Successful Program Research Articles

Development of an integrated and differentiated tahfidz teaching module to improve Quran memorization for students at MI Plus Al-Fatimah Sukorejo Bojonegoro

Teaching modules are independent curriculum frameworks that replace traditional lesson plans. The independent curriculum teaching module, which serves as a replacement for the RPP, has a diverse format that encompasses learning material/content, teaching methods, interpretation, and evaluation techniques. These modules are designed systematically and engagingly to meet the desired success indicators. The primary goal of developing teaching modules is to provide teachers with instructional tools that can guide them effectively in the teaching process. Teachers are given the autonomy to choose or modify the provided modules by the government to better match their students' characteristics or to create their own modules tailored to their students' needs. The developed teaching modules include integrated modules for tahfidz subjects at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Plus Al-Fatimah, differentiated modules for tahfidz subjects at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, guidelines for developing tahfidz teaching modules, instruments for developing these modules, and evaluation tools for assessing the module development process. This research and development (R&D) approach aims to create integrated and differentiated tahfidz teaching modules specifically for MI Plus Al-Fatimah. These modules cover the tahfidz teaching program, implementation guides, and evaluation instruments to assess the program's success. The development process involves the principal to ensure that students can achieve the target of memorizing four juz within six years at the madrasah ibtidaiyah level. The development stages include determining learning strategies and media, producing the modules, and creating assessment tools. This phased approach ensures that the integrated and differentiated tahfidz teaching modules are effective and meet the educational goals of the institution.

Raising environmental awareness through community-based efforts to clean and preserve the Karang Mumus river, Samarinda City

River pollution, particularly from littering, has long plagued Samarinda City. The Karang Mumus River exemplifies this challenge, with heavy downstream debris and a lack of upstream catchment areas leading to seasonal flooding. This pollution significantly reduces the community's quality of life and hinders sustainable development efforts. To address this, a community service program was initiated to raise environmental awareness through cleaning and maintaining the Karang Mumus River. The program utilized outreach methods to educate the "Save Karang Mumus" (SKM) community about the river's functions and proper environmental practices in the surrounding area. The activity culminated in a river cleaning initiative. Notably, post-program participants expressed a willingness to actively participate in future river cleaning efforts organized by GMSS-SKM. This positive outcome demonstrates the program's success in raising awareness about the importance of protecting the Karang Mumus River environment.

Determining the Factors Influencing the Success of Sports Entertainment Programs using Big Data Analysis : Focussing on “A Clean Sweep”

PURPOSE This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the success of the sports entertainment program “A Clean Sweep” using big data analysis.METHODS Text mining, sentiment analysis, TF-IDF, connection centrality, and semantic network analysis were conducted using the social big data analysis program Textom and social network analysis program Ucinet6. The research period was limited from June 6, 2022 to November 30, 2023.RESULTS The factors determining success were entertainment programs, Monday, OTT, and independent league. The events and marketing factors were extracted, and A Clean Sweep X Kelly, A Clean Sweep X Mom love, cheering song, uniforms, and direct viewing day influenced success. The new hire factors were rookie draft, Young-Mook Hwang, Sung-Joon Won, and Hyun-Soo Jeong. Positive (such as good, fun, looking forward to, best, and funny) and negative (such as esoteric, regrettable, shocking, dislike, and uncomfortable) emotional factors were also extracted. The extracted star marketing factors were directors (Seung-Yup Lee, Sung-Geun Kim) and players (Dae-Ho Lee, Geun-Woo Jung, Hee-Kwan Yoo, Moon-Ho Kim, Yong-Taek Park, Taek-Geun Lee).CONCLUSIONS We were able to identify the success factors of “A Clean Sweep”, which we hope will contribute to the revitalization of professional baseball as well as sports entertainment programs.

Can High Involvement of Roma Parents Combat the Impact of Poverty? Resilience and Parental Involvement in the Success of Roma Students at School from the Students’ Perspective

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: A recurring question in Romani studies is why it is difficult to achieve breakthrough successes in inclusion programs. These programs focus mainly on school subjects, although the role of parents is crucial to solving the problem. This study, therefore, concerns parents and their roles in school success. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The purpose of this study is 1) to reveal how Roma and non‑Roma pupils perceive their parents’ involvement (PI) and 2) to come closer to explaining how PI affects students’ school success under the control of other variables. The analysis sheds light on the views of children of Roma and non‑Roma parents in Hungary. Cross‑tabulation analysis and linear regression analysis were applied. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The database called Discovery of Hidden Value of Mentoring (DHVM) was analysed, which includes data from 13–14‑year‑old students (N = 206; 31.1% Roma, 68.9% non‑Roma). RESEARCH RESULTS: For all school‑based and home‑based PI indicators apart from one (parent–teacher conferences), Roma and non‑Roma parents showed the same results. A student’s disadvantaged financial situation most strongly determined their level of school success, overriding the compensatory effect of PI. The variance explained by the regression model was 30.4%, and the model was significant (F(7) 5.18, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND APPLICABLE VALUE OF RESEARCH: Although financial disadvantage overrides the compensatory effect of PI on school careers and political entities need much action to improve people’s financial situation, schools and families cannot look only to the outside for solutions. The most significant finding of the research is that there is a hidden resource to improve the school success of Roma pupils, namely PI. Based on the results, the schools are recommended to conduct the partner cooperation with parents, because together they can increase the children’s future opportunities and resilience.

Aktivitas harian lumba-lumba hidung botol Indo-Pasifik (Tursiops aduncus) rehabilitasi di Umah Lumba, Teluk Banyuwedang, Bali

Study on the daily activities of confiscated animals prior to be released is very important for the success of an animal release program. This research focuses on confiscated bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus which were rehabilitated in Umah Lumba, Banyuwedang Bay, Pejarakan Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng, Bali, and aims to determine the daily activities of bottlenose dolphins in Umah Lumba prior to be released in North Bali waters. Observations of daily activities was carried out by using the focal animal sampling method with instantaneous recording on three individual bottlenose dolphins in Umah Lumba. This study showed that there were several activities that support life in the wild, namely the absence of tail clapping activity, as well as the locomotion and breathing activities increased optimally. Likewise, it was also recorded the activities that indicated the optimal condition of their physiological state, such as a minimal sneezing activity and recorded jumping activity as one of the foraging strategies carried out by dolphins in their natural habitat. Those activities are improvements towards optimal conditions ahead of release from the observation conducted at the beginning of the rehabilitation period.

Perceptions and outcomes of a nationwide remote pharmacy mentorship program

AbstractIntroductionMentorship is crucial for professional development in health care. However, the outcomes of national remote mentorship programs in pharmacy remain largely unexplored. This study evaluates the perceptions and experiences of student pharmacists, residents, fellows, and nontrainee pharmacists in such a program.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the perceptions and outcomes of a nationwide remote pharmacy mentorship program designed for student pharmacists, residents, and fellows. It explores the efficacy, benefits, and barriers within a national pharmacy professional organization mentorship program.MethodsThe mentor and mentee experiences in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network (PRN) from program years 2019–2022 were assessed using an anonymous online survey, employing a mixed‐methods approach. The survey featured quantitative Likert scale and qualitative free‐response questions. In addition, publicly available online sources provided data for postprogram placement outcomes of learner participants in the program. Summary statistics were computed from the quantitative data, and content analysis was applied to the qualitative data.ResultsOf the 356 invited program participants, 48 mentors (32.7%) and 18 mentees (8.6%) responded to the survey. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed on the program's effectiveness, contributing to a high postprogram placement rate in residencies and ambulatory care positions, emphasizing the program's success in supporting career progression. Respondents recognized significant benefits like career development and professional satisfaction. Notable demographic disparities, especially in age, gender, and race, were observed among participants. The study also identified logistical challenges that impeded the program's full potential.ConclusionDespite limitations, including a low number of responses, the study revealed that remote mentorship may positively affect professional development and well‐being. The data supports the program‐impacted respondent involvement and professional growth. Moreover, these findings suggest the need for further research to address the program barriers and disparities in participation.

The Role of Social Capital and Technology Adaptation: A Performance Study of Water Supply and Sanitation Managers

This research aims to describe the role of social capital, technology adaptation, and the performance of group administrators at Kpspams in East Java Province. The location of this research was 170 Kpspams throughout the East Java region with reasonable functioning classifications. Kpspams in the East Java region was chosen as the research location because East Java is the province with the highest Kpspams functional status nationally. The time required to collect data is approximately 2 (two) months. The population in this study were Kpspams administrators throughout the East Java region who had an excellent functioning classification totaling 1016. The sampling technique used a probability sampling technique, a proportional random sampling method based on the same proportion for each group, so the sample determined in this study was 170 Kpspams members—East Java region. The research results show that the social capital variable was not able to significantly increase the value of each indicator of the management performance variable but technology adaptation has a significant positive effect on management performance as a consideration in improving management performance and sustainability of Kpspams in East Java Province. The contribution of this research is expected to be an input to overcome a problem that is being faced, especially in the aspect of program success at Kpspams in East Java Province and its development. The advice that can be given in this research is the development of several previous studies with distinctive characteristics not found in previous research, namely giving rise to a new dimension in the form of technological adaptation as a variable in the Kpspams research object.

Genetic-epigenetic aspects of infertility in women with long-COVID-19

The aim of the study is to determine the genetic and epigenetic features of infertile patients with long-term COVID-19 in order to clarify the risk factors for the failure of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) use. Materials and methods. The MTHFR (C677T, A1298С), RFC-1 (G80A) and BHMT (G742A) gene polymorphisms and the methylation of ESR1 gene was performed. 40 patients (main group) with infertility due to long-term COVID-19 were examined: the subgroup 1 - 25 women in whom the use of ART was ineffective, the subgroup 2 - 15 patients with effective use of ART. The control was taken from literary sources: for RFC (G80A), MTHFR (C677T) and MTHFR (A1298C) polymorphisms - 35 Ukrainian women without infertility and reproductive losses; for BHMT (G742A) - 60 people of the Ukrainian population. The methods of variational statistics were used, in particular the Fisher test with a significance level of p<0.05. Results. Patients of the main group have a higher frequency of the homozygous genotype of the MTHFR gene polymorphism (C677T) on the mutant T allele (20.0% vs. 3.2%; p<0.05). When ART is unsuccessful, the TT genotype is 4 times greater (28.0% vs. 6.7%; p<0.05). A study by genotypes of MTHFR polymorphism (A1298C) did not reveal a significant difference. Patients of the main group `have a higher frequency of the mutant allele A of the RFC gene (G80A) (80.0% vs. 51.4%; p<0.05). No significant difference was found depending on the success rate of ART. The frequency of BHMT gene polymorphism (G742A) in the main group did not differ from that in the Ukrainian population, however, in the case of unsuccessful ART, it was observed less often and only in the heterozygous variant (40.0% vs. 66.6%; p<0.05). The analysis of pairwise intergenic interaction revealed the highest frequency of the combination of AAGA for the MTHFR (A1298C)+BHMT (G742A) pair - 35.0% and GAAA for the RFC (G80A)+MTHFR (A1298C) pair - 30.0% in the main group. Hypermethylation of the promoter region of the ESR1 gene is observed in 20 (50.0%) patients of the main group: in 17 (68.0%) women of the subgroup 1 versus 3 (20.0%) women of the subgroup 2 (p<0.05). Conclusions. The genetic and epigenetic conditioning of the success of ART programs in infertility associated with long-term COVID-19 has been revealed, which opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for identifying factors predisposing to unsuccessful ART treatment and increasing the effectiveness of such treatment by correcting disorders of folic acid metabolism, hyperhomocysteinemia and the estrogens receptor apparatus. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The research protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the work. Informed consent of the women was obtained for the research. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA): diagnosis, management, and care in the setting of amyloid-modifying therapy.

Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, were originally described by dementia care experts. The wider use of aducanumab and now lecanemab warrant broader understanding by the health care provider continuum. The optimal care approach for patients with Alzheimer's dementia, treated with amyloid-targeted therapy, includes proper clinical diagnosis, complication surveillance, specific imaging protocols, expert specialty consultation, integrated treatment strategies, and proper facility system planning. Improved awareness and understanding of amyloid-modifying therapy, both benefits and potential complications, among the health care provider continuum is paramount to the success of complex care programs. Specifically, recognition of treatment high risk, high benefit groups, and the interface of concurrent antiplatelet and anticoagulation. This integrated acute, specialty, and primary care approach should improve patient care quality and outcome.

Understanding The Complexities of Teaching Marginalized Groups And Promoting Inclusive Education in Masjid Terminal School: Teachers’ Perspective

Behind the success of the government programs, various educational phenomena in Depok City must still be resolved, one of which is education for marginalized communities. “Marginalized people” is a more accurate description of the urban poor. Consequently, the paramount task for the government is to harness the potential of these underprivileged individuals through the promotion of inclusive education. The Masjid Terminal School (Master School) is one of the schools in Depok that provides inclusive education. A qualitative method with a case study approach is used in this study. Semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and post-observation interviews were conducted to collect the data. The findings of this study revealed that the challenges faced by students at Master School differ significantly from those encountered at other schools. Given that Master School is tailored for underprivileged students, economic hardships emerge as one of their most formidable obstacles. Nevertheless, students at Master School are afforded opportunities to enhance their capacities and skills while enrolled, as the school not only provides tuition-free lessons but also offers a variety of extracurricular activities open to all students. Furthermore, teachers and staff at Master School actively support students with a strong desire to pursue higher education, with many students having secured scholarships to study abroad.

Adaptations to a patient navigation program for follow-up colonoscopy in rural primary care practices.

Patient navigation is a recommended practice to improve cancer screenings among underserved populations including those residing in rural areas with care access barriers. We report on patient navigation programme adaptations to increase follow-up colonoscopy rates after abnormal fecal testing in rural primary care practices. Participating clinics delivered a patient navigation programme to eligible patients from 28 affiliated clinics serving rural communities in Oregon clustered within 3 Medicaid health plans. Patient navigation adaptations were tracked using data sources including patient navigation training programme reflections, qualitative interviews, clinic meetings, and periodic reflections with practice facilitators. Initial, planned (proactive) adaptations were made to address the rural context; later, unplanned (reactive) adaptations were implemented to address the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Initial planned adaptations to the patient navigation programme were made before the main trial to address the needs of the rural context, including provider shortages and geographic dispersion limiting both patient access to care and training opportunities for providers. Later unplanned adaptations were made primarily in response to COVID-19 care suspension and staff redeployments and shortages that occurred during implementation. While unplanned adaptations were implemented to address the contextual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care access patterns and staffing, the changes to training content and context were beneficial to the rural setting overall and should be sustained. Our findings can guide future efforts to optimise the success of such programmes in other rural settings and highlight the important role of adaptations in implementation projects.

Financial Literacy in the Age of Digital Finance: A Global Perspective

Global financial landscapes have changed recently due to the digitalization of financial services, which presents opportunities and difficulties for improving financial literacy. To comprehend how digitalization affects people's financial knowledge, abilities, and behaviors across various socioeconomic and cultural contexts, this study investigates the effects of digital finance on financial literacy levels globally. The main goal is to look into how digital finance affects financial literacy around the world. To clarify the main factors influencing financial literacy in digital contexts, this study will examine the body of existing literature and empirical research. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the success of ongoing financial literacy programs and suggest methods for improving financial literacy in the face of growing digitization. The study makes use of qualitative research techniques, which include a thorough evaluation of the literature that includes scholarly articles, reports, and policy papers. In addition, document analysis of industry reports and regulatory frameworks pertaining to digital finance and financial literacy is part of it. Effective personal financial management requires financial literacy, which is becoming more and more important when it comes to digital finance. Peer-to-peer lending, digital wallets, and mobile banking are examples of digital finance. While they increase financial inclusion, they also come with a learning curve that must be overcome in order to fully reap the rewards. Research highlights the beneficial relationship between better financial decision-making and financial literacy, which is aided by digital learning resources. Consumer education on digital financial hazards is particularly important in light of challenges with consumer protection and data privacy. Programs for financial literacy that are effective should be customized for a range of demographics and make use of digital platforms to increase relevance and involvement. Developing strong regulatory frameworks to protect digital financial transactions, raising consumer awareness through focused educational initiatives, and improving financial literacy programs to incorporate training in digital financial skills are some of the recommendations. Improving digital infrastructure and adapting educational activities to local contexts are necessary to address global inequities. It is advised to do longitudinal study to evaluate long-term effects, and novel pedagogical strategies such as gamification ought to be investigated to improve financial practices worldwide. This conclusion of the study emphasizes how critical it is to address issues and take advantage of opportunities in digital banking in order to improve global financial literacy. By putting these suggestions into practice, stakeholders can create a robust and inclusive financial ecosystem that protects consumer interests and encourages responsible financial conduct while enabling people all around the world to successfully manage digital banking. In the digital era, this study supports evidence-based policies and practices that promote financial inclusion and sustainable economic development.

Using FRAME to adapt an evidence‐based dyadic intervention program for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A pilot feasibility study

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of adapting and translating an evidence‐based occupational therapist‐delivered program shown to be effective in the community to residential aged care (RAC). The program aims to improve quality of care and quality of life for people living with dementia and the wellbeing of the family care partner.MethodsThis study took place in a not‐for‐profit RAC home in Adelaide, South Australia. Mixed methods, specifically questionnaires, activity logs, focus group, and one‐on‐one interviews were used to evaluate the feasibility of the program implementation. Staff working in the participating home, occupational therapists trained to deliver the program, and residents and their family carer partners were included. Quantitative data were analysed using proportions, means, and standard deviations. Qualitative data were analysed using a thematic approach.Consumer and Community InvolvementThis study was conducted together with a consumer (person living with dementia) and a carer representative (family member of someone residing in RAC). These representatives provided input towards the study design, interpretation of study data, discussion of results, and recommendations for future consideration.ResultsSmall changes to the program improved feasibility and acceptability for delivery in RAC. While the care home staff required added support during implementation, the intervention therapists felt that the program could be delivered in this setting. Family care partners of residents with dementia felt that the program may be better suited if provided upon entry to RAC or in early stages of dementia.ConclusionAdapting a community‐based dementia care program to RAC can be safe and feasible. Program adaptations are necessary for feasibility. Further adaptations and evaluations of associated outcomes (related to residents with dementia and their family care partners) are needed to assess the program effectiveness in larger scale.Plain language summarySpending quality time with family members in residential aged care is important. However, many struggle to know what to say or do when visiting a family member who lives with dementia. Programs that teach families about how to communicate with people living with dementia, how to support them to take part in important everyday living activities, or how to understand why changes in behaviours may occur have not been available in residential aged care. This paper describes how we adapted one such evidence‐based program from community to residential aged care settings. We consulted with people living with dementia, carers, and families and found that the program could also be valuable in this care setting. Residential aged care staff described how the program is very different to what is usually available in residential aged care, but they were optimistic that with the right support, it could be a valuable way to support residents with dementia and their families. Family members of residents with dementia and therapists delivering the program felt that residents in early stages of living in residential aged care and/or early stages of dementia could benefit the most from these programs. We found that including family members in the intervention process can be useful and empowering for families and residents. Future work should also focus on involving other staff members caring for residents in the process. Communication between staff and families is the key for program delivery and success and treating each person as an individual.

Principal’s Managerial Competence in Improving Teacher’s Professional Competence

Improving the quality of education needs to be supported by improving the professionalism of teachers which will also affect the quality of graduates. In this case, the role of the principal is very necessary to support the success of the teacher professional improvement program. The purpose of this study is to discuss the managerial competence of school principals to improve the professional competence of teachers at SD Muhammadiyah 1 Krian Sidoarjo. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study type of research. Data collection techniques through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of this study reveal that with the managerial competence possessed by the principal of SD Muhammadiyah 1 Krian in improving the professional competence of teachers, teachers have tried to carry out their roles to the maximum. By looking at the planning of programs to improve teachers' professional competence, school organization management, cooperation with vice principals, educators and education staff, control, find solutions to the challenges faced in improving teachers' professional competence and evaluation at SD Muhammadiyah 1 Krian. Establishing a KKG program for teachers also provides opportunities for teachers to continue their S2, PPG and PMM studies as an effort to improve teacher professionalism. This research is expected to be a reference for academics to continue to strive to improve the quality of education in Indonesia. Not only for teachers and school principals, but all levels of society to show their concern for education.

Parameter Estimation Method for Virtual Power Plant Frequency Response Model Based on SLP

In adapting to the double-high development trend of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) receiving-end power systems and solving optimization problems in emergency frequency control (EFC) supporting virtual power plants (VPPs) in large-scale power systems, a parameter estimation method for a VPP frequency response model based on a successive linear programming (SLP) method is proposed. First, a “centralized/decentralized” hierarchical control architecture for VPP participation in EFC is designed. Second, the frequency response characteristics of multiple flexible resources are scientifically analyzed, and the system frequency response (SFR) model and equivalent model of VPP are constructed. Subsequently, parameter estimation of the VPP frequency response model is carried out based on the SLP method, aiming to balance the accuracy and computational efficiency of the model. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed methodology is verified by using PSD-BPA to simulate and test the three-zone HVDC recipient area grid.

Peer and lay health work for people experiencing homelessness: A scoping review.

Homelessness poses complex health obstacles for individuals and communities. Peer and lay health worker programs aim to increase access to health care and improve health outcomes for PEH by building trust and empowering community-based workers. The scope and breadth of peer and lay health worker programs among PEH has not been synthesized. The primary objective of this scoping review is to understand the context (setting, community, condition or disease) encompassing peer and lay health worker programs within the homelessness sector. The secondary objective is to examine the factors that either facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of peer and lay health worker programs when applied to people experiencing homelessness (PEH). We searched CINHAL, Cochrane, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and MEDLINE. We conducted independent and duplicate screening of titles and abstracts, and extracted information from eligible studies including study and intervention characteristics, peer personnel characteristics, outcome measures, and the inhibitors and enablers of effective programs. We discuss how peer and lay health work programs have successfully been implemented in various contexts including substance use, chronic disease management, harm reduction, and mental health among people experiencing homelessness. These programs reported four themes of enablers (shared experiences, trust and rapport, strong knowledge base, and flexibility of role) and five themes of barriers and inhibitors (lack of support and clear scope of role, poor attendance, precarious work and high turnover, safety, and mental well-being and relational boundaries). Organizations seeking to implement these interventions should anticipate and plan around the enablers and barriers to promote program success. Further investigation is needed to understand how peer and lay health work programs are implemented, the mechanisms and processes that drive effective peer and lay health work among PEH, and to establish best practices for these programs.

Unlocking policy success: is codesign the key to achieving effective policy outcomes?

Codesign is increasingly promoted as best-practice and a solution to many policy ills, yet there is little empirical evidence suggesting that it is actually more effective for designing and implementing policy. This article investigates whether codesigned policies and programs are in fact more successful in achieving positive policy outcomes by applying the policy success framework to the codesign process behind the Australian Capital Territory’s Family Safety Hub. Using this framework, we conclude that codesign can have a significant positive impact on the process when it is done well, but its effect on longer-term program and political success depends heavily on other factors. The use of codesign as a stand-alone policy tool is limited, but further research is needed to understand how the value it generates in the early design stages can be translated into better implementation and positive program outcomes.

The Right Prescription for Family Bliss: A Cross-Sectional Study on Community Satisfaction in Indonesian Family Planning Programs

Although significant progress has been achieved over many decades, sustaining the success of family planning programs in Indonesia requires a deep understanding of the factors that influence community satisfaction among those involved. This study surveyed 503 Family Planning Field Workers (PKBs) across Indonesia’s regions to identify the main factors encouraging satisfaction among communities participating in these programs. A structured online questionnaire was distributed to collect data on the sociodemographic factors influencing satisfaction, which were then analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that effective follow-up on community feedback (β = 0.233, p < 0.001), implementing a rights-based approach (β = 0.207, p < 0.001), enabling community participation (β = 0.147, p < 0.001), collaborating with healthcare providers and facilities (β = 0.159, p < 0.001), and monitoring and evaluating programs (β = 0.155, p < 0.001) were significant positive predictors. More notable, the regression model accounted for a considerable 74.7% of the variation in community satisfaction, pointing to how significant the explanatory power of the identified factors was in predicting the level of satisfaction among communities participating in family planning programs. Actions must be developed to enhance reproductive health and manage population growth by focusing on key factors such as responsive communication, rights, integrated services, community involvement, and evaluations, which are what matters most for family planning programs.

A Modified Bayesian Optimization Approach for Determining a Training Set to Identify the Best Genotypes from a Candidate Population in Genomic Selection

AbstractTraining set optimization is a crucial factor affecting the probability of success for plant breeding programs using genomic selection. Conventionally, the training set optimization is developed to maximize Pearson’s correlation between true breeding values and genomic estimated breeding values for a testing population, because it is an essential component of genetic gain in plant breeding. However, many practical breeding programs aim to identify the best genotypes for target traits in a breeding population. A modified Bayesian optimization approach is therefore developed in this study to construct training sets for tackling such an interesting problem. The proposed approach is based on Monte Carlo simulation and data cross-validation, which is shown to be competitive with the existing methods developed to achieve the maximal Pearson’s correlation. Four real genome datasets, including two rice, one wheat, and one soybean, are analyzed in this study. An R package is generated to facilitate the application of the proposed approach. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.

Flushing Out Homeowner Perceptions to Improve Voluntary Septic to Sewer Conversion With Social Marketing

Background Septic systems are recognized as a contributor to water quality degradation. Septic to sewer conversion programs are being implemented to mitigate nutrient pollution but success of voluntary programs is dependent on homeowner participation. The purpose of this study was to identify elements of potential social marketing strategies that could advance the voluntary adoption of septic to sewer conversion programs. Focus of the Article This study used formative survey research to assess residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived benefits of and barriers to septic systems conversion in Florida, USA to inform future interventions promoting this major, costly home infrastructure change that reduces wastewater nutrient contamination. Research Question This study attempts to answer the following questions: (1) Does septic system conversion status (mandatory vs. voluntary) influence homeowners’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived benefits and barriers to septic to sewer conversion? (2) What social marketing variables are the best predictors of attitude about septic to sewer conversion? Importance to the Social Marketing Field In contrast to inexpensive, repeated habits which are the target of many social marketing campaigns, costly one-time behaviors have been minimally explored by social scientists and social marketers. This study demonstrates how social marketing research can be applied to advance the adoption of costly, one-time infrastructure improvements, with septic to sewer conversions serving as the study context. There are substantial opportunities for social marketers to support local government and other organizations in their promotion of major technologies, including, but not limited to septic system conversions. Methods 518 adult Florida residents who were also septic system owners completed an online survey instrument that assessed subjective and objective knowledge, attitudes about septic to sewer conversion, and motivators and barriers to conversion. Results Septic system homeowners are largely supportive of septic conversion programs; however, the greatest perceived benefits are personal and not associated with environmental improvements. Despite many septic to sewer conversion projects being initiated for environmental purposes, behavior change efforts should promote the benefits of conversion as perceived by the homeowner. The primary barrier is the upfront cost, and alternative funding structures should be investigated. Recommendations for Research or Practice This study indicates that target audience outreach is an essential component of the environmental planning process. Considering the costs and complexity of water quality infrastructure projects, environmental management professionals should consider a robust audience-specific social marketing program as part of the implementation and planning process. The findings presented here suggest opportunities for social marketers to partner with environmental management professionals tasked with encouraging septic to sewer conversion or other costly and significant one-time behaviors.