Analysis of Meteorological–Hydrological Drought Propagation for the Development of a Drought Early Warning System in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY): A Case Study of the 2023 El Niño Event

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The drought that affected the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) as a consequence of the 2023 El Niño event was characterized by prolonged dry conditions resulting from exceptionally low rainfall, depletion of water resources, and significant impacts on agriculture, dams, reservoirs, as well as the socio-economic conditions of local communities. This study aims to examine, in a spatiotemporal framework, the influence of El Niño on drought conditions across the DIY Province and to analyze the stages and propagation of meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought. The analysis uses rainfall observations from 122 rain gauges and three BMKG stations. Drought assessment begins with rainfall deficit analysis, followed by meteorological drought identification using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), agricultural drought assessment using the groundwater availability index (KAT), and hydrological drought assessment using the Hydrological Drought Index (HDI/IKH). The results show that meteorological drought was first detected in April 2023 in Bantul, Gunungkidul, and Kulon Progo Regencies, then expanded toward the central and northern parts of DIY in May 2023. Agricultural drought emerged in June 2023 in the same three regencies, indicated by KAT values falling below 40% of field capacity. The drought reached its peak in October 2023 as hydrological drought, when reservoir volume availability at Q80 dropped below 50%. Meteorological drought appeared 1–2 months after the onset of rainfall deficit (dry season), progressed into agricultural drought with a lag of 2–3 months, and culminated in hydrological drought with a lag of 5–6 months. The development of a regional Integrated Drought Early Warning System should incorporate monitoring and forecasting outputs, enabling drought alerts to be issued 3–6 months before critical conditions arise.

Analysis of Student Soft Skill Profiles: A Case Study at Universitas Amikom Yogyakarta

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This study aims to analyze the soft skill profiles of Universitas Amikom Yogyakarta students based on ten dimensions: communication, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and critical thinking, time management and organization, adaptability and flexibility, ethics and responsibility, creativity and innovation, emotional intelligence, and digital skills and information literacy. A total of 160 respondents completed a 1–4 Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive analysis results show that all dimensions are in the medium category with an overall average of 3.189. The dimensions with the highest scores were ethics and responsibility (3.376) and digital skills and information literacy (3.260), followed by teamwork, adaptability, and time management. Conversely, the dimensions with the lowest relative averages were creativity and innovation (3.000) and communication (3.095), although they remained in the medium category. These findings conclude that students have an adequate foundation of soft skills but have not yet reached an excellent level, especially in the aspects of communication, creativity, and critical thinking. These results imply the need for a more integrated soft skills development strategy in the curriculum, student activities, and cooperation with industry to encourage improvement from a moderate to a high level.

Urban arborization in cities of the Brazilian Semiarid: Retrospective analysis and future perspectives

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The study aimed to conduct a case study on the urban arborization of two medium-sized cities located in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil (Patos-PB and Petrolina-PE), considering actions already carried out in these cities. Based on qualitative and quantitative phytosociological and geotechnical studies, the predominance of exotic species, such as Terminalia catappa and Ficus benjamina, was observed in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively. Similar methodological evaluations were implemented in the city of Patos-PB, identifying also F. benjamina, among other species. In recent decades, alternatives have been adopted for using native species from the Caatinga biome, characterized by the presence of tree and shrub species with a predominance of deciduous species during the dry period of the year, which can be utilized in arborization. In this sense, with the restructuring of public roads in the two cities, significant advances have been observed in relation to the relative increase in the percentage of local native plants. Thus, with this trend of valuing regional flora in urban centers, public policies to encourage planting and new phytosociological surveys should be prioritized in the next decade or more, to confirm this trend and consider other technical aspects, such as spacing between trees, distances between curb and sidewalk, width of sidewalks, height of power lines, and drastic pruning, among others.

The Investigation of Influenced Factor on Antioxidant Level of Tea Bags from Pelawan Leaves (Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff) by Using Taguchi Method

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Pelawan (Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff) possesses a plethora of health-promoting constituents. The local populace on Bangka Island asserts that Pelawan leaves exhibit therapeutic properties that may combat cancer. This study was undertaken to examine the antioxidant properties of tea bag products derived from Pelawan leaves. The methodology employed in this experiment was the Taguchi approach, incorporating three factors and two levels, specifically leaf type (shoots and non-shoots), drying technique (solar and oven), and tea formulation (original and spice-infused). The orthogonal array applied is L4(23), adhering to the principle of “the smaller the better,” wherein a diminished IC50 value indicates enhanced quality (elevated antioxidant content). The predominant factor influencing the antioxidant capacity identified is the original tea composition, contributing a remarkable 86% to the overall variance. It is projected that the Pelawan leaf tea bag product may yield an IC50 value of 14.7 ± 278.207 µg/ml when prepared with the original composition. The preferred drying technique is the use of an oven or drying apparatus, as it produces superior antioxidant outcomes compared to solar drying methods.

Transparency as an Instrument for Fraud Prevention in the Digital Business Ecosystem

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Digital transformation has reshaped the global business landscape, increasing efficiency while also giving rise to new risks in the form of digital fraud. This research aims to analyze the role of transparency as a strategic instrument in preventing fraud in the Indonesian digital business ecosystem. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach, data was collected through interviews, observations, and analysis of policy documents from technology-based companies. The results show that transparency significantly contributes to increased accountability and the effectiveness of internal controls. The implementation of digital audit systems, real-time monitoring, and blockchain technology has proven to reduce information asymmetry and the opportunities for fraud. However, its effectiveness is still influenced by institutional factors, digital ethics, and collaboration among regulators. Therefore, further research is recommended to develop a quantitative model that measures the impact of transparency on reducing fraud risk longitudinally across various digital business sectors in Indonesia.

Fostering Capacity for Ministerial-Level Civil Servants to Work in an International Environment in the Context of Viet Nam’s Active Engagement in Free Trade Agreements

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In the context of Viet Nam’s expanding international integration through the signing and implementation of an increasing number of free trade agreements, the competency requirements for ministerial-level civil servants have undergone significant changes, particularly with regard to their capacity to work in an international environment. This article examines the characteristics of the new integration landscape, identifies the core competencies that civil servants need to be fostered, and proposes directions for improving fostering activities in accordance with modern governance standards. The study affirms that fostering the international working capacity of civil servants not only enhances the effectiveness of implementing commitments under free trade agreements but also establishes a critical foundation for strengthening national governance effectiveness and overall competitiveness in the context of deepening international integration.

Factors Affecting Vietnam’s Potential to Become a Free-Trade Nation

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In the context of increasingly deep globalization, many countries pursue the free trade model as a long-term development strategy to optimize competitive advantages and enhance economic position in the international arena. Vietnam is one of the fastest integrating economies in the world with a large network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and a trade/GDP ratio among the highest in the world. However, to become a truly free trade country, Vietnam needs to meet a series of conditions that go beyond tariff reduction. By analyzing secondary data from the WTO, OECD, NCTAD, and the World Bank, the paper identifies key factors shaping this process, including institutional quality, policy transparency, logistics efficiency, digital transformation capabilities, human resource quality, and domestic enterprise competitiveness. The findings show that Vietnam has many important advantages but still faces structural barriers that, if not addressed, will hinder its goal of becoming a free-trade nation in the next decade.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Practices for Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation, and their Limitations: A Case of Coffee Farming Households in Southwestern Uganda

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Effectiveness of Climate change adaptation programmes and projects is anchored in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) approaches. A Qualitative study was therefore conducted in Ntungamo district, southwestern Uganda to: i) establish the PM&E practices used by the district Local Government (LG) on programs in enhancing climate change adaptation among coffee farming households, ii) identify the bottle necks in PM&E practices for interventions focused on improving climate change adaptations among coffee farming households in the district. The study was guided by Citizen’s theory of Involvement. A Key Informant guide was administered to 12 key informants from LG Administration and Agriculture Departments. Data were analyzed thematically.  Results showed that Ntungamo LG was using participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation as the PM&E practices to enhance climate change adaptation among coffee farming households. The study also identified several challenges facing PM&E at LG level, including: – lack of an M&E Department, lack of training in M&E, data accuracy issues, poor dissemination of findings, limited extension support, insufficient funding and low farmer participation. LG’s should therefore develop strategies to address these challenges in order to adequately enhance climate change adaptation among coffee farming households.

Clinical Spectrum of Neurological Emergencies: A Retrospective Analysis from a Tertiary Care Center in Mizoram

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Background: Neurological emergencies are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In resource-limited settings, trauma, stroke, and infectious causes remain leading contributors.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the distribution of neurological emergency cases by category, age, and gender in a hospital-based cohort.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 61 patients admitted with neurological emergencies was conducted. Data were categorized into trauma-related, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), seizures, fever-related, post-surgical, and other causes. Demographic patterns were also assessed.

Results: Trauma-related emergencies constituted 50% of cases, followed by cerebrovascular accidents (25%) and seizures (13%). The majority of patients were males (64%) and young adults aged 11–40 years (33%). Elderly patients (61+) contributed to 26% of cases, largely due to stroke.
Conclusion: Trauma and stroke remain the leading causes of neurological emergencies. Preventive strategies targeting road traffic accidents, stroke awareness, and timely intervention are essential to reduce disease burden in resource-limited regions.

The Development of E-modules Based on Realistic Mathematics Education Assisted by Geosway in Phase F

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This R&D aims to produce a valid, practical, and effective Realistic Mathematic Education (RME)-based e-module assisted by Geosway in phase F. This research is a research and development using a 4D model consisting of 4 stages, namely defining, designing, developing, and disseminating. Observations were conducted at SMK Negeri 6 Jember as the research location. The research subjects involved in this study were students of SMK Negeri 6 Jember in grades XI DKV 1 and XI KKBT 1. The research instruments used in data collection were observation sheets, student response questionnaire sheets, readability test sheets, and test sheets. The validation results for the teaching module, e-module, test, observation sheet, and student response questionnaire were 3.73; 3.68; 3.57; 3.63; and 3.81, respectively. This shows that the teaching modules, e-modules, tests, observation sheets, and student response questionnaires were obtained with valid criteria. The practicality of the e-module based on the observation of the implementation of the e-module in the first and second meetings was 3.39 and 3.67, respectively, with the practical category. The effectiveness of the e-module was based on learning completeness, the N-gain category, and student responses to improve students’ creative thinking skills. The results of the study showed that the percentage of student completeness reached 87.5%, the average N-gain category was 0.72, and students gave a positive response of 82.07%. This indicates that the e-module is effective in improving students’ creative thinking skills. Based on the results of the study, it shows that the e-module based on Realistic Mathematic Education (RME) assisted by Geosway in phase F has valid, practical, and effective criteria.