bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemberdayaan UMKM Sepatu dengan Aplikasi E-Commerce sebagai Pendukung Pemasaran saat Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Kusumawati Tri Ika Jaya , Tju Teja Endra Eng , Hidayat Ravindra Safitra
Published: July 2021

UMKM Istiana Sepatu merupakan salah satu UMKM yang dalam masa pandemi ini menghadapi masalah yaitu sulitnya melakukan penjualan dan pemasaran, dikarenakan pembatasan dan penutupan kios oleh pemerintah daerah. Akibat yang sangat dirasakan yaitu penumpukan barang yang tidak laku. Berdasarkan masalah tersebut kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini menawarkan solusi berupa perbaikan proses yang ada dan pembuatan proses baru yang diterapkan pada sistem e-commerce berbasis web dengan CMS WordPress. Usulan proses pemasaran, pemesanan, pembayaran, pengiriman, dan pelaporan telah dibuat dan diimplementasi sehingga memberikan manfaat kepada UMKM Istiana Sepatu yaitu: adanya informasi yang lebih cepat dan akurat bagi pembeli dan pegawai dalam hal harga dan rincian produk; sinkronnya pencatatan dalam transaksi penjualan dan persediaan yang ada di toko; meminimalisasi terjadinya kesalahan harga dan perhitungan antara transaksi penjualan dan pembayaran; serta proses perhitungan dan pelaporan transaksi penjualan dapat dilakukan dengan waktu yang lebih cepat. Dengan adanya kebijakan PSBB dari pemerintah yang berkelanjutan, pengunjung toko sangat sedikit karena mereka lebih memilih tinggal di rumah sehingga menyebabkan kedua toko Istiana Sepatu sering tutup. Namun dalam masa pandemi, Istiana Sepatu masih bisa berjualan melalui e-commerce yang baru dibuat sehingga jangkauan pemasaran lebih luas dan eksis. Berdasarkan hasil yang dibuat telah dilakukan penilaian dari user menggunakan usability testing sederhana pada web e-commerce yang dibangun; Learnability diperoleh nilai rata-rata 78,97%; Efficiency diperoleh nilai rata-rata 71,28%; Memorability diperoleh nilai rata-rata 82,1%; Error diperoleh nilai rata-rata 85,7%; Satisfaction diperoleh nilai rata-rata 80,77%. Secara kesuluruhan nilai penerimaan user terhadap sistem e-commerce yang dibangun didapat nilai rata-rata 79,77%. Angka ini menunjukkan bahwa aplikasi atau sistem yang dibangun dapat diterima dengan baik dan berhasil memenuhi aspek usability system.
Pelatihan PTK Bagi Guru Untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Pembelajaran SD Negeri Mamajang II Kota Makassar
Authors: Wahid Abdul , Afni Nur , Jumrah Abrina Maulidnawati , Hastati Sri
Published: July 2021

Penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) adalah suatu proses untuk meningkatkan pendidikan dengan memasukkan perubahan dan melibatkan pendidik dalam kerja bersama untuk meningkatkan praktik mereka sendiri. Salah satu upaya untuk meningkatkan sumber daya manusia di SD Negeri Mamajang II adalah melalui pelatihan PTK di sekolah. Tujuan utama kegiatan ini adalah agar guru-guru dapat membuat PTK berkualitas secara berkesinambungan. Bentuk dari pelatihan atau penyuluhan ini yaitu dengan cara melaksanakan workshop pelatihan perancangan dan penerapan model-model pembelajaran pelaksanaan PTK dalam proses pembelajaran; pelatihan pengambilan dan analisis data dalam pelaksanaan PTK; pelatihan cara interpretasi dan penyimpulan hasil pelaksanaan PTK dan menuangkan hasil dalam karya tulis ilmiah; pelatihan cara analisis statistik; serta membuat laporan hasil Penelitian Tindakan Kelas. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan ini adalah pelatihan/penyuluhan, pembimbingan dan pendampingan yang terintegrasi dalam kegiatan workshop penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK). Kegiatan pelatihan telah dilaksanakan sebanyak 3 kali pertemuan. Setiap pertemuan peserta workshop diberikan materi yang berbeda, yang meliputi materi model-model pembelajaran di SD, analisis statistika untuk penelitian dan menyusun laporan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas. Setelah menerima materi, setiap peserta diberikan pendampingan dan pembimbingan dalam proses pembuatan laporan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas. Subjek pengabdian pada masyarakat ini adalah guru-guru SD Negeri Mamajang II Kota Makassar sebanyak 12 orang. Selama kegiatan pengabdian ini berlangsung, ada 4 orang peserta pelatihan yang sudah dapat menyelesaikan laporan PTK dengan baik, dan 8 orang diantaranya masih dalam proses pembuatan laporan penelitian tindakan kelas. Dari hasil tersebut, rancangan pelatihan disusun agar tercapai tujuan secara efektif meliputi: penyampaian materi PTK oleh tim peneliti, penyusunan proposal PTK oleh kelompok guru, dan presentasi proposal PTK oleh kelompok guru. Pelatihan diikuti oleh 12 orang, hal tersebut menunjukkan antusiasme yang tinggi. Selain itu, guru–guru peserta pelatihan memiliki kompetensi yang baik dalam menyusun proposal. Umpan balik dari peserta pelatihan adalah perlu tambahan waktu, serta kegiatan pengabdian diadakan secara rutin, sehingga hubungan baik antara sekolah dan perguruan tinggi semakin baik.
Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Pelatihan Budidaya Kokedama di Desa Sraten Kabupaten Ponorogo
Authors: Sari Septyana Luckyta , Purwanto Hari , Dewi Diana Kartika , Pratiwiningtyas Lavenia , Kurniasari Widya Febriantika
Published: July 2021

