Programs In Different Countries Research Articles

Sex education in adolescence: A systematic review of programmes and meta-analysis

There are several factors that indicate the need for sexuality education during schooling. However, sexuality education programmes are very heterogeneous. The aim of this research is to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of school-based sexuality education programmes for adolescents. A meta-analysis was conducted on the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of school-based sexuality education programmes in different countries from 2000 to 2020. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used. The review included 47 studies. Effect size was calculated using Hedges’ g. Heterogeneity was analysed using Cochran’s Q test and the I2 statistic. Programmes increased attitudes towards sexuality and condoms, knowledge, condom self-efficacy, condom use intention and abstinence. Heterogeneity was high, so different moderator variables on the efficacy were analysed.

The activities on increasing level of physical activity: The international experience

The article presents analysis of measures targeted to increasing level of physical activity implemented in various countries. The state programs of prevention of hypodynamia are to be implemented at individual, group and population levels. The efficiency of such state programs in different countries are analyzed. The relationship between level of physical activity and quality and availability of such elements of urban environment as public transport, availability of bicycle paths, proximity of parks and stadiums to places of residence are considered. The further study of this problem is necessary, especially in the long term perspective.

Vitis species for stress tolerance/resistance

AbstractMany wild plant species are actually true treasures of our world. The value of these treasures is better understood today and many wild species are used for different purposes. Also Vitis species are among the most important species with their ancient history. China and North America are the native ranges of many Vitis species that survive to the present day, most of which have survived by natural selection. These species have attracted the attention of plant breeders for many years due to their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stress conditions, and they have used these species to develop new cultivars. In parallel with the developments in the field of biotechnology, interspecific hybrid genotypes obtained in breeding research for resistance to different stress conditions can be obtained in accordance with the targets in a much shorter time. In these investigations, gene regions in Vitis species with resistance genes were transferred to new hybrid genotypes. Additionally, these species have been used as parents in many breeding programs in different countries due to their resistance to biotic stress conditions, especially fungal diseases. Similar breeding research has been carried out on tolerance to abiotic stress conditions, and interspecific cross-breeding have been made to develop hybrid genotypes that are more tolerant to many abiotic stress conditions. In recent years, resistance and high-quality wine and table grape cultivars obtained from rossbreeding have begun to be used in production. As a result, newly developed interspecific hybrid grapes can be grown with much lower production costs in accordance with the sustainable viticulture model.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ВОДИТЕЛЬСКОГО СТАЖА НА АВАРИЙНОСТЬ

The analysis of traffic accidents and driver training in different countries is considered. The main causes of traffic accidents are analyzed and governments’ measures to improve road safety are considered. Various driver training programs in different countries are considered and their effectiveness is revealed

Світовий досвід у процесах адаптації персоналу: від теорії до практичного впровадження в Україні

The aim of the article is to determine the importance of taking into account the experience of adaptation of personnel from other countries for Ukrainian companies in order to successfully function both in the international market and in Ukraine. The study identified common features of onboarding programs in different countries of the world, such as an emphasis on corporate culture, diversity, professional development, work-life balance, teamwork and communication. The unique features of the processes of personnel adaptation, characteristic of individual countries and due to cultural, historical, religious, legal and social factors, are identified. The importance of taking into account the experience of adaptation of personnel from other countries for Ukrainian companies is substantiated in view of active integration into the international environment, attraction of foreign specialists and expansion of international cooperation. The characteristic features of the process of adaptation of personnel in Ukraine, arising from the cultural, historical and social realities of the country, are determined. Aspects of personnel adaptation based on the experience of other countries, which can be implemented in Ukraine, are proposed. An indicative roadmap for the implementation of these features of personnel adaptation in Ukraine has been developed, taking into account the national context. Thus, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the processes of personnel adaptation in the international context, identifies areas of improvement for Ukrainian companies and outlines the prospects for further scientific work in this area. Regarding the further scientific research, it is proposed to focus on an in-depth study of cultural, historical and social factors that affect the processes of personnel adaptation in Ukraine and other countries of the world; analyses of the efficiency of various methods and practices of personnel adaptation in specific organizations and industries; examining the impact of onboarding programs on staff retention, job satisfaction, and productivity; development of recommendations for adaptation and implementation of the world’s best practices of personnel adaptation in Ukrainian realities; studying the role of technology and innovative approaches in the process of personnel adaptation in the era of digital transformations.

