Transformation Tool Research Articles

P.O.L.A.R. Star: A New Framework Developed and Applied by One Mid-Sized Pharmaceutical Company to Drive Digital Transformation in R&D.

Digital transformation has become a cornerstone of innovation in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D). Pharmaceutical companies now have an imperative to embrace transformation, including mid-sized and small-sized companies despite resource limitations that do not allow economies of scale compared with larger organizations. This article describes the journey undertaken by Chiesi to develop an efficient framework to drive digital transformation along its R&D value chain with the objective of building and refreshing a clear roadmap and relevant priorities, together with identifying and enabling new digital capabilities and skills within R&D, defining tools and processes that will guide Chiesi activities in the space up to mid-long term. This work has led so far to five main achievements, which align with the steps in the framework: a strategically aligned roadmap with key focus areas for digital transformation and a dedicated team to lead the effort; a common language for data across the R&D value chain; an internal mindset that's open to innovation and participation in key external networks and consortia; a set of quick-win use cases for the new framework; and a defined set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitoring tools for digital transformation. The work presented here demonstrates that R&D digital transformation should represent an ongoing process to enable cross-functional collaboration and integration within complex corporate environments that face an ever-growing volume of diverse data, to efficiently support business needs, and to ensure a positive impact on patient care.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens: Biology and application in genetic engineering

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a rod-shaped soil bacterium renowned for its unique ability to transfer tumour-inducing plasmid (Ti plasmid) segments to plant cells. This mechanism has been extensively exploited in plant genetic engineering. This review delves into the intricate biological interactions between A. tumefaciens and plant cells, including the critical steps of bacterial attachment, activation of virulence (Vir) genes, generation and transport of the T-complex, and integration of T-DNA into the plant chromosome. Furthermore, the review examines the engineering of A. tumefaciens as a transformation tool, focusing on the modifications of Ti plasmids to create binary and co-integrative vector systems, which have significantly improved the efficiency and versatility of transformation protocols. The paper also highlights applications of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in the production of edible vaccines. By providing a detailed examination of the biological, technical, and practical aspects of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, this review aims to offer insights into optimizing this technique for various plant biotechnology applications. Ultimately, understanding and improving Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is crucial for advancing plant biotechnology.

Migrant South Asian Women in the Basque Country, Spain: Processes of Empowerment

This work describes the personal and social empowerment of migrant women from South Asia in the Basque Country 1 , Spain, through the life history method. Gender roles, cultural identity and the migratory process as a transformative instrument are discussed. Based on in-depth interviews, and individual and group analysis of life histories, the findings indicated that migration had a positive effect on women in terms of self-development. Clearly, migration was a tool for transformation and empowerment.

Evaluation of digital competency of professional teachers

Education is a critical tool for social transformation. Schools reflect society, shaping the future of a country. Teachers are the architects who build, direct, and shape society through their students, who are the future citizens. Therefore, the role of teachers is pivotal. Digitalization has revolutionized economies, governments, communities, and businesses to a great extent. The National Policy on Education 2020 is a major reform in India's education sector, emphasizing Outcome-Based Education (OBE). This article explores the implications of digital competency on pedagogical practices, curriculum design, and student engagement. It highlights the importance of seamlessly integrating technology into the educational process, promoting active learning, and nurturing critical thinking skills. Additionally, it discusses the impact of digital competency on teacher-student relationships, emphasizing the need for teachers to serve as digital role models and mentors. The current study investigates the degree of awareness and identifies the factors affecting the digital competency of professional teachers in Maharashtra's Palghar district. Primary data from 103 professional teachers was collected through structured questionnaires and online surveys. This study is significant as it addresses digitalization, e-learning, competency mapping, and capacity building of professional teachers.

AlgeoMath를 활용한 초등 도형 과제의 도구화 스킴 분석

Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of Dynamic Geometry Environments (DGE) in elementary geometry learning. This study aims to analyze elementary geometry tasks utilizing DGE from an instrumental perspective and to identify the conceptual and technical difficulties that elementary students may encounter. To achieve this, we analyzed textbooks and previous studies to extract tasks that utilize the Korean DGE, AlgeoMath, and conducted practical exercises to analyze the instrumentation schemes for each task. The analysis revealed that some terms and symbols of the tools were not aligned with the elementary curriculum or contained mathematical errors, and that some schemes requiring an understanding of functional perspectives or basic constructions in secondary mathematics could present conceptual and procedural difficulties for elementary students. Furthermore, we found that precisely implemented transformation tools were not suitable for the informal and intuitive learning of elementary plane figure movements. Finally, it was confirmed that the inherent characteristics of DGE, such as the independence and dependence of objects and the hiding feature, as well as the functional limitations and errors of AlgeoMath, could pose challenges for students. Based on these findings, the study suggests pedagogical implications for elementary mathematics lessons using AlgeoMath and provides insights into the functional composition of DGE for elementary use.

Navigating the politics and processes of food systems transformation: guidance from a holistic framework

The call for transforming food systems from their current unsustainable trajectories toward more desirable, healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable outcomes has received unprecedented echoes recently—particularly following the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. But lack of guidance on how to do so in a comprehensive and integrated manner has left many actors uncertain, skeptical, or even low-spirited about the prospects of delivering such an ambitious task. Through this work, we argue that food systems transformation is not an impossible goal to aspire for; however, whether we achieve any form of transformation is essentially down to how food systems politics are enacted. Politics, we posit, is at the center of creating and maintaining current unsustainable food system trajectories and will also be crucial in guiding change processes toward sustainable goals. In this paper, we explore this argument through a conceptual framework. The framework, which is relevant for both high and lower-income countries, integrates multiple perspectives and practical experiences on transition, transformation and politics to propose a holistic diagnostic and prescriptive tool for food systems transformation. Three critical lessons emerge from this: first, the transformation (of food systems) must be normative, deliberate and goal-oriented—as opposed to driven by technological innovations; second, the process must account for, integrate, and build on the multi-dimensional and multi-procedural nature of the politics that drive (or resist) changes; and third, the transformation needs to build on a strong driving environment, one that transforms not just food systems but also their governance.

Tools for transformation: Selecting a suite of digital tools for an online Change Laboratory

Tools for transformation: Selecting a suite of digital tools for an online Change Laboratory

Implementation of Maqāṣid Al-Syāriah in Empowering the Zakah Community Development Program

The study investigates the implementation of zakah as a strategy for community empowerment in Gunung Binjai village, Balikpapan city, via the Zakah Community Development (ZCD) system. Utilizing descriptive qualitative methods with a socio-economic approach, the research evaluates the system through maqāṣid al-syāriah. Findings indicate that the ZCD system enhances the welfare of zakah recipients (mustahik) in line with maqāṣid al-syāriah principles, particularly daruriyatul khams, which include protecting religion, life, intellect, progeny, and property. This system significantly improves mustahik socio-economic well-being, illustrating zakah’s role beyond charity as a tool for societal transformation. The study provides empirical evidence and a detailed analysis, highlighting the ZCD system as a model for effective community empowerment and demonstrating the compatibility of Islamic principles with contemporary socio-economic development. It advocates for a holistic approach rooted in maqāṣid al-syāriah to achieve sustainable progress in marginalized communities.

Analysis of the Impact of Digital Communication Tools on Organizational Culture and Communication Effectiveness within Enterprises

The issue of improving the organizational culture of enterprises is becoming increasingly relevant in light of the need to enhance the effectiveness of human resources policy and employees’ motivation. Being aware of the importance of developing organizational culture and the effectiveness of internal communication, managers of enterprises very rarely have an information basis for a model of their effective construction. The study aims to analyze the current role of digital transformation tools within the communication process to optimize organizational culture and increase communication effectiveness. The research was conducted using the general methods of scientific cognition, in particular, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, abstraction, specification, and formalization. The study identified the potential of digital communication tools for the cultural and communication optimization of companies. The authors have analyzed the factors of insufficiently effective development of organizational culture. The article substantiates the need for the synergy of process, system-behavioral, adaptive-situational, psychodynamic, and competence approaches. The authors have proposed ways of digital transformation of organizational and communication culture. Based on this, the main vectors for optimizing the concept of organizational management of the transformation of the communication sphere of companies have been identified. It has been proved that the conceptual model of an effective organizational culture is based on long-term measures to implement the strategic goals of enterprise development through continuous self-development and continuous improvement of communication skills using modern and innovative digital tools.

Nano-delivery platforms for bacterial gene transformation: suitability and challenges.

Nano-scale particles (NPs) have gained increased interest as non-viral vectors for nucleic acid delivery due to their ability to penetrate through unabraded cell membranes. The previous studies performed have evaluated the nanomaterials for their microbial transformation proficiency but have not compared the relative efficacy. The present study aims to identify the most proficient nano-delivery vehicle among the chemically synthesized/functionalized non-metal oxide, metal/metal oxide, and carbon-based (carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene oxide (GO)) nanomaterial(s) (NMs) for the transformation of two gram-negative bacteria, i.e., Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The microscopy and spectroscopy studies helped to identify the interaction, adhesion patterns, transformation efficiencies, better delivery, and expression of the target gfp gene by use of NMs. Loading of pgfp on all NMs imparted protection to DNAse I attack except ZnO NPs with maximum by chitosan, layered double hydroxide (LDH), and GO NM-plasmid DNA conjugates. The CNTs and GO significantly enhanced the extra- and intra-cellular protein content, respectively, in both bacteria. However, GO and CNT significantly decreased the cell viability in a time-dependent manner while AuNPs exhibited negligible cell toxicity. Therefore, this study identified the comparative efficiency of metal/metal oxide, non-metal oxide, and carbon nanomaterials with AuNPs as the most biosafe while LDH and chitosan NPs being the most proficient alternative tools for the genetic transformation of gram-negative bacteria by simple incubation method.

The Impact of Using Technologies and Digital Transformation Tools in Supporting Strategic Decision Making in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (A Field Study on a Group of Small and Medium-sized Companies in the Logistics Sector in the City of Riyadh)

The Impact of Using Technologies and Digital Transformation Tools in Supporting Strategic Decision Making in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (A Field Study on a Group of Small and Medium-sized Companies in the Logistics Sector in the City of Riyadh)

BiGGer: A Model Transformation Tool written in Java for Bigraph Rewriting in GrGen.NET

BiGGer: A Model Transformation Tool written in Java for Bigraph Rewriting in GrGen.NET

Implementing extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in health professions education in southern Africa

Background. The rapid uptake and pace at which digital transformation tools have impacted educational provision in health professions education (HPE) may reshape our teaching and learning practices in southern Africa. This article explores some ideas about the implementation using extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in HPE. Objectives. The objective of this article is to offer potential uses for implementing XR and AI in HPE in the southern African context. Methods. This article used a desktop approach to curate some novel ideas regarding the use of XR and AI in HPE. Results. The outcome of this article presents 10 novel ideas to implement XR and/or AI in the classroom, such as delivery of quality education, personalised learning and simulation and training. Conclusion. The use of XR and AI may improve training of students, improve patient outcomes, and ensure adequate professional development of staff in HPE.

Multi-valued verification of commitment systems with uncertainty and inconsistency in multi-source data settings

In the dynamic landscape of Internet of Things (IoT) applications within multi-source data environments, ensuring the reliability and correctness of system communications has become a paramount concern. This is particularly evident in the presence of commitment protocols with inconsistency and uncertainty. This paper tackles these challenges by introducing a new logic, termed Six-Values Computation Tree Logic for Commitment (6V-CTLC), specifically crafted to adeptly model IoT systems with both inconsistency and uncertainty. Employing this logic, we devise an innovative reduction-based multi-valued model checking approach to verify the systems under scrutiny. Our method is implemented through a Java transformation tool we developed to translate the 6V-CTLC logic to the classical logic of commitment (CTLC) and seamlessly interfaces with the efficient model checker MCMAS+. Applying this approach, we verify an abstracted 6V-CTLC model featuring uncertainty and inconsistency, as well as the original model of our system before abstraction. Furthermore, we assess the scalability of our approach through ten experiments, comparing the results obtained from verifying the two models. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of system abstraction in mitigating the state explosion problem, while the developed multi-valued model checking technique yields precise results.

Reimagining Futures: Environmental Activism and African Futurism in Nnedi Okorafor’s Lagoon

This study examines Nnedi Okorafor’s “Lagoon,” combining African futurism with environmental themes to shed light on how the text influences our understanding of ecological activism from an African perspective. By scrutinizing Okorafor’s storytelling, this paper unveils the intricate ways the narrative integrates traditional knowledge and forward-looking visions, championing a sustainable and balanced relationship with our environment. “Lagoon” offers a vibrant depiction of Nigeria’s environmental challenges, highlighting the adverse consequences of petroculture while also displaying a joint effort among humans, non-humans, and extraterrestrial entities to address these environmental perils. The novel emerges as a poignant evaluation of environmental disregard and a tribute to collaborative resilience, presenting a compelling outlook of optimism and rejuvenation. This analysis locates “Lagoon” as a core element of African futurism, demonstrating how the genre can transcend mere conjecture to serve as a crucial tool for environmental advocacy and transformation. Through an examination of “Lagoon” from the perspectives of African futurism and environmental critique, this article illuminates the novel’s substantial contributions to both literary and ecological dialogues. It highlights the potential of speculative fiction not only to portray urgent environmental concerns but also to stimulate innovative thoughts and initiatives. In essence, this research stresses the significance of embracing indigenous perspectives and advancements in shaping sustainable futures, establishing “Lagoon” as a pivotal text that resonates with audiences and academics alike in its plea for environmental consciousness and accountability.

Architectural frameworks for financial transformation in Ukraine

In the modern world, the importance of digital currencies as a tool for financial transformation and economic development is growing, especially in Ukraine, where new ways to stimulate economic growth and increase financial inclusion are being sought. The purpose of this study was to explore architectural frameworks for financial transformation through the use of digital currencies in Ukraine. Using a combined methodological approach that included an analysis of scientific literature, empirical research, and a study of the experiences of other countries in the field of digital currencies, the study applied statistical methods of data processing and comparative analysis. The article shows the need to develop adaptive architectural frameworks for the successful implementation of digital currencies in the financial system of Ukraine. In particular, the advantages of digital currencies in reducing transaction costs and increasing the availability of financial services to the population are identified. However, certain challenges related to instability and an insufficient regulatory framework have also been identified. The article identifies the problem of regulatory instability and the benefits, such as reduced transaction costs and increased access to finance, associated with the integration of digital currencies in Ukraine. The article also explores potential scenarios for the adoption of digital currencies in the financial landscape of Ukraine. These results can serve as a basis for developing practical strategies and policies for the implementation of digital currencies in Ukraine. Understanding the specific benefits and challenges associated with this process will allow for the most informed decisions on the modernisation of the country’s financial system

Exploring Digital Strategy as a Business Management and Transformation Tool in Developing Countries: The Nigerian Experience

Despite valuable business opportunities and solutions that digital technologies offer, studies show that many business leaders have yet to explore the potential of digital solutions to manage and transform their businesses to capture more value. Through a semi-structured interview with business leaders and managers in Lagos, Nigeria, and content analysis, this paper explored how business leaders may leverage the potency of digital strategies to manage and transform business operations in developing nations like Nigeria to obtain more value. The result provided a distinctive insight into the dynamics around digital strategy adoption in business and the inclusive effects, evidencing that managing and transforming business operations in developing nations is achievable by adopting soft and hardware digital solutions at all levels of the business process. This paper advances the discussion on digital strategy adoption in business and recommends a paradigm shift of businesses in developing countries to a digitally evolved business construct to streamline processes, unlock new opportunities, and benefit from the potency of digital solutions. The paper underscores the government and other stakeholders' roles in driving digital strategy adoption in developing nations' businesses. The recommendation in this paper could be rewarding to influencing change in the process and management of business operations in developing nations, creating an opportunity for theoretical expansion and implementation of digital strategies for business management and transformation to achieve operational efficiency and sustainability objectives.

Lean transportation tools towards waste reduction and digital transformation in the offshore industry: an action-research

Purpose To address the absence of Lean in transportation logistics in the digital era, this study aims to investigate the application of Lean transportation (LT) tools to reduce waste and facilitate the digital transformation of dedicated road transportation in the offshore industry. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts action research with a multimethod approach, including a scoping review, focus groups (FG) and participant observation. The research is conducted within the offshore supply chain of a major oil and gas company. Findings Implementing LT’s continuous improvement tools, particularly value stream mapping (VSM), reduces offshore transportation waste and provides empirical evidence about the intersection of Lean and digital technologies. Applying techniques drawn from organisational learning theory (OLT), stakeholders involved in VSM mapping and FGs engage in problem-solving and develop action plans, driving digital transformation. Waste reduction in loading and unloading stages leads to control actions, automation and process improvements, significantly reducing downtime. This results in an annual monetary gain of US$1.3m. The study also identifies waste related to human effort and underutilised digital resources. Originality/value This study contributes to theory and practice by using action research and LT techniques in a real intervention case. From the lens of OLT, it highlights the potential of LT tools for digital transformation and demonstrates the convergence of waste reduction through Lean and Industry 4.0 technologies in the offshore supply chain. Practical outputs, including a benchmarking questionnaire and a plan-do-check-act cycle, are provided for other companies in the same industry segment.

Biotechnological tools for genetic improvement of Trichoderma

Trichoderma is a cosmopolitan fungus widely distributed around the world. The different uses of this beneficial fungus are varied in several industries, like agriculture, textile, and paper, including the pharmaceutical industry. The genus Trichoderma has other mechanisms of action, including the production of different enzymes and secreted secondary metabolites used in various industries. The genomes of different Trichoderma species have been sequenced to identify the mechanisms for producing several compounds. The advancement of multiple technologies has allowed the development of transformation tools for the genetic improvement of Trichoderma, thus increasing biomass, primary and secondary metabolites, and enzymes. Therefore, genetic modification aims to increase compound production in several Trichoderma strains. Characterization of Trichoderma through gene expression analysis is essential for biotechnology applications. It helps counteract one of the most challenging problems for agriculture today, including climate change and the appearance of pathogens that attack crops with high commercial and food demand. In conclusion, this review analyzes various strategies to improve Trichoderma strains genetically and their multiple applications in the agricultural, textile, paper, and pharmaceutical industries. As a recommendation for future studies with potential impact, the optimization of specific genetic modifications in Trichoderma strains is recommended to improve their adaptability and effectiveness in combating emerging challenges in agriculture, especially those linked to climate change. Investigating possible synergies between genetically modified Trichoderma strains and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices could contribute to developing solutions for crop protection and yield improvement.

MODERN DIGITAL TOOLS OF OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

The article explores the options for implementing digital transformation tools in the operational management of business organizations to overcome the problems that arose as a result of a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine: market instability, reduction of markets due to the temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine, a decrease in the number of customers and suppliers since a significant part of the population of Ukraine migrated abroad; the reduction of financial resources of business organizations, the existence of high prices for certain IT products and the low level of digital skills among employees. The advantages of digital products are explored, in particular, corporate communication systems such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, project management tools such as Jira and Trello, modern Ukrainian programs for interaction with consumers, such as KeyCRM and SalesDrive CRM, as well as the Weblium site builder, which is including it can realize synergy between various other services.