Public Professionals Research Articles

What Types of Animals Should Be in the Future Zoo? Thoughts from United States Residents and Zoo and Aquarium Staff

Humans are biased in their preferences for animals, and this may impact the composition of zoological collections. We assessed which kinds of animals the public and zoo professionals want to preserve in zoos for the future and analyzed these lists for previously identified biases and agreement across surveyed groups. We also characterized agreement among the surveyed groups on the roles of zoos and the composition of animal collections. We surveyed people who live in the United States, members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and AZA zoo and aquarium directors. There was agreement among surveyed groups on the roles of zoos, though some differences existed. Zoo professionals and the public generally agreed on the emphasis on various categories of animals for zoo collections, though some differences were noted. We found evidence of bias towards mammals, charismatic megafauna, and felids across all surveyed groups. Agreement was high between AZA members and directors and moderate between zoo professionals and the public. These results indicate that these groups are generally in agreement about the roles of zoos, how they should compose their animal collections, and what animal species, in particular, should be kept in zoos for the future, allowing zoos to compose their collections to maximize delivery on their mission goals as well as address the preferences of the public.

Acceptability and feasibility of policy implementation strategies for taxes earmarked for behavioral health services.

This study's aims are to: (1) Compare the acceptability and feasibility of five types of implementation strategies that could be deployed to increase the reach of evidence-based practices (EBPs) with revenue from policies that earmark taxes for behavioral health services, and (2) Illustrate how definitions of implementation strategies and measures of acceptability and feasibility can be used in policy-focused implementation science research. Web-based surveys of public agency and community organization professionals involved with earmarked tax policy implementation were completed in 2022-2023 (N = 211, response rate = 24.9%). Respondents rated the acceptability and feasibility of five types of implementation strategies (dissemination, implementation process, integration, capacity-building, and scale-up). Aggregate acceptability and feasibility scores were calculated for each type of strategy (scoring range 4-20). Analyses of variance compared scores across strategies and between organizational actor types. For acceptability, capacity-building strategies had the highest rating (M = 16.3, SD = 3.0), significantly higher than each of the four other strategies, p ≤ . 004), and scale-up strategies had the lowest rating (M = 15.6). For feasibility, dissemination strategies had the highest rating (M = 15.3, significantly higher than three of the other strategies, p ≤ .002) and scale-up strategies had the lowest rating (M = 14.4). Capacity-building and dissemination strategies may be well-received and readily deployed by policy implementers to support EBPs implementation with revenue from taxes earmarked for behavioral health services. Adapting definitions of implementation strategies for policy-focused topics, and applying established measures of acceptability and feasibility to these strategies, demonstrates utility as an approach to advance research on policy-focused implementation strategies.

AOFAS Diabetic Foot Survey Results

Introduction: Foot and ankle pathology in patients with diabetes mellitus is prevalent in the United States and may be associated with significant morbidity. Patient outcomes can be improved by optimal medical management; deformity management and correction to limit the development of infection and ulceration; and timely, appropriate treatment of infection and ulceration when it occurs. Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons are well-qualified to treat these patients, either individually or as members of a healthcare professional team. However, there are some healthcare professionals and members of the public who are under the impression that orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon are either unwilling or uninterested in treating this patient population. The authors hypothesized that this impression was a misconception and this study was designed to address this question. Methods: An online survey was sent to 1376 AOFAS members practicing in the United States. There were six questions, two of which were demographic and one that asked for additional comments. The survey was completed by 297 (22%) members from 45 states and the District of Columbia. Results: Nonoperative treatment of foot and ankle disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus was performed by 98.7% of responders including 98.7% for fractures; 97.6% for common disorders (e.g., bunions, hammer toes, flatfeet, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, tendon disorders); 89.9% for Charcot arthropathy; 77.1% for infections; and 69.0% for ulcers. Operative treatment of foot and ankle disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus was performed by 98.7% of responders including 97.0% for fracture fixation; 96.3% for gastrocnemius recession and/ or Achilles tendon lengthening; 94.6% for arthrodesis for osteoarthritis; 94.3% for hammer toe surgery; 92.6% for bunion surgery; 89.6% for Charcot exostectomy; 83.8% for Charcot reconstruction; 83.5% for amputations within foot; 81.1% for below knee amputations; 74.8% for operative debridement of infections/ ulcers; and 57.9% for total ankle replacement. When asked which healthcare professionals treat diabetic patients in their community, 96.6% listed podiatrists; 91.3% listed orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons; 69.0% listed other MD/ DO surgeons (e.g. general, plastics, vascular); 64.0% listed nurses (e.g., APRN, wound care specialist); 37.4% listed other orthopaedic surgeons; 31.7% listed non- surgeon MD/ DO physicians; 32.3% listed physician assistants; and 2% listed other. Conclusion: The vast majority of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons practicing in the United States who responded to the survey provide operative and nonoperative treatment to patients with diabetes mellitus and foot and ankle disorders. Given the extensive medical education and training of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, their knowledge and surgical skill, and the benefits patients with diabetes receive from appropriate and timely foot and ankle care, efforts should be made to educate the public and other healthcare professionals of the availability of most orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons to provide this care.

Kode Etik Akuntan Publik Dalam Perspektif Pedoman Fundamental Islam

The preparation of “the professional code of ethics for Public Accountants (AP) has been designed in detail. However, in practice violations of the AP professional code of ethics still occur frequently. This research aims to provide reviews for the drafting team of the Code of Ethics for the Professional Public Accountant to pay more attention and reconsider the principles of faith and adherence to Islamic values ??based on the Al-Quran and As-Sunnah. This study uses library research to collect research data. The researcher collects information on Islamic values ??related to the important role of ethics in life and analyzes it so that it can be internalized into the next draft of the Code of Ethics for the Professional Public Accountant. The implementation of the principles of faith and adherence to Islamic values ??will work well if Islamic character education is taught to each AP and prospective AP” through academic and non-academic activities.

RETURNING TO THE SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION OF THE CANDIDATE OF LEGAL SCIENCES, PROFESSOR ZH. TLEMBAYEVA «SOME APPROACHES TO THE LEGAL REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE»

This article analyzes the article by Candidate of Legal Sciences, Professor Zh. Tlembayeva «Some approaches to the legal regulation of artificial intelligence», which was published in the scientific and legal journal «Bulletin of the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan» No. 2 (65)-2021. In modern society, issues of legal regulation of artificial intelligence are becoming an integral part of the discussion on technology development. This topic represents a current and complex challenge that requires an in-depth analysis of various approaches to the formation of legal norms and standards in the field of artificial intelligence. The article analyzes the definition of the concept of «artificial intelligence», the definition of the concept of «artificial robot» established in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Informatization». The author concluded that when developing a definition of this concept, one should take into account the types of artificial intelligence systems, the peculiarities of the use of artificial intelligence technologies in each specific area, as well as the different levels of application of technologies and the characteristics of the legal system of the state. The article discusses examples from different countries and organizations, international acts on issues related to the regulation of artificial intelligence. The author of the article notes that currently the use of artificial intelligence is practically not provided with a proper international basis. Zh. Tlembayeva points out the importance of a gradual and adaptive approach to the legal regulation of artificial intelligence, ensuring a balance between stimulating innovation and protecting the interests of society, as well as the flexibility of laws to adapt to the rapid development of technologies in this area. The article provides valuable research for legal, technology, and public policy professionals concerned with the implementation of artificial intelligence.

Examining Contingency and Inflation Practices Within Several Departments of Transportation in the United States

Transportation projects are notorious, among both the public and transportation professionals, for missing their intended cost and schedule targets as a result of project complexity and uncertainties. The significant discrepancy between cost estimates and final project costs remains a major concern for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs). Several risk factors, including estimation errors and price fluctuations, contribute to these discrepancies and are typically managed by adding a contingency to project estimates. Cost escalation can also result from inadequate adjustment for inflation in estimates, given the current economic environment and the lengthy duration of major transportation projects. This paper summarizes how several state DOTs apply contingencies to mitigate the impact of certain risks and adjust their State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) revenues and costs to account for inflation. The study surveyed 13 state DOTs to understand how contingencies are applied to the three major components of transportation projects (construction, right of way, and utilities). Additionally, interviews were conducted with 15 state DOTs to understand how they address inflation, particularly as it pertains to the STIP process. The results indicate that most DOTs apply contingency allowances to their project estimates during the early project development and maintain some level of contingency allowance at the plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) stage. As for addressing inflation, most state DOTs include inflation of the project cost in the project estimates to the time of bid letting or year of expenditure. The findings of this study can benefit state DOTs that are reassessing their strategies for implementing contingency and inflation within their STIP.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Review

Abstract: A lot of athletes, bodybuilders, and those who want to look better in general use AAS (anabolic androgenic steroids) to achieve their goals. These steroids can be found in nature or synthesised in a lab. These substances are attempts to mimic the anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) properties of testosterone. Steroids like testosterone, methandienone, Nandrolone Decanoate (ND), and methenolone are only a few examples of AAS that are commonly abused. Initially exclusive to professional bodybuilders, these substances are increasingly being tried out by amateur and professional athletes alike. The anabolic properties of AAS have led to their usage in medicine for the treatment of conditions like chronic renal disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Despite being banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, anabolic steroid (AAS) use is estimated to be between 1% and 3% among the general population of the United States (WADA). Their negative effects on several organs, including the cardiovascular and reproductive systems, have aroused concerns. Therefore, there are serious health risks linked with the inappropriate use of AAS. More education is needed for both the general public and medical professionals on how to recognise symptoms, administer effective care, and prevent AAS-related disorders. The goal of this study is to examine the current state of our understanding regarding the functioning of AAS and their associated deleterious consequences.

Social justice content in counseling journals: Comparison of publication rates

AbstractSocial justice is listed as a professional value for the American Counseling Association (ACA) (2014), yet professional publication in this topic may not be commensurate with its importance to the profession. This article presents the results of a qualitative content analysis (QCA, Schreier, 2012) of titles and abstracts of 917 articles in 18 ACA journals and one American School Counselor Association journal to document each journal's publication rate of social justice‐related articles for 2 years: 2018 (2 years before the ACA Anti‐Racism Statement, 2020) and 2022 (2 years after the statement). Results for each journal are presented, and topics of social justice content are listed. Implications are provided for researchers, association leaders, editors, and reviewers.

Managing long COVID symptoms and accessing health services in Brazil: A grounded theory analysis

BackgroundThe worldwide community has shown significant interest in researching the management of Long COVID. However, there is scarce evidence about the daily experiences of people living with Long COVID and their insights into the healthcare services provided to them. AimsThis study aims to understand the experience of Long COVID sufferers with their symptoms and in accessing health services. MethodWe employed Charmaz's grounded theory methodology, informed by constructivism, and applied the COREQ guidelines for qualitative research. Sixty-six Brazilians living with Long COVID participated in the study. The data was collected using semi-structured telephone interviews and analyzed using a constant comparative process. FindingsThe findings refer firstly to the consequences of persistent Long COVID symptoms. Secondly, they describe how the disease trajectory required Long COVID sufferers to reorganize their routines and develop adaptive strategies. Lastly, they reflect a diverse array of both positive and negative interactions inside the healthcare system conveyed by individuals suffering from Long COVID. These elements converge towards the core category of the study: “The limbo of Long COVID sufferers: between the persistence of symptoms and access to health services”. ConclusionsLong COVID is characterized by its varied nature, including a range of physical and emotional repercussions experienced by individuals. There is a need for enhanced comprehension and discourse about Long COVID across several domains, including the general public, policy-making entities, and healthcare professionals. In this sense, the development of specialized services or the reinforcement of existing services to support long COVID sufferers is imperative.

Heart failure care in the Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic region: status, barriers, and routes to improvement.

Despite improvements over recent years, morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure (HF) are higher in countries in the Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic region than in Western Europe. With the goal of improving the standard of HF care and patient outcomes in the Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic region, this review aimed to identify the main barriers to optimal HF care and potential areas for improvement. This information was used to suggest methods to improve HF management and decrease the burden of HF in the region that can be implemented at the national and regional levels. We performed a literature search to collect information about HF epidemiology in 11 countries in the region (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia). The prevalence of HF in the region was 1.6-4.7%, and incidence was 3.1-6.0 per 1000person-years. Owing to the scarcity of published data on HF management in these countries, we also collected insights on local HF care and management practices via two surveys of 11 HF experts representing the 11 countries. Based on the combined results of the literature review and surveys, we created national HF care and management profiles for each country and developed a common patient pathway for HF for the region. We identified five main barriers to optimal HF care: (i) lack of epidemiological data, (ii) low awareness of HF, (iii) lack of national HF strategies, (iv) infrastructure and system gaps, and (v) poor access to novel HF treatments. To overcome these barriers, we propose the following routes to improvement: (i) establish regional and national prospective HF registries for the systematic collection of epidemiological data; (ii) establish education campaigns for the public, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals; (iii) establish formal HF strategies to set clear and measurable policy goals and support budget planning; (iv) improve access to quality-of-care centres, multidisciplinary care teams, diagnostic tests, and telemedicine/telemonitoring; and (v) establish national treatment monitoring programmes to develop policies that ensure that adequate proportions of healthcare budgets are reserved for novel therapies. These routes to improvement represent a first step towards improving outcomes in patients with HF in the Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic region by decreasing disparities in HF care within the region and between the region and Western Europe.

