Behavioral and Environmental Risk Factors of Malaria Incidence: A Spatial Analysis in a Rural Endemic Area of Eastern Indonesia

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Malaria remains a significant public health problem in East Sumba Regency, particularly in rural areas with ecological conditions favorable for Anopheles vector breeding. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between behavioral and household environmental risk factors and malaria incidence and to map the spatial distribution of cases in Mau Bokul Village. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 194 respondents during August–September 2025. Data were obtained through microscopic examination of thick blood smears, structured questionnaire interviews, and geographic coordinate mapping using Avenza Maps. Statistical analysis used Fisher’s Exact Test, while spatial analysis applied buffering and overlay techniques. The prevalence of malaria was 4.1% (8 cases). Significant associations were found between malaria incidence and not using bed nets (p < 0.001), nighttime outdoor activities (p < 0.001), sleeping outdoors (p < 0.001), non-permanent house walls (p = 0.001), absence of window screens (p = 0.028), and proximity to rivers (p = 0.001). Spatial analysis demonstrated clustering of cases within a 500-meter buffer radius from the river. These findings indicate that sleeping outdoors and residence near river areas were the most strongly associated factors with malaria incidence. The study provides spatial evidence that malaria transmission in rural endemic settings tends to cluster around river buffer zones, emphasizing the importance of integrating GIS-based surveillance with environmental management and behavior-focused interventions to support malaria control and elimination strategies in similar endemic regions.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of University Students: The Influence of Parental, and Peer Expectations and Mental Health in Lusaka, Zambia

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University students globally navigate significant expectations from parents and peers, which can profoundly impact their mental health. While these expectations can motivate, they often generate stress and anxiety, particularly when perceived as unrealistic. Existing literature highlights this dual effect, but there is a scarcity of qualitative, in-depth research on this topic within the African, and specifically Zambian, higher education context. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of university students in Lusaka, Zambia, regarding the influence of parental and peer expectations and mental health. Its specific objectives were to: explore parental expectations and mental health based on students’ experiences; explore peer expectations and mental health based on students’ experiences; and determine whether students perceive these expectations as contributing positively or negatively to their overall mental health.

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of university students in Lusaka, Zambia, regarding the influence of parental, peer expectations and mental health. Utilizing a phenomenological research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 university students, of which 11 students were from the University of Zambia, and 9 students were from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University. A focus group discussion was utilized as a second data collection method, with 8 university students from the initial group of students that participated in the interview process, 3  university students of which were from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, and 5 university students were from the University of Zambia. All university students who participated, were aged 18–27. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Findings reveal that parental expectations are a pervasive and powerful influence, often centered on academic and career success. While these expectations were sometimes described as motivating and linked to improved academic performance, they more frequently generated significant psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, and a loss of autonomy, particularly when perceived as unrealistic or misaligned with the student’s own goals. Peer expectations primarily manifested as pressure to perform academically and conform socially. Their impact was more varied; some students reported resilience and motivation from positive peer influence, while others experienced anxiety and social pressure to meet group norms.

Overall, the study concludes that expectations act as a double-edged sword. Their effect on mental health is contingent on their nature, source, and the individual’s perception. The study highlights the critical role of balancing high expectations with emotional support and autonomy to safeguard student well-being. It recommends enhanced university support services and culturally sensitive interventions to help students navigate these pressures and promote mental health in the Zambian higher education context.

The Role of Technical Drawing in Enhancing Vocational Skills within Higher Education Programs (A Case Study of the Civil and Hydrotechnical Departments, Construction Faculty, Jawzjan University)

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Technical drawing is a fundamental component of engineering and technical education, serving as an essential foundation for engineers, architects, and vocational professionals. It plays a critical role in developing spatial thinking, graphical literacy, and vocational competencies required for effective learning and professional practice in technical fields. This study aims to examine the importance of technical drawing in higher education curricula and its role in enhancing vocational skills and spatial cognition among university students. The research is applied in purpose and adopts a descriptive–analytical design. The statistical population consists of 70 undergraduate students enrolled in 2025 from the Industrial Construction, Civil Engineering, and Hydrotechnical Construction departments of the Faculty of Construction at Jawzjan University. Data were collected through educational document analysis and structured questionnaires, and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics and graphical representations. The findings reveal that prior exposure to geometry, trigonometry, and other graphical subjects at the secondary school level, as well as achieving high scores in the national university entrance examination (Kankor), significantly influence students’ performance in technical drawing courses. Students with adequate graphical preparation demonstrate stronger learning outcomes, while those lacking such preparation face noticeable difficulties. Moreover, the results indicate that technical drawing education contributes substantially to the improvement of vocational skills, spatial thinking, and students’ engagement in practical activities. The study concludes that effective instruction in technical drawing plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education. The integration of modern educational technologies, along with strengthening students’ foundational knowledge before entering higher education, significantly improves learning outcomes. Therefore, technical drawing should be regarded as a core subject in technical curricula and continuously updated to meet the demands of the contemporary technological era.

Hybrid Bootstrap–LSTM Model for Probabilistic Sea Level Rise Prediction

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Sea level rise poses increasing risks to coastal regions, highlighting the need for accurate and reliable forecasting methods. This study proposes a probabilistic sea level forecasting framework by integrating a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model with the Moving Block Bootstrap (MBB) technique. The LSTM model is used to capture nonlinear temporal dependencies in sea level time-series data, while the bootstrap approach is employed to quantify prediction uncertainty through probabilistic forecasting. The LSTM model achieved high deterministic prediction accuracy with an MSE of 2.11 × 10!”, RMSE of 0.00459, MAE of 0.00356, and MAPE of 0.34%. The proposed hybrid MBB–LSTM model generates probabilistic forecasts with a 95% confidence interval, resulting in an MSE of 0.01155, RMSE of 0.10749, MAE of 0.08370, and MAPE of 8.99%. Forecast results indicate relatively stable sea level variability until 2026 with an estimated rising trend of approximately 7.44 mm per year. The proposed hybrid framework provides a more informative prediction approach by combining deep learning with bootstrap-based uncertainty estimation, which is valuable for coastal risk assessment and climate adaptation planning.

Association of Economic Status and Type of Occupation with Changes in Risky Behaviors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City, Indonesia

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Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major global public health problem. Changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) play a crucial role in preventing further transmission. Socioeconomic factors, particularly economic status and type of occupation, may influence behavioral changes by affecting access to health information and services.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between economic status and type of occupation with changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City, Indonesia.

Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among adult PLWHA in Kupang City from August to October 2024. A total of 136 respondents were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing economic status, type of occupation, risky behaviors, and changes in risky behaviors. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation test, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Most respondents showed changes in risky behaviors after being diagnosed with HIV. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between economic status and changes in risky behaviors among PLWHA. In addition, type of occupation was also significantly associated with changes in risky behaviors.

Conclusion: Economic status and type of occupation are significantly associated with changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating socioeconomic considerations into HIV prevention and behavioral intervention programs.

Application of Magnesium Sulfate in In-Situ Leaching of Rare Earth Elements: Mechanisms, Performance and Environmental Implications

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Ion-adsorption clay deposits are among the most important sources of heavy rare-earth elements (REEs), particularly in southern China, where extraction is commonly performed by in situ leaching (ISL) using ammonium salts. Although ammonium sulfate and related lixiviants achieve high extraction efficiencies via ion-exchange mechanisms, their large-scale use has raised significant environmental concerns, including ammonium contamination, soil degradation, and groundwater pollution. In recent years, magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) has emerged as a potential alternative lixiviant with lower environmental impact. This review critically analyzes the application of MgSO₄ in the in-situ leaching of REE-bearing ion-adsorption clays, focusing on ion-exchange mechanisms, leaching performance, hydrodynamic behavior, and environmental implications. The thermodynamic and geochemical aspects governing Mg²⁺–REE exchange reactions are examined together with laboratory, column, and pilot-scale studies. Comparative analyses with conventional ammonium-based lixiviants are discussed in terms of extraction efficiency, selectivity, reagent consumption, and environmental footprint. The review also identifies key research gaps related to process optimization, hydrogeological modeling, and large-scale implementation. Overall, MgSO₄-based leaching systems represent a promising pathway toward more sustainable rare-earth extraction, although further technological and environmental validation is required before full-scale industrial deployment.

The Influence of Bureaucratic Administration and Human Resource Competence on Organizational Performance with Work Engagement as a Moderating Variable

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This study examines the influence of bureaucratic administration and human resource competence on organizational performance, with work engagement acting as a moderating variable. Organizational performance is an important factor in ensuring operational effectiveness and service quality, particularly in strategic infrastructure sectors such as port operations. This research aims to analyze how administrative systems and employee competencies contribute to improving organizational performance in the Operational Department of Timor Port Tibar, Timor-Leste.

This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey method. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to employees working in the operational department. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine both direct and moderating relationships among variables.

The results indicate that bureaucratic administration and human resource competence positively influence organizational performance. Furthermore, work engagement strengthens the relationship between bureaucratic administration and organizational performance as well as the relationship between human resource competence and organizational performance. These findings highlight the importance of effective administrative systems, competent human resources, and strong employee engagement in improving organizational performance in port operations.

