The Effect of Acupuncture Intervention on Sleep Quality among Students: A quasi-experimental study

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Poor sleep quality is common among adolescents and can impair cognitive function, physical health, mental health, and academic achievement. Acupuncture and acupressure are non-pharmacological therapies that can be used to improve sleep quality because they are safe, effective, and have minimal side effects. This study aims to analyse the effect of acupuncture intervention on sleep quality among students in Central Lampung, Lampung Province, Indonesia. This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest two-group design. A sample of 80 respondents was selected using simple random sampling and divided into acupuncture (n=40) and acupressure (n=40) therapy groups. The intervention was given in 10 sessions. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analysed using Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test with a 95% confidence level (α=0.05). Acupuncture therapy reduced PSQI scores from 13.13±2.604 to 9.48±2.276 with a mean difference of 3.650 (p<0.001). Acupressure therapy reduced PSQI scores from 11.93±2.464 to 9.80±1.924 with a mean difference of 2.125 (p<0.001). After the intervention, there was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.492). Acupuncture and acupressure were both effective in improving sleep quality, but acupuncture showed a greater change in scores.

The Effect of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) Model Assisted by Quizizz Media on IPAS Learning Outcomes of Grade IV Elementary School Students in Sanggau Regency

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Background: Social Science and Natural Science (IPAS) learning in elementary schools faces significant challenges, particularly in teaching the topic of social and cultural diversity in Indonesia. Conventional, teacher-centered approaches have failed to stimulate students’ critical thinking skills and active engagement, especially in the multi-ethnic context of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan.

Objectives: This study aims to: (1) test the significant effect of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model assisted by Quizizz media on IPAS learning outcomes of Grade IV students; (2) describe the effectiveness of Quizizz in improving motivation and cognitive learning outcomes on the social and cultural diversity topic through PBL; and (3) analyze differences in learning outcomes between students taught using PBL assisted by Quizizz and those taught using conventional methods at SD Negeri in Sanggau Regency.

Methods: This study employs a quantitative approach with a Quasi-Experimental Research method using a Non-Equivalent Control Group Design. The study population comprises 45 Grade IV students across three SD Negeri in Sanggau Regency: SD Negeri 01 Sanggau (experimental), SD Negeri 02 Balai Karangan (experimental), and SD Negeri 14 Sekumpai (control). Samples were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection instruments include direct observation sheets, teacher performance observation sheets, a learning achievement test (20 multiple-choice items via Quizizz), and interview guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality test (Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk), homogeneity test (Levene’s test), Independent Sample t-Test, and N-Gain score.

Expected Findings: Based on the theoretical framework and relevant prior research, it is hypothesized that the PBL model assisted by Quizizz media will have a significant positive effect on IPAS learning outcomes, demonstrate greater effectiveness in increasing motivation and cognitive learning outcomes compared to conventional methods, and produce a statistically significant difference in post-test scores between the experimental and control groups.

Conclusion: The PBL model assisted by Quizizz media is projected to be a contextually relevant, effective, and innovative approach to improving IPAS learning outcomes in the local cultural context of Sanggau Regency, providing empirical evidence to support its broader adoption in elementary social and science education in Indonesia.

System Dynamics-Based Policy Scenario Evaluation for Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management in Ambon City, Indonesia

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Unmanaged waste and heavy reliance on landfill disposal highlight the urgent need for sustainable municipal solid waste management planning in Ambon City. This study developed a system dynamics model to evaluate policy scenarios for increasing managed waste and reducing landfilled waste. Using Powersim Studio 10, the model projected waste generation and waste management performance from 2026 to 2035 to evaluate the achievement of the 100% managed waste target by 2029 and the post-target effects of policy interventions on system performance. The model was tested through structure verification and behavior reproduction testing. The simulation results indicate that the business-as-usual scenario fails to meet the 2029 target due to limited upstream reduce, reuse, and recycle capacity and continued reliance on the conventional collect–transport–dispose approach. In contrast, the integrated policy scenario provides the most effective policy direction. Achieving a 30% source- and community-based reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) target requires management capacity to increase by 38.43% annually. This upstream intervention reduces downstream handling burdens by lowering the required annual increase in collection and transportation capacity from 8.94% to 5.50%. Furthermore, developing an integrated waste processing facility (abbreviated in Indonesian as TPST) before landfill disposal, with a capacity of 74 tons/day, substantially reduces landfilled waste. The integrated scenario achieves the 100% managed waste target earlier, in 2028, maintains this level through 2034, and produces the lowest landfilled waste among all scenarios through 2035. The proposed dynamic model provides a decision-support framework for local government in formulating more effective and sustainable municipal solid waste management strategies.

Factors Affecting Pre-Serviced Teachers’ Satisfaction with Training Quality of the Primary Education Program at Thu Dau Mot University

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This paper examines the determinants of pre-serviced teachers’ satisfaction concerning the training quality within the Primary Education program at Thu Dau Mot University. Empirical data were gathered from a sample of 303 pre-serviced teachers via questionnaires. SPSS 26 was employed to conduct Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. The findings reveal that alumni satisfaction toward training quality is influenced by four distinct factors: curriculum, teaching staff, physical facilities, and student support activities. Notably, the curriculum emerged as the most critical factor driving overall satisfaction.

A Cross-Linguistic Study of Lexical Compatibility in Germanic Languages

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Lexical compatibility plays a crucial role in the formation and interpretation of word combinations across languages. It reflects the semantic, syntactic, and collocational constraints that determine the co-occurrence of lexical units in discourse. This study investigates the principle of lexical compatibility in selected Germanic languages, with particular emphasis on English and German. Employing a comparative linguistic approach, the research examines how lexical items combine to form meaningful word combinations and identifies both common and language-specific patterns of lexical selection. The study draws on theoretical perspectives from lexical semantics, collocation studies, and corpus linguistics to analyze compatibility relations among lexical units. The findings suggest that while Germanic languages share a number of compatibility patterns due to their common linguistic heritage, significant differences emerge as a result of language-specific semantic preferences, cultural influences, and structural developments. The research contributes to the understanding of lexical combinability and provides insights into the mechanisms underlying word combination formation in Germanic languages. The results may also have practical implications for foreign language teaching, translation studies, and lexicographic research.

Medication Adherence in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Based on the Health Belief Model Perception

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Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. Treatment adherence is an important factor in controlling blood glucose levels and preventing complications. Patient perception based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) is thought to play a role in shaping treatment adherence behavior. This study aims to analyze the influence of HBM perceptions on treatment adherence in DM patients at the Gadingrejo community health center, Pringsewu, Lampung province, Indonesia. This study used an observational analytical design with a case-control approach conducted in April–June 2026. A sample of 206 respondents consisting of 103 case groups and 103 control groups, selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using the HBM and MMAS-8 questionnaires, then analyzed using the Chi-Square test with α = 0.05. There was a significant influence between perceived susceptibility (p<0.001; OR=3.051; 95%CI=1.730–5.383), perceived severity (p=0.002; OR=2.482; 95%CI=1.417–4.347), perceived benefit (p<0.001; OR=2.927; 95%CI=1.662–5.156), perceived barriers (p=0.012; OR=2.120; 95%CI=1.213–3.702), self-efficacy (p=0.005; OR=2.290; 95%CI=1.310–4.003), and cues to action (p<0.001; OR=4.531; 95%CI=2.492–8.239) on medication adherence. All constructs of the HBM influence medication adherence in DM patients. Increasing positive perceptions and reducing barriers can support better medication adherence.

Pillars of European chemicals legislation

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This article examines key European regulations concerning hazardous substances. To this end, the relevant provisions were analyzed and their requirements identified.

The REACH and CLP regulations form the basis for the registration, classification, labeling, and handling of chemicals and chemical products within European Union member states. They are supplemented by other EU regulations addressing particularly hazardous chemicals, covering areas such as import and export (PIC Regulation) as well as manufacture and storage (Seveso III Directive). Furthermore, regulations concerning specific product groups—such as biocides, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and detergents—are discussed. The regulations clearly indicate that both individual chemicals and mixtures may be subject to registration and/or notification obligations.

Budgetary Control Systems and Accountability in Kenya’s Public Sector Organizations: A Management Accounting Perspective

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Budget control and accountability are key aspects of public sector financial management. Both in developed and developing economy, public institutions exist to manage public resources in an efficient, transparent, and accountable manner. Concerns about transparency and accountability in Kenya’s public sector institutions are a result of corruption, mismanagement of funds, weak internal control, and inefficient management of public resources. From a management accounting viewpoint, budgetary control systems aid in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of activities. This research explores the contribution of budget control systems to accountability in public sector institutions in Kenya. Specifically, it examines the contribution of management accounting techniques to transparency, governance, operational and financial accountability. The study also examines the key challenges in public sector budgeting relating to politics, behavior, inadequate technology and corruption, and recent trends such as digital budgeting, and performance-based budgeting. A Structured Literature Review was utilized, accessing publications from 2020 to 2026, including peer reviewed journals, government publications, authoritative policy papers, and other relevant and scholarly works. The research concludes that efficient budget control systems enhance governance and operational effectiveness, and facilitate transparency in public sector institutions. It also posits that the enhancement of budget control systems is essential for improving public financial management and accountability in Kenya.

Predictive Pontryagin Optimal Control of Nonlinear Fully Distributed DCS and CPS under Reliability and Uncertainty Constraints

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The article provides an overview of the optimal control prediction framework for non-linear CPS and DCS in automation. The core issue is the fact that the present architecture of modern automation systems does not behave like a closed loop control system anymore. The design of these systems combines sensors, actuators, edge controllers, communication channels, digital twin, software-as-a-service, human involvement, and states of cyber-security. Thus, control design must not only address accuracy but should be a multicriteria design problem that accounts for reliability, uncertainty, probability mass, delay in communication, and energy costs. Four levels are considered in the proposed framework. The first level refers to forecasting based on hybrid ARIMA-ML model for a short horizon. The second level is concerned with estimating of risk states using Markov model/HMM.  The contribution is a simulation-ready mathematical architecture in which each node solves a local Hamiltonian problem using predicted states, neighbour information and reliability constraints, while the global CPS behavior emerges through networked local decisions. The paper formulates the nonlinear dynamics, cost functional, Hamiltonian conditions, reliability constraints and evaluation protocol for smart factories, smart grids, intelligent buildings and smart campuses. The framework is positioned as a bridge between predictive maintenance and optimal distributed automation control.

Implementing the 5S Program to Reduce Waste: A Lean Maintenance Approach

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This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the 5S program as a strategy to enhance maintenance effectiveness, reduce waste, and improve productivity and operational quality in the workplace. The research uses a case study approach with descriptive analysis to identify activities that contribute to inefficiencies in the maintenance process. Big Picture Mapping is applied to visualize the current value stream and identify potential sources of waste, while a work area audit assesses the initial condition of the operational environment. The study focuses on companies implementing lean principles and requiring continuous improvement in maintenance practices. The findings indicate that the application of the 5S methodology—Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in Order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize), and Shitsuke (Sustain)—creates a more organized and efficient workplace. This structured system improves workflow, enabling tasks to be completed more quickly and accurately. Furthermore, it enhances productivity, stabilizes quality, and supports better alignment with customer expectations. The program also promotes a culture of discipline and continuous improvement, contributing to sustainable operational performance and operational excellence.