Weak Coordination Research Articles

Molecular Design of Competitive Solvation Electrolytes for Practical High‐Energy and Long‐Cycling Lithium‐Metal Batteries

AbstractElectrolytes with high stability against both Li anode and high‐voltage cathode are critical for high‐energy and long‐cycling lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, the free active solvents in common electrolytes are susceptible to decomposition at both Li anode and high‐voltage cathode. Although recently developed locally high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) have largely restricted active solvents via Li+ coordination, the free molecules are still released upon the desolvation of Li+ at the surface of electrodes, causing continuous decomposition during long‐cycling processes. Here, a molecule competitive solvation electrolyte (MCE) is shown to stabilize high‐voltage LMBs by introducing a well‐designed and newly synthetic bipolar solvent molecule with one ion‐dissociative polar head and the other highly fluorinated nonpolar tail. The bipolar molecules competitively dissociate Li+ via weak coordination interactions, drastically reducing the ratio of active solvents in electrolytes and the detrimental decomposition at electrodes during the desolvation processes. Consequently, the MCE enables a 1.4‐Ah Li metal pouch cell with a stack energy density of 450 Wh kg−1 along with exceptional operation stability over 400 cycles (retention: 81%). Furthermore, the MCE also maintains the stable operation of a 2.5‐Ah Li‐S pouch cell with an excellent energy density of 417 Wh kg−1 for 70 cycles under practical conditions.

Assembly of Six Types of Heteroleptic Pd2L4 Cages under Kinetic Control.

Heteroleptic assemblies composed of several kinds of building blocks have been seen in nature. It is still unclear how natural systems design and create such complicated assemblies selectively. Past efforts on multicomponent self-assembly of artificial metal-organic cages have mainly focused on finding a suitable combination of building blocks to lead to a single multicomponent self-assembly as the thermodynamically most stable product. Here, we present another approach to selectively produce multicomponent Pd(II)-based self-assemblies under kinetic control based on the selective ligand exchanges of weak Pd-L coordination bonds retaining the original orientation of the metal centers in a kinetically stabilized cyclic structure and on local reversibility given in certain areas of the energy landscape in the presence of the assist molecule that facilitates error correction of coordination bonds. The kinetic approach enabled us to build all six types of Pd2L4 cages and heteroleptic tetranuclear cages composed of three kinds of ditopic ligands. Although the cage complexes thus obtained are metastable, they are stable for 1 month or more at room temperature.

Facile Access to Cationic Methylstannylenes and Silylenes Stabilized by E-Pt Bonding and their Methyl Group Transfer Reactivity.

We describe a family of cationic methylstannylene and chloro- and azidosilylene organoplatinum(II) complexes supported by a neutral, binucleating ligand. Methylstannylenes MeSn:+ are stabilized by coordination to PtII and are formed by facile Me group transfer from dimethyl or monomethyl PtII complexes, in the latter case triggered by concomitant B-H, Si-H, and H2 bond activation that involves hydride transfer from Sn to Pt. A cationic chlorosilylene complex was obtained by formal HCl elimination and Cl- removal from HSiCl3 under ambient conditions. The computational studies show that stabilization of cationic methylstannylenes and cationic silylenes is achieved through weak coordination to a neutral N-donor ligand binding pocket. The analysis of the electronic potentials, as well as the Laplacian of electron density, also reveals the differences in the character of Pt-Si vs. Pt-Sn bonding. We demonstrate the importance of a ligand-supported binuclear Pt/tetrel core and weak coordination to facilitate access to tetrylium-ylidene Pt complexes, and a transmetalation approach to the synthesis of MeSnII :+ derivatives.

Expectations of clients, insurers, and providers: a qualitative responsiveness assessment among private health insurance sector in Kampala-Uganda

BackgroundThere is less attention to assessing how health services meet the expectations of private health insurance (PHI) actors, clients, insurers, and providers in developing countries. Interdependently, the expectations of each actor are stipulated during contract negotiations (duties, obligations, and privileges) in a PHI arrangement. Complementary service roles performed by each actor significantly contribute to achieving their expectations. This study assessed the role of PHI in meeting the expectations of clients, insurers, and providers in Kampala. Lessons from this study may inform possible reviews and improvements in Uganda’s proposed National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure NHIS service responsiveness.MethodsThis study employed a qualitative case-study design. Eight (8) focus group discussions (FGDs) with insured clients and nine (9) key informant interviews (KIIs) with insurer and provider liaison officers between October 2020 and February 2021 were conducted. Participants were purposively selected from eligible institutions. Thematic analysis was employed, and findings were presented using themes with corresponding anonymized narratives and quotes.ResultsClient-Provider, Client-Insurer, and Provider-Insurer expectations were generally not met. Client-provider expectations: Although most facilities were clean with a conducive care environment, clients experienced low service care responsiveness characterized by long waiting times. Both clients and providers received inadequate feedback about services they received and delivered respectively, in addition to prompt care being received by a few clients. For client-insurer expectations, under unclear service packages, clients received low-quality medicines. Lastly, for provider-insurer expectations, delayed payments, selective periodic assessments, and inadequate orientation of clients on insurance plans were most reported. Weak coordination between the client-provider and insurer did not support delivery processes for responsive service.ConclusionHealth care service responsiveness was generally low. There is a need to commit resources to support the setting up of clearer service package orientation programs, and efficient monitoring and feedback platforms. Uganda’s proposed National Health Insurance Act may use these findings to: Inform its design initiatives focusing on operating under realistic expectations, investment in quality improvement systems and coordination, and efficient and accountable client care relationships.

Advancing shared accountability for meaningful community engagement with socially vulnerable communities: Lessons learned from COVID-19 health education and general outreach in an urban region.

As COVID-19 public health emergency measures come to an end, socially vulnerable communities have reduced access to resources that address social and health disparities created or exacerbated by the pandemic. Social workers must uphold access to healthcare as a human right in the post-pandemic era by reducing social vulnerability and strengthening community resilience to respond to future health emergencies and natural disasters. This paper draws on the experiences of a team of social work researchers, students, and practitioners engaged in efforts to disseminate information on COVID preventive measures and broker access to local health and social resources. This project, based in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, formed part of the federal research response to promote community engagement in regions most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through participation in health fairs and community events that targeted persons with limited access to healthcare resources, we gathered critical insights on how to build community capacity for meaningful community engagement. Drawing on a conceptual model for evaluating community engagement strategies, we describe three main barriers to collaborative community outreach: weak organizational communication and coordination, inconsistent strategies for requesting on-site health services, and low neighborhood awareness of outreach events. We advance strategies for improvement that engage community-based organizations, health systems, backbone organizations, and community members in targeted activities to build community resilience. This includes inter-organizational communication during outreach event planning, formal processes to promote greater use of mobile health services, centralized event communication, and grassroots outreach event promotion.

A Biodegradable Polyester-Based Polymer Electrolyte for Solid-State Lithium Batteries

The low ionic conductivity, narrow electrochemical window, poor interfacial stability with lithium metal, and non-degradability of raw materials are the main problems of solid polymer electrolytes, restricting the development of lithium solid-state batteries. In this paper, a biodegradable poly (2,3-butanediol/1,3-propanediol/succinic acid/sebacic acid/itaconic acid) ester was designed and used as a substrate to prepare biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries using a simple solution-casting method. A large number of ester-based polar groups in the amorphous polymer become a high-speed channel for carrying lithium ions as a weak coordination site. The biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolyte exhibits a wide electrochemical window of 5.08 V (vs. Li/Li+), high ionic conductivity of 1.03 mS cm−1 (25 °C), and a large Li+ transference number of 0.56. The electrolyte exhibits good interfacial stability with lithium, with stable Li plating/stripping behavior at room temperature over 2100 h. This design strategy for biodegradable polyester solid polymer electrolytes offers new possibilities for the development of matrix materials for environmentally friendly lithium metal solid-state batteries.

