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Neurolinguistic Evidence for Predictive Coding in Language Comprehension
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Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine neurolinguistic evidence for predictive coding in language comprehension.
Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to neurolinguistic evidence for predictive coding. Preliminary empirical review revealed that predictive coding is essential in narrative comprehension, where the brain anticipates and integrates events to maintain coherence. It found that when narratives deviated from expectations, prediction error signals were activated, highlighting the brain\u27s role in adjusting its predictions.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended further exploration of predictive coding in various narrative structures and its application in educational and clinical settings
Practices of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) Implementation in Paranas, Samar
Get PDFPurpose: This study explored the practices of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) implementation in Paranas, Samar.
Methodology: Using an exploratory qualitative research design, data were gathered from key informant interviews with teachers who are implementing MTB-MLE.
Findings: The findings revealed that using the mother tongue as the medium of instruction significantly improves comprehension and engagement among learners. Other best practices include contextualization, bridging of languages, reflecting cultural relevance, and promoting the expression of ideas. However, teachers encountered multiple challenges such as difficulties in translating technical terms, dialectal variation, limited learning materials, late distribution of resources, language confusion, insufficient teacher training, and inappropriate graphics in instructional tools.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that while MTB-MLE has transformative potential, it requires systemic support through localized resources, sustained training, and collaborative planning. A model of MTB-MLE implementation was proposed to institutionalize these best practices and overcome implementation barriers
Influence of Water Temperature on Fish Reproduction in Bangladesh
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of water temperature on fish reproduction in Bangladesh.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: The study found that water temperature significantly impacts fish reproduction in Bangladesh, with optimal breeding occurring at 25–30°C. Higher temperatures (>32°C) reduced sperm motility and hatch rates, while lower temperatures (<20°C) delayed spawning. Climate change-induced temperature shifts may disrupt fish breeding patterns, affecting aquaculture productivity. Temperature regulation and seasonal monitoring are recommended for sustainable fisheries.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Metabolic theory of ecology (MTE), thermal bottleneck hypothesis & brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis theory may be used to anchor future studies on the influence of water temperature on fish reproduction in Bangladesh. Fisheries and aquaculture should select and breed fish species with higher thermal tolerance, ensuring stable reproductive success despite temperature changes. Governments must revise fisheries policies to integrate climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that breeding habitats and spawning seasons are protected from rising temperatures and extreme weather events
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Driving Change Management in the UAE Public Sector
Get PDFPurpose: This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies serve as catalysts for change management practices within the UAE public sector, focusing on their alignment with national digital transformation objectives and the unique governance framework of Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed to analyze AI initiatives implemented across UAE public sector organizations between 2017-2023. The study utilized semi-structured interviews with twelve senior government officials, policy makers, and AI implementation teams across federal and emirate-level institutions. Data analysis employed thematic analysis to identify patterns in AI adoption, organizational change processes, and institutional responses to technological transformation.
Findings: The research reveals that AI technologies, particularly robotic process automation (RPA), predictive analytics, and natural language processing (NLP), significantly enhance change management effectiveness through improved decision-making capabilities, streamlined operational processes, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. Successful implementation requires strategic alignment with established change management frameworks and careful consideration of cultural and regulatory factors unique to the UAE\u27s centralized governance model. The study identified six key themes: AI-driven process automation achieving 42.6% reduction in processing times, predictive decision-making capabilities, workforce adaptation challenges, leadership alignment mechanisms, ethical governance frameworks, and inter-agency interoperability requirements.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This research develops an integrated theoretical framework combining Kotter\u27s 8-Step Change Model with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) specifically adapted for AI-driven public sector transformation in non-Western governance contexts. The study provides evidence-based recommendations for optimizing AI implementation strategies in government entities while offering policy insights for developing ethical AI governance frameworks that align with UAE cultural values and regulatory requirements. The framework offers a novel approach to understanding how AI technologies reshape organizational change processes in centralized governance systems
Health Seeking Behaviour and Health Related Quality of Life among Dyspeptic Students of a Tertiary Institution in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Get PDFPurpose: Dyspepsia is a common medical presentation especially in primary care with great impact on the quality of life of those affected with accompanied higher utilization of healthcare resources during investigations and treatment. Dyspepsia symptoms interfere with daily activities, with significant effect on quality of life, necessitating urgent need for the sufferers to seek relief either within established healthcare set up or other avenues. This study set out to observe health seeking behaviour and health related quality of life among dyspeptic students of a tertiary institution of Ekiti state.
