Attendant Costs Research Articles

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Factors Influencing Absenteeism among Medical Students at the University of Zawia, Libya

Attendance of undergraduate medical students is crucial for their medical education, but absenteeism is a growing problem globally due to academic and personal challenges. This study at the University of Zawia surveyed 302 undergraduate medical students, primarily female, to understand the factors influencing their attendance. The study found that, external factors like traffic congestion and high costs of private transportation impacted attendance, while pedagogical factors like preferring home-based learning and dissatisfaction with teaching methods were significant. Social factors like peer influence were less influential, suggesting commitment to the field. Institutional factors like inadequate classroom resources, poor infrastructure, scheduling, and security were major concerns. The college's response to absenteeism was moderate, suggesting that institutional issues may be less critical. The study underscores the complex interplay of external, academic, and personal factors affecting student participation in medical education. Factors like traffic congestion, high costs of transportation, and inadequate infrastructure significantly hinder attendance, while dissatisfaction with traditional teaching methods and the belief that non-attendance does not affect grades are notable academic factors. Faculty-related issues, such as unclear explanations and ineffective teaching methods, greatly influence attendance decisions. Study recommendations include improving public transportation, updating teaching tools and classroom facilities, and enhancing teaching quality and engagement to address the complex interplay of factors affecting student attendance in medical education programs.

Multiple Sclerosis Disease-Modifying Therapy Use in the Department of Veteran Affairs and Medicare: A Comparative Analysis

BackgroundHigh-cost disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) have created affordability challenges for people with MS (PwMS) and payers. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the US and uses a variety of approaches to manage utilization and cost of MS DMT. The objective of this paper is to compare national utilization trends in the VA to the US Medicare program, another large federal public healthcare program. MethodsCounts of PwMS prescribed DMT from 2012 to 2021 in the VA and Medicare programs were used to estimate changes utilization over this period. For each DMT, we estimated the proportion of all DMT users treated in each year. Trends in utilization were compared to identify differences in how these systems manage DMT use. We compared demographics and DMT use between PwMS in the VA to previously published estimates from a Medicare cohort of PwMS. ResultsDMT use in PwMS was comparable in VA and Medicare programs (65.9% vs 69.7%). In younger (<50 years) PwMS, DMT use was more prevalent in the VA compared to Medicare (85.8% vs 76.9%). Between 2012 and 2021, the proportion of patients on DMT using a lower-efficacy agent (interferon beta and glatiramer) declined in both the VA (90% to 32%) and Medicare (81% to 38%). Oral DMT use (primarily fumarates and sphingosine 1-phosphate [S1P] modulators) increased to a similar degree such that by 2021, 39% of patients in both systems were receiving oral DMT. Use of high-efficacy B cell depleting DMT (ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, and rituximab) was consistently higher in the VA than in Medicare. Despite the approval of generic glatiramer and dimethyl fumarate in 2015 and 2020 respectively, 49% of glatiramer and 58% of fumarate utilization in the Medicare program continued to be for a branded product in 2021. ConclusionsGreater DMT use among younger PwMS along with more frequent use of high-efficacy B cell depleting DMT in VA has the potential to reduce disability and attendant healthcare system costs. Generic DMT adoption in the Medicare program was lower than might be expected. Future studies should evaluate the relationship between DMT utilization, costs, and health outcomes in these populations.

Second Look Opportunity for Radiation Oncology Medical Residency During Virtual Interview Season

