bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the role of BNST GABA neurons in backward conditioned suppression
Authors: Ly Annie , Hotchkiss Hayden , Prévost Emily D. , Pelletier Julianne , Deming Melissa , Murib Luma , Root David H.
Published: January 2025

Conditioned suppression is a useful paradigm for measuring learned avoidance. In most conditioned suppression studies, forward conditioning is used where a cue predicts an aversive stimulus. However, backward conditioning, in which an aversive stimulus predicts a cue, provides unique insights into learned avoidance due to its influence on both conditioned excitation and inhibition. We trained mice to consume sucrose in context A, associated an aversive stimulus in context B to few or many forward or backwards paired cues (CS+), and then tested for conditioned suppression in context A in response to the CS+. We found that few or many forward CS+ and few backward CS+ produced conditioned suppression, but many backwards cues did not. Administration of diazepam, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor, prevented conditioned suppression to the backward CS+ but not to the forward CS+. Furthermore, freezing behavior was observed in response to the forward CS+ but not the backward CS+, and diazepam had no effect on freezing or locomotion. We next examined BNST GABA neurons for potential sensitivity to backwards cues and conditioned suppression. VGaT BNST signaling increased in response to sucrose licks during the backward CS+ but not to licks outside the CS+ and not to the backward CS+ onset or offset. Using designer receptors, we found that BNST VGaT neuron activation, but not its inhibition, prevented backward conditioned suppression expression. We conclude that backward conditioned suppression is dependent on both positive allosteric modulation of GABA on GABA-A receptors by diazepam and BNST GABA neurons.
Perturbing whole-brain models of brain hierarchy: an application for depression following pharmacological treatment
Authors: Socoró Garrigosa Marcel , Sanz Perl Yonatan , Kringelbach Morten L. , Carhart-Harris Robin , Vohryzek Jakub , Deco Gustavo
Published: January 2025

Neural representation can extend beyond localised activity to encompass global patterns, where information is distributed across brain networks in a hierarchical manner. Recent research suggests that the hierarchy of causal influences shaping these patterns can serve as a signature of distinct brain states, with implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we first delve into how whole-brain models, guided by the Thermodynamics of Mind framework, can estimate the brain hierarchy of specific brain states, and how perturbations of such models can study the in-silico transitions to other states represented by static functional connectivity. We then show an application for major depressive disorder, where different brain hierarchical reconfigurations have been found following psilocybin and escitalopram treatments. We build whole-brain models of depressed patients before and after psilocybin and escitalopram interventions, and we carry a dynamic sensitivity analysis to explore the susceptibility of brain states and their drivability to healthier states. We show that susceptibility is on average reduced by escitalopram and increased by psilocybin, and that both treatments succeed in promoting healthier transitions. These results align with the post-treatment window of plasticity opened by serotonergic psychedelics, as well as with the similar clinical efficacy of both drugs observed in clinical trials.

Graphical Abstract

We apply whole-brain models of brain hierarchy based on the Thermodynamics of Mind framework to investigate state transitions in depression. Dynamic sensitivity analysis explores how psilocybin and escitalopram affect susceptibility and drivability to healthier states. Results show that psilocybin increases susceptibility, while escitalopram reduces it, with both enabling optimal transitions. This pipeline demonstrates the promise of in-silico approaches to inform neurostimulation protocols, potentially enhancing or complementing antidepressant therapies.
Benchmarking the coding strategies of non-coding mutations on sequence-based downstream tasks with machine learning
Authors: Liu Zhe , Bao Yihang , Li Wenhao , Li Weihao , Lin Guan Nin
Published: January 2025

Non-coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are critical drivers of gene regulation and disease susceptibility, yet predicting their functional impact remains a challenging task. A variety of methods exist for encoding non-coding SNPs, such as direct base encoding or using pre-trained models to obtain embeddings. However, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation and guidance on the choice of encoding strategies for downstream prediction tasks involving non-coding SNPs. To address this gap, we present a benchmark study that compares six distinct encoding strategies for non-coding SNPs, assessing them across six dimensions, including interpretability, encoding abundance, and computational efficiency. Using three Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL)-related downstream tasks involving non-coding SNPs, we test these encoding strategies in combination with nine machine learning and deep learning models. Our findings demonstrate that semantic embeddings show strong robustness, while the choice of coding strategy and the model used for downstream prediction are all key variables influencing task performance. This benchmark provides actionable insights into the interplay between encoding strategies, models, and data properties, offering a framework for optimizing QTL prediction tasks and advancing the analysis of non-coding SNPs in genomic regulation.
Genetic, lifestyle and environmental influences on health: A Finnish biobank recall study protocol (BioRecall)
Authors: Sillanpaa Elina , Fohr Tiina , Kurtti Elisa , Aittola Kirsikka , Makela Johanna , Southerington Tom , Lakka Timo A. , Jokela Tiina , Ahtiainen Maarit , Laakkonen Eija K , Rantakokko Merja , Ravi Suvi
Published: January 2025

