Test Execution Research Articles

Long Neurocognitive and Neuropsychiatric Sequelae in Participants with Post-COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study.

To evaluate and characterize the cognitive changes in COVID-19 participants at 6-month follow-up, and to explore a possible association with clinical symptoms, emotional disturbance and disease severity. This single-center longitudinal cohort study included participants aged 20 and 60 years old to exclude cognitive impairment age-associated with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The initial evaluation occurred 10 to 30 days after hospital or ambulatory discharge, with a subsequent follow-up at 6 months. Patients who had a history of cognitive impairment, neurological conditions, or serious psychiatric disorders were not included. Information on demographics and laboratory results was gathered from medical records. Cognitive outcomes were assessed with a neuropsychological battery including attention, verbal and visual memory, language and executive function tests. A total of 200 participants were included in the study, and 108 completed the follow-up visit. At the 6-month follow-up, comparing the means from baseline with those of the follow-up evaluation, significant overall improvement was observed in verbal and visual memory subtests (p = 0.001), processing speed (p = 0.001), executive function (p = 0.028; p = 0.016) and naming (p = 0.001), independently of disease severity and cognitive complaints. Anxiety and depression were significantly higher in groups with Subjective Cognitive Complaints (SCC) compared to those without (p < 0.01 for both). Persistent symptoms are common regardless of disease severity and are often linked to cognitive complaints. Six months after COVID-19, the most frequently reported symptoms included headache, dyspnea, fatigue, cognitive complaints, anxiety, and depression. No cognitive impairment was found to be associated with the severity of COVID-19. Overall, neuropsychological and psychopathological improvement was observed at 6 months regardless of disease severity and cognitive complaints.

The Computerized Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) Test: Normative Data for School-Aged Children.

The aim of the study was to determine the normative data of the computerized DEM test for school-age children in Latvia. The study analyzed data on the performance (test execution time, duration, number of fixations, and number of errors) of 291 children while completing the computerized DEM test. Eye movement fixations were recorded with a Tobii Pro Fusion video-oculograph (250 Hz). According to the results of the study, the performance of the computerized DEM test is 77 %. For the study, 1 SD (one standard deviation) was chosen as a criterion for determining test norms. In the study, the norms of the computerized DEM test in Latvia were developed in class groups-from 1st to 6th grade (aged 7 to 12 years), the results were summarized in a table as the minimum performance values of the computerized DEM test.

Organizing Graphical User Interface tests from behavior‐driven development as videos to obtain stakeholders' feedback

AbstractDemonstrating software early and responding to feedback is crucial in agile development. However, it is difficult for stakeholders who are not on‐site customers but end users, marketing people, or designers, and so forth to give feedback in an agile development environment. Successful graphical user interface (GUI) test executions can be documented and then demonstrated for feedback. In our new concept, GUI tests from behavior‐driven development (BDD) are recorded, augmented, and demonstrated as videos. A GUI test is divided into several GUI unit tests, which are specified in Gherkin, a semi‐structured natural language. For each GUI unit test, a video is generated during test execution. Test steps specified in Gherkin are traced and highlighted in the video. Stakeholders review these generated videos and provide feedback, for example, on misunderstandings of requirements or on inconsistencies. To evaluate the impact of videos in identifying inconsistencies, we asked 22 participants to identify inconsistencies between (1) given requirements in regular sentences and (2) demonstrated behaviors from videos with Gherkin specifications or from Gherkin specifications alone. Our results show that participants tend to identify more inconsistencies from demonstrated behaviors, which are not in accordance with given requirements. They tend to recognize inconsistencies more easily through videos than through Gherkin specifications alone. The types of inconsistency are threefold: The mentioned feature can be incorrectly implemented, not implemented, or an unspecified new feature. We use a fictitious example showing how this feedback helps a product owner and her team manage requirements. We conclude that GUI test videos can help stakeholders give feedback more effectively. By obtaining early feedback, inconsistencies can be resolved, thus contributing to higher stakeholder satisfaction.

FCTree: Visualization of function calls in execution

Function calls in execution contain rich bivariate, hierarchical, and chronological information. Many visualizations have been adopted to analyze function calls in execution for program testing, vulnerability locating, and malware detection. However, we conducted a pilot study and revealed that existing single-viewed function call visualizations fail to present the bivariate, hierarchical, and chronological information comprehensively. A new function call visualization named FCTree is proposed in this work to deal with this situation. Learned from advantages of existing visualizations and iterative discussions with actual users, FCTree uses a compact and aligned hierarchical layout design to present the bivariate and hierarchical information and adopts a glyph design to present the chronological information. Subjective and objective experiments in the laboratory and a field study in a real-world scenario were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of FCTree.

