Portfolio Implementation Research Articles

Environmental Policy Overlays and Urban Pollution and Carbon Reduction—Evidence from China

The in-depth promotion of environmental pollution prevention and control is a must for China to move towards green development, and the effectiveness of urban environmental pollution control largely depends on the selection of these environmental policies and the synergistic application of these policies. This paper empirically tests three environmental policies’ mixed and synergistic effects using Chinese urban data from 2000 to 2017. This study found that (1) the three environmental policies significantly curb urban environmental pollution and show synergistic effects. (2) The three types of environmental policies can have a superimposing effect by strengthening financial inputs and increasing environmental concern, as well as a complementary effect by improving the efficiency of environmental protection enforcement and the institutional environment. The synergy between the central environmental protection inspection policy and the environmental information disclosure policy is more of a superposition effect than a complementary effect due to the similarity of the policy objectives. (3) The synergistic effect of environmental policies is affected by factors such as the age of the principal officials and financial pressure. The younger the age of the principal officials and the cities with less financial pressure are more capable of utilizing the synergistic effect of environmental policies to form a situation where the market, the government, the public, and the enterprises work together to govern the city. This paper provides new ideas for exploring the synergies and mechanisms of environmental policies and theoretical references for the design, implementation, and effects of environmental policy portfolios in the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Implementation of Digital Faculty Portfolio in Medical College Using an Intervention Mapping Approach.

The Digital faculty portfolio (DFP) is a well-established Teaching Portfolio, a tool that combines student evaluations with teaching materials, narrative reflections, and evidence of pedagogical effectiveness. The research aimed to test the DFP concept and determine whether faculty find it useful for integrating faculty activities, including teaching and extracurricular activities. Thus, the main aim is to identify key technical details that must be addressed before creating a larger DFP platform. This research study adopted a six-step theory- and evidence-based approach of an Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol to assess the need for a DFP-like program at the College of Medicine, King Saud Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and the efficacy of the pilot DFP program. The study was done in three steps: 1) Evaluation of educational needs; 2) Design of the "DFP" program; and 3) Validation and refinement of the designed program. The college conducted the needs assessment using a validated survey with full-time faculty members. Eighty-two survey participants comprised the sample. We described to them the DFP implementation procedure, design, and advantages. The DFP is valuable to most users (60%) and has inherent benefits that boost professional competency (80%). Nearly 73% were willing to keep using and/or updating their DFP periodically. The created program was validated by sharing the findings with designated specialists in health professions education. Based on their comments, the program was further refined and ready for piloting. To maximize the potential of the platform's success, its capabilities should be consistently enhanced in addition to resolving technical issues. This program has managed to effectively identify new avenues for working on enhancing methods for effective communication, coordination and enhance the scope of evaluation process.

Control and Transparency in Factor Portfolio Implementation

Control and Transparency in Factor Portfolio Implementation

Intra-industry or spatial spillovers: Empirical study on the impact of digital finance on green energy innovation

As global climate change intensifies, programs to promote green energy innovation are becoming increasingly urgent for humanity. However, academic debate on whether to prioritize industrial or regional policies continues, detracting the focus from programmes to promote green energy innovation. Using data from 3456 listed companies in China in 2020, this study aims to test intra-industry and spatial spillovers to provide empirical evidence to resolve the academic debate and investigate the impact of urban digital finance on corporate green energy innovation to assess the effectiveness of urban policies. Results show that firms' green energy innovations have significant intra-industry spillovers, but no significant spatial spillovers. Moreover, urban digital finance contributes significantly to green energy innovation. The impact of urban digital finance on green energy innovation varies by a firm's nature, internal controls, and external audits. Therefore, this study proposes a multilevel ecosystem for green energy innovation that theoretically supports a comprehensive and systematic understanding of corporate green energy innovation and guidelines for the precise implementation of policy portfolios.

Breakthrough results in astrobiology: is ‘high risk’ research needed?

Abstract Astrobiology is a scientific endeavour involving great uncertainties. This could justify intellectual risk-taking associated with research that significantly deviates from the mainstream, to explore new avenues. However, little is known regarding the effect of such maverick endeavours. To better understand the need for more or less risk in astrobiology, we investigate to what extent high-risk / high-impact research contributes to breakthrough results in the discipline. We gathered a sample of the most impactful astrobiology papers of the past 20 years and explored the degree of risk of the research projects behind these papers via contact with the corresponding authors. We carried out interviews to explore how attitudes towards risk have played out in their work, and to ascertain their opinions on risk-taking in astrobiology. We show the majority of the selected breakthrough results derive from endeavours considered medium- or high-risk, risk is significantly correlated with impact, and most of the discussed projects adopt exploratory approaches. Overall, the researchers display a distribution of attitudes towards risk from the more cautious to the more audacious, and are divided on the need for more risk-taking in astrobiology. Our findings ultimately support the explicit implementation of a risk-balanced portfolio in astrobiology.

Sustainability-oriented innovations and value creation in SMEs: An illustration in the Colombian context

Unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises hinges on grasping the underlying principles driving the development of sustainability-oriented innovations. It empowers this community of firms to contribute to sustainability and, at the same time, generate value. In this sense, drawing on the sustainable value creation model, the purpose of this study is to propose a framework for sustainability-oriented innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises by analyzing various strategic approaches. The study employs a theoretical approach aligning conceptual foundations with sustainability-oriented innovations. The study utilizes the sustainable value creation model and identifies four strategies suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises: (i) pollution prevention, (ii) product stewardship, (iii) clean technology, and (iv) sustainable vision focused on the base-of-the-pyramid. Further, portfolios of sustainability-oriented innovations, framed in each of the four strategies and in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises found in the literature are discussed. To illustrate each strategy, the analysis of four small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Colombia is conducted. The findings demonstrate how these strategies, combined with the implementation of portfolios of sustainability-oriented innovations, generate value in small and medium-sized enterprises, while promoting sustainability in the case of the context of an emerging economy. Moreover, the study suggests that small and medium-sized enterprises can effectively adopt a strategic orientation toward designing and implementing portfolios of sustainability-oriented innovations. Ultimately, the study highlights the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies to contribute strategically to sustainable development, given their unique characteristics.

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Medical Students' Portfolio at a Newly Developed Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum/School

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Medical Students' Portfolio at a Newly Developed Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum/School

E-Portfolio as a Support for Teaching Practice at the University of Guayaquil

This project seeks to highlight the benefits of the implementation and management of the teaching digital portfolio. In today's world full of technology and tools that facilitate daily activities, education and its various processes must also embrace the digital tools available and make them the basis for any innovation and improvement process. The teaching portfolio in physics has long been the means by which teachers have organized the processes, evidence, and other results of educational work. Nowadays, all that range of evidence and productions, which signify the achievement and advances in each group of students, has been able to be integrated into technology.

Analisis Implementasi Penilaian Autentik Portofolio dalam Pembelajaran IPA

This study aims to determine the implementation of authentic portfolio assessment in science learning. This research is descriptive qualitative. Methods used for data collection include observation, interviews, and documentation. Data reduction, data presentation, and data verification are theoretical techniques used in data analysis by Miles and Huberman. The results showed that the implementation of authentic portfolio assessment in science learning has gone well, this is in accordance with the authentic portfolio steps, if it is in accordance with the authentic portfolio steps, then the implementation of the authentic portfolio has gone well.

Portfolio - Based in Writing Assessment: Students’ Perception and Its Impacts on Their Writing Performance

This experimental research investigated the impacts of portfolio - based assessment on non -English majored students’ perception and their writing performance. The participants included seventy non -English majored students at Kien Giang University, who were divided into two groups including the experimental group and the control group with and without the intervention of portfolio – based assessment in their writing. The research instrument consists of writing tests (a pre - test and a post - test) and students’ portfolio to measure students’ writing performance, the questionnaire and the interview investigated students’ perception towards the implementation of portfolio – based assessment in writing classrooms. The results of the research pointed out that the experiment group had a significant improvement on writing performance. The participants in the control group also improved their writing performance, however, their improvement was less than that of the experimental group's. Finally, the suggested pedagogical implications are hoped to contribute to the innovation of assessment method in teaching writing in the context of Kien Giang University.

The literary portfolio: Summative assessment of literary competences in autonomous learning environments

AbstractThis article reports on the development of the literary portfolio as an alternative to standard written tests in summative assessment of literary competences in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. It is argued that traditional class tests put a too narrow focus on those aspects of literary competences that are more readily operationalized and thus lend themselves better to testing. This, however, may result in a negative washback on teaching. Building on, and operationalizing, the model of literary competence by Diehr and Surkamp (2015), the literary portfolio is designed to cover the various dimensions of this complex competence. At the same time, it tackles the problem that dealing with class readers often leaves students with little freedom to pursue their own (reading) interests or set priorities in working with the texts. The literary portfolio allows students to take responsibility for their own learning as they can choose a text from a shortlist, tasks to work on, and levels of cooperation with peers. As will be demonstrated in a case study carried out in an eighth‐grade intermediate‐level EFL classroom, the implementation of the literary portfolio entailed an innovative way of learning with literature in an autonomous learning environment.

