Science Efforts Research Articles

Participatory Science and Machine Learning Applied to Millions of Sources in the Hobby–Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment

We are merging a large participatory science effort with machine learning to enhance the Hobby–Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX). Our overall goal is to remove false positives, allowing us to use lower signal-to-noise data and sources with low goodness-of-fit. With six million classifications through Dark Energy Explorers, we can confidently determine if a source is not real at over 94% confidence level when classified by at least 10 individuals; this confidence level increases for higher signal-to-noise sources. To date, we have only been able to apply this direct analysis to 190,000 sources. The full sample of HETDEX will contain around 2–3 million sources, including nearby galaxies ([O ii] emitters), distant galaxies (Lyα emitters or LAEs), false positives, and contamination from instrument issues. We can accommodate this tenfold increase by using machine learning with visually vetted samples from Dark Energy Explorers. We have already increased by over tenfold the number of sources that have been visually vetted from our previous pilot study where we only had 14,000 visually vetted LAE candidates. This paper expands on the previous work by increasing the visually vetted sample from 14,000 to 190,000. In addition, using our currently visually vetted sample, we generate a real or false positive classification for the full candidate sample of 1.2 million LAEs. We currently have approximately 17,000 volunteers from 159 countries around the world. Thus, we are applying participatory or citizen scientist analysis to our full HETDEX data set, creating a free educational opportunity that requires no prior technical knowledge.

A standardised open science framework for sharing and re-analysing neural data acquired to continuous stimuli

Neurophysiology research has demonstrated that it is possible and valuable to investigate sensory processing in scenarios involving continuous sensory streams, such as speech and music. Over the past 10 years or so, novel analytic frameworks combined with the growing participation in data sharing has led to a surge of publicly available datasets involving continuous sensory experiments. However, open science efforts in this domain of research remain scattered, lacking a cohesive set of guidelines. This paper presents an end-to-end open science framework for the storage, analysis, sharing, and re-analysis of neural data recorded during continuous sensory experiments. We propose a data structure that builds on existing custom structures (Continuous-event Neural Data), providing a precise naming convention and data types, as well as providing a workflow for storing and loading data in the general-purpose BIDS structure. The framework has been designed to interface easily with existing toolboxes, such as EelBrain, NapLib, MNE, and the mTRF-Toolbox. We present guidelines by taking both the user view (how to rapidly re-analyse existing data) and the experimenter view (how to store, analyse, and share), making the process as straightforward and accessible. Additionally, we introduce a web-based data browser that enables the effortless replication of published results and data re-analysis.

قيم الأدب الشفهي في المجتمع الأفريقي: حالة من أغاني اليوروبا الشعبية والمهرجانات التقليدية

Folksongs and traditional festivals are central to almost every activity of the Yoruba people. The contemporary world is full of pains, worries, sufferings and despair and various anti-social activities, in spite of pompous claims and glaring efforts of science and technology in solving old problems to create many new ones. Hence, every individual needs to relax, amuse, and get his or her mind off the dull struggles, worries and sorrows of life through folksongs and festivals. The Yoruba folksongs and festivals as soul-searchers and soul-menders therefore, serve the aesthetic, therapeutic and communicative purposes as tension relievers as well as elixir through which individuals are firmly reassured that there is still hope for humanity. Folksongs and traditional festivals, as manifestations of oral literary genre, possess the remarkable ability to simultaneously entertain, educate, heal and provide solace in individuals. Through them, virtues of the community are upheld and cultural values are projected. It thus concluded that Yoruba folksongs and festivals are a vital communicative instrument for pleasure and a therapy to heal and soothe individuals. Therefore, it is recommended that the Yoruba people continue to utilize folksongs as a means of entertaining, educating, consoling, and comforting themselves as the need arises. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of preserving and perpetuating traditional festival celebrations in Yoruba society, as they serve as a unifying force among the people and a potent platform for showcasing the rich culture and traditions of the Yoruba people to the wider world. Other African societies should also intensify efforts in employing folksongs and festival performances to project their respective cultural identity to the wider world.

Transitioning an implementation research intervention to a sustained clinical service: Telehealth primary care mental health integration implementation in Veterans Health Administration.

