Completed Research Project Research Articles

Collaborating for the Successful Retirement and End-of-Life Care of Non-Human Primates in Biomedical Research

Research facilities have established animal adoption programs for laboratory animals. However, adoption to private owners is not an option for non-human primates (NHPs), so their post-research life presents a unique challenge. Here, we describe a collaborative effort between laboratory animal veterinarians and behavioral management staff in retiring NHPs in place to ensure their quality of life after the completion of research projects. The success of our retirement program hinges on our collaborative efforts to manage clinical diseases such as arthritis, amyloidosis, and diarrhea; to surgically ex-plant previous research hardware; and to evaluate the animals’ behavior and temperament to ensure each individual is placed in a new group or living situation in which they are likely to be successful and to have good welfare. Implementation of a quality-of-life assessment tool for all retired animals allows all staff involved in the animals’ care to proactively and periodically assess the quality of life of these animals. The successful retirement of NHPs living in social groups is rewarding for all personnel and promotes a culture of caring. Research animal retirement is an important way for us to give back and honor the contributions these animals have made to advancing medicine.

Deer of the forest-tundra of the Magadan region

Purpose: to study the morphological and economically useful traits of domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) in the forest-tundra zone of the Far North-East of Russia.Materials and methods. The study used zootechnical information from annual reports on completed research projects by employees of the Laboratory of Selection and Breeding in Reindeer Husbandry of the Magadan Zonal Research Institute of Agriculture of the North-East for the 1970-1980s and 2000s. The model for the research was the reindeer population of the Markovsky state farm, typical for the forest-tundra zone of the North-East. The area of ​​reindeer pastures on the farm exceeded 5 million hectares, with 142.8 hectares per head. The average size of the production herd was 2,500 individuals.Results. The article presents data on morphological and economically useful traits of reindeer in the forest-tundra of the North-East — a pasture-geographical space on the border of the ranges of two large groups of reindeer — tundra and taiga. In the Markovsky state farm, typical for the forest-tundra zone, out of 35 thousand reindeer in the main herd, 25 % were Even, 44 % were Chukchi and 31 % were crossbred Chukchi-Even animals. In the forest-tundra, a hybrid population of reindeer was formed as a result of crossing two sympatric populations of the Even and Chukchi breeds. The intermediate phenotype had characteristic differences from the original breeds in morphological traits — color, exterior and constitution (linear measurements, body indexes), and meat productivity indicators. The conclusion is made about the origin of the forest-tundra ecotype based on hybrids from crossing sympatric populations of Chukchi and Even reindeer of different generations, backcrossing, introgression, stabilizing selection, microevolution under the influence of natural conditions and anthropogenic factors.

Empowering Indigenous-Led Contaminant Monitoring through Collaborative Partnerships and Two-Way Capacity Sharing

Climate-driven landscape change, legacy waste and ongoing infrastructural investment are leading to concerns about contaminant release in Arctic Indigenous and Local communities. Sustainable development that considers threats posed by accelerating environmental change requires accessible, appropriate, and sustained environmental data to inform strategic decision-making. Collaborative partnerships and capacity sharing are necessary to promote resilient and sustainable environmental monitoring approaches, however effective collaboration has been hindered by mismatches in priorities and timelines between communities and research programs. We outline the development and later evolution of a community-based environmental research program focused on monitoring contamination threats posed by legacy infrastructure sourced from industry, transportation and domestic waste sites. Capacities and insights from diverse knowledge systems guided each stage of our research approach. Reflections provided by an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Early Career Researcher (ECR) share insights into different aspects of the research process. We highlight how cross-cultural partnerships and capacity sharing have enabled evolving and reflexive community-based contaminant monitoring. Our approach facilitates a structural shift from collaborative monitoring with external analysis to autonomous monitoring that supports equity in research outcomes. Appropriately considered and resourced co-development at regular points of the research process has been critical to developing a complete and effective Indigenous-led research project.

Folding Imperfections: Mixed Methods Insight Into the Limits of Curriculum Change for the Trinidad and Tobago Primary School Curriculum Rewrite

We theorize on the limits of curriculum change in countries of the Caribbean and Global South using integrated evidence derived from a qualitatively driven, mixed methods evaluation (MME) of the Primary School Curriculum Rewrite (PCR) in Trinidad and Tobago. We use a folding metaphor and implementation science to explain how an imperfect system might produce a flawed curriculum product that misdirects sensemaking and generates resistance during curriculum change. The formative process evaluation consisted of two complete research projects, with the second qualitative project prioritized. Project 1 was a quantitative survey of 454 teachers in 58 schools. Project 2 was a multiple case study of subjectivities-in-action in 9 schools of varied implementation outcomes. Findings from Project 1 showed mostly acceptable implementation outcomes and small associations between antecedents and outcomes. However, findings from Project 2 suggested that 6 of 9 schools were classified as nonusers, defined as implementing institutions with most teachers still exploring or installing the new curriculum or reverting to the old curriculum. In the thematic, cross-case analysis, participants at the various sites identified curriculum imperfections, inadequate training, and work intensification as core barriers to change. To achieve curriculum change, Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Tobago will require improved systems for curriculum engineering.

