Readiness Level Research Articles

Technical-scientific production and knowledge networks about medicinal plants and herbal medicines in the Amazon.

This paper explores the role of Brazilian research institutions in the global and national context of study of medicinal plants. Most of these plants have ethnopharmacological use and herbal medicines related to the Amazon. It highlights Brazil's position in scientific production and the importance of Amazonian resources in developing phytomedicines. The study aims to provide an overview of the technical-scientific production of medicinal plants and herbal medicines related to the Amazon, focusing on scientific impact, collaboration, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of scientific production, and innovation system maturity. The study employs a comprehensive methodological approach, including data collection from Scopus covering the period from 2002 to 2022. The data was cleaned and analyzed using bibliometric and network analysis techniques. Advanced natural language processing techniques, such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Jaccard distance measure, were used for TRL classification. The findings reveal a predominant contribution from Brazilian institutions and authors, with 1,850 publications analyzed. Key areas identified include Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmaceuticals, Medicine, and Biochemistry. The study also uncovers various collaborative networks and technological maturity levels, with a significant focus on early-stage development phases. The research concludes that Brazilian institutions, particularly those in the Amazon region, play a significant role in the scientific exploration and development of medicinal plants and herbal medicines. Despite this, countries like the USA were proportionally more productive in clinical trial research. The study underscores the potential of Brazil's rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for neglected diseases. It suggests the need for stronger research systems and international collaboration to leverage these resources for global health benefits.

Driving digital transformation in construction: Strategic insights into building information modelling adoption in developing countries

The construction industry in developing countries faces significant challenges, including limited resources, infrastructure constraints, and varying levels of technological readiness, which hinder the adoption of Building Information Modelling. Despite the recognized benefits in enhancing project efficiency, reducing costs, and improving collaboration, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding and tailored strategies for Building Information Modelling implementation in these contexts. This study aims to address these gaps by systematically reviewing Building Information Modelling adoption literature from 2013 to 2023 and developing a model specifically designed to guide its integration in developing nations. It categorizes nations by demographic and economic parameters and employs thematic analysis to explore benefits, challenges, and strategies. The study develops a tailored Building Information Modelling adoption model, by highlighting the dynamic interplay between adoption, contextual and strategic factors, technological advancement and socio-economic development and synthesizing key insights from academic literature and empirical findings. It offers strategic recommendations for nations at different Building Information Modelling integration stages, addressing their unique socio-economic and environmental contexts. The study identifies trends in utilization and highlights significant gaps, particularly in empirical, educational and strategic initiatives on digital construction transformation.

Candidate Minimum on Scientific Specialty 5.10.4 “Library Science, Bibliography and Book Science”: Issues of Theoretical Design and Practical Implementation

The paper is devoted to the problems of improving the system of training and expertise of scientific personnel in the field of library and information sciences. The relevance is due to the decrease in the quality of dissertation research in library science, bibliography and book studies due to the insufficient readiness of young scientific personnel for research activities. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the competence–based approach as the methodological basis for the theoretical design of candidate exam programs and to offer practical tools appropriate for assessing the level of readiness of applicants for the degree of Candidate of Sciences for scientific work in the specialty 5.10.4 – Library Science, bibliography and book studies. The definition of the candidate’s exam in line with the competence approach is given, a system of competence guidelines in the training of graduate students on the specialty 5.10.4 is formed. The control and measuring materials of the candidate’s examination in the specialty 5.10.4, developed and implemented at the Moscow State Institute of Culture, are presented. They are ready for implementation into educational and expert practices of other universities and scientific organizations.

