Research Hub Research Articles

Professional management knowledge as a factor of accelerated development of Kazakhstan

The article describes the domestic experience of large-scale implementation of project management and the creation of a Management Knowledge Center at Satbayev University as a segment of a research hub of modern technologies and support for the development of competencies of managers of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The authors focus on the problem of inconsistency of the level of managerial knowledge of Kazakhstani small business managers with the current needs of the development of companies in the dynamics of market relations, its analysis and solution. The article proposes an approach to identifying the technological maturity of an enterprise in the field of management. Scientific methods such as bibliometric analysis, keyword analysis, generalization, comparison, analysis, synthesis, classification, expert evaluation, factor analysis, embedded observation method, etc. were used in the course of the study. When choosing and forming productive management models, one of the principles of the agile-approach is applied – simplicity is the art of maximizing the amount of work that does not need to be done. The concept of enterprise management based on the ideas and principles of Agile-technologies is proposed to increase the share of their contribution to the gross domestic product of the country (GDP), contributing to an increase in the level of professional managerial competencies of the head of the organization. The process of preparation of the domestic system of formation, transfer and assessment of knowledge of owners and managers of SMEs in Kazakhstan is reflected. The obtained results and recommendations of the study, with their large-scale implementation, will significantly increase the contribution of SMEs both to the country's GDP and to the development of innovative technologies, provided that the organization's team must continuously explore and analyze possible ways to improve the efficiency of its own work, constantly exchange information on the project, be motivated and have the resources for this.

The landscape of neuroscience research in Africa: current state, progress, and challenges; a perspective.

The field of neuroscience research in Africa has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, contributing to understanding the brain and neurological disorders. This paper provides an overview of the current state of neuroscience research in Africa, highlighting the progress made, ongoing efforts, and the challenges researchers face. Despite limited resources and funding constraints, African scientists have made remarkable strides in various areas of neuroscience. Collaborative networks and international partnerships have been crucial in advancing education, research infrastructure, and capacity building in the field. Institutions in countries such as Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Morocco have emerged as key hubs for neuroscience research, fostering a growing community of researchers dedicated to unravelling the complexities of the brain. Efforts in neuroscience research have encompassed diverse domains, including neurogenomics, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, neurorehabilitation, and neuroepidemiology. Studies have focused on investigating genetic factors underlying neurological conditions, exploring the neural mechanisms of cognition and behaviour, and developing innovative therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders. However, challenges persist in the African neuroscience research landscape. Limited funding remains a significant barrier, hindering the establishment of well-equipped laboratories, access to advanced technologies, and support for research projects. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure research outcomes' integrity, validity, and relevance. Looking ahead, strategic interventions are required to address these challenges and further advance neuroscience research in Africa.

Superhydrophobic Graphene-based Materials

Abstract: International attention has been directed toward superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings for a great variety of industrial applications. Nowadays, graphene-based self-cleaning coatings represent the most important examination arenas. This study reviews the superhydrophobicity fundamentals, graphene-based nanocomposite fabrication and applications for self-cleaning surfaces. These efforts have stimulated the modeling of recently structured surfaces via a micro-nano binary system. The controlled preparation of nanoscale orientation, configuration, arrangement, and direction along the architectural composite building blocks would result in air-entrapping capacity along the surface grooves. Polymer/graphene nanocomposites with novel and intriguing designs have offered efficient self-cleaning surfaces. These nano-surfaces have a rough structure, low surface free energy, and are hydrophobic materials. To improve the self-cleaning ability, several graphene/ inorganic nanofiller hybrids are dispersed in polymeric resins. The review covered the creation of graphene compounds, interactions with polymers, and uses of the resulting nanocomposites. It highlights the efficacy of controlling the nanostructured design mechanisms for self-cleaning applications. The applications of superhydrophobic materials developed using graphene-related nanocomposites for self-cleaning marine antifouling surfaces are the focus of this study. Stability, as well as long-standing durability, represents vital advantages for developing eco-friendly superhydrophobic alternatives. This review concludes with a discussion of the field's current and future advancements. It is expected to serve as a cutting-edge research hub for the creation of a durable and sustainable self-cleaning coating.

