scholarly journals How to develop objective-driven comprehensive science outreach initiatives aiming at multiple audiences

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjai Patel ◽  
Andreas Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Added Value ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Science Outreach ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Multiple Audiences

Science outreach has become increasingly important for researchers and needs to be of ever improving quality, although the time available aside our science, teaching and administration activities is steadily decreasing. To square this circle, effective strategies are required. Here we argue that this can be achieved by setting simple but ambitious overarching objectives for comprehensive outreach initiatives which target multiple audiences, supported by cumulative build-up of shared high-quality resources, as well as the exchange and collaboration amongst scientists with a common outreach aim. To exemplify this strategy, we explain the low-budget, yet high-quality outreach initiative of the Manchester Fly Facility which aims to promote public awareness of the importance of the model organism Drosophila for biomedical research. (1) This initiative targets the general public at science fairs, through public videos, or through extracurricular activities in schools as well as the development of curriculum-relevant sample lessons for teachers - all supported by a dedicated website. (2) The initiative targets university students: by adapting the public outreach resources for their teaching, and through newly developed advanced training strategies that amalgamate the outreach objectives. (3) It targets fellow scientists through blogs, conference presentations and a second website that provides a one-stop-shop for resources, arguments and strategies. As will be explained, this multi-pronged approach is time-saving in the long run and it is powerful because it reaches a wide range of audiences, helps to gain momentum, to build resource, and to gradually improve quality through cross-fertilisation between different activities, and through exchange within the science community. This helps to build communities, and high-quality outreach will have further important added value: arguments that impress the public, tend to be most effective also with reviewers and grant panel members, and often help to readjust aspects of your own scientific work.

Advantages and risks of crowdfunding as a model of financing startups and community development projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (4) ◽  
pp. 84-98
Author(s):  
Vitalii RYSIN ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
System Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
The Public ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Capital Access

Crowdfunding as a tool for alternative financing has emerged relatively recently and is of limited use in Ukraine today. At the same time, it has significant potential, which can contribute to the implementation of a wide range of projects that for various reasons are not of interest to traditional lenders or investors. The aim of the article is to determine the benefits of crowdfunding for its participants, the peculiarities of the implementation of certain types of crowdfunding and identify risks that may be generated by them, as well as develop practical recommendations for crowdfunding campaigns by entrepreneurs and authors of community development projects. The article identifies the benefits of crowdfunding for project authors (low cost of capital, access to information and potential investors) and investors (clarity, low risks, access to new products, the ability to support creative ideas), substantiates the role of crowdfunding platforms in realizing the benefits of crowdfunding. The advantages and disadvantages of using certain types of crowdfunding are described. Recommendations for planning and implementation of the main stages of crowdfunding campaigns - idea development, target audience determination, research, communication, project budgeting, reward system development, campaign schedule development – are developed. The factors of choosing a crowdfunding platform for hosting the project are determined. The possibility of using crowdfunding for collective financing of socio-cultural projects within the public budgets of the united territorial communities is shown. The risks of using crowdfunding for project authors and potential investors are identified. Those risks are primarily related to realistic expectations and proper preparation for the fundraising campaign by project authors, as well as the lack of guarantees for investors in the event of problems or bankruptcy of the crowdfunding platform. The author highlights that the growth of public awareness about the possibilities of implementing social or business initiatives through crowdfunding platforms will contribute to the development of platforms, improvement of technological equipment, and expansion of their range of services.

scholarly journals Predicted Drosophila Interactome Resource and web tool for functional interpretation of differentially expressed genes

Database ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Bao Ding ◽  
Jie Jin ◽  
Yu-Tian Tao ◽  
Wen-Ping Guo ◽  
Li Ruan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Functional Gene ◽  
Gene Interactions ◽  
Web Tool ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Functional Interpretation ◽  
Gene Set ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Drosophila melanogaster is a well-established model organism that is widely used in genetic studies. This species enjoys the availability of a wide range of research tools, well-annotated reference databases and highly similar gene circuitry to other insects. To facilitate molecular mechanism studies in Drosophila, we present the Predicted Drosophila Interactome Resource (PDIR), a database of high-quality predicted functional gene interactions. These interactions were inferred from evidence in 10 public databases providing information for functional gene interactions from diverse perspectives. The current version of PDIR includes 102 835 putative functional associations with balanced sensitivity and specificity, which are expected to cover 22.56% of all Drosophila protein interactions. This set of functional interactions is a good reference for hypothesis formulation in molecular mechanism studies. At the same time, these interactions also serve as a high-quality reference interactome for gene set linkage analysis (GSLA), which is a web tool for the interpretation of the potential functional impacts of a set of changed genes observed in transcriptomics analyses. In a case study, we show that the PDIR/GSLA system was able to produce a more comprehensive and concise interpretation of the collective functional impact of multiple simultaneously changed genes compared with the widely used gene set annotation tools, including PANTHER and David. PDIR and its associated GSLA service can be accessed at http://drosophila.biomedtzc.cn.

scholarly journals Genome sequencing of the neotype strain CBS 554.65 reveals the MAT1-2 locus of Aspergillus niger

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Ellena ◽  
Sjoerd J. Seekles ◽  
Arthur F.J. Ram ◽  
Matthias G. Steiger
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Cell Factory ◽  
Dna Assembly ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Genetic Organization ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Aspergillus niger is a ubiquitous filamentous fungus widely employed as a cell factory thanks to its abilities to produce a wide range of organic acids and enzymes. Due to its economic importance and its role as model organism to study fungal fermentation, its genome was one of the first Aspergillus genomes to be sequenced in 2007. Nowadays, the genome sequences of at least five other A. niger strains are available. These, however, do not include the neotype strain CBS 554.65. Results In this study, the genome of CBS 554.65 was sequenced with PacBio. A high-quality nuclear genome sequence consisting of 17 contigs with a N50 value of 4.07 Mbp was obtained. The sequencing covered all the 8 centromeric regions of the chromosomes. In addition, a complete circular mitochondrial DNA assembly was obtained. In silico analyses revealed the presence of a MAT1-2-1 gene in this genome, contrary to the so far sequenced A. niger strains, which all contain a MAT1-1-1 gene. An alignment at the MAT locus showed a different position of the MAT1-1-1 gene of ATCC 1015 compared to the MAT1-2-1 gene of CBS 554.65, relative to the surrounding genes. In addition, 24 other sequenced isolates of A. niger showed a 1:1 ratio of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 loci. While the genetic organization of the MAT1-2 locus of CBS 554.65 is similar to what is found in other aspergilli, the genetic organization of the MAT1-1 locus is flipped in all sequenced strains. Conclusions This study, besides providing a high-quality genome sequence of an important A. niger strain, suggests the occurrence of genetic flipping or switching events at the MAT1-1 locus of A. niger. These results provide new insights in the mating system of A. niger and could contribute to the investigation and potential discovery of sexuality of this so far asexual fungal species.

scholarly journals Microbiological and epidemiological review of Hantavirus: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardi Marif ◽  
Kwestan Ali
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Hantavirus Infection ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Usa

Hantaviruses are rodent viruses that have a world-wide distribution. Rodents and insectivores act as asymptomatic, chronic, persistently infected carrier hosts, whereas humans are dead end hosts and may exhibit symptoms after an incubation period of between one and six weeks. Hantaviruses infect humans and causing either hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Due to the absence of the treatment and approved vaccine in the USA, European and Asian countries, the public awareness and precautions are the only way of minimizing the risk of Hantavirus infection. This review provides a microbiological and epidemiological summary of the Hantavirus diseases in rodents and human beings. We concluded that the disease is a serious zoonotic disease the affect animals and humans and the mortality rate is really high. A wide range of different diagnostic tests play an important role in the diagnosis of the Hantavirus.

scholarly journals Why flies? Inexpensive public engagement exercises to explain the value of basic biomedical research on Drosophila melanogaster

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan R. Pulver ◽  
Paola Cognigni ◽  
Barry Denholm ◽  
Caroline Fabre ◽  
Wendy X. W. Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Public Outreach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Teaching Modules

