Areas For Continued Improvement Research Articles

Implementation of an Intelligent Trap for Effective Monitoring and Control of the Aedes aegypti Mosquito.

Aedes aegypti is a mosquito species known for its role in transmitting dengue fever, a viral disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Recognizable by its white markings and preference for urban habitats, this mosquito breeds in standing water near human dwellings. A promising approach to combat the proliferation of mosquitoes is the use of smart traps, equipped with advanced technologies to attract, capture, and monitor them. The most significant results include 97% accuracy in detecting Aedes aegypti, 100% accuracy in identifying bees, and 90.1% accuracy in classifying butterflies in the laboratory. Field trials successfully validated and identified areas for continued improvement. The integration of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize pest control, significantly improving mosquito monitoring and control. The application of machine learning (ML) algorithms and computer vision for the identification and classification of Aedes aegypti is a crucial part of this process. This article proposes the development of a smart trap for selective control of winged insects, combining IoT devices, high-resolution cameras, and advanced ML algorithms for insect detection and classification. The intelligent system features the YOLOv7 algorithm (You Only Look Once v7) that is capable of detecting and counting insects in real time, combined with LoRa/LoRaWan connectivity and IoT system intelligence. This adaptive approach is effective in combating Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in real time.

Application of the maturity model for collaborative scheduling for construction projects

PurposeThis paper introduces the weighting, analysis and validation method used in the development of the Maturity Model for Collaborative Scheduling (MMCS). The scoring and ranking process introduced by the MMCS fills a gap in the literature by supporting the selection of collaborative scheduling (CS) practices that yield more weight toward the achievement of higher maturity levels in the development and implementation of CS. The ranking process can then be used during pre/post project execution to track collaborative scheduling in practice against the model’s weighting and provide the project team with constructive feedback and actionable steps for reaching the next highest level of collaboration.Design/methodology/approachThe MMCS, which focuses on five pillars (key areas of interest for CS) and related swim lanes (specific attributes), covers a broad range of areas in the construction industry and was coded into a survey. The relative weights of pillars and swim lanes were then established using the Delphi method with the group of subject matter experts (SMEs), analyzed using multi-objective decision analysis (MODA) and validated using 241 answers to a survey with questions drawn from the MMCS, including organizations across the industry in the United States.FindingsThe project scoring defines bounds for bronze, silver and gold levels of collaboration in scheduling. Project evaluations can then be used to identify areas for continuous improvement and enhanced collaboration. We offer recommendations and best practices for project improvement.Originality/valueTwo original contributions resulted from this work: (1) a method to elicit weights based on a combination of Delphi, MODA and survey methods was used to develop and validate a scale with three different maturity levels to support the use and continuous improvement of CS practices and (2) a validated model was used to assess the maturity level of CS in construction projects alongside specific recommendations to move upward in terms of maturity. In practice, project leaders can use this model to assess project performance, advance the project’s maturity and guide continuous improvement efforts for enhanced collaboration.

Management of Student Discipline in Educational Institutions under the Jurisdiction of the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office

Background and Aims: This research aims to: 1) study and compare the opinions of personnel regarding the management of student discipline in educational institutions under the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office. By gender size of the educational institution and academic positions. And 2) explore ways to develop the management of student discipline in educational institutions under the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office. Methodology: The sample used in this research consisted of 349 personnel under the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office, which were obtained by stratified random sampling. The research instrument consisted of a questionnaire with an IOC between 0.80 - 1.00 and a confidence value of 0.79. Including structured interviews for data analysis, statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used T-test and F-test. Results: The research results found that (1) Management of student discipline in educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office, overall, it is at a high level. When considering each aspect, it was found that management in every aspect was at a high level as well. (2) Results of comparative analysis of management in creating student discipline Classified by gender and size of educational institution It was found that there was a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level. As for classification by academic position, found that there was no difference. (3) Guidelines for developing management of student discipline in educational institutions under the Buriram Secondary Educational Service Area Office. It was found that the cause of the problem should be studied. Use culture in society to strengthen student discipline. Set and organize various extracurricular activities to strengthen student discipline. Strengthen morality within the classroom and create a network of cooperation to promote student discipline. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the effectiveness of student discipline management in Buriram's educational institutions, demonstrating that overall management is strong in all areas. It also emphasizes the need for a cultural approach, extracurricular activities, and collaborative networks to improve student discipline while addressing identified areas for continuous improvement.

