Research Association Research Articles

Validation Studies a Questionnaire Developed to Measure Incubator Business Technology Performance using PLS-SEM Approach

This research aims to collect data nationally using a questionnaire based on statements related to the performance factors of the Technology Business Incubator in Indonesia. This research uses the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method to test the validity and reliability of adapted scales. There are five stages starting with an outer model test to test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire's feasibility. The population in this research are organizations that are affiliated with the Indonesian Business Incubator Association (AIBI) and Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, including business incubators belonging to ministries, local governments, the private sector and universities, there are 182 Technology Business Incubators in Indonesia. Testing in this research looks at whether the questions in the questionnaire are valid or not by going through two stages of convergent validity and discriminant validity. The first stage is convergent validity that aim of finding out the correlation between indicators and their latent variables. The second stage is discriminant validity which aims to find out whether the latent variable has adequate discriminant value and this was done to find out whether the statement items in the questionnaire were reliable and consistent in measuring the same symptoms in respondents. This research looks at the results of convergent validity analysis to consider the results of factor loading indicators on relevant factors, the results of testing the validity of all factors with a value greater than 0.50, one of which is an AVE value of 0.550, indicating that the indicators in these variables have a strong contribution in measuring the desired construct, and the reliability test of all variables is reliable because it exceeds 0.70, one of which is the facility variable which has a value of 0.858.

Tissue specific tumor-gene link prediction through sampling based GNN using a heterogeneous network.

A tissue sample is a valuable resource for understanding a patient's symptoms and health status in relation to tumor growth. Recent research seeks to establish a connection between tissue-specific tumor samples and genetic markers (genes). This breakthrough has paved the way for personalized cancer therapies. With this motivation, the proposed model constructs a heterogeneous network based on tumor sample-gene relation data and gene-gene interaction data. This network also incorporates tissue-specific gene expression and primary site-based gene counts as features, enabling tissue-specific predictions. Graph neural networks (GNNs) have proven effective in modeling complex interactions and predicting links within this network. The proposed model has successfully predicted tumor-gene associations by leveraging sampling-based GNNs and link layer embedding. The model's performance metrics, such as AUC-ROC scores, reached approximately 94%, demonstrating the potential of this heterogeneous network in predicting tissue-specific tumor sample-gene links. This paper's findings highlight the importance of tissue-specific associations in cancer research.

Children's Leukemia Research Association research grants

Children's Leukemia Research Association research grants

"A perfect storm": Autistic experiences of menopause and midlife.

Previous studies report that menopause can be a very difficult transition for some autistic people. This study focuses on how autistic people experience menopause and what support and information might help them. Autistic Community Research Associates played an important role in the research and co-authored this article. We held four focus groups and eight interviews online with 24 autistic participants who lived in either Canada (n = 13) or the United Kingdom (n = 11). We analysed participant conversations using a method called reflexive thematic analysis. Participants described many intense challenges during menopause. Four themes and eight subthemes were identified across participant groups: (1) Complexity, multiplicity and intensity of symptoms (0 subthemes); (2) Life experience and adversity converging at midlife (three subthemes); (3) The importance of knowledge and connection (two subthemes); and (4) Barriers to support and care (three subthemes). The experiences of our participants may not be the same as other autistic people, and the study could have been more inclusive of diverse autistic groups. However, hearing about the experiences of others may provide reassurance to autistic people who struggle with menopause and let them know they are not alone.

A two-point fatigue strength assessment for surface-hardened notched components under consideration of residual stresses based on the local strain approach

The “Guideline non-linear” of the German Research Association for Mechanical Engineering provides a fatigue strength assessment for machine components based on the local strain approach. Currently, this assessment is limited to homogeneous components and without the possibility to consider residual stresses. The methods are thus inadequate for surface-hardened components, where the presence of material inhomogeneity and the introduced residual stresses significantly impacts fatigue life and the potential failure origin. In the following paper, an adaptation of the proof of structural durability of the guideline is shown, that firstly includes a two-point assessment and the estimation of load cycles to crack initiation at two failure-relevant points simultaneously. This enables the consideration of inhomogeneous material states, since the failure of surface-hardened components may initiate from the notch root as well as from the transition area between the low-strength core material and the high-strength surface layer. Secondly, the consideration of the residual stress state for both failure-relevant points is also introduced as part of the adapted fatigue strength assessment.