PurposeDespite easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions and social distancing, medical radiation oncology (RO) residency interviews for the 2023 Match remained exclusively virtual. Virtual interviews can be limited in providing program atmosphere, resident camaraderie, and city culture. Our institution offered a voluntary in-person second look (SL) to address these concerns and supplement the virtual interview. Methods and MaterialA voluntary in-person SL across 3 dates was offered to all applicants who successfully interviewed with the RO department for the 2023 Match (n=54). Attendees of the SLs (n=38) were invited to complete a voluntary 10-question anonymous survey after Match Day regarding their perspectives on this opportunity including motivations for attending, financial burden, and perceived benefits of SLs. Results38 individuals (70%) attended one of the departmental SLs with 19 participants (50%) completing the survey. 16 out of 19 (84%) participants traveled >200 miles to attend. All surveyed applicants were grateful for the in-person SL opportunity and agreed such opportunities should continually be offered with exclusively virtual residency interviews. All participants reported that their decision to attend the SL was affected by departmental financial support. Two applicants felt pressured to attend the SL to remain competitive to the program. Majority of applicants agreed that they achieved a better “feel” for the program culture and the larger institution, resident camaraderie, and the surrounding city from this in-person SL encounter, compared to virtual interview alone (18, 94%). ConclusionThese in-person second look opportunities were well-attended, well-received, and offered insights and experiences to RO resident applicants in the setting of exclusively virtual interviews. The cost of attendance may be a limiting factor when applicants are deciding to attend in-person SLs. Caution is needed to ensure applicants do not feel obligated to attend and SLs are not used as a platform for inappropriate post interview communication.

Effects of Nest‐Site Availability on Male–Male Competition and the Foraging Costs of Egg Attendance in an Arachnid With Exclusive Paternal Care

ABSTRACTNatural cavities are monopolizable resources used as nest sites across many species exhibiting exclusive male care. However, our understanding of how the availability of this type of reproductive site influences male–male competition and the foraging costs associated with parental care is limited and based on studies of fish. The harvestman Magnispina neptunus offers the opportunity to explore these questions in invertebrates because males defend natural cavities used as oviposition sites and provide exclusive parental care. We hypothesized that low nest availability would increase male–male competition and the foraging costs of egg attendance. To test this hypothesis, we collected observational data in the field and conducted a laboratory experiment with two groups, low and high nest availability. Field data indicate natural cavity scarcity, as only 50% of the males were nest holders. Larger males were more likely to hold nests in the field, but body size did not predict nest ownership in the laboratory. In the field, nests with openings smaller than average were equally occupied by small and large males, while nests with openings larger than average were occupied almost exclusively by large males. The nest opening in the laboratory experiment was adjusted to be equal to the average found in the field, which may have increased nest defensibility, regardless of male size. Thus, prior residency may outweigh body size in determining nest possession. Because nest owners seem to have an advantage over intruders, the costs of abandoning a nest are likely high. This may explain why the frequency of nest takeovers and foraging outside the nests did not differ between experimental groups. In conclusion, although underexplored in empirical studies, external factors, such as the opening size of cavities defended by males of many species with resource‐defense mating systems, may play a key role in the defensibility of nest sites.

A Heterogeneous Acid-Base Organocatalyst For Cascade Deacetalisation-Knoevenagel Condensations.

Multifunctional heterogeneous catalysts are an effective strategy to drive chemical cascades, with attendant time, resource and cost efficiencies by eliminating unit operations arising in normal multistep processes. Despite advances in the design of such catalysts, the fabrication of proximate, chemically antagonistic active sites remains a challenge for inorganic materials science. Hydrogen-bonded organocatalysts offer new opportunities for the molecular level design of multifunctional structures capable of stabilising antagonistic active sites. We report the catalytic application of a charge-assisted, hydrogen-bonded crystalline material, bis(melaminium)adipate (BMA), synthesised from melamine and adipic acid, which possesses proximate acid-base sites. BMA exhibits high activity for the cascade deacetalisation-Knoevenagel condensation of dimethyl acetals to form benzylidenemalononitriles under mild conditions in water; BMA is amenable to large-scale manufacture and recycling with minimal deactivation. Computational modelling of the melaminium cation in protonated BMA explains the observed catalytic reactivity, and identifies the first demethoxylation step as rate-limiting, in good agreement with time-dependent 1H NMR and kinetic experiments. A broad substrate scope for the cascade transformation of aromatic dimethyl acetals is demonstrated.

