Academic Research Institutions Research Articles

STRONG STAR and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD: Shaping the future of combat PTSD and related conditions in military and veteran populations

The STRONG STAR Consortium (South Texas Research Organizational Network Guiding Studies on Trauma and Resilience) and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD are interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research consortia focused on the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions in military personnel and veterans. This manuscript outlines the consortia's state-of-the-science collaborative research model and how this can be used as a roadmap for future trauma-related research. STRONG STAR was initially funded for 5 years in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program. Since the initial funding of STRONG STAR, almost 50 additional peer-reviewed STRONG STAR-affiliated projects have been funded through the DoD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Institutes of Health, and private organizations. In 2013, STRONG STAR investigators partnered with the VA's National Center for PTSD and were selected for joint DoD/VA funding to establish the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD. STRONG STAR and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD have assembled a critical mass of investigators and institutions with the synergy required to make major scientific and public health advances in the prevention and treatment of combat PTSD and related conditions. This manuscript provides an overview of the establishment of these two research consortia, including their history, vision, mission, goals, and accomplishments. Comprehensive tables provide descriptions of over 70 projects supported by the consortia. Examples are provided of collaborations among over 50 worldwide academic research institutions and over 150 investigators.

PFAS in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Systemic environmental health disparities exist for residents of U.S. Tribal lands including access to safe public drinking water and differences in drinking water quality as compared to non-Tribal lands. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a leading emerging concern for drinking water. However, knowledge about PFAS contamination on Tribal lands is lacking, a shortcoming in environmental health research given the extent of PFAS contamination. METHODS: We comprehensively identified existing PFAS water testing programs, including academic institutions and federal agencies, to identify all existing testing of drinking and/or groundwater on Tribal lands and to understand factors that prompted testing. We examined the proximity of Indian Reservations to active U.S. military installations. Military installations, Indian Reservations, and known PFAS contamination site levels were mapped with ArcGIS using publicly available data. RESULTS:We identified limited existing PFAS testing on Tribal lands, including partnerships with academic research institutions, and completed and planned testing by government entities. Spatial analysis identified 58 Reservations were within six miles of an active military installation, including at least 18 installations with identified PFAS contamination and six with over 100,000 ppt PFAS detected in groundwater. CONCLUSIONS:Tribal Nations and their public water systems have been overlooked for systematic testing of PFAS, a large data gap. Tribal lands near military installations may be at increased risk of contamination. While efforts for increased testing by federal agencies exist, current programs are voluntary with little incentive for Tribal Nations to participate. While the EPA’s 2023-2025 testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule will have increased Tribal PWS inclusion, there is need for timelier PFAS testing. Recognition of the risks posed by PFAS contamination should inform policy change to protect American Indian and Alaska Native health. KEYWORDS: PFAS, environmental disparities, policy

Chemical security in Somalia: An assessment survey about the chemical safety and security status in Somalia

Chemicals used in academic teaching laboratories, research institutions, and industrial facilities are mostly dual-use chemicals. They provide many desired benefits but at the same time may cause adverse effects to human health and environments. In the case of Somalia, there are gaps in terms of chemical security awareness and implementations, and this has resulted in terrorist attack involving dual-use chemicals. To fill this gap, over the past five years, the Somali Chemical Society has conducted chemical security training for chemical security practitioners from both academia and industry. These training sessions have uncovered a lack of basic knowledge among chemical practitioners about chemical safety and security. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and security systems in Somalia. The research method was an investigative survey to explore information related to the chemical safety and security systems in Somalia. The study was conducted with 20 universities in the country to evaluate their understanding of chemical safety and security. The questionnaire was answered by chemistry lecturers, university students, laboratory managers, and government lab personnel. One hundred and ten participants were selected through cluster sampling. Data were collected through a closed ended questionnaire. the reliability of the study resulted Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of .933. A noteworthy finding indicated that the chemical safety and security status in Somalia was inadequate, and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders including Government, university leaders, and scientists from different disciplines are urgently needed for effective reforming of chemical safety and security in Somalia.

“We Believe in Collective Magic”: Honoring the Past to Reclaim the Future(s) of Literacy Research

This article explores the concept of literacy futurisms as guided by the 2019–2021 Scholars of Color Transitioning into Academic Research Institutions cohort, who conceptualize themselves as part of an emergent literacy research collective. Drawing on the knowledges of our ancestors and children, we offer dimensions of a framework-in-the-making (grounded on intersectionality, translanguaging, decoloniality, ancestral, play, and collectivity) for reenvisioning and reclaiming the future(s) of literacy research. We invite readers to engage in multimodal play as co-conspirators in reclaiming literacy research.

