Abstract: Violence against children constitutes a global public health emergency, necessitating innovative prevention strategies within the school environment. While the benefits of visual arts on socio-emotional development are well-documented, their specific impact on preventing interpersonal violence remains under-synthesized. This critical narrative review analyzes existing literature (2000–2025) through a corpus of 14 empirical studies (exclusive visual arts interventions and multimodal programs) conducted with children aged 5 to 12. The results reveal a dichotomy: while art-centered interventions demonstrate robust effects on emotional regulation and anger reduction (protective factors), evidence for a direct reduction in violent behaviors primarily stems from large-scale multimodal programs. Although promising as a lever for universal prevention and the facilitation of disclosure, visual arts require further randomized controlled trials to validate their direct behavioral efficacy. This review proposes a conceptual framework for integrating these practices into child protection policies.

Abstract:

In the 20th century, the legacy of two devastating world wars generated an enormous historical heritage linked to conflict, giving rise to the global phenomenon of war tourism. This prominence stems from the presence of countless vestiges such as streets razed by gunfire, landing beaches, trench lines, and bunkers. Battlefield Tourism (BT) has experienced remarkable growth in Europe, establishing itself as a specialized segment with increasing levels of institutionalization, professionalization, and academic interest. Traditionally, some literature has associated these visits with dark tourism (DT) due to the presence of death, suffering, or historical violence at the sites (Stone, 2006). However, more recent and comprehensive analyses demonstrate that this classification is often insufficient or incorrect. This study argues that BT is closer to cultural tourism (CT) than to dark tourism, aligning with heritage and educational studies that emphasize memory, identity, and the cultural landscape rather than the commercialization of morbid fascination (Foley & Lennon, 2000). The research evaluates the viability of BT as a catalyst for rural development in Extremadura (Spain), a region characterized by its pursuit of socioeconomic sustainability through tourism innovation (Cánoves, 2017). The methodology utilizes a prospective exploratory analysis with an integrated qualitative and quantitative paradigm. Primary data were gathered using a structured instrument deployed via Google Forms to municipal leadership across 388 municipalities in 15 tourist areas. A representative sample of 149 valid responses was secured, yielding a statistical margin of error of ±5% at a 95% confidence interval. Advanced statistical techniques, including Pearson’s Chi-square tests and Cronbach’s Alpha, were applied to test research hypotheses concerning the conceptual differentiation between war tourism and dark tourism. The findings indicate that 61.7% of local stakeholders were unfamiliar with the term DT , whereas 70.9% were familiar with WT, largely due to awareness of regional initiatives like battle reenactments. Statistical contrast reveals a significant relationship between prior knowledge of DT and the willingness to exploit sensitive heritage, such as "Slavery Museums" (p<0.001) or "Disaster Museums" (p<0.001). Regarding terminology, 42.6% of respondents prefer "military cultural tourism" and 48.3% favor "historical-cultural tourism," reflecting a clear rejection of the word "war" in Spanish society. The main conclusion is that local councils support the exploitation of war heritage within a cultural framework, viewing it as a strategic opportunity for socioeconomic development in inland rural areas. This approach generates a multiplier effect, diversifying local economies and offering new jobs (Cánoves et al., 2014). By revaluing historical memory (Smith, 2015) and integrating military heritage into sustainable territorial planning, rural regions like Extremadura can enhance their competitive advantages and mitigate depopulation. Ultimately, Military Cultural Tourism (MCT) provides a path to transform historical trauma into a tool for regional advancement and educational enrichment.

Abstract: This article explores the complex migration pathways undertaken by individuals who arrived in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. The findings reveal a clear distinction between formalized legal migration routes and highly dangerous irregular journeys, yet people coming through both routes experience instability and a proactive desire for a more viable future. This paper identifies three critical themes among 233 structured interviews: 1) The primacy of existential threats—where political collapse, chronic economic insecurity, and targeted violence act as root causes; 2) Systemic vulnerability and danger—demonstrated through widespread corruption, extortion, and life-threatening environments; and 3) The psychological burden—including direct trauma and a significant prevalence of community trauma. This study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the choice, logistics, and human cost involved in contemporary migration to the United States.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of acute caffeine intake on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) assessed using the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT) in university soccer players. An experimental, randomized, double-blind, crossover design was employed, involving 26 male university team players (n=26). Each participant completed the test under two conditions: caffeine supplementation (220 mg) and placebo, separated by a 72-hour washout period. The final running speed achieved (VIFT) was used as an estimator of MAS. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, normality testing, and paired Student’s t-test, with a significance level set at p &lt; 0.05. The results revealed a significant improvement in VIFT under the caffeine condition (19.94 ± 1.67 km/h) compared with placebo (18.72 ± 1.50 km/h), with a mean difference of 1.22 km/h (6.5%) and a large effect size (dz = 1.24; p &lt; 0.001). It is concluded that acute caffeine intake produces a significant ergogenic effect on intermittent aerobic performance in university soccer players, representing a potentially useful strategy to optimize performance in competitive contexts.

