Specific Knowledge Research Articles

Accessibility and specialization in the work of Michael Young

ABSTRACT Michael Young’s work has had a significant influence over UK education in recent years, both at a school and policy level, although, as Young’s contribution to this symposium notes, it has often been prone to misinterpretation. In this response, it will be argued that the work Young describes in his paper can be understood as part of a broader attempt to address three very real problems faced by teachers in their day to day practice: the problems of expertise, accessibility and motivation. Where the development of Young’s thinking since the 1970s is often characterized as a ‘turn’, the continuity between his earlier and later work will be highlighted. In the latter part of the response, Young’s use of the word ‘specialized’ will be analysed in order to highlight some of the conceptual confusion that remains around the process of specialization. It will be argued that the clearing up of such confusion is of crucial importance if Young’s vision of all students having access to specialized knowledge is to be realized.

Frameworks for transformational breakthroughs in RNA-based medicines.

RNA has sparked a revolution in modern medicine, with the potential to transform the way we treat diseases. Recent regulatory approvals, hundreds of new clinical trials, the emergence of CRISPR gene editing, and the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in dramatic response to the COVID-19 pandemic have converged to create tremendous momentum and expectation. However, challenges with this relatively new class of drugs persist and require specialized knowledge and expertise to overcome. This Review explores shared strategies for developing RNA drug platforms, including layering technologies, addressing common biases and identifying gaps in understanding. It discusses the potential of RNA-based therapeutics to transform medicine, as well as the challenges associated with improving applicability, efficacy and safety profiles. Insights gained from RNA modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs are used to identify important next steps for mRNA and gene editing technologies.

Mining and metallurgical labor in Islamic period Southwest Asia

ABSTRACT As a richly-documented historical case study, Islamic period Southwest Asia provides useful insights into the archaeology of mining and metallurgy. Labor, however, is more difficult to reconstruct from available historical sources, and its study requires a more directly archaeological approach. This paper presents a series of approaches to mining and metallurgical labor, drawing primarily on case studies of copper, silver, and gold mines in Southwest Asia, to address issues of labor provisioning and organization, the social identities of laborers, and the ways in which laborers deployed and transmitted specialized knowledge of metallurgical practices.

Analysis of the quality of surgical care for patients with consequences of gunshot combat wounds of the maxillofacial area

One of the most pressing problems of maxillofacial surgery (MFS) is the provision of specialized medical care to the wounded and injured in combat conditions. Even more complex tasks are reconstructive surgical treatment at the stages of evacuation and the most complete rehabilitation of patients with the consequences of combat injuries to the maxillofacial area (MFA). Gunshot combat wounds of the MFA are characterized by severe anatomical and functional disorders, they can manifest themselves as significant defects and severe deformations, which in turn leads to an increase in sanitary losses of army personnel, disability of young and middle (working) age patients, a decrease in the quality of their life, long-term and expensive treatment that requires special knowledge and manual skills from specialists. All this determines not only the medical, but also the socio-economic significance of the topic of this study.Objective. Present an analysis of the quality of surgical care provided to patients with consequences of gunshot combat wounds of the MFA.Methods. The study was carried out by specialists from the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution «Maxillofacial Hospital for War Veterans» of the Moscow Department of Health, under the guidance of the chief, PhD, professor, main specialist in MFS – V.A. Belchenko, for the period from October 2022 to July 2023. Diagnosis, planning and surgical treatment of adult patients with the consequences of gunshot combat wounds of the MFA were carried out at the stages of treatment and evacuation measures. A sample of medical documentation was made, the data obtained was processed by the generally accepted statistical method. The results were analyzed and compared with data from similar studies.Results. The study group included 55 males, aged from 23 to 56 years, the average age of the patients was 36.16±7.79 years. We divided the studied patients into subgroups according to the conditional zones of damage to the MFA: 1st – upper zone of the face (n=3, 5.45%), 2nd – middle zone of the face (n=28; 50.91%), 3rd – lower zone of the face ( n=32; 58.18%). The number of patients with isolated injuries is 18.18% (n=10); with multiple – 81.81% (n=45); with combined – 72.72% (n=40). The article presents the characteristics of patients with the pathology under study, discusses some features of diagnosis and planning, discusses tactics and problems associated with the surgical stage of treatment, as well as further rehabilitation measures.Conclusion. Despite the emergence of new medical equipment, equipment for diagnostics, planning and solving complex problems of surgical intervention, there is a clear need for training specialists, developing and improving the applied medical recommendations, with a clear indication of the method of choosing tactics and methods of surgical treatment. Medical care for adult patients with the consequences of gunshot combat wounds of the MFA must be comprehensive and carried out on the basis of specialized centers, and must include both surgical and orthopedic components, which will minimize the number of errors and complications, increase the effectiveness of treatment and, as a result, make rehabilitation as complete as possible.

