Volume 14 | Issue 5 |

 Abstract

Repetitive clenching or grinding of teeth is the hallmark of bruxism, a parafunctional behaviour that causes tooth deterioration, muscular exhaustion, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Recent research emphasises the significance of occlusion in its pathogenesis, which has hitherto been thought to be complex with a significant psychological component. A quantifiable occlusal therapy for lowering bruxism activity is Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR), which is accomplished through Immediate Complete Anterior Guidance Development (ICAGD). The purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness of DTR in treating bruxism, with a focus on the neurophysiological underpinnings, clinical results, and supporting data. Research shows that muscular hyperactivity, bruxism frequency, and related symptoms are considerably reduced when disclusion time is reduced to less than 0.5 seconds . Additionally, DTR enhances patient-reported results and occlusal force distribution . While encouraging, more randomised controlled trials are needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.

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 Keywords

ICAGD, Occlusion, TMD, Disclusion Time Reduction, Bruxism

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Study focuses on effectiveness of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in rural India from a sociological perspective. Gender inequality remains a major challenge in rural society, where women often experience discrimination in education, employment, decision-making, property rights, and social participation due to patriarchal norms, economic dependency, and limited access to resources. In this context, SHGs have emerged as an important mechanism for improving the socio-economic conditions of rural women through savings, credit activities, collective participation, and awareness generation The study is based on secondary data collected from books, research articles, government reports, journals, and policy documents. It analyzes the role of SHGs in enhancing women's economic independence, social awareness, political participation, leadership development, and decision-making power. The study is supported by sociological perspectives such as Feminist Theory, Empowerment Theory, and Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, which explain how SHGs contribute to challenging patriarchal structures and expanding women's capabilities and opportunities. The findings indicate that SHGs significantly contribute to women's economic and social empowerment by improving access to microcredit, skill development, income-generating activities, and community participation. SHGs also promote awareness regarding education, healthcare, legal rights, and gender justice, thereby strengthening women's confidence and collective identity. Furthermore, participation in SHGs enhances women's involvement in household decision-making and local governance institutions. However, the study also observes that the effectiveness of SHGs varies across regions due to factors such as illiteracy, caste hierarchy, poverty, patriarchal attitudes, and inadequate institutional support. The study concludes that SHGs are not merely financial institutions but important agents of social transformation that contribute to gender equality and inclusive rural development. Strengthening SHGs through policy support, education, training, and institutional assistance can further enhance their role in achieving sustainable women's empowerment and social justice in rural areas.

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 Keywords

Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Rural Development, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment, Patriarchy, Microfinance, Rural Women, Sociological Perspective, Decision-Making, Social Change, Capability Approach, Feminist Theory, Empowerment Theory.

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 Abstract

The relationship between Islamic law and international women's human rights has long been the subject of scholarly debate, particularly in the context of gender equality, family law, and personal status regulations in Muslim-majority societies. This paper examines the role of ijtihad independent juristic reasoning as a transformative mechanism capable of reconciling Islamic jurisprudence with international human rights norms, especially those concerning women's rights. It argues that many gender inequalities attributed to Islamic law are rooted not in immutable divine injunctions but in historically conditioned patriarchal interpretations of fiqh. Through the revival of contextual and purposive interpretations grounded in maq??id al-shar??ah (objectives of Islamic law), ijtihad offers a legitimate internal methodology for reform. The paper analyses the evolution of ijtihad, its decline and revival, and the contributions of contemporary Muslim reformist scholars such as Abdullah Ahmed An-Na?im, Amina Wadud, Fazlur Rahman, Khaled Abou El Fadl, and Jasser Auda. It further evaluates the compatibility between Islamic legal principles and international human rights instruments, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The study concludes that dynamic ijtihad can serve as a normative bridge between Islamic legal traditions and universal women's human rights by promoting justice, dignity, equality, and social welfare without undermining Islamic authenticity.