A Research-based Approach to Fixed Income Factor Portfolio Implementation

A Research-based Approach to Fixed Income Factor Portfolio Implementation

The Implementation of Portfolio Based Learning to Improve Junior High School Student Learning Outcomes in Civic About State Sovereignty Concept

The Implementation of Portfolio Based Learning to Improve Junior High School Student Learning Outcomes in Civic About State Sovereignty Concept

Clinical experience of undergraduate dental students in paediatric dentistry: A 5-year cross-sectional study.

The clinical experience of undergraduate dental students in Paediatric Dentistry has a profound influence on their future confidence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical experience of undergraduate students in Paediatric Dentistry over five consecutive years and to determine whether changes in teaching practices are reflected in the clinic. In total, 196 records submitted at the end of the Paediatric Dentistry training from the last 5 years (2016-2020) were evaluated. The variables analysed included the number of patients treated per student, the year, and the numbers and types of procedures performed individually across the years. The data were grouped into two categories; pre and post implementation of an electronic portfolio and a change in teaching practices (2016-2017 and 2018-2020 respectively). Data were analysed using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney for two group comparison, depending on data distribution (α=5%). There was a significant reduction in the number of radiographs exposed (p= .013) between the two groups. The number of fissure sealants had increased in recent years (p< .001). Although the number of stainless steel crowns performed remained unchanged (p= .98), there was an increase in the number of crowns placed using the Hall technique (p< .001) and a concurrent decrease in the number of conventional crowns placed (p< .001). The clinical experience of undergraduate students has changed in line with evolving teaching practices. The use of objective measures such as patient numbers and range of procedures can be used as a method of evaluating student clinical experience. Other assessment tools are still required to evaluate additional aspects of clinical learning in paediatric dentistry.

Risk Response Strategies Selection over the Life Cycle of Project Portfolio

The successful implementation of project portfolios (PP) calls for effective risk management, in which selecting optimal risk response strategies help to reduce the impact of risk. Project portfolio risks (PPRs) exhibit causality and time dependency over the life cycle, which result in cumulative effects over time. By accounting for these risk correlations, risk response could be more effective in reducing expected losses than risk independence assumption. To support effective and sustainable risk management, this study proposes a novel risk response method that integrates the dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) model and reward–risk optimization model to select risk response strategies for different stages of the PP life cycle. The proposed method supports a more comprehensive analysis of risk contagion paths by opening the black box of the risk propagation paths during the PP life cycle. In this method, the PPRs, as the DBN nodes, are first identified, considering the project’s interdependency. Second, DBN analysis is used to assess PPRs by visually modeling the causality and life cycle correlation among risks. Then, the reward–risk optimization model is built to determine risk response strategies for each stage of the life cycle under the constraints. Finally, the proposed method selects risk response strategies for different stages of the PP life cycle. The findings reveal that the risk response effects are maximized if the risks are responded to in earlier stages. Moreover, the findings contribute to helping managers choose the optimal risk response strategies consistent with the risk response budget. As the effect of the strategy depends on the actual situation of the PP, the factors affecting the response effect of the strategies are recommended for further study.

GA-BP neural network modeling for project portfolio risk prediction

PurposeProject portfolio risk (PPR) management plays an important role in promoting the smooth implementation of a project portfolio (PP). Accurate PPR prediction helps managers cope with risks timely in complicated PP environments. However, studies on accurate PPR impact degree prediction, which consists of both risk occurrence probabilities and risk impact consequences considering project interactions, are limited. This study aims to model PPR prediction and expand PPR prediction tools.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors build a PPR prediction model based on a genetic algorithm and back-propagation neural network (GA-BPNN) integrated with entropy-trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Then, the authors verify the proposed model with real data and obtain PPR impact degrees.FindingsThe test results indicate that the proposed method achieves an average absolute error of 0.002 and an average prediction accuracy rate of 97.8%. The former is reduced by 0.038, while the latter is improved by 32.1% when compared with the results of the original BPNN model. Finally, the authors conduct an index sensitivity analysis for identifying critical risks to effectively control them.Originality/valueThis study develops a hybrid PPR prediction model that integrates a GA-BPNN with entropy-trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The authors use this model to predict PPR impact degrees, which consist of both risk occurrence probabilities and risk impact consequences considering project interactions. The results provide insights into PPR management.

