In-situ evaluation of undisturbed ground temperature for geothermal heat exchange applications in the National Capital Region, India

Quality Assurance (QA) in education as a continuous process focused on monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing the quality of teaching, learning, and overall educational outcomes has evolved and became a prominent feature of higher education reforms worldwide. In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order Number 46 series of 2012 defined quality as the continuity and integrity of the learning environment with the vision, purpose and goals of the organization, demonstrated by excellent results in learning and service, as well as the creation of a successful culture. To provide quality education and to address the global concern for excellence in education, the CHED memorandum stated that quality assurance mechanism should be in two components such as the internal and external mechanism. Despite the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, autonomous higher education institutions were experiencing a myriad of challenges which were affecting the effectiveness of these quality assurance practices. Any Quality Assurance mechanisms, either locally or internationally recognized, that are being utilized and adopted by the autonomous university, may be greatly influenced by the quality assurance practices implemented by the faculty. The roles and functions of the Autonomous University's quality assurance mechanisms may not be well understood by the average faculty member. Teachers' effectiveness was largely dependent on the full usage of quality assurance practices such as capacity building, supervision, physical facilities, and accreditation. Teacher’s involvement and practices in the quality assurance (QA) endeavors of their institutions need to be examined since they were the direct implementer of their QA mechanisms. This study assessed the quality assurance practices of the teachers and the challenges they encountered in the College of Education in the different autonomous universities in the National Capital Region in the Philippines with the goal of crafting a proposed action plan for improvement. Utilizing descriptive-evaluative, comparative, and correlational designs, the study surveyed 505 College of Education faculty members from 26 private autonomous Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the National Capital Region, Data were collected through validated questionnaires and analyzed using statistical tools, including Pearson correlation, at a 0.05 level of significance. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the conduct of the study emphasizing the use of informed consent and confidentiality of responses. The findings revealed that there was a significant difference in the assessment of the respondents on the external quality assurance practices implemented by the College of Education for voluntary accreditation as to "IQuAME" when age (P=0.035), faculty rank (P=0.047), status of employment (P=0.043), and subject taught (P=0.023) were considered, in the assessment of the respondents on the External Quality Assurance practices implemented by the College of Education for voluntary accreditation as to "ISO Certification" when status of employment (P=0.049) and subject taught (P=0.042) were considered. There was a significant relationship between the internal quality assurance practices and challenges encountered by the College of Education (Pearson r of -0.629), with a qualitative description of "moderate negative relationship", which was significant since the computed P-value of 0.000 was less than 0.05 level of significance. Also, the external quality assurance practices and challenges encountered by the College of Education were also significantly correlated with the calculated Pearson r of -0.729, p < 0.05. The Quality Assurance practices of faculty members positively influence the quality of teaching, learning, and overall educational outcomes. Hence, school administrators are encouraged to provide relevant trainings and other workshops pertaining to Quality Assurance Management alongside training in Digital Technology and Information Systems Management, including the proper allocation of sufficient financial support for their faculty members who would like to enroll in the doctoral program. The study proposes an action plan delving on the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that could be utilized to monitor any intervening discrepancies or non -compliance to Quality Assurance Protocols via: a) determination of the actual percentage reduction in non-conformances or defects, b) identification of staff quality assurance training completion rate, c) performance of regular audit compliance score improvement schemes, d) regular monitoring of the customer/stakeholder satisfaction ratings, and e) strict adherence and compliance to turnaround time for corrective actions.

Abstract. Azerbaijan’s soil resources constitute a vital part of the country’s natural capital, playing a key role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting agricultural productivity, and ensuring sustainable development. However, growing anthropogenic pressures, ongoing land degradation, and climate-related impacts have increasingly threatened soil quality and functionality. This study explores soil protection as a strategic focus within the activities of the Soil Museum operating under the Institute of Geography. Although soil conservation has been among the museum’s primary objectives since its establishment, its integration into the institutional framework of the Institute has significantly expanded its scope. Today, the museum functions not merely as a storage space for soil monoliths and scientific collections, but also as a scientific, educational, and informational center where soil is presented as an integral element of the geographical environment. The research particularly emphasizes that soil, as a fundamental component of geographical systems, is closely interconnected with climate, relief, water resources, vegetation, and human activities. This integrated geographical approach enhances the scientific value of the museum by enabling the study of soil diversity within the broader context of natural-territorial interactions that shape landscapes and ecological processes across Azerbaijan. Soil monoliths serve as effective tools for demonstrating soil diversity, environmental conditions, and degradation patterns. The results indicate that soil protection is not only a scientific concern but also a key element of environmental education, public awareness, and sustainable land use. From a geographical perspective, degradation levels vary across regions depending on relief, climate, irrigation practices, and human influence.

