Related Research Activities Research Articles

Evaluation of STEM Engagement Activities on the Attitudes and Perceptions of Mechanical Engineering S-STEM Scholars.

Since 2009, the mechanical engineering (ME) scholarship-science technology engineering and mathematics (S-STEM) Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has provided financial support and program activities to ME undergraduate students aiming at improving their retention and graduation rates. The objective of this study is to identify program activities that were most effective to help students for improvements. Current ME S-STEM scholars were asked to complete a survey that measures their scientific efficacy, engineering identity, expectations, integration, and sense of belonging, as well as how program activities impact their attitudes and perceptions. Analyses of 36 collected surveys showed that scholars reported high levels of engineering identity, expectations, and sense of belonging. However, further improvements were needed to help students in achieving scientific efficacy and academic integration into the program. Results demonstrated that pro-active mentoring was the most effective method contributing to positive attitudes and perceptions. The implemented S-STEM research-related activities and internship were viewed favorably by the scholars in helping them establish their scientific efficacy and engineering identity, and understand their expectations and goals. Community building activities were considered helpful for them to integrate into campus life and improve their sense of belonging to the campus and program. Scholars identified mentoring, research related activities, internships, and social interaction with faculty and their peers as important factors for their retention and graduation. Although the sample size was small in the study, we believe that the cost-effective activities identified could be adopted by other institutions to further improve students' retention and graduation rates in engineering programs.

An updated overview of Canada's hydrogen related research and development activities

Finding nature-friendly replacements for fossil-fuels based energy sources are considered vital, and such a task becomes critical for sustainable development. In this regard, hydrogen carries a significant weight potentially and becomes an essential driver in transitioning the economic sectors to carbon-free ones. While the world experiences this kind of transition with hydrogen, Canada appears to be among top ten countries conducting research, development and innovation activities extensively on hydrogen and intending to make hydrogen a key player in their green energy transition. In this study, the contributions of Canadian academic institutions, research centers and other organizations to hydrogen-related research, development and innovation activities over the last fifty years are studied and evaluated comparatively. A comprehensive literature search is conducted to identify the number of hydrogen-related research articles, books, dissertations, patents and funded projects affiliated with Canadian institutes. The findings are presented graphically and discussed from various perspectives. The conducted literature search results show that Canadian institutes have contributed to hydrogen research with a total of 112,454 scholarly publications from 1971 to 2021. During period, the number of hydrogen-related academic articles and books has become 108,437 and 2995, respectively. In the subject area of energy, the relatively young Canadian institution, Ontario Tech University, has contributed the highest to hydrogen research in Canada by producing about 11% of academic articles and about 27% of books, book chapters, and editorials in the subject matter field of hydrogen research and development activities.

A Pattern Approach to Comprehensible and Pleasant Human–Robot Interaction

HRI designers are faced with the task of creating robots that are easy and pleasant to use for the users. The growing body of research in human–robot interaction (HRI) is still mainly focused on technical aspects of the interaction. It lacks defined guidelines that describe how behavioral expressions for social robots need to be designed to promote high usability and positive user experience. To achieve this goal, we propose to apply the concept of design patterns to HRI. We present a design process that provides step-by-step guidance and methods for HRI designers to generate high quality behavioral patterns for social robots that can be used for different robots and use cases. To document the resulting patterns, we developed a documentation format that provides a clear, standardized structure to note down all relevant aspects of a pattern so that others can understand its design recommendations and apply them to their own robot and use cases. In the present paper, we demonstrate our pattern approach based on an example and describe how we arrived at a pattern language of 40 behavioral patterns that found the basis for future social robot design and related research activities.

A risk assessment tool for resumption of research activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has suspended many non-COVID-19 related research activities. Where restarting research activities is permitted, investigators need to evaluate the risks and benefits of resuming data collection and adapt procedures to minimize risk. In the context of the multicountry Household Air Pollution Intervention (HAPIN) trial, we developed a framework to assess the risk of each trial activity and to guide protective measures. Our goal is to maximize integrity of reseach aims while minimizing infection risk based on the latest understanding of the virus. METHODS: We drew on a combination of expert consultations, risk assessment frameworks, institutional guidance and literature to develop our framework. We then systematically graded clinical, behavioral, laboratory and field environmental health research activities in four countries for both adult and child subjects using this framework. RESULTS:Our framework assesses risk based on staff proximity to the participant, exposure time between staff and participants, and potential aerosolization while performing the activity. One of of four risk levels, from minimal to unacceptable, is assigned and guidance on protective measures is provided. Those activities which can potentially aerosolize the virus are deemed the highest risk. CONCLUSIONS:By applying a systematic, procedure-specific approach to risk assessment for each trial activity, we can compare trial activities using the same criteria. This approach allows us to protect our participants and research team and to uphold our ability to deliver on the research commitments we have made to our participants, local communities, and funders. KEYWORDS: International collaboration, Risk assessment

