Series Of International Conferences Research Articles

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Geoshanghai 2024 International Conference Volume 2: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.This volume contains two themes: rock mechanics and rock engineering, as well as Mining geomechanics, including the following aspects: rock mechanics, constitutive models, new technologies and theories in underground and mining engineering. As we convene for this international conference, let us delve into these pages with the aim of fostering a deeper understanding and sparking innovative solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of rock engineering and mining engineering.This volume received a total of 34 papers from countries such as China, the United States, Canada, and Iran, totaling 30 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Jianfeng Chen, Qinghua Lei, Yafei Qiao, Louis Wong, Jinquan Xing, Nariman MahabadiThe editors of Volume 2: Rock Mechanics and Rock EngineeringList of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in the pdf

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GeoShanghai 2024 International Conference Volume 3: Transportation Geotechnics Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.Transportation geotechnics is a vitally interdisciplinary aspect encompassing engineering, geology, and materials science, exploring the durability, safety, and efficiency of transportation networks. Within this domain, pavement materials and structures, railroad engineering, airfield construction, and pipeline infrastructure represent the focal points. Pavements, serving as crucial interfaces between vehicles and the ground, demand attention to material properties and structural integrity. Railroads require resilient tracks capable of withstanding dynamic loads, while airfields necessitate robust pavements to support heavy aircraft. Similarly, pipelines rely on reliable foundation designs to ensure stability and mitigate risks. This topic delves into the latest advancements, challenges, and innovations within transportation geotechnics, with a specific focus on these critical themes. Through collaborative discussions and knowledge exchange, we aim to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and performance of transportation infrastructures worldwide.This volume received a total of 47 papers from countries such as China, United States, Russia, Australia, Thailand, Portugal and others, totaling 41 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Feipeng Xiao, David Connally, Peerapong Jitsangiam, Lin Cong, Fan Gu, Yao ShanThe editors of Volume 3: Transportation GeotechnicsList of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

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Geoshanghai 2024 International Conference Volume 8: Frontiers in GeotechShanghai, 26-29 May, 2024GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.Frontiers in Geotech contains a moral invitation to geotechnical engineering to embark on a transformative journey at the intersection of innovation and sustainability by considering the following aspects: (1) Intelligent geotechnics; (2) In-situ testing & monitoring; (3) Bio-mediated and bio-inspired geotechnics; (4) Case studies; (5) Sustainability in geotechnical engineering; and (6) Other new frontiers in geotechnology. This sector is dedicated to providing the state of art and practice on multi-interdisciplinary subjects intersected by AI, biology, and sensing technologies for sustainable geotechnical engineering. The ultimate objective is to promote and guide new geotechnical engineering processes and solutions inspired by the human intellect and wisdom of nature. By embracing innovation and sustainability, we aspire to shape a future where infrastructure harmonizes seamlessly with the natural world, fostering resilient and sustainable social development for generations to come.This volume received a total of 82 papers from countries such as China, United States, Norway, United Kingdom, and others, totaling 75 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.List of Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this Pdf.

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PrefaceGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.There has been a growing emphasis on sustainable and long-lasting ground improvement solutions in recent years. Addressing these challenges requires innovation and collaboration across disciplines. As a result, several innovative techniques have emerged in research and practice. These can include methods such as intelligent compaction, jet grouting, stiffened deep mixing piles and the use of geosynthetics. These techniques are employed to effectively increase the bearing capacity, reduce settlement, control seepage, improve overall stability, and minimize environmental impact. This volume introduces the latest research outcomes around the world in the following fields of ground improvement, deep excavation and retaining structures, and shafts and deep foundations. The contents help us realize the latest academic and technical developments in these areas and better meet the evolving engineering needs in the future.This volume received a total of 46 papers from countries such as China, United States, Canada, India and others, totaling 42 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Cheng Lin, Xianda Shen, Douglas Cortez, Shengjie Rui, Linlong Mu The editors of Volume 7: Ground Improvement and Foundations