Barriers to implementing health programs based on community participation: the Q method derived perspectives of healthcare professional

BackgroundCommunity participation in implementing health programs leads to positive organizational, social and individual consequences. This study aimed to investigate the prospects of a sample of Iranian healthcare professionals about their perceived barriers to implementing health programs based on community participation.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that employed a Q-methodology approach. Twenty health professional sorted the 47 statements into a 9-column Q-sort diagram ranging from − 4 as not important to + 4 as very important. The data were analyzed with PQMethod 2.35 software. The centroid factor analysis and varimax rotation were used for data analysis. Factors identified were interpreted and described in terms of the participants perspectives on the phenomenon.ResultsAnalysis of the study participants’ viewpoints (the Q-sorts) resulted in a five factor solution (accounted for 57% of the total variance) to endorse the main barriers to the implementation of health programs based on community participation in Iran. Barriers related to government, health programs, lack of necessary skills amongst health professionals and weak coordination between departments, barriers related to community, lack of understanding of goals, benefits and transparency of roles and responsibilities were among the important emanated factors to implementing health programs based community participation.ConclusionHealth policymakers and managers should consider the five mentioned identified barriers based on the community when planning and implementing the health program participation and try to empower the community to implement the programs in Iran.

Trends in Russian Logistics Development: Forecasts and Reality

The goal of the article is to analyze forecasts and actual development of Russian logistics on the basis of concrete example, figures, quotations and references to research. Today Russian logistics is passing the stage of active development, however, there are a lot of challenges and problems that should be overcome. A key trend in Russian logistics development is digitalization and introduction of new technologies. According to the research conducted by the Committee on Logistics Development, in 2020 about 78% of logistical market participants in Russia supported introduction of digital innovation in their work. It can cut costs of transportation, raise process efficiency and improve the quality of customer service. However, Russian logistics has not reached its full potential in this field. Key problems are poor introduction of advanced information technologies and undeveloped digital infrastructure. According to the research published by the journal ‘Logistics and Managing Supply Chains’ in 2021 only 25% of logistic companies in Russia use systems of managing storehouses and transport on the basis of artificial transportation, which allows companies to cut delivery period and provide more efficient use of transport infrastructure. According to Rosgosstrakh research in 2020, the volume of multimodal transportation in Russia grew by 15% in comparison with the previous year. However, the Federal Agency on Air Service reports that the development of infrastructure for multimodal transportation is not sufficient. A lot of Russian regions face the absence of connections between various types of transport, which can cause delays and higher delivery cost. We should also point out that Russian logistics still encounters problems with logistical costs. According to the research of ‘The International Journal of Economics and Management’ in 2020 Russia takes the 92nd place by the index of logistical costs among 160 countries. The key reasons for high costs are inefficient use of resources and weak coordination among participants of the logistic chain. The development of Russian logistics supposes introduction of digital technologies, rise in the share of multimodal transportation and cutting logistic costs. Along with this it is necessary to overcome a number of problems, such as low level of digital infrastructure and weal coordination in the logistic chain. It will require joint efforts on the part of government, business and education institutions.

