Scholarly Literature Research Articles

INTERPRETATION OF THE NOVEL “THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER” BY A.S. PUSHKIN IN THE RESEARCHES OF FOREIGN SCIENTISTS

The article examines the concepts of four foreign English-speaking researchers related to understanding the key meanings of A.S. Pushkin’s novel “The Captain’s Daughter”. The author of the work notes that the positions and views of these scientists are little known to modern Russian literary scholars. Meanwhile, in the four analyzed articles, the authors turn to Pushkin’s novel, showing the stages and phases of Grinev’s growing up that have not yet been analyzed in detail in Pushkin studies, his separation from his authoritarian father, scenes of cruelty in “The Captain’s Daughter” and their place in the poetics of the work, the deep meaning associated with Pushkin’s personal life and his relationship with the emperor. When comprehending the articles, the problem of the personal and the public, their possible combination is raised, special attention is paid to the figure of Grinev, his role in the novel.

Envisioning the Panoply of the Roman Torturer

Summary Torture is an important element in the state sanctioned violence of the Roman imperium. Although Romans enjoyed portraying various aspects of daily life with graffiti including gladiatorial combat, they were apparently reluctant to depict the tools used by the torturer. In Roman authors, however, one finds many hints about the nature of the objects that were employed to extract evidence. Although surveys of various implements used in Roman torture have appeared in the scholarly literature, it is worthwhile to gather into one investigation what is currently known and include images of objects that have survived antiquity that are from the panoply of the carnifex. To better envision the suffering of the victims of torture, a new analysis of those tools is warranted.

Leading with Empathy: How Understanding Others Creates Connection and Drives Success

This article examines the role of empathy in effective leadership. Through a review of scholarly literature from fields such as psychology, management, and health sciences, the article defines empathy and distinguishes it from related concepts like sympathy. It explores how empathy involves understanding others' perspectives and experiences on an emotional level. The article then discusses four key strategies leaders can use to develop stronger empathy skills, such as active listening, perspective taking, emotional self-regulation, and storytelling. Drawing on empirical research, the potential organizational benefits of leader empathy are outlined, including increased employee trust, engagement, and well-being. Specific examples demonstrate how empathy has strengthened culture and driven performance outcomes in companies and other institutions. Finally, the article advocates for leaders to incorporate empathy more fully into their approaches to better connect with people and foster environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

Suburban Transformation in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Socio-Economic Mobility and Neighbourhood Change in ‘In-Between’ Spaces

Since democratic change in 1994 South Africa’s cities have experienced major physical and social changes. Johannesburg, South Africa’s major city, has been at the leading edge of the changes occurring in the landscape of the country’s cities and therefore has generated a substantial scholarly literature. Geographical writings are concentrated mainly on the inner-cities and townships. Less research has been pursued on South Africa’s suburban spaces and particularly in what has been described as the ‘in-between’ middle-class suburban areas. The objective in this article is to investigate the dynamics of suburban transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. The case study is situated in the south of Johannesburg and centres on neighbourhood change in former ‘white’ designated suburbs. The study discloses resident motivations driving change, issues of socio-economic mobility, and the shifts occurring in the nature of residential property development in these spaces.

Decoding Scholarcy website: A Study on its Research Summarization Efficiency

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various facets of education, particularly the research domain. With the rapid growth of scholarly literature, the need for an efficient tool for summarization has become increasingly paramount. This study proposes a quantitative investigation into the efficiency of Scholarcy (www.scholarcy.com), an AI-powered summarizer used to aid researchers in summarizing academic literature. Thirty-five postgraduate students were involved in a survey research design. After five weeks of using Scholarcy, participants were asked to complete a survey questionnaire via their email addresses to give feedback on this tool. The results indicated a positive reception when postgraduates found this AI summarizer convenient and useful for reading academic papers. On the other hand, the participants identified several drawbacks when using it including concerns about summary quality, the absence of a mobile application, and high cost, along with suggestions for further application. With the highlights of both benefits and limitations, the study hopes to contribute valuable insights into the development of AI-powered summarization tools in the future.

Sports and mind: A systematic review of physical activity and mental well-being in the modern era

This research aims to examine the connection between physical activity, mental health, and quality of life through a systematic review of scholarly literature. The approach used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), leveraging the Scopus database, employing a keyword search strategy relevant to the topic, and following PRISMA guidelines. Articles published from 2020 to 2024 that focus on physical activity and mental health within Q1-Q2 percentile indices were screened. Out of the 89 articles identified, 28 met the inclusion criteria and were relevant to the topic. The analysis of these studies reveals that increased physical activity is associated with a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety, and an improvement in mental well-being and quality of life. Additionally, the study notes variations in measurement methods, such as the use of accelerometers and different mental health questionnaires. These findings support the development of evidence-based interventions to enhance mental well-being through physical activity, especially among children, adolescents, and the elderly. However, the study identifies challenges related to measurement methods and intervention duration, indicating a need for further research to develop more comprehensive and practical recommendations.

Violence Against Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review of Literature on the Victim-Perpetrator Relationship.

Violence against children affects children in every region, nation, and community in the world. Despite a significant body of literature about the victims of such violence, there has been little empirical research, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on perpetrators, their relationship to victims, and interventions that might alter their behavior. This scoping review sought to identify and summarize the scholarly literature on perpetrators of violence against children in Sub-Saharan Africa and their relationship with victims. Using a keyword search of academic databases, we included peer-reviewed studies published from January 2013 to June 2023 that focused on physical, sexual, or emotional violence against children in Sub-Saharan Africa and included prevalence data about victim-perpetrator relationships. Eighteen of the 42 studies that met eligibility criteria shared one or more primary data sources with other studies included in this review, most frequently using data from Violence Against Children Surveys (10), the Uganda Good Schools Project (7), and the National Child Homicide Study (3). The most common classifications of perpetrators, in order of frequency, were caregivers/family members, intimate partners, peers, teachers/school staff and strangers, and the most common settings in which research took place were schools. Wide variability in the taxonomies used to define and report frequencies for age, victim, perpetrator, and type of violence obscures our ability to form a complete picture of victim-perpetrator relationships. Research emphasis on victims of violence may lead to missed opportunities to disrupt the perpetration of violence against children through interventions that specifically target its source.

Professional and personal development of newly-qualified teachers as a factor in sustainable development of the region

Introduction. The article is devoted to the problem of newly-qualified teachers’ professional development. The aim of the study is to identify the difficulties of novice teachers during their adaptation in educational settings of the region and to substantiate the ways to improve the quality of initial teacher education in the system of continuous teacher education. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the study consists of contextual biographical and cluster approaches. The contextual biographical approach involves studying teachers’ professional biographies in the system of continuing education, taking into account complex external conditions. The cluster approach defines the principles of interaction between various stakeholders within the regional community in order to ensure the sustainable development of the regional educational system. In order to achieve the research goal, the following methods were used: theoretical (analysis of scholarly literature, comparison, generalization) and empirical (online questionnaire, focus group method, method of independent expert assessments). Results. Based on the analysis of scholarly literature, the authors provide their definition of professional and personal teachers’ development as a basic component of their professional development during the period of initial teacher education and at the initial stage of professional development. The authors argued that the main difficulty of novice teachers during the adaptation period is their interaction with various subjects of the educational process at school - students and their parents. The article substantiates the necessity of creating a regional educational cluster as an effective mechanism for improving the quality of initial teacher education at different stages of continuous teacher education. Conclusions. Based on the authors’ idea about professional and personal development of teachers as a basic component of their professional development in the initial period of their working life, the study reveals the main difficulties of novice teachers during their adaptation in educational settings of the region, overcoming of which requires changes in the system of psychological, teacher and methods education at universities and colleges. As an effective mechanism for improving the quality of teacher education, the authors substantiated the idea of creating a pedagogical scientific and educational cluster in the region, which unites the participants of the territorial educational community interested in providing the regional education system with highly qualified teaching staff.

Polyculed: A Writer’s Tale of Surviving the Pandemic and a Polycule

Through the lens of life writing, this essay explores contemporary and historical polyamory and its relationship with identity-formation and artistic personae. In particular, the essay triangulates the lives of Virginia Woolf and members of the Bloomsbury Set with a current-day polycule of artists. Polyamorous sexual identities and politics are further explored through descriptive depictions of social class, mobility, and wealth, especially within the realm of academia, and examines how the resultant poly lifestyle bears upon the lives of creative writers, literary scholars, and artists.

Enhancing Learning Engagement in the Flipped Classroom using a Video-Annotation Tool

In the realm of academia, there has been a burgeoning interest in examining student engagement within the context of the flipped classroom approach, particularly at the higher education level. Nevertheless, research pertaining to a pivotal facet of this pedagogical methodology—namely, student engagement during the individualized, at-home preparatory phase—remains limited. Within this void, the primary objective of this study is to delve into the prospective benefits offered by a video annotation tool in augmenting students’ level of engagement during this autonomous study phase. Throughout the course of this investigation, a bespoke questionnaire was crafted, grounded in a multifaceted framework for evaluating student engagement, with a specific emphasis on dissecting four distinct dimensions: behavioral, emotional, agentive, and cognitive. This questionnaire is geared towards gauging student engagement within the domain of the Flipped Classroom model that relies on video-based instructional content—a facet heretofore poorly explored within the scholarly literature. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected by administering the aforementioned questionnaire to a cohort of 68 undergraduate engineering students at Politecnico di Milano (Italy), all within the authentic context of a case study. The outcomes stemming from this empirical inquiry showcase a noteworthy enhancement in student engagement, with particular prominence accorded to the realms of emotional and agentive engagement. Moreover, this study establishes that the interactivity and proactive involvement necessitated by the video annotation tool do not obstruct students’ behavioral and cognitive engagement levels. In summation, this research endeavors to illuminate the potentiality of bridging a pivotal juncture in the Flipped Classroom paradigm, specifically the phase characterized by independent at-home study. This bridge is facilitated by the utilization of a video annotation tool designed to heighten student engagement. This transformative approach effectively transmutes the traditionally passive at-home study phase of the Flipped Classroom into an active experience, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy of this pedagogical approach.

Evolution and relevance of research on Environmental, Social, and Governance factors

AbstractIn the wake of a compelling societal shift and the subsequent widespread response across multiple industries, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have emerged as a pivotal subject in scholarly literature. To gauge the significance of these contributions and facilitate objective exploration in future research, we employ bibliometric techniques. Thus, we identify the relevant authors and journals, and depict the evolution in the themes and pillars of the intellectual framework underpinning the topic. Our analysis covers 594 articles from 2007 to 2022, divided into two distinct periods. In the first period, the pillars are centered on contextualizing theories, the impact in terms of financial‐related performance, and the ethical implications within the domain of corporate social responsibility. In the subsequent period, there is a notable progression towards reinforcing theoretical foundations. The pillars shift towards more practical implications, focusing on challenges associated with investing based on ESG criteria, guiding stakeholders in adapting to this paradigm, and addressing risks tied to its implementation. Financial performance, disclosure in reporting, and socially responsible investments remain crucial matters, and the analysis of the environmental issues outnumber social, and governance ones in both periods. We discuss the potential implications and further lines of research.

The Evolution of Advertising in Nigeria: Promoting Local Content for Sustainable Development

The complex relationship between advertising and local content promotion in Nigeria is one of the huge challenges to sustainable development. Cultural oversimplification, misrepresentation, and dominance of the West do significant damage to the representation of Nigerian culture authentically in the practice of advertising. This paper, therefore, reviews this relationship by incorporating historical evolution, and technological, cultural, and regulatory dynamics. The qualitative research design followed in this study generated primary data through the use of in-depth interviews conducted on key players in the Nigerian advertising industry. The primary data collected underwent a thematic analysis, while the historical analysis was supported by multiple sources, including historical records, publications from the industry itself, and scholarly literature. This research shall, therefore, be located within the understanding of the Cultural Imperialism Theory and the Development Media Theory as a lens to critically analyse the complexity of representations of local content in advertising. The results showed that there were positive and negative perceptions toward the integration of local content in Nigerian advertisements, as most consumers appreciate culturally authentic content. It identifies challenges and also shows how to use opportunities: bridging Nigeria's multicultural identity and digital platforms for sustainable development. This research underlines the need for a balance between global advertising practices and the local cultural nuances of impactful, sensitive campaigns that shall help lead the course of sustainable development and preserve the rich cultural heritage of this great nation.

Environmental and Humanitarian Law Violations in Bangladesh's Coastal Areas: A Survey Analysis

This study investigates the intersection of environmental and humanitarian law violations in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, focusing on the implications of climate change-induced disasters on vulnerable communities. A quantitative survey was conducted, with 150 respondents representing coastal regions, to gather data on the prevalence of environmental degradation, climate-induced displacement, and human rights violations. Findings reveal a significant correlation between environmental hazards, such as cyclones and sea-level rise, and the displacement of coastal populations, exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities and human rights abuses. The study employs a quantitative methods design, analyzing survey data of legal frameworks, policy documents, and scholarly literature. The data was analyzed through Smart PLS 4 for Structural Equational Model (SEM). The purpose of this research is to elucidate the complexities surrounding legal enforcement, policy implementation, and grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing environmental and humanitarian challenges in coastal areas. By providing empirical evidence and insights into the lived experiences of affected communities, this study aims to inform evidence-based policy interventions, legal reforms, and humanitarian strategies to enhance resilience and protect the rights of coastal populations facing the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.

A Canadian Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner's Personal Reflection and Ongoing Questioning of Vicarious Trauma.

The objective of this article was to provide a first-person account of the vulnerable aspects of my life where I questioned if VT had influenced my thought processes and to uncover the potential health risks associated with exposure to patients' repeated stories of trauma. I questioned whether I was experiencing VT or other disorders such as burnout, posttraumatic stress disorder, or compassion fatigue. The scholarly literature was reviewed after my personal reflection to analyze my personal experiences and to gain clarity on how VT and/or other related concepts may impact the professional and personal lives of SANEs. Methods used to produce my personal stories have been done via self-reflection and journaling. Three stories that I believe may resemble VT are shared and analyzed vis-à-vis the literature. My personal vignettes are compared with signs and symptoms of VT and illustrate how they may manifest in the daily lives of SANEs. To date, researchers have neglected to explore concrete examples of the personal depth VT may exhibit in an individual's life. By disclosing and synthesizing my personal stories, I hope to encourage SANEs to be open about their experiences, spread awareness and prevention strategies regarding VT, and, ultimately, further enhance well-being and promote increased longevity in their careers.

Assessing electronic resource searching competency among postgraduate students

Purpose This study evaluated electronic resource searching competency among postgraduate students (PGS). Specifically, the study intended to identify online search strategies used by PGS in searching electronic resources, examine the mechanisms used by PGS to access electronic resources and identify the challenges faced by PGS when searching electronic resources. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was administered to 70 PGS who attended a training workshop on scholarly literature searching. A pre- and post-training assessment was carried out to establish their competence prior to and after the training. Findings The results show that during the preassessment, the majority of respondents indicated Google search and Google Scholar search engines were their primary sources of scholarly literature, and the majority used simple search strategies to locate scholarly literature. The results further show that, before the training, it was revealed that 50.5% of the PGS had never used subscribed databases such as EBSCOhost, Emeralds, Taylor and Francis, Wiley online library and Springer. After the post-training assessment, results indicated an increased level of using new techniques such as Boolean operation, phrase searches, truncations, search limit and subject directories. Access through local IP addresses was highly used compared to other mechanisms such as remote access authentication methods or discovery services. Students’ exposure to new strategies and search tools had significant improvement in searching scholarly literature. Originality/value This paper is the researcher’s original study and it has not been conducted before. The paper represents a true analysis of the search capability of postgraduates in areas of research.

Should Museums Be Activists?

This study critically explores the evolving role of museums as active agents in the fields of cultural heritage and social justice. Traditionally, museums have been seen as neutral repositories of history and culture. However, a greater awareness of social injustice and the demand for inclusivity have driven some museums to take a more active role in advocating for social change. This study combines arguments for and against museums adopting radical stances. Proponents believe that museums, as educational and cultural institutions, have the capability to promote social justice, foster cross-cultural understanding, and challenge societal prejudices. Conversely, critics argue that activism may compromise the perceived neutrality of museums and lead to biases that could alienate parts of the public and jeopardize funding sources. By integrating case studies and scholarly literature, this research discusses how museums can balance their educational missions with activist roles, promoting a more inclusive approach to museum management that addresses contemporary social challenges.

Improving rural and remote health workforce retention amid global workforce shortages: a scoping review of evaluated workforce interventions.

The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review of a global body of scholarly and industry (grey) literature for evidence of implemented and evaluated interventions to identify best practice workforce retention strategies for organisations providing health services in rural and remote areas. A scoping review was conducted of the scholarly and grey literature by two independent researchers. This comprised a search of four scholarly databases, and a Google and website search for grey literature. Quality checks were conducted, and a total of 15 documents were included in the literature review. Using the World Health Organisation's categories of workforce intervention (regulatory, education, financial incentives, personal and professional support), the documents were analysed to identify effective workforce interventions. The literature review found evidence of regulatory impacts as well as organisation-level evaluated workforce interventions for education-to-employment pathways (education), remuneration programs (financial incentives) and working and living conditions (personal and professional support) but seldom provided insight into how successful interventions were implemented or evaluated at the organisational level. Further, there was an absence of scholarship contributing to the development of empirical evidence to inform organisations about designing, implementing and evaluating workforce strategies to improve health workforce retention in rural and remote communities. Few studies have focused on evidence-based organisation-level interventions to improve rural and remote workforce sustainability. This article offers insights to shape future intervention implementation and evaluation research for rural and remote health workforce sustainability.

A Scoping Review of the Respiratory Effects of Red Tide in Humans.

Algal blooms of Karenia brevis produce brevetoxins that lead to the natural phenomenon of red tide. Beyond monitoring the red tide concentration and forecasting future outbreaks, uncertainty exists in the field when examining these toxins in relation to physiologic aspect of humans. Contaminated air that results from outbreaks of K. brevis leads to inhalation of aerosolized brevetoxins, which directly impact the human respiratory system. This scoping review focused on the respiratory effects of red tide and was conducted by using a comparative method between 2 researchers. Relevant abstracts were collected, and full-text articles were reviewed by using PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL Complete, and BioMed Central databases. Thirty articles were included in the final analysis and categorized by study design, location, and number and age of participants, and were also divided into assessment by respiratory effects, exposure, measurements of K. brevis, and asthma. The research indicates that respiratory health issues exist and can be compounded with exposure to red tide, specifically upper respiratory symptoms. Both symptomatic issues and pulmonary function tests were of concern when individuals were subjected to brevetoxin exposure. Even low levels of K. brevis resulted in negative respiratory health effects. Red tide is common in many areas of the world. The toxins released can cause adverse respiratory effects in humans. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the scholarly literature focused on the respiratory system and red tide produced by K. brevis.

A Bibliometric Review of Large Language Models Research from 2017 to 2023

Large language models (LLMs), such as OpenAI's Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), are a class of language models that have demonstrated outstanding performance across a range of natural language processing (NLP) tasks. LLMs have become a highly sought-after research area because of their ability to generate human-like language and their potential to revolutionize science and technology. In this study, we conduct bibliometric and discourse analyses of scholarly literature on LLMs. Synthesizing over 5,000 publications, this article serves as a roadmap for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to navigate the current landscape of LLMs research. We present the research trends from 2017 to early 2023, identifying patterns in research paradigms and collaborations. We start with analyzing the core algorithm developments and NLP tasks that are fundamental in LLMs research. We then investigate the applications of LLMs in various fields and domains, including medicine, engineering, social science, and humanities. Our review also reveals the dynamic, fast-paced evolution of LLMs research. Overall, this article offers valuable insights into the current state, impact, and potential of LLMs research and its applications.

How does the novel create life? Thinking the impossible in Elizabeth Costello

ABSTRACT What is happening in literary culture that critics and scholars believe the way we read novels today is troubled? Writer-critics like Zadie Smith have argued that the value of the novel be reconsidered according to an earlier tradition of realism, which evokes an increasingly complex world by which readers can be roused to ethical knowledge of other people. Smith’s formulation tells a story about the way we connect the reality of the novel and our own reality, a story of which literary scholars have begun to question the very possibility. This essay engages a debate between Dorothy Hale (2020) and Timothy Bewes (2022) that has significant consequences for reading, if Bewes is correct to question critical approaches that treat literature as an object of analysis and to theorise, instead, that the contemporary novel has its own, unapprehendable ‘thought’. But if thought is unapprehendable, how can criticism survive? Answering this question, I read J.M. Coetzee’s Elizabeth Costello (2003) as a novel that foregrounds thought, not, I argue, as in Bewes’s negative formulation but necessarily as a positive power that manifests a life. In this case, realism and criticism survive as precisely the nonsubjective thinking of impossibility required for less troubling times.