bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simulation study with log, Box-Cox, and dual-power transformation on handling curvilinear relationship in small area estimation
Authors: Bodro D K , Sartono B , Sadik K
Published: July 2019

A standard small area estimation method may fail to produce reasonable estimates when the normality assumption is not met or the relationship between the interest parameter and the auxiliary variables is not linear. A logarithm transformation has been widely used to help this issue and works well for some cases. However, it may not be generally valid so that some transformation such as Box-Cox (BC) and dual power (DP). This paper discusses a simulation study on how BC and DP could overcome circumstances where those aforementioned problems are there in the data. Several different forms of the relationship were studied and the study revealed that BC and DP transformation are the recommended methods because they produced smaller Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values than ones without transformation or using logarithm transformation. Even if DP does not consistently provide the lowest value, but technically, DP can overcome truncated problems that occur in BC. The findings of this work indicate that this new transformation, DP, is proposed to be the best transformation to overcome the abnormality of an interesting variable because this transformation produces a monotonic function that has a domain of positive real numbers (ℝ+) and range of whole real numbers (ℝ).
Simulation study for comparison of spatial autoregressive probit estimation methods
Authors: Novkaniza F , Djuraidah A , Fitrianto A , Sumertajaya I M
Published: July 2019

One of probit model variant with spatial dependent is spatial autoregressive (SAR) probit model. In SAR probit model, the spatial dependence structure adds complexity to the estimation of parameters. There are four methods for estimating the parameter of SAR probit model; maximum likelihood, Bayes, linearized GMM, and conditional approximate likelihood. The purpose of this article is to choose the best estimation method from four methods describes above using some extensive simulation which can handle sample sizes with large observations and various value of spatial lag coefficient, provided the spatial weight matrix is in an inconvenient sparse form, as is for large data sets, where each observation neighbors only a few other observations. The best estimation method is chosen based on the shortest confidence interval for the mean of SAR probit estimation, lowest bias, and Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of prediction. It was found that conditional approximate likelihood method was the best among the four methods concerning confidence interval and bias, yet regarding estimating RMSE, maximum likelihood estimation performed better. Maximum likelihood, Bayes, and conditional approximate likelihood method were better than linearized GMM in SAR probit parameter estimation for large dataset.
Twitter utilization in application of small area estimation to estimate electability of candidate central java governor
Authors: Muhyi F A , Sartono B , Sulvianti I D , Kurnia A
Published: July 2019

A survey was designed to estimate electability of a governor candidate in the province of Central Java in 2018. The estimate was planned to be done at the province level. However, it is also interesting to do estimation at the district level. The problem is that the sample size at some district is too small or even zero so that the estimate would have inadequate precision. Using a small area estimation method, this research tried to have good estimation by utilizing information from Twitter and other auxiliary data in the modeling. To evaluate the estimation, we calculated the mean square error (MSE) of the estimated electability using resampling method. We noted that both indirect and direct estimations at the province level have equal precision, but the indirect estimation outperformed the direct estimation at the region level. We also compare our result to the election result of Governor Election.
Antibacterial based on IPBCC.08.610 glucose oxidase against UDP-N-acetyl glucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase and elongation factor G enzymes in silico
Authors: Hakim M R , Sumaryada T , Ambarsari L
Published: July 2019

The use of a synthetic antibacterial agent as food preservatives could develop several health problems thus the user should be reduced. Enzyme-based antibacterial is a natural antibacterial that could substitute the latter antibacterials. Enzyme-based antibacterials have several ways that can be used to inactivate microbes, one of them utilize enzyme catalysis products. The aim of this research is to study the interaction between IPBCC.08.610 glucose oxidase (NCBI accession number MH593586) catalysis product against MurA and EFG enzymes using computational investigation. We confirmed that the gene sequence from previous research is truly encoding the IPBCC.08.610 glucose oxidase. Gluconolactone and gluconic acid are less effectively absorbed by microbes. Gluconolactone and gluconic acid are capable to interact with Cys115 and Asp305 of MurA, meanwhile, it does not interact with Phe90 and Thr84 of EFG. Gluconolactone and gluconic acid can inhibit MurA effectively but not on EFG.
Utilization of groundwater for the bottled water industry by minimizing fixed and variable cost
Authors: Oktavia M , Aman A , Hanum F
Published: July 2019