Developing a Sustainable Development Goals Research Hub among MERCOSUR’s Universities: A Case Study

The United Nations 2030 Agenda places universities as a hub of idea generators, which impulse and improve sustainable development. In the agenda, universities are considered vital to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), because they are where experienced actor and young actor converge. These actors are good at developing actions of change, breeding innovation and creating a vision to the future. South Korea is one of the countries that took hold of the 2030 Agenda, providing an example of good international cooperation. The country is also known for its adaptable educational programs, which suits the complex and fast-changing demands of the world. South Korea has been working about its capacity to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into the body of university students and academic research from the base generations. In the MERCOSUR, the Sustainable Development Goals advance in the university’s agenda have been pragmatic and differs from country to country. This paper treats a South Korean university, Yonsei University, as a role model of a research hub for the Sustainable Development Goals, and demonstrates that the model has been evoked for students and to stimulate its replicability in the MERCOSUR. This action would be highly benefited because of the Free Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and South Korea.

Reinvigorating Climate Change Education in Universities a Social Transformative Agenda

The global community is faced with environmental threats due to climate change. The problematic process of societal transformation involved in responding to climate change. Reviving climate change education in educational institutions can provide a strong impetus for societal change. Future leaders, professionals, and citizens are significantly shaped by the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities they acquire in universities. This paper then sought to unpack strategies employed by universities to advance climate change education. Transformational paradigm and social change theory are the underlying philosophical view for this paper. Curriculum integration, a holistic approach, experiential learning, community engagement, faculty development, campus sustainability, policy advocacy, developing student leadership, partnerships, and collaborations are some approaches to reviving climate change education that came to light from the paper. By implementing these approaches, universities may position themselves as hubs for climate change education, research, and action, raising a generation of conscious, involved, and equipped individuals ready to lead societal transformation in the direction of a sustainable future.

Climate data from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (1975-2022).

The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) (Colorado, USA) is the site for many research projects spanning decades, taxa, and research fields from ecology to evolutionary biology to hydrology and beyond. Climate is a focus of much of this work and provides important context for the rest. There are five major sources of data on climate in the RMBL vicinity, each with unique variables, formats, and temporal coverage. These data sources include 1) RMBL resident billy barr, 2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 3) the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 4) the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and 5) Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group. Both the NOAA and the USGS have automated meteorological stations in Crested Butte, CO, approximately 10 km from the RMBL while the USDA has an automated meteorological station on Snodgrass Mountain, approximately 2.5 km from the RMBL. Each of these data sets has unique spatial and temporal coverage and formats. Despite the wealth of work on climate-related questions using data from the RMBL, previous researchers have each had to access and format their own climate records, make decisions about how to handle missing data, and recreate data summaries. Here we provide a single curated climate data set of daily observations covering the years 1975 to 2022 that blends information from all five sources and includes annotated scripts documenting decisions for handling data. This synthesized climate data will facilitate future research, reduce duplication of effort, and increase our ability to compare results across studies. The data set includes information on precipitation (water and snow), snowmelt date, temperature, wind speed, soil moisture and temperature, and stream flows, all of which are publicly available from a combination of sources. In addition to the formatted raw data, we provide several new variables that are commonly used in ecological analyses, including growing degree days, growing season length, a cold severity index, hard frost days, an index of El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and aridity (standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index). These new variables are calculated from the daily weather records. As appropriate, data are also presented as minima, maxima, means, residuals, and cumulative measures, for a variety of time scales including days, months, seasons, and years. The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory is a global research hub. Scientists on-site at the RMBL come from many countries and produce about 50 peer-reviewed publications each year, researchers from around the world also routinely make use of data from the RMBL for synthetic work, and educators around the United States use data from RMBL for teaching modules. This curated and combined data set will be of use to a wide audience. Along with the synthesized combined data set we include the raw data and the R code for cleaning the raw data and creating the monthly and yearly data sets, which facilitate adding additional years or data using the same standardized protocols. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or scientific events.

