https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/issue/feed 2026-07-13T13:43:49+00:00 Advances in Research [email protected] Open Journal Systems <p><strong>Advances in Research (ISSN: 2348-0394)</strong> aims to publish high-quality papers (<a href="https://journalair.com/index.php/AIR/general-guideline-for-authors">Click here for Types of paper</a>) in all areas of ‘research’. By not excluding papers based on novelty, this journal facilitates the research and wishes to publish papers as long as they are technically correct and scientifically motivated. The journal also encourages the submission of useful reports of negative results. This is a quality controlled, OPEN peer-reviewed, open-access INTERNATIONAL journal.</p> <p>This is an open-access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.</p> <p><strong>NAAS Score: 4.76 (2026)</strong></p> https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1660 2026-06-11T06:43:34+00:00 Joshua O. Owolabi [email protected]

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research productivity and its translation into socio-economic development remain markedly uneven across global settings. High-income countries consistently allocate a greater proportion of their national expenditure to research and development (R&amp;D), maintain well-established institutional infrastructures, and generate disproportionately larger volumes of high-quality scientific output relative to their share of the world’s population.</p> <p><strong>Objective:&nbsp;</strong>The objective of this review is to evaluate the influence of Ecosystem, Governance, and Resourcefulness and Resources factors - as defined by the Ease of Doing Research (EDR) framework - on research output and impact outcomes among researchers and research-active personnel in higher education institutions and research institutes globally. The review specifically examines evidence from both high-income (Global North) and low- and middle-income (Global South) country contexts to identify patterns of variation in how EDR pillar quality shapes research productivity, R&amp;D contribution, and national development.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> While extensive literature documents disparities in research output and R&amp;D investment between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, individual studies have only examined discrete factors such as funding, brain drain, institutional culture, and governance in isolation.&nbsp;Also, no systematic review has synthesised this evidence within a unified, multi-pillar framework. The Ease of Doing Research (EDR) framework, which proposes three interconnected pillars - Ecosystem, Governance, and Resourcefulness and Resources - as the primary determinants of research productivity and impact, now provides the conceptual basis for a globally applicable synthesis, addressing a gap with significant implications for research policy, equity in scholarship, and the translation of research into national development.</p> <p><strong>Inclusion criteria:</strong> This review will include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies examining Ecosystem, Governance, and Resourcefulness and Resources factors in relation to research output and impact among researchers and research-active personnel in higher education institutions and research institutes globally, published in English from 2000 to the present, across both Global North and Global South settings. Studies set exclusively in pre-university contexts, those without a research output focus, opinion pieces without primary data, and predatory or retracted publications will be excluded.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Searches will be conducted in April 2026 across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and African Journals Online, with Google Scholar used supplementarily; searches were limited to English-language publications from 2000 to the present. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, assess methodological quality using design-appropriate standardised instruments, and extracted data, with disagreements resolved by consensus. A narrative synthesis will be conducted, organised by EDR pillar and Global North versus Global South comparator groupings, with certainty of evidence assessed considering risk of bias, consistency, directness, and precision.</p>

2026-06-11T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1659 2026-06-10T12:04:37+00:00 Avleen Kour [email protected]

<p>Sericulture — encompassing the cultivation of mulberry, the rearing of silkworms (<em>Bombyx mori</em> Linnaeus), and the reeling and processing of silk — is one of the world's oldest and most culturally significant agro-industries. Sustaining the livelihoods of tens of millions of farming households across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the sector nonetheless confronts a range of persistent challenges: recurring epidemic diseases, labour-intensive operations, inconsistent raw silk quality, and limited access to precision management tools. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies — including machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, Internet of Things integration, and genomic analytics — offers a compelling and timely opportunity to modernise sericulture practice across the full production chain. This critical review synthesises current and emerging evidence on AI applications in sericulture, examining their potential in silkworm disease detection, mulberry cultivation management, cocoon and silk quality assessment, smart rearing environment control, and genomic breed improvement. Drawing on evidence published predominantly between 2000 and 2026, the review identifies meaningful convergences between advances in precision agriculture and the specific demands of the sericulture sector. Whilst direct AI applications within sericulture remain comparatively nascent, the methodological transfer from crop science, entomology, and textile engineering is accelerating. Key opportunities lie in automating disease diagnosis, optimising rearing conditions through IoT sensor networks, and leveraging genomic data for breed improvement. The review critically appraises barriers to adoption — including data scarcity, digital infrastructure deficits, and the skills gap among smallholder farmers — and articulates a forward-looking research agenda for this underserved but globally significant sector.</p>

2026-06-10T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1663 2026-06-27T09:52:56+00:00 Sheetal B. Patil [email protected] Preeti V. Kulkarni V. H. Kulkarni

<p>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains closely associated with dyslipidaemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and altered gut microbiota. Gut dysbiosis may affect cardiovascular risk through increased intestinal permeability, translocation of lipopolysaccharide, altered bile acid metabolism, production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and changes in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis. This review summarises evidence on the role of symbiotics, as combinations of probiotics and prebiotics, in the management of CVD and related cardiometabolic risk factors. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Research Scholar, and backward and forward citation searching. Peer-reviewed English-language systematic reviews, original research articles, clinical trials and meta-analyses were considered. The manuscript also examines evidence relating to atherosclerosis, diabetes-associated cardiovascular risk and TMAO-mediated mechanisms. The reviewed evidence indicates that symbiotic supplementation may improve selected lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and HDL-C, although effects were not uniform across studies. Some animal and clinical studies also reported improvements in inflammatory markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, nitric oxide availability, blood pressure-related outcomes, insulin sensitivity and gut microbial composition. Several studies further suggest that modulation of gut microbiota may influence gut-derived metabolites, particularly by reducing circulating TMAO and supporting SCFA production, thereby potentially contributing to intestinal barrier integrity and metabolic regulation. However, responses varied according to probiotic strains, prebiotic substrates, study populations, intervention duration and baseline metabolic status. Overall, the manuscript indicates that symbiotics may represent a supportive dietary approach for improving cardiovascular risk profiles through gut microbiota modulation. Further well-designed clinical studies are required to clarify strain-specific effects, optimal dosage, intervention duration and long-term cardiovascular relevance.</p>

