Higher Skills Research Articles

Environmental regulation and labor demand: Evidence from China's air pollution prevention and Control Action Plan

In response to environmental regulatory pressure from the government, enterprises – as the main employers of labor – adjust their production-related choices and may alter their demand for labor. Numerous researches have probed into how environmental regulations affect the labor demand, which has emerged as a significant concern in the discourse around the adoption of environmental regulation policies. Nonetheless, many researches predominantly concentrates on the evaluation on the effects of environmental regulations on economic and environmental levels. Moreover, rare attention has been paid to how environmental regulations affect social activities, especially in terms of labor demands. As a result, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) is adopted as a “quasi-natural experiment” and a difference-in-differences model is employed to analyze the effects of the APPCAP on labor demands of companies. Hence, the 2008–2020 panel data are considered for the 3,949 Chinese A-share listed enterprises. Furthermore, this paper probes deeply into the underlying mechanisms based on mediation models. The following findings are thus concluded: (1) The labor demands of enterprises can be remarkably increased by APPCAP; and the result is still persuasive even though the endogeneity issues are taken into account. (2) APPCAP improves enterprise labor demand through the output and factor substitution effects. (3) As evidently revealed by heterogeneity analysis, the APPCAP could significant positive affect the labor demand size in state-owned companies, large-scale companies, new companies, and companies in polluting industries. (4) The APPCAP strikingly boosts the demand for labor force with high skills. Nevertheless, it exerts little influence on the demand for labor force with low skills and company salary levels. Therefore, the government must continue to steadfastly implement environmental regulatory policies but adopt different policies based on enterprise characteristics. Overall, this study provides micro-level experimental evidence for more in-depth understanding of how environmental policies affect labor market, which is particularly important for actively resolving social employment problems and exploring new growth points in enterprise employment.

Agile model-driven re-engineering

AbstractIn this paper we describe an Agile model-driven engineering (MDE) approach, AMDRE, for the re-engineering of legacy systems. The objective is to support the reuse of business-critical functionality from such systems and the porting of legacy code to modernised platforms, together with technical debt reduction to improve the system maintainability and extend its useful life. AMDRE uses a lightweight MDE process which involves the automated abstraction of software systems to UML specifications and the interactive application of refactoring and rearchitecting transformations to remove quality flaws and architectural flaws. We demonstrate the approach on Visual Basic, COBOL and Python legacy codes, including a finance industry case. Significant quality improvements are achieved, and translation accuracy over 80% is demonstrated. In comparison to other MDE re-engineering approaches, AMDRE does not require high MDE skills and should be usable by mainstream software practitioners.

Political skill amplifies the beneficial effects of leader humor on actors’ work engagement via psychological capital

Existing research provides substantial evidence of the positive effects of leader humour on followers and their teams. However, less attention has been given to understanding how such behaviour benefits leaders. This study, grounded in the Conservation of Resources theory, introduces and tests a model that clarifies the mechanisms and conditions under which leader humour benefits these individuals. The study findings, derived from data collected from 137 supervisors in an experience sampling study and 134 supervisors in a three-wave field study, consistently show a positive correlation between leader humour and leader psychological capital, which subsequently enhances leader work engagement. Moreover, the magnitude of this positive effect depends on the leader’s political skill level, with those possessing high political skill reaping greater benefits from leader humour. The results suggest that leader humour is an effective method for supervisors to gain psychological resources.

Adapting the process based STICS model to simulate phenology and yield of table grapes- a high value fruit crop in a new emerging viticulture zone of South Asia

Plants strongly interact with their environment making phenology a sensitive indicator of climatic variability. Exploring the possibility of early prediction of phenological timings of table grape cultivars has huge socioeconomic benefits for the growers. Various statistical, mechanistic, and theoretical approaches have been used for parameterization of phenology models mainly for wine grapes. The studies on application of process-based models such as STICS (Simulateur mulTIdisciplinaire pour les Cultures Standard) particularly for table grapes and non-traditional viticulture zones are rather limited. The objective of this study was to calibrate the STICS model and evaluate its performance to simulate phenology and yield of four table grape cultivars in Pothwar- a new emerging viticulture zone of south Asia. For this, phenological timings, growth and yield responses were evaluated at two locations (Islamabad and Chakwal) for two consecutive vintages (2019 and 2020). Daily weather data, soil characteristics, genotype and crop specific data were recorded for model calibration. The results indicated a high robustness of the model for simulating table grapes phenology and yield in all cases. The model simulations indicated a satisfactory to high model efficiency (ME) of 0.69 to 0.94 with a prediction variability up to 4 days for growth stages, whereas ME for yield and pruning weight was 0.84 and 0.90, respectively. The model provided an efficient decision support tool (DST) though crucial predictions for viticulture industry. For instance, early maturity (up to 10 days), lesser yield (19–34 %) and pruning weight (19–42 %) for the warmer location (Chakwal) than for the colder Islamabad were simulated by the model with a high skill. The proximity of predicted values to observed values indicates that STICS is powerful tool for predicting vine phenology and yield, thus it provides a valuable insight in timely planning vineyards operations at key growth stages and selecting cultivars with higher yield for sustainable viticulture.

Librarians Technology Skills and Management of Electronic Information Resources in University Libraries in South-South Nigeria

This study investigated librarians technology skills and management of electronic information resources in university libraries in south-south Nigeria. Three research questions were developed, and one null hypothesis was formulated in relation to what the study sought to find out. A structured Questionnaire entitled Librarians’ Technology Skills and Management of Electronic Information Resources Questionnaire” (LTSMEIRQ) was developed and used for data collection while three experts were engaged to validate the instrument. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to be 0.97 using Person Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The questionnaire was used for collecting data from 242 respondents made of librarians in University libraries in South-South Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential to answer the raised research questions and the formulated hypothesis. The study affirmed that librarians in University libraries in South-South Nigeria possessed high level technology skills, also the study found that relationship exists between librarians technology skills and management of electronic information resources in university libraries in south-south Nigeria. The study recommended constant upskilling and reskilling of librarians in the University to remain relevant in the scheme of global development.

The Influence Of Students’ Creative Thingking Ability And Achievement Motivation On Vocational School Students’ Learning Outcomes

One of the objectives of vocational school education is to produce graduates who have adequate competence as indicated by the achievement of good learning achievement indicators. To get good learning achievement is influenced by many factors, including students' creative thinking ability and achievement motivation. From the results of this study using multiple regression analysis, it was found that the regression equation was Y = 6.929 + 0.053 X1 + 0.110 X2. Creative thinking ability and achievement motivation have a positive relationship with student learning outcomes. In other words, to improve student learning outcomes, students must have high creative thinking skills and high achievement motivation as well.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIALOGIC TEACHING FOR IMPROVING SPEAKING SKILLS AT A UNIVERSITY IN WEST JAVA

In the present day, English has become a crucial language that individuals must acquire proficiency in. It has been extensively taught as a second language in many locations throughout the globe for a considerable period of time. In the Indonesian context, the tertiary students seem to still lack of English skills despite prolonged duration of learning English. Therefore, an effective teaching strategy is needed to teach English to tertiary students for the best outcomes possible. An experimental study to investigate whether Dialogic Teaching strategy works well to improve English speaking skills was conducted at a university in West Java. In particular, this study reveals the students’ perceptions of the implementation of Dialogic Teaching in a speaking class through the use of focus group discussion involving six participants of low, medium and high speaking skills in English. A qualitative analysis was conducted and some findings were found, including: (1) students being more motivated when under pressure; (2) students earning confidence boost; (3) students acquiring creativities in presenting ideas; (4) students engaging in a dialogic discussion; (5) students wanting a balanced classroom activity; and (6) students aspiring to have outdoor learning activities.Keywords: Dialogic teaching; Perception; Speaking class; Speaking skills; Tertiary Education;

Upaya Meningkatkan Kemampuan Kognitif Anak Dengan Mengenalkan Konsep Bilangan Melalui Kartu Angka Di TK Pembina Negeri Sungai Penuh

Of all the students at TK Pembina Negeri Sungai Penuh, only six students (37.5%) have high numeracy skills. To teach children about numbers, the author wants to learn how to make number cards. The TK Pembina Negeri play group was the research population. Kemmis and Taggart's paradigm is used in collaborative classroom action research. Qualitative and quantitative descriptive percentage approaches were included in the data analysis process. Documentation and observation are the methods used to obtain data. There were two rounds of research. includes preparation, action and observation, as well as reflection in each cycle. The research subjects were six tens female students from TK Pembina Negeri Semester I for the 2023–2024 academic year. Research findings show that, with an accuracy rate of 89.2%, children's understanding of numerical concepts is in a good range.

Skillful seasonal prediction of wind energy resources in the contiguous United States

A key challenge with the wind energy utilization is that winds, and thus wind power, are highly variable on seasonal to interannual timescales because of atmospheric variability. There is a growing need of skillful seasonal wind energy prediction for energy system planning and operation. Here we demonstrate model’s capability in producing skillful seasonal wind energy prediction over the U.S. Great Plains during peak energy seasons (winter and spring), using seasonal prediction products from a climate model. The dominant source of that skillful prediction mainly comes from year-to-year variations of El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the tropical Pacific, which alters large-scale wind and storm track patterns over the United States. In the Southern Great Plains, the model can predict strong year-to-year wind energy changes with high skill multiple months in advance. Thus, this seasonal wind energy prediction capability offers potential benefits for optimizing wind energy utilization during peak energy production seasons.

The Effect of Peer-Assisted Technique Badminton Teaching Class in Primary School Students

Background and Aims: The need to explore alternative teaching methods in physical education for primary school students. This study likely aims to investigate the impact of incorporating peer-assisted techniques in badminton instruction, seeking to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for primary school students in the context of physical education. Thus, this study aimed to study the effects of peer-assisted badminton teaching selected course to improve learning outcomes in primary school students and to compare the effects of learning outcomes between the pretest and post-test Methodology: The sample consisted of 40 students from simple random sampling in five badminton classrooms, examined through pretest and post-tests Forehand deep high service skill, Forehand high clear skill, drop shot skill, forehand skill, backhand skill, and satisfaction survey on peer-assisted badminton course teaching. The experiment was conducted by following the peer-assisted badminton teaching selected course, 10 weeks duration. Then the data were prepared and analyzed statistically with a packet computer program to compute the mean and standard deviation and compare teaching achievement using a t-test dependent. (*p<.05) Results: (1) The effects of peer-assisted in badminton teaching selected courses to improve learning outcomes were found in the pretest and post-test of Forehand deep high service skill (11.26+2.59 and 16.00+4.03 score), Forehand high clear skill (3.95 + 1.15 score and 5.90 + 1.65 score), drop shot skill (4.60 + 2.47 score and 8.35 + 3.02 score), forehand-wall skill test (7.07+ 2.23 and 9.88 + 2.62 score), and backhand-wall skill test (9.63+ 2.43 score and 13.28 + 2.95 score), respectively. (2) The mean comparison between the pretest and post-test of badminton skills found that long sever skill test, highball skill test, drop shot skill test, forehand wall test, and backhand wall test, all of the variables had significant differences (*p<.05). The average score post-test of all variables was greater than the pretest. (3) The mean comparison of the satisfaction survey on peer technique in badminton course teaching between the pretest and post-test found that all variables had a significant difference (*p<.05). The average post-test score of all variables was greater than the pretest. Conclusion: The study evaluated the impact of peer-assisted teaching in badminton courses on learning outcomes. Results showed significant improvements in various skills, including forehand deep high service, forehand high clear, drop shot, forehand-wall, and backhand-wall skills. Additionally, a mean comparison between pretest and post-test scores indicated significant differences in long serve, highball, drop shot, forehand wall, and backhand wall skills, with post-test scores higher in all variables. Furthermore, the satisfaction survey demonstrated a significant increase in satisfaction with peer teaching techniques in badminton courses.

