scholarly journals 10.B. Workshop: Corporate influence on science – what is happening and what can be done?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Corporate Influence ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Funding Research

Abstract The role of the corporate sector in research sponsorship is growing. So too is the evidence that corporations whose products are potentially damaging to health or the environment influence science and the ways in which science is used in policy and practice. Such efforts are a key part of corporate attempts to maintain or increase the consumption or use of industry products, and to secure favourable policy outcomes. The products and practices of corporations are responsible for a growing proportion of the global disease burden. Non-communicable diseases, many driven by consumption of unhealthy commodities and exposure to chemicals, account for over 73 percent of global deaths. It is increasingly important to understand the complex and multifaceted ways corporations seek to influence science; the impact these strategies have; and the ways this influence can be addressed. This workshop brings together global experts to explore these issues. Drawing on examples from several industries (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, food, and pharmaceuticals), it aims to: Increase understanding of the ways corporations whose products are potentially damaging to health influence science. We present a newly developed, evidence-based typology which draws together the vast existing literature in this field, to present a simplified way of understanding corporate influence on science. Delegates will be provided with materials that provide a means for recognising such influence.Examine the influence that corporations have on the first stage in the research process - research agendas. We present examples from tobacco, food and pharmaceutical industries which illustrate the mechanism through which industry funding of science drives researchers to study questions that are favourable to industry. The desired outcome is to maximise research on the benefits of industry products (positioning these products as solutions to complex problems), minimise research on the harms of their products, support their policy and legal positions, and impede potential regulation of their products.Increase awareness of the involvement that corporations have had in altering the mechanisms though which science is used in policymaking. Delegates will hear how corporations promoted and embedded policymaking reforms which increase reliance on and provide a conduit for industry-favourable science.Suggest ways forward concerning management of conflicts of interest in the publication of health research. Here we will discuss the roles that journals can play in governing conflicts of interest and issues of transparency in the publication of academic research.Suggest ways forward for funding research on unhealthy commodities. We present criteria for tobacco industry-supported research funding programs, and discuss the applicability of similar programs for funding research on other unhealthy commodities, and on the practices of other industries such as the fossil fuels industry. Key messages Corporations have been seen to skew evidence bases, manipulate interpretations of science, and influence use of science in policy and practice – such influence is a major threat to public health. This workshop exposes industry tactics in this area and begins to identify ways for dealing with them.

scholarly journals Getting our act together: a qualitative evaluation of the impact of a play on issues relating to women, sex work and substance use

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Anne Campbell ◽  
Jo Egan ◽  
Paul Murphy ◽  
Carolyn Blair
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Performing Arts ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Arts ◽  
The Impact

Background: The arts have always sought to explore significant social issues through literature, performing arts and visual art. However, more recently there has been an increase in the use of theatre as a means of gauging audiences’ perception and understanding of key social issues. The primary aim of the current evaluation was to seek the views of audience members, service users of addiction services and expert commentators as regards their perception of a number of key issues related to the content of a play entitled Madame Geneva. Methods: The evaluation used an exploratory qualitative design incorporating a dualistic approach to the research process: including post show discussion with panellists and members of the audience and a focus group comprising service users who had also viewed a live performance of the play. Results: The topics elucidated by the performance of the play included women and sex work, women and substance use, and impact on policy and practice. The discussion of the issues raised reiterated that women still experience high levels of oppression and discrimination in areas of substance use, sex work and welfare ‘reform’ which are often couched within male dominated political discourses and structures in contemporary society. Conclusions: The arts and specifically dramaturgical representations of substance use and related issues is an effective method of initiating important pragmatic and policy discussion of issues, which affect women

Public space of the trustworthiness of sociological knowledge: The case of electoral research

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
OLEKSANDR STEGNII
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Sociological Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
The Impact

