Research Department Research Articles

Local Cultures of Advice Tie Formation

Abstract Informal social networks and especially advice networks are a key subject of organizational sociological research. The formation of these networks has so far been explained on the basis of universal tie-formation mechanisms. However, recent conceptual contributions suggest that tie formation practices follow cultural rules that may vary across social contexts. In our paper, we substantiate this argument empirically. Based on rich qualitative data, we compare advice tie formation (a) between two entrepreneurial communities and (b) between three research and development departments of large enterprises. We show that both impact and configuration of tie formation mechanisms systematically differ between comparable contexts. Building on our findings, we finally formulate propositions describing which advice network structures can be expected in specific cultures.

Influence of biodestructors on sequestration of labile carbon compounds in the soil

Ukraine stands as a testament to agricultural wealth due to its fertile soils, most notably, its significant share of the world’s chornozem. Rich soil is fundemantal to agricultural production, and therefore the success of the agricultural industry heavily relies on the fertility of the soil. However, modern agricultural practices in Ukraine, have led to increased anthropogenic impact on soils, affecting their biodiversity and humus content. In this regard, it is becoming increasingly important to perform comprehensive studies of microbiological, biochemical and chemical processes in the soil in response to different agricultural interventions. The urgent need to restore natural ecosystems to preserve their biodiversity and ensure ecological stability poses new scientific challenges, emphasizing the importance of urgent measures aimed at protecting the environment from pollution and degradation. This research aims to explore the effects of biodestructors on the deposition of labile carbon compounds in the soil during long-term consistent corn cultivation. The research was conducted during 2020–2023 within the framework of a stationary field experiment of the scientific research department of the «Druzhba Nova» in Varva village, Chernihiv region. The soil is a typical low-humus chornozem with the experiment focusing on a monoculture corn crop rotation. The DKC 4351 corn hybrid was sown at a density of 82 thousand units per hectare, employing a three-part experiment design: 1) a UAN control at 32–28 l/ha, 2) Ecostern Classic at 2 l/ha combined with UAN 32–28 l/ha, and 3) Ecostern Bacterial at 2 l/ha alongside Ecostern Trichoderma at 1 l/ha and UAN 32–28 l/ha. In the present study, the influence of biodestructors on soil’s agrochemical and microbiological indicators, as well as corn yield was evaluated. In a long-term stationary field experiment conducted on a typical low-humus chornozem, we investigated the influence of microbial preparations — plant residue biodestructors — on the deposition of labile carbon compounds in the soil under continuos corn cultivation. The application of Ecostern Classic and a combination of Ecostern Bacterial + Ecostern Trichoderma biodestructors resulted in an increase of labile carbon content by 0.11% and 0.18%, respectively, compared to the control. The aim of further analysis was to determinate the dynamics of the organic matter transformation coefficient, which is a marker of enhanced microbiological activity in the soil and a predominance of organic matter synthesis over its mineralization. In treatments utilizing biodestructors, this indicator was significantly higher than control values throughout the study. The survival of the fungal bioagent from Ecostern Classic and Ecostern Trichoderma bioproducts in the soil was monitored by assessing the population dynamics of the Trichoderma genus species. Results demonstrated an increase by an average of 19 thousand CFU/g with Ecostern Classic and by 34 thousand CFU/g with the combined use of Ecostern Bacterial with Ecostern Trichoderma, compared to 28 thousand CFU/g in control soil samples. This may indirectly indicate a successful colonization of the bioagent in treated soils. Using BIOTREX technology to evaluate the soil’s ecophysiological diversity, we found that the diversity index increased from 3.66 in control samples to between 4.87 and 5.61 in treatments with biodestructors. According to the further BIOTREX assessment, the use of biodestructors not only increased soil biodiversity, but also improved soil health. The application of these biodestructors also significantly boosted corn grain yield with an increase of 0.32 t/ha with Ecostern Classic treatment and 0.18 t/ha with the combined use of Ecostern Bacterial with Ecostern Trichoderma, compared to control.

Salmonellosis in Poland in 2021.