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 Keywords

Ijtihad, Islamic legal reform, women's rights, CEDAW, maq??id al-shar??ah, gender justice, Islamic jurisprudence, human rights.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

In The NeuroJoy system is an accessibility-first mental health and communication application designed to support disabled, neurodiverse, and non-verbal users. It addresses the lack of inclusive communication tools and integrated wellness solutions often overlooked by mainstream technology. With a high-contrast interface, customizable text-to-speech paths, and voice prompts, NeuroJoy enables effortless self-expression while reducing visual strain. Its multi-user profile management makes it ideal for therapy, classrooms, and caregiving environments, while smart sorting of common communication paths ensures faster, smoother interactions. To further broaden accessibility, the platform supports localization in English, Hindi, Marathi allowing users and caregivers worldwide to engage without language barriers.Looking ahead, NeuroJoy is set to expand with daily mood check-ins, cognitive mini games for memory and relaxation, and private therapy logs that help track progress and insights in a safe space

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 Keywords

Neurodiverse individuals, Text-to-speech (TTS), Multilingual support, Disabled users

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Video editing is now more accessible to the development of modern tools with the popularity of digital media. Consequently, the altered videos may quickly confuse individuals, particularly with fake news or fake evidence. This paper proposes a method to identify video forgeries using deep learning technologies such as Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN), LSTM, and Faster R-CNN-based object detection techniques [2][3][4].The system is implemented as a web-based interface where users are allowed to upload videos. The video input is divided into frames to be analysed, and each frame is analysed to determine potential changes. Spatial features of each frame are learned using DCNN, and temporal dependencies between frames are learned with the help of LSTM. In addition to this, there is also the Faster R-CNN (Region Based Convolutional Neural Network) method of object detection that localises the very REGIONS that the video may have been manipulated. Finally, the system identifies whether the video is authentic or not and whether manipulated regions are identified. Based on the findings, the system is competitive in accuracy and efficiency. The suggested system could be applied in practice in finding fake videos, digital forensics investigations, and verification of online sources.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Video Forgery Detection, CNN, LSTM, Object Detection, Deep Learning, Digital Forensics

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

T.A.R.S. (Talk. Acknowledge. Reflect. Stabilise.) is a production-deployed AI-powered mental health conversational system designed to provide emotionally intelligent and personalized support through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and sentiment-aware dialogue generation. The system integrates a fine-tuned RoBERTa-based sentiment classifier, achieving 85.9% accuracy, with LangChain and ChromaDB-based persistent memory to maintain long-term conversational context. Built using a FastAPI backend, PostgreSQL persistence layer, and a React frontend deployed on Vercel, T.A.R.S. delivers scalable, privacy-focused, and adaptive therapeutic interactions. The proposed architecture addresses major limitations of existing AI therapy systems, including lack of memory continuity, limited personalization, and poor emotional understanding, establishing a practical framework for next-generation mental health AI systems.

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 Keywords

Conversational AI, Mental Health, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Sentiment Analysis, Emotionally Intelligent AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), RoBERTa, LangChain, ChromaDB, Therapeutic Chatbot, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Transformer Models, AI Mental Health Support, Vector Database, Persistent Memory, Semantic Retrieval, Context-Aware Dialogue Systems, Emotion Classification, Human-Computer Interaction, Personalized AI, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Full-Stack AI System, Cloud Deployment,

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This paper presents a secure compression-aware WebP steganography framework for hidden PDF transmission using Brotli compression, AES-256 encryption, and tri-level luminance adaptive LSB embedding. The payload is first compressed to reduce redundancy and then encrypted to ensure confidentiality before embedding into lossless WebP images. A key contribution is the proposed LSB-safe luminance stabilization mechanism, which prevents adaptive threshold drift and ensures deterministic sender-receiver synchronization during extraction. Experimental evaluation on three WebP cover-image scales achieved PSNR values from 61.03 dB to 68.20 dB, SSIM up to 0.999999, and BER as low as 0.00053280, confirming excellent imperceptibility and reliable payload recovery. The framework provides a practical and secure solution for covert document communication.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

WebP steganography, Brotli compression, AES-256 encryption, tri-level luminance adaptive embedding, LSB-safe luminance stabilization.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are vital to rural healthcare, making the timely availability of medical supplies crucial for effective patient care. This study examines the impact of inventory management practices specifically stock maintenance, procurement processes, and storage techniques on the service efficiency of Primary Health Centres. Adopting a descriptive research design, primary data was collected from medical officers, pharmacists, and administrative staff using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between inventory control measures (such as stock-out frequency and lead time management) and service quality metrics, including essential drug availability and patient waiting times. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between efficient inventory management and improved healthcare delivery. Conversely, frequent stock-outs and inadequate demand forecasting directly contribute to extended patient waiting times and service bottlenecks. The study concludes that adopting systematic inventory control techniques, such as robust stock monitoring and accurate demand prediction, is essential to minimize medicine shortages, reduce wastage, and significantly enhance operational efficiency in PHCs.

