General Background: Polymer materials have become essential components in modern technology due to their lightweight structure, chemical stability, and adaptable physical characteristics. Specific Background: Advances in polymer science have enabled the modification of molecular structures and the integration of nanoparticles, allowing polymers to perform functions beyond traditional insulating and structural roles. Knowledge Gap: Despite extensive use in industrial and technological fields, a comprehensive conceptual synthesis linking polymer structure, classification, properties, and emerging nanotechnology applications remains necessary to clarify their functional relationships. Aims: This study analyzes the fundamental principles of polymer science, including structural composition, polymerization mechanisms, classifications, and key physical and chemical properties, while highlighting emerging nanopolymer applications. Results: The analysis demonstrates that polymer performance is strongly related to molecular structure, degree of polymerization, and intermolecular interactions. The integration of metal and oxide nanoparticles within polymer matrices introduces additional optical, electrical, and catalytic functionalities. Novelty: The work provides an integrated conceptual overview connecting classical polymer theory with modern nanocomposite developments in materials science. Implications: Understanding the structure–property relationship of polymers supports the development of advanced materials for applications in electronics, renewable energy systems, biosensors, and biomedical technologies, while also emphasizing the importance of sustainable polymer research. Keywords: Polymer Science, Nanopolymer Materials, Polymer Structure, Polymer Nanocomposites, Materials Engineering Key Findings Highlights Polymer molecular structure determines mechanical, thermal, and electrical material behavior. Nanoparticle integration introduces new optical and electronic functionalities in polymer systems. Polymer nanocomposites support emerging technologies in energy systems, sensing devices, and biomedical materials.

General Background: Islamic Religious Education requires learning approaches that support not only cognitive attainment but also the affective domain and character formation. Specific Background: At SMP Muhammadiyah 56 Binjai, Grade VII Islamic Religious Education learning was still largely teacher centered, theoretical, and minimally dialogic, so students had limited opportunities to reflect on and internalize Islamic values in daily life. Knowledge Gap: Existing learning practices had not optimally facilitated value clarification, moral reflection, and conscious decision making, while students’ Islamic character awareness remained low. Aims: This study aimed to develop a multimedia based Value Clarification Technique model for Islamic Religious Education and examine its feasibility, practicality, and outcomes in fostering students’ Islamic character awareness. Results: Using Research and Development with the ADDIE model, the study involved 18 Grade VII students, an Islamic Religious Education teacher, and school stakeholders. The developed product obtained very high material validity (98%) and design validity (97%), while practicality reached an average of 95.2%. Learning outcomes also improved, with the mean score increasing from 54 on the pretest to 80 on the posttest, an N-Gain of 0.534 in the moderate category, and mastery rising from 11% to 83%. Novelty: The study offers an integrative Value Clarification Technique model supported by interactive video and reflective value discussion specifically designed for Islamic Religious Education. Implications: This model provides a structured and contextual alternative for strengthening Islamic character awareness and the affective dimension of learning in junior secondary Islamic Religious Education. Highlights• Developed a multimedia-supported Value Clarification Technique model through the ADDIE stages for Grade VII Islamic Religious Education.• Achieved very high feasibility and usability, with 98% material validity, 97% design validity, and 95.2% practicality.• Recorded learning progress from a mean pretest score of 54 to 80, with N-Gain 0.534 and mastery rising from 11% to 83%. KeywordsValue Clarification Technique; Islamic Religious Education; Islamic Character Awareness; Multimedia Learning; Affective Domain