Introduction Noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of premature mortality worldwide. Both genetic predispositions and environmental exposure affect disease risk. While biobanks have increased understanding of genetic predictors of these diseases, environmental influences are expected to have a greater impact on disease development. Individuals also create their own environments and lifestyles based on genetically regulated preferences, leading to gene-environment interactions that require large datasets to study. Biobanks may lack sufficient lifestyle and environmental data, which limits their use. We present a protocol for a biobank-recall study (BioRecall) to collect data on lifestyle and environmental exposure and combine these findings with genotypes, biological samples and clinical outcomes. Methods and analysis All previously genotyped donors of the Central Finland Biobank diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and consenting to recalls will be invited to the pilot study. The preliminary feasibility assessment reveals that there are 1,386 suitable candidates. Participants will complete an electronic questionnaire on a secured online platform. The questionnaire includes validated questions on lifestyles, anthropometrics, weight loss history, health, symptoms, work characteristics, emotional states and residential environments. Postcode information will facilitate the addition of spatial environmental data. Genotype and related clinical data will be provided in the study in accordance with the Finnish Biobank Act and combined with questionnaire data. Ethics and open data The Human Sciences Ethics Committee of the University of Jyvaskyla delivered a favourable statement regarding the study protocol (1671/13.00.04.00/2023). Central Finland Biobank approved the research plan (no: BB24-0333-A01). The data collected will be returned to the Central Finland Biobank for research purposes with the participants' consent. Permission for data usage can then be applied through standard protocols of the Fingenious service (www.fingenious.fi). If successful, the study will be expanded to other donors and Finnish biobanks.
High Impedance Microstrip Resonators and Transceiver Arrays for Ultrahigh Field 10.5T MR Imaging
Authors: Zhang Xiaoliang , Payne Komlan , Zhao Yunkun
Published: January 2025

Multichannel transceiver coil arrays are needed to enable parallel imaging and B1 manipulation in ultrahigh field MR imaging and spectroscopy. However, the design of such transceiver coils and coil arrays often faces technical challenges in achieving the required high operating frequency at the ultrahigh fields and sufficient electromagnetic (EM) decoupling between resonant elements. In this work, we propose a high impedance microstrip transmission line resonator (HIMTL) technique that has unique high frequency capability and adequate EM decoupling without the use of dedicated decoupling circuits. To validate the proposed technique for the ultrahigh field 10.5T applications, a two-channel high impedance microstrip array with the element dimension of 8cm by 8cm was built and tuned to 447 MHz, Larmor frequency of proton at 10.5T, for signal excitation and reception. Bench tests and numerical simulations were performed to evaluate its feasibility and performance. The results show that the proposed high impedance microstrip technique can be a simple and robust way to design high frequency transceiver coils and coil arrays for ultrahigh field MR applications.
Development and External Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Predict Restriction from Spirometry
Authors: Moffett Alexander T. , Balasubramanian Aparna , McCormack Meredith C. , Aysola Jaya , Ungar Lyle H. , Halpern Scott D. , Weissman Gary E.
Published: January 2025

Background

Though European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) guidelines for pulmonary function test (PFT) interpretation recommend the use of the forced vital capacity (FVC) lower limit of normal (LLN) to exclude restriction, recent data suggest that the negative predictive value (NPV) of the FVC LLN is lower than has been accepted, particularly among non-Hispanic Black patients. We sought to develop and externally validate a machine learning (ML) model to predict restriction from spirometry and determine whether its use may improve the accuracy and equity of PFT interpretation.

Methods

We included PFTs with both static and dynamic lung volume measurements for patients between 18 and 80 years of age who were tested at pulmonary diagnostic labs within two health systems. We used PFTs from one health system to train logistic regression, random forest, and boosted tree models to predict restriction using demographic, anthropometric, and spirometric data. We used PFTs from the second health system to externally validate these models. The primary measure of model performance was the NPV. Racial equity was assessed by comparing the NPV among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients.

Findings

A total of 42 462 PFTs were used for model development and 24 524 for external validation. The prevalence of restriction was 29.8% in the development dataset and 39.6% in the validation dataset. All three ML models outperformed the FVC LLN by a wide margin, both overall and among all demographic subgroups. The overall NPV of the random forest model (88.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 87.8% to 88.9%) was significantly greater than that of the FVC LLN (72.7%, 95% CI 72.1% to 73.3%). The NPV of the random forest model was greater than that of the FVC LLN among both non-Hispanic Black (74.6% [95% CI 72.5% to 76.6%] versus 49.5% [95% CI 47.8% to 51.2%]) and non-Hispanic White (90.9% [95% CI 90.3% to 91.5%] versus 79.6% [95% CI 78.9% to 80.3%]) patients.

Interpretation

ML models to exclude restriction from spirometry improve the accuracy and equity of PFT interpretation but do not fully eliminate racial differences.
The Hypno-PC: Uncovering Sleep Dynamics through Principal Component Analysis and Hidden Markov Modeling of Electrophysiological Signals
Authors: Guendelman Miriam , Shriki Oren
Published: January 2025

The conventional approach to sleep analysis relies on pre-defined, visually scored stages derived from electrophysiological signals. This manual method demands substantial effort and is influenced by subjective assessments, implicitly assuming that these categories accurately reflect underlying biological processes. Recent advancements indicate that low-dimensional representations of complex brain activity can provide objective means of identifying brain states. These approaches can potentially uncover inherent patterns within sleep, offering valuable insights into its organization.

In this study, we applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to spectral features extracted from high-density EEG, EOG, EMG, and ECG recorded overnight at both 30– and 4-second resolutions. Notably, the first principal component—the “Hypno-PC”—strongly aligns with the hypnogram at both time scales. Subsequently, we employed a Gaussian Hidden Markov Model (GHMM) to delineate discrete states in the PCA-transformed data and to quantify their temporal dynamics. Using minimal supervision (less than 0.5% of the data labeled) and a cross-subject approach, the model achieved alignment with standard sleep labels comparable to the typical inter-rater agreement. Finally, independent component analysis (ICA) was applied to the PCA space, decomposing it into an independent set of components that potentially represent distinct physiological processes.

The integrated use of PCA, GHMM, and ICA provides a reproducible and scalable methodology that aligns with traditional sleep staging, while offering a more flexible and comprehensive perspective on sleep states. Our findings indicate that these data-driven, unsupervised methods effectively uncover the intrinsic dynamics of sleep, advancing automated sleep analysis and enhancing our understanding of sleep organization.

Statement of Significance

This study introduces a data-driven framework for sleep analysis designed to objectively identify brain states using low-dimensional representations of electrophysiological signals during sleep. By integrating a suite of unsupervised learning techniques, our methodology offers an alternative to subjective manual scoring, potentially enhancing both efficiency and reproducibility. In addition to aligning with traditional sleep staging, this approach uncovers subtle sleep dynamics across multiple time scales, enabling the discovery of patterns that conventional methods might overlook. These advancements hold promise for automated sleep monitoring and the study of sleep disorders, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and facilitating large-scale sleep research. By addressing current limitations in sleep analysis techniques, this framework lays the groundwork for more elaborate and scalable assessments.
MECOM is a master repressor of myeloid differentiation through dose control ofCEBPAin acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Pastoors Dorien , Havermans Marije , Mulet-Lazaro Roger , Smeenk Leonie , Ottema Sophie , Erpelinck-Verschueren Claudia , van Herk Stanley , Anthonissen Maikel , Grob Tim , Wouters Bas J. , Beverloo Berna , Haferlach Torsten , Haferlach Claudia , Zuber Johannes , Bindels Eric , Delwel Ruud
Published: January 2025

Enhancer translocations, due to 3q26 rearrangements, drive out-of-contextMECOMexpression in an aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Direct depletion of MECOM using an endogenous auxin-inducible degron immediately upregulates expression of myeloid differentiation factorCEBPA. MECOM depletion is also accompanied by a severe loss of stem cells and gain of differentiation. MECOM exerts its inhibitory effect by binding to the +42kbCEBPAenhancer, a gene essential for neutrophil development. This is partially dependent on the interaction betweenMECOMand its co-repressor CTBP2. We demonstrate thatCEBPAoverexpression can bypass the MECOM-mediated block of differentiation. In addition, AML patients withMECOMoverexpression through enhancer hijacking show significantly reducedCEBPA. Our study directly connects two main players of myeloid transformationMECOMandCEBPA, and it provides insight into the mechanism by which MECOM maintains the stem cell state in a unique subtype of AML by inactivatingCEBPA.
From experimental clues to theoretical modeling: Evolution associated with the membrane-takeover at an early stage of life
Authors: Ma Wentao , Yu Chunwu
Published: January 2025

