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This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in New Review of Academic Librarianship on 2021-11-16, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13614533.2021.2000452

China began to implement the charging policy for postgraduate students in 2014. Various universities at all levels have formulated a scholarship and stipend system for postgraduate students, which is in line with the needs of schools in talent training along with the spirit of relevant documents of the Ministry of Education and the actual situation of the schools. This study investigates and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the postgraduate funding by Wuhan University of Science and Technology. This article then provides advice for the reform of the scholarship and stipend system from improving the precision funding system, to increasing funding, to expanding the scope of postgraduate funding, and standardizing the treatment of deferred postgraduate students in hope that it would provide a basis for the funding system and provide guarantee for postgraduate students to complete their studies successfully.

The policy advocacy of academics and researchers signify the public spending on education and health as the positive externalities and spillover effects in the society. It also promotes that social spending helps reducing income inequality and eventually reduce poverty. This study aims at analyzing the distributional effects of social spending on education and health by examining the pre and post income distribution in Thailand following the quantitative dataset of 2011. It follows calculation of benefit incidences, which is a method of computing distributional effects of public spending, based on different five income groups (poorest, poor, moderate, rich & riches). The study divulges that Thai education system seems to be pro-poor particularly for primary and secondary education whereas healthcare seems pro-rich. It is revealed that benefit of the poorest income group increased from 8.16 per cent to 9.51 per cent while it decreased from 41.48 per cent to 39.86 per cent for the richest group after government expenditure. The increase for poor and decrease for rich in income benefit after public expenditure is treated as positive for the society. The total public expenditure on these two sectors in Thailand denotes the decrease in inequality as the Gini coefficient went down to 0.2818 from 0.3056. The study suggests increasing expenditure for the rural and poor people to minimize the gap. A special stipend is suggested for the rural student to at tertiary level where richest has highest share and there is big gap in at this level. The study also recommends establishing more higher education institutes at the provincial level to benefit the poor and rural people living away from the capital. Study suggests government to impose tax on private healthcare, which is usually availed by affluent people. Likewise, government can spend more money for lower income group. Policy should also formulate to emphasize rural people than urban in order to provide benefit to the poor.

This article used qualitative research method to arrive at an in-depth understanding of the functionality of financial committees in schools as required by the Department of Education. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis with principals, finance officers, chairpersons, and treasures. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that there are no finance committees and financial policies in schools. In case where there is financial committee it was not operating as expected as members were working individually and not collectively. This was attributed to a lack of knowledge on policy and legislation for financial management. The study recommends that the school which does not have the finance committee should establish such a committee as matter of urgency because it is mandated by the policy. Circuit officials charged with school governance must enforce the policy and legislative mandates relating to financial management by helping the schools in the formulation of such committee. Members of finance committee must be thoroughly trained to execute their functions as it is evident that they are not performing their functions accordingly. The study further recommends that parent members serving on the finance committees must be paid a stipend as it was evident that some of them value their livelihood more than participating in the committee.

Tobacco use is a risk factor for several diseases, disabilities and premature deaths. Shisha is specially flavoured tobacco and majority of the users perceive hookah smoking to be safer than cigarette. Shisha use has become rampant and trendy among students in tertiary institutions. This review aims to evaluate predictors of shisha consumption among students in tertiary institutions. We reviewed references of authentic databases and journals including Web of Science, PubMed, Iranian Databases, National Agency for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, CDC and WHO. The review focused on data documented from 2010 up to 2020.Predictors of shisha use were: shisha availability and accessibility, flavouring ,gender, awareness level, parental factors, marital status, social acceptability, peer pressure, birth order, monthly stipend, course enrolled in, internet and legal framework on hookah smoking. Most students using shisha reported to be poly drug users with marijuana, tobacco products, alcohol and khat. Most students consume shisha either singly or concurrently or simultaneously alongside other drugs. However, it is not possible to tell if shisha use preceded use of other drugs or was an aftermath. There is need to strengthen laws and policies regulating waterpipe industry. Since nearly all the reviewed literature was based on self-reported history which is prone to both social desirability bias and memory recall bias there is need to have confirmed incidence of shisha use in this sub-population.

