Opportunities For Cross-pollination Research Articles

Integrating Race, Transforming Feminist Disability Studies

This article envisions and details a critical framework we term feminist-of-color disability studies. In offering a feminist disability studies grounded in the genealogies of US feminist-of-color theory, we identify, challenge, and counter the tendency of feminist disability studies scholars to exclude the intellectual output of women and queers of color. We contend that feminists of color have long written and theorized on topics of illness, health, and disability, yet their vital insights remain largely disregarded by practitioners of feminist disability studies. Within the article, we detail critical methods and approaches essential to integrating race into feminist disability studies. Then, building upon Rosemarie Garland-Thomson’s groundbreaking “Integrating Disability, Transforming Feminist Theory,” we identify and discuss what we name as the central domains of feminist-of-color disability studies: discourse, state violence, health/care, and activism. Overall, this article aims to trace an alternate lineage of feminist disability studies that centralizes the scholarship of feminists of color by identifying potential sites of analysis and opportunities for cross-pollination as well as providing a substantive foundation for future feminist-of-color disability studies scholarship across a variety of disciplines.

Trends in the Mechanistic and Dynamic Modeling of Infectious Diseases.

The dynamics of infectious disease epidemics are driven by interactions between individuals with differing disease status (e.g., susceptible, infected, immune). Mechanistic models that capture the dynamics of such “dependent happenings” are a fundamental tool of infectious disease epidemiology. Recent methodological advances combined with access to new data sources and computational power have resulted in an explosion in the use of dynamic models in the analysis of emerging and established infectious diseases. Increasing use of models to inform practical public health decision making has challenged the field to develop new methods to exploit available data and appropriately characterize the uncertainty in the results. Here, we discuss recent advances and areas of active research in the mechanistic and dynamic modeling of infectious disease. We highlight how a growing emphasis on data and inference, novel forecasting methods, and increasing access to “big data” are changing the field of infectious disease dynamics. We showcase the application of these methods in phylodynamic research, which combines mechanistic models with rich sources of molecular data to tie genetic data to population-level disease dynamics. As dynamics and mechanistic modeling methods mature and are increasingly tied to principled statistical approaches, the historic separation between the infectious disease dynamics and “traditional” epidemiologic methods is beginning to erode; this presents new opportunities for cross pollination between fields and novel applications.

Value-driven product service systems development: Methods and industrial applications

In recent times a service-dominant logic is permeating the design of complex systems. However, in spite of their appeal, initiatives such as Product Service Systems (PSS) have not become mainstream, and methods are lacking to support this transition. This paper argues that methodological guidance, as well as tools for decision support, may be found in the research field of Value Driven Design (VDD), which originates in the realm of Systems Engineering. The paper objective is to elaborate on gaps and opportunities for cross-pollination between VDD and PSS. The results of a systematic review of methods and tools for design decision support highlight the opportunity for introducing optimization models derived from VDD in the PSS design process, while the latter can enrich VDD research with a more qualitative value assessment logic. The paper summarizes this integration in a methodological approach, and exemplifies its application in case studies mainly from the aerospace and road construction equipment sector.

Understanding Executive Leadership in Global Roles: What We Know and What We Need to Know

This symposium is focused on strategic leadership in global roles. It aims to offer opportunities for cross pollination and synthesis among the fields of leadership, global leadership, strategic le...

Expanding Value Driven Design to Meet Lean Product Service Development

The paper presents a discussion about gaps and opportunities for cross-pollination between Value Driven Design and Lean Product Service Development to promote the use of value-driven method and tools since the preliminary design stages. In particular the paper discusses how methods and tools developed in Value Driven Design have the potential to be applied in the preliminary design stage in the context of Lean Product Service Development. The paper concludes by defining a research area on Value Innovation method and tools for preliminary Lean Product Service Development.