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GEOSHANGHAI 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Volume 4: Tunneling and Underground Construction Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.With cities facing pressing issues like congestion, pollution, and land scarcity, subterranean solutions have emerged as a compelling alternative, unlocking new avenues for urban expansion while minimizing surface disruption. This volume presents a culmination of recent advancements in tunneling and underground engineering, reflecting global efforts to address evolving challenges and opportunities in subterranean endeavors. Utilizing cutting-edge digital and deep learning techniques, inspiring case studies, and theoretical advancements in tunnel-related simulations offers a comprehensive understanding of the field.This volume received a total of 60 papers from countries such as China, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand, and others, totaling 60 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Zhiguo Yan, Qianbin Zhang, Mingliang Zhou, Zili Li, Zhongkai Huang, Fan ZhuThe editors of Volume 4: Tunneling and Underground ConstructionList of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in the Pdf

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GeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.The intricate macroscopic behaviors of soil, along with the fundamental principles of geomechanics, are cornerstone elements in the field of geotechnical engineering. As we stand on the threshold of a new era marked by unprecedented advancements, it is imperative that we incorporate the most recent and pioneering insights into soil behavior and geomechanics into our discourse. This volume of the Geoshanghai proceedings is dedicated to achieving just that. Encompassing a broad spectrum of critical topics within soil behavior and geomechanics, this volume thoughtfully curates content including soil macroscopic behaviors, geomechanics from micro to macro, granular materials and unsaturated mechanics. As we convene for this international conference, let us delve into these pages with the aim of fostering a deeper understanding and sparking innovative solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of geotechnical engineering.This volume received a total of 74 papers from countries such as China, United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea South, India, Botswana, and others, totaling 70 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Matt Evans, Xiaoqiang Gu, Jidong Teng, Xiaoyu Song, Qiushi Chen, Annan Zhou, Weiwei ZhanThe editors of Volume 1: Soil Behavior and GeomechanicsList of Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

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GeoShanghai 2024 International Conference Volume 5: Advances in Soil Dynamics and Geohazards Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.This volume provides a comprehensive exploration of the behavior of soils when exposed to complex environmental conditions and their effects. This topic focuses on original research that delves into these natural hazards from different perspectives including understanding their mechanisms, predicting their occurrences, monitoring their activities in real time, and implementing effective mitigation strategies. It is worth noting that recent advancements in technology have significantly contributed to this field of study. The integration of coupled numerical modeling techniques has allowed researchers to simulate complex scenarios more accurately than ever before. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms have played an instrumental role in analyzing vast amounts of data collected from various sources such as sensors or images. These cutting-edge technologies have opened up new avenues for research in geohazards by providing insights into patterns and trends that were previously difficult to discern.This volume received a total of 74 papers from countries such as China, United States, Japan, and others, totaling 68 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.Cordially yours,Tong Qiu, Chen Wang, Katerina Ziotopoulou, Lijun Deng, Xuefei WangThe editors of Volume 5: Advances in Soil Dynamics and GeohazardsList of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are avialble in this pdf.

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GEOSHANGHAI 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Volume 6: Geoenvironmental and Energy Geotehnics Shanghai, 26-29 May, 2024 GeoShanghai 2024 International ConferenceCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 2024All Rights ReservedGeoShanghai is a series of international conferences on geotechnical engineering held in Shanghai quadrennially. The conference was inaugurated in 2006 and was successfully held in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with more than 1600 participants in total. Since the last conference, the geotechnical community has witnessed many advances both in fundamental understanding and engineering practices. To demonstrate the latest developments and promote collaborations in geotechnical engineering and related fields, we launch the 5th GeoShanghai International Conference to be held in May 2024.This volume contains three themes: Environmental Geotechnics, Energy Geotechnicsand Geosynthetics. Environmental Geotechnics is at the forefront of our efforts to rehabilitate and repurpose land, transforming landfills and contaminated soils into safe and productive environments. Energy Geotechnics addresses the critical need for Economically Valuable strategies that harness the Earth’s energy resources responsibly. Geosynthetics provide us equitable access to advanced materials that reinforce, protect, and sustain our environment. These synthetic products are pivotal in our integrative approach, offering versatility and durability in ecological applications. In our pursuit to harmonize human development with the planet’s well-being, this conference unites thought leaders and practitioners in the fields of Environmental Geotechnics, Energy Geotechnics, and Geosynthetics to explore innovative solutions for the pressing environmental issues of our time.This volume received a total of 61 papers from countries such as China, United States, Thailand, and others, totaling 58 papers accepted. All papers were reviewed and the accepted papers will be submitted to IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science indexed by Scopus.List of Tracks, Conference Steering Committee, International Advisory Committee, Technical Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

