ABSTRACT This study examines how the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), an alternative media platform, engages with climate change narratives in India. Dominant climate discourses, particularly in mainstream media, often adopt technocratic and universalizing approaches that prioritize urban, elite, and state-sanctioned perspectives, while neglecting the voices, knowledge systems, and lived experiences of rural and Indigenous communities. Against this backdrop, the study employs a decolonial lens to analyze how PARI challenges these dominant frameworks by documenting rural and Indigenous experiences, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and local resilience strategies. Through an in-depth analysis of selected climate-focused content, including articles, photo essays, and oral histories, this study reveals how PARI embeds climate narratives within the wider socio-historical, cultural, and political contexts, highlighting intersections of colonial histories, caste, gender, and livelihoods. The findings show that while PARI diversifies climate communication and contributes to broader decolonization efforts, tensions arise in translation, editorial mediation, and the negotiation between mainstream journalistic norms and alternative storytelling practices.

The same, but different: Understanding responsibility attributions for depression with a cross-national survey in the United States and Germany.

This study aims to develop an illustrated storybook themed around sexual education as an engaging and appropriate learning medium for elementary school students. The motivation for this research is the limited explicit delivery of sexual education material in schools, which often leads to children lacking adequate understanding of body awareness, privacy, and self-protection. The research utilizes a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach divided into four stages: problem analysis, product design, interactive trials, and reflection. The study subjects include teachers, students, and parents at SDN 1 Buwun Mas. Data was gathered through validation questionnaires from design, material, and language experts, and teacher and student responses to the illustrated storybook. The study results show the developed storybook achieved eligibility levels of 95% for design, 94% for materials, and 93% for language—each classified as “very worthy.” In addition, practicality received a score of 97%, categorized as “very practical.” The illustrated storybook is deemed effective in conveying sexual education using simple language and polite illustrations appropriate for the developmental stage of elementary-aged children. Thus, the illustrated sexual education storybook is feasible, practical, and educational and can serve as an alternative learning medium to increase children's awareness of protecting their bodies and themselves from an early age.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) represent a promising solution for large-scale energy storage systems due to their scalability, long cycle life and flexible design. Among the most critical components of RFBs are the electrolytes, which define the final energy density, cost and operational stability. In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted attention as alternative electrolyte media owing to their simple synthesis, wide electrochemical windows, high solubility of metal ions and high thermal stability. DESs are typically formed by mixing choline chloride with ethylene glycol. However, traditional DESs of this type contain a high concentration of chloride ions which introduces several limitations including instability of the electrodes and a high sensitivity to moisture due to the hygroscopic nature of choline chloride. In this work, we propose a DES formulation, where metal salts (FeCl2 and ZnCl2) are mixed with choline chloride-free neutral ligands, yielding to non-aqueous electrolytes for battery systems. Two flow battery configurations were demonstrated: a fully iron-based system (Fe–Fe) and a zinc–iron system (Zn–Fe), both operating with ethylene glycol as the primary solvent. Electrochemical characterizations, including cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to assess redox reversibility and electrolyte conductivity. Potentiostatic depositions were also performed from both Fe(II) and Zn(II) solutions to evaluate plating behavior and film morphology. The ethylene glycol-based DES facilitated controlled and uniform electrodeposition of both iron and zinc with suppressed dendrite formation and minimized parasitic hydrogen evolution. Finally, prototype flow batteries were assembled and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests were conducted to investigate the stability and practical applicability of the systems. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the development of high-energy, non-aqueous redox flow batteries as cost-effective, high-performance and sustainable energy storage solutions.

