bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION (DES) BASED APPROACH TO MAXIMIZE THE PATIENT THROUGHPUT IN OUTPATIENT CLINIC
Authors: Dayarathna Vidanelage L. , Mismesh Hebah , Nagahisarchoghaei Mohammad , Alhumoud Aziz 
Published: January 2021

The healthcare system is a complex system which exhibits conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity emergence that incurs incoming patient congestion. Discrete event simulation (FlexSim) is considered as a viable decision support tool in analyzing a system for improvement. Using a data-driven discrete event simulation approach, this paper portrays a comprehensive analysis to maximize the number of patients in an on-campus clinic, located at Mississippi State University. The outcome of the analysis of current system exhibits that deploying a few nurse practitioners results in bottlenecks which decreases the systems’ throughput substantially due to the overall longer patients’ waiting time. Access to the laboratory is characterized through multi-server queuing network, arrival process is followed discrete distributions, and batch sizes and arrival times are stochastic in nature. In an effort to plummet inpatient congestion at the outpatient clinic, by using empirically calibrated simulation model, we will figure out the best balance between the number of the lab technician and incoming patient during working hour. An analysis of optimal solutions is demonstrated, which is followed by recommendation and avenues for future research.
DEMOCRATIC SUSTAINABILITY AND CONFLICT RESILIENCE IN GHANA’S DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM
Authors: Musah Halidu 
Published: January 2021

Ghana could be described as an island of peace in an ocean of conflicts. This is because most of Ghana’s West African neighbours have experienced (and some are still experiencing) various forms of national civil conflicts which have never occurred in Ghana. In the last three decades, the West Africa sub-region has been plagued with many intra-state conflicts. In Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, conflicts have escalated into full scale war, bringing with it numerous loss of lives, destruction of property and causing social despair for the citizenry. The peace of some countries like Senegal, Nigeria, Niger and recently Burkina Faso also continues to be threatened by different dissident groups and popular uprisings. While most of these countries’ democracies remain fragile due to the conflicts within these states, Ghana remains one of few examples whose current democratic structures have stood the test of time for the last three decades. This study inquired into Ghana’s conflict resistance capacities and its ability to continue to sustain its democracy as a country. Mixed methods approach was employed to select 132 community residents from 3 purposefully sampled conflict-prone communities in Ghana, and 5 key informants as well as 462 political party delegates for interviewing and data collection for the study.The study found that the very nature of Ghana’s internal conflicts with respect to their geographical limitations, the conflict parties involved as well as the issues at stake contribute to confine these internal conflicts within their areas of occurrence. In addition, some conscious social and institutional measures (put in place) in the Ghanaian democratic system help to promote peace and maintain order. Finally, majority of the respondents (63.6%) were of the opinion that Ghana is unlikely to have a national civil war because its democratic institutions are effective. It was suggested that politicians should avoid interfering in local conflicts and increase coverage for peace education programmes and conflict intervention initiatives in the country, among others.
APPLYING COOPERATIVE LEARNING TO COLLEGE STUDENTS TO ENHANCE THEIR COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS
Authors: Terfa Miressa Amenu 
Published: January 2021

Cooperative learning has proved to be an effective method for both teachers and students and it has been found to have many positive benefits to foreign language teaching. This paper was aimed at applying cooperative learning to college students for English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants of the study were summer three Art students of Mettu College of Teachers Education. Accordingly, all participants were selected through purposive sampling techniques for the questionnaire and Focus group discussion. Qualitative data were obtained and analyzed qualitatively. The major findings of this study suggested that cooperative learning helped significantly to enhance the college learners’ oral communicative skills and their motivation toward learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Furthermore, the findings revealed students’ contradictory views regarding native language use and whether CL could help them improve their language skills. Sometimes, students switched to their native language to clarify points or communicate with group members since, as noted in the observations, a large percentage of language classrooms allowed students to use their native language during group discussion.
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE PROJECTS OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF THE REGIONAL SUPPORT PROJECT FOR PASTORALISM IN THE SAHEL (PRAPS) IN NIGER
Authors: Soutongo Bande Régina , Nassè Dr. Théophile Bindeouè 
Published: January 2021

