From Academic to Community: An Immersion of Grade 8 RS/VE Students

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 This study examined the impact of a community-based extension program on the values formation and real-life application of learning among Grade 8 Religious Studies and Values Education (RS/VE) students of Notre Dame University Junior High School. Anchored on the MATATAG Curriculum’s emphasis on holistic, experiential, and values-based learning, the study focused on a community immersion conducted at Bahay Maria, a shelter for abandoned, sick and elderly individuals in Cotabato City. Using a descriptive-evaluative research design, data were gathered from 68 purposively selected students through a researcher-made questionnaire administered before and after the immersion to assess their expectations and actual experiences. Descriptive statistics and a paired samples t-test were employed for data analysis. Results revealed that students entered the program with positive, value-oriented expectations, particularly in empathy, moral responsibility, and application of school-learned values. Their actual experiences likewise reflected meaningful engagement, strengthened empathy, and enhanced moral awareness. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between students’ expected and actual experiences, indicating that the program effectively met learners’ anticipated outcomes. Furthermore, qualitative interpretation of the findings demonstrated that community immersion facilitated the translation of academic learning into concrete acts of service, while fostering social responsibility and awareness, especially toward the elderly. The study concludes that community-based extension programs are effective platforms for integrating values education with authentic community engagement.

Assessing SiGapLapor’s Effectiveness in Handling Alleged 2024 Election Violations: Evidence from South Sumatra Provincial Bawaslu (A Qualitative Study Using Etzioni’s Indicators)

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Elections increasingly rely on digital reporting and case-handling systems to enhance oversight, transparency, and accountability in the management of alleged violations. In Indonesia, Bawaslu has implemented SiGapLapor to support structured reporting and handling processes across institutional levels. However, the effectiveness of such platforms relies not only on system availability but also on organisational readiness, coordination, and sustained use during peak election workloads. Empirical evidence on how SiGapLapor performs in operational practice at the provincial level remains limited. This study assessed the effectiveness of SiGapLapor in addressing alleged 2024 election violations at the South Sumatra Provincial Bawaslu, employing a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected through structured interviews, observation, and documentation, involving six key informants from relevant managerial and operational roles. The analysis employed Etzioni’s effectiveness indicators—adaptation, integration, member motivation, and production—operationalised through readiness, socialisation, implementer capacity, and an input–process–output framework. Findings were systematically mapped to each indicator to highlight strengths and constraints in implementation. Results indicate that adaptation and integration were deemed adequate, and production supported structured inputs, a transparent workflow, and traceable outputs. Member motivation was not yet practical due to workload surges and a shortage of trained personnel, resulting in manual intake and delayed system entry during peak periods. This study presents an organisational-effectiveness evaluation of a digital platform for handling election-related violations, using Etzioni’s framework in a real provincial oversight context. The findings provide practical insights into which effectiveness dimensions operate well and which operational constraints should be prioritised to improve implementation consistency.

Optimising the SIMKAH Policy to Accelerate Marriage Administration A CIPP Model Evaluation and Findings on Infrastructure Improvements at KUA Seberang Ulu II, Palembang City

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Public services are increasingly expected to deliver faster, more accurate, and traceable administrative processes, particularly for marriage registration, where data validity has long-term legal consequences. In Indonesia, SIMKAH is designed to digitise and integrate marriage administration to enhance service efficiency and data consistency at KUA offices. However, the presence of SIMKAH does not automatically guarantee faster service, as the quality of implementation relies on local readiness and operational stability. At KUA Seberang Ulu II, several practical constraints may hinder administration, especially those related to infrastructure and workflow execution. This study proposes policy optimisation by aligning SIMKAH objectives with daily operational procedures to ensure that acceleration goals are clearly reflected in real service workflows. It highlights the importance of strengthening input readiness through adequate human resources, needs-based budgeting, and notably improved supporting infrastructure such as dedicated hardware. The optimisation also focuses on process reinforcement by stabilising internet connectivity, preparing operational procedures to manage system interruptions, and reducing rework caused by identity data mismatches. Furthermore, user support and guidance are emphasised to improve document readiness and minimise delays during verification and data entry. The study evaluates SIMKAH implementation using the CIPP framework (Context–Input–Process–Product) through a qualitative descriptive approach based on interviews, observation, and documentation. Findings are mapped onto the CIPP dimensions to identify key gaps, with the most significant areas for improvement related to process and infrastructure. This research provides a structured, decision-oriented assessment of a digital public service policy, demonstrating how the CIPP framework can reveal implementation bottlenecks beyond system availability. Practically, it offers actionable recommendations for infrastructure development and workflow standardisation to support a more consistent acceleration of marriage administration at KUA Seberang Ulu II, Palembang City.

Solid Waste Management and Material Recovery Facility Planning in Leh-Ladakh, Western Himalaya

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Rapid urbanization, tourism growth, and changing consumption patterns have significantly increased solid waste generation in Leh Ladakh, a high-altitude cold desert region of India. This study examines the existing status of waste generation, segregation, and disposal practices in Leh, the largest town in Ladakh, and assesses the feasibility of establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Field-based inventory, secondary datasets, and the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Manual 2016 were used to estimate waste quantities and design MRF requirements. Results indicate that Leh generates approximately 13.02 tonnes per day (TPD) of solid waste, with 80% comprising dry waste and 20% wet waste. The dry fraction includes paper and cardboard (30%), tetra packs (20%), textiles (17%), PET (8%), and multilayer plastics (7%). Currently, segregation and limited recycling occur at a municipal facility powered by solar energy. However, the absence of a formal MRF, shortage of equipment, and lack of skilled manpower remain key challenges. The study proposes a manual MRF model suitable for <15 TPD, with an estimated operational cost of Rupees 3.06 lakh per annum. Establishing such a facility would improve recycling efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and promote sustainable waste management in this ecologically fragile Himalayan region.

Development of Differentiated Learning Planning in the Outdoor Learning Mathematics Project

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The process of developing differentiated learning plans for this outdoor learning mathematics project follows the 4D model, which includes four main stages: define, design, develop, and disseminate. Each stage has a specific set of steps. The need for differentiated learning plans integrated with the outdoor learning mathematics project can be used in the mathematics learning process for statistics. This learning plan can be used as a solution as a guide in the learning process and is tailored to the characteristics of students at the school. Differentiated learning in the outdoor learning mathematics project can improve pretest and posttest results in both control and experimental classes, especially in mathematics. The final stage, dissemination, was carried out both offline at SMP Islam Kunir and the Mathematics MGMP of public and private junior high schools in Lumajang Regency, as well as online. Online dissemination was carried out by uploading Google Sites links to various popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, ensuring that this learning tool is widely accessible to other teachers who need it.

The Effectiveness of Lime Juice (Citrus aurantifolia) in Preventing Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation: An In Vitro Model

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Background: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones are the most prevalent type of urolithiasis and are associated with high recurrence rates. Preventive approaches targeting early crystallization stages, particularly nucleation and aggregation, are therefore crucial. Citrate is a recognized inhibitor of CaOx crystallization; however, pharmacological citrate therapy may face limitations in long-term use. Lime juice (Citrus aurantifolia), a natural source of citrate, may serve as an alternative preventive agent.

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of lime juice (Citrus aurantifolia) on calcium oxalate crystal formation in vitro.

Methods: A true experimental study with a post-test only control group design was conducted using a synthetic urine model. Five groups were assessed: negative control, positive control (potassium citrate 0.6%), and lime juice at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (v/v). Crystallization was monitored turbidimetrically at 620 nm for 60 minutes. Nucleation slope (SN), aggregation slope (SA), time to maximum absorbance (Tmax), and inhibition percentages were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test.

Results: All lime juice concentrations significantly reduced aggregation and prolonged Tmax compared with the negative control. The 5% concentration showed the strongest nucleation inhibition among natural treatments, while 2.5% demonstrated the highest aggregation inhibition.

Conclusion: Lime juice effectively inhibits CaOx crystallization in vitro and shows potential as a natural, accessible preventive strategy.

Application of 18S rRNA Gene-Based and β-Giardin Molecular Markers for Early Detection of Giardia duodenalis Infection

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Giardiasis and other intestinal parasite infections are still prevalent and a public health concern, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Giardia duodenalis infections can cause mild to severe symptoms, such as chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, and growth impairment in children, so early detection is essential. The commonly used fecal microscopy test has a low sensitivity, particularly for infections with low parasite loads or in the absence of symptoms. The development of molecular diagnostic methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides a more accurate and sensitive alternative by using specific genetic markers. This review of the literature looks at the roles of the 18S rRNA and β-giardin genes as molecular markers for the early detection of Giardia duodenalis infection. The review’s conclusions indicate that the 18S rRNA gene’s high sensitivity and robust sequence stability make it suitable for initial screening and epidemiological surveillance. In contrast, the β-giardin gene is useful for genotype analysis and diagnostic confirmation because of its higher specificity. The combination of these two genes may be the most effective diagnostic strategy to improve the accuracy of early Giardiasis detection in both clinical and epidemiological settings.

Thermodynamic and Transport Excess Properties of Ethyl Benzoate + 2-Methyl-2-Propanol Binary Mixtures At (303.15–318.15) K

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Excess thermodynamic and transport properties of binary liquid mixtures composed of ethyl benzoate (X₁) and 2-methyl-2-propanol (X₂) were measured over the entire composition range at four temperatures: 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15 K at atmospheric pressure. Experimental properties including excess molar volume (Vᵉ), excess isentropic compressibility (Δβₐd), viscosity deviations (Δη), excess free length (Lᵉ), excess surface tension (πᵉ), excess acoustic impedance (Zᵉ), excess enthalpy (Hᵉ), excess Gibbs free energy (Gᵉ), and ultrasonic velocity (U) were systematically evaluated. The results indicate consistently negative Vᵉ, Δβₐd, and Δη values across all compositions and temperatures, with magnitudes that reach minima near equimolar composition, suggesting strong specific interactions between unlike molecules, especially dipole–dipole and hydrogen bonding effects. Temperature rise generally reduces the magnitude of excess properties, indicative of diminished molecular interactions and structural organization at elevated thermal energy. All excess functions were correlated using the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation, demonstrating excellent fit quality and enabling estimation of binary interaction parameters. The observed trends in excess enthalpy and Gibbs free energy reveal significant non-ideal behavior, likely due to disruption of self-association in 2-methyl-2-propanol clusters upon mixing with aromatic ester molecules. Comparisons with literature reveal qualitative agreement with related binary systems involving esters and alcohols, confirming the reliability of the measured data. Overall, this study provides comprehensive thermodynamic insights into molecular interactions in ester-alcohol mixtures, supporting improved modeling of solution behavior relevant to industrial and formulation applications.

Association Between Screen Time Duration and the Incidence of Dry Eye Syndrome Among Educational Staff at Nusa Cendana University

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Background: The rising intensity of digital device use in daily activities contributes to prolonged screen time, which may disrupt tear film stability through reduced blink frequency and increased evaporation. Educational staff represent a high-risk group due to the sedentary nature of their work and prolonged screen exposure in air-conditioned environments that can exacerbate ocular surface disturbances.

Objective: To assess the association between screen time duration and the occurrence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) among educational staff at the University of Nusa Cendana.

Methods: This analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from September to October 2025. A total of 54 respondents were selected using cluster random sampling. Screen time duration was measured using the Screen Time Questionnaire (STQ), while DES symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman Rank test.

Results: Most respondents reported a moderate level of screen time exposure (46.3%) and normal ocular status based on OSDI (50%). However, 24.1% of respondents were identified as having severe DES. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation of moderate strength between screen time duration and DES severity (p = 0.003; r = 0.400). Respondents with high and very high screen time exposure tended to exhibit more severe symptomatic manifestations.

Conclusion: Screen time duration is significantly associated with the severity of Dry Eye Syndrome among educational staff. Interventions such as scheduled visual breaks and ergonomic adjustments in the workplace are recommended to reduce the risk of ocular surface disorders.

Development of Interactive Lift-The-Flap-Book Media Based on Deep Learning Principles to Enhance Elementary Students’ Reading Comprehension

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This study aimed to develop and examine the validity and effectiveness of a Lift-The-Flap-Book learning medium based on deep learning principles to improve elementary school students’ reading comprehension skills in historical narrative texts. The study was motivated by students’ difficulties in understanding abstract historical texts due to the dominant use of conventional textbooks and teacher-centered learning methods. This research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the 4D development model, consisting of define, design, develop, and disseminate stages. The subjects were upper-grade elementary students at SD Negeri Gucialit 02, Lumajang Regency. Data were collected through expert validation sheets, reading comprehension tests (pretest and posttest), questionnaires, observations, and interviews. The results indicated that the developed media was highly valid, with validation scores of 98% from media experts, 96% from language experts, and 95% from content experts. The effectiveness test showed a significant improvement in students’ reading comprehension skills, as reflected by N-Gain scores of 0.78 in the small-group trial and 0.77 in the large-group trial, both categorized as high. Therefore, the Lift-The-Flap-Book based on deep learning principles is valid, effective, and feasible for enhancing elementary students’ reading comprehension skills.