This study examined to find out the relationship between teachers’ intrinsic motivation and their occupational stress management in public elementary schools in Pangantucan North District, Division of Bukidnon with 168 teachers respondents, during school year 2025–2026. Intrinsic motivation was assessed in terms of interest, perceived competence, and value, while occupational stress management covered workload and work pressure management, support and relationships at work, control and autonomy in the workplace, and work-life balance and stress coping strategies. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 168 elementary school teachers through standardized questionnaires adapted from Bjorklund (2021). Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) described the levels of intrinsic motivation and stress management, and Pearson r.Results revealed that teachers reported high levels of intrinsic motivation across all dimensions, as well as high levels of occupational stress management in all identified areas. However, no significant relationship was found between intrinsic motivation and occupational stress management, suggesting that these constructs function independently in supporting teacher well-being. The study recommends that teachers sustain their intrinsic motivation through reflective practices and mentoring, while school administrators implement regular workload audits and proactive work-life policies to preserve effective stress management. Future research is encouraged to explore mediating or moderating variables, compare different school contexts, and use qualitative methods to better understand the mechanisms linking motivation and stress management.
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INFLUENCE OF READING FLUENCY AND HOME LITERACY ENVIRONMENT ON READING COMPREHENSION OF GRADE 1 LEARNERS
This study investigated the home literacy environment (HLE) of Grade 1 learners in terms of informal and formal literacy activities, passive literacy exposure, print access at home, and parental attitudes toward reading, alongside their reading fluency and comprehension levels. It also examined relationships among these variables. Employing a descriptive-correlational design, the research was conducted in public elementary schools under Panadtalan Elementary School, Maramag 2 District, Maramag, Bukidnon, during School Year 2025–2026. Respondents were randomly selected 95 Grade 1 learners (N unspecified). Data was gathered via a researcher-made survey questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.961), analyzed using means, standard deviations, and Pearson product-moment correlation. Findings revealed a very high HLE across all dimensions: very high informal/formal activities and parental attitudes, high passive exposure and print access. Most learners showed beginner fluency (monotone, word-by-word reading with little expression), with few reaching expressive levels. Reading comprehension was moderate to none. No significant relationships existed between HLE dimensions and comprehension, but a strong positive correlation linked fluency and comprehension. Conclusions indicate robust family support for literacy yet persistent fluency and comprehension gaps, with fluency as the key predictor of comprehension. Recommendations target fluency interventions for parents/learners, school administrators, curriculum planners, and future researchers via experimental and longitudinal studies.These results underscore prioritizing fluency training in early-grade Philippine education to enhance comprehension outcomes.
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THE PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS ON GENDER ROLES AND IT’S INFLUENCE ON CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
This study aimed to determine teachers' perceptions of gender roles regarding discipline strategies and teacher-student interaction patterns, and the level of teachers' influence on Classroom Management in terms of teachers' beliefs and expectations. This study utilized a descriptive correlational research design to examine the relationship between teachers' perceptions of gender roles and their influence on classroom management. The descriptive aspect identified the prevailing gender role perceptions among teachers regarding discipline strategies and teacher-student interaction patterns. At the same time, the correlational component will determine the degree and direction of the relationship between these perceptions and classroom management practices. Statistical tools, including the mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient, were used to analyze the data. 121 teachers served as the respondents of the study. The results revealed that teachers' perceptions of gender roles regarding discipline strategies and teacher-student interaction patterns were interpreted as "often." The results suggest that teachers frequently consider gender in their classroom management. Another finding showed that teachers' influence on classroom management, in terms of their beliefs and expectations, was interpreted as "always." The result suggests that teachers consistently play a significant role in shaping student behavior and maintaining classroom order. The analysis indicated that there was no significant relationship between teachers' perceptions of gender roles and their influence on classroom management. The result suggests that schools may implement professional development programs on gender sensitivity to help teachers recognize and address unconscious biases. Teachers may engage in reflective practice and peer observation to ensure consistent, equitable treatment of all learners. School administrators may establish policies and guidelines that promote gender fairness in classroom interactions, participation, and leadership opportunities.
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TEACHERS’ BURNOUT ATTRIBUTES AND THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES
This study aimed to examine the Attributes of Burnout and the physical and mental health outcomes of Public School Teachers in Kadingilan 2 District for SY 2025-2026. This study employed a descriptive-correlational research design to examine the relationships between burnout attributes and teachers' physical and mental health outcomes. The respondents of the study were the one hundred twenty-one (121) teachers in Kadingilan 2 District. The result revealed that the level of teachers’ burnout attributes in terms of emotional exhaustion was interpreted as always, while depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment were interpreted as often. In terms of physical health, physical symptoms and flexibility were interpreted as always. In contrast, mental health outcomes of teachers in terms of sleep disturbances and anxiety levels were often interpreted. The result also shows that emotional exhaustion is the burnout dimension most strongly associated with teachers' health, significantly correlating with physical symptoms, reduced flexibility, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Depersonalization has a significant negative relationship with sleep disturbances and anxiety, suggesting that emotional detachment may slightly buffer mental health impacts. Reduced personal accomplishment significantly affects sleep disturbances, but has no other physical or mental outcomes. These suggest that school administrators implement strategies to reduce emotional exhaustion, such as workload management, stress-reduction programs, and emotional support, and promote wellness activities, professional development, and recognition, which can help enhance personal accomplishment and reduce detachment. Regular monitoring of teachers' physical and mental health is essential to maintain well-being and prevent burnout. Teachers are encouraged to engage in regular self-care practices, stress management strategies, and professional support systems to help mitigate emotional exhaustion and maintain their well-being.
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COMPLIANCE WITH CHILD PROTECTION POLICY IN SCHOOLS AND LEARNERS’ MENTAL HEALTH
This study aimed to determine the relationship between the level of compliance with the Child Protection Policy in schools and the learners’ mental state in Impasug-ong I District, Division of Bukidnon, for the School Year 2024–2025. Specifically, it sought to assess the schools’ compliance with the Child Protection Policy in terms of (a) duties and functions of school officials and personnel, (b) establishment of the Child Protection Committee, and (c) capacity building of school officials, personnel, parents, and learners. The study further examined whether a significant relationship exists between policy compliance and learners’ mental state. The study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design. Data were collected and analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Spearman’s rank correlation. Findings revealed that the level of compliance with the Child Protection Policy was very highly compliant across all assessed areas, indicating strong implementation and adherence among schools in the district. The learners’ mental state was described as flourishing, characterized by positive emotions, joy, gratitude, calmness, strong relationships, high resilience, and coping skills. However, statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between the level of compliance with the Child Protection Policy and the learners’ mental state. The findings suggest that while compliance with child protection measures ensures that other factors beyond policy implementation may influence a safe and secure school environment, learners’ mental well-being is also important. It is therefore recommended that schools complement their compliance efforts with holistic mental health and socio-emotional support programs to further enhance learners’ overall well-being.
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SOCIAL EQUALITY AND INCLUSION AND LEARNERS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS DIVERSITY
This study examined the impact of social equality and inclusion on learners’ equity perspectives and attitudes toward inclusion and diversity in the public elementary schools of the San Fernando I District, Division of Bukidnon. A researcher-made survey questionnaire was utilized to gather data from learners and teachers. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson $r$ Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings indicate that social equality and inclusion yielded a Very High Impact across all measured dimensions of learners' equity perspectives, specifically concerning Access to Educational Resources, Teacher Support and Fair Treatment, Socioeconomic Disparities, School Policies, and Peer Relationships. Furthermore, learners demonstrated a Positive Attitude toward inclusion and diversity, acknowledging their importance. Crucially, a strong, significant positive relationship was established between the impact of all social equality factors and learners’ attitudes toward inclusion and diversity, thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. The study concludes that all aspects of social equality profoundly influence learners' perceptions of equity. This mandates a holistic, systems-wide approach that prioritizes the interpersonal aspects of equity, such as fair treatment and unbiased support from teachers, as the most direct means of strengthening positive attitudes. Practical recommendations include mandating annual, evidence-based diversity training for teachers and empowering learners as "Inclusion Advocates" to foster a self-sustaining culture of belonging.
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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG TEACHERS OF VALENCIA CITY CENTRAL SCHOOL
This study investigates the emotional intelligence (EI) levels of teachers and their relationship to job satisfaction among permanent staff at Valencia City Central School during the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Employing a descriptive-correlational design, data were collected via a two-part instrument. A 5-point Likert scale captured responses, and analyses included means, standard deviations, Pearson correlations, and linear regression to identify predictors of job satisfaction. Results indicate that teachers frequently apply EI components, with emphasis on self-awareness, emotion management, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills. Permanent teachers also reported notable levels of job satisfaction. Significant relationships emerged between EI dimensions and job satisfaction: Self-Awareness, Managing Emotions, Motivating Oneself, Empathy, and Social Skills all correlated with higher job satisfaction. Regression analysis identified Managing Emotions and Motivating Oneself as the strongest positive predictors. Collectively, these findings suggest that fostering specific EI competencies can enhance teacher satisfaction, with implications for professional development, school leadership, and policy aimed at teacher retention. Limitations include the single-site design and cross-sectional data. Future research should replicate across diverse settings and examine potential mediating factors (e.g., workload, leadership styles) and longitudinal effects of EI-focused interventions on job satisfaction.
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ENSURING LEARNING CONTINUITY AMIDST CALAMITIES: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SELF-LEARNING MODULES IN DINAGAT ISLANDS
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) in ensuring educational continuity during calamities among key stage 2 learners of the elementary schools of Dinagat Islands. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of how SLMs support students’ academic progress, engagement, and adaptability during periods of disruption. The study involved 308 intermediate-grade learners, predominantly aged 9 to 11 years. Learners from Grades 4, 5, and 6 were fairly evenly represented, with only minimal variation across grade levels, indicating a balanced sample in terms of age, sex, and grade level. This study used descriptive correlation method of research relying primarily on the researcher questionnaires to gathered information in assessing the effectiveness of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) in ensuring educational continuity during calamities. The descriptive correlation method is the most common and widely used method in gathering data and information using questionnaire checklist. The effectiveness of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) during calamities was generally rated at a moderate level across major dimensions. Access and availability were moderately implemented, indicating that learners were able to obtain the modules, although issues related to ease of access and navigation persisted. The clarity and quality of content were also rated as moderate, reflecting that the instructions, language, organization, and learning activities were generally clear, appropriate, and aligned with learners’ needs. Similarly, self-learning and independence were moderately implemented, suggesting that SLMs supported self-paced learning and fostered a degree of learner autonomy, though full independent learning was not consistently achieved. In terms of learning continuity, SLMs moderately enabled learners to stay on track and functioned as an alternative to face-to-face instruction during calamities; however, difficulties in mastering complex concepts and covering all intended content were noted. The results show that age significantly affects access and availability of SLMs and the challenges faced by learners, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis for these variables. However, no significant age-based differences were found in clarity and quality of content, self-learning and independence, and effectiveness in ensuring learning continuity, resulting in the acceptance of the null hypothesis for these areas. For gender, the null hypothesis was accepted across all dimensions of SLM effectiveness, indicating that learners’ experiences with SLMs do not significantly differ between males and females. In terms of grade level, the null hypothesis was rejected for access and availability, self-learning and independence, and challenges faced, indicating significant differences across grade levels. Conversely, the null hypothesis was accepted for clarity and quality of content and effectiveness in ensuring learning continuity. Overall, the findings indicate that age and grade level significantly influence certain aspects of SLM effectiveness, while gender has no significant effect.
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AUTOMATED DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AND HYPERTENSION DETECTION USING A HYBRID DEEP LEARNING AND VASCULAR ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK.