A weakly-solvated ether-based electrolyte for fast-charging graphite anode

Weakly-solvated electrolytes (WSEs) utilizing solvents with weak coordination ability offer advantages for low-potential graphite anode owing to their facile desolvation process and anions-derived inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film. However, these electrolytes face challenges in achieving a balance between the weak solvation affinity and high ionic conductivity, as well as between rigid inorganic-rich SEI and flexible SEI for long-term stability. Herein, we introduce 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imide (LiTFSI) as functional additives into a WSE based on nonpolar cyclic ether (1,4-dioxane). The well-formulated WSE not only preserves the weakly solvated features and anion-dominated solvation sheath, but also utilizes DOL to contribute organic species for stabilizing the SEI layer. Benefitting from these merits, the optimized electrolyte enables graphite anode with excellent fast-charging performance (210 mAh/g at 5 C) and outstanding cycling stability (600 cycles with a capacity retention of 82.0% at room temperature and 400 cycles with a capacity retention of 80.4% at high temperature). Furthermore, the fabricated LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2||graphite full cells demonstrate stable operation for 140 cycles with high capacity retention of 80.3%. This work highlights the potential of tailoring solvation sheath and interphase properties in WSEs for advanced electrolyte design in graphite-based lithium-ion batteries.

Evaluating Limitations of Agroecological Practices and Stakeholders’ Response: A Case of Uluguru Mountains Landscape in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

In Sub-Saharan Africa, conventional farming is associated with intensive use of synthetic chemicals and inputs to maximize agricultural productivity. This is done at the expense of sustainable agroecologically based production systems. This objective was to describe limitations of agroecological practices and stakeholders’ response along Mountain Uluguru. The area has been vulnerable to unregulated land degradation aggravated by soil erosion largely due to unsuitable agricultural practices. The data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth interviews from 72 respondents who were purposively selected. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using content analysis and statistical software respectively. Farmers undertake agriculture to increase production so as to meet food needs (44.8%) and employment opportunities (55.2%). About 41.7% of farmers who had land with secure tenure grew fruit and non-fruit trees on their farms or homesteads, 11.7% rented the farming land temporarily from owners through informal arrangements and the rest squatted on public land for cultivation of vegetables. From SWOT analysis, agroforestry is threatened by unregulated agricultural activities (18.6%) and overuse of forest resources unsustainably (7.0%). The agroecology training is not coordinated and supported by government agencies, which have authority to inform the policy makers about insecure land tenure and unavailability of organic inputs that would increase farmers’ livelihoods. Agro-soil erosion control and conservation agriculture measures are essential features of agroecology training, but some farmers were not aware of them and those who are aware do not adopt them effectively. The study concludes that, without the government acknowledgement of agro-ecology and its associated contributions there will always be weak institutional coordination among stakeholders required to regulate, promote and support agro-ecology practices to create a balance of conserved environment, protected ecology and enhanced farmers’ livelihoods. This is because there is no clear national guidelines and support (financial and technical) addressing the challenges facing agro-ecology practice

Stabilizing Low-Valence Single Atoms by Constructing Metalloid Tungsten Carbide Supports for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution.

Designing novel single-atom catalysts (SACs) supports to modulate the electronic structure is crucial to optimize the catalytic activity, but rather challenging. Herein, a general strategy is proposed to utilize the metalloid properties of supports to trap and stabilize single-atoms with low-valence states. A series of single-atoms supported on the surface of tungsten carbide (M-WCx , M=Ru, Ir, Pd) are rationally developed through a facile pyrolysis method. Benefiting from the metalloid properties of WCx , the single-atoms exhibit weak coordination with surface W and C atoms, resulting in the formation of low-valence active centers similar to metals. The unique metal-metal interaction effectively stabilizes the low-valence single atoms on the WCx surface and improves the electronic orbital energy level distribution of the active sites. As expected, the representative Ru-WCx exhibits superior mass activities of 7.84 and 62.52 A mgRu -1 for the hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions (HOR/HER), respectively. In-depth mechanistic analysis demonstrates that an ideal dual-sites cooperative mechanism achieves a suitable adsorption balance of Had and OHad , resulting in an energetically favorable Volmer step. This work offers new guidance for the precise construction of highly active SACs.