Connecting Arduino and Processing for an RGB LED exploration: a new approach for technology-enhanced learning

The phenomenon of adding colours is a relevant topic and integrates school programmes in different countries. In most cases, it is presented by teachers through static images, drawn on the board or schematised in school textbooks. This approach stems, in many cases, from the lack of adequate resources that allow a discussion without inducing misunderstandings, which unfortunately does not meet the necessary demands for learning. From the perspective of a necessary methodological change, a path is presented: the use of active methodologies enrolling students in their learning process based on the joint discussion of science and technology. Based on these principles, we present in this work a proposal for an experimental setup that can be used in classes where the discussion of adding colours occurs, allowing students to carry out a real-time comparison between the colour perceived in an RGB light-emitting diode display, and the colour produced in a computer screen. In addition to the phenomenological aspects, the setup will allow students to perceive the differences in shades and, consequently, how technology in the perception of colour.

Teaching English to Young Learners: Combining Theory and Practice through Practicum in Pre-service Teacher Education

Recent years have witnessed an exponential growth in interest in teaching English to young learners (TEYL) across the world. Pivotally, there is some research focusing on in-class practices and teacher pedagogy on this issue, yet young learner teacher education has not been given much attention. Many teacher education programs in different countries prepare their pre-service teachers for young learners by offering TEYL courses without providing them with real classroom experiences. To this end, the researchers initiated a practicum project in which pre-service EFL teachers taught English to young learners besides taking the TEYL module at the university. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, it was aimed to examine the effectiveness of a practicum-integrated TEYL teacher education program. The findings revealed that practicum provided teacher candidates with a range of benefits in terms of putting young learner knowledge into practice, developing teaching skills, designing age-appropriate lessons and materials, and gaining confidence with TEYL. Different from previous practicum-related studies, the current study showed that practicum helped pre-service teachers have clearer minds on their future careers and teaching contexts in that some participants would choose to work with older learners considering the distinctive characteristics of children. This study offers implications for pre-service teachers and teacher education programs for training young learner English teachers more effectively.

Teaching English to Young Learners: Combining Theory and Practice through Practicum in Pre-service Teacher Education

The recent years have witnessed an exponential growth of interest in teaching English to young learners (TEYL) across the world. Pivotally, there exists some research focusing on the in-class practices and teacher pedagogy on this issue, yet young learner teacher education has not been given much attention. Many teacher education programs in different countries prepare their pre-service teachers for young learners through offering TEYL courses without providing them with real classroom experiences. To this end, the researchers initiated a practicum project in which pre-service EFL teachers taught English to young learners besides taking the TEYL module at the university. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, it was aimed to examine the effectiveness of practicum-integrated TEYL teacher education program. The findings revealed that practicum provided teacher candidates with a range of benefits in terms of putting young learner knowledge into practice, developing teaching skills, designing age-appropriate lessons and materials, and gaining confidence with TEYL. Different from previous practicum-related studies, the current study showed that practicum helped pre-service teachers to have clearer minds on their future careers and teaching contexts in that some participants would choose to work with older learners considering the distinctive characteristics of children. This study offers implications for pre-service teachers and teacher education programs on training young learner English teachers more effectively.

Fecal occult blood testing in colorectal cancer screening programs

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and ranks second as a cause of cancer mortality. CRC screening is carried out in many countries for detection early-stage CRC and its prevention by removing precancerous lesions, and includes fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. Different countries use their own approach to screening, including methods of detection of fecal occult blood. The strategy for fecal occult blood testing is based on the fact that already in the early stages the tumor can bleed, and small traces of blood in the stool are detected before the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. Different countries use their own approach to the CRC screening, including methods for fecal occult blood testing. Chemical and immunochemical methods are used to determine occult blood in the feces. The chemical method is based on the detection of heme peroxidase activity. The immunochemical method detects human globin using specific antibodies. The immunochemical method can be qualitative and quantitative. The sensitivity of a quantitative immunochemical test depends on the selected threshold and the stage of CRC. The lower the threshold value, the higher the sensitivity, but the lower the specificity due to false positive results. CRC screening programs use different thresholds for quantitative immunochemical testing in different countries, which is caused by the availability of colonoscopy in a positive test result, as well as the rate of CRC in this population. To increase the sensitivity of the immunochemical test, some programs suggest using it in combination with other methods: detection of DNA in stool, examination of other proteins in feces (transferrin, haptoglobin). This review presents the methods used in the world for fecal occult blood testing, their advantages and limitations; recommendations for reporting the results of a quantitative immunochemical test; thresholds recommended in screening programs in different countries for quantitative immunochemical tests. The results of pilot screening for fecal occult blood testing in some regions of the Russian Federation are also presented.