Enhancing cervical cancer detection and robust classification through a fusion of deep learning models

Cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer affecting women, arises from abnormal cell growth in the cervix, a crucial anatomical structure within the uterus. The significance of early detection cannot be overstated, prompting the use of various screening methods such as Pap smears, colposcopy, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing to identify potential risks and initiate timely intervention. These screening procedures encompass visual inspections, Pap smears, colposcopies, biopsies, and HPV-DNA testing, each demanding the specialized knowledge and skills of experienced physicians and pathologists due to the inherently subjective nature of cancer diagnosis. In response to the imperative for efficient and intelligent screening, this article introduces a groundbreaking methodology that leverages pre-trained deep neural network models, including Alexnet, Resnet-101, Resnet-152, and InceptionV3, for feature extraction. The fine-tuning of these models is accompanied by the integration of diverse machine learning algorithms, with ResNet152 showcasing exceptional performance, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 98.08%. It is noteworthy that the SIPaKMeD dataset, publicly accessible and utilized in this study, contributes to the transparency and reproducibility of our findings. The proposed hybrid methodology combines aspects of DL and ML for cervical cancer classification. Most intricate and complicated features from images can be extracted through DL. Further various ML algorithms can be implemented on extracted features. This innovative approach not only holds promise for significantly improving cervical cancer detection but also underscores the transformative potential of intelligent automation within the realm of medical diagnostics, paving the way for more accurate and timely interventions.

The use of special knowledge during the investigation of forgery of documents that are submitted for state registration of a legal entity and individual entrepreneurs

The use of special knowledge during the investigation of forgery of documents that are submitted for state registration of a legal entity and individual entrepreneurs

All good things come in threes – required skill sets in the graduate labour market in Germany

PurposeOur work adds to the debate regarding higher education graduates’ skills required in the labour market in Germany and beyond.Design/methodology/approachUsing Q-methodology and the accompanying narrations, we explore German employers’ and employees’ views (N = 26) on characteristics required at the entry level.FindingsOur findings show three areas of the labour market with different skill requirements. Whereas the first area, “The world of rules”, applies more likely to the professions and academia, the two other areas, “The middle field” and “The people-oriented and critical market”, can be found throughout the labour market. The disciplinary affiliation does not play a role. In all three areas, soft skills are crucial and specialised knowledge is only highly valued in the area of “The world of rules”.Originality/valueIn contrast to previous findings, we do not focus on singular skills. Instead, we focus on skill sets and discuss their relevance from the background of their usability.

Use of forensic examination opportunities during the investigation of corruption criminal offenses committed by judges

