Abstract: This study aims to explore students’ perceptions of the use of instructional technology in English as a foreign language (EFL) learning in Indonesian higher education. In a global context increasingly influenced by the digitalization of education, this study examines the factors that influence students’ acceptance of technology, and how it affects their learning experience. Using a quantitative approach with a questionnaire instrument, this study involved 300 students from various universities in Indonesia who had experience using technology in EFL learning. The results showed that students generally had positive perceptions of the relevance and ease of use of technology in English learning. The variable “Relevance” scored the highest, while “Technology Support” scored the lowest, indicating challenges related to infrastructure and technical support, especially in remote areas. Differences between students in big cities and remote areas were also found, with students in urban areas receiving better technology support. The implications of this study indicate the need for improved infrastructure and technical support to ensure that technology can be used optimally throughout Indonesia. This study contributes to the understanding of technology adoption in English language education, as well as providing a basis for developing technology-based teaching policies and practices.

Abstract: Addressing the escalating environmental crisis requires not only technological and economic solutions but also a transformation in human behavior and organizational practices. This paper examines the potential of mindfulness to foster pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) by enhancing psychological traits, such as ecological awareness and emotional regulation, that support sustainable actions. It presents mindfulness as an alternative approach to fear-based climate narratives, which often lead to disengagement and eco-anxiety. Drawing on empirical studies and theoretical frameworks, the paper explores the mechanisms through which mindfulness influences PEBs, including intrinsic motivation, connectedness to nature, and cognitive flexibility. Application of mindfulness in organizational and educational contexts are discussed, along with barriers to sustained behavioral change. Finally, the paper identifies future research directions and practical strategies for integrating mindfulness into systemic environmental initiatives, demonstrating its role as a critical tool for addressing the global climate crisis.

Abstract: In response to the growing pressure from urban expansion and the risks associated with climate change, adapting cities and reintroducing nature into the urban environment are becoming increasingly urgent. The implementation of Urban Green Infrastructures plays a key role in adaptation strategies, thanks to its ability to offer a wide range of ecosystem services. However, the adaptation process must necessarily be trans-scalar and include collective participation to ensure a real improvement in both physical and social urban resilience. For this reason, citizen participation in planning processes is essential, but even more important is the recognition of their active role and the scope for private citizens' involvement. The transformation of private spaces according to UGI principles and with a view to the common good, however, is still a theme that is scarcely included in urban resilience plans. This study presents the results of a survey conducted in the case study of Milan through questionnaires and focus groups to record preferences, concerns, and priorities in the sustainable transformation of private open spaces. The outcome of the study is the definition of a toolkit for the design of private open spaces, integrating Nature-Based Solutions and adhering to UGI principles.

Abstract: Schizophrenia has been associated with increased inflammatory and metabolic disturbances. Perceived family support possibly effectuates changes in inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers. The aim of the present study was to determine the associations between family support, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of schizophrenic outpatients. In this cross-sectional correlation study 206 schizophrenic outpatients in clinical remission completed the standardized self-report questionnaire that assessed family support (family support scale-FSS). Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. 49.5% of the participants had detectable CRP values (≥0.11mg/dl), whereas 14.6% had positive CRP levels (>0.6mg/dl). There was a significant difference in CRP levels across the different BMI groups (normal-weight/ overweight vs. obese). For obese patients, the crude odds ratio (OR) for detectable CRP values was 1.980 with 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.056, 3.713] and for positive CRP values the OR was 27.818 (95% CI [6.300, 122.838]). Significant positive correlations were observed among CRP, BMI and illness duration, while scores on FSS were negatively associated with these variables. Results from the binary logistic regression analysis indicated that both BMI and family support were significant factors in determining the likelihood of having positive CRP levels, with each unit increase in the BMI associated with a 17% (95% CI [0.025, 0.337]) increase in the odds and with each unit increase in family support leading to a 8.6% (95% CI [0.018, 0.15]) decrease. The moderation analysis revealed that the association between family support and the probability of having positive CRP levels depends on BMI values, but the magnitude of the decreased risk for positive CRP associated with the protective effect of family support is significant (b=-0.1972, SE=0.053, OR=0.821, p=0.000, 95% CI [-0.3010, -0.0934]) only for obese patients. The effect of perceived family support on inflammatory responses becomes evident in cases where beyond metabolic complications inflammatory processes have already been established. However, primary interventions are considered necessary for schizophrenic patients in order to maintain BMI within normal limits and avoid the subsequent nosological sequelae.

