The pursuit of sustainable funding for higher education is fundamentally impeded. Research is divided between detailed fiscal evaluations and broad governance studies, lacking a cohesive theory that elucidates how systemic structures influence financial resilience or susceptibility. This study utilises a Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) to analyse the fragmented literature and provide a new theoretical framework that elucidates financing sustainability as a dynamic result of structural configurations. An iterative, purposeful study of 92 important sources (2000-2024) was conducted in accordance with known CIS methodology. The analysis transitioned from descriptive themes to explanatory theory through reciprocal translation, refutational synthesis, and lines-of-argument reasoning. The synthesis indicates that sustainability is regulated by three interconnected structural domains: (1) the Regulatory-Institutional (formal autonomy); (2) the Socio-Economic (resource diversification logics); and (3) the Temporal-Political (policy stability). The key discovery is that resilience arises from configurational coherence - a synergistic alignment among these domains. Conversely, vulnerability arises from structural dissonance, when misaligned domains establish path dependencies and detrimental incentives, ensnaring systems in persistent fiscal distress. This study presents the Structural Coherence for Sustainability (SCS) Framework. It reconceptualises sustainability from a financial status to a structural accomplishment, produced by intentionally coordinated policy-institutional ecosystems. The framework offers a diagnostic instrument for policymakers and establishes a novel agenda for configurational research in higher education finance.

To describe and understand relationships between paediatricians and industry in Colombia. Mixed methods study composed of three phases: quantitative (cross-sectional study, e-survey to paediatricians) describing interaction patterns and evaluating the factors that explain the perceived need for industry visits to health services and their influence through multivariate analyses; qualitative (grounded theory study, semistructured interviews) to create an explanatory theory; and an integrative phase (mixed methods explanatory study). We surveyed 218 paediatricians (mean age, 45.2 years), nearly all of whom interacted with industry monthly, mainly with the commercial milk- formula industry (CMFI). Sponsored trips to attend conferences and not having teaching activities were associated with a perception of the potential effects of the trips on prescribing practices. Moreover, being sponsored for an international trip was associated with the perception of indispensability of industry visits for maintaining continuing medical education (CME). In the qualitative phase, four phenomena emerged; two related to the quantitative findings: 'Paediatrician's dependence on industry for CME', and 'Colombian health context facilitates a closer relationship between paediatricians and industry'. Two emerged as explaining factors: 'Normalisation of paediatrician-industry interaction' and 'Paediatrician's prescriptive power: mediator between their conflict of interest with industry and patients'. The integration showed how the qualitative phase explained the quantitative findings. Most paediatricians frequently interact with industry, mainly with the CMFI, and this is perceived as necessary for CME. The normalisation of the paediatrician-industry interaction leads to the underestimation and invisibility of its effects, which fosters the notion of its necessity for the paediatric field.

Scholars have long explored how families influence childhood and adolescent outcomes. A large body of work suggests that children in families with a greater number of siblings are more likely to engage in delinquency. There remains, however, little empirical work testing the mediating mechanisms that might account for any observed relationship between family size and delinquency. To address this gap, we test theoretical explanations of the relationship between family size and delinquency using causal mediation analysis with a nationally representative sample of youth from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. The analyses provide mixed support for theoretical explanations of the family size-delinquency relationship. We discuss the findings and their implications for theory, research, and policy.

Violence is preventable, and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals set out violence prevention as a global priority-calling for countries to halve their violent death rates by 2030. Despite action since then, there has been limited progress in reducing violence globally. In this essay, we argue that current violence prevention efforts are being heavily shaped by reductionism-the now-dominant research paradigm across the sciences. We make the case that this reductionist philosophy has prematurely misguided violence research away from studying populations as a whole. We further argue that the mainstream statistical methods in violence research are reinforcing this reductionist bias by oversimplifying cause-effect relationships. After revisiting foundational principles in sociology and public health, and drawing on advances in social epidemiology and complexity science, we suggest that violence-at any level-is better understood as an emergent property of a complex system. We call on the field of violence research to return to a holistic lens to maximize gains in explanatory theory and better position the evidence to directly inform effective intervention strategies for reducing violence at scale. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print February 12, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308366).