Stabilizing Low‐Valence Single Atoms by Constructing Metalloid Tungsten Carbide Supports for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution

AbstractDesigning novel single‐atom catalysts (SACs) supports to modulate the electronic structure is crucial to optimize the catalytic activity, but rather challenging. Herein, a general strategy is proposed to utilize the metalloid properties of supports to trap and stabilize single‐atoms with low‐valence states. A series of single‐atoms supported on the surface of tungsten carbide (M‐WCx, M=Ru, Ir, Pd) are rationally developed through a facile pyrolysis method. Benefiting from the metalloid properties of WCx, the single‐atoms exhibit weak coordination with surface W and C atoms, resulting in the formation of low‐valence active centers similar to metals. The unique metal‐metal interaction effectively stabilizes the low‐valence single atoms on the WCx surface and improves the electronic orbital energy level distribution of the active sites. As expected, the representative Ru‐WCx exhibits superior mass activities of 7.84 and 62.52 A mgRu−1 for the hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions (HOR/HER), respectively. In‐depth mechanistic analysis demonstrates that an ideal dual‐sites cooperative mechanism achieves a suitable adsorption balance of Had and OHad, resulting in an energetically favorable Volmer step. This work offers new guidance for the precise construction of highly active SACs.

Photoluminescence of Mn2+ in the Borosulfate Zn[B2(SO4)4]:Mn2+ - A Tool to Detect Weak Coordination Behavior of Ligands.

The impact of the surrounding ligand field is successfully exploited in the case of Eu2+ to tune the emission characteristics of inorganic photoactive materials with potential application in e.g., phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc-wLEDs). However, the photoluminescence of Mn2+ related to intraconfigurational 3d5-3d5 transitions is also strongly dependent on local ligand field effects and has been underestimated in this regard so far. In this work, we want to revive the idea how to electronically tune the emission color of a transition metal ion in inorganic hosts by unusual electronic effects in the metal-ligand bond. The concept is explicitly demonstrated for the weakly coordinating layer-like borosulfate ligand in the Mn(II)-containing solid solutions Zn1-xMnx[B2(SO4)4] (x = 0, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.10). Zn[B2(SO4)4]:Mn2+ shows orange narrow-band luminescence at 590 nm, which is an unusually short wavelength for octahedrally coordinated Mn2+ and indicates an uncommonly weak ligand field. On the other hand, the analysis of the interelectronic Racah repulsion parameters reveals ionic Mn-O bonds with values close to the Racah parameters of the free Mn2+ ion. Overall, this strategy demonstrates that electronic control of the metal-ligand bond can be a tool to make Mn2+ a potent alternative emitter to Eu2+ for inorganic phosphors.

Homogeneous Bridging Induces Compact and Scalable Perovskite Thick Films for X-Ray Flat-Panel Detectors.

Solution-processed organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite polycrystalline thick films have shown great potential in X-ray detection. However, the preparation of compact perovskite thick films with large area is still challenging due to the limitation of feasible ink formulation and pinholes caused by solvent volatilization. Post-treatment and hot-pressing are usually involved to improve the film quality, which is however unsuitable for subsequent integration. In this work, a homogeneous bridging strategy is developed to prepare compact perovskite films directly. A stable perovskite slurry with suitable viscosity consisting of undissolved grains and supersaturated solution is formed by adding a weak coordination solvent to the pre-synthesized microcrystalline powders. Small perovskite grains in situ grow from the saturated solution during the annealing, filling the pinholes and connecting the surrounding original grains. As a result, large-area perovskite thick film with tight grain arrangement and ultralow current drift is blade-coated to achieve X-ray imaging. The optimal device displays an impressive mobility-lifetime product of 2.2×10-3 cm2 V-1 and a champion ratio of sensitivity to the dark current density of 2.23×1011 µCGyair -1 A-1 . This work provides a simple and effective route to prepare high-quality perovskite thick films, which is instructive for the development of perovskite-based X-ray flat-panel detectors.

A multi-functionalized MOF with unique molecular-sized pockets for excellent lead(II) removal and selective separation of C3H8/CH4

Design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with functional pore environments are of critical significance for the development of the porous adsorbents to solve energy and environmental crises. Herein, we utilized the structural and coordinated characteristics of adenine (HAD) ligands to develop a multi-functional MOF material (JLU-MOF68) with unique molecular-sized pockets for gas separation and Pb2+ removal. Benefiting from the internal surface environment and the size of 4.6–5.9 Å of the molecular pockets, JLU-MOF68 exhibited ultrahigh C3H8/CH4 selectivity coupled with the relatively high adsorption capacity of C3H8. Both N sites and extraframework organic cations were conducive to the adsorption of Pb2+ through weak chemical coordination and ion exchange, respectively. The activated JLU-MOF68 showed not only an ultrahigh Pb2+ adsorption capacity of 805 mg g−1, but also exceptionally high Pb2+ removal efficiency under the condition of different pH and coexisting ions. Moreover, the adsorbent can be reused at least five times, and the removal efficiency remains almost constant after five cycles. Therefore, JLU-MOF68 had a wide potential application for the C3H8/CH4 selective separation and capture of Pb2+.

Ion clustering, aggregation and diffusion in amide based deep eutectic solvents: A microstructural investigation using various NMR spectroscopic techniques and molecular dynamics simulation

A thorough understanding of the structure and dynamics of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is necessary to optimize the uses of this new class of solvents for many potential applications. Herein, we have studied ion clustering, aggregation and diffusion mechanism in DESs composed of acetamide and sodium/potassium thiocyanate using 1D NMR, pulsed field gradient stimulated echo (PFGSE) NMR and 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D NOESY) techniques, and molecular dynamics simulation. We have varied the fraction of salts to investigate the composition dependent microscopic structural insight. A great enhancement in diffusion coefficient (D) of acetamide with increasing the fraction of KSCN (fKSCN) has been observed in PFGSE measurements. The experimental diffusion activation energy (Ea) decreases significantly with increasing fKSCN, which is in excellent agreement with the Ea values obtained from simulated mean squared displacements (MSD). The calculated radial distribution functions (RDF) indicate that the Na+ ions strongly coordinate with acetamide molecules and form ion-clusters and aggregated structures in the medium. However, as Na+ ions are gradually replaced by K+ ions, ion-clustering and aggregation decrease due to relatively weak coordination ability of larger cation, which supports the enhancement of experimental D with increasing fKSCN. In the 2D NOESY study, the intensity of the cross peaks between methyl and amide protons of acetamide decreases relative to the diagonal peak intensity as the fKSCN increases in the medium. This study indicates that the extent of intermolecular NOE reduces as the structural flexibility increases due to less efficient ion-clustering with increasing K+ ion concentration, thus strongly corroborates the results from PFGSE experiment and simulation. Furthermore, 1D and 2D NMR data exhibit an intramolecular chemical exchange between two amide protons in acetamide, the extent of which increases with increasing temperature as well as fKSCN in the DES system. The present study provides a multifaceted picture of composition-dependent distinct microstructures in DES.

Determinant Factors of Training Result Implementation of General and Covid-19 Corpse Handling Forensic Department of Drajat Prawiranegara Hospital

This study aims to determine the factors that influence the results of the training for the general burial of corpses and the bodies of COVID-19 for the forensic section of the Serang Hospital in 2021. The research design uses cross-sectional quantitative method, the research sample were all 150 respondents of the general corpse and Covid-19 corpse handling training participants. Quantitative data collection was obtained by providing a questionnaire that has been developed about the factors that affect the implementation of the results of the training to former training participants sent via email or sent directly. The analytical technique used in testing the hypothesis is structural equation modeling (SEM). The measurement of research variables was carried out using formative indicators, where the indicators describe constructs. The technique used to analyze the variables of this research was SEM with the XLSTAT PLS-PM program. Implementation of the results of the funeral training includes socialization, cadre, organizing, and counseling. The implementations that have been carried out by the trainees in each unit/section and 3 arrangements for the funeral procession are socialization (28.77%), cadre (6.85%), organizing (2.74%), and counseling (21.9%). Based on the results of the implementation, it can be seen that the lowest implementation in the three settings is cadre and organization. The implementation of cadre and organization is mostly carried out only in units/sections and in several settings (1 or 2 orders). The results on the assessment on the outer model, for the supporting factor variables, show that the variable that has the biggest influence is legality with an outer weight value of 0.394, while the other variables are not significant because they have an outer weight value below 0.2. The most significant inhibiting factor variables are negotiation failure variables with an outer weight value of 0.225 and a weak coordination variable with an outer weight value of 0.332.
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The Effects of Coordination in Multilevel Governance System on Water Services Management in Kenya

This article examined the effectiveness of the existing framework for intergovernmental coordination in Kenya's multilevel governance system and its effects on the management of water services delivery. Based on a thematic analysis of interviews with policy actors from both levels of government, the findings indicate that, despite agreement among policy actors from both levels that there is a significant functional interdependence in the delivery of water services, the scope and frequency of coordination were less than anticipated under the devolution policy. This has negatively impacted water service delivery in numerous ways. The study demonstrates that the underlying causes of the observed weak intergovernmental coordination are factors related to persistent contestation of functional assignment between the two levels of government, resource allocation, and perceptions of national government encroachment into county functions which erodes trust and undermines service delivery.

Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Classroom Management Skills during Teaching Practice: Perspectives of University Supervisors

South African universities have been under tremendous pressure to improve preservice teachers’ quality and implement the Minimum Requirement for Teacher Education (MRTEC) as a direct response to the outcry of poor training of teachers. Preservice teachers face classroom management challenges during their teaching practice. Therefore, this study aims to identify the gap in the training programme and propose alternative pathways that might improve classroom practice to enable preservice teachers to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This study draws on classroom observation by university supervisors during teaching practice. Six university supervisors were purposively and conveniently sampled to participate in this study. Online narrative reflections, Zoom group meetings, and WhatsApp one-on-one semi-structured interviews were used to generate data as part of qualitative inquiry. Findings identify weak coordination between fundamental modules and co-modules as the hindrance to effective classroom management. Yet, university supervisors are critical of the poor implementation of classroom management skills as though they are immune from the training process. Therefore, this study recommends that the Teaching Practice Unit introduce a compulsory practical demonstration centre that will use nearby schools before practice teaching officially commences.

The Implementation Of Satu Data Bencana Indonesia (SDBI) For Sustainable Development

The likelihood of disaster statistics is not the same across all countries and ups and downs over time. As country with the potential disasters more than 3.000 events every year, disaster data and statistics play an important role in reducing disaster risks and building resilience through estimating the risks, hazards and vulnerability. Therefore, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Central Statistical Agency (BPS) jointly developed Satu Data Bencana Indonesia (SDBI) as the official sectoral statistical domain within the National Statistical System to Disaster Statistical Framework (DRFS) established by UN ESCAP and was designed adhering to the principles of Satu Data Indonesia. Based on the background described above, research needs to be carried out as learning material to increase knowledge about intergovernmental-disaster data and its implementation for decision-makers. The method used is qualitative with a descriptive exploratory approach: data collection by observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation; data analysis techniques by data collection, data reduction, and data presentation. Several issues in implementing the platform of SDBI as regulated in the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Regulations Number 1 of 2023 concerning Satu Data Bencana are weak coordination, non-standardized methodology, and poor communication. The conclusion from this study is that the methodological practices and procedures of disaster management for data collection and management should be shared with agencies involved in the technical working group to ensure coordination. The needs to form technical working group consisting of BPS, BNPB and BIG to minimize problems in implementing Satu Data Bencana Indonesia cannot be delayed to ensure the sustainability of nations ‘development.