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Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Dalitso Mvula

,

Elijah Muntanga

Abstract: Examination malpractice remains a significant challenge in higher education, undermining academic integrity and the credibility of qualifications. This study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of invigilation as a strategy for preventing academic dishonesty, assess the adequacy of current invigilation practices, and examine how different types of invigilation influence cheating behaviors. An exploratory quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 295 Zambian university students using a structured electronic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, were used to summarize participants’ responses. The results revealed that a majority of students perceive invigilation as effective in reducing cheating (M = 3.90, SD = 1.13) and are generally satisfied with the adequacy of current invigilation practices (M = 3.64, SD = 1.14). Strict invigilation was identified as the most effective approach to deterring malpractice (58.4%), while students reported moderate variability in adherence to proper examination procedures (M = 3.59, SD = 1.24). However, perceptions of the effectiveness of specific types of invigilation were lower (M = 2.54, SD = 0.58), suggesting that while supervision is valued, its implementation and style can influence its deterrent effect. The study concludes that vigilant, well-staffed, and consistently applied invigilation practices are crucial for maintaining examination integrity and minimizing academic dishonesty.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Wei Meng

,

Ting Wu

Abstract: This study takes Liu Tongfang's article Marx's Intellectual Measure, published in Guangming Daily, as its sole subject of investigation. Its objective is to examine the theoretical validity and interpretative boundaries of the author's approach to synthesising Marx's thought through the concept of ‘measure’. This analysis is conducted across three dimensions: conceptual legitimacy, historical interpretative mechanisms, and consistency with the Sinicisation of Marxism in the new era. The research thereby addresses the core question: ‘Does this article possess an academic argumentative structure that is reviewable, reproducible, and testable?’ Methodologically, this paper constructs and implements a triple-algorithm review process comprising ‘formal logical audit—generative verification through intellectual history—contemporaneous consistency testing.’ Employing a Chinese clause-numbering system and rule-driven quantitative metrics, it conducts structured, reproducible evidence audits on: the semantic stability of core concepts; the sufficiency of boundaries in social stage delineation; the explicitness of contradiction mechanism chains; and the operationality of era mapping. Calculations yield the following indices: Boundary Adequacy Index (Boundary Adequacy Index ≈ 0.389), Normative Substitution Index for Mechanism Explanation (Normative Substitution Index ≈ 0.161), Mechanism Explicitness Score (Mechanism Explicitness ≈ 0.738), and Sentence Coverage Rate (Sentence Coverage Rate ≈ 0.421). These quantitative outcomes anchor the scope of argumentation and strength of reasoning. Findings indicate that ‘scale’ concurrently fulfils dual functions of empirical description and normative evaluation within the text. Its transdisciplinary migration from physical or existential spatial extension to the boundaries of consciousness, cognition, and value lacks requisite mediating rules and verifiable derivation chains, thereby generating auditable semantic slippage risks. The text exhibits strong macro-level coherence in its phased narrative of ‘prehistory and true human history’ alongside ‘human dependency, material dependency, and free individuality.’ However, insufficient articulation of boundary conditions concerning mutual exclusivity, exhaustiveness, and transitional forms renders the phasing closer to a value hierarchy than a falsifiable explanatory model. Though multiple passages simultaneously present the contradiction between productive forces and relations of production alongside the developmental goal of free individuality, key arguments exhibit a tendency to substitute normative objectives for mechanism-chain decomposition, thereby weakening the testability of historical materialist explanations. The integration of Marx's theoretical resources across different periods within the intellectual history lacks explicit annotation of generative differences and methodological shifts, while the world-historical narrative insufficiently bridges the stage structure of capitalism with the deepening of imperialism theory. Within the framework of Sinicised Marxism in the new era, the indicator-based mapping interface for ‘people-centred development, practical verification, and Chinese-style modernisation’ remains relatively weak, hindering its direct translation into an operational evaluation system. The research concludes that Marx's Measure of Thought demonstrates theoretical ambition in its comprehensive exposition and value synthesis, yet its pivotal arguments require enhanced reviewability and reproducibility through conceptual semantic constraints, explicit phase boundary conditions, and the explicitation of contradiction mechanism chains. The proposed ‘logical-historical-epochal’ triple-audit framework and quantitative indicator system can provide transferable, top-tier structural assessment tools and standardised rewriting pathways for similar comprehensive philosophical texts.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Abdul Aziz Al Aman

