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The need for secure user authentication in blockchain-based applications has been growing with the increased adoption of Decentralized Identity (DID) credentials in blockchain. Zokrates, a tool designed to protect user privacy within smart contracts, had a limitation in that it could not accept authenticated user information such as credentials, only allowing the use of manually inputted data. In this paper, we propose a smart contract system that securely validates DID credentials to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized authentication systems. This system ensures the safe identification of users within blockchain-based applications by authenticating their identities in a trusted manner within the blockchain. As the demand for user authentication in blockchain rises, this paper emphasizes the significance of a blockchain-based identity verification system that guarantees both privacy and security. Leveraging the Zero-Knowledge Proof method and utilizing the Zokrates tool, this innovative approach aims to provide solutions for the digital identity verification process, thereby expanding the scope of blockchain technology applications. Moreover, we also provide a CLI for each entity. We help anyone who wants to authenticate their identity using the tool to safely verify it on-chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Professional credentialing refers to the process of obtaining a certifi cation or license that validates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities according to industry-accepted ethics and standards. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) confers and manages professional arborist certifi cation as well as other arborist credentials. However, many communities, such as in the southern United States, have few if any credentialed commercial tree care professionals. This study explores the motivations and barriers commercial tree care workers place on professional arborist certifi cation. Methods: The research employed 60 qualitative interviews from 3 of the 8 southern states to elicit emergent themes and detailed understanding of participants’ attitudes and experiences. In addition, an online survey of 742 international respondents was conducted to validate and complement interview fi ndings. Results: Results illustrate degrees of professional interest in certifi cation. For example, some arborists pursued certifi cation to improve sales with government organizations, while both certifi ed and noncertifi ed participants suggested few clients were aware of certifi cation and therefore did not consider certifi cation valuable to market competition. Additionally, company cultures supporting professional development and engagement with professional organizations infl uenced certifi cation among new employees. Finally, some arborists viewed certifi cation as a pathway to increase knowledge, skills, and confi dence in arboriculture. Others discussed diffi culties in traditional education and testing required for certifi cation. Conclusion: The reasons for pursuing certifi cation were as diverse as the tree care workers in the industry. Findings suggest several possible interventions to address the challenges some individuals have in achieving certifi cation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National certification has been available for most school professionals, including teachers, school counselors, and school psychologists, for a number of years. It provides opportunities for candidates to demonstrate that they have met the highest standards in their profession. Because school social workers play an important role in schools, the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) developed a national certification for school social workers as a means for school social workers to demonstrate excellence and recognize their contributions to youth, families, and schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the major reasons why school social workers pursue national certification. The initial group of candidates for certification consisted of thirty-six school social workers. Findings of this study indicated that the primary motivations for pursuing national certification included opportunities for achieving personal and professional growth, advancing the profession, demonstrating leadership, and expanding professional networks. This article suggests ways that school administrators, school social work researchers, and SSWAA can contribute to the sustainability of national certification for school social workers and support practitioners in pursuing national certification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Buyers, close to markets, give lower ratings than other experts. • Highly reputed industry credentials generate some peer effects. • Female judges consistently give lower grades than their male counterparts. • Judges tend to be harsher when there are more female peers, regardless of their own gender. • Experts have a specific assessment of sparkling wines. The aim of this article is to better understand why experts give different scores to the same wines in identical tasting environments. This research focuses on the personal characteristics of experts (or judges), such as their gender, industry credentials, and occupation within the wine industry, and examines how judges respond to their peers' characteristics. Using a dataset of 5,395 wines judged in the 2022 International Wine and Spirits Competition, we analyse 18,224 scores from different judges. We estimate a series of grade equations at the judge level to understand why a same wine received different scores from judges. A first model makes use of the panel structure of the dataset, incorporates wine fixed effects, and focuses on the personal characteristics of judges. A second model encompasses characteristics of the judging team, without the inclusion of wine fixed effects. At large, on-trade buyers give lower scores than off-trade buyers, as well as female judges compared to male ones. While credentials are not a very significant factor per se , they do have the potential to generate peer effects. Judges tend to be more generous in their assessments when they are assigned to a team with Master of Wine judges. Conversely, they are also consistently more severe when the number of female judges on the team increases. Estimation results converge across sub-datasets, with the exception of sparkling wines. Given the feminisation of the wine industry, in terms of producers, consumers, and experts, the severity of female judges could be beneficial in terms of social welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pharmacists provide increased access to care, vaccinations, and medication management for patients. Credentialing and privileging of pharmacists allows pharmacists to practice at the top of their licenses and elevate pharmacy practice., Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the perception of healthcare team members of credentialed and privileged pharmacists working in a pediatric primary care network before and after implementation of pharmacist privileges. The secondary objective was to determine team members' perceptions on the amount of time spent refilling medications, resolving medication access issues, and ordering vaccines before and after implementation of pharmacist privileges., Methods: This was a prospective pre-post study utilizing surveys to capture healthcare team members' perceptions of credentialed and privileged ambulatory care pharmacists. Surveyed participants included attending physicians, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, and patient care assistants. Summary statistics are reported as frequencies and percentages. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4., Results: Fifty-eight pre-privileging and 56 post-privileging surveys were distributed. The return rate was 79.3% (n=46) for pre-privileging and 80.4% (n=45) for post-privileging surveys. More than 90% of respondents had a favorable perception of credentialed and privileged pharmacists in the clinic. There was a significant difference in the perception of the amount of time spent on medication access issues after pharmacist privileges were implemented (p = 0.0296)., Conclusion: Credentialed and privileged pharmacists in a pediatric primary care network are viewed favorably by clinic team members and can have a positive impact on clinic workload., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The general principles of gastrointestinal endoscopy training in the United States were formulated and summarized more than a decade ago and the principles have been consistent until now. To summarize, trainees should be prepared to (i) appropriately recommend endoscopic procedures as indicated by the findings of the consultative evaluation, with an explicit understanding of accepted specific indications, contraindications, and diagnostic/therapeutic alternatives, (ii) perform procedures safely, completely, and expeditiously, including possessing a thorough understanding of the principles of conscious sedation/analgesia techniques, the use of anesthesia-assisted sedation where appropriate, and pre-procedure clinical assessment and patient monitoring, (iii) correctly interpret endoscopic findings and integrate them into medical or endoscopic therapy, (iv) identify risk factors for each procedure, understand how to minimize each, and recognize and appropriately manage complications when they occur, (v) acknowledge the limitations of endoscopic procedures and personal skills and know when to request help, and (vi) understand the principles of quality measurement and improvement. This article provides an overview of the endoscopy training system and structure, evaluation scheme, and competence and credentialing process in the United States., Competing Interests: Yutaka Tomizawa serves as a consultant for Boston Scientific Company, Medtronic, and AI Medical Service Inc., (© 2024 The Author(s). DEN Open published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)