Effect of Environmental Temperature on the Lower Bound of the Entropic Uncertainty Relation in the Presence of Quantum Memory

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Because realistic quantum systems inevitably interact with their surroundings, understanding how environmental factors affect the entropic uncertainty relation remains a major challenge. In this work, we analyze how ambient temperature impacts the lower bound of the memory-assisted entropic uncertainty relation. We model the coupling between the system and its thermal environment using a generalized amplitude damping channel, featuring temperature-dependent parameters. Notably, we find that the uncertainty lower bound drops when the damping parameter (r) decreases, and rises when it increases. By contrast, shifting the parameter) p (yields much smaller variations. This stark difference highlights our main novel finding: in a finite-temperature environment, the lower bound of the entropic uncertainty relation is significantly more sensitive to the damping parameter (r) than to (p). Ultimately, these results offer a clearer look at how thermal reservoirs influence open quantum systems and affect practical quantum information processing.

Achievement Orientation, Personalized Experience, and Social Interaction as Drivers of Purchase Intention: The Mediating Roles of Personal Fulfillment and Social Connectedness in Digital Commerce

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The rapid expansion of digital commerce necessitates engaging consumer experiences beyond functional transactions, highlighting gamification as a critical digital marketing mechanism. This study investigates the impact of gamified experiences on consumers’ Purchase Intention, specifically examining the mediating roles of Personal Fulfillment and Social Connectedness. Drawing upon Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) perspective, the conceptual framework evaluates three gamification design dimensions: Achievement Orientation, Personalized Experience, and Social Interaction. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 215 digital commerce users via purposive sampling. The structural relationships were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. The empirical results reveal that Achievement Orientation, Personalized Experience, and Social Interaction significantly enhance both Personal Fulfillment and Social Connectedness. Furthermore, these psychological and social benefits positively drive Purchase Intention, with the social pathway demonstrating the strongest substantive contribution. The findings suggest that digital marketers should design gamified environments that not only facilitate individual accomplishments but also foster meaningful community connections to maximize purchase-related outcomes.

UPI and Consumer Spending Behaviour in India: A Narrative Synthesis of Secondary Data and Existing Survey Evidence

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The system with annual processing of over 24,000 crore transactions and making up a significant proportion of real-time global payments. Despite the existence of many studies on the factors contributing to UPI adoption, little academic scrutiny has been directed towards how UPI usage, which is effortless and invisible, relates to the psychological and behavioral aspects of consumer behavior. In this regard, this paper presents a narrative synthesis of the connection between UPI usage and consumer behavior in India, drawing on secondary data sources based on official transactional level records (NPCI, RBI, PIB) and a review of five earlier survey studies conducted between 2024 and 2025, involving over 800 participants in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and India-wide surveys. The discussion is grounded in concepts from behavioral finance, especially the ‘pain of paying’ theory and mental accounting, along with technological adoption theories including UTAUT and Diffusion of Innovation theory. The results demonstrate a clear trend Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which came to fruition in 2016 under the aegis of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has become the bedrock of India’s retail payments among independent research studies where usage of UPI has been shown to be associated with greater transaction volumes, reduced average ticket value, and an admitted rise in expenditure by the majority of users, especially among young and tech-savvy users in cities, although the extent of this trend differs from study to study (from 58 percent to over 74 percent of those who admit increased expenditure). The paper ends with some policy recommendations for regulators, banks, and fintech developers regarding the trade-off between the benefits of financial inclusion and the dangers of overspending and lack of savings discipline.

Predictive Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Academic Performance of Grade 12 General Academic Strand Learners

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This study investigated the predictive effects of sleep deprivation on the academic performance and personal behavior of Grade 12 General Academic Strand (GAS) learners at Racman Pimping Maniri Dumarpa (RPMD) National Science High School during the academic year 2023–2024. Adequate sleep is a foundational physiological mechanism necessary for the human brain to function at its maximum capacity, whereas persistent sleep loss severely diminishes vital cognitive skills, alertness, memory, concentration, and general classroom productivity. To examine these complex dynamics within a localized Senior High School context, the researcher utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design. The target population and respondent universe comprised sixty-two (62) officially enrolled Grade 12 GAS learner-respondents, encompassing both male and female. Data collection was systematically executed using a structured survey questionnaire explicitly divided into specific analytical blocks to assess the learner-respondents’ baseline demographic profiles, determine the underlying causes of their late-night habits, and measure the subsequent structural impacts of sleep loss on their academic performance and personal behaviors. To overcome environmental and field tracking difficulties, strategic local tracking methods were successfully employed. Statistical treatment of the gathered data utilized frequency and percentage distributions for baseline demographic sorting; weighted means, standard deviations, and statistical rankings for categorical appraisal; and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient to establish the statistical significance of relationships between the variables. Preliminary demographic results indicated that the largest portion of the learner population clustered within the 20 to 22 years old bracket (46.77%), followed closely by the 17 to 19 years old cohort (43.55%), demonstrating a predominant late-adolescence profile with unique variations in academic entry age. The outcomes indicated that the subjects routinely endure sleep deprivation during late adolescence. Conclusively, the analytical computations established that the learner-respondents’ baseline profiles and the specific catalysts behind their lack of sleep yielded no statistically significant relationship with their academic ratings or behavioral tendencies. Crucially, the absence of a significant relationship demonstrates that sleep deprivation uniformly affects the entire learner-respondents pool, showing no variance based on demographic traits such as age or sex. This established dataset provides an empirical foundation for understanding the behavioral and cognitive vulnerabilities driven by severe nighttime sleep debt among specialized senior high school learners.

A Resource-Based and Local Wisdom-Based Approach to MBG Program Governance as a Strategy for Community Empowerment at the Local Level

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The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) is a government priority program aimed at improving the nutritional status of the community while promoting local economic empowerment. However, the MBG’s governance structure, which tends to be centralized (top-down), poses challenges in optimizing the utilization of local resources and local wisdom at the implementation level. This study aims to examine patterns of resource utilization and local knowledge in the MBG’s governance through partnerships between Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) and MSME actors in Makassar City. The study employed a qualitative approach using a case study design across ten SPPGs in Makassar City. Informants were selected using purposive sampling, including SPPG heads/managers and local business partners in the program’s supply chain. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, with data validity ensured through triangulation of sources and techniques. The results indicate that the actors’ involvement is divided into three complementary roles: MSMEs as food suppliers, SPPG personnel as processors, and SPPG heads as quality controllers who actively source suppliers from traditional markets. This partnership has had positive impacts, including stable product demand, market certainty, and expanded business networks for MSMEs, although they still face challenges such as capital constraints, fluctuations in raw material prices, and supply delays. The study concludes that the success of integrating local resources and local wisdom into the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals program in Makassar City depends on strengthening organic partnerships at the SPPG level through mentoring, training, and consistent payment guarantees to local business partners.

Artificial Intelligence in Allied Health Practice: Current Evidence, Emerging Applications, And Implications for Patient Safety

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving from experimental research into routine healthcare workflows, including diagnostic support, clinical documentation, rehabilitation, laboratory medicine, medical imaging, patient education, and service management. Allied health professionals are increasingly involved in these AI-enabled pathways, yet evidence and implementation guidance are often concentrated in physician-led specialties. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the use of AI across allied health practice and examines implications for patient safety, professional accountability, education, and health equity. Literature from peer-reviewed journals and authoritative guidance was considered, with emphasis on clinical applications, implementation barriers, bias, explainability, human-AI interaction, and generative AI. Current evidence supports potential benefits such as workflow support, image interpretation, pattern recognition, personalised rehabilitation, laboratory decision support, documentation assistance, and improved access to health information. However, technical performance alone does not establish clinical effectiveness or safety. Dataset shift, hidden bias, automation bias, inaccurate generated content, privacy risks, poor interoperability, insufficient local validation, and unclear responsibility can introduce new failure modes. Safe adoption should include a defined intended use, representative validation, transparent performance monitoring, user training, incident reporting, privacy safeguards, human oversight, and periodic re-evaluation after deployment. The review concludes that AI has meaningful potential across allied health practice, but sustainable adoption depends on evidence-based governance and continuous patient-safety monitoring rather than technology adoption alone.

Effect of Joint Mobilization Versus Soft Tissue Mobilization Along with Conventional Exercise on Pain, Quality of Life and Hip Range of Motion in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

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Background: Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a clinically important hip disorder that may contribute to the development of early hip osteoarthritis. It is frequently identified in physically active young and middle-aged adults, with symptomatic presentations commonly occurring in individuals between 20 and 40 years of age.

Methods: Twenty individuals diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome who fulfilled the predetermined selection criteria were recruited for the study. The participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A received joint mobilization combined with conventional exercise, whereas Group B received soft tissue mobilization combined with conventional exercise. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), hip-related functional status was evaluated using the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and hip internal rotation range of motion was measured using a goniometer.