The purpose of this study is to develop non-text teaching materials based on the social capital of local wisdom, used as an alternative learning resource in elementary schools to foster students’ social care attitudes. This research employed the research and development (R&D) method. The Borg & Gall model served as the foundation, but for practicality, it adopted Sukmadinata’s simplification into three major stages: preliminary study, teaching material development, and effectiveness testing. The development of non-text teaching materials rooted in Kuningan’s local wisdom was carried out through stages of needs analysis, design, validation, revision, and trials, resulting in a final product ready for dissemination. The content was packaged in the form of 3D illustrated stories that highlight Kuningan’s cultural values such as gotong royong (mutual cooperation), silih asih-silih asah-silih asuh (mutual love, care, and guidance), and local traditions, with the aim of cultivating students’ social care attitudes. Expert validation indicated a high level of feasibility with minor revisions, while feedback from FGDs emphasized the need for reflective activities and a glossary. Both limited and extensive trials demonstrated that the teaching materials were well received by students, as evidenced by increased comprehension, engagement, and relevance. The effectiveness of the materials was supported by statistical data, where the experimental group’s N-Gain reached 51.16% (moderate) compared to the control group’s 8.91% (low), with the Mann-Whitney U test showing a significant difference in post-test results (p = 0.000). These findings align with Lickona’s character education theory and recent research affirming the importance of reinforcing local cultural values, making these materials strategic for fostering elementary students’ social care attitudes. This study demonstrates that non-text teaching materials based on local wisdom are effective in developing elementary students’ social care attitudes. The practical implication is that teachers can utilize them as contextual alternative learning media, while policymakers may adopt them as references for curriculum development grounded in local cultural values.

Foliar fertilizer with an affordable market price can be utilized as an alternative medium for callus induction in Amorphophallus muelleri Blume. This study aims to compare the concentration of foliar fertilizer used as an alternative medium. This study used different concentrations of foliar fertilizer as culture medium: full strength (3,0 g/L) and half strength (1,5 g/L) as substitutes for Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The media were supplemented with plant growth regulators (PGRs) 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) at 1,0 mg/L and BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) at 0,5 mg/L for callus induction, and the study aimed to assess the effect of foliar fertilizer (Gandasil D) instead of MS (Murashige-Skoog) medium. The study used a completely randomized design with three treatments, and the data were analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). If the ANOVA was significant at α=5%, the DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test) was used to determine differences. The results showed that the formulation was Gandasil D (3,0 g/L) + 2,4-D (1,0 mg/L) + BAP (0,5 mg/L). However, it had a lower average increase in callus diameter than the Gandasil D (1,5 g/L) + 2,4-D (1,0 mg/L) + BAP (0,5 mg/L) treatment. Still, it provided a higher average increase in fresh weight and a lower browning percentage. Foliar fertilizer (Gandasil D) can be used as a substitute for MS medium to induce porang callus, but further optimization is needed by adding vitamins and organic compounds to achieve growth comparable to that in MS medium.

This article examines how far-right groups advance political agendas through digital platforms, specifically by embedding reactionary ideology within health and wellness discourse. Our investigation concerns the “Barbarian Right” subculture on X (formerly Twitter), where reactionary content is often intertwined with wellness messaging. Using social network analysis of 42 accounts identified through digital ethnography, we mapped the structure of this community and identified key influencers. Subsequent semiotic discourse analysis revealed ideological practices and their relationship to platform affordances. Our findings reveal a small number of prominent accounts, supported by alternative media outlets that dominate this space. These accounts primarily deliver health advice strategically interspersed with white nationalist messaging. This research offers empirical insights into the growing alignment between far-right and wellness communities, shedding light on potential radicalization pathways and recruitment strategies of the dissident right.

This research investigates the biosynthesis optimization of the red pigment prodigiosin produced by Serratia marcescens 11E through submerged fermentation utilizing an alternative cheese whey-based medium, focusing on process parameters and antimicrobial properties. Four types of whey sourced from a local dairy industry were characterized, and the fermentation conditions were optimized using Plackett–Burman and central composite design methodologies, yielding up to 1.43 g/L of prodigiosin under optimal conditions, 25 °C, 200 rpm, pH 7, and 48 h of dark incubation, with whey serving as the sole carbon source. Normalization to biomass yielded 110 mg of prodigiosin per gram of dried cell weight (post-optimization), enabling meaningful comparison with prior studies. Pigment extraction was performed with acidic methanol, and identity was confirmed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antimicrobial activity of the purified pigment was also evaluated. Although cheese whey has significant nutritional value, nearly half of the global production is discarded due to high treatment costs. This study demonstrates that whey can be repurposed as a sustainable and economical fermentation medium for pigment production, which is compatible with dairy plants. This makes it a promising solution to address the underutilization of whey by cheese local producers in Mexico. Prodigiosin has diverse industrial applications, including antimicrobial, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties. These findings highlight the potential for dairy waste valorization in a circular bioeconomy, reducing environmental impacts and promoting the creation of valuable bioproducts.

ABSTRACT Mainstream media representations of women’s sexual desire typically limit the full range of possibilities for sexual agency and embodied pleasure. This occurs when they foreground the importance of men’s sexual gratification, prioritise heteronormativity, exclude diverse identities and bodies, and frame women’s desire as an individualised project of the self. It remains unclear whether feminist alternative digital media disrupt and resist these normative constructions of women’s sexual desire, how they might do so, and with what possibilities for readers’ agentic sexual subjectivity construction. Addressing these questions, we conducted a discourse analysis of 55 articles from self-identified feminist online publications examining constructions of women’s sexual desire. Our analysis highlights two dominant constructions of desire: (1) “desire as diverse,” relating to an expanded representation of who can be sexually desiring and how, and (2) “desire as political,” locating desire within wider social critique and as a tool for social change. These indicate a potential broadening of women’s sexual agency but ultimately are undercut by neoliberal discourses of individual self-work and improvement.

This study aims to develop and determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based e-module using the Engineering Design Process (EDP) approach in elementary science learning. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) method using the ADDIE model, which consists of five stages: Analyze (identifying needs and student characteristics), Design (designing the structure and content of the e-module), Develop (developing the digital product and conducting expert validation), Implement (testing with fifth-grade students at SDN Gunung Parang, Sukabumi City), and Evaluate (analyzing effectiveness through pre-test, post-test, and student response questionnaires). The subjects were 21 fifth-grade students. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, expert validations (material, media, and practitioners), and learning achievement tests. Validation results showed an overall feasibility score of 88% (very feasible), with 79% from material experts, 90% from media experts, and 95% from practitioners. Effectiveness testing indicated an increase in students’ average scores from 59.38 (pre-test) to 90.00 (post-test), with an N-Gain value of 0.75 (high category). Therefore, the STEM–EDP-based e-module is declared feasible and effective for improving students’ conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills on the topic Light and Its Properties, serving as an innovative alternative learning medium for elementary science education.

ABSTRACT Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is increasingly paired with electrofishing efforts for aquatic biomonitoring and it has been shown that aquatic eDNA and electrofishing can be complementary when used together. Sedimentary eDNA is also used when monitoring rivers but is infrequently paired with electrofishing. Additionally, the utility of capturing eDNA from suspended solids as an alternative sampling medium in freshwater systems has not been explored. In this study, we used a common universal 12S metabarcoding assay for fishes on three different eDNA sampling media (water, benthic surface sediments, and trapped suspended solids) to determine which most similarly estimated fish community diversity with paired electrofishing efforts in a recently restored creek in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. A mock community comprised of DNA extracts from fish inhabiting the system was used as a positive control for species detection. Estimates of species richness were most comparable between electrofishing and trapped suspended solids though water samples estimated the greatest overall species richness. However, all three eDNA sampling media were found to generate estimates of community diversity that were more similar to each other than they were to estimates from electrofishing. Differences in community diversity were associated most strongly with collection method, weakly with sampling site, and were not associated with sampling period. Additionally, an indicator species analysis revealed that the taxa discriminating between the eDNA and electrofishing methods were all taxa that could not be amplified from the mock community. These findings suggest that the dissimilarity in diversity and indicator species observed between eDNA and electrofishing sampling methods is being primarily driven by methodological limitations relating to primer specificity and resolution.

In the context of media fragmentation and declining public trust in mainstream journalism, independent podcasts in Indonesia have emerged as alternative spaces for public discourse. These digital platforms enable marginalized voices and critical narratives to reach wider audiences, offering an avenue for civic engagement and grassroots activism. This study aims to explore how independent podcasts contribute to the formation of social awareness, identify the communication strategies used by podcasters, and map patterns of listener interaction as a form of participatory citizenship. Employing a qualitative approach, the research integrates digital ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and critical discourse analysis. Data were collected from 15 independent podcast channels, 12 in-depth interviews with podcasters and active listeners, and content analysis of 30 podcast episodes discussing social, political, and environmental themes. The findings reveal that independent podcasters act as organic intellectuals who use personal storytelling, emotional resonance, and ideological framing to raise social consciousness. The most common themes include human rights, labor issues, gender equality, and environmental justice. Audience engagement extends beyond listening—listeners share content, participate in discussions, donate, and even mobilize offline action. The study recommends supporting independent podcast production through funding, training in critical media literacy, and expanding accessibility to underserved communities. Independent podcasts represent not only an emerging media form but also a democratic communication model capable of reshaping public dialogue in Indonesia.