Abstract: This study investigates the complex dynamics of new-type urbanization in resource-based county-level cities, using Wuan City in Hebei Province, China, as a representative case. As China pursues a high-quality development agenda, cities historically dependent on resource extraction face profound challenges in achieving sustainable and inclusive urban growth. This research employs a multi-method approach—including Theil index analysis, industrial shift-share analysis, a Cobb-Douglas production function model, and a composite urbanization index—to quantitatively diagnose the constraints on Wuan’s development and assess its transformation efforts. Our empirical results reveal a multifaceted situation: while the urban-rural income gap has narrowed, rural income streams remain fragile. A shift-share analysis indicates that although Wuan’s traditional industries have regained competitiveness, the city’s economic structure is still burdened by a persistent negative structural component, hindering diversification. Furthermore, the economy exhibits characteristics of a labor-intensive growth model with inefficient capital deployment. These underlying issues are reflected in a comprehensive urbanization index that, after a period of rapid growth, has recently stagnated, signaling the exhaustion of the city’s traditional development mode. In response, Wuan attempts an “industrial transformation-driven new-type urbanization” path. This study details the three core strategies being implemented: (1) incremental population urbanization through development at the urban fringe and in industrial zones; (2) in-situ urbanization of the existing rural population; and (3) the cultivation of specialized “characteristic small towns” to create new, diversified economic nodes. The findings from Wuan offer critical, actionable lessons for other resource-dependent regions. The case demonstrates that successful urban transformation requires not only industrial upgrading but also integrated, spatially aware planning and robust institutional support. We conclude that while Wuan’s model provides a valuable reference, its strategies must be adapted to local contexts, emphasizing the universal importance of institutional innovation, human capital investment, and a people-centered approach to achieving resilient and high-quality urbanization.

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between corporate financial performance and ESG reporting performance across all three ESG pillars: Environmental, Social, and Governance. Using a robust panel dataset of over 28,274 firm-year observations from listed companies worldwide (covering 2019–2023), combining financial metrics and ESG performance scores from the Refinitiv database. Panel regression results indicate that more profitable firms (measured by Net Income and ROA) exhibit statistically significant higher ESG performance across all three pillars, reinforcing the view that financial strength supports more comprehensive sustainability efforts. By contrast, firms with more ESG controversies attain significantly lower ESG scores, suggesting that incidents of misconduct or governance failures undermine sustainability reporting credibility. These findings contribute to the literature by empirically validating the dual role of financial success and reputational risk in shaping ESG performance. The study also offers practical insights for regulators, investors, and corporate managers. Strong profitability can facilitate improved ESG transparency, whereas proactive measures and stricter oversight are needed to address controversies, enhance accountability, and mitigate greenwashing.

Abstract: This research critically examines the production, circulation, and reception of mediated trauma and eroticized panic within capitalist media spectacles, with a specific focus on South Asia and Bangladesh. Drawing on a hybrid methodological approach that integrates critical discourse analysis, visual semiotics, psychoanalytic media theory, and digital ethnography, the study investigates how trauma is transformed into a consumable and affective product within the capitalist logic of media industries. Analyzing over 100 high-impact media texts and incorporating empirical data from 500 audience surveys, 25 in-depth interviews, and 10 focus groups, the research reveals how suffering—particularly gendered and political—is aestheticized, eroticized, and weaponized through spectacle. Findings indicate that capitalist media ecosystems exploit panic and trauma not only as tools for control and distraction but also as libidinal stimuli that blur the boundaries between empathy and voyeurism, resistance and submission. Moreover, audience interpretations reflect complex emotional negotiations, ranging from affective numbness and moral fatigue to critical resistance and political mobilization. The paper situates these dynamics within broader structures of postcolonial governance, patriarchal capitalism, algorithmic amplification, and affective economies. Ultimately, it argues that the eroticized spectacle of panic is central to the reproduction of neoliberal hegemony in the South Asian mediascape.

Abstract: Lack of encouragement by institutions, time constraints, privacy concerns, fake news, reputational risks and fear of cancellation or censorship are among the reasons why many academics are not fully embracing social media for scholarly communications. This is a missed opportunity, particularly for institutions that cannot afford costly subscriptions to journals, struggle to fund open access publishing for their researchers, and research centres that don’t have enough staff capacity for scholarly communications. Social media channels are accessible, free to use and offer global reach.This paper offers an international literature review and derives insights from editorials and articles on scholarly communications. It also shows how the pandemic boosted the role of social media as an effective communication tool for fast dissemination of scientific findings. Three case studies, two featuring research projects at the University of Cambridge managed by the author, show how leveraging social media can raise public awareness, inform and educate stakeholders, build international networks and boost funding.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Post-stroke cognitive impairment significantly impacts long-term functional outcomes, particularly in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Working memory training (WMT) has emerged as a potential cognitive rehabilitation strategy; however, its transfer to real-world functionality remains unclear. This study evaluated whether adaptive computerized WMT enhances IADL performance compared to a non-adaptive control condition in chronic stroke survivors. Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 adults aged 50–79 years, ≥12 months post-ischemic stroke, diagnosed with mild neurocognitive disorder. Participants were randomized to adaptive WMT or non-adaptive cognitive training, each completing 25 home-based sessions over 12 weeks via a standardized online platform. Primary outcomes included the Lawton and Brody IADL Scale and the Working Memory Questionnaire (WMQ); secondary outcomes included the Working Memory Index (WMI) from the WAIS-IV. Analyses included frequentist and Bayesian methods. Results: Both groups showed significant pre–post improvements in IADL independence and WMI (p < .05; BF₁₀ > 10), with no significant between-group differences on overall IADL outcomes. The adaptive WMT group demonstrated specific gains in WMQ-Storing (p = 0.033; BF₁₀ = 3.83), while the control group improved in WMQ-Attention and IADL-Assistance Required (p = 0.004–0.035; BF₁₀ > 6). Bayesian ANOVA indicated that these effects were primarily driven by the interventions, with minimal influence from depressive symptoms or global cognition. Conclusions: Adaptive WMT yielded domain-specific cognitive benefits but did not enhance IADL performance beyond non-adaptive training. These findings highlight the limited far-transfer of WMT and the importance of designing ecologically valid, multimodal rehabilitation strategies post-stroke.

Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of blended learning implementation in improving students' English language skills in secondary schools in Indonesia. Using a qualitative research design and case study approach, this study involved five schools that have implemented the blended learning model. Data were collected through interviews with teachers and students, classroom observations, and analysis of learning documents. The results showed that blended learning had a positive impact on students' English language skills, with significant improvements in pre-test and post-test scores, especially in schools with better technological infrastructure. Factors that influenced the success of this model included technological readiness, teacher training, and the level of student engagement in the learning process. However, the main challenge found was the inequality of access to technology, especially in areas with limited digital infrastructure. Nevertheless, this study recommends improving digital infrastructure and more intensive training for teachers to optimize the implementation of blended learning throughout Indonesia. These findings contribute to the understanding of how technology can be utilized to improve the quality of English language learning in secondary schools, as well as providing insights for the development of education policies that support the integration of technology in learning.