Environment factors, DNA methylation, and cancer.

Today, the rapid development of science and technology and the rapid change in economy and society are changing the way of life of human beings and affecting the natural, living, working, and internal environment on which human beings depend. At the same time, the global incidence of cancer has increased significantly yearly, and cancer has become the number one killer that threatens human health. Studies have shown that diet, living habits, residential environment, mental and psychological factors, intestinal flora, genetics, social factors, and viral and non-viral infections are closely related to human cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of the environment and cancer development remain to be further explored. In recent years, DNA methylation has become a key hub and bridge for environmental and cancer research. Some environmental factors can alter the hyper/hypomethylation of human cancer suppressor gene promoters, proto-oncogene promoters, and the whole genome, causing low/high expression or gene mutation of related genes, thereby exerting oncogenic or anticancer effects. It is expected to develop early warning markers of cancer environment based on DNA methylation, thereby providing new methods for early detection of cancers, diagnosis, and targeted therapy. This review systematically expounds on the internal mechanism of environmental factors affecting cancer by changing DNA methylation, aiming to help establish the concept of cancer prevention and improve people's health.

O.3.2-10 My Active Ingredient: making movement more accessible for people living with chronic conditions

Abstract Purpose Physical activity can treat over 30 chronic conditions, yet four out of five Canadians are not active enough to get these benefits. Finding evidence-based physical activity guidance for specific chronic health conditions is challenging, and patients are unsure about what and how much exercise is needed. Healthcare providers can feel under-equipped to counsel on physical activity. In 2021, we created the Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health (the Hub), a team of 30 junior and senior scientists across seven Faculties at Western University (London, Canada) and a Community Advisory Council (CAC) made up of local organization representatives and patient partners. This collective works to lead and advocate for improved access for physical activity and its implementation. Project or policy description Through ongoing discussion and regular meetings with The Hub, we learned about the barriers and opportunities patients face when approaching physical activity, and in response collaboratively developed My Active Ingredient (myactiveingredient.org – launch date June 3/2023), a peer-to-peer healthcare hub for movement as medicine, co-designed and curated by people living with chronic conditions, healthcare providers, and researchers. From 2021-2023, we held CAC meetings and Community Workshops to review resources and provide feedback on design and functionality of the site. We gathered information through small group discussion, online surveys, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool to incorporate in the development of the website. We collect and create the best physical activity resources to help make movement more accessible for people living with chronic conditions, and support healthcare providers advising their patients. Our team updates the website on an ongoing basis with new research, resources, and programs related to physical activity identified by website users, the CAC, and/or researchers. The website will undergo a quarterly, two-part evaluation that focuses on website analytics (e.g., page views, sessions, traffic sources etc.) and usability (e.g., test with target representative users). Conclusions My Active Ingredient will increase the accessibility and quality of physical activity advice and resources for individuals living with chronic conditions or other barriers to physical activity, and become the “go-to” source for evidence-based guidance for patients, caregivers, and health providers.

O.3.1-8 The western research hub for physical activity and health: answering the World Health Organization’s call to implement the global action plan on physical activity

Abstract Purpose Physical activity provides a multitude of health benefits yet only half of Canadians meet national physical activity guidelines for health. In response to the global epidemic of physical inactivity, the World Health Organization (WHO) created the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) to help countries prioritize decreasing physical inactivity. In 2021, we formed the Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health (The Hub) to respond to this call to action from the WHO. Our purpose is to advocate for and implement meaningful, sustainable and culturally relevant physical activity opportunities within our community and beyond. Our team is comprised of 30 junior and senior university scholars and a Community Advisory Council of local organization representatives and patient partners who inform and co-design our work. Project description Through ongoing discussions with our members, we learned that while the GAPPA provides a clear roadmap, funding for such implementation projects is scarce and researchers, community organizations, and policymakers feel they do not have the necessary expertise to undertake implementation or scale-up projects. To address these gaps, we created The Hub’s Implementation Support Service. This service provides those working on GAPPA-related projects with support from our team in the form of: implementation resources (frameworks and toolkits); advice from implementation scientists; regular meetings to troubleshoot implementation barriers; networking support to connect with relevant partners; and financial support (seed grants worth $5000 CAD). Funding applications are reviewed and selected by a committee of researchers, community organizations, and patient partners. The Implementation Support Service will undergo a process and impact evaluation by understanding perceptions of those delivering and receiving the implementation service, as well as determining the short- and long-term effects of the implementation projects we support. Conclusions The Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health is the first and only collective of its kind aimed directly at addressing and implementing the WHO’s GAPPA framework by providing a centralized access point for implementation seed grants and services. By providing resources and facilitating access to physical activity, our Hub can support more individuals staying active for more of their lives, with implications for population-level health.

A Datasheet for the INSIGHT Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Dataset.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR) is the most common microvascular complication associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting approximately 40% of this patient population. Early detection of DR is vital to ensure monitoring of disease progression and prompt sight saving treatments as required. This article describes the data contained within the INSIGHT Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country Diabetic Retinopathy Dataset. Dataset descriptor for routinely collected eye screening data. All diabetic patients aged 12 years and older, attending annual digital retinal photography-based screening within the Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country Eye Screening Programme. The INSIGHT Health Data Research Hub for Eye Health is a National Health Service (NHS)-led ophthalmic bioresource that provides researchers with safe access to anonymized, routinely collected data from contributing NHS hospitals to advance research for patient benefit. This report describes the INSIGHT Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country DR Screening Dataset, a dataset of anonymized images and linked screening data derived from the United Kingdom's largest regional DR screening program. This dataset consists of routinely collected data from the eye screening program. The data primarily include retinal photographs with the associated DR grading data. Additional data such as corresponding demographic details, information regarding patients' diabetic status, and visual acuity data are also available. Further details regarding available data points are available in the supplementary information, in addition to the INSIGHT webpage included below. At the time point of this analysis (December 31, 2019), the dataset comprised 6 202 161 images from 246 180 patients, with a dataset inception date of January 1, 2007. The dataset includes 1 360 547 grading episodes between R0M0 and R3M1. This dataset descriptor article summarizes the content of the dataset, how it has been curated, and what its potential uses are. Data are available through a structured application process for research studies that support discovery, clinical evidence analyses, and innovation in artificial intelligence technologies for patient benefit. Further information regarding the data repository and contact details can be found at https://www.insight.hdrhub.org/. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

A Datasheet for the INSIGHT University Hospitals Birmingham Retinal Vein Occlusion Data Set.

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second leading cause of visual loss due to retinal disease. Retinal vein occlusion increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and the risk of stroke. This article describes the data contained within the INSIGHT eye health data set for RVO and cardiovascular disease. Data set descriptor for routinely collected eye and systemic disease data. All people who had suffered an RVO aged ≥ 18 years old, attending the Ophthalmology Clinic at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) National Health Service (NHS) Trust were included. The INSIGHT Health Data Research Hub for Eye Health is an NHS-led ophthalmic bioresource. It provides researchers with safe access to anonymized routinely collected data from contributing NHS hospitals to advance research for patient benefit. This report describes the INSIGHT UHB RVO and major adverse cardiovascular events data set, a data set of ophthalmology and systemic data derived from the United Kingdom's largest acute care trust. This data set consists of routinely collected data from the hospital's electronic patient records. The data set primarily includes structured data (relating to their hospital eye care and any cardiovascular data held for the individual) and OCT ocular images. Further details regarding the available data points are available in the supplementary information. At the time point of this analysis (September 30, 2022) the data set was composed of clinical data from 1521 patients, from Medisoft records inception. The data set includes 2196 occurrences of RVO affecting 2026 eyes, longitudinal eye follow-up clinical parameters, over 6217 eye-related procedures, and 982 encountered complications. The data set contains information on 2534 major adverse cardiovascular event occurrences, their subtype, number experienced per patient, and chronological relation to RVO event. Longitudinal follow-up data including laboratory results, regular medications, and all-cause mortality are also available within the data set. This data set descriptor article summarizes the data set contents, the process of its curation, and potential uses. The data set is available through the structured application process that ensures research studies are for patient benefit. Further information regarding the data repository and contact details can be found at https://www.insight.hdrhub.org/. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Open Pharma: Driving Positive Change in the Communication of Pharma-Sponsored Research

