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Culture and gender differences in values associated with luxury consumption are investigated. Two Western individualistic-oriented countries with mature luxury markets (France and the United States) and two Eastern collectivistic-oriented countries with developing luxury markets (the United Arab Emirates and China) are compared using a previously developed model of luxury values. Main results indicate that refinement, heritage, and, to a lesser extent, exclusivity receive greater emphasis in Western rather than Eastern countries. Chinese and U.S. consumers place particular emphasis on elitism. Additionally, gender shapes the importance placed on luxury values: men emphasize elitism (and exclusivity in Western countries only), whereas women emphasize refinement. Furthermore, adherence to own-gender beliefs (i.e., traits attributed to one's gender) fully mediates gender influence within all four countries. Theoretical implications are discussed based on major frameworks of national culture and the social structural theory. Managerial implications in terms of cultural and gendered adaptation of marketing strategies are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations can motivate and coordinate work by socializing members to internalize organizational values. Existing theories posit that organizations achieve normative control through encapsulation, wherein peers and managers are primary sources of members' socialization. Drawing on ethnographic data from a not-for-profit school, I show how an external actor—beneficiaries—can become a source of normative control. I develop a multistage process that explains how teachers were socialized by parents, specifically by hearing these parent beneficiaries narrate their needs; engaging in collective storytelling about beneficiaries; experiencing episodic shaming centered on how teachers' daily performance met (or did not meet) beneficiaries' needs; and receiving validation from beneficiaries. Because these sequential stages establish beneficiaries as sources of control through social interactions set in specific times and places, and establish shared emotional states among organizational members, I theorize that these stages compose a ritual of integration. Although teachers initially arrived at the school with heterogeneous values, this ritual led many of them to internalize the organizational value of self-sacrifice. Teachers who were unmoved by parents' stories or came to see parents as exploitative did not internalize this value, and they tended to exit the organization. This study reveals how normative control can arise not only through socialization from in-group members but also from ritual interactions with and about beneficiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is sparse on how community-based health-promoting programs can be culturally adapted for racially minoritized, immigrant older adult populations. Choose to Move (CTM) is an evidence-based health-promoting program that enhances physical activity and mobility and diminished social isolation and loneliness in older adults in British Columbia, Canada. However, racially minoritized older adults were not reached in initial offerings. We purposively sampled CTM delivery staff (n = 8) from three not-for-profit organizations, in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, that serve Chinese older adults. We used semistructured interviews, ethnographic observations, and meeting minutes to understand delivery staff's perspectives on factors that influence CTM adaptations for Chinese older adults. Deductive framework analysis guided by an adaptation framework, Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Enhanced, found three dominant cultural- and immigration-related factors influenced CTM adaptations for Chinese older adults: (a) prioritizations, (b) familiarity, and (c) literacy. Findings may influence future program development and delivery to meet the needs of racially minoritized older adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1904, Edmond Desbonnet launched La Culture Physique, a magazine that presented itself as scientific and entertaining in its promotion of strength athletes. La Culture Physique prioritized photomechanical imagery to demonstrate the visual merits of the conditioned human body. A surprising number of women feature in nearly each month's issue. The magazine represented these athletes using a number of editing techniques that made their bodies seem remarkably muscular and yet conventionally feminine. But the specific formal qualities of the publication—such as paper quality, printing technology, and size—helped mask the work that went into making its subjects appear real. La Culture Physique is one of very few extant sources wherein the muscularity of specific women is promoted alongside men's during a period when gender disparity was deeply engrained in French society. La Culture Physique worked within and at times pushed against dominant French cultural values articulated around concepts of gender and belonging, using a set of tools that packaged its contents and form as works of art: as legible, desirable, and collectable. This paper demonstrates that these same tools also helped the publication maintain its veneer of authority. La Culture Physique has yet to be examined from an art historical perspective. This paper seeks to remedy this by arguing that La Culture Physique's 1904 issues are a crucial source of historical and visual documentation for scholars interested in how women participated and were represented in early French physical culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK’s ratification of Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024 signals a formal commitment to engage with the concept of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This article investigates how this commitment could reshape built heritage practices in the UK through fostering a more integrated relationship between the tangible and intangible qualities of heritage. It argues that prioritising this interface is essential for contemporary built heritage management, ensuring the diverse cultural values embedded in the historic environment are represented. After examining the broader UK context, the article narrows focus to England, where Historic England’s guidance and initiatives demonstrate how shifts in policy and practice could materialise in response to the convention. The article concludes by proposing three key opportunity areas that could emerge from emphasising the tangible–intangible relationship: 1) evolving understandings of heritage, community and participation; 2) recognising the mutual influence of ICH and physical heritage; and 3) strengthening place-based cultural practices. These opportunities offer a timely pathway for the UK to become a thought leader in heritage management by aligning conservation practices with evolving cultural values and community involvement, thus setting a new benchmark for built heritage management in a Western European context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding human–wildlife interactions within biocultural systems is essential to support evidence‐based conservation and Indigenous cultural integrity, and to identify inclusive “win‐win” options for coexistence with threatened species. Jamaica's Blue and John Crow Mountains contain a population of the Endangered Jamaican hutia or coney (Geocapromys brownii), one of the last surviving Caribbean mammals, as well as Maroon communities that practice hunting as a traditional cultural activity. An interview survey was conducted in two Maroon communities within this conservation‐priority landscape to understand local knowledge and attitudes toward coneys, and the cultural importance and dynamics of interactions with coneys. Experience of coney consumption is relatively widespread through small‐scale local trade in hunted animals, but few respondents consider hunting to be of cultural or economic importance, very few people specifically hunt coneys, and most respondents support coney conservation. Conversely, crop damage caused