Professional Community Research Articles

Russians of the near abroad in the focus of Russian sociology: the evolution of research approaches and angles (1990s – 2020s)

The article examines main directions of sociological research on the Russian population of the near Abroad, establishes quantitative, thematic dynamics, territorial priorities of publications devoted to this problem complex. A shift in publication activity has been revealed from large forms (author’s and collective monographs, collections of articles) that dominated in the 1990s to scientific periodicals, the quantitative peak of which occurred in the second half of the 2000s. Of the leading Russian sociological publications “Sociological Studies” paid maximum attention to the problems of foreign Russians. The professional community, initially consisting of researchers from Moscow academic structures, gradually expanded to include specialists from St. Petersburg and the post-Soviet countries themselves. Since the late 2000s, the activity of researchers from Russian regions has been growing significantly. In the context of content, there was a gradual thematic detailing of research, a shift to more specific angles and narrow groups of the analyzed Russian population. Geographically, the interest of ethnosociologists was extremely unevenly distributed – three quarters of all publications were devoted to Russians from four post-Soviet countries (Kazakhstan, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine). At the same time, the Russian communities of the South Caucasus, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan practically fell out of the research focus, despite the fact that their adaptation to the new conditions of functioning was quite difficult.

Toward multimodal learning analytics in simulation-based collaborative learning: A design ethnography of maritime training

AbstractCollaborative learning in high-fidelity simulators is an important part of how master mariner students are preparing for their future career at sea by becoming part of a ship’s bridge team. This study aims to inform the design of multimodal learning analytics to be used for providing automated feedback to master mariner students engaged in collaborative learning activities in high-fidelity navigation simulators. Through a design ethnographic approach, we analyze video records of everyday training practices at a simulator center in Scandinavia, exploring (a) how feedback is delivered to students during collaborative activities in full-mission simulators and (b) which sensors are needed and why they are needed for capturing the multimodal nature of professional performance, communication, and collaboration in simulation-based collaborative learning. Our detailed analysis of two episodes from the data corpus shows how the delivery of feedback during simulations consists of recurring, multidimensional, and multimodal feedback cycles, comprising instructors’ close monitoring of student’s actions to continuously assess the fit between the learning objectives and the ongoing task. Through these embedded assessments, feedback that draws on the rich semiotic resources of the simulated environment, while considering aspects of realism and authenticity, is provided. Considering the multidimensional and multimodal nature of feedback in professional learning contexts, we identify technologies and sensors needed for capturing professional performance in simulated environments.

Incremental Growth through Professional Learning Communities of Math Teachers Engaged in Action Research Projects

This study investigates the experiences of a professional learning community (PLC) composed of six secondary math teachers enrolled in a graduate math methods course. Through the discussion of educational texts and collaborative inquiry, the teachers identified classroom challenges they aimed to address through individual action research projects. The PLC provided a supportive environment for teachers to share their processes, receive peer feedback, and collectively reflect. This study underscores the value of action research and PLCs in driving educational improvement. By engaging in structured inquiry within a collaborative setting, teachers gained insights into pedagogical issues, developed targeted incremental interventions, and contributed to the broader discourse on math education pedagogy. The collaborative PLC model facilitated reflective practice, challenged assumptions, and empowered teachers as agents of change. Implications for teacher professional development, instructional practices, and future research directions are discussed.

