The Shift of Philippine Architectural Media toward Digitalization (2018-2023)

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This research examines how Philippine architectural communication experienced a renewal after the pandemic crisis. First, through a shift from the country’s flagship architectural magazine, BluPrint, toward a personally initiated digital platform, Kanto. Since BluPrint started to become digital in 2018, the publishers aimed at more aggressive targets for new articles. When Covid hit the Philippines in the beginning of 2020, it made BluPrint  suffer and confused. The publisher company focused on the business side to diminish the encountered deficit. They started reaching out to a common lifestyle market but the journalists wished to continue addressing architects and the public interested in architecture. As the company wanted to broaden the target, the journalists felt that most of their content did not fit for that expansion. As result of the tension, in December 2020, most of BluPrint’s former staff decided to leave and “migrate” for Kanto. Kanto, a digital platform was created out of the former personal blog of one the migrant journalists to be an intellectual venue for art and architecture advocacy. Upon this departure, BluPrint’s publisher noticed that not only the magazine could not be published for a whole year in 2020 but also, it lost its journalists for a new competitor. Thus after a significant interruption, the publisher decided to renew BluPrint with a fully new staff. This marks the second shift, the complete digital transition of the originally printed, then blended BluPrint. These dynamic communication aspects of architecture, construction and built environment have not yet been sufficiently investigated, unlike their physical aspects. In order to elaborate findings, after a review of literature on worldwide shifts towards digital media, this paper matches observations on the institutional history and performance of BluPrint and Kanto with a second line of premises, qualitative statements. It reviews how former BluPrint, now migrant journalists are successful on the digital platform Kanto, in a fully different organizational and financial system. It also presents how BluPrint also experienced a renewal with its fully new staff. Behind both shifts, an underlying dilemma between financial success and content success became sharper in times of the increasing and now almost obligatory digitalization. Events and festivals are strongly needed by both online publications to create a tangible and interactive basis for gathering experiences of architecture lovers among themselves and with their “star architects”. In summary, the digitalization established a wider variety of journalistic forms which appear in more spontaneous, less focused presentations. While BluPrint strives after a wider viewership with an entertaining character, Kanto tries to deliver more depth in the profession embedded in a variety of artistic and cultural forms. As conclusion, in both shifts, content curation strategies prevailed over technological skills. The described genre shifts propelled deeper changes in both the content and nature of architectural discourse in the Philippines. The shifts also drew up a new relationship pattern between practicing architects, contractors and architectural media.

Determining The Contract Service Strategy at Coal Terminal Maintenance to Address Contractor’s Inability to Maintain Availability of Fixed Plants in Supporting Shipments Activities at PTKPC a Case Study PTKPC, East Kutai, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

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PTKPC, a coal producer, was facing challenges due to a permit transition in December 2021 from Coal Mining Contract of Work (PKP2B) to Special Mining Business License (IUPK). This change increases operational costs with added royalty rates, value-added tax, and profit-sharing obligations. To address this issue, the company decided to streamline contractors in each department in all business units, consolidating various tasks under one umbrella contract. The goal is to provide a big volume of work, potentially lowering rates and reducing PTKPC’s operational costs. However, relying on a single contractor for crucial operations, as seen in the Coal Terminal Maintenance Department (CTMD), introduces risks. The sole contract winner, PTPB, struggles to meet obligations since the contract’s initiation on December 1, 2021. The average contract fulfillment since commencement date is 86% of 100% desired target, disrupting fixed plant Coal Terminal maintenance activities. Physical availability is 93%, below the 94% target, increasing CTMD’s maintenance costs by $0.059 per ton. This research seeks to identify the root causes of PTPB’s inability to fulfill contractual duties and explore alternative solutions. and then from all the existing alternatives, what is the best alternative in responding to this condition. Utilizing primary and secondary data from PTPB’s monthly proforma invoices, contract scope, and CTMD’s monthly reports, the research employs methodologies like problem tree analysis and stakeholder analysis to unravel business complexities and identify root cause of the problems. Qualitative data collection methods, including focused group discussions (FGD) and semi-structured interviews, will be used to determine alternatives. These alternatives will be assessed using the Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) methodology. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, assisted by the AHP Super Decision application, will determine the best alternative: the “Implementation of Warnings and Penalties to PTPB”. Implementing this alternative demonstrates PTKPC’s commitment to stakeholders, ensuring contractor accountability without disrupting fixed plant maintenance. Penalty funds will support CTMD’s financial viability, funding additional resources for tasks beyond PTPB’s capacity. This strategy may be applied to other contracts within PTKPC.

Morphometric and Phenotypic Characterization of Pote Goats in Soket Laok Village, Tragah District, Bangkalan Regency, Madura

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The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphometric characteristics of Pote goats in Soket Laok Village, Madura Island. The material used was 200 Pote goats with an age range from over 1 year (PI0>6) to more than 3.5 years (PI8). The sample included 90 goats aged over 1 year (PI0>6), 36 goats aged between 1 and 1.5 years (PI2), 54 goats aged between 1.5 and 2.5 years (PI4), 16 goats aged between 2.5 and 3.5 years (PI6), and 4 goats aged over 3.5 years (PI8). The method used is a survey method which includes conducting surveys and interviews. Data were obtained using a purposive sampling technique. The results showed that morphometric measurements on the head and body of Pote goats had the highest average at PI 8, which means that along with the increasing age of Pote goats, it will affect the body size of goats. The results of the dominant phenotypic characteristics of Pote goats are the shape of a pitcher udder, the shape of long drooping ears, the shape of flat horns, rectangular pupils, convex facial profiles, there is rewos hair both in males and females and there is no beard, and phenotypic Pote goats with different ages do not have significant differences.

The Role of Nu-Cyber and Muhammadiyah-Cyber Role in Increasing Cyber-Extremism in the East Java

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Penetration of the increasingly widespread use of the internet in society has inspired extremists to use cyberspace as a new arena for jihad. It is in this context that NU and Muhammadiyah as the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia are trying to fill the void as well as take a role in digital literacy culture by forming a cyber team as a base for resistance to narratives produced by radicalism accounts. This research is classified as a type of qualitative research with a digital content analysis approach. Researchers will collect narratives produced by NU and Muhammadiyah accounts on social media in countering cyber-radicalism in Indonesia. The East Java NU cyber team provides media that plays a role in influencing the perspective of media users to enter on the big theme set by the East Java Cyber Muhammadiyah and NU cyber teams which always spread the values of Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah so that the two organizations can provide an understanding of ahlussunnah wal jamaan with an elegant presentation and far from extreme thinking.

Legal Issues Involved in Electronic Payments System in India

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The Indian economy has developed rapidly after the induction of digital interfaces in commerce, trade, and industry particularly after the popularisation of electronic payment systems or digital banking. Since 2016 when the Government of India announced demonetization, electronic payments have been rising and are expected to continue in the future because the government has promoted these types of payments. Internet penetration in India was 47 percent in 2022 and it was more than 100 percent in urban areas as compared to rural areas, now with the expansion of the information technology-enabled generation which is using digital modes of payments more in their daily transactions has resulted in more than 140 crore rupees each day through various methods of digital prevailing in India. State Governments are also prioritizing and making more efforts to ensure that the unprivileged people should have to be provided access to web services so that they may also make payments conciliatory through this method.  Resultantly, there are 103 billion digital transactions worth Indian rupee 166 trillion in the financial year 2023.  It is also expected that digital transactions will also rise to 411 trillion by the year 2027.  Consequently, on advent of high tech system of fund transfer and its enormous use several cases of fraud have also been taking place on daily basis. The legislation has enacted various laws in connivance with the global laws, to resolve the problem, but they are still prevailing.  The present study has been conducted to identify the legal issues and the results arising from these issues and to recommend some pathways to recover from these obstacles.  This study further explains the further way to improvement in fund transfer and making payments using digital mode.  Consequently, it is found that the present legal system does not have sufficient provisions to stop such fraud, and blockage of money with the UPI, payment gateways, banks, and merchants.  There is no single online solution to these problems.  The banking ombudsman is working on resolving some of the issues, but due to the red tapism, such transactions of payment failure and fraud websites could not be resolved.  Sufficient amendments dealing with such transactions have not been incorporated in the present Consumer Protection Act.  Hence, it is recommended that there should be a virtual hearing in the office of the ombudsman as well as in the court of President Consumers Protection.

Scenario Planning for Indonesia’s Alcoholic Beverage Industry in 2026: A Study Case from Company DORIA

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Indonesia has a small market for the alcoholic beverage industry due to its majority Muslim population. However, some data projected that the alcoholic beverage consumption level in the country will continue to grow until 2026, which opens the opportunity for the market to grow. DORIA is a multinational company dominating the global alcoholic beverage market. This MNC is planning to expand its business to Indonesia to capture the opportunity by proposing to become a local alcoholic beverage producer. However, due to Indonesia’s political and social conditions, DORIA faces several challenges in pursuing legal status as a local alcoholic beverage producer. There are only a few pieces of literature about the Indonesian alcoholic beverage industry that can be found. Thus, this research aims to give references for alcoholic beverage companies to help them develop their business strategies based on plausible scenarios of Indonesia’s domestic condition, including political and social situations, in the next three years using the scenario planning framework. Data used in this research is collected through interviews and literature study that will be analyzed using content analysis and qualitative coding analysis methods. By looking at the plausible scenarios, a set of business strategies, that more focus on the marketing strategy, can be recommended.