Effects of Tiered Tasks on Students’ Learning Achievement Across the Students’ Levels of Readiness

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of applying tiered assignments in the mixed-ability English as a foreign language classroom. Most of the studies were focused on students’ academic performance. There are still limited studies on the effects of tiered tasks on students’ learning achievement across the students’ levels of readiness since the implementation of tiered assignments in differentiated learning at Kurikulum Merdeka. So, this study was aimed at investigating the effects of using tiered tasks on students’ learning achievement across the students’ readiness levels in the Advanced English class pace F at SMAN 2 Lintau Buo. For the Advanced English class pace F, the tiered instructions were created to correspond with high, intermediate, and low levels of students’ prior knowledge. It involved one class as an experimental group and the other as a controlled group. The experimental class was given tiered tasks, and the other class used universal learning designs. The result of the study showed that there was a significant difference in scores between the students who received tiered tasks and those who did not receive tiered assignments. The high readiness students got has higher mean after they were taught by using tiered task. However, the same case cannot be said to the intermediate and low readiness students. Through this research, it became clear how important it is to have a strong understanding of the subject matter and to be aware of a variety of learning activities that can be adapted to the readiness levels of the students’ prior knowledge.

Assessing the Training for Certified Peer Support Specialists Who Provide Mental Health and Substance Use Services.

The behavioral health system's peer support workforce must be adequately trained to perform peer support services, but evidence of the adequacy of their training needs to be improved. With survey data from 667 certified peer support specialists (CPSS) from North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, this study used (a) binomial probability test to assess perceptions about the adequacy of the workforce's training, (b) latent profile analysis to identify patterns and predictors of perceptions about the SAMHSA core competencies covered in their training, and (c) thematic analysis to identify additional training needs. Most respondents identified as White (72%), female (73%), and had some college education (83%). Most of the workforce (> 90%) felt prepared to provide services, regardless of their state. Highly and moderately sufficient coverage emerged as two distinct response patterns regarding coverage of the SAMSHA core competencies, with respondents' years of experience, state of residence, education level, race, and sense of preparedness predicting the probability of fitting into either profile. Participants desired additional training in trauma-informed practices, motivational interviewing, and new treatment approaches. Peers' experiences and perspectives were similar across different states. The findings suggest booster training sessions or continuing education opportunities are needed to maintain a robust and well-prepared peer support workforce. States should consider reciprocity agreements to enable the trained workforce to practice across states. A key implication for the training content is the need to incorporate contemporary issues relating to mental health and substance use disorders to better meet behavioral health needs.

DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS FOR ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS OF EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TECHNICIANS FOR PUTTING ON A SET OF ARMOUR AND RADIATION PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

An urgent and unsolved part of the problem of humanitarian demining of radiation-affected areas by specially trained specialists is the scientific and methodological apparatus of substantiation of standards for assessing the level of preparedness of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians for putting on a set of armour and radiation protection equipment. According to the results of an experimental study, the authors established that the change in the time of putting on a set of armour and radiation protection equipment is exponential depending on the level of readiness of EOD technicians preparing for humanitarian demining in a radiation-contaminated area. The experiment participants put on a set of armour and radiation protection equipment consecutively for six days (one attempt each day). It is worth noting that with a significance level of a = 0.05, starting from the third attempt, the time EOD technicians put on armour and radiation protection equipment can be considered constant. Based on the experimental results obtained in the third and fourth attempts, we developed standards for assessing the level of preparedness of EOD technicians of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for putting on a set of armour and radiation protection gear. For this, we used an adapted statistical method for substantiating the standards, which featured the use of weighted average estimates of the fractions (frequencies) of the performance time that fall within the intervals of the excellent standard, as well as between the ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ and ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ standards. We determined that for the case of a combination of an L-1 protective suit, armour protection such as a protective vest of the IV protection level, an armoured helmet of the III-A protection level, and a filter gas mask of the GP-5 type, the time for executing this operation could be estimated starting from the third attempt using the following standards: ‘excellent’ – 155 seconds, ‘good’ – 185 seconds, and ‘satisfactory’ – 220 seconds. Keywords: standard, armour and radiation protection equipment, demining, radioactive contamination, experiment.