SARS-Cov-2 Viral Kinetics in Mild COVID-19 Patients Treated with Chloroquine Regimens or Standard of Care

This study measures the impact of chloroquine (CQ) therapy in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load in infected individuals and hence its transmissibility by describing changes in nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RNA kinetics in patients receiving standard of care (SOC) or CQ +/- ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r). The nasopharyngeal (NP) samples were collected from mild COVID-19 patients admitted at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute between March and April of 2020. These patients either received SOC, or a high dose of CQ with loading dose, or high dose of CQ plus LPV/r. The samples were tested at AFRIMS using a quantitative RT-PCR assay. Levels of CQ in the plasma were measured 6 days post initiation of their treatment. In some instances, viral isolation was attempted to determine SARS-CoV-2 viability. Analyses of the clinical outcomes showed that CQ +/- lopinavir did not contribute significantly to decreasing the number of days with detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Viral NP GEs declined faster in the CQ group, but benefits diminished rapidly with delays in treatment initiation. Funding Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (GEIS-AFHSB) for all research-related activities at the AFRIMS

Hybrid Rocket Engine Design Optimization at Politecnico di Torino: A Review

Optimization of Hybrid Rocket Engines at Politecnico di Torino began in the 1990s. A comprehensive review of the related research activities carried out in the last three decades is here presented. After a brief introduction that retraces driving motivations and the most significant steps of the research path, the more relevant aspects of analysis, modeling and achieved results are illustrated. First, criteria for the propulsion system preliminary design choices (namely the propellant combination, the feed system and the grain design) are summarized and the engine modeling is presented. Then, the authors describe the in-house tools that have been developed and used for coupled trajectory and propulsion system design optimization. Both deterministic and robust-based approaches are presented. The applications that the authors analyzed over the years, starting from simpler hybrid powered sounding rocket to more complex multi-stage launchers, are then presented. Finally, authors’ conclusive remarks on the work done and their future perspective in the context of the optimization of hybrid rocket propulsion systems are reported.

Client and staff experiences assessing adverse childhood experiences in a clinical setting: Results from the First Nations ACE Study

BackgroundConducting culturally-relevant research with Indigenous populations requires a balance of approaches that benefit Indigenous communities, while perceiving and mitigating the potential risk of harm when engaging in research-related activities. Reducing the burden of research is especially useful for research with Indigenous populations as ongoing systemic marginalization and discrimination through historical colonial practices may result in a higher likelihood of experiencing harm from research activities. One way to ensure that stakeholder experiences with the research processes are not burdensome, and to understand how study implementation practices are perceived across research teams, supporting organizations, and individual participants is to build this into the study method. ObjectiveThe current study describes stakeholder experiences within a broader research study, entitled the First Nations ACE Study, which examined early childhood experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous people seeking treatment for substance use. Participants and settingFive treatment centre staff participated in ongoing consultations with the research team and described their experiences within a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) study. MethodA document review of client satisfaction questionnaires of seventy-five participants provided quantitative feedback on experiences in addition to qualitative interviews with staff. ResultsOverall, experiences of both treatment centre staff and clients were generally positive. Additional results described the importance of continuous stakeholder participation, and ongoing study adaptations to remain aligned with CBPR approaches as pressure for expediency and convenience have the potential to encroach upon CBPR values. The study method was described to mitigate participant and staff burden, as well as risk of participant harm. ConclusionsDirections for future research are discussed, including discussion of modifications that will be made to future iterations of the presented research study.

Numerical Simulation and Non-Destructive Characterization of Material Property and Defect Analysis of Cortical Bone Using Laser Ultrasound Techniques.