Big pharma’s search for a COVID-19 vaccine: Take It To The Limit!

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic undermines the world economy, the affordability and accessibility of our health systems. It puts an increasing strain on global production, supply and value chains. The research and development of a set of COVID-19 vaccines is an unprecedented triumph of rapid innovation. The sense of urgency has prompted academic research institutions, big pharmaceuticals and dedicated biotechnology companies to develop vaccines targeting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease. Simultaneously, it unlocks new value for business, patients and society. Consequently, new business models have come to the forefront.

Fifteen quick tips for success with HPC, i.e., responsibly BASHing that Linux cluster.

High-performance computing (HPC) clusters are widely used in-house at scientific and academic research institutions. For some users, the transition from running their analyses on a single workstation to running them on a complex, multi-tenanted cluster, usually employing some degree of parallelism, can be challenging, if not bewildering, especially for users whose role is not predominantly computational in nature. On the other hand, there are more experienced users, who can benefit from pointers on how to get the best from their use of HPC. This Ten Simple Rules guide is aimed at helping you identify ways to improve your utilisation of HPC, avoiding common pitfalls that can negatively impact other users and will also help ease the load (pun intended) on your HPC sysadmin. It is intended to provide technical advice common to the use of HPC platforms such as LSF, Slurm, PBS/Torque, SGE, LoadLeveler and YARN, the scheduler used with Hadoop/Spark platform.

Patients' perspectives on the derivation and use of organoids.

SummaryOrganoid research is enhancing understanding of human development and diseases as well as aiding in medication development and selection, raising hopes for even more future therapeutic options. Nevertheless, this work raises important ethical issues and there is a paucity of data regarding patients' perspectives on them. We report on 60 interviews with adult patients or parents of pediatric patients from diverse disease populations who receive medical care at a major academic research institution in the United States. Interviewees expressed broad support for organoid development and use. However, patients viewed brain organoids, and sometimes gonadal organoids, as morally distinct; and some organoid research poses moral concerns. Nonetheless, patients generally understood the potential value of such research and approved of it, provided it was aimed at good intent and conducted with ethical oversight and a robust consent process. These data should help inform conceptual and policy deliberations about appropriate organoid use.

Problems of the Russian Academy of Science

The great importance of scientific researches in the modern society clearly explains a significant role of different forms of united societies of scientific leaders. From the Age of Enlightenment in developed countries this gives rise to formation of national academies of sciences. Such kind of academy was organized also in Russia. As a useful illustration of strong and weak qualities of activities of the Russian academy, thehistoric analysis was given, beginning from the times of its formation and in later periods. Closer to the present time, one may compares the activities of The Academy of Sciences of the USSR in the post-war and later times. Especially important was the mobilization period of activity of the Soviet Academy, which is associated with success of atomic and cosmic projects. Unfortunately, later there was a period of bureaucratic forms of management. It became clear that the Academy needs in significant reforms.The significant progress was achieved only in the twentieth century. The Academy acquired some independence, there was an essential increasing in number of its members, the network of academic research institutes was organized and extended. A significant part of research were performed on the modern level. The big loss in conditions (especially financing) for researches in Russian academic instituteswas observed in post-soviet 1990-ies. In spite of some positive changes (grant financing, extension of international scientific contacts) scientific researches in Russia in the 21st century are still behind in level of developed countries. And again it is necessary to insist in necessity of essential reforms which should be elaborated with obligatory involvement of the most qualified and responsible scientists including leading Russian scientists working in the top foreign research institutes.

Status and prospects for the libraries of academic research institutes (as the case study of SB RAS Novosibirsk Scientific Center libraries). Part 2

The authors analyze the survey of the Novosibirsk Scientific Center’s libraries related to the relevant services provided by academic libraries. In Part 2, the authors discuss the findings for traditional and innovative services; attitude of library directors toward the newest services, and the latest developments. On the whole, the libraries of SB RAS research institutes enforce the widest range of activities and services based on the newest technologies. However, to offer modern information services, the librarians have to interact with researchers (experts) as their obvious partners. Through analyzing the survey results, the authors came to the following conclusions: all libraries have been accomplishing their traditional tasks; despite their adaptation to a new environment, as far as implementation of information services is concerned, they have remained at the level 1990s – early 2000s; library top managers demonstrate interest toward new knowledge and skills needed to offer innovative services to their users.

