bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Subjects Understanding Development of Teaching Materials Through Project Based Learning
Authors: Megasari Rizza , Dwi Putri Rizky , Rachmawati Dian
Published: March 2020

The course for developing teaching materials is a subject that must be taken by educational students. Students as prospective teachers must be able to make good quality teaching materials so that learning can run effectively and efficiently. In the course of developing instructional materials, students are required to be able to produce a print teaching material that is appropriate for use by students. Teaching materials can be said to be of good quality and appropriate if it is in accordance with the learning objectives that must be achieved by students. This research is a descriptive study with an analysis of teaching materials that have been developed by students through project-based learning. The results of the study can be seen that the quality of teaching materials that have been developed along with the cognitive abilities of students master the material of teaching material development subjects. Good quality teaching materials indicate mastery in cognitive abilities as well.
Keywords: development, teaching material, project-based learning
Attraction of Cultural Festival on Travel Destination
Authors: Nuryulia Praswati Aflit , Nur Tikarina Qori , Fauziyah Fadhali Alfi
Published: March 2020

The ancestral cultural heritage is a unique wealth of an area and must be preserved so that it can provide economic benefits to the surrounding community. This preservation can be done by actively holding cultural festivals. Organizing a cultural festival involves quite a lot of stakeholders, such as the government, the private sector, and also the community. This study aims to determine the role and impact received by stakeholders with the implementation of cultural festivals in Surakarta City. The qualitative research method used in study 1 is to find out the impact of organizing cultural festivals and quantitative methods in study 2 used to analyze the behavior of visitors to cultural festivals. Study 1 gets interesting results where each stakeholder has an important role to play in achieving the success of a cultural festival. Study 2 in this study found that motivation, perceived value and experience as antecedents of revisit intention.
Keywords: motivation, perceived value, experience, revisit intention
The Influence of Risk Attitude towards the Entrepreneurial Intention
Authors: Filmina Azzahra , Mayangsari Lidia
Published: March 2020

Currently, Indonesia has a goal to increase the number of entrepreneurs for about 20,000 new enterprises in 2019. This number is increasing every year, which indicate the urgency of the government to emerge entrepreneurs within the society (Kompas, 2018). Many factors can form an entrepreneur. They can be encouraged from family background, hobbies, needs, and also through an educational system. A different method of teaching and treatment will drive different entrepreneurial results. Several studies show that entrepreneurs behave differently. Entrepreneurs create and manage their business to achieve their business goals. It makes the entrepreneur is having the willingness to give resource on it, such as pays the material used in  the business, rent a place, and higher employee. It also makes them have more willingness to take the risk along the entrepreneurial activity (Paun, 2013). Therefore, the researcher wants to discover the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and risk attitude. This research uses a quantitative approach in order to explore the study and use a questionnaire as the tools. The result was analyzed using the single linear regression method with SPSS software. Single linear regression is a statistical method used to explain the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The independent variables in this research would be Risk Attitude, and  the independent variable would be Entrepreneurial Intention. From that, the research hypotheses would be entrepreneurs risk attitude significantly affected entrepreneurial intention; the higher risk attitude of a person will increase their entrepreneurial intention.
Keywords: risk attitude, entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurs
Creating Innovation Based on Superior Business Capabilities and Entrepreneurial Networks to Enhance Marketing Performance
Authors: . Murwatiningsih , Oktarina Nina
Published: March 2020

This research empirically tests and analyzes the creation of innovation through superior business capabilities and entrepreneurial networks to enhance the marketing performance of micro, small and medium-sized confection enterprises in Semarang City. This research takes 100 respondents as its samples using an incidental sampling technique. The respondents are owners/management of confection businesses. The data are collected using questionnaire and analyzed by employing descriptive technique and Structural Equation Model (SEM) with AMOS version 18 software. The research results generally conclude that superior business capabilities influence innovation, entrepreneurial networks, and marketing performance. Entrepreneurial networks influence innovation and marketing performance, and innovation influences the marketing performance of micro, small and medium-sized confection enterprises in Semarang City.
Keywords: innovation, superior business capabilities, entrepreneurial networks, marketing performance.
The Effect of Financial Reporting Quality on Regional Governments’ Performance Accountability
Authors: Agung Mulyo
Published: March 2020