Traditional Total Factor Productivity (TFP) metrics often overlook biophysical limits and the depletion of natural capital. This study proposes an alternative paradigm: the Andean-Amazonian Bioeconomy (AAB), which integrates Georgescu-Roegen’s Law of Entropy and ancestral knowledge into an expanded production function. By applying the Malmquist Productivity Index and a Fixed Effects (FE) panel data model, we analyzed a dataset (1995–2024) from six Latin American countries. This approach utilizes the Human Development Index (HDI) as the primary proxy for social welfare. The methodology addresses country heterogeneity and multicollinearity, significantly enhancing the model’s explanatory power to an Adjusted R2 of 0.695. Our findings reveal a ‘Biocultural Paradox’: where conservation, often viewed as a cost by traditional income-based metric, emerges as vital investment. Our model demonstrate that the preservation of the biocultural fund- represented here as Biocultural Savings [S]- is a positive and highly significant predictor of social well-being (β = 0.685, p < 0.01), alongside a positive impact from the indigenous population index (β = 0.015, p < 0.1), suggesting that cultural identity plays a foundational role in regional resilience. We conclude that achieving ‘Vivir Bien’ (Living Well) requires a shift toward indicators that prioritize the biocultural fund -the stock of ancestral knowledge and biodiversity- over mere resource flow. This study provides a scientifically rigorous framework for sustainability policies across the Global South.

The role of financial inclusion, social equity, and technological innovation to promote inclusive wealth: Empirical evidence from selected G 20 countries.

This study presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal assessment of key ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, NH3, O3, and CO) across seven urban and semi-urban districts of the Uttar Pradesh National Capital Region (UP-NCR), India, during 2019-2023. Despite an overall decline of approximately 23% in particulate matter concentrations over the study period, annual mean PM2.5 (88 ± 15µg/m3) and PM10 (185 ± 28µg/m3) levels consistently exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Land use and land cover (LULC) analysis revealed a 7.06% expansion in built-up areas, reflecting rapid urbanization and its influence on local emission patterns. This urban growth was associated with persistent NO2 enrichment, particularly in Noida, where concentrations increased by 22%. Pronounced seasonal variability was observed, with PM2.5 concentrations peaking during the post-monsoon season particularly in Noida (200 ± 102µg/m3) and Ghaziabad (178 ± 99µg/m3), identified as the regional pollution hotspot. Meteorological analysis revealed strong seasonal influences on pollutant concentrations. Relative humidity exhibited positive correlations with particulate matter during winter (r ≈ 0.44-0.59), reflecting hygroscopic growth and stagnant atmospheric conditions, but strong negative correlations during the monsoon (r ≈ -0.72 to -0.95) due to efficient wet scavenging. Bivariate polar plot analysis identified stagnation-driven pollutant accumulation in densely urbanized districts and wind-induced resuspension of agricultural and crustal dust in peripheral regions. HYSPLIT backward-trajectory clustering further demonstrated substantial contributions from long-range transport originating from western and northwestern source regions during pollution episodes. These findings highlight pronounced spatial heterogeneity and seasonal dynamics in air quality, emphasizing the need for region-specific, airshed-based mitigation strategies across rapidly urbanizing peri-urban corridors.

Stress fractures affect military personnel at higher rates than the general population. They can lead to serious injury and negatively impact military force readiness. Most prior studies have focused on recruits undergoing basic training. Our goal was to characterize stress fractures over the full spectrum of military career stages to identify whether fracture locations varied by career length. A retrospective chart review was conducted of a 3-year period (January 1, 2017-December 31, 2019) to identify active duty military patients in the National Capital Region diagnosed with a new stress fracture. Patients were stratified by career length: New Recruit (<12 months of service), Early-Career (1-5 years of service), Mid-Career (5-14 years of service), and Late-Career (>14 years of service). The percentage of fractures at each anatomic location was reported and compared by binary career length (New Recruit vs. others) with Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests performed among the full cohort. The total cohort was stratified by sex, and the analysis was repeated separately in males and females. The percentage of patients who presented with multiple fractures was similarly reported and compared by career length, among the full cohort and by sex strata. The study was approved by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Institutional Review Board, protocol # WRNMMC-2018-0162. The study population included 446 military members with 537 total fractures. Percentages of femoral neck (11.1% vs. 3.6%, P = .001), femoral shaft (8.1% vs. 1.8%, P = .001) and pelvis fractures (3.8% vs. 0.7%, P = .031) were greater in the New Recruit group compared to the other career-length groups. Percentage of foot fractures was lower (19.2% vs. 34.3%, P < .001) in the New Recruit group vs. the other career-length groups. Percentage of patients presenting with multiple stress fractures (23.7% vs. 10.1%, P < .001) was greater in the New Recruit group vs. the other career-length groups. The significant differences in femoral shaft and foot fractures persisted when males and females were analyzed separately. Our findings support that the distribution of the anatomic locations of stress fractures differs between military members in the New Recruit period versus later in their careers. Specifically, New Recruits had a higher percentage of femoral neck, femoral shaft, and pelvic fractures. Providers may consider having a lower threshold for imaging new recruits with hip pain as this could identify a stress reaction before it becomes a stress fracture. Potential explanations for the findings include sex, training intensity, and force attrition. Some of the significant findings persisted when males and females were analyzed separately, which supports that there are contributions from other factors than patient's sex. Additional studies are needed to build upon these findings. Limitations included the use of ICD-10 codes and physician reporting to identify stress fractures, the lower numbers of patients once the total study population was stratified by sex, unavailability of bone density data, and unclear generalizability of the findings.

ABSTRACT The Ukraine war and uncertainty about the US security commitment have forced Europe to address its defence readiness. In response, the EU has launched its most ambitious effort yet to consolidate its defence industrial base and enhance collective readiness: the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). However, member states have responded differently to these initiatives, resulting in intense intergovernmental bargaining over the content, governance and financing of the new policy. This article examines the formation and development of EDIS and EDIP through the lens of neoclassical realism, a theory of foreign policy that explains how unit-level intervening variables affect how states respond to similar international systemic pressures. The article thus captures the full arc of supranational institutional response and national recalibration, tracing how the EU has reimagined its defence role and how national capitals have reacted to this new strategic and institutional reality.

Historical perspective and proposal for a comprehensive framework for valuing all environmental services including ecosystem and geosystem services

Understanding the biophysical foundations of coastal systems is essential for sustainable coastal management and rests on the principle of preserving natural capital in at least an intact state. This study applied emergy analysis (expressed in solar emergy joule - sej) to assess the natural capital (NC) and environmental support flows (ENFL) associated with planktonic communities within the three main gulfs (Gaeta, Naples and Salerno) along the coast of the Campania Region (central Tyrrhenian Sea, NW Mediterranean), during two seasonal time-snapshots (autumn 2020 and summer 2021). The results revealed seasonal differences in distinct patterns in system organization and resource dependency. Higher NC stocks (6.26×1010sejm-2) and a more complex food web structure were observed in summer 2021, with increased self-organization and decreased reliance on external input. In contrast, autumn 2020 showed lower natural capital stock (NC: 2.39×1010sejm-2) and a greater demand for environmental support flows (ENFL: 3.88×1010sejm-2day-1), driven by increased rainfall and geothermal heat, which emerged as key drivers of ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, the NC and ENFL were also translated into monetary equivalents (em€), facilitating interpretation in socio-economic contexts without altering the ecological meaning of the analysis. The results highlight the potential of emergy analysis as a decision-support tool for policymakers for the development of environmentally sound coastal zone management practices and policies.

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Mapping of Global Microsurgery Research: Dual Automation for Data and Classification.

