ISSN:2320-9186
Impact Factor:4.1
ISSN:2320-9186 Impact Factor:4.1
Abstract This study offers an interdisciplinary and contextually grounded examination of existential philosophy as reflected in twentieth-century English literature, enriched through the lived experiences of common Sri Lankan families and individuals. Drawing on existential concepts articulated by Søren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus, the research explores how themes of absurdity, alienation, freedom, responsibility, silence, and waiting are embodied in character identity and narrative structure in selected literary texts. Through close readings of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, and Albert Camus’s The Stranger, the study demonstrates that existential anxieties portrayed in Western literary texts resonate deeply with Sri Lankan socio-cultural realities such as economic precarity, family-centred moral obligation, underemployment, migration, and emotional restraint. By integrating philosophical quotations, literary evidence, and contextual Sri Lankan experiences, this research advances an original, postcolonial-existential framework that broadens the relevance of existential literary criticism beyond its traditional Eurocentric scope. Keywords: Existentialism, English Literature, Sri Lankan Society, Absurdity, Alienation, Narrative Structure
Cet article présente les techniques algorithmiques et architecturales mises en œuvre dans un travail doctoral fondé sur la méthodologie d’Adéquation Algorithme–Architecture (AAA) pour le suivi en temps réel des flux migratoires. Le système proposé intègre la biométrie multimodale, le traitement vidéo temps réel et des architectures hétérogènes Edge–Fog–Cloud afin de satisfaire des contraintes strictes de latence, de débit et de précision. La problématique et les hypothèses de recherche sont formulées explicitement, et les performances sont évaluées à l’aide de métriques quantitatives telles que la latence, le débit, le PSNR et la précision biométrique. Les résultats montrent que l’approche AAA surpasse significativement les solutions monolithiques classiques.
The digital Cultural Heritage collections are diverse and vast, which often results in limited user interaction data for individual items. This shortage leads to the cold-start problem, in which recommender systems struggle to provide good recommendations for new or less popular items due to a lack of social tags or user history. While social knowledge representations typically yield better recommendations than content-based methods, they are significantly affected by data scarcity. This paper presents a new method to bridge this gap by integrating representations of content and social knowledge. We use Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) on a combined vector of content features and social interactions to generalise the relationships between items. This method allows the system to transfer social knowledge to items with only content information, effectively creating a "bridge" over the cold-start gap. Experimental results show that this integrated representation outperforms separate social representations in settings with high cold-start rates, maintaining high recommendation quality even without user interaction data.
This study explores the applicability of Turkey’s public administration reforms as a model for improving govern-ance and accountability in Chad. Despite the introduction of democratic frameworks, Chad faces significant challenges, including corruption, inefficient public services, and a centralized political system. Drawing on Tur-key’s 2018 presidential system shift, performance-based civil service reforms, and digitalization of public ser-vices, the study examines how these reforms have enhanced efficiency and transparency in Turkey. Using com-parative analysis and qualitative data including government reports, case studies, official documents, and sec-ondary literature the study assesses how Turkey’s reforms might be adapted to Chad’s context. The findings suggest that centralization, anti-corruption initiatives, and digital service delivery could significantly improve public sector accountability in Chad. However, successful implementation will require gradual adaptation and local involvement to address Chad’s political fragmentation and ethnic dynamics.The application of Turkey’s public administration reforms in Chad presents a viable path toward improved governance, but the reforms must be tailored to Chad’s specific challenges. Centralized decision-making, performance evaluations, and digital ser-vices are essential, but must be implemented gradually and inclusively. The study recommends a phased rollout of reforms in healthcare and education sectors, beginning with digital public services. Further, capacity-building programs for civil servants and strong anti-corruption frameworks should be introduced alongside efforts to in-tegrate local governance structures into the reform process. keywords: Public Administration Reforms, Governance, Accountability, Turkey's Presidential System, Decentral-ization, Anti-Corruption, Digitalization
This study explores the cartographic mapping on land classification of agricultural land used in the Municipality of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Pictograph, videos and cartographic mapping were triangulated to the phenomenological, ethnographic and the anecdotal journal notes on the participant researcher. The objective is to visualize the spatial distribution of agricultural lands specifically the arable and permanent crop areas. Examine their implications on local livelihood and survival of the inhabitants. Findings indicate that only five barangays; Casinglot, Rosario, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, and Natumolan possess significant agricultural land holdings. The remaining barangays have experienced land conversion primarily for industrial and residential purposes. The study also categorizes the agricultural lands into arable and permanent crops, revealing a mix traditional and modern farming practices. It concludes that cartographic mapping serves not only as a spatial analysis tool it also become a mechanism for sustainable land management.