Secondary fracture prevention: global approaches

Osteoporotic fractures, a major cause of disability and associated medical care expenditures, are expected to continue to increase worldwide. Adults who sustain primary osteoporotic fractures are more likely to sustain additional subsequent fractures, but few receive interventions to prevent those secondary fractures. Fracture liaison service models have been developed to systematically streamline preventative care for patients who have sustained a primary fragility fracture, proving cost-effective and efficacious. These programs have been developed in many countries, with varying degrees of success. There continues to be a need to better understand the various approaches to fracture liaison service programs in different regions enabling best practices to be adopted, successful approaches to be shared, and common obstacles to be addressed. The reports in this supplement address the status of fracture liaison service programs in different countries, focusing on national standards and guidelines, successes and barriers, and future directions. This work represents a collaborative effort of member societies of the International Orthopaedic Trauma Association (IOTA), an international association of orthopaedic societies dedicated to the promotion of musculoskeletal trauma care through advancements in patient care, research, and education. The expectation is that the information in these reports will aid efforts to address the growing need for fragility fracture programs.

Exploring the impact of student developed marketing communication tools and resources on SMEs performance and satisfaction

A number of SMEs lack the essential marketing skills, knowledge, tools and resources, and financial access to ensure the survival of their businesses. Service learning could be used as an effective pedagogy for assisting SMEs with vital marketing communication (MC) strategies via the development of tools and resources that may increase business growth and sustainability. The primary research objective was to evaluate SMEs’ satisfaction regarding performance factors, and student developed MC tools and resources that were implemented via a MC service learning programme (in the form of student-run agencies). The inquiry utilized the triad service learning model and quality assurance cycle to apply an evaluation research design that was substantiated by the expectancy-disconfirmation paradigm. A survey was conducted among 107 SME owners and managers via a structured questionnaire. The student developed MC tools and resources and their perceived usefulness resulted in a positive influence on a number of performance factors among SMEs. MC tools and resources such as a customer database, email address, and Facebook page had the largest influence on performance factors. Performance factors such as an increase in sales, new customers, brand awareness, competitive advantage, business efficiency, and motivation of employees were found to have a positive influence SME satisfaction. Further inquiry could replicate the study via various marketing-related service learning programmes in different countries that have divergent cultures, economics and contexts.

Current situation of vaccine injury compensation program and a future perspective in light of COVID-19 and emerging viral diseases.

Background: Vaccines have had a great impact on disease prevention and mortality reduction. Very rarely, vaccines also can result in serious adverse effects. In consideration of this fact, vaccine injury compensation programs have been implemented in many countries to compensate a vaccinee for associated adverse effects. The existing vaccine injury compensation system addresses routine immunization schemes. However, there are rising concerns about the compensation for adverse effects caused by new vaccines such as those developed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of this article is to review the existing vaccine injury compensation programs in different countries. The review also highlights the necessity to include all upcoming new vaccines for COVID-19 and other emerging viral diseases in the compensation schemes. Methods : Published articles relating to vaccine compensation injury programs, vaccines, injuries, disabilities, illnesses, and deaths resulting from vaccination were searched in data bases. Through a careful review of the abstracts, 25 relevant articles were selected for analysis. Results: We identified 27 countries on four continents with vaccine injury compensation schemes: 17 countries in Europe, 7 countries in Asia, the United States, a Canadian Province and New Zealand. No programs were identified in Africa and in South America. Program design, funding, and eligibility for compensation vary vastly between countries. We identified 17 countries operating well-established vaccine injury compensation programs. However, minimal information is available on numerous other countries. Conclusion: We have identified 27 countries operating vaccine injury compensation programs. In Canada, Quebec is the only province with a scheme; however, discussions are ongoing in Canada for nationwide implementation in light of COVID 19. Study limitations include limited scientific material, which hindered our research. Additional data concerning payout for each type of injury and the number of claimants related to a specific vaccine injury worldwide could provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Mental health: Professional rehabilitation and the return to work - A systematic review.

