Structuring Research Articles

Inbreeding avoidance, competition and natal dispersal in a pair-living, genetically monogamous mammal, Azara's owl monkey (Aotus azarae).

Natal dispersal is an important life-history stage influencing individual fitness, social dynamics of groups and population structure. Understanding factors influencing dispersal is essential for evaluating explanations for the evolution and maintenance of social organization, including parental care and mating systems. The social and mating systems of Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) are infrequent among mammals; these primates are pair-living, serially and genetically monogamous and both sexes directly care for offspring. To evaluate the role that competition and inbreeding avoidance play in shaping dispersal patterns, we used 25 years of demographic and genetic data to examine how variation in timing of natal dispersal is related to social (adult replacements, step-parents, births and group size) and ecological factors (seasonal abundance of resources) in a wild population of A. azarae in Formosa, Argentina. We found that all males and females dispersed from their natal groups, but subadults delayed dispersal when a step-parent of the opposite sex joined the group, indicating that they may perceive these step-parents as potential mates. Dispersal was more probable when resource conditions were better, regardless of age. Overall, agonistic conflict over food and potential mates with adults in the natal group, as well as inbreeding avoidance, contribute to regulating dispersal.

Dr Ambedkar’s idea of human rights and its scope of teaching in social work education: from text to context

ABSTRACT Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Ambedkar henceforth) is not merely known as the chief architect of the Indian constitution, social activist, philosopher, and social reformer but also as a great human rights defender in India. His idea and vision of human rights have been referencing points for creating an egalitarian society and formulating social policies. Despite his strong vision, teaching, and philosophy about an equal and just society, the pedagogy of social work is underutilized in social work education. His ideas of human rights were enshrined in the Indian constitution which even prevented marginalized social groups such as Dalit (Dalits are ex-untouchable caste group who live at the bottom in Indian social structure), tribal, and women from exploitation and protect their human rights. We argue that Ambedkar’s strong vision for a just and egalitarian society, and his rights and policy-based framework are key human rights features to introduce in the curriculum of social work education within India and outside India. This will not merely equip social work professionals to be better human rights defenders but also equip them significantly to contribute to creating a just and equal society.

Exploring Self-Reflexivity in Selected Dalit Literatures

Dalit literature, which emerged prominently in the 1970s and 1980s, represents a significant shift in Indian literary and cultural discourse. It is deeply connected to the Dalit Panther Movement in Maharashtra, which sought to confront and challenge entrenched caste hierarchies and social injustices. Historically, Indian literature has been dominated by upper-caste perspectives, which marginalized lower-caste voices and reinforced existing social structures. Dalit literature disrupts this hegemony by foregrounding the experiences of those historically marginalized, challenging traditional literary canons that glorify upper-caste perspectives and advocating for a redefined cultural legitimacy. Self-reflexivity, a process of critical self-examination within social contexts, plays a crucial role in Dalit writings. It involves reflecting on one’s identity and its formation within oppressive socio-cultural frameworks. Dalit literature often explores the interplay between spatial identity and caste discrimination, emphasizing how physical and social spaces are laden with historical and cultural meanings. This reflexivity enables Dalit writers to question and reconfigure their identities in response to systemic inequalities. Historically, Dalit writings can trace their roots back to Vedic traditions that justified caste hierarchies. Figures like Sharankumar Limbale and Eleanor Zelliot highlight how Dalit literature is a counter-narrative to these oppressive traditions. Early Dalit writers, influenced by social reformers like B.R. Ambedkar and movements such as Bhakti, used their works to critique caste-based injustices and advocate for social change. Education has been a transformative force in Dalit autobiographies, serving as a means for personal and societal advancement. Despite historical resistance to the education of untouchables, British colonial reforms and missionary schools played a pivotal role in improving educational access. Figures like Jyotiba Phule further advanced educational opportunities for marginalized communities, challenging entrenched social norms and promoting empowerment through learning.

Chemical and transcriptomic diversity do not correlate with ascending levels of social complexity in the insect order Blattodea.

