Interdisciplinary Challenges Research Articles

Treatment of limited disease small cell lung cancer: the multidisciplinary team.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) presents multiple interdisciplinary challenges with several paradigm shifts in its treatment in recent years. SCLC treatment requires multidisciplinary management and timely treatment. The aim of this review is to focus on the team management aspects in the treatment of limited disease SCLC and how this can contribute towards improving outcomes.

Pursuing Darwin's curious parallel: Prospects for a science of cultural evolution.

In the past few decades, scholars from several disciplines have pursued the curious parallel noted by Darwin between the genetic evolution of species and the cultural evolution of beliefs, skills, knowledge, languages, institutions, and other forms of socially transmitted information. Here, I review current progress in the pursuit of an evolutionary science of culture that is grounded in both biological and evolutionary theory, but also treats culture as more than a proximate mechanism that is directly controlled by genes. Both genetic and cultural evolution can be described as systems of inherited variation that change over time in response to processes such as selection, migration, and drift. Appropriate differences between genetic and cultural change are taken seriously, such as the possibility in the latter of nonrandomly guided variation or transformation, blending inheritance, and one-to-many transmission. The foundation of cultural evolution was laid in the late 20th century with population-genetic style models of cultural microevolution, and the use of phylogenetic methods to reconstruct cultural macroevolution. Since then, there have been major efforts to understand the sociocognitive mechanisms underlying cumulative cultural evolution, the consequences of demography on cultural evolution, the empirical validity of assumed social learning biases, the relative role of transformative and selective processes, and the use of quantitative phylogenetic and multilevel selection models to understand past and present dynamics of society-level change. I conclude by highlighting the interdisciplinary challenges of studying cultural evolution, including its relation to the traditional social sciences and humanities.

Sustainable development goals at SAP

This written survey of Daniel Schmid (SAP) is an article for the practitioners’ forum at the uwf. It presents SAP’s contribution to promote the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and discusses interdisciplinary requirements, limits, and challenges for industry as well as avenues for future research.

他分野とコミュニケーション教育を語る意義：医療福祉分野で求められる「コミュニケーション力」をめぐって

他分野とコミュニケーション教育を語る意義：医療福祉分野で求められる「コミュニケーション力」をめぐって

One Health Research in Northern Tanzania - Challenges and Progress

East Africa has one of the world’s fastest growing human populations—many of whom are dependent on livestock—as well as some of the world’s largest wildlife populations. Humans, livestock, and wildlife often interact closely, intimately linking human, animal, and environmental health. The concept of One Health captures this interconnectedness, including the social structures and beliefs driving interactions between species and their environments. East African policymakers and researchers are recognising and encouraging One Health research, with both groups increasingly playing a leading role in this subject area. One Health research requires interaction between scientists from different disciplines, such as the biological and social sciences and human and veterinary medicine. Different disciplines draw on norms, methodologies, and terminologies that have evolved within their respective institutions and that may be distinct from or in conflict with one another. These differences impact interdisciplinary research, both around theoretical and methodological approaches and during project operationalisation. We present experiential knowledge gained from numerous ongoing projects in northern Tanzania, including those dealing with bacterial zoonoses associated with febrile illness, foodborne disease, and anthrax. We use the examples to illustrate differences between and within social and biological sciences and between industrialised and traditional societies, for example, with regard to consenting procedures or the ethical treatment of animals. We describe challenges encountered in ethical approval processes, consenting procedures, and field and laboratory logistics and offer suggestions for improvement. While considerable investment of time in sensitisation, communication, and collaboration is needed to overcome interdisciplinary challenges inherent in One Health research, this can yield great rewards in paving the way for successful implementation of One Health projects. Furthermore, continued investment in African institutions and scientists will strengthen the role of East Africa as a world leader in One Health research.

One Health Research in Northern Tanzania - Challenges and Progress.

East Africa has one of the world's fastest growing human populations—many of whom are dependent on livestock—as well as some of the world's largest wildlife populations. Humans, livestock, and wildlife often interact closely, intimately linking human, animal, and environmental health. The concept of One Health captures this interconnectedness, including the social structures and beliefs driving interactions between species and their environments. East African policymakers and researchers are recognising and encouraging One Health research, with both groups increasingly playing a leading role in this subject area. One Health research requires interaction between scientists from different disciplines, such as the biological and social sciences and human and veterinary medicine. Different disciplines draw on norms, methodologies, and terminologies that have evolved within their respective institutions and that may be distinct from or in conflict with one another. These differences impact interdisciplinary research, both around theoretical and methodological approaches and during project operationalisation. We present experiential knowledge gained from numerous ongoing projects in northern Tanzania, including those dealing with bacterial zoonoses associated with febrile illness, foodborne disease, and anthrax. We use the examples to illustrate differences between and within social and biological sciences and between industrialised and traditional societies, for example, with regard to consenting procedures or the ethical treatment of animals. We describe challenges encountered in ethical approval processes, consenting procedures, and field and laboratory logistics and offer suggestions for improvement. While considerable investment of time in sensitisation, communication, and collaboration is needed to overcome interdisciplinary challenges inherent in One Health research, this can yield great rewards in paving the way for successful implementation of One Health projects. Furthermore, continued investment in African institutions and scientists will strengthen the role of East Africa as a world leader in One Health research.

