Electrical Consumption Monitoring and Variance Analysis in Selected Institutional Buildings: Basis for Energy Efficiency Management

Energy efficiency has become a strategic priority in higher education institutions due to rising operational costs and sustainability commitments. This study analyzes electrical consumption patterns and variance across selected institutional buildings to support data-driven energy efficiency management. A descriptive-analytical design was employed using secondary data from monthly electrical monitoring records, focusing on average consumption, current usage, differential values, and percentage changes. Results indicate significant variation in energy consumption across facilities, reflecting differences in operational demand, occupancy, and system efficiency. Several buildings exhibited increased consumption relative to baseline levels, suggesting potential inefficiencies or shifts in utilization patterns. Variance analysis further revealed disparities in energy performance, highlighting the need for facility-specific management strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating real-time monitoring systems, standardized reporting, and energy management systems (EMS) to optimize electricity use. The study contributes to institutional sustainability efforts by providing empirical evidence for policy development, infrastructure improvement, and behavioral interventions aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7

Does Higher Pay Create More Jobs? Evidence from Indonesia\u27s Manufacturing Sector

This study examines the relationship between wage growth and employment outcomes in Indonesia’s manufacturing sector over the period 2015–2023 from TradingEconomics and BPS data. To analyze the data, the research employs a quantitative approach by using descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and regression modeling. A simple linear regression model was employed, with the support of Python Codelabs as a testing and data analysis tool. The use of Python allowed for efficient data processing, regression analysis, and visualization of the correlation between the variables. Descriptive findings indicate a steady rise in manufacturing wages and a relatively stable workforce share, with a sharp deviation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While wages and employment grew in tandem pre-2020, this link weakened post-pandemic, revealing structural disruptions. Regression analysis confirms a positive but statistically insignificant relationship between wages and manufacturing workforce share (coefficient = 0.3684; p = 0.426), and an even weaker, negative, and insignificant association with the unemployment rate(coefficient = -0.0783; p = 0.836). These results highlight that wage increases alone do not significantly influence employment or unemployment trends. Broader structural factors, such as technological change, policy interventions, and macroeconomic shocks, play a more decisive role. Therefore, wage policy should be integrated with productivity and labor market reforms to effectively stimulate employment

Development and Acceptability of Calamansi Ginger Concentrate

This  study  aimed  to  develop  and  assess  the  acceptability  of  a  calamansi- ginger  concentrate,  combining  the  nutritional  benefits  of  calamansi  (Citrus  microcarpa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) to create a health-focused beverage. The concentrate was prepared with varying concentrations of ginger extract—5%, 10%, and 15%—along with basic condiments like sugar, water, and salt. A sensory evaluation was conducted with 50 respondents using a 9-point hedonic scale, measuring taste, aroma, aftertaste, color, and general acceptability. Results indicated that the 15% ginger extract formulation was most favored in terms of taste, aftertaste, and overall acceptability, while the 5% ginger extract had the lowest scores. The findings suggest that the higher ginger concentration provided a  more  pronounced  and  pleasant  flavor,  enhancing  the  overall  consumer  experience. Although aroma and color were not significant factors, the study highlighted the importance of ginger intensity in shaping consumer preferences. The findings offer valuable insights for product development, emphasizing the 15%  ginger  extract  formulation  for  broader market appeal and potential health benefits

Bibliometric Analysis of Climate-Smart Agriculture: Trends, Research Gaps, and Impacts on Crop Production

Climate-Smart  Agriculture  (CSA)  plays  a  critical  role  in  combating  climate change, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable crop production. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of CSA research from 2015 to 2024, leveraging data from the Scopus database. The analysis pursues three main objectives: (1) examining research trends by tracking publication growth, subject areas, and document types; (2) identifying gaps in research by evaluating the distribution across countries, institutions, and funding sources; and (3) proposing directions for future research. Using a Boolean search string (“climate-smart agriculture” OR “CSA” OR “climate resilient agriculture” OR “sustainable agriculture”)  AND  (“bibliometric  analysis”  OR  “scientometric  analysis”  OR  “systematic mapping” OR “literature review” OR “science mapping”) AND (“crop production” OR “crop yield” OR “agricultural productivity” OR “farming systems”), data were retrieved from titles, abstracts, and keywords. After screening, 111 documents were retained for analysis, with bibliometric graphs and outputs generated directly from Scopus to ensure precision. Results show a consistent growth in CSA research, with a notable surge in 2024. Environmental Science (24.4%) and Agricultural and Biological Sciences (20.9%) emerged as the dominant fields,  while  the  study  also  highlighted  CSA\u27s  interdisciplinary  nature,  with  contributions from Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Energy. India, the United States, and China led in research output, supported by robust institutional and funding networks. However, significant gaps remain in Africa and Latin America, with a scarcity of studies focused on socio-economic aspects and policy development. To propel CSA towards greater impact, it is crucial to foster collaborations, expand regional participation, and diversify funding sources, thereby advancing sustainable crop productivity and climate resilience globally

A stochastic algorithm for deterministic multistage optimization problems

International audienceSeveral attempt to dampen the curse of dimensionnality problem of the Dynamic Programming approach for solving multistage optimization problems have been investigated. One popular way to address this issue is the Stochastic Dual Dynamic Programming method (SDDP) introduced by Perreira and Pinto in 1991 for Markov Decision Processes.Assuming that the value function is convex (for a minimization problem), one builds a non-decreasing sequence of lower (or outer) convex approximations of the value function. Those convex approximations are constructed as a supremum of affine cuts. On continuous time deterministic optimal control problems, assuming that the value function is semiconvex, Zheng Qu, inspired by the work of McEneaney, introduced in 2013 a stochastic max-plus scheme that builds upper (or inner) non-increasing approximations of the value function. In this note, we build a common framework for both the SDDP and a discrete time version of Zheng Qu's algorithm to solve deterministic multistage optimization problems. Our algorithm generates monotone approximations of the value functions as a pointwise supremum, or infimum, of basic (affine or quadratic for example) functions which are randomly selected. We give sufficient conditions on the way basic functions are selected in order to ensure almost sure convergence of the approximations to the value function on a set of interest