Purpose This study explores how community managers in Greek digital journalism perceive online communities' role in transforming news production and engagement. Traditional journalism has evolved toward participatory approaches, yet limited research examines creators' and managers' perspectives, particularly in non-English speaking contexts. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four prominent online communities that have been pioneers in the area. The interviews comprised 13–16 questions organized into thematic sections along the same axes for each interviewee, though they presented slight differentiations depending on each outlet. Findings Online communities are essential for fostering engagement and creating sustainable alternative journalism models. Community building requires balancing dialogue with constructive standards. Subscription models enable editorial independence, while feminist platforms demonstrate how shared values strengthen cohesion. However, managing hostile behavior presents ongoing challenges requiring sophisticated moderation. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to four Greek platforms, focusing on managers' perspectives rather than audience experiences. Future research should expand geographically and incorporate community viewpoints. Practical implications The findings offer insights for practitioners developing community-centered approaches. Well-managed online communities enhance news credibility, provide sustainable funding alternatives and strengthen democratic engagement while requiring significant moderation investment. Social implications Online news communities contribute to democratic discourse by providing platforms for civic engagement and diverse representation. Success depends on management strategies balancing freedom of expression with constructive dialogue standards. Originality/value This research provides the first systematic examination of community management perspectives in Greek digital journalism, contributing to understanding how participatory journalism functions within culturally specific environments and offering practical guidance for sustainable online communities.

This study aims to develop interactive learning media based on Wordwall in the subject of science for grade IV at SD Negeri Jatiwates 1 Jombang. The research method used is the ADDIE development model which includes five stages, namely Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The research subjects consisted of 20 fourth grade students and involved design experts, material experts, media experts, and colleagues as validators. The results of validation from experts and trials on students showed that Wordwall-based learning media were included in the "very feasible" category for use in the learning process. This media is able to increase motivation, learning activities, and student learning outcomes. The advantages of this media lie in its attractive visual appearance, high interactivity, and suitability to the learning characteristics of elementary school students. This study recommends the use of Wordwall as an alternative media in thematic learning in elementary schools, as well as opening up opportunities for further development in various subjects and levels of education.

ABSTRACT Objective This study examines how agenda setting operates in today's hybrid media ecosystem by investigating how mainstream political events during the 2024 US election year were discussed on alternative social media platforms. Methods The study analyzes over 2000 mainstream news articles about high‐profile political events from January to March 2024, and related discourse across Facebook, Gab, Truth Social, and Telegram using Structural Topic Modeling and sentiment analysis. Results Alternative platforms create parallel information ecosystems that challenge traditional mechanisms of agenda setting. Three dominant topics emerged: Trump and election issues (40%), global conflict and US foreign policy (20%), and immigration (20%). These narratives exploit fear and anger with negative tones, but also incorporate humanizing language. Conclusions Alternative platforms construct parallel information ecosystems that rival traditional agenda‐setting mechanisms.

This study aims to determine the effect of puzzle media on student learning outcomes in the material of adding fractions in grade 3 of elementary school. The method used is an experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design, where one group uses puzzle media in the learning process and the other group uses conventional methods. The population taken is the results of classes 3B and 3C. The sample of this study consists of two classes, namely the experimental class (using puzzle media) and the control class (not using puzzle media). The instrument used is an essay test of 5 pretest questions and 5 posttest questions. The results of the analysis using the t-test showed a significant difference between student learning outcomes in the experimental class and the control class. The use of puzzle media has been proven to improve students' understanding of the concept of fractions in a more enjoyable, active, and interactive way. Therefore, puzzle media can be used as an alternative effective learning media in improving student learning outcomes in mathematics, especially adding fractions.