Cognitive outcome after stereo-electroencephalography-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG)-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) is being used incrementally in the invasive diagnosis of epilepsy. There is currently a lack of information regarding the potential cognitive consequences of the extended use of this technique. This work describes, for the first time, the cognitive outcomes after RFTC in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), evaluated longitudinally and using a control group. Forty-eight adult patients with drug-resistant unilateral TLE (30 RFTC-treated patients and 18 controls) were evaluated using a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol at baseline. In the RFTC group, two follow-up assessments were performed at 3 months and 1 year. The control group was reevaluated after 1 year. Two analyses were performed: 1) group-level analyses, in which linear mixed models were applied according to TLE lateralization (intragroup and intergroup [RFTC vs control] comparisons), and 2) individual-level analyses, in which the Reliable Change Index (RCI) algorithm was developed and a 90% CI (cutoff ± 1.64) was used to describe neuropsychological outcomes at 1 year post-RFTC. A memory subanalysis was performed in hippocampal RFTC patients (25/30). A Spearman coefficient study was conducted to determine the correlation between cognitive change and thermocoagulated contacts. Left- and right-sided TLE patients treated with RFTC showed cognitive preservation at baseline. At a group level, the short-term evaluation, including verbal and visual memory, language, and executive functions, showed preservation in these domains and no significant differences compared with baseline. In the long-term follow-up assessment (1 year after RFTC), no significant intragroup changes were found, nor were significant changes found in comparison with the control group. The RCI algorithm showed that significant individual cognitive losses and gains were infrequent. Three patients presented with naming deficits, only 1 (3.3%) of whom showed a clinically significant deficit. Significant gains were more prevalent in executive function tests with a speed component (4/20 left-sided RFTC patients). Twenty-five of the 30 (83%) patients were treated with hippocampal RFTC. No patients experienced significant loss in verbal delayed memory in the left-sided RFTC sample or in visual delayed memory in the right-sided RFTC sample. The correlations between cognitive change and RFTC contacts were mostly nonsignificant. In the group-level comparisons, discernible cognitive impairment following RFTC was not evidenced. The majority of patients did not exhibit significant individual declines during the 1-year follow-up period. Notably, the procedural intervention yielded no substantial repercussions on memory functioning following hippocampal RFTC. These findings underscore the evidence supporting the cognitive preservation associated with SEEG-guided RFTC.

A study on the correlation between physical fitness index and executive function in Chinese adolescents

Objective To explore the relationship between physical fitness index and executive function in Chinese adolescents, and to provide a reference for improving the development of executive function in Chinese adolescents. Methods From September to December 2023, 5336 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years were selected by stratified whole cluster random sampling method in six regions of China for physical fitness and executive function tests. The relationship between adolescent physical fitness index and executive function was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression. Results The correlation coefficients between adolescents’ physical fitness index and inhibitory control reaction time were all 0.00094, p > 0.05; the correlation coefficients between adolescents’ physical fitness index and working memory (1-back, 2-back) reaction time were −0.13 and −0.093, respectively, p < .05; the correlation coefficients between adolescents’ physical fitness index and cognitive flexibility reaction time were −0.17 and −0.18, p < .05. Logistic regression analyses showed that 1-back, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility were significantly and positively correlated with physical fitness index in Models 1, 2, and 3 (all p values less than.01). The coefficients of inhibitory control were not significant in all three models (p > .05), and there was no significant relationship with physical fitness index. Conclusion The physical fitness index of Chinese adolescents has a significant positive correlation with working memory and cognitive flexibility, but not with inhibitory control, i.e. the higher the physical fitness index, the better the working memory and cognitive flexibility.

The Psychometric Properties of the ACIE Test for the Identification of High Intellectual Abilities

High intellectual abilities reflect outstanding qualitative and quantitative performance. It involves aptitudes, talents, and skills that surpass common standards. The main objective was the construction and validation of the High Intellectual Abilities Execution Test (ACIE). The methodological process involved administering the test structured with 117 items distributed across 5 dimensions. The pilot study was conducted with 164 students from fourth to seventh grade in four schools in the capital of Ecuador. Psychometric qualities such as reliability, validity, difficulty, discrimination power, and differential analysis were identified, providing the technical conditions for the application and detection of high abilities.