Open Pharma is a non-profit-seeking collaboration that aims to make the communication of pharma-sponsored research faster, more transparent, more accessible, and more sustainable, focusing on open science principles such as open access and plain language. Open Pharma includes 16 Member and Supporter companies representing the pharma and publishing industries and is facilitated by Oxford PharmaGenesis, a HealthScience consultancy. We believe that innovating the current publications model for pharma research is essential to accelerate medical progress, improve patient care, and increase trust in evidence from the pharma industry.
 Open Pharma works as a think tank that seeks to "move the needle," a research hub that produces evidence, a knowledge-sharing "club," and a forum for member voices. Our research, resources, and events are designed to educate, broaden perspectives, and foster connections. We also seek to identify needs and solutions, and to develop guidance that supports best practice and positive change across the sector.
 Medical writers are uniquely positioned to understand the benefits of open science, and to communicate them to their clients. They have an important part to play in promoting the innovations that will increase the quality, transparency, and accountability of medical research communications, and that Open Pharma supports.

Understanding the Triple Helix Model and Capitalization of Knowledge

This paper is a preliminary study of the Triple Helix (TH) Model that focuses on understanding the model from different perspectives following secondary research. The methodology used in this study is exploratory and descriptive in nature. Narrative review of previous literatures has been followed to understand the Triple Helix Model. Henry Etzkowitz and Loet Leydesdorff propounded a theory known as Triple Helix in connection with industry, university and government which has become a research hub. The Triple Helix is a spiral model of innovation that captures multiple reciprocal relationships at different points in the process of knowledge capitalization. Therefore, this is going to be popular not only in developed countries but also gradually becoming popular in developing countries. The question comes what is Triple Helix Model? What does the model reflects in the academia? The objective of this study is to understand Triple Helix Model on one side and the evolution of this model including its features on the other. This study examines how the Triple Helix Model has been popularized in the field of academia, industry, and government by focusing on knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship through education. This paper includes introduction, methodology, evolution of the Triple Helix Model, routes of the Triple Helix, knowledge production, knowledge and technology transfer, knowledge industries, capitalization of knowledge and innovation, the network society, collaboration, Triple Helix and academia, teaching, learning, and future universities. The Triple Helix Model is a neo-evolutionary model of possible synergies between functions such as wealth creation, knowledge production and government regulations, which are the three helixes.

Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (NSF)

Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (NSF)

Singapore's diverse immunology landscape: interconnected research networks enabling blue sky ideas through to translation.

Singapore stands as a dynamic hub for cutting-edge immunological research and innovation. The country's vibrant research ecosystem is supported by collaborative networks across the many national medical and scientific research institutes, fostering meaningful alliances between academia and industry. In this article, we speak to Assistant Professor Jinmiao Chen from the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) and Professor Nicholas Gascoigne from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Duke-NUS Medical School and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) about immunology in Singapore. Credit: Kate Forbes.