Purpose of the study: This study is conducted to assess the success of the Female Stipend Program (FSP), started in the province Punjab, Pakistan under the Punjab Education Sector Reform Program in 2003. Methodology: Panel data on household-level collected from years 2016 to 2018 is used for the analysis. The impact of cash transfers (directed towards female students in selected districts of the province) on female school enrollment in public (elementary and high) schools is measured. Enrollment growth in public schools is used as a dependent variable whereas female stipend, the number of schools, student to teacher ratio, the population of the districts, and basic facilities available in public schools are taken as independent variables. The results are obtained by employing Linear Mixed Multilevel Modeling. Main findings: All the variables, except the population of districts, are having a highly significant impact on the enrollment rate in Punjab. Female school's stipend, number of schools in the district, and the accessibility to basic infrastructural facilities have an important impact on female enrollment rate while a high student to teacher ratio negatively contributes to female enrollment rate. Furthermore, districts, where a stipend program is implemented, have higher enrollments as compared to other districts in the province. Application of the study: Outcomes of the study indicate that cash transfer programs directed towards female school enrollment are very fruitful in the case of Punjab. Therefore, such programs should be started in other provinces of the country as well. Novelty/ Originality of the study: The present study contributes to the research gap by using the largest data set available for all 36 districts of the province. To further highlight major factors contributing to high female school enrollments, the study includes school infrastructure, the population of districts, student-teacher ratio, and availability of schools in the model.

In this paper we offer a detailed analysis of the extent, direction and evolution of ministerial stipend cross subsidies at differing levels of granularity in the United Free Church of Scotland between 1909 and 1929; from the Church's establishment of a single Central Fund, to its union with the Church of Scotland. By focussing on aggregate flows of money in support of the Church's key employees, we throw new light not only on the question of the extent to which the United Free Church's national provision of the ordinances of religion was dependant on financial transfers, but also the wider challenge of bringing two culturally distinct ecclesiastical bodies together. 1

The study examined information and communication technologies usage among agricultural students of tertiary institution in Southwest of Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 300 agricultural students from tertiary institutions. Structured questionnaire was employed to elicit information on students’ socioeconomic characteristics, availability of ICTs, accessibility and purposes of ICTs usage. Data were subjected to percentage, chi-square, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation and the Analysis of variance at p=0.05. Findings revealed that the most available ICTs among students were internet and mobile phone (95.0%) respectivelywhile they had access to mobile phone (Weighted Mean (WM)=0.58) and radio (WM=0.51), they used ICTs for information (WM=0.77), academics (WM=0.70) and entertainment (WM=0.70) purposes; with high level of availability (71.0%), access (56.7%) and ICTs usage purpose (51.3%) respectively. There were significant relationships between respondents’ monthly stipend (r=0.200), state of institution (χ2=8.000), religion (χ2=222.660), marital status (χ2=211.680), category of students’ programme (χ2= 320.4608), type of institution (χ2=56.000) and their purposes for using ICTs but with a significant difference across the states (F=23.821; p=0.00). Students used ICTs for information, academic and entertainment purposes based on their age and type of their institutions. Since ICTs are used for beneficial purposes, it is recommended that ICTs should be adapted, applied and incorporated into tertiary institutions’ curricula across the nation. Keywords: ICTs usage, undergraduate students, entertainment purposes, mobile phone, tertiary institutions.

Drawing on psychological type theory and temperament theory as operationalised by the Francis Psychological Type Scales, this study compares the profiles of 53 non-stipendiary clergy and 77 stipend...

The paper attempts to provide a snapshot of the current practices in the Professional Development of Teachers (PDoT) in four selected countries namely, Ethiopia, Finland, India and Singapore. PDoT has been analysed in the form of a continuum of Initial Teacher Education (ITE), Induction and Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The survey of literature revealed that for ITE in two countries, i.e. Ethiopia and India, the system was unable to attract competent applicants, as a result ofwhich the professional competence of teachers suffered. On the other hand, Finland and Singapore were the epitomes of having effective ITE system. The ability to attract candidates with high potential into ITE, right amount of emphasis on theory and practice in ITE programmes, the existence of effective CPD and rigorous professional development community involving the ministry of education, universities of teacher education and schools, and high prestige for the teaching profession enabled Finland and Singapore to be the star performers in PDoT. In Finland, the provision of one-year CPD training on special needs education to all teachers and professional autonomy to teachers were the salient features whereas in Singapore, a monthly stipend for student teachers during initial teacher education and multifarious career tracks for the teacher were a few additional features. 'This survey of literature has presented significant lessons drawn from eachrespective country regardingpractices in PDoT.

After years of decreasing public punitiveness and declining crime rates, politicians are seeking evidence-based crime policies to reduce mass incarceration without increasing crime. One such policy that has been implemented in several US cities is the Operation Peacemaker Fellowship (OPF), which incentivizes conformity and program participation by providing monetary stipends to individuals at risk of violent offending, thereby simultaneously reducing violence and incarceration. Yet, there is no evidence about public support for such policies. Using a nationally representative survey experiment, we examine public support for violence prevention stipends. We employ a referendum-style, contingent valuation design to measure the impact of tax increases versus tax savings on public opinion, and we randomize message framing that emphasizes the stipend program’s risky versus protective features. Both tax changes and risk framing matter. The public is willing to vote for stipends when they reduce taxes and are framed as a method to save lives. Most Republicans oppose stipends under all conditions. Reformers can increase public support for effective, nonpunitive policies that target violent offenders by emphasizing both their economic and social benefits. However, such policies are likely to face consistent opposition from certain portions of the public.

This research paper is an investigation of providence of social security to human beings by Islam, also deals with support and security of Islamic economic system for human beings. Islam provides a complete solution to the problems faced by human beings in day to day life. In Islamic society, each and every person will get their basic needs. The one who is disable or having illness (physical or mental), will be getting its basic needs. The second Caliph, Hazrat Umar (RA) saw an old Jew beggar, who was begging in the market, he called upon him and issued a monthly stipend. Hazrat Umar (RA) knew the responsibility of the state to provide him basic needs, further He state that the beggar had already paid to the state when he was young. Although, it is the duty of the state to ensure the basic needs of the people/citizen of state. Islam, also, encourages the individuals of the society to play their roles for the sustainability of equal system. The Quranic verses stresses on the responsibility of individual and state. The present world meet the misery of the people in nineteenth century while Islam had given born right to every human being, fourteen centuries ago. Islam has a fixed amount (specific amount of gold, silver, cattle and cash) of Zakat which has to be paid by the rich people to the state. In addition, the state will provide Zakat to the deprived people of the society.

The Cayman Islands managed to become a haven amid a perfect storm. The country has been kept safe from COVID-19: in balancing out a health crisis against an economic crisis, the former won.Cayman exemplifies a very successful COVID-19 response, with no significant local transmission since July 2020, almost all imported cases from returning travellers while in quarantine and only 2 deaths. Cayman has a population of ca. 71,000 (Spring 2021), a very high GDP per capita (91,052 USD, 2019) and has one of the most comprehensive public financial management legal frameworks in the Caribbean. However, Cayman’s COVID-19 response has been extremely expensive, including full border closures since 15 March 2020, a short but hard 2-month lockdown, comprehensive local testing and making the most of their strategic partnership with the UK, their sovereign.This critical analysis is structured in three main sections, comprising the public health response, local financial management and post-pandemic recovery follows. Literature blends local and international sources. Las Islas Caimán han logrado convertirse en una isla de calma durante la tormenta perfecta. El país ha contenido COVID-19: en la batalla final, la salud pública venció a la economía.Caimán ejemplifica una respuesta excepcional, sin transmisión local del virus desde julio de 2020, casi todos los casos de COVID-19 diagnosticados en visitantes mientras permanecían en cuarentena y tan solo dos fallecidos. Caimán cuenta con una población de 71.000 habitantes (Primavera 2021), un PIB por cápita alto (91.052$ en 2019) y sistemas de finanzas públicas y responsabilidad fiscal de los más desarrollados en la región. Sin embargo, las políticas públicas asociadas al control del COVID-19 han causado gastos elevados. Éstos incluyen el cierre de fronteras desde el 15 de marzo de 2020, un confinamiento estricto durante tres meses, testeo por COVID-19 accesible a todos de forma gratuita y aprovechar todas las oportunidades que brinda la soberanía del Reino Unido.Este análisis crítico estructurado en tres secciones, incluyendo la respuesta de salud pública, administración fiscal y reapertura de fronteras. El uso de fuentes locales e internacionales completan el artículo.

This study is interested in the well-being of graduate social work interns who participated in the 12-month graduate internship programme initiated by the Department of Social Development for social work bursary holders as part of a retention strategy in South Africa. The article centres on the way in which the well-being of these social work interns was influenced by external and internal factors. The research was done by means of a qualitative descriptive design. Purposive sampling was used to select 22 participants with whom semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the well-being of the social work interns was influenced by the workplace and at economic, emotional and psychological levels. Shortcomings in the workplace and a lack of resources influenced these interns’ well-being at their workplace. Financial obligations and expenses had an impact on their economic well-being and caused stress. This financial stress was caused by unplanned expenditure and the costs of transport, accommodation and food. The interns’ emotional and psychological well-being was influenced by their placements, their ability to adapt to new circumstances, and collegial relations. Mental health issues were experienced, which influenced their productivity. The findings of the project engender the recommendations that interns be more involved in their placements and provided with accommodation and appropriate workplaces. It is essential to orient new intakes and to increase their stipend.

ObjectivesCommunity health workers (CHWs) played important roles in supplementing scarce healthcare workforce in Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak, causing the government to launch the National Community Health Worker Policy 2016–2020. This study evaluated this ambitious policy and examined CHWs’ sustainability through their job satisfaction and the underlying factors to inform new policy recommendations, especially the implication for COVID-19 containment.DesignA mixed-methods approach applying structured questionnaires and semistructured interviews.Setting and participants188 CHWs in Bombali District (key Ebola-stricken areas) of Sierra Leone, 184 of them participated in follow-up interviews.Primary and secondary outcome measuresQuantitative and qualitative elements were triangulated to improve robustness of investigation: job satisfaction was measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), and factors associated with job satisfaction were identified through thematic analysis and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe MSQ score of CHWs in Sierra Leone was 65.09, extremely low even among low-income and middle-income countries. Five themes (grouped from 16 subthemes) emerged through the semistructured interviews and were tested quantitatively. Payment was CHWs’ top concern. Low stipend and payment tardiness were significantly associated with dissatisfaction. Those with Ebola experience were 5.20 times (95% CI 1.51 to 17.95, p=0.009) more likely to be dissatisfied. This study also found that working conditions, medical material supplies and career development were far from what the CHW policy promised. CHWs’ commitment was the only ‘positive’ theme, and their intrinsic job satisfaction (mean=3.61) was much higher than the extrinsic job satisfaction (mean=2.72).ConclusionsSome critical components of the 2016 National Community Health Worker Policy, aiming to promote CHWs and strengthen primary healthcare, have severe shortfalls in practice. The Sierra Leone government should address the underlying factors that have impaired CHWs’ job satisfaction to ensure sustainability of its CHW network, especially during the combat against COVID-19.

Introduction: It is well documented fact that there are differences in the actual and perceived body image among both sexes. This study was aimed to assess the association of monthly allowance with body-mass index (BMI), and body image perception among university students. Methods: The design of this study was a cross sectional design A total of 152 students were registered from the International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus.A questionnaire administered comprised of three sections i.e. socio-demographic, anthropometric and body image perception data using Figure Rating Scale (FRS) & Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). The collected data on the three aspects were compiled and statistically analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that there was no association between the student students’ allowance and body image perception, however, still using considerable amount of their allowances for looking good. The FRS assessment shows that the respondents perceived degree of self-discrepancy between current and ideal body image. The body image perception assessed with BSQ showed the respondents are least concern about body shape. However, there was significant P

Th e reform of the doctoral student education system, resulting in a departure from conducting third degree studies in favour of doctoral schools, resulted in changes in the fi eld of social security law. Th e status of a doctoral student receiving a doctoral scholarship has become independent grounds for compulsory retirement, disability and accident insurance. At the same time, it is the basis for voluntary sickness insurance. Th e author criticises the granting of doctoral students the right to acquire cover under this type of insurance. Th eir actual situation when receiving a doctoral scholarship is far diff erent from the situation of other persons (grounds) covered by sickness insurance. Th e author also discusses the issue of coincidences of grounds for social insurance of doctoral students. Th e legislator categorised the collection of a doctoral scholarship in the group of absolute grounds for insurance. Unfortunately, it omitted in the regulation of Art. 9 sec. 1a of the Act on Social Insurance System a reference to the basis of the contributions on the received scholarship, which in extreme cases may lead to a signifi cant extension of the doctoral student’s social insurance obligation.

An important anti-poverty program for older Americans is facing a serious problem: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was deemed “ineffective” by the Department of Labor. The department’s 2020 budget, in fact, proposes the program’s elimination. SCSEP, which places low-income adults aged 55 and older with multiple barriers to work in on-the-job training in nonprofit and public agencies while providing a modest stipend, has the goal of helping participants to transition into unsubsidized, gainful employment. Yet measures used to determine the program’s effectiveness focus solely on employment outcomes, ignoring important outcomes related to health and social engagement. This commentary advocates for the preservation of SCSEP by countering the view that it is purely an employment intervention for low-income older adults. We describe the complexity of the program and the people it serves and argue that using select measures that do not encompass the breadth of SCSEP’s benefits creates an inaccurate appearance of ineffectiveness. We conclude with recommendations for SCSEP administrators and grantees, social workers, and others to enhance the promise of this important program.