In West Africa, pastoral systems provide more than 80% of income to rural households and are a vital food source for urban populations. The six Sahelian countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal) have around 20 million pastoralists who raise a population of 60 million cattle and 160 million small ruminants. However, projects in pastoral systems sometimes experience communication-related failures. Development communication is very important within the Regional Support Project for Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS). Still, it must be recognized that some of the objectives are not achieved because of certain factors related to communication which are not taken into account. This state of affairs raises a question: How can the objectives set by PRAPS be achieved with an efficient communication? The approach used here is inductive, and the research is conducted through qualitative interviews carried out with focus groups. Data is collected using a digital recorder, then, the data is hand-transcribed and analyzed. The results show not only that development communication has effects on project results, but also that development communication has effects on the performance of projects of the Regional Support Project for Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS). It is recommended that project supervisors should put an emphasis on an effective development communication in order to achieve the objectives of the Regional Support Project for Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS).
Analysis of agricultural trade in China based on the theory of factor endowment
Authors: Maslak Nataliia , Lei Zhang , Xu Lu 
Published: January 2021

Purpose. The purpose of the paper is to present the results of the study of agricultural trade in China based on the theory of factor endowment and to develop a policy recommendation for the intensification of agricultural trade based on technological progress.
Methodology / approach. This paper uses the methods of economic theory and comparative analysis to study the development of agricultural products trade in China; analysis the advantages of developing agricultural products trade in China by using comparative advantage theory; and econometric analysis to study the relationship between volume of agrarian trade and agricultural labor force, capital and land resources.
Results. This paper uses time series data to analyze the three elements of capital, labor and land, and the development of agricultural trade in China. According to the established data model, it is obviously that China’s agricultural production of land factor endowment constraints are obvious, labor factor endowment is abundant but also facing the problem of increasing costs, labor personnel gradually decline. In this case, technological progress is more critical to the cultivation and maintenance of comparative advantage of agricultural products. The government should guide the direction of technological changes, technical support, capital support (material capital and human capital); and promote the rapid development of China’s agricultural trade.
Originality / scientific novelty. Author’s developed econometric model is very useful in empirical assessment for the China agricultural products trade development, and it also provides new decisions for China to develop agricultural trade. Accordingly, the proposed method can provide an answer to the question of how to develop traditional agriculture in the context of rapid economic changes, and put forward more practical countermeasures.
Practical value / significance. The main proposals can be used by the Government of China to formulate better agricultural trade policies and achieve rapid economic growth and increasing farmer incomes.
Modernization of vocational education in the context of rural human resources development in China
Authors: Stoyanets Nataliya , Zhao Hejun , Li Guohou 
Published: January 2021

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the experience of the development of rural vocational education since the reform and opening up, analyze and summarize the rapid development of rural vocational education in China in the context of rural human resources development.
Methodology / approach. The methods adopted in this research are mainly literature research and thematic research. Through thematic research on vocational education-related fields since the reform and opening up, and analysis, research, and induction of policies, data, phenomena, and conclusions in various vocational education literatures, it forms an objective summary of the development of rural vocational education in China since the reform and opening up.
Results. Reform and opening up is the most critical period for the rapid development of various industries in China, including vocational education. This paper studies the overall situation of the development of vocational education in China since the reform and opening up, the relationship between the development of rural vocational education and policy support at the national level is concluded, it demonstrates that rural vocational education is an important cornerstone of national construction and development, and the focus and characteristic of rural vocational education is to condense the Chinese experience of school-running characteristics, it also summarizes the main problems of rural vocational education in China.
Originality / scientific novelty. A multi-dimensional analysis of the development of China’s rural vocational education in the 42 years of reform and opening up has been made, and conclusions have been drawn for the development of rural vocational education with Chinese characteristics.
Practical value / implications. This paper analyzes the key factors for the success of rural vocational education in China through the study of China’s practice in the field of rural vocational education since the reform and opening up, it has certain reference significance for the future policy formulation and development of rural vocational education, promotes the development of rural human resources and increases the rate of urbanization.
Relationship between access to financial services and youth involvement in agricultural value chains in Kakamega county, Kenya
Authors: Rogito Jeremiah Magoma , Makhanu Everlyne , Mombinya Beatrice Kerubo , Nyamota Geoffrey 
Published: January 2021