Retinal infections like diabetic retinopathy (DR) and hypertensive retinopathy are major contributors to global vision impairment. Early detection via automated analysis of fundus images is essential to ease the burden on healthcare systems. This study proposes Vision AI Master, an AI-based clinical screening system that uses EfficientNet-B4 for robust classification. To address the “black box” nature of deep learning, Grad-CAM is integrated for visual explainability. The framework also includes a deterministic morphological pathway using Zhang-Suen skeletonization to calculate the artery-to-vein (A/V) ratio, a key marker of hypertensive narrowing. Delivered through a multimodal interface with voice-enabled diagnostic review and automated QR-encoded reports, the system achieved 94.2% classification accuracy on public datasets, showing that combined heatmaps and vascular measurements provide a practical tool for real-time clinical decision-making.
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THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BRIGADA ESKWELA
This study determined the level of implementation of the Brigada Eskwela in District of Dangcagan, Division of Bukidnon, for the School Year 2025-2026. This study employed a descriptive-correlational research design to determine the level of implementation and effectiveness of the Brigada Eskwela program and to examine the relationship between program implementation and its effectiveness.The respondents of the study were the 180 elementary teachers of Dangcagan District. The result revealed that the level of implementation of the Brigada Eskwela in terms of Resources Mobilization and Sustainability, Parental Involvement and Empowerment, Leadership and Governance, Social Capital and Community Trust and Student Motivation and Sense of Belonging interpreted as very high level.The result also revealed that the level of effectiveness of Brigada Eskwela in terms of community partnership interpreted as very high level. There a significant relationship between the level of implementation of Brigada Eskwela and the level of effectiveness of Brigada Eskwela. The findings iconcluded that Brigada Eskwela is highly implemented across all key dimensions, including resources, leadership, parental involvement, social capital, and student motivation, effectively engaging stakeholders in school improvement. Teachers perceive that this comprehensive implementation strengthens collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility, resulting in both tangible improvements and intangible benefits such as social cohesion and student well-being. Overall, higher levels of implementation are positively associated with greater program effectiveness, demonstrating that strong community partnerships and coordinated efforts are central to the success of Brigada Eskwela. These suggest that schools may continue to monitor and evaluate program implementation to maintain high standards. Training for teachers, leaders, and community volunteers can enhance capacity and sustain best practices. Parental and community involvement may be strengthened beyond the annual activity through regular engagement. Schools may also document resources mobilized and activities conducted to track progress effectively. Leadership may promote inclusive decision-making to empower sub-leaders and volunteers.
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DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION AND THE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS
The study aimed to examine the level of differentiated instruction implemented among senior high school learners, describe the learners’ development in 21st century skills, and determine the significant relationship between differentiated instruction and learners’ 21st century skills. The respondents consisted of 162 senior high school learners enrolled at Kitubo National High School, Kitaotao III District, Division of Bukidnon, during the School Year 2025–2026. Total enumeration sampling was utilized to include all learners who met the study criteria. A researcher-made survey questionnaire was employed to measure the implementation of differentiated instruction and the development of learners’ 21st century skills. Reliability testing yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.952, indicating very high internal consistency and confirming the reliability of the research instrument .Findings revealed that differentiated instruction was perceived by learners as highly implemented in terms of teaching approaches, assessment and feedback, and classroom environment. Teachers used varied explanations, examples, and participatory strategies that enhanced learner understanding and engagement. Assessment practices were generally constructive and varied; however, reflective tasks, opportunities for revision, and consistent recognition of learner achievements were less emphasized, indicating areas that may require further instructional support. Results also showed that learners demonstrated high proficiency in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Learners actively analyzed information, asked questions, and worked effectively with peers, reflecting strong engagement in essential 21st century skills. Nevertheless, practices related to providing feedback, reflecting on learning, and taking creative risks were less frequently observed. Further analysis revealed a strong and positive relationship between differentiated instruction and the development of learners’ 21st century skills. The findings underscore the importance of sustaining learner-centered and adaptive instructional practices to support holistic and meaningful skill development among learners.
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FACTORS INFLUENCING INDIGENOUS LEARNERS’ IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY BASED ON PHIL-IRI RESULTS
This study investigated the English proficiency of Indigenous learners at Manalog Integrated School, focusing on their demographic profile, Phil-IRI reading performance, and the factors influencing English proficiency in terms of linguistic, socio-cultural, and educational dimensions. Specifically, it explored the significant relationships between Phil-IRI results and these factors, as well as differences in influence based on age and gender. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, with 102 Indigenous learners from Grades 7 to 10 selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from Cabaltica and Arcala (2021), which yielded a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.742. Descriptive statistics, weighted means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA were applied to analyze the data. Findings revealed that most respondents were aged 12 to 15 years, with a nearly equal distribution of male and female learners. The majority were classified at the Frustration Level in Phil-IRI, indicating low reading proficiency. Linguistic factors moderately influenced English proficiency, while socio-cultural and educational factors had high influence. No significant relationship was found between Phil-IRI performance and the influencing factors. Age significantly affected how factors influenced English proficiency, whereas gender did not.Conclusions indicate that Indigenous learners face challenges in reading comprehension and speaking, with age-related differences shaping how linguistic, socio-cultural, and educational factors affect proficiency. Based on these findings, recommendations include fostering active English reading and speaking among learners, encouraging supportive home and community environments, implementing culturally responsive instructional programs, integrating age-appropriate and interactive curriculum strategies, and conducting further research on additional variables influencing English proficiency.
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THE USE OF GAMIFICATION, TEACHERS MEDIATING FACTORS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
This study investigated the application of gamification, mediating factors of teachers, and student learning outcomes in the context of public schools through the descriptive-correlational research approach and quantitative surveys. The implementation was evaluated by the researchers using points, badges, levels, narratives, and quests. The results showed that instructors were quite effective at self-efficacy and flexible practices with the lack of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge, resource limitations, and workload. However, educators were not reluctant about gamification to increase motivation. The outcomes indicated that gamification improved the learning performance (engagement and retention) in a significant way, which aligns with the Self-Determination Theory. It was observed that there were high levels of performance in knowledge acquisition, motor skills as well as appreciation. Moreover, the significant connections were observed between the use of gamification, teacher moderating variables, and student performance, and the highly influential role of teacher efficacy. These results indicate that the curriculum should be improved by focusing on the use of gamification training and professional growth. Also, there should be regular evaluations and administration that will make teaching sensitive to resource-limited settings. Teachers are advised to use gamification in combination with reflective activities to improve self-efficacy and pedagogical learning, but future studies need to examine longitudinal effects. In the end, the present study confirms that gamification has a potential to improve the quality and performance of students provided that strong teacher moderators mediate it.
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EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF NG-CARES PROJECT IN EMPOWERING THE RURAL POOR AND VULNERABLE GROUPS IN TARKA LGA BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
This study assessed the contributions of the NG-CARES project to the empowerment of the rural poor and vulnerable groups in Tarka Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, Nigeria. It evaluated the project’s impacts on financial stability, job creation, income growth, local production, and implementation challenges. A total of 250 NG-CARES beneficiaries across five communities were targeted, from which 125 respondents were selected using stratified random and purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, and 119 valid responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that the project reached its intended beneficiaries, with 68.9% living in extreme poverty and 53.8% being female. Most respondents (59.7%) were farmers, and 51.3% had only primary education. Prior to the intervention, 93.3% of smallholder farmers were financially unstable, but during NG-CARES, the same percentage reported improved financial status, attributed to the provision of agricultural assets (42.9%) and inputs (41.2%). Confidence in meeting financial needs increased, with 55.5% expressing confidence and only 4.2% expressing none. Job creation also improved, with agricultural processing and labour roles increasing, while informal job dependence dropped from 42.0% to 26.9%. Income growth was evident, as beneficiaries earning below ₦30,000 dropped from 55.5% to 12.6%, while those earning above ₦200,000 rose from 8.4% to 23.5%. Although only 8.4% received training, 87.4% reported increased productivity. Chi-square tests confirmed a statistically significant effect of NG-CARES on financial stability (χ² = 178.30, df = 3, p = 2.05e-38) and income growth (χ² = 54.27, df = 3, critical value = 7.815). The study concluded that NG-CARES effectively empowered economically marginalised groups by improving livelihoods and reducing poverty. It recommends scaling up funding, enhancing communication, expanding training, and improving infrastructure and market access to ensure sustainability.
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RING MATTERS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HETEROCYCLIC VERSUS NON HETEROCYCLIC DRUGS IN THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL LANDSCAPE AND PHARMACOKINETIC BEHAVIOUR
Heterocyclic compounds are organic ring structures containing nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. They are the basis of the chemical structures of most approved drugs. However, as far as we know, there hasn't been any thorough comparative study across different classes that has systematically evaluated their advantages. Our data-driven analysis of 360 approved small-molecule drugs from 10 therapeutic classes, largely based on the WHO Essential Medicines List (2023), FDA Orange Book (2023), DrugBank v5.1, and ChEMBL v33, goes towards filling that void. By structural annotation with the help of RDKit, drugs were grouped and then compared using nine physicochemical/pharmacokinetic descriptors and four clinical outcome measures. Out of the 360 drugs studied, 314 (87.2%) are heterocyclic, with the proportion being highest in antiparasitics (95.5%), antibacterials (93.8%), and CNS agents (92.0%). Oral bioavailability was one of the areas where heterocyclic drugs performed better than the others (61.4% vs 43.7%), and they showed lower lipophilicity (logP 1.8 vs 3.9), decreased CYP450 substrate frequency (38% vs 67%), and longer plasma half-lives (14.2 h vs 8.9 h) as well. In the clinical setting, they showed higher therapeutic efficacy (78.4% vs 61.9%), greater target selectivity (SI = 12.8 vs 5.3), lower adverse drug reaction incidence (18.3% vs 31.6%), and fewer drug-drug interactions. Piperidine, pyridine, and piperazine together made up over 40% of the heterocyclic scaffolds. We therefore reject the null hypothesis at all four primary endpoints (p < 0.05), thus emphasizing the importance of heterocyclic chemistry in the rational design of drugs.
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POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ON TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF GOVERNANCE IN EDUCATION
This study examined the level of policy implementation among teachers and its relationship to their perceptions of governance effectiveness in education. Specifically, it assessed teachers’ views on policy effectiveness, its impact on morale and retention, and clarity and communication, as well as perceptions of governance in terms of framework assessment, influence on teacher well-being, and transparency of communication. Using a descriptive–correlational research design, the study was conducted in the Claveria West District, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, covering 14 elementary schools and utilizing total enumeration. Data were gathered through adapted questionnaires from Helen F. Ladd (2023) with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.720. Descriptive statistics revealed high levels of policy implementation across all dimensions and very high perceptions of governance in teacher well-being and transparency. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between overall policy implementation and governance effectiveness with policy effectiveness showing a significant individual relationship, while impact on morale and retention and clarity and communication alone were not significant. The findings suggest that strong and effective policy implementation as a whole contributes to more favorable perceptions of governance. The study recommends targeted professional development for teachers, leadership strategies that foster transparent and collaborative governance, and integrated policy frameworks that address both teacher needs and governance structures to enhance overall educational outcomes.
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CLASSROOM ROUTINES AND ON-TASK BEHAVIOR OF LEARNERS
This study investigated the effect of classroom routines on the on-task behavior of elementary learners in District II, Malaybalay City Division, during the School Year 2025-2026. Specifically, it assessed the level of teachers' classroom routines across five dimensions morning/entry, transition, instructional, cleanup/closing, and behavior management and the corresponding level of student on-task behavior. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, data were gathered from elementary grade teachers through a researcher-made survey questionnaire. Statistical tools, including mean, standard deviation, and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that teachers implement classroom routines with a very high effect to the on-task behavior of learners. It implies that teachers are doing a great job of maintaining classroom routines, which effectively helps them keep the class organized and achieve their teaching goals. Consequently, elementary learners were found to be highly engaged in the class. Correlation analysis established a significant relationship between classroom routines and on-task behavior, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that structured routines serve as essential proactive scaffolds that transform potential classroom chaos into stable learning environments. The high level of learner engagement signifies a successful transition from teacher-dependence to self-regulated learning. Recommendations include the institutionalization of standardized routines through specialized professional development and the introduction of more complex, self-directed projects to capitalize on student autonomy. These results affirm that procedural consistency is a fundamental driver of academic focus and sustained student participation in the elementary setting.
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EFFECTIVENESS OF LETTER SOUND AND OBJECT IDENTIFICATION AND LEARNERS’ READING LEVEL
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Letter-Sound and Object Identification intervention and its relationship with the reading levels of 76 Grade 7 non-reader learners at Bangcud National High School, Malaybalay City Division, during the School Year 2025–2026. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected using a validated researcher-developed instrument. Statistical analysis included frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings revealed that letter-sound and object identification were perceived as highly effective across all components, including letter-sound recognition, object identification, phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, and reading fluency. Despite this high level of effectiveness, most learners remained at the instructional level, indicating that while they possess foundational skills, they still require substantial guidance to achieve independent reading proficiency. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was found between the intervention's effectiveness and the learners' reading levels, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This finding indicates that the intervention worked best for learners who already possess higher reading skills, meaning its benefits increased as the learners' initial reading proficiency rose. The study concludes that bridging the phonological-semantic gap through multimodal phonemic anchors is a potent catalyst for literacy recovery among adolescent non-readers. Results suggest that systematic, object-based instruction is essential for transitioning learners from frustration to mastery. It is recommended that school heads formalize letter-sound and object identification as a mandatory remedial program and that teachers institutionalize multisensory mapping to replace abstract drills. By integrating culturally familiar objects into phonetic lessons, educators can provide the necessary scaffolding to accelerate students toward autonomous reading proficiency.
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THE EFFECT OF READ-ALOUD STRATEGY IN VOCABULARY ACQUISITION
This study aimed to examine the effects of the Read-Aloud Strategy on vocabulary acquisition. Specifically, this study aimed to determine the level of the Read-Aloud Strategy in terms of comprehension and engagement, and learners’ vocabulary acquisition in terms of understanding and active listening. This study employed a descriptive correlational research design to examine the effect of the read-aloud strategy on learners’ vocabulary acquisition and was conducted in Kadingilan Central Elementary School, Kadingilan, Bukidnon. This study used a purposive sampling, specifically targeting 161 Grade-4 learners from selected public elementary schools within the Kadingilan 1 District. The findings indicate that the Read-Aloud Strategy is highly effective, with students demonstrating very high levels of comprehension and engagement. Another result revealed that the level of learners’ Vocabulary Acquisition in terms of understanding and active listening was interpreted as a very high level. Moreover, it was also found that there is a significant relationship between the level of the Read-Aloud Strategy and the level of Vocabulary Acquisition. These findings suggest that teachers can improve students’ comprehension, engagement, and vocabulary learning by consistently implementing read-aloud strategies in the classroom. Incorporating interactive elements into these sessions can make the activities more effective. Discussing the meanings of new words with students can also deepen their understanding. Teachers may prompt students to make predictions about the story, which helps maintain attention and engagement. Using new vocabulary in sentences allows learners to practice applying what they have learned. Providing repeated exposure to new words in meaningful contexts reinforces retention. Overall, consistent and interactive read-aloud sessions contribute to improving students’ overall language proficiency.
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GENDER AND LEARNING PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS IN SCHOOL
This study aimed to examine the gender and learning performance in Social Studies among learners of Kapalaran Elementary School, Dangcagan Districy for the S.Y 2025-2026. The study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design to determine the the gender and learning performance in school. The respondents of the study were the 120 learners in Kapalaran Elementary School. Through the use of survey questionnaires data was gathered. Statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, t-test and Pearson r were employed to analyze the descriptive level of application and to determine whether a significant correlation and differences exists among the variables. The descriptive-correlational design was appropriate for this study as it not only measured the existing level of application but also explored how different factors relate to learners’ performance in Social Studies. The result revealed that majority of the respondents were male learners and the level of the learning performance in terms of learners’ participation shows a large extent and performance task interpreted as very large extent. The study showed a relatively balanced gender distribution among learners, allowing fair comparison of learning performance and indicating equal access to schooling for both males and females. Learners demonstrated high levels of participation and strong performance in tasks, reflecting an engaging and supportive learning environment that enhances academic outcomes. Gender was found to significantly influence learning performance, with female learners generally outperforming males, highlighting the importance of considering gender differences to improve instructional strategies. These suggest that schools may continue to promote gender balance in enrollment and participation. Administrators may ensure equal opportunities for both male and female learners in academic programs. Gender-sensitive policies may be strengthened to maintain inclusivity. Teachers may encourage equal participation in classroom activities. Guidance programs may be implemented to support both genders academically. Continuous monitoring of gender distribution is recommended. This will help sustain balanced representation in future studies.
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CROSS-CULTURAL TEACHING OF TEACHERS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO LEARNERS’ ENGAGEMENT IN INDIGENOUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT OF KITAOTAO I
This study examined the cross-cultural teaching experiences of teachers and their relationship to learners’ engagement in Indigenous elementary schools in Kitaotao District I. The research recognized that cultural diversity in Indigenous communities presents both opportunities and challenges for non-Indigenous and Indigenous teachers in delivering inclusive and responsive instruction. The primary objective was to determine how teachers’ cross-cultural practices, beliefs, and strategies influence the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement of learners in the classroom. A quantitative correlational research design was employed. Data were gathered through a structured survey questionnaire administered to elementary teachers from Indigenous schools in the district. The instrument measured teachers’ cross-cultural teaching experiences in terms of cultural awareness, instructional adaptation, communication practices, community involvement, and use of culturally responsive strategies. Learners’ engagement was measured across three dimensions: participation, interest and motivation, and investment in learning tasks. Descriptive statistics, mean scores, and correlation analysis were used to interpret the data. A Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.82 or higher was considered acceptable, indicating that the instrument had strong reliability. Findings revealed that teachers generally demonstrated a moderate to high level of cross-cultural teaching experience, particularly in showing respect for local culture and adapting examples and activities to learners’ contexts. However, challenges were noted in language differences, limited culturally aligned instructional materials, and minimal formal training in Indigenous education. Learners showed moderate to high engagement levels, especially when lessons were contextualized and interactive. Statistical analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between cross-cultural teaching practices and learners’ engagement. Classrooms where teachers applied culturally responsive methods, localized content, and inclusive communication strategies reported higher learner participation and motivation. The study concludes that strengthening cross-cultural competence among teachers contributes meaningfully to improved learner engagement in Indigenous elementary schools. It recommends continuous professional development, localized instructional material development, and stronger school– community partnerships to support culturally responsive teaching. These efforts can help create more inclusive learning environments and enhance educational outcomes for Indigenous learners.
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CHOLELITHIASIS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT
Background: Cholelithiasis, commonly known as gallbladder stone disease, is among the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders globally, affecting an estimated 10–15% of adults in Western nations and carrying significant morbidity, healthcare expenditure and procedural burden. Objectives: This article aims to synthesize contemporary evidence from 2015 to 2025 regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for cholelithiasis, with particular emphasis on evolving minimally invasive techniques and pharmacological advances. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines published between January 2015 and December 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
Results: Global prevalence data indicate rising incidence, particularly in urbanizing low- and middle-income countries. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the gold-standard intervention with success rates exceeding 97%. Emerging evidence supports enhanced recovery protocols, and novel biomarkers are under investigation for risk stratification. Conclusion: Cholelithiasis represents a substantial and growing public health challenge. Clinicians must remain current with diagnostic innovations and evidence-based management to reduce associated complications, including cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and cholangiocarcinoma.
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A DIGITAL APPROACH TO TRANSPARENT EXAM SEATING ALLOCATION USING SMART ALGORITHMS
Today in many educational institutes, managing allocation of seats for various examinations is still based on manual process, leading to errors, consumes time, and there are huge chances of unfair seating practices of students. This occurs especially while handling large amounts of students and having multiple rooms for allocation. To address these problems, a smart web-based seating allocation system is designed to ensure that the exams should be transparent, fair and cheating free in institutions. Instead of making machine learning models, this system applies an algorithmic approach along with the MERN stack to do the seating arrangement carefully and efficiently. The proposed system uses effective techniques, Hashing is used for mixing student data randomly, while sorting is used to organize the data properly according to need. The constraint satisfaction approach defines various rules and ensures that all the rules are followed, such that not any student of the same branch and same year can sit together at the same bench. Greedy algorithm is helpful in assigning the best possible seat for an individual and Graph coloring is used to avoid the conflicts between nearby students, Round Robin will distribute students evenly in rooms. This system has an exam cell panel from where the authorized user can access it, the exam cell head will simply upload the data of students and the system will easily generate a seating plan using these algorithms and make the manual process of seating arrangements easy for the user. This approach will make the process easy and reduce the consumption of time and efforts both. The backend architecture of this system is a modular and secure design having authentication system, while the frontend dashboard has a clear and user-friendly interface so that anyone can easily operate it and can generate the seating plan. The proposed system was tested on data of up to 1500 students, the performance was on the mark. The result shows reduction of over 90% in the time for allocation of seats as compared to the manual approach of seating allocation without any conflicts, the system ensures the utilization of rooms efficiently. Overall the system is fast and easy to use for anyone, it can also handle large numbers of students and works well in real world situations.
The architecture utilizes a multi-layered approach to Digital image acquisition often suffers from stochastic noise, degrading visual quality and data integrity. This paper presents a robust Image Denoising System based on a Deep Convolutional Autoencoder (DCAE) architecture. By utilizing an encoder-decoder framework implemented in TensorFlow and Keras, the system learns to extract essential structural features from noisy inputs and reconstruct high-fidelity "clean" images. Unlike traditional spatial filtering methods that often blur edges, this model leverages Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to maintain spatial hierarchies. The system was validated using the MNIST dataset with synthetic Gaussian noise, demonstrating significant improvements in image clarity through automated feature recovery.
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ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMER PURCHASING BEHAVIOR AT TRADE FAIRS: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TRADE EVENTS.
By , Olaoye, Gabriel O., Amao, Abdulkhaliq O., Davies, Oluwaferanmi O., Somotun, Bolanle A., Odeyemi, Helen O., Titioye, Stephen O.
https://doi-doi.org/101555/ijrpa.5500
This study examines consumer purchasing behaviour at Lagos international trade fairs, focusing on the factors influencing purchase decisions and the relationship between trade fair experiences and buying outcomes. A qualitative research approach was adopted, employing semi-structured interviews with attendees and exhibitors, alongside observational analysis of exhibitor activities. The findings indicate that consumer purchasing behaviour at trade fairs is predominantly experience-driven and shaped by price incentives, product demonstrations, brand familiarity, and exhibitor–consumer interactions. Positive trade fair experiences were found to significantly enhance purchase intention, impulse buying tendencies, and post-event purchasing likelihood. The study further validates the relevance of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Stimulus–Organism– Response (S–O–R) model, and Experiential Consumption Theory in explaining consumer behaviour within trade fair environments. Based on these findings, strategic recommendations are proposed regarding experiential marketing practices, booth design, promotional strategies, and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) capacity development to optimise consumer engagement and trade fair performance. This research contributes to the limited empirical literature on consumer purchasing behaviour at international trade events in emerging economies, with specific emphasis on Nigeria.
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AI-POWERED PHARMACY: A REVIEW OF AUTOMATION, PRECISION, AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing significant transformation due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics. These technologies are revolutionizing drug discovery, manufacturing, supply chain management, and patient care. AI accelerates drug development by analysing large datasets, while automation enhances efficiency and accuracy in repetitive tasks. Robotics, integrated with AI, enables faster, scalable, and precise manufacturing processes and is also used for efficient medication dispensing. These innovations drive the development of personalized medicine, offering tailored treatments based on individual patient data. Collectively, these advancements address industry challenges, including rising demand, regulatory compliance, and global health needs, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centred pharmaceutical sector.[1]
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PRODUCTION AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF BREAD SAMPLES PRODUCED FROM WHEAT, ROASTED FRESHWATER CLAM AND UNRIPE PLANTAIN FLOURS
The study was undertaken to evaluate the nutrient composition, physical and sensory properties of bread samples produced from wheat, roasted clam and unripe plantain flour blends. The freshwater clam was washed, sliced, parboiled, roasted and milled while the unripe plantain was sorted, cleaned, sliced, blanched, drained and milled separately. The individual flour obtained was blended together in the ratios of 90:5:5, 80:10:10, 70:15:15, 60:20:20 and 50:25:25 and used for the production of functional bread while 100% wheat flour served as control. The composite flour blends were evaluated for proximate composition, energy content, mineral and vitamin composition while the physical, microbial and sensory properties of the functional bread samples produced were determined using standard methods. The moisture, crude protein, fat, crude fibre and ash contents of the bread samples increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in the addition of roasted clam and unripe plantain flours from 10.53-18.03%, 9.06-34.52%, 3.12-4.68%, 3.42-5.15% and 2.41-3.04, respectively, while the carbohydrate and energy contents decreased from 71.46-34.64% and 355.16 - 318.52 KJ/100g, respectively. The mineral composition of the bread samples also increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in substitution of ground bean and sweet potato flours from 76.32-102.33 mg/100 g (calcium), 86.33-106.76 mg/100 g (potassium), 43.17-70.79 mg / 100 g (phosphorus), 92.14-112.15 mg / 100 g (magnesium), 1.52-2.05 mg / 100 g (iron) and 2.13-2.98 mg/100 g (zinc), respectively. The thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, vitamin A and vitamin E contents of the bread samples increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in the addition of ground bean and sweet potato flours from 42.17-59.19 mg/100 g, 62.31-80.69 mg/100 g, 24.15-47.57 mg/100 g, 12.15-12.15-12.73 mg/100 g, 18.32-47.33 mg/100 g and 15.31-43.67 mg/100 g, respectively. The physical properties (loaf volume, loaf height, loaf weight, oven spring and specific loaf volume) of the bread samples decreased significantly (p<0.05) with corresponding increase in the addition of ground bean and sweet potato flours from 310.21-115.41 cm3, 6.82-3.84 cm; 410.21-246.31g, 458.15-407.94 cm and 0.76-0.26 cm3/g, respectively. The results of the microbial assessment showed that the total viable count for the samples varied between 0.33 x 104 and 1.20 x 104 cfu/g and there were no detectable coliform or fungal counts. The sensory properties of the samples showed that the control sample (100% wheat flour bread) was the most acceptable to the panelists and also differed significantly (p<0.05) from the composite flour breads in colour, texture, taste and flavour. Although the 100% wheat flour bread (control) had better sensory and physical properties, it had the least values in nutrient contents compared to the composite flour bread loaves. However, the study showed that the nutrient contents of wheat flour breads could be improved by enriching wheat flour with ground bean and sweet potato flours at the levels of 5-25% and 5-25%, respectively in the production of bread loaves.
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE OF FEMALE POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMME COMPLETION IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study examined work-life balance in relation to academic programme completion of female postgraduate students in public universities in Anambra State. Two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprised 2,125 female postgraduate students across Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, and a sample of 390 was drawn using the Yamane formula and stratified simple random sampling. Data were collected with a researcher-designed instrument, titled - Work-Life Balance of Female Postgraduate Students and Academic Programme Completion Questionnaire. The test–retest was used to determine the reliability coefficient at 0.79. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics to answer the research questions, and z-test and Analysis of Variance were used to test the hypotheses with SPSS at 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that time pressure from academic tasks reduces students’ ability to maintain a healthy personal life, that personal responsibilities diminish capacity to complete coursework, and that school policies to support balance among students were perceived as inadequate. Students also reported emotional exhaustion and health effects linked to workload, while acknowledging some successes in maintaining relationships and completing required tasks despite constraints. The study concluded that work-life balance has a substantive bearing on timely programme completion for female postgraduate students, and that existing institutional supports are insufficient to neutralise the effects of competing domestic and academic demands. Based on the findings, the study recommended that universities should strengthen flexible scheduling, expand counselling and childcare access, and enforce responsive supervisory practices to improve completion rates.
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TEACHERS’ AWARENESS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE USE OF AI-ASSISTED TEACHING STRATEGIES
This study investigated the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) awareness and the utilization of AI-assisted teaching strategies among 143 public school teachers in Kitaotao 2 District during the 2025–2026 school year. The research specifically evaluated three dimensions of awareness: conceptual understanding, professional development exposure, and application confidence. Simultaneously, it assessed how these educators integrated AI into lesson delivery, assessment, feedback, and student support. Using a quantitative design with complete count sampling, the findings revealed that teachers had moderate to high AI awareness and consistently used AI-assisted strategies in their classrooms. A critical outcome of the study was the identification of a strong, significant positive correlation between awareness and utilization. This suggests that as teachers gain a deeper understanding of AI, receive more targeted training, and build their technical confidence, they become significantly more likely to adopt innovative AI tools in their daily instructional practices. The study concludes that fostering teacher competence is fundamental to the successful digital transformation of the classroom. To sustain this momentum, it is recommended that educational authorities and school administrators prioritize robust professional development programs and institutional support. By strengthening educators' capacity to navigate AI technologies, schools can ensure these innovations are used effectively to enhance learning outcomes and modernize the educational experience.
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THRIVING AMIDST DIFFICULTIES: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS
This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of academically challenged senior high school learners at Cabanglasan National High School during the School Year 2025–2026. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: (1) What behavioral patterns do challenge senior high school learners show at school and at home? and (2) What coping mechanisms do they use to deal with their personal and family-related difficulties? The study aimed to understand how these learners navigate daily challenges and how such experiences shape their behavior, motivation, and overall well-being. Using a qualitative research design guided by Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological analysis, data were collected through in-depth interviews with ten (10) purposively selected senior high school learners experiencing academic, emotional, family-related, or social challenges. Significant statements were extracted, meanings were formulated, and themes were identified to capture the essence of their lived experiences. The findings revealed that learners exhibited behavioral patterns characterized by emotional suppression, emotional release, contextual identity shift, emotional reactivity, and maladaptive responses. These patterns reflected both internal struggles and adaptive adjustments to challenging environments. In coping with their difficulties, learners relied on spiritual reliance, peer support systems, distraction and escape coping, self-reliant internal coping, and organized problem-solving strategies. The results indicate that while learners demonstrate resilience and personal agency, they also experience emotional vulnerability and occasional isolation. The study concludes that challenged senior high school learners possess both strengths and vulnerabilities in managing adversity. The findings underscore the importance of supportive school environments that foster emotional expression, strengthen peer and spiritual support systems, and promote adaptive coping strategies to enhance learners’ well-being and academic engagement. Therefore, it is recommended that schools implement structured guidance and counseling programs that provide emotional support, coping skills training, and safe spaces for learners to express and manage their challenges.
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LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS
This study examined the level of awareness of environmental issues and the coping strategies employed by junior high school learners at Cabanglasan National High School. Specifically, it addressed the following questions: (1) What is the level of learners’ knowledge of environmental issues in terms of awareness of major global and local problems, understanding of causes and effects, and knowledge of possible solutions and sustainable practices? (2) What coping strategies do learners use in learning environmental topics in terms of personal, peer, or family support, and school-based strategies? (3) Is there a significant relationship between learners’ environmental knowledge and their coping strategies? A descriptive-correlational research design was used, and data were collected from 150 junior high school learners selected through stratified random sampling. A validated structured questionnaire was employed to measure learners’ knowledge of environmental issues and the coping strategies they use. Findings revealed that learners possess a very high level of environmental knowledge, demonstrating strong awareness of global and local problems, understanding of causes and effects, and knowledge of sustainable practices. They also employ effective coping strategies, including personal study techniques, peer and family support, and school-based activities, with school-based strategies being the most frequently utilized. Additionally, a positive relationship was observed between learners’ environmental knowledge and their coping strategies, indicating that higher awareness contributes to more effective approaches to overcoming learning challenges. These results emphasize the importance of promoting environmental education in rural schools and providing opportunities for learners to apply knowledge through practical and collaborative activities. Teachers are encouraged to integrate interactive and hands-on strategies, while schools may enhance programs and clubs that strengthen environmental understanding and coping skills.
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TEACHERS' CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION IN TEACHING
The study employed a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design using complete count sampling and involved 143 public school teachers. Data were collected using a validated survey questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation analysis. The findings revealed that teachers had a very high level of awareness of climate change in terms of knowledge and attitudes. They also demonstrated a high level of self-efficacy. This suggests that while teachers possess a strong understanding and positive dispositions toward climate change, there remains room to strengthen their confidence and perceived capacity to implement climate-related instruction effectively. The extent of environmental integration in classroom instruction was also found to be high across all dimensions examined. Correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between climate change awareness and environmental integration, with self-efficacy showing the strongest association. These results underscore that teachers who possess greater knowledge, confidence, and positive attitudes toward climate change are more likely to integrate environmental topics effectively into their classroom instruction. This finding highlights the pivotal role of teachers' preparedness in advancing environmental education. It suggests that strengthening teachers’ competencies can directly enhance the quality and depth of climate-related learning experiences for students. The findings are significant as they emphasize the importance of strengthening teachers’ self-efficacy and instructional support to enhance climate change education. The study concludes that improving teachers’ awareness—particularly their confidence in teaching climate-related content—can lead to more meaningful and consistent integration of environmental topics in classroom instruction.
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LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION IN WELLNES ROGRAM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON TEACHERS’ HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY
This study examined the level of participation in wellness programs among teachers in District V schools, Division of Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, during the School Year 2025-2026, and its relationship to teachers' health and productivity. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational design, complete enumeration sampled teachers from Barobo Integrated School, Tugaya Integrated School, Guinuyoran Central School, Magsal Integrated School, and Lourdes Integrated School. The adapted instrument, drawn from the RAND SF-36 Health Survey and validated job performance scales. Data analysis involved means, standard deviations for levels, and Pearson product-moment correlation for relationships. Findings revealed very high participation in wellness program activities and teachers' health practices, alongside very high overall health and productivity. Significant positive correlations between participation in wellness activities and health activities. Conclusions affirm robust teacher engagement yielding enhanced health, energy, and professional outputs like punctual attendance and classroom management. Active involvement directly boosts performance, aligning with literature on wellness benefits. Recommendations urge teachers to integrate personal routines like mindfulness, administrators to expand workshops and incentives, and future researchers to pursue longitudinal, multi-division studies with qualitative insights on barriers like sleep habits. These insights advocate sustaining school wellness initiatives for sustained educator wellbeing and efficacy in Philippine public schools.
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TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS THEIR LEVEL OF EMPOWERMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION
This study examined the relationship between teachers’ level of empowerment and their job satisfaction. Specifically, it sought to determine teachers’ perception of their level of empowerment in terms of autonomy, access to professional development, and participation in decision-making; assess their level of job satisfaction in terms of pay and benefits, working conditions, and professional recognition; and test the significant relationship between empowerment and job satisfaction. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed. Data were gathered from teachers using a structured survey questionnaire and were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson r correlation to determine levels and relationships among variables. The findings revealed that teachers perceived a high level of empowerment across all dimensions, with access to professional development and participation in decision-making obtaining relatively strong ratings. Teachers also reported a high level of job satisfaction in terms of pay and benefits, working conditions, and professional recognition, with peer recognition receiving the highest mean. Moreover, the results showed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between overall teacher empowerment and overall job satisfaction (r = .718, p < .05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that teacher empowerment significantly influences job satisfaction. When teachers are provided with professional growth opportunities, involved in decision-making processes, and recognized for their contributions, their level of job satisfaction increases. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening empowerment practices in schools to enhance teachers’ professional well-being, motivation, and organizational commitment.
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“FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL EFFERVESCENT GRANULES FOR GUT HEALTH, STRESS RELIEF, AND MILD ENERGY ENHANCEMENT”
Background: Herbal formulations are widely used for maintaining health and wellness. However, conventional dosage forms often show poor patient compliance and slower onset of action. Effervescent systems can overcome these limitations by improving dissolution, absorption, and palatability. Objective: To develop and evaluate a polyherbal effervescent granule formulation for improving gut health, reducing stress, and providing mild energy enhancement. Materials and Methods: A polyherbal combination of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) was selected based on their pharmacological properties. Preformulation studies were carried out to assess physicochemical parameters such as solubility, moisture content, particle size, and flow properties. Effervescent granules were prepared using the wet granulation method. Eight formulations (F1–F8) were developed by varying acid–base ratio and binder concentration. The prepared granules were evaluated for flow properties, effervescence time, pH, moisture content, drug content uniformity, dissolution, and stability. Results: All formulations showed acceptable physicochemical properties. Effervescence studies indicated rapid carbon dioxide release and quick dissolution. The pH of the reconstituted solution was within the acceptable range (5.5–6.5). Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) showed significant differences among formulations (p < 0.05). Among all batches, formulation F5 was found to be optimized, showing rapid effervescence (~65 seconds), pH ~6.3, low moisture content (<2%), good flow properties, and high drug content uniformity (~99.5%), along with good stability. Conclusion: The developed polyherbal effervescent granules demonstrated improved performance, rapid action, and better patient acceptability. The optimized formulation (F5) can be considered a promising dosage form for nutraceutical or over-the-counter applications.
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PATH ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ PERSONALITY TRAITS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
The study investigated the relationship between students’ personality traits and students’ academic achievement in Computer Science in Secondary schools in Benue State using Path analysis. It was guided by six specific objectives and six research questions raised for the study. Three hypotheses were formulated for the study and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted triangulated research design. The study was carried out in Benue North West Educational Zone of Benue State, Nigeria. The population of the study is 4293 Students. This comprises all the senior secondary II students in Benue North West Educational Zone. The sample size for the study is 384. This was obtained using Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination. Student Personality Trait Questionnaire (SPTQ) and Students Profoma were validated by three experts. Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the Students’ Personality Traits Questionnaire and it yielded a total reliability coefficient of 0.72. Data were collected through face to face administration of copies of the instruments with the help of five research assistants. As a path analytic study, data collected were analyzed using multiple regression analysis in Mplus. The study found that the causal model for providing an explanation of the achievement of students in Computer science is the model involving students’ personality traits of openness to experience and conscientiousness. The study also found that there is no significant difference in the model fit of the empirically observed model and the theoretical model proposed for the study. It was revealed that the significant paths through which the independent variables (students’ personality traits) caused variation on the dependent variable (students’ academic achievement) are those of openness to experience and conscientiousness. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that students’ personality traits of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism plays a role in students’ academic achievement in Computer Science, and they account for 15.0% variation in students’ academic achievement in Computer Science in secondary schools in Benue state. It was recommended among others that Curriculum planners and teachers should incorporate learning strategies and classroom activities that nurture and leverage openness (e.g., creative tasks, exploration) and conscientiousness (e.g., time management and goal setting) to enhance academic achievement.
The Landmines are still a big threat to people in many areas that have been through a war, killing thousands of people every year. Traditional ways of finding things, like manual probing and trained animals, take a long time, are dangerous, and use a lot of resources. To solve these problems, this project introduces the Spider Bot for Landmine Detection, a robotic system that moves like a spider. The multi-legged design enables stable movement across uneven and hazardous terrain, where wheeled or tracked robots often face limitations. Equipped with suitable sensors, the spider bot can detect buried landmines effectively while minimizing risk to human operators. The project emphasizes safety, cost-effectiveness, portability, and reliability, making it a practical solution for real-world demining applications. Additionally, the study demonstrates the integration of robotics, sensor technology, and autonomous navigation as a step toward - more advanced, scalable, and humanitarian-focused mine detection systems.
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"ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN STRESS-INDUCED DISORDERS: A PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY APPROACH
Background: Chronic stress acts as a potent trigger for various psychosomatic disorders by dysregulating the bidirectional communication between the mind, the nervous system, and the immune system, a field known as Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). While conventional treatments often focus on symptom suppression, homoeopathy offers a holistic approach aimed at restoring the "vital force" and systemic equilibrium. This study explores the therapeutic role of individualized homoeopathic medicines in managing stress-induced disorders through a PNI lens. Methods: 30 patients presenting with stress-induced conditions such as chronic anxiety, tension-type headaches, or stress-related insomnia—was conducted. Patients were evaluated using standard psychological scales (PSS-10) and clinical PNI markers where applicable. Individualized homoeopathic remedies (e.g., Ignatia Amara, Arsenicum album, Natrum muriaticum) were prescribed based on the totality of symptoms and constitutional profiles. Follow-ups were conducted over period of 6 months to assess clinical improvement and causal attribution using the Modified Naranjo Criteria (MONARCH) inventory. Results: Significant clinical improvement was observed across the case series, with a marked reduction in stress-related scores. Patients reported not only relief from physical somatic symptoms but also enhanced emotional resilience and improved sleep quality. The integration of PNI principles suggested that homoeopathic intervention may help modulate the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system responses, leading to better immune-inflammatory balance.
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PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT TRENDS IN POST-PANDEMIC STARTUPS
The present research paper looks at the developments of the Private Equity (PE). Trend of Venture Capital (VC) investment in India during pre-pandemic, The periods of pandemic, post- pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic constantly redid the Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) significantly. Fundamental dynamics of investment in the Indian startup ecosystem. This study analyzes tendencies of investments in three periods - pre-pandemic (20182019) to learn... pandemic (2020), and post-pandemic recovery (2021-2024). investor behavior alteration, capital distribution across industries, and the investment round preferences. Based on secondary data from industry reports and financial databases, the study shows a clear shift from aggressive growth-focused investments to more disciplined and profit-focused investment strategies. The results further indicate that even though total funding levels returned to their course following the First wave of shock in the pandemic, the risk appetite among investors fell and with a higher degree. focus on governance, long-term unit economics and long-term value. creation. Strong sectors like HealthTech and other technology-based industries received more investment. The recovery of sectors such as Travel and Hospitality was slower. The study concludes that COVID-19 created a major change in the Private Equity and Venture Capital environment in India. It had a long-term impact on investment strategies and made investors focus more on financial discipline and flexible business strategies in startup financing.
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SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF FISTULA-IN-ANO: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Fistula-in-ano is a common anorectal condition requiring surgical management that balances fistula eradication against continence preservation. This review summarizes contemporary surgical techniques including fistulotomy, fistulectomy, seton placement, LIFT, advancement flap and VAAFT, drawing from recent randomized trials, cohorts and systematic reviews. For simple low fistulas, fistulotomy and fistulectomy achieve high healing rates with low recurrence and minimal incontinence. Sphincter-sparing procedures for complex fistulas show variable success, with LIFT demonstrating 28-90% healing and VAAFT 15-65% recurrence in recent studies. Postoperative pain is modest, hospital stay short (1-3 days), and complications include wound infection and minor incontinence. Future research should prioritize standardized outcomes and head-to-head trials of sphincter-preserving methods.
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IMPACT OF PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION IN THE INDIAN IT INDUSTRY
The Indian IT industry, projected to reach $350 billion by 2026, faces intense talent competition requiring effective Performance and Compensation Management (PCM) practices. This research examines how agile performance systems and transparent reward structures impact employee engagement, motivation, and retention among IT professionals. Using secondary data from industry reports (NASSCOM, Deloitte, Mercer 2022-2025) and literature review of 34 studies, findings reveal agile feedback systems increase engagement by 30% and reduce turnover by up to 30%, while skills-based compensation correlates with 14.9% higher productivity. Challenges include hybrid work feedback gaps and AI appraisal bias. Recommendations emphasize AI-driven PMS, gamified rewards, and VALUE frameworks for sustainable talent retention.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, commonly known as hibiscus, has long been recognized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties, particularly in hair care. This study explores the potential of hibiscus as a natural treatment for hair fall, a common condition affecting individuals due to factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental damage. Rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, amino acids, mucilage, and vitamins, hibiscus exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nourishing properties that contribute to scalp health and hair growth. The objective of this topic is to evaluate the effectiveness of hibiscus extracts in reducing hair fall and promoting hair regrowth. Various parts of the plant, especially leaves and flowers, are used to prepare oils, pastes, and extracts that can be applied topically. These formulations help strengthen hair follicles, improve blood circulation in the scalp, and prevent dandruff, which is a contributing factor to hair loss. Research indicates that hibiscus may stimulate keratin production, thereby enhancing hair thickness and reducing breakage. Its natural conditioning properties also help restore hair texture and shine. Compared to synthetic treatments, hibiscus-based remedies are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and have minimal side effects, making them a promising alternative for long-term use. This study highlights the significance of integrating traditional herbal knowledge with modern scientific validation to develop safe and effective hair care solutions. Further clinical and experimental research is recommended to standardize formulations and confirm the fall control. Mechanisms involved in hibiscus-mediated hair
Review Article
1
REFLECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONAL COMPETENCE AMONG TEACHERS
This study aimed to examine the reflective teaching practices and instructional competence among teachers in the Kadingilan 2 District. It specifically investigates how teachers engage in reflective practices, such as self-assessment and Pedagogical improvement, and how these contribute to the enhancement of their teaching strategies, classroom management, lesson planning, and delivery. The study was limited to 121 public school teachers within the Kadingilan 2 District during the school year 2025–2026. This study used a descriptive-correlational research design. The findings revealed that the level of reflective teaching practices among teachers, particularly in terms of self-assessment and pedagogical improvement, was interpreted as "always." The results indicate that teachers consistently evaluate their teaching strategies and actively seek ways to enhance their instructional approaches. The results further showed that the level of instructional competence among teachers, specifically in lesson planning and delivery as well as classroom management, was likewise interpreted as "always." The result means that teachers consistently demonstrate effective lesson preparation and the ability to deliver content clearly and systematically. The study also found a significant relationship between the level of reflective teaching practices and teachers' instructional competence. The result implies that teachers who regularly engage in reflective practices tend to exhibit higher levels of instructional competence. These suggest that teachers may continue to enhance their instructional competence through ongoing professional development programs. Schools may provide resources and training to support effective lesson planning, innovative teaching strategies, and classroom management techniques. Collaborative activities, such as peer observation and feedback sessions, can further strengthen teaching practices. Professional development programs may emphasize not only self-assessment but also the application of reflections to improve instructional methods and classroom management.