Use of AI in Mental Health Care: Community and Mental Health Professionals Survey.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly recognized as a potential solution to address mental health service challenges by automating tasks and providing new forms of support. This study is the first in a series which aims to estimate the current rates of AI technology use as well as perceived benefits, harms, and risks experienced by community members (CMs) and mental health professionals (MHPs). This study involved 2 web-based surveys conducted in Australia. The surveys collected data on demographics, technology comfort, attitudes toward AI, specific AI use cases, and experiences of benefits and harms from AI use. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and thematic analysis of open-ended responses were conducted. The final sample consisted of 107 CMs and 86 MHPs. General attitudes toward AI varied, with CMs reporting neutral and MHPs reporting more positive attitudes. Regarding AI usage, 28% (30/108) of CMs used AI, primarily for quick support (18/30, 60%) and as a personal therapist (14/30, 47%). Among MHPs, 43% (37/86) used AI; mostly for research (24/37, 65%) and report writing (20/37, 54%). While the majority found AI to be generally beneficial (23/30, 77% of CMs and 34/37, 92% of MHPs), specific harms and concerns were experienced by 47% (14/30) of CMs and 51% (19/37) of MHPs. There was an equal mix of positive and negative sentiment toward the future of AI in mental health care in open feedback. Commercial AI tools are increasingly being used by CMs and MHPs. Respondents believe AI will offer future advantages for mental health care in terms of accessibility, cost reduction, personalization, and work efficiency. However, they were equally concerned about reducing human connection, ethics, privacy and regulation, medical errors, potential for misuse, and data security. Despite the immense potential, integration into mental health systems must be approached with caution, addressing legal and ethical concerns while developing safeguards to mitigate potential harms. Future surveys are planned to track use and acceptability of AI and associated issues over time.

Advancing gender equality in international ocean science: Participatory approaches for institutional actions

Gender inequality in international marine and ocean science is an ongoing barrier to ocean governance sustainability goals and requires systemic institutional transformation. Examining how participatory approaches can be applied at international level and contribute to advancing a gender equality agenda can help identify pathways for change. This study uses a timeline of a feminist participatory action research (FPAR) to explore its application within the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), working with its community of marine science professionals, to advance gender equality. By documenting and mapping formal and informal actions against a theory of change, the research reveals that stages of awareness, understanding, and action are dynamic and overlap. Despite varying degrees of short-term acceptance and resistance, ongoing community engagement, monitoring, and evaluation is essential for fostering longer-term change. The analysis demonstrates how FPAR can be applied in an intergovernmental organization, with multiple factors, including drivers, data collection, co-creation through dialogue, and specific actions contributing to driving a change agenda and the formulation and publication of a gender equality plan for the organization. The results demonstrate that meaningful actions can occur at various scales, with participatory engagement as central. The results provide evidence of how gender equality as a global meta-norm is diffused into practice and are discussed in the context of the limitations of formal gender equality plans to realize change.

Concretising the Legal Professional Community in Late Imperial China, c. 1700–1900

Concretising the Legal Professional Community in Late Imperial China, c. 1700–1900

The juggling act of pharmacists in Sweden: a qualitative study on balancing healthcare professionalism and retail employment

BackgroundCommunity pharmacies in Sweden merge a state-funded professional community service with a retail business. While previous research has recognized its challenges, less attention has been paid to the potential conflict of interest it could result in regarding the work of pharmacists. This study aims to increase understanding of how pharmacists in Sweden combine their healthcare ambitions and obligations with those concerning being employees in a retail business.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 pharmacists employed by pharmacy chains in Sweden. The data were thematically analysed.ResultsIn the analysis, three themes were formulated: Different interests, The conflict between professional work & business work, and Strategies to manage the conflicts. The analysis of the data reveals that pharmacists in Sweden experience a conflict of interest. They grapple with balancing being healthcare professionals with a focus on patient care and being valued retail employees that also focus on financial results. This conflict manifests in various situations, such as time management, communication focus, preferred behaviours, and different tasks. The different strategies applied by individual pharmacists to manage the work are results of job crafting. Pharmacists employ strategies such as compromise, mandate stretching, avoidance, and acceptance to manage the conflict. However, these strategies lead to compromises in their work.ConclusionThis study aimed to understand how pharmacists combine their healthcare ambitions and obligations with those of being employees in a retail business. The study demonstrated that Swedish community pharmacists need to perform a juggling act to be both professional healthcare workers and viewed as valuable retail employees. In situations when the conflict of interest occurs, the pharmacists use different strategies when determining how to prioritize between the professional work and the business work. The conflict of interest in the pharmacists’ work need to be taken into consideration when discussing pharmacists practices, the profession, or role it’s in the healthcare system.

RELAÇÕES PÚBLICAS E OS DESAFIOS DA CONTEMPORANEIDADE: A CULTURA E A COMUNICAÇÃO NO ÂMBITO EMPRESARIAL

This research focuses on culture and communication in the business environment. The main objective of the work is to show how the behavior of members of an organization influences the construction of its culture. The opposite is also valid, as there are crossovers and parallels between the symbols, values ​​and policies adopted and the actions of the professionals involved. Focusing on two interviews carried out with communication professionals from important institutions (Sesc and Organizações Globo), in addition to concepts and authors in the area, we intend to point out the need for a constant and transparent dialogue between the different audiences that compose an organization, especially in times of internet, in which users assume the role of senders and receivers of content, increasing the possibility of interaction. To this end, the good performance of a public relations person as a mediator for these audiences, in order to maintain an open relationship, and the communication area, with its countless tools, are vital.

Organisation and management of multi-professional care for cancer patients at end-of-life: state-of-the-art from a survey to community and hospital-based professionals.

Providing timely and satisficing End-of-Life care (EOLC) is a priority for healthcare systems since aging population and chronic diseases are boosting the global demand for care at end-of-life (EOL). In OECD countries the access to EOLC is insufficient. In Italy, the average rate of cancer patients assisted by the palliative care (PC) network at EOL was 28% in 2021, with high variability in the country. Among theItalian regions offering the best coverages, Tuscany has a rate of about 40%, but intraregional variation is marked as well. The study aims to explore the delivery of EOLC to adult cancer patients in public facilities in the Tuscany region through survey data collection among professionals. Two online surveys were delivered to Directors of community-based PC Functional-Units (FUs) and Directors of hospital-based medical-oncology units. All FU Directors responded to the survey (n = 14), and a response rate of 96% was achieved from hospital-unit Directors (n = 27). The results highlight the availability of numerous dedicated services, but reveal heterogeneity among and within organisations, including variations in the professionals involved, pathways, and tools adopted. Care continuity is supported by institutionalized collaboration between hospital and community settings, but hindered by fragmented care processes and heterogeneous transition pathways. Late referral to PC is perceived as a major constraint to EOLC. Developing structured pathways for patient transition to end-stage PC is crucial, and practices/processes should be uniformly implemented to ensure equity. Multi-professional care should be facilitated through tailored supporting tools. Both hospital-unit and FU Directors suggest developing shared pathways between organisations/professionals (82% and 80% respectively) and digital information sharing (61% and 80% respectively). Hospital and community-based professionals have similar perceptions about the concerns and challenges to EOLC provision in the region, but community-based professionals are more sensitive to the importance of improving communication on PC to the public and early discussing EOLC with caregivers. This finding suggests the need of enhancing hospital personnel's awareness about these issues. Professional training and the capacity to assess patients' needs and preferences should be improved. The identified needs can inform future research and interventions to improve the quality and outcomes of EOLC for cancer patients.

Letters of Historians of the 2nd Half of the 20th Century as a Channel of Scholarly and Business Communications (Based on Letters from Siberia to the Capital)

The article analyzes the letters of specialists in Russian history of the 17th – 19th centuries who sent correspondences to their colleagues in Moscow. The reason these letters are being analyzed is because, due to the distance and communication methods available at the time, correspondence was the main way for Siberian scholars to communicate with the representatives of the important scientific centers, to stay updated on the latest research trends and discoveries. During this era, authors were comparatively unrestricted in their statements, and their internal and external interactions were diverse and significant. Historians from Siberia and Moscow used to correspond on scientific and organizational matters through letters. The topics of discussions included participation in scientific conferences, invitations, opportunities for business trips, publications, cooperation, and reviews. The scholars shared their professional thoughts, ideas, and plans, characterized the sources they found and analyzed, expressed hypotheses and explained preliminary conclusions, reported the outcomes of research, and sometimes talked about the progress in their research projects and the development in their understanding of scientific problems. The letters often described events in the scientific careers of the authors. The content and emotional tone of the correspondence were significantly influenced by the author's character and relationship with the addressee. The letters often contained information of both scientific and personal nature. Sometimes, Siberian scientists requested assistance and help from their colleagues from the capital. The article concludes that letters were a reliable and effective communication channel among the professional community of historians. They were used to convey scientific, business, and occasionally personal information. The recipients of these letters were typically scholars from Moscow who were older in age and higher in status. As a reference group, they played a significant role in determining the specifics of the letters addressed to them.

Development of Competency Instrument for HVAC Maintenance Technical Executor of Oil and Gas Industry in Malaysia

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) are critical mechanical systems maintained in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. However, there are no guidelines to define and measure the competencies of the personnel who execute HVAC maintenance in the O&G industry in Malaysia. The research objective is to develop a competency instrument for HVAC maintenance technical executors in the O&G industry in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was designed in the study by using a quantitative approach. The developed instrument has been distributed to 163 respondents using cluster sampling based on four regions. The analysis results through Winstep Software V.3.69.1.11 identified 19 competencies with 119 sub-competencies in technical skill, three competencies with 30 sub-competencies in non-technical skill, and four competencies with 18 sub-competencies in core personality. These competency instruments were pertinent to academic and professional communities based on perspectives from the industry. For practical purposes, the HVAC competency instruments may assist the employees in their career advancement to be competent.

The Impact of Immersive 360-Degree Video Learning on Enhancing Oral Communication Skills

This study investigates the pivotal role of immersive 360-degree video and its perceived advantages on the enhancement of oral communication skills within the framework of the ELC650 course, 'English for Professional Interaction'. The research involved twenty-four students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Language (Arabic Communication Professionals) (Hons) program. The distribution of questionnaires immediately after the students watched the video aimed to assess the role of immersive 360-degree video and its perceived advantages of this technology in preparing students for conducting assessments within a meeting discussion. Employing a cross-sectional design, the study collects both closed-ended and open-ended responses through the distributed questionnaires. The latter serves as a crucial means of triangulating the data, offering real-time insights into the students' understanding of professional interaction and assessment practices using 360-degree video. The study's findings on the use of 360-degree video in education can inform government decisions and contribute to achieving SDG 4, which aims to improve the quality of education. It is important for government and learning institutions to recognize and embrace the role of 360-degree video in enhancing learning quality, specifically in fostering communication skills within the area of professional interaction in English. Other than that, this study holds implications for refining curriculum design, shaping instructional strategies, and optimizing the integration of innovative technologies in language education, particularly for students specializing in Arabic communication.

Communication aspects of the development management in digital healthcare

The development of digital technologies in the Russian healthcare system implies communication processes, e.g. interaction of management structures and performers, doctor-patient communications, standards of medical care, and many others. This requires solving a number of managerial, organizational, and ethical problems. The Russian government has defined the main goals of healthcare digitalization: providing the population with medical services at a qualitatively different modern level, satisfying the modern demands of society, allowing the use of modern achievements of world and domestic medicine in the widest possible range. The authors consider the problems of digitalization of medicine, the solution of which is proposed through the optimization of communications of the professional community. The proposals have been developed based on the generalization of the results of sociological surveys of patients of Moscow dental clinics “Use of electronic medical records” (March 2022) conducted by the authors, a survey of residents of Tomsk (N = 107) and Moscow (N = 157) waiting for an appointment at city clinics (March 2022), as well as a substantive analysis of the websites of professional online communities “Analysis of the content of discussions in online communities of medical workers” (August 2018 – February 2019). A secondary analysis of data is based on the sociological studies by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM). Based on the results of the study, it was established that a number of problems are associated with the legal uncertainty of procedures and methods for applying digital technologies, the issue of developing communicative competencies in the professional environment remains relevant, the need for an exchange of experience in the implementation of digital technologies in the practice of doctors and administrators, professional development of personnel, and the involvement of the most active employees in the processes of designing and implementing digital technologies.

Beyond Academic Integrity: Navigating Institutional and Disciplinary Anxieties About AI-Assisted Authorship in Technical and Professional Communication

Beyond Academic Integrity: Navigating Institutional and Disciplinary Anxieties About AI-Assisted Authorship in Technical and Professional Communication

Person-Environment Fit and Socioeconomic Status in Medical School

Abstract Purpose This study examined the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on medical education in the context of person-environment fit (PE fit) theory, and specifically focused on the medical school experiences of students from lower-SES backgrounds. Method A constructivist approach was used in this qualitative study of 48 medical students from 27 US medical schools, all of whom self-identified as first-generation college graduates and/or being from a lower-income background (30 were both). Semi-structured audio-only interviews were conducted with these demographically and geographically diverse students from November 2021 through April 2022. Themes were identified using open coding and content analysis software. Results Almost all, 44 of 48, interviews included themes related to PE fit. Medical students indicated three interacting domains in which PE fit is relevant for them: (1) school, (2) clinical, and (3) professional environments. Learners from lower-SES backgrounds describe struggling to navigate multiple environments that are unfamiliar, culturally complex, and both personally and financially costly. They also describe ways they are addressing gaps, generating positive changes, supporting underserved patients, and broadening the perspectives of peers and educators. Conclusions PE fit theory provides a lens to understand unique aspects of lower-SES medical student experiences, including navigation of professional identity formation. It is critical for medical schools, funders, peers, and professional communities to sustain learning environments that support the flourishing of medical students from lower-SES backgrounds. This support includes transferring the burden of addressing fit from individual learners and marginalized classes of learners to educational, clinical, and professional organizations.

OPTIMIZATION OF HEAT CONSUMPTION IN CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS AT COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

Rising energy prices and stricter environmental regulations are exacerbating the problem of inefficient heat consumption in the commercial sector. Central heating systems of office buildings, shopping malls, and industrial complexes are often characterized by excessive thermal energy consumption, which leads to significant economic losses and a negative impact on the natural environment. The purpose of the study is to study the directions and trends of optimization in the field under consideration (taking into account modern technological capabilities, and economic factors). There are disagreements in the professional community about the priority of measures to improve energy efficiency: some experts prefer improving the thermal insulation of buildings, others — the introduction of intelligent control systems, and others — the integration of renewable energy sources. The present study demonstrates that the greatest effect is achieved with a systematic approach combining various initiatives. The conclusion is formulated that in the current conditions and the future, a comprehensive application of modern thermal insulation materials, highly efficient heating equipment, intelligent management mechanisms, and alternative energy sources is required. The article is of interest to engineers-designers of heating systems, energy managers of commercial facilities, specialists in energy efficiency of buildings, and heads of companies interested in optimizing operating costs and improving the environmental friendliness of their real estate.

Криптовалюта как обязательственное право

Russian legislation has long known the definition of digital currency, but for now no consensus has been reached on its true civil nature, thus complicating the development of a comfortable legal environment for the blockchain industry. In the course of fundamental scientific research, the author has conducted a public scientific field-study involving top digital lawyers and technical experts in cryptocurrency, which allowed to consolidate the viewpoints within the professional community and to thoroughly examine the arguments presented by opponents of bitcoin’s qualification as a property right. As a result of the experiment, the main arguments against the recognition of cryptocurrencies as property rights have been disproven, providing for an opportunity to outline a comfortable legal framework for cryptocurrencies in continental legal systems

Personalities of professional heroes in the musical pedagogy of the South Urals

The article continues a series of studies by the authors devoted to the consideration of the activities of famous musicians-teachers of the South Urals in the heroic paradigm – as outstanding masters who have achieved impressive results in pedagogical work, have received wide public recognition, are perceived by the professional community as a model of service to their cause and an axiological guideline for the younger generation. The purpose of this work is to present the activities of famous musical teachers of the Southern Urals in an integrative context. In this article, the personalities of outstanding teachers of the P.I. Tchaikovsky South Ural State Institute of Arts (hereinafter referred to as the Tchaikovsky Law School) - E.G. Bykov (balalaika), V.V. Kozlov (guitar), A.A. Heineman (French horn, orchestral conducting) are chosen for study. The methodology consists in using an integrated approach and synthesis of research methods in pedagogy, art history, and cognitive linguistics. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that the heroization of the personality of the teachers-musicians of the Tchaikovsky YUrGII is revealed integratively: in the didactic aspect (creation of their own outstanding pedagogical school), culturological (enrichment of cultural achievements of the region through fruitful and highly productive creative work of professional heroes), communicative (establishment of stable artistic communication with the public through creative activity of students), axiological (formation of reference principles and methods of work of a professional teacher, acting as axiological guidelines for the younger generation of musicians). The theoretical significance is expressed in a systematic and consistent study of the pedagogical heritage of outstanding masters of art of the South Urals, which allows us to enrich the history of the development of the Tchaikovsky School as one of the leading creative universities in the region. As a result of the research, the hypothesis is proved that the activities of outstanding musical teachers should be considered as a phenomenon of the spiritual culture of society in the unity of transformative, cognitive, value-oriented, communicative potential, and only integrative perception allows us to identify aspects of the glorification of personality most fully and in relief.

Innovative ongoing support within a multifaceted computational thinking professional learning program improves teachers’ self-efficacy and classroom practices

In-service elementary school teachers need training to teach computational thinking (CT). A common model for CT professional learning programs includes an initial workshop followed by ongoing support. However, little research has examined the efficacy of ongoing support, the most effective types, and its impact on classroom practices. The current study details a multifaceted CT professional learning program with innovative ongoing support to help elementary school teachers implement the Code.org curriculum. It also empirically investigated the impact of the support on teachers' self-efficacy in coding and teaching CT, the effectiveness of each component of the support, and to what extent it affected teachers' classroom practices. Our ongoing support included an additional workshop, grade-level professional learning community (PLC) sessions, instructional videos, and teacher leaders’ support. Data included a pre-survey, four post-surveys, lesson observations, a focus group interview, tracking the number of video views, and surveys from PLC participants and teacher leaders. Results indicated that the ongoing support significantly increased teachers’ self-efficacy in coding and teaching CT. Regarding the effectiveness of the various components of the ongoing support, the additional workshop significantly increased teachers’ self-efficacy in coding and teaching CT. Teachers valued each component of the support, and this support improved teachers’ classroom practices.

MHealth Apps in the Digital Marketplace for Pediatric Patients With Cancer: Systematic Search and Analysis.

The substantial increase in smartphone ownership has led to a rise in mobile health (mHealth) app use. Developing tailored features through mHealth apps creates a pathway to address the health care needs of pediatric patients with cancer and their families who have complex care needs. However, few apps are designed specifically to integrate with pediatric cancer care. This study reports a systematic search and analysis of mHealth apps available on the Apple App (iOS) and Google Play (Android) stores designed for pediatric cancer through a list of features that serve (1) patients, (2) caregivers, or (3) both audiences. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we reviewed apps for pediatric patients with cancer and caregivers available as of January 30, 2024. We searched the Apple App and Google Play stores with a list of keyword combinations focusing on pediatric cancer care. The inclusion criteria were (1) specifically apps targeted toward pediatric patients with cancer, their families, or both; (2) available in either app store; and (3) available in English. Apps were assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). The MARS is a quality assessment for mHealth apps, including components of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and informational quality (5-point Likert scale items-1: low and 5: high quality). In total, 22 apps were identified and 17 of those apps were available on both platforms. The most popular features (n=12) were resource sharing, symptom tracking, reminders, care team connections, journaling, community support, medication tracking, data visualizations, and appointment tracking. Features and interfaces were designed for caregivers (n=9) more frequently than the patients (n=7) while a subset of apps created options for both users (n=6). A total of 16 apps received positive reviews (mean 4.4, SD 0.59; Min=3.1, Max=5.0). A small subset (n=3) achieved over 5000 downloads; however, the majority (n=15) had fewer than 500. More than half (n=12) of the apps were not available in English. Apps requested access to a range of device functionalities to operate (mean 2.72, SD 3.13; Min=0, Max=10). Out of 22, a total of 17 apps were publicly accessible. The mean MARS scores for the apps ranged from 1.71 (SD 0.75) to 4.33 (SD 0.82). Overall, apps scored high on functionality (mean 3.72, SD 0.54) but low on engagement (mean 3.02, SD 0.93). Our review highlights the promising yet underdeveloped potential of mHealth apps in pediatric oncology care, underscoring the need for more inclusive, comprehensive, and integrative digital health solutions. Future developments should actively involve key stakeholders from the pediatric oncology community, including patients, families, and health care professionals, to ensure the apps meet specific needs while addressing linguistic and cultural barriers.