Courseware Development in Education: A Literature Review

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This literature review explores the transformative role of courseware development in contemporary education, examining its integration of informative content and formative practice questions. Emphasizing the significance of interactive multimedia and game-based approaches, the study delves into trends catering to diverse learning styles and showcasing the adaptability of courseware across disciplines, including power electronics, special education, preschool education, mathematics, and physical education. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive method with literature study techniques, the research critically examines the current state of courseware development, addressing key questions on pedagogical foundations, adaptive learning technologies, and challenges faced by educators. This provides insights into the challenges, opportunities, and implications of courseware development, serving as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and researchers navigating the dynamic landscape of education in the digital age.

Financial Dynamics of Listed Banks in Pakistan: Exploring the Interplay between Cost-Income Ratio, Capital Adequacy, and Performance Metrics

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This study delves into the relationship between the Cost-Income Ratio, Capital Adequacy, and the performance of listed banks in Pakistan. Drawing data from 2014 to 2022 annual reports, the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) in STATA version 18 is employed for analysis. The findings disclose a negative connection between capital adequacy and performance, particularly return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). While the correlation lacks statistical significance for ROA, it becomes significant in the context of ROE. Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation is identified between the cost-income ratio and both ROA and ROE. Total equity debt displays a negative relationship, achieving significance concerning ROA. Bank size demonstrates a significant negative correlation with both ROA and ROE. GDP exhibits a positive link, significant only with ROE. These findings contribute valuable insights into the dynamics of financial indicators influencing bank performance in the Pakistani context.

Forecasting Dead Oil Viscosity Using Machine Learning Processes for Niger Delta Region

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Prediction of Dead oil viscosity using experimental measurements is highly exorbitant and time consuming, hence the use of forecasting models. Dead oil viscosity is a very important PVT parameter that solve numerous reservoir engineering problems and one of the most required factors for enhanced oil recovery processes. This study utilized two machine learning algorithms of Artificial   Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) to predict dead oil viscosity. A total number of 243 data set was obtained from PVT report from Niger-Delta, out of which, 70% were used to train the models, 15% for testing and 15% for validation.  Quantitative and qualitative analysis was carried out to compare the performance and reliability of the new developed machine learning models with some selected empirical correlations. The result revealed that the Artificial Neural Network Outperformed Support Vector Machine (SVM) as well as common dead oil viscosity empirical correlations with the best rank of 0.144, highest correlation coefficient of 0.984, Mean Absolute Error (Ea) of 0.205, with a better performance plot, followed by Support Vector Machine model with correlation coefficient of 0.926, Mean Absolute Error (Ea) of 0.199 and the rank of 0.176. The new developed Artificial Neural Network model can potentially replace the empirical models for dead oil viscosity predictions for Niger Delta region.

Proposed Knowledge Management System for the Time Efficient in R&D Department of PT Automotive Lumina

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The automotive industry has grown post-Covid 19, positively impacting related sectors like car lighting. Due to high demand, PT Automotive Lumina, a lamp manufacturer specializing in OEM car lights, needs better time management. Responding to RFQs for new car models poses significant challenges due to delays caused by dependence on Juoku Technology. To tackle this, the company initiated an independent R&D process, but the need for more effective knowledge management worsens the situation, affecting competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.

This research addresses two key questions: What Knowledge Management system can be proposed for time efficiency in the R&D Department of PT Automotive Lumina? and How to implement the suggested Knowledge Management system for time efficiency in the R&D Department of PT Automotive Lumina? Qualitative research methods were employed to study these questions, including interviews with key stakeholders. Analysis revealed eight sub-causes contributing to the observed problems, including a lack of skilled personnel, ineffective knowledge management, reliance on Juoku’s R&D schedule, rapid technological advancements, inefficient processes, limited decision-making authority, limited testing equipment in the R&D department, and most importantly, the absence of a knowledge management system. Several solutions to these challenges are presented based on the SECI, PPT framework, and Core, Advanced, and Innovative knowledge framework. Direct training, knowledge capture, and collaboration tools are among the planned knowledge management programs at PT Automotive Lumina. Preparation procedures were conducted in November and December 2023, with the proposed solution implementation set to begin in February 2024. Following deployment, knowledge management activities will be evaluated, and necessary modifications will be made for future improvements. PT Automotive Lumina aims to enhance time efficiency and support independent R&D through improved knowledge management procedures.