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Electrostatics 2023 Selected Proceedings of the International Conference on Electrostatics 2023Electrostatics 2023 was organised by the Dielectrics & Electrostatics Group of the Institute of Physics and continued the International Conference series on Electrostatics which takes place in the United Kingdom every four years. The conference was held at Brunel University London from 4th to 7th September 2023.The Electrostatics conference series was started with a desire to understand the fundamentals of electrostatic charging, and to explain and control electrostatic phenomena found in industry. There is still much research in these areas, which always form a welcome part of the conference. Electrostatic phenomena in our environment and in environments beyond our planet are the subjects of fascinating and globally important research. The application of electrostatics in the development of new materials and new methods of fabrication is equally exciting. So too are the many applications in biology and medicine, environmental and agricultural protection and energy generation. The papers included in this collection are some of the oral and poster papers presented at Electrostatics 2023 in these subject areas.On behalf of the Conference General Chair, Dr Nadarajah Manivannan, and the Institute of Physics Dielectrics & Electrostatics Group Committee, I would like to thank the invited speakers, authors and presenters, conference delegates, the International Advisory Group, the panel of reviewers and the co-operation partners and sponsors for supporting the conference.Dr Paul HoldstockConference Programme Chair & Proceedings EditorList of International Advisory Group, Organising Committee, Co-operation Partners, Sponsors are available in this pdf.

Report on the scientific conference Transformations

As the world today faces various contingencies connected with the results of the global pandemic, multiple economic challenges, military conflicts, and a major environmental crisis, the University Ignatianum in Krakow has offered a new academic platform to exchange opinions and ideas regarding the transformation occurring in the contemporary world. In this spirit, the Organising Committee (dr Sylwia Janina Wojciechowska; dr Agnieszka Cierpich-Kozieł; and dr Aleksandra Kamińska), with the assistance of the Advisory Board (dr hab. Anna Bugajska, prof. AIK; dr hab. Krystyna Zabawa, prof. AIK; dr hab. Gerard Kilroy, prof. AIK; dr hab. Grażyna Maria Teresa Branny; dr Dominika Ruszkiewicz; dr Marek Liszka), as the staff members of the Institute of Modern Languages UIK, had the pleasure to introduce a new series of international conferences to be held cyclically at the Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow. The Transformations Conferences will provide a discussion platform for literary and culture scholars as well as linguists specialising in the field of Anglophone studies, with each edition centred around a different topic.