Intelligent clean-in-place (CIP) system in beverage (healthy water) cleaner production

In food and beverage production, maintaining cleanliness is paramount, despite the emphasis placed on it, food safety incidents due to incomplete CIP still occur frequently. This study used the cleaner production of a beverage (healthy water) as a model. An intelligent CIP system employs advanced technologies such as automation, big data, and digital twin to standardize CIP-related data through modeling. Comprehensive management of the CIP process at all levels—from operators to supervisors and managers—is achieved through access control. The digital twin system ensures effective CIP execution by comparing real-time data from automated operations with standard model data. Full traceability and post-event review of CIP activities are realized through CIP order management, while big data analysis quickly identifies problem areas for continuous improvement. This approach ensures the entire CIP process is error-free, fully transparent, traceable, continuously optimized, and conducive to cleaner production.

Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis: A 10 year experience of outcome monitoring in a regional burn centre

IntroductionOutcome monitoring can identify fluctuations in healthcare. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis can detect when mortality deviates from expected, allowing early intervention through targeted audit. We present a 10-year experience of the prospective use of CUSUM methodology in a regional burn centre. MethodProspective outcome monitoring was conducted for all admissions to the intensive care unit between 2012 and 2022. The revised Baux score was used for mortality risk prediction. Risk-adjusted CUSUM charts tracked mortality against that predicted by the revised Baux score. Deviations from expected outcomes triggered detailed structured analysis. Learning outcomes were identified from internal and external governance groups. ResultsCUSUM analysis was triggered on eight occasions: one paediatric (excess deaths), six adult (four excess survivors, two excess deaths) and one elderly (excess survivors). Detailed analysis identified areas for continuous improvement and positive themes from excess survivors. ConclusionThe use of CUSUM as an early warning trigger stimulates assessment of practice and critical appraisal of factors contributing to unexpected mortality or survival. The revised Baux score at its foundation needs to be carefully considered but remains a valid model. One benefit is positive reinforcement of team cohesion and morale during periods of care excellence leading to excess survivors.

The Rising Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery: An Updated Analysis from 2014 to 2022.

Previous reports found that 40% of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) from 1988 to 2000 and 47% of those published from 2001 to 2013 were of high quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of RCTs published from 2014 to 2022 in JBJS and to compare these findings with those of prior analyses in order to identify trends over time and areas for continued improvement. PubMed was searched for the term "randomized controlled trial" to identify studies published in JBJS from 2014 to 2022. Each included RCT was evaluated with use of the Detsky score and a risk-of-bias assessment modified from the Cochrane tool. These evaluations were then compared with previous evaluations of RCTs from the 1988 to 2000 and 2001 to 2013 periods with use of independent-sample t tests. A transformed Detsky score of >75% and a modified risk-of-bias score of ≥8 were defined as being indicative of high quality. A total of 218 RCTs were published in JBJS from 2014 to 2022. An a priori sample size was calculated in 183 studies (83.9%). A total of 152 (83.1%) of the 183 studies enrolled the calculated number of patients, of which 126 (82.9%) maintained an adequate number at the time of final follow-up. Most RCTs were conducted at a single center (146 of 218; 67%), evaluated a surgical intervention (162 of 218; 74%), and reported positive results (142 of 218; 65%). The mean transformed Detsky score was 85% ± 10% (95% confidence interval, 83.7% to 86.3%), with 82% of trials (179 of 218) scored as high quality. The mean transformed Detsky score from 2014 to 2022 was higher than that from 1988 to 2000 and that from 2001 to 2013 (85% versus 76% and 68%, respectively; p < 0.001). The mean modified risk-of-bias score was 7 ± 1, with 42% of trials (92 of 218) scored as high quality. RCTs published from 2014 to 2022 had a higher mean modified risk-of-bias score than those published from 2001 to 2013 (7 ± 1 versus 6 ± 1; p < 0.001). Compared with the 2001 to 2013 and 2014 to 2022 periods, the 1988 to 2000 period had a greater proportion of trials that reported positive results (51% and 65% versus 82%, respectively; p < 0.001) and that included data from multiple centers (31% and 33% versus 67%; p < 0.001). The quality of RCTs published in JBJS from 2014 to 2022 has improved from that reported previously, as demonstrated by the increases in the modified risk-of-bias score and transformed Detsky score from prior periods. This may be the result of journal policies such as the requirements of CONSORT adherence and prospective trial registration. Investigators should focus on improving the clarity of reporting, limiting attrition bias, and making efforts to blind support staff in order to increase the quality of future RCTs. Improving the quality of RCTs is crucial given their potential to influence current clinical practice.

