Project Director Research Articles

BEFORE NBER: WARREN NUTTER’S SOVIET RESEARCH AT THE CIA

Warren Nutter’s work as director of the National Bureau of Economic Research’s (NBER) Soviet growth project is his best-known contribution to economics and public affairs. Many histories of Sovietology note the oddity of Nutter’s selection as project director, given his apparent lack of prior experience studying the Soviet Union. This paper provides new context for Nutter’s selection to lead the NBER effort. From 1951 to 1952 Nutter was the acting chief of the Economic Capabilities Branch of the CIA’s Office of Research and Reports (ORR), and chairman of the Economic Analysis Subcommittee of the interagency Economic Intelligence Committee. In this capacity he managed at least three major research efforts, including an input-output analysis of the Soviet Union and contributions to two national intelligence estimates. Nutter may have been proposed as director of the NBER project by Robert Amory, the Deputy Director of Intelligence, in 1953. Nutter’s research for the CIA cultivated new analytic capacities for the agency and provided a foundation for his own work on the Soviet Union.

Interview with Alexander Bauer, outgoing editor of the Journal

Sophie Vigneron, incoming editor of the International Journal of Cultural Property, interviewed Alex Bauer, who was the journal’s editor from 2003 to 2023. Alex is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, and Associate Director of the Sinop Region Archaeological Project, an interdisciplinary archaeological and heritage project on the landscapes and seascapes of the Black Sea coastal community of Sinop (Turkey).

Analysis of Vendor Selection for Cash Recycle Machine using the Analytical Hierarchy Process Method at PT.X

Selecting the right vendor for the Cash Recycle Machine (CRM) is a key factor for the sustainability of PT X in the banking business, as most banking tasks are carried out by vendors. Therefore, the vendor selection process is one of the main and crucial processes. This research aims to determine the weight of criteria, and sub-criteria, and analyze the best vendor selection for the Cash Recycle Machine Implementation Project at PT X using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The number of respondents in this study was eight, consisting of the Project Director, Project Manager, and Division Heads who are the decision-makers in vendor selection. The research was conducted through structured interviews using Saaty’s scale comparison questionnaires for criteria selection and rating scale assessment for vendor evaluation. The criteria evaluated based on the Vendor Performance Indicator (VPI) are Quality, Cost, Delivery, Flexibility, and Responsiveness, with the most influential sub-criteria being Price Reduction, Product Reliability, and Demand Adjustment. The selected vendor for the Cash Recycle Machine implementation project is PT ZZZ with a score of 40% out of 100%, followed by PT YYY with a score of 32%, and PT XXX with a score of 28%.

PSLBI-4 Influence of gender on animal science research funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Abstract According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, females and males in science disciplines obtain bachelor’s degrees at or near parity, yet females are not equally represented in academic faculty positions. This is true for agricultural fields including the animal sciences. The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), a flagship competitive grants program that funds research, education, and extension efforts with a total appropriation of $445 million in 2024. Our objective was to determine the difference between genders for submission rates (i.e., number of standard and seed grant applications submitted), peer reviewers of grant applications, and success rates (i.e., number of grant awards/number of applications submitted) in the main animal related AFRI program area priorities. All applications submitted to AFRI programs in animal genomics, reproduction, health, nutrition and growth, and welfare during yr 2013-2022 were evaluated. Gender was assigned to Project Directors (PD) and peer reviewers using first names as input into Gender API software (Gender-API.com; Passau, Germany) with ≥ 95% accuracy and ≥ 20 database occurrences used as quality filters and binary outcomes only (i.e., male or female). Effect of gender on submission rates, peer review panel compositions, and success rates were then analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-squared tests with P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 3,757 applications were submitted, of which 2,761 (73%) PD genders were assigned and analyzed further. Overall, the proportional submission rate for females was 28% and for males was 72%. Submission rates for females increased (P = 0.0614) over time ranging from 22% in 2013 to 33% in 2021. Submission rates differed by gender across programs (P < 0.0001) and ranged from 23% female in animal reproduction to 48% female in animal welfare. Across 48 panels, 41% of panelists were female; no differences were identified for the proportion of female panelists over time (P = 0.9509) or by program (P = 0.9298). Overall, the funding success rate for females was 23% and for males was 22%. Success rates did not differ between genders over time (P = 0.9080) or by program (P = 0.9094). Females submitted less than one-half as many applications as did males, but the proportion of submissions by females increased over time. This trend remained consistent despite challenges of relocation of NIFA and COVID-19 during this time. Overall, the proportion of NIFA panelists who were female exceeded the proportion of applications submitted by females. Funding success rates did not differ by gender and increased for both genders over time. These results indicate that although differences in gender existed for application submission rate and panel composition, these differences did not impact funding success rate of applications in animal science programs at NIFA, which did not differ between genders.

(Invited) Structured Electrode Manufacturing for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries

Achieving high-energy and high-power density Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with fast charging capabilities is critical to advancing electric vehicle (EV) and portable electronic technologies. Long-range, fast charge EVs and more compact portable electronics require significant advances in battery performance, lifetime, and cost. Conventional LIBs are composed of flat anode and cathode electrode stacks that can be optimized for energy or power, but not both concurrently. This is due to ion transport limitations that persist with increases in electrode thickness. Several research efforts have focused on optimizing LIB performance through material innovations with lithium metal and silicon anodes or new cathode materials, to name a few. Structured Electrode (SE) designs1 have been investigated over the last couple of decades as an alternate solution to address these challenges. SEs engineer electrode materials into different three-dimensional (3D) architectures on a scale ranging from tens to hundreds of microns to facilitate rapid ion-transport in thicker electrodes. While a promising concept, reliable and scalable manufacturing methods for fabricating SEs over the large and complex areas needed for EV and portable electronic applications remains limited.This talk covers manufacturing approaches investigated by our research group to fabricate SEs rapidly and efficiently. Both computational design and experimental approaches are employed to facilitate the development of new hardware, software, and processing techniques for SEs. Specifically, we highlight Additive Manufacturing (AM) tools for portable electronic applications and the use of acoustophoresis for manufacturing EV SEs. First, we have developed new computational fabrication tools2 and material formulations to push the bounds of AM for SE fabrication. Through this work, we investigate the impact of electrode design and fabrication on the rate capability and charge performance of Li4Ti5O12 and LiFePO4 cells. Next, taking AM towards larger area fabrication, we have combined acoustophoresis with AM principles to facilitate large-area printing and patterning of SEs for LIBs.3 Acoustophoresis utilizes acoustic standing wavesto drive particles into predefined patterns, with micron-scale control at time scales < 1 second. Our initial results with LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 and graphite have defined process conditions that enable acoustophoretic fabrication of SEs with improved rate capability over conventional, flat LIB electrodes. Our work highlights the material and processing considerations that must be given when developing new manufacturing processes for SEs. References C.-H. Hung, P. Huynh, K. Teo, and C.L. Cobb, “Are Three-dimensional Batteries Beneficial? Analyzing Historical Data to Elucidate Performance Advantages,” ACS Energy Letters, 8 (1), pp. 296–305, 2023.F. Fossdal, V. Nguyen, R. Heldal, C.L. Cobb, and N. Peek, “Vespidae: A Programming Framework for Developing Digital Fabrication Workflows,” In Proc. of 2023 Designing Interactive Systems Conference, ACM, New York, NY, USA.K.E. Johnson, D.S. Melchert, E.N. Armstrong, Daniel S. Gianola, C.L. Cobb, M.R. Begley, “A Simple, Validated Approach for Design of Two-dimensional Periodic Particle Patterns via Acoustophoresis,” Materials & Design, Vol. 232, 112165, 2023. Acknowledgements This material is based upon work supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) Award Numbers DE-EE0009112 and DE-EE0010226. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.This work was funded in part by a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award and Director's Fellowship under grant number D19AP00038. The views, opinions, and findings expressed in this work are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official views or policies of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred. This is approved for public release and distribution is unlimited.

Competing for research funding: Key elements impacting the evaluation of grant proposal

As funding is one of the key pillars of research activity, identifying the factors that impact the evaluation results in research funding competitions remains challenging, due to the heterogeneity of funding instruments. In this context, our study aims to identify the elements that ensure the application's success, comparing two perspectives: one of the applicant and the other based on the evaluation grid. The empirical investigation focuses on a survey of 243 Romanian researchers. As analysis methods, we use a binary logistic regression model to correlate the success in funding competitions for research projects with a set of factors considered determinants. The results show that the researcher's past performance influences the proposal's future performance/success, with the quality of the project director's previous publications, and its international visibility being the key drivers of successful research project applications.

Increasing Follow-Up Appointment Completion Rates in Transitions of Care.

Noncompletion of follow-up appointment requests is an ongoing problem due to competing staff responsibilities, technology challenges, and inadequate communication during hospital transitions to post-acute care. From 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019, 58% of follow-up appointments requested by an acute care hospital on discharge were not ordered after transition of care to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) and 44% of SNF residents were readmitted to acute care within 30days. The follow-up appointment completion rate was 42%. Barriers associated with poor attendance of follow-up appointments were not documented. The purpose of the study is to implement a follow-up appointment completion protocol to increase follow-up appointment completion rates and identify barriers to decrease hospital readmission rates with the use of a computerized clinical information system. A 232-bed for-profit, corporate-owned SNF in the west suburb of Chicago that offers a variety of services in addition to skilled nursing care including short-term rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term care. An attendance log was utilized to evaluate stakeholder agreement and completion of staff training. Data were collected electronically via a password-protected Microsoft Excel spreadsheet by the project director to evaluate the completion of orders placed for follow-up appointments and chart audits were completed. A quantitative data analysis was completed to obtain the percentage of the number of key stakeholders in agreement of interventions, staff attendance to training sessions, and residents whose orders for follow-up appointments were entered into PointClickCare (PCC). To evaluate the barriers identified, completion of follow-up appointments, hospital readmission rates, and chart audits were completed throughout the project implementation and data were collected electronically via a password-protected Microsoft Excel spreadsheet by the project director. Post implementation data were collected biweekly for 1 month, and then again for 1, 2, and 3 months throughout the project implementation. A quantitative data analysis was completed to obtain the percentage of barriers identified, completion of follow-up appointments, and hospital readmission rates. 81% of admitted residents to the short-term care stay unit had orders for follow-up appointments. The follow-up appointment completion rate increased to 46% and the readmission rate decreased by 20%. Barriers were identified as non-scheduled appointments and resident refusal. Implementing a follow-up appointment protocol can significantly enhance the quality of patient care and operational efficiency. Regular follow-up appointments allow health care professionals to assess progress, manage medications, detect complications early, and provide necessary guidance and interventions for optimal outcomes. A follow-up appointment protocol can help streamline transitions between levels of care, ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate services.

Building capacity and promoting health through online volunteering

Purpose Significant changes to in-person volunteering were necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) responded to the pandemic by developing an online education platform and pivoting to online volunteering. This qualitative study explores the dynamics of online volunteering and provides visibility to this novel trend in the training of health professionals in resource-scarce countries. Methodology/approach Barriers and facilitators, actual and potential outcomes, and recommendations for online volunteering were addressed through a comparative case study approach focusing on three HVO global projects: physical therapy in Rwanda and Ghana, oral health in Nepal, and anesthesiology—a multi-country collaboration between Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos. Findings A total of 15 participants, including project directors, host country representatives, and teaching volunteers, were interviewed online. Three themes emerged through the online interviews with HVO volunteers, project directors, and host country directors: Creating Space, the Future is Hybrid, and Geographical Expansion. Research implications Online volunteering provides a new opportunity for volunteers to expand their networks, learn new skills, and meet the needs of the host country participants. There is also an opportunity to expand projects beyond national boundaries, but logistical, cultural, and linguistic challenges must be considered. Practical implications Online volunteering is a feasible approach for building teaching and research capacity globally, and volunteer agencies should consider a hybrid model combining online volunteering with in-person volunteering. Originality Online volunteering provides support to meet the needs of both volunteers and in-country program participants. Limitations This study focused on the volunteer, project director, and host coordinator experience and not on the learner. More research is needed to investigate how online and in-person dynamics coalesce.

A qualitative exploration of professionals' perspectives on the implementation of reablement intervention programs in community care.

Reablement is considered a complex intervention due to its multicomponent, person-centered, holistic approach promoting older adults' active participation in daily activities. It is important to consider the unique context in which complex interventions are implemented, as contextual factors may interact and influence implementation outcomes. As part of the European TRANS-SENIOR project, this qualitative study aimed to gain insight into professionals' experiences with reablement implementation in Dutch community care. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, four focus groups were conducted comprising 32 professionals. Two groups were formed: one at operational level, including therapists, nursing staff, social workers, and domestic support; and one at organizational/strategic level, including project leaders, managers, directors, municipality representatives and health insurers. Participating care organizations had at least 6 months of experience with deploying and implementing reablement. Findings reflected three themes: (1) strength of interdisciplinary collaboration; highlighting significance of sharing goals and beliefs, (2) integrating the reablement philosophy into the organization; underscoring managements role in fostering support across all organizational layers, and (3) achieving a culture change in the healthcare system; emphasizing current funding models impeding value-based care tailored to the individual's goals and needs. The results offer valuable insights for implementation of complex interventions, like reablement.

Review of: Olga Karagiorgou – Pantelis Charalampakis – Christos Malatras (eds.), TAKTIKON. Studies on the Prosopography and Administration of the Byzantine themata

This volume presents the first results of the TAKTIKON research project on the prosopography and administration of the Byzantine themata (the large administrative divisions of the Byzantine State), which is being realized at the Academy of Athens by Olga Karagiorgou (Project instigator and director), Christos Malatras and Pantelis Charalampakis (Scientific collaborators), as well as the papers of a one-day International Workshop organized in the framework of the same project.

224 Influence of gender on animal science research funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Abstract According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, females and males in science disciplines obtain bachelor of science degrees at or near parity, yet females are not equally represented in academic faculty positions. This is true for agricultural field including the animal sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) at USDA, a flagship competitive grants program that fund research, education, and extension efforts with a total appropriation of $455 million in 2023. Our objective was to determine the difference between genders for submission rates (i.e., number of standard and seed grant applications submitted), success rates (i.e., number of grant award/number of applications submitted), and peer reviewers of grant applications in the main animal related AFRI program area priorities. All applications submitted to AFRI programs in animal genomics, reproduction, health, nutrition and growth, and welfare during 2013 to 2022 were evaluated. Gender was assigned to Project Directors (PD) and peer reviewers using first names as input into Gender API software (Gender-API.com; Passau, Germany) with ≥ 95% accuracy and ≥ 20 database occurrences used as quality filters and binary outcomes only (i.e., male or female). Effect of gender on submission rates, success rates, and peer review panel compositions were then analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-squared tests with P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. A total of 3,392 applications were submitted, of which 2,579 (76%) PD genders were assigned and analyzed further. Overall, the proportional submission rate for females was 28% and for males was 72%. Submission rates for females increased (P = 0.0497) over time ranging from 22% in 2013 to 33% in 2021. Submission rates differed by gender across programs (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and ranged from 22% female in animal reproduction to 48% female in animal welfare. Overall, the funding success rate was 22% and did not differ between genders (P = 0.9826). Success rates did not differ between genders over time (P = 0.4691), but differences among programs approached significance (P = 0.0670). Across 53 panels, 42% of panelists were female; no differences were identified for the proportion of female panelists over time (P = 0.9762) or by program (P = 0.7028). Females submitted less than one-half as many applications as males, but the proportion of submissions by females increased over time. This trend remained consistent despite challenges of relocation of NIFA and COVID-19 during this time. Funding success rates did not differ by gender, but some variation was observed across programs. Overall, the proportion of NIFA panelists who were female exceeded the proportion of applications submitted by females. These results indicate that although differences in gender existed for application submission rate and panel composition, these differences did not impact funding success rate of applications in animal science programs at NIFA, which did not differ between genders.

Exploring the Efficacy and Ethical Implications of Penetration Testing in Network Security

In today's landscape, cybersecurity reigns supreme as cybercrimes surge. Businesses are on high alert, striving to shield themselves from online threats like hacking and data breaches. Various safeguards are in place to brace for such scenarios. However, penetration testing emerges as the ultimate litmus test to gauge the efficacy of these security measures. A penetration tester must meticulously select the appropriate tools, considering factors like budget, time, and scope. This study scrutinizes the effectiveness of scanning tools within a Kali Linux environment. The overarching objective of penetration testing is to ensure networks and systems remain impervious to security threats, preventing unauthorized access to resources. This paper delves into the intricacies of planning and executing a penetration test, targeting project managers or directors contemplating such an endeavor. Undoubtedly, conducting a penetration test is a complex undertaking, and organizations must weigh the suitability of this method for their specific needs.

Evaluation of Ortahisar Municipality Building Interior Spaces in Terms of Noise Levels

In the study, the acoustic comfort conditions of the interiors of the Trabzon Ortahisar Municipality Building were evaluated depending on the noise level values. Noise level measurements were made indoors in Ortahisar Municipality of Ortahisar District, the center of Trabzon, and acceptable values and measurement results were compared. First, the current architectural project of Ortahisar Municipality was obtained from the Survey Project Directorate to determine the measurement points. The causes of indoor noise and density conditions in the units were evaluated by making on-site observations. Then, measurement points were determined on the project in line with the data obtained. Four measurements of 15 minutes each between 10.00-11.00 hours at the specified measurement points were completed in 24 working days. The values of the noise level measurement results depending on the frequencies were obtained. In the last stage of the study, the noise level measurement values obtained were compared with the acceptable values specified in the relevant standards. As a result of the study, it was determined that the noise level measurement results were generally above acceptable values in the background at medium and high frequencies.

The Soteria project recounted by Mosher and its clinical resonances today.

The American psychiatrist Loren R. Mosher has passed to posterity as an eager proponent of a psychosocial approach to psychosis. The best example of this is the Soteria project that he founded in San Jose, California, in the 1970s. The contribution of Alma Zito Menn, ACSW, also merits attention as project director of Soteria and for her links to the Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto. She was later replaced as program director by Voyce Hendrix, LCSW, when she turned to other preoccupations linked to the grant continuation of Soteria. Equally, the nonprofessional staff of the facility should receive appreciation. Bearing this in mind, the main aim of this paper is to reflect upon the Soteria project, giving voice to Mosher himself, while simultaneously connecting his ideas with other empirical works that have been published on this topic in recent decades. Using a selection from the extant literature assessing the implementation and outcomes of adapting Soteria-elements to different settings, I present here provisional results obtained from current research. First, I expound what Mosher hoped to achieve in creating Soteria and why it worked. In this respect, I go beyond what is commonly reported in scholarly works, where the Soteria project is considered without paying too great attention to its main architect, as if the project could be separated from the man who created it. As I have corroborated here, there is today growing and promising scientific evidence validating the principles of the Soteria project. Undoubtedly, this would not have been possible without the pioneering work of Mosher, who, imbued with the tenets of interpersonal phenomenology, shook the psychiatric establishment, leading others to follow the path that he had begun.

What's not in the grant: An exploration of project directors’ experiences at two‐year Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions in the Midwest

AbstractThis article explores the experiences of project directors at two‐year Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions in the Midwest. Specifically, we examined how project directors faced racialized campus environments, navigated support structures (or the lack thereof), and continually combatted misperceptions about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) communities and the Midwest. We discussed the isolation, myths, lack of institutional support, and campus climate for project directors and AA/PI communities. We end with recommendations.

The Rhetoric and the Reality of the New Southern Strategy: Courtland Cox, Nsé Ufot, and Charles V. Taylor Jr. in Conversation

Abstract: This article is an edited intergenerational conversation among Courtland Cox, a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s; Nsé Ufot, former executive director of the New Georgia Project; and Charles V. Taylor Jr., executive director of the Mississippi State NAACP, on April 7, 2023. This discussion explores key issues in today's national politics, especially the role of southern Black and Brown voters and strategists, and calls for the emergence of a New Southern Strategy. Cox drew on his work with SNCC in Lowndes County, Alabama, in the 1960s, which focused on voter registration and the development of the Lowndes County Freedom Party, while Ufot discussed her work leading the New Georgia Project as they transformed Georgia's electorate, and Taylor highlighted his work on the 2015 Better Schools, Better Jobs Ballot Initiative 42 in Mississippi.

Digital art work and AI: a new paradigm for work in the contemporary art sector in China

This paper explores a paradigm shift in work culture in the contemporary art sector due to digital transition and the introduction of AI. New ways of working with AI and digital software are embedded and normalized in everyday Chinese artistic practices. This work includes new forms of creativity and efficiency, yet, simultaneously includes new types of digital labour. This paper conceptualizes this as “digital art work,” which draws attention to the often-overlooked aspects of artists’ work, particularly their everyday artistic practices that increasingly include digital software and AI. What is the role and position of the artist in an environment where digital software and AI are becoming more central in artistic creation? How do artists creatively (mis)use AI? What does this paradigm shift in work culture mean for the future of the artist’s role and the future of the contemporary art sector? This paper draws on 48 semi-structured interviews with visual artists and arts professionals, including painters, sculptors, mixed-media, and internet artists as well as contemporary art gallery owners, museum project directors, curators, and culture policymakers living and working in China during 2023. The findings show how Chinese artists are mastering AI and opening up new spaces for creativity and how the contemporary art sector in China has already transitioned to a new “digital way” in artistic creation. These findings can help to create policy around AI globally and provide solutions for the sustainability of the artist profession and the future of the contemporary art sector.

First Death Anniversary of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam khan (1932-2023)

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslamkhan died peacefully on February 20, 2023, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prof. Aslamkhan was the founding head of the Human Genetics and Molecular Biology Department of the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS). He was also a Director of Sports and cocurricular activities at the UHS. His services to UHS were brought by the Higher Education Commission’s project entitled “strengthening of basic medical sciences at UHS, ” commonly known as SBMS as a project director. This project not only brought a lot of funding for the establishment of research facilities at the UHS but also employment opportunities for young people. Prof. Aslamkhan received his Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) in Genetics and Anthropology from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, in 1963, after his master's degree from Punjab University (1953). He was among the founding fellows of the Biological Society of Pakistan (1956) and the Zoological Society of Pakistan (1968). In 1968, he was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London. Later, the Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences awarded him a fellowship in 1985. His professional services include academic and research affiliations with the provincial bodies of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He served as Deputy Chief for the Division of Medical Entomology of the International Center for Medical Research and Training (ICMRT) at the Pakistan Medical Research Center, Lahore. Later, he became the Chief of Malaria Vector Research at ICMRT. This was the time when he studied the bionomics of mosquito species in Pakistan, which serves as a reference (1). While affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he extended his research towards vector-borne diseases of public health importance (2-10). After retirement from the University of Maryland, he worked as an independent consultant for several national and international bodies. Later, he joined the Higher Education Commission’s project SBMS as Project Director. During this affiliation, he also launched the first department of Human Genetics in the country at UHS Lahore. This department is still operational and produces many PhDs in human genetics, working at various reputable organizations in and outside the country. The department’s objective was to study the basics of genetic diseases in the country, and it has been doing very well until today. Prof. Aslamkhan’s research on genetic diseases has mainly focused on the role of consanguinity in gene pooling in the Pakistani population (11-13). Over the past several years, he has also voluntarily offered genetic counselling to patients with hemoglobinopathies at Sundas Foundation Lahore. He also studied the public health dynamics of blood donors at the Sundas Foundation in addition to genetic counselling (14, 15). He was also recognized as an Eminent Professor of Genetics by Higher Education Commission. In 2017, he founded The International Journal of Frontier Sciences and became its first editor-in-chief until he died last year. I am publishing this obituary at his first death anniversary on February 20, 2024, praying for his eternal peace. I wish him to rest in peace in his life in hereafter. Ameen!

Improving the Usability of Archaeological Data through Written Guidelines

AbstractArchaeologists frequently use written guidelines such as site manuals, recording forms, and digital prompts during excavations to create usable data within and across projects. Most written guidelines emphasize creating either standardized datasets or narrative summaries; however, previous research has demonstrated that the resulting datasets are often difficult to (re)use. Our study analyzed observations and interviews conducted with four archaeological excavation teams, as well as interviews with archaeological data reusers, to evaluate how archaeologists use and implement written guidelines. These excavation team and reuser experiences suggest that archaeologists need more specific best practices to create and implement written guidelines that improve the quality and usability of archaeological data. We present recommendations to improve written guidelines that focus on a project's methods, end-of-season documentation, and naming practices. We also present a Written Guidelines Checklist to help project directors improve their written guidelines before, during, and after fieldwork as part of a collaborative process. Ideally, these best practices for written guidelines will make it easier for team members and future reusers to incorporate their own and others’ archaeological data into their research.

Impacts to address sexual violence in Canada and internationally

Impacts to address sexual violence in Canada and internationally Shaheen Shariff, Ph.D. is James McGill Professor and Project Director of iMPACTS, which focuses on addressing sexual violence in Canada and internationally. Led by Professor Shaheen Shariff, Ph.D., iMPACTS is a multi-year, multi-million dollar Partnership Grant funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The overarching goal of iMPACTS is to unearth, dismantle, and prevent sexual violence within universities and, ultimately, in society, through evidence- based research that informs sustainable curriculum and policy change. Professor Shariff is James McGill Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education at the Faculty of Education at McGill University, and she is the Project Director of this SSHRC Partnership Grant. Professor Shariff grounds her work in the intersection of law and education, focusing on human rights and constitutional issues, diversity, legal pluralism, and civil society.