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Lexical stratification in 20th-century Croatian children’s poetry
Aim: Using selected works from the corpus of 20th-century Croatian children's poetry, this study aims to demonstrate how Croatian has been consciously inherited and preserved and how the standard language keeps developing across different lexical layers. The analyzed works belong to the sixth stage of the Croatian language history, spanning the entire 20th century. This period is marked by the consolidation of the key features of the standard language, codified by normative manuals aligned with the doctrines of Croatian Vukovians. The focus is on analyzing the relationship between the literary functional style and the standard Croatian language, highlighting the significant influence of literary works on the development of standard Croatian. Methods: The analysis encompassed poems by four notable 20th-century Croatian children’s poets – Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, Vesna Parun, Zvonimir Balog, and Luko Paljetak. Lexical stratification was examined using normative manuals from the relevant historical periods and modern Croatian dictionaries, both synchronic and diachronic descriptions are provided. The methodological framework divides the vocabulary into temporal, regional, and functional layers. Results: The findings revealed temporal, regional, and functional strata of Croatian vocabulary. The study demonstrated the connection between the poetic language of the analyzed works and earlier Croatian literary and linguistic tradition, uncovered dialectal influences in two of the authors, and shed light on linguistic innovation in line with the principle of elastic stability. Compared to the literature of the first half of the 20th century, in the latter half, there was a shift away from passive vocabulary, with a more pronounced preference for lexical innovation and neologisms. Conclusions: 20th-century Croatian children’s poetry exemplifies a synthesis between tradition and innovation. While drawing upon the literary and linguistic foundations established over centuries, the authors of selected works enrich the standard language through imaginative wordplay, creative word formation, and diverse stylistic approaches. These findings validate the viability of Croatian as a literary medium, confirming that literary works have always been the guardians of the lexicon, emphasizing the interaction between linguistic heritage and contemporary expression, while maintaining its distinct identity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Milavić, Anđela Milinović Hrga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
A historical reconstruction of the legend of Miljenko and Dobrila (Kaštela, Croatia, 17th century)
Aim: To explore the historical basis of the legend of Miljenko and Dobrila, which tells the story of the tragic love between Miljenko Rosani and Dobrila Vitturi, descendants of Kaštela nobility, doomed by the feud between their families. Methods: We analyzed Ivačić’s translation of Marko Kažotić’s Milienco e Dobrilla (Miljenko i Dobrila in Croatian); sources and literature on the Vitturi and Rosani families; materials within the archives of Kaštela, Trogir, and the Split Archdiocesan Archive; literature on the social context of 17th-century Dalmatia; the version of the legend recorded by Neven Bućan; and the correspondence between the Dalmatian provveditore and the Venetian Doge in the 17th century. Results: We divided our findings into two categories: arguments that support the historicity of the legend and those that do not. We verified the novel’s settings – the Vitturi Castle in Kaštel Lukšić, the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Trogir, and the Church of St. John at Rušinac – as well as the historicity of Francesco, Elisabetta, and Dobrila Vitturi; Dobrila’s sister Klara (not mentioned in the novel); and Celio Doroteo (a Trogir counselor from the 17th century). We confirmed the feud between the Vitturi and Rosani families and the existence of the epitaph “May the lovers rest in peace” on a tomb in the Church of St. John at Rušinac and related the Vitturi family and the Monastery of St. Nicholas based on Francesco Vitturi’s epitaph, his will, and his wife’s inscription. However, we found no evidence that Dobrila was forcibly kept in the Monastery, or that Miljenko and Dobrila were either married or buried together, or that Miljenko was murdered in the 17th century. We could not corroborate the existence of Miljenko Rosani, his father Adalbert, Don Mavro, and the Trogir nobleman Družimir. We refuted the involvement of the Vitturi family in the transfer of the relics of St. John of Trogir. Conclusions: The findings of this historical reconstruction were insufficient to decisively confirm or refute that the Kaštela legend was based on a real event. Due to the limitations of available sources, a substantial portion of the legend remains unexplored.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vinka Klišmanić, Mladen Domazet https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
The association between situational, technical and tactical parameters and performance in football: analysis of a sample from the Croatian First Football League
