bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Dosing Interval on Compliance of Osteoporosis Patients on Bisphosphonate Therapy: Observational Study Using Nationwide Insurance Claims Data
Authors: Lee Hyunil , Lee Sangcheol , Kim Dokyung , Cho Weonmin , Cho Sungtan , Yoon Siyeong , Lee Soonchul
Published: September 2021

Only a few studies are available on the effect of the dosing interval of bisphosphonate on drug compliance. We analyzed the data of patients who were newly prescribed bisphosphonate using a national insurance claims database. Drug compliance was assessed by calculating medication possession ratio (MPR) over a minimum of a 1-year follow-up. This analysis included 281,996 new bisphosphonate users with a mean age of 68.9 years (92% women). The patients were divided into daily, weekly, monthly, 3-monthly, and switch groups (who changed the drug to other dosing intervals). The average MPR was the highest in the switch group (66%), and the longer the dosing interval, the higher the compliance (3-monthly, 56% vs. daily, 37%). “Non-compliant” was defined as an MPR under 80%. Various factors which were possibly associated with “non-compliant” MPR were investigated using multiple regression analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that male patients were more likely to be non-compliant with pharmacotherapy than female patients, with as odds ratio of 1.389. Younger patients had a significantly lower likelihood of being non-compliant than older patients for age 60–69 vs. age 80+. Long dosing intervals were recommended to improve compliance and special attention was given to older and male patients.
The Application of High-Dose Proton Pump Inhibitor Induction Treatment before Dual Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: An Open-Label Random Trial
Authors: Chen Li-Wei , Chang Liang-Che , Hua Chung-Ching , Liu Ching-Jung , Chou Tien-Shin , Lin Chih-Lang , Chien Rong-Nan
Published: September 2021

This was a prospective, randomized, open-label trial. Patients without previous Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy were randomly assigned to either a high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) group or a traditional clarithromycin/amoxicillin triple therapy (CATT) group. In the HDDT group, patients took rabeprazole, 20 mg, four times per day for three days and then dual therapy with rabeprazole, 20 mg, and amoxicillin, 500 mg, four times per day during the patient’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime for 14 days. In the CATT group, patients received conventional triple therapy for 14 days (rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice per day). In the HDDT group, the success rates of H. pylori eradication were 91.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–0.97) by intention-to-treat (ITT) and 94.3% (95% CI: 0.79–0.99) by per-protocol (PP) analysis. In the CATT group, the eradication rates were 77.1% (95% CI: 0.61–0.87) by ITT and 84.3% (95% CI: 0.66–0.94) by PP analysis. The study completion rates were 97.2% (35/36) in the HDDT group. Three-day high-dose rabeprazole induction treatment before dual therapy and a schedule of taking the drug at meal and bed times could achieve an acceptable H. pylori eradication rate (>90%) and good drug compliance.
Application of an Exploratory Knowledge-Discovery Pipeline Based on Machine Learning to Multi-Scale OMICS Data to Characterise Myocardial Injury in a Cohort of Patients with Septic Shock: An Observational Study
Authors: Bollen Pinto Bernardo , Ribas Ripoll Vicent , Subías-Beltrán Paula , Herpain Antoine , Barlassina Cristina , Oliveira Eliandre , Pastorelli Roberta , Braga Daniele , Barcella Matteo , Subirats Laia , Bauzá-Martinez Julia , Odena Antonia , Ferrario Manuela , Baselli Giuseppe , Aletti Federico , Bendjelid Karim ,   on behalf of the Shockomics Consortium
Published: September 2021

Currently, there is no therapy targeting septic cardiomyopathy (SC), a key contributor to organ dysfunction in sepsis. In this study, we used a machine learning (ML) pipeline to explore transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data from patients with septic shock, and prospectively collected measurements of high-sensitive cardiac troponin and echocardiography. The purposes of the study were to suggest an exploratory methodology to identify and characterise the multiOMICs profile of (i) myocardial injury in patients with septic shock, and of (ii) cardiac dysfunction in patients with myocardial injury. The study included 27 adult patients admitted for septic shock. Peripheral blood samples for OMICS analysis and measurements of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hscTnT) were collected at two time points during the ICU stay. A ML-based study was designed and implemented to untangle the relations among the OMICS domains and the aforesaid biomarkers. The resulting ML pipeline consisted of two main experimental phases: recursive feature selection (FS) assessing the stability of biomarkers, and classification to characterise the multiOMICS profile of the target biomarkers. The application of a ML pipeline to circulate OMICS data in patients with septic shock has the potential to predict the risk of myocardial injury and the risk of cardiac dysfunction.
Long-Term Outcome of Mechanical and Biological Prostheses in Patients with Left-Side Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Formica Francesco , Maestri Francesco , Gripshi Florida , Gallingani Alan , Grossi Silvia , Nicolini Francesco
Published: September 2021