Water is a class of renewable natural resources. The main source of water is the rain that will always come during its season along the year. The water flows and moves (on the ground and underground) and then will stay at a retention (storage) area. There are two kinds of the retention that are natural retention (such as concave areas, lake, and low places) and artificial retention (such as saving water, well, basin, and watershed). The presence of the watershed in a region will affect the availability of water resources. A region which has watershed could use groundwater resources to fulfill the water requirements for household, agriculture, industries, tourism, and electric power station sectors. The bottled water industry (BWI) is normally built around a watershed area so that it can use the resource of water from the spring. But a problem would arise whenever the industry decided to increase the production capacity. This research addressed the problem of determining an optimal composition on water resources for the above-mentioned industry in ordered to minimizing the total cost. There are four alternatives to utilized groundwater around the watershed. Each water resource alternative has different cost characteristics. The cost can be classified to fixed and variable cost. This problem is modeled as a mixed integer linear programming problem and solved using a branch and bound method. This model is implemented at PT Tang Mas Cidahu in Kampung Bojong Pari Desa Jaya Bakti Kabupaten Sukabumi, West Java.
An alternative approach in predictive modeling using model averaging scheme for logistic regression case (case study: application in class prediction of autistic spectrum disorder data)
Authors: Rahardiantoro S , Kurnia A , Raharjo M , Yanti Y
Published: July 2019

Logistic regression has become a popular method for handling predictive modeling when the response variable has a categorical scale. The difference in category proportion in response variable could influence the prediction accuracy. This research applied the model averaging approach for logistic regression in purpose to improve the prediction accuracy in different proportion of each category. Model averaging has the idea to combine some model candidates based on the specified weight to be the final model. The model candidate in model averaging generated based on all possibilities variable selection in the model. AIC weight is chosen to apply in the combination of all possible model candidates. It is illustrated with an application to data from a classification of Autistic Spectrum Disorder data. The result of this case indicated that the logistic model averaging had better performances.
Evaluation of shelf life of various carrot genotypes planted on three different highlands
Authors: Rahayu S T , Soedomo P , Azwani N , Asgar A
Published: July 2019

Carrot contains quite high nutrition, especially carotenoids, which function as antioxidants. This research aimed to evaluate the shelf life of various candidates among carrot genotypes that will be released as varieties. The research was applied toward those candidates which had been planted on three different locations were Cipanas, Garut, and Lembang. The evaluation was run at Postharvest Laboratory of Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute (IVEGRI), Lembang from March until July 2016. Shelf life was tested throughout quantitative evaluation using a hedonic test which admitted 15 untrained panelists and quantitative evaluation using measurement equipment. Parameters observed on carrot sensorial properties were colors and textures. Quantitative evaluation (method using equipment) applied for texture and weight loss parameters. Subsequently, correlation analysis was used to find out the relation between variable x (qualitative) and variable y (quantitative). Statistical analysis was run by using PKBT STAT. The result showed an interaction between genotypes and different planting locations toward carrot shelf life. Independently, planting locations showed a significant effect on carrot shelf life. Meanwhile, different genotypes showed a non-significant effect in carrot shelf life. All genotypes showed a non-significant difference in carrot shelf life. However, genotype F showed the longest shelf life 3three days, whereas genotype C showed the shortest shelf life two days at room temperature in Lembang.
Study of season onset based on water requirement assessment
Authors: Wati T , Kusumaningtyas S D A , Aldrian E
Published: July 2019

The criteria of season onset and withdrawal in Indonesia determined by Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) which need a month to confirm the period of the wet season and dry season. The determination of season onset based on the amount of 10-day rainfall equal to or more than 50 millimeters (mm) followed by the next two 10-day rainfall (the amount of monthly rainfall equal or more than 150 mm) for the wet season and vice versa. The determination of 150 mm/month based on water requirement using the reference of evapotranspiration (ETo) in the territory of Indonesia at 5 mm per day. This paper evaluates the determination of season onset by comparing it based on the ETo value of 5 mm/day and ETo from observation data of pan evaporation in the islands of Java and Bali in the period 2003 - 2017. The result of the study shows that the difference of the dry season onset up to 3 months which 25.9 % of stations have no difference, 40.7% have 1-month difference, 22.2% have 2 months difference and 11.1% have 3 months difference. The difference of wet season onset show 40.7% of stations have 1-month difference and 55.6% have no difference. The ETo value of 5 mm/day for criteria of season onset is appropriate and the difference of up to 3 months is still sufficient for early warning purpose.
A strategy for reducing methane emission using hybrid rice variety
Authors: Kartikawati R , Yulianingsih E , Yuniati I F , Wihardjaka A
Published: July 2019

Hybrid rice varieties are widely cultivated in the farmer because of high yield production compared to inbred variety. However, the agronomic traits supported to the high yield are expected to release GHG emission. Therefore, a study to investigate the effect of hybrid rice varieties on reducing methane emission in flooded rice filed was conducted at Indonesia Agriculture Environment Research Institute. Eight commercial hybrid rice varieties, namely Mapan 05, Arize Gold, Intani, Sembada 168, Sembada 868, Hipa 8, Hipa 18 and Hipa 19 and one inbred rice variety (Ciherang) were used for this study during the dry season of 2018. All rice varieties were cultivated by transplanting system on 21 days old seedling with 20 cm x 20 cm plant spacing, fertilizer doses are 120 kg ha−1 N, 45 kg ha−1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha−1 K2O. The water level was maintained on 5 cm above the soil layer. Methane gas was capture using a closed chamber method and analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC). The study showed that seven of hybrid rice varieties produced higher methane emission than inbred rice variety. The highest methane emission was produced by Arize Gold (660 kg CH4 ha−1 season−1) followed by Mapan 05, Hipa 8, Hipa 19, Hipa 18, Sembada 168 and Sembada 989. While the inbred rice variety (Ciherang) produced 370 kg CH4 ha−1 season−1. One of hybrid rice variety (Sembada 168) has the opportunity to be improved as low methane emission hybrid rice variety indicated from the low index of CH4 emission to yield.
Removal methylene blue from aqueous solution using silica aerogel prepared from bagasse ash
Authors: Nazriati  , Maknun L , Fajaroh F
Published: July 2019