2026-06-27T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1664 2026-06-30T09:45:19+00:00 Wang Xutao [email protected]

<p>Deep-water offshore wind resources are abundant and represent an important direction for the transition in offshore wind power from nearshore fixed-bottom foundations to floating foundations. Compared with steel platforms, concrete floating platforms have potential advantages in terms of material cost, durability, serial production, and life-cycle maintenance. However, they still face challenges related to dynamic-response control, lightweight design, crack resistance, modular construction, and operation and maintenance. This paper reviews the application of concrete in floating offshore wind power platforms. First, the stability mechanisms, structural characteristics, and applicability of semi-submersible, tension-leg, and spar platforms are summarised. Second, the performance characteristics and application potential of reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete, FRP bars and composites, and lightweight high-strength concrete are discussed. Third, durability assurance, structural health monitoring, and digital operation and maintenance strategies for concrete platforms under chloride-rich marine environments, fatigue loading, and long-term service conditions are analysed. The review indicates that concrete platforms should not be regarded as a simple material replacement for steel structures. Instead, cost, durability, and dynamic performance should be optimised through integrated material–structure–construction–maintenance design. Future studies should focus on optimised concrete floater configurations for large-capacity turbines, coupled durability–fatigue design, intelligent monitoring, and life-cycle economic evaluation.</p>

2026-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1665 2026-07-01T06:35:34+00:00 Ekta Sharma Archana Singh Sushil Kumar Sharma [email protected]

<p>Polymeric food-contact materials are now an essential part of food packaging because they help protect food, extend shelf life, improve handling, and support safe storage and distribution. However, these materials are not chemically inert. They are complex formulated systems that may release residual monomers, oligomers, additives, catalyst residues, coating components, printing-ink chemicals, adhesive-related substances, and non-intentionally added substances into food or food simulants. This review examines polymer-derived chemical migrants in food packaging systems with a focus on their occurrence, analytical characterisation, migration behaviour, and cancer-relevant risk prioritisation. The review covers important polymeric and polymer-containing food-contact materials, including polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides, polycarbonate, epoxy coatings, multilayer laminates, and coated paper or board systems. Migration is discussed as a chemistry-driven mass-transfer process influenced by polymer structure, molecular size, polarity, crystallinity, free volume, food composition, temperature, contact time, and surface-to-volume ratio. This review also considers the material-science factors that influence chemical migration, particularly polymer microstructure, crystallinity, amorphous-region mobility, oxygen transmission rate, water-vapour transmission rate and water-vapour permeability. Recent developments in bio-based and biodegradable packaging polymers, including PLA, PHA, PBS, starch, cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol-based active films containing plant-derived bioactive compounds, are also included because these materials are increasingly being promoted as sustainable food-packaging alternatives. The review further highlights advanced NIAS identification approaches, including LC-HRMS, suspect screening, ion-mobility HRMS, digital spectral libraries, in silico fragmentation and machine-learning-supported prioritisation, to strengthen the analytical and risk-prioritisation discussion.</p> <p><strong>Graphical Abstract:</strong> Overview of polymer-derived chemical migrants in food packaging systems, showing major polymer sources, migration drivers, food-matrix interactions, analytical characterization approaches, and cancer-relevant risk-prioritization factors.</p> <p><img src="https://journalair.com/public/site/images/sciencedomain/capture.png" alt="" /></p>

2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1676 2026-07-13T12:28:59+00:00 Anulika Virginia Chibuzo Coward Trevor Okoronkwo Samuel Chinonyerem [email protected] Mackson Unogu Osondu Ndubuisi Michael Chijioke Chiama Sunday Chinedu Chiama Ebere Joy Onu Frankline Chidera

<p>Hemi-maxillectomy, most commonly performed for the ablative management of maxillary sinus and hard palate malignancies, produces an oronasal defect that compromises mastication, deglutition, speech and facial aesthetics. Prosthetic rehabilitation with an obturator remains the principal non-surgical strategy for restoring oronasal separation and function in patients who are unsuitable for, or who decline, microvascular free flap reconstruction. This review synthesises the available clinical literature concerning the quality of life of hemi-maxillectomy patients rehabilitated with obturator prostheses, drawing on cross-sectional, longitudinal and comparative studies published across general prosthodontic, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and head and neck oncology journals. The review examines classification systems for maxillary defects, the functional principles underlying obturator design, the instruments used to capture health-related quality of life in this population, and the clinical, demographic and psychosocial determinants that shape patient-reported outcomes. It further considers comparative evidence contrasting obturator rehabilitation with surgical reconstruction, and appraises the contribution of digital workflows, computer-aided design and manufacture, and novel framework materials to contemporary obturator practice. The synthesis indicates that a well-retained, well-adapted obturator can substantially restore oral function and social confidence, that marital status, education, defect size, dentition, radiotherapy exposure and obturator retention are consistently associated with reported quality of life, and that the choice between obturator rehabilitation and flap reconstruction should be individualised rather than treated as a uniformly hierarchical decision. Persisting gaps include a scarcity of large prospective cohorts, heterogeneous outcome measures, and limited long-term data on newer digital and implant-retained obturator systems. Future research directions and the limitations of the present narrative synthesis are outlined.</p>

