ABSTRACT Guided by the Uses and Gratifications theory, this study examines whether Ghanaian traditional news media facilitate a discursive space for environmental issues on social media. Using a qualitative content analysis of posts and comments from the Instagram accounts of six prominent Ghanaian traditional news outlets between 2021 and 2023, the study analyzes the environmental issues communicated, the extent of public engagement they generated, and the nature of said engagement. Findings reveal that the most prominent issues are local in scope, particularly illegal mining (galamsey), water and land pollution, and waste management. While users engaged with environmental content primarily through passive actions such as “likes,” a significant portion also expressed strong opinions in the comment sections, indicating public concern, politicization, and a sense of government responsibility. However, this engagement rarely reflected knowledge-seeking behavior. The study supports findings on the potential of traditional media to amplify environmental discourse, while revealing limitations in engagement and deliberative depth.

Purpose This study aims to systematically explore the role of social media in shaping Employer Branding (EB) by consolidating existing research. It investigates how social media platforms enhance EB, support talent acquisition, inform digital communication strategies, and interact with moderating or mediating factors influencing employer brand outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, guided by the PRISMA framework, was employed. A comprehensive search in the Scopus database yielded 72 articles, from which 59 peer-reviewed studies were selected based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies were thematically analyzed across four research questions. Findings The findings reveal that social media significantly enhances EB by signaling organizational values, leveraging employee-generated content (EGC), and facilitating targeted, platform-specific recruitment strategies. LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Instagram emerged as dominant platforms for employer brand positioning. Key communication strategies include authenticity, transparency, employee advocacy, and emotional resonance. The review also identifies critical mediating and moderating factors such as employer attractiveness, person-organization fit, employer reputation, social media use, and value congruence. Despite these advancements, the literature reflects theoretical fragmentation, the methodological dominance of cross-sectional surveys, and limited contextual and cultural variations exploration. Originality/value This review is a comprehensive EB and social media research synthesis. It contributes to theory by integrating diverse conceptual frameworks and identifies research gaps related to longitudinal analysis, geographic diversity, and digital innovation. It provides actionable insights for scholars and practitioners navigating the complexities of digital EB.

In the current context of digital business transformation, Internet marketing and e-commerce have gained strategic importance for the development of enterprises in the global economy. This article examines the main directions and innovative approaches in the field of e-commerce, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence, big data, marketing automation, chatbots, and mobile platforms on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and customer engagement. Special attention is given to the role of social media and integrated omnichannel sales models, which enable personalized offers, enhance customer loyalty, and strengthen brand reputation. The study analyzes global and Ukrainian e-commerce trends for the period 2018–2025, considering the influence of global trends such as the development of augmented and virtual reality technologies, the integration of fintech solutions, and the growth of mobile shopping on the transformation of business models and customer communications. Particular emphasis is placed on the transformation of business models driven by Internet technologies, mobile commerce, and global digitalization. The article highlights a comprehensive approach to the use of digital tools, including SEO, SMM, content marketing, and affiliate marketing, which allows for resource optimization, increased audience reach, and adaptation of marketing strategies to changing consumer behavior. The author emphasizes that the successful implementation of innovative strategies in Internet marketing and e-commerce is crucial for maintaining enterprise competitiveness, creating added value, and ensuring sustainable business development in the context of dynamic technological and socio-economic changes. The article will be useful for researchers, marketing practitioners, business managers, and specialists in the digital economy seeking to implement modern tools and strategies to enhance business process efficiency. The rapid growth of internet marketing will continue, adapting to the advancement of information technologies, global events, and contemporary realities.

Integrated biofiltration – gravity-driven membrane system for efficient treatment of shale gas wastewater: Roles of filter media and microbial synergy

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science into daily life raises ethical concerns and stimulates discussions among stakeholders responsible for their development. Given the media's role in shaping imaginaries of emerging technologies and their acceptance, this paper systematically analyzes media discourse on ethics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science from 2015 to 2020. Our results show that media coverage of advanced algorithmic technologies mainly focused on the industry sector, frequently addressing short-term challenges such as algorithmic bias, social justice, data privacy, and socioeconomic effects. Its portrayal in media often maintained a balanced perspective between positive and negative outcomes, paired with realistic and grounded future scenarios. This study offers a holistic and integrated analysis of how the media frames the ethics of artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning, highlighting previously overlooked dimensions such as accountability strategies and the relationship between areas of application and their consequences.

This study aims to analyze the role of social media in improving the effectiveness of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and organizational performance in hotel companies in South Tapanuli using the Resource-Based View (RBV) perspective. Within the RBV framework, innovation and knowledge sharing are viewed as strategic organizational resources that can influence AIS effectiveness and ultimately impact organizational performance. This study employed a quantitative approach with a survey method. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to managers, owners, and the accounting, information technology, and operational divisions of hotels in South Tapanuli. Data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results indicate that innovation has no significant effect on Accounting Information System effectiveness. Conversely, knowledge sharing has a positive and significant effect on Accounting Information System effectiveness. Furthermore, Accounting Information System effectiveness has been shown to have a positive and significant effect on organizational performance. The R-square value indicates that variation in AIS effectiveness is largely explained by innovation and knowledge sharing, while the contribution of AIS effectiveness to organizational performance is relatively small compared to other factors outside the research model. These findings indicate that knowledge sharing practices are a dominant factor in increasing the effectiveness of Accounting Information Systems, which in turn impacts the performance of hotel organizations in South Tapanuli. Therefore, hotel companies need to strengthen their knowledge-sharing culture and optimize the use of information systems to support competitiveness and organizational goals.

This study aims to examine the role of visual and interactive media in teaching English to elementary school students through a systematic literature review. Employing a qualitative approach, the study analyzes relevant scholarly publications from the past ten years. The findings reveal that visual and interactive media significantly contribute to enhancing students’ learning motivation, vocabulary acquisition, active participation, communication skills, and the development of meaningful learning environments. Visual media—such as images, flashcards, and videos—facilitate students’ comprehension of language concepts by presenting them in concrete and contextualized forms. Meanwhile, interactive media—including digital games and multimedia applications—encourage active engagement and collaborative learning experiences. Furthermore, the integration of these media reduces language anxiety and fosters an enjoyable classroom atmosphere. As a result, students demonstrate greater confidence in using English and increased involvement in learning activities. Therefore, the incorporation of visual and interactive media is essential for promoting effective, engaging, and meaningful English language instruction at the elementary school level.

This study explores the influence of social media on the political behaviour and decision-making processes of young individuals, particularly from Generation Z and Generation Alpha. As traditional media loses relevance, platforms such as Twitter (X), Instagram, and TikTok have become central tools for political information, engagement, and identity formation among youth. The research emphasises that social media is not only a space for democratic participation but also a medium where manipulation, disinformation, and ideological polarisation are increasingly prevalent. Far-right political movements in Europe have effectively used digital platforms to shape young voters’ attitudes through targeted content and emotionally charged narratives. The study also highlights the dual role of social media: while it enables political awareness and mobilisation, it also amplifies risks such as radicalisation and misinformation. The findings underline the transformative nature of digital political communication and suggest the need for critical digital literacy, policy oversight, and further empirical research to better understand how social media shapes political agency in the digital age, regulatory oversight, and further empirical research on youth political behaviour in online spaces.

Introduction Drawing on compensatory and compulsory internet use theories, media system dependency theory, and generational cohort theory, and informed by scholarship on generationally differentiated masculine norms and gendered socialization, this study examines the role of loneliness in the relationship between adverse child hood experiences (ACEs) and doomscrolling among Israeli men from Generations X (born 1965–1980), Y (born 1981–1996), and Z (born 1997–2006). Methods Using a cross sectional research design, data were collected from 570 Hebrew-speaking men using validated self-report measures. Results Findings reveal that among Gen X, ACEs are linked to loneliness but not to doomscrolling. For Gen Y, ACEs predict doom scrolling directly, without mediation of loneliness. In contrast, Gen Z shows a distinct mediating role of loneliness in the ACE-doomscrolling link, reflecting compensatory digital coping. Discussion This study reveals generational distinctions in both the emotional mechanisms underlying doomscrolling and the broader role of digital media in the lives of men. Interpreted through the lens of generationally molded masculinities, these distinctions help contextualize differences in digital media use across cohorts, with doomscrolling representing one domain in which early adversity may be reflected later in life.

Objectives Rheumatology is a rapidly evolving medical specialty that focuses on autoimmune connective tissue diseases, inflammatory joint diseases, regional rheumatological conditions, some overuse injuries, and other inflammatory conditions. The study aimed to assess the knowledge of rheumatology and rheumatological diseases among the general population in Basrah City and to identify factors associated with this knowledge. Material and methods In this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study, participants were recruited from outpatient clinics and hospitals in Basrah City, excluding rheumatology clinics. Data collection took place from May 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024. A questionnaire was then developed for this study. The inclusion criteria were adults aged ≥ 18 years who were residents of Basrah City and showed a willingness to participate in the study. Participants were excluded if they had a known diagnosis of a rheumatological disease, were healthcare professionals, or were medical students. Results A total of 400 participants participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. 56% of them were female. Seventy-one had attended secondary schools and colleges. More than half of the participants had unsatisfactory knowledge (62%), and only 38% had good knowledge about rheumatology as a medical branch and had a sufficient understanding of the main rheumatological illnesses. Of those with satisfactory knowledge, 52.3% were female and 47.0% had a college education. Analysis of this pattern demonstrated a significant association between knowledge and educational level (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions The knowledge and awareness of rheumatological disorders in our locality are deficient and limited. This study revealed the weak role of media and mass education campaigns in expanding awareness about these growing and potentially detrimental disorders.