One important component in the manufacturing industry is coloring substance. Methylene blue (MB) is one of the coloring substances commonly use industry. The frequent use of the substance may result in the accumulation of methylene blue in the environment and thus creates an environmental waste that is dangerous for living. To control the condition of the environment, efforts to minimize the accumulation of methylene blue with the least possible negative effect in the manufacturing industries need to be made. Synthesized silica aerogel, the bagasse-ash-based solid, originated from sugar factory can be a simple and cheap solution to the problem. This study is intended to discuss the use of silica aerogel as an adsorbent of methylene blue. The influence of experimental factors such as contact time, initial MB concentration, and the temperature was investigated. The adsorption equilibrium was represented with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Langmuir equations were found to have the correlation coefficient value in good (R
2 = 0.9998). Adsorption of MB onto silica aerogel followed pseudo second order kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters such as the change in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were determined and the negative values of ΔG° indicated that the process of removal was spontaneous at all values of temperatures. The adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic nature.
Multivariate analysis on Indonesian forest fire using combined empirical orthogonal function and covariance matrices
Authors: Nurdiati S , Sopaheluwakan A , Agustina A , Septiawan P
Published: July 2019

Forest and land fires are annual events that occur very frequently during the dry season in several regions in Indonesia. One of the main triggers is low rainfall and extreme anomalies in those regions. The objective of the research was to find the correlation between rainfall and Forest fire based on Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rainfall data and Global Fire Emission Database (GFED) forest fire data. Both of these data are big data, this research utilized singular value decomposition to generate information on the correlation of fire patterns and rainfall spatially and temporally. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) based on Singular value decomposition (SVD) was used to reduce large data, without removing main information from the data. SVD approach in this research was conducted using the covariance matrix and combined EOF. EOF mode contribution is able to explain the joint variability of the data set to the phenomenon of fire and its relation to rainfall in Indonesia. Spatial patterns in this analysis show that Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua emerged as endemic areas for fires in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2015. The year of 2004 and 2014 was also recorded as years of severe forest and land fires but was relatively not as severe as mentioned earlier. The temporal pattern shows that the characteristics of Forest fire in Indonesia are dominant in the final months of the year, from June to October.
Analysis of drought characteristics in southern Indonesia based on return period measurement
Authors: Parkhurst H , Nurdiati S , Sopaheluwakan A
Published: July 2019

The agricultural sector, especially the production of food crops is a pillar of the economy in Indonesia with production centers located in Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. One of the causes of the decline in food crop production is the drought caused by climate change. Drought can be calculated by the Standardized Precipitation Index which is an index to measure the severity of a region’s drought. The severity of a region’s drought can reach the highest value which can be used to estimate the period of drought occurring repeatedly. Furthermore, the estimation results can be used to obtain the Return Period value which is the average time of drought that has occurred by determining the maximum severity of the drought. To anticipate drought that occurs repeatedly, the purpose of this research is to identify the characteristics of drought from the Return Period based on the geographical profile of Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. The data used is monthly rainfall observation data for the period from 1985 to 2014 which describes the current drought events and data on monthly rainfall scenarios for the period from 2016 to 2100 based on the Representative Concentration Pathways that describe the future climate. The result of data analysis indicates that the Return Period geographically provides an overview of various regions. In the more wet region, there is a reduction in rainfall, while the drier region does not experience a significant reduction in rainfall. The general result shows, that in the long run Java will experience a reduction in rainfall more that of in Bali and Nusa Tenggara.
Development of a seed-planter wheeled robot prototype
Authors: T Harmanda T , Hazim M , Wulandari  , R Akbar A , Wahjuni S , Priandana K
Published: July 2019

Planting seeds may be trivial and can be done manually. However, on a large scale, it will inevitably become time-consuming and labor intensive. The use of robot can be an alternative solution to improve the efficiency of this agricultural-related work so that farmers can focus more on the decision making perspective rather than the labor-intensive works. This study aims to develop a prototype of a task-oriented seed-planter robot that can be used to assist farmers. The robot has three wheels: two motorized wheels and one free-wheel for its stability. It is equipped and programmed with line follower sensors and algorithm to simplify its navigation procedure, by assuming that the field is already marked before plantation process. The main contribution of this study is the design of the actuators of the robot prototype which enables the robot prototype to dig a hole, plant the seed and then close the hole again.
Halal gelatin extraction from Patin fish bone (Pangasius hypophthalmus) by-product with ultrasound-assisted extraction
Authors: Asih I D , Kemala T , Nurilmala M
Published: July 2019

