Director Of Research Research Articles

Critical social psychology, qualitative research and on being a research butterfly/magpie: ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’

Hannah Frith is a critical social psychologist and is Associate Professor in Psychology and Research Director for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Surrey. Her work draws on interdisciplinary theory and research to examine the intersections of sexuality, gender and embodiment, using creative qualitative research methods. Hannah has published numerous research articles and texts, illustrating a wide range of topics and research methods, including her latest book A Feminist Companion to Research Methods in Psychology’, with Rose Capdevila. The interview was conducted by one of our editors (Deborah Bailey-Rodriguez) together with a Psychology PhD student (Tilbe Nur Aslan) and centred on Hannah’s journey and work as a critical social psychologist, using qualitative and creative qualitative research methods, as well as pointers on how to branch out both in research topic and method. The interview was a thoroughly enjoyable, lively and vibrant experience!

HIV-related immune activation attenuates polyfunctional IgG and memory B-cell responses to Tdap immunization during pregnancy

Maternal pertussis vaccination with Tdap vaccine is recommended to protect newborns from severe postnatal infection. HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants have a higher incidence of pertussis infection and may particularly benefit from maternal immunization. The impact of HIV infection on the quality of IgG and memory B cell (MBC) responses to Tdap vaccination in pregnant women (PW) living with HIV (PWH) is unknown. In this observational study, humoral immune responses to Tdap vaccination, including IgG levels, Fc-dependent effector functions, and MBC frequencies, were measured before and after vaccination in 40 PWH and 42 HIV-uninfected PW. Placental transfer of IgG and avidity were assessed in cord blood (CB). Soluble and cellular immune activation markers were quantified at baseline. One month after vaccination, PWH had lower frequencies of MBC compared with HIV-uninfected PW. At delivery, PWH had attenuated pertussis-specific IgG levels and Fc-dependent effector functions. Reduced levels of maternal vaccine polyfunctional IgG and IgG avidity were transferred to HEU as compared to HIV-unexposed newborns. After adjustment with ethnicity, maternal antibody levels and gestational age at vaccination, HIV infection was independently associated with decreased levels of PT specific-IgG in CB. Both maternal and neonatal pertussis-specific IgG responses as well as PT-specific IgG avidity were inversely correlated with maternal sCD14 levels before vaccination among PWH. Maternal HIV infection is associated with attenuated humoral immune responses to Tdap vaccination that correlate with sCD14. Suboptimal transfer of maternal immunity may further increase the risk of severe pertussis infection in HEU infants. This work was supported by IRIS Fund managed by the Foundation Roi Baudouin [2017J1820690206902], Association Vésale pour la Recherche Médicale and the Medical Council of CHU Saint-Pierre and has been funded in part with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, under Award No. U19AI145825. N.D. is a clinical researcher and A.M. is Research Director at the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS), Belgium. M.E.A. was partially supported by NIHNIAID1U19AI14825. This article is published with the support of the Fondation Universitaire of Belgium.

The value of health service-based research to health service organisations: a qualitative study with senior health service executives

BackgroundResearch evidence has demonstrably improved health care practices and patient outcomes. However, systemic translation of evidence into practice is far from optimal. The reasons are complex, but often because research is not well aligned with health service priorities. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of senior health service executives on two issues: (1) the alignment between local research activity and the needs and priorities of their health services, and (2) the extent to which research is or can be integrated as part of usual health care practice.MethodsIn this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior health leaders from four large health service organisations that are members of Sydney Health Partners (SHP), one of Australia’s nationally accredited research translation centres committed to accelerating the translation of research findings into evidence-based health care. The interviews were conducted between November 2022 and January 2023, and were either audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim or recorded in the interviewer field notes. A thematic analysis of the interview data was conducted by two researchers, using the framework method to identify common themes.ResultsSeventeen health executives were interviewed, including chief executives, directors of medical services, nursing, allied health, research, and others in executive leadership roles. Responses to issue (1) included themes on re-balancing curiosity- and priority-driven research; providing more support for research activity within health organisations; and helping health professionals and researchers discuss researchable priorities. Responses to issue (2) included identification of elements considered essential for embedding research in health care; and the need to break down silos between research and health care, as well as within health organisations.ConclusionsHealth service leaders value research but want more research that aligns with their needs and priorities. Discussions with researchers about those priorities may need some facilitation. Making research a more integrated part of health care will require strong and broad executive leadership, resources and infrastructure, and investing in capacity- and capability-building across health clinicians, managers and executive staff.

