Exploration of Students' Interest Levels in Continuing their Education to Higher Education

This study aims to explore the level of interest of grade XII high school/vocational students in Pohuwato Regency to continue their education to higher education. The study used Rasch Model analysis to evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument, unidimensionality, assessment scale, distribution of interest based on the Wright Map, and difference in item functionality (DIF). A total of 278 students from various schools were selected as respondents through the proportional random sampling technique. The results of the analysis show that the instruments used have high validity and reliability, both at the item and person levels. The unidimensionality test shows the measurement according to the intended construct. The Wright Map shows a diverse distribution of students' interests, with most being at moderate to high levels, with only a few students showing low and very low interest. DIF analysis shows that several question items have differential functionality based on the demographics of school origin so that it shows that there is a bias and in the future needs to be improved to improve the fairness of the instrument. This research contributes to the development of a valid and reliable instrument to measure student interest and provides input for schools and policymakers to increase student support in continuing to higher education

Differences in Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Postpartum Working Mothers Who Received and Did Not Receive Education in the Working Area of Darussalam Public Health Center, Medan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia

The coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia remains suboptimal, particularly among postpartum working mothers who face time constraints and limited knowledge. Personalized Breastfeeding Education (PBE) has emerged as a potential strategy to enhance understanding and improve exclusive breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to determine the difference in knowledge levels regarding exclusive breastfeeding between postpartum working mothers who received and did not receive breastfeeding education in the working area of Darussalam Public Health Center, Medan City. A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-test–post-test design was conducted involving 140 postpartum working mothers, divided into an intervention group (n=70) and a control group (n=70). The intervention consisted of individual counseling, educational videos, diary books, and interactive discussions conducted over six months. Knowledge was assessed using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with independent t-tests and paired t-tests, with a significance level of p<0.05. There was a significant difference in knowledge scores between the intervention and control groups at the first week, third month, and sixth month (p=0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase in knowledge scores was observed within the intervention group before and after receiving the education (p=0.001). Personalized breastfeeding education was proven effective in increasing postpartum working mothers’ knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. Multimodal and context-based interventions should be integrated into maternal health services to support the success of exclusive breastfeeding practices

Accountability of Financial Management in District Government in Banggai Regency

The study aims to examine and analyze the accountability of financial management in sub-district governments in Banggai Regency. The research approach used is a qualitative method with a descriptive research method and the research procedure is carried out by observation and interviews with informants. The data analysis technique used is the interactive analysis of the Miles and Huberman model. The results of the study indicate that the accountability of financial management in sub-district governments in Banggai Regency reflects efforts to improve governance through planning, implementation, and reporting mechanisms that have been formalized in the system and regulations. However, the effectiveness of its implementation is not evenly distributed across sub-districts. Several sub-districts show a decline in the quality of accountability as reflected in performance and reporting achievements that still require strengthening technical capacity and understanding of the principles of public accountability. Community involvement has been facilitated through participatory forums, but has not been fully accompanied by adequate information transparency. Meanwhile, the delegation of authority to sub-districts has opened up space for policy-making closer to the needs of the community, although its implementation requires more systematic restructuring and monitoring to avoid potential inconsistencies with the principles of good regional financial governance. The results of each sub-focus are: (1) Sub-district financial management reflects procedural compliance through digitalization and reporting, but is still weak in internal control. Low understanding of regulations, so it is necessary to strengthen ethics and law and involve supervisors to prevent deviations. (2) The financial process is regulated by SOP and SIPD, but implementation is not evenly distributed due to HR inequality and network constraints. Routine evaluations are carried out, but integrity is not fully guaranteed. Digital supervision and technical guidance need to be improved for effectiveness. (3) Program achievements are measured through Renja and Renstra, but some have failed even though the budget is absorbed high. The main problem is weak planning and inappropriate implementation time. Community participation in evaluation must be strengthened as a needs-based social control. (4) Decentralization through policies in Perbup No. 49/2023 encourages sub-district authority, but its implementation gives rise to legal-political dynamics. Policy monitoring is not optimal. Coordination between OPDs and public participation need to be strengthened so that policies are more accountable and on target

Social, Political, and Cultural Discourse in the Movie Gadis Kretek: A Critical Discourse Analysis by Ruth Wodak

This study aims to analyze the representation of social, political, and cultural discourse in the film Gadis Kretek using the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) developed by Ruth Wodak. This film not only presents a fictional story, but also reflects the historical conditions and socio-political dynamics of Indonesia, especially related to issues of gender inequality, class conflict, political repression, and cultural identity. This research is a qualitative study using the critical discourse analysis method. The DHA approach is used to examine the relationship between text, socio-historical context, and discourse practices. Data were collected through observation of film narratives, dialogues between characters, and visual elements containing ideological representations. The results of the study show that the film Gadis Kretek contains various discourses that reflect the reality of Indonesian society. Social discourse is seen in the representation of gender inequality and class relations. Political discourse is present through the depiction of state repression, historical silencing, and past trauma. Cultural discourse is reflected in the symbol of kretek, traditional values, and the struggle for meaning in forming a national identity. Through these three realms of discourse, this film reveals how power, ideology, and identity are reproduced and negotiated through cultural media. This study concludes that Gadis Kretek is a critical and reflective cultural text, which can be used as a tool to understand the dynamics of discourse in Indonesian society. In addition, this study also shows the effectiveness of the DHA approach in analyzing popular cultural texts that are full of socio-political and historical meanings

Exploration of from and Meaning in the Rambu Tuka’ Ceremony of the Toraja Tribe: Ethopragmatic Study

This study aims (1) to identify the forms of locutionary speech acts, types of illocutionary speech acts, and the pragmatic meanings within the context of the situation and the cultural significance of the Toraja ethnic group during the Sampa’ Rampanan Kapa’ at the Tuka’ ceremony, and (2) to describe in detail these speech acts and their pragmatic interpretations in the ceremonial context. This qualitative descriptive research focuses on speech acts and their role in conveying cultural values and norms. The data in this study were derived from the Sampa’ Rampanan Kapa’ ritual, conducted during the proposal and wedding reception phases of the Toraja traditional ceremony. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation.The results show that in terms of locutionary forms, declarative speech acts were the most common, with 5 data instances clearly expressing statements. Interrogative forms were found in 4 data, often used to explore intentions and cultural meanings, while imperative forms appeared in 1 data, used to issue commands with contextual and cultural implications. Illocutionary acts included assertive types such as informing, explaining, showing, interpreting, convincing, telling, and stating. Directive acts comprised prohibiting, inviting, proving, warning, and advising. Commissive acts included ensuring, while expressive acts included praying, respecting, giving thanks, congratulating, and apologizing. A declarative act was also found, confirming a valid statement. Each speech act carried specific situational context and ethnic cultural meaning, reflecting the values embedded in the Toraja ceremonial traditio

The Influence of Digital Marketing on Customer Loyalty to Local Fashion Brands on Instagram

The study focuses on how digital marketing shapes customer loyalty to local fashion brands found on Instagram. Because digital platforms are now an important part of fashion marketing, knowing how digital strategies help build loyalty among customers is key especially for local brands wanting to stand out in crowded industries. To accomplish this, a survey was given to 250 Instagram users who engage with local fashion brands. In this analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis, were used to determine connections between digital marketing factors (including content quality, brand interaction, influencer endorsement and brand responsiveness) and customer loyalty. All four parts of Omni-Channel have a significant and positive effect on customer loyalty and brand responsiveness and content quality are the strongest predictors. The results of this study add to the literature on social media marketing by outlining how strategies on Instagram can strengthen brand loyalty, even for smaller local fashion companies. This research covers the main direction of digital marketing and also explores how it applies to local fashion branding in a developing market. The findings are valuable for anyone interested in developing better customer engagement in social media, including digital marketers, brand managers and small business owners. It would be helpful for future research to study how long-term loyalty happens and the unique behaviors seen on other social media platfor

Evaluation of the Influence of Prunus Dulcis on the Blood Pressure Regulation in Hypertensive Individuals-a Comparative Study

Almonds are considered an important source of several micronutrients, vitamins, as well as minerals such as calcium, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, thiamine, potassium, phosphorus, and they also possess a high fiber content. The current study aims at understanding the correlation between consumption of magnesium-rich almond nut intake and blood pressure. A case-controlled trial was carried out by doing a stratified sampling consisting of about 10 people and they were divided into two groups consisting of 5 people without hypertension in group A as control and 5 people suffering from hypertension in group B. Group A and Group B were made to consume almonds and the blood pressure of the people in both the groups was periodically recorded for a week to evaluate the effectiveness of almond on blood pressure.,with the collected results a statistical analysis were performed with “chi square test” using stastical software “SPSS Version 23” and represented in the form of pie charts and bar graphs. The current study deals with the relationship between the effect observed due to the consumption of almond nuts on blood pressure. The effect observed in group B is greater than in group A.The statistical analysis (Independent sample t test) showed that there is no significant difference between the two groups(P Value >0.05). The current study results provide experimental support proving the effectiveness of almond intake on blood pressure

Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns among Uropathogens in Baghdad

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common bacterial illness worldwide, but rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a therapeutic issue. Iraq lacks current local data on UTI-causing pathogens and their resistance patterns. The aim of this research is to examine the progression of uropathogens isolated from urine samples in Baghdad and assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Between May 2023 and December 2024 in Baghdad gathered a total of 163 urine samples. Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out in accordance with CLSI guidelines. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (64.4%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.1%), Enterococcus faecalis (11.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.2%). Beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones showed high resistance, although carbapenems and Amikacin were still effective. There was no statistically significant relationship detected between gender and pathogen type (p > 0.05). The data reveal the worrying levels of resistance to common uropathogens in Baghdad, emphasizing the importance of culture-based treatment and national AMR surveillance

The Influence of Organizational Climate and Generational Preferences on Retention with Employee Engagement as an Intervening Variable on Generation Y and Z Nurses at Provita Hospital Jayapura

Employee retention is a long-term investment in future growth and competitiveness. The characteristics of generations Y and Z who tend to move from one workplace to another in a fairly short period of time poses a challenge for organizations. Based on a preliminary study, it was found that 40% of employees had no intention of staying, 40% of employees felt that the organizational climate was less supportive, 30% felt that their current job did not match their preferences, and 40% of employees felt less involved. This study is an associative quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. The population was all nurses of generations Y and Z at Provita Hospital Jayapura. The data collection technique used a questionnaire with a Likert scale of 1 - 4. Data analysis using the Three Box Method and SEM-PLS. Research variables: employee retention, organizational climate, preferences of generations Y and Z, and employee engagement. The results of the data analysis of this study found that organizational climate and generation preferences had a significant effect on employee retention with employee engagement as an intervening variable . Organizational climate and employee engagement each have a significant direct effect on employee retention. While generation preferences do not have a direct effect on employee retention. However, generation preferences will affect employee retention if mediated by employee engagement

Business Process Re-Engineering and Commercial Banks' Performance: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

The rapidly growth in markets as well as awareness and information across the globe requires that organisations to change their operational processes to compete globally. Based on this assertion, the study examined business process re-engineering as a predictor of organisational performance in selected commercial banks in Lagos State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey style of research design was adopted for the study using questionnaire to obtain primary data. Target population of the study was given as Four Hundred and Seventeen (417) which comprised staff from all cadres such as low, middle and senior of eight (8) selected banks in Lagos Island, Lagos Nigeria. Primary data was drawn from a sample size of 201 which was determined statistically using Taro Yamane’s formula but responses were harvested from one hundred and sixty employees which reflected 80% response rate. Findings revealed that leadership change, commitments of top management and adopting information technology significantly affected and shared relationship with organisational performance. The study concluded that continuous improvement towards redesigning business process reengineering is potent enough to enhance and foster superlative performance in the banking sector. However, it was recommended that top priority on reengineering processes should be made by Commercial banks within their organisational structure as a means for boost their overall performance