bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLICY OPTIONS TO LOWER RICE PRICES IN INDONESIA
Authors: Respatiadi Hizkia , Nabila Hana
Published: August 2018

Di Indonesia, harga beras membuat 28 juta masyarakat pra-sejahtera menghabiskan nyaris separuh penghasilannya. Menanggapi hal ini, pemerintah menerapkan Harga Eceran Tertinggi (HET) dan menugaskan Badan Urusan Logistik (Bulog) untuk menstabilkan harga beras. Sebagai salah satu perwujudan tugasnya, Bulog ditunjuk menjadi importir tunggal beras. Kajian ini menganalisis efektiitas HET, kinerja Bulog sebagai importir beras, dan korelasi antara harga beras di Indonesia dan pasar internasional. Makalah ini mengusulkan opsi kebijakan untuk menurunkan harga beras dengan menggarisbawahi potensi perdagangan internasional. Makalah ini menggunakan Error Correction Model (ECM) dan hasil wawancara. Hasilnya: (1) HET menekan para pedagang eceran, sementara para tengkulak, pemilik penggilingan, dan pedagang grosir yang mengambil laba terbesar dari sistem distribusi beras dalam negeri; (2) Akibat kendala birokrasi, Bulog kerap mengimpor beras ketika harga internasional sudah telanjur meningkat; (3) Harga beras di Indonesia terdeviasi dan lebih mahal dibandingkan pasar internasional. Makalah ini merekomendasikan agar pemerintah mengkaji HET, memberikan kebebasan kepada Bulog untuk menentukan waktu maupun kuantitas beras yang perlu diimpornya dengan berdasarkan pada analisis pasar, dan membentuk forum konsultasi dengan sektor swasta yang memenuhi syarat. Hal ini akan menjaga harga beras senantiasa kompetitif baik bagi konsumen maupun pedagang eceran, serta akan membawa Indonesia lebih dekat dengan rantai nilai regional. In Indonesia, rice prices cost around 28 million poor nearly half of their income. In response, the government implements price ceiling (HET) and assigns National Logistics Agency (Bulog) to stabilize rice prices. As part of its duties, Bulog was appointed as the sole rice importer. This study analyzed the effectiveness of HET, Bulog’s performance as rice importer, and the correlation between rice prices in Indonesia and in international market. This paper explores policy options to lower rice prices by highlighting the potential of international trade. This study used Error Correction Models (ECM) and semi-structured interviews. The results: (1) HET pressures retailers, while middlemen, rice millers, and wholesalers benefit the most from domestic rice distribution; (2) Due to bureaucratic constraints, Bulog frequently imported rice when international prices were already rising; (3) Rice prices in Indonesia deviate away from and higher than the international market. This paper recommends the government to review HET, to give freedom to Bulog to determine the timing and quantity of rice importation based on its market analysis, and to organize consultative forums with qualified private sector. This will keep the prices competitive for both consumers and retailers and bring Indonesia closer to the regional value chain.
TINJAUAN SADD DZARI’AH TERHADAP PROBLEMATIKA HUKUM MENIKAHI WANITA AHLI KITAB DALAM HUKUM POSITIF
Authors: Azizah Nur
Published: August 2018

Halal marriage as a category makruh marriage between Muslim men with women experts of the book. In addition, the legal status of different religious marriages in Indonesia still reap the polemic and does not strictly prohibit. For the occurrence of different religious weddings are still open gaps or opportunities of occurrence, including marriage of Muslim men with female scribes even among Muslim women with men of the book. So with the second law of origin that provides an opportunity for the marriage of the woman of the book with the Muslim man, the researcher uses a review of Sadd Dzari'ah where in origin the legal action may be prohibited by the concern because of the great potential of giving negative impact (mafsadat).Pernikahan halal sebagai kategori makruh pernikahan antara lelaki muslim dengan wanita ahli kitab. Selain itu, status hukum pernikahan beda agama di Indonesia masih menuai polemik dan tidak melarang secara tegas. Untuk terjadinya pernikahan beda agama masih terbuka celah atau peluang terjadinya, termasuk pula pernikahan pria muslim dengan wanita ahli kitab bahkan antara wanita Islam dengan pria ahli kitab. Maka dengan adanya kedua hukum asal yang memberikan peluang untuk terjadinya pernikahan wanita ahli kitab dengan pria muslim tersebut, peneliti menggunakan tinjauan Sadd Dzari’ah dimana pada asalnya susuatu tindakan hukumnya boleh menjadi terlarang dengan adanya kekhawatiran sebab berpotensi besar melahirkan dampak negatif (mafsadat).
Increasing Religious Value through Singing Methods to Students of Kindergarten
Authors: Zein Riwayati , Sukmayanti Sukmayanti
Published: August 2018

Penelitian ini dilakukan sebagai respon terhadap masalah bahwa pembelajaran siswa TK Adzkia V Padang dalam nilai-nilai agama berdasarkan masih rendah. Sementara itu, nilai-nilai agama adalah salah satu aspek yang perlu dirangsang dalam mengajar siswa TK di kelas B. Masalah yang ditemukan di lapangan adalah: 1) Hanya 5 anak yang dapat sembahyang dan 11 siswa lainnya tidak dapat berdoa dan mengangkat tangan mereka sambil berdoa. 2) Dalam praktek sholat 6 anak dapat melakukan dengan baik sedangkan 10 anak lainnya melakukan sholat yang terburu-buru bahkan berteriak-teriak. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan peningkatan nilai-nilai agama melalui metode nyanyi dalam mengajar siswa TK B Adzkia V Padang. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas (action research) yang dilaksanakan dalam 2 siklus. Desain setiap siklus dilakukan dalam 5 pelajaran melalui empat tahap: perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi dan refleksi. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi dan dokumentasi. Dengan demikian, data dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif. Hasil siklus II menunjukkan peningkatan nilai agama anak cukup signifikan hingga mencapai 90% dan penelitian dinyatakan berhasil. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa penelitian metode nyanyi dapat meningkatkan nilai-nilai agama anak-anak di taman kanak-kanak B Adzkia V Padang.
Publikasi Bentuk Fungsi dan Kategori SintaksisTuturan Masyarakat Manduro sebagai Pendukung Perkembangan Bahasa Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Mayasari Diana , Ardhana Nanda Riski
Published: August 2018

Researchers assume that with the publication of the speech is expected to be useful especially for teachers and employees in Manduro Elementary in language development through language transmission. The purpose of this research is to describe the syntactic structure of Manduro public utterance in Manduro Village, Kabuh Subdistrict, Jombang Regency, covering syntactic functions and categories. Qualitative descriptive method used in this research. With the subject of research is the device of Manduro Village. Samples were taken by purposive sampling with the aim of taking the device of each hamlet contained in Manduro Village. The researcher is the main instrument assisted by the Swadesh Morris questionnaire. Triangulation is used as a test of data validity. The researchers used inductive analysis techniques. The results obtained in this study are syntactic functions consisting of subjects, predicates, objects, descriptions and appendices that categorized nouns, verbs, and adjectives and adverbs. Based on the results of the research, the syntactic structure of public utterance of Manduro has a universality with the syntactic structure of Indonesian and Javanese, only the structures used are not structural. This is because the sentence is a nonformal speech. The results of this study are expected to be used as a supporter of early childhood language development in Manduro Elementary School through the role of teachers in language learning by using examples and communication with students outside the lesson with the manduro language. Thus language learning occurs in a natural context so that the language of the community is not increasingly experiencing shifts and extinctions as well as in the teaching of syntax and as a ruler of language rules in Indonesia.
PENGEMBANGAN MODEL PROSES PRODUKSI TIANG PANCANG DALAM MENDUKUNG KUALITAS PRODUKSI
Authors: suradi  , tjaronge muhammad wihardi , Abbas Hammada , Sampebulu Victor
Published: August 2018

Tiang pancang saat ini banyak digunakan di Indonesia sebagai pondasi bangunan, seperti jembatan, gedung bertingkat, pabrik atau gedung-gedung industri, menara, dermaga, bangunan mesin-mesin berat, dan lain sebagainya dimana semuanya merupakan konstruksi-konstruksi yang memiliki dan menerima beban yang relatif berat. Penggunaan tiang pancang untuk konstruksi biasanya bertitik tolak pada beberapa hal mendasar seperti anggapan adanya beban yang besar sehingga pondasi langsung jelas tidak dapat digunakan, kemudian jenis tanah pada lokasi yang bersangkutan relatif lunak (lembek) sehingga pondasi langsung tidak ekonomis lagi untuk dipergunakan. Banyaknya kegiatan proyek yang menggunakan produk tiang pancang namun persediaan produk tidak dapat memenuhi dengan jumlah yang tersedia. Dalam penelitian akan mengadakan model proses produksi menurut fungsi waktu dan peralatan yang dapat menggambarkan kinerja manusia dalam penerapan alokasi beban kerja dan mengevaluasi dampak positif dari pemanfaatan model proses produksi tersebut terhadap kinerja sistem produksi secara berkesinambungan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk Untuk menganalisa model proses produksi menurut fungsi waktu, peralatan, dan kinerja manusia, dan Menghasilkan rancangan model proses produksi terhadap kinerja sistem produksi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah melakukan pengamatan langsung pada proses produksi, kemudian dianalisis dengan mengenai waktu, peralatan/mesin dan manusia. Kemudian hasil yang diharapkan adalah model proses produksi menurut fungsi waktu, peralatan, dan kinerja manusia. sehingga menghasilkan rancangan model proses produksi terhadap kinerja sistem produksi.
Fewer young people are joining small-scale fishery co-ops in Chile
Authors: Open Communications for The Ocean OCTO
Published: August 2018

Chile is known for important work on their Territorial User Rights Fishery (TURF). Back in the 90s, the government enacted policies to give small-scale fishers more control over fisheries management. To participate in the TURF system, fishers join licensed fishery associations called caletas. Children of TURF members typically join the same caletas as their family. However, this is starting to change as fewer young people follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Beach nourishment is not a sustainable strategy to mitigate climate change
Authors: Parkinson Randall W. , Ogurcak Danielle E.
Published: August 2018

Some studies published over the past several decades have concluded nourishment of oceanic beaches is a viable strategy to mitigate climate change. However, these were generally too limited in scope to accurately evaluate beach nourishment because each omit one or more of the following: (1) a realistic assessment of potential borrow area sand volume, (2) native beach compatibility, (3) construction costs, (4) all vulnerable geomorphic elements of the coastal zone, and (5) environmental impacts. When all of these parameters are considered, the results are markedly different. To demonstrate our point, we evaluated the recommendations of Houston (2017) using all five parameters. Contrary to Houston, we provide multiple lines of evidence that beach fill projects are not a sustainable strategy to protect or defend oceanic beaches of the Florida panhandle (USA), nor likely most of the world's developed coastlines at risk to the effects of climate change. The nourishment of oceanic beaches as historically constructed will surely continue over the next several decades. But, it must be done as an interim strategy during the formulation and implementation of a robust, long-term adaptive management strategy that incorporates managed withdrawal from the coastline.
The Registration Continuum in Clinical Science: A Guide toward Transparent Practices
Authors: Benning Stephen D , Bachrach Rachel L. , Smith Edward , Freeman Andrew Justin , Wright Aidan G.C.
Published: August 2018

Clinical scientists can use a continuum of registration efforts that vary in their disclosure and timing relative to data collection and analysis. Broadly speaking, registration benefits investigators by offering stronger, more powerful tests of theory with particular methods in tandem with better control of long-run false positive error rates. Registration helps clinical researchers in thinking through tensions between bandwidth and fidelity that surround recruiting participants, defining clinical phenotypes, handling comorbidity, treating missing data, and analyzing rich and complex data. In particular, registration helps record and justify the reasons behind specific study design decisions, though it also provides the opportunity to register entire decision trees with specific endpoints. Creating ever more faithful registrations and standard operating procedures may offer alternative methods of judging a clinical investigator’s scientific skill and eminence because study registration increases the transparency of clinical researchers’ work.
Rapid, Experience-Related Changes in the Organization of Children’s Semantic Knowledge
Authors: Unger Layla , Fisher Anna
Published: August 2018

The organization of knowledge according to relations between concepts is crucially important for many cognitive processes, and its emergence during childhood is a key focus of cognitive development research. Prior evidence about the role of learning and experience in the development of knowledge organization primarily comes from studies investigating naturally-occurring group differenes (such as children from rural vs. ubran settings, or children who own a pet vs. children who don’t). However, we know little about whether knowledge organization can be relatively rapidly molded by shorter-term learning experiences (e.g., on a time-scale of days vs. months and years). The present study investigated whether learning experiences can drive rapid, measurable changes in knowledge organization in children by investigating the effects of a week-long Zoo summer camp (compared to a control school-based camp) on the degree to which 4- to 9-year-old children’s knowledge about animals was organized according to taxonomic relations. Although there were no differences in taxonomic organization between the Zoo and the school-based camp at pre-test, only children who participated in the Zoo camp showed increases in taxonomic organization at post-test. These findings provide novel evidence that experiences can drive rapid changes in knowledge organization.
Gender/Professional Identity Integration Promotes Women’s Negotiation Performance via Reduced Social Backlash Concerns
Authors: Mor Shira
Published: August 2018

In the context of competitive negotiations, a stereotypically masculine task, state gender-profession identity integration was expected to facilitate women’s performance. Across three studies examining women’s first offers in competitive negotiations we found evidence supporting this proposition. Furthermore, a factor previously identified associated with gender differences in negotiation performance- reduced social backlash concerns- was identified as the mediating factor for enhancing the performance of high state identity integration women. We discuss the implications of these findings for ongoing research and theory on gender, identity, and negotiations.
Fictionality
Authors: Piper Andrew
Published: August 2018

The distinction between fiction and non-fiction, between a text that is true and one that is not, is one of the oldest on record. Ever since we have been thinking about the act of narration, we have addressed the related meanings of truth and imagination. This is what Aristotle designated as the difference between the communicative use of language (legein) and its creative use (poiein). For millennia, we have been debating whether there are inherent features of being fictional or whether it is simply a matter of intention, that perhaps there is nothing unique to the language of fictional discourse after all. How do we know when a text is signalling that it is "true" or, by extension, not true? And what might quantity have to tell us about this most elementary of distinctions?
Ermenistan'da Yerel Yönetimler ve Bölgesel Politikalar
Authors: Ghulyan Husik
Published: August 2018

English Abstract: In this paper, local governments and regional policies of the Republic of Armenia are examined. First, the development of local governance in Armenia and the role and place of local governments in the governance structure of this country have been analyzed. In the paper, Armenia’s local government system in the context of ECLSG and the correspondence of Armenia’s local governance legislation to the principles and clauses of this charter are analyzed. In line with this objective, the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, its municipal legislation and other statutes have been analyzed, and the reflection of the ECLSG clauses ratified by Armenia in these statutes is examined. In addition, the regional policies and regulations aiming at the elimination of Armenia’s inter-regional differences in terms of development and their results are examined.Turkish Abstract: Makalede Ermenistan’ın yerel yönetimler ve bölgesel politikaları incelenmektedir. İlk önce Ermenistan’da yerel yönetimlerin gelişimi ve ülkenin idari yapılanmasında yerel yönetimlerin rolü ve yeri incelenmiştir. Makalede Ermenistan’ın yerel yönetimler sistemi, Avrupa Yerel Yönetimler Özerklik Şartı (AYYÖS) bağlamında ve yerel yönetimler mevzuatının bu şartın ilkelerine ve maddelerine uyum sağlayıp sağlamaması açısından incelenmektedir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda Ermenistan anayasası, belediye mevzuatı ve diğer yasalar incelenmiş ve onlarda Ermenistan tarafından onaylanmış olan AYYÖŞ’ün maddeleri ne derecede yansıtıldığı incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, sosyo-ekonomik gelişmişlik açısından önemli bölgelerarası dengesizliklere sahip olan Ermenistan’da, bu dengesizlikleri ortadan kaldırmak ve azaltmak için ülkenin geliştirdiği politikalar ve düzenlemeler ve onların sonuçları incelenmektedir.
Teaching your first political science course
Authors: Stecula Dominik
Published: August 2018

This working paper discusses the process of designing your first political science course. It covers the preparation of a diverse syllabus, developing learning objectives, structuring lectures and class activities, designing assignments, and setting up an efficient mode of course communication between the instructor and students.
Bioactivity and Volatile Profiling of Azadirachta indica Leaves for the Management of Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) Infestations
Authors: Perera A.G.W.U. , Karunaratne M.M.S.C. , Chinthaka S.D.M.
Published: August 2018

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. juss), is known to possess a wide range of pharmacological properties and is thus commercially exploitable. Apart from its medicinal potential, a considerable progress has been achieved regarding biological potential and chemical composition of the leaves which is an ever-increasing interest to the scientific community. During this study, biological phenomena and secondary metabolite composition of A. indica leaves were examined in the management of Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize. Insecticidal and repellent potential of A. indica leaf powders were evaluated in both contact and fumigant forms. Phytochemical screening of 11 phyto constituents was performed following the standard procedures for n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous leaf extracts. Volatile profile of A. indica leaves was characterized by employing headspace-solid-phase micro extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Over 60% weevil repellency was recorded at doses above 23.33%, whereas 100% and 67% contact and fumigation mortalities were observed respectively, 9 days after treatment at the dose of 33.33% and the respected LD50 values were 1.56 g and 4.48 g. Thirty two volatile compounds were identified in three distinct chemical classes (Monoterpenoid, sesquiterpenoid and purine nucleosides). γ-Elemene (24.06%), 3,7 (11)-eudesmadiene (6.83%), caryophyllene (6.40%), and 10s,11s-himachala-3(12),4-diene (6.36%) were the major constituents of neem leaf volatiles, followed by other compounds present in less than 4% which might be responsible for varied biological activities observed. Thus the odour impact of the bioassayguided study clearly implies that A. indica leaves can be harnessed against S. zeamais infestations.Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Sitophilus zeamais, headspace-solid-phase micro-extraction, insecticidal activity, repellency
Coastal Fringe Habitat Monitoring using Kite Aerial Photography: A Remote Sensing-based Case Study
Authors: Madurapperuma B.D. , Dellysse J.E.
Published: August 2018

Monitoring coastal ecosystem resilience for climatic and/or anthropogenic vulnerabilities is challenging with moderately resolution Landsat images. A simple, low-cost Kite Aerial Photograph platform (KAP) was vital to obtain high-resolution images for a small area to develop coastal GIS models. This study examines post-tsunami relief in two coastal shrub ecosystem and a mangrove ecosystem in terms of vegetation bioshield mass and sea level rise perspectives. A KAP platform was created using two light-weight automatic cameras with dual bandpass Red-NIR filters, a Picavet stabilizing rig, a GPS tracker and a Parafoil Kite. The KAP images were processed to build mosaic images, orthorectified and geo-referenced Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using structure-from motion (SFM) and remote sensing software (Agisoft PhotoScan and ENVI respectively). KAP has been utilised for coastal mapping under three scenarios: (i) object-orient feature extraction for discriminate Prosopis juliflora, an invasive alien species, and texture analysis for coastal shrub and herbaceous vegetation classification (ii) DEM for sea level rise, and (iii) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for mangrove bioshield mass estimation. The image processing produced a point cloud with an average density of 35 points/m2; a DEM with 17 cm resolution; and an orthophoto mosaic with an average resolution of 4.0 cm. The results showed that object orient feature extraction can discriminate Prosopis juliflora from the coastal shrubs with 62% accuracy, while supervised classification accuracy was 51%. Mangrove vegetation in Rekawa was discriminated from grassland and other coastal shrub vegetation types at ≥4 NDVI threshold resulted in 0.33 ha of mangroves (28% of 1.15 ha of the total area). The Kahandamodara beach coastal vegetation was dominant by Ipomoea pes-capre with 26% coverage. In conclusion, KAP has a wide potential to bridge science with high spatial/temporal resolution in-situ data for coastal habitat mapping, where the researchers can utilize the data within a low-cost budget.Keywords: kite mapping, coast, DEM, mangrove, NDVI
Radioactive and Non-Radioactive Element Analysis of Dorado Gas Discovery of Sri Lanka and Their Influence on Natural Environment
Authors: Gamage S.S.N. , Ratnayake R.M.T.S. , Senadhira A.M.A.D.M. , Weerasinghe D.A. , Waduge V.A.
Published: August 2018

Naturally-occurring radionuclides deposited beneath the earth, which are referred to as "NORM" and other toxicnon-radioactive elements transported to the earth surface with the oil and gas production. Hence, knowledge of the prevailing background levels of these elements in the subsurface reservoir formations is valuable to all stakeholders, most notably to regulatory authorities of the country. The drill cuttings obtained within depth range 3025m to 3095m of reservoir sand section in the deep water exploratory well (CLPL- Dorado 91 H/1z) drilled in the Mannar Basin offshore Sri Lanka were subjected to high-resolution Gamma-ray spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry.As test results revealed activity concentration of 40K varies from 0.338 Bq/g to 0.514 Bq/g, 210Pb from 0.007 Bq/g to 0.015 Bq/g, 226Ra from 0.012 Bq/g to 0.0145 Bq/g while 232Th levels are between 0.030 Bq/g to 0.040 Bq/g. According to the XRF testing levels of significantly hazardous non-radioactive elements are considerably lower, except for the level of the Barium. The Pb level varies between the 48 ppm to 22 ppm. The Thorium level varies between 9.6 ppm to 10.1 ppm. Manganese has a range of 5,173ppm to 653ppm.The barium levels are between 118,666 ppm to 24,400 ppm. NORM concentration of the tested section were on the lower side when results matched with the IAEA published data on NORM concentration in oil, gas and there byproducts and therefore there will be low level of NORM contaminations when the Dorado gas discovery proceeds to the production stage. Further there is no harmful public exposure from NORM by disposing these drill cuttings to environment or storing at any site location. But the disposal of the drilling mud and handling of the drilling mud should be conducted with cautious since extremely high Ba levels can potentially cause health problems.Keywords: NORM, drill-cuttings, oil, gas, Sri Lanka, XRF
Optimalisasi Limbah Rumah Tangga Sebagai Peluang Berwirausaha
Authors: A'yuni Diah Syifaul , Muawanah Muawanah
Published: August 2018

Melihat banyaknya limbah yang menumpuk dan hanya menjadi masalah lingkungan karena pembuangannya tidak sesuai prosedur serta semakin berkembangnya kebutuhan masyarakat akan kosmetik yang tetap aman digunakan dalam jangka waktu lama, maka peneliti mengoptimalkan limbah rumah tangga dari kulit buah-buahan seperti kulit pisang sebagai peluang berwirausaha dengan menjadikannya produk masker dengan kandungan yang sangat baik bagi kulit manusia. Penelitian ini juga diharapkan dapat membangkitkan jiwa berwirausaha masyarakat dengan melihat kondisi dan situasi di sekitar tanpa harus menggunakan modal yang banyak untuk menjadikannya sebagai peluang dan membuat industri kreatif dari sesuatu yang masyarakat anggap sebagai sesuatu yang tidak memiliki nilai jual tinggi tetapi sebenarnya masih sangat bermanfaat bagi manusia. Dengan cara ini masyarakat bisa ikut membantu mengurangi limbah rumah tangga dengan mengoptimalkannya.
Evaluation of an in vivo model for ventricular shunt infection: a pilot study using a novel antimicrobial-loaded polymer
Authors: Iyer Rajiv R. , Gorelick Noah , Carroll Karen , Blitz Ari M. , Beck Sarah , Garrett Caroline M. , Monroe Audrey , Tyler Betty , Zuckerman Sean T. , Capadona Jeffrey R. , von Recum Horst A. , Luciano Mark G.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Ventricular shunt infection remains an issue leading to high patient morbidity and cost, warranting further investigation. The authors sought to create an animal model of shunt infection that could be used to evaluate possible catheter modifications and innovations.

METHODS

Three dogs underwent bilateral ventricular catheter implantation and inoculation with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In 2 experimental animals, the catheters were modified with a polymer containing chemical “pockets” loaded with vancomycin. In 1 control animal, the catheters were polymer coated but without antibiotics. Animals were monitored for 9 to 11 days, after which the shunts were explanted. MRI was performed after shunt implantation and prior to catheter harvest. The catheters were sonicated prior to microbiological culture and also evaluated by electron microscopy. The animals’ brains were evaluated for histopathology.

RESULTS

All animals underwent successful catheter implantation. The animals developed superficial wound infections, but no neurological deficits. Imaging demonstrated ventriculitis and cerebral edema. Harvested catheters from the control animal demonstrated > 104 colony-forming units (CFUs) of S. aureus. In the first experimental animal, one shunt demonstrated > 104 CFUs of S. aureus, but the other demonstrated no growth. In the second experimental animal, one catheter demonstrated no growth, and the other grew trace S. aureus. Brain histopathology revealed acute inflammation and ventriculitis in all animals, which was more severe in the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors evaluated an animal model of ventricular shunting and reliably induced features of shunt infection that could be microbiologically quantified. With this model, investigation of pathophysiological and imaging correlates of infection and potentially beneficial shunt catheter modifications is possible.
Clinical and biological significance of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma with CTNNB1 mutation
Authors: Hara Takuma , Akutsu Hiroyoshi , Takano Shingo , Kino Hiroyoshi , Ishikawa Eiichi , Tanaka Shuho , Miyamoto Hidetaka , Sakamoto Noriaki , Hattori Keiichiro , Sakata-Yanagimoto Mamiko , Chiba Shigeru , Hiyama Takashi , Masumoto Tomohiko , Matsumura Akira
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (adaCP). However, there is no evidence that the CTNNB1 mutation activates the target gene of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and it is unknown whether it affects the tumorigenesis of adaCP. To assess the effect of the CTNNB1 mutation of adaCP, the authors analyzed the correlation between the mutation and clinical, radiological, pathological, and biological findings.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2015, 42 patients (24 male and 18 female, median age 42 years) with either papillary craniopharyngioma (papCP) or adaCP underwent tumor resection at the authors’ institution. BRAF V600E and CTNNB1 in papCP and adaCP samples were sequenced by next-generation sequencing and the Sanger method, and mRNA expression levels of Axin2 and BMP4 were evaluated by RT-PCR. Axin2, BMP4, β-catenin, and BRAF expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Other data were collected from clinical reports.

RESULTS

The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in all 10 cases of papCP (100%). CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations were detected in 21 of 31 (68%) cases of adaCP, excluding 1 case for which there were no available sequence data. The mRNA expression level of Axin2 was significantly higher in adaCPs with a CTNNB1 mutation than in those without (p < 0.05). The immunohistochemical findings of Axin2 and BMP4 did not correlate with CTNNB1 mutation positivity. When patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy were excluded, progression-free survival was shorter in the mutation-positive group than in the mutation-negative group (log-rank test, p = 0.031). Examination of clinical characteristics and immunohistochemical findings of adaCPs showed that there was no significant correlation between CTNNB1 mutation positivity and age, sex, tumor volume, gross-total resection, optic tract edema, calcification, or T1 signal intensity of cyst fluid on MRI, β-catenin, and MIB-1 index.

CONCLUSIONS

These results raise the possibility that the CTNNB1 mutation in adaCP may be associated with disease recurrence, and genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway might represent a therapeutic target.
Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid transnasopharyngeal management of petroclival chondrosarcomas without medial extension
Authors: Mehta Gautam U. , DeMonte Franco , Su Shirley Y. , Kupferman Michael E. , Hanna Ehab Y. , Raza Shaan M.
Published: August 2018

Chondrosarcomas of the skull base are malignant tumors for which surgery is the primary therapeutic option. Gross-total resection has been demonstrated to improve survival in patients with these tumors. Chondrosarcomas arising from the petroclival synchondrosis harbor particularly unique anatomical considerations that have long been a barrier to achieving such a resection. Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches have been recently used to gain improved access to such lesions; however, these approaches have classically relied on a medial to lateral transclival trajectory, which provides limited exposure for complete resection of lateral disease. In this paper the authors describe an endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid transnasopharyngeal approach that provides comprehensive access to the petroclival region through dissection of the eustachian tube with resection of the cartilaginous torus tubarius. Of note, the authors have previously demonstrated the superior outcomes and validity of this approach relative to other cranial base techniques for petroclival chondrosarcomas. Surgical outcomes in 5 cases of chondrosarcoma without medial extension are detailed. Gross-total resection was achieved in 4 of 5 patients. Postoperative complications included transient palatal numbness in all patients and eustachian tube dysfunction due to the approach. With tympanostomy tube placement, no patient had persistent hearing loss. Overall, this approach appears to be a safe and effective technique for resection of petroclival chondrosarcomas.
Interfacility neurosurgical transfers: an analysis of nontraumatic inpatient and emergency department transfers with implications for improvements in care
Authors: Safaee Michael M. , Morshed Ramin A. , Spatz Jordan , Sankaran Sujatha , Berger Mitchel S. , Aghi Manish K.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Interfacility neurosurgical transfers to tertiary care centers are driven by a number of variables, including lack of on-site coverage, limited available technology, insurance factors, and patient preference. The authors sought to assess the timing and necessity of surgery and compared transfers to their institution from emergency departments (ED) and inpatient units at other hospitals.

METHODS

Adult neurosurgical patients who were transferred to a single tertiary care center were analyzed over 12 months. Patients with traumatic injuries or those referred from skilled nursing facilities or rehabilitation centers were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 504 transferred patients were included, with mean age 55 years (range 19–92 years); 53% of patients were women. Points of origin were ED in 54% cases and inpatient hospital unit in 46%, with a mean distance traveled for most patients of 119 miles. Broad diagnosis categories included brain tumors (n = 142, 28%), vascular lesions, including spontaneous and hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 143, 28%), spinal lesions (n = 126, 25%), hydrocephalus (n = 45, 9%), wound complications (n = 29, 6%), and others (n = 19, 4%). Patients transferred from inpatient units had higher rates of surgical intervention (75% vs 57%, p < 0.001), whereas patients transferred from the ED had higher rates of urgent surgery (20% vs 8%, p < 0.001) and shorter mean time to surgery (3 vs 5 days, p < 0.001). Misdiagnosis rates were higher among ED referrals (11% vs 4%, p = 0.008). Across the same timeframe, patients undergoing elective admission (n = 1986) or admission from the authors’ own ED (n = 248) had significantly shorter lengths of stay (p < 0.001) and ICU days (p < 0.001) than transferred patients, as well as a significantly lower total cost ($44,412, $46,163, and $72,175, respectively; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors present their 12-month experience from a single tertiary care center without Level I trauma designation. In this cohort, 65% of patients required surgery, but the rates were higher among inpatient referrals, and misdiagnosis rates were higher among ED transfers. These data suggest that admitting nonemergency patients to local hospitals may improve diagnostic accuracy of patients requiring urgent care, more precisely identify patients in need of transfer, and reduce costs. Referring facilities may lack necessary resources or expertise, and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) obligates tertiary care centers to accept these patients under those circumstances. Telemedicine and integration of electronic medical records may help guide referring hospitals to pursue additional workup, which may eliminate the need for unnecessary transfer and provide additional cost savings.
Blunt vertebral artery injury in occipital condyle fractures
Authors: Burks Joshua D. , Conner Andrew K. , Briggs Robert G. , Bonney Phillip A. , Smitherman Adam D. , Baker Cordell M. , Glenn Chad A. , Ghafil Cameron A. , Pryor Dillon P. , O’Connor Kyle P. , Bohnstedt Bradley N.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

A shifting emphasis on efficient utilization of hospital resources has been seen in recent years. However, reduced screening for blunt vertebral artery injury (BVAI) may result in missed diagnoses if risk factors are not fully understood. The authors examined the records of blunt trauma patients with fractures near the craniocervical junction who underwent CTA at a single institution to better understand the risk of BVAI imposed by occipital condyle fractures (OCFs).

METHODS

The authors began with a query of their prospectively collected trauma registry to identify patients who had been screened for BVAI using ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes. Grade and segment were recorded in instances of BVAI. Locations of fractures were classified into 3 groups: 1) OCFs, 2) C1 (atlas) fractures, and 3) fractures of the C2–6 vertebrae. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify any fracture types associated with BVAI.

RESULTS

During a 6-year period, 719 patients underwent head and neck CTA following blunt trauma. Of these patients, 147 (20%) had OCF. BVAI occurred in 2 of 43 patients with type I OCF, 1 of 42 with type II OCF, and in 9 of 62 with type III OCF (p = 0.12). Type III OCF was an independent risk factor for BVAI in multivariate modeling (OR 2.29 [95% CI 1.04–5.04]), as were fractures of C1–6 (OR 5.51 [95% CI 2.57–11.83]). Injury to the V4 segment was associated with type III OCF (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the authors found an association between type III OCF and BVAI. While further study may be necessary to elucidate the mechanism of injury in these cases, this association suggests that thorough cerebrovascular evaluation is warranted in patients with type III OCF.
Intraoperative intracranial pressure monitoring in the pediatric craniosynostosis population
Authors: Judy Brendan F. , Swanson Jordan W. , Yang Wuyang , Storm Phillip B. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A. , Heuer Gregory G. , Lang Shih-Shan
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the pediatric craniosynostosis population based solely on ophthalmological, clinical, and radiographic data is subjective, insensitive, and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the intraoperative ICP before and after craniectomy in this patient population.

METHODS

The authors measured the ICP before and after craniectomy using a subdural ICP monitor in 45 children. They regulated end-tidal carbon dioxide and the monitoring site under general anesthesia to record consistent ICP readings.

RESULTS

The average age of the patient population was 29 months (range 3.8–180.5 months). Thirty-seven patients (82.2%) were undergoing initial craniosynostosis procedures. All craniosynostosis procedures were categorized as one of the following: frontoorbital advancement (n = 24), frontoorbital advancement with distraction osteogenesis (n = 1), posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (n = 10), and posterior vault reconstruction (n = 10). Nineteen of 45 patients (42.2%) had syndromic or multisuture craniosynostosis. The mean postcraniectomy ICP (8.8 mm Hg, range 2–18 mm Hg) was significantly lower than the precraniectomy ICP (16.5 mm Hg, range 6–35 mm Hg) (p < 0.001). Twenty-four patients (53%) had elevated ICP prior to craniectomy, defined as ≥ 15 mm Hg. Only 4 (8.9%) children had papilledema on preoperative funduscopic examination (sensitivity 17%, specificity 100%, negative predictive value 51%, and positive predictive value 100%). There were no significant differences in elevated precraniectomy ICP based on type of craniosynostosis (syndromic/multisuture or nonsyndromic) or age at the time of surgery. Patients undergoing initial surgery in the first 12 months of life were significantly less likely to have elevated precraniectomy ICP compared with patients older than 12 months (26.3% vs 73.1%, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the authors report the largest cohort of syndromic and nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients (n = 45) who underwent precraniectomy and postcraniectomy ICP evaluation. A craniectomy or completed craniotomy cuts for distractors effectively reduced ICP in 43/45 patients. The authors’ findings support the notion that papilledema on funduscopy is a highly specific, however poorly sensitive, indicator of increased ICP, and thus is not a reliable screening method. These findings indicate that even nonsyndromic patients with craniosynostosis are at risk for increased ICP. Furthermore, patients who present prior to 12 months of age appear less likely to have elevated ICP on presentation. Further studies with other noninvasive imaging of the retina may be useful as an adjunct tool for determining elevated ICP.
SISTEM SAMBUNGAN KONSTRUKSI RUMAH TRADISIONAL DI KAMPUNG PULO, JAWA BARAT
Authors: Harapan Andi
Published: August 2018

Abstract: Kampong Pulo in West Java has a unique characteristic of it’s traditional building that can be showed the building shape, material and joint system, which be divided into lower system, middle system, and upper system. The lower system is included the foundation (included column untuk floor) and floor, the middle system is included wall frame, door & window, and the upper system is included ceiling (and its frame) and roof. Based on this reaseach we found that traditional building in Kampong Pulo is not depends on theory and principle of building but adjusting it with the circumstance and climate around it.The observation is focused on three building aspects: form and configuration, material and dimension, and detail of joint system for all the building system (lower, middle, and upper). This observation created to map construction joint system for traditional building in Kampong Pulo, West Java Keywords: Kampong Pulo, joint system of construction, traditional house, West Java.  Abstrak: Bangunan rumah tradisional di Kampung Pulo, Jawa Barat mempunyai karakteristik yang unik, yang dapat dilihat dari sistem konstruksi bangunannya, yang meliputi sistem bagian bawah, tengah dan atas. Bagian bawah meliputi fondasi dan lantai, bagian tegah meliputi rangka dinding, pintu dan jelndela, sedangkan bagian atas meliputi langit-langit dan atap. Pembahasan penelitian dilihat dari tiga aspek, yaitu: aspek bentuk dan konfigurasi, material dan dimensi, detail sistem sambungan konstruksi. Karakteristik dari bangunan tradisional yakni tidak menerapkan teori atau prinsip bangunan akan tetapi menyesuaikan dengan lingkungan dan iklim yang ada. Dari penelitian ini dapat membuka ruang pengembangan sistem sambungan konstruksi yang dapat diterapkan pada bangunan sederhana terutama yang menggunakan struktur dan konstruksi kayu dan memberikan ruang untuk pengembangan bangunan-bangunan tradisional yang dilindungi/diproteksi oleh Pemda setempat khususnya Jawa Barat terhadap keberadaan sistem sambungan tradisional. Kata Kunci: Kampung Pulo, sistem sambungan konstruksi, rumah tradisional, Jawa Barat.
Mikrofabrikasi Jalur PCB Menggunakan Metode Visible Ligth Maskless Photolitography
Authors: Suwandi Dedi , Badruzzaman Badruzzaman , Istiyanto Jos
Published: August 2018

Pada tulisan ini akan dibahas metode modifikasi dari Photolitography yaitu Visible Ligth Maskless Photolitography, perbedaannya menggunakan sinar tampak (visible light) dan tanpa mask (cetakan) selanjutnya diaplikasikan pada fabrikasi jalur listrik PCB (printed circuit board). [DI1]Kelebihan metode adalah mudah, murah tetapi mampu membuat profil rumit dan aman. Cara kerjanya model/ profil dibuat di komputer/ laptop kemudian dipancarkan melalui DLP projector. Pada bagian bawah projector dipasang PCB yang sudah dilapisi Negative Photoresist sehingga terjadi proses exposure. Selanjutnya dilakukan proses developing dan eching sehingga terbentuk profil sesuai desain. Pada jenis projector Infocus IN114A ditemukan parameter terbaik: posisi lensa pemfokus pembesaran 3X berjarak 3 cm dibawah DLP projektor dan 14 cm diatas material uji PCB, menggunakan kombinasi warna hitam (R:0 G:0 B:0) dan biru terang (R=0, G=176, B=240) dengan waktu prebake 2 menit, spin 2.000 rpm, exposure 3 menit, developing 5 menit, Postbake 5 menit dan Eching 5 menit. Profil jalur listrik yang berhasil dibuat diantaranya: garis, huruf, alur listrik, dan bentuk microcontroller. Hasil pengukuran Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) profil garis terkecil yang dapat dibuat yaitu m132 m dan memiliki kekasaran tepi (deviasi) 6,6 m.
Studi Eksperimen Konversi LPG Pada Sepeda Motor Berbahan Bakar Bensin
Authors: Nur Rohmat Yusup
Published: August 2018

Tingginya pertumbuhan jumlah kendaraan bermotor serta konsumsi bahan bakar minyak di Indonesia telah menimbulkan masalah terhadap lingkungan dan penyedian bahan bakar ini. Permasalahan ini makin rumit karena [A1]subsidi untuk pengadaannya sangat memberatkan Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara. Oleh karena itu harus terus dilakukan upaya komprehensif untuk mencari solusi terbaiknya. Dalam makalah ini dibahas hasil penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengurangi emisi dan menurunkan konsumsi bahan bakar sepeda motor, dengan mengkonversi penggunaan bahan bakar bensin dengan LPG yang biasa digunakan untuk memasak. Pengujian dilakukan di laboratorium menggunakan dinamometer chassis untuk membandingkan torsi, daya, tingkat konsumsi bahan bakar serta biaya operasi, pada sebuah mesin sepeda motor berkarburator menggunakan bahan bakar bensin dan LPG, baik tanpa pengubahan kondisi pengapian maupun dengan mengubah kondisi pengapian. Dari penelitian ini didapatkan bahwa bahan bakar LPG memiliki unjuk kerja yang baik dan dapat digunakan secara langsung tanpa mengubah kondisi pengapiannya. Akan tetapi kinerjanya akan lebih baik jika kondisi pengapiannya disesuaikan. Tingkat konsumsi terbaik LPG adalah 86 km/kg atau senilai Rp.58/km sedangkan bensin 66 km/l atau Rp.98/km.
Peningkatan Kinerja Termoelektrik Ganda pada Mesin Pendingin Air Minum sebagai Solusi Penghematan Energi
Authors: Amrullah Amrullah , Djafar Zuryati
Published: August 2018

Modul termoelektrik merupakan suatu alat yang bekerja untuk menghasilkan dingin dengan memanfaatkan energi listrik. Pemilihan modul ini didasarkan pada beban kalor, beda temperatur dan daya listrik yang digunakan. Termoelektrik pendingin memiliki beberapa kelebihan diantaranya tidak berisik, mudah perawatan, tidak memerlukan banyak komponen tambahan dan ramah lingkungan. Penerapan termoelektrik dengan dua tingkat atau lebih yang dikombinasikan pada mesin pendingin merupakan metode penting untuk meningkatkan kinerja termoelektrik. Pada penelitian ini akan dilakukan pengujian kinerja modul termoelektrik pendingin pada dispenser air minum dengan memanfaatkan tegangan listrik DC. Model termoelektrik yang akan diuji adalah modul ganda yang dirangkai secara seri listrik dan paralel listrik dengan meninjau temperatur air yang didinginkan, daya listrik yang digunakan termoelektrik dan kecepatan pendinginan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa modul terbaik dari segi temperatur air, kecepatan pendinginan dan penghematan energi listrik adalah termoelektrik ganda yang dirangkai secara seri pada tegangan 10 V. Hal ini dapat dilihat setelah 360 menit dengan temperatur air yang didinginkan 12oC, beda temperatur 28oC, kalor yang diserap 19.52810 W ,dan COP 1.25268.
Pemanfaatan Teknologi QR Code Dalam Pengembangan Sistem Pendaftaran Calon Mahasiwa Baru di Universitas Islam Riau
Authors: Gunawan Hendra
Published: August 2018

Pendaftaran mahasiswa baru merupakan proses administrasi yang terjadi disetiap perguruan tinggi. Proses pendaftaran calon mahasiswa di Universitas Islam Riau dilakukan dengan cara pengisian kertas formulir oleh calon mahasiswa, kemudian data tersebut diinputkan kembali oleh panitia menggunakan komputer secara offline. Kesalahan penginputan ulang data calon mahasiswa oleh panitia PMB sering terjadi. Oleh karena itu, dibangun sistem yang memanfaatkan teknologi QR Code yang diharapkan mengurangi resiko terjadinya kesalahan entri data dan efisiensi dalam mengurangi spam pada form pendaftaran online.