NYEPI FROM A CULTURAL ECOLOGY PERSPECTIVE: RITUAL SILENCE, INNER TRANSFORMATION, AND ECOLOGICAL HARMONY

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This study aims to analyze the meaning of silence in the observance of Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence) and its contribution to inner transformation and ecological harmony from a cultural ecology perspective. The research employs a qualitative approach using a library research method, focusing on the analysis of concepts, values, and cultural practices embedded in Nyepi. Data were collected from relevant academic literature, books, and scholarly journals, and analyzed through a descriptive-analytical method involving interpretation and conceptual reasoning.

The findings indicate that silence in Nyepi is not merely the absence of physical activity but functions as a reflective mechanism that promotes inner transformation through self-restraint and the development of ecological awareness. This collective practice also generates tangible environmental impacts, such as reduced emissions and decreased ecological pressure, thereby creating temporary ecological harmony. The novelty of this study lies in emphasizing Nyepi as a form of local wisdom that is not only symbolic but also operational in maintaining environmental balance. Therefore, Nyepi can be understood as an integrative model that connects spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions, offering relevant insights for addressing contemporary environmental sustainability challenges.

The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation in the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Loneliness

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The rapid expansion of digital technologies and social networks has significantly influenced students’ cognitive processes and social interactions. Although social networks facilitate communication, learning, and information sharing, excessive use may contribute to increased loneliness and diminished self-control. This study examined the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between social media addiction and loneliness among Afghan students. A quantitative, correlational design was employed, involving 181 randomly selected students from the Faculty of Special Education. Data were collected using the Shahin Social Media Addiction Questionnaire, the UCLA Loneliness Scale by Daniel Russell, and the Bofard Self-Regulation

Questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 and the PROCESS Macro plugin. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, regression, and mediation analysis (Model 4 of PROCESS with the bootstrap method) were utilized. Findings indicated that social media addiction was associated with higher levels of loneliness (β = 0.285, p < 0.001) and lower self-regulation (β = -0.314, p < 0.001). Additionally, self-regulation was negatively associated with loneliness (β = -0.278, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that self-regulation partially mediated the relationship between social media addiction and loneliness (Effect = 0.049, BootCI [0.018, 0.088]). These results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing self-regulation skills may mitigate the adverse effects of excessive social media use and reduce loneliness among students.

Causal Factors of Verbal Bullying and Its Impact on Chronic Stress Among Upper Secondary School Students

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This study analyzes the causal factors of verbal bullying and its impact on chronic stress among upper secondary school students. The research was conducted using documentary research methods, synthesizing data from academic articles and reports from relevant organizations, including UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department of Mental Health.The findings indicate that the causes of verbal bullying fall into three main areas: 1) Individual factors, such as deficits in emotional regulation and impulse control; 2) Social factors, including peer pressure and school cultural norms; and 3) Digital factors, stemming from inappropriate communication on social media platforms. Verbal bullying directly affects the mental well-being of victims, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem, which can escalate into long-term depression. Therefore, addressing verbal bullying requires collaboration among schools, families, and online communities to foster a safe environment for students.

Assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Media Practitioners’ Creativity and Capacity Development

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is an innovative and modern technology that enables computers to perform tasks that typically require human-like intelligence. In January, 2025, empirical report showed that Nigeria surpasses global average with 70% AI adoption rate. The report said Nigeria’s online population is leading the global adoption of generative AI, with 70 percent of respondents reporting usage, far exceeding the global average of 48 percent. With this report, Nigerians dependence on AI is quite alarming and it is of believe that AI is gradually taken over human creativity and existence.

The study adopted survey method and in-depth Interview research methods with a focus on 120 respondents for the survey method and three (3) media practitioners for the in-depth-interview that cut across print, broadcast and online media in three selected states (Osun, Oyo and Lagos) in South-West, Nigeria. One editor from print media outfits, one editor from broadcast media and one respondent from online news outlets who were purposively selected based on their knowledge and experience in the field of journalism.

