Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events occurring before age 18 and are known to be transmitted across generations, increasing the risk of abuse and maltreatment perpetration in adulthood. However, identifying the factors that facilitate this transmission remains complex. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Process–Person–Context–Time (PPCT) model as the theoretical lens, this study examined how parental proximal stressors and negative parenting practices contribute to the continuity of ACEs from mothers (G2) to their children (G3). Data from 211 mothers in Cebu City, Philippines were analyzed using second-stage moderated mediation in R to assess the conditional indirect effect of G2 ACEs on G3 ACEs via parental proximal stressors, moderated by negative parenting practices. Results supported a moderated mediation model, R² = .32, F(8, 202) = 12.03, indicating that the interaction of stressors and negative parenting heightens the risk of ACE continuity. These findings underscore the PPCT model’s utility in explaining intergenerational trauma and highlight the need for preventive education and early intervention.

This study presented the Block Recognition Assistant for Typhlosis (B.R.A.T.), a sensor-based assistive walker designed to enhance the mobility and safety of visually impaired individuals by providing reliable obstacle detection. The device integrates an ultrasonic sensor with three indicators: an LED light, a buzzer, and a vibration motor. An experimental bench-testing design was used to evaluate performance across multiple conditions, focusing on activation time, detection accuracy, and acoustic output. Trials involved obstacles placed at distances of 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm, using plywood, concrete, and steel surfaces, for a total of 15 test repetitions. Findings showed that the LED consistently achieved the fastest activation time, followed by the buzzer and the vibration motor. Obstacle detection accuracy did not significantly vary by material type (p = 0.236), indicating consistency across surfaces. The buzzer produced an average amplitude of 79.75 dB and a frequency of 3267.93 Hz, values within an optimal range for human auditory perception. These results support the feasibility of a low-cost, locally assembled, and dependable assistive device that can promote independence and safety among visually impaired users in controlled settings. However, this work should be regarded as a bench engineering evaluation of a prototype rather than a full usability validation, and it provides a foundation for subsequent user-centered trials.

This study presents the first bibliometric analysis mapping the landscape of durian research in Southeast Asia (SEA). Using the Scopus database, 717 publications worldwide were identified from 2004 to 2024. SEA accounted for 89.8% of the total output, with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand as the top contributors. Original research articles dominated (75%), primarily within Agricultural and Biological Sciences. Thailand’s funding agencies were the most prominent, reflecting its status as the world’s leading exporter. Universiti Putra Malaysia was the top-contributing institution, while Sirikantaramas, S. (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand), was the most prolific author. Keyword analysis confirmed Durio zibethinus as the primary research focus. The findings underscore a strong correlation between national research investment, scientific output, and economic leadership in the durian industry. This study provides a foundational roadmap for strengthening research capacity and export capability among SEA cultivators.

The aim of this study was to explore and compare patterns of morphological covariation of two basal skull osseous modules - splanchnocranium and neurocranium - in two different species of Sylvilagus, a leporid genus found in the New World. For this, digital pictures of the ventral aspect of skulls from 26 S. brasiliensis and 12 S. floridanus were studied by means of geometric morphometric methods, a multivariate, landmark-based approach to evaluate differences. A set of five landmarks was located on the horizontal plane of the splanchnocranial ventral bones (palatine process of the maxillary bone [processus palatinus maxillae] + palatine bone [lamina horizontalis ossis palatini]), and a set of seven landmarks was placed on the neurocranium (sphenoid [os sphenoidale] + basilar part of the occipital bone [pars basilaris] + bulla tympanica). From the obtained results, interspecific basal skull form (size and shape) differences are present. Shape differences between species are more marked on the splanchnocranial module than on the neurocranial one. Differences between S. brasiliensis and S. floridanus can be explained by feeding differences between both species.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts is among the simplest, most convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly approaches, as it reduces the use of toxic chemicals. This study aimed to biosynthesize AgNPs using Senna surattensis and to evaluate both the plant extracts and the resulting nanoparticles as antibacterial agents. Aqueous extracts were prepared using three methods, and AgNPs were produced by adding silver nitrate to these extracts. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were employed to characterize the nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the extracts and AgNPs against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospital wastewater was assessed at three concentrations: 25, 35, and 50 mg/mL. The largest inhibition zone for the plant extracts alone was 25 mm against Kocuria rosea using the Soxhlet acetone extract at 50 mg/mL, whereas the smallest was 12 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens using the cold-soak extract and the Soxhlet aqueous extract at 35 and 25 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the cold-soaked extract, the 50 °C hot-soaked extract, and the Soxhlet water extract showed no activity at 25 and 35 mg/mL. For AgNPs derived from S. surattensis extracts, the highest inhibition zone was 26 mm against P. aeruginosa using AgNPs from the Soxhlet aqueous extract at 50 mg/mL, while the lowest was 14 mm against Escherichia coli using AgNPs from the Soxhlet aqueous extract at 35 mg/mL. These findings indicate that AgNPs biosynthesized from S. surattensis extracts are promising antibacterial agents and may serve as viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