Technological interventions in functional capacity evaluations: An insight into current applications

BACKGROUND: Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a crucial component within return-to-work decision making. However, clinician-based physical FCE interpretation may introduce variability and biases. The rise of technological applications such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, could ensure consistent and precise results. OBJECTIVE: This review investigates the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in physical FCEs specific for return-to-work assessments. METHODS: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across five databases, extracting study specifics, populations, and technological tools employed, through dual independent reviews. RESULTS: Nine studies were identified that used ICT in FCEs. These technologies included electromyography, heart rate monitors, cameras, motion detectors, and specific software. Notably, although some devices are commercially available, these technologies were at a technology readiness level of 5–6 within the field of FCE. A prevailing trend was the combined use of diverse technologies rather than a single, unified solution. Moreover, the primary emphasis was on the application of technology within study protocols, rather than a direct evaluation of the technology usability and feasibility. CONCLUSION: The literature underscores limited ICT integration in FCEs. The current landscape of FCEs, marked by a high dependence on clinician observations, presents challenges regarding consistency and cost-effectiveness. There is an evident need for a standardized technological approach that introduces objective metrics to streamline the FCE process and potentially enhance its outcomes.

Perspectives of medical undergraduate students toward self-directed learning

Objectives: Self-directed learning (SDL) is a process in which individuals take the initiative with or without the help of others in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating goals, identifying human as well as material resources for learning, implementing appropriate strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. In SDL, the onus of learning is on the learner and learning control is slowly transferred from facilitator to learner. Hence, this study helped to understand the SDL readiness in undergraduate medical students and figure out whether it differed between students of 2nd and 3rd professional years. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on undergraduate medical students of 2nd and 3rd professional year of tertiary care medical college hospital in south India after receiving permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 285 students were considered in this study from both years after informed consent. A pre-validated questionnaire of the self-rating scale for SDL (SRSSDL) tool was included, and it comprised five components, namely, awareness, learning strategy, learning activity, evaluation and interpersonal skills, with 12 questions in individual sections. Demographic data were expressed in percentages while the Chi-square test and independent sample Mann–Whitney U-test were applied to understand the differences between 2 professional years. Results: Out of 285 students, 56.8% had a moderate level of readiness, followed by a high level of readiness (42.9%). The majority of the students from both academic years had a moderate level of readiness toward SDL. Learning strategy had the highest mean response score of 3.7 ± 0.52, followed by awareness with 3.69 ± 0.49. This mean score reflects that the majority of participants’ responses recorded were either ‘sometimes’ or ‘often’ for various components of the SRSSDL tool. The distribution of awareness, learning strategy, learning activities, evaluation and interpersonal skills did not show any significant association across academic years and gender. Conclusion: The moderate level of readiness shows that areas of improvement must be identified and evaluated with teacher guidance when necessary. The SRSSDL tool can be used as a measure of evaluation, as it helps to classify student readiness toward SDL.

Risk prevalence, readiness and confidence to change lifestyle risk factors among clients of community mental health services.

People with mental health conditions have high rates of chronic physical diseases, partially attributable to lifestyle risks factors. This study examined risk prevalence among community mental health service clients, their readiness and confidence to change, and associations with participant characteristics. Cross-sectional survey of adult clients from 12 community mental health services across 3 local health districts in New South Wales, Australia, collected from 2021 to 2022. Participants (n = 486) completed a telephone interview determining five risk factors, and readiness and confidence to change these. Multiple binary logistic regression models determined associations between readiness and confidence (for each risk), and participant characteristics (demographics and diagnosis). Participants most commonly reported a diagnosis of schizophrenia (36.7%) or depression (21.1%). Risk factors were prevalent: ranging from 26% (harmful alcohol use) to 97% (poor nutrition). High readiness was greatest for smoking (68%), weight (66%) and physical inactivity (63%), while confidence was highest for changing alcohol use (67%). Two significant associations were identified; females were more likely than males to have high readiness to change nutrition (odds ratio = 1.14, confidence interval = [1.13, 2.34], p = 0.0092), with males more likely to have high confidence to change physical activity (odds ratio = 0.91, confidence interval = [0.45, 0.99], p = 0.0109). Many participants were ready and confident to change risk factors. Gender influenced readiness to change nutrition and physical activity confidence. Training to upskill mental health clinicians in provision of preventive care that builds confidence and readiness levels may aid in supporting positive behaviour change.

