Medium-sized Research Research Articles

Reproducible Method for 1-Methylcylopropene (1−MCP) Application and Quantitation for Post-Harvest Research

Actively combating post-harvest food spoilage and waste can dramatically increase the efficiency of food utilization worldwide. In climacteric fruits, chemical treatments such as 1−MCP are an effective way of reducing post-harvest spoilage and waste by inhibiting the fruit’s ability to perceive ethylene. 1−MCP treatment is increasingly being used to explore the complex nature of ripening physiology at a fundamental level; however, differences in application and quantitation methods create difficulties in comparing conclusions across studies. Here, we report an effective and reproducible method for 1−MCP application and quantitation for small–medium-sized research applications. By use of surrogate alkene standards 1-butene and cis-2-butene, the highly volatile and elusive 1−MCP molecule can be identified and quantified by gas chromatography and subsequent standard curves may be developed. It is hoped that the methodology outlined here can help standardize consistent 1−MCP application for post-harvest research without excessive investment in specialized equipment.

Low-carbon no-idle permutation flow shop schedulling problem: giant trevally optimizer vs African vultures optimization algorithm

Greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase due to increased energy consumption. One of the largest emission-contributing sectors is the manufacturing industry. Therefore, the manufacturing industry is required to minimize carbon emissions. One of the efforts to solve the emission problem is to minimize machine downtime throughout the production procedure, which stands for no-idle permutation flowshop scheduling (NIPFSP). This article uses two metaheuristic algorithms, giant trevally optimizer (GTO) and African vultures optimization algorithm (AVOA), to solve the carbon emission problem. Both algorithms are tested on 3 cases with 30 runs for every population and iteration. To compare the outcomes of each algorithm, an independent sample t-test was employed. The results show that the GTO algorithm has better results than the AVOA algorithm on small and large case data. The findings indicate that both the GTO and AVOA algorithms yield comparable results when applied to medium-sized research datasets, suggesting their effectiveness in such scenarios.

How Much Do Faculty Think Students Should Pay for Course Materials? A Survey of Instructors’ Use of Current Course Materials and OER Use

Introduction: Campus affordability initiatives promote the adoption of free, low-cost, and open educational materials. Coordinators first need to understand faculty usage of instructional course materials, textbook selection authority, and their price tolerance for, knowledge of, and use of open educational resources (OER). Methods: Faculty at a medium-sized research university in the Midwest were invited to participate in an online survey about their current use of instructional course materials, their knowledge of material cost, and student purchasing habits. The survey had a completion rate of 128 responses, representing all teaching ranks on campus. Results: Instructors assign a wide range of materials and rarely hear from students about their inability to purchase textbooks. The majority find US$100 or more an acceptable price and believe that more than 70% of students purchase all required items. Over half of respondents make the final decision about their materials, and factually accurate content is the top priority when making selections. Eighty percent have some awareness of OER, but OER use is low. Discussion: Response rate was too low to make general assumptions but suggests areas for further exploration and provides base data when working with departments. A faculty member’s selection authority could be limiting OER use and impacting students. Discussions need to take place about an acceptable price for department courses and how faculty decide to require materials. Conclusion: Outreach to campus partners should promote high-quality materials as instructors consider this the most when selecting resources. Further examination of how selection authority impacts OER use and student success need to occur.

Design of a Novel Variable Geometry Divertor for Tokamaks

The divertor is a key component of fusion reactors, allowing exhaust of gas, impurities, and helium ash to preserve plasma purity. The divertor geometry strongly affects plasma performance, and it is designed to be compatible with different plasma shapes in present-day fusion experiments. We present a novel concept for a variable geometry divertor, in which the divertor baffle tiles are reorientable by external actuation. Implementation of this concept in a medium-sized research tokamak would uniquely provide the flexibility to tailor divertor geometry to the plasma configuration and also enable study of the effect of divertor closure on plasma performance. To ensure compatibility with typical tokamak operations, the adjustable divertor must withstand the effects of significant mechanical and thermal stresses such as MW/m2-scale heat fluxes and large electromagnetic fields, e.g., disruption forces. The technological solutions for actuation mechanisms, cooling system, gas baffling and plasma-facing components are assessed. A functional reduced-scale model with movable outer divertor target baffle tiles is developed and the actuation mechanism is tested.

Methodology for Measuring the Benefits of Participation in Business Clusters

Running a business in the complex and global world requires cooperation of entities with different complementary resources and competences. A socio-economic organization which wishes to be competitive in the modern market must possess proper human, financial, material and information resources and be able to use them in the most effective way. A significant element in creating a network of connections is the absorption of knowledge and its skillful use linked with shaping innovation. Stimulation of the flow of knowledge between cooperating entities increases the level of innovation of undertaken projects. Enterprises and institutions that join together in cluster initiatives bring their material potentials, skills and experience in order to survive in a competitive market (most often small and medium-sized enterprises, scientific and research institutions) and to multiply the possibilities of achieving benefits. The accepted thesis of the article which claims that new, cooperating, innovative inter-organizational networks supported by local institutions contribute to an increase of their competitiveness in the market does not require special justification. However, the research problem is to indicate the methods by which it is possible to assess if participation in a business cluster brings benefits in specific areas of activity.The starting point for considerations in the presented study is the assumption that participation in clusters provides economic, social and scientific entities with economic or marketing benefits as well as knowledge development and socio-economic revival of a region. The main scientific inquiry, not only for the purposes of this thesis but also knowledge necessary for managers, is the effectiveness level of the adopted project. The aim of the article is to present research methods that can be used to assess the benefits that individual organizational entities achieve due to participation in a business cluster or a cluster initiative. Keywords: Clusters, Innovation, Efficiency, Competitiveness

Joint Research Mentoring Through the Community of Young Research Peers: A Case for a Unifying Model for Research Mentorship at Higher Learning Institutions.

BackgroundMentorship is pivotal for sustainability of a successful research culture at higher learning institutions. Various models have been proposed for provision of research mentorship in health sciences but are challenged by utilizing predominantly hierarchical mentoring, as well as being centred on one discipline or one institution. This paper describes the approach and successes of an inclusive mentorship model employed in a resource-limited setting in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThrough the NIH-funded Transforming Health Professions Education in Tanzania (THET) project, a consortium of three prominent health sciences higher learning institutions in Tanzania (MUHAS, CUHAS and KCMUCo) and two collaborating US institutions (UCSF and Duke University) was formed. Within THET, the Community of Young Research Peers (CYRP) was constituted, comprised two cohorts of undergraduate students and young faculty (fellows), and senior scientists. Besides mentorship and research training, fellows received funded research awards and in turn mentored undergraduate students.ResultsBy the first quarter of project year four, the number of fellows and mentored undergraduate students had increased from 12 to 24 and from 41 to 67, respectively. Fellows in the second cohort (junior fellows) included medical doctors, nurses, dentist, biomedical scientist, sociologist and education psychologist. In fostering peer-to-peer mentoring, the cross-institutional pairs of fellows from the first cohort (senior fellows) were assigned to reciprocal pairs of junior fellow mentees and took a leading role in research training. Furthermore, the senior fellows had made significant strides, including eight enrolled in PhD programmes, eight publications from mentored research projects, and six small to medium-size research grants won.ConclusionThe unifying model of research mentorship employed by the CYRP has been demonstrated as an effective model for joint research mentorship of the diverse group of young investigators from collaborating higher learning institutions in Tanzania. This model is recommended for scale-up, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Fractal dimension analogous scale-invariant derivative of Hirsch\u2019s index

We propose a scale-invariant derivative of the h-index as “h-dimension”, which is analogous to the fractal dimension of the h-index for institutional performance analysis. The design of h-dimension comes from the self-similar characteristics of the citation structure. We applied this h-dimension to data of 134 Japanese national universities and research institutes, and found well-performing medium-sized research institutes, where we identified multiple organizations related to natural disasters. This result is reasonable considering that Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes, typhoons, volcanoes and other natural disasters. However, these characteristic institutes are screened by larger universities if we depend on the existing h-index. The scale-invariant property of the proposed method helps to understand the nature of academic activities, which must promote fair and objective evaluation of research activities to maximize intellectual, and eventually economic opportunity.

An Office Building Power Consumption Dataset for Energy Grid Analysis and Control Algorithms

Modern trend in operation and development of energy systems is to rely on data both in low-level control and strategic decisions. So, there is an urgent need in real-life data available for researchers and practioneers. We collected and published online data on real-time functioning of the energy grid of the Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences (ICS), a medium-sized research institution. The energy consumers in the ICS campus include office equipment, HVAC systems, elevators, cooking facilities, and some research equipment such as 3-d printers and CNC machines. The buildings are powered by a hundred of 3-phase (220/380 V, 50 Hz) lines, equipped with smart energy meters. The dataset includes electric measurements such as active and reactive power, voltage and current collected at 1/15 – 1 Hz. The dataset also contains local weather and indoor climate measurements. Currently, the data are available for several months of 2020 and the whole 2021 year. We intend them to be used for several purposes. First, the data provide some insights into energy consumption patterns. Second, it may be used as a testbed for load prediction algorithms. Third, we provide separate measurements for each of the power lines which constitute the aggregate consumption of the buildings. One may consider an energy disaggregation problem where ground-truth labeling is provided not for every device, but at the higher level like several rooms with multiple devices. We believe our data will contribute to the research of smart energy systems.

Abstract OT-39-01: Artificial intelligence supporting cancer patients across Europe - the ASCAPE project for breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Many breast cancer patients experience adverse effects of cancer or treatment, which can considerably decrease quality of life (QoL). The current strategy of supporting breast cancer patients does not meet their needs due to the limited personalized-based approach in rehabilitation plan and the lack of healthcare, financial and other resources. ASCAPE (Artificial intelligence Supporting CAncer Patients across Europe) is a collaborative research project involving 15 partners from 7 countries, including academic medical centers, small and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities, aiming to leverage the recent advances in Big Data and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to support cancer patients’ QoL and health status. Specifically, ASCAPE aims to provide personalized- and AI-based predictions for QoL issues in breast cancer patients as well as suggest potential interventions to their physicians. Trial design During the first part of the project, large-scale retrospective datasets with breast cancer patients will be analyzed to develop and train AI-based models for specific QoL issues. During the second part of the project, a multicenter prospective longitudinal study is planned. Eligible patients will be followed for one year with validated questionnaires regarding different QoL issues, and wearables that will collect active monitoring data on physical activity, sleep pattern, and heart rate. The collected data will be used to further train and optimize the AI-based models and personalized-based intervention suggestions.Based on the retrospective and prospective data, an ASCAPE-integrated prototype will be developed, enabling personalized- and AI-based predictions and intervention suggestions. This approach will be evaluated at the end of the prospective study regarding patients´ and physicians´ experience as well as health economics. Eligibility criteria Breast cancer patients planned for curative treatment with surgery with or without oncological therapy or breast cancer patients at least 1 year post-treatment (except endocrine therapy) will be eligible for the prospective study. Specific aims 1.To develop and optimize AI-based predictions for QoL issues in breast cancer patients as well as potential intervention suggestions.2.To evaluate the AI-based follow-up approach for breast cancer survivors in terms of patients´ experience, physicians´ experience, and health economics. Statistical methods For discrete QoL outcome variables, ASCAPE will examine the efficiency of classification-based machine learning models trained using decision tree learning algorithms, nearest-neighbors based algorithms, probabilistic learning algorithms, support vector machines and (deep) neural networks. Regressive counterparts of aforementioned methods will be analyzed for numeric QoL outcome variables including also regression specific methods (e.g., ridge regression, lasso regression and elastic net regression). The accuracy of trained models will be estimated relying on standard machine learning validation procedures such as the K-fold cross-validation and leave-one-out cross-validation. The ASCAPE platform will utilize state-of-the-art explainability techniques to make the machine learning models’ predictions transparent and comprehensible for the patient and the physician.Present accrual and target accrual Four retrospective datasets will be used for the first part of the project including approximately 18,000 breast cancer patients. For the prospective study, it is planned to be included about 30 patients monthly during a period of 12 months. Contact information for people with a specific interest in the trial https://ascape-project.eu/artificial-intelligence-supporting-cancer-patients-across-europe Citation Format: Antonios Valachis, Serge Autexier, Imma Grau, Lucian Itu, Dusan Jakotevic, Thanos Kosmidis, Montserrat Muñoz, Konstantinos Perakis, Johannes Rust, Milos Savic, Paris Kosmidis. Artificial intelligence supporting cancer patients across Europe - the ASCAPE project for breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT-39-01.

ИННОВАЦИОННОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ МАЛОГО И СРЕДНЕГО БИЗНЕСА СФЕРЫ АПК НА ОСНОВЕ ПРОЕКТНОГО ПОДХОДА

Relevance and goals. In modern conditions, an important strategic direction of the region’s development is the introduction of innovations in small and medium-sized businesses in the agricultural sector. To activate the introduction of innovations in small business organizations, it is necessary to use project-oriented management, which will allow effective management of the organization’s resources in the conditions of constantly changing parameters of the external and internal environment. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of the functioning and development of directions for the development of small and medium – sized agribusiness enterprises based on a project campaign. Materials and methods. In the course of the research, methods of data analysis and formal logic, the methodology of a comprehensive assessment of the development of small and medium-sized agribusiness, comparative analysis and sociological research methods were used. Results. The article presents the current state of innovation activity of Russian organizations, reveals an imbalance, both in quantitative and qualitative parameters of innovations in the field of agriculture. The model of implementation of the strategy of innovative development of small and medium-sized businesses based on the project approach is presented, problems and ways of their solution are identified. A sociological study of graduates of agricultural universities regarding project activities and the introduction of innovations was conducted, on the basis of which conclusions were formulated. The need for the introduction of project-oriented management in the agro-industrial complex of the region is justified. Discussion (Discussion). The results of the study correspond to the proposed hypothesis. According to which, the proposed measures by the actors of regional management based on the project approach will contribute to the effective introduction of innovations in small and medium-sized businesses in the field of agriculture. Conclusions. The implementation of the proposed development directions will contribute to the innovative development of small and medium-sized agribusiness, which is an important factor in improving the competitiveness and economic development of the region.

University vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950\u20132010

The world’s third largest producer of scientific research, Germany, is the origin of the research university and the independent, extra-university research institute. Its dual-pillar research policy differentiates these organizational forms functionally: universities specialize in advanced research-based teaching; institutes specialize intensely on research. Over the past decades this policy affected each sector differently: while universities suffered a lingering “legitimation crisis,” institutes enjoyed deepening “favored sponsorship”—financial and reputational advantages. Universities led the nation’s reestablishment of scientific prominence among the highly competitive European and global science systems after WWII. But sectoral analysis of contributions to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical and health journal publications (1950–2010) finds that Germany’s small to medium-sized independent research institutes have made significant, growing contributions, particularly in publishing in higher impact journals proportionally more than their size. Simultaneously—despite dual-pillar policy implications—the university sector continues to be absolutely and relatively successful; not eclipsed by the institutes. Universities have consistently produced two-thirds of the nation’s publications in the highest quality journals since at least 1980 and have increased publications at a logarithmic rate; higher than the international mean. Indeed, they led Germany into the global mega-science style of production. Contrary to assumed benefits of functional differentiation, our results indicate that relative to their size, each sector has produced approximately similar publication records. While institutes have succeeded, the larger university sector, despite much less funding growth, has remained fundamental to German science production. Considering these findings, we discuss the future utility of the dual-pillar policy.

Racial Microaggressions and Psychological Distress Among Undergraduate College Students of Color: Implications for Social Work Practice

This study examines the relationship between racial microaggressions and psychological distress among undergraduate students of color and seeks to inform social work practice with that population. Participants in this study (n = 216) were from a medium-sized research university which is a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the Northeast region of the United States. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between racial microaggressions and psychological distress. The findings indicated a positive relationship, particularly for those students that lived off campus. Among other implications, findings demonstrate the need to further explore social and environmental factors in off-campus residential communities compared to on-campus residential communities.

An empirical examination of leadership styles' impact on innovative behaviour and entrepreneurial orientation in Canadian firms: a cross-cultural perspective

In the small and medium-sized enterprise, cross-cultural and entrepreneurial leadership research, there has been an assumption that one's leadership style modus operandi is one size fits all. In the current research, Canadian leadership styles and leadership differences between Canadian and North American business entrepreneurial leaders were tested. New empirical results are substantive and add to the cross-culture entrepreneurial theory. There are limited Canadian-based entrepreneurial studies: the expected corollary was that there were no differences between Canadian and American leadership styles; however, the results reported otherwise. Data were obtained from 145 Canadian respondents located in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Data were analysed with hierarchical regression analyses and multivariate analysis of variance in testing seven hypotheses. The analyses reported a statistically significant difference in Canadian and North American leadership styles employed in an entrepreneurial context.

Specialties and strategies in academic libraries: a cluster analysis approach

PurposeProfessional work is becoming more specialized and diffused, with new specialties emerging on the boundaries of established professions. The purpose of this paper is to examine current specialties in academic librarianship in order to infer what strategies they employ.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a sample of 60 US research libraries to investigate current specialties in academic librarianship, in order to analyze and classify the specialties into groups based on similarities, and categorize academic libraries based on the staffing patterns identified, and illustrate the challenges and strategies of each classification. The sample was selected from the membership of the Association of Research Libraries, and designed to include both large and medium-sized research libraries. 888 different job titles were identified for 2,074 specialist positions extracted from staff directories containing information on 11,688 librarians. The positions were analyzed and classified using the framework provided by Cox and Corrall (2013), and the specialty composition of the libraries was investigated with Ward’s (1963) hierarchical method of cluster analysis, using 28 variables.FindingsThe cluster analysis identified subspecialties within the groups and revealed seven distinct staffing strategies of the libraries.Originality/valueDescribing specialties and strategies in academic libraries by cluster analysis based on huge data is a significantly novel and effective approach for capturing the concept of specialization.

Metadata Generators for Backlog Reduction: Metadata Maker Streamlines Cataloging and Facilitates Transition

ABSTRACTThe University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) is a medium-sized research university with a library system that serves faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students across a wide array of fields and disciplines. Providing access to library resources quickly and with rich and accurate metadata can be a challenge. The UNL Libraries tested a number of metadata generators, web-based tools that can generate usable metadata in MARC format and other output formats. The research focused particularly on Metadata Maker, a metadata generator that can be used to reduce cataloging backlogs by quickly producing usable MARC records with a minimum of training. Those records can be uploaded into library catalogs and databases and enhanced and edited by catalog librarians and by staff with more expertise.

Performance and Persistence Outcomes of GEAR UP Students: Leveling the Playing Field in Higher Education

Given the major investment in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant, rising postsecondary access, trends in poor persistence and retention rates, and the ongoing accountability measures in higher education, it is critical to examine factors related to postsecondary performance and persistence of GEAR UP students in comparison to their peers. College performance and persistence of 298 State GEAR UP students were compared with other first-time, first-year students (1,841) who entered a moderately selective, medium-sized public research university in Fall 2012. The GEAR UP students were more likely to be from disadvantaged, underrepresented backgrounds; despite less advantageous beginnings, they entered college with similar high school grade point average and Scholastic Assessment Test scores, though lower American College Test scores. Also, students’ first-term grade point average and credit loads served as predictors of persistence. Most importantly, GEAR UP students were just as likely to perform and persist as their peers.

Diversity within unity: jazzing up sustainable information literacy teams

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show how one medium-sized research library sustainably delivers large scale integrated library instruction via team efforts that allow for (and encourage) librarians diverse teaching approaches within a unified team. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines an individual case within the context of library and management research literature. Findings A self-managed library instruction team, using agreed upon learning outcomes and supported by good infrastructure, communication skills and tools, and within administration supportive of professional development and experimentation can sustainably delivery high volume, high-quality library instruction. Practical implications This paper may help other libraries learn how to develop their own self-managed teams to deliver sustainable high volume, high-quality library instruction. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on self-managed teams in librarianship and especially self-managed teams to deliver sustainable high volume information literacy. It also contributes to the small pool of literature using the jazz metaphor in library instruction.

False Start but High Hopes

This article explains how a good idea to provide bachelor’s degree completion with great convenience to community college students needed much more planning and discussion among all stakeholders, before final implementation. It discusses the creation of a “network initiative” between a 4-year private, medium-sized urban research university in the northeastern United States and a suburban community college to offer several bachelor’s degree completions. More specifically, the article explains the process to articulate an associate degree in health services administration to the Bachelor of Science degree. While this network had a “false start,” there is hope that involving community colleges in the pipeline to prepare more health services managers is a prudent effort, given the rise in need for almost all health services occupations.

Calibration of 3-D wind measurements on a single-engine research aircraft

Abstract. An innovative calibration method for the wind speed measurement using a boom-mounted Rosemount model 858 AJ air velocity probe is introduced. The method is demonstrated for a sensor system installed on a medium-size research aircraft which is used for measurements in the atmospheric boundary layer. The method encounters a series of coordinated flight manoeuvres to directly estimate the aerodynamic influences on the probe and to calculate the measurement uncertainties. The introduction of a differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) combined with a high-accuracy inertial reference system (IRS) has brought major advances to airborne measurement techniques. The exact determination of geometrical height allows the use of the pressure signal as an independent parameter. Furthermore, the exact height information and the stepwise calibration process lead to maximum accuracy. The results show a measurement uncertainty for the aerodynamic influence of the dynamic and static pressures of 0.1 hPa. The applied parametrisation does not require any height dependencies or time shifts. After extensive flight tests a correction for the flow angles (attack and sideslip angles) was found, which is necessary for a successful wind calculation. A new method is demonstrated to correct for the aerodynamic influence on the sideslip angle. For the three-dimensional (3-D) wind vector (with 100 Hz resolution) a novel error propagation scheme is tested, which determines the measurement uncertainties to be 0.3 m s−1 for the horizontal and 0.2 m s−1 for the vertical wind components.

Religiosity as a Predictor of Forgiveness, Revenge, and Avoidance among Married and Dating Adults

Most previous studies have focused on married couples and their general tendency to forgive. They have often ignored other relationship types. Past research has also focused on attitudes toward forgiveness without studying the actual reactions after experiencing the transgression. Therefore, this study explored if religion has an influence on how dating and married couples react to transgressions. Do they forgive, or do they seek revenge? Two hundred sixteen adults (123 married and 93 dating) completed a survey administered through a medium-sized research university in the southeastern United States. Results showed that after experiencing a specific transgression, married individuals who are religious are more likely to forgive the partner and less likely to seek revenge. Dating couples would forgive their partners to the same extent but for different reasons. Among both dating and married participants, religiosity is positively related to the avoidance of revenge.