Strategi Inovasi Untuk Meningkatkan Pelayanan Perizinan Penelitian Asing

Indonesia's natural and cultural riches have attracted the attention of foreign researchers to conduct research in Indonesia. Indonesia is considered to be one of the largest biological laboratories in the world, so there are many objects that can be used for research by foreign researchers. To provide research licensing services for foreign researchers who wish to conduct research in Indonesia, a legal basis was issued, namely Law No. 11 of 2019 concerning the National System of Science and Technology which regulates research licensing for foreign researchers in Indonesia. As a supporter of Law no. 11 of 2019, BRIN Regulation no. 22 of 2022 concerning Ethical Clearance has been issued. To provide foreign research licensing services according to Law No. 11 of 2019, it is carried out by the Directorate of Research and Innovation Licensing and Scientific Governance of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). To make it easier to apply for research permits for foreign researchers, several service improvements were made, namely the first was the formation of an ethics commission team to replace the TKPIPA team to evaluate incoming proposals. Second, the number of files that foreign researchers need to prepare is less than before, namely from 14 documents to 7 documents. Third, creating an ethical clearance website to upload the required files in digital form which was previously done offline and submitting hard copy files. Fourth, the addition of financial reporting features to make it easier to check payments and send research progress reports by foreign researchers.

Role of individual entrepreneurial orientation and innovation in SME performance: Gender perspectives

Individual entrepreneurial orientation and innovation are essentials for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to drive their performance, including surviving or even growing during economic crises. The entrepreneur’s gender might have an impact on those relationships. Hence, this study aims to analyze whether there were some differences in the five dimensions of individual entrepreneurial orientation and differences in the influence of individual entrepreneurial orientation and innovation on performance between male and female entrepreneurs. The study was performed through an online survey of 352 SME owners in Indonesia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that all dimensions of individual entrepreneurial orientation are valid for developing this construct, but only the risk-taking dimension distinguishes male and female entrepreneurs the most. Male entrepreneurs are more willing to take risks than female. Furthermore, individual entrepreneurial orientation affects performance mediated by innovation, and this effect is not different between male and female entrepreneurs. These findings enrich the literature on the impact of gender on entrepreneurial orientation and the influence of innovation on SME performance. In Indonesia, individual entrepreneurial orientation affects performance assisted by innovation; however, this influence is not different for SMEs managed by male and female entrepreneurs. AcknowledgmentWe acknowledge and thank all of the respondents and parties who supported this research. This study was funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Engagement, Universitas Indonesia, contract number NKB-1782/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2020.

Annual outcomes study out from NAATP

FoRSE, the research foundation of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), will release its annual summary report at this week's annual meeting, which ADAW will cover in person. The report provides NAATP members, as well as the public, with descriptive and graphic reports of the impact of addiction treatment. This will give them insight into how effective their programs are, compared to others across the country. The 42 page report, a copy of which was obtained by ADAW, is stunning in terms of content and presentation. The report is free. The focus is on outcomes. For anyone who has ever been asked “Does treatment work?” or “Does your treatment program work?” this report is invaluable. It breaks down the answers and includes the how and why. We asked Annie Peters, Ph.D., NAATP's director of research and education, for the top takeaways from the report. Her response.

The people behind the papers – J. Guillermo Sanchez and Jim Wells

During development, the gastrointestinal tract undergoes patterning along its anterior-posterior axis to define regions with distinct organs and functions. A new paper in Development derives human intestinal organoids from an individual with duodenal defects and a compound heterozygous variant in the gene encoding the transcription factor RFX6. By studying these organoids, the authors identify novel roles for RFX6 in intestinal patterning. To learn more about the story behind the paper, we caught up with first author J. Guillermo Sanchez and corresponding author Jim Wells, an endowed professor in the Division of Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, USA, where he is also the Director for Basic Research in the Division of Endocrinology.

Hot head-out water immersion increases internal carotid artery shear rate but does not alter intracranial vascular reactivity to carbon dioxide