Accountability is an important issue in Indonesian government. The present study aims to further analyze the performance accountability issue in regional governments in Indonesia, which is affected by the quality of financial reports. The fact shows that regional governments in Indonesia have low performance accountability. This study attempts to attest for or against the statement through testing whether or not financial reporting quality has an effect on regional governments’ performance accountability. Subjects of the study are 40 Satuan Kerja Perangkat Daerah (SKPD/Regional Government’s Work Units) of Regencies/Cities in Indonesia. Survey is the research methodology implemented. Hypothesis is analyzed and tested using Structural Equation Model (SEM). The findings show that good Financial Reporting Quality will improve Performance Accountability of regional governments in Indonesia, with a positive path coefficient.
Keywords: Financial Reporting Quality, Regional Government’s Performance Accountability
Teacherpreneurship Determination Toward Teacher Innovation and Competitive Advantage in the Disruption Era: Application of Strategic Entrepreneurship Theory in Educational Institutions
Authors: Feriady Muhammad , . Harnanik , Santoso Arief
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the factors of teacherpreneurship determination and their relation to innovation and teacher’s competitive advantage in the disruption era. This study will adopt the Strategic Entrepreneur model is used to analyze the excellence of entrepreneurship in a company. The concept of teacherpreneurship is used to replace entrepreneurship in the world of education, in this case, school as a company. The proposed models Also were adapted from the theory of Strategic Entrepreneurship and Resource Base View (RBV) the which emphasized the importance of the human resource component in organizational progress. The research method used refers to path analysis with quantitative research with a total sample of 187 respondents. The results of this study are that teacherpreneruship is able to contribute to improving the internal factors of the teacher in the form of teacher efficacy and need for achievement towards the power of innovation and teacher creativity in the era of disruption.
Keywords: Teacherpreneurship, teacher, disruption, efficacy teacher
Using Commercial Letters in Handayani Mart Sekaran in the Disruption Era
Authors: Kuswantoro Agung , Rizqiyah Riza , Amaliyah Faidatul , . Deviani , Damayanti Safitri Devita
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is (1) to find out the commercial letters used in Handayani Mart to find out which commercial letters are not used in Handayani Mart. In this study is using descriptive qualitative approach. Commercial letters used by Handayani Mart are sales-purchase agreement letters and employment contract agreement For other types of commercial letters such as letters of request for offers, offers, orders, announcements, and certificates made by digital/electronic means. Suggestion in this study are for managers of Handayani Mart should make a central or centralized letter application so that the letter are same in their management, both letters for internal and external requirements.
Keywords: District Era, Commercial Letter, Handayani Mart
How Do School Facilities Affect School Quality? Case Study in Vocational High School at Pati, Indonesia
Authors: Tiara Octavia Eka , . Ismiyati , Sholikah Mar’atus
Published: March 2020

The study aims to determine about how does school facilities affect school quality at vocational high school in Pati, Central Java, Indonesia. The approach and methods used in the study was evaluation research using a discrepancy model. The data were collected by observation, interview, and documentation. Meanwhile, the analysis used interactive model by Milles and Huberman. The results showed that the school facility at vocational high school in Pati is up to standard of Regulation of National Education Minister Number 40 Year 2008. The value of school infrastructure is 72.5% or adequate category, while school facility is 84.3% or adequate category. School facilities become one of the factors in supporting student learning achievement and teacher performance. Therefore, learning achievements can be improved through improved the school facilities. Thus, it is able to improve the school quality.
Keywords: school facilities, discrepancy model, school quality, learning achievement
Comparison of Effects of Different Social Media Contents on Awareness
Authors: Kanya Majesta Emmanuela , . Daniel T. H. Aruan
Published: March 2020

Businesses in today’s world are starting to use social media to convey marketing messages. There is an ongoing trend among businesses to use casual language and post light, humorous content in social media, in order to reach and connect with their consumers better.  This research would examine the influence of different types of a brand’s social media content towards awareness. The objects of this research are social media profiles of two different brands. A total of 420 respondents are split   into two equal groups. The first group is given a profile that applies a more informal content and the second group is given a more formal content. Data is processed using Structural Equation Modeling method. Results show that there is an important variable that precedes awareness, which is brand credibility. Besides, a significant effect towards awareness is shown in the group that receives formal social media content, but less on the group with informal content. The results of this study shows that shaping brand awareness through social media should be done through shaping the consumers’ perception that the brand is credible and trustworthy.
Keywords: social media marketing, digital marketing, emotional brand attachment, awareness
Analysis of Ecotourism Development Strategy in Tanjung Puting Province National Park, Central Kalimantan
Authors: Meilida Yuyun , . Kaarieni , N.Tuah Sunaryo
Published: March 2020

This study aims to: (a) study and analyze the potential of ecotourism in Tanjung Putting National Park, (b) study and analyze strategies for developing ecotourism in Tanjung Putting National Park, (c) formulate Tanjung Putting National Park ecotourism development strategy. The method of this research is survey and explanation, using primary data and secondary data. Primary data was collected by interview method and filled out questionnaires with 250 respondents selected by purposive sampling. Data analysis tools are SWOT and AHP. The main problem faced in developing ecotourism in Tanjung Putting National Park is the lack of infrastructure and accessibility and guidance to the community about the importance of ecotourism from the Government and Regional Government (Pemda). The results showed that: (a) the potential of Tanjung Puting National Park included a high category seen from the aspect of strength with a value of 3.77 and opportunities with a value of 3.73 (b) Tanjung Puitng National Park ecotourism development strategy was a defensive strategy in quadrant III.
Keywords: ecotourism; Tanjung Puting National Park; development strategy; SWOT & AHP
Financial Literacy of the Banking Sector in Micro and Small Business in Semarang
Authors: . Karsinah , Rahayu Kistanti Nurjannah , Ineke Putri Phany
Published: March 2020

The purposes of this research are to analyze the characteristics and financial literacy of MSMEs in Semarang. The data used are primary data and secondary data. The method used in this study is descriptive quantitative. The sample in this study were small micro-businesses and small businesses in the city of Semarang. The level of financial literacy in Semarang by giving questions as many as 28 questions taken and modified from Chen and Volpe. The results showed that 79% of MSMEs literacy in Semarang was in the medium category, 18% low and 3% high. If viewed further on the financial literacy of MSMEs, it is divided into 4 aspects, they are personal finance knowledge, savings and debts, Investments and insurance aspects. The average MSMEs for general knowledge of personal finance in the medium category was 76.60%, the savings and debts dimension medium category 81.91%, the investment aspect was the medium category 45.74% and the low category 59.57% of MSMEs financial literacy for insurance. This shows that the financial literacy level of SMEs in Semarang still needs to be improved in order to be able to compete and improve business.
Keywords: literacy, financial, banking, micro and small business
Analysis of Willingness to Pay for Ancillary Revenue of Full Service Airline (The Case of Garuda Indonesia)
Authors: Klislinar Ermila , Wachidin Widjaja Anton
Published: March 2020

Airlines are facing challenges from high cost structures and intense competition. This has made airlines universally look for opportunities to generate ancillary revenue, additional income apart from their main sources, including Full Service Carriers (FSC). Measuring consumer’s willingness to pay is pivotal in pricing and estimating ancillary revenue demand. This study analyzes whether customer’s type of journey, purpose of journey, length of flight, and type of flight class have an impact on willingness to pay (WTP) of Garuda Indonesia’s ancillary revenues which comprises of unbundled products and commission-based income. This paper uses data from a survey to Garuda Indonesia’s customer and follows quantitative studies to identify and describe the relationship between the WTP of Garuda Indonesia’s ancillary revenue and all variables involved. The study found that passengers value more the unbundled products. It is also found differences in WTP for particular ancillary products and services based on purpose of journey, length of flight, and type of flight class.
Keywords: Ancillary Revenue, Willingness to Pay, Type of Journey, Length of Flight, Journey Purpose, Type of Cabin Class, Full Service Carriers
Challenges in Goat Production Faced by Halal Goat Raisers in Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), Philippines
Authors: Sanchez C. B. , Salvaña F. R.P. , Sepelagio E. G. , Cardenas L. B.
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted to determine challenges in Halal goat production in SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII). This region is one of the major producers of Halal goats in the country. Twelve (12) municipalities/cities: North Cotabato- Pigcawayan, Aleosan, Carmen and Kabacan; Sultan Kudarat-Columbio, Pres. Quirino, Tacurong, Isulan; South Cotabato- Tantangan, Tupi, Polomolok; and General Santos City) were the sampling sites. Purposive sampling was used in the survey. A total of 131 respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire. Based on the results of the interview, ten (10) challenges have been enumerated by the respondents. It includes disease, lack of vet services, shortage of land, inadequate pasture, predators, theft, poor breeds, no fences, shortage of water and labor intensive. Among these challenges, disease was the most common (65%) followed by lack of vet services (8%) and shortage of land, inadequate pasture and the presence of predators (5%). Common goat diseases encountered by the respondents include diarrhea (57%), cold (13%), cough (11%), bloat (8%) and parasitic infection (7%). Assessment of challenges in Halal goat raising provides necessary information to government institutions in order to formulate possible intervention and proper coordination between agricultural technicians and goat raisers.
Exploring The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Academic Stress Among Students At A Small, Private College
Authors: Stevens Chad , Schneider Elizabeth , Bederman-Miller Patricia , Arcangelo Karen
Published: March 2020

This research explored the relationship between total-trait emotional intelligence and academic stress among college students at a small, private college. Student total-trait emotional intelligence (TTEI) and university stress scores were significantly correlated. Measures of TTEI and USS are useful for student intervention to impact issues such as attrition. To increase retention, small private colleges benefit significantly from knowing students’ level of academic stress and emotional intelligence. Identifying specific factors and mitigating the adverse effects of these factors allows small colleges the opportunity to provide additional services for students.
Computed tomography in the forensic medical diagnosis of brain injury
Authors: Morozov Yu. E. , Makarenko M. F. , Kildyushov E. M. , Velenko P. S.
Published: March 2020