Small-scale fluidised bed flotation device for ore amenability testing

Fluidised bed flotation, such as with Eriez’s HydroFloat®, has demonstrated the ability to recover coarse particles up to 600 µm in size during sulphide flotation. The ability to perform flotation at coarse particle sizes provides significant benefits to the minerals processing industry, including energy savings in comminution and increased plant throughput.However, the smallest available fluidised bed flotation units require between 15 and 20 kg of sample for a single test and upwards of 100 kg of sample to conduct initial scoping studies for new ore feed material. This high sample requirement often prohibits the execution of small-scale flotation optimisation tests using this technology.The development of a small-scale fluidised bed flotation device is therefore vital to enable rapid and efficient testing for essential operations such as ore amenability and geometallurgical evaluation, circuit modelling and design, and routine metallurgical assessment.This work presents the design and development of a small-scale fluidised bed flotation device that uses 1–2 kg of sample per test. The work further outlines the testing methodology to achieve both reasonable and reproducible flotation results. Both the device and test methodology were demonstrated using two copper ore samples, and the flotation results generated were similar in form to laboratory batch testing using conventional flotation cells.

Specific feature selection in wearable EEG-based transducers for monitoring high cognitive load in neurosurgeons

The electroencephalographic (EEG) features for discriminating high and low cognitive load associated with fine motor activity in neurosurgeons were identified by combining wearable transducers and Machine Learning (ML). To date, in the literature, the specific impact of fine-motor tasks on surgeons’ cognitive load is poorly investigated and studies rely on the EEG features selected for cognitive load induced by other types of tasks (driving and flight contexts). In this study, the specific EEG features for detecting cognitive load associated with fine motor activity in neurosurgeons are investigated. Six neurosurgeons were EEG monitored by means of an eight-dry-channel EEG transducer during the execution of a standardized test of fine motricity assessment. The most informative EEG features of the cognitive load induced by fine motor activity were identified by exploiting the algorithm Sequential Feature Selector. In particular, five ML classifiers maximized their classification accuracy having as input the relative alpha power in Fz, O1, and O2, computed on 2-s epochs with an overlap of 50 %. These results demonstrate the feasibility of ML-supported wearable EEG solutions for monitoring persistent high cognitive load over time and alerting healthcare management.

Analisis Kerentanan Keamanan Website Menggunakan Metode PTES (Penetration Testing Execution And Standart)

With rapid advances in Information Technology (IT), the need for an IT-based learning framework and mechanism has become an unavoidable necessity. This requires solid security in a system, using the Penetration Testing Execution and Standard (PTES) method. This research method is quantitative and descriptive, used to illuminate website security and provide input for improvement. The research involved Tenable Nessus Professional tools that emit vulnerabilities, such as Browseable Web Directory and Potentially Clickjacking Web. The PTES stages covered include Planning, Data Collection, Scanning, Access Rights, Security, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) configuration. The hope is that this method will provide an in-depth understanding of potential threats and vulnerabilities in government information systems, as well as present solutions. The research results are expected to provide education and insight into website security. This allows related parties to take preventive and corrective steps, improve security, and protect the integrity and confidentiality of data entities. As a result, information systems are expected to be more secure and resistant to potential cyber threats.

A treadmill training program in a gamified virtual reality environment combined with transcranial direct current stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) affects movement and cognition, and physiotherapy, particularly treadmill gait training, has potential in addressing movement dysfunctions in PD. However, treadmill training falls short in addressing cognitive aspects and adherence. Virtual reality (VR) and gamification can enhance motor and cognitive retraining and improve adherence. People with Parkinson's Disease (PWPD) have decreased motor skill learning efficiency, but tDCS can improve motor and cognitive learning. 78 participants with PD will be randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (1) treadmill + Gamified Virtual Reality Environment (GVRE) + tDCS training group; (2) treadmill + GVRE training group or (3) treadmill training group. Participants will follow a 6-week, 12-session treadmill gait training plan, gradually increasing session duration from 20 to 45 minutes. Participants in (1) and (2) will undergo a GVRE training protocol, with (1) also receiving tDCS for the first 20 minutes of each session. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-week follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be gait speed during single and dual-task performance. Secondary measures will include additional gait parameters, executive tests for cognitive performance, and clinical outcomes for disease stage, cognitive status, and physical condition. This randomized clinical trial presents an innovative neurorehabilitation protocol that aims to improve gait and cognition in PWPD. The study also examines how tDCS can enhance motor and cognitive training. Results could contribute to enhancing the motor and cognitive state of PWPD through a GVRE and tDCS-based neurorehabilitation protocol. NCT05243394. 28/02/2024 -v3.2.