A. V. Sokolov – classic of the branch science history and philosophy

The author analyzes the scientific legacy of Arkady Sokolov, an outstanding Russian information scientist, bibliographer, and philosopher. She follows the evolution of scholar’s theoretical concepts in the context of history and philosophy of library and information sciences. The article is based on the analysis of Sokolov’s key works, i. e. the textbook «The introduction into social communication theory”, professional conceptual publication “The philosophy of information”, his theses, and program articles. The author discusses A. V. Sokolov’s contribution into building of the methodological tradition in the library and information sciences. She focuses, in particular, on her own realization of the information approach and its transfer into the research field of library and information sciences. The author explores A. Sokolov’s philosophical concepts and their significance for solving the current problems in the field: development of human resources, defining the status and positioning of library, bibliography and bibliology sciences within the modern system of sciences. The author also expands on her personal memories of Arkady Sokolov.

PROBLEMS OF COLLABORATIONISM AND RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA IN EDUCATION IN THE TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR (BASED ON UKRAINIAN MEDIA MATERIALS)

The article examines contemporary reflections in science on the concept and phenomenon of collaborationism. It explores the features of educational individual collaborationism, the reasons for its emergence in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The issue of complicity in Ukrainian media emerges as a multifaceted phenomenon in the context of the war’s incompleteness, the passivity of the Ministry of Education, the imperfections of judicial practice and legal norms regarding the motivation and conditions of cooperation with the enemy, material and ideological (propagandistic) components, and so on. In the course of the comparative analysis, it was found out clarified that professional publications almost do not pay attention to educational collaborationism, instead transmitting a counter-propaganda narrative about teacher-heroes, patriots in storytelling materials, who continue to be defenders of Ukraine and role models for their students. General political publications address various issues of cooperation with the occupier in education in informational and analytical genres, performing enlightening, advocacy functions, as well as functions of prevention and criticism of this social phenomenon and contribute to its prevention.

Current global status of male reproductive health.

Current global status of male reproductive health.

By-degree Health and Economic Impacts of Lyme Disease, Eastern and Midwestern United States

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States (U.S.). This paper assesses how climate change may influence LD incidence in the eastern and upper Midwestern U.S. and the associated economic burden. We estimated future Ixodes scapularis habitat suitability and LD incidence with a by-degree approach using variables from an ensemble of multiple climate models. We then applied estimates for present-day and projected habitat suitability for I. scapularis, present-day presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, and projected climatological variables to model reported LD incidence at the county level among adults, children, and the total population. Finally, we applied an estimate of healthcare expenses to project economic impacts. We show an overall increase in LD cases with regional variation. We estimate an increase in incidence in New England and the upper Midwestern U.S. and a concurrent decrease in incidence in Virginia and North Carolina. At 3°C of national warming from the 1986–2015 baseline climate, we project approximately 55,000 LD cases, a 38-percent increase from present-day estimates. At 6°C of warming, our most extreme scenario, we project approximately 92,000 LD cases in the region, an increase of 145 percent relative to current levels. Annual LD-related healthcare expenses at 3°C of warming are estimated to be $236 million (2021 dollars), approximately 38 percent greater than present-day. These results may inform decision-makers tasked with addressing climate risks, the public, and healthcare professionals preparing for treatment and prevention of LD.

Interdisciplinary public engagement: untapped potential?

Public engagement projects developed by university-based academics tend to focus on specific academic topics. Yet, the problems and topics that our audiences want to engage with are broad, challenging, and can't be explained or solved by a single academic subject or expertise. In this article, we capitalise on our experience working with academics at the University of Oxford, and a workshop for public engagement professionals that we co-organised with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, to advocate for a novel approach: interdisciplinary public engagement (public engagement projects that bring together academics from several academic disciplines). We consider the potential benefits and the challenges of this approach and provide examples of how it is starting to be explored.

Design and partial validation of novel eDNA qPCR assays for three common North American tick (Arachnida: Ixodida) species

AbstractThe range expansion of ticks to higher latitudes poses a severe threat to human health exposing human populations who had no prior contact with ticks to several harmful tick‐borne diseases. Early detection of ticks in new areas is critical to help inform the public and medical professionals of the dangers associated with tick encounters. Environmental DNA represents a novel survey method that could provide reliable records of tick occurrences and timely warnings of their range expansions. In this study, we designed novel eDNA qPCR assays for three common North American tick species (Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, and Ixodes scapularis) and tested them on 51 samples of grasses and leaf litter collected from 12 grassland and forest sites in central and southern Illinois. We provide in silico and in vitro validation of all three assays; however, we were unable to generate any positive detections from field samples. Our lack of eDNA detections likely stems from low eDNA deposition rates coupled with rapid degradation in grasslands and forests, a problem exacerbated by terrestrial eDNA sampling methods limited by volume of substrate. We provide recommendations for improving sample collection methods to increase detection probability in future efforts. Continued research should focus on the viability of eDNA to detect small terrestrial invertebrates, like ticks, and it potential as early warning indicator of the spread of vector‐borne diseases.

Letter from the Former Editor-in-Chief, Hasan Bayram, MD, PhD: Happy 30th volume and 35th year of the European Journal of Therapeutics!

Dear Colleagues, I have been very happy to see that our journal, the European Journal of Therapeutics, has reached its 35th year by publishing 78 issues over the years. Many congratulations! I would like to sincerely thank the Editors and publishing team for their great dedication and efforts in helping the Journal reach this stage, and more importantly, the authors who supported the Journal with their scientific work and manuscripts. I had the opportunity to contribute to our Journal, as Editor-in-Chief between 2014 and 2016 with great honor [1]. The preparation of issues, the editing and printing of the manuscripts were being carried out with limited resources within the Medical Faculty and Gaziantep University, and there were disruptions from time to time. However, in order for the Journal to reach the place it deserves in the publishing world, the issues had to be prepared on time, the peer review process had to be carried out meticulously, and the printing quality had to be improved. At that time, with the support of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, for the first time, a contract was signed with a professional publisher and an attempt was made to maintain a more uninterrupted and professional publication process. I have been very happy to see that this effort has continued with increasing momentum in the period after the period I served for the Journal. I am happy to follow the Journal closely and contribute by reviewing the articles sent from time to time. I sincerely hope that our magazine will rise to the top in the publishing world for many years to come. Yours sincerely,

Cognitive Uncertainty and Employees’ Daily Innovative Work Behavior: The Moderating Role of Ambidextrous Leadership

Innovation is crucial for public organizations to adapt to changing circumstances. While successful innovation requires employees both to explore new ideas and to exploit current processes, such innovative work behavior is often bounded by constraints, both situational and personal. This study examines individual-level constraints on innovation by focusing on cognitive uncertainty as a personal state that may affect innovative work behavior. Using a quantitative daily diary study among public professionals in the Netherlands ( n = 88 respondents and 369 diary entries), the analysis identifies a positive relationship between daily cognitive uncertainty experiences and daily employee innovative work behavior. However, this relationship is only present when employees perceive substantial support from their team leader. This support takes the form of ambidextrous leadership, which mirrors the duality of the innovation process and is shown to be most effective in stimulating innovative work behavior and in managing cognitive uncertainty in stimulating innovation.

Navigating uncertainty: public diplomacy vs. AI

AbstractSome have heralded generative AI models as an opportunity to inform diplomacy and support diplomats’ communication campaigns. Others have argued that generative AI is inherently untrustworthy because it simply manages probabilities and doesn’t consider the truth value of statements. In this article, we examine how AI applications are built to smooth over uncertainty by providing a single answer among multiple possible answers and by presenting information in a tone and form that demands authority. We contrast this with the practices of public diplomacy professionals who must grapple with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainty head on to effectively manage complexities through negotiation. We argue that the rise of generative AI and its “operationalization of truth” invites us to reflect on the possible shortcoming of AI’s application to public diplomacy practices and to recognize how prominent uncertainty is in public diplomacy practices.

Cross-sectional survey of sources of information accompanying veterinary product advertisements in two professional print publications.

Veterinarians should be able to easily access scientific evidence about medical products and devices to incorporate into their clinical decision making. While the characteristics and quality of supporting information accompanying device and pharmaceutical advertisements have been studied in human medicine, little is known about this topic in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to characterise the supporting information provided by manufacturers of prescribed products, tests or devices in promotional material found in two commonly read UK-based veterinary publications. Advertisements contained in issues of two veterinary periodicals published between July 2017 and July 2018 were analysed for advertisement and product characteristics and for items of accompanying information. Literature searches were conducted to assess the availability of peer-reviewed sources of information on advertised products. A minority (16%) of the 451 analysed advertisements were accompanied by references to peer-reviewed literature, despite the availability of scientific literature for many of the products advertised. This study sampled two professional publications over a narrow time period. There may be insufficient evidence being provided to veterinary professionals via marketing features; this may limit the accessibility of scientific information for clinical decision making around advertised products.