STRENGTHENING REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION IN SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT – AN INVESTIGATION OF CHALLENGES

To reap the benefits of sustainability in the construction sector, it is crucial that the stakeholders involved can implement it in practice. Investigations have shown that choices made in the early phases of the building process are of very great importance for the outcome and the initiatives and decisions taken by the building owner are crucial. This paper presents research on Danish building practitioners' ability to make requirements for sustainability in procurement. On the basis of an action research strategy, we asked practitioners to help identify the challenges involved in requiring sustainable solutions through procurement. These included among others a lack of knowledge or experience in sustainable procurement and interdisciplinary challenges. The research showed that practitioners are able to formulate specific requirements for sustainability in procurement. However the challenges found imply that a sustainable approach in procurement is not fully implemented in a Danish context. This suggests that there is a need for guidance in the area, if the practitioners are to move from good intentions to making more specific requirements for sustainability in procurement.

Complex network analysis of time series

Revealing complicated behaviors from time series constitutes a fundamental problem of continuing interest and it has attracted a great deal of attention from a wide variety of fields on account of its significant importance. The past decade has witnessed a rapid development of complex network studies, which allow to characterize many types of systems in nature and technology that contain a large number of components interacting with each other in a complicated manner. Recently, the complex network theory has been incorporated into the analysis of time series and fruitful achievements have been obtained. Complex network analysis of time series opens up new venues to address interdisciplinary challenges in climate dynamics, multiphase flow, brain functions, ECG dynamics, economics and traffic systems.

Professionalism Training For Surgical Residents: Documenting the Advantages of a Professionalism Curriculum.

Professionalism education is a vital component of surgical training. This research attempts to determine whether an annual, year-long professionalism curriculum in a large surgical residency can effectively change professionalism attitudes. The ACGME mandated 6 competencies in 2003. The competencies of Professionalism and Interpersonal/Professional Communication Skills had never been formally addressed in surgical resident education in the past. A professionalism curriculum was developed focusing on specific resident professionalism challenges: admitting mistakes, effective communication with colleagues at all levels, delivering the news of an unexpected death, interdisciplinary challenges of working as a team, the cultural challenge of obtaining informed consent through an interpreter, and the stress of surgical practice on you and your family. These professionalism skills were then evaluated with a 6-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Identical OSCE scenarios were administered to 2 cohorts of surgical residents: in 2007 (before instituting the professionalism curriculum in 2008) and again in 2014. Surgical residents were rated by trained Standardized Patients according to a behaviorally anchored professionalism criteria checklist. An analysis of variance was conducted of overall OSCE professionalism scores (% well done) as the dependent variable for the 2 resident cohorts (2007 vs 2014). The 2007 residents received a mean score of 38% of professionalism items "well done" (SD 9%) and the 2014 residents received a mean 59% "well done" (SD 8%). This difference is significant (F = 49.01, P < .001). Professionalism education has improved surgical resident understanding, awareness, and practice of professionalism in a statistically significant manner from 2007 to 2014. This documented improvement in OSCE performance reflects the value of a professionalism curriculum in the care of the patients we seek to serve.

The Investigation of Challenges in Developing and Implementing New Academic Disciplines in Iranian Universities: Views of the Faculty Members

&lt;p class="apa"&gt;The move on decentralization of curriculum development in recent decade has become one of the major tasks in developing scientific fields in Iran. By implementing these programs some drawbacks have become evident. The objective of this study was to identify and assess the existing challenges involved in the development of academic disciplines from the faculty members’ views. For this aim, through a descriptive study, a body of 125 faculty members involved in academic disciplines development from state universities of Isfahan, Tehran and Ferdowsi are randomly selected. The study pursued seven research questions using a researcher-made questionnaire. Findings showed that interdisciplinary challenges, structural challenges and management challenges significantly exceeded the moderate level. Moreover, scientific-professional and financial challenges significantly affected the curriculum development of the academic disciplines. Results of MANOVA further showed that there were significant differences between the mean scores of faculty members’ views regarding the structural and management challenges in different universities. In general, results of the study highlighted the challenges which can be considered as important obstacles in the development process of disciplines and society at large. Optimization of this process needs the correctly addressed opinions of the faculty members in this respect.&lt;/p&gt;

