Individual Roles Research Articles

Media Attributions and Public's Responses to Russia–Ukraine War: The Role of Emotions Toward Nation and Individuals

ABSTRACTObjectiveBased on Weiner's attribution model, this research examined how attributions regarding an international conflict (e.g., Russia‐Ukraine war) lead to the public's responses (e.g., helping vs. punishment), mediated by their emotions toward nations (e.g., Russia vs. Ukraine) and individuals (e.g., Russians vs. Ukrainians).MethodsIn Study 1, we conducted a content analysis of 253 news articles about Russia‐Ukraine war that were published in Korea. In Study 2, we conducted a survey of 400 Korean adults regarding their attributions and responses to Russia and Ukraine.ResultsStudy 1 showed that the Korean news media attributed more responsibility to Russia and less responsibility to Ukraine. Study 2 found that greater attributions of Russia responsibility increased willingness to punish the nation, mediated by anger toward Russia as a nation but not toward Russian individuals. In addition, results showed that the lower attributions of Ukraine responsibility increased willingness to help the nation, mediated by sympathy toward Ukrainian individuals, and also anger toward Russia as a nation.ConclusionThis study extends existing theory by (a) incorporating intermedia agenda setting at the international level (Study 1) and (b) including emotions toward the nation as well as individuals in attributions (Study 2).

The built environment and place attachment: Insights from Japanese cities.

Place attachment plays an important role in individuals' health and well-being. Understanding the associations between urban design attributes and place attachment can inform strategies to promote place attachment. This study aims to examine the associations between walkable built environment metrics and place attachment. This study used data collected from October to November 2020, involving 25,340 adults across 21 major cities in Japan. Geographic address information was used to measure objective walkability, while perceived walkability and place attachment were assessed using adapted scales. Ordinary least squares regression models were employed to analyse associations. For individual metrics, three objective measures-availability of destinations, population density, and street integration-were positively associated with place attachment. Several perceived measures, including access to shops, daily life facilities, public green spaces, public transports, the presence of paths, crime safety, and aesthetics, also showed positive associations with place attachment. For composite indices, traditional walkability, space syntax walkability, and perceived walkability were positively correlated with place attachment. These findings demonstrate the associations between walkable built environment metrics and place attachment, showing variations in metric types.

Multi-omics analysis of transcriptome and proteome reveals that BAZ1A and BAZ2A have common and individual regulatory roles in hepatocellular carcinoma

Multi-omics analysis of transcriptome and proteome reveals that BAZ1A and BAZ2A have common and individual regulatory roles in hepatocellular carcinoma

Tideglusib enhances ALP activity and upregulates RANKL expression in Osteoblast-macrophage Co-cultures within a 3D collagen scaffold.

Tideglusib (Tx) is known for its osteogenic potential, yet its effects on the interplay between osteoblasts and M1 macrophages remain underexplored. This in vitro study aimed to isolate and evaluate both the individual and combined roles of M1 macrophages and osteoblasts in macrophage differentiation and osteoblast function, specifically focusing on how these interactions influence protein expression of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in the presence or absence of Tx. Osteoblast and macrophage cells were co-cultured in direct contact for 24 and 48 h, with or without the presence of Tx. ALP activity, the expression of inflammatory-related genes using RT-qPCR, and histological analyses were performed. Co-culturing osteoblasts and M1 macrophages with Tx increased alkaline phosphatase production, indicative of enhanced osteoblast activity. Histological assessments revealed that Tx treatment contributed to the stability and maintenance of cell morphology within the scaffold, suggesting a supportive environment for cell viability and function. Tx significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, in the co-culture at both 24 and 48 h Tx also effectively inhibited osteoclastogenic differentiation in macrophages, thereby diminishing their pro-inflammatory phenotype. Tx increased ALP activity and produced a significant up-regulation of RANKL expression, indicating enhanced osteoblast differentiation and osteoclast activation. Tx mitigates macrophage-driven inflammation. Tx may enhance bone regeneration by modulating inflammatory responses and preserving cell integrity.

Prevalence and characteristics of group standardized letters of evaluation in emergency medicine: A cross-sectional observational study.

The standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE) for emergency medicine (EM) is a well-established tool for residency selection. While previous work characterizes the utility and outcomes related to SLOE use, less is known about SLOE authorship patterns and trends. The objective was to measure the prevalence of group SLOEs in EM over time, characterize the role groups represented in group SLOEs, and compare the rating practices of groups of authors versus single authors. SLOE data from 2016 through 2021 were obtained from the CORD database. An algorithm was developed to process SLOE author fields to accomplish three tasks: (1) determine whether the SLOE was written by an individual or a group, (2) determine the number of named letter writers on group SLOEs, and (3) identify roles of individuals listed on group SLOEs. A total of 150 SLOEs were randomly selected for review by the study team to use as a standard to which algorithm performance was compared. Mean ratings were compared for (1) individual versus group SLOEs and (2) individual SLOEs from clerkship directors (CDs) versus others. A total of 40,218 SLOEs met inclusion criteria. The algorithm performed well in detecting group SLOEs, authors, and titles. Institutions submitting only SLOEs written by a group of authors increased from 31.4% to 54.5%. Authors per group SLOE increased from 3.4 in 2016 to 4.0 in 2021. Mean ratings were slightly higher in individual SLOEs compared to group SLOEs. Individual SLOEs from non-CDs had higher ratings compared to those from CDs. The proportion of SLOEs authored by groups increased over the study interval. Grading practices are similar between group SLOEs and individual SLOEs authored by CDs. Individual SLOEs from non-CDs had slightly higher ratings compared to the other groups.

Molecular and functional convergences associated with complex multicellularity in Eukarya.

A key trait of Eukarya is the independent evolution of complex multicellular (CM) in animals, plants, fungi, brown algae and red algae. This phenotype is characterized by the initial exaptation of cell-cell adhesion genes followed by the emergence of mechanisms for cell-cell communication, together with the expansion of transcription factor gene families responsible for cell and tissue identity. The number of cell types (NCT) is commonly used as a quantitative proxy for biological complexity in comparative genomics studies. While expansions of individual gene families have been associated with NCT variation within individual CM lineages, the molecular and functional roles responsible for the independent evolution of CM across Eukarya remain poorly understood. We employed a phylogeny-aware strategy to conduct a genomic-scale search for associations between NCT and the abundance of genomic components across a phylogenetically diverse set of 81 eukaryotic species, including species from all CM lineages. Our annotation schemas represent two complimentary aspects of genomic information: homology - represented by conserved sequences - and function - represented by Gene Ontology (GO) terms. We found many gene families sharing common biological themes that define CM to be independently expanded in two or more CM lineages, such as components of the extracellular matrix, cell-cell communication mechanisms, and developmental pathways. Additionally, we describe many previously unknown associations of biological themes and biological complexity, such as mechanisms for wound response, immunity, cell migration, regulatory processes, and response to natural rhythms. Together, our findings unveil a set of functional and molecular convergences independently expanded in CM lineages likely due to the common selective pressures in their lifestyles.

A Paragon of Environmental Stewardship in Bond’s Select Short Stories

The abstract highlights the deep connection between humans and nature emphasising the role of individuals as stewards of the environment. It focuses on the importance of preserving nature for future generations inspired by figures like Ruskin Bond who exemplify environmental responsibility and harmonious coexistence with the natural world.

Echoes of silence: how social influence fosters self-censorship under democratic backsliding

ABSTRACT Self-censorship is a ubiquitous phenomenon in authoritarian regimes. Despite the abundance of research empirically identifying its prevalence in such contexts, little is known about how self-censorship spreads among ordinary citizens, especially under democratic backsliding and authoritarian onset. This article argues that social influence plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals’ decision to self-censor. Based on a cross-sectional survey of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong following the introduction of a national security law in 2020, we find that respondents are more likely to exercise self-censorship in their daily lives when they (1) have received cautionary reminders from family members and peers or (2) have more acquaintances who are self-censoring. Further analysis indicates that both effects – known as direct persuasion and observational learning, respectively – are partially mediated by respondents’ risk perception and emotional reactions. The findings show that multiple mechanisms could be at work to effectuate self-censorship, challenging the notion that self-censorship is induced merely by the “self”. By highlighting the role of social influences, this study shed lights on the micro-foundation of authoritarianism and reveals how self-censorship reproduces and diffuses during democratic backsliding.

Precision Metal Nanoclusters Meet Proteins: Crafting Next-Gen Hybrid Materials.

Metal nanoclusters (NCs), owing to their atomic precision and unique molecule-like properties, have gained widespread attention for applications ranging from catalysis to bioimaging. In recent years, proteins, with their hierarchical structures and diverse functionalities, have emerged as good candidates for functionalizing metal NCs, rendering metal NC-protein conjugates with combined and even synergistically enhanced properties featured by both components. In this Perspective, we explore key questions regarding why proteins serve as complementary partners for metal NCs, the methodologies available for conjugating proteins with metal NCs, and the characterization techniques necessary to elucidate the structures and interactions within this emerging bionano system. We also highlight the emerging applications of metal NC-protein conjugates in biomedicine, catalysis, and biosensing in which the hybrid conjugates demonstrate remarkable performance. Furthermore, key challenges hampering further development of metal NC-protein conjugates, which include understanding binding mechanisms, expanding the diversity of proteins used for conjugation, and exploiting the individual roles of metal NCs and proteins within the hybrid systems, are discussed. This Perspective aims to systemize current synthetic methodologies and design principles for metal NC-protein conjugates, adding to their acceptance in precision nanotechnology.