Methodology: A descriptive and cross-sectional study among the students of Ekiti State University (EKSU). Students aged 16 and above who consented and were not acutely or chronically ill were randomly selected for the study, while those who were pregnant or showed signs of hepatic or pancreatic disease (such as yellow eyes) were excluded. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 26. Main outcome measures in this study were the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia, pattern of treatment practises of respondents when they had dyspepsia, the effect of dyspepsia on the quality of life of the respondents by Short Form of Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI). Results were shown as proportions and means with 95% confidence; the P value was 0.05. Bivariate analysis of dyspeptic and non-dyspeptic groups association with health-related quality of life determined with Chi Square,
Findings: Three hundred and sixty-four respondents were enrolled. Dyspepsia was present among 169, 46.4% of the respondents. There was significant poor health seeking behaviour among the respondents with dyspepsia as 70 (41.4%) did nothing when they experienced dyspepsia and 64.6% reported significant reduction in health-related quality of life which was worse in the tension and anxiety subdomains.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study observed high prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia among the undergraduates with associated significant poor health seeking behaviour, and significant reduction of health-related quality of life, worse within the psychological domain. We recommend health education about dyspepsia and other chronic medical conditions among undergraduates during their enrolment in the university’s healthcare system
Assessment of the Provision of Quality Midwifery Care Service at Women’s and New Born Hospital, Lusaka Using a Modified Servqual Scale
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of midwifery care service provided to women by midwives at Women and New-Born Hospital (WNBH) in Lusaka District of Zambia using a modified SERVQUAL scale questionnaire. The study intended to evaluate the quality of the service from the viewpoint of service providers and recipients of the service (Women).
Methodology: The research design was a non-experimental design utilisation a quantitative cross-sectional method. Systematic sampling was used to select 385 women and 185 midwives from the various health units. Quantitative data was analysed by employing descriptive statistics using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact was conducted to test statistical significance between the independent and dependent variables.
Findings: Majority of women (321, 83.4%) mentioned that midwives provide poor quality of midwifery service while majority of midwives (183, 99.5) termed their quality service level as fair. The service quality gap between the perceived and expected quality service from the SERVQUAL questionnaire ranged from 0 to -15 for all the dimensions under study showing that standards were not reached.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Utilizing the SERVQUAL (service quality) theoretical model the research sought to identify service quality gaps which could enhance customer satisfaction if addressed. Recommendation includes a targeted effort by health facility to improve service quality through in-depth look at the tangibility, assurance, responsiveness, empathy and reliability dimensions of service quality. Quality should be a concern of every health care provider in the delivery system. Health institutions in Zambia, should make it as a mandate to understand client’s quality expectations in order to meet their quality needs leading to improved patient’s satisfaction, and ultimately increased facility utilization
Moderating Effect of Dividend Policy on the Relationship between Capital Structure and Financial Performance of Agricultural Companies Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
Get PDFPurpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the moderating effect of dividend policy on the relationship between capital structure and financial performance of agricultural firms listed at the NSE, Kenya.
Methodology: A correlation research design was applied. A census survey on six agricultural firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange from the year 2013 to 2022. The study used secondary data collected from audited financial statements of listed agricultural companies at the NSE. The empirical data was coded and analyzed using R-Studio, to establish the relationship between the variables of the study. The moderating effect of dividend policy was tested using the stepwise regression technique by employing a Three-step approach by Baron and Kenny (1986).
Findings: The results of the study revealed that 21% and 23% of the changes in the dependent variable can be well explained by the predictor variables without moderating variable and with moderating variable respectively. From the study, Debt has a negative and not significant effect on ROE. Share Capital has a negative and significant effect on ROE and Retained Earnings has a positive and significant effect on ROE. The moderating variable (dividend decisions) had a negative a not significant effect on the relationship between capital structure and ROE. It was concluded that the moderating variable has no significant effect on the relationship between capital structure and financial performance of agricultural firms listed at the NSE.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study provides empirical evidence from the agricultural sector in Kenya, which is underrepresented in financial literature. It challenges the universality of some theoretical assumptions, especially regarding the role of dividend in capital structure-performance dynamics
Transaction Income and Financial Performance of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nairobi County, Kenya
Get PDFPurpose: Deposit-taking Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Kenya are important due to the role they play in financial intermediation. The deposit-taking SACCOs pool members’ deposits and issue loans to them at a predetermined rate of interest. The financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs is highly dependent upon the interest income they receive from loans. Consequently, diversification by deposit-taking SACCOs into non-interest income has steadily been demanded due to the need for financial institutions to ground their financial performance in the wake of declining income, mainly due to overdependence on interest income. This study sought to determine the effect of transaction income on the financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Nairobi County in Kenya.
Methodology: The study targeted all 39 DT-SACCOs in Nairobi County, Kenya; hence, a census study was conducted. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, averages, and root mean square deviation, were produced for all the numerical data. Inferential statistics was done using the panel regression model. The results were presented using tables. A data collection matrix was used to collect data on the financial performance of the DTSACCOs, and was analyzed using STATA 18, and the outcome is presented in tables using statistics such as means, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages.
Findings: The findings of the panel regression model indicated a positive and significant effect between transaction income and the financial performance of DT-SACCOs in Nairobi County, Kenya.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that DTSACCOs in Nairobi County, Kenya, establish a diversified transaction-based revenue policy that allows them to sustainably monetize essential member services while ensuring affordability and transparency. The policy can be done by introducing a tiered pricing structure based on the type of service, frequency of usage, and channel used (e.g., mobile, in-person, or digital)
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Innovation in UAE Companies
Get PDFPurpose: Organizational culture is widely recognized as a fundamental element that can drive or force innovation, especially in dynamic economies such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This research is dedicated to examining the impact of organizational culture on innovative practices within UAE companies and providing actionable insights to business leaders and policymakers. This study investigates how specific cultural attributes—learning orientation, knowledge‐sharing, leadership backing, and openness to collaboration—shape innovation in Emirati firms.
Methodology: A qualitative, multiple–case design was employed. Three innovation-leading companies (technology, renewable energy, and financial services) were selected purposively. Data came from corporate reports, semi-structured interviews (n = 27), and peer-reviewed literature (2020-2025). Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo 14, enabled triangulation across sources.
Findings: Adaptive cultures marked by inclusivity, trust, risk tolerance, and open communication consistently generated higher innovation outputs, whereas rigid hierarchies curtailed experimentation.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: The work extends Schein’s cultural model to a Gulf context, offers managers an evidence-based cultural roadmap, and supports UAE Vision 2031 by demonstrating how internal culture converts national policy into firm-level innovation. 
Influence of Gender Roles on Career Choices in Kenya
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of gender roles on career choices in Kenya.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Traditional gender roles in Kenya steer men toward fields like engineering and leadership, while women gravitate toward caregiving roles such as teaching. Societal norms and limited access to education, especially in rural areas, reinforce these stereotypes. A 2021 study found 70% of participants felt gender expectations shaped their career paths. Efforts like STEM programs for girls are challenging these norms, but progress is slow. Achieving equitable career opportunities requires breaking these stereotypes and promoting choice based on ability and interest.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social role theory, gender schema theory & expectancy-value theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the influence of gender roles on career choices in Kenya. Practically, educational institutions must implement gender-neutral career counseling programs that provide all students with equal opportunities to explore a wide range of career options, irrespective of their gender. Policy interventions should focus on addressing systemic gender inequalities in the workforc