The observation reveals the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography to address issues arising in the implementation of forensic medical examinations. It considers a case of computed tomography used to determine the nature of brain injury in a 1-month-old baby. Cranial injuries detected by computed tomography had characteristic signs indicating the compression mechanism of causing brain injury. An interdisciplinary approach made it possible to exclude causes for a child's head injuries resulting from a fall.
Role of the Eye in Transmitting Human Coronavirus: What We Know and What We Do Not Know
Authors: Sun Chuan-bin , Wang Yue-ye , Liu Geng-hao , Liu Zhe
Published: March 2020

The outbreak of recently identified 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) infection has become a world-wide health threat. Currently, more information is needed for further understanding the transmission, clinical characteristics, and infection control procedures of 2019-nCOV. Recently, the role of the eye in transmitting 2019-nCOV has been intensively discussed. Previous investigations about other high infectious human COVs, that is, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), may provide helpful information. In this review, we describe the genomics and morphology of human CoVs, the epidemiology, systemic and ophthalmic manifestations, mechanisms of human CoVs infection, and infection control procedures. The role of the eye in the transmission of SARS-CoV and 2019-nCOV is discussed. Although the conjunctiva is directly exposed to extraocular pathogens, and the mucosa of ocular surface and upper respiratory tract is connected by nasolacrimal duct and share same entry receptors for some respiratory viruses. The eye is rarely involved in human CoVs infection, conjunctivitis is quite rare in patients with SARS-CoV and 2019-nCoV infection, and COV RNA positive rate by RT-PCR test in tears and conjunctival secretions from patients with SARS-CoV and 2019-nCoV infection is also very low, which imply that the eye is neither a preferred organ of human COVs infection, nor is a preferred gateway of entry for human COVs to infect respiratory tract. However, pathogens exposed to the ocular surface might be transported to nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa by constant tear rinsing through lacrimal duct, and then cause respiratory tract infection. Considering close doctor-patient contact is quite common in ophthalmic practice which are apt to transmit human COVs by droplets and fomites, hand hygiene and personal protection are still highly recommended for health care workers to avoid hospital-related viral transmission during ophthalmic practice.
Global in Time Existence of Strong Solution to 3D Navier-Stokes Equations
Authors: Chaabani Abdelkerim
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light a method through which the global in time existence for arbitrary large in H1 initial data of a strong solution to 3D periodic Navier-Stokes equations follows. The method consists of subdividing the time interval of existence into smaller sub-intervals carefully chosen. These sub-intervals are chosen based on the hypothesis that for any wavenumber m, one can find an interval of time on which the energy quantized in low-frequency components (up to m) of the solution u is lesser than the energy quantized in high-frequency components (down to m) or otherwise the opposite. We associate then a suitable number m to each one of the intervals and we prove that the norm ||u(t)||H1 is bounded in both mentioned cases. The process can be continued until reaching the maximal time of existence Tmax which yields the global in time existence of strong solution.
The Lysosome: A Potential Therapeutic Juncture between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
Authors: Ballout Rami
Published: March 2020

In the face of the newly emergent COVID-19 pandemic, researchers around the world are racing to identify efficacious drugs capable of preventing or treating its infection. They are doing that by testing already available and approved antimicrobials for their rapid repurposing against COVID-19. Using the data emerging on the comparable efficacy of various compounds having different mechanisms of action and indications, I suggest in this report, their potential mechanistic convergence. Specifically, I highlight the lysosome as a key possible therapeutic target for COVID-19, proposing one of the lysosomal storage disorders, Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC), as a prototypical condition with inherent resistance or an “unfavorable” host cell environment for viral propagation. The included reasoning evolves from previously generated data in NPC, along with the emerging data on COVID-19. The aim of this report is to suggest that pharmacological induction of a “transient” NPC-like lysosomal dysfunction, could hold answers for targeting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Elementary Particles, Dark Matter, and Dark Energy: Descriptions that Explain Aspects of Dark Matter to Ordinary Matter Ratios, Inflation, Early Galaxies, and Expansion of the Universe
Authors: Buckholtz Thomas
Published: March 2020

Physics theory has yet to settle on specific descriptions for new elementary particles, for dark matter, and for dark energy forces. Our work extrapolates from the known elementary particles. The work suggests well-specified candidate descriptions for new elementary particles, dark matter, and dark energy forces. This part of the work does not depend on theories of motion. This work embraces symmetries that correlate with motion-centric conservation laws. The candidate descriptions seem to explain data that prior physics theory seems not to explain. Some of that data pertains to elementary particles. Our theory suggests relationships between masses of elementary particles. Our theory suggests a relationship between the strengths of electromagnetism and gravity. Some of that data pertains to astrophysics. Our theory seems to explain ratios of dark matter effects to ordinary matter effects. Our theory seems to explain aspects of galaxy formation. Some of that data pertains to cosmology. Our theory suggests bases for inflation and for changes in the rate of expansion of the universe. Generally, our work proposes extensions to theory in three fields. The fields are elementary particles, astrophysics, and cosmology. Our work suggests new elementary particles and seems to explain otherwise unexplained data.
MAPPING OF DROUGHT AND FOOD INSECURITY REGION IN LEBAK REGENCY, BANTEN PROVINCE
Authors: Susilowati Maria Hedwig Dewi
Published: March 2020

Drought and food insecurity are recurring disasters in Lebak Regency. The drought is one of the obstacles in increasing food production in Lebak Regency. The objectives of this study are (a) Making maps of the drought and food insecurity region in Lebak Regency; (b) Evaluating the relationship between regions of drought and food insecurity. The analytical method uses spatial analysis and Chi-Square correlation to determine the relationship between drought region and food insecurity region. The results of the analysis concluded that firstly, the region of very high drought levelsconcentrated in the northern region which was relatively near to the district capital and south (southwest) relatively far from the district capital. Second, the classification of food insecurity found in Lebak Regency is food secure, rather food secure, instead of food insecurity and food insecurity.Third, the food insecurity and instead of food insecurity region tend to be in the region of moderate drought levels. Fourth, based on food insecurity region indicators, it is found that the number of poor families and sources of clean water more determines the level of food insecurity, this can see from the most significant score compared to other indicators. Fifth, the relationship between the drought level and food insecurity region is not significant at the 0.05 level, which means that the food insecurity and instead food insecurity region are not always in the high drought region. Likewise, the region of food secure and instead food secure is not always in a low dry region.
Changes in Literacy of Students in Turkey by Years and School Types: Performance of Students in PISA Applications
Authors: SUNA Hayri Eren , TANBERKAN Hande , ÖZER Mahmut
Published: March 2020

The assessment of students' academic achievement via international monitoring studies provides important insights to participating countries. Besides the cognitive performance of students, educational equity is one of the emphasized topics within the scope of Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study. Results regarding educational equity are quite important in Turkey because academic achievement differences among school types are relatively high in Turkey. Although a wide range of studies is conducted to examine the performance differences between school types in Turkey, it is observed that most studies focus on mean scores of school types. The aim of this study is to examine the change in student ratios at a basic- and advanced level of proficiency by school types in PISA applications between 2003 and 2018. Results show that approximately all students in science high schools and social sciences high schools have basic proficiency in all literacy fields and throughout PISA 2003 and PISA 2018. The ratio of students with basic proficiency in Anatolian high schools and Anatolian imam hatip high schools tends to be increased. However, the ratio of students with advance proficiency seems to be low in all school types in Turkey except science high schools. Steps to decrease the achievement differences between school types in Turkey within the scope of findings are suggested.
Biomechanical Comparison of Different Fixation Techniques for Typical Acetabular Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Chen Kaifang , Yang Fan , Yao Sheng , Xiong Zekang , Sun Tingfang , Guo Xiaodong
Published: March 2020

Background:

Anterior column-posterior hemitransverse fractures are prevalent in the elderly and are often associated with quadrilateral surface (QLS) comminution. Several special QLS buttress plates have been introduced, but evidence of their comparability with traditional fixation devices is lacking. This biomechanical study aimed to compare special QLS buttress plates with traditional fixation devices.

Methods:

Anterior column-posterior hemitransverse fractures with an isolated QLS fragment were created on 24 composite hemipelves and were allocated to 4 fixation groups: (1) infrapectineal QLS buttress plate, (2) suprapectineal QLS buttress plate, (3) suprapectineal reconstruction plate with 3 periarticular long screws, and (4) infrapectineal reconstruction plate with 3 periarticular long screws. Specimens were loaded to simulate partial weight-bearing (35 to 350 N) or full weight-bearing (75 to 750 N). A testing machine was synchronized with a 3-dimensional video tracking system to optically track displacement at the points of interest and to calculate construct stiffness. The fixation systems were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results:

The experimental results of the partial and full weight-bearing simulations were surprisingly similar. During 40 loading cycles, the maximum displacement on the 6 predetermined points did not exceed 1.1 mm. Multiple-group comparisons of relative displacements of each predetermined measurement point did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The suprapectineal reconstruction plate with 3 periarticular long screws demonstrated the greatest construct stiffness and significantly greater stiffness than the infrapectineal plate with long screws (p < 0.017). However, no significant difference (p > 0.017) in stiffness was identified between the infrapectineal QLS buttress plate and the suprapectineal reconstruction plate with long screws.

Conclusions:

The suprapectineal pelvic brim plate with 3 periarticular long screws remains the gold standard to treat anterior column-posterior hemitransverse fractures. The special infrapectineal QLS buttress plate provides stiffness and stability comparable with those of standard fixation. However, moving the pelvic brim plate from the suprapectineal border to the infrapectineal border is not recommended for anterior column-posterior hemitransverse fractures because it significantly decreases fixation stiffness.

Clinical Relevance:

Special QLS buttress plates may be an alternative fixation method for anterior column-posterior hemitransverse acetabular fractures in the elderly, especially when a less invasive anterior intrapelvic approach is selected.
Intralaminar Screw Fixation of Spondylolysis
Authors: Gottlich Caleb P. , Jalloh Hulaimatu , Sponseller Paul D.
Published: March 2020

Spondylolysis, defined as injury to the pars interarticularis, is the most common identifiable cause of back pain in children. Historically, treatment has primarily been nonoperative, including physical therapy, activity modification, and occasionally bracing
1
. In instances in which the condition is refractory to nonoperative management, however, surgical treatment may be an efficacious alternative. Persistent pain following nonoperative management is described as occurring in 6% of the general population, but is reported to be as high as 15% to 47% in the pediatric population who participate in sports
2,3
. There have been several proposed methods of surgical intervention, such as screws, hooks, wires, and combinations of the aforementioned, none of which have garnered unanimous support as being most effective. The report by Buck
3
served to popularize the use of intralaminar screwing for fixation, and the 93% success rate reported in that study has since been corroborated, with several studies reporting rates from 82% to 100%
1,3,4
. This technique offers a low-profile solution that is motion-sparing with demonstrable stability and mechanical advantage compared with other techniques
5
and has been shown to be a more stable method of fixation that can correct relatively large defects, showing efficacy with defects 4 mm and larger
5
. This procedure is performed by (1) placing the patient in a prone position with minimization of lordosis on the operating table and use of fluoroscopy to localize the defect. (2) A midline incision (approximately 5 cm) is made just lateral to the corresponding spinous process in order to expose the lamina and the defect. (3) A curet is used to clean the defect. (4) Under fluoroscopy, and alternating between anteroposterior and lateral views, a percutaneous stab is made if needed using a 4.5-mm cannulated screw guidewire, and the wire is drilled through the caudal laminar surface, bisecting the pedicle to the superior cortex of the pedicle. (5) A 3.2-mm cannulated drill is then used to drill over the guidewire. (6) The wire is removed, and a ball-tip probe is used to feel the cortices. The screw length is measured and tapped. (7) The lamina is distally overdrilled if it is large enough. (8) A solid (rather than cannulated) screw of appropriate size (usually 4.5-mm diameter) is inserted with compression as needed. (9) If necessary, autologous posterior iliac crest bone graft is obtained from the same incision, and cancellous graft is placed in the defect. (10) A corticocancellous strip is overlaid from the lamina to the transverse process.
Vibiro vulnificus hemolysin associates with gangliosides.
Authors: KASHIMOTO Takashige , Sugiyama Hiroyuki , Kawamidori Keigo , Yamazaki Kohei , Kado Takehiro , Matsuda Kaho , Kodama Toshio , Mukai Takao , Ueno Shunji
Published: March 2020

Background: Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin (VVH) is a pore-forming toxin secreted by Vibrio vulnificus . Cellular cholesterol was believed to be the receptor for VVH, because cholesterol could bind to VVH and preincubation with cholesterol inhibited cytotoxicity. It has been reported that specific glycans such as N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-lactosamine bind to VVH, however, it has not been known whether these glycans could inhibit the cytotoxicity of VVH without oligomer formation. Thus, to date, binding mechanisms of VVH to cellular membrane, including specific receptors have not been elucidated. Results: We show here that VVH associates with ganglioside GM1a, Fucosyl-GM1, GD1a, GT1c, and GD1b by glycan array. Among them, GM1a could pulldown VVH. Moreover, the GD1a inhibited the cytotoxicity of VVH without the formation of oligomers. Conclusion: This is the first report of a molecule able to inhibit the binding of VVH to target cells without oligomerization of VVH.
Day centres for older people: attender characteristics, access routes and outcomes of regular attendance. Finding of exploratory mixed methods case study research.
Authors: Orellana Katharine , Manthorpe Jill , Tinker Anthea
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND Social prescribing is encouraged to promote well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness. Traditional, generalist day centres for older people could be suggested by social prescribing, but little is known about their clientele or their outcomes. As part of a larger study of the role, outcomes and commissioning of generalist English day centres for older people, the characteristics of attenders at four day centres, their reasons for attendance and outcomes were explored. METHODS This mixed-methods study used qualitative interviews and standardised tools within an embedded multiple-case study design. Semi-structured interviews with older day centre attenders (n=23, 62% of eligible attenders) of four day centres in south-east England, recruited purposively to reflect organisational differences, were analysed. RESULTS Participants reported non-elective withdrawal from socialisation following health or mobility decline, or losses. Apart from living arrangements and marital status, attenders’ profiles differed between centres. Access had been mostly facilitated by others. Day centre attendance enhanced quality of life for this group of socially isolated people with mobility restrictions and at risk of declining independence and wellbeing. The positive impact on attenders' social participation and involvement and on meaningful occupation was significant (p-value <0.001, 99% CI), with an average ASCOT gain score of 0.18. Ten outcome themes were identified. CONCLUSION Outcomes of day centre attendance are those targeted by social care and health policy. Centres were communities that ‘enabled’ and offset loss or isolation, thus supporting ageing in place through wellbeing and contributed something unique to their attenders’ lives. By monitoring attenders’ health and wellbeing and providing practical support, information and facilitating access to other services, centres offered added value. Attendance needs to be set in the context of other social engagement and care provision which may not overlap or duplicate centre support. Professionals may wish to explore the benefits of social prescriptions to day centres but should map local centres’ provision, engage with their organisers, and seek information on attenders, who may differ from those in this study.
HBsAg quantification predicts off-treatment response to interferon in chronic hepatitis B patients：A retrospective study of 250 cases
Authors: Wu Shuai , Luo Wenfan , Wu Yin , Chen Hongjie , Peng Jie
Published: March 2020

