bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALISIS EFEKTIVITAS PENAGIHAN PAJAK DENGAN SURAT PAKSA DAN PENYITAAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PENERIMAAN PAJAK PADA KANTOR PELAYANAN PAJAK PRATAMA BEKASI UTARA
Authors: Nasution Hafifah , Aliffioni Agista
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini dilatar belakangi oleh masih banyaknya Wajib Pajak yang tidak patuh menyebabkan tingginya tunggakan pajak yang akan berdampak pada penerimaan pajak. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui efektivitas penagihan pajak yang meliputi Surat Paksa dan Penyitaan untuk meningkatkan penerimaan pajak pada KPP Pratama Bekasi Utara. Penelitian ini ditulis berdasarkan data penagihan pajak dan wawancara. Metode yang digunakan yaitu deskriptif analisis. Dari hasil penelitan dapat diketahui efektivitas penagihan pajak dengan Surat Paksa pada tahun 2015 sebesar 44,78%, tahun 2016 sebesar 69,78%,  dan tahun 2017 sebesar 29,49%. Sedangkan efektivitas penagihan pajak dengan  Penyitaan  pada  tahun 2015 sebesar 41,72%, tahun 2016 sebesar 55,55%, dan tahun 2017 sebesar 58,45%. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa, penagihan pajak menggunakan Surat  Paksa dan Penyitaan pada tahun 2015-2017 tergolong tidak efektif. Hal tersebut  diakibatkan masih banyaknya Wajib Pajak yang lalai dan juga adanya Wajib Pajak yang tidak mampu membayar tunggakan pajaknya.
ANALISIS EFEKTIFITAS DAN KONTRIBUSI PENERIMAAN BPHTB DAN PBB-P2 TERHADAP PENDAPATAN ASLI DAERAH KABUPATEN BOGOR ( STUDI KASUS PADA BADAN PENGELOLAAN PENDAPATAN DAERAH KABUPATEN BOGOR)
Authors: Sari Dymitri Hani Puspita , Heriansyah Kurnia , Masri Indah
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pencapaian target pajak bumi dan bangunan sektor pedesaan dan perkotaan (PBB-P2) dan pajak bea perolehan hak atas tanah dan bangunan (BPHTB) pemerintah Kabupaten Bogor selama tahun 2012-2016 serta untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis seberapa besar efektifitas dan kontribusi penerimaan PBB-P2 dan BPHTB terhadap total penerimaan pendapatan asli daerah pemerintah Kabupaten Bogor selama lima tahun tersebut. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan cara penelitian lapangan dan penelitian kepustakaan. Dari hasil riset pada pemerintah Kabupaten Bogor menunjukkan bahwa PBB-P2 dan BPHTB selama tahun 2012-2016 telah melebihi target. Kontribusi PBB-P2 terhadap pendapatan asli daerah berkisar 12,90% - 17,55% dan kontribusi BPHTB terhadap pendapatan asli daerah berkisar 22,03% - 24,93%. Sedangkan efektifitas PBB-P2 berkisar 109,12% - 111,13% dan BPHTB berkisar 124,60% - 139,20%. Disarankan agar pemerintah Kabupaten Bogor dapat meningkatkan potensi pajak daerah lainnya agar dapat meningkatkan pendapatan asli daerah.
ANALISIS MODERASI MEDIASI HUBUNGAN ARUS KAS-INVESTASI, CSR, DAN BIAYA AGENSI
Authors: Bestari Sri Rahmah Putri , Kiswanto Kiswanto
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi pada perusahaan manufaktur di Indonesia dengan menggunakan 3 variabel yang terdiri dari 1 variabel independen yaitu arus kas, 1 variabel moderasi yaitu CSR dan 1 variabel mediasi yaitu biaya agensi. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) selama periode 2011-2016 yang berjumlah 149 perusahaan. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 41 perusahaan yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi sederhana dan analisis regresi dengan variabel moderating mediating (modmed) SPSS 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa arus kas tidak berpengaruh terhadap investasi, CSR terbukti menjadi variabel moderasi hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi mampu memediasi efek moderat CSR. Simpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu arus kas tidak dapat menjadi faktor yang mempengaruhi investasi, CSR dapat menjadi variabel moderasi yang memperkuat hubungan antara arus kas terhadap investasi dan biaya agensi dapat menjadi variabel mediasi efek moderasi CSR.
PENGARUH KESADARAN, PELAYANAN FISKUS, DAN SANKSI TERHADAP KEPATUHAN WAJIB PAJAK ORANG PRIBADI (Studi Survey di PT Intikom Berlian Mustika)
Authors: Febriani Indri , Suparno
Published: September 2020