Meeting Report: National Symposium on Infectious Agents and Cancer

The relationship between neoplasia and infectious agents has long been known, but has not been well understood. While knowledge of carcinogenic mechanisms, and of prevention and treatment options is increasing, it has often been generated in such a manner as to limit its dissemination among traditional disciplines and content areas. For example, knowledge about hepatitis B virus as a carcinogen and the development and uptake of vaccines to control transmission may not be fully understood by cervical cancer investigators who might use such knowledge to enhance the implementation of population-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Recognizing the need for increased knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners and policy specialists interested in infectious agents and cancer, the National Infectious Agents Committee of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer’s Primary Prevention Action Group organized a symposium in Toronto, Ontario, between March 11 and 12, 2010. The purpose of the event was to explore the existing body of knowledge in basic science, clinical interventions and policy work related to HPV, hepatitis B and C viruses, and Helicobacter pylori as cancer-causing agents, and to seek opportunities for cross-pollination or innovative investigations that may further enhance knowledge in these domains and stimulate the transition from research to action. The meeting brought together 54 experts from across the country, allowing for a diversity of perspectives from different fields and geographical regions. International speakers were also invited to showcase existing global best practices. The symposium covered the basic bioscience, epidemiology, clinical, public health and policy implications for each of these infectious agents as they relate to cancer. The present report summarizes the principal themes and ideas that emerged from the presentations and breakout group discussions during this symposium.

Human Rights as Peacemaker: An Integrative Theory of International Human Rights

International human rights law reflects a growing and evolving appreciation for the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. The human rights project has grown from its roots in Western society to a world embracing conversation, its rhetoric adopted even by those unwilling to support its values as the price of admission to the community of civilized nations.In their effort to enhance and expand the scope of human rights protections, advocates have increasingly reached beyond traditional human rights sources to include International humanitarian law (IHL) and international criminal law (ICL). This reflects an effort to both enhance the recognition of human rights even in situations of conflict and buttress human rights protections by drawing upon shared issues of concern and sanction (e.g. genocide, torture, discrimination, arbitrary arrest or detention, and due process). The existence of multiple legal regimes addressing similar issues offers fruitful opportunities for cross pollination, where the answers offered by one regime “may be borrowed and adapted to solve the challenges faced by another.” Efforts at expansion and integration based on the ideal of human dignity and worth, however, share a common flaw: they mistake means for motive. Human rights clearly express a moral dimension. For many the “human rights project seems to represent an endeavor of self-evident and self-confirming virtue.” Nonetheless, the human rights project did not originate solely as a movement of moral reform. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “[The] recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world...[w]hereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind….[I]f man is not to be compelled…to rebellion against tyranny and oppression… human rights should be protected by the rule of law.” Regardless of its inherent moral merits, human rights law as law emerged as a means of promoting and sustaining peaceful coexistence.To demonstrate the salience of this perspective, I will begin by reviewing the development of human rights, humanitarian law and international criminal law in light of how they promote peace by protecting human dignity. Based on the observation that the human rights project is an evolving process rather than the achievement of final goals or ends, this analysis will occur in three stages. I will start by tracing the emergence of each field up to World War II, exploring the development of the three central pillars of the human rights project: international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law. In part II, I will explore how World War II galvanized the international human rights project as an international project pushing towards greater and deeper integration of the three areas. Part III covers the development following the war. Finally, in part IV I will consider some of the implications of this new perspective on key issues of concern: the role of rule of law, democracy promotion, development and the challenge of cultural relativism.