The study found out that AI has come to stay in modern world and it is very essential in different fields most especially field of journalism. Finding also indicated that when applied improperly or excessively, AI increases the efficiency and some of the skills but poses a threat to originality, depth, and standards.

The study therefore concludes that AI is a strong supporting system but not a substitute of human journalists. A balanced integration, ethical standards, and long-term capacity building can help the Nigerian media to embrace the benefits of AI and remain creative, accurate, and trusted by the people. The study recommends that media organizations ought to ensure that all their staff are trained on the ways of using AI intelligently, as an assistant and not a thinking substitute.

Educational Services for Hospitalized Children and Adolescents in Pediatric Oncology: A Cartography of Academic Production in Brazilian Federal Universities

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This study maps the academic production on Educational Services for Hospitalized Children and Adolescents related to pediatric oncology at Brazilian Federal Universities, aiming to understand how different fields of knowledge construct meanings about illness, schooling, and educational continuity for children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. The research adopts an exploratory and cartographic approach grounded in Antoine Culioli’s Theory of Predicative and Enunciative Operations (TOPE), analyzing lexical variations, metadata, institutional affiliations, and regional academic productions. Two analytical levels were established: Level II, focused on textual surface and metadata analysis, and Level I, centered on enunciative activity and networks of meaning. The results reveal that the naming of Educational Services for Hospitalized Children and Adolescents is not neutral but constitutes strategic enunciative operations that reflect distinct epistemic territories. Although Hospital Class remains the most stable descriptor nationwide, regional specificities demonstrate differentiated modes of institutionalization and conceptualization. The North region prioritizes continuity of schooling and preservation of pedagogical identity; the Northeast expands the field through ethics, aesthetics, and intersectoral dialogue; the Southeast consolidates institutional and professional dimensions; and the South emphasizes subjective, neurocognitive, and socio-emotional aspects. The study also identifies a progressive displacement from biomedical approaches toward relational and rights-based perspectives, in which the child ceases to be represented exclusively as a patient and becomes re-enunciated as a subject of learning, participation, and continuity. The findings reinforce Educational Services for Hospitalized Children and Adolescents as an ethical, pedagogical, and political practice essential to sustaining educational trajectories during illness.

Predictors of Behavior Problems in Preschool Children: The Role of Psychological Self-Regulation and Cognitive Executive Functions

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The aim of this transversal research was to examine the influence of predictors of psychological self-regulation (temperament – effortful control, positive and negative emotionality, and cognitive executive functions) on the prediction of criterion variables of internalized and externalized behavior problems in preschool-aged children. The pertinent sample included 170 parents (53% mothers and 47% fathers) and preschool children of both sexes aged 4–6.5 years from the preschool “Radosno detinjstvo” in Valjevo. The following measurement instruments were applied: Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory, The Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire, Child Behavior Checklist, Questionnaire on the use of digital media by preschool children, executive function tasks for children (“Day–Night”), backward digit span, and verbal fluency. The obtained alpha reliability coefficients suggest that the used instruments, with reliable internal consistency, are valid for measuring the Serbian population. The results of the hierarchical linear regression model, with a relevant proportion of variance (29.28% and 28.52%), showed that externalized and internalized behavior problems are in a statistically significant positive correlation with factors of perceived executive functions – inhibition deficit and working memory deficit. Additionally, the temperament dimension of partial effortful control manifested as a relevant determinant contributing to the explanation of variability in the construct of behavior problems in preschool-aged children. The study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

The Effectiveness of Task-Based Grammar Activities in Improving English Grammar Proficiency among University Students in a University in Northern Viet Nam

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This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of task-based grammar activities in improving the English grammar proficiency of university students at a university in Viet Nam. Specifically, it compared the grammar performance of students taught through the Task-Based Approach with those taught through the Grammar-Translation Method. The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design involving 60 students, who were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 students in each group. The experimental group was taught grammar through task-based activities, while the control group received instruction through the Grammar-Translation Method. Data were collected using grammar pre-tests and post-tests and were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation, and t-test procedures. The findings showed that both groups improved after the intervention; however, the experimental group achieved a higher post-test mean score than the control group. The results indicate that task-based grammar activities were more effective in enhancing students’ grammar proficiency, increasing their classroom participation, and promoting more meaningful use of grammatical structures in communication. The study concludes that the Task-Based Approach is a suitable and effective method for teaching English grammar at the university level, particularly in contexts where traditional grammar instruction remains dominant.