2026-07-13T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1653 2026-06-06T09:08:16+00:00 Eddene Mae D. Suyman [email protected] Rene A. Nala

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Collaborative AutoCAD file editing may enhance Grade 10 Technical Drafting students’ competency in structural layout and details by promoting shared problem-solving, cognitive support, and industry-relevant teamwork skills compared with individual drafting approaches.</p> <p><strong>Aims: </strong>To determine the effectiveness of collaborative AutoCAD file editing in improving Grade 10 ICT–Technical Drafting students' competency in structural layout and details, and to compare the learning outcomes of students engaged in collaborative file editing with those who performed drafting tasks individually.</p> <p><strong>Study Design: </strong>Quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design.</p> <p><strong>Place and Duration of Study: </strong>Juan P. Cedro Memorial High School, Surigao City, Philippines, School Year 2025–2026.</p> <p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Twenty-three (23) Grade 10 ICT–Technical Drafting students were assigned through intact-class allocation to a control group (n = 11), which performed AutoCAD drafting individually, and an experimental group (n = 12), which engaged in collaborative AutoCAD file editing through shared drawing files and structured task distribution. Both groups completed an AutoCAD-based pretest and posttest aligned with the K–12 Most Essential Learning Competencies. Outputs were scored using a standardized performance rubric covering dimensional accuracy, completeness of layout, layering and lineweight control, annotation and symbols, and drafting standards and neatness (20 points per criterion; 100 points total). Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, paired-sample <em>t</em>-tests, independent-sample <em>t</em>-tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at the .05 level of significance.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups improved from pretest to posttest, but the experimental group demonstrated substantially greater gains, with the total mean increasing from 77.00 (SD = 6.85) to 90.67 (SD = 5.21), compared with the control group's increase from 75.64 (SD = 9.20) to 80.73 (SD = 10.09). Within-group analysis revealed statistically significant gains in the experimental group for dimensional accuracy (<em>t</em> = 5.00, <em>P</em> &lt; .001), layering and lineweight control (<em>t</em> = 5.63, <em>P</em> &lt; .001), annotation and symbols (<em>t</em> = 3.02, <em>P</em> = .01), and overall total score (<em>t</em> = 5.40, <em>P</em> &lt; .001), whereas the control group showed a significant gain only in layering and lineweight control (<em>t</em> = 2.89, <em>P</em> = .02). Between-group ANCOVA on the posttest scores, controlling for pretest performance, indicated significant differences favoring the experimental group in dimensional accuracy (<em>F</em> = 16.82, <em>P</em> = .001; adjusted <em>M</em> = 20.08 vs. 17.00) and in layering and lineweight control (<em>F</em> = 12.25, <em>P</em> = .002; adjusted <em>M</em> = 18.65 vs. 15.66). No significant between-group differences were found for completeness of layout, annotation and symbols, or drafting standards and neatness.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Collaborative AutoCAD file editing significantly improved students' technical drafting competencies, particularly in accuracy- and coordination-driven skills such as dimensional accuracy and layering and lineweight control. The strategy supports the integration of structured collaborative activities in Technical Drafting instruction, with a balanced combination of collaborative and individual practice recommended to develop competencies that rely on personal precision, such as drafting standards and neatness.</p>

2026-06-06T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1654 2026-06-08T10:05:33+00:00 Koga Mang’ Dobara [email protected] Mengue Ntoa Geneviève Mahob Joseph Raymond Pierrou Maxime Moumbagna Mboutngam Mouhamadou Ajeagah Gideon Aghaindum Ndjonka Dieudonné

<p>Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common and widespread infections worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the existence of numerous studies on intestinal parasites (especially helminths and protozoa) among school-aged children in Cameroon, there is a lack of data on this topic in the Awae district. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors related to the transmission of intestinal parasites to school-aged children of the locality of Awae. Stool samples were collected from 143 students aged 4 to15 years, and analysed for the detection of intestinal parasites. At least 15 parasitic species, including 10 (67%) helminths and 5 (33%) protozoa, were identified. Among the diagnosed species, <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> was the most prevalent (55.94 ± 8.14%) and <em>Iodamoeba butschlii</em> the least prevalent (0.70 ± 1.37%). Students of Awae Public School were more infected (86 ± 10.37% %) compared to the two others (73 ± 13.75% in Essabi Public School and 62 ± 12.28% in Meyo Public School); those aged between 8 to 11 years were the most infected (83 ± 10.11%), while those aged between 12 to 15 years were less infected (56 ± 15.58%.). Non-compliance with hygiene rules significantly influenced the transmission of intestinal parasites. Eighty-three (81 ± 8.44%) of the infested participants were polyparisitized, dispecific and trispecific parasitic associations were the most common.</p>

2026-06-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1655 2026-06-08T11:06:31+00:00 Bertha Oluchi Uzowuihe Grace Chizoma Onyebuchi-Igbokwe [email protected] Rita Chimechefulam Ohanele Nnamdi Chibuzo Adibe

