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In this paper is presented a pilot study for the investigation of the relevant factors within some experimental works carried out by students, after going through the learning unit "Movement and rest", which can be found in the chapter "Principles and laws in classical mechanics", from the physics curriculum for the ninth grade in Romania. Through the proposed work tasks, the design and the development of the experimental works carried out by students were highlighted. At the same time, special attention was paid to the results obtained by the students in investigating the relevant factors through specific physics methods, not only during the classes but also within the homework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote laboratories have been developed at many universities worldwide to provide students with access to apparatus and experiments via the Internet around the clock, thus giving partner institutions the opportunity to share resources, expensive equipment and specialized laboratories, whether within a single country or at regional and international levels. Universities usually implement learning management systems (LMS) such as Moodle and Blackboard to enable students to interact, carry out learning activities and access remote labs. However, remote labs generate enormous amounts of data, which is stored, processed, analyzed, and accessed using centralized systems that lack transparency, traceability, security features, trustworthiness, and reliability. In addition, they are vulnerable to the single point of failure problem due to centralization. The application of blockchain technology in remote labs is proposed as a promising solution for future online learning as it combines a new pedagogical approach with various state-of-the-art technologies in an era that embraces Education 4.0 as the education norm. Furthermore, a novel blockchain-based framework for remote labs allows data streaming and transfer in a decentralized, transparent, traceable, reliable, secure, and trustful manner, where only authorized peers can join or access the network, thereby providing privacy of students' data files and reports. An initial pilot of an Ethereum-based remote lab show promising result for effective management of online experiments, originally hosted in a Moodle LMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laboratory plays an important role in teaching engineering skills. An Electrical Engineering department at an Australian University implemented a reform to monitor and improve student satisfaction with the teaching laboratories. A Laboratory Manager was employed to oversee the quality of 27 courses containing instructional laboratories. Student satisfaction surveys were carried out on all relevant laboratories every year, and the data were used for continuous improvement. This paper will investigate the reforms that were implemented and outline a number of the improvements made. It also examines the program's overall impact on: 1) overall satisfaction; 2) laboratory notes; 3) learning experiences; 4) computer facilities; 5) engineering equipment; and 6) condition of the laboratory. Student satisfaction with the laboratories increased by 32% between 2007 and 2013. The results show that the laboratory notes (activity and clarity) and the quality of the equipment used are among the most influential factors on student satisfaction. In particular, it is important to have notes or resources that explain in some detail how to use and troubleshoot equipment and software used in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing problem worldwide, with an estimated high burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In these settings, tackling the problem of AMR is often constrained by a lack of reliable surveillance data due to limited use of microbiological diagnostics in clinical practice. The aim of this article is to present an overview of essential elements for setting up an AMR surveillance system in LMICs, to summarize the steps taken to develop such a system in the country of Georgia, and to describe its impact on microbiology laboratories. A literature review of published papers using PubMed and experiences of experts involved in setting up AMR surveillance in Georgia. Basic requirements for implementing a laboratory-based surveillance system in LMICs can be captured under four pillars: (a) governmental support, (b) laboratory capacity and quality management, (c) materials and supplies, and (d) sample collection, data management, analysis and reporting. In Georgia, the World Health Organization Proof-of-Principle project helped to start the collection of AMR surveillance data on a small scale by promoting the use of microbiological diagnostics in clinics, and by providing training and materials for laboratories. Thanks to governmental support and a strong lead by the national reference laboratory, the AMR surveillance network was sustained and expanded after the project ended. This review describes the Georgian approach in building and expanding a functional AMR surveillance system, considering the elements identified from the literature. The introduction of quality management systems, standardization of guidelines and training paired with targeted capacity building led to improved laboratory standards and management of patients with bloodstream infections. Reliable AMR surveillance data may inform and facilitate policy-making on AMR control. The Georgian experience can guide other countries in the process of building up their national AMR surveillance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) are increasingly replacing paper notebooks in life science laboratories, including those in industry, academic settings, and hospitals. ELNs offer significant advantages over paper notebooks, but adopting them in a predominantly paper-based environment is usually disruptive. The benefits of ELN increase when they are integrated with other laboratory informatics tools such as laboratory information management systems, chromatography data systems, analytical instrumentation, and scientific