Tales From the Front: Reflections of a Catholic University Administrator on Spirituality and Leadership

Dame Many good books on the theory and practice of the Catholic university have been published. The modest aim here is not to try to outdo or replace them, but only to provide something of an autobiographical account and musings of one who has served as a director of a humanities program at Notre Dame for over 15 years. The hope is that “Tales From the Front” will resonate with some readers or at least lead them to reflect upon the challenges of their own work in Catholic teaching or administration. A Lesson From a Sarcastic Jesus Dawn Nothwehr, OSF Quincy University Mutuality is a salient feature of any spirituality that is authentically Catholic. While there are at least four different forms of mutuality, a comprehensive view of its various forms establishes mutuality as a formal moral norm for Christian conduct. As such, mutuality proves to be a vital incarnational principle that can assist Catholic educators in critically evaluating their ministry

TEKNIK DATA MINING UNTUK MENGKLASIFIKASIKAN DATA ULASAN DESTINASI WISATA MENGGUNAKAN REDUKSI DATA PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS (PCA)

Peningkatan kunjungan wisatawan ke suatu destinasi wisata, dipengaruhi oleh kepuasan wisatawan waktu berkunjung. Untuk mengetahui suatu destinasi pariwisata sudah sesuai dengan yang diharapkan wisatawan, perlu dilakukan evaluasi terhadap kepuasan wisatawan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mendapatkan model klasifikasi yang mempunyai akurasi tinggi dalam melakukan klasifikasi ulasan kepuasan destinasi wisata dan menghasilkan alat bantu untuk pengambilan keputusan dalam pengembagan destinasi wisata. Data yang dipakai pada penelitian ini dimensinya cukup besar, hal ini nantinya membuat waktu komputasi untuk pengklasifikasian makin lama, membuat analisis tidak praktis atau tidak layak, maka reduksi dimensi data diterapkan pada penelitian ini untuk mendapatkan dimensi data yang jauh lebih kecil, namun tetap mempertahankan integritas data asli. Metode yang digunakan untuk pengklasifikasian ulasan kepuasan destinasi wisata adalah kombinasi antara metode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) sebagai metode reduksi dimensi data, dengan tiga metode data mining berikut ini; Support Vector Machine (SVM), Jaringan Saraf Tiruan (JST), dan Decision Trees. Penelitian ini menggunakan data kedua yang diambil dari UCI Machine Learning Repository. Hasil penelitian dengan mengkombinasikan PCA pada ketiga metode memperlihatkan bahwa akurasi klasifikasi lebih baik untuk beberapa metode. Dari ketiga metode yang dipakai, SVM-PCA mempunyai akurasi yang lebih baik dengan 91,50% disusul oleh metode ANN-PCA sebesar 89,46% dan metode Decision-PCA sebesar 88,78%.           

Aplikasi Berbasis Website Untuk Mendeteksi Status Gizi Balita Menggunakan Metode K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN)

