This study examined the stress management strategies employed by lecturers in private universities in South East Nigeria and their implications for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). The research adopted a descriptive survey design, with a population of 261 lecturers from 13 accredited private universities. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 158 lecturers was selected through proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated for content and reliability (Cronbach Alpha ≥ 0.70) and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that lecturers exhibited low utilisation of self-care strategies, feedback reflection practices, and peer mentoring collaboration, with grand mean scores below the criterion of 2.50. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between male and female lecturers in the adoption of these strategies. The study highlights the adverse implications of limited stress management for lecturer well-being, instructional effectiveness, and overall educational quality, which are critical for achieving SDG 4. Recommendations include the implementation of structured wellness programmes, institutionalization of reflective teaching practices, and the promotion of peer mentoring and collaborative networks to enhance lecturers’ coping capacity, professional performance, and the delivery of quality education in private universities.

This study investigated the extent of utilisation of stress management strategies among lecturers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal-4 (SDG-4) in universities in South-East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 9,290 lecturers from fifteen public universities, with a sample of 383 selected using proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire titled Stress Management Strategies for Sustainable Development Goal-4 Questionnaire (SMSSDG4Q) with a reliability index of 0.71. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while t-test was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that lecturers utilised workload management (x̄ = 2.34), emotional regulation (x̄ = 2.36), and social support network strategies (x̄ = 2.39) to a low extent. No significant differences were found based on gender, university ownership, and academic rank. The study concluded that low utilisation of stress management strategies exposes lecturers to high stress, thereby affecting productivity and quality education delivery. It was recommended that universities should improve workload policies, provide stress management training, and strengthen institutional support systems to enhance lecturers’ effectiveness and promote the achievement of SDG-4.

The simple, specific, accurate and precise Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) novel method was developed and evaluated for the estimation of Zidovudine and Lamivudine in the tablet dosage form. Chromatographic separation was achieved using methanol: water (50:50 v/v) was A BDS hypersin C-18 (150×4.6×5μ) column, at oven temperature of 25 degrees had been utilised .The flow rate was 0.6ml/min maintained and effluents were monitored at 281 nm. Zidovudine and Lamivudine were observed to elute at retention times of 4.6 minutes and 2.6 minutes, respectively, in the chromatographic analysis. The linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness of the method was validated.The calculated correlation coefficient (r²) was 0.999.The percentage recovery values were found to be 100.0% and 100.3%, while the %RSD for precision was 0.2 for both measurements. The purity of the samples was estimated to be 99.9% w/w for each. The recovery values for Lamivudine and Zidovudine were within the established acceptable range. Proposed and evaluated method can be successfully applied for the quantitative determination of Zidovudine and Lamivudine in combined pharmaceutical dosage forms.

University education is central to national development, fostering knowledge creation, technological advancement, and human capital growth. In Nigeria, however, the recurrent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have disrupted the higher education system, raising concerns about the sustainability of infrastructural development and research productivity. This study examined the implications of frequent ASUU strikes on university infrastructure and research growth in South-East Nigeria. Employing a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 362 respondents, including 41 academic staff and 321 final-year students, drawn from the Faculties of Education in five public universities. The study utilized structured questionnaire titled, ‘Implications of Frequent ASUU Strikes Questionnaire’ (IFASUUSQ). The questionnaire was validated by three lecturers in Faculty of Education, Ebonyi State University Abkaliki. The internal consistency reliability estimate was established which yieled an overall index of 0.78. data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation for research questions while the independent sample t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that frequent strike actions significantly delay infrastructural projects, hinder maintenance of facilities, disrupt funding, and negatively impact research activities, including project completion, publication output, and collaboration opportunities. Differences in perception were observed between lecturers and students, with lecturers more aware of long-term effects. The study concluded that recurrent strikes threaten the sustainability of university development and research productivity. Recommendations include the adoption of continuous infrastructural monitoring, digital research platforms, flexible research policies, and enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms.

The study examined the Impact of Frequent Strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities on University Education in South East Nigeria. Four research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated and guided the study. The population of the study was 7,240 academic staff and students (803 academic staff and 6437 final year students) of Faculty of Education. The sample size of the study was 362 respondents drawn through proportionate sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire titled,’ Impact of Frequent Strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) on University Education Questionnaire (IFASUEQ). The Questionnaire was validated by three lecturers: two from the Department of Educational Foundations (Administration and Planning option), and one from the Department of Science Education (Measurement and Evaluation option), all in the Faculty of Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha technique with the aid of SPSS which yielded an overall index of 0.64. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested using independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that frequent strikes negatively impact on students’ academic performance as it affects students’ intellectual ability and increase lack of exposure to practical skills among other; that the impact of ASUU strikes on staff welfare indicates that universities experience lack of staff training during strike actions but gives room for adequate job security. Based on these findings, the study recommended among other things that government and university authorities should establish a sustainable dialogue and conflict resolution mechanism with ASUU to ensure that issues relating to staff welfare, funding, and working conditions are addressed promptly before they escalate into prolonged strike actions that disrupt academic programmes.

Handwritten text recognition plays a crucial role in digitizing physical documents. This paper presents a deep learning-based system that converts handwritten English characters into digital text using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). The system integrates preprocessing techniques such as grayscale conversion, resizing, and normalization to enhance image quality. A CNN model is trained on a diverse dataset containing multiple handwriting styles, enabling the system to generalize effectively. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the model achieves high accuracy and reliability in recognizing handwritten characters and converting them into machine-readable text.

Forecasting energy consumption has emerged as a critical requirement for next-generation smart grid architectures and environmentally responsible energy governance frameworks. Reliable energy demand prediction empowers grid operators to optimize resource allocation, achieve balanced load distribution, and substantially lower operational expenditures. This research paper proposes a machine learning-based framework for predicting energy consumption using historical usage data and environmental parameters. The system utilizes supervised learning algorithms including Linear Regression, Random Forest Regressor, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks to analyze patterns in energy usage. Data preprocessing techniques such as normalization, missing value handling, and feature engineering were applied to enhance model performance. The experimental results demonstrate that machine learning models can accurately forecast short-term and medium-term energy consumption with high prediction accuracy. Among the tested models, Random Forest achieved the best performance with high precision and minimal error. The proposed framework can be integrated into smart energy management systems to support intelligent decision-making and efficient power distribution.

The paper proposes a system based on deep learning for the detection and transcription of vehicle license plates from real-time video feeds, a significant leap forward in the management of intelligent transportation and security systems. The interpretation of various forms of license plates is a complex problem due to the highly variable nature of lighting, speed blur, and non- standardized typography. For this purpose, the proposed system makes use of a high- performance computer vision system for the detection, enhancement, and extraction of alphanumeric data from the vehicle registration plate. A deep learning Optical Character Recognition system based on the CRAFT and CRNN models was used for the purpose, owing to their capabilities in extracting complex spatial groups of characters and for handling complex visual patterns. The raw extraction of the model was further strengthened with a programmatic structural Regex Correction Map, which was specifically designed to address the localized Indian motor vehicle formatting regulations. The performance of the system clearly indicated a high degree of reliable predictive power with effective mitigation of common contour matching errors. For the purpose of applicability, the trained pipeline was implemented using a multithreaded Flask-based web application for real-time traffic monitoring and was tightly integrated with external REST API and JSON database support for automated billing and owner intelligence retrieval.

Phishing is one of those problems that sounds simple until you try to stop it at scale. Attackers build fake versions of websites people trust, wait for someone to type in their password or card number, and disappear before most security tools have even noticed. The traditional defence — checking URLs against a list of known bad addresses — works fine for yesterday's attacks but falls flat against anything new. We set out to build something better. Our Fake URL Detection System analyses a URL the way a trained analyst would: checking its length, its punctuation patterns, how many subdomains it has, whether it is using a raw IP address instead of a proper domain, and whether suspicious vocabulary has been worked into the path. A Random Forest classifier processes these observations and delivers a verdict — legitimate or phishing — in under two seconds. The whole system runs as a Flask web application that anyone can use without any technical background. Our evaluation showed strong accuracy and a low false-negative rate, confirming that machine learning trained on URL structure can reliably catch phishing links that no blacklist would ever see.

Purpose: This study examines the transformative role of social media platforms in facilitating the birth of new ventures and the subsequent development of brand identity in a digital-first economy. Research Problem: While social media lowers entry barriers for entrepreneurs, the saturation of digital markets creates a "paradox of visibility" where venture creation is easy, but brand sustainability is increasingly difficult. Methodology: The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of 200 digital entrepreneurs with qualitative case study analyses of three "social-first" brands. Key Findings: Results indicate that social media significantly reduces initial capital requirements by replacing traditional marketing with community engagement. Furthermore, "Brand Authenticity" and "User-Generated Content" (UGC) are identified as the primary drivers of brand equity for new ventures. Conclusions: The study concludes that social media is no longer an optional tool but a foundational infrastructure for modern entrepreneurship. Implications suggest that founders must prioritize storytelling over traditional advertising to survive.

Natural and human-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, and conflict-related land degradation are increasing in frequency and severity across the world, causing significant loss of human life, damage to infrastructure, and severe environmental impact. Traditional disaster management systems depend heavily on historical records and static geospatial data, limiting their ability to respond to rapidly evolving scenarios. Satellite image analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) can detect disasters but typically operates reactively, after events have occurred. To address these limitations, this study proposes an AI-based hybrid disaster management framework that integrates geospatial prediction models with real-time satellite image analysis to support proactive and intelligent disaster response. The proposed system employs machine learning algorithms including Random Forest and XGBoost for risk-level prediction using geospatial and climate data, and deep learning models (CNN/U-Net) for satellite image analysis and change detection. A data fusion and decision layer integrates outputs from both modules to produce comprehensive disaster severity assessments and early warnings. The system is deployed using the Streamlit framework, enabling users to upload satellite images and geospatial data for interactive analysis. Upon analysis, the dashboard automatically generates a detailed AI-based disaster assessment report, improving transparency and usability. The framework aligns with Sustainable Development Goal SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by enabling timely disaster response and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by leveraging AI for scalable disaster management.

The evolution of insolvency frameworks globally has witnessed the emergence of pre-packaged insolvency resolutions as efficient alternatives to traditional, time-consuming processes. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of three distinct pre-packaged insolvency regimes: India's Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP) introduced in 2021 for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the United Kingdom's pre-pack administration developed through market practice and subsequently regulated, and the United States' Chapter 11 reorganization with its statutorily embedded pre-packaged bankruptcy mechanism. Tracing the legislative origins and design philosophy of each framework, the paper examines their structural features, procedural requirements, stakeholder dynamics, and regulatory safeguards. The analysis reveals fundamental differences in approach: India's PPIRP adopts a debtor-in-possession model with mandatory creditor approval and statutory timelines; the UK's pre-pack administration prioritizes speed and business preservation through practitioner-led processes with enhanced scrutiny for connected party transactions; and the US Chapter 11 pre-pack operates within a comprehensive statutory framework emphasizing creditor voting, disclosure, and judicial oversight. The paper evaluates the trade-offs each system makes between efficiency, transparency, and creditor protection, drawing on the Graham Review's findings in the UK, the operational challenges facing India's PPIRP, and the sophisticated plan confirmation requirements in the US. It concludes by identifying lessons each jurisdiction can derive from the others and proposes reform recommendations for strengthening India's PPIRP framework while preserving its foundational objectives of providing MSMEs with a faster, cost-effective resolution mechanism that balances debtor control with creditor confidence.

This research paper examines the legal framework protecting women from domestic violence and workplace harassment in Indiafocusing on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act2005 (PWDVA) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PreventionProhibition and Redressal) Act2013 (POSH Act). These landmark legislations represent India's commitment to fulfilling its constitutional guarantees and international obligations under instruments such as CEDAW. The paper analyzes the substantive provisionsinstitutional mechanismsand remedial frameworks established by both statuteswhile critically evaluating implementation challenges including enforcement gapsinfrastructural limitationsand cultural barriers. Recent developments including the SHe-Box portalenhanced corporate disclosure requirementsand judicial oversight through cases like Aureliano Fernandes are examined as evolving responses to implementation deficits. The paper argues that while India has constructed a comprehensive legal architecturethe effectiveness of protection ultimately depends on bridging the gap between legislative intent and ground-level implementation through strengthened institutional capacitytechnological integrationand sustained cultural transformation.

The remedy of Restitution of Conjugal Rights (RCR), embedded within India's personal laws, represents a contentious interSect. between matrimonial obligations and individual autonomy. This paper critically examines the constitutional validity and human rights implications of RCR provisions, particularly Sect. 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and analogous provisions under other personal laws, through the lens of women's autonomy. Tracing the colonial origins of this remedy from English ecclesiastical law, the paper analyses its evolution in Indian jurisprudence, from the landmark Rukhmabai case of the nineteenth century to contemporary challenges before the Supreme Court in Ojaswa Pathak v. Union of India. The constitutional analysis evaluates RCR against the touchstone of Articles 14, 15, and 21, engaging with fundamental rights jurisprudence on equality, privacy, and personal autonomy as articulated in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India. The paper argues that RCR provisions, by enabling judicial compulsion of cohabitation, disproportionately burden women, infringe upon their sexual and reproductive autonomy, and perpetuate marital power imbalances. Examining the interSect. with India's non-criminalization of marital rape, the paper contends that RCR fails to satisfy constitutional morality and international human rights standards under CEDAW and ICCPR. It concludes by recommending the abolition of RCR, aligning with the High-Level Committee on the Status of Women's 2015 report, and proposes alternative frameworks for addressing marital discord that respect constitutional personhood within marriage.

Psychological stress in contemporary workplaces is escalating due to heightened job pressures, swift technological shifts, and transforming work dynamics. Chronic exposure undermines personal health and organizational efficiency. Timely identification of stress is vital to avert major mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Our research presents a machine learning framework for predicting employee stress via structured surveys capturing workplace factors and self-reported mental health metrics. We implemented and compared supervised algorithms—Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting—to evaluate their performance. Findings reveal that ensemble approaches, notably Random Forest, deliver superior accuracy over single models. This solution empowers companies to adopt automated, privacy-preserving systems for monitoring employee mental health anonymously.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in education, particularly in language learning and multilingual contexts. The integration of AI-driven tools such as natural language processing systems, intelligent tutoring platforms, and adaptive learning technologies has significantly enhanced personalized learning, language proficiency, and cross-linguistic communication. However, challenges related to pedagogical adaptation, teacher readiness, ethical concerns, and digital inequality continue to hinder effective implementation. This study examines the opportunities, challenges, and pedagogical implications of AI in language and multilingual education. A mixed-method research design was employed with 220 teachers and 320 students. Data were analyzed using SPSS techniques including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. Findings reveal that AI significantly improves student engagement and language proficiency. Teacher attitudes and technological competence strongly influence AI adoption. The study proposes a pedagogical framework for integrating AI in multilingual classrooms.

The integrity of female reproductive organs is fundamental to overall well-being. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) refers to the protrusion of one or more pelvic structures into or through the vaginal canal. Relaxation of the vaginal walls and descent of the uterus frequently arise as sequelae of prolonged labor or in women with a prior history of first-degree uterine prolapse. According to World Health Organization data, the global prevalence of uterine prolapse ranges from 2 to 20 percent. Prasramsini is one of the twenty yonivyapad first described by Acharya Sushrut and classified under Pittaja yonivyapad. It manifests as dislodgment of the yoni from its normal anatomical position, accompanied by vaginal discharge and difficulty in parturition owing to derangement of the birth canal.12 The downward displacement of an organ is termed sramsana, and the resultant clinical entity is designated prasramsini, which closely parallels first- and second-degree uterine prolapse. Since no yonivyapad can manifest without vata dosha involvement, prasramsini is regarded as vataanubandhi pittaja yonivyapad. Accordingly, the therapeutic agents selected in this study possess vatapittahara and balya properties. An attempt was thus made to manage Prasramsini through Changeryadi Ghrta for abhyanga, yoniswedana with ksheera, and yonipichu with Mushika taila.34 .

The study examined causes and consequences of premarital heterosexual co-habitation among undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Population of the study is made up of 7,012 respondents comprising of all the 200 level Undergraduate regular students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The sample size was 150 respondents selected through proportionate random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection in this study was a questionnaire with a total of 35 items. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education, two in Educational Foundations and one expert from Early Childhood and Primary Education, all from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Mean score was the statistical tool adopted for data analysis. The findings of the study showed that the causes of premarital heterosexual co-habitation among male and female undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka include insufficient on-campus accommodation, fear of losing a lover, freedom and lack of monitoring by parents/guardian among other. Findings also showed that low level of understanding and retention of concepts, increase rate of abortion, school dropout among others were the consequences of premarital heterosexual co-habitation among male and female undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that premarital Heterosexual co-habitation persist among undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka because of socio-economic reasons and the educational goals of students who engage in such attitude are affected. It was recommended among others that parents should pay regular unscheduled visits to their children in universities so as to monitor their activities.

This study investigated the effectiveness of project-based learning for enhancing financial literacy among students in digital learning environments. The research aimed to determine how PBL could contribute to meaningful improvement in students’ financial knowledge and skills within e-education and virtual classrooms. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the investigation included both experimental and control groups consisting of 100 students aged 18 to 22 years over a four-week intervention. The control group engaged in traditional instruction on financial literacy topics, while the experimental group participated in structured PBL activities tailored to apply financial concepts in practical settings. Both groups completed a pre-test and post-test assessment featuring ten questions that addressed various aspects of financial literacy, such as budgeting, investing, financial planning, and debt management. To further understand students’ perspectives on the PBL approach, survey responses were collected from the experimental group. Results indicated that students in the experimental group achieved a 25% improvement in budgeting and savings. Beyond budgeting, the PBL group also demonstrated gains in investment knowledge, financial planning abilities, and debt management understanding. These findings offer empirical support for the role of PBL in developing not only knowledge but also practical competencies relevant to financial decision-making.