<p>Leadership development in secondary education is widely recognised as a key determinant of organisational learning and broader socio-educational transformation, particularly through its influence on collaborative capacity and adaptive school cultures. This study investigated the effects of visual arts-integrated leadership development programs on organisational learning outcomes among secondary school students in Southeast Nigeria. Despite increasing interest in creative pedagogies, limited empirical research has examined their influence on leadership development and organisational learning within secondary education in developing contexts. Using a mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, the study involved 240 students drawn from six purposively selected secondary schools and assigned to either an arts-integrated intervention group or a conventional leadership training group. Quantitative data were collected using validated Leadership Self-Efficacy Scales and Organisational Behaviour Inventories, while qualitative data were obtained through focus-group discussions and reflective student portfolios. Findings revealed statistically significant improvements among students exposed to the arts-integrated intervention in collaborative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, creative decision-making, and participatory leadership behaviours compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.01). Qualitative evidence further demonstrated enhanced adaptive thinking, social responsibility, teamwork, and active engagement in school governance processes. The integration of quantitative and qualitative findings suggests that visual arts-based leadership pedagogy promotes holistic organisational learning by strengthening cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal competencies among students. The study concludes that arts-integrated leadership frameworks offer practical and policy-relevant strategies for improving leadership capacity, student engagement, and organisational learning culture in secondary schools across Southeast Nigeria.</p>

2026-06-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1656 2026-06-08T12:32:24+00:00 Urvashi Thakur [email protected] Kamal Singh

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Economic growth and improvements in education, female workforce participation in Assam remains shaped by rural–urban disparities, socio-economic factors, and structural labour market challenges, necessitating an analysis of its trends and determinants.</p> <p><strong>Aims: </strong>The study examines the trends, patterns, and determinants of female workforce participation in rural and urban Assam and tests the validity of the U-shaped hypothesis in this context.</p> <p><strong>Study Design: </strong>Assam, identified as a lower-performing state under Sustainable Development Goal 5 (related to gender equality and women empowerment) in the SDG India Index 2020-21, is selected for the present study. The study utilizes unit-level data from the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) Employment and Unemployment Survey (EUS) 2011-12 and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18 and 2023-24.</p> <p><strong>M</strong><strong>ethodology: </strong>The female Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) is used as the main indicator of labour market participation. It is calculated as the percentage of female workers to the total female population in the corresponding age group. The analysis is carried out using the usual status (principal and subsidiary status) approach. Since the dependent variable is binary, a logit regression model has been used to examine the determinants of female workforce participation.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings show a substantial increase in female workforce participation in Assam during the recent period, with the rise being more pronounced than the national average. The increase is observed in both rural and urban areas, although rural areas continue to record higher participation. In contrast, male workforce participation shows relatively stable trends over time. Sector-wise trends show that female workforce participation is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The study also finds a U-shaped relationship between education level and female WPR in Assam across all periods, with higher participation among illiterate and highly educated women than among women with middle levels of education. Logit regression results show that age, education level, vocational training, spouse employment status, and the number of elderly increased female workforce participation, while age squared, heads’ education and household size are negatively related to female workforce participation.</p>

2026-06-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1657 2026-06-10T06:30:33+00:00 Steven T. Garren [email protected] Evelyn R. Sine

<p><strong>Goal</strong>: The required sampled size is determined for estimating a population mean within a given margin of error based on a preliminary sample. An inflation factor is needed to prevent confidence intervals from being anti-conservative.</p> <p><strong>Methodology</strong>: When estimating a population mean \(\mu\) within margin of error <em>m</em>, a preliminary sample of size <em>n</em> is taken from a Normal (\(\mu\) , \(\sigma\)²) distribution to produce a preliminary sample variance <em>s</em>², which is then used to determine the required sample size (zs/<em>m</em>)2, where z is the Normal critical value for a given level of confidence, and the distribution of <em>s</em>² is known to be related to a chi-squared distribution for Normally-distributed data.</p> <p><strong>Evaluation</strong>: Upon taking a new sample based on the required sample size, the coverage probabilities on \(\mu\) are determined exactly for various values of <em>n</em> and z. These coverage probabilities of \(P(~|\bar X-\mu|\leq m~)\) are simulated for non-Normal distributions as well, where -\(\bar X\) is the sample mean using the required sample size.</p> <p><strong>Findings</strong>: The coverage probabilities tend to be somewhat smaller than their nominal values, which would result in anti-conservative confidence intervals, especially when the non-Normal distribution is heavy-tailed.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: To compensate for the confidence intervals being anti-conservative, an inflation factor on the required sample size is introduced.</p>

2026-06-10T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1658 2026-06-10T08:12:23+00:00 G. Varalakshmi [email protected]

<p>Statistical crop models are widely used to evaluate the impacts of climate variability on agricultural productivity. This study aims to evaluate the performance of statistical crop models in assessing the impacts of climate change—specifically changes in the mean and variability of temperature and precipitation—on maize yield in SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. A perfect model framework using CropSyst was employed to simulate maize yields under baseline and synthetic climate scenarios. Model evaluation is conducted using statistical metrics such as the coefficient of determination (R²) and prediction accuracy. Results indicate that statistical models perform reliably when at least 10–20 observations per predictor variable are used. However, with sample sizes below 300, temporal disaggregation increases the risk of overfitting. Maize yield exhibits significant inter-annual fluctuations, ranging from 15 to 65 q/ha, with lower yields occurring during periods of rainfall deficit and higher yields associated with well-distributed precipitation. The study highlights the importance of adequate sample size and appropriate aggregation for reliable climate impact assessment. It further underscores the importance of improving climate data availability, strengthening adaptive agricultural practices, and enhancing irrigation and cropping strategies to build resilience. It is recommended that integrating statistical models with advanced machine learning techniques offers significant potential for enhancing predictive accuracy and supporting sustainable agricultural planning under changing climate conditions.</p>

2026-06-10T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1661 2026-06-11T09:03:02+00:00 Divyanshu Bhatt [email protected] Shikha Goswami Govind Verma Binay Kumar Pandey

