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Background: Regular physical activity improves cancer survivors' health-related quality of life and physical function. We estimated the proportion of Utah cancer survivors meeting U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for weekly physical activity (aerobic plus strength exercise) and identify sociodemographic, cancer, and health-related factors associated with meeting guidelines. Methods: Survivors randomly sampled from Utah Cancer Registry records were surveyed from 2018 to 2022 to ascertain physical activity. We calculated the percent of survivors meeting guidelines and conducted logistic regression to assess predictors of meeting guidelines. Analyses were weighted to account for complex survey sample design and nonresponse and age adjusted. Results: Among Utah cancer survivors, 20.7% (95% CI, 18.5%–23.2%) met guidelines for both aerobic activity and strength exercise. 22.4% reported no aerobic exercise in a typical week, and 59.4% reported no strength exercise. Survivors 75 or older were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those under 55 (adjusted odds ratio: 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25–0.65). Survivors with a bachelor's degree or higher were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those without a college degree. Individuals with poorer overall health were less likely to report sufficient physical activity. Individuals treated with both chemotherapy and radiation had decreased odds of meeting guidelines compared to no treatment (adjusted odds ratio: 0.54; 95% CI, 0.29–0.99). Conclusions: Most Utah cancer survivors, and particularly those who received multiple modes of adjuvant treatment, are not participating in sufficient physical activity to improve longevity and quality of life after cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces the CRISP (Culturally Relevant, Imbued, and Sustaining Pedagogy) framework in the context of a three-course sequence, "Indigenous Math I, II, and III," taught at Turtle Mountain College. These three courses seek to revitalize mathematical ways of knowing embedded within the Turtle Mountain language(s) and culture(s). The Indigenous Math framework and Indigenous Math Education framework guide these three courses, as well as the Secondary Math Education bachelor's degree program that spurred development of these courses. Discussing the relationship (i.e., connections, similarities, differences) between Western math and Indigenous math is central to these courses. The CRISP framework extends this discussion by describing four significant components of revitalizing and teaching Indigenous math. Multiple Indigenous math examples are shared as evidence for the value of the CRISP framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnover in the US early childhood education (ECE) workforce is associated with worse outcomes for children. Greater workplace spirituality, or the perception of meaningful work, sense of community, and alignment with organizational values, is associated with reduced turnover. However, this association has not been examined in ECE professionals. We administered an online survey to 265 ECE professionals in Pennsylvania (US) in the spring of 2021. Respondents were asked about their intention to stay in their current program, if given the option to leave. Workplace spirituality was measured with a 21-item scale assessing the dimensions of meaningful work, sense of community, and alignment with organizational values. The survey was completed by 246 (92.8%), and data were analyzed for 232 respondents. Of these, 94.8% were female, 54.4% were non-Hispanic White, and 70.7% had a bachelor's or graduate degree. The prevalence of intention to stay was 33.2%. After adjusting for all covariates, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, job position, workplace stress, and economic hardships, the prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of intention to stay increased across tertiles of workplace spirituality from low to medium to high: 16.4% (7.9%, 24.9%) to 38.6% (28.4%, 48.8%) to 43.7% (32.1%, 55.3%), respectively. ECE professionals who perceived greater workplace spirituality were more likely to report they intended to stay in their current program. Turnover in the ECE workforce could potentially be reduced through efforts to increase a sense of meaning and community at work and to align the values of ECE programs with those who work in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational expectations have increased over time in the United States. Most adolescents expect to earn a bachelor's degree and a graduate or professional degree. Although past research has generally agreed on the status-attainment perspective to understand educational expectations, these frameworks are limited in terms of the type of parental resources they address, as well as inattention to the intersection of gender and race over time. We address these gaps and investigate variations in youths' expectations for graduate school by mother's employment status, gender, and race using Monitoring the Future data from twelfth graders from 1976 to 2019. We find that mother's employment status positively influences women's graduate school expectations more than men's across all racial groups we examine with young Black women holding the highest graduate school expectations. We also find that maternal employment patterns graduate school expectations over time but only for White respondents. Black respondents hold higher expectations, but this trend is stable across maternal employment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarians interviewed 15 graduate business students to understand their information-seeking behavior. Google emerged as the primary research tool, though students encountered paywalls and credibility concerns. Their research skills were shaped by prior work experience, and the depth of research expertise varied according to their bachelor's degrees. Students were more likely to seek assistance from classmates and professors than librarians. Faculty guidance and database usage varied significantly, impacting students' use of library databases. Student's ability to interpret financial and economic data was a significant issue. This study underscores the need for increased library instruction and promotion of specialized business databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has frequently demonstrated negative effects of placing students into developmental education, but very little inquiry has considered the impact of placing students into different levels of non-developmental coursework. The present study explored this issue within sequenced pairs of STEM gateway courses using doubly-robust propensity score analyses and a total sample of 11,532 undergraduates. The results indicate that starting in a lower-level course frequently predicted favorable short-term academic outcomes, but course level was unrelated to retention, and starting in lower-level coursework was often inversely associated with the likelihood of graduating from the university or receiving a STEM bachelor's degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the South Korean Deaf community's response to sign language interpreting during the COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease 2019) health crisis, focusing on individual factors affecting the signers' comprehension. The data were collected from a mobile‐based questionnaire survey conducted among 401 Deaf adults; binary probit modelling was adopted to analyse the data. The major findings are: (i) 59.9 per cent of the respondents understood less than 70 per cent of the interpreting; (ii) males and urban residents tend to understand better; (iii) younger people (less than 50 years) and signers with a Bachelor's degree or higher are likely to have lower comprehension; and (iv) Deaf adults who visited a doctor after the COVID‐19 outbreak tended to have lower comprehension. The findings demonstrate that individual characteristics, including age, impact significantly on the extent to which Deaf individuals understand the sign language interpreting of COVID‐19 information, indicating that steps are needed to achieve a Deaf‐inclusive society during a health disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era where many states' postsecondary education governance dynamics are evolving, we set out to understand whether state-level governing boards with centralized governance functions affected institutions' decisions to engage in in-person instruction during the fall of 2020, the first fall of the Covid-19 pandemic. We examined sociopolitical features related to the strength of governance functions of centralized state boards. The data alluded to linkages between Republican control and lower bachelor's degree attainment linking (β = −.45) with weaker centralized governance. We also found a negative effect from increased centralized governance functions (β = −.12) to in-person instruction at public 4-year institutions for fall 2020. This paper gives a real-time opportunity to see if the characteristics of governing boards influence return to campus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) strategies in enhancing Critical Thinking (CT) skills and academic performance in the study of English Phonetics and Phonology among students at a Spanish Higher Education Institution. A total of 54 students from a Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education were divided into control and experimental groups to compare traditional teaching methods with IBL methodologies. Results indicated that students in the IBL group showed significant improvements in academic performance, critical thinking skills, and long-term retention of complex subject matter compared to those in the control group. Furthermore, the study highlights that the IBL approach not only facilitates the immediate educational outcomes but also equips students with essential cognitive tools for real-world problem-solving. This research underscores the pedagogical value of learner-centered models in the study of English Phonetics and Phonology, promoting active engagement and systematic thinking. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature advocating for the integration of active learning strategies across various disciplines and educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the twenty-first century, artificial intelligence (AI) will change the way organizations conduct their daily operations. In addition, cutting-edge digital technologies like AI, Internet of things, augmented reality/virtual reality, cloud computing, robotics and big data will have a significant impact on the nature of future jobs. This revolutionary influence may be seen in the fashion industry across a wide variety of specialities, including design, sampling, production, quality and inspection, packaging and labelling, marketing, advertising and sales. This transformation also highlights the necessity for upgrading the fashion curriculum to include the essential and desired skills and competencies to enable students to apply such digital technology for future jobs. The purpose of this study is to examine the future skill and competence needs that will need to be linked with the curriculum of the Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design programme for the use of AI in the fashion sector. The present research employs qualitative approaches. Skills for future jobs are identified through the literature and verified by employers. The findings reveal that skills and competencies imparted through the current curriculum are insufficient to work in the digital world, and a relook into the curriculum is required to produce an AI-savvy workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, women have earned more bachelor's degrees than men since the mid-1980s. We examine the historical continuities in this trend and its sources, as well as changes since 2000 in gender gaps in advanced credentials, fields of study, types of institutions attended, and financing for higher education. The gender gap in bachelor's degrees has remained stable at a high level over this period and a female advantage in advanced degrees emerged, especially in professional degrees. The deepening gender divide in credentials coincided with rising shares of women attending for-profit institutions and an emerging gender divide in student indebtedness. Thus, women disproportionately carry the promise and bear the costs of educational expansion, with far reaching implications for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pell Grant, while offering substantial financial support for low-income students pursuing higher education, historically covered only the costs of two full-time semesters per year and did not include assistance for summer courses. Research has consistently demonstrated that continuous enrollment throughout the academic year enhances college persistence and degree completion. In response to this understanding, the Summer Pell (SP) program was introduced in the summer of 2009, providing eligible low-income students with an additional grant to cover summer tuition and related expenses. However, after a brief period of operation, the SP program was discontinued in 2011, only to be reinstated in 2017. We utilize administrative data obtained from New York City in the context of differences-in-differences analyses spanning both program periods, and find that SP-eligible students exhibited a higher retention rate in the fall of their second year, achieved higher rates of associate's and bachelor's degree attainment, and experienced greater earnings gains up to nine years after college entry compared with SP-ineligible students. Our analysis of heterogeneity further underscores that the benefits of the SP program were pronounced among Black students and older students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the factors affecting the process of enrollment of learners' record in in Learner Information System in Public Elementary Schools in the District of Teresa. The respondents of the study were the 196 teachers or 100 percent population of public elementary schools within the district who handled advisory classes and LIS. A researcher-made questionnaire was used as the main instrument in gathering pertinent data through online google survey on the extent of the factors affecting the process of enrollment of leaners' record in Learner Information System with respect system quality, information quality and availability of learners' data. Findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents are 21 - 30 years old, female, married, Teacher I with bachelor's degree and have been in the teaching industry for 5 years and below. Most of them have attended school level seminars / training courses related to LIS. The respondents agree on the factors affecting the enrollment and learners' record in Learner Information System with respect to system quality, information quality and availability of learners' data. Likewise, age, sex, civil status, position title, educational attainment, length of service and seminars and trainings attended in LIS are significant on the perceptions of the respondents on the factors affecting the process of enrollment of learners' record in Learner Information System with respect to participation in system quality, information quality and availability of learners' data. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the respondents' age, sex, civil status, position title, educational attainment, length of service and seminars and trainings attended in LIS are not contributory on the factors affecting the process of enrollment of learners' record in Learner Information System with respect to participation in system quality, information quality and availability of learners' data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The importance of integrating humanities into medical education has been recognized. However, the medical humanities curriculum is usually lacking during standardized training for residents in China. This study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of pilot-specific courses in medical humanities in standardized residency training. Methods: We designed specific courses in medical humanities, composed of 3 courses: Identifying and Managing Common Psychological Disorders of Patients, Patient-Clinician Communication, and Medical Dispute Cases Analysis and Resolution. The courses were scheduled monthly throughout the one semester, and a total of 118 residents participated in the curriculum. Participants completed the evaluation containing ethic-legal knowledge and humanistic competencies related to course content before and after the curriculum. Results: Most participant residents had a bachelor's degree (85.6%) and were in the first year of standardized residency training (61.0%). Their disciplinary backgrounds are diverse, encompassing 18 different clinical medical specialties. The residents' average scores of postcourse self-assessments keep a steady increase in humanistic competencies compared with precourse average scores. All postcourse self-assessments showed significant improvement compared to precourse (P <.05), particularly in influential communication skills and diagnostic associations of processing ability. Conclusion: The specific courses in medical humanities are feasible and effective in teaching residents in China. The pre-post course evaluation indicates that this humanities-based curriculum significantly improved residents' ethic-legal knowledge and humanistic competencies during standardized residency training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: In recent years, alcohol consumption in different parts of Iran has increased. However, this growth was dramatic in deprived regions. The percent study aimed to determine the age-sex standardized prevalence of alcohol consumption and related factors in the general population of Ilam city during 2021–2022. Method: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the general population of Ilam city located in western Iran. A total of 1,431 individuals over the age of 15 were included in the study using multi-stage cluster sampling. Alcohol consumption was assessed using a Persian version of high-risk behavior questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha > 73%). Analysis was done by Stata version 11 and R Software. Logistic regression analysis was used for data analysis and calculating odds ratio (OR), and a significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: In total 1,431 individuals completed the questionnaire. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the study participants was 43.40 ± 15.51 years. The age-sex standardized prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI) of alcohol consumption was 4.05% (95% CI: 3.09 to 5.20). Based on multiple logistic model, having a bachelor's degree (OR: 7.13; 95% CI: 1.89 to 26.76), cigarette smoking (OR: 6.92; 95% CI: 2.94 to 16.29), hookah smoking (OR: 7.34; 95% CI: 3.09 to 17.47) and drug abuse (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.38 to 5.99) had a positive association with alcohol consumption. Furthermore, having a high economic status 0.62 (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.26 to 1.48) had a negative association with alcohol consumption. The most powerful determinants (according to standardized coefficient) for alcohol consumption were hookah smoking (standardized coefficient: 0.588) and high education level (0.743). Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of alcohol consumption in the population over 15 years old, it is necessary to take preventive and intervention measures, with more attention from health policymakers and other sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in non-English speaking countries face challenges when assessing children for speech sound disorders (SSD). Exploring their clinical challenges in service delivery–along with their problem-solving approaches–may contribute to the development of instruments for clinical use in such settings. Aim: The study aimed to explore assessment methods used by Iranian SLPs to identify children with SSD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey took place with 113 SLPs working with children with SSD. The survey comprised 36 items grouped into four main themes–service delivery, types of assessments procedures, challenges of evaluating SSD, and ways of keeping up to date. Results were analysed based on participants' levels of education and experience. Results: Participants used Persian as the primary language in their work, and over 70% provided services in a private setting. Most participants reported having between 10–30% of clients with SSD in their caseload. Most (73.5%) SLPs involve parents in completing the history form. They favour informal traditional articulation tests, with approximately half the sample selecting this approach from the 14 options presented to them, especially those with bachelor's degrees and minimal experience. More experienced SLPs (62.7%) chose the Polysyllabic Words Test. Assessment, whether formal or informal, was found to be time-consuming by the majority of respondents (18.6% always, 42.5% often). Self-study (65.5%) and taking part in workshops/webinars/journal clubs (60.1%) were ways to keep their knowledge current. Conclusion: Our findings are similar to other international survey results on SSD evaluation. Although many Iranian SLPs use informal traditional articulation tests, such assessments are limited in their analysis and the diagnostic information provided. The findings emphasise the need for clear phonological assessment guidelines, valid and reliable 'clinician friendly' instruments, equitable distribution of tools across the country, and suitable tools for bi/multilingual communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the demographic characteristics of teachers, challenges faced in assessment practices, and their impact on teaching performance. The results showed a varied demographic profile, with the majority of teachers between the ages of 30 and 39, having Bachelor's Degrees, and having areas of specialization such as Science and Filipino. Notable challenges included preparing assessments, putting strategies into practice, encouraging student participation, and making good use of assessment feedback. Most teachers did well and showed high levels of satisfaction despite these challenges. The study also revealed that younger teachers faced greater challenges when it came to assessment. Specifically, there was a negative correlation between teaching performance and difficulties in using assessment feedback. In response, an action plan was suggested to improve teacher support and assessment planning. The study emphasized the necessity of focused interventions to address these issues, which enhanced assessment practices and lessened the workloads of teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study provided a comprehensive analysis of the profile, proficiency, and challenges faced by primary English teachers, shedding light on various aspects of their professional lives. The demographic profile revealed that a significant portion, 24 percent, of the teachers fell within the 40-44 age range, and there was a notable female dominance, with 56 percent of respondents being female. Educational attainment varied, with one teacher holding a master's degree, fourteen having a bachelor's degree with MA units, and twelve possessing only a bachelor's degree. In terms of teaching experience, the distribution was diverse, with almost one-third of teachers having the shortest range of experience. The study highlighted six teachers with 6-10 years, five with 11-15 years, three with 16-20 years, and four with 21 years and above in teaching English. Specialization varied among the 27 teachers, with the majority specializing in General Education, while others focused on fields like HELE, Social Studies, Filipino, science, mathematics, and English. The study identified challenges faced by teachers in various aspects. In terms of teacher factors, encouraging students to recite and talk in English during English-based subjects was reported as a frequent problem, while perceived incompetence in carrying out curriculum objectives was less prevalent. Administrative factors included challenges related to the climate for employer-employee relationships and administrators' involvement in the nature and implementation of the English subject. Pupil factors encompassed communication difficulties and concerns about the promotion of nonreaders. A significant positive correlation between English teaching proficiency and teaching performance was established, highlighting the importance of proficiency in achieving effective teaching outcomes. The study's conclusions emphasized the need for teachers to enhance their competence in teaching English, particularly when instructing outside their field of expertise. Issues such as a lack of encouragement for student participation and the necessity to use English consistently were identified. The recommendations included mandatory attendance at relevant seminars, in-service training, and mentoring programs to address weaknesses and intensify language-teaching efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the narratives of 28 Latina women who became members of their Latin Greek Letter Organizations (LGLOs) and the role that membership played in their journeys to baccalaureate degree attainment. The research question examined how participants narrated their college experiences, namely relative to successfully graduating. This research sheds light on the role that LGLO membership plays for Latina college students in their successful degree attainment, specifically that LGLOs facilitate the development of various skills, knowledge, and practices that assist members with their undergraduate experiences to graduation and well beyond. This research also adds to the larger body of literature in its investigation of the role of LGLOs within an overarching examination of Latinx college student success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinx students' college enrollment has dramatically increased. However, Latinx students in predominantly White institutions (PWIs) still face challenges given the racial disparities in inclusion, diversity, equity, access (IDEA), and psychological wellbeing (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). In addition, first-generation college students (students whose parents did not receive a four-year US bachelor's degree) also encounter challenges given the lack of institutional knowledge compared to their non-first-generation peers (students whose parents have at least one US bachelor's degree from a four-year higher education institution). The current study elicited responses from 404 students. Results showed that Latinx and first-generation college students reported lower perceptions of IDEA and a lower sense of basic psychological needs satisfaction than their White and non-firstgeneration peers. Practical and policy implications are provided for higher education administrators, faculty, and staff when working with Latinx and firstgeneration students. Results indicated the urgent need to respond to basic psychological needs among Latinx students and first-generation college students through policy-making and prioritizing student events to support Latinx students' academic and social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical therapists, because of their care work, are susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to their caregiving duties. These disorders have a significant economic and social impact. Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists and their associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional design study was conducted among physical therapists who were working in the Community of Madrid. An online questionnaire was used and distributed through the professional association. This questionnaire included sociodemographic and occupational variables as well as the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, specifically designed for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms in an ergonomic or occupational health context. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 212 questionnaires were analyzed. 98.1% reported a musculoskeletal problem in the past 12 months. The most affected regions were the neck (85.4%), upper back (59.4%), lower back (73.1%), shoulder (53.8%), and wrist and hand (63.2%). Neck disorders were associated with women (AOR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.20–4.82); shoulder disorders with women (AOR = 7.79; 95%CI = 1.02–56.64) and older age (AOR = 1.06; 95%CI = 1.01–1.11); lower back disorders with women (AOR = 3.86; 95%CI = 1.11–13.49), a four-year bachelor's degree (AOR = 3.56; 95%CI = 1.09–11.62), treating trauma patients (AOR = 0.13; 95%CI = 0.02–0.62), and using manual therapy (AOR = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.15–0.78). Conclusions: 98.1% of the physical therapists reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 12 months. Several variables were associated with musculoskeletal disorders: gender, level of education, age, and type of patient and treatment. Further research is needed to identify preventive measures that can reduce the high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among physical therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different clinical medicine programs exist in China, which are mainly the 3-year junior college medical program, the 5-year medical bachelor's degree program, the 5 + 3 medical master's degree program, and the 8-year medical doctoral degree program. Medical graduates obtain different degrees from various medical programs, leading to inequality and polarization of the cultivation. The extended length of schooling discourages talented students from pursuing clinical medicine. The current situation has worsened due to the mismatch between clinical competence and promotion, as well as insufficient remuneration. The most critical reform measure is to establish separate degree systems for scientific research skill training and clinical training, which helps clarify the boundaries between these two. Students who receive academic postgraduate education obtain academic degrees, such as the master of medical science and doctor of philosophy; students who take part in the national standardized resident training, specialist training, or general practitioner training obtain professional degrees, such as master of medicine and doctor of medicine. It is imperative to consider shortening the duration of medical education, with an ideal limit of eight years on average. Optimizing the way to promotion and raising the expenditure of remuneration are also crucial. The reform of medical education system in China still has a long way to go and requires gradual adjustment and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently there are approximately 50 million ballroom dancers in China, and over 100 tertiary institutions offering bachelor's degrees majoring in ballroom dance. It was this context and the growth of tertiary ballroom dance education and the prosperity of ballroom dance competition in China that prompted this research question: What are tertiary teachers' meanings of competition in tertiary ballroom dance education in China? In contextualising the study in China, the history of tertiary ballroom dance education and ecology of ballroom dance competition was outlined. Related to this were the various pedagogical approaches valued within Chinese educational institutions and ballroom dance contexts. A qualitative methodology was utilised in answering the research question. This study found that ballroom dance competition culture informed tertiary teachers' pedagogy, students' learning, and curriculum setting. This study posits that as ballroom dance continues to grow in China, tertiary ballroom dance education in China will require a more finely balanced approach to the role of competition within the curriculum, pedagogical approaches and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the employment outcomes of liberal arts graduates from Dutch university colleges with those of their peers who pursued conventional, subject-specific bachelor's degrees. Using data from the Dutch National Alumni Survey, the analysis includes 14,933 respondents who completed a master's programme at a research university, with 210 of them holding a university college degree. Logistic, multinomial, and OLS regression analyses were performed on six labour market outcomes: employment status, time to first paid job, vertical match, horizontal match, vertical and horizontal match combination, and hourly wage from regular work. Propensity score matching was used as a robustness check. The results show that holding a university college degree is not associated with any distinct advantages or disadvantages in the job market. While a liberal arts bachelor's degree has a negative effect on obtaining employment in STEM professions, no statistically significant differences, neither negative nor positive, were found in other outcomes. This suggests that university colleges do not lack the capacity to prepare students for the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do older community college students build momentum toward graduation differently than their younger peers? One-third of students in community colleges are 25 years of age or older, and these students tend to have lower rates of graduation than their younger peers. Yet, we know little about how the factors that influence college graduation differ across the wide range of ages found among community college students. Using multilevel statistical models to analyze data for Ohio's community colleges, we investigate how the relationships between early academic momentum and the likelihood of completing a postsecondary credential vary by age. We disaggregate results by gender in light of prior evidence of differences in the educational experiences and outcomes of adult men and women. The measures of momentum, all observed in the first year in community college, include credits earned, credit success rate, enrollment continuity, passing college-level math, and passing college-level English. The college graduation outcomes, observed over six years, include earning a postsecondary certificate, earning an associate degree from a community college, and earning a baccalaureate degree from a four-year institution. We find some differences and some similarities in how older and younger students build momentum toward a postsecondary credential, and how these patterns differ for men and women, revealing fruitful opportunities to strengthen the outcomes of older students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As college tuition rises nationwide, policy efforts to reduce these costs are increasingly focused at the 2-year level. However, it is not fully known whether increased access to college increases degree attainment. Compared to observationally equivalent peers who enroll in 4-year institutions, 2-year enrollees may face a decreased likelihood of BA receipt. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study, this paper examines the long-term academic outcomes for full-time, bachelor's degree intending students who initially enroll at public 2-year institutions. I examine the impact of initial community college enrollment on degree attainment, credit accumulation, and student loan debt using multiple identification strategies. I utilize a series of linear probability models (LPM) and an instrumental variable (IV) approach that exploits variation in the cost of and proximity to 2- and 4-year institutions. These strategies estimate the impact of initial community college enrollment by comparing identical students regarding demographics and academic ability, in which one student enrolls in a 2-year school and another in a 4-year institution. I find that initial 2-year enrollment reduces the likelihood of bachelor's degree attainment by 14 (LPM) to 35 (IV) percentage points but reduces student loan accrual by nearly $7500. Understanding the impact of initial 2-year enrollment is especially important as there is increased pressure on community colleges to play a role in providing pathways to BA receipt. Understanding the effect of community college enrollment can help secondary and postsecondary institutions and policymakers better provide pathways to baccalaureate attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a random sampling technique, the channels used by extension practitioners to communicate agricultural-related information to farmers were investigated from a sample of 126 practitioners and managers. Research activities included a formal survey, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The Pearson's Chi-square (2) test of independence with a = 0.005 as a criterion for significance