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PurposeAn overview of the current use of handwritten text recognition (HTR) on archival manuscript material, as provided by the EU H2020 funded Transkribus platform. It explains HTR, demonstrates Transkribus, gives examples of use cases, highlights the affect HTR may have on scholarship, and evidences this turning point of the advanced use of digitised heritage content. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a case study approach, using the development and delivery of the one openly available HTR platform for manuscript material.FindingsTranskribus has demonstrated that HTR is now a useable technology that can be employed in conjunction with mass digitisation to generate accurate transcripts of archival material. Use cases are demonstrated, and a cooperative model is suggested as a way to ensure sustainability and scaling of the platform. However, funding and resourcing issues are identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents results from projects: further user studies could be undertaken involving interviews, surveys, etc.Practical implicationsOnly HTR provided via Transkribus is covered: however, this is the only publicly available platform for HTR on individual collections of historical documents at time of writing and it represents the current state-of-the-art in this field.Social implicationsThe increased access to information contained within historical texts has the potential to be transformational for both institutions and individuals.Originality/valueThis is the first published overview of how HTR is used by a wide archival studies community, reporting and showcasing current application of handwriting technology in the cultural heritage sector.

Museum collections are frequently standardized, resulting in the loss of their original regional and cultural contexts. In response, National Folk Museum of Korea (NFMK) established Folklife Archive to preserve and reconstruct these unique contextual elements. This article examines how Folklife Archive restores the original meanings of museum artifacts, such as associated practices, memories, traditions, and facilitates their communication to the public. The article reviews relevant literature on the evolving role of Folklife Archive in enriching collections and supporting research. It then presents three core case studies from NFMK: a special exhibition featuring the Kim Su-nam photographic archive; interactive experiences at Folklife Archive Information Centre in NFMK Paju; and educational programs based on traditional seasonal events. The digital archiving process, including systematic collection, metadata registration, and the implementation of Folklife Archive Management System, is also discussed. Efforts to integrate archive and collection data, despite system separation and technical constraints are illustrated through the use of public information terminals. Lastly, the article addresses ongoing efforts to promote shared use of archival databases among regional museums. Although challenges remain in harmonizing classification systems, the article emphasizes the need for user-centred digital platforms that support both institutional diversity and international accessibility.

This paper examines the challenges faced by contemporary history museums in managing collections that blur boundaries between physical artifacts and digital content. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (NMKCH) serves as a case study, revealing tensions between traditional Korean heritage management systems and contemporary collecting requirements. The December 2024 martial law crisis demonstrates how historical events manifest simultaneously through physical protests and digital activism, creating hybrid materials that resist traditional categorization. Analysis reveals that bifurcated management systems fragment historical records and impede comprehensive documentation. While technical solutions offer operational improvements, fundamental conceptual shifts are needed in museum practice. NMKCH's planned Center for Contemporary History Collections and Archives (2030) represents institutional recognition of these challenges, proposing integrated approaches to contemporary history documentation. This research contributes to understanding collection management practices for hybrid materials in the digital age.

PurposeThe study aims to enhance our understanding of shared community oral history stewardship by exploring its practices and challenges from the perspectives of the stakeholders involved.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews with community oral history stewards. Each interview focused on their experiences and perspectives regarding community-based oral history projects. The interview data were transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach.FindingsCommunity oral history stewards found oral history stewardship entails substantial effort, long-term commitment, and challenges. They concurred on the importance of partnerships between communities and archives in preserving community stories, with institutional archives providing valuable support, resources, and engagement beyond mere preservation platforms. Establishing trust between communities and archives emerged as a fundamental requirement for fruitful collaboration.Originality/valueCommunity oral history has stood out as the prevailing form within the theory and practice of oral history, but its shared stewardship practices have not been thoroughly explored from the stakeholders' viewpoints.

To develop a non-contrast CT based multi-regional radiomics model for predicting contrast medium (CM) extravasation in patients with tumors. A retrospective analysis of non-contrast CT scans from 282 tumor patients across two medical centers led to the development of a radiomics model, using 157 patients for training, 68 for validation, and 57 from an external center as an independent test cohort. The different volumes of interest from right common carotid artery/right internal jugular vein, right subclavian artery/vein and thoracic aorta were delineated. Radiomics features from the training cohort were used to calculate radiomics scores (Rad scores) and develop radiomics model. Non-contrast CT radiomics features were combined with clinical factors to develop an integrated model. A nomogram was created to visually represent the integration of radiomic signatures and clinical factors. The model's predictive performance and clinical utility were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Calibration curves were also used to assess the concordance between the model-predicted probabilities and the observed event probabilities. Thirteen radiomics features were selected to determine the Rad score. The radiomic model outperformed the clinical model in the training, validation, and external test cohorts, achieving a greater area under the ROC curve (AUC) with values of 0.877, 0.866, 0.828 compared to the clinical model's 0.852, 0.806, 0.740. The combined model yielded better AUC of 0.945, 0.911, and 0.869 in the respective cohorts. The nomogram identified females, the elderly, individuals with hypertension, long term chemotherapy, radiomic signatures as independent risk factors for CM extravasation in patients with tumors. Calibration and DCA validated the high accuracy and clinical utility of this model. Radiomics models based on multi-regional non-contrast CT image offered improved prediction of CM extravasation compared with clinical model alone.