Eusocial insects, such as ants and termites, are characterized by high levels of coordinated social organization. This is contrasted by solitary insects that display more limited forms of collective behavior. It has been hypothesized that this gradient in sociobehavioral sophistication is positively correlated with chemical profile complexity, due to a potentially increased demand for diversity in chemical communication mechanisms in insects with higher levels of social complexity. However, this claim has rarely been assessed empirically. Here, we compare different levels of chemical and transcriptomic complexity in selected species of the order Blattodea that represent different levels of social organization, from solitary to eusocial. We primarily focus on cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) complexity, since it has repeatedly been demonstrated that CHCs are key signaling molecules conveying a wide variety of chemical information in solitary as well as eusocial insects. We assessed CHC complexity and divergence between our studied taxa of different social complexity levels as well as the differentiation of their respective repertoires of CHC biosynthesis gene transcripts. Surprisingly, we did not find any consistent pattern of chemical complexity correlating with social complexity, nor did the overall chemical divergence or transcriptomic repertoire of CHC biosynthesis genes reflect on the levels of social organization. Our results challenge the assumption that increasing social complexity is generally reflected in more complex chemical profiles and point toward the need for a more cautious and differentiated view on correlating complexity on a chemical, genetic, and social level.

On Special Liberty and the Motivation to Harm

Abstract Special liberty is a destructive and criminogenic force operating throughout the social structure and is arguably the main source of social harm today. The subject of special liberty feels entitled to risk harm to others in pursuit of their own expressive and/or instrumental interests. Since its inception, the concept of special liberty has been used to make sense of numerous issues. However, little attention has been directed towards clearly delineating the two main forms of self-interest served by its use. Our understanding of why special liberty is employed in particular circumstances and conditions is therefore limited. This article makes an original contribution by attempting to formalize an initial delineation of expressive and instrumental self-interest apropos the use of special liberty.

Harmony under threat: does resource-mediated stress affect the (caste-based) social network of leaf-cutting ant colonies?

Managing pest species of eusocial insects, such as leaf-cutting ants, poses significant challenges. Controlling them requires understanding of how toxic plant substrates and ant baits are recognized by foragers, transported to the nest, shared among workers and managed by gardeners cultivating the symbiont fungus garden. Despite this, little is known about how unsuitable resources might impact social interactions within ant colonies. This study aims to investigate whether the provision of a suitable substrate (copperleaf) and a toxic substrate (nasturtium leaves) affects the social network dynamics within colonies of two leaf-cutting ant species: Acromyrmex molestans and Acromyrmex subterraneus. The interactions between castes were recorded and subjected to social network analyses. Initial foraging duration increased for A. subterraneus provided with copperleaf, although no difference was observed for the other species and resource combinations. The social network structure was similar for both species when copperleaf leaves were provided as a substrate. However, notable alterations occurred with nasturtium leaf provision, leading to higher integration of gardeners in interactions and noticeable changes in the generalist worker network centrality, particularly in A. subterraneus. The observed changes in social interactions, particularly in A. subterraneus, suggest that increasing gardener interactions with other castes expedites the movement of the substrate within the colony. This maximizes the potential toxic effect on the colony. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

ANALISIS YURIDIS PEMENUHAN HAK PELAYANAN PUBLIK BAGI PENYANDANG DISABILITAS KABUPATEN JEMBER

Public transportation plays a crucial role in the social and economic structure of cities worldwide by providing access to various services and activities. An efficient transportation system supports mobility in employment, education, healthcare, and recreation, and contributes to inclusive and sustainable urban development. However, individuals with disabilities often face barriers to accessing public transportation, both physical, such as the lack of disability-friendly facilities, and non-physical, such as insufficient staff training and supportive policies. These limitations hinder full participation of individuals with disabilities in society and widen the gap in life opportunities. In Indonesia, issues of inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities are central to human rights and social justice discourse. Although legislative progress has been made, field practices often remain suboptimal. Regulations such as Article 12 (e) of Regional Regulation No. 7 of 2016 and Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities provide a legal framework for accessibility, yet implementation on the ground still faces gaps. This study highlights the importance of improving legal protection and enhancing accessibility at public transportation stops in Jember Regency, aiming to identify barriers faced by people with disabilities and provide a basis for advocating for more inclusive policy and infrastructure changes. This research underscores that improving accessibility not only meets practical needs but also ensures recognition and protection of the legal rights of people with disabilities for equal mobility and full participation in society.

A religião em Gilberto Freyre - Sincretismo e a civilização «cristocêntrica»

In this article, I seek to dialogue with the thesis of alternative modernity in Freyre’s work from a less explored dimension: the religious one. Using texts and excerpts explicitly problematizing religion’s role in Brazil’s social formation, I show how we can read this alternative modernity in the light of an «alternative religiosity». This text then explores the author’s intuition of the influence of the Orient in the forms of the social organization of colonial Brazil. It is argued that this should be understood as refracted by Christianity and that the latter assumes a fundamental role in the cultural production of hybridity. This combination has its ethical core, allowing us to understand the utopian sense of some of Freyre’s theses. A sense which cannot be dissociated from a very particular attempt at the «invention» of national identity.

Bibliometric Analysis and Research Trends on Creative Accounting from 2000 to 2023

This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the extensive landscape of creative accounting research from 1958 to 2024. By analyzing thematic clusters, research trends over specific years, potential research topics in less explored areas, and patterns of author collaboration, the study provides a multidimensional view of the field's evolution and current state. Thematic analysis reveals core areas such as policy, earnings management, and the role of external audits, illustrating their interconnectedness within the research community. Temporal trend analysis identifies shifts from regulatory and ethical discussions to more complex issues like technology’s impact on creative accounting practices. Emerging research topics suggest future areas of study, including the influence of cultural perceptions and technological advancements on creative accounting. Furthermore, the author collaboration network highlights influential researchers and suggests robust collaborative ties within the community, offering insights into the social structure of academic collaboration. This study maps the development of creative accounting research, providing a foundation for future academic inquiry and practical application in the field.

Multifaceted density dependence: Social structure and seasonality effects on Serengeti lion demography.

Interactions between density and environmental conditions have important effects on vital rates and consequently on population dynamics and can take complex pathways in species whose demography is strongly influenced by social context, such as the African lion, Panthera leo. In populations of such species, the response of vital rates to density can vary depending on the social structure (e.g. effects of group size or composition). However, studies assessing density dependence in populations of lions and other social species have seldom considered the effects of multiple socially explicit measures of density, and-more particularly for lions-of nomadic males. Additionally, vital-rate responses to interactions between the environment and various measures of density remain largely uninvestigated. To fill these knowledge gaps, we aimed to understand how a socially and spatially explicit consideration of density (i.e. at the local scale) and its interaction with environmental seasonality affect vital rates of lions in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. We used a Bayesian multistate capture-recapture model and Bayesian generalized linear mixed models to estimate lion stage-specific survival and between-stage transition rates, as well as reproduction probability and recruitment, while testing for season-specific effects of density measures at the group and home-range levels. We found evidence for several such effects. For example, resident-male survival increased more strongly with coalition size in the dry season compared with the wet season, and adult-female abundance affected subadult survival negatively in the wet season, but positively in the dry season. Additionally, while our models showed no effect of nomadic males on adult-female survival, they revealed strong effects of nomads on key processes such as reproduction and takeover dynamics. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of accounting for seasonality and social context when assessing the effects of density on vital rates of Serengeti lions and of social species more generally.

Mosque and Society: Cambridge Central Mosque “A British Mosque for the 21st Century”

Mosques are at the heart of Muslim lives, especially in non-Muslim communities—the variety of cultures and nationalities of the immigrants determines the concept of mosques in Britain. The landscape of the mosques in Britain differs in regard to the cultural, national and denominational concepts. Most of the mosques are focused on either specific nationalities or denominations. The current article explores the ways in which mosques are situated in contemporary societies in relation to expressing Islamic and cultural identities, using Cambridge Central Mosque, which debuted in Britain in 2019 with the motto "eco-friendly", as a case study. The current research focuses primarily on examining the architectural, sustainable, and social aspects of the Cambridge Central Mosque. After engaging with the design feature of the Mosque, the article questions the meaning of 'British Mosque' in its functioning and multicultural structure. Eco-friendly mosques have been on the agenda since the beginning of Islam. There are many mosques in history. For example, Esrefoglu Mosque in Konya was built using ecological materials and has survived for 900 years. In the 21st century, the increased interest in eco-friendly buildings due to the growing rate of industrialisation and the ensuing pollution of the environment has reminded us to focus on sustainability, as it has always been a core concept in Islam and Muslim lives. Offering a good perspective on this issue, The Cambridge Central Mosque represents an overarching space for all Muslims, women, and families. It is an example of environmentally friendly, sustainable, and integrated with the social structure in the modern world.

Multiple and intersectional discrimination and mental health of migrant populations in Portugal after the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose A growing body of evidence suggests that experiences of discrimination may affect physical and mental health through multiple pathways. This paper aims to characterize the extent of everyday perceived discrimination among Brazilian and Cape Verdean immigrant adults in Portugal, to identify its forms and analyze its association with mental health. Design/methodology/approach This study draws on data from the EQUALS4COVID19 (Equity in health in times of pandemic) project that implemented a cross-sectional survey combining online and face-to-face questionnaires for data collection between February and November 2022. Findings Women were less likely than men to report no discrimination experiences and more likely to report combined bases of discrimination. While Brazilian women were more likely than Cape Verdean counterparts to report gender and nationality-based discrimination, Cape Verdean women and men were more likely to report experiencing race-based discrimination. Gender (being identified as a woman) and length of stay in Portugal were the main predictors of depression, while resilience and perceived social support were protective factors. Participants with higher levels of resilience showed a significantly diminished association between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. Practical implications This study highlights the need for further research on the interlocking influences of gender, race, nationality and other structures of power, on health and illness to increase our understanding of what would help meet the specific needs of migrants’ mental health and improve equitable health care. Originality/value The findings on the multiple and intersectional discrimination perceived by the Brazilian and Cape Verdean populations in Portugal illustrated the ways mental health can be affected by social structures, such as gender and ethnic hierarchies, and can be used to inform the relevance to design and implement programs on combating individual and institutional discrimination and improving the rights of all people.

Culinary narratives: Exploring the socio-cultural dynamics of food culture in Africa

This paper delves into the multifaceted dimensions of food culture in Africa beyond culinary practices. It examines the socio-cultural significance of food consumption, production, and distribution in shaping identities, social structures, and community relationships. Through case studies and ethnographic research, it explores how food serves as a lens for understanding issues such as globalization, colonial legacies, and cultural hybridity, highlighting how food culture intersects with broader socio-political dynamics on the continent. Culinary Narratives: Exploring the Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Food Culture in Africa Culinary narratives in African literature provide a unique lens through which to explore the socio-cultural dynamics of food culture on the continent. This review delves into the rich tapestry of food-related stories, traditions, and practices in African societies, highlighting their significance in shaping identity, community, and cultural exchange. This study examines the role of culinary narratives in African literature, focusing on how food-related stories and traditions reflect and influence socio-cultural dynamics. By analyzing a range of literary works from different African countries and regions, this study aims to uncover the diverse ways in which food culture is represented and its impact on African societies. Studying culinary narratives in African literature is crucial for understanding the complexities of food culture and its role in shaping identity and social relations. Food is not just sustenance in African societies; it is a form of communication, a marker of identity, and a medium through which cultural traditions are preserved and shared. By exploring culinary narratives, we gain insights into the values, beliefs, and traditions that define African cultures. This study argues that culinary narratives in African literature offer a rich and multifaceted portrayal of food culture, highlighting its significance in shaping identity, community, and cultural exchange. Through the analysis of various literary works, this study seeks to illuminate the diverse ways in which food is represented and its impact on African societies. In conclusion, culinary narratives in African literature offer a unique and insightful perspective on the socio-cultural dynamics of food culture on the continent. By exploring these narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which food is used to communicate, celebrate, and preserve cultural heritage in African societies.

Trajectories of socio-ecological systems: Does social capital matter? A case study in the tropical Andes

Between natural and social systems there are two-way interactions, which determine the path of change in the Socio-Ecological System. For example, the type of land use decisions that society makes could lead to the deterioration of the biophysical system and its ecological functioning, causing effects on social well-being. Conceptual and simulation models of socio-ecological systems allow an understanding of such interactions and the development of trajectories. In this manuscript we explore the link between three lines of research that overlap but have been studied separately (i) Governance, (ii) Socio-ecological systems, and (iii) social capital. This paper analyzes the dynamics of social capital and its influence on governance and Land Use and Land Cover Changes in a basin of the Colombian Andes. To this end, we develop a Systems Dynamics model (SD). This research contributes to the (i) understanding of how the institutions, their policies, the actors, and the interactions generated between them in a territory influence the management of natural resources, which is indispensable to supporting the decision-making process; and (ii) operationalization of the social capital elements on the SES model through an integrated analysis with consideration of feedback mechanisms between natural and social system. With this model, a scenario evaluation is developed to analyze the effect of different approaches of the social capital organization on land cover in the basin case study.

The paradox of designing networked learning throughout the employee life cycle

How can organisations cultivate professional and social networks which accelerate knowledge sharing throughout the employee life cycle? The increasing complexity of the workplace environment and continuously changing processes makes it relevant for many organisations to invest in their social network structures, communities, and knowledge sharing. However, ultimately these social and relational processes are depended on the employees’ personalities, interests, ownership, and motivation and which do not necessarily correspond with the organisation’s strategy, priorities, timing, and resources. This constitutes a paradox between the strategic priority for networked learning and the employees’ interest and motivation to participate in knowledge sharing. Both elements are true, interconnected and mutually exclusive elements and raise a paradox (Lüscher, 2019:8) for networked learning designers in organisations between intended design and uncertain evolution.

New Digital Divide Shaped by Algorithm? Evidence from Agent-Based Testing on Douyin’s Health-Related Video Recommendation

While recommendation algorithms have significantly empowered human communication process, there is an emerging scholarly and societal concern regarding the potential discrimination inherent in algorithmic decision-making. The present study employs a novel agent-based testing approach to conduct an automated audit of the Douyin algorithm’s recommendations for health-related videos, aiming to investigate its relationship with information inequalities between individuals who are socioeconomically advantaged and disadvantaged. Our findings imply the possible existence of a new digital divide, wherein the algorithm tends to recommend a smaller proportion of authenticated health-related videos on cheap phone models, representing users in low socioeconomic group. Furthermore, this divide was mitigated when both groups demonstrated the same watching strategy for authenticated information. This study implies that recommendation algorithms actively perpetuate and exacerbate discriminatory social structures in reality. We also advocate for increased attention and education among the low socioeconomic group to enhance their health information literacy and understanding of algorithmic mechanisms.

Marginalization of Women's Identity in a Matrilineal Community: A Study of Semende Community in South Sumatra, Indonesia

This paper explored the marginalization of women in the Semende community, which is claimed to be matrilineal. According to Semende custom, the eldest daughter is given the power to inherit, manage, and utilize the family’s assets of housing and agricultural land. Those women are known as the tunggu tubang. However, according to custom, Semende males are also given the authority to influence the inheritance management carried out by the appointed women. The Semende custom allows the men to “judge” and test the appointed women to see if they are unable to carry out the management of the inheritance and even gain legitimacy if they want to manage the inherited property. This custom suggests that the Semende woman’s claim to have power over the inheritance must be questioned. The customary legitimacy of men being allowed to take over the inheritance if needed also confirms that the Semende females have been lulled away from their position as inheriterse. They appear to have the power over the inheritance, but in reality, they have been marginalized in the social structure of their society. For this reason, this article tries to describe the basis for the justification for taking over authority and power from women and the implications for the inherited customs of property and the social structure of the Semende community. Keywords: inheritere; male domination; marginalization; matrilineal community; Indonesia