Up until now, the taxonomic identity of the Chilean plant species Cistanthe discolor (Schrad.) Spach (basionym Calandrinia discolor Schrad.; C. sect. Cistanthe; Montiaceae) has been unknown. Plants commonly identified as C. discolor have been shown to pertain to another species, Cistanthe lindleyana (Walp.) Hershk., whose basionym, Calandrinia discolor Lindl. (nom. illegit) is a later heterotypic homonym of Calandrinia discolor Schrad. Here, I conclude that Cistanthe discolor is an uncommon species from the coastal ranges of the Valparaiso Region, Chile, at ca. -33°. In addition, I revalidate names of some Cistanthe species whose Type specimens had not been accessioned by a herbarium at the time that those names were published, which appears to violate Article 8 of the current International Code of Nomenclature for Plants, Algae, and Fungi (ICN).

Historically, tribal populations were thought to be relatively protected from “lifestyle diseases” due to traditional diet, high physical activity, less processed food. But recent evidence shows a rising trend in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among tribal communities including hypertension and obesity likely linked to acculturation, changing lifestyles, and reduced physical activity over time. This study was done to assess the prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension in a tribal area in rural and peri-urban population of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: Data was collected on socio-demographic and behavioral factors, and anthropometric measurements were carried out. Data collection was done using a pretested questionnaire. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval were estimated for Obesity. Association between obesity with socio-demographic variables was tested using Chi-square and logistic regression was done. STATA software was used. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 3191 adults (men 1521, women: 1670) of ≥15 years of age were covered. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 9.93% (n=317). The prevalence of hypertension increases with increase in age among both the genders. Regression analysis showed that the risk of obesity was significant. The mean age of the participants was 37.89 years (SD ± 14.61).53.02 % of the participants did not receive any formal education. The mean (±SD) SBP of men is 120.32 ± 14.07 mm Hg; in women, it is 116.65 ± 15.73 mm Hg. The prevalence of hypertension for male population was 10.78% and for female population 9.16 %. Low education level, socioeconomic and wealth status were found to be significant predictors of obesity. Conclusion: In the present study, hypertension, high BMI levels, and abdominal obesity have been found to be high among the studied population. The status of the population with respect to these abnormalities implicates susceptibility of the community towards various common disorders. The prevention and treatment intervention programs should be implemented taking into consideration age and gender.

Wound infections significantly delay the healing process and may lead to serious complications. Antimicrobial agents play a crucial role in wound management by preventing microbial colonization and promoting tissue repair. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Cocos nucifera leaf sheath extract for its potential application in wound healing. The leaf sheath of Cocos nucifera was collected from Kasaragod and authenticated by a botanist. The dried plant material was powdered and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using methanol as the solvent. The obtained extract was used for antimicrobial evaluation by the disc diffusion method. The activity was tested against common wound pathogens, namely Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/ml. Ciprofloxacin (10 µg/ml) was used as the standard drug, and water for injection served as the control. The methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera leaf sheath showed a concentration-dependent increase in antimicrobial activity. The highest zone of inhibition was observed at 200 mg/ml, measuring 3.1 cm against E. coli and 3.5 cm against Staphylococcus aureus, while the standard drug showed zones of 3.6 cm and 4.0 cm respectively. No inhibition was observed in the control group. The results indicate that Cocos nucifera leaf sheath possesses significant antimicrobial activity against common wound pathogens, supporting its traditional use in wound healing and suggesting its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent in topical formulations.

The integration of digital technologieз into the banking зector haз зignificantly reзhaped the delivery and acceззibility of financial зerviceз worldwide. Aз cuзtomer expectationз continue to evolve, there iз increaзing demand for faзter, more convenient, and efficient зervice delivery. In reзponзe, bankз globally are adopting electronic banking (e-banking) platformз, which refer to the proviзion of banking productз and зerviceз through electronic channelз зuch aз the internet, mobile deviceз, and ATMз (Auta, 2010; Laukkanen, 2007).
E-banking haз the potential to tranзform traditional banking by enhancing cuзtomer зatiзfaction, reducing tranзaction coзtз, expanding financial incluзion, and increaзing operational efficiency. It iз eзpecially relevant in developing countrieз, where phyзical bank brancheз are often concentrated in urban areaз, leaving rural and marginalized populationз underзerved (Demirgüç-Kunt et al., 2018).
Thiз зtudy, therefore, зeekз to inveзtigate the factorз influencing the adoption of e-banking зerviceз at the зelected bank. It aimз to provide actionable inзightз that can help financial inзtitutionз enhance their digital зervice offeringз, зtrengthen cuзtomer engagement, and contribute to broader financial incluзion goalз within the country.

Object detection plays an important role in many safety and monitoring applications where knowing the presence and position of nearby objects is necessary. This project presents an Object Detection Radar System developed using simple electronic components and a microcontroller platform. The system is designed to scan the surrounding area, detect objects within a fixed range, and display their position in a radar-like format on a computer screen. An ultrasonic sensor mounted on a servo motor is used to continuously rotate and measure distances at different angles, while an Arduino board processes the received data and controls the overall operation. In addition to visual detection, the system also includes an audio alert feature using a buzzer. When any object is detected within a predefined distance limit, the buzzer is activated to provide an immediate warning. This helps in improving awareness and response time, especially in situations where continuous visual monitoring is not possible. The project focuses on building a low-cost, easy-to-understand, and reliable system that demonstrates the basic working principle of radar scanning using commonly available hardware and simple programming techniques. The results show that such a system can effectively detect nearby objects and indicate their approximate direction and distance in real time.

Early detection of breast cancer via mammography is vital for improving survival rates, yet manual interpretation remains challenging due to image noise and low contrast. This paper presents an Explainable AI (XAI)-powered Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) to automate diagnosis while ensuring transparency. The system utilizes medical image preprocessing and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for classification. To address the "black-box" nature of deep learning, Grad-CAM and LIME are integrated to provide visual justifications by highlighting suspicious regions. Deployed as a web application, the system enhances diagnostic reliability and clinical trust, offering radiologists an ethical, interpretable tool for more accurate breast cancer screening.

An Intelligent Cyberbullying Detection System is a piece of software designed to identify and prevent cyberbullying on online forums, social networking sites, and messaging applications. The system analyzes text data, detects abusive language, and instantaneously classifies dangerous content using state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP). By examining trends, keywords, mood, and user behavior, the system can accurately distinguish between regular conversations and abusive ones. This reduces online abuse, safeguards users, especially children and teenagers, and fosters a safer online environment. By enabling automatic content filtering, generating moderator notifications, and providing early detection, the proposed approach aims to improve online community safety and mental health. The system uses artificial intelligence, machine learning techniques like Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machines, and Deep Learning, as well as natural language processing techniques to search for offensive or damaging content in text, emojis, hashtags, and even images. By analyzing user behavior patterns, mood, context, and keywords, the system can accurately determine if interactions are harassing or normal in real time.

This study investigated the provision of school facilities and student services in public elementary schools and their relationship to teachers’ satisfaction with pupils’ learning engagement across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Conducted in five school divisions of Region XII, Mindanao, Philippines — Kidapawan City, Koronadal City, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato Province, and Tacurong City — during School Year 2025–2026, the study employed quantitative correlation research design involved 410 teacher-respondents selected through proportionate Slovin’s formula sampling. School facilities examined included school buildings, school grounds, classroom structures, school clinics, and classroom materials; student services included counseling, food, remedial instruction, and health services. Findings indicated that school grounds and school clinics were rated Highly Provided, while school buildings and classroom structure were Provided. Teachers expressed Highly Satisfied levels of affective learning engagement and Satisfied levels for cognitive and psychomotor domains. Spearman’s rho correlation revealed significant positive relationships between most school facilities and cognitive learning engagement, but significant negative correlations with affective learning. Health services emerged as the strongest predictor of teachers’ satisfaction across all three learning domains in regression analyses. The study concludes that while facilities are generally well-provided, deliberate alignment of physical environments and student services with holistic pedagogical goals is essential for sustainable learner development.

Pranayama, a yogic breathing technique, has been increasingly studied for its effects on autonomic regulation, emotional state, and brain activity, particularly within the alpha frequency band associated with relaxation and alertness. The present study aimed to examine the immediate effects of a single session of Anulom Vilom pranayama on alpha brain wave activity among collegiate athletes. A pre–post single group quasi-experimental design was employed. Twenty male college students (mean age = 19.8 ± 1.5 years) from LNIPE, Gwalior, were selected using convenience sampling. Participants performed a standardized 10–15 minute session of Anulom Vilom pranayama under controlled conditions. Alpha brain wave activity was measured using a biofeedback device (Thought Technology) before and immediately after the intervention. Data normality was confirmed using the Shapiro–Wilk test (p > 0.05). A paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in alpha brain wave activity following the intervention (t(19) = -4.376, p < 0.001). The mean alpha values increased from 27.65 ± 4.88 to 32.65 ± 6.75, with a mean difference of 5.00 (95% CI: -7.39 to -2.61). The effect size was large (Cohen’s d ≈ 1.02), indicating a substantial impact of the intervention. These findings suggest that a single session of Anulom Vilom pranayama can produce immediate neurophysiological changes, enhancing cortical relaxation and reducing mental stress. The study highlights pranayama as a simple, non-invasive, and effective technique for promoting mental calmness and autonomic balance. Future research with larger samples, control groups, and longitudinal designs is recommended to further validate these findings.

The rapid growth of urban infrastructure has increased the need for intelligent monitoring systems to ensure public safety in street environments. Traditional surveillance systems rely heavily on manual observation and lack the capability to provide real-time detection and automated response to emergency situations. This paper presents an AI- based smart streetlight monitoring system designed to detect human falls and abnormal activities using computer vision techniques and Internet of Things (IoT) communication. The proposed system utilizes video data captured from a surveillance camera installed on a streetlight pole and processes it using computer vision algorithms implemented with OpenCV in Python to identify human presence and analyze posture. When a fall or suspicious activity is detected, the system generates an event message and transmits it through the MQTT protocol using the HiveMQ broker. The message is then processed by a workflow automation platform developed in Node-RED, which classifies the event and triggers automated notifications. Emergency alerts are delivered via SMS using the Twilio communication service to notify appropriate responders such as hospitals or law enforcement authorities. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system can effectively detect fall events and generate real-time alerts, thereby reducing response time and improving public safety. The system is scalable, cost-effective, and suitable for integration into modern smart city infrastructure.

In today's fast-paced corporate climate, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how we do things. One area where AI is making a huge influence is in human resources, notably in how firms locate and hire new personnel. Old ways of recruiting, which often took a lot of time and could be influenced by personal opinions, are now being updated with AI tools. These tools use AI to do things like automatically sort through resumes and have conversations with potential candidates. The idea is to make the hiring process faster, better, and fairer.

This paper quantifies the regional destabilisation of Eastern Europe resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war (2014-2025), drawing on empirical data from a mixed-methods study of 435 respondents across stakeholder groups. The study evaluates two hypotheses: H01 (the war does not significantly affect Eastern European stability) and H02 (NATO's involvement does not alter regional stability). Paired t-test results (p=0.047) reveal statistically significant pessimism among Ukrainian officials (M=2.71, SD=0.756) compared to citizens (M=2.00, SD=0.00), confirming profound destabilisation. Regression analysis demonstrates a strong positive relationship between NATO involvement and stability perceptions (R=0.839, R²=0.704, F=338.239, p<0.001), indicating that alliance engagement partially mitigates but cannot reverse war-induced instability. Qualitative findings from 41 experts highlight infrastructure destruction, mass displacement (86.4% of Ukrainian respondents abroad), and economic collapse as measurable destabilisation indicators. The paper concluded that Eastern European stability has been fundamentally undermined, with NATO's deterrent role providing limited counterbalance against ongoing Russian aggression, necessitating enhanced forward defensive postures and reconstruction frameworks.

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy, but traditional farming methods need significant manual labor & time. With the development of automation & robotics, agricultural processes can be enhanced through smart machines. A Multipurpose Farming Robot is an automated agricultural system developed to perform multiple tasks like seed sowing & water spraying in farmland. The robot requires a microcontroller, motor drivers, & DC motors to move through the field, while a seed hopper & spraying mechanism help operate farming operations effectively. The system decreases human effort & improve accuracy in farming activities. The usage of sensors & programmed control enables the robot to control automatically, ensuring proper seed placement & efficient irrigation. This technology supports modern smart farming by saving time, decreasing water consumption, & enhancing crop productivity.

Coconut farming plays a vital role in the agricultural economy, especially in tropical regions. However, diseases affecting the crown of coconut trees, such as bud rot, often go unnoticed until severe damage occurs. Traditional methods of disease identification rely on visual inspection, which can be time-consuming and less accurate. This survey paper explores the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with machine learning techniques, particularly Support Vector Machine (SVM), for early and efficient detection of coconut crown diseases. IoT devices enable continuous monitoring of environmental conditions and plant health, while SVM models analyze the collected data to classify and predict disease presence. This study reviews various research contributions, compares methodologies, and highlights the advantages of using SVM for accurate classification. The survey concludes that combining IoT with SVM provides a promising approach for improving crop health monitoring, reducing yield loss, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Purpose: This study investigates the complex relationship between remote work environments and individual employee productivity, specifically focusing on how engagement and flexibility act as mediators. Research Problem: While remote work offers autonomy, the potential for "boundary blurring" and social isolation poses a risk to sustained performance and psychological engagement. Methodology: A quantitative analytical approach was adopted, utilizing a structured survey distributed to 200 corporate professionals across various sectors. Data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression techniques. KeyFindings: The study reveals that "Flexibility Autonomy" significantly boosts productivity, but only when coupled with high "Digital Engagement." There is a non-linear relationship between remote work hours and performance, suggesting a "sweet spot" for hybrid models. Conclusions and Implications: Organizations must shift from monitoring "hours logged" to "output-based" metrics. Success in remote settings depends more on organizational trust and communication infrastructure than on the physical location of the worker.

This study investigates the impact of augmented reality (AR) on purchase intention within the Indian e-commerce sector using the Stimulus?Organism?Response (S-O-R) framework. The research examines how AR features?innovativeness, interactivity, system quality, and reality congruence?act as stimuli that shape organism, consist with perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment, which then influence purchase intention. Data were collected from 386 online shoppers with prior AR experience and analysed using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that all AR features significantly affect consumers? perceptions. Innovativeness strongly enhances perceived ease of use, while system quality significantly improves perceived usefulness. Reality congruence and interactivity positively influence perceived enjoyment. Among the organism variables, perceived enjoyment emerges as the strongest predictor of purchase intention, followed by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Mediation analysis confirms that AR features influence purchase intention primarily through these psychological constructs rather than through direct effects. The study contributes to the growing literature on AR in e-commerce by empirically validating the S-O-R framework in an emerging market context. Practically, the results suggest that businesses should focus on creating reliable, interactive, and emotionally engaging AR experiences to strengthen consumer purchase intention.

In today's volatile and competitive business environment, organizations continuously seek employees who can not only perform effectively but also adapt to change and demonstrate unwavering commitment. Employee job performance remains the cornerstone of organizational growth, yet it is increasingly influenced by individual attributes that enable workers to navigate professional challenges and maintain productive behavior. Career resilience, the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of workplace adversity, and work ethic, the internalized commitment to diligence and integrity, are two such attributes whose combined influence on performance requires empirical examination. This study investigates the impact of career resilience and work ethic on employee job performance in the Ghanaian banking sector, a context characterized by intense competition and ongoing regulatory reforms. Employing a quantitative correlational design, the study surveys 250 employees from selected commercial banks in the Greater Accra Region. Drawing on Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study seeks to determine the extent to which career resilience and work ethic individually and jointly predict job performance. By providing empirically grounded insights into these relationships, the study aims to inform human resource management practices, including recruitment, training, and performance management strategies that can foster organizational growth.

This research work was carried out to evaluate the effect of preliminary processing and drying temperature on the mineral, microbial, sensory property and lipid stability of dried Tilipia fish Oreochromis niloticus). Two hundred and fifty (250) grammes of Tilapia fish samples were descaled, eviscerated and cleaned before application of different treatments (control, blanching, salting, sugaring and a mixture of salt and sugar), and coded as FWT, FBL, FST, FSU and FSS. The samples were dried at varying temperatures of 60oC, 70oC and 80oC. This was done to study the rates of drying of the different samples. Thereafter, mineral, microbial, sensory, and lipid stability analyses were carried out using standard methods. The mineral content indicated that sample FSU had the highest values for magnesium (0.0246 ppm), sample FST had highest value for sodium (2.6110 ppm) while sample FSS had the highest (1.4010 ppm) calcium content. Microbial analysis of the fish samples during storage showed that sample FBL had the highest microbial counts. Results for sensory scored showed that Sample FSU and FSS had the highest values for colour, taste, aroma, mouth-feel and general acceptability while sample FWT was the least accepted. For sensory scores after storage, sample FST, FWT and FBL were most accepted. The values for peroxide values indicated sample FSS was the highest (3.04 meq/kg) while sample FST and FSU (2.76 and 2.72 meq/kg) was the lowest. Highest values for TBA was recorded in sample FSS (0.98 mg/100g) and sample FSU (0.58 mg/100g) had the lowest values. The values for TMA indicated that sample FSS (18.20 mg/100g) had the highest values while sample FWT (10.50 mg/100g) had the least values.

Communication barriers between hearing-impaired and hearing individuals remain a significant social challenge. This project presents a Sign Language Translation system designed to enable seamless interaction between sign language users and non-signers. The system leverages computer vision, machine learning, and natural language processing to interpret hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements into understandable text or speech, while also converting spoken or written language back into sign representations. The proposed solution aims to provide a cost-effective, real-time, and accessible communication medium suitable for educational, healthcare, and public service environments.

Recidivism is a significant challenge facing the correction system in Kenya, it compromises the security of the people, drains the prison inadequate infrastructure, as well as poses a question over rehabilitation programs success. Being a prison officer, I notice that there are offenders who are taken through the system several times even when there are interventions like vocational training, formal education, counseling and probation supervision. This paper aims to review how correctional institutions rehabilitation and reintegration programs play an integral part in reducing recidivism within Kenya specifically in Vihiga Prison. This paper implements a descriptive type of research that has been informed by the rehabilitation and social reintegration theory and based on the Kenya constitutional guidelines of human dignity, equality and fair treatment as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which focuses on prison officers and ex-offenders. Data collection is done by use of interviews and review of Kenya Prison Service records. The relationship between rehabilitation strategies and the outcome of recidivism is explored using descriptive statistics, as well as simple regression analysis. From the preliminary findings, poor cooperation between correctional institutions, probation department and the community, unemployment, severe stigma from the community and limited after care support has been the major root causes of ineffective rehabilitation. This study recommends enhancing preparation of pre-release, instituting orderly after-care programs, cooperation between correctional institutions, probation department, and active participation of family and community in reintegration process. The findings can be applied to policy that will help turn correctional institutions in Kenya into places of custody, meaningful places of correction and rehabilitation in accordance with the Prisons Act (Cap. 90) and the Bill of Rights.

The Scotch Yoke Mechanism (SYM) represents a fundamental kinematic transformation device that converts rotary motion into linear reciprocating motion through a simple yet elegant sliding yoke arrangement. This review paper systematically examines the estimation methods for kinematic data in SYM, tracing the evolution from classical analytical approaches to modern computational and experimental techniques. Unlike conventional slider-crank mechanisms, SYM generates pure sinusoidal motion, offering distinct advantages in specific applications while presenting unique kinematic characterization challenges. This paper synthesizes research spanning from foundational kinematic analyses to contemporary simulation-based studies, covering analytical formulations, computational methods including multibody dynamics simulation and finite element analysis, experimental validation techniques, and application-specific kinematic considerations. The review identifies that kinematic data estimation has progressed through three distinct phases: classical closed-form analytical solutions, computer-aided simulation methods, and integrated experimental-numerical approaches. Key findings indicate that while basic kinematic parameters follow well-established sinusoidal relationships, advanced considerations including tolerance effects, multi-piston configurations, adjustable mechanisms, resonance-based balancing, and bio-inspired applications require sophisticated estimation techniques. The paper examines recent developments in mechanical resonance applications that can practically eliminate reaction forces at main kinematic pairs, representing a significant advancement in SYM dynamic performance. It also explores emerging applications in flapping-wing bio-inspired robotics where SYM kinematics more closely mimic natural motion patterns compared to alternative mechanisms. The review concludes by identifying research gaps and future directions, particularly in real-time kinematic estimation, machine learning integration, variable stiffness implementations, and smart mechanism applications for precision control and energy-efficient operation.

The present study investigated the temporal effects of passive meditation techniques on selected physiological and neurophysiological variables among team sport athletes. Thirty-six university-level female athletes (age: 21?25 years) from team sports were selected using stratified random sampling and randomly assigned into four groups: breathing meditation, mantra chanting meditation, visualization meditation, and a control group (n = 9 each). The intervention was conducted for 12 weeks, five days per week, with practice duration gradually increasing from 5 to 35 minutes. Resting heart rate (RHR), resting respiratory rate (RRR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and alpha brain wave activity were measured at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks. A two-way mixed repeated measures ANOVA was applied to examine the interaction effect of time and meditation technique. The results revealed a significant Time ? Group interaction for RHR, RRR, SBP, and alpha brain waves (p < .05). Breathing and visualization meditation groups showed significant reductions in RHR, RRR, and SBP and a significant increase in alpha brain wave activity over the 12-week period, whereas the mantra meditation group demonstrated gradual improvements mainly after prolonged practice. The findings suggest that passive meditation techniques, particularly breathing and visualization meditation, are effective in enhancing cardiorespiratory efficiency and promoting neurophysiological relaxation among athletes. These practices may serve as beneficial complementary strategies for improving physiological recovery and mental regulation in sports performance.

Tree climbing is an important activity in agriculture, particularly for tasks such as coconut harvesting, pruning, and maintenance of tall trees. Traditional climbing methods require significant physical effort and involve safety risks. To overcome these challenges, several mechanical devices have been developed to assist workers in climbing trees more safely and efficiently. One such method is the manual dual frame tree climbing mechanism, which uses two separate frames that alternately grip the tree trunk and allow the user to climb upward with reduced effort. This review paper analyzes the development and working principles of manual dual frame tree climbing devices used in agricultural operations. The paper discusses the design features, gripping mechanisms, materials used, and performance characteristics of these systems. Various research studies related to tree climbing devices are reviewed and compared to highlight their advantages and limitations. The study also identifies research gaps in existing systems such as weight, adaptability to different tree diameters, and user comfort. Finally, the paper discusses future improvements that can enhance the efficiency and safety of manual tree climbing mechanisms. The review concludes that the manual dual frame mechanism is a practical and cost-effective solution for farmers, but further improvements in design and ergonomics are required to increase its usability and performance.

Objectives: This paper aims to provide a concise overview of recent AI-driven techniques in image processing, focusing on their application to medical and high-resolution imaging. It further proposes a hybrid pipeline that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks and Vision Transformers to address the limitations of existing models. Methods: The proposed approach combines CNN backbones for local feature extraction with lightweight ViT modules for global context modelling. Self-supervised pretraining and contrastive fine-tuning are employed to reduce dependency on labeled datasets. In addition, strategies such as model compression, saliency-based interpretability, and ethical data handling are incorporated to enhance practical deployment. Findings: Conceptual evaluation against benchmark tasks-including denoising, semantic segmentation, and super-resolution-suggests that the hybrid design yields improved perceptual quality, sharper structural boundaries, and better generalization to unseen data compared with conventional CNN-only or transformer-only models. The trade-off analysis indicates that the proposed method achieves a balanced performance in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, making it suitable for real-world applications. Novelty: The distinct contribution of this work lies in its integration of CNNs and ViTs within a portable and interpretable framework, strengthened by self-supervised learning and ethical design considerations. Unlike monolithic models, this hybrid approach offers an adaptable, efficient, and transparent solution for advancing AI-based image processing.

Antibiotic toxicity and multi drug resistant pathogens are the two greatest challenges being faced by today's medical world. These days, there is a greater search for plant extracts with strong antimicrobial properties. The aim of the present study is an attempt to explore the antimicrobial activity of hexane, chloroform, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of roots of Toddalia asiatica by agar well diffusion method. The results observed that methanol extract exhibited promising result against fungal species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans while Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris were found to be effective only at higher concentrations, whereas Klebsiella pneoumoniae and Streptomyces griseus were resistant. From the MIC values, it was observed that methanol extract showed high value against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which was 500 ?g/ml, while ethanol extract showed MIC values of 250 ?g/ml against Candida albicans. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, cardiacglycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, amino acids, quinines and saponins. The findings showed that these spices have a significant concentration of secondary metabolites, which give them strong antimicrobial properties and make them useful for both therapeutic and biopreservation purposes.

Conflicts arise in 85% of workplaces, profoundly shaping organizational climate and employee relations. This extended review synthesizes empirical studies on strategies from Thomas-Kilmann and Rahim models, revealing collaborative approaches boost morale by 30%, reduce turnover via ?=0.60 SCMS effects, and enhance performance (r=0.74). Avoiding styles worsen outcomes under high severity (?=-0.15). Recommendations emphasize training for integrating methods to foster trust and productivity.

The Intelligent Bluetooth Controlled Robotic Vehicle with Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance is a smart robotic mechanism developed to control a vehicle remotely using Bluetooth technology while also detecting & avoiding obstacles automatically. The system uses an Arduino Nano as the important controller that processes instructions obtained from a smartphone via an HC-05 Bluetooth module. The robot can moves forward, backward, left, & right according to user instructions sent through a mobile application. To improve safety & intelligence, the robot is provided with an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor which constantly measures the distance between the robot & close obstacles. A SG90 micro servo motor is used to rotate the ultrasonic sensor to scan various directions & define the most secure path for movement. If an obstacle is detected\identified, the robot automatically changes its direction to prevent collision & continues its movement. This project shows the integration of bluetooth- enabled communication, embedded systems, & robotics, making it beneficial for applications like surveillance, industrial automation, & smart robotic vehicles.

The rising complexity of contemporary cyberattacks has greatly diminished the efficacy of conventional signature-based detection mechanisms. Zero-day threats, which target unknown vulnerabilities, are particularly hard to detect since there are no prior attack signatures available during the time of attack exploitation [2], [3]. This paper introduces EntroSentry, a proactive detection framework that combines behavioral monitoring based on entropy and deception-driven intelligence gathering. The proposed system analyzes the statistical anomalies in real-time traffic patterns and uses machine learning algorithms to categorize the anomalies [4], [10]. Simultaneously, an adaptive honeypot module is used to monitor attacker behavior in specially designed decoy environments [5], [6]. By correlating entropy anomalies with attacker interaction information, EntroSentry improves the detection accuracy and minimizes false positives. Simulation outcomes show better robustness against unknown attacks compared to traditional intrusion detection systems [11], [22].

The real estate sector is vital to urban growth, but finding and buying property parcels is still a difficult, drawn-out, and sometimes opaque process. Buyers often encounter issues including dispersed information, ambiguous availability status, broker dependence, and laborious paperwork procedures due to the fast urbanization and rising demand for real estate. Without a centralized system, builders and developers also have trouble keeping correct records, monitoring inquiries, and organizing design.

Occupational exposure to lead remains an important environmental health concern, particularly among workers who are continuously in contact with fuel vapors and traffic emissions. Gasoline station operators represent a vulnerable occupational group due to their daily interaction with combustion residues and volatile fuel components. This study aimed to analyze lead concentration in the hair of gasoline station operators in Gorontalo Regency and to examine its relationship with age. This research employed a quantitative cross-sectional design. Hair samples were collected from operators working at public gasoline stations in Gorontalo Regency and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine lead concentrations. Age data were obtained through direct interviews. Lead levels in hair were descriptively evaluated, and their relationship with age was analyzed statistically. The results demonstrated that lead was detected in the hair of all operators, indicating continuous occupational exposure. Hair lead concentrations varied across individuals, with a considerable proportion of operators showing elevated levels, suggesting heterogeneous exposure intensity within gasoline station environments. Comparison with reference standards indicated that a segment of workers may experience exposure levels of occupational health concern. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that hair lead concentration tended to increase with age. Older operators were more likely to exhibit higher lead levels, reflecting cumulative exposure and age-related physiological changes that may reduce the body?s ability to metabolize and eliminate heavy metals. These findings support the interpretation that both occupational environment and biological factors contribute to internal lead burden. In conclusion, gasoline station operators in Gorontalo Regency experience measurable chronic lead exposure, and age is an important factor associated with increased lead accumulation. This study underscores the need for routine biomonitoring, improved occupational safety practices, and targeted health surveillance, particularly for older workers.

Employee well-being has become an important concern for organisations, especially in the Information Technology (IT) sector where employees often face long working hours, work pressure, and stressful working conditions. Health insurance plans play a crucial role in improving employees? physical, mental, and financial well-being by providing access to quality healthcare services and reducing the financial burden of medical expenses. This study focuses on examining the impact of health insurance plans on the well-being of employees working in the IT sector. The research analyzes how health insurance coverage influences employees? sense of security, job satisfaction, productivity, and overall work performance. The study is based on both primary and secondary data collected through surveys, journals, articles, and previous research studies related to employee welfare and health insurance. The findings indicate that effective health insurance plans contribute significantly to improving employees? well-being, reducing stress related to healthcare costs, and increasing employee loyalty and organizational commitment. The study highlights the importance of providing comprehensive health insurance benefits as a key strategy for enhancing employee welfare and organizational effectiveness in the IT industry.

In the contemporary organizational landscape, characterized by relentless change, technological disruption, and evolving workforce expectations, understanding the drivers of employee well-being and positive work attitudes has become a central concern for management scholars and practitioners. Job satisfaction, as a critical indicator of employee well-being and a key predictor of performance and retention, is influenced by a complex interplay of personal dispositions and contextual factors. Among these dispositions, career resilience?the capacity to adapt to and thrive amidst career adversity?and work ethic?a culturally ingrained value system emphasizing hard work and diligence?have emerged as significant antecedents. However, the extent to which these relationships are consistent across diverse employee groups remains underexplored. This study examines the relationships between career resilience, work ethic, and job satisfaction among employees in Ghanaian organizations, with a specific focus on the moderating role of demographic factors, including age, gender, tenure, and educational level. Drawing on quantitative survey methodology, the study seeks to determine whether the strength of the associations between these personal resources and job satisfaction varies significantly across different demographic cohorts. By providing contextually grounded insights into the boundary conditions of these relationships, the study contributes to the scholarship on organizational behaviour and human resource management in African contexts and offers evidence-based guidance for designing targeted interventions to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Cyanide is a fast acting, potentially and deadly chemical that can exist in various forms. Exposure to sodium cyanide causes serious health effects and can be fatal. This study was designed to evaluate biochemical parameters including, cardioprotective and atherogenic indices in vitreous humor of sodium cyanide poisoned rabbits. The following biochemical parameters were investigated, cardioprotective: (anti-atherogenic index (AAI). TG/HDL-C (Triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)), cardiac risk index 1(CRI-1), cardiac risk index 11 (CRI-1), atherogenic indices: atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC). The biochemical parameters were assessed over 24 hours in rabbits: Group 1 (Test group) received a lethal sodium cyanide dose (1mg/kg), Group 2 (disguised death group) received it post-sacrificed, and Group 3 (control group) was sacrificed without administration. The following were results of parameters investigated: Test group; AAI = 27.08?9.35, TG/HDL-C =1.57?0.49, CRI-1= 7.44?0.54, CRI-11= 5.46?1.01, AIP= 0.06?0.02, AC = 4.19?1.93. Disguised group; AAI = 15.50?10.08, TG/HDL-C = 1.25?0.11, CRI-I = 4.81?1.67, CR1-11 = 2.81?1.09, AIP = 0.07?0.02, AC = 3.00?1.48. Control group; AAI = 27.00?10.13, TG/HDL-C = 1.40?0.28, CRI-I = 4.01?0.58, CRI-II = 2.39?0.81, AIP = 0.10?0.08, AC = 4.16?1.42. The result showed significant increase in levels of CRI-I and CRI-II in test group compare to control and disguised groups. However, there was no significant difference in levels of CRI-I and CRI-II in disguised group compare to control group. Similarly, there was no significant difference in levels of AAI, TG/HDL-C, AIP and AC across the groups. It can be concluded that sodium cyanide is a potential poison and the elevated atherogenic indices could increase cardiovascular disease risk. Also, the results could be used in death differentiation due to sodium cyanide poisoning.

Universities play an important role in the Development and National Security of any country, as it remains the bedrock of society. Examination malpractices in Nigerian Universities in the recent years have reached an alarming level. This study takes a look at Examination malpractices with specific reference to Nigerian Universities. Two (2) research questions guided the study. The study adopted the survey research design where 1024 Students made up the population. 277 students were sampled for the study using simple random sampling techniques. Examination Malpractice Questionnaire (EMQ) was used for data collection. The reliability coefficient was 0.70 indicating high reliability coefficient of the instrument. Mean and standard deviation were used to answered research questions and Chi-square was used to test hypotheses. The result showed examination malpractice has significant effects on Nigeria?s national security. Therefore, recommended that Educational authorities in this case University management should organize seminars and workshops on regular basis to intimate as well as remind students on the negative effects of examination malpractice not only to them but the society at large.

Teacher education involves preparing future educators not only in pedagogy but also in psychological preparedness that supports effective professional practice. Academic confidence ? an individual?s belief in their ability to successfully meet academic demands ? plays a crucial role in influencing engagement, resilience, and professional identity. This study explores the academic confidence levels of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) students in Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu. Using a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected from 220 B.Ed. students through stratified random sampling. The Academic Confidence Scale (ACS) by Sander and Sanders was utilized. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test were used for analysis. Findings indicate that B.Ed. students demonstrate a moderately high level of academic confidence, with no statistically significant gender differences. The study highlights the importance of structured mentoring, reflective practice, and institutional support in enhancing confidence among teacher trainees.

Agriculture plays a vital role in ensuring food security and supporting the global economy. However, crop production is often affected by various pests and plant diseases, which can significantly reduce yield and crop quality. In many cases, farmers rely on traditional methods such as manual inspection to identify these problems, which can be time- consuming, less accurate, and dependent on expert knowledge. Delayed identification of plant diseases can lead to severe crop damage and increased use of pesticides. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes an automated plant pest and disease detection system using deep learning techniques. The system enables users to upload images of plant leaves or crops through a web-based interface developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once the image is uploaded, it is processed using a Python-based backend that applies the YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection algorithm to identify and classify the disease or pest present in the plant.

In communication system each wireless network, mobile terminals (MTs) do not always occupy all spectrum resources, and there exist vacant spectrum holes. Due to the spectrum resource scarcity, cognitive radio can be applied in each wireless network to utilize the vacant spectrum holes. This leads to cognitive heterogeneous wireless networks, where the coverage areas of multiple cognitive wireless networks overlap and secondary MTs can opportunistically utilize the temporary spectrum holes. In cognitive heterogeneous wireless network in order to guarantee QoS for MTs, multihoming technology can be applied, where the data stream from an MT is split into multiple sub-streams, and transmitted over multiple networks by different radio interfaces simultaneously.

While traditional security and attendance methods rely on manual logging or physical tokens, they are often prone to errors, proxy entries, and time inefficiencies. This study introduces an integrated Smart Face Recognition System engineered for high-security environments and automated attendance management. By merging deep learning-based face detection with a particle sensitive feature extraction framework, the architecture establishes a multilayered biometric protocol. The primary goal is to minimize manual oversight by initiating instantaneous identification and automated logging upon subject detection. This model provides an economical and power-efficient alternative suitable for both educational and industrial environments.

Background Chondromalacia patellae is a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly in young and active individuals. Early-stage management focuses on conservative physiotherapy interventions aimed at pain reduction and muscle strengthening to prevent disease progression.Objective: To determine the effect of single-leg mini-squats combined with knee isometric exercises on pain intensity and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with Grade I chondromalacia patellae. Methods: A pre-experimental single-group pre-test and post-test study design was used. Thirty patients diagnosed with Grade I chondromalacia patellae participated in a six-week exercise intervention consisting of single-leg mini-squats and knee isometric exercises. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale, and quadriceps strength was assessed using Manual Muscle Testing. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using paired t-test and one-sample t-test. Results: The results demonstrated a statistically highly significant reduction in pain scores and a significant improvement in quadriceps muscle strength following the intervention (p < 0.001). One-sample t-test confirmed that the mean changes in pain and muscle strength were significantly greater than zero, indicating a true treatment effect. Conclusion: Single-leg mini-squats combined with knee isometric exercises are effective in reducing pain and improving quadriceps strength in patients with Grade I chondromalacia patellae. This exercise protocol can be safely incorporated into physiotherapy rehabilitation programs for early-stage anterior knee pain.

A study was carried out in October 2023 in Nukkai slaughter slab to determine prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. in slaughtered sheep. Two hundred and fifty nine (259) sheep were subjected to standard meat inspection procedures to determine Paramphistomum species presence. Determination of parasites was done during rumen post mortem examination. Overall point prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. from the study was (32 %). The prevalence was high in female than in male sheep with a rate of 45.3 % and 21.1 % respectively. Likewise, infection rate was high in adult than young sheep with a prevalence of 39.0% and 27.7%. The recorded high infection rate of sheep with Paramphistomum spp. shows that there is a large scale transmission of these parasites in the area under study. Sheep owners are advised to improve management so as to obtain good body condition providing sufficient level of resistance against Paramphistomum. Anthelmintic therapy and snail control is also been recommended to mitigate losses through mortality and morbidity.

This study investigates the effect of liquidity on the financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. Using an ex-post facto research design, the study analyzes secondary data obtained from the annual financial statements of selected insurance firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group over a ten-year period (2015?2024). Liquidity was measured using the current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio, while financial performance was proxied by return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Firm size and leverage were included as control variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel regression techniques, with model selection guided by the Hausman specification test.The results indicate that current ratio (? = 0.028, p = 0.013) and cash ratio (? = 0.034, p = 0.018) have positive and statistically significant effects on financial performance, while quick ratio (? = 0.017, p = 0.062) shows a positive but insignificant effect. Firm size (? = 0.021, p = 0.004) positively influences performance, whereas leverage (? = ?0.056, p = 0.003) negatively affects profitability. The overall model explains 62% of the variation in financial performance (R? = 0.62).The study concludes that effective liquidity management enhances the financial stability and profitability of insurance companies. It recommends that insurance firms maintain optimal liquidity levels, strengthen cash management practices, and reduce excessive reliance on debt financing to improve performance and ensure long-term sustainability.

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) demands efficient and sustainable charging infrastructures. Conventional plug-in charging stations face limitations such as long charging time, limited accessibility, and dependency on centralized power grids. Dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) has emerged as a promising solution that enables EVs to charge while in motion. This research presents the design and implementation of a smart electric vehicle prototype integrated with dynamic wireless charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy sources and managed through an intelligent energy management system. The proposed system utilizes renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic systems and wind energy to generate electricity for the charging infrastructure. An energy management unit coordinates the power flow between renewable energy generation units, battery storage systems, and wireless charging circuits. The wireless power transfer system is based on resonant inductive coupling between transmitter coils embedded in the roadway and receiver coils mounted beneath the electric vehicle prototype. Experimental testing demonstrates that the system is capable of delivering efficient wireless energy transfer during vehicle movement. The integration of renewable energy reduces dependency on conventional power grids while improving sustainability. The results indicate that dynamic wireless charging combined with renewable energy integration can significantly improve EV charging efficiency and support the development of intelligent transportation systems.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess how a 6-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program affected the physiological profiles of collegiate field hockey players, with a particular emphasis on resting blood lactate (BLa), resting heart rate (RHR), and vital capacity (VC). Methodology: Eighteen male hockey players (n=18, age 18?25 years) from LNIPE, Gwalior, participated in a pre-test/post-test experimental design. The HIIT intervention consisted of 45-minute sessions conducted three times per week, progressing from long intervals to game-specific shuttle sprints. Physiological assessments were performed using a dry spirometer (VC), Polar H10 chest straps (RHR), and the Lactate Pro 2 analyzer (BLa). Data were analyzed via paired-sample t-tests using IBM SPSS v.26. Results: Post-intervention data revealed statistically significant improvements across all parameters (p < 0.001). Vital Capacity increased from 4.6889 ? 0.4213 L to 5.1889 ? 0.2988 L (t = -9.779). Cardiovascular efficiency improved as Resting Heart Rate decreased from 58.33 ? 3.32 bpm to 54.16 ? 2.79 bpm (t = 8.560). Most notably, resting Blood Lactate levels showed a 21.3% reduction, dropping from 2.35 ? 0.38 mmol/L to 1.85 ? 0.33 mmol/L (t = 11.292). Conclusion: The athletes' "aerobic-anaerobic engine" was efficiently enhanced by the 6-week HIIT regimen. According to the results, HIIT causes important changes that are necessary for fulfilling the high-intensity intermittent demands of competitive field hockey, such as improved respiratory muscle strength, higher stroke volume, and superior lactate clearance kinetics. To increase athletic work capacity and recovery speed, coaches should give HIIT top priority.

Vehicle analysis at toll plazas plays an important responsibility in understanding traffic flow, vehicle classification, & toll funds management. Toll plazas handle large volumes of vehicles daily, containing two-wheelers, cars, buses, trucks, & multi-axle vehicles. Efficient monitoring & sorting of these vehicles help decrease congestion, increase toll collection efficiency, & improve traffic management. This study concentrates on analyzing vehicle motion through toll booths using automated detection and identification technologies. The system integrates sensors, RFID/FASTag readers, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, & weigh-in-motion sensors to detect vehicle existence, classify & identify vehicle types, measure weight, & process toll payments automatically. The collected data is examined to determine peak traffic hours, average waiting time, & congestion levels. This system enhances toll collection efficiency, reduces manual intervention, & supports intelligent traffic management at highways & expressways.

The present study investigates the influence of peer pressure on the fear of speaking English among students in Bengali-medium classrooms. Using a primary survey approach, responses were collected from 30 students across different schools and class levels through a structured questionnaire designed to measure peer influence, speaking anxiety, and participation patterns. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including correlation and ANOVA, were conducted to explore the relationships between peer pressure and oral English apprehension. Findings indicate that high peer-related anxiety, fear of ridicule, and embarrassment significantly affect students? willingness to participate in speaking activities, while positive peer encouragement is limited. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship between peer pressure and speaking fear, and class-wise differences revealed that older students exhibited slightly lower anxiety, likely due to increased exposure and confidence. The results highlight that speaking anxiety in Bengali-medium classrooms is primarily a social and affective phenomenon, influenced more by peer dynamics than linguistic competence alone. Based on these insights, the study recommends fostering supportive peer interactions, incremental speaking tasks, teacher-mediated encouragement, and curricular strategies to reduce anxiety and enhance oral communication. This research contributes to understanding the cause-and-effect relationship between peer pressure and speaking fear and provides practical guidance for educators aiming to promote confident English-speaking skills in regional-medium classrooms.

Monieziasis is a disease caused by Moniezia species. Common species of Moniezia found in sheep are M. expansa and M. benedeni. The study objective was to investigate the status of ovine Monieziasis in Jalingo, Taraba state. Faecal samples from a total of 310 randomly selected sheep of both sexes and different ages were examined for Moniezia species using floatation technique. Of the 310 sheep examined, the prevalence of Moniezia infection was found to be 5.8 % (18/310). Prevalence was higher in females (7.6%) than males (3.9%). Age based prevalence of Moniezia was recorded among sheep of diverse ages and the highest prevalence (8.7%) was observed in adult sheep. Finally, findings from the present study indicated that Monieziasis is a moderately prevalent disease of sheep in Jalingo. Livestock farmers are advised to employ regular deworming, proper husbandry and strategic management practices. Reducing exposure to pasture mites during grazing is also very effective.

Automation has become a fundamental requirement in modern industrial manufacturing due to increasing demand for high production rates, consistent product quality, and reduced operational costs. The packaging industry, especially in beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical sectors, relies heavily on efficient sealing systems to ensure product safety and prevent contamination or leakage. Bottle capping is a crucial stage in packaging lines, as improper sealing can lead to product wastage, spoilage, and customer dissatisfaction. Traditionally, bottle capping operations were performed manually or using semi-automatic systems, which often resulted in inconsistent torque application, reduced production speed, and higher labor dependency. This research paper presents the design and development of an Automatic Bottle Capping Machine using the Arduino Uno as the main control unit. The proposed system integrates mechanical components such as a conveyor mechanism, cap feeder, and rotating capping head along with electronic components including infrared sensors, motor drivers, and DC motors. The Arduino microcontroller coordinates the entire process by receiving input signals from sensors and controlling output actuators to achieve synchronized operations. The developed system aims to provide a low-cost, efficient, and compact automation solution suitable for small and medium-scale industries that cannot afford expensive PLC-based systems. Experimental testing demonstrated improved production rate, uniform torque application, and reduced human intervention. The system achieved consistent sealing quality and minimized operational errors. The research concludes that microcontroller-based automation is a practical and economical alternative for industrial packaging applications. The proposed design enhances productivity while maintaining reliability and scalability for future technological integration such as IoT monitoring and torque feedback control systems.

The AutomaticConveyor Belt Systemisdesigned asthe next stage of the Bottle Labeling Machine to transport bottlessmoothly and efficiently between different processing unitssuch asfilling, capping, and labeling stations.The systemisdeveloped using an Arduino Nano asthe main control unit.A DC gear motor isused to drive the conveyor belt, ensuring steady and controlled movement of bottles.An E18-D80 proximity sensor isused to detect the presence of bottleson the conveyor.A 16?2I2C LCD display is integrated to show systemstatusand bottle count in real-time.The conveyor speed can be controlled through motor driving circuitry, ensuring proper synchronization with labeling and filling units.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and economic stability across the world. However, traditional irrigation methods often lead to inefficient water usage and lack of real-time monitoring of crop conditions. The advancement of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and web-based monitoring systems has enabled the development of smart farming solutions. This paper presents an Eco- Smart Farming system designed to automate irrigation and optimize crop yield using IoT sensors, AI-based analysis, and a web dashboard for remote monitoring. The system continuously monitors soil moisture, temperature, and environmental conditions using sensors installed in the agricultural field. Based on the collected data, the system automatically controls irrigation by activating the water pump whenever soil moisture falls below the required threshold level. A web-based dashboard provides real-time visualization of field parameters, enabling farmers to monitor irrigation status and environmental conditions remotely. The proposed system helps in reducing water wastage, improving crop productivity, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The integration of automation and intelligent monitoring allows farmers to manage their fields more efficiently and make informed decisions regarding irrigation management.

An advanced nanoemulsion-based drug delivery system was developed to overcome the limitations of conventional formulations, particularly for poorly soluble and poorly permeable compounds. In this study, a nano emulsion incorporating Punica granatum seed oil (PSO) was formulated and evaluated for transdermal application. Pomegranate seed oil is rich in bioactive constituents such as conjugated ?-linolenic acids, especially punicic acid, along with fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides, which contribute to antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiaging, and potential anticancer properties. The Nano emulsion was prepared using Tween 80 and Span 80 as surfactants and optimized at a 1:1 oil-to-Smix ratio. The selected formulation (F9) demonstrated high drug content, excellent entrapment efficiency, suitable particle size, and a stable zeta potential value, confirming good stability. The optimized nanoemulsion was further converted into a nanoemulgel using Carbopol as a gelling agent, which exhibited enhanced drug release over 8 hours and maintained desirable physicochemical characteristics. Stability studies under ICH conditions indicated no significant changes in pH, viscosity, spread ability, or phase separation. The formulation showed promising antimicrobial activity against E. coli and demonstrated synergistic effects against the A375 melanoma cell line, suggesting potential antiaging and anticancer applications. Overall, the developed PSO-based nanoemulgel appears to be a stable and effective topical formulation with therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical global challenge, with contaminated sources frequently leading to severe outbreaks of waterborne illnesses such as Cholera, Typhoid, and Dysentery. Traditional water quality assessments rely heavily on manual laboratory testing, an inherently reactive and time- consuming process that often detects hazardous contamination only after public exposure has already occurred. To bridge this critical delay, this paper presents &#34;Aqua-Sense,&#34; a proactive, IoT- driven health surveillance architecture designed for continuous environmental monitoring and predictive epidemiological analysis. The proposed framework utilizes an edge-deployed microcontroller network to continuously acquire crucial physicochemical parameters, specifically Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, and Turbidity. Diverging from conventional monitoring systems that merely provide binary classifications of water potability, our approach integrates a dynamic Random Forest machine learning classifier. This computational layer analyzes complex, non-linear sensor patterns to calculate the real-time probability of five specific pathogenic risks: Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Dysentery, and Diarrheal infections. Furthermore, the architecture is supported by a robust Node.js and WebSocket backend that drives a live analytical dashboard. Crucially, it features an intelligent, spam-resistant alerting mechanism that automatically dispatches prioritized email notifications to health authorities the moment disease probabilities surpass a critical 70% threshold. By utilizing a strict cooldown logic to eliminate administrative alert fatigue, Aqua-Sense establishes a highly scalable framework that elevates water monitoring from a passive data-logging task into an active, life- saving tool for early disease intervention.

The new radical brands can hardly be adopted even when they provide definite functional benefit. The current explanations focus on perceived risk, uncertainty and switching costs, but the explanations are not complete enough to understand why consumers stick to identity-incongruent choice even after they become aware of high-quality innovation. Based on the Identity-Based Motivation Theory (Oyserman, 2009), the Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1979), and the Behavioral Anchoring Theory (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974), the proposed research is that social identity is a cognitive anchor that limits the willingness to radically new brands. Our construct is Identity-Based Anchoring (IBA), which can be described as the degree to which salient social identities are coherent cognitive reference points that bias brand evaluations and prevent switching. We offer uniform findings to this mechanism in four empirical studies (N = 2,184) that were framed in categories that involve radical innovation (e.g. electric vehicles, digital financial services, plant-based alternatives). According to Study 1 (cross-sectional survey; N = 612), the strength of social identity is positively related to resistance to switching to radically new brands, and the relationship is mediated by perceived identity incongruence (b =.41, p <.001). Timing stability in Study 2 (three-wave longitudinal survey; N = 524) shows that identity-based anchoring at Time 1 is negatively related to adoption intentions, and positively related to preference persistence after 6 months, holding constant previous attitudes and risk perception. Study 3 (mixed-method; N = 408 survey respondents and 32 interviewees) presents qualitative validation, which highlights recurrent themes of identity threat, symbolic misalignment, and doubts about social belonging that support resistance to radical options. Study 4 (data at the secondary market level; 640 regional observations) also indicates that markets that are more homogeneous with respect to identity further imply slower diffusion of identity-incongruent radical brands. This study has three contributions. First, it expands Identity-Based Motivation Theory by determining anchoring as a stabilizing mechanism that the maintenance of identity-congruent consumption patterns. Second, it combines cognitive anchoring and social identity process to account resistance to disruptive innovation. Third, it leads to the further development of branding research by proving identity continuity issues independently inhibit switching behaviour beyond conventional risk-based accounts. All through, the results confirm social identity as a structural psychological obstacle to radical brand adoption to provide both theoretical and managerial consequences of innovation positioning and identity-reframing strategies.

The operational efficiency and maintenance costs of purse seine fisheries in Indonesia depend strongly on the mechanical integrity of netting materials, for which polyamide (PA) multifilament twines are widely used but remain insufficiently characterized across denier sizes applied in different net sections. This study aimed to systematically quantify the breaking strength and elongation of PA multifilament twines (d/6, d/9, d/12, and d/18) used in purse seine fisheries and to examine their relationships and implications for net design. Laboratory experiments were conducted in January 2026 at PT. Arteria Daya Mulia (Cirebon, Indonesia) using a completely randomized design with denier as a single factor and 10 replicates per level. White, Z-twist PA twines were conditioned for ?24 h (25?2?C; RH 50?5%) and tested on a Shimadzu Autograph AGS-J 10 kN universal testing machine (gauge length 250 mm) following SNI ISO 1805:2010, with the crosshead speed set to achieve failure within 20?3 s; invalid tests due to slippage or improper break location were repeated. The mean breaking strength increased with denier (8.76?0.32 kgf for d/6; 15.14?0.28 kgf for d/9; 20.99?0.41 kgf for d/12; and 29.05?0.34 kgf for d/18), whereas the mean elongation decreased (44.71?5.96%; 37.99?0.96%; 32.63?0.60%; and 28.41?0.54%), with greater variability observed in the finest twine. Denier showed a very strong positive correlation with breaking strength (r=0.997, p=0.003; BS = ?0.265 + 1.682D; R?=0.994) and a very strong negative correlation with elongation (r=?0.983, p=0.017; E = 53.13 ? 1.439D; R?=0.966). These baseline data support evidence-based twine selection: d/18 for high-load bunt and headropes to maintain shape stability, d/9?d/12 for body and wings to balance strength and flexibility, and d/6 for low-stress areas where compliance is prioritized, while highlighting that service-life predictions must additionally account for degradation from sunlight exposure, friction during hauling, and dynamic loads from fish and hydrodynamics.

This study focuses on the background of beneficiaries, and how PMAY housing scheme is carrying out, and how satisfied the beneficiaries are with the scheme. Both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. Primary data were collected through a field survey conducted among 200 beneficiaries from the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information related to family details, occupation, income level, reasons for choosing the scheme, difficulties faced during the process, and changes in housing conditions after receiving assistance. The study shows that most beneficiaries belong to economically weaker sections and mainly used the scheme to construct new houses. The findings indicate that the scheme is helping to improve in housing conditions, overall living standards, and availability of basic facilities such as toilets, drinking water, and electricity. However, many beneficiaries reported problems such as lengthy procedures, delays, and repeated visits to government offices. The study suggests that the implementation process should be made simpler and more transparent. Better supervision and easier access to information can help ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach people smoothly and effectively.

The rapid expansion of digital event management platforms has greatly increased the need for clever and secure solutions that can detect and prevent fraudulent activity during online ticket transactions. Conventional event management systems focus primarily on event planning and user registration, but they lack trustworthy methods for identifying dubious activity such as bulk ticket purchases, the creation of false user profiles, or QR code abuse. These limitations could lead to financial losses, a decline in system reliability, and a decline in user trust. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an intelligent fraud detection framework in conjunction with an AI-based event management system. The proposed system automates event planning, ticket purchasing, and QR-based ticket validation while continuously monitoring user activity to spot odd tendencies. Behavioral information like booking frequency, ticket count, IP address, device identity, and QR scan history are analyzed using machine learning models, such as Isolation Forest and Logistic Regression. To improve detection accuracy and system performance, data preparation methods such behavior logging, feature extraction, and normalization are used. Performance measurements including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score are used for comparative analysis, which shows how effective the suggested strategy is. According to experimental results, the system guarantees safe and transparent event management, greatly enhances fraud detection capabilities, and decreases manual monitoring efforts. A scalable, dependable, and real-time framework appropriate for contemporary intelligent event management systems is provided by the suggested solution.

Large blocks of data must be analyzed and explored by utilizing the data mining procedures in order to uncover significant patterns and trends. Medical databases are one area where the data mining procedures can be utilized. Many people all over the world are struggling with their health and medical diagnoses. Massive amounts of data are produced by hospital information systems (HIS), yet it might be difficult to extract knowledge from diagnosis case data. By just giving the symptoms they are experiencing, patients can quickly learn about the sickness they are experiencing and the medication that can assist, treat it using the approaches utilized in this paper. In this paper, we give drug recommendations relied on ratings and conditions to customers. Four distinct prototypes are utilized to predict the diseases. The Vader tool and sentiment analysis relied on NLP are utilized to analyze the reviews. And finally, probabilistic and weighted average methodologies are utilized to recommend the medications. Each model and strategy utilized in this paper is described in detail. The experimental findings presented in this work can be utilized in future studies and for a variety of different medicinal applications.

Centrifugal pumps are widely used in industrial and laboratory applications for fluid transportation. Over time, performance degradation occurs due to mechanical wear, leakage, and instrumentation faults. This study presents the maintenance and performance restoration of a laboratory centrifugal pump test rig. Major faults identified included DC motor malfunction, pipe leakage, and inaccurate pressure gauge readings. After corrective maintenance, experimental tests were conducted to evaluate pump characteristics. Performance curves such as Head vs Discharge, Efficiency vs Discharge, and Power vs Discharge were plotted. The results showed significant improvement in operational stability, discharge rate, and overall efficiency after maintenance. The study highlights the importance of periodic maintenance in maintaining` pump efficiency and measurement accuracy.

This investigation delves into the potability of rainwater collected by Gbarain and Ekpetiama communities, the areas which accommodate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Central Processing Facility (CPF) in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, along with public health implications as a key factor. Though water from rainwater harvesting is mostly the only option and it is the most economical source in rural and peri-urban regions. During the wet and dry seasons, samples were taken from various households and then analyzed for physico-chemical parameters (pH, turbidity, TDS, conductivity, nitrates, sulphates, and heavy metals) and microbiological quality (total coliforms and other pathogens). The data indicated that the average values of most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the limits set by WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2015), however, at times, there were heavy metal exceedances of lead and zinc. The microbiological testing showed contamination throughout the area and over the whole period of study but it was especially bad in the wet season with high fecal coliform count ringing direct consumption as unsafe. The results point out that communities are at risk of cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea epidemics. The authors recommend boiling, chlorination, and filtration as treatment methods at household level, clean collection roofs, and proper storage tanks as infrastructure improvements, and policy support and public health education as overall measures to secure using rainwater. Appropriately, untreated rainwater harvesting in these communities is non-potable, but with the right measures it can serve as a sustainable water source.

• The document begins with an abstract summarizing the research focus on improving agricultural processes through mechanized solutions.
• The introduction sets the context for the need to optimize agricultural tools for better efficiency and ergonomics.

The tourism industry is a very important aspect in the economic development of Kenya as it provides job opportunities, foreign exchange, and the national revenue. Nevertheless, the performance of the industry is mostly determined by the talents and abilities of the employees. Following the necessity of providing skilled labor force, the Tourism Fund of Kenya launched the Upskilling Program that would help to improve the skills of the workers in the tourism and hospitality sector. This paper focuses on the effect of the Tourism Fund Upskilling Program on the productivity of the workforce, quality of services and competitiveness in the sector. The present study will be based on a qualitative and descriptive research design through the analysis of the documents and secondary data based on the government reports, tourism policy documents, and academic literature. The results have shown that the program has much improved professional competencies, better service delivery standards and has made Kenya very competitive in the international tourism market. Nevertheless, there are still such challenges as a lack of coverage of the program, insufficient funding, and an uneven distribution of stakeholders in the tourism industry. The research concludes by suggesting that the upskilling project and the reinforcement of the partnership between the government, training facilities, and the industry players can further enhance the performance of the tourism and hospitality sector in Kenya.

The formation of the Sahel Security Pact by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger poses a significant challenge to West Africa's existing regional security and governance structures. This study examines how the pact restructures security architecture, undermines the authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and impedes democratic consolidation. Relying on qualitative data from in-depth interviews and other secondary data, the research explores the pact's political motivations, operational advantages, and broader normative consequences. The findings of the study reveal that the stakeholders perceive the security pact as both a response to ECOWAS’s limited capacity in solving the region-specific security threats and a means for military regimes to circumvent regional democratic norms. While the pact offers faster decision-making, operational autonomy, and targeted resource allocation, these advantages come at a substantial political cost. The pact weakens ECOWAS's legitimacy and normative authority as the primary regional framework, normalizing authoritarian governance. By consolidating a military-led alliance, the pact erodes civilian oversight and threatens constitutional order and regional integration. However, the study concludes that without substantial reform of its security architecture and enforcement mechanisms, ECOWAS risks marginalization in a region increasingly shaped by militarized governance and declining democratic accountability.

This is a critical investigation of the incorporation of the MMSE into homoeopathic case taking as an additional tool for cognitive profile. It defines the translational mapping of MMSE deficits into repertorial rubrics, which improves rubric fidelity, repertorization accuracy, and remedy individualisation. Furthermore, the MMSE enables longitudinal outcome assessment, which contributes to evidence-based homoeopathic practice.

Sustainable ecotourism has emerged as a strategic pathway for balancing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social equity, particularly in developing destinations. Grounded in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework (Elkington, 1997) and stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984), this study examines the mediating role of TBL performance—economic, environmental, and social outcomes—in the relationship between ecotourism management practices, community participation, and sustainable development of ecotourism destinations in Tamil Nadu. A structured questionnaire comprising 29 items measured ecotourism management practices (EMP), community participation (CP), TBL performance (ECO, ENV, SOC), and sustainable development (SD). Reliability analysis indicated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.742), confirming acceptable scale reliability (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994). Sampling adequacy was strong (KMO = 0.850), and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was significant (χ² = 5986.965, df = 406, p < 0.001), supporting factorability of the correlation matrix. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) demonstrated good model fit (χ² = 412.28, df = 362, p = 0.034; RMSEA = 0.020), indicating a well-fitting measurement model with acceptable standardized loadings. The structural model also showed satisfactory fit (χ² = 415.85, df = 370, p = 0.050; RMSEA = 0.019). However, regression results revealed minimal direct predictive power of aggregate economic and environmental performance variables on sustainable development (R² = 0.001), suggesting that sustainable development outcomes are influenced by broader systemic and contextual factors beyond isolated performance indicators.

The theme of war has contributed massively in English Literature. The World Wars have created intense transformations in human lives. The violence and destructive nature of wars can never bring productive scenario into lives. The devastation and destruction of wars have brutally snatched peace from human existence. After the devastation of World War I human existence becomes purposeless, aimless and there was no grandeur in human lives. The people are alienated; they are struggling with their loneliness and emptiness. They are completely lost in the chaotic World. These frustrated, isolated and frustrated people after the decay and destruction after World War I are termed as Lost Generation by Gertrude Stein. After the World War II, human existence has again experienced the severe existential crisis in the destructed world. They experienced a repetitive, circular and monotonous life without any progress. They have no individual identity and they acquire a herd mentality. They live in isolation, purposelessness but they carry on working. Absurdism is a prominent literary form after the World War II. Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) and Romanian-French dramatist Eugene Ionesco Rhineceros (1959) are some of the crucial absurdist literary works which project the existential crisis and emptiness of alienated people who are living in the collective identity like the rhinoceros and carrying on the incessant toil like Sisyphus and experiencing a defiant happiness like him in this repetitive and endless loop.

As e-commerce is growing and becoming popular day-by-day, the number of reviews received from customer about any product grows rapidly. People nowadays heavily rely on reviews before buying anything. This instigates many people to write fraud and useless reviews about other related products or service. Even there are some organizations in the market who are hiring professionals to write fake reviews and promote their products or defame its competitors’ product. Hence, we aim to develop a method which will detect fake reviews and annotate them. The proposed method automatically classifies users' reviews into "suspicious", "clear" and "hazy" categories by phase-wise processing. The hazy category recursively eliminates elements into suspicious or clear. This results into richer detection and be useful to business organization as well as to customers. Business organization can monitor their product selling by analyzing and understanding what the customers are saying about products. This can help customers to purchase valuable product and spend their money on quality products. Finally end users sees each individual review with polarity scores and credibility score annotated on it.

The Animal Rescue and Welfare System is an Android based application integrated with a centralized Admin Panel designed to support non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in animal rescue and welfare activities. The system leverages modern mobile and web technologies to address the limitations of traditional, manual methods used for reporting and managing cases of stray, abandoned, or injured animals. Existing approaches are often time consuming, inefficient and susceptible to data loss or inaccuracies. The proposed system provides an automated and user-friendly platform that enables citizens to report animal rescue cases by uploading relevant details and images through a mobile application. These reports are instantly communicated to nearby animal welfare NGOs via the Admin Panel, facilitating prompt response and effective rescue operations. The Admin Panel further allows NGOs to manage volunteer information, update donation details and which are seamlessly synchronized with the mobile application. In addition, the application offers informational resources related to pet care, adoption processes and volunteering opportunities, thereby promoting awareness, social responsibility and compassion toward animals. By establishing a direct communication channel between the public and animal welfare organizations, the system enhances operational efficiency and fosters collaborative efforts for animal rescue and protection.

This article examines the regulation of crypto currency and digital assets as an emerging challenge in today’s world highlighting the complexities that arise due to their decentralised nature, anonymity and cross border implications. Rapid technological progress, innovative financial tools, and global decentralized markets have exposed shortcomings in traditional regulatory frameworks. As well as rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets possed unprecedented regulatory challenges. Through an extensive analysis of existing scholarly works, regulatory texts, and key enforcement measures across multiple regions, the paper analyses how various framework like EU’s MiCA regulation and india’s evolving legal stance address these challenges by balancing invetor protection, market integrity and innovation promotion. At the heart of this investigation lies the changing relationship between traditional investment law principles and the distinctive characteristics of digital assets, necessitating a flexible regulatory strategy. The study examines the effects of disjointed regulatory frameworks on worldwide investment movements and the possible necessity for cohesive international legal norms. By critically assessing existing regulatory measures, this study seeks to aid in establishing a coherent legal framework that aligns the rapid evolution of digital assets with robust investment law tenets. The results indicate an immediate necessity for investment law to develop alongside digital financial technologies to protect investors and maintain the stability of investment markets in the digital age.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of basketball specific skill training on selected skill performance variables among basketball players. The primary objective was to enhance players’ skill development through a structured training program. A total of thirty (N = 30) male basketball players from Department of Physical Education, Bharathiar University and Dr. SNS College of Arts & Science Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India, aged between 18 and 23 years, were randomly selected as subjects. They were equally divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, each comprising fifteen (n-15) players. The skill performance variables assessed were passing, shooting and dribbling, measured by using Johnson Basketball Test. The data collected were statistically analyzed by paired t test, which was used to find out the significant improvements on selected skill performance variables among selected basketball players. Findings revealed that twelve weeks of basketball specific skill training produced significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of the study indicated that the selected skill performance variables were improved due to the twelve weeks among basketball specific skill training.

Lifestyle disorders stem from faulty daily habits in eating and living. Chief contributors include unhealthy food choices such as bakery items and junk food, as well as physical inactivity resulting from westernized lifestyles, collectively leading to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Ayurveda addresses disease management through medicinal herbs and minerals while simultaneously preventing lifestyle disorders via appropriate dietary practices. Classical Ayurvedic texts categorize food substances (Ahara Dravya) into various subgroups, among which Kudhanya (Trin Dhanya) represents a cluster of small-seeded cereals consumed as human food since antiquity. Kudhanya Varga is equated with nutri-cereals or millets in contemporary nomenclature. Method: Data on Kudhanya were gathered from Samhita and Nighantu texts, including synonyms, properties, and therapeutic actions across various lifestyle conditions. Result: Kudhanya Varga exhibits Madhura-Kashaya Rasa, Katu Vipaka, Ushna Virya and functions as Kapha Shamaka and Vata-Pitta Prakopaka. Its Bruhaniya property renders it beneficial in malnutrition, while conversely its Laghu, Ruksha Guna, and Vilekhana Karma make it applicable in obesity. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to leverage the nutritional potential of Kudhanya (millets) as dietary supplements and therapeutic agents in combating nutritional deficiencies.

Nighttime driving presents significant safety challenges, particularly when navigating curved roads or hilly terrain where visibility is naturally restricted. Statistical data suggests a correlation between poor visibility on turns and an increased frequency of vehicular accidents. A primary contributing factor to this issue is the limitation of conventional static headlight systems, which illuminate the vehicle's straight-line path rather than the curvature of the road. This paper proposes the design and fabrication of an adaptive headlight system that synchronizes the direction of the light beam with the steering angle of the vehicle. By utilizing a mechanical or electromechanical linkage mechanism, the headlight rotates in tandem with the steering wheel, thereby shifting the focus of illumination toward the turning path. The methodology involves the construction of a prototype comprising a steering mechanism, a DC or servo motor, and a movable headlight assembly mounted on a frame. Qualitative testing of the system demonstrates that the mechanism successfully improves visibility by reducing blind spots during turns. The proposed solution offers a cost-effective, simple, and reliable alternative to complex electronic adaptive front-lighting systems, making it suitable for implementation in a wide range of vehicles to enhance road safety.

Online shopping has become an important part of modern consumer behaviour, especially in the fashion industry. E-commerce platforms like Myntra provide a wide variety of dresses and fashion products, allowing consumers to easily compare products and read customer reviews before making a purchase. Online reviews play a significant role in influencing consumer purchase decisions because they provide information about product quality, size, fabric, delivery experience, and overall satisfaction of previous buyers. This study focuses on the impact of online reviews on consumer purchase decisions on Myntra in Tirupur City. The main objective of the study is to analyse how customer reviews affect the buying behaviour of consumers while purchasing dresses online. The study also examines factors such as review ratings, positive and negative comments, trust in reviews, and the frequency of checking reviews before purchasing a product. Primary data for the study was collected from 100 respondents through a structured questionnaire.

Domestic violence is universally acknowledged as a critical human rights violation, yet its conceptualization and legal remediation remain profoundly gendered. In India, the legislative framework epitomized by the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 explicitly constructs domestic violence as a crime against women, with men positioned exclusively as perpetrators. This paper challenges that binary by examining the invisible reality of male victims of domestic violence in India. Through a doctrinal legal analysis incorporating empirical data from the National Family Health Survey, judicial precedents, and comparative jurisdictional analysis, this research establishes that domestic violence against men is not a statistical anomaly but a significant social phenomenon requiring urgent legal recognition. The paper argues that the current gender-specific legislative framework violates fundamental constitutional guarantees of equality before the law (Article 14) and undermines India's international human rights obligations. By rendering male victims invisible, the law perpetuates suffering, denies access to justice, and reinforces harmful masculine stereotypes. Drawing on successful gender-neutral models from jurisdictions including the United Kingdom and the United States, this paper proposes comprehensive legal reforms including amendment of the PWDVA to encompass all genders, establishment of support infrastructure for male victims, and judicial sensitization programs. The paper concludes that genuine gender justice demands legal frameworks that protect all victims of domestic violence, irrespective of gender, without diminishing the imperative to address the disproportionate violence experienced by women.

The ‘Sapt-Sindhu’ refers to the ancient region encompassed by the seven rivers namely- the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Saraswati and spans across the modern day Northern India and Pakistan. The region has had a significant impact on the cultural development of South Asia. Moreover, some of the oldest human civilizations including the Vedic Culture and Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) emerged here. It is undeniable that Sapt Sindhu played a significant role in the formation of early human history, not only because of its contributions to political, ecclesiastical, and socioeconomic life but also because it preserved cultural customs and practices that still influence South Asia's identity now. The present research explores the significance of Sapt Sindhu in the development of religious and social structures as well as its influence on the conservation of both material and intangible cultural treasures in the cultural evolution of the Indian subcontinent.

Absurdist fiction is a distinguished genre of English Literature. The genre primarily emerged in France and Germany. It appeared during the 1950s. This writings are an immediate reaction of the devastating effects of the Wars in human life. The disenchantment of the wars has created a huge void and meaninglessness in human existence. The main characteristic of the Absurd fiction is the purposelessness of human life. Absurd theatre has a great impact on the absurd fictions. The shape of Absurdist novels is circular. The ending concludes with the beginning, therefore referring the journey is without any purpose, no progress and no fixed target. The novels use satire, dark humor, the humiliation and invalidity of reason, meaningless actions etc. Martin Esslin first coined the term in his essay ‘The Theatre of Absurd’ published in the year 1960. Esslin points out that these theatres have a common factor that is absurd which is “absurd is that which has no purpose, or goal, or objective." This is a quotation of the famous Absurdist Romanian-French playwright Eugene Ionesco. Franz Kafka, Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, Albert Camus, Saul Bellow, Donald Barthelme and Cormac McCarthy et.al are the prominent writers of Absurdist fiction. The Absurd fiction has been derived from the Latin word "absurdus" which refers to the ‘contrary of reason’ and ‘inharmonious’.

Ayurveda emphasizes a comprehensive approach to health that integrates physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well‑being. The concept of Sadvritta, which literally means “code of right conduct,” is an important component of preventive healthcare described in classical Ayurvedic literature. Sadvritta includes ethical behaviour, personal hygiene, disciplined lifestyle, and socially responsible conduct. Classical texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya highlight the role of Sadvritta in maintaining harmony between body, mind, and society. Adherence to these principles contributes to disease prevention, mental stability, and improvement of quality of life. The present article reviews the classical concept of Sadvritta and discusses its relevance in contemporary lifestyle management and preventive medicine.