Modern cell membranes are primarily composed of phospholipids, while primitive cell membranes in the beginning of life are believed to have formed from simpler lipids (such as fatty acids) synthesized in the prebiotic environment. An attractive experimental study suggested that the corresponding “membrane-takeover” (as an evolutionary process) is likely to have occurred very early (e.g. in the RNA world) due to some simple physical effects, and might have subsequently triggered some other evolutionary processes. Here, via computer modeling on a system of RNA-based protocells, we convinced the plausibility of such a scenario and elaborated on relevant mechanisms. It is shown that in protocells with a fatty-acid membrane, because of the benefit of phospholipid content (i.e., stabilizing the membrane), a ribozyme favoring the synthesis of phospholipids may emerge; subsequently, due to the reduced membrane permeability on account of the phospholipid content, two other functional RNA species could arise: a ribozyme exploiting more fundamental materials (thus more permeable) for nucleotide synthesis and a species favoring across-membrane transportation. This case exemplifies a combination of experimental and theoretical efforts regarding early evolution, which may shed light on that notoriously complicated problem: the origin of life.
Single-Beam Grating-Chip 3D and 1D Optical Lattices
Authors: Bregazzi Alan , McGilligan James P. , Griffin Paul F. , Riis Erling , Arnold Aidan S.
Published: January 2025

Ultracold atoms are crucial for unlocking truly precise and accurate quantum metrology and provide an essential platform for quantum computing, communication, and memories. One of the largest ongoing challenges is the miniaturization of these quantum devices. Here, we show that the typically macroscopic optical lattice architecture at the heart of many ultraprecise quantum technologies can be realized with a single-input laser beam on the same diffractive chip already used to create the ultracold atoms. Moreover, this inherently ultrastable platform enables access to a plethora of new lattice dimensionalities and geometries, ideally suited for the design of high-accuracy, portable quantum devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Entanglement Properties of Gauge Theories from Higher-Form Symmetries
Authors: Xu Wen-Tao , Rakovszky Tibor , Knap Michael , Pollmann Frank
Published: January 2025

We explore the relationship between higher-form symmetries and entanglement properties in lattice gauge theories with discrete gauge groups, which can exhibit both topologically ordered phases and higher-form symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phases. Our study centers on a generalization of the Fradkin-Shenker model describing Z2 lattice gauge theory with matter, where the Gauss law constraint can be either emergent or exact. The phase diagram includes a topologically ordered deconfined phase and a nontrivial SPT phase protected by a 1-form and a 0-form symmetry, among others. We obtain the following key findings: First, the entanglement properties of the model depend on whether the 1-form symmetries and the Gauss law constraint are exact or emergent. For the emergent Gauss law, the entanglement spectrum (ES) of the nontrivial SPT phase exhibits degeneracies, which are robust at low energies against weak perturbations that explicitly break the exact 1-form symmetry. When the Gauss law and the 1-form symmetry are both exact, the ES degeneracy is extensive. This extensive degeneracy turns out to be fragile and can be removed completely by infinitesimal perturbations that explicitly break the exact 1-form symmetry while keeping the Gauss law exact. Second, we consider the ES in the topologically ordered phase where 1-form symmetries are spontaneously broken. In contrast to the ES of the nontrivial SPT phase, we find that spontaneous higher-form symmetry breaking removes “half” of the ES levels, leading to a nondegenerate ES in the topologically ordered phase, in general. Third, we derive a connection between spontaneous higher-form symmetry breaking and the topological entanglement entropy (TEE). Using this relation, we investigate the entanglement entropy that can be distilled in the deconfined phase of the original Fradkin-Shenker model using gauge-invariant measurements. We show that the TEE is robust against the measurement when the 1-form symmetry is emergent but it is fragile when the 1-form symmetry is exact. Our results demonstrate the advantage of higher-form symmetries for understanding entanglement properties of gauge theories.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
“On the same wavelength”: reconciling competing logics in tax client relationships
Authors: Lynch Ruth
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics in the relationship between tax practitioners and their tax clients, to understand how tax practitioners reconcile competing logics in their tax work.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews are conducted with 68 tax practitioners across 11 countries, allowing for the examination of an in-depth personal perspective on tax practitioners’ relationships with their clients.

Findings

Using a Bourdieusian frame, I find that long-term client relationships built on trust and shared values, as moderated by risk appetite and cultural markers, can enable tax practitioners to reconcile competing logics in their advisory work.

Practical implications

The research findings presented reflect the way in which tax practitioners navigate, build up and maintain long-term relationships with their clients. The findings are highly relevant for regulators as my research shows that clients share a similar tax risk appetite with their tax advisor, thus this can assist regulators in curbing tax non-compliance and in identifying more tax-aggressive tax practitioners and taxpayers.

