Technical Program Research Articles

Трансфер технологий как фактор инновационного развития АПК

The relevance of the study is increasing, firstly, in connection with the well-known geopolitical events that caused the aggravation of the problem of import substitution, and secondly, the activation of the "Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture for 2017-2030," which clearly sets the task of creating conditions for the interaction of business and science. "Technology transfer" becomes a direct link between them, as well as a conductor and translator of the achievements of fundamental and applied research. "Transfer" by authors means "the introduction or phased transfer with copyright of intellectual property (product) throughout the life cycle with state and (or) municipal financial, legal and other support. It is indicated that the existing technology transfer centers in the agro-industrial complex, formed by regional universities, cannot cope with the functions assigned to them. The use of digital and technological platforms as well as ecosystems is discussed. The problem of risks that occur in the interactions of participants with each other and with system coordinators is raised. The features of the modern "technology transfer" associated with the presence of negative factors and "barriers" are taken into account. It is proposed to use institutional analysis and fuzzy cognitive modeling. The terminology for assessing the "innovation potential" of an agricultural organization, the "level of innovation activity" and others is analyzed. The term "organization's readiness for innovative development" is proposed. The need is expressed for greater involvement in the sphere of "technology transfer" of development institutions, as well as the use of "innovative vouchers." The "field" of technology transfer activities such as public-private partnerships (PPPs) is being substantiated. A scheme is proposed for the formation, transfer, commercialization and scaling of advanced production technologies. A universal transfer mechanism has been developed not only for technologies, but also for other products of intellectual activity. The results of the functioning of the existing transfer of developed advanced production technologies are demonstrated, it is argued that the introduction of the developed mechanism of "technology transfer" will help accelerate the pace of innovative development of the agro-industrial complex.

Challenges and sustainable economic strategies in global vegetable oil trade: A qualitative analysis of cadets in nautical and technical programs

Abstract The global trade of vegetable oils is a critical component of the global supply chain, with significant economic, environmental, and policy implications. This research focuses on cadets in nautical and technical programs, who are prospective seafarers responsible for the distribution of vegetable oils. Incorporating a qualitative research approach and a comprehensive literature review, this study aims to elucidate the cadets’ understanding of and perspectives on the challenges and sustainable economic strategies associated with vegetable oils. The methodology includes semi-structured interviews with cadets, followed by thematic data analysis. The findings are expected to provide insights for policy change, curriculum development, and industry strategies. Understanding the cadets’ viewpoints is crucial for crafting effective solutions in an industry marked by price fluctuations, environmental concerns, and geopolitical influences. This research emphasizes the importance of sustainable economic strategies in ensuring the long-term viability and environmental responsibility of the vegetable oil supply chain. By enhancing the awareness and preparedness of future seafarers, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable and economically viable vegetable oil trade.

Art therapy in mitigating pervasive loss and grief within correctional settings

Those incarcerated often experience different types of loss. Because of where they are, such experiences often result in unresolved, unacknowledged, disenfranchised grief. Recognizing such vulnerability by those who are incarcerated is often difficult and, in some ways, dangerous. Not addressing such losses further exacerbates their chances of completing any respective programs established for success. Art therapy has been effective in alleviating such complications, including for those incarcerated inside correctional institutions. This article draws from the authors’ experiences of providing art therapy services in a statewide program for youthful offenders–those who are 14–22 years old but in the adult institutions–to mitigate obstacles for completing their General Education Degree—and will provide an overview of the various losses that incarcerated individuals experience, their potential grief responses, and the value of art therapy in addressing such grief. The case vignettes provided underscore how, as their expressions were made visible and subsequently seen, validated and acknowledged through art therapy, the incarcerated youth were able to begin the process of moving beyond their grief and attend to their goals, allowing them to succeed in their respective programs, which may include but are not limited to; re-entry focused, substance abuse, GED prep classes, college courses and technical trade programs.