Often in implementation science efforts, an intervention originated by research funding does not continue in clinical practice after funding ends, or if it does, the process by which it was sustained remains known only to the implementation research or clinical teams. From 2018 to 2020, we implemented a complex telehealth interdisciplinary behavioral health program supported by research funding. The intervention was Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) delivered via televideo from a large parent medical facility to rural satellite clinics (tele-PCMHI) within the Veterans Health Administration. Two implementation facilitators worked closely with clinical leaders and staff to plan, launch, and sustain tele-PCMHI across four sites. The intervention is still maintained by the clinical service and has spread to eight sites. Based on ethnographic and qualitative data collected weekly over 2 years, we categorized sustainment strategies across distinct time periods for this complex program, theoretically grounded in the Dynamic Sustainability Framework, emphasizing changes to adapt intervention fit to rapidly changing context. To contextualize, we identified barriers and strengths, such as difficulty training staff to use new equipment, restructuring clinic workflow, and determining suicide risk management remotely. New barriers arose, and, thus, new strategies were needed to continue implementing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Different strategies at different stages of implementation allowed sustainment to be a dynamic and evolving process. Plus, proactive and persistent planning for sustainment early in the effort, along with alignment with performance metrics and national policy, supported continued delivery in real-world organized care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Enhancing Underwater Object Detection and Classification Using Advanced Imaging Techniques: A Novel Approach with Diffusion Models

Underwater object detection and classification pose significant challenges due to environmental factors such as water turbidity and variable lighting conditions. This research proposes a novel approach that integrates advanced imaging techniques with diffusion models to address these challenges effectively, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water. The methodology leverages the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), Modified Swin Transformer Block (MSTB), and Diffusion model to enhance the quality of underwater images, thereby improving the accuracy of object detection and classification tasks. This study utilizes the TrashCan dataset, comprising diverse underwater scenes and objects, to validate the proposed method’s efficacy. This study proposes an advanced imaging technique YOLO (you only look once) network (AIT-YOLOv7) for detecting objects in underwater images. This network uses a modified U-Net, which focuses on informative features using a convolutional block channel and spatial attentions for color correction and a modified swin transformer block for resolution enhancement. A novel diffusion model proposed using modified U-Net with ResNet understands the intricate structures in images with underwater objects, which enhances detection capabilities under challenging visual conditions. Thus, AIT-YOLOv7 net precisely detects and classifies different classes of objects present in this dataset. These improvements are crucial for applications in marine ecology research, underwater archeology, and environmental monitoring, where precise identification of marine debris, biological organisms, and submerged artifacts is essential. The proposed framework advances underwater imaging technology and supports the sustainable management of marine resources and conservation efforts. The experimental results demonstrate that state-of-the-art object detection methods, namely SSD, YOLOv3, YOLOv4, and YOLOTrashCan, achieve mean accuracies (mAP@0.5) of 57.19%, 58.12%, 59.78%, and 65.01%, respectively, whereas the proposed AIT-YOLOv7 net reaches a mean accuracy (mAP@0.5) of 81.4% on the TrashCan dataset, showing a 16.39% improvement. Due to this improvement in the accuracy and efficiency of underwater object detection, this research contributes to broader marine science and technology efforts, promoting the better understanding and management of aquatic ecosystems and helping to prevent and reduce the marine pollution, as emphasized in SDG 14.

Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in School Psychology Science and Scholarship: Changing Training and Practice in the Field of School Psychology

The intentional and sustained actions to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in school psychology science and scholarship, will have reciprocal and dynamic influences on graduate preparation and practice. Herein, the School Psychology Review leadership team provides reflections on several of our intentional efforts, to date, to advocate for and advance DEI in school psychology scholarship, and the associated implications for graduate preparation and practice. Contemporary actions of the School Psychology Review leadership team have included; (a) establishing commitments to advocating for and advancing DEI as the foundation of our scholarship; (b) diversifying journal leadership and editorial board members to reflect the diverse student body school psychologists serve; (c) preparing future diverse journal leadership through mentored editorial fellowship programs, and a student editorial board with members from diverse backgrounds; (d) featuring special topics relevant to further understanding and supporting diverse and minoritized children, youth, families, and school communities; (e) providing professional-development opportunities and resources; (f) implementation of Open Science opportunities in the journal, (g) implementing triple anonymous peer review to reduce bias, and (h) implementing a journal action plan focused on advancing DEI. Collectively these efforts are aimed to influence positive change in advancing and sustaining DEI efforts in school psychology science, scholarship, graduate preparation and practice.

Information science in the German Democratic Republic

PurposeThe article aims to give an overview of the history and the achieved status of information science in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) with an emphasis on the organisation of information science and practice in the GDR and on the theoretical foundations of information science.Design/methodology/approachPrimarily, this article is based upon critical literature studies, especially German-language books and journal articles, but the empirical basis also includes some unpublished sources (e.g. letters from information scientists from the GDR).FindingsThere are interesting results concerning the roots of information science in cybernetics, philosophy and the practical area of documentation. The naming of this knowledge field as “informatics”, “informatics of science” or “information and documentation science” is partly very distinct from Western conceptions. We found different theoretical foundations for information science including the approaches of Bonitz, Engelbert, Koblitz and Groß and Fuchs-Kittowski. In the GDR, information science and information practice were centralised, but through the information system science and technology, they were consistently accessible at all levels of professional work. With German reunification, information practice and its institutions, as well as GDR’s information science efforts, disappeared.Research limitations/implicationsThe article gives hints on the importance on and the survival of some GDR approaches in contemporary information science, but those developments should be analysed in much more detail.Originality/valueThis is the first overview article on the state and entire development of information science in the GDR.

The Protective Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality associated with various clinical conditions, including acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and organ transplantation. During ischemia, a profound hypoxic insult develops, resulting in cellular dysfunction and tissue damage. Paradoxically, reperfusion can exacerbate this injury through the generation of reactive oxygen species and the induction of inflammatory cascades. The extensive clinical sequelae of IRI necessitate the development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate its deleterious effects. This has become a cornerstone of ongoing research efforts in both basic and translational science. This review examines the use of molecular hydrogen for IRI in different organs and explores the underlying mechanisms of its action. Molecular hydrogen is a selective antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and signal-modulatory properties. It has been shown to be effective at mitigating IRI in different models, including heart failure, cerebral stroke, transplantation, and surgical interventions. Hydrogen reduces IRI via different mechanisms, like the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation, the enhancement of ATP production, decreasing calcium overload, regulating cell death, etc. Further research is still needed to integrate the use of molecular hydrogen into clinical practice.

Radioluminescence Dosimetry in Modern Radiation Therapy

Accurate and precise measurement of radiation energy delivered to and absorbed by the patient's tissue is of great importance in radiation therapy (RT) quality assurance. Radioluminescence (RL) dosimetry has shown great potential for high spatiotemporal resolution dose measurement of RT fields. Implementation of efficient RL dosimetry in RT requires multidisciplinary effort and skills in optics, medical physics, radiation physics, electronics, and imaging science. In this review, a wide overview of fundamentals and applications of RL properties of media for RT dosimetry with emphasis on their potential use for multidimensional, small‐field, and ultra‐high dose rate RT dosimetry is provided.

2024 RECOVER Guidelines: Methods, evidence identification, evaluation, and consensus process for development of treatment recommendations.

To describe the methodology used by the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) to re-evaluate the scientific evidence relevant to CPR in small and large animals, to newborn resuscitation, and to first aid and to formulate the respective consensus-based clinical guidelines. This report describes the evidence-to-guidelines process employed by RECOVER that is based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and includes Information Specialist-driven systematic literature search, evidence evaluation conducted by more than 200 veterinary professionals, and provision of clinical guidelines in the domains of Preparedness and Prevention, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Post-cardiac Arrest Care, Newborn Resuscitation, First Aid, and Large Animal CPR. Transdisciplinary, international collaboration in academia, referral practice, and general practice. For this update to the RECOVER 2012 CPR guidelines, we answered 135 Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) questions with the help of a team of Domain Chairs, Information Specialists, and more than 200 Evidence Evaluators. Most primary contributors were veterinary specialists or veterinary technician specialists. The RECOVER 2024 Guidelines represent the first veterinary application of the GRADE approach to clinical guideline development. We employed an iterative process that follows a predefined sequence of steps designed to reduce bias of Evidence Evaluators and to increase the repeatability of the quality of evidence assessments and ultimately the treatment recommendations. The process also allowed numerous important knowledge gaps to emerge that form the foundation for prioritizing research efforts in veterinary resuscitation science. Large collaborative, volunteer-based development of evidence- and consensus-based clinical guidelines is challenging and complex but feasible. The experience gained will help refine the process for future veterinary guidelines initiatives.

Responsive Research and Scientific Autonomy

Von Schomberg’s call to place mutual responsiveness – which I understand as the ability of researchers and the research system as a whole to foster meaningful exchanges and learn from novel experiences, no matter where those originate – at the core of Open Science and related efforts to reform the scientific landscape is both timely and significant. Widespread sharing is not enough to guarantee responsible and inclusive research, nor are vague appeals to improve research culture, whatever it is that such culture may turn out to include (Leonelli, 2023). Rather, emphasis needs to be placed on the conditions under which sharing materials, methods and insights – and debating the goals and directions towards which these may be put to use – may improve research exchange, communication and scrutiny, resulting in scientific outputs that are both reliable and socially responsive. Hence von Schomberg’s focus on the interplay between institutional and behavioural features of science and his plea for a reform in governance structures, such as initiated by COARA, are very well-taken. He is, however, too quick to dismiss the importance of some degree of autonomy for those involved in creating knowledge. To show why this matters, I here briefly discuss two of von Schomberg’s additional claims: (1) his focus on ‘knowledge actors’ as the protagonists of research efforts; and (2) his critique of the effectiveness of self-governance efforts by researchers.

Efficient extraction of textile dyes using reusable acrylic-based smart polymers

Water pollution from industrial or household waste, containing dyes from the textile industry, poses a significant environmental challenge requiring immediate attention. In this study, we have developed a crosslinked-smart-polymer film based on 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate copolymerized with other hydrophilic and hydrophobic commercial monomers, and its efficacy in removing 21 different textile dyes was assessed. The smart polymer effectively interacts with and adsorbs dyes, inducing a noticeable colour change. UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis confirmed a removal efficiency exceeding 90 % for anionic dyes, with external diffusion identified as the primary influencing factor on process kinetics, consistent with both pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Crank-Dual model. Isothermal studies revealed distinct adsorption behaviors, with indigo carmine adhering to a Freundlich isotherm while others conformed to the Langmuir model. Permeation and fluorescence analyses corroborated isotherm observations, verifying surface adsorption. Significantly, our proof-of-concept demonstrated the resilience of the smart-film to common fabric softeners and detergents without compromising adsorption capacity. Additionally, the material exhibited reusability (for at least 5 cycles), durability, and good thermal and mechanical properties, with T5 and T10 values of 265 °C and 342 °C, respectively, a Tg of 168 °C, and a water swelling percentage of 54.3 %, thus confirming its stability and suitability for industrial application. Environmental implicationDyes released during laundry processes should be classified as "hazardous materials" owing to their significant toxicity towards aquatic organisms, with the potential to disrupt ecosystems and harm aquatic biodiversity. This paper discusses the development of a novel acrylic material in film form, engineered to extract toxic anionic dyes. This study directly contributes to mitigating the environmental impact associated with the fashion industry and the domestic use of textiles. It can be implemented on both an industrial and personal scale, thereby encouraging more sustainable practices and promoting collaborative citizen science efforts towards

The barriers to uptake of disaster risk management science in urban planning: A political economy analysis.

There is increasing effort in science to support disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation in urban environments. It is now common for research calls and projects to reference coproduction methods and science uptake goals. This paper identifies lessons for researchers, research funders, and research users wishing to enable useful, useable, and used science based on the perspectives of research users in urban planning from low- and middle-income countries. DRM-supporting science is viewed by policy actors as: complicated and poorly communicated; presenting inadequate, partial, and outdated information; misaligned with policy cycles; and costly to access and inadequately positioned to overcome the policy barriers that hinder integration of DRM into urban planning. Addressing these specific concerns points to more systematic collection and organisation of data and enhancement of supporting administrative structures to facilitate better sight of human vulnerability and its link to development decision-making and wider processes of urban risk creation.