This research aims to demonstrate empirically the effect of awareness of taxpayers, tax services and tax sanctions on the compliance of individual taxpayer. The sample in this research were employees who worked at PT Intikom Berlian Mustika. This research used primary data with distributing questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed as many as 100 pieces to individual tax payer in PT Intikom Berlian Mustika. Research sampling were taken by simple random sampling. Statistical analysis using multiple linear regression. The results showed that tax awareness and sanctions significantly affected the compliance of individual taxpayers, while tax services did not affect the compliance of individual taxpayers at PT Intikom Berlian Mustika.
PENGARUH PAD, DAU, DAN DAK TERHADAP BELANJA MODAL PEMERINTAH DAERAH
Authors: Huda Safiul , Sumiati Ati
Published: September 2020

This research aims to examine the effect of Regional Original Income, General Allocation Funds, and Specific Allocation Funds for Capital Expenditures both partially and simultaneously. The subjects in this study were Regency/ City Regional Governments in Central Java Province. This research used a sample of 32 regencies/ cities in Central Java originating from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) Report from 2014-2016 obtained from the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression with hypothesis testing using t-statistics and F-statistics and coefficient of determination. The results of the research provide information that Regional Original Income and General Allocation Funds have an effect on Capital Expenditures, while Special Allocation Funds do not affect Capital Expenditures.
Pengaruh Peluang Investasi Dan Solvabilitas Terhadap Profitabilitas Perusahaan Non-Finansial di BEI
Authors: Hafizh tri syahbandi
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini dibuat dengan tujuan untuk menguji peran peluang investasi dan solvabilitas terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan non finansial yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia tahun 2016-2018. Peluang investasi diukur dengan rasio market value of common stock to book value of common stock dan earning per share to price per share. Solvabilitas diukur dengan Debt to Equity Ratio. Profitabilitas diukur dengan Return on Equity. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahan-perusahaan non finansial  yang terdaftar di BEI. Sampel yang digunakan adalah perusahaan properti dan real estate. Metode pengambilan sampel menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Sumber data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder yang dikumpulkan melalui dokumentasi data yang diperoleh dari website resmi Bursa Efek Indonesia (www.idx.co.id). Analisis data menggunakan analisis regresi data panel dengan model Random Effect. Pengolahan data menggunakan program Eviews 9.0.  Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan terdapat pengaruh positif yang signifikan antara rasio market value of common stock to book value of common stock, earning per share to price per share, dan debt to equity terhadap return on equity. 

Kata kunci : Peluang Investasi, Solvabilitas, Profitabilitas
PENGARUH UKURAN PERUSAHAAN, VARIABILITAS HARGA POKOK PENJUALAN, DAN VARIABILITAS PERSEDIAAN TERHADAP NILAI PERSEDIAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR DAN DAGANG YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA PERIODE 2014-2018
Authors: Yanti Yanti
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ukuran perusahaan, variabilitas harga pokok penjualan, dan variabilitas persediaan terhadap nilai persediaan pada perusahaan manufaktur dan dagang yang terdaftar di bursa efek indonesia. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan manufaktur dan perusahan dagang yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) pada tahun 2014 sampai 2018. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 79 perusahaan manufaktur dan perusahaan dagang yang diperoleh dengan knik purposive sampling. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa secara parsial variabel variabilitas harga pokok penjualan tidak mempunyai pengaruh terhadap nilai persediaan, dibuktikan nilai signifikansi 0,514 > 0,05. Sedangkan Ukuran Perusahaan berpengaruh terhadap nilai persediaan, dibuktikan nilai signifikansi 0,000 < 0,05, dan variabilitas persediaan berpengaruh terhadap nilai persediaan, dibuktikan nilai signifikan 0,002 < 0,05. Secara simultan variabel ukuran perusahaan, variabilitas harga pokok penjualan dan variabilitas persediaan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap nilai persediaan pada perusahaan dagang dan perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) pada tahun 2014-2018 sebesar 68,06%.
Characterisation of dielectric 3D-printingmaterials at microwave frequencies
Authors: Alimenti Andrea , Torokhtii Kostiantyn , Pompeo Nicola , Piuzzi Emanuele , Silva Enrico
Published: September 2020

3D-printer materials are becoming increasingly appealing, especially for high frequency applications. As such, the electromagnetic characterisation of these materials is an important step in evaluating their applicability for new technological devices. We present a measurement method for complex permittivity evaluation based on a dielectric loaded resonator (DR). Comparing the quality factor Q of the DR with a disk-shaped sample placed on a DR base, with Q obtained when the sample is substituted with an air gap, allows a reliable determination of the loss tangent.
Public perceptions and aesthetic preferences of lakeshore landscape: the example of Lake Velence (Hungary)
Authors: Cai Xuecheng , Boromisza Zsombor
Published: September 2020

Earlier, intervention programs and tourism development projects in the lakeside area of Lake Velence have led to the diversification of lakeshore landscape and shoreline. In the current study, we investigated the public aesthetic preferences of varying lakeshore landscapes, driving factors (which cause preference deviation and visual discomfort), and judgments of perceived beauty of 14 lakeshore scenes. The study also examined the differences in preferences of lakeshore landscapes between experts and waterfront residents. The results indicated that landscape characteristic and maintenance state have a significant impact on the receptor’s preference. In the investigation of lakeside landscape preference with different natural degrees, both the near-natural lakeshore and the natural lakeshore are lacking attention and attraction. Though natural (“wild”) lakeshore beneficial to the birds and other wildlife, overgrown riparian / aquatic plants and rigid shoreline caused visual fatigue and boredom feel. These findings provide a reference for the forthcoming lakeside intervention projects and land-use decisions.
Identification of Significant Climatic Risk Factors and Machine Learning Models in Dengue Outbreak Prediction
Authors: Nejad Felestin Yavari , Varathan Kasturi Dewi
Published: September 2020

Background: Dengue fever is a widespread viral disease and one of the world’s major pandemic vector-borne infections, causing serious hazard to humanity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the incidence of dengue fever has increased dramatically across the world in recent decades. WHO currently estimates an annual incidence of 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide. To date, no tested vaccine or treatment is available to stop or prevent dengue fever. Thus, the importance of predicting dengue outbreaks is significant. The current issue that should be addressed in dengue outbreak prediction is accuracy. A limited number of studies have conducted an in-depth analysis of climate factors in dengue outbreak prediction. Methods: The most important climatic factors that contribute to dengue outbreaks were identified in the current work. Correlation analyses were performed in order to determine these factors and these factors were used as input parameters for machine learning models. Top five machine learning classification models (Bayes network (BN) models, support vector machine (SVM), RBF tree, decision table and naive Bayes) were chosen based on past research. The models were then tested and evaluated on the basis of four-years data (January 2010 to December 2013) collected in Malaysia. Results: This research has two major contributions. A new risk factor, called the TempeRain Factor (TRF), was identified and used as an input parameter for the model of dengue outbreak prediction. Moreover, TRF was applied to demonstrate its strong impact on dengue outbreaks. Experimental results showed that the Bayes Network model with the new meteorological risk factor identified in this study increased accuracy to 92.35% and reduced the root-mean-square error to 0.26 for predicting dengue outbreaks. Conclusions: This research explored the factors used in dengue outbreak prediction systems. The major contribution of this study is identifying new significant factors that contribute to dengue outbreak prediction. From the evaluation result, we obtained a significant improvement in the accuracy of a machine learning model for dengue outbreak prediction.
CTLA4 has a profound impact on the landscape of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with a high prognosis value in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)
Authors: Liu Shiyi , Wang Feiyan , Tan Wei , Zhang Li , Dai Fangfang , Wang Yanqing , Fan Yaqi , Yuan Mengqin , Yang Dongyong , Zheng Yajing , Deng Zhimin , Cheng Yanxiang , Liu Yeqiang
Published: September 2020

Background: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) inhibitors have been shown to significantly prolong the overall survival (OS) in a wide range of cancers. However, its application in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is limited due to the therapy response, and the prognostic value of CTLA4 in ccRCC has not been investigated in detail.Methods: By using immunohistochemistry, Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis, uni- and multi-variate Cox analysis, we comprehensively and systematically studied the prognostic value of CTLA4 in ccRCC. Then, we applied Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE algorithm, ssGSEA and somatic mutation analyses to reveal the impact of CTLA4 on the landscape of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) infiltration and genetic mutation. Besides, given current concerns caused by combined immunotherapy, we also investigated the relationship between CTLA4 and other immune checkpoints.Results: In vitro experiment and data mining showed that, CTLA4 was up-regulated in ccRCC tissues and closely related to the disease progression as well as a poor prognosis. Deeper researches demonstrated that CTLA4 regulates T cell activation and was significantly linked to TIL-abundant tumor microenvironment (TME), but was accompanied by an immunosuppressed phenotype. Mutation analysis showed that CTLA4 was associated with more frequent BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) mutation. Moreover, we found that CTLA4 was markedly correlated with multiple immune checkpoints, which suggested that ccRCC patients with high expressed CTLA4 may benefit more from immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) combined therapy.Conclusion: CTLA4 has a profound impact on the landscape of TILs and genetic mutation, and can be used as the biomarker with high prognosis value in ccRCC.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery – ERAS in Elective Craniotomies-a Non-randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Elayat Anirudh , Jena Sritam Swarup , Sahu Rabi Narayan , Nayak Sukdev , Tripathy Swagata
Published: September 2020

Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative care bundle aimed at early recovery of patients. Well accepted in gastric and pelvic surgeries, there is minimal evidence in neurosurgery and neurocritical care barring spinal surgeries. We wished to compare the length of intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU) stay of patients undergoing elective craniotomy for supratentorial neurosurgery: ERAS protocol versus routine care. The secondary objective was to compare the postoperative pain scores, opioid use, glycemic control, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups.Methods: This was a pragmatic non-randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2017/07/015451). Consenting adult patients scheduled for elective supratentorial intracranial tumor excision were enrolled prospectively after institutional ethical clearance and consent. Patients in the ERAS group received a fixed bundle of care. Pre-operative –family education,, complex-carbohydrate drink, scalp blocks, and flupiritine ; Intraoperative –limited opioids,fluid and temperature regulation; Post operative- early mobilization, removal of catheters and initiation of feeds. In the control group, standard practice and protocols of perioperative care were followed. The two groups were compared with regards to the length of ICU stay, pain scores in ICU, opioid requirement, glycemic control and the overall duration of stay in the hospital. Results: Seventy patients were enrolled. Baseline demographics – age, sex, tumor volume and comorbidities were comparable between the groups. The proportion of patients staying in the ICU for less than 48 hrs after surgery, the cumulative insulin requirement and the episodes of VAS scores > 4 in first 48 hours after surgery was significantly less in the ERAS group – 40.6% vs 65.7%, 0.6 (±2.5) units vs 3.6 (±8.1 ) units and 1 vs 10 episodes ( p= 0.04, 0.001, 0.004 respectively). The total hospital stay was similar in both groups.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant reduction in the proportion of patients requiring ICU/ HDU stay > 48 hrs. Better pain and glycemic control in the postoperative period may have contributed to a decreased stay. More extensive randomized studies may be designed to confirm these results.
The Effects of Nigella Sativa Extract Oil Supplementation on Plasma Level of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, Metabolic and Oxidative Parameters and Nutritional Status in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Study Protocol for A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tavakoli-Rouzbehani Omid Mohammad , Abbasnezhad Mohsen , Maleki Vahid , Rahmani Alireza , Alizadeh Mohammad
Published: September 2020

Background: endothelial and metabolic dysfunction are the main risk factors for atherosclerosis, which eventually leads to cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it has been shown that increased inflammation and oxidative stress play an essential role in this process. Nigella sativa may affect declining atherosclerosis and CAD by reducing inflammation and improving vascular function.Methods: Two sections that are presented in this article include; first, a review of recent findings related to cardiovascular disease, CAD, and their association with N. sativa supplementation. Secondly, we will illustrate a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in 46 Iranian adults with CAD. The subjects (age: 35-65, proof of 50% stenosis in at least one of their major coronary arteries in angiography) will be selected by a simple random sampling method and will be assigned to two months supplementation of N. sativa extract oil or placebo group. The primary outcome is the inflammatory and oxidative variables. The secondary outcomes measures include lipid profile, quality of life, depression, and anthropometric indices. The data will be equated within and between groups using appropriate statistical methods. Discussion: The result of this trial will offer evidence about the efficacy of N. sativa supplementation by improving risk factors related to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Trial registration: Iranian clinical trial registry: IRCT20190506043494N1, Date of registration: November 8, 2019.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Analysis of Apical Transportation and Centering Ratio of Protaper and XP-Endo Shaper Niti Rotary Systems in Curved Canals: An in Vitro Study
Authors: Karkehabadi Hamed , Siahvashi Zeinab , Shokri Abbas , Hasani Nasin Haji
Published: September 2020

Background: Cleaning and shaping of the root canal system is important in an endodontic treatment. Canal transportation is a common procedural error in preparation of curved canals. This study aimed to compare the canal transportation and centering ratio of two rotary files in curved canals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: 44 extracted human mandibular first molars with mature apices and apical curvature of 10° to 30° were selected. The samples were randomly divided into two groups (n=22) with similar curvature. The canals were prepared with ProTaper and XP-endo Shaper file systems according to the manufacturers’ instructions. CBCT images were captured using Cranex 3D CBCT system before and after root canal preparation, and canal transportation and centering ratio of the files at 3, 4 and 5 mm from the apex were calculated. Data were analyzed and compared between two groups using independent t-test at 0.05 level of significance.Results: The ProTaper Universal caused greater canal transportation and had lower centering ratio than XP-endo Shaper in both mesiodistal and buccolingual directions at all levels from the apex. The difference between two groups regarding transportation was significant at all levels from the apex in buccolingual direction (P<0.05) except for 3 mm from the apex (P>0.05). The difference between two groups regarding centering ratio was not significant (P>0.05) in mesiodistal direction at all levels except for 4 mm from the apex (P<0.05). Conclusion:The ProTaper Universal causes greater canal transportation in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions than XP-endo Shaper.
Medical Care-seeking Patterns Among Women with Diagnoses Associated with Menstrual Syndromes: A Longitudinal Population-based Study
Authors: Guo Jong Long , Lee Tzu Chi , Hsu Hsiao Pei , Huang Chiu Mieh
Published: September 2020

Background: This study aimed to explore women’s tendency to seek Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or Western Medicine when newly diagnosed with menstrual syndromes, and to identify factors associated with their medical care-seeking behavior. Methods: Women aged 15 to 50 years with newly diagnosed menstrual syndromes were selected from Taiwan’s 2005 National Health Insurance Database. Follow-up was divided into 10 time-periods (1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30, 31-36, 37-42, 43-48, 49-54 and 55-60 months) after patients’ first visits for obstetric/gynecologic care. Patients’ tendency for medical care utilization was estimated using Poisson regression. Unadjusted and adjusted relative risks and their 95 % confidence intervals were calculated.Results: The number of Traditional Chinese Medicine utilization was 0.69, and Western Medicine utilization was 1.75 within six months after the first menstrual syndrome diagnosis. The tendency for Traditional Chinese Medicine utilization increased as follow-up time increased after controlling for potential confounders, while Western medicine utilization decreased gradually as follow-up time increased. Women’s age, economic status, infertility, value of prevention, baby delivery and Obstetric/ Gynecologic inpatient histories were significantly associated with their medical care-seeking behavior.Conclusions: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine medical care-seeking patterns are significantly different among women with diagnoses associated with menstrual syndromes. Related factors affecting Medical care-seeking behavior have been explored in this study.
Prevalence of postoperative delirium according to the intraoperative general anesthetic agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A retrospective and propensity-score matched study
Authors: Shin Hyun-Jung , Choi Soo Lyoen , Na Hyo-Seok
Published: September 2020

Background: Postoperative delirium (PD) is still an issue in post-cardiac surgery patients despite the constant efforts to reduce it. Although various risk factors for PD after cardiac surgery have been identified, there is limited clinical data regarding the effect of intraoperative anesthetic agents on the PD.Methods: The medical records of 534 patients, who had undergone heart valve surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) between January 2012 and August 2017, were investigated. They were divided into two groups according to the main anesthetic agent: sevoflurane with dexmedetomidine (sevo-dex group, n = 340) and propofol (propofol group, n = 194). The incidence of PD was evaluated as the primary outcome. PD was defined as the positive Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit during the intensive care unit stay. Patient-, surgery-, and anesthesia-related factors and postoperative complications were investigated as secondary outcomes. To reduce the risk of confounder effects between the two groups, 194 patients were selected from the sevo-dex group after propensity-score matching.Results: After propensity-score matching, the incidence of PD was not significantly different between the sevo-dex (6.2%) and propofol (10.8%) groups (P = 0.136). In comparison of the incidence of each type of PD, only hyperactive PD occurred significantly less in the sevo-dex group than in the propofol group (P = 0.021). Older age, lower preoperative albumin levels, and emergency surgery were significant risk factors for PD.Conclusions: The overall incidence of PD after cardiac surgery with CPB is not associated with the main anesthetic agents, sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine-based vs. propofol-based anesthesia. Only hyperactive PD occurred less frequently after in patients receiving sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine-based anesthesia.
Factors Associated with Health Literacy Competencies: Analysis of Thai Health Literacy Survey 2019
Authors: Khampang Roongnapa , Kloyiam Saichon , Butchon Rukmanee
Published: September 2020

Background The consumption of health-related products has been increasing continuously. Information on health-related products can make it difficult for some people with limited health literacy to use. This study investigated the extent to which health literacy competencies in the aspect of consumer protection related to demographic and socio-economic factors, using data from the Thai Health Literacy Survey (THL-S) among Thai citizens aged 15 years and above (2019). Methods The THL-S used a stratified three-stage-sampling to draw a sample of Thais aged 15 years and above. Participants were interviewed with a questionnaire of 34 items measuring health literacy and 8 items measuring behavioural practices. Proportions of responses (the 6-Likert scales) in accessing, understanding, communicating and making decisions related to the consumer protection aspect were performed. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association between health literacy competencies and participant’s socioeconomic, demographic, health and social characteristics.Results Levels of difficulties in the consumer protection aspect varied among health competencies, with the most difficult in communicating and the least difficult in understanding. Half of Thais (around 42%) felt difficult to ask for information from healthcare providers. One-third of Thais (38%) experienced difficulties in accessing reliable information about medicine, cosmetic products, herbal products and food supplements. Participants who had a lower level of education, cannot read, did not have health screenings, were living in poverty, did not hold leading roles in the community, were male, had hearing impairment, or were at an older age, experienced more difficulties in practising health literacy competencies.Conclusions Vulnerable consumers face significant barriers in accessing, understanding, communicating and making decisions in the consumer protection aspect. Health literacy programs that aim to build competencies and empower vulnerable consumers should be developed. There is also a need to adapt current information on health related products to be as clear an accessible as possible but reliable to meet health literacy needs.
Reducing Fast Food Consumption in Students Using a Parent-Teacher Participation-Based Intervention: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Charkhabi Morteza , Sherizadeh Yousef , Koukamari Parisa Hosseini , Seidel Laura , Dutheil Frederic , Ghaffari Mohtasham
Published: September 2020

Background: Fast food consumption among students is increasing dramatically. This study aims to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in reducing fast food consumption among high school students. Method: 160 high school students from Iran were randomly recruited and assigned to experiment or control groups. The intervention was conducted over three consecutive weeks, consisting of four, 45-minute teaching sessions. Parameters were assessed on three occasions: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. In these stages, participants responded to a scale on fast food consumption which measures the beliefs and behaviors toward fast food. Results: findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the posttest between experiment and control groups in the major components of fast food consumption including behavioral beliefs (t = 5.1, p < 0001), evaluation of behavioral outcomes (t = 5.3, p < 0001), normative beliefs (t = 2.3, p < 05), motivation to comply (t = 5.5, p < 0001), control beliefs (t = 4.4, p < 0001), perceived power (t = 3.3, p < 0001), and behavioral intention (t = .68, p < 0001). Similar results were obtained in the follow-up stage. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the parent-teacher participation based intervention can be used to reduce fast food consumption amongst high school students both cognitively and behaviorally. Moreover, this intervention can be further customized to increase healthy food consumption in school students and other age groups beyond the context of school.
Factors Associated with Crack Cocaine Early Initiation: A Brazilian Multicentric Study
Authors: Perrenoud Luciane Ogata , Laranjeira Ronaldo , Ribeiro Marcelo
Published: September 2020