Regulatory advances and prospects of variation filing for the registered parenteral products in USA and Europe

Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA) is a vital unit in a pharmaceutical company. It is concern about the healthcare product lifecycle, it provide strategic, tactical and operational direction and support for working within regulations to expedite the development and delivery of safety and efficacy in pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, medical devices, cosmetics and complementary medicines, healthcare products to individuals around the world. Regulatory affairs (RA) professionals are employed in pharmaceutical industry, government, academic research and clinical institutions. As India is growing very rapidly in pharmaceutical sector, there is a need of regulatory affairs professionals to cater the current needs of industries for the global competition. Regulatory affairs professionals are the link between pharmaceutical industries and worldwide regulatory agencies. A regulatory affair is a somewhat new profession which has developed from the desire of governments to defend public health. Substantial documentation and data are required in these types of submissions, resulting in large, complex applications. Today 35 member countries along with 11 candidate countries and 4 international agencies have joined together to create the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) to promote a globally accepted GMP. Current constrain of Regulatory Affairs reveals diverse countries need to follow different regulatory requirements for marketing authorization Application (MAA) approval of new drugs. In this present exertion, study expresses the drug approval process and regulatory requirements according to US Food and Drug Administration (UDFDA), European Medical Agency (EMA) and Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Participatory Banking (PB) Taking Measures Against Covid-19 in Turkey: Issues and Proposed Strategies

Not much research has been carried out to examine Participatory Bank (PB) in Turkey. This is despite the fact that Turkey has a long history in Islamic civilisation. The legacy of strong Islamic law, the majority Muslim population, and the strategic location of the country have failed to serve as a catalyst to boost the market share of participatory banking in the country. The present study aims to explore problems, solutions, and strategies for developing PBs in Turkey. This research also captures the condition of PBs in facing the Covid-19 pandemic. The study adopts a qualitative method that uses library research benefitting from various sources of literature, namely books, journals, and other sources. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts including practitioners, regulators, and academicians who have direct involvement in PB. The findings are presented in the form of Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) of PBs in Turkey. Interestingly, the preliminary finding shows that the problems of PBs in Turkey stem from both internal and external factors. Lack of understanding and skills, and lack of good Shariah governance practices are the main internal factors. Lack of regulatory support, lack of public literacy, lack of academic research and educational institutions, and a regulatory system are the primary external factors. The study suggests two main solutions, namely internal and external solutions, as well as strategies to address the problems. This study could serve as a reference point for the regulator in formulating appropriate policy strategies to increase the market share of PB in Turkey.

Responding and navigating racialized microaggressions in STEM.

ABSTRACTWhile it is commonly thought that microaggressions are isolated incidents, microaggressions are ingrained throughout the academic research institution (Young, Anderson and Stewart 2015; Lee et al. 2020). Persons Excluded from science because of Ethnicity and Race (PEERs) frequently experience microaggressions from various academicians, including graduate students, postdocs and faculty (Asai 2020; Lee et al. 2020). Here, we elaborate on a rationale for concrete actions to cope with and diminish acts of microaggressions that may otherwise hinder the inclusion of PEERs. We encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) departments and leadership to affirm PEER scholar identities and promote allyship by infusing sensitivity, responsiveness and anti-bias awareness.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Technology Transfer: A Structural Equation Modeling Based Approach

Technology transfer is one of the facets of academic entrepreneurship and acts as a vital element of the innovation system. It forms a sustainable link between research and business communities. A holistic model for successfully transferring technology in developing countries is an unmet need in the context of technology transfer from public-funded academic research institutions to small and medium enterprises. In this work, we developed a conceptual model and undertook an empirical study for the determinants of successful transfer. A questionnaire was prepared and administered to key stakeholders involved in technology transfer. Overall, 321 respondents participated in the survey with congener demography. The conceptualized input factors, viz. micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level factors, are significantly interrelated. The contribution of input factors towards the successful transfer of technology was extensively analyzed and tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling. The results show that the model is a good fit. The study revealed that communication, innovativeness, knowledge, quality of the product, and motivation were the five most important factors for successfully transferring technology.

Research Status and Future Trends of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development in China: Visual Analysis Based on CiteSpace

As an important foundation for promoting social progress and economic development, natural resources play an important role in the sustainable development of cities. However, the increasing demand of human beings for natural resources has led to various ecological environmental problems, such as excessive population density, serious environmental pollution, the continuous decline of total natural resources and per capita resources, all of which have hindered sustainable development. Therefore, the study of natural resources and sustainable development has become the focus of many current scholars. In this paper, CiteSpace is used as an analysis tool to analyze the literature on natural resources and sustainable development over the past 20 years. First of all, this paper deeply analyzes the research status of this field in terms of academic research trends, authors and research institutions, co-occurrence of keywords, etc., and on this basis, it then deeply analyzes its evolutionary path and research hot spots in the past 20 years through keyword emergence. Finally, according to the visualization of the analysis results, the future development trends of this research field are speculated: (1) Grasp the current research focus; (2) Improve the research accuracy; (3) Enrich the theoretical system of research; and (4) Establish an interdisciplinary research system.

Status and prospects for the libraries of academic research institutes (as the case study of SB RAS Novosibirsk Scientific Center libraries). Part 1

The role and tasks of academic libraries are changing due to external factors, and among them is the atrophy of their function as the only information source. The authors analyze the survey of the Novosibirsk Scientific Center’s libraries related to the relevant services provided by academic libraries. The study goal is to determine the balance of traditional and innovated tasks being accomplished by the libraries. The idea of the survey was conceived in 2019 before the pandemic. In Part One, the authors describe the methods and methodology of their study. The key method is the survey questionnaire. The findings are analyzed and the conclusions are presented: to solve new problems (like establishing and maintaining the systems for monitoring researchers’ publication activity, maintenance of institutional data repository, preparation of reviews and analytical surveys, advocating institutes through social media, users support on copyright and plagiarism, consulting on grant selection and application), academic administration bring the expertise of librarians, or establish new structures; however, the librarians are insufficiently engaged in solving the new tasks of science support. The authors suggest that their findings reflect the activities of academic libraries, however after the pandemic, the situation may change with the world.

Current issues and critical tasks of university science

The Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation celebrates the 50th anniversary as a well-known scientific and educational center integrated into the national scientific and innovation system. The strategic government initiatives are based on the recognition of scientific and technological achievements as the key factors in the transition of the Russian economy into a qualitatively new development model; the formation of a geopolitical status that determines the country's position in the global economy, the opportunity and conditions for its integration into the world economic system; competitiveness in global high-tech markets. The analysis of the targets results of the State Acts, including the Strategy for Innovative Development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020, shows that despite the undertaken efforts, considerable positive changes in state and effectiveness of national science in general as well as university science in particular, have not taken place yet. The planned values of individual indicators (domestic research and development costs, the share of the higher education sector in domestic research costs, scientometric indicators of Russian authors’ publications in the international databases of Scopus and Web of Science, etc.) have not been achieved. The reasons for unsatisfactory dynamics are considered. It is noted that university science is the richest state-resource that means intellectual capital, scientific schools, talented youth, connections with academic research institutes, manufacture and business, which, by means of the appropriate state policy, can make universities the centers for integration of individual subjects of scientific and innovative activity, ensuring a functional connection. The specific aspects of scientific work in industry universities are highlighted. The priority tasks for modernization of research process and innovation activities in MSTUCA are defined in accordance with the University Development Strategy until 2030.

Abstract PO-052: Exploring patient derived xenografts based pharmacogenomic data for precision oncology

Abstract Preclinical cancer models play a vital role in oncology research and precision medicine. Patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) are used as reliable preclinical models for studying tumor biology and for testing anti-cancer therapies that are tailored according to genomic characteristics of tumors. Several academic groups, research institutes, and commercial organizations are generating and distributing PDX models. However the distributed nature of PDX model generation and lack of central repository make it challenging to find PDX models with specific characteristics. Furthermore this also hinders meta-analysis (across datasets) of PDX pharmacogenomic data. International consortia and catalogs of PDX models such as PDXNet, EurOPDX and PDXFinder are being developed to standardize PDX associated metadata and facilitate material sharing. Recently we have developed Xenograft Visualization & Analysis (Xeva), an open-source software package in R programming language. Xeva allows PDX growth curve visualization, different response metrics computation and biomarker discovery. Extending to this we have developed XevaDB, a database of PDX drug response and genomic profiles. XevaDB is the first resource to allow concurrent visualization of drug response and associated molecular data such as mutation and copy number alterations. Furthermore XevaDB enables exploration of the tumor growth curve of a PDX model, along with corresponding control. XevaDB contains PDXs from >600 individual patients, spanning across nine different tissue types and >70 drugs. Using XevaDB, we have performed meta-analysis of PDX pharmacogenomic data and have identified 90 pathways significantly associated with response to 53 drugs (FDR < 5%). Our results show that activity of the EGFR signaling pathway is significantly associated with erlotinib response in lung cancer PDXs. We have also found that in PDXs, response to binimetinib is associated with the MAP kinase activation pathway. XevaDB provides a comprehensive resource to search and explore PDX pharmacogenomic data. By combining drug response with genomic data of PDXs, XevaDB allows researchers to quickly find the model of interest and access the data to answer their biological questions. As PDXs based pharmacogenomic datasets continue to expand, XevaDB will facilitate easy access and analysis of this valuable data by the scientific community. Citation Format: Arvind Singh Mer, Benjamin Haibe-Kains. Exploring patient derived xenografts based pharmacogenomic data for precision oncology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Diagnosis, and Imaging; 2021 Jan 13-14. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(5_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-052.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in exploring neurophysiology of cortical circuits and potential clinical implications

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, painless technique to stimulate the human brain. Although it has been used in clinical research both as an investigative tool and treatment modality for the past three decades, its use has been restricted to tertiary health centres or higher-end academic research institutions. The aim of this review is to popularise the concepts of this effective non-invasive brain stimulation technique, further facilitating its use both in research and clinical practice among clinical physiologists. In the first part of this article, a brief physiologic overview of TMS will be provided with basic as well as the basic technical details. This is followed by a discussion of TMS parameters that can be studied using single and paired pulses of TMS which could be used to investigate the altered excitability of cortical circuits. Finally, how rTMS and patterned TMS could be used to induce plasticity which, in turn, could be potentially used as therapeutic interventions in various neurological and psychiatric disorders will be illustrated. In each section of this article, diagnostic as well as therapeutic utilities of TMS in Neurology and Psychiatric disorders will be discussed. These discussions could not only facilitate the understanding of pathophysiology of mood and movement disorders but also to manage various neurological and psychiatric disorders with novel therapeutic options. In the end, few future directions, limitations of this technique and comparison with other techniques will be provided. I hopefully, this review would elicit some interest in physiologists to take up this exciting area of brain stimulation as a research subject and work further on understanding the functions of brain and use it effectively in the management of various brain-related disorders.

Удосконалення інституційного супроводу подальшої інтеграції України до дослідницького й освітнього просторів ЄС

The purpose of this research is to define and summarize the competent opinion of representatives of both the academic science and the higher education of Ukraine as to the level of involvement, opportunities, prospects and forms of expanding the presence of Ukrainian scientific institutions together with higher education institutions in the EU research and educational spaces, substantiating on this basis proposals for finalization of international agreements and legislation of Ukraine to increase the effectiveness of European integration processes in the educational and scientific spheres. The expert survey method was used as an instrument for identifying the opinions of representatives of the Ukrainian scientific and educational expert community. The general conclusion that can be drawn from the survey results is that Ukrainian higher education institutions and academic research institutions are interested, have successful experience and potential to expand educational, scientific and scientific-technical cooperation with the EU universities and research organizations. It was found that most experts support the idea of creating branches and representative offices of scientific institutions as well as institutions of higher education of Ukraine at research organizations and universities of the EU Member States. Based on the results of the survey, in order to form favorable institutional conditions for the further integration of Ukraine into the EU research and educational spaces, it is proposed to amend the Association Agreement with the EU, the laws of Ukraine «On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activities», «On Higher Education» in terms of assigning rights to the scientific institutions of the NAS of Ukraine, the national branches of academies of sciences, regional scientific centers of the NAS of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, higher education institutions of Ukraine to establish branches/representative offices at research organizations and universities of the EU Member States. Prospects for further research are to substantiate organizational and institutional proposals to increase the level of involvement of Ukrainian organizations and enterprises in the EU research and educational spaces according to the strategic priority areas of educational and scientific-technical cooperation, based on the global challenges, potential and achievements of Ukrainian education and science systems.

Who is Who in an Academic Research Institute: The Image of a Scientific Institution in the Last Decades of Soviet Power (1963–1991)

The article aims to provide an account of an academic scientific institute as an independent functioning unit of the Soviet scientific system from the first half of the 1960s until the end of the Soviet era. This was a time of gradual decline of scientific achievements of the USSR after resounding successes in the 1950s. During these years, the growth rate of the number of scientists sharply decreased, and the understanding of their role in the institutions of the USSR Academy of Sciences changed. Using a wide range of archival documents, some used for the first time, the functions of each category of research institute employees, their qualifications, boundaries of authority, and ways to strengthen their position are described as factors that affect the effectiveness of research activities of the institute. Estimates of contemporaries — members of the academic community, given to certain social groups of research institute collectives — are provided. The academic research institute created favorable conditions for free scientific work by organizing a system of positions. Researchers could use the assistance of highly qualified support staff, were spared from mechanical labor and responsibility for technical processes, and had to deal only with science. The formal status of researchers at the Academy during the 1960s — 1980s steadily strengthened until the end of the Soviet era, in which they had the right to influence the election of the director of the institute at the general meeting of the collective, which has also contributed to democratization in the late 1980s. The inability to intervene in individual research processes made it difficult to get rid of vain employees and thus reduced the effectiveness of Soviet scientific institutions.