data management systems, but there is no well-established path for effective integration of these tools. In this article, we review and evaluate some of the approaches that have been taken thus far and also some radical new methods of integration that are emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) offer significant advantages over traditional paper laboratory notebooks (PLNs), yet most research labs today continue to use paper documentation. While biopharmaceutical companies represent the largest portion of ELN users, government and academic labs trail far behind in their usage. Our lab, a translational science laboratory at New York University School of Medicine (NYUSoM), wanted to determine if an ELN could effectively replace PLNs in an academic research setting. Over 6 months, we used the program Evernote to record all routine experimental information. We also surveyed students working in research laboratories at NYUSoM on the relative advantages and limitations of ELNs and PLNs and discovered that electronic and paper notebook users alike reported the inability to freehand into a notebook as a limitation when using electronic methods. Using Evernote, we found that the numerous advantages of ELNs greatly outweighed the inability to freehand directly into a notebook. We also used imported snapshots and drawing program add-ons to obviate the need for freehanding. Thus, we found that using Evernote as an ELN not only effectively replaces PLNs in an academic research setting but also provides users with a wealth of other advantages over traditional paper notebooks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Network management and the application of the different components have become an important part of networks in industry. Therefore, it has become important to teach network management to potential employees of companies which have come to rely on large networks. One of the more important network management protocols is known as Simple Network Management Protocol. This paper presents, in some detail, a new development of an SNMP laboratory for a specialisation subject in Telecommunications engineering based on this protocol. Other aspects of this laboratory include three other types of network management applications: Nagios, TKINED and a remote monitor known as RMON probe. Encryption and decryption are also introduced and studied in depth for security aspects of network management. The students are required to complete the laboratory tasks in six weeks and are required to submit reports based on this work demonstrated in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of science and technology, more and more operations are performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. During such operations, a lot of relevant imaging data need to be retained. These imaging data can be used for clinical and scientific research and teaching applications, but imaging data security has also become an increasingly important issue. This article is based on the Internet of Things cardiac catheterization laboratory information management system image data security mechanism system research. First of all, this article adopts the literature method to study the application research of the Internet of Things technology in the medical field, as well as the relevant medical imaging data security technology methods. Then, the medical image data security mechanism was designed, and the image data security model of the cardiac catheterization laboratory information management system based on the Internet of Things was established. Finally, the application of decentralized management of the Internet of Things RFID technology on medical equipment and the security of the application of this technology on medical imaging data are analyzed, and finally a conclusion is drawn. The image data security mechanism established in this article is based on the Internet of Things technology. The security rate of image information data reaches more than 95%, the information data security level reaches level 1, and the average data missing rate is only 4.7%. It is a brand-new breakthrough, hoping to further improve the efficiency of hospital information management and protect the safety of medical information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a case study on the allocation, characteristics and outcome of the firm's research and development portfolio. The central research laboratory of the firm is organized into departments concerned with the study of materials, equipment, basic science, and technology. The bulk of the laboratory's expenditures, totaling about $20 million annually, is for applied research and development, only about 10 per cent being for basic research. Excluding basic research, about 60 per cent of the laboratory's expenditures is on "new business" projects which attempt to develop entirely new products and almost all of which stem from the laboratory. The remaining 40 per cent of the expenditures is on projects suggested by operating divisions of the firm, which request particular product improvements and new processes. The proposals were then sent to the managers of the relevant laboratory departments, who made preliminary estimates of the cost of doing the R and D and the corresponding chance of technical success. Combining the information provided by the division and the department manager, the laboratory's project-evaluation group, a small group of project analysts that report to laboratory management.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) control programmes rely heavily on laboratories to support both clinical care and public health. Qualified personnel with adequate technical and managerial skills comprise an integral component of any quality assured laboratory. Training a new generation of TB laboratory specialists was identified as a critical priority in the European Union /European Economic Area (EU/EEA). A tailored training programme for TB reference laboratory professionals was developed and implemented within the European Reference Laboratory Network for Tuberculosis to increase the pool of technical experts available to step into leadership roles in the TB laboratory community. Three cohorts of selected laboratory specialists participated in a series of trainings from 2009 to 2016.Methods: We conducted an evaluation of the training programme using a structured questionnaire administered via the EUSurvey website, with the aim of documenting the benefits and contribution as well as suggesting improvements and future direction of the programme. All graduated participants and all current ERLTB-Net members were invited to participate in the online survey and descriptive quantitative analysis was performed.Results: The evaluation found significant benefits for both the participants and the participants' institutions, with improvements being reported in laboratory practices and management including implementation of new diagnostic techniques and career progression for participants. The training programme differed from other international and European initiatives in a number of important ways; the curriculum is unique in the scope and range of topics covered; the programme targets senior level professionals and future directors; cohorts were limited to 8-10 participants; and the programme involved a number of workshops (5-7) taking place over a two-year period. Relationships and collaborations established between individuals and institutions were valued as an important success of the initiative. Suggestions on how the impact of the programme could be enhanced included equipping participants to perform laboratory assessments in low-resource settings outside the EU, thus bolstering global TB control.Conclusion: Based on the findings presented the training programme has proved to be successful in developing leadership, expertise, partnerships and networks to support TB laboratories and has contributed significant benefits to strengthening European National Reference laboratories in the fight against TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal models are widely employed in basic research to test mechanistic hypotheses in a complex biological environment as well as to evaluate the therapeutic potential of candidate compounds in preclinical settings. Rodents, and in particular mice, represent the most common in vivo models for their small size, short lifespan and possibility to manipulate their genome. Over time, a typical laboratory will develop a substantial number of inbred strains and transgenic mouse lines, requiring a substantial effort, in both logistic and economic terms, to maintain an animal colony for research purposes and to safeguard the integrity of results. To meet this need, here we present TopoDB, a robust and extensible web-based platform for the rational management of laboratory animals. TopoDB allows an easy tracking of individual animals within the colony and breeding protocols as well as the convenient storage of both genetic and phenotypic data generated in the different experiments. Altogether, these features facilitate and enhance the design of in vivo research, thus reducing the number of necessary animals and the housing costs. In summary, TopoDB represents a novel valuable tool in modern biomedical research. Database URL : https://github.com/UCSF-MS-DCC/TopoDB [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in expectations, values, and organizational traditions between the laboratory staff and the rest of the company are often reflected in the dissatisfaction of research and development personnel and in managerial doubts and misunderstandings. The difficulty of evaluating research and development activity adds to the instability of the relationship. Limiting the laboratory's responsibility for innovation to questions of technological feasibility further hinders it from becoming fully integrated with the rest of the company. Another common source of frustration and bitterness is the existence of an uneasy compromise between providing laboratory personnel with an environment which rewards scientific endeavor and providing them with an environment which rewards efforts to climb in the business and managerial hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good laboratory practices (GLP) increase the quality and traceability of results in health sciences research. However, factors such as high staff turnover, insufficient resources, and a lack of training for managers may limit their implementation in research and academic laboratories. This Scoping Review aimed to identify digital tools for managing academic health sciences and experimental medicine laboratories and their relationship with good practices. Following the PRISMA-ScR 2018 criteria, a search strategy was conducted until April 2021 in the databases PUBMED, Web of Sciences, and Health Virtual Library. A critical appraisal of the selected references was conducted, followed by data charting. The search identified twenty-one eligible articles, mainly originated from high-income countries, describing the development and/or implementation of thirty-two electronic management systems. Most studies described software functionalities, while nine evaluated and discussed impacts on management, reporting both improvements in the workflow and system limitations during implementation. In general, the studies point to a contribution to different management issues related to GLP principles. In conclusion, this review identified evolving evidence that digital laboratory management systems may represent important tools in compliance with the principles of good practices in experimental medicine and health sciences research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents observations made by the author in a four month-long tour of research laboratory facilities in the United States. The author notes the practices and trends in the areas of budgeting, personnel, purchasing, and services. Discussion includes job classifications and work procedure manuals, the burden of extensive paperwork, the challenge of long range budget planning and procurement processes, and the day to day administration of these labs. The author also addresses the larger questions of trust and accountability within these research facilities.