Formation of Bachelor`s Skills in the Field of Machine Learning and Intelligent Data Analysis

The article presents the content of the educational disciplines “Workshop on Python Programming” and “Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence”, included in the module “Data Analysis. Machine learning. Artificial Intelligence”, implemented in Ural universities. Modern teachers note that when preparing the next generation of teachers, the priority should be their acquisition of experience in using artificial intelligence tools in teaching. The objectives of mastering the module are developing students’ skills in the field of neural network mathematical modeling, developing knowledge about basic data analysis algorithms, development of skills in visualization and interpretation of data to solve applied problems using object-oriented programming technologies and artificial neural network technologies. As part of project activities, students gain experience in data mining by completing research projects (for example, a project on comparative assessment of the effectiveness of multilayer perceptron learning algorithms) and applied projects (for example, on the development of a neural network system for predicting the success of schoolchildren’s research work; on the development of a neural network system for predicting student attendance training sessions). At USPU, software systems have been developed in Python that implement the presented neural network prognostic systems. Educational and methodological materials for the disciplines of the module include video lectures and presentations for them, laboratory work (including those based on GoogleColab notebooks), datasets, test sets, theory questions and practical tasks for exams and tests. The effectiveness of the developed teaching methodology is confirmed by the results of a pedagogical experiment. Keywords: neural network technologies, data mining, predictive systems, machine learning, content of the academic discipline

Antecedents of undergraduate research skills and the mediating role of grit

ABSTRACT This study offers a structural model that explores constructs such as mentoring, affinity for technology, need for cognition, and self-efficacy for promoting students’ research skills, emphasizing the mediating role of grit. The proposed model is guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, which helps explain how students acquire research skills through social interaction, observation, and imitation. An empirical self-perception survey of 568 undergraduate students with completed research projects was carried out using partial least squares – structural equation modelling. Four significant findings advance the domain literature. First, the findings reveal that mentoring alone is not associated with research skills but is mediated by grit. Second, students’ affinity for technology is positively associated with research skills but is not mediated by grit. Such a finding agrees with the notion that using digital tools helps students facilitate essential resources to improve their ability to collect, analyze, and communicate research findings. Third, while students’ inclination towards critical thinking and problem-solving are undoubtedly relevant to research, these cognitive aspects alone are not directly linked to research skills without those traits associated with grit, effectively highlighting the significant mediating role of grit. Finally, self-efficacy is significantly associated with developing research skills and is partially mediated by grit, as students may be more confident and motivated to implement research tasks. The presence of grit supports self-efficacy by advancing the resilience of students when faced with challenges. Insights from these findings contain theoretical and practical takeaways that could guide university practitioners in enhancing students’ research skills.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕННОЙ ГОТОВНОСТИ ПРОЕКТА ПОЛНОГО ЦИКЛА РАЗРАБОТКИ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО ПРОДУКТА

Currently, there is still a large gap between developed technology and production capabilities that translate this technology into commercial success. In this case, there is an inability to "bridge the gap", i.e. incomprehension of how to advance product development from a laboratory sample to serial production of this product. Definition of the research and development life cycle on the basis of stages, differentiated according to the technology readiness levels and manufacturing readiness levels, taking into account the experience of applying various techniques in world practice, and also on the basis of determining the level of technology readiness, was first outlined in the Guidelines for the preparation of initial data for the development and correction of forecast of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation No. 1335 dated 11/13/2015. A prerequisite for implementation of state-funded research and development programs was the need to evaluate the TRL and MRL at the time of launch and on completion of research project. Currently, in the Russian Federation, the use of TRL-assessments is provided for by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation No. 107 dated 02/06/2023 "On Approval of the procedure for determining the readiness levels of emerging or developed technologies, as well as scientific and scientific-technical results corresponding to each technology readiness level". TRL assessment, which is characterized by the readiness of the drug product production from the design of molecule to the commercial batch production, is currently not used in the field of drug circulation.