Invertebrate model organisms are powerful systems for uncovering conserved principles of animal biology. Despite widespread use in scientific communities, invertebrate research is often severely undervalued by laypeople. Here, we present a set of simple, inexpensive public outreach exercises aimed at explaining to the public why basic research on one particular invertebrate, the insect Drosophila melanogaster , is valuable. First, we designed seven teaching modules that highlight cutting-edge research in Drosophila genetics, metabolism, physiology, and behavior. We then implemented these exercises in a public outreach event that included both children and adults. Quantitative evaluation of participant feedback suggests that these exercises 1) teach principles of animal biology, 2) help laypeople better understand why researchers study fruit flies, and 3) are effective over a wide range of age groups. Overall, this work provides a blueprint for how to use Drosophila as a vehicle for increasing public awareness and appreciation of basic research on genetically tractable insects in particular and invertebrates in general.

scholarly journals Alternative Approaches of Summer Milk Sales from Transhumant Sheep and Goat Farms: A Case Study from Northern Greece

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Ragkos ◽  
Alexandros Theodoridis ◽  
Georgios Arsenos
Keyword(s):  
Economic Performance ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
The Public ◽  
Direct Sales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Depth Interviews

Sheep and goat transhumance provides a wide range of ecosystem services (ES). Transhumance-specific dairy products could function as a nexus between the system and the public, incorporating ES which are not remunerated in markets, but in Greece, there are actually no such dairy products. Within this context, the objective of this paper was to present a case study regarding a comparative assessment of three different approaches (supply chains) in milk sales from transhumant farms. The first involved production of cheese on-farm and direct sales to consumers. In the second approach, farmers sold their milk to the same industry throughout the year, where it was mixed with milk from non-transhumant farms. The third approach concerned cheese produced solely from milk of transhumant flocks in a small dairy in the highlands. An assessment framework was developed examining the perceived quality; economic performance of farms; compatibility and; representativeness and contribution of each approach. Based on five in-depth interviews with farmers and dairies, it was found that a combination of the three approaches would be beneficial for farms—to decrease risks—and for the system as a whole, in order to convey the ‘agro-pastoral message’ to wider audiences and to increase the recognisability of transhumance. In addition, the analysis showed that the economic performance of each approach was related more to managerial issues and organizational requirements rather than to the achievement of higher prices and more added value in the first and third approach.

scholarly journals Mejoramiento de la textura de un producto reconstituido de trozos de camarón empleando la enzima Transglutaminasa.// Improvement of the texture of a reconstituted product based on shrimp pieces using the enzyme transglutaminase

Ciencia Unemi ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Denisse Álvarez Anchundia ◽  
María Fernanda Carrillo ◽  
Nibia Novillo Luzuriaga ◽  
Rigoberto Peñafiel León
Keyword(s):  
Litopenaeus Vannamei ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Nutritional Content ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Sensorial Analysis ◽  
Excellent Quality ◽  
Organoleptic Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range

La Costa Ecuatoriana alberga diferentes especies de camarones de alta calidad y  gran interés comercial, entre ellos destaca el  Litopenaeus vannamei debido a su mayor adaptación en la  acuacultura. En la amplia gama de mariscos, el camarón cumple el más alto potencial de materia prima cuando se lo transforma en productos que contengan mayor valor agregado debido a  sus características organolépticas y excelente calidad, además parte del camarón cosechado  o extraído del mar  no se exporta, puesto que existe un subproducto que incumple  las exigencias de los importadores debido a que se encuentra  troceado y se conoce  como venta local o  camarón quebrado. La enzima transglutaminasa con sus propiedades de ligar  proteínas, es un ingrediente clave para reconstituir estos pedazos de bajo valor comercial. El objetivo de este  estudio fue desarrollar un producto alimenticio reconstituido a base de pedazos de camarón con una mejor adherencia y compactación en la proteína de la carne del crustáceo. Se evaluó mediante  análisis sensorial la aceptabilidad de esta enzima en el producto elaborado, obteniendo mayor preferencia los productos con transglutaminasa por su textura y sabor, cabe destacar que las características organolépticas y el contenido nutricional del camarón no fueron alterados de acuerdo a los análisis realizados.ABSTRACTThe Ecuadorian Coast hosts different species of shrimp of high quality and commercial interest, among them Litopenaeus vannamei stands out due to its greater adaptation in aquaculture. Shrimp fulfills the highest potential of raw material, when it is transformed into products that contain greater added value due to its organoleptic characteristics and excellent quality, in the wide range of seafood. In addition, part of the shrimp harvested or extracted from the sea is not exported, since there is a sub-product that does not meet the requirements of importers because it is cut up and is known as local sale or broken shrimp. The enzyme transglutaminase with its properties of binding protein is a key ingredient to reconstitute these pieces of low commercial value. The objective of this study was to develop a reconstituted food product based on pieces of shrimp with better adhesion and compaction in the crustacean meat protein. The acceptability of this enzyme in the processed product was evaluated by sensorial analysis, obtaining more preference the products with transglutaminase for their texture and flavor, it should be noted that the organoleptic characteristics and the nutritional content of the shrimp were not altered according to the analyzes carried out.

