scholarly journals Open Data and the Danger of Sympathetic Magic

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Ballsun-Stanton ◽  
Georgia Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Raw Data ◽  
Sympathetic Magic ◽  
Funded Research ◽  
Significant Research

This chapter provides a minimal normative framework for discussing the desired attributes of a published dataset using Lakatos’ philosophy of science and the metaphor of sympathetic magic. When researchers publish their results, journals and granting agencies increasingly want datasets opened alongside. These datasets may vary in quality, reusability, and comprehensiveness. Yet, without a clear knowledge of how the research methodology and analysis affects the production of the raw data, any future attempts to reproduce analysis will produce the same magical results only by following the same steps. While the requirement for Open Data in government funded research can provide an excellent basis for future research, not all Open Data is created equal. Releasing the methods of analysis alongside a dataset of high quality will also allow for lower technical difficulties when reusing or remixing the data. Then data, collected once, may be reused in multiple projects for a significant research impact. And to some, we can show that data is, indeed, magic.

scholarly journals The A, C, G, and T of Genome Assembly

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Wajid ◽  
Muhammad U. Sohail ◽  
Ali R. Ekti ◽  
Erchin Serpedin
Keyword(s):  
Computational Biology ◽  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Raw Data ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
Sequencing Platforms ◽  
Key Steps

Genome assembly in its two decades of history has produced significant research, in terms of both biotechnology and computational biology. This contribution delineates sequencing platforms and their characteristics, examines key steps involved in filtering and processing raw data, explains assembly frameworks, and discusses quality statistics for the assessment of the assembled sequence. Furthermore, the paper explores recent Ubuntu-based software environments oriented towards genome assembly as well as some avenues for future research.

The psychology of offering an apology: Understanding the barriers to apologizing and how to overcome them

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Schumann
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Important Decision ◽  
Self Image

After committing an offense, a transgressor faces an important decision regarding whether and how to apologize to the person who was harmed. The actions he or she chooses to take after committing an offense can have dramatic implications for the victim, the transgressor, and their relationship. Although high quality apologies are extremely effective at promoting reconciliation, transgressors often choose to offer a perfunctory apology, withhold an apology, or respond defensively to the victim. Why might this be? In this article, I propose three major barriers to offering high quality apologies: (1) low concern for the victim or relationship, (2) perceived threat to self-image, and (3) perceived apology ineffectiveness. I review recent research examining how these barriers affect transgressors’ apology behavior, and describe insights this emerging work provides for developing methods to move transgressors towards more reparative behavior. Finally, I discuss important directions for future research.

scholarly journals Optimization of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite production from Anopheles stephensi in South West India

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajeet Kumar Mohanty ◽  
Charles de Souza ◽  
Deepika Harjai ◽  
Prathamesh Ghavanalkar ◽  
Mezia Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Anopheles Stephensi ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Gametocyte Density ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
South West ◽  
Membrane Feeding

Abstract Background Efforts to study the biology of Plasmodium vivax liver stages, particularly the latent hypnozoites, have been hampered by the limited availability of P. vivax sporozoites. Anopheles stephensi is a major urban malaria vector in Goa and elsewhere in South Asia. Using P. vivax patient blood samples, a series of standard membrane-feeding experiments were performed with An. stephensi under the US NIH International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) for Malaria Evolution in South Asia (MESA). The goal was to understand the dynamics of parasite development in mosquitoes as well as the production of P. vivax sporozoites. To obtain a robust supply of P. vivax sporozoites, mosquito-rearing and mosquito membrane-feeding techniques were optimized, which are described here. Methods Membrane-feeding experiments were conducted using both wild and laboratory-colonized An. stephensi mosquitoes and patient-derived P. vivax collected at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Parasite development to midgut oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites was assessed on days 7 and 14 post-feeding, respectively. The optimal conditions for mosquito rearing and feeding were evaluated to produce high-quality mosquitoes and to yield a high sporozoite rate, respectively. Results Laboratory-colonized mosquitoes could be starved for a shorter time before successful blood feeding compared with wild-caught mosquitoes. Optimizing the mosquito-rearing methods significantly increased mosquito survival. For mosquito feeding, replacing patient plasma with naïve serum increased sporozoite production > two-fold. With these changes, the sporozoite infection rate was high (> 85%) and resulted in an average of ~ 22,000 sporozoites per mosquito. Some mosquitoes reached up to 73,000 sporozoites. Sporozoite production could not be predicted from gametocyte density but could be predicted by measuring oocyst infection and oocyst load. Conclusions Optimized conditions for the production of high-quality P. vivax sporozoite-infected An. stephensi were established at a field site in South West India. This report describes techniques for producing a ready resource of P. vivax sporozoites. The improved protocols can help in future research on the biology of P. vivax liver stages, including hypnozoites, in India, as well as the development of anti-relapse interventions for vivax malaria.

scholarly journals A Survey on Deep Learning Based Methods and Datasets for Monocular 3D Object Detection

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
Seong-heum Kim ◽  
Youngbae Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Object Detection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
3D Object ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Depth Sensors ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
3D Object Detection

Owing to recent advancements in deep learning methods and relevant databases, it is becoming increasingly easier to recognize 3D objects using only RGB images from single viewpoints. This study investigates the major breakthroughs and current progress in deep learning-based monocular 3D object detection. For relatively low-cost data acquisition systems without depth sensors or cameras at multiple viewpoints, we first consider existing databases with 2D RGB photos and their relevant attributes. Based on this simple sensor modality for practical applications, deep learning-based monocular 3D object detection methods that overcome significant research challenges are categorized and summarized. We present the key concepts and detailed descriptions of representative single-stage and multiple-stage detection solutions. In addition, we discuss the effectiveness of the detection models on their baseline benchmarks. Finally, we explore several directions for future research on monocular 3D object detection.

The Entrepreneurship Educator: Understanding Role Identity

2020 ◽  
pp. 251512742097966
Author(s):  
Birgitte Wraae ◽  
Candida Brush ◽  
Shahrokh Nikou
Keyword(s):  
Role Identity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Role Identity Theory ◽  
Depth Interviews

Significant research explores effectiveness of entrepreneurial curriculum, teaching innovations and programs, but less often studied is the role of entrepreneurship educators. The way that the educator sees his or her role relative to the students is of critical importance because this directly influences pedagogy choices, expectations for students and learning outcomes, as well as job satisfaction. While recent studies propose typologies characterizing pedagogical approaches of educators, few of these are based on the data from entrepreneurship educators. Framed within role identity theory, we conducted 13 in–depth interviews to examine how entrepreneurship educators perceive their role. Using the qualitative data analysis tool (NVivo), we analyzed how the relationship between their perceptions of their role and core value orientation is connected to teaching approaches. Results show that these educators view their roles as teacher-focused, network-focused, or student-focused and that these perspectives are associated with different perceptions of students’ role and learning objectives. Further, we find different levels of emphasis on roles and that personal core values are differentially linked to these roles. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Library Impact Research Report: Understanding and Communicating Research Impact: The Needs of STEM and Health Sciences Faculty and Postdoctoral Researchers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negeen Aghassibake ◽  
Lynly Beard ◽  
Jackie Belanger ◽  
Diana Louden ◽  
Robin Chin Roemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Impact ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Library Impact ◽  
The University ◽  
Postdoctoral Researchers ◽  
Impact Framework ◽  
The Impact

As part of ARL’s Research Library Impact Framework initiative, the University of Washington (UW) Libraries explored UW faculty and postdoctoral researcher needs for understanding and communicating the impact of their work, with a focus on researchers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and health sciences fields. The project was designed to understand the challenges researchers face in this area, identify how participants in these fields define and measure impact, and explore their priorities for research-impact support. The project team conducted a survey and follow-up interviews to investigate these questions. This research report presents the project team’s methodology, findings, and recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Much research, but little learned to date: A scoping review on mental health of health workers in low- and lower-middle income countries and roadmap for future research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Lohmann ◽  
Denny John ◽  
Aso Dzay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

Abstract BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 has resulted in unprecedented research efforts on health workers’ work realities and their potential mental health impacts. To understand the latter, high-quality evidence on the baseline situation is paramount. With the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of existing evidence and to inform future research, we undertook a scoping review of the quantitative literature on mental health and psychological wellbeing of clinical skilled healthcare personnel working in all settings of care in low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMIC).MethodsWe performed a systematic search of the literature up to the end of 2019, in English or French language, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Global Health, and CAIRN. We included both studies estimating levels of mental health and studies investigating associations with other factors. We extracted data on study characteristics and methodology, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies along nine criteria.ResultsWe found 143 relevant studies, 135 including data on mental health levels and 126 including data on associations with other factors. The studies covered 26 of the world’s 78 LLMICs, with most studies conducted in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, or Egypt, in urban secondary- and tertiary-care settings. 67% of studies assessed burnout, 25% general psychological wellbeing, and 20% other mental health outcomes. Only 19% of studies were of high quality due to shortcomings particularly in regards to sample representativeness, context-specific measurement tool validity, and reporting of methodological detail. We found much heterogeneity in investigated associated factors. Studies focused almost exclusively on potential determinants of mental health, while none linked mental health to objectively measured performance outcomes.ConclusionWe conclude that despite its impressive size, we can learn comparatively little from the current body of literature. Based on our findings, we outline areas for expansion, methodological improvement, and standardization of reporting in future research on mental health of health workers.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO no. CRD42019140036

scholarly journals Build a Better Bootstrap and the RAWR Shall Beat a Random Path to Your Door: Phylogenetic Support Estimation Revisited

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Kevin J. Liu
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Bootstrap Method ◽  
Parametric Method ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Type I ◽  
Support Estimation ◽  
Non Parametric

AbstractMotivationThe standard bootstrap method is used throughout science and engineering to perform general-purpose non-parametric resampling and re-estimation. Among the most widely cited and widely used such applications is the phylogenetic bootstrap method, which Felsenstein proposed in 1985 as a means to place statistical confidence intervals on an estimated phylogeny (or estimate “phylogenetic support”). A key simplifying assumption of the bootstrap method is that input data are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.). However, the i.i.d. assumption is an over-simplification for biomolecular sequence analysis, as Felsenstein noted. Special-purpose fully parametric or semi-parametric methods for phylogenetic support estimation have since been introduced, some of which are intended to address this concern.ResultsIn this study, we introduce a new sequence-aware non-parametric resampling technique, which we refer to as RAWR (“RAndom Walk Resampling”). RAWR consists of random walks that synthesize and extend the standard bootstrap method and the “mirrored inputs” idea of Landan and Graur. We apply RAWR to the task of phylogenetic support estimation. RAWR’s performance is compared to the state of the art using synthetic and empirical data that span a range of dataset sizes and evolutionary divergence. We show that RAWR support estimates offer comparable or typically superior type I and type II error compared to phylogenetic bootstrap support as well as GUIDANCE2, a state-of-the-art purpose-built fully parametric method. Additional simulation study experiments help to clarify practical considerations regarding RAWR support estimation. We conclude with thoughts on future research directions and the untapped potential for sequence-aware non-parametric resampling and re-estimation.AvailabilityData and software are publicly available under open-source software and open data licenses at: https://gitlab.msu.edu/liulab/[email protected]

scholarly journals FACTORS AFFECTING SYRIAN FEMALE RESEARCHERS’ EXPERIENCE DURING CRISIS: INDUCTIVE APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 91-110
Author(s):  
Serene Dalati
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodology ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Women Researchers

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to explore factors influencing Syrian female academic researchers’ experience in academic research in the field of business and economics studies. Research Methodology – The research methodology follows a qualitative approach. The methodology is based on conducting focus groups with female academic researchers selected from Syrian public and private universities, to clarify any potential factors, which may be influencing women researchers’ experience. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview protocol is designed to be applied to this target group. A judgement-sampling technique is selected at Syrian public and private universities. Findings – The research findings indicate that personality traits, passion for research, marital and maternal status are important micro-level factors are influencing female researchers’ experience. Academic work overload, an organisational culture of the institution, need for networking support with the business sector, are identified as meso factors. Finally, social culture and norms of the Middle Eastern societies, stereotyping and interpretation of religion are crucial factors at a macrolevel. The research develops a theoretical framework of dimensions, which may be influencing female academic researchers in the field of business and economics. Research Limitation/Implications – The research limitation is associated with sampling size and geographical scope. Future studies could investigate a larger sample with representative geographical scopes, and employs theory testing approaches. Future research could also extend its investigation to examine further disciplines including science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Practical Implications – The study provides practical advice to decision and policymakers examining employment and hiring structure and suggests evaluating policies associated with support with childcare providing on-campus childcare. The study advises introducing support mechanisms for improving the reward system and compensations schemes for academic researchers, encouraging the development and production of scientific research. Originality/Value – There is no prior research on women researchers in Syria. This research is considered as a new perspective of women researchers in Syria during a sensitive time, which characterises Syria. The study provides a theoretical contribution associated with experiences of female researchers at faculties of business and economics in Syrian higher education.

scholarly journals Meeting the challenges of public engagement, research impact and research participation as a baby and child lab

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Salter ◽  
Tina Altdörfer ◽  
Geraldine Brown ◽  
Malinda Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Public Engagement ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Local Stakeholders

As well as conducting research in developmental science, baby and child labs face additional pressures. They must demonstrate public engagement and research impact, while also recruiting enough participants to conduct research, something that can be particularly challenging with infants and young children. These different pressures compete for time and resources, leaving researchers struggling to engage effectively in all such activities. Here we describe a low-cost, easy-to-implement, enjoyable and effective means of simultaneously addressing the challenges of recruitment, public engagement and research impact. It started with a process of listening and knowledge exchange with relevant local stakeholders to discern the interests and needs of the local infant community (including families, health professionals and businesses). This process led to the establishment of a fortnightly educational and support group for pregnant women and mothers of young infants, which met in the lab. This group combined peer discussion, presentations on developmental psychology, and ‘taster’ activities for mothers and infants from local businesses. Data collected from questionnaires from the first and final sessions indicated significant improvements in participants’ understanding of relevant concepts in developmental psychology, and showed that participants found this information helpful and reported using it at home. Participants also reported feeling more socially connected and more confident as mothers as a result of the group. The group also served to boost research participation, with 94 per cent of participants subsequently taking part in lab research or signing up to be contacted about future research. This approach can be employed by baby and child labs looking for ways to effectively and enjoyably promote public engagement and research impact, and for those looking to establish strong relationships with local stakeholders. The success of this strategy demonstrates that the aims of recruitment, public engagement and research impact need not be competing pressures on researchers’ time, but can be mutually supporting aspects of the research process.

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