Pelatihan ini dimaksudkan untuk mendorong perekonomian masyarakat Desa Sraten Kabupaten Ponorogo melalui budidaya tanaman hias dengan teknik Kokedama. Tempat kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini di Balai Desa Sraten, Kecamatan Jenangan, Kabupaten Ponorogo. Kokedama merupakan UMKM baru di Desa Sraten. Saat ini warga Desa Sraten menjadikan budidaya kokedama sebagai salah satu dari sumber penghasilan mereka. Setiap hari warga Desa Sraten mengolah kokedama dan memasarkannya baik media online maupun offline.
Pemanfaatan Internet Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Daring Bagi Siswa SD di Tempuran Trimurjo
Authors: Mariana Erni , Wardany Kusuma , Novita Novita
Published: July 2021

Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah tentang pemanfaatan internet sebagai media pembelajaran daring bagi siswa SD. Tujuan program ini yaitu untuk membantu anak sekolah di lingkungan sekitar dalam hal belajar, terutama dalam memahami mata pelajaran yang sulit selama pembelajaran daring dari sekolah. Luaran dari program pelatihan ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan siswa-siswi dalam bidang pengembangan teknologi informasi pendidikan dalam mata pelajaran yang menggunakan membelajaran secara online atau daring. Penggunaan media pembelajaran yang di implementasikan menggunakan smartphone ini dapat meningkatan kompetensi siswa.
Tantangan dan Peluang Bagi Millenial di Era Revolusi 4.0 Dalam Bidang Perpajakan di SMK Negeri 2 Baubau, Kota Baubau, Sulawesi Tenggara
Authors: Abdullah Rudi
Published: July 2021

Generasi millenial sangat erat kaitannya dengan Revolusi Industri 4.0. Dampak dari revolusi industri 4.0 terhadap perpajakan di Indonesia sangat berpengaruh terhadap layanan pajak berbasis aplikasi yang merupakan sebuah tantangan dan peluang. SMK Negeri 2 Baubau banyak terdapat kaum millennial yang sangat aktif menggunakan internet. Hal itu sangat mudah untuk siswa-siswa SMK Negeri 2 Baubau untuk mempelajari perpajakan di revolusi industri 4.0 dan mampu mengikuti perkembangannya dalam dunia kerja. PKM ini diadakan secara online dengan memberikan sosialisasi tantangan dan peluang di era revolusi industri 4.0 dalam bidang perpajakan berbasis aplikasi . PKM dihadiri oleh dua puluh delapan (28) siswa kelas XII dan dewan guru. PKM ini berhasil menumbuhkan semangat dan rasa keingintahuan siswa untuk lebih mendalami dan mempelajari tentang perpajakan dalam era revolusi industri 4.0. Dengan adanya praktek pengabdian ini, semoga siswa-siswi dan pihak sekolah mendapatkan ilmu dan wawasan yang lebih luas lagi mengenai tantangan dan peluang di era revolusi industri 4.0 di bidang perpajakan.
Pembuatan Pakan Berbasis Bahan Lokal dan Saluran Distribusi Melalui E-Commerce Pada Usaha Peternakan Ayam Petelur Desa Teppo Kabupaten Sidenreng Rappang
Authors: Mursalat Aksal , Irwan Muh.
Published: July 2021

Permasalahan yang dihadapi mitra adalah kurangnya pengetahuan tentang pembuatan pakan sendiri, dan distribusi pemasaran masih tergolong sempit karena hanya bergantung pada pedagang pengumpul serta kurangnya penerapan sistem informasi melalui media e-commerce. Solusi yang ditawarkan bagi Peternak Ayam Ras Petelur Di Desa Teppo kecamatan Tellu Limpoe Kabupaten Sidenreng Rappang adalah membekali mitra dengan memberikan pelatihan pembuatan pakan berbasis bahan pakan lokal serta memperluas saluran distribusi dengan memanfaatkan sistem e-commerce “Agribisnis Store”. Metode pelaksanaan yang dilakukan bersifat parsipatori dimana dalam pengabdian ini tim dan mitra secara proaktif terlibat langsung dalam melaksanakan kegiatan dengan memberikan pelatihan dan praktek langsung dalam pembuatan pakan ayam ras petelur berbasis bahan pakan lokal, penyuluhan model pemasaran dan pendampingan dalam penggunaan aplikasi “Agribisnis Store”. Hasil yang telah dicapai pada kegiatan pengabdian ini, yaitu adanya peningkatan pengetahuan dan pemahaman mitra dalam pembuatan pakan berbasis bahan pakan lokal sehingga mitra peternak ayam ras petelur dapat membuat pakan sendiri dengan bahan-bahan yang bisa diperoleh di daerah setempat dan mampu mengurangi biaya pakan yang masih tergolong sulit dan harganya mahal, selain itu mitra juga dapat memperluas saluran distribusi dengan menerapkan sistem e-commerce “Agribisnis Store”.
Peningkatan Manajemen Produksi dan Pemasaran Pada Industri Rumah Tangga "Camilan Seleraku" di Denpasar
Authors: Antari Ni Nyoman Wulan , Edwar Edwar , Puspawan Dewa Ketut Hendra
Published: July 2021