The article emphasizes the significant pre-trial importance of forensic examinations in investigating corrupt criminal offenses as one of the forms of utilizing specialized knowledge. The authors disclose the definition of forensic examination. Based on the works of criminologists, survey results from practitioners, and the study of verdicts from the Higher Anti-Corruption Court, it was established that forensic examinations are assigned to state specialized expert institutions but to various subjects of forensic activity. A list of forensic examinations types, primarily appointed in the investigation of criminal offenses committed by judges, is also identified. The most common types of forensic examinations in the investigation of corruption criminal offenses committed by judges are considered. The authors emphasize the importance of forensic criminalistic examination of audio and video materials, forensic document examination, forensic portrait examination, forensic handwriting examination, forensic computer-technical examination, forensic dactyloscopic examination, psychological examination, and forensic linguistic (semantic-textual) examination. It is outlined that conducting examinations in corruption-related proceedings is an effective means of determining the crime mechanism, identifying comparative sample and traces of the suspect, and the subject of the unlawful benefit. The main tasks set for the expert to solve during the investigation of corruption criminal offenses committed by judges are systematized. In the modern context, attention is focused on solving identification and diagnostic tasks. All these achievements are substantiated by statistical data results and interviews with practitioners, as well as through the analysis of criminal proceedings in the specified category of offenses.

The impact of specialised translator training and professional experience on legal translation quality assurance: an empirical study of revision performance

ABSTRACT The relevance of translation and law degrees as pathways to professional legal translation is the subject of persistent debate, but there is limited research on the relationship between legal translators’ backgrounds and competence levels in practice. This study compares the revision performance of several groups of institutional translators (44 in total) according to their academic backgrounds (legal translation specialisation, translation degrees with no legal specialisation, law degrees or other degrees) and legal translation experience (more or less than three years). The scores of justified, missing and over-corrections, among other indicators, corroborate the crucial impact of legal translation specialisation and subject-matter knowledge in ensuring legal translation quality, while experience can serve to partially fill certain training deficits. Qualified translators with a legal specialisation stood out as the most efficient revisers, followed by law graduates, translation graduates without a legal specialisation and other translators. A subsequent holistic assessment of the revised target text yielded results globally in line with the revision scores, as well as mixed perceptions of the target text as potential machine output. The findings support the added value of legal translator training, and are of relevance for translator recruitment and workflow management. They also challenge the rationale behind ISO 20771:2020 qualification requirements.

Teaching Graphic Design for undergraduate students in Vietnam: a curriculum analysis

IntroductionThe present study aims to examine the effects of autonomy policies implemented after 2014 on the undergraduate education of Graphic Design in Vietnam. The focus is on how these policies have influenced the transition of curricular content from traditional print-based principles to modern digital design methodologies.MethodsThis study employs a targeted analysis of specialized knowledge courses within Graphic Design programs, tracing their progression from conventional design principles for the print medium to modern digital design principles. It includes a comprehensive examination of curricular adjustments made in response to the evolving digital landscape.ResultsThe analysis reveals a significant shift in the curriculum post-2014, from focusing predominantly on traditional design concepts such as typography, layout, and color theory to embracing digital design principles suitable for online platforms. These include responsive design, user experience/user interface, motion graphics, and animation. Empirical data presented in the study highlights the profound impact of increased institutional autonomy on this transformation.DiscussionThe transition to digital platforms marks a substantial development in Graphic Design education, aligning with the growing acceptance of interdisciplinary methodologies. The study discusses how these curricular changes are a direct response to the dynamic requirements of contemporary design practice, characterized by digital technology’s pervasive influence, interactivity, and sustainability considerations. The results emphasize the importance of adapting Graphic Design education to meet the demands of the modern industry, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to thrive in the digital age.

Exploring the role of the pharmacist within the Hospital@Home team at a tertiary centre in England

Abstract Introduction Hospital@Home (H@H) is an emerging healthcare model providing hospital-level care within patients’ homes (1). Despite its global presence for three decades, H@H adoption remains limited in the United Kingdom. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted National Health Service (NHS) England to promote virtual wards, including H@H, as an innovative care alternative (2). Among the pivotal functions in H@H are prescribing, administering, or stopping medications, where pharmacists play a critical role, undertaking these tasks along with the multidisciplinary team (MDT). However, there has been little research that investigates pharmacists’ scope of practice in H@H. Aim To explore the role of the pharmacist within the H@H team at a tertiary centre in England. Methods A qualitive study was conducted using 1) online (via Microsoft Teams) or in-person audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with pharmacists working in the tertiary centre’s H@H team, and 2) non-participant observations of purposively sampled MDT H@H team meetings; heart failure, general care and antibiotic. Pharmacists’ collaboration with MDT members, tasks they performed and how the MDT made decisions were the focus of the observations. Interview transcripts and observation field notes were concurrently analysed inductively to generate key themes. All three H@H pharmacists were approached to take part in the study. All members of the respective MDTs were recruited to take part in the observations. All participants gave informed consent. Results All three H@H pharmacists participated in interviews. Six MDT meetings were observed, attended by doctors (n=7), nurses (n=8) and pharmacists (n=3). Interviews lasted approximately 45 minutes each and MDT meetings lasted 30-120 minutes. Four main themes were generated from the analysis: 1. Scope of practice extends beyond a “traditional” pharmacist. 2. Being open-minded to a changing scope of practice. 3. Active collaboration with MDT members underpins and expands role. 4. Is intentional about, and advocates for the provision of patient-centered care. Pharmacists’ varied scope of practice (e.g. participating/co-leading MDT meetings and conducting home visits) placed them in pivotal roles in patient care coordination, treatment planning, and decision-making. Pharmacists were open-minded and proactive in expanding the scope of H@H care, and their role. They continuously acquired new skills as they encounter and provide diverse care scenarios. Their specialised knowledge and skillsets were viewed by the MDT as an asset. Pharmacists were reflective practitioners, saw patients as complex individuals with specific needs to care for and advocated for their needs. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring the role of the H@H pharmacist in England, adding to the knowledge base in this emerging service delivery; pharmacists undertake non-traditional clinical roles in the team, work collaboratively with others to expand the service and their own skillset, to advocate for the need of patients. Although only three pharmacists were interviewed, this was the entire available sample. The study did not include home visit observations, which could provide insights into pharmacists’ interactions with patients in their homes. Future research can focus on complementing the findings of this study with in-depth exploration of the pharmacist’s role in H@H settings.

The establishment of orthopedics in Croatia : The role of Božidar Špišić (1879-1957) and his professional networks.

Božidar Špišić was apioneer of Croatian orthopedics. In 1908 he founded the first private orthopedic clinic in the entire South Slav region. During the First World War he organized and headed the first orthopedic hospital for the rehabilitation and resocialization of wounded soldiers. In the interwar period, Špišić was tasked with establishing the orthopedic clinic within the auspices of the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb. This effort in shaping and developing orthopedics in Croatia would not have been possible without his participation in awide network of internationally renowned orthopedists. After graduating from the University of Graz in 1904, Špišić spent the next 4years specializing in orthopedics with Hans Spitzy, Arnold Wittek, Fritz Lange and, most importantly, Adolf Lorenz. In this paper, we have reconstructed the transfer of knowledge and experiences between these prominent Austrian and German orthopedists and Božidar Špišić. We have paid special attention to the identification of those elements in Špišić's work that can be traced back to his mentor, teacher and lifelong colleague Adolf Lorenz, such as his treatment for congenital hip dislocation. We believe that the analysis of professional networks can shed additional light on the historiography of orthopedics, given that these influences did not manifest solely through the acquisition of specialized clinical knowledge but also through aprofound influence on the core tenets of orthopedics as adiscipline-its institutional organization and overall conservative approach.

Gamifying cell culture training: The ‘Seru-Otchi’ experience for undergraduates

Working in a stem cell laboratory necessitates a thorough understanding of complex cell culture protocols, the operation of sensitive scientific equipment, adherence to safety standards, and general laboratory etiquette. For novice student researchers, acquiring the necessary specialized knowledge before their initial laboratory experience can be a formidable task. Similarly, for experienced laboratory personnel, efficiently and uniformly training new trainees to a rigorous standard presents a significant challenge. In response to these issues, we have developed an educational and interactive virtual cell culture environment. This interactive virtual lab aims to equip students with foundational knowledge in maintaining cortical brain organoids and to instill an understanding of pertinent safety procedures and laboratory etiquette. The gamification of this training process seeks to provide laboratory supervisors in highly specialized fields with an effective tool to integrate students into their work environments more rapidly and safely.