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 Keywords

Inventory Management; Primary Health Centres (PHCs); Service Efficiency; Healthcare Supply Chain; Rural Healthcare

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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The rapid growth of e-commerce and digital logistics has increased the demand for fast, reliable, and transparent courier services. Real-time delivery tracking systems have become an essential technological innovation in improving operational performance within logistics organizations. Technologies such as GPS, barcode scanning, Internet of Things (IoT), RFID, and digital logistics platforms enable continuous shipment monitoring and provide accurate delivery updates to customers and operational staff. The present study examines the impact of real-time delivery tracking systems on operational performance at DTDC Courier Services. The study focuses on how tracking systems influence delivery efficiency, delivery reliability, customer satisfaction, operational coordination, and shipment transparency. Primary data was collected from 103 employees of DTDC Courier Services through a structured questionnaire using simple random sampling. Secondary data was collected from journals, company reports, websites, and previous research studies. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, correlation, regression, chi-square, and ANOVA were used for analysis through MS Excel and SPSS. The findings indicate that respondents strongly agree that real-time tracking systems improve service efficiency, customer satisfaction, delivery accuracy, and operational transparency. Customers also expect more frequent tracking updates and improved user-friendliness in tracking systems. The study concludes that real-time delivery tracking systems significantly contribute to improving operational performance and customer confidence in DTDC Courier Services.

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 Keywords

Real-Time Tracking, Operational Performance, DTDC, Logistics Management, Customer Satisfaction, Courier Services, Delivery Efficiency.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a critical environmental challenge in rapidly urbanizing Tier-II cities of India, where inadequate infrastructure often leads to open dumping, methane emissions, and resource wastage. This study performs a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the MSW management system in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, following ISO 14040/14044 standards. Gwalior, with a population exceeding 1.2 million, generates approximately 380-484 tons per day (TPD) of MSW, predominantly organic (55-58%), followed by recyclables (20-25%) and inerts. The current system involves partial door-to-door collection (70-80% efficiency, ~200-400 TPD), transportation to the Kedarpur site (25 ha, operated via public-private partnership with M/s AKC Developers), mechanical segregation, composting (capacity ~370 TPD), refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production (MRF capacity ~250 TPD), and residual open dumping/landfilling, compounded by legacy waste of ~603,089 metric tons targeted for remediation by March 2025. The LCA evaluates cradle-to-grave impacts using a functional unit of 1 ton of MSW, drawing on secondary data from GMC reports, CPCB inventories, and analogous Indian studies. Key impact categories assessed via CML 2001 method include global warming potential (GWP: 500-700 kg CO?-eq/ton, dominated by uncontrolled methane from dumps), acidification potential (AP: 1.0-1.5 kg SO?-eq/ton), eutrophication potential (EP: 0.6-1.0 kg PO?-eq/ton), and human toxicity potential (HTP: 10-20 kg 1,4-DB-eq/ton). Baseline results highlight open dumping as the primary hotspot, mirroring inefficiencies in similar Indian contexts (e.g., Nagpur, Tricity region). Alternative scenarios--enhanced organics diversion to anaerobic digestion/biogas and expanded RDF utilization--demonstrate potential reductions of 60-80% in GWP through methane capture and energy recovery. Sensitivity analyses emphasize improved collection efficiency and source segregation as leverage points. This depth analysis identifies environmental hotspots, underscores the urgency of integrated, circular approaches aligned with Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to advance sustainable urban resilience in Gwalior and comparable cities. Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Municipal Solid Waste Management, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Global Warming Potential, Open Dumping, Composting, Refuse-Derived Fuel, Anaerobic Digestion, Circular Economy .Sensitivity analysis on collection efficiency and processing rates. Scenarios: Baseline (current), S1 (enhanced composting + biogas), S2 (incineration with energy recovery), benchmarked against Tricity and Delhi.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Life Cycle Assessment,Municipal solid waste management,Global Warming Potential Open dumping.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition