University Team Research Articles

An empirical investigation on the benefits of gamification in communication within university development teams

AbstractThe field of software management recognizes communication as a fundamental aspect, which has garnered significant attention in recent years. In response, scholars have advocated for the implementation of innovative pedagogical approaches to foster students' engagement in communication. One such approach is the utilization of gamification, the integration of game design elements into nongame contexts, which has been demonstrated to be an effective teaching technique across various fields of education. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gamification on in‐team communication quality within the context of software development. To this end, an experimental design was employed with four teams of third‐year students enrolled in software development courses. The results of the study indicate that the introduction of gamification significantly enhances communication quality among the students. Furthermore, our findings indicate that a specific gamification strategy, feedback, plays a crucial role in guiding the students toward desired communication behaviors. On the basis of the results of this study, it can be concluded that gamification presents a promising approach to enhance communication quality within software development teams.

The urgent need for contingency management among Tribal communities in the United States: Considerations for implementation, policy, and sovereignty

In two randomized controlled trials, culturally adapted contingency management (i.e., incentives provided for substance-negative urine samples) was associated with reduced alcohol and drug use among geographically diverse American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults. In response to interest in contingency management from other Tribal and AI/AN communities, our research team in collaboration with AI/AN behavioral health experts, translated the research into practice with new AI/AN community partners. Tenets of community-based participatory research were applied to develop, pilot, and refine contingency management training and implementation tools, and identify implementation challenges. In partnership with the AI/AN communities, four members of the university team developed tools and identified implementation and policy strategies to increase the successful uptake of contingency management in each location. Through our collaborative work, we identified policy barriers including inadequate federal funding of contingency management incentives and a need for further clarity regarding federal anti-kickback regulations. Adoption of contingency management is feasible and can strengthen Tribal communities' capacity to deliver evidence-based substance use disorder treatments to AI/AN people. Unfortunately, non-evidence-based limits to the use of federal funding for contingency management incentives discriminate against AI/AN communities. We recommend specific federal policy reforms, as well as other practical solutions for Tribal communities interested in contingency management.

Conception of Sustainable Development in Local Philosophies of Scandinavian Countries

This article was inspired by the cooperation between two university teams implementing a Polish-Norwegian project Green Schoolbag for the Earth Climate. The project was aimed at preparing early school pedagogy teachers and students for the implementation of education for sustainable development (SD). A study trip to Norway and sharing experience gave rise to studying Norwegian curricula and educational literature. The study findings revealed that local educational philosophies and SD in the four Scandinavian countries differ in social, cultural and educational terms. The article presents the historical background to introducing SD into social and cultural habits in each of the countries and, consequently, lifestyles typical of the inhabitants of these countries. Four types of lifestyles are compared: Finish sisu, Norwegian friluftsliv, Danish hygge and Swedish lagom. The analysis proved that Scandinavian countries have similar climate and values as regards their attitudes to nature. However, differences in local philosophies are visible and their inhabitants present specific lifestyles, different behaviours and social and cultural principles behind their attitudes to the SD concept. The conclusion of the article puts an open question about Polish people’s local philosophy, lifestyle and SD education.

Predictive Hybrid Redundancy for Aircraft Wheel Braking System - A Design Study

Aircraft brake system plays an important role in safe take-off and landing phases of flight. In order to meet safety requirements, regulatory guidelines like ARP 4761 suggest duo duplex architecture for the aircraft Wheel Braking System (WBS). Safe and efficient braking systems for ground-based vehicles in the name of Brake By Wire (BBW) are also becoming very common resulting in significant research activity in the recent past. In order to reduce number of hardware components and to improve reliability further of BBW systems, Kim and team of Korean university came up with introduction of analytical redundancy for measurement of wheel angular velocity sensors. The scheme involves Predictive Hybrid Redundancy (PHR) for fault detection using a double exponential smoothing method. Since, such systems are not readily suitable for aircraft WBS, the present study is an attempt to extend this approach to aircraft WBS with appropriate modifications to integrate with normal mode, standby mode and emergency modes of aircraft WBS. Simulation studies for synthetic sensor signals show possibility of continued operation, with one sensor being operational, in the presence of transient, intermittent and hard over faults.

A Framework for Implementing a District-Wide School Wellness Needs Assessment: Using the WSCC Model

Poor nutrition and insufficient amounts of physical activity are key contributing factors to childhood obesity and can adversely affect the physical, social, and emotional health, along with the academic success, of today’s youth. Comprehensive school-based initiatives, in combination with broader community efforts that target these behaviors, can help youth to develop and sustain healthy lifestyles through the adolescent years. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model emphasizes the connection between health and academic achievement and highlights the importance of school wellness assessments, stressing that schools serve as the nucleus in providing these supports with input, resources, and collaboration from the community. Inadequate amounts of attention have been given to the process of conducting school wellness assessments that promote collaboration between university research teams and key school district stakeholders. This article presents the process of conducting a district-wide wellness assessment with the WSCC model as the conceptual framework. It outlines practical steps for other districts to replicate and key collaboration principles, along with the specific use of a unique wellness assessment tool that includes a readiness for change component. It also discusses challenges and opportunities encountered, lessons learned along the way, and implications for school administrators and school health practitioners.

Thoughts on Strengthening the Construction of Ideological and Political Teams in Universities

University students are the backbone of the country, an important force for national development, and the mainstay of the country’s future. However, with the development of the times, educational resources currently has been available to everyone rather than expensive meterials for ordinary people in the past, and college students who were once rare have become everywhere. There are more and more university students, but they are mixed, and is easy to emerge low quality and vulgar mind among university students who are carefully cultivated by the state . The low quality of university students has become a social hotspot which has received attention from all parties. As the saying goes, you have to learn to be a man before you do something. Therefore, before university students enter the society, the ideological and political team is essential to their ideological and political education.

Poster 392: Analysis of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Collegiate Varsity Esports Athletes

Objectives: Electronic sports (esports) have grown tremendously in the past decade with an estimated market value of $493 million in 2017 and an expected growth to $2.3 billion dollars by the end of 2022. Additionally, colleges are embracing this growing culture with over 200 varsity esports programs as of May 2022, up from 7 varsity programs just two years earlier. Despite its growing success, little has been studied on the injuries of these athletes. Prior studies have noted that injuries to professional esports players have forced them to miss significant time and in some instances, into an early retirement. Due to poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, and repetitive hand motions, the most common injuries to esports athletes include injuries to the hand, wrist, back and neck. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of injuries sustained through collegiate esports players and explore the injuries’ impacts on their careers. The authors hypothesized that athletes who spend more time practicing and playing competitively in esports will report an increased history of musculoskeletal injury. Methods: A list of collegiate esports athletes was collected from publicly available sources. Athletes with available contact information were sent a self-reporting questionnaire. The questionnaire examined variables including length of time playing esports, hours/day playing esports, esports-related injury history, surgeries needed, and missed competition time. Demographic and workload data were then compared between injured and uninjured athletes. Results: Overall, 153 collegiate esports athletes (88% male, aged 18-42 years) were included, with 41 (26.8%) having experienced at least one injury from esports. As demonstrated in Table 1, of the 41 injured athletes, 3 (7.3%) required surgery, 17 (41.5%) had multiple injuries, and 7 (17.1%) missed competition time for an average of 3.0 ± 2.3 weeks. Athletes who have been on their respective college team longer (1.7 ± 0.9 vs. 2.0 ± 1.0 years, p=0.026) and who spent more hours per day practicing had a higher injury incidence (p=0.012). There was no difference in current age, sex, age at which athletes began competing in esports, and scholarship status between groups (all p>0.05). When analyzing the 41 athletes who experienced an injury, the most common injury was to the wrist with 25 total injuries. There were 11 neck, 10 back, 9 finger, 8 hand, 6 elbow, and 4 thumb injuries. Conclusions: Collegiate esports players who trained for more hours per day and played competitive collegiate esports for more years were more likely to have experienced an esports-related injury. Interestingly, while hours per day was a significant risk factor for injury, the number of days per week had was not a significant risk factor for injury, possibly indicating that injuries are sustained through continuous and excessive playing rather than intermittent playing over a longer period. The three most common injury locations were to the wrist, back, and neck, while shoulder and thumb injuries were the least common. Fortunately, only a small portion of athletes who experienced an injury were forced to miss competition time, and even fewer required surgery. With this being the largest investigation into collegiate esports-related injuries, future medical research can help collegiate and professional programs place a greater emphasis on the management and prevention of esports-related injuries. [Table: see text]

Quantitative assessment of the HVAC system of zero-energy houses of the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2021

HVAC systems consume up to 50% of the total energy demanded by buildings. This paper aims to provide quantitative assessment of the HVAC solutions used on the highly efficient houses competing in the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2021. This international competition challenges university students to design, build, and operate sustainable zero-energy houses. The analysis includes the system selection, capacity, and coefficient of performance (COP), as well as the monitored indoor temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 levels. The university teams’ selection capacity (systems availability) and budget were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they designed their houses to respond appropriately to arid climates and reduce HVAC consumption. The study evaluates the HVAC solutions of all eight projects, providing more information about the four top-ranked teams. Most homes use air-to-air, decentralized, and multizone air-conditioners. The teams made the best effort to select systems that significantly exceed the COP required by the local regulations. Some also exceed the local energy codes regarding refrigerants’ global warming potential. The average COP (at T1 i.e., Moderate Climate Conditions) of air-to-air systems was 3.71 kW/kW, and the air-to-water system was 3.42 kW/kW. The lower installed cooling capacity per area of air-to-water HVAC systems was 57 W/m2 and 122 W/m2 in the air-to-air ones. In several cases, the HVAC systems’ consumption was affected by the short assembly period (15 days), nonprofessional student construction, and the lack of a testing period before starting the competition. Nevertheless, these houses exhibited excellent performance, and their analysis brought relevant lessons for buildings in arid climates.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant cisplatin–gemcitabine versus cisplatin–fluorouracil chemotherapy for N2–3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial

Patients with N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma have a high risk of treatment being unsuccessful despite the current practice of using a concurrent adjuvant cisplatin-fluorouracil regimen. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of concurrent adjuvant cisplatin-gemcitabine with cisplatin-fluorouracil in N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We conducted an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial at four cancer centres in China. Eligible patients were aged 18-65 years with untreated, non-keratinising, stage T1-4 N2-3 M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0-1, and adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive concurrent cisplatin (100 mg/m2 intravenously) on days 1, 22, and 43 of intensity-modulated radiotherapy followed by either gemcitabine (1 g/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 intravenously for 4 h on day 1) once every 3 weeks or fluorouracil (4 g/m2 in continuous intravenous infusion for 96 h) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 intravenously for 4 h on day 1) once every 4 weeks, for three cycles. Randomisation was done using a computer-generated random number code with a block size of six, stratified by treatment centre and nodal category. The primary endpoint was 3-year progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population (ie, all patients randomly assigned to treatment). Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of chemoradiotherapy. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03321539, and patients are currently under follow-up. From Oct 30, 2017, to July 9, 2020, 240 patients (median age 44 years [IQR 36-52]; 175 [73%] male and 65 [27%] female) were randomly assigned to the cisplatin-fluorouracil group (n=120) or cisplatin-gemcitabine group (n=120). As of data cutoff (Dec 25, 2022), median follow-up was 40 months (IQR 32-48). 3-year progression-free survival was 83·9% (95% CI 75·9-89·4; 19 disease progressions and 11 deaths) in the cisplatin-gemcitabine group and 71·5% (62·5-78·7; 34 disease progressions and seven deaths) in the cisplatin-fluorouracil group (stratified hazard ratio 0·54 [95% CI 0·32-0·93]; log rank p=0·023). The most common grade 3 or worse adverse events that occurred during treatment were leukopenia (61 [52%] of 117 in the cisplatin-gemcitabine group vs 34 [29%] of 116 in the cisplatin-fluorouracil group; p=0·00039), neutropenia (37 [32%] vs 19 [16%]; p=0·010), and mucositis (27 [23%] vs 32 [28%]; p=0·43). The most common grade 3 or worse late adverse event (occurring from 3 months after completion of radiotherapy) was auditory or hearing loss (six [5%] vs ten [9%]). One (1%) patient in the cisplatin-gemcitabine group died due to treatment-related complications (septic shock caused by neutropenic infection). No patients in the cisplatin-fluorouracil group had treatment-related deaths. Our findings suggest that concurrent adjuvant cisplatin-gemcitabine could be used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, although long-term follow-up is required to confirm the optimal therapeutic ratio. National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research, Sci-Tech Project Foundation of Guangzhou City, Sun Yat-sen University Clinical Research 5010 Program, Innovative Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province for Distinguished Young Scholar, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program, Pearl River S&T Nova Program of Guangzhou, Planned Science and Technology Project of Guangdong Province, Key Youth Teacher Cultivating Program of Sun Yat-sen University, the Rural Science and Technology Commissioner Program of Guangdong Province, and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

Research on the Coaches of High Level Sports Teams in Shanghai Colleges and Universities

Using questionnaire method, interview method and literature method, the paper studied and analyzed the current situation of coaches of high level sports teams in Shanghai colleges and universities. Through interviewing the leaders and coaches of high level sports teams in Shanghai colleges and universities, the paper understands the current situation and problems of coaches of high level sports teams in training, management and scientific research in Shanghai colleges and universities, and discuss the relevant problems deeply and make reasonable suggestions, aiming to provide reference for the sustainable development of coach team.

Metal 3D printing technology for automotive, energy and biomedical applications

A team of University of Toronto engineering researchers is working to advance the field of metal additive manufacturing at the university's first metal 3D printing laboratory.

0115 Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of Sleep Health Index in pregnant women

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Sleep Health Index (SHI-C) among pregnant women. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design. Pregnant women (N=264) from three public hospitals in China were recruited through a convenience sampling method. The Sleep Health Index (SHI-C) was used to measure sleep health. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to measure sleep quality and insomnia, respectively. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and depression, respectively. Structural validity was assessed via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Concurrent and convergent validity were assessed using bivariate correlation analyses. Known-group validity was assessed by comparing the SHI-C score between different groups. Cronbach’s α was calculated for reliability. Results The sample was 30.6 years on average. CFA confirmed the three-factor structure of SHI-C. The SHI-C total and sleep quality sub-index scores had moderate to strong correlations with both PSQI (r=-0.542, p< 0.01; r=-0.648, p< 0.01) and ISI (r=-0.692, p< 0.01; r=-0.752, p< 0.01). The SHI-C total and sleep quality sub-index scores were significantly associated with ESS, FAS, and EPDS (r=-0.171 to -0.276; p< 0.01). The SHI-C total score also differed based on work status (p< 0.01), trimester (p< 0.01), coffee intake (p< 0.05), taking a nap (p< 0.05), subclinical insomnia (p< 0.01), and poor sleep quality (p< 0.01). The Cronbach’s α of the SHI-C total and the sleep quality sub-index were 0.723 and 0.806, respectively. The Cronbach's α of sleep duration and disordered sleep sub-indices were 0.594 and 0.545, respectively. Conclusion Overall, the SHI-C has good validity and acceptable reliability among the pregnant population in China. It can be a useful tool for the assessment of sleep health. More research is warranted to refine the sleep duration and disordered sleep sub-indices. Support (if any) This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [71904119], and Innovation Research Team of High-Level Local Universities in Shanghai [SHSMU-ZDCX20212800]. Bingqian Zhu was supported by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission “Young Eastern Scholar” (China).

Institutionalised autonomisation of language learning in a French language centre

Abstract The UFR Lansad (Language centre teaching languages to specialists of other disciplines) was created in 2014 at the University of Lorraine. The process leading to its creation was led by a small number of teachers and researchers, from the pre-existing teams of the previous Lorraine universities (Molle et al. 2019). It is the result of didactic reflection and expertise, which convinced the University board to set up a structure dedicated to foreign language teaching. After several evolutions, the newly-created structure positioned itself as a policy maker in language teaching. Finally, the university board asked the UFR to set up a language training model that could be implemented throughout the institution. This training model involves blended-learning systems that emphasise the concepts of self-directed learning and autonomy and gives a central role to the EDOlang platform and the self-access centres since “part of the research and practice on learner autonomy is situated in self-access language learning settings” (Chateau and Tassinari 2021: 53). After a brief history of the creation of the UFR, the article focuses on this model, inspired by research carried out within the CRAPEL team (Guèly et al. 2021; Holec 2000). It also describes how the model is the result of the dissemination of innovative training courses implemented through action research over the last ten years (Chateau and Zumbihl 2010, 2012; Chateau and Bailly 2021). Furthermore, the paper explains how the institutional recognition of the training framework illustrates the need to promote a strong link between research and training.

Multiplicity, diversity and individualization behind shuttlecock play: Chinese sportsmen’s masculinities in today’s China

With sport becoming increasingly mediatized in the global arena that further criss-crosses with the promotion of globalization and Western discourses surrounding manhood and identities, there has been, in contemporary China, a rise of alternate theorizations of masculinities that deviate from hegemonic masculine practices surrounding ‘wen’ (文) and ‘wu’ (武) as well as Maoist ideologies. While such accounts, focusing on demonstrating individuality and individualization, cultivating entrepreneurial spirit and possessing wealth, career success and conspicuous consumption, advocate for a greater understanding of masculinities that call for the diversity and fluidity of Chinese gender roles and male identities, there has also been a revival of traditional masculine ideologies associated with the Chinese Dream, a doctrine established and conveyed by President Xi Jinping, which seeks to highlight China’s quest for modernization and national power while placing ‘wu’ masculine values and culture at the forefront of its agenda. Against such a backdrop, this article, drawing on interviews with and observations of male badminton athletes from Mainland Chinese provincial professional and university teams, argues that, in contemporary China, both traditional and newly emerged masculine values and endeavours are integral to the theorization of masculinities of Chinese men, which are contended to be multiple, pluralized and individualized. With a dearth of academic literature that focuses on the co-presence of and inter-relationships between traditional and new masculinities which are embodied by modern Chinese men, this paper contributes renewed theoretical insights into how the various forms of masculinities coexist, intermix and, ultimately, negotiate with one another to reconstruct Chinese contemporary masculinities, in line with the gender order and hierarchy so upheld within China.

The Women's Soccer Health Study: From Head to Toe.

Women are under-represented in the sports literature despite increasing rates of sports participation. Our objective was to investigate the risks and benefits of an elite women's soccer career in five health domains: general, musculoskeletal, reproductive endocrinology, post-concussion, and mental. An online survey was distributed to retired US college, semi-professional, professional, and national team soccer players using personal networks, email, and social media. Short validated questionnaires were used to evaluate the health domains, including the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). A total of 560 eligible players responded to the survey over a 1-year period. The highest competitive levels were 73% college, 16% semi-professional, 8% professional, and 4% national team. The mean number of years since retirement was 12 (SD = 9), and 17.0% retired for involuntary reasons. The mean SANE scores (0-100 scale as percentage of normal) were knee = 75% (SD = 23), hip = 83% (SD = 23), and shoulder = 87% (SD = 21). The majority (63%) reported that their current activity level included participation in impact sports. A substantial proportion of players reported menstrual irregularities during their careers: 40% had fewer periods with increasing exercise and 22% had no periods for ≥ 3months. The players (n = 44) who felt that post-concussion symptoms were due to soccer reported more time-loss concussions (F[2] = 6.80, p = 0.002) and symptom severity (F[2] = 30.26, p < 0.0001). Players who recently retired (0-5years) reported the highest anxiety/depression scores and lowest satisfaction rates compared with those who retired 19+years ago. Health concerns include musculoskeletal injuries, post-concussion symptoms, and lower mental health in the early years following retirement. This comprehensive survey provides initial results that will lay the foundation for further analyses and prioritize research studies that can help all female athletes.

Research on the Construction of "Double-Qualified" Teachers in Higher Vocational Colleges

The aim of this study is to explore the best practices in the construction of the "double qualified" teacher team in vocational colleges. Through interviews with 10 teachers, qualitative data analysis reveals three themes: the dilemma of "double qualified" teachers in vocational colleges in China, the training mechanism for "double qualified" teachers, and the guarantee measures for "double qualified" teacher training. These themes indicate that in the context of the reform of higher vocational colleges in China, the professional development of "double qualified" teachers has faced both opportunities and challenges. Interview research and theoretical analysis indicate that despite favorable national policies, the organizational environment still lacks an environment for eugenics, and the endogenous motivation of "dual teacher" teachers is also weak, which brings many challenges to the development of current "dual teacher" teachers. Combining interview results and cause analysis, exploring feasible paths from optimizing organizational environment and individual self-development can help change the current situation and find possible solutions.

전문 스포츠 지도자의 그릿과 선수의 마인드셋 및 운동만족의 관계

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among elite sports coaches" grit, athletes" mindset, and exercise satisfaction. To achieve the objective, this study collected data from 485 high school, college, and business team athletes registered with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee in 2022. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach"s α, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis SPSS 22.0. The following conclusions were drawn from the results. First, among elite sports coaches" grit, the persistence of efforts had a positive impact on the growth mindset and fixed mindset of athletes. Second, among elite sports coaches" grit, the persistence of efforts positively affected exercise satisfaction. Third, fixed mindset, a sub-factor of elite sports athletes, negatively influenced exercise satisfaction.

Diagnosis and Management of Non-Metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: AUA/SUO Guideline

The purpose of this guideline is to provide a useful reference on the effective evidence-based diagnoses and management of non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) team conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to March 3rd, 2022), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (through January 2022), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (through January 2022). The searches were updated August 2022. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low) for support of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendations. In the absence of sufficient evidence, additional information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions (Table 1).[Table: see text]Results:This Guideline provides updated, evidence-based recommendations regarding diagnosis and management of non-metastatic UTUC including risk stratification, surveillance and survivorship. Treatments discussed include kidney sparing management, surgical management, lymph node dissection (LND), neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This standardized guideline seeks to improve clinicians' ability to evaluate and treat patients with UTUC based on available evidence. Future studies will be essential to further support these statements for improving patient care. Updates will occur as the knowledge regarding disease biology, clinical behavior and new therapeutic options develop.

Towards a "Local Chagas network": presence of vinchucas in urban houses in San Juan and collaborative work between community, university, health and research teams

El Chagas es una enfermedad parasitaria que afecta a unas 6 millones de personas en el mundo. Existen diferentes vías de transmisión y en América la vectorial es la más frecuente. En Argentina, el vector principal de Trypanosoma cruzi (agente etiológico) es la vinchuca o chinche Triatoma infestans, que habita principalmente en viviendas rurales. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, los únicos registros de Chagas vectorial del país provienen del área urbana de San Juan. Dicha problemática representa un desafío a resolver para el sistema de salud local, debido en parte a que todas las estrategias de control vectorial se encuentran actualmente sustentadas y orientadas al área rural. En el marco de un proyecto amplio con presencia en terreno desde 2021, que involucra aspectos sociales, culturales y eco-epidemiológicos sobre Chagas, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo identificar el entramado de actores e instituciones (formales y no formales) que podrían conformar una “Red local de trabajo en Chagas”. Mediante numerosas reuniones, instancias de intercambio, capacitaciones y actividades de visibilización, difusión, e investigación se logró generar un vínculo con distintos actores involucrados como integrantes de la comunidad, universidad, equipos de salud y de investigación a fin de visibilizar y sensibilizar sobre la problemática de Chagas con el fin último de establecer un diálogo fluido y continuo entre los actores. Se espera que esta experiencia y otras previstas a futuro puedan contribuir para dar continuidad al trabajo realizado sobre Chagas desde una mirada multidimensional, para involucrar así a más sectores de la sociedad y alcanzar de esta forma la consolidación y sustentabilidad de una red local.

Formation and development of teams for strategic university transformation projects: Methodological approaches

Introduction. Today, in the conditions of constant and growing uncertainty, there is the need to develop new, up-to-date methodologies for the development of university management teams, the transformation of their activities in a new environment.Aim. The present research aims to analyse methodological approaches to the formation and development of teams working on the strategic university transformation projects that meet the needs of practice and reflect the most effective ways to create and operate university project teams.Methodology and research methods. As the scientific basis of the proposed methodological approach to the effective formation and development of teams working on the strategic projects for the transformation of universities, the main theoretical provisions of the team-based approach are determined. The main research methods involved the analysis of scientific publications on the topic under study, the grouping and classification of approaches, a deep semi-formalised interview with 76 representatives of the administrative and managerial apparatus of three large Russian universities (regional classical universities from the Volga and Siberian Federal Districts of Russia), a questionnaire survey of 78 experts.Results. International experience in studying the activities of management teams of higher education institutions was summarised. The authors identified the restrictions and possibilities of using international experience in Russian universities. The scientific and practical groundwork for the formation and development of teams for the strategic university transformation projects is presented.Scientific novelty. The authors critically analysed the existing methodological approaches to the formation and development of teams for strategic university transformation projects, which reflect the most effective ways of creating and functioning university transformation project teams.Practical significance lies in justifying a set of methodological approaches to the formation and development of project teams and checking their applicability in the practice of university implementation transformation projects. The research materials can be useful to the representatives of administrative and managerial personnel, the heads of projects and programmes for the university development, and the employees participating in projects.