A study of the institutional structure of China's overseas establishment of private military companies

Private military companies provide specialized military knowledge, skills and military services of all kinds to the State sector and its governmental agencies (including the military forces to which they belong), international organizations, commercial enterprises and so on. With the development of economic globalization and changes in the international situation, their role in the international arena is becoming increasingly important. For this reason, the gradual development of China's system for the establishment of overseas private military companies on the basis of the experience gained from the establishment of private military companies in other extra-territorial countries deserves greater attention and recognition.

Procedural Conditions for the Admissibility of an Expert's Opinion as Evidence in a Criminal Case

The proposed work examines the issues of the admissibility of such type of evidence as an expert opinion, which are traditional for any country with a continental European legal system. The appeal to this issue is not accidental due to the rather rapid development of science and technology in recent years, the course of global digitalization processes in the human environment. Objectively, it is necessary to discuss the issue of adjusting the procedural conditions for admission of expert opinions as evidence in a criminal case, especially those that are carried out in actively developing areas of application of special knowledge.

Preparing Special Educators and School Principals in Special Education Law: An Undervalued Area of Professional Training?

Although special education legal knowledge is central to educating students with disabilities, how two critical school professionals—special educators and school principals—garner such knowledge is unclear. This study identified gaps in the professional training for special educators and school principals by examining professional standards and common textbooks. After identifying 32 special education legal concepts, we used content analysis to determine the extent to which each concept was mentioned in professional standards and preservice textbooks (five in special education, six in principal preparation, and four in school law). Compared with special education textbooks (in which 68%–84% of special education legal concepts were mentioned), preservice principals received less information on special education law in their general textbooks (3%–13% of concepts mentioned), although gaps narrowed when examining school law textbooks (63%–81%). Special education and school law texts consistently included concepts related to the six pillars of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), as well as more specific concepts, such as discipline/behavior and related services. Rarely mentioned concepts were extended school year, resolution meetings, and compensatory services. We discuss training, research, and policy implications.

Uncertainties in ocular proton planning and their impact on required margins

PurposeTo review required margins in ocular proton therapy (OPT) based on an uncertainty estimation and to compare them with widely used values. Further, uncertainties when using registered funduscopy images in the 3D model is investigated. MethodsAn uncertainty budget in planning and delivery was defined to determine required aperture and range margins. Setup uncertainties were considered for a cohort of treated patients and tested in a worst-case estimation. Other uncertainties were based on a best-guess and knowledge of institutional specifics, e.g. range reproducibility. Margins for funduscopy registration were defined resulting from scaling, rotation and translation of the image. Image formation for a wide-field fundus camera was reviewed and compared to the projection employed in treatment planning systems. ResultsValues for aperture and range with margins of 2.5 mm as reported in literature could be determined. Aperture margins appear appropriate for setup uncertainties below 0.5 mm, but depend on lateral penumbra. Range margins depend on depth and associated density uncertainty in tissue. Registration of funduscopy images may require margins of >2 mm, increasing towards the equator. Difference in the projection may lead to discrepancies of several mm. ConclusionsThe commonly used 2.5 mm aperture margin was validated as an appropriate choice, while range margins could be reduced for lower ranges. Margins may however not include uncertainties in contouring and possible microscopic spread. If a target base is contoured on registered funduscopy images care must be taken as they are subject to larger uncertainties. Multimodal imaging approach in OPT remains advisable.