• Farm-scale ecosystem accounting was developed combining spatial, field and farm data within a standard framework. • Spatial datasets offered acceptable accuracy for assessing extent, conditions, and services flow at the farm level. • Accuracy limitations were primarily observed for above ground biomass in dense forests and for carbon in soil. • Farm-provided data were essential for evaluating cropland condition indicators and service flow. • Farm level ecosystem accounts provide helpful information for farm management. Demand for monitoring the supply and use of natural resources in agriculture is growing. Farming depends on ecosystem services yet contributes to their loss. Ecosystem accounting frameworks help to integrate nature into decision-making by consistently revealing those impacts and dependencies. We apply the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) to a 38,603-hectare farm in southern Amazonia, Brazil. We assess uncertainties in spatial datasets compared to field data, and evaluate their suitability for the accounts. Our results show that combined spatial and field data allow farm-level monitoring of ecosystem extent, integrity, and services that is consistent with SEEA EA. Farm data effectively capture nitrogen use efficiency and pesticide-related biodiversity risks. Land-use and carbon flows could be tracked with acceptable accuracy with spatial data, while soil variables had to rely solely on field data. Despite these uncertainties, the accounts deliver actionable insights. For farmers who often perceive forest as a burden, the accounts clarify the role of forests in sustaining key services for their rainfed crops, such as rainfall regulation and carbon sequestration with associated climate regulation benefits. Consistent yearly monitoring also supports informed decisions on managing and financing agriculture for better use of natural capital.

SDG progress and the challenge of inclusive wealth sustainability

This study investigates how nutritional transparency affect the health consciousness, health goal congruency, and purchase intention of restaurant consumers within age range 18 to 40 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR, Philippines. This study applied a research design for data collection with quantitative methodology. The profile shows that they were mostly male, single, and full-time students who lived in Marikina City. Crucially, 92.5 percent of respondents considered themselves health conscious. Findings shows that nutritional transparency has a significant positive effect on consumer behavior as the respondents believed that nutrition facts labeling has played an important role in helping them make healthy food choices and inform them of the contents of their meals leading to healthy eating (M=4.17). Perceptions against nutritional transparency were neutral (M=2.76). Moreover, there is high health goal congruency towards nutritional transparency (M=4.17). Purchase intention of respondents has also been found favorable for nutritional transparency as respondents indicated that nutritional transparency impacts their purchasing intentions (M=3.76).

Children's visual health serves as a strategic cornerstone for national health and human capital, exerting a lifelong influence that profoundly shapes individual development and social well-being. At present, visual impairment among Chinese children is characterized by a high overall prevalence and a complex, multifactorial etiology. Major conditions include refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, and cerebral visual impairment. A substantial proportion of these impairments are preventable or curable; however, the current prevention and control system remains constrained by limited public awareness, insufficient alignment of screening, diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and a fragmented service system. In response, this paper focuses on delineating the core etiologies and multidimensional health hazards of childhood visual impairment, identifying key bottlenecks in existing prevention and treatment practices, and exploring theoretically grounded and practically integrated strategies to establish a tiered, collaborative, and efficient prevention and control pathway. This effort aims to consolidate progress in addressing childhood visual impairment in China, reduce avoidable visual impairment, and ultimately improve the overall level of children's visual health nationwide.

The paper examines how corporations reacted to the Indian labour reforms and how these reforms affected managerial ideas of operational effectiveness and business performance. The labor reforms were an important institutional shift in the Indian regulatory environment, requiring organizations to change their internal operations, compliance systems, and strategic orientations. The research used an empirical method and gathered primary data from senior-level administrators and top management owners across various industries in Jaipur and the Delhi National Capital Region. Managerial perceptions of organizational reactions to labor reforms, operational efficiency, and business performance were captured through a structured questionnaire. The analysis used a method that accounted for direct and indirect associations among these constructs, with particular attention to how operational efficiency serves as a mediating factor. The results showed that organizational anticipatory reaction to labor reform had a positive effect on perceived operational efficiency and managerial judgement of business performance. The findings also implied that changes in operational efficiency are crucial for transforming regulatory responsiveness into desirable organizational performance. The research added to the literature by bridging the labor regulation and business administration approaches and emphasizing the importance of managerial interpretation and strategic adjustment in assessing the efficacy of labor reforms. The results provided useful information for managers and policymakers in the corporate sector on harmonising regulatory changes with organisational effectiveness and performance goals.

Abstract Background: Rehabilitation is a key strategy for enhancing the quality of life, yet the magnitude of unmet needs and the factors influencing the demand for these services remain under-researched in many settings. This study aimed to assess the perceived need for rehabilitation services, their determinants and perceived barriers amongst patients attending a tertiary care hospital in the National Capital Region, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 400 participants. Data were collected through a pretested structured interview schedule covering socio-demographics, functional limitations and a qualitative assessment of barriers and service preferences. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test to determine the associations. P ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 400 participants, 40.8% ( n = 163) reported a perceived need for rehabilitation services. Older age ( P = 0.011), female sex ( P = 0.021) and lower educational status ( P &lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with higher perceived need. Functional difficulty in performing daily activities showed the strongest association ( P &lt; 0.001). Amongst identified barriers, ‘lack of information’ was most frequently reported (58.8%), far exceeding financial constraints (6.5%). Most participants preferred hospital-based rehabilitation services (74.8%) and favoured public awareness campaigns (52.0%) as their preferred mode of receiving information. Conclusion: The study highlights a substantial demand for rehabilitation services, particularly amongst vulnerable populations such as the elderly, women and those with lower socioeconomic status. The findings suggest that perceived need is driven more by functional impairment and service awareness than by clinical diagnosis alone. Strengthening awareness campaigns and ensuring equitable access for marginalised groups are critical strategies to address this issue.

Psychological impact of forensic autopsy work: a cross-sectional analytic study of post-traumatic stress symptoms among forensic personnel in National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi.

This study examines state capture as a form of legislative corruption in the enactment of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital. Both procedural and substantive aspects of the IKN Law are evaluated against established principles of legislative formation, Constitutional Court jurisprudence, and the foundations of popular governance under the rule of law. Employing a socio-legal approach, the research integrates normative juridical analysis with qualitative empirical methods. The methodology includes analysis of legislation, Constitutional Court decisions, legislative documents, and reports from monitoring institutions, as well as document analysis and interviews with academics and civil society activists to gather empirical insights. The findings indicate that the IKN Law was expedited, providing minimal opportunity for meaningful public participation. This process contravened the transparency and participation principles outlined in the Law on the Formation of Legislation and reaffirmed in Constitutional Court Decision Number 91/PUU-XVIII/2020. Furthermore, the law grants the IKN Authority extensive powers without instituting sufficient checks and balances. The evidence demonstrates state capture, in which legislation is used to legitimize particular interests and undermine democratic oversight. These developments present significant threats to the rule of law, government accountability, and the principle of popular sovereignty within Indonesia's constitutional framework.

The Military Health System faces increasing readiness strain as global peer competition, sustained operational demands and post COVID-19 workforce and budget constraints reduce military treatment facility (MTF) capability and shift care to civilian networks. This trend erodes readiness-relevant clinical experience across undergraduate and graduate medical education, threatening the ability to generate and sustain a ready medical force capable of delivering combat casualty care at the scale anticipated in large-scale combat operations, humanitarian crises, and mass casualty events. High-performing civilian Academic Health Systems (AHS) provide a proven framework to integrate clinical care, education and research into a single learning enterprise that improves outcomes, enables rapid adaptation during crisis, and accelerates innovation. The National Capital Region (NCR) already contains the core components of such a system, including the Uniformed Services University, the National Capital Consortium, and multiple major MTFs, yet remains limited by service parochialism, soloed governance, and misaligned referral management. Multiple National Defense Authorization Acts provide legal precedent supporting modernization and explicitly authorize the creation of an AHS in the NCR. We propose an NCR pilot integrated military AHS centered on physician-led clinical departments and a unified practice plan to align clinical volume, education, and research with readiness requirements, streamline referrals across the enterprise, and accelerate military-relevant innovation. Timely implementation would strengthen trauma readiness, improve medical force generation, and provide a scalable model for other Defense Health Networks. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026;00: 00-00. Copyright © 2026 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.).