Critical Characteristics of Housing and Housing Supports for Individuals with Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health and/or Substance Use Challenges: A Qualitative Study

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health and/or substance use challenges (MHSU) are commonly co-occurring and prevalent in individuals experiencing homelessness; however, evidence suggests that systems of care are siloed and organized around clinical diagnoses. Research is needed to understand how housing and housing supports are provided to this complex and understudied group in the context of siloed service systems. This study aimed to describe critical characteristics of housing and housing supports for individuals with concurrent TBI and MHSU from the perspectives of service users with TBI and MHSU and housing service providers. Using basic qualitative description, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 service users and 15 service providers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Themes capture core processes in finding and maintaining housing and the critical housing supports that enabled them: (1) overcoming structural barriers through service coordination, education and awareness raising, and partnerships and collaborations; and (2) enabling engagement in meaningful activity and social connection through creating opportunities, training and skills development, and design of home and neighborhood environments. Implications for practice, including the urgent need for formalized TBI and MHSU education, support for service providers, and potential interventions to further enable core housing processes are discussed.

MiR-200c-3p maintains stemness and proliferative potential in adipose-derived stem cells by counteracting senescence mechanisms

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are promising therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine because they possess self-renewal, differentiation and immunomodulatory capacities. After isolation, ASCs are passaged multiple times in vitro passages to obtain a sufficient amount of cells for clinical applications. During this time-consuming procedure, ASCs become senescent and less proliferative, compromising their clinical efficacy. Here, we sought to investigate how in vitro passages impact ASC proliferation/senescence and expression of immune regulatory proteins. MicroRNAs are pivotal regulators of ASC physiology. Particularly, miR-200c is known to maintain pluripotency and targets the immune checkpoint Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). We therefore investigated its involvement in these critical characteristics of ASCs during in vitro passages. We found that when transiently expressed, miR-200c-3p promotes proliferation, maintains stemness, and contrasts senescence in late passaged ASCs. Additionally, this miRNA modulates PD-L1 and Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO1) expression, thus most likely interfering with the immunoregulatory capacity of ASCs. Based on our results, we suggest that expression of miR-200c-3p may prime ASC towards a self-renewing phenotype by improving their in vitro expansion. Contrarily, its inhibition is associated with senescence, reduced proliferation and induction of immune regulators. Our data underline the potential use of miR-200c-3p as a switch for ASCs reprogramming and their clinical application.

Gap analysis and determination of the necessary improvements in the production of the world-class system (Case Study: Iran Khodro Raje)

This article aims to investigate and identify gaps in the manufacturing system of world-class (WCM), In the auto industry and to establish the necessary adjustments to the systems in the organization using the critical performance analysis (IPA). This study presents a blend of the theoretical and practical framework as stated in the literature study and integrates the experts' viewpoints. The critical characteristics of Iran Khodro Company's world-class production system were defined. Then the essential elements for improving the company's world-class production system were defined and addressed utilizing critical performance analysis (IPA). Performance Analysis was used to acquire the gap analysis findings and identify areas for improvement (Importance performance analysis). Using this model system in world-class manufacturing in the Iran Khodro Company, assist the supreme managers and supervisors in identifying areas in the company that require improvement, and after implementing improvement measures in these areas, ensure the success of this system's establishment and ability to make the best decisions in the area of world-class production. Without a doubt, this article will be one of the most effective techniques for determining and analyzing organizational improvements and the development and implementation of WCM. For the experts, there will be a plethora of options

The Research Behaviour and Dynamics of Science in Periods of Crisis: Case Study of COVID-19 Leading to Discovery of mRNA Vaccines

No studies to date allow us to explain the dynamics of science and research behavior in the presence of crisis to support research policy for allocating resources with effectiveness and planning scientific research to provide solutions directed to positive societal impact. The main goal of this study is to explain the research behavior and dynamics of science during a global crisis, focusing on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has generated a pandemic crisis worldwide. Results suggest critical characteristics of the research behavior and dynamics of science in global crisis, namely: evolution of research field is driven by new and consequential environmental threats in human society to be solved in a short run; evolution of crisis-driven research fields field is pulled by few (parent) disciplines (3–5) that generate more than 80% of documents; the most active institutions in crisis-driven studies are mainly academic institutions localized in advanced countries; main funding institutions in scientific production of crisis-driven research fields are public organizations of rich nations and global charitable foundations; the most productive countries of crisis-driven research fields are nations direct to support their global leadership; moreover, research behavior of crisis-driven research fields is mainly based on scientific publications having open access for a widespread diffusion of results for a higher social impact; finally, scientific production of crisis-driven research field has a higher density of short communications with letters and notes to systematize quickly findings, publish and spread them. Overall, then, this study provides critical characteristics of research behavior and dynamics of science in global crises that could be of benefit to policymakers to design science policies and plan research programmes to generate fruitful science advances and technological breakthroughs directed to reduce negative effects of crisis on socioeconomic systems and improve wellbeing of people.

