Workshop Presentations Research Articles

White Paper from a CTSA Workshop Series on Special and Underserved Populations: Enhancing Investigator Readiness to Conduct Research Involving LGBT Populations.

Despite the significant health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations, few investigators affiliated with NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) programs are conducting research related to this underserved population. We provide recommendations shared during a half-day workshop aimed at increasing researcher readiness to conduct LGBT research. This workshop was presented as part of a series on conducting research with underserved populations offered by the Recruitment, Retention, and Community Engagement Program of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Six LGBT health research experts provided focused presentations. The workshop presentations included a summary of significant health inequality issues, theoretical models relevant to research on LGBT health, best practices in measuring sexual orientation and gender identity, recommendations for recruitment and retention, a discussion of community engagement, and ethical considerations in conducting LGBT research. We provide a summary of recommendations to guide future research, training, and public policy related to LGBT health. The information can increase capacity among CTSA affiliated researchers in conducting research in this special population.

Enhancing and Extending Biological Performance and Resilience.

Human performance, endurance, and resilience have biological limits that are genetically and epigenetically predetermined but perhaps not yet optimized. There are few systematic, rigorous studies on how to raise these limits and reach the true maxima. Achieving this goal might accelerate translation of the theoretical concepts of conditioning, hormesis, and stress adaptation into technological advancements. In 2017, an Air Force-sponsored conference was held at the University of Massachusetts for discipline experts to display data showing that the amplitude and duration of biological performance might be magnified and to discuss whether there might be harmful consequences of exceeding typical maxima. The charge of the workshop was “to examine and discuss and, if possible, recommend approaches to control and exploit endogenous defense mechanisms to enhance the structure and function of biological tissues.” The goal of this white paper is to fulfill and extend this workshop charge. First, a few of the established methods to exploit endogenous defense mechanisms are described, based on workshop presentations. Next, the white paper accomplishes the following goals to provide: (1) synthesis and critical analysis of concepts across some of the published work on endogenous defenses, (2) generation of new ideas on augmenting biological performance and resilience, and (3) specific recommendations for researchers to not only examine a wider range of stimulus doses but to also systematically modify the temporal dimension in stimulus inputs (timing, number, frequency, and duration of exposures) and in measurement outputs (interval until assay end point, and lifespan). Thus, a path forward is proposed for researchers hoping to optimize protocols that support human health and longevity, whether in civilians, soldiers, athletes, or the elderly patients. The long-term goal of these specific recommendations is to accelerate the discovery of practical methods to conquer what were once considered intractable constraints on performance maxima.

Extending Methods in Dietary Patterns Research.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Disease Prevention held a workshop titled, “Extending Methods in Dietary Patterns Research”, in May of 2016. The workshop’s goal was to articulate, refine, and prioritize methodological questions to advance the science of dietary patterns in epidemiological research. Although the focus was on how to improve methods for assessing the relationship between dietary patterns and cancer risk, many, if not all, of the discussions and conclusions are relevant for other health outcomes as well. Recognizing that dietary intake is both multidimensional (i.e., it is a complex, multi-layered exposure and behavior) and dynamic (i.e., it varies over time and the life course), workshop presenters and participants discussed methodological advances required to include these concepts in dietary patterns research. This commentary highlights key needs that were identified to extend methods in dietary patterns research by integrating multidimensionality and dynamism into how dietary patterns are measured and defined, and how relationships with dietary patterns and health outcomes are modeled.

Satellite design for demise thermal characterisation in early re-entry for dismantlement mechanisms

Preliminary analyses at ESA have shown that space objects in LEO with masses above 500 kg might already imply an on-ground casualty risk higher than 1E-4 in case of uncontrolled re-entry. Compliance to this casualty risk requirement may be achieved through controlled re-entry, but this solution has a major impact at system level. Sometime it requires a full re-design of the spacecraft and may involve switching to a completely different launcher performance (consequently a significant mission cost impact).This option may be avoided with achievement of compliant ablation (demise) of the spacecraft upon uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry. The so-called Design-for-Demise discipline (D4D) is a highly multidisciplinary approach that can bring significant benefits in the future missions in the medium to long term. (Klinkrad, 2006; Johnson, 2012) [1,2].ESA created in 2012 the “Cleanspace” initiative and team to promote actions on green aspects and debris remediation (ESA Clean Space Team, 2015) [3]. Recently ALTRAN was involved inside THALES ALENIA Space consortium in those ESA activities on S/C D4D techniques and proposed several D4D concepts. This ESA D4D study had the objective to find D4D solutions for the Sentinel-1 study case (around 2 tons). This objective were about to be theoretically achieved.[4].The outcomes of those D4D studies performed in parallel at level of 3 LSI (Large System Integrator) were concluded in early 2016 [4,5] and used mainly ESA Sentinels S/C as study cases. Those studies all demonstrated that S/C dismantlement (controlled and earlier to natural break-up) has a major benefit in reduction of S/C Debris Casualty Area (DCA). Then this technique has to be considered with high priority in a global approach for D4D improvement. (ESA, 2015; CleanSat Workshop presentations, 2015) [6,7].The proposed ALTRAN/NIMESIS study CLEANSAT Building Block 10: Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) Dismantlement Mechanisms has investigated several technological devices and SMA material options for their suitability to be implemented in LEO satellite H/W of main European LSI for dismantlement during atmospheric re-entry.

The complexity of partnering across sectors and community, a case example of Logan Together

Background : Before they draw their first breath, the life chances of children living in poverty and vulnerable communities are often being shaped by inequities (UNICEF, 2017). Disadvantage will help determine whether they are healthy or unhealthy, whether they have a chance to learn effectively and later earn a decent living. But it need not be so. Logan Together (LT) is a great example of an innovative and effective solution to giving children in Logan the best chance at thriving in life. LT is a 10-year community campaign to ensure Logan kids grow up as healthy and full of potential as any other group of Australian children. There are currently 45,000 children aged 0-8 in Logan out of a total city population of 316,000. 30 per cent or approximately 14,000 of these children have developmental vulnerability at school entry. LT is marshalling resources across the health, education and social services sectors, and the community, to create a coordinated movement capable of meaningfully improving rates of healthy development. Improvement towards the Queensland and Australian benchmarks are the goal – meaning an improvement in the trajectories of about 5,000 children. For the most part, constraints on reaching vulnerable children are not technical. They are a matter of political commitment, resources and collective will – joining forces for collective action to tackle inequity and inequality by focusing on a greater investment on long term solutions, and reaching children who are being left behind (UNICEF, 2017). There is an imperative to work in an integrated way as the only effective way to impact on the determinats of health, health inequity and ‘wicked’ health conditions.Developing meaningful cross sector partnerships is a highly complex yet rewarding process. Relating specifically to LT partnering with Hosanna Logan City (a key community leader and partner), and Children’s Health Queensland’s Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing (a government body), we seek to outline a way to do this most effectively whilst highlighting our challenges and successes along the way. Aims and Objectives : The theory of change is simple: take a universal and preventative approach to supporting all children through each developmental stage across the early life course. Putting the community in a co-leadership role, working in an integrated manner, and using a collective impact methodology to drive aligned effort are key features. The workshop will consider the elements of this process. Format : Speakers will be a combination of the above highlighted key agencies.The workshop presentation will work through each of these components in small group work format: - Collective Impact and co design - Culture - Communication - Partnering skillset Target : Organisations, communities and individuals (clinicians, project workers, policy makers, leaders) keen to increase their understanding of working in an integrated way to effect change at community and population levels. Learnings : The workshop will strive to increase understanding through practice examples and small group work. Learnings will include: how to work in an integrated way across sectors and institutions, contexts and environments to influence children's health and wellbeing, how to develop a partnering skillset, and what is collective impact.

„To nasze przedstawienie będzie dziwne?” Warsztaty Twórczych Lokatorów w kontekście współczesnej pedagogiki teatru

The article is a presentation of the Creative Tenants workshops, which are part of the contemporary activities in the field of theatre pedagogy. Children’s workshops took place for five months at the Służewski House of Culture in Warsaw. They were an attempt to verify contemporary assumptions of theatre pedagogy used in practice. The inspiration for the project was the idea of art education and its rich tradition as well as modern concepts of treating art as a space for designing new ways of social action.

Social Learning and Cultural Evolution in Artificial Life.

We describe the questions and discussions raised at the First Workshop on Social Learning and Cultural Evolution held at theArtificial Life Conference 2016 in Cancún, Mexico in July 2016. The purpose of the workshop was to assemble artificial life researchers interested in social learning and cultural evolution into one group so that we could focus on recent work and interesting open questions. Our discussion related to both the mechanisms of social learning and cultural evolution and the consequences and influence of social learning and cultural evolution on living systems. We present the contributions of our workshop presenters and conclude with a discussion of the more important open questions in this area.

Workshop Synthesis: Measuring attitudes and perceptions in quantitative surveys

Abstract This workshop engaged participants in discussion about issues in incorporating qualitative information, namely attitudes, perceptions, and other psychological-social factors into transport research and analysis. There are many challenges to collecting this information from respondents. This synthesis summarizes the workshop presentations and discussion where participants identified the various types of information desired, reviewed the current challenges in conducting this type of data collection, made recommendations for practice, and outlined an agenda for future research.

2017 IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference Awards Comments by the Chairman

It is a longstanding tradition of the IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC) to honor the Outstanding Conference Paper and the Outstanding Data Workshop Presentation. In recent years, recognition has also been given to the best paper first-authored and presented by an IEEE Student Member. The awards process not only rewards authors for particularly high quality and important work, but also encourages all authors to produce presentations and manuscripts of high technical quality, clarity of presentation, and significance to the community.

Integrating themes, evidence gaps, and research needs identified by workshop on iron screening and supplementation in iron-replete pregnant women and young children

This report addresses the evidence and the uncertainties, knowledge gaps, and research needs identified by participants at the NIH workshop related to iron screening and routine iron supplementation of largely iron-replete pregnant women and young children (6-24 mo) in developed countries. The workshop presentations and panel discussions focused on current understanding and knowledge gaps related to iron homeostasis, measurement of and evidence for iron status, and emerging concerns about supplementing iron-replete members of these vulnerable populations. Four integrating themes emerged across workshop presentations and discussion and centered on 1) physiologic or developmental adaptations of iron homeostasis to pregnancy and early infancy, respectively, and their implications, 2) improvement of the assessment of iron status across the full continuum from iron deficiency anemia to iron deficiency to iron replete to iron excess, 3) the linkage of iron status with health outcomes beyond hematologic outcomes, and 4) the balance of benefit and harm of iron supplementation of iron-replete pregnant women and young children. Research that addresses these themes in the context of the full continuum of iron status is needed to inform approaches to the balancing of benefits and harms of screening and routine supplementation.

Towards Treatment of Stargardt Disease: Workshop Organized and Sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Accumulation of fluorescent metabolic byproducts of the visual (retinoid) cycle is associated with photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial cell death in both Stargardt disease and atrophic (nonneovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As a consequence of this observation, small molecular inhibitors of enzymes in the visual cycle were recently tested in clinical trials as a strategy to protect the retina and retinal pigment epithelium in patients with atrophic AMD.To address the clinical translational needs for therapies aimed at both diseases, a workshop organized by the Foundation Fighting Blindness was hosted by the Department of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University on February 17, 2017, at the Tinkham Veale University Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. Invited speakers highlighted recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of Stargardt disease, in terms of its clinical characterization and the development of endpoints for clinical trials, and discussed the comparability of therapeutic strategies between atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease. Investigators speculated that reducing the concentrations of visual cycle precursor substances and/or their byproducts may provide valid therapeutic options for the treatment of Stargardt disease. Here we review the workshop's presentations in the context of published literature to help shape the aims of ongoing research endeavors and aid the development of therapies for Stargardt disease.

Improving chances for successful clinical outcomes with better preclinical models.

In order to avoid expensive clinical failures, better and more predictive animal models of vaccine efficacy are needed to screen Shigella and ETEC vaccine candidates for protective efficacy. The 2016 Vaccines Against Shigella and ETEC (VASE) Conference included a workshop focused on the strengths and weaknesses of current models, particularly in terms of the correlation to vaccine efficacy in human clinical trials. Workshop presenters shared information on existing preclinical animal models for assessing the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Shigella and ETEC vaccines. The presentations were followed by a discussion about how to best utilize these models, how the models can be improved, and best practices for Shigella and ETEC vaccine developers. The workshop concluded with three major recommendations for the field: (1) develop better and more consistent reagents for animal studies and make them widely available, (2) prioritize harmonization of animal models and immunology assays, and (3) develop preclinical correlates of protection, which will be key in selecting the best vaccine candidates for further clinical development.

More “Critical Mass”, Higher Quality and Visibility of Annalen der Physik

Dear readers, The present regular issue of Annalen der Physik is a perfect example for the successful path that the journal has taken over the past five years: It contains two Rapid Research Letters on soliton transport 1 and aperiodic photonic crystals,2 one Review Article by Pedro David Garcia and Peter Lodahl on quantum photonics,3 and two Feature Articles by Sandro Wimberger et al.4 and David M. Weld et al.5, respectively, on ultracold atoms. These are accompanied by 14 further Original Papers presenting new results in various fields ranging from quantum physics over optics and magnetism to black holes, hence representing a snapshot of today's research and a broad spectrum of current activities in physics. In recent years we have seen a significant uptake in both quantity and quality of submissions, and a higher visibility of published articles as reflected by increased access numbers. Among the current download highlights we find Dmitriy Podolskiy's and stem-cell researcher Robert Lanza's considerations on quantum gravity and the “arrow of time” 6 as well as – no big surprise – the contribution on the physics of the first detected black hole merger by the LIGO/VIRGO collaborations.7 The latter are certainly on the express route to Stockholm now after the third gravitational wave detection – we have our fingers crossed for this year's Nobel Prize in Physics! More hot topics to feature in AdP are concerned with many-body localization 8 and – the soon to come – physics and technology of graphene,9 now a large-scale research endeavor in Europe and world-wide. Last but certainly not least, this positive development has also led to higher citation numbers and an increased Impact Factor now stably ranging above 3. The 2016 Impact Factor is 3.039, with an Immediacy Index (citations already within the year of publication) boosted by 36% to 0.964. Top-cited contributions since 2014 are Review Articles on quantum optics in chiral conductors,10 chameleon models for cosmology 11 and transition metal dichalcogenides,12 followed by topics such as super-resolution microscopy and high-temperature superconductivity. Annalen der Physik is now among the five best-cited journals publishing original research in general physics. All this would not be possible without you, our authors, numerous peer-reviewers, and readers, hence a growing community of contributors and supporters of our flagship Annalen der Physik. We are confident that this upward trend of more relevant “critical mass” in the journal will continue in the years to come. Stefan Hildebrandt Editor-in-Chief Several articles in this and forthcoming issues of the journal have been invited by our former author 13 Regine Frank, Bonn, and are partly related to the Europhysics Conference “From Photonics to Polaritonics – Non-Equilibrium Transport, Complex Media, Photonic Crystals and Disordered Nano-Structures” that took place in Les Houches in 2016. Her activities and the contributions from workshop presenters are gratefully acknowledged.

Workshops and tutorials.

Provides an abstract for each of the tutorial and workshop presentations and a list of presenters. The complete presentations were not made available for publication as part of the conference proceedings.

Current practice and recommendations in UK epilepsy monitoring units. Report of a national survey and workshop

PurposeInpatient video-EEG monitoring (VEM) is an important investigation in patients with seizures or blackouts, and in the pre-surgical workup of patients with epilepsy. There has been an expansion in the number of Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMU) in the UK offering VEM with a necessary increase in attention on quality and safety. Previous surveys have shown variation across centres on issues including consent and patient monitoring. MethodIn an effort to bring together healthcare professionals in the UK managing patients on EMU, we conducted an online survey of current VEM practice and held a one-day workshop convened under the auspices of the British Chapter of the ILAE. The survey and workshop aimed to cover all aspects of VEM, including pre-admission, consent procedures, patient safety, drug reduction and reinstatement, seizure management, staffing levels, ictal testing and good data recording practice. ResultsThis paper reports on the findings of the survey, the workshop presentations and workshop discussions. 32 centres took part in the survey and there were representatives from 22 centres at the workshop. There was variation in protocols, procedures and consent processes between units, and levels of observation of monitored patients. Nevertheless, the workshop discussion found broad areas of agreement on points. ConclusionA survey and workshop of UK epilepsy monitoring units found that some variability in practice is inevitable due to different local arrangements and patient groups under investigation. However, there were areas of clear consensus particularly in relation to consent and patient safety that can be applied to most units and form a basis for setting minimum standards.

A novel conceptual model facilitating the derivation of agent-based models for analyzing socio-technical optimality gaps in the energy domain

Optimization and simulation models are fit to work on a multitude of technical, economic, and techno-economic questions. However, they are by now not able to satisfactorily include societal aspects like acceptance, spatial implications and legal frameworks. In order to advance scope and explanatory power of simulation models, collaboration in interdisciplinary research teams is needed. Yet the exchange in such teams and its coordination can prove challenging. Furthermore, disciplinary approaches and methods for simulation and optimization might not be familiar to all participants.To this end, a new conceptual model is introduced. The conceptual model employs few basic elements and concepts for describing and explaining arbitrary societal and technical relationships. Most notably, the conceptual model is general in its design, so contributions to the problem formulation and design components can be made by all team members regardless of their discipline. The procedure is based on common agent-based concepts without using their terminology. Consequently, an exchange among all team members becomes possible without them necessarily being proficient in agent-based modeling. A reduced presentation of workshop results exemplifies the use of novel elements for deriving an emergent agent-based simulation.

Normal, Regular, and Standard: Scaling the Body through Fecal Microbial Transplants.

In 2013, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a workshop to determine the risks and benefits associated with the experimental use of fecal microbial transplants to treat Clostridium difficile and other gastroenterological disorders. By focusing on the proceedings of the NIH-FDA workshop on the treatment of the human microbiome, the question of how medicine colonizes human bodies through microbial transplants raises questions about what an individual body is, how determinative of human health the microbiome is, and what the limits of molecular biomedicine are when the microbiome is taken into consideration. In the workshop presentations and discussion of this emerging treatment, experts used ideas about the normal, regular, and standard to move between scales of bodily analysis, from the microbial to the body politic, demonstrating how the individual and society are deeply influenced by the unruly community of microbial symbiotes that humans host.

Workshop Presentations

Workshop Presentations

Student-Athlete Career Self-Efficacy: Workshop Development and Evaluation

Although graduation rates for intercollegiate student-athletes in the United States have hit record highs in recent years, many student-athletes lag behind their nonathlete peers in terms of career readiness. The purpose of this research was to create and evaluate a theoretically grounded, evidence-based career development workshop for student-athletes. In Study 1, 28 college and university professionals reviewed the Career Self-Exploration for Student-Athletes Workshop Presenter’s Guide and online training videos. Workshop materials were revised based on feedback received. In Study 2, a national sample of 158 student-athletes participated in a controlled field trial. Results indicated that participating in the Career Self-Exploration for Student-Athletes Workshop enhanced student-athletes’ career self-efficacy relative to a control group. These findings suggest that the Career Self-Exploration for Student-Athletes Workshop, available online for free, can be used by campus professionals to enhance career development opportunities for student-athletes across geographic regions and resource availability levels.

Abstract A45: Informing community participants of research: Multiple strategies from Project HEAL

Abstract Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning) is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project utilizing a community health advisor (CHA) model that aims to improve cancer screening behaviors among African Americans in 14 churches throughout Prince George's County, Maryland. Participants attend a CHA-led 3-workshop series on cancer early detection that is based on three evidence-based interventions. Follow-up workshops are held at 12- and 24-months to assess project sustainability and health-related behavior change. The success of longitudinal CBPR and implementation studies such as Project HEAL rely heavily on relationship building in the early phases at all participant levels (e.g., pastor, CHA, workshop participant) and relationship maintenance throughout the study period. A key aspect of CBPR studies and maintaining rapport with participants and community members is reporting back findings in a lay accessible, health-literate fashion. Project HEAL utilized multiple strategies and channels to report data and research findings and share project-related news back to project participants: annual reports; PowerPoint presentations delivered at the 12- and 24- month follow-up workshops; and a final testimonial video featuring project pastors, CHAs, and workshop participants. Each piece was developed and implemented with health literacy, lay person accessibility, and various platform preferences (e.g., paper-based, audio [workshop presentation], video) in mind. These methods were successful in maintaining good relationships with workshop participants as shown by the 84% response rate achieved on the final participant survey 24 months after the workshop intervention. We present our experiences to provide guidance for future longitudinal implementation CBPR research in community- and faith-based contexts. Citation Format: Sherie Lou Zara Santos, Cheryl L. Holt, Mary Ann Scheirer, Muhiuddin Haider, Jimmie Slade, Roxanne Carter. Informing community participants of research: Multiple strategies from Project HEAL. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A45.