Land classification mapping on industry and company in the Municipality of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines was studied. The five barangays with industrial activity such as: Gracia, Baluarte, Sta. Cruz, Mohon, and Sta. Ana were identified. The Municipality has emerged a key industrial and economic hub with strategic geolocation in the historic place of Macajalar Bay. Significant landholding of PhiVIDeC Industrial Estate is prevalent. As the researchers phenomenologically, ethnographically and anecdotally recorded with the aid of pictographic analysis and maps geolocation identified primary and secondary industrial companies. Socio-economic and environmental implications on the presence of these industry and company findings revealed that, local employment, small business and public and private infrastructure increases. Thus, the identified Barangays encountered challenges such that on environmental issues. Likewise, the soil, gravel and sand-washing tossed by the current of the water tested the integrity on the river banks and its natural waterways. Thus, the need for urban and rural planning and development must focus on environmental management, reengineering, reinventiveness, innovation and sustainable development for the local government to continue receiving the God-given richness
STAP: Smart Tap ID Monitoring System, an automated attendance monitoring solution designed for Yellow Woods Educational Center, Inc. The system integrates mobile NFC-based tap-in technology with a real-time synchronized web dashboard to streamline attendance tracking, reduce manual workload, and enhance data accuracy. Using a developmental research design, the study followed a structured methodology that included requirements analysis, system design, implementation, and evaluation based on ISO 25010 software quality standards. The project’s scope covered the creation of a mobile application for NFC tap-in, a web platform for administrative monitoring, and secure database management features. System functionalities were tested with end users, including teachers, administrators, and IT personnel, to assess performance, usability, and reliability. Findings revealed that the system’s core features NFC tap-in, automatic date and time logging, and real-time syncing were successfully implemented and operated efficiently. The web-based dashboard effectively centralized attendance data, supported RFID card registration, and enabled easy monitoring of student profiles and attendance history. Security protocols, including password-protected accounts and access logs, ensured that only authorized users could access sensitive data. The system demonstrated high usability with intuitive interfaces and adequate training support, contributing to smooth user adoption. Evaluation using ISO 25010 quality standards showed strong performance across all domains: functional suitability, performance efficiency, compatibility, usability, reliability, security, maintainability, and portability. The study concluded that the STAP: Smart Tap ID Monitoring System is a reliable, efficient, and secure attendance monitoring solution suitable for institutional implementation. Its successful integration of NFC technology, real-time data synchronization, and user-friendly design positions it as a significant improvement over traditional manual attendance method. The system’s adherence to ISO 25010 standards further validates its robustness and readiness for broader deployment across different grade levels and school environments. Based on these conclusions, the study recommends continuing feature enhancements to support scalability and broader usage. Dashboard analytics and reporting tools should be further developed to strengthen administrative decision-making. Regular reviews of access control and syncing protocols are advised to maintain data security. Security updates and testing should be sustained to address emerging threats. Additional user training and interface improvements are encouraged to promote consistent adoption. Periodic ISO 25010 evaluations should be conducted after updates to maintain system quality. Furthermore, integrating automated notifications such as SMS or email alerts is recommended to improve communication with parents, and adding advanced analytics can support early identification of attendance patterns and student-related concerns. Keywords: Android Application, Cloud Computing, Data Management System, Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile Application, Monitoring System, Real-time Data, Sensor Technology, Smart System, Tap Usage Monitoring, Web and Mobile Integration,
Fungal spoilage reduces the quality, marketability and consumer safety of fruits. This study deployed an integrated approach of culture-based morphology and ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) DNA barcoding to identify fungal isolates associated with post-harvest spoilage of black currant (Ribes nigrum) fruits sold in Fruit Garden Market, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of one hundred visually spoiled fruits were randomly sampled from three market locations in July 2024. Fungi were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), purified, and characterized based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Genomic DNA was extracted using the ZymoBIOMICS DNA Microprep Kit and the ITS region was amplified with ITS1/ITS2 primers. Amplicons (~300–500 bp) were sequenced using the Sanger sequencing technique and queried against NCBI BLAST; phylogenetic analyses were constructed with the aid of MEGA11. Five fungal species were confirmed with their frequencies of occurrence represented in parenthesis: Hypoxylon trugodes (32%), Penicillium glabrum (10%), Gliocephalotrichum abrachium (12%), Pseudopithomyces chartarum (10%), and Fusarium equiseti (36%). Integration of morphology with ITS barcoding enabled species-level resolution and highlighted several taxa of food-safety concern. These findings therefore support routine molecular surveillance of marketed fruits, highlighting the need for improved post-harvest handling to reduce contamination and protect consumers. Keywords: Ribes nigrum; post-harvest spoilage; fungal pathogens; ITS barcoding; food safety