Purpose. Agribusiness offers huge employment potential considering its wide labour absorptive capacity and the youth have a role to play. The study aimed at assessing the relationship between access to financial services and youth involvement in agricultural value chains. Methodology / approach. The study was conducted in Kakamega County, Kenya. Stratified and simple random sampling was adopted to select 240 respondents. Interviews were conducted using a stratified questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed to generate frequencies, percentages and correlation. Results. The results revealed that youth involvement across the agricultural value chain is low. Further, there was a strong correlation between access to finance and youth involvement in agricultural value chains. Inadequate access to financial services is a key constrain to agricultural productivity in Kakamega county as it affects all aspects of the value chain except consumption. Originality / scientific novelty. The study considers the entire agricultural value chain from production to consumption and assesses the relationship between financial resource access and youth involvement at each segment of the value chain. This is significant since the Kenyan population is youthful. Practical value / implications. The study reveals that there is a strong relationship between access to financial service and youth involvement in the agricultural value chain towards securing their livelihoods. This knowledge is useful to County and national government policymakers and Donor agencies to formulate policies that will enhance youth access to financial resources and consequently their involvement in the Agricultural Value Chain to grow their incomes and improvement of their wellbeing. This will be achieved by knowing what segments of the value chain offer best opportunities for them to thrive in business to guide development of intervention strategies.
Стандартизація аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку компаній
Authors: Makarenko Inna , Kravchenko Olena , Ovcharova Natalia , Zemliak Natalia , Makarenko Serhiy 
Published: January 2021

Метою статті є обґрунтування доцільності використання стандартів, що регулюють порядок проведення аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку, для упорядкування процесу верифікації такої звітності в інтересах стейкхолдерів.
Методологія / методика / підхід. Методологічною основою дослідження виступають компаративний і контент-аналіз міжнародно визнаних стандартів аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку, зокрема Cтандарту із надання впевненості AA1000 (AA1000AS, AccountAbility) та Міжнародного стандарту з надання впевненості МСЗНВ 3000 Ради з надання впевненості (International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE 3000) «Завдання з надання впевненості, що не є аудитом, чи оглядом історичної фінансової інформації» Ради з надання впевненості. Застосування цих аналітичних інструментів дозволило виділити переваги та обмеження кожного з названих стандартів.
Результати. Установлено, що забезпечення незалежного аудиторського підтвердження звітності зі сталого розвитку характеризується зростаючим трендом серед найбільших світових компаній. Аудит є однією з умов забезпечення довіри до звітності зі сталого розвитку для стейкхолдерів, відповідно стандартизація аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку виступає запорукою якості його проведення та надійності отриманих аудитором висновків. Проведено аналіз обсягів подання верифікованої звітності зі сталого розвитку та компаративний аналіз двох основних стандартів у сфері її аудиту за основними критеріями, що охоплюють їх статус, мету, верифікаторів, процеси, вимоги, обсяги та принципи проведення, оформлення результатів та особливості публікації думки аудитора.
Оригінальність / наукова новизна. Обґрунтовано важливість і доцільність застосування міжнародно визнаних стандартів AA1000 та ISAE 3000 як бенчмарків для стандартизації звітності зі сталого розвитку на основі визначених їхніх переваг та недоліків. Порівняльна характеристика й оцінка частоти практичного застосування вказаних стандартів аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку дістала дальшого розвитку.
Практична цінність / значущість. З урахуванням вигід та обмежень проаналізованих стандартів на регуляторному рівні, зокрема і в Україні, можуть бути розроблені національні підходи щодо стандартизації аудиту звітності зі сталого розвитку. На рівні окремих компаній, зокрема великих аграрних холдингів, зазначені стандарти можуть використовуватися паралельно в комунікативному полі їхньої взаємодії зі стейкхолдерами залежно від категорій зазначених сторін.
Інструменти регіональної політики збереження людського ресурсу засобами регулювання зовнішньої міграції молоді сільських територій Карпатського регіону
Authors: Vasyltsiv Taras , Lupak Ruslan , Kunytska-Iliash Marta , Levytska Olha , Mulska Olha 
Published: January 2021