Background. Long-term outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) who received either a mechanical (MP) or biological prosthesis (BP) are conflicting. A meta-analysis of observational studies comparing the long-term outcomes of left-side IE with the use of MP versus BP was performed. Methods. Electronic databases from January 2000 to June 2021 were screened. Studies reporting long-term mortality were analyzed. The primary endpoint was long-term overall mortality. Secondary endpoints were in-hospital/.30-day mortality and freedom from both prosthesis reinfection and reintervention. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for survival according to the random effect model. Results. Thirteen retrospective observational studies reporting on 8645 patients (MP: 4688; BP: 4137) were included for comparison. Twelve studies reported data of long-term survival for a total of 8285 patients (MP: 4517; BP: 3768). The pooled analysis revealed that the use of MP was statistically associated with longer benefits compared to BP (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63–0.86; p < 0.0001). The median follow-up time ranged from 1 to 15.3 years. The pooled analysis of five studies reporting data on prosthesis reinfection in 4491 patients (MP: 2433; BP: 2058) did not reveal significant differences (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.30–1.21; p = 0.15). Five studies reported data on prosthesis reintervention in 4401 patients (MP: 2307; BP: 2094). The meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in favor of MP (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.29–0.55; p < 0.0001). Meta-regression reported no effect of male gender (p = 0.09) and age (p = 0.77) on long-term survival. Conclusions. In a meta-analysis of retrospective observational studies comparing the long-term outcome of patients who underwent surgery for left-sided IE, the use of MP compared to BP is associated with a significant longer-term survival and with a reduced incidence of late reoperation. The incidence of late reinfection is comparable between the two prostheses.
Hypogonadism in Adult Males with Prader-Willi Syndrome—Clinical Recommendations Based on a Dutch Cohort Study, Review of the Literature and an International Expert Panel Discussion
Authors: Pellikaan Karlijn , Ben Brahim Yassine , Rosenberg Anna G. W. , Davidse Kirsten , Poitou Christine , Coupaye Muriel , Goldstone Anthony P. , Høybye Charlotte , Markovic Tania P. , Grugni Graziano , Crinò Antonino , Caixàs Assumpta , Eldar-Geva Talia , Hirsch Harry J. , Gross-Tsur Varda , Butler Merlin G. , Miller Jennifer L. , van den Berg Sjoerd A. A. , van der Lely Aart J. , de Graaff Laura C. G.
Published: September 2021

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic syndrome characterized by hyperphagia, intellectual disability, hypotonia and hypothalamic dysfunction. Adults with PWS often have hormone deficiencies, hypogonadism being the most common. Untreated male hypogonadism can aggravate PWS-related health issues including muscle weakness, obesity, osteoporosis, and fatigue. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of male hypogonadism is important. In this article, we share our experience with hypogonadism and its treatment in adult males with PWS and present a review of the literature. In order to report the prevalence and type of hypogonadism, treatment regimen and behavioral issues, we retrospectively collected data on medical interviews, physical examinations, biochemical measurements and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in 57 Dutch men with PWS. Fifty-six (98%) of the patients had either primary, central or combined hypogonadism. Untreated hypogonadism was associated with higher body mass index and lower hemoglobin concentrations. TRT was complicated by behavioral challenges in one third of the patients. Undertreatment was common and normal serum testosterone levels were achieved in only 30% of the patients. Based on the Dutch cohort data, review of the literature and an international expert panel discussion, we provide a practical algorithm for TRT in adult males with PWS in order to prevent undertreatment and related adverse health outcomes.
Complete Purging of Ewing Sarcoma Metastases from Human Ovarian Cortex Tissue Fragments by Inhibiting the mTORC1 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Peek Ronald , Eijkenboom Lotte L. , Braat Didi D. M. , Beerendonk Catharina C. M.
Published: September 2021

Restoration of fertility by autologous transplantation of ovarian cortex tissue in former cancer patients may lead to the reintroduction of malignancy via the graft. Pharmacological ex vivo purging of ovarian cortex fragments prior to autotransplantation may reduce the risk of reseeding the cancer. In this study we have investigated the capacity of Everolimus (EVE), an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway, to eradicate Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) from ovarian tissue by a short-term ex vivo treatment. Exposure of experimentally induced ES tumor foci in ovarian tissue to EVE for 24 h completely eliminated the malignant cells without detrimental effects on follicle morphology, survival or early folliculogenesis. This indicates that effective purging of ovarian cortex tissue from contaminating ES tumor foci is possible by short-term exposure to EVE.
Quality of Life in Electrochemotherapy for Cutaneous and Mucosal Head and Neck Tumors
Authors: Riva Giuseppe , Salonia Laura , Fassone Elisabetta , Sapino Silvia , Piano Fabrizio , Pecorari Giancarlo
Published: September 2021