Bioterrorism is a major global public health threat involving the deliberate release of microorganisms or their toxins to cause disease, death, and societal disruption. Advances in biotechnology and ease of dissemination through air, food, or water have increased concern regarding its use. High-priority agents such as Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and viral hemorrhagic fever viruses are particularly dangerous due to their high infectivity and mortality. [1] From a pharmacological perspective, effective management requires rapid diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate antimicrobial or antiviral therapy. Pharmacological countermeasures—including antibiotics, antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines—play a crucial role, with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors influencing therapeutic outcomes. [2]

The project “Book Sphere” is an online bookstore management system designed to make the buying and selling of books easier and more efficient. It provides a web-based platform where users can browse, search, and purchase books from different categories such as fiction, non-fiction, and academic books. The system allows the administrator to add, update, delete, and search for books easily. It also supports inventory management by tracking stock levels and generating sales reports. This project aims to reduce manual work, minimize errors, and improve the overall efficiency of bookstore operations. The system helps bookstore owners manage their inventory, track orders, and maintain customer details in one place. It also allows users to register, log in, and view their order history securely. the project offers a simple and user-friendly interface with safe online payment integration. It aims to replace manual processes with an automated system that saves time, reduces errors, and improves the overall experience for both customers and administrators. In conclusion, Book Sphere is a modern, cost-effective, and scalable solution that brings traditional book management into the digital era, benefiting students, readers, and bookshop owners alike.

Ayurveda emphasises a preventive and holistic approach to health, with diet and lifestyle as fundamental determinants. The concepts of Pathya (wholesome) and Apathya (unwholesome) form the core of Ayurvedic nutrition and therapeutics. Pathya includes dietary and behavioural practices that maintain physiological balance, support digestion, and promote overall well-being, whereas Apathya comprises factors that disturb homeostasis and contribute to disease manifestation. Food is regarded as a primary factor for growth, immunity, and longevity, and is considered both nourishment and therapy. The selection of Pathya is individualised based on factors such as Prakriti (body constitution), Agni (digestive capacity), Kala (season), and disease condition. Ayurveda also highlights therapeutic dietary preparations such as Manda, Peya, and Yavagu, which are easy to digest and beneficial in conditions of impaired metabolism. Seasonal and disease-specific dietary regimens further support the maintenance of internal balance. The principles of Pathya closely align with modern concepts of functional foods and preventive healthcare. In conclusion, adherence to Pathya plays a vital role in maintaining health and enhancing treatment outcomes, whereas Apathya significantly contributes to disease progression.

Eyes are one of the most susceptible organs which are affected as an aging process and Presbyopia is one such disease. Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, has been linked to alterations in the lenticular (lens and capsule) and extra-lenticular (ciliary body and muscle) accommodative apparatuses. The crystalline lens undergoes significant age changes that contribute to the progression of presbyopia. After 60 years of age, the human crystalline lens gradually loses its ability to undergo accommodative changes with mechanical stretching and fails to undergo accommodative changes in focal length. In Ayurveda, these visual disturbances are described under Drishtigata roga of eyes and more importantly Timira-Kacha-Lingnasha complex. The concept of herbal Chakshushya dravya (Food beneficial for eyes), Rasayana and Kriyakalpa (local therapeutic procedures) can prevent the progression of Presbyopia and delay the aging process.

Food waste is a serious global environmental problem that contributes to landfill buildup, greenhouse gas emissions, and wasteful resource use. An efficient and sustainable method for turning heterogeneous food waste into useful fuels like propane and other energy-rich products is thermochemical valorization. In this process, high-temperature conversion methods like gasification and pyrolysis are applied to mixed organic food leftovers from homes, restaurants, and food enterprises. Complex organic materials are broken down by these thermochemical processes into simpler substances like syngas, bio-oil, and light hydrocarbons, which can be used. Thermochemical valorization helps minimize methane emissions from the decomposition of organic waste and lessens the load on landfills by converting food waste into renewable energy sources, additionally, by encouraging sustainable waste management techniques and recovering energy from waste, products, this technology advances the idea of a circular economy. All things considered, turning food waste ?from plate to propane? is a creative way to combat environmental contamination and the rising demand for alternative energy sources worldwide.

The manufacturing and fabrication industries frequently require the production of highly accurate, large-diameter holes in sheet metal components. Traditional drilling methods remove the entire volume of the hole, resulting in significant material wastage, elevated energy consumption, and extended machining times. To address these inefficiencies, the Sheet Metal Boring and Trepanning Machine offers an advanced mechanical solution that removes only a circular ring of material during the cutting process. By preserving the solid central core, this approach substantially reduces material waste and minimizes the energy required for large-hole machining. This paper outlines the design, working principles, and methodological construction of the machine, alongside a comparative analysis of its benefits over conventional techniques. Furthermore, it explores the future potential of integrating automation and intelligent control systems to enhance operational efficiency across various industrial sectors.

Kenya is a primary agricultural producer in a climatic zone that supports plant and animal life all year round, yet a third of its population perennially suffers from acute food insecurity. The right to food has a constitutional guarantee, and numerous food security strategies have been articulated by successive administrations since independence, but the food situation remains defined more by crises and private profits than by security for the people. This article analyzes the multidimensional concept of food security, the state of food security in Kenya and its challenges and trends. A few cases that relate to food production, distribution, trade and consumption are used to illustrate how politics of patronage dictate public policies that govern the food value chain. The central argument is that elite networks in Kenya?s patrimonial state hold the food security agenda hostage as a source for political patronage, rent extraction and private profits at the expense of smallholder farmers, consumers and the potential for local agriculture?s contribution to economic development. The combination of inconsistent policies, corruption and cartels, deliberate undermining of devolved governance and subordination of indigenous production systems to the globalist corporate interests combine to undermine Kenya?s food security. In conclusion, the article argues for a system- wide approach to food security, anchored on agricultural sovereignty as a national philosophy for sustainability. It urges radical reforms in the governance system to free policy processes from elite capture, shift the population?s understanding of political interests from the ethno- regional dimensions to class interests and to drop the national obession with out-of-Africa markets as Kenya?s primary trade partners in favour of regional and continental integration for synergies as prerequisites for agricultural sovereignty and food security. Using an integrated literature review and analysis, this study reviewed selected journals, relevant media articles, and other seminal works on agricultural production and the political economy of food security in Kenya and elsewhere, providing a greater understanding of the global forces with local connections that define food system policies in Kenya.

The integration of digital manufacturing systems (DMS) into modern industrial production is transforming the way products are designed, developed, manufactured, and maintained. The rapid evolution of Industry 5.0 technologies has enabled the emergence of cyber-physical production systems that connect physical manufacturing assets with digital models and intelligent decision-making platforms. This article synthesizes contemporary research on digital twins, digital threads, interoperability frameworks, and semantic data models that support the seamless integration of digital manufacturing environments. The study reviews conceptual foundations, system architectures, implementation strategies, and deployment challenges associated with digital manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, the research highlights the role of digital twins, standardized data models, knowledge graphs, and block chain-enabled governance in enhancing manufacturing productivity, operational efficiency, and system resilience. Emerging developments such as digital twin pipelines, edge computing, and line-less assembly systems are also discussed. The study concludes that successful integration of digital manufacturing systems requires interoperable architectures, standardized information models, and strong data governance frameworks to fully realize the benefits of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0.

The girl child in conflict with law occupies a unique and often invisible position within juvenile justice systems globally. Despite constituting a numerical minority within youth justice populations, girls face disproportionate vulnerabilities, distinct pathways to offending, and systemic responses that frequently fail to address their specific needs. This paper examines the gender dimensions of juvenile justice, analysing the international legal framework for protecting girl children, the distinctive characteristics of girls' offending trajectories, the phenomenon of gendered decision-making within justice systems, and the challenges arising from their minority status. Drawing upon feminist criminological perspectives and attribution theory, this research argues that effective protection requires moving beyond gender-neutral approaches toward genuinely gender-responsive interventions that recognise the intersectional nature of girls' experiences. The paper concludes with recommendations for law, policy, and practice that would strengthen the protection of girl children in conflict with law.

The juvenile justice system operates under a fundamental tension: it must simultaneously address the harm caused to victims while prioritizing the rehabilitation of young offenders. This dual mandate holding children accountable for their actions while recognizing their capacity for change represents one of the most complex challenges in modern jurisprudence. This paper examines the philosophical foundations, legal frameworks, and practical implementations of balanced juvenile justice across multiple jurisdictions. Through analysis of international standards, national legislation, and innovative practices such as the Dual Balance Model and "one family, one judge" approaches, this research argues that effective juvenile justice requires moving beyond zero-sum thinking toward integrated models that serve both victims and offenders. The paper explores the particular challenges posed by "crossover youth" children who traverse both child protection and juvenile justice systems and examines how trauma-informed, restorative approaches can fulfill the dual mandate more effectively than punitive alternatives. It concludes with recommendations for policy reforms that recognize the interconnected fates of victims, offenders, and communities in the pursuit of justice for children.

The proliferation of hyper-realistic synthetic media, commonly known as deepfakes, has fundamentally challenged the legal frameworks governing online content. The "safe harbour" provisions, which have historically shielded social media platforms from liability for user-generated content, are facing unprecedented strain. This paper examines the tension between these immunities and the urgent need to address the multifaceted harms caused by deepfakes, which range from electoral disinformation to gender-based violence. Through a comparative analysis of legislative responses in India, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, this paper argues that the passive intermediary model underpinning safe harbour is conceptually ill-suited to an ecosystem where platforms actively curate content and increasingly integrate generative AI tools. It concludes that a recalibrated framework is necessary, one that moves beyond notice-and-takedowntowards proactive duties of care, while carefully preserving constitutional free speech guarantees. A differentiated approach, distinguishing between a platform's traditional hosting functions and its role as an AI service provider, offers the most viable path forward.

The transfer of juvenile offenders to adult criminal courts for prosecution of heinous crimes represents one of the most contentious intersections of criminal law, constitutional rights, and developmental science. This paper examines the constitutional and legal challenges arising from such transfers, analyzing the foundational due process requirements established by the United States Supreme Court and their evolution through subsequent jurisprudence. It explores the tension between legislative efforts to impose stringent consequences for serious juvenile offending and constitutional protections that recognize the diminished culpability of youth. Through comparative analysis of recent Canadian jurisprudence and examination of transfer mechanisms across jurisdictions, this paper argues that while transfer mechanisms serve legitimate public safety interests, their implementation must rigorously incorporate consideration of the unique attributes of adolescence to satisfy constitutional requirements. The paper concludes with recommendations for reform that align legal practice with developmental science while maintaining accountability for serious offending.

The transition from the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 marks a significant moment in the evolution of India's criminal jurisprudence on sexual offences. This paper examines how the BNS conceptualises and interprets the twin pillars of sexual offence law 'will' and 'consent' through the prism of individual autonomy. While the BNS introduces certain progressive elements, including the criminalisation of sexual intercourse through deceitful means under Sec. 69, it simultaneously retains problematic colonial vestiges such as the marital rape exception. Through a doctrinal analysis of statutory provisions, judicial interpretations, and constitutional principles, this paper argues that the BNS represents a fragmented and incomplete engagement with sexual autonomy. The paper explores three critical sites of tension: the distinction between 'against the will' and 'without consent', the problematic construction of consent obtained through deceitful means, and the continued immunity granted to husbands within marriage. It concludes by proposing a reconstructive framework that places substantive autonomy rather than formal consent at the heart of sexual offence jurisprudence.

University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) has increasingly been recognized as a strategic driver of innovation and economic transformation in developing countries. This study critically examines the structural, relational, and policy dimensions influencing the effectiveness of UIC and its contribution to innovation outcomes between 2019 and 2025. Drawing on recent global policy insights and empirical trends reported by institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank, and the World Economic Forum, the paper synthesizes evidence on barriers and innovation impacts within emerging economies. Key challenges identified include weak institutional frameworks, limited research funding, trust deficits between academia and industry, and inconsistent policy incentives. Despite these constraints, findings indicate that structured institutional mechanisms, sustainable funding models, and international partnerships significantly enhance technology transfer, startup development, and localized product innovation. The study further emphasizes the importance of governance reforms, performance-based funding, and ecosystem-based collaboration models in strengthening national innovation systems. By integrating empirical insights with policy-oriented analysis, the paper argues that UIC, when strategically institutionalized and adequately supported, can accelerate research commercialization and industrial competitiveness. The study concludes that coordinated stakeholder engagement and global integration are essential to unlocking the full innovation potential of universities in developing contexts.

This paper explores the way through which ethnicity has affected the policy in Kenya by through the formation of political parties. It makes the argument that political parties are vehicles of ethnic interests organizing communal blocks more than expressing ideological programs, which entrenches ethnic patronage into state structures and policy making. Based on a secondary analysis of the available empirical and theoretical literature on ethnicity, party politics, and public policy in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa, the paper connects the formation of ethnic parties to fragmented policy preferences, distorted distribution of the public good, and macroeconomic inefficiencies. Current researches on ethnic favoritism in appointments and resource allocation, consequences of devolution, coalition politics following the 2010 Constitution are incorporated in showing how individual policies and sectors such education, infrastructure and county level expenditure have been affected by ethnically organized party competition. The paper concludes that an inclusive development and national cohesion should entail institutional reforms that diminish the ethnic stakes of capture of the state as well as a transformation in the party competition, on the basis of ethnic patronage, towards programmatic politics and issue-based politics.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and life-threatening respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic inflammatory responses in the lungs. COPD is primarily caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles such as cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants, and occupational dust. The disease includes pathological conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. This review article highlights the epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and current management strategies for COPD. Early diagnosis, smoking cessation, and appropriate pharmacological therapy remain essential for reducing disease progression and improving patient outcomes.

At the threshold of the scientific era of the 21st century, it is no wonder that surrogacy is becoming increasingly popular in curing infertility. Although it is needless to say that surrogacy was widely used in curing infertility even in ancient times. Therefore, it can be said that the continuity of surrogacy methods flows from ancient times to modern times. Therefore, in this context, it is noteworthy that like the characters of ancient times, current celebrities who are struggling with infertility are also expanding their families through surrogacy methods. And by greatly strengthening the practice of surrogacy methods, they are also motivating the common people to adopt this method in accordance with the law. Therefore, the knowledge of surrogacy is not new but has been prevalent since ancient times and this is the main purpose of my discussion. Although there are doubts about how scientific it was. Surrogacy, often perceived as a modern reproductive technology, has its roots in ancient India. This article explores the concept of surrogacy in the Mahabharata Puranas mention surrogacy in various stories, often involving divine or supernatural elements.

Renowned Indian-English writer Anita Desai, who was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1978 for her novel Fire on the Mountain, holds a significant position among present-day Indian women authors. Her literary creations often delve into the portrayal of nature in relation to female figures, offering readers the opportunity to uncover unexplored facets of the female perspective. In Fire on the Mountain, Desai adeptly examines the bond between women and their surroundings, promoting ecofeminist ideals to shed light on the interconnected struggles faced by women and the natural world. Simultaneously addressing issues of gender and environment, this essay aims to unravel the complexities of the female characters in the novel against the backdrop of the magnificent Himalayan mountains. It seeks to identify ecofeminist themes within the novel and demonstrate how Desai seamlessly weaves together tales of women and nature, highlighting their shared experiences of subjugation and resilience.

The right to a fair trial constitutes a fundamental norm of international human rights law and a cornerstone of legitimacy for international criminal tribunals. This paper examines the evolution, normative content, and practical application of fair trial guarantees in international judicial bodies. It analyses the constitutive elements of the right including tribunal independence and impartiality, equality of arms, and specific defendant protections as developed through the jurisprudence of regional human rights courts and international criminal tribunals. The paper further explores contemporary challenges, including the tension between fairness and expedition in complex proceedings, the application of fair trial standards in arbitration contexts, and emerging issues such as proceedings in absentia. It concludes that while international tribunals have largely succeeded in operationalising fair trial norms, significant challenges remain in ensuring consistent application across different judicial contexts and in reconciling procedural efficiency with fundamental guarantees.

This study investigates the role of Silozi in the preservation and intergenerational transmission of Lozi cultural heritage in Western Province, Zambia. Grounded in Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Postcolonial Language Theory, the research examines how patterns of language use, institutional support, and generational dynamics shape cultural continuity within the Lozi community. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, data were collected from 100 participants across Mongu and Limulunga districts through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. The findings reveal that Silozi retains strong symbolic and cultural significance, particularly within ritual and ceremonial domains such as the Kuomboka ceremony, where it functions as a vehicle of royal authority, historical memory, and collective identity. However, the study also identifies generational shifts in language practice, with increased bilingualism and English preference among youth, especially within educational and professional contexts. While elders maintain high levels of ritual competence and linguistic fluency, intergenerational transmission through traditional storytelling and daily modeling has weakened due to urbanization, formal schooling pressures, and technological influences. Despite these challenges, the language demonstrates stable yet vulnerable vitality, sustained by strong community attachment and ceremonial reinforcement but constrained by limited institutional dominance. The study concludes that Silozi remains central to Lozi identity, though its long-term sustainability depends on strengthened educational integration, youth engagement initiatives, and expanded institutional support. By integrating structural, behavioral, and postcolonial perspectives, this research contributes to broader discussions on African language preservation and cultural resilience in multilingual postcolonial societies.

In a democratic system, governmental accountability is paramount, with the judiciary playing a crucial role in ensuring that executive power adheres to legal and constitutional boundaries. In India, the power of judicial review allows courts to scrutinize the legality and constitutionality of executive actions, serving as a vital check against potential arbitrariness or unconstitutionality. The advent of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the late 1970s significantly expanded and democratized this oversight, relaxing traditional locus standi rules and enabling public-spirited individuals or organizations to challenge executive actions affecting broad segments of society, particularly the marginalized. This procedural innovation has fostered a more proactive and socially responsive judiciary, instrumental in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability. Despite its transformative impact, judicial review of executive actions through PIL faces contemporary challenges. The increasing complexity of administrative decisions, often involving specialized technical expertise, intricate economic policies, or sensitive national security considerations, presents unique dilemmas for judicial scrutiny. Furthermore, the delicate balance between judicial activism and judicial restraint, alongside concerns about judicial overreach, remains a subject of intense debate. While judicial interventions are frequently lauded for protecting fundamental rights and upholding the rule of law, they sometimes draw criticism for venturing into policy domains or encountering practical difficulties in implementing judicial directives. This research paper undertakes a comprehensive study of judicial review of executive actions through PIL in India, with a specific focus on recent challenges to administrative decisions. It explores the historical evolution and conceptual foundations of judicial review and PIL, examining their employment in holding the executive accountable. The paper critically examines contemporary challenges such as the judiciary?s institutional capacity and technical expertise in reviewing complex executive actions, the practical difficulties in implementing judicial directives, and the potential for misuse of PIL through frivolous litigation. Comparative insights from common law jurisdictions like the United Kingdom and the United States are drawn to highlight universal principles and unique national adaptations, particularly concerning access to justice and judicial deference to administrative agencies. The paper argues that the framework's continued effectiveness hinges on the judiciary?s adaptability, enhanced institutional capacity, and a collaborative approach with other governmental branches to navigate the evolving landscape of administrative governance.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy, but high input prices and climate-related shocks have continued to undermine its productivity. The present paper is an assessment of the National Fertilizer Subsidy Program (NFSP) under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly assessing how it would impact the productivity of smallholder farmers in the year 2023-2026. The study intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the program using a desktop review methodology through the analysis of Kenya national bureau of statistics (KNBS), Ministry of Agriculture, and independent policy brief data. The results suggest that the national production of maize will increase a great deal owing to the subsidized price of Ksh 2,500 per 50kg bag, which is 64 percent less expensive than the market price of 2022. Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS) has improved the targeting process, enrolling more than 7.1 million farmers, and cut the leakages of ghost farms with the help of the e-voucher system that uses data to determine payments. Nonetheless, the review presents some severe policy paradoxes, such as a 49?57% crowding-out impact on the private fertilizer market and logistical last-mile bottlenecks that reduce the net benefit of the subsidy to the remote smallholders. The paper draws a conclusion that the NFSP has been successful in reducing the short-term cost of production and enhancing food security. However, the long-term fiscal viability of the system is questioned by high public debt and dependence on rain-fed-based systems. Recommendations include a transition towards soil-health-specific blends and the expansion of climate-risk insurance to safeguard productivity gains against increasing weather variability.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in India is under-recognized due to cultural beliefs, lack of awareness, and stigma. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and impact of SAD, emphasizing the cultural and social context in India. Despite challenges, treatment options like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication, and homeopathic remedies offer effective management. Increased awareness, support from family and peers, and improved access to mental health services are essential for addressing SAD. Homeopathy's holistic approach also presents promising solutions for alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life for individuals with SAD in India.

The advent of autonomous artificial intelligence systems has fundamentally challenged the traditional architecture of criminal liability particularly the doctrine of mens rea. When an AI system acts independently to cause harm, the question of who possessed the guilty mind and whether such a concept can even apply to non-human actors exposes significant gaps in existing legal frameworks. This paper examines the tension between classical principles of criminal intent and the reality of AI-driven offences with specific reference to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. It argues that while the BNS represents a progressive step toward digital-age criminal law it remains anchored in anthropocentric notions of culpability that struggle to accommodate autonomous machine behaviour. The paper explores whether traditional mens rea principles can be applied when AI systems act autonomously and investigates the necessity of redefining intent for the AI era and proposes a hybrid framework combining strict liability and corporate criminal liability models and potential juristic personhood for advanced AI systems. Through comparative analysis and examination of emerging Indian jurisprudence the paper concludes that incremental reform rather than wholesale abandonment of mens rea offers the most viable path forward though this requires legislative clarification and judicial innovation under the BNS framework.

Honour-based crimes represent one of the most brutal manifestations of patriarchal control over individual autonomy resulting in thousands of victims across India annually. Despite unequivocal constitutional protection of the right to choose one's partner and consistent judicial condemnation of honour killings the Indian legal system continues to grapple with effective prevention and punishment of such offences. This paper examines the intersection between the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the criminal justice response to honour-based crimes through the lens of preventive criminal law with particular emphasis on the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. It argues that the absence of a uniform civil framework creates normative conflicts that enable honour-based violence to flourish while simultaneously hampering effective criminal law enforcement. The paper analyses the substantive and procedural provisions of the BNS and BNSS evaluates their adequacy in addressing honour crimes and proposes a integrated approach combining uniform civil norms with specialised criminal provisions to achieve meaningful prevention.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, action, or both. The global prevalence of DM is increasing rapidly, with Type 2 diabetes accounting for the majority of cases worldwide. Conventional therapies such as insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents have improved glycemic control but are limited by side effects, patient compliance issues, and inability to fully prevent long-term complications. Recently, novel treatment approaches ? including incretin-based therapies, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, dual/triple agonists, ?-cell regeneration strategies, immunotherapy for Type 1 diabetes, stem cell?based islet replacement, closed-loop insulin delivery systems, and microbiome modulation ? have emerged. This review discusses these evolving therapies, their mechanisms, clinical efficacy, limitations, and future prospects in the management of diabetes mellitus.

The death penalty occupies a unique and paradoxical position in Indian constitutional jurisprudence. While Article 21 guarantees the right to life as inviolable except through "procedure established by law," the Supreme Court in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) upheld capital punishment's constitutionality by introducing the "rarest of rare" doctrine a framework premised on the assumption that judicial discretion, guided by broad principles, would prevent arbitrary sentencing. Forty-five years hence, this paper argues that the Bachan Singh framework has manifestly failed to deliver on its promise. Drawing upon empirical data, judicial inconsistencies, and comparative analysis with the United States' statutory guideline model, this research demonstrates that the current system produces arbitrary, crime-centric, and mitigation-blind sentencing outcomes. With over 95% of trial court death sentences reversed or commuted on appeal, and with trial courts imposing 139 death sentences in 2024 alone while awarding the punishment on the same day as conviction in over one-third of cases, the evidence of systemic failure is overwhelming. This paper contends that the solution lies not in further judicial refinement of the Bachan Singh framework, but in a fundamental shift toward statutory sentencing guidelines. Such guidelines, enacted by Parliament, would mandatorily require consideration of enumerated aggravating and mitigating factors, establish clear procedural safeguards, and create institutional mechanisms for pre-sentencing investigation reports. By channeling judicial discretion within defined parameters, statutory guidelines would enhance transparency, ensure consistency, and restore constitutional legitimacy to capital sentencing in India.

This paper examines the effectiveness of India's anti-terrorism legal framework with particular focus on the transformative changes introduced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. These landmark legislations which replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 respectively represent a significant paradigm shift in India's approach to counter-terrorism. By incorporating terrorism as a distinct substantive offence within the general criminal law for the first time the BNS marks a departure from the previous approach of relying exclusively on special legislation such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. This paper evaluates whether this integration enhances the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts while maintaining necessary safeguards for civil liberties. Through analysis of legislative frameworks judicial interpretations implementation challenges and comparative perspectives this paper argues that while the codification of terrorism within the BNS represents progressive legal reform its effectiveness ultimately depends on robust institutional mechanisms judicial oversight and adherence to constitutional principles that protect fundamental rights.

This study examines and compares two commonly used approaches for performing supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgeries: the peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS)-guided technique and the ultrasound (US)-guided technique. Ultrasound guidance provides direct, real-time visualization of nerves, surrounding anatomical structures, and needle placement, allowing for more accurate delivery of local anesthetic and potentially minimizing complications. In contrast, the PNS-guided method depends on eliciting motor responses to identify nerve location, which may be associated with relatively lower precision and a greater risk of block failure or adverse events. The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of both techniques by assessing success rates, onset time, safety profile, and patient satisfaction. Through this comparative analysis, the study aims to generate evidence-based insights that can help improve anesthetic practice. Ultimately, the findings are intended to support safer procedures, enhance patient outcomes, and promote greater efficiency in regional anesthesia for upper limb surgical interventions.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (Gen-AI) in banking has rapidly evolved from experimental pilots to a strategic imperative. This article examines the transformative journey of AI in financial services, tracing its progression from back-office efficiency tools to a fundamental driver of competitive strategy and business model reinvention. Drawing on industry data, institutional case studies, and recent technological developments through early 2026, we analyze how banks are moving beyond isolated use cases toward enterprise-wide AI integration. The research identifies six high-value application domains, examines the emergence of agentic AI and multi-agent systems, and evaluates the governance frameworks necessary for responsible deployment. We argue that the banking industry stands at an inflection point: the strategic question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to architect organizational capabilities, governance structures, and partnership models that enable sustainable competitive advantage in an AI-first financial landscape. The article concludes with a strategic framework for institutions navigating this transition and offers projections for the next phase of industry transformation.

Introduction: In many developing countries, including Zambia, unplanned and unintended pregnancy among adolescents is an important public health challenge. In general, their sexual and reproductive health needs are not being met due to lack of knowledge on the services offered. This in turn has negatively affected their access and utilization of the services including family planning hence, increased numbers of unplanned pregnancies among them. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used to provide answers to factors associated with unplanned pregnancies among the adolescents in Chipata District. Results: The study revealed that over half, 215 (57%) of the adolescents in the district had unplanned pregnancies, while 159 (43%) reported that their pregnancy was planned. The study showed that the adolescents lacked knowledge on the types of methods available. There were persistent barriers such as the restrictive laws, poorly implemented policies, reluctant providers and deeply held social norms Further, the utilisation of family planning was low and only 73 (19.5%) among adolescents used condoms. The study showed association between unplanned pregnancy with access and utilisation of family planning services as the p-value was less than 0.001. Therefore, the adolescent did not access the adolescents? services and this had a negative influence on the utilisation of the services, hence, increased numbers of unplanned pregnancies among the adolescents. The study showed that the majority 75 (93.8%) adolescents asked for pocket money from their boyfriends or ?sugar daddies?, in return for sexual favours, though not significant. The study showed that, the Stakeholders in adolescent health who are parents/guardian and health care providers did not recognise adolescent?s problems nor advocate for the provision of appropriate care and youth-friendly services to help them navigate through their problems Furthermore, the study showed that socio-cultural factors influence acceptability of family planning services as 239 (94.5%) of the adolescents indicated that norms and customs were still followed where a girl child believes to have child before using any family planning method. The results revealed culture of silence: where lessons on sexual activity, access to sexual and reproductive health information and services by adolescents was considered taboo.
Conclusion: The circumstances surrounding unplanned pregnancies among adolescents need to be addressed collectively as they are interconnected and affect not only the adolescents themselves but also the family and the society at large. Therefore, this study provides insights that will inform the development or revision of policies and strategies that would adequately address the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents.

This article examines how Zimbabwe communicates and governs systemic risks arising from climate change, with a focus on the institutional arrangements that shape community preparedness and adaptation. Grounded in the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) Risk Governance Framework and the Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF), the study uses qualitative document analysis to interrogate 30 key policy and strategy documents produced between 2005 and 2024. The analysis identifies a predominately top down risk communication architecture, persistent gaps in multi-stakeholder engagement, and coordination shortfalls between national institutions and local communities. Although national policy instruments reflect growing awareness of climate risk and adaptation, practical implementation is constrained by institutional fragmentation, limited mechanisms for meaningful community participation, and underutilisation of indigenous knowledge and digital communication channels. The article concludes by proposing a set of governance and communication reforms to promote inclusive, timely, and actionable risk information, and outlines priorities for future research, especially on integrating indigenous knowledge systems and low cost digital tools into community centred risk governance.

This research explores how India?s foreign policy has navigated the intensifying geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Russia, Iran, Israel, and Ukraine within an increasingly unstable global order. As conflicts in West Asia and Eastern Europe escalate and great power rivalries deepen, India faces the dual challenge of protecting its national interests while maintaining strategic autonomy. Drawing on recent developments?such as India?s cautious diplomatic responses to the US?Israel military action against Iran and its efforts to secure energy and economic supplies amid regional instability?this study assesses New Delhi?s balancing act between competing power centers and its commitment to peaceful diplomacy. India?s approach reflects a nuanced blend of engagement with Western allies, historical ties with West Asian states, and pragmatic engagement with Russia and other global actors, underscoring its preference for non alignment and multi vector diplomacy in a turbulent global environment. The study argues that India?s policy choices during these crises demonstrate its efforts to assert a coherent strategic identity, manage external pressures, and contribute to regional stability without compromising core economic, security, and diaspora interests.

Kurukshetra is widely known as the battlefield of the Mahabharata and the place where Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Because of this association, the region holds a special place in the cultural and spiritual tradition of India. However, references in Sanskrit literature suggest that the sacred importance of this land existed even before the events of the Mahabharata war. Earlier texts refer to the region as Samantapanchaka Kshetra, which is connected with the account of Lord Parashurama. According to the Mahabharata and several Puranic sources, Parashurama created five lakes at this site after defeating certain Kshatriya rulers and performed offerings for his ancestors there. These events led to the recognition of the region as a sacred place. Over time, the same land became associated with the events described in the Mahabharata and gradually came to be known as Kurukshetra. This study examines references to Samantapanchaka found in the Mahabharata and Puranic texts in order to understand how the region came to be identified with Kurukshetra. By looking at these textual traditions along with the idea of sacred geography in the Indian knowledge tradition, the study explores how stories, rituals, and cultural memory contribute to the formation and continued significance of sacred places in India.

Unemployment in Kenya is a persistent, complex challenge despite numerous policy interventions. This paper examines the question of whether the scarcity of jobs in Kenya is due to demand side constraint, supply-side issues, or both. This study adopts a qualitative and comparative approach based on Secondary data (eg, from KNBS, Controller of Budget, county reports and national statistics), Empirical and academic literature (2012-2025, focusing on the recent evidence), Government policy documents and budget reviews, and Media reports to fill in the gaps (eg, on budget absorption). The analysis examines the trends across counties and over time to identify the constraints using both theoretical and Kenyan empirical data. Using empirical data sourced from 2022 to 2025, official statistics and academic literature, the findings prove that unemployment is determined by an interlocking set of demand and supply constraints. On the demand side, poor formal job creation amid low absorption of county development budgets and limited access to credit limit job creation. On the supply side, there are skills mismatches, structural inequalities (gender, displacement, regional disparity) and geographic disparities, which reduce employability. The paper argues that for meaningful solutions to be established, there is a need for integrated policy action by the National and County governments, Educational Institutions, and the Private sector in order to address both sides at once.

A pneumatic sheet metal cutting machine is a fabrication device that uses compressed air to operate a cutting mechanism for shaping and trimming metal sheets efficiently. The system mainly consists of a pneumatic cylinder, solenoid valve, air compressor, cutting blade, and frame structure. When compressed air is supplied, it drives the piston inside the cylinder, producing linear motion that activates the cutting tool. This machine offers advantages such as low operational cost, simple construction, reduced maintenance, and improved safety compared to conventional mechanical cutting methods. It is widely used in small-scale industries and workshops for accurate, fast, and economical sheet metal cutting operations. This system offers several advantages over conventional mechanical and hydraulic cutting machines. It has a simple design, low initial investment, and reduced maintenance requirements due to fewer moving parts. The use of compressed air ensures clean operation without oil leakage, making it environmentally friendly and suitable for small-scale industries and workshops. Additionally, the machine provides faster operation, improved safety, and consistent cutting performance. The cutting force can be controlled by adjusting air pressure, enabling precise and uniform cuts on thin and medium-thickness metal sheets.

The federal system of India laid down in the Constitution was envisaged as a delicate balance between the authority of the Union and the freedom of the States (Arora, 2003). Although conceptualised as a quasi-federal system with a strong Centre, Indian federalism has developed as a dynamic interaction and interplay of political developments, institutional arrangements, and leadership styles. Historically, the Indian federation has waxed and waned between centralisation and federalism, depending on political circumstances and the personality of the leadership at the Centre (Singh and Verney 2003). The rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 was a major break in this trajectory, ushering in the new era of assertive central leadership, which has redefined the structure and practice of federalism in India (Mehta, 2017).

This paper examines tribal education in Telangana, analyzing the gap between policy frameworks and ground-level outcomes. Through analysis of government data, news reporting (2024-2025), scholarly research, and NGO documentation, the study addresses the question: What are the primary barriers to educational access and quality for tribal students in Telangana? The findings reveal a persistent access-quality gap?extensive institutional infrastructure (over 1,000 residential schools) coexists with systemic failures including non-functional toilets, overcrowded hostels, over 1,000 teacher vacancies, and linguistic mismatches following the English-medium transition. Particularly vulnerable groups like the Gutti Koya face near-insurmountable barriers due to remote forest locations and lack of foundational schooling. NGO interventions (Smile Foundation's AEEP programme reaching 2,700 students; Priya Nestham's Gutti Koya study centres) demonstrate that targeted support can mitigate these gaps. The paper argues that Telangana's tribal education system requires not additional infrastructure but consistent implementation, language-appropriate pedagogy, tailored approaches for particularly vulnerable subgroups, and systematic community engagement to fulfill the promise of educational equity.

In order to achieve academic quality, institutional sustainability, and national success, NAAC certification should be viewed as a continual developmental process rather than just a periodic grading exercise. In the study has gather the vital information on the relevant literature needed to support this study, the researchers turned to a number of significant secondary data sources, including commission reports, NAAC documents, previous research projects, books, journals, magazines, and the Internet. The findings of the research show that NAAC certification plays a major role in the ongoing quality development of India's Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The analysis of secondary data sources, such as NAAC framework documents, and current empirical research, shows that accreditation promotes accountability in governance, transparency, and organized institutional planning. The study conclude that NAAC certification is a powerful and revolutionary tool for quality assurance and improvement in Indian higher education, based on the study's findings.

This research paper looks at how people in Western Odisha's middle class use birthday parties to show off their dreams of a better life. It builds on ideas from Bourdieu about habitus shaped by society and Appadurai on how cultures mix and spread. For a few months, the researcher did fieldwork in wes Odisha ;visiting 45 homes, talking to 60 people and observing 20 parties. These events mix old Odia customs with modern Western touches like cakes, fancy themes and social media shares to help folks stand out as they shift from farm life to city ways. The results show how men and women handle new ideas of progress differently. Money from family abroad and jobs create a mixed set of habits, but there's still conflict between keeping local roots and copying global trends. On the theory side, this sharpens our view of middle-class life outside big cities in India, stressing how buying things builds who we are. This paper also recommends ways to make culture fair for all and suggests more research on ambitions from out-of-the-way places

The article presents a comprehensive eco-hydrological characterization of the Sedniv Small Hydropower Plant (SHP) on the Snov River. Built in 1951 and restored in 1999, this facility represents a unique model of long-term interaction between hydro-technical structures and a high-purity river ecosystem. The technical specifications of the 40-meter wicket dam, which creates a 2.25-meter hydraulic head, are analyzed alongside the morphometric parameters of the 13.5 km long reservoir. The study highlights the formation of distinct hydrodynamic gradients that influence sedimentation processes and the structure of aquatic biota. Special attention is given to the preservation of the relic species Salvinia natans L. in the upstream section, emphasizing the need for scientifically grounded water level management. The authors provide a rationale for establishing a systematic seasonal monitoring program, including the use of algae as rapid bioindicators and macrophytes for assessing long-term habitat stability. The proposed framework for an ecological digital passport aims to ensure the sustainable coexistence of renewable energy production and the biodiversity of the Polesie region.

Background: Despite the Swachh Bharat Mission&#39;s success in toilet construction, sustaining toilet use remains a challenge in Tamil Nadu, influenced by behavioural, sociocultural, and infrastructural factors. Reviews: Studies suggest that infrastructure is not enough for long-term use of toilets. Multi-faceted strategies combining subsidies, community mobilisation, behaviour change communication, and gender-sensitive approaches have been explored. Social norms and gender dynamics, particularly in rural areas, play a critical role. Methodology: This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and has been derived from 814 examined records from 5 electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. After eliminating duplicates, a total of 265 studies were reviewed with 49 full text articles assessed for eligibility. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on Tamil Nadu or similar Indian contexts, evaluating behaviour change interventions. The key dimensions which were covered in the review were: Toilet Construction and Promotion Sanitation Practices Social Norms Sanitation Policies Gender Disaster Resilience. Results: The findings show that government-led subsidies were insufficient without behaviour change efforts. Community mobilisation increased adoption, while gender-sensitive strategies proved essential. Social norms and gender barriers in particular for women played a pivotal role in determining the use of toilets.Conclusion: Sustaining the use of toilets takes more than infrastructure and calls for integrated and gender-sensitive and context-specific approaches. Future interventions must address gender dynamics and disaster resilience to ensure long-term success.

Procurement performance is essential for improving efficiency and competitiveness in manufacturing firms. However, many manufacturing firms in Malawi continue to face procurement-related challenges such as high costs, delays, and inefficiencies. This study examined the factors affecting procurement performance among manufacturing firms in Kanengo, Malawi, focusing on leadership commitment, employee competency, information systems, and organizational culture. The study employed a quantitative research approach using a descriptive and explanatory research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from selected manufacturing firms in Kanengo and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that leadership commitment, employee competency, information systems, and organizational culture have a significant influence on procurement performance. The study concludes that strengthening internal organizational factors can enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness. It recommends increased management support, employee capacity building, adoption of modern information systems, and promotion of a supportive organizational culture to improve procurement performance among manufacturing firms in Malawi.

Pneumatic conveying is an essential technology for the efficient and dependable transportation of bulk solids, powders, and granular materials used in various industries. Pneumatic conveying systems use air or gas as the conveying medium, and the materials are transported through pipelines or ducts using a combination of pressure and airflow [1]. The advantages of pneumatic conveying include its ability to move materials over long distances, flexibility in routing, and transport materials in a closed system that minimizes dust and other environmental hazards. One of the most significant advances in pneumatic conveying technology is the devel opment of high-pressure systems that allow for transporting materials over even longer distances. High-pressure systems use compressed air to move materials through pipelines, reducing the need for energy-intensive pumps or other mechanical devices. Additionally, these systems can be operated with lower flow rates, reducing energy consumption and im proving overall efficiency.

The manufacturing sector relies significantly on the procurement process to fulfill client requirements and achieve a competitive edge. Nevertheless, stakeholders have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the subpar procurement performance, which has seen a significant increase of 23%. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of inventory management strategies on the procurement performance of major manufacturing enterprises in India. The study aimed to determine the impact of Economic Order Quantity on procurement performance of major manufacturing companies in India, as well as to examine the influence of Activity Based Costing on procurement performance of these companies. This study employed a descriptive research design. The study focused on procurement authorities employed by large manufacturing companies. The formula developed by Coopper and Schidler was utilized to obtain a representative sample. Hence, a total of 187 procurement officers were selected as a sample using the method of simple random selection. This sampling strategy is used because it ensures that every item in the population has an equal chance of being selected. This study employed a questionnaire as a means of gathering data pertinent to the research. The acquired quantitative data was evaluated using descriptive statistical approaches, namely frequencies, mean, and standard deviation. Furthermore, it is advisable for major industrial corporations in integrate EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) estimates into their procurement procedures.

Sepsis is a severe and often fatal systemic response to infection, which can lead to multiple organ dysfunctions including the kidneys. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common complications of sepsis and is strongly associated with increased mortality. This paper explores the mechanisms of sepsis-induced renal dysfunction, clinical consequences, influence on patient outcomes, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, and strategies to reduce mortality. Improved understanding of these relationships can help in early recognition, targeted therapy, and better clinical outcomes. Sepsis is known to cause renal function fluctuations during hospitalization, but whether these patients discharged from sepsis were still at greater risks of long-term renal adverse outcomes remains unknown.

Celebrity endorsement has become the one of the most effective promotional strategic tool in modern marketing .Hence, it is significantly influencing the consumer buying behaviour and brand image. This study aims to analyse the influence of celebrity endorsement on consumer perception and brand image with special reference to the boost brand in Tirupur City. The research also focuses on understanding how the celebrity attributes such as attractiveness ,expertise, trust and popularly impact the consumer attitude, brand awareness and purchase intention of consumer. This study adopts a quantitative research design and the primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 100 response who are the consumers of the boost brand in Tirupur City. The secondary data were gathered from journals, books and online sources. The study concludes that the appropriate celebrity brand fit and credible endorsement can positively influence consumer buying behaviour and also strength and the brand image. The result of this study provides the valuable insight for marketers in designing the effective celebrity endorsement strategies.

Purpose: This research explores how behavioral biases influence the decision-making process of Indian retail investors using UPI-based micro-investment platforms (e.g., Jar, Spare8, Decentro). Research Problem: While UPI has democratized finance through "sachetization" (investments as low as ₹10), it is unclear whether these "frictionless" transactions lead to rational long-term wealth creation or impulsive, bias-driven behavior. Methodology: A descriptive research design was employed, using a quantitative approach. Primary data was collected via a structured questionnaire from 200 active UPI users (primarily Gen Z and Millennials). Key Findings: The study identifies Present Bias and Gamification Bias as the most prevalent drivers. Interestingly, the "pain of paying" is significantly reduced in UPI transactions, leading to higher frequency but lower consistency in investment habits. Conclusions: While micro-investments lower the entry barrier, they often lack the "intentionality" of traditional assets. Financial literacy programs must evolve to address digital-native biases.

This study investigates the pedagogical efficacy of integrating hands-on experiments into physics instruction to enhance conceptual understanding and knowledge retention among secondary school students in Zambia. While physics is foundational to technological progress, students frequently perceive it as an abstract and formidable subject. This perception is largely attributed to a systemic reliance on teacher-centered lecture methodologies, which often fail to facilitate active cognitive engagement. Consequently, learners frequently resort to rote memorization of formulas without comprehending underlying principles or practical applications. Employing a quasi-experimental mixed-methods design, this research compared traditional lecture-based instruction with hands-on experimental learning among 25 students across five secondary schools in Lusaka District. The experimental group engaged in structured laboratory activities involving mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and wave phenomena. Data collected via achievement tests, observations, and questionnaires revealed that students in the experimental group demonstrated superior conceptual mastery, enhanced retention, and more favourable attitudes toward physics. The findings underscore the importance of experiential learning and suggest that integrating practical experiments using both standard laboratory equipment and locally available materials can significantly bolster academic performance and scientific literacy in Zambia.

Vataja Yoni Vyapad represents a significant category of female reproductive disorders in classical Ayurvedic medicine, encompassing conditions associated with disequilibrium of Vata Dosha that lead to distressing gynaecological manifestations including dysmenorrhea, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic discomfort. This condition exerts a profound negative influence on a woman's physical well-being, reproductive function, and overall quality of life. Classical Ayurvedic texts enumerate a spectrum of internal pharmacological formulations alongside Sthanika Chikitsa (localised therapeutic procedures) targeting the correction of Dosha Dushti and the reinforcement of tissue integrity in the affected region. The present case analysis describes a 34-year-old female patient who presented with severe premenstrual symptomatology, congestive dysmenorrhea, and significant discomfort in the vaginal and vulval regions. She was diagnosed with adenomyosis and Grade 2 uterine prolapse. Following a structured therapeutic regimen comprising oral Ayurvedic formulations and two sequential cycles of Yoni Abhyanga (vaginal oleation), Yoni Sweda (vaginal fomentation), and Veshavara Dharana (medicated intravaginal retention), the patient demonstrated substantial clinical improvement including complete resolution of premenstrual symptoms and marked reduction in pain intensity.

This study presents an analytical examination of the educational system in the Sundarban region, with particular attention to its structural characteristics, barriers to equitable access, the effects of remoteness and disaster vulnerability on schooling continuity, and the role of infrastructure, teacher availability, and digital inequality in shaping educational quality. The study adopts a qualitative-analytical and secondary-data-based methodology, drawing upon policy documents, demographic records, government reports, and published scholarship relevant to the Sundarbans and adjoining districts. The analysis is guided by a combined Capability Approach and Social Exclusion framework, which helps explain why formal educational provision does not always translate into meaningful educational opportunity in ecologically fragile and socially marginalized settings. The study finds that the educational condition of the Sundarbans is marked by territorial expansion alongside deep structural unevenness. Riverine geography, transport difficulty, poverty, ecological shocks, infrastructural inadequacy, teacher-related constraints, and digital deprivation collectively weaken access, continuity, and quality. The findings further indicate that educational exclusion in the region is not accidental but is produced through the interaction of spatial isolation, livelihood insecurity, and institutional limitations. The study argues that the future of education in the Sundarbans depends on region-specific, resilient, and equity-based planning rather than generic rural educational expansion alone. It concludes that meaningful educational transformation in the region requires not only more schools, but stronger conversion conditions that enable children to attend, remain, learn, and progress under conditions of vulnerability.

Pricing Transparency, Consumer Purchase Decision, Consumer Trust, Price Fairness, Brand Loyalty, Patanjali Personal Care Products. Price transparency has become an important factor influencing consumer purchase decisions in today’s competitive market. Consumers are increasingly seeking clear, honest, and easily understandable pricing information before purchasing products. This study aims to analyse the role of transparency in pricing on consumer purchase decisions with special reference to Patanjali Ayurved personal care products. The study adopts a quantitative research design, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 100 respondents who use Patanjali personal care products. Secondary data were gathered from journals, books, and online sources. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, Likert scale analysis, and weighted average analysis were used to analyse the collected data.

Despite significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS globally, Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa remain disproportionately affected. To address this challenge, Peer Education, making use of locally available individuals in the community, has emerged as a popular and cost effective approach to help control the pandemic’s spread among this vulnerable population. This study assessed the effectiveness of Peer Education (PE) programs in empowering AGYW and reducing HIV risk in Two Traditional Authorities in Thyolo District, Southern Malawi. Using a mixed-method case study design with a sample of 74 AGYW who directly participated in PE programs, and 4 active Peer Educators, the research found a significant positive correlation between PE session attendance and increased HIV awareness. While 75.5% of regular attendees reported improved knowledge and adoption of "ABC" (Abstinence, Being Faithful to one Sexual Partner and Always use a Condom) HIV prevention behaviors. The findings also identified critical gaps, including low knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and a lack of vibrant integrated economic empowerment in PE programs. The study concludes that while PE is an effective approach for information dissemination among AGYW, its impact may be hindered by overreliance on volunteer Peer Educators, the absence of a standardized and comprehensive curricula to guide PE sessions and minimal sustainable livelihood support for the targeted AGYW.

Rural startups are emerging as an important driver of economic growth, employment generation, and poverty reduction in rural areas. The Government of India has introduced several schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Start-Up India, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to support rural entrepreneurship. These initiatives provide financial assistance, skill development, and market support to rural entrepreneurs. This research paper analyzes the role and effectiveness of government schemes in promoting rural startup development and improving socio-economic conditions in rural communities. The study concludes that government initiatives significantly contribute to rural enterprise growth but challenges such as lack of awareness and bureaucratic delays still remain.

According to the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which recently celebrated #Katiba@15, Article 43 gives every citizen the right to the highest attainable standards of health. This includes reproductive health, which encompasses all maternal, neonatal, and child health, and all the rights that come with it. The article also includes the citizen?s right to emergency medication in times of war, disaster, pandemics, accidents, and any other happenings that demand emergency treatment. However, the situation in reality is far from the desired picture painted when the constitution was being drafted. The national health sector, through the Ministry of Health, has long been highlighted in the national corruption index, closely trailed by the National Police Service in terms of scandals involving corruption, grand looting, procurement graft, and the general mismanagement of allocated public expenditure. This paper explores the correlation between the rapidly declining rate of health quality in health service provision and the financial mismanagement through grand scandals and regular corruption that has tainted the public image of some national health leaders and the devolved health units in the various counties. Specifically, the mention of a few notable scandals reported in various media outlets through whistleblowers (such as the Auditor General) will constitute a majority of the references. These include the famous COVID-19 heist, the irregularities within the recently constituted Social Health Authority, the systematic looting of the now-defunct NHIF, the KEMSA tendering scandal, and other Afya House stories. Through a quantitative approach and desk-review analysis, this paper presents a highlight of the magnitude of waste and the contribution of unpunished corruption to the dwindling health sector, and the overall citizens? health welfare that can be painted in an abstract way to understand why, as policy practitioners, stringent methods need to be part of every policy discussion that aims to end corruption. The comparisons made as a mitigation in this paper function to highlight the expense of the opportunity cost of corruption in the health sector, showing how much greed costs to the welfare of the citizenry.

Marketing strategies play a pivotal role in shaping customer purchase behavior, influencing decisions, and driving brand loyalty. This study explores the different impacts of various marketing strategies such as digital marketing, social media campaigns, personalized advertising, and promotional offers on consumer purchasing patterns. By analyzing consumer responses to these strategies, the research highlights how targeted marketing efforts can enhance customer engagement, increase brand awareness, and ultimately drive sales. To achieve this, a mixed-methods research approach will be employed where the research will be descriptive design which I will include quantitative and qualitative technique of which will also include questionnaires to collect data and interviews for the respondents of which open ended and closed question will be used . For this study 34 respondents will be considered to respond to a structured questionnaire. A stratified random sampling technique will be used to ensure representation from various individuals that have been influenced by the company?s marketing strategies. The findings will look into the importance of understanding consumer psychology and preferences in designing effective marketing campaigns. Additionally, this study will have to examines the role of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, in optimizing marketing strategies to predict and influence customer behavior. Ultimately, this research provides valuable insights for businesses seeking to refine their marketing approaches to better align with evolving consumer expectations and maximize their market impact.

Manth kalpana?a traditional Ayurvedic formulation?has been mentioned and used in classical texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya and Yogratnakar. The study focuses on gathering and analyzing information about the preparation methods, ingredients and specific applications of Manth in different diseases. By looking at historical references, the study aims to uncover how this preparation works, its types, and the conditions in which it is prescribed and how it enhances health through balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). The study highlights Manth kalpana as a versatile and easily prepared formulation, often used in conditions like Chardi, Jwara and Madatyaya. The research also seeks to understand how different forms of Manth are categorized?such as Santarpana (Balya and Bruhan) and Apatarpana (Laghu)?and how these are used based on individual patient needs.

The present study analyses rainfall variability in Nashik district, Maharashtra, for a period of 21 years (2000?2020). The study is based on secondary annual rainfall data collected for fifteen tehsils. Statistical techniques such as mean annual rainfall, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (CV) were applied to assess the rainfall variability. The coefficient of variation was used to classify tehsils into low, moderate, and high rainfall variability categories. The results show considerable spatial variation in rainfall across the district. High rainfall tehsil such as Igatpuri and Trimbakeshwar receive high rainfall but exhibit high inter-annual variability, indicating erratic monsoonal behaviour. Rain-shadow Tehsil including Malegaon, Nandgaon, and Yeola experience low mean rainfall along with high variability, reflecting high rainfall uncertainty. Moderate variability is observed in Tehsil such as Nashik, Niphad, Sinnar, and Chandwad, indicating relatively more stable rainfall conditions. Notably, no taluka falls under the low variability category, highlighting the overall instability of rainfall in the district. The study concludes that both high-rainfall and low-rainfall Tehsil in Nashik district are affected by moderate to high rainfall variability, which has significant implications for agricultural planning, water resource management, and drought preparedness. The findings provide a useful statistical basis for understanding rainfall behaviour at the tehsil level and for supporting local-level planning.

Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to examine how fintech innovation?particularly digital payment systems such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and digital wallets?has transformed the Indian banking and financial services ecosystem. Using Paytm and National Payments Corporation of India as focal cases, the study explores changes in consumer behaviour, implications for traditional banks, and emerging risks related to data security and cybersecurity. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on secondary data sources, including industry reports, regulatory publications, fintech platforms? disclosures, and documented transaction trends. The analysis is descriptive and interpretive, focusing on the evolution of digital payments and fintech-led banking transformation in India. Findings: The findings reveal that fintech innovations have significantly accelerated cashless transactions, enhanced financial inclusion, and redefined customer expectations around convenience and speed. While fintech platforms have expanded access to financial services, they have also intensified competition for traditional banks and introduced new cybersecurity and data privacy challenges. Originality/value: This case study provides an integrated perspective on fintech-driven banking transformation in India by combining infrastructure-level innovation (UPI) with platform-level innovation (Paytm). It offers value by linking consumer behaviour, institutional challenges, and risk considerations within a single analytical framework.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and represents one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure globally. Conventional therapies often slow but do not prevent progressive renal decline. Recently, sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a novel therapeutic class demonstrating significant renal protective effects beyond glycaemic control.Objective: To highlight emerging mechanistic insights and clinical evidence supporting the renoprotective benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM. Observation: Clinical studies and real-world evidence indicate that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy is associated with reductions in albuminuria, stabilization of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and decreased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease. Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibitors represent a paradigm shift in diabetes management by offering both metabolic and renal protection. Their incorporation into clinical practice may significantly reduce the burden of diabetic kidney disease.