In an era of rapid digital transformation, social media has emerged as a dominant source of information and is also used for misinformation. This creates a significant challenge because misinformation can influence public perceptions and behaviours related to online security. As a result, this paper compared how misinformation spreads on social media in Europe and Africa. Exploring the key factors influencing misinformation dynamics, the role of regulatory frameworks, and the effectiveness of fact-checking initiatives in both regions. It also assessed deepfakes' role in strengthening the spread of misinformation. A systematic literature review was used to gain these insights, which included exploring social media's role in spreading misinformation. The results highlighted the need for awareness and exposed the threat posed by deepfakes. Furthermore, the results also yielded that to tackle misinformation in this digital era, there is a need for a multi-stakeholder approach and cross-regional collaboration and use of deepfake detection tools to foster a more informed digital society.

Recent advances in atomic force microscopy for micro- and nanobubble research.

Emerging research suggests that whether inflammation promotes social approach or social avoidance behavior may depend on the context. However, little is known about what such contexts are. Addressing this gap, the present research examined how inflammation is associated with two common daily social behaviors varying in interaction modality. Building on work showing inflammation's role in psychological states such as fatigue and vigilance toward physical and psychological threats and research on social media's role as an energy efficient, mediated communication tool, we hypothesized that inflammation would be associated with more social media use (SMU) over face-to-face interactions (FtF) and with more social media use for social interaction (SMUSI) over FtF. To test our hypotheses, we recruited college students who provided their blood samples to be assayed for C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation, and completed questionnaires assessing personality, SMU, SMUSI, FtF, and other measures. Extending prior work, CRP was associated with SMU over FtF and SMUSI over FtF. Importantly, these patterns were stronger among individuals with higher introversion and individuals with higher neuroticism. These results provide initial evidence that naturally occurring inflammation may be linked to a stronger preference for a particular social behavior (SMU) over another (FtF) and suggest that such tendency may vary by people with different personality traits. Broadly, the present research contributes to the burgeoning research on inflammation and social behavior and highlights for whom and when social media may be used to fulfill affiliative needs.

Abstract Background: Sexual health symptoms are common and distressing in breast cancer survivors. There is limited data regarding the experience with sexual health among patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Given the chronic nature of MBC and ongoing treatments, sexual health concerns may be especially complex and underrecognized in this population. We previously reported data from the WISH-BREAST study evaluating sexual health in breast cancer survivors. Here, we present findings from the WISH-BREAST MBC cohort. Methods: An anonymous online survey on sexual health in breast cancer survivors was distributed through a social media platform (Instagram) and e-mail. Questions included demographics, breast cancer history and treatment, sexual health symptoms and experience with medical care for sexual health symptoms. Results: There were a total of 1775 responses to the survey. 42 reported having MBC and 1420 reported Stage 0-III; these respondents were included in this analysis. The median age of MBC respondents was 44 years (range 39-53 years). Median age at diagnosis was 39 years (range 33-45 years) - younger than the non-MBC respondents. MBC respondents were more likely to report early menopause (57.1% vs 28.2%). 100% of respondents with MBC reported changes to sexual health. 95.2% reported a moderate to great deal of distress related to sexual health changes. The sexual health concerns reported are summarized in Table 1. Respondents with MBC were more likely to report painful sex (78.6% vs 58.8%), no sexual pleasure (52.4% vs 33.4%), and that sexual health concerns impacted relationships (85.7% vs 71.4%) than non-MBC respondents. The majority of respondents with MBC obtained information about sexual health from social media, although a lower percentage compared to those with non-MBC (66.7% vs 80.5%). While 95.2% of respondents with MBC reported vaginal dryness, 64.3% reported that treatment with vaginal hormones was not discussed. A similar proportion of respondents with MBC reported being prescribed vaginal estrogen compared to respondents with non-MBC (23.8% vs 22.7%). Conclusions: In this online survey, respondents with MBC reported high rates of sexual health concerns and distress. Despite the prevalence of symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful sex and loss of sexual pleasure, conversations around management options, including vaginal hormones, remain limited. These findings underscore critical gaps in clinical care and patient-provider communication regarding sexual health in the metastatic setting and highlight the potential role of social media an information source. Integrating sexual health discussions into routine MBC care, improving access to evidence-based treatments and sexual health programs, and including patients with MBC in clinical trials focused on sexual health are essential steps toward enhancing quality of life for this population. Citation Format: L. S. Agrawal, T. Kluthe, C. Menn, E. Teplinsky. Women's Insights on Sexual Health After Breast Cancer (WISH-BREAST) Online Survey: Metastatic Breast Cancer Cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS1-03-10.

