Access to reliable energy is crucial for development, yet many rural areas in southern Bangladesh suffer from electricity shortages, impeding essential services and hindering social and economic progress. This paper proposes integrating renewable energy-based microgrids to provide sustainable and reliable electricity, thereby improving living conditions and boosting economic growth. A detailed survey in Ruma, Bandarban, was conducted for load estimation. Simulation results for on-grid and off-grid microgrids are obtained using HOMER Pro and PVsyst software. The off-grid system includes 21.8 kW of PV, 15 kW of hydro, and 222 kWh of battery storage, while the on-grid system includes a 200 kW PV system and a 15 kW hydro turbine. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is 0.15 USD/kWh off-grid and 0.03 USD/kWh on-grid. The on-grid system shows economic sustainability with a 6.8-year break-even point, 13 % IRR, and 8.7 % ROI. Environmental analysis shows significant greenhouse gas reductions, with CO2 emissions decreasing from 227,778 kg/year to 199,016 kg/year. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, which underscores the resilience of the proposed hybrid microgrid system to weather variations and cost fluctuations. This paper provides a comprehensive foundation for policymakers to consider renewable microgrids as a solution for rural electrification in southern Bangladesh, utilizing solar and hydropower resources.

The research examines the efficacy of multimedia technology in augmenting technology-enhanced learning and instruction to address educational disparities. The incorporation of multimedia components into educational settings has grown more widespread due to the fast progress of technology. Nevertheless, the degree to which multimedia technology aids in resolving educational inequalities has not been thoroughly investigated. The research used a mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to investigate the experiences and attitudes of educators and learners on the incorporation of multimedia technology in educational settings. The research aims to ascertain the advantages and constraints of multimedia technology in promoting efficient learning environments, specifically in varied educational contexts. The research seeks to analyze the effects of multimedia technology on student engagement, comprehension, and information retention. The goal is to get a better understanding of how to maximize the use of multimedia technology in order to reduce educational inequities and improve learning outcomes. The results will provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and curriculum writers on successful methods to use multimedia technology in educational activities.

In the competitive area of sports, injuries not only jeopardize athletes' careers but also lead to substantial setbacks for teams and organizations. Addressing this critical issue, our study introduces an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven model that enhances injury management through the strategic implementation of rest periods during athletes' recovery phases. By leveraging data analytics to monitor athletes' health continuously, this model offers sports managers a predictive tool for a proactive and preventative approach to injury management. Our research analyzes athletes' performance and health data across various sports disciplines by employing advanced machine learning techniques to identify patterns related to training regimes, treatment strategies, and the consequent risk and severity of injuries. Our findings underscore the utility of AI in generating actionable insights, thereby enabling more informed decision-making that centers on athletes' well-being. Notably, they demonstrate the model's success in predicting injury risks with high accuracy, subsequently informing tailored intervention strategies that significantly reduce the incidence of injuries. Furthermore, our study highlights how AI technologies can revolutionize training environments by enhancing safety and improving the efficacy of injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies. By advocating for the adoption of AI and technology in sports science, our study not only contributes to enhancing athlete care but also paves the way for future research to optimize athlete performance and health. Overall, this research highlights the role of AI-driven analysis in advancing sports medicine by offering a blueprint for coaches, sports medicine professionals, and athletes alike to navigate the complexities of injury prevention and management.

Educational institutions orchestrate a variety of in-school events and activities to enrich the student experience. Given their benefits, it is crucial to encourage student participation. With the recent advent of the metaverse, there is an opportunity to engage students due to their inclination toward adopting such technologies. However, the dynamics of celebrating school events within these virtual worlds remain largely unexplored. Our study sought to address this gap by examining school event celebrations in the metaverse through an appreciative inquiry approach. During Valentine's Day, we introduced a special edition of our educational metaverse (i.e., MILES Virtual World) tailored to celebrate the occasion. We discovered that conducting school events in the metaverse requires the integration of real-life social rituals to augment students' social experiences and foster a sense of community. Moreover, the need for realism and the mirroring of real-world traditions in virtual settings emerged as critical drivers for creating more emotionally satisfying and engaging user experiences. The challenge of encouraging student participation in physical events parallels the issue encountered in virtual worlds, where students may feel discouraged from participating if they do not observe their friends' presence within the metaverse. Our study also calls for collective engagement in shaping the virtual world to ensure more inclusive, engaging, and enriched educational metaverses. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of immersive digital environments, the insights gained from our research underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and student agency in shaping the future of education.

School reopening is essential for restoring normalcy after a period of disruption. However, executing this endeavor during a pandemic requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure success. Consulting stakeholders is consequently crucial for informed and inclusive policies. Prior works recruited public officials, health authorities, teachers, and parents. Unfortunately, students were often not involved in such consultations. The present study addressed this gap by uncovering the sentiments and concerns on school reopening among higher education students. A total of 223 students enrolled in public and private universities from rural and urban areas participated in the study. Based on their reflective essays, students have mixed sentiments about returning to school during the pandemic and highlight safety, academic, health, and financial concerns as major areas requiring attention. It is now incumbent upon governments, schools, policymakers, and education leaders to carefully analyze and incorporate the findings of this study into their back-to-school guidelines and strategies. With informed decision-making and evidenced-based policy, we can build back a stronger and more resilient education system that equitably serves all students in the post-pandemic world.

Torrefaction is a process for upgrading raw biomass into an energy-dense fuel. In this study, an energy analysis was conducted to assess the energy consumption in the production of torrefied microalgal biomass. The functional unit of one kilogram torrefied biomass and a system boundary of cradle-to-gate was used. This includes the life cycle stages of cultivation, harvesting, drying, and torrefaction. To include the varying method for the upstream processes, four different scenarios of torrefied biomass production are considered. The result of the analysis revealed that across all four scenarios, the torrefaction stage had a minimal contribution of 1-20% as compared with other life cycle stages. However, even with very optimistic assumptions among all scenarios, the result of the study shows a large energy deficit on the system due to the high energy consumption involved in the cultivation method and even in the drying process. To minimize energy consumption during the cultivation stage, solar lighting was highly recommended. The use of a solar-assisted drying was also advisable to lessen the energy consumption for the drying stage.

Abstract. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been gaining popularity in the Philippines as an alternative source of sustainable energy. In such technology, module tilt angle and weather conditions are among the system parameters that have substantial impacts on PV system performance. Previous studies have considered either tilt angles or weather conditions, but not the combined impact of these two parameters on solar PV power output. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of weather variables and tilt angle on the output of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Muntinlupa City, the Philippines. Three 120W monocrystalline solar PV panels were used and set up to three different tilt angles (i.e., 5°, 10°, and 15°). The fifth generation of the ECMWF's global climate and weather reanalysis (ERA5) dataset was used to gather hourly weather information such as surface solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, ambient temperature, and total precipitation. Three principal components (PC), which together account for 95% of the variability, were identified using principal components analysis (PCA), which was used to address multicollinearity among the weather parameters. To assess the effects of tilt angle, time, and PCs on solar PV production, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was carried out. Results show that all weather variables, except for wind speed and total precipitation, have a significant impact on solar PV production with configuration producing the best results. Moreover, a significant difference in mean solar PV production was observed among the three tilt angles. From 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, solar PV output gradually increases and declines thereafter. Outputs this study can help in optimizing the design and configuration of solar PV systems in the Philippines by considering weather variables and module tilt angle. Lastly, this study provides useful information for system designers, installers, and policymakers in improving energy generation and utilization, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, and advancing sustainable energy objectives.

Abstract. The sustainable energy transition in the Philippines requires accurate forecasting of solar PV output to optimize energy efficiency and grid management. While existing studies have emphasized the positive correlation between solar irradiance and PV production, this study aims to explore whether forecasting improves with the inclusion of weather data. This research conducts a comparative analysis between relying solely on solar irradiance against integrating various weather parameters to enhance solar PV output forecasting. The study focuses on three distinct locations (Pangasinan, Negros Occidental, and Davao Del Norte) and employs two models per each site: Model 1 (M1), which relies only on solar irradiance as predictors, and Model 2 (M2), which incorporates solar irradiance and weather parameters. Using Fifth Generation ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA5) Data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is conducted on the significant weather parameters. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with 5-fold nested cross-validation is applied for solar PV output forecasting. Models are assessed using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and skill scores. Results showthat while solar irradiance alone suffices for predicting solar PV output in Negros Occidental, incorporating weather parameters improves forecasting accuracy in Davao Del Norte and Pangasinan. This paper recommends caution in generalizing the findings to different regions with varying weather patterns, as the forecasting performance of the models is influenced by data quality, specific location, and prevailing weather conditions.

The disconnect between technology and traditional practices poses a significant challenge. Many healthcare professionals and individuals struggle to navigate the influx of emerging technologies, hindering the full realization of their potential in revolutionizing health literacy and medical practice. The lack of cohesive understanding and integration of technologies like mobile applications, wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine impedes the seamless delivery of healthcare services and obstructs individuals from actively managing their health. Transformative Approaches to Patient Literacy and Healthcare Innovation offers a comprehensive solution to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology. Delving into the dynamic fusion of these domains, it unravels the transformative power of technology applications, showcasing how they enhance health literacy and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being. By providing insights into the integration of mobile health apps, electronic health records, extended reality, artificial intelligence, and more, the book equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape with confidence. For academic scholars seeking a roadmap to understand and harness the potential of technology in healthcare, this book is an indispensable resource. Embrace the present and future of healthcare excellence by joining this exploration of innovation. Overcome the challenges, democratize access to knowledge, and usher in a new era where technology becomes the catalyst for improved health outcomes and patient-centered care.

In an age where technology seamlessly integrates into healthcare, identifying effective strategies for this integration becomes paramount. The Transformative Approaches to Patient Literacy and Healthcare Innovation book seeks to establish itself as a pivotal resource by investigating the deep impact of innovative technologies on the healthcare sector. This book brings together a cadre of respected professionals and academics across various fields to dissect the role of novel technologies in enhancing patient literacy and advancing healthcare delivery. It provides a comprehensive examination of how cutting-edge advancements like artificial intelligence, telemedicine, serious games, and extended realities are revolutionizing patient care and healthcare delivery. Aimed at a broad audience of healthcare providers, researchers, policy makers, educators, and patients, this compilation aims to foster a nuanced comprehension of both the benefits and complexities introduced by these technological innovations. Through a blend of contemporary research findings, illustrative case studies, and discussions on ethical implications, the book encourages readers to critically assess and embrace these innovations in healthcare. It offers insight into the present technological landscape and casts a visionary look towards the future, enabling readers to grasp the evolving dynamics of healthcare in the digital era.