,

Paromita Biswas

,

Chandan Sardar

,

Piyali Das Mukherjee

,

Jaita Mukherjee

,

Manoj Kumar Yadav

,

Nabin Thakur

Abstract: The study investigated the effect of Green Information and Communication Technology Adoption (GICTA) on adolescents’ perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral adaptations regarding environmental sustainability at the higher secondary level. To determine causal relationships, a true experimental randomized pretest–post-test design was adopted. The sample comprised 84 adolescent boys and girls from schools of Kolkata, representing Science, Commerce, and Arts streams by one-to-one matched process to get equivalent experimental and control groups. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data that measured perception, attitude and behavioral adaptation across the three environmental dimensions, i.e. pollution, energy efficiency and waste management. The experimental group received a structured GICTA-based intervention across 16 instructional sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Analysis of data was carried out using t-tests, ANOVA and MANOVA which demonstrated that GICTA produced significant and substantial improvements in perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral adaptations among adolescents, with large effect sizes in the experimental group and negligible changes in the control group. The intervention was gender-neutral, which effectively removed the pre-existing gender differences in all domains. Behavioral adaptation was found to have the highest gains, then attitudinal and perceptual changes. Stream-wise analysis showed that Science students had experienced the greatest gains, Commerce students had a neutral effect and Arts students had weaker results, with no significant interactions effects. Comprehensively, the results make GICTA an effective, comprehensive, and pedagogically viable method of instilling complete environmental adaptation in adolescents.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Mohamud Isse Yusuf

,

Mustafe Abdi Ali

Abstract: Public trust in the judiciary is fundamental for upholding the rule of law and ensuring democratic stability. However, in Puntland, Somalia, issues such as fairness, accessibility, and the influence of politics or clans may deter citizens from utilizing formal courts. This study assessed the level of public trust in the judiciary in Qardho, Garowe, and Bossaso. A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a survey of 400 residents using a KOBO-based structured questionnaire and 12 key informant interviews with judges, lawyers, elders, and religious leaders. Quantita-tive data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlations, chi-square tests, and regression in Stata, while qual-itative data underwent thematic analysis. Overall, confidence was moderate: 62% agreed that the judiciary is fair and impartial, 55.25% had confidence in judges' independence, 63.5% trusted the enforcement of decisions, and 62.5% viewed processes as transparent. Confidence was most strongly linked to perceived enforcement (ρ = 0.730), judicial in-dependence (ρ = 0.699), and fairness (ρ = 0.686), with age (p = 0.001) and education (p < 0.001) significantly associated with confidence, unlike gender (p = 0.497) and work experience (p = 0.384). Enhancing decision enforcement, transpar-ency, access to information, and protections for judicial independence is vital for boosting public trust.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Taylor Smith Heathen

Abstract: The swift amalgamation of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational contexts has transformed the ways learners interact with instructional materials, offering new avenues for fostering autonomy. This narrative review investigates the role of AI-driven learning platforms in enhancing learner autonomy by examining features such as personalized learning pathways, adaptive feedback, and metacognitive support. Utilizing evidence from empirical studies, systematic reviews, and experimental research, the findings indicate that AI platforms significantly improve learners’ self-regulation, goal-setting, reflective practices, and independent engagement with content. However, the impact of AI on autonomy is mediated by learner characteristics, context, and the degree of control students have over AI tools. While AI personalization enhances motivation and digital literacy, excessive reliance without pedagogical guidance may impede autonomous learning. The study emphasizes the importance of intentional integration, equitable access, and scaffolding to maximize the benefits of AI for learner autonomy. These insights contribute to the growing discourse on technology-enhanced education, providing practical recommendations for educators and institutions seeking to cultivate self-directed learners in the digital era.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Leo Tamaraw Marcos

Abstract: The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has created both transformative opportunities and complex challenges for teaching and learning. This study provides a comprehensive systematic narrative review of the existing literature on AI in educational contexts, focusing on its potential to enhance personalized learning, support instructional efficiency, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. AI-driven tools, including adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, and automated assessment technologies, were found to improve student engagement, academic outcomes, and collaborative learning when implemented thoughtfully. However, the study also highlights persistent challenges such as limited teacher preparedness, infrastructure constraints, and inequitable access to technology, which may hinder effective AI adoption. Ethical considerations—including data privacy, algorithmic transparency, cultural alignment, and academic integrity—further underscore the need for responsible and human-centered integration of AI in schools. Findings suggest that AI’s educational value depends not only on technological sophistication but also on its alignment with pedagogical objectives, ethical principles, and institutional readiness. To maximize benefits, the study recommends investments in professional development, infrastructure, equitable access, and clear ethical guidelines, alongside strategies that balance AI use with traditional teaching approaches. Overall, this research emphasizes that AI should complement, rather than replace, human educators, ensuring that technological innovation enhances learning while safeguarding student rights and fostering critical thinking.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Mojtaba Ghorbani Asiabar

,

Morteza Ghorbani Asiabar

,

Alireza Ghorbani Asiabar

Abstract: Shoulder girdle injuries in professional athletes often lead to prolonged recovery and decreased performance, highlighting the critical need for early and accurate diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the early identification of such injuries to improve clinical outcomes and reduce reinjury rates. Employing a multicenter design, data were collected from diverse sports medicine centers involving 312 professional athletes undergoing routine screening and injury assessment. Advanced AI algorithms, including convolutional neural networks and machine learning classifiers, were applied to imaging data and biomechanical patterns for precise injury detection. Statistical analysis using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) metrics demonstrated AI models achieved up to 92% sensitivity and 88% specificity in early injury detection. Furthermore, AI integration enabled a 23% reduction in reinjury rates compared to conventional diagnostic methods. These results confirm that AI-driven approaches provide superior diagnostic accuracy and timely intervention opportunities, facilitating individualized rehabilitation protocols. The novelty of this research lies in the successful implementation of AI across multiple centers with diverse athlete populations, validating its broad applicability. The findings support incorporating AI technology into routine sports medicine practice to enhance injury prevention and optimize athlete health. Future studies should explore real-time AI monitoring and personalized risk prediction models to further advance shoulder injury management.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Mine Yıldırım

Abstract: Legislative changes introduced in Turkey in 2024, aimed at removing street dogs from public space, have reshaped volunteer caregiving in Istanbul and reconfigured human–animal rela-tionships beyond the household. Drawing on 43 in-depth interviews and eight months of quali-tative fieldwork, this article examines how caregivers sustain daily care for free-living dogs while navigating legal uncertainty, intensified encounters with municipal and state actors, and frag-mented pathways to assistance. Caregiving is described as increasingly governed by chronic vigilance, anticipatory grief, and moral distress—conditions that do not remain “emotional” side effects but operate as practical forces that reorganize routine, visibility, and thresholds for in-tervention. Focusing on caregivers’ everyday experiences of governance and their interactions with municipal services, shelters, and private veterinary clinics (without reporting operational tactics), the analysis shows how responsibility shifts toward continuous risk management, with care narrowing to what feels survivable under threat. A central finding is an infrastructural bot-tleneck in veterinary pathways: many clinics can treat dogs but cannot provide short-term holding, interrupting recovery and turning time-sensitive cases into emergencies. I argue that caregiver well-being is constitutive of animal welfare, shaping continuity of monitoring, access to first aid, and everyday conflict mediation that enables coexistence. The article contributes to interdisci-plinary debates on animal welfare governance by foregrounding volunteer caregiving as an in-formal yet indispensable urban care infrastructure whose capacity is co-produced with veterinary actors and constrained by institutional opacity and weak bridging arrangements between street, clinic, and recovery.