Detecting the nutritional status of toddlers is important in monitoring and caring for toddlers' health. In this study, we propose the use of the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) method to detect the nutritional status of toddlers based on relevant attributes such as weight, height, age, gender and nutritional intake. This research involves developing a computer-based application that uses the KNN algorithm to classify the nutritional status of toddlers. Toddler data that has been collected from legitimate sources is used to train the KNN model. After training, this model can predict the nutritional status of new toddlers based on the entered attributes. In our experiments, we test and evaluate the performance of KNN models using evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. In practical applications, the KNN model can be used as an aid in determining the nutritional status of toddlers and providing recommendations for appropriate action, such as increasing nutritional intake or necessary medical care. This research makes a contribution to the field of monitoring and caring for toddler nutrition by combining the KNN method as a tool for detecting nutritional status. The application developed can help medical personnel and parents monitor and take appropriate action related to toddler nutrition. The application, which has been built in the form of a website, can help detect the nutritional status of toddlers. When applying the KNN method to toddler nutritional status data, the application was successful in detecting toddler nutritional status with an accuracy of 74.73%.Mendeteksi status gizi balita merupakan suatu hal yang penting dalam upaya pemantauan dan perawatan kesehatan balita. Dalam penelitian ini, kami mengusulkan penggunaan metode K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) untuk mendeteksi status gizi balita berdasarkan atribut yang relevan seperti berat badan, tinggi badan, usia, jenis kelamin, dan asupan nutrisi. Penelitian ini melibatkan pengembangan sebuah aplikasi berbasis komputer yang menggunakan algoritma KNN untuk melakukan klasifikasi status gizi balita. Data balita yang telah dikumpulkan dari sumber yang sah digunakan untuk melatih model KNN. Setelah pelatihan, model ini dapat memprediksi status gizi balita baru berdasarkan atribut yang dimasukkan. Dalam eksperimen kami, kami menguji dan mengevaluasi performa model KNN dengan menggunakan metrik evaluasi seperti akurasi, presisi, recall, dan F1-score. Dalam aplikasi praktis, model KNN dapat digunakan sebagai alat bantu dalam menentukan status gizi balita dan memberikan rekomendasi tindakan yang tepat, seperti peningkatan asupan nutrisi atau perawatan medis yang diperlukan. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi dalam bidang pemantauan dan perawatan gizi balita dengan menggabungkan metode KNN sebagai alat deteksi status gizi. Aplikasi yang dikembangkan dapat membantu para tenaga medis dan orang tua dalam memantau dan mengambil tindakan yang tepat terkait dengan gizi balita. Aplikasi yang sudah dibangun dalam bentuk website, dapat membantu untuk mendeteksi status gizi balita. Pada penerapan metode K-NN pada data status gizi balita, diperoleh keberhasilan aplikasi dalam mendeteksi status gizi balita dengan keakurasian 74.73%

PENGARUH SUASANA TOKO, LOKASI, DAN PROMOSI TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN ULANG PADA KONSUMEN DISTRO MAGNESIUM 137 STORE KOTA BLITAR

The problem at the Magnesium 137 Store Distro in Blitar City is the decline in sales that occurred from 2020 to 2021. The phenomenon that occurs is that most consumers state that the store layout still seems messy, the parking area is narrow because it is on the side of the main road, and promotions are given. which is still lacking. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of store atmosphere, location and promotions on repeat purchase decisions at Distro Magnesium 137. The type of research used is explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The number of samples used 100 respondents. Respondents in this study were consumers who had made transactions or purchased products at a distro store at least once during the last 3 years at the Magnesium 137 Store Distro, Blitar City. The data source in this research was obtained from distributing questionnaires (primary data). The data analysis technique uses multiple linear regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 software. The results of the research show that store atmosphere, location and promotions, both partially and simultaneously, have a positive and significant effect on repurchase decisions at the Magnesium 137 Store Distro, Blitar Cit

Redes de associações de grupos camponeses na Amazônia Oriental (Brasil) : fontes de capital social?

Na Amazônia Oriental, tem crescido o número de associações de grupos camponeses, especialmente a partir dos anos noventa do século passado. Elas buscam meios alternativos para lidar com interesses comuns e organizar esforços individuais e coletivos e, desse modo, contribuir com a redução das desigualdades. Este estudo baseia-se em dados de entrevistas com líderes de trinta e seis associações rurais em três municípios do nordeste do Estado do Pará. Examina em que medida essas organizações representavam formas de capital social, isto é, redes capazes de produzir e prover acesso a recursos do ponto de vista dos grupos locais. O ambiente dessas redes é analisado, enfatizando-se os conjuntos de relações que mantinham com associações similares, ONGs, instituições governamentais, movimentos sociais, sindicatos e políticos. Se dispor de conexões sociais era fator crucial para as associações alcançarem os objetivos imediatos, constatou-se que elas não eram em geral suficientes para se sobreporem às restrições dos contextos. Barreiras concretas à comunicação reduziam a habilidade da rede em difundir os recursos imersos ou acessíveis.In the northeastern Amazon region of Brazil there has been a notable proliferation of peasants' associations, particularly from the 1990s. They aim to provide alternative means to deal with common interests and to organize individual and group efforts, thus contributing to reduced inequalities. This study draws on interviews with leaders of thirty-six rural associations in three municipalities in the State of Pará. The paper considers the extent to which these local organizations represented forms of social capital, that is, social networks able to produce and to provide access to valued resources. The network environment of the associations is examined, with particular reference to their external links with similar associations, NGOs, government institutions, social movements, unions and politicians. Social connections appeared significant for the goals of the associations. Nevertheless, concrete barriers to communication reduced the network ability to spread the resources embedded or accessible