scholarly journals Genome sequencing of the neotype strain CBS 554.65 reveals the MAT1–2 locus of Aspergillus niger

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Ellena ◽  
Sjoerd J. Seekles ◽  
Gabriel A. Vignolle ◽  
Arthur F. J. Ram ◽  
Matthias G. Steiger
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Cell Factory ◽  
Dna Assembly ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Conserved Genes ◽  
A Cell

Abstract Background Aspergillus niger is a ubiquitous filamentous fungus widely employed as a cell factory thanks to its abilities to produce a wide range of organic acids and enzymes. Its genome was one of the first Aspergillus genomes to be sequenced in 2007, due to its economic importance and its role as model organism to study fungal fermentation. Nowadays, the genome sequences of more than 20 A. niger strains are available. These, however, do not include the neotype strain CBS 554.65. Results The genome of CBS 554.65 was sequenced with PacBio. A high-quality nuclear genome sequence consisting of 17 contigs with a N50 value of 4.07 Mbp was obtained. The assembly covered all the 8 centromeric regions of the chromosomes. In addition, a complete circular mitochondrial DNA assembly was obtained. Bioinformatic analyses revealed the presence of a MAT1-2-1 gene in this genome, contrary to the most commonly used A. niger strains, such as ATCC 1015 and CBS 513.88, which contain a MAT1-1-1 gene. A nucleotide alignment showed a different orientation of the MAT1–1 locus of ATCC 1015 compared to the MAT1–2 locus of CBS 554.65, relative to conserved genes flanking the MAT locus. Within 24 newly sequenced isolates of A. niger half of them had a MAT1–1 locus and the other half a MAT1–2 locus. The genomic organization of the MAT1–2 locus in CBS 554.65 is similar to other Aspergillus species. In contrast, the region comprising the MAT1–1 locus is flipped in all sequenced strains of A. niger. Conclusions This study, besides providing a high-quality genome sequence of an important A. niger strain, suggests the occurrence of genetic flipping or switching events at the MAT1–1 locus of A. niger. These results provide new insights in the mating system of A. niger and could contribute to the investigation and potential discovery of sexuality in this species long thought to be asexual.

Identification and Remediation of At-Risk Student Clinicians in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Martha Wilder Wilson ◽  
Elizabeth Zylla-Jones
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Public ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Remediation Plan ◽  
University Training ◽  
At Risk Student

Abstract The goal of university training programs is to educate speech-language pathology and audiology students to become competent and independent practitioners, with the ability to provide high quality and professional services to the public. This article describes the behaviors of “at-risk” student clinicians, so they may be identified early in their practica and remediation may be implemented. The importance of establishing a student at-risk protocol is discussed as well as a remediation plan for these students. This article summarized the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic’s Student At-Risk Protocol, which may serve as a model for university training programs. The challenges of implementing such a protocol are also discussed.

Detecting “DeepFakes” in H.264 Video Data Using Compression Ghost Artifacts

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (4) ◽  
pp. 116-1-116-7
Author(s):  
Raphael Antonius Frick ◽  
Sascha Zmudzinski ◽  
Martin Steinebach
Keyword(s):  
Image Forensics ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Video Sequences ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Video Content ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Public

In recent years, the number of forged videos circulating on the Internet has immensely increased. Software and services to create such forgeries have become more and more accessible to the public. In this regard, the risk of malicious use of forged videos has risen. This work proposes an approach based on the Ghost effect knwon from image forensics for detecting forgeries in videos that can replace faces in video sequences or change the mimic of a face. The experimental results show that the proposed approach is able to identify forgery in high-quality encoded video content.

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