Tipping points in coupled human–environment system models: a review

Abstract. Mathematical models that couple human behavior to environmental processes can offer valuable insights into how human behavior affects various types of ecological, climate, and epidemiological systems. This review focuses on human drivers of tipping events in coupled human–environment systems where changes to the human system can abruptly lead to desirable or undesirable new human–environment states. We use snowball sampling from relevant search terms to review the modeling of social processes – such as social norms and rates of social change – that are shown to drive tipping events, finding that many affect the coupled system depending on the system type and initial conditions. For example, tipping points can manifest very differently in human extraction versus human emission systems. Some potential interventions, such as reducing costs associated with sustainable behavior, have intuitive results. However, their beneficial outcomes via less obvious tipping events are highlighted. Of the models reviewed, we found that greater structural complexity can be associated with increased potential for tipping events. We review generic and state-of-the-art techniques in early warning signals of tipping events and identify significant opportunities to utilize digital social data to look for such signals. We conclude with an outline of challenges and promising future directions specific to furthering our understanding and informing policy that promotes sustainability within coupled human–environment systems. Non-technical summary. Mathematical models that include interactions between humans and the environment can provide valuable information to further our understanding of tipping points. Many social processes such as social norms and rates of social change can affect these tipping points in ways that are often specific to the system being modeled. Higher complexity of social structure can increase the likelihood of these transitions. We discuss how data are used to predict tipping events across many coupled systems.

“I would love to see these big institutions… throwing their weight around”: qualitative findings regarding health and social sector collaborations to address community-level socioeconomic adversity

BackgroundHealth and social sector organizations are increasingly working together to mitigate socioeconomic adversity within their communities. We sought to learn about the motivations, experiences, and perspectives of organizations engaged in these collaborations.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured, 60-minute interviews with 34 leaders from 25 health and social sector organizations between January-April 2021. Interviews explored motivations, benefits and challenges, and ways in which health sector organizations can most effectively address community-level socioeconomic adversity. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed; themes were coded using Dedoose software.ResultsPartnerships were primarily motivated by mission-driven organizations and key health sector leaders who were interested in addressing root causes of poor health; policies such as certificate of need laws and value-based care incentives that aligned community-level investments with health sector organizations’ financial interests facilitated these efforts. While partnerships were mostly regarded as mutually beneficial ways to increase impact (for the health sector) and resource access (for the social sector), social sector organizations voiced frustrations regarding the outsized expectations, unsustained interest, and lack of partnership from their health sector collaborators. Despite these frustrations, both health and social sector interviewees supported the health sector’s continued involvement in community-level socioeconomic initiatives and expansion of policy and systems efforts.ConclusionsCross-sector, community-level socioeconomic initiatives were mutually beneficial, but social sector organizations experienced more frustrations. Policy and organizational changes within the health sector can further mobilize and sustain support for these efforts.

Research on the Interaction Mechanism between Land System Reform and Rural Population Flow: Europe (Taking Spain as an Example) and China

This paper examines the interaction between land policies and rural labor migration in China and Europe, highlighting how land reforms guide labor mobility and their impacts on land and social structures. In China, the Household Contract Responsibility System and land transfer policies have facilitated agricultural scale expansion and the urbanization of the rural labor force. Homestead reforms have further enhanced farmers’ asset liquidity. In Europe, using Spain as a case study, EU agricultural policies have spurred agricultural modernization, economic diversification, and intensive land use. These advancements benefitted from a mature land transfer market and increased non-agricultural employment opportunities. Both China and Europe face challenges of population aging and rural depopulation, necessitating improvements in land use efficiency, the balance of the scale, and the protection of farmers’ rights and interests. Europe addresses labor shortages through technology, mechanization, and cooperatives, while China employs land trusteeship, transfer platforms, and the “three rights separation” system to combat land abandonment and labor shortages. Future research should strengthen comparative studies between China and Europe, quantify interactive relationships, consider the impact of transnational labor mobility under globalization, explore policy innovations, and foster international cooperation to address demographic changes and agricultural labor shortages. Additionally, promoting sustainable land use and farmers’ rights, equalizing urban–rural public services, enhancing education and training, and improving the social security system are crucial for integrated urban–rural development.