Background: Primary or recurrent head and neck cancer of skin or mucosa represents a challenge for clinicians and could be debilitating for the patient. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) emerged as a local ablative procedure for cutaneous and mucosal head and neck tumors. The aim of this observational study was the evaluation of quality of life (QoL) after ECT in patients without other surgical or radiation options as curative treatment. Materials and methods: The procedure was performed according the ESOPE (European Standard Operating procedure of Electrochemotherapy) protocol. Twenty-seven patients were evaluated before ECT (T0) and 1 (T1), 3 (T2), and 6 (T3) months after the procedure. QoL was assessed by means of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires. Results: The objective tumor response rate was 48% (11% CR, 37% PR). Bleeding control was achieved in 7/7 patients who experienced bleeding prior to ECT. QoL improvement was observed after the procedure. In particular, global health status and social functioning were higher after ECT (p 0.026 and 0.043), while pain, pain-killers use and appetite loss decreased (p 0.045, 0.025 and 0.002). Conclusion: ECT represents a safe and effective treatment for skin and mucosal head and neck tumors without other curative options. It ensures a good pain and bleeding control without worsening of QoL.
NLRC4 GOF Mutations, a Challenging Diagnosis from Neonatal Age to Adulthood
Authors: Bardet Juliette , Laverdure Noémie , Fusaro Mathieu , Picard Capucine , Garnier Lorna , Viel Sébastien , Collardeau-Frachon Sophie , Guillebon Jean-Marie De , Durieu Isabelle , Casari-Thery Clémence , Mortamet Guillaume , Laurent Audrey , Belot Alexandre
Published: September 2021

The NLRC4 inflammasome is part of the human immune innate system. Its activation leads to the cleavage of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, promoting inflammation. NLRC4 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations have been associated with early-onset recurrent fever, recurrent macrophagic activation syndrome and enterocolitis. Herein, we describe two new patients with NLRC4 mutations. The first case presented with recurrent fever and vasoplegic syndrome, gut symptoms and urticarial rashes initially misdiagnosed as a severe protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. The second case had recurrent macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and shock, suggesting severe infection. We identified two NLRC4 mutations, on exon 4, within the nucleotide-binding protein domain (NBD). After a systematic review of NLRC4 GOF mutations, we highlight the wide spectrum of this disease with a limited genotype–phenotype correlation. Vasoplegic shock was only reported in patients with mutation in the NBD. Diagnosing this new entity combined with gastrointestinal symptoms and vasoplegic shocks is challenging. It mimics severe allergic reaction or sepsis. The plasma IL-18 level and genetic screening are instrumental to make a final diagnosis.
Genomic Analysis of Limosilactobacillus fermentum ATCC 23271, a Potential Probiotic Strain with Anti-Candida Activity
Authors: dos Santos Camilla I. , Campos Carmem D. L. , Nunes-Neto Wallace R. , do Carmo Monique S. , Nogueira Flávio A. B. , Ferreira Rômulo M. , Costa Ennio P. S. , Gonzaga Laoane F. , Araújo Jéssica M. M. , Monteiro Joveliane M. , Monteiro Cinara Regina A. V. , Platner Fernanda S. , Figueiredo Isabella F. S. , Holanda Rodrigo A. , Monteiro Silvio G. , Fernandes Elizabeth S. , Monteiro Andrea S. , Monteiro-Neto Valério
Published: September 2021

Limosilactobacillus fermentum (ATCC 23271) was originally isolated from the human intestine and has displayed antimicrobial activity, primarily against Candida species. Complete genome sequencing and comparative analyses were performed to elucidate the genetic basis underlying its probiotic potential. The ATCC 23271 genome was found to contain 2,193,335 bp, with 2123 protein-coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ATCC 23271 strain shares 941 gene clusters with six other probiotic strains of L. fermentum. Putative genes known to confer probiotic properties have been identified in the genome, including genes related to adhesion, tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts, tolerance to oxidative stress, and metabolism and transport of sugars and other compounds. A search for bacteriocin genes revealed a sequence 48% similar to that of enterolysin A, a protein from Enterococcus faecalis. However, in vitro assays confirmed that the strain has inhibitory activity on the growth of Candida species and also interferes with their adhesion to HeLa cells. In silico analyses demonstrated a high probability of the protein with antimicrobial activity. Our data reveal the genome features of L. fermentum ATCC 23271, which may provide insight into its future use given the functional benefits, especially against Candida infections.
Integrated Molecular Characterization to Reveal the Association between Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Expression and Tumorigenesis in Human Breast Cancers
Authors: Tsang Yuk-Wah , Liao Chi-Hsun , Ke Chiao-Hsu , Tu Chi-Wen , Lin Chen-Si
Published: September 2021

Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) is overexpressed in several tumors and participates in the progression of breast cancer tumorigenesis, including cancer types such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This malignant gene is an enzyme in the kynurenine pathway, which is involved in the carcinogenesis of cancer through immune function manipulation. However, it remains unclear whether the role of the KMO contributes to tumorigenesis and immune functions in human breast cancer. In this study, we found that KMO was highly expressed in different types of tumors, especially in invasive ductal breast carcinoma. In addition, KMO expression was positively correlated with the malignant clinical features of patients with breast cancer, such as TNBC and a nodal-positive status, along with patients with a higher Nottingham prognostic index (NPI). Furthermore, the top ten KMO-correlated genes were the chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines known to be involved in the progression of various cancers, therefore, KMO may facilitate breast cancers via synergistically regulating inflammatory responses in tumors with these hub genes. Taken together, these findings highlight the tumor-promotion role of KMO in breast cancers and suggest that KMO can serve as a biomarker for prognosis prediction in breast cancer patients.
Emerging Minimally Invasive Technologies for the Detection of Skin Cancer
Authors: Jung Joon Min , Cho Ji Young , Lee Woo Jin , Chang Sung Eun , Lee Mi Woo , Won Chong Hyun
Published: September 2021

