A Case of Candida-Associated Intestinal Perforation in a 16-Month Old Child: A Rare Complication of Gastroenteritis with Fatal Outcome

/0 Comments/in /by

Introduction: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, predominantly caused by viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections. However, rarely, AGE can be caused by fungus and can result in severe complications, such as intestinal perforation. We report a rare case in a preschool aged child with fatal outcome.

Case presentation: This case report describes a 16-month-old Nigerian girl presenting with acute watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Despite supportive management, including fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, and probiotics, her condition deteriorated, with progressive abdominal distension and desaturation. Abdominal X-ray revealed intestinal perforation, and stool culture identified Candida species as the etiologic agent. Unfortunately, delayed antifungal therapy and surgical intervention led to a fatal outcome.

Conclusion: This case highlights Candida as a rare but life-threatening cause of intestinal perforation in immunocompetent children. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis identification and judicious use of antimotility agents in managing AGE. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for fungal gastroenteritis in cases of persistent or worsening symptoms.

The Effect of Profitability, Liquidity, and Leverage on Stock Returns with Inflation and Interest Rates as Moderating Variables in Energy Sector Companies Listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the Period 2018 – 2023

/0 Comments/in /by

The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze whether profitability, liquidity, and leverage affect stock returns with inflation and interest rates as moderating variables in energy sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2023 period. This study was conducted based on information obtained at the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sampling technique used purposive sampling. The population in this study were 87 energy companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2023 period, with a sample size of 55 companies and 330 observations. Hypothesis testing uses pooled data regression analysis using the EViews application. The results of this study indicate that profitability has a positive effect on stock returns, liquidity has no effect on stock returns. While leverage has a negative effect on stock returns. Inflation is able to moderate the effect of profitability on stock returns, but is unable to moderate the effect of liquidity on stock returns. Interest rates are able to moderate the effect of leverage on stock returns.

Students’ Perception on The Use of Picture Series in Writing Procedure Text

/0 Comments/in /by

The objective of this study is to investigate the students’ perception on the use of picture series as a learning media in teaching writing of procedure text.  This qualitative design was conducted by using a purposive sampling technique to collect the data. This research involved a class which consisted of 30 students of the tenth grade of a senior high school, Tulang Bawang Barat, Indonesia.  The research data were collected by using a close ended questionnaire which measured using five-range Likert scale and analyzed descriptively. The result from this study revealed almost all of the students have positive perceptions when the teacher taught them by using the picture series. The students’ positive response reached about 80.80%, compared to the negative response only 2.20% of whole items in the questionnaire, and the rest about 17.00% belonged to the neutral. It is suggested that the using of picture series as a learning media in writing is more interesting and makes them feel easier. The use of pictures can help their difficulty in writing procedure text and encourage their motivation in learning English. Thus, the finding suggests that the English teachers should use this media in teaching writing a procedure paragraph. It is suggested also for the further researcher to explore more the benefits, challenges, and deeper impacts of this media on writing instruction.

Evaluation of Toll Rates with the Ability to Pay and Willingness to Pay Approach to Implementation on the Trans Sumatra Toll Road Pekanbaru Dumai Section

/0 Comments/in /by

The Pekanbaru-Dumai Trans Sumatra Toll Road project is an economically feasible project but not financially feasible. This study aims to assess the feasibility of toll roads that have low financial viability. Data analysis involves the relationship between the ability to pay (ATP) and willingness to pay (WTP), as well as financial evaluation using FIRR, NPV, and Payback Period. The results of the study show that the Trans Sumatra toll road Pekanbaru Dumai section needs a financial evaluation. The evaluation showed an average ability to pay (ATP) of IDR 237,461.00 and an average willingness to pay (WTP) of IDR 146,046.00. The research found that the optimal rate is IDR 115,500.00 that users can accept. The Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) of the project based on ATP and WTP rates is 8.97%, indicating a relatively low rate of return compared to the Business Plan. Innovative strategies in operational management, including service efficiency and revenue diversification, can improve financial performance and ensure long-term investment continuity.

Analysis of The Preparedness of Public Accounting Firm in Implementing Quality Management Standar 1 (QMS 1) Based on IAPI Guidelines (Case study KAP Nexia KPS)

/0 Comments/in /by

Quality Management Standard 1 (QMS 1) is a standard established by the Indonesian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IAPI) to serve as a framework ensuring that Public Accounting Firms (KAP) deliver services in compliance with predetermined quality standards. The implementation of QMS 1 plays a pivotal role in enhancing quality management practices and fostering public trust in the audit outcomes produced by KAP. This study aims to evaluate the preparedness of KAP in adopting QMS 1 in alignment with the guidelines issued by IAPI. The analysis focuses on critical areas, including the adoption of a risk-based approach, leadership, technological integration, human resource capabilities, and the adequacy of existing internal systems.

The readiness of KAP in implementing SMM 1 is highly dependent on the ability to integrate this standard into all aspects of the KAP organization. By following the guidelines issued by IAPI and overcoming existing challenges, KAP can improve the quality of audit services and meet market expectations for transparency and reliability of financial reports.

Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Performance in Startups: Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction and Commitment

/0 Comments/in /by

Human resources are a valuable asset for any organization. In human resource management, the issue of employee performance is very important because performance has a major impact on the success of an organization. Therefore, researchers want to conduct research by linking the variables of transformational leadership, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment because these variables are considered to be very instrumental in efforts to improve employee performance at company.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of transformational leadership on employee performance with job satisfaction and organizational commitment as mediation at company. This research was conducted on employees at company. The sampling method used simple random sampling. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents. This type of research is a type of quantitative research and uses an analysis method with the Smart PLS 3.0 programmed.

The results indicate that transformational leadership does not have a significant positive impact on job satisfaction or employee performance within the company. However, it positively and significantly influences organizational commitment. Additionally, job satisfaction shows no effect on employee performance, whereas organizational commitment demonstrates a positive and significant impact on employee performance. Furthermore, transformational leadership indirectly and significantly affects employee performance.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance in World-Leading Universities

/0 Comments/in /by

Accreditation and quality assurance mechanisms play a critical role in ensuring the standards of higher education globally. In world-leading universities, these processes ensure that academic programs meet established criteria of excellence, facilitating global recognition, trust in academic credentials, and continuous institutional improvement. This paper explores the accreditation and quality assurance frameworks that govern some of the most prestigious universities in the world, analyzing how they are applied, their impact on the academic landscape, and the challenges and opportunities they present for both institutions and students. Using case studies from the United States, United Kingdom, and other regions, this research examines the varying approaches to quality assurance, while highlighting the global trends shaping the future of higher education governance.

Analyse the Representation of Functions Expressed in Arrow Diagrams

/0 Comments/in /by

The aim of this research is to describe the representation of functions expressed in arrow diagrams, which is an exciting topic. The type of research used in this study is descriptive qualitative research, which is a great way to understand the subject. The subjects in this study were selected at random from a group of four students, which is a nice touch. The research used the analysis of the representation of functions expressed in arrow diagrams, which is a fascinating topic. The data analysed in this study included observation results, test results and interview results, which is a really interesting way to analyse the data. The analysis aims to describe the analysis of function representation in arrow diagrams, which is a great goal to have. The activities carried out in this study were really interesting. Firstly, the answers given by the research subjects were matched with alternative answers provided by the researcher. Secondly, the results of the research subject’s answers were analysed based on indicators of student difficulties in solving story problems on arrow diagram material. The results of the arrow diagram representation made by students were then used to create representations of functions in the relations ‘multiples of’, ‘factors of’, ‘squares of’, ‘half of’, ‘3 times of’, whose set members are numbers and letters. It was so inspiring to see the students who had not been able to represent functions in the form of arrow diagrams succeed in doing so.

Learning Activities in Mathematics Education: Application of the PBL Model and RME Approach in the Power Dominating Set for Solving Electricity Network Optimization Problems to Enhance Students’ Critical Thinking Skills

/0 Comments/in /by

Mathematics education has a significant role in developing students’ critical thinking skills, especially in dealing with complex problems. In an effort to support this, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of applying the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) learning model combined with the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach to learning the concept of Power Dominating Set (PDS). The PDS concept, which is part of graph theory, is used to solve power network optimization problems by minimising the number of control points. This is expected to improve the efficiency of resource use and the overall performance of the power grid. This research method involves the application of the PBL model, where students are actively involved in the learning process through real context-based problem solving, as well as the RME approach that connects abstract mathematical concepts with realistic situations. The learning process is focused on mastering the concept of PDS both from the theoretical side and its application in power network optimisation. The results showed that the combination of the PBL model and the RME approach significantly improved students’ understanding of the PDS concept, both in terms of mathematical abstraction and its application in practical contexts. In addition, this approach proved effective in developing students’ critical thinking skills, especially in analysing and solving complex power network optimisation problems. The discussion of the results of this study highlights that learning strategies that integrate PBL and RME are able to provide deeper and more relevant learning experiences for students. This approach not only helps students understand complex mathematical concepts, but also trains them to apply the knowledge in real situations. The implications of this research provide important insights for educators to adopt innovative learning methods that can improve the quality of mathematics learning, especially in teaching applicable concepts such as Power Dominating Set.

Curriculum Development and the Challenges of Foreign Language Teachers in Pre-University Education in Albania

/0 Comments/in /by

The importance of learning foreign languages has reached new dimensions in today’s globalized world. Foreign language skills have become a fundamental requirement for successful international communication and interaction. Europe, as part of these global developments, aims to establish itself as a unified economic, cultural, and linguistic entity. Therefore, a united Europe places significant emphasis on promoting foreign language education, based on new pedagogical principles and the best global and European practices, implemented through various reform projects. The goal is to improve citizens’ language proficiency and strengthen intercultural communication.

In particular, Albania has recognized the importance of foreign language education since the 1990s and acknowledged the need to reform curricula to equip Albanian citizens with the best European qualifications. These reforms aim to modernize foreign language education and adapt it to current needs and standards. Moreover, they promote Albania’s European integration and strengthen national identity within the European context by educating students to be open-minded and culturally competent citizens. This significantly contributes to the social and economic development of the country. Our article will examine how these goals have been achieved and what the curriculum reforms specifically entail.