Acute head-out water immersion (HOWI) in hot water increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) until core temperature rises by ~1.0°C. The increase in CBF may promote increases in arterial shear rate that could enhance cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (CVRCO2) as a result of elevated nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. An increase in NO bioavailability improves peripheral vasodilator function, and therefore, a similar response may occur in the cerebral vasculature. This likely only aids in cerebral vasodilation during hypercapnia, and not cerebral vasoconstriction during hypocapnia. However, it is unclear if a single session of hot HOWI alters cerebral artery shear rate and CVRCO2 to hyper- and hypocapnia. Purpose: We tested the hypotheses that during a single session of hot HOWI (39°C), cerebral artery shear rate and hypercapnic CVRCO2 would be greater and hypocapnic CVRCO2 would be lower compared to temperate HOWI (35°C). Methods: Eighteen healthy participants (age: 25±5 y, 6 women) completed two experimental visits. Middle and posterior cerebral artery blood velocities (transcranial Doppler; MCAv and PCAv) were continuously recorded. Blood velocities and diameters of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) were obtained via dual-mode Doppler ultrasound to calculate shear rate. Hypocapnic and hypercapnic CVRCO2 were assessed in the MCA and PCA during self-paced hyperventilation (until PETCO2 decreased by 10 mmHg from baseline) and during 30 s of 7% CO2 inhalation, respectively. Measures were completed before immersion (PRE) and after a +1.0°C increase in core temperature during hot HOWI and time-matched during temperate HOWI. Data are reported as mean ± SD. Results: There were no differences between conditions at PRE. MCAv (55±9 vs. 64±12 cm/s; P=0.01) and PCAv (29±5 vs. 39±7 cm/s; p<0.01) were lower in hot vs. temperate HOWI at +1.0°C. ICA shear rate was greater in hot vs. temperate HOWI at +1.0°C (247±51 vs. 180±43 s−1; p<0.01) but VA shear rate did not differ between conditions (P=0.78). There were no differences between conditions for hypercapnic CVRCO2 (MCA: P =0.48, PCA: P=0.43) or hypocapnic CVRCO2 (MCA: P=0.18). A condition effect was observed for PCA hypocapnic CVRCO2 (p<0.01), but multiple comparisons did not reveal where differences occurred (all P≥0.10). Conclusion: Hot head out water immersion elicits similar changes in hemodynamics and CVRCO2 in intracranial arteries (i.e., MCA and PCA) as temperate head out water immersion. Hot head out water immersion produces a greater shear rate in the ICA compared to temperate water, which may be beneficial for cerebrovascular health if done recurrently. This study was partially supported by the Mark Diamond Research Fund at the University at Buffalo and the Offce of Naval Research Director of Research Early Career Grant (N00014-17-1-2878). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Biography Leticia Myriam Torres Guerra

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, in 1955, Dr. Leticia Torres graduated with a degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and earned her PhD in Advanced Ceramic Materials from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1985. She holds a certification in Applied Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency from Harvard University. Throughout her distinguished professional career, she has held key positions such as Deputy Director of Research at the Faculty of Chemical Sciences (1995-2001), Deputy Director of Scientific Development at CONACYT (2011-2013), Head of the Department of Eco-materials and Energy at the Faculty of Civil Engineering UANL (2005-2019), and leader of the Consolidated Academic Body "Development of Environmental Materials" from 2008 to the present. Since December 6, 2019, she has been serving as the General Director of the Center for Research in Advanced Materials (CIMAV).

Tangibility of digital institutional repository service provision to postgraduate students at Universities in Meru County, Kenya

Institutional repository services in libraries essentially determine the quality of the scholarly output of postgraduate students. Subsequently, this demands a multi-skilled workforce, facilities, and ICT infrastructure. Tangibility in this context is demonstrated when the staff in charge are decent, premises are neat, resources are easily retrievable and ICT technologies are available. Demonstration of tangibility usually heightens user attractiveness to a place. It may also be reinforced by a user experiencing satisfaction through an easily navigable institutional repository, visually attractive arrangement of the contents, and easily downloadable research materials. Nevertheless, incidences of users getting disinterested and losing patience with institutional repositories have continued to be reported. This paper assesses the tangibility of repository service provision to postgraduate students at universities in Meru County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The SERVQUAL model was also adopted to underpin the research. The sample population consisted of 91 students and 10 library heads of sections. Post-graduate students filled out questionnaires while the library heads of sections participated in the interviews. Purposive sampling was used to get librarians and simple random sampling for students. The findings of the study indicated that the tangibility of institutional repositories at universities in Meru County was moderate. To improve it, the respondents recommended the provision of policies guiding the security of information, the repository section being operational during working hours, providing a functional website as well as shelving and classification of information materials be done regularly. There was a need to acquire modern reading tables, student computers, and provision of resources in full texts, and upgrade the earlier version of the repository management system with the current one. The paper recommends the heads of libraries liaise with university management to support and finance the acquisition of new and refurbish existing facilities, technologies, infrastructure, and additional resources. It is also recommended that the directorate of research to revise the postgraduate policy to include all postgraduate levels’ research in order to achieve inclusive service provision.