<p>Predicting the Air Quality Index (AQI) is important for environmental monitoring, public health protection, and pollution-control planning. This study compares seven classical machine learning models — Linear Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Regressor (SVR), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost — and two deep learning architectures — Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) — for AQI prediction in Dehradun and Kashipur, Uttarakhand, India. AQI values were computed using the CPCB sub-index methodology across six major pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, CO, NO₂, and O₃.. Model performance was assessed using hold-out testing and walk-forward time-series cross-validation with five folds. Results show that ensemble and neighbor-based methods significantly outperform linear and deep learning approaches for the available dataset sizes. In Dehradun, Random Forest achieved the best hold-out performance with R² = 99.50% and RMSE = 4.60, while under walk-forward temporal validation, KNN led with R² = 91.37%, while Random Forest achieved the lowest RMSE = 13.43. In Kashipur, Random Forest and Gradient Boosting exceeded 95% R² in hold-out testing, and XGBoost, KNN, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting all achieved approximately 96% R² under walk-forward validation. LSTM and GRU captured temporal AQI patterns but achieved lower accuracy than the best classical models, with R² values between 75% and 83%. The study concludes that walk-forward validation provides a more reliable estimate of AQI forecasting performance than random train-test splits, and that KNN and ensemble learning methods are promising approaches for air quality forecasting in Himalayan foothill cities.</p>

2026-06-11T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1662 2026-06-23T11:28:58+00:00 Abhishek Verma [email protected] Govind Verma Ashok Kumar Binay Kumar Pandey Shikha Goswami Himanshu Shukla

<p>Cloud computing provides scalable, flexible and on-demand access to computing resources through the Internet. As the number of cloud users and computational workloads increases, task scheduling becomes a critical process for assigning cloudlets to available virtual machines and maintaining efficient resource use. Ineffective scheduling can increase execution delay, reduce throughput and leave virtual machine resources underutilised. This study evaluates the performance of cloud task scheduling algorithms using the CloudSim Plus simulation framework. The simulated environment comprised one datacentre with three hosts, eight heterogeneous virtual machines and twenty-five cloudlets. Seven algorithms were implemented and compared: First Come First Served, Round Robin, Shortest Job First, Priority Scheduling, Min-Min, Max-Min and Genetic Algorithm-based scheduling. Their performance was assessed using makespan, throughput, execution time, turnaround time, waiting time, speedup and resource utilisation. The simulation results indicate that Max-Min achieved the strongest overall performance among the evaluated algorithms. It recorded the lowest makespan of 16.40 seconds, the highest throughput of 0.4879 tasks/s, the highest resource utilisation of 66.09% and the highest speedup of 5.2870. Genetic Algorithm-based scheduling also showed favourable performance, particularly in workload balancing and resource utilisation. In contrast, First Come First Served, Round Robin and Shortest Job First produced similar moderate results, while Priority Scheduling performed the weakest under the defined simulation conditions. The findings suggest that heuristic and optimisation-based scheduling approaches can improve cloudlet allocation and resource utilisation in heterogeneous simulated cloud environments. However, the results should be interpreted within the limitations of simulation-based evaluation, as real cloud deployments may involve dynamic workloads, network delays, virtualisation overhead and operational constraints not fully represented in the model.</p>

2026-06-23T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1666 2026-07-01T08:34:42+00:00 Urwashi Singh Abhishek Tomar [email protected] Pallavi Chauhan Prachi Mishra K. K. Sharma

<p>This paper presents a FinFET-based 11-transistor static random-access memory cell designed and evaluated at the 22 nm technology node. The proposed SRAM cell is intended to improve static noise margin while maintaining acceptable power consumption and access time under low-voltage operation. The design separates the read and write paths by introducing an independent single-ended read buffer composed of three NMOS transistors. This separation reduces disturbance at the internal storage nodes during the read operation and improves read stability. Two additional transistors are incorporated in the write circuitry to support data retention and reduce leakage during standby mode. The proposed cell was simulated in HSPICE using a 22 nm BSIM-CMG FinFET model at a supply voltage of 0.8 V. Its performance was compared with conventional 6T, 9T, and ST10T SRAM cells in terms of hold static noise margin, read static noise margin, write static noise margin, static power, read power, write power, and access time. The proposed 11T SRAM cell achieved hold and read static noise margins of 360 mV. Its read static noise margin was 3.91 times, 1.38 times, and 1.89 times higher than those of the 6T, 9T, and ST10T cells, respectively. It also showed a write static noise margin of 375 mV, static power of 490 pW, read power of 0.139 µW, write power of 1.43 µW, and write access time of 23.5 ps. The results indicate improved read and hold stability with moderate power and timing characteristics.</p>

2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1667 2026-07-02T08:04:56+00:00 Hemlata Mali [email protected] Shahdab Hussain Jayant Sharma

<p>Proline accumulation is an important physiological response that helps plants tolerate environmental stress. The present study estimated seasonal and organ-specific variations in free proline content in <em>Euphorbia indica</em> and <em>Euphorbia microphylla</em> growing in the semi-arid region of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Root, stem, and leaf samples were collected during the rainy, summer, and winter seasons, and proline concentration was estimated using the ninhydrin colorimetric method. Clear seasonal differences in proline accumulation were observed in both species, although the patterns differed. In <em>Euphorbia indica</em>, mean proline content increased from the rainy season (38.08 µg g⁻¹ DW) to summer (57.60 µg g⁻¹ DW) and reached its maximum in winter (75.83 µg g⁻¹ DW). The highest organ-specific values in this species were recorded in leaf tissue during summer (84.88 µg g⁻¹ DW) and in stem tissue during winter (98.45 µg g⁻¹ DW). In <em>Euphorbia microphylla</em>, the highest seasonal average was recorded during the rainy season (86.01 µg g⁻¹ DW), followed by summer (82.99 µg g⁻¹ DW) and winter (77.03 µg g⁻¹ DW). Root tissues showed high proline levels during the rainy and summer seasons, whereas leaf tissue showed the highest value during winter (98.03 µg g⁻¹ DW). Overall, <em>Euphorbia microphylla</em> maintained higher proline levels than <em>Euphorbia indica</em> during the study period. The findings indicate species-specific and organ-specific seasonal variation in free proline accumulation and support its use as a biochemical indicator of seasonal physiological adjustment in <em>Euphorbia</em> species under fluctuating environmental conditions.</p>

