Correlated Research Articles

Achievement Goals, Perceived Teacher Support, and Mathematics Achievement: The Mediating Role of Academic Disidentification

In a competency-based curriculum (CBC), the development of logical and critical thinking skills in mathematics is essential. As a cornerstone of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), mathematics is pivotal for addressing real-world challenges. However, overall pass rates remain unsatisfactory in Kenyan secondary schools, particularly in Kisii County. This study investigated the mediating role of academic disidentification in the relationship between achievement goals, perceived teacher support, and mathematics achievement. Grounded in the revised 3x2 Achievement Goal Model, Self-Determination Theory, and Expectancy-Value Theory, a correlational design was employed with a random sample of 418 Form Three students from thirty seven schools in Kisii County; Kenya in 2023. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that academic disidentification partially mediates the relationship among achievement goals, perceived teacher support, and mathematics achievement. School categories differed significantly in avoidance motivation, with co-educational schools exhibiting the highest levels. Based on these findings, the study recommends that mathematics teachers prioritize fostering approach motivation, especially in co-educational schools, to enhance student achievement in mathematics.

Teacher Support and Student Engagement in the Conduct of Blended Learning Instruction for English as A Foreign Language

With the deep integration of information technology and education, blended learning has emerged as a new paradigm in higher education, combining the strengths of both online and offline learning environments. This approach allows English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners, particularly in the Chinese context, to engage in flexible and continuous learning beyond traditional classroom settings, thereby fostering greater student initiative and self-directed learning. Understanding the impact of teacher support on student engagement within this blended learning framework is crucial for optimizing educational outcomes. This study employed a quantitative descriptive comparative and correlational research design to examine the relationship between various forms of teacher support—instructional, emotional, feedback, and interpersonal—and student engagement among 307 Chinese EFL learners in a blended learning environment. The findings reveal that all forms of teacher support were perceived as high, with feedback provision ranking highest. Similarly, student engagement was also rated highly across behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social domains. The Pearson correlation coefficient between teacher support and student engagement was found to be 0.75, indicating a significant positive relationship. Based on these findings, a program aimed at enhancing teacher support to further improve student engagement in blended learning environments was developed and recommended.

The influence of horizontal violence on intention to leave among Jordanian nurses: A cross-sectional study

Aim To determine nurses’ perception of horizontal violence and its relationship with intention to leave among Jordanian nurses. Background Horizontal violence is detrimental to healthcare organizations. Healthcare employees who are victims of horizontal violence may become unable to perform well, living with severe stress. Few studies in the world and no study in Jordan has examined the influence of horizontal violence on intent to stay among nurses. Method A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study design was used in this study. Result 520 registered nurses were recruited, and 436 surveys were returned, resulting in an 83% response rate. The findings showed that, horizontal violence is moderate among nurses in Jordan. The mean score for nurse’s intent to leave work indicated a solid willingness to leave the job. The correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between horizontal violence and intent to leave. Female nurses reported significantly higher scores than males; also, there is a significant difference in responses in horizontal violence based on educational level. Conclusion In this study, it was found that horizontal violence in Jordanian organizations is moderate, and it has a significant relationship with nurses’ intention to leave. Implication for nursing management Nursing managers have a vital role in ensuring and enforcing the ‘zero violence’ policy in their department, which means that no reported incident of horizontal violence will be ignored. Each identified case of horizontal violence will be investigated and addressed appropriately.

Novel Bragg peak characterization method using proton flux measurements on plastic scintillators

Objective. Bragg peak measurements play a key role in the beam quality assurance in proton therapy. Used as base data for the treatment planning softwares, the accuracy of the data is crucial when defining the range of the protons in the patient.Approach. In this paper a protocol to reconstruct a Pristine Bragg Peak exploring the direct correlation between the particle flux and the dose deposited by particles is presented. Proton flux measurements at the HollandPTC and FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations are used for this purpose. This new protocol is applicable to plastic scintillator detectors developed for Quality Assurance applications. In order to obtain the Bragg curve using a plastic fiber detector, a PMMA phantom with a decoupled and moveable stepper was designed. The step phantom allows to change the depth of material in front of the fiber detector during irradiations. The Pristine Bragg Peak reconstruction protocol uses the measured flux of particles at each position and multiplies it by the average dose obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation at each position.Main results. The results show that with this protocol it is possible to reconstruct the Bragg Peak with an accuracy of about 470µm, which is in accordance with the tolerances set by the AAPM.Significance. It has the advantage to be able to overcome the quenching problem of scintillators in the high ionization density region of the Bragg peak.