Integrasi Teori Manajemen dalam Pendidikan Islam: Perspektif dan Implementasi

Islamic education plays an important role in shaping individuals who are knowledgeable and have noble character. In the context of managing Islamic educational institutions, the application of modern management theories integrated with Islamic values ​​is very relevant to improve the efficiency and quality of education. This study aims to examine how Islamic management principles can be integrated into the operations of Islamic educational institutions, explore implementation strategies, and provide practical recommendations for managers. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method, where case studies are conducted at several Islamic educational institutions that have implemented Islamic management principles. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation analysis. Thematic analysis techniques were used to identify key themes related to the management of Islamic education. The results of the study indicate that the integration of Islamic management theories, such as the principles of monotheism, justice, deliberation, trust, efficiency, and ihsan, can improve the effectiveness of resource management, strengthen the spiritual dimension in decision making, and create a holistic learning environment. In conclusion, the application of Islamic management can enrich the management of Islamic educational institutions, improve the quality of education, and support the sustainability of the organization while maintaining Islamic values. Practical recommendations are provided to help Islamic educational institutions face modern challenges in Islamic value-based management. Keywords: Islamic education management, integration, Islamic values, Islamic management.

Individual associations of self-reported sleep duration, sleep quality, chronotype and social jet lag with infectious disease risk.

Sleep deficiency is associated with infectious disease risk. However, little is known about the individual roles of different aspects of sleep, including sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep timing (assessed by chronotype) and sleep regularity (in the form of social jet lag) in this context. Here, we examined associations of the probability of reporting a cold or other infections with self-reported sleep duration, sleep quality and chronotype in a sample of 642 adults, and with social jet lag in a subsample of 274 adults. We found that short (≤ 6 h) and long sleepers (≥ 9 h) were more likely to report a cold in the past 30 days than average sleepers (7-8 h). Also, individuals with a definite evening chronotype were more likely to report a cold in the past 30 days than those with an intermediate chronotype, even when controlling for sleep duration. Finally, social jet lag was dose-dependently associated with the risk of reporting a cold in the past 12 months, independently of sleep duration, sleep quality and chronotype. No associations were found with sleep quality or with infections other than colds. The findings show that different aspects of sleep are independently associated with incidence of reported colds.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity'.

Between Hippocrates and the Oath of Office: Tensions between legal, moral and role expectations with regard to Public Health Service Physician assessments of (future) public servants

Assessments in the German Public Health Service take place, among other things, in the recruitment and incapacity assessment of civil servants. This may lead to conflicts of values and norms for assessing doctors, as they have to make decisions that are not necessarily in the interests of the person being assessed. Legally, the expectations of assessing doctors in public administration are largely defined. For public health service physicians, individual normative role conflicts still appear, and questions arise as to whether conscientious decisions of physicians adhere to legal requirements.

UMA ANÁLISE SISTEMÁTICA SOBRE O FUNCIONAMENTO DA ECONOMIA E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A EVOLUÇÃO TECNOLÓGICA

The global economy is a dynamic system shaped by transactions, credit, and economic cycles, fundamental pillars for understanding its functioning. Although often seen as a technical field reserved for specialists, economics directly impacts the lives of all individuals. This article examines economic fundamentals and contextualizes them within a scenario profoundly transformed by the digital revolution and the Information Age. Technological evolution, especially the advancement of disruptive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), plays a central role in this process, accelerating innovation, automating processes, and reconfiguring markets on a global scale. Additionally, the impact of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is analyzed as a driving force for decentralization and transparency in financial markets, while AI reshapes productive processes and personalizes financial services. The study also addresses the role of individuals in the new economy, emphasizing how access to digital and educational tools empowers economic agents to make more informed decisions and actively participate in innovative models, such as the sharing economy. These emerging technologies challenge traditional economic structures, drive productive efficiency, and create new opportunities while raising ethical and social questions. By connecting technological advancements to contemporary economic dynamics, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interactions between economics and technology.

Trait Mindfulness and Prosocial Behavior: The Moderating Role of Self-Construals and Individualism

Trait Mindfulness and Prosocial Behavior: The Moderating Role of Self-Construals and Individualism

The power of emotion regulation: how managing sadness influences depression and anxiety?

BackgroundEmotions are a fundamental part of life and play a critical role in shaping individuals’ experiences Effectively regulating emotions in socially appropriate ways is essential for navigating life successfully. This study investigated the impact of seven sadness regulation strategies on depression and anxiety and examined the mediating role of ER in the relationship between sadness regulation and depression and anxiety.MethodA cross-sectional design was employed with 350 participants (144 men, 206 women) aged 18 to 35.ResultsRegression analyses showed that sadness regulation strategies significantly predict both depression and anxiety. For depression, the model explained 18.6% of the variance (F (7,342) = 11.140, p < 0.001), with cognitive reappraisal, religious coping, and seeking support negatively associated, while rumination was positively associated. For anxiety, the model explained 19% of the variance (F(7,342) = 11.484, p < 0.001), with rumination and substance use linked to lower anxiety levels, while other strategies showed no significant associations. Mediation analyses highlighted emotion regulation critical role, with sadness regulation influencing depression indirectly through ER (β = -0.024, 95% CI [-0.040, -0.009]) and accounting for 3.6% of the variance. Sadness regulation also had a direct (β = -0.037, p < 0.001) and indirect effect on anxiety through emotion regulation, explaining 6.1% of the variance.ConclusionThese findings underscore the importance of adaptive sadness and emotion regulation strategies in mitigating depression and anxiety, offering valuable insights for therapeutic interventions.

Legal regulation of civil liability for environmental violations of land legislation

Ru The article addresses the legal regulation of civil liability for environmental violations in the sphere of Ukraine’s land legislation. The aim of the study is to analyze the legal norms and mechanisms of civil liability for environmental violations in the context of Ukraine’s land legislation. The research employed general scientific methods of cognition, including analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparison, and a systematic approach. The findings indicate that civil liability for environmental violations in land law is aimed at compensating the injured parties, encompassing not only the physical restoration of damaged resources but also compensation for lost opportunities resulting from such violations. It is established that the primary goal is not to punish the offender but to restore violated rights and compensate for damages, aligning with the principles of justice and legality. The main characteristics of environmental violations in the field of land legislation include a broad range of actions, such as unlawful use of land resources, non-compliance with their conservation requirements, and violations of the ecological functions of land. The object of these violations is land resources, which encompass physical, biological, and ecological components. The features of civil liability in this area are defined by a focus on compensating actual damages and lost profits, which may include expenses for restoring violated rights and lost income. Special attention is given to the role of individuals, legal entities, and public organizations in initiating legal proceedings to enforce environmental responsibility and maintain ecological stability in land use. The practical significance of the study lies in formulating recommendations for improving the mechanisms of civil liability for environmental violations to enhance their effectiveness.

The gift of mobility: Transfer networks of local decision‐makers and interlocal collaboration

AbstractExploring the role of key individuals in institutional collective action (ICA) and interlocal collaboration contributes to understanding the micro‐mechanisms of the policy process. The career mobility of local decision‐makers through transfers among jurisdictions is a common phenomenon. This phenomenon gives rise to transfer networks of local decision‐makers. Despite the prevalence of these transfer networks, they have received relatively little attention in studies on interlocal collaboration. It is unclear how local decision‐makers' transfer networks and different transfer network characteristics affect interlocal collaboration. This article explains the role that transfer networks and transfer network characteristics play in interlocal collaboration by embedding decision‐makers' social networks with transfer networks based on the ICA framework. This study used a dyadic panel dataset of Chinese inter‐provincial watershed environmental collaboration from 2007 to 2019 for empirical research. The results show that existence of transfer networks of local decision‐makers increases the likelihood of interlocal collaboration. The social network ties constructed by decision‐makers in their career paths are responsible for the functioning of transfer networks. The likelihood of interlocal collaboration is higher when transfer networks exhibit successiveness, diagonal promotion characteristics, and collegiality.

Institutional logics, social interactions and management of tensions in public-private partnership organizations.

