Alagappa University

Values plays fundamental role in enhancing the personality and social behaviour of individuals. An attempt made to investigate the attitude of secondary school students towards values with reference to selected demographic variables such as gender, locality, parents’ occupation, and standard of study. The study adopted the normative survey method to explore the attitude of students. The sample consisted of 100 secondary school students studying in IX and X standards, including 50 males and 50 female students. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique from a government co-educational secondary school. A self-constructed Attitude towards Values Scale consisting of 20 statements based on a five-point Likert format was used to collect data. The responses ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, and the independent sample t-test were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that secondary students possess a moderate to high level of attitude towards values. Further analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in students’ attitudes towards values with respect to gender, locality, parents’ occupation, and standard of study. The results highlight the importance of value-based education in strengthening students’ moral awareness and social responsibility. The study suggests that schools should continue to emphasise value education as part of holistic student development.

Mathematics anxiety is a pervasive psychological construct that negatively influences students’ academic performance, self-confidence, and engagement in mathematical learning. The present study examines the level of mathematics anxiety among high school students and explores its variation across selected demographic variables. A descriptive survey method was employed, and data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 300 Grade IX students studying in high schools in and around Karaikudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu, India. The Mathematics Anxiety Scale was used as the primary instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, along with inferential analysis using the t-test, were applied to analyze the data. The results indicate that a majority of students experience moderate to severe levels of mathematics anxiety. A statistically significant difference in mathematics anxiety was observed only with respect to the type of school management (government and private). No significant differences were found in relation to gender, locality (rural and urban), or medium of instruction (Tamil and English). These findings suggest that institutional factors may exert a greater influence than demographic variables in shaping students’ emotional responses to mathematics. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for learner-centred pedagogical practices, supportive classroom environments, and inclusive instructional strategies to mitigate mathematics anxiety and promote positive attitudes toward mathematics learning at the high school level.

Abstract Bangladesh, a highly climate-vulnerable nation, is increasingly confronting climate change challenges, especially in the coastal areas. This research investigates the knowledge, abilities, and practices of primary teachers related to Climate Change Education (CCE) within the national curriculum framework. Drawing upon a qualitative phenomenology, in-depth interviews with 30 teachers in Shyamnagar sub-district, Satkhira district, a highly climate-hazard-affected area reveal that climate change content is lacking chronological integration in discipline-based learning areas like Science, Bangladesh & Global Studies, and Religion. The teachers’ understanding was found to vary, with a predisposition towards learning areas based on patchy textbook materials and sparse professional development. Even with acknowledgment of the significance of CCE in promoting climate resilience and environmental literacy in students, teachers point to the lack of systematic guidance, localized materials, and capacity development programs. This research emphasizes the necessity of revamping the curriculum to embed integrated, location-based, and age-relevant climate education. It stresses the need to provide targeted teaching capacity building to ensure pedagogic competence to deliver CCE. The findings of the research have significant policy implications for aligning the National Education Policy of Bangladesh with actual implementation for enabling the empowerment of future generations to address climate challenges. The paper contributes to policy deliberations for including sustainable development and disaster risk reduction practices in the primary school curriculum and textbooks.

In the context of medieval Chola inscriptions, the abstract covers the "Nagarathars," a business community also known as "Nattukottai Chettiars."The Nagarathars family was renowned for their involvement in banking, lending, and business.They founded a business association and a renowned business community by being actively involved in Tamil social and religious events.The inscriptions also mention their contribution to many temples, as well as their involvement in land transactions.The inscriptions provide a glimpse into the humanitarian activities of the Nagarathars, which include donations, temple renovations, and land grants.The dedication of the Nagarathars towards religious establishments is reflected by the inscription of their contributions to many temples.To provide a historical context, the study also refers to references of merchants and merchant guilds in medieval Tamil Nadu.The inscriptions from the important archaeological site of "Narthamalai" reflect the involvement of the Nagarathars.They played a major role in the economics and religious establishments of the area, both of which were crucial for the socioeconomic growth of the area.

To identify genomic risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), in South Indians. Phenotyping, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), of South Indians (n = 2538) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) was obtained. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed for DR, PDR, and DME with covariate adjustment. The results were replicated in two cohorts. T2D polygenic risk scores (PRS) were examined to determine if DR cases were enriched for T2D loci. A novel locus on chromosome 10 [rs11199996 (OR = 4.10, P = 2.88 × 10–8)] was associated with PDR, replicated in other cohorts, and is located near genes involved in retinal light transduction and growth hormone signaling. Several near genome-wide significant loci were identified, including rs76323047 in the glucokinase gene (GCK, P = 3.89 × 10–7), a glucose sensor; this risk variant displays higher frequency in Asian populations. T2D PRS showed consistent associations with DR, particularly PDR, suggesting that DR cases have a higher genetic load for T2D. This first DR GWAS in South Indians identified a significant association between a chromosome 10 variant and PDR. We also found notable associations of T2D PRS with DR.

India's large population and lack of job prospects make the gig economy an unavoidable option.Platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, Amazon, and Flipkart are fostering Indian gig economy, providing 2-3 per cent jobless individuals with a second chance to work in on-demand service positions (Malik & Gupta, 2023).In recent years, urban Indian cities have developed an economic boom concentrated on appbased delivery services, particularly to meet the needs of middle-and upper-middleclass consumers.The research paper presents the socio-demographic, income and savings behaviour of different app-based workers in the Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, India.The gig economy has become an essential aspect of India's labour market, driven by the large population and lack of traditional job prospects.Platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, Amazon, and Flipkart provide opportunities for jobless individuals, particularly in urban areas.This research investigates the gig economy's impact on workers' socioeconomic status in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.Utilizing a combination of primary data from 320 respondents and secondary data, the study explores the diverse backgrounds of gig workers, their educational levels, and migration patterns.An Analysis of The Monthly Earnings and Savings of App-Based GIG Workers https://iaeme.com/

Handball is a high-intensity sport requiring superior cardiorespiratory fitness and efficient physiological functioning. Yogic practices such as Surya Namaskar may serve as effective supplementary conditioning methods to improve aerobic capacity and recovery in athletes. The study was to examine the influence of fast and slow Surya Namaskar training on physiological variables among college male handball players. Forty-five male handball players aged 18-25 years were selected from Alagappa University-affiliated colleges. The subjects were randomly assigned into three squads (n=15 each): Squad I (fast Surya Namaskar), Squad II (slow Surya Namaskar), and Squad III (control). The treatment squads underwent an 8-week Surya Namaskar training program, while the control squad followed their routine without additional training. VO₂ max and resting heart rate were assessed before and after the interference. The data were analysed using SPSS-26 T-Test & ANOVA. The results revealed significant improvements in VO₂ max and significant reductions in resting heart rate in both fast and slow Surya Namaskar squads compared to the control squad. The study concludes that both fast and slow Surya Namaskar practices are effective training interventions for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and lowering resting heart rate among college handball players.