Traditional textiles, such as Javanese Batik in Indonesia, are not only cultural artifacts but also repositories of mathematical knowledge. While previous studies have explored the geometric transformations embedded in Batik motives, little attention has been paid to their numerical patterns and educational potential beyond geometry. Addressing this gap, the present study investigates the mathematical structures—particularly numerical patterns—and ethical values inherent in Javanese Batik motives. The novelty of this research lies in uncovering the integration of cultural heritage and mathematics through ethnomathematical analysis, which remains underexplored in existing literature. Utilizing an ethnographic approach, including literature review, documentation, and field observations, the study identifies recurring numerical patterns and embedded cultural philosophies within Batik designs. These findings reveal that Javanese Batik offers meaningful contexts not only for teaching mathematical concepts but also for fostering character education through values such as discipline, patience, and harmony. The results suggest that these motives can be transformed into culturally responsive teaching materials, particularly e-modules for learning numerical patterns. This study contributes to the broader field of mathematics education by demonstrating how local cultural artifacts can support cognitive and affective learning goals, thus offering a novel pathway for integrating mathematics with cultural and moral education.

Several studies have highlighted the existence of demotivated teachers in schools. There are several demotivating factors that influence the decisions and commitment that a teacher can acquire. The literature review allows us to characterize the factors that different authors identify to explain teacher demotivation. This article aims to analyze some of the factors that influence mathematics teachers demotivation and the evaluation of the degree of demotivation in relation to work environment, teaching autonomy, extrinsic values, and students. The information was collected from a questionnaire consisting of 24 items, which was given to 121 active Albanian teachers teaching at different levels of education. These data were analyzed using a quantitative methodology. The independent variables gender, teachers age, qualification, pupils age, and type of school are also considered to perform a multivariate analysis. From the results obtained, we can state that the factors that generate the greatest demotivation are textbooks, political conversion and corruption, aspects related to the curriculum, and the costs they must bear. In addition, school status, curriculum changes, meritocracy, material costs, autonomy, and research significantly explain the demotivation of public sector teachers. It highlights the need to seek structured responses aimed at regulating teaching careers. Infinity Journal published by STKIP Siliwangi Bandung publishes original research or theoretical papers about teaching and learning in mathematics education

The integration of cultural heritage into mathematics education remains underexplored in the Indonesian educational context, where existing mathematics curricula often overlook the pedagogical potential of local cultural artifacts in contextualizing abstract mathematical concepts. This gap highlights the need for innovative instructional approaches that bridge mathematical understanding with culturally relevant contexts. This study addresses this issue by investigating the mathematical structures embedded in the traditional Indonesian game Bola Bekel, with a particular focus on its potential to represent the concepts of Least Common Multiple (LCM) and Greatest Common Divisor (GCD). The primary objective of this research is to explore the historical value of the game and analyze how its inherent mathematical elements can be leveraged to teach LCM and GCD in a more meaningful and contextualized manner. Employing an ethnographic approach, data were collected through visual documentation, direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and literature review. The findings reveal that bola bekel not only embodies historical and character-building values but also provides a culturally grounded medium for the representation and understanding of key mathematical concepts. These results underscore the potential of traditional games as effective and contextually rich tools in mathematics instruction. This study contributes to the development of culturally responsive teaching strategies aimed at enhancing students' comprehension and motivation in learning mathematics through the meaningful integration of local cultural heritage.

This study investigates airborne bacterial and fungal communities in south-eastern Italy and Albania using advanced DNA-based techniques and compositional data analysis (CoDa). We assess the significance of airborne microbial communities, detailing our methodologies for site selection, sample collection, DNA extraction, and data analysis. Our results reveal distinct differences in microbial composition between the two regions, driven by local environmental factors. Specifically, Albanian samples showed higher abundances of bacterial species such as Rubellimicrobium roseum and Sphingomonas cynarae, while Italian samples were characterized by a prevalence of Truepera radiovictrix and Rubrobacter radiotolerans. In terms of fungi, Albanian sites exhibited greater abundance of Mycosphaerella tassiana, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Ascochyta herbicola. Aitchison distance-based dendrograms and principal component analysis (PCA) biplots, utilizing singular value decomposition, clearly delineated a geographical separation of microbial communities, underscoring the impact of regional atmospheric conditions on microbial composition. In the discussion, we interpret these findings in the context of regional environmental factors, highlighting their implications for understanding regional differences in airborne microbial communities. The conclusion emphasizes the effectiveness of advanced DNA techniques and CoDa in environmental microbiology, offering insights into how local environmental conditions shape microbial communities and suggesting directions for future research and public health considerations.

In the era of ever-evolving education, integrating real contexts into mathematics learning is essential to improve student engagement and understanding. The problem so far is that learning, including assessments used in mathematics learning, has not used context. This condition causes mathematics learning carried out by teachers (including pre-service teachers) to be meaningless because mathematics learning is still considered a very abstract material, less applicable, and less relevant to everyday life. This study aimed to explore prospective mathematics teachers' skills in designing context-based assignments. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method involving three pre-service mathematics teacher students as research subjects. Data were collected through document analysis, observation, and in-depth interviews. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively, with data reduction, presentation, and conclusion stages. The study results showed that students understand the importance of using context in mathematics learning. However, there are still some obstacles to its practical application. Students often struggle to choose relevant and meaningful contexts and design tasks that can effectively integrate mathematical concepts with those contexts. Based on these findings, pre-service teacher students must improve their abilities in applying the context of everyday life and the environment around them to mathematics learning.

This study investigates the influence of branding on the economic performance of agricultural-livestock agro-processing industries and agrotourism enterprises in the Vlora region, emphasizing two performance indicators: Performance 1 (revenue growth) and Performance 2 (financial improvement). The research aims to verify the relationship between the agro-processing sector and the development of agritourism by analyzing how branding and the marketing of locally indicated products enhance economic outcomes. Data were collected from over 100 agro-processing industries and agrotourism businesses and analyzed using the STATA software. The findings reveal that branding has a significant positive effect on financial performance, with revenue increasing from 1,111 to 2,593 after implementing branding strategies. Furthermore, the marketing of branded products is linked to a notable rise in tourist numbers—an average of 2,815 compared to 2,640 in non-branded businesses—demonstrating that brand identity strengthens the competitiveness and attractiveness of agrotourism destinations. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of branding analysis within the dual framework of agro-processing and agritourism, highlighting branding as both an economic and cultural lever for rural development. Unlike previous studies that examined these sectors separately, this research provides empirical evidence of branding’s role as a bridge between local product identity and sustainable tourism growth. These results underscore the strategic importance of investing in brand development to enhance rural economic resilience, promote value-added agricultural products, and stimulate regional economic development through the synergy of agriculture, industry, and tourism.