Navigating Ethics: Insights into External Auditor Compliance from Financial Managers and Internal Auditors in Jordanian Companies

This study aims to assess to what extent Jordanian external auditors comply with the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, as perceived by financial managers and internal auditors. The hypotheses are tested using one sample and an independent sample t-test for a sample of 53 industrial public shareholding companies listed on the Amman stock exchange during 2020–2023. The study utilized the survey instruments to collect the necessary data from 200 participants. The findings show that the external auditor complies with the code of professional ethics at a high to moderate level per the Relative Important Index from the viewpoint of both financial managers and internal auditors. Moreover, the outcomes also show there are no significant variances between their beliefs regarding the adherence of external auditors to the code of ethics. The study consequences indicate that the enacted regulations that organize the work of the auditors can effectively enhance the compliance of Jordanian auditors with the code of professional ethics. Nevertheless, it emphasized the need for more shared efforts for more compliance with professional ethics in the auditing profession. The study suggests Many recommendations to enhance auditors’ compliance such as continuous oversight of auditor compliance from the Jordanian Association of Certified Public Accountants, ethical awareness, research and development in the area of ethics, and training programs to explain ethical complexities. This study assures the importance of enhancing ethical compliance in the auditing profession in an emerging country to increase public trust, attract investment, and improve financial statements integrity.

Chen Han-seng, the Institute of Pacific Relations, and Changing Ideas About the Chinese Rural Economy

Abstract The famous sociologist, economist, and historian Chen Han-seng was the founder of the Agrarian China Research Association, publishing influential studies on industrial production and class relations, and their effect on peasant living standards. Through the Institute of Pacific Relations (ipr), Chen engaged in a theoretical dialogue with liberal intellectuals and responded to American, British, and Soviet theories about Chinese society and rural China. Unlike American ipr scholars, such as John Lossing Buck, whose agenda was to investigate the consumer power of Chinese peasants, Chen’s study of living standards emphasized their production capability and the role usury played in it. And unlike the ipr British economists, such as R. H. Tawney, who were generally optimistic about Chinese rural industry, Chen’s research proved Chinese industrialization to be unsustainable and to lower peasant living standards. In reaction to these American and British scholars, Chen tactically changed his concept of “living standards” and developed his own theory of Chinese rural economics.

Preface

This Special Issue presents selected contributions from the WindEurope Annual Event 2024 Conference that took place 20-22 March in Bilbao. A total of 23 papers are included, addressing one (or more) of the conference themes:• Resource assessment• Turbine technology• Wind farm: installation and operations• Floating offshore wind• Digitalisation• Environmental sustainability and social acceptance• Grid and system integration• Renewable hydrogen and Power-to-X. Conference Committee for the Scientific Program • Amir R. Nejad, Professor, NTNU• Nicolaos Cutululis, Professor, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)• Simon Watson, Professor, Delft University of Technology• Julia Gottschall, Chief Scientist, Fraunhofer IWES• A. Mehrad Kazemi Amiri, Research Associate, Strathclyde University• Jan Helsen, Professor, Vrije Universiteit BrusselWe thank all, more than 30, reviewers for their engagement and effort, without which these proceedings would not have been possible. As with previous WindEurope events, the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE) has been responsible for organizing the review process for scientific contributions and has contributed to the development of the conference sessions. WindEurope has been responsible for the organization and logistics of the conference, and we thank their highly professional staff and their associates for the excellent collaboration. Proceedings editor Amir R. Nejad, Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Advocacy for Equity Around Evidence-Based Treatments: Overview and Proceedings of the AMERSA 2023 Conference.

This commentary provides an overview of the 2023 Association of Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) annual conference: Advocacy for Equity Around Evidence-Based Treatments, held from November 1 to 4, 2023, in Washington, DC. The conference featured 9 interactive workshops, 106 oral abstract presentations, and 130 posters. From the preconference workshop to plenary sessions, paper, and poster presentations, there was a focus on addressing imbalanced social systems and structures underlying disparities. In the face of increasing drug overdose deaths, diminished access to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery supports for racial and ethnic minorities, there is a pressing need for advocacy for equity around evidence-based treatments.

The 2022 Incentive Award of the Okayama Medical Association in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research (2022 Sunada Prize)

The 2022 Incentive Award of the Okayama Medical Association in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research (2022 Sunada Prize)

125 Insights from a Process Improvement Co-op in the Development of an Informed Consent Professional Certificate (ICPC) Course

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The objectives of the ICPC Course were 1) to define elements needed to 'build' a solid framework for the creation of an effective informed consent document; 2) to examine various regulatory references and their importance in the context of the informed consent process; and 3) to review helpful tips and best practices of the informed consent process. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This 7-week course was a multi-disciplinary effort by the Miami CTSI, the Regulatory and Monitoring Support Office and the Human Subjects Research Office (HSRO), as part of their co-op partnership. The CTSI’s Network of Clinical Research Professionals (NCRP) (over 1995 members and established to offer and enhance education, training, and overall career development and networking for the U’s diverse research workforce) served as the target audience. The lead HSRO official was the course content developer and served as instructor. The Director of the HSRO served as the certificate & program coordinator. Additionally, this course indirectly fulfilled part of the requirements of the Institution’s AAHRPP re-accreditation. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 70 persons attended all sessions and received their certificate. A post-course survey was deployed (n=70). 69 respondents were extremely satisfied with course content; 67 were likely to recommend the course to a colleague. Feedback highlights include: appreciation for time taken to organize/offer the course; presenter knowledge and preparation; and that case studies/examples were up-to-date and applicable. As an added incentive to participate in the course, both the School of Nursing and the Medical School provided CEU credits and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) accepted documentation of candidate participation in continuing education programs for recertification. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Based on a need identified through a multi-disciplinary process, a successful Informed Consent Professional Certificate Course was created and implemented. Respondents indicate extremely high satisfaction with the course and felt it was very relevant and applicable to their practice.

120 Impact of Undergraduate Clinical Research Experience: Highlighting the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Associates Program (CTSI-RAP)

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: CTSI-RAP is a professional development program that provides undergraduate students with clinical research exposure and training. Students support UCLA research faculty by assisting with all aspects of the research process, including recruiting participants, data management, and presentations. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: CTSI-RAP onboards a 15-20 volunteer student cohort annually in a competitive application and interview process with less than a 10% acceptance rate. Since the inaugural cohort in 2013, over 160 students have participated. The program engages hundreds of students each year through the recruitment process, campus clinical research events, and student-led conference opportunities. Evaluation surveys developed through REDCap in 2022 sought to assess the program’s impact on undergraduate experiences, professional development, and post-graduate careers. Surveys distributed to investigators and their study teams evaluated the student’s clinical research knowledge and engaged student involvement. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Based on evaluation surveys, the CTSI-RAP program received excellent reviews from both students and their assigned study teams. 100% of students and faculty would recommend the program to a friend or colleague. 30% of students present or publish annually, indicating a wealth of meaningful contributions made by students. 90% of students go on to attend medical school, health-related graduate school, or other health-related employment. Several students continue working in clinical research through gap-year employment. As demonstrated by the high caliber of student and faculty experiences, CTSI-RAP has created an esteemed and valued symbiotic infrastructure to support clinical research endeavors at UCLA. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Through clinical research career exploration and professional skill-building in undergraduate careers, the CTSI-RAP program produces highly-trained future leaders in the field and benefits the capacity of UCLA research. CTSI-RAP provides a model for similar programs to be funded and implemented in other institutions.

Expert consensus on thermal ablation of papillary thyroid cancer (2024 edition)

Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been promoted in clinical practice over the past few years. Thermal ablation has the advantages of being minimally invasive, effective, and safe. However, current guidelines and consensus only focus on low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. With growing clinical application and accumulating scientific research in thermal ablation for PTC, there is considerable evidence to demonstrate that thermal ablation can treat larger PTC tumors and benefit more patients with PTC. To expand the indications and standardize the technical details and perioperative patient management for PTC ablation, experts from the Society of Tumor Ablation Therapy of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Ablation Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), Chinese Medical Doctor Association College of Interventionalists Tumor Ablation Committee, and Chinese Bethune Spirit Research Association Endocrinology and Diabetes Branch Interventional Endocrine Committee discussed and developed a consensus on thermal ablation of PTC based on the latest research results. This consensus aims to promote the rapid development of thermal ablation for PTC in the clinic.

The future is here: digital technologies in social work practice

The Decisions, Assessment and Risk Special Interest Group of the European Social Work Research Association (DARSIG) dedicated a pre-conference event at the 2023 European Conference for Social Work Research in Milan, Italy, to the application of innovations using big data and machine-learning algorithms in social work risk assessment and decision-making processes. Here, we share some ideas from these discussions.