Braving the Waves: Narratives of Women Drift Net Fisher folks

This study examines the experiences of women engaged in pamukot or drift net fishing in Buenavista, Guimaras, Philippines, where women’s contributions to small-scale fisheries are often undervalued. Guided by the Gender Dynamics in Fisheries Participation Framework, the study explored their fishing activities, roles, motivations, and challenges. Five women with at least 15 years of experience were purposively selected as informants, and data were gathered through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results revealed that women play crucial roles in fishing and household livelihoods, ranging from assisting their husbands, preparing and repairing nets, and marketing products, to managing conflicts and providing emotional support. Their motivations stem from economic necessity, family cooperation, and  a  sense  of  enjoyment.  However,  they  face  challenges  such  as  inclement  weather, equipment loss, occupational health risks, and balancing childcare with fishing duties. The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive programs, safety training, livelihood support, and disaster preparedness to strengthen women’s participation and promote sustainable fisheries development

Teachers\u27 Instructional Competence and Classroom Management Skill: Bases for Enhancement

This study examined the instructional competence and classroom management skills of Senior High School (SHS) teachers in the Schools Division of Iloilo, Philippines, for School Year 2024–2025, aiming to inform enhancement efforts. Using a descriptive-correlational design with a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 300 SHS teachers through a validated and reliable questionnaire. It employed both descriptive and inferential statistics—such as frequency, percentage, mean, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Spearman’s rho—to analyze the data.The results showed that SHS teachers in Iloilo demonstrated very high levels of instructional competence and classroom management skills. Instructional competence was most prominent in student engagement, while classroom management excelled in discipline and teacher-student relationships. The study found significant differences in instructional competence only when teachers were grouped by educational attainment. In contrast, classroom management skills varied significantly across educational attainment, subject group, and specialization. A strong positive correlation existed between instructional competence and classroom management skills.The study concludes that SHS teachers exhibit strong instructional and classroom management abilities but recommend improvements in engaging disengaged learners and managing time effectively. Educational attainment plays a significant role in both competencies and classroom management, highlighting the need for advanced academic preparation. Based on these findings, a targeted professional development program is recommended, focusing on differentiated strategies for learner engagement, adaptive teaching, and time management, tailored to teachers\u27 qualifications and subject specializations

Reframing Instructional Competence: A Phenomenological Study of Pupils’ and Parents’ Lived Experiences in Philippine Public ElementarySchools

This study examines instructional competence through a phenomenological lens by exploring the lived experiences of pupils and parents in a Philippine public elementary  school context. Anchored in constructivist learning theory, creative pedagogy, and reflective practice, the research conceptualizes teaching competence as a multidimensional construct encompassing cognitive, relational, and ethical dimensions. Using purposive sampling, twenty participants—comprising ten pupils and ten parents—were selected to provide in-depth insights through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, ensuring rigor through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability measures.Findings reveal that instructional competence is primarily understood through relational competence, demonstrative and scaffolded teaching practices, and observable learner outcomes, particularly in literacy development. Pupils emphasized the importance of teacher kindness, clarity of instruction, and engaginglearning activities, while parents highlighted visible improvements in their children’s readingand writing skills as indicators of effective teaching. However, a significant tension emerged between effective pedagogical practices and the persistence of corporal punishment, reflecting a misalignment between instructional competence and child protection principles. Additionally, discrepancies between pupils’ lived experiences and parents’ perceptions underscore the need for more inclusive evaluation mechanisms.The study concludes that instructional competence extends beyond technical teaching skills to include ethical and relational dimensions that promote a safe and supportive learning environment. It recommends strengthening teacher development programs on positive discipline and learner-centered pedagogy, enhancing participatory evaluation systems, and reinforcing policy implementation aligned with the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers. Thesefindings contribute to policy and practice by providing a stakeholder-informed perspective on teacher competence in Philippine basic educatio

A mean-field model of Integrate-and-Fire neurons: non-linear stability of the stationary solutions

International audienceWe investigate a stochastic network composed of Integrate-and-Fire spiking neurons, focusing on its mean-field asymptotics. We consider an invariant probability measure of the McKean-Vlasov equation and establish an explicit sufficient condition to ensure the local stability of this invariant distribution. Furthermore, we prove a conjecture proposed initially by J. Touboul and P. Robert regarding the bistable nature of a specific instance of this neuronal model

Utilization and Attitudes Toward Recycled and Reused Materialsas Teaching Resources Among Student Demonstrators

This study investigates the utilization and perception of recycled and reused materials as instructional materials in the pedagogical process among Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) students. With increasing environmental concerns, including waste disposal and resource conservation, this research aims to explore how sustainable practices, such as recycling and reusing, can be integrated into the teaching and learning process. The study used a quasi-experimental design, involving 27 second-year BEEd students who conducted demonstration teaching using various recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, cans, and newspapers. Data were collected through interviews and observations, which were then analyzed using a thematic approach. The results revealed that recycled materials were frequently used due to their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. Participants highlighted the advantages of using these materials, such as reducing waste, saving money, and promoting creativity. However, challenges were noted in terms of preparation and the perceived effectiveness of these materials in enhancing student learning. The study concludes that while the use of recycled and reused materials has potential educational and environmental benefits, further support in terms of teacher training and resources is necessary to fully integrate these materials into teaching strategies. The findings suggest the need for continued research and initiatives to promote sustainable practices in education