Objective: to determine and analyse the impact of situational technical and tactical parameters on performance in the First Croatian Football League (1. HNL) during the first part of the competition in the 2021/2022 season. Methods: the sample consisted of 90 matches in the First Croatian Football League, which was played in a round-robin format and featured 10 clubs that season. A sample of 30 variables of situational efficiency gathered from the SofaScore application was used. Results: the variables that have a statistically significant impact on match outcomes in the First Croatian Football League were: ball possession, shots, shots on target, offsides and big chances. Conclusion: an attacking style of football, characterised by a high percentage of possession and a high frequency of attacks (shots, shots on target, offsides and big chances), has been shown to be significantly associated with team success. This study can help coaches and football experts better plan and structure training processes, strategy and match execution.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Baćina, Jakša Škomrlj, Šime Versić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Involuntary psychiatric treatment as a safety measure in Croatian law
Aim: To describe and analyze involuntary psychiatric treatment as a safety measure in Croatian legislation and practice. Methods: We used descriptive, statistical, and case analysis methods. Results: Three key conditions must be met to apply involuntary psychiatric treatment as a safety measure: the offender had to have committed a crime while in a state of significantly diminished capacity due to mental health issues; the offense had to carry a statutory prison sentence of at least one year; and due to the offender’s mental condition, there had to have been a risk of escalation in the future. Medical experts play a central role in how this measure is imposed and enforced, providing professional insights to help the court assess whether the offender had significantly diminished capacity at the time of the crime and whether psychiatric treatment is warranted and needed to address the underlying issues that may lead to an escalation in the severity of offending behavior in the future. Involuntary psychiatric treatment can be carried out within the prison system or in outpatient settings. The maximum duration of this measure is limited by the length of the sentence. The court is required to conduct periodic reviews and assess whether the legal conditions for treatment are still in place. Conclusion: The criteria for involuntary psychiatric treatment as a safety measure are clearly defined in the legislation. Medical experts assess if mental health issues played a role in the offender’s ability to comprehend the significance of their actions and exercise self-control, which is pivotal in shaping the court’s decision on the offender’s mental capacity and the need for treatment to reduce the risk of escalating into a more serious offense. Outpatient commitment outside of the prison system may lead to better treatment outcomes for some offenders, while the mandatory periodic reviews of legal conditions ensure judicial safeguards against human rights violations through unnecessary medical treatment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ela Juras, Damir Juras https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Monetary independence and liberalisation of capital flows: an unattainable duo in the context of financial globalisation and eurozone accession?
Aim: Financial globalisation is a process that involves the liberalisation of capital flows and the deregulation of financial markets. Under these conditions, however, financial crises are more easily transmitted between countries, and the issue of financial stability is once again gaining topicality, with independent monetary policy playing an important role. The aim is to define the concept and meaning of monetary policy independence and to examine whether it is possible to achieve a certain degree of independence. Methods: Through a critical analysis of the theoretical concepts of “trilemma”, “quadrilemma” and “dilemma” and an insight into the “original sin hypothesis” in previous research, the interrelationship between monetary policy, capital flows and exchange rate regimes was explained to form an empirical research model. The study was conducted for a group of six Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. A dynamic panel model was used in which monetary policy independence is estimated by the β1 coefficient. The higher the coefficient with the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR), i.e. the closer its value is to 1, the greater the influence of foreign interest rate movements on the domestic interest rate and the lower the country's degree of monetary policy independence. Results: The coefficient β1 with the EURIBOR variable was 0.72 and was statistically significant at all significance levels, which means that there was a significant transmission of the foreign interest rate to the domestic interest rate in the observed countries and the degree of monetary policy independence is low. Conclusions: Financial openness affected the reduction and accumulation of reserves, the growth of the degree of monetary policy independence, while the choice of exchange rate regime was not statistically significant. The study thus confirms that monetary policy independence in the era of capital account liberalisation is limited regardless of the type of exchange rate regime.
Copyright (c) 2025 Klara Perica, Josip Visković, Mario Pečarić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Blast injury to the common carotid artery in a soldier wounded in the war in Ukraine: a case report
Aim: Penetrating blast injuries to the neck carry a high risk of mortality due to the presence of vital structures. Common carotid artery (CCA) injuries require urgent management to prevent exsanguination or ischemic complications. Temporary shunting is often preferred in ROLE 2 (NATO medical role system) military settings, as it reduces stroke and mortality rates. However, in cases where vascular expertise is limited, CCA ligation may be a safer and faster alternative, as it minimizes the risk of distal embolization. This case report presents a combat-related CCA injury and the rationale for ligation over shunting in a ROLE 2 environment. Methods: A 35-year-old soldier sustained a blast injury to the neck and was evacuated to a front surgical team with signs of major vascular damage. Surgery identified injuries to the right CCA and vertebral artery. Due to the risk of embolization and limited vascular expertise, CCA ligation was performed instead of temporary shunting. The patient was stabilized and transferred to ROLE 3 for definitive repair, where autologous vein grafting was successfully performed. Results: Temporary shunting is the preferred approach for maintaining cerebral perfusion but requires vascular expertise and carries the risk of embolization. In resource-limited combat settings, ligation provides rapid hemorrhage control and facilitates faster evacuation. This case demonstrates that CCA ligation can be an effective damage control strategy when shunting is not feasible. The patient recovered well, with minimal postoperative complications. Conclusion: Combat-related CCA injuries require rapid decision-making based on available resources and expertise. While temporary shunting is ideal, ligation is a practical alternative in ROLE 2 settings where vascular specialists are unavailable. This case highlights the need for adaptive surgical strategies in military trauma care.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vitelii Lukiianchuk, Dmytro Mialkovskyi, Serhii Palka https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Situational efficiency of clubs in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League 2023/2024
Aim: To investigate differences in situational performance parameters in football – specifically, in attack and defense between more successful and less successful clubs during the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in the 2023/2024 season. Methods: We analyzed 32 clubs divided into eight groups, each consisting of four teams: 16 clubs advanced to the knockout stage (more successful clubs), while the remaining 16 ended their participation after the group stage (less successful clubs). We analyzed key variables of situational efficiency in attack and defense and compared them between clubs using t-tests. We set the level of statistical significance at P < 0.05. Results: More successful teams had significantly higher values in the following attacking variables: goals scored (P < 0.001), shots on target (P = 0.012), shots on goal (P = 0.002), shots blocked by opponent (P = 0.049), number of passes (P < 0.001), number of accurate passes (P < 0.001), possession (P < 0.001), and percentage of accurate passes (P < 0.001). In contrast, less successful teams had significantly higher values in three defensive variables: goals conceded (P < 0.001), blocks (P = 0.031), and tackles (P = 0.015). Conclusions: Significantly higher average values of attacking variables for the more successful teams highlight the importance of offensive play, which creates more opportunities to score goals and achieve better results. This is further supported by the finding that passing accuracy and possession were significantly higher in the more successful teams. Less successful teams had significantly higher values for three defensive variables (goals conceded, tackles, and blocks), as such teams often defend their goal for a larger part of the game, likely due to a lack of quality both at the individual player and the team level.
Copyright (c) 2025 Franko Dujmović, Jakov Marasović, Ante Rađa, Marko Erceg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Contesting ideas in socialist Yugoslavia: the Korčula Summer School, the Kumrovec Political School, and their legacy (1964–2003)
Aim: This study examines two key educational institutions in socialist Yugoslavia: the Korčula Summer School (1963– 1974) and the Political School of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in Kumrovec (1975–1990). The objective is to analyze how they embodied divergent approaches to Marxist education and ideological formation, and to assess their role in the evolution and decline of Yugoslav socialism. Methods: The study employs a historical-comparative design, drawing on archival records, memoirs, and testimonies alongside existing historiography. A hermeneutic and critical-theoretical framework is used to reconstruct the ideological and institutional dimensions of both schools. Korčula is investigated mainly through secondary literature, while Kumrovec is analyzed through internal documents and participant accounts. A diachronic comparison situates both schools within the broader trajectory of Yugoslav socialism after the 1948 Cominform split. Results: The Korčula Summer School became an international forum where Yugoslav and Western intellectuals debated Marxism beyond Soviet orthodoxy, fostering pluralism and reinterpretations. Yet, it was criticized for elitism, detachment, and limited impact, and it failed to embed itself in Yugoslav society. Its suppression in 1974 reflected both state intolerance of independent thought and its weak institutional base. By contrast, the Kumrovec Political School embodied centralized ideological training, designed to produce loyal cadres through doctrinal instruction. Archival evidence shows, however, that its mission was undermined by rote learning, heterogeneous students, and careerist motives, reducing Marxist education to rhetorical conformity. Together, the two institutions, one oriented toward intellectual production, the other toward ideological reproduction, exposed the contradictions of Yugoslav socialism, torn between aspirations for openness and demands for control. Conclusions: The analysis shows that Yugoslav leadership failed to reconcile Marxism as a living philosophy with its use as a political instrument. The closure of Korčula and the shortcomings of Kumrovec illustrate the regime’s preference for conformity over critical engagement, contributing to the erosion of socialist legitimacy. Together, the schools exemplify the paradox of Yugoslav socialism: the aspiration to chart a “third way” and the simultaneous reproduction of authoritarian practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 Toma Gruica https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Transcriptome analysis of thyroid tissue in patients with Hashimoto’s disease using next-generation sequencing: case–control study
Aim: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a common but poorly understood autoimmune disease. Here, we aimed to identify differentially expressed genes and biological signaling pathways associated with HT by comparing whole genome transcriptomes from affected and healthy donors. Methods: As part of a case–control design, we analyzed thyroid tissue RNA sequencing libraries from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (v8 release). Donors were divided into two demographically and technically matched groups according to the presence (n = 31) or absence of histopathologically confirmed HT in their thyroid tissue samples (n = 73). Differential gene expression analysis was performed, followed by pathway enrichment profiling (Hallmark, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes). Results: In total, we identified 2,809 upregulated genes and 2,348 downregulated genes (fold change > 1.5, Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted P < 0.05). HT was characterized by pathways associated with T- and B-cell signaling, antigen processing, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, phagocytic responses, and cell death. The transition to HT was accompanied by a decreased expression of gene sets related to cell junctions, cell polarity, epithelial and anabolic processes, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial health, and Hippo signaling. Loss of endothelial cell characteristics and positional markers of perivascular fibroblasts followed closely thereafter. Conclusions: The local expansion of cellular, humoral and innate immunity is a hallmark of HT. Cell death dominated the scene, followed by signs of epithelial, endothelial and stromal remodeling of thyroid tissue. This included reciprocal contraction of the terminally differentiated epithelium and (perivascular) endothelium amidst increasing autoimmune activity. Widespread changes in gene activity were observed in various homeostatic processes, including cell metabolism, cellular energetics, and anabolic and catabolic metabolic pathways.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marija Čikotić, Marieta Bujak, Silvija Piškorjanac, Mario Štefanić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of youth futsal players
Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine the differences in anthropometric characteristics, as well as basic and specific motor skills between young futsal players grouped by quality based on expert evaluations from their coaches. We also investigated the relationship between basic anthropological characteristics and motor and sport-specific tests. Methods: The sample of participants consisted of 20 young futsal players. The players were grouped into two categories based on expert evaluations from coaches, considering their previous performances and games: one group of higher-quality players (n=10) and one group of lower-quality players (n=10). Body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were used to assess morphological measures. Basic motor abilities were assessed using the standing long jump, medicine ball throw, 20-meter sprint, and slalom without a ball. Specific motor abilities were evaluated using 20-meter sprint with the ball and slalom with the ball. Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the differences between the observed groups of players. A correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between anthropological characteristics and motor and sport-specific tests. Results: Statistically significant differences (P≤0.014) were found between higher-quality and lower-quality players in standing long jump, 20-meter sprint, and 20-meter sprint with the ball. Significant correlations were found between chronological age and the following variables: standing long jump (r=0.53), medicine ball throw (r=0.50), 20-meter sprints with and without the ball (r=-0.53 and r=-0.52, respectively), and slalom with the ball (r=-0.45). Body height significantly correlated with the standing long jump (r=0.69), medicine ball throw (r=0.74), and 20-meter sprint without the ball (r=-0.47). Body weight significantly correlate with the standing long jump (r=0.45) and medicine ball throw (r=0.60). Conclusions: Higher-quality young futsal players have somewhat better-developed basic and specific motor abilities compared to lower-quality players (standing long jump, 20-meter sprint with and without the ball). The results may provide deeper insights into the importance of certain motor abilities that can be crucial for the selection and identification of young talents, as well as for planning training programs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ante Prgomet, Jakov Marasović, Ante Rađa, Marko Erceg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
The association of online game content with well-being and self-esteem
Aim: This study investigated the relationship between various categories of online game content and their association with players' self-esteem and well-being, with a particular focus on players of League of Legends (LoL). The research aimed to explore whether different game genres, including cooperative, competitive, educational, and violent games, correlate with players' self-esteem and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed using an online survey advertised on various different social media platforms. The study employed a combination of convenience and snowball sampling techniques to recruit participants. Variables measured included demographics (sex, age, nationality), gaming habits (game type, playtime, impact), well-being, and self-esteem. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test in statistical software JASP were utilized to analyze differences across game content categories. Results: The survey was taken by 445 participants (68.2% male), with median age Md=22 (IQR 18-26), predominantly from Middle East (n=230, 51.4%). Results indicated no significant association between any game content type and players' self-esteem or well-being (p>0.05 for all comparisons). However, a notable exception was observed among League of Legends players, who displayed a negative association with both self-esteem and well-being compared to players of other game genres. Conclusion: No significant association between any game content type and players' self-esteem or well-being was found except for the League of Legends players who reported lower levels of well-being and self-esteem compared to players of other games. Future research should delve deeper into the motivations behind players' engagement with different game types and investigate the broader mental health implications of competitive gaming environments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dea Miletić, Ivan Buljan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Bitcoin price prediction using sentiment analysis
Aim: To explore the causal relationship between social media sentiment, other related behavioral factors and Bitcoin price performance. Secondary aim is to develop predictive models with higher accuracy in forecasting the Bitcoin price by incorporating sentiment analysis. Methods: The sentiment analysis of 1.64 million Twitter posts (tweets) collected via web scraping was carried out using the VADER module. The data was collected in November and December 2021. Several forecasting models were created using average daily sentiment polarity, average daily number of tweets and search interest for "Bitcoin" on Google and Wikipedia as input variables. Future Bitcoin prices were predicted using VAR, Prophet and LSTM artificial neural network models. The predictive accuracy of the models was evaluated and compared using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) as a performance measure. Results: The results suggest a Granger causal relationship between social media sentiment and Bitcoin prices. The standard VAR model achieved a MAPE of 8%, while the LSTM model had a lower error rate of 5%. The Prophet model had a MAPE of 11%. Conclusion: Our results underline the highly speculative nature of Bitcoin, especially in times of high prices. Furthermore, the inclusion of behavioral variables in the development of Bitcoin price prediction models significantly improved the prediction accuracy. In particular, LSTM models for neural networks proved to be an extremely effective tool.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dora Grubišić, Blanka Škrabić Perić, Mario Jadrić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Spatio-temporal changes of thermohaline properties and nutrients in the Mediterranean Sea
Aim: To analyze long-term mean monthly values for sea surface height (SSH) and nutrient concentrations (ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and chlorophyll) in a part of the Mediterranean Sea, with a focus on the influence of spatial-temporal SSH patterns on nutrient concentrations. Methods: Monthly mean reanalysis data covering the period from 1998–2020 were downloaded from the EU Copernicus Marine Service. The Neural Gas machine learning method was applied to cluster SSH data, while MATLAB was used for data processing, anomaly calculations, spatial mapping, and exploring relationships with biological parameters. Results: The Neural Gas method identified distinct interannual signals in SSH anomaly data, linking them to changes in surface and subsurface circulations in the Ionian Sea. Classification of SSH allowed for the association of SSH anomalies with varying nutrient concentrations. The analysis highlighted the role of the Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System (BiOS) in regulating SSH and nutrient patterns. Conclusions: The Neural Gas method was established as a robust classification tool for detecting low-variability signals in the spatio-temporal dynamics of SSH, enabling connections with nutrient concentrations. This underscores the importance of employing nonlinear statistical methods to understand the interplay between biological and physical parameters in the Mediterranean Sea.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivona Siber, Frano Matić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Croatian as an international language in the 16th and 17th centuries: evidence from the Vatican Archives
Aim: Search of the Vatican archives for the 16th and 17th centuries documents on the Croatian language. Methods: The search of the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide archives focused on periods of intensive missionary activity of the Catholic Church during the 16th and 17th centuries, when strategies included linguistic policies for the evangelization of Slavic peoples. Results: Prominent linguists advised the Catholic Church to choose the Croatian language (lingua croatica) as the most suitable for communication with Slavic populations. Consequently, in 1599, the Academy of the Illyrian Language (Academia linguae Illyricae) was established at the Roman College, as “Illyrian” was at that time a common term used in Italy to refer to the Croatian language. This article presents the letter from Slovak linguist Theophilus Kristek to Spanish linguist Alfonso Carrillo, dated September 27, 1599, advocating for Croatian as the most appropriate Slavic language for inclusion in the educational system, and Carrillo’s subsequent letter to the Jesuit Superior General Claudio Acquaviva, dated January 24, 1600, recommending Croatian as the most suitable language for printing liturgical books for the Eastern Slavic peoples. The article further reproduces the Decree of Pope Gregory XV dated December 6, 1622 mandating the teaching of Illyrian and Arabic throughout the Venetian Republic; the Decree of Pope Urban VIII dated October 16, 1623, which includes Hebrew, Greek (both classical and vernacular), Arabic, Chaldean, and Illyrian in the curricula of the most prestigious European universities; the official instructions from the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, dated 17 December 1624, to all heads of religious orders concerning the thorough linguistic preparation of future missionaries; and the correspondence between the Congregation and the Dominican Order on the same matter. Conclusion: In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Croatian language acquired a prestigious status within European intellectual circles as an “international language”, enjoying equal importance with traditionally esteemed languages (Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Chaldean). Church authorities promoted Croatian as a pan-Slavic language, elevating it to a status of an obligatory curricular study subject. It was studied at the most distinguished European universities, including those in Paris, Salamanca, Oxford and Bologna.
Copyright (c) 2025 Stjepan Krasić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Investigating second language demotivation of secondary school English as a foreign language learners in Croatia: a mixed-methods study
Aim: This study examines demotivating factors experienced by secondary school learners of English as a foreign language in Croatia. This topic has received limited attention in local educational research. Focusing on students’ negative classroom experiences, the paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of second language (L2) demotivation in the Croatian context. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis. The study was conducted on a convenience sample of 140 learners from three secondary schools in Split-Dalmatia County. This cohort was selected because of its accessibility and its relevance to Croatia’s education system, where English is a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary school. A written essay task was used as the data collection instrument because it allowed participants to describe their individual experiences. This aligns with the frequent use of qualitative methodology in previous research studies on L2 learner demotivation. Findings: Both internal and external sources of demotivation were present in the participants' essays, with the latter being predominant within the sample. Specifically, out of the 392 demotivators identified in the sample, 283 (72.2%) were categorized as external demotivators, while 109 (27.8%) were classified as internal demotivators. External demotivators included were mainly related to the teacher’s role and to the learning environment. Internal demotivators included the lack of self-confidence, experience of failure and attitudes towards English as major categories. Conclusions: The essay task was an effective means for collecting qualitative data on L2 students’ demotivation. The teacher’s role was the most prominent demotivating influence in L2 learning for this group of students.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bruna Tomić, Danijela Segedin Borovina https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Exploring microtransaction use and gambling risk: a cross-sectional study
Aim: The study aimed to determine whether playing video games with microtransactions is a predictor of higher scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen: Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-Ra) questionnaire. It also sought to find out whether playing specific video games increases the tendency to gamble or if another factor is involved. Methods: An online survey was used to conduct this cross-sectional study. In addition to answering questions about their gaming habits, such as how much money they had spent, how many games they had played, and how much time they had spent playing, participants also completed the SOGS Ra Gambling questionnaire. A total of 208 people completed the questionnaire, with 3 responses deemed invalid and excluded. Of the remaining participants, 180 reported playing video games with microtransactions. The data was analysed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: There was no significant association between playing specific video games and higher SOGS Ra scores (ρ = -0.01, P > 0.05). The most frequently mentioned video games with microtransactions did not show a significant positive correlation with higher gambling tendencies. Although some participants who reported spending more money on microtransactions also had higher SOGS Ra scores, there was no indication of a strong predictive relationship between video games and gambling behavior (ρ = 0.17, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Gambling using video games was not linked to any specific video game, but rather to another factor that has yet to be identified.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Kačer, Ivan Buljan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Elementary school students’ perceptions of technology education classes in southern Croatia
Aim: To explore and analyze gender- and age-related differences in the experience of boredom during Technology Education classes among elementary school students. Methods: The study included fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students from three elementary schools in the Republic of Croatia (n = 286). The Classroom Boredom Scale was used to measure students’ self-reported boredom, along with general information on gender and grade level. For each student, a mean score was calculated across all scale items. Because the distribution of mean scores deviated from normality, non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test) were used. Results: Girls showed slightly higher mean scores on boredom-related items than boys (P = 0.004). A statistically significant difference was also found between grade levels (P < 0.001), with sixth- and seventh-grade students reporting somewhat higher agreement with boredom-related statements compared with fifth- and eighth-grade students. This pattern was more pronounced among girls. Conclusion: Increasing opportunities for active learning and practical work (e.g., designing technical artefacts, project-based learning, and group activities) may help sustain students’ engagement in Technology Education. In addition, supporting girls’ motivation and addressing gender stereotypes that may influence interest in technical subjects could further contribute to maintaining students’ involvement and confidence in this domain.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andrea Brčić, Anna Alajbeg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Criticism of Pope Francis as a Crisis of Faith and a Hindrance to Evangelization
Aim: To examine the criticisms directed at Pope Francis’s pontificate by certain high-ranking Church prelates and Croatian Catholic-themed websites, with the aim of showing that negative criticism of Pope Francis constitutes an obstacle to evangelization because it creates divisions within the Church. Methods: The study was conducted using the theological-pastoral methodology of the Lateran School, in which the criticisms directed at Pope Francis are presented, followed by the role and importance of the pope as the successor of the Apostle Peter, and finally, the reasons why public criticism of the pope is neither in the Catholic spirit nor in the Church’s interest. Results: Our findings are presented in three parts. The first addresses the manner and motives behind the attacks on Pope Francis. The second outlines the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Roman Pontiff. The third part highlights the presence of postmodernity within the Church and the internal conflict and inconsistency among Pope Francis’s critics, many of whom passionately defended tradition, yet fiercely attack the papacy as the institution that safeguards that tradition. Collectively, these actions, centering on negative criticisms of Pope Francis, hinder evangelization by enabling divisions within the Church. After analyzing over 70 articles from two Croatian catholic websites (katolik.hr and vjeraidjela.com) in which Pope Francis is explicitly mentioned, results show that katolik.hr had 4 articles presented Pope Francis in a positive light, 20 were neutral, and 26 portrayed him in a distinctly negative tone. On vjeraidjela.com, one article portrayed Pope Francis positively as someone who contributes to the faith, three were neutral, and six were negative, with a critical perspective on his papacy. Conclusions: Public criticism of the Roman pontiff through mass media presents a real barrier to the evangelizing mission of the Church, especially when such criticisms come from within the Catholic community, whether from clergy or laity. Criticisms directed at Pope Francis often reflected an immature faith and a theologically rigid mindset.