Student stipend programs are a significant strategy to build the child welfare workforce and encompass a set of specific obligations. This includes the student’s pledge to enter the child w...

The minimum level of sufficiency (kifayah adna) for a wife guarantees her basic living maintenance in Islam. It is a level forwarded by some Hanafi scholars who considered it the bare minimum maintenance required to meet a wife’s basic needs. An adequate stipend for a wife’s maintenance secures her livelihood. This study interviews a group of mothers and judges. Analysis of the collected data reveals that determining what constitutes kifayah helps resolve various questions and uncertainties in judicial issues such as determining the minimum level of living in the community, over-maintenance issues, fasakh case claims due to a waiver of maintenance or inadequate livelihood and issues pertaining to polygamy. The paper concludes that determining the minimum level of kifayah and ensuring it is practised helps satisfy the basic needs of a wife and avoid her being subjected to harm. It is a clear manifestation of the maqasid al-shariah that seek to preserve life, intellect, religion, wealth and progeny. Its determination guarantees the wife a monthly stipend to ensure her needs are met. This requires periodic socioeconomic studies of society to ensure that the maintenance levels are adequate.

Do politicians manipulate the enforcement of conditional welfare programs to influence electoral outcomes? We study the Bolsa Familia Program (BFP) in Brazil, which provides a monthly stipend to poor families conditional on school attendance. Repeated failure to comply with this requirement results in increasing penalties. First, we exploit random variation in the timing when beneficiaries learn about penalties for noncompliance around the 2008 municipal elections. We find that the vote share of candidates aligned with the president is lower in zip codes where more beneficiaries received penalties shortly before (as opposed to shortly after) the elections. Second, we show that politicians strategically manipulate enforcement. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find weaker enforcement before elections in municipalities where mayors from the presidential coalition can run for reelection. We provide evidence that manipulation occurs through misreporting school attendance, particularly in municipalities with a higher fraction of students in schools with politically connected principals.

This work was carried out under animal ethics approval from The University of Western Australia (approval number F 18979). We thank Terry Maxwell and Robert Perrett, the skippers of 'Osso Blue' and 'Blue Horizon', respectively, for their assistance with collection of video footage, and for providing detailed information on shark interactions with fishing vessels. Thanks also to the deckhands of these vessels and to all of the recreational fishers who assisted with collection of video footage. We also thank Rory McAuley from the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, for shark identification. Todd Bond and Michael Taylor from The University of Western Australia and Glenn Moore from the Western Australia Museum assisted with teleost fish identification. Two anonymous reviewers helped improve the manuscript. The research was financially supported by the Jock Clough Marine Foundation and the Western Australia Government's Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (project number 2016/08), which was administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Recfishwest. J. D. M. was funded by the Australian Federal Government and The University of Western Australia, through an Australian Postgraduate Award and an International Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship, respectively.

Key Points Question Is the presence of a resident labor union associated with improved well-being at US surgical training programs? Findings In this cross-sectional survey study of 5701 residents, unionized programs were more likely to offer housing stipends and 4 weeks (instead of 2-3 weeks) of vacation time to residents; however, no difference in burnout, suicidality, job satisfaction, duty hour violations, mistreatment, salary, or the educational environment were found between residents at unionized and nonunionized programs. Meaning These findings suggest that resident labor unions do not appear to improve resident well-being., This survey study evaluates the association of resident physician unions with burnout, suicidality, job satisfaction, duty hour violations, mistreatment, educational environment, salary, and benefits among surgical residents in the US., Importance Labor unions are purported to improve working conditions; however, little evidence exists regarding the effect of resident physician unions. Objective To evaluate the association of resident unions with well-being, educational environment, salary, and benefits among surgical residents in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants This national cross-sectional survey study was based on a survey administered in January 2019 after the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). Clinically active residents at all nonmilitary US general surgery residency programs accredited by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education who completed the 2019 ABSITE were eligible for participation. Data were analyzed from December 5, 2020, to March 16, 2021. Exposures Presence of a general surgery resident labor union. Rates of labor union coverage among non–health care employees within a region were used as an instrumental variable (IV) for the presence of a labor union at a residency program. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was burnout, which was assessed using a modified version of the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory and was defined as experiencing any symptom of depersonalization or emotional exhaustion at least weekly. Secondary outcomes included suicidality, measures of job satisfaction, duty hour violations, mistreatment, educational environment, salary, and benefits. Results A total of 5701 residents at 285 programs completed the pertinent survey questions (response rate, 85.6%), of whom 3219 (56.5%) were male, 3779 (66.3%) were White individuals, 449 (7.9%) were of Hispanic ethnicity, 4239 (74.4%) were married or in a relationship, and 1304 (22.9%) had or were expecting children. Among respondents, 690 residents were from 30 unionized programs (10.5% of programs). There was no difference in burnout for residents at unionized vs nonunionized programs (297 [43.0%] vs 2175 [43.4%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.92 [95% CI, 0.75-1.13]; IV difference in probability, 0.15 [95% CI, −0.11 to 0.42]). There were no significant differences in suicidality, job satisfaction, duty hour violations, mistreatment, educational environment, salary, or benefits except that unionized programs more frequently offered 4 weeks instead of 2 to 3 weeks of vacation (27 [93.1%] vs 52 [30.6%]; OR, 19.18 [95% CI, 3.92-93.81]; IV difference in probability, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.09-1.45]) and more frequently offered housing stipends (10 [38.5%] vs 9 [16.1%]; OR, 2.15 [95% CI, 0.58-7.95]; IV difference in probability, 0.62 [95% CI 0.04-1.20]). Conclusions and Relevance In this evaluation of surgical residency programs in the US, unionized programs offered improved vacation and housing stipend benefits, but resident unions were not associated with improved burnout, suicidality, job satisfaction, duty hour violations, mistreatment, educational environment, or salary.

“This is only temporary,” I told myself as I switched from pursuing my Ph.D. research to being a COVID-19 diagnostic technician. During the summer, I had been volunteering in a diagnostic laboratory, assaying samples for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Now, the lab was offering to take over paying my stipend, tuition, and fees so I could commit more time to that work—and so my Ph.D. adviser wouldn't have to support me while I did so. My research progress and graduation were my priority. At the same time, I wanted to continue to do my part to protect my community from the pandemic, as well as help out the lab and ease my adviser's financial burden. I was torn between the needs of my community and my personal needs. > “I am grateful my skills were useful during the pandemic.” Prior to starting my Ph.D., I had spent several years working at state veterinary diagnostic laboratories. I enjoyed the diagnostic work, but I wanted to pursue Ph.D.-level research. Four years in, everything was going well as I learned how to combine the precision and speed from my diagnostic training with the flexible thinking and creativity needed for research. Then, of course, the pandemic hit. My research was mostly stalled as my lab was closed, and I was feeling helpless and frustrated at home. I was interested to learn about a public health effort to track the virus in our community, a collaboration between my university and the county health department—and that veterinary diagnostic labs were pitching in. I realized I had the knowledge and training to help with the project, called TRACE COVID-19. Despite having left diagnostics, now was not the time to focus on my personal career goals. I was done watching from the sidelines. Initially, I volunteered in the diagnostic lab 8 to 10 hours a day, a few times a week. It seemed like a rewarding use of my excess time. But my adviser didn't approve. He was paying me, after all, and didn't think I should be dedicating time to diagnostics. Still, I continued to volunteer through the summer months, using the time when I would otherwise be quarantining at home. When my research lab opened at limited capacity, volunteering did not hinder my research progress. But when the diagnostic laboratory offered to fund me, I faced a dilemma. I worried that if the diagnostic lab took over my funding, it might be logistically challenging to fully return to my Ph.D. research when the time came. At the same time, I didn't want to abandon my work with the diagnostic lab. My adviser also encouraged me to keep working for TRACE, saying it would augment my CV. So, I naively forged ahead, thinking I could work on my research in my spare time. Instead, TRACE consumed my life. The number of samples delivered daily was overwhelming, and in the evenings, I faced the onslaught alone. I skipped meals and neglected exercise, and my mental health suffered. But I kept telling myself it was only temporary. By the end of the fall term, I was burned out and ready to transition back to research. To my dismay, my adviser was running low on funding. My “temporary” decision was looking more and more permanent, and what had begun as rewarding work was becoming a ball and chain. Extricating myself took flexibility, creativity, and patience. I reached out to faculty members for advice and support, and everyone was willing to help—something I had forgotten during my isolation in the diagnostic lab. One of them encouraged me to apply for a position at a local biotech company. I was thrilled when the company offered me the job, as well as the funding I needed to complete my degree. My way forward was now clear. I don't regret my time with the TRACE project, despite the sacrifices to my research progress and mental health. I am grateful my skills were useful during the pandemic. And I've learned that, when I encounter detours and setbacks on my career path, I should look to the bigger picture and remind myself that it's only temporary.

BackgroundCommunity health volunteers (CHVs) play crucial roles in enabling access to healthcare at the community levels. Although CHVs are considered volunteers, programmes provide financial and non-financial incentives. However, there is limited evidence on which bundle of financial and non-financial incentives are most effective for their improved performance.MethodsWe used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to understand incentive preferences of CHVs with the aim to improve their motivation, performance and retention. Relevant incentive attributes were identified through qualitative interviews with CHVs and with their supervisors. We then deployed a nominal group technique to generate and rank preferred attributes among CHVs. We developed a DCE based on the five attributes and administered it to 211 CHVs in Kilifi and Bungoma counties in Kenya. We used mixed multinomial logit models to estimate the utility of each incentive attribute and calculated the trade-offs the CHWs were willing to make for a change in stipend.ResultsTransport was considered the incentive attribute with most relative importance followed by tools of trade then monthly stipend. CHVs preferred job incentives that offered higher monthly stipends even though it was not the most important. They had negative preference for job incentives that provided award mechanisms for the best performing CHVs as compared with jobs that provided recognition at the community level and preferred job incentives that provided more tools of trade compared with those that provided limited tools.ConclusionA bundled incentive of both financial and non-financial packages is necessary to provide a conducive working environment for CHVs. The menu of options relevant for CHVs in Kenya include transport, tools of trade and monthly stipend. Policy decisions should be contextualised to include these attributes to facilitate CHW satisfaction and performance.

Airbnb is a companionate platform that permits moderators (hosts) to establish their properties (listings) online, so a particular recipient can stipend to halt in them. Airbnb has developed into progressively prominent amidst tourists for accommodating athwart the universe. Correspondingly, there endure enormous datasets actuality possessed from Airbnb listings with affluent lineaments. Pricing an estate on Airbnb is a confront exhaust for the proprietor as it regulating the tally of clients for that community or place. The night-time price of Airbnb listings, build upon various aspects. This model is predetermined to be conducive to the intramural pricing apparatus that Airbnb contributes to its moderators. In this project, we desire to analyze Airbnb listing demand in New York City with several machine learning paths and compare price listing with different algorithms to choose one of the best models with efficient accuracy. In this case, Arima [1] is used for evaluating the price of listing on Airbnb. With the coincidental architecture and examination of hypothesis bounds and data wrangling analyzations, this endeavor perpetrates to price estimate analysis for the forthcoming years.

In randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 'therapeutic optimism' describes a participant's belief they will benefit from the study treatment, despite the express goal of RCTs to test unknown aspects of interventions. Harbouring such expectations may interfere with RCT participation experiences, particularly among marginalised populations, such as people with substance use disorders (PSUD) who may experience social and structural barriers to participation that also increase their vulnerability to therapeutic optimism. However, little research explores therapeutic optimism within substance use trials. Thus, we conducted a nested qualitative study within an RCT testing a treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders in HIV clinics. Using interviews with 22 participants in Vancouver, Canada, analysis revealed themes relevant to therapeutic optimism, that were specifically linked to intrinsic (e.g. health-related) or extrinsic motivations (e.g. stipend). First, compared to extrinsically motivated participants, intrinsically motivated participants held high expectations for the trial and attributed greater agency to the study medication. Second, intrinsically motivated participants expressing therapeutic optimism anticipated marked changes in their lives from the study/medication. Finally, some participants predicted the treatment would solve substance-related issues in their communities. These findings highlight the interplay between therapeutic optimism and complex interpretations of RCT objectives among PSUD.

Effective recruitment and retention strategies in clinical trials are essential to achieve the enrollment goals. We aimed to identify baseline characteristics predicting dropouts and analyze the effect of retention strategies within the MemAID elderly cohort. The trial consisted of 12 visits during 24 weeks of INI/placebo treatment and 24 weeks of follow-up. Retention strategies were implemented 2 years after the beginning of the study and included incentives (meals, stipend, transportation), revised eligibility criteria, and flexibility in scheduling. A total of 244 participants (122 female; 65.8 ± 9.1 years old, 115 diabetes (DM)) were randomized, and completed baseline (223), treatment (174), and follow-up (156). After randomization, 65 participants (27%, 30 DM [46%]) dropped out. Dropouts occurred earlier in the study (19.6% cumulative failure at 100 days) as compared to later (25.3% cumulative failure at 300 days). Cox models showed no risk of dropout with DM diagnosis, but increased risk (p Disclosure F. Khan: None. D. F. Isaza-pierotti: None. P. Novak: Other Relationship; Self; Dysimmune Foundation, Endonovo Therapeutics, Oxford Press. C. Mantzoros: Advisory Panel; Self; Amgen Inc., GENFIT, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. L. H. Ngo: Consultant; Self; Five Islands Consulting, Other Relationship; Self; Radiological Society of America. V. Novak: Advisory Panel; Spouse/Partner; Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc., Consultant; Spouse/Partner; Dysimmune Foundtation, Other Relationship; Spouse/Partner; Oxford University Press. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1R01DK103902); U.S. Food and Drug Administration (IND107690); Novo Nordisk (ISS-001063), Medtronic (NERP15-0310); World Health Organization (UTN-U111-1175-1588)

Background Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in supporting health systems, and in improving the availability and accessibility to health care. However, CHW programs globally continue to face challenges with poor performance and high levels of CHW attrition. CHW programs are often underfunded and poorly planned, which can lead to loss of motivation by CHWs. The study aims to determine preferences of CHWs for job incentives with the goal of furthering their motivation and success. Methods Relevant incentive attributes were identified through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with CHWs, non-governmental organization CHWs, CHW supervisors, and policy-level stakeholders. Based on seven attributes (eg, training, workload, stipend) we developed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that was administered to 399 CHWs across eight districts in Uganda. We used conditional and mixed multinomial logit models to estimate the utility of each job attribute. We calculated the marginal willingness to accept as the trade-off the CHWs were willing to make for a change in salary. Results CHWs preferred higher salaries, though salary was not the most important attribute. There was a preference for reliable transportation, such as a bicycle (β = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.06, 2.67), motorcycle (β = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.27, 2.34) or transport allowance (β = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.65, 2.10) to no transport. Formal identification including identity badges (β = 1.61, 95% CI = 0.72, 2.49), branded uniforms (β = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.45, 1.63) and protective branded gear (β = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.32, 1.21) were preferred compared to no identification. CHWs also preferred more regular refresher trainings, the use of mobile phones as job-aids and a lesser workload. The relative importance estimates suggested that transport was the most important attribute, followed by identification, refresher training, salary, workload, recognition, and availability of tools. CHWs were willing to accept a decrease in salary of USH 31 240 (US$8.5) for identity badges, and a decrease of USH85 300 (US$23) for branded uniforms to no identification. Conclusions This study utilized CHW and policymaker perspectives to identify realistic and pragmatic incentives to improve CHW working conditions, which is instrumental in improving their retention. Non-monetary incentives (eg, identification, transportation) are crucial motivators for CHWs and should be considered as part of the compensation package to facilitate improved performance of CHW programs.

La AUH (Asignación Universal por Hijo), en su diseño y estructura, constituye un mecanismo igualador de oportunidades, ya que no sólo garantiza el estipendio de dinero en sectores vulnerables intentando romper el ciclo de transmisión de la pobreza; sino que procura mejorar la calidad de vida de los beneficiarios en materia de salud, con los controles sanitarios correspondientes, y de educación. Pero cuando se traslada la AUH a un contexto de encierro, se denotan vacíos en el diseño y discrecionalidad administrativa en su otorgamiento e instrumentalización, que impiden el efectivo acceso de los destinatarios al programa en algunas regiones o limitan los efectos pretendidos por dicho programa en otras regiones subnacionales, donde los sujetos beneficiarios pueden gozar del acceso. Es por ello que en este trabajo de diseño cualitativo con recolección de información jurisdiccional, doctrinal, normativa y empírica, a través de observación participante y entrevistas semi-estructuradas, se pretende contestar los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Cuáles son las principales problemáticas que este contexto plantea para este programa?; ¿Se debería cualificar un régimen diferencial para este supuesto?. The UAC (Universal allocation per child), within its design and structure, constitutes an equalizing mechanism of possibilities, as it not only guarantees the stipend of money for vulnerable sectors by trying to break the cycle of poverty transmission, but seeks to improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries in health, with the corresponding sanitary controls, and education. However, when UAC is taken to a context of confinement, gaps are denoted in the design and administrative discretion of grant and instrumentalization, which impede the effective access of the recipients to the program in some regions or limit the effects intended by it in other subnational regions where the beneficiary subjects may enjoy access. That is why in this qualitative design work with a collection of jurisdictional, doctrinal, normative and empirical information, through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, which intends to answer the following questions: What are the main issues which this context poses for the program? Should a differential regime be qualified for this scenario?. Fil: Rezzoagli, Luciano Carlos. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales del Litoral. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales del Litoral; Argentina Fil: Mallo, Carla. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales; Argentina