The paper analyses specific features of sociological data circulation in a public space during an election campaign. The basic components of this kind of space with regard to sociological research are political actors (who put themselves up for the election), voters and agents. The latter refer to professional groups whose corporate interests are directly related to the impact on the election process. Sociologists can also be seen as agents of the electoral process when experts in the field of electoral sociology are becoming intermingled with manipulators without a proper professional background and publications in this field. In a public space where an electoral race is unfolding, empirical sociological research becomes the main form of obtaining sociological knowledge, and it is primarily conducted to measure approval ratings. Electoral research serves as an example of combining the theoretical and empirical components of sociological knowledge, as well as its professional and public dimensions. Provided that sociologists meet all the professional requirements, electoral research can be used as a good tool for evaluating the trustworthiness of results reflecting the people’s expression of will. Being producers of sociological knowledge, sociologists act in two different capacities during an election campaign: as analysts and as pollsters. Therefore, it is essential that the duties and areas of responsibility for professional sociologists should be separated from those of pollsters. Another thing that needs to be noted is the negative influence that political strategists exert on the trustworthiness of survey findings which are going to be released to the public. Using the case of approval ratings as an illustration, the author analyses the most common techniques aimed at misrepresenting and distorting sociological data in the public space. Particular attention is given to the markers that can detect bogus polling companies, systemic violations during the research process and data falsification.

Introduction to geomicrobiology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Kirchman
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Direct Reduction ◽  
Iron Oxidation ◽  
Mineral Dissolution ◽  
Precipitation Process ◽  
Soluble Ions ◽  
Chemolithoautotrophic Bacteria ◽  
The Impact

Geomicrobiology, the marriage of geology and microbiology, is about the impact of microbes on Earth materials in terrestrial systems and sediments. Many geomicrobiological processes occur over long timescales. Even the slow growth and low activity of microbes, however, have big effects when added up over millennia. After reviewing the basics of bacteria–surface interactions, the chapter moves on to discussing biomineralization, which is the microbially mediated formation of solid minerals from soluble ions. The role of microbes can vary from merely providing passive surfaces for mineral formation, to active control of the entire precipitation process. The formation of carbonate-containing minerals by coccolithophorids and other marine organisms is especially important because of the role of these minerals in the carbon cycle. Iron minerals can be formed by chemolithoautotrophic bacteria, which gain a small amount of energy from iron oxidation. Similarly, manganese-rich minerals are formed during manganese oxidation, although how this reaction benefits microbes is unclear. These minerals and others give geologists and geomicrobiologists clues about early life on Earth. In addition to forming minerals, microbes help to dissolve them, a process called weathering. Microbes contribute to weathering and mineral dissolution through several mechanisms: production of protons (acidity) or hydroxides that dissolve minerals; production of ligands that chelate metals in minerals thereby breaking up the solid phase; and direct reduction of mineral-bound metals to more soluble forms. The chapter ends with some comments about the role of microbes in degrading oil and other fossil fuels.

scholarly journals Pharmacy premises licensing policy formulation: experience from Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustina Koduah ◽  
Reginald Sekyi-Brown ◽  
Joseph Kodjo Nsiah Nyoagbe ◽  
Daniel Amaning Danquah ◽  
Irene Kretchy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Select Committee ◽  
Limited Participation ◽  
Pharmacy Council ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Regulatory Bodies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Licences to operate pharmacy premises are issued by statutory regulatory bodies. The Health Institutions and Facilities Act (Act 829) and Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act (Act 857) regulate pharmacy premises and the business of supplying restricted medicines by retail, respectively, and this could create a potential regulatory overlap for pharmacy practice in Ghana. We theorise that the potential overlap of regulation duties stems from how law-makers framed issues and narratives during the formulation of these Acts. Objective To describe the policy actors involved, framing of narratives and decision-making processes relating to pharmacy premises licensing policy formulation. Methods A qualitative study was conducted and data gathered through interviewing eight key informants and reviewing Hansards, reports, bills, memoranda and Acts 829 and 857. Data were analysed to map decision-making venues, processes, actors and narratives. Results The Ministry of Health drafted the bills in July 2010 with the consensus of internal stakeholders. These were interrogated by the Parliament Select Committee on Health (with legislative power) during separate periods, and decisions made in Parliament to alter propositions of pharmacy premises regulations. Parliamentarians framed pharmacies as health facilities and reassigned their regulation from the Pharmacy Council to a new agency. The Pharmacy Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana could not participate in the decision-making processes in Parliament to oppose these alterations. The laws’ contents rested with parliamentarians as they made decisions in venues restricted to others. Legislative procedure limited participation, although non-legislative actors had some level of influence on the initial content. Conclusion Implementation of these laws would have implications for policy and practice and therefore understanding how the laws were framed and formulated is important for further reforms. We recommend additional research to investigate the impact of the implementation of these Acts on pharmacy practice and business in Ghana and the findings can serve as bargaining information for reforms.