2026-07-02T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1668 2026-07-03T12:59:18+00:00 Khemer Rey R. Casiñero [email protected]

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Vernacular architecture in rural Philippine settlements reflects local material use, environmental adaptation, cultural practice and inherited construction knowledge. However, such knowledge is increasingly challenged by industrialised materials and standardised building methods.</p> <p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study documented the vernacular architectural characteristics of Sitio Brazil and developed a village chapel design that integrates traditional bamboo construction with modern drafting practices.</p> <p><strong>Study Design:</strong> A quanti-qualitative design integrated with architectural design was used. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-I, Surigao City, Philippines, during the academic year 2025–2026.</p> <p><strong>Methodology:</strong> The community component involved 50 residents selected through purposive sampling, while selected architectural and engineering professionals from the City Engineering Office provided technical validation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, site observations, environmental documentation and case-study reviews. Frequency and percentage distribution, thematic analysis, comparative analysis and design synthesis were used to interpret the data and translate findings into architectural outputs, including plans, elevations, structural perspectives, construction details and 3D visualisations.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Most respondents identified a strong relationship between existing structures and the natural environment (48, 96%), while few reported communal or religious structures (6, 12%). Locally sourced materials (45, 90%) and bamboo as a primary construction material (38, 76%) remained prominent, although metal fasteners (42, 84%) were more frequently reported than traditional bamboo joinery (24, 48%). All respondents (50, 100%) considered the structures translatable into modern architectural drawings, but only 25 (50%) identified joinery details clear enough for drafting.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The proposed bamboo-based chapel demonstrates how vernacular materials, community values and modern drafting can be combined in a culturally responsive and technically informed rural worship space.</p>

2026-07-03T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1669 2026-07-04T10:43:24+00:00 Amol Khadake [email protected] A. M. Gore Kadu Rameshwar Lahanu Pankaj Sabale Shamrao Gidhad Prashant Adhav Rushikesh Shendge V. B. Janjal

<p>Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em> Roscoe) is an important spice crop widely cultivated in India, and knowledge of its physical and engineering properties is essential for developing efficient ginger harvesting machinery. This study was conducted to determine key physical, biometric and engineering properties of ginger relevant to harvester design. The physical characteristics evaluated included the number of leaves per plant, plant height, rhizome depth, plant population density, plant spacing, soil-rhizome composite weight, rhizome weight, number of rhizome fingers per hill and rhizome weight with plant. The average values obtained were 19 leaves per plant, 24.5 cm plant height, 19 cm rhizome depth, 11 plants m⁻² population density, 13.5 cm plant spacing, 1.02 kg soil-rhizome composite weight, 10.5 rhizome fingers per hill and 1.45 kg rhizome weight with plant. The engineering properties assessed included major, minor and intermediate diameters, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, rhizome index, bulk density and angle of repose. The mean major, minor and intermediate diameters were 9.90, 5.17 and 3.72 cm, respectively. The geometric mean diameter was 5.66 cm, whereas sphericity and rhizome index were 0.58 and 51.73, respectively. Bulk density and angle of repose were 443.98 kg m⁻³ and 34.33°, respectively. The results provide engineering data for the development and optimisation of ginger harvesting machinery, particularly digging, lifting and soil-separation mechanisms.</p>

2026-07-04T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1670 2026-07-08T04:48:44+00:00 Chen Mo Ren Yuqiao Aditya Vishwakarma [email protected]

<p>Measuring the kinetic friction coefficient μₖ via the traditional incline-plane method relies on visually judging when a block slides at constant velocity. This judgment is subjective and introduces significant, hard-to-quantify uncertainty. In this study, we replace visual judgment with computer-vision velocity tracking: a wooden block was slid down six different surfaces inclined between 25°–65°, recorded at 60 fps, and analyzed with Tracker to extract acceleration from a linear v–t fit. We derive μₖ = tan θ − a/(g cos θ) from the v–t fit and use v²–x plots as a consistency diagnostic. The Tracker-based method yielded μₖ values that agreed closely with published engineering reference ranges [6] for wood and sandpaper (μₖ = 0.807 ± 0.039, literature range 0.60–1.00), and moderately for glass, while rubber and cloth showed larger deviations attributable to the specific materials tested. Across all six surfaces, the traditional visual method produced higher μₖ values than the Tracker method, by factors of roughly 1.5–6× over the angles examined here, consistent with tan θ at a visually-judged constant-velocity angle approximating the static friction coefficient μₛ rather than μₖ. We conclude that video-tracking analysis offers a more objective and reproducible alternative to the traditional angle-of-slip method, and one that aligns more closely with independent reference values, for measuring kinetic friction coefficients in the undergraduate physics laboratory.</p>

2026-07-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1671 2026-07-08T12:44:01+00:00 Robert Owino Sunya [email protected] Everlyn Chitechi Wemali

<p>Bamboo has increasingly gained recognition as a strategic non-timber forest product with considerable potential to contribute to sustainable rural development, poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation. In Kenya, the bamboo sector has experienced growing interest due to its socio-economic and ecological benefits; however, empirical evidence on the sustainability of bamboo value chains and their contribution to household livelihoods remains limited, particularly in Busia County. This study assessed the sustainability of the bamboo value chain and its influence on household livelihoods in Busia County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design targeting households engaged in bamboo production, processing, marketing, and utilisation activities. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to sampled households, while secondary data were obtained from government reports, policy documents, and relevant scholarly literature. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression techniques to determine the relationship between bamboo value chain sustainability and household livelihood outcomes. The findings revealed that bamboo value chain activities were predominantly undertaken by low-income households, highlighting the sector's importance as a livelihood strategy among economically vulnerable populations. Approximately 78.1% of respondents earned less than KES 10,000 per month, with 30.0% earning between KES 5,001 and 10,000, 28.1% earning between KES 1,001 and 5,000, and 20.0% earning below KES 1,000 monthly. Income generation emerged as the most significant livelihood benefit associated with bamboo value chain participation, cited by 82.4% of respondents, followed by employment creation (76.8%), value addition opportunities (64.3%), improved market access (61.5%), and environmental conservation benefits (58.7%). These findings underscore the multifunctional role of bamboo in supporting both socio-economic welfare and ecological sustainability. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated a strong positive relationship between bamboo value chain sustainability and household livelihood outcomes. The regression model indicated that sustainability-related factors accounted for 62.0% of the variation in household livelihoods (R² = 0.62), signifying a substantial predictive influence. The study recommends increased investment in bamboo processing technologies, value addition infrastructure, and product diversification initiatives to enhance profitability and market competitiveness. Strengthening collaboration among farmers, processors, traders, cooperatives, government agencies, and development partners is necessary to improve value chain efficiency and market integration. Capacity-building programmes, extension services, and awareness campaigns should be expanded to enhance technical skills and adoption of improved bamboo production and processing technologies.</p>

2026-07-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1672 2026-07-09T07:32:17+00:00 Jessica P. Tayong [email protected] Cheyserr C. Lelis

<p>This study aimed to develop and evaluate the sensory acceptability and nutritional quality of mature coconut water (MCW) naturally fortified with calamansi juice as a functional drink, and to determine the most acceptable and cost-efficient formulation. A developmental research design using a single-factor formulation approach was employed. The study was conducted at the Surigao del Norte State University Food Innovation Center and Main Campus, Surigao City, Philippines, during the academic year 2025–2026. Three formulations of MCW were prepared with fresh calamansi juice at 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% (v/v) — Formulations A, B, and C, respectively — while sugar and salt levels were held constant. Acidification and thermal processing were applied following the Hurdle Technology concept. A total of 120 respondents (100 general consumers and 20 food experts) evaluated the coded samples using a 5-point descriptive scale and a 9-point hedonic scale. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. The most acceptable, cost-efficient formulation was submitted for nutritional analysis. All three formulations were described as having a light straw hue, a clear citrus aroma, a balanced coconut–calamansi flavour, and moderate sweetness. All sensory attributes were rated “Like Moderately,” except the composite appeal of Formulation A, which was rated “Like Very Much” (M = 7.56). ANOVA showed no significant differences in acceptability among the three formulations for any attribute (colour, <em>P</em> = 0.66; aroma, <em>P</em> = 0.06; flavour, <em>P</em> = 0.29; sweetness, <em>P</em> = 0.08; texture, <em>P</em> = 0.26; composite appeal, <em>P</em> = 0.11). Formulation A was selected for nutritional analysis on the basis of cost efficiency at comparable acceptability. By respondent profile, acceptability of Formulation A did not differ significantly by sex, nor by age for most attributes, but age showed significant differences for texture (<em>F</em> = 5.18, <em>P</em> = 0.02) and composite appeal (<em>F</em> = 4.07, <em>P</em> = 0.05), with older respondents giving higher ratings. Nutritional analysis of Formulation A (per 350 mL) showed 156 kcal, 0 g fat, 143 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 5 mg vitamin C, 38 mg magnesium, and 514 mg potassium (26% of the recommended intake). MCW naturally fortified with calamansi juice is an acceptable, electrolyte-rich functional drink. Because the formulations were statistically comparable, Formulation A is recommended as the most cost-efficient option for further refinement, shelf-life testing, and possible commercialisation, supporting the valorisation of an underutilized coconut by-product.</p>

2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1673 2026-07-09T08:41:14+00:00 Irène Mama Ngah Maxime Pierrou Jean Faustin Atangana Lin Marcellin Messi Hermine Claudine Mahot Raymond Joseph Mahob [email protected]