The aim of the article is to present and assess the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland in 2021, in relation to previous years. The assessment of the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland was made on the basis of individual data on salmonellosis cases, entered by sanitary-epidemiological stations into the EpiBaza System, data on outbreaks caused by Salmonella bacilli from the Registry of Epidemic Outbreaks System (ROE), as well as on the basis of aggregated data published in the annual bulletins "Infectious Diseases and Poisoning in Poland" (NIPH NIH - NRI, GIS, Warsaw), including information sent by laboratories of sanitary-epidemiological stations, data from the article on the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland in 2020 and data from the Demographic Research Department of the Central Statistical Office. In 2021, in Poland sanitary-epidemiological stations registered 8,294 cases of salmonellosis - 8,014 cases of intestinal salmonellosis and 280 extra-intestinal salmonellosis, including 190 cases of salmonellosis septicemia. The incidence rate for total salmonellosis was 21.7/100,000 population, for intestinal salmonellosis 21.0, for salmonellosis septicemia 0.50, and 0.23 per 100,000 population for other extra-intestinal infections of salmonellosis etiology. The reported 7,988 cases were classified as confirmed and 306 as probable. There were 5,127 hospitalizations due to salmonellosis, mainly children and the elderly. The peak of the incidence was registered in July. The highest incidence rate of salmonellosis in 2021 was recorded in the Podkarpackie voivodeship (39.8/100,000 population), the lowest in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship (10.7/100,000 population). The highest incidence of intestinal salmonellosis was registered in the age group 0-4 years, accounting for 44.2% of the total number of cases. Among extra-intestinal infections, almost 62% of cases occurred in people aged 60+. In 2021, sanitary-epidemiological stations were detected and reported 229 outbreaks of food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacilli, 75% of them was Enteritidis serotype. In 2021, the most frequently isolated serotypes were S. Enteritidis 72%, S. Typhimurium (2%) and S. Infantis (0.5%). The serotype was not determined in 24.3% of cases. There were 24 imported cases of salmonellosis from different regions of the world. Due to Salmonella infection 11 people died in 2021. Laboratories of sanitary-epidemiological stations performed 438,183 tests for the presence of Salmonella and Shigella bacilli among humans, 92% of these tests concerned people working in contact with food. In 2021, there was an increase in the number of salmonellosis cases in Poland, compared to 2020. It can therefore be concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a long-term impact on reducing the number of Salmonella infections. At the same time, despite the increase, the situation of salmonellosis in Poland has not fully returned to the state before the COVID-19 pandemic.The area where we observe a significant difference, is the percentage of hospitalizations, which is the lowest in 2021 since 1998. It can be assumed, that one of the reasons for this, could be a stricter qualification of people with milder symptoms for hospital treatment, in favour of outpatient care.

Phytotoxicity and Residual Effect of Some Herbicides on three Egyptian Rice Cultivars (Oryza sativa L.)

The current study was carried out at the experimental farm of Rice Research Department, Sakha Agricultural Research Station and Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, ARC, Egypt during the summer season of 2021 and 2022 to study the sensitivity of three Egyptian rice cultivars against four common herbicides and its effect on physiological and agronomic characteristics of rice as well as herbicide residues in rice seeds. The field study was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Three rice cultivars (Giza 177, Giza 179 and Sakha 108) were randomly distributed in main plots, while weed control treatments included four herbicides at recommended doses (penoxsulam 2.5% OD, bispyribac-sodium 2% SL, cyhalofop-butyl 10% EC and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 7.5% EW) as compared to hand weeding were devoted in sub plots. The obtained results revealed that Sakha 108 as Japonica rice cultivar was resistant against tested herbicides and recorded the highest values of rice dry weight, chlorophyll content, number of panicles m-2, panicle weight and grain yield, while scored the lowest values of total phenols. On the other hand, Giza 177 as short duration Japonica rice cultivar showed the higher sensitivity against tested herbicides and achieved the lowest values of abovementioned agronomic traits and chlorophyll content. Cyhalofop-butyl as ACCase herbicide was safer on studied rice cultivars and recorded the highest values of studied agronomic characteristics for rice as well as chlorophyll content, while recorded the lowest values of total phenols during the study. On the other hand, bispyribac-sodium 2% SL resulted in more toxic effect for rice cultivars and recorded the lowest values of studied agronomic traits for rice. fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 7.5% EW achieved the lowest chlorophyll content and highest values of total phenols during the study. Giza 179 as Indica-Japonica rice cultivar appeared high sensitivity when sprayed with bispyribac-sodium and fenoxaprop-ethyl but made recovery after 12 days from herbicidal application and recorded the highest chlorophyll content, dry weight, panicles m-2 and grain yield with no significant differences between Sakha 108 rice cultivar during the study. In respect of herbicide residues in rice seeds, all tested herbicides didn’t have residues in rice seeds at 100 days after treatment. It means that tested herbicides didn’t have any residues in rice seeds.