This study examined the proficiency levels in macro skills and communicative competence among senior high school students in selected public schools in Davao City, Philippines, and analyzed the relationship between these constructs. It also identified challenges in developing macro skills and applying communicative competence in academic and real-world contexts. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed, involving 200 students in the quantitative phase and 10 purposively selected participants in the qualitative phase. Quantitative data were collected using a validated performance-based assessment, while qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Results indicated low proficiency in both macro skills and communicative competence, with a strong, statistically significant positive correlation between the two. Thematic analysis revealed six barriers to macro skill development—limited exposure to authentic language use, fear of errors and judgment, insufficient external learning support, grade-focused rather than communication-focused instruction, absence of individualized feedback, and digital distractions. Six challenges in communicative competence application were also identified—speaking anxiety, limited vocabulary and retrieval issues, difficulty adapting language to context, weaknesses in active listening and turn-taking, code-switching interference, and lack of real-world practice. The findings highlight the need for pedagogical interventions that create authentic communication opportunities and address emotional, cognitive, and contextual barriers to language acquisition. Future studies should assess targeted strategies to enhance both macro skills and communicative competence in senior high school learners.

The production of the keratinase enzyme is one of the most promising methods for the bioremediation of feathers and has attracted increasing attention in the field of biotechnology. This study aims to enhance the production of keratinase enzymes from bacteria isolated from the soil of poultry farms in various areas of Basrah Province by optimizing nutritional and environmental parameters. In the current study, among seventy-four isolates that showed positive results in the primary screening, four bacterial isolates demonstrated the highest activity in the secondary screening. These isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis subsp. stercoris strain EGI18, Bacillus licheniformis strain PP1, Bacillus subtilis strain MML5328.1U, and Bacillus pumilus strain LX11, with keratinase activity values of 20.1 U/mL, 28.8 U/mL, 28.1 U/mL, and 28.1 U/mL, respectively, under standard cultivation conditions. The key nutritional and environmental parameters investigated in this study included carbon sources, nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, and inoculum size. The results showed that the optimal conditions for increasing keratinase enzyme production were: a temperature of 37°C, pH 8, glucose as the best carbon source, tryptone as the most effective nitrogen source, and an inoculum size of 1 mL. When these optimal parameters were applied in combination, maximum keratinase production was achieved from all four bacterial isolates. The keratinase activity values under optimal conditions were 139.0 U/mL for B. subtilis subsp. stercoris strain EGI18, 127.0 U/mL for B. licheniformis strain PP1, 138.0 U/mL for B. subtilis strain MML5328, and 147.0 U/mL for B. pumilus strain LX11. These findings indicate that various environmental and nutritional parameters significantly influence the production of bacterial keratinase enzymes, highlighting their importance in optimizing enzyme yield for biotechnological applications.

The study determined the effects of single and mixed starter cultures of Pediococcus pentosaceus strain DSM20336 and Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis strain-168 on the total viable counts (TVCs) of bacteria and physicochemical properties of fermented cabbage and soybeans. A controlled experiment of microbial fermentation was set up in a completely randomized design, using test and standard isolates as starter cultures in single and mixed treatment combinations. Fermentation was allowed to progress at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) from week 1 to week 4. Optimized conditions were established for temperature, pH, and titratable acidity. Results showed that P. pentosaceus-based ferments contained the lowest TVCs in both cabbage (19 x 10⁶ cfu/g) and soybean (51 x 10⁶ cfu/g). The TVC in the mixed culture of Bacillus + Pediococcus in cabbage ferment was 120.9 x 10⁶ cfu/g, while it was 147 x 10⁶ cfu/g in soybean ferment. TVC reduced sharply as microbial fermentation progressed over time. In the controlled fermentation of cabbage, it was established that temperature, titratable acidity, and TVCs of fermenters had very high positive relationships with each other. Meanwhile, in the fermentation of soybean product, the TVCs of bacteria were negatively affected by high temperature and low pH (acidity) of the medium. Therefore, lower temperature and pH are recommended for the fermentation of soybean products. The study established some fermentation parameters for cabbage and soybean. This information is important for the commercial production of these products to achieve food security in Nigeria.

This study evaluates the pedagogical efficacy of the MICRO intervention in fostering macro skill development among non-formal education (NFE) learners in the Philippines. Conceptualized as a Motivational, Individualized, Contextualized, Resilience-building, and Outcome-oriented framework, the MICRO intervention was systematically designed to address the heterogeneous learning needs of NFE students. Seven priority macro skills were delineated through stakeholder-engaged focus group discussions and embedded within the instructional design. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test methodology was employed with a cohort of 240 NFE learners, with the intervention delivered over the 2023–2024 academic year. Statistical analyses indicated significant gains across all targeted macro skills, with digital literacy exhibiting the largest effect size. Thematic examination of learner trajectories identified active participation and ownership, competence and confidence consolidation, and future-oriented goal setting as salient mediators of skill acquisition. These findings substantiate the utility of the MICRO model as a contextually responsive strategy for NFE, while underscoring the need for longitudinal investigations to examine its sustainability and scalability across diverse learning ecologies.