Originality/value

Previous studies (Carter and Spence, 2014; Harber and Willows, 2022) have examined the tension between commercial and other professional logics among senior accountants working in Big 4 firms. I extend and deepen this work to tax practitioners, drawing on a substantial corpus of interviews to examine the role of the client relationship in explaining the heterogeneity of the field. These findings add to the understanding of client agency and to the subtleties of professional relationships within the tax domain.
Developing an assessment model of supply chain resilience in prefabricated construction based on the ripple effect and supply chain performance
Authors: Ye Meng , Li Yueran , Ye Kunhui
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Prefabricated construction has been rapidly developing and intensifying the reliance on the supply chain. The pandemic of COVID-19 induced severe disruptions to the supply chain operation and thus attracted the research attention on the supply chain resilience (SCR) under various events. Assessing the resilience of the prefabricated construction supply chain (PCSC) is essential for surviving the shifting disruptive attacks and ensuring consistent, reliable operation. Based on the ripple effect and supply chain performance (SCP), this study aims to develop an assessment model for SCR of PCSC.

Design/methodology/approach

Having identified the roles and material flows among stakeholders, a PCSC network is established. Utilizing the ripple effect model, it develops an assessment framework tailored for PCSCs, which then evolves into a comprehensive assessment model for evaluating the SCR by integrating the disruptive influence and the pre-and post-disruption SCP. Case study is then applied to validate the model.

Findings

Using SCP metrics and disruptive influence assessment as basic dimensions, the SCR can be assessed and expressed through a vector formula. Operating costs and asset utilization can effectively reflect changes in resilience, paying attention to their real-time changes can provide a better judgment of the current stage of disruptions.

Originality/value

The assessment model of SCR accounts for the ripple effect within prefabricated construction, offering a thorough understanding of how disruptions impact the entire supply chain network. Additionally, this model introduces a novel approach to evaluating SCR in reverse by leveraging SCP metrics instead of direct measurement, thereby minimizing potential biases.
Business incubators as a driver of sustainable entrepreneurship development: evidence from the Italian experience
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo , Mion Giorgio , Vigolo Vania , De Crescenzo Veronica
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to assess whether and how non-born-sustainable business incubators (BIs) – that is, BIs whose business model was not originally sustainability-oriented – promote sustainable entrepreneurship development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative research design based on grounded theory and an interpretive approach. The analysis is developed by collecting interviews with ten Italian BIs, selected by purposive sampling and examining data using the Gioia methodology.

Findings

The results show that BIs, using various specific tools, facilitate the creation of a sustainability-oriented ecosystem. In this context, BIs help start-ups develop a purpose, a cultural mindset and business models that enable them to face the challenges of today’s competitive environment, in which sustainability has become (and will increasingly be) an essential requirement for companies.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the active role of non-born-sustainable BIs in promoting the development of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

This research has practical implications related to the opportunities for embedding sustainability in BIs’ purpose and defining a framework of operations and practices that can boost innovativeness while having a positive impact on the community and on the environment. Finally, findings suggest that BIs can foster cost reduction when implementing sustainability in start-ups.

Social implications

The study suggests that BIs, as drivers of social change, could be sustained by public assistance and help from well-established firms to promote the spread of sustainable entrepreneurship culture and the success of sustainability-oriented start-ups.

Originality/value

BIs have the potential to promote sustainable entrepreneurship, but this topic is still under-researched. While existing studies have examined the role of born-sustainable BIs in specific business sectors, this research is one of the first attempts to explore the role of non-born-sustainable BIs in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship.
Cultivating faculty well-being and engagement through transformational leadership in emerging country
Authors: Ho Yi-Hui , Nguyen Cong-Hoang , Giang Thi Trang
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Employee engagement is vital for organizational success, driving productivity, innovation, and commitment. While leadership significantly impacts engagement, the precise mechanisms remain under investigation. This study explores how transformational leadership influences work engagement through the lens of meaningful work perception and employee well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed quantitative methods, surveying 391 Vietnamese faculty members. Data analysis utilized SPSS and structural equation modeling partial least squares (SEM PLS).

Findings

Results indicate that transformational leadership positively affects perceived work meaningfulness, employee well-being and work engagement. Notably, meaningful work perception mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and the other two factors.

Originality/value

These findings offer practical insights for universities seeking to enhance employee engagement. They highlight the importance of fostering transformational leadership styles and creating an environment where employees perceive their work as meaningful.
Corporate responses to boycott movements: impact on accounting and financial performance in the Middle East
Authors: Alqatan Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research study aims to examine the impact of boycott movements, particularly the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, on firms supporting Israel in the Middle East, focusing on their accounting and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a mixed-method approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine the impact of the boycott movements on the firm performance of companies supporting Israel in the Middle East. Integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods allows for a holistic understanding. Purposive sampling was utilised to ensure that only targeted companies by BDS were included in the considered sample.