General Background: The development of the media sector is often associated with legal frameworks that regulate freedom of expression, institutional oversight, and participation of private actors in communication industries. Specific Background: In Afghanistan, the media landscape experienced significant quantitative growth after 2001 following political and legal reforms that permitted private ownership and cooperation with international organizations. Knowledge Gap: Although this expansion has been widely acknowledged, limited scholarly analysis has systematically examined how specific legal instruments contributed to the emergence and growth of privately operated media outlets during the post-2001 period. Aims: This study investigates the role of media laws in the growth of private media in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. Results: Using qualitative analysis of legal documents and statistical data on media development, the study identifies the Constitution of Afghanistan, the Mass Media Law, and the Right to Access to Information Law, together with the establishment of regulatory institutions, as central elements supporting the establishment of private media organizations. During two decades, the sector expanded to more than 1,327 print outlets, 349 radio stations, and 203 private television channels. Novelty: The research provides an integrated examination of legal frameworks and sectoral expansion by combining legal analysis with statistical evidence on media proliferation. Implications: The findings suggest that coherent media legislation, supportive governance, and independent regulatory bodies are important policy considerations for sustaining pluralistic media systems and maintaining the development of privately operated media institutions in Afghanistan. Highlights:• Legal Reforms After 2001 Permitted Privately Operated Broadcasting and Publishing Activities.• Registration Data Indicate Rapid Proliferation of Print Outlets, Radio Stations, and Television Channels.• Constitutional Provisions and Information Access Legislation Structured the Regulatory Environment. Keywords: Afghanistan Media Law, Private Media Development, Mass Media Regulation, Access To Information Law, Media Sector Growth.

General Background: Tourism companies increasingly prioritize service quality to remain competitive in a rapidly changing tourism environment. Specific Background: Behavioral integration within management teams, reflected in information exchange, cooperative behavior, and participation in decision making, is considered an important organizational process that supports coordinated managerial work. Knowledge Gap: However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the relationship between behavioral integration and tourism service quality within Iraqi tourism companies. Aims: This study examines the relationship between behavioral integration of management teams and the quality of tourism services in Iraqi tourism companies operating in Baghdad. Results: Data were collected from 204 management team members through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. The findings indicate a statistically significant correlation between behavioral integration and tourism service quality (0.589). The dimensions of information exchange (0.472), cooperative behavior (0.410), and participation in decision making (0.461) also show significant relationships with service quality. Regression analysis confirms that behavioral integration contributes to tourism service quality with an effect coefficient of 0.686, while cooperative behavior shows the highest contribution among the dimensions. Novelty: The study provides empirical evidence linking managerial behavioral integration with tourism service quality in Iraqi tourism companies using quantitative analysis. Implications: These findings highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation, information sharing, and participatory decision processes within management teams to support the development of tourism service quality. Highlights:• Statistical Analysis Confirms a Significant Association Between Managerial Collaboration and Tourism Service Standards• Cooperative Practices Within Management Teams Demonstrate the Strongest Contribution Among Examined Dimensions• Evidence Derived From Survey Responses of 204 Managerial Staff in Baghdad Tourism Companies Keywords: Behavioral Integration, Tourism Service Quality, Information Exchange, Cooperative Behavior, Decision Making

General Background: The integration of digital technology in education requires learning approaches that support digital literacy and critical thinking development in science education. Physics learning in junior high schools often remains teacher-centered, resulting in limited student participation and shallow conceptual understanding. Specific Background: Web-based simulations provide interactive environments that enable students to explore scientific concepts and digital resources, while the Guided Discovery Learning model encourages active investigation and conceptual discovery during instruction. Knowledge Gap: Despite the potential of these approaches, physics learning frequently focuses on content delivery and problem solving without optimally integrating digital exploration and guided discovery processes. Aims: This study aims to analyze the implementation of Guided Discovery Learning assisted by Web-Based Simulation in improving digital literacy and critical thinking skills among Grade IX junior high school students studying magnetism and its applications. Results: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design involving two classes demonstrated significant differences between experimental and control groups (Sig. < 0.001). The experimental class showed higher improvements with N-gain values of 0.66 for digital literacy (moderate category) and 0.71 for critical thinking (high category). Novelty: The study presents empirical evidence on the integration of guided discovery learning with web-based simulation to support technology-mediated physics learning and student engagement. Implications: The findings indicate that contextual learning designs combining discovery-based instruction and digital simulations can support the development of digital literacy and critical thinking in junior high school physics learning, although implementation also depends on student readiness, digital competence, and environmental support. Highlights • Guided discovery learning with web simulations produced higher learning gains in experimental classes.• Digital literacy improvement reached moderate category with N-gain score of 0.66.• Critical thinking achievement reached high category with N-gain value of 0.71. Keywords Guided Discovery Learning; Web-Based Simulation; Digital Literacy; Critical Thinking; Physics Education