Impact of melt rheology on zein foam properties

Zein, the main protein fraction in maize, is left as a by-product from bio-ethanol production. The protein has been investigated as a material for a long time, but mainly in the form of films. In contrast, foamed zein is presented in this article. Zein foams may perhaps be used, e.g. as trays for biodegradable food packages or as scaffolds for tissue engineering. A batch method for manufacturing solid foams was successfully developed, the foams being manufactured by evaporation of solvent from zein resins. In order to be suitable for foam formation, a resin must possess gas-retaining properties, which can be predicted by extensional rheology. The presence of plasticizer in some of the resins decreased their extensional viscosity, and this in turn affected the foaming process. Although all the resins displayed strain-hardening behaviour, there was coalescence of pores in all the foams. Insufficient extensional viscosity resulted in the collapse of pore walls during foam expansion. Structure analysis showed, e.g. that most pores were elongated along the main axis of the mould in which the foams were manufactured. The plasticizer content in the resins had no significant effect on the mechanical properties of the foams

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of polymer-based wound dressings for the management of chronic wounds

Microbial infections are responsible for the retarded recovery process of chronic wounds. Polymer-based scaffolds possess features suitable for the treatment of chronic injuries. However, these scaffolds are commonly encapsulated with therapeutic agents to enhance their biological activities, including antibacterial efficacy. In this research, two types of polymer-based scaffolds were formulated and evaluated as effective formulations for the treatment of chronic wounds: sponges and topical gels. Sponges were formulated from cross-linking of gelatin and PEG. Ag nanoparticles and metronidazole were incorporated into the sponges to improve their antibacterial activity. Topical gels were loaded with essential oils and Ag nanoparticles and prepared from CMC and poloxamer. The prepared sponges and topical gels were evaluated using various analysis and characterization techniques. SEM/EDX, FTIR, and TGA were employed to characterize gelatin/PEG hybrid sponges followed by porosity, in vitro biodegradability, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial studies. FTIR, SEM/EDX, and TGA confirmed their physicochemical properties and successful fabrication of sponges loaded with metronidazole and Ag nanoparticles. The sponges were biodegradable, indicating their capability to induce skin regeneration. The drug release studies showed a rapid release of metronidazole 28.32-71.97 percent from the sponges over the first hour, followed by a sustained drug release. The Ag nanoparticles were released in a sustained manner, suggesting that these sponges can rapidly destroy bacteria and inhibit persisting bacterial infections as well as protect the lesion bed from further bacteria infections. The in vitro antibacterial studies of sponges displayed superior antibacterial activity against most of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains commonly found in chronic wound infections with a MIC value of 15.625 μg/mL. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments revealed excellent biocompatibility with a percent cell viability of more than 70 percent. The in vitro wound scratch healing assay exhibited that the sponges encapsulated with only metronidazole promoted high cell migration than the dual drug-loaded sponges and untreated cells, suggesting its potential to quicken the wound healing process. CMC/Poloxamer topical gels were also characterized by FTIR, followed by pH, viscosity, spreadability, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial studies. FTIR showed successful preparation of CMC/Poloxamer topical gels loaded with essential oils and Ag nanoparticles. The topical gels exhibited pH in the range of 5.20-6.68, spreadability between 5.4 and 5.9 cm, and viscosity ranged from 216 to 1200 cP at 50 rpm and 210–858 cP at 100 rpm. The in vitro drug release studies demonstrated that Ag nanoparticles were released from the topical gels in a sustained manner. Most formulated topical gels demonstrated superior antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains than the blank gel and controls. The cytotoxicity analysis displayed more than 90.83 percent cell viability for the topical gels, revealing excellent biocompatibility. The outcomes revealed that the topical gels enriched with essential oils lavender and tea tree and Ag nanoparticles and sponges incorporated with metronidazole and Ag nanoparticles are potential wound dressing scaffolds that can be employed for the treatment of chronic infected injuries. The in vitro wound healing experiments showed that the HaCaT cells cultured with gels co-enriched with lavender oil and Ag nanoparticles possessed a higher rate of closure in comparison to the untreated cells for 96 hours.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 202

