City District Research Articles

Profile of Critical Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students in Surakarta City Based on Elements Curriculum Merdeka

One of the focuses of education in Indonesia today is improving students’ critical thinking skills. This focus is evident by incorporating the dimension of critical thinking as one of the characteristics that must be developed in the Merdeka curriculum. This research aims to determine the profile of critical thinking skills among elementary school students in Surakarta city as a consideration for the implementation of the Merdeka curriculum. This study used a survey method. The sample consisted of 225 Phase B Grade IV students from 9 elementary schools located in 5 districts in Surakarta city. The sample selection was carried out using purposive sampling, with each district being represented by 2 elementary schools. The research instrument used is a case study-based written test. Questions on the research instrument are formulated based on elements and sub-elements of critical thinking skills derived from government regulations on the Pancasila Student Profile in the Merdeka curriculum. The data was analyzed quantitatively using a descriptive approach. The research results indicate that students’ critical thinking skills fall into the low category at 57%, the moderate category at 26%, and the high category at 17%. Based on this data, it can be concluded that the average critical thinking skills of elementary school students in Surakarta city can be categorized as low or inadequate.

Fishing methods of Can Gio fishermen: tradition and transformation

Can Gio is the only coastal district in Ho Chi Minh City, where its natural conditions are favorable for fishing by a wide range of methods and gears. Therefore, from its ancient days, in addition to agricultural activities, fishing became a means of livelihood for many households in Can Gio. In this article, we have deployed the field research method to study common fishing gears frequently used by fishermen in Can Gio district in the past and present to catch fish in “shallow water and deep water”, specifically, stow nets, other typical nets, hooks and lines, types of rakes, etc. Some fishing gears are still used by Can Gio fishermen today, but have changed adapting to the current conditions, especially in terms of crafting materials as well as fishing areas. The research on the change in fishing gears in Can Gio not only focuses on how fish are caught but also reflects the local fishermen community’s flexible adaptation through their fishing over time. More importantly, this greatly contributes to maintaining and fostering the traditional value of fishing in Can Gio district not only at the present time but also in the future.

Salmonella contamination in raw chicken meat in Kabul city: Occurrence and antibiotic resistance patterns

Objective: Food-borne illnesses pose a significant risk to public health on a global scale and are a major contributing factor to illness and death rates worldwide. Salmonella strains found in chicken meat and its related products may be the likely source of a multi-country outbreak. Research is scarce regarding the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella in chicken meat within Afghanistan; therefore, in the present study, the aim was to identify Salmonella found in uncooked chicken meat in the local markets of Kabul city and ascertain their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Materials and Methods: One hundred raw chicken meats were gathered from four districts of Kabul city from May 2022 until April 2023; the isolates were then identified using culture, biochemical tests, and the analytical profile index; an examination of antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted utilizing the disk diffusion technique. Results: Out of 100 samples, only 8 (8%) tested positive for Salmonella spp. The disk diffusion results from Salmonella-positive samples showed multidrug resistance; maximum resistance was against ampicillin (100%) followed by norfloxacin (75%), nalidixic acid (62.5%), cefoxitin (62.5%), tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin (50%). Conclusion: The global occurrence of foodborne infections and antibiotic resistance has increased and preserved public health concerns around the world. Identifying zoonotic bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance patterns is critical for controlling their transmission and facilitating effective antimicrobial therapy in both humans and animals.

Mechanical Behavior of Pre-Test-Curing Nanoclay-Treated Gypseous Sand

This work investigates the effect of pre-test curing at various durations on the stress-settlement of gypseous sand soil treated with varying percentages of nanoclay. The tests are performed on a soil sample from Al-Jameh district in northern Al-Najaf city, Iraq. The soil sample is disturbed and remolded in the Oedometer cell. The remolded specimen will be at 90% of the maximum dry density from the standard Proctor test. Four data sets related to the percentages of adding nanoclay, 0, 3, 6 and 12 %. Each data set includes three groups of pre-test curing periods (Tc), 0, 1 and 4 days. For each tested specimen, a gradual incremental normal stress is applied, i.e., 50, 100 and 200 kPa. For the soil without nanoclay, it was an interesting result for the performance under all vertical stresses that there is a slight decrease in the final settlement. This situation may be attributed to the re-bonded of the particles by the gypsum during the curing time. There was a clear decrease in the final settlement for the nanoclay-treated soil specimens compared to the natural state of the soil (without nanoclay). While a significant decrease in settlement is recorded for specimens with nanoclay (NC) of 6%, which is the best percentage of nanoclay.