COVID-19 was a barrier to meeting recruitment goals in clinical trials particularly for behavioral interventions requiring innovative and evolving strategies. This paper explores recruitment approaches prior to, during, and after the in-person recruitment pause in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which cancer survivors received one of two interventions to self-manage insomnia. An explanatory case study method was used to investigate pre, during, and post COVID-19 recruitment during a longitudinal RCT. Data analysis included descriptive frequencies of enrollment approaches and outcomes obtained from the research team’s weekly documented recruitment activities, and qualitative analysis of post-recruitment focus group of clinical partner experiences within the environmental context of the clinic settings. Team analysis included data triangulation between research team’s recruitment data and clinical staff experiences, and times series analysis with explanation building with team consensus on the final product. A total of 136 heterogenous cancer survivor participants were recruited utilizing both in-person and virtual strategies with an 87.5% retention rate. Variability in success of recruitment approaches over time was demonstrated within the environmental contexts. Overall, in-person recruitment was the most effective strategy (55.1%) followed by passive strategies of print outreach and social media (36.8%). A creative and persistent research team was needed to achieve the recruitment target with a high retention rate. Recruiting in-person post COVID-19 was challenging due to clinical staff barriers. The explanatory case study method offers insight into the complex recruitment process and potential approaches that could be implemented for future public health insomnia treatment studies.

Purpose This study aims to examine the archives’ role in Portuguese public policies from 1976 to 2021, based on an analysis of decision-making and support mechanisms, as well as other legal and normative instruments (diplomas) associated with relevant policies and legal actions in government programs, major planning options, sectoral programs and legislation. Design/methodology/approach The investigation was based on a qualitative methodological framework that follows the document analysis method, consisting of four phases: research; first reading; critical reading and data collection; and analysis and interpretation. Findings Survey results identified the presence of the archives on government agendas and supported tracing an evolution in the development and application of measures in this area. Additionally, it was possible to relate these measures to socioeconomic and political contexts and to previously identified reference studies. The conclusion is that the place of archives in Portuguese public policies between 1976 and 2021 was still based in historical and heritage dimensions, excluding the aspect of information management, which was not even included within the concept of archives. Originality/value This is an original case study of the state of Portuguese archive policies, compared against reference works such as Couture(1998) and more recent national developments as considered in the works of Silva(2019).

PurposeArchival institutions must make their holdings and services known to the public to ensure increased usage. It is the obligation of archival institutions to adopt strategies to market their services to increase the usage of their holdings. Therefore, this study aims to assess the National Archives of Zimbabwe’s (NAZ) decentralisation drive as a strategy to market its archival services.Design/methodology/approachThe multiple case study research design, which is interpretive and qualitative, was used for the study. The study used interviews, questionnaires and document review as data collection tools. The collected data were presented, analysed and discussed using the thematic data analysis approach.FindingsFindings revealed that the NAZ decentralised provincial records centres were actively involved in the marketing of archival services offered by the NAZ. The study also established that the decentralised provincial records centres perform activities such as records surveys, training, oral history, issuance of brochures, guided tours and career guidance, which increase their interactions with communities they serve. The decentralised offices took advantage of these interactions to market archival services offered by the NAZ.Originality/valueThe study illustrated that decentralisation of archival institutions and services to the lower tiers of government is a powerful strategy for the marketing of archival services. Therefore, there is need for archival institutions to adopt or enhance the use of this strategy to increase the usage of archives.

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the functions of the National Archives of South Africa regarding universities’ records and archives by comparing the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Venda’s (Univen) implementation of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act, No. 43 of 1996 (NARSSA) provisions 11 and 13, with the view of recommending best practice.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative research methodology was adopted. The data collection tool was a questionnaire completed by 34 heads of divisions, departments and units from the Wits and Univen, supplemented by a document review. Thus, the study population comprised universities’ heads of divisions, departments and units.FindingsThe National Archives of South Africa is not playing a role in providing advice to universities on how to manage their records and archives to fulfil their teaching, learning and research mandate, protect them from litigation and preserve their corporate memory such as records with national and international significance. Most of the respondents were not aware of the NARSSA provision 11 on the custody and preservation of records, and provision 13 on the management of public records. NARSSA lacks provision specifically for the management of university records. NARSSA appears vague about the management of university records, as it does not explain the legal definition of university records.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a comparative case study limited to Wits and Univen. The shortcoming of this study is that the author did not provide relevant and detailed information for the article reader to fully understand the functions of the NARSSA provisions 11 and 13 regarding university records and archives at Wits and Univen, respectively.Practical implicationsThe study recommends the South Africa legislature to review the NARSSA regarding records and archives’ role in the university. The researcher’s view is that reviewing existing NARSSA provisions 11 and 13 would provide universities with the responsibility of managing some of their national and international records. This might improve the management of records and this, in turn, would enhance the preservation of records.Originality/valueThis paper appears to be the first to review the functions of the National Archives of South Africa regarding the South African university’s records and archives.