The application of bone quality assessment has received extensive attention, and a large number of researchers continue to invest in related research activities. To get closer to the real situation, this study intends to investigate the long bones of cattle. A quantitative laser ultrasound visualization (QLUV) system was used to measure the images transmitted by the guided waves on the long bones, and the internal defects of the long bones were detected using wave propagation behavior. Then, linear scanning was performed through a laser ultrasound technique (LUT) to measure the dispersion curve of the cortical bone, and the results were compared with finite element simulations. Further, LUT was used to measure the material properties of the cortical bone in all directions. Finally, the long bones were scanned by computerized tomography to analyze the pore direction and distribution. Further, the relationship between pore direction and material properties was studied. The results showed that the obtained wave propagation image was consistent with the time-domain waveform signal and the finite element analysis results. The experimental and simulation results of wave velocity showed an error of 0.26 to 1.56% compared with the literature. The plate-shaped cortical bone showed that the phase velocity of the guided wave is higher than the circumferential direction. The defect location was identified through wave propagation behavior using the QLUV system. The elastic constant of the cortical bone was measured, and it showed the same trend as the results obtained from the tensile test in the literature. Also, the pore distribution indicated that the cortical bone porosity has the same trend as elastic constants. The elastic constants along the longitudinal direction were greater than the transversal direction. This laser ultrasound technique has been developed with an aim of having a better resolution and also as a potential application in osteoporosis conditions.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical research activities: Survey of study participants and health care workers participating in a hypertension trial in Vietnam.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound worldwide impact. Vietnam, a lower middle-income country with limited resources, has successfully slowed this pandemic. The objectives of this report are to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the research activities of an ongoing hypertension trial using a storytelling intervention in Vietnam.MethodsData were collected in a mixed-methods study among 86 patients and 10 health care workers participating in a clinical trial designed to improve hypertension control. Several questions related to the impact of COVID-19 on patient’s daily activities and adherence to the study interventions were included in the follow-up visits. A focus group discussion was conducted among health care workers to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on research related activities.ResultsFewer patients in the intervention group reported that they faced difficulties in adhering to prescribed study interventions, wanted to receive a call from a dedicated hotline, or have a visit from a community health worker as compared with those in the comparison group. Most study patients are willing to participate in future health research studies. When asked about the potential use of mobile phones in health research studies, fewer patients in the intervention group felt comfortable using a mobile phone for the delivery of intervention and interviews compared with those in the comparison condition. Community health workers shared that they visited patient’s homes more often than previously due to the pandemic and health care workers had to perform more virus containment activities without a corresponding increase in ancillary staff.ConclusionsBoth patients and health care workers in Vietnam faced difficulties in adhering to recommended trial interventions and procedures. Multiple approaches for intervention delivery and data collection are needed to overcome these difficulties during future health crises and enhance the implementation of future research studies.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. Registration number: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03590691 (registration date July 17, 2018).

The Academic Profession in Canada

There is little research on the socialization of doctoral students in Canada. Using data collected as part of the Canadian sample of the Academic Professions in the Knowledge Society project, this paper explores the reported doctoral experience of full-time academic faculty in Canadian universities who were ‘successfully’ socialized to the role of scholar, to find potential factors affecting doctoral experience and career progression. This paper suggests that financial and faculty support are key to doctoral success. With disciplinary nuance alive and thriving, many contemporary doctoral students may be subject to unfair disadvantages, which may be of the underlying reasons for high attrition from doctoral programs. Results indicate teaching continues to be an overlooked aspect of doctoral training, in favor of research; the associated faculty support which often accompanies research, along with the potential for funding for the research-related activity, may be a significant factor in socialization.

Nursing and Midwifery Students’ Attitudes Towards Research: A Descriptive Study

Background: Some studies found that nurses are not actively involved in research. To address this issue, it is important to investigate the structure of training that nurses got while at school of nursing. To promote evidence-based practice, nursing and midwifery students must be actively involved in research. Several studies have reported on the attitude of nursing students towards research in different countries. However, no study has assessed attitude of both nursing and midwifery students towards research in Nigeria, using a valid and reliable measure- attitude towards research scale. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess diploma nursing and midwifery students’ attitude towards research, and their participation in research-related activities. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used to conduct the study, where 91 nursing and midwifery students who were purposively selected, provided data for the study. Students in graduating classes were included in the study. Papanastasiou’s (2005) Attitude Towards Research scale questionnaire was adopted and used to collect data from participants. Ethical approvals were received from research ethics committee at School of Nursing Ilaro and research ethics committees at other participating institutions. Results: Majority of participants were females, and nursing students. Most participants agreed that research was useful in their career. However, they perceived research to be stressful, complicated, difficult and a complex subject. About 63% of participants had positive attitude towards research while 37% have negative attitude. Nonetheless, only 39% participated in research-related activities. Conclusions: Students’ participation in research-related activities was low. Nursing and midwifery faculties should adopt measures including research workshops, seminars, and conferences to improve student participation in research.

Overview of Canada's energy storage related research activities: A perspective

Overview of Canada's energy storage related research activities: A perspective

Professional learning and development needs of Chinese university-based physical education teacher educators

ABSTRACT This study examines the professional learning and development (PLD) needs of Chinese university-based physical education teacher educators (PETEds) and their views about effective ways to address them. This is significant given the limited research exploring this group. A European-wide survey was translated and distributed in China, receiving 251 responses of PETEds from 28 provinces. We found that the majority of PETEds had a strong desire to undertake further PLD in three areas: subject knowledge and didactics with particular emphasis on professional training in specific types of sports, research related academic activities and institutional activities. They preferred formal learning programmes as well as international learning activities to address these needs. The cost of the activities was the most significant factor influencing their engagement. We recommend paying closer attention to the PLD needs of specific subject area groups of teacher educators.

Mentoring undergraduate nursing students in palliative home care research

BackgroundEngaging nursing students in research is essential to enhance evidence-based practice in nursing. PurposeThis paper outlines undergraduate students' research experiences with palliative care research team at a School of Nursing in rural Appalachia through the Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Students engage in research endeavors at the early stage of their education. MethodsEach principal investigator (PI) provided a synopsis of the research project through RAP. RAP staff reviewed all students' applications and notified the PI mentor based on students' research interests. Once students and PIs agree to work together, specific trainings are initiated, including enrolling students in an introductory research course. FindingsStudents were engaged in a variety of research related activities. Disruption on research activities during COVID-19 pandemic was also reported and addressed. DiscussionStudents shared the benefits and research challenges they experienced. Lessons learned can be adapted to mentoring plans for students in the future.

Chinese higher education-based physical education teacher educators’ professional learning needs for involvement in research activities

ABSTRACT Research activity is one of the key professional learning needs noted by teacher educators working in higher education. The purpose of this study is to explore what research activities Chinese higher education-based physical education teacher educators (PETEds) prioritised and, in turn, expressed their aligned research-related professional learning needs. A sample of 15 Chinese higher education-based PETEds was interviewed. The results conveyed that Chinese PETEds had a strong desire to avail of research-related professional learning activities, with the majority prioritising peer-review publication. The motives for PETEds to be involved in research tend to be extrinsic to the individual and include pressures aligned to the evaluation of their academic position and institute requirements. PETEds who entered teacher education with a PhD were expected and supported to do research, while PETEds without a PhD requested opportunities to undertake a PhD abroad. While it was easier for PETEds to undertake collaborative research with a research group within their faculty/department, there was a lack of collaborative research external to the faculty/department as well as a lack of international collaboration.

A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL RESEARCH OUTPUTS ON SEAFOOD AND ANTIBIOTICS (1999 – 2019)

This study is aimed at investigating the global trend in research activities involving seafood and antibiotics based on published research output articles. Peer reviewed articles published in the last two decades involving seafood and antibiotics were searched on the Scopus database using the search words “seafood” and “antibiotics’’. The retrieved data were then analyzed based on the total research outputs, countries and affiliation of authors, sources of funding, keywords used by the authors, citations and collaborations using both add-on analytical tool, Microsoft Excel and VOS viewer for data visualization. A total of 447 research outputs by 710 authors affiliated with 1173 institutions from 74 countries using 1051 keywords were obtained. Original research articles accounted for the highest percentage (87.7%) and published across 166 different peer-reviewed journals. Most of the original research articles were published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology 27(16.3%). Khan, A. A. from the Division of Microbiology; National Centre for Toxicological Research, United States, was the most productive author with 10 (2.2%) publications while the National Natural Science Foundation of China was the highest funding institution with 22 (4.9%) and the United States of America was the most productive with 91 (20.4%) research outputs followed by China with 70 (15.7%) research outputs. Over the last two decades (1999 – 2019), there has been an exponential (r2=0.91) increase in seafood and antibiotics related research activities. The majority of these research activities were from America, Asia and Europe. There is need for international scientific collaboration between the leading researchers and researchers from developing countries in seafood research to help mitigate food loss, enhance food security, and increase the productivity of early career researchers.

Postgraduate pharmacology curriculum in current scenario and future prospects: an educational forum

In India Doctorate of Medicine (MD) pharmacology is primarily knowledge oriented based on teaching, seminars, lectures and research related activities including animals and paper-based experiments and day to day management of undergraduate classes. MD pharmacology student should be competent of both clinical and experimental pharmacology. So, the postgraduate pharmacology curriculum should be competent to meet all the job requirements. Therefore, medical council of India (MCI) has introduced new post graduate curriculum which is based on knowledge, practical, clinical skills, thesis skills, and attitudes including communication and training in research. In India demand for skilled clinical research professionals is increasing day by day for growing pharma industries and good academician. So, there is an urgent need for the experienced and skilled pharmacologist to fulfil the requirements. MD pharmacology students should get posting in different clinical departments and observatory posting in industry, clinical research organization (CRO), regulatory body and research organisations. The course of MD Pharmacology should be like that fulfil all the skills that a pharmacologist must have.

SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR ACADEMIC PROGRESS: EVIDENCE FROM BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACULTIES OF HEIs IN AN EMERGING ECONOMY

Purpose of the study: Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) are prudent and play a dynamic role in the advancement of quality in higher education. This study examined the role and significance of QEC's in HEIs in an emerging economy like Pakistan.
 Methodology: This study is conducted on the perceived benefits of Self-Assessment Reports (SARs) to have an initial guideline for further investigation on the role of QECs. The research model for this study has been formulated from the outcomes of SARs devised in a previous similar study. The model was evaluated through quantitative analysis using SmartPLS, determining SARs benefits associated with academia and students.
 Main Findings: The empirical findings indicated that faculty perception regarding SARs and their benefits are positive and the relationship between the assessed variables is significant.
 Applications of this study: The study findings will benefit the policymakers in HEIs to induct SARs as an organizational development tool.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This research is novel in its nature as limited research work regarding SAR and QEC evaluation in Pakistan has hindered the research-related activities and strategic planning in this area.

Twelve tips for successfully getting involved in research as a medical student

Medical research is a highly competitive yet vital part of medical training, spanning all specialties. Extra-curricular, research-related activities are a key method by which students develop interest in their field of choice, and a competitive edge in medical students. The lack of research education and opportunities within medical school teaching tends to force medical students to look beyond their degree to obtain this experience, and is often the reason why students have little research involvement whilst in medical school. Self-reflecting on one’s personality and suitability for different types of research is vital, as well as understanding the nature of research and preparing appropriately before undertaking projects. This paper presents twelve tips for medical students who are interested in pursuing research, offering targeted strategies to get involved.

A risk assessment tool for resumption of research activities during the COVID-19 pandemic for field trials in low resource settings

RationaleThe spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has suspended many non-COVID-19 related research activities. Where restarting research activities is permitted, investigators need to evaluate the risks and benefits of resuming data collection and adapt procedures to minimize risk.ObjectivesIn the context of the multicountry Household Air Pollution Intervention (HAPIN) trial conducted in rural, low-resource settings, we developed a framework to assess the risk of each trial activity and to guide protective measures. Our goal is to maximize the integrity of reseach aims while minimizing infection risk based on the latest scientific understanding of the virus.MethodsWe drew on a combination of expert consultations, risk assessment frameworks, institutional guidance and literature to develop our framework. We then systematically graded clinical, behavioral, laboratory and field environmental health research activities in four countries for both adult and child subjects using this framework. National and local government recommendations provided the minimum safety guidelines for our work.ResultsOur framework assesses risk based on staff proximity to the participant, exposure time between staff and participants, and potential viral aerosolization while performing the activity. For each activity, one of four risk levels, from minimal to unacceptable, is assigned and guidance on protective measures is provided. Those activities that can potentially aerosolize the virus are deemed the highest risk.ConclusionsBy applying a systematic, procedure-specific approach to risk assessment for each trial activity, we were able to protect our participants and research team and to uphold our ability to deliver on the research commitments we have made to our staff, participants, local communities, and funders. This framework can be tailored to other research studies conducted in similar settings during the current pandemic, as well as potential future outbreaks with similar transmission dynamics.The trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT02944682 on October 26. 2016 .