Abstract: The value of grade retention as a pedagogic resource remains a subject of debate be-cause its costs and benefits. Amongst the psychosocial effects of retention, student en-gagement with school is one of the dimensions that are expected to be more affected. This study aimed at contributing for this debate by examining the relationship between grade retention and various dimensions of student engagement with school, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally over a five-year period. The cross-sectional sample comprised 727 students aged 14 to 19 years (M = 16.47, SD = 0.59), while the longitu-dinal sample included 238 students aged 11 to 15 years (M = 13.29, SD = 0.54 at the first assessment). Student engagement with school was measured using the Multifac-torial Measure of Student Engagement. Results indicated that grade retention was negatively associated with overall student engagement, particularly with study be-haviors and perceived family support for learning. Moreover, students with a history of retention exhibited a significantly steeper decline in engagement over time com-pared to their non-retained peers. These findings underscore the importance of devel-oping inclusive educational practices and targeted strategies that foster student en-gagement, especially for retained students. Schools need to assume their responsibility in promoting positive academic trajectories for all their students, including shifting from a materialistic oriented paradigm to a person-centered school’s paradigm.

Abstract: On 5 August 2024, Bangladesh experienced a sharp inflection point: a convergence of political instability, digital misinformation, and spontaneous public violence that led to an epidemic of mob trials and extrajudicial killings. Since then, mobs—both digital and physical—have supplanted formal institutions of justice across urban neighborhoods, rural districts, and even educational campuses. This research investigates the anatomy, causes, and consequences of Bangladesh’s post-2024 mob justice phenomenon through a multidisciplinary lens—drawing from media studies, political science, psychology, and digital sociology.Using over 100 case studies, interviews with victims and survivors, media content analysis, and ethnographic observation of viral rumor networks, this study interrogates how social media platforms—especially Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram—act as algorithmic catalysts for communal and moral panic. These platforms' architecture rewards outrage, rumor, and sensationalism, creating echo chambers that incite collective punishment without due process. It documents how hashtags and clickbait content function as ‘digital warrants,’ mobilizing virtual crowds that quickly evolve into violent physical mobs. Moreover, this research maps the erosion of institutional responses—particularly the paralysis or complicity of law enforcement and judicial systems—which allows the mob to function as an alternate justice regime.The research also identifies key psychosocial and ideological dimensions of mob participants: including deindividuation, confirmation bias, perceived threat to religion or nationhood, and the romanticization of vigilante justice in popular discourse. Notably, the paper highlights the disproportionate targeting of religious minorities, political dissidents, and youth subcultures, thereby framing mob violence as not merely spontaneous but also as structurally reinforced by state neglect, political opportunism, and algorithmic design.Furthermore, the study traces a significant continuum: from online rumor to offline violence, from algorithmic visibility to targeted execution, and from digital humiliation to community terror. Particular attention is given to events like the Hazari Lane lynchings, Operation Devil Hunt, and the post-August 2024 Chittagong campus riots, offering critical insight into how digital panic translates into lethal real-world consequences. The article also presents an original model of the ‘Mob-Viral-Justice Loop,’ illustrating how platform design, socio-political stressors, and narrative propaganda feed into cycles of digital and physical vigilantism.Ultimately, the study argues that Bangladesh’s democratic order is under siege—not just from top-down authoritarian controls, but also from bottom-up algorithmically coordinated violence. The paper closes by proposing multi-level reforms, including: algorithmic transparency legislation, legal criminalization of mob incitement, civic education on digital literacy, and an independent truth commission on extrajudicial killings.In demonstrating how state power, corporate algorithms, and public rage intersect to normalize mass violence, this research extends the global scholarship on digital vigilantism, transitional authoritarianism, and platform governance. By centering Bangladesh, it also contributes a vital South Asian perspective to the urgent global debate on the future of rule of law in an era of algorithmic panic.

Abstract: This article introduces the Index of Distributive and Developmental Outlook (IDDO), a composite indicator designed to jointly assess economic performance and income inequality across EU-27 Member States. While GDP per capita is widely used to evaluate national prosperity, and the Gini coefficient captures income distribution, their separate use often obscures the interaction between growth and equity - an essential dimension of sustainable development. To address this gap, the IDDO integrates normalized values of both indicators using arithmetic and geometric means. The study applies the IDDO to a longitudinal dataset covering the years 2005, 2014, and 2024, allowing for comparative and temporal analysis. Based on IDDO scores, countries are classified into four development types: balanced development, growth with inequality, equity with stagnation, and dual vulnerability. Results show that while some Member States, such as Luxembourg, Czechia, and Slovenia, maintain consistently high IDDO levels, others - including Bulgaria, Romania, and Latvia -exhibit persistent challenges in aligning growth with equitable outcomes. The findings underscore the need for cohesion policies that prioritize not only economic convergence but also distributive fairness. The IDDO provides a practical and adaptable tool for diagnosing development patterns, benchmarking performance, and informing policy design within the EU framework.

Abstract: This study investigates the dynamics of agribusiness innovation and transformation in Albania, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia using an evolutionary economics framework. Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, it integrates qualitative data from over 600 semi-structured interviews with quantitative evidence from 75 firm-level surveys. Innovation is conceptualized not as a linear or technology-driven process, but as a co-evolutionary outcome of institutional routines, policy environments, and feedback mechanisms shaped by historical and cultural path dependencies. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity in innovation trajectories across countries. In Bangladesh, adaptive governance, robust digital infrastructure, and multi-actor coordination enhance responsive learning and innovation despite high and frequent levels of disruptions, politically and environmentally induced disasters. Ethiopia demonstrates high institutional coherence but limited adaptability due to weak digital integration and constrained horizontal feedback. Albania, by contrast, shows fragmented governance and volatile policy frameworks, resulting in disjointed and unsustainable innovation practices. These contrasts highlight the primacy of institutional diversity over technological availability in shaping innovation outcomes. The study extends evolutionary economic theory into agricultural development contexts in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), showing how firm behavior, market signals, and institutional feedback are interdependent. It concludes that building robust agribusiness innovation systems requires a systemic and adaptive approach, emphasizing learning networks, digital infrastructure, and responsive policymaking to navigate ecological and technological transitions.

Abstract: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the pharmaceutical sector has redefined drug discovery and development, enabling the generation of novel compounds with enhanced efficiency and precision. However, this transformative progress challenges the foundational tenets of intellectual property (IP) law in India. This paper examines the intersection of AI-generated pharmaceutical compositions and Indian IP laws, with a particular focus on patentability, inventorship, and data exclusivity. The study highlights ambiguities in recognizing AI as an inventor, the complexities of assessing novelty and non-obviousness in AI outputs, and the inadequacy of current legal frameworks in addressing the protection of AI-driven innovations. It argues for a comprehensive overhaul of existing IP laws to include sui generis protections or collaborative inventorship models. Further, it explores international best practices and ethical considerations critical for balancing innovation incentives with public access to essential medicines. The paper concludes by proposing legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms that could empower India to lead globally in responsible and equitable AI-based pharmaceutical innovation.

Abstract: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a critical global challenge. This study analyses the environmental priorities related to SDGs 12, 14 and 15 - interlinked and focused on responsible production and consumption, life below water, and life on land respectively - reflected in political party manifestos from the 2019, 2022, and 2024 Portuguese general elections, assessing their alignment with the SDGs and broader European political ideologies. A content analysis reveals significant disparities in attention across these goals, with SDG 15 receiving greater prominence than SDGs 12 and 14. Findings highlight the influence of political ideology, showing left-wing parties emphasize all three SDGs more consistently than their right-wing counterparts. These results underscore the need for a more balanced and comprehensive political commitment to sustainability. By exploring the interplay between national and European political agendas, this research provides valuable insights for aligning environmental policies with the UN 2030 Agenda and fostering transformative change in sustainability governance.

Abstract: The protection of biodiversity and genetic resources has become a strategic legal concern both nationally and internationally, particularly for megadiverse countries like Indonesia. Amidst the growing exploitation of biological materials by the global biotechnology industry, biopiracy—defined as the unauthorized appropriation and utilization of genetic resources and traditional knowledge without prior informed consent or equitable benefit-sharing—poses serious threats to the bio-cultural sovereignty of local communities. This study critically examines Indonesia’s legal approach to biopiracy by analyzing the evolution of its national regulatory framework following the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol, and by contrasting it with the global intellectual property regime, especially the TRIPS Agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Employing a normative legal approach and grounded in Rudolf von Jhering’s theory of law as an instrument of social struggle toward utilitarian ends, the article advocates for a more responsive and contextually grounded legal reform in Indonesia. This includes the development of a sui generis system to recognize Communal Intellectual Property Rights (CIPRs), mandatory disclosure of origin in patent applications, and the legal empowerment of Indigenous and local communities as rightful holders of ecological knowledge. The study concludes that Indonesia must adopt a legal strategy that is not only defensive but also proactive and sovereign within the global legal order, ensuring that the nation’s biodiversity is effectively protected, sustainably utilized, and fairly shared for the benefit of present and future generations.

Abstract: The relationships between farmers and livestock are multifaceted. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, biogeographic, and institutional factors that influence the relationships between humans and animals in the natural savannah. Visits were made to 65 farms, followed by interviews (n=13) and three focus groups (n=24) directed at farmers and institutional representatives. The results were triangulated to extract the key findings. It was found that: a) cultural gender transitions and lack of generational succession have transformed livestock farming, b) the relationships between farmers and livestock have favoured the implementation of new productive practices and innovations, as well as improvements in animal welfare practices, c) conditioning factors affecting these relationships include gender discriminatory norms, low profitability and credit access, poor sanitation, animal handling infrastructure, security, and resistance to change, d) improvement opportunities include: the inclusion of young people and women in livestock farming, education for work practises, credit facilitation, access to technologies, governance, and improvement in the cattle logistics chain. The results are useful for enhancing the relationships between farmers and livestock, guiding training activities, and responsible governance.

Abstract: This study focuses on the assessment of positive personality traits through the High Five Inventory (HFI) among Ecuadorian university students. The instrument is based on the High Factors Model (HFM), which includes five dimensions: erudition, peace, joviality, honesty, and tenacity. Objective: To validate the factorial structure, reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the HFI in Ecuador; to analyze its invariance across three cities (Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca) and academic disciplines; and to conduct a network analysis to explore inter-item relationships. Method: A total of 1,555 students participated. The HFI was linguistically adapted, and statistical analyses were applied, including Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), reliability estimates (α and ω), Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and factorial invariance tests (from configural to structural levels). Results: The HFI demonstrated strong internal consistency (α and ω > 0.80), sound structural validity (CFI > 0.99; RMSEA = 0.031), and evidence of invariance at configural, metric, and scalar levels. Network analysis revealed differences between cities in terms of attribute centrality and clustering, with traits such as dedication and ingenuity standing out. Conclusion: The HFI is a psychometrically robust tool for evaluating positive personality traits in Ecuadorian university students, with applications in both educational and psychological contexts. Further cross-cultural research is encouraged.

Abstract: This study employs integrated scientometric and technometric methodologies to analyze the evolution of quantum technologies over the period 1970–2024. By analyzing longitudinal patent and publication data, we identify key growth trajectories within the quantum domain, given by Quantum Computing, Quantum Computers, Quantum Communication, Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Emitters. In particular, regression-based trend analysis reveals the most significant growth rates in Quantum Computing (β = 0.26), Quantum Computers (β = 0.25), Quantum Communication (β = 0.20), and Quantum Cryptography (β = 0.15). These findings highlight the accelerating innovation dynamics in these subfields and offer strategic insights for policymakers, funding agencies, and R&D managers aiming to prioritize investments in high-impact quantum technologies that are poised to shape future scientific and socioeconomic landscapes.