The Role of Auditor Independence, Ethical Behavior and Professional Skepticism on Audit Quality: Evidence from The Gambia

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There are continuing questions about audit quality outcomes in Africa, especially in The Gambia, where the audit environment is relatively small and may be affected by governance and oversight challenges, regulatory capacity constraints, perceived institutional pressures, and limited resources. The current study aims to test and analyze the significant influence of auditor independence, ethical behavior, and professional skepticism on audit quality in The Gambia. The study uses a sample of 35 external auditors serving in the public sector because this accounts for the largest number in The Gambia’s audit system. The study adopted a random sampling method, and the data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions in SPSS 31.0 to test the hypotheses. The regression results show that auditor independence (β = 0.349, p = 0.002), ethical behavior (β = 0.286, p = 0.005), and professional skepticism (β = 0.270, p = 0.004) all have a positive and significant influence on audit quality in The Gambia. The study’s results provide country-specific evidence from a small and underexplored African audit environment and offer practical implications for regulators, professional bodies, and future researchers.

Migration, Education, and Labor Market Integration: Evidence from a Panel Data Analysis of Institutional Heterogeneity in Europe

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Purpose: This study examines the relationship between migration intensity, education-related integration mechanisms, and labor market outcomes of the foreign-born population in selected European countries over the period 2010–2024. It explores how migration flows and migrant education interact within different institutional contexts.

Methodology: The analysis focuses on Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Sweden,  and the United Kingdom and employs panel data techniques using two-way fixed and random effects models. Model selection is guided by the Hausman specification test, which strongly favors the fixed effects estimator, highlighting the role of country-specific institutional heterogeneity.

Findings: The results indicate that migration intensity alone is not significantly associated with improved migrant employment outcomes once unobserved heterogeneity is controlled for. In contrast, migrant tertiary education shows a positive relationship with employment performance. Public education expenditure, measured as a share of GDP, does not exhibit a robust direct effect, suggesting that aggregate spending levels are insufficient to drive integration outcomes.

Originality:  By providing recent longitudinal cross-country evidence, the study contributes to the applied econometrics literature on migration and labor markets. It highlights the importance of institutional context and educational attainment in shaping migrant labor market integration across Europe.

Behavior-Based Malaria Incidence Prediction Model in the Hanura Community Health Center Work Area, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia

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Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. This disease remains a public health problem in the working area of ​​the Hanura Community Health Center, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. Behavioral factors and home protection conditions are thought to play a role in increasing the risk of malaria, such as the use of mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, wire mesh, and activities outside the house at night. This study aims to analyze behavioral factors that influence the incidence of malaria in the working area of ​​the Hanura Community Health Center, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. This study used an observational analytical design with a case-control approach conducted in November 2025–January 2026. The study sample consisted of 113 case groups and 113 control groups selected using proportional random sampling techniques. Data were obtained through questionnaires and analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results showed that the use of mosquito nets had a significant relationship with the incidence of malaria (p-value = 0.016; OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.17–3.42), the use of mosquito repellent (p-value = 0.002; OR = 2.95; 95% CI = 1.53–5.70), and the use of wire netting (p-value = 0.008; OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.25–3.61). Meanwhile, activities outside the house at night did not have a significant relationship with the incidence of malaria (p-value = 0.893). Behavioral factors and physical protection of the house play an important role in the incidence of malaria. The use of mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, and wire netting has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of malaria, so that sustainable prevention efforts are needed through improving healthy living behaviors and protecting the home environment.