A Learning Health System to Generate and Accelerate Innovation: The HealthPartners Institute

The HealthPartners Institute is a research and education division embedded within HealthPartners — a nonprofit, member-governed integrated health system. The Institute aims to generate and accelerate innovation for the HealthPartners health system, its patients and members, and the communities it serves. It has taken a formal, organized approach to building the necessary capabilities, infrastructures, relationships, and tools to do so. This article outlines an innovative approach by which the HealthPartners Institute created an environment conducive to accelerated system performance. Key components of building this organizational milieu include (1) integration, (2) strategic planning, (3) democratization of knowledge (especially internally generated knowledge), (4) funding, and (5) a capability to listen to diverse perspectives from both within the organization and the community at large. In recent years, based on a 2023 survey of the HealthPartners Senior Strategy team, nearly two thirds of 34 respondents (61%) have seen more connections between their work and the work of the Institute, and just over half (52%) report that the Institute has become more relevant to their work. Notably, care delivery is the area to which respondents (78%) find the Institute brings the most value, followed by our patients (74%), HealthPartners as a whole (70%), and our community (70%). In addition, a series of multiyear federally funded trials involving patients with uncontrolled hypertension collectively represent an example of clinical and financial impact. This collaborative effort involving system division partnerships through the Institute’s core research department and centers of excellence compared usual hypertension care with an intervention that combined home blood pressure telemonitoring and pharmacist-led telephone care and found that the intervention group not only had lowered blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular disease events, but that for every US$1.00 spent the program realized US$1.82 in averted cardiovascular disease event costs. Efforts such as these advance system performance through a closer connection between the Institute and the health system’s strategic multiyear goals, shared leadership among major research portfolios and the care delivery service lines, preprofessional clinical education aligned with workforce needs, systemwide implementation of clinical simulation, aligned and integrated financial operations, and compliance and integrity programs. Based on these experiences and results, the authors present several themes that may support acceleration of progress toward achieving a high-performing learning health system. Future development will include focus on the generation and quantification of value for internal and external stakeholders, strategic alignment of priorities to enhance value, and continued focus on workforce development.

Research on the Construction and Practice of the Virtual Teaching and Research Department of New Business

With the rapid development of information technology, virtual teaching and research department has gradually attracted attention in the field of business education as a new teaching mode. This paper studies the construction and practice of virtual teaching and research departments in business education, and discusses its role and significance in the development of new business education. The virtual department provides a new teaching model and platform for business education. Through the virtual department, students can easily access a variety of learning resources, conduct online learning and communication, and improve the efficiency and quality of learning. The virtual department plays an important role and significance in the development of new business education, and plays an important role in promoting the innovation and development of business education. It is hoped that the research in this paper can provide an effective reference for the construction of new business virtual teaching and research departments, and provide inspiration for promoting the development of business education and the cultivation of talents.

Building a robust pharmacy research program: Reflections from a large healthcare system not affiliated with a college of pharmacy

AbstractProfessional standards for academic health care system pharmacy departments and clinical pharmacists advocate for research and scholarly activities. Developing and sustaining a research program in a clinical pharmacy department is challenging. Over the span of a decade, a robust pharmacy research program was developed in an academic medical center not affiliated with a college of pharmacy. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a framework suitable for scaling research in pharmacy departments within an academic medical center. Objectives to accomplish the aim includes describing the structure and evolution of the clinical pharmacy department research program, listing measurable outputs and achievements of the pharmacists and the program and describing the barriers encountered and solutions that were enacted to overcome them. Elements critical to building and sustaining a research program in the pharmacy department included long‐term commitment from within the department, a departmental research infrastructure, support from institutional leadership, research funding from the institution, and a growth mindset in accordance with company initiatives to support evolving research needs. A research curriculum was developed for pharmacy residents and pharmacists, created electronic tools for research proposal scientific reviews and allocation of funds, and established departmental research career development awards that allowed for protected time to pursue research and professional development. Over the first 10 years of the program, publication rates grew more than three‐fold, faculty appointments and promotions increased approximately five‐fold, and pharmacist investigators obtained extramural federal funding. Further offsetting clinical workload relative to dedicated research time remains a challenge. The experience and success at this academic medical center suggest it is feasible to develop a robust, sustainable clinical pharmacy department research program.

