Success Story Research Articles

Expanding Broad Molecular Reflex Testing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Squamous Histology.

Due to the success story of biomarker-driven targeted therapy, most NSCLC guidelines agree that molecular reflex testing should be performed in all cases with non-squamous cell carcinoma (non-SCC). In contrast, testing recommendations for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) vary considerably, specifically concerning the exclusion of patients of certain age or smoking status from molecular testing strategies. We performed a retrospective single-center study examining the value of molecular reflex testing in an unselected cohort of 316 consecutive lung SCC cases, tested by DNA- and RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) at our academic institution between 2019 and 2023. Clinicopathological data from these cases were obtained from electronic medical records and correlated with sequencing results. In 21/316 (6.6%) cases, we detected an already established molecular target for an approved drug. Among these were seven cases with an EGFR mutation, seven with a KRAS G12C mutation, four with an ALK fusion, two with an EGFR fusion and one with a METex14 skipping event. All patients harboring a targetable alteration were >50 years of age and most of them had >15 pack-years, questioning restrictive molecular testing strategies. Based on our real-world data, we propose a reflex testing workflow using DNA- and RNA-based NGS that includes all newly diagnosed NSCLC cases, irrespective of histology, but also irrespective of age or smoking status.

Advancements in Genetic Engineering for Enhanced Traits in Horticulture Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Genetic engineering has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of horticulture to enhance the traits of crops, leading to improved yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This comprehensive review explores the recent advancements in genetic engineering techniques applied to horticulture crops, providing a detailed overview of the innovative strategies employed to manipulate plant genomes. The review begins by discussing the evolution of genetic engineering in horticulture, highlighting key milestones and breakthroughs that have paved the way for current advancements. It covers a range of techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, RNA interference, and synthetic biology, shedding light on their applications in modifying specific genes responsible for desired traits. The main focus of the review is on the enhancement of key horticultural traits, including disease resistance, pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and post-harvest attributes. Examples from various horticultural crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, illustrate the success stories and potential applications of genetic engineering in each category. The ethical and regulatory aspects of genetic engineering in horticulture are also explored, addressing concerns related to environmental impact, biodiversity, and consumer acceptance. The review emphasizes the importance of responsible and sustainable practices in the application of genetic engineering to ensure the long-term benefits without adverse consequences. Furthermore, the review delves into emerging trends and future prospects in the field, including the potential of genome editing for precision breeding, the use of omics technologies for targeted trait improvements, and the integration of genetic engineering with other breeding techniques. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the global adoption of genetically modified horticulture crops.

Enhancing multiple benefits of brownfield cleanups by applying ecosystem services concepts.

Brownfields are increasingly called upon to be transformed from potentially contaminated, often vacant properties into community assets that provide multiple benefits. Further, brownfields revitalization can provide critical opportunities and, particularly, nature-based solutions can enhance multiple ecological, human health, and economic benefits. Through a series of non-exhaustive surveys of existing examples of environmental benefits of cleanups, case study examples of brownfield cleanups achieving environmental benefits, and potential ecosystem services tools relevant to steps of a brownfields cleanup effort, we explore practical ideas for enhancing environmental benefits of brownfields cleanups by applying ecosystem services concepts. Examples of nature-based solutions, where appropriate, include the use of rain gardens, permeable pavements, green spaces, and the use of green technologies. Further, this article provides an overview of recent policy initiatives focused on nature-based solutions and enhancing ecosystem services in brownfields cleanup, revitalization, and reuse. Our goals are to increase the knowledge base on these opportunities and discuss how these concepts can be achieved through sharing success stories, making outreach materials accessible, and holding workshops to help successfully operationalize these concepts in a community's visioning for upcoming revitalization projects.

Liquid Chromatography ICP-MS to Assess the Stability of 175Lu- and natGa-Based Tumor-Targeting Agents towards the Development of 177Lu- and 68Ga-Labeled Radiopharmaceuticals.

In recent years, nuclear medicine has gained great interest, partly due to the success story of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (PluvictoTM). Still, in-depth preclinical characterization of radiopharmaceuticals mainly happens at centers that allow working with radioactive material. To support the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals, alternative non-radioactive characterization assays are highly desirable. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) associated with a chromatographic system can serve as a surrogate for the classical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-radiodetector combination for preclinical in vitro characterization of non-radioactive metal-labeled analogs of radiopharmaceuticals. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate the applicability of HPLC-ICP-MS by assessing the stability of 175Lu- and natGa-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting peptidomimetics, single domain antibody (sdAb) conjugates, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugates. 175Lu-labeled DOTAGA-conjugated and natGa-labeled NODAGA-conjugated sdAbs and mAbs showed the highest stability with >90% still intact after 24 h. The peptidomime-tics [175Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and [natGa]Ga-PSMA-11 showed identical in vitro serum stability as it was reported for their corresponding radioligands with >99% intact species after 24 h incubation in mouse serum, demonstrating the reliability of the method. Hence, the established HPLC-ICP-MS methods can support the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals in a classical pharmaceutical setting.

Globalising innovation through co-inventions–the success case of the Korean lithium-ion battery industry

Radical innovations can shift the global competitiveness of entire nations. While countries typically struggle to absorb knowledge about novel technologies quickly, in which knowledge tends to be spatially sticky, an important exception is the fast catch-up of the Korean Li-ion battery industry from Japan in the early 2000s. In this paper, we conduct an exploratory case study on this surprising success story. Focussing on patent co-inventions between Korea and Japan, we investigate their significance, as well as underlying types of co-inventions and types of transferred knowledge. To this end, we proceed in four steps: (1) a Poisson regression model; (2) social network analyses; (3) patent inventor tracking and (4) patent coding. Our results indicate that Korean–Japanese co-inventions hold significantly greater influence than other cross-country co-inventions, including with patents without cross-country collaboration. We find a pronounced knowledge-transfer intensity during the early 2000s and observe two types of co-inventions: organisation-level and inventor-level. Predominantly, we observe inventor-level co-inventions, i.e. Korean companies hiring experienced Japanese engineers, that proved important to transferring sticky knowledge. Moreover, while most patents target the design of core battery components, the share of manufacturing patents are—contrary to theoretical expectations—highest during the first half of the observation period. We also discuss our findings and draw implications for policy, industrial and academic players, including industry localisation policies, technology-inherent catch-up strategies and directions for future research.

Strategic Data Management: Frameworks, Implementation Challenges, and Success Stories

Strategic Data Management: Frameworks, Implementation Challenges, and Success Stories

Orphan drug development: Challenges, regulation, and success stories

Orphan drug development: Challenges, regulation, and success stories

Parents’ perceptions of life skills education for empowering secondary school students: a qualitative exploration

ABSTRACT This study explores the parents’ perceptions about the meaning and importance of various life skills education as tool for empowering young children, and about the role of schools and parents in stimulating these skills. The study was qualitative, involving a sample of 30 parents of secondary-level students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and the obtained responses were analyzed through thematic analysis. It was established that most parents considered life skills as key to empowering young students and that is why all types of skills were deemed equally important. Parents also expressed their concerns and reflected that most children were lacking these skills and that both, schools as well as themselves, should play a role in training these skills. The study highlights the importance of a strong partnership between parents and teachers in imparting life skills to young students and emphasizes the need for collaboration, shared responsibility, and explicit integration of life skills into the education system to empower the next generation. So, it is recommended that life skills related experiences need to be an explicit part of the training and learning of children and that parents and teachers need to collaborate strongly in this to make it a success story.

The Sinking of HBOS: An Invaluable Lesson to the Contemporary Banking and Finance Sector

HBOS plc, a UK-based financial institution, initially appeared as a remarkable success story in the banking industry. 2001 marked a pivotal moment when Halifax and Bank of Scotland joined forces to create HBOS. For the subsequent six years, it achieved substantial double-digit profits, solidifying its position. In 2007, the bank’s market capitalization soared to an impressive £40 billion. While HBOS garnered accolades from analysts and brokers for its apparent success, beneath the surface, its business model proved susceptible to economic fluctuations due to what was identified as a flawed strategy and inadequate risk management practices. These critical shortcomings left the bank ill-prepared to navigate the global financial crisis. In October 2008, HBOS faced a severe crisis and ultimately merged with Lloyds Banking Group. This case delves into the intricacies of HBOS’s strategy, internal and external governance issues and the changing business environment. It serves as an invaluable tool for students seeking to comprehend the factors that led to the company’s downfall. Several pressing questions are raised, including the role of accounting improprieties, the effectiveness of the risk management system, internal governance and the inability of the board and auditors to foresee the impending challenges within the company.

