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The article analyses the importance, content and impact of social workers' assistance to families of convicted persons on family well-being, especially when the family faces emotional, social, economic and interpersonal challenges during the period of imprisonment. The main forms of assistance are discussed – informational, emotional, mediation and reintegration – and their significance in ensuring family functioning and strengthening internal resources. The theoretical basis is the model of family systems, crisis...

The purpose for this paper is to present a status of the perception of the Oil and Gas Master Program students, about digitalization (AI) and soft competences, before the pandemic situation and after the pandemic, when the war started near the Romanian border. EU migration, global economic situation, crises and climate change, IT new challenges (global networks), robotics and the new way of human being interaction contribute to a new society, to a new business approach. The question is if our next generation are e...

The European DigCompEdu framework defines teachers’ digital competence across 22 competencies applicable to all school subjects. To determine whether a subject-specific adaptation is necessary for social studies teachers in Bulgarian schools, 32 teachers took part in semi-structured interviews. Their selection followed the methodological framework of a nationally representative study currently conducted in Bulgaria under the SUMMIT project BG-RRP-2.004-0008, funded by the EU through NextGenerationEU. For each of t...

Romania's gastronomic heritage reflects a remarkable cultural diversity, rooted in local identities, community history, and the relationship between people, the environment, and seasonal cycles. In the context of globalization and rapid digital transformation, oral transmission and traditional documentation are no longer sufficient for long-term preservation. This article analyses the opportunities and challenges of digitizing Romania's gastronomic heritage, focusing on interdisciplinary, participatory, and sustai...

The sunflower has significant potential in terms of agrarian production, painting, and sustainable development. The paper discusses the potential of the sunflower as an opportunity for food security, energy efficiency, ecological balance protection, and diversification. The aim of the study is to identify the potential of the sunflower for sustainable development. The research also considers the demonstration of an innovative approach to the synergy of science and painting in terms of shaping society’s vision towa...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a central strategic factor in contemporary international relations, influencing both cooperation mechanisms and the dynamics of hybrid conflicts. This article analyzes the dual role of AI—as a conflict prevention tool and an information weapon—based on the hypothesis that algorithmic technologies constitute a new form of geopolitical power, capable of offering actors who control digital infrastructures significant advantages in shaping the global information environment. Th...

Culture, art, faith, and popular tradition come together every year on July 2nd in the extraordinary setting of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southern Italy. The Feast of the Madonna della Bruna, the Patroness of the city, is a centuries-old celebration that exemplifies both tangible and intangible heritage. Central to the event is the grand Triumphal Cart: an elaborate machine in papier-mâché that carries in procession the statue of the Madonna. Each year, this baroque work of art is newly created by lo...

True crime has long been a subject of both public fascination and scholarly inquiry, particularly within the field of sociology, which has examined this phenomenon extensively over time. Despite its disturbing nature, true crime remains a highly relevant topic due to its increasing prevalence in contemporary society. Cases range widely—from instances of filicide (n. the killing of one’s son or daughter) committed by minors to crimes of passion driven by jealousy, and seemingly inexplicable acts of violence perpetr...

This research report presents an exhaustive qualitative analysis of the interplay between globalization, cultural identity, and higher education in the 21st century. Framing the contemporary university as a "transcultural crucible," the study investigates how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) function as primary sites for the negotiation of global citizenship, the formation of hybrid identities, and the contestation of power. Through a systematic literature review of 14 peer-reviewed academic sources published ...

The aim of this paper is to explore the theoretical foundations of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), as a digital variant of traditional existing money. We present the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of Central Bank Digital Currencies in the current context of financial digitalization. We also distinguish them from cryptocurrencies, which are virtual currencies issued in a decentralized manner by private entities. In addition, we examine how different countries are approaching CBDC implementat...

This paper explores the dynamic and evolving relationship between capital and artistic composition, revealing how shifts in economic structures have historically influenced the creation, distribution, and perception of art. Drawing from interdisciplinary research in economics, cultural theory, sociology, and art studies, the article traces the transformation of art from a symbolically autonomous practice to a financially integrated mechanism within capitalist systems. Through historical analysis, spanning from the...

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting has evolved from a niche practice to a mainstream business priority across the globe. As companies integrate ESG considerations into corporate strategy and disclosure, cultural factors play a significant role in shaping how sustainability commitments are perceived and implemented. National values, norms, and management practices influence corporate sustainability behavior – for example, whether firms view ESG initiatives as ethical imperatives, compliance exerc...

As a probable consequence of some Thraco-Dacian population movements in the north of today's Italy (dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, starting with the 3rd-4th centuries), a Thracian-Dacian-Roman community was established in the Alpine-Padan area, evolving towards a Romanian nucleus by the 9th century. Later, at the latest in the 12th-13th centuries, the Romanian element here was assimilated, primarily by Italians, but also by Rhaeto-Romans, Slovenes, Croats, Austrians, however, documentary, onomastic a...

Land-art, as an art movement that started in the USA in the 1960s is also known as Earth art or environmental art. Is Land-art installation on golf courses more than just decoration of space? Is these Land-art returning to the ethos of protest? These questions are connected with purpose of this case study: A demonstration of how Land-art can be adapted for non-traditional spaces, such as golf courses. The methodological and practical issues surrounding the creation of new spaces for land art are demonstrated in th...

A profound transformation of practice has taken place due to a systematic work to develop information management of the client data in Finnish social welfare for over two decades. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has coordinated the work in terms of the requirements for the data systems utilized in the field to be interoperable with the National Kanta Services. Kanta Services are a set of digital services that store citizens' social welfare and health care data. The basis of Kanta Services was created ...

The school counseling profession focuses on promoting mental well-being. Therefore, the training process requires students to engage deeply with their inner-world and interpersonal communication with their peers. The master's degree program in educational counseling at Beit Berl College integrates Arab and Jewish students and often provides an opportunity for Jewish and Arab students to engage in an intimate dialogue with one another. The current study aims to understand the interpersonal interactions between Jewi...

The dynamic interplay between language, cognition, and creativity constitutes a crucial foundation for effective leadership development and innovation management. Language functions as a vital cognitive tool enabling leaders to frame complex challenges, shape thought patterns, and stimulate creative problem-solving strategies. Through linguistic framing, and narrative, leaders can communicate in inspiring ways with diverse stakeholders igniting the top companies’ competitive advantage and fostering transformative ...

The training of future social workers requires a constant blending of theoretical knowledge and exposure to the complex realities of the field. In this context, the use of innovative teaching methods, such as the analysis of social documentaries, becomes a particularly valuable pedagogical tool. Documentaries provide a window into otherwise inaccessible worlds - such as the prison environment - allowing students to directly observe human dynamics, investigate discourses and test their own preconceptions in a contr...

This paper offers a case study-based analysis of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) implemented in the museums located in the city of Brasov, Romania. Through direct, on-site observation conducted in several key cultural institutions within the city, the study examines the types of digital tools used in museum environments. The research focuses on how technologies such as interactive displays, digital kiosks, virtual tours, and mobile applications contribute to visitor accessibility, and educationa...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in the transformation of computer-based learning (CBL), offering new opportunities to enhance personalization, engagement, and learning effectiveness. This paper explores the role of AI in strengthening CBL by examining its theoretical foundations, key methods and technologies, and implications for educational practice. Grounded in educational technology theory and cognitive learning frameworks, the study discusses how AI-driven systems suppo...

Teaching geological time is a persistent challenge in Geoscience education due to students’ difficulties in conceptualising deep time and abstract temporal scales. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a Virtual Escape Room (VER) as an active learning resource to promote understanding of geological time among 10th-grade students. Grounded in a Game-Based Learning (GBL) framework and implemented within an Action Research (AR) methodology, the study focused on both cognitive and mo...

This paper presents an intersectional project where I, as an academic, connect transmission between a research project and my artistic pursuits—both as an academic and as an amateur artist. Over the past three years, I have been writing a book about the effects of maritime disasters on rural farming communities along Iceland’s Southeast Coast. Due to the lack of natural harbours an sandy coastline and lack of natural harbours, farmers relied on open rowboats for fishing under dangerous conditions, making these boa...

Amid global geopolitical fragmentation, global supply chain (GSC) adjustments have become a key feature. The private sector is typically slow or reluctant to embark on GVC reconfiguration. First, GSC readjustment involves considerable search costs, learning costs, fixed costs, etc. Second, firms often underestimate the GVC disruption risk and the urgency to make readjustments. As a public policy to forge GVC resilience, governments typically require public procurement contractors to assess GSC risk and restructure...

The rural landscape of Southern Italy is the result of centuries of interaction between natural resources and human practices. In the areas between Basilicata and Apulia, livestock farming was central from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century, shaping a territory organized around transhumance. This seasonal movement of herds across long distances required an articulated system of infrastructures, including tratturi (routes), masserie (farmhouses), and jazzi (sheepfolds). These elements formed a cultural an...

This scientific study pays detailed attention to the significance and effectiveness of implementing interdisciplinary connections in geography and history teaching. In the modern education system, which emphasizes a holistic understanding of the world, as well as the integration of knowledge from different disciplines, it is of key importance for the formation of complex skills in students. The scientific article analyzes the main theoretical propositions and empirical data on the benefits of implementing an inter...

Byzantine music is today, in Romania, undergoing a profound process of rediscovery and revival, after approximately 130 years marked by political changes which, more often than not, exerted a negative influence upon the life of the Orthodox Church and its culture. This return to the psaltic chant of Byzantine tradition, in order to be fully embraced, requires a thorough understanding of the historical events and of the sinuous path which, on many occasions, endangered the very practice of this ecclesiastical music...

This article explores a significant cartographic achievement by John Amos Comenius, his map of Moravia that extends beyond the realm of education. Initially, the article will discuss the creator of the map, his life, sources of inspiration, educational contributions, and his significance for Moravia, where he was born, as well as the reasons for his exile. After that, we will focus on the significance of Comenius’s Map of Moravia. We will examine the historical background of the creation of the map in the 17th cen...

This paper investigates the concept of digital trust within the broader context of public administration’s ongoing digitization, which calls for a critical reassessment of traditional legal frameworks. It examines the legal implications of digital trust, particularly in relation to emerging digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and virtual properties. The study highlights the limitations and gaps in Romanian legislation, offering a comparative analysis with jurisdictions that have al...

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the bilateral trade between G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) in the period 2005-2020. The methodology is based on gravity model, using panel data and Ordinary Least Squares Method in EViews. The Pearson Correlation, the Unit Root Test and the Hausman test were performed. Three different gravity models were performed, with the exports, the imports and the bilateral trade flows as the dependent variables. The findings are: GDP of...

When confronted with an ambiguous abstract painting, individuals may initially experience subtle negative emotions such as confusion or uncertainty. However, once such negative emotions are resolved, a sense of interest that fosters positive emotions can arise. Contemporary psychological accounts of aesthetic experience propose that the formation of aesthetic experience entails an interaction between rapid and deliberative processing stages. However, direct empirical support for this hypothesis remains limited and...

Terror Management Theory (TMT) research demonstrates that exposure to mortality salient (MS) content—reminders of death—can influence consumers to prefer high-status brands and effects of MS occur even when MS content is only peripherally present. Peripheral information in Web shopping may have a similar effect: people exposed to MS banner ads should choose high-status brands more often than people who are exposed to non-MS banner ads, especially when they are "banner blind" (i.e., when they do not consciously reg...

This paper aims to investigate borrowings among Latin-based L1 learners of English as a foreign language analyzing the interference of L1 and positive transfer of Italian and Spanish so as to provide significant empirical evidence which could contribute to SLA research and identify potential implications for L2 pedagogy. The focus of this investigation is to help move opinions on borrowings or L1 transfer from superficial to detailed and analytical insight into a specific group of EFL learners. The stimulus for th...

Rural tourism, the complex form of valorization of the natural, cultural and human resources of the rural environment, offers visitors experiences located at the intersection of traditionalism, modernism and sustainability, dimensions that complement each other, defining the specificity of the contemporary rural space. Traditionalism, the identity foundation of rural tourism, transforms the village into a space of living cultural experience. Modernism expresses the adaptation of the tourist offer to the current de...

The canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is a globally endemic syndrome involving multiple viral and bacterial pathogens. It is characterized by the abrupt onset of a dry cough, often intense, sometimes accompanied by expectoration and nasal-ocular discharge. CIRDC can affect dogs of all ages and is typically prevalent in environments where large numbers of dogs are housed together (such as kennels or boarding facilities) or in locations where dog shows and training classes are conducted. This stu...

Can foreign intervention in civil wars or proxy wars create a long-term impact on economic exchanges between the foreign intervenors and the intervened state? Could the regions belonging to the two opposing and warring sides in the civil war react differentially to economic exchanges with the foreign intervening powers? We draw on one of the longest and most brutal wars of the second half of the 20th century: the Vietnam War (1955–1975). It involved the United States and the Soviet Union supporting opposing sides ...

My study presents the theme of perceptions of adolescents regarding tobacco and alcohol use in Romania. I analyze the phenomenon nationally and internationally. The hypothesis of this study are related to the knowledge of the risks associated with consumption, combating stereotypes and myths associated with consumption and the degree of information on diseases that can occur as a result of consumption. The research is quantitative. The instrument used is the questionnaire. The results show that young people are ge...

The paradox of places that are beautiful but have been the background of negative events and sorrowful tragedies have intrigued artists through the ages. The author wants to reflect on his experience as a professor working on a research project in Iceland using photography and filming with drones. The setting is the beautiful south-coast of Iceland where many tragic disasters have happened in the 17th to 19th centuries when seamen drowned in open boats rowing to fish. There are famous examples of this dialectic na...

This study investigates the metaphor of the wall in the Hebrew Bible as a complex theological and anthropological symbol, deeply rooted in the cultural framework of the ancient Near East. Walls are not merely defensive structures, but markers of sacred space, social identity, moral boundaries, and divine presence. Drawing on key biblical texts such as Joshua 6, Nehemiah 2-6, Isaiah 26, Ezekiel 13, and Zechariah 2, the paper explores how walls function both as instruments of divine protection and as expressions of ...

The Icelandic art community is a small, interconnected group that often presents challenges for newcomers, especially those lacking formal training, established contacts, or family ties in the field. This paper adopts an autoethnographic approach to explore how an emerging artist in rural Iceland constructs her identity and develops her brand. Although the findings may not be broadly generalizable, they provide a detailed case study illustrating how an enthusiastic amateur artist shapes her identity. Storytelling ...

This study aims to trace the ideological transformation from the idea of reforms and autonomy for Armenia to the creation of an independent state, spanning approximately 40 years - from the internationalization of the Armenian Question in 1878 to the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920. The research was conducted through the study and analysis of scientific literature, archival materials, published documents, as well as the memoirs of contemporaries. The research materials were covered using the historical-com...

This paper presents the issue of ceramics created in Lubycza Królewska, Siedliska and Potylicz (ukr. Potelych), three towns located on the current Polish-Ukrainian borderland. It mainly discusses the history of the establishment and further fate of the manufactory in Lubycza Królewska, which is the most documented of those three places. It operated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and brought to life one of the most interesting examples of pottery in this part of the modern day Poland. This article show...

This paper investigates Argimpasa, the Scythian serpent goddess of fertility, divination, and chthonic power. Identified by Herodotus as the Scythian „Aphrodite Urania”, she represents a syncretic archetype integrating Scythian, Greek, and Near Eastern religious traditions. Unlike classical Aphrodite, Argimpasa appears as a telluric, half-woman, half-serpent being, embodying both generative and underworld forces. Her cult involved the enarees, mystical androgynous diviners whose ritualized afflictions were interpr...

Objectives: Many studies draw attention to the negative consequences of the pandemic or lockdown on the well-being and lifestyle of different population groups. This study analyzes whether some changes occurred in physical activity during three periods – before the pandemic, during the lockdown, and at present in Slovak older adults. We also investigated whether individual weight changed after the pandemic. Methods: The study has a cross-sectional design. We collected 436 questionnaires from older adults (60+) liv...

The growing interest in ritual underscores the relevance of this study as a fundamental aspect of human existence in Kazakh culture, as well as its intricate relationship with the art of theatre. In this context, the unique features of ritual text reproduction through diverse artistic mediums are unveiled. These symbolic codes have effectively created a universal language system, reflecting the symbolic form of human behavior with a clear orientation: ritual – play – theatre. In this article, we aim to explore the...

The cave sanctuary of St. Michael of Tancia is a natural cave located at a strategic point along a major road between the Lombard dukedom of Spoleto and Rome. The sanctuary has been the subject of multidisciplinary research within the framework of the Italian FIRB Project (2012–17). This research included a 3D survey to create a comprehensive 3D representation of the cave and its surroundings. This methodology enabled the delineation of surfaces, including frescoed plaster and incised elements associated with the ...

One of the key factors determining the success of preschool education is the quality of the teaching staff. Preschool teachers (PTs) play a significant role in developing children’s cognitive and academic skills, resilience, social skills, positive self-image, and overall well-being during their first years of life prior entering to school. The main goal of this study was to examine the perceptions of PTs recognized for their excellence as educational leaders, regarding the characteristics of exemplary PTs as educ...

Twentieth-century art remained under the influence of ancient cultures, with artists frequently reinterpreting classical myths and employing mythological motifs. For instance, James Joyce, in his novel Ulysses, presented a classical myth within a modern context. Artists also used figures such as Niobe and Icarus to express universal truths about the human condition. Polish artists – sculptor Igor Mitoraj and composer Krzysztof Baculewski – likewise drew inspiration from antiquity. Mitoraj’s sculptures, renowned fo...

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether educational apps that utilize Artificial Intelligence can help students with specific learning difficulties to facilitate English language learning. The interest for this research stems from our experiences in teaching English as foreign language in learning environments where students, particularly those with learning impairments, manifested several difficulties during the acquisition process, therefore we conducted this investigation in order to explore whether AI ...

This paper explores the duality between matter and energy, understood simultaneously as physical and imaterial, visible and invisible. These dimensions are examined conceptually and artistically through the intersection of art with chemistry, plant neurobiology and anthropology. Natural elements, such as minerals and plants are mobilized to stimulate a (re)awakening to the forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, our planet. Through them, natural and artificial phenomena including temperature, humidity, vis...

This study investigates the relationship between self-esteem and employment transitions, focusing on voluntary turnover and involuntary dismissals. Utilizing a quantitative methodology, data were collected via Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) between August and September 2024 (N = 1,400), targeting job advertisement respondents across Poland’s 15 largest cities, from which n-242 subjects fully participated in the study. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Polish ada...