The Impact of Concomitant Neck of Femur Fractures and Upper Limb Fractures on Length of Stay and Key Performance Indicators: A Single-Centre Study.

Background Hip fractures are one of the most common serious injuries seen today and constitute one of the most serious healthcare problems affecting the elderly worldwide. Due to the elderly population, associated falls and osteoporosis increase theincidence of hip fractures. Patients may remain hospitalized for several weeks, leading to one and a half million hospital bed days used each year.The reported incidence of a concurrent upper limb and a lower limb fracture is between 3% and 5%. It has been shown in the literature that patients who sustain both a hip fracture and an upper limb fracture have difficulties with rehabilitation which causes prolonged stays. The available literature on concomitant hip fracture and upper extremity fracture is limited. This study aimed to review patients with concurrent upper limb injury and hip fractures and to analyse the pattern of associated upper limb fractures, management of these fractures, length of hospital stay, mortality rates, and complications. Methodology We performed a retrospective data collection of all patients with a concomitant upper limb fracture and hip fracture from January 2017 to December 2020 at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Patients were identified from the registers maintained in the ward. All patients aged over 60 years with a fragility hip fracture (managed operatively) and a concurrent upper limb fracture were included in the study. Patients aged less than 60 years were excluded. The local research department registered and approved this study as a service evaluation and therefore did not need ethical committee approval. The anatomical location of the upper limb and hip fractures was confirmed using the imaging database (Synapse). Results Of the 760 patients admitted with neck of femur fractures during this period, 39 (5.1%) patients had concomitant upper limb fractures. Only one upper limb fracture was managed with fixation, and for this study, that patient was excluded. Our retrospective search identified 38 patients, of whom 11 were men and 27 were women. Distal radius fractures were the most commonly associated upper limb fractures (55%). There was a significant increase in length of stay(43.6 days vs. 16.6 days) and delay in mobilization (58.9% vs. 81%) compared to an isolated hip fracture. There was no difference in the 30-day mortality rates.We were unable to collect the data for the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence compliant surgery, and this KPI was excluded from our study. Of the remaining five KPIs, our group of patients displayed better averages in three of the five categories, including prompt orthogeriatric review (92%), not delirious postoperatively (87%), and return to original residence (79%). Conclusions Due to the ageing population, hip fractures are increasing, and within one year of operation, have shown higher mortality rates. Annually, reports show that the worldwide incidence of fractures in the adult population ranges between 9.0 and 22.8 per 1,000. These fractures are more frequent in osteoporotic patients with weak bone quality. Following hip fractures, upper extremity fractures are the second most common among the osteoporotic, elderly population, with distal radius fractures being the most common. With the length of stay almost tripled (from 16.6 to 44.4 days), one can see this has a very big effect on costs in the National Health Service system.

Acceptance of augmented reality for laboratory safety training: methodology and an evaluation study

This paper presents a proof-of-concept Augmented Reality (AR) system known as “SMARTLab” for safety training in hazardous material science laboratories. The paper contains an overview of the design rationale, development, methodology, and user study. Participants of the user study were domain experts (i.e., actual lab users in a material science research department, n = 13), and the evaluation used a questionnaire and free-form interview responses. The participants undertook a virtual lab experiment, designed in collaboration with a domain expert. While using the AR environment, they were accompanied by a virtual assistant. The user study provides preliminary findings about the impact of multiple dimensions, such as Performance Expectancy, Emotional Reactivity, and Spatial Presence, on SMARTLab acceptance by analyzing their influence on the Behavioral Intention dimension. The findings indicate that users find the approach useful and that they would consider using such a system. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the SMARTLab assessment data suggests that a) AR-based training is a potential solution for laboratory safety training without the risk of real-world hazards, b) realism remains an important property for some aspects such as fluid dynamics and experimental procedure, and c) use of a virtual assistant is welcome and provides no sense of discomfort or unease. Furthermore, the study recommends the use of AR assistance tools (a virtual assistant, an attention funnel, and an in-situ arrow) to improve usability and make the training experience more user-friendly.

