Research Paths Research Articles

Entertainment interspersed with propaganda: how non-legacy-news accounts deliver explicitly political content to mass audiences on Russia’s most popular social network VK

ABSTRACT Previous research on political communication on Russia's most popular social network VK has concluded that most users avoid news by not following legacy-news accounts. In this study, we expand the universe of scrutinized accounts with the most-followed non-legacy-news accounts (>100,000 followers) that regularly publish what we theorize to be ‘explicitly political content’ (EPC; N = 355). We delineate a typology of six types of EPC accounts, calculate their aggregate follower counts, and determine how many of them were still (1) accessible from Russia and (2) publishing Kremlin-critical content in October 2022. Our findings indicate that non-critical accounts attracted 26 times more followers than Kremlin-critical accounts. Entertainment-focused EPC accounts had seven times more followers than legacy-news accounts. As a result, they became the primary means through which non-critical EPC reached news-avoidant mass audiences. We identify three dimensions through which autocrats can interweave propaganda and entertainment and highlight promising research paths.

Responsible Leadership - Knowledge Status and Future Research Agenda

The present review article deals with the highly relevant and rich research field of responsible leadership (RL). It summarizes existing literature using a wide scope of 96 peer-reviewed journal articles and subsequently provides recommendations for future research paths. The current state of knowledge is depicted in relation to five knowledge areas: In the first area, the conceptualisation of RL, works addressing fundamental views on RL, the development of frameworks and the application of specific philosophies or theories are introduced. In the second area, the operationalisation of RL, results of studies dealing with the development of measurement instruments or applying quantitative empirical study designs in order to test specific research questions are presented. The third area, RL antecedents, covers the depiction of empirically investigated antecedent variables pertaining to either a personal or a contextual level. In the fourth area, RL consequences, empirically examined impacts of RL at a micro, meso and macro level are summarised and further works dealing with effects of RL on relationships between other variables discussed. Finally, the fifth area of RL promotion presents works that are empirically testing RL development interventions that take place either in the context of higher education or work. Derived potential lines of research relate to these five areas of knowledge and address identified research gaps of content-related, empirical and methodological nature.

Systematic Review on Additive Friction Stir Deposition: Materials, Processes, Monitoring and Modelling

Emerging solid-state additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have recently garnered significant interest because they can prevent the defects that other metal AM processes may have due to sintering or melting. Additive friction stir deposition (AFSD), also known as MELD, is a solid-state AM technology that utilises bar feedstocks as the input material and frictional–deformational heat as the energy source. AFSD offers high deposition rates and is a promising technique for achieving defect-free material properties like wrought aluminium, magnesium, steel, and titanium alloys. While it offers benefits in terms of productivity and material properties, its low technology readiness level prevents widespread adoption. Academics and engineers are conducting research across various subfields to better understand the process parameters, material properties, process monitoring, and modelling of the AFSD technology. Yet, it is also crucial to compile and compare the research findings from past studies on this new technology to gain a comprehensive understanding and pinpoint future research paths. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of AFSD focusing on process parameters, material properties, monitoring, and modelling. In addition to examining data from existing studies, this paper identifies areas where research is lacking and suggests paths for future research efforts.

Questioning educational contexts, promoting equitable actions: reflections on some paths of practice and research with complex instruction in Italy

ABSTRACT Within the framework of comparative education studies, this article discusses the process of borrowing and implementing Complex Instruction (CI) in Europe, focusing on three different multicultural and heterogeneous educational contexts in Italy: five primary schools, a Master academic teaching course, and a first literacy course for migrant adults. The paper explores the potential of CI for intercultural education and active citizenship. It aims to highlight how this cooperative approach can be an opportunity to question the usual school norms and habits and challenge what is taken for granted in the relationship with diversity, by transforming teaching into a creative and emancipatory experience in dialogue with diverse students.