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Proceedings of NSB 2023: 13th Nordic Symposium on Building Physics 12th to 14th of June 2023 Aalborg, Denmark The 13th Nordic Symposium on Building Physics (NSB 2023) took place at Aalborg University in the city of Aalborg, Denmark, from the 12th to the 14th of June, 2023. This conference was organised by the Department of the Built Environment of Aalborg University, with the help of fellow researchers from Aarhus University, the University of Southern Denmark and the Technical University of Denmark.NSB is a renowned international conference series in Building Physics, held every three years since 1987. Although organised in Nordic countries, the conference is in English and is not limited to cold climates. It has grown to attract participants worldwide, to the point that more than half of the participants have been from other countries.This symposium is intended to be a forum for scientists, practitioners, PhD students and other building professionals to share new research results, demonstrate innovative and sustainable building technologies, and discuss current and future challenges and solutions within building physics, heat, air and moisture transfer in buildings, and on aspects of moisture problems in the built environment, energy performance and indoor environmental quality. The NSB 2023 central theme is “Building physics as a key player for the sustainable built environment”. The conference focus is primarily on the following aspects that all require a throughout understanding of building physics:• Heat, air and moisture transport• Measurement and modelling techniques• Material properties• Contaminant transfer (gas phase, airborne pollutants)• Outdoor and indoor climate for building physics analysis• Hygrothermal performance of building envelope• Advanced building envelope systems• Air-tightness, air movement inside and around the buildings• Building materials and components• Facades• Climate change and climate adaptation of buildings• Moisture and mould problems• Investigation methods of moisture and microbial damages• Moisture safety in design, construction, and maintenance• Durability of materials and structures• Repair methods• Architectural design integration• Interaction with HVAC systems and solar shading• Indoor environmental quality: air quality, daylight, thermal comfort and acoustics• Passive, active and low-energy buildings, zero-emission buildings• Retrofitting and conservation of buildings, including historical buildings• Building sustainability and circularity• Integrated BIM solutions for building physics, energy performance and indoor environmental quality• Education about building physics: innovative tools and methodsThe 250 participants of NSB 2023 attended a total of 3 keynotes, 186 paper presentations (149 Scientific Papers and 37 Technical Papers) and one workshop over 3 days and 34 sessions. The Scientific Papers (6-8 pages) are published in the present IOP Journal of Physics: Conference Series proceedings. The Technical Papers (1-6°pages) are published by Aalborg University in a dedicated book of technical papers. All papers presented at NSB 2023 and published in the proceedings or book of technical papers went through a 3-stage double-blind peer-review process: review and acceptance of the abstract, first round of review for the full paper, second round of review of the revised paper, final decision on the paper. All reviews were conducted by the 124 members of the scientific community.List of Conference organising committee, Scientific Committee are available in this Pdf.

Lessons learned from 16 editions of the World Mycotoxin Forum 50 years after the first international conference on mycotoxins

Abstract On-going research and interdisciplinary networking among scientists and stakeholders are still needed for the development of affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors to efficiently manage the risk of mycotoxin contamination along food and feed chains. In order to facilitate appropriate actions, thematic interlaboratory projects have been initiated, professional networking-organisations have been founded, dedicated journals have been started and mycotoxin conferences have been organised. The World Mycotoxin Forum (WMF) has established itself as a leading international networking conference series on mycotoxins where food and feed industry representatives meet with representatives from government, food authorities, food and feed industry and with people from universities and other research institutions from around the world. The WMF has gradually moved from food and feed related technological topics to international and regulatory issues and to mitigation strategies based on fungal and plant genetics, big data based decision support tools and sustainable solutions in view of climate change. Over all these years, the conclusions made from each WMF have been summarised by the general conference chair(s) as the ‘top 5 lessons learned’ on the last day of each conference. 50 years after the first international conference on mycotoxins organised by IPUAC in 1972, this article has compiled all ‘top 5 lessons learned’ presented at the 16 editions of the WMF and joint WMF/IUPAC events organised between 2001 and 2022. Since the first international conference on mycotoxins, much progress has been made in the prevention, reduction and control of mycotoxins. However, continuous attention and further efforts are still needed in order to tackle the complex issues of mycotoxin contamination especially in view of climate change and other global challenges on the horizon.

Combatting drought: a multi-dimensional challenge.

Water will be a major limitation to food production in the 21st century, and drought issues already prevail in many parts of the world. Finding solutions to ensure that farmers harvest profitable crops, and secure food supplies for families and feed for animals that will provide for them through to the next season are urgent necessities. The Interdrought community has been addressing this issue for almost 30 years in a series of international conferences, characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach across the domains of molecular biology, physiology, genetics, agronomy, breeding, environmental and social sciences, policy, and systems modeling. This special issue presents papers from the 7th edition of the conference, the first to be held in Africa, that paid special attention to drought in a smallholder context, adding a 'system' dimension to the crop focus from the previous Interdrought events (Varshney et al., 2018; Hammer et al., 2021).

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The 4th Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference ( MRS-Thailand 2023 )E-mail: mrsthailand2023@ubu.ac.thThe MRS-Thailand International Conference series started since 2017 by The First Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference (1st MRS Thailand International Conference) during October 31st-November 3rd, 2017 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. The conference was successfully achieved to strengthen academic society in Materials field along with the MRS-Thailand establishment. Due to the great success of 1st MRS Thailand International Conference, The 2nd Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference (2nd MRS Thailand International Conference) was continuously held at Pattaya, THAILAND, during July 10th-12th, 2019 in order to expand international recognition. It was very well acknowledged. More than 400 participants around the world joined the conference and contributed their knowledge between researchers. Hence, International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) decided to hold the 21st International Union of Materials Research Societies-International Conference in Asia (IUMRS-ICA 2020) and the 3rd MRS Thailand International Conference (MRS-Thailand 2021) in Chiang Mai, THAILAND, which hosted and organized by the MRS-Thailand during February 23rd-26th, 2021. Unfortunately, COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many things, therefore, the conference needed to immediately switch to online format conference. However, the great spirit of the materials field researchers led the conference successfully passed through those difficult time. Finally, after a long COVID-19 difficult years, it is my very great honor to announce that the 4th Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference (MRS-Thailand 2023) will be held at Ubon Ratchathani, THAILAND on February 28th-March 4th, 2023.MRS-Thailand 2023 aims to open a floor of opportunity for all participants to share their research covering in all field of materials science. It is very exciting to see many international participants to join us. Besides academic experiencing, the participants will be surely impressed by the local activities and culture. Ubon Ratchthani is well acknowledged as the land of lotus and the participants will be spelled by their beauty and charm. We hope the participants will gain the best experiences from this conference at the land of lotus, Ubon Ratchathani, THAILAND.List of Committee and Sponsors are available in this pdf.

Alex Chase-Levenson. The Yellow Flag: Quarantine and the British Mediterranean World, 1780–1860.

It is commonly assumed that global public health was born in the second half of the nineteenth century. It was during this period when the world’s leading trading powers, meeting at a series of self-styled international sanitary conferences, agreed to abandon the crude quarantine practices first pioneered by Italian city-states in the fifteenth century and replace them with systems that were more discerning and precise—what Peter Baldwin has termed “neo-quarantinism.” Historians have shown how these new systems were practiced in all sorts of discriminatory ways, and much has been written about the global public health initiatives that blossomed in the twentieth century. But no account has fundamentally challenged this general trajectory of global-institutional development. This is the core contribution of Alex Chase-Levenson’s The Yellow Flag: Quarantine and the British Mediterranean World, 1780–1860, which excavates how, during the period roughly 1780 to 1840, the Mediterranean world witnessed the birth of a uniquely integrated system of quarantine designed to keep Western European nations safe from the danger of plague, which was still at large in the “Ottoman East.” It was a system that, in a way, modernized the premodern (30, 47). While it applied the indiscriminate quarantine principles of old, it was also characterized by the kind of coordination, rigor, and standardization we associate with bureaucratic modernity. Chase-Levenson calls it a system of “universal quarantine” for precisely this reason: quarantine was applied without exception to all ships hailing from the Middle East and North Africa, and to all passengers and cargo, according to widely shared norms of practice. In one flourish, he suggests it was “the largest transnational scheme for preventive medicine before the formation of the WHO” in 1948 (28).