The most gelatin is derived from porcine skins and bones that accounted for 46% of total gelatin. This is an obstacle to the development of food products in a Muslim country like Indonesia. One of the prospective source to be developed is fish bones that account for 10-20% of fish weight, with the highest cultivation is Pangasius (Patin fish). This study aims to extract the gelatin from fish bone by-product with ultrasound-assisted extraction using a combination of 3, 5, and 7 hours of extraction time. Based on the results, 5 hours extraction time became the best treatment that gives the highest yield, that 5 ± 1.03% with a value of gel strength, viscosity, and pH respectively 147.74 ± 0.83 g Bloom, 14.63 ± 0.31 cP, and 6.76 ± 03. Analysis of functional group with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) has given a typical uptake of gelatin with the appearance of the amide peak. The result of molecular weight analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) obtained gelatin molecular weight with range 120.08-155.82 KDa.
Information and communication technology application improved higher education accreditation management
Authors: Rachmaniah M , Merry N K , Hamidah I , Zulkarnain I
Published: July 2019

Higher education study program undergoes periodic feasibility assessment on nine accreditation standards compliance held by the National Higher Education Accreditation Board (BAN-PT). The process consists of three stages: evaluation of data and information, determination of accreditation status, and monitoring of accreditation status. However, presently data and information collection use manual methods that slow down the process and sometimes create inconsistencies. This study aims to take advantage of the information and communication technology (ICT) by developing a web-based undergraduate study program accreditation information system called Simaprosa. The developed system used two iterations of the prototyping method and utilized the Laravel 5.5 framework. Further, the developed system was tested using the black box method. The results of this study were that Simaprosa facilitated higher education study programs in managing and collecting data to satisfy nine accreditation standards: 1. Vision, Mission, Goals, and Strategies; 2. Governance and Cooperation; 3. Students Affair; 4. Human Resources; 5. Finance, Facilities; Infrastructure, and Information Systems; 6. Learning Systems; 7. Research; 8. Community Services; and 9. Results and Latest Achievements. Users’ feedback results showed that all functions were satisfying according to users’ needs. Remind that users of Simaprosa followed the department and faculty organizational structures. On department level, the users comprised of Department Head, Department Secretary, Education Commission, Administration Head, and Treasurer. On the faculty level, the users comprise of Administration Head and Treasurer. In addition, the department and faculty level were granted personal Admin and Super Admin.
Numerical Calculation of the Process Removal of Localized Convective Structures in a Layer of a Porous Medium
Authors: Zagvozkin T N , Lyubimova T P
Published: July 2019

Thermal convection in a flat horizontal layer of a porous medium with solid impermeable boundaries on which the heat flow is given is considered. The porous medium is saturated with a viscous incompressible fluid pumped along the layer. In the system under discussion, with a vertical heat flow inhomogeneous along the layer, localized convective structures may occur in the region where the heat flow exceeds the critical value corresponding to homogeneous heating from below and corresponding to the beginning of convection in the layer. With an increase in the rate of longitudinal pumping of the liquid through the layer, a transition from a state in which the localized convective structures are stable to a state in which the localized convective flow is completely washed out of the region of its excitation occurs. Calculations were performed in the framework of Darcy-Boussinesq. Results of the numerical calculation of the process removal of localized convective structures from the zone of its excitation with an increase in the rate of longitudinal pumping of liquid through the layer are presented. The map of the system state modes is obtained.
Mechanical Behavior of Polycrystalline Rhenium under 3-Points Bending at a Low Homological Temperature
Authors: Panfilov Peter , Gornostyrev Yuri N , Zaytsev Dmitry , Panfilov Gleb P , Pilyugin Vitalii P
Published: July 2019

Mechanical behaviour of polycrystalline rhenium under 3-points bending at such low homological temperature as room is discussed. Two metallurgical technologies (electron beam melting and powder metallurgy) were used for the samples preparation. Fine-grained samples (PM metal) exhibit some plasticity prior the failure, while coarse-grained ones (EBM metal) behave like a brittle solid. The intergranular fracture is the fracture mode of rhenium in both cases. Basal slip and prismatic slip of dislocations are not active in rhenium at low homological temperature, but the grain boundary sliding occurs under these conditions. Therefore, polycrystalline rhenium cannot be machined at room temperature despite the growth of grain boundary cracks are braked in the samples due to grain boundary sliding.
Droplet Sizing in the Spray of a Fuel Injector Using Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Stepanov R , Batalov V , Sukhanovskii A
Published: July 2019