Accounting has faced numerous challenges throughout its evolution, including resistance to standardization, gaps between theory and practice, and the need to adapt to rapidly changing technological environments. Understanding the historical development of accounting and contemporary transformations is essential for appreciating the profession's role in modern business. This literature review traces accounting's evolution through its various stages of development, examines the foundational debates about its origins, and analyzes the revolutionary changes currently reshaping the profession in the digital era. The review further explores the current dual revolution reshaping accounting: the global harmonization of financial and ESG reporting standards alongside technological disruptions driven by artificial intelligence, blockchain, and real-time data analytics. These forces are transforming accounting activities from manual processes to data-centric advisory roles, creating new skill demands and regulatory challenges. The integration of explanatory theories such as agency, legitimacy, stakeholder, and institutional theory provides a robust framework for understanding both historic developments and contemporary shifts. The review concludes with recommendations for education, professional practice, and standard-setting to address emerging complexities and ensure accounting’s continued relevance in a digital, globalized economy.

ObjectiveMuch has been theorized and documented about factors involved in alcohol use disorder (AUD) relapse during the early months following a recovery attempt where biobehavioral classical conditioning (“cues/triggers”) and neurophysiological explanatory theories predominate. Little has been documented, however, about long-term relapse (LTR) factors following sustained AUD remission where self-regulation and stress and coping theories may predominate because LTR precursors are centered less around neurophysiological dysregulation and cue reactivity and more around factors such as lowered recovery vigilance, avoidant coping, or changes in recovery-support services (RSS) usage. Greater knowledge of factors involved in LTR could sensitize and empower clinicians to deliver more effective disease management protocols to monitor and intervene upon such risks prior to AUD recurrence.MethodsCross-sectional, retrospective study of individuals in recovery from primary AUD (N = 50; 44% Female; 50% White) who had experienced LTR within the past 5 years following at least 1 year of remission (M years remitted prior to relapse = 3.6; range = 1–23) and assessed for any change in bio-psycho-social domains or RSS usage during the year prior to LTR, along with their attributions of factors' contribution to relapse (risk “potency”; i.e., didn't contribute, possibly, probably, or definitely, contributed). Research questions focused on the year preceding the LTR assessing: (1) prevalence and nature of the bio-psycho-social and RSS use changes and degree of attributed LTR risk potency; (2) number and type of definitely-contributing relapse factors within participants; (3) dynamic temporal onset and nature of high-risk LTR precipitants; (4) single most influential LTR risk factor.ResultsSeveral bio-psycho-social and RSS changes occurred during the year preceding LTR varying in prevalence and potency. Some were prevalent, but not potent, in terms of definitely contributing to LTR (e.g., sleep, energy); others occurred infrequently, but were potent (e.g., physical pain, recreational drug use); others were both highly prevalent and highly potent (e.g., change in recovery vigilance). Within participants, median number of definitely contributing LTR factors = 4, covering 2 different domains, on average. Temporal accumulation of LTR risks tended to intensify toward the relapse horizon over the preceding year. The single most important relapse factor tended to cluster in psychological (e.g., recovery vigilance, mental health) and social domains.ConclusionsFindings have implications for long-term disease management during AUD recovery providing a set of potential preliminary markers and mechanisms that might be assessed, monitored, and, when necessary, intervened upon prior to the onset of heavy symptomatic alcohol use to prevent AUD recurrence.

