Awareness Of Opportunities Research Articles

Are women's entrepreneurial intentions and motivations influenced by financial skills?

PurposeThis study aims to determine the contribution of financial skills to entrepreneurial intentions among women involved in university education.Design/methodology/approachClustering and logistic regression analyses were used to infer the determinants and motivators of entrepreneurial intention in a sample of women students at a Spanish online university.FindingsFinancial and numerical skills could play a significant role in boosting entrepreneurial culture, overcoming reticence and increasing awareness of business opportunities, particularly when women are motivated to increase their autonomy and income. The study offers meaningful implications for policymakers.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research will be needed before these conclusions may be inferred to other settings and circumstances. Comparison with a similar sample of potential male entrepreneurs may also be necessary to deduce the influence of gender.Practical implicationsThe introduction of certain financial content into the education system by governments and policymakers would produce remarkable results on entrepreneurship intention among women.Social implicationsRelational capital and positive social influences also contribute to mitigating the effects of risk aversion, one of the main barriers for potential female entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe role of financial literacy in entrepreneurial intention among women has scarcely been addressed in academic research. The literature also has paid little attention to the analysis of what motivates women into entrepreneurship, and whether women who decide to embark on a business venture show different profiles. The aim of this study is to contribute to closing these gaps, exploring the effect of cognitive skills, personality traits, contextual factors and motivations.

POTENSI USAHA TANI DAN MODAL SOSIAL PETANI UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN AGROWISATA DI DESA SANDA, PUPUAN-TABANAN

Sanda Village has the potential to be developed as an object of agro-tourism because of the diversity of farming business consisting of coffee, coconut, cocoa, clove and natural beauty with rice terraces on a mountainous background. The development of community-based agro-tourism is believed to provide benefits for the welfare of farmers, because it provides employment and community business opportunities. As one of the economic empowerment offorts of rural communities, the development of agro-tourism in Sanda Village requires support and efforts to optimize the resources owned, both human and natural resources. In the context of human development, social capital has a large influence in terms of the ability to solve the complexity of shared problems, encourage change, foster collective awareness and look for opportunities for prosperity. Social capital in the village of Sanda is able to strengthen mutual trust in the community. Actualization of social capital for the development of agro-tourism in Sanda Village will be able to create mutual respect between individuals and groups in the synergy of business activities.

Specialty chemicals production case study: Economic analysis of modular chemical process intensification versus conventional stick‐built approaches

AbstractThe beneficial synergies of chemical process intensification and plant modularization present a unique step‐wise advancement opportunity for many chemical manufacturers, but economic case studies are needed to raise awareness of such opportunities. The primary objective of this case study is to better understand the business case economics of a specialty chemical plant using modular chemical process intensification (MCPI), by comparing it with that of a conventional stick‐built (CSB) plant that produces the same product at the same production capacity. When comparing MCPI against CSB approaches for a plant project strategy decision, analysts should thoroughly understand and model the differences and similarities in scope bases. The MCPI approach for this case study benefitted from dramatic reductions in capital expenditures (CAPEX). A sizeable reduction in plant spatial volume likely explains some of these reductions. Sizeable operational expenditure (OPEX) reductions with the MCPI plant appear to be associated with the reduced operator staffing required from converting a labor‐intensive batch process into an automated, continuous flow process. Traditional project investment economic measures strongly favored the MCPI case for the design, construction, and operation of the specialty chemical plant. The net present value for the MCPI case was nearly twice that for the CSB case over a ten‐year period, and the payback period for the CSB case was nearly five times longer than that of the MCPI case. The opinion‐based perspective of the study participant identified significant contributors to superior MCPI economic performance for this case study. With the two conditions of low MCPI CAPEX and high product profit margin, economic analysis indicates that incorporation of a backup MCPI train, for operational redundancy when downtime occurs, is a very beneficial strategy.

Curriculum mapping as a boundary encounter: meeting the demands of multiple agendas

This paper illustrates the use of curriculum mapping as a process that can support productive boundary encounters between lecturers in an initial teacher education (ITE) programme as part of curriculum review. Using mathematics as the context, lecturers in a 1-year primary graduate ITE programme developed a curriculum map to identify the mathematical thinking opportunities available to their pre-service teachers in their courses and across the programme. The coordinated approach to curriculum analysis/mapping expanded lecturers’ definition of mathematical skills and reasoning and their awareness of opportunities their students had to engage with mathematical ideas. The mapping process included collaborative discussions, document analysis and iterative development of a curriculum map. In an overcrowded curriculum, which responds to government policies and university initiatives such as embedding critical literacy, mathematical foundations and cross-disciplinary study, the mapping process has potential to meet multiple demands and agendas. In our study, the mapping process and the map offered purposeful and productive grounds for learning and development. They were central to facilitating dialogic boundary encounters between programme lecturers resulting in the re-conceptualisation of course and programme curriculum boundaries. We expect study findings will be of interest to programme leaders, lecturers and researchers facing the challenge of identifying and supporting the development of competencies and multi-literacies that span courses and programmes.

Effects of Diabetes Prevention Education Program for Overweight and Obese Subjects with a Family History of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study from the United Arab Emirates

ObjectivesThe association of obesity and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) provides an opportunity for risk stratification and prevention, as these two conditions are the most well-known risk factors for T2DM. We aimed to test the feasibility and effects of a diabetes mellitus prevention education program designed for overweight and obese Emirati people with at least one parent with T2DM.MethodsWe conducted a pilot study using a pre-post design without a control arm at the Diabetes Center at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, UAE. Overweight and obese subjects with at least one parent with T2DM were invited to participate. Three study assessments were conducted at baseline, three months, and six months including a questionnaire, anthropometry, and laboratory assessments. Interventions included three individualized or family-engaged counseling sessions based on the DiAlert protocol. The study outcomes included awareness of risks and prevention opportunities to T2DM, behavior changes in nutrition and exercise, decreased waist-circumference, and clinical/metabolic/inflammatory markers. Pre-post changes were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.ResultsOne hundred twenty-two overweight or obese individuals were approached. Forty-four individuals met the eligibility criteria, and 32 individuals (35.0±9.0 years; 75.0% female) completed the study. At six months, there were significant improvements in the glycated hemoglobin levels (p = 0.007), high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.049), serum creatinine (p < 0.025), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.009), and adiponectin levels (p < 0.024). Sixteen of 32 participants had ≥ 2 cm reduction in waist circumference. They demonstrated notable physical and laboratory improvements in moderate-vigorous activity, average activity counts per day, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein.ConclusionsOffering family-oriented diabetes education to people at risk for T2DM is well received and has favorable effects on relevant risk factors. Better testing with large-scale randomized controlled studies is needed, and implementing similar educational programs for the Emirati population seems warranted.

Analysis of impact of participate in agritourism on farmers household’s income in Lam Dong province

The study uses the descriptive statistical method, the logistic regression method and the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to analyze the impact of participation in agritourism on farmer household's income in Lam Dong province. The study garners survey data from 325 respondents (including 189 paticipants and 136 non-participants agritourism). The research results of the Logistic model show characteristic groups of household heads (factors of education); groups of farm characteristics factor (labor, distance, loan, farmer household income), and groups of awareness and, attitudes (awareness of agritourism, awareness of investment opportunities, awareness of income investment attraction) have an impact on the farmers' decisions to participate in agritourism in Lam Dong province. The study also shows that the correct prediction rate of the whole model is 85.5%. In addition, the results of the PSM methodology show the impact of the decision to conduct business agritourism business on the household income and there is a significant difference in income between the two groups of households participating and not participating in agritourism. This is the foundation for the study to propose a number of policy implications to promote and encourage farmer households to participate in the agritourism business, helping farmers improve income and contributing to the development of agritourism in Lam Dong province.

Willingness to participate in research among black patients with liver disease: A national cross-sectional study.

In the United States, Black people are disproportionately diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared with White people but are under-represented in HCV studies. In this US-based cross-sectional telephone survey study, we assessed willingness to participate (WTP) in health/medical research and attitudes and beliefs that may influence WTP among Black patients with HCV. Two hundred participants who had current or prior HCV diagnosis and self-identified as Black or African American were recruited from a national HCV cohort study and an outpatient hepatology clinic. WTP responses ranged from 1 (not at all willing) to 5 (very willing). Multivariable models were used to identify factors associated with the overall mean WTP score. In addition, an open-ended question solicited strategies to help increase research participation from the Black community. Overall, participants reported moderate WTP in research (Mean [95% Confidence Interval (CI)]=3.78 [3.68, 3.88]). Of 13 types of research presented, participants reported lowest WTP for randomized controlled trials of medications (Mean [95% CI]=2.31 [2.11, 2.50]). The initial multivariable model identified higher subjective knowledge of research as positively associated with WTP (Parameter estimate [95% CI]=0.15 [0.02, 0.27]). Sensitivity analyses also identified higher perceived benefits of research as an additional factor associated with WTP. Qualitative findings indicate that greater community-based outreach efforts would increase accessibility of research opportunities. When given the opportunity to participate, Black participants with HCV reported moderate WTP in health/medical research. Research sponsors and investigators should employ community-based outreach to expand access and awareness of research opportunities.

Awareness of climate risks and opportunities: empirical evidence on determinants and value from the U.S. and European insurance industry

In this paper, we study the awareness of European and U.S. insurance companies of climate-related risks and opportunities using a respective indicator from the Refinitiv Eikon database that uses reporting data. Based on this, we examine the determinants and value of the awareness of business risks and opportunities resulting from climate change, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been done so far, despite its increasing and specific relevance for the insurance industry. We use a logistic regression analysis as well as a linear fixed effects model for a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018. Our results show that larger European insurers are significantly more likely to exhibit such awareness. When controlling for subsectors, property & casualty insurers tend to be aware of the risks and opportunities resulting from climate change. Moreover, when using the linear fixed effects model, we find a statistically significant positive value effect on Tobin’s Q.

The future for Mediterranean wetlands: 50 key issues and 50 important conservation research questions.

Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future challenges and opportunities for Mediterranean wetlands, and to inform proactive research and management, we identified (a) 50 key issues that might affect Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050, and (b) 50 important research questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050. We gathered ideas through an online survey and review of recent literature. A diverse assessment panel prioritised ideas through an iterative, anonymised, Delphi-like process of scoring, voting and discussion. The prioritised issues included some that are already well known but likely to have a large impact on Mediterranean wetlands in the next 30 years (e.g. the accumulation of dams and reservoirs, plastic pollution and weak governance), and some that are currently overlooked in the context of Mediterranean wetlands (e.g. increasing desalination capacity and development of antimicrobial resistance). Questions largely focused on how best to carry out conservation interventions, or understanding the impacts of threats to inform conservation decision-making. This analysis will support research, policy and practice related to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean, and provides a model for similar analyses elsewhere in the world.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-020-01743-1.

Frameworks for Radiation Oncology Global Health Initiatives in US Residency Programs.

PURPOSETo understand trends, pathways, and experiences and to establish a framework for radiation oncology (RO) programs interested in developing global health (GH) initiatives.METHODSAn in-depth interview was conducted of all US RO programs with established GH initiatives. Programs were identified by reviewing results of the 2018 Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Global Health Resident Survey and individualized outreach to screen for additional programs meeting the following criteria: (1) active resident involvement in RO-specific GH opportunities, (2) active faculty involvement in these initiatives, and (3) department chair or program director awareness and support for ongoing opportunities. Among 88 residency programs, 11 were identified. Standardized questions explored the type of initiative, planning, staff and resident involvement, challenges, components to success, and history of programs through December 2018.RESULTSBetween 2010 and 2018, 11 programs started initiatives. Total resident participants ranged from one to 13 (median = 3) in each program's history. Initiatives spanned education (n = 9 [82%]), clinical mentorship (73%), innovative technology (55%), bilateral hosting programs (45%), clinical development and equipment (45%), promotion of local research (36%), clinical care (36%), industry partnerships (27%), and remote tumor board (18%). Faculty involvement included radiation oncologists (91%), medical physicists (55%), and non-RO department faculty (27%). Six programs (55%) had faculty with prior GH experience. Four (36%) programs reported medical student involvement in projects. Barriers included international communication (36%), time for faculty (18%), funding (9%), and legal (9%) concerns. Commonest components of success included fostering relationships with international sites and identifying needs before solutions.CONCLUSIONRO GH initiatives were reported as positive, educational, and feasible across 11 US residency programs. Growth is expected, representing opportunities for innovation and service among US programs.

Creative entrepreneurs' artistic creativity and entrepreneurial alertness: the guanxi network perspective

PurposeThe dichotomy of views on “arts for arts sake” and “art must meet commerce” elicits the clash about how creative entrepreneurs encounter the dilemma of fulfilling personal satisfaction and chasing entrepreneurial aspiration along the entrepreneurial process. It is argued whether or not creative entrepreneurs can integrate artistic creativity and entrepreneurial alertness to disentangle the conflict and tension between art and commerce in the guanxi embedded culture context. The complex guanxi ties of creative entrepreneurs identified as bonding ties with families, bridging ties with friends and social ties with colleagues are presumed to activate personal and social values.Design/methodology/approachThe research design consists of two stages: face-to-face interviews and empirical survey. A total of four successful local creative entrepreneurs in craft arts were interviewed and asked questions related to their source of creative inspiration, market alertness and value creation. Findings derived from interviews enrich the questionnaire development of the empirical survey. The survey was conducted to realize the social phenomenon of creative entrepreneurs' guanxi, cognitive process and satisfaction with Taiwan's creative industry context. In total, 318 creative entrepreneurs’ responses were collected and analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsResults suggest that guanxi networks lead to the acquisition of various social resources that are conducive to alertness in entrepreneurial opportunities and stimulate artistic creativity, which in turn gratify creative entrepreneurs' senses of entrepreneurial satisfaction with life, work and social contribution, as well as achieve higher entrepreneurial aspiration, perceived as social recognition and meaning of work.Practical implicationsResults of this study enrich the understanding of creative entrepreneurs and their awareness of balancing opportunity alerting and artistic creativity while starting creative businesses. Diverseness and closeness of guanxi networks can fill the gap between art and market and further pave the way to winning aspiration.Originality/valueThis paper advances the existing literature on creative entrepreneurship by adopting guanxi network theory to explore entrepreneurs' cognitive process in the linkage of artistic creativity and entrepreneurial alertness and their mediating effects on perceived entrepreneurial satisfaction and aspiration.

Transparency, trust and minimizing burden to increase recruitment and retention in trials: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo describe patient perspectives on recruitment and retention in clinical trials. Study Design and SettingSystematic review of qualitative studies that reported the perspective of adult patients with any health condition who accepted or declined to participate in clinical trials. ResultsSixty-three articles involving 1681 adult patients were included. Six themes were identified. Four themes reflected barriers: ambiguity of context and benefit – patients were unaware of the research question and felt pressured in making decisions; lacking awareness of opportunities – some believed health professionals obscured trials opportunities, or felt confused because of language barriers; wary of added burden – patients were without capacity because of sickness or competing priorities; and skepticism, fear and mistrust – patients feared loss of privacy, were suspicious of doctor's motivation, afraid of being a guinea pig, and disengaged from not knowing outcomes. Two themes captured facilitators: building confidence – patients hoped for better treatment, were supported from family members and trusted medical staff; and social gains and belonging to the community – altruism, a sense of belonging and peer encouragement motivated participation in trials. ConclusionImproving the visibility and transparency of trials, supporting informed decision making, minimizing burden, and ensuring confidence and trust may improve patient participation in trials.

A scholarly concentration program to promote public health nursing for generalist Clinical Nurse Leader students.

The number of public health nurses has decreased consistently and significantly since the 1920's. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the need for more public health nurses in the workforce. The number of novice nurses entering into public health roles is declining, demonstrating a clear need to mentor pre-licensure nursing students into the public health nursing workforce. Scholarly concentration (SC) programs are a method to explore specialty roles through in-depth scholarly activities, outside of core curriculum. However, SC programs have not been described in the nursing literature. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a SC program to engage pre-licensure Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) students in scholarly activities related to public health nursing. This Public Health Nurse Scholars program was developed in 2014 with the goal of developing a cadre of generalist CNL students with experiences in public health nursing scholarly activities. The program aimed to increase awareness of career and scholarship opportunities through mentorship with public health nursing faculty. Students were encouraged to attend and present at professional conferences, participate in active scholarly projects and conduct quality improvement projects from a public health nursing perspective. The program was designed to foster students' public health nursing leadership and presentation skills and enhance their self-directed learning. To date, 46 pre-licensure nursing students were selected as Public Health Nurse Scholars. Sixty-seven percent (n=31) have graduated as Public Health Nurse Scholars; 33% (n=15) are current Public Health Nurse Scholars. Twelve public health nursing faculty have served as mentors. As a result of the program 15 scholars attended and 3 scholars presented respectively at community/public health nursing conferences, and several scholars had related professional development opportunities. A majority of Public Health Nurse Scholars have designed and implemented a capstone quality improvement project with a public health nursing perspective, 15 of which were completed at community-based sites. In the face of our current global, public health crisis, there is a clear need to develop a cadre of novice nurses prepared to enter the public health nursing workforce. The Public Health Nurse Scholars program shows promise towards encouraging an interest in public health nursing scholarship. Schools of nursing may consider the implementation of similar SC programs as an approach to mentor pre-licensure nurses in other specialty areas such as gerontological and neonatal nursing.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OF THE ELDERLY

The world tendencies of population aging, international and domestic practices of adaptation of the socio-economic environment to the deformation of the age structure of the population in the context of social responsibility are highlighted. The effects of population aging on the country's economy are substantiated. Emphasis is placed on changing economic activities, services, medicine, education, labor market, social sphere, tax system. The importance of socio-economic activation of the elderly population of Ukraine in the conditions of demographic crisis and increase of life expectancy are proved.&#x0D; The world and national normative documents in the aspect of formation of socio-economic strategies, policies, practical activities of governments to minimize the present and future consequences of population aging have been studied.&#x0D; The domestic practices of social activation of the elderly are considered. Over the past decade, many social projects have been implemented in Ukraine within the cooperation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and international foundations to enhance the participation of elderly people in the society. In particular, recreational centers, Universities of the third age and individual training courses have been created, forums and festivals are being held, volunteering is being developed. However, the coverage of elderly people by project activity in this area is low. Social projects are mainly concentrated in large cities and level of awareness of available opportunities is quite low.&#x0D; The main aspects of social integration of the elderly are analyzed on the example of the rural population of Skolivshchyna (Skole district). The results of the sociological survey show that most elderly people consider themselves to be needed and important to the community. The activity of the elderly is low: 7 % of respondents consider themselves to be inactive, 56 % are less active, 32 % are more active, and only 5 % consider themselves unambiguously active. The motivation factors for the inclusion of elderly people in public activities are the need to be in the team (35 %), the need for socially important activities (28 %), the unwillingness to stay at home (11 %), the need for self-actualization (8 %).&#x0D; The ways of increasing social responsibility in the direction of social integration of the elderly in Ukraine are suggestedin order to adapt the socio-economic sphere to the trends of population aging.

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening behaviour of women attending gynaecological clinics in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study.

Objective:Although cervical cancer could be prevented through medical screening, it remains one of the top causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality all over the world. A number of factors may contribute to cervical cancer screening behaviour of women. The aim of this study was to investigate factors related to cervical cancer screening behaviour of women in Kazakhstan.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey-based study with a total of 1189 participants. Women attending gynaecological clinics aged between 18 and 70 years were administered paper-based questionnaires about their awareness of cervical cancer, the associated risk factors, and cervical cancer screening. Student t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test and chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, where appropriate, were used to determine associations with categorical independent variables.Results:The mean age of participants was 36.5 ± 10.1 years. Less than half (45.7%) of the participants had been screened for cervical cancer. The key factors related to the cervical cancer screening behaviour of women in this study included age, having a larger number of children, regular menstrual function, awareness of Pap smear test, and free screening programme for cervical cancer, and the causal association of human papillomavirus with cervical cancer.Conclusion:This study revealed several significant factors predicting screening behaviour in Kazakhstani women. To improve the rate of screening, there is a need to increase public knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and opportunities for the free screening programme in the female population of Kazakhstan.

Implementation Science: An Essential Tool for Advancing DrPH Practice

This commentary describes how implementation science (IS) complements and adds value to public health decision making, applied research, and practice. The commentary then presents opportunities for integrating IS into public health, with a specific focus on engagement of Doctors of Public Health (DrPHs) in IS research and a call for advanced training in IS for DrPHs. IS can advance public health by improving the translation of research into practice and policy and by addressing health inequities. IS has an increasing focus on incorporating health equity into its frameworks, enhancing community and stakeholder engagement in IS, studying the implementation of multilevel interventions, as well as policy implementation science. IS examines and influences how we move evidence into practice; therefore, it is essential to have practitioners engaged in the field. There is an obvious role for IS to augment foundational DrPH training. Specifically for DrPHs, expertise in IS would elevate leadership and applied research competencies, facilitating evidence-based decision making in policy and practice. In order to achieve this goal, greater awareness of opportunities to build IS capacity and engage in IS research is needed.

Measuring competitive intelligence Network and its role on Business Performance

Changes and uncertainties have compelled a dramatic change in organizational fundamentals over the last two decades. Owing to internal and external pressures, businesses have been forced to closely track their environments in order to build awareness of opportunities and obstacles in order to stay competitive. The aim of this study is to look into the role of competitive intelligence in small and medium businesses in Iraq's Kurdistan region making business performance. However, the researchers measured the direct impact on business performance at small and medium businesses using five competitive intelligence dimensions (extensiveness' network, third-party strategy, Homophily, Issue awareness, and promotion effort). Furthermore, the researchers used competitive intelligence as a mediator to quantify its impact on business performance, allowing the analysis to explore the indirect role of competitive intelligence. To investigate the role of competitive intelligence in making business performance at small and medium businesses in Iraq's Kurdistan region, the researchers used hierarchal multiple regression and the Sobel test. However, the researchers measured the direct impact on business performance at small and medium businesses using five competitive intelligence dimensions (extensiveness network, third-party strategy, homophily, issue awareness, and promotion effort). Furthermore, the researchers used competitive intelligence as a mediator to quantify its impact on business performance, allowing the analysis to explore the indirect role of competitive intelligence. Competitive intelligence dimensions (extensiveness network, third-party strategy, homophily, issue awareness, and promotion effort) were used to assess the direct and indirect effect of competitive intelligence on business performance at small and medium businesses.

Route of Development of Foreign Language Education in Universities in Xinjiang, China in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative

The most important competition of the 21st century is that of talents. How to make higher education and the cultivation of talents contribute to the long-term national development agenda and the construction of a community of a shared future for mankind is a significant task and mission of higher education in China. The Belt and Road Initiative is one of the means to share the Chinese experiences, Chinese wisdom and bonus of reform and opening-up. Construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the implementation of the Open Up West Program call for talents to contribute to the regional development. It has brought both opportunities and challenges to foreign language education in universities and colleges in Xinjiang. The cultivation of talents in foreign language education must integrate into the scope of internationalization in national higher education and meet its expectations of talents by focusing on fostering character and civic virtue, maintaining and serving regional social stability and long-term security and pursuing development in the long run. The tripartite route of development is as follows. Firstly, it is expected to design and carry out the tasks and agenda in line with China’s Ministry of Education’s concern of internationalization in higher education. Secondly, it is vital to focus on important aspects with a deep awareness of opportunities and challenges of internationalization. Thirdly, it is of practical significance to explore various potentials of development through Sino-Russian cooperation in faculty training and development, cultivation of talents, scientific research and cultural exchange with the help of platforms of cooperation in operation. With the joint efforts of both parties, there is hope that the cultivation of talents in foreign language education will bolster mutual capabilities in serving the Belt and Road Initiative.

If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants

Abstract Introduction: The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports the creation of program infrastructure promoting scientific collaboration and improvement in translational research. While most evaluations of these and similar programs focus on scientific outcomes such as grants and publications, few studies investigate the underlying mechanisms through which large infrastructure grants produce scientific or translational benefits. This study investigated how engagement – researchers’ interactions with CTSA-funded resources – can help to increase scientific productivity. Methods: Authors 1) developed process indicators to define engagement in the CTSA infrastructure at Washington University in St. Louis in four general categories (core service use, internal funding, mentor-mentee opportunities, and leadership roles); 2) explored the relationship between CTSA engagement and scholarly productivity; and 3) compared the relationships between engagement and productivity across gender and race/ethnicity. Mixed effects Poisson regressions modeled productivity outcomes on engagement, controlling for demographic and academic characteristics. Results: CTSA members who were engaged were more likely to publish papers and submit grants when compared to others. They were more likely to receive external grant awards – 10% to 20% percent more – than those who were not engaged. Productivity disparities between men and women and to a lesser extent across categories of race and ethnicity persisted even in samples matched on previous productivity levels. Conclusions: CTSAs could see larger growth in scientific productivity by increasing researcher engagement and addressing demographic disparities – possibly through focused communications to raise awareness of opportunities – and dissemination of case studies and success stories of engagement to membership.

EXPLORING THE INTEGRATIONS OF MALL INTO ENGLISH TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR INDONESIAN EFL STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The use of mobile technology for education is on the rise across the world, especially in Indonesia. However, there are concerns in making such an educational revolution as mobile technology may introduce negative side effects to the Indonesian students. Also, only a few studies have discussed the use of mobile technology in Indonesian secondary schools. Those circumstances potentially make many stakeholders doubt the proper implementation of mobile technology-based learning and the possible challenges, especially in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. Thus, this paper is aimed to provide theoretical insights into the implementation of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) for secondary school students in EFL classrooms. A secondary source analysis through systematic review was employed to generate the findings, focusing on MALL and EFL primary research and government documents related to education in secondary schools. Based on the findings, this paper offers an improved teaching and learning approach based on collaborative learning and task-based language teaching (TBLT) to facilitate better implementation and integration of MALL in EFL classrooms. In addition, the findings also show possible challenges during the implementation of MALL in Indonesia for future considerations, such as the technology readiness of EFL stakeholders and teachers’ pedagogical issues related to mobile learning. Lastly, this paper is expected to raise awareness of MALL opportunities and open more paths for more primary research regarding the implementations of MALL in Indonesian EFL classrooms.