Creative Solutions Research Articles

Electrochemical Azo-free Mitsunobu-type Reaction.

The classic chemical Mitsunobu reaction suffers from the need of excess alcohol activation reagents and the generation of significant by-products. Efforts to overcome these limitations have resulted in numerous creative solutions, but the substrate scope of these catalytic processes remains limited. Here we report an electrochemical Mitsunobu-type reaction, which features azo-free alcohol activation and broad substrate scope. This user-friendly technology allows a vast collection of heterocycles as the nucleophile, which can couple with a series of chiral cyclic and acyclic alcohols in moderate to high yields and excellent ee's. This practical reaction is scalable, chemoselective, uses simple Electrasyn setup with inexpensive electrodes and requires no precaution to exclude air and moisture. The synthetic utility is further demonstrated on the structural modification of diverse bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives and its straightforward application in a multiple-step synthesis of a drug candidate.

Electrochemical Azo‐free Mitsunobu‐type Reaction

AbstractThe classic chemical Mitsunobu reaction suffers from the need of excess alcohol activation reagents and the generation of significant by‐products. Efforts to overcome these limitations have resulted in numerous creative solutions, but the substrate scope of these catalytic processes remains limited. Here we report an electrochemical Mitsunobu‐type reaction, which features azo‐free alcohol activation and broad substrate scope. This user‐friendly technology allows a vast collection of heterocycles as the nucleophile, which can couple with a series of chiral cyclic and acyclic alcohols in moderate to high yields and excellent ee's. This practical reaction is scalable, chemoselective, uses simple Electrasyn setup with inexpensive electrodes and requires no precaution to exclude air and moisture. The synthetic utility is further demonstrated on the structural modification of diverse bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives and its straightforward application in a multiple‐step synthesis of a drug candidate.

Advancing environmental sustainability in the creative sectors: A strategic HR framework based on data analytics and eco-innovation

In response to the growing urgency of environmental sustainability, industries across the globe are seeking innovative approaches to mitigate their ecological footprint. The creative sectors, encompassing fields such as design, advertising, media, and entertainment, wield significant influence in shaping societal norms and consumer behavior. However, their activities often come with substantial environmental consequences. This proposes a strategic human resource (HR) framework grounded in data analytics and eco-innovation to foster environmental sustainability within the creative sectors. The proposed framework emphasizes the pivotal role of HR practices in driving organizational change towards sustainability. Leveraging data analytics, organizations can gain insights into their environmental impact across various stages of production and consumption. By analyzing this data, firms can identify key areas for improvement and implement targeted strategies to reduce resource consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions. Moreover, eco-innovation emerges as a central pillar of this framework, encouraging organizations to rethink traditional practices and develop creative solutions that minimize environmental harm. Through eco-innovation, firms can design products, services, and processes that align with principles of sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the market. Strategic HR practices play a critical role in facilitating this transition towards environmental sustainability. HR departments can champion sustainability initiatives by fostering a culture of environmental consciousness, providing training on eco-friendly practices, and incentivizing employees to contribute to sustainability goals. Furthermore, HR professionals can spearhead recruitment efforts to attract individuals with expertise in sustainability and facilitate knowledge sharing within the organization. The integration of data analytics and eco-innovation into HR practices represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing environmental challenges in the creative sectors. By adopting this strategic framework, organizations can not only minimize their ecological footprint but also capitalize on opportunities for innovation and differentiation in an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace. Ultimately, this review advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability that encompasses both environmental and organizational objectives within the creative sectors.

The Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Pakistan's Legal System

This article explores the transformative role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Pakistan's legal system, focusing on mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. ADR proves pivotal in addressing challenges like case backlog offering efficient and accessible dispute resolution. Its cost-effectiveness and participant-driven nature make it inclusive. ADR's adaptability fosters creative solutions, particularly in family and community disputes, emphasizing relationship preservation. Despite challenges, ongoing initiatives aim to enhance awareness and overcome cultural barriers. Looking ahead, ADR's promising future in Pakistan is marked by legislative reforms and growing cultural acceptance, heralding a shift towards a more collaborative and efficient legal landscape.

