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Natural killer cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (NK‐EVs) are candidate biotherapeutics against various cancers. However, standardised potency assays are necessary for a reliable assessment of NK‐EVs' cytotoxicity. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate a highly sensitive resazurin phenoxazine‐based cell viability potency assay (measurement of the cellular redox metabolism) for quantifying the cytotoxicity of NK‐EVs against leukaemia K562 cells (suspension model) and breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells (adherent model) in vitro. The assay was evaluated based on common analytical parameters setforth by regulatory guidelines, including specificity, selectivity,accuracy, precision, linearity, range and stability. Our results revealed that this resazurin‐based cell viability potency assay reliably and reproducibly measured a dose‐response of NK‐EVs' cytotoxic activity against both cancer models. The assay showed precision with 5% and 20% variation for intra‐run and inter‐run variability. The assay signal showed specificity and selectivity of NK‐EVs against cancer target cells, as evidenced by the diminished viability of cancer cells following a 5‐hour treatment with NK‐EVs, without any detectable interference or background. The linearity analysis of target cancer cells revealed strong linearity for densities of 5000 K562 and 1000 MDA‐MB‐231 cells per test with a consistent range. Importantly, NK‐EVs' dose‐response for cytotoxicity showed a strong correlation (|ρ| ∼ 0.8) with the levels of known cytotoxic factors associated with the NK‐EVs' corona (FasL, GNLY, GzmB, PFN and IFN‐γ), thereby validating the accuracy of the assay. The assay also distinguished cytotoxicity changes in degraded NK‐EVs, indicating the ability of the assay to detect the potential loss of sample integrity. Compared to other commonly reported bioassays (i.e., flow cytometry, cell counting, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, DNA‐binding reporter assay and confluence assay), our results support this highly sensitive resazurin‐based viability potency assay as a high‐throughput and quantitative method for assessing NK‐EVs' cytotoxicity against both suspension and adherent cancer models for evaluating NK‐EVs' biotherapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety disorders are prevalent mental disorders. Their predisposition involves a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors, such as psychosocial stress. Myelin plasticity was recently associated with chronic stress in several mouse models. Furthermore, we found that changes in both myelin thickness and node of Ranvier morphology after chronic social defeat stress are influenced by the genetic background of the mouse strain. To understand cellular and molecular effects of stress‐associated myelin plasticity, we established an oligodendrocyte (OL) model consisting of OL primary cell cultures isolated from the C57BL/6NCrl (B6; innately non‐anxious and mostly stress‐resilient strain) and DBA/2NCrl (D2; innately anxious and mostly stress‐susceptible strain) mice. Characterization of naïve cells revealed that D2 cultures contained more pre‐myelinating and mature OLs compared with B6 cultures. However, B6 cultures contained more proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) than D2 cultures. Acute exposure to corticosterone, the major stress hormone in mice, reduced OPC proliferation and increased OL maturation and myelin production in D2 cultures compared with vehicle treatment, whereas only OL maturation was reduced in B6 cultures. In contrast, prolonged exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone reduced OPC proliferation in both D2 and B6 cultures, but only D2 cultures displayed a reduction in OPC differentiation and myelin production. Taken together, our results reveal that genetic factors influence OL sensitivity to glucocorticoids, and this effect is dependent on the cellular maturation stage. Our model provides a novel framework for the identification of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying stress‐associated myelin plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (NK‐EVs) have shown promising potential as biotherapeutics for cancer due to their unique attributes as cytotoxic nanovesicles against cancer cells and immune‐modulatory activity towards immune cells. However, a biomanufacturing workflow is needed to produce clinical‐grade NK‐EVs for pre‐clinical and clinical applications. This study established a novel biomanufacturing workflow using a closed‐loop hollow‐fibre bioreactor to continuously produce NK‐EVs from the clinically relevant NK92‐MI cell line under serum‐free, Xeno‐free and feeder‐free conditions following GMP‐compliant conditions. The NK92 cells grown in the bioreactor for three continuous production lots resulted in large quantities of both NK cell and NK‐EV biotherapeutics at the end of each production lot (over 109 viable cells and 1013 EVs), while retaining their cytotoxic payload (granzyme B and perforin), pro‐inflammatory cytokine (interferon‐gamma) content and cytotoxicity against the human leukemic cell line K562 with limited off‐target toxicity against healthy human fibroblast cells. This scalable biomanufacturing workflow has the potential to facilitate the clinical translation of adoptive NK cell‐based and NK‐EV‐based immunotherapies for cancer with GMP considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Originally conceptualized by the philosopher, Miranda Fricker, epistemic injustice—unfair treatment of individuals and groups in knowledge‐related and communicative practices—is increasingly being employed to delineate individual and collective injustice in healthcare, information sciences, education and sustainable development. Embedded in many other forms of social injustice and inequality, epistemic injustice is a particularly serious problem for sustainable development, undermining the global community's ability to deal with 'wicked' problems. Building on the more conceptually developed, philosophical framework of epistemic injustice and recent research from other fields, this article develops a holistic action‐oriented framework of epistemic justice, namely fair treatment in knowledge‐related and communicative practices, for sustainable development and beyond. It also adds to the current framework of individual and collective injustice by including a range of new insights on structural and systemic epistemic injustice, such as linguistic injustice and epistemicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to the emerging body of knowledge on the role of the private sector in knowledge brokering in international development because very little is known about the role of the private sector. It attempts to validate the findings of the only literature review to date (Kiwanuka et al, In Press) on the subject and other literature on knowledge brokering by consulting international experts in the field of knowledge brokering, identifying policy and research implications. The conceptual lens employed is the 'extended' Glegg and Hoens' (2016) meta-framework of knowledge brokering, in combination with the cognitive, relational and structural aspects of social capital (Nahapiet and Ghoshal 1998). An online questionnaire survey was distributed to international experts in both the private, public and civil society sectors with some 203 respondents. The questions were developed on the basis of the literature. Respondents from the private sector and their colleagues from the public sector and civil society placed considerable emphasis on opportunities to meet, the existence of personal relationships and brokering by third parties as catalysts to working with the private sector. In addition to developing recommendations for policymakers, the paper has added to the emerging body of academic knowledge on the private sector as an unusual suspect in knowledge brokering and provides a conceptual framework linking social capital to knowledge brokering roles. Policymakers and funders can facilitate cooperation between the private sector and other development actors by creating physical spaces and funding instruments to encourage collaboration with the private sector. One of the novel findings is that the public sector needs to be better prepared to collaborate with the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of specific microRNAs (miRNA) in oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation have been studied in depth. However, miRNAs in OL precursors and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) have been less extensively investigated. MiR‐145‐5p is highly expressed in OPCs relative to differentiating OLs, suggesting this miRNA may serve a function specifically in OPCs. Knockdown of miR‐145‐5p in primary OPCs led to spontaneous differentiation, as evidenced by an increased proportion of MAG+ cells, increased cell ramification, and upregulation of multiple myelin genes including MYRF, TPPP, and MAG, and OL cell cycle exit marker Cdkn1c. Supporting this transition to a differentiating state, proliferation was reduced in miR‐145‐5p knockdown OPCs. Further, knockdown of miR‐145‐5p in differentiating OLs showed enhanced differentiation, with increased branching, myelin membrane production, and myelin gene expression. We identified several OL‐specific genes targeted by miR‐145‐5p that exhibited upregulation with miR‐145‐5p knockdown, including myelin gene regulatory factor (MYRF), that could be regulating the prodifferentiation phenotype in both miR‐145 knockdown OPCs and OLs. Indeed, spontaneous differentiation with knockdown of miR‐145‐5p was fully rescued by concurrent knockdown of MYRF. However, proliferation rate was only partially rescued with MYRF knockdown, and overexpression of miR‐145‐5p in OPCs increased proliferation rate without affecting expression of already lowly expressed differentiation genes. Taken together, these data suggest that in OPCs miR‐145‐5p both prevents differentiation at least in part by preventing expression of MYRF and promotes proliferation via as‐yet‐unidentified mechanisms. These findings clarify the need for differential regulation of miR‐145‐5p between OPCs and OLs and may have further implications in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis where miR‐145‐5p is dysregulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored perceptions of filial care among second-generation Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands. The provision of filial help or care can be regarded as a cultural phenomenon known as filial piety and it can be considered within the broad scope of caregiving as "family care". Fifteen interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis was applied. The findings showed that care was given in the form of language brokering, information inquiry, home visits, and facilitative and social support. Care was perceived as a moral duty among the participants and was grounded in their perceived sense of responsibility. The participants' perspectives on current and future care included practical and normative considerations for meeting parental needs, and included opinions based on filial piety norms. In conclusion, this study showed that filial piety, specifically filial care, is still relevant to the younger immigrant Chinese community in the Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical discourse analysis is employed to examine discourses of the private sector within key texts of the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Taking a genealogical approach, four discourses are identified in the literature: the dominant, pro‐private sector discourse, showing unconditional support for the private sector; the sceptical discourse; the middle‐ground discourse with new approaches, specifically designed to leverage development relevance; and the antiprivate sector discourse, which considers that current approaches to the private sector will not be conducive to sustainable development of the global South. The pro‐private sector discourse was found to be predominant within the global goals, reflecting the post‐Washington Consensus as well as the role of the developed countries and the corporate sector in their formulation. All discourses on the private sector, however, place an emphasis on economic and social development at the expense of the key environmental component of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of zirconaaziridines undergoing rapid enantiomer interconversion and the development of several methods for determining the rate constant for inversion are described. It is shown that as the addition of THF slows insertion without affecting enantiomer interconversion a more efficient DKR is produced without slow addition of the enantiopure carbonate.

The article explains the palladium-catalyzed reductive coupling of styrenes and organostannanes under different aerobic conditions.

Knowledge brokering has a crucial role in the field of international development because it is able to act as a cognitive bridge between many different types of knowledge, such as between local and global knowledge. Much of the research on knowledge brokering has focused on knowledge brokering between research, policy and practice, rather than looking at its wider implications. In addition, there appears to be no literature on the future of knowledge brokering, either within or outside the development sector. Given the apparent absence of literature on the future of knowledge brokering, a discussion group was held with experts in the field of knowledge management for development (KM4D) in April 2017 to consider their opinions on the future of knowledge brokering. Their opinions are then compared to the generational framework of KM4D, developed in a series of iterations by researchers in mainstream (non-development) knowledge management (KM) and KM4D researchers. In this framework, five generations of KM4D with different key perspectives, methods and tools have been identified. Based on the inputs from the experts in the discussion group, the future of knowledge brokering practice in international development appears to resemble practice-based, fourth generation KM4D, while there is some evidence of the emergence of fifth generation KM4D with its more systematic, societal perspective on knowledge. Given that the Sustainable Development Goals are providing a universal framework which is relevant to both organizational and societal KM4D, a new systemic conceptualization of KM4D is proposed which brings both of these strands together in one integrated framework linked to the SDGs. The SDGs also support the call for a new knowledge brokering practice with a greater emphasis on brokering knowledge between organizational and societal actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between social capital and the creation and exchange of knowledge for grassroots development. It applies a framework that originated in developed countries to the experimental phase of a successful entrepreneurial development programme, undertaken between 2006 and 2012 in rural Bangladesh. Although generally applicable, the framework’s structural dimensions are further developed and divided into three functional subtypes of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) following distinct pathways in their contribution to the creation and exchange of knowledge, demonstrating domains where programme participants co-created know-how. In conclusion, a framework representing the links between social capital and knowledge is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is employed to analyze discourses of knowledge and the knowledge society in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discourse analysis is a collective name for a number of scientific methodologies for analyzing semiosis, namely how meaning is created and communicated though written, vocal or sign language. Employing a genealogical approach which locates discourses in the field of prior discourses, two prior discourses of the knowledge society are identified in the key document of the SDGs. The concepts knowledge and knowledge society are found to have a marginal position within the main policy document “Transforming our world,” adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. The techno‐scientific‐economic discourse is found to be dominant at the level of implementation and of goals, while there is some evidence of the pluralist‐participatory discourse at the level of vision and strategy. Analysis of some of the policy advice provided by international organizations and civil society indicates that more pluralist‐participatory discourses on knowledge were represented when the SDGs were being formulated. Developed countries and the corporate sector were very influential in determining the final text and were probably instrumental in excluding more transformational discourses and maintaining the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-term, linear, externally funded, project-based approaches to complex problems like women's poverty in rural Bangladesh are often unsuccessful. Taking a different approach, this paper documents a transdisciplinary action-research methodology that led to sustainable poverty alleviation for rural Bangladeshi women, gradual changes in gender relations at the household and community level and strengthened women's capabilities while simultaneously developing an approach to social entrepreneurship. Defining characteristics of this research process were clear articulation of objectives in which poverty alleviation always received priority, learning cycles in which women were the central actors of the research-action process, and fluid and changing leadership among different stakeholders at different stages in the process. The project demonstrates the strength of action-research in addressing complex challenges, such as poverty alleviation and unequal gender relations. Key lessons for development practice include the need for interventions that take place over a longer time-frame and for a vision of development that is not transformational but comprising small incremental, locally embedded changes and which recognises the role of social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The decline of remyelination in chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) is in part attributed to inadequate oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) migration, a process governed by the extracellular matrix (ECM). Elucidating the mechanisms underlying OPC migration is therefore an important step towards developing new therapeutic strategies to promote myelin repair. Many seminal OPC culture methods were established using rat-sourced cells, and these often need modification for use with mouse OPCs due to their sensitive nature. It is of interest to develop mouse OPC assays to leverage the abundant transgenic lines. To this end, we developed a new OPC migration method specifically suited for use with mouse-derived cells.Results: To validate its utility, we combined the new OPC migration assay with a conditional knockout approach to investigate the role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in OPC migration. ILK is a focal adhesion protein that stabilizes cellular adhesions to the extracellular matrix (ECM) by mediating a linkage between matrix-bound integrin receptors and the cytoskeleton. We identified ILK as a regulator of OPC migration on three permissive substrates. ILK loss produced an early, albeit transient, deficit in OPC migration on laminin matrix, while migration on fibronectin and polylysine was heavily reliant on ILK expression.Conclusions: Inclusively, our work provides a new tool for studying mouse OPC migration and highlights the role of ILK in its regulation on ECM proteins relevant to MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons affected by leprosy or by disabilities face forms of stigma that have an impact on their lives. This study seeks to establish whether their experiences of stigma are similar, with a view to enabling the two groups of people to learn from each other. Accounts of experiences of the impact of stigma were obtained using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion with people affected by leprosy and by disabilities not related to leprosy. The analysis shows that there are a lot of similarities in impact of stigma in terms of emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and relationships between the two groups. The main difference is that those affected by leprosy tended to frame their situation in medical terms, while those living with disabilities described their situation from a more social perspective. In conclusion, the similarities offer opportunities for interventions and the positive attitudes and behaviours can be modelled in the sense that both groups can learn and benefit. Research that tackles different aspects of stigmatization faced by both groups could lead to inclusive initiatives that help individuals to come to terms with the stigma and to advocate against exclusion and discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers how social capital can contribute to poverty alleviation at the micro-level, based on an analysis of the documentary evidence provided by theoretical perspectives and empirical studies. Across countries and contexts, micro-credit, agricultural production and marketing, environmental protection and knowledge networking are linked to productive social capital. Four mechanisms to strengthen social capital are identified: structural opportunity to meet, ‘know-how’ of social interaction, sense of belonging and an ethos of mutuality. We envision that opportunities within the development practice exist to foster such mechanisms, and recommend in-depth studies to enhance our understanding of social capital production mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers information on the fictions "Watchmen," by Alan Moore and "You Can't Go Home Again," by Thomas Wolfe whose protagonists express dissatisfaction with social protocols and systems. It mentions that the two authors obtain similar sentiments about economics and politics, truth and morality, and social collective as a whole. It states that their books aims to expose and examine the corrupt nature of human society to offer more morally and compelling conscious collective.

This Community Note summarizes the background and findings of the two day seminar ‘The state of the art of knowledge integration across boundaries’ which took place in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in January 2012. One of the impediments to development approaches is commonly felt to be the fact that the different knowledge domains of researchers, practitioners and policy-makers are not working together to create new knowledge for development. Hence cross-domain knowledge integration – understood as processes of knowledge co-creation linking domains particularly those of policy-making, science and practitioners – has received increased attention. This seminar aimed to tease out elements and principles that determine effective knowledge creation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This case study describes the evaluation of the IKM Emergent Research Programme which took place over the 2008–2011 period. The paper has been written by the co-directors of the programme and reflects on the process of the evaluation which was undertaken by two external consultants. The methodology of the evaluation comprised: drawing together other evaluations already being undertaken by programme projects; encouraging reflection and reflexivity among programme participants; and engaging a Southern evaluator. The case study first provides a brief overview of the IKM Emergent Research Programme. It then reviews the methodology followed in the evaluation and provides an overview of the main conclusions of the evaluation which were generally very positive. The many strengths of the evaluation are outlined as are some of the weaknesses in the opinion of the authors. In the final section, the case study argues that the evaluation fits within the tradition of adaptive pluralism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a Community Note with a difference. Like most Community Notes, it documents a discussion which took place from 13 February until 10 March 2011 on the KM4Dev e-mail list but it also includes the blog post, and comments upon that, which started this discussion. It concludes with some reflections on the nature of the development knowledge ecology on the basis of this discussion.   Metaphors are like improvised lanterns to explore the twilight    areas in the frontiers of our knowledge. (Sebastiao Ferreira) [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An introduction is presented in which the guest editors discuss various reports within the issue on topics including formal knowledge production through scientific research, the role played by tacit knowledge in innovation capacity, and knowledge management for pro-poor innovation.

This Community Note describes the discussion around the question 'Is it actually possible to measure knowledge sharing?' which took place on the emailing list of KM4Dev in the summer of 2010. This led to an active discussion with some 76 responses covering a wide range of topics: knowledge sharing and behavioural change, complexity theory, subjectivity and possible indicators, before arriving at reflection on the very nature and value of scientific exploration. Participants were members of the KM4Dev community and were largely knowledge management practitioners in development. I have to say - I am loving this discussion thread and every day eagerly open my hotmail in anticipation of what new interesting stuff I get to read about. (Posted by Amina Singh on 16 August 2010) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the progress to date of the Emergent Issues in Information and Knowledge Management and International Development as it approaches its last year in 2011. Programme activities in terms of articulating specific issues, constructing a narrative and engaging more widely with the development sector are reviewed. What we have learned from the programme's activities in terms of key signposts are described: multiple knowledges; knowledge landscapes and the bridges between them; the importance of local content; implications of non-linearity; critiques of research for development; and the need to handle multiple knowledges. In a number of text boxes, different groups of work are described in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This community note provides a summarised version of a peer review of a thesis written by Alfonso Acuna in 2007 as part of his Master's study at the University of Amsterdam. The peer review took the form of an online roundtable discussion between Valerie Brown, Nancy White, Patrick Lambe and Alfonso Acuna. Alfonso Acuna's paper was published in the May 2010 issue of this journal. Guard: Do you intend to resist? Portos: Oh don't be so stupid, of course we intend to resist! Just give us a minute! [To his comrades:] Five of them, three of us. Hardly seems fair. Aramis: Maybe we should give them a chance to surrender? D'Artagnan: Excuse me, there's four of us. Aramis: It isn't your fight. You're not a Musketeer. D'Artagnan: I may not wear the tunic, but I believe I have the heart of a Musketeer. Aramis: You got a name, boy? D'Artagnan: D'Artagnan. Portos: Athos, Portos, Aramis. Everyone acquainted? [The four whirl around and unsheath their swords.] NOW, we are ready to resist you! (adapted from The Three Musketeers film, 1973) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a first effort at examining the potential of scientometrics analysis to the field of development in the expectation that this type of analysis will make general patterns of knowledge within development more visible. In particular, we assume that it will reveal information on these patterns and in particular on knowledge divergences and divides within the sector. Semantic maps make it possible to compare semantics across the three domains under study, and reveal implicit frames within them. This methodology is tested using a pilot study comparing the semantics around Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in three domains involved in development: policy, science and the mass media. In particular, it compares the semantics on MDGs in the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in scientific articles authored by Dutch scholars, and in Dutch newspaper articles. In conclusion, the semantic maps method provided fruitful insights into comparing the semantics of the debate around MDGs in the three separate knowledge domains involved in the debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the variety of knowledge management (KM) and learning policies and strategies that have been developed by various development organisations in the past decade. It draws upon over 30 case studies yet offers but a glimpse of the current reality because organisations are usually not documenting or publicising their learning-focused activities. The paper first sets the scene in terms of knowledge and learning strategies and provides a brief overview of various strategies and models being followed. After an analysis of the drivers of a knowledge strategy, the paper explores which elements are likely to be found within strategic approaches, and then concludes with a cross-case comparison, an outlook on trends, and issues for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The authors examine whether the concept of social capital can facilitate our understanding of online networks in development. Much of the knowledge generation and social learning in development takes place in networks, which increasingly operate online. Although these networks are assumed to be a positive force in development, there are many unknown factors, partly because they are in their infancy. The concept of social capital has traditionally been applied to examine the functioning of groups and societies. More recently, it has also been applied to development and to online networks outside development. Three non-development approaches to examining social capital in online networks and communities are reviewed in the article. Elements of these approaches, combined with development-related aspects, are used to produce a framework to facilitate the analysis of social capital in online networks in a development context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Quarterly Bulletin of the International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists is the property of International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contribution to a special issue on ‘Developing Evaluation Practice in the Information Sector’. Describes a complex collaborative project to produce ‘smart tools’ for the evaluation of information services, projects and programmes. The main target group for the tools is information managers in resource-poor settings who wish to evaluate their information products and services themselves. The toolkit will focus on performance evaluation and not on impact assessment. The focus, format and guidelines for the tools are reviewed. The tools are divided into the following modules: Introductory module; Preparatory work module; Process tool module; Data collection and analysis module; Activities module Case studies. Editing and consolidation of the toolkit will take place in 2003, with publication planned for the beginning of 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction to a special issue on ‘Developing Evaluation Practice in the Information Sector’ containing five papers by members of the LEAP IMPACT community of practice of information and evaluation specialists, which aims to improve monitoring and evaluation practices related to information services, information products and information projects. Describes the origins, membership and activities of the LEAP IMPACT community and the challenges it faces in the evaluation of information, including the preparation of manuals and tools, the definition of terminology and concepts and the need for an inventory of frameworks. Summarizes the contents of the five papers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discussion paper prepared for a workshop on ‘International Cooperation’ at the conference on ‘Global equality: rethinking ICTs in Africa, Asia and Latin America’ held in Maastricht, the Netherlands from 25– 27 March 2002. First assesses donors’ commitment to ICTs, particularly whether they view ICTs as a ‘priority area’ or as a set of tools. The contribution of ICTs, in this instance the Internet, to meeting international development goals is currently the subject of considerable debate. The examples of the international women’s movement and the emerging knowledge sharing philosophy are used to emphasize the qualitative impact of ICTs on development. Concludes that ICTs reduce isolation, facilitate international cooperation and provide access to vast amounts of information, although serious problems of access remain. The knowledge sharing philosophy which is entering the development discourse is crucially dependent upon and in some cases fundamentally entangled with ICTs. This may have the greatest impact on international cooperation as it could change the way development organizations work with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Information Management Working Group of the European Association of Development Re-search and Training Institutes (EADI) which took place 6–9 September 2000 in Bergen, Norway. The paper first provides an introduction to knowledge management as a business strategy. It deals with the main components of the approach: continuous improvements; the building a new business culture; its approach to information and to people; and its emphasis on organizational learning. The second part briefly considers the role played by new technology in knowledge management. The third part then reviews the application of the strategy in development agencies, using the example of the World Bank which has pioneered the application of this approach in the development arena. Finally, it argues that knowledge management is both a business and a development strategy. Given the growing adoption of knowledge management, much of its vocabulary has entered the development discourse. Terms such as community of practice and best practices can now be found in development-related discussions although their etymology is not always clear. To introduce the knowledge management terminology, a glossary is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Provides an overview of the proceedings of annual meeting of the Information Management Working Group of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), which took place on 6–9 September 2000 in Bergen, Norway. The theme of the meeting was ‘Keeping Pace with Development Information’. The sessions covered: global cooperation and global dialogue; knowledge management in theory and in development institutions; XML/IDML; ELAND; retrieval strategies; EADI and international initiatives; information impact; and new developments. Includes a personal view of the proceedings by Sheila Allcock, Librarian and Information Services Manager, International Development Centre Library, UK. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Information Management Working Group of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) is an important European forum for reflection, discussion and action on development information. Its members comprise librarians, information managers, documentalists and other professionals working with development information. Since the mid-1970s, it has held annual meetings to discuss important issues in this field, to network, and to engage in joint projects and other activities. It is one of the constituent working groups of EADI, an independent, European-wide, NGO concerned with development research and training. This article reviews the nature of the Information Management Working Group to serve as a background document for newcomers to the group and for existing members. After describing the members, annual meetings, themes and projects, the parent association, EADI, is briefly examined, together with the status of the Information Management Working Group within it. Finally, other networks focusing on development information are briefly listed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Provides an overview of the proceedings of the Information Management Working Group at the 1999 Annual Conference of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), which took place on 22–25 September in Paris. The sessions covered: the information cycle, the Southern dimension and reaching the South, and the information revolution. The Group also organized a successful Semi-Plenary on ‘Knowledge, information and new technologies: the impact of information on the development process’, which aimed to convince researchers of the importance of knowledge to the development process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article describes the author's experience as a former student of doctor George Hovis at State University of New York (SUNY) in Oneonta. Particular focus was given on the special topics of Hovis in the class which include the literary works and life of American novelist and playwright Thomas Wolfe. Among the notable Wolfe's fictional works include "The Lost Boy," "Look Homeward," and "The Mountains."

The international development and social impact evidence community is divided about the use of machine-centered approaches in carrying out systematic reviews and maps. While some researchers argue that machine-centered approaches such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, text mining, automated semantic analysis, and translation bots are superior to human-centered ones, others claim the opposite. We argue that a hybrid approach combining machine and human-centered elements can have higher effectiveness, efficiency, and societal relevance than either approach can achieve alone. We present how combining lexical databases with dictionaries from crowdsourced literature, using full texts instead of titles, abstracts, and keywords. Using metadata sets can significantly improve the current practices of systematic reviews and maps. Since the use of machine-centered approaches in forestry and forestry-related reviews and maps are rare, the gains in effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance can be very high for the evidence base in forestry. We also argue that the benefits from our hybrid approach will increase in time as digital literacy and better ontologies improve globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enormous increase has been observed in the number and types of women’s groups and organizations around the world. A complex of international, regional, national and local networks of individuals and organizations has emerged. At the same time, the recognition of women’s issues has grown, both nationally and worldwide, and so has the need for comprehensive and reliable data on women and their concerns. Although information centres and networks superficially appear to be very different, the theory of networking indeed identifies them as being part of the same general trend. Networks are seen as an important tool for development. Networking is an avenue open to women who seek information about various problems, needs, capabilities and possible solutions, as it is an accessible strategy which requires few resources. However, if networks from the South and East are to operate outside their local and national boundaries, lack of resources become more of a constraint. Case studies are presented of national, regional and international networks. Finally, the role of ICTs in this process are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]