The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has accelerated the demand for advanced charging technologies that offer greater convenience, safety, and operational efficiency. Although conventional plug-in charging systems are widely used, they suffer from several limitations, including connector degradation, electrical safety concerns, frequent maintenance, and reduced user convenience. Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology provides a promising solution by enabling contactless energy transmission through electromagnetic induction. However, existing wireless charging systems continue to face challenges such as coil misalignment, reduced power transfer efficiency, limited real-time monitoring, and the absence of intelligent charging control.This paper proposes a smart wireless electric vehicle charging system designed to improve charging reliability while maintaining user safety and energy efficiency. The proposed architecture integrates an inductive power transfer mechanism with a microcontroller-based control unit, battery management system (BMS), RFID-based vehicle authentication, voltage and temperature sensing, and automatic charging control. The system continuously monitors charging conditions and regulates power delivery to prevent overcharging, overheating, and unnecessary energy consumption. Furthermore, the modular design provides a flexible platform for future integration of adaptive resonance control, IoT-enabled remote monitoring, and intelligent battery health prediction.
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METHODOLOGICAL PARADIGMS, DESIGNS, AND DATA ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORKS IN CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND LIVELIHOOD ADAPTATION RESEARCH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
This study systematically reviews the methodological paradigms, designs, sampling techniques, and data analytical frameworks deployed in contemporary climate resilience and rural livelihood adaptation research. Smallholder agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa remains highly vulnerable to climate variability. Yet, investigations into how these farmers adapt are frequently fragmented by deep methodological divides between positivist quantification and interpretivist qualitative contextualization. Utilizing a thematic desk review methodology, this paper synthesizes empirical literature spanning 1994 to 2026 to evaluate the operational strengths and structural limitations of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches.
The review reveals that while econometric models effectively isolate the determinants of adaptation outcomes, they consistently obscure the socio-cultural negotiations, institutional quality variations, and indigenous knowledge systems that drive adaptation processes. Conversely, qualitative frameworks capture localized lived experiences but lack regional generalizability and statistical reproducibility. Consequently, this paper argues for the strategic adoption of a pragmatist paradigm utilizing a convergent mixed-method framework. Finally, the paper translates these methodological insights into an operational, field-ready blueprint tailored to an upcoming empirical study within Oju Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, Nigeria, a region characterized by extreme rainfall variability and high dependence on rain-fed smallholder agriculture.
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ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR INDUSTRIAL DISHARMONY AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN TERTIARY HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS IN BAYELSA STATE
The healthcare sector is one of the most complex and multidisciplinary industries globally, requiring the coordinated efforts of professionals from diverse disciplines to provide safe, effective, patient-centred, and high-quality healthcare services. Contemporary healthcare delivery has shifted from a profession-centred model to an integrated, team-based approach that recognizes the complementary roles of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, health information management professionals, nutritionists, and other allied healthcare practitioners. Effective collaboration among these professionals has become increasingly essential for improving patient outcomes, enhancing healthcare quality, reducing medical errors, and strengthening health systems.
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VOICES FROM THE MARGINS: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE NOVELS OF AMIYABHUSAN MAJUMDAR
Amiyabhusan Majumdar (1918-2001), recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Rajnagar and widely regarded within Bengali letters as a “writer’s writer,” occupies a distinctive place among twentieth-century novelists who engaged questions of social inequity without resorting to overt polemic. Unlike contemporaries associated with the explicitly progressive social-realist tradition, Majumdar embedded his critique of feudal privilege, caste hierarchy, gendered subjugation, and displacement within a formally experimental, often elliptical narrative style rooted in the socio-geography of North Bengal. This paper undertakes a structured textual analysis of social-justice and human-rights motifs across a representative corpus of Majumdar’s novels — Rajnagar, Garh Srikhanda, Nirbas O Aranya Rodan, Dukhiyar Kuthi, and Mahiskurar Upakatha. Drawing on a qualitative-interpretive framework informed by human-rights literary criticism, subaltern studies, and the capability approach to justice, the study identifies four recurring thematic clusters — land and economic dispossession, caste and social exclusion, gendered subjugation, and displacement — and examines the narrative strategies through which Majumdar renders these concerns without didacticism. An illustrative analytical instrument, the Textual Justice Index, is proposed to support structured comparison across texts. The discussion situates Majumdar’s fiction as a rigorous, understated engagement with human dignity, arguing for his fuller recognition within the broader literature of social conscience in the Indian subcontinent.
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DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN IOT-ENABLED GSM-BASED SMART HOME SECURITY SYSTEM WITH REAL-TIME INTRUSION ALERTS
Home security has become increasingly important due to the rise in thefts and unauthorized access to residential properties. Conventional security systems generally provide only local alarms and require the owner's physical presence for monitoring. This paper presents the design and implementation of an IoT-enabled GSM-based smart home security system capable of detecting unauthorized entry and sending instant alerts to homeowners through SMS and IoT-based remote monitoring. The proposed system integrates an Arduino Uno microcontroller, GSM module, PIR motion sensor, magnetic door sensor, ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, relay module, and buzzer to provide reliable real-time security. When an intrusion is detected, the system activates an alarm, sends an SMS notification, and updates the user's mobile dashboard through the Internet. The proposed solution is economical, easy to install, energy efficient, and suitable for residential as well as small commercial applications. Experimental observations indicate that the system successfully detects intrusion events with high accuracy while maintaining low operational cost.
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THE ABHIDHAMMA THEORY OF MIND AND ITS RELEVANCE TO MENTAL DISCIPLINE AND NIBBĀNA
The Abhidhamma represents the most systematic and analytical exposition of the Buddha's teachings on the nature of mind and reality within the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. Unlike conventional psychological approaches that primarily examine observable behaviour or cognitive processes, the Abhidhamma offers a comprehensive framework for understanding consciousness (citta), mental factors (cetasikas), material phenomena (rūpa), and Nibbāna as the ultimate reality. Central to this framework is the assertion that mental discipline is achieved through the purification and transformation of consciousness, leading ultimately to the eradication of defilements (kilesas) and the realization of Nibbāna.
This study explores the Abhidhamma theory of mind and examines its significance in cultivating mental discipline through ethical conduct (sīla), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā). It analyses the classification of consciousness, the interaction of wholesome and unwholesome mental factors, and the psychological mechanisms by which meditation transforms the mind. The study further investigates how the Abhidhamma explains the process of cognitive purification, emotional regulation, and the cessation of suffering through insight (vipassanā).
Drawing primarily upon the Abhidhammattha Saṅgaha, the Dhammasaṅgaṇī, the Paṭṭhāna, and relevant discourses from the Pāli Canon, this research adopts an analytical and descriptive methodology to demonstrate that the Abhidhamma provides one of the earliest systematic models of human psychology. The findings suggest that its detailed analysis of mental processes not only supports the Buddhist path to liberation but also offers valuable insights for contemporary discussions on mindfulness, cognitive transformation, emotional well-being, and mental health. The study concludes that the Abhidhamma theory of mind remains highly relevant for understanding the relationship between mental discipline and the attainment of Nibbāna in both traditional Buddhist practice and modern psychological inquiry.
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ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ACQUISITION AS A PREDICTOR OF GRADUATE SELF-EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS IN AKWA IBOM STATE
This study examined entrepreneurial skills acquisition as a predictor of graduate self-employment success in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study specifically investigated the predictive effect of marketing skills acquisition and financial management skills acquisition on graduate self-employment success in Akwa Ibom State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 5,420 registered graduate entrepreneurs running micro-enterprises across the thirty-one Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. A sample size of 373 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition and Graduate Self-Employment Success Questionnaire (ESAGSESQ)”. The instrument was validated by experts in Business Education and Measurement and Evaluation. Data obtained were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while independent t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that marketing skills acquisition had a high predictive effect on self-employment success among graduates. The findings further revealed that financial management skills acquisition significantly enhanced graduate self-employment success. The study concluded that practical skills acquisition remains a critical mechanism for expanding business longevity and reducing economic vulnerability among youth populations. The study recommended among others that educational institutions and training providers should improve their facilities by creating dedicated spaces for entrepreneurship, such as simulation centers for online commerce and practical workshops.
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ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON FINANCIAL INCLUSION AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN AKWA IBOM STATE
This study examined the economic effects of financial technology adoption on financial inclusion among rural households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite the rapid growth of financial technology (FinTech) services and the increasing penetration of mobile devices across Nigeria, a substantial proportion of rural households remain financially excluded due to inadequate access to formal financial services, low digital literacy, and infrastructural deficiencies. The study specifically investigated the effect of mobile banking adoption and digital payment platform adoption on financial inclusion among rural households in Akwa Ibom State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 5,420 rural household heads selected from rural communities across the thirty-one Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. A sample size of 373 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Economic Effects of Financial Technology Adoption and Financial Inclusion Questionnaire (EEFTAFIQ)”. The instrument was validated by experts in Business Education and Measurement and Evaluation. Data obtained were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while independent t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that mobile banking adoption had a high effect on financial inclusion among rural households. The findings further revealed that digital payment platform adoption significantly enhanced financial inclusion among rural households. The study concluded that financial technology adoption remains a critical mechanism for expanding financial inclusion and reducing financial exclusion among rural populations. The study recommended among others that financial institutions should intensify awareness campaigns and financial literacy programmes to educate rural households on the benefits and usage of mobile banking services.
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THE BLACK-BOX GRAVEYARD: A RESEARCH PROTOCOL FOR QUANTIFYING RESIDUAL ENTROPY OF DELETED TRAINING SAMPLES IN POST-UNLEARNING LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS
Background
Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly used in healthcare, biomedical research, finance, and other data-intensive sectors. Their dependence on large-scale training datasets raises concerns regarding privacy because sensitive information may remain embedded within model parameters even after data deletion requests. Machine unlearning has emerged as a computational approach for removing the influence of selected training samples without requiring complete model retraining. However, current evaluation methods primarily focus on predictive performance and do not directly quantify the residual information retained after unlearning.
Objective
This research protocol proposes an information-theoretic framework to quantify residual knowledge remaining within post-unlearning LLMs using a novel Residual Entropy Score (RES).
Methods
The proposed study adopts a quantitative computational design using publicly available biomedical datasets and transformer-based language models. Representative machine unlearning algorithms will be evaluated under black-box conditions using utility metrics, privacy attacks, semantic similarity analysis, and information-theoretic measures. The proposed RES combines predictive entropy, embedding divergence, semantic similarity, reconstruction probability, and membership inference confidence to estimate residual information after unlearning.
Expected Outcomes
The proposed framework is expected to provide a reproducible methodology for comparing machine unlearning algorithms and for quantifying hidden information that may remain encoded after selective deletion. The protocol may support future development of standardized evaluation procedures for privacy-preserving AI.
Conclusion
This manuscript presents a methodological framework rather than completed experimental research. If validated through future empirical studies, the proposed Residual Entropy Score may contribute to trustworthy artificial intelligence by improving the evaluation of machine unlearning in privacy-sensitive applications.
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ECOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A HUMAN GUT MICROBIOME USING SHOTGUN METAGENOMIC PROFILING
The aim of this paper has been to carry out a metagenomic study of the sample of human gut microbiome. In such analyses, high-resolution taxonomic classification and ecological modeling tools (Kraken2 and Bracken) were employed so that we might analyze patterns of distribution at phylum level, at genus level and, lastly, at species level. We have also done a comparison of the ecological structure with Shannon diversity index, rank abundance modeling as well as cumulative dominance curves. Many different functional gene families are used to measure metabolic potential of the microbiome.
Bacillota (~ 50 percent of the community) and Bacteroidota (~ 44 percent of the community) constituted the bulk of the gut microbiome with a Firmicutes Bacteroidota ratio of 1.14. A species taxonomic classification revealed that approximately 25 to 30 species of microbe formed a relatively stable core microbiome of the overall abundance of more than 80. Also, the analysis of functional profiles correlation showed that the gut microbiome was improved with the genes of carbohydrate metabolic pathways (i.e., carbohydrate fermentation), membrane-bound transportation, and anaerobic energy-generation. The key characteristics that were absolute in the community structure of the gut microbiome that has been assessed were ecological stability, metabolic coherence, and hierarchical dominant structure.
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INTEGRATION OF RESISTIVITY CROSS PLOTS AND AQUIFER CONTOUR CLOSURE FOR GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION IN PARTS OF RUMUJI, RIVERS STATE
This paper presents an integrated geophysical approach combining 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and 1D vertical electrical sounding (VES) to address the challenges of severe lateral facies variations and single-method geophysical artifacts during subsurface characterization in Rumuji, Rivers State. The primary objective was to map the spatial extent of underlying lithological units to evaluate foundation stability and groundwater potential. Data acquisition involved dual-line field measurements evaluated via depth-calibrated log-log cross-plots and 2D advanced digital magnetic tomography (ADMT) inversion mapping. The geoelectrical profiles reveals a heterogeneous form of stratified geo-electric framework highlighting a standard HA-type, and KH-type curve. Results demonstrate a thick, highly competent sand units, exhibiting elevated apparent resistivity values that provide excellent geotechnical stability, while the 2D tomograms delineate high resistive fluid-bearing zones. The subsurface architecture satisfies the technical requirements for civil engineering loads and deep industrial borehole development. This research significantly contributes to regional geological knowledge by validating a joint exploration workflow that eliminates single-method artifacts, establishing a high-resolution subsurface model for the Coastal Plain Sands.
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MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIAN REGIONAL LITERATURE
India’s regional-language literatures have, for over a century, given form to the lived experience of communities that formal law was slow to recognise as rights-bearing at all. This paper examines how Dalit, Adivasi (tribal), and other marginalised voices in Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali literature articulate claims that correspond to what would later be codified as human rights: the right to bodily and post-mortem dignity, freedom from caste-mandated unpaid labour, the right to ancestral land and cultural self-determination, and freedom from the compounding burden of caste or tribal identity intersecting with gender. Drawing on close reading of Munshi Premchand’s Hindi fiction, Bama’s Tamil testimonio Karukku, Omprakash Valmiki’s autobiography Joothan, Gopinath Mohanty’s Odia novel Paraja, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Bengali fiction, alongside verified peer-reviewed scholarship, the study identifies both a shared literary grammar of witness across these otherwise distinct linguistic traditions and significant regional and community-specific divergences in what is being claimed and how. The comparative analysis shows that caste-focused regional literatures tend to stage rights violations as specific, nameable acts of humiliation demanding corrective justice, while literatures of tribal displacement tend to foreground land and cultural continuity as the primary right at stake, and that women writers within both traditions articulate a double burden not fully captured by either caste/tribe-focused or mainstream feminist criticism alone. The paper argues that reading these regional literatures together, rather than within separate departmental and linguistic silos, offers a fuller account of how Indian literary realism anticipated the vocabulary of human rights later codified in the Indian Constitution.
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PRODUCT PACKAGING DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE BRAND IDENTITY OF NENNU-NENNU QIRANA TRADITIONAL CAKE IN SOPPENG REGENCY
Product packaging plays an important role not only in protecting products but also as a marketing communication tool that helps build brand identity. Nennu-Nennu Qirana Traditional Cake, a local specialty product from Soppeng Regency, still utilizes simple packaging that has not been able to optimally represent the product’s characteristics and brand identity. Therefore, packaging development is necessary to create a more attractive and informative product presentation. This study aims to develop product packaging to enhance the brand identity of Nennu-Nennu Qirana Traditional Cake. The research employed an applied research method with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, documentation, and literature review involving the business owner, employees, and consumers. The findings reveal that the packaging development focused on improving graphic design, structural design, and product information. The new packaging incorporates colors that reflect the product’s characteristics, more readable typography, illustrations representing local identity, a stronger and more practical packaging structure, and more comprehensive product information. The redesigned packaging is perceived as more attractive, informative, and effective in increasing brand recognition among consumers. In addition, the packaging development adds value to the product and supports the competitiveness of the business. This study concludes that packaging plays a significant role in strengthening the brand identity of traditional food products. Therefore, business owners are encouraged to continuously innovate their packaging in accordance with market trends and consumer preferences.
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THE ROLE OF DIGITAL STARTUPS IN ENHANCING ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO ONLINE BUSINESS MODELS
Rapid advancements in the digital technologies have had profound impacts on entrepreneurship, leading to the emergence of digital startups. This paper explores how digital startups facilitate the process of entrepreneurship development, focusing on models such as e-commerce, platform-based, and subscription-based models. Using the secondary data collecting through peer-reviewed journals published between 2020 and 2025, the research investigates various aspects of digital entrepreneurship, such as trends, opportunities, and challenges related to the issue.
The results obtained in this study show that digital startups facilitate easier market entry, scalability, and global reach of businesses. Moreover, the use of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and cloud computing, helps digital enterprises become more efficient & competitive in their respective markets. In addition to that, favorable startup ecosystems and the support provided by both governments & digital infrastructures play a vital part in promoting entrepreneurship in emerging countries, for example, India.
Nevertheless, certain challenges related to market competition, cybersecurity, and lack of funding can negatively affect the sustainable development of startup businesses. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of digital startups in developing entrepreneurship in the current context.
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ENHANCING BOILER EFFICIENCY USING AN AI-BASED FLUE GAS MONITORING AND COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Environmental sustainability in industrial operations depends heavily on improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, particularly in steam generation systems where boilers consume significant fuel and produce greenhouse gases. Conventional combustion control systems use fixed excess air settings and PID-based adjustments, which cannot adapt effectively to changing operating conditions. This leads to excess air supply, higher heat loss, inefficient fuel utilization, increased emissions, and reduced boiler efficiency. Existing flue gas monitoring systems are mainly used for manual supervision rather than real-time optimization. To address this, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based combustion optimization system using real-time flue gas monitoring and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was developed to automatically regulate fuel and air supply. The system analyzes oxygen concentration, carbon monoxide concentration, flue gas temperature, and operating parameters to optimize the air–fuel ratio. Implemented on a 10 TPH industrial boiler, the system reduced oxygen levels from 8% to 3%, flue gas temperature from 240°C to 190°C, and fuel consumption by 10%, while maintaining constant steam output. Boiler efficiency improved from 82% to 90%, demonstrating that AI-based combustion control significantly enhances efficiency, reduces fuel consumption and emissions, and supports sustainable industrial energy management.
Educational Technology has emerged as a significant enabler in transforming the teaching–learning process in the 21st century. In India, policy support through the National Education Policy 2020, along with digital initiatives such as DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and PM e-Vidya, has opened new avenues for the integration of technology in education. This present research investigates the role, effectiveness, and challenges of Educational Technology in Indian schools as well as higher education institutions.
Based on secondary data from UDISE+ 2025, ASER 2024, NCERT 2026, and relevant literature, the study evaluates EdTech across four key dimensions: access, pedagogy, teacher capacity, and learning outcomes. The findings suggest that while EdTech has expanded access to quality content and improved learner engagement, several structural barriers—such as the digital divide, inadequate infrastructure, language limitations, and insufficient teacher training—continue to restrict its full pedagogical potential.
The study emphasizes that technology should not remain merely a delivery mechanism but must become an integral part of the teaching–learning process. It recommends the adoption of a ‘phygital’ blended model, the development of content in regional languages, and continuous professional development of teachers to align with the vision of equitable and quality education outlined in NEP 2020.
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VIRTUAL TRY-ON TECHNOLOGY AND CONSUMER PURCHASE INTENTIONS: EVIDENCE FROM LIFESTYLE RETAILING IN TAMIL NADU
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed the retail industry by enabling immersive and personalized shopping experiences. Among these innovations, Virtual Try-On (VTO) Technology has emerged as an effective digital tool that allows consumers to visualize products before making purchase decisions. This study examines the influence of Virtual Try-On Technology on consumer purchase intentions among lifestyle retail customers in Tamil Nadu, India. The research covers eight major cities; Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tirunelveli, Erode, and Vellore; and focuses on four lifestyle product categories: eyewear, jewellery, beauty and cosmetics, and fashion and lifestyle products. A quantitative research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 300 consumers who had either used or were aware of Virtual Try-On Technology through purposive and convenience sampling. The study examines the effects of key dimensions of Virtual Try-On Technology, namely perceived usefulness, ease of use, interactivity, visual realism, personalization, and trust, on consumer purchase intentions. It further investigates the mediating roles of consumer confidence, perceived shopping convenience, and customer shopping experience. The findings indicate that Virtual Try-On Technology positively influences consumer purchase intentions by enhancing confidence, improving shopping experiences, and reducing purchase uncertainty. The study extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) within the context of lifestyle retailing and provides practical insights for retailers to strengthen omnichannel strategies, enhance customer engagement, and improve competitive advantage through technology-enabled retailing.
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SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS AS MEDIATOR IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY IN SECONDARY EDUCATION
This study examines the role of science process skills in mediating the relationship between scientific curiosity and creativity in secondary school students. Curiosity frequently compels pupils to investigate novel concepts, whilst creativity enables them to produce innovative answers. Nonetheless, in the absence of essential process skills—such as observation, classification, measurement, inference, and prediction—curiosity may fail to yield innovative scientific results. A correlational study involving 200 children was conducted to investigate this association, utilizing standardized instruments for measuring curiosity, creativity, and process abilities. Mediation research indicated that science process skills significantly explained the relationship between curiosity and creativity. Students exhibiting superior process abilities were more adept at transforming their passion into innovative scientific endeavours. These findings underscore the necessity of incorporating process skills into educational methods, guaranteeing that scientific instruction fosters both inquiry-based learning and innovative problem-solving.
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DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ARDUINO-BASED HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM
Health monitoring has recently become an important application of embedded systems, with the aim of improving healthcare and early disease detection. This paper presents the design and development of a low-cost BioPulse Health Monitoring System using the Arduino Uno microcontroller. The proposed system measures heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and body temperature in real time using the MAX30102 and LM35 sensors. The measured values are displayed on an I²C LCD module for easy monitoring.
A buzzer alert is included to notify users whenever any health parameter exceeds the normal range. The experimental results show that the system provides accurate measurement, reliable performance, and fast response. Due to its simple design, low cost, and portability, the proposed system is suitable for home healthcare and can be further enhanced by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology for remote patient monitoring.
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DOCUMENTATION OF MAHUA BASED INDIGENOUS RECIPES AMONG THE TRIBES OF GADCHIROLI DISTRICT
Gadchiroli district is very well known for its richest diversity of flora and fauna. Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), is a multipurpose tree commonly found in the forest of Gadchiroli district and is harvested for its edible flowers and seeds by the tribal peoples. Gond and Madia are the two most dominating tribes of Gadchiroli district using this plant since time immemorial. They collected the fresh flowers and fruits of this plant in the summer. The succulent, fleshy blossoms consumed either fresh or dried, ground into a powder and combined with flour, utilized as a sweetening agent, or fermented to produce local alcoholic beverages. Laddu, Kheer, Puri, Thalipith etc. were prepared from flower. The mahua fruits are employed as a vegetable and are predominantly used to make curries by rural tribal communities. Mahua tree is regarded as a cultural heritage by the tribal communities.
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DETECTION OF PHISHING WEBSITES USING MACHINE LEARNING
Phishing continues to be one of the leading methods used in cyberattacks to trick users into revealing confidential information, including passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data. However, detection techniques that rely mainly on traditional blacklists struggle to keep up with the rapidly increasing number of phishing URLs. Machine Learning (ML) provides an adaptive solution because of its capability to learn patterns from URL structure, website content, and net-work interactions. The current research presents a showcase on the classification of phishing sites using ML methodologies, prominent feature classes, common algorithm choices, evaluation metrics, and directions for future research along with the difficulties confronting the field.
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A SPATIOTEMPORAL TRANSFORMER FRAMEWORK FOR HYPER-LOCAL AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) PREDICTION IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN CORRIDORS
Accurate air quality prediction at the micro-climate level remains challenging due to complex spatial interactions and temporal variability in urban environments. Traditional models often fail to capture these dynamics effectively, leading to limited performance in hyper-local forecasting. This study proposes a spatiotemporal framework to improve hyper-local Air Quality Index (AQI) prediction by jointly modeling spatial dependencies among sensor nodes and temporal patterns in environmental data. A hybrid model integrating a Graph Neural Network (GNN) and a Transformer architecture was developed. The GNN captures spatial relationships and pollutant diffusion across sensor locations, while the Transformer models long-range temporal dependencies using attention mechanisms. The model was trained on multivariate air quality data obtained from the OpenAQ platform and evaluated using MAE, RMSE, and R² metrics across multiple forecasting horizons. The proposed model outperformed baseline methods, including ARIMA, GRU, and LSTM, achieving lower prediction errors and higher explanatory power. It demonstrated strong spatial consistency, accurate detection of pollution hotspots, and stable performance across short-term and long-term forecasts. Attention analysis further showed that the model aligns with real-world pollution patterns, emphasizing relevant sensor nodes and peak activity periods. The integration of spatial and temporal modeling significantly improves hyper-local AQI prediction. The proposed framework provides an accurate and interpretable solution for urban air quality monitoring and supports applications in smart cities and public health systems.
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BEHAVIOUR-BASED MULTILAYER INTRUSION DETECTION IN MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF K-MEANS AND SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES
Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) support infrastructure-independent communication in disaster response, military, and intelligent transportation environments, but their mobility, decentralization, and limited node resources expose them to attacks at multiple protocol layers. This study compares an unsupervised K-Means intrusion detector with a supervised Support Vector Machine (SVM) using a radial basis function kernel. A Python-based framework combining SimPy and NetworkX modelled 20 mobile nodes under Random Waypoint mobility and implemented 12 attack scenarios spanning the range from the physical to the application layer. Packet drop rate, control packet rate, and link failure count were used as lightweight behavioural features. Performance was assessed over ten independent simulation runs using detection rate, false-positive rate, precision, F1-score, and accuracy. The SVM achieved an overall accuracy of
0.98 and an F1-score of 0.70, compared with 0.69 and 0.51, respectively, for K-Means. Both methods detected Jamming, Sinkhole, and SYN Flood effectively; however, topology- and identity-oriented attacks, particularly Wormhole, Hijacking, and Sybil, remained difficult to identify. The results indicate that supervised learning offers stronger discrimination under labelled conditions, whereas unsupervised clustering remains attractive when labels are unavailable. Richer temporal, routing, and cross-layer features are required for robust detection of stealthy attacks.
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JOB SATISFACTION AMONG HARITHA KARMA SENA MEMBERS: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KANNUR DISTRICT
Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) is an important waste management programme of the Government of Kerala that works under the Kudumbashree Mission and Local Self Government Institutions. The members collect non-biodegradable waste, create awareness about waste segregation, and help to maintain a clean environment. As their work involves heavy workload, health risks, low income, and limited public recognition, it is important to understand their level of job satisfaction. This study examines the job satisfaction of 30 Haritha Karma Sena members in Kannur District by collecting primary data (using a structured questionnaire) through the convenience sampling method. Percentage analysis, weighted average, ranking, One-way ANOVA, and Kruskal–Wallis Test were used for analysing the data
The study found that, the main reason for joining Haritha Karma Sena was social service (63.3%), and 66.7% worked 6-8 hours per day. The respondents were highly satisfied with training provided (4.20), relationship with co-workers (4.20), tools and equipment (4.10), and working hours (4.00). However, they were less satisfied with remuneration (2.90). The major problems reported were low wages (28.2%), health issues (21.2%), and poor public behaviour (20%). The study concludes that Haritha Karma Sena members are generally satisfied with their work, but improvements in salary, welfare facilities, and public cooperation are needed to further improve their job satisfaction and the effectiveness of waste management services.