Copyright (c) 2025 Stipe Mlikotić, Ivica Jurić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Educators’ attitudes toward using theatre puppets in early childhood education and care
Aim: To explore the attitudes of early childhood educators (n = 100) in Split-Dalmatia County (Southern Croatia) toward the relevance of theatre puppets in teaching and their self-assessment about the use of puppets in their own pedagogical practice. Methods: Data were collected through the Early Childhood Educators ‘Attitudes toward the Use of Theatre Puppets in Teaching Questionnaire, using the snowball method [online]. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, whereas differences between subgroups were explored using the t-test. The factor structure was examined using a Scree plot and component matrix. ANOVA was used to investigate potential correlations between the assessment of the relevance of theatrical puppets and certain independent variables. Results: Most teachers (N=100) in the sample recognized the potential and importance of puppetry for the holistic development of children (mean = 4.76, standard deviation = 0.45). They agreed that puppets can contribute to the development of positive self-image (4.69 ± 0.54) and learning (4.65 ± 0.54) in children. The greatest dispersion was observed in questions evaluating puppets as a limiting factor for play (1.64 ± 1.04) and children's creativity (1.61 ± 1.24), as well as about the use of performing arts to learn about new real-life situations (1.57 ± 0.95). A slight but statistically significant positive correlation was found between the favorable assessment and the length of service (r = 0.22, P = 0.032). No significant difference was observed between participants who had attended relevant training and those who had not (t = 1.903, df = 98, P = 0.061). Conclusion: Early childhood educators recognize the important role of puppetry in ECEC, but puppets are not employed frequently in direct work with children. Reasons may include unclear public education policies, inadequate working conditions, insufficient opportunities for professional development, or a lackluster attitude towards professional growth. Although there is no available research to confirm these assumptions, they may serve as a guidepost for further research.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anđela Vujević, Ivana Visković https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Assessing the Early Impact of ST-OPEN (2020–2025): Simulated Impact Factors and Bibliometric Indicators Across Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science
Aim: ST-OPEN is a multidisciplinary, overlay diamond open access journal established by the University of Split in 2020. As a new journal, it is not yet included in major databases and thus has no official bibliometric indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early citation trajectory of ST-OPEN and to calculate simulated citation metrics to assess its visibility and scholarly impact. Methods: Citation data for all articles published between 2020 and 2025 were collected manually from Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. The simulated Impact Factor (IF) was calculated using the standard Clarivate formula, while the h-index, and g-index were derived from cumulative citations. Self-citations were estimated based on overlapping authorship in citing and cited papers. Citation frequencies and distributions were cross-checked across sources to ensure accuracy. Results: Between 2020 and 2024, ST-OPEN published 75 papers, which had received 95 citations in Google Scholar by 2025 (average 1.27 citations per paper). The journal’s h-index and g-index were both 5. Approximately 20% of citations represented self-citations. Simulated IF values peaked in 2022 (0.261). Scopus-indexed journals cited ST-OPEN 49 times between 2021 and August 2025, while Web of Science recorded 42 citations between 2020 and 2024. Conclusions: The early citation indicators of ST-OPEN remain modest and volatile, consistent with patterns observed for new, small, multidisciplinary, and university-based open access journals. Despite the absence of indexing in JCR or Scopus Source, the journal is already cited in international outlets, suggesting initial visibility and potential for growth. Continued editorial development, international collaboration, and eventual indexing in global databases are likely to strengthen its bibliometric performance in the coming years.
Copyright (c) 2025 Željana Bašić, Danijel Gudelj, Ana Marušić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode