Bentham Science Publishers

This 2 volume set aims to shed light on the various advantages and drawbacks of the same along with the opportunities and markets that are emerging because of digital transformation. This volume encompasses diverse perspectives on the digital landscape for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It delves into the use of digital tools like Big Data, IoT, AI, and ML in Chapter 1, followed by an exploration of factors influencing online shopping adoption in SMEs in Ghana (Chapter 2). Chapter 3 sheds light on the digital transformation of African SMEs, while Chapter 4 offers insights into the consequences of digitalization for SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The subsequent chapters cover topics such as the impact of Big Data on SMEs' performance, digitization initiatives for African telecom service providers, the role of social media as a promotional tool for SMEs in Ghana, and the utilization of Artificial Intelligence by SMEs in Africa, addressing both benefits and challenges. The chapters provide information for educators at all levels to obtain a complete understanding of the technology-based environment that impacts teaching and commerce. It also serves as a resource for policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students interested in digital transformation in Africa.

Dimorphism can be defined as the property of different fungal species to grow in the form of budding yeasts or in the form of mycelium, depending on the environmental conditions. Dimorphism may be considered as a differentiative phenomenon, similar to others exhibited by fungi: spore germination, sporulation, etc, but comparatively simple to analyze.

Fungal dimorphism involves extensive changes in the cell physiology and morphology in response to external signals, producing drastic alterations in the cell wall structure and synthesis, whose growth pattern changes from isodiametric (spherical) to polarized or vice versa. Because of this, dimorphism has been the subject of extensive studies as a model for the differentiation processes occurring in eukaryotic organisms.

Additionally, it is important to recall that the most important human pathogenic fungi, and some plant pathogenic ones are dimorphic, displaying different morphologies when growing as saprophytes, or inside their hosts. This observation, and the demonstration that mutants in specific genes that interfere with the dimorphic transition are non-virulent, has suggested that this process might be a target for efficient antimycotic drugs.

This e-book includes several chapters on the most important and studied fungal models, written by specialists, discussing the biology of each species or genera, the general aspects controlling their dimorphic transition, the molecular aspects involved, the use of them as models for understanding the bases of biochemical and cell differentiation, and the importance of dimorphism in pathogenesis.

This e-book is recommended for scholars and researchers working or interested in human, animal and plant pathogenesis, fungal genetics, molecular biology, development, evolution, and differentiation.

Plant diseases in ornamental, aromatic and medicinal crops are common in occurrence, and account for up to 12-20% yield losses. Diseases of Ornamental, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants is a unique reference aimed to fulfil knowledge gaps on this subject. Nine chapters cover major diseases and nematode problems in important ornamental plants (cut flowers, potted flowers, flowering geophytes, and turfs), medicinal plants (tuberous and non-tuberous) and aromatic plants.

The book explains the etiology, symptoms, disease cycle, economic importance, distribution, and management of respective plants with advanced and sustainable approaches. The book is intended as a key resource for students, botanists and academics in plant science courses. It also serves as a quick guide for horticulture professionals and gardeners dealing with plant diseases and nematode infestations on premises.

Diverse Strategies for Catalytic Reactions is a compelling exploration of catalysis, a cornerstone in chemical sciences that has propelled the evolution of chemical manufacturing at the industrial scale.

Highlighting the distinctive characteristics of catalysis, the book delves into pivotal topics and subfields. It underscores the revolutionary role catalysis plays in novel design, synthesis, and energy-efficient development, while minimizing side products, promoting atom economy, and embracing green chemistry principles. The comprehensive contents of this book include an array of chapters by experts, each addressing a specific catalytic approach, such as recent advances in electrocatalysis, nano-catalysis for selective oxidation, micellar catalysis, green catalysts, and more. Each of the 7 book chapters includes a summary and list of references for a broad range of readers. Readers will understand the range of chemical engineering strategies that are used to speed up reactions and synthesize molecules of interest. With its rich insights and practical applications, this book serves as an invaluable reference for graduate students, researchers, and professionals across academic and industrial domains.

This book describes the Throughput Model methodology that can enable individuals and organizations to better identify, understand, and use algorithms to solve daily problems. The Throughput Model is a progressive model intended to advance the artificial intelligence (AI) field since it represents symbol manipulation in six algorithmic pathways that are theorized to mimic the essential pillars of human cognition, namely, perception, information, judgment, and decision choice. The six AI algorithmic pathways are (1) Expedient Algorithmic Pathway, (2) Ruling Algorithmic Guide Pathway, (3) Analytical Algorithmic Pathway, (4) Revisionist Algorithmic Pathway, (5) Value Driven Algorithmic Pathway, and (6) Global Perspective Algorithmic Pathway.

As AI is increasingly employed for applications where decisions require explanations, the Throughput Model offers business professionals the means to look under the hood of AI and comprehend how those decisions are attained by organizations.

Key Features:

- Covers general concepts of Artificial intelligence and machine learning

- Explains the importance of dominant AI algorithms for business and AI research

- Provides information about 6 unique algorithmic pathways in the Throughput Model

- Provides information to create a roadmap towards building architectures that combine the strengths of the symbolic approaches for analyzing big data

- Explains how to understand the functions of an AI algorithm to solve problems and make good decisions

- informs managers who are interested in employing ethical and trustworthiness features in systems.

Dominant Algorithms to Evaluate Artificial Intelligence: From the view of Throughput Model is an informative reference for all professionals and scholars who are working on AI projects to solve a range of business and technical problems.

This book describes different medical problems that children with Down syndrome can encounter. Twelve chapters written by medical experts present information about the disease and give general guidelines for pediatric care. Readers are introduced to the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Down Syndrome followed by descriptions of medical issues related to the disease in children. These include neonatal problems, cardiac defects, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal problems, nervous system disorders, dental disorders and more. The book also includes information on mental health development and social issues that arise in the lives of affected children. This handbook will be essential for medical students, healthcare professionals and special education personnel who are involved in the care of children with Down syndrome.

Drug Delivery Letters publishes short papers in all important aspects of drug delivery, gene delivery, and drug targeting. Short papers report seminal results and research approaching conclusion of importance in the field.

The journal scope covers all basic and applied research in drug delivery and targeting at molecular and cellular levels and novel delivery systems. The manuscript submission process is fully electronic , to ensure the rapid publication of research results.

Drug repurposing is a cost-effective method of discovering new treatments for diseases than traditional drug development methods. It involves virtual screening of chemical candidates with the aid of computational methods like molecular docking. Drug Repurposing against SARS-CoV2 focuses on current trends in drug repurposing against the novel coronavirus strains. The book aims to give readers an overview of drug repurposing against COVID-19 and various techniques involved in the process. The book consolidates available information on the pathophysiology, drug targets, and drug repurposing against COVID-19 into a single, convenient resource. Key features -An up-to-date compilation of the evidence that supports the drug repurposing for COVID-19. -How to use repurposing of available drugs for disease therapy. -Provides an improved understanding of pathophysiology and SARS-CoV2 viral entry pathways. - Provides references for further reading

"Software Engineering now occupies a central place in the development of technology and in the advancement of the economy. From telecommunications to aerospace and from cash registers to medical imaging, software plays a vital and often decisive role in the successful accomplishment of a variety of projects. The creation of software requires a variety of techniques, tools, and especially, properly skilled engineers. This e-book focuses on core concepts and approaches that have proven useful to the author time and time again on many industry projects over a quarter century of research, development, and teaching. Enduring, lasting, and meaningful concepts, ideas, and methods in software engineering are presented and explained.

The book covers essential topics of the field of software engineering with a focus on practical and commonly used techniques along with advanced topics useful for extending the reader’s knowledge regarding leading edge approaches. Building on the industrial, research, and teaching experiences of the author, a dynamic treatment of the subject is presented incorporating a wide body of published findings and techniques, novel organization of material, original concepts, contributions from specialists, and the clear, concise writing required to keep the attention of readers. Using over 20 years of lecture notes, transcripts, course notes, view graphs, published articles, and other materials, as well as industry experience on commercial software product development a "virtual toolbox" of software techniques are shared in this volume."