scholarly journals Challenges and opportunities when implementing strategic foresight: lessons learned when engaging stakeholders in climate-ecological research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hamel ◽  
RA Ims ◽  
NG Yoccoz
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey C. Woerner ◽  
Renata C. Gallagher ◽  
Jerry Vockley ◽  
Aashish N. Adhikari

Newborn screening (NBS) is a population-based program with a goal of reducing the burden of disease for conditions with significant clinical impact on neonates. Screening tests were originally developed and implemented one at a time, but newer methods have allowed the use of multiplex technologies to expand additions more rapidly to standard panels. Recent improvements in next-generation sequencing are also evolving rapidly from first focusing on individual genes, then panels, and finally all genes as encompassed by whole exome and genome sequencing. The intersection of these two technologies brings the revolutionary possibility of identifying all genetic disorders in newborns, allowing implementation of therapies at the optimum time regardless of symptoms. This article reviews the history of newborn screening and early studies examining the use of whole genome and exome sequencing as a screening tool. Lessons learned from these studies are discussed, along with technical, ethical, and societal challenges to broad implementation.


Author(s):  
Francis P. Banko ◽  
Jackson H. Xue

As we witness the advancement of U.S. high-speed rail initiatives, the country can look towards its European and Asian counterparts for best practices and lessons learned from their decades of high-speed rail design and operations. These experiences gained may be applicable towards projects such as the Texas Central Railway and the California High-Speed Rail Project. This chapter will address the events of 2009 that have brought domestic high-speed rail to the forefront of U.S. rail transportation. This includes the new FRA Tier I and proposed Tier III criteria, challenges associated with each FRA tier of operation, overseas interoperability efforts, snapshots of international experiences (from policy and technological perspectives), the holistic system-based approach to safety, ongoing efforts of the FRA Engineering Task Force, and additional challenges and opportunities moving forward.


Author(s):  
Kirk Johnson ◽  
Jonathan K. Lee ◽  
Rebecca A. Stephenson ◽  
Julius C.S. Cena

This chapter provides an overview of particular issues of diversity and technology within an island university. The chapter’s central focus rests on the complexity of both concepts within the context of higher education in the Pacific. In particular, the chapter highlights both the challenges and opportunities that the university faces as it attempts to address the unique multicultural landscape of the Western Pacific region and its technological realities. It focuses on a capstone senior-level course as a case study, and explores the possibilities inherent in directly addressing issues of diversity and technology while at the same time accomplishing the course’s prescribed academic goals. The chapter concludes by outlining 10 important lessons learned from the experience that others can benefit from, and establishes the importance of such a capstone experience for both students and faculty alike.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-173
Author(s):  
Richard Musto ◽  
Judy MacDonald ◽  
Anne Ulrich ◽  
Kevin Fonseca

In the last 12 years, every Canadian province and territory has undertaken significant health services restructuring, with the pace of change accelerating recently. When the H1N1 Pandemic Influenza (PI) hit Alberta in the spring of 2009, the province had just begun a restructuring of health services of a scale unprecedented in Canada. The new province-wide entity, Alberta Health Services (AHS), was faced with mounting an effective response to a global communicable disease outbreak during a time of great organizational flux. In this retrospective, the authors reflect on challenges and opportunities presented during the AHS PI response related to the coordination of public health, laboratory services, emergency and disaster management, communications, and health services delivery. Lessons learned are shared that may be helpful to other provinces and territories as they continue to evolve their systems, so that they may be better prepared to respond to an untimely event such as a pandemic.


BioScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-193
Author(s):  
Liba Pejchar ◽  
Christopher A Lepczyk ◽  
Jean E Fantle-Lepczyk ◽  
Steven C Hess ◽  
M Tracy Johnson ◽  
...  

Abstract Invasive species are a leading driver of global change, with consequences for biodiversity and society. Because of extraordinary rates of endemism, introduction, and extinction, Hawaii offers a rich platform for exploring the cross-disciplinary challenges of managing invasive species in a dynamic world. We highlight key successes and shortcomings to share lessons learned and inspire innovation and action in and beyond the archipelago. We then discuss thematic challenges and opportunities of broad relevance to invaded ecosystems and human communities. Important research needs and possible actions include eradicating mammals from mainland island sanctuaries, assessing hidden threats from poorly known introduced species, harnessing genomic tools to eradicate disease vectors, structured decision-making to achieve common objectives among diverse stakeholders, and enhancing capacity through nontraditional funding streams and progressive legislation. By shining a spotlight on invasive species at the front lines in Hawaii, we hope to catalyze strategic research and practice to help inform scientists and policymakers.


BioScience ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 669 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID D. HART ◽  
THOMAS E. JOHNSON ◽  
KAREN L. BUSHAW-NEWTON ◽  
RICHARD J. HORWITZ ◽  
ANGELA T. BEDNAREK ◽  
...  

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
P. Spokes ◽  
M. Bartlett ◽  
K. Stewart

Elimination of syphilis within Aboriginal communities is one of the stated goals of the NSW Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2006-2009. In 2007, a project was undertaken to inform strategy development to achieve the goal of elimination of infectious syphilis in Aboriginal communities. Australian and international literature on elimination strategies for syphilis, STIs and other diseases was reviewed. Surveillance data were accessed through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and NSW Notifiable Disease Database and analysed to describe the current burden of disease. Key informants were consulted for advice on elimination strategies for infectious syphilis for Aboriginal people and possible barriers to the goal. Infectious syphilis notifications for Aboriginal people have decreased significantly from 64% of all infectious syphilis cases in 1995 to 3% in 2006. For the rest of the population notifications have increased. Changes in male to female ratios and an increase in metropolitan notifications have been noted in recent years. Improvements in recording of Aboriginality information for infectious syphilis in NSW have allowed greater confidence in interpreting these trends. The role of accurate and complete surveillance information will play an important role in planning and directing the implementation of interventions to achieve the goal of syphilis elimination for Aboriginal people in NSW. Challenges to the goal of elimination and the feasibility of a disease elimination strategy specific for Aboriginal people include issues of access to services for testing, diagnosis and treatment; cross-border mobility of Aboriginal people; prevalence of syphilis in the wider community; and continued access to accurate information. Lessons learned from international and Australian elimination strategies; burden of disease information; definition of elimination and target rates; challenges and strategies for achieving the goal of syphilis elimination and will be discussed.


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