This study examined the serial multiple mediation effects of depression and self-control on the relationship between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and SNS addiction tendencies among 201 Korean college students. Data were analyzed using SPSS 30.0 and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 6). Results indicated that both BAS and BIS significantly influenced SNS addiction through the serial mediation of depression and self-control. Specifically, higher BAS and BIS levels were associated with increased depression, which subsequently reduced self-control and escalated SNS addiction. While the single mediation of self-control was significant, depression alone did not mediate these relationships. These findings suggest that SNS addiction is structurally linked to individual behavioral systems and emotional-regulatory factors. This study underscores the need for customized counseling interventions targeting emotional regulation and self-control based on individual BAS/BIS profiles.

This study evaluates the determinants of citizen trust in e-government platforms across 12 municipalities in Slovenia, Romania, and Slovakia. Survey data from 2400 residents combined with municipal digital service performance metrics were analyzed using multilevel regression models. Results show that perceived system usability and data privacy assurance are the strongest predictors of citizen trust, surpassing service efficiency gains. Municipalities that implemented transparent data handling policies and user-centered interface design exhibited trust scores 26 percent higher than those prioritizing backend administrative efficiency. Age and digital literacy moderated the relationship, with residents over 55 demonstrating lower trust regardless of system quality. Comparative analysis revealed that pre-existing institutional trust significantly shaped e-government acceptance in Romania and Slovakia, while Slovenian residents evaluated digital platforms more independently. These findings suggest that e-government adoption strategies should prioritize privacy communication and inclusive design over technical sophistication.

This paper presents a techno-economic assessment of small-scale solar desalination systems designed for coastal communities in southern Mozambique. Three solar-powered reverse osmosis configurations with capacities ranging from 500 to 2000 liters per day were modeled using local meteorological data and evaluated for capital costs, operational expenses, and levelized water costs over a 20-year project horizon. Sensitivity analysis incorporated variations in solar irradiance, membrane replacement frequency, and community payment capacity. Results indicate that the mid-scale 1000-liter system achieves a levelized water cost of 0.018 USD per liter, which is competitive with existing water trucking services costing 0.025 USD per liter. Community surveys across four villages confirmed willingness to pay at this price point for 89 percent of respondents. The analysis demonstrates that solar desalination offers a viable pathway for improving freshwater access in remote coastal areas where grid connectivity is unreliable.

This sociolinguistic study analyzes code-switching patterns among multilingual professionals in corporate environments in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Audio recordings of 120 workplace interactions involving 45 employees fluent in Kazakh, Russian, and English were collected and transcribed over six months. Conversation analysis revealed three dominant switching patterns: intra-sentential switching for technical terminology, inter-sentential switching for hierarchical communication adjustments, and tag-switching for solidarity marking among peers. English insertions occurred predominantly in technology and finance sectors, while Kazakh-Russian alternation was more prevalent in government-affiliated organizations. Language choice correlated strongly with perceived professional identity and organizational culture rather than individual proficiency levels. The findings contribute to understanding how multilingual professionals navigate complex linguistic repertoires in post-Soviet corporate contexts and have implications for language policy development in multilingual workplaces.

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the productivity effects of three drought-tolerant maize varieties among 600 smallholder farming households in the Balaka and Machinga districts of southern Malawi. Households were randomly assigned to receive either improved drought-tolerant seeds, conventional local varieties, or improved seeds with agronomic training over two consecutive growing seasons (2023-2025). Yield measurements demonstrated that drought-tolerant varieties produced 34 percent higher grain output during below-average rainfall seasons compared to local varieties. The addition of agronomic training further increased yields by 18 percent, indicating complementary knowledge effects. Cost-benefit analysis showed a positive return on investment within the first season for 78 percent of adopters. However, seed accessibility and affordability remained significant barriers to sustained adoption. These results support scaling targeted seed distribution programs coupled with extension services to strengthen food security in drought-prone sub-Saharan African regions.