Exploring the complications of climate change funding in Sub-Saharan African countries

Globally, climate change funding has become a focal point and debate among international organisations, private agencies, governments, and civil societies mainly because of its significant threats to social, economic, and the environment and the significant funds needed to adapt and mitigate its impacts. While substantial amounts of funds have been secured and distributed to governments, private organisations and institutions in the continent to mitigate and cope with the threats of climate variabilities, the outcomes have failed to meet the desired outcomes due to limited access to funding, lack of transparency in allocations and the failure of the funds to reach local communities where the impacts are significantly felt. Using a conventional approach of data collection tools predominantly of quantitative and qualitative methods and extensive literature materials, this paper explored the complexities and constraints of sourcing climate change funding and the mechanisms of distribution funds across the continent. The findings unearthed that climate funding lacks transparency and equitable distribution; furthermore, there are substantial bureaucratic processes, capacity constraints and immense conflicting priorities among countries on the continent. Our findings uncovered that addressing these anomalies will require innovative funding structures that catalyse technical assistance programmes to support the creation of new avenues for climate finance as well as reforming global financial institutions, emphasising debt reductions, freeing up additional funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and channelling private finance to both climate and sustainable development, particularly in the more vulnerable countries.

Preface

It is our great pleasure to present the proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Mechanical, Aeronautical, and Automotive Engineering (ICMAA 2024), held virtually from February 2-4, 2024. We are happy to report that the meeting went exceptionally smoothly, safety protocols were followed, and an enjoyable and stimulating meeting was held. This year, ICMAA is sponsored by Singapore Institute of Electronics (SIE), with support from Sichuan Institute of Electronics, China, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Multimedia University, Malaysia, with an emphasis on theoretical and practical aspects, ICMAA 2024 provided a comprehensive platform for researchers and scholars to share their knowledge, insights, and experiences. The Proceedings of the conference contain many excellent papers representing the participants’ research and innovative thinking. All the papers have been checked through rigorous review and processes to meet the requirements of publication. These papers featured a wide range of topics, including but not limited to Applied Mechanics, Automation, Aerospace Propulsion, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Combustion and Emission Control, and Energy Management. We want to express our sincere gratitude to all the authors who contributed their papers to ICMAA 2024. We would also like to thank the members of the organizing committee, the technical program committee, and the reviewers for their hard work and dedication in ensuring the quality of the conference. We hope that the papers included in these proceedings will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in mechanical, aeronautical, and automotive engineering. We also hope that ICMAA 2024 has provided a platform for fruitful collaborations and new research initiatives. We look forward to welcoming you to future editions of ICMAA and continuing our journey of exploration and discovery in mechanical, aeronautical, and automotive engineering. Prof. Jia-Yush Yen National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan Conference Chair of ICMAA2024 List of Organizing Committees and Peer Review Statement are available in this Pdf.

Consideration of natural scientific background in Russia’s climate policy

Aim. Based on normative acts to reveal the key importance of the domestic scientific background in the implementation of climate policy.Objectives. To characterize the historical experience of using scientific-balance calculations in the implementation of strategic planning, applied today in the process of climate policy implementation in the national economy; to consider the current trends in strategic management of climate policy, description of the system of key cross-sectoral documents of strategic planning, reflection of accounting for the implementation of the major innovative project of state importance (MIP SI) and federal scientific and technical program (FSTP) in the system of climate policy in Russia.Methods. The author used general scientific methods of theoretical research, including analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, and presented a system of intersectoral documents of climate policy in the context of the need to ensure anti-sanctions resistance. The results of the implementation of MIP SI and FSTP in the system of documents of inter-sectoral strategic planning of climate policy in the Russian economy are investigated.Results. The article analyzes the system of key intersectoral strategic planning documents developed and approved for the implementation of climate policy. According to the approved acts, in the Russian economy are realized MIP SI and FSTP, which contribute to the aggregation and implementation of scientific developments necessary in the implementation of climate policy of the Russian Federation (RF). In addition, the connection of the relevant documents with the documents of intersectoral (including technological) nature, which take into account not only the implementation of climate policy, but also the need to form technological sovereignty in connection with the sanctions restrictions imposed on the Russian economy. It is shown that state-level projects implemented in connection with the climate agenda can form a domestic foundation that will provide a promising scientific calculations and developments aimed at the realization of low-carbon development of the domestic economy.Conclusions. The low-carbon economic development strategy developed on the basis of the input-output methodology (inter-sectoral balance), the approved state program to reduce the carbon intensity of the Russian economy, as well as the updated Climate Doctrine are the key intersectoral documents of climate policy, which take into account relevant scientific research, including in the natural-science plane. Aggregation of the results of the implementation of the MIP SI and FSTP will allow taking into account the advanced achievements of domestic research in the climate field, which will further ensure a more balanced implementation of the state climate policy in the long term, including in the context of the need to form and ensure technological sovereignty. This in the long term can positively affect the sustainable improvement of welfare in the country.