Result: Statistically significant improvements were observed in both groups for pain intensity, Hip Outcome Score, and hip internal rotation range of motion following the intervention. Between-group analysis also demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the post-intervention outcomes, with Group A showing greater improvement compared with Group B.

Conclusion: Both treatment approaches were associated with improvements in pain, hip-related functional outcomes, and hip internal rotation range of motion in individuals with FAIS. However, joint mobilization combined with conventional exercise demonstrated greater improvements compared with soft tissue mobilization combined with conventional exercise in the present study. These findings suggest that joint mobilization combined with conventional exercise may be a beneficial conservative physiotherapy approach for individuals with FAIS.

Spatial Distribution of Insects Associated with Stored Maize and Assessment of Damage in Odienné Department (North-East Côte d’Ivoire)

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In Côte d’Ivoire, maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most widely grown and consumed cereal after rice. However, this crop suffers significant post-harvest losses due to pests. This study aimed to map the spatial distribution of the main pests and to assess the damage caused to maize stocks. A sample of 189 kg of maize grains was collected from 21 storage structures across seven localities. The insects collected after sifting the grains were identified under a binocular magnifying glass using identification keys. This study identified 10 species belonging to 9 families and 10 genera. The most dominant and omnipresent species across all the surveyed sites were Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum. The highest mean infestation rate was 94.0 ± 0.48%, followed by a mean weight loss of 71.1 ± 1.85%. The findings highlight the importance of implementing monitoring strategies to develop effective methods for managing stock pests, given the high levels of infestation.

Beliefs About Protection Against Sexually Transmitted Infections Attributed to Emergency Contraception Among University Students

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Objective: To describe beliefs about protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) attributed to oral emergency contraception among university students.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study included 377 records from a survey conducted in 2025. Responses to a question about protection against STIs, sources of information on contraceptive methods, and demographic characteristics were analyzed. Absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated without hypothesis testing.

Results: Participants included 254 women (67.4%) and 123 men (32.6%). A total of 264 students (70.0%) selected the response indicating no protection against STIs; 113 (30.0%) attributed some protection to the medication. The most frequent misconception was that it protects against vaginal infections (70; 18.6%). The internet was the most frequently reported information source (233; 61.8%), followed by school (92; 24.4%). Among those reporting the internet, 76 (32.6%) selected a response attributing protection against infections.

Conclusions: Three in ten participants attributed protection against infections to emergency contraception. The findings support proposing educational content that distinguishes pregnancy prevention from STI prevention. They do not establish sexual behaviors or causal effects of information sources.

A Role of Siddha Medicine in the Management of Vathasthambam: A Case Report

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Vathasthambam is commonly affects middle age individual and characterized by aggravated Vatham, penetrating or boring pain, low back pain radiating to the posterior aspect of the thigh, swelling, numbness and bow like stiffness. Based on the similarities of its clinical manifestations Vathasthambam can be correlated with Sciatica. This case reported a 30-year-old male patient who has 10-days history of Vathasthambam like symptoms following trauma. The patient received Siddha internal and external therapies with an integrated Siddha treatment protocol for 15 days. The patient was treated with internal medicines namely, pavalamalli ilai kudineer, Mudakku and Thripala chooranams along with external therapies including ennai seelai, Thokkanam and vedhu. Clinical outcomes were assessed before and after treatment using pain intensity, tenderness, walking distance, Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test and other relevant clinical examinations and selected Siddha diagnostic parameters. These observations indicate improvement in symptoms and clinical findings during the treatment period. However, as an uncontrolled single case, spontaneous recovery, regression to the mean, and placebo effects cannot be excluded. Therefore, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis generating rather than evidence of treatment efficacy. Controlled clinical studies using standardized outcome measures and appropriate safety required. After 15 days of treatment, the recorded symptom score improved from 11 to 1, and the SLR and Slump tests became negative. This case suggests that Siddha therapeutic interventions may effective in the management of Vathasthambam, providing significant pain relief and functional improvement without any observed adverse effects. However further well-designed clinical studies with large sample sizes are required to establish efficacy and safety of this intervention. However, the report does not provide a structured adverse event monitoring method. The case therefore supports the feasibility of documenting an integrated Siddha treatment protocol in a patient with Vathasthambam, but it cannot establish efficacy of safety.