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EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO ANTIHELMINTIC AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF THE BARK EXTRACT OF THEVETIA PERUVIANA
Introduction: The rising incidence of resistance to traditional antihelmintic and antifungal medications highlights the critical necessity to investigate natural plant-derived alternatives. Thevetia Peruviana commonly called as yellow oleander, it has lots of bioactive compounds i.e. triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides that have therapeutic effects.
Objectives: The study focus in the evaluation of anthelmintic and antifungal effects of Thevetia Peruviana by using acetonic bark extract and evaluate its potential by comparing it with standard agents.
Methods: Bark of Thevetia Peruviana was collected and extracted via soxhlet extractor using acetone. The anthelmintic activity was evaluate using Eisenia Fetida earthworm, by monitoring death and paralysis time at different conc. (20-80mg/ml) compared with the std. Albendazole (20mg/ml). Antifungal activity was assessed by agar well diffusion method using yeast strains. Zone of inhibition was recorded across concentrations of 100-500µg/ml.
Conclusions: The acetonic extract of thevetia peruviana shows dose dependent anthelmintic effect. The extract shows death and paralysis at 52 and 24 minutes, at 80mg/ml as compare to 46 and 34 minutes of albendazole respectively. The antifungal activity rises with concentration, at 500µg/ml maximum inhibition zone observed (26mm). The MIC shows effective antifungal activity at 125µg/ml.
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CLIMATE CRISIS AND THE LIMITS OF LITERARY REPRESENTATION: AN ECOCRITICAL READING OF AMITAV GHOSH'S THE GREAT DERANGEMENT
The accelerating climate crisis has challenged conventional literary forms, exposing their limitations in representing the scale, complexity, and unpredictability of environmental change. In The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable (2016), Amitav Ghosh contends that modern literature has largely failed to confront climate change because its narrative conventions privilege individual experience, realism, and probability over the extraordinary realities of the Anthropocene. This paper examines Ghosh's critique through the lens of ecocriticism, analyzing how The Great Derangement redefines the relationship between literature, ecological consciousness, and environmental responsibility. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of Cheryll Glotfelty, Lawrence Buell, Greg Garrard, Rob Nixon, and Timothy Morton, the study employs qualitative textual analysis to investigate Ghosh's arguments concerning literary realism, colonial modernity, capitalist development, and the marginalization of nature within contemporary fiction.
The paper argues that Ghosh does not merely identify the inadequacies of modern literary representation but also advocates a renewed literary imagination capable of engaging with ecological uncertainty, non-human agency, and planetary interconnectedness. His work positions literature as a critical space for cultivating environmental ethics and challenging anthropocentric modes of thought that have contributed to the climate crisis. By situating The Great Derangement within contemporary Ecocritical discourse, this study demonstrates how Ghosh's intervention expands the role of literature beyond aesthetic expression to include ecological awareness and social responsibility. The paper concludes that meaningful engagement with climate change requires both a transformation of literary imagination and a reconfiguration of the cultural narratives through which environmental realities are understood, making literature an indispensable participant in global climate discourse.
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FACULTY READINESS FOR AI MICRO-CREDENTIALS AND THEIR ROLE IN TEACHING INNOVATION IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has intensified the need for targeted skill development through micro-credentials. Among these, AI micro-credentials are increasingly viewed as critical instruments for enhancing faculty competencies and fostering innovative teaching practices. This study examines faculty readiness for AI micro-credentials and analyzes their role in promoting teaching innovation in Indian higher education institutions. The study addresses key research questions related to faculty awareness, readiness, institutional support, and perceived challenges in adopting AI micro-credentials for pedagogical transformation.
A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 120 faculty members from public and private higher education institutions across India. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression techniques to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that faculty awareness and institutional support significantly influence readiness to adopt AI micro-credentials. Further, readiness for AI micro-credentials demonstrates a strong positive impact on teaching innovation, particularly in terms of student engagement, personalized learning, and innovative assessment practices. However, barriers such as inadequate training, time constraints, and ethical concerns were found to negatively affect adoption.
The study offers important implications for higher education policymakers, institutional leaders, and curriculum designers by emphasizing the need for structured faculty development programs and supportive institutional policies to effectively integrate AI micro-credentials. The findings contribute to the emerging literature on AI-enabled teaching and provide empirical evidence from an Indian context, thereby aligning with global discussions on transforming teaching and learning in higher education.
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LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE RISK MANAGEMENT IN MORTGAGE-FINANCED PROJECTS IN KENYA: A THEMATIC FRAMEWORK APPROACH
Mortgage financed construction projects (MFCPs) in Kenya are central to the country’s housing delivery agenda, yet they remain vulnerable to diverse risks that compromise performance. This study investigates how technology can be leveraged to improve risk management in MFCPs, focusing on six dominant risk categories: market, financial, planning, construction, legal and regulatory, and environmental. A survey research design was adopted, targeting 1,063 mortgage-financed projects initiated during the 2021/2022 financial year. From a sample of 171 projects, data were collected from 122 respondents using structured questionnaires administered to site agents and clerks of works. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings reveal that construction risks, particularly contractor inefficiencies and material cost escalation, are most pronounced, followed by financial and planning risks. Developers emphasized that these risks are interconnected, often compounding one another to undermine project outcomes. Thematic analysis identified seven technology-enabled mitigation pillars: project management software and digital platforms, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and smart sensors, blockchain and smart contracts, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite monitoring, and communication and collaboration tools. Each of these technologies directly addresses multiple risk categories, offering integrated solutions that enhance transparency, predictive capacity, and stakeholder coordination. The study concludes that embedding these technologies across the project lifecycle can significantly improve resilience and sustainability in Kenya’s mortgage financed housing sector. By adopting digital innovations, stakeholders can reduce uncertainty, strengthen accountability, and enhance the performance of MFCPs. This study advances construction risk management theory by developing a thematic framework that integrates emerging digital technologies into the management of mortgage‑financed construction projects, thereby reframing technology not as a support tool but as a proactive mechanism for risk mitigation and project resilience.
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FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND RESEARCH GAPS IN STEM-CELL THERAPY FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES
Stem cell–based therapies are increasingly recognized as promising disease-modifying strategies for T1D, with the goal of restoring endogenous insulin secretion or reestablishing immune regulation. Significant scientific and translational limitations still plague the area, despite early clinical trials and case reports suggesting partial or total insulin independence in certain individuals. The main unresolved research gaps in the field of stem-cell therapy for type 1 diabetes are summarized in this review. These gaps include the lack of long-term randomized trials, a lack of knowledge about autoimmune relapse, difficulties with immune protection, safety concerns, scalability issues, and disjointed regulatory frameworks. Addressing these voids is essential for the progression of stem-cell therapies from experimental procedures to clinically effective and globally accessible treatments.
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EVALUATION OF CONSTRUCTION DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIAN
This study provides an in-depth evaluation of construction dispute resolution mechanisms (DRMs) within the dynamic construction industry of Enugu State, Nigeria. The overarching aim was to systematically assess the level of awareness among various construction professionals, identify the specific DRMs currently employed, and ascertain the most effective and recommended methods for mitigating and resolving conflicts. Employing a robust survey research design, primary data was meticulously collected from a representative sample of 135 construction professionals, encompassing architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, and site workers. Key findings reveal a generally high level of awareness regarding DRMs among professionals, yet a notable disparity exists in their consistent application and understanding across different professional groups, particularly among site workers and electrical engineers. The study highlights that while traditional litigation remains a frequently utilized method, there is a pronounced professional inclination towards Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques, with arbitration, mediation, and negotiation being highly recommended. The research concludes that the prevailing reliance on adversarial methods contributes to project delays and abandonment, underscoring the critical need for enhanced education, proactive implementation of structured ADR mechanisms, and stronger ethical enforcement within the industry. Recommendations include targeted training programs, mandatory inclusion of ADR clauses in contracts, and the establishment of a dedicated construction dispute resolution center to foster a more collaborative and efficient project environment.
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DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION WUA-WUA CENTRAL MARKET KENDARI CITY
Background: Healthy market must fulfil criteria good sanitation to prevent transmission disease contagious. Wua-Wua Central Market is one of the center economy main in Kendari City that requires monitoring condition sanitation.
Objective: Study This aim For know description condition sanitation environment behavior traders management garbage system disposal waste as well as perception traders at Wua-Wua Central Market Kendari City.
Method: Type of research This is descriptive quantitative with approach survey field. Data collection was carried out through interview and filling questionnaire to 32 traders as respondents. Data analyzed in a way univariate and presented in form table distribution frequency.
Results: Majority respondents is women (68.8%) with type place sales stall permanent (59.4%). Clean water source dominated well drill (87.5%) toilet access reached 100% (75% used public toilets). TPS access was assessed easy by 90.6% of respondents and 96.9% have place rubbish separate. Disposal rubbish dominated by transportation officers (59.4% ) but 37.5% still use receptacle rubbish open. Facilities wash hand soapy still very minimal (3.1%). The majority traders (84.4%) agree that facility market sanitation is already adequate.
Conclusion: Sanitation at Wua-Wua Central Market in a way general Already Enough good. Howeve the aspect availability soap in the facility wash hands and use receptacle rubbish covered by traders Still need improved.
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DEVELOPMENT OF A PSO-OPTIMIZED ANFIS INTELLIGENT CONTROLLER FOR OPTIMAL CHARGING AND DISCHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES UNDER CC–CV STRATEGY
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has intensified the need for intelligent battery management systems capable of reducing charging time while preserving battery lifespan. Conventional Constant Current–Constant Voltage (CC–CV) charging regulated by proportional–integral (PI) controllers exhibits limited adaptability to the nonlinear characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, resulting in prolonged charging periods, higher control errors and accelerated battery degradation. This study develops a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-optimized Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) intelligent controller for optimal charging and discharging of a 400 V, 50 Ah lithium-ion battery operating under the CC–CV framework. MATLAB/Simulink was employed to model the battery, DC–DC boost converter, DC–DC buck converter and closed-loop control system. Three controllers comprising an improved PI controller, conventional ANFIS and the proposed PSO-optimized ANFIS were implemented and comparatively evaluated using charging time, discharge duration, state of charge (SoC), state of health (SoH), current regulation, voltage stability and Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE). Simulation results indicate that the optimized ANFIS controller achieved full charging within 2200s compared with 4200s for the conventional ANFIS and 4500s for the improved PI controller. The proposed controller also prolonged discharge duration to 98,500s while maintaining a final SoH of 97.4%, significantly outperforming the reference controllers. Furthermore, the optimized controller exhibited faster transient response, improved voltage and current regulation and lower ITAE values, demonstrating superior robustness under varying operating conditions. The findings confirm that integrating PSO with ANFIS provides an intelligent and adaptive charging strategy capable of improving charging efficiency, minimizing degradation and extending lithium-ion battery service life. The developed controller offers a practical solution for next-generation EV battery management systems.
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CONSUMER PREFERENCE OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS TOWARDS LOCAL FUEL STATIONS IN SANTA ROSA: BASIS FOR COMPETITIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES
This study aims to determine the consumer preference of tricycle drivers towards local fuel stations in Santa Rosa to develop competitive marketing strategies. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, data was gathered from 81 purposively selected active tricycle drivers through a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The demographic profile revealed a mature, highly experienced workforce, with the majority aged over 38 and 22.2% having 26 or more years of driving experience. Economically, 53.1% earn between Php 300 and Php 499 daily, consuming an average of 2.1 to 3 liters of fuel. CleanTech emerged as the most preferred station, chosen by 70.4% of the respondents. In terms of influencing factors, drivers showed high sensitivity to minor fuel price differences, yet considered fuel quality and accurate measurement as non-negotiable priorities. Location accessibility, specifically safe areas and ease of entry, along with knowledgeable staff and clean facilities, were highly rated service indicators. Furthermore, promotional offers and easy payment options significantly influenced their purchasing decisions. Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the drivers' age and their preference for location and accessibility (r = 0.251, p = .024), indicating that older drivers place a premium on geographic convenience. Based on these findings, the study proposes competitive marketing strategies including TODA-centric tiered discount modeling, institutionalizing transparent pump calibration protocols, optimizing station layouts with tricycle express lanes, and enhancing frontline customer relationship management.
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THE MEDIATION OF STUDY HABITS AND LEARNING MOTIVATION IN THE LINK BETWEEN TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADUATES IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA
Background: Teaching approaches, learning strategies and motivation are among the factors that affect academic performance. While tutorial participation has been proven to improve learning, the ways in which it affects academic performance are unclear. This research explored the mediating effects of study behaviours and motivation in the relationship between tutorial participation and academic performance among graduates in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and also included qualitative insights from the students' experiences.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional analytic mixed-method design in 81 graduates who were identified by complete enumeration. We used a questionnaire to collect information on learning habits, motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and general), as well as academic results. Focus group discussions were also held on the students' experiences of tutorial. Mediation analysis was carried out using the PROCESS Macro Model 4 in SPSS 30.0 (p < 0.05) and qualitative data were thematically examined.
Results: The most common study duration was 1-2 hours per day (46.9%) with most studying in the evening (68.8%) and choosing to study at home (77.8%). Motivation to learn was also high, with 84.4% believing lifelong learning was very important, as were intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
Results of a mediation analysis of the findings revealed that tutorial participation was significantly associated with students' study habits (B = 0.3479, p = 0.0002, R² = 0.208) as well as intrinsic motivation (B = 0.3124, p = 0.0239) and general motivation (B = 0.1519, p = 0.0319). But study habits, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation did not significantly predict academic performance. It also found that there were no indirect effects of Tutorial on students' study habits (effect = 0.0721, 95% CI: -0.1237 to 0.2880) and total motivation (effect = 0.0802, 95% CI: -0.0746 to 0.2839), meaning there was no mediation.
Qualitative data identified that tutorials enhanced student learning experiences by increasing study motivation, intensity of reading, confidence and familiarity with the Computer-Based Test (CBT). Study habits were enhanced via group discussions, reviewing past questions, developing individual study schedules and peer-to-peer learning.
Conclusion: Tutorials have a strong positive impact on study habits and motivation to learn; these factors do not mediate the effects of tutorial participation on academic performance. However, qualitative evidence indicates that tutorials increase learning motivation, confidence and study habits. It seems that other learning and contextual factors influence academic performance beyond behavioural and motivational factors.
Recommendation: Universities should combine tutorials with academic monitoring and assessment frameworks to optimise behavioural change on academic performance. Students need to pursue outcome-focused learning, and curriculum designers need to improve learning support mechanisms.
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MODERATING EFFECTS OF TUTORIAL QUALITY AND ATTENDANCE RATE ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG GRADUATES IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA
Background: Instructional interventions and contextual learning conditions are factors that affect academic performance. Even though the use of tutorial participation to enhance learning outcomes has gained popularity, its success may be determined by the quality and rate of attendance of the tutorials. This paper has discussed the moderating role of the quality of tutorials and the attendance rate on the relationship between tutorials participation and academic performance among graduates in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: An analytic design was cross-sectional with 81 graduates who were chosen using full enumeration. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on tutorial participation, tutorial quality and attendance rate and academic performance was obtained through institutional records. The quality of the tutorials was measured using a Likert scale and the attendance was measured on a Likert scale according to frequency of attendance. Moderation analysis ( PROCESS Macro Model 1 in SPSS version 30.0 at p < 0.05 ) was used to analyse quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data in the form of focus group discussions.
Results: The results indicated that 92.2% of the participants rated the tutorial quality as good or excellent, and only 3.1% rated it as being fair. The 95.0% of respondents (37.5% good, 57.5% excellent) rated the teaching methods as good or excellent (53.8% good, 43.8% excellent). The attendance was usually good with most participants reporting frequent/regular attendance and citing such benefits as better understanding and being prepared to take CBT exams.
Although there were such positive perceptions, moderation analysis showed that the quality of tutorials was not a significant moderator of the relationship between tutorial participation and academic performance (B = -0.2953, p = 0.4683, ΔR 2 = 0.0084). Likewise, the attendance rate was not significantly modulating the relationship (B = -0.1969, p = 0.3245, ΔR 2 = 0.0156). The explanatory power (R² = 0.022 and 0.021 respectively) of both models was weak.
Qualitative results indicated that the quality of tutorials had a strong association with lecturer competence, use of CBT-based materials, structured teaching and assessment strategies e.g. mock tests and pre/ post-tests. Regular attendance was said to enhance understanding, peer interaction, and exam preparation whereas irregular attendance was linked to work and scheduling issues. All in all, the two factors improved both the learning experience and were seen to have an indirect effect on performance.
Conclusion: Though the quality of tutorial and attendance rate were rated highly and enhanced learning experiences, they did not significantly moderate the relationship between tutorials attendance and academic performance. The results of the academic performance can thus be expected to be affected by other instructional and learner based factors.
Recommendation: The tutorial programmes should be combined with formal academic support provision regimes like continuous assessment, mentoring, standardized instructional delivery, and monitoring student engagement to enhance academic performance.
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ETHICAL AND BIAS-FREE AI SYSTEMS: CHALLENGES AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming modern society by enabling automation, intelligent decision-making, and advanced data analysis across multiple domains including healthcare, finance, education, cybersecurity, transportation, governance, and e-commerce. Despite its rapid advancements and numerous benefits, AI systems are increasingly criticized for ethical concerns related to fairness, accountability, transparency, privacy, and data bias. AI systems rely heavily on large-scale datasets for training and prediction. When these datasets contain historical prejudices, social inequalities, or incomplete information, AI models may generate biased and discriminatory outcomes. Such outcomes can negatively affect individuals and communities, leading to social injustice, legal issues, and loss of public trust.
Ethical AI aims to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are designed and deployed in a responsible, fair, transparent, and human-centered manner. This research paper explores the concept of ethical AI, different types of data bias, challenges associated with AI ethics, real-world implications of biased AI systems, and effective mitigation strategies. The paper also discusses emerging technologies and future trends in responsible AI development, emphasizing the importance of collaborative governance and ethical standards for sustainable AI adoption.
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ANALYTICAL ASSESSMENT OF INFLIBNET CONSORTIUM’S COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES—SHODHGANGA, SHERNI, IRINS, AND E-SHODHSINDHU—IN ENHANCING RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY AND SCHOLARLY VISIBILITY IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
An evaluation of the initiatives of INFLIBNET Centre Shodhganga, SheRNI, IRINS, e-ShodhSindhu relevant to the research productivity and visibility of higher education of India. The article covers Shodhganga, SheRNI, IRINS, e-ShodhSindhu. The researcher uses verified secondary data from the annual report, newsletters and portal page of INFLIBNET. The official brochure of INFLIBNET, Government statistics on higher education and recent articles have also been used. It makes no claims about primary fieldwork, user surveys, institutional interviews, or unpublished administrative data. The assessment makes use of descriptive statistics, validated growth indicators, a scoring matrix that is openly acknowledged as researcher-developed which lends the flexibility in use of a composite ranking and exploratory correlation analysis. This project has revealed that the programs are more functionally complementary. Shodhganga helps provide open access to doctoral theses and enhance the visibility of Indian postgraduate research; IRINS helps in institutional profiling of research, discoverability at the faculty level, and analytics on research; e-ShodhSindhu provides structured access to scholarly e-resources and establishes a documented positive association between full-text downloads and publication output; and SheRNI makes available a gender-responsive expert-network model to enhance the visibility and collaboration opportunities of women researchers. The comparative index ranks IRINS and Shodhganga highest due to the combination of visibility, infrastructure utility and, structured metadata functions. e-ShodhSindhu performs best on the research productivity support front but lower on open public visibility as it is mainly a licensed access consortium. SheRNI is high on visibility and collaboration but needs public data for long-term rigorous assessment. The study revealed that the collective effort of the collaborative tools introduced by INFLIBNET strengthen the scholarly communication system in India. A comparative evaluation in future would benefit from the provision of standard dashboards, use of discipline wise data, longitudinal measurements of impact, and open institutional indicators.
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THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY: A REVIEW OF DISEASE-MODIFYING AND GENE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder affecting the neuromuscular system, characterized by significant morbidity and mortality due to muscle weakness. The condition arises from the homozygous disruption of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which results from homozygous mutation, conversion, or deletion. This disruption leads to insufficient production of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, essential for the maintenance and functioning of motor neurons. SMA's clinical features are categorized into four main phenotypes, determined by the age at which symptoms begin and the highest level of motor function achieved, though the disease's severity can vary widely. Although there is currently no cure for SMA, understanding its molecular genetics has facilitated the development of pre-clinical models and novel innovative treatment approaches. Patients often face progressive muscle weakness, respiratory issues, feeding challenges, and a diminished quality of life.
The number of Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) gene copies is an important disease modifier that influences clinical severity. Recent advances, including nusinersen, risdiplam, and onasemnogene abeparvovec, have significantly improved survival and motor outcomes. This review summarizes current disease-modifying therapies, emerging therapeutic strategies, and future directions in the management of spinal muscular atrophy. Although important challenges remain, early diagnosis and timely access to these therapies have transformed the outlook for patients with SMA.
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ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY AMONG POLYTECHNIC LIBRARIES OF KATSINA STATE
This study investigated the adoption and implementation of cloud computing technologies and their impact on service delivery in polytechnic libraries of Katsina State, Nigeria. Academic libraries play a critical role in supporting teaching, learning, and research. However, the increasing demand for electronic resources, remote access, and efficient information services has necessitated the adoption of emerging technologies, particularly cloud computing, to improve library operations and service delivery. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 350 librarians and academic staff from three public polytechnics in Katsina State, from which a sample of 183 respondents was selected using proportionate stratified sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that respondents were generally aware of cloud computing technologies and their potential to enhance library operations. The study further established that cloud computing adoption in the selected libraries is at a partial stage, with
email services and cloud storage being the most frequently utilized applications. Despite this awareness, the overall level of implementation remains low. Nevertheless, cloud computing has improved access to library resources, enhanced the efficiency of service delivery, and reduced operational costs. The major challenges affecting effective implementation include poor internet connectivity, inadequate technical expertise, and the high cost of implementation. The study recommends increased awareness and capacity building on cloud computing applications, the adoption of cloud-based library management systems such as Koha, and greater investment by government and relevant stakeholders in broadband internet connectivity, ICT infrastructure, and stable electricity supply to facilitate the successful implementation and sustainability of cloud computing technologies in polytechnic libraries.
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FACTORS AFFECTING FOR THE EFFECTIVE USE OF FOREIGN AID BY INTERNATIONAL NGOS
This study focus on Factors affecting for the effective use of foreign aid by international NGOs in Somaliland Madijeh region Hargeisa. The target population of the study consisted of 30 respondents operating in Action-Aid and its different partners which are found in Somaliland Hargeisa. The questionnaire respondent was identified through University profiles and references. A questionnaire-based method was used to collect data to verify the questions. And analysis statistics were used with SPSS 20.0 version package and RII (relative important index), The result of this statistical analysis have been found a significant factor affecting for the effective use of foreign aid by international NGOs in Somaliland Madijeh region Hargeisa. The study also presents suggestion that There is need to carry out more studies on this issue to establish whether there are other factors that influence the effectiveness of donor funded projects in promoting development as the study only considered four factors.
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CRISPR-BASED GENE EDITING AS A FUTURE PHARMACOLOGICAL TOOL: PROSPECTS AND LIMITATIONS
Background
CRISPR-Cas genome editing is a powerful and programmable tool that enables precise modification of genetic sequences and has significant therapeutic potential in pharmacology.
Objective
To review the mechanisms, clinical applications, and limitations of CRISPR-based gene editing in precision medicine.
Methods
Relevant literature from scientific databases was analyzed focusing on molecular mechanisms, therapeutic advances, and safety challenges.
Results
CRISPR mediates targeted genome modification through sgRNA-guided Cas nucleases with DNA repair via NHEJ or HDR. Advanced approaches such as base and prime editing improve precision. Clinical studies demonstrate promising applications in genetic diseases and oncology; however, off-target effects, delivery barriers, and immunogenicity remain major limitations.
Conclusion
CRISPR holds strong potential for therapeutic innovation, but further optimization and safety validation are required for broader clinical application.
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PEER INFLUENCE ON FOOD CHOICES AND DIETARY PATTERNS AMONG HOSTEL STUDENTS IN HYDERABAD
Peer influence plays an important role in shaping food choices and dietary patterns among students residing in hostels. Living in a shared environment often affects eating habits, meal timings, food preferences, and consumption of fast foods among students. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of peer influence on food choices and dietary patterns among hostel students in Hyderabad. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 209 undergraduate and postgraduate students residing in hostels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering meal patterns, food choices, dietary habits, peer influence, and lifestyle practices. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, Chi-square test, Independent Sample t-test, and One-Way ANOVA. The findings revealed that peer influence significantly affected the food choices and dietary patterns of hostel students. More than half of the respondents (52.4%) reported that peers influenced their meal timings, while 47.1% consumed junk food occasionally. A majority of students (83.3%) reported positive peer motivation towards healthy eating habits, and 62.2% perceived peer influence as mostly positive. Significant associations were observed between peer influence, meal patterns, junk food consumption, and balanced diet practices (p<0.05). The study concludes that peers have a considerable impact on the dietary behaviour of hostel students, influencing both healthy and unhealthy eating practices.
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FORMULATION AND NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF HEALTH PROMOTING MILLET PODI FORTIFIED WITH RADISH LEAVES
The present study was undertaken to develop a nutritious and acceptable millet-based radish leaf podi by incorporating functional ingredients such as millets and green leafy vegetables. The aim of the study was to enhance the nutritional quality of the product while promoting the utilization of underutilized ingredients like radish leaves in daily diets for health promoting. The main objective of this study was to develop a functional food product using radish leaves to elevate the nutritional quality and sensory acceptability. The podi was prepared using ingredients including millets, radish leaves, curry leaves, garlic, black gram dal, and spices. Different formulations were developed using foxtail millet, little millet, and barnyard millet in varying proportions. Standard processing methods such as roasting, cooling, and grinding were followed for product preparation. The prepared podi were stored at air tight container. The podi was prepared during the study shows high sensory score in all attributes such as appearance, color, texture, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability.Among the formulations, the variation containing little millet and barnyard millet with radish leaves showed the highest acceptability. Nutritional analysis indicated that the developed product is a good source of protein (11.8 g/100g), carbohydrates(59.5g/100g), fat(9.0g/100g), iron, and calcium, along with low moisture content (6.0 g/100 g), suggesting good shelf stability. The nutritional analysis and sensory evaluation indicate that it is highly acceptable and nutritious.