ABSTRACT ABALOS, Rosette B. (June 2023). Contrastive Analysis of Variation in Vowel Production of Selected Indigenous Cultural Communities This research examined the differences in how members of selected indigenous cultural communities in Ilocos Sur produce English vowel sounds. It aimed to identify the variations in pronunciation and to understand how the Ilocano language shapes these differences. Guided by a descriptive qualitative design, the study made use of documentary analysis, interviews, and reading drills. The collected data were analyzed using corpus-based phonetic analysis, which involved the systematic study of recorded utterances to describe phonological patterns. Through this, the study sought to determine the extent of influence the Ilocano language has on the English vowel production of its speakers. The findings revealed that most participants, who were mainly female adolescents with limited exposure to English, tended to produce vowels in a tensed or laxed manner and often confused short and long vowels. Similar observations were reported by Munro (2022), who explained that second-language vowel intelligibility depends on the amount of exposure and the context of learning. The participants were also found to interchange or substitute vowel sounds, and in some cases, add additional sounds when speaking English. These patterns support the findings of Saranza (2018), who noted that Filipino learners often substitute vowels because of differences between the vowel systems of their native language and English. Melienia (2021) further observed that vowel insertion and neutralization are common among Filipino English speakers due to the five-vowel system typical of Philippine languages, which limits sensitivity to English vowel contrasts. The study also found that the Ilocano mother tongue strongly influenced the participants’ pronunciation, resulting in vowel mergers or approximations. This aligns with Flege and Bohn’s (2021) Speech Learning Model, which explains that second-language learners often assimilate unfamiliar sounds into their existing native phonemic categories. Georgiou et al. (2024) also emphasized that individual differences in working memory and auditory discrimination shape one’s ability to perceive and produce L2 vowels. In a related vein, Magpale (2024) pointed out that regional and social backgrounds influence vowel production even within Philippine English, showing that linguistic variation is tied to identity and speech community. Taken together, these studies suggest that the vowel patterns identified in this research are systematic and predictable outcomes of linguistic transfer and sociolinguistic influence, not random pronunciation errors. In light of these findings, several recommendations were made to improve the pronunciation skills of Ilocano learners. Teachers are encouraged to promote active participation in language-oriented activities and organizations, as regular exposure to English in authentic contexts helps strengthen pronunciation and confidence (Gimson & Cruttenden, 2020). Educators should also provide structured reading and pronunciation drills in Ilocano, Filipino, and English to enhance learners’ awareness of sound differences between languages. This is supported by Flege and Bohn (2021), who stressed that contrastive phonetic training helps learners establish clearer boundaries between L1 and L2 vowel categories. Moreover, teachers should encourage reading aloud and classroom discussions, which, according to Derwing and Munro (2015), improve both fluency and segmental control in spoken language. The study also recommends that future researchers include different age groups and indigenous communities to determine whether similar vowel variation patterns exist across contexts. Kang and Thompson (2019) found that pronunciation development changes with age, experience, and language exposure, which supports the value of extending this line of inquiry. Finally, the study suggests a broader investigation comparing Ilocano, Filipino, and English vowel systems to develop a more inclusive understanding of multilingual phonology in the Philippines, echoing Magpale’s (2024) call for comparative and sociophonetic research. In conclusion, the study highlights that vowel variation among Ilocano speakers is shaped by first-language interference, limited English exposure, and sociocultural context. These variations are not simply pronunciation mistakes but reflections of deeper linguistic and cognitive processes. Therefore, English pronunciation teaching in multilingual regions should be rooted in contrastive phonetics, communicative practice, and culturally sensitive pedagogy. By acknowledging and integrating the learners’ linguistic backgrounds, teachers can help bridge gaps between native and target languages and ultimately foster more confident, comprehensible English speakers.
Abstract: In this paper, we first consider the general fractional derivatives of arbitrary order defined in the Conformable Fractional Derivative (CFD). In specific, we conclude an unequivocal form of their null space and demonstrate the second fundamental theorem of CFD that leads to a closed frame equation for their projector operator. These comes about permit us to define the natural initial conditions for the Fractional Differential Equations (FDE) with the fractional derivatives of arbitrary order (α) in Conformable Fractional Derivatives (CFD) sense. In the second part of the paper, we develop an operational calculus of the Mikusi´nski type for the general fractional derivatives of arbitrary order in CFD’s sense and apply it for derivation of an explicit form of solutions to the Cauchy problems for the single- and multi-term linear FDE with these derivatives. The solutions are provided in form of the convolution series generated by the kernels of the conformable fractional integrals.
Introduction: Colon cancer (CC) is a global and national public health issue, and understanding prognostic factors is essential for effec-tively tailoring treatment strategies to patients. The objective of this study is to analyze the survival of patients with non-metastatic co-lon cancer (NMCC) and identify the main prognostic factors. Method: We conducted a retrospective study at the CHUO between 2015 and 2019, based on the analysis of patient records for colon cancer. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, with univari-ate and multivariate analyses using the Log-rank test and Cox model, respectively. Results: We collected data on 121 patients, with a median age of 61 years (range 23-89) and a sex ratio of 1.2. The primary tumors were located in the left colon (75.2%) and right colon (24.8%). At the time of data collection, 34 deaths (28.1%) had been reported . The 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 74.3% (95% CI, 66.3-82.3) and 67.6% (95% CI, 58.8-76.4), respectively. The median overall survival is 70 months (95% CI, 48-100) with 3-year and 5-year survival rates of 61.5% (95% CI, 54.7-68.3) and 54.8% (95% CI, 47.6–62), respectively. Conclusion : our results show survival data similar to those reported in the literature.
Edge-based intelligence is essential for meeting the stringent latency, scalability, and privacy requirements of fifth‑generation (5G) networks. This paper presents a practical framework that integrates lightweight machine learning with edge computing to enable real‑time anomaly detection and cost‑aware optimization in 5G environments. We design a reconstruction‑based autoencoder trained on benign network flow features to learn normal behavior and detect anomalies via reconstruction error. The model is quantized and converted to TensorFlow Lite (TFLite) for deployment inside a containerized Multi‑Access Edge Computing (MEC) node. An edge agent performs streaming inference, applies a sliding‑window persistence check to suppress transient false alarms, and invokes conservative, rule‑based mitigation actions (e.g., traffic shaping, slice reallocation) when persistent anomalies are detected. An offline cost‑aware simulator evaluates trade‑offs between mitigation benefits and false‑positive costs, guiding policy tuning. Experimental evaluation on real network flow telemetry demonstrates that the TFLite autoencoder achieves strong separation between benign and anomalous traffic while meeting MEC resource constraints: model size and memory footprint are reduced substantially after quantization, and median inference latency falls to single‑digit milliseconds. Cost‑policy sweeps reveal that optimizer effectiveness depends critically on the relative weighting of action versus false‑positive costs, motivating conservative initial policies with telemetry‑driven tuning. The results indicate that combining TFLite inference with edge decision logic provides a feasible, explainable, and resource‑efficient approach for improving 5G network resilience.
This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the bio-geophysical characteristics of the bitumen-rich environment in Agbabu, Ondo State, Nigeria, with the objective of establishing baseline environmental conditions prior to large-scale commercial bitumen extraction. Given Agbabu’s ranking as the second-largest bitumen deposit globally, the study aimed to ensure sustainable resource exploitation while safeguarding environmental quality and community well-being. Environmental parameters such as atmospheric conditions, air quality, soil properties, and seasonal variations were thoroughly examined during both wet and dry seasons through field sampling, laboratory analysis, and in-situ measurements. The results indicated significant seasonal variations in air temperature and total suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations. Air temperatures ranged from a minimum of 27.8°C in the early hours to an afternoon peak of 35.45°C during the dry season, with lower temperatures averaging 27.61°C in the wet season due to increased cloud cover. SPM concentrations were notably higher during the dry season (152.66 µg/m³) compared to the wet season (72.54 µg/m³) but remained within the permissible limits set by the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Soil analysis also revealed variations in sand, silt, and clay content across seasons, with clay content increasing in the dry season, potentially affecting soil permeability and water retention. The study concludes that while the Agbabu bitumen site presents significant economic potential, effective environmental management strategies are critical to prevent ecological degradation. Recommendations for sustainable resource exploitation include implementing pollution control measures, phased extraction plans, biodiversity conservation strategies, and community engagement initiatives. The baseline data established in this study provides a critical reference for future environmental impact assessments, guiding responsible resource management and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability in the region.