Effectiveness of Enhanced Basic Education Information System (EBEIS)/ Learner Information System (LIS)Data and School Management

Accessing reliable and accurate information is essential to the proliferation of information through various channels. This can help individuals make informed decisions and avoid misinformation or disinformation. In such a case, creating an online information system should be prioritized to provide available data and information for planning, budgeting, and allocating resources and operational targets. This study assessed the level of satisfaction with the usability of EBEIS/LIS data and school management by the Department of Education among public secondary schools of the Division of Bohol during 2019-2020. This research employed a quantitative method using the revised perception questionnaire, which underwent pilot testing using Cronbach's coefficient alpha to check the reliability level. Findings revealed that administrators, classroom teachers, and coordinators were satisfied with using data in school management. Findings revealed that administrators, classroom teachers, and coordinators were satisfied with using data in school management, satisfied with the personnel involved in facilitating the data, the information literacy given, and the ICT facilities to be used in online access data. However, some schools need more internet connectivity and more availability of posted/printed manuals and guidelines on accessing the online system. A need arises to provide a streamlined copy of the manual, which can be used as guidelines for online access, and strengthen its support in acquiring internet connectivity for all its learning facilities by partnering with internet service providers to optimize the signal

Implementasi Metode Inferensi Fuzzy Tsukamoto Untuk Memprediksi Curah Hujan Dasarian Di Sumenep

Peramalan curah hujan diperlukan untuk membantu memprediksi awal musim karena anomali cuaca yang sering terjadi saat ini. Pada penelitian ini kami melakukan peramalan curah hujan dasarian di Sumenep menggunakan metode inferensi fuzzy Tsukamoto. Hasil peramalan curah hujan dengan metode inferensi fuzzy Tsukamoto memiliki akurasi yang baik dengan nilai MAPE 10,64%. Peramalan dengan fuzzy Tsukamoto dapat memprediksi awal musim kemarau yaitu pada Dasarian 3 bulan April tahun 2020. Adapun prediksi awal musim hujan adalah Dasarian 2 di bulan November 2020

PERAMALAN CURAH HUJAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE AVERAGE-BASED FUZZY TIME SERIES MARKOV CHAIN

Perubahan iklim yang terjadi secara global meyebabkan perubahan musim yang sulit untuk diprediksi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan peramalan curah hujan untuk memprediksi awal musim hujan dan musim kemarau pada stasiun klimatologi Kalianget, Sumenep. Metode yang digunakan adalah Average Based Fuzzy Time Series Markov Chain. Peramalan curah hujan bulanan menggunakan metode Average Based FTS Markov Chain memiliki akurasi peramalan yang baik dengan nilai MAPE 10% dan RMSE 64 pada data training. Hasil pengujian pada data testing menunjukkan nilai MAPE yang sama yaitu 10%. Selisih perkiraan awal musin kemarau hanya sekitar 1,2 bulan, sedangkan selisih perkiraan akhir musim kemarau hanya 0,2 bulan. Dengan demikian hasil peramalan curah hujan ini dapat menjadi penunjang keputusan bagi para stakeholder salah satunya petani setempat untuk menentukan awal musim hujan dan musim kemarau di Sumenep, Madur