Abstract: The rapid shift to digital learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for a more dynamic and integrated approach to language acquisition and learning. As education systems worldwide continue to adapt, the limitations of traditional language learning models, which often fail to incorporate technological advancements, have become evident. In response to this challenge, this paper introduces the Integrative Language Acquisition and Learning Model (ILALM), a novel framework that blends traditional theories of language acquisition with modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and gamification. ILALM aims to address the evolving needs of language learners in the post-pandemic landscape by fostering personalized learning, real-time interaction, and cultural integration within a flexible, blended learning environment. Using a qualitative research methodology, including in-depth literature reviews, documents analyses, and published case studies, the study explores how ILALM can enhance engagement and language proficiency while promoting inclusivity and adaptability. The paper concludes by offering actionable recommendations for school administrators, educators, students, and researchers by proposing directions to examine the model’s long-term impact on language acquisition in diverse educational settings.

Abstract: The study aims to analyze the perception of Uzbek residents when pursuing a career in the tourism industry. A sample of 80 students from “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage completed a questionnaire rating the significance of several factors influencing their choice of career. The survey was analyzed in the SPSS model with the ordinal logistic regression method. As results reveal more than 46% of members are interested in the tourism sphere, especially in travel and tour operation majors. Also, the opportunity to travel and explore new countries is the key reason for choosing the tourism industry, as they believe in the positive effect of digital transformation and the implementation of sustainability. However, 44% are worried about the stability and security of their tourism career and they considered a specific career role within the tourism industry. These insights assist the government to enhance the quality of education in universities, mitigate some challenges, attract more qualified employees, and widen the opportunities that specifically involve travel opportunities.

Abstract: Depressive symptoms are influenced not only by absolute income but also by relative income, particularly among older adults. The present article, guided by the relative deprivation theory and relative position hypothesis, examines the relationship between neighborhood relative income and depressive symptoms in older adults. This study utilized a merged dataset from the American Community Survey data and the RAND Health and Retirement Study data (N = 3,071; age 65+). Neighborhood relative income was measured by calculating the difference between the natural logarithm of an individual's household income and the natural logarithm of the median household income in their Census tract, then dividing this difference by the natural logarithm of the median household income in the same tract. Negative binomial regression revealed a significant link between lower relative economic positions and more counts of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for individual and neighborhood covariates. These findings underscore the urgent need for social work interventions and policies that address the mental health impacts of economic disparities in older populations. Future research should explore the pathways through which relative deprivation influences mental health to inform more targeted interventions.

Abstract: We posed selected questions on open access (OA) to Stevan Harnad thirty years after his “subversive proposal” to maximize research impact by self-archiving scholarly articles in university-hosted or disciplinary online repositories to make published articles openly available. Self-archiving, however, was adopted by a small minority of active scholars. In 2022, for example, the most comprehensive research database indexed ~800,000 “green” OA articles and ~2,000,000 “gold” OA articles. Following conversation with Professor Harnad, this work answers three research questions: is self-archiving of scholarly work still a valid alternative to maximize research impact? Besides OA, what is required for publishing impactful research articles? How can a personal academic website benefit open access? The answers to these questions may further inform educational work on open and impactful academic publishing in the digital era.

Abstract:

This study investigated the relationship between family support (for daily activities and living) and life satisfaction among Nepali older adults, with an additional focus on gender differences. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted in rural eastern Nepal through interviewing older adults aged 60 years and above. The total analytical sample for this study was 819. Life satisfaction was measured using Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale. Binary logistic regression was employed to explore the associations. About 57% of older adults were satisfied with their life. Respondents who relied on family support for daily activities had significantly lower odds of experiencing life satisfaction (OR:0.49, p<0.001). Gender did not moderate the relationship between family support for daily activities and life satisfaction, but interestingly moderated the relationship between family support for living and life satisfaction. Older men who relied on family support for living were less likely to be satisfied with their lives than older women in similar situations (OR:0.66, p<0.05). This study emphasizes the need for further research to comprehensively understand the impact of family support on life satisfaction among older adults in societies driven by filial piety, focusing on underlying mechanisms to confirm this paradoxical relationship.

