Scientific Enterprise Research Articles

Student, Teacher, and Scientist Views of the Scientific Enterprise: An Epistemic Network Re-analysis

There is substantial research in science education about students’, teachers’, and scientists’ views of nature of science (NOS). Many studies have used NOS frameworks that focus on particular ideas such as tentativeness of scientific knowledge and cultural embeddedness of science. In this paper, we investigate NOS from the perspective of the Family Resemblance Approach (FRA) which considers clusters of ideas about science in terms of categories that offer a comprehensive analytical lens to studying NOS views. The empirical study re-analyzes NOS views obtained from 7 and 8th grade students, science teachers, and scientists using the FRA lens. Statements from all three groups were obtained using a free-write questionnaire on nature of knowledge and nature of knowing. The statements were reclassified using the FRA framework. Epistemic network analysis (ENA) was applied to the statements produced by each group of participants, and the resulting network models were interpreted and compared. The results show that student and teacher network models possessed no central idea, and more tangible ideas about science were frequently connected. Scientist network models showed more connections across their statements which indicate a higher degree of agreement and coherence among a variety of ideas compared to student and teacher network models. The paper discusses the findings as well as the methodological contributions, and concludes with implications for future research.

Bhutanese science teachers\u2019 perceptions of the nature of science: a cross-sectional study

This study investigated Bhutanese science teachers’ conceptions of the nature of science (NOS). The study recruited 225 Bhutanese science teachers based on convenient and snowball sampling techniques. The data was collected using the Myths of Science Questionnaire (MOSQ). The MOSQ was designed on Google Forms and administered through the online survey mode. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics in terms of the measure of frequency supported by science teachers’ open-ended written responses, Independent Sample t-test, and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Findings from descriptive statistics showed that Bhutanese science teachers considerably lacked clear understanding of the NOS in terms of scientific knowledge, scientific method, scientists’ work, and scientific enterprise. The Independent Sample t-test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Bhutanese male and female science teachers’ perceptions of the NOS with p > .05. The One-way ANOVA test revealed statistically significant differences amongst Bhutanese science teachers’ perceptions of the NOS based on their academic qualifications with p < .05. The Tukey Post-hoc test, however, revealed that Bhutanese science teachers’ perceptions of the NOS based on academic qualifications was significant only between teachers with postgraduate diploma and doctor of philosophy.

Increasing Diversity in Developmental Biology.

The demographic profile of the scientific and biomedical workforce in the United States does not reflect the population at large (https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf21321/data-tables; www.census.gov), raising concerns that there will be too few trained researchers in the future, the scope of research interests will not be broad enough, gaps in equity and social justice will continue to increase, and the safeguards to the integrity of the scientific enterprise could be jeopardized. To diversify the pool of scientists, the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) developed the Choose Development! Program—a two-summer immersion for undergraduate students belonging to underrepresented (UR) populations in STEM to join the research laboratory of an established SDB member. This research-intensive experience was augmented by a multi-tier mentoring plan for each student, society-wide recognition, professional development activities and networking at national meetings. The strengths of the Choose Development! Program were leveraged to expand inclusion and outreach at the Society’s leadership level, the Board of Directors (BOD), which then led to significant changes that impacted the SDB community. The cumulative outcomes of the Choose Development! Program provides evidence that community-based, long-term advocacy, and mentoring of young UR scientists is successful in retaining UR students in scientific career paths and making a scientific society more inclusive.

COVID‐19 Impacts Highlight the Need for Holistic Evaluation of Research in the Hydrologic Sciences

AbstractAs we reckon with the effect of COVID‐19 on the research enterprise in hydrologic science, it is important to acknowledge that disruptions will be persistent and that institutional‐level adjustments, while helpful, are not sufficient to mitigate all impacts on hydrologic scientists. Here, we describe the breadth of research contributions in the hydrologic sciences, consider how the pandemic has impacted this portfolio of contributions, document one impact that is already being realized in publication of research, and suggest guidance to the hydrologic science community, institutions, review panels, and funding organizations in considering these impacts at various stages of hiring and promotion in our community. Acknowledging the diversity of contributions to research is particularly valuable because it provides a more objective, transparent, and holistic basis for evaluating individuals within the context of norms of the hydrologic science community. With clearly established values, it is easier to identify impacts of life events, such as those related to the COVID‐19 pandemic, as they are manifested in individuals under a diversity of circumstances.

Design, Simulation and Experimentation of a Polythene Film Debris Recovery Machine in Soil

With the rapid development of planting techniques using plastic film mulching, the content of residual plastic film in soil increases year by year, which pollutes the soil and water, endangers the growth of crops and reduces the quality and yield of agricultural products. Therefore, in order to solve the problem that plastic film with a thickness of 0.008 mm, commonly used in China, is difficult to recycle, this study designed the residue film recycling machine based on the existing research results. After harvesting cotton in Xinjiang, the working performance of the residue film recovery machine of plough layer was measured. Through theoretical optimization and field experiments, the effects of conveyor speed, distance between elastic teeth and type of elastic teeth on residual film recovery were studied. The relationship between the parameters of the residual film recovery machine and the recovery effect of the residual film was analyzed. When the rotational speed and inclination angle of the conveying and separating device were 74 rpm, 35° and 120 rpm, 45°, respectively, under the condition that the distance between C-shaped elastic teeth was 59 mm, the recovery and separation rate of residual plastic film were 88.12% and 83.27%, respectively. Based on the study results, it is recommended to accelerate the development of naturally degradable agricultural plastic film or to popularize and apply thickened film. Relevant local standards and policies have been formulated to address the problem of residual film pollution, and a governance system has been established for the benefit of the government, scientific research institutions, enterprises and farmers. This study provides a reference for mechanized recovery of residual plastic film in soil and treatment of soil pollution.

The prediction algorithm of credit risk of science and technology finance based on cloud computing

In order to effectively guarantee the effect of credit risk prediction of science and technology finance and improve the ability of risk prediction, a credit risk prediction algorithm of science and technology finance based on cloud computing is proposed. The logistic regression model is used to predict, and the financial indicators of science and technology credit are selected as the model covariates. According to the characteristics and strong correlation of many financial indicators of science and technology credit, this paper constructs the final index system of online supply chain technology credit risk evaluation based on SMEs. Then the principal component analysis method is used to select the principal component. Combined with the penalty method, the data space dimension of financial indicators is further reduced, and the unrelated principal components are obtained. On this basis, a logistic regression model is established to predict the credit risk by taking the selected main components as covariates. The experimental results show that the algorithm has a good fit to the credit risk of 16 science and technology credit enterprises, and the risk prediction ability is significantly improved, which can effectively guarantee the effect of science and technology credit risk prediction.

Physician Bias and Clinical Trial Participation in Underrepresented Populations.

Physician Bias and Clinical Trial Participation in Underrepresented Populations.

Evolution of laboratory researches and diagnostics of materials

The research laboratories of scientific and industrial enterprises both in our country and abroad at all stages of industrial development faced all the new problems of materials science: determination of the chemical composition, basic characteristics, structural states, physical and mechanical properties of materials which entailed the necessity of laboratory, bench and field tests. Proceeding from the results obtained, decisions are made on the prospects of the design, development and improvement of traditional structural materials and technologies, as well as on their use in various civil and defense industries. Starting from 1932 the results of these studies are systematically highlighted in the publications of the journal « Industrial Laboratory. Diagnostics of materials» throughout the 90-year history of the journal. An emphasis is made on the key problems of formation of the chemical composition and structure, complex tests and certification of new materials and technologies with the subsequent use of the results in pilot and serial industrial production. Promising scientific directions and results of the implementation of the most important national and international concepts, strategies and programs aimed at ensuring the improved safety and security of man, nature and the technosphere are considered. Still much attention will be paid in the future to the results of complex mathematical, analytical, and digital studies, methodology of physicochemical and mechanical tests, the use of multiparameter methods and diagnostic tools for analysis of materials, substances, and living organisms at nano-micro-meso-macro levels, as well as to the mathematical and physical modeling of both dangerous and effective protective processes in engineering, sociology and management.

Teaching About Sex and Gender in Neuroscience: More Than Meets the "XY".

Offering courses on the neuroscience of sex and gender can help support an inclusive curriculum in neuroscience. At the same time, developing and teaching such courses can be daunting to even the most enthusiastic educators, given the subject's complexities, nuances, and the difficult conversations that it invites. The authors of this article have all developed and taught such courses from different perspectives. Our aim is to provide educators with an overview of important conceptual topics as well as a comprehensive, but non-exhaustive, guide to resources for teaching about sex/gender in neuroscience based on our collective experience teaching courses on the topic. After defining vital terminology and briefly reviewing the biology of sex and sex determination, we describe some common topics within the field and contrast our current nuanced understandings from outdated misconceptions in the field. We review how (mis)representation of the neuroscience of sex/gender serves as a case study for how scientific results are communicated and disseminated. We consider how contextualization of sex/gender neuroscience research within a broader historical and societal framework can give students a wider perspective on the enterprise of science. Finally, we conclude with a brief discussion on how to choose learning goals for your course and implementation notes.

Стратегия развития научно-производственных предприятий: виды и особенности

The problems of forming an enterprise development strategy and its relationship with the factors of the external and internal environment have been studied by many scientists. However, not enough attention has been paid to the essence of strategy formation at scientific enterprises. The article presents an interpretation of the concept of «enterprise strategy» taking into account the features of a scientific enterprise. Special attention is paid to the types of strategies of research and production enterprises. Using the example of an operating enterprise, the stages of forming a strategy based on the use of a system of balanced indicators are shown.

Global scientific production in the pre-Covid-19 Era: An analysis of 53 countries for 22 years.

Based on an extensive analysis of public databases, we provide an overview of the global scientific output and describe the dynamics of the profound changes in the scientific enterprise during the last decades. The analysis included the scientific production of 53 countries over the 1996-2018 period. During this period, the production of articles per year has tripled. There was a strong correlation between the growth of the global gross domestic product and the increase in the number of articles (R2 = 0.973, P<0.001). Six countries showed a robust increment of their scientific production and are currently among the top 20 in the ranking of world scientific production (China, India, South Korea, Brazil, Turkey, and Iran). The mean annual growth rate was about 12.7% for these six countries. The share of the global scientific production of these countries increased from 7% in 1996 to 27.8% in 2018. Conversely, the participation of the 10 most traditional countries has dropped from 73% to 45% during the same period. In conclusion, we believe that our findings may contribute to further studies aiming to evaluate the impact and changes of the scientific endeavor over the next years in light of the forthcoming new world framework.

Встановлення природи виникнення сполук кальцію та заліза в сірчаному газі після печей спалювання комової сірки

ELUCIDATION OF THE NATURE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CALCIUM AND IRON COMPOUNDS IN SULFUR DIOXIDE AFTER LUMP SULFUR COMBUSTION FURNACES © E.M. Semiryazhko (LLC Scientific and Production Enterprise Zarya, 93000, Rubizhne, Lugansk region, Zavodskaya st., 1g/36, Ukraine), D.M. Deineka, PhD in Technical Sciences, V.V. Kazakov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Yu.I. Wetzner, PhD in Technical Sciences (National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", 61002, Kharkov, Kirpichev str., 2, Ukraine), V.A. Panasenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences (SE "State Research and Design Institute of Basic Chemistry", 61002, Mironositskaya St., 25, Kharkov, Ukraine), A.A. Fandeeva (NTU "KhPI") It is known that in the operation of the first layer of the vanadium catalyst for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3 in the production of sulfuric acid, the main problem is the rapid increase in the hydraulic resistance of the catalyst due to the ingress of solid impurities in the form of dust from the gas. It has been established that the main component of these impurities are calcium and iron compounds. Therefore, the determination of the main sources of the occurrence of these compounds in sulfuric gas would make it possible to solve the problem of their elimination and improve the performance properties of the catalyst. The chemical composition of the feedstock in the production of sulfuric acid – granulated sulfur – was studied by X-ray fluorescence analysis for the presence of calcium and iron compounds. It was found that the content of calcium and iron in sulfur was 0,015 wt. %, which is not significant for this production. The method of X-ray diffraction analysis was used to study the marl-chamotte, chromium-magnesium bricks of the Slavyansk plant and cement used at LLC NPP “Zarya” as, respectively, the lining of the sulfur combustion furnace and for the installation of the lining. As a result of the research, the presence of calcium carbonate was established, and it can be a source of calcium compounds under the operating conditions of a sulfur combustion furnace. X-ray diffraction studies of spent vanadium catalysts were carried out and it was found that iron precipitates on the catalyst surface in the form of oxide Fe2O3 and forms iron-potassium alum in the form of KFe(SO4) and [K(Fe,Al)SO4]2 salts both on the surface and in depth of the granules. As a result of the research, it was shown that iron oxide Fe2O3 is a corrosion product of the metal part of the combustion furnace equipment and the waste heat boiler. Based on the studies carried out, recommendations are given in the work to reduce the effect of contamination of the layers of vanadium catalysts: storage and preparation of feedstock, process standards. Key words: sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide oxidation, vanadium catalyst, sulfuric gas, sulfur combustion, sulfur combustion furnace, vanadium catalyst fouling. Corresponding author: Deyneka Dmitry Nikolaevich, e-mail: deynekadn@gmail.com

IPO Pricing, Investor Behavior, and IPO Underpricing of High‐Tech Companies: Evidence from SSE STAR Market and Nasdaq Market

There is a significant IPO underpricing phenomenon in the stocks of high‐tech companies on China Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market). In order to analyze the causes of high IPO underpricing on STAR Market, from the perspective of investor behavior, this paper uses the Two‐tier Stochastic Frontier Model to decompose IPO underpricing into two parts, the pricing impact of the primary market and the transaction impact of the secondary market, and then studies the differences of the impact of different markets on IPO underpricing. The results show the following: (1) the primary market pricing of most stocks, that is, the difference between the issuance price of stocks and the real value of stocks is small, which shows that the primary market pricing has a weak impact on the IPO underpricing of the STAR Market, which in turn shows that the implementation of the registration system has significantly improved the IPO pricing efficiency of the STAR Market; (2) the closing price of most stocks fell on debut, that is, the trading price of stocks is significantly higher than its real value, which shows that the blind optimism of investors in the secondary market and the irrationality of investor structure are the main factors leading to the IPO underpricing of the STAR Market; and (3) through the variance decomposition and the robustness test of grouping the industry to which the enterprise belongs, the year of listing, and issuance and the size of the enterprise, we find that in different years and different industries, the impact of investor behavior in the secondary market on IPO underpricing is significantly higher than that in the primary market. In addition, the IPO underpricing of enterprises is not affected by the size of enterprises. This shows that the behavior of investors in the secondary market has always been the main means to affect the IPO underpricing of the STAR Market. This paper expands the analysis idea of IPO underpricing, which has a certain reference significance for the reform of STAR Market and the listing and financing of scientific and technological innovation enterprises.

Current Issues of Russian and Mongolian District Heating Systems and Scientific and Methodological Lines for Solving Them

Against the background of the commonality of issues facing district-heating systems (DHSs) in Russia and Mongolia, the prospective strands to overcome them through the widespread adoption of modern methods of mathematical modeling and information technologies are addressed in this paper. A brief description of the long-term experience of cooperation between the Energy Systems Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ESI SB RAS) and the scientific and energy enterprises of Mongolia in the field of computer technologies for the analysis and development of operating parameters of the DHS is given. The study shows that this experience is in line with the current global trends in the modernization of district heating systems based on their digitalization and smartization. The concept of intelligent (smart) DHSs, their advantages, as well as the issues arising on the way of the DHS transformation into cyber-physical self-controlled systems are revealed. The results of the analysis of the state-of-the-art scientific and methodological developments and software in the field the DHS analysis and control smartization are discussed. The main results obtained at the ESI SB RAS in the formulation of the DHS adaptive control problems and the creation of a single information space are presented along with the methods for resolving specific issues of analysis, identification of models, and DHS optimization. Additionally, the paper focuses on the software developed at the ESI SB RAS to meet new conditions and requirements in three main applications: as a tool for automating calculations when developing adjustment measures to normalize and improve the energy efficiency of operating conditions; as a tool for integrating heterogeneous information resources into a single space; and as a platform for the development and adoption of the DHS computer simulation methods in practice of operational dispatch control.

Journal of Scientific Temper

The term ‘Nature of Science’ (NOS) is often used to refer to distinctive characteristics of scientific enterprise and qualities of scientists. An adequate understanding of NOS is crucial for better decision-making and positive scientific attitude. Teachers are expected to develop this understanding among their students for which they themselves require understanding of various aspects of NOS (e.g. scientific knowledge is tentative or science involves creativity). In addition, they need knowledge of how learners’ misconceptions about NOS and scientists can be challenged with the help of appropriate strategies. This knowledge base of teachers is popularly referred to as ‘PCK for NOS’ (Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) for teaching NOS). This knowledge base is complex. How far teachers possess it needs investigation. In the present paper, the authors have provided a review of studies revealing the status of teachers’ PCK for NOS. Firstly, teachers’ understanding of NOS is discussed. Then, the status of science teaching in schools is reviewed. Thereafter, studies specific to PCK for NOS are examined. The factors that influence the teaching of science and NOS are also highlighted. The review reveals that teachers do not understand some important aspects of NOS and hold stereotypical image of scientists. The teaching-learning of science in schools is also not satisfactory and NOS is hardly addressed in science classrooms. However, the intentions and practices of teachers for teaching NOS evidently improve with interventions. Based on the review, the paper concludes that the way science is presented in science classrooms needs to be revisited. It is suggested that Teacher Education Programmes must play their role in developing PCK for NOS among teachers and suitable instruments must be developed for measuring PCK for NOS.

Scientific Preeminence: An American Domestic and Diplomatic Priority

Science has seen many accomplishments over the last decade yet is facing growing public distrust. Robert D. Hormats calls on us to rethink U.S. leadership in science and the way the U.S. government is organized to support scientific enterprise.

Missionary Medicine and Sarawak Malay Proselytisation (1848–1866): The Unfulfilled Mission

This article discusses the introduction of the Anglican medical mission in 19th- century Sarawak. Missionary medicine was part of the constellation of Western rationality brought to the Malay Archipelago through colonialism. However, far from being a purely scientific enterprise, missionary medicine became a theological tool for the fulfilment of religious duty expected of the spiritually imbued practitioner engaged by the evangelical society. It was believed that in healing the soul through the body, a conversion could follow. In addition to spiritual conversion, medicine was ideologised as civilisational superior to the indigenous form, therefore should be imposed as a means of civilising the native subjects. To explore the effect of theological medicine on Sarawak Malay, the letters of Bishop Francis Thomas McDougall (1817–1886) became the primary source-material in illuminating the early phase of missionary medicine in Sarawak. The reference to letters as historical evidence was unique as personal correspondence often replete with sentiments. By utilising the history of emotion approach, the sentiment was historicised as a product of the precariousness of life in a colonial situation. It was found that the practice of medicine had been frustrated by the excessive imagination of impending violence, causing the subtle attempt at Malay proselytisation to cease. In the end, missionary medicine had a short lifespan and limited effect on the religious and health belief among Sarawak Malay. To them, Christianity and its medicine were uninspiring and ineffectual.

Breaking free How preregistration hurts scholars and science.

Pre-registration has become an increasingly popular proposal to address concerns regarding questionable research practices. Yet preregistration does not necessarily solve these problems. It also causes additional problems, including raising costs for more junior and less resourced scholars. In addition, pre-registration restricts creativity and diminishes the broader scientific enterprise. In this way, pre-registration neither solves the problems it is intended to address, nor does it come without costs. Pre-registration is neither necessary nor sufficient for producing novel or ethical work. In short, pre-registration represents a form of virtue signaling that is more performative than actual.

Reverse-Bayes methods for evidence assessment and research synthesis.

It is now widely accepted that the standard inferential toolkit used by the scientific research community—null‐hypothesis significance testing (NHST)—is not fit for purpose. Yet despite the threat posed to the scientific enterprise, there is no agreement concerning alternative approaches for evidence assessment. This lack of consensus reflects long‐standing issues concerning Bayesian methods, the principal alternative to NHST. We report on recent work that builds on an approach to inference put forward over 70 years ago to address the well‐known “Problem of Priors” in Bayesian analysis, by reversing the conventional prior‐likelihood‐posterior (“forward”) use of Bayes' theorem. Such Reverse‐Bayes analysis allows priors to be deduced from the likelihood by requiring that the posterior achieve a specified level of credibility. We summarise the technical underpinning of this approach, and show how it opens up new approaches to common inferential challenges, such as assessing the credibility of scientific findings, setting them in appropriate context, estimating the probability of successful replications, and extracting more insight from NHST while reducing the risk of misinterpretation. We argue that Reverse‐Bayes methods have a key role to play in making Bayesian methods more accessible and attractive for evidence assessment and research synthesis. As a running example we consider a recently published meta‐analysis from several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the association between corticosteroids and mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID‐19.

Research on a Dynamic Evaluation of Financial Risks of Intellectual Property Pledge Financing of High-Tech Enterprises

Intellectual property pledge financing is effective in alleviating the financing problems of scientific and technological enterprises to a certain extent. However, compared with traditional loans, intellectual property pledge financing is at greater risk with an eye to the particularity of intellectual property pledges. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate the risk of intellectual property pledge financing. This article first outlines the information entropy method, functionalizing indicator data and weight data, and applies the combination of the weight function and indicator function in dynamic evaluation function, to get the final evaluation result. Second, taking four high-tech listed companies on the growth enterprises market (GEM) as example, an evaluation indicator system has been constructed with 16 relevant financial indicators from 2015 to 2019. Then, based on the dynamic function method, we can construct the evaluation function to describe the change trend of the financial indicators of enterprises with a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the financial indicators of enterprises. Finally, this article has made a comprehensively comparative analysis on the dynamic evaluation, and the financial risk of intellectual property pledge financing of high-tech enterprises has been done with the combination of the dynamic evaluation curve with the optimal time weight determined by the maximum entropy method.