This study examines the relationship between microfinance participation and female entrepreneurial outcomes in three post-conflict districts of northern Uganda. Using a mixed-methods approach combining panel survey data from 480 women over 30 months with 60 in-depth interviews, we assess changes in business creation, revenue growth, and household decision-making authority. Difference-in-differences analysis shows that microfinance participants experienced a 41 percent increase in monthly business revenue compared to non-participants, with the strongest effects among women who received complementary business training. However, repayment pressures generated significant stress for 23 percent of borrowers, particularly during seasonal income fluctuations. Qualitative findings reveal that group lending structures fostered social capital and peer mentorship networks that extended beyond financial transactions. The study recommends flexible repayment schedules and integrated psychosocial support to maximize the developmental impact of microfinance in fragile contexts.

This study compares the effectiveness of urban green infrastructure in mitigating the heat island effect across three medium-sized cities in Southeast Asia: Chiang Mai (Thailand), Mandalay (Myanmar), and Vientiane (Laos). Using Landsat thermal imagery combined with ground-level temperature monitoring across 45 sites per city during 2023 and 2024, we quantified surface temperature reductions associated with urban parks, street tree corridors, and green rooftops. Results indicate that cities with contiguous green corridors achieved average temperature reductions of 2.8 degrees Celsius compared to 1.4 degrees in cities relying primarily on isolated park spaces. Regression models controlling for building density and elevation confirmed that canopy connectivity was the strongest predictor of cooling efficacy. These findings inform climate adaptation planning for rapidly urbanizing cities in tropical regions where heat-related health risks are escalating.

This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and associated risk factors among 520 first-time mothers attending rural health clinics in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions of Bangladesh. Participants were screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at six to twelve weeks postpartum. Results indicated a PPD prevalence of 28.4 percent, substantially higher than global estimates. Logistic regression analysis identified unplanned pregnancy (OR = 2.31), low household income (OR = 1.87), absence of spousal emotional support (OR = 3.12), and complicated delivery (OR = 1.94) as significant predictors. Qualitative interviews with a subsample of 40 mothers revealed pervasive stigma around mental health disclosure and limited awareness of available services. The study underscores the need for integrating routine mental health screening into existing maternal healthcare programs in resource-limited settings.

This quasi-experimental study examines the effects of augmented reality (AR) integration on spatial reasoning skills and motivation among secondary school students in STEM subjects. Conducted across eight schools in Chennai, India, the study involved 384 students aged 14 to 16 who participated in AR-enhanced physics and geometry modules over one academic semester. Pre- and post-test comparisons using the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test revealed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group (d = 0.74, p < 0.001). Motivation was assessed through the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, showing elevated scores in interest and perceived competence dimensions. Teacher interviews highlighted increased classroom participation but noted challenges related to device availability and technical support. The findings suggest that AR tools can meaningfully enhance spatial cognition when accompanied by structured pedagogical frameworks and adequate infrastructure investment.

This article presents an empirical study of the effectiveness of a training module aimed at teaching Kazakh idioms as cultural-symbolic units in a university course. The theoretical basis is the concept of symbolic competence, according to which phraseology is considered not only as lexical and semantic material but also as a carrier of cultural memory, values, and social norms. The study design is mixed (explanatory sequential mixed-methods) and includes a quasi-experiment (pretest/posttest with a control group) and a qualitative stage (interviews and reflective texts). The study involved 133 students (experimental group n = 67, control n = 66) of the educational program \"6B1701 - Training of Teachers of Kazakh Language and Literature\" at Zhanibekov University; the module was implemented over 6 weeks (12 lessons of 50 minutes). Quantitative instruments included a phraseological competence test (meaning knowledge, correct context selection, productive use), a national-cultural identity scale, and a cultural awareness/symbolic competence scale. Results showed that, compared with the control group, the experimental group achieved significantly higher gains in the overall idiom competence test score, with the greatest changes observed in the contextual appropriateness and productive use components. Statistically significant increases were also found in the national-cultural identity and cultural awareness scores. Qualitative analysis revealed three key themes: (1) awareness of cultural values through the figurative basis of idioms, (2) rethinking belonging and cultural pride, and (3) difficulties in interpreting symbols without context and cultural commentary. The findings substantiate the pedagogical feasibility of integrating cultural-symbolic interpretation, contextualization, and reflective writing into the teaching of phraseology in higher education and propose a replicable module for the training of future Kazakh language teachers.