This study examines the role of social media and influencers in promoting harmful physical stereotypes that increase adolescents’ vulnerability to eating disorders (EDs). Using a mixed-method approach, we analyse national and international news on EDs published by El País and El Mundo in 2024 ( N = 24), along with a content analysis of 10 Instagram profiles of celebrities who have publicly acknowledged suffering from EDs. Although information about these disorders is abundant, adolescents do not always interpret it critically. Social media has become a space where unhealthy aesthetic ideals and unverified health content circulate widely. Influencers often reinforce extreme thinness and perfection, while messages on mental health or body diversity remain scarce. We also identify digital subcultures that normalise risky practices, including viral challenges and pro-anorexia communities. The study highlights the importance of enhancing media literacy, promoting positive role models and demanding greater accountability in content targeted at minors.

Exploring the role of mass media and virtual social networks on couples' childbearing decisions: an exploratory qualitative study.

This study aims to analyze the role of digital media as a marketing tool for school branding in improving the quality of education at YPK Imanuel Kamisabe Elementary School in South Sorong Regency. This study used a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design. The research objects were the use of digital media, school branding, and educational quality. The study population included parents, school committee members, and teachers, totaling 40 respondents, all of whom were sampled using a saturated sampling technique. Data collection was conducted through a closed-ended questionnaire with a Likert scale, while data analysis used descriptive statistics, the classical assumption test, the Pearson correlation test, and simple and multiple regression analyses to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that digital media had a positive and significant effect on educational quality, with a significance value <0.05, thus accepting the first hypothesis. School branding was also shown to have a positive and significant effect on educational quality, with a significance value <0.05, thus accepting the second hypothesis. Simultaneously, digital media and school branding had a significant effect on educational quality, with a significance value <0.05, thus accepting the third hypothesis. Research findings indicate that consistent use of digital media can strengthen a school's image, increase public trust, and drive improvements in educational quality, both in terms of the learning process and external support. The study's conclusions confirm that a digital media marketing strategy integrated with school branding is an effective and sustainable approach to improving educational quality, particularly in schools located in remote areas.

ABSTRACT This study examined whether and how climate content on news and social media promotes offline and online pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in adolescents, directly and indirectly via knowledge, norms, concerns, and personal risk perceptions. Using a two-wave panel study of 657 Belgian adolescents, path analyses revealed that exposure to climate content in both news and social media was positively related to perceived personal risk and climate concerns four months later. Thus, climate content in news and social media appears to contribute to adolescents’ assessment of personal risk and the development of climate concerns over time. Further, news media, but not social media, was positively related to subjective knowledge about climate change four months later, possibly pointing to differences in information processing of climate content from these two sources. No direct relationships emerged between news and social media exposure, norms, and off- and online PEB over time. Only perceived personal risk negatively predicted offline PEB four months later, and mediated the prospective relationship between news and social media exposure and offline PEB. Potentially, adolescents acknowledge the risks of climate change, yet still perceive them as distant to themselves, leading to less PEB. Findings are discussed in light of practical and scholarly implications.

This study explores the dynamic relationship between social media activities and public opinion through time series analysis, utilizing extensive datasets from 2018 to 2024 that encompass over 1.5 million social media posts and opinion poll data. Using Vector Auto regression (VAR) models and structural time series analysis, the research reveals significant patterns indicating that specific types of social media engagement can precede shifts in public sentiment by 2 to 8 days, particularly in areas that provoke political polarization. The results highly recommend focusing not on the frequency of posts but on engagement metrics as a basis for the proper assessment of public opinion changes. This shows the crucial role of social media in developing public opinion that immediately affects political campaigning, advertising, and social science, among other fields. The methodology of the research served as a basis for creating a reliable tracking and, possibly, predicting mechanism that can trace the changes in social consensus due to the popularity of some topics in digital space.

This article contributes to the existing donation literature by addressing the knowledge gap in the impact of the symbolic capital of charity endorsers on the intention to donate. It explores the interplay between the symbolic capital of the endorser, donor intentions, and social media self-disclosure in the context of charitable giving via crowdfunding platforms. Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of capital conversion and social exchange theory, the study examines how the symbolic capital of the endorsers of charitable organizations influences donation behavior. A PLS-SEM analysis of the data obtained via a representative survey of 976 respondents suggests that donors exchange financial capital for symbolic capital of charity endorser to enhance their social recognition (i.e., symbolic capital), a process facilitated by self-disclosure on social media. This study confirms the presence of a generalized social exchange mechanism and highlights the critical roles of symbolic capital and social media in shaping charitable intentions.