The focus of this research is to basically describe and discover the concept of Islamic boarding school management based on the development of facilities and infrastructure in the management of thejauharul Falah Al-Islami Islamic boarding school in Sungai Terap Kumpeh Ulu Muaro Jambi. A significant problem is that no guidelines have been created to regulate the implementation of programs related to Islamic boarding school facilities and infrastructure. The descriptive-analytical approach in this research took three phases, namely: explanation of theory, description of facts in the field, analysis of the suitability between theory and practice. Data collection techniques use observation, interviews and documentation. Data analysis uses the Miles and Huberman model and data validity techniques use data triangulation. The research found that the development of facilities and infrastructure in the management of the Jauharul Falah Al-Islami Islamic Boarding School in Sungai Terap Kumpeh Ulu Muaro Jambi, starting from planning as the initial foundation and as an important point in determining the success or failure of a program, organization, implementation and supervision as a support for planning has not optimally followed modern management principles. This can be seen from the fact that there are no planning documents that are factually easy to access. The results of this research are the impact of the development of facilities and infrastructure on the quality of Islamic boarding school management, improvements and additions to facilities increase learning comfort, learning effectiveness, administrative efficiency, as well as the positive image of Islamic boarding schools in the eyes of the community, which has an impact on increasing the number of new student registrants.

El presente ensayo crítico analiza las conceptualizaciones que se han realizado sobre el trabajo en la vejez entre 2000 y 2025, desde la visión occidental. Ante el surgimiento de nuevas relaciones laborales en este mundo globalizado, se vuelve imperante, ajustar o construir definiciones conceptuales del trabajo que permitan visualizar de manera integral sus implicaciones en las personas mayores. El objetivo de este ensayo fue argumentar cómo la conceptualización unidimensional del trabajo disminuye la capacidad de explicar las nuevas dinámicas en el trabajo de personas mayores. En cuanto a la metodología utilizada, esta investigación siguió el esquema de ensayo crítico, utilizando una lógica inductiva, partiendo de lo particular a lo general, bajo el modelo argumentativo de Toulmin. Se halló que las conceptualizaciones sobre el trabajo en la vejez se han concentrado en los niveles micro y macrosocial. A nivel microsocial se identificaron los conceptos de envejecimiento productivo, identidad laboral, terapia ocupacional y adicción al trabajo (workaholism). Estos conceptos están relacionados con experiencias, transiciones de roles, ventajas y desventajas que perciben las personas mayores trabajadoras. En el nivel macrosocial se encontraron los conceptos de trabajo no clásico, trabajo decente y división sexual del trabajo, los cuales reconocen la influencia de los aspectos económicos, políticos y culturales en las relaciones laborales en la vejez. En conclusión, las conceptualizaciones que se han construido hasta el momento todavía no logran consolidar una teoría explicativa que permita establecer una definición del trabajo en la vejez.

Abstract This paper introduces the physics and philosophy of strange metals, which are characterized by unusual electrical and thermal properties that deviate from conventional metallic behaviour. The anomalous strange-metal behaviour discussed here appears in the normal state of a copper-oxide high-temperature superconductor, and it cannot be described using standard condensed-matter physics. Currently, it can only be described through a holographic dual, viz. a four-dimensional black hole in anti-de Sitter spacetime. This paper first introduces the theory of, and specific experiments carried out on, strange metals. Then it discusses a number of philosophical questions that strange metals open up regarding the experimental evidence for holography and its realist interpretation. Strange metals invert the explanatory arrows, in that usual holographic arguments are seen as giving explanations of the bulk quantum-gravity theory from the boundary. By contrast, the aim here is, by using holography, to explain the experimentally discovered and anomalous properties of strange metals.

Abstract The affective dimensions of education policy enactment have often received less attention in the research literature, especially regarding teacher education policy. This article reports on a study of the affective responses of university‐based teacher educators in England to the significant initial teacher education reforms of 2019–2022: the Core Content Framework and the Market Review, and the associated inspection regime. Using data from focus group discussions with 42 university‐based teacher educators across England, and drawing on affect theory (particularly from Moore) and Foucauldian explanations of power, we show how the fear of the material impact of executive or ‘sovereign’ power and the psychic fear associated with the teacher educators' sense of loss, as well as anger and disgust about the policy processes and the individuals associated with it, intersected to produce a dominant form of administrative compliance with the policies while leaving open or actively creating opportunities for forms of resistance to disciplinary power. While documenting the affective dimensions of an internationally significant education reform, the article also contributes to our understanding of the affective production and co‐existence of compliance and resistance in the enactment of policy.