The problem of illnesses, sick leave and the necessary return to work and permanence at work has been determining the development of different protocols and professional rehabilitation programs in different countries. We sought to identify articles that address programs for professional rehabilitation and the return to work of people laid off due to mental health problems, and to verify the results of professional rehabilitation programs and the follow-up processes for such return. A systematic review was performed according to the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA). The serial search of the articles was carried out in the electronic databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus. The variations in the descriptors served to find a greater range of significant results for the research. In total, 2,306 articles were found. Another two articles that met the inclusion criteria were located through manual searches, adding up to a total of 2,308. Applying the exclusion criteria resulted in a final data set of 47 peer-reviewed articles. The issues involving return to work and permanence in work were complex and multifaceted in the research articles studied. Recovery from Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) is a major cause of long-term sick leave and the granting of disability benefits. Many people with these diagnoses remain employed; however, further studies are needed with women, workers with fragile relationships, and immigrants.

КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНІ ЗАСАДИ РОЗВИТКУ ПРОГРАМ МІКРОСТРАХУВАННЯ В УКРАЇН

Problem statement. Social function is one of the primary functions of the state. It is implemented, in particular, through the system of social insurance. Every year the number of people who are not paying insurance premiums into the system of social insurance is increasing for whatever reason. Therefore nowadays the issue of involving these people in the system is important not only from the point of filling the funds of social insurance but also of providing these people with social protection in the future. Aim of the research. The aim of the research is the elaboration of conceptual framework of the micro-insurance programs development in Ukraine for the population which is not included for whatever reasons into the system of the compulsory state social insurance. Methods of the research. Theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed using general scientific and specific cognition methods, in particular: abstract-logical methods to determine the essence and interrelations of economic categories and to make conclusions; comparative analysis to compare obtained indexes; statistical and graphic methods to process and generalize statistical data and to present them in the table and graphs. Results of the research. It has been proved that the implementation of microinsurance programs is one of the perspective forms of the development of social insurance systems for self-engaged population. The peculiarities of using microinsurance programs in different countries throughout the world were defined. The main advantages of these programs were determined according to the classical products of commercial insurance. Conceptual model of the microinsurance system functioning in Ukraine was developed and grounded. Conclusions. Suggested approach to the development and functioning of such system of micro-insurance in the future will increase the level of social protection of the population, will decrease social tension and reduce the load on the state finances within the framework of the programs of social care for the poorest population.

Immunisation program reviews in East and Southern Africa (2012-2018): key lessons.

Introductionthe World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that countries conduct comprehensive national immunisation program reviews regularly to help them identify systems wide-barriers or gaps and monitor performance against the set targets.Methodswe reviewed reports from the latest national immunisation program reviews conducted in the 20 countries in the sub-region in the course of 2012-2018. We generated descriptive analysis of the findings across the sub-region.Resultsthe 20 program reviews included field observations to the subnational levels as well as interviews with program staff and stakeholders. At the time of the reviews, only 11 countries had functional National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups. Operational funding was inadequate in half of the countries. The reviews documented the cancellation of outreach services, supportive supervision visits and maintenance of cold chain equipment due to the lack of fuel or operational funding. Immunisation programs in 10 countries had major human resource gaps. Vaccine stock management tools were not effectively used in 10 countries, and stock out of vaccines and supplies was documented in 9 countries during the review. The full components of the RED strategy were implemented in only 3 of the 20 countries. Twelve countries reported challenges with the availability and accuracy of target populations. Four countries had documented the presence of vaccine hesitant groups at the time of the reviews.Conclusionthe reviews demonstrated challenges in various aspects of the programs in different countries. The implementation of the review recommendations should be built into the annual program plans, as well as into coasted multi-year plans, in order to address the gaps and helps the program to attain the set targets. With the rapid evolution of the scope and complexity of the immunisation programs in recent years, countries should invest their efforts in building the capacity of their human resources as well as updating their logistics and data systems.

CURRENT ISSUES OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT IN MODERN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Electricity consumption is constantly growing in the world. In this connection, there are new urgent problems of increasing energy efficiency and energy conservation. Exactly, the economic development of countries and the change in the citizens’ life quality depends on successful solutions in this sphere. In addition, energy efficiency today is the most important developmental indicator of the national economy. The article discusses electricity consumption statistics in the world, a comparative analysis of the statutory conditions and the main implementing energy efficiency methods and programs in different countries.

ОГЛЯД СВІТОВОГО ДОСВІДУ З ПРОБЛЕМ ДУАЛЬНОЇ ФОРМИ ЗДОБУТТЯ ОСВІТИ

The article is concerned with the reviewing of the world experience in the implementation of dual education. The stages of formation and development of the dual form of obtaining vocational and higher education in different countries of the world are determined. The main priorities of training qualified personnel on the premise of interaction between the educational and industrial environment are highlighted. Dual education is considered through the interaction of educational establishments, business entities and state-owned institutions. It is emphasized that the «dual form of education» creates conditions for professional training of students in educational settings and industrial environments, and it is an effective factor in ensuring the competitiveness of professionals in the labor market. The implementation of dual programs in different countries contributes to the social integration of educational and industrial communities, provides professional adaptation and mobility of young professionals. The peculiarities of the functioning of the dual form of education in different countries of the world are revealed. In particular, dual education in Germany and Finland is characterized by a developed mentoring system, the focusing of the educational process on the practical component and improved system of retraining of workers with the active participation of business and potential employers. The distinctive trait of dual education in Austria is the advantage of the practical component of the educational process. The students during their studying (from three to four years) have the prospects to work in accordance with agreements between the social partners and they also receive pay. Precisely this type of training provides an opportunity for future professionals to obtain the necessary professional knowledge and skills. The dual form of education in the United Kingdom is represented by industrial apprenticeship, which is carried out in accordance with agreements between businesses and students. The duration of such training depends on the specialization of the educational establishment, the branch of industry and it lasts in average 4-5 years. On the basis of studying the new world trends in the development of education, the prospect of a dual form of education in Ukraine has been determined.

Opinions and experiences of Greek students participating in Erasmus mobility programmes and emerging opportunities for university pedagogy

In this article, we examine the opinions of Greek students at the University of Patras who participated in Erasmus mobility programmes. Based on the results of previous relevant studies in the Greek context on benefits and difficulties expressed by the participating Greek students, in the current research in-depth interviews were designed to investigate the implications of this experience for university pedagogy. Interviews were addressed to students from various disciplines that participated in mobility programmes in different countries and higher education environments during the past two years. The analysis of the research findings confirms the conclusions of previous studies on the development of critical thinking and specific skills for the participants. Regarding University Pedagogy, significant points of interest arise, elements that give the opportunity for a new perspective to approach International Mobility Programmes and Higher Education, but also highlight the need for further research.

Erasmus student mobility and Emerging Adulthood: implications on students’ development

The present study focuses on Erasmus student mobility and emerging adulthood. We attempt to detect possible emerging adulthood characteristics to Greek university students, in the frame of their participation in mobility programmes. A qualitative analysis with in-depth interviews of students was applied, in order to investigate the implications of this experience for Emerging Adulthood. Interviews were addressed to Greek students from various disciplines that participated in mobility programmes in different countries and higher education environments during the past two years. The research revealed empowerment of specific emerging adulthood characteristics of the participants, while studying abroad emerges as a significant learning experience that fosters students’ developmental process to adulthood.

A Comparison of Urology Training Across Five Major English-Speaking Countries

Background: Urology is a rapidly evolving specialty, although wide variations exist between training programs in different countries. We aimed to compare the status of urology training in 5 English-speaking countries. Materials and Methods: Features compared include the training pathway structure, training requirements, competition levels and the process of moving country for international medical graduates. Results: Length of training varied considerably across countries, ranging from 5 years in the USA and Canada, to 7 years in Australia and New Zealand and 9 years in the UK. Ease of entering urology training for international medical graduates also varies, with the UK relatively easier compared to other countries. All countries encourage participation in research during training as well as completion of non-urology and urology specific surgical examinations. Conclusion: Following the Royal College of Surgeons Improving Surgical Training report, it is vital that the UK incorporates optimal elements of international programs in order to provide the best standards for trainees and world-class care in urology.