Modeling of institutional factors affecting the development of entrepreneurship (case study: Nesa rural district in Karaj city)

Modeling of institutional factors affecting the development of entrepreneurship (case study: Nesa rural district in Karaj city)

Serum Level Alteration of IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in Groups of Healthy Adults with Oxidative DNA Damage in Najaf Governorate.

Najaf governorate was recorded as one of the most polluted Iraqi governorates with increased cancer, autoimmune, and abortion cases. Study Groups. A total of 88 adult volunteers from three test groups were divided based on their inhabitance in different geographical regions in Najaf governorate. Group 1 (G1; n, 29) inhabitants of Al-Ansar, Al-Abbaseyeh, and Al-Manathera districts, Group 2 (G2; n, 27) inhabitants of 22 different scattered districts of the governorate, Group 3 (G3; n, 32) inhabitants of Kufa city and center districts in the old Najaf city. According to previous authors' findings, all participants had uranium contamination in their urine and blood samples, and also, they had DNA damage according to the level of urinary 8-OHdG compound. The control group 4 (G4; n, 25) were adult healthy Iraqi volunteers who were residents of the Sulaimaniyah governorate, which has low-level uranium pollution. The present study aims to determine the effect of uranium pollution and DNA damage on the immune system function in terms of estimating the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and IL-1 beta (β). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Sandwich method technique) was used for estimating the serum cytokines levels in test and control groups. A significant elevation of cytokines levels was reported as compared with the control groups (p ≤ 0.01). The level of IL-6 was 764.64 ± 24.12 pg/ml, 768.87 ± 19.64 pg/ml, and 735.62 ± 18.47 in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The level of IFN-γ was 264.55 ± 19.17 pg/ml, 259 ± 18.76 pg/ml, and 261.20 ± 12.99 pg/ml for G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The level of IL-1β was 99.85 ± 10.81 pg/ml, 116.8 ± 10.71 pg/ml, and 83 ± 19.24 pg/ml in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-1β were 86.5 ± 22.9 pg/ml, 19.4 ± 2.8 pg/ml, and 16.1 ± 3.2 pg/ml in the sera of control (G4). The results showed significant statistical elevation with the corresponding p value cut-off p ≤ 0.01 in IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-1β in the sera of three test groups as compared with the results of the control group. The change in the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-1β) levels indicates a persistent inflammatory response in the participants and may reflect immune system impairment as a consequence of exposure to long-term low-dose ionizing radiation.

Hydraulic characteristics of gypseous sand soil using modeled oedometer cell

The current study investigates the permeability of the sand soil using a modified Odometer cell with a constant head connected to a data logger and computer software. The soil sample is taken from the Al-Jameah district in Al-Najaf city, Iraq. The soil is classified as “SP” according to the unified soil classification system, with a gypsum content of 29%. A modified Oedometer with computerized water volume change is adopted. The samples are disturbed and remolded into the Odometer cell with different densities of 90% and 95% of the maximum Proctor dry density and initially dry. Each of the specific density samples is subjected to three different water heads: 80, 100, and 120 cm. The first head (80cm) is applied to the initially dry soil up to a saturated and steady state. While the other heads are subjected after the completion of the first one. The results of the modification are verified with the results in the literature and it is more flexible and accurate due to the digital recording of the data by the Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT). The results of the water volume change versus time and the coefficient of permeability state that the dry condition (first head) of the specimen is the longest duration of the test for both 90% and 95% density in the change from dry to saturated and then to steady condition. For a 95% density longer than the 90% as expected, but after completing the saturation by the first head, there are method results of the 90% and 95% density, and this may be attributed to the higher water head and/or the effect of the gypsum dissolution.

Research on the experience of building new districts in ecotourism cities – For Guanshanhu District, Guiyang City

In recent years, many cities have upgraded their local infrastructure through the development of tourism. Tourism development aims to create urban tourism neighborhoods with newly renovated infrastructure, allowing tourists to understand the local history and culture while promoting local economic development. This paper focuses on the Guanshanhu District of Guiyang City as the research subject. By analyzing the district’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and tourism facilities, it discusses the strategies and measures for constructing new ecotourism districts. integrating ecotourism elements into the construction of new districts, and promoting the harmonious development of the economy, society, and the environment, which is aimed at providing a reference for the development of new ecotourism districts. It can adopt the methods of investigation and research, data review, experience analysis, summarization, and learning so that it can learn from the experience in the planning of new urban areas in the future, and achieve the goal of promoting the construction of new urban areas by tourism development and creating an “eco-tourism” environment to foster the city.

The Impact of Environmental Knowledge, Green Brand Image, and Religiosity on Green Cosmetics Purchase Intention Mediated by Attitude

The research investigates how environmental knowledge, green brand image, religiosity, and personal attitude can affect green cosmetics purchase intention. The study involved 230 participants who had not previously purchased green cosmetics and were located in Banda Aceh city and Aceh Besar district. The PLS-SEM method with SmartPLS software was used for data analysis. The result concluded that significantly Environmental knowledge and Religiosity affect attitude toward green cosmetics, while insignificantly Green brand image affects attitude towards green cosmetics. Furthermore, significantly Environmental knowledge and attitude affect green cosmetics purchase intention, but insignificantly Green brand image and Religiosity affect green cosmetics purchase intention. For the indirect effect, significantly attitude mediates the environmental knowledge and religiosity impact on green cosmetics purchase intention, however, insignificantly attitude mediates the green brand image impact on green cosmetics purchase intention. The attitude here functions as partial mediation for environmental knowledge impact on green cosmetics purchase intention and as full mediation for religiosity impact on green cosmetics purchase intention. Thus, these findings explain that the model of increasing green cosmetics purchase intention is a function of increasing environmental knowledge, strengthening, strengthening religiosity, and depends on the suitability of people's attitude towards green cosmetics.

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISION AND TEACHER COMPETENCE ENHANCEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GREATER ARUA, UGANDA

The development of teacher competence has been essential throughout history because the quality of every education system depends on the quality of its teachers. This study investigated the relationship between instructional supervision and teacher competence enhancement in secondary schools in Greater Arua, Uganda. Specific objectives were to examine the relationship between directive, collaborative and non-directive supervision and teacher competence enhancement in secondary schools in Greater Arua. The study hypothesised that there was no statistically significant positive relationship between directive, collaborative and non-directive supervision and teacher competence enhancement in secondary schools in Greater Arua, Uganda. The Positivist paradigm and a correlational design were adopted. The population comprised secondary school teachers (n=241) of selected secondary schools in Arua City and Arua District, Uganda. The data collection method was a survey. Study hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Correlation technique. The results revealed a positive relationship between directive supervision (r = 0.144** sig = 0.026), collaborative supervision (r = 0.145*, sig = 0.024) and non-directive supervision (r = 0.161* sig = 0.012, and teacher competence enhancement. The study concluded that all three dimensions of developmental supervision (directive, collaborative and non-directive) have a positive relationship with teacher competence enhancement. As a recommendation, school-based supervisors should apply a supervisory approach according to the competence level of a teacher. Ministry of Education and Sports should organise regular workshops and seminars for school-based supervisors on the principles of instructional supervision.

Analysis Of Satisfaction Of Service Quality Designable House Using Importance Performance Analysis (Case Study: Banda Aceh City and Aceh Besar District)

The quality of livable housing services is the ability of the Aceh People's Housing and Settlement Area Office to meet the needs of livable housing in accordance with the expectations of the beneficiaries. In the literature review, there are 35 indicators which are part of the five dimensions of service quality for livable housing. The hypothesis in this study is that not all of the 35 indicators of service quality for livable housing in Banda Aceh City and Aceh Besar District are at performance levels that need to be maintained. This means that there are a number of indicators whose performance does not need to be maintained, performance needs to be increased at low priority, and performance needs to be improved at high priority. This study aims to evaluate the quality of livable housing services based on the level of satisfaction and interest of the beneficiaries, evaluate indicators of livable housing quality services that need to be improved in terms of performance, and evaluate the value of the beneficiary satisfaction index on the quality of livable housing services. This study uses a quantitative method approach through a questionnaire. The variables reviewed include 5 factors, namely tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The sampling technique used is simple random sampling of 175 beneficiaries. Data analysis techniques used descriptive statistics, Importance Performance Analysis (IPA), and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI). The results showed that the quality of livable housing services based on the level of beneficiary satisfaction was at the satisfaction level with a mean of 3.108 and based on the level of interest of the beneficiaries was at a very important level with a mean of 3.537. The indicators for the quality of livable housing services that need to be improved in terms of performance as a top priority are not leaving beneficiaries waiting for the requested information and understanding the wishes of beneficiaries. The beneficiary satisfaction index value for the quality of livable housing services was obtained at 77.72% which is considered satisfied.