A Practical Exploration on the Integration of Modern Information Technology and Chinese Language Pedagogy in Higher Education

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This paper systematically investigates the practical value of integrating modern information technology into the pedagogy of Chinese language majors in higher education. It aims to provide an effective reference for enhancing students’ comprehensive proficiency in applied Chinese and cultivating their cross-cultural communicative competencies. Furthermore, this study seeks to facilitate the continuous optimization and upgrading of Chinese language instruction toward highly efficient and smart educational paradigms.Employing a quasi-experimental design and quantitative analysis, this research contrasts the traditional pedagogical model with a digitally empowered diversified teaching framework. The instructional intervention emphasizes the application of digital resource-sharing platforms, Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data analytics. In conclusion, the application of information technology within the pedagogy of Chinese Language and Literature in higher education yields substantial advantages. It not only broadens the channels for sourcing instructional content, diversifies the modalities of classroom instruction, and enhances learners’ academic efficacies, but also facilitates the precise, data-driven evaluation of the pedagogical process. Consequently, higher education institutions should proactively explore pathways for the deep integration of information technology with Chinese language pedagogy, thereby effectively elevating the instructional quality of Chinese language courses.​

Sustaining Leprosy Elimination in Sri Lanka: The Way Forward

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Background: Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) remains a public health concern in Sri Lanka decades after achieving WHO elimination as a public health problem (<1 prevalence per 10,000) in 1995. Although prevalence targets were reached, new case detection rates have remained persistently elevated, with 1,000–2,000 new cases annually and evidence of ongoing transmission, including among children. Continued disability and social stigma complicate disease control.

Objectives: To evaluate current epidemiology, control efforts, and barriers to elimination in Sri Lanka, and propose an evidence-based way forward, aligned with the WHO “Towards Zero Leprosy” Strategy (2021–2030).

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining national surveillance data (Ministry of Health and Anti-Leprosy Campaign), active case finding surveys, quality of life and stigma studies, and review of global control strategies. Quantitative data on annual case detection rates by age, disability, and geographic region were compiled. A narrative synthesis of interventions and outcomes was undertaken.

Results: Sri Lanka reports approximately 1,500–2,000 new leprosy cases annually, with about 10% in children. Case detection rates fluctuate between 7 and 12 per 100,000 population. Grade 2 disability proportions (visible deformities) range from 6–8%, indicating delayed diagnosis. Active case finding in endemic districts reveals hidden disease burdens (~20/10,000 in targeted surveys). Stigma and quality-of-life impacts remain substantial. Global strategies emphasize integrated services, enhanced surveillance, and prevention of transmission, stigma reduction, and disability management.

Conclusions: While past efforts successfully reduced prevalent leprosy, sustained transmission persists. Achieving elimination of transmission and zero disability requires strengthened surveillance, integrated health services, intensified contact tracing with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), stigma reduction programs, and regionally tailored interventions. A roadmap toward elimination by 2035 is proposed, aligning national targets with WHO guidance.

Farming Efficiency of Pest and Disease Control Techniques on The Efficiency of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) Farming in Local Agricultura Areas in Timor-Leste

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Agriculture is one of Timor-Leste’s most important economic sectors, providing a living for the vast majority of the population. The key issue for shallot producers in Timor-Leste’s local agricultural areas is the high intensity of plant pest organism attacks, which has an impact on production costs and revenue. The purpose of this study is to determine how pest and disease control approaches affect the efficiency of shallot (Allium ascalonium L.) cultivation in Timor-Leste’s local agricultural areas. This study employs a quantitative approach, collecting primary data from farmers via surveys, structured interviews, and questionnaires administered to a sample of 10 shallot farmers and 40 respondents in the study area, and analyzing farming efficiency using the Linear Regression Analysis method implemented in SPSS version 22. This study found that, when compared to other ways, the use of integrated control in shallot cultivation is the most profitable and efficient. With a production of 3,700-4,320 kg and a consistent selling price of $3.50, total production costs (TC) range from $660 to $785. The t-test results showed that the variables Chemical Use (X1), Biological Use (X2), and Integrated Control (X4) all had a significant and positive effect on the dependent variables. The use of biological uses (X4) was the most significant factor, with a tcal value of 6,715, demonstrating that chemical technology intervention is still the principal driver of agricultural efficiency at this research site. The model accounts for 69% of the variance in farming efficiency (R² = 0.690). As a result, expanding farmer training and extension programs on integrated pest management (IPM) is critical for improving sustainable pest control and increasing the efficiency of shallot farming in Timor-Leste. So extension and training initiatives on integrated pest management (IPM) techniques should be strengthened to help farmers manage pests more efficiently and sustainably.