Abstract: Recent studies indicate that nurses experienced higher levels of occupational burnout and insomnia during the pandemic compared to other healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to assess occupational burnout, insomnia, and psychological resilience and to explore their interrelations among nurses in Greece in the post-pandemic era. The study was conducted online in July 2024 and included 380 nurses currently working in Greek hospitals, who completed the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Overall, 56.1% of the nurses exhibited insomnia symptoms and 46.8% displayed signs of occupational burnout. Low resilience scores were observed in 26.3%. Female nurses had a higher mean burnout score compared to their male counterparts. Multiple regression analysis indicated that CBI Total explained 34.4% of the variance in the AIS scores, with an additional 3% explained by BRS. Mediation analysis further revealed that resilience operates protectively as a negative mediator in the relationship between burnout and insomnia. In conclusion, the levels of occupational burnout and insomnia among nurses remain high one year after the end of the pandemic and consequently there is an urgent need to enhance the support for nurses to protect them from adverse physical and psychological effects.

Abstract: Accessibility in public transport is essential for fostering inclusive and sustainable urban development, ensuring equitable mobility for all citizens, particularly individuals with physical disabilities or reduced mobility. Globally, over 1.3 billion individuals, including 4.12 million in Spain, live with disabilities. Despite legislative advances, many cities struggle to meet accessibility standards that enable independent and safe use of public transport. This study evaluates the accessibility of 431 bus stops in Burgos, Spain, using a validated, replicable methodology that incorporates on-site observations, critical accessibility assessments, geolocation, and photographic documentation. Findings highlight persistent barriers, including issues with vehicle encroachment prevention, stop locations, bus shelter design, and the availability of accessible formats such as Braille and audio. Overcoming these barriers can significantly enhance urban mobility, reduce environmental impacts, and align with Sustainable Development Goal 11, particularly Target 11.2, which emphasises accessible and sustainable transport systems. This adaptable methodology offers cities worldwide a robust framework to improve public transport accessibility, contributing to global efforts in creating inclusive, resilient, and climate-neutral urban systems.

Abstract:

We analyze the Google matrix of directed networks of Wikipedia articles related to 8 recent Wikipedia language editions representing different cultures (English, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese). Using the reduced Google matrix algorithm we determine relations and interactions of 23 society concepts and 17 religions represented by their respective articles for each of the 8 editions. The effective Markov transitions are found to be more intense inside the two blocks of society concepts and religions while transitions between the blocks are significantly reduced. We establish 5 poles of influence for society concepts (Law, Society, Communism, Liberalism, Capitalism) as well as 5 poles for religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese folk religion) and determine how they affect other entries. We compute inter edition correlations for different key quantities providing a quantitative analysis of the differences or the proximity of views of the 8 cultures with respect to the selected society concepts and religions.

Abstract: This article investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) to enhance the understanding of tactical urbanism (TU) projects, addressing the broader challenge of effectively communicating and evaluating these temporary, low-cost urban interventions. The study aims to assess how VR can be integrated with TU to offer a more immersive and comprehensive understanding than traditional methods. To this end, we conducted a thorough literature review on spatial perception, TU, and VR, followed by an empirical experiment involving college students from a Brazilian institution. These students visited a tactical urbanism installation both physically and virtually. Their experiences were reported and analyzed according to the AR4CUP: Augmented Reality for Collaborative Urban Planning protocol, a methodology developed by a multidisciplinary team that uses questionnaires to collect data on participants' sensations, essential for describing and interpreting their experiences. The results indicated that VR positively influences the perception and experiences of urban spaces, highlighting the importance of social interaction and recreational activities. The study reinforces that VR is a valuable tool for understanding tactical urbanism projects and contributes to developing more effective and enriching urban environments.

Abstract: Social sciences are constantly developing, and new challenges posed by climate change and the intricate relationship between mankind and the environment are resulting into new approaches to various socio-juridical issues. However, these approaches are challenged by phenomena showing a dual natural-anthropic origin, such as wildfires. Where to draw the line between a natural event that helped shaping landscapes and contributed to the evolution of terrestrial organisms for hundreds of millions of years, and anthropic-driven natural disasters which are all but indistinguishable from actual crimes? These questions lead to new multi- to inter-disciplinary evaluation processes meant to characterize wildfires from several standpoints, each with a contribution from a specific discipline. Via one such approach, this paper demonstrates that – at least in the context of the European Union – heterogeneous laws and regulations should indeed focus more on the link between large anthropic wildfires and natural disasters. Furthermore, the effects of wildfire-related pollutants on both the climate and human health should be accounted for in rulings.