Review
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Katherine Morse

,

Tara Polzer-Ngwato

Abstract: The South African National Reading Barometer (NRB) compiles and interprets institutional data to provide the first holistic assessment of the South African reading ecosystem. Developed in 2022–2023 by Nal’ibali in partnership with the National Library of South Africa and key literacy stakeholders, the Barometer establishes a national baseline for understanding the conditions that enable or constrain reading across four dimensions: reading ability, access to reading materials, institutional frameworks, and reading motivation and practices. Guided by a systems-change perspective, the NRB recognises that reading cultures are shaped not only by individual choices but by the social and institutional environment in which those choices occur. This paper describes the conceptual foundations of the NRB, including methodology, system boundaries, indicator development, theory of change, and multi-sectoral co-design. It also outlines the evaluative framework, which draws on uncontested institutional data and presents it using simplified visualisations to support stakeholder engagement. The discussion illustrates how the NRB can support system-level change by raising awareness, strengthening the will of influencers and decision-makers, and enabling action across policy, community, and institutional arenas. By establishing a shared evidence base and enabling longitudinal tracking, the Barometer offers a practical tool for strengthening South Africa’s reading ecosystem across generations.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Yuanjing Ye

Abstract: This qualitative study investigates how language practices influence the cosmopolitan identity of Chinese students in the UK. Drawing on interviews with undergraduate and postgraduate students, this research explores how English proficiency and attitudes toward English as a global language shape intercultural orientations and identity construction. Students with higher English proficiency and an awareness of its global nature actively engage with local and international communities, fostering openness and cosmopolitan outlooks. In contrast, those with limited language skills or who perceive English as belonging to a specific nation tend to remain within co-national networks, thereby limiting opportunities for intercultural development. The study positions English not only as a communicative medium but as a tool for negotiating cultural boundaries and constructing hybrid identities within globalised contexts. Implications are offered for higher education institutions and language educators to support intercultural competence, identity formation, and meaningful engagement with linguistic and cultural diversity among international students.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Fabian Erhardt

Abstract: This paper proposes a semiotic-rhetorical framework for analyzing Large Language Models (LLMs) as textual agents. Against dominant approaches that focus on language, intentionality, or artificial intelligence, I argue for a text-centered perspective: LLMs produce and process texts, and their agency must be understood at this level. Drawing on semiotics and rhetoric, I establish that LLMs qualify as semiotic agents through their capacity to process and produce textually organized signs that enable further textual responses. They additionally qualify as rhetorical agents through their strategic organization of texts along multiple strategic levels, particularly the legitimative (justification structures) and modal (certainty/uncertainty markers) level. A key phenomenon illuminating this rhetorical agency is the metacognitive illusion: LLM outputs simulate reflection on their own epistemic processes through textual self-reference, creating the appearance of metacognitive monitoring and regulation. The theoretical innovation of this approach lies in treating metacognitive illusion not as a deviation from epistemic transparency but as a structural precondition for the rhetorical functionality of text-based interaction between heterogeneous agents. The analysis demonstrates how LLMs achieve rhetorical functionality without intentionality, consciousness, or genuine metacognition – purely through textual organization.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Caiwu Fu

,

Qianli Qi

,

Yiming Wang

Abstract: The dialectical relationship between “national culture” and “national-citizen culture” has become an increasingly important issue in understanding the cultural foundations of modern nation-states. In the context of globalization and heightened international competition, culture functions not only as a marker of identity but also as a core component of national soft power and social cohesion. This study builds on theoretical debates around cultural construction by systematically analyzing the internal dynamics and mutual transformations between top-down cultural frameworks and bottom-up cultural practices. National culture is conceptualized here as a macroscopic construct anchored in sovereignty, territory, ecological conditions, and political-economic systems, while national-citizen culture is understood as a micro-level field expressed through artifacts, institutions, behaviors, and symbolic practices in everyday life. Methodologically, the paper integrates theories of cultural hegemony, cultural consumption, and cultural psychology to trace the two-way mechanisms at work: how national culture shapes citizen practice through ideology, law, and cultural production, and how citizen culture in turn reshapes national culture through consumer choices, subcultural formations, and the filtering of collective mentalities. Case analysis of contemporary Chinese cultural practice in the digital era highlights how this dynamic interaction generates both new tensions and new opportunities. The findings suggest that the vitality of national culture lies not in its unilateral imposition but in its continuous negotiation with lived cultural practices, and that fostering constructive interaction between the two offers a promising pathway toward cultural confidence in the twenty-first century.

