bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bank Industry Openness In Indonesia: Control Of Agency Problems
Authors: Mahadwartha Putu Anom Mahadwartha
Published: December 2020

Indonesian banking sector has recently been suffering from bad debt and liquidity problems. Crisis since 1997 has impoverished bank’s performance and reduced shareholder wealth. The deterioration of bank’s performance with respect to bank’s purpose to be an intermediation agent also affects the wealth of stakeholders, especially depositors. Agency problem has severe effects on bank’s performance. Openness policy especially in bank ownership structure also has an effect on competition between banks. Globalization forces early openness on banking industry, therefore foreign ownership in banking industry becomes usual in Indonesia. Central bank has an obligation to support citizen with variety of banking services, without sacrificing security. Although Indonesia has several prospective domesticowned banks, however crisis weakened national banking industry. Therefore, type of ownership should have difference effect on agency problems controlling mechanism. This research examines agency theory arguments in banking industry by analyzing the effect on firm specific variables, which are managerial stock ownership, leverage, dividend yield, and type of ownership. Agency costs proxy by earnings volatility, manager’s portfolio diversification losses, bank size, and standard deviation of bank equity returns. Types of ownership are domestic-owned banks, and foreign-owned banks. It is one of the first researches that examine the determination of financial policy variables based on agency theory perspective in banking industry. This research examines the largest 51 banks during the period of 1999-2004 using quarterly financial report. The result showed bank size and a measure of manager’s portfolio diversification opportunity set affect the bank’s level of managerial stock ownership, leverage, and dividends. The result also confirms the difference effect of type of banks ownership to controlling mechanism of agency problems.
Pengaruh Persepsi Desain Toko Terhadap Store Repatronage Intentions Dengan Shopping Experience Costs Sebagai Intervening Di Toko Elektronik “X” Surabaya
Authors: Gunawan Sri , Rilantiana Rosa , Kusumasondjaja Sony
Published: December 2020

Pelanggan memiliki keinginan untuk menyentuh produk yang akan dibeli agar dapat merasakan tekstur, berat dan besarnya produk tersebut sehingga memberikan pengalaman pada tangan (hands-on experience). Ritel yang menerapkan konsep hands-on display memperbolehkan pengunjung untuk menyentuh dan merasakan semua produk yang dipajang. Hal ini dianggap sarana yang baik dalam memberikan informasi kepada pelanggan tentang teknologi terbaru. Penelitian ini berfokus pada desain speciality store yang menerapkan konsep hands-on display yaitu Toko Elektronik “X” Surabaya dan pengaruhnya terhadap store repatronage intentions dengan variabel intervening shopping experience costs. Berdasarkan analisis data terhadap 212 responden yang berbelanja pada toko elektronik “X” diperoleh hasil pengaruh yang signifikan antara persepsi desain toko berpengaruh terhadap store repatronage intentions dan shopping experience costs. Sedangkan shopping experience costs tidak berpengaruh terhadap store repatronage intentions.
Are There Any Earnings Managements Of Islamic Banking In Indonesia? (Case Study Of Islamic Banking “X” And “Y”)
Authors: Witono Banu , Sholahuddin Muhammad
Published: December 2020

The objective of this research is to analyze the possibility of Earnings Management in the financial statement of Islamic Banks. The population of research includes Islamic general bank. This research applied purposive sampling with Islamic general banks issuing financial statement within consecutive five years ; 2002 – 2006. The hypothesis of the research is the Earnings Management in the financial statement of Islamic Banking. This research applied the method of Total Accrual Healy (1985) as described in Arfani and Sasongko (2005) to identify Earnings Management. Based on the test performed, the average total accrual for 5 years of research is positive and negative, thus, it can be concluded that there is Earnings Management in the financial statement of Islamic Banking in Indonesia as for case Islamic Bank “X” and “Y”.
Manajemen Laba Dan Kinerja Keuangan Perusahaan Pengakuisisi Sebelum Dan Sesudah Merger Dan Akuisisi Di Indonesia
Authors: Kustono Alwan Sri , Pikatan Agnes Sindhy
Published: December 2020

The study examine the earnings management practice in aquirer companies before and after mergers and acquisitions. It also show the difference financial performance. The purpose of this study was to prove the existence of the practice earnings management by the acquirer in the period prior to the mergers and acquisitions. this study also aimed to see whether there differences in the financial performance of the acquirer after the merger policy and acquisition of the manufacturing companies listed on the Stock Exchange over a period reporting year 2006-2008. The sample in this study are 13 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in reporting mergers and acquisitions 2006-2008. The conclusion of this study is there is no strong evidence through discretionary accrual indicating that earnings management measures made by the acquirer in the period prior to the merger and acquisitions and also no significant differences in financial performance afterimplementation of mergers and acquisitions on the acquirer.
Pengaruh Kompensasi Dan Budaya Organisasi Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Dengan Motivasi Kerja Sebagai Variabel Perantara
Authors: Shalahuddin Ahmad , Marpaung Berman Paulus
Published: December 2020