The paper discusses the applied methods for studying the structure of the two-phase flow. Measurements of the size of liquid droplets in a spray of fuel injector were carried out using two methods: Interferometric Particle Imaging (IPI) and Glare Point Technique (GPT). The combined use of these methods allows to significantly expand the range of measured droplet sizes, and also provides an opportunity for cross-validation of methods and determining the level of errors. In this paper, we tested the IPI method using wavelet processing of interference drop images. As a result, it was shown that IPI images can have a highly inhomogeneous structure. This leads to a considerable variation in the period of the IPI-image and, as a consequence, to an increase of the error in determining the drop size. The proposed error estimation algorithm allows one to introduce an additional selection criterion and obtain statistically comparable results obtained by the IPI and GPT methods.
Impact of Source Position and Obstructions on Fume Hood Releases
Authors: Mattox Tracy M , Falzone Carleton , Sadrizadeh Sasan , Kuykendall Tevye , Urban Jeffrey J
Published: July 2019

A fume hood is the most central piece of safety equipment available to researchers in a laboratory environment. While it is understood that the face velocity and sash height can drastically influence airflow patterns, few specific recommendations can be given to the researcher to guide them to maximize the safety of their particular hood. This stems from the issue that fundamentally little is known regarding how obstructions within the hood can push potentially harmful particles or chemicals out of the fume hood and into the breathing zone. In this work, we demonstrate how the position of a typical nanoparticle synthesis setup, including a Schlenk line and stir plate on an adjustable stand, influences airflow in a constant velocity fume hood. Using a combination of smoke evolution experiments and the aid of computational fluid dynamics simulations, we show how the location and height of the reaction components impact airflow. This work offers a highly visual display intended especially for new or inexperienced fume hood users. Based upon our studies and simulations, we provide detailed guidance to researchers and lab technicians on how to optimally modify reaction placement in order to protect the breathing zone while working.
Tailor-made multiple sequence alignments using the PRALINE 2 alignment toolkit
Authors: Dijkstra Maurits J J , van der Ploeg Atze J , Feenstra K Anton , Fokkink Wan J , Abeln Sanne , Heringa Jaap
Published: July 2019

PRALINE 2 is a toolkit for custom multiple sequence alignment workflows. It can be used to incorporate sequence annotations, such as secondary structure or (DNA) motifs, into the alignment scoring, as well as to customize many other aspects of a progressive multiple alignment workflow.

Availability and implementation

PRALINE 2 is implemented in Python and available as open source software on GitHub: https://github.com/ibivu/PRALINE/.
Long-lasting blood pressure lowering effects of nitrite are NO-independent and mediated by hydrogen peroxide, persulfides, and oxidation of protein kinase G1α redox signalling
Authors: Feelisch Martin , Akaike Takaaki , Griffiths Kayleigh , Ida Tomoaki , Prysyazhna Oleksandra , Goodwin Joanna J , Gollop Nicholas D , Fernandez Bernadette O , Minnion Magdalena , Cortese-Krott Miriam M , Borgognone Alessandra , Hayes Rosie M , Eaton Philip , Frenneaux Michael P , Madhani Melanie
Published: July 2019

Aims

Under hypoxic conditions, nitrite (NO2−) can be reduced to nitric oxide (NO) eliciting vasorelaxation. However, nitrite also exerts vasorelaxant effects of potential therapeutic relevance under normal physiological conditions via undetermined mechanisms. We, therefore, sought to investigate the mechanism(s) by which nitrite regulates the vascular system in normoxia and, specifically, whether the biological effects are a result of NO generation (as in hypoxia) or mediated via alternative mechanisms involving classical downstream targets of NO [e.g. effects on protein kinase G1α (PKG1α)].

Methods and results

Ex vivo myography revealed that, unlike in thoracic aorta (conduit vessels), the vasorelaxant effects of nitrite in mesenteric resistance vessels from wild-type (WT) mice were NO-independent. Oxidants such as H2O2 promote disulfide formation of PKG1α, resulting in NO- cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) independent kinase activation. To explore whether the microvascular effects of nitrite were associated with PKG1α oxidation, we used a Cys42Ser PKG1α knock-in (C42S PKG1α KI; ‘redox-dead’) mouse that cannot transduce oxidant signals. Resistance vessels from these C42S PKG1α KI mice were markedly less responsive to nitrite-induced vasodilation. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) bolus application of nitrite in conscious WT mice induced a rapid yet transient increase in plasma nitrite and cGMP concentrations followed by prolonged hypotensive effects, as assessed using in vivo telemetry. In the C42S PKG1α KI mice, the blood pressure lowering effects of nitrite were lower compared to WT. Increased H2O2 concentrations were detected in WT resistance vessel tissue challenged with nitrite. Consistent with this, increased cysteine and glutathione persulfide levels were detected in these vessels by mass spectrometry, matching the temporal profile of nitrite’s effects on H2O2 and blood pressure.