Background: Crack cocaine is a serious public health issue, with many psychiatric and psychosocial consequences. The crack cocaine user is usually inserted in a context of great social vulnerability, often associated to violence, unstructured family functioning, antisocial peer factors and easy access to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs such as crack, since an early age. Objective: To compare whether there was a relative influence of risk and protection factors in several domains on the age of onset of crack use by therapeutic community patients. Methods: This cross-sectional enrolled a consecutive sample of 577 patients admitted to 20 therapeutic communities located in different Brazilian states between September 2012 and September 2013. A detailed structured questionnaire was developed to be used that included investigations into possible pre-use predictive factors, such as parental monitoring in childhood, deviant behaviors and peer pressure, and subsequent factors such as deviant behaviors and involvement with crime. Student t test were performed to assess the association between associated factors and the mean age of onset of crack use. Results: The presence of constant problems in the family relationship (p=0.0020), situations of maltreatment (p=0.0162), and the presence of deviant behaviors resulted in significant differences in the age at which crack consumption began. Whereas, adolescents who had parental monitoring until the beginning of adolescence started use later (p=0.000). Conclusions: The age of onset of crack consumption seems to be influenced by numerous combinations of protective and risk factors, within a system that integrates social environments, relationship groups, individual characteristics and behavior patterns, highlighting these factors will allow the development of prevention strategies, as well as specific control strategies, both based on scientific-based information.
Evolution of Bystander Intention to Perform Resuscitation since last Training: an Online Survey
Authors: Regard Simon , Rosa Django , Suppan Mélanie , Giangaspero Chiara , Larribau Robert , Niquille Marc , Sarasin François P , Suppan Laurent
Published: September 2020

BackgroundAccording to the theory of planned behaviour, the probability of executing an action is strongly linked to the intention of performing it. The aim of this study was to measure the variation over time of the three dimensions of the intention to perform resuscitation, i.e. attitude, subjective normative beliefs, and control beliefs.MethodsThe two largest companies delivering first aid courses in the region of Geneva, Switzerland, sent invitation e-mails on our behalf to people who had followed a first aid course in the last five years. Participants were asked to answer a set of 17 psychometric questions designed to assess each dimension of the intention to perform resuscitation. The primary outcome was the change in each dimension at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were the change in each dimension at one and two years and change in each individual question at 6 months, one year and two years.ResultsOut of 270 completed surveys, 204 were analysed. Control beliefs was the only dimension that displayed a significant change at 6 months (p < 0.001). Participants who had followed their last BLS course more than 6 months ago were however more prone to diffusion of responsibility, a key element of subjective normative beliefs (p = 0.001). Fear of legal action was higher in participants who had followed their last BLS course more than 2 years ago (p = 0.040).ConclusionsControl belief, a dimension of the intention to perform resuscitation, rapidly decreases after the last first aid course.
The epidemiologic trends of neuroendocrine tumors in Taiwan: an updated analysis of a nation-wide population-based study
Authors: Chang Jeffrey S. , Chen Li-Tzong , Shan Yan-Shen , Chu Pei-Yi , Tsai Chia-Rong , Tsai Hui-Jen
Published: September 2020

Background

The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has been increasing in recent decades and there has been a rising awareness by the physicians for the diagnosis of NETs. Several novel agents have been developed and demonstrated to improve the survival of NETs recently. Previously, we reported the incidence and survival of NETs in Taiwan by analyzing the 1996–2008 data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR). Here we performed an updated analysis on the incidence and survival of NETs in Taiwan from 1996 to 2015.
Methods

Data for the current analysis were obtained from the TCR and the Death Registry Database. The incidence was age-standardized to the WHO 2000 population and the overall survival was calculated by life-table method. The risk of NETs death was evaluated by performing Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.
Results

There were a total of 7,760 cases of NETs diagnosed during 1996–2015. The most common site of NETs was rectum (29.65%), followed by lung and bronchus (17.22%), and pancreas (10.71%). The incidence of NETs was 0.244 per 100,000 in 1996 and increased to 3.162 per 100,000 in 2015 with an annual percentage change (APC) of 15.44 (P < 0.0001). The site with the most rapid increase was pancreas with an APC of 28.04 (P < 0.0001). The 5- and 10-year survival rates of all NETs were 54.6% and 45.3%, respectively. Female and younger NETs patients had a better survival. The HR for survival of all NETs diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 was 0.91 (95%CI, 0.84–0.99) compared to those diagnosed between 2004 and 2009. Among the common sites of NETs, an improved survival of NETs diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 compared to those diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 was only observed in pancreatic NET (HR = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.41–0.66). This result was likely due to the early diagnosis and improvement in the treatment of pancreatic NET.
Conclusions

Overall, the incidence of NETs in Taiwan has continued to increase. The survival of pancreatic NET has shown recent improvement. The development of novel therapeutic agents has the potential to improve the prognosis of NETs of other primary sites in the near future.
Stress-Related Growth and Perceived Health in Japanese People Living with HIV: Web-Based Nationwide Participatory Research.
Authors: Togari Taisuke , Inoue Yoji , Oshima Gaku , Abe Sakurako , Hosokawa Rikuya , Takaku Yosuke
Published: September 2020

Background: For Japanese people living with HIV, this study aimed at the following: verifying the three-factor model of stress-related growth scales; confirming the impact of stress-related growth on mental health and physical symptoms; and determining differences in the effects of stress-related growth on health by time since HIV diagnosis.　Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous self-administered online survey which was prepared on the basis of the participatory research method was conducted from July 2013 to February 2014 and from December 2016 to July 2017 for all Japanese web users living with HIV. We analyzed the data of 1,422 participants who responded regarding the number of years since diagnosis and where transmission was sexual. The mean age (standard deviation) was 38.6 (8.3) years.　Results: Stress-related growth comprises three factors: self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. In the group over 4 years since diagnosis, logistic and Poisson regression analysis simultaneously including all the scales showed a positive effect; in the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis, such an association was found only for self-perception. In the group with over 4 years since diagnosis, positive growth in interpersonal relationships and self-perception led to reduced somatic symptoms; however, philosophy of life was linked to increased physical symptoms. When the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis was included, no correlation was evident with philosophy of life; positive growth in self-perception led to reduced physical symptoms; positive changes in interpersonal relationships produced increased physical symptoms.　Conclusions: Toward assisting people living with HIV/AIDS, we found that personal and group relationships played an important role in creating positive changes regarding respondents’ perceptions of life and other people.
The Volume of General Surgery Emergency Cases in a Government Hospital During the COVID -19 Pandemic and Two Other Periods: A Comparative Study
Authors: shakra Ibrahim abu , Bez Maxim , Ganam Samer , Francis Rula , Muati Amir , Bickel Amitai , Merei Fahed , Talmi Ziv , Kamal Khatib , Kakiashvili Eli
Published: September 2020

Objective: We compared characteristics of patients admitted to a northern Israeli hospital with common surgical complaints during three periods: the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Second Lebanon War in 2006, and a regular period. Background: During March and April 2020, reductions in non-COVID-19 hospital admissions were observed around the world. Elective surgeries, visits with general practitioners, and diagnoses of medical emergencies were consequently delayed.Methods: Demographic, medical, laboratory, imaging, intraoperative, and pathological data were collected from electronic medical files of patients who received emergency treatment at the surgery department of a single hospital in northern Israel. We compared characteristics of patients who were admitted with various conditions during three periods. Results: Patients’ mean age and most of the clinical parameters assessed were similar between the periods. However, pain was reportedly higher during the COVID-19 than the control period (8.7 vs. 6.4 on a 10-point visual analog scale, P < 0.0001). During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Second Lebanon War, and the regular period, the mean numbers of patients admitted daily were 1.4, 4.4, and 3.0 , respectively. The respective mean times from the onset of symptoms until admission were 3, 1, and 1.5 days, P<0.001. The respective proportions of surgical interventions for appendiceal disease were 95%, 96%, and 69%; P = 0.03. Conclusion: Compared to a routine period, patients during the COVID-19 outbreak waited longer before turning to hospitalization, and reported more pain at arrival. Patients during both emergency periods were more often treated surgically than non-operatively.
Modeling the No-Show of Patients to Exam Appointments of Computed Tomography
Authors: Silva Rodolfo Benedito Zattar , Fogliatto Flávio Sanson , Garcia Tiago Severo , Faccin Carlo Sasso , Zavala Arturo Alejandro Zavala
Published: September 2020

Background: No-shows of patients have negative impacts on healthcare systems, such as resources’ underutilization, efficiency loss, and cost increase. Predicting no-show is key to develop strategies that counteract its effects. In this paper, we propose a model to predict the no-show of ambulatory patients to exam appointments of computed tomography at the Radiology department of a large Brazilian public hospital.Methods: We carried out a retrospective study on 8,382 appointments made to computed tomography (CT) exams between January and December 2017. Penalized logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to model the influence of 15 candidate variables on patients’ no-show. The predictive capabilities of the models were evaluated analyzing the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC).Results: The no-show rate in computerized tomography exams appointments was 6.65%. The two models performed similarly in terms of AUC. The penalized logistic regression model was selected using the parsimony criterion, with 8 of the 15 variables analyzed appearing as significant. One of the variables included in the model (number of exams scheduled in previous year) had not been previously reported in the related literature.Conclusions: Our findings may be used to guide the development of strategies to reduce the no-show of patients to exam appointments.
Reduction En-Masse of Inguinal Hernia After Self-Reduction
Authors: Najjari Khosrow , Mahmoudabadi Hossein Zabihi , Seyedjavadeyn Seyed Zeynab , hajebi Reza
Published: September 2020