Мета. Метою статті є ідентифікація та аналіз негативних тенденцій, обґрунтування практичних рекомендацій щодо удосконалення регіональної політики забезпечення збереження людського ресурсу засобами регулювання зовнішньої міграції молоді сільських територій Карпатського регіону України.
Методологія / методика / підхід. Методологічною основою дослідження стали загальнонаукові (графічний, структурний аналіз) та спеціальні (соціологічний, інтегральне оцінювання, кореляційний аналіз) методи наукового пізнання. Соціологічне дослідження проведено ДУ “Інститут регіональних досліджень імені М. І. Долішнього НАН України”) у вересні-жовтні 2019 р. Об’єкт дослідження – студенти випускних курсів закладів вищої освіти, закладів загальної професійно-технічної освіти та учні випускних класів закладів загальної середньої освіти Карпатського регіону (1200 осіб). Авторський підхід до побудови інтегрального індексу середовища міграційної активності населення передбачав реалізацію алгоритму, базисом якого виступало нормування показників (стимуляторів і дестимуляторів), визначення ваг показників і груп показників за допомогою побудови матриці кореляційних порівнянь, розрахунок багатовимірних величин у формі зважених групових індексів.
Результати. У статті із застосуванням соціологічного дослідження виявлено характеристики зовнішньої міграційної активності молоді сільських територій Карпатського регіону України. Зроблено висновки щодо проблемних аспектів міграції молоді та її впливу на розвиток сільських територій. Розраховано інтегральні індекси “виштовхування” населення України та Львівської області, що дозволило констатувати вищий рівень «агресивності» середовища для міграції населення в Карпатському регіоні в порівнянні із середнім у країні. Обґрунтовано рекомендації щодо інструментів регулювання міграції молоді на сільських територіях для збереження людського потенціалу їхнього розвитку.
Оригінальність / наукова новизна. Розроблено нову методику розрахунку інтегрального індекса середовища міграційної активності населення (за п’ятьма групами показників: демографічна стабільність і стан здоров’я населення; охоплення населення освітніми послугами; стан ринку праці та зайнятості; рівень життя населення; економічний розвиток країни), а також удосконалено підхід до оцінки взаємозв’язку середовища “виштовхування” та міграційної активності населення.
Практична цінність / значущість. Обґрунтовано інструменти регіональної політики забезпечення збереження людського ресурсу засобами регулювання зовнішньої міграції молоді сільських територій (за групами: організаційні, економічні, інституційні) для їх впровадження регіональними органами влади.
O ESTÁGIO SUPERVISIONADO EM EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL: ANÁLISE DE UM ROTEIRO DIDÁTICO PARA A ETAPA DE ATUAÇÃO
Authors: Pietrobon Sandra Regina Gardacho , Gasparelo Rayane Regina Scheidt , Frasson Antonio Carlos 
Published: January 2021