With the increasing incidence of skin cancer, many noninvasive technologies to detect its presence have been developed. This review focuses on reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), optical coherence tomography (OCT), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), pigmented lesion assay (PLA), and Raman spectroscopy (RS) and discusses the basic principle, clinical applications, advantages, and disadvantages of each technology. RCM provides high cellular resolution and has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of skin cancer. OCT provides lower resolution than RCM, although its evaluable depth is deeper than that of RCM. RCM and OCT may be useful in reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies, evaluating the tumor margin, and monitoring treatment response. HFUS can be mainly used to delineate tumor depths or margins and monitor the treatment response. EIS provides high sensitivity but low specificity for the diagnosis of skin malignancies. PLA, which is based on the genetic information of lesions, is applicable for the detection of melanoma with high sensitivity and moderate-to-high specificity. RS showed high accuracy for the diagnosis of skin cancer, although more clinical studies are required. Advances in these technologies for the diagnosis of skin cancer can lead to the realization of optimized and individualized treatments.
Codifying and Commodifying Nature: Narratives on Forest Property Rights and the Implementation of Tenure Regularization Policies in Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Inguaggiato Carla , Ceddia Michele Graziano , Tschopp Maurice , Christopoulos Dimitris
Published: September 2021

Environmental resource management requires negotiation among state and non-state actors with conflicting goals and different levels of influence. In northwestern Argentina, forest policy implementation is described as weak, due to governance structure and ambiguities in the law. We studied how policy actors’ attitudes and their positions in the forest governance network relate to the implementation of land tenure regularization in a context where land tenure regularization is at the core of struggles over environmental policies. We focused on the Chaco Salteño part of the Gran Chaco ecosystem, one of the world’s major deforestation frontiers. We argue that the presence of weak advocacy coalitions requires an analysis of agency to understand this policy process. Our policy network analysis revealed a lack of clear contrasting factions, due to a core–periphery structure. The core of the network brings together all core beliefs but not all of the most influential actors. Assessing network centrality and reputational influence enabled us to identify actors with exceptional agency. We contribute to the debates on advocacy coalitions and on land tenure by distinguishing between attitudes toward tenure regularization policies and their actual implementation in a context where actors have diverging interests and objectives.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on STEMI Networks in Central Romania
Authors: Hodas Roxana , Benedek Imre , Rat Nora , Kovacs Istvan , Chitu Monica , Benedek Theodora
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on cardiovascular emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a regional network for management of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We report a single center’s experience of patients hospitalized for ACS in a high-volume hub of a STEMI network during the lockdown (in the first pandemic trimester), compared with the same time interval of the previous year and including all consecutive patients referred for an AMI during the second trimester of 2020 (from April to June) or during the same time interval of the previous year, 2019. Results: The absolute number of hospital admissions for AMI decreased by 22.3%, while the non-AMI hospitalizations decreased by 77.14% in Q2-2020 compared to Q2-2019 (210 vs. 48, p < 0.0001). As a consequence, the percentage of AMI cases from the total number of hospital admission increased from 38% to 68% (p < 0.0001), AMI becoming the dominant pathology. In the STEMI group there was a significant reduction of 55% in the absolute number of late STEMI presentations. Functionality of the STEMI network at the hub level did not present a significant alteration with only a minor increase in the door-to-balloon time, from 34 min to 41 min. However, at the level of the network we recorded a lower number of critical cases transferred to the interventional center, with a dramatic reduction of 56.1% in the number of critical STEMI cases arriving in the acute cardiac care unit (17.0% vs. 7.3%, p-0.04 for KILLIP class III, and 21.17% vs. 11.11%, p = 0.08 for resuscitated out of hospital cardiac arrest). Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak did not have a major impact on the interventional center’s functionality, but it limited the capacity of the regional STEMI network to bring the critical patient with complicated STEMI to the cathlab in time during the first months of the lockdown. Even a very well-functioning STEMI network like the one in Central Romania had difficulties bringing the most critical STEMI cases to the cathlab in time.
Inflammation-Related Biomarkers Are Associated with Heart Failure Severity and Poor Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kažukauskienė Ieva , Baltrūnienė Vaida , Rinkūnaitė Ieva , Žurauskas Edvardas , Vitkus Dalius , Maneikienė Vytė Valerija , Ručinskas Kęstutis , Grabauskienė Virginija
Published: September 2021

Inflammation-related biomarkers are associated with clinical outcomes in mixed-etiology chronic heart failure populations. Inflammation-related markers tend to be higher in ischemic than in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NI-DCM) patients, which might impact their prognostic performance in NI-DCM patients. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association of inflammation-related biomarkers with heart failure severity parameters and adverse cardiac events in a pure NI-DCM patient cohort. Fifty-seven patients with NI-DCM underwent endomyocardial biopsy. Biopsies were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for CD3+, CD45ro+, CD68+, CD4+, CD54+, and HLA-DR+ cells. Blood samples were tested for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and adiponectin. During a five-year follow-up, twenty-seven patients experienced at least one composite adverse cardiac event: left ventricle assist device implantation, heart transplantation or death. Interleukin-6, TNF-α and adiponectin correlated with heart failure severity parameters. Patients with higher levels of interleukin-6, TNF-α, adiponectin or hs-CRP, or a higher number of CD3+ or CD45ro+ cells, had lower survival rates. Interleukin-6, adiponectin, and CD45ro+ cells were independently associated with poor clinical outcomes. All patients who had interleukin-6, TNF-α and adiponectin concentrations above the threshold experienced an adverse cardiac event. Therefore, a combination of these cytokines can identify high-risk NI-DCM patients.
Evaluation of the Performance of Bio-Based Rigid Polyurethane Foam with High Amounts of Sunflower Press Cake Particles
Authors: Kairytė Agnė , Członka Sylwia , Boris Renata , Vėjelis Sigitas
Published: September 2021

In the current study, rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) was modified with 10–30 wt.% sunflower press cake (SFP) filler, and its effect on performance characteristics—i.e., rheology, characteristic foaming times, apparent density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength parallel and perpendicular to the foaming directions, tensile strength, and short-term water absorption by partial immersion—was evaluated. Microstructural and statistical analyses were implemented as well. During the study, it was determined that 10–20 wt.% SFP filler showed the greatest positive impact. For instance, the thermal conductivity value improved by 9% and 17%, respectively, while mechanical performance, i.e., compressive strength, increased by 11% and 28% in the perpendicular direction and by 43% and 67% in the parallel direction. Moreover, tensile strength showed 49% and 61% increments, respectively, at 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% SFP filler. Most importantly, SFP filler-modified PUR foams were characterised by two times lower water absorption values and improved microstructures with a reduced average cell size and increased content in closed cells.
Influence of Polypropylene and Steel Fibers on the Performance and Crack Repair of Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Abed Mohammed A. , Fořt Jan , Naoulo Abdulkarim , Essa Amr
Published: September 2021

The research reported in this paper aims to evaluate the epoxy injection technique used to strengthen fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) with high strength. This method is carried out on ruptured concrete specimens to assess the efficiency of the epoxy resin adhesive injection retrofitting technique for strength and stiffness. Five FRSCC mixes were designed and placed using different types (steel and polypropylene) and contents (0%, 0.25%, and 0.45% by volume) of fibers. The fresh and mechanical properties in addition to the microstructure of produced mixes were evaluated to assess the impact of fibers on the behavior of FRSCC. Results showed that the workability of FRSCC is reduced by increasing steel or polypropylene fiber content; however, the rheological characteristics of placed mixes satisfied the European Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete recommendation for fresh concrete. Also, splitting tensile, flexural, and shear strengths were enhanced by increasing fiber content. The simultaneous application of epoxy injection in FRSCC for repairing damaged concrete beams was shown to be highly effective.
On the Structure and Properties of AlMgB14-TiB2 Composites Obtained from SHS Powders by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Nikitin Pavel , Zhukov Ilya , Matveev Aleksey , Sokolov Sergei , Grigoriev Mikhail , Vorozhtsov Alexander
Published: September 2021

AlMgB14-TiB2 composite materials were fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) followed by spark plasma sintering of the obtained SHS products. It was found that, during the SHS, the AlMgB14 phase is formed at a donor (Ti + 2B) to acceptor (Al12Mg17-B) mass ratio of 3:7 and 4:6, respectively. The specimen sintered from the SHS powder with the donor:acceptor mass ratio of 5:5 at a temperature of 1470 °C has a uniform skeletal structure. The average hardness of the obtained specimen is 30.1 GPa.
The Influence of Aeolian Sand on the Anti-Skid Characteristics of Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Pan Jingsheng , Zhao Hua , Wang Yong , Liu Gang
Published: September 2021

The influence of sand accumulation on the skid resistance of asphalt pavement was studied. Many scholars have researched the anti-skid performance of conventional asphalt pavements. However, there is a lack of research on the anti-skid performance of desert roads under the condition of sand accumulation. In this study, AC-13 and AC-16 asphalt mixtures were used. The British Pendulum Number (BPN) under different sand accumulations was measured with a pendulum friction coefficient meter, and the Ames engineering texture scanner was used to obtain different sand accumulations. The texture index of asphalt mixture was used to study the macro and micro texture of asphalt pavement under different amounts of sand accumulation, and the degree of influence of different particle sizes on BPN was obtained through gray correlation analysis. The test results show that the presence of aeolian sand has a significant impact on the macro and micro texture of the asphalt pavement and will cause the anti-skid performance to decrease. Moreover, there is an apparent positive linear correlation between the road surface texture index and BPN. The research results may provide reference and reference for the design and maintenance of desert highways.
Prediction of Crack Initiation Based on Energy Storage Rate during Low-Cycle Fatigue of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Grodzki Wojciech , Oliferuk Wiera , Doroszko Michał , Szusta Jarosław , Urbański Leszek
Published: September 2021

The low-cycle deformation of 304L austenitic stainless steel was examined in terms of energy conversion. Specimens were subjected to cyclic loading at the frequency of 2 Hz. The loading process was carried out in a hybrid strain–stress manner. In each cycle, the increase in elongation of the gauge part of the specimen was constant. During experimental procedures, infrared and visible-range images of strain and temperature fields were recorded simultaneously using infrared thermography (IR) and digital image correlation (DIC) systems. On the basis of the obtained test results, the energy storage rate, defined as the ratio of the stored energy increment to the plastic work increment, was calculated and expressed in reference to selected sections of the specimen. It was shown that, before the specimen fracture in a specific area, the energy storage rate is equal to zero (the material loses the ability to store energy), and the energy stored during the deformation process is released and dissipated as heat. Negative and close-to-zero values of the energy storage rate can be used as a plastic instability criterion on the macroscale. Thus, the loss of energy storage ability by a deformed material can be treated as an indicator of fatigue crack initiation.
Composites to Produce a Material with Zero Absolute Thermopower S = 0 or a Thermopower Switch between S = 0 and S ≠ 0
Authors: Sonntag Joachim , Lenoir Bertrand
Published: September 2021

From the theory of two-phase composites it is concluded that in the concentration dependence of the Seebeck coefficient S a kink can occur precisely at S=0 absolute if the two phases have different kinds of carriers, electrons and holes, and if the phase grains are spherical without preferred orientations and arranged in a symmetrical fashion. This feature, indeed found to be realized in amorphous Cr1−xSix thin films deposited by ion beam sputtering from Cr-Si alloy targets, can be applied to make reference standards for S=0 at room temperature and even at higher temperatures. Additionally, it may be used to design a thermopower switch between S=0 and S≠0. It is also concluded that the structure realized in any alloy during solidification does not only depend on the diffusion mobility of the atoms and on the existence of a (relative) minimum in the Gibbs’ free energy. It depends also on the fact whether this structure is compatible with the demand that (spatial) continuity of the entropy and energy flux densities and their gradients is saved during the solidification process.
Analysis of Basic Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Manganese Slag before and after Solidification and Its Feasibility as Highway Slope
Authors: Chen Meng , Wei Jianming , Zhang Runhua , Jia Lipei , Yao Qiqi , Han Anchao
Published: September 2021

Manganese slag is a kind of industrial waste produced by electrolytic production of manganese metal. The traditional method of stacking manganese slag not only causes waste of resources, but also produces environmental pollution. Finding harmless, effective, and economical disposal technology of manganese slag has gradually become a research hotspot and difficulty in the field of electrolytic manganese industry and environmental protection. To verify the feasibility of using manganese slag as roadbed material, the basic physical and chemical properties of manganese slag were analyzed based on X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrum, SEM scanning electron microscope, and particle analysis, the basic engineering characteristics of raw materials of manganese slag and solidified manganese slag mixed with quicklime were analyzed through a compaction test and a CBR test. Finally, based on the Monte Carlo method, the stability of a highway slope in the Guizhou Province of China is simulated by the finite element method, considering the spatial variability of manganese slag material strength parameters. The results show that the solidified manganese slag material can be used as highway subgrade material. This study has important reference significance for manganese slag highway construction projects.
Loading Effect of Chitosan Derivative Nanoparticles on Different Antigens and Their Immunomodulatory Activity on Dendritic Cells
Authors: Xu Chaojie , Xing Ronge , Liu Song , Qin Yukun , Li Kecheng , Yu Huahua , Li Pengcheng
Published: September 2021

Drug carrier nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the polyelectrolyte method, with chitosan sulfate, with different substituents and quaternary ammonium chitosan, including C236-HACC NPs, C36-HACC NPs, and C6-HACC NPs. To evaluate whether the NPs are suitable for loading different antigens, we chose bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin (OVA), and myoglobin (Mb) as model antigens to investigate the encapsulation effect of the NPs. The characteristics (size, potential, and encapsulation efficiency) of the NPs were measured. Moreover, the NPs with higher encapsulation efficiency were selected for the immunological activity research. The results showed that chitosan derivative NPs with different substitution sites had different loading effects on the three antigens, and the encapsulation rate of BSA and OVA was significantly better than that of Mb. Moreover, the NPs encapsulated with different antigens have different immune stimulating abilities to DCS cells, the immune effect of OVA-coated NPs was significantly better than that of BSA-coated NPs and blank NPs, especially C236-HACC-OVA NPs. Furthermore, we found that C236-HACC-OVA NPs could increase the phosphorylation level of intracellular proteins to activate cell pathways. Therefore, C236-HACC NPs are more suitable for the loading of antigens similar to the OVA structure.
Social Media and E-Commerce: A Theoretical Study of Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior of Social Media Buyers
Authors: Chauhan Dr. Kavita , Abbasi Faiz Rehman
Published: September 2021

This research studies the factors that impact the behavior of the consumers of social media buyers. The retail business has changed radically over the most recent two decades, at first with the landing of computer-interface shopping and, more recently, with the emerging of mobile channels and social media stages. It is hard for e-commerce or e-retail companies to identify and influence the variables that drive consumers' attitudes and behavior. Different types of media affect people's conclusions, significantly depending on how much time they spend on such media. Facebook and Twitter are two examples of relatively older types of social media in correlation with newer social media networks, for example, Instagram. Furthermore, people use each type of social media for different purposes and based on their individual preferences.
PENGARUH KUALITAS PRODUK DAN LABEL HALAL TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PRODUK (Study Kasus Pada Mahasiswa IAIN Salatiga)
Authors: Thousani Hifzhan Frima
Published: September 2021

Penelitian ini mempunyai tujuan untuk mengetahui  pengaruh kualitas produk dan label halal terhadap keputusan pembelian kosmetik wardah. Dalam penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dengan cara penyebaran kuisioner. Ukuran sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 100 responden yang merupakan konsumen produk wardah. Penelitian ini menggunakan explanatory research yang menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan uji validitas, uji reabilitas, uji t dan uji F. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keputusan pembelian kosmetik wardah dipengaruhi secara positif signifikan oleh kualitas produk dan label halal. Rekomendasi yang dihasilkan dari penelitian ini adalah perusahaan harus tetap mempertahankan kualitas yang sudah baik dan terus menyempurnakannya untuk menjaga loyalitas konsumen setia produk kosmetik wardah.
PENGARUH KELOMPOK REFERENSI DAN BUDAYA TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN MENJADI ANGGOTA SANGGAR TARI
Authors: Sutiana Elvira Pradipta , Sari Risha Fatikha , Sudrajat Ajat
Published: September 2021

"The Influence of Reference Groups and Culture on the Decision to Become Members of the Dance Studio" under the guidance of Ajat Sudrajat, SE., MM.

The consumer behaviour in making purchasing decisions can be influenced by three factors including internal factors, external factors, and the decision-making process. The study entitled "The Influence of Reference Group and Culture on the Decision to Become a Member of the Dance Studio aims to analyze the influence of X1 and X2 on Y" has a population of 329 people and a sample of 100 people. By using a quantitative approach and descriptive analysis, in the variable X1 the dimension of value expression obtained the highest average score with a percentage of 51.82%, in the X2 variable the highest was the view of 59.50%, in the variable Y the highest was personality at 25.57%. Whereas in the verification analysis, the relationship between X1 and X2 is 0.426 which means that the correlation is moderate. For 5% error the two-tailed test and df = n - 3 = 97 is 1.66071. Because the t statistic> from t table (4.328> 1.66071), Ho is rejected. The significant column number is 0.000 or the probability is far below 0.05. So it means that X1 and X2 partially have a significant effect on Y.From the ANOVA test or F test, it is found that the F count is 19.714 with a significant level indicating a value of 0.000 which means less than 5%, it can be concluded that X1 and X2 are Simultaneously affects Decision Y.

Keywords : Reference Group, Culture, Purchasing Decision
PENGARUH SEKTOR PARIWISATA TERHADAP PENDAPATAN ASLI DAERAH DI EKS KARESIDENAN MADIUN
Authors: Efrintya Elnin , Muchtolifah Muchtolifah , Sishadiyati Sishadiyati
Published: September 2021

Abstract

       Tourism is one of the sector that can increase regional income in the service industry. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the number of hotels, tourist attractions, and tourist visits on local revenue in the Madiun Residency. This study uses panel data with time series data for the 2015-2019 period and  with cross-sectional data for six districts/cities obtained from the BPS website for each district. The type of survey is a quantitative survey using panel data regression analysis processed with the Eviews 10 tool. The results show that simultaneously it is found the number of hotels, the number of tourist destinations, and the number of tourist visits have a significant effect on the local economy with a value of sig 0.0000078 <0.05. Partially, the results show that the number of hotels has a significant effect on local revenue with a value of 0.0056 <0.05 and the number of tourist visits has no significant effect on income native to the area with value 0.2741 > 0.05.
FAKTOR – FAKTOR PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN ORANG TUA DALAM MEMILIH SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS WILAYAH JAKARTA TIMUR
Authors: Elvira Elvira
Published: September 2021

Jasa Sekolah agar berhasil dalam persaingan berusaha menciptakan dan mempertahankan pelanggan dengan mengelola strategi pemasaran yaitu dengan cara word of mouth, lokasi, pengaruh sosial terhadap pengambilan keputusan orang tua dalam memilih SMA. Sekolah Dengan membuat iklan dalam bentuk brosur dan spanduk, kemudian menyebarkannya di tempat-tempat ramai atau pusat kota. Dapat mempengaruhi pengambilan keputusan orang tua dalam memilih SMA. metode penelitian survei, di mana informasi dikumpulkan dari responden menggunakan kuesioner. Jenis data yang dibutuhkan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan data sekunder dengan jumlah sampel 120, uji hipotesis yang digunakan adalah uji T. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa word of mouth mempengaruhi pengambilan keputusan, lokasi mempengaruhi pengambilan keputusan, pengaruh sosial mempengaruhi pengambilan keputusan orang tua dalam memilih SMA. Keterbatasan penelitian ini hanya menggunakan dari mulut ke mulut, lokasi, pengaruh sosial dan variabel pengambilan keputusan
ANALISIS WAKTU TUNGGU PELAYANAN DAN LOKASI USAHA SEBAGAI ANTECEDENT KEPUASAN PELANGGAN PADA RUMAH MAKAN GEMAH RIPAH PURWAKARTA
Authors: Mawardi Amna
Published: September 2021

This  research  was  conducted  to  find  out  what  factors  can  influence consumers  satisfaction.  In  this study  used  two  independent  variables  Waiting Time (X1), and Location (X2), while Customer Satisfaction (Y) as the dependent variable.  After  reviewing  the  literature  and  formulating  hypotheses,  data collection  was carried  out  by  distributing  questionnaires to  97  consumers at Gemah Ripah Purwakarta Restaurant who had carried out the purchase using non probility sampling techniques. For analysis and elaboration of data using SPSS version 21. Then there are several tests performed in analyzing data, such as measuring instruments, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing. Based on the results of the analysis found that the two independent variables have a significant and positive effect on the dependent variable. Waiting time variable has a positive effect of 0.488 with a significance level of 0,000. Location variables  have  a  positive  effect  of  0.566  with  a  significance  level  of  0.000. Adjusted R Square of the three variables is 0.662 or 66.2% which means that the two variables are able to explain the variation in the dependent variable of 66.2 percent with 33.8 percent explained by other variables not used in this study.
ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI VISUAL STORYTELLING MARKETING DAN BRAND TRUST SERTA PENGARUH TERHADAP MINAT BELI KOSMETIK WARDAH PADA MAHASISWA DI PURWAKARTA
Authors: Nurhayati Ade
Published: September 2021

Competition in the beauty market are very competitive, business actors in the cosmetic industry are required to carry out various effective marketing strategies so that buying interest in Wardah cosmetics increases. One of them is by utilizing promotions on social media platforms effectively. This study was conducted to determine what factors influence the interest in buying Wardah cosmetics among female students in Purwakarta. In this study, two independent variables were taken, namely visual storytelling marketing and brand trust and buying interest in Wardah cosmetics as the dependent variable. Primary data collection using cluster sampling technique by distributing questionnaires to 98 respondents, with a quantitative research model with descriptive verification method. The data analysis method used in this study is multiple linear regression with the help of IBM SPSS 22 software. Based on the results of research and tests that have been carried out, it shows that partially visual storytelling marketing and brand trust have a positive and significant effect on buying interest in Wardah products. And all independent variables have a simultaneous effect on buying interest with a value of Fcount 50.7 with a significance level of 0.000 <0.05. And the value of R Square shows the results of 0.581 which means that the entire dependent variable has a simultaneous effect of 58.1%
OPTIMALISASI RUTE DISTRIBUSI MENGGUNAKAN METODE TRAVELING SALESMAN PROBLEM (TSP) UNTUK MEMINIMASI BIAYA DISTRIBUSI
Authors: Zupemungkas Hilmy Oktorio
Published: September 2021

Semakin berkembangnya perusahaan, maka perusahaan akan dihadapkan dengan semakin beragamnya tujuan pendistribusian yang dapat menyebabkan biaya distribusi membesar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui rute distribusi teroptimal agar biaya distribusi yang dikeluarkan perusahaan dapat terminimasi serta untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor distribusi yang mempengaruhi pengefisiensian hasil yang diperoleh di GO Sumber Plastik. Metode traveling salesman problem dengan algoritma Branch and Bound merupakan salah satu metode yang dapat digunakan untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan penentuan rute teroptimal dengan menggunakan software WinQSB. Dalam pelaksanaanya, metode ini akan menentukan rute teroptimal dengan pengunjungan suatu titik tujuan hanya satu kali. Perusahaan memiliki 2 armada dengan jenis bahan bakar yang berbeda (pertalite dan bio solar) yang digunakan untuk 2 trip yang berbeda setiap harinya yakni trip jauh dan trip dekat kecuali hari minggu hanya terdapat 1 trip. Terdapat 2 alternatif pada hasil penelitian yaitu alternatif 1 menghasilkan pengefisiensian sebesar 7% dan alternatif 2 menghasilkan pengefisiensian sebesar 11%. Namun terdapat faktor-faktor distribusi yang dapat mempengaruhi pengefisiensian biaya distribusi. Agar hasil metode TSP dapat berjalan dengan maksimal, peneliti memberikan saran dari pakar eksternal perusahaan yang telah berpengalaman dibidangnya kepada perusahaan dalam mengatasi faktor-faktor tersebut. Adapun faktor-faktor tersebut yaitu luas daerah, sarana prasarana internal, faktor cuaca, faktor kemacetan umum, dan faktor budaya.
PERHITUNGAN KEBIJAKAN INSENTIF PAJAK PENGHASILAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Aditya Gede Ngurah Indra Arya
Published: September 2021

Indonesia has officially declared that the Covid-19 pandemic has been declared a non-natural national disaster. This is stated through the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 12 of 2020. Of course, when facing a pandemic period, taxpayers get the right to benefits because they have overcome the Covid-19 problem through the tax donations given. the government to issue a fiscal stimulus policy in the relaxation of Article 21 Income Tax with certain criteria set out in the Regulation of the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Number 44/PMK.03/2020 concerning Tax Incentives for Taxpayers Affected by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic. Although the government's policy in terms of providing tax incentives has consequences for a decrease in state revenues from the tax sector, this policy can help reduce the domino effect caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on the national economy. This research is to help the general public and in particular individual taxpayers to be able to independently calculate Article 21 income tax, especially to ascertain whether taxpayers can obtain Income Tax Incentives that can help ease the economic burden affected by the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia.