Institutions In City Research Articles

Embracing ambiguity: the unspoken key to sales success

PurposeTolerance to ambiguity (TOLA) is a personal trait influencing one’s comfort and proficiency in navigating uncertain situations. While the concept of role ambiguity is well-established in sales literature, the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked in this context. In the dynamic landscape of modern business, uncertainty is a regular phenomenon, and navigating ambiguity is an invaluable skill. While salespeople are celebrated for their customer focus, negotiation skills and product knowledge, their capacity to embrace ambiguity-a skill that could be an important contributor to their success in the diverse global market is rarely studied. This study contributes by linking a salesperson’s TOLA and two well-established dimensions of emotional intelligence to adaptive selling behavior. Using responses from a sample of 209 employees of financial institutions in a large metropolitan city in India, this study shows that TOLA, understanding others' emotions and regulation of emotions positively influence a salesperson’s adaptive selling behavior. Further, results also point out that TOLA moderates the relationship between understanding other emotions and adaptive selling. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has explored the link between these two important skills of salespeople, thus extending TOLA as a critical construct to the sales field. Managerial implications and directions for future research are provided.Design/methodology/approachUsing responses from a sample of 209 employees of financial institutions, a model was tested using structural equation modeling. A measurement model was used to assess the validity of the scales used in the study. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS 28 with the scale items for understanding other’s emotions (UOE), regulation of emotions (ROE), adaptive selling behavior (ADPS), job performance (JOBP) and three mean-centered dimensions of the TOLA scale. A structural equation model was run using AMOS 28 to test the relationships among variables.FindingsThe study results show that TOLA has a strong positive relationship with adaptive selling. Further, results show that TOLA acts as a moderator in the relationship between understanding others’ emotions, a fact of emotional intelligence and adaptive selling behavior.Research limitations/implicationsTo our knowledge this is the first study that explored the link between TOLA and adaptive selling, a critical predictor of sales performance. While the concept of role ambiguity is well-established in sales literature, the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked in this context. By establishing the link between these two important skills of salespeople, this study extends the concept of TOLA as a critical construct to the sales field.Practical implicationsStudy results validate the important role of TOLA on salesperson’s ability to use adaptive selling behavior which is critical for sales performance. This study highlights the different ways sales professionals who possess a high TOLA can benefit. Field sales managers can play a crucial role in fostering a TOLA culture in the sale team and help leverage the relationship between TOLA, emotional intelligence and adaptive selling. By integrating qualities of TOLA into recruitment and training, managers can create a sales team that is not only effective in navigating uncertainties and thrive in dynamic and competitive business environments.Originality/valueIn sales settings, the concept of role ambiguity is well-established, but the broader trait of ambiguity has been largely overlooked and has rarely been part of sales research. A recent review of 15 studies on TOLA shows that almost all the studies used student samples and only a handful of them were done in organizational or sales settings. The current study aims to fill the gap in sales research by exploring how TOLA influences adaptive selling, one of the critical constructs in sales research.

Vocational rehabilitation services and career readiness for individuals with intellectual disability in Saudi Arabia

Successful vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs facilitate a smooth transition to work. However, finding and maintaining a job is still a challenge for individuals with disabilities for various reasons, including job readiness. Given that teachers are involved in delivering VR services to adolescents with disabilities, the purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perspectives on VR services provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) in their educational institutions in Al-Kharj city to prepare them to transition to employment. Teachers’ perspectives on VR programs for students with ID are vital in identifying the current state of the services provided and directing future efforts in the field of secondary transition. A descriptive approach was employed to achieve the study’s purpose, and a survey was designed and used, reaching 89 respondents. The findings revealed that teachers believe that services provided in VR programs prepare individuals with ID to transition to work. The study also showed statistically significant differences between teachers’ responses concerning services provided according to years of experience and institution type. Implications for future research and practices are discussed.

Methodological design difficulties spiritual and moral education in modern mathematics education in Russia

Introduction. Comprehension of the methodology of mathematics education from the position of the modern view of education becomes especially demanded, as Russia is currently facing the task of preserving traditional spiritual and moral values. The purpose of this study: to identify and reveal methodological difficulties and errors of designing spiritual and moral education in modern mathematics education, as well as to propose ways to eliminate them. Materials and methods. Comparative analysis, generalization and systematization of scientific ideas of Russian and foreign scientists, allowed to identify differences in the definition of the scope of the category «spiritual and moral values». The study was conducted by the authors for five years (2018- 2023). More than 100 people took part in the experimental work, including students of Bunin Yelets State University, mathematics teachers of higher educational institutions of Voronezh, Elets, Moscow, Orel and other cities of Russia. Results. On the basis of system analysis and experimental work, the reasons for the difficulties in designing education (specifics of the subject of mathematics, differences in the understanding of spiritual and moral values in different civilizations, etc.) were revealed. The greatest divergence of opinions was recorded in the evaluation of the experience of moral education in the Soviet school (46% of respondents were in favor and 48% were against borrowing this experience). At the same time, 82% of respondents agree with the need to form spiritual and moral qualities in schoolchildren in the process of teaching mathematics. Discussion of results and conclusion. Designing spiritual and moral education at present involves a number of methodological errors and difficulties inherited from the Soviet past. The Soviet experience of moral education in the process of teaching mathematics does not meet the requirements of modern Russia, the European experience contradicts national traditions, and the experience of Eastern countries with communitarian consciousness only partially meets the principles of Christian ethics. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of a conceptual model of designing spiritual and moral education, which includes three levels (education of a good person, education of a good citizen, education of a Christian) and allows to partially eliminate the identified methodological difficulties.

Digital Citizenship Practices and Implementation of Learning Modalities in the Higher Education Institutions under the New Normal in General Santos City

While the shift to technology-mediated learning in higher education has been widely documented, less is known about the interplay between digital citizenship practices within institutions, particularly in Mindanao. One of the means to address this gap is by investigating the relationship between these two factors within higher education institutions in General Santos City. While some argue that technological infrastructure and pedagogical innovation are sufficient for effective online and blended learning, this study posits that a strong foundation of digital citizenship is essential for maximizing the benefits of these modalities. Specifically, the research examined four key elements of digital citizenship: digital identity, digital netiquette, digital footprint, and digital privacy, alongside the implementation of learning modalities across curriculum development, supervision of instruction, faculty development, and research and extension services. Data were collected through a structural survey questionnaire. Findings revealed a high level of digital citizenship practices and a very satisfactory implementation of learning modalities. The data indicate that students and teachers alike are well-versed in digital ethics, demonstrating awareness of online safety protocols and responsible internet behaviors. This strong foundation in digital citizenship can be leveraged to develop further the critical thinking and information literacy skills required for navigating the digital landscape of the 21st century. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was observed between these two factors across all domains. This suggests that strong digital citizenship within HEIs contributes to a more effective adaptation to a technology-driven educational environment.

Air pollution tolerance and metal accumulation potential of some plant species growing in educational institutions of Amritsar, India.

Poor air quality in urban areas increases the exposure of individuals to air pollutants. Hence, it becomes mandatory to grow such plant species that have more potential to tolerate air pollution and can aid in its mitigation. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API) are two indices that help in scientific evaluation of plant species before recommending them for plantation. In this study, six plant species from three educational institutions of Amritsar city were screened for their tolerance and performance against air pollution as well as for their capability to act as accumulators of nine metals viz., aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). On the basis of APTI, Cassia fistula (C. fistula) was categorized as a tolerant species while Alstonia scholaris (A. scholaris), Cascabela thevetia (C. thevetia), Monoon longifolium (M. longifolium), Pongamia pinnata (P. pinnata) and Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) were categorized as intermediately tolerant plant species. API results suggested that A. scholaris, C. fistula, M. longifolium, P. pinnata and S. cumini should be planted for air pollution mitigation. Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) results showed that soil samples were moderately contaminated with three (Pb, Cu and Zn) metals. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), for all metals among six plant species, was found to be less than one implying that these plants were absorbers of metals. Metal Accumulation Index (MAI) indicated that C. thevetia, C. fistula and P. pinnata exhibited relatively higher potential for metal accumulation.

Forms of perpetuating the historical memory of the Heroes of the Soviet Union in urban toponymy (using the example of commissar Moskovsky Street in Tambov)

Importance. The activities of the Tambov city authorities, public organizations and institutions, their motives in the work on the preservation of military historical memory in the urban enviro nment during the second half of the 20th – beginning of the 21th century on the example of perpetuating the memory of the first Hero of the Soviet Union from Tambov region – A.N. Moskovsky, are considered. The importance of the research lies in the fact that the use of trends in modern historical science, namely, an interdisciplinary approach to research, political history and historical urbanism, allows us to obtain qualitatively new knowledge about the activities of the Russian cities authorities (based on Tambov materials) to preserve military historical memory in urban toponymy and objects of monumental art during the second half of the 20th century – the beginning of the 21th century.Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the research is based on the principles of consistency, historicism, and objectivity. Comparative historical, problem and chronological methods are used. The research is based on such general scientific methods as analysis, synthesis, generalization, and systematization. The main sources of the research are archival materials stored in the State Archive of Tambov Region, the State Archive of Socio-political History of Tambov Region, published and posted on the Internet, as well as materials in the funds of the Museum and Exhibition Center of Tambov Region.Results and Discussion. The features of the ideological work of local authorities on the development of military historical memory are analyzed. The patterns and continuity of approaches in the military historical work of the city authorities at different chronological stages are revealed. The mechanisms of preserving the memory of a particular hero, senior political instructor, commissar A.N. Moskovsky, are investigated. The forms of historical and patriotic information about the objects of urban toponymy and monumental art created during the development of the urban environment, concerning the perpetuation of the memory of A.N. Moskovsky, are highlighted.Conclusion. As a result of studying the problem, conclusions are drawn about the multi-faceted approach in the work of city authorities, institutions and public organizations for the preservation of military historical memory in the region.

Judiciary-driven finance: Quasi-experimental evidence from specialized financial adjudication institutions in China

The "law and finance" paradigm posits that legal institutions play a crucial role in financial development; however, China has long been considered an exception. This study challenges that assumption by examining how improvements in the judiciary affect financial development in China. Using a quasi-natural experiment (i.e., staggered difference-in-difference estimation) over a twenty-year period, we find that the establishment of specialized financial adjudication institutions (i.e., financial courts and tribunals) in certain prefecture-level cities significantly reduces financing constraints for local listed companies. Further heterogeneity tests show that these effects are more pronounced among private enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and companies in the central and western regions. Through the analysis of representative practices and interviews with relevant judges and enterprises, we find that China's financial judiciary demonstrates efficiency and proactiveness. Additionally, political considerations enable courts to regulate finance and maintain stability, improving the local financial legal environments and reducing transaction costs for market participants. By investigating the causal relationship between judicial reforms and financial development, our findings provide new insights into the "law and finance" theory and offer policy implications for addressing financial development gaps and promoting financial inclusion in emerging markets.

Sustainable Scientific Tourism Development Planning Using Micmac-Mactor In Bogor City

Bogor is a city in Indonesia that has a variety of potential scientific tourism objects, such as historical buildings, educational institutions, and research institutions. Although its existence is always needed by various parties as a reference for learning, the object has not been managed optimally in a system that is integrated, so it does not have a significant impact on tourism activities in Bogor City. This research aims to analyze what variables influence tourism planning and the pattern of relationships between actors to build a sustainability strategy for scientific tourism in Bogor City. This research was conducted using the Micmac and Mactor methods. The results showed six important variables to develop sustainable scientific tourism in Bogor City, i.e. infrastructure, tourism resources, promotion, investment, regulation, and policy, then research and education institutions. Meanwhile, the Government, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Regional Council are important institutions/actors in the development of sustainable scientific tourism. This research has provided an overview of the key variables and actor roles that are most influential on the success of this tourism development in the future and provides a basis for policymakers to make it a priority to develop a scientific tourism development strategy in Bogor City.

Facilitators and barriers of midwife-led model of care at public health institutions of dire Dawa city, Eastern Ethiopia, 2022: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe midwife-led model of care is woman-centered and based on the premise that pregnancy and childbirth are normal life events, and the midwife plays a fundamental role in coordinating care for women and linking with other health care professionals as required. Worldwide, this model of care has made a great contribution to the reduction of maternal and child mortality. For example, the global under-5 mortality rate fell from 42 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 39 in 2018. The neonatal mortality rate fell from 31 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 18 deaths per 1,000 in 2018. Even if this model of care has a pivotal role in the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality, in recent years it has faced many challenges.ObjectiveTo explore facilitators and barriers to a midwife-led model of care at a public health institution in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, in 2021.Methodology: A qualitative approach was conducted at Dire Dawa public health institution from March 1–April 30, 2022. Data was collected using a semi-structured, in-depth interview tool guide, focused group discussions, and key informant interviews. A convenience sampling method was implemented to select study participants, and the data were analyzed thematically using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti7. The thematic analysis with an inductive approach goes through six steps: familiarization, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up.ResultTwo major themes were driven from facilitators of the midwife-led model of care (professional pride and good team spirit), and seven major themes were driven from barriers to the midwife-led model of care (lack of professional development, shortage of resources, unfair risk or hazard payment, limited organizational power of midwives, feeling of demoralization absence of recognition from superiors, lack of work-related security).ConclusionThe midwifery-led model of care is facing considerable challenges, both pertaining to the management of the healthcare service locally and nationally. A multidisciplinary and collaborative effort is needed to solve those challenges.

Factors Attracting International Students to Vietnamese Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh Cityy

This article investigates factors influencing international students’ decisions to study in member institutions of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM). Employing qualitative data from interviews conducted with twenty international students from five Asian countries studying in four VNU-HCM’s member universities, the findings identify factors that attract the students to Vietnam and their host institutions. The data show that the students were “pulled” to Vietnam by various factors, among which access to scholarships and financial factors such as Vietnam’s bright economic prospects or job opportunities play crucial roles. Other than that, political and geographical proximity and fondness for Vietnamese language also have their say in international students’ destination choice of Vietnam. Regarding institutional pull factors, the reputation of the institutions in the students’ fields of demand is the most important, followed by influences from family, friends, and social media platforms. Against such findings, this article proposes several recommendations for VNU-HCM and its member institutions as well as other higher education institutions in Vietnam to attract more international students in the future.

Improvement of cardiological care in the context of large cities

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the basic principles of improving cardiological care in a large city. The study also aims to assess the prospects for introducing key trends in improving this kind of care in modern cities in various time perspectives. Method The methodological approach involves systematic analysis of improving cardiological care in a large city, including statistical investigation of key aspects of care in various polyclinics in Almaty. Results The results obtained indicate the need for the development and practical implementation of the principles of improving cardiological care in large cities. There is also necessity to ensure the timely provision of necessary assistance to citizens when they detect various cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions The results obtained and the conclusions formulated on their basis are of practical importance for employees of medical institutions in large cities, whose direct professional responsibilities include providing cardiological care to patients. They are also significant for patients themselves who are interested in improving the level of cardiological care provided to them.

Medical Student Exposure to Plastic Surgery and the Impact of a Home Training Program.

Contemporary medical education devotes little time to plastic surgery topics. This deficiency is potentially greater at institutions without a dedicated plastic surgery training program. Lack of exposure to plastic surgery results in many medical students developing limited awareness to the full scope of the field. As a result, these future physicians may be unaware of many conditions treated by the plastic surgeon, resulting in referrals being diverted to alternative specialist and furthering scope of practice creep. This study aims to assess medical students' exposure to plastic surgery and evaluate institutional-based differences in plastic surgery education by comparing medical schools with and without a plastic surgery training program. Surveys were distributed to medical students at 2 institutions in the same United States city: 1 with a plastic surgery training program (TP) and 1 with no training program (NTP). Surveys assessed students' clinical experiences, exposure to plastic surgery, and understanding of the scope of plastic surgery. The response rate was 24.3% (306 of 1261). Many students reported having "little" or "no" exposure to plastic surgery during preclinical (93.5%) and clinical (77.7%) phases. NTP students were more likely to report "no" exposure to plastic surgery during both the preclinical (P = 0.0145) and clinical (P = 0.045) years. Consequently, approximately half of all students felt uncomfortable knowing when to refer a patient (46.1%) or place an inpatient consult (51.1%) to a plastic surgeon.When presented with clinical scenarios, plastic surgery was selected by only 53.4% of students. Performance between institutions was similar (53.0% TP vs 53.5% NTP, P = 0.936), with greater accuracy on cosmetic vignettes compared with hand and peripheral nerve vignettes. There was a statistically significant difference in 4 subspecialty domains between students who had prior exposure to plastic surgery and those who did not (hand/peripheral nerve, P < 0.0001; craniofacial, P = 0.007; breast/cosmetic, P = 0.001; and reconstruction/burn, P < 0.0001). These findings add to the growing body of literature demonstrating that medical students have limited exposure to plastic surgery. Although limited in its scope, this study suggests that home TP status does not appear to overtly impact students' understanding. Increased exposure and overall surgical experience correlated with an increased understanding of the scope of plastic surgery.

FROM THE CONCEPT OF THE DRAFT POLICE CHARTER OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE TO ITS STRUCTURE AND CONTENT: VIEWS OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF SENATOR A.A. MAKAROV (1906-1917) PART 7. PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION BY THE POLICE OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE OF FIGHTS, VIOLENCE, ACCIDENTS, FIRES. MEASURES TO ASSIST VICTIMS, REGISTRATION OF THE POPULATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TIMELY DETECTION OF

The responsibilities of the police to suppress fights between civilians are briefly outlined, the specifics of fights among officers and the peculiarities of the implementation of police measures are noted, and means of preventing accidents in public places and on communications routes are provided. It is noted that the activities of the general police on the tracks belonging to the Ministry of Railways were carried out in the absence of supervisory authorities of the said department or when railway police officials were replaced. Measures are revealed to provide police assistance to victims of criminal acts, accidents, people who become ill in public places, and to transport them to medical institutions. When forming a position in the draft charter, the organizers hoped that city public administrations would create special ambulance crews, which already existed in some medical institutions in large urban settlements. It is indicated that the adoption by police officials of various efforts to resolve situations related to accidents was combined with conducting an inquiry and issuing a copy of the report to the victims, at their request. The article shows the struggle of the police against neglect: the transfer of abandoned babies, orphans, lost children to trustworthy citizens, to educational homes, charitable institutions of city and zemstvo institutions; transport to public hospitals. As an area of police activity, measures to prevent fires are shown, the role of the police in managing their extinguishing, ensuring the protection of personal property, and the work of the police during floods, shipwrecks, and railway accidents. Monitoring the registration of residents in residential premises, daily control over sanitary order in houses, entrances, streets, and squares are independently presented.

Promoting Intellectual Property Propaganda Activities in Vocational Education Institutions: An Assessment from a Management Perspective

Along with the comprehensive innovation of Vietnam’s education system, vocational education is positively changing, making great contributions to the country’s education system. Along with the university education system, vocational education is considered a place to create new knowledge and technology; but up to now, the number of applications to establish protection of industrial property rights, especially inventions, still accounts for a low rate; the understanding of education and training staff in vocational education institutions (VEIs) about intellectual property rights is not high. Based on the study of state legal documents on intellectual property rights, this article surveyed 300 people who are managers, teachers, students, and pupils at several educational institutions in Ho Chi Minh City through surveys and interview questions. VEIs do not pay much attention to intellectual property activities in general and intellectual property propaganda activities in particular; there is no long-term plan and policy for implementing intellectual property activities and intellectual property propaganda at VEIs. Based on that reality, and an assessment of the current situation combined with state legal documents, this article proposes some management solutions to promote intellectual property activities and intellectual property propaganda activities in VEIs in near the future.

Medium-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes after Surgical Management of Perilunate Injury: A Multiinstitutional Experience

Abstract Background There is a lack of consensus on the optimal treatment of perilunate injuries (PLIs). Open reduction with internal fixation with scapholunate (SL) ligament repair is recommended; however, procedures such as lunotriquetral (LT) ligament repair, carpal tunnel release (CTR), proximal row carpectomy, denervation, and arthrodesis may also be used. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after surgical management of PLIs. Methods A retrospective review of surgically treated PLIs at two institutions in a major metropolitan city from 2014 to 2020 was conducted. Demographics, radiographic data, and details of surgical management were reviewed. PROs were prospectively collected and analyzed. Results Eighty-seven patients with surgically managed PLIs were identified. The average time to surgery was 4 ± 7days. Twenty-six percent of patients presented with acute median neuropathy. Thirty-seven patients provided PROs for analysis. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores were 22 ± 12.9, 14.4 ± 11.3, and 37 ± 22 for pain, function, and total scores, respectively. Satisfaction was 7 ± 3 Sixteen percent of patients were unable to maintain employment due to their injury. The interval to return to work was 6.3 ± 7.7 months. Conclusion PLIs cause significant morbidity and affect patients' ability to return to work. While open reduction with SL repair is routinely performed to treat PLIs, additional procedures may be considered. Undergoing concurrent CTR in the absence of neurological symptoms showed no differences in outcomes. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Awareness of Early Childhood Education among Teachers Working in Pre-Primary Schools

The period of a child’s growth and development that is most notable is from 0 to 8 years old. These are the years when all that is learned is laid down. Putting strong foundations in place today will yield big dividends later. Greater learning in the classroom and better educational results have a positive social and economic impact on society. Children who get early childhood education (ECE) have a strong foundation, which increases the effectiveness and productivity of every subsequent educational stage. The goal of the current study was to determine the pre-primary teachers’ level of awareness regarding early childhood education, given their critical position in the field. To determine the level of knowledge of early childhood education (ECE) among teachers employed in pre-primary institutions in Bengaluru city, the study used a survey approach and a custom application. A sample of 106 teachers were drawn through cluster sampling. The study found out that the demographic variables like locality, marital status and teaching experience have no influence on the awareness of ECE among pre-primary teachers. The study found that 10% of teachers have average awareness, 31% have good awareness, 37% have very good awareness and 22% have excellent awareness of ECE. Thus, close to 90% of them are found to have better awareness of ECE. This means that pre-primary teachers are well aware of the nature, learning needs etc. of children and also methodology of teaching and evaluation. In spite of better awareness of ECE found in teachers, the study comes out with few of educational implications in order to regulate and sustain the awareness of ECE among them and also in proper handling of children.

Sociological analysis of military education in Kazakhstan

Relevance. High-quality military education, which guarantees the creation of effective armed forces capable of repelling threats to national security, is one of the main factors in determining the strength and influence of a state in the international arena. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to determine the features and specifics of military education in Kazakhstan by studying the activities of military educational institutions and departments in large cities of the country. Methodology. The study used system-analytical method, with the help of which it became possible to consider the basic characteristics of the military education system in Kazakhstan; and the historical method, facilitating the analysis of the process of training in military specialities over time. Results. The determining factors and prerequisites for the formation and development of the independent armed forces of the Republics of Kazakhstan were identified and the state's military education system was characterized at all levels, from school to postgraduate education and advanced training courses. Key points in the processes of transformation of state military education were identified, in particular regarding the reorganization of a number of higher military institutions and the creation of a state higher educational institution � National University of Defence of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan � Elbasy. The effectiveness of the military sector was measured using qualitative and quantitative indicators. Additionally, the main military specialities and faculties offered in higher educational institutions in major cities were listed. Conclusions. This study covered the main directions, issues, tasks, and methods of the educational process in Kazakh military universities. It also examined the development of military education in Turkey and Russia, identifying key factors affecting their educational systems. The findings and conclusions can serve as a practical foundation for enhancing national programs to train military specialists in Kazakhstan and other countries. Keywords: army training; higher education institutions; specialized departments; military science; national security

How Citizens Meet the State: Police Contact, Trust, and Civic Engagement

This paper investigates the relationship between the police, the most visible street-level bureaucrat of local city governments, and citizen political attitudes and behaviors toward local city institutions. We introduce a holistic conceptualization of police-citizen contact and examine how each type impacts citizen trust toward and participation in political institutions. Leveraging an original survey targeting the city of South Bend and spatial data from the city government, results demonstrate that greater day-to-day contact with police has a positive impact on trust in state agencies while citizens who seek service from the police but are left unsatisfied result in lower trust in state apparatus. Most importantly, indirect exposure to police coercion has a negative impact on trust while direct and proximal contact with police predicts higher level of civic activism. This study demonstrates the fragility and challenge of building trust in police-citizen relationships, and how extreme encounters with the police can, in the right circumstances, spur citizen activism.

The limited potential of soil and vegetation in urban greenspace for nature‐based offsetting of institutional carbon emissions

AbstractThe soil and vegetation of urban greenspace can potentially contribute to ambitious climate action plans declared by city institutions and councils. To assess how urban greenspace could make a contribution to institutional carbon management, we measured soil carbon at 42 sampling locations across three land‐covers and vegetation carbon of 490 trees (67 species), over the city campus of Newcastle University. Soil carbon varied with pH and land‐cover classes (lawned with some free‐standing trees, woodland park, sports fields), and tree cover significantly enhanced soil carbon storage. Soil carbon storage from 0 to 30 cm depth averaged 18.85 kg·m−2, more than double the tree carbon storage (average 7.66 kg·m−2) estimated using biomass empirical equations. According to our scenarios, even if all currently available urban greenspace were converted to woodland, this would offset only 1% of current annual greenhouse gas emissions of Newcastle University or, if implemented more widely, of Newcastle city overall. While urban woodland brings benefits beyond carbon storage, the limit to what can be achieved within cities emphasizes the need for urban–rural partnerships. In exchange for helping cities with carbon abatement, their surrounding rural regions could benefit from carbon offsetting payments to improve their infrastructure provision. Overall, a carbon‐friendly and nature‐based land management strategy should be developed with full consideration of collaborative partnerships between urban and surrounding rural areas, particularly placing a high value on soil and tree carbon.

Navigating the challenges of establishing a new residency program in anatomic pathology based on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International standards in the post–Soviet era Kazakhstan: strategies and successes

In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, newly independent Kazakhstan faced challenges of a healthcare system in transition. Anatomic pathology practice remains one of the least developed medical specialties in Kazakhstan. Acute shortage of pathologists is a universal phenomenon. There is no subspecialty pathology practice as yet. Residency programs in anatomic pathology are found only in a few tertiary health institutions in the big cities. Nazarbayev University School of Medicine was established in 2015 to reform medical education in Kazakhstan. Prior to this time, in 2010, Nazarbayev University was established to lead higher education reforms in the country. Each school in Nazarbayev University was paired with an international partner to jump-start its trajectory to excellence. Establishing a new residency program in anatomic pathology based on a western pedagogy was a new innovation that needed multi-level stakeholder consultation and support. In partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and its hospital system, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, we established the first residency program in anatomic pathology based on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International standards in Central Asia. We have identified 5 strategic approaches that led to our rapid success, including targeted strategic partnership; robust engagement with the local stakeholders; adoption and contextualizing of an existing pedagogy; ensuring adequate and fit-for-purpose infrastructure; and organizational restructuring and optimization. We hope that these suggestions will be translatable to help those facing the arduous but exciting task of establishing a new residency program from scratch.