Drug utilization and prescribing pattern in the treatment of urolithiasis: a perspective on World Health Organization recommendations

Background: Drug utilization research (DUR) is essential in promoting rational use of medicine, aimed at understanding the patterns of prescription, administration, and utilization of medications. It provides valuable insights into the actual drug usage patterns for specific disease conditions. To evaluate the current utilization pattern of drugs in patients of urolithiasis in the Department of General Medicine and Surgery at Integral Institute of Medical Science and Research Hospital, Lucknow. Methods: Following the approval of the institutional ethics committee, a prospective observational study was conducted at Integral Institute of Medical Science and Research Department of general medicine and surgery over a six-month period. Urolithiasis patients’ prescriptions were analyzed to study the prescribing patterns. Information about patient demographics, co-morbidities, and the number and types of medications prescribed were collected and analyzed. Results: Out of 102 patients studied, a female preponderance over male patients was observed. The co-morbidities that are encountered most commonly were hydronephrosis, cystitis, and renal cyst. There is averaged 7 medicines per prescription, 15.25% of medicines written by the generic name, 83.33% of patients receiving antibiotics, 54.70% of patients receiving injections, and 83% of drugs prescribed are mentioned in the essential medicine list. Analgesics, antibiotics, nutritional supplements, antiemetic, alkalizing agents, and antispasmodics were among the class of medicines given. Conclusions: This study highlights the current use of medicines and drug utilization in urolithiasis management. The findings show important insights for healthcare professionals to enhance medication therapy, encourage cost-effective healthcare delivery and improve quality of patient in urolithiasis management.

Perancangan Tata Letak Proses Produksi Kursi Furnitur Menggunakan Metode Activity Relationship Chart (ARC) di PT. Rama Teknik

Rama Teknik Company, a manufacturing company in Indonesia founded in 2015, offers innovative business solutions based on research and development. The production process faces layout irregularities which result in disruptions in the production flow. The impact is that the material handling frequency becomes longer and causes material handling costs to become high. Apart from that, the company also experienced failure to achieve production targets. Decision making regarding layout and location is very important in determining a company's long-term operational efficiency. The aim of the research is to redesign the optimal factory layout. To improve the layout of workstations, the research department uses the Activity Relationship Chart (ARC) method which is implemented through FlexSim simulation software. The initial and proposed layouts were simulated using FlexSim software. The stages start from designing the initial layout, then looking for problem gaps. After that, redesign the new layout. The results of the initial layout show 309 finished products, representing a 100% output rate for Queue4 semi-finished goods, 5 warehouses, and 0 finished products in PL. After retesting with the proposed layout, the initial raw materials were 334.49, Queue1 had 285 items, and there was a 38% increase in finished products, a total of 427 seats.

Measuring research quality in a more inclusive way: Evidence from the UK Research Excellence Framework

Abstract Evidence suggests that common metrics of research quality—e.g. journal publications and citations—are systematically biased against certain groups. But does relying solely on them to evaluate quality lead to lower diversity in academia? In this paper, we start to answer this question by analysing data from the UK’s nationwide research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework. We find that narrowly focussed output-based measures of departmental research quality do indeed negatively correlate with the diversity of departmental staff, while measures of research impact and of the quality of the research environment correlate positively. An aggregate measure that incorporates all three components is therefore likely to better promote staff diversity compared to more narrowly defined output-focused measures. More generally, our results suggest that comprehensive definitions of research quality may be more effective at promoting diversity in academia compared to narrower measures. We further argue that funding decisions informed by broader measures result in more efficient resource allocations across the higher education sector.

The clinical trial activation process: a case study of an Italian public hospital

Background/aimsIn order to make the centers more attractive to trial sponsors, in recent years, some research institutions around the world have pursued projects to reorganize the pathway of trial activation, developing new organizational models to improve the activation process and reduce its times.This study aims at analyzing and reorganizing the start-up phase of trials conducted at the Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) of the Public Hospital of Alessandria (Italy).MethodsA project was carried out to reorganize the trial authorization process at DAIRI by involving the three facilities responsible for this pathway: clinical trial center (CTC), ethics committee secretariat (ESC), and administrative coordination (AC).Lean Thinking methodology was used with the A3 report tool, and the analysis was carried out by monitoring specific key performance indicators, derived from variables representing highlights of the trials’ activation pathway.The project involved phases of analysis, implementation of identified countermeasures, and monitoring of timelines in eight 4-month periods.The overall mean and median values of studies activation times were calculated as well as the average times for each facility involved in the process.ResultsIn this study, 298 studies both sponsored by research associations and industry with both observational and interventional study design were monitored.The mean trial activation time was reduced from 218 days before the project to 56 days in the last period monitored.From the first to the last monitoring period, each facility involved achieved at least a halving of the average time required to carry out its activities in the clinical trials’ activation pathway (CTC: 55 days vs 23, ECS: 25 days vs 8, AC 29 days vs 10).Average activation time for studies with agreement remains longer than those without agreement (100 days vs. 46).ConclusionsThe reorganization project emphasized the importance of having clinical and administrative staff specifically trained on the trial activation process.This reorganization led to the development of a standard operating procedure and a tool to monitor the time (KPIs of the process) that can also be implemented in other clinical centers.

Heterogeneity of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome onset at a Japanese campus.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began in China in December 2019, with the World Health Organization declaring a state of emergency in January 2020. Worldwide implementation of lockdown measures to slow the spread of the virus led to reduced physical activity, disrupted eating habits, mental health issues, and sleep disturbances, which increased the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers, especially intensive care workers, experienced longer working hours and burnout, which further increased the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Accordingly, it is important to identify individuals at a risk of new-onset MetS during a pandemic, which could direct preventive interventions. This study aimed to assess the heterogeneous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of new-onset MetS based on the conditional average treatment effect (CATE) and to identify at-risk populations. This study analyzed health checkup data obtained from Okayama University Shikata Campus workers using paired baseline and follow-up years. Baseline data encompassed 2017 to 2019, with respective follow-up data from 2018 to 2020. Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan began in January 2020, workers who underwent follow-up health checkups in 2018 to 2019 and 2020 were considered as "unexposed" and "exposed," respectively. As the Shikata campus has several departments, comparisons among departments were made. The primary outcome was new-onset MetS at follow-up. Predictor variables included baseline health checkup results, sex, age, and department (administrative, research, medical, or intensive care department). X-learner was used to calculate the CATE. This study included 3,572 eligible individuals (unexposed, n=2,181; exposed, n=1,391). Among them, 1,544 (70.8%) and 866 (62.3%) participants in the unexposed and exposed groups, respectively, were females. The mean age (±standard deviation) of the unexposed and exposed groups was 48.2 ± 8.2 and 47.8 ± 8.3 years, respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the average probability of new-onset MetS by 4.4% in the overall population. According to the department, the intensive care department showed the highest CATE, with a 15.4% increase. Moreover, there was large heterogeneity according to the department. The high-CATE group was characterized by older age, urinary protein, elevated liver enzymes, higher triglyceride levels, and a history of hyperlipidemia treatment. This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the incidence of new-onset MetS, with this effect showing heterogeneity at a single Japanese campus. Regarding specific populations, workers in the intensive care department showed an increased risk of new-onset MetS. At-risk populations require specific preventive interventions in case the current COVID-19 pandemic persists or a new pandemic occurs.

The Applications of qNMR in Drug Quality Control

NMR is well known as one of the most important methods for elucidating the structure of organic compounds. Furthermore, it has recently been recognized as a powerful tool for quantitative analysis. The quantitative NMR (qNMR) has become an official analytical method described in detail in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. And today, it is widely applied in drug development. The qNMR method offers many new advantages over traditional and conventional quantitative analysis methods. For example, this method requires only a few milligrams of the analyte and allows absolute quantitation of the analyte without using a qualified reference standard as a control sample. Then, it can be easily applied to most chemicals without expending significant time and resources on method development. In addition, residual solvent can be determined using qNMR methods. The peak area of an NMR spectrum is directly proportional to the number of protons contributing to the resonance. Based on this principle, the residual solvent can be determined by counting the signal corresponding to the residual solvent in the sample solution. We have applied qNMR as an alternative to GC. Thus, qNMR is an innovative and promising analytical technique that is expected to make significant progress in the future. Recently, the analytical research and quality control departments have been working together to expand this technology to a wide range of areas in the pharmaceutical industry.

Deceptive Knowledge Hiding in Organizations: Psychological Distress as an Underlying Mechanism

This study investigates the role of employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics in deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors (evasive hiding and playing dumb). Besides, this work aims to measure the mediating role of psychological distress between employee cynicism, perceived organizational politics, and deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors. Using a time lag strategy, the data were collected in three waves from 478 employees working in research and development institutions in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire and PLS-SEM technique were employed for data collection and analyses. The results indicate that employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics significantly promote playing dumb behavior in employees. Employee cynicism has no significant association with evasive hiding. However, perceived organizational politics promotes evasive hiding. Psychological distress as a mediator supports employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics to develop deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors. The outcomes of this research have significant implications for organizations, especially for research and development departments. Putting down the cynicism level among employees and controlling the organizational politics can motivate the employees to share knowledge and avoid deceptive knowledge hiding. Managers with positive signals can rebuild trust with subordinates and encourage them to be involved in knowledge-sharing activities. The findings of this study could also serve the theory and practice by showing how employees act psychologically when they are cynical and think their company is playing politics.

Empirical Evidence of Inbound Open Innovation Practice by Ghanaian SMEs

Inbound open innovation (IOI) is credited with high productivity in businesses. However, this is marred by resource and structural constraints in Ghanaian SMEs. Therefore, this study explores the odds of Ghanaian SMEs engaging in inbound open innovation given SMEs characteristics and IOI collaboration modes. Further, we examine the mediating effect of SMEs’ CEO characteristics in increasing or decreasing these odds. Using a sample of 657 registered SMEs’ of the Association of Ghanaian Industries, the survey data is estimated with a stepwise logistic regression model to show the multiplicative effects of the variables. The results show that the odds of engaging in inbound open innovation is higher for; SMEs located in urban areas, SMEs with partnership or company ownership structure, SMEs with research and development departments, SMEs not collaborating with universities, manufacturing SMEs, and SMEs that are relatively bigger in size. Further, these odds increase when the characteristics of CEOs of the sampled SMEs are accounted for in the model. Thus, the characteristics and traits of CEOs are only useful given the right resources and environment. Relying on the major (main) outcomes of the study further feasible suggestions are recommended.

How primary care research can be improved in clinical practice? An Italian case study.

Primary care is considered essential for the sustainability of the Health System. Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRN) play a strategic role in translation of primary care research into practice. Research Capacity Building in primary care requires a improvement and development strategy and well-developed research infrastructures to support physicians. We used the system development methodology referring to the Lean Thinking to create and support a research team in primary and pediatric care. In particular a "cascade" deployment model and the X-Matrix, a framework used in management studies to support strategy definition and management process. A research unit in primary and pediatric care has been created, by sharing vision, mission, core values, long-term strategies. The definition of a annual planning led to monitoring actions to guarantee the expected goals. Lean methodology is useful to adapt to various managerial and operational contexts, including healthcare. In our case it allowed team members to spread the culture of research, its importance and role to improve the health of patients, thank to the organizational support of a hospital IR, the Research and Innovation Department.

Conscientious enrolment in clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic: right patient, right trial

This article describes our efforts to screen and enrol clinical trial participants conscientiously in the COVID-19 pandemic setting. We present the standard screening and enrolment process prior to, and our process of adapting to, the pandemic. Our goal was to develop a way to screen and enrol people for clinical trials that was both equitable and effective. In addition, we outline the steps our research department took to ensure that ethical, clinical and logistical factors were considered when matching a patient to a clinical trial.

Publication Rates of Podium Presentations at an Annual Orthopedic Surgery Resident and Fellow Research Symposium.

Introduction Research is an important aspect of residency and fellowship programs across the country. Developing strategies to foster research productivity is worthwhile. An annual research project is one strategy that some programs implement. Methods All resident and fellow (Sports Medicine, Adult Reconstruction, Spine) presentations at an orthopedic surgery department's annual research symposium from June 2016 through June 2021 were identified. Abstract titles, title keywords, and author names were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify the presence of a peer-reviewed publication. Using the total number of research symposium presentations given, the publication rate was calculated for each year, as well as collectively for 2016 to 2021. In addition to publication rate, first author percent, number of citations, Altmetric score, and journal impact factor were recorded. Current PGY-2 through PGY-5 residents completed a survey to assess the perceived value of the annual research symposium. Results Ninety-eight research symposium presentations were reviewed (69 residents, 29 fellows). Forty (58%) resident studies were published and 28 were first-author publications (70%). Thirteen (45%) fellow studies were published and seven were first-author publications (54%). Combining residents and fellows, the overall publication rate was 54% (53/98), and 66% of these (35/53) were first-author publications. There was a wide range of published manuscript journal impact factors, Altmetric scores, and number of citations. All residents surveyed reported finding value in the research symposium. Conclusion The overall publication rate of presentations at an annual orthopedic surgery department research symposium between 2016 and 2021 was 54%, consistent with publication rates reported at National Orthopedic Surgery Society meetings. All residents reported finding value in the annual research symposium.The results of this study support the academic value of implementing a required annual research project and may provide a useful gauge to inform residency and fellowship curricula at other institutions.