General Background: Hydrogen generated through electrochemical water splitting is a promising clean energy carrier due to its high energy density and carbon-free combustion. Specific Background: The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) requires efficient cathode catalysts, but platinum-group metals are limited by scarcity and cost, encouraging the exploration of nickel-based electrocatalysts. Knowledge Gap: The relationship between synthesis strategy, nanostructure formation, and HER electrocatalytic behavior of advanced nickel heterostructures and phosphosulfide systems remains insufficiently clarified. Aims: This study evaluates Ni/Ni(OH)₂ heterostructures and nickel phosphosulfide (Ni-P-S) nanocatalysts by examining their preparation, structural characteristics, and HER performance in alkaline media. Results: Structural analysis using XRD, XPS, and TEM confirmed successful nanostructure formation, including core–shell Ni/Ni(OH)₂ structures and porous nanosheet Ni-P-S networks. Electrochemical measurements showed that Ni-P-S required an overpotential of 78 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and maintained stability for more than 50 hours in 1 M KOH, while Ni/Ni(OH)₂ exhibited higher overpotential values. Novelty: The study provides a comparative evaluation linking synthesis routes, nanostructure morphology, and HER electrocatalytic behavior of two nickel-based catalysts. Implications: These findings support the development of scalable non-precious metal catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis and sustainable hydrogen production technologies. Highlights:• Porous Nanosheet Architecture Provides High Electrochemically Active Surface Area.• Charge Transfer Resistance Decreases at the Catalyst and Electrolyte Interface.• Long-Term Operation Exceeding Fifty Hours Demonstrates Durability in Alkaline Medium. Keywords: Nickel Based Nanocatalysts, Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Alkaline Water Splitting, Electrocatalysis, Nanostructured Catalysts

General Background: Digital transformation has become a strategic approach for organizations seeking improved operational systems and competitive positioning through the integration of advanced technologies, digital strategies, and data-driven management. Specific Background: In higher education institutions, digital transformation involves technological infrastructure, data and analytics, digital strategy, security, and organizational culture to support institutional performance and competitive advantage dimensions such as quality, service excellence, and customer responsiveness. Knowledge Gap: Despite increasing global attention to digital transformation in universities, empirical studies examining its relationship with sustainable competitive advantage in educational institutions remain limited, particularly within the context of Iraqi higher education. Aims: This study aims to analyze the relationship between digital transformation dimensions and competitive advantage in the performance of educational institutions through a field study conducted in several colleges of the Holy University of Karbala. Results: The findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage dimensions. Digital strategy and data analytics show significant relationships with quality and service excellence, while data and analytics demonstrate a significant relationship with customer responsiveness. Overall results show high levels of digital transformation (mean = 4.00) and competitive advantage (mean = 4.17), with an overall mean of 4.09 indicating strong consensus regarding the role of digital technologies in institutional performance. Novelty: This study provides empirical evidence linking multiple digital transformation dimensions with competitive advantage indicators within university environments. Implications: The results highlight the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, adopting comprehensive digital strategies, and strengthening data-driven decision-making to support institutional performance and long-term competitiveness in higher education. Highlights: Strong institutional agreement regarding digital technology adoption in university operations Data analytics shows a significant relationship with responsiveness to user needs Strategic digital planning demonstrates statistical association with academic service quality Keywords: Digital Transformation; Competitive Advantage; Educational Institution Performance; Data And Analytics; Digital Strategy