The paper is an empirical analysis of the connection between trade barriers, carbon emissions and environmental sustainability in the modern era of globalization. Based on a multi-country panel data that captures the years 1998 to 2022, the study examines the impact of tariffs and non-tariff restrictions in causing carbon emissions per capita, carbon intensity, and overall sustainability performance by controlling income levels, industry structure, energy transition measures, and institutions. The empirical design combines the interaction with globalization and two-way fixation model, dynamic panel estimation and event time quasi-experimental model in order to identify contemporary and dynamic adjustment mechanisms. The findings unanimously suggest that an increased tariff is linked to a higher carbon intensity and in most instances poor environmental sustainability performance upon which access to cleaner technologies and production efficiency are more likely to be upset than provide environmental benefits. The consequences of the elements of non-tariff measures are observed to be conditional and they are based on the level of globalization, thus the critical role played by policy formulation and the capacity of institutions in the delivery of environmental results. Further interaction outcomes indicate that the negative externalities of the trade barriers cause more of a consequence in more globally related economies indicating that global value chains mediate the transmission of the losses of efficiency. On the whole, the results argue against the idea that trade restrictive measures naturally sustainability and instead highlights the necessity to coordinate both trade and climate policies to maintain access to low-carbon technology, encourage efficiency, and sustainability goals in an ever-convoluted global economy.
Dans le cadre de l'étude des enjeux socio-environnementaux et de la gouvernance des ressources en eau, une recherche a été menée sur la mare sacrée de Mountougoula, dans la région de Koulikoro, par l'Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherches Appliquées (IPR/IFRA) de Katibougou, en collaboration avec Join For Water (JFW). L'objectif général de cette étude est d’analyser les usages autour de la mare sacrée de Mountougoula. Pour atteindre cet objectif, la méthode qualitative a été privilégiée, s'appuyant sur l'administration d'un guide d'entretien semi-directif auprès des personnes-ressources de la localité (gardiens traditionnels et notables), auprès de 20 enquêtés, complétée par une observation directe. À l'analyse, les résultats confirment le statut de patrimoine de la mare dont la protection rituelle est assurée par la famille Doumbia. Les ressources de la mare sont également sacrées, exemptes de toute consommation. En cas de violation des normes édictées en la matière, les contrevenants sont assujettis au paiement d'un bélier blanc ou d'un poulet blanc, en réparation des dommages aux esprits. La mare participe à la protection du village ; son recours, en cas de rareté de pluie et en début de semis des cultures, pour implorer les esprits, est une pratique rituelle. Cependant, elle est confrontée à la pression foncière liée à l’urbanisation, à l’émergence des religions monothéistes et à l’abandon des croyances ancestrales par la nouvelle génération. Les sacrifices et les offrandes s'inscrivent dans une logique de conservation de la mare et de protection des fauteurs et, par ricochet, du village. En termes de perspectives, la recherche s’étendrait à d’autres sites sacrés afin de mieux documenter les savoirs endogènes de conservation et de protection des ressources naturelles.
Introduction: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant tumor syndrome caused by inactivating mutations in the MEN1 gene. It is characterized by the development of primary hy perparathyroidism (PHPT), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), and pituitary adenomas. Early diagnosis is essential for implementing appropriate surveillance and management. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman with recurrent duodenal ulcers was found to have multiple pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism. Imaging and histopathology confirmed a well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor without metastases. She was managed with proton pump inhibitors, somatostatin analogs, dopamine agonist therapy, and surgical eval uation for hyperparathyroidism. This case highlights the classical MEN1 triad and the importance of comprehensive endocrine and genetic as sessment for diagnosis and management.