Analysis of Vegetation Cover Change in the Geomorphic Zoning of the Han River Basin Based on Sustainable Development

The Han River Basin, a critical water conservation and ecological barrier in Hubei Province, is intricately associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research results show that vegetation cover changes are affected by multiple factors, and understanding the influences of climate change and human activities on vegetation is imperative for achieving sustainable development in the basin. Through quantitative assessment of vegetation changes in diverse landform regions, implementing adaptive ecological construction and environmental protection will foster the sustainable development of ecological civilization in the Han River Basin. This study utilizes MODIS13Q1 data and employs diverse analytical methods to investigate the characteristics of vegetation change and the interrelationships between climate change, meteorological factors, and vegetation cover in various geomorphological areas of the Han River Basin from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that (1) throughout the entire study period, the NDVI of the six types of geomorphological divisions in the Han River Basin exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with the changes in the low-altitude hilly geomorphic regions being particularly noteworthy. (2) Within the study area, approximately 92.67% of vegetation coverage displayed an increasing trend, while 7.33% showed degradation, predominantly in plains and platforms. Notably, the area of continuous improvement (31.16%) outweighed the area of continuous degradation (3.05%), with low and middle-relief mountain areas demonstrating the most robust growth and sustainability. (3) Human agriculture activities and urbanization processes have emerged as the primary driving force behind vegetation changes in the Han River Basin. The responses of vegetation to climate change and human activities exhibited significant variations across diverse geomorphological regions. In areas characterized by vegetation improvement, the contribution rate of human activities to NDVI changes in different vegetation types surpassed 70%, with plain areas displaying the highest contribution rate at a remarkable 90%. In contrast, the plain and platform regions of the vegetation degradation area were significantly influenced by climate change. In future watershed ecological environment management, it is essential to not only recognize the dominant role of human activities in promoting the growth of mountain vegetation NDVI but also address the impact of climate change on the degradation of vegetation NDVI in plains and platforms. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial for devising effective strategies to ensure sustainable development and ecological balance in the Han River Basin.

TFM imaging simulations of defects near or in the weld bevel: modelling approach and customized finite element tools

In safety-critical industries, including the nuclear sector, ultrasonic testing (UT) of welded components is an area of continuous improvement. We have collaborated on developing advanced UT simulation tools to address challenges in monitoring and imaging defects near or within a weld bevel. These tools, integrated into the CIVA software platform, use hybrid approaches combining ray models and finite elements (FE) to accurately simulate wave propagation and diffraction phenomena in both 2D and 3D inspection configurations. While computation time is longer compared to ray-based approaches, the results serve as a reference for improving reliability and validating simulation tools. A comprehensive parameterization of the weld is proposed, utilizing knowledge on anisotropy, attenuation properties, and variations within the bevel, to achieve reliable UT results. This paper reviews the new features developed, including the integration of the MINA model for the weld description and improvements in bevel geometry. The automated coupling methodology and meshing procedures, which do not require any specific numerical expertise to be used, are discussed. As an application, we present TFM imaging simulations, comparing results from the standard paraxial ray-based approach with the new module utilizing the FE computational core.

Predictors and outcomes of patient safety culture at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A nursing perspective

BackgroundPatient safety culture assessment is viewed as the starting point from which action planning begins and helps hospitals get a good idea of the patient safety features that need immediate attention, identify the strengths and weaknesses of their safety culture, help units find their most common patient safety problems, and compare their scores to those of other hospitals. This study aimed to assess nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture composites in a Saudi hospital in the Western region and to explore the association between patient safety culture predictors and outcomes, taking into consideration nurses' characteristics.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design with a convenience sample of 184 nurses who are working at inpatient care units at King Khaled Hospital- King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Western region, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of nurses’ demographics and work characteristics, and the Patient Safety Culture Hospital Questionnaire (HSOPSC), which proved valid and reliable. Descriptive status, correlation, and regression analysis were applied to patient safety culture composites for statistical analysis.ResultsThe overall positive response rate of the predictors of patient safety culture in the HSOPSC survey was 63.46%. The mean percent score for predictors ranged from 39.06% to 82.95%. "Teamwork within units" (82.95%) was the highest mean, followed by "organizational learning" (81.88%) and "feedback and communication about errors" (81.25%). In addition to the overall perceived patient safety (59.0%), safety grade, frequency, and number of events are also reported as safety outcome measures.Conclusions and recommendationsRegardless of the percentage of the safety culture domains, this study agrees that all the domains should be considered high-priority and focused areas for continuous improvement. The results confirmed the need for continuous staff safety training programs to improve their perception and performance of the safety culture.

Living with type 1 diabetes in Neno, Malawi: a qualitative study of self-management and experiences in care

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing in low-income countries including Malawi. In this setting, care is frequently impacted by challenges in diagnosis and management. Access to high-quality T1D care remains limited in Malawi, with fairly low availability and high cost of insulin and other supplies and diagnostics, lack of T1D knowledge, and absence of readily accessible guidelines. In the Neno district, Partners In Health established advanced care clinics at district hospitals to provide comprehensive, free care for T1D and other noncommunicable diseases. Prior to this study, experiences in care for people living with T1D (PLWT1D) at these clinics remained unexplored. Here we examine the impact of living with T1D, knowledge and self-management of, and facilitators and barriers to T1D care in Neno District, Malawi.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study utilizing behavior change theory that consisted of twenty-three semi-structured interviews conducted in Neno, Malawi in January 2021 with PLWT1D, their families, providers, and civil society members to explore the psychosocial and economic impact of living with T1D, T1D knowledge and self-management, and facilitators and barriers to accessing care. Interviews were analyzed thematically using a deductive approach.ResultsWe found that PLWT1D had good knowledge and practice of self-management activities for T1D. Key facilitators to care identified by informants included extensive patient education and availability and provision of free insulin and supplies. Significant barriers included distance from health facilities, food insecurity, and low literacy/numeracy. Informants described T1D as having a notable psychosocial and economic impact on PWLT1D and their families, notably worrying about having a lifelong condition, high transportation costs, and reduced working ability. While home visits and transport refunds helped facilitate access to the clinic, informants reported the refunds as inadequate given high transport costs faced by patients.ConclusionsT1D was found to have a significant impact on PLWT1D and their families. Our findings represent important areas of consideration in design and implementation of effective programs for treating PLWT1D in resource-limited settings. Facilitators to care identified by informants may be applicable and beneficial in similar settings, while persisting barriers represent areas for continued improvement in Neno.

Beyond the Five Freedoms: Animal Welfare at Modern Zoological Facilities.

The current manuscript highlights the aspects of an animal welfare program for a modern zoological facility. The program should be proactive to identify areas for continuous improvement as well as reactive to address any identified animal welfare concerns. The program should go beyond the five freedoms and utilize one of the more modern frameworks as a foundation for the program. The program should have an animal welfare committee where staff can submit animal welfare concerns without fear of retaliation. Ongoing monitoring of all individual animals should utilize both positive and negative indicators of welfare. Staff should be trained on the most current science and be able to understand key concepts about animal welfare. Facilities should also utilize new scientific findings to continuously improve animal care practices. Modern zoological institutions, including both zoos and aquariums, have an ethical responsibility to provide high levels of animal welfare for the animals under their professional care. Simply meeting minimum standards developed decades ago is not adequate, as animals should have the opportunity to thrive.