Exploring real estate valuation practices in an informal market

This study investigates the intricate realm of real estate valuation in the Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. Drawing on 27 interviews with real estate appraisers and an analysis of betterment tax valuations, arbitration reports, and court minutes spanning the years 1991–2023, we unpack the distinct valuation practices in this informal urban setting. We discuss the unique challenges involved in valuations in informal real estate markets and how appraisers address them, suggesting that appraisers in East Jerusalem grapple with structural, top-down challenges—arising from inconsistent Israeli planning regulations, geopolitical instability, and an underdeveloped mortgage market—and bottom-up obstacles stemming from limited transaction reporting by local Palestinian residents. To navigate these challenges, appraisers employ creative solutions, such as a 'copy & paste' strategy, referencing older arbitration verdicts, and creating complementary databases. They also rely on local knowledge and their familiarity with the field. Our research sheds light on the innovative methods appraisers utilize to assess land value in the complex and dynamic environment of East Jerusalem, and in informal areas more broadly.

Challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic: A layered vulnerabilities perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide-ranging implications on the academic community and there have been numerous commentaries on the effects of the pandemic on qualitative health research. However, the vulnerabilities faced by participants and researchers during the pandemic have remained underexplored. Addressing this gap, this reflective article discusses the intersecting challenges and opportunities arising for participants and researchers in qualitative health research during the pandemic through the lens of layered vulnerability. Vulnerability, as a layered concept, provides novel insight to discussions on the effects of the pandemic as it provides a depth of insight into the multifaceted and dynamic nature of vulnerabilities, while considering individual differences and contexts. Reflecting on the research we conducted during the pandemic, we draw out the layers of vulnerability that both participants and researchers faced during the research process, as well as the obligations and strategies we developed to mitigate these vulnerabilities. We discuss the intersectionality of individual characteristics and the digitisation of work and life, including the impact of moving qualitative health research online and the use of creative methodological approaches. Our article highlights how, through engaging with their own vulnerabilities throughout the research process, researchers can develop creative and new solutions for qualitative research which mitigate the increased vulnerabilities participants faced during the pandemic.

Not Exactly Dragon's Den: Enterprise Challenges can Enhance Psychological Literacy

Enterprise challenges are teaching activities that allow students to develop and pitch a creative idea in response to a real-life challenge, usually posed by a charitable organisation. Students work in teams to develop their ideas and draw on their subject knowledge, as well as entrepreneurial processes, to articulate their product or service that addresses the challenge. These activities have the potential to enhance psychological literacy as they provide an opportunity to utilise psychological knowledge and skills in novel and unfamiliar ways and urges students to find creative solutions to societal problems. This article presents the rationale and structure to design an enterprise challenge in psychology teaching and uses two case studies to show diverse ways of delivering these teaching events. Evaluation data from six previous challenges show that students self-rate their perceived psychological literacy and entrepreneurial orientation higher after having participated in an enterprise challenge. These teaching activities present a propitious way of enhancing psychological literacy in the curriculum and supporting students on their journey to develop as global citizens.

Breads formulated with avocado pulp powder as a fat substitute: Quality parameters and in vitro inhibition activities.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of increasing contents (5%-25%) of avocado pulp powder (APP) produced by foam-mat drying (FMD) as a substitute for hydrogenated vegetable fat in bread on its nutritional composition, physical properties, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, color, structure, and x-ray diffraction patterns. The increase in the APP content decreased the values of lipids, carbohydrates, energy, firmness, and specific volume of breads. The inhibition of lipase activity showed a pronounced increase, while the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were significantly elevated. The color parameters a* and b* were higher in the breads with added APP. The crystalline structure transitioned from type A to type V with 15% APP incorporation. Taken together, these results suggest that APP has potential to act as a healthier substitute for saturated fats in breads, paving the way to develop creative and innovative solutions for the functionalization of bakery food products.

Reimagining the Anthropocene in the Search for Human Security: Humans as Creating Creatures

Abstract The Anthropocene poses daunting challenges to humanity in the form of a polycrisis with diverse manifestations. Both the definition of the epoch and its challenges stem from our ecological overload and the domination over the biosphere by human endeavors. An organized transition to a sustainable future, as well as educational efforts to expedite it, will depend on the extent of human agency at the individual and collective levels. An analysis of precedents and current trends suggests poor chances for a successful transition out of the initial causation phase of the Anthropocene, despite our collective culpability. More likely are multiple transitions that take diverse regional approaches, with varying success rates. As human agency becomes increasingly constrained, hopes for creative solutions focus on local communities, positive deviants, and counterhegemonic education.