Why should scientists lead? To underpin policy on marine and polar ecosystems

Abstract I recount my personal history, beginning as a young fisherman, becoming an academic fisheries biologist, and ultimately a leader of institutions dedicated to marine and polar research, higher education, and advising policymakers. After my dissertation in the early 1990s, I embarked on an active research career at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway, developing a sonar method to estimate the abundance of schooling, pelagic fish. My career then transitioned to middle leadership—15 years as Section Leader and Research Director at IMR—followed by >10 years as a top leader for The University Centre in Svalbard, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, and finally the Norwegian Polar Institute. I describe the major challenges, opportunities, and processes these leadership roles have entailed. I hope to send a positive message about the influential role of science, and the necessity of clear communication of results and advice at a time when there is a sense of urgency.

The Reality of Extension Works in the Directorate of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Research In Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The study aims to identify the reality of extension works in the Directorate of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Researches in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and the study area included all governorates of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Germian, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk). The research community included all workers in agricultural extension, agricultural research, and agricultural directorates in all governorates, there were 215 respondents. The sample of the respondents includes (71) representing 33% of the population, taken by a simple random sampling method. The data were collected through personal interviews; questionnaire was prepared for this purpose. To confirm the validity, the questionnaire was reviewed by some experts. In general, the reality of extension work was described by the respondents (extension workers and agricultural engineers working in the Agricultural Research and Extension Directorate) as weak. Conducting training courses for agricultural extension workers regarding methods and methods of communication to work with farmers, emphasizing the importance and necessity of linking and coordinating between agricultural extension and education (universities) to graduate a qualified agricultural guide. Cooperation with other research agencies that work on producing and generating agricultural scientific information and practices approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Librarians, Undergraduate Research, and Diversity Support Programs: Partnerships Towards Social Justice

Science librarianship has barely scratched the surface when grappling with the injustice in our profession and the disciplines we support. Here we provide one example of how STEM librarians can work within the academy to resist systemic barriers and support students from marginalized communities. This paper will explore how librarians and libraries can partner with various diversity support programs and undergraduate research programs targeted toward undergraduate students with marginalized identities. We will then share the perspective of two women of color who have developed this partnership. This article provides the separate and shared perspectives of a science librarian and undergraduate research director in working together to remove barriers students may face in their higher education journeys by creating relationships and meaningful connections.

Sir Michael George Parke Stoker. 4 July 1918—13 August 2013

Michael Stoker was a renowned virologist and cell biologist. He gained his interest in research while serving as a medical officer during the Second World War in India, studying infectious diseases such as typhus. He began to study viruses in the Department of Pathology in Cambridge and in 1958 was appointed to the first established UK chair of virology and as head of the Medical Research Council Virus Unit at the University of Glasgow. He pioneered studies of cancer-causing viruses using polyomavirus of mice, and developed the baby hamster kidney cell lines still used today for vaccine production. In 1968 he moved to London as director of research at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) Laboratories, now part of the Cancer Research UK funded laboratories at the Francis Crick Institute. He brought many virologists to ICRF, while he himself turned to cell biology, first of mesenchymal cells and then of normal and malignant epithelial cells, particularly breast epithelium. Returning to Cambridge in 1978, he discovered scatter factor (also known as hepatocyte growth factor), a paracrine cytokine that stimulates motility and proliferation of epithelial cells. Michael had broad-ranging interests and there are few virologists in the UK who have not been influenced either by him directly or by his protégés. Among the many activities beyond the institutions where he worked, he served from 1976 to 1981 as Foreign Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society.

Barriers to research among residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Research is an integral part of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residency training. This study aimed to identify the current barriers perceived by OMS residents toward conducting research during training. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted. The survey was distributed to 670 OMS residents across the United States in 2021 and consisted of questions regarding demographics, residency program requirements and resources, and perceived barriers to research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and post hoc Dunn's test with a statistical significance of P<0.05. The response rate was 24.2%. Most participants' programs had a minimum research requirement to complete a residency (80%). The top three reported barriers to completing research were lack of time (84%), limited access to research mentors or supervisors (37%), and lack of access to biostatistical support (31%). Factors associated with these barriers included the lack of a research director, supervisor, mentor, assistant, or statistician. There was no significant difference between residents in programs with protected research time versus those without. OMS residents generally viewed research experience during residency as beneficial but reported important barriers, most notably: insufficient time. Although most OMS training programs in the US require research for completion, many do not provide adequate time to facilitate this process. Compared with literature from over a decade ago, it appears little progress has been made to remedy similar barriers to research. Addressing this deficiency may increase the quantity and quality of research, furthering the profession.