Mind the gap: Facilitating early design stage building life cycle assessment through a co-production approach

Despite the transition towards a circular economy (CE) being a significant element in achieving the decarbonisation of the built environment, a clear and common pathway to applying CE principles to building design is still lacking in both industry practice and academia. The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has the potential to enable the identification of feasible pathways to increase circularity. This study aims to investigate its practical use to facilitate the application of circular economy principles at the early stage of building design via using LCA-based BIM plugins. Within this aim, the paper centres on a co-production approach and presents a gap analysis by identifying gaps in knowledge and implementation as well as addressing the pressing needs of the current practice in the UK. A series of semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners in the field were conducted for data collection, contributing to the following phases of the co-production by allowing for an in-depth investigation and reflection of the practice. The findings have revealed that: (a) there is still an insufficient level of contextual awareness and readiness in the implementation of CE principles in the built environment and LCA understanding and (b) the adoption of BIM at the early stages of building design is still limited in the current practice; BIM models with sufficient level of data details and quality to enable circularity assessment are rarely produced. Thus, the paper highlights the need for enabling mechanisms, including the introduction of legislative instruments, the involvement and commitment of the industry and key stakeholders, the support for training and skills improvement, and the establishment of effective communication and implementation process management frameworks. Future research agenda points to the need of formulation of a BIM protocol to enable integration of BIM and LCA to promote CE principles in the building design process.

A Study of the Impact of Digitalization in HR in Private Organization

In the past human resources management mainly focused on tasks such, as keeping track of employees handling payments and managing benefits. However, there has been a shift towards planning. Aligning HR practices with organizational goals. This shift emphasizes talent acquisition, employee development and performance management. Employee management is crucial for any organization as it involves supervising and coordinating the workforce to achieve objectives. With the advancements in technology over the year’s employee management has evolved through human resource management. Digital HRM goes beyond technology utilization it integrates “cutting edge technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML)” analytics tools and social media platforms into core HR goals. This study delves into how the implementation of technologies has impacted the way resources (HR) functions are managed at private organizations, in Oman. It seeks to uncover the changes brought about by digitalization in HR processes like recruitment, onboarding and employee record keeping. The research also explores the reasons behind organization’s adoption of tools in their HR operations and how the level of readiness influences the success of their digital HR endeavors.

Analysis of The Influence of Economic Stability, Economic Growth and Level of Human Resource Readiness on Income Equality

Analysis of The Influence of Economic Stability, Economic Growth and Level of Human Resource Readiness on Income Equality

Optimizing the level of disaster preparedness for coastal children in creating a disaster resilient generation

Indonesia is home to various natural disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis, due to its location in the Ring of Fire. Jember Regency in East Java is one of the areas with a high risk of these disasters. Sabrang Village, bordering the South Coast of Jember, has the potential to become a disaster-resilient village. This program aims to increase disaster preparedness for children on the south coast, optimize partner empowerment in increasing child preparedness, and establish a Disaster Empowerment Center (DEC) in Sabrang Village. The DEC program was implemented over three months, involving coastal children. Methods included education, training, and empowerment through Communication, Information, and Education (IEC) and disaster simulation training. Program evaluation used a preparedness questionnaire covering participants' knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The DEC program succeeded in increasing disaster preparedness for children in Sabrang Village. Collaboration with the village government, public health center, and other partners was crucial to the program's success. DEC implementation can serve as a model for community empowerment in dealing with earthquakes and tsunamis.

