Public Professionals Research Articles

Evaluation of Oral Cancer Risk and Common Knowledge Levels of the People Living in Eastern Anatolia

Aim: It was aimed to determine whether individuals from a sample consisting of both the public and healthcare professionals have predisposing factors for oral cancer and to learn about their thoughts on oral cancer. Materials and Methods: 784 individuals aged 18-70 years living in Van and neighboring provinces who did not have any physical or mental disability to fill out the online questionnaire were included in the study. For the comparison of categorical variables between groups, the Chi-Square test was utilized. A significance level of p < .05 was considered. Results: Out of 784 participants, 45.5% (356) were female, 54.1% (424) were male, and 0.4% (4) chose not to specify their gender. Regarding age distribution, 85.7% (672) of participants were aged of 40. Out of the participants in the questionnaire, 297 individuals (37.9%) are employed as healthcare professionals, while 487 individuals (62.1%) belong to other occupational groups. Additionally, among the participants, 28 participants (3.6%) who are elementary school graduates, 112 participants (14.3%) who are high school graduates, 587 participants (74.9%) who hold a university degree, and 51 individuals (6.5%) who have completed postgraduate or doctoral-level education. Conclusion:Efforts to raise awareness among the public through various mass communication tools, social media, and the dedication of healthcare professionals will have a positive impact on the prognosis of oral cancers, which can cause various defects in terms of function, aesthetics, and functionality.

Marketisation and the Public Good: A Typology of Responses among Museum Professionals

Across Western democracies, the public sector has undergone significant changes following successive waves of marketisation. Such changes find material expression in an organisation’s logic and associated vocabulary. While marketisation may be adopted, a growing body of research explains how it is often resisted as public sector professionals reject its logic and vocabulary. We contribute to this debate by detailing additional, theoretically important responses. Rather than simply rejecting or adopting both the logic and vocabulary of marketisation, this article shows how UK museum professionals decouple these. Our analysis shows how museum professionals either fashion generic market vocabulary (e.g. customer, value) to pursue local projects or sustain terms such as public and culture to cling to longer-standing ideals of publicness. Partly because of the nature of cultural goods, we propose the museum sector as a paradigm case to illustrate this phenomenon, but our argument has broader implications for the public sphere.

Insights From Large Language Model Analysis on Black Women in Accounting Leadership in the U.S.

This study explores the challenges and opportunities for Black women in leadership positions within the accounting industry in the United States. To analyze a comprehensive dataset of professional publications, social media discourse, and organizational reports, the research utilizes a cutting-edge large language model (LLM). By utilizing this advanced technology, the study aims to uncover patterns, and narratives that are often overlooked or inaccessible through traditional qualitative methods. The LLM’s capacity to process vast amounts of text-based information provides a unique perspective on Black women’s experiences, obstacles, and accomplishments in accounting leadership. The study sheds light on persistent challenges related to racial and gender bias, but also highlights a growing recognition of the value of diversity in leadership. The research identifies crucial factors that contribute to the success and advancement of Black women in accounting leadership, including mentorship, organizational culture, and policy-driven initiatives. The insights gained from this analysis offer valuable implications for policy makers, educators, and corporate leaders who aim to create a more inclusive and equitable professional environment in accounting and other fields.

Infectious Complications From Body Piercings—A Narrative Review

Abstract Body piercings are common methods of self-expression and cultural identity and have existed for millennia. However, breaching the dermis and insertion of a foreign object entails risk, including infectious complications. Although serious complications are typically rare, especially in environments where proper piercing techniques and sanitation are practiced, the general public and healthcare professionals may be unaware of the risk for these complications. Serious complications may include tissue necrosis, endocarditis, and brain abscesses. Selection of a proper piercing locale and professional, and the use of personal hygiene practices and piercing site care can go a long way toward preventing infections. Avoidance of especially risky piercing sites or techniques may also be advisable.

Defining a public health approach to substance use: Perspectives from professionals and practitioners across Canada

BackgroundWhile increasingly referenced in the literature and policy discussions, a “public health approach” (PHA) to substance use has been inconsistently defined or remained undefined. As part of a larger project on building the capacity to implement a PHA to substance use, we aimed to understand how professionals and practitioners across Canada who work with or whose work directly impacts the lives of people who use substances conceptualize a PHA. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional national online survey of public health professionals, public safety professionals, health and social service providers, and other relevant professionals and practitioners. The survey contained closed- and open-ended questions designed to gauge familiarity and comfort with application of a PHA to substance use, and perspectives on an organizational definition of such an approach. Survey recruitment was active between May and July 2021. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. ResultsA total of 1041 surveys were completed. Most respondents (76 %) reported having heard of a PHA to substance use, as it was defined. Over half (54 %) indicated a high level of comfort with applying such an approach within their work. In relation to defining a PHA to substance use, the following thematic suggestions emerged from respondent's open-ended answers: explicitly recognize people with lived/living experience of substance use; incorporate trauma-informed understanding and acknowledge the varied underlying reasons for substance use; decolonize approaches to substance use and empower communities; and consider a more critical appraisal of a PHA and the terminology in its definition. ConclusionEmpirically unpacking multi-stakeholder understandings of a PHA to substance use can help to inform a more cohesive definition and build the consensus needed for more effective, coordinated, and community-led responses to substance use. Future work, especially qualitative research, will provide richer and more practical understandings of a PHA to substance use.

Development and evaluation of a stroke research Public Patient Involvement Panel

Background Public and patient involvement (PPI) is important in stroke research to ensure that research conducted reflects the priorities and needs of people after stroke. Several factors have been found to affect PPI, including location of the research and time requirements for participation. The incidence of stroke is rising, and can result in symptoms including fatigue, depression, and physical/cognitive impairments. Aims 1) Describe the development of a PPI advisory group and a healthcare professional advisory group for stroke rehabilitation research and 2) to explore the perspectives of the members of the PPI groups on being involved in the research process. Methods A stakeholder panel consisting of up to 20 people with stroke, members of the public and healthcare professionals will be formed. A pragmatic purposive sampling technique using snowball sampling will be used to recruit members. The PPI panel will meet four times and will be supported by the guidelines developed from the INVOLVE framework. The PPI panel will be involved as co-researchers in the conceptualisation of future stroke rehabilitation research, the delivery of such studies, the analysis and dissemination of findings. Following the development of the panel, we will conduct semi-structured focus groups to collect qualitative data, examining the perspectives of members. Separate focus groups will be held for people with stroke, family members/cares, and healthcare professionals/researchers. Data will be transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis. This will result in a set of themes and subthemes describing participants' opinions and experience of being on a PPI panel in stroke rehabilitation research. Conclusions PPI is an essential part of research in stroke. Stakeholders can provide key insights into the research processes. The results of this qualitative study will provide insight into the barriers and enablers of their participation in PPI in stroke rehabilitation research.

Digital literacy for children: An overview

Digital technologies have become a part of everyday life, taking center stage. It has dominated people's lives and changed the way they live life. The task of protecting and raising awareness of children from the negative effects of the digital age, which especially affects the psychological, physical, social and cognitive development of children, is again on the family, school and society. For this reason, this study aims to define the concept of digital literacy for today's children by presenting a different perspective and inspiring new research to be conducted. In the study, the literature review model, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Articles, theses, dissertations, professional publications, research and research reports on the subject were examined. In the findings section of the study, the importance of the child and the family raising him/her, the digital age and its impact on education, the importance of digital literacy in education, and the advantages and disadvantages of digital literacy are discussed. In conclusion, in order to shape the future of societies with solid foundations, it is very important to teach children digital literacy skills, which also means understanding technology and using it appropriately, in the light of customs and traditions.

Planners’ Changing Relationships With Participation: The Impact of New Training and Certification Schemes

Public participation is increasingly designed and facilitated by specially trained practitioners drawn from within the planning profession as well as outside of it. This shift is at least partially driven by the rise of new training and certification schemes. Drawing on exploratory interviews, and the example of the International Association for Public Participation in Canada and Australia, this paper highlights how these new forms of expertise are changing planners’ relationships with public participation. Our research reveals several points of tension, including a bifurcation between planning and public participation professionals along with a consolidation around narrowed ideas of public participation.

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.