<p>The Brown cocoa mirid (<em>Sahlbergella singularis</em>) is the most economically damaging insect pest of cocoa in West and Central Africa, including Cameroon. Chemical insecticides are currently the primary means of controlling this pest; however, their extensive use poses significant risks to the environment, non-target organisms and human health. Consequently, sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives are needed for mirid management. Among these alternatives, host-plant resistance, including the identification and deployment of resistant and/or tolerant cocoa genotypes, represents a promising approach for reducing mirid damage and improving the long-term sustainability of cocoa production systems. However, knowledge of the direct role of cocoa secondary metabolites, particularly saponins and polyphenols, under single exposure to mirids remains limited, although these compounds are reported to be key components of plant defence against herbivores. From September 2023 to February 2024, secondary metabolites, including polyphenols and saponins, were extracted from twelve cocoa genotypes, and their effects on mirid attractiveness or repellency were evaluated. Food preference was evaluated using microassays designed to measure cocoa attractiveness and antixenosis responses to mirids. Fourth- and fifth-instar larvae of <em>Sahlbergella singularis</em> were selected for these assays because they are easier to manipulate than the more delicate early instars and, unlike adults, are less likely to evade handling through flight. The mirids used in the study were obtained from a colony maintained in the insectarium of IRAD, Nkoemvone, and were reared according to the protocol described by Babin et al. (2008). After the extraction and fractionation of plant material in the Laboratory of Pharmacochemistry and Natural Products of the University of Yaoundé I, attractiveness/repellency tests for the two targeted secondary metabolites were performed using the protocol of McDonald et al. (1970). The microtest results showed that mean mirid feeding lesions, expressed as host-plant attractiveness, varied significantly among the tested cocoa genotypes, ranging from 2.70 ± 1.10 (genotype T60/887) to 15.03 ± 1.80 (genotype IMC60 × SNK605). At the same concentration (0.1 g/mL), saponins from different cocoa genotypes were more repellent to mirids, with positive mean repellency values ranging from 93.33 ± 11.55 (class V for UPA143 × SNK64) to 66.67 ± 11.55 (class IV for T79/501 and T60/887), whereas polyphenols were more attractive to mirids, as indicated by negative repellency values for all cocoa genotypes (class 0), ranging from -26.67 ± 15.40 (IMC60, T60/887 and IMC60 × SNK16) to -60.00 ± 20.00 (T79/501 × SNK13). Understanding the direct role of these compounds in cocoa defence processes is necessary to support breeding programmes for cocoa resistance to mirids, particularly <em>S. singularis</em>.</p>

2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1674 2026-07-09T10:39:16+00:00 Lemchi, Stella Ngozi [email protected] Mbah, Cynthia Adaku

<p>This study investigated the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing access to childcare support for working mothers in Lagos, Nigeria, and examined its implications for early childhood teacher training and workforce development. As urbanisation and women’s labour-force participation increase, the demand for affordable and flexible childcare solutions continues to exceed available provision in Lagos. AI-powered technologies, including automated childcare applications, virtual monitoring systems and intelligent scheduling platforms, are emerging as tools that may help address gaps in childcare support. The study assessed awareness, accessibility and utilization of AI-enabled child caretools among working mothersin Lagos, and examined how these tools relate to care practices and professional training needs in early childhood education. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. The study population comprised approximately two million working mothers in Lagos State, while a sample size of 400 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane’s sample-size formula. Data were collected from working mothers, early childhood educators and policy stakeholders through structured questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, while SPSS version 27 was used to identify trends and relationships. Qualitative data were used to explore user experiences and policy perspectives. The findings showed that awareness of AI-enabled childcare tools was significantly higher than accessibility and utilisation. Although some mothers were aware of these tools, they reported barriers to access and consistent use. The study provides evidence-based insights for curriculum development in teacher education and for policy design aimed at the careful integration of AI technologies into childcare systems in Lagos and comparable urban settings.</p>

2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1675 2026-07-09T12:36:32+00:00 Djakwardam Innocent Matsinkou Soh Rosane [email protected] Adoum Sali Abraham Ngatchic Metsagang Josiane Therese Njintang Yanou Nicolas

<p>This study evaluated the impact of cooking (0–20 min) and micronization (&lt;100 µm) on the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of <em>Strychnos spinosa</em> leaf powder. Type 2 diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using a high-fat diet and dexamethasone. After induction, 40 confirmed diabetic rats were selected and divided into eight experimental groups, alongside one healthy control group. Diabetic rats were treated orally (150 mg/kg) with processed leaf powders for 28 days, using metformin as a positive control. The fraction cooked for 20 min and micronized (S₂T₂₀) exhibited the highest bioactivity, significantly reducing fasting blood glucose to 112.5 ± 10.6 mg/dL. It also reduced total cholesterol by 37.42% and LDL-c by 80.45%, while increasing HDL-c 2.07-fold compared to untreated diabetic rats. Additionally, it mitigated oxidative stress, evidenced by a 70.56% decrease in plasma malondialdehyde and restored antioxidant enzyme activities. Optimised <em>S. spinosa</em> represents a promising functional ingredient for effective diabetes management.</p>

2026-07-09T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://www.journalair.com/index.php/AIR/article/view/1677 2026-07-13T13:43:49+00:00 Shikha Bajaj [email protected]

<p>This study evaluates the physical characteristics of mulberry silk-viscose blended yarns intended for subsequent fabric development. Mulberry silk fibres and viscose rayon fibres were blended in three proportions, namely 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60, and spun into two yarn counts, 15 and 20 Nm. The yarns were assessed for unevenness, hairiness, crimp, moisture regain and whiteness index using standard procedures, including Uster Tester-5 for relevant yarn-quality parameters. The results showed that yarn unevenness declined as the silk proportion decreased in both yarn counts. The 40% mulberry silk: 60% viscose blend recorded the lowest unevenness values, namely 23.78% for 15 Nm and 24.94% for 20 Nm. The same blend also showed hairiness values of 10.83/km and 9.72/km for 15 and 20 Nm yarns, respectively, indicating comparatively better suitability for apparel fabric development. Moisture regain for this blend was 9.960% in 15 Nm yarn and 8.614% in 20 Nm yarn. Whiteness index and crimp values showed limited variation across the blends. Overall, the findings indicate that the 40% mulberry silk: 60% viscose blend in both yarn counts provides comparatively favourable physical properties for fabric development, particularly in relation to yarn uniformity, hairiness and moisture regain, without making conclusions beyond the tested parameters.</p>

2026-07-13T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.