Master's Level Education Research Articles

Designing a marine systems design specialization track at NTNU

In this paper we describe and discuss the current and future MSc specialization programme in marine systems design at the Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU). We follow the structure of a design process. First, we identify relevant stakeholders. That includes industry, society and the students themselves, and we discuss what are their key needs and requirements for a master level education. Further, we outline what can be considered a conceptual solution for the marine systems design specialization programme´s structure and content. We apply two basic types of learning elements. First, a set of focused topic blocks covering central systems design models and methods to develop the required theoretical competence platform. Second, the students perform a series of creative, 'use case'-oriented collaborative development projects based on CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) principles. We discuss the “educational design solution” in terms of learning objectives vs. achieved results and evaluate the impact both from an academic and an industrial perspective.

Cytotechnology schools: Future outlook.

Recent changes in the standard and guidelines governing the education of cytotechnologists herald in a new era of cytology education. The long-discussed move to master level education and name change of the professional to cytologist signifies an alignment with current and projected scope of mid-level diagnostic cytology practice. Cytotechnology programs going forward are charged with implementing curricular changes that prepare practitioners to perform tasks such as computer assisted screening, and cell block interpretation as well as to perform evidence-based research methods. Cytotechnology education programs are sure to face challenges particularly in student recruitment and the hiring of expert faculty. There are however opportunities for programs to develop innovative teaching techniques, recruit from underrepresented groups and collaborate to develop needed curricular resources. The future outlook for cytotechnology programs is that they are at a turning point, poised to educate the next generation of pathology extenders who will continue to be integral members of the patient care team.

Bridging Theory and Practice: Assessing the Effectiveness of Edumundo Business Simulation Software in Masters-Level Education

Bridging Theory and Practice: Assessing the Effectiveness of Edumundo Business Simulation Software in Masters-Level Education

Predisposition of In-Service Teachers to Use Game-Based Pedagogy

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) can be regarded as a promising teaching pedagogy to prepare students for challenges of the 21st century. However, the incorporation of digital games into K-12 curricula remains limited. Research suggests that a comprehensive understanding of barriers and motivational factors that teachers face when implementing DGBL is needed to ensure that teachers can receive the support required. To delineate suggestions for tailored curricula on game-based pedagogy in teacher education programs, we conducted a study to gain insight into in-service teachers’ perception of DGBL in relation to their previous experience in teaching with DGBL. To achieve our goal, we examined the factors that impede and promote the implementation of DGBL among in-service teachers who are presently pursuing master's level education programs, having in mind that this group of teachers is different from pre-service teachers. Data was collected using an online survey with open- and closed-ended questions. The sample consisted of in-service teachers (n=37) who were enrolled in a master’s course in math education. The data analysis conducted was of a qualitative nature. One significant finding derived from this study is that the level of pedagogical experience in utilizing games as a teaching tool appears to be a crucial factor in understanding the inclination of in-service teachers towards game-based pedagogy. Pedagogical factors were mentioned by teachers at all stages of experience with DGBL, and differences were observed between teachers at different stages. For instance, in-service teachers with experience with DGBL (intermediate and advanced stages) were concerned about being able to maintain focus on the math concepts, the need to adapt the game lesson to students, and the ways to evaluate student learning less experienced teachers were essentially concerned about ways to control the classroom during DGBL and whether the pupils would receive adequate practice in this learning mode. Differences were also noted for other factors between teachers at different stages. Advanced stage teachers did have concerns about game appropriateness for the intended learning; teachers with less experience were concerned about the lack of games (technical factors). Dealing with an existing curriculum and high workload were common aspects for teachers with no or some experience but only teachers with some experience mentioned obstacles related to school organization (structural factors). Teachers with few and some experience referred to the lack of knowledge and competence (personal factors) and that pupils would not take the lessons with games seriously (social factors). This research supports DGBL- practice (i) by adding new knowledge on the factors that can support or constrain the integration of DGBL and its implications for the development of curricula on game-based pedagogy; (ii) by providing suggestions to design and implement meaningful curricula on digital game-based pedagogy for teaching education and training programs.

Understanding factors influencing healthcare workers' intention towards the COVID-19 vaccine.

Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring Coronavirus infection. In addition, they are role models for the general public concerning attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, they play a critical role in successfully promoting practices aiming to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, this study broadly based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) explores the factors influencing HCWs' intention to be vaccinated. An online survey was administered using Google Form to collect data from HCWs working in the public health sector of Pakistan. The sample included 813 participants, two-thirds were female, and one-third were male. In addition, 41.5% of them were aged between 26-35 years, 32.6% had master's level education, 25% were nurses, and 57.7% of them were living in urban areas. Data analysis was run using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research findings reveal the positive and significant effect of the TPB factors (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) and the extended factor of vaccine confidence on HCWs' intention to be vaccinated. This study's model explains 66.4% of variations in HCWs' intention to be vaccinated.

Struggling with unnecessary suffering-Registered nurses' experiences of delayed decisions on treatment without consent in forensic psychiatric inpatient care.

Chemical restraints are used in forensic psychiatric inpatient care, however with caution as it can feel like an assault against patients' integrity. When waiting for decisions on treatment without consent, nursing staff are expected to care for patients with severe mental ill-health without the use of medical treatment, often with a feeling of already having tried all other available means. Knowledge about how registered nurses experience such situations is sparse but could contribute to the development of both teamwork and nursing approaches that could mean reduced suffering for patients. The aim of this study was to describe registered nurses' experiences of delayed decisions on treatment without consent in forensic psychiatric inpatient care. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with registered nurses working in forensic psychiatric units in Sweden. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. The result showed that experiences of treatment without consent were about striving to protect patients from harm, striving for collaboration during difficult circumstances and striving to do good. This was interpreted as a struggle with unnecessary suffering. For registered nurses to be able to handle such challenging situations and relieve suffering for patients, experience and master-level education in mental health nursing are highlighted. Another aspect that is highlighted is the importance of having consultants familiar with the circumstances at the unit. A method for joint reflection is suggested, to promote an open-minded work culture with a well-functioning decision-making process and ensure that both consultants and nursing staff have support.

Localisation of PPE manufacturing during COVID-19 (local manufacturing partnership and Kingsgate Clothing South Africa)

Learning outcomes • After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following:• Identify the difference between core competencies and dynamic capabilities and how they make a difference in a crisis towards building an agile organisation.• Evaluate the support through a collaborative, temporary, trans-organisational system to local manufacturers to achieve agility and sustainability.• Realise the importance of clear expectations exchange and communication between partners to enhance collaboration, even in temporary structures in increasing agility and sustainability. Case overview/synopsis The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns created a crisis for South Africa and the President, Cyril Ramaphosa called for urgent collaboration between business, labour and government to meet the demand for locally produced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical devices. The case illustrates this response and collaboration between government, labour and business through a temporary newly formed structure, called Business for South Africa (B4SA). Ross Boyd, Head of the innovation work stream of B4SA which housed the local manufacturing partnership (LMP) was considering his dilemma of how to be agile in sustaining their support to the South African manufacturers even though the LMP was a temporary structure. The local manufacturers had to repurpose their production lines to produce local PPE and medical devices. How could the LMP support the South African manufacturers to sustain their agility in building capabilities during COVID-19? At the same time, Ahmed Dhai, the Group Executive of Operations of Kingsgate Clothing, which was benefiting from the support of the LMP, was reflecting on his leadership in taking decisions to repurpose production and increase capacity during COVID-19. Dhai was considering his dilemma of being agile during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The case features several decisions taken by Kingsgate and offers students the opportunity to evaluate these decisions given the fluctuations in supply and demand of PPE and the leadership that Dhai demonstrated in how he communicated and dealt with his staff during the pandemic. Students could also give recommendations to Ross Boyd and Ahmed Dhai on how they could lead their organisations to be more agile during and beyond COVID-19. Complexity academic level The case study is suitable for MBA or MPhil level on Strategy courses. The case would also find good application in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership courses on Masters level and Executive Education programmes. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 7: Management Science.

Having a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Leads to Higher Closure Rates Among Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities From the Outcome-Based Perspective

This study compared closure rates (CR) and high-quality closure rates (HQCR) among persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) between counselors with a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling (MRC) and those with a master's degree of related disciplines (RM). Survey data were collected from 152 counselors in four states, and their IDD clients from 2014 to 2017 were analyzed (n= 5,186). The rate differences were calculated based on multilevel logistic regression with counselors as the cluster level. The overall CR was slightly higher among counselors with MRC than those with RM (32.9% vs. 25.3%,p= .09) but significantly higher when limited to clients with less severe disabilities (35.1% in MRC vs. 25.0% in RM,p= .03). Furthermore, the differences were more pronounced in HQCR (23.5% in MRC vs. 18.2% in RM,p= .03 in all clients, and 30.7% in MRC vs. 22.5% in RM,p= .01 in clients with less severe disabilities). The difference in CR for full-time jobs (30+ hours/week) was also significant (22.0% in MRC vs. 16.0% in RM,p= .007). The counselors with MRC were more likely to be prepared for managing IDD clients than those with RM. The main advantages of MRC in knowledge domains included medical and psychological knowledge, career development and job placement, and disability management. Therefore, master-level education in rehabilitation counseling could provide more relevant training and yield better closure rates in IDD clients than other disciplines.

Bridging Theory and Practice: Assessing the Effectiveness of Edumundo Business Simulation Software in Masters-Level Education

Bridging Theory and Practice: Assessing the Effectiveness of Edumundo Business Simulation Software in Masters-Level Education

JOB SATISFACTION AMONG NURSING FACULTIES IN NURSING COLLEGES OF MORANG DISTRICT

Introduction: Job satisfaction is an employee's positive emotional response to their job or aspects of their job.It greatly determines the productivity and efficiency of human resources for health and is linked with the work environment, job responsibilities and powers, and time pressure among various health professionals. Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the level of job satisfaction and to find out associations between levels of job satisfaction with their selected variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. Altogether, there were 70 teachers during the data collection period from 2019/09/16 to 2019/09/27. The institutional census method (total enumerated sampling) was used to select the campus and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Filled-up questionnaires were edited,cleaned,coded on a daily basis,entered into the computer system,and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Study results showed that among the 70 respondents, more than half were 30-40 years of age group (61.4%),had master's level education (57.1%) and the majority of them were married (81.4%) and almost all of them (98.6%) were female.It is found that 58.6% of the respondents were ambivalent,37.1% were satisfied and 4.3% were dissatisfied with their job. The level of job satisfaction is somewhat statistically significant with affiliated to/constituent (p=0.056). Conclusion: From the result, it is concluded that a large proportion of respondents were ambivalent about their job. Quantitative research was carried out in this study but as job satisfaction is the intangible perception of an individual so the mixed approach would be far better.

7.L. Workshop: New roles and innovative skill-mix in nursing across Europe: trends and lessons for implementation

Abstract Many countries in Europe are changing the roles and skill-mix of their nursing workforce. A sufficient and well-skilled nursing workforce has shown to be key for population health, most recently demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic. An increasing number of countries have introduced Master-level education for nurses to work in advanced practice nursing (APN) roles. These changes in the educational systems have implications on patients, clinical practice, teams and health systems. Moreover, many countries are re-orienting their health services from hospital to primary health care and prevention, driving new roles for nurses. The relevance of high-quality education and upskilling has been exemplified during the Covid-19 pandemic, where nurses had to quickly adapt to new treatment and caregiving situations in challenging work environments. Objectives of the workshop. This workshop will provide an overview of research and policy developments in Europe, drawing on recent research. First, an overview of innovative skill-mix changes in nursing will be presented and evidence on health outcomes, based on a study from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Second, research from Germany in five innovator hospitals will be presented, a country which is still at an early stage with integrating nurses in advanced roles. The panel discussion will address innovations in APN research, practice and policy lessons in Europe and with in-depth insights from four countries (Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Germany). In the Netherlands, the policy instrument “experimental law” has led to full practice authority for Nurse Practitioners, its impact on practice as well as barriers and enablers will be addressed. In Finland, the focus will be on recent evidence on the expanded role of nurse prescribers, the policy process and early evidence on impacts for nurses and patients. In Switzerland, the lack of regulation and reimbursement schemes restrict advanced practice, whereas drivers comprise changes in population needs, education (master and doctoral level) and reduced workforce availability. Developments at the national and cantonal level and the evaluation of innovative care models with APNs will be presented using case examples and recent research (e.g. university hospitals, primary care). The panelists will discuss implications for research, policy and nursing management, also taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic and other unexpected “health shocks” which have shown to impact considerably on nurses’ roles in practice. Lessons will be shared on strategies for a well-qualified and -resourced nursing workforce integrated in systems. The format is ‘regular workshop’ with two presentations and a panel discussion with experts from four countries. Key messages • Multiple innovative nursing skill-mix model exist, with promising outcomes for individuals and population groups if nurses are well trained and equipped. • Implementation of APN roles requires enabling policy contexts, sufficient funding, clinical leadership, teams that are open to innovations, and strong nurses that take on APN roles.

EMJM PROMISE—The New International Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering

The challenge of attracting young people to the field of mineral processing as well as the ever-growing worldwide demand for minerals and metals together with lower-grade deposits and shortages of energy and water triggered the establishment of the new Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program PROMISE. The consortium of four mining universities in Europe and Chile aims at master level education on engineering and sustainability issues in mineral processing. The first academic year of PROMISE will start in September 2022.

Willingness to pay for social health insurance among public civil servants: A cross-sectional study in Dessie City Administration, North-East Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe readiness to pay for health insurance has an impact on universal health care. This study investigated the willingness of public civil servants in Dessie City Administration, North-East Ethiopia, to pay for social health insurance and associated factors.MethodsFrom April to May 2021, a cross-sectional study was undertaken. The sectors from which the samples were proportionately allocated were chosen using a multistage sampling procedure. Using their payroll list as a sampling frame, simple random sampling was done to recruit them. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Epi Data version 3.1 was used to enter, code, and clean the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. To determine relationships, bi-variable and multivariable analyses were utilized. Candidates for multivariable analysis were variables with a p-value ≤ 0.3 in bi-variable analysis. AOR with a 95% CI was used to determine the strength and direction of association. Statistical significance was defined at p-value < 0.05.ResultsA total of 796 employees took part in the study, with a 94.42% response rate. Overall, 29.60% of them were willing to pay for the scheme (95% CI: 26.4, 33%). The decision to pay was influenced by favorable perception (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.72, 3.44), household income < Birr 5,000 (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.48), acute illness (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.72), bachelor level education (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.70), master and above level education (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.49), and age 25–29 years (AOR = 1.97, 95 % CI: 1.08, 3.57).ConclusionThe willingness of the civil servants to pay for social health insurance was low, and it was influenced by their attitudes toward the scheme, the occurrence of severe illness, income level, educational status, and age.

Structural and psychological empowerment of students obtaining continuing leadership education in Finland–a national survey

BackgroundIn nursing, empowerment may be deemed one's potential to gain power, achieve goals and promote one's skills to advance positive changes in the working environment, or decentralization of authority. Empowerment is associated with nurses' and nurse leaders' satisfaction, performance and organizational commitment, as well as burnout, emotional exhaustion and intentions to leave the profession. Research on nurse empowerment in relation to continuing education is sparse. ObjectivesThis study describes the structural and psychological empowerment levels of students beginning a collaboratively implemented continuing leadership education program. DesignCross-sectional electronic survey. SettingsNational, continuing nursing leadership education program (37 ECT) organized by five universities that provide masters level education to nurse leaders in Finland. ParticipantsStudents (N = 85) working at nine healthcare organizations across the service system as current or prospective nurse leaders and enrolled in the continuing leadership education program. MethodsThe Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire and the Work Empowerment Questionnaire were each used to measure structural and psychological empowerment, respectively. The data were collected between October 2019 and February 2020. ResultsA total of 69 students participated (response rate 81 %). Moderate levels of both structural and psychological empowerment were observed. In structural empowerment, the strongest dimension was access to opportunity (4.1, SD 0.7), whereas access to support was the weakest (2.7, SD 0.7). The strongest psychological empowerment dimension was verbal empowerment (8.5, SD 1.9) and the weakest was outcome empowerment (7.0, SD 1.6). ConclusionsNurses and nurse leaders seem to lack the status and power required to impact their organizations, possibly causing them to apply for nursing leadership education. Nurse leaders should be given opportunities for continuing leadership education to improve empowerment and, as a result, staff outcomes.

Linking theories and actions-in-practice: infusing N=1 action research projects into educational psychology courses

ABSTRACT This article discusses a study that examined how pre-service teachers could link academic theories and their teaching in graduate educational psychology courses. A mini-action research project to tutor individual students in the form of ‘N = 1 Action Research’ (NAR) was assigned in psychological foundation courses required in masters-level teacher education programs. The content analysis of 61 NAR papers found that some of them merely cited psychological theories without linking them to their teaching or were rigidly confined by their scope of the theories. Others flexibly made use of psychological theories to make sense of the varying needs of their students and engaged in critical inquiries into how academic theories could be further developed to encompass the complex needs of their students. This study suggests the need to look into pre-service teachers’ relationships to academic theories and help them engage in reflective inquiries into their personal theories and assumptions on teaching.

A Survey of Women in the Perfusion Workforce: 2021.