by coneys is considered a substantial problem and is associated with decreased conservation support. Although we estimate that almost 530 coneys were killed during the previous year by our respondent sample, local perceptions suggest that hunting may not be having a negative impact on the coney population, and coney conservation can hopefully be integrated equitably with Maroon cultural values and needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policing in the South Pacific is influenced by a myriad of factors including cultural norms, historical legacies, socio-economic disparities, and geopolitical dynamics. Against this backdrop, law enforcement officers face multifaceted challenges in reconciling the demands of their profession with personal and familial obligations. This article discusses the challenges faced by police officers as they attempt to balance their professional and personal lives. Interviews were conducted with male (N = 50) and female (N = 50) constables from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to gain insight into the challenges they face as RSIPF officers, the support available to them and the further resources they see as necessary to improve their work-life balance. Findings reveal a complex interplay of factors shaping officers’ work-life dynamics, including shift work schedules, high-pressure environments, community expectations, and the emotional toll of policing in small, tight-knit societies. It also highlights the significance of informal support networks, cultural values, and adaptive coping mechanisms in mediating the impact of work-related stressors on officers’ well-being. Notably, data suggest that RSIPF work-life balance, wellness and workplace structures are highly gendered. These findings offer insights that can inform the development of more effective support mechanisms and policies aimed at enhancing the holistic wellbeing of police officers. They further substantiate the need for greater formal support systems within the RSIPF to assist employees with managing their work-life balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch‐up (ABC) is an evidence‐based early intervention promoting attachment security and self‐regulation by enhancing parental sensitivity. When scaling up an evidence‐based intervention to the community, it is essential to consider families’ preferences and cultural values to ensure cultural appropriateness, while maintaining fidelity to the intervention's core components. In this article, we aimed to test the effectiveness of ABC in improving parental sensitivity when implemented in Spanish at a community level in the USA. The effectiveness of ABC when implemented in Spanish in the community was assessed through pre‐post changes in observed parental sensitivity in 79 Latine families with children ages 6 months to 4 years. Parental sensitivity increased from pre‐ to post‐test, with a similar effect size to previous studies (d = .67). Results and practice implications are discussed, highlighting the importance of the support to providers reaching families of diverse origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall objective of this study was to assess the role of wildlife tourism in improving the livelihood of communities in Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA) by focusing on the economic and the socio-cultural roles. Data were obtained through household questionnaire, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews in three study villages. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel. The findings revealed that wildlife tourism operations in the three villages associated with BWMA have generated significant benefits. Several economic and socio-cultural livelihood indicators in the study villages were significantly impacted by wildlife tourism activities. Wildlife tourism appears to have a considerable impact on increasing household incomes, but a relatively lesser impact on reducing agricultural production, which is the economic mainstay for many households in the Babati district. In terms of socio-cultural livelihood indicator, wildlife tourism operation seem to have a significant (x2 = 191.613, df = 8, N = 117 and p < 0.0001) impact in raising the profile and fame of the villages, while having a lesser impact on the erosion of local customs and culture, as most of the villagers continue to uphold their cultural practices. These findings suggest that wildlife tourism in the WMAs can improve people's standard of living and strengthen cultural values. The study recommends full consideration of socio-economic and cultural values of the communities at individual level by the potential stakeholders including policy makers. This will enhance the achievement of sustainable conservation in WMAs and community development through wildlife tourism activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how silk as an aesthetic sign plays the active and efficient role of diplomatic narrative in the cultural and political communication between countries employing the historical and archaeological evidence in China. Aesthetic signs are of communicative values and cultural narrative significance. Silk is an aesthetic sign with iconic properties. The paper argues that beauty, exquisiteness, and value are the visual properties that silk as a sign vehicle presents in terms of texture, colours, patterns, and weaving techniques, recognised across all cultural contexts throughout history. The richness of favourable meanings that a sign conveys is embodied in the characteristics of its specific vehicle. The combination of silk as a sign vehicle and its designated object conveys the sign's value, thus performing the narrative function. Due to its iconic functions, silk is the most distinct and active aesthetic sign. Therefore, this paper argues that silk as a sign expresses diplomatic fraternity and harmony narrates aesthetics of unremitting pursuit of gentleness and auspiciousness, and constructs an international image of a country willing to coexist with others harmoniously and offer mutual assistance during difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Western diet is associated with chronic disease risk, and degree of dietary acculturation can impact susceptibility. This study sought to understand the factors associated with changes in food consumption habits among international students at a large public university in the southern US. Participants: A convenience sample of 173 international students representing 41 countries at The University of Georgia participated in the survey. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey assessed dietary habits, perception of healthy eating, and level of acculturation using previously validated measures. Results: Highest number of participants were from China (19.2%), 89.0% were graduate students with an average age of 27.5 ± 4.83 years. The majority (62.0%) of participants were dietary acculturated with affordability and accessibility determining types of food consumption, as fewer whole foods and more processed foods were consumed in the U.S. Conclusions: Findings suggest dietary acculturation may be driven by economic factors, making the transition to Westernized food items a convenient and cost-effective choice among international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between religion and health tends to be framed positively. Religion has been found to act as a coping mechanism and source of support in times of ill health. In this paper, we focus on the disruptive effect of chronic illness on religious practice and cultural engagement. Drawing on interviews with ethnic minority adults with end‐stage kidney disease, who also identify as religious, we introduce the concept 'cultural disruption'. While religious practice and belief was found to provide strength and comfort we also found that chronic illness had a disruptive impact on religious and cultural practice that participants attempted to manage. To highlight the potential disruptive effect of chronic illness on religious faith and cultural engagement we identify three elements of cultural disruption—disruption to religious practice, disruption to sense of self and identity and disruption to wellbeing. We conclude by suggesting that understanding and accounting for the potential of cultural disruption when diagnosing, treating and supporting people with chronic illness offers an alternative entry point to the life‐worlds of patients who identify as religious and the things that are important to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advance care planning empowers people by allowing them some control over certain healthcare decisions in the event they are unable. Yet, advance care planning rates in the American Indian and Alaska Native populations are low. Thus, we culturally tailored the Make Your Wishes About You (MY WAY), an intervention to improve advance care planning access and completion for American Indian peoples. Methods: In partnership with an American Indian Tribe, the project took a community-based participatory orientation and relied on a Community Advisory Board and a Professional Advisory Board. The culturally tailoring was a 15-step process. These steps allowed us to ensure that the tailoring reflects community-specific norms and preferences, greater reliance on visual images and local idioms of expression, more appropriate attention to family roles, and inclusion of spiritual elements. Results: A four-phase cultural tailoring framework emerged with each phase centering around listening, learning, and analyzing with tailoring occurring between each phase. A culturally tailored MY WAY was created, which was delivered in a manner that reflected Tribal citizenss' preferences. Materials included Tribal language, local idioms of expression, attention to family roles, and appropriate inclusion of spiritual elements. The materials were rated high on a content validity index by the advisory board members. Conclusion: There is a growing interest in tailoring existing evidence-based programs with relatively little in the literature offering guidance. By sharing our efforts and experiences in culturally tailoring an advance care planning program for an American Indian Tribe, we hope that it will serve useful for future efforts in ensuring that evidence-based programming reaches those in greatest need. While this project was rooted in the core Indigenous values of community, ceremony or spirituality, language, and place it also lends itself to broader translation across different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the text of a speech by Dr. Bernard P. Dreyer in receiving the Joseph W. St. Geme, Jr Leadership Award, presented by the Federation of Pediatric Organizations at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Toronto, Ontario on May 3, 2024. He discussed why he felt honored in receiving the award, his privilege to be a pediatrician, and their major advocacy for reducing child poverty.

Trust plays an integral part in the effective functioning of public health systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distrust of public health fueled vaccine hesitancy and created additional barriers to immunization. Although most Americans have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, the percentage of fully immunized adults remains suboptimal. To reach vaccine-hesitant communities, it is vital that public health be worthy of trust. As trusted members of their communities, community health workers (CHWs) can serve as ideal messengers and conversation partners for vaccination decision-making. We developed the Be REAL framework and training materials to prepare CHWs to work with vaccine-hesitant communities nationwide. Through the four steps of "Relate," "Explore," "Assist," and "Leave (the door open)," CHWs were taught to prioritize relationship building as a primary goal. In this shift from focusing on adherence to public health recommendations (e.g., get vaccinated) to building relationships, the value of vaccine uptake is secondary to the quality of the relationship being formed. The Be REAL framework facilitates CHWs harnessing the power they already possess. The goal of the Be REAL framework is to foster true partnership between CHWs and community members, which in turn can help increase trust in the broader public health system beyond adherence to a specific recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTerror Management Theory posits that reminders of mortality increase support for cultural values and negative views toward transgressors. However, little research has investigated how mortality salience can influence individuals’ perceptions of victims who have suffered differing moral misfortune types. This study explored how mortality salience and moral misfortune types affect the perceptions of victims. One hundred forty-three participants were exposed to either mortality or control manipulation and were given five victim scenarios based on five moral foundations: harm, fairness, purity, loyalty, and authority. Participants rated the deservingness of help for the victim in each scenario. The results indicated that harm and purity transgressions elicited more help, while conservative individuals viewed purity victims less favorably under mortality salience. This suggests that mortality salience influences victim perceptions based on moral context. This study illustrates how mortality salience can shape perceptions of victim’s deservingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moving away from an individual and pathological framework and instead drawing on a social-relational model of disability, this article examines the experiences of mothers with autistic children in navigating between caregiving and working life in China. Conducting narrative analysis of 14 in-depth interviews with mothers of autistic children, we argue that their decisions to make adjustments to work are situated in social and relational dynamics of disabled and gendered cultural ideologies, inaccessibility to healthcare, education, and social services, as well as filial familial relationship. As a result, they have to adjust their careers and personal life, such as resigning from previous work and becoming full-time mothers. Although these women constantly experienced a strong sense of loss in terms of their personal and social identity, some developed new perspectives seeing disability, normality, and the meaning of 'good mother' in the process of negotiating their work life and motherhood role. Points of Interests: Mothers of autistic children in China experience social and relational barriers in caregiving and working life. Mothers adjust to their careers and personal life by quitting their previous jobs and becoming full-time mothers, changing positions, or switching to part-time employment. The unavailability of healthcare and social service, as well as the discrimination of the education system against children with autism, significantly affect their mothers' work and family life. Autistic children encounter exclusion in the filial family in China. Grandparents and fathers of autistic children often refuse to participate in childcare arrangements. As a result, mothers had to bear the care responsibility alone. Some mothers described their personal journey of 'walking out'. They rejected the idea that autism is a form of abnormality needed to be cured. They also organized to advocate for social inclusion and policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the researchers aimed to understand the life experience of older widowed women living alone. Employing a phenomenological approach, we interviewed 15 older women (age 62 to 95) living alone at homes in two villages in Central Java. Through systematic text condensation procedure, we identified five themes: (1) negative feelings at times, (2) getting used to living alone, (3) needing help to support independent living, (4) coping toward negative feelings, (5) attachment to the original house. We depicted the struggles of older women living alone in their homes. Despite the coping strategies they have developed over time, older women needed help during hard times, especially when getting sick. Families and neighbors were the main resources to maintain their independent living. Improving the home environment to increase suitability for aging residents and providing a support system are the options that best fit the needs and values the older women believed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Globalization and rapid shifts in culture and economy threaten indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems, and large intergenerational gaps in this knowledge already exist. Buddleja asiatica is a deciduous shrub or small tree with traditional medicinal applications but is currently largely overlooked as a medicinal resource. This study investigates the traditional uses of B. asiatica in indigenous communities in the Pan‐Himalayan region through ethnobotanical field surveys, with a view to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening economic resilience in these communities, as well as developing B. asiatica as a medicinal resource. Prioritizing the well‐being of mountain communities, this study aims to bridge community development with nature. Summary: Buddleja asiatica Lour. (Scrophulariaceae) is widely distributed across the Pan‐Himalayan region. It has traditional medicinal applications and cultural value, as well as ecological significance. We conducted an ethnobotanical study combining field surveys from Nepal and Xizang, China with a literature review using Web of Science (WoS) to review the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of this species. Our study highlights the cultural significance of B. asiatica within indigenous communities and, in particular, the use of the leaves to make a starter culture for the preparation of wine. However, an evident intergenerational gap in knowledge transfer exists. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of various chemical classes (carbohydrates, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, esters, steroids, glycosides, and fatty acids), of which 15 phytoconstituents were first reported from various parts of B. asiatica. The potential medicinal properties of these chemicals include anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antihepatotoxic, antimicrobial, and cholinesterase activities. We combine these lines of evidence to show the prospects for the livelihoods of local people across this region and propose future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rebekah Hyneman, born in Pennsylvania in 1816, played a significant role in documenting Jewish existence. Beyond her unique historical novel, The Black Izba: A Tale of Ancient Russia,1 serialized in 1855 in The Masonic Mirror and Keystone, she made a noteworthy contribution through her extensive oeuvre. Raised by a Jewish-German father and a Christian mother, Hyneman converted to Judaism in 1845. Despite her multifaceted literary output, her substantial contributions have been overlooked. This paper seeks to rectify the historical neglect surrounding Hyneman's work by shining a light on her novel, The Black Izba. This novel stands out as a rare piece by a nineteenth-century Jewish female writer. It offers a unique perspective on Jewish women, exploring a female literary culture documenting its own story, its relationship with prevailing Christian norms, and striving to uphold religious and cultural values in restrictive contexts. Through an examination of Hyneman's work, the paper underscores her portrayal of Jewish women and their role in preserving their identity. Hyneman's poetry and prose extend beyond mere artistic expression; they harbor political and social agendas. She believed that Christians' unfamiliarity with Jewish traditions fostered alienation. Through her writings, Hyneman endeavors to bridge this gap, emphasizing mutual recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates why women in Southern Italy are attracted to Turkish TV serials, which may seem culturally distant at first glance. By conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 women, the research aims to uncover the specific elements of Turkish serials that resonate with these women. The findings reveal that participants appreciate the portrayal of strong, independent female characters in Turkish serials, which challenge their preconceptions about Muslim women and foster a sense of shared human experiences across cultures. The romantic ideals depicted, without overt sexualization, and the subtle reinforcement of traditional gender roles, align with the viewers' cultural values, offering a comforting blend of familiarity and novelty. Additionally, the high production values and aesthetically pleasing depiction of Turkish settings and lifestyles enhance the appeal. These serials not only entertain but also prompt audiences to reflect on their own cultural and feminist issues. This study highlights the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural media consumption and its impact on cultural perceptions and viewer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Philippine cemeteries has been traditionally placed within the purview of archaeology, which, broadly speaking, places importance in its material cultures. To further broaden our knowledge about these sites, this paper explores how Philippine cemeteries, particularly Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), generate meaning through their linguistic landscape (LL). Using place semiotics approach and indexicality, this study identifies seven communicative functions used in LNMB epitaphs: (1) affective, (2) associative, (3) celebrative, (4) memorative, (6) desiderative, and (7) summative. In doing so, this study not only treats public signs as communicative 'actors' which convey meaning and pragmatic function but it also analyzes the act of 'engaging' with epitaphs as a highly contextualised speech event. Finally, this study argues that epitaphs signify discourses of memory, remembrance, and patriotism and index sociocultural and political realities, all of which contribute to the creation of LNMB not only as a cemetery per se but also as a place of experience and embodiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While both the classroom cultural diversity climate and curriculum-based interventions can promote cultural identity development, they have not been studied together. Drawing on theories of ethnic-racial identity development, the current study aimed to understand the dynamic interplay of a curriculum-based intervention (the Identity Project) with the classroom cultural diversity climate (heritage culture and intercultural learning, critical consciousness socialization and equal treatment) on cultural identity exploration and resolution. Our sample included 906 mid-adolescents in Italy (32.36% immigrant descent, Mage (SD) = 15.12 (0.68) years, 51.73% female), and 504 early adolescents in Germany (53.86% immigrant descent, Mage (SD) = 12.82 (0.89) years, 42.37% female). Bayesian multivariate linear models show that the Identity Project and a stronger critical consciousness climate in the classroom before the intervention promoted cultural identity exploration at post-test in both countries. However, effects of the intervention and facets of the diversity climate on subsequent resolution were only observed in Italy. There was some evidence that the intervention could alter the classroom cultural diversity climate in Germany, while the intervention could compensate for a less positive diversity climate in the slightly older sample in Italy. Thus, it seems promising to systematically build in opportunities to engage with students' diverse heritage cultures and identities when developing new curricula, as well as to train teachers to implement such curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines four tombstones associated with significant figures in Yemen's history during the early Qāsimī State era: ʿAlī b. Imām al‐Muʾayyad Muḥammad b. al‐Qāsim (1013–1078 Hiǧrī (h)/ad 1603–1617) and his brother al‐Qāsim b. Imām al‐Muʾayyad Muḥammad b. al‐Qāsim (1024–1127 h/ad 1632–1715). The research sheds light on their biographies and historical roles. It aims to document and study these stone artefacts from both archaeological and artistic perspectives, providing a detailed description and analysing the inscriptions in terms of form and content. The inscriptions contain valuable historical information, religious and historical titles and supplicatory phrases. The researcher employed a descriptive–analytical approach and an inductive method by describing the four artefacts, reading their written texts, analyzing their contents and referencing various archaeological evidence sources and historical references. The study emphasises the importance of preserving these artefacts due to their significant archaeological and cultural value amid the ongoing armed political conflict in Yemen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines grief while providing transnational caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are an estimated 275 million migrants living in their destination homeland which is 3.5% of the global population. The transnational family strives to maintain solidarity, intergenerational ties, and cultural values while sustaining family structure across international borders. Transnational caregiving is the exchange of support and care across distance and international borders. The devastating assault of COVID-19 on older adults impacted caregiving significantly, especially transnational caregiving. A qualitative case study method was selected to examine a participant's understanding and experience of transnational caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the interviews and writing of the narrative summary, five themes emerged related to transnational caregiving and COVID-related losses –exposure to sudden and unexpected death, isolation, guilt, loss and change of traditions, and lack of closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster situations, depending on their severity and scale, lead to severe general and medical situations. In cases of fires, disasters, accidents and catastrophes, the state must guarantee the life, health, security of the population, material and cultural values of society. Fire safety and civil protection is the institution which, in addition to fire-fighting activities and fire control, carries out rescue activities in the outbreak of damage, emergency and post-disaster recovery activities, chemical, biological and radiation protection, preventive measures to reduce the risk of disasters, formation of voluntary formations, coordination, information and analysis and other activities. The purpose of this publication is to present the results of the report of the Regional Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection in Plovdiv on the cases registered in 2019 in which the institution responded and provided first aid and assistance. Material and methods: Statistical, documentary and descriptive methods were used, and the report from the Regional Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection in Plovdiv for the period 2019 was analyzed. The analysis was made according to the age group of the population, social status of the victims, time of day interval and according to the trauma received in different situations. Conclusion: The General Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection is the main institution for responding not only to fires, but also to disasters of different origin (natural or anthropogenic). It is an institution for carrying out rescue and emergency recovery work after various disasters, large-scale preventive work to protect public health and a range of other activities concerning the life and health of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A theoretical interpretation of factors influencing time tradeoff (TTO) scores is lacking. In this conceptual study, we use a sociopsychological theory, terror management theory (TMT), to explain how death thoughts may play a role in the TTO method. TMT describes how respondents suppress death thoughts by invoking psychological defenses, such as self-esteem, and by bolstering cultural values. Research Question: What is the relation between TMT and TTO scores? Methods: A framework is developed to link TMT to TTO scores. Predictions of the framework pertain to the directionality of relations between characteristics (e.g., being religious) affecting TTO scores. These predictions are then tested against the findings in the literature. Results: The value "prolonging life" can be used as a linking pin between TTO and TMT as it is relevant for both TMT and TTO. It is argued that the value "prolonging life" is related to TTO scores but also to TMT defense strengths. Thus, TMT defense strengths become associated with trading. Directionality predictions of the framework were confirmed in 34 out of 39 retrospective tests (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Directionalities of relations between TTO scores and socioeconomic characteristics, euthanasia, subjective life expectancy, and religion were explained in terms of TMT defense strengths. Our framework offers a theory-based and parsimonious framework to think about characteristics influencing TTO scores. Highlights: Terror management theory (TMT) is a sociopsychological theory about death thoughts. Several factors are known to influence TTO scores. A new framework applies TMT to TTO scores to interpret such factors. Our framework is mostly of importance to health economists studying the TTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Narratives underscoring the necessity of innovation for success are pervasive. Yet, many new products fail or fail to produce their intended impacts. Conventional views typically promote the functional view of innovation, which focuses on identifying and meeting customer needs. The authors argue, however, that culture is an overlooked explanation of innovation success. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a conceptual approach, grounded in cultural sociology, to illustrate the ways in which innovation success is influenced by cultural beliefs. Accordingly, this study develops a cultural view of innovation and compare it with the functional view. Findings: This study shows that novel products are successful to the extent their meanings and value resonate with relevant stakeholders. Not only does culture matter, but customers' needs are often shaped by cultural values in the first place. Research limitations/implications: More systematic qualitative and quantitative research is needed to better understand the best processes for incorporating cultural beliefs into product features. Practical implications: In addition to customer needs, innovators should include cultural beliefs as design requirements to ensure the product resonates with the values and everyday practices of users. One way to do this is by implementing the productive method, which provides the resources for the relevant potential users to design the product themselves. Originality/value: It is not always enough to learn and solicit feedback from potential users. To fully understand the obstacles that may inhibit innovation, this study advocates for providing potential users, local engineers and other relevant stakeholders the autonomy to design, manufacture, market and distribute the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Concerning religion, the Yoruba people of the south-western part of Nigeria are often touted as a very tolerant group of people, given the peaceful nature of the cohabitation of multiple religions within their families and communities. However, in recent years, there has been a trend of sporadic conflicts between adherents of Indigenous, Islam, and Christian religions such that it is indicative of a threat to the system which has sustained the harmonious co-existence of the different faiths in Yorubaland. Thus, drawing on primary and secondary sources, this paper argues that the trend of religious intolerance in Yorubaland is an indication of an impending religious crisis and advocates that the Yoruba cultural values which sustained the multiplicity of religious systems in Yorubaland in the time past needs to be revitalized to prevent the outbreak of a major religious crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine key criteria for developing narrative compositions for children aged 6 to 9 years. This study examined narratives created from 2000 to 2014 to assess their linguistic and cultural value, as well as identify any limitations or complexities that may not be suitable for the target audience. The study also assessed the degree to which authors of children's literature followed these criteria. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach and a researcher-developed tool to gather and analyze data, leading to multiple findings. Deficiencies and limitations were found in narratives for young children, but there were also positive aspects in terms of vocabulary, terminology, sentence structure, idiomatic expressions, and overall suitability for young audiences. The study found that the current narrative output does not sufficiently consider the developmental needs of children. The researchers recommended establishing standards to improve children's narrative production in line with their developmental stages. The recommendations were stated in the research's conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: This study uses crisis management and organizational culture theories to understand how audit engagement leaders' responses to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic provide insight into audit firm culture. Semi-structured interviews with 22 U.S. audit engagement leaders during and after the pandemic reveal consistencies and inconsistencies among the organizational mechanisms used to convey and embed underlying cultural values. We find that audit engagement leaders consistently espouse and reinforce professionalism and commercialism as strong values of audit firm culture. However, in maintaining both of these values during the pandemic, leaders respond inconsistently to learning and development, as well as auditors' mental health and well-being, despite their potential long-term impacts on professionalism and commercialism, suggesting that these are weaker cultural values. The findings reveal the short-term myopia of the audit profession on audit quality and firm profitability. Our findings have important implications for research and practice. JEL Classifications: M40; M42. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The entry into professional life is a critical stage in the professional identity development of social workers; it is a particularly sensitive milestone for Arab novice social workers in Israel. Novice social workers must deal with the gap between the universal, predominantly individualistic social work approaches taught in Israeli educational establishments, and the collectivistic values, which they encounter in social work practice within the Arab community. In addition, they encounter the practical and culturally-sensitive knowledge of experienced social workers in welfare offices in Israel. This gap is intensified due to novice workers' unresolved identity conflict as members of an indigenous minority, experienced during and since their academic socialization. Despite these critical issues, the challenge has rarely received scholarly attention. This article presents findings from a qualitative study that has examined the conflicting experiences of Arab novice social workers Vis-à-vis their professional identity development and incorporation into Israeli welfare bureaus. It is based on thirty in-depth retrospective interviews with Arab social workers with at least ten years of experience in the field of family and child welfare. Findings are analyzed from a critical multicultural perspective on social work. They show that integration of Arab novice social workers into the Israeli welfare offices is characterized by ongoing tensions and inner conflicts. Findings raise awareness of the need to implement critical multicultural programs in social work education which emphasize cultural sensitivity in order to support Arab novice social worker's professional identity formation and incorporation into social work practice in the Israeli welfare bureaus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The re-engineering of the global economy has generated extensive research into economic growth engines, with entrepreneurship emerging as a key driver. Despite numerous studies, identifying the variables that bolster entrepreneurship remains challenging due to interconnected factors. To fill this gap, this study adopts an integrated model to examine three factors influencing entrepreneurship and its motivation: income level, cultural, and political variables. Design/methodology/approach: Utilizing the Maslow theory of need and robust second-generation econometrics approaches, the study analyzed data from 1990 to 2021 across 15 selected countries. The findings demonstrate that the variables are first difference stationary and exhibit long-term co-integration. Therefore, the pooled mean group regression estimator is used to explore the long-term relationships among the study variables. Findings: The results show that income levels positively and significantly impact entrepreneurship, but at a decreasing rate in high-income regimes, and positively influence cultural values. Cultural values of mastery and autonomy significantly foster entrepreneurship. Government support further reinforces the connection between cultural values of mastery and entrepreneurship. Practical implications: It is recommended that programs be developed to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset and provide resources to individuals who demonstrate these values, thus enhancing entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value: The study exposed the heterogeneous impact of income level on entrepreneurship and proposed an integrated model to explore entrepreneurship in emerging countries as prior research often examined these variables in isolation, which has proven insufficient in explaining the discrepancies in entrepreneurial activities among countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erzurum Rosette holds significant cultural value as a traditional dessert widely produced and consumed in Erzurum. Limited knowledge exists regarding the difficulties encountered by producers and the influence of Geographical Indication (GI) registration on production and marketing. This study aims to enhance the recognition of Erzurum Rosette, assess its production process to comply with the standards of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TPTO), and explore its potential as a sustainable tourist product. A qualitative analysis was conducted on six producers of Erzurum Rosette. The information was gathered through semi-structured interviews that focused on demographic data, understanding GI, production challenges, and the influence of GI registration on sales. Responses were examined using thematic coding and statistical analysis. The study revealed that this traditional dessert production involves both male and female producers and that the producers have significant professional experience. General materials for production can be easily obtained, but obtaining the necessary special iron molds poses a significant challenge. Producers with a comprehensive understanding of GI have reported increased sales and market access after registration, but those with limited understanding have seen minimal impact. Common challenges include material supply and equipment availability, particularly regarding the procurement of iron molds. Sales and marketing strategies are generally effective, but continuous innovation is necessary for market expansion. Addressing supply chain issues and increasing awareness of GI benefits for producers are crucial for the sustainability and promotion of Erzurum Rosette. Improving support for local production and targeted training initiatives can help preserve traditional production methods and enhance the potential of Erzurum Rosette as a cultural and tourism value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excellent traditional culture is the root and soul of a nation, which is the carrier of historical precipitation and continuous development. In this aspect, Hubei folk art of carved paper-cutting has important cultural value and historical significance in the composition of Chinese traditional culture, which is a national intangible cultural heritage under key protection and urgently needs to be carried forward. This paper carried out an empirical study using the survey and comparative analysis methods on the feature extraction for Hubei folk art of carved paper-cutting. Through investigation and comparative analysis of vast artworks of Hubei carved paper-cutting, the classics are selected as the representative to extract the regional characteristics, the artistic values, and the composition and modelling methods. Results indicate that the common features exist on the artistic values in beautification of life and education, the composition principles of central-based, symmetry, balanced or conformal, and the modelling techniques using Yin and Yang carving, unobstructive perspective, distortion and exaggeration. However, the regional features in cultural expression, folklore communication, modelling skills are apparent and strong interlinked with the regional historical development in social activities, labor productivity and surrounding environment. This study provides a multi-dimensional perspective for the modern inheritance and development of traditional Hubei artworks of carved paper-cutting with specified characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to assess the attitude of unmarried girls towards virginity, and its determinants, comparing three age cohorts (born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) in the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 700 girls residing in Tabriz in 2021 employing a population-based cluster sampling based on health clinics and households. We collected data using a pilot-tested instrument, which comprised socio-demographic questions, and statements to assess attitudes towards virginity and its importance, the meaning of virginity, ways of losing virginity, and perception of the hymen. The data was analyzed using SPSS, version 21. Analysis of variance and independent t-test was used for bivariate analysis and linear regression was used to identify the determinants of the attitude. A p value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Only about one-third (35.2%) of unmarried girls considered preserving virginity as an important issue for girls before marriage in current days. About 27% were uncertain and about 38% believed it was unimportant. The importance of virginity (score range 7–35) was significantly greater for girls born in the 70s than for girls born in the 80s and 90s (p < 0.05). In the multivariate linear regression model, the determinants of the importance of virginity were older age, greater religious affiliation, living with both parents and lower consumption of the internet and social networks for sexual information. Conclusions: This study indicates significant shifts in sexual attitudes among young females which may have important implications for marriage age and the culturally and age-appropriate sexual health interventions of young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study that explored how adolescents in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana experience their psychosocial identity development in relation to participating in traditional rituals and rites of passage. This study employed a phenomenology case study design with a purposive sampling procedure. Data was gathered from focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic content analysis. The participants were 20 adolescent learners in the focus groups, and 12 teachers, 12 parents and eight adolescents in individual interviews. The study found that adolescents undergo psychosocial identity development due to participating in ritualisation processes in a variety of ways. According to the study’s findings, initiation activities exposed adolescents to distinct cultural values, aided them in developing a larger worldview, enhanced self-awareness, and improved social skills. On the other hand, not all adolescents had favourable experiences with their traditional rituals and rites of passage. Furthermore, traditional practices may perpetuate negative gender stereotypes, and discriminatory actions and behaviour. We recommend collaborating with guidance counsellors, parents and guardians, community members, and leaders when providing counselling services to adolescents We also recommend policy development to encourage integrating traditional practices in formal schooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers experiences and interactions of Emirati women with camels, the latter being of the most culturally significant animals in the Emirates, entangled in compelling sociocultural and national narratives. No English-language publication thus far has prioritized female experiences in interacting with camels in the UAE, albeit tending to those animals is not an exclusively male domain. Emirati women’s presence around camels is explored in the context of riding, trekking, racing, inheriting and owning them. Tracking shifts in female experiences around camel-related culture is an essential component of the research. Camels can be perceived as agents of social change–their evolving sociocultural presence is indicative of broader transformations in the UAE. Female narratives centred around those animals describe old and entirely new contexts of their cultural existence. Camels appear, among others, as central figures of heritage revival processes in the UAE and as ‘tools’ of self-discovery. Additionally, phenomenological perspectives engaged in this research, allow for values of cultural nostalgia, emotions, sentiments, embodiment, and sensuous presence in the world to be revealed in the Emirati women’s stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of this research lies in the fact that models and practices of the introduction of multilingualism are an important cross-cutting problem that concerns the social, cultural, economic and, consequently, educational spheres, which contribute to the promotion of rarer languages. It is important to assess the cultural value of linguistic diversity at all levels of education and training, while simultaneously spreading information about the multiplicity of languages and their importance in the world. The purpose of the study is to consider the models and practices of the introduction of multilingualism in the context of education in the Republic of Kazakhstan through comparative sociological analysis. To achieve this goal, the following methods were used: sociological, statistical, and comparative. The research findings highlight the importance of multilingualism in personal and societal development, emphasising the need for incorporating multilingual practices in educational policies and teacher training. Additionally, the introduction of multilingualism in Kazakhstan, particularly the trilingual approach involving Kazakh, Russian, and English, is influenced by global processes and the prestige associated with different languages in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is a long-lived tree endemic to Africa with economic, ecological, and cultural importance, yet its genomic features are underexplored. Here, we report a chromosome-level reference genome anchored to 42 chromosomes for A. digitata, alongside draft assemblies for a sibling tree, two trees from distinct locations in Africa, and A. za from Madagascar. The baobab genome is uniquely rich in DNA transposons, which make up 33%, while LTR retrotransposons account for 10%. A. digitata experienced whole genome multiplication (WGM) around 30 million years ago (MYA), followed by a second WGM event 3–11 MYA, likely linked to autotetraploidy. Resequencing of 25 trees identify three subpopulations, with gene flow across West Africa distinct from East Africa. Gene enrichment and fixation index (Fst) analyses show baobab retained multiple circadian, flowering, and light-responsive genes, which likely support longevity through the UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) pathway. In sum, we provide genomic resources and