Considerations for Research Funders and Managers to Facilitate the Translation of Scientific Knowledge into Practice

Research funders and managers can play a critical role in supporting the translation of knowledge into action by facilitating the brokering of knowledge and partnerships. We use semi-structured interviews with a research funding agency, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to explore (i) ways that funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, the (ii) barriers to, and (iii) enablers for, facilitating knowledge brokering, and (iv) the individual skills and attributes for research program funders and managers to be effective brokers. Based on these findings, we generate three considerations for research funders elsewhere, in particular R4D funders, seeking to build capacity for knowledge brokering: (i) formalise the process and practice, (ii) develop shared language and understanding, and (iii) build individual competencies and capabilities. Our findings complement the existing literature with a context specific analysis of how research funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, and by identifying the barriers and enablers in doing so

Biological effects of exposure to magnetic resonance imaging: an overview

The literature on biological effects of magnetic and electromagnetic fields commonly utilized in magnetic resonance imaging systems is surveyed here. After an introduction on the basic principles of magnetic resonance imaging and the electric and magnetic properties of biological tissues, the basic phenomena to understand the bio-effects are described in classical terms. Values of field strengths and frequencies commonly utilized in these diagnostic systems are reported in order to allow the integration of the specific literature on the bio-effects produced by magnetic resonance systems with the vast literature concerning the bio-effects produced by electromagnetic fields. This work gives an overview of the findings about the safety concerns of exposure to static magnetic fields, radio-frequency fields, and time varying magnetic field gradients, focusing primarily on the physics of the interactions between these electromagnetic fields and biological matter. The scientific literature is summarized, integrated, and critically analyzed with the help of authoritative reviews by recognized experts, international safety guidelines are also cited

3.0 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients treated with coronary stenting for myocardial infarction: evaluation of short term safety and image quality

Purpose To evaluate safety and image quality of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 3.0 T in patients with coronary stents after myocardial infarction (MI), in comparison to the clinical standard at 1.5 T. Methods Twenty-five patients (21 men; 55 ± 9 years) with first MI treated with primary stenting, underwent 18 scans at 3.0 T and 18 scans at 1.5 T. Twenty-four scans were performed 4 ± 2 days and 12 scans 125 ± 23 days after MI. Cine (steady-state free precession) and late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE, segmented inversion-recovery gradient echo) images were acquired. Patient safety and image artifacts were evaluated, and in 16 patients stent position was assessed during repeat catheterization. Additionally, image quality was scored from 1 (poor quality) to 4 (excellent quality). Results There were no clinical events within 30 days of CMR at 3.0 T or 1.5 T, and no stent migration occurred. At 3.0 T, image quality of cine studies was clinically useful in all, but not sufficient for quantitative analysis in 44% of the scans, due to stent (6/18 scans), flow (7/18 scans) and/or dark band artifacts (8/18 scans). Image quality of LGE images at 3.0 T was not sufficient for quantitative analysis in 53%, and not clinically useful in 12%. At 1.5 T, all cine and LGE images were quantitatively analyzable. Conclusion 3.0 T is safe in the acute and chronic phase after MI treated with primary stenting. Although cine imaging at 3.0 T is suitable for clinical use, quantitative analysis and LGE imaging is less reliable than at 1.5 T. Further optimization of pulse sequences at 3.0 T is essential

Effects of lateral retinacular release on the lateral stability of the patella.

Accepted versio

MR fluoroscopy in vascular and cardiac interventions (review)

Vascular and cardiac disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and emerging countries. Vascular and cardiac interventions require extensive fluoroscopic guidance to navigate endovascular catheters. X-ray fluoroscopy is considered the current modality for real time imaging. It provides excellent spatial and temporal resolution, but is limited by exposure of patients and staff to ionizing radiation, poor soft tissue characterization and lack of quantitative physiologic information. MR fluoroscopy has been introduced with substantial progress during the last decade. Clinical and experimental studies performed under MR fluoroscopy have indicated the suitability of this modality for: delivery of ASD closure, aortic valves, and endovascular stents (aortic, carotid, iliac, renal arteries, inferior vena cava). It aids in performing ablation, creation of hepatic shunts and local delivery of therapies. Development of more MR compatible equipment and devices will widen the applications of MR-guided procedures. At post-intervention, MR imaging aids in assessing the efficacy of therapies, success of interventions. It also provides information on vascular flow and cardiac morphology, function, perfusion and viability. MR fluoroscopy has the potential to form the basis for minimally invasive image–guided surgeries that offer improved patient management and cost effectiveness

Understanding and evidencing a broader range of ‘successes’ that can occur at the interface of marine science and policy

Scientists and scientific institutions alike are under increased pressure to demonstrate the tangible 'impacts' arising from their research. However, current conceptualisations of impact are largely instrumental and do not recognise the full diversity of forms that impacts can take across the spectrum of activities that comprise the 'science-policy interface'. Moving beyond such instrumental definitions is critical for developing indicators that can monitor and measure research impact, and to guide impact planning activities to maximise the value that science can have on policy and management. This study sought to contribute towards filling this gap, not by seeking to understand what impacts have been achieved within a certain context, but rather by asking what 'success' would like in its broadest sense for an organisation working at the marine science-policy interface. We do so via an in-depth qualitative evaluation of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Specifically, we aim to develop a more comprehensive understanding of what constitutes success for organisations working at the marine science-policy interface, and in doing so elucidate and articulate a range of metrics and approaches that can be used to evidence success. We also seek to identify the barriers and enablers to the attainment of success. Results show that successes can take a range of forms across five different scales; (i) impacts on the organisation, (ii) impacts on policy, (iii) impacts on science, (iv) impacts on people and (v) impacts on ecosystems and society. Metrics to quantify and evidence these successes are also identified, and whilst quantitative measures were most common, it was evident that quantitative measures alone could not capture the full range of impacts and that they would need to be supplemented with qualitative indicators. Enablers of success took many forms, but most commonly related to the process of knowledge exchange among scientists and decision-makers (e.g. the process must engender trust, be transparent and free from political influence), the individuals involved in the process (e.g. teams should be composed of diverse individuals across disciplines, career stages, geographic locations and gender, who are capable of developing strong relationships with diverse stakeholders), and the organisation itself (e.g. the organisation should have a clear mission and strategy to guide their activities, and a positive and inclusive culture). We discuss these findings, with particular focus on the implications of our results for how marine scientists and scientific institutions can plan, achieve and evidence a broader range of successes from their research on marine policy and management