Employee Readiness for GHRM and Its Individual Antecedents: Instrumental and Change-Based Approach

The aim of this paper is to identify and assess the formation of employees’ readiness to implement the green human resources management (GHRM) concept according to two research approaches: an instrumental and change-based approach, as well as to demonstrate the influence of selected individual antecedents on the formation of this readiness in business practice. The aim of the study was achieved through empirical research conducted using a survey method on a sample of 214 employees and managers from Poland. The results obtained indicate a high level of readiness of the respondents to implement the GHRM concept in their companies, regardless of the measurement method used. Moreover, it was shown that personal environmental norms, following the new environmental paradigm as well as organizational citizenship behaviors towards the environment (OCBE), significantly and positively shape the level of readiness for GHRM in the surveyed group. In contrast, there was no significant effect of individual readiness for change on employees’ readiness levels. This study makes an original and novel contribution to the literature by proposing different approaches to measuring employees’ GHRM readiness. The conclusions formulated address the implementation factors of the GHRM, enabling a more effective implementation of this concept into business practice.

Characterisation of negative social impact risks within pre-deployment carbon dioxide utilisation projects

As the youngest of the three sub-fields within sustainability assessment, development of social impact assessment lags behind life cycle and techno-economic assessments. This is manifested in comparatively lacking methodological maturity. The calculation of impact indicator results, achieved through the use of characterisation models, is a prime example of the field’s immaturity. This research initially identifies current methodologies observed within social impact assessment. This reveals that impact pathway characterisation models, analogous to those seen in life cycle assessment, have primarily been neglected; instead, research has been focused on less reproducible and more subjective reference scale approaches. Redressing this balance, a set of seven UNEP and SETAC indicators are evaluated, developing novel impact pathway-based characterisation models. Focussing on the effects of stimulating and de-stimulating factors on indicators, identifying hotspots where negative social impacts are likely to arise. The presented methodologies are tailored to applications involving the assessment of potential carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU) value chains. This focus results in open access characterisation models that are indiscriminate of technology readiness level, requiring no primary process data. Data from the World Bank and its partner organisations are utilised, generating complete results across all indicators for 129 countries. Development of these quantifiable characterisation models delivers significant value in the standardisation of assessment procedure and facilitates inter-assessment comparability, a benefit to stakeholders ranging from practitioners to commissioners.

Unlocking the Future: Exploring Librarian’s Perspectives and Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Eswatini Libraries

This study aims to explore the perception and readiness of librarians in Eswatini regarding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries and provide recommendations to assist librarians in effectively embracing AI technologies in their library services. The study’s specific objectives were to determine the level of awareness, examine the perception, assess the level of readiness and provide practical recommendations. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of librarians in Eswatini. The study revealed varying levels of awareness among librarians regarding AI integration in libraries. Librarians generally held a positive perception of AI's potential benefits, including improved information retrieval and enhanced user services. However, there were concerns about privacy and data security. The study also identified areas where librarians felt less prepared, such as acquiring programming skills and dealing with ethical considerations. The study recommends training and professional development opportunities to enhance librarians’ skills, establishing clear guidelines and policies to address privacy and data security concerns, and promoting collaborations and knowledge sharing among librarians. The recommendations offer practical guidance for librarians to successfully incorporate AI technologies into their library services, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of library operations.

Unveiling the impact of the SMARTCLAP project on habilitation

This report summarises the SMARTCLAP research project, which employs a user-centred design approach to develop a revolutionary smart product service system. The system offers personalised motivation to encourage children with cerebral palsy to actively participate more during their occupational therapy sessions, while providing paediatric occupational therapists with an optimal tool to monitor children’s progress from one session to another. The product service system developed includes of a smart wearable device called DigiClap used to interact with a serious game in an Augmented Reality environment. The report highlights the research methodology used to advance the technology readiness level from 4 to 6, acknowledging the contribution of the consortium team and funding source. As part of the technology’s maturity process, DigiClap and the respective serious game were evaluated with target users, to identify the system’s impact in supporting the children’s overall participation and hand function, and to gather feedback from occupational therapists and caregivers on this novel technology. The outcomes of this study are discussed, highlighting limitations and lessons learned. The report also outlines future work and further funding for the sustainability of the project and to reach other individuals who have upper limb limitations. Ultimately, the potential of DigiClap and the overall achievements of this project are discussed.

Evaluation of the disaster preparedness level of a flood-affected hospital: Turkey

This study aimed to evaluate the disaster preparedness levels of a hospital and its personnel who were exposed to flood disasters in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The study was designed qualitatively. Since it was aimed to obtain in-depth information, the phenomenology design was used in the study. The data were collected from 15 people through face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured interview form. The data were computerized to the MAXQDA 22 software and codes, categories, and themes were created. In the study, three themes were created: "infrastructure management and sustainability of critical facilities, preparation, and health service delivery". It was determined that infrastructure problems arose due to flooding on the lower floor and the hospital's garden as a result of the flood disaster. It was observed that medical equipment was prepared before the flood disaster and equity resources were protected after the disaster. It is thought that the exercise, trainings, creation of early warning systems and planning before the flood disaster will contribute significantly to the sustainability of health service provision in disaster situations. This may accelerate the transition of disaster victims to their normal lives.

Suicidal Ideation Status and Its Related Factors Among Older Adults in Yazd, Iran

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation and identify the factors associated with it among the elderly population in Yazd during the year 2021. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting(s): Tabriz, the capital city of the East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran. Participants: A total of 386 seniors aged 60 years and above, residing in Yazd, participated in this study. The sample consisted of 212 women and 174 men selected using the cluster random sampling method. Outcome measures: Data were collected via the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). Results: Five percent of the participants have a high level of suicidal risk and readiness for suicide. Additionally, the mean score of suicidal ideation varied significantly based on demographic variables such as gender, occupation, education level, and income type (P < 0.05). Moreover, the risk of suicidal ideation was higher among women compared to men, particularly among housekeepers compared to other occupational groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, elderly individuals who relied on support from their children and other supportive institutions as their source of income were more susceptible to suicidal ideation compared to others (P < 0.05). In terms of education, elderly individuals with no education or only primary education had a higher risk of suicidal ideation compared to those with a high school diploma or higher education (P<0.05). In addition, individuals with a history of psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal diseases, high blood pressure, comorbidity, and high cholesterol levels obtained significantly higher scores for suicidal ideation compared to elderly individuals without these conditions (P<0.05). Conclusions: The elderly individuals in Yazd exhibited a desirable level of suicidal ideation, with a low risk of suicide. However, the risk factors for suicidal ideation examined in this study highlight the need for increased attention by healthcare managers to the mental health of the elderly population.

Підходи до комерціалізації результатів інноваційної діяльності спільних підприємств

Various approaches to the commercialization of the results of innovative activities of joint enterprises are considered. According to the results of the review of the results of the evaluation of the innovative activity of the countries of the world, a ranking scheme of the leading countries in terms of the directions of innovative activity was generated. The process of commercialization of the results of innovative activities of enterprises is described. Systematized methods of evaluating the potential of commercialization of innovative activity, among which the method of technological audit, the method of fuzzy logic and the four-dimensional approach are highlighted. Approaches to evaluating its effectiveness are considered. Emphasis is placed on the main criteria in approaches to the commercialization of innovations, namely on the evaluation of the potential of commercialization and the assessment of its effectiveness. The list of indicators allowing to evaluate the financial result of the commercialization of the company’s innovations is highlighted. Methods of assessing the prospects and readiness for market commercialization of innovative developments, which are most adaptable for joint ventures, are described. The priority list includes the methodology for assessing the readiness for market commercialization of scientific developments, the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) methodology, developed by the US National Aerospace Agency NASA, and the TPRL (Technology Project Readiness Level) methodology. The main centers of transformation of innovative ideas or research results into marketable products or services are highlighted. The focus is on Technology Transfer Offices (TTO), startup accelerators and incubators, public-private partnerships, direct investment in research and development, open innovation, cluster innovation projects, and market-oriented innovation. The procedure for assessing the levels of suitability for commercialization of innovative development is illustrated. Based on the results of the conducted research, a general scheme for the commercialization of innovations was built.