Timelines for Return to Different Sports Types After Eight Cervical Spine Fractures in Recreational and Elite Athletes: A Survey of the Association for Collaborative Spine Research.

Prospective cross-sectional survey. To identify timelines for when athletes may be considered safe to return to varying athletic activities after sustaining cervical spine fractures. While acute management and detection of cervical spine fractures have been areas of comprehensive investigation, insight into timelines for when athletes may return to different athletic activities after sustaining such fractures is limited. A web-based survey was administered to members of the Association for Collaborative Spine Research that consisted of surgeon demographic information and questions asking when athletes (recreational vs elite) with one of 8 cervical fractures would be allowed to return to play noncontact, contact, and collision sports treated nonoperatively or operatively. The third part queried whether the decision to return to sports was influenced by the type of fixation or the presence of radiculopathy. Thirty-three responses were included for analysis. For all 8 cervical spine fractures treated nonoperatively and operatively, significantly longer times to return to sports for athletes playing contact or collision sports compared with recreational and elite athletes playing noncontact sports, respectively (P< 0.05), were felt to be more appropriate. Comparing collision sports with contact sports for recreational and elite athletes, similar times for return to sports for nearly all fractures treated nonoperatively or operatively were noted. In the setting of associated radiculopathy, the most common responses for safe return to play were "when only motor deficits resolve completely" and "when both motor and sensory deficits resolve completely." In this survey of spine surgeons from the Association for Collaborative Spine Research, reasonable timeframes for return to play for athletes with 8 different cervical spine fractures treated nonoperatively or operatively varied based on fracture subtype and level of sporting physicality.

The Second Garhwal Expedition of the St. Petersburg Association of Scientists &amp; Scholars (the Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India, May 2023)

This paper briefl y describes the interdisciplinary biogeographical expedition to the Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand state (India) in May 2023. It was organized by the Center for Himalayan Research of the St. Petersburg Association of Scientists &amp; Scholars (SPASS) and took place under the fl ag of the Russian Association of Researchers of the Himalaya and Tibet. This was the 7th expedition of SPASS to the Western Himalaya and the 2nd expedition of SPASS to Garhwal. Participants explored the eastern part of this region west of the Nanda Devi mountain from the Indo- Gangetic Plain to the southern foot of the Transhimalaya (Zanskar Range, 4330 m). Observations were made and materials were collected in the fi elds of botany, zoology (entomology, herpetology), hydrobiology and microbiology.

Design and validation of initial diagnostic tests for preservice teachers as a tool for teacher education effectiveness

ABSTRACT Teacher education quality and effectiveness have been at the centre of policy discussions in the last decades. As part of efforts to improve teacher preparation, law 20.903 requires Chilean universities to design and apply diagnostic tests assessing the construct of their choice to all first-year preservice teachers. Based on these results, universities must design strategies to support their students. However, universities are facing challenges in implementing these tests, primarily due to the complexity, time and cost associated with developing high-quality tests. In collaboration with three universities, we developed three diagnostic tests: Social Thinking Test, Attitudes Towards Diversity Questionnaire, and Mathematics test for Teaching in Primary Education. Unlike many of the tests currently used by universities, these instruments were specifically designed to measure core teaching skills and attitudes defined by the national standards for Chilean teachers. To collect validity and reliability evidence, the tests were piloted with over 850 Chilean preservice teachers. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha, with results ranging between 0.67 and 0.92. Validity was examined based on content and internal structure evidence. The analysis of content evidence indicated good coverage of the target domains as defined by the assessment frameworks, and internal structure results point towards the presence of multidimensionality in two of the three tests. This paper discusses the results of these pilot studies and how diagnostic tests that are constructed and analysed from the perspective of the standards (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association y National Council on Measurement in Education, 2014) can provide valuable information to improve the effectiveness of teaching education.

