Research Group Research Articles

The scarce representation of women university professors in research groups

Women university teachers in Spain simultaneously have teaching and research careers that interrelate to develop their competencies in both fields. However, as in other fields, there is not yet gender equality in representation and leadership. This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the presence and role of female university teachers-researchers in the different research groups of public universities in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia that apply for competitive calls for projects, according to the different fields of knowledge to which they belong. A total of 2,445 research groups in nine universities were identified. The largest number of groups belonging to the Humanities field. Among the members of all the groups, there is a lower presence of women compared to men. There is also a negative gender gap in the roles of responsibility and management of research groups, which is reflected in both horizontal and vertical segregation and the existence of a glass ceiling for Andalusian female teachers.

A Research Agenda to Support Families of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities With Intersectional Identities.

Family members provide significant practical and emotional support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan. In September 2022, the State of the Science Conference on Community Living: Engaging Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities From Underserved Racial, Ethnic, Linguistic, and Cultural Groups in Research was held. This article summarizes the efforts of the workgroup that developed research goals related to supporting families of people with IDD. The focus was on families with intersectional identities and minoritized communities. Recommended areas of future research include exploratory research to better understand the experiences of these families, perspectives of families with intersectional identities about the formal support system, funding for family support and services, and inclusive research strategies.

New energy levels of atomic holmium discovered by laser spectroscopy in the near infrared spectral range

A combination of optogalvanic spectroscopy and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy with a continuous wave tunable single mode Ti-Sa laser was applied to find new energy levels of atomic holmium. Free and excited holmium atoms were produced in a liquid nitrogen-cooled hollow-cathode lamp. In this study, we examined 35 spectral lines of Ho I in the near-infrared wavelength range from 698 nm to 833 nm. Altogether, 16 new energy levels have been discovered, 5 levels of even parity and 11 levels of odd parity. Another four energy levels have been discovered but have already been published by another research group. Data on the hyperfine structure for the new levels are presented. Additionally, hyperfine structure data of three known levels of even parity were determined for the first time. The existence of the new energy levels was confirmed by analyzing 60 lines of previously measured Fourier transform spectra to precisely determine the energy of the levels.

An Equity-Based Research Agenda to Promote Social Inclusion and Belonging for People With IDD.

Having a sense of social inclusion and belonging, typically characterized by our personal relationships and community participation, is the central essence of life for most people, yet it remains elusive for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This article summarizes the work of a diverse group of researchers and advocates to propose 6 big-picture, equity-based goals to drive future research in the field: (1) understanding the role of intersectionality, (2) understanding intimate relationships, (3) promoting formation of communities of care to support social inclusion, (4) understanding life course trajectories of social inclusion, (5) understanding social inclusion in virtual spaces, and (6) understanding how to promote social inclusion in the entire research process.

Neurosteroids and their Therapeutic Potential: Remembering the Contribution of Dr. Sabina Luchetti, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract: This article traces the career of Dr. Sabina Luchetti (1969–2021), a noted physician (medical doctor, specialized in Neurology at Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy), a dedicated neuroscientist (Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Tor Vergata University and IRCCS Santa Lucia of Rome), and a member of a renowned Netherlands group (senior researcher at Professor Swaab Laboratory of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands), working in the field of brain function and diseases. She is particularly involved in the study of natural compounds, such as neurosteroids and their biosynthetic pathways in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammation- related disorders, working on post-mortem human brains. : This editorial outlines Dr. Luchetti's wide range of interests, discloses her superior fund of knowledge, and recollects her humanitarian spirit, all of which contribute to creating a great sense of belonging to any group of researchers whom she worked with. The impact of Dr. Luchetti's work will continue to be felt for many years. : From the bench to the bedside, her work has indirectly contributed to shedding light on the neurosteroids’ potential therapeutic effects, considering that neurosteroids and their analogues (some of which are over-the-counter) are now used to treat depression, epilepsy, and substance abuse disorders. Moreover, the potential therapeutic effects of allopregnanolone with respect to its capability to promote neuroregeneration and neuroprotection are a promising basis for future treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Geriatric Oncology: A 5-Year Strategic Plan.

The increasing rate of the older adult population across the world over the next 20 years along with significant developments in the treatment of oncology will require a more granular understanding of the older adult population with cancer. The ASCO Geriatric Oncology Community of Practice (COP) herein provides an outline for the field along three fundamental pillars: education, research, and implementation, inspired by ASCO's 5-Year Strategic Plan. Fundamental to improving the understanding of geriatric oncology is research that intentionally includes older adults with clinically meaningful data supported by grants across all career stages. The increased knowledge base that is developed should be conveyed among health care providers through core competencies for trainees and continuing education for practicing oncologists. ASCO's infrastructure can serve as a resource for fellowship programs interested in acquiring geriatric oncology content and provide recommendations on developing training pathways for fellows interested in pursuing formalized training in geriatrics. Incorporating geriatric oncology into everyday practice is challenging as each clinical setting has unique operational workflows with barriers that limit implementation of valuable geriatric tools such as Geriatric Assessment. Partnerships among experts in quality improvement from the ASCO Geriatric Oncology COP, the Cancer and Aging Research Group, and ASCO's Quality Training Program can provide one such venue for implementation of geriatric oncology through a structured support mechanism. The field of geriatric oncology must continue to find innovative strategies using existing resources and partnerships to address the pressing needs of the older adult population with cancer to improve patient outcomes.

A practical guide to bioimaging research data management in core facilities.

Bioimage data are generated in diverse research fields throughout the life and biomedical sciences. Its potential for advancing scientific progress via modern, data-driven discovery approaches reaches beyond disciplinary borders. To fully exploit this potential, it is necessary to make bioimaging data, in general, multidimensional microscopy images and image series, FAIR, that is, findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. These FAIR principles for research data management are now widely accepted in the scientific community and have been adopted by funding agencies, policymakers and publishers. To remain competitive and at the forefront of research, implementing the FAIR principles into daily routines is an essential but challenging task for researchers and research infrastructures. Imaging core facilities, well-established providers of access to imaging equipment and expertise, are in an excellent position to lead this transformation in bioimaging research data management. They are positioned at the intersection of research groups, IT infrastructure providers, the institution´s administration, and microscope vendors. In the frame of German BioImaging - Society for Microscopy and Image Analysis (GerBI-GMB), cross-institutional working groups and third-party funded projects were initiated in recent years to advance the bioimaging community's capability and capacity for FAIR bioimage data management. Here, we provide an imaging-core-facility-centric perspective outlining the experience and current strategies in Germany to facilitate the practical adoption of the FAIR principles closely aligned with the international bioimaging community. We highlight which tools and services are ready to be implemented and what the future directions for FAIR bioimage data have to offer.

Mix-method toolbox for monitoring greenhouse gas production and microbiome responses to soil amendments

In this study, we adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating agronomic field experiments with soil chemistry, molecular biology techniques, and statistics to investigate the impact of organic residue amendments, such as vinasse (a by-product of sugarcane ethanol production), on soil microbiome and greenhouse gas (GHG) production. The research investigates the effects of distinct disturbances, including organic residue application alone or combined with inorganic N fertilizer on the environment. The methods assess soil microbiome dynamics (composition and function), GHG emissions, and plant productivity. Detailed steps for field experimental setup, soil sampling, soil chemical analyses, determination of bacterial and fungal community diversity, quantification of genes related to nitrification and denitrification pathways, measurement and analysis of gas fluxes (N2O, CH4, and CO2), and determination of plant productivity are provided. The outcomes of the methods are detailed in our publications (Lourenço et al., 2018a; Lourenço et al., 2018b; Lourenço et al., 2019; Lourenço et al., 2020). Additionally, the statistical methods and scripts used for analyzing large datasets are outlined. The aim is to assist researchers by addressing common challenges in large-scale field experiments, offering practical recommendations to avoid common pitfalls, and proposing potential analyses, thereby encouraging collaboration among diverse research groups.•Interdisciplinary methods and scientific questions allow for exploring broader interconnected environmental problems.•The proposed method can serve as a model and protocol for evaluating the impact of soil amendments on soil microbiome, GHG emissions, and plant productivity, promoting more sustainable management practices.•Time-series data can offer detailed insights into specific ecosystems, particularly concerning soil microbiota (taxonomy and functions).

Membranes and membrane processes for CO2 separation: MEMFO's long-term effort in reducing carbon emissions

Urgent actions are needed to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. Since the 1990s, the membrane research group (MEMFO) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has been committed to developing effective membranes and membrane processes for CO2 separation. MEMFO's research can be categorized into five main themes: facilitated transport membranes, hybrid membranes, carbon membranes, membrane contactors, and related modeling and process simulation. These themes are tied to industrial applications in CO2 capture from flue gas, biogas upgrading, natural gas sweetening, and hydrogen purification. Promising membranes, identified based on their laboratory-scale performances, have been selected for onsite testing in industrial processes to validate their performances as well as stability and durability. Verified membranes are upscaled for pilot tests. This account paper summarizes MEMFO's research and development outcomes over the past decade and discusses our research strategies and perspectives for future work.

Learning goals and level of individualism among undergraduate students

ABSTRACT Academic achievements are an important foundation for social mobility. Therefore, it is important to understand disparities between majority and minority groups in terms of such achievements. The present study was conducted in Israel, where previous research found differences between students from the Jewish majority and students from the Arab minority. Previous findings indicated that such gaps between groups were associated with learning goals and factors that the students indicated as reasons for choosing to study. The present research examined the relationships between these disparities and cultural differences found between the groups in previous research in individualism and collectivism. The sample consisted of 168 students (84 Arabic-speakers and 84 of Hebrew-speakers). Their levels of individualism and collectivism and their learning goals were measured when they began studying and their grades were collected later. In addition, parents’ education and some cognitive abilities were examined to establish that these variables did not explain the differences between groups. The findings indicate a significant difference between groups in final grades and in the interaction between level of individualism, learning goals, and final grades.

Applications of a vacuum-actuated multi-material hybrid soft gripper: lessons learnt from RoboSoft manipulation challenge

Soft grippers are garnering increasing attention for their adeptness in conforming to diverse objects, particularly delicate items, without warranting precise force control. This attribute proves especially beneficial in unstructured environments and dynamic tasks such as food handling. Human hands, owing to their elevated dexterity and precise motor control, exhibit the ability to delicately manipulate complex food items, such as small or fragile objects, by dynamically adjusting their grasping configurations. Furthermore, with their rich sensory receptors and hand-eye coordination that provide valuable information involving the texture and form factor, real-time adjustments to avoid damage or spill during food handling appear seamless. Despite numerous endeavors to replicate these capabilities through robotic solutions involving soft grippers, matching human performance remains a formidable engineering challenge. Robotic competitions serve as an invaluable platform for pushing the boundaries of manipulation capabilities, simultaneously offering insights into the adoption of these solutions across diverse domains, including food handling. Serving as a proxy for the future transition of robotic solutions from the laboratory to the market, these competitions simulate real-world challenges. Since 2021, our research group has actively participated in RoboSoft competitions, securing victories in the Manipulation track in 2022 and 2023. Our success was propelled by the utilization of a modified iteration of our Retractable Nails Soft Gripper (RNSG), tailored to meet the specific requirements of each task. The integration of sensors and collaborative manipulators further enhanced the gripper’s performance, facilitating the seamless execution of complex grasping tasks associated with food handling. This article encapsulates the experiential insights gained during the application of our highly versatile soft gripper in these competition environments.

Comparative observation of the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam besylate versus dexmedetomidine in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients

BACKGROUND Surgery for obese patients carries a higher risk of anesthesia complications compared with surgery for nonobese patients. Thus, a safe and effective anesthesia strategy is necessary to improve the medical experience of such patients and ensure their safety. AIM To compared the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam besylate versus dexmedetomidine (DEX) in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients. METHODS The study cohort included 60 obese patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery between July 2021 and April 2023, comprising 30 patients who received DEX intervention (control group) and 30 patients who received remimazolam besylate intervention (research group). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), safety (nausea and vomiting, bradycardia, hypotension, and apnea), anesthesia and examination indices [induction time, anesthesia recovery time, and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge time], sedation effect (Ramsay Sedation Scale), and postoperative pain visual analog scale were comparatively analyzed before anesthesia (T0), during anesthesia (T1), and after anesthesia (T2). RESULTS At T1, the research group showed significantly smaller changes in HR, RR, MAP, and SpO2 than the control group, with a significantly lower adverse reaction rate and shorter induction, anesthesia recovery, and PACU discharge times. Additionally, the intra- and postoperative Ramsay Sedation Scale scores were statistically higher in the research group than in the control group. CONCLUSION Remimazolam besylate was significantly more effective than DEX in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients and had a higher safety profile and value in clinical promotion.

AlgoRitmo Literacies In Gaming: Leveraging Chicanx Praxis To Reimagine AI Systems

ABSTRACTThis article reports on findings from a social design‐based study conducted with an intergenerational group of youth, educators and researchers participating in the Learning to Transform (LiTT) Gaming Lab. We advance the notion of AlgoRitmo Literacies, to highlight the ingenuity of youth and educators as they used a tool called Character AI to author lore emerging within a virtual city called LiTT City. We conceptualize AlgoRitmo—a play on the word algorithm—as part inquiry and reflection (the algo or “something” of AI tools), and part action and future‐oriented (ritmo as in movement). Inspired by cosmogonies influenced by Coyolxauhqui, the fragmented Aztec moon goddess, this paper illustrates how young people reconfigure AI artifacts, reshape relationships with AI‐governed non‐playable characters, and repurpose AI tools to envision alternative futures and identities. In identifying AlgoRitmo Literacies, we provide examples of how ChicanX communities subvert ideologies embedded in AI through creative and ingenious interventions in video games and the construction of cyborg Chicanx subjectivities. This paper offers implications for how educators across content areas can leverage gaming, and AI tools, toward consequential literacy development.

Saved by the Moon: Imaginaries of Earthly Afterlife in Space

Today, emergent space technology engages in visions of future off-world colonizing, while conservation technology is employed in ensuring the continuation of life on earth. In this article, we combine social science of outer space literature with biodiversity conservation work to analyze how utopian visions of off-world futures and dystopian visions of earth entangle in technoscientific future-making practices. Our case is the Lunar Ark, which is a proposed technoscientific project for a conservation base to be assembled inside the moon’s lava tubes comprising samples of the earth’s ecosystems. We investigate two interwoven imaginaries involving an imaginary of the Lunar Ark as a “reseeding of earth” and secondly, an imaginary in which the Lunar Ark becomes a platform for “escaping earth.” Based on scientific papers, web material, news articles, an interview with the head of the research group, and ethnographic observations, we conclude that the Lunar Ark engages with a speculative bioeconomy, wherein earth is imagined as an unstable and unfit protector of life. In contrast, the Lunar Ark emerges as a pan-humanitarian and maternal-like technoscientific environment.

Mechanisms of Change in Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Research Agenda

Anxiety and related disorders are a significant public-health burden with rising prevalence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As demand for effective anxiety treatment increases, so too does the need for strategies to bolster treatment outcomes. Research on the mechanisms of exposure therapy, the frontline behavioral treatment, will be critically important for optimizing clinical outcomes. We outline an initial agenda for future research on the mechanisms of change of exposure therapy, developed in collaboration with a large international team of researchers through the Exposure Therapy Consortium. Key questions and recommendations for future research focus on four priority areas: conceptualization, measurement, study design/analysis, and individual/contextual differences. Rising to the challenge of addressing these questions will require coordinated action and availability of centralized tools that can be used across trials, settings, and research groups.

Research on Madrasas in International Publications: Bibliometric Analysis with Vosviewer

The large number of studies on madrasas on Scopus means that madrasas can be used as an option for researchers in conducting research. This research aims to look at the grouping and novelty of keywords using Vosviewer. This research used 323 documents that had been sorted according to keywords. From the results of the analysis, there are fourteen research groups based on keywords in madrasa research in the Scopus database, namely improving educational practices in madrasas, developing madrasa education in rural areas, preserving architectural heritage in madrasas, improving the Arabic language curriculum in Aliyah madrasas, Islamic pedagogy and practice. memorization, heritage preservation and restoration techniques, Islamic boarding school management, integration of character in online learning during the pandemic, madrasas and maktab religious education and national training, teacher performance and academic achievement, development of religious character, leadership in moral education, environmental learning in Muslim communities, as well as the study of Islamic history. Meanwhile, the novelty of keywords such as mausoleum, Islamic boarding schools, learners, character building, online learning, emotional intelligence, critical thinking skills, and learning outcomes indicates the novelty of the keywords so that these keywords can be used as research recommendations in research on madrasas in the Scopus database.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Development of International Scientific Collaboration of Nguyen Tat Thanh University (Vietnam) over the last Decade

This study explores the key features of scientific articles resulting from international collaborations between Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU), a private higher educational body in Vietnam, and scholars from other countries during the 2011-2023 period. Metadata of 1505 articles indexed in the Scopus database has been downloaded to conduct a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny software. Findings reveal that NTTU’s international collaboration publication record can be divided into two main sub-periods: before 2018, accounting for only 9% of the total publication, and after 2019, comprising over 91%. The major contributors to NTTU’s international collaboration come from scholars in Korea, the USA, and Singapore, while contributions from scholars in other countries are relatively less significant. Only three strong research groups are identified, led by some permanent scientists of NTTU, and some from other institutions in Vietnam, Singapore and the USA. Consequently, the diversity of strong research directions of NTTU is somewhat restricted, primarily focusing on a few specific topics with medical science, wastewater treatment, adsorption, and photocatalysis. Excluding most cited articles in the field of medical science, main authors of nine over ten the top cited articles in other research fields are not permanent scientists of NTTU, suggesting that contributions of NTTU in these important studies were not significant.

The Effect of the Lorsbach Model on Developing Sensory Thinking for First-Grade Female Students in Science

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Algorithmic counterspaces: exploring Afro-Latino youth information practices using TikTok

Purpose This paper investigates the digital information practices of Afro-Latino youth, focusing on their engagement with mental health content on TikTok. It aims to understand how racial and ethnic identity dimensions shape their information behaviors in digital spaces. Design/methodology/approach Employing qualitative methods, the study involved interviews with thirteen Afro-Latino teens. This exploratory approach, draws connections between Afro-Latino identity and information practices using three constructs: (i) typology of information practices, (ii) intersectionality, and (iii) assemblages. Findings The study reveals that Afro-Latino youth actively construct “information assemblages” and “algorithmic counterspaces” on TikTok, enabling them to engage with content that resonates with their identities. However, it also highlights the challenges posed by these spaces' temporary and algorithm-dependent nature in maintaining consistent engagement with mental health information. Research limitations/implications The research is limited by its small sample size and focus on a single platform, which may affect generalizability. Future research should explore other platforms, and draw a deeper distinction between content creators and other users. Practical implications This paper underscores the need for designers and educators to prioritize the importance of algorithmic literacy and design affordances that empower users to transparently understand algorithmic functionality, so as to support on-going engagement with algorithmic counterspaces. Originality/value This research offers novel insights into the digital information practices of Afro-Latino youth, a typically underrepresented group in academic research. It introduces new concepts in information science and digital media studies, highlighting the importance of intersectional identities in digital information practices.

Investigation of the forward gate leakage current in pGaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMTs through TCAD simulations.

Abstract In this study, we examined the gate leakage characteristics of normally off pGaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMTs through a simulation study. The Fowler Nordheim Tunneling (FNT) mechanism mainly contributes to the gate leakage process as indicated by the TCAD simulation. However, at low bias, the FNT undercalculates the leakage current since the electric field is low in this region. This extra leakage current component at this low bias region can be attributed to the presence of surface traps. Trap-assisted tunneling current along with the FNT current can explain forward leakage characteristics of the pGaN HEMTs. Our TCAD simulations were matched with the experimental data for five devices from four different research groups to support this claim. Using TCAD simulations, we have been able to analyze several device parameters including the various potential drops inside the gate stack structure. We were able to identify some of the trap levels and compare them to the dominant defects expected to be present in the pGaN cap layer. Furthermore, we studied the effects of different device parameters on the gate leakage process in the pGaN HEMT.