The rapid development of video social media provides higher education with an efficient platform to cultivate the creativity of college students. Chinese college students complete a large number of creative exercises through large video social networking sites such as Bilibili. This study investigates the impact of video-based social media on the creativity of animation students in China, using the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) as the primary assessment tool. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests was conducted among 50 male animation students. Results show significant improvements across all four creativity dimensions—fluency, elaboration, flexibility, and originality—with fluency showing the largest increase. Correlation and paired-samples t-tests confirmed the robustness and reliability of the intervention’s effect. This study theoretically proves that the digital environment can stimulate divergent thinking; in practice it provides strategies for using social media in higher education to improve student participation and problem-solving abilities; and in society it emphasizes the role of digital platforms in the democratization of creativity and inclusive innovation, thus bridging the gap between creativity theory and digital learning.

This study aims to analyze the school psychology of the use of artificial intelligence in education and research based on the opinions of primary and secondary school administrators and teachers. This study primarily involved teachers and school administrators participating in panels, workshops, and other workshops related to artificial intelligence in education based on a qualitative research design. In addition to conducting interviews with all participants, the study also employed a triangular research approach, using observations and document reviews to address the research objectives. It has been concluded that artificial intelligence plays a significant role in educational research, as it establishes the theoretical foundations of the education system in schools and generates scientific solutions to emerging problems. Artificial intelligence in education is particularly beneficial in interdisciplinary learning, creativity, innovation, critical and ethical thinking, lifelong learning, and the correct use of knowledge. The findings of this study indicate that the application of artificial intelligence in education provides research skills, enables the creation of creative and original products, makes significant contributions to learning processes, and, in this context, helps improve the quality of education for school psychology. It facilitates the development of diverse ideas. The use of AI in education has become a central component of the future of education.

This study investigated the language proficiency of 246 TESL learners, focusing on accuracy and fluency across receptive and productive modalities. Using a combination of cloze tests, writing tasks, and speaking assessments, the research examined learners’ ability to recognise and produce grammatically and lexically appropriate English, and explored the relationship between controlled and spontaneous language performance. Findings from the cloze test indicated high accuracy in controlled, receptive tasks, with most items classified as easy or very easy and a few moderately difficult or hard. Writing tasks revealed that learners could organise essays coherently and maintain grammatical control; however, limitations were evident in lexical precision, cohesive device use, and complex sentence construction. Speaking assessments, representing spontaneous oral production, exhibited the greatest variability, particularly in fluency, pronunciation, discourse management, and engagement, highlighting the cognitive and pragmatic demands of real-time communication. The study identified a clear receptive-productive gap, whereby learners’ ability to recognise correct forms in controlled tasks did not consistently transfer to accurate and fluent production. These findings have significant implications for TESL education. Curriculum and instruction should integrate accuracy-focused practice with communicative tasks, emphasise lexical development and discourse competence, and provide feedback-driven, scaffolded learning opportunities to bridge the gap between recognition and production. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs, authentic task-based assessments, and mixed-method approaches to further explore language development and instructional efficacy. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence for designing TESL programmes that develop learners’ multi-modal competence, preparing them for authentic and contextually appropriate English communication.

The concept of inner form in phraseological calques offers a unique lens through which to examine the cognitive and structural mechanisms underlying cross-linguistic influence. This study investigates how calques preserve or transform the semantic and syntactic architecture of source languages when integrated into target linguistic systems. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from Humboldtian linguistics and contemporary cognitive approaches, the analysis explores the interplay between deep structure and surface realization, highlighting the role of inner form as a mediator of meaning transfer. Through comparative examples across typologically diverse languages, the paper demonstrates that phraseological calques are not mere lexical borrowings but complex carriers of conceptual patterns, cultural schemas, and structural constraints. The findings underscore the significance of inner form in shaping linguistic convergence and provide insights into the mechanisms of language contact, translation, and bilingual cognition.