From the field to the classroom: Exploring instructors’ motivation and the teacher identity in dual credit career and technical education programs

AbstractCompared to other educators, career and technical education (CTE) instructors often possess significant industry knowledge but limited pedagogical skills. Some may define their jobs as role models or trainers for the next generation of professionals, rather than teachers. In this case study, we interviewed 12 CTE dual credit instructors at a CTE center offering CTE dual credit programs to all eligible high school students within an urban public school district located in the southeastern United States. Specifically, this study explored CTE instructors’ educational and professional trajectories, motivations to teach, and identification as teachers. We sought to understand how previous work experiences and other social contexts influenced the teacher identity of CTE dual credit instructors at The Center. Findings about teacher preparation and teacher identity can generate practical recommendations for recruiting and retaining highly competent instructors for CTE dual credit programs.

Impact of Socialization and Technical Guidance Program on Implementation of Independent Curriculum Independently

An analysis of the impact of the socialization and technical guidance program for Implementation of Independent Curriculum Independently was conducted to encourage the operationalization of educational units, particularly teachers, to access, learn, complete, and adapt teaching materials available on Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) This involves using and utilizing the results of minimum competency assessments in class to design meaningful learning. The methods employed in this community service are socialization programs/in-service training and technical guidance/in-service training for Implementation of Independent Curriculum Independently. In-service training is an activity aimed at increasing the quality of educational personnel in performing their duties as professional teachers, particularly in utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for learning, such as adapting PMM to use and utilize the results of minimum competency assessments in class to design meaningful learning. The findings of this community service program include a participant satisfaction survey, where forums for teachers such as teacher working groups have successfully emphasized teaching focused on students' learning achievements (teaching at the right level). Teachers have been able to conduct formative assessments at the beginning of the learning process to assess students' learning achievements. In conclusion, Implementation of Independent Curriculum Independently is reflected in formulating learning outcomes, becoming learning objectives, and ways to achieve these learning objectives. This is demonstrated during the community service workshop, where teachers have successfully adapted to PMM by using and utilizing the results of minimum competency assessments in class to design meaningful learning.

Tests in Moodle: optimizing the educational process for students of technical specialties

The article considers introduction and use of test items in Moodle system with the purpose of improvement. This study considers the challenges faced by university teachers and students of technical specialties in the modern educational environment. It emphasized the need to develop not only theoretical, but also practical skills. The role of electronic learning tools is highlighted, the importance of online platforms, namely the Moodle distance learning system, is emphasized. The main focus of the article is the application of tests on the Moodle platform in order to optimize the educational process and assess the performance of students of technical specialties. The study is the results of a survey of university teachers and students of Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Technologies and Institute for Advanced Technologies and Industrial Programming of MIREA – Russian Technological University on the use of Moodle and the use of tests to assess knowledge. The work also covers various aspects of the use of Moodle in the educational process, focusing on the development of practical skills and effective assessment of learning achievement. University teachers shared their experience of using Moodle for educational purposes, identifying the advantages and features of introducing test items in the system. The students expressed their opinion about the perception of the platform as well as the level of satisfaction. The results of the survey were presented as quantitative and qualitative data and subsequently analysed statistically. It also focused on the advantages and limitations of using Moodle in technical education from the point of view of the participants in the process. These findings can be a valuable resource for educators as well as for platform developers seeking to improve functionality tailored to the needs of technical education programs.

Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Grant Program (ED)

Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Grant Program (ED)

Technology roadmap of risk identification and collision avoidance decision-making in autonomous vehicles for domestic animals

At present, the multi-targets autonomous vehicles identify are mainly various road users such as vehicles and pedestrians in cities. However, in recent years, there are increasing vehicle-animal accidents in pastoral areas of China, and there is a lack of corresponding practical intelligent safety warning measurements. In order to realise the identification and collision avoidance of typical animals, this study obtains the basic characteristics of collisions and the animals’ behavioural characteristics from the pastoral accidents investigation. Firstly, an attempt to focus on the use of the algorithm of the binocular infra-red equipment is made, with the main targets of identification being domestic animals at night or under low brightness conditions. Secondly, the algorithm technology roadmap from the identification and the risk assessment to collision avoidance decision-making is designed. Further, based on the technical route, a feasible solution and overall technical program is presented, which outlines the five aspects of the proposed engineering-ready scheme’s architecture. The methodology used involves transfer learning and the PSMNet network model. The paper concludes that the system can predict the animal’s movement and make proper decisions by utilising binocular infra-red equipment, integrating its algorithms and the support of its behavioural risk assessment. The research results will contribute to the animal collision avoidance technology and the traffic safety in pastoral areas in the future.

Preface

2024 International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Mechatronics (IMM2024) is hosted by Qingdao University and Dalian Jiaotong University and held in Qingdao, China, from March 01-03, 2024. Aiming at providing an excellent international academic platform for all the participating experts, scholars, and engineers, IMM2024 has attracted participation among all over the universities research institutes and companies in the industry. It provide academic exchange for exploring the needs of intelligent manufacturing, mechatronics, automation control systems and electrical engineering in various industries, enabling them to establish academic connection and gain greater development in the future. IMM2024 proceeding collects up-to-date and comprehensive research papers concentrating on the fields related to Intelligent Control, Electrical Engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing, Automation, and Mechatronics. All the accepted papers have been peer-reviewed by 2 experts based on relevance, originality, significance, writing and clarity for the purpose of the conference. The Technical Program Committee members have been working hard to deal with the manuscripts and reviews. The conference accepted 23 papers finally. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the keynote speakers, editors, committee members, volunteers, staffs and organizers for their endeavor and precious time spent on the conference. We would like to thank all the authors, speakers and participants for their great contributions to the success of IMM2024. List of The Organizing Committee of IMM2024 is available in this Pdf.

President’s Column: Enhancing Member Value

_ Editor’s Note: This is a summary of the July episode of the President’s podcast. We encourage you to listen to the episode to hear the full conversation. In this month’s episode, I had the opportunity to discuss several key topics with SPE CEO Simon Seaton. We delved into the exciting preparations for the 100th anniversary of the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE), analyzed the recent member survey results, and highlighted our prestigious awards programs. Recent Travels and Engagements My recent travels included visits to various SPE sections around the globe such as India, Houston, Midland, Texas, and Brazil. These visits enable opportunities for expansion in growing energy regions like India as well as underscored the dedication and enthusiasm of our members. For example, in the Permian Section, the awarding of over $140,000 in scholarships is a testament to our collective effort in supporting the next generation of petroleum engineers through volunteer work and corporate sponsorships. In addition to attending the first CCUS Symposium in Brazil, I had the opportunity to speak with many of the student sections supported by SPE Brazil and SPE Macae. ATCE 2024 in New Orleans As we gear up for ATCE’s 100th anniversary in New Orleans, I’m thrilled about the extensive lineup of activities planned. Last year, SPE staff and the SPE Board began working on reimagining ATCE, employing a third-party consultant to interview members, ATCE attendees, and some of our exhibitors. The team came up with several high-level findings. Based on member feedback, the event layout was updated to create a more dynamic and interactive environment for attendees, create more networking opportunities, and drive more traffic to the exhibit floor. The Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) was expanded to include a broader range of industry perspectives. In addition to assembling the opening general session, this expanded EAC put together six additional executive level strategic panels that will tackle key industry challenges and opportunities. The Opening General Session will feature an all-star CEO panel that includes Tayba Al Hashemi, ADNOC Onshore; John Lindsay, Helmerich & Payne; Jeff Miller, Halliburton; and Meg O’Neill, Woodside Energy. Another highlight of the event will be Liberty Energy’s CEO, Chris Wright, who will deliver the keynote address at Monday’s chairpersons’ luncheon, who will share his insights and industry trends. ATCE’s technical program remains strong. This historic event will feature more than 400 technical presentations in 50 technical paper and poster sessions. Additionally, we will present a selection of the best papers from two other conferences, showcasing cutting-edge research and innovation from the Drilling Conference and the Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Conference. Also new in 2024, SPE members will receive complimentary access to the exhibition floor, encouraging greater participation from local members and providing an opportunity to explore the latest technologies and solutions and network with industry leaders.