Remuneration policy for employees of the Directorate General of Taxation is based on the idea of the need for organizations to pay attention to the interests of its employees who have a wide range of needs. Changes made to the Directorate General of Taxation has given satisfactory results of the shareholders. However, the bureaucratic reform journey tarnished the behavior of some unscrupulous employees DGT suspected of committing criminal offenses still be receiving gratification and misuse of authority. It shows that the remuneration policy has not been able to change the nature of the tax officials and necessary need to be assessed on matters that may significantly affect the performance of employees. The aims of this research are to analyze the influence of compensation and organizational culture, and its impact toward work motivation and employee’s performance at Kantor Pelayanan Pajak Pratama Pontianak. Compensation and organizational culture are independent variables, performance of employee as dependent variable, with motivation as an intervening variable. The sample for this research is all employees at this organization (102 persons). The software that used to analyze the data is statistical software SPSS 17. The researcher has used normality test, linearity test, heteroskedasticity test, and path analysis. As the results, the coefficient rate of direct influence of organizational culture toward employee performance is bigger than indirect influence of organizational culture toward employee performance through work motivation. So as to improve employee performance is more effectively through increasing the organizational culture.
Analisis Kelayakan Ekonomi Dan Finansial Usaha Batik Papua Studi Kasus Pada Perusahaan Batik Port Numbay Papua
Authors: Nasarudin Indo Yama
Published: December 2020

This research analyze the economic and financial feasibility of Papua’s Batik Port Numbay. The economic performance for business was good at marketing aspect and good enough for management and human resource, production, and environment analysis aspect. While finance aspect assessment indicates that Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) is 1,30, Value of Payback Period is 2,16 years which is below time specified 10 years. The Net Present Value is Rp 1.146.518.993, profitability index is 4,54, Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is 52,42%. Based on the overall financial measurement, it shows that the business is viable to be continued.
Usulan Rancangan Key Performance Indicators Menggunakan Pendekatan Perspektif Balanced Scorecard Pada PT. Pelayaran Hub Maritim Indonesia
Authors: Rahmatullah Gayuh Mukti , Yaqoub Amak Mohamad
Published: December 2020

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world which of course, has many ports as a place reliance ship. Ports in Indonesia is always crowded by various ship activities. Such vessels require fossil fuels as the material preparation to continue the journey. This has become a business opportunity for PT. Pelayaran Hub Maritim Indonesia as a company engaged in fuel distribution. The operational activities of PT. Pelayaran Hub Maritim Indonesia has made performance measurement yet of the financial aspects only. Therefore, this study aims to design a performance measurement system for companies based on four perspectives of the balanced scorecard is a financial perspective, a marketing perspective, internal business process perspective and learning and growth perspective. This study uses a qualitative method research approach to the type of research in the form of action research case study, the data used is primary data. Data from this study obtained by interviewing the informant is determined based on the balanced scorecard perspectives. Results of this research is a performance measurement system and the weighting of each of the key performance indicators with paired comparison method to get the level of importance of each strategic objective.
PENGARUH FAKTOR INTERNAL DAN FAKTOR MAKROEKONOMI TERHADAP STABILITAS BANK UMUM SYARIAH DI INDONESIA PERIODE 2012-2018
Authors: Lestari Dian Rizqi , Suprayogi Noven
Published: December 2020

ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ukuran bank, efisiensi, capital buffer, PDB, Inflasi, dan suku bunga terhadap tingkat stabilitas Bank Umum Syariah di Indonesia periode 2012-2018. Penelitian ini menggunakan data panel dan metode z-score dalam mengukur stabilitas. Data diambil dari website resmi Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) dan annual report masing masing bank umum syariah. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan variabel ukuran bank (size), efisiensi, capital buffer, PDB (Produk Domestik Bruto), inflasi dan suku bunga (BI rate) secara simultan memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan. Kata Kunci: Stabilitas, Bank Umum Syariah, ukuran bank, efisiensi, capital buffer, PDB, Inflasi, suku bunga ABSTRACTThis study aims to determine the effect of bank size, efficiency, capital buffer, GDP, inflation, and interest rates on the level of stability of Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia for the period of 2012-2018. This study uses panel data and z-score method in measuring stability. This study used data obtained from the official website of the Central Statistics Agency and the annual report of each Islamic commercial bank. The results of this study indicate that the variable of bank size, efficiency, capital buffer, GDP (Gross Domestic Product), inflation and interest rates (BI rate) simultaneously have a significant effect.Keywords: Stability, Sharia Commercial Banks, bank size, efficiency, capital buffer, GDP, inflation, and interest rates
Faktor Kunci Dalam Pengembangan Hutan Rakyat di Kabupaten Lombok Barat
Authors: Amiruddin Amiruddin , Sukardi Sukardi , Yakin Addinul , Sa'diyah Halimatus , Mudhofir MRT
Published: December 2020