Background: Reduction en-mass (REM) is one of the rare complications of inguinal hernia reduction. Case presentation: Our patient is a 50-year-old man with a history of inguinal hernia, who had been referred with the periumbilical pain that radiated to the right lower quadrant following hernia replacement by himself. Conclusions: Finally, REM diagnosis was made based on clinical examination and imaging, and surgical treatment was performed. in very rare cases, hernia was reduced by patients themselves. In this case study, a patient with a history of recurrent inguinal hernia was reported. The patient himself reduced his hernia the last time. In CT of the abdomen and pelvis, evidence of sac wall and small intestine fibrosis was seen as closed loop.
Lived Experiences of Iranian ICU Nurses In The Care of Patients With Covid-19: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: shahmari Mehraban , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , ghobadi Akram
Published: September 2020

Background: Covid-19 pandemic with its sudden and widespread global outbreak has stunned health care systems. Nurses are at the forefront of fight against this pandemic, and Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are more at risk of infection as they have a greater interaction with infected patients. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of Iranian ICU nurses in the care of patients with covid-19.Methods: This is an interpretive phenomenological study in which, 15 ICU nurses were purposefully selected. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The transcripts of the interviews were recorded and then analyzed by Diekelmann (1989) method with hermeneutic approach.Results: Ten of the samples were female and five were male. The mean age of participants was 32 years and their average work experience in the intensive care unit was 6 years. Three main themes were obtained from data analysis, including beyond usual care, the emergence of a new image of nursing and the Realization of professional challenges. Conclusion: Working in difficult and unknown conditions with many challenges caused mental and physical depreciation of nurses in the intensive care unit. However, the nurses showed a spirit of self-sacrifice and did not give up their relentless efforts to fight this unknown enemy, and fulfilled their professional responsibilities to provide the best care to patients. By doing so, the nurses showed a new image of nursing to the society. Therefore, full support should be provided to healthcare workers, especially nurses by the authorities in order to prepare them to respond to unwanted crises.
Structural Features and Phylogenetic Implications of Two New Mitogenomes of Erythroneurine Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae)
Authors: Chen Xiaoxiao , Yuan Zhouwei , Li Can , Dietrich Christopher H , Song Yuehua
Published: September 2020

Background: Complete mitochondrial genome sequences facilitate species identification and analyses of phylogenetic relationships. However, the available data are limited for the diverse and widespread insect familiy Cicadellidae. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes of two species of Erythroneurini. Results: The mitogenomes of Empoascanara wengangensis and E. gracilis were 14,830 and 14,627 bp in length, respectively, and similar to other published leafhopper mitogenomes in terms of gene size, base composition, gene order, PCGs codon usage, and tRNA secondary structure. Most protein coding genes start with ATN and end with TAA or TAG. Two rRNA genes are highly conserved and encoded on the minority strand, and the AT content in 16S is higher than that of 12S. The control regions in the genus Empoascanara are highly variable and contain various numbers of repeat sequences. Conclusions: The mitogenomes of these two species closely resemble those of most other sequenced leafhoppers in various structural and compositional aspects. Phylogenetic analysis of 13 PCGs yielded a well-supported topology with most branches receiving maximum support and most relationships agreeing with those of other recent phylogenetic studies. Nucleotide diversity analysis show that nad4 and nad5 can be evaluated as potential DNA markers that define the Cicadellidae insect species. Like other studies, the main evolutionary event of leafhoppers occurred in the Tertiary, and its divergence time is estimated to be 10.03~122.48 Ma. This study confirms results of previous studies indicating that mitochondrial genome sequences are informative of leafhopper phylogeny.
Growing Scale-Free Simplices
Authors: Kovalenko Kiriil , Sendina-Nadal Irene , Khalil Nagi , Dainak Alex , Musatov Daniil , Raigorovkii Andrei , Alfaro-Bittner Karin , Barzel Baruch , Boccaletti Stefano
Published: September 2020

The past two decades have seen significant successes in our understanding of networked systems, from the mapping of real-world networks to the establishment of generative models recovering their observed macroscopic patterns. These advances, however, are restricted to pairwise interactions and provide limited insight into higher-order structures. Such multi-component interactions can only be grasped through simplicial complexes, which have recently found applications in social, technological and biological contexts. Here we introduce, study, and characterize a model to grow simplicial complexes of order two, i.e. nodes, links and triangles. Specifically, through a combination of preferential and/or non preferential attachment mechanisms, the model constructs networks with a scale-free degree distribution and an either bounded or scale-free generalized degree distribution. Allowing to analytically control the scaling exponents we arrive at a highly general scheme by which one is able to construct ensembles of synthetic complexes displaying desired statistical properties.