Conclusion

Under physiological conditions, nitrite induces a delayed and long-lasting blood pressure lowering effect, which is NO-independent and occurs via a new redox mechanism involving H2O2, persulfides, and PKG1α oxidation/activation. Targeting this novel pathway may provide new prospects for anti-hypertensive therapy.
Fractional flow reserve in patients with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Di Gioia Giuseppe , De Bruyne Bernard , Pellicano Mariano , Bartunek Jozef , Colaiori Iginio , Fiordelisi Antonella , Canciello Grazia , Xaplanteris Panagiotis , Fournier Stephane , Katbeh Asim , Franco Danilo , Kodeboina Monika , Morisco Carmine , Van Praet Frank , Casselman Filip , Degrieck Ivan , Stockman Bernard , Vanderheyden Marc , Barbato Emanuele
Published: July 2019

Aims

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has never been investigated in patients with reduced ejection fraction and associated coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated the impact of FFR on the management strategies of these patients and related outcomes.

Methods and results

From 2002 to 2010, all consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50% undergoing coronary angiography with ≥1 intermediate coronary stenosis [diameter stenosis (DS)% 50–70%] treated based on angiography (Angiography-guided group) or according to FFR (FFR-guided group) were screened for inclusion. In the FFR-guided group, 433 patients were matched with 866 contemporary patients of the Angiography-guided group. For outcome comparison, 617 control patients with LVEF >50% were included. After FFR, stenotic vessels per patient were significantly downgraded compared with the Angiography-guided group (1.43 ± 0.98 vs. 1.97 ± 0.84; P < 0.001). This was associated with lower revascularization rate (52% vs. 62%; P < 0.001) in the FFR-guided vs. the Angiography-guided group. All-cause death at 5 years of follow-up was significantly lower in the FFR-guided as compared with Angiography-guided group [22% vs. 31%. HR (95% CI) 0.64 (0.51–0.81); P < 0.001]. Similarly, rate of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke) was significantly lower in the FFR-guided group [40% vs. 46% in the Angiography-guided group. HR (95% CI) 0.81 (0.67–0.97); P = 0.019]. Higher rates of death and MACCE were observed in patients with reduced LVEF compared with the control cohort.

Conclusions

In patients with reduced LVEF and CAD, FFR-guided revascularization was associated with lower rates of death and MACCE at 5 years as compared with the Angiography-guided strategy. This beneficial impact was observed in parallel with less coronary artery bypass grafting and more patients deferred to percutaneous coronary intervention or medical therapy.
A Novel Test for Absolute Fit of Evolutionary Models Provides a Means to Correctly Identify the Substitution Model and the Model Tree
Authors: Goremykin Vadim
Published: July 2019

A novel test is described that visualizes the absolute model-data fit of the substitution and tree components of an evolutionary model. The test utilizes statistics based on counts of character state matches and mismatches in alignments of observed and simulated sequences. This comparison is used to assess model-data fit. In simulations conducted to evaluate the performance of the test, the test estimator was able to identify both the correct tree topology and substitution model under conditions where the Goldman–Cox test—which tests the fit of a substitution model to sequence data and is also based on comparing simulated replicates with observed data—showed high error rates. The novel test was found to identify the correct tree topology within a wide range of DNA substitution model misspecifications, indicating the high discriminatory power of the test. Use of this test provides a practical approach for assessing absolute model-data fit when testing phylogenetic hypotheses.
Development and Validation of a Risk Score to Predict the First Hip Fracture in the Oldest Old: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lam Ming-Tuen , Sing Chor-Wing , Li Gloria H Y , Kung Annie W C , Tan Kathryn C B , Cheung Ching-Lung
Published: July 2019

Background

To evaluate whether the common risk factors and risk scores (FRAX, QFracture, and Garvan) can predict hip fracture in the oldest old (defined as people aged 80 and older) and to develop an oldest-old-specific 10-year hip fracture prediction risk algorithm.

Methods

Subjects aged 80 years and older without history of hip fracture were studied. For the derivation cohort (N = 251, mean age = 83), participants were enrolled with a median follow-up time of 8.9 years. For the validation cohort (N = 599, mean age = 85), outpatients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 2.6 years. A five-factor risk score (the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study [HKOS] score) for incident hip fracture was derived and validated, and its predictive accuracy was evaluated and compared with other risk scores.

Results

In the derivation cohort, the C-statistics were .65, .61, .65, .76, and .78 for FRAX with bone mineral density (BMD), FRAX without BMD, QFracture, Garvan, and the HKOS score, respectively. The category-less net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement of the HKOS score showed a better reclassification of hip fracture than FRAX and QFracture (all p < .001) but not Garvan, while Garvan, but not HKOS score, showed a significant over-estimation in fracture risk (Hosmer–Lemeshow test p < .001). In the validation cohort, the HKOS score had a C-statistic of .81 and a considerable agreement between expected and observed fracture risk in calibration.

Conclusion

The HKOS score can predict 10-year incident hip fracture among the oldest old in Hong Kong. The score may be useful in identifying the oldest old patients at risk of hip fracture in both community-dwelling and hospital settings.
Functional Hearing Loss and Social Engagement Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Shukla Aishwarya , Cudjoe Thomas K M , Lin Frank R , Reed Nicholas S
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Hearing loss is common in older adults and limits communication. We investigated the independent association between functional hearing loss and social engagement in a nationally representative sample of older adults.

Methods

Using data from the 2015 Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey, we modeled the cross-sectional association between self-reported hearing ability and limitation in social activity over the past month using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The majority of the study population was female (54.8%) and non-Hispanic white (74.3%). Participants (40.4%) reported “a little trouble” hearing and 7.4% reported “a lot of trouble” hearing. Those who reported any trouble hearing had higher odds of limited social engagement in the past month. After adjustment for demographic, clinical, and functional covariates, those who reported “a lot of trouble” hearing had 37% higher odds of limited social activity in the past month compared to those with normal hearing.

Discussion

These results suggest that hearing loss may be an important risk factor for limited social engagement and downstream negative health consequences, independent of other disability and health conditions.
“You’ve Got to Be Old to Go There”: Psychosocial Barriers and Facilitators to Social Eating in Older Adults
Authors: Saeed Anisa , Fisher Jenny , Mitchell-Smith Zinnia , Brown Laura J E
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

Social eating is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits for older adults. Previous research has identified some of the practical barriers that may limit social eating, such as cost and access to public transport. However, little is known about the psychosocial issues that can affect older adults’ engagement with social eating. This study examines psychosocial barriers and facilitators to attending community-based social eating opportunities for older adults.

Design and Methods

Forty-two older people aged between 59 and 89 years living in Manchester, UK, participated in semi-structured interviews or focus groups about their experiences and perceptions of social eating opportunities. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analyses. As there are known gender differences in relation to attitudes and behaviors relating to food and social activities, a framework analysis was applied to explore how these themes were differentially expressed by gender.

Results

Four themes were identified that related to the importance of (a) offering more than food; (b) participants’ social identity; (c) taking the first step; and (d) embarrassment and self-consciousness about physical health. Gender differences related to perceptions of the relevance and attractiveness of social eating, and the role of social support.

Discussion and Implications

This study improves our understanding of older adults’ social eating experiences and highlights clear strategies by which social eating opportunities could be made more attractive, accessible, and acceptable to older adults.
Split Injectivity ofA-Theoretic Assembly Maps
Authors: Bunke Ulrich , Kasprowski Daniel , Winges Christoph
Published: July 2019

We construct an equivariant coarse homology theory arising from the algebraic $K$-theory of spherical group rings and use this theory to derive split injectivity results for associated assembly maps. On the way, we prove that the fundamental structural theorems for Waldhausen’s algebraic $K$-theory functor carry over to its nonconnective counterpart defined by Blumberg–Gepner–Tabuada.
Tipping the Scales for Labour in Ireland? Collective Bargaining and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015
Authors: Murphy Caroline , Turner Thomas
Published: July 2019

Trade union density in Ireland has followed a similar pattern of decline to that of other Anglo-Saxon economies in recent decades. However, two factors make Ireland distinctive within this classification of countries, firstly the system of national social partnership that prevailed from 1987 to 2008, and secondly, the absence of a statutory route to union recognition. In this paper, we examine the extent to which a new piece of legislation, the Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2015, provides unions with a route to securing bargaining rights for workers and extends collective bargaining rights generally. We conclude that the Act represents a missed opportunity to offer mechanisms to secure rights for unions and their members capable of delivering collective bargaining to the non-union sector. We situate the paper within debates concerning the role of labour law in supporting workers rights to collective bargaining.
8 Art. 7 GG: School
Authors: Christian Bumke , Andreas Voßkuhle
Published: July 2019

This chapter discusses the provisions of Art. 7 of the Grundgesetz (GG) concerning the state's organisational power, the freedom to establish private schools, and the legal position of parents, students, and educators. Art. 7 para 1. GG grants the state the authority — and imposes the obligation — to not stand by and allow the school system to be operated on its own, for example by commercial providers or religious or philosophical communities. Other provisions relate to religious instruction and the abolition of the pre-primary school. The chapter examines the jurisprudence of the Federal Constitutional Court with regard to the state's power to organise schools, child-rearing and instruction (for example, the issue of sex education in schools), the rights of parents concerning the care and education of children, and the rights of students in school.
9 Art. 8 GG: Freedom of Assembly
Authors: Christian Bumke , Andreas Voßkuhle
Published: July 2019

This chapter discusses the provisions of Art. 8 of the Grundgesetz (GG) with regard to the fundamental right of freedom of assembly. It begins by reviewing the Federal Constitutional Court's first landmark decision on freedom of assembly in 1985, in which it emphasised the importance of the process of political will formation and the right of citizens to free assembly through demonstrations, noting that ‘the unhindered exercise of this freedom counteracts the consciousness of political powerlessness and dangerous tendencies of disgruntlement with the state and its institutions’. The chapter also examines the Court's jurisprudence concerning the scope of protection for the right of freedom of assembly, focussing on issues such as peacefulness in sit-in protests and the constitutionality of the registration requirement for rapidly organized assemblies. It concludes with an analysis of the question of interference with the right of freedom of assembly, along with the constitutional justification of such interferences.
17 Art. 19 para. 4 GG: Legal Remedies for Violation of Rights by Public Authority
Authors: Christian Bumke , Andreas Voßkuhle
Published: July 2019

This chapter discusses the provisions of Art. 19 para. 4 of the Grundgesetz (GG) that guarantee legal remedies for violation of citizens' rights by public authority. The requirement of effective legal remedies is also an inherent requirement of fundamental rights. In its more recent decisions, the Federal Constitutional Court has drawn on the legal right itself to derive a requirement of effective remedies. The chapter examines the Court's jurisprudence regarding the structure of the fundamental right to remedies for violation of legal rights by public authority, interferences with the right, and justification for such interferences. It also considers cases relating to legal remedies against judicial decisions before concluding with an analysis of the level of judicial oversight of administrative agencies by the administrative courts, taking into account the principle of assessment as applied to occupational examinations.
23 Art. 21 GG: Political Parties
Authors: Christian Bumke , Andreas Voßkuhle
Published: July 2019

This chapter considers the relevant provisions of Art. 21 of the Grundgesetz (GG) with regard to political parties. Art. 21 GG does not define the term ‘political party’ and provides only a description of its function, which is ‘to participate in the formation of the political will of the people’. There are two conceptions of political party in the literature: the model of the ‘party state’ and the model of ‘party competition’. Political parties display the elements described in both models. The chapter first examines the Federal Constitutional Court's jurisprudence concerning the definition of ‘party’ before discussing the constitutional freedom to found and organise parties, prohibition of parties, competition between political parties and equality of opportunity among parties, and party financing (private financing and state financing).
24 Arts. 23 et seq. GG: International Integration
Authors: Christian Bumke , Andreas Voßkuhle
Published: July 2019

This chapter discusses the relevant provisions of Art. 23 et seq. of the Grundgesetz (GG) with regard to the international integration of the Federal Republic of Germany. Art. 23 establishes a special constitutional basis for Germany's participation in the founding of the European Union. Art. 23 para. 1 s. 2 GG contains a provision on authorisation to transfer sovereign powers, whereas Art. 23 para. 1 s. 1 includes a ‘structural safeguard clause’ which imposes limits on legislation integrating Germany into the EU. The chapter examines the Federal Constitutional Court's jurisprudence concerning Germany's integration into the EU, with emphasis on issues such as transfer of sovereign powers, the relationship between EU law and national law, and limits on the legislature when passing EU integration laws. It also considers the provision allowing Germany to enter into a collective security system, focussing on the limits on sovereign rights.
Occupational therapy: values, evidence, and interventions
Authors: Gibbons Jonathan , Freeman Lara
Published: July 2019

This chapter describes the role of the occupational therapist on the psychiatric inpatient unit. They are highly valued members of the multidisciplinary team who have a unique role to play in ensuring the patients are enabled to function at their optimum level. The philosophy and models of occupational therapy practice are discussed along with specific occupational therapy interventions including personal activities of daily living, leisure, productivity, and functional mobility. Finally, there is a note on the role of the occupational therapist in discharge planning and a clinical vignette illustrating how an occupational therapist might provide a specific therapeutic input on the ward.
Electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Sidhom Emad , Welchew David
Published: July 2019

In an acute inpatient environment, clinicians are often faced with patients experiencing mental illness to an extent that is life-threatening, whether this is through absolute loss of the will to eat and drink, through the intense impulse towards suicide, or through the sheer exhaustion of severe mania. It is essential to have the ability to bring these symptoms under control in a way that is rapid, effective, and humane, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) provides this. Despite enormous advances in the safe delivery, regulation, and efficacy of ECT over the last 70 years, and its ability to bring patients from stupor to recovery over (on average) just 6–12 treatments, it remains a stigmatized and stigmatizing treatment in the public eye. This chapter outlines the history of ECT, and explains how it can be safely prescribed and monitored, and who will be most likely to benefit.
Nursing observations of patients on inpatient wards
Authors: Warne Rose
Published: July 2019

This chapter examines the challenges that carrying out nursing observations of patients on inpatient wards pose to nursing staff and multidisciplinary teams. It is well recognized that nursing observations cause stress both for the nursing staff carrying them out as well as for the service user experiencing them. The chapter explores how nurses can engage service users in these interventions and also suggests approaches that nursing staff and teams could utilize to increase the therapeutic value of the time spent on observations and maximize opportunities for working collaboratively with the service user and their family. The importance of documentation, communication, and supervision is discussed and the impacts of gender and culture issues are identified.