(Energy Technology Division Walter van Schalkwijk Award in Sustainable Energy Technology Address) Low Temperature Water Electrolysis as a Near Term Enabler in Climate Change Mitigation

Generating hydrogen from renewable production methods such as water electrolysis is fundamental to meeting decarbonization goals and mitigating climate change. Regardless of the end market split for hydrogen in ground transportation applications, hydrogen is the major feedstock for industrial chemicals such as ammonia and methanol. The only way to make these processes sustainable is to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from production of the hydrogen feedstock. Currently, over 95% of this hydrogen is generated from natural gas and other fossil fuels, producing roughly 9 g CO2/g H2. A combination of technologies such as natural gas reforming with carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) and water splitting via electrolysis therefore need to be deployed as quickly as possible. In addition, any scheme to convert carbon dioxide to useful chemicals requires a renewable source of hydrogen atoms. So to address both curtailment of ongoing emissions and mitigation of existing CO2 waste streams, renewable hydrogen is a lynchpin for success.Low temperature electrolysis has commercially deployed for decades, making it one of the only water splitting technologies likely to make an impact in the next 5-10 years. Both liquid alkaline electrolyzers (or alkaline water electrolyzers, AWE) and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) have been deployed at >10 MW scale, and many companies are actively working to scale manufacturing to gigawatt capacity. While 2050 goals will likely involve implementation of a broader portfolio of technologies, scaling deployment of existing carbon neutral hydrogen technologies provides the greatest long term benefit by reducing overall emissions earlier. We therefore cannot let “perfect [become] the enemy of good”[1] in terms of waiting for the most efficient, lowest cost solution. At the same time, there are significant improvements that can be made in both AWE and PEMWE products, through advanced materials, processes, and automation. The PEMWE technology in particular can leverage much of the investment in PEM fuel cell research and development, although understanding of electrolysis specific materials and processes in ongoing. This talk will focus on the relationships between material research, process development, and understanding of degradation mechanisms in commercializing reliable technology, and the importance of academia, national labs, and industry to work together in this effort. [1] Commonly attributed to Voltaire, and others.

The class of COVID-19: Changes to the monitoring of the structure and case mix for physiotherapy clinical placements

Background: Physiotherapy students spend approximately 1,000 hours outside of the university completing clinical placements, yet little attention has been devoted to the objective evaluation of the clinical placement experience and the client case-mix managed by students. Summary: In this case description, the implementation of a clinical portfolio in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to objectively monitor physiotherapy students’ clinical education experience is analysed. In addition, insight into the clinical placement variations that have necessitated the implementation of the clinical portfolio is provided. The potential impact of these changes on new graduate recruitment is also discussed and recommendations regarding the implementation of a clinical portfolio as common practice moving forward are provided. Future research is outlined that will ensure continued evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physiotherapy clinical placements both during and after the pandemic. Conclusions: The primary reason for the implementation of a clinical portfolio was to improve physiotherapy clinical placement monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic and to support meeting the profession’s rigorous accreditation requirements. The clinical portfolio design was practical in that it was online and flexible and had no direct financial cost to set up. The tracking of learning experience through a clinical portfolio recognises the breadth and variability of experience gained by students whilst on clinical placement. In addition to the refinement of clinical experience tracking, there was anecdotal reporting of improved student-clinical academic communication regarding their learning opportunities.

A MILP approach of optimal design of a sustainable combined dairy and biodiesel supply chain using dairy waste scum generated from dairy production

The present study proposes a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) approach for optimal design of a sustainable combined supply chain for the production of biodiesel using as a feedstock dairy waste scum generated from the implementation of optimal product portfolio of dairy supply chain. The latter includes models of economic and environmental impacts of the combined supply, constraints and an optimization criterion in terms of capital and operation costs. Тhe environmental impact is assessed through greenhouse gas emissions obtained through whole life cycle of the products. The proposed approach is implemented on a real case study from Bulgaria. As a result, optimal operating conditions of the considered supply chain, which includes: dairy farms portfolios, dairy plants portfolios, production capacity and location of biorefineries that should be built, performance of biorefineries and transportation routes are obtained. It can be used as a tool for decision-making.

Electronic medical portfolio as a tool in formative assessment: a literature review

Introduction. The electronic medical portfolio is part of the formative evaluation that allows the educator to adapt their didactic process to the needs of their students. It also promotes effective formative feedback that helps create horizontal relationships between educators and students. The aim of this review was to describe the use of medical portfolios and their impact on medical training. Methods. A review of the literature in PubMed and Scielo was carried out, including articles and studies on the topic, published in English and Spanish, ranging from 2012 to 2022. Discussion. Medical Education in Latin America, especially in Honduras, relies heavily on summative assessment as a prevalent evaluation method. In countries like the United States and some in Europe where the student portfolio is used, it has thrived and been accepted by both educators and students, generating a positive impact on their learning. Conclusion. The implementation of the medical portfolio in Honduras is a viable and an appropriate process that will allow the pre-existing traditional academic culture to be innovated. Its multiple advantages such as encouraging a complete evaluation through feedback from superiors and peers, in addition to ongoing training and improvement of the student's practical skills, place it as an essential tool for medical education.