Laser DAF Cut: A Breakthrough Approach of Die Attach Film Singulation for Thin Wafers

Today, semiconductor world is becoming more inclined to thinner Integrated Circuit (IC) packages. IC packages will require thinning of the internal configuration of the package, which involves the die or the wafer and the adhesive material, which is the Die Attach Film (DAF). Aligned to this, as wafers goes thinner it becomes more of a challenge in process development especially during its preparatory stages, such as wafer back grinding and sawing processes. As the die becomes smaller and thinner wafer sawing process should have minimum effect on the mechanical integrity of the silicon so as not to alter its quality. New technologies were introduced so as to adopt to this development trend, one of this is the Dicing Before Grinding (DBG). Compared to the normal wafer preparation process that is wafer back grinding before wafer sawing, DBG flow is wafer sawing first prior wafer back grinding processes. The application of DBG technology eliminates the mechanical draw backs of the conventional wafer sawing process. In addition, with the use of DAF for thinner packages, DBG was developed together with the Die Attach Film (DAF) cutting solution, which is Laser DAF Cutting. DAF are separated using Laser as a cutting medium to address potential processability problems that may occur on the conventional mechanical blade saw. The paper discuss the Laser DAF cut development that covers the Design of Experiments (DoE) to understand the different characteristics of Laser DAF solution and be validated through actual simulation and wafer processing. The paper will also cover the interaction of different DAF thicknesses and Laser DAF parameters in order to define the critical characteristics so as to understand the behavior of different laser DAF parameters in achieving optimal DAF cutting process responses.

Defining Spotting in Dance: A Delphi Method Study Evaluating Expert Opinions

Spotting is a typical isolated head coordination used by many dancers during rotation. However, with sporadic and inconclusive explanations as to why dancers spot, the critical characteristics and functionalities of spotting have yet to be identified. Therefore, a Delphi method survey was used as a novel methodology for providing greater insights into this under-examined motor behavior, bringing together experts from various disciplines to generate ideas and identify the crucial elements of spotting. Following the selection of experts, three rounds of data collection and analysis were conducted to narrow down relevant topics and evaluate consensus. To gather opinions in Round 1, experts were asked to respond freely to three prompts regarding the reasoning, characteristics, and uses of successfully spotting; responses were then grouped into predominant items. To rate agreement in Round 2, experts rated their agreement on the relevance of the grouped items from Round 1 on a 5-point Likert scale; items rated 4 or 5 by at least 70% of the experts were taken as those consensually relevant to the group. To rank importance in Round 3, Best-Worst Scaling was used to determine individual rankings of the relevant items from Round 2. In a series of comparisons, experts were prompted to select the most and least important items in multiple sub-groupings. Group mean ranking of items as well as ranking concordance and differentiation were analyzed to determine the most important items and the strength of consensus, respectively. Overall, consensus and differentiation in experts’ item rankings were low; however, novel insights were presented. As characteristics of successfully spotting, experts emphasized head isolation, timing, and gaze specificity alongside functional characteristics, substantiating spotting as purposeful action in rotation. Building on traditional notions of spotting for reduced dizziness and maintaining balance, successfully spotting was further deemed useful for multiple turns, orientation, and rhythm. The findings of this study thus provide informed guidelines for future analysis and training of this complex head coordination in rotations.

Public–Private Collaboration Led by Private Organizations in Combating Crises: Evidence From China’s Fighting Against COVID-19

Public–private collaborations have the potential to effectively respond to extreme events. However, traditional public–private collaborations that are usually led by governmental actors often encounter significant difficulties in a crisis. Based on a case study of a public–private collaboration dealing with COVID-19 in China, we explore how a private actor emerges as a leader to initiate and manage a public–private collaboration in the crisis, and how stakeholders in this collaboration work together to effectively handle the crisis. The findings indicate critical characteristics and contingencies when a private actor leads the cross-sector collaboration to effectively cope with uncertainties and deliver public services in crisis time.