Is it the people or the place? The remarkable 30-year period of integrative physiology research in the Carlson Gymnasium at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Historically, programs of physical education and sport were housed in gymnasium buildings on academic campuses. As physical education evolved to the more scientifically focused successor departments of exercise science and kinesiology, faculty specialization developed in the physiology of exercise. With time, some faculty broadened their research to study the integrative physiology of other biological states and stressors. Through this series of events, a small group of integrative physiologists was formed in the Carlson Gymnasium at the University of Colorado Boulder during the 1990s with the goal of conducting novel biomedical research. The challenges were daunting: no contemporary core laboratory facilities, lack of temperature control, piercing external noise, pests, regular flooding, electrical power outages, and lack of funds for renovation. Despite these obstacles, the group established an innovative program of translational physiological research ranging from high-throughput molecular analyses to cell models to rodent studies to clinical trials in humans. These investigators supported their work with grant awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), American Heart Association, and private research foundations totaling ∼$80 M in direct costs from the late 1980s to 2020. Collectively, the faculty and their laboratory personnel published ∼950 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Over that period, 379 undergraduate students, 340 graduate students, 84 postdoctoral fellows, and dozens of junior research faculty received scientific training in Carlson, supported by >$21 M in extramural funding. What was accomplished by this handful of integrative physiologists speaks to the importance of the qualities of the investigators rather than their research facilities in determining scientific success.

Body, ambient and felt temperature: An attempt to resolve a human and mice dilemma.

Mice thermoneutral zone lies at temperatures much higher than expected when considering the geographical extension of the species. Growing evidence shows that mouse-dependent thermogenesis experimentation needs to cope with temperatures below those at which the animals are most comfortable. The associated physiological changes interfere with experimental results, thereby highlighting the apparently trivial subject of room-temperature. Working at above 25 °C is difficult for researchers and animal care technicians. Herein, we explore alternative solutions related to living habits of wild mice that could improve translation of research on mice to humans. Standard murine environments are often colder than those in laboratory facilities and their behavior is mainly characterized by a gregarious, nesting and exploratory way of life. Optimization of their thermal environment can thus also be achieved by avoiding individual housing and providing high-quality nesting material and devices that would allow locomotor activity, hence muscle thermogenesis. These options have additional relevance in terms of animal welfare. When precise monitoring of the temperature is required, temperature-controlled cabinets can be used for the duration of the experiments. During the manipulation of mice, a heated laminar flow hood or tray could create an optimized microenvironment. The specification of temperature-related data in publications should contain information on the translatability of the described mouse models to humans. Furthermore, publications should describe the premises of the laboratory in relation to housing possibilities and murine behavior.

The Politics of Knowledge Production: Training and Practice of Archaeological Science in Africa.

Numerous doctoral degree holders were trained in African archaeometallurgy in the Global North as well as on the African continent. African archaeometallurgy continues to attract a significant number of researchers from Europe and North America. This paper is based on our lived experiences as resident African archaeometallurgists. We argue that out of frustration because of unequal power relations and lack of access to archaeological science laboratories and funding, most African archaeometallurgists are now pursuing other research areas and careers altogether. We propose some solutions to ensure sustainability in the training and practice of archaeological scientists on the African continent. We conclude that African scholars need to develop home-grown and long-term research capacities and strategies.

De nombreux docteurs ont été formés en archéométallurgie africaine dans le Nord global ainsi que sur le continent africain. L'archéométallurgie africaine continue d'attirer un nombre important de chercheurs d'Europe et d'Amérique du Nord. Cet article est basé sur nos expériences vécues en tant qu'archéométallurgistes africains résidents. Nous soutenons que, par frustration en raison des relations de pouvoir inégales et au manque d'accès aux laboratoires de sciences archéologiques et au financement, la plupart des archéométallurgistes africains poursuivent désormais d'autres domaines de recherche et carrières. Nous proposons quelques solutions pour assurer la pérennité de la formation et de la pratique des scientifiques archéologiques sur le continent africain. Nous concluons que les universitaires africains doivent développer des capacités et des stratégies de recherche locales et à long terme.

Development of a Mobile App for Clinical Research: Challenges and Implications for Investigators.

Advances in mobile app technologies offer opportunities for researchers to feasibly collect a large amount of patient data that were previously inaccessible through traditional clinical research methods. Collection of data via mobile devices allows for several advantages, such as the ability to continuously gather data outside of research facilities and produce a greater quantity of data, making these data much more valuable to researchers. Health services research is increasingly incorporating mobile health (mHealth), but collecting these data in current research institutions is not without its challenges. Our paper uses a specific example to depict specific challenges of mHealth research and provides recommendations for investigators looking to incorporate digital app technologies and patient-collected digital data into their studies. Our experience describes how clinical researchers should be prepared to work with variable software and mobile app development timelines; research institutions that are interested in participating in mHealth research need to invest in supporting information technology infrastructures in order to be a part of the growing field of mHealth and gain access to valuable patient-collected data.

Legacy and novel flame retardants from indoor dust in Antarctica: Sources and human exposure.

The air humidity in Antarctica is very low and this peculiar weather parameter make the use of flame retardants in research facilities highly needed for safety reasons, as fires are a major risk. Legacy and novel flame retardants (nFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), Dechlorane Plus (DP), and other nFRs were measured in indoor dust samples collected at research Stations in Antarctica: Gabriel de Castilla, Spain (GCS), Julio Escudero, Chile (JES), and onboard the RRS James Clark Ross, United Kingdom (RRS JCR). The GC-HRMS and LC-MS-MS analyses of dust samples revealed ∑7PBDEs of 41.5 ± 43.8 ng/g in rooms at GCS, 18.7 ± 11.6 ng/g at JES, and 27.2 ± 37.9 ng/g onboard the RRS JCR. PBDE pattern was different between the sites and most abundant congeners were BDE-183 (40%) at GCS, BDE-99 (50%) at JES, and BDE-153 (37%) onboard the RRS JCR. The ∑(4)HBCDs were 257 ± 407 ng/g, 14.9 ± 14.5 ng/g, and 761 ± 1043 ng/g in indoor dust collected in rooms at GCS, JES, and RRS JCR, respectively. The ∑9nFRs were 224 ± 178 ng/g at GCS, 14.1 ± 13.8 ng/g at JES, and 194 ± 392 ng/g on the RRS JCR. Syn- and anti-DP were detected in most of the samples and both isomers showed the highest concentrations at GCS: 163 ± 93.6 and 48.5 ± 61.1 ng/g, respectively. The laboratory and living room showed the highest concentration of HBCDs, DPs, BTBPE. The wide variations in FR levels in dust from the three research facilities and between differently used rooms reflect the different origin of furnishing, building materials and equipment. The potential health risk associated to a daily exposure via dust ingestion was assessed for selected FRs: BDEs 47, 99, and 153, α-, ß-, and γ-HBCD, BTBPE, syn- and anti-DP. Although the estimated exposures are below the available reference doses, caution is needed given the expected increasing use of novel chemicals without a comprehensive toxicological profile.

Disaster Planning and Research Continuity in Responsible Animal Research.

Disaster preparedness for research facilities can be a daunting task. The purpose of this review is to introduce basic preparedness concepts and terminology so that facilities may begin to develop customized plans for their specific needs. Regulatory requirements are reviewed and an overview of the Incident Command System, National Preparedness System Planning Frameworks, and fundamental terms is provided. Important concepts for successful planning are then explored. Good planning involves fostering a culture of preparedness, resilience, and understanding the interactions and partnerships with other groups that are essential for core functions and incident response. Methods to gain institutional support and set up an advisory committee are examined in detail. Next, the steps to develop and carry out a plan are outlined. Risk assessments using an all hazards approach and tools such as risk indices and risk matrices are explained, and tips to design and test plans, train personnel, and evaluate improvement are discussed. Finally, special challenges unique to animal research facilities are considered along with ways to address them. Examples and information are drawn from a wide variety of organizations both to underscore themes common to all preparedness plans and to introduce new concepts that may be adapted for use in research institutions.

Jobs and Research-Related Outcomes from the NIST-ARRA Construction Grants.

In 2009 and 2010, NIST's Construction Grant Program (NCGP) issued grants to 15 universities and 1 nonprofit institution to construct new or expand existing research facilities. Using $180 million provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and an additional $221 million provided by awardees, these grants led to the construction of 87,991 square meters (947,000 square feet) of academic research and development (R&D) space. This amounted to approximately 10 % of all R&D space constructed by U.S. academic institutions during the same period. This paper summarizes these 16 construction grants and highlights the number of additional research grants, patents, publications, and other benefits that resulted from the use of these facilities, six years after ARRA was signed into law.

Institutional facilities in national health research systems in sub-Saharan African countries: results of a questionnaire-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current status of institutional facilities and the supporting research infrastructure of surveyed health research institutions in Africa, including information on communication technologies and connectivity, library resources, and laboratory operations and resources. DESIGN: A structured questionnaire was used to solicit information on institutional facilities at health research institutions. SETTING: Health research institutions in 42 sub-Saharan African countries. PARTICIPANTS: Key informants from 847 health research institutions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The availability of laboratory, information and communication, and library facilities in health research institutions. RESULTS: Less than half of the respondent health research institutions had computer laboratories (49%), network computers (50%) and information technology support (38%). More than two-thirds (67%) had a library. Electronic subscriptions to international journals were observed to be very low, with an average of three subscriptions per institution. Almost two-thirds of the surveyed institutions (69%) reported having laboratories, about half of which (55%) were accredited nationally. Linkages and research collaborations were generally weak, particularly those with other laboratories in the Region. Challenges included financial and human resource constraints and the inability to communicate effectively with partners. CONCLUSIONS: Health research institutions in the Region have insufficient access to essential facilities such as laboratories, libraries, computers and the Internet to generate, access and share information.

Development of Stereo Magnetic Intravenous Infusion Dressing / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To develop medical equipment suited for medical care.Methods The secondary auxiliary wings were added inside the original intravenous infusion dressing clips on the left and right,and then a new stereo magnetic infusion dressing came into being with the medical 3M sticking membrane and glutinous magnetic woundplast.Results The Stereo Magnetic Intravenous Infusion Dressing was gifted with the functions of observing,supporting,and fixing the sting area.The model successfully passed the animal experiments.Conclusion The new stereo magnetic infusion dressing,easy to use,can satisfy the requirements of medical care.