Motor creativity assessment: A test-retest reliability and validity protocol study in fibromyalgia and healthy women

IntroductionPrevious studies have found brain abnormalities and deficits in cognitive functions in people with fibromyalgia. It is known that choreography or creative tasks significantly generate cognitive improvements. Various methods have been described in the literature to evaluate creative activities using electroencephalography (EEG), such as the imagination of dance improvisations. However, there is the notion that creative solutions can emerge during the action and that creative motor action may reflect new, statistically rare, and adaptive coordination and/or the control solutions performed. AimThis study seeks to establish an operational approach to test how constraints are combined to induce variability of movement and how to evaluate it, but without forgetting the ideation or preparation of the activity as a relevant section in the study of motor creativity. To this end, this study aims to validate and test the reliability and applicability of an innovative test of motor creativity: The Motor Creativity Assessment (MCA), with the aim of achieving an objective score of motor creativity that can be used to test patients and monitor the interventions. Material and methodsto correctly satisfy the requirements of the standard protocol for clinical trials, this study has followed the SPIRIT 2013 Statement Items. A total of 13 women with fibromyalgia and 13 healthy women were included in the study. The individual's cognitive impairment, sleep quality, pain, quality of life, level of physical activity, fear of falling, and the impact of fibromyalgia will be studied. This study develops a specific test of motor creativity without the use of objects, with the aim of achieving an objective score of motor creativity. An observation score sheet allows motor creativity to be analyzed and scored by viewing a video of the creative movement test. The Enobio® instrument (Neuroelectrics, Cambridge, MA, USA) and Neuroelectrics® instrument driver software (NIC1) were used to record EEG and heart rate variability signals.

A creative solution to simple experiments in the subject of technology within the STEM concept

Teaching with the STEM concept represents education that uses the connection of science, technology, mathematics, engineering, and the natural sciences. The “STEMkey” project, whose solutions are members of the KTIT PF UKF in Nitra, contributes to modernising STEM teacher education in Europe and strengthens teachers' professional development. It supports the development of better quality and more attractive STEM courses for students motivated to teach about individual STEM subjects and how they can use them to solve problems arising from simple experiments. The article describes an activity prepared for the summer school in Lisbon by researchers from Nitra. In a prepared task, it was necessary to solve the pumping of polluted water, controlled by the BBC microcontroller, into a sand filter. Students and future teachers from several European universities participated in the summer school. The prepared activities aimed at developing student teachers' abilities to apply the concept of STEM education in the educational process.

Great Expectation in Shadow: Globalization and Young Chinese Entrepreneurs in Africa

Abstract As China’s economic power continues to globalize, more and more Chinese companies and people are going overseas to explore new opportunities. In contrast to the existing research that focuses on the overseas operations of Chinese companies or general immigration phenomena, this study focuses on an emerging group of young entrepreneurs in Africa. Based on three exemplary case studies, this paper attempts to explore these young people’s reasons for going to Africa, their strategies for coping with difficulties, and their gradually formed new lifestyles and self-awareness. The study finds that this group has a stronger “entrepreneurial spirit” than the domestic mobile population of the same age, which is also in the context of individualization, and thus shows a different process of individualization. The members of this group came to Africa with high expectations, used creative solutions to solve various problems in work and life, and dared to break traditions, building their life trajectories and self-understanding in continuous actions. Different from the previous immigrant groups, young entrepreneurs in Africa represent a new way for Chinese people to go out in the world in the era of globalization.

Treading on the Tiger’s Tail: Chinese Wuxia and Japanese Jidaigeki Action Films Reacting to State Censorship in the 1930s and 1940s

This article highlights the relationship between wuxia (martial heroes) and jidaigeki (period drama) action films and state censorship in the 1930s and 1940s. I first introduce readers to key East-Asian literary conventions that portray righteous warriors who incarnate their moral codes with swords. I then illustrate the political contexts in 1930s China and 1940s Japan which caused the popular film genres of wuxia and jidaigeki to become politically problematic and therefore strictly censored. I closely examine director Bu Wancang’s 1931 wuxia film A Spray of Plum Blossoms and Kurosawa Akira’s jidaigeki 1945 film Treading on the Tiger’s Tail, investigating creative solutions each director found in order to release their respective films despite censorship pressures. There are three inventions both directors pioneered in their work, namely “ostensible exactness” in setting; “patriotic warriors” in characterization; and “swordless fights” in presenting spectacular action scenes. I argue that although these solutions failed to restore both genres back to their former popularity, Kurosawa’s film paved the way for the success of his world-class jidaigeki in the 1950s, and Bu’s wuxia led to the emergence of kung fu films in the 1960s. My critical analysis underscores the innovative creativity of Chinese wuxia and Japanese jidaigeki films while calling attention to the artistic and cultural legacies of these two popular cinematic genres. The comparison demonstrates how film censorship may undermine or even destroy traditions that have a long history and deep cultural roots.

A Transdisciplinary Approach and Design Thinking Methodology: For Applications to Complex Problems and Energy Transition

In this paper, we outline a transdisciplinary approach and design thinking methodology (TADTM) to tackle complex problems. Our premise is that these problems need a fundamental understanding of technological solutions and those for human interactions, business operations, financing, socioeconomic governance, legislation, and regulations. They must be approached by different decisionmakers from different disciplines to establish seamless interactions and structured teamwork. In this regard, we emphasize the need for a transdisciplinary framework that accounts for personal preferences based on human behavior as well as the traditional interdisciplinary frameworks. To test and prove our hypothesis, three case studies are discussed. Case Study 1 is based on our studies at a major medical establishment, and Case Study 2 is about the integrated engineering and architecture approach we used at our university campus. Case Study 3 is based on an ongoing project to lead industrial corporations to change their energy policies with practical energy efficiency measures and by adapting renewable/alternative energy adaptations for their operations. Developing creative solutions and strategies to decrease atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions requires such an energy transition framework and should involve every person, company, entity, and all governments. It can only be achieved with efforts on both local and global levels, which needs to convince (a) industries to change their traditional operation modalities, (b) people to alter their consumption behaviors, and (c) governments to change their rules, regulations, and incentives. The complexity and magnitude of this enormous task demand the coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders, as well as the need for technological innovations.

Perencanaan Video Iklan dengan Teknik Motion Graphic untuk Promosi pada Universitas Swasta XYZ

Marketing and promotion methods have significantly evolved in the rapidly changing digital era, impacting various sectors including higher education. Particularly, the promotion of study programs at private universities has faced challenges, notably within the Faculty of Computer Science. Despite its continuous growth and innovation, attracting prospective students has become increasingly difficult as interest in the program has declined this year. This trend underscores the need for more engaging and efficient promotional strategies. Motion graphic animation has emerged as a creative solution within the advertising and promotion industry. Its dynamic visual appeal and ability to simplify complex messages make it an invaluable tool in marketing communications. Utilizing motion graphic animations for study program advertisements not only highlights the faculty's technological advancements and innovations but also aims to attract a digitally savvy and visually oriented young audience. This paper discusses the development of marketing advertisements designed to attract new students to XYZ university, detailing the process from feasibility studies and initial planning to analysis, advertising system design, and implementation. The methodologies for data collection include interviews and observations, with the application developed using Adobe After Effect, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Audition.

How to Enable Ambidexterity in Safety-Critical Software Development

Overview: In a competitive environment, continually improving new products and services requires new knowledge and novel solutions. Managing projects also requires the careful control of resources for effective delivery. Ambidexterity, the simultaneous achievement of novelty through exploration and efficiency through exploitation, is challenging to achieve in practice. The ways in which companies can achieve ambidexterity are context dependent. It is especially hard to promote new and uncertain concepts in situations where lives are at stake. This article reports on a case study of a safety-critical IT development project that successfully achieved ambidexterity. Leadership behaviors that support ambidexterity in this setting are critical. We highlight four leadership behaviors key to developing an environment where creative solutions can flourish.

Practice patterns in pediatric infectious encephalopathy in four centers in Africa.

Infectious encephalopathy (IE), including meningitis, infectious encephalitis, and cerebral abscess, remains prevalent and carries high mortality and morbidity in children, especially in low and middle income countries (LMIC). This study aims to describe the usual care and outcomes of pediatric IE in four LMIC hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa to support evidence-based care guideline development. This is a secondary analysis of the Prevalence of Acute Critical Neurological disease in children: A Global Epidemiological Assessment-Developing Countries study, a 4-week, prospective, observational study in children (1 week to 17 years) with IE presenting to referral hospitals in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana. Data collection included diagnostic testing, interventions, and patient outcomes [e.g., mortality, Pediatric Cerebral and Overall Performance Category Scores (PCPC and POPC)]. Seventy-two children with IE were enrolled. Most patients were diagnosed with undifferentiated IE (78%, n = 56). Specific etiologies included cerebral malaria (10%, n = 7), viral encephalitis (4%, n = 3), tuberculosis (4%, n = 3), bacterial meningitis (3%, n = 2), and cerebral abscess (1%, n = 1). Fourteen patients (20%) had a head computed tomography performed. Thirty two (44%) children had a lumbar puncture but only 9 samples (28%) were sent for culture. Median time from diagnosis to antimicrobial therapy was 3 h (IQR 1-12 h). Half (51%, n = 33) of inpatients received intracranial pressure (ICP)-directed treatment but none underwent ICP monitoring. Mortality was 13% (n = 9). The percentage of children with a favorable cognitive score decreased from 95% (n = 62) prior to admission to 80% (n = 52) and 77% (n = 50) at discharge for PCPC and POPC respectively. IE led to considerable morbidity and mortality in this cohort, and evaluation and management varied across the care continuum. Resource limitations and diagnostic constraints may have affected diagnosis-directed therapy and other aspects of management. Further studies are needed to describe the epidemiology and management of IE in LMICs to inform future treatment protocols, the role of technological and human capacity building to support both basic monitoring and interventions, as well as creative new solutions to emergency and critical care in these settings.

Cutting down and stocking up: how migration brokers negotiate mobility disruptions

ABSTRACT Migration infrastructures are susceptible to disruptions and necessitate ongoing maintenance and repair to ensure the smooth facilitation of mobility flows. While the prevailing notion attributes the mending of infrastructures primarily to state initiatives, this paper seeks to enhance the understanding of how non-state actors execute maintenance and repair, especially in times of unprecedented disruptions. By examining the experiences of labor and education brokers operating within the Vietnam-Japan and Nepal-Malaysia migration corridors during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores the ways these intermediaries navigated disruptions in migration infrastructures and devised creative solutions to surmount contextual constraints arising from these disruptions. It argues that migration brokers “make do” by adopting the tactic of cutting down, and the strategy of stocking up. These practices are adopted not only to survive and wait out the infrastructural disruptions but also to anticipate and prepare for a post-pandemic scenario of resumed mobility. With a focus on brokerage practices during times of immobility, the paper shows how migration brokers maintain migration infrastructures and subsequently highlights their crucial roles in the ongoing process of infrastructuring migration. While states and border regimes continue to be highly relevant in how migrants move, the role of the brokers in mending infrastructural disruptions points to the dynamic nature of migration brokerage and challenges the misconception of self-perpetuating migration infrastructures.

How to overcome biases against creativity: The role of familiarity with and confidence in original solutions

Despite the societal relevance of creative ideas, humans favor traditional over more original solutions, conceivably because of the increased uncertainty that comes with trying novel approaches. Here, we tested whether this anti-creativity bias can be counteracted by increasing familiarity with, and confidence in, creative solutions. Participants chose between creative and traditional uses for given objects. In study 1 (N = 67 international adults), these objects repeated either identically or conceptually during the experiment; and in study 2 (N = 68 international adults), choice options were either self-generated or externally provided. Spatial and temporal measures of response selection indicated an implicit bias towards the traditional approach, independent of repetition type (study 1). This attraction towards the norm was also found for self-generated creative ideas, but it was considerably reduced compared to other-generated ideas (study 2). Instead of increasing familiarity, building confidence in creative solutions might thus be the key to reduce corresponding uncertainty and promote successful creative ideation.

The journey from unrealistic to realistic optimism: Ancient Confucian wisdom in modern business practice

The notion of “realistic optimism” seems paradoxical, intertwining the contradictory elements of objective judgment and a positive outlook. Extant research often falls short in analyzing this dilemma and in capturing the cultural nuances. Given Confucianism’s endeavors to reconcile realism and optimism, this paper explores the cultivation of realistic optimism in Confucian classics. Further, an account of a contemporary Confucian merchant is provided to illustrate the enduring relevance of these ancient principles in the contemporary business world. This paper highlights two Confucian approaches that facilitate the development of realistic optimism. Firstly, from a preventive stance, “desire modesty” enhances realism by lowering cognitive dissonance and fosters optimism by reducing external motivation that often hinders creative solutions. Secondly, from a promotive perspective, “discernment clarity” promotes realism by cultivating a strong need for cognition; “meaningful adversity” mitigates pessimistic feelings by reframing hardships; and “sincere creativity” bolsters optimism by inspiring innovative solutions. Overall, this paper underscores the crucial role of culture in shaping realistic optimism by illuminating the profound influence of Confucian teachings in transforming this seeming paradox into a lived reality.