A formação docente no curso de Pedagogia é compreendida como espaço de mobilização e discussão de saberes e conhecimentos, de modo que o estágio supervisionado se torna elemento articulador teórico-prático no curso, com sentido de profissionalização. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar análise de um roteiro didático para a organização do planejamento na etapa da atuação, no estágio supervisionado em educação infantil, com base no produto educacional de Pietrobon (2018). Realizou-se uma pesquisa de levantamento, numa abordagem qualitativa, com acadêmicas de um curso de Pedagogia presencial, em uma instituição de ensino superior pública. As 22 acadêmicas consultadas avaliaram que o roteiro didático utilizado, para a organização das práticas pedagógicas na etapa de atuação, corresponde às necessidades das instituições e das crianças, não sugerindo nenhuma alteração quanto ao referido roteiro.
O DESAFIO DA CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM MODELO ALTERNATIVO DE AVALIAÇÃO EXTERNA EM LARGA ESCALA DA APRENDIZAGEM: UM DESAFIO, SIMULTANEAMENTE, CONCEITUAL, TÉCNICO E POLÍTICO COMO PONTO DE APOIO PARA O SUCESSO DE TODOS OS ALUNOS
Authors: Brassaroto do Amaral Michelly Francini , Alavarse Ocimar Munhoz , Silva Fernando Augusto 
Published: January 2021

Neste artigo, parte-se do reconhecimento da centralidade que as avaliações externas em larga escala da aprendizagem assumiram nas políticas educacionais nas últimas décadas e problematiza-se a relação com a denominação genérica de avaliação externa, indicando que em alguns casos essa expressão sequer significa avaliação e, em outros, não se trata de avaliar aprendizagem. Depois, são apontadas limitações em relação ao modelo vigente, sobretudo no que tange ao envolvimento de professores e elementos que poderiam compor um modelo de avaliação externa da aprendizagem associado à formação dos professores em avaliação educacional, destacando as teorias em torno da validade e da avaliação democrática. Finalizando são apresentados relatos de uma experiência em Moçambique similar ao modelo alternativo proposto, com a valorização da conceituação, das condições e das características que uma avaliação da aprendizagem, externa ou interna, deve possuir para se colocar como ponto de apoio para o sucesso de todos os alunos.
Palavras-chave: avaliação da aprendizagem; avaliação externa; política educacional
Analysis of added value in bovines sold for the angus meat program in the south of Brazil
Authors: Vaz Fabiano Nunes , Maysonnave Greicy Sofia , Pascoal Leonir Luiz , Vaz Ricardo Zambarda , Severo Marcelo Machado , Fabricio Edom de Avila 
Published: January 2021

The objective of this work was to analyze price aggregation and disaggregation in commercialized animals searching for "Programa Carne Angus" benefits in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data from 40,698 carcasses with Angus cattle racial pattern, slaughtered in a meat industry that performs the "Programa Carne Angus "certification, during the 2014 year were analyzed. The aggregated value was calculated by the difference between the negotiated base price for the lot and the final price obtained by animal after the certification process. The disaggregation was calculated based on the factors preventing the animals from being included in the certification program. The results show that the major disqualifying factor in males with the racial pattern was carcass fatness, and for females was the dentition, which disqualified 34.3 and 12.7% respectively. Value breakdown from 7,177 disqualified animals due to lack of finishing, or advanced dentition, reached R$ 1,213,528.00, or US$ 369,077.86 (US$ 51.43 per head), an amount that is no paid on from the industry to rural producers.Keywords: Aberdeen Angus, beef cattle dentition, beef cattle meat chain, fatness carcass, quality meat.
The Inevitable Eckhart: The Critical Reception of Eckhartian Motives in the Work of Jan van Leeuwen
Authors: Van Damme Yves 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The influence of Meister Eckhart on European mystical culture is heavily debated. In recent scholarship there seems to be a growing resistance to recognize too easily Eckhart's mark on medieval mystical traditions outside Germany. This article will show how language and motives commonly associated with the work of Eckhart and his followers did leave its traces in Brabant mysticism, and especially in the work of the Groenendaal author Jan van Leeuwen, pupil of the famous Jan van Ruusbroec. Its findings suggest that controversial topics, e.g., the relation between the created and uncreated parts of the soul, the necessity of grace for salvation and the value of good works, were also for Brabant mysticism pivotal conundrums.