Standardization of color measurement in the medical photography in clinical practice

BACKGROUND: For many medical specialties, photography is a routine element of work. Environmental factors equally and significantly influence the interpretation of colour light perception and the quality of photographic recording. Standardization of conditions in medical photography is necessary for subsequent quantitative assessment of the postoperative skin scar by analysing colour coordinates in the RGB system. AIM: To determine the impact of illumination and shooting distance at colour coordinates when studying unaltered skin. METHODS: Five volunteers without any skin diseases and no make-up on their facial skin were taken in the study. Skin type by the Fitzpatrick scale was II–III. Digital photography was made with a mobile device camera at distance 30 cm from the subject. For each participant, a series of digital photographs was taken at a distance of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 cm from the light source. Colour coordinates in the RGB system were measured in the digital graphics editor Adobe Photoshop CS6. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using Microsoft Office Excel 2019, Phyton 3.11. RESULTS: The analysis of variance by the ANOVA method was used as a statistical analysis. In order to determine a statistically significant difference between the sets, Tukey HSD test was performed. A total of 1764 coordinates of three colours were subjected to statistical analysis (R=588, G=588, B=588). When constructing a heat map of the cross-correlation of the absolute values of each colour at each distance, taking into account the type of light source among themselves, the data had a strong direct correlation, regardless of the study area. When constructing a linear graph, coordinates of any of the zones were located on the same straight line. CONCLUSION: Photography conditions were experimentally determined under which the color interpretation of light is constant. Results of the study should be taken into account during medical photography and subsequent color assessment of postoperative skin scars.

PECULIARITIES OF THE EXOCRINE SECRETORY FUNCTION OF THE PANCREAS IN NEONATES WITH PERINATAL PATHOLOGY

Introduction. Post-asphyxia syndrome in newborn infants due to experienced intrauterine hypoxia and asphyxia at birth remains a relevant issue in neonatology. The intestines and glands of internal and external secretion are target organs of pathologic hypoxic influence. Their ischemic damage can be a cause of digestive disorders against the background of multiple organ damage of a newborn child. Objective of this study is to determine peculiarities of the exocrine secretory functions of the pancreas in full-term neonates with perinatal pathology. Material and methods. One hundred fifty five Full-term neonates with the signs of perinatal pathology were examined. I group included 82 neonates with severe perinatal pathology, II group – 73 moderate pathology, 50 healthy infants constitute III control group. Inclusion criteria were gestational age more than 37 full weeks, clinical-paraclinical signs of maladjustment syndrome at birth and/or during the early neonatal period, parents’ written consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria were gestational age less than 37 full weeks; congenital defects; low body weight (size) at birth; signs of infectious processes. Clinical examination of patients and biochemical blood tests were carried out on the base of the clinical laboratory of the Municipal Non-Profit Institution «Municipal Clinical Maternity Home №2» of Chernivtsi Municipal Council, and German-Ukrainian laboratory «Bukintermed» (Chernivtsi). The study was conducted in accordance with the 'Rules of Ethical Principles of Conducting Scientific Medical Research with Human Participation,' approved by the Declaration of Helsinki (1964-2013), ICH GCP (1996), EU Directive No. 609 (24.11.1986), the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 690 (23.09.2009), and the approval of the Biomedical Ethics Board of Bukovinian State Medical University. For statistical analysis, licensed software programs were used, including Statistica (StatSoft Inc., Version 7), Microsoft Excel (AtteStat, Version 12.5), and MedCalc Software Ltd (Version 22.021). Results and discussion. The examination groups were representative according to their gestational age and anthropometric parameters at birth, and gender characteristics. A comprehensive clinical-paraclinical examination of infants showed that severe disorders of infants in I group were caused by the signs of severe (13.4 %) and moderate (13.4 %) asphyxia at birth, meconium aspiration syndrome (20.7 %), severe respiratory disorders (53.6 %), hypoxic-ischemic damage of the central nervous system (39.0 %), convulsive syndrome (13.4 %), birth trauma (7.3 %) etc. Moderate maladjustment in infants from II group were associated with the signs of perinatal damage of the central nervous system (65.8 %), hemolytic diseases of the newborns (27.4 %), neonatal jaundice (28.8 %), respiratory disorders (35.6 %) etc. The condition of neonates from ІІІ group was satisfactory during the period of early postnatal adaptation. The results of additional examination methods found certain peculiarities of the exocrine secretory function of the pancreas in full-term neonates with perinatal pathology. Thus, blood amylase activity in the first day of life in the infants from І group was 0.39 ± 0.03 Un/L, ІІ group – 0.29±0.02 Un/L, ІІІ group – 0.14±0,01 Un/L (рІ-ІІ = 0.016, рІ-ІІІ < 0.0001, рІІ-ІІІ < 0.0001). According to the examination group, activity of the enzyme in the blood of infants at the end of their first week of life was 17.8 ± 0.81, 15.28 ± 0.22 and 14.81±0.06 Un/L respectively (рІ-ІІ = 0.006, рІ-ІІІ = 0.009, рІІ-ІІІ = 0.0435). The study found similar tendencies in changes of lipase activity in the blood of full-term infants. During the first day of life it was 0.35±0.01 Un/L in I group, ІІ group – 0.31±0.01 Un/L, ІІІ group – 0.32 ± 0.01 Un/L (рІ-ІІ = 0.003, рІ-ІІІ = 0.01, рІІ-ІІІ > 0.05). Activity of the enzyme in the blood of infants at the end of their first week of life was 19.7±0.22, 19.1±0.13 and 18.9±0.37 Un/L respectively (рІ-ІІ = 0.021, рІ-ІІІ > 0.05, рІІ-ІІІ > 0.05). Conclusion. The results obtained were indicative of a reliable increase of amylase and lipase activity in the blood of full-term neonates in all the examination groups in the dynamics of observation. It is associated with physiological stimulation of the exocrine secretory function of the pancreas in the early neonatal period. Attention should be paid to a direct correlation between an increased activity of the enzymes and severity of perinatal pathology both in the first day of life and at the end of the first week. It can be indicative of an excessive activation of pancreatic function due to pathologic hypoxic damage.

Factors Influencing Parental Practices Regarding Childhood Immunization in Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Childhood immunization is a key strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce child mortality. The vaccine is intended to protect about 2 million and 3 million survivors per year. Despite this, Pakistan continues to struggle with vaccine-preventable diseases due to a significant number of unvaccinated children and is one of two states where the prevalence of poliovirus persists. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing parents’ decisions regarding childhood immunization in Pakistan, with a focus on understanding parental practices and perceptions surrounding vaccination Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess parent’s practices toward vaccination of their children in Lahore, Pakistan. Validated questionnaires was used to evaluate parent’s practices of childhood vaccination. The research population was 353 parents living in urban and rural areas of Lahore with children of different ages. The data collected through a questionnaire entered and analyzed by using SPSS program v21, IBM. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant values. Results: Out of 353 parents surveyed, majority of the study subject were mothers (56.1%) with age 25-29 years with percentage 30.0%, stating that majority of the parents have poor practice (75.4%) and a few presented good practices i.e., 24.6%. Variables like occupation, number of children, residency, living class and health care providers in respondent family shows highly significant statistical association (p<0.001) with patient’s practice regarding their child immunization. Conclusion: The poor practice towards child immunization indicates a concerning gap in immunization adherence. The study revealed that a significant majority of parents demonstrated poor practices highlighting critical public health issues despite awareness campaigns. Factors such as limited access to healthcare facilities, socioeconomics challenges and cultural beliefs contribute to poor practice. The findings emphasize the need for improved support system and educational initiatives to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, to enhance vaccination rates and improving public health outcomes.

The Correlation between Metacognition, Self-correction, and Writing Learning Outcomes of Students in the German Language Study Program

As one of the productive skills in learning a foreign language, writing plays a significant role in supporting the development of other language skills. To enhance writing skills, it is essential to have the ability to self-assess. This study aims to examine the correlation between metacognition and self-correction in relation to the writing learning outcomes of students enrolled in the German Language Education study program, while also assessing their capacity for self-correction in their writing skills. The research employed a correlational design, using a pre- and post-test nonequivalent control group approach. The sample consists of students enrolled in writing courses, selected through proportional sampling. Data collection involves the administration of tests, questionnaires, and interviews. The findings reveal a significant correlation between self-correction, metacognition, and writing learning outcomes among students in the German Language Education study program. The pretest Mean score was 56.9, while the post-test Mean score showed improvement at 72.6, indicating a difference of 15.7. Furthermore, the calculated correlation coefficient (r = 0.686) exceeds the tabulated correlation coefficient (r = 0.553). Comparing the results of students’ self-correction in the pre-test and post-test with the lecturer’s correction, an increase in self-correction ability was observed. In conclusion, this research contributed in enhancing German writing skills among students in the German Language Education study program. Keywords: German language, learning outcomes, metacognition, self-correction, writing

Marketing of Educational Services and School Image of Private Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of marketing of educational services on school image of private secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, five specific objectives, five research questions and five null hypotheses were formed for this study. The study adopted the correlational research design and the population was all 495 principals in the 495 private secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. However, a sample size of 221 principals drawn through multi-stage sampling procedure was used as participants. A self- developed questionnaire named “Marketing of Educational Services and School Image Questionnaire” with reliability of 0.74 was used for data collection. Out of the 221 participants sampled, 213 principals participated in the study. The hypotheses were tested using linear regressions at 0.05 alpha level. The findings indicated that product (people, process and physical evidence, price (fees charged), place (location) and promotion have significant impact on school image of private secondary schools. Based on the findings, conclusion was made that marketing of educational services significantly impact school image of private secondary schools. It was recommended among others that owners of private secondary schools should adopt product (people, process and physical evidence), price, place and promotion in marketing their schools because these marketing elements would make their schools to have good image and make prospective customers to be aware of them.

Moderating Effect of Corporate Governance on the Relationship between Social Sustainability Reporting and Firm Value: Evidence from the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between social sustainability reporting and firm value among companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. Methodology: The study's target population include all 64 NSE-listed companies. The study employed secondary data collected by the use of the annual reports sourced from NSE and firms’ websites for eleven (11) years from 2012-2022. Content analysis technique was employed for the collection of secondary data using data collection sheets. This research used a longitudinal research approach and correlation research design. Results: The study found that social sustainability reporting had an insignificant effect on firm value among companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Additionally, corporate governance was shown to have no significant moderating influence on the relationship between social sustainability reporting and firm value. Conclusion/Implication: These findings suggest that companies should reconsider the relevance and quality of their social sustainability reports to better align with stakeholder expectations. Enhanced transparency and storytelling regarding social impacts are necessary to improve investor engagement

The Influence of Servant Leadership and Organizational Culture on Employee Performance at ODSK Regional General Hospital in North Sulawesi

This study aims to determine (1) The influence of servant leadership on the performance of employees of the ODSK Regional General Hospital, North Sulawesi Province. (2) To determine the influence of organizational culture on the performance employees of the ODSK Regional General Hospital, North Sulawesi Province. (3) To determine the influence of servant leadership and organizational culture together on the performance of employees of the ODSK Regional General Hospital, North Sulawesi Province. The research method employed is a survey method using questionnaires designed in a Likert scale format. The respondents of the study consisted of 137 employees selected through proportional random sampling. The analysis used to test the research hypotheses includes simple and multiple regression and correlation techniques. The conclusions of this study indicate that (1) Servant Leadership has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. (2) Organizational Culture has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. (3) To determine the joint influence of servant leadership and organizational culture on the performance of employees at ODSK Provincial General Hospital in North Sulawesi. Recommendations: (1) Foster mutually supportive relationships between leaders and employees, as well as among employees, through harmonious interactions. (2) Build an organizational culture that encourages employees to stay and work effectively. (3) Enhance employee performance through servant leadership and organizational culture initiatives implemented simultaneously.

Sustainable Urban Design Strategies in a Cultural Equipment. The Samaria of Ibagué, Colombia

Objective: define a method for the development of tools that are capable of interpreting and providing solutions based on design in cultural, architectural, urban and sustainable terms, so that they are applicable in the field of urban design. Theoretical Framework: A review of the historical development of the facilities is addressed, together with the New Urban Agenda, the conceptual sustainability criteria and the techniques contained in the regulations, as well as some software that allows simulation in the design process. Method: The methodology is mixed, in response to the urban design criteria addressed by Bazant (1984). The urban context that a facility must have with respect to the city, the sector and its socio-cultural link with the place to intervene was taken into account. A regulatory analysis and a design simulation were addressed. Results and Discussion: There is a lack of effective space for equipment, in direct correlation with public spaces and the importance of environmental certification regulations as instruments that can efficiently guide urban interventions. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing information on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of sustainable urban design. These implications could encompass urban planning, regulatory design and simulations. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by presenting design possibilities that link regulations with simulations. The relevance and value of this research is evident in the need for the disciplines of architecture and engineering for the planning of cities.

Estrés aculturativo y desesperanza en migrantes venezolanos de las ciudades de Arequipa y Tacna

In an increasingly interconnected world, studying the phenomenon of migration becomes particularly relevant due to its complex associations with psychosocial factors. The present study, aimed to identify the relationship between acculturative stress and hopelessness in a sample of Venezuelan migrants to Peru. An empirical investigation with an associative strategy and simple correlation design was carried out (Ato et al., 2013), the sample was made up of 266 Venezuelan migrants aged 18 to 75 years from the cities of Arequipa and Tacna that make up part of Southern Peru. The instruments used were the Barcelona Immigrant Stress Scale (BISS) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The results have determined that there is a very significant and direct correlation between acculturative stress and hopelessness (r=.16; p<.01), with a small effect size (r2 =.03). On the other hand, it is verified that the greater the culture shock, the greater the feeling about the future (r=.19; p<.01; r2 =.03), the greater the loss of motivation (r=.25; p< .001; r2 =.06;) and expectation about the future (r=.26; p<.001; r2 =.06), all with a small effect size. It is recommended that actions be taken to promote the development of intrinsic protective factors that allow better adaptability to the diversity of the migrant population.

Preservation of freshly-cut lemon slices using alginate-based coating functionalized with antioxidant enzymatically hydrolyzed rice straw-hemicellulose

Food coatings are efficient preservative measures, a crucially needed approach to meet hunger growth as well as food management. In the current study, the construction of an efficient coating using alginate polymer fortified with antioxidant rice straw-hemicellulose hydrolysate was examined. Rice straw hemicellulose fraction was extracted under thermal alkaline conditions with a recovery percentage of 15.8%. The extracted hemicellulose fraction was enzymatically hydrolyzed with microbial xylanase with hydrolysis percentage of 53.8%. Characterization of the produced hydrolysate was performed with the aid of thin layer chromatographic analysis (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The reported data showed that xylobiose (240.68 mg/g) in addition to coumaric (383.33 µg/g) and ferulic acid (298.77 µg/g) as the main constituents of the carbohydrate and the polyphenolic contents, respectively. The hydrolysate possessed antioxidant capacity that significantly increased in a direct correlation with the concentration of the hydrolysate. Finally, the prepared coating solution effectiveness in the preservation of lemon slices against fungal growth was monitored up to 20 days with a significant concentration dependent decrease in weight loss and an increase in its antioxidant activity. The combination of xylooligosaccharide-rich rice straw hydrolysate with alginate-based coating not only improved the storage shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables but also provided microbial safety and potential benefits for human health.

Targeted Screening of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains Isolated from Tomatoes and Its Application in Tomato Fermented Juice

This study explores the functional attributes of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) strains isolated from fermented tomato juice, focusing on their physiological, biochemical, and probiotic characteristics. The identified 66 gram-positive strains included 36 L. plantarum ones, which exhibited robust growth in acidic environments (pH 2.0–5.0) and utilization of various carbohydrates. Notably, seven strains outperformed a commercial strain in extreme acidic conditions. Antioxidant activity varied, with strain A24 showing the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging ability, while strains with high surface hydrophobicity had lower DPPH scavenging activity, indicating no direct correlation between these properties. Strains also showed strain-specific differences in carbohydrate utilization and antibiotic resistance, with some resistant to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Survival rates under simulated gastrointestinal conditions were strain-specific, with some strains demonstrating high survival rates, indicating their potential as probiotics. Furthermore, 13 strains used as fermentation starters in tomato juice significantly enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced pH and total soluble solids, indicating efficient sugar utilization and lactic acid production. These findings suggest that L. plantarum strains are well-suited for functional food fermentation and probiotic applications, with strain-specific traits offering versatility for use in acidic food products and probiotic formulations.

Research on the Impact of Parenting Styles on Internet Addiction in Primary School Students

Abstract: With the rapid development of mobile phones and smartwatches, many primary school students have become increasingly dependent on the internet, to the extent that it affects their normal lives. Parental upbringing significantly influences children's behavior, as a warm family environment can reduce internet dependency, while an overly strict and highly controlling one can increase the amount of time primary school students spend on the internet. This study investigated the impact of parenting styles on Internet addiction in adolescents. The sample comprised 71 elementary school students, including 34 females and 37 males. A personal information form, "The Revised Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R)," and "The 21-item Chinese version of the s-EMBU" were used in the data gathering process. Regression analysis, simple correlation, F-test, and t-test methods were applied in data analysis. According to the findings, internet addiction is favorably connected with perceived poor parenting styles and negatively correlated with perceived positive parenting styles. Furthermore, there are gender differences in the prevalence of internet addiction among teenagers, with male teens being more likely than female teens to experience problematic online addiction.

Cervicovaginal lavages uncover growth factors as key biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) rates are continuing to rise and it remains the most common gynecologic cancer in the US. Existing diagnostic methods are invasive and can cause pain and anxiety. Hence, there is a need for less invasive diagnostics for early EC detection. The study objective was to evaluate the utility of growth factors collected through minimally invasive cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) sampling as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for EC. CVL samples from 192 individuals undergoing hysterectomy for benign or malignant conditions were collected and used to quantify the concentrations of 19 growth and angiogenic factors using multiplex immunoassays. Patients were categorized based on disease groups: benign conditions (n = 108), endometrial hyperplasia (n = 18), and EC (n = 66). EC group was stratified into grade 1/2 endometrial endometrioid cancer (n = 53) and other EC subtypes (n = 13). Statistical associations were assessed using receiver operating characteristics, Spearman correlations and hierarchical clustering. Growth and angiogenic factors: angiopoietin-2, endoglin, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), melanoma inhibitory activity, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were significantly (p < 0.0001) elevated in EC patients. A multivariate model combining 11 proteins with patient age and body mass index exhibited excellent discriminatory potential (area under curve = 0.918) for EC, with a specificity of 90.7% and a sensitivity of 87.8%. Moreover, angiopoietin-2, FAP and VEGF-A significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) associated with tumor grade, size, myometrial invasion, and mismatch repair status. Our results highlight the innovative use of growth and angiogenic factors collected through CVL sampling for the detecting endometrial cancer, showcasing not only their diagnostic potential but also their prognostic value.

Multiple Personal Income Taxes and Financial Well-Being of Employees in Tertiary Institutions

This study aimed to interrogate the relationship between multiple personal income taxes and public workers’ financial wellbeing. The paper therefore examined the relationships between pay as you earn, Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme, Education Trust Funds and worker’s disposable income as proxies for objective financial wellbeing in (the public) tertiary institutions of Bayelsa State. The study adopted a quantitative design, and data were collected through the Salary Structure of teaching and non-teaching staff from Bayelsa State owned University of Africa and Niger Delta University in Nigeria. The data were analyzed by applying simple regression and correlation analysis. The findings revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between multiple personal income taxes and workers’ financial wellbeing in Bayelsa State tertiary institutions. However, at the entity level, the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS) variable had a positive substantial impact on workers’ financial wellbeing; whilst, Pay as You Earn (PAYE) has a negative significant effect on workers’ financial wellbeing. Whereas Education Trust Funds (EDTF) variable had an inverse non-significant association with workers’ financial wellbeing in Bayelsa State. Therefore, we recommend a fair and equitable tax policy framework to sustain adequate pay for public servants and reduce employees’ turnover in the state.

Relationship between Exposure to Violent Content on the Media and Aggressive Behaviour among Adolescent Learners in Western Region, Kenya

This study explores the relationship between exposure to violent media content and aggressive behavior among adolescent secondary school students in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya Counties, Kenya. These counties have relatively high media technology access, particularly mobile phones and radio, which exceed national averages. They also report notable incidences of student aggression, with Siaya and Kisii counties showing high rates of student unrest. Grounded in Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the study utilized a mixed-method approach, adopting descriptive survey and correlational research designs. A sample of 417 students was drawn from a population of 190,555, selected using stratified random sampling method. Data collection involved questionnaires, content analysis, and the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI). A pilot study conducted in Vihiga County confirmed the reliability of the instruments, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.87. The study revealed a significant correlation between aggression and exposure to violent content on television (r = 0.211, p = 0.000), with television identified as the most substantial contributor to aggression (B = 0.218, p = 0.001). Notably, 46% of adolescents in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya reported constant exposure to violent media, while 11% frequently imitated the violence observed, primarily on mobile phones. Additionally, 9% of respondents justified the violence they encountered, and 56.5% exhibited mild violent tendencies. The study recommends stricter enforcement of media violence regulations, including enhanced penalties and parental guidance ratings, alongside the introduction of media literacy programs in schools. Additionally, it calls for limiting unsupervised internet access for minors, particularly in public cybercafes, to mitigate the negative influence of violent media content.

Impact of Parental Deprivation on Academic Success of Children: A Study of Public Primary Schools in Masaba South, Kenya

This study investigated the relationship between parental deprivation and academic achievement among children from public primary schools. Using correlation and cross-sectional study designs, data were collected from 10 schools, involving 324 randomly selected children in grades 4 and 5. Results revealed a high prevalence of parental deprivation, with significant deficits in necessities, safety, shelter, educational resources, and parental care. Most children reported problems with clothing (95.1%), food (98.8%), safety (65.9%), shelter (34.7%), education (87.3%), quality time with parents (88.2%), and parental discipline (83.6%). Parental deprivation negatively impacted academic achievement. Grade level (Adjusted β = 0.1, 95% CI [-0.8, 1.0], p = .819) and age (Adjusted β = 0.5, 95% CI [-0.1, 1.0], p = .110) showed no significant associations with absenteeism or grades. However, difficulties affording shelter were a significant negative predictor of grades (aβ = -2.7, 95% CI [-2.8, -2.6], p &lt; .001), while spending quality time with parents positively influenced grades (aβ = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 0.6], p &lt; .001). The study demonstrated the need for comprehensive interventions addressing parental deprivation's material and education achievements. Recommendations include strengthening social safety nets, enhancing educational resources, promoting positive parenting practices, and addressing economic inequalities.