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ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF THE VILLAGE DELIBERATIVE BODY IN TANI HARAPAN VILLAGE, LOA JANAN DISTRICT, KUTAI KARTANEGARA REGENCY
Get PDFThe Village Consultative Body (BPD) has several functions such as legislation, representation, planning, and supervision. The BPD has an important role in village development, including drafting village regulations together with the village head, accommodating and channeling community aspirations, supervising the performance of the village head, and ensuring that village development is in accordance with the needs and desires of the community, and runs in accordance with existing regulations. The purpose of the study was to determine the role, supporting, and inhibiting factors of the Performance of the BPD in Tani Harapan Village, Loa Janan District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency. Key informants and informants were 18 people consisting of the Village Head, Chairperson of the BPD, Village Secretary, Head of the Village Community Empowerment Division, Village Community Leaders, and Village Youth Leaders. Data collection techniques consisted of fieldwork research (observation, interviews, and documentation), and research libraries. Data analysis used qualitative descriptive consisting of data collection, reduction, and presentation, as well as decision-making and verification. The results of the study indicate that the BPD of Tani Harapan Village has carried out its role well as supervision in development, village head performance, village financial management, accommodating and channeling residents' aspirations, and submitting draft village regulations. The supporting factors are that its members have high school education and insight, there is support for village residents' participation, the availability of infrastructure such as offices; the existence of implementing instructions and technical instructions in carrying out their duties; and the creation of cooperation between BPD members and village officials; and the inhibiting factors are weak coordination between village officials in absorbing villagers' aspirations, sometimes personal and hamlet egos arise, lack of enthusiasm because there is no honorarium fund, lack of synchronization of its members with the village government apparatus in terms of village development budget; and there are no comparative studies to other areas
Internal and External Constraints of the African Union’s Mediation in the Malian Crisis : Perspectives for a Strengthened Role in Conflict Management in Africa for a Sustainable Compromise
Get PDFThis article analyses the internal and external constraints that have hindered the effectiveness of the African Union's (AU) mediation in the Malian crisis since 2012. Despite its efforts, the AU has faced institutional limitations, a lack of coordination with regional organisations, and interference from external actors, diminishing its role in achieving a lasting compromise. The study adopts a qualitative approach, combining interviews with AU officials and Malian stakeholders, along with a review of institutional reports and academic publications. It highlights several limiting factors: a lack of resources, poor coordination with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), strategic divergences among member states, and dependence on external funding, particularly from the European Union and the United States. Furthermore, the involvement of international actors such as France, the United Nations (UN), and Russia has reduced the AU’s autonomy and its ability to implement lasting solutions. The article proposes several recommendations to strengthen the AU’s role in the management of conflicts across Africa. In particular, it suggests greater financial autonomy, enhanced cooperation with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the training of specialised mediators through a Pan-African Peace and Security Academy, as well as a redefinition of relations with external powers to enhance the organisation’s legitimacy. These reforms aim to enable the AU to better fulfil its mandate of promoting peace, security, and stability across the continent
Bamboo as a Renewable Material for Sustainable Building Practices in Guatemala
Get PDFBamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource with diverse applications in sustainable construction. Its ability to capture and sequester carbon, combined with its rapid regeneration cycle, positions it as an environmentally friendly material. However, its adoption faces challenges due to limited awareness of its viability as a safe structural material. In Guatemala, there are approximately 12,000 hectares of bamboo, with species such as Guaduaangustifolia, Dendrocalamus asper, and Gigantochloaverticillata, which exhibit mechanical properties suitable for construction. Some studies have shown that bamboo can absorb up to 54.3 tons of carbon during a six-year growth cycle, contributing to climate change mitigation. The physical and mechanical properties of bamboo vary by species. The three forest-managed species in Guatemala demonstrate good compressive and shear strength, although shear resistance is comparatively lower. In particular, the low shear strength of internode sections requires optimized structural designs. Nevertheless, its high tensile strength makes it ideal for structures subjected to bending. This article examines these aspects and highlights bamboo’s potential as a structural alternative in civil engineering and architecture, promoting its use in sustainable building practices and its integration into Guatemala’s construction regulations
Maternal Knowledge About Severe Acute Malnutrition Under Five Years of Children at Sher E Bangla Medical College and Hospital, Barishal, Bangladesh
Get PDFMalnutrition remains a critical public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), contributing to over 50% of under-five mortality. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects millions of children, leading to life-threatening complications and long-term developmental impairments. Maternal knowledge plays a pivotal role in preventing and managing SAM, yet gaps persist in awareness and healthcare access. This study assessed mothers' knowledge of SAM at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH), Barishal, Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 mothers of SAM-affected under-five children admitted to SBMCH’s Nutrition Corner. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to examine associations between socio-demographic factors and maternal knowledge. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. The majority of mothers (57%) had primary education, while 31.7% of fathers were illiterate. Only 61.7% recognized a balanced diet combined with breastfeeding as optimal supplementary food, and 28.3% consistently practiced handwashing before food preparation. Despite 93.3% living near health centers, only 5% attended medical checkups. Television was the primary information source (56.7%), yet 38.3% had never heard about malnutrition. Significant associations were found between maternal knowledge and age (*p* = .002), education (*p* = .010), paternal education (*p* = .004), and income (*p* = .041). Maternal knowledge on SAM prevention is inadequate, influenced by education, income, and healthcare access. Targeted interventions, including community-based education and media campaigns, are urgently needed to improve nutritional practices and reduce SAM prevalence in rural Banglades
Modelling the Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater System Near Selected Waste Dumpsites in Rivers State
Get PDFThis study was focused om development of model for the prediction of heavy-metal pollution ingroundwater sample near waste dumpsite in selected communities in Rivers State. Two waste dumpsites in Choba and Aluu communities in River state were randomly sampled. Boreholes were sampled at distances of 50m, 100m and 150m away from the dumpsites and a control sample was collected at 300m away from the dumpsite. Groundwater samples were collected from the boreholes and taken to laboratory for identification of presence and concentration of the heavy metals. The results of the analysis revealedeight different heavy metals in the water samples namely, Copper, Mercury, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Iron, Lead and Zinc.Model were developed using Excel to expressed the relationship between the concentration of the heavy metal and their distances away from the dumpsites. The models revealed that there is inverse relationship between concentration of the heavy metal and distance of sampled location from the dumpsites in both locations. In Aluu, the results revealed that the percentage deviation between model-calculated values and actual values for copper, mercury, barium, chromium and iron were 11.00, 8.30, 6.00, 8.75 and 15% respectively. However, the model-calculated values for cadmium, zinc and lead were negative which suggest that 300m is outside the active zone of the heavy metals originating from the dumpsite,meaning that the concentrations of cadmium, zinc and lead obtained at this distance did not originate from the dumpsites. In Choba, the results revealed that the percentage deviation between model-calculated values and actual values for copper, barium and lead were 6.00, 9,80 and 6.67% respectively, However,model-calculated values for chromium, cadmium, zinc, mercury and iron were negative which suggest that 300m is outside the active zone of these heavy metals originating from the dumpsitewhich also means that the concentrations of chromium, cadmium, zinc, mercury and iron obtained at this distance did not originate from the dumpsites. It was concluded that the models are significantly suitable for the prediction of heavy metal pollution with respect to their distance from dumpsit
Positive solutions for a coupled system of non linear of second-order boundary-valued differential equations
Get PDFThe main objective of this article is concerned with existence and uniqueness of the positive solutions for a coupled system of second-order boundary-valued differential equations, which the boundary conditions are coupled by integrals. For that one, the solutions are related to Green’s functions and represented by integral equations and so that, we used a cone compression and expansion fixed point theorem applied to a completely continuous operator, as seen in Guo, D. and Lakshmikant V (1988)
Intersections of Experience, Consumption, and Value: A Literature Review on Luxury Markets
Get PDFThe research article conducts a literature review to study three related fields which include customer experience and luxury consumption and luxury value perception and creation. The marketing field has only recently started studying customer experience but luxury consumption research spans multiple centuries with established theories about exclusive experiences and personal identity and social status comparison. The perception of luxury value includes multiple aspects of worth which include practical and monetary value and symbolic and emotional worthwhile customers now play active roles in creating value through social connections. The different market perspectives about experiences and value show both commonalities and conflicting viewpoints. The current body of research about this subject lacks thorough investigation of a specific sector. The absence of particular research in this field generates critical questions which need urgent answers. The combination of these theories produces specific outcomes when they encounter situations which maximize scarcity and prestige and experiential value
First Record and Southern Range Expansion of Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Subulinidae) in Iraq
Get PDFWe provide the first confirmed record of the decollate snail, Rumina decollata, from Basrah City, southern Iraq. The specimens were obtained from a semi-urban garden habitat and identified using key morphological characteristics: the decollate (truncated) spire and the elongate, cylindrical shell. Morphometric analysis of 30 adult specimens revealed a mean shell length of 29.36 mm, a mean width of 10.77 mm, and a total mean weight of 1.87 g. This record extends the known distribution of R. decollata to the southernmost extent of Iraq and complements previous records from Diyala and the Middle Euphrates region. Rumina decollata has been introduced from the Mediterranean as a predatory species and a potentially invasive species, and may threaten the native land snail community structure. These data serve as a reminder to further monitor on a broader scale, conduct genetic analysis, and evaluate ecological risk assessment on pathways of introduction, establishment and potential impact across terrestrial ecosystems of Iraq
Anatomical Variations in the Renal Hilum: Disposition of Vessels and Branching Patterns in Human Cadavers
Get PDFBackground: The renal hilum is an important anatomical opening that leads to the kidney. It contains the renal artery, vein, and pelvis. The normal arrangement of the renal vein in front, the artery in the middle, and the pelvis in the back is not always the same. Congenital differences are common and important in medicine. These changes in anatomy affect urological, radiological, and surgical operations, such as nephrectomies and renal transplants. There are more and more kidney procedures happening in South Asia, but there is still not a lot of specific information about renal hilar variations, especially in the Bangladeshi population. Objective: The goal of this study was to look at the several ways that renal hilar structures can branch and change shape in adult Bangladeshi cadavers, see how common they are, and compare the results to data from across the world to help doctors make better decisions. Methodology: We did a descriptive cross-sectional study on 100 kidneys from unclaimed remains (50 right and 50 left). We put kidneys into four age groups: 10–19, 20–39, 40–59, and 60 years or older. We measured morphometric data including weight, length, breadth, and thickness, and then we used the ellipsoid formula to figure out the kidney volume. Histological study of cortical tissue from 5 pairs of kidneys found the size and density of the glomeruli. ANOVA, Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were all used to do the statistical analysis. Results: The most common anteroposterior hilar association was VAP (vein, artery, pelvis), which was found in 78% of kidneys. AVP was found in 21% of kidneys, while APV was found in 1%. The renal arteries had different numbers of branches: 72% had four, 19% had three, and 9% had two. The renal veins, on the other hand, always had one branch. Morphometric data showed that the group with the highest kidney volumes was the 20–39 years group (86.0 cm³). The volumes got smaller with age (≥60 years: 71.3 cm³). There were big differences in kidney volume between age groups (p=0.0012), but there were no differences between sides (p=0.19). There was a moderate negative connection between age and kidney volume (r = -0.46, p=0.0008). Conclusion: The renal hilar anatomy of people from Bangladesh is very different, especially when it comes to how the arteries branch and how the hilar structure relates to them. This shows how important it is to do routine preoperative vascular mapping. These results improve anatomical databases, which helps with planning surgeries and lowers the risk of problems during kidney procedures
DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COMPETENCY FOR STUDENTS THROUGH A LOCALLY CONTEXTUALIZED STEM PROJECT
Get PDFThis paper proposes a teaching process based on the socially-contextualized STEM (STEMS) model to develop students' environmental science competency, aligned with the PISA 2025 Science Framework. Based on an analysis of the components of environmental science competency in PISA 2025 and the STEMS teaching process, the study develops a 6-step teaching process that explicitly links learning activities to the formation of specific competencies. This process is illustrated through the design of the "Simple Incense Drying Device" project a theme that addresses a practical problem in a traditional craft village, helping local people stabilize production and increase their income. The research results show that the proposed model not only helps students apply interdisciplinary knowledge to create useful technological solutions but also fosters empathy, a sense of social responsibility, and the capacity to act for the sustainable development of the community. This actualizes the goal set by PISA 2025 of forming "Agency in the Anthropocene.