Objectives Concealment, in any form, can have a lasting negative impact on the health of individuals. This study draws on participant concealment experiences from a study on lifetime health experiences of older lesbians and gay men in the UK. Method Constructivist grounded theory was used to develop a substantive theory that explains the impact of concealing and revealing on the lives of eighteen participants, nine women and nine men (age range of 50-86) in the UK. Results Almost from the time of realising that they were ‘different’ the need to conceal was significant. This manifested the process of ‘masking’, as a protective measure and the need to fit in with society. As a result of these experiences scarring occurred that was primarily psychological. ‘Coming out’ was a major step and involved ‘selective revealing’, which was interwoven with the experience of living in a supportive community, whilst also coming to terms with oneself, and for some, becoming an activist. Conclusion Findings highlight the consequences of concealment while pointing to the transformative potential of affirming environments. This research extends understanding of the lived realities of older lesbian and gay individuals, emphasising both the impact of societal oppression and the resilience required to navigate it.

Contemporary fiction has long been a platform for the popularization of various ideological programs and movements, including transhumanism. A number of transhumanist writers, who have made their careers by artistically embodying the ideas of virtual reality, the digital universe, AI, and the Human Enhancement project, have firmly established themselves as successors to futuristic, science-fictional, and critical literature. Among these authors, Australian writer D. Broderick, who has published novels as well as short stories, is particularly notable for his combination of science fiction with a specific interpretation of psi phenomena (parapsychologi-cal literature). For example, while contemporary bestselling author Dan Brown is known for his mastery of combining art history and religious material into a quirky detective novel, Damien Broderick delves into com-plex, cutting-edge natural science research and esoteric theories of the existence of the Universe and humani-ty. His method combines fragments of scientific texts (a deep dive into the specific explanations of physical and mathematical theories of the origin of the Universe) with esoteric theories, numerology, and occult elements characteristic of many transhumanist gurus. This paper examines the parapsychological aspects of transhu-manism using as a study material Broderick’s novel Godplayers, which has received high praise of the adher-ents of this movement.

ABSTRACT Group singing is a joyous communal activity that enhances participants’ well-being. While research highlights its positive impacts, little is known about those who facilitate these groups or the social processes of group singing facilitation. Contemporary reviews of community music literature call for more research into the facilitation role to better support community singing groups. This Australian study explored the process of group singing facilitation and developed an explanatory theory grounded in the experiences and practices of facilitators. A grounded theory design was used, underpinned by relativist ontological and interpretivist epistemological positions. Feminist research values informed the design, emphasising the need to listen to the diverse and underrepresented voices of group singing facilitators. Data were gathered through thirty semi-structured interviews and a participatory singing and data generation workshop. Established grounded theory methods were integrated with singing and song to formulate a theory grounded in the data. The resulting theory, Creating Song Magic, comprises four categories: advocating, curating, welcoming and sustaining harmonious expression, and transforming communities. The theory is conceptualised as a salutogenic process supporting community health with the potential to support the sustainability of singing groups in community settings and the growing number of health programs that incorporate group singing.