A Pilot Feasibility Trial of Mind–Body Tactical Training for Firefighters: Evaluation of a Yoga-Based Transdiagnostic Program

ObjectivesFirefighters are at heightened risk for chronic occupational stress and exposure to potentially traumatic events. Experiencing potentially traumatic events is a risk factor for various psychiatric symptoms among firefighters, notably posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of yoga to reduce PTSD symptoms, negative affect, and trait anxiety in firefighters.MethodsA total of 108 trauma-exposed career firefighters (99% male; Mage = 34.55, SD = 8.37) were enrolled in a single-arm 8-week yoga intervention, termed Mind–Body Tactical Training (MBTT). Feasibility was assessed in five domains. Self-report measures were used to evaluate the MBTT intervention’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD, negative affect, and trait anxiety. The Intervention Appropriateness Measure was employed to assess acceptability. Attrition, attendance, and intervention costs were used to determine demand, implementation, and practicality, respectively.ResultsTotal PTSD (p < 0.001, d = 0.426), negative affect (p = 0.029, d = 0.242), and trait anxiety (p < 0.001, d = 0.327) decreased from pre- to post-intervention. Improvements in trait anxiety were also observed from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = 0.032). The intervention was generally acceptable to participants, had a 6.48% attrition rate, and had an 80.73 ± 18.96% class attendance. The cost of instructors and equipment totaled US$6636.78, equating to a cost per participant per attended class of US$4.76.ConclusionsThe current study provides initial evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of yoga as a transdiagnostic treatment for firefighters.PreregistrationThis study is not preregistered.

The cost of being qualified: Current barriers faced by graduate students in forensic anthropology.

When considering the best ethical practices in forensic anthropology, one must consider how accessible the field is to new students that are responsible for driving the future of research, pedagogy, and the field as a whole. While there is no denying that there are multiple barriers to accessing academia (e.g., racism, sexism, xenophobia, etc.) the cost of a graduate education is a key factor that affects the diversity of people that are able to enter the field. Here, the cost of 24 universities prominent in the education of forensic anthropologists are considered in tandem with the opportunities for funding offered by these institutions and average costs of living for the respective surrounding areas. Demographic data for the universities at the graduate and undergraduate level was additionally compared with the demographics of the cities surrounding the universities. Funding, excluding loans, was shown to be greatly below cost of living in university cities, and often did not match the costs of attendance estimated by institutions. Including the cost of living, the average graduate degree costs over $60,000 per year while the average stipend for graduate students is below $14,000 necessitating the need for loans or out-of-institute support. White individuals were overrepresented in graduate enrollment when compared with surrounding area demographics, even when university demographics were similar to those of the surrounding area. Overall, findings highlight the inaccessibility of pursuing higher education for minority groups and demonstrate the need for institutions to develop funding programs to promote diversity in higher education.

Deep learning of mammogram images to reduce unnecessary breast biopsies: a preliminary study

BackgroundPatients with a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 mammogram are currently recommended for biopsy. However, 70–80% of the biopsies are negative/benign. In this study, we developed a deep learning classification algorithm on mammogram images to classify BI-RADS 4 suspicious lesions aiming to reduce unnecessary breast biopsies.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 847 patients with a BI-RADS 4 breast lesion that underwent biopsy at a single institution and included 200 invasive breast cancers, 200 ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS), 198 pure atypias, 194 benign, and 55 atypias upstaged to malignancy after excisional biopsy. We employed convolutional neural networks to perform 4 binary classification tasks: (I) benign vs. all atypia + invasive + DCIS, aiming to identify the benign cases for whom biopsy may be avoided; (II) benign + pure atypia vs. atypia-upstaged + invasive + DCIS, aiming to reduce excision of atypia that is not upgraded to cancer at surgery; (III) benign vs. each of the other 3 classes individually (atypia, DCIS, invasive), aiming for a precise diagnosis; and (IV) pure atypia vs. atypia-upstaged, aiming to reduce unnecessary excisional biopsies on atypia patients.ResultsA 95% sensitivity for the “higher stage disease” class was ensured for all tasks. The specificity value was 33% in Task I, and 25% in Task II, respectively. In Task III, the respective specificity value was 30% (vs. atypia), 30% (vs. DCIS), and 46% (vs. invasive tumor). In Task IV, the specificity was 35%. The AUC values for the 4 tasks were 0.72, 0.67, 0.70/0.73/0.72, and 0.67, respectively.ConclusionDeep learning of digital mammograms containing BI-RADS 4 findings can identify lesions that may not need breast biopsy, leading to potential reduction of unnecessary procedures and the attendant costs and stress.

Defining the Subtypes of Long COVID and Risk Factors for Prolonged Disease: Population-Based Case-Crossover Study.

There have been over 772 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. A significant portion of these infections will lead to long COVID (post-COVID-19 condition) and its attendant morbidities and costs. Numerous life-altering complications have already been associated with the development of long COVID, including chronic fatigue, brain fog, and dangerous heart rhythms. We aim to derive an actionable long COVID case definition consisting of significantly increased signs, symptoms, and diagnoses to support pandemic-related clinical, public health, research, and policy initiatives. This research employs a case-crossover population-based study using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) data generated at Veterans Affairs medical centers nationwide between January 1, 2020, and August 18, 2022. In total, 367,148 individuals with ICD-10-CM data both before and after a positive COVID-19 test were selected for analysis. We compared ICD-10-CM codes assigned 1 to 7 months following each patient's positive test with those assigned up to 6 months prior. Further, 350,315 patients had novel codes assigned during this window of time. We defined signs, symptoms, and diagnoses as being associated with long COVID if they had a novel case frequency of ≥1:1000, and they significantly increased in our entire cohort after a positive test. We present odds ratios with CIs for long COVID signs, symptoms, and diagnoses, organized by ICD-10-CM functional groups and medical specialty. We used our definition to assess long COVID risk based on a patient's demographics, Elixhauser score, vaccination status, and COVID-19 disease severity. We developed a long COVID definition consisting of 323 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes grouped into 143 ICD-10-CM functional groups that were significantly increased in our 367,148 patient post-COVID-19 population. We defined 17 medical-specialty long COVID subtypes such as cardiology long COVID. Patients who were COVID-19-positive developed signs, symptoms, or diagnoses included in our long COVID definition at a proportion of at least 59.7% (268,320/449,450, based on a denominator of all patients who were COVID-19-positive). The long COVID cohort was 8 years older with more comorbidities (2-year Elixhauser score 7.97 in the patients with long COVID vs 4.21 in the patients with non-long COVID). Patients who had a more severe bout of COVID-19, as judged by their minimum oxygen saturation level, were also more likely to develop long COVID. An actionable, data-driven definition of long COVID can help clinicians screen for and diagnose long COVID, allowing identified patients to be admitted into appropriate monitoring and treatment programs. This long COVID definition can also support public health, research, and policy initiatives. Patients with COVID-19 who are older or have low oxygen saturation levels during their bout of COVID-19, or those who have multiple comorbidities should be preferentially watched for the development of long COVID.

E054 Rituximab dose minimisation in rheumatoid arthritis, a retrospective outcome analysis

Abstract Background/Aims Rituximab was originally developed as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment and rheumatology adopted the same dosing for rheumatoid arthritis(RA); two 1000mg doses two weeks apart for each maintenance cycle. UHSussex utilises self-referral for maintenance rituximab dosing once disease control lessens. Evidence demonstrates patients treated with lower dose rituximab still enjoy good disease control with less immunosuppression, reduced hospital attendance and reduction in drug expenditure. Following one two-dose cycle, stable RA patients were prescribed a single 1000mg dose from 2020 onwards. A retrospective outcome analysis was completed in August 2022; however, results were highly impacted by Covid-19 and a repeat analysis was required. Aim: to assess impact of a single 1000mg dose rituximab regime on patient sustained outcomes, dose intervals, Disease Activity Scores (DAS) and drug expenditure. Methods The pharmacy database was used to identify RA patients receiving rituximab from March 2020 to August 2023. Patients received at least one standard two-dose cycle before switching to a single infusion. Patients were excluded if lost to follow up (under care of rheumatology for less than a year following dose switching) or considered clinically unstable. Patient letters and departmental records were accessed for disease scores and treatment intervals. Results Table1: Results from the two analysis periods From the original cohort (31/59)53% remained on single dosing. Switch back tended to occur within 18 months of switching. DAS scores were not collected reliably and were omitted. Conclusion Covid-19 impacted services and attitudes during the initial study period. Many patients stopped treatment, particularly rituximab, due to the prolonged duration of effect, excluding them from analysis. The dose-interval increase during the first analysis was considered a result of the pandemic. Patients and clinicians delayed infusions; minimising immunosuppression due to perceived increased risk of Covid-19. The continued interval increase in the second analysis may identify a patient cohort in deep remission eligible for therapy review. The study highlights poor practice in collecting and recording DAS scores and appropriate patient-clinician interaction opportunities. 53% of patients remained on single infusions in August 2023 resulting in resource savings, reduced hospital attendance, immunosuppression and significant cost savings demonstrating the rationale for this option. Disclosure S. Butler: Honoraria; Abbvie, Janssen. H. Smith: Honoraria; Novartis, Abbvie.

Increasing the power of weak lensing data with multipole-based intrinsic alignment estimators

Abstract It has long been known that galaxy shapes align coherently with the large-scale density field. Characterizing this effect is essential to interpreting measurements of weak gravitational lensing, the deflection of light from distant galaxies by matter overdensities along the line of sight, as it also produces coherent galaxy alignments that we wish to interpret in terms of a cosmological model. Existing direct measurements of intrinsic alignments using galaxy samples with high-quality shape and redshift measurements typically use well-understood but sub-optimal projected estimators, which do not make good use of the information in the data when comparing those estimators to theoretical models. We demonstrate a more optimal estimator, based on a multipole expansion of the correlation functions or power spectra, for direct measurements of galaxy intrinsic alignments. We show that even using the lowest order multipole alone increases the significance of inferred model parameters using simulated and real data, without any additional modeling complexity. We apply this estimator to measurements of parameters of the non-linear alignment model using data from the Sloan Digital Sky survey, demonstrating consistent results with a factor of ∼2 greater precision in parameter fits to intrinsic alignments models. This result is functionally equivalent to quadrupling the survey area, but without the attendant costs – thereby demonstrating the value in using this new estimator in current and future intrinsic alignments measurements using spectroscopic galaxy samples.

Financial Return on Investment: An Analysis of the Top-Ranked Private Universities in the United States

The increasing cost of an undergraduate education in the United States of America has caused alarming degrees of student loan debt with deleterious consequences to the lives of graduates. Although there are myriad considerations when choosing an institution to attend, the avoidance of unmanageable debt should be prioritized. In this regard, institutions of interest should be examined based upon potential earnings in light of the actual cost of attendance. The purpose of this study was to examine the return on investment for an undergraduate education (i.e., the ratio of median annual earnings after attendance to the average annual cost of attendance) between the top-ranked private universities in the United States as per the U.S. News &amp; World Report top-20 rankings for 2024. Annual earnings and cost of attendance data were gathered from the College Scorecard. Findings for 18 private universities reveal major differences between published tuition and fees and the actual cost of attendance (on average, the latter is 32% of the former) with an average return on investment of 6.6; however, there is a wide range of return on investment (2.9–24.4). Findings further reveal that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Princeton University are the top three institutions with respect to both the ROI and U.S. News &amp; World Report rankings

Influence of Social Policy Intervention; An Analysis of Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana as a Tool to Improve Lives or a Tool to Gain Votes in Elections.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Ghana’s policy of free senior high school education is intended to enhance lives or to gain votes in elections. Qualitative research methodology was used in this study. As a research design, the study used multiple case studies. Data for this study was also gathered through in-depth interviews with 200 respondents, who were students and parents from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The research was based on a purposive sample approach. Purposive sampling was used because, according to Boateng (2021), it is used to select respondents who have ideas, information, skills, and experience about the topic under investigation. Secondary data and literature from articles and reports were also used in the study to help with the data collection. This study looks into the effectiveness of Ghana’s free secondary education policy as a means of enhancing lives or means of gaining votes. The majority of respondents (50%) cited greater enrolment and general access to education as the most desired benefit. This implies that the policy has significantly increased the number of Ghanaians enrolled in secondary education. Extra perks like free meals, uniforms, and textbooks probably help make high schools more family-friendly and affordable. The data generally shows favorable effects on educational access. The most valued benefit is associated with higher enrollment rates, whereas other benefits take care of obstacles related to cost of attendance. It is interesting that voting decisions appear to be influenced by the policy. A total of 90% of respondents felt the policy affected their vote, with 50% citing a positive influence in the previous election, compared to 10% who reported no impact. These results imply that the free secondary school policy influences voters’ decisions in Ghana and is a successful educational initiative.