Autonomous Intelligent Monitoring of Photovoltaic Systems: An In‐Depth Multidisciplinary Review

ABSTRACTThis study presents a comprehensive multidisciplinary review of autonomous monitoring and analysis of large‐scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants using enabling technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), internet of things (IoT), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and big data analytics (BDA), aiming to automate the entire condition monitoring procedures of PV systems. Autonomous monitoring and analysis is a novel concept for integrating various techniques, devices, systems, and platforms to further enhance the accuracy of PV monitoring, thereby improving the performance, reliability, and service life of PV systems. This review article covers current trends, recent research paths and developments, and future perspectives of autonomous monitoring and analysis for PV power plants. Additionally, this study identifies the main barriers and research routes for the autonomous and smart condition monitoring of PV systems, to address the current and future challenges of enabling the PV terawatt (TW) transition. The holistic review of the literature shows that the field of autonomous monitoring and analysis of PV plants is rapidly growing and is capable to significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of PV systems. It can also have significant benefits for PV plant operators and maintenance staff, such as reducing the downtime and the need for human operators in maintenance tasks, as well as increasing the generated energy.

Integrating Vision: From Neuroscience to Artificial Intelligence

Abstract. This review article explores the complex interplay between neuroscience and artificial intelligence, focusing on vision processing and its applications. It starts by outlining the biological basis of vision, delving into how visual information is processed and encoded in the brain. The discussion then transitions to artificial intelligence, particularly machine vision, highlighting the advancements and technologies that mimic biological processes. A critical analysis compares how visual information is utilized in both biological organisms and artificial systems, with an emphasis on cognitive functions and neural encoding. The challenges of integrating vision across various sensory modalities are examined, underscoring the technological and cognitive limitations currently faced. The review culminates by identifying potential research paths aimed at closing the gap between neuroscience and AI. This involves enhancing the understanding and functionality of vision in multisensory contexts, striving to foster a more comprehensive approach to artificial intelligence that mirrors the complexity of human perception.

The sustainable challenge: Where does social psychology stand in achieving the sustainable development goals?

The United Nations Agenda 2030, inclusive of its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), serves as the global blueprint for sustainability for both present and future generations. Scientific research is entrusted with the responsibility of contributing by informing the current situation and future challenges in achieving the SDGs. This paper investigates the role of social psychology in contributing to the SDGs and the environmental, economic and social pillars of the UN Agenda. We analysed 4808 papers using Natural Language Processing to identify (i) the relevance of social psychology within the SDG-related literature and (ii) the current and potential contribution of social psychology to the SDGs. Results highlight that social psychology contributes to the SDGs by addressing typical social issues, primarily those related to health and gender, while noting its under-representation in some environmental and economic areas, despite social psychology well-established research on these topics. This paper introduces a novel approach for assessing the SDGs, fostering a critical reflection on the SDG framework and social psychology to guide less explored research paths. This approach could potentially enhance the evaluation and advancement of the 2030 Agenda, facilitating a deeper dialogue between the scientific community and policymakers, driving social change.

A Machine Learning Framework for Classroom EEG Recording Classification: Unveiling Learning-Style Patterns

Classroom EEG recordings classification has the capacity to significantly enhance comprehension and learning by revealing complex neural patterns linked to various cognitive processes. Electroencephalography (EEG) in academic settings allows researchers to study brain activity while students are in class, revealing learning preferences. The purpose of this study was to develop a machine learning framework to automatically classify different learning-style EEG patterns in real classroom environments. Method: In this study, a set of EEG features was investigated, including statistical features, fractal dimension, higher-order spectra, entropy, and a combination of all sets. Three different machine learning classifiers, random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and multilayer perceptron (MLP), were used to evaluate the performance. The proposed framework was evaluated on the real classroom EEG dataset, involving EEG recordings featuring different teaching blocks: reading, discussion, lecture, and video. Results: The findings revealed that statistical features are the most sensitive feature metric in distinguishing learning patterns from EEG. The statistical features and RF classifier method tested in this study achieved an overall best average accuracy of 78.45% when estimated by fivefold cross-validation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that EEG time domain statistics have a substantial role and are more reliable for internal state classification. This study might be used to highlight the importance of using EEG signals in the education context, opening the path for educational automation research and development.