scholarly journals Focus on Function in Hospitalized Persons With Dementia: The Impact of Hospital-Acquired Complications

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 762-762
Author(s):  
Marie Boltz ◽  
Lorraine Mion
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Pharmacologic Management ◽  
Hospitalized Older Adults ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Persons with dementia (PWD) are two-three times more likely to be hospitalized as persons without dementia and comprise one fourth of hospitalized older adults. Hospitalization often has a dramatic impact upon the health and disposition of the older PWD. They are at increased risk for hospital acquired complications (HAC) such as functional decline, behavioral symptoms of distress, and delirium, all of which contribute to increased disability, mortality, and long-term nursing home stays. Despite the unprecedented number of PWD admitted to acute care, little attention has focused on their specialized needs and HAC, and how they impact functional recovery. The purpose of this symposium is to describe the incidence of common HACs, and factors that influence their occurrence and presentation in PWD. Utilizing baseline findings from the Family-centered Function-focused Care (Fam-FFC) trial, the presentations will address this objective and discuss the ramifications for functional and cognitive post-acute recovery in PWD. The first presentation will describe the incidence and pharmacologic management of pain in PWD, and its association with common HACs. The second presentation will describe physical activity in PWD on medical units and the validity of the Motionwatch8 actigraphy. The third session will describe differences in common HACs between white and black PWD. The final presentation will examine function-focused goals developed in collaboration with family caregivers and patients, and the functional outcomes associated with goal attainment. Our discussant, Dr. Lorraine Mion, will synthesize the research findings and lead a discussion of future directions for policy and practice in dementia-capable acute care.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of State Policy Interventions for LGBT Aging: Comparative Case Study of New York and California

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 674-674
Author(s):  
Austin Oswald ◽  
Nancy Giunta ◽  
Tim Johnston ◽  
Sherrill Wayland
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Sensitivity Training ◽  
Attitudinal Differences ◽  
Group Interest ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lgbt Aging

Abstract The majority of aging network service providers are unprepared to deliver targeted services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) older adults. In 2017, California legislature mandated ongoing LGBT sensitivity training for congregate living providers. Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) developed a specialized training, Creating Inclusive Communities, for congregate living staff to learn the unique needs of LGBT elders. This secondary data analysis compared pre-test knowledge and attitudes of training participants in two states, one mandating LGBT aging sensitivity training (California, N=328) and one without the mandate (New York, N=622). Preliminary results show that prior to receiving training, California participants demonstrate significantly less knowledge of LGBT aging issues compared to New York participants; t(948)=-3.808, p<.001. Attitudinal differences were also demonstrated. These results suggest that laws mandating LGBT sensitivity training may help reach providers with greater training needs. Policy and practice implications will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by Rainbow Research Group Interest Group.

The Effects of Storage Duration on Biodiesel Derived from Waste Cooking Oil

2014 ◽  
Vol 660 ◽  
pp. 386-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norazwan Azman ◽  
Mirnah Suardi ◽  
Amir Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Acid Value ◽  
Waste Cooking Oil ◽  
Biodiesel Fuel ◽  
Storage Duration ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Cooking Oil ◽  
Impact Reduction ◽  
The Impact

The use of fossil fuels as energy sources has grown to significantly be likely to have a major environmental impact. Reduction of world oil reserves and increasing environmental concerns have prompted alternative is found and renewable source of energy called biodiesel. Biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil is considered as the best candidates for diesel fuel replacement in diesel engines because of its closer. Fuel prices are going up day by day in the world. Thus, the means and methods have been trying for years to get fuel alternative outcomes. This study investigated the effects of different storage periods used in quality biodiesel blends (B5, B10, B15) of waste cooking oil and diesel fuel under low temperature and the temperature of the environment. Biodiesel samples were stored in glass containers under indoor conditions, and outdoor conditions for 10 weeks in total. These samples were monitored on a weekly basis through the test properties. The experimental density, viscosity, acid value, water content and flash point discussed in detail. Biodiesel storage at low temperatures is suitable and more advantageous because the impact on the physical properties is minimal and beneficial to slow down the degradation of biodiesel and storage.

scholarly journals Examining the Role of Disruptive Innovation in Renewable Energy Businesses from a Cross National Perspective

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4447
Author(s):  
Hokey Min ◽  
Yohannes Haile
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Developed Economies ◽  
Sustainable Value ◽  
National Perspective ◽  
The Impact

With a growing demand for safe, clean, and affordable energy, countries across the world are now seeking to create and rapidly develop renewable energy (RE) businesses. The success of these businesses often hinges on their ability to translate RE into sustainable value for energy consumers and the multiple stakeholders in the energy industry. Such value includes low production costs due to an abundance of natural resources (e.g., wind, water, sunlight), and public health benefits from reduced environmental pollution. Despite the potential for value creation, many RE businesses have struggled to create affordable energy as abundant as that which is produced by traditional fossil fuels. The rationale being that traditional RE sources emanating from natural resources tend to rely on unpredictable weather conditions. Therefore, to help RE businesses deliver sustainable value, we should leverage disruptive innovation that is less dependent on natural resources. This paper is one of the first attempts to assess the impact of disruptive innovation on RE business performances based on the survey data obtained from multiple countries representing both emerging and developed economies.

scholarly journals Understanding adherence to reactive treatment of asymptomatic malaria infections in The Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatou Jaiteh ◽  
Joseph Okebe ◽  
Yoriko Masunaga ◽  
Umberto D’Alessandro ◽  
Jane Achan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Day Treatment ◽  
Treatment Completion ◽  
Clinical Malaria ◽  
Research Process ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Individual Compound ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of different types of reactive case detection and/or treatment strategies for malaria elimination depends on high coverage and participants’ adherence. However, strategies to optimise adherence are limited, particularly for people with asymptomatic or no infections. As part of a cluster-randomized trial to evaluate the effect of reactive treatment in The Gambia, all residents in the compound of a diagnosed clinical malaria patient received dihydro-artemisinin–piperaquine (DP). Using a mixed method approach, we assessed which factors contribute to adherence among the contacts of malaria cases that showed no symptoms. Adherence was defined as the proportion of compound members that (1) returned all medicine bags empty and (2) self-reported (3-day) treatment completion. Among the 273 individuals from 14 compounds who received DP, 227 (83.1%) were available for and willing to participate in the survey; 85.3% (233/273) returned empty medicine bags and 91.6% (208/227) self-reported treatment completion. Although clinical malaria was not considered a major health problem, reported adherence was high. The drivers of adherence were the strong sense of responsibility towards protecting the individual, compound and the village. Adherence can be optimised through a transdisciplinary implementation research process of engaging communities to bridge the gap between research goals and social realities.

Thinking Outside the Circle: Reflections on Theory and Methods for School-Based Garden Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesa Clague ◽  
Neil Harrison ◽  
Katherine Stewart ◽  
Caroline Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Research Process ◽  
Philosophical Approach ◽  
Approach To Learning ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Cultural Integrity ◽  
School Based ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Deep Listening

School-based gardens (SBGs) are contributing to improvements in many areas of education, including nutrition, health, connectedness and engagement of students. While considerable research has been conducted in other parts of the world, research in Australia provides limited understanding of the impact of SBGs. The aim of this paper is to give a reflective viewpoint on the impact of SBGs in Australia from the perspective of an Aboriginal philosophical approach called Dadirri. The philosophy highlights an Australian Aboriginal concept, which exists but has different meanings across Aboriginal language groups. This approach describes the processes of deep and respectful listening. The study uses photovoice as a medium to engage students to become researchers in their own right. Using this methodology, students have control over how they report what is significant to them. The use of photovoice as a data collection method is contextualised within the Aboriginal philosophical approach to deep listening. For the first author, an Aboriginal researcher (Clague), the journey is to find a research process that maintains cultural integrity and resonates with the participants by affirming that a culturally sensitive approach to learning is important.

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