This research evaluates sustainable construction elements in Pakistan by studying different levels of awareness and use rates, adoption barriers, and related benefits. It analyses sustainable practices throughout development levels that influence Pakistan construction industry and determines how Pakistan can adopt sustainable practices from other countries. Employing a structured survey design, researchers gather data from 100 industry professionals to determine participant opinions on green construction techniques, associated implementation challenges, and government policy impact. Processed statistics through SPSS statistical software allowed researchers to build their framework that aligns with study data findings to support sustainable construction practice. The research concluded that participants maintained average sustainability construction understanding, yet they lacked enough knowledge about these methods because of financial and technological limitations. Current implementation of sustainable construction is progressing slower than population understands about its environmental benefits. Sustainable construction implementation requires robust governmental policies in addition to institutional backing for it to succeed. Stakeholder training, along with costly expenses and limited resources, prohibited adoption of sustainable construction practices.

Background. The realities of Ukraine and Poland, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have significantly impacted the form and methods of distance education in both countries. With the increased usage of distance learning (DL) in higher education, the quality of DL has gained particular attention and created a need to reconsider approaches to its assessment. \nObjectives. The research aims to identify the main parameters of DL quality in Ukraine and Poland, based on the relevant literature, key stakeholders\' views, and experts\' opinions, to develop recommendations for improving educational services.\nMethods. A design-based research approach was applied, dividing the research into three stages: First, research objectives were identified through literature review and document analysis; second, a pilot framework was developed through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders conducted at the Krakow University of Economics, Poland and Zhytomyr Polytechnic, Ukraine; third, the framework was evaluated using quantitative data from a survey conducted among 30 experts from 20 different universities across Poland and Ukraine, using ranking methodology and Likert scale evaluation.\nResults and Conclusions. The study identified 17 quality parameters for distance learning, categorised into technical, methodological, and organisational. The study proposed separate frameworks for assessing the quality of university distance learning in Ukraine and Poland, reflecting national distinctions in prioritising quality parameters. The proposed evaluation system allows for adaptability to institutional needs, promoting a dynamic and context-sensitive approach to quality assurance in distance learning.

The Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI) ecosystem is fundamentally anchored in core Mathematics and Physical Science, subjects that provide the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for technological advancement. However, recent educational trends reveal a noticeable decline in learner engagement and enrolment in these critical subjects, with many students opting for alternative pathways perceived as less demanding. This shift raises concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of STEMI disciplines, which rely heavily on quantitative reasoning, logical analysis, and experimental inquiry. Through investigation of various case studies and literature survey, this study seeks to examine the factors contributing to the decreasing preference for Mathematics and Physical Science within STEMI education, and how this decline affects problem-solving competencies, innovation potential, and readiness for higher education and careers in STEMI fields. Findings are expected to highlight not only the academic and societal risks associated with diminished uptake of these subjects but also opportunities for intervention. Recommendations will focus on strengthening learner support, rethinking pedagogical strategies, and aligning curricula with real-world problem-solving contexts to restore the central role of Mathematics and Physical Science in the STEMI pipeline.

Decolonizing education is a critical global imperative, yet research specifically targeting the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into basic education remains fragmented. This study addresses the gap by mapping the scholarly landscape of decolonial efforts within primary and secondary schooling contexts. Utilizing a quantitative bibliometric approach, the study analyzed 1,235 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) published between 2010 and 2024. Data were processed using the Biblioshiny package in RStudio to evaluate annual production, prominent sources, institutional affiliations, and international collaboration patterns. Findings reveal a significant growth trajectory, with annual scientific production peaking at 244 articles in 2024. South Africa emerges as the epicenter of this research, led by the University of South Africa (102 articles) and journals such as HTS Teologiese Studies. While South Africa, the UK, and Australia dominate the field (accounting for 61% of total output), South Africa’s research is largely locally driven with a low international collaboration rate (7.3% MCP). Conversely, the UK serves as a major global connector with an MCP of 20.2%. The study confirms that while the field has achieved academic maturity and legitimacy, it remains geographically concentrated within Anglophone and Commonwealth traditions. Increasing cross-regional partnerships is essential to diversifying the epistemological decolonization of basic education globally.