Abstract: Public rental housing in Aotearoa New Zealand is a safety net in a pressured housing market with often unaffordable rents. The needs and behaviours of public housing tenants may differ from more prosperous New Zealanders’. The present paper focuses on transport behaviours and preferences of this group, as part of a wider research programme (‘Public Housing and Urban Regeneration’) addressing tenant wellbeing and behaviour. Particular ways in which such tenants use transport are identified in Keall et al. [1]. To dig deeper on tenants’ transport patterns and access, and understand their willingness to reduce emissions, we surveyed 160 public housing tenants, via a mail-back questionnaire in mid-2023. The responses represented 66% of those approached. Key findings are that public housing tenants, while often using cars, especially as passengers, frequently use public transport (PT) (40% of respondents) and active transport (walking 68%; cycling 17%). However, tenants’ transport preferences are often unmet. For example, for everyday needs, 36% of respondents would prefer to use a car less; 42% said easily walkable access to shops or facilities would help in taking fewer car trips. Such findings from our survey suggest that housing providers, council planners and public transport operators should collaborate to make public rental housing as accessible as possible, locating new housing close to public and active transport facilities and shops; and recognising that tenants overwhelmingly see local easy access, including better PT, footpaths and cycle paths in their neighbourhood as making it easier to travel car-free, thereby reducing emissions.

Abstract: Large language models (LLMs) demonstrate that sophisticated symbolic cognition can emerge from scaled pattern extraction without consciousness. This observation motivates a minimalist conceptual framework: language is a crystallized form of human cognition, created by conscious agents over millennia, and the human brain evolved to operate efficiently over this symbolic substrate. Consciousness and symbolic cognition are therefore distinct: consciousness creates symbols, while symbolic cognition operates over them. LLMs reveal this asymmetry by reproducing symbolic reasoning without possessing conscious regulation, motivation, or subjective experience. This framework clarifies the relationship between biological and artificial cognition and offers a simple model of how human intelligence emerged through gene–culture coevolution.

Abstract: This study examines female microenterprise entrepreneurship in the city of Juliaca, Peru, as a response to structural conditions of poverty, informality, and limited inclusion in public policies. In this context, the study seeks to understand and interpret the dynamics of women-led entrepreneurship and its articulation with sustainable local socioeconomic development. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted, based on an interpretative phenomenological design. The research techniques employed included in-depth interviews, direct observation, and documentary review, applied to 16 female microentrepreneurs selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The findings reveal that intrinsic motivations (resilience, leadership, and self-fulfillment) and extrinsic motivations (economic independence, access to financing, and education) constitute key elements in the entrepreneurial process. Additionally, business social capital—through family, community, and institutional networks—was found to play a strategic role in business sustainability. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs actively and significantly contribute to sustainable local socioeconomic development by stimulating local economies, generating employment, and promoting socially, fiscally, and ethically responsible practices. Therefore, although women act as agents of change and transformation, they face structural barriers that require public policies with a territorial and gender-based approach to enhance their impact and sustainability.

Abstract: Central Asian countries share a common Soviet educational heritage, yet their higher education systems have diverged considerably since independence in 1991. Efforts to construct a unified educational space through Bologna-style reforms have yielded limited results owing to institutional barriers, linguistic diversity, data sovereignty concerns, and administrative inefficiency in credential recognition. This paper proposes a technology-enabled framework for educational integration in Central Asia, leveraging three emerging technologies: blockchain for credential verification and credit transfer, federated learning for privacy-preserving cross-border data collaboration, and neural machine translation for overcoming language barriers. Unlike conventional approaches that demand institutional harmonization, the proposed framework prioritizes functional interoperability while respecting national sovereignty. From a Chinese perspective, the framework embodies principles of South–South cooperation and technological enablement through the Belt and Road Initiative. We describe the architecture of each technological layer, propose a phased implementation strategy with concrete pilot projects, and validate the framework through semi-structured interviews with eight educational administrators and IT specialists across three Central Asian countries. The expert validation confirms the framework's practical relevance while highlighting infrastructure readiness and regulatory adaptation as critical preconditions. This study contributes to debates on alternative models of educational regionalization beyond Western-centric frameworks and offers practical guidance for policymakers, educational institutions, and technology developers.

Abstract:

Digital serious games are increasingly recognised as valuable tools for fostering student engagement and supporting active learning processes in formal educational contexts. Within the field of heritage education, however, empirical evidence concerning teacher-created games and their pedagogical effects remains limited. This study examines the educational impact of a digital serious game designed by teachers using RPG Maker MV to support the teaching of Social Sciences and local cultural heritage. The game, Misterios de Olivenza, integrates historical, geographical, and cultural content related to the municipality of Olivenza (Extremadura, Spain) through exploratory gameplay and problem-based activities. The research involved 86 primary education students aged 10–13 and employed a validated questionnaire to analyse gameplay experience, motivation, and self-perceived learning, with attention to age and gender differences. Results indicate high levels of enjoyment, motivation, and perceived learning, with no statistically significant differences by gender and limited age-related variation. A moderate positive correlation was identified between motivation and self-perception of learning, suggesting that engagement plays a key role in students’ educational experience. The findings highlight the pedagogical potential of teacher-created serious games for heritage education, while underscoring the importance of careful curricular integration and adequate scaffolding to maximise educational effectiveness.

Abstract: This paper proposes a structural and philosophical synthesis between Edgar R. Eslit’s Narrative Language Ecology (NLE) method and the Law of the Trio—a recursive ontological framework developed by the author. While NLE critiques the ethical void and performative nature of mainstream English Language Teaching (ELT), the Law of the Trio offers a semantic geometry that models language, thought, and reality as structurally equivalent modalities. Together, these frameworks form a pedagogical alliance that restores learner agency, ethical presence, and cognitive resonance. Through comparative mapping, curriculum design, and teacher training implications, the paper argues for a paradigm shift in ELT—one that treats language not as performance, but as presence; not as output, but as invocation. The synthesis invites educators, scholars, and institutions to reimagine language learning as a recursive, ethical, and narrative act. This synthesis responds to calls for humanizing pedagogy (TESOL Quarterly, 2024) and ecological approaches to applied linguistics (Applied Linguistics, 2023), situating the Law of the Trio within current discussions of ethical and narrative presence in ELT.

Abstract: Biological cognition depends on learning structured representations in ambiguous environments. Computational models of structure learning typically overlook the temporally extended dynamics that shape learning trajectories under such ambiguity. In this paper, we reframe structure learning as an emergent consequence of constraint-based dynamics. Informed by a literature on the role of constraints in complex biological systems, we build a framework for modelling constrain-based dynamics and provide a proof-of-concept computational cognitive model. The model consists of an ensemble of components, each comprising an individual learning process, whose internal updates are locally constrained by both external observations and system-level relational constraints. This is formalised using Bayesian probability as a description of constraint satisfaction. Representational structure is not encoded directly in the model equations but emerges over time through the interaction, stabilisation, and elimination of components under these constraints. Through a series of simulations in environments with varying degrees of ambiguity, we demonstrate that the model reliably differentiates the observation space into stable representational categories. We further analyse how global parameters controlling internal constraint and initial component precision shape learning trajectories and long-term behavioural alignment with the environment. The results suggest that constraint-based dynamics offer a viable and conceptually distinct foundation for modelling structure learning in adaptive systems. We further analyse how global parameters controlling internal constraint and initial component precision shape learning trajectories and long-term behavioural alignment with the environment. We show that this allows to capture structure learning even in cases where it is maladaptive, such as delusion-like belief updating.

Abstract: Digital messaging applications structure everyday work in China, with WeChat often used via employees’ personal accounts, organisational communication becomes merged with private life. This study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to examine how workplace cyberbullying (WCB) is experienced and understood in routine WeChat-mediated work. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with early-career, non-managerial Chinese women (aged 26–32) who had experienced WCB. The analysis identified five themes showing that WCB was typically embedded in daily digital work practices rather than confined to isolated hostile incidents. Participants reported reputational attacks, public undermining, and exclusion in group chats alongside gendered degradation, such as sexualised rumours about promotion, as well as client‑initiated online sexual harassment. They also recounted culturally normalised hierarchical cyber-control through monitoring of responsiveness, demands for deference in group spaces, and expectations of late-night and weekend compliance. Some accounts described paternalistic “dad-flavour” messaging that framed obedience as care or guidance. Work demands routinely crossed into participants’ personal spheres through after-hours contact and corporate visibility requirements via personal accounts. Many participants avoided formal reporting, citing uncertainty about what counts as WCB, low confidence in organisational action, and the risks of challenging authority. Coping relied on venting, emotional detachment, avoidance, and technical workarounds, alongside a clear desire for organisational protection. These findings highlight the need for stronger digital communication governance, including clear policies on personal-account use for work, after-hours contact, mandatory corporate visibility practices, and escalation routes for client-initiated sexual harassment.

Abstract: The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has experienced dramatic price fluctuations since its 2005 inception, raising questions about whether carbon pricing effectiveness exhibits threshold behaviour—specifically, whether there exists a minimum carbon price level below which market signals fail to stimulate renewable energy investment. This study applies the Hansen threshold regression methodology to investigate regime-dependent dynamics in the relationship between EU ETS carbon prices and renewable energy consumption over 2005–2024. We identify a statistically significant threshold at €20.71/tCO2 (bootstrap p = 0.048), which partitions the sample into distinct low- and high-price regimes. Below this threshold, carbon prices exhibit no significant positive effect on renewable deployment (β1 = −36.16, p = 0.246); above the threshold, a positive relationship emerges (β2 = +7.20, p = 0.081), with each additional euro associated with 7.20 TWh of additional renewable consumption. Technol-ogy-specific analysis reveals that solar electricity exhibits particularly strong respon-siveness to above-threshold carbon prices (β2 = +1.71, p = 0.019). The threshold estimate is robust to alternative trimming specifications, functional forms, and outlier exclusion. These findings suggest that the EU ETS achieved effectiveness as a driver of renewable energy only after carbon prices exceeded approximately €21/tCO2—a transformation that coincided with the implementation of the Market Stability Reserve. The results provide empirical support for carbon price floor mechanisms and validate structural reforms aimed at strengthening the credibility of the carbon market.

Abstract: For two decades, Central Asian nations have tried to integrate their higher education systems by copying European institutions. This approach has largely stalled due to bureaucratic inertia and limited resources. This article proposes a different path: building a "Digital Trust Infrastructure" (DTI) instead of expanding bureaucracy. Based on the theoretical framework of cryptographic governance and empirical feasibility studies, we present a ten-year strategic roadmap (2025–2035). We outline three phases: creating a regulatory sandbox for pilot universities, establishing national sovereign blockchains, and finally, moving toward algorithmic automation of credit recognition. We argue that technology can allow Central Asia to "leapfrog" traditional institutional development, provided governments shift their role from gatekeepers to digital architects.

Abstract: .Climate change has emerged as a significant global crisis, with the frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters rising sharply and imposing disproportion-ate costs on developing economies and small island states. This article examines the role of climate-resilient infrastructure as a key aspect of climate-smart growth, integrating mitigation, adaptation, and long-term development objectives. It frames climate-resilient infrastructure not merely as an engineering solution, but as a public good that generates significant positive externalities, reduces systemic macroeconomic risk, and delivers welfare gains that exceed private financial re-turns. Furthermore, the study also highlights substantial cross-country heteroge-neity in resilience outcomes, driven by differences in geographic exposure, eco-nomic capacity, institutional quality, and political economy constraints. The pa-per argues for a welfare-based approach to infrastructure prioritization that ac-counts for service disruptions, distributional impacts, and fiscal risk, rather than asset values alone. It further outlines policy and financing strategies to bridge the gap between social and private returns, including public investment, concessional finance, blended instruments, and nature-based solutions. Heavy premise is placed on strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure not only for safeguarding lives and livelihoods, but also for enabling inclusive, sustainable, and cli-mate-smart economic growth

Abstract: Immersive virtual environments are increasingly investigated as tools capable of modulating conscious experience, yet the specific contribution of graded immersion to altered states of consciousness (ASC), time perception, and cognition remains unclear. The present study examined how different levels of immersion during videogame play influence subjective experience and post-experience cognitive performance. Seventy-two participants played an identical 35-minute segment of the videogame Half-Life: Alyx under one of three conditions: desktop PC (low immersion), head-mounted virtual reality (VR; medium immersion), or VR combined with full-body locomotion via an omnidirectional treadmill (high immersion). Following gameplay, participants completed validated measures of presence (IPQ), immersion (IEQ), ASC (5D-ASC), retrospective time estimation, and cognitive flexibility (Stroop task and Alternative Uses Test). Presence was selectively enhanced in VR relative to desktop play, whereas immersion was highest in the VR plus treadmill condition. Specific ASC dimensions related to embodiment and self-experience (disembodiment, depersonalization, derealization, and altered perception of time and space) were significantly elevated in immersive conditions. Retrospective time estimation accuracy was reduced in the highest immersion condition, indicating increased temporal distortion. Cognitive flexibility measures showed no broad modulation by immersion, with only subtle differences in Stroop accuracy. Overall, the findings indicate that increasing immersion during videogame play selectively reshapes specific dimensions of conscious experience, particularly embodiment- and time-related aspects, without globally altering executive function.

Abstract: Urban transportation is a crucial aspect of modern societal development, with bus route optimization playing a central role in urban transit planning. Well-designed bus routes can enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of public transportation, alleviate traffic congestion and pollution, and ultimately contribute to the overall growth of a city. This study investigates the selection of bus stop locations and route optimization from three perspectives: population density, facility distribution, and route length. Firstly, a scheme for optimizing bus stop locations is proposed based on population grid data, Points of Interest (POI), and road network data. Next, candidate points are generated using the road network, and a new heuristic algorithm is introduced to initially establish optimized routes. A nondominated sorting algorithm is then employed to identify the optimal solution set, balancing population coverage, facility accessibility, and route distance. The proposed method for bus stop location and route optimization is universally applicable to urban bus routes and can be validated through case studies in different cities. Finally, an empirical analysis is conducted using Route 119 in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, as a case study. Compared with the original bus route, the optimized route demonstrates improvements of 18.26% in route distance, 15.79% in Points of Interest (POI) accessibility, and 10.53% in population coverage.

Abstract: The fading affect bias (FAB) is the faster fading of unpleasant than pleasant affect, and this effect is positively and negatively related to healthy/adaptive and unhealthy/non-adaptive outcomes, respectively. These findings suggest that the FAB is a form of emotion regulation and general healthy coping. Although Pillersdorf and Scorboria (2019) found a negative relation between the FAB and marijuana consumption, they only examined non-marijuana events, which limited the investigation. The current study examined the relation of the FAB to marijuana consumption measures as well as additional healthy and unhealthy outcome measures across marijuana and non-marijuana events in person (Experiment 1) and online (Experiment 2). Both experiments showed a robust FAB that was positively predicted by healthy variables and negatively predicted by unhealthy variables, and marijuana consumption/effects positively predicted the FAB for marijuana events. In Experiment 2, several healthy and unhealthy variables predicted the FAB more strongly for marijuana events than non-marijuana events, which demonstrated specific healthy coping, and rehearsals partially mediated these complex effects. Implications are discussed.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly changes how educators and institutions view academic integrity. Tools like ChatGPT are raising concerns about plagiarism and ethical misuse. While some view these tools as helpful, others are concerned about academic dishonesty or overreliance. The difficulty in detecting AI-generated work makes enforcing ethical rules more challenging. Moreover, university policies vary across institutions, leading to inconsistencies in enforcement. This study used a narrative review following the SANRA scale to assess 24 scholarly articles for key themes regarding the use of AI in higher education. The results show that many students use tools like ChatGPT without understanding the ethical issues involved. Furthermore, faculty struggle to verify student-authored content as AI detection tools lack accuracy in differentiating between human and AI-generated content. University policies regarding AI usage are inconsistent, with some attempting to integrate AI ethically while others ban it outright. While AI tools have clear benefits, the challenges with their use highlight the need for stronger policies, AI literacy programs, better detection tools, and faculty training in the ethical integration of such technology. AI should support student-centered learning rather than replace critical thinking, and for that, universities must update their academic integrity policies to include the ethical use of AI.

Abstract: Germany's global competitiveness, historically rooted in its high-quality education system, is threatened by a severe investment backlog in its public-school infrastructure. While national estimates of this deficit are substantial, the literature lacks a granular empirical analysis at the municipal level, where fiscal responsibility for these assets primarily lies. This paper addresses this critical gap by providing the first municipal-level study of Germany's school investment crisis and exploring the necessity and viability of private capital as a solution. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conduct a cross-sectional analysis of 30 municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia, integrating demographic, fiscal, and real estate data. We introduce a novel composite metric, the ‘Need Score,’ to offer a more nuanced tool for identifying high-need municipalities. Our findings reveal a profound structural underfunding, with planned municipal investments covering less than 10% of the estimated backlog. The backlog is weakly correlated with GDP growth but not significantly predicted by other common socio-economic indicators, highlighting the limitations of macro-level diagnostics. Conversely, a higher share of private school enrolment is significantly associated with a lower public investment backlog (r = -0.51, p &lt; 0.05). A detailed financial case study demonstrates that investments in educational real estate can deliver stable, positive returns (IRR of 4.5%–19.8%), positioning them as an attractive asset class for institutional investors. We conclude that private capital is not merely an alternative but a necessity for securing Germany’s educational future and propose a policy framework for fostering effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) to bridge this critical infrastructure gap.