Findings

It signified that targeted companies such as HP, Siemens, AXA, Puma and Sabra face substantial reputational risks, requiring operational adjustments and financial strategies to mitigate adverse effects. The findings revealed that these firms have progressively adopted enhanced transparency and reviewed investment policies to mitigate negative impacts and align with international laws and ethical standards.

Originality/value

The obtained discoveries will highlight the economic and governance-related consequences of boycott movements, offering insights that can be employed by business leaders, policymakers and scholars concerned with understanding the interplay of economics and politics. The findings will also highlight the obligation for resilient governance practices necessary for enduring external pressures and the adequate sustenance of firm performance in a progressively politicised market atmosphere.
Defining harmful content statements: cultural humility work that leads to institutional change and accountability
Authors: Wright Challen R. , Rogova Irina
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The harmful content statement (HCS) has garnered interest over the past several years as a type of documentation that addresses harmful and/or problematic content within an institution’s collections and metadata. These statements can aid in implementing diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) related goals and a framework of cultural humility. This paper reviews current literature on the topic, proposes a definition and four core components for an HCS and argues how a statement can aid in an institution’s cultural humility work.

Design/methodology/approach

By examining harmful content statements from institutions across the US as well as existing literature, the authors assess current literature and discussion of HCSs and derive four suggested components of a statement that can be integrated into the existing theory of cultural humility.

Findings

This paper identifies common components that are often addressed when examining HCSs. After a theory of cultural humility is applied to these components, it is found that an HCS can aid an institution in integrating cultural humility into collection and metadata management workflows.

Originality/value

This paper examines the literature and discussion around HCSs and provides a concrete definition of what a statement is. The authors connect two bodies of literature – harmful content statements and cultural humility – and illustrate how these topics influence each other in a way that progresses both theory and practical applications for collection and metadata management.
Information snowballing: information practices in the context of sustainable food practices
Authors: Du Xiaotong , Costello Kaitlin Light
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research aims to introduce the concept of information snowballing, which shows the process of how individuals with a specific interest in food sustainability acquire information about and remain abreast of sustainability-related information in everyday life and food practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed constructivist grounded theory to investigate the information acquisition practices of consumers of sustainable food around topics related to sustainability. The author collected data through pre-screening phone calls, photo diaries and in-depth semi-structured interviews by using theoretical sampling with nine sustainable food consumers; analyzed data through constant comparison and memoing; and validated findings via methodological jotting, data triangulation and peer-debriefing throughout the process.

Findings

The findings identify three stages of information snowballing: (a) learning by lifelong exposure and serendipitous information encountering; (b) constructing information landscapes; and (c) snowballing or gradually accumulating information.

Practical implications

This concept advocates for spreading sustainability-related information and awareness outside the context of formal education.

Originality/value

This study originates the concept of “information snowballing,” which evolves from the idea of snowball sampling, a common strategy for participant recruitment. Both of these terms lean on the idea that a snowball rolling downhill picks up more and more momentum and more and more snow as it travels; recruitment and information gathering show the same process of accretion through building momentum. Information snowballing highlights the individual’s agency in seeking relevant information sources, expressing one’s interests, constructing information landscapes—all activities that precede the serendipitous encountering and snowballing of information based on a particular interest. It also connects everyday information practices to information landscapes within the context of everyday food practices.
Relative influence of sociocultural determinants of entrepreneurial emergence in Africa: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Akpor-Robaro Masoje
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to explore sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence and to examine their relative influence (i.e. the influence of each factor) on entrepreneurial emergence.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey design with a questionnaire instrument administered to 250 business owners selected randomly from a cross section of businesses was used. The data were analyzed using the descriptive method, pairwise comparison, Kendall’s W test and Mean Rank Statistics.

Findings

This study showed that the level of influence of sociocultural factors on the decision to own a business by an individual in Africa varies by factor. Family background is the factor that has the highest influence, whereas religious values has the least influence. Altogether, nine most significant factors influence the choice of business ownership in Nigeria and in Africa generally. These include family background, unemployment, family values, inadequate income, job displacement, stock of social capital, role models, social networks and lack of social security, in that order.

Originality/value

Although some scholars may have explored sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence, there is no study on their relative influence on entrepreneurial emergence, at least not in the context of Africa or Nigeria in particular. This study extends previous studies by examining the relative influence of the factors, using Nigeria as a reference for Africa. A focus on their relative influence is a new perspective on the study of sociocultural factors as determinants of entrepreneurial emergence.
Engagement strategies in a digital multigenerational world: insights from multinational companies on unlocking the potential of Human Capital 4.0
Authors: Salvadorinho Juliana , Ferreira Carlos , Teixeira Leonor
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research explores human factors practices in the context of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0 and the multigenerational workforce, promoting the evolution of Human Capital 4.0. With the emergence of generations Y and Z, organizations are more volatile, heightening the risk of tacit knowledge loss. Conditions conducive to retaining employees must be created, particularly by prioritizing engagement initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Addressing these imperatives required the adoption of a comprehensive mixed-methods methodology, which integrated a systematic literature review, a qualitative thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted with employees from three multinational organizations and a quantitative statistical analysis of a questionnaire gathering 560 responses.

Findings

The study identifies essential practices for enhancing employee well-being, considering blue and white collars, using the PERMA model. It recommends adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and flexible work arrangements to improve positive emotion. Engagement is strengthened by aligning roles with employee strengths, offering ongoing learning opportunities and incorporating gamification. Strong Relationships are fostered through coaching, mentoring and participatory decision-making. Meaning in work is supported by encouraging a protean career attitude and integrating CSR activities to align personal and professional values. Accomplishment is achieved through lean management principles and recognition programs that facilitate goal achievement and employee appreciation.

Originality/value

This is the first multigenerational study to include Gen Z, both blue- and white-collar workers and the PERMA model, offering a set of practices designed to improve Human Capital 4.0 retention. These practices target adaptation to both the digital paradigm and the multigenerational environment as well as addressing the phenomena of the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting.
Leading an Australian school towards an ecosystem for learning and flourishing
Authors: Hudson Christopher , Gurr David
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The aim of this study was to present a systems model of successful school leadership from a rural school case study, demonstrating how it connects to the weaving circle for systemic impact model. Doing so builds an awareness of how both complement each other to prompt thinking about schools as complex and adaptive systems that achieve broader school and student outcomes alongside students’ academic results.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a multiple-perspective mixed-method case study. Data were collected through interviews with the principal on three separate occasions, school leaders (n = 3), teachers (n = 4), students (n = 12), parents (n = 9), the school council president and a system leader. Interview data were supported by school observations, document analysis and a whole-staff teacher survey. The case study was part of the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP).

Findings

The authors found a symbiosis between the research of the ISSPP and the ecosystems for learning and flourishing approach, specifically through the weaving circle for systemic impact model. This suggests that future ISSPP research protocols could be modified to consider the weaving circle model and also provides a way for thinking about how the weaving circle model could be extended to better capture the complex world of leading schools successfully.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing literature on successful school leadership by engaging with understandings of leading schools as complex and adaptive systems.
Comparing disgust and sadness: examining the interaction of emotion and information in charity appeals
Authors: Kemp Deena
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to compare the use of disgust and sadness – two negative emotions associated with different appraisals and information processing styles – in charity social marketing appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment (n = 247) examined effects when disgust or sad imagery was used alone versus when images were accompanied by information about the cause.

Findings

OLS regression results show including information reduced empathy when participants were exposed to sad images, replicating prior research on sadness in charity marketing. No similar effect was observed for disgust-evoking images. Although disgust images alone reduced empathy compared to sad images alone, disgust images paired with information were just as effective as sad images alone and sad images accompanied by information. Empathy mediated the relationship between exposure to each type of appeal and donations – this relationship was negative for sad images but not for disgust images accompanied by information.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest the use of disgust may help to mitigate the loss of empathy that occurs when individuals engage in deliberative tasks, such as reading information about a cause. They also illustrate how the distinct properties of discrete emotions can be used strategically to influence social marketing outcomes.

Originality/value

Existing research has compared disgust-evoking images to appeals using neutral, mildly disgusting or positive emotional imagery. This study compares disgust to sadness, a negative emotion commonly used in charity marketing, and considers interaction effects with informational elements of the appeal.
College student entrepreneurs: individual differences, innovation-oriented behaviors and financial performance
Authors: Chen Su , Tan Xinyu , Shen Wenbin , Liu Rongzhi , Chen Yangui
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper examines the pre-factors of college students’ entrepreneurial behaviors and how their background characteristics affect corporate financial performance in high-tech businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

About 67 high-tech businesses in China focusing on technical innovation from the Guotai’an database are selected to carry out empirical analysis.

Findings

It is observed that the age, educational and professional backgrounds of college entrepreneurs profoundly influence their ventures geared toward high-tech innovation. Moreover, the transformation abilities, managerial proficiency and growth capabilities, which characterize these ventures, notably affect business performance. They further serve as a moderator in the relationship between the entrepreneurial backgrounds of college students and the overall business performance of their enterprises.

Originality/value

It insinuates novel strategic avenues for collegiate entrepreneurs’ entrepreneurial mindset and industrial positioning. Moreover, our findings will not only augment the practical research in the realm of collegiate entrepreneurship but also enhance the study of technological innovation theories, thereby offering further insight and guidance for collegiate entrepreneurs’ innovative endeavors and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Problem spaces: examining the sustainability of Hong Kong’s new sports cluster
Authors: Zuser Tobias
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the dynamics between Hong Kong’s domestic sporting needs and its regional aspirations as a “hub” for sport and culture, which have created challenges and contradictions for the optimal provision of relevant infrastructure. These have become particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when local restrictions have undermined Hong Kong’s appeal as an event destination and hindered access and utilization of venues. In recent years, policies in this area have mainly focused on the development of a new sports park on the former airport runway in Kai Tak, which has acquired additional significance in the city’s quest for post-pandemic economic recovery. Simultaneously, any noncommercial land use in Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, faces intense scrutiny over a perceived scarcity of space.

Design/methodology/approach

By drawing upon concepts from urban studies and policy studies, the paper explores a presumed preference for commodified sporting landscapes and provides an interdisciplinary approach to enhance the author’s understanding of sport policy and infrastructure. This is achieved through direct comparisons of two case studies, and by building on and expanding a multidimensional evaluative framework of sustainability that can avoid economic reductionism.

Findings

This paper finds that Hong Kong’s sport policy framework exhibits unbalanced consideration when it comes to the planning and development of relevant infrastructure.

Originality/value

By acknowledging the interrelatedness and similarity between sports and culture, the paper may further test the adaptability of cultural policy concepts for the analysis of Hong Kong’s sports policy. As such, it aims to bring the usually separated study of cultural and sport policy within a comparable framework.
Hearing the Silence and Silenced: Co‐Producing Research on Infant‐Feeding Experiences and Practices With Black Women With HIV
Authors: Kasadha Bakita , Tariq Shema , Namiba Angelina , Freeman‐Romilly Nell , Moepi Neo , Letting Gillian , Rai Tanvi
Published: January 2025

In the UK, up to 700 people with HIV give birth annually; the majority are Black African migrant cisgender women. Infant‐feeding decisions for parents with HIV are complex, requiring parents to weigh‐up the small risk of HIV transmission via breastmilk and UK guidelines recommending formula milk, against strong personal and societal expectations to breastfeed. We explored this situation in a qualitative study. In this paper, we discuss our experiences of co‐producing our research on infant‐feeding experiences and practices among women with HIV. In particular, we focus on how our methodology, working practices and team structure enabled us to hear and describe the ‘silences’ and ‘screaming silences’ faced by our socially marginalised study participants. For the participants, intense multidimensional anxieties regarding infant‐feeding had to be managed within a wider context and with people who were largely unaware of the potentially devastating impact that decision had on their reality. Our interdisciplinary study team and advisory panel comprised women with HIV, clinicians, policymakers and academics; the majority were racially minoritised women. Through regular team meetings, respect for the varied perspectives of all contributors and diverse dissemination routes, we sustained relational ethics with a broad range of stakeholders and impacted national policy.
The Political Sociology of NICE: Investigating Pharmaceutical Cost‐Effectiveness Regulation in the UK
Authors: Abraham John , Balendran Gowree
Published: January 2025

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was established a quarter of a century ago in 1999 to regulate the cost‐effectiveness of pharmaceuticals (and other health technologies) for the NHS. Drawing on medical sociology theories of corporate bias, neoliberalism, pluralism/polycentricity and regulatory capture, the purpose of this article is to examine the applicability of those theories to NICE as a key regulatory agency in the UK health system. Based on approximately 7 years of documentary research, interviews with expert informants and observations of NICE‐related meetings, this paper focuses particularly on NICE's relationship with the interests of the pharmaceutical industry compared with other stakeholder interests at the meso‐organisational level. Consideration of the interaction between the UK Government and the pharmaceutical industry in relation to NICE is presented together with the analysis of revolving doors and conflicts of interest of NICE experts/advisors. The nature of policy changes over time (e.g. accelerated assessment pathways and industry fees for regulatory appraisals) and how they relate to the relevant stakeholder interests is also investigated. It is concluded that NICE is largely characterised by neoliberal corporate bias, though some elements of its organisation are also consistent with theories of capture, pluralism and polycentricity.