Building Clinical Leadership Competencies When Caring for Hospitalized Adults Experiencing Dementia

Purpose and Objectives Attempting to improve the experience of hospitalized adults with dementia and reduce patient attendant costs, we addressed hospital nursing staff confidence managing responsive behaviors through education, mentorship, and individualized patient care planning for adults with dementia. Responsive behaviors (such as pacing, calling out) is a term used to describe behaviors demonstrated by a person with dementia as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating, or confusing in their social and physical environment. Description of Project Under time restraints, we performed a rapid environmental scan and developed internal clinical resources and a learning strategy that informed a quality improvement initiative that focused on dementia care of hospitalized patients. Outcome Using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, the interventions increased confidence, competency, and leadership in clinical nursing leaders and improved person-centered care planning practices. The cost of patient attendant usage for this patient population decreased by 28% in 1 year. Conclusion This intervention, which was not a copyrighted program associated with administration costs, improved hospital-based dementia care and staff confidence in dementia care and reduced annual costs associated with patient attendant useage.

CONTRACT NURSE STAFFING AND NURSING HOMES: ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract Nursing home (NH) quality has been a matter of long-standing policy interest at the federal and state level, as it concerns the health and well-being of one of our most vulnerable populations. Nurse staffing intensity and skill mix have a consequential impact on NH care quality. Unfortunately, NH staffing has been marked by multitudes of challenges including high levels of turnover and absenteeism. In recent years, the utilization of agency or contract nurse staffing has increased as facilities face persistent staffing shortages exacerbated by COVID-19 which has had a disproportionate and devastating impact on NHs. The literature suggests that agency staffing negatively influences the performance of healthcare organizations due to multiple reasons including unfamiliarity with organizational culture, decline in teamwork, and the attendant high costs attached to contract staffing. However, contract nurse utilization practices and its impact on NH care has not been studied adequately, and much of the limited literature relies on datasets with limited understanding of agency staffing. The overarching goal of this symposium is to explore the antecedents and consequences of the increased utilization of contract nurse staffing. As part of the symposium, we include studies examining NH nursing skill mix and intensity, the organizational and market level factors associated with higher levels of contract staffing, and the impact of nurse contract staffing on NH staff turnover, quality, and financial performance. We believe that this series of studies would have important managerial and policy implications. This is a Research in Quality of Care Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Another look at data challenges in property valuation practice: a case of Lagos property market

PurposeChallenges of property data in developing markets have been reported by several authors. However, a deep understanding of the actual nature of this phenomenon in developing markets is largely lacking as in-depth studies into the actual nature of data challenge in such markets are scarce in literature. Specifically, the available literature lacks clarity about the actual nature of data challenges that developing markets pose to valuers and how this affects valuation practice. This study provides this understanding with focus on the Lagos property market.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilises a qualitative research approach. A total of 24 valuers were selected using snowballing sampling technique, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo 12 software.FindingsThe study finds that the main data-related challenge in the Lagos property market is the lack of database of market property transactions and not the lack or absence of transaction data as it has been emphasised in previous studies. Other data-related challenges identified include weak property rights institution with attendant transaction costs, underhand dealings among professionals, undocumented charges, undisclosed information, scarcity of data relating to specialised assets and limited access to the subject property and required documents during valuation. Also, the study unbundles the factors responsible for these challenges and how they affect valuation practice.Practical implicationsThe study has implication for practice in the sense that the deeper knowledge of data challenges could provide insight into strategy to tackle the challenges.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a fresh and in-depth perspective to the issue of data challenges in developing markets and how the peculiar nature of the real estate market affects the nature of data challenges. The qualitative approach adopted in this study allowed for a deep enquiry into the phenomenon and resulted into an extended insight into the peculiar nature of data challenges in a typical developing property market.

Factors Influencing Students’ Decisions to Pursue Agricultural Degrees at Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture

Recently, enrollments at numerous American universities have been trending downward. Such occurrences have led to an increasingly competitive atmosphere for attracting new students, thus creating the need to better understand why students ultimately attend their chosen institution. Prior research has explored factors that influence students to pursue agricultural degree programs at Land-Grant Universities with limited research addressing why students opt to study agriculture at Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCAs). The purpose of our study was to describe the factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue agricultural degrees at our NLGCAs. We distributed a valid and reliable instrument to all first-semester students enrolled at our NLGCAs. Regarding enrollment factors, we found that: (1) students most frequently used degree program information on a university website to help make their enrollment decision; (2) cost of attendance was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential university-related factor; (3) career opportunities available for graduates was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential major selection-related factor; (4) a parent or guardian was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential individual-related factor; and the (5) availability of student organizations was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential social interaction-related factor.

Ensuring organizational conflict resolution through human relations in the banking sector

Increasing uncertainty and complexity in the operating environment of organizations provide fertile ground for the beginning of conflict in the workplace. This study was conducted to examine the effect of human relations in resolving conflicts in an organization using deposit money banks in Delta State as a case study. The study, anchored on the human relations theory, adopted the survey research design hence data were collected through the use of questionnaires as research instruments. The findings of the study indicate that human resources management style, employee job description, and alternative dispute resolution strategies all have positive effects on organizational conflict resolution in surveyed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study therefore concludes that positive human relations is important in resolving conflicts in an organisation and recommends amongst others the need for management to adopt the use of alternative dispute resolution strategies to avoid the attendant costs and manhour lost inherent in litigations.

Human Relations and Organizational Conflict Resolution; A Study of Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

Increasing uncertainty and complexity in the operating environment of organizations provide fertile ground for the beginning of conflict in the workplace. This study was conducted to examine the effect of human relations in resolving conflicts in an organisation using manufacturing firms in Delta State as a case study. The study, anchored on the human relations theory, adopted the survey research design hence data were collected through the use of questionnaires as research instrument. Findings of the study indicate that human resources management style, employee’s job description and alternative dispute resolution strategies all have positive effect in organizational conflict resolution in surveyed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study therefore concludes that positive human relation is important in resolving conflicts in an organistion and recommends amongst others the need for management to adopt the use of alternative dispute resolution strategies to avoid the attendant costs and manhour lost inherent in litigations

Factors influencing applicants' rank order in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match.

Previous studies have identified factors that influence genetic counseling applicants' decisions to initially apply to certain schools. However, research on the factors that influence their Genetic Counseling Admissions Match (GCAM) rank order preferences are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate these factors via an online survey sent to current students and recent graduates who participated in the GCAM. Participants (N = 415) were asked to rank factors within six categories (faculty, students, didactic curriculum, clinical training, cost of attendance, and general program information) on a 7-point Likert scale. Factors related to clinical training were most influential to applicants (M = 5.68), while factors related to didactic training were least influential to applicants (M = 4.63). Several significant differences existed between underrepresented and overrepresented applicants; overrepresented was defined as White, non-Hispanic female. Underrepresented applicants were more influenced by the diversity of program faculty (p = 0.016), students (p ≤ 0.001), and the location/patient population (p = 0.003), while overrepresented applicants are more influenced by program graduation and board pass rates (p = 0.021). The results of our study suggest that GCAM rank preferences are influenced by a large number of factors. Additionally, by demonstrating significant differences in the influence of program diversity on underrepresented applicants, the results of our study suggest that JEDI efforts of genetic counseling training programs should continue to be an area of focus, in order to create a more welcoming environment for all students and to further diversify the genetic counseling profession.