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PARENTAL SUPPORT IN RELATION TO PUPILS’ LEARNING MOTIVATION OF SAN FERNANDO I DISTRICT
This study examined the relationship between parental support and learning motivation among learners in San Fernando I District, Division of Bukidnon, for School Year 2024–2025. Specifically, it investigated parental support in terms of (a) provision of learning space, (b) parent assistance during lessons, and (c) provision of food supplies, and its relationship to students’ learning motivation in the areas of (a) intrinsic motivation, (b) extrinsic motivation, and (c) self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings revealed that the level of parental support was high, particularly in providing conducive learning spaces, lesson assistance, and nutritional support. Likewise, the extent of students’ learning motivation, encompassing intrinsic, extrinsic, and self-efficacy aspects, was found to be large. Furthermore, statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between parental support and learning motivation. The results suggest that while parental involvement remains essential in fostering a supportive learning environment, students’ motivation to learn may be more strongly influenced by other factors, such as personal interests, teacher support, or peer relationships. The study recommends strengthening home-school partnerships, implementing programs that enhance both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and exploring additional variables that contribute to learners’ motivation and academic success.
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CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY: MECHANISMS, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC) is a major limitation in cancer therapy, contributing to long-term morbidity and mortality. Various agents such as anthracyclines and trastuzumab cause cardiac dysfunction through oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis. Early diagnosis and preventive strategies are essential for improving outcomes.
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INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREMATURITY AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE IN WESTERN URBAN DISTRICTS, SIERRA LEONE
Background: Preterm birth is a pressing issue in maternal and child health, affecting approximately one in eight babies in the United States and 21,168 infants per year in Illinois. It poses significant risks to infants, including lifelong disabilities such as cognitive and learning problems, cerebral palsy, respiratory problems, and sensory impairments. Aim: Investigating factors responsible for prematurity among women of childbearing age in Western urban districts, Sierra Leone. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional design to assess factors associated with prematurity among women aged 15–49 years in Western Urban District, Freetown. A total of 85 respondents were selected using convenience sampling, and data were collected through structured questionnaires. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel. The study faced financial and logistical limitations but followed ethical principles, including informed consent and confidentiality. Results: The majority of respondents were aged 18–24 years (58.8%), unmarried (58.8%), and predominantly Christian (58.8%). Nearly half of the participants were illiterate (47.1%), while a smaller proportion had a tertiary education (17.6%). Prematurity was highly prevalent, with 88.2% reporting a history of premature birth, most commonly during the first pregnancy (58.8%). About 35.3% experienced births before 37 weeks of gestation, highlighting prematurity as a significant concern. Key lifestyle factors associated with prematurity included poor nutrition (47.1%) and excessive stress (17.6%), while smoking, alcohol, and drug use were less common. Major psychosocial factors were financial stress (49.3%) and depression or anxiety (20%), access to healthcare was limited, with 47.8% reporting that healthcare facilities were not accessible at all. Knowledge about prematurity was generally poor, as 58.8% could not correctly define it. The most commonly identified cause of prematurity was poor maternal nutrition (45.9%), followed by infections and maternal stress.
Conclusion: Prematurity in western urban districts of Sierra Leone results from multiple interrelated factors, including medical, socio-economic, psychosocial, healthcare access, and environmental challenges. The high prevalence highlights the need for stronger maternal health services, improved prenatal care, better maternal education, mental health support, and reduced environmental and healthcare disparities. These findings provide a basis for targeted public health interventions and policy action.
Recommendations: Recommendations include improving access to prenatal care, strengthening maternal health education, integrating mental health support into antenatal services, enhancing early detection and management of pregnancy-related conditions, improving environmental health and sanitation, and promoting healthy lifestyles among women of childbearing age.
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AI-POWERED PHARMACY: A REVIEW OF AUTOMATION, PRECISION, AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE.
The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing significant transformation due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics. These technologies are revolutionizing drug discovery, manufacturing, supply chain management, and patient care. AI accelerates drug development by analysing large datasets, while automation enhances efficiency and accuracy in repetitive tasks. Robotics, integrated with AI, enables faster, scalable, and precise manufacturing processes and is also used for efficient medication dispensing. These innovations drive the development of personalized medicine, offering tailored treatments based on individual patient data. Collectively, these advancements address industry challenges, including rising demand, regulatory compliance, and global health needs, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centred pharmaceutical sector. [1]
AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the pharmaceutical industry by leveraging advanced computational methods such as machine learning and deep learning. These techniques are accelerating drug discovery and delivery, optimizing treatment regimens, and improving patient outcomes. AI’s applications span target identification, excipient selection, synthetic route prediction, supply chain optimization, and continuous manufacturing processes, among others. While AI integration enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves drug safety and patient care, it also raises significant regulatory considerations. This review explores AI’s role in drug discovery, personalized medicine, and beyond, using current research and case studies to highlight its transformative impact on the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare. [2]
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DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS IN HANDBALL: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF TACTICAL AWARENESS
This narrative review explores the role of tactical awareness in defensive systems in handball, addressing the literature's emphasis on offense. It synthesizes studies from major databases on defensive formations, perceptual-cognitive processes, and training methods to understand defensive effectiveness holistically. Findings show that success depends not only on structures but on players' perception, anticipation, and response to dynamic situations. Open systems like the 3:2:1 enable proactive pressure and ball recovery but create spatial gaps, while closed systems ensure stability under numerical equality. Tactical awareness, via perception–action coupling, supports real-time decisions and adaptive positioning. Team cognition, through shared mental models, boosts coordination and collective defense. Non-linear pedagogy, including small-sided games, effectively develops these skills. Limitations include inconsistent definitions, absent standardized tools, and reliance on observational designs. Overall, tactical awareness drives defensive performance; integrated training and rigorous research are needed to advance theory and practice.
Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are the most common benign neoplasms in women, representing a monumental clinical and public health challenge. As a medical student, I am confronted with a stark paradox: these tumors are ubiquitous, affecting up to 70-80% of women, yet our understanding of their precise etiology and our ability to offer long-term, non-invasive, fertility-preserving treatments remain frustratingly limited. This article aims to dissect the intricate tapestry of fibroid pathogenesis, moving beyond a simple hormonal narrative to explore the cutting-edge science that defines them. We will examine the compelling evidence that positions these tumors as disorders of myometrial stem cells, reprogrammed by developmental insults and driven by mutually exclusive genomic drivers, most notably MED12 mutations. We will map the complex signaling networks—from the classic estrogen and progesterone pathways to the critical roles of the extracellular matrix, mechanotransduction, and defective DNA repair—that orchestrate tumor growth and symptomology. Finally, we will analyze the current therapeutic landscape, from surgical standards to emerging molecularly targeted therapies, emphasizing the urgent need for personalized medicine approaches that address the specific molecular subtype of a patient's disease.
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THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL BELIEF ON GENDER ROLES AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG GRADE 5 LEARNERS
This study focused on determining the influence of traditional beliefs on gender and development among grade 5 learners. The study was limited to selected grade 5 learners from a chosen public elementary school during School Year 2025-2026. The study employed a descriptive-correlational research design to determine the influence of traditional beliefs on gender and development among Grade 5 learners. Through the use of survey questionnaires, data were gathered, analyzed, and interpreted using statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation. The result revealed the level of learners’ traditional beliefs towards gender roles in terms of gender-based task assignments, career role expectations and emotional expression norms, interpreted as high level. Moreover, the level of gender and development among grade 5 learners in terms of gender identity, social interaction & peer relationships, interpreted as very high level. The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between the influence level of learners’ traditional beliefs and the level of gender development among Grade 5 learners. This indicates that gender roles, career expectations, and emotional expression directly affect learners’ gender identity, social interactions, and peer relationships. Since there is a significant relationship between learners’ traditional beliefs and their gender development, interventions should focus on reducing restrictive gender stereotypes while promoting equality. Schools should integrate gender-responsive education into the curriculum, including activities that encourage learners to question and reflect on traditional roles and beliefs. Teachers should model equitable behavior and create opportunities for learners to engage in non-stereotypical roles in both academic and social settings.
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EFFECTIVENESS OF MARUNGKO APPROACH IN TEACHING STRUGGLING READERS IN GRADE 2
This study investigated the effectiveness of the Marungko Approach in improving the reading performance of Grade 2 struggling learners at Airport Village Elementary School, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, during the 2025–2026 school year. Using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and retention-test measures, the study involved 21 selected learners identified as struggling readers through the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA, 2020). The study compared the reading performance of learners in the Marungko group and a Non-Marungko group to determine the impact of the instructional approach. Findings revealed that learners in the Non-Marungko group initially performed at the full refresher and low emerging reader levels. They showed improvement in the post-test, progressing to moderate refresher and some to developing and high emerging readers; however, their reading performance declined in the retention test. In contrast, learners in the Marungko group demonstrated substantial improvement from pre-test to post-test, with most achieving transitioning reader status. These gains were largely maintained in the retention test, indicating sustained reading ability. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference in reading performance between pre-test and post-test scores for both groups, but only the Marungko group maintained their performance over time. The study concluded that while both approaches initially enhanced reading performance, the Marungko Approach was more effective in promoting long-term retention of reading skills. Recommendations include encouraging learners and parents to engage in regular reading practice at home, training teachers in the systematic implementation of the Marungko Approach, and exploring its long-term impact in future research. The findings underscore the importance of structured phonics-based instruction in developing confident and independent readers.
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EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MARUNGKO APPROACH AND READING PERFORMANCE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE RAPID LITERACY ASSESSMENT
This study investigated the relationship between the level of effectiveness of the Marungko Approach and the reading performance of learners as measured by the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) in Impasug-ong I District, Division of Bukidnon, for School Year 2024–2025. Specifically, it examined the effectiveness of the Marungko Approach in terms of letter sound recognition, letter name recognition, and syllabication, and its correlation with learners’ performance in the CRLA components of Letter Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Phonemic Awareness, and Decoding. The study employed a quantitative research design, utilizing frequency count, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Spearman’s rank correlation to analyze the gathered data. Findings revealed that the Marungko Approach was very highly effective in enhancing learners’ literacy skills in letter sound recognition, letter name recognition, and syllabication. Learners also demonstrated a proficient level of reading performance in the CRLA across all assessed components. However, the results indicated a significant relationship between the level of effectiveness of the Marungko Approach and the learners’ overall reading performance. The study concluded that while the Marungko Approach effectively develops foundational literacy skills, other factors, such as individual learner differences, instructional strategies, and learning environments, may also influence reading outcomes. It is therefore recommended that schools continue to implement the Marungko Approach as part of early literacy instruction, supplemented with other evidence-based reading strategies and ongoing teacher training. Future research should investigate additional variables that affect literacy performance to promote a more holistic and comprehensive approach to reading development among beginning readers.
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FROM DISCIPLINARY SILOS TO HOLISTIC LEARNING: A CRITICAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CBCS AND NEP 2020 CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS IN MIZORAM UNIVERSITY
The Indian higher education system is in the midst of a monumental transformation, pivoting from a decades-old structure towards a future-oriented model envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This transition represents a paradigm shift that goes beyond mere curricular tweaking. This paper presents a detailed comparative analysis of the previously operational Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) and the newly implemented NEP 2020 curriculum at Mizoram University (MZU). Through a meticulous examination of MZU's official documents—the "MZU UG CBCS Regulation" and the "Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUGP) incorporating NEP 2020 Recommendations"—this study deciphers the philosophical, structural, pedagogical, and operational dimensions of this change. The analysis establishes that while the CBCS was a significant reform that introduced elements of choice and standardization, it remained confined within rigid disciplinary boundaries. In stark contrast, the NEP framework is a radical reconstruction of undergraduate education, characterized by its emphasis on holistic and multidisciplinary education, the revolutionary Multiple Entry and Exit Options (MEES), deep integration of vocational skills and value-based education, and the formalization of a four-year undergraduate programme with embedded research. This paper argues that the transition from CBCS to NEP at Mizoram University marks a decisive evolution from a subject-centric, instruction-based model to a student-centric, flexible, and integrated ecosystem designed to foster critical thinking, enhance employability, and cultivate holistic, socially responsible graduates. The study also critically examines the significant implementation challenges, including infrastructural demands, faculty readiness, and administrative complexities, that MZU must navigate to realize the full potential of this ambitious policy shift.