Performance Indicators in the Tourism Sector: Comparative Analysis of the Visegrad Group

Dynamic shifts in society accelerate the need to measure performance and use the data to identify promising areas for continuous improvement and eliminate potential risk factors. The process of measuring and analysing performance isn't anymore an essential task of strategic management only from the perspective of individual enterprises but also from the perspective of other subjects. Countries evaluate the performance of various sectors to track and record the economic benefits of industries and calculate shares of industries in the country's gross domestic product and other macroeconomic results. Considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation on global economics, the stakeholders understand the need to be aware of potential risks and opportunities in the future. Detailed measuring of industry performance is a driving force for identifying critical factors in economic systems and effective strategic planning. Countries should design and use the correct metrics and performance measurements to achieve desired outcomes. In the tourism sector, the most important performance indicators and results at the country level are presented as a part of Tourism Satellite Accounts. In this paper, we compare the current use of performance indicators in the tourism sector in Visegrad Group countries based on information from national statistical offices and other relevant sources. We investigate the processes of collecting data from economic subjects used to evaluate industry performance. The findings of this research confirm slight differences in using tourism performance indicators among analysed countries and tools used for obtaining required data. Although we identify several shortcomings in the existing conditions in Slovakia, we also formulate practical recommendations based on examples from other analysed countries to improve the current state of measuring industry performance. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the correct use and visual presentation of performance indicators. Our findings can also be applied in other countries to identify the possibilities of better monitoring for taking appropriate strategic actions and measuring the impact of activities to support tourism at the level of individual destinations or regions.

Predicting fatigue crack growth through the small and long crack regimes for a military transport aircraft loading spectrum using FASTRAN

Predicting fatigue crack growth across the small and long crack regimes in airframe components is a challenging task. Current fracture mechanics methods require, amongst other things, high fidelity small crack growth rate data and a thorough understanding of the different behaviours of small and long cracks. This paper presents a case study where a fatigue crack growth prediction of Aluminium Alloy 7075-T7351 coupons tested to a military transport aircraft loading spectrum, from nucleation to failure, is attempted using the most recent version of the linear-elastic fracture mechanics-based analysis tool FASTRAN v5.76. The military transport aircraft loading spectrum was applied to different coupon configurations to show the effectiveness of FASTRAN for a range of crack growth scenarios. Crack growth rate data for the prediction in the near-threshold region was experimentally obtained from small cracks using quantitative fractography and this data is shown to be a determining factor in the accuracy of the prediction. This paper highlights the challenges faced by engineers in predicting fatigue crack growth under variable amplitude loading from nucleation to failure and demonstrates the ability of FASTRAN to accurately predict load history effects. Areas for continued improvement are identified with the aim of accurate and reliable fatigue crack growth prediction in a range of structures, conditions, and scenarios.

The EFQM Model as an Exquisite Tool for the Analysis of Business Excellence and Its Use in the Healthcare Industry

The author links together business analysis and business excellence as an ideal that all well- performing organisations wish to achieve while attaining and continuously maintaining superior levels of business performance, thus fulfilling and even exceeding the expectations of their stakeholders. He leans on the EFQM model and uses it as an excellent tool for analysing the business of an organisation throughout all the phases defined by traditional business analysis. This includes the observation of facts and identification of problems, which can be construed as defining the organisation’s strengths and areas for improvement. This entails setting up hypotheses and testing them by applying appropriate measures. After a short introduction, the author makes first a thorough literature review on business excellence in the last two decades with an emphasis on the EFQM Model. He focuses particularly on the assessment and critical attitude of individual researchers who have studied this topic. Further, the author presents the basic concepts and elements of the EFQM model of business excellence, with a particular emphasis on the RADAR matrix as a very useful instrument (management tool) for business excellence analysis. He also presents the use of the model for analysing and assessing the business excellence of organisations in the public sector, specifically in the healthcare industry (hospitals). He presents the key attributes (select healthcare aspects) that define the quality of healthcare services for its key participants, i.e., patients and the payers of these services. These attributes, namely technical performance, interpersonal relationships, amenities and access, patient preferences, efficiency and cost effectiveness, are then highlighted by select business excellence criteria, mainly referring to the stakeholders’ perception of the organisation in question and business performance indicators. The author rounds off his paper with a couple of recommendations regarding the identification of strengths and areas for continuous improvement, which he, as a leading assessor with many years’ experience, including in the healthcare industry, considers as the most important aspect of business excellence analysis.

A Comparison of Life Cycle Impact of Mass Timber and Concrete in Building Construction

Life cycle assessment, LCA is one of the tools that is used to measure the environmental impacts of a process or an operation. Various studies have mentioned the benefits of mass timber in building construction. This study presents an evaluation of the LCA of certain mass timber in relation to concrete-based materials. Using Athena impact estimator for buildings, the study compared the results of an LCA study for a house that is designed with concrete beams, concrete columns, and concrete walls with brick in the envelope category (Material group 1) with those that are made with glulam beams, glulam columns, CLT walls with spruce wood bevel siding (Material group 2), and another building with LVL columns, LVL beams, CLT walls with spruce wood bevel siding (Material group 3). The results are in line with those that were reported by the majority of previous researchers. For the location that is being reviewed (Calgary, Alberta), the designs showed that construction with wood materials having mass timber components will have a better environmental performance than that for a building design with more concrete-based materials. The building design with more concrete-based material (group 1) showed 242% and 60% higher global warming and acidification potential respectively than the building with glulam beams and columns (material group 2). Except for ozone depletion potential, material group 2 (with glulam beams and columns) has a lower impact than material group 3 (with LVL/PSL beams and columns). The differences in impacts are more pronounced when the comparison is with design with more concrete-based products. This report further shows that LCA can be helpful during the preliminary design to evaluate the expected environmental impacts of the choice of different materials. This study recommends that material manufacturers and building contractors pay attention to LCA results to evaluate areas for continuous improvement.

Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Experience in a Newly Established Cancer Center in Nigeria

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> The purpose of this project is to document the experience of breast cancer radiation therapy for a newly established cancer center in Nigeria. The documented experiences will provide insights to radiation oncology practice in this low- and middle-income country setting as a reference in global oncology <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> IRB approved analysis of data from 83 breast cancer patients was conducted to determine patient characteristics and dosimetric parameters including average, median, maximum and minimum radiotherapy doses to different organs-at-risk (OARs) for the patients treated. The mean thyroid dose, lung V20Gy, and heart V5Gy were selected as critical points of interest as literature suggests these values to be good predictors of various complications including hypothyroidism, lung perfusion and pneumonitis, and increased cardiac mortality risk, respectively. <h3>Results</h3> The mean and median ages of patients presenting at the cancer center with breast cancer for radiotherapy was about 50 years and 49 years, respectively. This is significantly less than the median age for whites (63 years) and Blacks (56 years) presenting in the United States. About 1 out of 4 patients assessed was HER2 positive, and nearly 80% of patients had positive lymph node status. Meanwhile, average prescription dose to the treated breast was 41.8 Gy. The mean dose to the thyroid among the treated patients was 22.1 Gy, on the lower end of predictive doses regarding risks of hypothyroidism development (V10Gy-V80Gy). The average lung V20Gy in this cohort was 18.9% the total ipsilateral lung volume. On average, the mean dose to the contralateral breast was 2.7 Gy. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Breast cancer patients in Nigeria often present relatively younger and with advanced disease requiring surgery and radiotherapy. The current breast radiotherapy treatment practice in this new cancer center provides a solid foundation for quality treatment delivery. The ongoing analysis in this project provides a foundation for more research to assess long term toxicity and treatment response or survival and areas for continuous improvement and complementary or integrative interventions.