Physics Models and Machine Learning in Molecular Dynamics

Abstract. Tackling the complexity of particle interactions, this investigation introduces a unified computational methodology employing Moldy, Gnuplot, and Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD). Inspired by the n-body problem's persistent intrigue, specifically the three-body dynamics within molecular systems, we leverage Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to forecast and scrutinize the nuanced behavior of atomic and molecular entities. Moldy, a flexible MD software, facilitated the simulation of particle trajectories and interactions across diverse scenarios, with meticulous documentation of the resulting data. For visual analytics and insight extraction, Gnuplot crafted detailed plots depicting kinetic and potential energies alongside other thermodynamic metrics over temporal scales. The integration of VMD culminated in our analysis by vividly portraying the molecular motions, enhancing comprehension of emergent patterns. This study not only endorses Moldy's precision in MD simulations but also highlights the potent alliance among simulation, analysis, and visualization in elucidating intricate particle interactions. In summary, our work underscores the efficacy of the Moldy-Gnuplot-VMD triad as a formidable resource for scientists engaged in molecular motion prediction and analysis, paving fresh paths in computational physics and chemistry research.

Post-Bruner Reflections on the Human Mind

AbstractAfter a short presentation of some key aspects of Jerome Bruner’s theories of the mind, this paper aims to assess his thinking on the mind in light of a broader context. This is done from three different angles: (1) By focusing on Roman Jakobson’s theories about language, which Bruner refers to. (2) By bringing in some post-structuralist perspectives that problematize narratives and logocentric entrenchments in scientific thinking. (3) By analyzing the eighteenth-century German discussion among Christian Wolff, Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten and Immanuel Kant about the role of metaphysics in their understanding of psychology. The findings indicate that Roman Jakobson, with his poetic understanding of language, may point to a valid path for future research on the mind. Moreover, Jakobson’s understanding is also compatible with Baumgarten’s use of poetic aspects. Both manage to subvert the logocentric aspect of humans’ use of language and by this demonstrate how metacognition has to be understood through esthetic functions that go beyond a logocentric use of language. The Wolffian emphasis on mathematics and logic in Wolff’s understanding of psychology is comparable with many of the premises for the cognitive revolution in the 1950s. The Kantian focus on concepts and rule-governed understanding also points in this direction. Bruner seems to ignore the historical background for discussions of psychology in the twentieth century, and because of this has problems moving beyond the logocentric premises that govern most of the cognitive sciences.

A Systematic Literature Review on Knowledge Management in Healthcare: Best Practices and Future Directions

The role of knowledge management (KM) in improving the standard and effectiveness of healthcare is gaining more attention. However, because of the complexity and the sensitive nature of medical information, the use of knowledge management approaches in this industry faces unique challenges. In order to identify best practices, summarize current research on knowledge management (KM) in healthcare, and suggest future research paths, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. A detailed search was carried out across many important databases, including PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore and Web of Science, in order to gather the relevant studies for the review. The review focused on studies published between 2010 and 2024 that specifically addressed KM practices within healthcare settings and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The review found 50 papers that satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Significant findings illustrate how important organizational culture, leadership backing, and technology infrastructure are, to the effective use of knowledge management. Some of the most significant techniques in Knowledge Management that are emphasized are creating communities of practice, fusing KM systems with medical guidelines, and employing data analytics for knowledge creation. On the other side, challenges include hesitation to change and interoperability issues

The relative contributions of genetic and non‐genetic factors to the risk of neuroblastoma

ABSTRACTPrevious literature has well‐established genetic factors as being associated with neuroblastoma (NB). About 1%–2% of NB cases are familial, with 85% of these cases predisposed to mutations in the PHOX2B and ALK genes. The genetic basis of sporadic NB has been studied through genome‐wide association studies and next‐generation sequencing approaches. Particularly, germline variants, as well as copy number variations, confer increased risks of NB, often with effect estimates ≥1.5, underscoring the strong genetic contributions to NB. However, the strength of the association varied in non‐genetic factors. Some risk factors, such as birth defects, maternal illicit drug use, and early infections, had relatively stronger associations (effect estimates ≥1.5 or ≤0.67), while some other factors remain inconclusive. This suggests that certain non‐genetic factors may play a more prominent role in NB risk, while further research is needed to clarify the impact of others. We synthesized and critically evaluated existing literature on the risk factors of NB to provide an overview, analyze the current state of knowledge, and outline a research path to address the relative contributions of genetic and non‐genetic factors in NB. Future epidemiologic studies should incorporate novel methods for measuring genetic and non‐genetic factors to comprehensively assess the full extent of factors contributing to NB. Furthermore, the utilization of dried blood spots holds promise to overcome technical and recruitment challenges for future studies. These strategies will contribute to a more holistic understanding of NB etiology and potentially lead to improved prevention strategies.

<i>Da la scheggia rotta usciva insieme parole e sangue:</i> an unusual case of bleeding and the metaphor of a clinical trial

In the Canto XIII of the Inferno, in the forest of suicides, Dante and Virgil encounter a damned soul who, though not revealing his name, is easily identifiable as Pier delle Vigne, a notary and right-hand man of the emperor Frederick II in Palermo. Among other achievements, Pier delle Vigne signed the Constitutions of Melfi and, in 1224, the founding act of the University of Naples. Later, due to court intrigues, he fell out of favor with the emperor and committed suicide. The suicides in Hell have lost their bodies, transformed into trees or bushes (“men we were, and now we are stumps”). The report of Dante, Virgil and Pier delle Vigne’s encounter follows a sequence that, more than 700 years earlier, mirrors the general path of modern scientific research, in particular of clinical trials: from the observation of an unusual episode of bleeding (a tree that speaks and from which words and blood flow together), to the formulation of a hypothesis, from the mentor-student relationship to the experiment without informed consent, from empathy with the patient to the definition of autoimmunity and inflammation, and finally to the publication of the case.

Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on Youth Digital Well-Being Research: Identifying Notable Developments, Persistent Gaps, and Future Directions

The purpose of this paper is to provide a broad, multi-disciplinary overview of key insights, persistent gaps, and future paths in youth digital well-being research from the perspectives of researchers who are conducting this work. Participants included 38 researchers representing diverse disciplinary fields from universities and research institutes spanning 12 countries. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 researchers via Zoom and hosted a two-day virtual convening with 26 researchers, 13 of whom had participated in the interviews. We employed reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the interview and convening data. Our analysis surfaced three notable developments in youth digital well-being research: (1) greater nuance in measures of young people’s social media experiences, (2) increased representation of diverse adolescents’ experiences, and (3) a growing number of interventions targeting youth digital well-being. Persistent gaps include a relative lack of cross-cultural work, particularly in the Global South, as well as culturally sensitive interventions that fit the needs and contexts of diverse youth. By examining existing research through the perspectives of researchers spanning multiple fields, we contribute a cross-disciplinary view on the current state of knowledge and identify priorities for youth digital well-being research.

E-learning and sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review and synthesis

Purpose This study aims to examine the state of literature on the role of e-learning in the sustainability of higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the goal of identifying explored thematic areas, finding out the deficiencies in extant literature and recommending areas of future research work. Design/methodology/approach The research used a systematic literature review, examining articles published between 2012 and 2022. In total, 52 publications were identified and subjected to analysis. Findings The findings reveal that few studies have explored the relationship between e-learning and the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa, with larger economies in the region dominating research output. In addition, traditional technology adoption and social learning theories dominate the theoretical frameworks in this area. Moreover, the authors observed limited adaptation of these theories to local contexts, leading to outcomes with limited contextual details or lack of the same. Despite its potential, e-learning has yet to be fully embraced as a strategic tool for the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Originality/value Although various systematic literature reviews exist in the field of sustainability in higher education, there seem to be no reviews specifically focused on e-learning within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. This review sheds some light on potential future research paths regarding the theory, content and context of e-learning for the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa, and by extension, in developing countries worldwide.

Implementation of Strategic Human Resource Management Practices: A Review of the Organisational Performance and New Research Paths

This study aims to discover new avenues for research in the field of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) by investigating the effects of SHRM practices on organizational performance. This study investigates how well HR policies and procedures mesh with overarching company objectives by means of a quantitative methodology and an exhaustive literature analysis. Quantitative data will be gathered through structured surveys aimed at 500 HR managers and executives from different industries. The purpose of these surveys is to measure the implementation and outcomes of SHRM practices. A systematic review of the existing literature will also be conducted to synthesize current knowledge and identify research gaps. In addition to discussing new trends like technology, globalization, sustainability, employee happiness, and agile work methods, important results show that SHRM improves financial performance, employee engagement, and competitive advantage. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of SHRM and its crucial role in improving organizational resilience and performance by pointing out major research gaps and offering future approaches.

Addressing visual impairments: Essential software requirements for image caption solutions

ABSTRACT Visually impaired individuals actively utilize devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones, due to advancements in screen reader technologies. Integrating freely available deep learning models, image captioning can further enhance these readers, providing an affordable assistive tech solution. This research outlines the critical software requirements necessary for image captioning tools to effectively serve this demographic. Two qualitative investigations were conducted to determine these requirements. An online survey was first conducted to identify the main preferences of visually impaired users in relation to audio descriptive software, with findings visualized using word clouds. A subsequent study evaluated the proficiency of existing deep learning captioning models in addressing these stipulated requirements. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive image data, the results highlighted three primary areas: 1) characteristics of individuals, 2) color specifics of objects, and 3) the overall context of images. The research indicates that current captioning tools are not entirely effective for the visually impaired. Based on the delineated requirements and suggested future research paths, there is potential for the development of improved image captioning systems, advancing digital accessibility for the visually impaired.

Care and wellbeing across Europe – a research frame for studying migrant families

ABSTRACT All over Europe, the question of sustainable care for the older people gains attention. Although the number of older migrants is increasing significantly, to date only little empirical research deals with migrant family care. In this paper, we thus give an overview of theoretical models on care and wellbeing and adjust them to (different groups of) migrants across Europe. We then present (rare) empirical studies on (in-) formal care and wellbeing, asking: do migrants give/use care more likely than natives and if so, why? Are migrant caregivers more or less burdened compared to non-migrant caregivers? How did the pandemic affect migrant caregivers? Based on our assessments of the state of quantitative research we highlight limitations and propose paths for future research on care in migrant families.

Home movies, teoria krajobrazu i edukacja filmowa. Studium przypadku z Polskiego Archiwum Filmów Domowych

The article is a preliminary study to further research of home movie archives in the context of representing the landscape of the Anthropocene and identifying the relations between humans and their environment in the manifestations of visual culture. The introductory section explains the choice of home movies as the subject of research. In addition, the context of an anthropological understanding of landscape in Tim Ingold’s concept and its relevance for film studies is presented. The next part of the paper is a case study of the Bełżeccy Family Archive from the Polish Archive of Home Movies project, with particular emphasis on examining the film’s form and style in portraying the landscape. The final part contains conclusions and suggestions for transdisciplinary research paths, connecting the exploration of home movie archives with visual culture studies and natural sciences. The presented reflections are meant to inspire educational activities. There are also six examples of tasks to be modified and elaborated by teachers according to group preferences.

Discovering Islamic marketing potential in shaping blockchain-­based halal logistic services: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose This paper aims to examine the Islamic marketing literature to uncover potential customer adoption behaviours and enhance the effectiveness of blockchain-based halal logistics services in catering to customer demands. The findings of this paper provide substantial contributions to the realms of both halal logistics services and Islamic marketing literature, delineating future paths for research. By delving into halal logistics practices, integration procedures and service provider performance, this paper assists stakeholders in enhancing halal logistics services to meet the changing demands of customers effectively. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a systematic review incorporating bibliometric analysis to examine past and contemporary research topics, selecting and appraising contributions while analysing and consolidating data. A methodical approach has been used to identify, assess and incorporate pertinent studies on Islamic characteristics, traceability technology, blockchain integration and halal logistics practices. Findings After screening and analysing 139 selected documents with the VOS viewer, it is evident that among a 1,000 keywords, 15 stand out in terms of frequency and link strength. The research highlights the considerable academic interest in themes such as “blockchain”, “halal logistics” and “supply chain”, underscoring their importance. The findings of this paper help bridge the gap in Islamic marketing by linking technology with religious values. It suggests that the integration of blockchain technology in halal logistics enhances operational efficiency while aligning with both operational and Islamic marketing principles, promoting ethical conduct and transparency as key enablers. Practical implications The theoretical significance of this paper lies in establishing a correlation among three key research domains: technology, symbolised by blockchain; customer-centric operations, incorporating the halal supply chain and logistics within Islamic marketing. The outcomes reflect consumer behaviour and Shariah compliance. This integration has the potential to introduce innovative theoretical frameworks that encompass religious ethics in marketing, logistics and technological advancements. Originality/value This paper comprehensively analyses the intersection between blockchain technology, halal logistics, supply chain management and Islamic marketing. The paper has comprehensively analysed previous studies and outlined the future research path for blockchain technology in halal logistics and its application in Islamic marketing literature.