Background: For chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without willingness to extend the routine duration of interferon (IFN) therapy, it is important to identify patients who will benefit from treatment cessation. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification is recommended for management of IFN therapy. At present, the understanding on end-of-treatment (EOT) HBsAg level predicting post-treatment response to IFN is still finite. Methods: Patients with CHB infection and treated with IFN-based therapy during the period from December 2010 to December 2017 at Nanfang Hospital were enrolled in this study. Serum HBsAg levels at EOT were measured to evaluate the associations between EOT HBsAg levels (Group 1, HBsAg >0.05 and ≤10 IU/mL; Group 2, HBsAg >10 and ≤200 IU/mL; Group 3, HBsAg >200 IU/mL) with post-treatment HBsAg loss. Chi-squared, t-test, ,Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis, and Multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyse and evaluate differences between the there groups. Results: The cumulative HBsAg loss rates 5 years after treatment in Group 1-3 were 30.4% (17/56), 9.8%(4/41) and 0%(0/153) (p<0.001). An EOT HBsAg level of >10 IU/mL showed relatively high negative predictive value (NPV) of up to 97.9% for HBsAg loss. Low baseline HBsAg level <25000 IU/mL, on-treatment HBsAg decline >1 log10IU/mL at week 24 and EOT HBsAg level ≤10 IU/mL were found significantly associated with HBsAg loss. A total of 6 patients have achieved HBsAg loss at EOT and 17 patients with EOT HBsAg level ≤10 IU/mL have achieved post-treatment HBsAg loss. Baseline characteristics, dynamic changes of on-treatment HBsAg and duration of IFN therapy were balanced across patients with EOT or post-treatment HBsAg loss. Conclusion: EOT HBsAg level can serve as a monitoring indicator for IFN therapy. EOT HBsAg level ≤10 IU/mL was found to lead to high rate of post-treatment HBsAg loss. For patients without willingness to extend IFN treatment, off-treatment follow-up could be considered when HBsAg level decreased to ≤10 IU/mL.
Effects of resveratrol on cariogenic virulence properties of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Li Jinheng , Wu Tiantian , Peng Weiwei , zhu yaqin
Published: March 2020

Background: Streptococcus mutans is the principal etiological agent of human dental caries. The major virulence factors of S. mutans are acid production, acid tolerance, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and biofilm formation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of resveratrol, a natural compound, on virulence properties of S. mutans .
Results: Resveratrol at sub-MIC levels significantly decreased acid production and acid tolerance, inhibited synthesis of water-soluble polysaccharide and water-insoluble polysaccharide, compromised biofilm formation. Related virulence gene expression ( ldh, relA, gtfC, comDE ) was down-regulated with increasing concentrations of resveratrol.
Conclusions : Resveratrol has an inhibitory effect on S. mutans cariogenic virulence properties and it represents a promising anticariogenic agent.
Keywords : resveratrol, Streptococcus mutans , acidogenicity, aciduricity, extracellular polysaccharide, biofilm
Integrated transcriptome, small RNA and degradome sequencing approaches proffer insights into chlorogenic acid (CGA) biosynthesis in leafy sweet potato
Authors: Liu Yi , Su Wenjin , Wang Lianjun , Lei Jian , Chai Shasha , Jiao Chunhai , Zhang Wenying , Yang Xinsun
Published: March 2020