Brief Report
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Alberto Abad

Abstract: Cross-cultural mobility has intensified in recent decades, creating both challenges and opportunities for adaptation. Individuals navigating new cultural environments often experience stress related to language barriers, discrimination, and social integration, while simultaneously developing resilience and coping resources. To capture these dynamics, the Inventário de Estresse e Resiliência na Mobilidade Cross-cultural (IERM-T) was developed as a multidimensional instrument grounded in Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping and informed by well-being theory. The IERM-T integrates five components: stressors, symptoms, coping strategies, emotions, and residential well-being. Validation analyses were conducted with 42 participants (107 evaluations), using R and Shiny for data collection and psychometric testing. Results demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.938 for symptoms; α = 0.887 for stressors and emotions; α = 0.748 for well-being), coherent factorial structures distinguishing positive and negative emotions, and meaningful correlations between symptoms, resilience, and well-being (r = –0.846). These findings provide evidence of reliability and construct validity, supporting the IERM-T as a culturally sensitive tool for research and applied contexts. The inventory offers practical utility for identifying risk and protective factors in cross-cultural populations and contributes to advancing the field of cross-cultural psychology.

Case Report
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Alberto Abad

Abstract: Background: The intensification of global mobility demands robust tools to assess the psychological impact of cross-cultural transitions. Existing instruments are critiqued for their failure to capture the dynamic stress-coping process, as outlined by Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) transactional model. Aim: This study developed and piloted the Inventory of Stress and Resilience in Cross-cultural Mobility (IERM-T), a novel instrument designed to fill this critical theoretical and psychometric gap. Method: The multilingual IERM-T (Portuguese, Spanish, English) was administered via a custom R Shiny application. A comprehensive R-based psychometric analysis was conducted on data from a pilot sample (N=42), performing exploratory factor analysis, reliability estimation, and longitudinal assessment of 107 emotion-coping episodes. Results: The IERM-T demonstrated strong psychometric properties: excellent internal consistency for the Symptoms scale (α = .938), good for Stressors and Emotions (α = .887), and acceptable for Well-being (α = .748). Factor analyses revealed clear structures (e.g., 2-factor for Stressors and Emotions), and longitudinal data confirmed stable emotional patterns. Criterion validity was robust, with a strong negative correlation between symptoms and a novel psychometric resilience score (r = -.846). Conclusion: The IERM-T provides a valid, reliable, and theoretically grounded tool that moves beyond cataloging stressors to dynamically assess appraisal, coping, and resilience, offering significant promise for research and clinical practice in cross-cultural contexts.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Han Bao

,

Jonathan P. Bowen

Abstract: This study explores how the Digital Dunhuang project transforms the heritage experience and meaning-making of visitors, marking a shift from material conservation to digital presence. Drawing upon Freeman Tilden’s principles of heritage interpretation, this research examines how digital interpretive practices, including virtual caves, interactive installations, and immersive imaging, facilitate a cultural experience that moves “from the tangible to the rational, and from the rational to the emotional.” By comparing traditional on-site visits with digital encounters, the study investigates differences in visitors’ knowledge acquisition, emotional resonance, and conservation awareness. Employing semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the research involves visitors, curators, and project managers, complemented by on-site observations at the Digital Dunhuang exhibition. Findings reveal that digital interpretation not only enhances the accessibility and democratization of cultural heritage but also redefines the aura and authenticity of heritage in the context of contemporary cultural consumption.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Manyu Dou

,

Ho Sang Shin

,

Xianhua Wei

Abstract:

As a representative expression of Dunhuang music and dance culture, the dance drama Silk Road Flower Rain not only embodies the historical and cultural legacy of the ancient Silk Road but also functions as an important vehicle for transmitting traditional Chinese culture and reinforcing cultural confidence. This study quantifies the perceived social value of Silk Road Flower Rain using penalized linear regression applied to Likert-scale survey data. We estimate standardized effects of community participation and cross-regional exchange on a composite outcome combining social identity and public engagement. Statistical inference for the ridge estimator was obtained via permutation- and bootstrap-based procedures with 10,000 resamples, yielding two-sided 95% confidence intervals and family-wise error rate–adjusted p-values. Out-of-sample performance was assessed by repeated 10-fold cross-validation (50 repetitions), producing a mean cross-validated R2 of 0.90 (SD= 0.05) and a mean absolute error of 0.23 (SD=0.04) on the 1–5 response scale, adjusted p<0.05. All predictors showed statistically significant positive effects on the composite social-value outcome; social participation emerged as the principal driver, and youth cultural education was identified as an area requiring targeted improvement. Robustness checks using ordinal logistic regression corroborated the direction and relative magnitude of coefficients across model specifications. Drawing on these results, we propose a targeted optimization framework to enhance the social value of Silk Road Flower Rain: (1) establish a community–university–theater coordination mechanism to strengthen public participation; (2) develop an integrated curriculum–practice–digital system to improve youth cultural education; and (3) leverage policy support and international exchange to broaden the cultural influence of Dunhuang music and dance. This study addresses a gap in quantitative investigations of the social value of Dunhuang music and dance and provides evidence-based, practice-oriented guidance for the contemporary transmission and promotion of this cultural form.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Yuanjing Ye

Abstract: This study explores the role of food practices in the intercultural adaptation of Chinese international students in the UK from the perspective of the Confucian moral reasoning. Drawing on the dual orientation of Confucian collectivism and individualism, the research investigates how food-related behaviours reflect students’ identity negotiation and social integration within a complex intercultural environment. Using a qualitative methodology, the study employs photo interviews to capture participants’ personal experiences and interpretations of their food practices during their adaptation process. Findings show that shared meals with co-nationals foster belonging and reinforce national identity, reflecting Confucian collectivist values, while engaging with diverse food cultures encourages self-reflection and identity exploration, revealing emerging individualist tendencies and a move toward cosmopolitanism. These dual patterns highlight food as both a starting point and central medium in Chinese students’ intercultural adaptation. The study offers practical implications for UK higher education institutions, suggesting that food can be a valuable tool for fostering inclusivity and supporting the cultural integration of students from Confucian backgrounds within the university environment.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

João Ferreira-Santos

,

Lúcia Pombo

Abstract: Cultural heritage is increasingly framed as a living resource for citizenship and education, although evidence on how in situ AR can cultivate sustainability competences remains limited. This study examines the Art Nouveau Path, a location-based MARG set across eight georeferenced Points of Interest in Aveiro, Portugal, aligned with the GreenComp framework. Using a DBR case study, it was analyzed repeated cross-sectional student questionnaires (S1-PRE N = 221; S2-POST N = 439; S3-FU N = 434), anonymized gameplay logs from 118 collaborative groups (4,248 group–item responses), and 24 teacher field observations (T2-OBS), integrating quantitative summaries with reflexive thematic analysis. References to heritage preservation within students’ sustainability conceptions rose from 28.96% at baseline to 61.05% immediately post-game, remaining above baseline at follow-up (47.93%). AR-supported items were more accurate than non-AR items (81% vs. 73%) and were associated with longer on-site exploration (+10.17 minutes). Triangulation indicates that AR and multimodality amplified attention to architectural details while prompting authenticity debates. Built heritage, mobilized through lightweight AR within a digital teaching and learning ecosystem, can serve as an effective context for Education for Sustainable Development, strengthening preservation literacy and civic responsibility, while generating interoperable cultural traces suitable for future reuse.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Gabriela Luptáková

,

Jaroslava Argajová

,

Tibor Balga

,

Dušana Augustovičová

,

Pavlína Sobotová

,

Gheorghe Balint

,

Branislav Antala

Abstract: Background/Objectives: To address the inconsistent provision of specialist physical education (PE) in primary schools, this study investigated the comparative efficacy of distinct team-teaching configurations. The objective was to compare these instructional models' impact on students' basic motor competencies (MC) and self-reported physical literacy (PL). Methods: This quasi-experimental, cluster-randomized study involved N=266 students (grades 1-4) assigned to one of five instructional models: single PE teacher or four team-teaching configurations (Generalist Teacher + PE Teacher [GT+PE T], Generalist Teacher + Assistant Teacher [GT+AT], Generalist Teacher + Sports Coach [GT+C], and PE Teacher + Assistant Teacher [PE T+AT]). The five-month intervention included two 45-minute PE lessons weekly. Motor competence (MC, MOBAK) and perceived physical literacy (PL, PLAYSelf) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Given the cluster design and non-normal data, non-parametric tests were used; Kruskal-Wallis H-test compared change scores between groups, complemented by Spearman’s rank-order correlations for construct alignment and covariate analysis. Results: Statistically significant within-group overall MC gains were achieved exclusively by configurations including a qualified PE teacher (GT+PE T and PE T+AT; p < 0.05). The GT+PE T model showed the largest positive change, including significant PL improvement (Δ = +5.65). Conversely, the GT+C model resulted in a significant decline in self-reported PL (Δ = -9.16). A small but significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.149) emerged between Object-Movement skills and Perceived Physical Literacy post-intervention. Conclusions: The effectiveness of collaborative PE instruction is highly dependent on the explicit inclusion of a qualified PE teacher, reinforcing the crucial role of specialized pedagogical content knowledge. Models lacking this core expertise may be detrimental to both motor skill development and the affective components of physical literacy. These findings highlight the need for policy focused on high-quality, PE teacher-led primary PE.

Article
Arts and Humanities
Humanities

Hamest Tamrazyan

,

Gayane Hovhannisyan

,

Arsen Harutyunyan

Abstract:

This study investigates Armenian editorial conventions for inscriptions and evaluates their compatibility and the possibility of their further integration with international standards of epigraphic editing for open access and equal use. It focuses on the Divan Hay Vimagrutʿyan (Corpus of Armenian Epigraphy), launched in the 1960s, which introduced a systematic apparatus for distinguishing diplomatic transcriptions from interpretative reconstructions. Later Armenian publications often simplified these conventions, replacing specialized signs with typographic substitutes. While these changes improved accessibility, they also reduced palaeographic precision and created inconsistencies across editions. Through comparative analysis with the Leiden Conventions and the EpiDoc TEI framework, the research identifies both areas of alignment and points of divergence. Armenian conventions handle missing letters, restorations, redundancies, and abbreviations in distinctive ways, sometimes reassigning the meaning of symbols across different publications. This variation, if not explicitly documented, complicates digital encoding and risks loss of information. Methodologically, this study develops a digital heritage interoperability model that translates local Armenian editorial practices into machine-actionable standards, enabling their integration into international infrastructures such as EpiDoc and FAIR-based cultural heritage systems. The principal contribution of this work is the proposal of a dual-track encoding strategy. One track applies a granular mapping of Armenian signs to the full set of Leiden and EpiDoc categories, ensuring maximum interoperability. The other track preserves a simplified schema faithful to Armenian usage, reflecting local scholarly traditions. Together, these approaches provide both international comparability and cultural specificity. The conclusion is that Armenian inscriptions can be effectively integrated into global digital infrastructures by means of transparent documentation, crosswalk tables, and encoding policies that follow FAIR principles. This ensures long-term preservation, machine-actionability, and the broader reuse of Armenian epigraphic data in comparative cultural heritage research.

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