Cemilan seleraku adalah salah satu industri rumah tangga di Bali yang bergerak dalam bidang makanan. satu produk unggulan dari Cemilan Seleraku adalah Cemilan Nagol yan termasuk dalam salah satu jajanan khas Berdasarkan kunjungan lapangan ditemukan permasalahan yang terjadi yaitu pertama mitra masih menggunakan kemasan plastik, sehingga tidak marketable untuk dipasarkan di era digital. Kedua, alat penunjang yang dimiliki oleh mitra rusak sehingga menyebabkan pengolahan adonan Cemilan Nagol ini menggunakan cara manual. Ketiga, mitra belum memiliki label kemasan dan Keempat, mitra belum memiliki pemasaran yang modern. Hasil kegiatan ini adalah pemberian kemasan packaging yang menarik beserta dengan desain label kemasan. Kedua memberikan pelatihan mengenai strategi berbisnis di era digital. Ketiga, pemberian alat penunjang berupa Philips Mixer 5599 dan memasarkan produk Nagol melalui pembuatan Instagram.
Youtube Sebagai Sumber Informasi Bagi Peserta Didik di Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Utami Fitroh Tri , Zanah Miefthaul
Published: July 2021

Wabah Covid-19 yang masih mengalami fluktuatif membuat dunia pendidikan di Indonesia masih memberlakukan pembelajaran daring. Efek dari pembelajaran daring tersebut menuntut guru untuk lebih kreatif dan inovatif dalam menyampaikan materi kepada peserta didik. Guru harus mampu memilih media pembelajaran yang sesuai dengan materi yang akan diajarkan kepada peserta didik. Salah satu media yang sedang viral yaitu Youtube, sehingga artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji potensi Youtube sebagai sumber belajar bagi peserta didik pada masa pandemi Covid-19. Metode yang digunakan dalam artikel ini yaitu kajian literatur. Berdasarkan hasil kajian literatur bahwa Youtube dapat digunakan sebagai sumber informasi bagi peserta didik untuk belajar memahami materi. Penggunaan Youtube sebagai sumber informasi juga dapat mengurangi kebosanan dan rasa jenuh peserta didik dalam proses pembelajaran. Youtube dapat menjadi media alternatif yang dapat digunakan untuk membantu menyelesaikan tugas dan sekaligus dapat menjadi sarana hiburan ketika lelah dengan berbagai tugas sekolah.
Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Tema Organ Gerak Hewan dan Manusia Melalui Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning Siswa Kelas V SD Inpres Ampiri Kabupaten Barru
Authors: Ihade Ihade
Published: July 2021

Tes diagnosis pada pembelajaran tema satu organ gerak hewan semester satu tahun pelajaran 2019-2020, menunjukkan hanya 67,64% kategori rendah, dengan tuntas belajar 6 orang dengan persentase 54,5% dari jumlah peserta didik 11 orang, tidak mencapai kualitas rerata minimal 70 atau minimal cukup dengan tuntas belajar klasikal minimal 80% yang mencapai nilai KKM 70. Kemampuan guru hanya mencapai 58,33% dan aktivitas belajar peserta didik hanya mencapai 54,55%, tidak mencapai standar keberhasilan tindakan lebih besar 62,5% atau minimal baik. Solusi penyelesaian masalah, melaksanakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning pada pembelajaran tema organ gerak hewan dan manusia. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini menggunakan model dari Kemmis & Taggart (dalam Sugiarti, 1997: 6), yaitu berbentuk spiral dari siklus yang satu ke siklus yang berikutnya. Setiap siklus meliputi planning (rencana), action (tindakan), observation (pengamatan), dan reflection (refleksi). Subyek penelitian ini adalah 12, lima orang laki-laki, tujuh orang berjenis perempuan. Data kualitatif dikumpul melalui lembar observasi aktivitas peserta didik dan kemampuan guru, sedang data kuantitatif dikumpul melalui tes hasil tindakan tiap akhir siklus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Hasil belajar peserta didik meningkat skor rata-rata siklus tiga adalah 80,45 kategori baik dengan tuntas belajar 9 orang dengan 81,8% dari total 11 orang peserta didik, dibandingkan rerata skor siklus dua 68,73 kategori kurang, meningkat secara positif selisih 11,72% dan kategori baik siklus tiga dari kurang siklus dua. (2) Kemampuan guru meningkat skor persentase selisih 19,44% dan kategori baik siklus tiga dari cukup siklus dua. (3) Aktivitas peserta didik meningkat skor persentase selisih 20,45% dan kategori baik siklus tiga dari cukup siklus dua.
Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Tema Sumber Energi Melalui Model Pembelajaran Make A Match Siswa Kelas IV SD Inpres Pancana Kabupaten Barru
Authors: Hasnah Hasnah
Published: July 2021

Tes diagnosis akhir pertemuan awal pembelajaran semester 1 tahun pelajaran 2017-2018, hasil belajar yang dicapai belum mencapai standar kualitas rerata minimal 70 atau kategori cukup, dengan tuntas belajar 71,0% klasikal yang mencapai nilai KKM 70, rata-rata hasil belajar yang dicapai siswa 64,57 tuntas belajar 42,86% dari frekeunsi siswa yang tuntas belajar 3 orang dari total jumlah siswa 7 orang. Kemampuan guru dan aktivitas belajar siswa dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran tidak mencapai standar lebih besar 62,5% atau minimal baik, skor persentase kemampuan guru yang dicapai hanya 50,93% kategori cukup, aktivitas belajar siswa hanya 52,78% kategori cukup. (Hasnah, 2017). Sulusi penyelesaian masalah tersebut, mengambil inisiatif dengan melaksanakan model pembelajaran Make A Match pada pembelajaran tema sumber energi. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini berdaur ulang tahapan siklus. Setiap siklus diilaksanakan empat tahap, yaitu 1) Perencanaan tindakan, 2) Pelaksanaan tindakan, 3) Observasi, dan 4) Refleksi. Setiap siklus terdiri tiga kali pertemuan pemberian tindakan kemudian diberikan tes akhir siklus. Subjek dalam penelitian ini siswa kelas IV SD Inpres Pancana yang berjumlah 7 orang siswa, yaitu 4 orang perempuan dan 3 orang laki-laki. Data kuantitatif dikumpul melalui lembar tes hasil belajar tema organ gerak hewan tiap akhir siklus. Data kualitatif dikumpul melalui lembar observasi aktivitas belajar siswa dan kemampuan guru. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Hasil belajar peserta didik meningkat skor rerata selisih 11,43%, meningkat kategori kurang menjadi cukup siklus 3 dari siklus 2, dengan tuntas belajar 5 orang total siswa 7 orang dengan persentase 71,4%, menunjukkan minimal 70 atau minimal kategori cukup. (2) Kemampuan guru meningkat skor persentase selisih 23,15% dan  kategori baik siklus 3 dari cukup siklus 2. (3) Aktivitas peserta didik meningkat skor persentase selisih 17,72% dan  kategori baik siklus 3 dari cukup siklus 2.
Uso de Software de Gestion Integrada para el logro efectivo de las acitividades empresariales
Authors: Loo Gil Cesar
Published: July 2021

Los sistemas integrados de gestión SIG se usan como una nueva herramienta administrativa complementaria a los sistemas de calidad, medioambiente y seguridady salud ocupacional, al unificar algunos elementos comunes. Permitiendo que la interrelación de las empresas con sus entornos se lleve a cabo de manera más amigable y responsable. Los sistemas de planificación de recursos empresariales ERP permiten una mejora integral en el funcionamiento de la empresa. Principalmente se perfecciona el control sobre las operaciones administrativas y financieras, con el fin de mantener un registro actualizado de la facturación, visualizar desde cualquier sitio las facturas pendientes de clientes, monitorear liquidez, saber en línea cuánto se le adeudaa proveedores, controlar el inventario, remuneraciones y ver informes de gestión actualizados. El objetivo general de esta investigación es describir el uso de software de gestión  integrada para el logro efectivo de las actividades empresariales. Los resultados que se determinaron fueron el aumento dela eficiencia de la organización, debido a que se disminuyen los problemas operacionales, se logra la optimización de recursos y se aumenta el valor dentro de la cadena productiva. Como conclusión se obtuvo que el uso de software de gestión integrada facilita el logro efectivo de las actividades empresariales.
Implementación de la cultura empresarial para el mejoramiento del desempeño laboral
Authors: Moscoso Paucarchuco Ketty Marilú , Villafuerte Quiroz María América
Published: July 2021

Actualmente la cultura empresarial y el desempeño laboral comienzan a formar parte del motor de una organización. La importancia de las mismas empiezan a ser reconocidas por altos mandos como una forma de lograr mayor productividad y competitividad, las organizaciones desempeñan un papel importante para la sociedad, ya que genera bienes y servicios para satisfacer las necesidades de las personas. El objetivo de este artículo, es estudiar  la importancia de la implementación de la cultura empresarial para el mejoramiento del desempeño laboral de los trabajadores. La metodología empleada en esta investigación se basa en un diseño bibliográfico de tipo documental. Como Conclusión se menciona que para que el desempeño laboral de los empleados sea productivo y sostenible en el tiempo, es necesario que exista un ambiente motivador en la empresa, donde al dar mayor responsabilidad se pueda recompensar los logros obtenidos. Con esto se ofrece, satisfacción laboral para que los trabajadores  eleven su desempeño. Es así como, la productividad de una organización o empresa  depende de un buen desempeño de los trabajadores, por lo que a mayor rendimiento y mayor bienestar para los mismos, mejor será su calidad.
Budgetary Systems in Organisations: An Anatomy of Management Views, Employees’ Behaviour and Productivity Trend of 21st Century Firms in a Tropical Nation
Authors: Umo Usen Paul
Published: July 2021

The success or failure of any budgetary system depends to a large extent on the management assumptions of human nature (views), employees’ behavior and level of commitment towards productivity. The budgetary system may be non-humanistic (autocratic) or humanistic (participatory). Autocratic budgetary system is synonymous with employees’ negative reactions including counter productive work behaviours while participatory budgetary system is identified with employees’ positive reactions embedded in productive work behaviours. While admitting the proposition that certain settings may require the operation of autocratic budgetary system, this paper holds that available accounting literature on management theories and empirical researches support the assertion: Participatory budgetary system is a panacea; that is, a cure for all the many ills which have been associated with autocratic budgetary system. The unconcerned attitude of enterprise management towards modern theories and researches in budgetary systems and practices, the level of counterproductive work behaviours and some illicit acts in businesses and the environment, the corruption trend in a tropical Nation like Nigeria, productivity downturn and economic depression have posed serious concern. Participatory budgetary system relative to modern management views and motivated work behaviours will boost productivity upturn in Nigerian firms.
Marketization of Higher Education: A European Perspective
Authors: Toderoiu Amedeo
Published: July 2021

This paper introduces the research and understanding of European higher education experts on the newly raised higher education marketization. Their point of view is that higher education marketization is by introducing market mechanism and making operation with market characteristics of higher education. Higher education market is a "quasi market". higher education institutions under the condition of marketization is "a hybrid institution", in which students are the biggest consumers. Colleges and universities are encouraged to introduce accounting systems of enterprises in marketization competition, etc.
A Pilot Study of Visual Function Parameters and Their Relationship to Road Traffic Accidents among Drivers in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Ekemiri Kingsley K. , Seepersad Prashan , Ezinne Ngozika E. , Seetaram Krista , Farnon Niall
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: Vision attributes to about 95% of the sensory requirements for driving. When driving, impaired visual functions will undoubtedly result in a delayed response to obstructions. The regulations governing the issuing and renewal of a driver’s license in Trinidad make no provision of a visual requirement assessment. The study was prompted by an upsurge in road traffic accidents in Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation.

AIM: This pilot study investigates the relationship between defects in visual functions and traffic accidents among drivers on the island of Trinidad.

METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilizes a non-probability purposive sampling approach to enroll licensed drivers who had been driving within the island’s districts for the past five years, the study conducted at a Multi-Health-Training Facility in Trinidad’s Central Area. After completing a semi-structured questionnaire, participants were given a full eye examination.

RESULTS: 128 licensed drivers, both male and female, were enrolled for this study with ages ranging from 20 to 70 years with a mean age of 40.9 years ± 13.3 years, in which majority (83.6%, n = 107) of the drivers did not perform an eye exam before obtaining/renewing their driver’s license. About 32% (n = 41) of these drivers were involved in an RTA in the last five years. There was a statistically significant association between colour vision defect (x² = 15.94, p = 0.00), contrast sensitivity with a logCS score of less than 1.52 (x² = 25.05, p = 0.00, Cramer’s V= 0.442) and the occurrence of road traffic accident.

CONCLUSION: According to this study, one-quarter of drivers have been involved in a road traffic accident within the last five years, and three-quarters have never had an eye examination before obtaining or renewing their driver’s license. The relevance of designing and developing a screening protocol that can be easily applied to driving safety licensing policies were established in this study. Based on these findings, prospective driver’s license applicants must undergo a complete eye examination, to drastically reduce RTAs.
Determinants of Bank Branch Presence in Local Areas: A Comparison Between North and South of Italy
Authors: Barbieri Laura , Borroni Mariarosa , Lippi Andrea , Piva Mariacristina , Rossi Simone
Published: July 2021

A close relationship with customers, mainly achieved through the opening of local branches, has long been a fundamental key to competitive advantage in the banking sector. Financial innovation, changes in customer behavior and competitive dynamics have transformed this relationship over time, leading to the closure of numerous branches. This work explores the determinants of branch evolution in an advanced and notoriously bank-centric country (Italy) using NUTS 3 panel data over the 2000-2016 time-span. Results show how - in general - demographic, industrial and economic variables explain the dynamics of banks’ branch location strategy. However, more heterogeneous evidence emerges when North and South Italy are taken into consideration separately suggesting that territorial and regional dimension might play a role even in the banking sector.
There is no Theoretical Limit for Noise Reduction in Digital Communications
Authors: Ladvánszky János
Published: July 2021

Shannon entropy is a basic characteristic of communications from energetic point of view. Entropy has been expressed as a function of signal to noise ratio, and lower bound for entropy has been investigated. We prove that finite nonzero bound does not exist, therefore in case of M-QAM modulation, there is no theoretical limit for reduction of the effect of noise. In our investigations, averaging is considered, exploiting the zero expected value of the Gaussian noise.

Index Terms—Shannon entropy, probability of successful communication, bit error rate, signal to noise ratio, bound for noise reduction.
Pesquisa qualitativa na área de marketing: panorama da produção científica brasileira de 2010 a 2019
Authors: Farias Miriam Leite , Alcoforado Daniela Gomes , Patriota Verônyca Kezya Santos Sousa , Palha Armando Perez , De Souza-Leão André Luiz Maranhão
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica brasileira de pesquisa qualitativa na área de Marketing.Método: Foi conduzida uma minuciosa revisão bibliométrica considerando os periódicos A2 nacionais de Administração no decênio de 2010 a 2019. A análise final foi efetuada sobre um corpus de 82 artigos empíricos que adotaram uma abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa.Originalidade/Relevância: A análise do corpus de pesquisa cobriu os critérios fundamentais da realização da pesquisa qualitativa: orientação paradigmática, o lugar da teoria, método de pesquisa, tipos de coleta e análise de dados e critérios de qualidade da pesquisa.Resultados: Diante dos aspectos analisados, pode-se perceber que a produção brasileira de marketing baseada em pesquisa qualitativa evidencia uma significativa diferença entre orientações positivista e não positivista em termos de adoção de técnicas de coleta e análise de dados, de qualidade da pesquisa e na forma de se usar a teoria.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: Essa dualidade indica dois modelos distintos do uso da pesquisa qualitativa. Os trabalhos de orientação positivistas adotam um modelo padrão, que emula a lógica da pesquisa quantitativa. As pesquisas de orientação não positivista, por sua vez, evidenciam uma postura mais expansiva e variada, bem como com maiores cuidados em termos de rigor.
O comportamento dos consumidores em relação ao descarte de bens de valor emocional e hedônico
Authors: Vieira Diego Mota , Fonseca Laianne Gonçalves
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Analisar os fatores que influenciam o comportamento de descarte de bens de valor emocional e hedônico e suas consequências para o consumidor.Método: Esta pesquisa possui natureza qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevistas em profundidade e foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo.Originalidade/Relevância: Há poucas pesquisas sobre comportamento de descarte. Dentre elas, a maioria está focada em bens utilitários, tais como eletrônicos. Por sua vez, este estudo foca no descarte de bens de valor emocional e hedônico, um processo que é mais complexo, dado o envolvimento do consumidor com o objeto. Verificou-se a implicação da decisão de descarte em processos decisórios de compras futuras.Resultados: Os resultados estão definidos a partir das seguintes categorias: alternativas de descarte, significados e sentimentos associados aos bens de valor emocional e hedônico, motivações e fatores de influência para o descarte de bens dessa natureza e sentimentos pós-descarte. As alternativas de descarte identificadas foram: doar, trocar, vender, guardar, jogar no lixo ou reutilizar. A opção de descarte é pautada por fatores intrínsecos, atributos tangíveis e intangíveis do produto e fatores situacionais. Foram identificados significados e sentimentos associados a esses bens, como nostalgia, apego, fantasia e amor. Dependendo da alternativa de descarte, o consumidor experimentará sentimentos positivos ou dissonância pós-descarte, manifestada como arrependimento, lamentação, insegurança e ansiedade.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: Identificação de novas categorias na análise do comportamento de descarte dos consumidores em relação aos bens de valor emocional e hedônico. Além de implicações do descarte em outras etapas do processo decisório do consumidor (busca de informações internas pré-compra e compra per se). Definição do sentimento de dissonância pós-descarte.
Hofmannsthal und die Kunst des Lesens
Authors: Rispoli Marco
Published: July 2021

Über Hofmannsthal und sein Nachdenken darüber, was Lesen - und auch Schreiben - von Literatur für die Entwicklung der Persönlichkeit bedeutet.

Die Leidenschaft des Lesens stand lange unter Verdacht. Sie schien vom Gebot einer vermeintlich authentischen Lebensführung, von der Möglichkeit eines genuinen Ausdrucks abzulenken. Welcher Wert konnte der Literatur unter solchen Umständen zukommen?

Kaum ein anderer Autor hat sich mit dieser Frage so intensiv beschäftigt wie Hofmannsthal. Nimmt er in seinem dichterischen Schaffen die eigenen Lektüren ostentativ auf, so stellt er in seinem essayistischen Werk sehr häufig das Lesen in den Vordergrund. Die Studie verfolgt die Entwicklung seiner Reflexion von der Idee einer kreativen Kunst des Lesens bis hin zur späteren Suche nach einer überindividuellen literarischen Sozialität. Stetig versucht er dabei, eine strikte Trennung zwischen Dichter und Leser in Frage zu stellen, um dem Literarischen eine gemeinsame, fürs menschliche Leben wesentliche Bedeutung zu sichern.
The Topic of Azerbaijan and the Karabakh War in the Literature of Ahiska Turks
Authors: Alieva Tamilla
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the content, literary features, and historical context of the theme of Azerbaijan and Karabakh in the literature of Ahiska Turks. It reviews the Ahiska Turks’ participation in cultural, economic, and public spheres in Azerbaijan after their immigration to the country starting from 1958 (the Ahiska Turks were exiled from their homelands in 1944). Information is given about the literary works of the Ahiska Turks and their writers living in Azerbaijan, including the activities of the Union of Ahiska Turkish Writers Living in Azerbaijan. Commentary is given on the topic of Azerbaijan in the works of Ahiska Turkish writers, including literary depictions and expressions of the occupation of Karabakh and the Khojaly genocide. Examples are given of praise in the works of Ahiska Turkish poets directed toward martyrs and victims who fought heroically to free Azerbaijani lands from occupation or who lived and died for the “One nationality– one state” ideal. The article analyzes and summarizes the works of Ahiska Turks on the themes of Azerbaijan and Karabakh, laying a foundation for further research on this topic.
Place of Pragmatics in EFL Classroom
Authors: Khansir Ali Akbar , Pakdel Farhad
Published: July 2021

This article’s main aim was to discuss the place of Pragmatics in EFL classrooms. Pragmatics is one of the branches of linguistics concerned with the study of meaning as communicated by a speaker and interpreted by a listener. Pragmatics has relatively recently become the focuses of attention in language studies. On the other hand, it is important to remember that pragmatics components have been used in language teaching contexts in recent years, syllabus design by language teachers worldwide. Many research works have been done by many language researchers in different aspects of pragmatics competence. Language teachers use pragmatics as a functional approach in the language classroom. However, pragmatics follows the general principles for men when they communicate with others. Pragmatics study sentences not in isolation but regarding contexts of situations, and it is defined as the interaction between a sequence of language and the real-world situation in which it is used.
Comparing Drugs for Out-of-hospital, Shock-refractory Cardiac Arrest: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Srisurapanont Karan , Thepchinda Thachapon , Kwangsukstith Siriaran , Saetiao Suchada , Kasirawat Chayada , Janmayka Worawan , Wongtanasarasin Wachira
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The benefit of medications used in out-of-hospital, shock-refractory cardiac arrest remains controversial. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of medications for out-of-hospital, shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT).

Methods: The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials of participants older than eight years old who had atraumatic, out-of-hospital, shock-refractory VF/pVT in which at least one studied group received a medication. We conducted a database search on October 28, 2019, that included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Citations of relevant meta-analyses were also searched. We performed frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) to combine the comparisons. The outcomes were analyzed by using odds ratios (OR) and compared to placebo. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes included the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission, and the neurological outcome at discharge. We ranked all outcomes using surface under the cumulative ranking score.

Results: We included 18 studies with 6,582 participants. The NMA of 20 comparisons included 12 medications and placebo. Only norepinephrine showed a significant increase of ROSC (OR = 8.91, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.88-42.29). Amiodarone significantly improved survival to hospital admission (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.01-2.32). The ROSC and survival-to-hospital admission data were significantly heterogeneous with the I2 of 55.1% and 59.1%, respectively. This NMA satisfied the assumption of transitivity.

Conclusion: No medication was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge from out-of-hospital, shock-refractory cardiac arrest. For the secondary outcomes, norepinephrine was associated with improved ROSC and amiodarone was associated with an increased likelihood of survival to hospital admission in the NMA.
Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Crowding: A Call to Action for Effective Solutions to “Access Block”
Authors: Savioli Gabriele , Ceresa Iride , Guarnone Roberta , Muzzi Alba , Novelli Viola , Ricevuti Giovanni , Iotti Giorgio , Bressan Maria , Oddone Enrico
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Healthcare patterns change during disease outbreaks and pandemics. Identification of modified patterns is important for future preparedness and response. Emergency department (ED) crowding can occur because of the volume of patients waiting to be seen, which results in delays in patient assessment or treatment and impediments to leaving the ED once treatment is complete. Therefore, ED crowding has become a growing problem worldwide and represents a serious barrier to healthcare operations. Methods: This observational study was based on a retrospective review of the epidemiologic and clinical records of patients who presented to the Foundation IRCCS Policlinic San Matteo in Pavia, Italy, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak (February 21–May 1, 2020, pandemic group). The methods involved an estimation of the changes in epidemiologic and clinical data from the annual baseline data after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: We identified reduced ED visits (180 per day in the control period vs 96 per day in the pandemic period; P < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic, irrespective of age and gender, especially for low-acuity conditions. However, patients who did present to the ED were more likely to be hemodynamically unstable, exhibit abnormal vital signs, and more frequently required high-intensity care and hospitalization. During the pandemic, ED crowding dramatically increased primarily because of an increased number of visits by patients with high-acuity conditions, changes in patient management that prolonged length of stay, and increased rates of boarding, which led to the inability of patients to gain access to appropriate hospital beds within a reasonable amount of time. During the pandemic, all crowding output indices increased, especially the rates of boarding (36% vs 57%; P < 0.001), “access block” (24% vs 47%; P < 0.001), mean boarding time (640 vs 1,150 minutes [min]; P 0.001), mean “access block” time (718 vs 1,223 min; P < 0.001), and “access block” total time (650,379 vs 1,359,172 min; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Crowding in the ED during the COVID-19 pandemic was due to the inability to access hospital beds. Therefore, solutions to this lack of access are required to prevent a recurrence of crowding due to a new viral wave or epidemic.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits at a Canadian Academic Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Kwok Edmund , Clapham Glenda , Calder-Sprackman Samantha
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Public health response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emphasized social distancing and stay-at-home policies. Reports of decreased emergency department (ED) visits in non-epicenters of the outbreak have raised concerns that patients with non-COVID-19 emergencies are delaying or avoiding seeking care. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on ED visits at an academic tertiary care center.

Methods: We conducted an observational health records review between January 1–April 22, 2020, comparing characteristics of all ED visits between pre- and post-pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization. Measures included triage acuity, presenting complaints, final diagnoses, disposition, and mortality. We further examined three time-sensitive final diagnoses: stroke; sepsis; and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Results: In this analysis, we included 44,497 ED visits. Average daily ED visits declined from 458.1 to 289.0 patients/day (-36.9%). For the highest acuity triaged patients there was a drop of 1.1 patients/day (-24.9%). Daily ED visits related to respiratory complaints increased post-pandemic (+14.1%) while ED visits for many other complaints decreased, with the greatest decline in musculoskeletal (-52.5%) and trauma (-53.6%). On average there was a drop of 1.0 patient/day diagnosed with stroke (-17.6%); a drop of 1.6 patients/day diagnosed with ACS (-49.9%); and no change in patients diagnosed with sepsis (pre = 2.8 patients/day; post = 2.9 patients/day).

Conclusion: Significant decline in ED visits was observed immediately following formal declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, with potential for delayed/missed presentations of time-sensitive emergencies. Future research is needed to better examine long-term clinical outcomes of the decline in ED visits during pandemics.
Impact of a Novel Emergency Department Forward Treatment Area During the New York City COVID-19 Surge
Authors: Moskovitz Joshua , Khambhati Kaushal , Sasson Comilla , D’Amore Jason , Jones Michael , Sperling Jeremy
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a disproportionate number of patients to seek emergency care at hospitals in New York City (NYC) during the initial crisis. Our urban emergency department (ED), a member of the NYC public hospital system had to process the increased volume while also differentiating our patients’ critical needs. We established a forward treatment area (FTA) directly in front of the ED to accomplish these goals from March 23–April 16, 2020.

Methods: A clinical greeter evaluated patients 18 years and older who presented to the walk-in entrance of the ED where they were screened for COVID-19-like complaints. If they did not appear critically ill and could ambulate they were directed into the FTA. Clinical and non-clinical staff worked in concert to register, evaluate, and process patients with either a disposition of directly home or into the ED for further care.

Results: A total of 634 patients were seen in the FTA from March 23–April 16, 2020. Of the 634 patients evaluated, 135 (21%) were referred into the ED for further evaluation, of whom 81 (12.7% of the total) were admitted. These patients were disproportionately male (91 into the ED and 63 admitted) and tended to have a higher heart rate (105.4 vs 93.7), a higher respiratory rate (21.5 vs 18.1), and lower oxygen saturation (93.9% vs 97.8%).

Conclusion: A forward treatment area is an effective method to rapidly screen and process an increased volume of COVID-19 patients when resources are limited. This treatment area helped decompress the ED by being rapidly deployable and effectively screening patients for safe discharge home.
Comparison of Serum Lead and Cadmium Levels in Parkinson's Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Parsian Hadi , Alipour Pouya , Gholinia Hemmat , Saadat Payam
Published: July 2021

Background: Several studies have investigated the association of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the serum levels of lead and cadmium in Parkinson's disease. Methods: In this case-control study, the serum levels of lead and cadmium in 100 patients with Parkinson's disease referred to our university hospital, and 30 healthy individuals were investigated. Basic information such as age and gender and other demographic and clinical data were registered in the checklist. The levels of lead and cadmium were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 23, and a P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean cadmium level in patient and control groups was 14.91 ± 8.72 and 4.71 ± 2.72 ppb, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean lead level was 158.35 ± 157.64 and 35.35 ± 16.25 ppb in patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). At ages above 65 years, there was a significant difference between the level of cadmium (P < 0.001) and lead (P < 0.001) in patients and healthy subjects. In addition, there was a significant difference in the level of cadmium (P = 0.003) between patients and healthy subjects at ages below 65 years. This was true for both males (P < 0.05) and females (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of lead and cadmium in various severity rates of the disease, as well as in different symptoms of the patients. Conclusions: Based on the findings, the levels of serum lead and cadmium were higher in the patients, indicating a probable relationship between the Parkinson's disease and the levels of these metals.
Evaluation of GATA4 Gene Expression in Ventricular Septal Defects Patients with Pneumonia
Authors: Rajaei Behbahani Shahram , Haybar Habib , Torabizadeh Mehdi , Shahrouzian Mehdi
Published: July 2021

Background: GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) can regulate vital genes, such as troponin C, and play an important role in cardiac formation and immune response maturation. Objectives: In this study, GATA4 gene expression was evaluated in two groups of ventricular septal defect (VSD) patients with pneumonia and healthy cases. Methods: This case-control study evaluated GATA4 gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 80 participants and statically estimated the association between GATA4 expression and immunologic markers, such as immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin A, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell neutrophil, lymphocyte, and number of abortions in mothers of VSD patients with pneumonia. Results: According to the results, there was a significant relationship between mean birth weight and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with GATA4 gene expression in the case group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that GATA4 gene expression, especially in patients with VSD, can indicate their susceptibility to pneumonia.
Correlation Between Craniovertebral Angle and Thickness of Longus Colli in Women with and Without Forward Head Posture
Authors: Bokaee Fateme , Ghasemi Ehsan , Etemadi Fateme , Naimi Sedighe Sadat
Published: July 2021

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) of the craniocervical region is one of the most common poor postures. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is one of the most common methods to evaluate this posture. The longus colli (LCo) muscle is an important muscle to control head posture. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CVA and thickness of LCo in women with FHP. Methods: This case-control research included 35 women with FHP and a control group. Sagittal view photography of the cervical spine was used for measurement of CVA. An ultrasonography device measured the thickness of the LCo. Correlation between CVA and thickness of LCo was determined using correlation coefficient in both groups. Results: Our findings showed a non-significant correlation between the CVA and thickness of LCo in case and control groups. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, there was no significant correlation between a lower CVA and smaller thickness of LCo.
Ni fatalidad ni casualidad: el desarrollo histórico de la ciudad de Dios en su peregrinación en la ciudad terrena
Authors: Bellerose Martin ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

The article deals with the foundations of Augustine’s Theology of History, as can be read in Book V of The City of God. A distinction among the pagan belief in destiny and Christian faith is made. The text which is analyzed is considered as the source of Augustine’s Theology of History, in Books XV-XVIII of the City of God, and also of his doctrine about Predestination. The article also deals with the relationship within the process of salvation, between divine grace and human deeds.
San Agustín y las ‘Iuuenalia’. Dos testimonios de sacrificios humanos
Authors: Eguiarte Enrique ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

The article briefly discusses what the Collegia Iuuenum were in Northern Africa, and which were their main characteristics. It also presents the relation­ship of the pagan Collegia Iuuenum with two Augustinian texts, namely ep. 185 and Contra Gaudentium, to search in them hints of the last pagan human sacrifices in North Africa.
El parecer de Agustín del amor como gracia, en la controversia con Juliano de Eclana
Authors: Lamberigts Mathijs ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

During the Pelagian controversy, the precise relation between grace and free will was an important issue. Augustine emphasized the priority of grace over human beings’ free will after the Fall. Pelagians such as Julian of Aeclanum were of the opinion that such view annihilated human beings’ free will. Throughout history, time and again, scholars belonging to different schools and denomina­tions have discussed this issue at length. In this article, we concentrate on Augustine’s view on love as grace during his debate with Julian. We argue that one should broaden the scope of this question and pay attention to the role of divine love as an important and decisive factor with regard to the proper activity of grace in the redemption and liberation of human beings. Thinking the relation between human beings and God in terms of love is a help in order to overcome the unfruitful grace-freewill antinomy. In fact, such approach does justice to both the Scriptural sources of Augustine’s position and the bishop’s spiritual view on the topic under consideration.
Elementos esenciales de la ecología según san Agustín
Authors: Eguiarte Enrique ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

Although in St. Augustine’s time there was no ecological consciousness like the one we have today and the relationship with the environment was conditioned by other elements, the Augustinian thought about creation is extremely rich, and it helps us to discover different essential elements that can guide the ecological reflection in the present. The article presents some essential lines of the Augustinian ecological thought, such as the Augustinian thought about creation, the Trinity, the importance of Sacred Scripture, the doctrine of uti et frui, the universal destiny of the created things, the order, the Providence of God, the Trinity’s traces in all creatures as is presented in the text of Wis 11, 21, and it also stresses the linking of Protology with Eschatology in Augustine’s ecological thought.