Preface

Abstract This collection includes accepted papers from the 2024 3rd Workshop on Material Science, Modelling, Engineering, and Applications in Vibration Engineering (MVE 2024). With a special focus on material science, MVE 2024 welcome research papers on the relationship between structure, properties, and uses of materials (including metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers, energy materials, electrical materials, composite materials, fibers, nanostructured materials, nanocomposites, and biological and biomedical materials). In MVE 2024, we have received 29 submissions and 17 are accepted after peer review carried out in Morressier online submission system, with 48 reviewers participated. The final acceptance rate is 58%. For cost efficiency and eco-protection considers, the webinar of MVE 2024 (Almaty, Kazakhstan) provides free access to all attendees and audiences through TencentMeeting. The webinar consists three parts, keynote speech by Prof. Muhammad Suyfan Javed, oral speeches and posters. The keynote speech lasts for 30 minutes and each oral speech is assigned with 15 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A. The posters are presented on the webinar and the website for further post-webinar communications. Though poster presenters are not able to get instant communication with audience, they are given opportunities to get connected via emails. Among the seventeen papers in the proceedings, five papers, including Hydration characteristics and kinetic analysis of polyacrylamide (PAM) anti-dispersion cement-based materials, Dynamic analysis of a hydraulic motor lifting auxiliary beam of monorail crane, Research of localization of vibration under strong disturbances using modal analysis methods, Research on seismic response and enhanced resistance support of cross fault tunnel models in healthcare, Experimental study on the influence of different sampling methods on the stress-strain and strength characteristics of weathered and water rich sandstone, are presented with oral speeches. The rest papers are all presented with posters. The proceedings editors hope that this collection can provide guidance for problem solving and further studies. List of General Chair and Technical Program Committee are available in this Pdf.

Preface

We are glad to introduce you that the 2024 International Conference on Smart Grids and Power Systems (ICSGPS) was successfully held on January 12–14, 2024 in Zhangjiajie, China. The vision of the ICSGPS 2024 is to provide a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to come together and discuss the latest innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Smart Grids and Power Systems. At ICSGPS 2024, participants have the opportunity to present their research findings and engage in meaningful discussions with experts and scholars from universities and research institutions worldwide. During the conference, the conference model was divided into three sessions, including oral presentations, keynote speeches and Q&A discussion. There were 3 keynote speeches, 4 invited talks both from local and international presenters. The time spent delivering the talks by each keynote speaker was 45 minutes, the oral presentation speaker was 15 minutes following by a Question Answer (Q & A) Session 5 minutes for each. Thanks for wonderful speeches from our keynote speakers Professor Loi Lei Lai, Professor Fushuan Wen and Professor Zhaoyang Dong. ICSGPS 2024 has attracted participants from over 40 universities, their support is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank all the members of the Technical Program Committee and the Organizing Committee for providing competent, efficient, and friendly help that made this conference success. We also appreciate for all the reviewers for their hard work in providing constructive critical comments, improvements and corrections to the authors. A particularly thank for Professor Wenxuan Yao from Hunan University and Professor Chengxi Liu from Wuhan University for their valuable advice as guest editors to ensure the quality of the submissions. Moreover, thanks for the excellent publishing service from Journal of physics: Conference Series. Finally, many thanks for all the participants and we wish you enjoyed and were inspired by the conference. We are convinced that this gathering of minds will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, enabling participants to gain valuable insights into practical challenges encountered. The Committee of ICSGPS 2024 List of Committee Member and Workshops are available in this pdf.

Тенденции развития рынка масличных культур и основные меры государственной поддерж-ки отечественной селекции в современных геополитических условиях

The article presents the preliminary results of 2023 in production and promotion of oil crops under foreign trade restrictions, sanctions pressure and import sub-stitution in the market of seeds of major agricultural crops. Currently, key measures of the state regulation of the development of Russian breeding include: the Federal scientific and technical program of agricultural development for 2017–2030, the new Federal Law “About Seed Production”, rules for localization of production, temporary restrictions on the import of certain types of seeds of agricultural plants on the territory of the Russian Federation, and the provision of subsidies for the renewal of the material and technical base. The state is taking comprehensive measures to stimulate seed breeding programs and support consumers of products of the fat and oil industry.

Editorial: Special pulping and engineering issues of TAPPI Journal yield important recovery cycle research

The June issue of TAPPI Journal, which is dominated by recovery cycle topics, is the last PEERS issue organized by Dr. Peter Hart, the former editor-in-chief who passed away this past May. Peter, who was heavily involved with TAPPI’s Pulp Manufacture Division and various pulping-related committees, also started working with conference technical program planning starting in 2005 with the Engineering, Pulping and Environmental (EPE) Conference, which was the precursor to the more recent Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling and Sustainability (PEERS) Conference. He was also involved with other conference planning, including that for the International Pulp Bleaching Conference. In addition, Peter was a yearly attendee of such conferences starting as far back as 1990.

IMPACT OF THE WAR ON UKRAINE'S INVESTMENT CLIMATE: RISK ASSESSMENT AND PROSPECTS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the investment climate in Ukraine. Based on current statistical data and expert assessments, the main risks for foreign investors caused by military actions on the country's territory are identified. Among them are: large-scale destruction of critical infrastructure, disruption of established logistics chains, a rapid decline in the purchasing power of the population, as well as a high level of uncertainty regarding the further course and duration of the armed conflict. At the same time, the author considers the potential prospects for restoring the investment attractiveness of Ukraine in the conditions of post-war reconstruction. Special emphasis is placed on forecasting the likely dynamics and sectoral structure of foreign investment in the Ukrainian economy starting from 2025, based on the assumption of the completion of the active phase of hostilities. Based on the identified competitive advantages of Ukraine, a set of measures is proposed to improve the national investment environment in the medium and long term. They include ensuring macroeconomic stability, carrying out structural reforms of the regulatory and judicial systems, strengthening the institutional protection of investors' rights, as well as attracting large-scale financial and technical assistance from international partners. At the same time, the author emphasizes the critical importance of forming a holistic strategic vision for the development of Ukraine as a competitive and investment-attractive state in the long-term horizon, which requires the implementation of a targeted policy to stimulate innovation, build modern infrastructure and integrate into global value chains. The article also analyzes the experience of other countries that have suffered significant economic losses due to military conflicts, and highlights the most effective strategies for restoring investment attractiveness in post-war reconstruction. In particular, successful examples of attracting foreign investment in the countries of the Balkan region and Southeast Asia, which managed to quickly overcome the consequences of armed confrontations and ensure sustainable economic growth, are considered. Based on this experience, the author proposes to adapt best practices to Ukrainian realities, taking into account the specifics of the national institutional environment and geopolitical context. Special attention is paid to the role of international financial institutions, in particular the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in supporting investment processes in Ukraine in the context of post-war recovery. The importance of aligning their financial and technical assistance programs with national development priorities and ensuring effective coordination of efforts of all stakeholders is emphasized. In summary, the author concludes that restoring the investment attractiveness of Ukraine in the conditions of post-war reconstruction will require a comprehensive approach that combines urgent measures to overcome the devastating consequences of the war with strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the national economy. Only under such conditions will Ukraine be able to fully realize its investment potential and become an attractive destination for international capital in the post-war world.

Supporting Local Public Health and Planning Professionals to Implement Built Environment Changes: A Technical Assistance Program to Promote Physical Activity in Texas.

Built environment approaches that improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design can increase physical activity. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Department of State Health Services rejuvenated the Texas Plan4Health program from 2018 to 2023 to expand such approaches in Texas by providing technical assistance to teams of local public health professionals and planners to identify and implement projects connecting people to everyday destinations via active transport in their communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Texas Plan4Health to modify the delivery of technical assistance to accommodate restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings. We used qualitative methods to conduct a postintervention process evaluation to describe the modified technical assistance process, understand the experiences of the 4 participating communities, and identify short-term outcomes and lessons learned. Texas Plan4Health helped communities overcome common barriers to built environment change, facilitated collaboration across community public health and planning professionals, and educated professionals about active transportation infrastructure and the relationship between their disciplines, thereby increasing community capacity to implement built environment improvements. This outcome, however, was mediated by the pre-existing resources and previous experiences with active transportation planning among the participating communities. Public health practitioners seeking to improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design for physical activity should consider community-engaged approaches that advance partnership-building and collaborative experiential education among public health, planning, and other local government representatives, directing particular attention and additional training toward communities with fewer resources.

TESDA Rice Extension Services Program and Agricultural Competence among Farm Field Student Farmers

This study evaluated the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Rice Extension Service Program (TESDA RESP) training program's effectiveness in enhancing agricultural competence among farm field student farmers. It examines the level of support provided by the program in terms of resources and training, explores its relationship with agricultural competence, and analyzes differences in program support and rice farmers’ competence across demographic profiles. Data was gathered via quantitative correlational research, assessing student farmers' demographic profile in terms of age, educational background years of farming experience, participation in other TESDA training programs; perception of training delivery support; and level of agricultural competence in rice farming. The study was focused on the province of Misamis Oriental and conducted among farm field schools and training institutions that are recipients of the scholarship program under RESP. Statistical analysis indicates that Resource and Training Support significantly influences the agricultural competence of the student farmer respondents. Demographic profiles, however, show that it does not statistically affect student farmer's level of competence upon having completed the training program in the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization. The findings suggest that the TESDA RESP program effectively enhances agricultural skills, hence advocating for its sustainability to foster skilled rice farmers and agricultural workforce in Misamis Oriental.