Translating the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 into Spanish: Methodology and validation

Background Precise and unequivocal specification of intervention content is key to facilitating the accumulation and implementation of knowledge. The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1) is the most widely used classification of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), providing a shared, standardized vocabulary to identify the active ingredients of behavioural interventions. However, the BCTTv1 is only available in English and this hampers its broad use and adoption. The aim of the present article is to report the process of translation of the BCTTv1 into Spanish. Methods A bilingual team led the translation of the BCTTv1, involving seven iterative steps: (i) establish a Committee, (ii) forward translation from English to Spanish, (iii) back translation from Spanish to English, (iv) comparison of original BCTTv1 and back translation, (v) opportunistic comparison against an independent BCTTv1 translation, (vi) empirical testing, and (vii) final Committee review. Results Changes as a result of the translation process included relabelling BCTs, amending definitions, and fixing conceptual and grammatical inconsistencies, yielding the final version. Very satisfactory inter-coder reliability in BCT identification was observed as part of the empirical testing (i.e., prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa scores > 0.8). Conclusions This work provides the Spanish-speaking population with a rigorous and validated BCTTv1 translation which can be used in both research and practice to provide a greater level of intervention detail for evidence synthesis, comparison, and replication of behaviour change interventions. The translation process described here may prove helpful to guide future translation efforts in behavioural science and beyond.

Spatial distribution patterns and drivers of above- and below- biomass in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems

Unraveling the dynamics of the global carbon cycle and assessing the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems are critically dependent on a comprehensive understanding of vegetation biomass. This exploration delves into the pivotal role of biomass within vegetation communities, emphasizing its impact on ecosystem health, productivity, and community structure development. These insights are invaluable for advancing ecological science and conservation efforts. The synthesis of aboveground (AGB) and belowground (BGB) biomass data from 4485 and 3442 locations across China, respectively, collates a wide range of published sources. Integrating this extensive dataset with environmental parameters and applying advanced machine learning techniques facilitated an in-depth analysis of AGB and BGB spatial patterns within China. Techniques such as variance decomposition analysis and piecewise structural equation modeling were employed to dissect the factors contributing to the spatial variability of vegetation biomass. Significant spatial heterogeneity in biomass distribution was uncovered, with vegetation biomass in the northwest markedly lower than in the southern and northeastern regions. It was observed that AGB consistently surpassed BGB. Climatic conditions, soil characteristics, and soil nutrients were found to significantly explain 53 % and 48 % of the total variance in AGB and BGB, respectively. Specifically, solar radiation and soil total nitrogen were identified as critical factors influencing variations in AGB and BGB. The findings offer profound contributions to the understanding of the global carbon balance and the evaluation of terrestrial ecosystems sustainability. Moreover, they provide essential insights into the ecosystems' response mechanisms to global changes, serving as a fundamental reference for future studies on terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling and carbon sequestration potentials.

Growing Up Together in Society (GUTS): A team science effort to predict societal trajectories in adolescence and young adulthood

Our society faces a great diversity of opportunities for youth. The 10-year Growing Up Together in Society (GUTS) program has the long-term goal to understand which combination of measures best predict societal trajectories, such as school success, mental health, well-being, and developing a sense of belonging in society. Our leading hypothesis is that self-regulation is key to how adolescents successfully navigate the demands of contemporary society. We aim to test these questions using socio-economic, questionnaire (including experience sampling methods), behavioral, brain (fMRI, sMRI, EEG), hormonal, and genetic measures in four large cohorts including adolescents and young adults. Two cohorts are designed as test and replication cohorts to test the developmental trajectory of self-regulation, including adolescents of different socioeconomic status thereby bridging individual, family, and societal perspectives. The third cohort consists of an entire social network to examine how neural and self-regulatory development influences and is influenced by whom adolescents and young adults choose to interact with. The fourth cohort includes youth with early signs of antisocial and delinquent behavior to understand patterns of societal development in individuals at the extreme ends of self-regulation and societal participation, and examines pathways into and out of delinquency. We will complement the newly collected cohorts with data from existing large-scale population-based and case-control cohorts. The study is embedded in a transdisciplinary approach that engages stakeholders throughout the design stage, with a strong focus on citizen science and youth participation in study design, data collection, and interpretation of results, to ensure optimal translation to youth in society.

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INSIGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

In today's era of extensive international integration, collaboration in the realm of education and science and technology is undeniably essential within higher education establishments. Specifically, both bilateral and multilateral cooperative efforts in science and technology are being increasingly highlighted and encouraged in various forms. This article delves into the landscape of scientific and technological collaboration within higher education institutions, exploring the frameworks, experiences, and lessons learned from various perspectives. The development of science and technology stands as a cornerstone in the global integration agenda, with nations around the world emphasizing the importance of diversified and multilateral cooperation. Vietnam, in its pursuit of scientific excellence and technological prowess, has embraced international integration schemes and policies aimed at enhancing cooperation and investment in the realm of science and technology. This commitment is reflected in governmental decisions, policies, and strategic plans that underscore the significance of collaboration in research, development, and knowledge dissemination. Furthermore, international experiences, particularly from countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and China, offer valuable insights into different models of collaboration between higher education institutions, businesses, and research entities. These models encompass a spectrum of activities ranging from institutional exchanges, student programs, and scientific workshops to in-depth research partnerships and technology transfer initiatives. The article also delves into regional collaboration experiences, highlighting exemplary institutions such as Hanoi National University and the University of Labor and Social Affairs, showcasing their achievements, policies, and strategic initiatives in fostering collaborative endeavors in science and technology. Through case studies and analysis, we aim to extract lessons, best practices, and recommendations that can further enhance collaborative frameworks, communication channels, and resource utilization in the pursuit of scientific advancements and technological innovations. By examining the intersection of academia, industry, and international partnerships, this article aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on effective strategies for promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer within higher education ecosystems.

Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring.

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Toward Opportunity-Centered Institutional Logics: Evidence from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Science Equity Efforts

ABSTRACT In U.S. 4-year postsecondary institutions, predominant institutional logics — the embedded assumptions that guide organizational action — have traditionally focused on prestige seeking via acquisition of resources, reputation, and research capabilities. This focus can hinder the design and implementation of teaching approaches and structures that support equitable student experiences and outcomes, particularly for minoritized students. This study examined the institutional logics guiding the organizational behavior of four broadly accessible Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) computer science departments. All were participating in a multi-institutional network of HSIs designed to advance science equity efforts and postsecondary attainment for Latinx students in the discipline. A multiple case study of these four departments included 63 interviews with faculty and administrators, 69 observations of departmental activities, and extensive participant-observations of the network before, during, and after site visits. Data analysis revealed three themes — inclusivity, talent development, and cultural responsiveness — that indicate how departmental personnel employ institutional logics alternative to prestige-seeking institutional logics. The paper discusses the implications of these alternative institutional logics, characterized as opportunity-centered logics, to effect equity-focused institutional transformation, strengthening of HSIs’ capacities to serve Latinx and minoritized students, and inclusive efforts in science.

The Elephant in the Room: Recognition and Documentation of Personnel Practices That Confound Reproducibility.

The ability to apply findings from animal studies efficiently and effectively is predicated on an understanding of biology and pathobiology, how that biology relates to the human systems being modeled, and how the studies are conducted and reported. This overview discusses various factors in research within the animal environment (referred to as extrinsic factors) that the NIH now expects to be documented to foster replicability in science and expand interpretations of study outcomes. Specifically, an important extrinsic factor in research with animals is that of individual personnel who perform handling practices, participate in research interactions, and share an overall presence in the housing facility with animals, all of which can confound reproducibility efforts in biomedical science. An improved understanding of the influences and behaviors of animal research personnel on animal responses is critical with regard to research results and the interpretation of data collected from animal models of biomedical disease.