Physician’s perspectives on skin prick testing and allergy diagnostics in Germany

Summary Purpose Novel technologies standardising the testing process of immediate hypersensitivities have been developed and validated in recent years. Meanwhile, challenges with regard to availability of testing agents and shortage of trained personnel have increased. Novel technologies could fight these challenges, but their distribution is at present not known. The current survey, conducted by the German Society for Allergology (AeDA), aimed to assess current practices of allergy diagnostics in Germany. Methods Members of AeDA were invited to complete an online questionnaire to obtain information on their perspectives on allergy testing and diagnostics. Results A total of 150 allergologists from different disciplines treating patients with allergy completed the questionnaire. This survey revealed that twice as many skin prick tests (SPT; 21.2 tests/week) compared to serum specific immunoglobulin E tests (IgE; 10.4 tests/week) are being performed. Nasal allergen provocation tests are being performed in 56.0% of hospitals and physicians’ offices. An individual standard allergen panel for SPT is applied in 78.0% of testing cases. Methods used to perform a read out of SPT are variable with measurement of the longest wheal diameter being used most frequently (68.0%), followed by a qualitative evaluation (46.6%) or the longest wheal diameter including pseudopods (34.4%). In all, 66% of allergologists indicated that a device that automating the SPT process would be valuable for clinical practice. Conclusion Skin prick tests and serum IgE tests are still the cornerstones in the diagnostic work-up of immediate-type allergies. Variability in the execution of skin prick tests exists between different hospitals and physicians’ offices in Germany. Inconsistent availability of testing reagents was considered most problematic for maintaining allergy diagnostics in Germany. A majority of allergologists are open to evaluating tools that may contribute to standardize skin prick tests.

Contract-based Testing Using the Ontology Approach

This article analyzes the use of contract testing to verify the compatibility of two components, specifically web servers that use an Application Programming Interface (API) for data transmission. Additionally, the article includes a comparison of APIs and contract tests and describes cases where the latter have an advantage. A contract structure for contract testing is described. The article contains a description of the ontological approach for comparing knowledge about the business systems of the provider, in the form of ontologies, with the software representation of the consumer system, stored in the form of classes. A structure of the object that supplements the contract by providing it with business logic level checks is developed. Basic predicates that form the basis of this method are proposed and described. The use of the mapping field allows for the use of thesauruses or dictionaries for automated replacement of concepts when using synonym words. An example is provided that demonstrates the operation of this approach, namely: a simplified representation of the provider system’s concepts, a simplified structure of the consumer system’s classes, an example of an API and a contract for it, an extension using the developed approach, and the result of test execution.

Effects of open-label transdermal nicotine antidepressant augmentation on affective symptoms and executive function in late-life depression

BackgroundLate-life depression (LLD) is characterized by a poor response to antidepressant medications and diminished cognitive performance, particularly in executive functioning. There is currently no accepted pharmacotherapy for LLD that effectively treats both mood and cognitive symptoms. This study investigated whether transdermal nicotine augmentation of standard antidepressant medications benefitted mood and cognitive symptoms in LLD. MethodsNonsmoking participants aged 60 years or older with unremitted LLD on stable SSRI or SNRI medications (N = 29) received transdermal nicotine patches up to a 21 mg daily dose over 12 weeks. Clinical measures assessed depression severity, secondary affective symptoms, and cognitive performance. Nicotine metabolite concentrations were obtained from blood samples. ResultsDepression severity significantly decreased over the trial, with a 76 % response rate and 59 % remission rate. Change in depression severity was positively associated with nicotine exposure. Participants also exhibited improvement in self-reported affective symptoms (apathy, insomnia, rumination, and generalized anxiety symptoms), negativity bias, and disability. Executive function test performance significantly improved, specifically in measures of cognitive control, as did subjective cognitive performance. Adverse events were generally mild, with 75 % of the sample tolerating the maximum dose. ConclusionThe current study extends our previous pilot open-label trial in LLD, supporting feasibility and tolerability of transdermal nicotine patches as antidepressant augmentation. Although preliminary, this open-label study supports the potential benefit of transdermal nicotine patches for both mood and cognitive symptoms of LLD. Further research, including definitive randomized, blinded trials, is warranted to confirm these findings and explore long-term risk and benefit. Trial registrationThe study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04433767).

The role of a dedicated Oncology Nurse Navigator in the surgical oncology pathways: 1 year experience from a General Surgery Unit in central Italy with follow up.

The Nurse Navigator is a highly specialized nurse with technical and non-technical skills that offers individualized assistance to cancer patients, their family and caregivers to overcome health system barriers and facilitate access to care. This role was introduced in the General Surgery Unit of the Madonna del Soccorso Hospital in San Benedetto del Tronto from 1st January 2023. The primary endpoint is to compare the times taken for each step of the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway comparing the study group followed by Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) and the group not followed by this role. The secondary endpoints, only for the study group, were the number of patient contacts with the ONN and the time slots; the number of examinations and consultations organized by ONN; the evaluation of patient satisfaction at discharge; the number and type of problems noted during follow-up contact at 7 and 30days after discharge. A prospective court study with historical control was conducted from 1st January 2023 in Madonna del Soccorso Hospital, Italy. The study group consists of all cancer patients cared for by ONN. The control group was created by selecting the same number of patients as the study group but taken care of in the previous 3years (from 2020 to 2022) and, therefore, without the presence of the Nurse Navigator. The control group data come from clinical documentation. The number and time slots of contact with the ONN were recorded through the use of a company mobile phone active 24/7 through phone calls and messages. The number of examinations and consultations is known through online requests. The satisfaction assessment was carried out through the use of externally validated questionnaire Patient Satisfaction with Cancer Care (PSCC). The follow-up was performed by telephone and recorded on documentation according to established parameters. A total of 200 patients were analyzed. Both the study and control groups included 100 patients each. The average time between the first contact with the patient and the execution of the diagnostic test was 7days in the cases compared to 28days in the control group. The waiting time for the Multi-Disciplinary Team discussion (MDT) was 3 days for the study group compared to 6days in the control group. The average time taken for the first oncological visit was 3days in the study group compared to 18days in the controls. The time from first contact to the operating session was 20days compared to 45 in controls. Each patient had an average of 10 phone calls with the ONN. For all patients accompanied at the first diagnosis, at least 2 radiological and laboratory tests were organized. Oncology appointment for treatment evaluations after delivery of the histological report was communicated within a maximum of 3 working days. A patient satisfaction questionnaire achieved a response rate of 100%, with an average score of 87.0/90. The telephone follow-up had a response rate of 100% of patients and revealed a decrease in problems at the 30-day check-up compared to that of 7days after discharge. (Activity of Daily Living 20% vs 8%; nutritional problems 40% vs 21%, pain 18% vs 2%; surgical wounds 45% vs 1%; mobilization 8% vs 0%). The data demonstrate that ONN service improves the quality and outcomes of surgical oncology patients' pathway. The professional role of the ONN, with predefined technical and non-technical skills, should also be officially recognized by the healthcare system and hospital administration.

Multiplex PCR in septic arthritis and periprosthetic joint infections microorganism identification: Results from the application of a new molecular testing diagnostic algorithm.

Pathogen identification is key in the treatment of septic arthritis (SA) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). This study evaluates the outcome of the application of a new, score-based SA and PJI diagnostic algorithm, which includes the execution of molecular testing on synovial fluid. A score-based diagnostic algorithm, which includes serologic and synovial fluid markers determination using multiplex PCR (mPCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) molecular testing, has been applied to a consecutive series of patients with clinically suspected SA or PJI. Patients with a score ≥6 underwent synovial fluid molecular testing, together with traditional culture, to identify the pathogen and its genetically determined antibiotic resistance. One hundred and seventeen joints in 117 patients (62.5% women; average age 73 years) met the criteria for possible SA/PJI. The affected joint was the knee in 87.5% (joint replacement 66.5%; native joint 21%) and the hip in 12.5% (all replaced joints). 43/117 patients (36.7%) were ultimately diagnosed with SA/PJI. Among the various testing technologies applied, mPCR was the main determinant for pathogen identification in 63%, standard culture in 26%, and mNGS in 11%.Staphylococcus aureusand Enterococcus faecalis were the top two microorganisms identified by mPCR, whileStaphylococcus epidermidiswas the prevalent organism identified by NGS. mPCR detected the presence/absence of the genetically determined antibiotic resistance of all identified microorganisms. The average timeframe for pathogen identification was 3.13 h for mPCR, 4.5 days for culture, and 3.2 days for NGS. Molecular diagnostic technologies represent an innovative screening for fast microorganism identification when a joint infection is clinically suspected. Level IV, case series.

Analysis Vulnerability Website Baleomolcreative dengan Metode Penetration Testing Execution Standard &amp; Vulnerability Assessment Pada Http Response Header Field

This research will analyze web security and how to find out whether there is a vulnerability or what could be called a vulnerability to enter gaps in the Baleomolcreative web, making the web unsafe. In analyzing whether there are vulnerabilities, the Penetration Testing Execution Standard and Vulnerability Assessment methods are used to determine whether there are gaps or vulnerabilities in the Baleomolcreative website that can be exploited by external parties. This method uses tools such as Owasp ZAP, Nikto, and Nmap which can be used to perform vulnerability scanning on a website. In this research, we succeeded in identifying 3 levels of vulnerability on the Baleomolcreative website, namely medium, low, and informational, with a total of 18 alerts generated from notifications on Owasp Zap. The scanning process includes vulnerability testing such as Content Security Policy, Anti-clickjacking Header, Dangerous JS Functions, Permissions Policy, and others.

A direct analytical methodology for the assessment of ductile fracture in metals based on multiaxial tests

AbstractThe prediction accuracy of ductile damage models is subject to a sound calibration strategy, which normally involves the execution of complex multiaxial tests and requires dedicated facilities. In addition, finite element (FE) analysis is mandatory to retrieve the stress and strain states at the critical point, which cannot be directly measured from experiments. To overcome this complexity, a minimal set of simple multiaxial tests is selected, and an analytical‐numerical approach is proposed to evaluate, without resorting to FE, both the stress evolution with plastic deformation and the fracture strain, under any different loading condition of each test. This is achieved from the sole knowledge of the material bilinear stress–strain relation and of the applied test displacement at fracture. The obtained results are compared with a traditional testing and calibration methodology, and the robustness of the approach is proved on a 17‐4PH steel, an X65 steel, and a Ti6Al4V alloy.

THE POSITION AND EXAMINATION OF VILLAGE REGULATIONS IN THE INDONESIAN LEGAL REGULATION SYSTEM

The purpose of this research is to find out the position and testing of village regulations in the legal and regulatory system in Indonesia.When village regulations are studied in the perspective of the hierarchy of laws and regulations, they must refer to Law No. 12 of 2011 as amended by Law No. 15 of 2019 and Law No. 13 of 2022 concerning the Formation of Legislation (LcFL). However, in Article 7 paragraph (1) LcFL does not stipulate the existence of Village Regulations in the order of laws and regulations. This condition has implications for the unclear legal status and authority to review the village regulations themselves. Furthermore, the issuance of Law No. 6 of 2014 concerning Villages, the position and authority of villages is based on the principle of autonomy which directs the form of village independence including the authority to make policies on a locality scale in the form of village regulations. The research results show that although village regulations are not mentioned in the hierarchy of statutory regulations, village regulations can be said to be a further elaboration of higher statutory regulations. so that its existence is still recognized as a legal product, while testing village regulations is carried out using executive preview and executive review testing mechanisms. The executive preview and executive review mechanism is the authority of the Regent/Mayor which was born from the process of monitoring legal products in the village in a preventive and repressive manner.

Influence of Platen Stiffness on the Contact Stress Distribution in the Standardized Uniaxial Compression Test

Uniaxial compressive strength is an essential mechanical parameter to adequately characterize any given material. Numerous standards have been developed to guarantee reliable testing execution, as well as the repeatability of results. In this sense, not only the geometric dimensions and tolerances of both the platen and the specimen have been prescribed, but also the testing parameters, such as the load application speed. However, all these recommendations are based on the assumption that the stresses are uniformly distributed across the contact interface between the platen and the specimen. Nevertheless, this is major elastic simplification that allows for obtaining a handy and useful formula to determine the compressive strength, but this strongly deviates the theoretical foundations from the actual experimental reality. Experimental and numerical research to determine the influence of relative stiffness between the specimen and the platen on the stress distribution generated during the execution of the uniaxial compressive test is performed. The results prove that the stresses are not uniformly distributed across the contact when the platen material is significantly stiffer or softer (less stiff) than that of the tested specimen, and additionally, an undesired triaxial stress field is induced inside the specimen. For these reasons, the use of platens with a similar stiffness to that of the specimen is strongly recommended, as it allows for the uniform distribution of the compressive contact stresses and minimizes the influence of the triaxial stress field.