Worker ownership in North America: the cases of Weirton Steel (West Virginia) and Algoma Steel (Ontario)

ABSTRACT During the last quarter of the 20th century, worker ownership emerged as a popular option for North American workers trying to save their mills or factories from closing. Most of these efforts eventually failed, sometimes at great financial cost to workers who gambled away their savings or pensions. Yet a few worker buyouts succeeded over the long term. This article examines two of these success stories, one on either side of the Canada-United States border, while situating them within the wider history of worker ownership in North America. When the United Steelworkers of America engineered the worker buyout of Algoma Steel in 1992, Canada’s third largest integrated steel-maker, it became the largest worker owned industry in North America. Before that, Weirton Steel had been the largest since 1984 when independent steelworkers there bought the mill from National Steel. If worker ownership offered short-termed relief to workers facing plant closings, its longer-term viability is highly suspect. Many worker-owned firms shut during the next down-turn. Both Weirton and Algoma eventually reverted back to corporate ownership, albeit this time inside Indian-based multinationals, but worker ownership saved the two steel mills and helped modernize them.

How Does FDI-Led Growth Strategy Work? Some Lessons from China for Developing Countries

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 0.0001pt 6.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Foreign direct investment (FDI) is widely viewed as a key driving force behind China’s exceptional growth performance in the last four decades. This paper investigates several questions posed by China’s success in capturing gains from FDI. What explains that success? Can other countries replicate it, or is it unique to China? What lessons are from China for other countries? China indeed has advantages in attracting FDI such as huge market and cheap labor, the well-designed policy and strategy, however, seem to play more important role in the successful story. Our empirical estimates support on four hypotheses: FDI and GDP growth in China positively interact each other; FDI is helpful to China’s technological progress, FDI promotes China’s industrial development, and FDI stimulates China’s manufactured exports.</span></p>

Making Rivers, Producing Futures: The Rise of an Eco-Modern River Imaginary in Dutch Climate Change Adaptation

In the field of climate change adaptation, the future matters. River futures influence the way adaptation projects are implemented in rivers. In this paper, we challenge the ways in which dominant paradigms and expert claims monopolise the truth concerning policies and designs of river futures, thereby sidelining and delegitimising alternative river futures. So far, limited work has been performed on the power of river futures in the context of climate change adaptation. We conceptualised the power of river futures through river imaginaries, i.e., collectively performed and publicly envisioned reproductions of riverine socionatures mobilised through truth claims of social life and order. Using the Border Meuse project as a case study, a climate change adaptation project in a stretch of the river Meuse in the south of the Netherlands, and a proclaimed success story of climate adaptation in Dutch water management, we elucidated how three river imaginaries (a modern river imaginary, a market-driven imaginary, and an eco-centric river imaginary) merged into an eco-modern river imaginary. Importantly, not only did the river futures merge, but their aligned truth regimes also merged. Thus, we argue that George Orwell’s famous quote, “who controls the past, controls the future: who controls the present, controls the past” can be extended to “who controls the future, controls how we see and act in the present, and how we rediscover the past”.