General Background The rapid expansion of digital technologies in education, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the need for systematic evaluation of technology integration in school environments. Specific Background In science education, digital media such as multimedia presentations, simulations, and online learning platforms are increasingly recognized as important instructional resources aligned with international e-learning standards. Knowledge Gap Despite this development, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the actual level of digital media incorporation in intermediate-level science classrooms within specific regional educational contexts. Aims This study examines the level of digital media integration in science teaching in intermediate schools in Diyala Governorate, Iraq, using internationally recognized e-learning standards as an analytical framework. Results Using a descriptive-analytical survey design and a structured questionnaire administered to science teachers, the findings indicate a moderate-to-low level of digital media usage, with teachers primarily relying on basic tools such as presentation slides and instructional videos. Advanced digital applications, including simulations and interactive technologies, are less frequently used. Teachers also reported significant barriers, including unstable internet connectivity, electricity interruptions, limited institutional support, and insufficient professional development opportunities. Novelty The study provides an empirical assessment of digital media practices in science classrooms through the lens of global e-learning competency frameworks. Implications The findings highlight the need for improved digital infrastructure, institutional policy alignment, and sustained professional training programs to support the systematic adoption of digital learning practices in science education. Keywords: Digital Media Integration, Science Education, E Learning Standards, Technology Integration, Teacher Readiness Key Findings Highlights Teachers rely mainly on presentations and instructional videos rather than advanced digital applications. Structural barriers such as internet instability and electricity interruptions remain major constraints. Positive teacher attitudes toward digital practices persist despite limited technological implementation.

General Background: Interactive conversation skills and literacy are fundamental competencies in 21st-century elementary education, supporting communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Specific Background: Fourth-grade students at SDN Tegal Kunir Lor II demonstrated low interactive conversation skills and literacy, associated with conventional instruction, minimal integration of digital technology, and limited collaborative learning practices. Knowledge Gap: Previous studies have examined Problem Based Learning (PBL), digital reading, or collaborative approaches independently, yet empirical evidence integrating these three components within a single experimental framework remains limited. Aims: This study analyzes the partial and simultaneous effects of PBL with collaborative digital reading on students’ interactive conversation skills and literacy. Results: Using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design involving 40 students, multivariate analysis indicated a significant difference between groups (Pillai’s Trace = 0.858; F = 111.728; p < 0.05). Partial analysis showed significant differences in interactive conversation skills (F = 173.709; p < 0.05; R² = 0.821) and literacy (F = 2.376; p < 0.05; R² = 0.059). Novelty: The study integrates PBL, collaborative digital reading, and simultaneous multivariate analysis of communication and literacy outcomes in primary education. Implications: The findings recommend PBL with collaborative digital reading as an alternative instructional model to develop interactive communication and literacy competencies in elementary classrooms. Highlights• Multivariate analysis confirmed significant differences across both assessed competencies.• Experimental group demonstrated higher posttest mean scores than the control group.• Problem-solving activities combined with group-based digital texts supported measurable learning outcomes. KeywordsProblem Based Learning; Collaborative Digital Reading; Interactive Conversation Skills; Literacy; Elementary Education

General Background: Government procurement of advanced medical equipment is a critical component of health infrastructure development, particularly in oncology services requiring radiotherapy technology. Specific Background: Dr. Soeradji Tirtonegoro General Hospital is constructing an Integrated Cancer Center financed through a foreign loan scheme under Islamic Development Bank regulations, where Linear Accelerator (LINAC) procurement must follow International Competitive Bidding procedures and the equipment type has not yet been determined. Knowledge Gap: Empirical studies examining how LINAC type determination and institutional coordination influence construction time performance through decision-making processes in specialized hospital projects remain limited. Aims: This study analyzes the role of LINAC equipment determination and institutional coordination in achieving project time performance in LINAC bunker construction. Results: Multiple linear regression using IBM SPSS 25 indicates that LINAC type determination is the most dominant factor affecting project time performance, supported by effective coordination in procurement planning and tender preparation. Implications: Timely technical decisions and coordinated procurement mechanisms are essential to prevent construction delays and minimize design adjustments. Highlights: Equipment specification selection was the strongest factor linked to schedule attainment in bunker construction. Institutional collaboration under foreign loan procedures shaped tender preparation and planning. Regression analysis confirmed the importance of managerial decisions in meeting construction timelines. Keywords: Linac Type Determination, Institutional Coordination, Project Time Performance, Decision-Making Performance, Medical Equipment Procurement