A diverse and equitable working environment is desirable. In 2011, a survey was distributed to all female perfusionists in the United States. This survey suggested that the female perfusionists share the same difficulties as women in the labor force. The role of women in society in general is clearly changing. Female perfusionists have been part of that evolution. Promoting equality and respecting diversity are central to life today. A follow-up survey was distributed to evaluate the status and the change in gender stereotypes in the field of perfusion over the past 10 years. Women make up nearly half of the U.S. labor force and 35.7% of the present perfusion workforce in North America (1,077 certified women). Women make 82 cents for every dollar that men earn and this disparity widens for women with more education. The purpose of this survey was to poll women in perfusion to evaluate concerns and opinions in their careers and to compare to the 2011 survey results. In December 2021, a 39-question survey (surveymonkey.com, San Mateo, CA) was made available to all female perfusionists in North American via social media websites (Facebook.com, Perfusion.com, LinkedIn.com, Perflist, Perfmail, and FPP Listserv). There were 384 responses to the 2021 survey compared to the 538 responses in 2011. About 32.1% of the survey participants have been used in perfusion for more than 20 years; 37.6% have earned a master's degree compared to 2011, where 18.3% had master's level education; 72.5% are the financial providers for their family with 44.2% earning $101-150,000.00 and 40.3% greater than $200,000.00, which is a significant change from 2011; 61.5% consider themselves under moderate stress compared to 63.0% in 2011; 94.3% take call on a regular basis; and 74.1% feel they miss essential family functions because of their schedules. Similarly, 62.8% felt discriminated against because of gender compared to 50.9% in 2011. This survey suggests that the female perfusionists have shown to be assertive (72% are the primary financial supporter of their families) and competent in the field of cardiovascular perfusion (nearly 40% have masters degrees). Further analysis is needed to discern whether female perfusionists are treated with comparable respect as their male colleagues when 50.0% report some discrimination or harassment in their workplace.

Poultry farming and farmers perception towards the farming condition during COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is threating global public health and has declared as a pandemic crisis around the world. An attempt was made to ascertain the effect of COVID-19 on practices in poultry farming (PPF), problem faced for poultry farming (PFPF) and poultry farmer's perception on COVID-19. A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 poultry farmers during the period of October to December 2020 in selected area of Bangladesh. The PPF score at just prior and during of the COVID-19 was 7.11 ± 3.25 and 6.53 ± 3.12 having significant difference (p < 0.01). But, the training on poultry farming can improve the PPF score at just prior (7.57 ± 3.20) and during (6.91 ± 3.13) of the COVID-19. Additionally, the mean PFPF score was found of 10.67 ± 6.15. In logistic regression analysis, the farmers of ≥18–29 years aged and had no training were 0.42 (95% CI:0.20–0.88; p < 0.01) and 0.58 (95% CI:0.35–0.98; p < 0.05) times respectively less likely to have satisfactory score on PPF. Similarly, the farmers of ≥18 to 29 and ≥ 40–49 years aged were 2.52 (95% CI:1.36–4.69; p < 0.01) and 2.08 (95% CI:1.12–3.87; p < 0.05) times respectively more likely to have considerable score on PFPF than the farmers of other age group. Interestingly, the internet users had 2.51 (95% CI:0.95–6.57; p < 0.05) times higher to have more satisfactory PPF score (≥60%). Moreover, the farmers of ≥18–29 years aged, masters level education and had training, significantly (p < 0.01) thought the COVID-19 is more dangerous indicated by the higher median (median = 8). In conclusion, the PPF and PFPF score was significantly varied by demographical characteristics of farmers. Therefore, the farmers had the concept about COVID-19 and more than 75% of them believe that COVID-19 doesn't transmit from poultry.

Relative Performance of Machine Learning and Linear Regression in Predicting Quality of Life and Academic Performance of School Children in Norway: Data Analysis of a Quasi-Experimental Study.

BackgroundMachine learning techniques are increasingly being applied in health research. It is not clear how useful these approaches are for modeling continuous outcomes. Child quality of life is associated with parental socioeconomic status and physical activity and may be associated with aerobic fitness and strength. It is unclear whether diet or academic performance is associated with quality of life.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the predictive performance of machine learning techniques with that of linear regression in examining the extent to which continuous outcomes (physical activity, aerobic fitness, muscular strength, diet, and parental education) are predictive of academic performance and quality of life and whether academic performance and quality of life are associated.MethodsWe modeled data from children attending 9 schools in a quasi-experimental study. We split data randomly into training and validation sets. Curvilinear, nonlinear, and heteroscedastic variables were simulated to examine the performance of machine learning techniques compared to that of linear models, with and without imputation.ResultsWe included data for 1711 children. Regression models explained 24% of academic performance variance in the real complete-case validation set, and up to 15% in quality of life. While machine learning techniques explained high proportions of variance in training sets, in validation, machine learning techniques explained approximately 0% of academic performance and 3% to 8% of quality of life. With imputation, machine learning techniques improved to 15% for academic performance. Machine learning outperformed regression for simulated nonlinear and heteroscedastic variables. The best predictors of academic performance in adjusted models were the child’s mother having a master-level education (P<.001; β=1.98, 95% CI 0.25 to 3.71), increased television and computer use (P=.03; β=1.19, 95% CI 0.25 to 3.71), and dichotomized self-reported exercise (P=.001; β=2.47, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.87). For quality of life, self-reported exercise (P<.001; β=1.09, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.66) and increased television and computer use (P=.002; β=−0.95, 95% CI −1.55 to −0.36) were the best predictors. Adjusted academic performance was associated with quality of life (P=.02; β=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.22).ConclusionsLinear regression was less prone to overfitting and outperformed commonly used machine learning techniques. Imputation improved the performance of machine learning, but not sufficiently to outperform regression. Machine learning techniques outperformed linear regression for modeling nonlinear and heteroscedastic relationships and may be of use in such cases. Regression with splines performed almost as well in nonlinear modeling. Lifestyle variables, including physical exercise, television and computer use, and parental education are predictive of academic performance or quality of life. Academic performance is associated with quality of life after adjusting for lifestyle variables and may offer another promising intervention target to improve quality of life in children.

Knowledge attitude and practice of safety measures for corona virus disease - 19 (COVID-19) among general population.

To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of general population for Corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19). A total of 950 participants submitted an online self-administered questionnaire, which was developed through literature search and validated. The online survey link was distributed through various social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Tumblr). And 861 forms were included in the study after checking for completion of relevant response from participants, whereas 89 forms were excluded. The data were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics were performed for percentage and frequency determination of quantitative and qualitative variables. Spearman's correlation and Chi square test were performed to control confounders and association of knowledge, attitude, and practices with gender and education level. The P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. More than two third of the population was aware of COVID-19 and three fourth had had bachelor's degrees, whereas 18% had master level education. 85% have not attended any courses, awareness campaigns, and lectures to inculcate recent and updated knowledge. 83% believed that COVID-19 is a serious threat to the community; hence, prevention strategies should be adopted. There was no significant relationship (p = 0.23) between knowledge, attitude, and practice levels with gender, whereas a significant relationship (p = 0.01) was noted with education of participant. Similarly, a significant relationship (p = 0.00) was seen between knowledge and practices of participants toward COVID-19. The studied population displayed adequate knowledge, attitude, and practice to combat COVID-19. However, we also find a knowledge gap between information source and perception of COVID-19 among our study participants. Therefore, there is a critical need for effective education and widespread public campaigns aiming to enhance relevant and contemporary information related to prevention and management of COVID-19.

Grow or successfully disengage? Navigating the revolution of South African tower companies

Subject area of the teaching case: The case is suitable for strategy or entrepreneurship modules. It is designed to teach students about the importance of implementing formal processes when entering a growth phase as well as the complexities, unexpected costs, and benefits that growing a business can bring. Student level: The case is aimed at MBA or Master-level students or executive education programmes as part of a strategy or entrepreneurship module. Brief overview of the teaching case: Lattice Towers is a South African company in the telecommunications infrastructure sector. They are struggling to generate sufficient cash flow to sustain operations as a result of poor strategic decision-making regarding tower-build site acquisition. To compound matters, the owner has been struggling with health issues related to the stress caused by the crises that Lattice Towers is going through. Recently, however, a multinational publicly listed behemoth in the telecommunications industry, Helios Towers, offered to acquire the company. The acquisition offer seems like a saving grace to the owner; however, Lattice Towers is deeply personal to the him and he would not like to lose the brand. Furthermore, there is a tremendous opportunity for business growth due to the imminent increase in demand for tower infrastructure. But based on the challenging financial position the business currently finds itself in, he might not have the option to keep the business. Expected learning outcomes: To develop a decision-making framework and strategy to navigate the business life-cycle stages, from survival to growth Understand the concepts of uncertainty, risk, and liquidity premiums that apply to entrepreneurship Understand the stress-related implications for entrepreneurs Understand the psychological costs and benefits of entrepreneurship Understand the personal financial implications for entrepreneurship