Demographic Variables and Web Information Seeking Behavior of Final Year University Students in Nigeria

The study examined demographic variables and web information-seeking behaviour of final-year university students in Nigeria. The study utilized a survey research approach, employing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The research population consisted of 377 final-year undergraduates selected purposively from three universities in Nigeria. The results of the study indicated that students primarily sought web-based information to complete class assignments and research projects. Additionally, challenges such as information overload and the high cost of subscriptions were identified in connection with students’ online information-seeking behaviour. The study concluded that a good number of students frequently seek information from Google search and Wikipedia as well as electronic journals, which has helped them meet the demands of their academic pursuits. The study recommended, among others, that university libraries should encourage faculty members to continually assign research tasks to students that will compel them to visit their electronic libraries, where they will get new knowledge and acquire skills in web information searching. Librarians, through user education programmes, should organize practical sessions where students would be taught how to search and retrieve relevant web resources.

The Clinical Anatomy Fellowship: Revolutionizing curricular experiences for faculty and students.

Fellows completing the Clinical Anatomy Fellowship at Kansas City University assist Anatomy faculty in the Gross Anatomy laboratory, complete robust research projects, and support other departments. The program's positive impact on participants has been reported; however, the impact on individuals interfacing with Fellows has not been investigated. A follow-up, survey-based (Likert scale, multiple-choice, open-ended) study was conducted to evaluate faculty, staff, and student perceptions of the program. Ninety-five percent of surveyed faculty and staff (n = 22) perceived the Fellows as beneficial to students, faculty, and the university (p < 0.05) by acting as role models (95%) and mentors (90%), contributing to educational processes (90%), and reducing faculty work burden (81%) (p < 0.05). Student responses (n = 95) were also positive: 97% perceived interactions with Fellows as beneficial (p < 0.05). A passion for Anatomy (mean, 4.6; p < 0.05) and the opportunity to increase competitiveness for residency (mean, 4.5; p < 0.05) were the most important factors driving interest in the Fellowship (Cronbach's alpha, 0.766). In contrast, diverting a year from the school's curriculum (mean, 4.4; p < 0.05) and delaying clinical experiences (mean, 4.3; p < 0.05) were the most important deterrents (Cronbach's alpha, 0.505). Additionally, the financial investment required by the program is lower than that associated with hiring full-time faculty. Analysis comparing employment of Fellows versus associate-level faculty identified annual net savings of $370,000. Not only does the Fellowship augment faculty and student experiences at the university, but it also allows for substantial cost savings. Collectively, these data are evidence for other health professional institutions to consider adopting a similar program.

Sorry we're open, come in we're closed: different profiles in the perceived applicability of open science practices to completed research projects.

Open science is an increasingly important topic for research, politics and funding agencies. However, the discourse on open science is heavily influenced by certain research fields and paradigms, leading to the risk of generalizing what counts as openness to other research fields, regardless of its applicability. In our paper, we provide evidence that researchers perceive different profiles in the potential to apply open science practices to their projects, making a one-size-fits-all approach unsuitable. In a pilot study, we first systematized the breadth of open science practices. The subsequent survey study examined the perceived applicability of 13 open science practices across completed research projects in a broad variety of research disciplines. We were able to identify four different profiles in the perceived applicability of open science practices. For researchers conducting qualitative-empirical research projects, comprehensively implementing the breadth of open science practices is tendentially not feasible. Further, research projects from some disciplines tended to fit a profile with little opportunity for public participation. Yet, disciplines and research paradigms appear not to be the key factors in predicting the perceived applicability of open science practices. Our findings underscore the case for considering project-related conditions when implementing open science practices. This has implications for the establishment of policies, guidelines and standards concerning open science.

SOFT SKILLS FOR THE SUCCESS OF INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Research collaboration is expected to offer many advantages, including the pooling of ideas, the creation of a shared identity and efficiency in the production of resources. This viewpoint has led to the development of a Europe-wide project involving several partner universities over 9 years. Many researchers are joining forces to work on collaborative projects, in the hope of benefitting science and the common good. However, these projects can be hampered by a number of difficulties, including too little recognition of the importance of cross-disciplinary skills in bringing a group project to a successful conclusion. Our presentation will review the specific features of the collaborative research context and focus on the specific cross-disciplinary skills required with the objective to successfully complete collaborative research projects. Our methodology based on qualitative research will show our experience of several international collaborative projects, which we will supplement with a corpus of exchanges and interviews. Our findings from this project show that among the causes of the difficulties encountered, those relating to cross-disciplinary skills are central and among the skills required for collaborative research projects to run smoothly, our results highlight some of them. Our research shows the importance of the social link and soft skills in collaborative research projects and could be useful in future to those who want to start a new project and who may have underestimated the central importance of these soft skills.

Hybrid ventilation in residential and office buildings

This project is focused on hybrid ventilation systems, a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation in residential and office buildings. Especially in dwellings hybrid ventilation systems are quite common. For instance, this can be the frequently occurring combination of exhaust fans in bathroom and toilet and / or a range hood in the kitchen with window ventilation in the other rooms. Currently, these systems are part of the planning reality, however, there are neither planning aids nor focused building standards available. A recently completed research project documents the state of the scientific knowledge, identifies most common planning challenges, and thus provides the basis for future planning aids for hybrid ventilation. This paper sets out to define the term “hybrid ventilation”, presents the most common hybrid ventilation systems in Switzerland and gives planning guidelines for current components of hybrid ventilation systems.

An examination of supporting structures for postgraduate students’ completion of research projects at one of the universities in South Africa

The Council on Higher Education (CHE)’s report on the doctoral programme review states that offering postgraduate programmes seems to be a challenge to some South African universities. Amongst others, the report expresses that postgraduate supervision at universities suffers from many challenges, some of which result in students being delayed or not completing their studies. Underpinned by Archer’s (1998) theory of the interplay between structure, culture, and agency (support programmes), the study seeks to examine factors that hinder postgraduate students’ completion of their dissertations and theses. The study adopted narrative research where the qualitative design was used. Postgraduate students (Master and Doctoral) who have registered for these programmes repeatedly in the university served as participants in the study. The purposive sample was used to sample eight postgraduate students who have frequently registered for more than the required residency period. Semi-structured questions were formulated to guide data collection. Data was collected through a focus group of eight Master and Doctoral students. Collected data were analysed using the content analysis method. The study found that the university does not have adequate (or weak) supporting structures for students to complete their degrees in record time.

SENSE OF UNCERTAINTY AS A CRITERION OF HUMAN SECURITY

The sense of uncertainty has become one of the key criteria of human security in the third decade of the 21st century. The relationship between the sense of uncertainty and human security has been presented in the theoretical-cognitive and empirical aspects. The research results described in this publication are only one of the components of the completed research project in 2022. The aim of the research presented in this article was to analyze the impact of uncertainty on human security in the third decade of the 21st century. The first research problem was related to the recognition of the relationship between human security and the uncertainty of the world on the basis of the existing sources. The second and the third one concerned the structuring and validation of the index of uncertainty in the area of personal security. The analysis of the obtained field research results showed how important it was to diagnose human and design human security based on social practice, which was reflected in the final conclusions.

Project to Publication-A Writing Mentorship Program.

Evidence is required to inform effective interventions promoting publication among clinical nurses. This study examined the effect of a mentored writing program on clinical nurse perceptions of writerly self-efficacy and publication. A mixed-methods, pretest-posttest study design with an education intervention was implemented. The Revised for Nursing Practice - Postsecondary Writerly Self-efficacy Scale (RNP-PSWSES) measured perception of writerly self-efficacy before and after intervention. Manuscripts submitted for publication were counted. The purposive, convenience sample included registered nurses with completed research, evidence-based practice, or quality improvement projects. Subjects participated in a 3-month structured mentored writing program and completed the RNP-PSWSES survey before and after program completion. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine the significance of difference between the pretest and posttest, and the number of published manuscripts was reported. The RNP-PSWSES items identified pretest-posttest Cronbach's α (.728, .818). Posttest RNP-PSWSES scores were statistically significantly higher than pretest scores (z = -1.96, P = .050) with a large effect size of r = 0.69. Two manuscripts were accepted for publication, and 1 manuscript was withdrawn after the third request for revisions. In this study, mentored writing workshops improve nurses' perceptions of writing ability and increase publications. Generalization of findings is limited by small sample size. Clinical nurse specialists are critical to champion writing and publication.

Lightweight blocks made of coarse AAC‐granules ‐ Recycled again!