Research trends in international science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education conference series: An analysis of a decade of proceedings

This paper reports on the results of a descriptive analysis of 675 publications included in the proceedings of five editions of the International Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Education Conferences held in Australia, Canada, and China over 9 years between 2012 and 2021. Peer-reviewed academic journals are traditional sources of high quality and established research. Yet these papers might take months and sometimes years to get published. On the other hand, an analysis of research foci represented at international STEM conferences can be used as a source of the most recent trends in the field, and the developments of STEM education research across time and by national origins. In this analysis, 675 abstracts from five editions of the International STEM in Education Conference were coded into eight topics, followed by a descriptive analysis of the results. Four countries were consistently the top four contributors: Australia, Canada, China, and the United States. Thus, the study conducted a descriptive analysis and discussion of the trends among these countries. The results revealed trends in STEM education research, among which policy, curriculum, assessment; K-12 teaching and learning, are dominant topics of research investigation, while postsecondary STEM teaching and learning are less investigated. The results also demonstrated the dominance of some topics over others among the countries that most contributed to the conferences. For instance, Canada dominated in the studies of culture, gender, and social issues and in postsecondary STEM education. China paid much less attention to these topics, while putting more emphasis on historical and epistemological perspectives on STEM, policy and curriculum, and K-12 teaching and learning. Australian research focused on policy and curriculum; K-12 teaching and learning; and industry. Meanwhile, the United States showed the least difference in percentages between topics. Overall the analysis indicates a relatively low interest in postsecondary STEM education research, despite the growing demand for STEM professionals. This highlights the need for STEM education research focused on institutions of higher education. This analysis interprets the trend results in light of the issues in STEM education confronting various national jurisdictions.

Understanding the evolving nature of novel psychoactive substances: Mapping 10 years of research

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is an umbrella term used to describe a heterogeneous group of compounds that mimic the effects of existing drugs and whose demand and use rapidly emerge, change, or even vanish in the drug market. The novelty of this global phenomenon and its dynamic nature represent major challenges for the scientific community that constantly requires timely evidence-based inputs. Our aim is to review the literature on NPS and compare its temporal evolution according to the topics presented at the International Conference series on NPS over the past decade. Our analysis shows that some new clusters of research recently emerged in comparison to a previous review and that the material presented at the NPS Conferences anticipates the scientific literature by approximately 2.5 years. Such findings not only provide new original insights on the latest NPS trends but also address existing knowledge gaps in the NPS field, while emphasizing the importance of face-to-face thematic events supported by faster publication processes to inform prompt interventions and policy making.

Islamic Scholarship in Africa: New Directions and Global Contexts (edited by Ousmane Oumar Kane)

Reviewed by: Islamic Scholarship in Africa: New Directions and Global Contexts ed. by Ousmane Oumar Kane Amiri Yasin Al-Hadid Islamic Scholarship in Africa: New Directions and Global Contexts OUSMANE OUMAR KANE, ED. James Currey/Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2021, 489 pages. Ousmane Oumar Kane, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor of Contemporary Islamic Religion and Society at Harvard Divinity School and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, has edited a brilliant book entitled Islamic Scholarship in Africa: New Directions and Global Contexts. Professor Kane’s genealogy and scholarship can be traced back to early Qur’anic and Arabic instruction from his mother. His grandfather is the famous Sufi Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse, founder of a Tijaniyya Tariqa in Senegal, West Africa, with a global following of millions. The central thesis of Professor Kane’s book is this: Islamic scholarship in Bilad al-Sudan (Land of the Blacks) was equal to that in other regions of the Ummah of Prophet (pbuh) such as Al-Azhar in Kemet (Egypt) and Medina in Saudi Arabia. The University of Sankore in Timbuktu, Mali, is an excellent example of universities in Bilad al-Sudan that were competitive with the aforementioned universities. As a matter of historical record, there was always a robust exchange of commodities, gold, salt, and ideas along the trade routes between the Maghreb (North Africa from Kemet to Morocco) and Bilad al-Sudan. The book rejects the false notion of an Islam noir of divinations, libation, and ancestral veneration in sub-Saharan Africa and authentic Al-Qur’an wa Sunnah Islam in centers of learning in other parts of the Muslim Ummah (p. 19). Western orientalists place North Africa in the Middle East because it is a part of the Arabic-speaking linguistic community and Mediterranean Greco-Roman history. On the other hand, sub-Saharan Africa is separated from its classical Kemetic (ancient Egypt) and Islamic heritage and marginalized as Bilad al-Sudan (Black Africa). This cultural and historical alienation is problematic for Muslim Africa because Islam and the Arabic language have created more religious unity and cultural harmony than political disunity and social conflict. In his Philosophy of History, Hegel asserted that sub-Saharan Africa had no history worthy of serious intellectual discourse (p. 2). This book is a cutting-edge project because it attempts to reconcile the dialectical tensions between Islamic Studies, African Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. These three disciplines or area studies have compartmentalized the canon, epistemology, and paradigm of Islam, [End Page 153] Arabic, African culture and civilization and marginalized the universality of Islamic thought and civilization in the African cultural context (p. 412). Islamic Scholarship in Africa is a major contribution to Professor Kane’s project of building a new discipline at Harvard centered on the intellectual history of Islamic scholarship in sub-Saharan Africa or Bilad al-Sudan. It is divided into four parts: “History, Movement and Islamic Scholarship,”; “Textuality, Orality and Islamic Scholarship”; “ Islamic Education”; “Ajami, Knowledge Transmission and Spirituality.” These subjects have intellectual implications for core curriculum development of the new discipline. Thematically, the edited volume is the outgrowth of a series of international conferences and workshops of scholars convened during the years 2017– 2019. In addition to the book overview introduction, each part has its own introduction that can serve as a road map to guide the reader through the scholarly landscape. Arabic religious and technical terms are used throughout the book; however, readers who are not familiar with all the Islamic terminology can refer to the glossary if definitions are needed. The book is accessible to scholars in the field as well as readers that are familiar or curious about the subject matter. There are 16 chapters arrayed across the four parts of the book. The 19 contributors included in the volume are erudite scholars in the Islamic sciences, Arabic, African languages indigenous to Bilad al-Sudan, and experts on their assigned topics. Each scholarly essay is worthy of an in-depth review; however, space will not permit this level of discussion. Therefore, representative samples will be selected from each of the four parts. The Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca of Mansa Musa in 1324 CE and El-Hajj...

Thinking big: the need for innovation in the production of lentivirus-based cell and gene therapies

<b>Elisa Manzotti</b>, Founder, BioInsights, speaks to <b>Hanna Leinonen, John Moscariello, Lee DaviesScott Cross </b>and <b>Will Junker</b> <div class="authors authors-lg"><div class="author"><div class="author-img"><img src="https://cdn.insights.bio/uploads/H Leinonen copy.jpg" data-image="1"></div><div class="author-det"><h3 class="author-name">Hanna Leinonen</h3><h5 class="author-title">Senior Scientist, Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy</h5> Hanna M. Leinonen holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from the University of Eastern Finland (2014). She has 15 years’ experience on lentiviral vectors and 6 years’ experience on bioprocessing. She is currently working as a Senior Scientist in Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy (Finland) focusing on development of upstream processing for viral vectors (lentivirus, adenovirus, AAV). </div></div></div><div class="authors authors-lg"><div class="author"><div class="author-img"><img src="https://cdn.insights.bio/uploads/26118d9d52f34a12859025a3d5f4aabc.jpg" data-image="1"></div><div class="author-det"><h3 class="author-name">John Moscariello</h3><h5 class="author-title">Executive Director, Viral Vector and Gene Editing Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb</h5> John Moscariello currently serves as Executive Director of Viral Vector and Gene Editing Process Development at Bristol-Myers Squib (BMS). At BMS, John’s group develops viral vector processes that enable rapid timelines to generate clinical viral vectors as well as the development and characterization of commercial viral vector processes. Prior to his work at BMS, John was the Vice President of Process Development at AGC Biologics where his team was responsible cell line development, upstream and downstream process development, analytical and formulation development, and technical support for AGC Biologic’s commercial manufacturing facility and supported development activities from generating processes for Toxicology/Phase 1 supply up to and including commercialization and post-approval process support. John is very active in the biotechnology community. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board for various conferences, including the BioProcess International conference series, and the CBI conference series on achieving efficient facilities and the next frontier of single-use technologies. John obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. </div></div></div><div class="authors authors-lg"><div class="author"><div class="author-img"><img src="https://cdn.insights.bio/uploads/Lee Davies 1.jpg" data-image="1"></div><div class="author-det"><h3 class="author-name">Lee Davies</h3><h5 class="author-title">Director, Process Research &amp; Development, Oxford Biomedica</h5><p class="oneComWebmail-MsoNormal"><i>As Director of Process Research and Development, Lee helps drive development, innovation and improvements in&nbsp;</i><i>world-class lentiviral vector manufacturing processes,&nbsp;</i><i>applying scientific and engineering principles to all aspects of upstream and downstream process development, including process optimisation and scale-up, technology transfer to GMP manufacturing and process characterisation to support chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) regulatory submissions.&nbsp;</i><i>As part of&nbsp;the</i><i>&nbsp;Process Research and Development team, Lee works</i><i>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;cutting edge of gene therapy, ensuring its applicability to the needs of the wider gene and cell therapy community. The team’s mission covers the&nbsp;</i><i>life cycle of gene therapies, taking</i><i>&nbsp;processes from the early phase development work through to&nbsp;fully optimised large scale, GMP-ready processes, manufacturing and commercialisation.&nbsp;</i><i>Prior to joining Oxford Biomedica 6 years ago, Lee worked at the University of Oxford as a postdoctoral researcher and obtained a D.Phil in Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis.</i> </div></div></div><div class="authors authors-lg"><div class="author"><div class="author-img"><img src="https://cdn.insights.bio/uploads/Scott_122321_WebReady copy.jpg" data-image="1"></div><div class="author-det"><h3 class="author-name">Scott Cross</h3><h5 class="author-title">Senior Principal, Dark Horse Consulting</h5> Scott has over 20 years experience working with viral vectors, vaccines, and biologics in GMP environments. He has been responsible for cleanroom design, build out and commissioning of vector facilities, as well as the oversight of viral vector, cell therapy, fill finish and manufacturing support departments. Scott started his career at Merck and Co. where he worked on the development of an Adenovirus-based HIV vaccine and later, the development, optimization, and validation of release assays for live virus vaccines. He then moved to Indiana University (IU) where he managed the IU Vector Production Facility (IUVPF), overseeing GMP production and testing of Lentiviral and Retroviral vectors for the IUVPF and the National Gene Vector Laboratories (NGVL). While at the IUVPF he also managed the design, build and commissioning of a new viral vector GMP production and testing facility. After leaving the IUVPF, Scott joined Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) managing the GMP Vector Production Facility, Viral Vector Core, and the Aseptic Processing Labs. Scott then moved to the University of Florida where he was the Director of Cell Therapy, Fill Finish and Manufacturing Support Operations for Florida Biologix and Brammer Bio. He was also responsible for the design of two new fill finish suites. Most recently, Scott served as Vice President of Vector Operations at Orchard Therapeutics where he was one of the original ten members and responsible for viral vector development, GMP vector production, plasmid production, oversight of 10 CDMOs, due diligence, and facility design. </div></div></div><div class="authors authors-lg"><div class="author"><div class="author-img"><img src="https://cdn.insights.bio/uploads/Will Junker headshot copy.jpg" data-image="1"></div><div class="author-det"><h3 class="author-name">Will Junker</h3><h5 class="author-title">Head of Vector Manufacturing Quality, Kite Pharma</h5> Will Junker is Head of Vector Quality and oversees the operation of QC, QA and QE to bring Kite’s vector manufacturing facility on line through licensure. Before this role, Will built Kite’s Quality Engineering function globally. His 35 year career in BioPharma includes 13 years at AstraZeneca and 15 years at Aventis/Sanofi as well as a few years at Baxter BioScience in technical/quality roles of increasing responsibility. </div></div></div>