History of Agroengineering Science in Saint Petersburg

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, there was a significant development in the field of domestic agricultural engineering science, which focused on the challenges associated with the creation of agricultural machinery. The integration of new technologies in agriculture necessitated a scientific foundation for these advancements, with a keen consideration for the traditional methods of land cultivation. It is posited that the origins of the scientific team at the Institute of Agroengineering and Environmental Problems of Agricultural Production can be traced back to the establishment of the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanics in Saint Petersburg in 1907. (Research purpose) The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical and scientific foundations surrounding the emergence and evolution of agroengineering science in Saint Petersburg; and illustrate the continuity of scientific traditions in addressing production objectives within the realm of «Agroecology». (Materials and methods) The analysis was conducted by drawing upon publications that delve into the inception in Russia agricultural mechanization science, the chronicles of the State Agricultural Museum as well as materials prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanics’ establishment. (Results and discussion) The paper outlines the primary stages and identifies the scientists who played pivotal roles in the operations of the Bureau during 1907-1917. Commencing its activities in Leningrad in 1930, the Institute was later relocated to Moscow. In Leningrad, branches of both VIM and VIESKH were established, where former members of the Bureau continued their work. Further, after various organizational changes, the Leningrad branches were amalgamated in 1962 to form an independent institution known as NIIMESKH of the North-West. This later evolved into the research and production association «Nechernozemagromash» with the workforce exceeding 1,200 employees. In 2018, the Institute once again became a branch of VIM, with a renewed focus on comprehensive scientific research aimed at ensuring the environmental sustainability of agricultural production. (Conclusions) The most significant outcome stemming from the team’s extensive history is the continuity of knowledge transmission. Presently, operating under the umbrella of the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, the team at the Institute of Agroengineering and Environmental Problems of Agricultural Production continues the illustrious traditions of its inaugural predecessor—the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanics. It remains steadfast in its commitment to these traditions in tackling emerging challenges in agricultural science and practice.

Abstract 7315: Collaboration between NIDCR and NCI promotes innovative research in head and neck cancers

Abstract The Oral and Salivary Cancer Biology Program at National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) supports research activities that improve early detection and treatment of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and salivary glands. We promote basic science research on the regulatory pathways and transformation process of pre-cancerous lesions to primary and metastatic tumors, as well as translational science activities to develop novel technologies and therapeutics for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers. NIDCR and National Cancer Institute (NCI) have established long-term collaborations to promote and co-manage awards funded through The Immuno-Oncology Translational Network (IOTN) of the Cancer Moonshot program, Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs), and Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) program. NIDCR and NCI have co-developed Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) and Request for Application (RFA) on Advancing Head and Neck Cancer Early Detection Research (AHEAD), which co-funded seven research projects to discover and develop molecular signatures of early detection and diagnosis of HPV positive and negative head and neck cancer (HNC). To further strengthen NIDCR and NCI collaboration, we jointly organized the symposium to promote HNC early detection and biomarker identification at the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) 11th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer in July 2023. In addition, NIDCR has organized a symposium to promote HNC research at the 2024 annual meeting of American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of NIDCR. This AADOCR symposium will feature the collaboration between NIDCR with NCI in the Cancer Moonshot program focusing on immunoprevention and immunotherapy, HNC early detection and biomarker research in AHEAD and EDRN, and investigation of HPV positive and negative HNC and clinical translational research under SPORE. At this 2024 AACR annual meeting, NIDCR and NCI program directors will present the collaborations and funding opportunities between NIDCR and NCI, focusing on early cancer detections and biomarker discovery and validation. Collaboration between NIDCR with NCI provides a unique opportunity to promote basic, translational, and clinical research in advancing HNC early detection to benefit cancer patients. Citation Format: Zhong Chen, Wendy Wang. Collaboration between NIDCR and NCI promotes innovative research in head and neck cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7315.

Measuring gender in elementary school-aged children in the United States: Promising practices and barriers to moving beyond the binary.

How gender identity is assessed directly shapes how students are supported in elementary schools in the United States. Despite the existence of gender diversity, calls for more inclusive science, and recommendations from national research associations and societies to incorporate and emphasize the voices of individuals with diverse gender identities, most studies exploring gender disparities in education have relied heavily on the assumption of a gender binary. As a result, the omission of diverse gender identities from educational research in the elementary years is troubling. To address this area of need, the current article summarizes the opportunities for and constraints surrounding inclusive evaluation of gender identity in the elementary school years. We begin with a brief review of common methods used to assess gender identities for children in elementary school, including the strengths and limitations of each. We next contextualize these measures by outlining the current state-level barriers to including diverse gender identities in assessments of gender. In highlighting the best available practices and the structural systems of oppression realized through state-level policies that perpetuate an inability to represent student voices across the gender spectrum, we conclude with a call to action to inspire the evolution of best practices in the service of all students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).