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CHOLANGITIS AND MODERN TREATMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND EVOLVING THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES
Background: Cholangitis, encompassing acute bacterial cholangitis (AC), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), represents a heterogeneous group of biliary tract diseases with significant global morbidity and mortality. The landscape of diagnosis and treatment has shifted considerably between 2015 and 2025, driven by updated international guidelines and novel pharmacological approvals. . Objectives: This review synthesises current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and modern management of the cholangitis spectrum, with emphasis on developments between 2015 and 2025. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases, incorporating population-based studies, randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and international guidelines (TG18, AASLD, EASL). Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were prioritised. Results: Acute cholangitis carries an untreated mortality of up to 88%; timely endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) within 24 hours reduces Grade III mortality to approximately 20%. PBC affects predominantly women (90%), with a global pooled prevalence of 14.60 per 100,000. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) remains first-line therapy; however, 30–40% of patients demonstrate inadequate response. Obeticholic acid (OCA), approved in 2016, and newer agents elafibranor and seladelpar (both approved 2024), expand the second-line armamentarium. PSC continues to lack disease-modifying therapy, though research into gut microbiome modulation and FXR/PPAR agonists is advancing. Conclusion: The period 2015–2025 has seen transformative progress in the management of cholangitis. The implementation of severity-guided biliary drainage, updated antimicrobial stewardship, and pipeline pharmacotherapy collectively represent a new era in hepatobiliary medicine.
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INDIVIDUALIZED HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OFPATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES.
Background: Mood, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities are the hallmarks of depression, a multifactorial mental illness. Complex interactions between neurobiological, genetic, endocrine, and psychosocial factors, such as dysregulation of monoamine neurotransmitters, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neuroinflammation, and impaired neuroplasticity, are involved in its pathophysiology. The individualistic and holistic aspects of the disorder may not be adequately addressed by conventional treatments, which mainly focus on neurochemical imbalances.
Objectives: The goal is to investigate the pathophysiology of depression and assess its applicability to constitutional homoeopathic treatment. Methods: A narrative review of modern scientific sources and classical homoeopathic literature was conducted. In order to establish a connection between contemporary biomedical concepts and homeopathic principles like individualization, totality of symptoms, and miasmatic predisposition, standard textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, and materia medica were examined. Results: The homoeopathic theory of vital force disturbance affecting mental, emotional, and physical planes is consistent with the complex nature of depression. Individual symptom expressions are reflected in neurotransmitter imbalances and stress-related neuroendocrine changes, which inform the choice of treatment. When prescribed based on the totality of symptoms, constitutional remedies like Sepia officinalis, Ignatia amara, Aurum metallicum, and Natrum muriaticum show clinical relevance. Instead of focusing on discrete symptom clusters, homoeopathy stresses a customized approach that may address underlying susceptibility.
Conclusion: Understanding the pathophysiology of depression offers a useful framework for constitutional homoeopathic medicine. Although more thorough empirical research is needed to confirm homeopathy's clinical effectiveness, it may be used as a supplemental, patient centered strategy in the treatment of depressive disorders.
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A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ASTHMA: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by reversible airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. It affects individuals of all age groups and represents a significant global health burden. The disease involves complex interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, leading to structural and functional changes in the airways. This review provides a comprehensive overview of asthma, focusing on its pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and current management strategies. Understanding these aspects is essential for effective disease control and improved patient outcomes.
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“FINTECH INNOVATION AND IMPACT ON TRADITIONAL BANKING”
The rapid evolution of financial technology (FinTech) has significantly transformed the traditional banking landscape by redefining how financial services are delivered and accessed. FinTech leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and mobile applications to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience. In India, increasing smartphone usage, internet accessibility, and government initiatives have accelerated the shift toward digital banking. This study analyses the impact of fintech innovations on customer satisfaction, service efficiency, and adoption behaviour. It is based on primary data collected from 116 respondents using a structured questionnaire and analysed through percentage, mean score, correlation, and regression techniques. The findings reveal that digital payment platforms, especially UPI and mobile banking, are widely adopted due to their speed, convenience, and accessibility. A strong positive correlation exists between fintech usage and customer satisfaction. However, challenges such as cybersecurity risks and data privacy concerns persist. The study concludes that fintech acts as a strategic enabler, complementing traditional banking and emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure sustainable growth and financial inclusion.
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BULIMIA NERVOSA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ETIOLOGY, CLINICAL FEATURES, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT
Bulimia nervosa is a serious psychiatric eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. This review summarizes its causes, clinical features, diagnosis, complications, and management, emphasizing multidisciplinary care.
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NON-ORGANIC INSOMNIA: FROM HYPERAROUSAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TO HOMEOPATHIC INDIVIDUALIZED MANAGEMENT – A NARRATIVE ANALYSIS
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep, resulting in impaired daytime functioning. The global prevalence ranges from 6–18% depending on diagnostic criteria. As per ICD-11, Non-organic insomnia Iis a functional disorder without any possible structural pathology and is associated with cognitive functions, neuroendocrine mechanisms, and emotional dysregulation. Contemporary research highlights hyperarousal—physiological, cortical, and cognitive-emotional as a central pathophysiological mechanism. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) remains the first-line treatment. However, increasing interest exists in individualized homeopathic management for chronic insomnia. This narrative review explores the hyperarousal model of insomnia, its neurobiological impacts, psychosocial contributors, and the role of individualized homeopathic therapeutics.
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CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS IN THE INDIAN POPULATION: INDICATIONS, EASE OF USE, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND FAILURE RATES — A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Background: Contraceptive choice in India reflects access, counseling quality, socio-cultural factors, and method effectiveness, with limited uptake of long-acting reversible contraception despite superior efficacy.(9,10) Objective: To review contraceptive methods relevant to Indian practice regarding indications, ease of use, contraindications, and failure rates. Methods: Narrative review synthesizing Indian family planning program data, national studies on method failure/discontinuation, and international eligibility guidance.(5,7,8,1) Results: Long-acting reversible methods (implants, IUDs) offer lowest failure rates (~0.1%-0.8%) and minimal user burden after insertion.(4) Permanent sterilization remains widely used. Short- acting methods (pills, injectables, condoms) show higher typical-use failure (4%-13%) and discontinuation due to side effects or non-adherence.(3,8) Conclusion: Enhanced counseling emphasizing real-world effectiveness and side-effect management can optimize contraceptive outcomes in India.(11)
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HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER WITH PULSATILLA NIGRICANS – CASE REPORT
Background: Generalised anxiety disorder (G.A.D.) is characterised by excessive, pervasive and uncontrollable worry. G.A.D. is a chronic and recurrent disorder with a low rate of remission with a considerable impact on quality of life. There is a scarcity of literature published on homoeopathy on G.A.D. This case report illustrates an improvement without recurrence of a G.A.D. case treated exclusively with homoeopathic medicine. case summary: A case of 44 years female with the complaints of anxiety and palpitation for the past 7 years was managed with individualized homoeopathic medicine. Case history, general and mental symptoms, repertorization, and miasmatic evaluation were undertaken. Severity of anxiety was assessed using Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Treatment was initiated with pulsatilla nigricans 1M potency, along with supportive measures. Follow-up was documented over 4 months. Results: she was free of symptoms from the 4th months of treatment. she was functionally and socially improved, as reflected in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and there was no relapse during homoeopathic treatment. Conclusion: homoeopathic treatment showed a positive result in the treatment of G.A.D. It brought about considerable improvement in the patient’s social, occupational and familial life without any adverse effects.
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MAPPING THE GENETIC LANDSCAPE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A HOMOEOPATHIC PERSPECTIVE — A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments in two areas mainly social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviours. It is typically visible during the second to third year of their life. They also show a lack of appropriate interest in social communication early in their life in severe cases. It is a multifaceted disorder with a complex aetiology. Among all the causes being found, genetic component along with environmental risk factors has been most suggested. Based on the recent studies more than 200 susceptibility genes have been identified. Objectives: This article focus on the influence of genetic component and environmental factors in developing ASD. Methods: In this review, literature search was conducted in standard psychiatric textbooks and Google Scholar to assess the impact of related genetics and associated environmental factors on the development of autism. There are various studies that have investigated the relation between genetic factors and ASD. Results: This article discusses the role of genetics as a causative factor and also environmental factors that triggers the development of autism spectrum disorder in individuals are being discussed in this article.
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AYURVEDA AND ASTROLOGY: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON VEDIC SYNERGY
Background: Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology, two ancient Indian sciences, share a profound philosophical and practical synergy rooted in Vedic tradition. Ayurveda, the "Science of Life," emphasizes holistic healing through the balance of Doshas, while Jyotish Shastra, or Vedic Astrology, interprets celestial movements to reveal karmic patterns and health predispositions. Their integration—often termed Ayur Jyotisha offers a multidimensional approach to personalized wellness. Methods: This literature review synthesizes classical texts, contemporary research, and interdisciplinary commentaries to explore the intersection of Ayurvedic diagnostics and astrological insights. Results: Findings indicate that planetary configurations at birth can correlate with Dosha imbalances and disease susceptibility. Astrology enhances Ayurvedic practice by identifying auspicious timings for treatment and revealing deeper karmic influences. The review highlights case studies and theoretical models where Ayurvedic and astrological integration led to improved health outcomes and spiritual clarity. Discussion: The convergence of Ayurveda and Astrology reflects a holistic paradigm that aligns physical health with cosmic rhythms. As both disciplines experience a modern revival, their synthesis offers promising avenues for preventive, personalized, and spiritually attuned healthcare. Future research should focus on empirical validation and integrative clinical frameworks to bridge traditional wisdom with contemporary wellness models.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BUSINESS ANALYTICS FOR FRAUD DETECTION IN DIGITAL PAYMENTS
The growth of digital payment systems has increased both convenience and exposure to financial fraud. Traditional fraud detection methods are no longer sufficient to handle evolving cyber threats. This study explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Analytics in improving fraud detection in digital payments. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using statistical techniques. The results indicate that AI and analytics significantly enhance fraud detection accuracy, reduce financial losses, and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, these technologies positively influence consumer trust. However, challenges related to transparency and system reliability remain.
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A STUDY ON IMPACT OF UPI ON INDIAN DIGITAL PAYMENT
The world's financial and payment systems have been drastically altered by the quick development of digital technology, and India is no exception. Because of their accessibility, quickness, and ease of use, digital payment platforms have been increasingly popular in recent years. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) developed and oversees the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), one of the most significant advancements in India's digital payment ecosystem. Through smartphone applications, consumers can rapidly transfer money between bank accounts using UPI, a real-time payment system. Since its inception, UPI has significantly changed how people and companies in India carry out financial transactions. It has simplified the payment process by enabling users to make secure transactions using smartphones without the need for cash or traditional banking methods. This study's main goal is to investigate how UPI has affected India's digital payment system. The study intends to examine a number of UPI usage-related characteristics, including as user awareness, adoption trends, usage frequency, perceived advantages, user difficulties, and general satisfaction with UPI services. Additionally, the study aims to comprehend how various groups of people embrace and use UPI in relation to demographic parameters including age, gender, occupation, and place of residence. The study looks at these elements in an effort to give a thorough picture of how UPI has impacted the expansion of digital payments in India. The majority of respondents are aware of UPI and actively use it for digital transactions, according to the study's findings. This suggests that UPI has been widely acknowledged and accepted by the populace. The findings also indicate that a large number of respondents have been using UPI for a number of years, indicating that it has developed into a reputable and well-established payment mechanism. UPI is crucial for everyday financial tasks including paying utility bills, buying goods and services, sending money to friends and family, and making online payments, as seen by the large percentage of respondents who said they use it daily or weekly.