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OPTIMIZING AGRIBUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH EFFECTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: EVIDENCE FROM UGANDA
Agribusiness remains a cornerstone of economic growth, food security, and employment in Uganda, yet many agribusiness firms continue to experience operational inefficiencies characterized by supply disruptions, poor supplier coordination, inadequate information sharing, weak customer management, delayed deliveries, and high post harvest losses estimated at between 20 and 40 percent of agricultural production. These challenges undermine organizational performance despite the sector contributing about 24.7 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product and employing nearly 70 percent of the workforce. This study examined the effect of supply chain management practices on the performance of registered agribusiness firms in Uganda. The study was anchored on Agency Theory and employed a correlational research design. A target population of 38,528 registered agribusiness firms was considered, from which a sample of 396 firms was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling based on Yamane's formula. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, and 371 valid responses representing a response rate of 93.7 percent were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that supply chain management practices have a positive and statistically significant effect on the performance of agribusiness firms. The regression model explained 51.6 percent of the variation in firm performance. The study concludes that effective supply chain management practices are critical drivers of agribusiness firm performance and that strengthening supplier relationships, improving information sharing, and enhancing customer management significantly contribute to improved organizational outcomes. The study recommends that policymakers develop supportive policies that promote collaboration and digital information exchange across agribusiness supply chains, while agribusiness managers should prioritize strategic supplier partnerships, strengthen customer management, and invest in effective information sharing systems to enhance firm performance.Future research should examine additional supply chain management practices and investigate mediating and moderating variables that may further explain variations in agribusiness firm performance.
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“EVALUATE THE DIVERGENCE BETWEEN PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND ACHILLES TENDONITIS CASES ADMITTED IN ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, BELAGAVI”
Background: The plantar fascia, which is one of the major arch-supporting structures of the human foot, sustains high tensions during weight-bearing. A positive correlation between Achilles tendon loading and plantar fascia tension has been reported. Excessive stretching and tightness of the Achilles tendon are thought to be the risk factors of plantar fasciitis but their biomechanical effects on the plantar fascia have not been fully addressed. The study was conducted to evaluate the divergence between plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis cases admitted in orthopaedic unit at tertiary care hospital, Belagavi”.
Objectives: To determine the divergence between plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis cases admitted in orthopaedic unit, and to determine theassociation between planter fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis with selected demographic variables.
Design: Descriptive research approach.
Method: Quantitative method was adopted.
Results: There will be significant association between planter fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis with selected demographic variables. Hence null hypothesis was rejected and alternate hypothesis was accepted.
Conclusion: At the end of research the conclusion given asplantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis both the conditions are interrelated with each other
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FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CETRIMIDE LOADED NIOSOMES
Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant vesicles used as novel drug delivery systems to improve the stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of drugs. The present study focuses on formulation and evaluation of cetrimide loaded niosomes prepared by thin film hydration method. Different formulations were prepared using Span 60 and cholesterol in varying ratios.
Prepared formulations were evaluated for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, drug content, pH, zeta potential, stability, and in vitro drug release studies. The optimized formulation showed good vesicle formation, sustained drug release, and improved stability. The study demonstrates the potential application of niosomal systems in topical drug delivery.
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THE ROLE OF GST IN STRENGTHENING RURAL MARKETS AND LOCAL ECONOMIES
The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 1 July 2017 marked a significant fiscal reform that transformed India's indirect taxation system by replacing multiple central and state taxes with a unified destination-based tax regime. The reform aimed to simplify tax administration, eliminate cascading taxation, improve transparency, and establish a common national market. Although GST has been extensively studied from macroeconomic and industrial perspectives, its role in strengthening rural markets and local economies remains an important area of research.
This paper examines the role of GST in strengthening rural markets and promoting local economic development. It highlights that GST has improved market integration by facilitating seamless interstate movement of goods, reducing logistics and transaction costs, and enhancing supply chain efficiency. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical approach based on secondary data collected from government reports, GST Council publications, Reserve Bank of India reports, Ministry of Finance documents, and peer-reviewed literature. The findings reveal that GST has created new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship, agricultural value chain development, and local economic growth. However, challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, limited awareness, compliance costs, and technological constraints continue to affect its effective implementation. The study concludes that sustained policy support, digital capacity building, and institutional strengthening are essential for maximizing the contribution of GST to inclusive rural development and long-term economic growth.
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A BLOCKCHAIN-BASED SECURE FRAMEWORK FOR IOT NETWORK DATA PROTECTION AND TRUST MANAGEMENT
The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed communication and data exchange across various domains, including healthcare, transportation, industrial automation, and smart cities. However, the increasing number of interconnected devices has introduced significant cybersecurity challenges such as unauthorized access, data tampering, privacy breaches, and trust management issues. Traditional centralized security mechanisms often suffer from scalability limitations and single points of failure, making them inadequate for protecting large-scale IoT environments. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising solution due to its decentralized architecture, transparency, immutability, and cryptographic security features. This paper proposes a blockchain-based secure framework for IoT network data protection and trust management. The framework integrates blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized authentication, and trust evaluation mechanisms to enhance cybersecurity within IoT ecosystems. Smart contracts automate authentication and access control operations, while blockchain ensures secure and tamper-resistant transaction storage. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed framework improves data integrity, trust management, and overall network security. The framework achieved an accuracy of 97.2%, precision of 96.5%, recall of 96.1%, and F1-score of 96.3%. The results indicate that blockchain-enabled security architectures provide an effective and scalable solution for protecting modern IoT infrastructures.
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STUDY ON “FORMULATIONANDDEVELOPMENTOF IRON RICH HORSE GRAM LADDU ”
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, particularly among women and children. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a rich plant sourceofiron;however,its utilizationis limiteddue tothepresenceof anti-nutritionalfactors suchasphytatesandtannins,whichreduceironbioavailability.Thisstudyaimedtodevelopan iron-rich horse gram laddu using germinated horse gram flour and evaluate its nutritional composition,ironbioaccessibility,physicalcharacteristics,sensoryacceptability,andshelf-life stability.
Horsegramseeds (PHG-9variety) wereg erminated for 36hours, dried, dehulled, roasted, and milledin to flour. Five laddu formulations containing0%,25%,35%,45%, and50%horsegram flour were prepared using fixed proportions of jaggery, ghee, sesame seeds, and garden cress seeds. The formulations were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, antinutritional factors, in vitro iron bioaccessibility, physical and textural properties, color, sensory quality, and storage stability.
Germination significantly reduced phytate (67%) and tannin (57%) contents, thereby improvingironbioavailability.Amongallformulations,theladducontaining35%horsegram flour (F2) showed the best overall performance, providing 12.8% protein, 6.5% crude fiber, and12.8mgironper100g.Ironbioaccessibilityincreasedto35.2%,whilesensoryevaluation indicatedgoodconsumeracceptancewithanoverallscoreof7.4outof9.Theproductremained microbiologically safe and maintained acceptable quality for up to 45 days under ambient storage conditions.
Thefindings demonstratethatgerminationcombined withappropriateformulationeffectively enhancesthenutritionalqualityandironbioavailabilityofhorsegramladduwhilemaintaining desirable sensory characteristics. The optimized iron-rich horse gram laddu can serve as a nutritious,affordable,andfunctionalsnacktohelpimprovedietaryironintakeandsupportthe management of iron deficiency anemia.
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ASSOCIATION OF WORKING HOURS, WORKING POSTURE, LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT, AND AGE WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER (MSD) COMPLAINTS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN TEPPOE VILLAGE, EAST POLEANG DISTRICT, BOMBANA REGENCY
Background: The agricultural sector is widely acknowledged as one of the occupations with a high susceptibility to work-related injuries and health problems, particularly Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Rice farmers regularly engage in various agricultural activities, including land preparation, planting, plowing, fertilizing, and harvesting, all of which require considerable physical exertion and extensive involvement of the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to examine the relationship between work duration, work posture, length of service, and age with MSD complaints among rice farmers in Teppoe Village, Poleang Timur District, Bombana Regency. Method: This research employed an analytical quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. A total of 100 rice farmers were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Data analysis consisted of univariate and bivariate statistical procedures. Associations between variables were examined using the Chi-square test, whereas the Fisher Exact Test was applied when the requirements for the Chi-square test were not satisfied. Result: The analysis indicated that work posture (p = 0.011), length of service (p = 0.006), and age (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with MSD complaints. However, work duration was not significantly related to MSD complaints (p = 0.243). Conclusion: Work posture, years of service, and age showed significant relationships with musculoskeletal disorders complaints among rice farmers, whereas work duration was not found to have a significant relationship with MSD complaints.
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STUDY ON “FORMULATIONANDDEVELOPMENTOFLOWGLYCEMIC INDEX COOKIES USING SOUR DOUGH AND ABC PULP FOR DIABETES MELLITUS”
Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concern worldwide, necessitating the development of functional foods with a low glycemic index (GI) to support glycemic management. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate low-GI cookies using sourdough fermentation and composite ABC pulp (apple, beetroot, and carrot) as natural sources of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds. Five formulations were prepared: a conventional control (T0), sourdough-only cookies (T1), and sourdough cookies containing 10%, 20%, and 30% ABC pulp (T2–T4).
Proximate composition, dietary fiber, in vitro starch digestibility, estimated glycemic index (eGI), physical characteristics, and sensory acceptability were assessed using standard AOAC and Englyst methods. Sensory quality was evaluated by 30 semi-trained panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale. Incorporation of sourdough and ABC pulp significantly enhanced the nutritional profile of the cookies. Total dietary fiber increased from 2.45% in the control to 8.92% in T4, while resistant starch increased from 4.21% to 12.67%.
The estimated glycemic index decreased markedly from 72.45 (high GI) in the control to 52.34 (low GI) in T4. Although higher ABC levels improved functional properties, T2 (10% ABC pulp) demonstrated the most favorable balance between glycemic reduction, texture, and overall sensory acceptability. The strong negative correlation between dietary fiber and eGI (r = -0.96) confirmed the role of fiber enrichment in lowering glucose availability efficiently. The study concludes that sourdough fermentation combined with ABC pulp is an effective strategy for developing nutritionally enhanced, low-GI cookies suitable for diabetic and health-conscious consumers while promoting value addition through fruit and vegetable by-product utilization.
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BEYOND BROKEN PROMISES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF BREACH OF CONTRACT, LEGAL REMEDIES, AND EMERGING CHALLENGES IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Contracts form the legal foundation of commercial transactions and private agreements by creating enforceable rights and obligations between parties. The effectiveness of contract law depends largely upon the certainty that contractual promises will be honoured. However, when one party fails to perform its contractual obligations without lawful justification, a breach of contract occurs, resulting in legal disputes and economic consequences. The law governing breach of contract seeks to restore the injured party to the position it would have occupied had the contract been duly performed rather than punishing the defaulting party. This principle has evolved through centuries of judicial interpretation and legislative reform.This article critically examines the concept of breach of contract under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, while incorporating comparative perspectives from English and American contract law. It analyses the various forms of breach, legal consequences, and judicial remedies, including damages, specific performance, injunctions, rescission, and quantum meruit. The article further explores the changing dimensions of contractual liability in the context of electronic commerce, smart contracts, artificial intelligence, and digital transactions. Through an examination of leading judicial precedents, statutory provisions, and scholarly opinions, the paper evaluates the adequacy of the existing legal framework in addressing contemporary contractual disputes. It concludes by recommending reforms aimed at enhancing contractual certainty while adapting traditional legal principles to the realities of a technologically driven commercial environment.
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DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL ANTIOXIDANT-RICH ENERGY LADDU INCORPORATING WATERMELON RIND
The present study focused on developing a nutritious and sustainable energy laddu by incorporating watermelon rind powder, an often-discarded by-product rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, citrulline, minerals, and other beneficial bioactive compounds. The objective was to create a value-added functional food that promotes health while reducing food waste. Watermelon rind was cleaned, peeled, dried, and ground into a fine powder. This powder was blended with roasted oats, peanuts, flaxseeds, and jaggery to prepare energy laddus. The finished product was evaluated for its sensory and nutritional qualities. Sensory assessment indicated excellent consumer acceptance, with high scores for appearance, color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability, and no undesirable flavors were observed. Nutritional analysis revealed that the laddu provided 320 kcal of energy, 55.0 g of carbohydrates, 4.5 g of protein, 10.0 g of fat, and 6.5 g of dietary fiber, highlighting its potential as a healthy snack. The product also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, showing 65% inhibition in the DPPH assay. Overall, the watermelon rind energy laddu demonstrated good nutritional value, desirable sensory characteristics, and significant potential as an innovative functional food that supports both consumer health and sustainable food waste management practices.
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FEDERATED LEARNING FOR PRIVACY-PRESERVING WORD PREDICTION IN REAL-TIME MESSAGING APPLICATIONS: A FEDAVG-BASED FRAMEWORK WITH DIFFERENTIAL PRIVACY
Word prediction has become a routine feature of real-time messaging platforms, yet the models behind it are usually trained the same way: text typed by users is logged, pooled on a server, and used to fit a language model centrally. That approach works, but it sits uneasily next to what people expect from a private conversation. This paper works through an alternative — a federated learning (FL) pipeline in which the word-prediction model is trained directly on each user's device, and only a bounded, noised summary of what changed locally is ever sent to a server. We call the noised variant DP-FedAvg: standard Federated Averaging with per-client update clipping and Gaussian noise layered on top. Since production chat logs could not ethically be collected for this study, we instead built a controlled testbed from a public, dialogue-structured text corpus, splitting it by speaker into 24 simulated clients whose vocabulary and style differ enough to behave like genuinely non-IID users. A lightweight neural language model was then trained under four regimes — centralized pooling, plain FedAvg, DP-FedAvg at three noise levels, and fully isolated local training — and evaluated on next-word accuracy and perplexity. Centralized training tops out at 7.23% top-1 / 20.51% top-5 accuracy after 8 epochs; FedAvg reaches 4.50% / 14.84% after 15 rounds without a single message ever leaving a device; and adding differential-privacy noise at a moderate level (σ = 0.05) costs only about 0.2 points more. A less expected result is that FedAvg barely outperforms training each client in isolation once the data is this heterogeneous — a finding we treat as a pointer toward personalization rather than a flaw in the privacy mechanism. We close with a discussion of how this design would slot into an existing MERN/Socket.IO chat stack via on-device TensorFlow.js training and a Node.js aggregation service, along with the gaps that remain before it could move from a research prototype to something deployable.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING IN CREDIT SCORING AND BUY NOW PAY LATER (BNPL) MODELS: RISK ANALYTICS IN INDIA
The Indian credit landscape is changing fast with the rise of Buy Now Pay BNPL) services. This change is driven by a digital and younger consumer base. While this fintech boom has expanded short-term credit access, it raises concerns about the current credit risk assessment frameworks. Traditional risk evaluation methods struggle to capture the behaviours of modern BNPL users. This often leads to issues like borrower over-indebtedness and inadequate risk oversight.
Current literature highlights gaps in how BNPL credit is handled. There is a reliance on credit data, ambiguous regulatory boundaries and a lack of understanding regarding long-term consumer welfare. The deployment of "black-box" intelligence (AI) models for risk assessment creates concerns around transparency, regulatory compliance and fairness.
This study evaluates how well Indian BNPL providers align with the RBI’s Digital Lending Guidelines. We assess their impact on consumer health. We propose an AI (XAI) framework that leverages Indias Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—the Account Aggregator system. We stress-test this model under shock scenarios. Our insights offer a path toward boosting credit risk efficiency. They also enhance accountability and foster a more responsible AI-driven digital lending ecosystem in India.
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IMPACT OF SKIPPING BREAKFAST ON CONCENTRATION LEVELS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS
This study aimed to investigate the impact of breakfast skipping on concentration levels among college students, specifically examining: (1) the prevalence and patterns of breakfast skipping, (2) the association between breakfast habits and concentration as measured by the d2 Test of Attention, (3) the causal effect of breakfast consumption on concentration using an experimental design, (4) gender and socioeconomic differences in breakfast habits and concentration, and (5) the most common reasons for skipping breakfast.
A mixed-methods, sequential explanatory design was employed. Phase 1: A cross-sectional survey of 450 college students (aged 18-25 years) was conducted using stratified random sampling. Participants completed the Breakfast Habits Questionnaire (BHQ) and the d2 Test of Attention. Phase 2: An experimental sub-study (n=60) employed a crossover design where participants completed the d2 Test under two conditions: after consuming a standardized breakfast and after fasting (no breakfast). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA,Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and paired t-tests.
Overall, 62.4% of participants reported skipping breakfast at least three days per week, with 24.2% skipping breakfast daily. The most common reasons were lack of time (67.3%), lack of appetite in the morning (54.2%), and weight management concerns (38.6%). Significant differences in concentration were observed across breakfast habit iv groups (F(4,445) = 12.84, p < 0.001, η² = 0.21). Students who ate breakfast daily had significantly higher TN-E scores (M = 189.4, SD = 24.6) compared to those who never ate breakfast (M = 152.3, SD = 28.4, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42).
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“SCROLLING AND SNACKING: A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION, AND EATING BEHAVIOUR ON NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AMONG ADULTS”
In the current digital era, social media plays a significant role in shaping lifestyle behaviours, including dietary habits and body image perception among adults. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 200 male and female adults aged 20–30 years. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The questionnaire included sections on demographic details, social media usage, eating behaviour, nutrition knowledge, and body image perception. Selected item sadapted from the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) were used to assess eating behaviour patterns. The Chi-square test showed significant associations between social media influencer impact and food purchasing behaviour, following food-related content and buying behaviour, and daily social media usage with overeating behaviour (χ²=11.239,df=4,p=0.0240), The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between nutritional knowledge and confidence inmaking healthy dietarychoices(r=0.451,p<0.001),Independentsamplet-test findings indicated significant differences innutritional awareness (t = 4.18, p < 0.001), snacking behaviour, and body image concern based on social media exposure and dieting practices. One-way ANOVA demonstrated significant variation in confidencetowardhealthydietarychoicesamongrespondentgroups(F=8.316,p<0.001).Social mediaexposure,nutritionknowledge, andbodyimageperceptionsignificantlyinfluencedadults’ nutritional awareness and eating behaviour. A strong positive correlation was observed between nutrition knowledge and confidence in healthy dietary choices (r = 0.451, p < 0.001), indicating that higher nutrition knowledge improves healthy decision-making.
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HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION AND SUSTAINABLE WORK PERFORMANCE: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING AND AI LITERACY IN AI-ENABLED WORKPLACES
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping workplaces by transforming how employees perform tasks and collaborate with intelligent systems. While previous studies have largely examined AI adoption through quantitative approaches, limited research has explored employees' lived experiences of working alongside AI technologies. This qualitative study investigates how human-AI collaboration influences sustainable work performance through employee well-being and AI literacy. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources Model and Social Cognitive Theory, the study adopts an interpretivist research paradigm. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with employees from organizations that actively use AI-enabled systems. The collected data will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes related to AI collaboration, employee well-being, AI literacy, and sustainable performance. The expected findings will provide insights into how employees perceive AI as both an opportunity and a challenge, how AI literacy facilitates successful collaboration, and how organizations can promote employee well-being while implementing AI technologies responsibly. The study contributes to the emerging literature on human-centered AI, sustainable human resource management, and digital transformation by providing rich contextual evidence from employees' experiences.
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THE ROLES OF HEAD TEACHERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMESIN PUBLIC INCLUSIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN CHUNYA DISTRICT COUNCIL
This paper is on the roles of head teachers in the management of school feeding programmes in public inclusive primary schools in Chunya District Council. The theory of project implementation and collaboration guided the study. The study used a mixed research approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. The sample size for the quantitative data was calculated using the 1967 Yamane formula. The key informants for qualitative data were selected purposively to enrich the study. The study used a convergent parallel research design to collect and analyse data from the respondents. The participants were selected by using simple random sampling and purposive sampling and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation.Quantitative data were coded through Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 and were analyzed through the thematic analysis technique. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and presented in figures and tables. The findings of the study indicate that the roles of head teachers are to formulate food committees, to supervise food committees and to involve the community in the SFP.Moreover, the government should provide funds for the implementation of the School Feeding Programme on time so that school management and School Food Committees can work effectively.
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A PREDICTIVE DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD SIMULATION OF GROUND NUT THRESHING MACHINE FUZZY LOGIC SYSTEM
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and industrial crop; however, significant post-harvest losses occur during threshing due to low machine efficiency, high kernel damage, and the inability of conventional threshers to adapt to variations in pod characteristics. Existing threshing systems rely mainly on fixed operating parameters and lack predictive simulation and intelligent control for performance optimization. Therefore, this study developed a predictive Discrete Element Method (DEM)-based simulation of an intelligent groundnut threshingmachine integrated with machine vision and fuzzy logic control for adaptive operation. Physical and mechanical properties of groundnut pods, including pod dimensions, bulk density, porosity, coefficient of restitution, static and rolling friction coefficients, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio, were experimentally determined and used as input parameters in the EDEM software employing the Hertz–Mindlin contact model. Machine components, including the hopper, concave clearance, threshing cylinder, frame, and complete threshing system, were simulated to analyse particle flow, velocity, contact forces, and collision behaviour. A ResNet101 convolutional neural network was used for groundnut variety identification, while a fuzzy logic controller adaptively adjusted motor speed and concave clearance based on pod characteristics. The simulation predicted a threshing efficiency of 93.4%, mechanical damage of 4.2%, and a throughput capacity of 50.6 kg h⁻¹, indicating efficient particle flow and effective pod separation with minimal kernel breakage. The machine vision model achieved confidence scores of 99.9% and 99.7% for Jarma, 99.9% and 100% for Samnut26, and 95.8% and 99.7% for Exdakar, demonstrating reliable variety identification. Overall, the integrated DEM simulation and intelligent control framework provides an effective approach for optimizing groundnut threshing machine design and operation, with the predicted performance indicating 93.4% threshing efficiency, 4.2% mechanical damage, and 50.6 kg h⁻¹ throughput capacity. Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) proved capable of making smart, rapid, and adaptive control decisions for concave clearance and motor speed based on varying groundnut pod properties. The smooth inference behavior, well-structured rule base, and stable output surfaces validated the suitability of fuzzy logic for handling nonlinear and uncertain of our agricultural products such as groundnut.
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THE INFLUENCE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY ON ACCESS TO MARKET INFORMATION FOR DECISION-MAKING AMONG AVOCADO SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN RUNGWE DISTRICT COUNCIL, TANZANIA
Access to timely market information is essential for improving marketing decisions among smallholder farmers. However, many avocado farmers in Tanzania continue to face challenges in obtaining reliable market information, limiting their ability to identify profitable markets and negotiate favourable prices. This study investigated the influence of mobile technology on access to market information for decision-making among avocado smallholder farmers in Rungwe District Council, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach employing a cross-sectional research design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 46 randomly selected avocado smallholder farmers using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 29.2, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that 54.3% of the respondents reported that mobile technology enabled them to access timely market information, facilitating price comparison, identification of potential buyers and informed marketing decisions. Nevertheless, high internet data costs (47.6%), poor mobile network connectivity (28.6%) and delayed information updates (23.8%) remained significant barriers to effective utilization of mobile technology. The study concludes that mobile technology plays a significant role in improving access to market information for decision-making among avocado smallholder farmers, although its effectiveness is constrained by digital infrastructure and affordability challenges. The study recommends strengthening rural mobile network infrastructure, reducing internet costs and promoting digital literacy programmes to enhance farmers' effective use of mobile technology for market information and decision-making.
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AI-BASED PAVEMENT CRACK DETECTION AND ROAD CONDITION ASSESSMENT USING COMPUTER VISION
Road transportation networks are critical components of modern infrastructure, supporting economic growth, urban mobility, and public safety. However, continuous exposure to traffic loading, environmental conditions, and aging causes pavement deterioration in the form of longitudinal, transverse, alligator, and pothole-type cracks. Conventional pavement inspection methods rely primarily on manual surveys, which are labor-intensive, time-consuming, subjective, and often incapable of providing continuous large-scale monitoring. Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and computer vision have enabled automated pavement inspection systems capable of detecting and classifying pavement defects with high accuracy and efficiency.
This paper presents an AI-based framework for pavement crack detection and road condition assessment using computer vision techniques. The proposed framework integrates image acquisition, preprocessing, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based feature extraction, crack segmentation, defect classification, and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) estimation into a unified workflow. Representative deep learning models, including ResNet-50, EfficientNet-B0, YOLOv8, U-Net, and Mask R-CNN, are reviewed and compared in terms of detection accuracy, computational efficiency, inference speed, and suitability for real-time road monitoring applications. Publicly available benchmark datasets such as Crack500, CFD, GAPs384, and RDD2022 are examined to evaluate the effectiveness of modern computer vision algorithms under varying pavement conditions.
Comparative analysis demonstrates that AI-driven inspection systems substantially
outperform conventional manual inspection by reducing processing time, minimizing human error, and enabling predictive maintenance through continuous monitoring. Among the evaluated approaches, segmentation-based deep learning architectures provide superior crack localization, whereas object detection models offer faster inference suitable for mobile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based inspections. The study also discusses practical implementation challenges, including illumination variability, weather conditions, shadow interference, dataset imbalance, and computational requirements.
The findings indicate that integrating AI-based pavement assessment into intelligent transportation systems can significantly improve maintenance planning, optimize infrastructure investment, enhance road safety, and support the development of sustainable smart cities. Future research should focus on multimodal sensing, transformer-based vision models, edge AI deployment, and digital twin technologies for real-time infrastructure management.
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THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAME WORK GOVERNING FINACIAL MARKETS
Financial markets are critical to economic growth, capital allocation, and investment facilitation; however, they are inherently exposed torisks such as systemic failures, fraud, and moral hazard. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of financial regulationasa mechanism to governmarket behavior, enhancestability, Protect consumers, and preserve institutional trust. A descriptive and analytical research methodology was employed, utilizing secondary data from globalfinancial institutions, centralbanks, regulatory authorities,and academic studies. Key metrics analyzed include regulatory strictness, marketstability, and consumer protection effectiveness across majoreconomies: the United States, European Union, Japan, India, and China. Data cleaningand pre-processing ensured consistency, comparability,and accuracyacross diverse sources.Both qualitative content analysisand quantitative statistical techniques, includingtrend, comparative, and correlationanaly ses,wereappliedtoevaluate regulatory effectiveness and market responsiveness. Results indicate that the European Unionconsistently demonstratesthe highestregulatoryperformance, followedby Japan and the United States, while India and China score lower across all dimensions. Market stabilityexhibitsthe greatestvariationamongcountries,whereasconsumer protectionis generallythe weakestmetric,particularlyindevelopingeconomies. The study highlights the critical role of governance frameworks, political and institutiona larrangements, globalization, technological advancement, and behavioralconsiderations inshaping effective regulation. Findingssuggestthatbalanced,adaptive,andcoordinated regulatory strategies are essential tofosterfinancialinnovationwhilemitigatingsystemic risks.Thisresearchprovidesinsightsforpolicymakers, regulators, andfinancial institutions seeking to optimize regulatory design and improve marketconfidence,transparency, and resilience.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the dynamic nature of financial markets, where evolving technologies such as fintech, blockchain, and algorithmic trading introduce both opportunities and vulnerabilities. These developments require regulatory bodies to remain vigilant and continuously update supervisory frameworks to address emerging riskssuchascyber-attacks,databreaches,and algorithmicbiases.The comparative analysis also reveals that countries with transparent bureaucratic processes and strong rule-of-lawindicatorstendtoimplementregulationsmoreeffectively,resultinginhigher investor confidence and greater market participation. In contrast, nations with fragmented regulatory architectures or political interference often experience slower policy responses and reduced enforcement capacity.
Additionally, the research underscores the importance of cross-border regulatory cooperation, especially as financial markets become increasingly interconnected. Globalization has intensified capital flows, making domestic disturbances more likely to trigger international spillovers. Hence, harmonized standards, shared monitoring systems,andcoordinatedstress-testingframeworksarecrucialforpreventingregulatory arbitrage and strengthening collective resilience.
The findings also highlight the need for inclusive regulatory policies that address the interests of small investors, marginalized groups, and micro-enterprises. By enhancing financial literacy, improving disclosure requirements, and promoting fair competition, regulators can create a more equitable financial environment. Ultimately, the study advocates for a proactiveregulatoryphilosophy that combinesinnovation, accountability, and long-term sustainability to ensure robust and adaptive financial ecosystems.
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E-LEARNING PLATFORM WITH SECURE ACCESS CONTROL AND PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
The rapid adoption of digital learning technologies has necessitated scalable, secure, and cost-effective e-learning infrastructures. This paper presents a cloud-based e-learning framework designed for higher education institutions, addressing limitations of traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as poor scalability, limited accessibility, and high maintenance costs. The proposed system adopts a three-tier cloud-native architecture integrating secure role-based access control (RBAC), real-time communication tools, and automated assessment features. The platform is implemented using modern web technologies and deployed on a cloud infrastructure to ensure high availability and performance. Experimental evaluation based on system response time, scalability, and user satisfaction demonstrates that the proposed framework significantly outperforms conventional LMS deployments. Results show improved system responsiveness, enhanced accessibility, and reduced operational overhead. The study highlights the effectiveness of cloud computing in transforming digital education delivery and provides a practical, scalable solution for resource-constrained institutions.
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CONTEXTUAL FACTORS, PERCEIVED CHALLENGES, AND THE INFLUENCE OF THESE FACTORS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA.
Background: Both instructional support systems and contextual learning conditions have an impact on academic performance. Although tutorial participation has been widely accepted in order to enhance the learning outcomes, the same may also be influenced by contextual factors like accessibility of resources, institutional support and perceived learning challenges. This paper analyzed the contextual, perceived challenges and how they affect academic performance among the graduates of the School of Health Information Management in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive design based on a cross-sectional design was adopted among 81 graduates who were selected using the complete enumeration method. The structured questionnaires were utilized to collect data on access to study resources, peer collaboration, study environment, institutional support, and perceived challenges, with the data about academic performance coming out of institutional records. The measurement of responses was made through the Likert scales and frequency distributions. Multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 30.0 at p < 0.05 was used in analyzing quantitative data and the same was applied in analyzing qualitative data in terms of focus group discussions.
Results: Results indicated that moderately to strongly perceived access to study resources, tutor competence, peer collaboration, personal motivation, and study environment were perceived to have moderate to strong effects on academic performance. CBT materials (40.0% greatly, 23.8% extremely) and tutor competence (49.4% greatly, 22.2% extremely), peer collaboration (38.3% greatly, 22.2% extremely), personal motivation (39.5% greatly, 34.6% extremely), and study environment (42.0% greatly, 19.8% extremely) were all rated highly.Although these positive perceptions exist, the multiple regression analysis showed that the contextual factors were not significantly correlated with academic performance (R 2 = 0.066; Adjusted R 2 = 0.003; F = 1.045; p = 0.398), and none of the individual predictors were significantly correlated with academic performance.
Lecturer inconsistency and lateness (28.8%), poor adherence to schedules (26.0%), difficulty in understanding complex concepts (12.3%), failure to cover all topics (11.0%), high transportation costs (9.6%), and economic constraints (8.2%), were the most reported challenges.Nevertheless, a statistically significant positive change in academic performance was observed after the participation in the tutorials (t(66) = -16.666, p = 0.001), with very large effect size (Cohen d = -2.036). The qualitative results also indicated that the collaboration with peers, structured tutorials, and supportive learning environments contributed to better understanding, confidence, and exam preparedness, but gender was not regarded as a significant factor that could affect performance.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that the contextual factors and challenges perceived were highly rated and influenced the learning experience, they did not significantly predict academic performance. Nevertheless, there was a significant positive effect of tutorial participation on academic outcomes and this implies that the contextual factors play a role as enabling conditions but not as direct determinants of performance.
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EFFECT OF TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITALS COMPLEX, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA
Background: Tutorial classes are popular academic support measures designed to enhance students' learning and performance, especially in professional health programs. Although extensively used in the training of Health Information Management, little is known about their effects, including students' perceptions of the experience, in Nigeria. We investigated the influence of tutorial sessions on academic performance among the graduates of the School of Health Information Management, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: We employed a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design to 81 graduates (complete enumeration). Performance data were collected with a performance tracking form that captured perceived scores, actual scores and the results of the Health Record Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN) examination. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired comparison at p < 0.05. Likewise, we used thematic analysis of focus group data to understand people's perceptions of tutorial experiences and outcomes.
Results: A majority (92.6%) of the respondents attended tutorial sessions, 48.8% attended regularly and 76.6% were satisfied. Quantitative results found that the proportion of students who perceived themselves to achieve a performance above 60% increased from 38.3% before the tutorial to 66.7% after the tutorial, and the proportion with good (above 60%) actual performance increased from 7.5% to 56.7%. Almost all (98.8%) respondents had good performance in the HRORBN examination. Linear regression analysis found tutorial attendance was a significant predictor of academic performance (β = -0.240, p = 0.031) and accounted for 5.8% of the variance.
Qualitative data supported these findings, with two broad themes identified: overall positive tutorial experience and learning gains. Students reported tutorials were well structured, easy to understand and made complex subjects easier to grasp. Participants also reported an increase in understanding, grades, retention of knowledge, motivation, and readiness for examination.
Conclusion: Tutorials have a strong positive impact on academic outcomes for graduates, as demonstrated by quantitative and qualitative feedback. But it was not a strong predictor, indicating other academic and extraneous variables also play a role.
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ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN OPTIMIZING RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: A PATHWAY TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT
The increasing global demand for energy and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions have accelerated the adoption of renewable energy systems. However, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind face challenges related to intermittency, energy forecasting, resource optimization, and efficient management. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as an advanced technology that provides innovative solutions for improving the performance and reliability of renewable energy systems. This study explores the role of Artificial Intelligence in optimizing renewable energy systems by examining its applications in energy forecasting, smart grid management, predictive maintenance, demand-response optimization, and intelligent energy management. Through a qualitative research approach based on thematic analysis of existing literature, the study identifies key themes related to AI-driven energy optimization, sustainability enhancement, and implementation challenges. The findings highlight that AI technologies improve renewable energy efficiency by enabling accurate prediction, real-time decision-making, and effective utilization of energy resources. The study also emphasizes challenges such as data availability, technological infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and high implementation costs. The research proposes a conceptual framework demonstrating how AI integration can support sustainable energy development by improving operational efficiency, reducing energy wastage, and contributing to environmental sustainability. The study provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and energy organizations seeking to promote AI-enabled renewable energy transformation.
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STUDY OF “ADULTERATION IN MILK FROM PROCESSED AND UNPROCESSED MILK SOURCES”
Milk adulteration poses a significant public health issue in India, impacting both the nutritional quality and safetyforconsumers. Hyderabad, a major metropolitanareawith apopulation exceeding10 million, features a varied dairy market that includes both organized pasteurized milk brand sand unregulated local vendorswho sell loose buffalo milk. This research aimed to assess and compare the quality, safety, and adulteration characteristicsofbuffalomilksourcedfromfivedifferentsuppliers:Arogya,Amul,Jersey,Heritage,andlocal vendors. Over the course of one month, a total of 50 milk samples (10 from each source) were collected and analyzed following standardized FSSAI protocols. The physicochemical parameters evaluated included fat, solids-not-fat (SNF), protein, lactose, ash, pH, and freezing point.Additionally, samples were tested for six commonadulterants:water,starch,urea,detergent,formalin,andhydrogenperoxide,utilizingvalidatedrapid detection techniques. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and correlation tests. The findings indicated that all branded milk samples met FSSAI standards, with fat content ranging from 6.09% to6.52%andSNFvaluesbetween9.21%and9.51%.Incontrast,milkfromlocalvendorsshowedsignificantly lowerfat(3.18%)andSNF(7.14%)levels(p<0.001),failingtocomplywithlegalrequirements.Adulteration was prevalent in local vendor milk, with 100% of samples containing water and detergent, 90% containing starch, and80% containing urea and hydrogenpe roxide. Among the branded samples, only a small percentage of Amul(20%) andHeritage (10%)samplestestedpositivefor detergent. The studyconcludes that packaged milk from organized dairies is nutritionally superior and safer compared to loose milk, highlighting the necessity for ongoing regulatory oversight and increased consumer awareness.
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DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE -ADDED GRANOLA BARS USING POMEGRANATE PEEL POWDER
The present study was undertaken to develop value-added granola bars using pomegranate peel powder and to evaluate their nutritional composition, antioxidant activity, and sensory acceptability. Pomegranate peel, a major by-product of fruit processing, is rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds, making it a suitable functional ingredient for food fortification. Granola bars were prepared using foxtail millet, rolled oats, pomegranate peel powder, almonds, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, and jaggery. The ingredients were processed, blended, and formulated into granola bars, which were subsequently subjected to sensory evaluation and nutrient analysis. Sensory evaluation was conducted among 50 semi-trained panelists using a hedonic scale to assess appearance, colour, taste, texture, and overall acceptability. The results indicated good consumer acceptance, with an overall acceptability score of 4.04. Statistical analysis revealed that the product was significantly accepted (p < 0.05). Nutritional analysis showed that the developed granola bars contained 420 kcal energy, 10.5 g protein, 14.0 g fat, 60.0 g carbohydrate, 8.0 g dietary fiber, and 5.5 g moisture per 100 g. Antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH radical scavenging assay exhibited 68% inhibition, indicating strong antioxidant potential due to the incorporation of pomegranate peel powder. The findings demonstrate that pomegranate peel powder can be effectively utilized as a value-added functional ingredient in granola bars, enhancing their nutritional quality and antioxidant properties while maintaining consumer acceptability. The developed product has potential as a healthy and convenient snack suitable for health-conscious consumers.
INTRODUCTION
VitaminDdeficiencyisamajorglobalpublichealthconcernthataffectsbonehealth, immunity, and overall well-being. This study focused on developing vitamin D-enrichedbiscuitsusingwheatflour,mushroompowder,eggyolk,milk,butter,dates sugar, and cardamom to improve nutritional quality and consumer acceptability.
OBJECTIVE
TheobjectiveofthisstudywastodevelopandevaluatevitaminD-enrichedbiscuits with improved nutritional value, good sensory characteristics, and potential health benefits for individuals of all age groups.
MATERIALSANDMETHODS
Vitamin D-enriched biscuits were prepared by mixing wheat flour, mushroom powder, egg yolk, butter, milk, dates sugar, and cardamom into a uniform dough, followed by baking under standardized conditions. The prepared biscuits were evaluatedfornutritional compositionandsensoryattributesusinga5-pointhedonic scale.
RESULTS
The developed biscuits showed high sensory acceptability for appearance, colour, taste, texture, flavour, and overall acceptability. The incorporation of mushroom powder and egg yolk enhanced the vitamin D content and improved the nutritional quality of the product.
CONCLUSION
VitaminD-enrichedbiscuitsdevelopedinthisstudyareanutritiousfunctionalfood with good sensory quality and enhanced nutritional value. They may serve as a convenient dietary option to improve vitamin D intake and help reduce vitamin D deficiency among all age groups.
71
“COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN DIETARY PATTERNS ON EARLY ONSET OF MENARCHE”
Menarche is the crucial phase in every girl’s life. Diet plays an important role in the menarche, in it’s after and before phase. The modern dietary patterns influence the menarche timing which leads to hormonal imbalances, PCOD/PMOS or thyroid issues. The traditional dietary patterns helps the women to achieve the normal timing of menarche. To analyse the impact of traditional dietary patterns and modern dietary patterns on the early onset of menarche. The study assess the difference between the traditional dietary patterns and modern dietary patterns and their effect on early onset of menarche. The study also aims to the biological, environmental and social conditions along with the dietary patterns on the age of menarche. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adolescent girls aged 9-19 years using a structured food frequency questionnaire. Data collected included demographic details, menstrual history, lifestyle factors, early life factors, traditional dietary pattern, modern dietary pattern, and dietary behaviour and environment. Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics such as ANOVA, multiple regression, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were applied to summarise the data and determine diet based differences and its relation to timing of menarche and key variables. The analysis revealed that age at menarche was significantly associated with multiple lifestyle and dietary variables. A significant positive correlation was observed with traditional dietary score (r = 0.240, p = 0.001), indicating that greater adherence to traditional dietary patterns is associated with correct onset of menarche. Conversely, modern dietary score demonstrated a significant negative correlation (r = -0.183, p = 0.010), suggesting that increased consumption of modern dietary components is associated with earlier onset of menarche. BMI also exhibited a weak but statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.159, p = 0.024), implying that higher adiposity may contribute to earlier pubertal onset. Among lifestyle factors, physical activity (r = 0.188, p = 0.008) and sleep duration (r = 0.158, p = 0.025) were positively associated with age at menarche, indicating a potential protective role. However, screen time and stress did not show statistically significant associations. The current study highlights the necessity of traditional dietary patterns among modern dietary patterns in order to achieve a correct menarche timing and avoid further complications in women. Lifestyle factors, genetics BMI ,physical activity and sleep timings also has the effect on menarche timing. Traditional dietary patterns have the positive impact on girls and has correct menarche timing. Whereas the modern dietary patterns has the negative effect on the girls and the earlier menarche timing with complications.
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EFFECT OF SIX-WEEK CIRCUIT TRAINING ON SELECTED MOTOR FITNESS VARIABLES AMONG INTERCOLLEGIATE KABADDI PLAYERS
Kabaddi is a physically demanding indigenous sport that requires a high level of motor fitness, including speed, agility, explosive power, muscular endurance, and coordination. A systematic conditioning programme is essential for enhancing these physical qualities and improving competitive performance. The present study aimed to examine the effect of a six-week circuit training programme on selected motor fitness variables among intercollegiate kabaddi players from colleges affiliated with Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.Thirty (N = 30) male intercollegiate kabaddi players, aged between 18 and 23 years, were selected using a random sampling technique from various Andhra University-affiliated colleges. The participants were randomly assigned to two equal groups: an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in a structured circuit training programme for six weeks, with five training sessions per week, while the control group continued their routine sports practice without additional training intervention. The selected motor fitness variables included speed, agility, explosive leg power, muscular endurance, and coordination. Standardized motor fitness tests were administered before and after the training programme to assess the performance of both groups.The collected data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to determine the effectiveness of the training programme, with the level of significance set at 0.05. The results revealed that the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in all selected motor fitness variables compared with the control group following the six-week circuit training programme. The findings indicate that circuit training is an effective conditioning method for simultaneously developing multiple components of motor fitness that are essential for successful performance in kabaddi.The study concludes that a scientifically designed six-week circuit training programme can significantly enhance the motor fitness of intercollegiate kabaddi players. The results may assist coaches, physical education teachers, and sports trainers in designing evidence-based training programmes to improve the physical preparedness and competitive performance of kabaddi players at the collegiate level.
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TOOLS AND METHODS OF ROUTINE HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
Background: Tools and methods of Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS) play a critical role in the data collection, analysis and use in health. Nigeria faces issues of RHIS effectiveness due to lack of infrastructure, lack of consistency in availability of RHIS tools and poor data management practices.
Objectives: This study assessed the tools and methods of RHIS in Osun State, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 22 public health facilities (14 primary, 6 secondary and 2 tertiary) via multistage sampling. 317 health workers were sampled with 297 (93.69% response rate). Questionnaires based on PRISM and an observation guide were used for data collection. It was tested and found reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.790). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis (SPSS 30.0).
Findings: RHIS tools were readily available and used, with 60.6% strongly agreeing that standard Ministry of Health registers were used and 47.8% agreeing that monthly summary forms were completed. But 13.0% of facilities didn't have standard registers and 39.1% didn't have IDSR tools. The tools mean score (14.19 ± 5.47) was good but less than optimal. RHIS methods were organised with processes such as end of the month reporting (67.3%) and DHIS2 reporting (67.0%) but there were gaps in the daily recording (40.8% non-compliance) and verification (32.7% non-compliance) of reports. The methods score (40.57 ± 12.17) indicated good but variable methods. Observations revealed hybrid systems (82.6%) with moderate verification (65.2%) and partial implementation of timelines (73.9%).
Conclusion: RHIS tools and methods are well institutionalised but lack in consistency of tool presence, verification and hybrid systems to achieve optimal data quality.
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MARKET POWER AND VERTICAL PRICE TRANSMISSION IN KENYA’S MAIZE VALUE CHAIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT DUTY POLICY
Kenya’s maize sector presents a persistent policy puzzle: retail flour prices remain high and respond unevenly to international grain price changes, despite duty-free EAC maize imports and periodic government interventions. This paper proposes a structural study of market power and vertical price transmission across Kenya’s maize value chain, spanning the farm gate, millers, wholesalers, and retailers, using monthly price data from 2015 to 2025. The study adopts the New Empirical Industrial Organization (NEIO) framework developed by Bresnahan (1982) and Lau (1982) to estimate conduct parameters at the milling stage, and applies an Asymmetric Error Correction Model (AECM) to test for the “rockets and feathers” asymmetric price transmission pattern documented in the agricultural economics literature (Meyer & von Cramon-Taubadel, 2004; Peltzman, 2000). Counterfactual policy simulations will then evaluate the welfare effects of reducing Kenya’s 50% import duty on non-EAC maize to 25%, 10%, and zero. The conduct parameter is expected to fall between 0.5 and 0.8, indicating substantial oligopolistic market power at the milling stage, with retail prices likely exceeding competitive levels by 30–50%. Price transmission is expected to be asymmetric, with cost increases passing through roughly twice as fast as cost decreases. The findings will add to the empirical literature on market structure and price transmission in Sub-Saharan African food systems, and will inform Kenya’s tariff policy, strategic grain reserve strategy, and ongoing trade negotiations, including discussions with the United States and reviews of the EAC Common External Tariff. The study makes two original contributions: extending structural conduct estimation to the full grain maize value chain, and treating tariff policy shocks as natural experiments for identification.
75
“ANALYSIS OF TRANSFAT CONTENTINFRYING OIL SUSED BY SELECTED STREETFOOD VENDORS AND THEIR POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS”
Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are harmful fats formed during industrial processing and repeated heating of edible oils. The increasing consumption of fried street foods has raised concerns regarding trans fat exposure and its impact on public health. The present study aimed to estimate the trans fat content in frying oils used by selected street food vendors and assess its public health implications. Oil samples were collected from domestic sources, tiffin centers, and street food stalls. The samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC–FID) to determine their trans fatty acid content.
The results showed considerable variation in trans fat levels based on the type of oil, duration of use, and cooking practices. Fresh oils contained relatively low levels of trans fats, whereas oilssubjectedtorepeatedheatinganddeepfryingexhibitedsignificantlyhigherconcentrations. Oils used for preparing fried foods such as chips, jalebi, and mirchi bajji showed comparatively elevated transfat content. Based on these findings, a health a wareness program was conducted
To educate participants about transfats, their formation, health risks, and preventive measures. The study concludes that repeated heating and reuse of oils contribute to increased transfat formation, emphasizing the need for public awareness and healthier cooking practices to reduce associated health risks.
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“IMPACT OF DAILY FRUIT INTAKE ON DIGESTIVE HEALTHAMONG YOUNG & ADULTS”
Digestive disorders are common among young adults and can significantly impair quality of life. Daily fruit intake, due to its fiber, water, and bioactive compounds, may improvedigestive health, but evidence regarding optimal intake and fruit-specific effects remains limited. This study investigated the association between daily fruit intake and digestive health among young adults by examining digestive symptoms, stool characteristics, dose-response relationships, fruit type differences, and the moderating effects of gender, physical activity, and hydration. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used. A cross-sectional survey of 432 adults aged 18–35 years assessed fruit intake using the Fruit Intake Frequency Questionnaire (FIFQ), digestive symptoms using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), stool consistency using the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS), and lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, ANCOVA, regression analyses, correlations, and repeated-measures ANOVA. Only 28.5% of participants met the recommended intake of at least two fruit servings daily. Higher fruit intake was significantly associated with lower constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and improved overall digestive health (p < 0.001). Benefits became evident at approximately 1.5 servings/day and were greatest at 2–3 servings/day. Pectin-rich fruits demonstrated superior effects on constipation relief. The intervention group showed significant improvement in constipation scores compared with controls (p = 0.001). According to study findings, daily consumption of at least two servings of fruit, particularly pectin-rich varieties, significantly improves digestive health in young adults. Combining adequate fruit intake with regular physical activity may provide additional digestive health benefits.
77
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GAS SENSING RESPONSE OF PVC BASED LICLO4 & PVC/PEG MICROPOROUS POLYMER MEMBRANE ELECTROLYTE (MPES)
Gas sensing response of a microporous polymer membrane based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was studied. These membranes were obtained by a novel polymer dissolution technique in different compositions of (PVC-PVA). Gas sensing response of the PVC MPEs soaked in 3M molar concentration of Liclo4 was studied for different gases. Highest sensitivity was observed for H2S gas at an operating temperature of 25 0c, comparatively for PVC membrane soaked in 1M concentration of PEG, Highest sensitivity was observed for H2S gas peaking at 0.39 at an operating temperature of 30°C.
78
PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY: A PHARMACOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON PSILOCYBIN AND KETAMINE IN DEPRESSION
Depression is one of the main causes of disability among the global populations and even the existing anti-depressant treatment sometimes has a slow onset or poor effects. A new treatment method has appeared, namely psychedelic-assisted therapy, especially involving psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, and ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist. Psilocybin also has a mechanism of action by agonizing 5-HT 2A receptors regulating neural circuits including the default mode network to decrease rumination and increase emotional processing. The effects of ketamine are rapid: the drug enhances the glutamate transmission, stimulates the activation of AMPA receptor, and induces synaptogenesis mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which induces effects of antidepressants. Both agents are characterized by a high level of effectiveness in terms of treatment-resistant depression when used in controlled settings along with psychotherapy. Even though pre-clinical trials demonstrate a long-term improvement of mood, additional large-scale, research is required to assess their safety over time, dose optimization, and to understand how they work. Psilocybin and ketamine, used as a psychedelic-assisted therapy, is a paradigm shift in the treatment of depression, which provides a fast and long-term resolution of patients who fail to respond to traditional therapies.
79
”STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FRAUD PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL AWARENESS”
Cyber Security is the burning topic of the present day. We often come across people who are being cheated abruptly and fall as victim loosing their hard earned money by just a phone call or clicking unwanted links in their handsets. This paper delves into the transformative shift brought about by the Banking Sector & Financial Institutions governed, centralized and monitored by the Reserve Bank of India in terms of cyber crimes and frauds occurring frequently in this present corporate digital world dominated by social media across India. There is tremendous increase in the cyber crime rate especially in terms of maintaining bank accounts of all corporate and private banks are in great trauma as to how to provide ultimate and confidential security to all their esteemed valuable customers who are holding account with them over years together with lot of trust and reliability. loosing their hard money and trust in financial institutions invariably effects the economy of the government moving forward contributing to the national income
This paper encapsulates escalating challenges faced by Financial Institutions like Banks and financial institutions from sophisticated cyber threats and financial fraud. This paper explores the resilience of cyber security mechanisms and fraud prevention strategies within Indian financial institutions like Bank of India and HDFC, well established over the decades proving their stability and reliability in the market establishing great trust and confidence to their esteemed customers.
This paper highlights the need of improvising digital literacy awareness among the people by using digital platforms not only in urban but also in remote rural areas making them cautious about the cyber crimes and maximum usage of technology prevailing in the social media to be governed by the RBI Guidelines to contribute additional factors such as developing economic growth, technology and new innovations implemented by financial institution like Bank of India and HDFC bank.
The main objective of this research paper is to identify the nature of cyber frauds, cross-examine the challenges and limitations faced by Cyber crimes and Frauds happening in financial institutions by creating awareness among the esteemed customers of Banks and financial institutions in order to overcome the same by employing good governance and policy reforms that leads to sustainable development of the country.
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TO DEVELOPAND EVALUATE AMORING A BASED SMOOTHIEASA NUTRITIOUS FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.
INTRODUCTION
Moringaoleifera is a plant rich in nutrients, encompassing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. Due to its remarkable nutritional profile, it is extensively utilized in the development offunctional foods. This study focused on creating a moringa-based smoothie incorporating moringa leaves, banana, oats, chia seeds, and milk to enhance its nutritional value and health benefits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim is to develop and assess a moringa smoothie that boasts improved nutritional quality and sensory acceptability, making it suitable for individuals across all age groups.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Freshmoringaleaveswere thoroughlywashed andcleaned.Oatsweresoaked inmilk,whilechiaseeds were allowed to soak until they formed a gel. The banana was peeled and chopped. A blend of moringa leaves, banana, soaked oats, and milk was processed until smooth, after which the soaked chia seeds were incorporated.Thesmoothie wasevaluatedusing a5-pointhedonicscale,assessingappearance, color,aroma, taste, texture, and overall acceptability.
RESULTS
The moringa smoothie achieved high sensory ratings for taste, texture, color, and overall acceptability. The addition of moring a leaves significantly enhanced the nutritional profile by supplying vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while oats, banana, and chia seeds contributed to improved texture and energy content.
CONCLUSION
Themoringasmoothiedevelopedinthisstudyisanutritiousfunctionalbeveragethatdemonstratesfavorable sensory acceptability. It has the potential to enhance nutrient intake and is suitable for consumption by individuals of all ages.
The two main pillars of ancient Indian civilization that shaped its economy, social organization, and cultural identity were agriculture and dairy farming. These customs, which have their roots in Vedic traditions and have been maintained through centuries of innovation, affected religion, trade, and governance in addition to ensuring food security. Using textual evidence, archaeological discoveries, and sociocultural contexts, this essay investigates the development of agriculture and dairy farming in ancient India. The study emphasizes the lasting influence of agricultural and pastoral traditions in forming Indian civilization by examining farming methods, irrigation systems, cattle keeping, and the function of dairy products in daily life and rituals.
2
SPIRITUAL NATIONALISM AND THE SYNTHESIS OF MIND: DECODING SRI AUROBINDO’S PEDAGOGICAL VISION FOR AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD
As a revolutionary nationalist, philosopher, poet, and spiritual visionary, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh is regarded as one of the most nuanced and significant individuals in contemporary Indian history. In order to place Sri Aurobindo’s intellectual and political evolution within the larger framework of colonial India, this article examines his birth, early life, and historical background. After that, it analyzes his idea of nationalism in great length, focusing on its ethical, cultural, and spiritual aspects rather than just its political ones. The essay delves deeper into Sri Aurobindo’s key nationalist writings and speeches, emphasizing how his writings expressed a vision of India as a spiritual nation with a global purpose. The research makes the case that Sri Aurobindo reinterpreted nationalism as a force of personal awakening and collective transformation by following the development of his nationalist ideas from political activism to spiritual universalism. The article’s conclusion evaluates his nationalist philosophy’s applicability in the current era of globalization, identity crises, and moral ambiguity.
3
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SPORTS MEDICINE: ADVANCING ATHLETE SCREENING, INJURY PREDICTION, AND REHABILITATION
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded across the sports medicine pipeline, from pre-participation screening through injury forecasting to post-injury rehabilitation. Advances in machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), computer vision, and wearable sensor technology now allow clinicians and performance staff to process volumes of physiological, biomechanical, and imaging data that were previously impractical to analyse manually.Objective: This narrative review synthesises recent literature on the use of AI across three interconnected domains of sports medicine practice: (i) athlete screening, particularly cardiovascular and musculoskeletal pre-participation assessment; (ii) prediction of injury risk using machine learning models trained on training-load, biomechanical, and wearable-sensor data; and (iii) AI-supported rehabilitation, including robotic exoskeletons and virtual reality-integrated recovery systems.Methods: Findings from peer-reviewed narrative reviews, scoping reviews, and primary studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore were synthesised, with an emphasis on studies published between 2020 and 2025. Reported quantitative outcomes were extracted where available to illustrate the comparative performance of AI approaches across the three domains.Results: Across the reviewed literature, AI-enhanced electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based movement assessment, and random forest (RF) injury-prediction models consistently reported high classification accuracy and agreement with expert assessment. Robotic exoskeleton research is dominated by artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive control architectures, while integrated AI monitoring systems have been associated with meaningful reductions in reinjury rates and improvements in training-load management.Conclusion: AI offers substantial promise for more precise, individualised, and proactive sports medicine care. Realising this potential at scale will depend on resolving persistent challenges around model interpretability, data standardisation, external validation, and equitable access to the underlying technology.
4
CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGICAL MINDSET AND HOTEL BOOKING DECISIONS AFTER EXPOSURE TO NEGATIVE ONLINE REVIEWS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND PROPOSED EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION
Negative online reviews exert a disproportionate influence on hotel booking decisions relative to positive reviews of equal or greater volume, yet the hospitality literature has largely treated consumers as a homogeneous audience for such content. This conceptual paper addresses that gap by proposing an integrated framework in which consumer psychological mindset - operationalised through regulatory focus, dispositional risk orientation, and need for cognition - moderates and channels the effect of negative review exposure on hotel booking outcomes. Drawing on negativity bias theory, prospect theory, the Elaboration Likelihood Model, regulatory focus theory, and cognitive dissonance theory, the framework specifies a moderated-mediation structure: negative review exposure shapes cognitive-affective response and perceived risk, which sequentially determine booking avoidance, delay, or switching, while psychological mindset, review credibility, managerial response, and prior brand trust act as boundary conditions. Seven hypotheses are developed to operationalise this structure. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design employing a scenario-based vignette and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) is proposed to test the framework among 200-300 prospective hotel guests recruited through an online travel platform. An illustrative sentiment analysis of twenty negative hotel reviews, using the VADER lexicon, is reported as a worked demonstration of the descriptive procedures that would precede full hypothesis testing. Practical implications are outlined for segmented reputation-management and review-response strategy in hotels and online travel agencies. The paper contributes a testable, theory-integrated account of when and for whom negative eWOM most strongly shapes booking behaviour, and outlines a rigorous empirical pathway - together with its limitations - for validating the proposed model.
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THE URGENCY OF LEGAL PROTECTION FOR FISHERMEN, FISH FARMERS, AND SALT FARMERS IN BONE REGENCY
Bone regency is one of the regions with significant marine and fisheries resource potential, characterized by the presence of fishing communities, fish farmers, and salt farmers who depend on this sector for their livelihoods, in reality, these communities still face economic vulnerability, egal uncertainty, limited access to capital, and a lack of facilities and infrastructure to support productivity, while local legal instrument specifically regulating their protection are not yet available, even thoughm in principle, there are a number of regulations at the central government level-including Law No 7 of 2016 and its implementing regulations-whose provisions have not yet been operationally adopted in local policies. This study aims to analyze the urgency of enacting a Local Regulation on the Protection of Fishermen, Fish Farmers, and Salt Farmers in Bone Regency. This study employs a normative-empirical legal approach, which involves examining relevant laws and regulations as well as on-the-ground realities regarding the implementation and need for such regulations, by combining legal and sociological perspectives. The results of the study indicate that there is a legal vacuum in the regulations governing the protection of these three community groups at the regional level, leading to uncertainty regarding the provision of social security, access to capital, and protection against business risks. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the enactment of the aforementioned Regional Regulation is a legal necessity to provide comprehensive legal certainty and protection. This study recommends that the Bone Regency Government immediately draft and enact this regional regulation by actively involving the fishing community, fish farmers, and salt farmers in the formulation process.
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FROM SURGICAL STRIKES TO LEGAL STRICTURES: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF INDIA’S STRINGENT ANTI-TERRORISM POLICY UNDER THE NARENDRA MODI GOVERNMENT
Terrorism, as a global challenge, has become a central theme of security policies in national and international relations of the 21st century. It not only defines the boundaries of nations but also deeply affects their strategic, political and social systems. This paper aims to provide a holistic analysis of the counter-terrorism strategies adopted by the Narendra Modi government after 2014, covering decisive actions such as surgical strikes, air strikes, NIA amendments, reinterpretation of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. It uses both primary and secondary data to fill an important void in the existing research literature, where political, social and legal analysis of counter-terrorism policies has often been done separately. Our research integrates all these perspectives to provide a holistic perspective.
The innovation of this research lies in the fact that it reviews not only the strategic consequences of counter-terrorism actions but also their social impact, human rights situation, impact on minority communities and international diplomatic responses. This research contributes to the understanding of society as to how counter-terrorism policies are not limited to security alone but also have far-reaching effects on social polarisation, national integration, civil liberties and perception of minorities.
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DEEP LEARNING-DRIVEN IMAGE MANIPULATION DETECTION IN DIGITAL FORENSICS: A CRITICAL ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
Digital images now serve as leads, evidence, records, and attack surfaces in investigations. To separate laboratory from field, this study creates a framework to critically analyse image manipulation detection based on deep learning. Benchmark data from IMD2020, the TruFor cross-dataset evaluation pool, CiFAKE and GenImage were subsequently reanalysed empirically. The evidence encompasses traditional splicing, copy-move manipulations, local generative alterations, and entirely synthetic visuals. The performance of systems is evaluated in terms of accuracy, balanced accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve, false-positive and false-negative rates, their confidence intervals and repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Friedman tests and Holm-adjusted paired comparisons. The maximum mean cross generator accuracy on GenImage (70.30%, 95% CI 64.75-75.85) was produced by Swin-T. This exceeded six comparator detectors across eight generator domains. In standard manipulation detection, TruFor achieved the best mean image-level AUC (0.857) and balanced accuracy (0.781), where performance had high variance across datasets and threshold selection influenced localization F1 by 0.089 on average. A reconstructed CiFAKE confusion matrix yielded 93.56% accuracy on a balanced test set of 20,000 images. Explainability evidence suggests that decisions may depend on background artifacts rather than the manipulated objects semantically. The results indicate deep learning could be used as a triage and localization tool of high value. The proposed framework therefore integrates acquisition with privacy integrity, provenance checks, calibrated model inference, uncertainty reporting, explainability, examiner review, legal admissibility.
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THERANOSTICS VIEWS ON NEW METHODS AND CLINICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Theranostic nuclear oncology transforms cancer treatment by combining therapeutic radionuclide administration and diagnostic imaging onto a single platform. This method uses radiolabelled biomarkers to target tumour cells accurately, allowing for customised radionuclide therapy and precise molecular imaging. For patient selection, treatment monitoring, and dosimetry calculations, imaging methods like as PET/CT and SPECT/CT are essential for guaranteeing efficient delivery and evaluating therapy response. The radiobiological characteristics of various radiation types, such as alpha and beta particles, vary. Alpha particles are particularly harmful because of their high linear energy transfer and capacity to induce irreversible DNA double-strand breaks. Thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, and prostate cancer can all be treated clinically using substances like ^131I, ^177Lu-DOTATATE, and ^177Lu-PSMA-617. Despite its effectiveness, side effects such as hematotoxicity and renal damage might happen, hence cautious patient management is required. With new targets and combination medicines, the area is still developing, improving patient outcomes and treatment precision.
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ONBOARDING AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN SELECTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
This study examined the influence of onboarding on employee engagement in selected manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of clarification and organizational culture on employee engagement. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to employees of five selected manufacturing firms. The study population comprised 319 management staff, from which a sample size of 177 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Of the questionnaires distributed, 150 valid responses were retrieved and analyzed, representing an 85% response rate. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize the data, while simple linear regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that clarification had a significant positive effect on employee engagement (R² = 0.664, β = 0.766, p < 0.05), indicating that clear communication of job roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations enhances employee commitment and involvement. Similarly, organizational culture was found to have a significant positive influence on employee engagement (R² = 0.611, β = 0.530, p < 0.05), demonstrating that a supportive work environment and shared organizational values foster stronger employee attachment and motivation. The study concluded that effective onboarding practices are critical drivers of employee engagement in manufacturing firms. It recommended that management should strengthen onboarding programmes by providing comprehensive role clarification, promoting a positive organizational culture, encouraging teamwork, and ensuring continuous communication and support for newly recruited employees to improve engagement, productivity, and organizational performance.
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EDUCATIONAL RELEVANCE OF JAIN PHILOSOPHY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020
This research paper presents an analytical study of the educational relevance of Jain philosophy within the Indian education system under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In the current global scenario, where the purpose of education is increasingly limited to vocational skills, the educational philosophy of Jainism provides an ethical and holistic foundation for building a 'complete human being.' The core focus of this research is to integrate the three fundamental principles of Jain philosophy Anekantavada (Non-absolutism), Ahimsa (Non-violence), and Aparigraha (Non-possession) with the goals of modern education. The principle of Anekantavada fosters intellectual tolerance, critical thinking, and a multi-dimensional perspective in students, which is essential to strengthening the multidisciplinary framework of NEP 2020. Through the principle of Ahimsa, this paper advocates for an inclusive and stress-free learning environment, which is vital for students' mental health and social harmony. Similarly, the concept of Aparigraha encourages simplicity, contentment, and environmental consciousness, aligning with the global goals of 'Sustainable Development.' This research clarifies that Jain philosophy is not merely a religious ideology but a practical 'science of living.' Its 'Triratna' (Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Conduct) model is an ancient yet effective tool for achieving the 'Learning Outcomes' of NEP 2020. The study establishes that if Jain philosophy is integrated as a part of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the curriculum, it can play a significant role in the process of the 'decolonization' of education. Ultimately, this research concludes that the integration of Jain philosophy provides students with pride in their cultural roots and curiosity toward a modern scientific outlook. It provides an 'ethical shield' to the education system, creating global citizens who are deeply connected to their roots and intellectually capable of facing future challenges. This research serves as a guide for policymakers and educationists who aim to build an India where knowledge, compassion, and scientific temper coexist.
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STRATEGI DIVERSIFIKASI MENU PRODUK AMERICANO SERIES PADA SOCIAL BARN MENU PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY OF AMERICANO SERIES AT SOCIAL BARN
This study aims to describe the process of designing and developing the Americano Series product as a menu diversification strategy and to analyze the menu diversification strategy implemented by Social Barn in improving business competitiveness. The coffee industry in Indonesia is growing rapidly; however, the Americano menu, which has a bitter taste characteristic, has not been able to reach all consumer segments. Social Barn, as one of the popular coffeehouses in Makassar City, responded to this situation through a menu diversification strategy by developing the Americano Series product based on fruit flavor variants. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews and field observations. Informants were selected by purposive sampling consisting of the owner, barista, cashier, and customers. The results show that the development of the Americano Series was carried out through eight product diversification stages according to Kotler, starting from idea generation, idea screening, concept development and testing, marketing strategy development, business analysis, product development, market testing, and commercialization. Of the three variants developed, namely Orange Americano, Lime Americano, and Apple Americano, the Orange Americano variant was selected as the flagship product because it had the highest consumer acceptance rate. This diversification strategy succeeded in expanding market segmentation, increasing consumer interest in the americano menu, and strengthening Social Barn's competitiveness amid the increasingly competitive coffeehouse industry.
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THE ANIMAL WITHIN: EXPLORING HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH ANIMAL AND AVIAN IMAGERY IN TED HUGHES'S THOUGHT-FOX AND HAWK ROOSTING
Ted Hughes is widely recognized as one of the foremost poets of the twentieth century for his distinctive portrayal of the natural world and its intimate relationship with human consciousness. Rather than presenting nature as a peaceful refuge or an idealized landscape, Hughes depicts it as an autonomous realm governed by instinct, vitality, conflict, and creative force. Within this poetic vision, animals and birds transcend their literal existence to become dynamic representations of the psychological, imaginative, and existential dimensions of human life. This article investigates the symbolic significance of the fox in Thought-Fox and the hawk in Hawk Roosting, arguing that these creatures reveal two complementary aspects of the human self. The fox represents the unconscious source of artistic creativity, while the hawk embodies the instinct for authority, dominance, and survival. Employing an interdisciplinary framework that draws upon ecocriticism, psychological criticism, symbolism, and animal studies, the study demonstrates how Hughes dismantles rigid distinctions between the human and the non-human. His poetry neither reduces animals to simple metaphors nor diminishes their independent existence; instead, it positions them as living presences through which the complexities of human identity are illuminated. By foregrounding the interconnectedness of instinct, imagination, and ecological consciousness, Hughes anticipates contemporary discussions in environmental humanities and post humanist thought. The article concludes that Thought-Fox and Hawk Roosting reveal the enduring significance of animal imagery in understanding the hidden impulses that shape creativity, power, and human identity.
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नेपाल में बौद्ध धर्म के धार्मिक स्थलों का पर्यटन और सामाजिक-आर्थिक प्रभाव
नेपाल, जो भगवान गौतम बुद्ध की जन्मस्थली लुम्बिनी का घर है, विश्व के सबसे महत्वपूर्ण बौद्ध तीर्थ-स्थलों में से एक माना जाता है। लुम्बिनी के अतिरिक्त, काठमांडू घाटी में स्थित स्वयंभूनाथ, बौधनाथ और नामोबुद्ध जैसे स्थल, तथा हिमालयी क्षेत्रों के अनेक मठ और गोम्पा, नेपाल को एक समृद्ध बौद्ध पर्यटन गंतव्य बनाते हैं। यह शोध पत्र नेपाल में बौद्ध धार्मिक स्थलों के पर्यटन का सामाजिक-आर्थिक प्रभाव विश्लेषण करता है। अध्ययन यह जाँचता है कि किस प्रकार धार्मिक पर्यटन ने स्थानीय अर्थव्यवस्था को प्रोत्साहन दिया है—रोजगार सृजन, अवसंरचना विकास, विदेशी मुद्रा अर्जन और लघु उद्यमों के माध्यम से—साथ ही यह भी विश्लेषण करता है कि इस पर्यटन-प्रवाह ने स्थानीय संस्कृति, पर्यावरण और सामुदायिक जीवन पर क्या प्रभाव डाला है। शोध में पाया गया है कि जहाँ धार्मिक पर्यटन ने आर्थिक विकास और अंतरराष्ट्रीय पहचान में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया है, वहीं अत्यधिक व्यावसायीकरण, सांस्कृतिक क्षरण, पर्यावरणीय दबाव और असमान आर्थिक लाभ-वितरण जैसी चुनौतियाँ भी उत्पन्न हुई हैं। यह अध्ययन सतत और सामुदायिक-केंद्रित पर्यटन नीति की आवश्यकता पर बल देते हुए निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत करता है।
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IMPROVING SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING THROUGH CRITICAL HUMAN FACTORS: AN HFACS-PROCESS SAFETY INTEGRATION FRAMEWORK
Research Question: How can multidimensional human factors, including individual behaviour, psychological and physiological states, team supervision, human-machine interfaces and organisational governance, be embedded in the safety management systems of chemical manufacturers so that human-factor risks can be systematically identified, quantitatively assessed, specifically controlled and continuously improved?
Motivation: Chemical safety management has traditionally emphasised equipment integrity, process control and regulatory compliance. However, accident investigations repeatedly show that so-called operator error is usually only the final manifestation of a wider failure chain. Fatigue, insufficient competence, handover deficiencies, alarm design, contractor interfaces, supervisory practices and safety culture jointly shape human behaviour. As intelligent production increases the complexity of human-machine coordination and information load, management approaches based mainly on punishment, training counts or accident rates cannot adequately explain or prevent recurring events.
What's New? This paper integrates the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), the Swiss Cheese Model, risk-based process safety, safety-climate research, human reliability analysis and ergonomics. It develops a human-factors safety-governance framework for chemical manufacturing comprising six risk dimensions, twenty-four secondary indicators, three evidence sources and a five-stage closed loop.
So What? The framework gives enterprises a diagnostic tool for shifting from blaming an individual to repairing the system conditions that produce unsafe behaviour. It also offers a phased implementation pathway covering short-term behavioural and operational controls, medium-term organisational adjustment and long-term ergonomic upgrading. The framework can support corporate self-assessment, regulatory inspection, contractor management and digital safety-platform development.
Idea: Human factors in chemical accidents are not a single variable. They emerge through a layered transmission of organisational influences, supervisory deficiencies, preconditions for unsafe acts and unsafe acts. Effective management must address competence and fatigue, procedural usability, team communication, interfaces and alarms, resource allocation, performance incentives and learning culture, while using auditable leading and outcome indicators to test whether interventions work.
Data: The paper draws on published research in ergonomics, process safety, safety culture, automation and organisational accidents. It also conducts a structured comparison of publicly available investigation reports concerning BP Texas City, T2 Laboratories, Tesoro Anacortes, Chevron Richmond, Arkema Crosby, DuPont La Porte and Husky Superior.
Tools: The study uses an integrative literature review, accident-chain comparison, mechanism mapping and framework synthesis. HFACS identifies causal levels; risk-based process safety connects governance elements; human reliability methods and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) inform the proposed quantification approach; and a pilot-validation protocol specifies pre-post comparison, data triangulation and ethical controls for future enterprise research.
Findings: Existing systems display three principal mismatches: the absence of standardised mechanisms for identifying and monitoring human-factor risks; punishment-centred management that fails to remove root causes and may suppress reporting; and an overreliance on injury and accident outcomes that does not provide timely visibility of fatigue, competence, procedures, interfaces or organisational conditions. The paper therefore develops a six-dimensional indicator system, a graded scoring method and an identify-assess-intervene-monitor-improve loop. It also identifies poor data quality, metric gaming, excessive surveillance and responsibility transfer as major implementation risks.
Contribution: The paper extends HFACS from a post-accident classification tool into an ex ante design logic for safety management systems. It also explains how human-factors governance can improve process safety through executable procedures, competence matching, team coordination, appropriate trust and organisational learning.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MEETS HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OBJECT RECOGNITION FOR CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT AND SMART MEDICAL SYSTEMS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed healthcare informatics by enabling the intelligent analysis of medical data and supporting clinical decision-making processes. Among the numerous AI technologies, object recognition has emerged as one of the most promising approaches for identifying anatomical structures, pathological abnormalities, medical instru-ments, and patient activities in diverse healthcare environments. This review provides a com-prehensive overview of recent advances in object recognition techniques applied to healthcare informatics, with particular emphasis on deep learning architectures, clinical decision support systems, and smart medical applications. This review summarises traditional computer vi-sion techniques, convolutional neural networks, region-based detectors, single-stage detectors, transformer-based models, and recent foundation models that have demonstrated remarkable performance in medical image analysis. Furthermore, this study discusses publicly available healthcare datasets, evaluation metrics, explainable artificial intelligence, federated learning, and edge intelligence that contribute to reliable and secure healthcare systems. Existing re-search challenges, including data scarcity, annotation complexity, model interpretability, pri-vacy preservation, and computational limitations, are critically analysed in this study. Finally, potential future research directions involving multimodal artificial intelligence, autonomous healthcare systems, digital twins, and trustworthy AI are discussed. This review aims to pro-vide researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals with a structured understanding of the current developments and future opportunities in intelligent object recognition for modern healthcare informatics.
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PORE-FORMING MATERIALS IN CERAMIC WATER FILTERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE, FILTRATION MECHANISMS, AND THE EMERGING POTENTIAL OF GEOLOGICAL CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
Ceramic water filters (CWFs) are low-cost point-of-use technologies that improve access to safe drinking water in resource-limited communities. Their performance depends largely on the pore-forming materials incorporated into clay during fabrication, which influence porosity, permeability, mechanical strength, and microbial removal. Although biomass-derived pore formers such as sawdust, rice husk, maize cob, starch, cellulose, and paper fibres have been widely investigated, geological carbonaceous materials, particularly lignite, remain poorly studied despite their promising physicochemical properties. This systematic review evaluated the effects of different pore-forming materials on the performance of ceramic water filters, with emphasis on the potential of lignite. A PRISMA-guided literature search of Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar identified 560 records, of which 20 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were grouped into geological carbonaceous materials, wood-derived biomass, agricultural residues, and other organic pore formers. Data on clay composition, pore-former type, firing conditions, porosity, permeability, mechanical strength, flow rate, and microbial removal were synthesized. The review found that biomass-derived pore formers consistently produced highly porous filters with good hydraulic performance and microbial removal, while coal fly ash showed promise in ceramic membrane applications. Although only limited studies have evaluated lignite, available evidence indicates that it can generate stable interconnected pores, improve water flow and microbial removal, and maintain adequate mechanical strength. This review identifies lignite as a promising but underutilized pore-forming material and highlights the need for comparative studies, standardized optimization, durability testing, and field validation to support the development of sustainable, high-performance ceramic water filters.
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AWARENESS OF LIPSTICK-RELATED HEALTH EFFECTS: A REVIEW FOR NURSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Background: Lipstick is one of the most widely used cosmetic products worldwide. Although generally considered safe, repeated exposure to certain ingredients, including heavy metals, preservatives, fragrances, pigments, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, has raised concerns regarding potential adverse health effects. Nurses and public health professionals play an important role in consumer education and early recognition of cosmetic-related health problems.
Objective: To critically review current evidence on lipstick-related health effects and discuss implications for nursing practice and public health.
Methods: A narrative review of literature published mainly between 2020 and 2026 was undertaken using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Evidence from peer-reviewed studies and international regulatory agencies was synthesized.
Results: Current evidence indicates that reputable lipstick brands generally comply with regulatory limits, while counterfeit or poorly regulated products may contain elevated concentrations of heavy metals and other contaminants. Reported health effects include allergic contact cheilitis, mucosal irritation, endocrine disruption, and potential systemic toxicity after long-term exposure.
Conclusion: Awareness regarding safe cosmetic use remains limited. Nursing professionals should incorporate cosmetic safety into health education and public health programmes.
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BIOMETRICAL APPROACHES IN RESEARCH OF FOREST BIOLOGY AND TREE IMPROVEMENT
Forest Biology and Tree Improvement (FBT) play a crucial role in enhancing forest productivity, conserving genetic resources, and developing climate-resilient tree species. Advances in quantitative genetics, biotechnology, genomics, and digital technologies have transformed conventional tree improvement programs into data-driven and precision-based research systems. This paper aims to summarize the major biometrical techniques used in forest biology and tree improvement research and highlight their applications in genetic evaluation, breeding, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management. This paper synthesizes information on classical and advanced biometrical approaches employed in forestry research. It covers experimental designs, descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation and regression analyses, path coefficient analysis, genetic divergence using Mahalanobis D² statistics, multivariate analysis, genetic parameter estimation, REML–BLUP, molecular biometrics, growth and yield modelling, spatial statistics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and machine learning applications.
Moreover, its well-known that Biometrical techniques provide reliable statistical tools for designing experiments, evaluating genetic variability, estimating heritability and breeding values, identifying superior genotypes, and predicting tree growth and productivity. The integration of biometrics with molecular markers, genomics, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technologies has significantly improved the precision and efficiency of tree breeding programs, biodiversity assessment, carbon stock estimation, and precision forestry. These advances have accelerated the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient tree varieties while strengthening conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources. Biometrical techniques remain the foundation of modern forest biology and tree improvement research by enabling objective data analysis and evidence-based decision-making. Their integration with emerging technologies has expanded the scope of forestry research and will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing future challenges related to climate change, forest conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable forest management.
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SUSTAINABLE SOURCING PRACTICES IN INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CHAIN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HALDEX INDIA
This study explores how Haldex India Pvt. Ltd. applies sustainable sourcing to make its supply chain more environmentally friendly and socially responsible. With growing pressure from climate concerns, regulations, and customer expectations, the company has begun focusing on responsible suppliers, eco-friendly materials, and transparent procurement processes. Using surveys and interviews with supply chain professionals and company executives, the research identifies the key reasons behind this shift—such as regulatory compliance, cost reduction, improved product quality, and long-term competitiveness. The findings show that sustainable sourcing has helped Haldex India reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, build stronger supplier relationships, and meet global sustainability standards. However, challenges like supplier capability, cost constraints, and the need for continuous improvement still remain. Overall, the study highlights how sustainable sourcing supports greener, more efficient, and more resilient supply chains in the manufacturing sector.
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विद्यार्थियों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य का उनके शैक्षिक उपलब्धि पर पड़ने वाले प्रभाव का अध्ययन
मानसिक स्वास्थ्य व्यक्ति के समग्र विकास का एक महत्वपूर्ण आधार है। विद्यार्थियों के जीवन में मानसिक स्वास्थ्य का विशेष महत्व है क्योंकि यह उनकी सीखने की क्षमता, एकाग्रता, स्मरण शक्ति, निर्णय लेने की क्षमता तथा शैक्षिक उपलब्धि को प्रत्यक्ष रूप से प्रभावित करता है। वर्तमान प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक युग में विद्यार्थियों पर बढ़ते शैक्षिक दबाव, पारिवारिक अपेक्षाएँ, सामाजिक चुनौतियाँ तथा तकनीकी माध्यमों का अत्यधिक उपयोग उनके मानसिक स्वास्थ्य को प्रभावित कर रहे हैं। प्रस्तुत शोध लेख में विद्यार्थियों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य तथा शैक्षिक उपलब्धि के मध्य संबंध का विश्लेषण किया गया है। अध्ययन से स्पष्ट होता है कि सकारात्मक मानसिक स्वास्थ्य विद्यार्थियों की शैक्षिक सफलता में सहायक होता है, जबकि तनाव, चिंता, अवसाद तथा अन्य मानसिक समस्याएँ उनकी शैक्षिक उपलब्धि को नकारात्मक रूप से प्रभावित करती हैं। स्वस्थ मानसिक स्थिति विद्यार्थियों की सीखने की क्षमता, एकाग्रता, स्मरण शक्ति, आत्मविश्वास तथा शैक्षिक उपलब्धि को सकारात्मक रूप से प्रभावित करती है। इसके विपरीत तनाव, अवसाद, चिंता, भावनात्मक असंतुलन तथा मानसिक दबाव विद्यार्थियों की शैक्षिक प्रगति में बाधक बनते हैं। विभिन्न राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय शोधों में मानसिक स्वास्थ्य और शैक्षिक उपलब्धि के मध्य घनिष्ठ संबंध पाया गया है।
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UTILIZATION OF INSTAGRAM ADS AS A PROMOTIONAL MEDIUM AT SONDA RADJA PRINTING
The development of digital communication technology has encouraged business actors to utilize social media as a means of promotion that is broader and more effective. One social media platform widely used is Instagram, which provides the Instagram Ads feature to help business actors reach target audiences more optimally and increase user interaction. This study aims to analyze the use of Instagram Ads as a promotional medium at Sonda Radja Printing. The research uses a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. Data collection is conducted through observation, interviews, documentation, as well as analysis of Instagram insight data before and after the advertisement implementation. The research process includes converting the account into a business account, creating promotional materials, carrying out an advertising campaign through Instagram Ads, and evaluating the results based on promotional objectives that include informing, persuading, and reminding aspects. The research results indicate that the use of Instagram Ads has a positive impact on the promotional activities of Sonda Radja Printing. This improvement is evident from the increased account reach, content impressions, profile visits, as well as user interactions after the ads were displayed. In addition to expanding the dissemination of information about printing services, Instagram Ads can also increase the interest of potential customers in the products offered and help maintain the business's presence in the minds of the public. Therefore, Instagram Ads can be used as one of the effective promotional media in supporting the marketing activities of Sonda Radja Printing.
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OPTIMIZATION OF PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION PARAMETERS OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION (IC) ENGINES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Internal combustion (IC) engines are the heart of transportation industry. It is extensively used in transportation and industrial applications; however, they contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Optimization of engine performance parameters — such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and emissions parameters including NOₓ, HC, CO and particulate matter — is essential to meet stringent regulatory standards. This review critically examines research progress in optimization strategies including biodiesel and ethanol blend usage, hydrogen enrichment, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and injection timing optimization. Methods such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Taguchi Technique, and artificial intelligence (AI) based modeling are investigated. Key findings, research gaps, and future directions are highlighted to guide further research and practical applications.
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PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY: ITS IMPORTANCE, INFLUENCING FACTORS, DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, AND IMPACT ON ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
Problem-solving ability is considered one of the most essential competencies required for effective learning, informed decision-making, and successful adaptation to changing environments. In the twenty-first century, individuals regularly encounter academic, professional, technological, and social challenges that demand systematic analysis, logical reasoning, creativity, and sound judgment. Consequently, the development of problem-solving ability has become a major objective of contemporary education and workforce preparation.
This paper examines the concept of problem-solving ability by reviewing its theoretical foundations, educational significance, major influencing factors, and practical strategies for improvement. The discussion highlights that successful problem solving extends beyond intelligence alone; it involves critical thinking, prior knowledge, creativity, motivation, communication, and reflective learning. The paper also explores how educational institutions can cultivate these competencies through learner-centred instructional methods, collaborative activities, inquiry-based learning, and technology-supported teaching practices.
The review suggests that problem-solving ability is a learnable and continuously developing skill rather than an innate characteristic possessed by only a few individuals. Appropriate educational experiences, supportive learning environments, and regular practice enable learners to improve their analytical thinking and decision-making capabilities. Furthermore, strong problem-solving competence contributes significantly to academic success, workplace efficiency, innovation, leadership, and lifelong learning.
Overall, strengthening problem-solving ability is essential for preparing individuals to respond effectively to complex and unpredictable situations. Educational systems should therefore integrate structured opportunities that encourage critical inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and reflective thinking, thereby equipping learners with the competencies necessary for sustainable personal, academic, and professional development.
Additive manufacturing commonly known as 3 D printing,is a process that builds physical objects directly from digital CAD models by depositing materials layer by layer.Unlike conventional manufacturing,where material is removed from a solid block,additive manufacturing builds the object only where material is needed. Additive Manufacturing allows for highly complex geometries that are impossible or too expensive to produce using conventional methods.Because material is added only where needed,it results in significantly less waste.
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THE ROLE OF DIGITAL MARKETING IN PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESSES: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PRAYAGRAJ
Digital marketing has emerged as a low-cost, high-reach alternative to traditional promotion, and its adoption among small and medium local businesses in tier-2 Indian cities is of growing academic and policy interest. This study examines the role of digital marketing in promoting local businesses in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with specific attention to digital marketing adoption, customer engagement, brand awareness, and perceived business growth. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 215 local business owners and managers operating across retail, food and beverage, services, handicrafts/manufacturing, and education sectors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha for reliability, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, independent samples ttests, and one-way ANOVA. The results indicate that digital marketing adoption is significantly and positively associated with customer engagement, brand awareness, and business growth, and that digital marketing adoption together with customer engagement explains a substantial proportion of variance in perceived business growth. No statistically significant differences were found across gender or years in business, suggesting that the benefits of digital marketing are broadly accessible regardless of these demographic factors. The study concludes that digital marketing, particularly through platforms such as WhatsApp Business, Facebook, Instagram, and Google My Business, offers a viable and increasingly essential growth lever for local businesses in Prayagraj, while cost, digital literacy, and technical skill gaps remain notable barriers. Practical recommendations for local business owners, digital marketing service providers, and policymakers are offered.
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REAL-TIME STANDALONE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION FOR NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION ASSISTANCE USING ESP32-CAM AND EDGE IMPULSE TINYML AN ON-EDGE GRAYSCALE NEURAL NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION FOR LOW-RESOURCE MICROCONTROLLERS
This paper presents the design, development, and physical implementation of an on-edge, low-cost sign language translation assistant tailored for speech-impaired individuals. Utilizing the highly resource-constrained ESP32-S microcontroller platform integrated with an OV2640 camera sensor, we present a complete TinyML pipeline capable of capturing, processing, and translating hand gestures locally in real-time without active internet or cloud-computing reliance. We collected a custom gesture dataset comprising three primary physiological assistance prompts: thumbs_up (indicating "ALL RIGHT / OK"), toilet ("NEED TOILET"), and shit ("NEED RESTROOM"). Using the Edge Impulse framework, the raw images were squashed, processed in a single-channel grayscale space, and fed into an optimized, quantized (INT8) MobileNetV2 neural network. Experimental validation demonstrated an overall classification accuracy of 88.9%, with certain core signs achieving 100% localized detection confidence. The compiled system operates at an ultra-low latency of under 1019ms on-device, running entirely in-memory with the microcontroller's onboard Pseudo-Static RAM (PSRAM). This approach highlights a fully standalone, low-power, privacy-centric paradigm for assistive edge intelligence.
The movie Citizen Vigilante has taken the west by storm. Directed by Uwe Boll, starring Armie Hammer, released and instantly banned and blocked in countries like Germany, UK, South Korea, Taiwan, it has been dubbed as right-wing and Islamophobic. A similar labeling of movies in India has seen going on for some time and Dhurandhar has been one of them. The unprecedented success of Dhurandhar movie on a global scale has created ripples all around, especially in the Indian political and media landscape. While it has been acclaimed by many as a cinematic masterpiece, an incredibly unyielding script and storyline with a major realism ingrained, some have gone overboard in trashing it as political, propaganda and supportive of India’s ruling elite. An objective analysis of the movie, however, reveals that it has been made beautifully, with a lot of dedication, immaculate research and impressive performances by the entire crew.
The story revolves around one Jaskirat who getting trained to join the military, under a certain situation turns rogue, kills some people violently, imprisoned and ordered death sentence by a court. Given his training as a Special Forces officer, dedication and the extreme anger against criminals, he is whisked away by Indian intelligence agencies, molded and sent to Pakistan as an undercover operative to infiltrate major criminal gangs in Karachi’s Lyari area (Pakistan) to carry out major covert operations.
It is a fact that criminals in almost all countries, India, US, UK, Italy, Thailand, Pakistan, Kenya, Middle East or the west, everywhere gets patronized and protected by politicians who in turn secure money or use them for their illegal activities surreptitiously. A good number of Indian movies portray the political-criminal-terror nexus on a routine basis and nobody raises a finger on it.
It then looks bizarre that Dhurandhar is being castigated by some for using this background and is thrashed by known anti-government elements/ propagandists as anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan or hyper nationalistic. To begin with, similar to other movies, it also begins with a disclaimer that inspired by real events, the movie is a work of fiction. The background of the movie is set in Lyari, an infamous criminal den in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi. All major characters, Rehman Dacait, Arshad Pappu, Uzair Baloch, SP Aslam, ASP Omar, politician Jamali their actions and events, as shown in the movie are real and factual.
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INDIA'S ENERGY SECURITY: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES – A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Energy security has become one of the most significant priorities for India as the country experiences rapid economic growth, industrialization, urbanization, and increasing energy demand. As the world's third-largest energy consumer, India faces multiple challenges, including heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, rising greenhouse gas emissions, geopolitical uncertainties, climate change, infrastructure limitations, and unequal access to modern energy services. Simultaneously, the global transition toward low-carbon energy systems has created unprecedented opportunities for renewable energy deployment, digital transformation, green hydrogen development, energy storage technologies, smart grids, and sustainable policy reforms. These developments are reshaping India's energy landscape and supporting the country's commitment toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 while ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.
This review critically examines the present status of India's energy security by synthesizing recent literature on conventional and renewable energy resources, energy transition policies, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks, digital technologies, smart energy systems, and sustainable energy governance. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data analytics, blockchain, Industry 4.0, smart grids, and digital transformation in enhancing energy efficiency and system resilience. The review also evaluates emerging challenges, including import dependency, climate change, geopolitical risks, energy affordability, financing constraints, policy fragmentation, and technological disparities. Furthermore, future research directions and policy recommendations are presented to support India's long-term energy security and sustainable development objectives.
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THE UTILITY OF ADVANCED IMAGING IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY
Imaging technologies play an integral role in forensic anthropology cases. Advances in digital photography allow the anthropologist to photo-document the scene and skeletal remains in exceptional detail. Traditionally, radiographs have been used to document remains, potential trauma, and any individualizing characteristics such as healing trauma and frontal sinus morphology. Given technological advances, some forensic anthropologists have begun to incorporate more advanced imaging methods in their case analyses and research, such as computed tomography and three-dimensional (3D) surface scans. These advanced imaging technologies provide a means to document skeletal remains and trauma, and can be used to create 3D replicas of the elements for archival and illustrative purposes. Re searchers have begun to develop novel methods for estimating biological parameters from these 3D virtual models, using new variables such as surface areas and volumes, and advanced statistical methods (e.g., geometric morphometric analyses) to quantitatively analyse skeletal variation for sex and ancestry estimation. The use of these technologies in forensic anthropology remains somewhat limited, however, due to required costs, expertise, and the time involved in collecting and processing the data. Newly developed methods require further validation, and some areas of advanced imaging, such as photogrammetry, remain relatively unexplored in the field. Interdisciplinary collaborations between forensic anthropologists and other medicolegal professionals can help alleviate some of these resource constraints and facilitate advancements in forensic case analysis and research.
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DIGITAL EDUCATION AND DATA PRIVACY UNDER NEP 2020: A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE DPDP ACT, 2023 TOWARDS VIKSIT BHARAT@2047
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promises a dramatic transition to digital education, fostering accessibility, diversity, and technological integration within India’s educational framework. The growing reliance on online platforms, virtual classrooms, and EdTech applications has led to a substantial increase in the collection and processing of students' personal data, thereby raising significant concerns about privacy and data protection.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) establishes an essential legal framework for regulating data processing operations and protecting individual privacy. Educational institutions and EdTech platforms, acting as data fiduciaries, are now accountable for ensuring authorized processing, obtaining valid consent, and upholding data security, especially regarding minors' data.
This paper employs a doctrinal research method to rigorously analyze the convergence between the NEP 2020 and the DPDP Act, 2023. It assesses whether the current legal framework adequately addresses developing concerns, including informed consent, data breaches, algorithmic profiling, and the commercialization of educational data. The paper contextualizes these challenges within the overarching constitutional framework of the right to privacy as acknowledged by the Supreme Court of India.
The study contends that whereas NEP 2020 robustly promotes digital transformation, it lacks a robust data governance framework, thereby requiring effective enforcement of the DPDP Act. It concludes with ideas for strengthening regulatory compliance, enhancing institutional accountability, and ensuring ethical data practices. These approaches are crucial for fostering trust in digital education and realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
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ONBOARDING EXPERIENCE AND ADOPTION OF TOKENIZED REAL ESTATE PLATFORMS
Blockchain technology has changed the real estate industry by making it possible to split ownership of expensive properties into smaller parts, so more people can invest with less money. Even though this makes investing easier, more liquid, and more open, not many people are using these platforms, especially in developing countries. A big reason for this is how easy or hard it is for new investors to get started. This includes things like checking their identity (KYC), showing them how the platform works (Demo Sessions), and making sure the interface is simple to use. This study looks at how the starting experience affects whether people choose to use these new real estate platforms. RyzerX is the company being studied. The goal is to see how the onboarding process affects trust, confidence, and interest in using blockchain for real estate investments.
A qualitative research approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and a case study. Data was collected from investors, fintech professionals, blockchain experts, and real estate advisors in different regions. Secondary data came from academic journals, industry reports, and other relevant sources. The results show that a simple KYC process, clear product demos, and easy-to-use dashboards really help build investor confidence and trust. Trust was the main factor linking how good the onboarding experience was to whether people wanted to use the platform. The study also found that complicated compliance rules, not enough education for investors, and confusing interfaces are big obstacles. Younger investors, especially Millennials and Gen Z, were more likely to try tokenized real estate platforms if the onboarding was simple, clear, and worked well on phones.
The study shows that making the onboarding process better is key to getting more investors involved and speeding up the use of tokenized real estate platforms. The suggestions can help RyzerX and other fintech companies create onboarding experiences that are easier for users, build trust, and get more people to use these platforms.
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WOMEN-LED TOURISM, GREEN TRANSPORT AND THE FUTURE OF BASTAR
Bastar, with its forests, waterfalls, red-soil roads and living tribal traditions, represents one of the most meaningful possibilities for sustainable tourism in Chhattisgarh. However, the future of tourism in this region cannot be understood only through natural beauty or visitor numbers. It must also be seen through the lives of local communities, especially women, who carry deep knowledge of food, forests, crafts, culture and hospitality. This paper argues that women-led tourism can offer Bastar a more inclusive and sustainable path of development. By placing women at the centre of homestays, local food services, craft experiences, guiding, community markets and eco-tourism activities, tourism can become a source of dignity, ownership and local income rather than mere cultural display.
The paper also connects this idea with women-led transportation, such as pink e-rickshaws and women-driven tourist vehicles, which can improve mobility, safety and employment while linking tourists directly with community-based tourism services. Examples from North-Eastern states, including women-led homestays in Arunachal Pradesh, Eri silk tourism in Meghalaya and women-run markets in Manipur, show how women can become strong leaders in local tourism economies.
At the same time, the paper highlights the challenge of excessive mining in the Bastar region. Mining may bring revenue and infrastructure, but uncontrolled extraction can damage forests, water sources, cultural landscapes and the very ecological base on which tourism depends. Therefore, the paper suggests that Bastar’s tourism future should be built on women’s leadership, green mobility, community ownership and strict ecological responsibility.
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COCONUT TREE DISEASE DETECTION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT USING FEATURE-DRIVEN RANDOM FOREST ENSEMBLE MACHINE LEARNING FRAMEWORKS
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) cultivation serves as a socioeconomic backbone for tropical regions globally, particularly across coastal environments. However, the overall yield efficiency is severely bottlenecked by aggressive pathogenic outbreaks,including Bud Rot (Phytophthora palmivora), Leaf Rot(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides),and Grey Leaf Spot (Pestalotiopsis palmarum). Manual visual inspection techniques executed by agrarian experts are inherently slow, scale-limited, expensive, and susceptible to severe human classification bias. This research presents an extensive, end-to-end multi-stage computer-vision driven framework engineered specifically for the automated localization, segmentation, and highly granular classification of coconut canopy anomalies using the Random Forest (RF) machine learning algorithm. The system leverages state-of-the-art spatial preprocessing pipelines alongside multi-channel statistical feature matrices (incorporating Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrices and invariant Local Binary Patterns).These distinct high-dimensional representations train an optimized ensemble of deep decision hyperplanes to perform multi-class categorical mapping. The proposed architectural paradigm yields an outstanding experimental diagnostic accuracy of 94.88%, maintaining nominal computational complexity. The lean footprint profile guarantees optimal compatibility with resource-constrained IoT edge devices and portable field instrumentation, fostering transformative, proactive paradigms within precision tropical agriculture.
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LPG SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS IN BIHAR: EFFECTS ON INFORMAL ECONOMY, FOOD PRICES, AND SMALL BUSINESSES
The 2026 LPG supply disruptions in India, driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia (particularly the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran) and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, severely affected Bihar. This paper examines the socio-economic impacts on the state’s informal economy, focusing on street vendors, dhabas, tea stalls, small eateries, and related food services. Using a mixed-methods approach with secondary data from government reports, oil marketing companies (OMCs), news coverage (March–April 2026), and qualitative accounts from districts such as Patna, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Kaimur, and Darbhanga, the study documents delivery delays of 4–9 days, commercial LPG rationing, and black-market prices reaching ₹3,000–₹5,000 for a 14.2 kg cylinder.
Small businesses relying on commercial 19 kg cylinders faced 15–35% rises in operational costs. Many vendors raised menu prices for staples (tea, snacks, meals) by 10–25%, switched to coal/wood, reduced operations, or closed temporarily. This contributed to localized food price inflation, hitting daily-wage workers and low-income consumers hardest. The crisis also triggered reverse migration of Bihar-origin workers from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Surat, as urban food services scaled back. While PMUY subsidies offered partial household relief (₹300 per refill, up to 9 cylinders), commercial users and informal operators remained exposed.
The analysis reveals structural vulnerabilities in Bihar’s energy-dependent informal sector (employing ~80% of the workforce). Policy recommendations include ring-fenced commercial LPG quotas, accelerated piped natural gas (PNG) rollout, district-level buffer stocks, and targeted vendor support. This study contributes to socio-economic literature on energy poverty, informal resilience, and global shock transmission in lagging Indian states. (Word count: 298)
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INFLUENCE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ON FUNDING AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
The study examined the influence of the contribution of Non-Governmental Organization on the funding and human resource management of public secondary schools in Benue state, Nigeria. The study focused on school funding and provision of human resources. The study adopted survey research design. The study was carried out in Benue State, Nigeria. The population of the study is 4888 principals and teachers. The population is made up of 301 principals and 4587 teachers in Benue State. The sample size is 370 respondents. The sample size was determined by the use of Taro Yamen formula. A structured questionnaire titled Contributions of Non-Governmental Organization on the Management of public secondary schools questionnaire (CNGOMPSSQ) was used for data collection in the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while Chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. After the analysis of the data collected, the study revealed that Non-Governmental Organization have positive influence on the management of public secondary schools in Benue state through their substantial contribution to school funding and provision of human resources. Based on the finding of the study, the study recommended among others that Government at all levels should create an enabling environment for Non-Governmental Organization to thrive and also to encourage partnership between Non-Governmental Organization and secondary schools in Benue state.
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THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF KĀMA AND SAṄKALPA IN THE PROGRESSION OF MANIFESTATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FOUR KASHMIR ŚAIVA TEXTS
Every thought passes through certain stages before it becomes real. A thought arises, gathers force, takes direction, and expresses itself in speech, action, or an event that determines the quality of life. The Śaiva texts of Kashmir describe this passage with care. They name the forces that drive it, kāma, desire, and saṅkalpa, resolve. This study asks how kāma and saṅkalpa work together to produce manifestation, understood here as abhivyakti, the outward expression of what lies within. This study is based on the review of each of the four Śaiva texts, the Śiva Sūtra, the Spanda Kārikā, the Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam, and the Vijñāna Bhairava. Each text has its own vocabulary and its own model of how thought unfolds into form. The study first defines kāma, saṅkalpa, and manifestation in each text. It then traces the progression of manifestation as each text describes it. It compares and contrasts the four accounts and subsequently draws them together into a single view.
The central finding is that kāma and saṅkalpa are complementary. Kāma supplies energy. Saṅkalpa supplies direction. Neither alone brings a thought to fruition. Desire without direction scatters. Direction without desire stays inert. Manifestation follows when the two align. The texts also distinguish desire and resolve by their moral orientation. A resolve rooted in truth, satya-saṅkalpa, bears different fruit from a resolve rooted in harm (pāpa-saṅkalpa). This distinction gives the account its practical weight. The study closes with practical application in human behaviour. If manifestation follows a known sequence, that sequence can be governed. The texts offer tools for this governance. They teach how to let noble thoughts ripen and how to still the noise of unwanted ones. This has direct bearing on mental well-being, on the roots of anxiety and low mood, and on the shaping of conduct. These terms are often called Tantric. The study asks whether they belong to Yoga as well, and finds that the two are joined in the Śaiva view.
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THE INDIAN REBELLION OF 1857: A TURNING POINT IN COLONIAL STATE FORMATION AND PROTO-NATIONALISM
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 remains one of the most significant events in the history of British colonialism in South Asia. Although initially dismissed by colonial historians as a mere military mutiny, contemporary scholarship recognizes it as a complex and multidimensional uprising rooted in political dispossession, economic exploitation, military grievances, and socio-cultural anxieties. The rebellion involved diverse social groups including sepoys, dispossessed rulers, peasants, landlords, artisans, and religious leaders, making it one of the earliest large-scale anti-colonial movements in India. While the revolt lacked centralized leadership and a coherent nationalist ideology, it fundamentally transformed colonial governance by ending the rule of the British East India Company and initiating direct Crown administration. This paper examines the rebellion through political, economic, military, and historiographical perspectives to argue that the events of 1857 constituted a decisive turning point in colonial state formation and significantly contributed to the emergence of Indian nationalism. By engaging with colonial, nationalist, Marxist, and Subaltern interpretations, the study demonstrates how the meanings attached to the rebellion have evolved over time and why it continues to occupy a central place in Indian historical consciousness.
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MECHANISMS OF CONSTRUCTION LOGISTICS OPTIMIZATION FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ACROSS FCT, NIGERIA
Construction material waste remains a major challenge affecting project cost, productivity, and sustainability within residential construction projects in Nigeria. This study examined the mechanisms of construction logistics optimization for residential construction materials across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, intending to identify logistics optimization mechanisms adopted by construction firms, determining factors contributing to material waste generation, assessing the effectiveness of logistics optimization practices, and evaluate strategies for improving sustainable construction logistics. A mixed-method research design was adopted, combining structured questionnaires administered to 389 construction professionals with Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative responses were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that Site Material Control Systems (RII = 0.924), Supplier Coordination Mechanisms (RII = 0.910), and Inventory Management Systems (RII = 0.896) were the most widely adopted logistics optimization mechanisms. Poor Material Handling (RII = 0.942), Material Damage During Transportation (RII = 0.930), and Inadequate Storage Facilities (RII = 0.916) emerged as the leading causes of material waste. Regression analysis further confirmed that construction logistics optimization mechanisms significantly influence material waste reduction (R² = 0.659; p < 0.001). The study concludes that strengthening logistics planning, adopting digital logistics technologies, and implementing lean construction practices can substantially reduce material waste, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainable residential construction in Nigeria.
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EXTENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTHY LEARNING INSTITUTION (HLI) INITIATIVES IN SELECTED PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTH BUTUAN DISTRICT: BASIS FOR A SCHOOL HEALTH ENHANCEMENT PLAN (SHEP)
This study aimed to describe the implementation of the Healthy Learning Institution (HLI) program among selected public schools in South Butuan District, Division of Butuan City, using a mixed-method research approach. Specifically, it determined the level of HLI implementation in terms of healthy school policy, physical school environment, social school environment, health skills and education, links with the community, and access to healthcare. The study utilized three years of secondary data from eleven (11) selected public schools using the standardized HLI assessment tool prescribed by the Department of Education. Furthermore, qualitative data were gathered through interviews with teachers and school heads to explore their experiences, best practices, and challenges encountered in implementing the program.
The findings revealed that the selected schools consistently obtained passing marks in all identified areas of HLI implementation during School Year 2025–2026. Best practices were evident, including the provision of food and medical assistance, strengthened stakeholder partnerships, and the integration of health concepts into classroom instruction and school activities. Respondents perceived the HLI program as highly effective, citing its positive contributions to improved teaching and learning outcomes, enhanced health awareness, and better hygiene practices among learners. However, challenges such as overlapping school activities, limited financial resources, inadequate manpower, and uncertainty regarding the sustained participation of learners and parents were identified. To address these concerns, schools maximized stakeholder collaboration, strengthened partnerships, and utilized income-generating initiatives such as the Gulayan sa Paaralan program to support program sustainability.
The study concluded that the implementation of HLI in South Butuan District has exceeded the required standards, demonstrating the commitment of schools and stakeholders toward promoting healthier learning environments. The program has significantly contributed to learners’ health-seeking behaviors, overall well-being, and positive school experiences. Based on the findings, an enhancement program was developed to strengthen the sustainability and effectiveness of HLI implementation. The study recommends that DepEd administrators, school heads, and teachers utilize the findings as a basis for policy development, school improvement planning, and the continuous enhancement of health-related programs. Future researchers may further investigate the relationship between HLI implementation and learners’ academic performance and expand the scope of research to other schools and divisions.
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ROLE OF POLYMERS IN CONTROLLED AND SUSTAINED RELEASE FORMULATION
Polymers have played an integral role in the advancement of drug delivery technology by providing controlled release of therapeutic agents in constant doses over long periods, cyclic dosage, and tunable release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. From early beginnings using off-the-shelf materials, the field has grown tremendously, driven in part by the innovations of chemical engineers. Modern advances in drug delivery are now predicated upon the rational design of polymers tailored for specific cargo and engineered to exert distinct biological functions. In this review, we highlight the fundamental drug delivery systems and their mathematical foundations and discuss the physiological barriers to drug delivery. Hierarchical progress in modern drug delivery begins with the use of polymer carriers to elicit spatiotemporal release of therapeutics in both pulsatile dose delivery products and implanted reservoir systems. Although conventional drug delivery formulations have contributed greatly to the treatment of disease, the emergence of potent and specific biological therapeutics has escalated the impetus for intelligent delivery systems. Tremendous progress has been made as a result of the exploration of diffusion-controlled and solvent-activated formulations in drug delivery. Hydrogels and other polymer-based carriers have been developed to provide safe passage for pharmaceuticals through inhospitable physiological regions. Polymers of controlled molecular architecture can be engineered to give a well-defined response to external conditions as a result of a solid understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the nature of behavioral transitions. Polymers incorporated with therapeutics can be bioactive to provide their own therapeutic benefit or can be biodegradable to improve release kinetics and prevent carrier accumulation. Pharmaceutical agents have been conjugated to polymers to modify transport or circulation half-life characteristics as well as to allow for passive and active targeting.
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NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND MINERAL PROFILE OF LOCUST BEAN CAKE (PARKIA BIGLOBOSA) AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE IN ADDRESSING MALNUTRITION
Malnutrition remains a serious public health problem across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the proximate composition and mineral profile of locust bean cake derived from Parkia biglobosa. Some samples were analyzed using standard analytical procedures, including the Kjeldahl method for protein determination, Soxhlet extraction for lipid analysis, gravimetric methods for crude fiber, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for mineral quantification. Results indicated high crude protein (47.72%), fat (32.19%), and fiber (30.92%) contents. Essential minerals identified included calcium (0.83%), magnesium (0.70%), phosphorus (0.60%), potassium (0.76%), sodium (0.27%), iron (0.05%), copper (0.01%), and zinc (0.01%). The findings demonstrate that locust bean cake is a nutrient-dense food with substantial potential for improving dietary protein intake and micronutrient status. Modernized processing and enhanced product standardization may support its broader utilization in food security strategies.