Hutan rakyat menjadi salah satu potensi bagi penyediaan bahan baku kayu serta optimalisasi pemanfaatan lahan kering. Kabupaten Lombok Barat merupakan salah satu dari dua kabupaten dengan luas hutan rakyat terbesar di Pulau Lombok.Luas hutan rakyat mencapai 4.415 ha atau sekitar 10,7% dari luas wilayah adminstrasi Kabupaten Lombok Barat. Kegiatan pengelolaan hutan rakyat seringkali melibatkan berbagai pihak mulai dari kegiatan pembibitan, penanaman hingga pemanenan kayu. Aspek produksi dan kelembagaan menjadi aspek penting dalam pengembangan hutan rakyat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor kunci dalam pengembangan kelembagaan hutan rakyat terutama pada aspek kendala produksi dan peran aktor di Kabupaten Lombok Barat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kendala aspek produksi pada pengelolaan hutan rakyat adalah minimnya modal usaha petani dan terbatasnya jumlah dan mutu bibit tanaman yang berkualitas. Petani dan Ketua Kelompok Tani merupakan aktor yang berperan penting dalam pengelolaan hutan rakyat saat ini. Keterlibatan Balai Pengelolaan Daerah Aliran Sungai (BPDAS) Dodokan Mayosari dalam bantuan pengadaan bibit dan memfasilitasi kemitraan dengan industri pengolahan kayu hasil hutan rakyat berpotensi dalam mengatasi kendala produksi saat ini.
PERANCANGAN PORTAL E-LEARNING MENGGUNAKAN DRUPAL CMS SEBAGAI PENUNJANG PERKULIAHAN PADA MASA PANDEMIC COVID-19
Authors: Mariko Selli
Published: December 2020

Awal tahun 2020 Indonesia dan dunia menghadapi sebuah krisis global karena pandemic virus corona atau Covid-19. Dunia pendidikan tidak luput merasakan dampak akibat wabah virus Covid-19 yaitu dengan diberlakukan semi lock down oleh pemerintah. Oleh karena itu, seluruh kegiatan yang sifatnya mengumpulkan orang banyak dilarang oleh pemerintah. Keadaan ini tidak memungkinkan untuk dosen melakukan kewajibannya terkait dengan tridharma. Dosen tidak diperkenankan mengikuti kegiatan ilmiah seperti seminar nasional, diskusi panel maupun forum ilmiah lainnya. Keadaan yang paling parah adalah kegiatan perkuliahan tatap muka di kelas yang ditiadakan selama hampir satu semester. Tujuan dari penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh dosen dalam mengganti kegiatan perkuliahan tatap muka di kelas. Solusi yang ditawarkan penulis dalam artikel ini adalah membuat portal e-Learning yang dibangun menggunakan Drupal CMS. Perangkat teknologi ini memungkinkan interaksi antara dosen dan mahasiswa tanpa batasan ruang dan waktu. Metode penelitian dan pengembangan sistem yang digunakan System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) yang dikembangkan dengan metode prototyping. Adapun manfaat dari hasil penelitian ini adalah: 1. Dosen dapat menuntaskan materi perkuliahan; 2. Mahasiswa dapat mengakses materi dan mendapatkan feedback secara langsung dari dosen; 3. Dosen dapat melakukan penilaian melalui instrumen tes secara online dan mengumpulkan tugas mahasiswa.
Importance of Applying Business Ethics To Bakery Small Business
Authors: Andriani Nurita , Ariska Rita Tri
Published: December 2020

This research aims to analyze and determine the application of business ethics in the Bakery small business in Sumenep Regency. This study uses qualitative analysis methods, to obtain information carefully with in-depth interview techniques. Observation technique with  direct  observation  in  the  field  is  used  to  support  the  results  of  research.  The application of business ethics is examined in terms of ethical values / morality such as fairness, trust and honesty of the products, customers and employees of the Bakery small business. The study was conducted at Anita Bakery's small business in Sumenep.The results showed that the application of business ethics by Anita Bakery's small businesses in terms of trust and honesty in the product was quite good. This is evidenced by the level of customer loyalty that still persists. The application of business ethics in terms of fairness, trust and honesty towards customer service is quite good, it can be seen from the less complaints, the absence of negative word of mouth communication about the company and consumers are still loyal to the product. The application of business ethics in terms of fairness, trust and honesty towards employees is quite good, this can be seen from the number of employees who last long working in this company. However, it still needs to be considered in the application of business ethics to employees, because the company has not implemented fairness employee recruitment.
Novel use of XRF in the adsorption processes for the direct analysis of cadmium and silver in absorbent Na-alginate beads
Authors: Jebril Nadia Mahmoud Tawfiq Jebril
Published: December 2020

The Na-alginate bead is commonly used in biotechnology fields such as adsorption due to ion exchange between Ca and Na with elements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) has proven to be a comparative method in the detections of these adsorbed elements, but the un-flat forming area of beads that can introduce impossible of the detection of element adsorbed. In contrast, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) documents analysis of elements, direct examination, which may analysis the adsorbents of elements. Here, this Study evaluated the possibility by using XRF for the direct analysis for examples of Cd and Ag in a bench stand. This Study compared this to commonly used SEM-EDX and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) approaches for Cd and Ag analyses. Overall, novel use of XRF provided precise analyses of the concentrations of Cd and Ag adsorbed within Na-alginate bead and revealed analyses not determined the concentrations in standard SEM-EDX or previously established in other studies of  Na-alginate beads. In addition, this Study shows that XRF may be employed in different fields in biotechnology to analysis the concentrations regarding the elemental adsorption of Na-alginate beads and demonstrate the potential for XRF to monitor the procedures underpinning biotechnology sectors.
A Competitive Study Using UV and Ozone with H2O2 in Treatment of Oily Wastewater
Authors: Jasim Ban , Al-Furaiji Mustafa , Sekran Ali , Abdullah Waleed
Published: December 2020

In this study, ultraviolet (UV), ozone techniques with hydrogen peroxide oxidant were used to treat the wastewater which is produced from South Baghdad Power Station using lab-scale system. From UV-H2O2 experiments, it was shown that the optimum exposure time was 80 min. At this time, the highest removal percentages of oil, COD, and TOC were 84.69 %, 56.33 % and 50 % respectively. Effect of pH on the contaminants removing was studied in the range of (2-12). The best oil, COD, and TOC removal percentages (69.38 %, 70 % and 52 %) using H2O2/UV were at pH=12. H2O2/ozone experiments exhibited better performance compared to the H2O2/UV experiments. The results showed that 20 min was the best exposure time with removal percentages of 89.79 %, 83.33 % and 70% for oil, COD and TOC, respectively, and the optimum value of pH was at pH=8, where the pollutants removal percentages (i.e. 74.48 %, 80 % and 73.33 % respectively for the same previous pollutants). H2O2/ozone experiments showed better removal efficiency than the H2O2/UV experiments.
Reduced Spatial Resolution MRI Suffices to Image and Quantify Drought Induced Embolism Formation in Trees
Authors: Meixner Marco , Foerst Petra , Windt Carel
Published: December 2020

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is uniquely suited to non-invasively and continuously monitor embolism formation in trees. Depending on the MRI method used, quantitative parameter maps of water content and MRI signal relaxation behavior can be generated. The ability to measure dynamic differences in water content and relaxation behavior can be used to detect xylem embolism formation, even if xylem conduits are too small to be spatially resolved. This is especially advantageous when using affordable small-scale low-field MRI scanners. The amount of signal that can be obtained from an object strongly depends on the strength of the magnetic field of the imager’s magnet. Imaging at lower resolutions thus would allow to reduce the cost, size and weight of the MRI scanner and to shorten image acquisition times.Results: We investigated how much spatial resolution can be sacrificed without losing the ability to monitor embolism formation in coniferous softwood (spruce, Picea abies) and diffuse porous beech (Fagus sylvatica). Saplings of both species were bench dehydrated, while they were continuously imaged at stepwise decreasing spatial resolutions. Imaging was done by means of a small-scale MRI device, utilizing image matrix sizes of 128×128, 64×64 and 32×32 pixels at a constant FOV of 19 and 23 mm, respectively. While images at the lowest resolutions (pixel sizes 0.59×0.59 mm and 0.72×0.72 mm) were no longer sufficient to resolve finer details of the stem anatomy, they did permit an approximate localization of embolism formation and the generation of accurate vulnerability curves. Conclusions: When using MRI, spatial resolution can be sacrificed without losing the ability to visualize and quantify embolism formation. Imaging at lower spatial resolution to monitor embolism formation has two advantages. Firstly, the acquisition time per image can be reduced dramatically. This enables continuous imaging at high time resolution, which may be beneficial to monitor rapid dynamics of embolism formation. Secondly, if the requirements for spatial resolution are relaxed, much simpler MRI devices can be used. This has the potential to make non-invasive MR imaging of embolism formation much more affordable and more widely available.
WITHDRAWN: Social Research Methods to Support Involvement of Community Dwelling Older Adults With Complex Needs in Assessment of Their Care Related Quality of Life
Authors: Phillipson Lyn , Towers Ann-Marie , Caiels James , Smith Louisa
Published: December 2020

Background: Determining whether the needs and preferences of older adults are being met by new ‘ageing in place’ and ‘consumer directed’ care’ policies presents methodological challenges.Methods: This study explored how a cascading methodology, offering different supports as needed, promoted assessment of care related quality of life that was inclusive of home care services users with cognitive and physical disabilities. Multiple tools from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) were tested in a sample of older adults living at home in one geographic region in NSW (Australia). Results: Both physical assistance, emotional support and an ‘Easy Read’ format facilitated the inclusion of those with greater physical and cognitive impairments. Importantly, their inclusion identified their greater unmet needs in seven out of eight quality of life domains. Conclusion: The adoption of more inclusive social research methodologies is critical to understanding if shifts in aged and social care policies support quality of life for the most vulnerable.
Amino Acid Transporter (AAT) Gene Family in Foxtail Millet (Setaria Italica L.): Widespread Family Expansion, Functional Differentiation, Roles in Quality Formation and Response to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Yang Yang , Chai Yongmao , Liu Jiayi , Zheng Jie , Zhao Zhangchen , Aduragbemi Amo , Cui Chunge , Lu Qiumei , Chen Liang , Hu Yin-Gang
Published: December 2020

Background: Amino acid transporters (AATs) plays an essential roles in growth and development of plants, including amino acids long-range transport, seed germination, quality formation, responsiveness to pathogenic bacteria and abiotic stress by modulating the transmembrane transfer of amino acids. In this study, we performed a genome-wide screening to analyze the AAT genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), especially those associated with quality formation and abiotic stresses response.Results: A total number of 94 AAT genes were identified and divided into 12 subfamilies by their sequence characteristics and phylogenetic relationship. A large number (58/94, 62%) of AAT genes in foxtail millet were expanded via gene duplication, involving 13 tandem and 12 segmental duplication events. Tandemly duplicated genes had a significant impact on their functional differentiation via sequence variation, structural variation and expression variation. Further comparison in multiple species showed that in addition to paralogous genes, the expression variations of the orthologous AAT genes also contributed to their functional differentiation. The transcriptomic comparison of two millet cultivars verified the direct contribution of the AAT genes such as SiAAP1, SiAAP8, and SiAUX2 in the formation of grain quality. In addition, the qRT-PCR analysis suggested that several AAT genes continuously responded to diverse abiotic stresses, such as SiATLb1, SiANT1. Finally, combined with the previous studies and analysis on sequence characteristics and expression patterns of AAT genes, the possible functions of the foxtail millet AAT genes were predicted.Conclusion: This study for the first time reported the evolutionary features, functional differentiation, roles in the quality formation and response to abiotic stresses of foxtail millet AAT gene family, thus providing a framework for further functional analysis of SiAAT genes, and also contributing to the applications of AAT genes in improving the quality and resistance to abiotic stresses of foxtail millet, and other cereal crops.
Antidiarrheal Activity of Ethanol Extract of Ophioglossum Vulgatum In Mice And Spasmolytic Effect on Smooth Muscle Contraction of Isolated Jejunum In Rabbits
Authors: Zhang Jianwu , Yang Lan , Fang Yingying , Li Jing , Gu Chunxia , Zhou Qian , Zheng Qian , Chen Wei , Zhou Yanmei , Zhuang Min , Liu Qiaojuan , Li Chunchen , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2020

BackgroundOphioglossum vulgatum Linn. (Ophioglossaceae) (OV), which is traditionally used on wounds and burns, enjoys a reputation as the king of medicine in Taiwan. There are few studies on its role in gastrointestinal diseases. Our aim was to assess the antidiarrheal and spasmolytic effect of the ethanol whole plant extract of Ophioglossum vulgatum (EWOV).MethodsStudy was conducted from June 2018 to July 2019. The chemical constituents of EWOV were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vivo, the antidiarrheal activity of EWOV (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; orally) in castor oil-induced Kun Ming mice was evaluated. In vitro, the effect of EWOV (0.01-10 mg/mL) on the spontaneous contraction of isolated rabbit jejunum smooth muscle was studied. Verapamil was the positive control group in both vivo and vitro studies. The jejunum stripes were pre-contracted by ACh (10-5 M) and KCl (60 mM) which could induce the jejunum spasm. The possible spasmolytic effect was analyzed in the pretreatment of the jejunum preparations with EWOV (0.3, 1 mg/mL) or verapamil (0.03, 0.1 µM) in Ca2+-free and high-K+ (60 mM) solution containing EDTA.ResultsEWOV (250 and 500 mg/kg) exhibited antidiarrheal effect. EWOV (0.01-10 mg/mL) inhibited the spontaneous and ACh/KCl-induced contraction with an EC50 value of 1.46 (0.89-2.04), 1.06 (0.63-1.48) and 0.48 (0.29-0.67), and it shifted the concentration-response curves of CaCl2 to right with decreased in max, similar to verapamil. ConclusionsEWOV has significant antidiarrheal and spasmolytic effect, possibly by mediating calcium channel blocking activity, this provides the pharmacological basis for use in gastrointestinal disorders.
Assessing hospital cost data quality in the quest for a cost-effective health care
Authors: Malmmose Margit , Lydersen Jogvan Pauli
Published: December 2020

Background: The objective is to examine hospital cost accounts in order to understand the foundation upon which large-scale health care decisions are based. More specifically, the aim is to add insights to accounting practices and their applicability towards a newly establish value-based agenda with a focus on patient-level cost data. Methods: We apply a cost accounting framework developed to position and understand hospital cost practices in relation to government requirements. Allocated cost account data from 2015 from all Danish hospitals were collected and analysed. Results: We find exceedingly aggregated department-level data that are not tied to patient information. We further observe variations in integrated cost centre definitions and allocation methods, as well as a melding of both overhead and indirect costs with direct costs at the department level. Additionally, we find large structural variances within hospitals. Conclusions: The findings raise concern about the cost accounts’ ability to provide valid information in health care decision-making due to a lack of transparency. Additionally, standardisation of costs stemming from hospitals with large organisational differences has significant implications on the fairness of resource allocation and decision-making at large. Thus, for hospitals to become more cost efficient, a substantially more detailed cost account system is essential.
Bioinformatics Analysis and Insights for the Role of COMMD7 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jing , Peng Xuehui , He Yonggang , Huang Xiaobing , You Nan , Gu Huiying , Dong Rui , Yang Xiaomin , Zheng Lu
Published: December 2020