ABSTRACT The complexity of leisure is reflected in the plurality of concepts and models derived from various academic disciplines. Despite the growing interest in leisure within occupational science, some assumptions need to be revisited to overcome dichotomous and individualistic analyses focused on supposedly free and pleasurable time. This study aimed to analyse youth participation in battle rapping in a Brazilian capital and, based on empirical findings, proposes an explanatory theory of the leisure experience and the willingness to participate. The methodology employed is constructivist grounded theory. Data were collected through participant observation, which encompassed two rap battles led by young people and individual territorial follow-up involving three young MCs. The analysis used initial, focused, and axial coding. The categories generated relate to participation and include racism and institutional support, as well as playfulness and sociability within the leisure experience. The discussion explores how racism generates a series of violent acts, deprivation, social vulnerability, weakening of societal bonds, and barriers to participation for poor Black youth. At the same time, it fosters alternative practices of sociability, identity affirmation, learning, and the struggle for recognition. Leisure is conceptualised as a holistic occupational experience, whose meanings emerge from the intersection of occupations related to work, education, community interaction, urban mobility, and public safety. The core leisure experience is identified as playfulness, which is associated with self-expression, use of the territory, play/rite, and sociability.

Globally, tuberculosis incidence and mortality is driven by syndemic interactions of tuberculosis with other chronic conditions including HIV, diabetes and undernutrition in a deleterious social and structural context, often characterised by poverty. Systematic screening for tuberculosis among household contacts is a core element of the WHO tuberculosis strategy but is hampered in high-tuberculosis incidence settings by health system constraints and low participation by household members of people with tuberculosis. Reframing screening as a health check, informed by the syndemic framework, could improve uptake and address proximate determinants of tuberculosis. Within a larger research study aimed at evaluating new tuberculosis diagnostic tests we developed and, using mixed methods, evaluated an integrated health check in a prospective cohort of tuberculosis household contacts in Zimbabwe. This included screening for a range of health conditions, health education and counselling, and on-site treatment or referral. Of 836 identified household contacts, 700 (84%) participated in tuberculosis screening. Of those, 467 people (67% women, median age 28 years) were invited to the health check; all participated in the intervention. One percent (n = 5/459) were diagnosed with tuberculosis. Almost two thirds (n = 288) had at least one unmet health need (either undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, HIV, anaemia, undernutrition, common mental health disorders, vision impairment, or tuberculosis). Of those referred following the health check, 66% accessed care for at least one condition, with variation across conditions. In-depth interviews with participants (n = 28), informed development of a refined explanatory theory, illustrating the benefits of a syndemic theory-based approach to tuberculosis screening for household contacts. Members of tuberculosis affected households have multiple, intersecting and unmet health needs. A holistic approach to systematic screening of household contacts guided by the syndemic framework could improve the health of these vulnerable people, advancing progress towards both tuberculosis and sustainable development goals.

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer remains highly fatal, often diagnosed late with poor prognoses and worse psychological quality of life compared to other cancers. Globally, it is the twelfth most common cancer but the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with actual 5-year survival rates below 5%. Northern Ireland’s outcomes are among the worst, yet research on people’s experiences across the illness trajectory is scarce. Consequently, the unique needs of people with pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. It is crucial we develop deeper understanding of the entire pancreatic cancer journey to address this. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Northern Ireland and generate a theory that explains their journeys, from pre-diagnosis through to survivorship or end of life. Methods: This study will adopt a grounded theory approach, incorporating multiple qualitative data generation methods: semi-structured interviews with patients and care partners, and focus groups with professionals. An optional photovoice (participatory photography) method will be offered to participants. Theoretical sampling principles and constant comparative analysis will guide recruitment, data collection, and analysis to ensure the explanatory theory is rooted in participants’ lived experiences. Conclusions: Establishing a holistic, in-depth understanding of people’s pancreatic cancer journeys will enable us to better comprehend, anticipate, and meet their needs. A theory grounded in empirical data about lived experiences can inform priorities for future care, support services, policy, and research, and contribute to the development of support interventions that help people to maintain the best possible quality of life, whether during a short-term, terminal illness; treatment journey; long-term symptom management; or survivorship.

The principle of legality in the context of the environment emphasizes that no environmental crime can be punished if it is not regulated in the applicable laws and regulations. This principle provides legal certainty for perpetrators of environmental crimes and provides clear boundaries regarding actions that are permitted and prohibited. The criminal provisions in Law No. 32 of 2009 explicitly regulate and limit an act that is categorized as an environmental crime. These provisions are the implementation of the principle of legality that is applied strictly. Law enforcement is necessary to create order in society. According to Mertokusumo, law enforcement means how the law must be implemented so that in enforcing the law, the elements of legal certainty, benefit, and justice must be considered. Criminal environmental law enforcement is based on the principle of legality, both in material and formal aspects. Criminal environmental law enforcement activities are only valid if the material substance is based on environmental articles, most of which are scattered outside the Criminal Code, and enforcement activities are carried out in accordance with Law No. 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Law and guided by the Decree of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Indonesia No. M.01.PW.07.03 of 1982 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of the Criminal Procedure Code. This scientific research used the normative legal research method based on written regulations and other literature that examines aspects of theory, structure, and legal explanations related to this research. It adopted a statutory approach and data were collected using a literature study. Criminal provisions in Law No. 32 of 2009 explicitly regulate and limit an act that is categorized as an environmental crime. These provisions are the implementation of the principle of legality that is strictly applied. Outside of these provisions, it is not a crime. Although the impacts caused can damage, pollute, or cause harm to the environment. This condition is very susceptible to being misinterpreted and becomes a legal loophole for perpetrators to avoid the criminal law enforcement process. Therefore, it is necessary to know the essence of the principle of legality in Indonesian criminal law and its application to the enforcement of environmental criminal law.

India and its culture is famous for various rituals and customs, that at times are meaningful and not. Religiously followed and practised by the respective congregations from a very long time a lot of ritualistic crimes are committed in the name of spirituality and religion. Thalaikoothal, an unknown Indian senicide which has been particularly visible in the state of Tamil Nadu, but maybe prevalent in other states of India under different names.An unspeakable and hidden crime that is being committed without any hesitation unnoticed. This paper gives an overall review of Thalaikoothal reports, method of the crime, and a brief explanation of theories related to the crime pattern. Conclusively gives a few recommendations to curb the illegal activity that is ongoing in villages.

ABSTRACT This article provides an alternative avenue for guiding research on the exploration of the connection between childhood maltreatment and adult spirituality. Grounded theory, a qualitative and inductive methodology which relies on rich participant narratives, would allow researchers to map how survivors describe spiritual ruptures and repairs across the lifespan. Prior research and anecdotal clinical observation suggest that there are negative impacts of childhood maltreatment to spirituality in adulthood. Researchers typically draw from attachment theory to interpret data on spirituality in adults with childhood maltreatment histories. The dominance of attachment theory as an explanatory theory for a connection between spirituality and childhood maltreatment creates multiple problems, including: (1) model ambiguity in regard to conscious and subconscious process; (2) limited comparability between insecure attachment and childhood maltreatment; (3) lack of participant direction to organize findings; and (4) attachment theory’s focus on primary caregivers that overlooks other perpetrators. The current article outlines these limitations as they relate to the connection between childhood maltreatment and adult spirituality and demonstrates how a grounded theory approach with more attention to perpetrator characteristics could create a deeper, survivor-informed understanding of the topic area.

ABSTRACT Educational mobile game applications can effectively support learning by offering engaging ways to present difficult concepts. This is especially beneficial for teaching secondary school Geometry, which many students find challenging. This paper introduces Pythagorean Academy , a mobile app aligned with the Greek junior high school curriculum. The app not only tests students' understanding but also provides corrective feedback and theory explanations—features uncommon in educational apps. It also accommodates students with visual impairments and learning disabilities, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, through tailored visuals and audio support. Incorporating gamification elements, the app boosts motivation and promotes autonomous learning, making Geometry more accessible and enjoyable. Statistical methods, including the Mann–Whitney U ‐test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test, evaluate the app's effectiveness. This study demonstrates how integrating Geometry concepts into a gaming framework can leverage modern technology to improve Geometry education.