insights for baobab breeding and conservation. Baobab is a long-lived tree that holds great economic, ecological, and cultural value. Here, the authors report haploid chromosome-level reference genome of Adansonia digitata and draft assemblies for a sibling tree, two trees from distinct locations in Africa, and a related species from Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have suggested that leaders' ethical failures at the beginning of the twenty-first century have raised awareness about the importance of ethical leadership (EL). Yet, there has been no systematic effort to evaluate whether this awareness indeed led to changes in EL or how followers react to this leadership style over time. To address this gap, we examine the evolution in EL means, variability, and its associations with follower outcomes between 2004 and 2019. Our cross-temporal meta-analysis included 359 independent samples from 314 studies published between 2005 and 2020 and focused on followers' ratings of their leaders using the Ethical Leadership Scale (ELS; Brown et al., in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117–134, 2005). Using cubic spline meta-regressions, our results indicated no global changes in EL mean levels and variability across the 15-year period. Nevertheless, country-level comparisons revealed different EL-trends in China (i.e. decrease) versus the United States (i.e. stable), and further moderation analyses highlighted the role of cultural value dimensions and national corruption rates. Finally, we also found that the relationship between EL and desirable follower outcomes (e.g. organizational citizenship behavior) became gradually stronger over time on a global level. These results provide a solid empirical basis to evaluate cross-temporal trends in EL and its (changing) impact on follower outcomes across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization Astana Declaration of 2018 sees primary healthcare as key to universal health coverage and gives further support to the goal of building sustainable models of community palliative care. Yet evaluating the benefits of such models continues to pose methodological and conceptual challenges. Objective: To explore evaluation issues associated with a community-based palliative care approach in Kerala, India. Design: An illuminative case study using a rapid evaluation methodology. Methodology: Qualitative interviews, documentary analysis and observations of home care and community organising. Results: We appraise a community palliative care programme in Kerala, India, using three linked 'canvases' of enquiry: (1) 'complex' multi-factorial community-based interventions and implications for evaluation; (2) 'axiological' orientations that foreground values in any evaluation process and (3) the status of evaluative evidence in postcolonial contexts. Three values underpinning the care process were significant: heterogeneity, voice and decentralisation. We identify 'objects of interest' related to first-, second- and third-order outcomes: (1) individuals and organisations; (2) unintended targets outside the core domain and (3) indirect, distal effects within and outside the domain. Conclusion: We show how evaluation of palliative care in complex community circumstances can be successfully accomplished when attending to the significance of community care values. Plain language summary: Where are the values in evaluating palliative care? Learning from community-based palliative care provision The evaluation of any intervention or service will inevitably involve a series of decisions on what we measure, what criteria we use to judge whether the intervention has been successful (or not), what type of data we actually collect and what methods we use to do this. When evaluating a range of palliative care interventions, we suggest that these decisions have often been taken in a concealed way and tend to favour relatively narrow quantitative measures linked to end outcomes. Our paper reports on the evaluation of a community-based palliative care intervention on Kerala, India. In it, we suggest that such complex work requires a broader approach to evaluation that: makes the values being used to assess success explicit; draws on a range of data types; is interested in delivery processes; and places the voices of participants at the heart of the assessment. The paper concludes with some broader observations on how these principles might be applied more widely within palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to measure the relationship between consumers' cultural values and word-of-mouth marketing behavior. As a sub-objective of the research, it also measures whether cultural values and word-of-mouth marketing dimensions differ according to demographic characteristics. Methods: The participants in this study were recruited from foreign citizens who have received healthcare in İstanbul at least once, and Turkish citizens who have received healthcare in Istanbul at least once, in terms of examining cultural differences. An acceptable 390 questionnaire forms were obtained using the convenience sampling method. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 software (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA). Independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were carried out to assess whether the dimensions of word-of-mouth marketing and individual cultural values differ according to demographic characteristics. A simple correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between word-of-mouth marketing and individual cultural values. Results: The relationship between age and the variables revealed a significant difference only for power distance, collectivism, and out-group word-of-mouth marketing (P < .05). The relationship between gender and the variables was analyzed, and only masculinity tendency showed a significant difference according to gender (P < .05), while no significant difference was found between word-of-mouth marketing and gender (P > .05). The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between individual cultural values and nationality (P < .05). Conclusion: The study results show that there is a significant positive relationship between word-of-mouth marketing and cultural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mentoring is an essential component of post-graduate medical training programs worldwide, with potential benefits for both mentors and mentees. While factors associated with mentorship success have been described, studies have focused on intrapersonal characteristics and are largely based in Western academic programs. Mentorship occurs in a broader environmental milieu, and in an Asian context, cultural factors such as respect for authority, hierarchy and collectivism are likely to affect mentoring relationships. We aim to explore the lived experience of mentors within an Asian postgraduate medical training program, and thus identify challenges and develop best practices for effective mentoring. Methods: 14 faculty mentors from a post-graduate paediatric residency program were interviewed between October 2021 to September 2022. Data was collected through semi-structured one-on-one interviews, with participants chosen via purposeful sampling. Qualitative analysis was done via a systematic process for phenomenological inquiry, with interviews thematically coded separately by 2 independent reviewers and checked for consistency. Results: 4 main thematic concepts were identified: "professional, but also personal", "respect and hierarchy", "harmony and avoidance of open conflict" and the "importance of trust and establishing a familial relationship". Mentors also highlighted the value of structure in Asian mentoring relationships. Conclusion: Cultural factors, which are deeply rooted in social norms and values, play an important role in shaping mentoring relationships in an Asian context. Mentoring programs should be tailored to leverage on the unique cultural norms and values of the region in order to promote career growth and personal development of trainees and mentors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]