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AN INVESTIGATION OF INNOVATION IN CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN KATSINA STATE-NIGERIA: THE PROFESSIONALS’ PERSPECTIVE
Innovation in construction firms refers to the adoption and application of new ideas, technologies, processes, and business approaches that improve the planning, execution, and management of construction projects. Despite the significant contribution of the construction industry to economic development, the industry has been widely criticized for its relatively low level of innovation, which has contributed to poor productivity, cost overruns, quality challenges, and reduced competitiveness. Conversely, innovation has been recognized as a key driver of improved organisational performance, enhanced productivity, better client satisfaction, and sustainable business growth. This study aimed to assess the innovation practices and benefits of innovation among construction firms in Katsina State, Nigeria, from the perspective of construction professionals. The study adopted a quantitative survey research design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean score, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that product (technology), process, and marketing innovation practices among construction firms in Katsina State are practiced at an occasional level, with overall Mean Item Scores (MIS) of 2.64 (SD = 1.30), 3.19 (SD = 1.25), and 3.40 (SD = 1.26), respectively. Among the product and technology innovations, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR) ranked highest, with MIS values of 3.05 (SD = 1.19), 2.99 (SD = 1.34), and 2.83 (SD = 1.29), respectively. Similarly, Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) emerged as the leading process innovation practices, with MIS values of 3.43 (SD = 1.25), 3.36 (SD = 1.39), and 3.20 (SD = 1.24), respectively. The leading marketing innovation practices included the use of project signboards, business networking, and proposal writing to attract clients, with MIS values of 3.92 (SD = 1.11), 3.77 (SD = 1.06), and 3.74 (SD = 1.19), respectively. The study further revealed that the most important benefits of innovation to construction firms in Katsina State include gaining professional experience, improving client satisfaction, and ensuring business sustainability, with MIS values of 4.27 (SD = 0.94), 4.23 (SD = 0.99), and 4.20 (SD = 0.95), respectively. The study concludes that although construction firms in Katsina State have embraced innovation to some extent, the level of adoption remains moderate, indicating considerable potential for improvement. It is therefore recommended that construction firms increase the adoption of innovative technologies, processes, and marketing practices to maximize the benefits of innovation, improve organisational performance, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth within the construction industry.
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DEVELOPMENT OF A TOURISM DESTINATION BUSINESS MODEL STRATEGY TO ENHANCE THE INDEPENDENCE OF BUMDES IN KALE KO’MARA VILLAGE
Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh pentingnya pengembangan destinasi wisata desa sebagai upaya meningkatkan kemandirian ekonomi Badan Usaha Milik Desa di tengah potensi wisata lokal yang belum dikelola secara optimal. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan merancang strategi pengembangan model bisnis destinasi wisata All-Terrain Vehicle di Desa Kale Ko’mara dalam rangka meningkatkan kemandirian Badan Usaha Milik Desa. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan jenis studi kasus. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan Business Model Canvas dan analisis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa wisata All-Terrain Vehicle Desa Kale Ko’mara memiliki potensi yang kuat dari sisi daya tarik alam, jalur wisata yang khas, harga yang terjangkau, dan dukungan kelembagaan desa. Namun, masih terdapat beberapa kelemahan, seperti keterbatasan sarana operasional, belum optimalnya pemasaran digital, sistem manajemen yang masih sederhana, serta belum adanya rencana bisnis formal. Hasil analisis internal dan eksternal menunjukkan bahwa destinasi ini berada pada posisi strategi pertumbuhan agresif, sehingga pengembangan usaha perlu diarahkan pada penguatan promosi digital, diversifikasi produk wisata, peningkatan kapasitas sumber daya manusia, penguatan kemitraan strategis, dan pengembangan sumber pendapatan baru. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa penggunaan Business Model Canvas yang didukung analisis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats efektif untuk merumuskan strategi model bisnis yang lebih terstruktur, adaptif, dan berkelanjutan dalam mendukung peningkatan kemandirian Badan Usaha Milik Desa Desa Kale Ko’mara. Penelitian selanjutnya disarankan menguji strategi ini secara kuantitatif terhadap peningkatan pendapatan dan kepuasan pengunjung.
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ADDICTION INTERVENTION AND MANAGEMENT IN DEAF PERSONS USING CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT, CBT, REST, ACT, AND FAMILY THERAPY
Communication hurdles, cultural disparities, and limited access to specialised treatment approaches make addiction management difficult for deaf people. This study examines how to treat deaf addiction with evidence-based therapies such family therapy, CBT, REBT, ACT, and contingency management. Deaf people who respond strongly to visual stimuli and organised incentives may benefit from CM's material rewards for abstinence. CBT and REBT target dysfunctional thought processes and help patients manage emotional distress, triggers, and addictions. ACT promotes emotional acceptance and value-based action to increase psychological flexibility. These therapies are adjusted for deaf people using sign language interpreters, visual aids, and culturally acceptable procedures. Family therapy is prioritised to address structural difficulties, improve family support, and educate families about addiction and deafness. Family involvement improves communication and healing. The study emphasises the need for linguistically and culturally appropriate interventions to achieve efficacy and equality. Integrating several treatment modalities targets addiction and psychological aspects to make recovery more comprehensive. The findings highlight the need for deaf cultural and communication training for mental health professionals and more deaf addiction treatment options. This paradigm integrates multiple treatment frameworks to reduce relapse rates and improve deaf addiction recovery quality of life. This study stresses the need for greater research and legislation changes to create more inclusive addiction management programs that meet deaf requirements.
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EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF AURICULOTHERAPY ON CHILDHOOD BRUXISM AND PARENTAL ANXIETY: AN ANALYTIC PERSPECTIVE
Childhood bruxism is a persistent and troubling illness for numerous families, frequently affecting not only the child but also increasing parental worry and disrupting family dynamics. Conventional dentistry and medical practices predominantly emphasise symptom management, although there is increasing interest in complementary and alternative therapies that tackle the psychosocial aspects of childhood disorders. This paper offers an analytical, non-empirical assessment of auriculotherapy as a supplementary approach in addressing childhood bruxism and its possible effects on parental anxiety. The paper contextualises auriculotherapy within a biopsychosocial framework, informed by interdisciplinary literature in child psychology, complementary medicine, family systems theory, and social stress studies, acknowledging both physiological regulation and symbolic reassurance as significant elements of caregiving experiences. Special emphasis is placed on sociocultural factors in Nigeria and analogous African contexts, where health-seeking behaviours are influenced by diverse medical systems and significant familial engagement in child care. The article examines the conceptual mechanisms by which auriculotherapy may affect muscle tension, emotional regulation, parental feeling of control, and the emotional climate within families, rather than assessing clinical efficacy. The paper contends that comprehending the social and psychological implications of auriculotherapy is crucial for recognising its perceived advantages and constraints in the management of childhood bruxism. By conceptualising childhood bruxism as a family-centered psychosocial phenomenon, the paper enhances broader conversations on integrative child health, parental well-being, and culturally sensitive care.
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REPOSITIONING HUMANITIES EDUCATION FOR RELEVANCE IN A TECH-DRIVEN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT: AN INCLUSIVE PERSPECTIVE ON DEAF PERSONS
The swift incorporation of technology into educational settings has heightened apprehensions over the significance of humanities education, especially for deaf students whose linguistic and cultural experiences are sometimes overlooked. This paper examines the potential for humanities education to include deaf epistemologies, highlighting visual, bodily, and performative modes of knowledge as fundamental to learning and interpretation. Utilising phenomenological perspectives, it analyses the lived experiences of deaf individuals in technology-mediated humanities courses, emphasising the obstacles presented by hearing-centric pedagogies and the potential provided by inclusive technological tools. The discourse emphasises the significance of curricular reformation, multimodal instruction, varied assessment methodologies, and faculty enhancement in promoting substantial participation. Furthermore, it examines the ramifications of deaf-inclusive frameworks for social sciences and arts studies, highlighting epistemic diversity, ethical representation, and interdisciplinary enhancement. The results indicate that technology, when judiciously implemented, can enhance the engagement and creativity of deaf learners, provided it is rooted in culturally responsive and linguistically attuned methodologies. The paper advocates for a form of humanities education that prioritises deaf experiences and epistemologies, promoting inclusivity, pluralism, and relevance in the digital era, while providing actionable proposals for curriculum development, pedagogy, evaluation, and institutional policies.
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FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NATURAL INGREDIENT TABLETS PREPARED FROM WATER AMARANTH AND DRAGON FRUIT
Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress-related disorders has accelerated the development of plant-based nutraceuticals with antioxidant and health-promoting properties. Amaranthus viridis (Water Amaranth) and Hylocereus undatus (Dragon Fruit) are rich sources of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, betalains, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them promising candidates for functional nutraceutical formulations.
Objective: To formulate and evaluate nutraceutical herbal tablets containing Amaranthus viridis and Hylocereus undatus and assess their phytochemical composition, pharmaceutical quality, antioxidant activity, and stability.
Materials and Methods: Herbal tablets were prepared by the wet granulation method using suitable pharmaceutical excipients. The formulation was evaluated for pre-compression properties, post-compression quality parameters, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and accelerated stability under 40 ± 2°C/75 ± 5% RH for three months.
Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, carbohydrates, and saponins. The tablets exhibited satisfactory pre- and post-compression characteristics, with a disintegration time of 5.17 min and 93.8% dissolution within 30 min. The formulation showed 78.24% DPPH radical scavenging activity, a total phenolic content of 68.5 mg GAE/g, and a total flavonoid content of 42.8 mg QE/g. Stability studies demonstrated no significant physicochemical changes during the three-month storage period.
Conclusion: The developed nutraceutical tablets demonstrated satisfactory pharmaceutical quality, significant antioxidant activity, and good physicochemical stability. The combination of Amaranthus viridis and Hylocereus undatus shows promise as a functional nutraceutical for antioxidant support and metabolic health. Further in vivo studies and clinical investigations are required to confirm their therapeutic efficacy and safety.
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EVALUATION OF LASER GYROSCOPE PERFORMANCE IN UAV ATTITUDE ESTIMATION UNDER ERROR CONDITIONS
This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of Ring Laser Gyroscopes (RLG) within Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) under various operational error conditions. Given the stringent accuracy requirements for UAV attitude estimation in dynamic environments, RLGs are selected for their high stability and wide dynamic range. This study focuses on analyzing RLG performance degradation due to primary error sources, including bias drift, white noise, and mechanical vibration-induced errors. Through mathematical modeling and experimental testing on a UAV platform, the research evaluates the capability of estimation filters (such as EKF and UKF) to maintain precision when integrating noisy RLG data. The results demonstrate that accurate modeling of RLG errors is a prerequisite for optimizing compensation algorithms, thereby enhancing the reliability and attitude stability of UAVs in challenging real-world scenarios.
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ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF ADAPTIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES IN COMPUTER-ASSISTED EDUCATION MODELS
Over the past decade, digital tools have gradually but noticeably changed the way education is delivered and experienced. Among these developments, adaptive learning technologies have emerged as a promising approach to addressing individual learning differences. This paper examines how adaptive learning operates within computer-assisted education and evaluates its impact on student performance and engagement. Using insights from existing research, it explores both the benefits and limitations of these systems, including challenges related to infrastructure, teacher readiness, and equitable access. The paper argues that while adaptive learning has clear potential to enhance educational outcomes, its success depends heavily on how thoughtfully it is implemented in real-world contexts. This study adopts a structured narrative review approach to synthesize findings across recent empirical and theoretical studies on adaptive learning technologies.
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ONLINE LEARNING VS TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM LEARNING: IMPACT ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed the global education system, particularly with the expansion of online learning platforms. This research paper examines the comparative impact of online learning and traditional classroom learning on student performance. The study analyzes key factors such as academic achievement, student engagement, accessibility, learning flexibility, and satisfaction levels. A mixed-method approach was used, including a review of existing studies and hypothetical comparative data representing student performance outcomes. The findings indicate that traditional classroom learning generally provides stronger engagement, immediate feedback, and collaborative learning opportunities. In contrast, online learning offers flexibility, accessibility, and personalized pacing, which can enhance learning outcomes for self-motivated students. Several empirical studies indicate that although student satisfaction is often higher in face-to-face classes, academic performance outcomes between the two learning modes are often comparable when online courses are well designed. The research suggests that blended learning—combining both online and traditional teaching methods—may offer the most effective solution for improving student performance in modern education systems. The study concludes that the effectiveness of either learning method depends on course design, technological infrastructure, student motivation, and teaching strategies.
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सम्राट अशोक के धम्म का सांस्कृतिक प्रभाव : भारतीय समाज के विशेष संदर्भ में
सम्राट अशोक भारतीय इतिहास के ऐसे महान शासक थे जिन्होंने कलिंग युद्ध के उपरांत अपने शासन की दिशा को विजय और विस्तारवाद से हटाकर नैतिकता, करुणा तथा लोककल्याण की ओर मोड़ दिया। उन्होंने अपने धम्म के माध्यम से भारतीय समाज में ऐसे सांस्कृतिक मूल्यों की स्थापना का प्रयास किया, जो किसी एक धर्म या संप्रदाय तक सीमित न होकर संपूर्ण मानवता के कल्याण पर आधारित थे। अशोक का धम्म सत्य, अहिंसा, दया, सहिष्णुता, सदाचार, आत्मसंयम तथा सभी धर्मों के प्रति सम्मान जैसे सार्वभौमिक नैतिक सिद्धांतों पर आधारित था।
प्रस्तुत शोधपत्र में सम्राट अशोक के धम्म के भारतीय समाज पर पड़े सांस्कृतिक प्रभाव का विश्लेषणात्मक अध्ययन किया गया है। अध्ययन में यह स्पष्ट किया गया है कि अशोक के धम्म ने सामाजिक समरसता, धार्मिक सहिष्णुता, नैतिक जीवन, लोककल्याण, प्रशासनिक उत्तरदायित्व तथा सांस्कृतिक एकता को सुदृढ़ करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई। उनके शिलालेखों एवं स्तंभलेखों के माध्यम से धम्म का प्रचार-प्रसार केवल भारत तक सीमित नहीं रहा, बल्कि श्रीलंका, मध्य एशिया तथा दक्षिण-पूर्व एशिया तक भारतीय सांस्कृतिक मूल्यों के प्रसार का माध्यम बना। अशोक द्वारा धम्म महामात्रों की नियुक्ति, वृक्षारोपण, चिकित्सालयों की स्थापना, पशु संरक्षण, यात्रियों के लिए विश्रामगृह एवं जल-सुविधाओं की व्यवस्था जैसे लोकहितकारी कार्यों ने भारतीय संस्कृति में मानवतावादी दृष्टिकोण को सुदृढ़ किया।
यह शोधपत्र ऐतिहासिक एवं विश्लेषणात्मक पद्धति पर आधारित है तथा अभिलेखीय साक्ष्यों, बौद्ध साहित्य एवं आधुनिक इतिहासकारों के मतों के आधार पर अशोक के धम्म के सांस्कृतिक प्रभावों का मूल्यांकन प्रस्तुत करता है। निष्कर्षतः यह कहा जा सकता है कि सम्राट अशोक का धम्म भारतीय संस्कृति की समन्वयवादी, उदार एवं मानवीय परंपरा का महत्वपूर्ण आधार है, जिसकी प्रासंगिकता वर्तमान समय में भी सामाजिक सद्भाव, धार्मिक सहिष्णुता, विश्वशांति एवं नैतिक मूल्यों की स्थापना के संदर्भ में बनी हुई है।
52
CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN AN OIL-EXPANDING URBAN CENTRE IN NIGERIA'S NIGER DELTA
Municipal solid waste management remains a critical environmental challenge in rapidly urbanizing cities of developing countries, particularly in oil-producing regions where urbanization, industrialization, and changing consumption patterns intensify waste generation pressures. This study characterized solid waste generation, composition, and management practices in Warri Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining household surveys (n=600), waste characterization studies (n=120 sampling points), key informant interviews (n=15), and focus group discussions (6 groups). Results revealed average daily waste generation of 0.82 kg per household (0.16 kg per capita), with organic/food waste constituting the dominant fraction (52.4%), followed by plastics (18.6%), paper (12.3%), glass (5.8%), and metals (4.2%). Waste collection services remain inadequate, with only 12.0% of households enjoying full coverage, 36.0% having no coverage, and 40.0% resorting to open dumping. Collection frequency is limited, with only 8.0% receiving daily collection, while 20.0% experience irregular schedules and 10.0% receive no collection services. The recycling rate remains extremely low at 4.0%, with 60.0% of households never recycling. The high organic content (52.4%) and substantial recyclable fraction (40.8%) indicate significant potential for composting and resource recovery. These findings demonstrate critical gaps in waste management infrastructure and services, highlighting opportunities for circular economy approaches and integrated waste management systems that can improve environmental sustainability and community well-being in Warri Metropolis.
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MULADHARA CHAKRA: A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF ITS ANATOMICAL, NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL, AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES
Muladhara Chakra is traditionally regarded as the root energy center in yogic philosophy, associated with stability, survival, grounding, and bodily support. In modern scientific interpretation, it may be examined through anatomical, neurophysiological, and psychophysiological perspectives rather than as a discrete measurable structure. This review explores potential correlations between Muladhara Chakra and the pelvic floor, perineal region, coccygeal structures, sacral plexus, autonomic nervous system, and stress regulation. The article also evaluates yogic practices linked with Muladhara, including Mula Bandha, breath control, and meditation, in relation to pelvic muscle activation, autonomic balance, and interoceptive awareness. Current evidence suggests plausible functional associations, but direct biomedical validation remains limited. Further controlled studies are required to clarify the physiological relevance of this traditional concept.
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बोधि उपवन से वैश्विक पर्यावरण तक: संघमाता डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर की धम्म-दृष्टि का विश्लेषण
वर्तमान समय में पर्यावरणीय संकट, जलवायु परिवर्तन, जैव विविधता का ह्रास तथा प्राकृतिक संसाधनों के अनियंत्रित दोहन ने सम्पूर्ण मानव सभ्यता के समक्ष गंभीर चुनौतियाँ उत्पन्न कर दी हैं। ऐसे समय में बौद्ध धम्म का प्रकृति-केंद्रित दर्शन मानव और पर्यावरण के मध्य संतुलित सह-अस्तित्व का एक व्यवहारिक मार्ग प्रस्तुत करता है। बौद्ध धम्म में करुणा, अहिंसा, प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद, मध्यम मार्ग तथा समस्त प्राणियों के प्रति मैत्री जैसे सिद्धांत पर्यावरणीय नैतिकता की आधारशिला माने जाते हैं। इन्हीं मूल्यों को आधुनिक सामाजिक एवं शैक्षिक परिप्रेक्ष्य में मूर्त रूप प्रदान करने वाली प्रमुख हस्तियों मेंसंघमाता डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागरका नाम विशेष रूप से उल्लेखनीय है।
यह शोध-पत्र संघमाता डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर की धम्म-दृष्टि का विश्लेषण करते हुए यह स्पष्ट करता है कि उन्होंने बौद्ध दर्शन को केवल धार्मिक आस्था तक सीमित न रखकर शिक्षा, संस्कृति, पर्यावरण संरक्षण तथा वैश्विक मानव कल्याण के साथ जोड़ा। उनके द्वारा विकसितबोधि उपवन, बुद्ध प्रतिमाओं, स्तूपों, ध्यान स्थलों तथा हरित परिसर की अवधारणा केवल सांस्कृतिक धरोहरों का निर्माण नहीं थी, बल्कि पर्यावरणीय चेतना, आध्यात्मिक अनुशासन और मानवीय उत्तरदायित्व के समन्वित प्रतिमान का निर्माण थी। उन्होंने बोधिवृक्ष को केवल एक धार्मिक प्रतीक के रूप में नहीं, बल्कि जीवन, जैव विविधता, शांति और सतत विकास के प्रतीक के रूप में स्थापित करने का प्रयास किया।
शोध में यह भी प्रतिपादित किया गया है कि डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर की पर्यावरण संबंधी दृष्टि आधुनिकबौद्ध पारिस्थितिकी (Buddhist Ecology) की अवधारणा के अत्यंत निकट है। उनके द्वारा विकसित शैक्षिक परिसर में वृक्षारोपण, हरित वातावरण, ध्यान एवं आध्यात्मिक पर्यटन जैसी गतिविधियों ने पर्यावरण संरक्षण को सामाजिक उत्तरदायित्व और नैतिक कर्तव्य के रूप में स्थापित किया। उन्होंने शिक्षा संस्थानों को केवल ज्ञान के केंद्र नहीं, बल्कि प्रकृति के संरक्षण और मानवीय मूल्यों के संवर्धन के जीवंत केंद्र के रूप में विकसित करने का प्रयास किया।
यह अध्ययन गुणात्मक (Qualitative) एवं विश्लेषणात्मक (Analytical) शोध पद्धति पर आधारित है तथा पुस्तकें, शोध-पत्र, बौद्ध साहित्य, संस्थागत अभिलेख एवं उपलब्ध द्वितीयक स्रोतों का उपयोग करता है। शोध का निष्कर्ष यह है कि संघमाता डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर ने बौद्ध धम्म की करुणा-आधारित पर्यावरणीय चेतना को व्यवहारिक रूप प्रदान करते हुए शिक्षा, संस्कृति और प्रकृति संरक्षण के मध्य एक नवीन समन्वित प्रतिमान प्रस्तुत किया। उनका योगदान 21वीं शताब्दी में बौद्ध धम्म, पर्यावरणीय नैतिकता और सतत विकास के समकालीन विमर्श में अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण सिद्ध होता है।
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GUARDIAN: A HUMAN-RISK AWARE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR PROACTIVE BREACH PREVENTION
What makes insider threats so hard to catch is precisely what makes insiders valuable: they already have the keys. Legitimate credentials, familiar workflows, and months of established behavioral history let a malicious actor blendin long enough to do serious damage before anything unusual is noticed. Most deployed security tools were never built for this problem—they watch the perimeter, not the person. This paper presents Guardian, a human-risk aware platform that shifts the detection lens inward. Rather than relying on a single model, Guardian fuses three complementary signals: Isolation Forest for statistical outlier scoring, an Autoencoder for behavioral drift, and graph centrality measures for relational access anomalies. Each flagged event is accompanied by a SHAP explanation that tells ananalyst not just tha tsomething is wrong, but what drove the suspicion. Tested on a simulated enterprise corpus of 2,057 records, the system surfaces all threat events with no false positives and a median scoring latency of 5.795 ms—fast enough to score every event before it is written to the database.
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शिक्षकों को सक्षम और सशक्त बनाने की दिशा में विद्यालयी शिक्षा के लिए राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा 2023 की भूमिका का विश्लेषणात्मक अध्ययन
सारांश- शिक्षकों की भूमिका केवल ज्ञान संचरण तक सीमित नहीं है;अपितु वे विद्यार्थियों के समग्र विकास, समाज में सकारात्मक परिवर्तन और राष्ट्रीय उत्थान के सूत्रधार भी होते हैं। वर्तमान समय में जब शिक्षा का परिदृश्य तेजी से बदल रहा है एवं तकनीक, मूल्य, सामाजिक अपेक्षाएं और अधिगम की नवीनतम विधियाँ निरंतर विकसित हो रही हैंतब ऐसे में शिक्षकों की भूमिका और अधिक जटिल, संवेदनशील और उत्तरदायित्वपूर्ण हो गई है। इसी आवश्यकता की पूर्ति के उद्देश्य सेराष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति 2020के आधार पर तैयार की गईविद्यालयी शिक्षा के लिए राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा 2023(NCFSE-2023) शिक्षकों को शिक्षा व्यवस्था के केंद्र एवं शिक्षा प्रणाली की रीढ़ की हड्डी के रूप में स्थापित करती है।राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा 2023के भाग-ई (Part-E)का तीसरा अध्याय"Enabling and Empowering Teachers" शिक्षकों को एक पेशेवर, विचारशील, नवाचारी और उत्तरदायी अधिगम अगुआ के रूप में परिभाषित करता है। यह अध्याय शिक्षक सशक्तिकरण को केवल प्रशिक्षण या क्षमता निर्माण तक सीमित नहीं रखता;बल्कि उसे एक सतत, सहयोगात्मक, संदर्भ-संवेदनशील और स्वायत्त प्रक्रिया के रूप में देखता है। इसमें शिक्षक की पेशेवर गरिमा, निर्णय लेने की स्वतंत्रता, सतत व्यावसायिक विकास (CPD)औरसहयोगात्मक अधिगम समुदायों की स्थापना जैसे आयामों को विशेष रूप से रेखांकित किया गया है।
प्रस्तुतशोध-आलेख में विद्यालयी शिक्षा के लिए राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा 2023के परिप्रेक्ष्य में शिक्षक सशक्तिकरण की अवधारणा, उसकी समकालीन प्रासंगिकता, शिक्षकों की भूमिका का नवपरिभाषिकरण, पेशेवर गरिमा की पुनर्स्थापना, स्वायत्तता और निर्णय क्षमता का विस्तार, सतत व्यावसायिक विकास की सुदृढ़ व्यवस्था तथा नेतृत्व की भूमिका में शिक्षकों की सक्रिय भागीदारी आदि का व्यापक विश्लेषण किया गया हैतथा साथ ही यह शोध-आलेख इस बात की भी विवेचना है कि जब शिक्षक स्वयं सशक्त होंगे, तभी वे छात्रों को भी आत्मनिर्भर, रचनात्मक, नैतिक और उत्तरदायी नागरिक बना सकेंगे। इसके अतिरिक्त प्रस्तुत शोधालेखदृढ़ता से इस बात का समर्थन करता है कि राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा 2023एक दूरदर्शी दस्तावेज़ हैजो शिक्षकों को शिक्षा के निष्पादक नहीं;बल्कि निर्माता और नवाचारकर्ता के रूप में देखता है। वास्तव में यह राष्ट्रीय पाठ्यचर्या रूपरेखा शिक्षकों को सक्षम और सशक्त बनाने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम हैजो भारतीय विद्यालयी शिक्षा को अधिक गुणवत्तापूर्ण, समावेशी और संवेदनशील बनाने की दिशा में मार्गदर्शन प्रदान करती है।
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AN ANALYTICAL SURVEY OF DETECTION, SEGMENTATION, AND CLASSIFICATION METHODS FOR GLAUCOMA
Objectives: Deep Learning (DL), empowered by significant advances in computing and the surge of large-scale medical imaging datasets, has emerged as a central technology in modern Artificial Intelligence (AI). Among its most impactful uses, medical imaging has particularly benefited, with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) excelling in image classification tasks—often matching or exceeding human expertise. Ophthalmology, a specialty heavily reliant on visual diagnostics, has naturally embraced DL advancements. Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, exemplifies a condition where DL can add substantial clinical value. Method: Diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma rely on multiple imaging modalities, such as fundus photography, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and visual field tests, which collectively provide a rich source of data for CNN-based analysis. These datasets support a wide range of tasks, from early disease screening to diagnosis and tracking progression. However, current literature reviews in this field often fall short. Many are outdated, failing to incorporate recent developments like transformer-based CNN architectures, self-supervised learning, or multimodal data integration. To fill this gap, the current review offers a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of CNN applications across all stages of glaucoma management. It integrates both conventional ophthalmic practices and cutting-edge DL techniques, critically evaluating research that spans fundus image analysis, OCT interpretation, and AI-assisted progression monitoring. Findings: In addition, this review examines statistical modeling and computer-assisted tomography to present a broader perspective on glaucoma diagnosis. It highlights unresolved issues like inconsistent performance metrics, limited transparency, and the need for standardized clinical validation. Significance: By identifying these challenges and synthesizing recent innovations, this work proposes clear research directions to guide future development. Ultimately, it aims to foster the creation of reliable, interpretable, and clinically implementable CNN-based solutions that can improve glaucoma diagnosis, enhance monitoring, and elevate patient care in ophthalmology.
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A REVIEW PAPER ON EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) OF CRYOGENIC MACHININGVS. MINIMUM QUANTITY LUBRICATION (MQL) FOR TITANIUM ALLOYS: A "CLOSING THE LOOP" APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
Sustainable manufacturing of difficult-to-cut titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V, necessitates a shift from conventional flood cooling to advanced clean cutting technologies. This review synthesizes findings from recent experimental investigations comparing cryogenic machining and Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) across technical, economic, and environmental dimensions. While both techniques offer significant advantages over dry machining, cryogenic methods consistently demonstrate superior perform ancein tool life extension, surface integrity improvement, and reduction of hazardous oil mist emissions. Integrating these results into a life-cycle assessment (LCA) framework reveals that while cryogenic systems introduce higher embodied energy from specialized infrastructure, they achieve a more balanced"closed-loop" sustainability profile through enhanced productivity and reduced long-term environmental burden.
59
MITIGATING DIVORCE IMPACT ON GHANAIAN CHILDREN: THE ROLE OF THE EXTENDED FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY
This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore the role of the extended family and the community in mitigating the negative impact of parental divorce on children in Ghana, examining how grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbours, religious institutions, and community leaders support or fail to support children through family disruption. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted six focus group sessions with 48 participants across three stakeholder groups: young adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood (18 participants), divorced parents whose children received or were denied extended family and community support (16 participants), and community leaders, religious leaders, and social workers with experience mobilising community support for divorced families (14 participants). Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and narrative prompts designed to elicit participants' experiences of extended family and community support, the types of support provided, the conditions under which support was offered or withdrawn, and recommendations for strengthening community-based responses to divorce. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: the maternal grandmother as primary protector, with participants describing grandmothers as the most consistent and effective source of practical, emotional, and financial support for children after divorce; the paternal extended family as conditional or absent supporters, with participants describing how paternal relatives often withdrew from children's lives or offered support only on condition of rejecting the mother; the aunt network as second-tier support, with maternal aunts providing emotional support, especially for female children, and practical help with childcare and school matters; the community as ambivalent and stigmatising, with neighbours and community members offering some practical help but also contributing to gossip, judgment, and social exclusion; the religious community as untapped potential, wherein churches and mosques provided prayer and limited charity but rarely structured, sustained support for children; and the conditions for effective communal support, including family acceptance of the divorce, absence of side-taking, communication across family branches, and proactive outreach from community institutions. Participants' narratives revealed that the extended family and community have tremendous potential to mitigate the negative impact of divorce on children, but this potential is often unrealised. Maternal grandmothers are the most reliable protectors, but paternal extended family often withdraws. Aunts provide important second-tier support. The broader community is ambivalent, offering some practical help but also contributing to stigma. Religious institutions have reach but lack structured programmes. Effective community support requires that extended family members accept the divorce, refuse to take sides, maintain communication across family branches, and reach out proactively to children who are suffering. The study contributes to the understanding of how Ubuntu communal values can be mobilised to support children of divorce, offering insights relevant to family therapy, community development, social work, and religious institutional programming in Ghana.
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RETIREMENT AND RELATIONSHIP REALIGNMENT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF GHANAIAN RETIREES' SOCIAL NETWORKS
This quantitative cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between retirement and relationship realignment among Ghanaian retirees, with a particular focus on how social network composition shifts during the retirement transition and how these shifts affect loneliness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being after retirement. Drawing upon the Social Convoy Model (Kahn & Antonucci, 1980) and Network Theory of Social Capital (Burt, 1992), the study surveyed 218 retired workers from public and private sector organisations in Accra, Kumasi, and Tema. Participants completed validated instruments measuring workplace relationship intensity, post-retirement network realignment, loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale), life satisfaction (SWLS), and psychological well-being (GHQ-12). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and one-way ANOVA. Results revealed that retirees who reported greater realignment of their social networks from work-based to non-work-based relationships experienced significantly lower loneliness (r = -0.59, p < 0.01) and higher life satisfaction (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) compared to those who maintained work-dominated networks without successful realignment. Post-retirement network realignment uniquely predicted 38% of the variance in loneliness after controlling for age, gender, years of service, and retirement duration. Retirees who actively cultivated new non-work relationships reported significantly better psychological well-being than those who attempted to maintain pre-retirement work networks without modification (t = 5.64, p < 0.001). Retirees from public sector organisations reported greater difficulty in network realignment than those from private sector organisations (t = 3.87, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that successful retirement adjustment depends not merely on maintaining existing relationships but on actively realigning social networks to replace work-based connections with meaningful non-work relationships. Recommendations include pre-retirement network mapping interventions, social integration programmes for recent retirees, and organisational policies that facilitate gradual rather than abrupt workplace separation.
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A CRITICAL REVIEW ON SUSTAINABLE COMPOSITE LINERS FOR CEMENT INDUSTRY HOPPERS: VALORIZING WASTE GLASS, RICE HUSK ASH, AND RECYCLED HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE
The cement industry relies heavily on hoppers for the purpose of storage and controlling on discharging of raw materials for further processing such limestone, clinker, and gypsum. These cement raw materials are abrasive, erosive, and can impact wear of hopper liner surfaces which causes frequent replacement of wear machine parts, significant operation downtime, and increase in maintenance cost, particularly in resource-constrained economies like Nigeria-Africa. This critical review systematically examines the scientific evidence for developing a novel hybrid composite liner from three co-valorised waste streams: Waste Glass Particles (WGP), Rice Husk Ash (RHA), and recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Drawing on peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2025, this review critically examines the tribological, mechanical, thermal and interfacial properties of each constituent material, assesses their binary combinations and highlights the important research gap surrounding their suitability in applying them as liners in cement hopper. The findings shows that WGP enhances surface hardness. A comparative analysis against conventional liner materials such as steel, ceramic and UHMWPE reveals compelling economic and environmental advantages for the proposed hybrid. The review further delineates a rigorous research framework employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and tribological validation protocols required to optimise the hybrid composition and validate its industrial readiness. This work establishes a clear scientific foundation and identifies the research gap that subsequent experimental investigations must address to deliver a cost-effective, durable, and circular economy aligned liner solution for the cement industry.
62
A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF RISE IN EMBEDDED FINANCE ON THE FINANCIAL INCLUSION OF STUDENTS
Embedded finance refers to the integration of financial products within commonly used applications. It plays a pivoting role in the financial inclusion of students in the present world, changing their approach towards financial management. This study aims to examine the impact of embedded finance on the financial inclusion and awareness of students, shedding light on the increasing ease of payments as well as early investing habits. The research analyses quantitative data collected through structured questionnaires administered to college students. The study explores the relationship between features of the embedded finance system and students' participation and confidence in handling financial transactions. The study seeks to understand how embedded finance influences student's participation in formal financial systems and their perceptions of financial inclusion. A quantitative research design was adopted, using regression and discriminant analysis on data collected through an online survey of 91 college students in urban India. The study finds that embedded finance features integrated into everyday apps significantly shape students’ financial behavior, with trust and convenience emerging as the strongest drivers. Motivation to invest through familiar platforms and future oriented confidence further highlight how embedded finance encourages early financial participation among youth. The findings highlight that embedded finance not only enhances convenience and trust but also serves as a catalyst for early financial participation, positioning it as a vital driver of student financial inclusion in the digital era.
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THE CONCEPT OF TEJOBINDUIN THE TEJOBINDU UPANISHAD-SILENCE, CONSCIOUSNESS, AND THE QUEST FOR SELF-REALIZATION IN INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS.
IndianKnowledgeSystemspreserveaprofoundphilosophicaltraditionthatreflectsdeeplyonthe nature of consciousness, the human mind, and the ultimate reality underlying existence. Within this tradition, the Tejobindu Upanishad offers a distinctive metaphysical vision centered on the idea of Tejobindu, the luminous point that symbolizes both the origin of creation and the subtle essenceoftheself. Thetextsuggests thatthehuman being, though seemingly smal lwithinthevast universe, carries within itself a reflection of the same cosmic principle. It proposes that every individualpossesses aninnerpotential that connects thelimitedselfwiththeuniversalreality.This paper examines the philosophical significance of Tejobindu within the framework of Indian Knowledge Systems and explores its relationship with the nature of the mind, the discipline of silence (mauna), and the experience of samadhi or deep meditation. The Tejobindu Upanishad emphasizes that the mind plays a central role in shaping human experience. It acts both as the causeofbondage andasthepathwaytoliberation.Humanemotions,reactions,suffering,andjoy are closely linked to the movement of the mind. When the mind becomes calm through contemplation and inner discipline, the seeker begins to perceive the subtle inner light described as Tejobindu. The narrative of Raja Janak further illustrates this inward journey. Despite living amidstroyalcomforts,hechosetoseekexperientialtruthbeyondintellectualknowledge,
reflecting the Upanishadic belief that genuine understanding arises through inner realization and silence.
64
THE ACADEMIC IMPACT OF PARENTAL DIVORCE ON CHILDREN IN GHANA
This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore the academic impact of parental divorce on children in Ghana, examining how marital dissolution affects educational outcomes including school attendance, concentration, academic performance, homework completion, and educational aspirations. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted six focus group sessions with 44 participants across three stakeholder groups: young adults who experienced parental divorce during their school years (16 participants), divorced parents whose children were of school age during or after the divorce (14 participants), and teachers and school counsellors with experience supporting children from divorced families (14 participants). Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and narrative prompts designed to elicit participants' experiences, observations, and interpretations of how divorce affected children's academic trajectories. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: the immediate academic decline following divorce, with participants describing a sudden drop in grades and school engagement within months of parental separation; the concentration crisis as the primary mechanism linking divorce to academic difficulty, wherein children could not focus on schoolwork because their minds were occupied with family conflict and loss; homework abandonment and the absence of academic support, with divorced parents described as too overwhelmed to assist with schoolwork and extended family unable or unwilling to fill the gap; school attendance disruption, including lateness, absenteeism, and in some cases school dropout driven by economic precarity or emotional distress; the teacher awareness gap, wherein teachers and counsellors described being unaware of students' family situations and therefore unable to provide targeted support; and educational aspiration reduction, with young adult participants describing how divorce lowered their expectations for their own education and future careers. Participants' narratives revealed that the academic impact of parental divorce is often sudden, severe, and long-lasting, yet it frequently goes unrecognized by schools and unsupported by interventions. Young adult participants described once-promising academic trajectories derailed by divorce, with many achieving far below their potential. Teachers expressed frustration at their inability to identify and support affected students. Parents described guilt and helplessness as they watched their children's academic performance decline while they struggled with their own emotional and financial challenges. The study contributes to understanding of how family disruption affects educational outcomes in Ghanaian contexts, offering insights relevant to educational policy, school counselling, teacher training, and support programmes for divorced families.
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THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL DIVORCE ON THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN URBAN GHANA
This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore the effects of parental divorce on the holistic development of emotional, social, academic, and psychological aspects of children in urban Ghana. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted six focus group sessions with 42 participants across three stakeholder groups: young adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood (14 participants), parents who had divorced when their children were minors (14 participants), and family therapists and social workers with experience counselling divorced families (14 participants). Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and narrative prompts designed to elicit participants' lived experiences, observed effects, cultural interpretations, and coping strategies related to children's development following parental divorce. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: emotional fragmentation and the double loss, wherein children experienced not only the loss of parental union but also the loss of extended family connections and community belonging; the Ubuntu resilience paradox, wherein extended family support simultaneously buffered children against negative outcomes and created new sources of loyalty conflict and identity confusion; academic decline as the most visible and measurable effect, with participants describing concentration difficulties, absenteeism, and reduced educational aspirations; social stigmatization and peer awareness, wherein children of divorce faced gossip, exclusion, and marriageability concerns that intensified with age; gender-differentiated effects, with daughters experiencing heightened emotional and domestic burden while sons exhibited externalising behaviours; and post-divorce financial precarity as the mediating factor that amplified all other negative effects. Participants' narratives revealed that parental divorce in urban Ghana occurs within a cultural context that traditionally stigmatises marital dissolution, expects extended family involvement in child-rearing, and lacks formal support systems for children's psychological adjustment. Children of divorce were described as caught between modern individualistic divorce norms and traditional communal expectations, navigating loyalty conflicts, identity questions, and social stigma without adequate adult support. The study contributes to the understanding of how divorce affects children in non-Western, collectivist cultural contexts, offering insights relevant to family therapy, social work, educational support, and legal policy in Ghana.
66
REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM USING IOT
Water contamination has become a serious en-vironmental challenge due to rising industrial waste, sewage discharge, and hazardous chemical pollutants entering natural water sources. Traditional methods of water quality assessment mainlyrelyonmanualsample collectionandlaboratory analysis, which are often costly, time-consuming, and unsuitable for continuous real-time monitoring.
This project presents an intelligent real-time water quality monitoring system that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) tech-nologywithmachinelearningtechniquesforeffectivewastewater management. The proposed system continuously monitors essen-tial water quality parameters such as pH, Turbidity, Temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, and water level using interconnected sensors with Arduino, ESP32,or Raspberry Pi.
Water quality is continuously monitored through sensors that transmit data to cloud platforms, where it can be viewed in real time through a web-based dashboard. The collected readings are regularly compared with predefined safety limits to determine whether the water quality is safe. If the parameters remain within acceptablelevels,normalwaterflowismaintained.However, if contamination exceeds safe limits, the system automatically diverts polluted water for treatment or recycling using pumps, relays, andsolenoidvalves. This process helps ensuresaferwater management while allowing rapid detection and correction of potential issues.
Additionally, GSM-based alert systems immediately notify responsible authorities whenever unsafe conditions are detected. Byreducing manualintervention,improvingresponsespeed,and supporting predictive analysis, this system provides a reliable, cost-effective, and automated solution for modern water quality management.
67
AN EXPLORATION FOR INTEGER SOLUTIONS ON THE NON-HOMOGENEOUS QUATERNARY CUBIC SURFACE
The third degree polynomial equation having four parameters is analyzed for integer solutions by reducing it to solvable non-homogeneous equation through suitable transformations. Observations in connection with the solutions are exhibited.
68
A STUDY ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF NEP TOWARDS THE GROWTH OF INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
Education plays an important role in the development of any country and it is considered as the backbone of nation. The only thing which decides the future of nation is education and the impact of it is long-lasting. Every country has its own education policy and is framed according to the culture, tradition, available resources and advancement of technology in the country. Our traditional education policy was more based on our culture, values and it has brought changes in the policies time to time according to the demand of our new society and trend. Today Indian is competing with all the developed country in respect of technology and due to the growth of technology and research India needed to bring change also in the current education system. The changing perspective and perception of Indian society has also insisted to bring a change in the education policy as our new generation want diversity in education and believe in achieving competence in different field and background at same time. Our new education policy has tried the best to remove all the hurdles and has given the opportunity to cross the threshold of rules which was of less importance. Recently government of India announced its new education policy which is based on the recommendation by an expert committee headed by Dr.Kasturirangan.
In this study an effort has been made to analyze the new education policy announced and find out the effectiveness of the policy by highlighting the major changes in the policies and comparing it with the current policies to reveal the effectiveness of the policy. The study will also focus on the flaws of the new education policy if needed and come up with best suggestion.
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THEME OF COMMUNAL DISHARMONY IN MAHESH DATTANI'S 'FINAL SOLUTIONS'
'Final Solutions' is a masterpiece of Indian English Drama. The play fetched worldwide acclaim for Mahesh Dattani. The play proved to be a turning point in Mahesh Dattani's career as an Indian English playwright. India before the invasion of Britishers was functioning in harmony and peace. British East India Company came to India for commercial purpose. They ruled for more than hundred fifty years. They created religious conflict by partition of the country. After the partition of India and Pakistan, there were groups of refugees who suffered a lot while leaving their native place. The hatred between different religious groups created lots of problem in the Indian society. Riots were rampant during portion of India and Pakistan. The theme of Final Solutions moves around three major aspects - communal disharmony, distrust and the effect od distrust on Indian family.
Case Study
1
THE ROLE OF THE PANCHAYTI RAJ SYSTEM IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF PUSTI GRAM PANCHAYAT IN PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL
Achieving holistic national development has remained a foundational objective of the Indian state since Independence. While early planning paradigms focused heavily on centralized models of agriculture, heavy industry, macro-communication, and urban social overheads, policy frameworks progressively recognized that comprehensive national transformation is contingent upon the structural development of rural India. In alignment with this paradigm, the passage of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, introduced a transformative dimension by establishing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as statutory units of grassroots self-governance. Within this decentralized architecture, rural development extends beyond mere economic growth to encompass the deepening of democratic processes, the construction of durable physical infrastructure, the stabilization of household incomes, and the optimization of localized delivery systems for primary education, public health, and social safety nets.
This paper examines the institutional role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in steering rural development in general, and analyzes its everyday operational performance within a marginalized, tribal-dominated village ecosystem of a backward district in West Bengal in particular. Utilizing a multi-stage stratified random sampling framework, empirical field insights were gathered from 180 primary beneficiaries and 10 key informants within the Pusti Gram Panchayat of the drought-prone Purulia district. The empirical findings reveal a distinct structural paradox: while social overhead programs—specifically primary education (93.89%) and basic drinking water—show high institutional access, critical civic amenities such as rural sanitation (73.33% dissatisfaction) and street lighting (92.78% dissatisfaction) face significant infrastructure deficits. Despite these gaps, the study demonstrates that targeted wage-employment interventions like MGNREGA, alongside state social safety nets, have successfully created a baseline income cushion and minimized distress seasonal migration for the Santhal and Bhumij tribal poor.
Ultimately, the study validates the hypothesis that PRIs play a decisive role in shifting the socio-political agency and economic positioning of rural tribal communities, shifting them from passive beneficiaries into active participants in decentralized planning. The paper concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for a policy transition from quantitative asset expansion to qualitative maintenance and enhanced fiscal devolution at the grassroots level.
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), launched in June 2015, represents a landmark policy intervention by the Government of India aimed at addressing the acute housing shortage faced by the nation's economically vulnerable and middle-income demographics. While historical precedents like the Indira Awas Yojana (introduced in 1985) sought to tackle rural housing needs, modern demographic transitions driven by intense rural-to-urban migration for employment have severely strained urban infrastructure and depressed living conditions. In response, PMAY systematically redefines affordable housing framework with its core mandate of "Housing for All," directly targeting the upliftment of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG) to improve their overall standard of living. Utilizing an analytical framework built primarily on secondary data resources, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the PMAY architecture, examining its execution milestones and its structural efficacy as a macro-level social engineering tool. The findings highlight the program's dual success in establishing institutional financial accountability and creating sustainable physical assets for marginalized urban groups.
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HUMAN RIGHTS DISCOURSE IN THE SELECTED WORKS OF SARAT CHANDRA CHATTOPADHYAY AND MUNSHI PREMCHAND: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Human rights, understood in the broad humanistic sense of dignity, freedom from exploitation, and the entitlement to voice and self-determination, entered Indian literary imagination well before the vocabulary of international human-rights law reached the subcontinent. This paper undertakes a comparative reading of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, the pre-eminent Bengali novelist of domestic and emotional realism, and Munshi Premchand, the chronicler of rural Hindi-Urdu India, to examine how their fiction articulates concerns that we would today describe as human-rights concerns: the dignity and autonomy of women, the abolition of caste-based humiliation, freedom from bonded economic exploitation, and the right to political and civic voice under colonial rule. Drawing on close reading of selected novels and short stories — Chattopadhyay’s Devdas, Parineeta, Srikanta, and Pather Dabi, and Premchand’s Godaan, Sadgati, and “The Woman Who Sold Grass” — alongside verified secondary scholarship, the study argues that the two writers approach rights-consciousness from structurally different vantage points. Chattopadhyay dramatises rights primarily as a crisis of individual conscience and emotional dignity within an essentially intact social order, whereas Premchand treats rights as inseparable from the material and institutional structures — debt, landholding, caste hierarchy — that produce dispossession. The comparison is conducted through thematic close reading rather than computational or statistical method, consistent with the interpretive nature of literary-critical inquiry. The paper concludes that reading these two canonical figures together illuminates a shared, though unevenly distributed, early-twentieth-century Indian literary humanism that anticipated, without directly citing, the language of rights later codified in the Indian Constitution and in international human-rights instruments.
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FROM STAGE TO SCREEN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH AND VISHAL BHARDWAJ’S MAQBOOL AS A FILM ADAPTATION
Film adaptation is not simply the transfer of a literary text into another medium; it is a process of reinterpretation, relocation, and cultural re-creation. In adaptation studies, scholars increasingly reject the old idea that a film must remain faithful to its source in order to be successful. Instead, adaptation is now understood as an act of transformation in which a text survives in a new context, with new meanings, new audiences, and new social pressures. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool is one of the finest Indian examples of this process because it does not merely retell Shakespeare’s Macbeth; it reimagines the tragedy within the Mumbai underworld, changing the setting from royal Scotland to a world of gangsters, corrupt policemen, and political violence. This paper examines Maqbool as a cinematic adaptation of Macbeth through the lens of film adaptation theory. It argues that Bhardwaj’s film works through both continuity and difference: the central moral fall of the protagonist remains intact, but the cultural framework, character relations, gender dynamics, and visual language are transformed to suit an Indian social environment. In Macbeth, ambition for kingship motivates murder, while in Maqbool ambition is entangled with criminal hierarchy, desire, jealousy, and emotional dependence. The witches are replaced by two corrupt policemen, supernatural atmosphere gives way to political realism, and the tragic outcome is shaped by a world of organized violence rather than royal succession. The study shows that Maqbool is not inferior to Macbeth because it departs from the source; rather, its creative power lies in its ability to translate Shakespearean tragedy into an Indian cinematic idiom that speaks to contemporary cultural realities. The paper therefore concludes that adaptation is best understood as a dialogue between texts, media, and cultures, and Maqbool stands as a strong example of how Shakespeare can be meaningfully reinvented for modern cinema.
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TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Teacher effectiveness is a critical determinant of educational quality and significantly influences students' academic achievement, personal growth, and overall learning experiences [1,3,19,20]. As educational systems undergo rapid transformation due to technological advancements, curriculum reforms, and evolving pedagogical practices, the role of teachers has become increasingly complex [12,17,22]. Consequently, identifying the factors that contribute to effective teaching has become an important area of educational research [3,4,9]. Gender is one of the demographic variables frequently examined in studies on teacher performance, yet previous research has produced inconsistent conclusions regarding its influence on teaching effectiveness [14,16,18].
The study supports the adoption of gender-neutral policies in teacher recruitment, performance evaluation, and professional development [5,6,10]. It further emphasizes that effective teaching is a professional competency acquired through training, experience, reflective practice, and lifelong learning rather than an attribute determined by gender [6,19,20].
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SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF SIROTPATA THROUGH AYURVEDIC INTERVENTION: A SINGLE CASE REPORT
Background: Sirotpata is described in Ayurvedic classics as a Vedhya Netraroga, which are diseases of the eye that are treated by incision, puncture and other types of surgical procedures. It is defined by dilated and engorged conjunctival vessels, which occur due to aggravation of Rakta and Pitta Dosha. Clinically it shows redness, itching, burning sensation, watery discharge and irritation in the eye and resembles ocular hyperaemia and conjunctival congestion from the viewpoint of contemporary ophthalmology.
Case Presentation: In the present case, a middle-aged male patient reported with sudden onset redness of left eye with irritation and mild discomfort. On ocular examination, it showed localised conjunctival vascular congestion at the temporal aspect of the bulbar conjunctiva. Visual acuity was maintained and no major systemic abnormality was noted.
Intervention: The patient was subjected to Viddha Karma at the Shankha Keshanta, Apanga, and Bhrumadhya points twice daily for 5 days continuously. Along with this Viddha Karma, Saptamruta Loha was administered orally throughout the course of the treatment.
Results: Progressively decreasing tendency of ocular congestion and vascular prominence was observed. On the fifth day of treatment, reduction of the congestion was marked, thus symptomatic improvement was found. No complications were observed.
Conclusion: The present case study supports the utility of Viddha Karma and oral Saptamruta Loha in the successful management of Sirotpata and ocular vascular congestion within 5 days with marked reduction in signs and symptoms without any complication. Further well-designed clinical trials with large sample size are recommended.
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INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES IN URBAN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF WARRI METROPOLIS
This study presents an integrated assessment of the environmental and public health implications of solid waste disposal practices in Warri Metropolis, Nigeria. Unlike previous studies that assessed environmental pollution and health impacts separately, this study integrates the Driver-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Response (DPSEEA) framework, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), GIS-based environmental monitoring, and an Environmental–Public Health Risk Index (EPHRI) to provide a unified environmental decision framework. Data were collected from 372 households through structured questionnaires, 28 key informant interviews, and environmental sampling at 45 locations around waste disposal sites. Results demonstrate significant contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water, and air near dumpsites, with heavy metal concentrations exceeding regulatory limits. Disease prevalence shows a clear proximity gradient, with 97.4% of residents within 100 m of dumpsites reporting at least one waste-related disease. The SEM model confirmed the causal pathway from waste disposal practices to environmental degradation to human exposure to adverse health outcomes, explaining 46% of the variance in public health outcomes (CFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06). The EPHRI prioritizes intervention hotspots, while the proposed climate-resilient framework addresses flooding and extreme weather risks to waste infrastructure. The findings demonstrate the urgent need for integrated interventions across waste management, environmental protection, and public health sectors to address the severe environmental and health impacts of improper disposal, with policy recommendations targeting source segregation, improved collection, and engineered sanitary landfilling.
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PAYTM IPO: A CASE STUDY ON INDIA'S LARGEST PUBLIC LISTING AND ITS POST-LISTING PRICE UNDERPERFORMANCE
This case study examines the November 2021 initial public offering (IPO) of One97 Communications Limited (Paytm), India's largest IPO by issue size at the time, and its unexpected 27% decline on listing day. Drawing on the company's Red Herring Prospectus, exchange filings, and secondary market data, the case traces Paytm's evolution from a mobile recharge platform to a diversified fintech conglomerate, examines the structure and pricing of its IPO, and analyses the market's negative reaction relative to comparator listings in the same period (Nykaa, Zomato, Policy Bazaar, and others). The case is positioned within the established IPO underpricing and post-listing performance literature — including Rock's (1986) winner's curse hypothesis, signaling theory (Welch, 1989), and behavioural explanations of investor sentiment — to help readers connect a real, high-profile Indian listing to established theoretical frameworks. The case is suitable for postgraduate and MBA courses in Investment Management, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management, and Financial Markets and Institutions.