A INTERDISCIPLINARIDADE NAS UNIVERSIDADES BRASILEIRAS: TRAJETÓRIA E DESAFIOS

Uma reflexão acerca da trajetória e das práticas interdisciplinares recentes nas universidades brasileiras e seus desafios é o objeto deste artigo. Parte do conceito da interdisciplinaridade, diferenciando-o dos conceitos de multidisciplinaridade, pluridisciplinaridade e transdisciplinaridade. Em seguida, apresenta a evolução dos debates e as reflexões precursoras de Georges Gusdof, na França, e Hilton Japiassu e Ivani Fazenda, no Brasil; descreve as etapas do processo histórico dos cursos de pós-graduação interdisciplinares. Ressalta, ainda, o papel precursor de alguns pesquisadores que fomentaram a criação do Comitê da Área Multidisciplinar da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES e que, posteriormente, transformou-se em Interdisciplinar. Aborda as dificuldades encontradas para o estabelecimento dos primeiros critérios para o funcionamento e institucionalização do Comitê de interdisciplinaridade e, em seguida, apresenta os dados quantitativos do seu crescimento vertiginoso na pós-graduação, com destaque para a evolução do número de cursos, alunos, bolsas e docentes, assim como, mais recentemente, o surgimento de cursos interdisciplinares na graduação, e seu rebatimento regional. Conclui com a apresentação de alguns dos principais desafios e problemas à prática interdisciplinar na pesquisa e ensino nas universidades em todo o país.

Improving interdisciplinary collaboration in bio-economic modelling for agricultural systems

Interest in models that integrate biophysical and economic components of agri-environmental systems has increased, largely in recognition of the multiple services provided by agri-environmental systems and reflecting the complexity of ‘multi-functional’ agriculture. We discuss the challenges of bio-economic modelling projects where biophysical and social-science research is integrated. Specific interdisciplinary challenges arise from, for example, differences in language and system understanding between disciplines, limited rewards for interdisciplinary research in the current academic merit system, and the time demands of interdisciplinary projects. Drawing on the authors' collective experiences in developing and applying bio-economic models, we discuss ways to overcome these challenges. Important lessons for future integrated modelling projects are to invest enough time at the start of the project to align research expectations, recognising the central role of communication, and training research ‘integrators’ who can facilitate collaboration within interdisciplinary teams.

New interdisciplinary challenges of otorhinolaryngology, head, neck surgery and maxilo-facial surgery

Modern otorhinolaryngology, head, neck and maxillo-facial surgery and their branches face the challenges of interdisciplinary clinical medicine of the new millennium. The united efforts of a plenty of eminent scientists from Europe are directed to uninterrupted improvement of diagnosis, management and prevention of the socially sig- nificant diseases of the head, ear, nose and throat. Since several decades onwards, a series of national, internation- al and European societies and associations have undoubtedly contributed to the advances of theory and practice in this area by promoting the rapid and wide implementation of the new achievements and the fruitful internation- al collaboration. Let us mention some of these organizations only: Politzer Society Inc., an International Society of Otologic Surgery and Science; the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO); the Mediterra- nean Society of Otology and Audiology (MSOA); the European Academy of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (EAORL-HNS); the European Rhinological Society (ERS); the European Laryngological Society (ELS); the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS), the International Black Sea Otologic and Neuro-Otologic Association (newly-registered in Varna, Bulgaria), etc.

Analysis of the Acoustic Conditions in a Tent Structures

Shape variability and material diversity belong to the modern trends in architecture and civil engineering. A significant progress can be seen in the usage of woven, non-woven and foil membranes, so called architextiles. Textile membranes find their applications as both interior and exterior structures offering interdisciplinary challenges for architects, artists, engineers, chemists, physicists, textile designers and material scientists. Lots of ongoing research is done in terms of their durability, thermal physics properties, tension from wind, weather and also in terms of the energy aspects. In the field of acoustics, most of the studies relate to the sound insulation and absorption properties influenced by the mass changes, structure perforation, tension in the membrane etc. In general, there is much less information on acoustic comfort available in comparison with the thermal comfort. Nevertheless, the physical properties of membranes allow for building of large-span tents, suitable for variety of cultural events and concerts, where the acoustic quality inside the hall and sound insulation properties of its exterior structure are one of the main building physics requirements. This article brings a literature overview on room acoustic problems in halls built out of woven and non-woven membranes, and shows an example of a measurement and analysis inside a temporary tent structure built for a cultural event.

Towards an integrated approach to emergency management: interdisciplinary challenges for research and practice

This article presents an interdisciplinary vision for large-scale integrated emergency management that has been inspired by the transition from platform centric to integrated operations in the oil and gas fields, which uses remote emergency control centres collaborating virtually with local responders. The article discusses some of the most salient research challenges for integrated emergency management, including the role of mobile technology, human-centred sensing, citizen participation and social media, and the socio-cultural determinants of disaster management. The purpose of this article is to frame an integrated emergency management approach that adopts a multi-disciplinary approach, including human computer interaction, information systems, computer science, development studies and organization science employing different methodologies.Most importantly, we need to better understand the socio-cultural determinants of how people prepare to, respond and perceive disasters, in order to evaluate whether and what kind of information and communication technology (ICT) support is appropriate. There is need for more research as to why in some regions local people ignore official orders to evacuate, and rather follow the advice of local leaders, elders or religious leaders. In other instances, disasters are seen as ‘acts of God’ thus shaping disaster preparedness and response.

A Comprehensive Study on the Automation Potentials and Complexities of Advanced and Alternative Die-Attach Technologies for Power Electronic Applications

The field of power electronics packaging presents intricate and interdisciplinary challenges. System costs, reliability and performance are strongly determined by various aspects such as mechanical design, materials, thermal management and interconnect technologies. The overall costs of the product depend mainly on the complete process chain in the module development. Automation as well plays an important role and facilitates higher production rates, efficient use of materials, better product quality, and reduced factory lead times. This paper focuses on emerging interconnection technologies of bonding semiconductor components to power electronic substrates like diffusion soldering, conductive adhesive bonding and reactive multi-layer bonding. An overview on the automation potentials and complexities in individual technologies for the manufacturing of reliable and cost-effective power modules is given and discussed. Thus, a basis is created for choosing optimal die-attach technology depending on economic and technologic demand by comparing the state-of-the-art and advanced technologies.

Restoring a stream through retention of urban stormwater runoff: a catchment-scale experiment in a social–ecological system

Restoration of ecological structure and function of urban streams probably requires catchment-scale modification of drainage infrastructure, but such catchment-scale restoration attempts and their assessment are rare. They require stream ecologists to embrace the interdisciplinary challenges of studying the social–ecological systems that are urban catchments. We designed and monitored a catchment-scale experiment that involved the retrofit of urban stormwater infrastructure throughout an urban catchment to restore more natural hydrology, water quality, and consequently, ecological condition in the receiving stream. We worked with government authorities and the catchment community (residents and property owners) over several years to fund and implement 289 stormwater retention systems. The length of the project allowed adaptation of the experimental design to expand the project’s breadth and of retention-system design to match community needs and catchment context. Planning provisions are particularly important for such an experiment to ensure that the effect of dispersed experimental treatments is not countered by creation of new connected impervious areas elsewhere in the catchment. Catchment-scale experiments can help to transform policy and practice, but their success requires substantial effort and time to build trust among the numerous, diverse stakeholders of human-dominated urban ecosystems. Researchers need to be prepared to adopt an adaptive approach to the implementation of such experiments and to play the lead role in seeking funds for the implementation of the on-ground works necessary to underpin the experiment.

Science Fiction in Education: case studies from classroom implementations

This manuscript reports on findings from the implementation of the EU project “Science Fiction in Education” (Sci-Fi-Ed). The project provides teachers with tools, training, and guidance that will assist them in enhancing their teaching, making science more attractive to students, connecting it with real-life issues such as the environment, and providing girls and other marginalised groups with access to science resources, material, and learning opportunities. The central project idea is to achieve this by incorporating science fiction (Sci-Fi) in science teaching. The aim of this paper is to present the framework and the lessons learned from designing and implementing the project. We focus on the following topics: (1) theoretical and empirical underpinnings of Sci-Fi narratives in education: the importance of narratives in education, their benefits, and challenges; (2) interdisciplinary teaching and learning: the interdisciplinary approach, its benefits, and challenges; (3) practical guidelines and innovative teaching ideas: introducing Sci-Fi-Ed; and (4) briefly discuss the lesson learned from the implementation of the project in classrooms in five countries.

Ausblick auf Edition und Kommentar einer frühneuzeitlichen Dämonologie

This paper introduces Johann Fischart’s German translation of Jean Bodin’s Démonomanie des sorciers. It provides the social and historical background of Fischart’s demonological works. The Daemonomania Magorum as well as Bodin’s Démonomanie elaborate a discourse of witchcraft, which borrows from very different fields of knowledge: theology, philosophy, medicine, history of magic and historiography. Therefore, the critical edition of and the commentary on this work are faced with certain interdisciplinary challenges. The paper documents the authors’ recent efforts in this field and explains the relevant principles and criteria of our project, accompanied by specimen copies of the edition and the commentary.

Meeting the challenge of interdisciplinarity: lessons and issues from the Grey and Pleasant Land project on rural ageing

This article reflects on the experience of a large interdisciplinary research team that included geographers in a study of older people's participation in community life in areas of rural Britain. The mechanisms used for facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration around the development of a collective conceptual framework and associated methodologies for investigating aspects of rural community inclusion in later life are outlined. Lessons relevant to geography education learned about the benefits and “messy reality” of interdisciplinary working are highlighted.