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This study aimed to determine the management support of school administrators to the MAPEH program implementation and its relationship to the teachers' competency in selected public secondary schools of Pasig City during the school year 2023-2024 to serve as a basis for development of an action plan. The study used the descriptive-survey method of research as it was deemed most appropriate to use in determining the status of the MAPEH program in terms of its implementation as well as the status of the MAPEH teachers' competency. Based on the findings, the management support of school administrators to the MAPEH program implementation was to a high level. In addition, the MAPEH teachers' level of competency was assessed as very high by the two groups of respondents. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the level of management support to the MAPEH program implementation and the teachers' level of competency. There was a significant relationship between the level of management support to the MAPEH program implementation and the teachers' level of competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to determine the level of implementation, and challenges of K-12 program in public secondary schools of District VI, Quezon City, to serve as a basis for an action plan. The study used the descriptive survey method of research. It used a survey questionnaire in a checklist form to gather the data from two groups of respondents: the teachers, and the school leaders/ coordinators. Based on the findings, it was found out that the level of implementation of the K-12 program was high in terms of instructional materials, school facilities and equipment, and teachers' preparedness as assessed by the two groups of respondents. In addition, there was a significant difference between the assessment of the two groups of respondents on the level of K-12 implementation in terms of instructional materials, but no significant difference in terms of school facilities and equipment, and teachers' preparedness. Moreso, the challenges encountered by the teachers with regard to the K-12 program implementation were a) congested most essential learning competencies, b) time allotment is not enough, c) lack of additional training, d) the student-teacher ratio is not proportional and, e) facilities are lacking like advanced laboratories for experiments. On the other hand, the group of school leaders/ coordinators encountered challenges as follows; a) lack of technology-based equipment for advanced subjects, b) insufficient number of training days, and c) time allotment is not enough to cover all the lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was purposely conducted in the four (4) public elementary schools in Lanao del Norte Division specifically in the Municipality of Kauswagan for school year 2020-2021 to the selected elementary teachers' assessment on the sufficiency and effectiveness of Most Essentials Learning Competencies (MELCs). Specifically, it sought to identify the demographic profile of the teachers (respondents) to correlate with their perceptions of the utilization, sufficiency, and effectiveness of MELCs. Seventy-three (73) respondents were utilized in this study. Data from the respondents were gathered through an authentic questionnaire patterned from the Department of Education (DepEd). The data were treated using weighted mean, frequency, and percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation, and point biserial correlation. Descriptive and correlation design was used to describe the demographic profile of the respondents and to determine the relationship between respondents' demographics and the utilization, sufficiency, and effectiveness of MELCs. A major finding of this study showed that the respondents found out that MELCs were both sufficient and effective. There was no significant relationship between the demographic profile and the sufficiency of Most Essentials Learning Competencies (MELCs) hence, it was not rejected. It was recommended in this study that teachers should attend seminars, training, and workshops regularly to keep abreast with the latest trends in teaching techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Jendouba (HITSJ) before the COVID-19 pandemic and after the action plan followed to ensure the online educational support of students during the period of confinement. The objectives are to (1) emphasize the use of Distance Learning (DL) before the pandemic in the HITS of Jendouba using the statistics produced by the E-learning correspondent (ELC) of the establishment; (2) the action plan of the Virtual University of Tunis (VUT) during the confinement period, including the role of the online education department in the action plan, the role of the ELC in the plan of action, teacher training and the pedagogical scenario adopted; (3) newly acquired pedagogical and technical skills, teaching staff pedagogical skills and technical skills; (4) educational support during the confinement period, the deployment of study plans on the Moodle platform iset.uvt.tn, the adaptation of group timetables and the synchronization of videoconference sessions; (5) an empirical study of pedagogical support, measurement of the Commitment of the teaching staff, measurement of the registration of students on the platform and in the courses, measurement of the success rate of distance education in the transmission of knowledge and learning, measurement of feasibility according to the departments, measurement of the impact of teacher training in remote education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity is a critical predictor of all-cause mortality and many non-communicable diseases (NCD) including coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, dementia, and several cancers. The main objective of this study was to determine the main barriers to physical activity based on the STEPwise Surveillance in Iran in 2021, to guide policymakers in developing the most effective physical activity increasing strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 27,515 female and male individuals aged over 18 years from the STEPwise Surveillance 2021. The barriers to physical activity according to the modified version of barriers questionnaire and intrapersonal, interpersonal, economic, cultural, and environmental domains based on social-ecological models were determined. Association between barriers domain and physical activity level was assessed. Results: Lack of time due to job commitments (31.4%) and family (19.3%) and inappropriate physical conditions including illness, pain, injury, disability, and fatigue (30.4%) were the most frequent barriers to physical activity. Interest in sedentary leisure time activities including virtual space, computer games and watching TV were the next frequent barriers to physical activity (10.01%). Intrapersonal domain had the highest frequency (62.9%) and cultural domain had the lowest frequency (2.3%). Intrapersonal and interpersonal barriers reduced the odds of engaging in physical activity (OR: 0.62, P value < 0.001, OR: 0.76, P value < 0.001). Conclusion: Intra- and inter-personal domain barriers might reduce the odds of being active. Developing action plans addressing these factors is suggested to increase physical activity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's primary goal was to ascertain and evaluate how Public School Teachers in Matungao District, Division of Lanao del Norte, integrated Information Technology and Communication (ICT) into their instruction for the School Year 2023-2024. The following issues were meant to be addressed: the respondents' profile; the teachers' use of ICT in the classroom as an observation tool; and the teachers' integration of ICT in terms of computer literacy, administrative assistance, and ICT use in teaching and learning. To investigate the connections between ICT integration and teachers' performance, the research used a descriptive-correlational design and a variety of statistical analyses, such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Point-biserial correlation, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The regression analysis aimed at predicting teachers' classroom observational performance based on both their profiles and ICT integration revealed several significant relationships. Among subject areas taught, only Mother Tongue-Based (MTB) and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) showed significant positive relationships with classroom performance, suggesting higher performance compared to the reference category of Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH). Additionally, teachers with 1-4 years of experience demonstrated significantly higher classroom performance compared to those with 21 or more years. However, predictors such as age, sex, computer literacy, administrative support, and the use of ICT in teaching and learning did not show significant relationships with classroom performance. The action plan is driven by the study's findings, pinpointing areas like ICT integration, administrative support, and inclusive teaching practices for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the process used to develop a theory‐based, online fall prevention self‐management programme for ambulatory and non‐ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Methods: The development process was guided by the Medical Research Council framework of complex interventions and began with a scoping review of the literature on self‐management of falls in pwMS. Subsequent phases of development were performed through iterative and concurrent processes and were informed by the perspectives of pwMS and healthcare professionals with MS expertise. Results: Through a systematic and iterative process in close collaboration with pwMS and healthcare professionals, a theory‐based online fall prevention self‐management programme, Fewer Falls in MS, for ambulatory and non‐ambulatory pwMS was developed. The programme is grounded in theory and pedagogical models and features utilization of action plans to address diverse influences on fall risks. Conclusions: A carefully operationalized definition of self‐management and an iterative co‐development process were essential to the creation of the Fewer falls in MS programme. Continuation of the co‐development process and collaboration with end users was needed to refine the programme. Patient or Public Contribution: PwMS and healthcare professionals were involved throughout the development process of the programme. The patient organization Neuro Sweden was contacted in the initial phase to discuss the relevance of a self‐management programme to prevent falls in MS. They supported the research group (all authors) in identification of and contact with pwMS with interest to participate. Three members of the research group (S.T.J., M.F. and C.Y.), that is, the operative group, met neuro Sweden and one pwMS to further discuss the relevance of a self‐management programme to prevent falls. To develop the process and content of the fall prevention programme, a co‐design process was performed together with pwMS and healthcare professionals. The results of the co‐design process are presented in this manuscript. In addition to participating in the co‐design process, pwMS and healthcare professionals provided feedback to the research group on programme process and content on several occasions during the subsequent programme development process. In a pretest (Beta version) of the programme, four pwMS acted as test subjects and provided additional feedback on the programme to the research group. Trial Registration: NCT04317716. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illicit arms trafficking in Ukraine has been a significant issue since the Cold War, with leftover Soviet stockpiles providing lucrative smuggling routes. With over US$100 billion in aid being provided by the West, a sizeable portion being in the form of small arms and guided infantry weapons such as MANPADS and ATGMs (Masters & Merrow 2023), and accompanying ammunition, Action Plans have been developed conducive to limiting eventual diversion of military aid into the illicit market. What this paper seeks to analyse, is the United States’ ‘Plan to Counter Illicit Diversion of Certain Advanced Conventional Weapons in Eastern Europe’. The plan highlights steps towards limiting illicit arms trafficking such as increased traceability, provision of end-use-monitoring (EUM) capacities and training, intelligence sharing, and capacity building for border management. This paper argues that the current iteration of the United States’ effort to limit arms trafficking, though still in its infancy, has provided some benefit in Ukraine’s efforts to combat the illicit diversion of arms, and could limit the presence of US-made weapons in the illicit arms market, as has been the case thus far. However, this paper does argue that, given the context of lacking institutional accountability, the role of corruption, an inconsistent and incoherent legal framework for gun ownership, as well as lacking coordination with US partners, the Action Plan will unlikely help reform the structural conditions that established Ukraine as a lucrative arms market before the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic realm of education, technology has emerged as a catalyst for transformative learning experiences, ushering in a new era of technology-based learning. This study, employing a descriptive-correlational research design, delves into integrating technology in education and its impact on learners' science performance. It also scrutinizes the interplay of socio-demographic factors. A sample of 110 learners from selected schools in Balo-I East District participated in the study during the 2023-2024 academic year. Findings reveal a diverse socio-demographic profile, emphasizing the dominant age group of 13-14 years and a balanced representation of genders. Moreover, the socioeconomic landscape indicates a middle-income concentration, with smartphones prevalent among families, suggesting potential accessibility to technology. Survey results demonstrate a positive perception of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in learning, especially in science classes, coupled with a high level of science performance among respondents. However, the study unveils a non-significant relationship between science performance and the perception of ICT use, highlighting the complexity of academic outcomes. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed, including professional development for teachers to enhance technological proficiency, fostering student engagement through interactive digital platforms, promoting awareness of technologybased learning among learners and parents, and suggesting avenues for future research to further explore the relationship between technology awareness and science performance. This study provides valuable insights into the evolving educational landscape and informs strategies to optimize technology integration for enhanced learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the concept of policy integration from Cejudo and Michel (2017) in the context of rural-urban logistics systems in Indonesia. The study employs a qualitative approach and post-positivism paradigm to clarify the definition and distribution of responsibilities for handling complex problems by various ministries or agencies. The analysis identifies significant disparities in responsibilities and resources among various ministries handling key logistics drivers. This study provides a comprehensive analytical framework that helps to understand how the logistics system can be optimized through better policy integration, more effective interagency coordination, and the development of comprehensive strategies, reassuring you of the thoroughness of our approach and its direct relevance to your goals. The results show that effective policy integration and strategic resource allocation are not just important, but urgent for optimizing Indonesia's logistics system, enhancing economic competitiveness, and supporting sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation: Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO) is the property of Springer Nature 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.)

This action research determines the performance level of Grade 3 pupils in Mathematics using modular distance learning. The researcher utilized the descriptive method of research. There were 200 grade three pupils who acted as research participants. Data were collected using the self-made questionnaire checklist distributed among the Grade 3 pupil participants. Google Forms was used to monitor the learners' responses. Relevant data were analyzed, evaluated, and interpreted utilizing the average mean and the percentage score. Based on the result, the frequency distribution of the 1st quarter grades obtained by the Grade 3 Pupils from Section Amber to Section Pearl showed that only 2% got outstanding marks; 20% got very good grades, 46% were good, and 32% were fair. This implied that during modular distance learning was not such effective in the 1st quarter due to adjustments done by the learners. During the 2nd quarter, 47 out of 200 pupils obtained very good grades. However, there are 30 learners who obtained 80-88 grades, while only 8 of them got the grade of 75-79. There was a big difference in the grades obtained from the 1st quarter to the 2nd quarter due to the adjustments made by the learners. The result of the study would be utilized as a basis for crafting a school action plan that would enhance the function of the Kamustahan Program in pupils' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hitit Journal of Social Sciences is the property of Hitit University 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.)

The ability of political power to be deployed on several levels of governance is a key element of public administration, insofar as it enables the various needs of the population to be met. However, conflicts of competence, jurisdiction or vision can arise when it comes to articulating these different levels of management or intervention, particularly when policies with a broader scope are applied to local situations, thus proving ill suited to the realities experienced on the ground. This essay, with an example in the province of Quebec, illustrates how the provincial and municipal levels of governance—each with differing visions and objectives—are confronted with dilemmas respecting the constraints imposed by their levels of government. Through a systemic point of view, I show how intertwining systemic levels can produce conflicts since each has its own logic. This is explained with the example of a text-based mediated organization conducted by the "Programme d'appui aux collectivités" (PAC). The essay also identifies some challenges faced by civil servants working at two different levels of government as well as the place of the idea of resilience, and proposes recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most biodiversity monitoring globally tends to concentrate on trends in species' populations and ranges rather than on threats and their management. Here we review the estimated impact of threats and the extent to which their management is understood and implemented for all threats to all Australian threatened bird taxa. The assessment reports the situation in 2020 and how this differs from 2010. The most marked finding was that the impact of climate change has increased greatly over the last decade, and now surpasses invasive species as the threat imposing the heaviest threat load. Climate change has driven recent massive population declines from increased temperatures in tropical montane rainforests and from fire. For both direct climate change impacts and fire management, progress in understanding how to relieve the threats has been slow and patchy. Consequently, little effective management has occurred. By comparison, our analysis showed that the single successful campaign to eradicate introduced mammals from Macquarie Island relieved the total threat load on Australian threatened birds by 5%, and more than halved the load on the birds from oceanic islands. Protection or rehabilitation of habitat, particularly on islands, has also delivered measurable benefit as have, in the longer term, controls on longline fishing. Our approach can be used with other taxonomic groups to understand progress in research and management and to allow quantification of potential benefits from proposed actions, such as the national threatened species plan. Climate change is now the biggest threat to Australian threatened birds, but almost no research or management to mitigate this threat has been undertaken. Most successful threatened species management has been on small islands with invasive species eradication, habitat protection and restoration providing substantial benefits. The approach taken can be used to quantify the benefits of both past conservation interventions and potential interventions. Monitoring trends in threat load complements indices assessing trends in population size and extinction risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the first-ever Ukrainian business and human rights strategy and action plan were approved. Although a positive political shift, the Government-led endevour failed dismally. This piece explores the drafting process and content of the policy in question, its many shortcomings and the possible way forward as business and human rights becomes even more pressing matter in times of war and in post-conflict context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Implementing diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs) in different countries increases the efficiency of healthcare services, improves treatment quality, and reduces treatment costs. Due to the lack of a coherent model for its implementation, the present study aimed to develop a DRGs‐based implementation action plan Model for Iran. Methods: The present study was an applied, descriptive cross‐sectional study conducted in three stages. In the first stage, a review of studies conducted in different countries was carried out. In the second stage, a model was designed for an action plan to implement the DRGs in Iran. In the third stage, the model was validated based on the Delphi technique. Results: The DRGs‐based implementation action plan model in Iran was designed in three primary axes, including the strategic approach of the DRGs‐based implementation action plan, technical dimensions, and executive institutions involved in the DRGs‐based implementation action plan. Validation of the designed model showed the agreement of experts (94%) for the mentioned axes. Conclusion: The significance of tailoring a DRGs‐based implementation action plan to each country's unique context is well‐established. Given the intricacies of the Iranian healthcare system, we recommend an initial pilot implementation of DRGs at the hospital level, followed by a gradual national rollout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles into Romania's national policy, mainly through its Revised 2023 Action Plan. It begins by setting the stage for the importance of sustainable development, which necessitates innovative policies that prioritize both environmental conservation and economic resilience. Romania's embrace of CE principles, aiming to redefine resource utilization, minimize waste, and bolster environmental preservation, serves as the focal point of this study. Key findings reveal significant advancements in waste management and infrastructural enhancements that foster CE adoption despite facing challenges in policy implementation. The Revised 2023 Action Plan marks a critical step in Romania's journey towards sustainable development, showcasing the potential for increased employment, resource efficiency, and environmental stewardship. This article makes a vital contribution to the field by charting Romania's progress towards its circularity ambitions and suggesting avenues for policy refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The status of the forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis in Guinea-Bissau has been in doubt since the last assessment in 2006. In 2020–2022 we carried out field surveys to update the species' status. We found elephant signs within an area of c. 1,000 km2. Microsatellite genotyping of faeces identified four males. Females could not be individually identified but their presence was confirmed by molecular sex determination. Camera trapping (2,075 camera-trap days) recorded 824 photos in 24 independent sequences, involving three males and two presumed females. The continued presence of elephants in Guinea-Bissau raises hope for the species in the region, but urgent efforts are needed to refine population range and size estimates, increase protected area coverage, and reduce ongoing and impending habitat loss. An emergency conservation action plan is a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality seed is one of the most important farm inputs. The Ituri province, in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), faces enormous challenges in implementing a coherent formal seed sector, an essential gage for seed quality. This study aimed at diagnosing the Ituri seed value chain to propose improvements at all levels. Data collection was conducted using focus group discussions and direct interviews with key players at all levels, household surveys across the province, and a review of seed intervention programme reports, farm visit reports and other literature. Results showed that the seed system in the northeastern DRC is mainly informal due to several socioeconomic and technical factors. Less than a third of crops in the region had a formal seed delivery system. The cash flow in the seed sector was high owing to high seed demands from humanitarian organizations and farmer support structures, estimated at ∼1.5 million US$ in 2022 for the top three commercial seed commodities (common beans, maize and peanuts). However, the province seed production capacity through formal pathway is low (only ∼35 and 69% of the demands for common bean and maize, respectively, are covered by local productions), meaning that the seed demand is met either through importation or fraudulent conversion of farmer-saved seed. Due to lack of technical capacities, Ituri seed multipliers mainly produce open pollinated and synthetic varieties, while hybrids are imported from neighbouring countries. The lack of functional breeders in the provincial seed production chain, disproportionately low seed multipliers-to-distributors ratio, the weakness of the seed certification and regulation services, the border porosity, poor coordination among actors, and low awareness of farmers on seed qualities and advantages of using certified quality seed are the main structural and functional factors hindering the well-functioning of northeastern DRC seed system. This study provided an insight on the characteristics, stakeholders and challenges facing the seed sector in northeastern DRC and proposed an action plan for its improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) encountered by the Iranian agriculture startups ecosystem. The study was performed in two steps. In the first step, a list of SWOT of the agricultural startups ecosystem was identified via interviews with 15 key experts. In the second step, each of the points was ranked in the form of a structured questionnaire through a 5-point Likert scale by 50 agricultural startups actors. The findings showed that the position of the Iranian agricultural startup ecosystem is in the defensive zone. Five key strategies were identified and prioritized using the QSPM method to exit this area and improve the ecosystem situation. The proposed action plans related to the five strategies can be used as a practical guide for policy makers in agricultural startups to improve the existing ecosystem. The results could cover the lack of a comprehensive scientific and empirical study of startup ecosystem analysis, with a focus on the agricultural context, and provide a basis for further studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At least 68 cities in the United States have taken a Vision Zero pledge to eliminate traffic fatalities. Which cities have improved their traffic safety outcomes and which strategies have proven effective? We examined changes in counts and per capita rates of all, pedestrian, and bicyclist fatal motor vehicle collisions between 2007 and 2019 for 18 U.S. cities that took early Vision Zero pledges. Only 2 of the 18 cities have experienced statistically significant decreases in total fatalities since taking a Vision Zero pledge and only one city experienced a statistically significant decrease in pedestrian fatalities. Cities with high walking, biking, and transit mode share and those that focused on walking and biking in their Vision Zero action plans experienced the best outcomes. Cities with high population densities and those that focused on technology in their action plans were also found to have safety performance improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being recognized as a preventable serious adverse event more than a century ago, Unintentionally Retained Foreign Objects (URFOs) continue to occur. They, in fact, remain the second most common Sentinel Event (SE) reported to The Joint Commission (TJC). A large private Hospital, after many years of URFO-free practice, experienced four (4) cases of URFOs during a 12-month period (March 9, 2021–March 4, 2022). Three cases occurred in the Operating Room (OR), and one case occurred in Labor & Delivery. All four cases involved the abdomen. The URFO was a sponge in two cases, a retractor wrapped in a pad in one case, and a surgical specimen in one case. Our review confirmed that the characteristics of our cases were similar to those reported by the Joint Commission. The main contributing factor was the closure of the wound without performing the sponge/instrument count. This safety breach resulted from a combination of factors: the inexperience of the nursing staff caused by a dramatic 40% turnover during the pandemic, the lack of assigned responsibility to perform the counting, and the willingness of the surgeon to skip the count. To address the main factors, we implemented a multipronged approach that includes the following: standardization of the protocols of sponge counting, hand-off with shift change, and of double surgical team involvement; assignment of the counting responsibility to two nurses; and education of the new nurses and of independent practitioners about the OR procedures with monitoring of correct implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the extent of challenges encountered in the implementation of the School Disaster Risk Reduction Management program of the five selected public secondary schools in Marikina District I during the school year 2022 – 2023 which could serve as the basis for an action plan.Based on the findings, the administrators and teacher respondents perceived the extent of challenges encountered by the School Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office with grand weighted mean ratings of 3.82 and 3.84 respectively, verbally interpreted as High Extent (HE). Also, the extent of the implementation of SDRRM program as assessed by school administrators and teachers is at High Extent (HE) as revealed by the grand mean ratings of 4.21 and 4.22, respectively, with verbal interpretation of High Extent (HE). Moreso, there is a significant relationship between the challenges encountered and the extent of the implementation of school disaster risk reduction management program.The proposed action plan was developed based on the result of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Sharing Economy (SE) has turned around the concepts of ownership and access, promoting not only an alternative consumption method, but also a more sustainable one. Using digital platforms, this phenomenon expects to achieve a better use of the idle capacity of resources, promote meaningful and trusting communities and contribute to reducing the environmental harm. The huge increase of popularity of this model has lined up with the Sustainable Development Goals proclamation, and the commitment from governments with the search for more sustainable models. This study analyzes the relationship of the SE with sustainability in general, and the Sustainable Development Goals in specific. Design/methodology/approach: Through the analysis of the action plans proposed by governments and the expected contributions of sharing platforms to sustainability, the authors analyze the improvements and assistance that the Sharing Economy could offer to countries. Findings: The main findings suggest that the SE can assist countries to achieve their sustainability goals and to further advance towards a more sustainable consumption and living model in order to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value: Although this topic is still to be further developed, the SE seems to be fulfilling the expectations as the path towards sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent expansion of the war in Ukraine calls for a better understanding of EU-Ukraine relations. This paper explicates the legitimation of EU foreign policy regarding Ukraine during and after the Orange Revolution. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, this research aims to uncover the intent behind the EU's legitimation discourse vis-à-vis Ukraine following the Orange Revolution. An analysis of the EU's legitimation discourse vis-à-vis Ukraine after the Orange Revolution fulfils the second aim of this paper: filling a gap in International Relations scholarship on EU-Ukraine relations. Following a formal- and content-related analysis of argumentation schemes, this paper argues that the EU perceived the Orange Revolution as an opportunity with which it could test its European Neighbourhood Policy in order to legitimise it taking action on the global stage. Since this paper helps to understand the legitimation of EU foreign policy towards Ukraine, it might provide a basis for the analysis of EU foreign policy regarding Ukraine in other timeframes and towards other states in the post-Soviet space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of electric mobility has the potential to reduce several impacts of the road transport sector, such as increased emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutants and natural resource depletion. As such, decision makers and other stakeholders around the world have invested significant efforts in the transition to sustainable urban mobility based on the use of electric vehicles. However, there are few studies that investigate the potential benefits of electric mobility in all its facets; i.e., most focus on analyzing the benefits of replacing conventional cars while leaving aside other means of transportation with greater use and, consequently, higher emissions, such as, primarily, public transport and freight transport vehicles. Thus, this study aims to develop an action plan focused on electric mobility—APOEM, which stipulates gradual implementation steps in a time horizon of 5 years. For this purpose, a city with potential for electric mobility implementation called Atibaia, in the countryside of the State of São Paulo, in Brazil, is investigated. The results show that, in an ambitious scenario of electric vehicle deployment in the City of Atibaia, which presents energy supply compatible with demand, it would be possible to reduce a total of 30,788.70 tons of GHG in 5 years, and, as for emissions of air pollutants, it would be possible to reduce 140.38 tons of CO, 36.38 tons of NMHC, 1.58 tons of RCHO, 130.20 tons of NOx, 3.54 tons of MP and 0.75 tons of SO2 in 5 years. It is also worth noting that, in order for electrification to generate a greater contribution to the environment, it is necessary that electric mobility be generated from renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical thinking plays a vital role in human life and is one of the core aims of educational systems worldwide. Thus, the present study explored strategies for providing opportunities for students to utilize and sharpen their critical thinking as much as possible while taking a translation course. To its end, the present study was guided by the significant question: How much do students' necessary thinking skills appear to evolve over a translation course? Participants were 39 students of English as a foreign language (EFL) registering in a regular translation course. The present study applied reflective essays written individually as post-class assignments once per two weeks, and thus five reflections each participant had to write over the 10-week translation course attached with videotranslation tasks. For measuring improvement in critical thinking manifested by participants over the course, the quantitative discrepancy between the first reflection as an outset point and the fifth reflection as the end point of the intervention course was computed. Obtained results are positive regarding students' critical thinking manifested in wide discrepancies and linguistic acquisition laid out in creative English uses. Thereby, pedagogical implications and further research on relevant issues are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like many other countries, Canada's academic system has been challenged to achieve proportionate representation of historically underrepresented groups. Canadian equity law identifies four designated groups (FDG) for whom conditions of disadvantage shall be corrected: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. In 2006 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued a settlement agreement with the Canada Research Chairs program, a federally-funded research program, in response to a complaint concerning the lack of representation of the FDG among the program's appointed Chairs. The agreement identified a series of measures and actions, such as setting equity targets and ongoing tracking, that the Program would undertake. In 2017, due to lack of progress in improving equitable participation in the Program, the Program established new requirements for institutions to develop equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plans. This case study examines how the University of Ottawa implemented its EDI action plan to meet the regulatory compliance requirements of this national research chairs funding program, and how it used the plan to help drive equity, diversity and inclusion activities at its institution. The study describes the activities undertaken by the Vice-President Research Office, including the analyses conducted to identify barriers to participation in the program, actions taken, and results achieved. Over a two-year period, the University recruited more than 20 research chairs from underrepresented groups, thereby meeting all equity targets and exceeding targets for three of four groups. In conjunction with the initial implementation of the EDI plan, broader institutional level activities were undertaken, including creation of an advisory committee that guided the development of a broader EDI in Research Action Plan. Key observations from this study are: effective equity, diversity and inclusion strategies are sustained efforts which are context-specific; compliance requirements can be effective incentives if implemented as part of a larger institutional transformation; and research administrators have a key role to play in this area, which is part of their expanding tool kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to determine the pitfalls encountered by grade five teachers during modular teaching and learning. Specifically, it aimed to find out the pitfalls encountered by teachers along with students' comprehension, students' academic