Ralstonia mannitolilytica Bacteremia in an Immunocompromised Patient: Case Report and Review

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Ralstonia mannitolilytica is an emerging opportunist pathogen reported in many healthcare facilities over the years. We report a case with R. mannitolilytica bacteraemia in breast carcinoma patient with chemo port. Identification of this non fermentative, Gram negative bacilli was done by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). A minireview of cases of R. mannitolilytica bacteremia in the recent years with special reference to those reported in India is done.

 

The Effect of GeoGebra Classic 6 Software on First-Year Students’ Graphing Skills of Hyperbola Functions and Confidence in Lusaka District

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This study investigated the effect of GeoGebra Software Classic 6 on first-year students’ graphing skills of Hyperbola Functions and confidence in Lusaka district. Quasi-experimental was used in the study, that is, pre-test post-test control group design. The research sample consisted of two first-year students lecture groups. The study comprised an experimental group (n=25) and a control group (n=25) first-year students studying MAT 101 (Foundation Mathematics) at one institution in Lusaka district. First-year students in the experimental group were taught using GeoGebra Software Classic 6 and those in the control group were taught using traditional teaching methods. A Hyperbola Function Achievement Test (HFAT) and a 5-point Likert Scale confidence questionnaire was used to assess the effect of GeoGebra Software Classic 6 on First-year students’ confidence on how to graph Hyperbolic Functions. An independent samples t-test was used to compare academic achievement of the two groups at 95% confidence level. Confidence in handling Hyperbolic Functions was analysed using descriptive statistics (mean). The findings showed that GeoGebra Software Classic 6 had a positive effect on first-year students’ graphing skills in Hyperbolic Functions . The study also revealed that GeoGebra Software Classic 6 allowed male and female First-year students to learn how to graph Hyperbolic Functions at the same level and this led to a conclusion that GeoGebra Software Classic 6 is not discriminatory and effects positively on gender. The confidence results indicated that first-year students’ confidence on how to graph Hyperbolic Functions was enhanced more in the experimental group compared to the control group with confidence mean of  and respectively. In view of these findings, lecturers of mathematics are advised to utilize the graphing application GeoGebra Software Classic 6 in their lecture theatres. Additionally, lecturers of mathematics in Higher Learning of Institutions should be encouraged to use GeoGebra Software Classic 6 in the teaching of how to graph Hyperbolic, Parabola, and Ellipse Functions.

Investment Analysis on the Development of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) Production Plant to support the building of Indonesia Infrastructures

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Indonesia is one of the countries that focuses on infrastructure development to support the areas of connectivity and accelerate economic growth while maintaining the global commitment to GHG emission reduction. In order to support the above objectives, competitive bitumen prices with less GHG emissions are foreseen for the infrastructure’s development. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) is one of the materials that is used for the pavement application that could provide 16.99% less GHG emissions compared to the unmodified bitumen due to their capability to provide similar performance with the thinner pavement layer requirement. There are 3 common PMB production processes recognized in the industry, such as Low Shear Mill Technology, High Shear Mill Technology, and Mobile PMB Plant. The Capital Budgeting technique (NPV, IRR, Profitability Index, Payback Period), internal and external analysis such as PESTEL and Porter’s five forces analysis are used to support the decision making for the right technology selection for the PMB processing plant in order to stay competitive in the Bitumen market. The economic analysis has shown that the low shear technology generates an NPV of IDR 186.573.816.286 with an IRR of 75,90%, the high shear technology generates an NPV of IDR 179.179.736.676 with an IRR of 62,39% and the mobile PMB plant generates an NPV of IDR 243.276.282.784, with an IRR of 68,37%. In addition to the highest NPV, the mobile PMB plant has the full flexibility to be mobilized to any project location, especially in remote areas where other production technologies are not available. Based on the above analysis, the mobile PMB plant is the right technology to be selected for the PMB provision to support the infrastructure development in Indonesia.

Design and Evaluation of Robo-Advisors Using Index Fund and Alternative Assets of Cryptocurrency and Gold: Case of Indonesian Capital Market

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Robo-advisor is one of the most prominent innovation in the wealth management industry, and its success in Indonesia has been evident in the case of Bibit. Therefore, wealth management companies need to employ Robo-Advisor to overcome their competition. This research aims to give recommendation on asset allocation method and asset class selection for Robo-Advisors in Indonesia using Sharpe Ratio Analysis. Then, the author will analyze the robo-advisor’s performance during equity market downturn. Finally, The Robo-Advisor’s actual performance will be tested in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The Sharpe ratio analysis result showed that Robo-Advisors seeking higher risk-adjusted return should choose mean-variance optimization over risk parity for asset allocation method, and the inclusion of gold and bitcoin in a portfolio of stock mutual fund and bond mutual fund increases the risk-adjusted return of the portfolio. The proposed robo-advisor’s portfolio protected investors from equity market downturn in 2011-2010 in 83,3% of the case. Finally, the proposed robo-advisor’s portfolio generated better return for the conservative, moderate and aggressive investor during 2018, 2019, and 2020 when compared to LQ45.

The Influence of Principal Servant Leadership, Self-Efficacy and Teacher Work Involvement on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) in Improving Teacher Work Performance at the Yayasan Abdi Karya Elementary Education Level

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This study aims to analyze the influence of the principal’s servant leadership, self-efficacy, and teacher work involvement on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in improving teacher work performance. The object of this research is the teacher who teaches at the basic education level of the Abdi Karya Foundation. The study used a survey method by distributing questionnaires. The number of respondents who filled out the questionnaires was 141 teachers, both classroom teachers, and subject teachers, and samples were taken using the Slovin formula from a total population of 146 from all teachers Yayasan Abdi Karya elementary education level. This research was conducted from January 15 to May 15, 2021. The data were analyzed using the SmartPLS (Partial Least Square) analysis application. The results of this study indicate that the servant leadership aspect has a positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), self-efficacy has a positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and work engagement has a positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and servant leadership, self-efficacy, and teacher work involvement simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). While organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) has a positive and significant effect on improving teacher work performance.

Premium on a Budget: Second-hand iPhones in Indonesia

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Apple, as one of the major players in the global smartphone market, does not have a strong position in the market but there are unique patterns found in the iPhone market in Indonesia as the second-hand market is thriving, although the newer iPhones keep releasing annually. This research is trying to explore the uniqueness of the Indonesia market through several interviews conducted and observation. Through analysing the company’s internal capabilities and market conditions in Indonesia, it is found that despite the annual changes, Apple has preserved the older iPhone due to longer life cycle support by the company, releasing the older iPhones as ‘cheaper versions’ at discounted prices as the part of strategy to maintain the premium images of iPhones. This strategy not only meant to increase the sales of iPhones, but also to increase the consumer base of the iOS product as the iPhone was considered a gateway of the Apple software and product ecosystem. The buyer desired to have the iOS experience on a budget. However, most second-hand iPhones in Indonesia were not registered under Indonesian authorities which could potentially be blocked by the Indonesian government and buyers’ concern about the used quality product. Solutions proposed for the Indonesian market meant selling the certified refurbished iPhone that officially shipped to Indonesia as the budget iPhone options with better quality control to ensure the consumer’s peace of mind.

The Effect of Financial Literacy and Knowledge of Capital Market on Intention to Invest on Islamic Stock Exchange

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This study aims to find out the effect of financial literacy and knowledge capital market on intention to invest in Islamic stock exchange. Our study employed a quantitative method using survey techniques. Samples of this study were ninety-four students randomly selected from two departments of Islamic economy and banking within the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business of  State University of Islamic Studies Datokarama Palu, Indonesia. Our study found that financial literacy variables and knowledge of the capital market have a positive and significant effect on the students’ interest in the Islamic capital market. Financial literacy played a more dominant role compared to the knowledge on the capital market variable. Our study highlighted an important point is that attracting a new generation in the Islamic capital market requires more attention from government and education institutions to provide them with sufficient knowledge and literacy of capital market and financial. Future studies need to study a better way to provide the young generation with financial literacy and capital market knowledge.

Written and Spoken Language in Igbo Cultural Milieu: A Philosophical Approach

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Aristotle in his De Interpretatione sketches how words are related to things through the mind. It is the spoken word that brings to light the secret intentions of the human heart. Hence the Igbo people usually say that the spoken word is the human mind made visible.  In our contemporary society, the effects of many related spoken word problems are often misconstrued as either attacks from the malevolent spirits or as the machinations of the evil people. The spoken words can create as well as destroy. There is, therefore, a serious need to create the awareness and enlightenment in this regard to the grassroots. This work will, therefore, attempts to bring out the concept of the spoken language in Igbo cultural milieu, as a phenomenon to a philosophical scrutiny and, hence to provide the much needed literature in the field. Hence, the work intends to bring some enlightenment concerning the Igbo concept of the spoken words. This enlightenment will as well create awareness on the effectiveness and efficaciousness of the spoken words both in the positive and the negative dimensions, as well as the reason Igbo-African prefer spoken words to the written words. The researcher primarily uses philosophic techniques as a method to achieve the purpose of the study.

The Competence-Based Development of Village Government Personnel towards Superior and Independent Villages in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia

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The shift in government paradigm has also affected the village government system in Indonesia. Previously, villages were the subordinate of the regency government. Nowadays, they have been autonomous governments. This, in a sense, is an advancement, yet it also poses challenges regarding how the autonomy shall be implemented, particularly the low competence that village government personnel have. Therefore, it needs to develop using a competency-based model. This research aims at identifying the competencies needed by village government personnel’s offices and preparing their competence standards. The method employed is survey and the data are collected using questionnaires, interviews, focussed group discussions, and documentation. The data are analyzed using descriptive statistics. The research is conducted in Banyumas Regency. The research results indicate that 3 (three) competencies are identified, namely managerial, sociocultural and technical competencies. The last one includes general and specific technical competencies. Each of these competencies is deemed as either “highly necessary” or “necessary” one by village government personnel. This shows that the said competencies are the ones needed by these village personnel’s offices. The identified competencies are used as the basis for preparing competence dictionaries and competence standards for village government personnel’s offices.

A Case Report of a Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Mandible

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Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare variety of chondrosarcoma. The localization in the head and neck is rare and mandibular involvement is exceptional. It is characterized by the formation of cartilage by the tumor cells. We report a rare case of a mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the mandible, through this case, and in the light of the literature we will review the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this rare malignant tumor.