IPM Essentials: Combining Biology, Ecology, and Agriculture for Sustainable Pest Control

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) represents a paradigm shift in pest control, moving away from heavy reliance on chemical pesticides to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach. This article explores IPM, an ecosystem based strategy that integrates biological, ecological, and agricultural sciences to achieve longterm pest control in agriculture. IPM emphasizes understanding pest life cycles and their interaction with the environment, utilizing a combination of techniques including biological control, cultural practices, mechanical and physical barriers, and targeted chemical interventions. Regular monitoring and informed decision making form the crux of this approach, focusing on economically viable and environmentally responsible pest control methods. The article highlights various success stories, the challenges faced in implementing IPM, and future directions including the incorporation of precision agriculture technologies and genetic advancements. Overall, IPM emerges as a crucial element in sustainable agriculture, promising to maintain ecological balance while ensuring effective pest management and provides an in depth examination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a multifaceted approach to sustainable pest control that synergizes biology, ecology, and agricultural science. IPM represents a paradigm shift from traditional, chemically intensive pest control methods to a more holistic, environmentally conscious framework. The core of IPM lies in understanding the life cycles and ecological interactions of pests, employing a diverse array of strategies including biological control through natural predators, cultural practices like crop rotation, mechanical and physical barriers, and judicious use of chemical pesticides. The article underscores the importance of regular monitoring and decision making based on established thresholds to maintain an effective, economically viable, and ecologically responsible pest management system. Case studies highlighting the successful implementation of IPM in various agricultural settings are discussed, alongside the challenges and prospects of IPM, particularly in the context of climate change and technological advancements. The article concludes that IPM is not only essential for sustainable pest control but also pivotal in ensuring long term agricultural productivity and environmental health.

Inspiration by Role Models

Abstract: Our experiences on social network sites (SNS) can often leave us envious of others, but others’ success can be inspirational as well. This study was an exploration of how source similarity, dispositional optimism, and goal attainability influence the outcomes of upward social comparisons with outstanding others. In an experiment in which participants were exposed to a success story on SNS ( N = 200), source similarity was found to have a direct influence on inspiration, and dispositional optimism had an indirect influence on inspiration through perceived goal attainability. The findings provide both theoretical and practical implications regarding how best to utilize success stories on SNS to increase a sense of inspiration.

Enhancing data accuracy and reliability in maternal and child health: MCGL success story

Background: Accurate maternal and child health data are essential for informed decision-making; however, maintaining consistent data quality in postnatal care and live birth records remains a persistent challenge. Since the inception of MCGL, discrepancies within these datasets have compromised the data's quality for decision making. Recognizing this, the need for an effective solution to rectify data integrity issues and enhance reliability became evident. Methods: Mentorship at the facility level was conducted for healthcare staff to ensure a clear understanding of indicators for accurate reporting, focusing on new data elements introduced in the KHIS 2020 revision. In collaboration with health information officers, the project monitoring, evaluation, and learning officer identified sets of indicators, along with closely related proxy indicators, for monitoring. A systematic approach was employed, involving a comparative analysis of primary indicators and corresponding proxy indicators. For instance, if 100 live births were recorded, an expectation of 100 infants receiving postnatal care within 48 hours was anticipated. Regular monthly communication was established with HRIOs to identify and validate discrepancies that emerged during the comparison. Results: Significant improvement in data quality was observed. From October 2020 to September 2021, 6,337 infants received PNC within 48 hours, accounting for 56% of the 11,309 live births. In the subsequent years (October 2021 to September 2022 and October 2022 to September 2023), this p increased to 89% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion: The combined impact of mentorship and regular monthly communication can enhance data quality, instilling increased confidence in data use for informed decision making.

Industrial Process Management Model to Improve Productivity and Reduce Waste

One of the challenges facing operations management is the design, choice, and implementation of action plans adapted to the magnitude of the deviations from the variables of an industrial process. Making conscious and quick decisions is crucial to achieving improvements in productivity. This will be achieved if the organization’s internal and external communication model is strategically designed, considering specific cultural factors and the symmetry or asymmetry required in the communication model. However, how do we organize ourselves and through what channels do we communicate within a production process to generate Big Data that combines data from technologies and the perception, comprehension, and projection of experienced humans? Our hypothesis suggests that the implementation of our model generates a continuous improvement system that could provide significant benefits to the company by connecting management with the place where the work happens (Gemba), streamlining multiple processes, thereby fostering sustainability. The developed model, “Group Situational Awareness Model”, was implemented in an operations management team, following the guidelines of an action researcher methodology. This resulted in the design of an operations management model and a detailed methodology for its implementation, achieving significant improvements in the metrics of the current process, making it a success story.

Comprehension of Financial Literacy Programs in India as Gateway to Empowering Women: Gauging through Case Study Approach

Overtime India has emerged as a global economic powerhouse; certain demographic groupings still lack general knowledge about economics and money. There has been an increasing recognition of the women entrepreneurs playing a substantial role in driving the economic growth and fostering innovation. Governments around the world have progressively focused their attention on supporting and empowering women in the business landscape. In India, various government schemes and initiatives have been introduced to provide women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed in the competitive business world. Existing financial literacy programs for Indian female entrepreneurs need evaluation to gauge effectiveness, measure their impact, and identify participation barriers. This research aims to assess programs, study their influence, and inform improved initiatives. The study attempts in showcasing real-life success stories of the women entrepreneurs who have benefited from the scheme's financial assistance and mentorship, potential challenges, and its contribution to fostering a culture of the women entrepreneurship & the social entrepreneurship. The study assesses the effectiveness of these programs in providing guidance, skill enhancement, and networking opportunities to the aspiring and also the established women entrepreneurs. While taking into account the many socioeconomic environments that women operate in, the study offers insights into the policy measures that can best promote and empower women to become active participants in economic growth.

Responding to the economic consequences of COVID 19 in Pakistan: lessons learnt

This paper discusses the impact of COVID-19 on production and trade in Pakistan. The paper finds that Pakistan’s outbreak preparedness and response has been a success story, but there are still some gaps that need to be addressed in order to better prepare for future crises. We recommend that the policy makers: conduct frequent structured dialogues with small firms to better understand the type and magnitude of unanticipated costs that increase during health crises; regularly source information to determine if the design of fiscal support is benefiting the beneficiaries; convene dialogues with businesses (which should include labour groups) to address the stringency of temporary trade measures; support smaller firms for adoption of online technologies; expedite the implementation of e-commerce policy, information security policy, and personal data protection law; and cut down business and trade costs during crisis through a more liberal tariff policy and rationalization of regulatory burden on firms.

Indigenous knowledge in the sustainable management of a biodiversity-based millennium-old tea forest in the highlands of Yunnan Province, southwestern China

ABSTRACT The large-scale expansion of tea plantations has been associated with biodiversity decline and an increased vulnerability due to climate fluctuations within the tea cultivation landscape. In contrast, the millennium-old tea forest in Jingmai Mountain, along the Mekong River Basin in Pu’er Prefecture of Yunnan province, China, showcases a longstanding symbiosis between biodiversity conservation and the stability of rural livelihoods. This study explored indigenous knowledge pertaining to the sustainable management of the millennium-old tea forest. In the study, 239 individual farmers and key informants were interviewed for data collection. The results illustrated the profound reservoir of indigenous knowledge on sustainable management of the millennium-old tea forest preserved by the Blang community. The ecological perspective and internalized constraints of sacred knowledge, combined with productive knowledge in practice, contribute to the sustainable management of this unique ecosystem. The goal of the study is to share a success story and impart the teachings of a wise indigenous group to others for biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development.

The Political Economy of Exchange Rates and Export-Led Industrialization in South Korea*

ABSTRACT South Korea’s economic trajectory has been one of the most successful stories of post-war catch-up industrialization. The Korean developmental state has used various tools, including the exchange rate, to become an export powerhouse in the twenty-first century. However, the export-led growth strategy has had a distributive conflict with Korea’s working class. Based on post-Keynesian and structuralist economics, this paper assesses the political economy of exchange rate depreciation and export-led industrialization in South Korea. I show that exports as a share of GDP have constantly risen to become the most important growth engine in the Korean economy. This long-term trend, however, has coincided with a decline in the labor income share in South Korea. I formulate the structuralist macroeconomic model to explain dynamics of real wages, real exchange rates, exports, and output. I finally use a vector autoregression (VAR) analysis to show that exchange rate depreciations during modern South Korea (1989Q1–2023Q1) are inflationary and contractionary in the short run. Currency depreciations have ambiguous effects on exports, but they clearly reduce output gaps. On the other hand, an increase in nominal wages is expansionary or varies positively with output gaps.