This study aims to develop an innovative learning medium called GEM (Go Explore Malang), a board game designed to enhance students’ understanding of natural tourism potential in the Greater Malang area. The research seeks to improve contextual and engaging Social Studies learning by integrating local content with a game-based approach. The development employed the ADDIE model, consisting of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation stages. The product was validated by material and media experts and tested on sixteen ninth-grade students at SMP Negeri 13 Malang. Data were collected using expert validation sheets, student response questionnaires, and learning achievement tests, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The validation results indicated that GEM achieved 95.71% feasibility from material experts and 81.33% from media experts, categorized as “highly feasible.” Field implementation showed active student participation, increased motivation, and a perfect learning mastery rate. The game effectively enhanced geographical literacy, collaboration, and critical thinking skills through enjoyable play-based interaction. The study was limited to a small sample from one school; future research should expand the testing scope and explore digital adaptations of GEM for wider implementation. GEM can be used as an alternative learning medium that contextualizes Social Studies content, strengthens local awareness, and promotes 21st-century competencies such as collaboration and problem-solving. This research introduces a novel integration of local tourism content into a board game framework, providing a “glocal” innovation that bridges local identity with global learning strategies in Social Studies education.pertama.

ABSTRACT This article examines the journalism boundary work by studying the journalism metadiscourses performed by the French-speaking Belgian and Brazilian alternative media. Based on a socio-pragmatic discourse analysis, it discusses how these media legitimize their role by criticizing mainstream media and/or by claiming a set of practices considered as desirable in their contexts. The corpus consists of 64 articles collected between 2015 and 2020. The study highlights the alternative media’s strategies of expansion/inclusion and defense of autonomy, as well as their metadiscourses on advocacy journalism and audience engagement. A key finding is the populist dimension of these discourses, as both contexts reflect a desire to reconnect journalism with ‘the people’ and to maintain that alternative media are authentic representatives of public interests. In Belgium, this populism is media-centric and reformist, challenging economic structures while promoting pluralism and civic participation. In Brazil, it is more radical and ideological, expressing a deep distrust of the mainstream media for its complicity with political elites. In both cases, audience engagement is used to legitimize the role of alternative media by claiming proximity to ordinary citizens and presenting themselves as corrective – or even substitute – voices in a crisis of journalistic authority and democratic representation.

Urban farming is an activity that is currently widely carried out by people in urban areas. This is due to the limited agricultural land in urban areas. So that urban farming becomes an alternative for people in urban areas to carry out agricultural activities. Agricultural activities are usually identical to work done by men, but in urban farming, women can also do it. This is because urban farming can be carried out flexibly around people's homes by utilizing land or yards that are limited in size and can use other alternative media to be a container for carrying out urban farming. In the current era of digitalization, all human activities cannot be separated from the use of communication media. In carrying out urban farming, women farmers need media to communicate and sources of information that are considered accurate and reliable to support their urban farming activities. This research aims to identify the characteristics of women farmers, the use of communication media and information sources in implementing urban farming in Pekanbaru City. The research method used is a survey method. The research approach was carried out with an ex post facto analysis design. Data analysis used to answer all research objectives is descriptive from the results of the Likert scale. The results of the research show that activeness in groups is a characteristic that is generally possessed by women farmers. The use of communication media and information sources by women farmers in implementing urban farming is classified in the very good category with a score of 4.39. The highest score is on the media indicator used in communication. This shows that the use of communication media and information sources among women farmers in Pekanbaru City is good.

Education is essential in character building and human resource development, especially at the Junior High School (SMP) level, a key stage in student growth. One innovative approach is using technology-based media, such as educational games, which enhance learning interest and conceptual understanding in an engaging way. This research aims to design an Android-based educational game with a plant-growing theme for SMP Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo. The development follows the Luther-Sutopo method, which includes six stages: concept, design, material collection, creation, testing, and distribution. The game introduces plant types and basic farming techniques while promoting environmental awareness and patience. Black-box testing confirms all features function properly, and user evaluations show high satisfaction in terms of design, usability, and educational value. This game is expected to serve as an effective and engaging alternative learning medium, particularly in Natural Sciences and Environmental Education.