Researchers' needs for resource discovery and collaboration tools: a qualitative investigation of translational scientists.

BACKGROUND: A critical aspect of clinical and translational science (CTS) is interdisciplinary and collaborative research, which increasingly requires a wide range of computational and human resources. However, few studies have systematically analyzed such resource needs of CTS researchers. OBJECTIVE: To improve our understanding of CTS researchers' needs for computational and human resources in order to build useful and useable supporting informatics tools. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews of 30 CTS researchers from the University of Michigan, followed by qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts. RESULTS: The analysis identified three recurring themes: the need for the federation of information, the need to address information overload, and the need to humanize computing, including strong and well-informed views about the use of social networking tools for research collaboration. These findings helped us to narrow down the available design choices for assisting CTS researchers, and helped to identify potential deficiencies of well-known theoretical frameworks used to guide our study, with suggestions for future remedies. CONCLUSIONS: The user needs identified through the study, along with concrete design suggestions, provided key design, methodological, and theoretical insights, which are being used to guide the design and development of a CTS resource portal. The results and interview instrument should be useful to other institutions with Clinical and Translational Science Awards that face similar challenges related to helping CTS researchers make more effective use of computational and human resources.

Soybean Cyst Nematodes Influence Aboveground Plant Volatile Signals Prior to Symptom Development.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is one of the most destructive soybean pests worldwide. Unlike many diseases, SCN doesn't show above ground evidence of disease until several weeks after infestation. Knowledge of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) related to pests and pathogens of foliar tissue is extensive, however, information related to above ground VOCs in response to root damage is lacking. In temporal studies, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of VOCs from the foliar tissues of SCN infested plants yielded 107 VOCs, referred to as Common Plant Volatiles (CPVs), 33 with confirmed identities. Plants showed no significant stunting until 10 days after infestation. Total CPVs increased over time and were significantly higher from SCN infested plants compared to mock infested plants post 7 days after infestation (DAI). Hierarchical clustering analysis of expression ratios (SCN: Mock) across all time points revealed 5 groups, with the largest group containing VOCs elevated in response to SCN infestation. Linear projection of Principal Component Analysis clearly separated SCN infested from mock infested plants at time points 5, 7, 10 and 14 DAI. Elevated Styrene (CPV11), D-Limonene (CPV32), Tetradecane (CPV65), 2,6-Di-T-butyl-4-methylene-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-one (CPV74), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (CPV76) and suppressed Ethylhexyl benzoate (CPV87) levels, were associated with SCN infestation prior to stunting. Our findings demonstrate that SCN infestation elevates the release of certain VOCs from foliage and that some are evident prior to symptom development. VOCs associated with SCN infestations prior to symptom development may be valuable for innovative diagnostic approaches.

Measuring the benefits of IT-enabled care transformation.

In February 2005, Banner Health invested in healthcare IT as it implemented evidence-based practices of care at its newest hospital, Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix. Combined with clinician-designed workflows, extensive training, and cultural change, the initiative saved the system $2.6 million through: Improvements in nurse retention. Decreased incidence of adverse drug events. Reduced length of stay. Fewer patients leaving the ED without treatment. Reduced days in A/R. Decreased expenses.

Direct2Experts: a pilot national network to demonstrate interoperability among research-networking platforms.

Research-networking tools use data-mining and social networking to enable expertise discovery, matchmaking and collaboration, which are important facets of team science and translational research. Several commercial and academic platforms have been built, and many institutions have deployed these products to help their investigators find local collaborators. Recent studies, though, have shown the growing importance of multiuniversity teams in science. Unfortunately, the lack of a standard data-exchange model and resistance of universities to share information about their faculty have presented barriers to forming an institutionally supported national network. This case report describes an initiative, which, in only 6 months, achieved interoperability among seven major research-networking products at 28 universities by taking an approach that focused on addressing institutional concerns and encouraging their participation. With this necessary groundwork in place, the second phase of this effort can begin, which will expand the network's functionality and focus on the end users.