Background: The tumorigenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a process involving multiple factors. The COMMDs family proteins were reported to play important roles in various disease and cancers including HCC. We previously found COMMD7 acted as a HCC-promotion factor; however, further understanding on COMMD7 was needed. We conducted these bioinformatics analysis for the purpose of comprehensive understanding of the functional role of COMMD7 in HCC.Methods: The bioinformatics analysis of COMMD7 were launched by online platforms including KEGG, GEPIA, cBioportal, Gene Ontology and The Kaplan-Meier plotter. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) were downloaded, and the data analysis and processing were conducted by RStudio (version 1.3.959) software.Results: The expression profile results of COMMD7 in TCGA and GTEx database suggested that COMMD7 expressed highly in liver tumor tissues and positively related with poorer prognosis (p<0.01); COMMD7 also contributed to the early development of HCC as its higher expression resulted in progression from stage I to stage III (p<0.01). Based on our previous studies, COMMD7 may target NF-κB signaling and CXCL10 to enhance the proliferation of hepatoma cells so that promoting the development of HCC. Conclusions：This study updates the current studies about the newly recognized roles of COMMD7 in the progression of HCC, summarizing the research progress and prospects of COMMD7 comprehensively, offering an outlook for the future investigation and targeted therapy of HCC.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour In People With Myasthenia Gravis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alsop Tahlia , Williams Katrina , Gomersall Sjaan
Published: December 2020

Background Despite improvements in the medical management of myasthenia gravis (MG) in recent years, patients continue to report poor health and wellbeing outcomes such as high levels of fatigue, reduced quality of life, walking limitation and reduced balance confidence. Physical activity has been shown to be associated with these outcomes in other populations, however there has been limited research in adults with MG. The primary aim of this study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with MG and the secondary aim was to explore associations between these behaviours and fatigue, quality of life, balance confidence and walking limitation. Methods A self-report online survey was used to assess physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fatigue, quality of life, balance confidence and walking limitation in 85 community-dwelling adults with MG. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations between these variables and descriptive statistics were used to analyse participant characteristics, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Results Most participants (n=53, 62.4%) reported sufficient physical activity to meet public health guidelines, however participants also reported an average of 9 h/day of sedentary behaviour (mean 8.9±3.5). Physical activity and fatigue (R2=0.196), quality of life (R2=0.330), walking limitation (R2=0.305) and balance confidence (R2=0.304) were significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated, with no associations found for sedentary behaviour. When patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour were combined, greater fatigue (R2=0.213), lower quality of life (R2=0.364), increased walking limitation (R2=0.341) and lower balance confidence (R2=0.279) was observed in patients who had greater physical activity levels and lower sedentary time. Conclusions Physical activity and sedentary behaviour is associated with favorable health and wellbeing outcomes in adults with MG. Findings highlight that physical activity and sedentary behaviour may be possible intervention targets, however longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to determine causality.
Food Attention Bias Appetite Comes with Eating
Authors: Lev-Ari Lilac , Kreiner Hamutal , Avni Omer
Published: December 2020

Objective: Cognitive interventions may be effective in weight loss. The purpose of this study was to assess if cognitive reappraisal (CR; reframing the meaning of a stimulus in order to change the resulting emotional response), can reduce food attentional bias (FAB) using the Visual Dot Probe (VDP) paradigm. Method: 126 participants (age 27±5.8) were randomly assigned either to a CR or to a control (CN) group. After assessing baseline VDP levels for FAB, participants either wrote sentences that discourage eating fattening food or neutral sentences. Next, all participants performed the VDP post intervention. Participants also self-reported on disturbed eating behaviors and their height and weight were charted. We hypothesized that CR would reduce FAB and that disturbed eating would moderate the association between group and FAB. Results: FAB decreased post intervention, specifically in the CR group. The bulimia sub-scale showed an interaction between bulimic eating, time and group. Among those who were high on the bulimia scale, the CR group showed lower FAB post-intervention compared to the CN group. Discussion: This study suggests that CR may decrease the attentional bias toward high-calorie food compared to other strategies in the general population and among people with high bulimia measures, in particular.
Emotional Symptoms and Their Related Factors in Adolescents During the Acute Phase of COVID-19 Outbreak in Southa Italy
Authors: pisano simone , Catone Gennaro , Gritti Antonella , Almerico Luisa , Pezzella Anna , Santangelo Pia , Bravaccio Carmela , Iuliano Raffaella , Senese Vincenzo Paolo
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, emotional symptoms increased in the general population. Less is known in youths. MethodsWe surveyed a sample of Italian adolescents during the strictest quarantine period and assessed the effects of socio-demographic and psychological factors on current emotional symptoms. A convenient sample of 326 adolescents (age range 14-19 years) participated in a web-based survey. We collected data on several socio demographic and psychological information (summarized into three indexes: environmental context, changes in lifestyle, and worries about infection) and psychopathological symptoms (previous psychopathological status, current anxiety and depressive symptoms). ResultsDescriptive analysis showed that adolescents have experienced quarantine under very different conditions; they reported 47.5% and 14.1% of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Regression analyses indicated that previous psychopathological status and worries about infection are linked to anxiety and that female gender, previous psychopathological status (moderated by change in lifestyle), worse environmental context are linked to depression. ConclusionThis study indicates that, facing the COVID-19 pandemic and its related safety measures, adolescents show relevant emotional symptoms and therefore should be monitored, assessed and supported.
Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Promotes RSV Replication by Type I Interferon-Independent Mechanism in Vitro
Authors: Ye Zhixu , Jin Xin , Yang Li , Yu Benli , Shang Lujun , Cui Yuxia , Fan Li , Wang Liping , Liu Enmei , Yu Fuxun
Published: December 2020

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of viral respiratory tract infection in young children and elderly worldwide. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is reported to have antiviral effect on some viruses. However, the effect of STS on RSV replication is still unknown. MethodsTo investigate the effect of STS on RSV replication, RSV infected A549 cell model was first established and treated with different concentration of STS (12.5，25，50，100 and 200μg/ml).CPE, virus titer and RSV N protein were detected. Cytotoxicity of STS on A549 cells were performed. Then Different cell lines (16HBE and BEAS-2B) were also used to investigate the effect of STS on RSV replication. The Type I-IFN-associated protein (IFN-α, IFN-β and IP-10) were also detected by ELISA, and IFN-deficient Vero cells were also used to investigate the role of IFN response in STS-modulated RSV replication.ResultsLow concentration of STS potently promoted RSV replication in vitro by increasing virus titers and the expression of RSV N protein, and 25μg/ml STS reached the maximum effect. While high concentration of STS (200μg/ml) effectively inhibited virus replication but it may due to the effect of cytotoxicity. STS treatment (25μg/ml) also showed the same effect in 16HBE and BEAS-2B cells. STS treatment did not impaired Type I interferon (IFN) induction and also promoted RSV replication in IFN-deficient Vero cells.Conclusion﻿STS promoted RSV replication in vitro by IFN-independent mechanism. Our results indicated that STS treatment should be avoided in clinical RSV-related diseases.
A Hybrid Recommender System Based-on Link Prediction for Movie Baskets Analysis
Authors: Farashah Mohammadsadegh Vahidi , Etebarian Akbar , Azmi Reza , Dastjerdi Reza Ebrahimzadeh
Published: December 2020

The proposed method in this paper consists of three steps: initial clustering of all users and assigning new user to appropriate clusters, assigning appropriate weights to users' characteristics, and identifying new user’s adjacent users using hybrid similarity criteria and adjacency matrix of adjacent users’ rating to the movie services and calculating new user’s rating to each movie considering adjacent users’ rating and the similarity level of each adjacent user to the new user. The results show that the mean squared error of the proposed model has decreased respectively 8.59%, 8.67%, 8.45% and 8.15% compared to the basic models such as Naive Bayes, multi-attribute decision tree and randomized algorithm. Also, MAE of the proposed method decreased by 4.5% compared to SVD and approximately 4.4% compared to ApproSVD and RMSE of the proposed method decreased by 6.05% compared to SVD and approximately 6.02% compared to ApproSVD.
Modeling Space Radiation Induced Cognitive Dysfunction Using Targeted And Non-Targeted Effects
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Brenner David , Blattnig Steven , Shukitt-Hale Barbara , Rabin Bernard
Published: December 2020

Radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an important risk for human exploration of distant planets. Mechanistically-motivated mathematical modeling helps to interpret and quantify this phenomenon. Here we considered two general mechanisms of ionizing radiation-induced damage: targeted effects (TE), caused by traversal of cells by ionizing tracks, and non-targeted effects (NTE), caused by responses of other cells to signals released by traversed cells. We compared the performances of 18 dose response model variants based on these concepts, fitted by robust nonlinear regression to a large published data set on novel object recognition testing in rats exposed to multiple space-relevant radiation types (H, C, O, Si, Ti and Fe ions), covering wide ranges of linear energy transfer (LET) (0.22-181 keV/µm) and dose (0.001-2 Gy). The strongest support (by Akaike information criterion) was found for an NTE+TE model where NTE saturate at low doses (~0.01 Gy) and occur at all tested LETs, whereas TE depend on dose linearly with a slope that increases with LET. The importance of NTE was also found by additional analyses of the data using quantile regression and random forests. These results suggest that NTE-based radiation effects on brain function are potentially important for astronaut health and for space mission risk assessments.
Association between insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys:a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kuang Jiangying , Zhang Li , Xu Yueqin , Xue Jiang , Liang Shuang
Published: December 2020

Background As one of the most common features of obesity, insulin resistance is central to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. Low insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) levels have been proven to be associated with many traditional cardiovascular risk factors, but it still remains controversy with the relationship between IGF-1 and insulin resistance. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between IGF-1 and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys.Methods We used whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) to represent insulin resistance. 70 obese prepubertal boys were included in this study, and the obese subjects were divided into two groups by using 1.285 as a threshold value for WBISI. Clinical examination and laboratory examinations were assessed for all participants.Results Among obese boys, the group of children with WBISI ≤ 1.285 had lower IGF-1 standard deviation scores (SDS) (p = 0.021) than WBISI > 1.285 group. The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis show that WBISI was positively correlated with IGF-1 SDS (β = 1.726, p = 0.002) after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion IGF-1 SDS was negatively associated with insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys, independent of other traditional cardiovascular disease risk markers.
Plasma Metabolomic Profiling of Individuals Susceptible to High Altitude through Gas Chromatograph- mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Chi , Jiang Hui , Chen Jingwen , Duan Jinyan , Wang Chengbin
Published: December 2020

Objective We aimed to characterize metabolic alterations of people ascending to high altitude and susceptible to acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 36 healthy volunteers on the 3rd day ascending to high altitude (4300m). AMS status was assessed using the Lake Louise Questionnaire. Plasma samples were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to discriminate the metabolite changes between sea level and high altitude status and between AMS group and non-AMS group. Results High altitude hypobaric hypoxia caused significant and comprehensive metabolic changes in plasma, including 18 metabolites between sea level and high altitude, 6 metabolites between AMS group and non-AMS group. By using MetaboAnalyst 3.0, several key metabolic pathways were found to be involved, including cysteine and methionine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Conclusion The GC-MS profiling was a useful approach to analyze metabolites variances and provides potential targets for further investigation to understand the pathophysiological mechanism of hypobaric hypoxia and susceptibility to high altitude.
Development of a New Sternal Dehiscence Prediction Scale for Decision Making in Sternal Closure Techniques After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Harig Frank , Nooh Ehab , Griesbach Colin , Weyand Michael , Rösch Johannes
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAfter sternotomy, the spectrum for sternal osteosynthesis comprises standard wiring and more complex techniques, like titanium plating. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive risk score that evaluates the risk of sternum instability individually. The surgeon may then choose an appropriate sternal osteosynthesis technique that is risk- adjusted as well as cost-effective.MethodsData from 7.173 patients operated via sternotomy for all cardiovascular indications from 2008 until 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Sternal dehiscence occurred in 2.5% of patients (n=176). A multivariable analysis model examined pre- and intraoperative factors. A multivariable logistic regression model and a backward elimination based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) a logistic model were selected.ResultsThe model showed good sensitivity and specificity (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, AUC: 0.76) and several predictors of sternal instability could be evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression showed the highest Odds Ratios (OR) for reexploration (OR 6.6, confidence interval, CI [4.5-9.5], p <0.001), obesity (body mass index, BMI >35kg/m²) (OR 4.23, [CI 2.4-7.3], p<0.001), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (OR 2.2, CI [1.5-3.2], p=0.01), smoking (OR 2.03, [CI 1.3-3.08], p=0.001). After weighting the probability of sternum dehiscence with each factor, a risk score model was proposed scaling from -1 to 5 points. This resulted in a risk score ranging up to 18 points, with an estimated risk for sternum complication up to 74%.ConclusionsA weighted scoring system based on individual risk factors was specifically created to predict sternal dehiscence. High-scoring patients should receive additive closure techniques.
One-Year Outcome after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Regurgitation: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Liu LuLu , Yao Xiaoling , Peng Ying , Huang Weina , Jun Shi , Qian Hong , Chen Yilong , Guo Yingqiang
Published: December 2020

BackgroundPresently, there are limited reports in the literature on the post-operative (mid-term) clinical outcome for pure Aortic Regurgitation (AR) following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).MethodsBetween March 2014 and June 2019, a total of 134 high-risk patients with pure, symptomatic severe AR patients were enrolled in the current study. The outcome was assessed according to the VARC-2 criteria. Procedural results, clinical outcomes, and the patients' hemodynamics for a period of 1-year were analyzed. ResultsPatient mean was 73.1±6.4 years and 25.4% were female. The average STS score was 9.8+5.3%. Procedural success was 97.1% (130/134), and the device success rate was 96.3% (129/134). Five cases were converted to open surgery, while two patients underwent valvular reinterventions (surgical aortic valve replacement for thrombosis and increasing paravalvular regurgitation). The mean aortic valve gradient was 10.2±4.1 mmHg, while the moderate and severe aortic regurgitation was 1.6% at 1 year. Paravalvular regurgitation was none/trivial in 79.8% and mild in 18.5%. The 1-year all-cause mortality rate was 7.4%. At 1-year, the stroke incidence rate was 2.2%. And pacemaker was implanted in 8.9% of the enrolled patients.ConclusionsIn high-risk patients undergoing transapical-TAVR for AR, the use of the J-Valve is safe and effective TAVR should be considered as a reasonable option for high-risk patients with pure AR.