Geochemical and mineralogical evaluations of coal, shale, and mine waste overburden from Makum coalfield of the Northeast India

The Cenozoic-age Makum coal from northeastern India offers numerous research opportunities because of its diverse geochemical and geological characteristics. Due to its high sulfur content, the coal has been found to be less useful for industrial purposes. It can, however, serve as a hub for ongoing research on coal-based derivative products. The aim of this research work is to investigate the mineralogical and geochemical compositions of the coal, mine overburden (MOB) and shale samples taken from the Makum coal field and also on establishing a mutual relationship between them. To characterize the geochemical controlling factors of the Makum coal field, the study employs coal petrography, FTIR, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, the major minerals like quartz, kaolinite, haematite, illite, pyrite, and calcite are present in coal and MOB. Pyrite is observed by SEM–EDS analysis as cubic-shaped particles that are smaller than a few µm in size. The presence of sulfide minerals represents a phase of pyrite mineralization. The petrography study was used to better understand the environment that existed during the formation of the plant material, which aids us in determining the quantity of detrital mineral sediment contained in the coal. According to the ICP-MS analysis, the samples indicate significant levels of rare earth elements including yttrium. The present study reveals higher concentrations of potential hazardous elements in the coal samples, with V, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn content in coal being considerably enriched compared to world-average concentrations. The correlation analysis reveals that the potential hazardous elements like Co, Ni, As, and Cu are associated with pyrite as they have strong affinity towards pyrite. Thus, numerous minerals and rare earth elements (REEs) exist, opening up a fresh avenue for more research in the area. This study also assists researchers in understanding the significance of Makum coal and provides numerous ideas for coal characterization.

A Short Report from the Core of Practice-Based Research

This article is a short reflection on practice-based research from the core of practice, which includes a list of recent research hubs in Canada.

Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (NSF)

Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (NSF)

Application of participatory design and open source to a sustainable proposal for sorption reactor design

An implementation proposal that seeks to globalize the scope of the sustainable technologies developed in the University laboratories is presented. This approach uses the generation of triple-impact projects placing people at the center of technological development to bring technical and scientific knowledge into a service design oriented to global sustainable solutions. This research is an approach to what a hub for scientific research, technological implementation, and human needs would look like by designing common environments in which to interact and expand knowledge in an iterated way through the experience of all the actors involved in technological implementation. As a control case, a new technology developed at the Universidad de Buenos Aires, consisting of using sustainable materials as tubular reactor fillers for water treatment was chosen. Based on data obtained within the framework of a University extension project, in which the water quality diagnosis for human consumption was carried out and cross-examined with the mathematical analysis of sorption, design parameters of the reactor, participatory design, and open source concepts application, different virtual environments were generated with distinct objectives: i) open design environment: publishing and mapping of installed sorption reactors, reactor model plans, and useful information related to drinking water quality (aimed at contributors of the open source design environment); ii) platform for academic actors linking: connecting data between prototyping lab for participatory design of sorption reactors (aimed at university research users); iii) information disclosure page: space where the implemented technology impact is displayed and shows options to contact researchers and request a reactor design diagnosis for another community (aimed at beneficiary users). A technological service designed to link the University with the community was proposed, by resolving one of the main gaps related to the possibility for communities to access public financing for self-managed improvement projects, increasing the appropriation of the adopted technology and democratizing public investment, making it sustainable over time.

Who was cleared? Chucalissa museum, a land-clearing project

Within Memphis’ T.O. Fuller State Park, formerly the Shelby County Negro State Park, lies the C.H. Nash Chucalissa Museum where skeletal remains of the Tunica people are on display. Because it is a popular tourist attraction and a hub for archeology research, it has been dubbed the “central clearing house for Western Tennessee archeology.” Despite the many journal articles written about Chucalissa, underwhelmingly few critically engage with the Black labor exploited and the sacred burial mounds disturbed in the “clearing” and excavating of this exhibit. In this paper, I exchange the definition of “clearing,” a technical term common among archeologists with one that exposes it as a euphemism that disavows the historic violence of extraction.1,2 Through an interdisciplinary textual analysis of Nash’s “Chucalissa Indian Town,” this paper inquires what does it really mean for Chucalissa to be a “land clearing project” and a “central clearing house”? Who was cleared? How will digging up the history of the Chucalissa Museum shape our interpretations of regional archeology at that time? Finally, how can these findings contribute to the present Black and Native tensions with Chucalissa and to the broader conversations on repatriation?