orthotic-intervention-in-adolescents-and-adults-with-scolios",totalDownloads:0,totalDimensionsCites:null,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.96391",book:{title:"Spinal Deformities in Adolescents, Adults and Older Adults"},signatures:"Martin Matthews and James Wynne"},{id:"75582",title:"Elimination of Plasmodium vivax Malaria: Problems and Solutions",slug:"elimination-of-plasmodium-vivax-malaria-problems-and-solutions",totalDownloads:1,totalDimensionsCites:null,doi:"10.5772/intechopen.96604",book:{title:"Current Topics and Emerging Issues in Malaria Elimination"},signatures:"Liwang Cui, Awtum Brashear, Lynette Menezes and John Adams"}],onlineFirstChaptersTotal:652},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/273640/partha-parichha",hash:"",query:{},params:{id:"273640",slug:"partha-parichha"},fullPath:"/profiles/273640/partha-parichha",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)}()