Role identities of emergency medical services personnel and their associations with intention to leave the profession

BackgroundThe scope of emergency medical services (EMS) has expanded from the urgent care of emergency patients to on-call healthcare services provided in the field with a holistic view of the patient’s wellbeing. This challenges EMS to find solutions to cover all demands, while simultaneously setting high skill requirements for EMS personnel. Understanding personnel is a critical element in developing functional and resistant EMS. The aim of this study was to investigate how Finnish EMS personnel emphasize the Emergency Medical Services Role Identity Scale aspects of caregiving, thrill-seeking, duty, and capacity; and if these role identities are associated with intention to leave the profession.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 616, 52% women, mean age 32.9 years). Data were collected through social media platforms and analyzed with means, standard deviations, Mann-Whitney U-tests, Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, and binary logistic regression analyses.ResultsOur results indicate that capacity is the most emphasized aspect among EMS personnel, and at the same time, it increases intention to leave EMS. Capacity was followed by caregiving, with no association with intention to leave. Duty and thrill-seeking were the least emphasized and were negatively associated with intention to leave. Additionally, there were also other factors that were associated with emphasizing EMS-RIS aspect and intention to leave.ConclusionCapacity stands out most strongly in analysis being at the core of the role identity of EMS personnel and was associated with a higher likelihood of leaving intentions. Several other factors were also associated with the intention to leave. Future studies should examine the exact dimensions of capacity that are considered important among EMS personnel and why factors such as work experience are associated with intentions to leave.

Traditional Wisdom of Malay Community in Coal Songket Cloth in Padang Ginting Village, Talawi District, Coal District

This study explains the traditional wisdom of the Malay community in manufacturing and using Coal songket cloth in Padang Ginting Village, Talawi District, Batu Bara Regency. Songket Batu Bara is a cultural heritage with high historical and aesthetic value. The purpose of this study is to explore, traverse, and understand the practice of making songket cloth, as well as the important role of this fabric in the lives of local people. Research methods used include ethnography, interviews, and documentation. The study results revealed that the Malay community in Padang Ginting Village has inherited knowledge and expertise in making coal songket cloth for generations. The process of making this songket involves many stages that require high skill and accuracy. Apart from being a traditional dress, the coal songket also has social and cultural significance in traditional ceremonies and local celebrations. The results of this study provide insight into the traditional wisdom of the Malay community in preserving cultural heritage and unique handicraft arts. A deeper understanding of Coal songket can make a positive contribution to maintaining the sustainability of the traditions and cultural richness of the Malay community in the area.

Developing the Potential of Women Foodpreneur by Using the Skill Will Matrix: A Case Study of Dapur Mawar Program

Small and medium-scale entrepreneurs mainly consist of women. Women's small businesses in developing communities can drive the economy for generations. To succeed in the business world, women entrepreneurs need to have high skills and knowledge. Entrepreneurship training and skills are essential, especially for potential entrepreneurs who want to develop and expand a business. Thus, it is essential to identify and evaluate existing and foreseeable skills and abilities. Entrepreneurial skills can be learned, formed, and mastered by an individual through the entrepreneurial education process or experience. The Dapur Mawar project aims to provide training and education for women foodprenuers. Before the training module's implementation, the trainers employed a skill-will matrix to examine the willingness and skills of trainees. This study uses a semi-structured interview method. Twenty-three women foodprenuers have been selected as key informants using purposive sampling. Deductive content analysis for analyzing qualitative data was employed to quantify the frequency of keywords. Pre-existing quadrants are applied to the data through a deductive approach. The findings revealed that critical informants could be categorized into two categories: 1) an entrepreneur with high skill and high motivation and 2) an entrepreneur with low skill and high motivation. The result of the analysis is used to prepare the Dapur Mawar program. The implications of the study and future research suggestions are also justified.

Current genetic models for studying congenital heart diseases: Advantages and disadvantages.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) encompasses a diverse range of structural and functional anomalies that affect the heart and the major blood vessels. Epidemiological studies have documented a global increase in CHD prevalence, which can be attributed to advancements in diagnostic technologies. Extensive research has identified a plethora of CHD-related genes, providing insights into the biochemical pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying this pathological state. In this review, we discuss the advantages and challenges of various In vitro and in vivo CHD models, including primates, canines, Xenopus frogs, rabbits, chicks, mice, Drosophila, zebrafish, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Primates are closely related to humans but are rare and expensive. Canine models are costly but structurally comparable to humans. Xenopus frogs are advantageous because of their generation of many embryos, ease of genetic modification, and cardiac similarity. Rabbits mimic human physiology but are challenging to genetically control. Chicks are inexpensive and simple to handle; however, cardiac events can vary among humans. Mice differ physiologically, while being evolutionarily close and well-resourced. Drosophila has genes similar to those of humans but different heart structures. Zebrafish have several advantages, including high gene conservation in humans and physiological cardiac similarities but limitations in cross-reactivity with mammalian antibodies, gene duplication, and limited embryonic stem cells for reverse genetic methods. iPSCs have the potential for gene editing, but face challenges in terms of 2D structure and genomic stability. CRISPR-Cas9 allows for genetic correction but requires high technical skills and resources. These models have provided valuable knowledge regarding cardiac development, disease simulation, and the verification of genetic factors. This review highlights the distinct features of various models with respect to their biological characteristics, vulnerability to developing specific heart diseases, approaches employed to induce particular conditions, and the comparability of these species to humans. Therefore, the selection of appropriate models is based on research objectives, ultimately leading to an enhanced comprehension of disease pathology and therapy.

Exploring the “Can Do” and “Will Do” factors of human capital to enhance university performance

This study explores the "Can Do" and "Will Do" elements of human capital that impact university performance. Human capital, comprising both "Can Do" and "Will Do" elements, plays a pivotal role in driving organizational success, particularly in academic institutions. To investigate these elements within the university context, we conducted an exploratory qualitative research design using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 12 purposely selected university practitioners and experts. The study results show that a high knowledge level, skills, capabilities, and experiences characterize the "Can Do" mindset. In contrast, the "Will Do" attitude encompasses personal traits, achievement motivation, and engagement with the job and institution. In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of cultivating a synergistic relationship between human capital's "Can Do" and "Will Do" aspects for driving sustainable improvements in university performance. By leveraging these insights, academic institutions can optimize their resources and empower their faculty to achieve greater success and impact.

Scaling of social initiatives: the role of entrepreneurial skills and positions

PurposeThe scaling of social initiatives is important to achieve broad social impact based on successful small-scale experiments. This paper focuses on the influence of the characteristics of the initiators of social initiatives on scaling processes. The limited literature on this topic highlights two critical actor characteristics: high entrepreneurial skills and a central position in the area. Both characteristics influence two critical components of the scaling process: mobilizing stakeholders and focusing on retaining effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to explore these complex relationships in a deductive analysis and to use these findings for an inductive analysis to generate new insights and extend our academic understanding.Design/methodology/approachA comparative qualitative study of 20 social initiatives in the Dutch social sector was conducted, including 48 in-depth interviews with initiators and stakeholders in three different areas – mental health, debt and labour participation.FindingsHigh entrepreneurial skills are more important for mobilizing stakeholders and focusing on retention of effectiveness than the position of the initiators, but these are a condition rather than a guarantee. Creating space for scaling and investing in measuring effectiveness in other contexts are also important.Originality/valueBy combining the literature on social entrepreneurship and public innovation and conducting an empirical study, our study provides a broad and nuanced picture and brings precision to our understanding of the relationships between initiators' entrepreneurial skills and position and the scaling process.

Workforce thresholds and the non-linear association between registered nurse staffing and care quality in long-term residential care: A retrospective longitudinal study of English care homes with nursing

BackgroundCare needs amongst 425,000 dependent older residents in English care homes are becoming more complex. The quality of care in these homes is influenced by staffing levels, especially the presence of registered nurses (RNs). Existing research on this topic, often US-focused and relying on linear assumptions, has limitations. This study aims to investigate the non-linear relationship between RN staffing and care quality in English care homes using machine learning and administrative data from two major care home providers. MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted using data from two English care home providers. Each was analysed separately due to variations in data reporting and care processes. Various care quality indicators and staffing metrics were collected for a 3.5-year period. Regression analysis and machine learning (random forest) were employed to identify non-linear relationships. Ethical approval was obtained for the study. ResultsUsing linear methods, higher skill mix – more care provided by RNs – was associated with lower incidence of adverse outcomes, such as urinary tract infections and hospitalisations. However, non-linear skill mix–outcome relationship modelling revealed both low and high skill mix levels were linked to higher risks. The effects of agency RN usage varied between providers, increasing risks in one but not the other. DiscussionThe study highlights the cost implications of increasing RN staffing establishments to improve care quality, suggesting a non-linear relationship and an optimal staffing threshold of around one-quarter of care provided by nurses. Alternative roles, such as care practitioners, merit exploration for meeting care demands whilst maintaining quality. This research underscores the need for a workforce plan for social care in England. It advocates for the incorporation of machine learning models alongside traditional regression-based methods. Our results may have limited generalisability to smaller providers and experimental research to redesign care processes effectively may be needed. ConclusionRNs are crucial for quality in care homes. Contrary to the assumption that higher nurse staffing necessarily leads to better care quality, this study reveals a nuanced, non-linear relationship between RN staffing and care quality in English care homes. It suggests that identifying an optimal staffing threshold, beyond which increasing nursing inputs may not significantly enhance care quality may necessitate reconsidering care system design and (human) resource allocation. Further experimental research is required to elucidate resource-specific thresholds and further strengthen evidence for care home staffing. Tweetable abstractHow much nursing care is needed to assure quality in care homes? Evidence from 2 English care home providers shows that nurse sensitive outcomes (an indicator of quality) are better when ~25 % of care is provided by nurses. Nurse shortages increase risks for residents.

Varieties of work‐based higher education: France, Germany and the United States compared

AbstractIn recent years, higher education systems worldwide have been marked by a considerable expansion of work‐based higher education (WBHE), with the institutional spheres of academia, industry and state increasingly coming together. We take the case of WBHE to analyse institutional arrangements in the different skill formation systems of France, Germany and the United States. We ask: Which factors drive the development of WBHE programmes and how does their governance compare across the three distinct country settings? The study finds that the growth of WBHE in all three countries indicates a reconfiguration of education and training governance of high skills. Nonetheless, actor constellations, organizational interests and especially the degree of state intervention surrounding WBHE remain anchored in long‐standing national skill formation patterns.

Impacts of Internet literacy and Internet contact on the communication effect of university students' ideological and political education in China

BackgroundInternet has made the communication environment of ideological and political education (IPE) more complex for university students. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the impact of university students' Internet literacy and contact on the communication effects of IPE. MethodsA total of 2283 Chinese university students were recruited to complete verified online questionnaires on Internet literacy, Internet contact duration, and the communication effects of IPE. SPSS V20 statistical software was used for the ordinal logistic regression analysis, chi-square test, and t-test. ResultsUp to 95.31 % of the university students obtained information through the Internet. There were significant differences between the ILS-high (54.93 %) and ILS-low (45.07 %) groups in both Internet literacy (P < 0.001) and Internet contact (P < 0.001). When comparing the communication effects of IPE between the ILS-high and ILS-low groups, both groups had the best emotional items and the worst cognitive dimensions. Internet literacy, Internet contact, major, and gender significantly impacted the communication effects of IPE. ConclusionIn the Internet era, there is an urgent need to improve university students' Internet literacy, so that they can have high Internet self-control contact skills to give full play to the positive guiding role of network media and improve the communication effects of university students' IPE.

ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN KONEKSI MATEMATIS SISWA DALAM MENYELESAIKAN SOAL-SOAL CERITA DI UPTD SMP NEGERI 5 KUPANG

This study aims to determine the ability of students' mathematical connections in solving story problems. The research used was qualitative research, with the research subject of class VIII B students of UPTD SMP Negeri 5 Kupang. The research instruments used are tests, interviews and documentation. The data that has been obtained is then analyzed using question instrument analysis, data classification, and conclusions. The results showed that 3 students with high mathematical connection skills with a value of 12% were able to master all three indicators, namely linking concepts and procedures in mathematics, linking concepts in mathematics with other sciences, and applying mathematical concepts to everyday life. 11 Students with moderate mathematical connections with a score of 44% only mastered a few indicators, namely relating concepts in mathematics to other sciences, and applying mathematical concepts to everyday life.