and the binary regression method were used to analyse the data. Findings from descriptive statistics reported that 52.4% of the respondents comply with the Norms and Standards of Extension and Advisory Services, which prescribe that all practitioners in South Africa should have a four-year bachelor's degree as a minimum qualification requirement. Many Extension practitioners (60.3%) preferred visiting farmers in person; however, logistical issues such as transport to the field (38.9%) posed a barrier to farm visits and information sharing. The binary logistic regression model results showed that information sources and the frequency of farm visits were among the variables that influenced the channels extension practitioners used to communicate agricultural information. The study concludes that extension officers still prefer inperson farm visits despite the emergence of ICT and digital technologies. This study recommends that in-person farm visits be utilised with ICT and other digital technologies to address agricultural-related information delivery challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In higher education institutions, there is a strong interaction between research and teaching activities. This paper presents a case study on the research–teaching nexus based on an analysis of academic results related to the course "Instrumentation and Data Analyses in Marine Sciences" within the Marine Sciences and Technologies Bachelor's Degree at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), taught at the Vilanova i la Geltrú campus (Barcelona, Spain). The start of this degree in the academic year 2018–2019 allowed the assignment of technological subjects in the degree to a research group with extensive experience in the research and development of marine technologies. The first section of this paper aims to provide a justification for establishing the Marine Sciences and Technologies Bachelor's Degree. It highlights the necessity of this program and delves into the suitability of the profiles of the professors responsible for teaching marine technology subjects. Their entrepreneurial research trajectory and their competence in electronic instrumentation are strong arguments for their appropriateness. The next section of the paper explores a detailed analysis of academic results based on surveys and student performance indices. Through a thorough examination of these data, this case study demonstrates, within the context of all UPC degrees, that assigning a research group made up of experienced professors and researchers in the field who are accustomed to working as a team produces superior academic results compared to assignments to professors who do not work as a team. Teamwork presents specific skills necessary for operating the infrastructures and equipment associated with an experimental degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Best Paper Award for 2023 in Computational Optimization and Applications, focusing on the work of Matteo Lapucci and Pierluigi Mansueto from the University of Florence. Their paper introduces a Limited Memory Quasi-Newton Approach for Multi-Objective Optimization, extending classical single-objective optimization methods to handle multi-objective problems. The authors demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach through numerical experiments and provide open-source Python code for implementing the algorithm. Their research contributes to the field of nonlinear multi-objective optimization and offers potential applications in approximating the entire Pareto front in multi-objective problems. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: As the pharmaceutical advertising landscape evolves with digital advancements, this study examines public awareness and perceptions of medication advertisements in Saudi Arabia. It focuses on the effects of regulatory frameworks and evaluates how they influence public understanding and attitudes toward these advertisements. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey in Saudi Arabia in December 2023. The survey was distributed on social media platforms and reached a diverse sample of 440 participants. It covered public perception and attitudes toward drug advertisements, knowledge of regulatory laws, and preferences regarding advertising mediums. Results: Out of the 440 participants in the study, who were primarily employees with bachelor's degrees, there was a clear awareness of drug advertisements. The average age of the group was 33 years, and a significant portion (71.1%) held a bachelor's degree, with 51.1% being employed. The findings revealed that 25.5% of participants frequently noticed drug ads, while 22.7% saw them very often. Although many found the ads informative, there were significant concerns about unrealistic expectations and the risk of overmedication; 89.8% believed the ads set unrealistic expectations about the effectiveness of medications. Additionally, 60.7% thought that celebrity endorsements might mislead the audience, and 91.1% felt that ads should provide more detailed information about potential risks and side effects. Regarding preferred advertising platforms, mobile apps and websites were favored (47%), followed closely by social media (46.4%). A striking 93.2% of participants believed that drug ads on social media should be subject to stricter regulations, and 96.4% wanted more proactive monitoring of online advertising. Many also reported using other sources, such as medical review sites, to verify medication information. Conclusions: Pharmaceutical advertising in Saudi Arabia must balance ethical transparency with educational value. The influence of digital platforms underscores the necessity for stricter regulation and accurate information dissemination. A collaborative approach is essential to align advertising practices with public health interests and regulatory standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing a lottery-based natural experiment, this study assessed the longer-term impact of early colleges on postsecondary degree attainment. It found that early colleges significantly increased the overall degree completion and associate degree completion rates within 10 years of expected high school graduation. While the impact on bachelor's degree or advanced degree attainment was no longer significant 10 years after high school, results from earlier years suggest that early college students attained these degrees at a higher rate and faster pace than control students. This study also found that the early college impact on bachelor's degree attainment was significantly stronger for underrepresented minorities and that the impact on associate degree attainment was significantly stronger for students with higher prior achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory therapy services commenced in Saudi Arabia (SA) in the mid-1970s. Since then, respiratory therapists have become integral members of the healthcare team. However, data about the characteristics and distribution of the respiratory therapy workforce in SA are limited. Therefore, the primary objective of this investigation is to examine the characteristics and distribution of respiratory therapy practitioners in SA. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) database as of January 10, 2024. This includes all registered respiratory therapy practitioners. The available data include age, gender, highest qualification, professional ranking, geographical distribution, and employment status of respiratory therapy practitioners. Results: The SCFHS database reveals that there are 5462 respiratory therapy practitioners registered with SCFHS. Females constitute 48% of respiratory therapy practitioners, and 85% of the entire workforce is under the age of 40. A Bachelor of Science degree is the highest academic qualification for 90% of these practitioners, with 75% professionally classified as specialists. The geographical distribution of the respiratory therapy workforce is uneven, with approximately 65% located in two regions: Riyadh and the Eastern province. Employment within this field is high, with 92% of practitioners currently employed. Conclusion: The respiratory therapy workforce is witnessing steady growth, with the majority of respiratory therapy practitioners possessing a bachelor's degree and classified as specialists professionally. Importantly, there is a clear imbalance in the distribution of these professionals across regions in SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: This systematic review and meta-analysis uncovered that in China, there's a shortage of medical records coding staff, coupled with heavy coding workloads. The insights gleaned from analyzing the allocation of medical records to full-time coders in China offer valuable guidance and benchmarks for hospitals in allocating these tasks. Ensuring accurate coding is pivotal for reliable data collection and the effective implementation of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) and Diagnosis Intervention Package (DIP) systems nationwide. Importance: The homepage of medical records holds significant importance for national performance assessments, DIP settlement lists, and DRG payments. Coders, as auditors of the codes, wield a crucial influence on the quality of the medical records' homepage. Objective: To analyze the general situation of the allocation of medical record full-time coders in China. Data source: CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and other databases were searched from database inception to November 31, 2023. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was the allocation of medical records to full-time coders, with the workload of the coders being the primary focus. Secondary outcomes encompassed the professional background of the coders, including their academic qualifications, professional titles, possession of medical coding certificates, and years of experience in coding. Results: Eleven studies, comprising data from 1783 hospitals and 4448 coders, were analyzed. Among the coders, 61% had a medical-related professional background, 62% held a bachelor's degree or higher, 54% possessed an intermediate title or higher, 61% had coding certificates, and 51% had less than 5 years of work experience. The summary findings regarding the number of coders and coded medical records in secondary and tertiary hospitals indicated an average discharge rate of 22,704.0 per hospital in China. The number of coded cases averaged around 11,300. Specifically, coders in tertiary hospitals coded approximately 12,049 medical records on average, while those in secondary hospitals coded around 7,399 medical records. Conclusion and relevance: Our study highlights the shortage of medical record coding personnel in the majority of hospitals, coupled with a significant coding workload, low educational qualifications among staff, short working hours, and an imbalanced title structure. Given these findings, hospitals and relevant management authorities should prioritize the recruitment of highly educated professionals, streamline the assessment process for professional titles, alleviate the coding workload, and enhance coding quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DanceSport is the new signature for competitive ballroom dancing, which was originally intended to reflect the sport's current reputation as a difficult one. Physical strength, agility, coordination, stamina, a high degree of fitness, discipline, teamwork, grace, style, and musical interpretation are among its attributes. In the past few decades, DanceSport has experienced tremendous expansion and development, garnering more public attention and remarkable breakthroughs on the professional front. Even with this growing acknowledgment, there is a conspicuous lack of scholarly writing on the responsibilities, proficiencies, and professionalism of DanceSport technical officials--important individuals in charge of guaranteeing the uniformity, impartiality, and general prosperity of contests. These officials are essential in maintaining the caliber and integrity of competitions, acting as the backbone of the sport This descriptive-correlational study determined the professionalism, administrative skills, and commitment among DanceSport technical officials in Panay Island, Region VI, Philippines for the School Year 2023-2024. A researcher-made questionnaire on professionalism, administrative skills, and commitment was used. Majority of respondents were members of LGBTQ+, 31 to 40 years old, bachelor's degree holders with units toward master's degree, 11 to 20 years in service, and teaching personnel. The level of professionalism as a whole was very high. In terms of gender, age, highest educational attainment, length of service, and nature of work, their level of professionalism was very high. The level of administrative skills as a whole was very high. In terms of gender, age, highest educational attainment, length of service, and nature of work, their level of administrative skills was very high. The level of commitment as a whole was very high. In terms of gender, age, highest educational attainment, length of service, and nature of work, their level of commitment was very high. There were no significant differences in the level of professionalism, administrative skills, and commitment when classified according to gender, age, highest educational attainment, length of service, and nature of work. However, a significant relationship existed in the level of professionalism, administrative skills, and commitment. Based on the findings of the study on professionalism, administrative skills, and commitment among DanceSport technical officials, it is recommended that organizations develop specialized workshops focusing on these key areas to strengthen their capabilities. Additionally, establishing a mentorship program may help new officials quickly acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for high-level performance. Finally, implementing regular feedback and evaluation mechanisms will ensure ongoing improvement and maintain high standards within the DanceSport community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge and attitude toward electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) play crucial roles in determining the acceptance of ECT as a viable and effective treatment option. Results: This study involved 400 participants (57.3% female), aged 18–25 years (36.8%) and predominantly single (49.8%), with a bachelor's degree or higher (78.8%). Only 1.8% had undergone ECT before. While 32.0% relied on social media for ECT information, only 9.5% had a family history of psychiatric illness, and 5.8% had previous psychiatric visits. Knowledge about ECT was moderate (4.51 ± 1.76). Attitudes were less favorable (2.45 ± 2.47), with concerns about ECT as punishment or inhumane treatment. Public stigma towards mental illness was moderate (mean score: 17.77 ± 6.89), with some disagreement on stereotypes. Significant differences were observed in the knowledge scale based on residing governorates and sources of information (p = 0.003 and < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, significant differences in the attitude scale were reported for sources of information (p = 0.002), and significant differences in public stigma were found among age groups (p = 0.023). Spearman's correlation revealed moderate positive associations between knowledge and attitudes (0.314, p < 0.001) and weak positive associations between knowledge and public stigma (0.185, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with stigma and poor knowledge of ECT may affect their choice in undergoing or advising family members to take on ECT if medically prescribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: This systematic review and meta-analysis uncovered that in China, there's a shortage of medical records coding staff, coupled with heavy coding workloads. The insights gleaned from analyzing the allocation of medical records to full-time coders in China offer valuable guidance and benchmarks for hospitals in allocating these tasks. Ensuring accurate coding is pivotal for reliable data collection and the effective implementation of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) and Diagnosis Intervention Package (DIP) systems nationwide. Importance: The homepage of medical records holds significant importance for national performance assessments, DIP settlement lists, and DRG payments. Coders, as auditors of the codes, wield a crucial influence on the quality of the medical records' homepage. Objective: To analyze the general situation of the allocation of medical record full-time coders in China. Data source: CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and other databases were searched from database inception to November 31, 2023. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was the allocation of medical records to full-time coders, with the workload of the coders being the primary focus. Secondary outcomes encompassed the professional background of the coders, including their academic qualifications, professional titles, possession of medical coding certificates, and years of experience in coding. Results: Eleven studies, comprising data from 1783 hospitals and 4448 coders, were analyzed. Among the coders, 61% had a medical-related professional background, 62% held a bachelor's degree or higher, 54% possessed an intermediate title or higher, 61% had coding certificates, and 51% had less than 5 years of work experience. The summary findings regarding the number of coders and coded medical records in secondary and tertiary hospitals indicated an average discharge rate of 22,704.0 per hospital in China. The number of coded cases averaged around 11,300. Specifically, coders in tertiary hospitals coded approximately 12,049 medical records on average, while those in secondary hospitals coded around 7,399 medical records. Conclusion and relevance: Our study highlights the shortage of medical record coding personnel in the majority of hospitals, coupled with a significant coding workload, low educational qualifications among staff, short working hours, and an imbalanced title structure. Given these findings, hospitals and relevant management authorities should prioritize the recruitment of highly educated professionals, streamline the assessment process for professional titles, alleviate the coding workload, and enhance coding quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recovery from SARS CoV-2 infection is expected within 3 months. Long COVID occurs after SARS-CoV-2 when symptoms are present for more than 3 months that are continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive. Better understanding of Long COVID illness trajectories could strengthen patient care and support. Methods: We characterized functional impairments, quality of life (QoL), and cognition among patients who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection within 3 months (without Long COVID), after 3 months (Recovered Long COVID), or remained symptomatic (Long COVID). Among 7305 patients identified with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 and December 2021, confirmed in the medical record with laboratory test or physician diagnosis, 435 (6%) completed a single self-administered survey between March 2022 and September 2022. Multi-domain QoL and cognitive concerns were evaluated using PROMIS-29 and the Cognitive Change Index-12. Results: Nearly half the participants (47.7%) were surveyed more than 2 years from initial infection (median = 23.3 months; IQR = 18.6, 26.7) and 86.7% were surveyed more than 1 year from infection. A significantly greater proportion of the Long COVID (n = 215) group, (Current and Recovered combined), had moderate-to-severe impairment in all health domains assessed compared to those Without Long COVID (n = 220; all p < 0.05). The Recovered Long COVID group (n = 34) had significantly lower prevalence of fatigue, pain, depression, and physical and social function impairment compared to those with Current Long COVID (n = 181; all p < 0.05). However, compared to patients Without Long COVID, the Recovered Long COVID group had greater prevalences of fatigue, pain (p ≤ 0.06) and subjective cognitive decline (61.8% vs 29.1%; p < 0.01). Multivariate relative risk (RR) regression indicated Long COVID risk was greater for older age groups (RR range 1.46–1.52; all p ≤ 0.05), those without a bachelor's degree (RR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.03–1.71; p = 0.03), and those with 3 or more comorbidities prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.11–1.90; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Long COVID is associated with long-term subjective cognitive decline and diminished quality of life. Clinically significant cognitive complaints, fatigue, and pain were present even in those who reported they had recovered from Long COVID. These findings have implications for the sustainability of participation in work, education, and social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a life-altering experience. It compelled individuals to alter their attitudes and habits and adopt measures to prevent the risks of infection. This research discusses factors that determine adherence to these measures, with the aim of enhancing compliance in future pandemics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using snowball non-random sampling through an online Qualtrics survey targeting Bahraini residents, aged 18 and older. The sample included 1,008 participants, and data were analyzed using SPSS, and presented in tables and graphs. The majority of the participants were Bahraini females with a bachelor's degree, between the ages of 20–29 (43.2%). Awareness of COVID-19 transmission was high, with 87.7%. The adherence rates for preventive measures were high: mask usage at 98.8%, hygiene practices at 93.7%, and social distancing at 92.2%. Older adults aged 50 + showed the highest consistency in compliance (p = 0.001). Individuals with chronic diseases were more likely to adhere to mask use (p < 0.001). Conversely, those experiencing negative emotions about social distancing were more likely to visit crowded places (p = 0.031), indicating a psychological barrier. Mask use exhibited the highest adherence at 98.8%, while overall compliance was notably high among educated and retired individuals. Public health campaigns should target younger demographics with education about crowded spaces and address emotional barriers to social distancing. Future strategies can be tailored to promote adherence among diverse populations, enhancing community resilience against pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, it is not enough for university graduates to acquire only occupation-specific academic knowledge to find a job. Graduates are also expected to possess an additional set of skills called employability skills. In this study, job vacancies were analyzed to determine the skills employers want from new graduates. In this study, 178 job posts for new graduates on an online job search platform (Kariyer. net) were analyzed using content analysis. According to the findings of the study, fewer hard skills and more soft skills were demanded by recent university graduates. The most demanded skills for both associate degree and bachelor's degree graduates were skills in social and communication groups. When examined in detail, the highestdemanded soft skills include "strong communication skills," "predisposition to teamwork," "planning and organization skills," "effective written and oral communication skills." In addition, "mastery of MS Office applications, knowledge of foreign languages and "knowledge of computer programs related to the field" are among the technical skills that graduates require. This research is expected to guide new graduates in terms of which skills they should develop and educational institutions in terms of updating their curricula in line with the demand for skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Education system stimulates the development of human capital and provides informative signaling allowing to differentiate productivity of individuals. If education system is efficient then higher levels of education usually associated with greater returns on labor market. To evaluate the efficiency of Russian education system we aim to estimate the effect of vocational education and different levels of higher education on wages. Design/methodology/approach: We use data on 8,764 individuals in the years 2019–2021. Our statistical approach addresses two critical issues: nonrandom selection into employment and the endogeneity of education choice. To tackle these problems, we employed Heckman's method and its extension that is a structural model which addresses the issue of self-selection into different levels of education. Findings: The results of the analysis suggest that there is a significant heterogeneity in the returns to different levels of education. First, higher education, in general, offers substantial wage premiums when compared to vocational education. Specifically, individuals with specialist's and bachelor's degrees enjoy higher wage premiums of approximately 23.59–24.04% and 16.43–16.49%, respectively, compared to those with vocational education. Furthermore, we observe a significant dis-parity in returns among the various levels of higher education. Master's degree provides a substantial wage premium in comparison to both bachelor's (19.79–20.96%) and specialist's (12.64–13.41%) degrees. Moreover, specialist degree offers a 7.16–7.55% higher wage premium than bachelor's degree. Practical implications: We identify a hierarchical pattern in the returns associated with different levels of higher education in Russia, specifically "bachelor-specialist-master." These findings indicate that each level of education in Russia serves as a distinct signal in the labor market, facilitating employers' ability to differentiate between workers. From a policy perspective, our results suggest the potential benefits of offering opportunities to transition from specialist's to master's degrees on a tuition-free basis. Such a policy may enhance access to advanced education and potentially lead to higher returns for individuals in the labor market. Originality/value: There are many studies on returns to higher education in Russia. However, just few of them estimate the returns to different levels of higher education. Also, these studies usually do not address the issue of the endogeneity arising because of self-selection into different levels of education. Our structural econometric model allows addressing for this issue and provides consistent estimates of returns to different levels of education under the assumption that individuals with higher propensity to education obtain higher levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Background: The use of nursing evidence-based practice (EBP) has grown more and more important for healthcare professionals globally in their goal of delivering high-quality patient care. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess barriers to implementing EBP among Palestinian nurses at the Palestinian Medical Complex (PMC). Methods: The study was carried out at the PMC over the course of a month and employed a cross-sectional descriptive approach. Data were gathered from 100 nurses who satisfied the inclusion criteria by using convenient sampling. Barriers to the application of EBP were measured by the BARRIER Scale. Results: Participants identified key barriers such as inadequate time (62%, M ± SD: 3.34 ± 1.066) and lack of assistance (30%, M ± SD: 3.15 ± 1.029). Concerns included literature dispersion (45%, M ± SD: 3.23 ± 0.973), inadequate facilities (53%, M ± SD: 3.70 ± 1.010), and methodological issues (52%, M ± SD: 3.16 ± 1.012). In addition, 57% felt that research is published too slowly (M ± SD: 3.39 ± 0.898), 33% noted unjustified conclusions (M ± SD: 3.01 ± 0.882), and 35% highlighted a lack of replication (M ± SD: 3.07 ± 0.879). Conclusion: This study found that head nurses and men perceived more significant barriers to research quality, while individuals with baccalaureate degrees reported fewer barriers. There was an association between perceived barriers and age and work experience, indicating age as a positive predictor of barriers related to research quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study developed an online closed-book question bank using wechat. Pre- and post-training scores were recorded and compared, taking into account total scores and scores based on various socio-demographic characteristics. Sociodemographic characteristics were used as explanatory variables and total score as dependent variables. Finally, statistical analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between explanatory and dependent variables. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study involved a total of 216 students. The majority of the participants 149 (68.98%) were aged between 20 to 25 years. Out of these, 137 (63.43%) held a bachelor's degree while 182 (84.26%) had less than or equal to one year of work experience. Additionally, 212 (98.15%) of held a junior professional title, and 121 (56.02%) of them were medical staff. Participants who completed similar training had scores on the BLS (68.55 ± 17.19) and those who did not (58.96 ± 21.73). BLS training has shown a significant improvement in BLS scores (p < 0.001) for people of all ages, genders, educational, experiential and professional levels and departments, regardless of prior training. The results of this study show that attending BLS training courses has a significant impact on BLS scores. This effect remained significant even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics through linear regression analysis (ß = 27.30, p<0.001). Therefore, BLS training is an effective way to increase BLS knowledge. The study found that trainees who received BLS training had a higher level of knowledge in standardized training than those who did not receive such training. This suggests a significant correlation between basic life support training and BLS knowledge in trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise has been demonstrated to result in improvements in physical function, cognition, and quality of life in People with Parkinson's (PwP) but its adoption is variable. Objectives: To investigate exercise preferences, levels, influencing factors among a diverse Parkinson's disease (PD) population, to understand exercise adoption patterns and plan informed interventions. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey collected data through online platforms and paper‐based methods. The Exercise Index (ExI) calculated exercise level based on frequency and duration. Results: Of 2976 PwP, 40.6% exercised regularly, 38.3% occasionally, and 21.2% did not exercise. The overall mean ExI was 18.99 ± 12.37. Factors associated with high exercise levels included exercising in groups (ExI 24–26), weightlifting (ExI 27 (highest)), using muscle‐building equipment (ExI 25–26), and exercising at home following an app (ExI 26). A positive trend between ExI and varied exercise groups, locations, types, and equipment was observed. No expected benefit from exercise achieved the lowest ExI (8). Having at least two exercise‐promoting factors, a bachelor's degree or higher, receiving exercise advice at initial visits, and aged ≤40 years at PD onset were strong predictors of exercise (adjust OR = 7.814; 6.981; 4.170; 3.565). Falls and "other" most troublesome PD symptoms were negative predictors (aOR = 0.359; 0.466). Barriers to exercise did not predict the odds of exercise. Conclusions: The study shows that PwP's exercise behavior is influenced by their exercise belief, age at PD onset, doctor's advice at initial visits, education level, symptoms, and exercise‐promoting factors. High exercise levels were associated with certain types of exercises and exercising in groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite decades of national efforts to increase students' participation and success in STEM, bachelor's degrees in STEM continue to notably lag the labor force demand. Asian students represent one group that disproportionately contributes to the share of STEM degrees. Understanding their experiences can help to illuminate ways of increasing STEM success overall. This study focuses on two research questions: (1) How do Asian women and men fare compared to their White counterparts regarding two outcomes: STEM major preference and STEM degree attainment? (2) How do a host of academic and psycho-social factors contribute to the observed gender-race differences in the two outcomes? Analyses from Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 indicate that compared to White men, Asian men are more likely to prefer a STEM major, whereas Asian women are less likely to do so. However, Asian women are more likely to prefer a STEM major than White women. The Asian-White differences within each gender group are fully explained, albeit through distinct mechanisms for men and women. When it comes to STEM degree attainment, there are no differences between Asians of both genders and White men. However, White women have a lower likelihood of pursuing STEM degrees compared to White men, even after considering a host of mediators. The findings reveal different mechanisms that contribute to the observed differences and highlight the importance of simultaneously considering race and gender for understanding inequalities in STEM education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only 11% of community college (associate's-degree) students transfer vertically and obtain a bachelor's degree within six years, despite over 80% originally intending to do so. These leaks in the transfer pipeline disproportionately affect students from underrepresented groups, who are more likely to attend community colleges and to leak out of the pipeline. To obtain insights about how to decrease these leaks, a survey was distributed to all City University of New York undergraduates; 31,511 responded. The survey concerned students' life and academic circumstances, as well as their information about and views on transfer. Analyses particularly compared responses of never-transferred associate's and bachelor's students and vertical transfer students. The results suggest multiple actions that higher education can take to decrease the pipeline leaks and increase higher education equity, including by increasing transfer students' belongingness, course availability, credit transfer, financial support, information, and time efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the experiences and how parents with LGBTQ+ students address the challenges faced as they have children that part in the LGBTQ+ community. Qualitative research, as defined by Creswell (1994), focuses on understanding a social or human problem based on building complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants and non-numerical data to explore phenomena through indepth interviews. In response to these challenges, two main themes emerged: accepting and understanding the identity of one's child and, seeking divine guidance and providence. Reflecting on their experiences, the participants shared valuable insights regarding the importance of acceptance and understanding LGBT+ children, the necessity of supporting their LGBTQ+ children, and the broader issues of social justice and equality. Ultimately, the research aimed to understand the experiences and coping mechanisms of parents as they have a LGBTQ+ students or having a child that was part of LGBTQ+ community. In addition, the purpose of this study was used as a resource/reference for some parents and for future generations in handling emotions when they find the gender of their children. The researcher undertook this challenge not only to fulfill her bachelor's degree requirements but also out of personal commitment, hoping that the study would resonate with readers and be recognized as valuable one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To become registered radiation worker as radiographer, nuclear medicine (NM) technologist, or radiotherapist in Australian health system, a 4-y bachelor's degree, or a 2-y master's degree in medical imaging (MI), NM, or radiation therapy (RT) approved by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is required. During their supervised clinical practice period, it is crucial to monitor students' occupational radiation dose as their annual dose limit is 1 mSv y−1 unlike regular occupational dose of 20 mSv y−1. In this study, the distribution and trend of occupational dose among over 300 radiography, NM, and radiotherapy student practitioners per year in an Australian university are analyzed over a period of 10 y (2013–22). The overall average annual effective dose was well below the dose limit set for the students. Among the three streams—MI, NM, and RT—NM students had the highest annual dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]