Food Inflation and Household Welfare: A Qualitative Study in The City of Banda Aceh

The results of this study, which was conducted using a field survey (observation) and interviews over seven days in November 2023, showed that food inflation had a negative impact on household welfare in Banda Aceh City. The increase in food prices affects household expenditure, consumption, and health. In dealing with food inflation, households are advised to grow vegetables by utilizing the narrow land around the house to meet some of their food needs. The government is expected to implement policies to avoid food price increases. So that household welfare becomes better with increased purchasing power. These findings suggest practical solutions for households and the government to mitigate the negative effects of food inflation. It is also suggested that future research can be conducted in more depth by comparing Banda Aceh City and other districts in Aceh Province.

Оценка инженерно-геологических изысканий города Тюмени по качеству лабораторных образцов грунта

Carrying out engineering geological surveys is a complex and responsible process. The reliability and safety of design solutions depend on the quality of their execution. This study assessed the quality of laboratory soil samples based on reports from engineering geological surveys conducted in Tyumen city and Tyumensky district. The assessment was based on 13 reports from 9 survey organizations. The Terzaghi and Lunne methods were used for evaluation. To achieve this, data from compression tests on soil samples, obtained from 505 reports, was processed accordingly. The data were presented as diagrams: for the sample as a whole; by organizations; by type and consistency of soil; by depth of sampling. The study concluded that the quality of the surveys was inadequate and identified factors contributing to this. The study provided recommendations for improving the quality of soil samples collected during engineering geological surveys.

Intention to have children of young couples in Ho Chi Minh City – the case study in Thu Duc City and Binh Chanh District

The article aims to investigate the intention to have children in the next 3 years of young couples in Ho Chi Minh City along with the factors affecting their intention to have children. The research orientation is the theory of planned behavior applying in the fertility intention by Ajzen I and Klobas J. The sample size includes 120 young couples (60 men and 60 women), who have no children and have one child in Thu Duc City (directly under Ho Chi Minh City) and Binh Chanh District. The information collection tools are structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The analytical methods used in this study are the descriptive statistics, the bivariate correlation analysis, and the binary logistic regression. The research findings show that young couples agree with the norm of having more children in the future, have a positive attitude towards having children, but their ability to control having children is limited. Majority of young couples want to delay childbirth and do not intend to have children in the next 3 years. Attitudes towards having children and professional work are the strongest predictors of childbearing. Based on the research findings, the article proposes the functional agencies need to issue policies to create favorable conditions for young couples to have children.

Predicting Academic Performance in Mathematics through Online Learning Constructs and Content Proficiencies

This study explores the evaluation of online distance learning as a significant alternative to traditional education, specifically focusing on its application in Grade 11 mathematics education. The research, conducted in six public senior high schools in Quezon City District IV, employs a descriptive-correlational design and involves 873 Grade 11 students attending online classes. Constructs of online learning, including motivation, access and use of technology, perception, self-directed learning, and online teaching approaches, were examined to understand their impact on mathematics academic performance. The findings revealed that students strongly embraced self-directed learning in the online environment, demonstrating high motivation. Positive feedback was observed towards technology use, online teaching approaches, and the overall perception of online learning. Academic performance was generally satisfactory, with diverse achievements in content-based competencies like Functions and Their Graphs, Mathematics of Investment, and Math Logic. Significant low positive relationships were identified between mathematics academic performance and online learning constructs, as well as content-based competencies. Key predictors of mathematics academic performance included motivation, technology access and use, and online teaching approaches. However, the perception of online learning and self-directed learning did not significantly predict academic performance. These findings contribute to a multiple linear regression model explaining 24% of the variance, highlighting the need to optimize online learning for enhanced mathematics academic performance. Recommendations include students enhancing technology skills and self-directed learning, considering specialized mathematics classes, teachers intensifying instruction in crucial areas, and the Department of Education sustaining the Open High School program while simplifying essential learning competencies in General Mathematics. Future research should explore additional online learning factors for a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Biomorphology of Quercus robur L. (Fagaceae) in the Upper Volga lowland (Based on the example of the Dubravna reserve in the Taldomsky city district of the Moscow region)

Biomorphology of Quercus robur L. (Fagaceae) in the Upper Volga lowland (Based on the example of the Dubravna reserve in the Taldomsky city district of the Moscow region)

Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristic of Thin and Fat Tailed Sheep

This study aims to determine the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristic of Thin and Fat Tail Sheep. The study starts from August 2023 until December 2023 in PT Juara Agroniaga Sejahtera, Jepangrejo Village, Blora City District, Blora Regency. The material used in this study was 39 Thin-tailed Sheep and 28 Fat-tailed Sheep aged 1-2 years. The variables measured where Quantitative data were body height (BH), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), body weight (BW), and Qualitative data were fur color and horn. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation, and regression method. The results of this study showed that the correlation between body height (BH), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC) with body weight (BW) in DET and DEG were 0.62, 0.71, 0.72, 0.27, 0.69, 0.65 respectively. The results of this study showed that the regression between body height (BH), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC) with body weight (BW) in DET and DEG were BW = -14.03 + 0.71 BH; BW = -15.45 + 0.74 BL; BW = -21.95 + 0.65 CC and BW = 8.69 + 0.33 BH; BW = -6.76 ± 0.59 BL; BW = -19.43 ± 0.65 CC respectively. The results of this study showed that the dominant wool color pattern of DET is single white, 74.36% white, 15.38% black, and 5.13% brown and DEG is single white, 67.86% white, 14.29% black, and 7.14% brown. DET was 2.56% with horn then 97.44% without horn and DEG is 100% without horn.

Decoupling Analysis of Urban Growth and Carbon Emissions in Wuhan, 2000-2020

The analysis of the coupling relationship between urban growth and carbon emissions and its synergistic change rule is of great significance to the sustainable development of cities. The BCI index method is used to extract the scope of built-up areas of Wuhan from 2000 to 2020, and the relationship between urban growth and carbon emissions is analyzed based on the Tapio decoupling model. The results show that: (i) The built-up areas of Wuhan City expanded from 2000 to 2020 in all directions with Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang as the center, forming a stable monocentric urban spatial structure. The growth of the built-up areas exhibited stage characteristics, including a clear start, acceleration, high-speed growth, and deceleration. (ii) The carbon emissions of Wuhan City from 2000 to 2020 showed an overall growth trend. Three districts, Jiangxia, Huangpi and Hongshan, become high-emission districts, three districts, Caidian, Dongxihu and Xinzhou, become higher-emission districts, and the other seven districts maintain a lower level of carbon emissions; (iii) The carbon emissions and expansion of built-up areas in Wuhan city districts from 2000 to 2020 show obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity. They present a decoupling of aggregation in the central area and some regression in the periphery, but the overall trend is favorable. The study provides useful references for urban planning and policy making.

Simulation modeling as a means of integrating infrastructure for individual mobility in urban environments

The article presents the concept of sustainable development of the territory of the Moscow city district by introducing paths for individual mobility into the transport network. A simulation model of the street road network is created to substantiate the efficiency of implementation, traffic safety, and connectivity of street routes. The accuracy and validity of the obtained model is determined by the use of research methods, which provide a detailed description of the problem area, structured processes and objects, and also establish features of their interaction. To visualize the obtained results, a graph of conflicting and connecting flows in the transport network of the district and graphical models of their behavior are developed.

Rapid neighbourhood-scale modelling of urban heat risks for early-stage quantification of potential passive design mitigation strategy effectiveness: Copenhagen test case

This study employed the urban weather generator (UWG) to model the formation of the urban heat island (UHI) across the twelve (12) districts (bydele) of the City of Copenhagen (Københavns Kommune). In the face of projected future population growth, increased urban development, and rising global temperatures, it is necessary to quantify the ability of sustainable urban development objectives to mitigate the formation of UHIs. Assessment of baseline UHI formation in Copenhagen allowed for testing passive UHI mitigation strategies as defined in Copenhagen’s Kommuneplan 19 (KP19). The results of this study identified city districts experiencing higher baseline levels of urban heat and the effectiveness of the passive UHI mitigation strategies proposed in KP19. Additionally, results from this study suggest that UHI mitigation strategies are more effective combined.