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RECLAIMING VOICES: COPING WITH TRAUMA THROUGH STORYTELLING IN 'BLACK-EYED WOMEN.’
This paper delves into the exploration of trauma and its intricate manifestations in Viet Thanh Nguyen's short story, "Black-Eyed Women," featured in the collection The Refugees (2017). The analysis begins by contextualizing the Vietnam War's profound impact on refugees, establishing a foundation for understanding the protagonist's psychological scars. The examination extends to the challenges of cultural displacement, unraveling the intricacies of identity formation in the face of adversity. Central to the investigation is the symbolism encapsulated by the black-eyed woman, a spectral figure representing suppressed memories and unspoken anguish. Exploring coping mechanisms, the paper investigates how storytelling becomes a therapeutic outlet for the protagonist. It probes the protagonist's dual role as both survivor and storyteller, highlighting the agency inherent in reclaiming narrative control. Through a close reading of key scenes, the paper dissects the ways in which trauma is expressed and navigated in the protagonist's quest for self-discovery. This analysis contributes to the broader understanding of trauma in literature, emphasizing the nuanced portrayal in “Black-Eyed Women”. The paper contends that the story serves as a poignant exploration of the lasting effects of war, displacement, and the intricate interplay between personal and collective memory. Ultimately, it underscores the power of storytelling as a means of confronting and transcending the haunting legacy of trauma.
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PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable concrete that can spread and consolidate under its own weight without the need for mechanical vibration. It is widely used in modern construction due to its excellent workability and ability to fill complex formwork with congested reinforcement. Predicting the mechanical properties of SCC, such as compressive strength and split tensile strength, is important for achieving reliable and optimized mix designs. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a statistical and mathematical technique used to analyze the relationship between input variables and output responses. In this study, RSM is used to predict and optimize the mechanical properties of SCC by analyzing the effects of different mix parameters.
Business and management are two closely connected concepts that play a vital role in the growth and sustainability of organizations. While business focuses on the production and exchange of goods and services, management ensures the efficient use of resources to achieve organizational goals. This article explores the fundamentals of business and management, their importance, key functions, challenges, and their evolving nature in the modern world.
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FROM WAREHOUSE TO DOORSTEP: THE JOURNEY OF LOGISTICS (A STUDY ON FLIPKART)
In the past few years, the rate at which electronic commerce has been growing in India has accelerated manifold, changing the way businesses are conducted and how consumers conduct their shopping activities. Among all the operational activities, logistics and supply chain operations have emerged as major drivers for the success of electronic commerce organizations. The major aim and objective of this research paper is to identify the role played by logistics efficiency in customer satisfaction, and for this purpose, Flipkart has been taken as a case study. This research paper has been prepared based on the descriptive method of research, as the major aim and objective of this research paper is to analyze the existing scenario. For making the data reliable and accurate, both primary and secondary data sources have been incorporated in this research paper. The basic statistical tools, such as percentage analysis and graphical presentation, have been employed in this research paper. The findings obtained from this research paper reveal that Flipkart has been able to develop a strong logistics system, but there are a few areas where improvement needs to be made, such as a large number of respondents facing problems like delayed delivery, damage, and poor communication during disrupted orders. Despite facing such problems, the overall level of satisfaction remains relatively high. The study has concluded that logistics play a vital role in influencing the customer experience, which can be a competitive advantage.
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A STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF BANKING IN INDIA: FROM TRADITIONAL BANKING TO THE DIGITAL ERA
The Indian banking sector has undergone a remarkable transformation from traditional and unorganized financial systems to a technologically advanced digital ecosystem. This article examines the evolution of banking in India, focusing on major reforms, technological developments, and government initiatives that have shaped the current landscape. It also highlights the challenges faced by the sector and explores its future prospects in the digital era.
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“A STUDY ON CREDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN BANKS & NBFCS ”
This study focuses on understanding the concept of credit and risk management in banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The purpose of the research is to analyze how financial institutions manage credit risk while providing loans and other financial services to customers. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire from respondents, while secondary data was gathered from journals, reports, and financial websites. The findings show that proper credit evaluation and monitoring are important for reducing the risk of loan default. The study concludes that effective credit and risk management practices help banks and NBFCs maintain financial stability and improve their lending decisions. This study seeks how credit and risk management helps to reduce NPA in banks and nbfcs.
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A STUDY ON HOW PROFESSIONAL SKILL TRAINING IMPROVES EMPLOYABILITY IN ILAKKU TECH
Employability has become a crucial factor in today’s competitive job market, especially in the context of startups where individuals are expected to possess both technical and soft skills. Professional skill training plays a significant role in enhancing employability by developing essential competencies such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. This study focuses on analyzing how professional skill training improves employability among individuals at Ilakku Technology. The study is based on primary data collected from 107 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical tools such as percentage analysis, correlation, chi-square test, and regression analysis. These tools were used to examine the relationship between training and employability skills and to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs. The results indicate that a majority of respondents (92.5%) believe that professional skill training is essential for employability, while the overall satisfaction level is moderate, with a significant proportion of respondents being neutral or dissatisfied. The correlation analysis (r = 0.064, p = 0.515) shows a weak and statistically insignificant relationship between communication and teamwork skills. The chi-square test (p < 0.001) reveals a significant association between educational qualification and decision-making skills. However, the regression analysis indicates that training-related variables do not have a statistically significant impact on decision-making skills. Overall, the study concludes that professional skill training contributes to employability improvement, but its effectiveness varies depending on factors such as educational background and training quality. Continuous improvement in training design and implementation is essential to achieve better outcomes.
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“A STUDY ON FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE / ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS’’
In today’s world, environmental sustainability has become a major concern for both consumers and businesses. People are now more aware of issues such as pollution, climate change, excessive use of plastic, and the fast depletion of natural resources. Because of this growing awareness, many consumers are slowly changing their buying habits and showing more interest in eco-friendly and sustainable products that are safer for the environment. This study aims to understand the key factors that influence consumers when choosing sustainable products. It explores whether their preference is driven by environmental awareness, product quality, social pressure, or personal beliefs. At the same time, it also examines practical challenges like high prices and limited availability, which may prevent consumers from actually purchasing these products. The research is based on primary data collected from 250 respondents using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive research approach has been followed, and basic statistical tools such as percentage analysis, One-Way ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests have been used to analyse the data. The results show that most consumers have a positive attitude towards eco-friendly products, and awareness about environmental issues strongly influences their preferences. However, factors like higher cost and lack of easy availability still act as barriers to regular purchase. In conclusion, although sustainable products are becoming more popular, their widespread use depends on increasing awareness, making them more affordable, and improving their availability in the market. This study can help businesses, marketers, and policymakers develop better strategies to promote sustainable consumption effectively.
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A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RISK AND RETURN ANALYSIS OF DEBT AND EQUITY INSTRUMENT
Investment decisions are largely influenced by the relationship between risk and return, which plays a crucial role in financial planning. Investors often face the challenge of choosing between equity instruments, which offer higher growth potential but involve greater volatility, and debt instruments, which provide relatively stable returns with lower risk. This study aims to compare the risk and return performance of selected equity and debt mutual funds in the Indian financial market. The research is based on secondary data collected from reliable sources such as AMFI, Moneycontrol, Value Research Online, and mutual fund fact sheets. A total of eight mutual fund schemes were selected for analysis, including four equity mutual funds and four debt mutual funds, over a five-year period. The performance of these funds was evaluated using financial indicators such as Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Standard Deviation, and Beta, which help measure return, total risk, and market sensitivity. The findings reveal that equity mutual funds provide significantly higher returns compared to debt mutual funds, but they also involve higher volatility and risk. In contrast, debt mutual funds generate comparatively lower returns but offer greater stability and lower market sensitivity. The study confirms the fundamental risk–return trade-off principle. Therefore, investors are advised to maintain a balanced portfolio combining both equity and debt instruments to achieve long-term financial stability and growth.
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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM ON THE PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: THE CASE OF TENGERU CULTURAL TOURISM PROGRAMME
This study aims to assess the impact of the Tengeru Cultural Tourism Programme (TCTP) on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge among local communities in Tengeru, Tanzania. Guided by sustainable tourism theory, a qualitative case study approach was employed, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation involving community members, tourism practitioners and local authorities. The data were analysed thematically to capture participants’ perspectives and experiences. Findings revealed that TCTP has significantly contributed to safeguarding traditional practices such as local dances, handicrafts, culinary traditions and storytelling, while promoting cultural awareness among both residents and visitors. Additionally, the programme has enhanced community participation, generated income opportunities and fostered creative innovation in tourism products. However, challenges such as limited resources, inadequate marketing and the potential for cultural commodification were identified as barriers to optimal impact. The study concludes that TCTP provides an effective model for integrating cultural preservation with community-driven tourism initiatives, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers and scholars interested in sustainable and culturally sensitive tourism practices.
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A STUDY ON THE FACTORS INFLUENCING MOTIVATION OF THE EMPLOYEES IN RITZ SERVE
Employee motivation plays a critical role in enhancing organizational performance, productivity, and employee satisfaction. This study titled “A Study on the Factors Influencing Motivation of the Employees in Ritz Serve” focuses on identifying and analysing key motivational factors such as incentives, recognition, and workplace respect that influence employee performance. The study is based on primary data collected from 108 employees of Ritz Serve using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using statistical tools such as Percentage Analysis, Correlation, and Regression Analysis through SPSS. These tools were used to examine relationships between motivational factors and employee performance in a structured and measurable manner. The regression results (F = 9.574, Sig. = 0.000) indicate that incentives and recognition have a statistically significant impact on employee motivation. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between recognition and motivation (r = 0.353, Sig. = 0.000). Furthermore, a stronger positive correlation was identified between workplace respect and employee motivation (r = 0.764, Sig. = 0.000), indicating that respect is a more powerful driver of motivation compared to recognition. The findings clearly suggest that while financial incentives and recognition contribute to employee motivation, psychological factors such as respect in the workplace have a significantly greater influence. The study concludes that organizations should prioritize both financial and non-financial motivational strategies, with a stronger emphasis on creating a respectful and supportive work environment to enhance employee performance and long-term organizational success.
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INDIVIDUALIZED HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF RENAL CALCULI USING MEDORRHINUM: A CASE REPORT
Renal calculi (urolithiasis) is a common urological disorder characterized by severe pain and a high tendency for recurrence, with conventional management typically involving analgesics, lithotripsy, and surgical interventions that may carry risks of complications and recurrence. This case report presents a 53-year-old female patient who reported burning micturition with right-sided loin-to-groin pain suggestive of ureteric involvement, along with radiating pain, frequent and painful urging to urinate, and a persistent sensation of bladder fullness. The clinical picture indicated inflammatory and obstructive urinary pathology, supported by an underlying uric acid diathesis predisposing to calculus formation. Individualization of the case was guided by characteristic general symptoms, including a marked desire for cold drinks and cold extremities. Following individualized homoeopathic treatment, the patient experienced significant symptomatic relief, with normalization of urinary findings. Post-treatment investigations revealed improved renal parameters and absence of active pathology. This case highlights that individualized homoeopathic management may serve as a safe and effective non-invasive alternative in the treatment of renal calculi, with the potential to reduce the need for surgical intervention.