Academic Research Institutions Research Articles

#1584 Development and validation of risk prediction models according to different clinical settings of IgA nephropathy: nationwide multicenter cohort study

Abstract Background and Aims IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis with a high risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Because machine learning models developed for research have limited use in clinical settings, this study developed and validated prediction models for IgAN according to different clinical settings. Method In this study, we analyzed data from 1,174 patients in the Japanese Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in IgAN, focusing on a 10-year observation period. We defined the derivation data from January 2002 to April 2004, and temporal validation data from May 2004 to December 2004. The composite renal outcome was defined as a 1.5-fold increase in creatinine or progression to ESRD. We developed and evaluated the three prediction models according to the different clinical settings: the primary care model for general physicians in primary care settings, the tertiary care model for specialists in tertiary care hospitals, and the research institute model, a machine learning-based approach for academic research institute settings. Results After excluding 82 patients for missing data, 114 and 14 patients experienced the composite renal outcome in the derivation (n = 874) and validation (n = 218) cohorts, respectively. The primary care model identified three variables—eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m², proteinuria ≥0.5 g/day, and non-use of corticosteroids—as significant predictors (C-statistic: 0.796; 95% CI: 0.686-0.895). The tertiary care model composed of three variables including glomerular number, histological severity and tubular/interstitial severity showed a slightly higher C-statistic (0.807; 95% CI: 0.713-0.886). When stratifying patients into risk groups, the primary care model showed a higher incidence of composite renal events in high-risk patients, and the tertiary care model effectively discriminated outcomes in all groups. The research institute model, which included 38 variables including proteinuria level, hypertension, eGFR, and non-use of corticosteroids as key predictors, showed comparable performance (C-statistic: 0.808; 95% CI: 0.689-0.886). Conclusion The primary care and tertiary care models provide simple yet effective predictive tools, competitive with the machine learning-based research institution model. These models are critical for predicting renal outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy and for patient management according to different clinical settings.

Project Management Competencies in AI-Driven Environments: A Qualitative Assessment

The objective of this paper is to provide an evaluation of project management skills and competence in AI-driven environments as an essential scope due to their pivotal role in producing effective outcomes in the fast-paced world of rapidly evolving technology. This study employs a cross-sectional research design and qualitative survey methodology to examine project management in the context of AI integration. The study involved a broad base, which includes players from various sectors like technology, finance, health, and manufacturing, so its findings and recommendations are all-encompassing. This study achieves this by utilizing datasets obtained from industry-leading AI companies, academic research institutions, and governmental agencies. These datasets comprise project management metrics, AI implementation case studies, and surveys conducted among project managers and stakeholders in AI-driven industries in addition to literature sources, using sophisticated statistical techniques. The findings show and present the changes that the practice of project management faces in the era of AI and provide the most helpful guidance for project managers, stakeholders, and organisations that strive to cope with this dynamic and changing environment. The research result shows that by emphasising skill-based development programmes, cultivating an innovation- friendly culture, and adopting AI-driven technologies, organisations can be at the forefront of technological growth, gaining a competitive advantage in the highly dynamic business environment. The research shows that in the future, the enhanced use of AI technologies will keep changing the project management landscape. This research strengthens the theoretical underpinnings of project management in AI-powered projects and ensures the enhancement of project management's actual efficacy in response to technological advancements. This will aid project managers deliver the most important skills necessary for effective project management in AI-driven environments.

School of Nursing Climate Commitment: Nursing Faculty Bring Climate to the Classroom.

In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) added "the impact of climate change on environmental and population health" into The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Presently, little guidance exists for nursing faculty new to climate education. The year prior, the Nurses Climate Challenge (NCC)-a campaign to educate 50,000 health professionals about health impacts of climate change-launched the School of Nursing Commitment through a series of focus groups and collaborative content development. With an aim of increasing access to knowledge and tools to support education about the health impacts of climate change, the NCC Commitment partners with nursing schools and provides a community of practice. Partner schools use NCC resources in courses and report the number of students educated. Within three years, 61 nursing schools in 30 states joined the Commitment. Participants included academic health centers, research institutions, multi-state schools, and small private colleges, and programs ranged from AD to PhD. Faculty (1) integrated resources into didactic and clinical settings, such as population or organ-system content, leadership, and policy; and (2) used resources to support assignments. In four years, faculty reported educating over 37,700 students, using NCC resources in 439 educational sessions. The Commitment may be valuable for faculty fulfilling AACN Essentials by bringing climate change to the classroom, community, and bedside. Furthermore, the Commitment may be a replicable model for health professional education and inspiring action on climate change.

Seek and you may (not) find: A multi-institutional analysis of where research data are shared.

Research data sharing has become an expected component of scientific research and scholarly publishing practice over the last few decades, due in part to requirements for federally funded research. As part of a larger effort to better understand the workflows and costs of public access to research data, this project conducted a high-level analysis of where academic research data is most frequently shared. To do this, we leveraged the DataCite and Crossref application programming interfaces (APIs) in search of Publisher field elements demonstrating which data repositories were utilized by researchers from six academic research institutions between 2012-2022. In addition, we also ran a preliminary analysis of the quality of the metadata associated with these published datasets, comparing the extent to which information was missing from metadata fields deemed important for public access to research data. Results show that the top 10 publishers accounted for 89.0% to 99.8% of the datasets connected with the institutions in our study. Known data repositories, including institutional data repositories hosted by those institutions, were initially lacking from our sample due to varying metadata standards and practices. We conclude that the metadata quality landscape for published research datasets is uneven; key information, such as author affiliation, is often incomplete or missing from source data repositories and aggregators. To enhance the findability, interoperability, accessibility, and reusability (FAIRness) of research data, we provide a set of concrete recommendations that repositories and data authors can take to improve scholarly metadata associated with shared datasets.

A day in the life of a clinical research nurse

Have you ever wondered, what does a clinical research nurse (CRNs) do from day-to-day or week-to-week? This article will attempt to answer those questions by including what defines research, clinical research and a CRN. Topics will also include the roles in which CRNs are responsible for or can complete, the challenges they face and their importance in clinical trials. In additional, advantages of being a CRN will be reviewed and how this can powerfully change your view on the career and then stories from CRNs at two major academic research institutes will be reported and how lives are changed because of research nurses. If you read this article and determine that this path may be what you want to pursue or learn more about, the writer has included a section about training and certification which can be reviewed and explored. Also included is knowledge which is helpful to learn when exploring this topic.

A scoping review on what constitutes a good research culture

Background The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based on publications, journal prestige and funding. In response, research institutions need to assess their own practices to promote and advocate for change in the current research ecosystem. The purpose of the scoping review was to explore ‘What does the evidence say about the ‘problem’ with ‘poor’ research culture, what are the benefits of ‘good’ research culture, and what does ‘good’ look like?’ Aims To examine the peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore the interplay between research culture, open research, career paths, recognition and rewards, and equality, diversity, and inclusion, as part of a larger programme of activity for a research institution. Methods A scoping review was undertaken. Six databases were searched along with grey literature. Eligible literature had relevance to academic research institutions, addressed research culture, and were published between January 2017 to May 2022. Evidence was mapped and themed to specific categories. The search strategy, screening and analysis took place between April-May 2022. Results 1666 titles and abstracts, and 924 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 253 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. A purposive sampling of relevant websites was drawn from to complement the review, resulting in 102 records included in the review. Key areas for consideration were identified across the four themes of job security, wellbeing and equality of opportunity, teamwork and interdisciplinary, and research quality and accountability. Conclusions There are opportunities for research institutions to improve their own practice, however institutional solutions cannot act in isolation. Research institutions and research funders need to work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive research culture that is diverse in nature and supports individuals’ well-being, career progression and performance.

Ethically Determining the Authorship of Health Science Research Publications: A Scoping Review

Authorship is a significant aspect of scientific research publications, serving as a primary means of acknowledging the intellectual contributions of individuals and shaping career trajectories. However, determining authorship ethically and fairly in health science research remains a complex and multifaceted issue. This scoping review aims to explore the existing literature surrounding ethical considerations associated with authorship determination in health science research publications, published between 1989 and 2023. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that ethical authorship practices in health science research are complex and multifaceted. This review emphasized how crucial it is to have precise rules and guidelines for deciding who is the author in academic journals, research institutes, and societies. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has published several ethical principles to address the difficulties associated with authorship determination. Still, there are differences and disagreements in how these rules are interpreted and applied, which could present moral enigmas. The review also examines new ethical issues arising from multidisciplinary and collaborative research, such as the responsibilities and funding of industry collaborations, shared authorship, and acknowledging the contributions of other groups. Maintaining the integrity of health science research and encouraging responsible collaboration requires making sure that authorship determination is transparent, equitable, and accountable. Authors should disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence their judgment or interpretation of the research findings.

Study on the evolution of collaborative innovation in marine economy considering the participation of financial institutions and two types of cooperation

In the realm of significant technological research and innovation within the marine economy, enterprises and academic research institutions often grapple with a lack of innovation motivation due to financial constraints. This paper introduces the factor of "capital constraints" into the marine innovation chain, establishing a technological innovation chain within the marine economy. Utilizing a three-party evolutionary game model, the study delves into the strategy selection and evolution of financial institutions, marine enterprises, and academic research institutions. In contrast to previous studies, this paper categorizes technological innovation cooperation into two types: "cooperative tackling type" and "market-oriented promotion type." Additionally, it posits that collaboration between academic research institutions and marine enterprises establishes an implicit guarantee relationship, facilitating access to higher loan amounts for both parties. The research reveals that the behavior of governments and marine enterprises is influenced by the initial willingness of participants. Higher basic benefits of cooperation and innovation between academic research institutions and marine enterprises lead to a quicker attainment of an evolutionary stable state. Moreover, in collaborations between marine enterprises and research institutions, an excessively high proportion of funds occupied by marine enterprises proves disadvantageous. The paper suggests that pure market-oriented promotion innovation cooperation could serve as a supplementary approach to traditional cooperation and innovation. Finally, numerical examples are presented to elucidate the outcomes of the theoretical model, accompanied by policy suggestions.

United States Military-Industry-University Nexus: the Sustainable Research and Development Collaboration

This research explores the effectiveness of collaborative Research and Development (R&D) frameworks within the military-industry-university nexus of the United States, with a focus on innovative technologies that offer sustainable solutions. The paper uses Desktop Review as the research methodology to explore past literature and government reports on best practices and key factors contributing to disruptive technological advancements and sustainable practices within the US military. Some of the findings include best practices that promote collaborative R&D and sustainable innovation within the military such as Federal Laboratory Consortium, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). The paper concludes with strategic recommendations and actionable insights aimed at optimizing collaborative R&D approaches to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and impact ful innovation in military technology. In conclusion, the research advances the ongoing dialogue and action aimed at optimizing the synergy between the US military, industry, and academic research institutions. The research intends to harness the potential of academia and industry to drive advancements in military technology while ensuring strategic national capabilities and long-term sustainability.

Lessons learned from implementing a diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum for health research professionals at a large academic research institution.

Despite advances in incorporating diversity and structural competency into medical education curriculum, there is limited curriculum for public health research professionals. We developed and implemented a four-part diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training series tailored for academic health research professionals to increase foundational knowledge of core diversity concepts and improve skills. We analyzed close- and open-ended attendee survey data to evaluate within- and between-session changes in DEI knowledge and perceived skills. Over the four sessions, workshop attendance ranged from 45 to 82 attendees from our 250-person academic department and represented a mix of staff (64%), faculty (25%), and trainees (11%). Most identified as female (74%), 28% as a member of an underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (URM) group, and 17% as LGBTQI. During all four sessions, attendees increased their level of DEI knowledge, and within sessions two through four, attendees' perception of DEI skills increased. We observed increased situational DEI awareness as higher proportions of attendees noted disparities in mentoring and opportunities for advancement/promotion. An increase in a perceived lack of DEI in the workplace as a problem was observed; but only statistically significant among URM attendees. Developing applied curricula yielded measurable improvements in knowledge and skills for a diverse health research department of faculty, staff, and students. Nesting this training within a more extensive program of departmental activities to improve climate and address systematic exclusion likely contributed to the series' success. Additional research is underway to understand the series' longer-term impact on applying skills for behavior change.

Testing the Robustness of COPE’s Characterization of Predatory Publishing on a COPE Member Publisher (Academic and Business Research Institute)

Testing the Robustness of COPE’s Characterization of Predatory Publishing on a COPE Member Publisher (Academic and Business Research Institute)

A Pilot Feasibility Trial of an Upper Extremity Assistive System

ObjectiveTo develop and clinically evaluate a customizable active upper extremity (UE) assistive system with integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) that improves function and independence of individuals during activities of daily living (ADLs). DesignSingle-arm, prospective, open-label cohort feasibility trial. SettingAn academic research institution. ParticipantsSubjects were 5 adults with a medical history of stroke resulting in distal UE impairment (N=5). The subjects volunteered from recruitment materials that detailed information about the study. InterventionsA novel, wearable, lightweight, low-profile, and patient-tailored UE assistive system. It comprises a splint component and FES unit that may each be controlled by electromyography (EMG) signals, inertial measurement units (IMUs), manual control source (joystick), and/or voice control. Main Outcome Measure(s)Several occupational therapy outcome measures were used, including the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), The Box and Blocks Test (BBT), the ABILHAND-Manual Ability Measure, and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) UE Short Form. ResultsAll participants learned to use our UE assistive system to perform ADLs and were able to use it independently at home. Most participants experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in both performance and satisfaction for the majority of their COPM goals while using the system. All participants experienced improvement in hand grip and release as shown by their baseline and post assessment scores for hand function (BBT, ARAT) and patient-reported outcomes (ABILHAND, PROMIS). ConclusionsThe clinical outcomes suggest that our UE assistive system improves functional performance in patients with UE impairment, allowing them to engage more actively in ADLs. Further innovation including elbow and shoulder components will allow users to have more degrees of freedom during tasks.

Toward a global harmonization of service infrastructure in academic clinical trial units: an international survey.

Clinicians around the world perform clinical research in addition to their high workload. To meet the demands of high quality Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs), Clinical Trial Units (CTUs) (as part of Academic Research Institutions) are implemented worldwide. CTUs increasingly hold a key position in facilitating the international mutual acceptance of clinical research data by promoting clinical research practices and infrastructure according to international standards. In this project, we aimed to identify services that established and internationally operating CTUs - members of the International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN) - consider most important to ensure the smooth processing of a clinical trial while meeting international standards. We thereby aim to drive international harmonization by providing emerging and growing CTUs with a resource for informed service range set-up. Following the AMEE Guide, we developed a questionnaire, addressing the perceived importance of different CTU services. Survey participants were senior representatives of CTUs and part of the ICN with long-term experience in their field and institution. Services concerning quality and coordination of a research project were considered to be most essential, i.e., Quality management, Monitoring and Project management, followed by Regulatory & Legal affairs, Education & Training, and Data management. Operative services for conducting a research project, i.e., Study Nurse with patient contact and Study Nurse without patient contact, were considered to be least important. To balance the range of services offered while meeting high international standards of clinical research, emerging CTUs should focus on offering (quality) management services and expertise in regulatory and legal affairs. Additionally, education and training services are required to ensure clinicians are well trained on GCP and legislation. CTUs should evaluate whether the expertise and resources are available to offer operative services.

Evolution and impact of high content imaging.

The field of high content imaging has steadily evolved and expanded substantially across many industry and academic research institutions since it was first described in the early 1990's. High content imaging refers to the automated acquisition and analysis of microscopic images from a variety of biological sample types. Integration of high content imaging microscopes with multiwell plate handling robotics enables high content imaging to be performed at scale and support medium- to high-throughput screening of pharmacological, genetic and diverse environmental perturbations upon complex biological systems ranging from 2D cell cultures to 3D tissue organoids to small model organisms. In this perspective article the authors provide a collective view on the following key discussion points relevant to the evolution of high content imaging: • Evolution and impact of high content imaging: An academic perspective • Evolution and impact of high content imaging: An industry perspective • Evolution of high content image analysis • Evolution of high content data analysis pipelines towards multiparametric and phenotypic profiling applications • The role of data integration and multiomics • The role and evolution of image data repositories and sharing standards • Future perspective of high content imaging hardware and software.

The carbon footprint of clinical trials: a global survey on the status quo and current regulatory guidance

IntroductionAll economic sectors including the service sector, along with healthcare, education and research, need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to limit global temperature increases. In this study, we aim...

Developing a spatially explicit global oil and gas infrastructure database for characterizing methane emission sources at high resolution

Abstract. Reducing oil and gas methane emissions is crucially important for limiting the rate of human-induced climate warming. As the capacity of multi-scale measurements of global oil and gas methane emissions has advanced in recent years, including the emerging ecosystem of satellite and airborne remote sensing platforms, a clear need for an openly accessible and regularly updated global inventory of oil and gas infrastructure has emerged as an important tool for characterizing and tracking methane emission sources. In this study, we develop a spatially explicit database of global oil and gas infrastructure, focusing on the acquisition, curation, and integration of public-domain geospatial datasets reported by official government sources and by industry, academic research institutions, and other non-government entities. We focus on the major oil and gas facility types that are key sources of measured methane emissions, including production wells, offshore production platforms, natural gas compressor stations, processing facilities, liquefied natural gas facilities, crude oil refineries, and pipelines. The first version of this global geospatial database (Oil and Gas Infrastructure Mapping database, OGIM_v1) contains a total of ∼ 6 million features, including 2.6 million point locations of major oil and gas facility types and over 2.6×106 km of pipelines globally. For each facility record, we include key attributes – such as facility type, operational status, oil and gas production and capacity information, operator names, and installation dates – which enable detailed methane source assessment and attribution analytics. Using the OGIM database, we demonstrate facility-level source attribution for multiple airborne remote-sensing-detected methane point sources from the Permian Basin, which is the largest oil-producing basin in the United States. In addition to source attribution, we present other major applications of this oil and gas infrastructure database in relation to methane emission assessment, including the development of an improved bottom-up methane emission inventory at high resolution (1 km × 1 km). We also discuss the tracking of changes in basin-level oil and gas activity and the development of policy-relevant analytics and insights for targeted methane mitigation. This work and the OGIM database, which we anticipate updating on a regular cadence, help fulfill a crucial oil and gas geospatial data need, in support of the assessment, attribution, and mitigation of global oil and gas methane emissions at high resolution. OGIM_v1 is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7466757 (Omara et al., 2022a).

Listening With/in Context

Despite increasing attention to the preservation and development of sound archives in academic research and cultural heritage institutions, they are yet to be more substantially embraced in larger theoretical debates on archival theory and practice. Fraught with contested histories through the legacy of ethnomusicology, rooted in the enterprises of colonial imperialism, now in the era of mass digitization and distribution, many sound collections are attempting to develop ethical and empowering methodologies that support community involvement and a vigorous remediation between sound and visuality. Addressing this confluence of concerns, this article considers the ways in which contemporary digital sound archival projects are encouraging an engagement with cultural history and memory in innovative and complex ways, mobilizing the affordances of digital tools and community-based support material with careful attention to the negotiation between its sonic and visual constituents. Through an analysis of two case studies – The Roaring ‘Twenties and Smoke Signals Radio Show Archive – this article examines how contemporary digital archival projects activate and remediate sonic documents and their contextual counterparts to invite a diverse, multifaceted, and multi-sensory encounter with history, memory, knowledge, and the past.

Psilocybin therapy for females with anorexia nervosa: a phase 1, open-label feasibility study

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a deadly illness with no proven treatments to reverse core symptoms and no medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Novel treatments are urgently needed to improve clinical outcomes. In this open-label feasibility study, 10 adult female participants (mean body mass index 19.7 kg m−2; s.d. 3.7) who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for AN or pAN (partial remission) were recruited to a study conducted at an academic clinical research institute. Participants received a single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin in conjunction with psychological support. The primary aim was to assess safety, tolerability and feasibility at post-treatment by incidences and occurrences of adverse events (AEs) and clinically significant changes in electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory tests, vital signs and suicidality. No clinically significant changes were observed in ECG, vital signs or suicidality. Two participants developed asymptomatic hypoglycemia at post-treatment, which resolved within 24 h. No other clinically significant changes were observed in laboratory values. All AEs were mild and transient in nature. Participants’ qualitative perceptions suggest that the treatment was acceptable for most participants. Results suggest that psilocybin therapy is safe, tolerable and acceptable for female AN, which is a promising finding given physiological dangers and problems with treatment engagement. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04661514.

Influence of health resort treatment on the level of systemic inflammation in patients after new coronavirus infection

Background. Low-grade inflammation is currently one of the main risk factors for the development of adverse events in the cardiovascular system, including death from cardiovascular diseases or their complications that cause mortality in the postCOVID period.The aim of the study. To assess the impact of health resort treatment in the conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea on clinical and functional parameters, as well as on the level of systemic inflammation in patients after a new coronavirus infection.Materials and methods. The study included 67 patients (54.9 ± 9.05 years) in the post-COVID period who underwent health resort treatment at the I.M. Sechenov Academic Research Institute of Physical Treatment Methods, Medical Climatology and Rehabilitation. Methods of health resort treatment included climatic treatment on the Southern Coast of Crimea, therapeutic breathing exercises, terrainkur, and various methods of respiratory therapy. In all patients, the study of the C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood upon admission and at discharge was carried out.Results. Despite a statistically significant improvement in most clinical and functional parameters, the level of CRP and the number of leukocytes and their subpopulations in peripheral blood in patients who underwent health resort treatment did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from the baseline values obtained upon admission at the I.M. Sechenov Academic Research Institute of Physical Treatment Methods, Medical Climatology and Rehabilitation. The CRP index upon admission and at discharge corresponded to the lower limit of the interval specific for low-grade inflammation (from 3 to 10 mg/l).Conclusion. Our results indicate the lack of effectiveness of the presented plan of health resort treatment in the correction of low-intensity inflammation, as well as the necessity for deeper scientific research in the direction of studying the mechanisms of low-grade inflammation development and the methods of its management.

Spatial and Temporal Data Visualisation for Mass Dissemination: Advances in the Era of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the first major pandemic of the digital age and has been characterised by unprecedented public consumption of spatial and temporal disease data, which can enable greater transparency and accountability of governments to the public for their public health decisions. A variety of state and non-state actors have collated and presented maps, charts, and plots of data related to the pandemic in both static and dynamic formats. In particular, there has been a proliferation of online dashboards presenting data related to the pandemic. The sources and types of information displayed have evolved rapidly during the pandemic, with a general trend towards providing more specialised information pertinent to specific aspects of epidemiology or disease control, as opposed simply to disease and death notifications. Limited evaluation of the quality of COVID-19 data visualisation tools has been conducted and significant effort now needs to be spent on standardisation and quality improvement of national and international data visualisation systems including developing common indicators, data quality assurance mechanisms and visualisation approaches, and building compatible electronic systems for data collection and sharing. The increasing availability of disease data for public consumption presents challenges and opportunities for government, media organisations, academic research institutions, and the general public. A key challenge is ensuring consistency and effectiveness of public health messaging to ensure a coordinated response and public trust in intervention strategies. Capitalising on opportunities for greater government accountability for public health decision-making, and more effective mobilisation of public health interventions, is predicated on the provision of accurate and timely information.