Background: Phenolic compounds play key roles in health protection and leafy sweet potato is an excellent source of total phenolics (TP). The chlorogenic acid (CGA) family, which includes caffeoylquinic acid (CQA), 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,4-diCQA), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-diCQA) , constitutes the major components of phenolic compounds in leafy sweet potato. However, the mechanism of CGA biosynthesis in leafy sweet potato is unclear. The objective of present study is to dissect the mechanisms of CGA biosynthesis by using transcriptome, small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing.
Results: Transcriptome sequencing of twelve samples (triple replicates) from one low-CGA content genotype and one high-CGA content genotype at two stages (65 and 85 days after planting) identified a total of 2333 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The enriched DEGs were related to photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. In this study, functional genes CCR , CCoAOMT and HCT in the CGA biosynthetic pathway were uniformly downregulated, indicating the way to lignin was altered, and two possible CGA biosynthetic routes were hypothesized. The sRNA sequencing identified a total of 38 DE miRNAs. Using in silico approaches, 1799 targets were predicated for 38 DE miRNAs. The target genes were enriched in lignin and phenylpropanoid catabolic processes. Transcription factors (TFs) such as apetala2 /ethylene response factor ( AP2/ERF ) and Squamosa promoter binding protein-like ( SPL ) predicated in silico were validated by degradome sequencing. Association analysis of the DE miRNAs and transcriptome datasets identified that miR156 family targeted DHQ / SDH (3-dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase), the key gene in the phenylpropanoid pathway.
Conclusions: This study established comprehensive functional genomic resources for the CGA biosynthesis and provided insights into the molecular mechanisms involving in this process. The results also enabled the first perceptions of the regulatory roles of mRNAs and miRNAs and offered candidate genes for leafy sweet potato improvement s.
The Effect of Occupational Stress on Depression and Insomnia: a Cross-sectional Study Among Employees in a Ghanaian Telecommunication Company
Authors: Kploanyi Emma Edinam , Dwomoh Duah , Dzodzomenyo Mawuli
Published: March 2020

Background

Depression and insomnia are major psychiatric conditions that are predicted by occupational stress. However, the influence of occupational stress on these two conditions is under-explored in telecommunication companies, especially in Africa. This research was conducted to assess occupational stress in a Ghanaian telecommunication company and its effect on depression and insomnia.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among employees at a telecommunication company in Accra. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used in collecting data from 235 respondents using simple random sampling. Chi-square test of independence and the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test were employed to assess the significance of associations with subsequent sensitivity analysis using Multiple logistic, Poisson and Probit regression models. Occupational stress was matched on three variables: age of the workers, responsibility for dependents and work experience, to improve on the estimation of its impact on symptomatic depression and insomnia using the coarsened exact matching procedure.

Results

More males (52.8%) than females participated in this study. The age range for study participants was 20-49 years with a mean of 30.8 ± 6.9 years. The prevalence of occupational stress among the employees was 32.8% (95% CI= 26.7-38.8). More than half of respondents (51%) reported depressive symptoms in the past week and only a few (6%) reported being diagnosed with insomnia in the past year. Age, responsibility for dependents and work experience were the only background characteristics that were significantly associated with perceived occupational stress. After controlling for background characteristics, the estimated risk of reporting symptoms of depression among employees who perceived stress from work was only 5% higher [ARR; 95% CI=1.05 (0.94-1.17)] whereas it was 2.58 times the risk of reporting insomnia [ARR; 95% CI=2.58(0.83-8.00)] compared to those who did not perceive stress from their jobs. The relative risk reduced to 2.46[ARR; 95% CI=2.46(0.77-7.87)] and 1.03[ARR; 95% CI=1.03(0.91-1.17)] for insomnia and depression respectively after employing Poisson regression with CEM.

Conclusion

The study found a higher risk of insomnia among employees who reported occupational stress compared to those who did not. However, there was not enough statistical evidence to conclude that occupational stress was associated with depression among the study participants.
Do the human gut metagenomic species possess the minimal set of core functionalities necessary for life?
Authors: Soverini Matteo , Rampelli Simone , Turroni Silvia , Brigidi Patrizia , Biagi Elena , Candela Marco
Published: March 2020

Background: Advances in bioinformatics recently allowed for the recovery of ‘metagenomes assembled genomes’ from human microbiome studies carried on with shotgun sequencing techniques. Such approach is used as a mean to discover new unclassified metagenomic species, putative biological entities having distinct metabolic traits.
Results: In the present analysis we compare 400 genomes from isolates available on NCBI database and 10,000 human gut metagenomic species, screening all of them for the presence of a minimal set of core functionalities necessary, but not sufficient, for life. As a result, the metagenome-assembled genomes resulted systematically depleted in genes encoding for essential functions apparently needed to support autonomous bacterial life.
Conclusions : The relevant degree of lacking core functionalities that we observed in metagenome-assembled genomes raises some concerns about the effective completeness of metagenome-assembled genomes, suggesting caution in extrapolating information about their metabolic propensity and ecological role in a complex environment like the human gastrointestinal tract.