bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness Analysis of Social Media Ads as A Promotional Media (Case Study: Instagram Taya.Id)
Authors: Tripiawan W , Amani Husni , Wijaya A T
Published: July 2019

Technological development at the moment affected the trend in the global marketing. This development makes the marketers to change marketing strategy them into the internet marketing one of which is taya.id who want to focus on online shop course in the hope of products marketed can penetrate the global market. The sample techniques used to research is purposive sampling on ever buy taya.id products and get information about the product taya.id through account social official media taya.id. In total, 100 respondents were collected as the sample of this research. This research using the EPIC model as a method calculation effectiveness consisting of four namely empathy dimension, persuasion, impact, and communication. The result of this research and examining evidence and proving that the call social media taya.id is considered effective with a value of up 2,752 as to dimensions empathy, the value of 2,742 as to dimensions persuasion, the value of 2,722 as to dimensions impact, and value of 2,895 as to dimensions communication. In overall, this finding concludes that the advertising of Taya.id through Instagram is effective.
Identify the performance of government agencies for city fire prevention and firefight by the balanced scorecard method (journal review )
Authors: Hidayati Juliza , Nisak Khairun
Published: July 2019

Fire prevention and firefighting service is a matter of general concern at this time. The symptoms that occur in each event vary of both natural factors (natural disasters) and non natural factors difficult to predict. Natural factors in the form of lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, drought and so forth. Non-natural factors of human error disasters that used as gas, combustible fuel, short electrical connections, cigarette butts, gas fuel gas, sabotage, lack of fire protection against buildings and others. The required facilities include various functions and fire extinguishers in carrying out their duties including firefighting, air supply and good technological systems both equipment technology and information technology[3]. One of the methods used in the Balanced Scorecard approach. This new approach to strategic management for the first time in detail was introduced in a series of articles and books by Kaplan and Norton (2004)[1] with four perspectives: Finance, customer, internal business processes and Learning and growth. The financial perspective is intertwined with a management perspective with the aim that the vision and mission can be achieved by summarizing all internal and external problems by forming a function group discussion in determining objective strategies and Key Performance Indicators.
Analysis of Value Chain Model on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Case Study of Coffee Shops in Bandung
Authors: Anggadwita G , Profityo W B , Permatasari A , Alamanda D T , Hasfie M
Published: July 2019

Indonesia is one of countries as the best quality coffee producers in the world. Indonesia’s geographical location is ideal for coffee growth and production, resulting in the diversity of coffee products with distinctive tastes. This led to the development of coffee shop business in Indonesia, especially in Bandung. Coffee business thrives in Indonesia and develops into a business with a scale of SMEs. This study aims to analyze the value chain model in coffee shop business in Bandung by mapping the input-output relationship, and identifying strength factors along the value chain. The research method used qualitative method with case study approach. The informant was determined by purposive sampling technique. Triangulation analysis is conducted to get more accurate and deep of data analysis. The results showed that the main activities and supporters in the coffee shop value chain in Bandung involve four main actors, namely local coffee farmers, coffee traders, processing industries, and coffee shops. This study contributes a similar trend to be observed in other coffee shop business value chains.
Usability Evaluation for User Interface Redesign of Financial Technology Application
Authors: Nugraha A P , Rolando  , Puspasari M A , Syaifullah D H
Published: July 2019

KoinWorks is one of financial technology in Indonesia that running its businesses with online peer to peer lending model based on mobile application. The number of KoinWorks mobile application users is increasing however there are still some obstacles along the way. Canceled order rates of KoinWorks are still quite high. In 2017, there are only 7,5% of the total users who actually did the transaction. In addition, the result of a preliminary study conducted on 114 respondents shows that nearly 75% of the users find it difficult to use the application. This study aims to evaluate the usability of KoinWorks mobile application, to analyze the existing usability problem, and to achieve a better usability interface design. Usability is measured using both quantitative and qualitative measurements. The quantitative measurement comprises user performance metrics such as task success, time on task and error that measure effectiveness and efficiency of the mobile application as well as saccade on eye tracking. The qualitative measurements include the System Usability Scale questionnaire (SUS), Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction (QUIS) and Retrospective Think Aloud (RTA). This study shows that KoinWorks mobile application has a poor performance and usability. Interface redesign was proposed and resulted in a better performance and usability.
Utilization of overcured natural rubber latex compound in modified concrete manufacturing
Authors: Harahap H , Nasution H , Haryanto D , Wijaya J
Published: July 2019

Overcured natural rubber latex compound has always become a waste and should be discarded, which is a problem to the environment. Thus, the latex compound waste is used as an alternative material in modifying concrete product. Latex waste is mixed with other materials, such as cement, fine aggregate, hard aggregate, and water. Series of modified concrete is made with variation of the composition of latex waste by 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of the weight of the cement used. The concrete mixture is then poured into a cylindrical mold with dimensions of 15x30 cm (in accordance with ASTM C39 standards) and cured for period of 28 days. The products of modified concrete have been tested with according standards and the results show that the addition of overcured natural rubber latex compound can reduce the concrete density, reduce its absorption ability and increase the mechanical strength of concrete.
The concrete frame strength test is filled with brick against horizontal loads with several types of column beam joints and several types of brick wall connection frames
Authors: Tarigan J , Sitorus T , Hani S
Published: July 2019

Damages occurred in brick walls in a simple structure because of an earthquake show that walls also withstand the load. The damages may occur due to a lack of quality in the materials and the joint between each element of the wall. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the connections between the wall elements in order to investigate the strength of the walls with ductile and non-ductile connections and its crack behavior. The connection investigated in this study was the connection between the brick wall and beam, the brick wall and column, also the beam and column. The ductile wall connections were built according to the SNI brick walls, and anchors were put on the wall-to-beam and wall-to-column connection. The brick walls were then given load in a horizontal direction. Based on the results, the ductile walls with anchor had the greatest strength with 2.204 kg whereas the ductile walls without anchor had lower strength with 1.929 kg. On the other hand, the strength of the non-ductile walls was 1.653 kg. In conclusion, the absence of anchors that bind the wall-to-column and wall-to-beam reduced the strength by 12.5% whereas the use of non-ductile connections reduced the strength by up to 25%.
Effect of Acidification Mole Ratio And Solvent Volume Ratio of Glycerol Purification
Authors: Sinaga M S , Ramadhan M R , Rico G , Sitompul W G T
Published: July 2019

Glycerol is the side product in producing biodiesel. Biodiesel consists of 10% glycerol in average. Methanol, water, soap, salt, catalyst, and matter organic non glycerol (MONG) are found in glycerol as impurities. These impurities effects the concentration of glycerol significantly. Therefore, some treatments are needed to eliminate the impurities. This research is done to find out the effect of acidification mole ratio and solvent volume ratio to the process of purifying glycerol using phosphoric acid in acidification at pretreatment process. This research was started by adding acid to the glycerol to neutralize the alkaline catalyst which was used to break the soap formed become salt and free fatty acid which can be removed from the glycerol easily. Ethylene glycol was used in extraction with 1:0,5; 1:1 and 1:1,5 volume ratio (v/v) and 1:0,1; 1:0,3 and 1:0,5 acidification mole ratio. The MONG contained in the purified glycerol was analyzed with the standard of ISO 2098-1972. The results obtained was the more the volume of solvent used, the less the extraction time needed to gain glycerol with high purity. The highest purity obtained in this research was 92,0382% with 60 minutes of extraction time and 1:1 ratio solvent volume ratio (v/v).
Production Rate Improvement for Assembly Line in Sheet Metal Stamping Industry
Authors: Othman N L A , Zain N A M , Ibrahim D , Yaacob Y
Published: July 2019

In today’s manufacturing industry, there is an increased focus to produce the right product at right time. This project is to study the process flow of Philips Fluorescents Lamp assembly line in sheet metal stamping company based on lines concept and factors influencing the production lines efficiency by analyzing the problem occurred in the process. The manual and automatic assembly has been analyzed for its influence on the assembly line. The transformation from manual to the automated assembly where the manual screwing and packing processes replaced by automated machines is studied. During factory visit, the average cycle time for manual and automated assembly process was taken in order to analyze it. The number of output of Fluorescents Lamp before and after the transformation was studied. Data collected used to simulate the current assembly line process using simulation software, DELMIA Quest. The layout where all process consists of manual assembly and after adding the machines have been designed and analyzed using this software. Based on the current layout analysis, a new layout was proposed in order to get a better process flow. The proposed layout shows an improvement of average production rate of at least 16% from the current assembly line.
An Application of Zoning Designated Policy to Locate the Fresh Fruit Bunch Collectors in the Oil Palm Supply Chain: Southern Thailand Case Study
Authors: Nootim Phonnapha , Kongkaew Wanatchapong , Sirivongpaisal Nikorn , Auckaraaree Kanya
Published: July 2019

This research aims to conduct the zoning designated policy to find the appropriate number of oil palm collector (called ramp), which is the main player to collect and distribute the fresh fruit bunch in upstream of oil palm supply chain. The set covering problem is applied together with the consideration on the distance between ramps. In this paper, the distance on 3 kilometres is implemented on set covering model and it is solved by the premium solver platform in Microsoft Excel. As a result, it showed that the number of appropriate ramps is at 110 ramps, instead of 452 ramps found in present.
Application of Geographic Information Systems for Locating Distribution Center of Latex Pillow Product
Authors: Nutthamon Y , Nikorn S , Sakchai P
Published: July 2019

Nowadays, most of latex pillow products in case study are produced and stored all in 5 warehouses located in southern region of Thailand which causes inconvenience to satisfy the customers’ orders from other regions that is far away from current sites. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to determine the optimal locations and number of distribution centers (DCs) that is one of the important ways to increase the potential to response to the customers’ needs. By applying the geographic information system (GIS) with maximize coverage model in location-allocation problems, the solution was covering as many customers as possible within the services distance of distribution centers, including establishing cost of the distribution centers. The finding of this study found that two optimal distribution centers, Dong Khoi in Phetchabun Province and Nong Sai in Suratthani Province, where cover as 99.99% of demands within the service distance 500 kilometers and there were establishing cost of both is 2.55 million Baht.
GIS-Based Flood Mitigation of Deli River
Authors: Zandiba Siregar P , Perwira Mulia Tarigan A , Irsan Muhammad , Irwandi Hendri
Published: July 2019

Structural actions to reduce floods such as the construction of reservoirs, dikes or dams are considered incapable of fully controlling the floods. Hence, information on flood risks through flood risk map is an obligatory to prevent and minimize losses caused by the floods. Regulation of Minister of Home Affairs no. 33 of 2006 on general guidelines for disaster mitigation states that one of the important things in disaster mitigation is the availability of information and map of disaster prone areas for each type of disaster. This study aimed to determine the potential and risk of flooding in Deli River by integrating software of Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) with Geographic Information System (GIS). The design debit calculation conducted in four periods, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years. There are four districts, Medan Labuhan, Medan Marelan, Medan Deli and Medan Belawan, discovered as flood-prone areas. 14 sub-districts from four districts are potentially impacted by floods, namely Kota Bangun, Titi Papan, Tanah Enam Ratus, Rengas Pulau, Paya Pasir, Labuhan Deli, Besar, Martubung, Sei Mati, Pekan Labuhan, Nelayan Indah, Belawan Pulau Sicanang, Belawan Bahagia, and Belawan Bahari. Four evacuation points and 14 alternative paths also obtained based on the flood mapping.
Finite Element Method Analysis for Manufacturing Design Drum Dryer of Rotary Dryer Machine
Authors: Hendra  , Syukriah  , Silalahi M. , Indriani A. , Hernadewita  , Hermiyetti
Published: July 2019

Component rotary dryer machine has been made by forming and casting process such as drum dryer. Forming process of drum dryer by rolling, welding and finishing. Using the casting process for product of drum dryer is important to know design shape, material and dimension. Before manufacturing process of drum dryer, design drum dryer can be made by using finite element method (FEM) analyse. FEM can solve the problem of design drum easily and cheaper. In this paper focus on the design of drum dryer by using FEM analyse. The value of maximum stress is obtained by variant shape, thickness and material. Steel and stainless steel is applied for material drum. The result shows that maximum stress of drum dryer is 244 MPa for 5 mm thickness and steel material and 267 MPa for 10 mm of thickness. For stainless steel, maximum stress at drum dryer is 167 MPa for thickness 5 mm and 182 MPa for thickness 10 mm. Material drum dryer for rotary dryer machine to liquid waste processing is suitable made by stainless steel.
Typology of livable waterfront settlement and how to manage the community.
Authors: Aulia Dwira Nirfalini , Marpaung Beny O Y , Zahrah Wahyuni
Published: July 2019

Population growth will lead to the change in the city. The process of change and growth in the city will determine the level and size of the city, including Indonesia. The various processes of urban change show the value of global pressure on the local context in an effort to understand the complexity of the city changing forms. Research on waterfront settlements that have been carried out revolves around the characteristics and strategies of planning the sustainable settlement by studying the process of its formation toward sustainable settlements. The purpose of this literature research is to identify the typology of waterfront settlements and to find a livable waterfront settlement management strategy. The literature study was carried out related to the growth and development of the waterfront city, the phenomenon of waterfront settlement in Indonesia, and a comparative study of waterfront settlement management which became the best practice in developing waterfront settlement management strategies in Indonesia. The results of the literature study show that the transformation of the waterfront settlements causes a change in the character of the place. So we need innovations in the concept of waterfront settlement management that can be implemented in Indonesia.
Business Process Re-engineering in a Sugar Mill Manufacture: The Preliminary Study for Designing a Portable Machine
Authors: Immawan T. , Shafira N.P. , Cahyo W.N.
Published: July 2019

Business process re-engineering is implemented in this research to provide a new business process in a sugar milling industry in Indonesia. The main reason for this research is inability of the local product to compete with the import one, especially on the price. The price of the local sugar is 25% to 50% higher because of high production cost. Value Stream Map is used in this research to identify the non-value added activities so that its contribution to the total cost can be calculated. The result shows that there are ten activities from five different stations which do not have added value in the process from harvesting to thick syrup product. The cost for those activities contributes to about 34% or IDR 269,574,280 to the total production cost. A new business process is proposed as the result of the business process re-engineering. It is proposed that the new process requires a new technology which is a portable machining system. The result of this new proposed business process is expected to reduce the production cost from IDR 6,500 per kilogram to IDR 2,000 per kilogram.
Deskriftive analysis of oil palm agroindustry development of Special Economic Zone of Sei Mangkei as a new city in Indonesia
Authors: Sinurat Anggiat , Sihombing Marlon , Tarmizi H B , Muluk Chairul
Published: July 2019

This study aims to find out and analyze descriptively the business activities of oil palm agroindustry development Sei Mangkei SEZ as an industrial area into a new city in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province-Indonesia. The article is part of the outors dissertation in the study in the Regional Planning. The research method used is Input-Output analysis and descriptive analysis of Indonesian regulations and policies. The Government of Indonesia has poured an initial investment of 2.7 trillion IDR to develop the Sei Mangkei SEZ infrastructure, plus state-owned enterprises and private investment, has amount 5.10 trillion IDR for year ended 2017. Does the impact of infrastructure development on the agroindustry Sei Mangkei SEZ make it a new city?. The results of the study conclude that Sei Mangkei SEZ oil palm agroindustry was developed through a public policy by forming an area in the form of a new city with the construction of facilities and infrastructure to produce spatial economic growth that affects each other in an economic system. Industrial sector as secondary operating in Sei Mangkei SEZ experienced an increase in the linkage function and a large interaction with the sector internally and the overall economic system in the interegional region. That the amount of investment used to build facilities and infrastructure in the region can improve the function of the region as a new city in Indonesia North Sumatra Province by the development of infrastructure, facilities of a high value of degree of sensitivity effect as push factor and pull factor as spread effect index.
Phase transformation and microstructure evolution study in various alloy systems: An insight
Authors: Jagadeesh Babu S M. , Kataraki Pramod S. , Narayanaswamy K S.
Published: July 2019

Phase transformations occurring in various metals like steel, titanium and super alloysis integrated and presented in this paper. In steels, the microalloying with Nb and Nb-Mo decrease in transformation temperature indicates the acceleration of transformation kineticsin turn which affect the microstructure and continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram. Incase of titanium alloys, the thermohydrogen treatment (THT) uses hydrogen as temporary alloying element which facilitatethe alloys to be processed at lower stresses and/or temperatures. Thermomechanical processing sschedules are designed baseds ons the β transus temperature to produce a variety of novel microstructures. In the case of crystalline materials, plastic deformations assisted by dislocations and the concentration of dislocation increases with increasing plastic strainthus becoming a precursor of twinning.Stress-strain curves for different alloys suggested the microstructural changes account for deformation induced twinning and martensite transformation.
Preheat Treatment on the Tungsten Carbide Hardfacing: Microstructure Analysis
Authors: Nagentrau M. , Tobi A.L.Mohd , Omar A. S. , Ismail M. I.
Published: July 2019

Present study reports the base material preheat treatment effect on microstructure of tungsten carbide (WC) hardfaced carbon steel digester blade which identified as CD blade. Carbon steel blade is located in a digester tank to mix sulphuric acid with ilmenite ore for the process of production. WC hardfacing is deposited on the surface of carbon steel blade to promote its wear resistance as the carbon steel blade is exposed to an abrasive and acidic condition. The influence of base material preheat treatment on microstructure, coating hardness, and elemental composition are the focal point of this work. The effect of base material preheat on hardness value and microstructure of WC hardfacing coating are investigated using hardness test (micro-Vickers) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively. The base material preheat initiates larger carbide growth in entire coating region and smaller carbide growth in non-carbide region caused by sufficient heat energy. Thus, hardness value of the coating is increased due to uniform distribution of carbides in coating region.
Healthcare and Hunger: Effects of the ACA Medicaid Expansions on Food Insecurity in America
Authors: Moellman Nicholas
Published: July 2019

I analyze the impact of the ACA Medicaid expansions on food hardship in US households. Utilizing cross‐state, over time variation in Medicaid expansion, I find the ACA expansions reduced the probability a low‐income household is low food secure by between 2.3 and 3.9 percentage points, is very low food secure by between 2.7 and 4.6 percentage points, and is food insecure by 6.5 percentage points. The results are robust to a variety of definitions of food hardship, model specifications, and definitions of Medicaid expansion.
Clinical Course, Management, and Outcomes of Pediatric Takayasu Arteritis Initially Presenting With Hypertension: A 16-year overview
Authors: Fan Luyun , Zhang Huimin , Cai Jun , Yang Lirui , Wei Dongmei , Yu Jiachen , Fan Jiali , Song Lei , Ma Wenjun , Lou Ying
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical features, management, and outcomes of childhood Takayasu arteritis (c-TA) initially presenting with hypertension.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 96 inpatient c-TA cases from January 2002 to December 2016, with 5 additional patients being prospectively recruited from January 2017 to December 2017. Data were compared between c-TA groups initially presenting with and without hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) control, event-free survival, and associated risk factors were assessed by logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier survival curve, and COX regression models.

RESULTS

The hypertensive cohort (N = 71, 28.2% males) as compared with non-hypertensive cohort had significantly fewer active diseases; fewer episodes of claudication, syncope, blurred vision, and myocardial ischemia; and fewer systemic symptoms (P < 0.05). The hypertensive group presented with more localized abdominal lesions (OR = 14.4, P = 0.001) and limited supradiaphragmatic arterial involvement. Renovascular disease (P = 0.001) and revascularization (P = 0.006) were associated with hypertension. At the median 3-year follow-up, 53% of hypertensive patients achieved BP control and 39% experienced events including vascular complications, flares, or death. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year event-free survival were 78.7% (95% CI: 65.7%–87.2%), 63.0% (95% CI: 48.1%–74.7%), 48.9% (95% CI: 32.0%–63.8%), and 31.6% (95% CI: 13.8%–51.2%), higher than in non-hypertensive group (P = 0.014). Heart failure, stroke, and body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 were prognostic factors for events. Intervention and baseline systolic BP were independent factors for BP control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of c-TA has hypertension, presenting with a more quiescent disease without typical systemic and/or ischemia symptoms, more localized abdominal lesions, higher proportion of revascularizations and better event-free survival. Three-year BP control is more than 50%. Intervention particularly on renal artery is beneficial for BP control and decreased events.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Number: NCT03199183
Artificial intelligence-based multi-objective optimization protocol for protein structure refinement
Authors: Wang Di , Geng Ling , Zhao Yu-Jun , Yang Yang , Huang Yan , Zhang Yang , Shen Hong-Bin
Published: July 2019

Motivation

Protein structure refinement is an important step of protein structure prediction. Existing approaches have generally used a single scoring function combined with Monte Carlo method or Molecular Dynamics algorithm. The one-dimension optimization of a single energy function may take the structure too far away without a constraint. The basic motivation of our study is to reduce the bias problem caused by minimizing only a single energy function due to the very diversity of different protein structures.

Results

We report a new Artificial Intelligence-based protein structure Refinement method called AIR. Its fundamental idea is to use multiple energy functions as multi-objectives in an effort to correct the potential inaccuracy from a single function. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm-based structure refinement is designed, where each structure is considered as a particle in the protocol. With the refinement iterations, the particles move around. The quality of particles in each iteration is evaluated by three energy functions, and the non-dominated particles are put into a set called Pareto set. After enough iteration times, particles from the Pareto set are screened and part of the top solutions are outputted as the final refined structures. The multi-objective energy function optimization strategy designed in the AIR protocol provides a different constraint view of the structure, by extending the one-dimension optimization to a new three-dimension space optimization driven by the multi-objective particle swarm optimization engine. Experimental results on CASP11, CASP12 refinement targets and blind tests in CASP 13 turn to be promising.

Availability and implementation

The AIR is available online at: www.csbio.sjtu.edu.cn/bioinf/AIR/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Interspecific gene flow and an intermediate molecular profile of Dyckia julianae (Bromeliaceae), an endemic species from southern Brazil
Authors: Hirsch Luiza D , Zanella Camila M , Aguiar-Melo Camila , Costa Laís M S , Bered Fernanda
Published: June 2019

When related species are distributed in sympatric populations, hybridization may occur. Likewise, one or more of these species may have arisen through historical hybridization between taxa. Here, we aim to elucidate the occurrence of hybridization among three Dyckia spp. (Bromeliaceae) from southern Brazil. We used seven nuclear and six plastid microsatellite loci to assess patterns of genetic diversity, population structure and hybridization in the three species. Furthermore, we performed manual crosses between species to test compatibility and fertility. The results showed that Dyckia julianae has an intermediate molecular profile, low gene flow occurs between Dyckia hebdingii and Dyckia choristaminea and higher gene flow occurs between D. julianae and the other two species. Plastid microsatellites identified 12 haplotypes that are shared among the species. The manual crosses between D. julianae and the other two species produced viable seeds, but no crosses between D. hebdingii and D. choristaminea generated fruits. Our data suggest that the reproductive barrier between D. julianae and the other two species is permeable. Further investigation into the hybrid origin hypothesis of D. julianae should be undertaken, as well as the mechanisms involved in reproductive isolation between D. hebdingii and D. choristaminea.
Gift-giving as a Source of International Authority
Authors: Kustermans Jorg
Published: July 2019

This article discusses the diplomatic practice of gift-giving in the Ancient Near East and Early Modern East Asia. In both cases, gift-exchange served to consolidate the dominant polity’s international authority. The causal relation between gift-giving and authority is typically rendered in terms of generosity inspiring gratitude, but a different mechanism connects diplomatic gift-giving and the consolidation of international authority. Diplomatic gift-giving is a ceremonial form of gift-exchange and it as a ritual practice helps maintain international authority. By means of ritualization, diplomatic gift-exchange renders international authority palatable. Ritualization enables both dominant and subordinate actors to come to terms with the ambiguity of the experience of authority. Subordinate actors are at once entranced and frightened by the authority of the dominant actor. The dominant actor feels both pride and insecurity. By defining an identity as participants in a shared ritual, by orchestrating their demeanor during ritual, and by identifying an external source of the dominant actor’s authority, diplomatic gift-giving contributes to the maintenance of international authority. The ambiguity of the experience of authority is probably irreducible. It is therefore to be expected that any case of ‘international authority’ will feature the performance of similar ritualizing practices.
Can community-based signalling behaviour in Saccharomyces cerevisiae be called quorum sensing? A critical review of the literature
Authors: Winters Michela , Arneborg Nils , Appels Rudi , Howell Kate
Published: July 2019

Quorum sensing is a well-described mechanism of intercellular signalling among bacteria, which involves cell-density-dependent chemical signal molecules. The concentration of these quorum-sensing molecules increases in proportion to cell density until a threshold value is exceeded, which triggers a community-wide response. In this review, we propose that intercellular signalling mechanisms can be associated with a corresponding ecological interaction type based on similarities between how the interaction affects the signal receiver and producer. Thus, we do not confine quorum sensing, a specific form of intercellular signalling, to only cooperative behaviours. Instead, we define it as cell-density-dependent responses that occur at a critical concentration of signal molecules and through a specific signalling pathway. For fungal species, the medically important yeast Candida albicans has a well-described quorum sensing system, while this system is not well described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is involved in food and beverage fermentations. The more precise definition for quorum sensing proposed in this review is based on the studies suggesting that S. cerevisiae may undergo intercellular signalling through quorum sensing. Through this lens, we conclude that there is a lack of evidence to support a specific signalling mechanism and a critical signal concentration of these behaviours in S. cerevisiae, and, thus, these features require further investigation.
The Influence of Oral Health Factors on the Quality of Life in Older People: A Systematic Review
Authors: van de Rijt Liza J M , Stoop Celine C , Weijenberg Roxane A F , de Vries Ralph , Feast Alexandra R , Sampson Elizabeth L , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

The number of people aged 65 years or older is growing substantially. As a result of increased health burden and tooth retention, more oral health problems are expected in this age group. A poor oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) can compromise a person’s psychological state, social relationships, personal beliefs, and physical health. The aim of this systematic review was to identify oral health factors associated with OHQoL in people aged 65 years or older and to give a comprehensive overview of the body of literature for each oral health factor separately.

Research Design and Methods

A comprehensive search was performed in five databases. The following terms were used as index terms or free-text words: “Oral Health,” “Quality of Life,” “Older People.” Two researchers independently assessed studies for eligibility based on predefined criteria.

Results

Of 3,702 references retrieved from the databases, 68 studies were eligible and included (9 randomized clinical trials, 6 cohort studies, and 53 cross-sectional studies). All results were reported descriptively. OHQoL in people aged 65 years or older is positively associated with higher number of teeth, higher number of occluding pairs, implant-retained overdentures, and the shortened dental arch concept and negatively associated with xerostomia, orofacial pain, and poor chewing ability. In the current literature, there is no consensus on the association between edentulism, caries, and periodontal conditions and OHQoL.

Discussion and Implications

Having a functional dentition (either natural or prosthetic) is important for a good OHQoL, whereas painful or functional complaints are associated with impaired OHQoL.
Processing harmonic EM noise with multiple or unstable frequency content in surface NMR surveys
Authors: Kremer Thomas , Juul Larsen Jakob , Nguyen Frédéric
Published: July 2019

The harmonic electromagnetic noise produced by anthropic electrical structures is a critical component of the global noise affecting geophysical signals and increasing data uncertainty. It is composed of a series of harmonic signals whose frequencies are multiple integers of the fundamental frequency specific to the electrical noise source. To date, most model-based noise removal strategies assume that the fundamental frequency constraining the harmonic noise is single and constant over the duration of the geophysical record. In this paper, we demonstrate that classical harmonic processing methods lose efficacy when these assumptions are not valid. We present several surface nuclear magnetic resonance field data sets, which testify the increasing probability of recording the harmonic noise with such multiple or unstable frequency content. For each case (multiple frequencies or unstable frequency) we propose new processing strategies, namely, the 2-D grid-search and the segmentation approach, respectively, which efficiently manage to remove the harmonic noise in these difficult conditions. In the process, we also apply a fast frequency estimator called the Nyman, Gaiser and Saucier estimation method, which shows equivalent performance as classical estimators while allowing a reduction of the computing time by a factor of 2.5.
Association between depression risk and polycystic ovarian syndrome in young women: a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study (1998–2013)
Authors: Harnod Tomor , Chen Weishan , Wang Jen-Hung , Lin Shinn-Zong , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: July 2019

STUDY QUESTION

Is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women associated with the increasing incidence of depression in an East Asian population?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Younger PCOS patients (aged 15–29 years), but not middle-aged patients, have an increased risk of depression in Taiwan.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

During reproductive age, 6–10% of women have PCOS. Among them, ~40% experience depression, mostly at young ages.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study analysing depression risk in Taiwanese women using data from a nationwide database containing 1998–2013 data of nearly 1 million people.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We included 15- to 50-year-old women newly diagnosed with PCOS during 1998–2013 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database as the PCOS cohort (n = 7684) and then randomly matched them 4 : 1 by sex, age and index year with women without PCOS as the comparison cohort (n = 30 736). We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to determine the association between PCOS and depression risk [hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI)].

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The incidence of depression was higher in the PCOS group than in the comparison group (6.67 vs. 4.82 per 1000 person-years; adjusted HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.12–1.46). PCOS patients aged 15–29 years had a significantly higher depression risk (adjusted HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.18–1.65); no such significant association was noted among patients aged 30–39 years and 40–50 years.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

A history of malignancy, which may increase depression, could not be obtained for our study patients. Moreover, we could not obtain a family history of depression, a relevant risk factor for depression. Finally, the database has no records of body mass index, which may influence depression outcome.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

In Taiwan, younger PCOS patients (15–29 years), but not the middle-aged patients, have an increased risk of depression. Our findings provide vital information to patients, clinicians, the Taiwan Government and other developing Asian countries to improve the PCOS treatment strategies in the future. Routine screening for depression in PCOS patients may be implemented into the health practice.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was supported in part by the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial Center (MOHW108-TDU-B-212-133 004), China Medical University Hospital, Academia Sinica Stroke Biosignature Project (BM10701010021), MOST Clinical Trial Consortium for Stroke (MOST 107-2321-B-039 -004-), Tseng-Lien Lin Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan and Katsuzo and Kiyo Aoshima Memorial Funds, Japan. No competing interest existed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.
Is valve-sparing root replacement a safe option in acute type A aortic dissection? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Jinlin , Huang Yan , Qiu Juntao , Saeed Bilal , Yu Cuntao
Published: July 2019

OBJECTIVES

There are conflicting views regarding the status of valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) as a proper treatment for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). Our goal was to compare the early and late outcomes of VSRR versus those of the Bentall procedure in patients with AAAD.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies to compare the outcomes of VSRR with those of the Bentall procedure in patients with AAAD. We focused on the following issues: early and late mortality rates, re-exploration, thromboembolization/bleeding events, infective endocarditis and reintervention rates.

RESULTS

A total of 706 patients with AAAD who underwent aortic root surgery were analysed; 254 patients were treated with VSRR and 452 with the Bentall procedure. VSRR was associated with a reduced risk of early death [odds ratio (OR) 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21–0.57] and late death (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21–0.57) compared with the Bentall procedure. No statistically significant difference was observed between the VSRR and Bentall groups with pooled ORs (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.47–1.27, OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.32–1.18 and OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.23–2.15) for re-exploration, thromboembolization/bleeding and postoperative infective endocarditis, respectively. An increased risk of reintervention was observed for the VSRR compared to the Bentall group (OR 3.79; 95% CI 1.27–11.30). The pooled rate of reintervention incidence was 1.6% (95% CI 0.0–3.7%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0.0–1.3%) for the VSRR and the Bentall groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

VSRR in patients with AAAD can be performed in experienced centres with excellent short- and long-term outcomes compared to those with the Bentall procedure and thus should be recommended especially for active young patients.
Antibiotic-loaded ceramic sternum for sternal replacement in a patient with deep sternal wound infection
Authors: Tricard Jeremy , Chermat Anaëlle , Denes Eric , Bertin François
Published: July 2019

A 68-year-old man presented with destruction of his sternum after cardiac surgery. Classical management with multiple debridements, vacuum dressings and antibiotics failed. A replacement of his sternum was performed using an antibiotic-loaded porous alumina ceramic sternum. Despite the infected wound, the ceramic sternum did not get infected due to the high antibiotic concentration obtained locally. Two years after the surgery, no relapse occurred and the pulmonary function tests improved.
Folkmun.se: A Study of a User-Generated Dictionary of Swedish
Authors: Sköldberg Emma , Wenner Lena
Published: June 2019

This study examines the Swedish user-generated web dictionary Folkmun.se, encompassing roughly 5,000 entries. Initially a general overview of the website is presented, followed by an analysis of how the content of Folkmun.se has developed, with particular focus on 190 usernames. The contributors can be grouped together based on two distinct factors: 1) by number of contributions, and 2) by the kind of words they prefer to submit. One conclusion of this study is that a great majority of contributors only publish one or two entries. This entails that a large number of users have contributed to the dictionary. Furthermore, a majority chooses to focus on dialect words or slang words. Many of these entries are not represented in traditional Swedish dictionaries. The advantages of having people of different backgrounds and skills working with word collections are obvious, and their work is an important, albeit often neglected, contribution to general linguistics.
Eigenfunctions with Infinitely Many Isolated Critical Points
Authors: Buhovsky Lev , Logunov Alexander , Sodin Mikhail
Published: June 2019

We construct a Riemannian metric on the 2D torus, such that for infinitely many eigenvalues of the Laplace–Beltrami operator, a corresponding eigenfunction has infinitely many isolated critical points. A minor modification of our construction implies that each of these eigenfunctions has a level set with infinitely many connected components (i.e., a linear combination of two eigenfunctions may have infinitely many nodal domains).
Guidance for Studies Evaluating the Accuracy of Sputum-Based Tests to Diagnose Tuberculosis
Authors: Schumacher Samuel G , Wells William A , Nicol Mark P , Steingart Karen R , Theron Grant , Dorman Susan E , Pai Madhukar , Churchyard Gavin , Scott Lesley , Stevens Wendy , Nabeta Pamela , Alland David , Weyer Karin , Denkinger Claudia M , Gilpin Christopher
Published: July 2019

Tests that can replace sputum smear microscopy have been identified as a top priority diagnostic need for tuberculosis by the World Health Organization. High-quality evidence on diagnostic accuracy for tests that may meet this need is an essential requirement to inform decisions about policy and scale-up. However, test accuracy studies are often of low and inconsistent quality and poorly reported, leading to uncertainty about true test performance. Here we provide guidance for the design of diagnostic test accuracy studies of sputum smear-replacement tests. Such studies should have a cross-sectional or cohort design, enrolling either a consecutive series or a random sample of patients who require evaluation for tuberculosis. Adults with respiratory symptoms are the target population. The reference standard should at a minimum be a single, automated, liquid culture, but additional cultures, follow-up, clinical case definition, and specific measures to understand discordant results should also be included. Inclusion of smear microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF (or MTB/RIF Ultra) as comparators is critical to allow broader comparability and generalizability of results, because disease spectrum can vary between studies and affects relative test performance. Given the complex nature of sputum (the primary specimen type used for pulmonary TB), careful design and reporting of the specimen flow is essential. Test characteristics other than accuracy (such as feasibility, implementation considerations, and data on impact on patient, population and health systems outcomes) are also important aspects.
Immunogenicity and Safety of an Early Measles Vaccination Schedule at 6 and 12 Months of Age in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)–Unexposed and HIV-Exposed, Uninfected South African Children
Authors: Mutsaerts Eleonora A M L , Nunes Marta C , Bhikha Sutika , Ikulinda Benit T , Boyce Welekazi , Jose Lisa , Koen Anthonet , Moultrie Andrew , Cutland Clare L , Grobbee Diederick E , Klipstein-Grobusch Kerstin , Madhi Shabir A
Published: July 2019

Background

Measles morbidity and mortality rates are greatest in children <12 months old, with increased susceptibility in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–exposed children. We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of an early 2-dose measles vaccine regimen administered at 6 and 12 months of age in South Africa.

Methods

HIV-unexposed (HU) (n = 212) and HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) (n = 71) children received measles vaccination (CAM-70) at 6 and 12 months of age. Measles immunoglobulin G titers were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and 1 month after each vaccine dose.

Results

The majority of children (88.2% HU and 95.8% HEU; P = .04) were seronegative (<150 mIU/mL) to measles at 4.2 months of age. This was particularly evident among infants of mothers born from 1992 onwards (year of public nationwide measles vaccine availability). One month after the first measles vaccine, 42.3% of HU and 46.4% of HEU children were seropositive (≥330 mIU/mL). After the second dose, the proportion seropositive increased to 99.0% in HU and 95.3% in HEU children. Safety profiles were similar between HU and HEU children.

Conclusions

Early 2-dose measles vaccination at 6 and 12 months of age was safe and induced antibody responses in HU and HEU children, which could partly offset the early loss of maternally derived antibodies in infants born to predominantly measles-vaccinated mothers.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03330171
Differences in behavior help to explain lemming coexistence
Authors: Morris Douglas W , Dupuch Angélique , Moses MaryJane , Busniuk Kaylee , Otterman Helen
Published: July 2019

Collared (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) and brown (Lemmus trimucronatus) lemmings coexist in tundra habitats across much of the middle and lower Canadian arctic. Their coexistence, and response to predation risk, appears mediated by behavior. We analyzed field-collected videos of open-field tests to assess potential differences in innate behaviors between the two species. Collared lemmings were less active and exhibited less exploratory behavior than did brown lemmings, which were more active under cover than in the open. Similar behaviors scaling along axes of activity and curiosity were revealed by principal components analysis. Each axis defined different aspects of brown lemming personality, but repeated testing of the same individuals yielded a striking dependence of their behavioral response on open-field treatments. Even so, the differences between species in behavior correlate well with their habitat preferences that resolve competition and govern their coexistence.