Sharing communicative responsibility: training US students in cooperative strategies for communicating across linguistic difference

Abstract The internationalization of Anglophone universities could allow English-dominant students to benefit from experience with English speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, but US students have often complained of difficulty communicating with such instructors, especially International Teaching Assistants (ITAs). Research has largely focused on helping ITAs assimilate linguistically and culturally, although many applied linguists suggest that ITAs’ students would also benefit from training in skills for communication across linguistic difference, through attention to their language attitudes, familiarity with diverse Englishes, and communication strategies. We report on an intervention designed to address all three, here focusing on students’ willingness to engage in collaborative communication strategies. The intervention, conducted in a computer science department and reaching over 300 first-year students from varied linguistic backgrounds, included an online and an in-class component, each lasting about an hour. This brief intervention resulted in small but significant gains in domestic undergraduates’ (n = 174) stated intention to engage in collaborative behavior with their ITAs, although our detailed examination of qualitative responses suggests important areas for continued improvement of the intervention. We discuss the potential for such interventions to facilitate institutional and cultural change, encouraging the recognition of the shared responsibility for successful communication.

Assessing Age-Friendly Community Progress: What Have We Learned?

The Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities has grown steadily over the past decade across the United States, however surprisingly little is known regarding their accomplishments to date. We utilized content analysis to assess the progress reported by American age-friendly communities (n = 30) that joined by end of year 2015 using the Age-Friendly Community Evidence-based Tool with expanded program evaluation measures including health equity as defined by the World Health Organization. We employed deductive analytic techniques to assess reported community performance in eleven thematic areas across the range of structures and processes that characterize age-friendly efforts. We found strong evidence in the areas of leadership and governance, harnessed resources, application of age-friendly framework, and in multisector collaboration as well as reported provisions. All of the communities reported health equity aims, particularly in promoting accessible physical environments and social inclusion efforts. Our analysis further revealed areas for continued improvement.

Epidemic disease risks and implications for Veterinary Services

Growth in the livestock sector is associated with heightened risk for epidemic diseases. The increasing spillover of new diseases from wildlife is being driven by wide-scale anthropogenic changes allowing for more frequent and closer wildlife–human and wildlife–livestock contacts. An increasing number of epidemics in livestock are associated with rapid transition of livestock systems from extensive to intensive, and local to global movement of livestock and their products through value chain networks with weak biosecurity. Major livestock epidemics in the past two decades have had substantial economic impacts, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the devastating socio-economic consequences that spillovers can have when not identified and controlled early in the process of emergence. This highlights the importance of Veterinary Services to integrated, whole-of-society efforts to control infectious diseases in animals. Emphasis within Veterinary Services must be placed on prevention and preparedness. The authors suggest four areas for continued improvement in Veterinary Services to meet this challenge. These are a) continued development of staff capacity for risk assessment and value chain analysis, together with improved policies and communication, b) appropriate adaptation of approaches to prevention and control in resource-poor settings, c) improved multi-sectoral and transboundary cooperation, which enables the sharing of resources and expertise, and d) systematic approaches that enable Veterinary Services to influence decisionmaking for trade, markets, business, public health, and livelihood development at the national and regional levels.

Appraising the Quality of Diocesan Catholic Education in accordance with Philippine Catholic Schools Standards

Catholic education is linked to the Church's evangelical mission. However, Catholic schools are confronted with the deterioration of values, teacher turnover, and decline in enrolment, posing threats to their mission and operation (Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines [CEAP], 2016). Hence, this assessed the quality of Catholic education of Antique diocesan schools using the Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS). Further, it identified areas for continuous improvement in the Catholic school operation. It also correlated the respondents’ age, sex, length of service, and designation with the quality assessment. With the descriptive-correlational design, the 120 school personnel responded through a standardized PCSS questionnaire. Generally, the assessment was rated “fully meets benchmark” with Catholic identity and mission as the highest and operational vitality as the lowest. The correlation showed no relationship between the age, sex, and length of service with the quality assessment while little if any relationship with the designation. Accordingly, the quality of Catholic education is attained through continuous adherence to the standards. With this, stakeholders’ collaboration is necessary.