Forum Focus Research Articles

Twenty-five years of addressing cutting-edge scientific, policy, and regulatory issues through collaboration: The Forum for Collaborative Research.

Developing safe and effective drugs and other medical products is a complex and costly process. Drug development has been, historically, commonly competitive and uncollaborative, and this tendency toward a lack of interaction between stakeholders-the pharmaceutical industry, academia, regulatory agencies, healthcare providers, and communities, among others-can lead to missed opportunities to improve efficiency and, ultimately, public health. The Forum for Collaborative Research was established in 1997 to address current scientific, policy, and regulatory issues in global health through multistakeholder engagement and dialogue. By providing a neutral and safe space for discussion, the Forum's model has impacted how clinical trials in diverse health areas are conducted, supported broader and more equitable clinical trial participation, and accelerated delivery of new drugs. The Forum's focus and directions have shifted over time, and this responsiveness to the needs of the global health community will be critical to ensure that the Forum continues to support collaboration in global health. In this article, we present lessons learned from this innovative model of collaborative research and regulatory science, pioneered by the Forum for over 25 years, including the importance of collective ownership and governance by all stakeholders, and emphasis on common goals and advantages of collaboration.

Influence Propagation Based Influencer Detection in Online Forum

Influential user detection is critical in supporting the human facilitator-based facilitation in the online forum. Traditional approaches to detect influential users in the online forum focus on the statistical activity information such as the number of posts. However, statistical activity information cannot fully reflect the influence that users bring to the online forum. In this paper, we propose to detect the influencers from the influence propagation perspective and focus on the influential maximization (IM) problem which aims at choosing a set of users that maximize the influence propagation from the entire social network. An online forum influence propagation network (OFIPN) is proposed to model the influence from an individual user perspective and influence propagation between users, and a heuristic algorithm that is proposed to find influential users in OFIPN. Experiments are conducted by simulations with a real-world social network. Our empirical results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Armenian Studies in Middle East Studies: Internationalism and Solidarity

In thinking about the prompt for this forum—on the ways in which Armenia and Armenians sit within Middle East studies and the ways in which they are often occluded from the sights of Middle East studies—what comes to mind is the critical necessity for internationalism and solidarity. This might at first seem only tangentially or indirectly relevant to the object of investigation here; after all, we are talking about geography, history, and facts. However, I think that it is relevant to how (as in with what sense, orientation, and from what perspective) we approach the question of scholarly regional belonging. Like any topic of intellectual inquiry, how we imagine and define regions has implications on what we find in those regions: the sites of importance and focus; the connections between different groups, persons, and events; and the scope of investigations. Internationalism and solidarity as frameworks for understanding Armenia and Armenians as a part of the Middle East orient us to the region by way of connections to the various peoples of that region with a political and ideological commitment to the well-being of all peoples there and everywhere. Many of the commentaries in this forum focus on the marginalization of particular minorities in Middle East Studies (Armenians, Copts, and Assyrians in this forum, and we also could think about the marginalization of Kurds and other minoritized populations in the region).1 This in itself is a critical and necessary point of departure. I would like to approach the question from another angle, however. How might we think about this problem from the other side? How does Armenian studies see itself in connection with Middle East studies? Here, although I recognize that Armenian studies is a changing field and is not monolithic, with various differences between the field as it developed in Europe and the United States and that which developed in the Republic of Armenia, there are a few continuities that I would like to problematize and imagine differently. What might the future of Armenian studies be if it were made through politically committed questions, articulations, and collaborations? How might this produce a (different) sense of belonging to Middle East studies?

Новые рубежи исследований этносоциальных процессов в российских регионах

The article highlights the results of the work of the 5th All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Positive experience in the regulation of ethno-social and ethno-cultural processes in the regions of the Russian Federation”, held on April 28–29, 2022 in Kazan. The main thematic areas of the forum focus on identities (all-Russian, regional, local, ethnic), their influence on the socio-psychological attitudes of the Russians and on interethnic relations; language policy and language processes in Russian regions; migration; theory and practice of post-secular society. The appeal of the conference participants to a wider range of topics is pointed out, taking into account the tasks facing the modern Russian society. They include the consequences of Covid-19 and intangible resources for the development of Russia and its subjects in the context of the formation of the new world order.

Recommendations and discussion points on immunogenicity, biomarkers, automation/technology and protein-MS from the 2021 European Bioanalysis Forum Focus Workshops.

During the first half of 2021, and due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic preventing in-person meetings, the European Bioanalysis Forum organized four workshops as live interactive online meetings. The themes discussed at the workshops were carefully selected to match the cyberspace dynamics of the meeting format. The first workshop was a training day on challenges related to immunogenicity. The second one focused on biomarkers and continued the important discussion on integrating the principles of Context of Use (CoU) in biomarker research. The third workshop was dedicated to technology, that is, cutting-edge development in cell-based and ligand-binding assays and automation strategies. The fourth was on progress and the continued scientific and regulatory challenges related to peptide and protein analysis with MS. In all four workshops, the European Bioanalysis Forum included a mixture of scientific and regulatory themes, while reminding the audience of important strategic aspects and our responsibility toward the patient.

Gorontalo Fishermen Knowledge Studies Related to Astronomy and the Movement of Fish in Tomini Bay

Tomini Gulf coast inhabited by various ethnic groups in Indonesia, one of Gorontalo. The coastal area Gorontalo Tomini Bay stretches from the border Bone Bolango - Mongondow Bolaang South (North Sulawesi) to Pouhuwato - Parigi Moutong (Central Sulawesi). The purpose of this research for the inventory of local knowledge Gorontalo related to astronomy and movement of pelagic fish in the Gulf of Tomini. Based on this research, there is local wisdom that still retained fishermen off the coast of Gorontalo, Tomini, like the seasons, currents and astronomy (astrology). Fishermen off the coast of Gorontalo, Tomini, referring to the constellation as a direction and a benchmark in the utilization of fishery resources.
 Collecting data in this study done by observation and interviews with several respondents fishermen. Respondents were determined by purposive sampling (intentionally). Data collection for this study from September 2017 until February 2019. Similarly Discussion Forum Focus (Focus Group Discussion, FGD) in several places on local wisdom for the season, currents and astronomy.

This place is like the jungle: discussions about psychoactive substances on a cryptomarket

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse dynamics amongst members to better understand in what terms and to what extent marketplace forums can be seen as new forms of harm reduction. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative analysis focused on conversations about psychoactive substances on the forum community of AlphaBay Market. A sample consists of 100 online threads. The data, collected in July 2016, were analysed by applying the grounded theory approach with the support of Atlas.ti. Findings Conversations in the marketplace forum focus mostly on the purchase. Concerns and disputes are voiced in a significant proportion of them, and interactions are affected by a climate of distrust where stigmatisation processes can emerge between users of different drug categories. This casts a certain amount of doubt on the thesis that marketplace forums – like online forums – are new forms of harm reduction and peer-led communities. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on only one marketplace forum. Other such forums should be analysed to corroborate its findings. Practical implications Harm reduction interventions in the online environment should take different form according to the forum type, and take the differences and boundaries that separate users of different substances into account. Originality/value Thanks to its infrequently used qualitative approach, the study provides a more thorough understanding of the relationships on marketplace forums.

Context and Uncertainty in Geography and GIScience: Advances in Theory, Method, and Practice

This article introduces the background and contents of this forum, which includes six articles based on presentations in the opening and closing plenary sessions of the featured theme on “Context and Uncertainty in Geography and GIScience” at the 2017 American Association of Geographers (AAG) annual meeting in Boston. The purpose of the featured theme was to explore and deepen our understanding of the spatiotemporal uncertainties in the contextual influences on human behavior, practice, and experience. The articles in this forum focus on specific themes concerning context and uncertainty in geographic and GIScience research. They provide a helpful discussion of the complexity and challenges of specific issues through different theoretical and methodological perspectives.

A qualitative study into health and social needs and barriers to service access for families residing in a suburb of Sydney with high rates of disadvantage

Introduction: Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN) Integrated Care Program utilises a long-term care coordination model to enhance vulnerable family engagement with and access to appropriate health and social services. HHAN services vulnerable families across inner west Sydney, with a particular focus on two areas of clustered family disadvantage identified by a geospatial epidemiological study. Riverwood was identified as a suburb of heightened vulnerability. The study aims to identify barriers and enablers to service access and engagement in order to inform the delivery of HHAN’s Riverwood place-based initiative. Both service providers and community members were consulted in order to identify the health and social needs and current gaps in service provision in this area. The study also aims to encourage consumer participation in the health service planning process through community consultation. Theory/methods: This qualitative project will utilise informal interviews, community forums and focus groups. The first round of consultation involved informal interviews with stakeholders from which key themes and issues were identified. In the second round of consultation Riverwood community members were recruited via a variety of methods including through schools, community organisations, and letterbox drops in order to attract a varied range of participants to a community forum and follow-up focus groups. Emerging key themes and issues were identified, summarised and analysed. NVivo was used for coding and thematic analysis. Results: Preliminary results from consultation with service providers identified both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The major extrinsic factors include issues with health district and local boundaries, unclear referral pathways, and a lack of targeted local services. Service provider consultation also suggested that intrinsic factors such as attitudes towards health and historic mistrust of services were significant barriers to accessing and engaging with health services. Discussions: The health and social service system is complex and difficult for both service providers and clients to navigate. Examining the issue of service access requires consideration of a broad range of factors including the perspective of service providers and the community and also reviewing systemic and process factors. This assessment of the service landscape will enable HHAN to establish a place-based initiative that adequately responds to community and service needs in this suburb of significant family disadvantage. Conclusions: Multiple extrinsic and intrinsic factors complicate access to and engagement in services in the Riverwood area. This highlights the need for place-based integrated care initiatives such as Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods to target the needs of disadvantaged communities. Lessons learned: A broad framework is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of access to and engagement with services that examines the interplay of individual factors, social issues, process and systemic factors. Limitations: The transferability of these findings outside of the Riverwood context is unknown, however, learnings may assist with planning of place-based initiatives in similar areas. Suggestions for future research: Further research will focus on evaluation of the Riverwood place-based initiative in order to determine if identified needs and gaps are being adequately addressed.

Feedback from the European Bioanalysis Forum: focus workshop on current analysis of immunogenicity: best practices and regulatory hurdles.

European Bioanalysis Forum Workshop, Lisbon, Portugal, September 2016: At the recent European Bioanalysis Forum Focus Workshop, 'current analysis of immunogenicity: best practices and regulatory hurdles', several important challenges facing the bioanalytical community in relation to immunogenicity assays were discussed through a mixture of presentations and panel sessions. The main areas of focus were the evolving regulatory landscape, challenges of assay interferences from either drug or target, cut-point setting and whether alternative assays can be used to replace neutralizing antibody assays. This workshop report captures discussions and potential solutions and/or recommendations made by the speakers and delegates.

Focus on uterine fibroids: evolving options to optimize care

Abstract The content for this activity is based on the CME Forum Focus on Uterine Fibroids: Evolving Options to Optimize Care that was presented at the 2017 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting in San Diego, California, on May 8, 2017. (Online access: http://courses.elseviercme.com/acog17/714e) Uterine fibroids, the most common benign pelvic tumors, affect nearly 70% of white women and more than 80% of African American women in the United States by the age of 50 years. They cause significant morbidity, as up to 50% of women with fibroids experience symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and reproductive dysfunction. The current mainstay of management is surgical: uterine fibroids account for approximately one-third of all hysterectomies annually in the United States. Until recently, medical management options have been of limited value because of moderate efficacy and/or associated adverse effects. Novel therapies in late-stage development, including oral treatments, may offer better long-term medical management options. http://courses.elseviercme.com/alzheimer/593e

Feedback from the EBF - Focus Workshop: bringing assay validation and analysis of biomarkers into practice.

European Bioanalysis Forum Focus Workshop, Lisbon, Portugal, 9-10 June 2016 At the recent European Bioanalysis Forum's Focus Workshop 'Bringing Assay Validation and Analysis of Biomarkers into Practice', the discussion on best practice for biomarker assay validation continued. Both the presentations and the adjacent panel discussions yielded valuable food for thought for the broader bioanalytical community. The present conference report summarizes the essence from these discussions and from the proposals or conclusions made by all delegates on how to increase the necessary connectivity of the stakeholders involved in the bioanalysis of biomarkers.

Qualitative Inquiry into Church-Based Assets for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control: A Forum Focus Group Discussion Approach

Assets church members believed they needed to engage in effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. We used the three-step forum focus group discussion (FFGD) methodology to elicit responses from 32 church leaders and lay members, representing five denominations in Aba, Nigeria. Concrete resources, health expertise, finances, institutional support, capacity building, and spiritual support connected to the collective interest of members were indicated as useful for church members to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. Adequate planning and delivery of cost-effective, appropriate and sustainable health promotion programs require an understanding of perceived church-based assets.

Parental perceptions of school-based influenza immunisation in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study

ObjectiveTo understand the perspectives of Ontario parents regarding the advantages and disadvantages of adding influenza immunisation to the currently existing Ontario school-based immunisation programmes.DesignDescriptive qualitative study.ParticipantsParents of school-age children in...

Forum focus - taking part counts.

INCREASED PARTICIPATION of members is vital to the success of the Royal College of Nursing, which is why congress is such a pivotal event in the organisation's calendar. Two major changes at this month's congress aim to highlight the importance of member participation: the annual general meeting will be held and the forum steering committee elections launched.

Forum focus - Keeping confidential

Forum focus - Keeping confidential

Forum focus - Crossing boundaries

FRAILTY IS associated with advanced age. It describes a state of ‘limited functional reserve’ in which just a small change, such as an infection, can result in a catastrophic loss of function (Cornwell 2012). It requires specialist intervention.

Forum focus - Get a fresh perspective on emerging issues

Forum focus - Get a fresh perspective on emerging issues

Forum focus - All the lonely people

Forum focus - All the lonely people

Forum focus - Our residential care homes are losing expert nurses

Forum focus - Our residential care homes are losing expert nurses