Vibration Case Study: Master Planning and Design of a Science and Technology Park

Science and technology parks have become increasingly popular over the past few years in attracting research groups from diverse backgrounds, providing for opportunities for cross-pollination of various research disciplines, and acting as a favorable platform in limiting the risk and initial costs of start-up or incubator companies. During a recent engagement for site master planning and designing of a state-of-the-art research and technology park, the staff needed to overcome numerous challenges to provide for a vibration environment that would be acceptable for the range of anticipated research activities in the park and within each building while making provisions for future flexibility and phases of expansion. This paper presents (1) some of the constraints of the selected site, such as existing soil conditions and vibration exposure due to existing transportation facilities, that were documented by extensive site testing; (2) how vibration exposure maps developed for the site were used to aid in the proper master planning of the park; (3) other site planning efforts that were required to ensure new transportation facilities serving the park and parking facilities within research buildings were appropriately placed, and the limitations for such facilities; and (4) how research space layouts were developed, vibration criteria were selected, and building designs were developed to address anticipated research uses while making provisions for future flexibility.

The potential for hybridization between Typha angustifolia and Typha latifolia in a constructed wetland

Three Typha taxa are recognized in the central USA: native Typha latifolia (broad-leaved cattail), the invasive Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail), and a hybrid between the two species, Typha × glauca. Previous authors have suggested that interspecific hybridization is common in cattails. In a 6-year-old constructed wetland in central Ohio, USA, we found that T. angustifolia began flowering about 2 weeks earlier than T. latifolia, with female flowers opening several days earlier than male flowers. T. angustifolia shoots were 15 times more abundant and twice as dense as those of T. latifolia. Male flowers of T. angustifolia far outnumbered the male flowers of T. latifolia when the latter species began flowering, such that interspecific pollination was likely during the short period of overlap. DNA markers (RAPDs) were used to screen for hybrids. These markers corresponded well to other species-specific traits, such as pollen type (monads versus tetrads) and the presence or absence of a gap in the floral spike. We found no putative hybrids based on surveys involving molecular and/or morphological traits. Thus, we did not detect any gene flow between the cattail species, despite opportunities for cross-pollination and F 1 seedling establishment.

Teaching GIS as a Socially Constructed Technology

This essay addresses current debate concerning GIS education and its ability to situate GIS within a meaningful social context relevant to a wide spectrum of geographic interests. The ways in which standard GIS curricula can be refashioned to teach GIS as a socially constructed technology are explored. Drawing upon classroom and laboratory experiences situated within a framework inspired by cultural theories of science and technology, an alternative curriculum is proposed that both offers opportunities for cross-pollination into disciplinary areas traditionally not associated with GIS or quantitative approaches, and promises to hone unique marketable GIS skills.

Frequency and distance of pollen dispersal from transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

The objective of this study was to evaluate pollen dispersal inBrassica napus (oilseed rape). The selectable marker, used to follow pollen movement, was a dominant transgene (bar) conferring resistance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. Transgenic and non-transgenic plants of the cultivar Westar were planted in a 1.1 ha field trial, with the transgenic plants in a 9 m diameter circle at the centre, surrounded by non-transgenic plants to a distance of at least 47 m in all directions. A 1 m circle of non-transgenic plants was sown in the centre of the transgenic area to allow estimation of the level of pollen dispersal when plants were in close contact. Honeybee hives were placed at the trial site to optimize the opportunity for cross-pollination. During the flowering period, regular observations were made of the number of plants flowering and the number and type of insects present in 60 1 m2 areas. These areas were located uniformly around the plot at distances of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 47 m from the edge of the 9 m circle of transgenic plants. Seed samples were harvested from each of the 7 distances so that approximately 20% of the circumference of the plot was sampled at each distance. The centre non-transgenic circle was also sampled. Plants were grown from the seed samples and sprayed with glufosinate to estimate the frequency of pollen dispersal at each distance. In order to screen enough samples to detect low frequency cross-pollination events, seed samples were tested in the greenhouse and on a larger scale in the field. Results were confirmed by testing progeny for glufosinate resistance and by Southern blot analysis. The estimated percentage of pollen dispersal in the non-transgenic centre circle was 4.8%. The frequency was estimated to be 1.5% at a distance of 1 m and 0.4% at 3 m. The frequency decreased sharply to 0.02% at 12 m and was only 0.00033% at 47 m. No obvious directional effects were detected that could be ascribed to wind or insect activity.