The present study aimed to formulate and optimize controlled-release matrix tablets of Azilsartan Medoxomil using natural and synthetic hydrophilic polymers to achieve sustained drug release over 24 hours. Preformulation studies, including organoleptic properties, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio, and compressibility index, confirmed that the drug possessed satisfactory flow and compression characteristics. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated the compatibility of Azilsartan Medoxomil with the selected polymers by showing no significant drug–polymer interactions. Matrix tablets were prepared using Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC K100M) and Xanthan Gum individually and in combination by direct compression. The formulated tablets were evaluated for physicochemical properties, including hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, and in vitro dissolution. All formulations complied with pharmacopoeia specifications, with drug content ranging from 93% to 100%. Dissolution studies performed in a pH 1.2 acid buffer followed by a pH 6.8 phosphate buffer demonstrated that Xanthan Gum alone exhibited a comparatively faster release, whereas the combination of HPMC K100M and Xanthan Gum effectively sustained drug release. Among all formulations, batch F9 showed the optimum performance with 99.74% cumulative drug release over 24 hours. Release kinetic analysis revealed that the optimized formulation followed zero-order kinetics (R² = 0.993) with anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion as the predominant release mechanism. Accelerated stability studies conducted for three months confirmed the stability of the optimized formulation without significant changes in its physicochemical properties or dissolution profile. The study concludes that formulation F9 is a promising controlled-release matrix tablet of Azilsartan Medoxomil capable of providing sustained drug release for 24 hours, thereby offering potential benefits in improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate its clinical performance.

Background
Renal calculi (urolithiasis) represent a significant global healthcare burden due to severe pain and high recurrence rates. Homoeopathy offers a dual approach: individualized constitutional prescribing based on totality of symptoms, and organ-specific prescribing using remedies with an affinity for the urinary tract, such as Berberis vulgaris, Cantharis, Lycopodium clavatum, and Sarsaparilla.
Objective
To evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of individualized homoeopathic medicines versus specific organ remedies in facilitating the expulsion and dissolution of renal calculi, reducing pain intensity, and preventing recurrent stone formation.
Expected Outcomes
The findings are expected to demonstrate whether constitutional, individualized prescribing provides superior long-term clearance and symptom relief compared to the targeted, organ-specific approach, or if both methods exhibit comparable efficacy in acute calculus expulsion.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) remain a cornerstone of everyday banking, yet the card-and-PIN model on which most deployments still rely offers only weak assurance that the person transacting is the legitimate account holder. Card skimming, cloning, shoulder surfing, card trapping, and PIN theft continue to generate significant financial losses worldwide, and conventional two-factor "something you have, something you know" schemes cannot verify the physical identity of the person presenting them. This paper proposes FaceSecure-ATM, a PIN-less, camera-only biometric authentication framework that replaces the card-and-PIN pair with a four-stage deep learning pipeline: (i) image acquisition through the ATM's existing camera, (ii) face detection and alignment using a Multi-task Cascaded Convolutional Network (MTCNN), (iii) presentation-attack (spoof) resistance through a CNN-based liveness detection stage, and (iv) identity verification through FaceNet-derived facial embeddings matched against securely stored enrolment templates. A distinguishing contribution of the proposed system is its remote authorization fallback: whenever the match confidence falls below an operating threshold, the system does not simply deny service — it forwards the captured frame and transaction context to the registered account holder's mobile device over a secure channel, allowing a real-time approve/deny decision before any funds move. On successful verification, the framework grants unified, single-face access across every bank account linked to the user's identity, removing the need to carry multiple cards. We situate the design against fingerprint, iris, and voice/behavioral alternatives, discuss the specific spoofing and adversarial threats a face-based ATM system must resist, and outline template-protection and data-minimisation practices (e.g., storing irreversible embeddings rather than raw images, encrypting embeddings at rest, and logging every authentication decision) needed to make such a system viable under data-protection regimes such as the GDPR and similar biometric-privacy statutes. A prototype implementation is evaluated qualitatively against authentication accuracy, spoof-rejection behaviour, response latency, and usability, and the paper closes with a discussion of the remaining challenges — demographic fairness, environmental robustness, and network dependency for the remote-approval channel — that must be addressed before large-scale deployment.

Cryopreservation of sperm and ovum is an important Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) used in the management of infertility arising from various causes, including cancer treatment with radiation, surgical procedures, occupational hazards, and other medical conditions that may affect fertility. Men between 18 and 41 years of age and women below 30–35 years can preserve their reproductive cells, namely sperm and ova, for future use. As today's youth are the future citizens of society, it is essential to educate students about the significance and benefits of cryopreservation of sperm and ovum. Such knowledge can help them make informed reproductive decisions and create awareness among others. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a planned Teaching Programme on knowledge regarding cryopreservation of sperm and ovum among nursing students of selected colleges in Bengaluru.

Background: Classical Ayurvedic scholarship has long maintained a conceptual tension between Agadtantra - the science of toxins, antidotes, and poisons - and Dravyaguna - the science of drug properties and pharmacodynamics. Many substances catalogued as Visha (toxic) in Agadtantra texts are simultaneously listed as therapeutically potent Dravyas in Dravyaguna literature, yet no systematic framework has articulated the mechanistic basis for this dual pharmacological identity. The phenomenon of hormesis - whereby sub-toxic doses of xenobiotics elicit adaptive, beneficial biological responses - offers a compelling modern correlate to this classical paradox.
Aim: To construct an original integrative framework - termed Visha-Dravya Dual Pharmacodynamics (VDDP) - that formally correlates the Agadtantra concept of Upavisha (sub-lethal toxins) with the Dravyaguna concept of Vipaka-mediated dose-response modulation, and to validate this framework through phytochemical and toxicological evidence from indexed biomedical literature.
Methods: A structured conceptual synthesis was performed integrating classical Ayurvedic texts - primarily Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, and Rasatarangini - with peer-reviewed pharmacological studies indexed in PubMed and Scopus (2000–2024). Substances appearing as Upavisha in Agadtantra taxonomies and simultaneously listed as medicinal Dravyas were selected for cross-analysis. Key parameters included Vipaka (post-digestive transformation), Prabhava (idiosyncratic pharmacological action), and xenobiotic hormesis thresholds documented in modern toxicology.
Results: Eleven Upavisha substances - including Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), Ahiphena (Papaver somniferum), Dhattura (Datura metel), Langali (Gloriosa superba), and Jayapala (Croton tiglium) - demonstrate mechanistically coherent dual pharmacological profiles. Classical Shodhana (purification) procedures correspond to toxicokinetic modifications that suppress peak plasma concentrations of alkaloids while preserving sub-threshold bioactive fractions. Vipaka transformations align with hepatic Phase I/II metabolic processing, and Prabhava actions correspond to hormetin-mediated stress-response pathways including Nrf2 activation and heat-shock protein upregulation.
Conclusion: The VDDP framework resolves a persistent conceptual lacuna in classical Ayurvedic pharmacology and offers a translatable model for evidence-informed re-evaluation of Upavisha-containing formulations. Shodhana emerges not merely as a ritual detoxification but as a dose-engineering process with precise xenobiotic pharmacokinetic implications.

Background: Brain fog - characterized by mental fatigue, poor concentration, memory lapses, and cognitive cloudiness - is increasingly recognized as a clinically significant condition, particularly following post-infectious illness. Despite modern clinical attention, its phenomenological parallels in ancient Indian medical and philosophical thought remain largely unexplored.
Aim: To systematically examine relevant concepts in Vedic, Upaniṣadic, Puranic, and Āyurvedic classical texts that correspond to the contemporary description of brain fog, and to explore their etiological, philosophical, and therapeutic significance.
Methods: A qualitative textual analysis of primary Sanskrit sources - including the Charaka Samhita, Suśruta Samhita, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam, Bhagavad Gītā, Yogasūtras, and selected Upaniṣads - was conducted alongside secondary Indological and integrative medicine scholarship. Key concepts were identified, analyzed contextually, and compared with modern definitions of brain fog.
Results: Ancient Indian literature contains rich conceptual equivalents of brain fog, including tamas (cognitive inertia), moha (clouding of discernment), smṛti bhraṃśa (memory displacement), manas-vibhrama (mental perturbation), prajñāparādha (failure of wisdom), and avaraṇa (obstruction of cognitive channels). Medhya rasāyana plants and pañcakarma protocols offer validated therapeutic correlates.
Conclusion: Ancient Indian classical texts encoded sophisticated, clinically relevant frameworks for cognitive dimness. Integrating these insights with modern neuroscience may enrich both the understanding and the integrative management of brain fog.

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational contexts has created new opportunities to reimagine pedagogy through a human-centred lens. This paper explores the concept of Human-Centred AI Pedagogy as a transformative approach to lifelong learning and social change. It emphasises the need to align technological innovation with human values, ethical considerations, and inclusive practices to ensure that AI enhances, rather than replaces, meaningful learning experiences. Adopting a conceptual and analytical framework, the study examines how AI-driven tools such as adaptive learning systems, intelligent tutoring, and learning analytics can support personalised, flexible, and continuous learning across diverse contexts. A Human-centred approach prioritises learner agency, emotional well-being, and social responsibility, thereby fostering critical thinking, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving skills essential for addressing contemporary societal challenges. The paper further highlights the role of lifelong learning in empowering individuals and communities to adapt to rapid technological and socio-economic changes. By integrating AI within participatory and experiential pedagogical models, education can extend beyond formal institutions to support community engagement and social innovation. However, the study also critically addresses challenges such as digital inequality, ethical concerns, algorithmic bias, and data privacy. The findings suggest that Human-Centred AI Pedagogy has significant potential to promote inclusive and sustainable social change when guided by ethical frameworks and equity-driven policies. The paper concludes by advocating for a balanced integration of AI and pedagogy that nurtures human capabilities while contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Background: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) remains a significant public health challenge in adolescent development, frequently manifesting in complex somatic and functional impairments.
Objective: To evaluate self-reported clinical symptoms, dietary behaviors, and active therapeutic gaps in adolescents aged 10–19 years.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured digital questionnaire administered in the regional language (Marathi) via Google Forms using a voluntary convenience sample (N=67). Descriptive statistics summarized parameters across demographic, clinical, and lifestyle domains.
Results: Despite 89.6% (n=60) reporting regular intake of iron-rich foods, systemic symptoms consistent with IDA were highly prevalent: 50.7% (n=34) suffered academic or physical decline due to fatigue, 47.8% (n=32) experienced immediate exertional breathlessness, and 31.3% (n=21) exhibited pica behavior. Notably, 83.6% (n=56) received no active oral therapeutic supplementation.
Conclusion: Relying solely on self-reported dietary intake is insufficient to prevent functional decline, pointing to dietary absorption barriers and a profound therapeutic gap. There is an urgent need for targeted institutional screening and individualized homeopathic intervention to support systemic assimilation alongside dietary education.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown severely disrupted the livelihoods of workers employed in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in economically vulnerable states such as Chhattisgarh. MSMEs, which constitute a major source of employment and income generation, experienced significant challenges due to production stoppages, supply chain disruptions, reduced market demand, and financial constraints. The present study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods of MSME workers in Chhattisgarh, with a focus on employment, income, consumption, savings, access to social protection, and coping strategies adopted during and after the pandemic. The study is based on primary data collected from MSME workers across selected districts of Chhattisgarh using a structured questionnaire, supplemented by secondary information from government reports, MSME publications, and relevant literature. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical techniques were employed to analyse the data. The findings reveal that a substantial proportion of workers experienced prolonged unemployment, significant income losses, and increased indebtedness during the pandemic. Informal and contractual workers were disproportionately affected due to the absence of job security and limited access to social security benefits. Many households relied on borrowing, depletion of savings, and government welfare schemes to sustain their livelihoods. The findings contribute to the understanding of pandemic-induced livelihood vulnerabilities and provide policy recommendations for fostering inclusive and sustainable recovery of MSME workers in Chhattisgarh. Existing evidence from Chhattisgarh and India similarly indicates substantial livelihood, employment, and wage losses among vulnerable workers and MSMEs during the pandemic, reinforcing the importance of targeted policy support.

The abundance of aquatic avifauna is an important indicator of the ecological health of a water body. The present study was conducted to assess the occurrence, ecological status, and species richness of aquatic birds in Vikram Tirth Sarovar, located on the campus of Vikram University, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. Field surveys were carried out from January 2025 to December 2025. A total of 25 bird species, representing 11 families and 6 orders, were recorded during the study period. Information on the occurrence, residential status, ecological status, and feeding habits of the aquatic bird species was documented. Among the recorded species, 19 were resident, 4 were migratory, and 2 were resident-migratory. Species such as Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Marsh Sandpiper, White-breasted Water hen, Red-wattled Lapwing, and White-throated Kingfisher were frequently observed throughout the study period. Migratory species, including the Marsh Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, and Grey Wagtail, were also recorded in considerable numbers during their seasonal visits. The family Ardeidae showed the highest species diversity, with five species, followed by Rallidae (4 species), Scolopacidae (4 species), Alcedinidae (3 species), Phalacrocoracidae (2 species), Motacillidae (2 species), Podicipedidae (1 species), Jacanidae (1 species), Recurvirostridae (1 species), Charadriidae (1 species), and Laridae (1 species). Piscivorous birds, including the Little Cormorant, egrets, and herons, were commonly found inhabiting the reservoir. Roosting behavior of herons and egrets was also regularly observed around the sarovar. The findings indicate that Vikram Tirth Sarovar continues to serve as an important habitat for both resident and migratory water birds. Although the sarovar is situated within an urban environment and is subjected to continuous anthropogenic disturbances, it remains a preferred site for aquatic avifauna, highlighting its ecological significance and the need for its conservation.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 24 million people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of disability among young adults. It is characterized by positive symptoms, negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, and marked functional decline, imposing a substantial burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. Despite advances in pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, long-term outcomes remain highly variable, with comorbid conditions playing a major role in disease progression and prognosis.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities in individuals with schizophrenia. The coexistence of these disorders, commonly referred to as dual diagnosis, is associated with increased symptom severity, poor treatment adherence, more frequent relapses and hospitalizations, higher rates of suicidal behavior, violence, homelessness, and reduced quality of life. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this association, including shared genetic vulnerability, neurobiological mechanisms, self-medication of psychotic symptoms, and the influence of environmental and social factors.
The prevalence and patterns of substance use among individuals with schizophrenia vary considerably across countries and populations, reflecting differences in cultural context, availability of psychoactive substances, healthcare systems, and socioeconomic conditions. Tobacco and cannabis are consistently reported as the most commonly used substances, while alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other illicit drugs are also frequently encountered. Identifying the sociodemographic, clinical, and addictive characteristics of this population is essential for developing integrated treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Urban decay and the proliferation of squatter settlements have emerged as critical issues affecting many cities in Nigeria. Rapid urban growth, inadequate infrastructure, flawed urban planning, weak policy execution, and economic instability have led to the decline of once-vibrant neighbourhoods and the expansion of informal housing areas. These settlements are typically characterized by poor housing quality, high population density, limited access to essential services, inadequate waste management, and environmental challenges, all of which hinder sustainable urban development. This study explored the underlying drivers and spatial consequences of urban decline and informal settlements, with an emphasis on proposing architectural and planning interventions tailored to the Nigerian context. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including case studies and literature reviews, the study examined conditions in some Nigerian cities to understand the extent and impact of these issues. The study identified sustainable solutions, including inclusive urban regeneration, affordable housing, adaptive reuse of aging infrastructure, improved waste management systems, and the integration of green public spaces. Findings highlighted the need for community engagement, coherent policy frameworks, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The study concluded that by reimagining the role of architecture and urban planning, urban decay and the growth of informal settlements can be reversed.

This study presents a pedagogical analysis of Ganita Prakash mathematics textbooks in the context of National Education Policy 2020. The purpose of the study is to examine how far the textbook reflects modern pedagogical principles such as activity-based learning, experiential learning, conceptual understanding, and competency-based education.
A qualitative research design based on content analysis was adopted for the study. The primary data source was the Ganita Prakash mathematics textbook developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training. The analysis was conducted using a pedagogical framework consisting of key dimensions such as conceptual clarity, real-life application, learner-centered approach, critical thinking, and assessment practices.
The findings reveal that Ganita Prakash strongly aligns with the vision of NEP 2020 by promoting experiential learning, student engagement, and problem-solving skills. The textbook incorporates real-life contexts, visual representations, and activity-based tasks that support meaningful learning. However, the effectiveness of these pedagogical features depends significantly on classroom implementation and teacher facilitation.
The study concludes that Ganita Prakash represents a progressive shift in mathematics education in India, moving from rote memorization toward conceptual and competency-based learning as envisioned in NEP 2020.

Background: Lumbar lordosis is an important marker of spinopelvic alignment in basketball players, yet individual responses to corrective exercise may vary substantially. Understanding whether baseline lumbar lordosis predicts treatment response may help refine personalized rehabilitation strategies in athletic populations.
Purpose: To investigate individual variability in response to a 12-week corrective exercise programme and to examine whether baseline lumbar lordosis predicts treatment response among university basketball players.
Methods: This secondary exploratory analysis included 17 university basketball players aged 18–25 years who completed a 12-week supervised corrective exercise programme consisting of pelvic tilts, glute bridges, bird-dog exercise, hip flexor stretch, hamstring stretch, wall sits, and cat-cow stretch. Baseline lumbar lordosis was treated as the predictor variable, and treatment response was defined as the pre-test to post-test reduction in lumbar lordosis angle. Percentage treatment response was also calculated. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression were used to examine the association between baseline lumbar lordosis and treatment response.
Results: The mean baseline lumbar lordosis was 49.71 ± 2.26°, and the mean treatment response was 5.00 ± 1.41°. The mean percentage treatment response was 9.99 ± 2.50%. Treatment response showed noticeable inter-individual variability, ranging from 3° to 8°. Baseline lumbar lordosis was strongly and positively correlated with treatment response (r = 0.744, p = 0.001). Simple linear regression showed that baseline lumbar lordosis significantly predicted treatment response (B = 0.466, β = 0.744, t = 4.312, p = 0.001), explaining 55.3% of the variance in treatment response (R² = 0.553; adjusted R² = 0.524).
Conclusion: Baseline lumbar lordosis was a significant predictor of treatment response following a 12-week corrective exercise programme in university basketball players. Players with greater initial lumbar lordosis demonstrated larger reductions after intervention, suggesting that pretreatment postural status may be useful for guiding individualized corrective exercise prescription.

The unprecedented convergence of artificial intelligence, digital communication, platform capitalism, multilingual migration, and global knowledge networks has fundamentally transformed the theory and practice of translation. While contemporary Translation Studies has substantially expanded beyond linguistic equivalence toward cultural, ideological, and sociological approaches, the discipline remains insufficiently equipped to address the emerging challenges posed by algorithmic governance, epistemic inequality, digital colonialism, ecological knowledge loss, and machine-mediated multilingual communication. Existing paradigms primarily concentrate on textual transfer, cultural negotiation, and translator agency but seldom conceptualize translation as an instrument of knowledge justice operating within technologically mediated societies. This article argues that the central crisis confronting twenty-first-century translation is no longer the problem of linguistic equivalence but the problem of epistemic representation—that is, determining whose knowledge survives, whose worldview becomes globally intelligible, whose cultural memory is preserved, and whose voices remain digitally invisible. Employing an interdisciplinary qualitative methodology that synthesizes Translation Studies, cognitive linguistics, postcolonial theory, digital humanities, artificial intelligence ethics, ecological humanities, and sociology of knowledge, the study critically examines ten emerging crises that redefine contemporary translation practice. Rather than merely identifying deficiencies, the article proposes an original theoretical framework, the Polycentric Ethical Translation Framework (PETF), which integrates five interdependent dimensions: linguistic fidelity, cultural sustainability, epistemic justice, algorithmic accountability, and ecological responsibility. Supporting this framework are several new conceptual models—including the Epistemic Verification Layer (EVL), Circular Translation Ecology (CTE), Translation Biodiversity Index (TBI), Cultural Preservation Quotient (CPQ), and Silent Semiotic Translation Model (SSTM)—designed to respond to the realities of AI-assisted translation and multilingual digital futures. The article contends that the future of translation depends not upon replacing human translators with intelligent machines but upon establishing ethically responsible, culturally inclusive, technologically accountable, and epistemically plural translation ecosystems capable of sustaining linguistic diversity and global knowledge equity.

This research work focuses on the study of recognition of textual characters on natural images using matlab. The research works on joint picture group (jpg) image type. It further utilizes matlab inbuilt processing libraries so characters can be recognized and displayed. The research also employed the principle of Artificial Intelligence on the perception of the environment and to act on the particular image in an environment intelligently. Matlab as a tool and Artificial Intelligence in a neural network was used to improve the artificial computing and experience of science for image optical character recognition. The model can be used to recognize the English characters (A-Z,a-z),numerals(0-9) and special characters(#,$,%,^,&,*). Recognition is done by training the image in the matlab IDE using back propagation algorithm, where users input is read as an image when processed to the matlab matrix system and then, the algorithm processes the matrix to know the exact character or number entered by the user and displayed. Our methodology is based on machine learning, especially deep learning principle. The performance of the proposed model shows that efficiency rate of 97% was achieved.

In this present study, tamarind pulp was prepared and used as a greener catalyst for the rapid and efficient synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazole by a three-component, one-pot condensation of 1, 2-diketones and aryl aldehydes in excellent yield under solvent-free conditions using microwave irradiation. 1H-imidazoles were known for their medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. These derivatives were found to be very active against pathogens. The crude products were isolated by filtration and purified by recrystallisation in ethanol. Structural confirmation was performed using melting point determination, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic bands for aromatic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functionalities, while ¹H NMR spectra confirmed the presence of aromatic protons consistent with the imidazole framework. The method demonstrates a sustainable approach to heterocyclic synthesis by utilising renewable natural resources and energy-efficient techniques, aligning with the principles of green chemistry.

India occupies a distinctive position in global history as one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, whose intellectual, cultural, economic, and political contributions have profoundly influenced regional and global developments. Yet, the interpretation of India's historical trajectory has often been constrained by two dominant frameworks: Orientalism, which constructed India through colonial epistemologies, and fundamentalism, which frequently reduces India's pluralistic heritage to exclusive ideological narratives. In the twenty-first century, characterized by globalization, digital transformation, decolonial scholarship, and multipolar geopolitics, there is a growing need to reinterpret India's historical role through interdisciplinary and globally connected perspectives.

This study critically examines the limitations of Orientalist and fundamentalist historiographies while proposing a multidimensional framework for understanding India's place within global history. Employing qualitative, historical, comparative, and interpretative methodologies, the article synthesizes insights from political science, history, sociology, philosophy, and international relations. The study argues that India's historical evolution is best understood through its traditions of cultural exchange, democratic pluralism, scientific innovation, maritime networks, intellectual dialogue, and civilizational interconnectedness rather than through colonial binaries or ideological exclusivism.

The article further demonstrates how contemporary India's growing role in global governance, sustainable development, technological advancement, and South-South cooperation reflects the continuity of its historical engagement with the wider world. The findings contribute to decolonial historical scholarship by proposing a balanced framework that integrates indigenous perspectives with global historical methodologies. The study concludes that reimagining India's global historical identity is essential for fostering inclusive historiography, intercultural dialogue, and a more equitable understanding of world civilization.

Artificial intelligence is undergoing a structural transition from systems that passively respond to prompts toward agentic architectures that perceive an environment, reason over goals, plan multi-step actions, invoke external tools, and adapt their behavior from feedback with limited human intervention. This shift is particularly consequential for autonomous systems—self-driving vehicles, mobile and manipulator robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, industrial control systems, and cyber-defense platforms—where decisions must be made continuously, under uncertainty, and with real physical or operational consequences. This paper presents a structured review of agentic artificial intelligence (agentic AI) as applied to autonomous systems. It traces the conceptual evolution of the field from classical rule-based agents and reinforcement-learning controllers to large language model (LLM) orchestrated agents built around reasoning-and-acting loops, reflective self-correction, long-term memory and tool use. It examines the dominant architectural patterns—single-agent reasoning loops, hierarchical task-and-motion planning, and multi-agent orchestration frameworks—and surveys their deployment across autonomous driving, robotic manipulation and navigation, aerial and swarm robotics, industrial automation, and autonomous cyber-defense. The paper then discusses the trust, risk, safety, and governance considerations that arise once decision authority is delegated to autonomous agents, including hallucination, goal misalignment; prompt injection, emergent multi-agent behavior, and the difficulty of assigning accountability. It closes by identifying open research problems—verifiable planning, long-horizon reliability, human-agent teaming, standardized inter-agent communication protocols, and regulatory alignment—and by outlining directions along which the field is likely to mature. The review draws on the peer-reviewed and preprint literature published principally between 2022 and 2026 to give an evidence-based, balanced account of both the demonstrated capabilities and the unresolved limitations of agentic AI in safety-critical autonomous settings.

Community Health Officers (CHOs) are the backbone of India’s Ayushman Arogya Mandir framework, yet they face mounting challenges. There is a critical lack of research exploring how these frontline workers maintain high performance under such severe systemic constraints. Failing to understand the intrinsic motivators and coping mechanisms that drive this resilience leaves the primary healthcare system vulnerable to sudden, widespread burnout, high turnover, and eventual structural collapse. In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, CHOs balance demanding clinical duties with extensive administrative reporting across multiple digital portals, all while working under rigid contractual salaries and delayed incentives. Despite excessive workloads, financial hardship, and lack of team support, they routinely meet national goals. This qualitative research design, based on interviews with 15 CHOs and triangulated with media and social data, reveals widespread role overload, financial strain, and health issues. However, sustainability cannot rest solely on intrinsic dedication. The study highlights urgent policy needs: redesigning incentive structures, strengthening team dynamics with ANMs and ASHAs, and implementing burnout-prevention strategies. Without structural support, the resilience of CHOs risks collapsing into burnout and attrition, threatening the stability of rural primary healthcare delivery.

This article provides a systematic analysis of the mechanisms and operational scale of international trade finance executed by the Banque de l'Indochine in Vietnam during the 1875–1945 period. Harvesting colonial financial archives, annual corporate reports of the Banque de l'Indochine, and official maritime customs statistics, this study exposes the institutional monopoly maintained by the bank in coordinating import-export credit lines, documentary credits, and foreign exchange guarantees. The empirical findings indicate that trade finance operations conducted by the Banque de l'Indochine were not designed to establish an equitable free-trade environment; rather, they were engineered to serve the strategic interests of French corporate syndicates, optimizing the extraction of raw materials (specifically rice, rubber, and minerals) while securing a captive market for metropolitan industrial goods. Leveraging a branch network strategically positioned across key Asian and European port cities, the Banque de l'Indochine exercised absolute dominance over Indochina’s international payment flows. The study concludes that these trade finance mechanisms functioned simultaneously as a catalyst for modernizing foreign trade payment infrastructures and as a core structural link in the colonial economic surplus extraction apparatus.

This study comprehensively analyzes the implementation and operational dynamics of the silver standard regime in Vietnam during the 1875-1945 period under the overarching influence of the Banque de l'Indochine and the French colonial administration. Utilizing historical archival documents and colonial financial metrics, the paper elucidates the issuance mechanism of the Piastre anchored in silver bullion, thereby assessing the multidimensional impacts of global silver price fluctuations on the Vietnamese economy. The findings demonstrate that while the silver standard initially facilitated Indochina's commercial integration into Asian trade networks, it simultaneously induced severe macroeconomic instability whenever international silver prices fluctuated. Notably, the institutional conflict between the gold-based French Franc and the silver-based Piastre rendered the colonial economy exceptionally vulnerable to foreign exchange shocks. The study affirms that the silver standard served as a complex monetary device that simultaneously stimulated foreign trade while deepening economic dependency and the extraction of surplus value from the indigenous population.

Southern Vietnamese (“vè”) folk verse vividly reflects the lived experiences and cultural values of the communities inhabiting southern Vietnam, in which the representation of women appears in diverse forms. Drawing on the corpus collected in “The Anthology of Southern Vietnamese Folklore: Southern Vietnamese (“vè”)” compiled by Huynh Ngoc Trang, this article examines the transformation of traditional moral norms through the representation of women. It further explores the function of satirical laughter as a means of criticizing moral deviations while reinforcing the ethical values upheld by the family and the wider community. At the same time, many (“vè”) express sympathy for women whose lives are marked by poverty, social prejudice, and personal adversity. The findings indicate that the representation of women in Southern Vietnamese (“vè”) folk verse not only preserves traditional moral values but also reflects their adaptation to the socio-cultural context of southern Vietnam, thereby highlighting the genre's humanistic spirit and distinctive cultural identity.

Background
Patient-centered healthcare has become the cornerstone of quality healthcare delivery across the globe. In physiotherapy, the quality of healthcare extends beyond clinical effectiveness and encompasses communication, professional competence, treatment accessibility, rehabilitation protocols, organizational infrastructure, and patient engagement. Although physiotherapy services have expanded considerably across India over the last decade, evidence regarding determinants of patient-perceived service quality remains limited. Understanding these determinants is essential for improving patient satisfaction, optimizing healthcare delivery, and strengthening rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income countries.
Objective
To evaluate the factors influencing patient-perceived quality of physiotherapy healthcare services among patients receiving physiotherapy treatment in Mohali, Punjab.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 physiotherapy patients receiving treatment at fifteen healthcare institutions in Mohali, Punjab. Eligible participants had received physiotherapy for at least one month. Data were collected using a structured Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM)-based questionnaire assessing physiotherapist competency, rehabilitation protocols, treatment environment, equipment adequacy, and overall service quality. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.
Results
The study demonstrated an overall patient satisfaction rate of 98.5%. Rehabilitation protocols showed the strongest association with perceived service quality (r = 0.473, p <0.001), followed by physiotherapist professional competency (r = 0.442, p <0.001). Equipment quality was also significantly associated with patient satisfaction (r = 0.398, p <0.001), whereas treatment space showed comparatively weaker but statistically significant associations (r = 0.234, p =0.001). Nearly one-third (28.6%) of participants reported inadequate consultation time despite expressing high overall satisfaction.
Conclusion
Standardized rehabilitation protocols, professional competency, and effective patient communication are the principal determinants of perceived physiotherapy service quality. Improving consultation time, infrastructure, and adoption of advanced rehabilitation technologies may further enhance patient-centered physiotherapy care in India.

This paper presents a comprehensive Digital Twin (DT)-based software framework for real-time monitoring, state estimation, and predictive analysis of electrical power systems. The proposed framework integrates multi-physics modelling, machine learning (ML)-driven anomaly detection, and edge-cloud hybrid computing to achieve high-fidelity virtual replication of power grid infrastructure including generators, transmission lines, transformers, and load centres. A novel bidirectional data synchronisation architecture is proposed, enabling sub-40 ms end-to-end latency using IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging and DNP3 protocols over a 5G communication backbone. The framework is validated on the IEEE 14-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems, as well as a real 132 kV sub-transmission network segment. Experimental results demonstrate fault detection accuracy of 98.9%, state estimation mismatch reduction of 63.4% compared to conventional weighted least squares (WLS) methods, and load forecasting mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 1.47%. A Graph Convolutional Network (GCN)-enhanced fault classifier and a Transformer-based load predictor are integrated into the DT engine. The framework is benchmarked against conventional SCADA, cloud-only DT, and edge-only DT architectures, demonstrating superior performance across latency, throughput, scalability, and cyber-security dimensions. The open-source implementation is made available for community use and validation.

This paper proposes an AI-assisted smart grid energy management system (EMS) for coordinated operation of solar PV, wind, hydro, biomass, fuel cell, battery energy storage and utility grid support. The proposed framework is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink and compared to a conventional renewable-energy management approach in a 24-hour operating horizon. The system comprises a 100 kW PV array, 120 kW wind turbine, 130 kW hydro unit, 90 kW biomass plant, 60 kW fuel cell and 300 kWh battery energy storage system with SOC limits of 20–90%.The proposed AI-assisted EMS performs adaptive dispatch, battery coordination and bidirectional grid interaction based on renewable availability, load demand and battery state of charge, whereas the conventional technique is based on independent renewable-source operation. The simulation results show that the overall. Simulation results indicate that total renewable generation reaches approximately 320–340 kW against a load demand of 110–180 kW. The battery SOC varies between 20% and 90%, while maximum charging/discharging power reaches 80 kW. Grid import and export are effectively managed within 100–120 kW and 100 kW, respectively. Furthermore, system voltage remains close to 1.0 pu and frequency near 50 Hz, demonstrating stable operation. The results confirm that the proposed AI-assisted framework improves renewable-energy utilization, enhances battery management, reduces grid dependency, and provides superior operational stability compared with the conventional approach.

Sustainable farming has emerged as a crucial approach to address environmental degradation, declining soil fertility, and socio-economic challenges faced by small farmers. Smallholder farmers play a significant role in global food security, yet their adoption of sustainable practices remains uneven due to financial, technological, and institutional constraints. This study examines the awareness, adoption level, and challenges related to sustainable farming practices among small farmers using primary data collected through a structured questionnaire survey of 20 farmers. The study employs descriptive statistical analysis to assess practices such as organic inputs, crop rotation, water conservation, and integrated pest management. The findings reveal moderate awareness but limited adoption due to high initial costs, lack of training, and inadequate institutional support. The study highlights the need for policy intervention, capacity building, and localized extension services to promote sustainable agriculture among small farmers.

Mobile phones have become indispensable communication tools, even among food vendors who prepare and sell ready-to-eat foods. These devices are frequently handled during food preparation and service, potentially serving as reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms. This study assessed the microbial contamination of mobile phones used by food vendors in Rumueme community, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 12 mobile phone samples were collected from food vendors across three locations (Rumuchinda, Oroazi, and Mgbuosimini). Standard microbiological techniques were employed to determine total bacterial load, total coliform count, fungal load, and to isolate and identify specific human pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi. Samples were collected using sterile swabs and analyzed using pour plate and spread plate techniques on appropriate media. Total bacterial loads ranged from 1.8×10³ to 2.0×10⁶ CFU/mL, with Mgbuosimini location showing the highest bacterial contamination (3.0×10⁶) and Rumuchinda the lowest (1.4×10⁶). Coliform bacteria were detected in all locations, with Rumuchinda showing the highest mean count (18.375 MPN/100mL). Fungal contamination ranged from 6.3×10⁴ to 1.3×10⁶ CFU/mL. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (11 occurrences), followed by Salmonella typhi (3 occurrences) and Escherichia coli (2 occurrences). Fungal isolates included Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida spp.
Mobile phones of food vendors in Rumueme community harbor significant microbial contamination, including potential pathogens. This poses a public health risk through possible cross-contamination to food. Regular decontamination of mobile phones and improved hygiene practices among food vendors are urgently needed.

Background: Publication and citation indicators depend heavily on the databases from which they are derived; however, Scopus, Web of Science, Dimensions, and ORCID serve different infrastructural roles. This study aims to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the aforementioned platforms and aims to provide a design for researcher level comparison for the years 2020-2025. For this, a secondary evidence synthesis was conducted. Evidence for this synthesis was obtained from peer reviewed studies and from comparative studies and were documented mainly in the years 2020 to 2025. Evidence of a quantitative nature was described in the source studies. A primary data collection design was then described for study populations of between 100 to 300 researchers and 1,000 to 5,000 research outputs. The techniques and tools that were to be used for this design included DOI-first matching, normalized-title matching, researcher identifiers, metadata-completeness indices, non-parametric repeated-measures tests, agreement statistics, regressions, and sensitivity analysis. Evidence shows that multiple databases provide a substantial amount of coverage that is non-equivalent. One large multijournal study showed that 99.11% of the journals in the Web of Science were also in Scopus, in Dimensions were also in Scopus were also in Web of Science, and that Dimensions had about 48.17% more journals than Scopus. ORCID facilitates strong identity linking and discoverability, yet profile completion and user adoption remain low. No single platform provides a complete or functionally equivalent representation of scholarly productivity. Multi-database triangulation, matching, field normalization, identity verification, and expert review are required for rigorous evaluation.Practical implications are as follows: This manuscript offers an auditable framework addressing the needs of librarians, universities, research offices, and evaluators. Originality/value: This manuscript creates a space for verified secondary benchmarks to be accessed, thus eliminating the need for fabricated metrics that rely on proprietary exports while allowing for a succinct and comprehensive research design.

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) represent one of the most transformative applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), computer vision, and robotics. These vehicles can perceive their environment, make intelligent decisions, and navigate with minimal or no human intervention. Autonomous driving integrates multiple technologies including sensors, localization, perception, planning, and control systems. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the working principles of autonomous vehicles, discusses the architecture of autonomous driving systems, reviews enabling technologies, highlights challenges, and explores future research directions.

In this Reseach paper, the medicinal value of herbal tea making from 'Shoe flower' (China rose) is evaluated. Nowadays, the majority of rural people who are poor & can't afford costly allopathic drugs. In the last decades, there has been probably an upsurge in the use of drugs based on plant sources because of the miraculous success of it and no side effects.

Stream-of-consciousness narrative, a literary technique pioneered by modernist writers, offers a unique way to delve into characters’ inner emotional lives beyond conventional narrative transparency. This paper explores how stream-of-consciousness constructs emotional authenticity by presenting unfiltered, non-linear consciousness that mirrors the human mind’s actual workings. Through analysis of seminal works by Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, William Faulkner, and Dorothy Richardson, the study argues that stream-of-consciousness achieves authenticity not through realistic external descriptions but through formal innovation prioritising subjective consciousness. This technique reveals how emotions are constructed, layered, and reconstructed within the mind, demonstrating that authenticity lies in language’s formal texture rather than transparent representation. By disrupting conventional narrative linearity and embracing fragmentation, association, and ambiguity, stream-of-consciousness writers create a deeper psychological realism, fundamentally challenging our understanding of narrative authenticity and human consciousness in literature.

Background
Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impairs quality of life, particularly among middle-aged males facing high occupational and lifestyle stressors. While conventional options offer symptomatic management, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of the individualized homeopathic remedy Natrum carbonicum against standard diet and regimen alterations in middle-aged males diagnosed with IBS. [1, 2]
Methods
A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted over a 12-month period at an outpatient research facility. Sixty (60) middle-aged male participants (aged 40–60 years) meeting the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel arms. Group A (n=15) received individualized doses of Natrum carbonicum (primarily in 30C or 200C potencies) alongside basic dietary advice. Group B (n=15) received standard structured diet and regimen interventions (including a low-FODMAP diet, increased soluble fiber, regular physical activity, and stress-management habits) without any medicinal intervention. The primary clinical outcome was the mean change in the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) from baseline to 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included alterations in the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire.

Background
Hemorrhoids are a prevalent anorectal disorder strongly associated with sedentary lifestyles, which cause increased pelvic pressure and venous stasis. Standard treatments often present side effects or high recurrence rates, prompting patients to seek alternative therapies. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicine in managing hemorrhoids among individuals with sedentary occupations.
Methods
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over 12 months with 30 participants aged 25–60 years who worked sedentary jobs (>6 hours of sitting per day). The primary outcomes were measured using the Hemorrhoidal Symptom Score (HSS) and the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scale at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Background
Metrorrhagia, characterized by irregular uterine bleeding occurring at irregular intervals between menstrual cycles, is a prevalent manifestation of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) that significantly impairs physical health and psychological well-being in women. Jonosia Ashoka is a well-established indigenous homeopathic remedy traditionally valued for its specific affinity for the female reproductive tract. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility and efficacy of homeopathic Jonosia Ashoka in mitigating the severity of metrorrhagia and improving patient outcomes.
Methods
A prospective, clinical study conducted over a 12-month period at an outpatient research facility. Thirty (30) female participants (aged 18–45 years) diagnosed with clinical metrorrhagia and fulfilling structural inclusion parameters were enrolled. Participants with organic intrauterine pathologies (e.g., large sub-mucosal fibroids, malignancies) were excluded. Jonosia Ashoka was administered orally, primarily utilizing the mother tincture (\(\theta \)) potency (5–10 drops twice or thrice daily) during acute bleeding episodes, and lower centesimal potencies (\(3C\) or \(6C\)) during the maintenance phase. The primary outcome measure was the mean reduction in the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) score from baseline to 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in haemoglobin levels and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pelvic/lumbar pain.

The rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure necessitates the development of robust, adaptable, and structurally sound charging towers. This study presents a comprehensive finite element analysis (FEA) of an EV charging tower designed by PT. Bangun Teknik Baja, located in the open terrain of Angsana, South Kalimantan. The primary objective is to evaluate the structural integrity of the tapered steel truss tower under extreme wind loads and to simulate the kinematic behavior of the structure during a horizontal moving process. Utilizing LISA V.8 FEA software for global structural analysis and IDEA StatiCa for component-based finite element method (CBFEM) connection verification, this study assesses stress distribution, lateral displacement, and connection capacity. The tower, standing 9.186 meters tall, utilizes S355 steel pipes (Pipe 4SCH40, 5SCH40, and 6SCH40) and is stabilized by a 100 mm concrete counterweight. Wind load analysis based on SNI 1727:2020 and ASCE 7-16 standards revealed a maximum lateral displacement of 0.000888 m, significantly below the allowable 0.091 m limit. Furthermore, the horizontal moving simulation, involving a dual-tower system connected by a 50.8 mm steel cable, demonstrated that a forced displacement of 1 meter and 2 meters induced maximum longitudinal stresses of 11.45 MPa and 12.10 MPa, respectively, utilizing merely 5.1% of the material's yield capacity. Connection checks confirmed that all plates, bolts (A325M), and welds (E70xx) operate well within safe limits, with maximum utilization rates below 1.3%. The findings confirm that the EV tower possesses adequate lateral stiffness and structural integrity to safely undergo horizontal relocation without yielding or permanent deformation.

This review article explores Hamlet’s crisis as a universal human struggle, situated at the intersection of psychoanalysis, existentialism, and analytic philosophy. Drawing on Freud’s concept of the unconscious, the study examines how hidden desires and repressed drives shape Hamlet’s hesitation and inner conflict. Sartre’s philosophy of freedom reframes Hamlet’s indecision as the burden of radical choice, where responsibility for action cannot be deferred. Russell’s emphasis on wisdom and rational clarity highlights the tension between intellectual reflection and practical judgment in the face of existential dilemmas. By juxtaposing these three perspectives, the article argues that Hamlet’s crisis transcends the literary domain, embodying a universal confrontation with unconscious impulses, the demand for freedom, and the pursuit of wisdom. Hamlet’s crisis is universal because it transcends the boundaries of literature, becoming a mirror of humanity’s timeless struggle with freedom, wisdom, and the unconscious. The term signals that Hamlet’s dilemma is not confined to Shakespeare’s stage but embodies the enduring condition of human existence across cultures and philosophies. Hamlet becomes a mirror of humanity’s deepest anxieties, where the unconscious undermines freedom and wisdom struggles to restore balance. This interdisciplinary study situates Hamlet as a timeless figure through whom psychoanalysis and philosophy meet to illuminate the enduring crisis of the human condition.

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and employees' performance in recruitment agencies in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of self-awareness and self-control on employees' performance. The Ability-Based Theory of Emotional Intelligence and Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Competency Theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study. A survey research design was adopted, and a census approach was used to include all 142 employees from nine registered recruitment agencies in the study area. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while the instrument's reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.910 to 0.974. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that self-awareness had a very strong positive and significant relationship with employees' performance (r = 0.918, p < 0.05), while self-control also exhibited a very strong positive and significant relationship with employees' performance (r = 0.904, p < 0.05). The study concluded that emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness and self-control, significantly enhances employees' performance in recruitment agencies. It recommended that management of recruitment agencies should implement regular emotional intelligence training programmes, encourage self-awareness development through coaching and feedback mechanisms, and strengthen employees' self-control skills to improve service delivery, productivity, and overall organizational performance.

This study examined the relationship between employee citizenship behaviour (ECB) and organizational productivity of deposit money banks in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between courtesy and organizational productivity, and conscientiousness and organizational productivity. The study adopted a survey research design, while a sample of 142 employees was selected from a population of 221 staff using the Taro Yamane sampling technique and simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by experts, while reliability was established using Cronbach's Alpha coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.82. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that employees demonstrated high levels of conscientiousness, particularly in punctuality, diligence, compliance with organizational rules, timely completion of tasks, and disciplined work habits. The study also found that respondents exhibited positive levels of courtesy characterized by respect, cooperation, and proactive communication that minimized workplace conflicts. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that employee citizenship behaviour had a significant positive relationship with organizational productivity. Specifically, conscientiousness was positively and significantly related to organizational productivity, while courtesy also exhibited a significant positive relationship with organizational productivity (p < 0.05). The study concluded that employee citizenship behaviour is an important predictor of organizational productivity in deposit money banks. The study recommended that bank management should strengthen organizational policies that promote employee citizenship behaviour through leadership support, continuous employee development, recognition of discretionary behaviours, and effective communication systems. Furthermore, managers should create a work environment that encourages conscientiousness and courtesy to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and overall organizational productivity.

This study examined the influence of Green Ocean Strategy on organizational competitiveness in selected manufacturing firms in South West, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of green innovation and eco-efficiency on organizational competitiveness. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View (RBV), which posits that firms achieve sustainable competitive advantage through valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable resources and capabilities. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from employees of selected manufacturing firms using a structured questionnaire. A total of 332 questionnaires were distributed, of which 268 valid responses were used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize respondents' opinions, while simple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that green innovation has a strong positive and significant influence on organizational competitiveness (R = 0.830, R² = 0.688, β = 0.830, p < 0.05). Similarly, eco-efficiency was found to have a strong positive and significant influence on organizational competitiveness (R = 0.833, R² = 0.694, β = 0.833, p < 0.05). The study concluded that Green Ocean Strategy, through green innovation and eco-efficiency, significantly enhances organizational competitiveness by improving operational efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and strengthening firms' competitive positions. The study recommends that manufacturing firms should invest in green technologies, strengthen eco-efficient production systems, and integrate sustainability into their strategic planning to achieve long-term competitiveness.

This study examined the influence of procurement transformation on firm performance among food and beverage manufacturing firms in Tanzania. Specifically, it assessed the mediating role of supply chain agility in the relationship between procurement transformation and firm performance, and the moderating role of digital capability in strengthening this relationship. Food and beverage manufacturing firms in Tanzania continue to operate in an increasingly dynamic business environment characterized by supply chain disruptions, fluctuating input costs, changing customer preferences, technological advancements, and intense market competition. Although many firms have invested in procurement transformation initiatives such as supplier integration, strategic sourcing, procurement automation, and process redesign, improvements in organizational performance have remained inconsistent. Existing studies largely examine the direct relationship between procurement transformation and firm performance, with limited attention given to the mechanisms through which procurement transformation creates value. In particular, empirical evidence on the mediating influence of supply chain agility and the moderating effect of digital capability within the Tanzanian manufacturing sector remains scarce.
The study adopted a positivist research philosophy and employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to procurement managers, supply chain managers, operations managers, production managers, and senior executives from registered food and beverage manufacturing firms in Tanzania. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Smart PLS 4 to examine the direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among the study variables. The findings established that procurement transformation has a positive and statistically significant influence on firm performance. Supply chain agility partially mediates this relationship by enhancing organizational responsiveness, operational flexibility, and supply chain resilience. The results further revealed that digital capability significantly moderates the relationship between procurement transformation and firm performance, indicating that firms with stronger digital capabilities realize greater performance improvements from procurement transformation initiatives. The study concludes that procurement transformation improves firm performance both directly and indirectly through enhanced supply chain agility. Furthermore, digital capability strengthens the effectiveness of procurement transformation by enabling greater visibility, coordination, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency.
The study recommends that food and beverage manufacturing firms strengthen procurement transformation initiatives while investing in digital technologies that improve procurement integration and supply chain visibility. Firms should also develop agile supply chain capabilities to enhance responsiveness to changing market conditions and improve overall organizational performance.
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A Non-invasive secure framework comprises AI ministered data analysis with blockchain technology for monitoring patient’s data having health devices. Several Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices such as smart watches and biosensors operate as wearable devices to track continuous biological information and physical activities from patients. Artificial intelligence combined with machine-learning processing manages the large number of health events through data analysis but remains susceptible to fraudulent data modifications. The architecture implements AI classifiers to detect suspicious sensor data that are removed from blockchain storage through an authentication process. The blockchain ledger maintains permanent storage of authenticated necessary data through smart contracts which grants both security and the ability to track all changes to data records. [1] We provide detailed explanations about the complete operational pipeline which consists of data processing steps and feature selection and ML model creation as well as optimization followed by an explanation of blockchain elements including permissioned ledger technology and smart contracts for access control. The system receives assessment through testing on a publicly available data set named WUSTL EHMS 2020. (Washington University in St. Louis - Electronic Health Monitoring System). We have performed various runs by using different classifiers out of which, SVM-based classification method scored ~98% of genuine records compared to artificial data while decreasing the number of false alarm cases by more than 1% above standard techniques. [2] Patients can govern the sharing of their data through the blockchain which records every accepted entry to maintain tamperproof historical records. We discussed the evaluations of actual healthcare implementations Health Chain and Health coin and it examines ethical matters along with privacy and regulatory aspects. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) standards and explainable AI capabilities. Our article presents an entire next-generation health monitoring system which uses Machine Learning anomaly detection and blockchain trust to create a detailed comprehensive framework to make it more secure, so secured and rectified data is available for processing.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into public administration to enhance decision-making and service delivery. Existing studies on AI governance, however, have predominantly focused on regulatory frameworks, algorithmic accountability, and technical system design, while paying limited attention to how AI is enacted in everyday administrative practice. Addressing this gap, this study examines the micro-level governance dynamics of AI DSS in Vietnam's public administration. Drawing on a qualitative case study, the study investigates how frontline civil servants interact with AI recommendations under conditions of institutional complexity, administrative discretion, and contextual uncertainty. The findings show that civil servants neither passively comply with nor routinely reject algorithmic outputs. Instead, they develop informal practices-including contextual interpretation, justified overrides, and peer learning-that gradually evolve into informal institutional routines. These practices function as a micro-governance layer that mediates between algorithmic logic and administrative realities, enabling the localization and continuous reconfiguration of AI within a hybrid institutional environment. Rather than viewing deviations from algorithmic recommendations as implementation failures, the study argues that they constitute adaptive governance mechanisms that sustain both administrative effectiveness and contextual responsiveness. Based on these findings, the study proposes a Human-in-the-Loop governance framework that formally recognizes justified human overrides within transparent accountability mechanisms. Such an approach can strengthen the practical adaptability of AI systems while preserving administrative accountability, offering policy implications for AI governance in the digital transformation of Vietnam's public sector.

The lucid advancement of intelligence in the arena of artificial technology has been able to create a space with many more possibilities for gender equality in the contemporary world. Whereas rapid advancement in automation also creates many challenges in order to restore gender parity. This research paper is ardent evidence to understand the disparities that caused the misrepresentation of gender roles in the labor market. The major objective is to explore the intersection of automation and gender issues and challenges while also finding significant strategies to establish gender parity in an increasingly automated world. It is quite evident from the past realities of the labor market that gender discrimination was always a part of it. Women often regulate low pay scales and lack of secure jobs while emphasising more discrimination factors. Rapid technological advancement is shaping the modern workforce, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for gender equality. While it promises increased productivity and economic growth, it also risks deepening existing gender disparities or even dismantling entrenched discrimination. This paper delves into the dual impact of automation on women’s employment, examining both the potential for displacement and the opportunities it creates. Drawing on recent empirical research and theoretical frameworks, it proposes strategic interventions to ensure that technological progress benefits all workers equally, regardless of gender.

The idea of scientific temper has occupied a central position in India’s educational and constitutional discourse since the country’s independence. Simultaneously, renewed interest in Indian philosophical traditions and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) has generated important debates concerning the relationship between modern scientific rationality and traditional thought systems. This study examines whether scientific temper and Indian philosophical traditions are fundamentally contradictory or potentially complementary within the context of science education policy in India. Through conceptual and philosophical analyses, this study argues that several Indian intellectual traditions, including Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Buddhist epistemology, and Charvaka philosophy, have historically encouraged rational inquiry, observation, debate, and critical reasoning. This paper further explores the tensions emerging from pseudoscientific interpretations, dogmatism, and politicization of knowledge systems. It proposes that science education policy should adopt an integrative framework that preserves scientific rigor while drawing on culturally relevant philosophical traditions to promote meaningful learning. The study emphasizes the need for inquiry-based pedagogy, critical thinking, contextualized curriculum development, and teacher education reforms aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This paper concludes that reconciliation between scientific temper and Indian philosophical traditions is possible when both are approached through critical, evidence-based, and educationally constructive perspectives.

This study investigates the microstructural and crystallographic characteristics of hybrid composites fabricated from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), aluminium filings (AF), and carbonized palm kernel shell (CPKS) particles, evaluated as alternative materials for solar panel structural profiles. Three representative formulations were characterized: neat HDPE (Sample A), HDPE/10%CPKS binary composite (Sample A0), and an optimized ternary hybrid containing HDPE/10%CPKS/20%AF (Sample A4). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine fracture surface morphology, filler dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and void content, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to determine crystallinity changes, phase identification, and lattice strain induced by filler incorporation. SEM revealed progressive improvement in filler dispersion and matrix-filler interfacial bonding with the addition of aluminium filings, accompanied by reduced porosity in the optimized hybrid formulation. XRD confirmed the semicrystalline nature of the HDPE matrix, with characteristic peaks at 2θ ≈ 21.5° and 23.9° corresponding to the (110) and (200) crystal planes of orthorhombic HDPE. Filler incorporation reduced the crystallinity index from 74.3% in neat HDPE to 61.2% in the optimized hybrid, with crystallite size decreasing from 25.6 nm to 21.2 nm and characteristic peak shifts from 21.52° to 21.43° indicating restricted polymer chain mobility and enhanced filler-matrix interaction. These microstructural improvements correlated with tensile strength enhancement from 155.45 MPa in neat HDPE to 193.31 MPa in the optimized hybrid, representing a 24.4% improvement. The combined SEM-XRD analysis establishes clear structure-property relationships supporting the suitability of the optimized HDPE/10%CPKS/20%AF formulation for solar panel structural profile applications.

Background: Relapse following treatment for drug-induced psychosis remains a major challenge in psychiatric practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where supportive rehabilitation services are limited. Family involvement has been identified as an important psychosocial intervention capable of improving medication adherence, emotional well-being, and recovery outcomes among individuals with psychotic disorders.
Objective: To assess the influence of family involvement and support on the prevention of relapse among patients with drug-induced psychosis in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Methods: A mixed-method research design was adopted involving 186 participants receiving treatment and follow-up care for drug-induced psychosis in Akwa Ibom State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, checklists, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, while qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The study demonstrated a positive relationship between family involvement and prevention of relapse among patients with drug-induced psychosis. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation coefficient indicated a statistically significant association between family support and relapse prevention (r = 0.079, p < 0.01). Patients who reported receiving emotional, financial, and social support from family members experienced better treatment adherence and fewer relapse episodes than those with limited family involvement.
Conclusion: Family involvement and support constitute important components of supportive rehabilitation for individuals recovering from drug-induced psychosis. Strengthening family-centered interventions may substantially reduce relapse and improve long-term recovery outcomes.

Recently, acha (Digitaria exilis) has gained increasing attention in scientific research due to its high nutritional value, rapid maturity, and ability to thrive under harsh agroclimatic conditions where many conventional cereals fail. In the broader context of biosystems engineering, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) constitutes a widely recognized approach for optimizing threshing, dehulling, and cleaning operations in cereals such as rice, wheat, and oats. Despite its extensive application in cereal processing, the application of RSM to acha dehulling systems remains limited and insufficiently explored. Therefore, a clear gap exists in the literature regarding the application of data-driven and artificial intelligence-based approaches to acha seed processing systems. This study therefore, pioneers the integration of machine learning approaches, in which RSM and SVR are jointly applied to predict optimal operating parameters for acha hull removal and winnowing. This hybrid approach overcomes the limitations associated with standalone higher-order polynomial optimization models and provides a robust empirical decision-support tool for enhancing acha dehulling machinery. The study is aimed at:
(i) applying RSM to design and analyse experiments relating cylinder speed, fan speed, feed rate, and tray inclination angle to dehulling efficiency, cleaning efficiency, and grain loss of a patented acha dehulling machine developed by Itodo et al. (2023a);
(ii) developing SVR models trained on experimental data to accurately predict these performance indices across the operating range; and
(iii) comparing the predictive accuracy and optimization capability of RSM and SVR with the aim of establishing a robust hybrid modelling framework for acha dehulling machine optimization and future design improvement.

The paper examines Anuradha Roy’s Called by the Hills through the interconnected perspectives of ecofeminism and the Ethics of Care, highlighting how the memoir reimagines the relationship between humans, nature, and place. Set in the fragile Himalayan landscape, the text reflects on environmental degradation, ecological responsibility, and the moral significance of caring for both human and non-human life. The study addresses the research problem of how Roy’s mountain writing challenges anthropocentric attitudes and articulates an ecological ethic grounded in interdependence, compassion, and environmental stewardship. The primary objectives are to analyse the representation of the Himalayan ecosystem, explore the convergence of ecofeminist thought and the Ethics of Care in the memoir, and investigate how environmental consciousness is constructed through personal memory, everyday experiences, and place-based narratives. The research adopts ecofeminism, particularly the ideas of Val Plumwood and Vandana Shiva, alongside the Ethics of Care developed by Carol Gilligan and Nel Noddings, as its theoretical framework. Employing a qualitative textual analysis, the paper closely examines selected passages from the memoir to interpret its ecological, ethical, and feminist dimensions. The study finds that Called by the Hills presents the mountains not merely as a physical setting but as an active ecological presence that nurtures reciprocal relationships between humans and the natural world. Roy’s narrative advocates an ethic of care rooted in empathy, sustainability, and coexistence, demonstrating that environmental conservation begins with attentive, everyday practices of care. Ultimately, the memoir contributes to contemporary environmental humanities by offering a compelling vision of ecological belonging and responsible coexistence in an era of environmental crisis.

Learning poverty has emerged as a major educational challenge, reflecting the gap between school enrolment and the acquisition of essential foundational literacy and numeracy skills. It significantly influences students' academic achievement, cognitive development, and future educational opportunities. The present study examined the prevalence of learning poverty among secondary school students in West Bengal and explored its relationship with selected socio-demographic variables, namely gender, locality, family type, and social category. A quantitative research approach employing a cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A total of 521 secondary school students were selected through a simple random sampling technique from four districts of West Bengal: Kolkata, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar. Data were collected using a self-developed Learning Poverty Assessment Questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.84) and analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The findings revealed that learning poverty is a significant educational concern, with 35.9% of students experiencing moderate learning poverty and 26.5% experiencing severe learning poverty. Statistically significant differences were observed with respect to gender, locality, family type, and social category. Female and urban students demonstrated comparatively higher levels of learning poverty, while family structure and social background also showed significant associations with students' learning outcomes. The findings suggest that learning poverty is shaped by the combined influence of educational, social, and demographic factors rather than by school enrolment alone. The study highlights the need for early identification of learning gaps, strengthened foundational literacy and numeracy programmes, learner-centred instructional practices, and targeted remedial interventions to improve learning outcomes among secondary school students. The findings are expected to assist educators, policymakers, and researchers in designing evidence-based strategies to reduce learning poverty and promote equitable, quality education in West Bengal.

Mindfulness (Sati) occupies a central position in Early Buddhist psychology as the principal means for cultivating mental discipline and attaining Nibbāna. Unlike contemporary interpretations that often emphasize mindfulness as a technique for stress reduction or emotional well-being, Early Buddhism presents Sati as an ethical, cognitive, and contemplative faculty that transforms consciousness by eliminating ignorance (avijjā), craving (taṇhā), and attachment (upādāna). Within the framework of the Pāli Canon, particularly the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta, and the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, mindfulness functions as a wholesome mental factor (sobhana cetasika) that sustains clear awareness of bodily, emotional, mental, and phenomenological processes. This study examines mindfulness from the perspective of Early Buddhist psychological thought, exploring its role in cognitive purification, emotional regulation, ethical conduct, and meditative development.
The research analyses the relationship between Sati, concentration (Samādhi), and wisdom (Paññā), demonstrating how mindfulness serves as the foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path and facilitates the realization of the Three Characteristics (Tilakkhaṇa)—impermanence (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha), and non-self (Anattā). By observing mental phenomena without attachment or aversion, practitioners gradually weaken habitual cognitive distortions and cultivate liberating insight (Vipassanā). The study further investigates how mindfulness interrupts the psychological chain of Dependent Origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda), preventing the transition from feeling (Vedanā) to craving (Taṇhā) and thereby leading to the cessation of suffering.
Employing an analytical and descriptive methodology, the research draws upon primary sources from the Pāli Canon, the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, and the Visuddhimagga, together with contemporary scholarship on Buddhist psychology and contemplative science. The findings suggest that mindfulness is not merely a method of attention training but a comprehensive psychological discipline integrating ethical behaviour, emotional balance, cognitive transformation, and spiritual development. Furthermore, the study highlights the continuing relevance of Early Buddhist mindfulness to contemporary psychological research, particularly in the areas of emotional regulation, resilience, cognitive flexibility, and mental health. It concludes that Sati remains one of the most profound psychological concepts in Buddhist thought, serving as the indispensable foundation for the attainment of Nibbāna.

नेपाल, भगवान बुद्ध की जन्मस्थली होने के कारण, बौद्ध धर्म और संस्कृति का एक महत्वपूर्ण केंद्र रहा है। यह शोध नेपाली समाज में बौद्ध धार्मिक प्रथाओं के भीतर महिलाओं की स्थिति, भूमिका और उनके अधिकारों का विश्लेषण करता है। बौद्ध धर्म के मूल सिद्धांतों में समानता और करुणा पर बल दिया गया है, फिर भी व्यावहारिक स्तर पर, विशेष रूप से भिक्षुणी संघ (महिला मठवासी समुदाय) की स्थापना और मान्यता के संदर्भ में, महिलाओं को ऐतिहासिक रूप से पुरुषों की तुलना में सीमित अवसर प्राप्त हुए हैं। यह अध्ययन नेवार बौद्ध परंपरा, वज्रयान प्रथाओं, और आधुनिक भिक्षुणी आंदोलन के माध्यम से यह समझने का प्रयास करता है कि किस प्रकार धार्मिक संस्थाएं लैंगिक असमानता को बनाए रखती हैं या उसे चुनौती देती हैं। साथ ही, यह शोध सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक परिवर्तनों, नागरिक समाज के प्रयासों, और शिक्षा के माध्यम से महिलाओं के सशक्तिकरण की प्रक्रिया की भी पड़ताल करता है। निष्कर्षतः, यह अध्ययन बौद्ध धर्म के सैद्धांतिक समानता के आदर्श और नेपाली समाज की व्यावहारिक वास्तविकता के बीच के अंतर को उजागर करते हुए भविष्य में सुधार हेतु संभावनाओं पर प्रकाश डालता है।

Emotional well-being is a vital component of healthy ageing, influencing the quality of life, independence, and overall health of older adults. However, many geriatric patients experience anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional distress due to chronic illnesses, declining physical function, and social isolation. This study examined the effect of structured exercise programmes on the emotional well-being of geriatric patients in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The programme involved individualized, supervised exercises, including aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, and relaxation activities, designed according to participants' health conditions and functional abilities. Evidence suggests that regular participation in structured exercise improves mood, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhances self-esteem, promotes social interaction, and improves overall quality of life among older adults. Despite these benefits, implementation may be constrained by inadequate healthcare resources, limited availability of trained professionals, and the presence of chronic medical conditions. Successful implementation therefore requires collaboration among physiotherapists, physicians, nurses, caregivers, and family members to ensure safety and effectiveness. The study concludes that structured exercise programmes are a practical, safe, and cost-effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving emotional well-being among geriatric patients. Integrating these programmes into routine geriatric healthcare services can promote healthy ageing, enhance emotional resilience, and improve the overall quality of life of older adults in Yenagoa.

This study examined the effect of digital finance adoption on economic growth in Taraba State, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the contributions of mobile banking, electronic payment systems, digital wallets, and Point-of-Sale (POS) services to subnational economic development. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 384 respondents comprising SME owners, traders, POS agents, digital marketers, and financial institution staff across Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, and Bali using a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated through face and content validity, while reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha (α = 0.861). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis with IBM SPSS Version 27 at a 5% level of significance. The findings revealed a high level of digital finance adoption (Mean = 4.16, SD = 0.68), indicating widespread acceptance and utilization of digital financial services. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between digital finance adoption and economic growth (r = 0.738, p < 0.01). Multiple regression results further demonstrated that digital finance adoption significantly and positively influenced economic growth (β = 0.438, t = 10.146, p < 0.001), emerging as the strongest predictor among the explanatory variables. Consequently, the null hypothesis was rejected, confirming that digital finance adoption has a significant positive effect on economic growth in Taraba State. The study concludes that expanding digital financial infrastructure, enhancing accessibility to digital financial services, and promoting financial literacy are critical to stimulating sustainable economic growth. It recommends that governments, financial institutions, and development partners intensify investments in digital financial ecosystems and supportive policies to deepen financial inclusion and foster inclusive economic development. The study contributes to the growing literature by providing localized empirical evidence on the nexus between digital finance adoption and economic growth in Northeastern Nigeria.

Digital transformation has become a major driver of enterprise development and regional economic progress, particularly in emerging economies where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in employment creation, income generation, innovation, and local value creation. Although previous studies have examined digital finance adoption, marketing strategies, and the enabling environment separately, limited empirical evidence exists on their combined influence on SMEs' contribution to subnational economic growth in Nigeria. This study examined the extent to which digital finance adoption, marketing strategies, and the enabling environment drive SMEs' contribution to subnational economic growth in Taraba State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 384 SME owners and key business stakeholders across Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, and Bali using a structured questionnaire. The instrument demonstrated satisfactory reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.864) and validity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27 at the 5% significance level. The findings revealed that digital finance adoption, marketing strategies, and the enabling environment each exert a positive and statistically significant influence on SMEs' contribution to subnational economic growth. The regression model explained 71.8% of the variation in SMEs' contribution to subnational economic growth (R² = 0.718; F = 299.104, p < .001), with digital finance adoption emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.438), followed by the enabling environment (β = 0.372) and marketing strategies (β = 0.263). The study concludes that greater adoption of digital financial technologies, effective marketing practices, and a supportive business environment enhance SME productivity, employment generation, business expansion, financial inclusion, and investment, thereby strengthening SMEs' contribution to subnational economic growth. The study recommends expanding digital financial infrastructure, strengthening institutional support, and improving SMEs' digital marketing capabilities to promote inclusive and sustainable regional economic development.

This study investigates the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on risk management in Nigerian financial institutions using panel data analysis. Unlike prior studies that emphasize profitability, this research focuses on risk outcomes as a more direct measure of governance effectiveness. The study examines board size, board independence, audit committee effectiveness, and ownership concentration as key governance variables influencing risk management performance. Empirical results from the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model reveal that corporate governance explains a substantial proportion of variation in risk management, with an R² value of 0.765, indicating that approximately 76.5% of the systematic variation in risk management is accounted for by the governance variables. The model is statistically significant (F-statistic = 239.6, p < 0.01), confirming its overall explanatory power. The Durbin-Watson statistic of 2.05 further indicates the absence of serial correlation in the model. Individually, board size shows a significant negative relationship with risk management (β = -0.0221, p < 0.01), suggesting that larger boards contribute to reduced risk exposure. Board independence also has a strong negative effect (β = -0.2678, p < 0.01), indicating that firms with more independent directors exhibit stronger risk control mechanisms. Similarly, audit committee effectiveness is negatively associated with risk (β = -0.1900, p < 0.01), highlighting its role in strengthening internal controls and financial oversight. Conversely, ownership concentration has a positive and significant effect on risk management (β = 0.1606, p < 0.01), implying that highly concentrated ownership structures are associated with increased risk-taking behavior. The study concludes that corporate governance mechanisms significantly influence risk management outcomes in Nigerian financial institutions, with stronger board structures and audit oversight reducing risk exposure, while concentrated ownership increases it. These findings provide empirical support for agency theory and underscore the importance of strengthening governance frameworks to enhance financial system stability in emerging economies like Nigeria.

The study, titled "Perception and Satisfaction of Commerce Students towards Industry-Integrated Education in Higher Educational Institutions with Special Reference to Coimbatore City," focuses on understanding how commerce students view and feel about industry-integrated education. It is a descriptive study that makes use of both primary and secondary data sources. For the primary data, 120 commerce students from Coimbatore City were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, and the sample was selected through convenience sampling. The results of the study show that students have a favourable opinion about industry-integrated education, as they believe it helps in gaining practical knowledge, developing employability skills, and preparing them better for their future careers. The study also recommends that there should be more emphasis on providing practical exposure and fostering stronger partnerships with industries to further enhance the quality of commerce education.

Refractory materials are indispensable components of high-temperature industrial systems, serving a critical role in sectors such as cement manufacturing, glass production, and advanced ceramics processing. These specially engineered materials are designed to endure extreme thermal loads, aggressive chemical attack, mechanical stresses, and prolonged operational conditions while preserving their structural stability and functional performance. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of refractories through seven key perspectives: classification approaches based on chemical composition, manufacturing processes, physical form, porosity, service temperature, purity level, and specialized applications; physicochemical and thermo-mechanical properties; degradation and corrosion mechanisms; testing and characterization techniques; industry-specific application zones; quality-control challenges; and emerging developments focused on sustainability.
Particular attention is devoted to the performance assessment of major refractory systems, including alumina, magnesia-spinel, alumina-zirconia-silica (AZS), silicon carbide, and fused-cast refractories employed in cement rotary kilns, preheaters, calciners, coolers, and glass-melting furnaces. The review integrates quantitative property data, manufacturing methodologies, microstructural characteristics, and prevalent failure mechanisms within the framework of internationally accepted standards such as ISO, ASTM, and EN. Furthermore, critical research gaps are identified, including the need for advanced predictive models of thermochemical degradation, environmentally benign chromium-free alternatives for basic refractory applications, and the development of low-carbon refractory technologies based on low-cement castables and geopolymer systems.
Looking ahead, the future of refractory technology is expected to be shaped by the convergence of computational materials engineering, additive manufacturing, real-time digital monitoring, and circular-economy strategies. These innovations have the potential to enable the development of sustainable, high-performance refractory solutions capable of supporting energy-efficient and carbon-neutral industrial operations.

This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore how employment setting, specifically public sector, private Ghanaian-owned, and multinational corporate contexts, influences employees' self-perception of their own work ethic and their peer evaluations of colleagues' diligence within Ghanaian organizational environments. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted six focus group sessions with 44 participants drawn from public sector institutions, private Ghanaian-owned enterprises, and multinational corporations operating in Accra and Kumasi. Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and comparative prompts designed to elicit participants' self-assessments of their work ethic, their evaluations of colleagues within their own employment setting, and their perceptions of workers in other employment settings. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: setting-based reputational stereotyping as a pervasive feature of cross-group evaluation; public sector shame as a distinct self-perception pattern among government workers; multinational corporation pride as an identity resource for employees in foreign-owned firms; private sector pragmatism as a negotiated identity position between shame and pride; the construction of diligence as authentic or performative based on setting-specific affordances; and Ubuntu relational work values as the universal standard against which all settings are judged deficient. Participants' narratives revealed that the employment setting profoundly shapes both how employees perceive their own work ethic and how they evaluate the work ethic of others, with powerful sector-based stereotypes operating across all groups. Self-perceptions ranged from public sector employees' defensive acknowledgment of negative stereotypes to multinational employees' confident assertion of superior diligence, with private sector employees occupying a contested middle ground. Peer evaluations revealed that employees in each setting constructed the other settings' workers as deficient in complementary ways: public sector workers as lazy but authentic, multinational workers as productive but performative, and private sector workers as pragmatic but inconsistent. The study contributes to the understanding of work ethic as a socially constructed and setting-specific phenomenon, challenging universalist assumptions about diligence and offering insights relevant to cross-sector labor mobility, organizational reputation management, and national productivity discourse in Ghana.

This qualitative study employed a triangulated methodology combining participant observation, peer perception interviews, and economic profiling to explore how economic status and global exposure interact to shape work ethic among Ghanaians in Accra's formal and informal economic sectors. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted 120 hours of participant observation across six workplace settings (three informal economy sites and three formal economy sites), 36 peer perception interviews with coworkers who evaluated each other's work ethic, and economic profiling of 48 participants to map household economic status, migration history, international travel experience, and exposure to global media and work cultures. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) integrated with observational field notes and economic profile coding. Six overarching themes emerged from the triangulated data: the visibility gradient as a determinant of work effort, with high-visibility tasks attracting greater diligence regardless of economic status; the global exposure paradox, wherein international experience simultaneously enhanced perceived work ethic through acquired skills and reduced perceived work ethic through perceived arrogance; economic status as an inverse predictor of observed hustle, with lower-income participants demonstrating higher levels of visible effort but not necessarily higher productivity; the reference group effect, wherein work ethic self-perception and peer evaluation shifted dramatically based on the economic composition of one's peer comparison group; the Ubuntu adaptation gradient, with global exposure producing either cosmopolitan integration (adding global work norms to Ubuntu values) or cultural displacement (replacing Ubuntu values); and the triangulation convergence, wherein participant observation, peer perception interviews, and economic profiling revealed consistent patterns across methods, strengthening confidence in findings. The study contributes to understanding of how economic status and global exposure interact to produce distinctive work ethic profiles in Ghanaian contexts, offering methodological contributions to triangulated qualitative inquiry and practical insights for organisations managing workforce diversity along economic and global experience dimensions.

समावेशी शिक्षा (Inclusive Education) वर्तमान शिक्षा व्यवस्था का एक महत्त्वपूर्ण आयाम है, जिसका उद्देश्य प्रत्येक बच्चे को उसकी शारीरिक, मानसिक, सामाजिक अथवा बौद्धिक भिन्नताओं के बावजूद समान एवं गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा उपलब्ध कराना है। भारत में शिक्षा का अधिकार अधिनियम (2009), दिव्यांग व्यक्तियों के अधिकार अधिनियम (2016) तथा राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति (2020) ने समावेशी शिक्षा को विद्यालयी शिक्षा का अभिन्न अंग माना है। इन नीतियों के प्रभावी क्रियान्वयन के बावजूद प्राथमिक स्तर पर दिव्यांग बच्चों के नामांकन, प्रतिधारण, अधिगम उपलब्धि तथा आवश्यक शैक्षिक सुविधाओं की उपलब्धता से संबंधित अनेक चुनौतियाँ विद्यमान हैं।प्रस्तुत शोध का उद्देश्य भोपाल जिले के प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में अध्ययनरत दिव्यांग बच्चों के शैक्षणिक विकास का समावेशी शिक्षा के परिप्रेक्ष्य में अध्ययन करना है। अध्ययन में मध्यप्रदेश शासन की समावेशी शिक्षा संबंधी नीतियों, दिव्यांग बच्चों के नामांकन एवं प्रतिधारण की स्थिति, विद्यालयों में उपलब्ध शैक्षिक सुविधाओं, संसाधनों, सहायक उपकरणों, छात्रवृत्ति, परिवहन सुविधा तथा शिक्षकों एवं प्रशासकों द्वारा अनुभव की गई समस्याओं का विश्लेषण किया गया है। अध्ययन में वर्णनात्मक (Descriptive) अनुसंधान पद्धति का उपयोग किया गया तथा प्राथमिक एवं द्वितीयक दोनों प्रकार के आँकड़ों का विश्लेषण किया गया। विद्यालय अभिलेखों, प्रशासनिक अधिकारियों तथा प्रधानाध्यापकों से प्राप्त सूचनाओं के आधार पर निष्कर्ष निकाले गए। अध्ययन के प्रमुख निष्कर्षों से ज्ञात हुआ कि वर्ष 2023–24 में दिव्यांग बच्चों का कुल नामांकन 93.57 प्रतिशत रहा, जबकि प्रतिधारण दर में कक्षाओं एवं दिव्यांगता के प्रकार के अनुसार उल्लेखनीय भिन्नता पाई गई। प्रारम्भिक कक्षाओं में नामांकन एवं प्रतिधारण अपेक्षाकृत अधिक था, जबकि उच्च प्राथमिक स्तर पर इसमें कमी देखी गई। अध्ययन से यह भी स्पष्ट हुआ कि समावेशी शिक्षा की सफलता केवल नीतिगत प्रावधानों पर निर्भर नहीं करती, बल्कि विद्यालयी अधोसंरचना, प्रशिक्षित विशेष शिक्षकों की उपलब्धता, अभिभावकीय सहभागिता, सहायक उपकरणों की समय पर उपलब्धता तथा प्रभावी प्रशासनिक समन्वय पर भी निर्भर करती है। अध्ययन यह निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत करता है कि यदि विद्यालयों में संसाधन, प्रशिक्षित मानव संसाधन, तकनीकी सहायता तथा समुदाय की सक्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जाए तो समावेशी शिक्षा दिव्यांग बच्चों के शैक्षणिक विकास, सामाजिक समायोजन एवं आत्मनिर्भरता को सुदृढ़ करने का प्रभावी माध्यम बन सकती है।

विद्यालय विद्यार्थियों के सर्वांगीण विकास का प्रमुख माध्यम है। विद्यालयी वातावरण, अध्ययन आदत तथा शैक्षिक उपलब्धि ऐसे तीन महत्त्वपूर्ण घटक हैं जो विद्यार्थियों के व्यक्तित्व निर्माण, अधिगम की गुणवत्ता तथा शैक्षणिक सफलता को प्रत्यक्ष एवं अप्रत्यक्ष रूप से प्रभावित करते हैं। वर्तमान शोध-पत्र का उद्देश्य उत्तर प्रदेश के विशेष संदर्भ में इन तीनों अवधारणाओं का सैद्धान्तिक एवं वैचारिक विश्लेषण प्रस्तुत करना है। इस अध्ययन में विद्यालयी वातावरण के भौतिक, सामाजिक, मनोवैज्ञानिक तथा शैक्षणिक आयामों का विस्तृत विवेचन किया गया है तथा अध्ययन आदत के विभिन्न घटकों—समय प्रबंधन, अध्ययन कौशल, आत्म-अनुशासन, प्रेरणा एवं पुनरावृत्ति—का शैक्षिक उपलब्धि से संबंध स्पष्ट किया गया है। शोध-पत्र में राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय अध्ययनों के आधार पर यह प्रतिपादित किया गया है कि सकारात्मक विद्यालयी वातावरण विद्यार्थियों में प्रभावी अध्ययन आदतों के विकास को प्रोत्साहित करता है, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप उनकी शैक्षिक उपलब्धि में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि होती है। उत्तर प्रदेश के विद्यालयी शिक्षा तंत्र की वर्तमान स्थिति, ग्रामीण-नगरीय विषमता, सरकारी एवं निजी विद्यालयों की संरचनात्मक चुनौतियाँ तथा राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति-2020 के परिप्रेक्ष्य में भी इन अवधारणाओं का विश्लेषण प्रस्तुत किया गया है। अध्ययन के आधार पर एक वैचारिक मॉडल प्रस्तावित किया गया है जिसमें विद्यालयी वातावरण को अध्ययन आदत के माध्यम से शैक्षिक उपलब्धि का प्रमुख पूर्वानुमानक माना गया है। शोध-पत्र में शिक्षकों, विद्यालय प्रशासकों तथा नीति-निर्माताओं के लिए उपयोगी सुझाव भी प्रस्तुत किए गए हैं, जिससे विद्यालयों में गुणवत्तापूर्ण अधिगम वातावरण का निर्माण किया जा सके।

Groundnut threshing is a critical post-harvest operation that significantly influences grain quality, productivity, and processing efficiency. Intelligent speed regulation of the threshing drum has become essential for minimizing seed damage while maintaining high operational performance under varying crop conditions. However, conventional PI/PID controllers often experience reduced performance under nonlinear operating conditions and fluctuating load disturbances caused by variations in groundnut pod properties and feeding rates, resulting in slower response and reduced adaptability. To address this challenge, this study developed and evaluated an adaptive DC motor speed control system for an intelligent groundnut threshing machine using PI and Singleton Fuzzy Logic Controllers. A mathematical model of a 220 V series DC motor with an armature resistance of 0.5 Ω, armature inductance of 0.0025 H, rotor inertia of 0.0013 kg·m², and load torque of 21 N·m was developed and implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. Controller performance was evaluated at reference speeds of 50, 90, and 150 rpm using rise time, settling time, overshoot, and steady-state error as performance indices. The Singleton Fuzzy Logic Controller achieved superior dynamic performance with a rise time of 0.011 to 0.014s compared with 0.035s for the PI controller and a settling time of 0.017 to 0.049s compared with 0.099 to 0.150s, while both controllers maintained 0% overshoot. The fuzzy controller also achieved a steady-state error of 0.3 to 1.1%, demonstrating accurate speed tracking and robust operation over the tested speed range. The study concludes that the Singleton Fuzzy Logic Controller provides faster response, improved robustness, and more reliable speed regulation than the PI controller, making it a suitable intelligent control strategy for enhancing the performance and automation of groundnut threshing machines.

The rapid integration of digital technologies into higher education has transformed the professional lives of faculty members across the globe. In India, the digitalization of higher education has accelerated significantly in recent years due to technological advancements, institutional reforms, online learning platforms, and the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid teaching models. While digital work culture has enhanced flexibility, accessibility, and academic productivity, it has also created new challenges related to work-life balance, particularly for female faculty members. Women academicians frequently perform multiple roles as educators, researchers, administrators, caregivers, and household managers. The increasing dependence on digital communication technologies has blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life, resulting in extended working hours, increased workload, digital fatigue, and psychological stress. This paper examines the relationship between digital work culture and work-life balance among female faculty members in Indian higher education institutions. It explores the opportunities and challenges associated with digital work environments, analyzes the impact of technology-driven academic practices on women's professional and personal lives, and identifies strategies for promoting a healthier balance between work and family responsibilities. The study argues that while digitalization has created new possibilities for academic engagement and flexibility, sustainable work-life balance requires institutional support, gender-sensitive policies, and effective management of digital workloads. The findings contribute to contemporary discussions on gender, technology, and higher education in India.

The present study aimed to examine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Defensive Tactics Awareness Questionnaire (DTAQ), a self-designed 45-item instrument developed to assess perceived defensive tactical awareness among competitive handball players. The questionnaire was structured across seven theoretically derived domains: Systems Knowledge, Positional Discipline, Communication, Decision Making, Transition Awareness, Opponent Analysis, and Psychological Resilience. Following expert content validation, the instrument was administered to 25 university- and state-level handball players on two occasions separated by a 10-day interval. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, corrected item-total correlations, alpha if item deleted, and test–retest reliability were calculated to evaluate the scale’s preliminary psychometric quality. The results showed that five of the seven domains demonstrated acceptable to good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.72 to 0.89. Positional Discipline showed the strongest internal consistency, whereas Communication and Psychological Resilience displayed weaker reliability and require further refinement. Test–retest analysis indicated good temporal stability across the scale, with the overall DTAQ showing a Pearson correlation of 0.74 between the two administrations. These findings suggest that the DTAQ has promising potential as a multidimensional tool for assessing defensive tactical awareness in handball players, although additional item revision and validation in larger, more diverse samples are needed before broader application. The study provides an initial foundation for future research on tactical awareness assessment in handball and contributes to the development of sport-specific psychometric instruments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice assistants have become an essential component of modern smart environments by enabling natural and hands-free human-machine interaction. Commercial solutions such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri provide advanced conversational capabilities but often operate within closed ecosystems that limit customization and increase deployment costs. This paper presents Pi Talk, an ESP32 based AI voice assistant that integrates cloud-based Artificial Intelligence services with embedded hardware to create a compact, portable, and cost-effective intelligent assistant platform. The proposed system incorporates an INMP441 I2S microphone, MAX98357A I2S audio amplifier, SSD1306 OLED display, rechargeable battery module, charging circuitry, and speaker. Voice commands are captured through the microphone and transmitted via Wi-Fi to cloud-based Speech-to-Text (STT) and Artificial Intelligence services. The generated response is processed using Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology and played through the speaker while the OLED display provides real-time visual feedback regarding system status. Experimental evaluation demonstrates reliable speech recognition, low response latency, efficient power utilization, and seamless voice interaction. The proposed architecture provides a practical solution for smart home automation, educational platforms, assistive technologies, and Internet of Things (IoT) based applications requiring intelligent voice interaction.

The Indian Knowledge Tradition (IKT) is an initiative under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aimed at promoting indigenous Indian knowledge systems. This tradition spans thousands of years and holds a vast treasure trove of insights applicable to all fields, including modern science and scientific management. By studying this knowledge tradition from an Indian perspective, we can once again emerge as a Vishwa Guru (global leader/teacher). We need to shift our mindset and embrace the essence of 'Indianness' in our lives. Indian knowledge traditions and education are deeply interconnected; the former serves as a vital source of learning, acquainting students with ancient Indian culture, values, and wisdom. India is a culturally rich nation, and its knowledge traditions have played a pivotal role in cultural preservation and national development. These traditions encompass a vast body of knowledge, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, philosophy, Arthashastra (economics), and Shikshashastra (pedagogy). Our knowledge traditions have helped transform the Indian population into human capital, thereby contributing significantly to the country's holistic development. In contrast, modern technology—through computing and networking—equips users with tools and information, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in our work. Consequently, technology is making education more engaging and effective, benefiting both teachers and students. Today, with the aid of technology, teachers create personalized lesson plans, while students utilize online resources to learn at their own pace and become self-reliant.

Water pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing threats to regional economies that depend on rivers for agriculture, small-scale industry, and domestic life. The Thirumanimutharu River, a major tributary of the river Cauvery originating in the Shevaroy (Yercaud) Hills of Salem district, is a lifeline for the districts of Salem and Namakkal in Tamil Nadu. Over the past two decades, unregulated discharge from sago-processing, textile dyeing and bleaching units, together with untreated municipal sewage, has driven the river toward ecological collapse. This study combines secondary time-series data (2012-2024) drawn from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) assessments, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) records, National Green Tribunal (NGT) status reports, and district economic reports to examine how deteriorating water quality has translated into ecological loss and economic hardship across the two districts. Multiple regression analysis shows that pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and total dissolved solids (TDS) are the strongest statistical predictors of overall pollution (R² = 0.993), while declining fish yield and worsening groundwater quality are the strongest predictors of ecological and economic loss (R² = 0.990). The Salem stretch of the river, which passes through the city's urban-industrial corridor, is consistently found to be far more degraded than the Namakkal stretch. The study estimates that unchecked pollution has cost the region with lost fisheries, groundwater remediation and health-related expenditure, and argues that without urgent, coordinated intervention spanning sewage infrastructure, industrial effluent regulation, and community-based restoration, these losses will compound into long-term regional economic stagnation.

महात्मा गाँधी के राजनीतिक और आर्थिक दर्शन में आर्थिक विकेन्द्रीकरण एक मूलभूत और केंद्रीय सिद्धांत है, जो स्वदेशी, ग्रामोद्योग, और आर्थिक आत्मनिर्भरता की अवधारणाओं के माध्यम से अभिव्यक्त होता है। यह शोध पत्र गाँधीजी द्वारा प्रतिपादित आर्थिक विकेन्द्रीकरण के सिद्धांत का व्यापक और गहन विश्लेषण करता है तथा यह प्रदर्शित करता है कि आर्थिक विकेन्द्रीकरण के बिना राजनीतिक विकेन्द्रीकरण अधूरा और असार्थक है। गाँधीजी का आर्थिक विचार केवल आर्थिक समृद्धि तक सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि यह सामाजिक न्याय, राजनीतिक सशक्तिकरण, और नैतिक राजनीति का एक समन्वित दर्शन है जो भारतीय समाज की बहुआयामी समस्याओं का समाधान करने में सक्षम है।
विशेषकर, गाँधीजी की यह मान्यता कि आर्थिक शक्ति के केंद्रीकरण से राजनीति पर नियंत्रण स्थापित होता है, वर्तमान नव-उदारवादी आर्थिक परिवेश में अत्यंत प्रासंगिक और दूरदर्शी है। शोध के निष्कर्ष प्रदर्शित करते हैं कि भारतीय पंचायती राज व्यवस्था में आर्थिक विकेन्द्रीकरण का गहरा अभाव उसकी प्रभावशीलता को गंभीर रूप से बाधित करता है। यह अभाव पंचायतों को वित्तीय परनिर्भरता में ढकेलता है और ग्राम स्वराज की मूल भावना को कुंठित करता है। लोकतांत्रिक सशक्तिकरण, सामाजिक समानता, और ग्रामीण विकास के वर्तमान संघर्षों में गाँधीजी की आर्थिक विचारधारा न केवल प्रासंगिक है, बल्कि अपरिहार्य मार्गदर्शक है।

The ubiquity of digital connectivity has altered classical educational structures, transforming how students acquire knowledge. While internet resources provide unprecedented learning opportunities, they simultaneously reshape student-teacher dynamics. Objectives: This study investigated the baseline relationship between higher secondary students' internet access and their academic engagement, evaluating the role of the internet as a moderating variable on student-teacher dynamics and academic performance. Methodology: Utilizing a quantitative case study design, data were compiled from a validated sample of N = 300 students (Grades 11 and 12) across four selected institutions in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Structural parameters were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Descriptive metrics indicated substantial digital saturation, with a sample mean of 3.3 hours of daily internet consumption; notably, 66.3\% of participants accessed the internet for 5 or more hours daily. Inferential models confirmed strong baseline links between teacher guidance and performance (r \ge 0.920). However, hierarchical regression verified that internet addiction acts as a significant negative moderator, where a one-unit increase in unguided digital reliance was associated with an approximate 42\% reduction in students’ dependence on instructor expertise. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that unmonitored web usage isolates students from traditional pedagogical frameworks, weakening the instructional authority of educators. It recommends the structural implementation of interactive blended learning curricula to preserve student-teacher alignment.

Internal labour migration has become an important livelihood strategy for rural households in India, especially in regions with limited employment opportunities. Remittances sent by migrant workers contribute significantly to household consumption, savings, education, healthcare, and overall financial security. This study examines the impact of digital remittances on household welfare among migrant-sending rural households in Odisha. Primary data were collected from 420 households through a multistage stratified sampling technique. The analysis compares households receiving remittances through digital and traditional channels using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate regression models. The findings reveal a significant shift from cash-based remittances to digital payment systems. Households using digital remittance channels exhibit higher consumption expenditure, improved savings behaviour, greater access to formal financial services, and increased spending on education and healthcare. Regression analysis confirms that digital remittances have a significant positive effect on household welfare even after controlling for socio-economic and migration-related characteristics. The study concludes that digital remittance systems enhance the developmental benefits of migration by promoting financial inclusion and strengthening household economic resilience. It recommends targeted policy measures to improve digital literacy, expand rural digital infrastructure, and ensure inclusive access to digital financial services so that the welfare gains from digital remittances can be realised more broadly across rural India.

Nigeria’s electricity distribution assets were acquired to enhance operational efficiency, attract private investment, minimise technical, commercial, and collection losses, and improve the reliability of electricity delivered to end-users. However, over a decade since distribution companies were handed over to core investors, their performance remains inconsistent and, in some areas, structurally fragile. This paper analyses the post-acquisition performance of Nigerian electricity distribution companies and explores the effects of this performance on power supply stability in an emerging economy. It contends that ownership transfer alone does not guarantee utility performance unless issues such as network deterioration, inaccurate customer enumeration, metering gaps, poor collection discipline, tariff deficiencies, foreign-exchange risks, and regulatory inconsistencies are addressed. Using recent quarterly data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the study shows that aggregate ATC&C losses remained significantly above the 2025 MYTO target, with weighted average losses of 37.92% in Q2 2025, 33.27% in Q3, and 34.90% in Q4. In Q4 2025, DisCos billed NGN 795.06 billion but only collected NGN 630.93 billion, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of NGN 139.19 billion due to excessive ATC&C losses. The paper emphasises that post-acquisition performance should be evaluated on tangible improvements in energy accountability, metering, network investment, collection efficiency, market remittances, consumer trust, and feeder-level reliability, rather than on ownership transfer alone. The Nigerian experience illustrates that electricity-sector acquisitions in emerging economies require enforceable performance contracts, credible regulatory incentives, cost-reflective and service-linked tariffs, and enhanced subnational accountability under the Electricity Act 2023.

Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) rhizome essential oil is a sesquiterpene-rich natural product with a long history of traditional use against unwanted, androgen-driven hair growth. This article synthesizes published network pharmacology, molecular docking, and phytochemical evidence to explain the mechanistic basis of the oil&#39;s action on the androgen signaling axis. Note on terminology: the literature supports an anti-androgenic action — primarily 5α-reductase inhibition — rather than an androgen-boosting one; &#34;androgenic effect&#34; is used throughout to mean the oil&#39;s interaction with, and dampening influence on, this signaling pathway. Compound-target network construction, protein-protein interaction (PPI) mapping, and docking studies converge on 5α-reductase (SRD5A1/SRD5A2) as the primary hub target, with sesquiterpene constituents such as cyperene, α-humulene, and β-selinene showing favorable predicted binding. Secondary, inflammation-linked hub proteins (IL-6, TNF, PTGS2, STAT3) suggest an additional indirect route of action. The evidence base remains largely computational and preclinical, and clinical validation is still needed.

This study investigated the effect of Jigsaw Instructional Strategy on senior secondary school students' interest and academic achievement in Chemistry practical in Plateau South Education Zone, Plateau State, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised and two null hypotheses were formulated. The study employed a quasi- experimental design. Two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 significance level. The theoretical framework integrated Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky's (1978) Social Cognitive Theory and Jean Piaget's (1969) Learning Theory. A pre-test, post-test quasi-experimental design was adopted with two groups: Experimental Group (Jigsaw IV, n=87) and Control Group (lecture method, n=97). The population comprised of 19,087 Senior Secondary II (SS II) students in 56 public secondary schools. Multi-stage sampling yielded 184 students from four intact classes across four schools. Data were collected using the Chemistry Interest Scale (CIS) with 20 items (Cronbach Alpha=0.69) and the Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) with 25 multiple-choice items (test-retest reliability=0.76), alongside the Chemistry Retention Test (CRT) with 25 items (split-half reliability=0.79), all validated by experts and trial-tested on 25 students. Data analysis employed mean, standard deviation and ANCOVA. Findings revealed that Jigsaw Instructional Strategy significantly improved interest and achievement compared to lecture method. The study concluded that learner-centred cooperative strategies significantly out achieved teacher-centred approaches in fostering interest and achievement in Chemistry practical. Recommendations included integrating Jigsaw Cooperative Instructional Strategy into Chemistry practical instruction, providing comprehensive professional development for Chemistry teachers, revising curriculum guidelines to emphasize cooperative learning principles, incorporating Jigsaw methodology into pre-service teacher education programs, ensuring adequate laboratory facilities and resources, implementing additional interest driven interventions to address achievement gaps, and conducting further research on long-term effects and applications across different Chemistry topics and educational contexts.

Background: The escalating incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-borne pathogens and the growing consumer preference for clean-label, naturally preserved food products have catalysed the search for plant-derived bio-preservative agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and bioactive protein fractions from food-grade plant sources represent a promising, safe, and resistance-minimising alternative to synthetic chemical preservatives. Methods: Aqueous extracts were prepared from ten food-grade plant samples Cinnamon (SP1), Nutmeg (SP2), Clove (SP3), Black pepper (SP4), Sorghum (S1), Kidney beans (L1), Peas (L2), and Pearl millet (PM1) — at a standardised concentration of 100 mg/mL. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against six food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus sp., and Bacillus sp. using the agar well diffusion method (Zone of Inhibition, ZOI in mm) and broth microdilution Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC, mg/mL) assay.
Results: Clove (SP3) and Black pepper (SP4) demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity, with ZOI values of 14–18 mm and 13–17 mm respectively against all six test organisms, and MIC values as low as 6.25 mg/mL. Pearl millet (PM1) and Cinnamon (SP1) exhibited moderate activity (ZOI: 9–13 mm; MIC: 12.5–25 mg/mL). Gram-positive bacteria were generally more susceptible than Gram-negative organisms. Kidney beans (L1) and Sorghum (S1) showed the lowest activity (ZOI: 6–10 mm; MIC: 50–100 mg/mL).
Conclusion: The aqueous extracts of Clove, Black pepper, and Pearl millet demonstrate significant antimicrobial potential against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, supporting their candidacy as sources of natural bio-preservative peptides. These findings provide a strong empirical foundation for the subsequent isolation and characterisation of antimicrobial peptide fractions from these priority plant sources.

This study investigated the influence of instructional supervision on the professional development of Universal Basic Education (UBE) teachers in Benue State, Nigeria. The study examined the influence of conferences and in-service training on teachers’ professional development. It was anchored on the Human Relations Theory of Management propounded by Elton Mayo. A survey design was adopted. The population comprised all UBE teachers in Benue State, while a sample of 370 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire validated by experts in educational measurement and evaluation. Reliability was established through a pilot study using Cronbach Alpha. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while chi-square test of goodness-of-fit was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that conferences and in-service training had positive influence on the professional development of UBE teachers. The chi-square analysis showed that all instructional supervision strategies had statistically significant influence on teachers’ professional development, leading to the rejection of all the null hypotheses. The study concluded that instructional supervision significantly enhances the professional development of UBE teachers by improving instructional competence, promoting accountability, and encouraging continuous professional learning. The study recommended that the Universal Basic Education Commission and State Universal Basic Education Boards should strengthen regular conferences and in-service training to improve teacher effectiveness and the quality of basic education.

This paper examines the pervasive sense of spiritual crisis in the modern world as articulated in the poetry and criticism of T. S. Eliot. It argues that Eliot’s works, particularly The Waste Land and The Hollow Men, diagnose a profound erosion of spiritual consciousness in post-war modernity, where human existence is reduced to mechanical routine and existential emptiness. Drawing upon close textual analysis and contemporary critical perspectives, including selected scholarly insights associated with Ramen Goswami’s interpretative approach to modern literature, this study explores how Eliot constructs a fragmented world deprived of metaphysical anchoring. “ जीवनों मधुरम, स्वस्थ प्रयोजन”
The paper situates Eliot within the broader context of modernist disillusionment, where the collapse of traditional belief systems leads to a condition of cultural sterility and moral paralysis. Eliot’s representation of humanity as spiritually “hollow” reflects not only historical trauma but also an enduring condition of alienation in modern society. As The Hollow Men suggests, individuals become “shape without form… gesture without motion” (Eliot), indicating the loss of authentic spiritual identity. By engaging with religious, philosophical, and literary frameworks, the paper demonstrates that Eliot’s poetry is not merely descriptive but diagnostic, offering a critique of modernity’s spiritual void. Ultimately, the study argues that Eliot’s work continues to resonate in contemporary times, where the absence of spiritual grounding remains a defining feature of human experience.

Background: The isolation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from food-grade plant sources requires efficient, reproducible protein extraction and comprehensive chromatographic characterisation as mandatory first steps. Acetone precipitation selectively precipitates proteins while removing interfering pigments and lipids; reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) provides chromatographic resolution of protein and peptide components by hydrophobicity, enabling tentative identification of AMP-class fractions prior to mass spectrometric sequencing.
Methods: Eleven food-grade plant samples (S1–S11) were processed by cold Tris-HCl buffer homogenisation and acetone precipitation (−20°C, 3–4 volumes, 2–4 hours). Total soluble protein was quantified by Bradford assay validated against a BSA standard curve (0–100 µg/mL). Protein purity was assessed by NanoDrop UV–Visible spectral scanning (200–800 nm; A260/A280 ratio). RP-HPLC was performed on a Waters XBridge C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm; 5 µm) using a 0.1% TFA/acetonitrile gradient (5–60% B over 40 minutes) with detection at 214 nm and 280 nm to characterise protein/peptide profiles and identify AMP-candidate fractions.
Results: Bradford assay demonstrated a highly linear BSA calibration curve (y = 0.0064x − 0.004; R² = 0.993). Protein concentrations ranged from 19.7 µg/mL (S8, Pearl millet) to 86.4 µg/mL (S4, Black pepper). NanoDrop A260/A280 ratios (0.60–0.78) confirmed acceptable to moderate protein purity. RP-HPLC profiles of all eleven samples revealed 3–6 resolved peaks per sample; candidate AMP fractions (retention time 20–35 min; estimated MW 3–9 kDa; characteristic A280/A214 ratios) were identified in all eleven samples. Black pepper (S4) and Guava (S11) produced the highest AMP-zone peak areas (634.8 and 846.9 mAU·min respectively), correlating strongly with their highest antimicrobial activities. S4 candidate AMP peaks (P4: RT 23.8 min; P5: RT 31.4 min) were consistent with plant defensin/thionin and LTP structural classes based on retention time, estimated molecular weight (4–9 kDa), and A280/A214 ratio profiles.
Conclusion: The integrated platform of acetone precipitation, Bradford quantification, NanoDrop purity assessment, and RP-HPLC chromatographic profiling provides a comprehensive and analytically validated characterisation system for plant protein extracts intended for AMP isolation. Black pepper (S4), Guava (S11), and Peas (S7) are designated primary AMP isolation candidates based on combined protein yield, purity, and RP-HPLC AMP-zone peak area evidence. The RP-HPLC fingerprint data provide the first comparative chromatographic AMP candidacy assessment for this diverse panel of food-grade Indian plant sources.

Environmental sanitation plays a critical role in preventing the transmission and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms that pose significant threats to human health. This study investigated the influence of environmental sanitation on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in selected communities. The study was anchored on the Germ Theory of Disease, propounded by Louis Pasteur (1861) and further developed by Robert Koch (1876), which postulates that microorganisms are the causative agents of infectious diseases and that their presence in the environment directly affects disease occurrence. A laboratory-based cross-sectional research design was adopted. Environmental samples, including water, soil, waste disposal sites, drainage systems, and frequently touched surfaces, were collected from areas exhibiting varying levels of sanitation practices. Data were collected using microbiological sampling techniques, including swab sampling, water sampling, and soil sampling. The samples were cultured on selective and differential media, followed by microbial isolation, enumeration, and identification using standard biochemical tests and microscopic examination. Pathogenic microorganisms investigated included Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella spp. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive microbiological statistics (mean colony-forming units per milliliter/gram, microbial frequency distribution, and prevalence rates) and inferential statistical techniques, including Pearson correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), at a significance level of 0.05. Findings revealed significantly higher microbial loads in environments characterized by poor sanitation compared to well-maintained environments. Open waste dumps, stagnant water bodies, and poorly managed drainage systems recorded the highest prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms. A strong positive correlation was observed between poor environmental sanitation and increased pathogenic microbial contamination. The study concludes that inadequate environmental sanitation significantly contributes to the prevalence and persistence of pathogenic microorganisms. It recommends improved waste management systems, regular environmental cleaning, proper drainage maintenance, and public health education as effective measures for reducing microbial contamination and preventing sanitation-related diseases.

Innovation is widely recognized as a critical factor for improving the performance and competitiveness of construction firms. However, the successful adoption of innovation depends largely on the factors that drive innovation, the barriers that hinder its implementation, and the strategies adopted to enhance innovation within construction organisations. Despite the growing importance of innovation in the construction industry, many firms continue to face challenges that limit their ability to adopt and implement innovative practices effectively. This study therefore aimed to assess the drivers, barriers, and strategies for improving 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 technological developments, knowledge sharing/willingness to exchange ideas on innovation, and new business opportunities/processes were the most significant drivers of innovation among construction firms in Katsina State, each recording a Mean Item Score (MIS) of 4.10, with standard deviations of 0.90, 1.08, and 1.13, respectively. These findings indicate that technological advancement, collaborative learning, and emerging market opportunities play a crucial role in motivating construction firms to embrace innovation. The study further identified weak institutional support, lack of understanding of the benefits of innovation, and lack of cooperation among stakeholders as the most critical barriers limiting innovation adoption, with MIS values of 3.82 (SD = 0.98), 3.81 (SD = 1.01), and 3.80 (SD = 0.93), respectively. These constraints reduce firms' capacity to invest in innovative technologies, processes, and management practices, thereby affecting their overall performance and competitiveness. Regarding strategies for improving innovation, the findings showed that knowledge exchange, sharing and transfer, stakeholder engagement and involvement, and education and training/retraining were the most effective measures for promoting innovation among construction firms in Katsina State, with MIS values of 4.02 (SD = 0.96), 3.98 (SD = 0.89), and 3.98 (SD = 0.93), respectively. These strategies were perceived to have the greatest potential for strengthening innovation capability and supporting sustainable organisational development. The study concludes that strengthening the key drivers of innovation while addressing the major barriers through appropriate capacity-building initiatives, institutional support, and stakeholder collaboration will significantly improve innovation adoption among construction firms in Katsina State. The study therefore recommends that government agencies, professional bodies, and construction firms should implement policies and programmes that promote knowledge sharing, strengthen institutional support, encourage stakeholder collaboration, and provide continuous education and professional training to enhance innovation and improve the overall performance and sustainability of the construction industry.

Accurate modelling and forecasting of infectious disease counts are essential for effective disease surveillance and public health decision-making. However, epidemic count data often exhibit overdispersion and serial dependence, making conventional count time series models inadequate for reliable prediction. This study comparatively evaluated the performance of five count time series models, namely the Poisson Autoregressive (PAR), Integer-Valued Autoregressive (INAR), Negative Binomial Autoregressive (NB-AR), Poisson Log-Normal Autoregressive (PLN-AR), and Discrete Autoregressive Moving Average (DARMA) models for modelling weekly confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria. Weekly confirmed Lassa fever data comprising 307 observations from January 2020 to December 2025 were obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The models were evaluated using simulation experiments and empirical analysis across different partition sizes (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). Model adequacy was assessed using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and Hannan-Quinn Information Criterion (HQIC), while forecasting performance was evaluated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS). Preliminary analyses confirmed that the series was stationary, overdispersed, and exhibited significant temporal dependence. The results showed that the Poisson Log-Normal Autoregressive (PLN-AR) model consistently achieved the lowest information criteria values, indicating superior model fit. The PLN-AR model provided the best overall balance between goodness-of-fit and forecasting performance. The study concludes that the PLN-AR model offers a flexible and robust framework for modelling overdispersed epidemic count data and can substantially improve forecasting accuracy for infectious disease surveillance.

Background
Vertical jump performance is a critical component in volleyball, directly influencing skills such as spiking and blocking. Stretching techniques are commonly incorporated into warm-up routines, with ballistic stretching gaining attention for its potential to enhance explosive muscle performance. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving vertical jump ability remains limited.
Objective
To determine the effect of ballistic stretching on vertical jump performance in volleyball players.
Methods
A single-group pre–post experimental study was conducted on 20 volleyball players aged between 18–30 years. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Baseline vertical jump height was measured using the Sargent Jump Test. All participants underwent a structured ballistic stretching program targeting major lower limb muscle groups for a duration of 4–6 weeks, performed 3–4 times per week. Post-intervention vertical jump height was assessed using the same procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
The mean vertical jump height significantly improved from 44.90 ± 2.78 cm in the pre-test to 67.50 ± 4.47 cm in the post-test. The mean difference was 22.60 cm. Statistical analysis using paired t-test revealed a highly significant improvement (t = 17.84, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The findings of the study indicate that ballistic stretching is highly effective in improving vertical jump performance in volleyball players. It can be recommended as an integral component of warm-up and conditioning programs to enhance athletic performance.

Background: Patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) frequently experience postoperative pain, muscle weakness, impaired mobility, and delayed return to functional activities despite advances in surgical techniques. Prehabilitation has emerged as an effective strategy to optimize physical function before surgery and improve postoperative outcomes.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of prehabilitation exercises on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery.
Methods: Sixty participants scheduled for MISS were randomly allocated into an experimental group receiving four weeks of prehabilitation in addition to standard postoperative rehabilitation and a control group receiving standard care alone. Outcome measures included pain intensity, functional disability, walking capacity, and core muscle strength assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.
Results: Participants receiving prehabilitation demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain reduction, functional mobility, disability scores, and core strength compared with controls. Statistical analysis revealed significant between-group differences with p < 0.05.
Conclusion: Prehabilitation exercises significantly enhance postoperative recovery following minimally invasive spine surgery and should be considered an integral component of perioperative spine rehabilitation.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and debilitating injuries in athletes participating in sports involving cutting, pivoting, jumping, and sudden changes in direction. Although ACL reconstruction combined with postoperative rehabilitation remains the gold standard treatment for restoring knee stability, a considerable proportion of athletes fail to regain their pre-injury level of performance and experience delayed return to sport. Prehabilitation, which consists of structured exercise interventions before surgery, has recently gained attention as an effective strategy for optimizing postoperative outcomes.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of prehabilitation exercises on postoperative recovery and return to sport among athletes undergoing ACL reconstruction.
Methods: Fifty athletes diagnosed with complete ACL rupture and scheduled for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were included in this prospective randomized controlled study. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received a four-week supervised prehabilitation program followed by standard postoperative rehabilitation, whereas Group B received conventional postoperative rehabilitation alone. Outcome measures included quadriceps strength, Y-Balance Test, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm Knee Score, ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) score, and Single Leg Hop Test. Assessments were conducted preoperatively and at six months postoperatively.
Results: Athletes who participated in prehabilitation demonstrated significantly greater improvements in quadriceps strength, dynamic balance, functional performance, and psychological readiness to return to sport. Group A showed higher IKDC scores (91.3 vs 85.2), Lysholm scores (93.4 vs 87.1), and ACL-RSI scores (84.6 vs 77.8) compared with Group B. Return-to-sport rates were also significantly higher in the prehabilitation group (88%) than in the conventional rehabilitation group (68%).
Conclusion: Prehabilitation exercises performed before ACL reconstruction significantly improve postoperative recovery, functional outcomes, and return-to-sport rates in athletes. Incorporating prehabilitation into routine clinical practice may enhance rehabilitation efficiency and facilitate safer return to athletic participation.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become a transformative digital technology for improving construction project delivery; however, empirical evidence on its impact in Nigeria remains limited. This study examined the impact of BIM on construction project performance by assessing awareness, adoption, perceived benefits, and barriers to implementation among construction professionals. A mixed-methods research design was employed, involving a questionnaire survey of 529 construction professionals across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu. A total of 515 valid responses were analysed, representing a 97.4% response rate, while qualitative insights were obtained through interviews with 15 BIM experts. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed a moderately high level of BIM awareness (overall mean = 3.39), with awareness of the BIM concept recording the highest mean score (3.54). BIM adoption was highest for design visualization and quantity take-off, while advanced applications such as 4D scheduling and facility management remained limited. Respondents agreed that BIM positively influences project performance (overall mean = 3.44), particularly in design quality (3.55) and collaboration (3.47). The principal barriers were the absence of a national BIM policy (3.88), inadequate technical skills (3.78), and high software costs (3.75). The study concludes that strengthening policy support, professional capacity, and organizational investment is essential for accelerating BIM adoption and improving construction project performance in Nigeria.

Academic burnout is a growing concern in higher education because of its impact on students&#39; academic performance, psychological well-being, and overall educational experience. Prolonged academic demands, continuous assessments, and competitive learning environments often contribute to burnout among university students. The present study aimed to assess the level of academic burnout among higher education students in West Bengal and to examine its variation with respect to gender, family type, social category, and age. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a cross-sectional survey design. The study was conducted among 386 higher education students selected through simple random sampling from eleven higher education institutions across six districts of West Bengal: Kolkata, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson&#39;s product-moment correlation. The findings revealed significant differences in academic burnout based on gender, family type, and social category. Male students reported higher burnout than female students, while students from nuclear families experienced greater burnout than those from joint families. Academic burnout also varied significantly across social categories, with General category students reporting the highest burnout levels. However, no significant relationship was found between age and academic burnout. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening institutional support systems, counselling services, and stress management programmes to reduce academic burnout and promote students&#39; psychological well-being in higher education.

The present study investigated the effects of an eight-week combined training program on selected motor abilities among high school hockey players. Forty male hockey players aged 15–18 years were randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The experimental group underwent a structured combined training program consisting of strength, speed, agility, endurance, plyometric, and flexibility exercises three sessions per week for eight weeks, while the control group continued regular hockey practice. Selected motor abilities including speed, agility, explosive power, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized field tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and ANCOVA with a significance level of 0.05. Results indicated significant improvements in all selected motor abilities among the experimental group compared with the control group. The findings suggest that combined training is an effective approach for enhancing motor abilities in adolescent hockey players and should be incorporated into school-level hockey conditioning programs.

Youth leadership development has emerged as a critical lever for strengthening democratic governance across the Global South and its diaspora communities. This paper examines the theoretical and practical dimensions of structured youth leadership programmes in Bangladesh and their replication models within South Asian immigrant populations in the United States. Drawing on two decades of practitioner experience in designing, coordinating, and evaluating youth parliamentary and leadership initiatives-including programmes under the Commonwealth International Youth Caucus and the Oxfam International Youth Parliament-this study synthesises primary observational data with existing scholarship to explore how formal leadership cultivation shapes civic agency, political participation, and institutional trust among young people aged 18–35. The findings indicate that participatory parliamentary models, when adapted to local cultural contexts, produce measurable improvements in civic knowledge, inter-communal dialogue, and long-term democratic engagement. This article further argues that immigrant leadership development platforms constitute an underexplored dimension of transnational democracy-building, with implications for diaspora policy, community governance, and post-migration civic integration. Recommendations are offered for policymakers, civil society organisations, and international development actors seeking to scale youth leadership investments.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems play a pivotal role in sustainable energy production, yet they are prone to operational faults that can significantly impair efficiency and longevity. This paper conducts an in-depth comparative analysis of four unsupervised machine learning techniques for anomaly detection in PV systems: Long Short-Term Memory Autoencoder (LSTM-AE), Gated Recurrent Unit Autoencoder (GRU-AE), Feedforward Autoencoder (FF-AE), and One-Class Support Vector Machine (OC-SVM). The evaluation utilizes synthetic hourly data representing one year of PV operation, with a simulated fault injected in the final 30 days to mimic real-world degradation scenarios. Models are trained exclusively on normal operational data and tested on the anomalous dataset. Findings indicate that recurrent autoencoders, particularly LSTM-AE, exhibit superior performance in capturing temporal dependencies, enabling earlier and more accurate fault detection compared to FF-AE and OC-SVM. This CPU-based implementation underscores the practicality of these approaches for predictive maintenance in environments with limited computational resources, potentially reducing downtime and maintenance costs in large-scale PV installations [1].

Corporate governance has increasingly become a critical driver of organizational performance by enhancing accountability, strategic decision-making, transparency, and efficient resource utilization. Despite its recognized importance, many agribusiness firms, particularly in developing economies, continue to experience governance weaknesses that undermine their competitiveness, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Existing empirical studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the influence of board composition and board characteristics on firm performance, while evidence from agribusiness firms remains limited. This study examined the effect of corporate governance on the performance of agribusiness firms in Uganda, with particular emphasis on board composition and board characteristics. The study adopted a a cross-sectional survey design. Data was collected from 371 respondents drawn from agribusiness firms and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that board composition (β = 0.374, p < 0.001) and board characteristics (β = 0.360, p < 0.001) each had a positive and statistically significant effect on agribusiness firm performance. The regression model explained 42.7% of the variation in firm performance (R² = 0.427), indicating that corporate governance is a major determinant of organizational performance. The composite analysis further established that corporate governance had a strong positive and significant effect on agribusiness firm performance (β = 0.654, p < 0.001). The study concludes that effective corporate governance, reflected through strong board composition and sound board characteristics, significantly enhances the performance and competitiveness of agribusiness firms. The study recommends that agribusiness firms strengthen their governance frameworks by appointing competent and diverse board members, promoting effective board structures and practices, and institutionalizing governance policies that enhance accountability, strategic oversight, and sustainable organizational performance.

Background
Potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are a major concern among hospitalized patients and may contribute to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and healthcare costs. Early identification of potential DDIs is essential to improve patient safety and optimize therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of potential DDIs among hospitalized patients.
Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of six months at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 inpatient prescriptions from various departments were evaluated for potential DDIs using the Micromedex Drug Interaction Database. Identified interactions were classified according to their severity as major, moderate, or minor.
Results
Among the 100 prescriptions analyzed, 67 potential DDIs were identified. Of these, 40 (57.7%) were classified as major, 22 (32.8%) as moderate, and 5 (7.5%) as minor interactions. The average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 6.2, indicating a high prevalence of polypharmacy. Fluoroquinolone-based antibiotics and antidiabetic agents were the drug classes most frequently involved in clinically significant interactions.
Conclusion
Potential DDIs were common among hospitalized patients and were strongly associated with polypharmacy. Routine prescription review using drug interaction screening tools and active involvement of clinical pharmacists can help identify, prevent, and manage potential DDIs, thereby improving medication safety and patient care.

The increasing penetration of renewable energy resources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind energy systems, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) has transformed conventional power systems into inverter-dominated microgrids. Although inverter-based systems offer advantages such as clean energy generation, improved controllability, and enhanced operational flexibility, they significantly reduce overall system inertia because they lack the physical rotating masses of conventional synchronous generators. This reduction in inertia leads to rapid frequency deviations, high Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF), weak damping characteristics, and poor transient stability, thereby posing significant challenges to the secure operation of modern microgrids. This paper investigates the stability analysis of microgrids with high inverter penetration and examines the impact of virtual inertia on grid frequency stability. A renewable energy-based microgrid comprising Solar PV, Wind Energy System, Battery Energy Storage System, inverter interfaces, and electrical loads is modeled in MATLAB/Simulink. Frequency dynamics are analyzed using the swing equation and RoCoF equation, while a virtual inertia controller is integrated with the inverter to emulate the inertial response of synchronous generators. Simulation studies are performed under two operating conditions: without virtual inertia and with virtual inertia support. The results demonstrate that virtual inertia significantly improves system performance by reducing the maximum frequency deviation from 0.65 Hz to 0.22 Hz, decreasing RoCoF from 1.25 Hz/s to 0.42 Hz/s, and shortening the settling time from 4.8 s to 2.1 s. The study concludes that virtual inertia is an effective solution for enhancing frequency stability, damping capability, and transient response in inverter-dominated microgrids, thereby supporting the reliable integration of renewable energy resources in future smart grids.

Background: This study investigated the socio-economic factors affecting maternal and child healthcare services and their impact on mortality rates in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Methods: A mixed-method research design was adopted, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Results: Data were collected using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews from healthcare personnel across selected Primary Healthcare Facilities. The reliability of the research instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.844), indicating good internal consistency. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that factors such as skilled birth attendance, immunization coverage, access to emergency obstetric care, and postnatal services significantly influence mortality rates. Correlation analysis further indicated a strong positive relationship between maternal and child healthcare and mortality (r = 0.822, p < 0.01), suggesting that poor healthcare conditions are associated with higher mortality rates. Conclusion: The study concludes that improving access to quality healthcare services and addressing socio-economic inequalities are essential for reducing maternal and child mortality. Recommendations include strengthening primary healthcare systems, increasing health education, and improving economic support for vulnerable populations.

ABSTRACT
Pharmacovigilance is an essential branch of healthcare that focuses on the detection, assessment, understanding, andpreventionofadversedrugreactions(ADRs)andotherdrug-related problems. Thisreport provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacovigilance, including its origin, development, objectives, scope, and importance in ensuring patient safety. The report discusses the historical evolution of pharmacovigilance from early drug-related tragedies such as the thalidomide disaster to the establishment of global monitoring systems by the World Health Organization (WHO). It explains important terminologies, causality assessment methods such as WHO-UMC scale, Naranjo Algorithm, and Bayesian approaches, along with ADR reporting systems and medical evaluation of adverse events.

The report also highlights the process of ADR monitoring, diagnosis, management, and reporting under national and international pharmacovigilance programs. Furthermore, it describes quality systems in pharmacovigilance, pharmacovigilance databases, signal detection,riskassessment,andriskmanagement strategies.Specialemphasisisgiventocase narrative writing, global and Indian perspectives of pharmacovigilance, and the significant roleofpharmacists in ADR monitoring and patient safety. Overall, pharmacovigilanceplays a vitalrole in promoting the safe and rational use of medicines, improving healthcare outcomes, and strengthening public health systems through continuous drug safety monitoring and reporting.

Theshaftcoupling using for a steam turbine rotor is an indispensable element for its smooth operation. Mechanical couplings connect the turbine shaft to other rotating equipment such as generators. They facilitate the transmission of torque between the turbine shafts or from the turbine to the connected machineryand connect these two devices together precisely.
The shaft coupling in the thermal power plant is a critical mechanical interface that links separate rotor sections such as high-pressure (HP), intermediate-pressure (IP), low-pressure (LP), and the generatorinto a unified, high-speed rotating shaft in large-scale utility thermal power plants. This paper presents comprehensive research on the operational impact of different predominant coupling configurations: rigid flange, semi-flexible, and flexible gear couplings etc. The structural characteristics, torque transmission capabilities and thermal expansion management of each type are thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, the study evaluates the direct consequences of coupling-related anomalies: such as thermal misalignment, loose fitted bolts, and dynamic unbalance. The findings provide critical reference data for power plant maintenance engineers to optimize shaft alignment, mitigate forced outages and ensure the long-term structural integrity of utility-scale steam turbines.

Skin disease diagnosis is challenged by overlapping visual symptoms and heterogeneous clinical factors, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Conventional machine learning models are predominantly unimodal and lack adaptive mechanisms for integrating multimodal data. This study proposes a Dynamic Multimodal Feature Fusion with Attention-Augmented Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (DMF-ANFIS) for multiclass skin disease classification. The framework integrates dermatological images, clinical attributes, and environmental variables using a self-attention–based feature weighting mechanism prior to neuro-fuzzy inference. Features are extracted using convolutional neural networks, reduced via principal component analysis, and normalized before fusion. Evaluated on 2,500 instances using 10-fold cross-validation, the model achieved 94.7% ± 0.9 accuracy and 0.94 sensitivity, outperforming benchmark classifiers. The framework enhances both predictive performance and interpretability for clinical decision support.

This study examined the effect of change management strategies on the performance of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study focused on three key dimensions: Leadership Support, Training and Capacity Development, and Technological/Structural Transformation. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 285 staff members using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis). The findings revealed that Leadership Support has a significant positive effect on Polytechnic performance (β = 0.238, p

The article intends to analyze the theories of Time Travel Physics in a way briefly, so that it can Analyzing Entropy, the Arrow of Time, and the Conditions of Human Brain Limitation Confined to Planet Earth and its atmosphere, and knowing this, it's understood that the human brain has limitations in understanding the laws of the universe, such a sex traterres trial travel. This leads to ananalysis offamous physical theories of Relativity. Albert Einstein's General Theory, concluding with worm holes. and the Arrow of Time.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have emerged as the backbone of India’s industrial economy. This study evaluates the causal impact of government subsidy schemes on financial performance of MSMEs in Jharkhand using a quasi-experimental Difference-in-Differences approach combined with propensity score matching. Analysis of 672 enterprises (336 beneficiaries and 336 non-beneficiaries) over a five-year period reveals that subsidy recipients experienced significant improvements: net profit margin increased by 1.79 percentage points, return on assets increased by 1.48 percentage points, revenue growth accelerated by 5.2 percent annually, and employment expanded by an average of 1.1 additional workers per enterprise. Effects emerged gradually and accumulated over subsequent years.

The widespread adoption of social media has significantly transformed youth identity, communication, and psychological well-being. This study examines the relationship between social media use, youth identity formation, well-being, and digital social capital using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 720 respondents, complemented by 24 in-depth interviews to provide contextual insights. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including correlation, regression, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression, were employed to analyse the data. The findings indicate that cyberbullyingand social comparison significantly reduce psychological well-being, whereas bonding social capital, bridging social capital, andactive content creation positively influence emotional well-being and social connectedness. The study also finds that stronger digital social networks increase access to educational and professional opportunities, although socio-economic status moderates these benefits. The study concludes that the impact of social media depends more on the quality of engagement than on the amount of time spent online. While constructive and active participation enhances identity development and well-being, passive consumption and negative online experiences increase psychological vulnerability. The findings contribute to understanding the dual role of social media in shaping contemporary youth culture and provide important implications for educators, policymakers, and digital platform developers.

This study examined socio-political empowerment and its effect on women’s decision-making power in local governance structures. The study was guided by three specific objectives which sought to determine the extent to which socio-political empowerment influences women’s participation in decision-making processes, examine the relationship between socio-political empowerment and women’s level of authority in local governance bodies, and identify the barriers limiting the effectiveness of socio-political empowerment in enhancing women’s decision-making power. A descriptive survey research design was adopted using a quantitative approach. Data were collected from 236 respondents selected through multistage sampling techniques using a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. Findings from the study revealed that socio-political empowerment significantly enhances women’s participation, authority, and influence in local governance decision-making processes through political education, leadership opportunities, and civic engagement initiatives. The study further established that barriers such as cultural norms, gender discrimination, financial constraints, low educational attainment, and political intimidation hinder the effectiveness of socio-political empowerment efforts. The study concluded that socio-political empowerment is essential for improving women’s decision-making power and achieving inclusive governance. The study therefore recommended stronger gender-inclusive policies, continuous empowerment programs, financial support initiatives, and societal reorientation toward women’s leadership participation in governance structures.

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) operating in 5G and Next-Generation (NxtG) environments require optimization techniques that can provide secure communication while minimizing energy consumption and computational overhead. To address the limitations of Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO), this paper introduces an Energy-Aware Quantum Swarm Optimized Zero Trust Framework (EAQSO-ZTF) to enhance security and energy efficiency in 5G and Next Generation MANET environments. The proposed EAQSO-ZTF employs a quantum-inspired swarm intelligence model in which mobile nodes in zero trust MANET environment are represented as particles within a probabilistic search space. An energy-aware initialization process selects nodes based on residual energy, trust level, and link stability, thereby reducing unnecessary participation of resource-constrained nodes. EAQSO-ZTF further incorporates a probabilistic position update mechanism that accelerates convergence and lowers computational cost compared with conventional iterative optimization approaches. To enhance adaptability, the swarm size is dynamically adjusted according to network density and mobility conditions. The fitness function integrates multiple performance metrics, including residual energy, packet delivery ratio, trust value, and link stability, ensuring balanced optimization of security and routing efficiency. A lightweight convergence criterion terminates the search process when further improvements become negligible. From that,EAQSO-ZTF achieves improved energy efficiency, faster convergence, and reduced processing overhead, making it a suitable optimization solution for secure MANET operations in emerging 5G and NxtG communication environments.

Phishing attacks remain one of the most prevalent and damaging cybersecurity threats to organizations, particularly academic institutions that manage vast amounts of sensitive data. This study assesses the effectiveness of a targeted cybersecurity awareness intervention conducted among staff from four academic schools at Federal Polytechnic Bali. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the research involved a pre-awareness survey, a simulated phishing email themed around a “13-month bonus payment,” and a post-intervention survey to evaluate changes in phishing awareness and response behaviours. Results revealed a high initial susceptibility, with 66.5% of participants falling for the phishing simulation, particularly from the Schools of Science and Technology (SST) and Business and Management Technology (SBMT). However, post-intervention assessments demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in participants' self-assessed cybersecurity knowledge, as confirmed by a Chi-Square Test for Independence (χ² = 72.43, p < 0.0001). The study highlights the critical need for continuous, customized awareness training and a proactive incident reporting culture to strengthen institutional resilience against phishing threats.

This study focused on the assessment of the profile of Gram-negative bacteria associated with some selected fish pond wastewater in Bali metropolis, Taraba state. Water samples were collected from three fish ponds namely Sky fish pond, Natural fish pond and Eastern fish pond and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Isolation of bacteria was carried out using Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, and Blood agar, while identification was based on cultural characteristics, Gram staining, and biochemical tests including catalase, coagulase, and oxidase reactions. The isolates were presumptively identified as Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Klebsiella sp., based on their cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. Pseudomonas sp., was isolated from Sky fish pond and Natural fish pond, while Klebsiella sp., was isolated from Eastern fish pond. The presence of these pathogenic Gram-negative bacteriain fish pond wastewater highlights the possible risks to fish health and public health, especially where wastewater is discharged without proper treatment. The study concludes that fish pond wastewater may serve as an important reservoir for microorganisms of public health importance. Regular microbiological monitoring, improved wastewater management, and strict hygienic aquaculture practices are recommended.

Digital transformation can connect data, users and organisational resources, but technology alone does not explain how a manufacturing firm converts digital strategy into action and performance. This study examines the human resource management (HRM) micro-mechanisms through which digital transformation becomes executable in Haier Smart Home, a platform-oriented Chinese manufacturing firm. Using a longitudinal embedded single-case design, the study draws on 35 semi-structured interviews conducted between 2020 and 2025, more than 2,500 minutes of recorded interview material, annual and ESG reports, governance documents, platform rules and public corporate materials. Gioia coding, temporal bracketing, process tracing and pattern matching were used to identify and verify mechanisms. The findings show that digital strategy produced organisational effects only after HRM redesigned decision rights and platform services. Three interacting micro-mechanisms then translated connectivity into action: order-based talent allocation recombined human capital around user opportunities; user-linked incentives internalised market signals into employee behaviour; and platform governance coordinated autonomous internal units and external ecosystem partners. These mechanisms improved response speed, user-oriented innovation and cross-boundary coordination, but they also generated risks of short-termism, income volatility and rule disputes when data quality, attribution and governance legitimacy were weak. The study contributes a mechanism-based explanation of digital HRM and shows that digital value creation depends on the organisational architecture through which people use digital tools.

Due to the dearth of empirical studies in the area and the contradictory information they offer, our understanding of the long-term effects of downsizing and the effects of repetitive downsizing is currently limited.This article reviews the three theoretical perspectives found in the downsizing literature and comes to the following conclusions: downsizing does have a long-term impact on employees and organizations; repeat downsizing outcomes are influenced by the type of downsizing contact and the order of that contact; and employee vulnerability or resilience to repeat downsizing is dependent on the outcome under investigation.Many businesses prefer to shrink as a means of survival during periods of difficult economic conditions like the current crisis.The survivors of downsizing may have a number of negative consequences, which may be harmful to the organization.The way these survivors are treated will determine how well the downsizing process goes.Because employee motivation affects productivity, it's critical to understand how to manage these survivors so that they are as driven as possible.According to researchers, most organizations that undergo downsizing have initiatives to assist the departing employees but very few have programs for the ones that stay.

In an era where the global neuromarketing market is projected to skyrocket from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $21.3 billion by 2030driven by widespread adoption of eye-tracking, EEG, and facial coding technologies by nearly half of Fortune 500 companies as of 2025 (Research and Markets, 2025; CB Insights, 2025)this conceptual paper introduces a unified framework that explores how multisource physiological and behavioral metrics—eye-tracking indicators like fixation duration, saccade patterns, heatmap attention (with eye-tracking variants improving ad conversion by up to 28%) and emotional responses captured through EEG, galvanic skin response, and facial coding—can reshape our understanding of consumer decision-making in digital advertising by revealing subconscious attention and affective engagement beyond the reach of traditional self-report methods, acknowledges the shift in marketing where passive attention (captured via eye-tracking) now delivers 6.7× more attentive seconds per dollar than conventional active attention (Nelson-Field, 2024), and grounds the framework in theoretical constructs such as the stimulus-organism-response (S–O–R) model, dual-process cognitive theory (system 1/emotional vs system 2/rational), and attention economy principles, while illustrating the implications for marketers—for instance, leveraging neurometrically optimized ad creatives (e.g. Mars measuring eye movement and brain data yielding 85% predictive power) to craft emotionally resonant messages with up to 2.5× ROI returns (Amra & Delma, 2025)—and concludes with conceptual propositions suggesting that combining eye-tracking and emotional biometrics offers a more predictive and empirically richer understanding of digital ad effectiveness, with this unified neuro-marketing framework offering meaningful theoretical contributions and practical guidance for designing emotionally compelling, attention-efficient ads, while also calling for future empirical validation through experimental eye-tracking and EEG studies, ethical consideration of subconscious influence and data privacy, and cross-context application across ad formats, platforms, and cultural settings to ensure robust, responsible, and scalable consumer insights in the digital marketing landscape.

The high cost of conventional wastewater treatment technologies has increased the demand for sustainable and locally available filtration materials capable of supporting environmental remediation and water resource protection. This study comparatively evaluated the performance of hollow fibre tubes (HFT) and processed Nipa Palm stem (PNS) as low-cost filtration media for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. Laboratory-scale filtration columns were constructed and operated under identical hydraulic conditions using synthetic municipal wastewater. The treatment efficiencies of both media were assessed based on turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, phosphate, and microbial load reduction. A completely randomized design with triplicate analyses was employed, and statistical evaluation was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of α = 0.05.The results revealed that HFT achieved significantly higher removal efficiencies for turbidity (94.8%), TSS (92.4%), BOD₅ (89.3%), COD (86.7%), and total coliforms (98.6%) than PNS, which recorded removal efficiencies of 82.1%, 79.5%, 71.8%, 68.2%, and 91.4%, respectively. However, PNS demonstrated comparable performance in nitrate and phosphate removal while exhibiting substantially lower operational costs. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two filtration media for most physicochemical parameters. The findings suggest that hollow fibre tubes provide superior treatment efficiency, whereas processed Nipa Palm stem represents a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for decentralized wastewater treatment in resource-constrained communities. By reducing contaminant loads prior to environmental discharge, both filtration media contribute to environmental remediation and the protection of soil and groundwater systems from pollution.

Electric vehicles, industrial automation, and robots are using brushless DC (BLDC) motors more and more because they are more efficient, reliable, and have a better torque-to-weight ratio. However, traditional Proportional-Integral (PI) and PID controllers lack functionality as well when parameters change, loads change, or DC-link voltage changes, leading to diminished dynamic performance. This research presents a cascaded BLDC motor control system that incorporates two Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) controllers—one for speed regulation and the other for DC-link voltage stabilization—aiming for optimum parameter tuning using the Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA). The optimization reduces a composite performance index that includes the Integral of Time-weighted Absolute Error (ITAE), overshoot, and DC-link ripple. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink show that the SFLA-optimized ANFIS works better than regular ANFIS and PI controllers. It has less voltage ripple, smoother torque, more balanced phase currents, and a quicker transient response, all while keeping the steady-state error very low. The findings show that hybrid intelligent optimization works well to make BLDC drives more resilient for real-time application.

A microporous polymer electrolyte membrane based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was successfully fabricated using the solution-casting & polymer dissolution technique and subsequently impregnated with LiClO₄ electrolyte. The structural, thermal, and electrochemical properties of the prepared membranes were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), XRD analysis revealed a reduction in crystallinity and an increase in the amorphous phase following electrolyte incorporation, facilitating enhanced lithium-ion transport. Thermal characterization demonstrated that the membrane possesses excellent thermal stability with a multistage degradation profile, making it suitable for electrochemical applications.The synergistic combination of PVC and PVA provides desirable mechanical integrity, thermal stability, and electrochemical performance, indicating that the developed microporous polymer electrolyte membrane is a promising candidate for lithium-ion batteries, electrochemical sensors, and other solid-state energy storage devices. Recent studies have similarly highlighted that improving the amorphous phase and polymer–salt interactions enhances the thermal stability in polymer electrolyte systems.

Background: Information technology (IT) plays a critical role in improving Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS) by improving the quality, timeliness and reliability of data. But in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, inadequate infrastructure, lack of system integration and low digital capacity still impact negatively on RHIS. We examined the role of information technology in RHIS data quality within Osun State, Nigeria, with a focus on public health facilities that cater to urban and rural communities.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design with a multistage sampling approach among 317 health workers in 22 public health facilities (primary, secondary and tertiary) in Osun State, Nigeria. A questionnaire and observation checklist based on the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework were used to collect data. The questionnaire had a good level of reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.790). SPSS version 30.0 was used to analyse the data using descriptive statistics and linear regression to investigate the impact of IT-related factors on RHIS data quality.
Results: The study revealed a moderate level of IT infrastructure and use (mean = 35.34 ± 10.99). Although 53.2% of survey respondents indicated computer use and 58.9% claimed that computers improved data quality, observations revealed significant infrastructural deficiencies: 73.9% of facilities did not have functional computers and 78.3% lacked internet connectivity. While 82.6% indicated using Health Management Information Systems, only 13.0% had Electronic Health Records.
In terms of RHIS data quality, completeness (8.78 ± 2.0), timeliness (9.11 ± 1.7) and reliability (13.04 ± 3.2) were satisfactory. But reporting accuracy was low, with only 21.7% of facilities reporting accurately. The regression analysis revealed that the influence of IT factors on the data quality of the RHIS was positive and significant (β = 0.251, t = 4.428, p < 0.05), but the coefficient of determination (R²) was low (R² = 0.063) - meaning that the use of IT factors explained 6.3% of the variance in data quality.
Conclusion: Our analysis shows that while the use of information technology for RHIS-related activities in Osun State has improved, there are still significant gaps in infrastructure, connectivity and use of digital systems. The ongoing use of paper-based systems, especially in rural and resource-limited health facilities, is hindering the effective use of RHIS and is a factor in poor data quality, particularly accuracy.

This mixed-methods study combined surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups to explore discrepancies between how Ghanaian employees perceive their own workplace behaviour (self-perception) and how they are perceived by their colleagues (peer perception) across public sector, private Ghanaian-owned, and multinational organizational contexts. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study surveyed 180 employees (60 per sector) measuring self-perceived and peer-perceived punctuality, initiative, accountability, relational contribution, and overall work ethic, followed by semi-structured interviews with 30 participants (10 per sector) and six focus groups (two per sector, total 36 participants) to explore the sources, consequences, and management of perception discrepancies. Data were analysed using paired t-tests to compare self and peer ratings, correlation analysis to examine convergence, and reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) for qualitative data. Six overarching themes emerged from the integrated analysis: the overestimation effect, wherein employees consistently rated themselves higher than peers rated them across all dimensions and sectors, with initiative showing the largest discrepancy (self-peer gap = 0.89 on 5-point scale); the sectoral moderation of discrepancy magnitude, with multinational sector showing smallest gaps and public sector showing largest gaps; the blindness to negative behaviours, wherein employees described being unaware of specific behaviours that peers identified as problematic; the attribution asymmetry, wherein employees attributed their own positive behaviours to character and negative behaviours to circumstance, while peers attributed the same behaviours oppositely; the cultural constraint on direct feedback, wherein Ghanaian norms of harmony and indirect communication prevented employees from receiving accurate peer perception information; and the recalibration strategies employed by employees who became aware of perception discrepancies, including behavioural adjustment, selective disclosure, and identity negotiation. Quantitative results showed statistically significant self-peer discrepancies on all dimensions (t values ranging from 3.21 to 6.54, all p < .01), with 74% of participants rating themselves higher than their peers rated them, 18% showing convergence, and only 8% rating themselves lower. Qualitative findings revealed that employees were often genuinely unaware of how they were perceived, that feedback was rarely direct, and that discovering perception discrepancies produced emotional responses ranging from defensiveness to gratitude. The study contributes to understanding of self-perception bias in Ghanaian workplace contexts, offering insights for performance feedback systems, 360-degree assessment, and workplace relationship management.

Thephysicalandchemicalcharacteristicsofsoildictateitsagriculturalviability,nutrientdynamics,andenvi-ronmentalresilience.Thiscomprehensivestudyinvesti-gatesthesoilprofileof the Gangapurareain Ambikapur,Chhattisgarh—aregiontransitioningfromaruralagrar-ianlandscapeintoarapidsuburbanin stitutionalhub.Fiverepresentativesoilsamplesweresystematicallyex-tracted and analyzed for physical parameters (texture, bulkdensity, structure, waterholdingcapacity) antichemical constituents (pH,electrical conductivity, organic car-bon Macronutrients, and micronutrients) utilizingstan-
dardlaboratoryprotocols. Resu ltsclassifytheregionalsoilasawell- drainedsandyloam (Matasi) exhibitingamoderatewaterholdingcapacity (40%) and aslightlyacidicp Hrange (5.4to6.8). Whilethesoilpresentslowelectricalconductivity(averaging0.29dS/m), indicatinganabsenceofsalinitystress, itdemonstratescriticaldefi-cienciesinorganiccarbon (0.36%ave rage)andavailablenitrogen.Conversely,theacidicprofilefacilitatesexcep-tionallyhighavailabilityofmet allicmicronutrientssuchasironandmanganese,alongsidearobustpotassiumbase.Thestudyunderscorest henecessityforsite-specificnu-trientmanagement,specificallytargetedorganicmanur-ingandzincsupplementation,tobridgeexistingfertilitygaps,counteractpotentialleaching,and sustainregionalagricultureamidstinfrastructuralexpansion.

This article analyzes the theoretical and practical foundations for innovating assessment and evaluation in teaching political theory subjects under the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). On that basis, it proposes several solutions to improve the quality of assessment, thereby contributing to the development of learners’ competencies in the current context of digital transformation in education. At the same time, the article clarifies the risks of academic dishonesty and the need to standardize assessment procedures in digital learning environments.

This paper elucidates the core essence of pedagogical innovation toward Competency-Based Instruction (CBI) in higher education, transcending fragmented instructional techniques toward a comprehensive systemic transformation. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study analyzes the paradox between faculty members' theoretical awareness and actual classroom execution, while evaluating the efficacy of constructivist cognitive scaffolding. Survey datasets ( ) expose a profound "cognitive-behavioral paradox," wherein institutional barriers—such as curricular rigidity and traditional summative examination pressures—severely stifle classroom innovation. Conversely, quasi-experimental data demonstrate that horizontal instructional designs effectively unlock mature learners' experiential repositories, mitigate academic anxiety, and accelerate higher-order critical thinking. The findings underscore that the essence of CBI demands intense curricular contextualization embedded within regional realities, alongside a synchronized restructuring of macro-level educational governance.

This paper systematically analyzes the core role of political theory in constructing and shaping a scientific, revolutionary worldview for cadres and party members within the contemporary socio-political milieu. Throughout various developmental phases, the provision of political theory instruction must transcend the dynamic of transmitting pure, abstract academic knowledge; more crucially, it must foster a dialectical materialist methodology that empowers learners to orient their cognition and practice amid complex real-world fluctuations. Utilizing systematic analysis, historical-logical synthesis of academic literature, and empirical diagnostics of theoretical education, this study elucidates the dialectical correlation between theoretical cognition and its internal transformation into robust political beliefs and behaviors. The findings demonstrate that innovating political theory instruction toward active, practice-integrated methodologies serves as a foundational prerequisite for enhancing the political fortitude of cadres.

The paradigm shift from monological, one-way teaching to interactive teaching plays a decisive role in enhancing educational quality and fostering learners' comprehensive competencies. This paper provides a profound analysis of the theoretical and pedagogical significance of this core methodological innovation. By reviewing modern educational theories and empirical research outcomes within training institutions, the author elucidates the essence of multi-dimensional interactive relationships between instructors and learners. The findings demonstrate that interactive teaching not only stimulates cognitive activeness, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving capacities, but also transforms the training process into a self-training mechanism. This represents the ultimate key to shifting from content-driven education to a competency-based implementation approach.

This paper investigates the core differences between two fundamental educational paradigms: content-oriented traditional instruction and learner-centered competency-based training. Traditional teaching methodologies predominantly focus on unilateral knowledge transmission from instructors, rendering learners passive recipients and thereby limiting their independent thinking and real-world problem-solving capacities. Conversely, competency-based instruction centers on the learner, fostering cognitive engagement, autonomy, and emphasizing the integration of knowledge, skills, and behavioral motives within dynamic, real-life contexts. Utilizing a combination of theoretical synthesis and empirical situational analysis, this study elucidates the distinct criteria regarding objectives, curricular content, organizational modalities, and evaluative mechanisms separating the two models. The findings confirm that transitioning to a competency-based paradigm represents an imperative trajectory for enhancing contemporary educational quality.

Renovating instructional methodologies within a competency-based framework necessitates fundamental and systemic shifts, among which the innovation of lecturers' mindsets is identified as the decisive, critical breakthrough. This paper provides a profound analysis of the dialectical relationship between instructors' pedagogical worldviews and the efficacy of deploying modern instructional models within the classroom space. Utilizing systemic, empirical survey, and pedagogical experimentation methodologies, this study elucidates that advanced pedagogical techniques or technologies remain merely nominal if instructors do not autonomously abandon their deeply ingrained monological, one-way knowledge-transfer mindsets. The empirical findings affirm that restructuring the instructional mindset—shifting from a "monological transmitter" to a "designer, organizer, and facilitator of multi-directional interactions"—constitutes the core impetus to activate learners' cognitive engagement, optimize educational quality, and satisfy the rigorous imperatives of modern education.

Rapid urbanization and escalating population growth have led to a surge inmunicipal organic waste (MOW) generation, posing severe environmental risks. Conventional disposal methods, such as land-filling and open dumping, are increasingly problematic due to their significant contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Anaerobic digestion (AD) serves as a critical mitigation strategy, facilitating the conversion of biodegradable organic fractions into renewable energy in the form of biogas. This study conducts a comparative performance evaluation of food waste (FW) and garden waste (GW) as substrates for biogas production under semi-dry conditions. Experimentaltrialswereexecutedusingbatchreactorsmaintainedatmesophilictemperatures (35 ± 2°C) with a total solids (TS) concentration ranging from 15% to 20%. The study systematically monitored key operational indicators, including pH fluctuations, volatile solids (VS) reduction, cumulative biogas yields, methane (CH4) concentration, and overall process stability. Findings revealed that food waste achieved superior biogasand methane yields, attributed to its high biodegradability and rich organic density. Conversely, garden waste demonstrated reduced degradation rates and lower methane output, likely due to the structural recalcitrance of its lignocellulosic components. Notably, the co-digestion of FW and GW provided synergistic effects, enhancing process stability, optimizing methanerecovery, and ensuringa more favorable carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Furthermore, the semi-dry AD configuration offered distinct operational benefits, suchas minimized water requirements, increased solids loading capacity, anda reduction intherequired footprint for reactor infrastructure.

The present study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of agricultural soil from the Ajirma area of Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, to evaluate its fertility status and suitability for sustainable crop production. Soil samples were collected from different agricultural fields at varying depths using standard sampling techniques. The collected samples were analyzed for key physico-chemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), texture, bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), and essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) using standard laboratory methods. The results indicated that the soil in the study area is predominantly acidic to slightly acidic in nature, with moderate electrical conductivity, suggesting non-saline conditions. Organic carbon content ranged from low to medium, reflecting moderate soil fertility. The soil texture was mainly found to be sandy loam to clay loam, which influences moisture retention and nutrient availability. Nutrient analysis revealed variability in macronutrients, with nitrogen generally deficient, while phosphorus and potassium levels varied from medium to adequate. Micronutrient analysis showed sufficient levels of iron and manganese, while zinc deficiency was observed in some locations.

Tartrazine (E102) is a man-made azo food dye widely utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Ongoing release of effluents containing tartrazine into aquatic environments may subject non-target aquatic species to long-term toxic impacts. This study examines the sub-lethal effects of tartrazine on the liver condition of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and looks into using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the automatic identification and categorization of liver disorders. Fish were subjected to incremental sub-lethal levels of tartrazine for a duration of 30 days. Histopathological, biochemical, and image-driven AI assessments were performed to assess liver injury. Histological analysis showed hepatocellular degeneration, vacuolation, sinusoidal congestion, inflammatory infiltration, and focal necrosis in the exposed groups. The activities of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) rose notably as tartrazine concentration increased. A CNN model was developed by training it on digitized histological images and successfully attained high accuracy in differentiating between healthy and injured liver tissues. The results show that AI-supported histopathological evaluation can act as a quick and dependable method for tracking aquatic toxins and identifying early hepatotoxicity in fish.

Language plays a central role in human communication, social interaction, knowledge production, and national transformation. It serves not only as a medium for expressing ideas and preserving cultural identity but also as an essential instrument for education, economic development, technological advancement, and international cooperation. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability of individuals and nations to communicate effectively across borders has become a significant factor in determining competitiveness and participation in the global economy. Among the world’s major languages, English has emerged as a dominant language of international communication, science, technology, diplomacy, business, and education. Its widespread use has positioned it as a crucial resource for countries seeking to enhance their development prospects and global influence.
The role of the English language in national development extends beyond communication. It provides access to global knowledge systems, research publications, technological innovations, and educational opportunities. In many developing countries, proficiency in English contributes to human capital development by enabling students, researchers, professionals, and policymakers to engage with international knowledge networks. Since a significant proportion of scientific literature, digital resources, and academic exchanges are conducted in English, competence in the language allows nations to participate more actively in knowledge creation and innovation. Consequently, English proficiency has become an important factor in improving educational outcomes, strengthening professional skills, and supporting economic growth.
Furthermore, English serves as a bridge for international trade, investment, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Nations with strong English language capabilities often possess advantages in attracting foreign investment, participating in multinational partnerships, and integrating into global markets. In sectors such as tourism, information technology, business, and international relations, English proficiency enhances employability and enables individuals to compete effectively in a global labour market. For emerging economies, developing English language competence among citizens can therefore contribute to increased productivity, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification.
In the context of global competitiveness, English has become a strategic tool for countries aiming to position themselves within the international community. The ability to communicate in English facilitates collaboration among nations, promotes participation in global forums, and supports access to emerging technologies and innovations. As globalization continues to reshape economic, political, and social relations, countries that invest in English language education are better positioned to engage with global opportunities and address contemporary challenges.
However, the increasing importance of English also raises questions about language policy, cultural identity, and unequal access to language education. While English provides significant opportunities for development and international engagement, efforts to promote its use must be balanced with the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages and cultural heritage. Effective language policies should therefore recognize English as a complementary resource rather than a replacement for local languages.
This study examines the role of the English language in national development and global competitiveness, focusing on its contributions to education, economic advancement, technological progress, international relations, and human capacity development. It argues that strategic investment in English language proficiency can enhance national development outcomes while enabling individuals and societies to participate more effectively in an increasingly interconnected global environment.

Vegetable oil-based cutting fluids (VBCFs) have emerged as biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional mineral oil-based metalworking fluids. Although numerous experimental studies have reported improvements in machining performance, a comprehensive PRISMA-guided systematic review with quantitative evidence synthesis of post-2020 research has not previously been undertaken. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines to systematically identify, screen, and synthesise relevant literature published between January 2020 and March 2026. Of the 2,023 literatures initially identified, 52 studies satisfied the eligibility criteria for qualitative synthesis, while 15 studies provided sufficient quantitative data on at least one of five key machining performance indicators, surface roughness, tool wear, cutting force, cutting temperature, and tool life, for quantitative evidence synthesis. Pooled average improvements were estimated using a structured quantitative synthesis approach based on reported percentage changes, and subgroup analyses were performed according to lubrication strategy and formulation type. The quantitative evidence synthesis indicated that VBCFs achieved an average reduction in surface roughness of approximately 13.4% (range: 3–30%; k = 12), tool wear of 19.8% (range: 5–55%; k = 9), cutting force of 13.9% (range: 5–43%; k = 11), and cutting temperature of 12.6% (range: 7.5–20%; k = 9), while extending tool life by an average of 28.0% (range: 10–61%; k = 8), relative to dry cutting, conventional mineral oil, or standard MQL systems. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies owing to variations in workpiece materials, machining conditions, lubrication techniques, and additive formulations. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that nanoparticle-enhanced minimum quantity lubrication (NFMQL) systems consistently outperformed unmodified vegetable oil formulations, particularly in reducing tool wear. The available evidence indicates that vegetable oil-based cutting fluids, especially nanoparticle-enhanced formulations applied under MQL conditions, provide consistent improvements in machining performance while supporting sustainable manufacturing practices. Future research should adopt standardised testing protocols and comprehensive statistical reporting to facilitate more robust quantitative syntheses and accelerate industrial adoption of sustainable cutting fluid technologies.

This study examines the impact of small-scale business development on livelihoods within post-insurgency resettled communities in Bama. It specifically evaluates how entrepreneurial growth contributes to economic recovery and identifies the critical barriers hindering business sustainability in fragile environments. The research employs a survey design focusing on a sample of 140 small-scale business owners. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to ensure representative data collection. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and simple percentage techniques to identify trends in livelihood enhancement and business challenges. The results demonstrate that small-scale business development significantly improves economic livelihoods. While substantial opportunities for entrepreneurial growth exist, businesses face critical constraints, including limited access to credit, persistent insecurity, and a lack of basic infrastructure. The study offers a unique integration of entrepreneurship and livelihood analysis within the context of transitional and fragile economies. By focusing on post-conflict resettlement areas, the paper provides a fresh perspective on the entrepreneurial-livelihood nexus. It establishes a practical empirical base for policymakers and NGOs to design targeted interventions in conflict affected regions.

The rapid growth of healthcare data from Electronic Health Records (EHRs), medical imaging, laboratory reports, and wearable devices has increased the need for accurate disease prediction. Machine learning and data mining techniques, particularly clustering and classification algorithms, help identify hidden patterns in medical data and improve disease diagnosis. Clustering groups patients with similar characteristics, while classification predicts disease outcomes using labelled data. Hybrid approaches that combine these techniques enhance prediction accuracy and support early diagnosis and personalized treatment. This review discusses the applications, advantages, challenges, and future scope of clustering and classification algorithms in healthcare disease prediction.

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) remain among the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), contributing substantially to postoperative morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare expenditure, and the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Despite remarkable advancements in aseptic surgical techniques, sterilization methods, perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, and infection prevention strategies, SSIs continue to impose a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in low-and middle-income countries such as India. Numerous studies have demonstrated that strict adherence to evidence-based perioperative protocols significantly decreases the incidence of SSIs. However, inconsistent implementation of these protocols, inadequate infection surveillance, shortage of trained healthcare personnel, poor antimicrobial stewardship, and limited healthcare infrastructure continue to compromise patient safety.
This review summarizes current evidence regarding the epidemiology, classification, microbiology, risk factors, and clinical consequences of surgical site infections while critically examining the effectiveness of perioperative protocols in SSI prevention. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of preoperative patient optimization, intraoperative aseptic practices, postoperative wound management, and multidisciplinary infection control strategies. Furthermore, the review discusses current implementation challenges in developing countries and highlights emerging approaches including antimicrobial stewardship, digital surveillance systems, standardized infection bundles, and quality improvement initiatives. Strengthening compliance with perioperative protocols through continuous education, regular auditing, and evidence-based policy implementation is essential for reducing SSI incidence and improving surgical outcomes.

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most critical neurological emergencies, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability. Rapid diagnosis is essential for appropriate clinical management and improved patient outcomes. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) remains the first-line imaging modality for detecting acute intracranial bleeding because of its speed, availability, and high sensitivity. However, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), particularly CT angiography (CTA), provides valuable additional information regarding the underlying cause of haemorrhage, active bleeding, vascular abnormalities, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), venous thrombosis, and tumour-related haemorrhage. Recent studies demonstrate that contrast-enhanced CT significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, assists in treatment planning, predicts haematoma expansion through imaging markers such as the CTA spot sign, and contributes to better prognostic assessment. This review summarises current evidence regarding the role of contrast CT in intracranial haemorrhage, highlighting its diagnostic applications, clinical significance, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain one of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). The widespread use of indwelling urinary catheters, prolonged hospitalization, invasive procedures, and compromised immunity significantly increase the susceptibility of ICU patients to CAUTIs. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the burden of these infections due to increased catheter utilization, prolonged ICU stays, and disruption of infection prevention practices. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the epidemiology, microbial etiology, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and management of CAUTIs in ICU settings. It also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infection trends and highlights evidence-based interventions including catheter care bundles, antimicrobial stewardship, nurse-led catheter removal protocols, and surveillance systems. Strengthening infection prevention strategies and implementing multidisciplinary approaches are essential for reducing CAUTI incidence and improving patient outcomes.

Accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis has been central to the clinical and public-health response to COVID-19. This paper reviews a dissertation that compared the diagnostic performance of the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) against reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a cohort of 500 suspected COVID-19 patients. The dissertation reports a RAT sensitivity of 80.0%, specificity of 95.8%, positive predictive value of 93.3%, and negative predictive value of 86.9%, relative to RT-PCR as the reference standard, and concludes that RAT is a useful screening adjunct while RT-PCR remains the gold-standard confirmatory test. This review summarises the dissertation's aims, methodology, and findings; situates the results within the wider published literature on antigen-based COVID-19 diagnostics; and offers a critical appraisal of the study's methodological strengths and limitations, concluding with recommendations for future research.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The mutation results in production of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT), leading to progressive neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Although the genetic cause of HD has been well established, the molecular mechanisms responsible for neuronal death remain complex. Recent investigations have demonstrated that transcriptional deregulation, altered microRNA expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and defective autophagy are central events in HD pathogenesis. Cell-based models have become valuable tools for understanding these molecular abnormalities because they permit controlled investigation of gene regulation and signaling pathways. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding gene regulatory mechanisms in Huntington's disease, emphasizing transcription factors, microRNAs, mitochondrial regulators, and co-expression networks that contribute to disease progression. Understanding these mechanisms may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting gene expression pathways.

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has emerged as a significant global public health concern affecting individuals across all age groups, including adults living in tropical countries. Beyond its well-established role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its involvement in glucose metabolism, immune regulation, cardiovascular health, and hematopoiesis. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and metabolic abnormalities such as obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, vitamin D deficiency has been linked with hematological disturbances including anemia, reduced hemoglobin concentration, altered erythropoiesis, and impaired iron metabolism. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adults, its relationship with metabolic and hematological parameters, underlying biological mechanisms, clinical significance, and future research directions. The available evidence suggests that assessment of vitamin D status should be considered an important component of adult health evaluation, particularly among individuals at risk for metabolic disorders and anemia.

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is a neurological emergency associated with high rates of mortality and long-term disability. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is the standard initial imaging modality for detecting acute intracranial bleeding because of its speed, accessibility, and high sensitivity. However, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), particularly CT angiography (CTA), has become an essential adjunct by identifying the underlying vascular cause of haemorrhage, detecting active bleeding, and predicting haematoma expansion. CTA can demonstrate aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cerebral venous thrombosis, tumour-related haemorrhage, and the CTA spot sign, which is an important prognostic marker. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the role of contrast-enhanced CT in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of intracranial haemorrhage. The review also discusses recent advances in multidetector CT technology, artificial intelligence, and imaging biomarkers that have improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making. Overall, contrast-enhanced CT complements NCCT by providing valuable anatomical and vascular information that guides treatment planning and improves patient outcomes.

This study examined the extent to which students’ services planning predicts sustainable learning outcomes in public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. It was guided by three objectives, research questions, and hypotheses. The population of the study comprised 37,374 staff and 100-level students across three universities. A sample of 396 respondents was selected using the Taro Yamane formula and the stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using two instruments: the Student Services Planning Assessment Scale (SSPAS) and the Sustainable Learning Outcomes Assessment Scale (SLOAS), both validated and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded coefficients of 0.81 and 0.87 for SSPAS and SLOAS, respectively. Research questions one to three were analysed using simple regression, while hypotheses one to six were tested using t-tests associated with simple regression, whereas hypothesis seven was tested using ANOVA at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that various aspects of students’ services planning, such as hostel accommodation, health, transport, sports/recreational, security, and guidance and counselling, both independently and jointly, predict sustainable learning outcomes in public universities in Rivers State to a low extent and are statistically insignificant. Based on these findings, it was concluded that students’ services planning, both jointly and individually, contribute to sustainable learning outcomes in public universities in Rivers State to a low extent. Hence, it was recommended, among others, that university management should prioritise proper planning, renovation, and maintenance of hostel accommodations to ensure a conducive and safe living environment that supports students’ comfort and academic engagement.

This article undertakes a systematic examination of ancient Indian scriptures - including the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, the Mahabharata, and numerous Puranic texts - with a view toward identifying descriptions, mythological figures, and symbolic references that certain scholars have proposed as potentially corresponding to prehistoric animals, including creatures broadly analogous to dinosaurs or other Mesozoic fauna. Proceeding from an interdisciplinary framework that integrates textual philology, comparative mythology, palaeontological context, and the history of science, the study evaluates both the hermeneutical merits and the significant limitations of such interpretations. While mainstream palaeontology and Indological scholarship generally resist literal readings of mythological creatures as records of prehistoric organisms, a growing body of alternative and interdisciplinary commentary warrants careful academic scrutiny rather than dismissal. The article proceeds through a survey of key textual entities - including the Vritra, Makara, Naga, Timingila, and various giant beings described in the epics - and juxtaposes their attributes against known palaeontological evidence and geological timelines. It ultimately argues that while direct correspondences between these beings and specific Mesozoic species cannot be established, the descriptions occupy a fascinating space within human cultural memory, ecological knowledge, and the symbolic imagination of ancient India that merits sustained interdisciplinary attention.

The rapid proliferation of private AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) colleges across India has introduced significant structural and interpersonal challenges within academic departments. Among the most concerning yet underexamined of these challenges is the unequal distribution of teaching, administrative, and departmental workloads between senior and junior faculty members. This article critically examines the phenomenon of workload imbalance in private AYUSH institutions, with particular attention to the practice whereby senior faculty members systematically delegate disproportionate responsibilities to their junior colleagues while legitimizing such behaviour through a normative appeal to their own past experiences - a rationale commonly articulated as: "I did the same when I was junior." Drawing on frameworks from organizational behaviour, higher education management, academic labour studies, and professional ethics, the article explores the structural conditions that enable and perpetuate such hierarchical imbalances. It further examines the multi-dimensional consequences of this practice, including the erosion of junior faculty morale and professional development, diminished institutional productivity, compromised academic quality, and the entrenchment of exploitative workplace cultures. The article argues that workload imbalance in AYUSH institutions is not merely an administrative inefficiency but an ethically fraught practice that demands urgent policy attention, transparent governance reform, and a reorientation of institutional cultures toward equity, mentorship, and shared academic responsibility.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 heralded a paradigm shift in India's educational landscape, aiming to create a holistic and flexible learning environment. This research article explores the implications of NEP 2020 on the Commerce discipline, a vital sector of the Indian education system. We delve into the key policy changes, their potential benefits, challenges, and their transformative potential for commerce education. Through this analysis, we provide insights into the future of commerce education in India.

Background: Ancient Indian scriptures - including the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Mahabharata, various Puranas, and classical Ayurvedic compendia - contain numerous passages describing luminous, heat-emitting, and cognitively disruptive phenomena associated with divine weapons (astras) and supernatural substances. Contemporary scholars working at the intersection of indology, history of science, and toxicology have begun to examine whether some of these descriptions may encode early empirical observations of what would today be recognized as radiation-related or toxic-material exposure.
Objective: This article undertakes a systematic textual analysis of relevant Vedic, Puranic, and Ayurvedic passages to identify descriptions that plausibly correlate with the biomedical sequelae of ionizing radiation or toxic substance exposure - with particular attention to cognitive disturbances resembling modern brain fog, expressed in classical Sanskrit through concepts such as tamas, moha, smriti bhramsha, mati-vibhrama, and related constructs.
Methods: The study employs close textual reading of primary Sanskrit sources alongside secondary scholarship in Indology, archaeoastronomy, and the history of Indian medicine. Relevant verses are identified, translated, and interpreted through both traditional commentarial frameworks and comparative biomedical analysis.
Key Findings: Several scriptural accounts - including the Brahmastra and Narayanastra episodes in the Mahabharata, the Vrishaparva narrative, descriptions of Vajra, and Ayurvedic toxicological passages in Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas - contain clustered symptom descriptions (loss of hair, skin discoloration, mental confusion, memory impairment, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbance) that parallel acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and chronic toxic encephalopathy. Classical philosophical constructs of tamas and moha illuminate the phenomenological dimension of these states. While causation cannot be established from textual evidence alone, the convergence of symptom clusters across independent textual traditions warrants serious scholarly attention.
Conclusion: This interdisciplinary study contributes to the growing field of archaeo-toxicology by proposing that certain ancient Indian texts preserved - in mythological and philosophical idiom - detailed phenomenological records of toxic and possibly radiation-like exposures. Further research combining Indological expertise, archaeometry, and biomedical science is warranted.

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) remains among the most frequently ordered laboratory investigations in clinical medicine, and the transition from manual microscopy-based methods to fully automated hematology analyzers has been one of the defining shifts in modern laboratory practice. The thesis under review compares manual hematological techniques — cyanmethemoglobin hemoglobin estimation and Neubauer hemocytometer counts for red cells, white cells, and platelets — against the automated Sysmex XN-350 analyzer, using 70 paired EDTA blood samples. This review paper evaluates the study's literature grounding, methodological detail, internal data consistency, statistical treatment, and the coherence of its conclusions.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection, distinguished by its capacity to form biofilms, acquire multi-drug resistance, and generate small-colony variants (SCVs) that support persistent infection. This review synthesises the microbiological literature on S. aureus virulence, biofilm biology, and antibiotic resistance underlying a comparative thesis study of 189 clinical samples (wound, nasal, bed, and urine) from 49 orthopaedic in-patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala (NOHD), Kano, Nigeria, which confirmed 28 S. aureus isolates (14.3% isolation rate) and reported 96.4% biofilm production, 67.9% MRSA prevalence, and 85.7% multi-drug resistance (MDR), together with molecular detection of icaA, bbp, mecA, and vanA genes. The review traces S. aureus surface adhesins (MSCRAMMs) and toxin-mediated virulence, the staged process of biofilm formation via the icaADBC operon, the genetic basis of methicillin resistance (mecA/SCCmec) and vancomycin resistance (VISA/VRSA via cell-wall thickening and the vanA operon), and the clinical significance of small-colony variants, inducible clindamycin resistance, and mupirocin resistance for MRSA decolonisation. A comparative synthesis of nine published donor and patient studies from Nigeria, Ethiopia, and India shows wide regional variation in MRSA and MDR prevalence, generally attributable to local antibiotic-use pressure and infection-control practice. The review concludes that biofilm formation and multi-drug resistance should be treated as distinct, independently arising therapeutic challenges, and that antibiotic stewardship, routine D-testing, and vanA surveillance are priority measures for orthopaedic infection control.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection, distinguished by its capacity to form biofilms, acquire multi-drug resistance, and generate small-colony variants (SCVs) that support persistent infection. This review synthesises the microbiological literature on S. aureus virulence, biofilm biology, and antibiotic resistance underlying a comparative thesis study of 189 clinical samples (wound, nasal, bed, and urine) from 49 orthopaedic in-patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala (NOHD), Kano, Nigeria, which confirmed 28 S. aureus isolates (14.3% isolation rate) and reported 96.4% biofilm production, 67.9% MRSA prevalence, and 85.7% multi-drug resistance (MDR), together with molecular detection of icaA, bbp, mecA, and vanA genes. The review traces S. aureus surface adhesins (MSCRAMMs) and toxin-mediated virulence, the staged process of biofilm formation via the icaADBC operon, the genetic basis of methicillin resistance (mecA/SCCmec) and vancomycin resistance (VISA/VRSA via cell-wall thickening and the vanA operon), and the clinical significance of small-colony variants, inducible clindamycin resistance, and mupirocin resistance for MRSA decolonisation. A comparative synthesis of nine published donor and patient studies from Nigeria, Ethiopia, and India shows wide regional variation in MRSA and MDR prevalence, generally attributable to local antibiotic-use pressure and infection-control practice. The review concludes that biofilm formation and multi-drug resistance should be treated as distinct, independently arising therapeutic challenges, and that antibiotic stewardship, routine D-testing, and vanA surveillance are priority measures for orthopaedic infection control.

Blood culture remains the diagnostic benchmark for identifying causative organisms in bloodstream infections and guiding antibiotic therapy, yet laboratories continue to weigh conventional manual systems against continuously monitored automated platforms such as BACTEC and BacT/ALERT 3D. This review synthesizes evidence from a comparative hospital-based study alongside the wider published literature on automated versus manual blood culture performance. Across the reviewed evidence, automated systems consistently demonstrated higher culture positivity rates (up to 60% versus 48% for manual methods in the primary study reviewed, and 37.2% versus 25% in a related cross-sectional dataset), shorter mean time to detection (12–24 hours versus 24–48 hours, and 21.4 versus 44.6 hours in a larger comparative series), and lower contamination rates than manual Brain Heart Infusion broth-based culture. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli were the predominant isolates recovered by both methods, with automated systems recovering a modestly higher proportion of Gram-negative bacilli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed Gram-positive isolates remaining highly sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid, while Gram-negative isolates showed the greatest sensitivity to amikacin, meropenem, and imipenem. These findings support automated blood culture systems as the preferred diagnostic approach in high-acuity and high-volume settings, while manual systems retain practical value in resource-constrained laboratories where cost and infrastructure limit automation.

Rising antimicrobial resistance has renewed scientific interest in medicinal plant extracts as sources of alternative antibacterial and antifungal agents. This review synthesizes findings from a laboratory-based study evaluating the antimicrobial activity and qualitative phytochemical composition of leaf extracts from four medicinal plants — Tagetes minuta, Aloe secundiflora, Bulbine frutescens, and Vernonia lasiopus — tested singly and in pairwise combination against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexineri, Enterococcus faecalis, and the yeast Candida albicans. Using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method together with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal/fungicidal concentration assays, all four extracts showed measurable antimicrobial activity, with Tagetes minuta notably effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, and Bulbine frutescens and Vernonia lasiopus particularly effective against Shigella flexineri and Candida albicans respectively. Combining extracts did not uniformly improve efficacy: some pairings, such as Bulbine frutescens with Vernonia lasiopus against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus, produced synergistic increases in inhibition, while others, including Tagetes minuta with Aloe secundiflora against Candida albicans, showed antagonistic reductions relative to their solo performance. Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins in all four extracts, compounds widely implicated in antimicrobial action through mechanisms such as membrane disruption, nucleic acid interference, and enzyme inhibition. These findings, considered alongside comparable studies from Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and South Africa, support the therapeutic potential of these plants while underscoring the need for further isolation of active compounds and safety evaluation before clinical application.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with India accounting for the largest share of the global burden and the highest reported caseload of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Molecular genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has transformed the epidemiological and clinical understanding of TB transmission, moving analysis beyond conventional contact tracing to direct comparison of bacterial DNA fingerprints. This review synthesizes current knowledge on M. tuberculosis genotyping methods — principally IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing — and examines their diagnostic, epidemiological, and clinical applications. Evidence is drawn from the molecular typing literature and illustrated using a five-year genotyping database of 478 M. tuberculosis isolates from a North London teaching hospital (2002–2007). Across this evidence base, IS6110 RFLP combined with MIRU-VNTR provided high-resolution strain discrimination, identified an active-transmission rate of only 6.3% (indicating predominantly reactivation/imported disease), detected an isoniazid-resistant outbreak lineage, and revealed that common drug-resistance mutations carry negligible fitness cost, allowing resistant strains to transmit as efficiently as susceptible ones. Genotyping further proved clinically valuable in distinguishing relapse from re-infection, ruling out false outbreaks, and identifying laboratory cross-contamination. The review concludes that dual-method molecular typing — and increasingly whole-genome sequencing — should be integrated into routine TB surveillance, a step of particular relevance to high-burden settings such as India, where molecular surveillance capacity remains limited relative to disease burden.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the most important causes of nosocomial infection worldwide, conferring resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams while typically remaining susceptible to beta-lactamase inhibitors and carbapenems. This review synthesises the molecular microbiology of the major ESBL enzyme families — TEM, SHV, CTX-M, and OXA — and the epidemiological evidence for their spread, drawing on a thesis study of 50 Gram-negative blood-culture isolates (36 E. coli, 14 K. pneumoniae) from hospitalised patients in Punjab, India, in which 80% (40/50) were confirmed ESBL producers by disc diffusion and E-test, with blaCTX-M (73%), blaTEM (68%), blaOXA (60%), and blaSHV (24%) detected by PCR and blaCTX-M-15 identified by sequencing as the dominant allele. The review traces the molecular evolution of TEM and SHV enzymes from narrow-spectrum precursors, the global expansion of CTX-M-type enzymes as the now-dominant ESBL family, and the comparatively minor but clinically relevant OXA-type enzymes, before comparing prevalence and gene-distribution data across studies from India, the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping of the reviewed isolates showed considerable but incomplete genetic diversity (four E. coli clusters, mean similarity 64%; two K. pneumoniae clusters plus one outlier, similarity 61–100%) with no correlation between genotype and resistance phenotype, consistent with the wider literature. The review concludes that CTX-M-15 has become the dominant ESBL genotype in Punjab and much of the Indian subcontinent, that carbapenems (imipenem) remain reliably effective, and that enhanced antimicrobial-resistance surveillance and antibiotic stewardship are the priority measures for containing further spread.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) — defined by resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin — remains a severe public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa, where treatment requires prolonged, multi-drug regimens with substantial toxicity. This review synthesizes a thesis comprising three linked retrospective/prospective cohort studies conducted at the Jamot Hospital of Yaoundé (JHY), Cameroon's principal MDR-TB referral center, examining the safety and drug-utilization profile of successive World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended regimens between 2017 and 2023. The first study (2017–2019, N = 107) found that 89.7% of patients experienced at least one adverse drug reaction (ADR), with aminoglycoside-related ototoxicity affecting nearly two-thirds of patients and driving most dose reductions. The second study, drawn from the same cohort, found 91.5% compliance with WHO prescribing guidelines but only 51.4% overall treatment persistence, with the sharpest attrition occurring in the ambulatory continuation phase. The third study (2021–2023, N = 53) evaluated the regimen after aminoglycosides were replaced with bedaquiline: ototoxicity was eliminated, and persistence to initial therapy was nearly complete, but new safety signals emerged, including arthralgia, hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, QT-interval prolongation, and two sudden deaths. Taken together, the findings show that MDR-TB treatment in Cameroon remains a moving target for pharmacovigilance: each guideline revision that resolves one toxicity profile introduces another, underscoring the need for a functioning national active drug-safety monitoring (aDSM) system, particularly for cardiovascular risk associated with bedaquiline-containing regimens.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains one of the most persistent and costly pathogens encountered in healthcare settings worldwide. While clinical surveillance and hand-hygiene compliance have long dominated infection-control strategy, the role of inanimate environmental surfaces as a reservoir for transmission has received comparatively less rigorous investigation. The thesis under review sets out to fill part of that gap by quantifying MRSA contamination on five high-touch surfaces in patient rooms, both before and after terminal cleaning, across an acute care hospital (ACH) and a long-term care facility (LTCF) in southern Nevada. This review paper critically evaluates the study's conceptual framing, methodological rigor, statistical handling, and the strength of the conclusions drawn, and situates the work within the broader literature on environmental MRSA transmission.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen responsible for infections ranging from superficial skin and soft-tissue disease to life-threatening bacteremia, endocarditis and pneumonia, and the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) has substantially complicated its clinical management. Healthcare workers (HCWs), owing to frequent and close patient contact, can act as reservoirs and vectors for MRSA transmission within hospitals. This review synthesises the literature on MRSA epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance alongside a prospective study conducted at Fortis Hospital Mohali, Punjab, in which 70 clinical samples from healthcare workers were processed by culture, Gram staining, biochemical testing and Kirby–Bauer disc-diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Wound swabs were the most frequent sample type, and isolates were predominantly obtained from workers in the 61–70 year age range. AST revealed that S. aureus isolates were most consistently susceptible to vancomycin, clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while resistance was highest to linezolid, teicoplanin and oxacillin — a pattern indicating a substantial MRSA and multidrug-resistant burden in this cohort. These findings reinforce the importance of routine surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and strict infection prevention and control practices among healthcare personnel.

Laboratory environments are high-activity settings in which biological specimens, microbial cultures, chemicals, and shared instruments are handled continuously, making laboratory surfaces and equipment a persistent reservoir for microbial contamination. This review synthesises findings from an observational, laboratory-based investigation of microbial contamination across five commonly used sampling sites — laboratory benches, door handles, microscopes, pipettes, and incubators — sampled using sterile swab technique and evaluated by culture, Gram staining, and biochemical testing. Fifty surface samples were examined; the majority yielded positive microbial growth, with door handles (38 CFU/cm²) and benches (34 CFU/cm²) showing the highest contamination and incubators the lowest (18 CFU/cm²). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism, followed by Bacillus species, Micrococcus species, and Escherichia coli, alongside fungal contaminants including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida albicans. The evidence indicates that contamination correlates strongly with frequency of human contact and shared use, and that routine cleaning, while beneficial, does not fully eliminate microbial residues. The review concludes that frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment represent priority targets for enhanced disinfection, environmental monitoring, and biosafety training in laboratory settings.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing global health threats, undermining decades of progress in infectious disease control, patient safety, food security and economic development. This review synthesises current literature spanning the global burden of AMR, its structural and environmental drivers, its clinical and patient-safety consequences, and the range of health-system, technological and policy responses being deployed to contain it, with particular attention to challenges faced by low-resource and low- and middle-income settings. The ehttps://doi-doi.org/101555/ijarp.2934 vidence indicates that AMR is a multifactorial problem rooted in the interconnected health of humans, animals and the environment, and that no single intervention — whether stewardship, surveillance, novel drug development, or artificial intelligence — is sufficient in isolation. Coordinated action anchored in a One Health framework, backed by sustained investment in laboratory capacity, prescriber education, infection prevention and control (IPC), and international collaboration, is essential to prevent AMR from eroding the effectiveness of modern medicine.

Fungal infections, or mycoses, are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, driven largely by the expanding population of immunocompromised individuals. Timely and accurate laboratory diagnosis depends heavily on the successful isolation and identification of the causative fungal agent, a process in which the choice of culture medium plays a decisive role. This review synthesises current knowledge on four culture media routinely used in diagnostic and research mycology: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Corn Meal Agar (CMA), and Czapek Dox Agar (CDA). Each medium is examined in terms of composition, mechanism of selectivity, and its influence on colony growth rate, texture, pigmentation, and sporulation. The evidence indicates that SDA remains the most reliable general-purpose medium for primary recovery of fungi, PDA is superior for inducing sporulation and pigmentation in moulds, CMA is particularly valuable for demonstrating the chlamydospores and pseudohyphae used to identify Candida albicans, and CDA offers selective, chemically defined conditions that favour Aspergillus and Penicillium species. No single medium satisfies every diagnostic requirement; consequently, a combined, multi-media approach is recommended as best practice for clinical mycology laboratories. This review consolidates these findings to guide medium selection and to highlight areas warranting further comparative research.

Determining the frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in a defined population remains one of the most practical and enduring exercises in transfusion medicine, informing blood-bank inventory planning, donor recruitment strategy, and emergency preparedness. The thesis under review reports a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 500 individuals attending a blood bank in the Mohali region of Punjab, India, aiming to establish local ABO and Rh(D) frequencies and to compare them against national and global patterns. This review paper evaluates the study's conceptual grounding, methodological soundness, statistical treatment, and the coherence of its conclusions, and situates the work within the broader Indian and international literature on blood group epidemiology.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a leading infectious cause of death worldwide, and sputum smear microscopy remains the most accessible frontline diagnostic tool in high-burden, low-resource settings. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the three acid-fast staining methods most commonly used for detecting Mycobacteria — Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) staining, fluorescent Auramine–Rhodamine staining, and Kinyoun cold staining — drawing on comparative laboratory evidence, including a 100-sample sputum-based evaluation, alongside the broader published literature. The review examines each technique's underlying chemistry, diagnostic performance, operational demands, and suitability across different laboratory settings. Across the evidence considered, fluorescent staining consistently shows the highest sensitivity and specificity and the shortest examination time, but at higher equipment and running cost; ZN staining offers a durable balance of affordability and reliability; and Kinyoun staining trades some sensitivity for improved laboratory safety by removing the heating step. The review concludes that method selection should be guided by laboratory infrastructure, caseload, and resource availability rather than by a single 'best' technique, and it outlines directions for future work, including integration with molecular assays and AI-assisted microscopy.

Beyond its primary respiratory manifestations, SARS-CoV-2 infection produces well-documented disturbances across the hematopoietic and coagulation systems, and these disturbances track closely with disease severity and outcome. This review synthesizes findings from a retrospective cohort analysis of 500 hospitalized COVID-19 patient records alongside the wider published literature on COVID-19-associated hematological and coagulation abnormalities. The reviewed cohort showed a graded relationship between severity and several laboratory markers: lymphopenia and neutrophilia were confined to moderate and severe disease, thrombocytopenia and elevated D-dimer became progressively more common with severity, and prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), together with rising fibrinogen, accompanied more severe illness. These patterns are consistent with a distinct COVID-19-associated coagulopathy driven by systemic inflammation, endothelial injury, and microthrombosis, rather than classical sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation alone. The review discusses the proposed mechanisms linking inflammation to coagulation activation, the prognostic value of hematological and coagulation markers, and their implications for monitoring and anticoagulant management, while noting the methodological limitations inherent to retrospective, single-center designs.

Access to microbiologically and chemically safe drinking water remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in low-resource and semi-arid settings. This review synthesises the bacteriological and physico-chemical evidence base on drinking water quality, drawing on the literature reviewed in an M.Sc. (Clinical Microbiology) thesis that examined 46 water sources — dams, wells, springs, rivers, boreholes, and tap water — in Wamba Division, Samburu District, Kenya, and evaluated household-level purification using alum, sodium hypochlorite, and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera, Boscia coriacea, and Maerua decumbens. The review covers the rationale for using coliform bacteria, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, faecal streptococci/enterococci, and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) as indicators of faecal contamination; the physico-chemical determinants of water quality (pH, turbidity, alkalinity, salinity, conductivity, and organic/nutrient loading) and their interaction with disinfection efficacy; the principal drivers of contamination in shared human–livestock–wildlife water systems; and the comparative performance of solar disinfection, alum coagulation, chlorination, and plant-based natural coagulants. Particular attention is given to viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria and antibiotic resistance as emerging concerns for water-quality monitoring. The evidence indicates that no single treatment method reliably achieves both adequate turbidity removal and bacterial inactivation, and that a multi-barrier approach — coagulation/flocculation followed by disinfection — offers the most robust protection. The review closes by considering the applicability of these findings, including low-cost plant-based coagulants such as Moringa oleifera (Sehjan), to rural water-safety contexts in Punjab, India, and outlines priority directions for further research.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain major global public health concerns, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Blood transfusion is an indispensable component of modern healthcare; however, it continues to pose a potential risk for the transmission of blood-borne pathogens despite substantial improvements in donor screening and laboratory testing. Voluntary blood donors represent the safest source of blood, yet asymptomatic infections, window-period donations, and inadequate awareness regarding hepatitis transmission continue to challenge blood safety programs, particularly in developing countries such as India. This review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence, epidemiology, knowledge, and risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infections among voluntary blood donors. The review also examines advances in diagnostic technologies, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), nucleic acid testing (NAT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which have substantially improved the detection of transfusion-transmitted infections. Furthermore, the review discusses donor education, vaccination strategies, risk assessment, and public health interventions aimed at minimizing hepatitis transmission through blood transfusion. Strengthening surveillance systems, expanding voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, implementing highly sensitive screening methods, and improving public awareness are essential to achieving the World Health Organization's target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Continuous research and evidence-based policy development remain crucial for enhancing blood safety and reducing the burden of hepatitis infections among blood donors and recipients.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a leading contributor to patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide, affecting an estimated 5% of hospitalized patients. Hospital environmental surfaces — bed rails, door handles, ICU equipment, operation tables, floors, and medical instruments — act as reservoirs that harbor and transmit pathogenic microorganisms. This review synthesizes a dissertation study conducted at a tertiary care hospital that characterized environmental microflora and evaluated their association with HAIs. Using a cross-sectional observational design, 150 environmental swabs were cultured, yielding a 73.3% culture-positivity rate; bacterial isolates (72.7%) outnumbered fungal isolates (27.3%), with Staphylococcus aureus (37.5%) and Candida species (50% of fungal isolates) predominant. Comparison of 110 environmental isolates against 120 clinical HAI isolates (urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, bloodstream infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia) revealed substantial organism overlap — up to 90% concordance for coagulase-negative staphylococci — and a statistically significant association between environmental contamination and HAI occurrence (70.6% concordance, χ² = 12.5, p < 0.05). Bed rails and ICU equipment showed the strongest site-specific correlation with HAI cases. These findings, discussed against the wider hospital-microbiome and infection-control literature, reinforce that environmental surfaces are not passive bystanders but active contributors to nosocomial pathogen transmission, and they underscore the continued need for rigorous environmental surveillance, enhanced disinfection protocols, and antimicrobial stewardship in hospital settings.

Dengue fever is one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral diseases worldwide and poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. The disease is caused by four antigenically distinct dengue virus (DENV) serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4), which are transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic infection and uncomplicated dengue fever to severe dengue, including dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Viral load has emerged as an important biomarker for understanding disease progression, predicting severity, and evaluating patient prognosis. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has become the gold standard for early dengue diagnosis because of its high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to quantify viral RNA during the acute phase of infection. This review summarizes current evidence regarding dengue epidemiology, viral pathogenesis, viral load kinetics, diagnostic approaches, and the clinical significance of viral load estimation using RT-PCR. Furthermore, the review discusses recent advances in molecular diagnostics, laboratory biomarkers, and public health strategies for dengue prevention and control. Understanding viral load dynamics provides valuable insights into disease progression and facilitates timely clinical intervention, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with severe dengue.

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLSs) play a fundamental role in healthcare by performing laboratory investigations that support disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and public health surveillance. Despite their indispensable contribution to patient care, clinical laboratories across the world, particularly in the United States, continue to experience a critical shortage of qualified MLS professionals. The growing imbalance between workforce supply and healthcare demand has resulted in increased workload, staff burnout, delayed laboratory turnaround times, and compromised healthcare quality. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the causes of the MLS workforce shortage and evaluates evidence-based strategies to improve recruitment, retention, education, and workforce sustainability. Literature consistently identifies inadequate educational capacity, declining student enrollment, workforce aging, poor professional recognition, limited career advancement opportunities, burnout, and inadequate compensation as the principal contributors to the labor crisis. The review further explores interventions including expansion of clinical laboratory science (CLS) education programs, hospital–academic partnerships, leadership development, mentorship initiatives, improved workplace environments, salary enhancement, professional advocacy, and standardized professional titles. Guided by Human Capital Theory, the review emphasizes investment in education, employee development, and organizational culture as essential components for building a sustainable laboratory workforce. Strengthening collaboration among educational institutions, healthcare organizations, professional societies, and policymakers will be critical to ensuring sufficient numbers of competent laboratory professionals capable of meeting future healthcare demands.

The rapid growth of mobile fitness applications has increased the demand for intelligent systems capable of providing real-time exercise guidance without professional supervision. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Vision (CV), and Human Pose Estimation (HPE) have enabled the development of camera-based fitness solutions that can automatically detect body posture, analyze movements, count exercise repetitions, and provide corrective feedback. This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of existing research on AI-based fitness trainer systems, focusing on human pose estimation techniques, pose detection models, joint angle calculation methods, exercise recognition, repetition counting, and posture evaluation approaches. The review also examines the role of mobile development frameworks and cloud technologies in supporting intelligent fitness applications. Furthermore, the applications, challenges, and future research directions of AI-assisted fitness systems are discussed. The reviewed literature indicates that lightweight pose estimation models combined with mobile computing have significantly improved the accessibility, efficiency, and practicality of sensor-free fitness training, while personalized feedback, adaptive learning, and robust real-time performance remain important areas for future research.

Wound healing is a complex physiological process that restores the integrity and function of damaged tissues through a coordinated sequence of cellular and molecular events. The process consists of four overlapping phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Effective wound healing depends on the interaction of inflammatory cells, cytokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix components, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes. Wounds may result from physical, chemical, thermal, electrical, or biological injuries and are classified according to cause, depth, skin involvement, etiology, surgical contamination, and healing duration. Chronic wounds, particularly diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous ulcers, remain a significant healthcare challenge because of delayed healing and increased susceptibility to infection. Herbal medicinal plants have been extensively utilized in traditional medicine for centuries owing to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and tissue regenerative properties. Medicinal plants such as Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Symplocos racemosa, Psoralea corylifolia, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Calendula officinalis, and Berberis aristata contain bioactive phytoconstituents that promote collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and epithelial regeneration while reducing microbial infection and oxidative stress. Traditional natural products including honey and ghee further enhance wound repair through their moisturizing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review summarizes the classification of wounds, the physiological stages of wound healing, and the therapeutic significance of herbal medicinal plants in wound management. The available evidence suggests that herbal medicines represent promising, safe, and cost-effective alternatives or complementary therapies for improving wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Cancer arises through a combination of genetic mutations and epigenetic dysregulation that influences gene expression, chromatin organization, and cellular identity Unlike genetic alterations, epigenetic changes are reversible, offering therapeutic opportunities to reprogram aberrant transcriptional states. Epigenetic modulators-agents that target DNA methylation, histone modification enzymes, chromatin readers, and non-coding RNA networks-have emerged as a novel class of anti-cancer therapeutics. Although several epigenetic drugs are clinically approved, their broader application is constrained by specificity, resistance, and biomarker challenges. This article reviews the mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer, summarizes Current clinical experience with epigenetic modulators, highlights combination strategies, discusses key limitations, and outlines future directions for research and clinical translation.

The rapid growth of digital technologies and social networking platforms has fundamentally transformed the theory and practice of marketing. Traditional marketing, which primarily relied on one-way communication through mass media, is increasingly being complemented and, in many contexts, replaced by interactive, data-driven and relationship-oriented approaches. Social media has emerged as a strategic marketing environment in which organizations can communicate directly with consumers, build communities, generate electronic word-of-mouth, personalize promotional messages and facilitate real-time customer engagement. At the same time, influencer marketing has become an important component of contemporary digital marketing, enabling brands to leverage the credibility, expertise, identity and social relationships of content creators. This research article examines the evolving role of marketing through social media and influencer strategies, with particular emphasis on the transformation from traditional advertising to interactive engagement, community building, creator-led communication and social commerce. The study adopts a conceptual research approach based on a review and synthesis of contemporary academic literature. The article discusses the changing nature of social media marketing, the strategic importance of influencers, the emergence of micro- and nano-influencers, authenticity and trust, platform-specific strategies, short-form video, user-generated content, social commerce, artificial intelligence and data analytics. It also examines major challenges, including influencer credibility, fake engagement, disclosure and transparency, privacy concerns, algorithmic changes, content saturation and measurement difficulties.

The study argues that the future of marketing lies in the integration of social media, influencer relationships, data analytics, artificial intelligence and authentic consumer communities. Influencers are increasingly becoming more than promotional intermediaries; they can contribute to storytelling, product discovery, community formation and market development. For organizations, the strategic challenge is therefore to move from short-term influencer campaigns toward long-term creator partnerships supported by measurable, ethical and consumer-centric marketing practices.

The contemporary environmental crisis, characterized by climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable resource exploitation, has prompted scholars to revisit traditional philosophical systems for ecological wisdom. Among the world's major religious traditions, Buddhism offers a distinctive ecological perspective grounded in compassion, non-violence, interdependence, and moderation. Although classical Buddhist scriptures do not explicitly discuss ecology as a scientific discipline, their ethical teachings provide valuable principles for environmental conservation and sustainable living. Central concepts such as Pratityasamutpada (Dependent Origination), Anicca (Impermanence), Anatta (Non-self), Ahimsa (Non-violence), and Karuṇa (Compassion) emphasize the interconnectedness of all forms of life and advocate responsible human interaction with nature. This paper explores the philosophical foundations of Buddhist ecology and examines their relevance in addressing modern environmental challenges. It further discusses how Buddhist ecological ethics support biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, climate resilience, and environmental justice. By integrating Buddhist ecological principles with contemporary sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study demonstrates that Buddhist philosophy provides a holistic ethical foundation for promoting ecological harmony and long-term environmental sustainability. The article argues that Buddhist ecological wisdom remains highly relevant for fostering environmentally responsible societies in the twenty-first century.

The practice school is a preliminary step for the project work and was conducted in the domain of Pharmaceutics with the objective of promoting intellectual exchange and collaboration between academia and industry. The present review focuses on the formulation and development of acyclovir ointment, a topical antiviral preparation used in the treatment of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viral infections. Acyclovir acts by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase and preventing viral replication within infected cells. Due to the poor aqueous solubility of acyclovir, suitable formulation strategies are necessary to enhance its topical delivery and therapeutic effectiveness. The study includes detailed information regarding viral diseases, antiviral drugs, mechanism of action of acyclovir, preformulation studies, compatibility studies, formulation techniques, evaluation parameters, and stability studies. The ointment formulation mainly contains polyethylene glycol bases which improve consistency, spreadability, and drug release. Various evaluation tests such as pH determination, viscosity, spreadability, diffusion studies, and skin irritation studies are important in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of the formulation. Proper packaging, labeling, and storage conditions also play a significant role in maintaining product stability. Overall, acyclovir ointment is an effective topical antiviral formulation that provides improved therapeutic action and patient compliance in the management of viral infection.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the commonly used transmission techniques in today's wireless communication systems due to its high spectral efficiency, resilience to multipath propagation conditions, and support for high data transmission rates. However, the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh and Rician fading that occur in wireless communication channels can significantly negatively impact the bit error rate (BER) performance of OFDM systems. Therefore, the use of advanced channel coding techniques aimed at enhancing transmission reliability is of great importance. Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes are one of the prominent channel coding methods in modern communication systems due to their near-Shannon limit error correction performance and iterative decoding algorithms. In this study, the performance of an OFDM system using multi-level LDPC coding under different wireless channel conditions has been examined in a simulation environment. The developed system model consists of an LDPC encoder, an OFDM transmitter, a wireless channel model, an OFDM receiver, and an iterative LDPC decoder. The performance of the system was evaluated using the Bit Error Rate (BER) criterion for different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values under AWGN, Rayleigh, and Rician channel models. The obtained simulation results show that multi-level LDPC coding significantly improves error performance under all channel conditions compared to the uncoded OFDM system. While the highest performance was achieved in the AWGN channel, it was also observed that multi-level LDPC coding significantly reduced the error effects caused by multipath propagation in Rayleigh and Rician fading channels. The results indicate that the proposed approach offers an effective channel coding solution for enhancing the reliability of OFDM-based wireless communication systems. This study aims to contribute to the design of OFDM-based communication systems by holistically evaluating the performance of multi-level LDPC coding under different wireless channel conditions and providing a reference that could serve as a foundation for future advanced channel coding studies.

This study reconceptualizes educational leadership in Nigerian secondary schools as a situated management learning practice rather than a primarily administrative or compliance-driven function. Drawing on contemporary scholarship (2021-2026) in management learning, reflexive leadership, institutional theory, social exchange theory, and psychological empowerment research, the study develops a multilevel process model linking leadership reflexivity to relational trust, psychological empowerment, instructional innovation, teacher performance, and student learning outcomes. Where prevailing reform narratives in Sub-Saharan Africa emphasize structural deficiencies - funding gaps, infrastructural limitations, and governance instability - this framework argues that leadership learning processes mediate how institutional pressures are translated into performance outcomes. Using a structured integrative review methodology consistent with theory-building standards in leading management journals, the study synthesizes 42 peer-reviewed sources to generate twelve formal propositions suitable for empirical testing through multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM). The study contributes to management learning scholarship by extending reflexive leadership theory into public-sector schooling contexts in emerging economies, integrating institutional work and psychological empowerment within a single explanatory chain, and advancing Global South theorizing. It concludes that leadership in institutionally fragile environments is best understood as dialogic institutional learning work that transforms constraint into relational capacity.

Vijay Tendulkar’s Silence! The Court Is in Session occupies a significant position in the history of modern Indian drama because of its uncompromising representation of gender discrimination, social hypocrisy, patriarchal morality and the psychological violence inflicted upon women. At the centre of the play stands Leela Benare, an educated, independent and emotionally complex schoolteacher whose personal life becomes the subject of a mock trial that gradually transforms into a brutal social prosecution. The present study examines Benare’s thematic journey through the framework of feminist literary criticism, with particular attention to the symbolic significance of the songs and poetic fragments associated with her character. The study argues that Benare’s songs are not ornamental interruptions in the dramatic structure; rather, they constitute an alternative narrative language through which a woman attempts to express experiences that patriarchal discourse refuses to hear. Ramen Goswami’s study of the songs of Leela Benare is particularly important in this context because “it demonstrates that the songs reveal the protagonist’s psychological life, her memories, her maternal suffering and her struggle for self-expression. The present article extends that argument by placing Benare within the historical development of feminist thought—from the struggle for basic rights associated with the first wave to the later emphasis on patriarchy, sexuality, identity, reproductive autonomy and intersectionality. The paper further contends that Benare’s journey moves from cheerful self-assertion to forced silence, but her silence itself becomes a form of testimony against the patriarchal court. The study concludes that Tendulkar’s play anticipates several concerns of feminist theory and continues to remain relevant because the social mechanisms that judge, silence and discipline women remain deeply persistent”--DOI: 10.24113/ijellh.v9i7.11124.

Biodiversity underpins ecosystem stability, human well-being, food security, climate regulation, and sustainable economic development. However, it is declining rapidly due to anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, deforestation, urbanization, pollution, overexploitation of natural resources, invasive alien species, and climate change. This decline threatens ecosystem services, including pollination, freshwater provision, carbon sequestration, and disease regulation, thereby hindering progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 2, 3, 6, 13, 14, and 15. This review examines the primary drivers and impacts of biodiversity loss and evaluates its relationship with sustainable development. It further discusses global and Indian conservation initiatives, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and India's National Biodiversity Action Plan. Additionally, the review highlights conservation strategies such as ecosystem restoration, protected area management, sustainable land-use practices, community participation, and the application of GIS and remote sensing for biodiversity monitoring. The study concludes that integrating biodiversity conservation into environmental policies and development planning is essential for achieving the SDGs and ensuring long-term ecological sustainability, climate resilience, and human well-being.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with an increasing burden among young adults due to the early adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The college years represent a critical period during which dietary habits, physical inactivity, stress, tobacco use, and other behavioral risk factors become established. Despite growing awareness of cardiovascular health, many university students underestimate their personal susceptibility to CVD, limiting the effectiveness of preventive strategies.Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence regarding college students' perceptions of cardiovascular disease risk, cardiovascular health literacy, behavioral risk factors, psychological influences on risk perception, and emerging approaches for early prevention and health promotion within university settings.Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of published literature was conducted using peer-reviewed articles focusing on cardiovascular disease knowledge, risk perception, health literacy, lifestyle behaviors, and preventive interventions among college and university students. Relevant evidence from international studies was critically analyzed to identify common themes and emerging trends.Results: The literature demonstrates that although many students possess moderate knowledge of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, significant deficiencies remain in understanding disease mechanisms, symptom recognition, and personal vulnerability. A consistent finding is the presence of optimistic bias and the knowledge-risk paradox, whereby increased knowledge does not necessarily translate into accurate risk perception or healthy behavior. Poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, obesity, psychological stress, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption frequently cluster among students, substantially increasing long-term cardiovascular risk. Recent evidence also highlights the potential of advanced cardiovascular screening, machine learning-based risk stratification, mobile health (mHealth) interventions, behavioral economics, and community-based screening programs to improve early identification of at-risk individuals and promote healthier lifestyles.Conclusion: College students represent a strategically important population for primary cardiovascular disease prevention. Traditional educational approaches alone are insufficient to modify health behavior. Universities should adopt comprehensive, personalized, and technology-enabled cardiovascular wellness programs that combine objective risk assessment, digital health interventions, behavioral change strategies, and campus-wide preventive initiatives to improve cardiovascular awareness and reduce future disease burden.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, yet its modifiable risk factors often originate during adolescence and young adulthood. University students experience substantial lifestyle changes characterized by reduced physical activity, prolonged sedentary behavior, academic stress, and unhealthy habits, increasing their long-term cardiovascular risk. Despite strong evidence supporting regular physical activity as an effective preventive strategy, adherence to recommended activity levels remains consistently low among this population.Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on university students' perceptions of cardiovascular disease risk, with particular emphasis on the concepts of threat appraisal, response efficacy, and self-efficacy within the framework of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). It also explores the major barriers influencing physical activity participation among university students.Methods: A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature examining cardiovascular disease risk perception, physical activity behaviors, health behavior theories, and psychosocial determinants among university students. Evidence from international studies, with particular attention to South Asian and Indian populations, was critically synthesized.Results: The reviewed literature indicates that although most university students recognize the general health benefits of physical activity, they frequently underestimate their personal susceptibility to cardiovascular disease due to optimism bias and inadequate scientific understanding of cardiovascular pathology. While response efficacy toward exercise is generally positive, motivation is primarily driven by immediate benefits such as stress reduction, physical appearance, and fitness rather than long-term disease prevention. Self-efficacy is substantially compromised by perceived response costs, including academic workload, time constraints, fatigue, lack of motivation, limited social support, and inadequate access to recreational facilities. Female students consistently report greater barriers to physical activity than males owing to sociocultural and environmental constraints. These findings collectively contribute to persistently low physical activity levels despite adequate awareness of its benefits.Conclusion: The prevention of cardiovascular disease among university students requires interventions that extend beyond traditional health education. Strategies should focus on enhancing perceived susceptibility, strengthening self-efficacy, reducing structural and environmental barriers, and creating supportive, gender-sensitive environments that facilitate sustained physical activity. Applying behavioral frameworks such as PMT and HBM can guide the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health behaviors during early adulthood.

Background: Good healthcare services will be required to enhance patient outcomes, satisfaction, and confidence in rehabilitation services. Physiotherapy is important in the recovery of functional ability and improvement of the quality of life. Yet the quality of the services provided by the physiotherapists in terms of physiotherapy healthcare is a dependent factor that depends on a combination of factors that include the skills of the physiotherapist, the rehabilitation measures, the presence of equipment, and the physical treatment environment. It is relevant that under such determinants, patient-centred physiotherapy care may be enhanced.
Methods: The descriptive survey research design was adopted to investigate the factors that affect the perceived quality of the physiotherapy healthcare services in Mohali, Punjab. The participants of the study were 199 physiotherapy patients who had been treated in the chosen clinical facilities. The data were gathered with the help of the structured self-administered questionnaire on the basis of the Patient-Reported Outcomes measures (PROMs). The questionnaire was used to evaluate the skills of a physiotherapist, rehabilitation procedures, treatment area, equipment, and the general quality of services. The analysis of data was based on SPSS version 25, and the following statistics were used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics correlation and regression test.
Results: The results indicated the great satisfaction with the overall patient satisfaction (98.5) with the physiotherapy services. The perceived quality of the services received received the most positive correlation with rehabilitation protocols (r = 0.473, p < 0.001), then physiotherapist skills (r = 0.442, p < 0.001), and equipment quality (r = 0.398, p < 0.001). The spatial factors proved the less significant yet significant connection with the service quality. The lack of enough time to consult is noted as one of the areas that need to be improved with about 28.6% of the patients citing that they did not get ample time to consult. Conclusion: The quality of the perception of the physiotherapy healthcare services by the patients is largely determined by the competencies, effective rehabilitation protocols, and properly maintained equipment of the physiotherapists. Making the process of consultation time more effective, providing a better infrastructure and reinforcing the concept of patient-centred communication can further enhance service delivery of physiotherapy. The results presented in these studies have valuable implications to health care practitioners and policymakers who are interested in improving physiotherapy care and patient satisfaction in India.

Conflict of interest (COI) intersects private gain and public duty. For all the disadvantages COI presents, governments have put in place mechanisms to reduce the influence and the continuation COI bears. The extent to which a nation tolerates conflict of interest indirectly reports the quality of its governance.
In this paper, I examine the discourse around conflict of interest as a concept and as a documented Kenyan problem. Drawing on three influential scholars, Michael Davis, Dennis Thompson, and Andrew Stark, the paper builds on where their different points of view agree and where they disagree. The paper also gives the 3 main types of conflict of interest before turning to Kenya's legal architecture under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the defunct Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003, and the newly enacted Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, alongside the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
A few case studies, including past headlines involving the Goldenberg scandal, the Anglo Leasing scandal, and the National Youth Service scandal, will be highlighted to illustrate how conflicted officials have cost Kenya sums that, converted into today's currency equivalents, are still mind-blowing to think of.
Summarily, the paper then surveys live cases of conflict of interest, some emerging conflict-of-interest risks, connects unmanaged COI to the economy-draining capital flight and Kenya's odious debt debate, and closes with suggestions that call for tougher, better-enforced measures.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) have emerged as a transformative approach in modern pharmaceutical sciences due to their ability to improve drug solubility, bioavailability, targeting efficiency, and therapeutic outcomes. Conventional drug delivery methods often suffer from poor pharmacokinetics, low specificity, systemic toxicity, and rapid drug degradation. Nanotechnology-based carriers overcome these limitations through controlled and site-specific drug delivery. Various nanoparticle systems including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, nanogels, and lipid nanoparticles have shown promising applications in cancer therapy, gene delivery, vaccine development, antimicrobial therapy, and neurological disorders. Recent advances involve surface functionalization, stimulus-responsive systems, and AI-assisted nanomedicine design. This review summarizes the recent trends, classifications, mechanisms, therapeutic applications, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.

Background: Cancer treatment remains a critical area of clinical research, with numerous approaches developed depending on tumor type and stage. Recent advances in genetic and immunotherapy, bioinformatics, and genetic science have revolutionized cancer diagnosis and treatment. Emerging technologies such as gene delivery, oncolytic virotherapy, suicide gene therapy, and CRISPR/Cas9 offer promising therapeutic avenues.
Methods: This review provides a detailed analysis of the latest techniques of Gene therapy, artificial intelligence, Nanocarrier Delivery Systems, Immunotherapy, CAR T-Cell Therapy, Epigenetics, Vaccines, and Clinical translation and assessing their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. A review of early critical studies focused on the integration of immunotherapy, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer therapies with emphasis on targeted delivery systems and precision medicine.

Background: Ayurvedic Dinacharya (daily regimen) emphasizes routine practices aligned with nature’s rhythms to maintain health and promote beauty. Classical texts prescribe daily cosmetic measures: Oral care (Danta‐Dhāvanā and Jihvā Nirlekhana), oil massage (Abhyanga), eye collyrium (Anjana), nasal therapy (Nasya), powder massage (Udvartana), bath (Snāna), and others-to cleanse, nourish, and balance the skin and sense organs. Each practice is timed to the dominant Doṣha (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha) cycle and tailored to one’s constitution. Modern research links these rituals to improved skin barrier function, circulation, detoxification and stress reduction.
This review examines Ayurvedic cosmetic procedures in light of chronobiology: aligning beauty care with circadian and Doṣhic cycles.

We summarize evidence for personalized daily beauty routines, including Dosha‐specific herbs and techniques, and present two tables:
1. Common Dinacharya beauty practices with their benefits, and
2. Dosha tailored cosmetic regimens with recommended natural ingredients.

Integrating Ayurveda’s time tested regimen as a holistic, preventive approach to cosmetology may guide sustainable beauty innovations.

Modern smart grids generate heterogeneous, high-frequency data streams that require real-time analysis to prevent catastrophic system failures. Traditional fault diagnosis architectures rely heavily on manual feature extraction and expert systems, limiting their adaptive scaling and localization speed. To address these bottlenecks, deep learning (DL) methodologies have been widely integrated into power grid analytics. This review paper systematically assesses the deployment of multi-layer neural networks, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks in processing smart grid time-series data. Current benchmarks demonstrate that modern DL-based hybrid frameworks enhance fault prediction accuracy by approximately 15% and reduce fault location latency by up to 30% compared to baseline analytical techniques. Finally, we highlight core operational hurdles such as data scarcity, adversarial vulnerabilities, and interpretability limitations.

Enzyme immobilization is a critical technique in modern biotechnology that enhances enzyme stability, reusability, and operational efficiency by confining enzymes onto or within solid supports. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of immobilization strategies, including adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, and encapsulation. It highlights the role of support materials such as polymers, nanoparticles, and hybrid matrices in improving enzyme performance. The advantages of immobilized enzymes, such as improved thermal stability, easy separation, and suitability for continuous processes, are discussed alongside inherent limitations like diffusion constraints and activity loss. Recent advancements in nanotechnology and smart materials have significantly improved immobilization efficiency and broadened applications in pharmaceuticals, food processing, biosensors, and environmental remediation. This review emphasizes current trends, challenges, and future prospects, suggesting that immobilized enzymes will continue to play a pivotal role in sustainable industrial and biomedical applications.

The history of school education in Tamil Nadu reflects a profound interplay between cultural heritage, colonial influence, and welfare-oriented governance. This paper traces the historical evolution and policy dynamics of the state’s educational system, emphasizing the localized experiences of Erode district as a representative case of Tamil Nadu’s broader developmental trajectory. The study begins by exploring indigenous and colonial foundations of learning, followed by the transformation of schooling during the Dravidian political era that redefined education as a vehicle of social justice and empowerment. Subsequent sections examine key policy milestones including the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Samacheer Kalvi, and responses to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020) which collectively shaped Tamil Nadu’s distinctive educational model rooted in equity, inclusivity, and linguistic autonomy. Using secondary data and recent scholarly interpretations from Scopus and SSCI-indexed studies, the paper highlights how Erode district’s socio-economic diversification and localized governance mechanisms have both advanced and constrained educational outcomes. Despite notable achievements in literacy and gender parity, challenges such as learning disparities, digital exclusion, and administrative inefficiencies persist. The paper concludes with forward-looking policy implications that stress competency-based learning, decentralized planning, digital equity, and lifelong learning as the next frontiers of reform. By situating Tamil Nadu’s educational progress within historical and regional contexts, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers seeking to balance welfare populism with quality-driven modernization in school education.

Loneliness is a growing health issue around the world especially with the elderly and isolated individuals. The recent successes of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) made sentiment analysis-based systems to understand the emotions of individuals and provide interventions that could help to reduce loneliness in the most personalized way. This literature review brings together over 20 articles published in 2024-2026 that investigate cases of sentiment analysis applications using AI, such as chatbots and social robots. The evidence indicates that the sentiment-responsive interventions can be used to reduce short-term loneliness with most studies showing statistically significant changes. Nevertheless, its efficiency is dependent on the length of the intervention, cultural adjustments, and user characteristics. Explainable AI (XAI) increases transparency, builds trust, and ethical issues and dependency risks show the necessity of human-AI partnerships. On the whole, sentiment analysis with the help of AI has great potential to become an effective tool in mitigating loneliness, which should be supported by additional longitudinal and cross-cultural studies.

This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore the influence of transformational leadership on work ethic in the Ghanaian banking sector, examining how the four dimensions of transformational leadership—idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration—shape employee work ethic through the mediating mechanisms of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. 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: bank tellers and customer service officers (16 participants), branch operations managers and team leads (14 participants), and human resource managers and training officers (12 participants). Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and narrative prompts designed to elicit participants&#39; experiences of transformational leadership behaviors, perceived effects on their work ethic (punctuality, initiative, accountability, discretionary effort), and the role of job satisfaction and organizational commitment in mediating these effects. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analyzis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: idealized influence as the foundation of work ethic, wherein leaders who modelled diligence, integrity, and accountability inspired subordinates to internalize those same values; inspirational motivation as fuel for discretionary effort, wherein leaders who articulated a compelling vision and expressed confidence in their teams motivated employees to exceed minimum requirements; intellectual stimulation as permission to take initiative, wherein leaders who encouraged questioning, innovation, and problem-solving empowered employees to exercise initiative without fear of punishment; individualized consideration as the catalyst for commitment, wherein leaders who treated employees as individuals—knowing their names, families, and career aspirations—generated loyalty and organizational commitment that translated into sustained work ethic; job satisfaction as the pathway from leadership to work ethic, wherein transformational leadership created satisfying work conditions (autonomy, meaningfulness, supportive supervision) that in turn motivated diligence; and organizational commitment as the anchor of sustained work ethic, wherein employees who felt emotionally attached to their organization worked harder and stayed longer, even when supervision was absent. Participants&#39; narratives revealed that transformational leadership has a powerful influence on work ethic in the Ghanaian banking sector, but this influence operates primarily through job satisfaction and organizational commitment rather than directly. Leaders who modelled integrity and diligence inspired subordinates to emulate them. Leaders who articulated a compelling vision motivated employees to exceed minimum requirements. Leaders who encouraged initiative empowered employees to solve problems without waiting for permission. Leaders who treated employees as individuals generated loyalty and commitment that translated into sustained effort. When employees were satisfied with their jobs (autonomy, meaningful work, supportive supervision) and committed to their organizations (emotional attachment, pride, willingness to exert effort for organizational goals), they demonstrated a stronger work ethic across punctuality, initiative, accountability, and discretionary effort. The study contributes to the understanding of leadership and work ethic in the Ghanaian banking context, offering insights relevant to leadership development, performance management, and employee retention in the financial services sector.

व्यंग्य हिंदी साहित्य की ऐसी सशक्त विधा है, जो समाज की अंतर्विरोधी संरचनाओं, सत्ता-संबंधों और मानवीय व्यवहार में निहित विसंगतियों का केवल चित्रण ही नहीं करती, बल्कि उनका आलोचनात्मक विवेचन भी प्रस्तुत करती है। व्यंग्य का उद्देश्य हँसी उत्पन्न करना भर नहीं है; उसका वास्तविक सरोकार सामाजिक विवेक को जागृत करना और यथास्थिति को चुनौती देना है। हिंदी व्यंग्य का विकास भारतीय समाज में घटित राजनीतिक, सांस्कृतिक और वैचारिक परिवर्तनों के साथ निरंतर जुड़ा रहा है। भारतेन्दु युग की सुधारवादी चेतना से लेकर स्वतंत्रता-उत्तर लोकतांत्रिक विडंबनाओं, बाजारवादी संस्कृति और समकालीन डिजिटल परिवेश तक व्यंग्य ने प्रत्येक युग के सामाजिक यथार्थ को नई दृष्टि से देखा है। प्रस्तुत आलेख हिंदी व्यंग्य की इसी विकास-यात्रा का अध्ययन सामाजिक सरोकारों के परिप्रेक्ष्य में करता है। इसमें व्यंग्य को केवल साहित्यिक विधा के रूप में नहीं, बल्कि सामाजिक प्रतिरोध, वैचारिक हस्तक्षेप और जनचेतना के माध्यम के रूप में समझने का प्रयास किया गया है। साथ ही यह भी विश्लेषित किया गया है कि बदलते समय के साथ व्यंग्य के विषय, भाषा, शिल्प और अभिव्यक्ति में किस प्रकार परिवर्तन आया तथा समकालीन समाज में उसकी प्रासंगिकता किन नए आयामों के साथ स्थापित हुई है।

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.

Vitex negundo Linn., more commonly called Nirgundi, is a major medicinal plant, and it is used widely in traditional healthcare systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and also folk medicine. This plant has a long background of ethnomedicinal use, and in everyday practice it has been traditionally applied in many types of herbal preparations, you know. In the last few years, new progress in pharmaceutical technology has pushed researchers to craft modern dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, syrups, skin applied products, and also newer drug delivery systems. At the same time, newer studies keep moving toward standardization and better quality control, along with ideas for sustainable utilization. More recently nanotechnology based formulations get attention too, plus work on herbal products that can hold stability for longer periods and stay effective. So, this review basically brings together the traditional importance of Vitex negundo Linn., the ways it is being formulated in pharmacy, and the latest research advances. By combining age-old knowledge with modern scientific methods, there seem to be promising chances to develop herbal formulations that are safe, effective, and properly standardized, for upcoming healthcare needs.

The herb Coleus aromaticus belonging to Lamiaceae family and Coleus genus is known by numerous names in different parts of the world and several language specific vernacular names. The herb has been extensively studied as well as reported in several fields of science. The multiple potential of the herb includes allelopathic potential, antibacterial property, antimicrobial activity, insecticidal property; free radical scavenging and radio-protective components from herb extracts and most recently the appetizing potential of the herb have been reported. The herb has carvacrol and thymol as the major components responsible for the flavour; while chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid etc. as the phenolic components. The herb has been used in therapeutic and medicinal applications as well as in culinary preparations.

Anthony Doerr’s The Shell Collector offers a compelling exploration of the dynamic relationships between humans and the marine environment, challenging anthropocentric conceptions of agency and existence. This paper examines the short story through the lens of posthumanism, and new materialism, to investigate how marine distributed agency emerges through the interconnected actions of humans, shells, marine organisms, tides, and coastal ecologies. Through Bruno Latour’s concept of distributed agency, Karen Barad’s theory of entanglement and intra-action, Jane Bennett’s notion of vibrant matter, and Rosi Braidotti’s posthuman ethics, the paper argues that the narrative reconfigures the ocean as an active participant and not a passive setting. Through close textual analysis, the paper demonstrates that shells, venomous sea creatures, ocean currents, and other marine entities possess material agency that shapes human perception, identity, and survival. The narrative destabilizes the human/nonhuman binary by presenting the marine world as a relational assemblage in which agency is distributed across diverse living and non-living actors.
By positioning the sea as a vibrant ecological network, The Shell Collector redefines survival as a collective process of more-than-human becoming than an expression of individual human mastery. The paper contributes to contemporary posthuman literary studies by advancing the concept of marine distributed agency and demonstrating how Doerr’s fiction enriches discussions of ecological ethics, and human–nonhuman entanglements in contemporary environmental literature.

In the digital era, data has become one of the most valuable resources for organizations, governments, researchers, and individuals. Every second, billions of data points are generated through smart phones, social media, online transactions, sensors, healthcare systems, and business operations. However, raw data alone has little value unless it is transformed into meaningful information. Data mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) work together to convert this enormous amount of raw data into actionable knowledge, enabling organizations to make smarter, faster, and more accurate decisions. While data mining focuses on discovering hidden patterns and relationships within data, AI enhances these insights through learning, prediction, reasoning, and automation. This article explores the concepts, techniques, applications, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of data mining and AI in transforming raw data into intelligent decisions.

Employee retention is a strategic concern in capital-intensive manufacturing because voluntary exits disrupt production continuity, weaken safety routines, increase replacement costs and erode plant-specific knowledge. This paper examines the mechanisms by which training and development may influence employee retention at Dangote Cement Plc in Nigeria. It adopts an evidence-informed case-study approach that combines the company’s publicly available 2024 disclosures with a structured synthesis of human-resource-development and retention research. The corporate evidence confirms the existence of a learning management system, Dangote Academy programmes, annual performance reviews, health and safety training, and employee development commitments. However, publicly available reports do not disclose employee-level training participation, training satisfaction, voluntary turnover rates, or causal retention estimates. The paper therefore refuses the academically indefensible practice of manufacturing survey responses and instead develops a research-ready explanatory framework for field validation. Training is decomposed into technical training, safety training, career development, coaching and mentoring, perceived fairness of access, training relevance and post-training transfer support. Social exchange theory, human capital theory, and perceived organisational support theory are integrated to explain the direct and indirect effects on intention to stay through job satisfaction, work engagement, and affective commitment. A stratified employee survey, linked, where possible, to anonymised human resources records, is proposed, together with reliability, validity, regression, and mediation tests. The evidence indicates that training is most likely to strengthen retention when it is relevant, developmental, fairly allocated and connected to visible internal career opportunities. Training volume alone is an inadequate retention metric. The paper concludes with a practical learning-to-retention dashboard and recommendations for plant-level talent-risk management.

Accurate modelling and forecasting of infectious disease counts are essential for effective disease surveillance and public health decision-making. However, epidemic count data often exhibit overdispersion and serial dependence, making conventional count time series models inadequate for reliable prediction. This study comparatively evaluated the performance of five count time series models, namely the Poisson Autoregressive (PAR), Integer-Valued Autoregressive (INAR), Negative Binomial Autoregressive (NB-AR), Poisson Log-Normal Autoregressive (PLN-AR), and Discrete Autoregressive Moving Average (DARMA) models for modelling weekly confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria. Weekly confirmed Lassa fever data comprising 307 observations from January 2020 to December 2025 were obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The models were evaluated using simulation experiments and empirical analysis across different partition sizes (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). Model adequacy was assessed using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and Hannan-Quinn Information Criterion (HQIC), while forecasting performance was evaluated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS). Preliminary analyses confirmed that the series was stationary, overdispersed, and exhibited significant temporal dependence. The results showed that the Poisson Log-Normal Autoregressive (PLN-AR) model consistently achieved the lowest information criteria values, indicating superior model fit. The PLN-AR model provided the best overall balance between goodness-of-fit and forecasting performance. The study concludes that the PLN-AR model offers a flexible and robust framework for modelling overdispersed epidemic count data and can substantially improve forecasting accuracy for infectious disease surveillance.

The digital revolution has transformed governance, commerce, communication, and public services in India. The increasing reliance on data-driven technologies has elevated concerns regarding data governance, privacy protection, and cybersecurity. Data governance ensures responsible collection, storage, processing, and sharing of information, while privacy safeguards individual autonomy and informational self-determination. Cybersecurity protects digital systems and data from unauthorised access, misuse, and cyberattacks. This paper examines the legal framework governing these interconnected areas in India, focusing on constitutional principles, the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and cybersecurity regulations. The paper further analyzes emerging challenges and proposes recommendations for strengthening India’s digital ecosystem. The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed the way data is collected, processed, stored, and shared across sectors. While data has emerged as a valuable economic and strategic resource, its increasing use has raised significant concerns regarding privacy protection, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. This paper examines the interconnected concepts of data governance, privacy, and cybersecurity from a legal perspective, highlighting their growing importance in the contemporary digital ecosystem.

Climate change has become one of the most significant challenges affecting the planning and management of international sporting events, with increasing implications for athlete health, spectator safety, infrastructure resilience, and environmental sustainability. This systematic review examines the implications of climate change for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review synthesised evidence from peer-reviewed journal articles and authoritative publications produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Climate Central, FIFPRO, and Jackson et al. (2026). The review focused on climate change and mega sporting events, heat stress and extreme weather impacts on players and match officials, air quality and wildfire smoke risks, public health implications for spectators, climate-resilient stadium design, FIFA's climate commitments and carbon neutrality initiatives, and future research and policy directions. The findings indicate that rising temperatures, prolonged heatwaves, increasing humidity, deteriorating air quality, and more frequent extreme weather events pose significant risks to athlete performance, match officiating, spectator health, tournament operations, and infrastructure. Heat stress is expected to increase physiological strain, dehydration, fatigue, and the risk of heat-related illnesses, while wildfire smoke and poor air quality may impair respiratory health and physical performance among athletes and spectators. The review further shows that although FIFA has implemented several sustainability initiatives, the expanded 48-team tournament is projected to generate approximately 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, largely because of extensive international and domestic air travel. Addressing these challenges requires climate-resilient stadium infrastructure, evidence-based heat management protocols, comprehensive public health preparedness, sustainable transportation systems, transparent greenhouse gas accounting, and stronger environmental governance. The review concludes that the 2026 FIFA World Cup presents both significant climate risks and an opportunity to strengthen sustainable event management by integrating climate science, public health, technological innovation, and environmental governance into future international football tournaments.

Phloridzin is a flavonoid that comes from a variety of sources and is rapidly gaining recognition for its biological action. By controlling the IL-1β/IKB-α/NF-KB signalling pathway, phloridzin can have antioxidant benefits. It simultaneously reduces intracellular DNA agglutination, decreases intracellular protein and energy synthesis, and destroys intracellular metabolism to produce its antimicrobial action. Furthermore, phloridzin has a number of pharmacological actions, including hepatoprotective, antiviral, ant diabetic, and anticancer properties. This article examines phloridzin’s plant sources, extraction, and biological activities based on both domestic and international research findings, offering a resource for enhancing phloridzin's therapeutic use.
Phloridzin is a glycoside derivative of Phloretin, a dihydrochalcone that is a member of the bicyclic flavonoid family and a phenolic phytoconstituent. It was initially separated from the apple tree's bark. Phloridzin, also known as phloretin-2′-O-glucoside or PZ, is a significant flavonoid glycoside derivative that is mostly present in apple peels. Other families like as Fagaceae, Rosacea, and Cucurbitaceous include phloridzin. It is mostly present in raw apples of the Malus species, such as Malus domestica. It is present in the roots, bark, shoots, and leaves of apple trees and is the main phenolic-glucoside. Apple pulp has 4–20 mg/kg of it, whereas an apple peel has 12–418 mg/kg.
Phloridzin is well known for being highly soluble in organic solvents but poorly soluble in water. These days, a variety of techniques are frequently used, such as microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and others. Traditional methods mostly depend on organic solvent extraction. The literature now in publication proposes a number of methods for Phloridzin separation, including macro porous resin adsorption. It has been discovered that Phloridzin possesses antiviral properties. The impact and mechanism of Phloridzin on bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection were examined experimentally in a study by Zhang et al. Animals infected with BVDV show strain-specific B and T cell immunological tolerance, making it a highly significant disease that impacts the global cattle sector.
This review offers a thorough synthesis of their taxonomy, chemistry, dietary sources, and bioavailability. With an emphasis on the regulation of vital cellular pathways such PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, and AMPK, mechanistic developments pertaining to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, cardio-protective, and anticancer properties are discussed.

The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) represent the foundation of local self-government in rural India and play a pivotal role in community development, participatory governance, and the implementation of social welfare programs. This paper investigates how PRIs contribute to Indian social work practice by facilitating grassroots participation, promoting social justice, empowering marginalized communities, and implementing welfare schemes. It critically examines the structure, functions, challenges, and opportunities of PRIs in aligning local governance with social work principles in the Indian context.

India's constitutional framework provides one of the most comprehensive sets of protective measures for tribal communities anywhere in the world. Through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, affirmative action provisions, and a series of subsequent legislative enactments, the Indian Constitution acknowledges the unique historical, cultural, and socio-economic position of Scheduled Tribes (STs). This paper undertakes a critical analysis of the constitutional and legal protections available to tribal communities in India, examining their origins, scope, implementation, and effectiveness. It argues that while the constitutional architecture is robust and progressive in its design, a significant gap persists between legal promise and ground reality. Through an examination of key constitutional provisions, legislative frameworks including the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act, 2006, judicial interpretations, and empirical evidence on implementation challenges, the paper demonstrates that tribal communities continue to face systematic marginalisation, displacement, and dispossession despite formidable legal safeguards. The paper concludes by identifying structural weaknesses in the implementation apparatus and proposing reforms to bridge the gap between constitutional idealism and lived reality.

Introduction: “Ambasthaki” botanically identified as Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HS), is a medicinally and economically important shrub belonging to Malvaceae family. It has been extensively utilized in traditional medicine, functional foods, and nutraceutical formulations. Owing to its rich phytochemical profile comprising anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, and other bioactive metabolites, the plant has gained considerable scientific attention for its diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and hypolipidemic effects. Although substantial evidence has been generated, the available information remains scattered across pharmacognostic, phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological, clinical, agronomic, and commercial domains, warranting a comprehensive evidence-based synthesis. Aims and Objectives: To critically compile and comprehensively evaluate the available literature on the botanical profile, taxonomy, ayurvedic perspective, ethnomedicinal significance, nutritional composition, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicological profile, agro-technology, trade importance, marketed formulations, and future therapeutic prospects of HS. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature survey was performed using classical Ayurvedic texts, electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Ayush Research Portal and Google Scholar. Relevant publications were critically reviewed and systematically synthesized to provide an updated multidisciplinary overview of HS. Discussion: The diverse phytoconstituents and broad therapeutic potential of HS highlight its importance as a medicinal and functional plant. This review provides an updated evidence-based resource, identifies existing knowledge gaps, and emphasizes the need for standardized quality assessment, mechanistic investigations, and well-designed clinical studies to facilitate the development and rational utilization of HS-based phyto-pharmaceuticals and functional products.

The present study examines gender disparities in literacy among Scheduled Castes in India data from 1961 to 2011. The study focuses on rural, urban, and combined literacy trends to understand the changing nature of educational inequality over six decades. Using a Sequential Explanatory Mixed Method Design, the research combines quantitative analysis of secondary data obtained from the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India with qualitative insights gathered through in-depth interviews with Scheduled Caste women from rural communities. The findings reveal that although literacy rates among Scheduled Castes have improved significantly over time, substantial gender disparities continue to persist, particularly in rural areas. The analysis shows that the literacy gap between males and females widened steadily until 1991 and declined gradually thereafter; however, female literacy remained consistently lower than male literacy throughout the study period. The qualitative findings further indicate that poverty, patriarchal attitudes, early marriage, domestic responsibilities, limited educational infrastructure, and caste-based discrimination continue to restrict women’s educational participation. The study highlights that educational inequality among Scheduled Castes cannot be understood solely through statistical indicators, as it is deeply embedded within broader socio-cultural and economic structures. The paper argues for more inclusive, gender-sensitive, and intersectional educational policies that address the lived realities of marginalized women. The study contributes to the fields of gender studies, sociology of education, and educational policy by integrating longitudinal demographic analysis with grassroots experiences, thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of literacy inequality among Scheduled Castes in India.

Gender discrimination remains a persistent challenge in nursing education despite growing efforts to promote gender equality. Nursing students experience gender stereotypes, unequal clinical learning opportunities, and discriminatory attitudes from faculty, peers, and patients, which adversely affect their academic performance, psychological well-being, professional identity, and career satisfaction. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from major databases to examine the patterns, determinants, and consequences of gender discrimination among nursing students. The review indicates that male students commonly encounter stereotypes portraying nursing as a female profession and face exclusion from maternity-related clinical training, while female students continue to experience gender-role expectations and leadership barriers. Socio-cultural norms, institutional practices, and inadequate gender-sensitization initiatives contribute to these disparities. The findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive curricula, equitable clinical training opportunities, stronger anti-discrimination policies, and supportive learning environments to promote gender equity and inclusiveness in nursing education.

Digital technologies have transformed higher education by expanding access to smartphones, artificial intelligence, e-books, online platforms, recorded lectures, podcasts, and downloadable study materials. While these resources improve flexibility, accessibility, and self-directed learning, excessive dependence on digital content may weaken sustained reading, handwriting practice, vocabulary development, spelling accuracy, academic writing, critical thinking, and examination performance. This narrative review examines the transition from traditional book-centred learning to digitally dependent educational practices, with reference to Indian higher education and comparisons with global trends. It synthesises published literature, educational policy documents, and academic observations to analyse changes in student and teacher behaviour, library use, note-making, deep reading, sentence construction, and descriptive writing. The review indicates that students rely on summarised PDFs, short videos, AI-generated explanations, and ready-made notes rather than textbooks and reflective writing. Such practices may create difficulties in handwritten examinations, including slow writing speed, poor organisation, weak spelling recall, and incomplete answers. The article proposes a balanced hybrid learning model integrating digital resources with printed books, library engagement, handwritten notes, reflective writing, descriptive assignments, ethical AI use, and critical discussion. It also recommends student-centred routines, teacher-led writing activities, revitalised academic libraries, institutional writing support, and policies promoting responsible digital learning. The review concludes that the central challenge is not technology itself but educational imbalance. Sustainable higher education should combine digital competence with academic literacy to produce graduates capable of effective communication, independent thinking, research, innovation, professional practice, and lifelong learning. This balanced approach is important where handwritten assessments remain common despite digitalisation.

Leadership has no gender, leadership has an idea, a thought and an ideology with which it connects people to itself. Development of the country is possible only when women develop, only when women develop, the country will develop. If we calculate the percentage of women's participation in politics in the entire country of India at present, it is less than 10 percent. To increase the participation of women in India, special provisions should be made for women in every field so that the participation of women can be ensured and they can contribute. The progress of any Indian society or the progress of the entire country is measured by the progress of women.

The pharmaceutical sector has seen a change thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), which has improved medication research, discovery, and individualized patient care. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has improved productivity, precision, and creativity in the sector through machine learning (ML), deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and robotic automation. This study aims to provide insight into the prospective and real-world uses of AI in a range of pharmaceutical domains. Clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmaceutical nanotechnology, pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and toxicology, pharmaceutical management, and economics are some of these disciplines.
The ability of AI models to be both interpretable and explicable is essential for their successful integration in the healthcare industry. AI applications must be open and honest about their decision-making procedures and underlying logic in order to win over healthcare practitioners. The numerous aspects and difficulties of XAI in the healthcare industry are systematically reviewed in our research. By dividing them into six different groups—feature-oriented methods, global methods, concept models, surrogate models, local pixel-based methods, and human-centric approaches—it seeks to analyze a variety of XAI approaches and their uses in healthcare. This study specifically highlights the importance of XAI in tackling healthcare-related issues and emphasizes its important role in situations where safety is at stake.

शिक्षा किसी भी राष्ट्र के सामाजिक, आर्थिक, सांस्कृतिक तथा राजनीतिक विकास की आधारशिला है। किसी देश के राष्ट्रीय लक्ष्यों की प्राप्ति उसके नागरिकों की शिक्षा, कौशल, जागरूकता तथा उत्पादकता पर निर्भर करती है। राष्ट्रीय लक्ष्य जैसे– आर्थिक विकास, सामाजिक समानता, आत्मनिर्भरता, वैज्ञानिक प्रगति, रोजगार सृजन, गरीबी उन्मूलन तथा राष्ट्रीय एकता की प्राप्ति में शिक्षा की अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका होती है। परंतु शिक्षा की सफलता केवल शैक्षिक नीतियों पर निर्भर नहीं करती, बल्कि आर्थिक कारक भी इसके विकास और प्रभावशीलता को निर्धारित करते हैं।
आर्थिक कारक शिक्षा की उपलब्धता, गुणवत्ता, समान अवसर, संसाधनों के वितरण तथा मानव संसाधन विकास को प्रभावित करते हैं। इसलिए शिक्षा के माध्यम से राष्ट्रीय लक्ष्यों की प्राप्ति में आर्थिक कारकों का विशेष महत्व है।

This paper presents a comparative epistemological analysis of quantum mechanics and Advaita Vedanta, focusing on their respective treatments of the observer, the nature of reality, and the status of consciousness. Despite arising from radically different intellectual traditions one rooted in empirical scientific methodology and the other in contemplative spiritual inquiry both systems challenge classical notions of objectivity, determinism, and the separation between subject and object. Quantum mechanics, through the measurement problem, the observer effect, and phenomena such as entanglement and non-locality, has progressively undermined the Cartesian subject-object dichotomy that underpinned classical physics. Advaita Vedanta, through its rigorous epistemology of pramāṇas and its non-dual metaphysics of Brahman as pure consciousness, has long maintained that the empirical world is epistemically and ontologically dependent on consciousness. This paper argues that while direct ontological identification between quantum mechanical formalism and Advaitic metaphysics is problematic and potentially reductionist, a structural isomorphism exists between the two systems at the epistemological level. Both recognize the irreducible role of the observer in the constitution of phenomenal reality, both problematize the notion of an independent external world, and both point toward a fundamental unity underlying apparent multiplicity. The paper concludes by considering the implications of this comparative analysis for contemporary philosophy of science and consciousness studies.

Cervical cancer remains a major health problem worldwide, particularly in developing nations where it's one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. This type of cancer is mostly caused by persistent infections from high-risk human papillomavirus strains, particularly HPV types 16 and 18, and it develops gradually through identifiable pre-cancerous stages. Even though cervical cancer can be prevented and treated through vaccines, regular screening, and early treatment, unequal access to healthcare keeps driving up illness and death rates, especially in areas with limited resources. This overview looks at how cervical cancer spreads, what causes it, how it develops, what symptoms to watch for, and how doctors diagnose it. The review also covers three levels of prevention - stopping it before it starts, catching it early, and treating it once it's found - and explains why HPV vaccines, early screening through Pap tests and HPV testing, and treating pre-cancerous changes are so important. The review also discusses new treatment advances like immunotherapy, targeted treatments, personalized medicine approaches, and improved surgical techniques. Despite these medical improvements, fighting cervical cancer globally still faces challenges like limited access to preventive care, cultural and social barriers, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The review wraps up by stressing how important innovation, international cooperation, and fair healthcare access are for achieving the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030.

मुगल साम्राज्य की प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण आधार उसकी सुव्यवस्थित न्यायिक प्रणाली थी, जिसने विशाल एवं बहुसांस्कृतिक साम्राज्य में विधि, प्रशासन तथा सामाजिक अनुशासन के मध्य संतुलन स्थापित करने का कार्य किया। यद्यपि मुगल न्यायिक प्रशासन के अध्ययन में प्रायः सम्राट, शाही काज़ी तथा उच्च प्रशासनिक अधिकारियों की भूमिका पर अधिक ध्यान दिया गया है, किन्तु स्थानीय स्तर पर कार्यरत परगना एवं सरकार (ज़िला) स्तर के काज़ियों की भूमिका अपेक्षाकृत उपेक्षित रही है। वस्तुतः यही अधिकारी ग्रामीण एवं नगरीय समाज के मध्य प्रतिदिन उत्पन्न होने वाले दीवानी, फौजदारी, राजस्व, पारिवारिक तथा सामाजिक विवादों के निपटारे का प्रमुख माध्यम थे। औरंगज़ेब के शासनकाल (1658–1707) में स्थानीय काज़ियों की संस्था न केवल न्यायिक प्रशासन का अभिन्न अंग थी, बल्कि राजस्व व्यवस्था, धार्मिक प्रशासन, सामाजिक नियंत्रण तथा राज्य की वैधानिकता को सुदृढ़ करने वाली एक महत्वपूर्ण प्रशासनिक इकाई भी थी।
प्रस्तुत शोध-पत्र का उद्देश्य औरंगज़ेब के शासनकाल में स्थानीय काज़ियों की नियुक्ति, अधिकार, न्यायिक कार्यप्रणाली, प्रशासनिक उत्तरदायित्व तथा ग्रामीण एवं नगरीय समाज में उनकी भूमिका का ऐतिहासिक एवं विश्लेषणात्मक अध्ययन करना है। विशेष रूप से यह अध्ययन इस तथ्य का परीक्षण करता है कि स्थानीय काज़ी केवल न्यायाधीश नहीं थे, बल्कि भूमि के क्रय-विक्रय, उत्तराधिकार, विवाह, वक्फ़, राजस्व विवाद, जज़िया एवं ज़कात के प्रशासन, बाज़ार नियंत्रण तथा स्थानीय प्रशासनिक समन्वय जैसे विविध कार्यों में भी सक्रिय भागीदारी निभाते थे। अध्ययन से यह भी स्पष्ट होता है कि स्थानीय न्यायिक व्यवस्था का संचालन केवल शरीअत के सिद्धांतों पर आधारित नहीं था, बल्कि स्थानीय परंपराओं, पंचायतों, प्रथागत विधि तथा प्रशासनिक आवश्यकताओं के साथ समन्वय स्थापित करके किया जाता था। यही कारण है कि मुगल न्याय व्यवस्था को एक मिश्रित (Composite) विधिक प्रणाली के रूप में देखा जाना अधिक उपयुक्त प्रतीत होता है।
यह शोध यह भी स्थापित करता है कि औरंगज़ेब के शासनकाल में स्थानीय काज़ियों की भूमिका समय के साथ और अधिक व्यापक हुई। विशेष रूप से जज़िया की पुनर्स्थापना (1679 ई.) के बाद अनेक क्षेत्रों में काज़ियों को जज़िया संग्रहण की निगरानी, विवादों के निपटारे तथा संबंधित प्रशासनिक प्रक्रियाओं में सम्मिलित किया गया। इसके अतिरिक्त ज़कात, धार्मिक अनुदानों तथा सार्वजनिक हित से संबंधित विषयों में भी उनकी भागीदारी बढ़ी। यद्यपि इन उत्तरदायित्वों ने स्थानीय न्यायिक प्रशासन को अधिक संगठित बनाया, परन्तु इसी के साथ भ्रष्टाचार, प्रशासनिक दबाव तथा धार्मिक पक्षपात जैसी समस्याएँ भी सामने आईं, जिन्होंने न्यायिक व्यवस्था की निष्पक्षता को प्रभावित किया।
प्राथमिक फ़ारसी स्रोतों, समकालीन दस्तावेजों तथा आधुनिक इतिहासकारों के विश्लेषण के आधार पर यह शोध-पत्र इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचता है कि स्थानीय काज़ी मुगल प्रशासन के सबसे प्रभावशाली किन्तु अपेक्षाकृत कम अध्ययन किए गए अधिकारियों में से एक थे। उनकी भूमिका को केवल धार्मिक न्यायाधीश के रूप में नहीं, बल्कि स्थानीय प्रशासन, सामाजिक समन्वय तथा राज्य की प्रशासनिक वैधता के प्रतिनिधि के रूप में समझना अधिक समीचीन होगा।

Disease eradication and elimination programmes are critical components of public health strategies in India. Over the past decades, India has implemented several national programmes targeting communicable diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, malaria, leprosy, and lymphatic filariasis. Significant achievements include the successful eradication of polio and elimination of diseases such as yaws and maternal and neonatal tetanus. However, diseases like tuberculosis and malaria continue to pose major challenges due to socio-economic factors, population density, and emerging drug resistance. National initiatives such as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) have contributed to substantial progress, yet gaps in implementation, awareness, and healthcare accessibility persist. This short communication provides an overview of major disease eradication programmes in India, their current status, achievements, and challenges, along with future strategies to strengthen public health outcomes. This study highlights the need for integrated digital and policy-driven approaches to accelerate disease eradication in India.

The nature of work is changing dramatically as technology and automation advance, with old employment being redefined and new opportunities arising. In India, the gig economy, which is defined by short-term, flexible work arrangements made possible by digital platforms, is rapidly expanding, resulting in a rising number of people participating in flexible, temporary job opportunities. This transition also raises important concerns about job security, justice, and inequality; thus, it is critical to investigate gig workers' legal status and the influence of the digital divide on their rights and safeguards. So, the purpose of this research is to investigate the legal status of gig workers and find loopholes in labour laws and social security benefits. This chapter covers the issues that gig workers experience in India, as well as methods to encourage fair and secure labour in the gig economy. It also looks at how the digital divide affects gig workers, particularly those who have restricted access to technology, low digital literacy, or inadequate internet access. Addressing these concerns is critical to ensuring that the advantages of the gig economy are distributed equally across all workers. The study examines existing research and legal frameworks to gain a better understanding of the gig economy and digital divide in India. Its goal is to propose policies and practices that promote decent work, social justice, and inclusive growth by investigating the connections between technology, work, and inequality. The findings are important for policymakers, employers, and workers, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the gig economy's influence on India's shifting job market. The idea is to mitigate the negative consequences of gig employment and ensure that the benefits are distributed more evenly. The paper's goal is to contribute to a fair, inclusive, and sustainable future of work for all in India by investigating the links between technology, labour, and inequality.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting people across all age groups and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It has a significant impact on an individual's physical functioning, psychological well-being, work productivity, and overall quality of life. Physiotherapy has emerged as a widely accepted non-invasive treatment approach that focuses on reducing pain, restoring functional ability, improving mobility, and preventing recurrence through evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the management of chronic low back pain. The study examines the impact of various physiotherapy interventions, including therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, stretching, strengthening programmes, posture correction, and electrotherapy, on pain reduction and functional improvement among patients with chronic low back pain. Data were collected from individuals undergoing physiotherapy treatment, and outcomes were assessed using standardized pain and disability measures before and after the intervention.
The findings indicate that physiotherapy significantly reduces pain intensity, improves spinal mobility, enhances muscle strength and flexibility, and increases the ability of patients to perform daily activities. Regular participation in physiotherapy sessions also contributes to improved posture, greater physical independence, and enhanced quality of life while reducing the likelihood of recurrence. Furthermore, patient education regarding ergonomic practices and home exercise programmes plays an important role in maintaining long-term treatment outcomes. The study concludes that physiotherapy is a safe, cost-effective, and evidence-based intervention for managing chronic low back pain. Early diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and patient adherence to prescribed exercise programmes can substantially improve clinical outcomes. These findings support the integration of physiotherapy as a primary component of multidisciplinary management strategies for chronic low back pain and highlight its role in promoting long-term musculoskeletal health.

Financial literacy has become an essential life skill for students in today’s rapidly changing digital economy. As young adults increasingly manage educational expenses, digital payment systems, student loans, and online financial services, they need the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. Yet many students enter higher education with limited understanding of budgeting, saving, investing, responsible borrowing, and digital financial security, which can leave them vulnerable to poor financial choices and unnecessary stress. This paper examines practical strategies that can strengthen financial literacy among students, including budgeting effectively, distinguishing needs from wants, building emergency savings, using credit responsibly, planning early for investment, and adopting digital financial tools safely. It also highlights the importance of continuous financial education and the shared responsibility of educational institutions, parents, financial institutions, and policymakers in promoting sound financial behaviour. The paper argues that financial literacy should be understood not only as financial knowledge but also as a lifelong competency that supports resilience, responsible decision-making and long-term economic well-being. By adopting simple and practical money management habits during their student years, young people can improve their financial independence, reduce stress, and build a strong foundation for future personal and professional success.

Financial well-being is a multidimensional concept that reflects an individual&#39;s ability to manage financial resources effectively, maintain financial security, and achieve economic stability. It encompasses key aspects such as financial literacy, income sufficiency, savings behavior, debt management, and financial resilience. Financial well-being is strongly linked to overall life satisfaction, psychological health, and social well-being, as financial stress can significantly impact mental and emotional stability. Various researchers have defined financial well-being differently, with common themes revolving around financial security, financial freedom, and the ability to meet present and future financial obligations. This systematic literature review explores the theoretical foundations of financial well-being, examines existing studies in the field, and identifies key factors influencing financial well-being across different demographics. The review aims to provide insights into the relationship between financial well-being and overall quality of life, as well as highlight gaps in the literature for future research.

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education by reshaping teaching, learning, research, administration, and institutional decision-making. At the same time, the increasing complexity of academic environments has amplified the need for emotionally intelligent leadership capable of fostering collaboration, trust, innovation, and ethical governance. This systematic review examines the evolving intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence (EI), and leadership in higher education by synthesizing recent scholarly literature. The review explores how AI-driven technologies are redefining leadership practices through data-informed decision-making, predictive analytics, process automation, and digital transformation, while highlighting the enduring importance of emotional intelligence in effective academic leadership. Key themes identified include AI-enabled decision-making, digital leadership, human-centered leadership, ethical and governance challenges, faculty and student engagement, organizational change management, and leadership competency development. The findings indicate that although AI significantly enhances analytical capabilities, operational efficiency, and strategic planning, it cannot fully replicate essential human attributes such as empathy, emotional awareness, effective communication, conflict resolution, and relationship management. Consequently, successful leadership in higher education requires a balanced integration of technological competence and emotional intelligence to support inclusive, ethical, and sustainable institutional development. The review further identifies important research gaps and recommends future investigations into ethical AI governance, integrated AI–EI leadership competency frameworks, cross-cultural comparative studies, and longitudinal assessments of AI-enabled leadership effectiveness. It concludes that the future of leadership in higher education will depend on leaders who can effectively combine AI literacy with strong emotional intelligence to navigate the challenges of digitally transformed academic institutions.

The rapid advancement of longevity science has transformed ageing research from disease treatment toward extending lifespan and health span. Despite significant progress in genomics, precision medicine, geroscience, regenerative medicine, and preventive healthcare, contemporary longevity research remains predominantly centred on biological ageing. While these developments have improved survival, they often underrepresent the influence of emotional resilience, psychological adaptation, social connectedness, caregiving responsibilities, purpose, and gender-specific life transitions that shape healthy ageing, particularly among women. This paper proposes Human Sustainability as an integrative conceptual framework that expands current longevity science by positioning healthy ageing as the lifelong capacity to sustain biological, emotional, cognitive, relational, occupational, financial, environmental, and existential well-being. Within this broader framework, two complementary concepts are introduced. First, Women's Sustainability is proposed as a multidimensional life-course model recognising the interaction of biological transitions with social, occupational, and psychological experiences that influence female longevity. Second, Emotional Longevity is introduced as a conceptual construct describing the long-term capacity to preserve emotional regulation, psychological flexibility, meaningful relationships, adaptive coping, and purpose throughout ageing. Drawing on evidence from geroscience, psychology, behavioural medicine, neuroscience, public health, and life-course theory, the paper develops the Human Sustainability Systems Model (HSSM) to illustrate how biological and psychosocial determinants interact throughout the lifespan. Rather than replacing existing frameworks such as Healthy Ageing, Geroscience, Precision Medicine, or One Health, Human Sustainability integrates and extends them through a systems perspective. The paper argues that future longevity research, healthcare policy, and clinical practice should complement biological indicators with measures of emotional resilience, social participation, caregiving burden, and purpose. Extending lifespan alone is insufficient; sustainable longevity requires preserving the human capacities that enable individuals to live healthier, more meaningful, and socially connected lives.

India’s rapid economic growth and demographic transformation have been accompanied by rising workforce burnout, occupational stress, and declining resilience across healthcare, education, law enforcement, agriculture, hospitality, and corporate sectors. Existing approaches remain largely reactive, with support accessible only after significant distress emerges. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the interdependence of institutional resilience and human resilience.
Objective: This paper proposes an integrated preventive framework—Project SAHARA (Sustainable Assistance, Healing, Awareness, Resilience, and Action)—grounded in One Health principles and tailored to India’s diverse workforce and policy landscape.
Approach: Drawing on capability theory (Sen, Nussbaum), burnout research (Maslach), resilience science, psychological safety (Edmondson), Conservation of Resources theory, and public health prevention models, the paper develops a multi-level conceptual model. It introduces a measurable Human Sustainability Index (HSI) and outlines a rigorous protocol for future empirical validation.
Key contributions: SAHARA extends the One Health paradigm by positioning workforce resilience and human sustainability as a strategic fourth pillar alongside human, animal, and environmental health. The framework emphasises prevention, early identification, recovery pathways, adaptive capacity building, continuous evaluation, and systems-level policy change. It is designed to be scalable across formal and informal sectors and aligned with India’s National Mental Health Programme, Digital Health Mission, and emerging One Health capacity-building initiatives.
Implications: By shifting from reactive clinical models to upstream, multi-level prevention, SAHARA offers a practical pathway to strengthen workforce sustainability and support national development goals under a One Health, One Nation vision. Future research should empirically validate the HSI and test SAHARA interventions across sectors and regions.

This current research considers the negotiation of gender roles and feminine agency in Jane Austen's Emma and Pride and Prejudice characters Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Bennet. The research, set in the sociocultural context of Regency England, demonstrates how normative expectations of women, based on the institution of marriage, decorum and dependence, both restrict and enable female action. While Emma Woodhouse's relative socioeconomic privilege allows her to exercise greater autonomy than was typical of women in her time, Elizabeth Bennet asserts her intellect and conscience by rejecting socially expedient but personally incompatible unions. Through a comparative close reading, this paper illustrates how Austen represents her heroines not as hapless victims of patriarchy but as empowered agents of self-definition. This agency is exercised through dialogue, choice and challenge, but it is ultimately resolved within the parameters of that which they implicitly question. The study also shows how Austen's mix of compliance and critique reveals the tension within the institution of marriage as simultaneously a social obligation and a human relationship with the potential for mutuality and satisfaction. Through its emphasis on agency as an element of Austen's proto-feminist narrative, this paper traces the complex nature of early 19th century gender ideology and the way in which fictional characters contribute to the negotiation of the ideologically constructed roles of women and men.

Education plays a transformative role in the lives of children with hearing impairment by promoting their cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and vocational development. It is not merely a means of acquiring academic knowledge but also a powerful tool for fostering independence, self-confidence, and social inclusion. Hearing-impaired children often encounter significant barriers in accessing quality education due to communication difficulties, inadequate educational resources, lack of trained teachers, and limited availability of assistive technologies. These challenges may hinder their academic achievement and overall development if appropriate educational interventions are not provided. However, inclusive and accessible educational practices can significantly improve learning outcomes and quality of life for these children.
The importance of education for hearing-impaired children extends beyond literacy and numeracy. Early identification of hearing loss, timely intervention, and access to appropriate communication methods such as sign language, spoken language, total communication, or bilingual approaches are essential for language acquisition and cognitive development. Schools that provide individualized educational plans, assistive listening devices, captioning services, speech-to-text technology, and qualified special educators create supportive learning environments that enhance participation and academic success. Furthermore, inclusive education encourages interaction with hearing peers, promoting mutual understanding, reducing stigma, and developing social competence.
Teachers, parents, speech-language therapists, audiologists, and special educators play a collaborative role in ensuring the holistic development of hearing-impaired children. Family involvement in education strengthens communication skills and emotional well-being, while continuous teacher training improves instructional effectiveness. Technological advancements, including digital hearing aids, cochlear implants, interactive educational software, artificial intelligence-based learning tools, and online captioning services, have further expanded educational opportunities for students with hearing impairment. These innovations facilitate equitable access to learning and improve classroom engagement.
National and international policies, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Salamanca Statement, and India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, emphasize the right of every child with a disability to receive inclusive, equitable, and quality education without discrimination. These frameworks advocate for accessible educational environments, reasonable accommodations, and equal participation in society. Despite these policy initiatives, many educational institutions continue to face challenges related to infrastructure, trained personnel, and the provision of specialized support services.

Folk traditions serve as the backbone of cultural identity in the Himalayan region, particularly in the Shimla Hills and surrounding districts such as Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, and Kinnaur. These traditions expressed through folksongs, deity systems, festivals, rituals, dialects, food habits, and wooden architecture preserve centuries-old memories of the communities living in the mountains. However, the rise ofdigital technologiesandsocial media has created acomplex space where preservation and transformation simultaneously take place. This paper examines the identity, relevance, and transition of Himalayan folk traditions in the contemporary Indian context, focusing on the cultural fabric of the Shimla Hills. It integrates ethnographic insights, qualitative interviews with Himachali writers, cultural literature, and policy frameworks, including the Himachal Pradesh Cultural Policy (2021). By drawing upon classical villages such as Kotkhai, Kumarsain, Kotgarh, Rohru, Chopal, Theog, Giripar (Sirmaur), Churah and Balh (Mandi), Bhagat (Solan), and Kinnaur, the study illuminates how folk traditions continue to define identity while undergoing significant change due to migration,education, economicshifts,andthe influence ofdigitalmedia.Thepaperhighlights the dual role of social media as a preserver and disruptor and provides insights into how communities negotiate tradition and modernity in a rapidly changing socio-cultural environment.

The present piece of research aims to depict the theatre of protest in modern Indian drama. Modern Indian English drama has emerged as a powerful medium for expressing social, political, and cultural resistance. The tradition of protest theatre challenges injustice, questions oppressive institutions, and gives voice to marginalized communities through innovative dramatic forms and compelling narratives. This research paper examines the concept of the theatre of protest in modern Indian English drama, with particular reference to the plays of Vijay Tendulkar and Badal Sircar. It explores how these playwrights expose issues such as social inequality, caste and gender discrimination, political corruption, violence, exploitation, and the moral crisis of the middle class. The paper argues that modern Indian English drama extends beyond entertainment by encouraging critical reflection and inspiring social change. It concludes that protest theatre remains an important literary and cultural force, reflecting contemporary realities while promoting justice, equality, democratic values, and human dignity through dramatic expression.

Natural resources constitute the fundamental basis of economic growth and sustainable development. Land, water, forests, minerals, energy resources, and biodiversity provide the essential inputs required for agricultural production, industrial expansion, infrastructure development, employment generation, and overall improvement in living standards. However, the mere existence of abundant natural resources does not guarantee economic prosperity. The extent to which these resources are efficiently, scientifically, and sustainably utilized determines their contribution to national development. Fuller utilisation of natural resources refers to the optimum and productive use of available resources through technological advancement, effective planning, scientific management, institutional support, and environmentally sustainable practices.
This study examines the significance of fuller utilisation of natural resources and its impact on economic development from both theoretical and policy perspectives. The study analyses how efficient resource utilisation contributes to increased productivity, industrial growth, agricultural modernization, employment creation, environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and balanced regional development.
The findings reveal that countries achieving optimum utilisation of their natural resources experience higher economic growth, greater industrial competitiveness, improved food security, enhanced energy efficiency, and better living standards. However, challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, overexploitation of resources, institutional weaknesses, technological limitations, and unequal resource distribution continue to hinder sustainable development. The study concludes that adopting integrated resource management strategies, promoting green technologies, strengthening environmental governance, encouraging renewable energy, and enhancing public awareness are essential for ensuring that natural resources contribute effectively to long-term, inclusive, and sustainable economic development.

HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most significant public health and social challenges across the world, particularly in developing countries like India. Despite considerable progress in medical science, availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and expansion of prevention programmes, HIV/AIDS remains deeply intertwined with issues of stigma, discrimination, poverty, gender inequality, and psychosocial vulnerability. People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) often require not only medical treatment but also continuous psychological, emotional, and social support to cope with the illness and to maintain treatment adherence and quality of life.
In this context, counsellors and health activists constitute the backbone of HIV/AIDS intervention programmes. They work at the interface between the health system and the community, providing counselling, psychosocial support, health education, prevention services, follow-up care, and linkage to treatment and rehabilitation. Their roles are multidimensional and demanding, involving emotional labour, crisis intervention, confidentiality maintenance, stigma management, and continuous engagement with individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. As frontline service providers, they are frequently exposed to clients’ trauma, distress, social rejection, and economic hardships.
Occupational stress is a common phenomenon among professionals working in helping professions, particularly those engaged in long-term caregiving and counselling roles. Occupational stress refers to the physical, emotional, and psychological strain that arises when work-related demands exceed an individual’s ability to cope effectively. Counsellors and health activists working with PLWHIV often face heavy workloads, role ambiguity, inadequate staffing, limited resources, job insecurity, and emotional exhaustion. Continuous exposure to suffering, death, and relapse further intensifies their stress levels, making them vulnerable to burnout, compassion fatigue, and reduced work efficiency.
Alongside occupational stress, the concept of burden has gained increasing attention in mental health and social work research. Burden refers to the perceived load of responsibilities, emotional involvement, role strain, and psychological exhaustion experienced while providing care or support services. Although traditionally associated with family caregivers, recent research indicates that professional caregivers and counsellors also experience significant levels of burden due to sustained emotional engagement and high expectations.
In India, HIV/AIDS programmes are implemented through a network of government health institutions, Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs), ART centres, and non-governmental organizations under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Karnataka has been one of the states with sustained HIV intervention efforts, and Tumkur district has an active presence of counsellors and health activists engaged in HIV prevention, care, and support services. These professionals often operate in challenging socio-cultural environments characterized by stigma and discrimination, which further complicates their work roles.
Despite their crucial contribution, the psychosocial well-being of counsellors and health activists has received relatively limited attention in research and policy discourse. Most HIV/AIDS-related studies in India focus on epidemiological or clinical aspects, while fewer examine the occupational stress and burden faced by frontline service providers at the district level. Understanding these dimensions is essential for ensuring workforce sustainability, service quality, and effective programme implementation. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to examine occupational stress and burden among counsellors and health activists engaged with PLHIV in Tumkur district.

Achieving gender equality in education is one of the current problems, even though there have been considerable achievements in terms of providing educational opportunities for everyone around the world. The present paper considers the main obstacles to gender equality and the measures that should be used to make education more gender inclusive. The gender stereotypes, social norms, and institutional bias can influence people’s chances for getting an education, performance at school, choice of subjects to study, and future careers. The gender stereotypes may steer boys and girls on different educational trajectories, especially limiting women’s possibilities for studying STEM disciplines. Moreover, there are certain biases within the curriculum, textbooks, and other teaching methods that prevent gender equality and limit the opportunities for men and women. Finally, this paper pays attention to the importance of the involvement of teachers who are able to change their attitudes and expectations towards their students.

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder that affects reproductive-aged women and is frequently associated with diminished ovarian reserve and infertility. Fertility preservation has become an essential component of management, particularly for patients who delay childbearing or require surgical intervention that may compromise ovarian function. This article reviews current fertility preservation strategies in patients with endometriosis, including oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and the role of medical and surgical approaches in optimizing reproductive outcomes. The impact of endometriotic cysts and repeated ovarian surgeries on ovarian reserve is critically examined, alongside the timing of intervention and patient selection criteria. Emerging techniques and individualized treatment planning are emphasized to maximize success rates while minimizing disease progression. A multidisciplinary approach involving reproductive specialists, gynecologic surgeons, and patients is crucial for informed decision-making. Early counseling and proactive fertility preservation can significantly improve reproductive potential and quality of life in women with endometriosis.

The city is getting crowded and more people are buying cars, which is making the traffic really bad. This is why we need to have traffic lights that can control the traffic flow. The old ways of controlling traffic lights like using a fixed schedule or sensors do not work well because they cannot adjust to the changing traffic conditions. This means that cars have to wait there is more traffic people use more fuel and the air gets polluted. A new way to control traffic lights is by using something called Deep Reinforcement Learning. This is a type of computer program that can learn how to make decisions by trying different things and seeing what works best. We looked at how this type of program has been used to control traffic lights from 2016 to 2026. We saw how different types of computer programs like Deep Q-Network, Double DQN and Graph Neural Network have been used to control traffic lights. We talked about how these programs work, what they are good at and what their limitations are. We also looked at how new technologies, like self-driving cars the Internet of Things and smart transportation systems can be used to make traffic flow better. However, there are still some challenges that need to be solved like making sure the programs can handle a lot of data do not use too much computer power and can be used in the real world. Overall, we think that Deep Reinforcement Learning can be used to create traffic light systems that're smart, efficient and good for the environment but more research is needed to make sure they can be used in big cities. Deep Reinforcement Learning and traffic signal control systems are really important for the future of cities. Deep Reinforcement Learning can help traffic signal control systems to be more adaptive and efficient. Traffic signal control systems that use Deep Reinforcement Learning can reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and environmental pollution. We need to do research, on Deep Reinforcement Learning and traffic signal control systems so that we can use them in big cities.

This qualitative study provides an in-depth analysis of how informal feedback, casual comments, gossip, and peer reviews shape employees' perceptions of work ethic within Ghanaian organizational contexts. Guided by Foucault's concept of the docile body and Goffman's dramaturgical framework, interviews with six professionals across three sectors (banking, education, and civil service) in Accra reveal how informal evaluative discourse operates as a disciplinary mechanism that regulates workplace behavior. Findings identify three primary channels of informal feedback: peer-initiated casual commentary (performance observations, character assessments), gossip networks (reputational transmission, social sanctioning), and informal peer reviews (unsolicited evaluations, corridor consultations). The study examines how these feedback forms shape employees' perceptions of what constitutes "good work ethic," how organizational hierarchies mediate the reception of informal feedback, and how workers negotiate between formal performance metrics and informal reputational assessments. Results indicate that while informal feedback operates outside official channels, its influence on work ethic perceptions is substantial, often outweighing formal evaluations. Gossip networks function as rapid reputational transmission systems, rewarding performative displays of diligence while punishing perceived laziness or unreliability. Casual comments, particularly those framed as "just advising," carry significant disciplinary weight because they invoke shared cultural expectations of reciprocity, respect, and communal responsibility. The study also reveals how organizational seniority and gender shape experiences of informal feedback, with junior employees and women reporting greater vulnerability to reputational damage from casual commentary. This ethnographic perspective highlights the necessity of acknowledging informal feedback as a legitimate force in shaping workplace behavior and developing culturally sensitive approaches to performance management that recognize rather than deny the power of casual talk.

This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore the availability, accessibility, utilization, and effectiveness of formal support systems—counselling services, social welfare programmes, legal aid, school-based interventions, and religious institutional support—for children coping with parental divorce in Ghanaian families. 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 childhood (16 participants), divorced parents who sought or attempted to seek formal support for their children (14 participants), and social workers, counsellors, legal aid officers, and religious leaders with experience providing support to divorced families (14 participants). Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended questions and narrative prompts designed to elicit participants' experiences with formal support systems, barriers to access, perceptions of effectiveness, cultural appropriateness of services, and recommendations for improvement. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: the near-absence of professional counselling services, with participants describing counselling as virtually unavailable outside affluent urban areas and unknown to most families; the underfunded and overstretched social welfare system, wherein social workers described overwhelming caseloads that prevented them from providing meaningful support to children of divorce; the inaccessible legal aid system, with participants describing legal assistance for custody, child support, and visitation as expensive, slow, and intimidating for ordinary Ghanaians; the minimal and inconsistent school-based support, wherein counsellors were absent from most basic schools and teachers lacked training to support children experiencing family disruption; the ambivalent role of religious institutions, with churches and mosques offering prayer and limited practical support but also contributing to stigma and failing to provide structured programmes for children; and the emerging but fragile civil society and NGO interventions, with participants describing isolated programmes that were not sustained or scaled. Participants' narratives revealed that formal support systems for children of divorce in Ghana are severely limited, fragmented, and largely inaccessible to the majority of families. Professional counselling is concentrated in affluent urban areas and is unknown to most. Social welfare services are underfunded and overstretched, with workers unable to provide more than crisis intervention. Legal aid is inaccessible due to cost, complexity, and intimidation. Schools lack counsellors and teacher training. Religious institutions offer prayer but not structured support. The few NGO programmes that exist are not sustained. Children of divorce and their families cope with minimal formal support, relying instead on informal networks that are themselves strained. The study contributes to the understanding of the gaps in Ghana's formal support infrastructure for children of divorce, offering insights relevant to mental health policy, social welfare reform, legal aid access, educational counselling, and religious institutional programming.

The rapid proliferation of digital technologies is reshaping the landscape of social work practice in unprecedented ways. This paper examines the intersection of digital innovation and social work, analyzing how technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), telehealth platforms, mobile applications, big data analytics, and blockchain are transforming service delivery, client engagement, and professional practice. Drawing on current empirical literature, theoretical frameworks, and emerging practice models, this paper explores both the transformative potential and the significant ethical challenges inherent in technology-mediated social work.

Specifically, the paper investigates three overarching themes: (1) the opportunities presented by digital technologies to expand access, improve outcomes, and enhance efficiency in social services; (2) the ethical imperatives-including privacy, surveillance, algorithmic bias, informed consent, and digital equity-that practitioners and organizations must navigate; and (3) the innovative models emerging at the frontier of social work practice. Findings suggest that while digital tools offer extraordinary promise, their uncritical adoption risks deepening existing inequalities, eroding professional relationships, and compromising client dignity. The paper concludes with a forward-looking framework for ethical digital social work integration, emphasizing human-centered design, participatory approaches, and ongoing critical reflection.

सम्राट अशोक भारतीय इतिहास के उन महान शासकों में अग्रगण्य हैं जिन्होंने शासन को केवल राजनीतिक शक्ति का माध्यम न मानकर उसे नैतिक एवं मानवीय मूल्यों की स्थापना का साधन बनाया। कलिंग युद्ध के उपरांत अशोक के जीवन में आए वैचारिक परिवर्तन ने उनके धम्म की अवधारणा को जन्म दिया, जिसका मूल उद्देश्य समस्त प्रजा के नैतिक उत्थान, सामाजिक समरसता, धार्मिक सहिष्णुता तथा लोककल्याण की स्थापना था। अशोक का धम्म किसी संप्रदाय विशेष का धर्म न होकर एक सार्वभौमिक नैतिक आचार-संहिता था, जिसमें अहिंसा, दया, करुणा, सत्य, क्षमा, माता-पिता एवं गुरुजनों के प्रति सम्मान, सभी धर्मों के प्रति सहिष्णुता तथा प्राणिमात्र के कल्याण जैसे मानवीय मूल्यों को विशेष महत्व दिया गया।
प्रस्तुत शोध-पत्र में सम्राट अशोक के धम्म की अवधारणा का दार्शनिक एवं नैतिक दृष्टिकोण से विश्लेषण किया गया है। अध्ययन में अशोक के शिलालेखों एवं स्तंभलेखों के आधार पर धम्म के मूल तत्त्वों का विवेचन करते हुए यह स्पष्ट किया गया है कि अशोक का धम्म बौद्ध धर्म से प्रेरित होते हुए भी उससे व्यापक एवं व्यावहारिक स्वरूप रखता था। इसमें शासन, समाज और व्यक्ति के मध्य नैतिक संतुलन स्थापित करने का प्रयास परिलक्षित होता है। शोध में यह भी प्रतिपादित किया गया है कि अशोक के धम्म का मूल स्वरूप सार्वभौमिक नैतिकता पर आधारित था, जो आज के बहुसांस्कृतिक एवं वैश्विक समाज में भी समान रूप से प्रासंगिक है। यह अध्ययन अशोक के धम्म की दार्शनिक पृष्ठभूमि, नैतिक मूल्यों तथा समकालीन संदर्भों में उसकी उपयोगिता का समग्र मूल्यांकन प्रस्तुत करता है।

संघमाता डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर समकालीन भारत में बौद्ध धम्म के प्रचार-प्रसार, संरक्षण एवं पुनर्जागरण की एक महत्वपूर्ण हस्ती के रूप में प्रतिष्ठित हैं। उन्होंने बौद्ध धर्म को केवल धार्मिक आस्था तक सीमित न रखते हुए उसे शिक्षा, संस्कृति, चिकित्सा, सामाजिक सेवा और मानव कल्याण के व्यापक आयामों से जोड़ा। उनके प्रयासों से बौद्ध धम्म के मूल सिद्धांत—करुणा, मैत्री, अहिंसा, प्रज्ञा एवं समता—को समाज के विविध वर्गों तक पहुँचाने का कार्य हुआ। उन्होंने शैक्षिक संस्थानों में बौद्ध अध्ययन एवं अनुसंधान को प्रोत्साहित किया तथा राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर बौद्ध विद्वानों, भिक्षुसंघों और शोधार्थियों के मध्य संवाद स्थापित करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई।
डॉ. मुक्ति भटनागर ने बोधि उपवन, बुद्ध प्रतिमाओं, स्तूपों तथा बौद्ध सांस्कृतिक स्थलों के निर्माण एवं संरक्षण द्वारा बौद्ध विरासत को जीवंत बनाए रखने का प्रयास किया। उन्होंने श्रीलंका, म्यांमार, नेपाल, थाईलैंड एवं वियतनाम जैसे बौद्ध देशों के साथ सांस्कृतिक एवं शैक्षिक संबंध स्थापित कर वैश्विक धम्म-संवाद को सुदृढ़ किया। उनके नेतृत्व में आयोजित अंतरराष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठियों, धम्म-चर्चाओं तथा सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों ने बौद्ध अध्ययन को नई दिशा प्रदान की।
चिकित्सक एवं शिक्षाविद् होने के कारण उन्होंने करुणा को व्यवहारिक जीवन का आधार बनाया तथा स्वास्थ्य सेवा, महिला सशक्तिकरण और वंचित वर्गों के कल्याण को बौद्ध मानवतावाद से जोड़ने का प्रयास किया। इस प्रकार उनका योगदान केवल बौद्ध धर्म के प्रचार तक सीमित नहीं रहा, बल्कि उन्होंने बौद्ध धम्म को समकालीन समाज की आवश्यकताओं के अनुरूप पुनर्स्थापित करने का कार्य किया। प्रस्तुत शोध-पत्र में उनके बहुआयामी योगदान का विश्लेषण करते हुए बौद्ध धम्म के प्रसार एवं सांस्कृतिक पुनर्जागरण में उनकी भूमिका का मूल्यांकन किया गया है।

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO) operations are often constrained by poor road infrastructure, high transportation costs, security risks in the Niger Delta, delays in the delivery of equipment, and bottlenecks in crude evacuation. The main objective of the study was to ascertain the influence of logistics management on the performance of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO). Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted in the study and yhe population of the study was 46 management staff of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO). The study adopts the census technique by making use of the total population of 46 as the sample size because the population is sizeable for the researcher to handle. Findings showed that the two independent variables (transport management and inventory control have a significant positive influence on the performance of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO). It was recommended that SEEPCO should Optimize Fleet Utilization by conduct regular assessments of vehicle usage, route efficiency, fleet management software to monitor vehicle location, fuel consumption, maintenance schedules, reduce idle time and prevent underutilization of transport resources.

This study examined the prevalence, severity, and predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among 1,156 disaster survivors across five Indian states. Using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; Weathers et al., 2013), the study found a mean PTSD score of 30.8 (SD = 15.7), with 30.1% of survivors meeting criteria for severe PTSD. Significant regional, demographic, and disaster-related variations were identified. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that resilience (β = −0.54), loss severity (β = 0.18), and maladaptive coping (β = 0.16) collectively explained 53.6% of PTSD variance. These findings underscore the urgent need for region-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health interventions in post-disaster recovery frameworks.

Windenergy, despitebeingone of thefastest-growing technologies among renewable energy sources, contains significant uncertainties in production forecasting dueto itsvariable naturedependent on atmosphericconditions. Reducingtheseuncertainties has made it necessary to developaccurateforecastingmodels in terms of energyproductionplanning, gridoperation, management of energystoragesystems, and the efficient functioning of electricitymarkets. Inrecentyears, machinelearning algorithm shave started to be widelyused in wind energy fore casting studies due to their ability to model nonlinear relationshipsandlearnfromlargevolumes of data. However, comprehensiveevaluationsregardingwhichalgorithmsaremoresuccessful in terms of different data structures, forecastinghorizons, andperformancemetricsarelimited. Theaim of thisstudy is toevaluatethemachine learningalgorithmsused in windenergyforecastingthrough a systematicliteraturereviewapproachand to comparatively analysethepredictionaccuracyandperformancecharacteristics of thealgorithms. Inthiscontext, nationalandinternationalstudiesthathaveundergonepeerreviewwereexamined; SupportVectorRegression (SVR), DecisionTrees, RandomForest, XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost, ArtificialNeural Networks (ANN), LongShort-Term Memory (LSTM), ConvolutionalNeural Networks (CNN), andhybridmachinelearningmodelswerecompared in terms of performance, computationalcost, data requirements, interpretability, andgeneralisability. Additionally, theroles of performancemetricscommonlyused in theliterature, such as RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and R², in algorithm evaluations havebeen addressed. Thereviewresultsshowthat a singlemachinelearningalgorithmdoes not providethebest performance for all datasetsandallpredictionscenarios. It has been determinedthatthesuccess of thealgorithmdepends on manyfactorssuch as data quality, sample size, diversity of meteorologicalvariables, data preprocessingtechniques, featureselection, andhyperpara meteroptimisation. Especially, it has been observed thatensemblelearningmethodsanddeeplearning-basedhybridmodelsprovidehighprediction accuracy; however, they introduce new challenges in terms of computationalcostandinterpretability. Theliteraturealsoidentifiesrisingresearchtrends in thefield of windenergyforecasting, such as explainableartificialintelligence, automatedmachinelearning, digitaltwintechnologies, andphysics-informed artificial intelligence approaches. Inconclusion, thisstudy not onlyintroduces themachinelearning algorithms used in windenergyforecasting but alsoprovides a comprehensive evaluationfor researchers andpractitionersby critically comparingtheir performancesandapplicationareas. Additionally, it identifiesresearchgaps in theexistingliterature, proposing a scientificroadmapforfuturestudies.

This study examined the influence of board governance on financial reporting integrity among listed insurance firms in Nigeria, with specific objectives of determining the influence of board size and board independence on financial reporting integrity measured by accrual earnings management. The study adopted an ex post facto research design and covered a population of fifteen listed insurance firms in Nigeria, from which ten firms were purposively selected based on the availability and completeness of their annual reports for the period 2015 to 2024. Secondary data were collected from the audited annual reports and financial statements of the sampled firms, while the hypotheses were tested using Panel Estimated Generalized Least Squares with Cross Section Seemingly Unrelated Regression after conducting relevant diagnostic tests at a 5 percent level of significance. The findings revealed that: board size had a positive and significant effect on the financial reporting integrity of listed insurance firms in Nigeria by reducing accrual earnings management (β = −0.051990, p = 0.0000); board independence had a positive and significant effect on the financial reporting integrity of listed insurance firms in Nigeria by reducing accrual earnings management (β = −0.388944, p = 0.0000). The study concluded that effective board governance, through appropriate board size and greater board independence, reduced accrual earnings management and strengthened the integrity of financial reporting among listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The study recommended that the boards of listed insurance firms should maintain an appropriate board size and increase the proportion of independent directors to strengthen oversight functions and improve the integrity of financial reporting.

This study proposed a new extension of perks distribution by adding one shape and one scale parameter to the perk’s distribution using the exponential G-family proposed by Bourguignon (2014). This study has derived some expressions for its basic statistical properties such asmoments, moment generating function, the characteristics function, reliability analysis, quantile function and the distribution of order statistics. Some plots of the distribution and the reliability function were generated and interpreted appropriately. The model parameters have beenestimated using the method of maximum likelihood estimation. The performance of the model has also been tested by simulateddata. The distribution compared to some existinggeneralizations ofthe Perks distribution.The likelihood approach is used to estimate the parameters. The efficiency and consistency of these estimators are validated by Monte Carlo simulation analysis, which shows that bias, variance, and root mean squareerror (RMSE) all decline with increasing sample sizes. Applying the EPD to areal-worlddataset; the daily COVID-19-related mortality in China, validates its applicability.According to Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics, the Bayesian Information Criterion(BIC), the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and other well-knowncompetingmodels, the EPD exhibits better goodness-of-fit in both situations. The findingsdemonstrate that the EPD is a reliable and adaptable technique for modelingpositively skewed lifetime and survival data, with special potential for use inreliability analysis, medical research, and epidemiology.

Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors are widely utilized in various applications due to their high efficiency, low maintenance, and robust performance. Achieving optimal control of BLDC motors, however, is a complex task due to their nonlinear dynamics, parameter uncertainties, and operating conditions. Traditional control strategies like PID often fail to deliver the desired performance across all operating conditions. Soft computing optimization techniques, such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Fuzzy Logic (FL), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), have been proposed to address these challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of soft computing techniques for the optimal control of BLDC motors. We provide a detailed analysis of various optimization methods, their advantages, limitations, and specific applications in BLDC motor control. The review highlights the significant improvements in performance achieved through these methods and offers insight into future research directions.

This mixed-method comparative study employed surveys and semi-structured interviews to identify differences in work attitudes, specifically punctuality, initiative, accountability, and motivation between public sector and private sector employees in Ghana. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study surveyed 240 employees (120 public sector, 120 private sector) across Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi using a adapted Work Ethic Questionnaire measuring punctuality, initiative, accountability, and motivation, followed by semi-structured interviews with 24 participants (12 from each sector) to explore the lived experiences and contextual factors shaping reported attitudes. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests; qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the integrated analysis: punctuality as performance versus principle, with public sector employees reporting punctuality as externally motivated (fear of sanction) and private sector employees as internally motivated (self-discipline); initiative as permitted versus required, with public sector employees describing initiative as sometimes unwelcome and private sector employees describing it as expected for survival; accountability as vertical versus horizontal, with public sector employees oriented toward supervisor approval and private sector employees oriented toward market forces and peer accountability; motivation as security-driven versus opportunity-driven, with public sector employees valuing job stability and private sector employees valuing advancement potential; the systemic constraint narrative among public sector employees who expressed desire to work hard but described bureaucratic barriers; and the survival pressure narrative among private sector employees who described hard work as necessity rather than choice. Quantitative results showed statistically significant differences between sectors on all four dimensions, with private sector employees scoring higher on initiative (t = 4.82, p

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a structured core-strengthening exercise programme on the spiking ability of district-level volleyball players. Fifteen volleyball spikers aged 15–20 years from the Srinagar district of Kashmir were selected as subjects through purposive sampling. The study employed a single-group pre-test and post-test experimental design. Core strength and endurance were assessed using the Plank Hold Test and Sit-Up Test, while spiking ability was evaluated through a customized Volleyball Spiking Accuracy Test. Following the pre-test assessment, the participants underwent a structured core-strengthening exercise programme designed to improve trunk stability, muscular endurance, and overall core function. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests at a 0.05 level of significance through JAMOVI software. The results revealed significant improvements in core strength variables. Sit-up performance increased significantly from a mean score of 27.87 to 30.67 repetitions (t = -6.089, p < .001), while plank hold duration improved from 71.53 seconds to 76.13 seconds (t = -5.901, p < .001). Spiking accuracy also increased from a mean score of 22.60 to 24.40; however, the improvement was not statistically significant (t = -1.79, p = .095). The findings indicate that core-strengthening exercises are highly effective in enhancing core muscular strength and endurance among volleyball players. Although improvements in spiking accuracy were observed, they did not reach statistical significance, suggesting that technical volleyball skills require integrating sport-specific practice with physical conditioning. The study concludes that core-strengthening exercises provide an important physical foundation for volleyball performance and should be incorporated into comprehensive training programmes aimed at improving athletic performance and reducing injury risk.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Suryanamaskar practice on selected physical fitness variables among male district-level (Bandipora) volleyball players of Kashmir. Fifteen male volleyball players aged between 15 and 20 years were selected through simple random sampling. The study employed a single-group pre-test and post-test research design. The selected participants underwent a structured Suryanamaskar training programme for six weeks, five days per week, with each session lasting 30–45 minutes. The dependent variables selected for the study were speed, agility, and flexibility. Speed was measured using the 50-Meter Dash Test, agility through the Shuttle Run Test, and flexibility through the Sit-and-Reach Test. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were computed, while a dependent-samples t-test was used to determine the significance of differences between pre-test and post-test scores at the 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed a significant improvement in agility (t = 3.25, p < 0.05) and flexibility (t = 7.95, p < 0.05) following the Suryanamaskar intervention. However, the improvement in speed was not statistically significant (t = 0.46, p > 0.05). The findings indicate that regular Suryanamaskar practice effectively enhances agility and flexibility among volleyball players but has limited influence on speed performance. Therefore, Suryanamaskar may be incorporated as a supplementary training modality in volleyball conditioning programmes to improve selected components of physical fitness. The study concludes that traditional yogic practices can serve as cost-effective and scientifically supported methods for enhancing athletic performance and physical fitness.

Autonomous multi-UAV systems are increasingly deployed in applications such as disaster response, environmental monitoring, and smart city management, where dynamic and uncer-tain environments pose significant operational challenges. In such situations, UAVs have to cope with geospatial risks, establish reliable communication links, and strictly enforce con-straints on energy and latency requirements. Conventional strategies usually tackle these chal-lenges individually, making it hard to ensure feasible mission performance in uncertain envi-ronmental settings. To address this research gap, this paper proposes a feasibility-aware co-design framework that integrates geospatial risk-aware path planning, reconfigurable intelli-gent surface (RIS)-assisted wireless communication, and adaptive multi-agent decision-making within a unified control system. In contrast, the novel strategy utilizes risk-oriented geospatial planning, designs efficient phase configurations for RISs to improve communica-tion conditions in the presence of uncertainties, and enforces constraints on energy and laten-cy through a dual-primal control architecture. Moreover, a multi-agent reinforcement learning scheme helps make adaptive decisions for such a system without the need for manual repa-rameterization. Simulations in stochastic channel conditions and dynamic obstacle environ-ments demonstrate that the framework improves spectral efficiency by approximately 30% compared to non-RIS baselines and reduces energy consumption by over 20% relative to non-geospatial strategies.The framework achieves high feasibility across all simulated scenarios. These results demonstrate the applicability of integrating geospatial planning, communication management, and feasibility control in multi-UAV missions. The proposed framework pro-vides a scalable foundation for future autonomous UAV systems, enabling energy-efficient, reliable, and safe operation in complex real-world environments.

Women are the most integral, important and influential gender of the society. As our former Prime Minister and a great educationalist Dr.SarvepallyRadha Krishnan once said that “ If a man is educated only one person is educated but if a woman is educated, it is equal to educating a whole university.” This single sentence has in it all the underlying facts about the importance of women to be educated. At the same time it also reveals that women play an important role in influencing and also creating an impact on the people in the family and society at large. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, is a ministry in the Government of India, which is an apex executive body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India. Most of the women from the rural and urban area avail Creches services and manufacture handicrafts by spinning and weaving etc. This helps them to provide employment to the women staying nearby which in turn increases the economy of the people and also GDP of the country. India has 63 million micro, small and medium enterprises of which women employing 22 to 27 own 20% million people. India is also ranked 57th among 65 countries in the Master card index of women entrepreneurs12 (MIWE, 2021)
This article highlights that women have proved themselves in various fields and also started many small scale units, but at the same time society needs to understand that they are the most important and influential part of family and society. Hence, they need to make themselves perfect and updated according to the changing times for a prosperous and better society.

This qualitative study employed focus group methodology to explore how Ghanaian employees perceive, describe, and evaluate the work ethic of their colleagues within their own employment settings, revealing the cultural norms, implicit standards, and underlying tensions that shape peer assessment of workplace diligence. Drawing upon Social Constructionism (Berger & Luckmann, 1966) and Ubuntu Philosophy (Gyekye, 1997), the study conducted six focus group sessions with 40 participants drawn from public sector institutions, private Ghanaian-owned enterprises, and multinational corporations operating in Accra and Kumasi. Focus group discussions were guided by open-ended prompts designed to elicit participants' descriptions of colleagues they considered to have a strong work ethic, colleagues they considered to have a weak work ethic, the specific behaviors and character traits that distinguished these evaluations, and the tensions that arise when peer expectations conflict with organizational demands or individual preferences. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Six overarching themes emerged from the data: punctuality and presence as the most visible and frequently cited marker of peer work ethic; initiative and discretionary effort as the distinguishing feature between minimally adequate and genuinely diligent colleagues; relational work values as an essential but contested component of peer evaluation; the tolerance spectrum as an implicit framework for evaluating colleagues who violate norms; envy and peer surveillance as tensions emerging from within-group work ethic comparisons; and the hypocrisy contradiction as the most frequently cited source of workplace demoralization. Participants' narratives revealed that peer evaluation of work ethic is a constant, informal, and emotionally consequential process in Ghanaian workplaces. Colleagues are continuously observed, compared, and discussed, with evaluations based on a complex set of criteria that include punctuality, visible busyness, willingness to help, reliability, and the perceived authenticity of effort. Significant tensions emerged between the desire for collective success and resentment of colleagues who exploit group goodwill; between Ubuntu relational values that discourage confrontation and the frustration generated by persistent free-riding; and between organizational demands for individual performance and peer expectations of mutual support. The study contributes to understanding of workplace dynamics in Ghanaian organizations by illuminating the informal evaluative culture through which colleagues shape each other's work behavior, offering insights relevant to team management, performance systems, and organizational culture development.

Amid the vast civilizational mosaic of India, Odisha emerges as a luminous repository of memory, imagination, and indigenous wisdom, where the echoes of the past continue to resonate through literature, ritual, folklore, and collective consciousness. Far from being confined to the annals of history, Odia civilization embodies a living continuum of knowledge in which cultural memory is incessantly preserved, negotiated, and rearticulated across generations.

Situated within the intellectual frameworks of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), cultural memory studies, and decolonial epistemology, this chapter explores the enduring vitality of Odia civilizational consciousness through the lens of autochthonous epistemologies. Employing the metaphor of the palimpsest, it conceptualizes Odia civilization as a multilayered archive where successive inscriptions of myth, spirituality, literary imagination, and social experience coexist in dynamic dialogue.

Particular attention is devoted to the literary and cultural contributions of Sarala Das, Jagannath Das, UpendraBhanja, GangadharMeher, and Fakir Mohan Senapati, whose works function as enduring repositories of ethical reflection, ecological sensibility, social consciousness, and collective remembrance.

The chapter argues that Odia civilization offers a distinctive paradigm of cultural sustainability rooted in relationality, ecological reciprocity, spiritual humanism, and civilizational continuity. Ultimately, this study contends that Odia civilizational memory is not merely a residue of the past but a dynamic and regenerative intellectual resource whose reverberations continue to illuminate pathways toward cultural resilience, sustainable futures, and a more pluralistic understanding of human knowledge.

Liposomes have revolutionized the field of pharmaceutics by providing a versatile platform for the delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. This review explores the structural components of liposomes, primarily phospholipids and cholesterol, and their role in enhancing drug stability and bioavailability. We discuss various preparation methods, from traditional thin-film hydration to modern microfluidic techniques. Furthermore, the review highlights the transition from conventional liposomes to "smart" delivery systems, including PEGylated (stealth) and ligand-targeted vesicles, and concludes with an overview of FDA-approved liposomal products and future market trends.

Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) has become a fundamental component of modern drug discovery by accelerating the identification, optimization, and development of novel therapeutic agents while reducing both time and cost. The integration of computational techniques with experimental research has significantly improved the efficiency of lead identification and optimization, enabling researchers to predict molecular interactions, pharmacokinetic properties, and toxicity profiles before laboratory testing. CADD encompasses two principal approaches: structure-based drug design (SBDD), which utilizes the three-dimensional structure of biological targets, and ligand-based drug design (LBDD), which relies on the structural and biological information of known active compounds. Emerging tools such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven algorithms have revolutionized the drug discovery process by enhancing predictive accuracy and facilitating the identification of promising drug candidates. In addition, advances in machine learning, deep learning, cloud computing, and big data analytics have enabled the rapid analysis of large chemical libraries and complex biological datasets, supporting precision medicine and personalized therapeutic strategies. These technologies have played a significant role in the discovery of treatments for cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and metabolic conditions. Despite remarkable progress, challenges such as limited structural data, computational complexity, prediction reliability, and model interpretability remain important considerations. Continuous improvements in computational power, algorithm development, and multidisciplinary collaboration are expected to overcome these limitations and further strengthen the impact of CADD. This review highlights the emerging computational tools, recent technological advancements, diverse applications, and future prospects of CADD, emphasizing its transformative role in improving the speed, efficiency, and success rate of modern drug discovery and pharmaceutical research.

This conceptual research paper examines the transforming role of Customer Experience Management (CXM) in the digital era, emphasising the emergence of augmented reality (AR) as a pivotal instrument for improving consumer interactions in both online and physical settings. It contends that AR provides businesses with an innovative approach to integrate digital and real-world experiences, fostering immersive, personalised, and engaging customer journeys that can substantially elevate customer satisfaction and loyalty. The paper commences by delineating the theoretical underpinnings of Customer Experience Management (CXM), highlighting its evolution from a transactional to an experiential paradigm in recent years, driven by advancements in digital technology and shifting consumer expectations. Companies are now striving to provide seamless, multi-channel experiences that emotionally engage their customers. Augmented Reality (AR), as a form of immersive technology, is proposed to be pivotal in this transition, especially within the retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, where the creation of memorable experiences can yield competitive advantages. drawing on recent studies, the paper explores how AR applications, such as virtual try-ons, interactive product visualizations, and location-based AR marketing, are reshaping customer engagement by enabling consumers to interact with products and services in highly personalized, realistic environments, and it is argued that these interactions help build stronger emotional connections between brands and customers, fostering greater loyalty and higher customer lifetime value; the theoretical discussion is complemented by an analysis of the key technological and psychological factors driving the adoption of AR in CXM, including advancements in mobile technology, the decreasing cost of AR tools, and the growing consumer demand for more interactive and immersive shopping experiences; the paper also highlights potential challenges in AR-driven CXM, such as privacy concerns, technological limitations, and the need for businesses to strike a balance between creating value-adding experiences and overloading customers with technological gimmicks, concluding that while AR represents a significant opportunity for enhancing CXM, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively companies can integrate it into a holistic, customer-centric experience strategy.This conceptual research paper delves into the evolving role of Customer Experience Management (CXM) in the digital age, focusing on how augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a critical tool for enhancing consumer interactions across online and physical environments, and it argues that AR offers businesses a novel means of bridging digital and real-world experiences, creating immersive, personalized, and engaging customer journeys that can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty; the paper begins by outlining the theoretical foundations of CXM, emphasizing its shift from a transactional to an experiential focus in recent years due to advancements in digital technology and changing consumer expectations, with companies now seeking to deliver seamless, multi-channel experiences that resonate emotionally with their customers, and AR, as a form of immersive technology, is posited to be at the forefront of this transition, particularly in retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors where creating memorable experiences can lead to competitive advantages; drawing on recent studies, the paper explores how AR applications, such as virtual try-ons, interactive product visualizations, and location-based AR marketing, are reshaping customer engagement by enabling consumers to interact with products and services in highly personalized, realistic environments, and it is argued that these interactions help build stronger emotional connections between brands and customers, fostering greater loyalty and higher customer lifetime value; the theoretical discussion is complemented by an analysis of the key technological and psychological factors driving the adoption of AR in CXM, including advancements in mobile technology, the decreasing cost of AR tools, and the growing consumer demand for more interactive and immersive shopping experiences; the paper also highlights potential challenges in AR-driven CXM, such as privacy concerns, technological limitations, and the need for businesses to strike a balance between creating value-adding experiences and overloading customers with technological gimmicks, concluding that while AR represents a significant opportunity for enhancing CXM, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively companies can integrate it into a holistic, customer-centric experience strategy.

As India strides toward its ambitious vision of Vikasit Bharath 2047, capacity building and skill development emerge as pivotal enablers of inclusive economic growth and social transformation. This conceptual and exploratory manuscript unpacks the multi-dimensional framework of capacity building and skill enhancement, emphasizing its strategic role in shaping a competent workforce aligned with the evolving demands of the Accounting and Finance (A&F) Sectors. Unlike empirical studies that foreground quantitative analyses, this paper employs a theoretical lens to critically explore the foundational concepts and dynamic interplay between individual competencies, organizational capabilities, and systemic skill ecosystems.
The manuscript delineates capacity building as an integrative process encompassing knowledge acquisition, skill enhancement, attitudinal shifts, and institutional strengthening. It further underscores how capacity development transcends technical training to include fostering critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and adaptability—competencies indispensable in the contemporary finance and accounting landscape marked by digitization, regulatory complexity, and sustainability imperatives.
Skill development is analyzed not merely as workforce upskilling but as a strategic investment in human capital that catalyzes innovation, productivity, and resilience. The study explores emerging paradigms such as lifelong learning, industry-academia collaboration, and technology-enabled training methodologies, including AI-driven personalized learning and virtual skill labs. The significance of policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and tailored programs for marginalized and underserved populations is foregrounded to ensure equitable access and capacity inclusiveness.
Crucially, this manuscript positions capacity building and skill development as foundational to realizing the broader goals of Vikasit Bharath 2047—economic prosperity intertwined with social justice and environmental stewardship. It calls for an integrated model where accounting and finance professionals are empowered not only with technical proficiency but also with visionary leadership and ethical accountability, enabling them to contribute effectively to national development and global competitiveness.
By constructing a conceptual scaffold and identifying key thematic priorities and challenges, this exploratory treatise provides a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to synergize efforts and innovate frameworks for holistic capacity enhancement. The insights presented aim to ignite further academic inquiry and practical action towards building a future-ready, skilled India that champions sustainable progress and inclusive development.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounting and Finance (A&F)has sparked transformative changes in the way financial services are provided, with the potential to revolutionize the sector. This exploratory Paper seeks to examine the role AI is playing in shaping the future of A&F by investigating its applications, benefits, challenges, and long-term implications. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth understanding of how AI is poised to impact key areas such as financial reporting, auditing, risk management, fraud detection, and financial forecasting. By synthesizing available literature, expert opinions, and industry reports, it explores the extent to which AI has already influenced the financial landscape and what future trends can be anticipated. The outcomes of this Paper suggest that AI is enabling greater accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in financial operations. It contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a comprehensive review of AI's evolving applications within the accounting and finance sectors. However, the Paper acknowledges several limitations, notably the absence of empirical data on the widespread adoption of AI in A&F. The implications of AI's growing influence in accounting and finance are profound. On one hand, AI offers the potential to reduce costs, improve service delivery, and streamline compliance with regulatory requirements and there are concerns about job displacement, ethical considerations, and data privacy. The Paper’s novelty lies in its exploratory approach, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI's future in A&F. While existing research often focuses on the current applications of AI, this paper takes a holistic view of AI’s trajectory, examining its potential long-term implications and the strategies required for successful implementation. By highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption, this Paper provides a balanced perspective that can guide future research and practical applications in the field.

This paper investigates into the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) towards strengthening accuracy and decision-making in financial analysis and prediction. The comparison made on four distinct models of prediction: ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) Random Forest(RF). Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) brings to light the predictions like stock prices, inflation rate, and interest rates. Performance criteria were set through upper-hand that AI models have when contrasted with the traditional approach to financial indicators as well as several factors in terms of decision such as speed and decision confidence risk. Results and analysıs indicate how the Al-powered models, and 1n this regard the MAE, RMSE, accuracy models which utilized LSTM algorithm provide a very superior accuracy over forecasting, allow quicker decisions compared to traditional ones, and perform much better for predicting risks relate to any finance. This research underscores the immense potential of AI to optimize financial Strategy reduce risks, and enable more effective decision-making in real-time financial markets.

The intention of this article is to analyze the planet Saturn and its rings from a geophysical and geological perspective, examining how this affects gravity, as compared to planet Earth. It will also explore how this affects, and could affect, the distortion of spacetime, how the graviton particle and the Coriolis force would be studied, and the inferences that exist today about the planet Saturn and its rings.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the accumulation of α-synuclein-containing Lewy bodies. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and represents a significant healthcare burden due to its increasing prevalence in aging populations. Despite substantial advances in symptomatic management, no definitive cure or disease-modifying therapy is currently available. Recent research has focused on understanding the complex molecular mechanisms underlying PD, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, protein misfolding, and genetic susceptibility. Emerging diagnostic approaches involving biomarkers, neuroimaging techniques, and artificial intelligence-based tools are improving the accuracy of early disease detection. Furthermore, innovative therapeutic strategies such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, neuroprotective agents, immunotherapy targeting α-synuclein, and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are being actively investigated. This review highlights the current trends in Parkinson’s disease research, emphasizing recent scientific breakthroughs in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, it discusses future directions and challenges in translating these advances into effective clinical interventions. Continued multidisciplinary research efforts are essential for developing personalized and disease-modifying therapies that can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

This study examined the effect of service quality on customer retention within the Kenyan insurance industry, with specific reference to GA Insurance Kenya. The study was guided by the objective of determining how service quality influences customer retention among policyholders. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study targeted active policyholders, employees, senior managers, and intermediaries of GA Insurance Kenya in Nairobi County. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis with the aid of IBM SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that service quality had a significant positive influence on customer retention, indicating that improvements in reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and service delivery enhance customer loyalty and willingness to continue using insurance services. The study concluded that quality service experiences strengthen customer trust and contribute to policy renewal and long-term relationships with insurance providers. The study recommended that GA Insurance Kenya improve claims processing efficiency, enhance customer support services, and regularly evaluate service delivery standards. Further research was recommended to examine service quality and customer retention across multiple insurance firms and assess the role of digital service innovations.

The ubiquitous integration of smartphones into higher education has fundamentally reshaped how students access information, communicate, and engage with digital learning resources. This study examined the relationships and predictive contributions of interaction competency, smartphone self-efficacy, and behavioural intention to use smartphones for academic purposes in relation to students&#39; perceived academic performance. The study was theoretically informed by selected concepts from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Social Cognitive Theory. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among students at the Advanced Technological Institute (ATI) Dehiwala and ATI Kandy. Of 250 questionnaires distributed, 212 valid responses were obtained, representing an effective response rate of 84.8%. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach&#39;s alpha, Pearson&#39;s correlation, multiple linear regression, independent-samples *t*-tests with Cohen&#39;s *d* effect sizes, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc comparisons.
The findings indicated statistically significant positive relationships between interaction competency, smartphone self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived academic performance. Behavioural intention demonstrated the strongest bivariate relationship with perceived academic performance (*r* = .702, *p*

Agricultural marketing is a critical component of the farm economy because the income realized by cultivators depends not only on production but also on the efficiency, transparency and competitiveness of the marketing system. Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) were established to provide regulated market spaces, facilitate transparent transactions, improve price discovery, provide market infrastructure and protect farmers from unfair trading practices. This study examines the role of APMC in the marketing of agricultural commodities in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka, with particular attention to farmers’ access to market facilities, price discovery, auction mechanisms, weighing, grading, market information, payment practices and perceived marketing constraints. The study uses a cross-sectional survey design based on a sample of 100 farmers selected from major agricultural areas of the district. Descriptive statistics, weighted mean scores, chi-square tests and correlation analysis are used to demonstrate the analytical framework. The findings indicate that APMC is perceived as important for organized sale of produce, transparent auctioning, weighing and access to market information. However, farmers continue to report challenges relating to price fluctuations, transportation costs, inadequate storage, delayed payments in some transactions, dependence on intermediaries and limited awareness of digital marketing platforms. The analysis suggests that strengthening market infrastructure, improving real-time price information; expanding grading and storage facilities, ensuring prompt payment; enhancing farmer awareness and integrating physical markets with digital platforms can improve marketing efficiency. The study concludes that APMC remains relevant in Chikkaballapura, but its effectiveness depends on modernization, transparency, farmer participation and better integration with emerging agricultural marketing channels.

Background: Skin rashes presenting with redness, itching, burning sensation, and blister formation are common clinical complaints and may significantly compromise patient comfort and quality of daily life.[1,2] Eka Kushta is a classical Ayurvedic entity classified under Kshudra Kushtha and is commonly correlated, in modern dermatology, with psoriasis and related papulosquamous/inflammatory dermatoses.[3] Case Presentation: A 45-year-old male patient presented with reddish rashes over the abdomen associated with small blisters, itching, and a burning sensation of approximately one month’s duration. The patient was treated with Haridhra Khanda Choorna (½ teaspoonful with honey, before food), Tab Krimikutara Rasa (one tablet twice daily with warm water, after food), and Pancha Tiktaka Qwatha (15 mL with 30 mL warm water, twice daily) for 7 days. Outcome: At the first follow-up on Day 7, roughly 50% improvement in itching, burning, and the visible lesions was recorded, and the same protocol was continued for a further 7 days. By Day 15, complete relief from symptoms was observed. Conclusion: This single-patient experience suggests that a combined, symptom-targeted Ayurvedic regimen based on classical Shamana (palliative) principles produced a favourable and rapid clinical improvement in Eka Kushta. As this is a single case report, broader generalisation awaits controlled clinical studies.[4]

Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint is a major degenerative musculoskeletal disorder that causes chronic mechanical pain, joint stiffness, and physical disability in elderly populations. Silicea (Silica) is a deep-acting constitutional homeopathic remedy conventionally indicated for conditions involving defective nutrition and tissue destruction. This study evaluated the specific indications and clinical effectiveness of homeopathic Silicea in managing knee osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
Homeopathic Silicea is highly effective in mitigating pain, improving joint flexibility, and reducing physical disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis when prescribed based on its classic therapeutic indications. These findings support its role as a viable conservative intervention for degenerative joint disease.

In the Computing driven world which we are currently, and everything now digital, it shows coherent technological evolution and scientific innovations at its peak. However, these advantages also come with its own unique challenges as every business has some sensitive, crucial data and processes that need to be secured. The existing model falls short in addressing the issue of unauthorized user gaining access to distributed server without the admin approval. This study addressed the problem by developing an efficient approach for data security in a distributed computing environment. This is done by training the model with the agent parameters through Rivest, Shamir, and Adelman (RSA) algorithm leading to a more precise and optimal value. The new model provides availability of database and creates large space memory location that can handle bulk unstructured information in the distributed computing environment. The proposed system is built using Object Oriented Design Approach (OODA), JavaScript and Python Programming Language was employed at the backend while HTML and CSS was used as the frontend and MYSQL for relational database. Different sizes of files were uploaded to the distributed sever and time for execution (encryption and decryption) of these files, were determined to indicate the amount of time taken to encrypt each file depending on its size. The times taken in millisecond (ms) for existing and proposed system are: 12013ms, 28409ms, 59720ms, 63003ms, 41749ms, and 246ms, 158ms, 362ms, 191ms, 783ms, respectively. Some of the file sizes in megabyte used in the existing and proposed system are: 3.73mb, 16.2mb, 17.8mb, 18mb, 25.3mb and 46.19mb, 116.56mb, 188.83mb, 302.25mb, 6858.25mb respectively. Comparing the results, it is observed that the proposed model minimal time to execute files than the existing system. Summarily, the result of the new model when tested shows that it can be used efficiently to achieve the principle of data security in a distributed computing environment.

The banking sector plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth by mobilizing savings, facilitating credit, and supporting investment activities. In an increasingly competitive financial environment, evaluating a bank's financial performance has become essential for investors, regulators, management, and other stakeholders. Ratio analysis is one of the most widely used tools for assessing the operational efficiency, profitability, liquidity, solvency, and overall financial health of banking institutions. This study evaluates the financial performance of HDFC Bank over the five-year period from FY2020–21 to FY2024–25 through comprehensive ratio analysis.
The study is based on secondary data collected from the official annual reports, financial statements, investor presentations, and publications of HDFC Bank, along with reports from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Various financial ratios relating to profitability, liquidity, asset quality, efficiency, and solvency are analyzed to understand the bank's financial position. Special attention is given to the impact of the merger between HDFC Bank and HDFC Ltd. in July 2023, which significantly influenced the bank's balance sheet, loan portfolio, and capital structure. Official annual reports and financial disclosures provide the primary data for this analysis.
The analysis indicates that HDFC Bank maintained strong profitability, stable capital adequacy, sound asset quality, and consistent growth in deposits and advances throughout the study period. Although the merger temporarily affected certain financial ratios, the bank demonstrated resilience through effective risk management, improved operational efficiency, and sustained profitability. The findings suggest that HDFC Bank remains one of India's strongest private sector banks with significant long-term growth potential.

Banks are widely regarded as the central nervous system of an economy, playing a vital role in promoting financial stability and economic growth. Beyond traditional functions such as encouraging savings and channeling investments, banks act as intermediaries, bridging the gap between depositors and borrowers. In recent years, the role of banks has expanded to include Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a critical component of their operations. CSR enables banks to contribute to societal welfare while enhancing their reputation and stakeholder trust. This study examines the CSR practices of HDFC Bank Ltd, focusing on initiatives undertaken under its “Parivartan” brand during FY 2017-18 to 2021-2022. CSR is institutionalized in India under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. HDFC Bank consistently surpasses the mandated CSR spending, reflecting its strong commitment to social welfare. Using data from annual reports, the study employs trend and percentage analyses to evaluate CSR expenditure and its alignment with legislative requirements. Findings highlight that HDFC Bank's consistent growth in net profits and CSR investments across areas such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and rural development, offering insights into the role of CSR in fostering sustainable growth in the banking sector.

This article examines how cyber operations attributed to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have affected international relations, using the United States–North Korea relationship as a longitudinal case from the 2014 Sony Pictures attack to the financial-theft, ransomware and illicit information-technology worker campaigns documented through early 2026. The term cyber warfare is used cautiously: most observed activity remains below the legal threshold of armed conflict and is better understood as persistent grey-zone competition. A qualitative process-tracing design links cyber incidents to public attribution, sanctions, criminal indictments, asset seizures, diplomatic coordination and alliance adaptation. The study finds that DPRK cyber activity has produced five durable effects. It has broadened the bilateral security agenda beyond nuclear weapons; converted private firms and cryptocurrency platforms into foreign-policy theatres; strengthened United States–Republic of Korea–Japan cyber diplomacy; intensified the use of law-enforcement and financial instruments as tools of statecraft; and exposed the weakness of conventional deterrence against a highly insulated, risk-tolerant actor. However, the operations have not compelled major United States policy concessions or generated a decisive strategic victory. Their principal international-relations effect is cumulative: persistent friction, higher defensive costs, deeper coalition coordination and continuing contestation over attribution, sovereignty and responsible state behaviour. The article concludes that an effective response must combine resilience, rapid multilateral attribution, financial disruption, private-sector governance and calibrated diplomatic signalling rather than relying on retaliation alone.

This study examines the effect of advertising on product awareness using MILO, a cocoa-malt beverage produced by Nestlé Nigeria Plc at its Agbara factory complex, as the case. The analysis distinguishes advertising exposure across television, digital and social media, sports sponsorship, and point-of-sale promotion, while treating message quality as a complementary determinant of awareness. A cross-sectional survey framework and an ordinary least-squares model are specified for consumers in the Agbara industrial-residential axis. Because verified field responses were not supplied, the empirical section uses a transparent, reproducible synthetic dataset of 240 observations solely to demonstrate how a publishable analysis should be structured. The simulated results show high aided recognition (94.2%) and strong spontaneous recall (70.8%). Digital and social media exposure records the largest standardised association with product awareness (β = 0.457, p < 0.001), followed by television (β = 0.289, p < 0.001), sports sponsorship (β = 0.258, p < 0.001), message quality (β = 0.178, p < 0.001), and point-of-sale promotion (β = 0.124, p = 0.004). The model explains 61.5% of the variation in awareness. The findings support an integrated communication strategy in which broad-reach media establish salience, digital content sustains repetition and engagement, and sports-based brand activities strengthen distinctive memory structures. The study recommends channel-specific measurement, consistent creative cues, locally relevant digital content, and ethically responsible advertising to children. Actual field data are required before the manuscript can be submitted as an empirical publication.

Manual, weakly integrated receipt processes cause delays, duplicate numbers, errors, reconciliation issues, document loss, and fraud risks. This study details a web-based electronic receipt system for ESPAM Formation University, Porto-Novo, developed iteratively through problem analysis, requirements modeling, database design, role-based interfaces, security, prototyping, and testing. The system links student records, confirmed payments, immutable receipt IDs, cryptographic hashes, QR codes, and audit logs within a three-tier architecture. Key controls include unique constraints, least privilege access, password hashing, secure sessions, input validation, transaction atomicity, and separation of receipt issuance from payment approval. A prototype with 5,000 synthetic records achieved transaction times of 0.278 ms, receipt lookup of 0.008 ms, and receipt-plus-QR generation of 6.454 ms. All 50 constraint tests rejected duplicates, showing the system’s robustness. Results suggest a governed electronic receipt platform enhances traceability, retrieval, reconciliation, and anti-forgery. The paper presents a prototype and development roadmap needing stakeholder validation, payment integration, legal review, testing, backups, and phased acceptance before deployment.

Higher-education institutions need a trustworthy system to verify student identities, link records, issue verifiable credentials, and control access throughout the student lifecycle. This study presents a web-based Student Identity Management System (SIMS) prototype for ESPAM Formation University, Benin. Using a design-science case study, requirements were based on ESPAM's management procedures, digital identity guidance, and a process model covering admission to archival. The system includes a central registry, role-based access, duplicate-record prevention, bilingual interfaces, digitally signed QR credentials, audit logs, document management, and privacy-aware reporting. It features layered architecture, a normalised database, and a prototype built with Django and PostgreSQL. Security aligns with NIST and OWASP, including strong password hashing, multifactor authentication, encryption, least privilege, session controls, rate limiting, and tamper-evident audit trails. Testing involved 24 functional/security cases and 1,000 synthetic records; all passed. Performance tests showed rapid lookup and verification times under 0.012 ms and 0.101 ms, respectively, demonstrating correctness with low overhead. The study shows that a secure, centralised identity platform can reduce record duplication, speed verification, enhance accountability, and support integration across university services.

This article explores how terrorism, focusing on ISWAP in West Africa, reshapes international relations. It views ISWAP as a transnational actor affecting Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and global partners through violence, mobility, shadow governance, illicit taxes, and ties to the Islamic State. Using security theories and analyzing various sources from 2015 to 2025, the study finds that ISWAP has spurred historic regional military coordination and increased intelligence sharing, placing counter-terrorism at Nigeria’s diplomatic core. However, it also reveals issues like sovereignty sensitivities, uneven burden sharing, fragile alliances, and how interstate disputes hinder regional cooperation. Terrorism has led to displacement, disrupted trade, reliance on external aid, and complex legal challenges. The article argues that military efforts alone can't ensure regional stability, calling for an African-led security and development alliance combining cooperation, accountable counter-terrorism, restoration of lawful economies, community services, and unified justice policies. This research shows violent non-state actors impact not just security but also diplomacy, regional bodies, economic ties, and sovereignty.

Facial skin aging involves a combination of deep structural laxity and superficial pigment or vascular changes. Radiofrequency (RF) and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are popular non-invasive treatments, but clinicians often debate their individual benefits when used alone. This prospective, randomized, comparative clinical study directly evaluated the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of standalone RF versus standalone IPL for full-face aesthetic rejuvenation.
Materials and Methods
Sixty healthy female subjects (aged 35–60, Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I–IV, Glogau scale II–III) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups (30 subjects each). Group A received 4 bi-weekly full-face treatments of non-ablative bipolar RF. Group B received 4 bi-weekly full-face treatments of IPL using custom wavelength filters (515–590 nm). Objective digital skin tracking (wrinkle depth, brown spots, red areas), blinded investigator assessments (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale [GAIS]), and patient satisfaction/pain scores (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) were documented at baseline, Week 8, and Week 24.