Stage For Future Development Research Articles

A System for Individual Environmental Risk Assessment and Management with IoT Based on the Worker’s Health History

This paper presents a monitoring system to measure dust, noise, ultraviolet radiation, illuminance, temperature, and humidity and to check the presence of flammable gases—liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, hydrogen, butane, methane, and carbon monoxide. The system is composed of monitoring devices, a server to process data received from the devices and that runs a web application for employers, and a mobile application for workers to check their exposure data. During employee registration, the health history of the worker concerning common diseases and symptoms related to the monitored agents must be informed. This information is analyzed through a set of predefined rules to generate alerts that the company can consider for planning professional activities to minimize exposure to risk agents. The tests presented in this work are focused on verifying the functionalities of the web interface for employee registration, especially regarding the provision of health information, the updating of this information, and the generation of corresponding alerts. At this stage, fictitious employee information was used. The results showed that the system adequately performs the proposed functionalities, and it was concluded that the solution is viable for testing in a work environment in the future stages of development. The innovative features of this study concern the correlation between workers’ health history and harmful agents to build suggestions and alerts to guide long-term OSH-related decisions.

ChemInform Abstract: Controlling the Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Phenols.

The oxidation of phenols is the subject of extensive investigation, but there are few catalytic aerobic examples that are chemo- and regioselective. Here we describe conditions for the ortho-oxygenation or oxidative coupling of phenols under copper (Cu)-catalyzed aerobic conditions that give rise to ortho-quinones, biphenols or benzoxepines. We demonstrate that each product class can be accessed selectively by the appropriate choice of Cu(I) salt, amine ligand, desiccant and reaction temperature. In addition, we evaluate the effects of substituents on the phenol and demonstrate their influence on selectivity between ortho-oxygenation and oxidative coupling pathways. These results create an important precedent of catalyst control in the catalytic aerobic oxidation of phenols and set the stage for future development of catalytic systems and mechanistic investigations.

Abstract 2116: Mapping peptides critical for association of the androgen receptor with Elk1

Abstract Both early stage and advanced prostate tumors are generally dependent on the androgen receptor (AR) for growth. Indeed a major clinical approach in management of the disease is to disrupt the AR signaling in the tumors by androgen ablation and the use of anti-androgen drugs. However, these options present major drawbacks including limited efficacy in advanced disease and many undesirable side effects on non-target tissues. Therefore a more tactical therapy approach would be one that could disrupt a functional arm of AR signaling that is critical for prostate tumor growth but not for the essential physiological roles of AR in normal adult tissues. A considerable amount of evidence suggests that in prostate cancer, androgen/AR signaling is redirected to support tumor growth through the association of AR with critical growth promoting genes via tethering proteins. Our previous studies have identified Elk1, a genetically redundant DNA binding transcription factor, as an AR tethering protein essential for AR-dependent growth in established models of both hormone-dependent prostate cancer and castration recurrent prostate cancer. Elk1 recruits AR to chromatin sites to upregulate a major subset of genes that is strongly and primarily enriched for cell growth functions. Further studies in the lab demonstrate that the A/B domain of the AR alone is capable of co-activation of Elk1, suggesting that Elk1 may also mediate the hormone-independent growth supporting function of AR splice variants. Peptide or small molecule inhibitors of the Elk1-AR interaction may therefore selectively target the growth supporting function of AR in the spectrum of prostate tumors, obviating the need for androgen ablation. Toward this end we undertook to map peptide segment(s) of Elk1and AR that are essential for the Elk1-AR synergy. In this study we used deletional and mutational analysis together with a promotor-reporter assay and a mammalian two-hybrid assay. The results demonstrate that the ability to recruit AR resides largely in the C-terminal activation domain of Elk1 (amino acids 307-428) and that residues within segments 367-428 and 307-337 are essential for this interaction. They also demonstrate that the recruitment of AR by Elk1 does not require Elk1 phosphorylation. Critical sites within the AR-A/B domain required for its association with Elk1 reside in the N-terminal region that is distal to known sites of co-regulator binding. This information will guide the development of peptide inhibitors of Elk1-dependent growth induction by androgen/AR and set the stage for future development of small molecule inhibitors. Citation Format: Rayna Rosati, Mugdha Patki, Venkatesh Chari, Manohar Ratnam. Mapping peptides critical for association of the androgen receptor with Elk1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2116. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2116

Ecological Crises and Gandhian Solution: (Re) Locating Gandhi in the Contemporary Environmental Discourses

As a result of the unfortunate ramification of the human activities over time, environmental degradation has emerged as a new force creating tension over resource depletion on the one hand, and, the necessity of new forms of cooperation, both local and global, such as decentralised micro-level mitigation methods, new rules and institutions to address common dangers of environmental catastrophe, etc. on the other. Hence, values, such as decentralisation, community based economics, post patriarchal principle, respect for diversity, local and global responsibility and future focus have come to be recognised institutionally as having potential to curb the rising environmental crises today. Gandhi was in pursuit of a framework of concepts and values and a method to arrive at them so that many a system could be built upon them for the immediate present, and for the many future stages of development in the unfolding or fulfilling human destiny. This fact about Gandhi explains his emergence as a possible answer to the global environmental crisis, with local, micro-level solutions. This paper attempts to evaluate the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi as having a bearing on the notions of environmental stewardship, ecological diversity, and ethics of sustainability; and relocates Gandhi to the centre-stage of contemporary environmental discourses.

Connecting key stakeholders: sustainable learning opportunities

PurposeThis paper introduces a hybrid learning framework as part of a specifically designed reflective learning experience internship program.Design/methodology/approachThis paper identifies challenges/barriers and offers solutions on how to design a learning driven internship program, which satisfies the needs of all stakeholders. Following on from this, initial learning constructs are discussed before future stages of development are considered.FindingsThe initial feedback from the key stakeholders suggests support for the framework as a mechanism to connect industry, the student body and the education provider.Practical ImplicationsThrough the implementation of this framework key stakeholders can combine to provide an important learning environment for future employees whilst still adding value to their own business. This model also provides a context in which both industry and academia can combine to nurture and mentor the society of tomorrow.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is to provide the reader a better approach to engaging and sustaining work related learning opportunities for students.

Extended scenario role‐playing: cumulative learning for supply chain participants

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a staged cumulative learning mechanism as part of a role‐play model for the teaching of supply chain concepts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the preliminary testing of an alternative model for the facilitation of supply chain learning within organizations. Following on from this, initial feedback is discussed before future stages of development are considered.FindingsThrough the structured implementation of complex supply chain interactions, practitioners can provide effective training that leads to deeper understanding of the interactions and communication skills necessary to balance an organizations successful operation in a modern supply chain.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is to invite the reader to consider the use of extended role‐playing as a mechanism to facilitate the development of cumulative learning outcomes which provide employees with a toolbox of understanding to better approach interaction activities within and between supply chain partners.

FDRx (Federated Drug Reference) project as change agent

PurposeAt the foundation of FDRx was the drug formulary for UW Medicine published by the Drug Information Center. The DIC pharmacist had contracted with USPDI to receive the full text of its drug information electronically and reformat it into a print, pocket‐sized guide for distribution to clinicians. The goal of the FDRx project was to add to this core and distribute an expanded drug reference as part of a clinical resource.Design/methodology/approachLibrarians at the University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries collaborated with clinicians to create an electronic federated drug knowledge resource, FDRx, to be used at the point of care.FindingsSkills and experiences gained in previous projects, e.g. negotiating the licensure of campus‐wide access to bibliographic databases, project leadership, developing interfaces, instruction in the use of information resources, and IAIMS planning, easily transferred to the development of the FDRx project. The most immediate outcome, FDRx itself, had a short but successful lifespan, meeting the drug information needs of its users.Originality/valueThis partnership set the stage for future developments in the knowledge management arena at the University of Washington and changes in the roles of librarians.

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood: a theoretical perspective.

Life transitions are periods in time when individuals experience major changes. Transitions may occur during periods between two relatively stable states of human development. The associated changes with the transition bring instability as the person passes through the period. During this period, the individual is typically required to make major adjustments, to develop new skills, or to learn to cope with new experiences. One major life transition begins during the final year or years of high school. This transition, unlike childhood transitions, for many individuals will include a move from one's childhood home and away from their family of origin and from an established network of friends. A successful transition to young adulthood will form a foundation for the individual in future stages of development and transitions. Three frameworks of transition, developmental psychology, counseling, and nursing, are described.

The European economy in an expanding world

Postwar economic development in Europe can be subdivided in two periods. In the first subperiod 1950–1973 growth is determined by catching up vis-d-vis the US. The second subperiod 1973–1993 is characterised by a reorientation with respect to the international division of labour. This sets the stage for future developments, which are presented in the form of three different scenarios. In the European Decline scenario Europe cannot match developments in the US and Japan. As appears from a scenario called Fortress Europe import protection provides no sensible solution. To compete on a world scale Europe needs more technological dynamics as sketched in the European Recovery scenario. Calculations of future paths are based on the WorldScan model of the Central Planning Bureau.

The Cyclical Urbanization Model

The cyclical urbanization model is a theoretical approach that has been used to describe previous and future stages of development in European urban areas. In this article the structural approach o...