behavior, monitoring of students' education, and physical interaction with the learners. The personal profile of teachers, out of the total respondents (56), most of the teachers are female-dominated. Most of them belong to the age bracket of 34 to 45 and most of the teachers are married. Most of the teachers had attended post-graduate studies. Most respondents are still young in the service, holding Teacher 2 and Teacher 3 positions, and attending local, national, and regional training. On the level of pitfalls encountered by teachers in modular teaching and learning, most respondents experienced a slight gravity level in the four aspects. The computed average weighted mean along comprehension is 2.50, along academic behavior is 2.54, along monitoring of students' performance is 2.58, and along physical interaction is 2.79. All have an equivalent value of moderately grave. There is a specific profile of teachers that is significantly related. Age is significantly associated with monitoring students' learning. The computed r value is .270, while the calculated significance level is 0.04. Training attended by the teachers is significantly related to some aspects of students' comprehension, (computed sig. value is 0.04 and physical interaction is .02), which is lower than the .05 level of significance. The grade five teachers who served as respondents are mostly female dominated; they are in their early forties and married. Most of them are attending post-graduate studies and have attended relevant training. Second, the level of teachers' pitfalls is mostly moderately grave. In addition, age is significantly related to monitoring, training is significantly associated substantially with physical interaction and comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Health literacy has gained increasing importance worldwide. As a result of several studies indicating low health literacy levels in large parts of the population, strategies and action plans promoting health literacy were developed in many countries. The article analyses the origin, development and structure of the German Health Literacy Action Plan. Subject and methods: In 2016, a civil society initiative was formed, aiming at developing a national action plan in an expert-based and collaborative manner. A group of 15 experts elaborated the core elements of the action plan, based on a literature review on existing health literacy approaches, action plans and empirical evidence. These core elements were further developed collaboratively in workshops with key stakeholders, self-help and patient organizations and individual consultation meetings. Afterwards, the National Action Plan was reviewed and previously formulated recommendations were refined before being published. Results and conclusion: The National Action Plan Health Literacy in Germany presents 15 recommendations in four areas of action for promoting health literacy in Germany. This bottom-up strategy and the expert-based yet at the same time collaborative approach have proved to be successful when developing a national action plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) encountered by the Iranian agriculture startups ecosystem. The study was performed in two steps. In the first step, a list of SWOT of the agricultural startups ecosystem was identified via interviews with 15 key experts. In the second step, each of the points was ranked in the form of a structured questionnaire through a 5-point Likert scale by 50 agricultural startups actors. The findings showed that the position of the Iranian agricultural startup ecosystem is in the defensive zone. Five key strategies were identified and prioritized using the QSPM method to exit this area and improve the ecosystem situation. The proposed action plans related to the five strategies can be used as a practical guide for policy makers in agricultural startups to improve the existing ecosystem. The results could cover the lack of a comprehensive scientific and empirical study of startup ecosystem analysis, with a focus on the agricultural context, and provide a basis for further studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recurrent asthma admissions are frequent in our patients at a tertiary Australian hospital and are commonly related to poor health literacy and medication adherence. A need exists to improve these asthma self‐management skills within our current model of care, especially during the vulnerable postdischarge period. Aim: To examine if the addition of a nurse‐led Asthma Care Transition Team (ACTT) compared with usual care alone (UC) (1) improves asthma control at 12 weeks posthospital discharge; the number of patients using a Written Action Plan (WAP), compliance with inhaler therapy at 12 weeks, and readmission rates at 6 months. Methods: Adults admitted with asthma were randomised to either: UC: involving review of asthma medication and self‐management skills by the ward team prior to discharge; a standard 6‐week post discharge clinic visit and a 12‐week study visit where an independent assessor assessed outcomes; or ACTT: In addition to UC, involved ACTT nurse‐led review at 1 week and 6 weeks. Key aspects included a pre defined, structured review reinforcing education and self‐management skills, and telephone support during working hours. Result: Sixty participants (UC and ACTT) had similar baseline characteristics: Mean age: 41 vs 38 years, asthma duration: 20 vs 18 years, baseline Asthma Control Questionnaire 3.1 vs 3.4. At 12 weeks Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) improved significantly in both groups but more so with ACTT; ACTT group had a higher uptake of WAP and a trend to reduced readmissions. Conclusion and Practice Implication: A nurse‐led ACTT improves asthma control and self‐management skills following discharge and may lead to fewer readmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentang Village, Wonogiri District, Wonogiri Regency needs a community business action plan based on regional potential within the framework of agrarian reform. The action plan contains a plan of activities that need to be carried out by the village government, to develop community businesses within the framework of agrarian reform, for the improvement of community welfare. This research uses qualitative research methods, with a rationalistic approach. The number of informants was 10, purposively selected. The data consists of: (1) Primary data, obtained from interviews with informants; (2) Secondary data, in the form of population data in Sentang Village. Meanwhile, data analysis is carried out by utilizing qualitative data analysis techniques. The results of this study show that the action plan is prepared by taking into account physical and non-physical potentials, as well as the economic contribution of business fields in Sentang Village, which include: (1) agricultural business, (2) livestock business, (3) fisheries business, (4) trading business, (5) handicraft business, and (6) tourism business. Action plan provides benefits in the form of community welfare, consisting of: (1) economic welfare, (2) psychological welfare, (3) social welfare, and (4) cultural welfare [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Community Playbook for Healthy Waterways is a comprehensive collection of actionable recommendations to achieve and sustain community-wide nutrient management for water quality in ponds, creeks, and bays. This nutrient management strategy was developed for Sarasota County, Florida through a facilitated brainstorm of experts and practitioners, followed by research and stakeholder interviews to determine feasibility. More than 40 specific recommended activities, organized around ten topics, aim to reduce anthropogenic-based nutrient loading in natural systems; remove excess anthropogenic-based nutrients from natural systems; and build capacity and resilience of ecosystems and human systems to sustain nutrient management. Activities are keyed to type of strategy (research, policy, or education) and provide actionable information for implementation, including importance, overview, recommended approach, resources, status, performance measures, experts/leads, and cost-estimate or cost-benefit. The Playbook does not replace, contradict, or preempt existing management plans, but instead aims to focus, prioritize, and coordinate community activity and philanthropy at the grassroots level to accomplish water quality improvements. It also aims to engage community stakeholder leaders not traditionally involved in water quality management and provide a conduit by which they can engage with and add value to existing programs and initiatives. The Playbook can be adapted and customized by communities across Florida for use by municipal, county and state governments and agencies, non-profit environmental organizations, philanthropic foundations, businesses, homeowner associations and other leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal-setting behavior for learning courses displayed by college students of English as a foreign language (EFL) has yet to be substantively documented in the current literature. The present study, therefore, examined this topic to activate students' goal-setting behavior in learning, which is deemed to increase their engagement in learning and ability to initiate action plans for goal attainment. The study results also provide pedagogical implications for teachers to tailor their teaching methods, techniques, and course contents in alignment with students' goals. Thus, the main research questions raised in the study are what goal patterns students set for their specific learning courses and what action plans they make to meet the goals set. For data collecting instruments, an assignment template was completed by 58 EFL students from a university in Vietnam, followed by short phone conversations between the researcher and involved students for self-report validity. The analyzed data results identify three common goal-setting patterns displayed by students and confirm their ability to self-initiate action plans for set goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye attaches special importance to its relations with African countries due to historical, political, economic and cultural factors. Although some claim that Türkiye was late in pursuing a policy of opening up to African countries, it is worth noting that Türkiye opened its first resident Embassy in Africa at Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in 1926, just three years after the proclamation of the Republic. In this article, Türkiye's policy and specific initiatives toward the African continent will be discussed, and the importance of these initiatives for Turkish foreign policy will be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Copyright of Revista CIENCIA UNEMI is the property of Universidad Estatal de Milagro (UNEMI) 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.)

Tigers play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Unfortunately, tigers are threatened by poaching, human–wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and more. In response to these threats, the conservation community pledged to double the worldwide wild tiger population by 2022 (known as TX2) at the "Tiger Summit" in St. Petersburg in 2010, and to track the progress of Tiger Range Countries. Between 2010 and 2022, the Global Tiger Recovery Programme was implemented. To accomplish this TX2 goal, each Tiger Range Country developed a National Tiger Action Plan (NTAP). The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP) is a grant-making mechanism that focusses on a subsection of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme. It had twelve projects in six Tiger Range Countries during Phase 1 of the program. Evaluating the proposals of these projects is crucial for resource allocation. In this study, we assessed project proposals by evaluating how the proposed activities of all twelve ITHCP projects addressed their corresponding NTAPs, by comparing the plans against the proposals. A further comparison was undertaken using the Conservation Assured|Tiger Standards Lite, a site-based tiger conservation accreditation system. Overall, this study shows the importance of both global and national action plans and how comparing project activities with NTAP requirements can help address resource allocation needs to fill gaps in management. We conclude that projects should be designed to closely align with national action plans, best practice standards, and the activities of other projects in their landscape to maximize conservation outputs and impact. However, projects on their own are not enough to satisfy whole NTAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste management is seen as a filter between the anthroposphere and the environment. Therefore, these substances must be eliminated from the products’ life cycle and managed in a way that does not harm the environment or human health. At the same time, into consideration it must be taken that a significant part of plastic products belongs to the group of long-life goods and accumulates in the anthroposphere for years. Even if some dangerous additives are forbidden or replaced with more ecological alternatives, years or decades after the manufactured goods have been produced for various application sectors, plastics that contain these kinds of substances appear in the waste streams of the abovementioned long-life goods. Therefore, the knowledge regarding the plastic waste quantity, the level of information of the population, as well as the citizens’ attitude towards selective waste management are important aspects for the efficient design of the future action plan for plastic waste management. This study tries to analyse the attitudes that the citizens of the “Plantelor” neighbourhood of Braila Municipality have regarding the environment and their ecological behaviour. At the same time, we propose to obtain a perspective upon the citizen’s knowledge from that area regarding the actual environmental problems and the way in which they adopt sustainable behaviours in a circular economy in order to issue a warning. This is necessary in order to create some educational programs in partnership with public institutions and to be informed about the 3R philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Content validity and clinical utility of the Collaborative Process for Action Plans to Achieve Children's Participation Goals were evaluated. The collaborative process is designed to assess child, family, and environment strengths and areas for improvement specific to a child's participation goal and identify intervention strategies and the person(s) responsible for each strategy. Twelve pediatric therapists participated in one of two Nominal Group Consensus Process. Following discussion, therapists rated the importance of child, family, and environment attributes, clarity of wording, and the usefulness of the collaborative process. Ratings for 91% (first group consensus) and 100% (second group consensus) of the statements met the criterion for consensus, supporting content validity. Ten parent/child/therapist teams evaluated clinical utility. Written responses to open-ended questions were coded using inductive content analysis. Parents and therapists indicated that the collaborative process promotes engagement, the goal is considered from many viewpoints, and there is a joint commitment to the action plan. Limitations included time to complete, the need for preparation and more guidance, and unfamiliar expressions. Familiarity with collaborative, solution focused processes and participation interventions are considerations for use in practice. Research is recommended in which the action plan is implemented, progressed, and achievement of participation goals are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2020 Sustainability Index (SI), a benchmark system, shows that 2% of the 184 municipal water and wastewater utilities (WWS) in Sweden have a good performance level (green), i.e., they meet all benchmark requirements for the "climate adaptation and flood safety" ("CA and FS"). In this study, ten Swedish WWS organizations were selected and studied in depth. The goal was to present them as good learning examples to inspire other utilities seeking to improve their results and to clarify and concretize the driving factors, strategies, and important explanations for their success, and the challenges they face. A total of 52 SI annual documents from ten utilities were analyzed. Six of their managers were interviewed in depth. One of the ten utilities studied was green on the parameter "CA and FS". Flooding events in two utilities drove climate adaptation. The formation of an interdisciplinary group in two organizations had a major impact on their success. Two utilities focused on low-lying sites and enclosed spaces. Three believed capacity building increased their chances of success. The biggest challenge was sharing responsibility. That only 2% of municipal water and wastewater utilities are green is not the whole truth. Therefore, there should be other factors in SI that measure performance in "CA and FS". To improve the results, new laws are needed to solve the problem of shared responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to protect traditional agricultural systems of global importance, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched an initiative for the conservation of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in 2002. After nearly two decades of development, the number of GIAHS has increased from the initial 5 in 2005 to the current 65 in 22 countries around the world. Despite the remarkable increase in the number of GIAHS, many countries are now facing the difficult task of dynamic conservation and adaptive management of GIAHS. As an important element of heritage management, monitoring plays an important role in improving the level of heritage management. Scientific and effective monitoring can not only achieve the conservation of the heritage itself and the maintenance of its value, but also the sustainable development of the heritage site. However, FAO did not put forward mandatory requirements for GIAHS monitoring, nor did it issue any guiding document on GIAHS monitoring, but left it to various countries to explore their own GIAHS monitoring. In this context, the paper systematically sorts out the theoretical research and practical exploration of GIAHS monitoring conducted by different countries and research institutions, comparing and analyzing the differences between the theoretical design of monitoring GIAHS themselves and that of GIAHS action plan monitoring, as well as the differences in practical exploration of GIAHS monitoring among China, South Korea, Japan and Portugal. This paper argues that countries and research institutions face common problems in the research and application of GIAHS monitoring, which are: (1) low enthusiasm of heritage sites about participation; (2) lack of legal and financial support; and (3) lack of technical support and guidance. To further promote GIAHS monitoring globally and better promote dynamic conservation and adaptive management of GIAHS, this paper proposes that FAO should cooperate with various countries to establish a unified, scientific and efficient GIAHS monitoring system, including: (1) clarifying monitoring requirements and formulating monitoring guidelines; (2) improving the management system and establishing incentive mechanisms; (3) promoting multi-stakeholder participation and strengthening technical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the global health crisis, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines is vulnerable to the different natural disasters and calamities. With this, the researchers see the value of investigating disaster risk reduction management being practiced by the local government unit through the lens of academic leaders. With this, a descriptive research design was implored to gather and substantiate the organizational effectiveness with the research niche. The 100 respondents were selected through purposive and snow-ball sampling who academic leaders from the various educational institutions within the municipality of Taytay, Rizal, Philippines. Based on the findings, it shows that the local government unit of Taytay, Rizal has manifested an effective organizational approach in the implementation of the disaster risk reduction management as perceived by the academic leaders. Afterward, the researchers draft an action plan to further strengthen the disaster risk reduction management plan of the local government unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study protocol aims to examine the effectiveness and preconditions of a self‐management program—named REducing Delay through edUcation on eXacerbations (REDUX)—in China. Background: The high disease burden in people with chronic lung disease is mainly due to exacerbations. There is a need for effective exacerbation‐management interventions. A nurse‐led program, REDUX, helped patients self‐manage exacerbations. Design: A single‐arm pre‐post study. Methods: Fifty‐four patients and 24 healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Chinese primary care will be included. The core element of the program is a personalized action plan. HCPs will receive training in using the action plan to help patients manage exacerbations. The intervention will start when a patient is referred to the nurse for a post‐exacerbation consultation and ends when the patient presents for the second post‐exacerbation consultation. During the first post‐exacerbation consultation, the patient and nurse will create the action plan. The primary outcomes in patients will include the delays between the onset of exacerbation and recognition, between exacerbation recognition and action, between exacerbation recognition and consultation with a doctor, and when the patients feel better after receiving medical help from HCPs. The secondary outcomes will include preconditions of the program. The ethics approval was obtained in September 2021. Discussion This study will discuss a culturally adapted nurse‐led self‐management intervention for people with chronic lung disease in China. The intervention could help Chinese HCPs provide efficient care and reduce their workload. Furthermore, it will inform future research on tailoring nurse‐led self‐management interventions in different contexts. Impact The study will contribute to the evidence on the effectiveness and preconditions of REDUX in China. If effective, the result will assist the nursing of people with chronic lung disease. Trial registration: Registered in the Chinese clinical trial registry (ID: 2100051782). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the present situation of class teachers in primary schools and the possible strategies that school leaders can employ to promote teachers' wellbeing. An explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was used. The first phase involved distributing two online surveys, one for class teachers and one for SLT members, in seven Maltese primary schools. The data from the questionnaires were integrated and analysed to formulate the interview questions held with Heads of Schools (primary). Findings revealed that the support from school leaders is essential to enhance teachers' welfare and that strategies including an open-door policy, shared decision-making, teambuilding activities, and the enforcement of curriculum time help sustain a wholeschool approach toward teachers' wellbeing. Following the research findings, the last section of this article concludes the study by tying it to practice and presenting an action plan that school leaders can use. This research also presents the ideas of this action plan in a user-friendly website1 aimed at giving the right tools to school leaders to bring about the change needed in the lives of educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]