We aim to understand the link between field-level institutional logics and practice-level social interactions and relationships between public and private actors and their influences on the responses and resolutions to the issues causing tensions. Adopting a multiple logics perspective with a focus on social interactions and relationships between public and private actors, we conducted a multiple case study in five city hospitals recently established under a public-private partnership model in the Turkish healthcare field. We found that the state and market logics that predominantly characterize the Turkish healthcare field were enacted in each of the five hospitals in different manners and constitute three different configurations as compatible, complementary and contradictory. The social interactions and relationships developed between the public and private actors occur based on these configurations, and they all together shape the responses and resolutions to the issues causing tensions. Since we did all analyses between the organizational actors at the partnership level, we did not consider possible differences arising from individual and positional roles in each partnership. It is therefore important to acknowledge that the interviews, which are central to the research results, might be influenced by the motivation and power dynamics of the participants in terms of their positions, roles and responsibilities. Thus, much work must be done to understand the management of tensions in public-private partnership organizations (PPPOs) influenced by institutional logics with a greater focus on individual, partnership, organizational and field-level interactions. Tensions arising between public and private actors in PPPOs can be understood better and managed more effectively when the enactment of institutional logics is considered together with their social interactions and relationships. The novelty of our study is that we advance the knowledge on the management of tensions in PPPOs by empirically showing the link between field-level institutional logics and practice-level social interactions and relationships and their influences on the responses and resolutions to the issues causing tensions. Our results indicate that tensions arising between public and private actors in PPPOs are primarily responded to by private actors mainly with avoidance, defiance or decoupling and subsequently resolved by their joint efforts through informal collaboration, formalization, formalized collaboration, enforcement or coercive pressure, depending on how the state and market logics are enacted within the hospitals and how social interactions and relationships between public and private side actors are formed accordingly.

High Ano1 expression as key driver of resistance to radiation and cisplatin in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Human papilloma virus-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently harbors 11q13 amplifications. Among the oncogenes at this locus, CCND1 and ANO1 are linked to poor prognosis; however, their individual roles in treatment resistance remain unclear. The impact of Cyclin D1 and Ano1 overexpression on survival was analyzed using the TCGA HNSCC dataset and a Charité cohort treated with cisplatin (CDDP)-based radiochemotherapy. High Ano1 expression was primarily associated with poor overall survival in both datasets. The effects of CCND1 and ANO1 knockdown (KD) on radio- and drug sensitivity, along with changes in global protein expression, cell viability, growth, and DNA repair, were studied in an 11q13-amplified HNSCC cell line model of primary cisplatin resistance. Unique pathway alterations– VEGF in CCND1 KD and the Rho GTPase cycle in ANO1 KD– were observed, along with shared changes like DNA damage and cell cycle dysregulation. Silencing CCND1 or ANO1 increased CDDP sensitivity, while only ANO1 silencing increased radiosensitivity. Copanlisib and afatinib were identified as promising candidates for combination therapy of 11q13-amplified HNSCC tumors. We demonstrated a predominant role for Ano1 in treatment resistance in Cyclin D1highAno1high HNSCC tumors and identified novel potential treatment combinations for this high-risk patient group.

Plasma Hepatic Transaminases and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome Before Midlife in Military Adults: A CHIEF Cohort Study.

Plasma AST and ALT may reflect the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) severity and have been associated with the risk of MetS in middle- or old-aged individuals. This study aimed to examine the associations of plasma hepatic aspartate and alanine transaminases (AST and ALT) levels with incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) in young adults, which have not been verified before. The goal of this study was to identify the association between plasma hepatic transaminases and the incidence of new-onset MetS among young adults. There were 2,804 military men and women, with ages of 18-39 years, free of baseline MetS and any viral hepatitis in Taiwan in 2014. Incident MetS were followed in the annual military health examinations from baseline till the end of 2020. The definition of MetS was made using the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Plasma concentrations of AST and ALT were checked at baseline. A Multivariable Cox regression model with adjustments for sex, age, each component of MetS, body mass index, substance use status, and physical activity at baseline was performed to determine the associations. Subgroup analyses were performed according to sex and each MetS component. During a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 644 incident MetS (23.0%) developed. ALT and AST levels (each 10 U/L increase) were respectively associated with 5% and 11% increased risk of incidence of MetS (hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.05 (1.01-1.09) and 1.11 (1.04-1.19), respectively). In subgroup analyses, the risk of incidence of MetS with ALT and AST levels respectively increased 75% and 114% in women (HRs: 1.75 (1.07-2.87) and 2.14 (1.35-3.41), respectively), and 7% and 14% in those free of central obesity (HRs: 1.07 (1.02-1.11) and 1.14 (1.06-1.23), respectively) which were higher than their counterparts (p-values for interaction by sex: 0.06 and 0.001, respectively; and by central obesity: 0.04 and 0.07, respectively). Plasma hepatic transaminase levels were positively associated with incident MetS among young adults. The individual role of central obesity and sex on the association of ALT and AST with incident MetS should be further clarified.