Appointment and conduct of construction-technical and evaluation-construction expertise in criminal proceeding provided for in Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine

The article examines the main provisions of construction-technical and evaluation-construction expertise in criminal proceedings on appropriation, waste of property or possession of it through abuse of official position, which is accompanied by an analysis of statistical data of the Office of the General Prosecutor, the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as well as the results of a survey of investigators National Police. The types of special knowledge of court experts have been defined, which correspond to the expert specialties acquired by them and allow the involvement of relevant specialists during the construction and technical and evaluation and construction examinations in criminal proceedings on appropriation, waste of property or possession of it by abuse of official position. The tasks of these types of forensic examinations and a typical list of issues resolved by them are outlined, which allows to effectively conduct an investigation of a criminal offense provided for in Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, taking into account the available conclusions of experts and the possibility of using them in the evidence system. The specifics of the appointment of construction- technical and evaluation-construction expertise in the investigated criminal proceedings, which relate to the types of construction-technical documentation provided to the expert, as well as the need in specific cases of investigation of official embezzlement during road construction to appoint these expertises in a complex with others, are revealed. The procedural features of preparing and conducting an evaluation and construction examination in criminal proceedings initiated under Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which consist in the proper preparation of documents by the investigator regarding the inspection of the premises that will be evaluated during the examination, have been studied. The advantage of the combined use of special knowledge in the form of the appointment of complex forensic examinations during the investigation of appropriation, waste of property or possession of it through abuse of official position in the field of construction, namely construction-technical and evaluation-construction, road-technical, commodity expert examinations, has been proven.

The effect of playing basketball on the psychological state of a cadet of the national academy of the state border service of Ukraine

Summary. The physical training of future border guards forms the basis of their professional activities. Therefore, considerable attention is paid to it during training at a specialized university. With the help of physical training, the necessary physical, psychophysiological and mental indicators of the body are achieved and formed. Systematic physical exercises materialize special knowledge and skills into parameters of professional reliability. Participating in team sports, particularly basketball, involves regular physical activity that contributes to the general health and well-being of cadets. Basketball teaches the value of teamwork and cooperation. In a team environment, players learn to work toward common goals, support each other's strengths, and compensate for each other's weaknesses, and these experiences eventually translate into valuable life skills. Team sports are always challenges that allow cadets to develop emotional stability. Facing difficulties on the sports field helps to develop strength, perseverance and a positive attitude towards failure. In addition, team sports contribute to the development of strong character traits. It is shown that group sports contribute to the development of cadets’ command qualities and high physical indicators that are important for achieving the set goals. Playing sports definitely contribute to increasing psychological preparedness, create conditions for active recreation during the period of stress. Thus, basketball definitely develops a person not only physically, but also mentally.
 The article examines the use of basketball during the physical training of future border guards and the impact of this sport on the psychological state of cadets, as well as outlines the main directions for future scientific research on this topic.

Application, knowledge and training needs regarding comprehensive geriatric assessment among geriatric practitioners in healthcare institutions: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the actual application, knowledge, and training needs of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) among geriatric practitioners in China.MethodsA total of 225 geriatric practitioners attending the geriatric medicine or geriatric nursing training were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire included demographics, healthcare institution characteristics, the actual application, knowledge, training needs, and barriers to CGA and geriatric syndromes (GS).ResultsPhysicians and nurses were 57.3% and 42.7%, respectively. 71.1% were female, with a median age was 35 years. Almost two-thirds (140/225) of geriatric practitioners reported exposure to CGA in their clinical practice. The top five CGA evaluation items currently used were malnutrition risk (49.8%), fall risk (49.8%), activity of daily living (48.0%), pain (44.4%), and cognitive function (42.7%). Median knowledge scores for the management procedures of GS ranged from 2 to 6. Physicians identified medical insurance payment issues (29.5%) and a lack of systematic specialist knowledge and technology (21.7%) as the two biggest barriers to practicing geriatrics. Nurses cited a lack of systematic specialist knowledge and technology (52.1%) as the primary barrier. In addition, physicians and nurses exhibited significant differences in their knowledge of CGA-specific evaluation items and management procedures for GS (all P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in their training needs, except for polypharmacy.ConclusionsThe rate of CGA application at the individual level, as well as the overall knowledge among geriatric practitioners, was not adequate. Geriatric education and continuous training should be tailored to address the specific roles of physicians and nurses, as well as the practical knowledge reserves, barriers, and training needs they face.