AbstractThe MPA Bremen has been dealing with the development of recycling methods for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) rubble for many years. The aim is to enable the highest possible reuse of AAC as a secondary raw material.In addition to a functional coating for the reduction of methane emissions from landfill bodies, the results so far have been dry premixed mortars for masonry, masonry blocks and lightweight blocks, which contain only AAC rubble of all fractions occurring during processing instead of natural aggregates.The aim in the development of these recycling methods was always the technical/physical use of the existing characteristic AAC‐structure with continuing to use the gray energies associated with the granules.The technique of the “Lightweight Blocks made of coarse AAC‐Granules” enables the production of recycling products that are particularly similar to the primary building material AAC. The principle of the “Lightweight Blocks” is based on the fact that coarse AAC granules are filled into a formwork with the desired component geometry and the remaining pore space is filled with an artificially porous matrix using an injection process.This approach was optimized and extended in a recently completed research project: The particle size range was expanded, the share of AAC Granules was increased and the required use of binder was reduced. In addition, the working hypothesis not only allows the use of granules from the primary building material AAC, but also granules from the recycling product “Lightweight Blocks”. This new approach has been successfully tested for different binder systems. Autoclaved Aerated concrete becomes consequently a real circular building material for two recycling cycles.

Machine Learning: Progress Toward Additive Manufacturing Materials Property Allowables Development

Abstract This article starts with a synopsis of machine learning (ML) and explores the characteristics of ML algorithms. It then reports on the results of two recently completed research projects investigating the potential use of ML to establish additive manufacturing materials property allowables. Although continued research and development work is required, the results are very promising.

Неопубликованное наследие Б.В. Асафьева о М.П. Мусоргском

Boris Asafyev’s unpublished works about M.P. Mussorgsky fundamentally change the existing perceptions of his contribution to the study and publication of the great Russian composer’s legacy. Published in the Soviet times, Asafyev’s works provided insights just into a tiny part of the art history texts about Mussorgsky’s music. The completed research project based on the materials from Moscow and St. Petersburg archives (transcripts of unpublished writings (around 150 letters), official documents, and marginalia on music sheets) fully uncovers the activities of the musicologist that have, until recently, remained unexplored in the context of the humanities. Asafyev took part in the publication of Mussorgsky’s works as P.A. Lamm’s co-editor, music expert and textual critic, music editor preparing the score of “Boris Godunov” for publication, co-author-composer completing the unfinished musical fragments, and composer-orchestrator who fully instrumented “Khovanshchina” in stylistic synchrony with Mussorgsky’s original score.

Editorial

It is an understatement to say that we have all been seriously affected by Covid-19-induced health concerns, lockdowns and travel restrictions over the past two years. From a biosecurity perspective, the lack of international travellers arriving in Aotearoa / New Zealand may have helped reduce the risk of unwanted organisms entering our country to some degree, but having our biosecurity personnel confined to barracks provided invasive species the opportunity to rebound in their absence. Reports of biosecurity issues throughout the Covid times are a sure indicator that invasive species are alive and well out there – for example the Mycoplasma bovis recurrence in Canterbury, pepino mosaic virus in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, two marine pests (Asian seaweed Undaria pinnatifida and the carpet sea squirt Didemnum vexillum) at Rakiura / Stewart Island, and a too-close-to-home outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Southeast Asia. As the general populace everywhere scrambled to survive in their day-to-day family and professional lives throughout the pandemic impacts, submission of academic manuscripts for publication clearly slipped (perhaps justifiably) to a low priority. As a result, only one paper was submitted to Perspectives in Biosecurity in 2021. This was published early in that year “ahead of print” as we felt that the myrtle rust subject matter was too important to wait for an end-of-year full issue (see Schmid et al. 2021). That early publication was a fortunate move given that no further papers materialised! However, we are delighted to present three very different research papers in this year’s issue of Perspectives in Biosecurity. The first paper describes the development of an intriguing mixed native–naturalised vegetation association on an island near urban Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. The second paper reports for the first time the lichenised fungi species found on two native tree species (ramarama Lophomyrtus bullata and rōhutu L. obcordata) that are threatened by myrtle rust. The third paper covers some preliminary research on the efficacy of the Honshu white admiral butterfly (Limenitis glorifica) as a biological control against Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). We gratefully thank the authors for their contributions to this issue, and acknowledge their persistence and productivity over what has been a challenging time to complete research projects.

Operationalizing Academic-Industry Partnerships to Advance Digital Health Equity: Lessons Learned.

Technological innovation can improve health care and population health. However, it is not often designed with public health systems and diverse patients in mind. In 2016, university faculty digital health experts established an innovation incubator in an academic setting based in a public health care system. The incubator conducted projects with a cohort of private technology companies and sparked cross-sector dialogue about digital health equity. The incubator completed rapid-cycle research and evaluation projects with industry and in partnership with publicly insured patients and public health care workers to improve the fit of technology with diverse user needs and preferences. Lessons learned include the importance of an explicit focus on equity, early alignment of expectations, broader investment and communications, and inclusive stakeholder relationships. Partnerships between the digital health industry and public health researchers can bridge the gap between technology offerings and the needs and preferences of publicly insured patients.