Identifying Risks in Management of Educational Institutions: A Case in a Legal Entity Higher Education Institution

Higher education is a legal entity that represents the government to serve society optimally. This research aims to identify, understand and manage risks that can hinder the achievement of organizational goals in terms of organizing higher education. This study uses a quantitative approach with a descriptive type. Research subjects were taken from leaders and employees in the Directorate of Planning and Finance, Directorate of General Affairs, Resources and Law. Directorate of Research and Community Service, Directorate of Cooperation, Information Systems, Innovation and Business, Quality Assurance Directorate, Internal Supervisory Unit, Vocational Faculty. Subject selection was carried out using a purposive technique using considerations of feasibility and competency related to the themes studied in this research. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires and interviews. The data that was collected was analyzed using descriptive quantitative analysis techniques. This risk register management is a document that functions to identify, understand and manage risks that can hinder the achievement of organizational goals. The structured risks are a development of the risk mapping that was prepared during the previous program. Risks that have been identified are not risks that are fixed (given). The risks referred to can change, increase, or even decrease according to the conditions faced by the organization. Communication in efforts to update risk data in risk register management is still very necessary as an effort to enrich the types and impacts of these risks on the organization.

A literacy of the relevance of Asian value sustainability reporting in Indonesia

An independent institution gives appreciation to companies in Indonesia that have published their sustainability reports by ranking their sustainability reports in the Asia Sustainability Reporting Rating. This institution plays a role in facilitating and encouraging companies, organizations and other entities in Indonesia to adopt good sustainability reporting practices. This ranking factor is predicted to influence the movement of abnormal returns so that it can influence value relevance through the earnings response coefficient. The aim of this study is to reveal the relevance of value in order to obtain empirical evidence regarding the influence of sustainability reports, sustainable report ratings and earnings persistence on the earnings response coefficient. The research sample was 130 companies in Indonesia that were included in the Asia Sustainability Reporting Ranking for the period 2019 to 2022. This paper uses a quantitative multiple linear regression method to test the hypothesis. The research results show that consistent profits can be predicted from the past and make a positive contribution to future earnings response. A company transparently discloses its performance in the sustainability aspect, thereby making the profit response more positive. Companies with high sustainability ratings tend to get a more positive profit response from the market and stakeholders. This study suggests that management and company owners in Indonesia are aware of the need to pay attention to long-term sustainability through the publication of sustainability reports to become a company’s commitment to implementing sustainability and minimizing risks arising from the company’s economic, social and environmental activities. AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank the Directorate of Research, Community Service and Publications (DPPMP) of Stikubank University for supporting the funding of this research. Thanks also to fellow FEB lecturers who have helped provide the facilities needed for this research.

Improving the production and managerial performance of tempeh chip MSMEs

The Community Service Program of STTKD Lecturers is funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service of the Ministry of Education and Culture due to the problems faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of tempeh chips brand "Tempe Krees", including; low production capacity, inability to meet market demand, poorly organized managerial processes, and unattractive product branding that hinder online market penetration. The solution provided by the Community Service Team in the technological field is to increase the productivity of tempeh chips by using appropriate technological equipment, such as a soybean skin separator machine, tempeh slicing machine, and oil separator machine. In the managerial field, management and marketing training is conducted to reach a wider market share and improve packaging design to increase product branding in order to penetrate the online market. The result of this program is that the managerial competence of the partners has improved, as can be seen from the results of the posttest which has a better value than the pretest results. With the application of appropriate technology equipment, the production of tempeh chips increased from 50-55 pieces @ 250 grams per day to 100-110 pieces @ 250 grams per day. Production costs have decreased from Rp11,025 to Rp9,932, so the profits of MSME partners have increased from before. The next step after this community service is to encourage partners to penetrate the modern market so that partner businesses can develop well and trigger economic growth in the community around the location of MSMEs.

Smart Thinking

Noemi Jiménez-Redondo is project coordinator for EU research project OMICRON, associate professor at University of Málaga and director of research and innovation at the Spanish civil engineering firm CEMOSA. She explains how ‘smart infrastructure’ can help coordinate our energy use and transportation systems

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "The pilot should stay ahead of the airplane"

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan participated as a speaker in the "Psychology, Aviation and Space" symposium organized by the Aviation Research and Applications Directorate of the Turkish Airlines (THY) Flight Training Directorate.