Minus Research Articles

Influence Of Service Quality, Water Quality And Facilities Towards Customer Satisfaction At The Regional Public Company Tirto Panguripan Drinking Water, Kendal District

The results of the analysis show that hypothesis 1 (H1) that service quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction is proven. The regression coefficient for the service quality variable has a positive sign so it can be interpreted that the higher the service quality, the higher the customer satisfaction. Hypothesis 2 (H2) that water quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction is proven. The regression coefficient for the water quality variable has a positive sign so it can be interpreted that the better the water quality, the higher the customer satisfaction. Hypothesis 3 (H3) that facilities have a positive effect on customer satisfaction is proven. The regression coefficient for the facility variable has a positive sign, so it can be interpreted that the more adequate the facilities provided by the company, the higher the customer satisfaction.

Does Capital Structure Effects Profitability: Evidence from conventional and Islamic banking

The current research study analyzed the effect of capital structure and productivity performance of banking sectors. The study used the regression and co-relation analysis to test the impact of capital structure on productivity performance. The study divided the banking sector into two broad categories such as, Conventional Banks and Islamic Banks over the sample period. For the said purpose an economic model was developed for conventional and Islamic banks. This model is based on Net Profit Margin (NPM) i.e. dependent variable and explanatory variables such as Debt to Assets (DTA), Debt to Equity (DTE), Total Capitalization Ratio (TCR) and Coverage Ratio (CR). The results showed that Conventional Banks, DTA and DTE were statistical significant for dependent variable NPM. While in case of Islamic Banks, DTE and CR were statistically significant with positive signs and were contributing reasonably well in the profitability

Vernacular Architecture of a Rural Magar Settlement of Nepal: The Case of Taka, Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality, East Rukum

The vernacular settlement of the Magar community in the Taka village of East Rukum are still lively, and represent the society, cultural and history of the place, which reflects the sustainable living pattern of a rural community. This study of Taka village clearly defines the geography, settlement pattern, community groups, settlement cluster, social structure, construction of dwelling and rituals. It further identifies the dwelling types and construction technology on the basis of three features: i. representation of each community, ii. Representation of each locality, and iii. Representation of variation in house form. The settlement pattern and dwelling form in a way represent the characteristics of social structure and life style in the sharing of spaces of the dwelling environment. The dwelling form, building materials and construction technology blends with the terrain profile and climate creating a harmonious settlement pattern with nature and society. There is also community awareness on the conservation of Taka rural settlement heritage which is the positive sign on maintaining the identity of the community and place.

Role of Human Cytomegalo virus and High Risk Human Papilloma Virus in Breast Cancer

Background: In Iraq, breast tumor is the greatest prevalent form of female malignancy. Increasing research in the past ten years shows that many human malignancies, including breast tumors, are associated with Human Cytomegalovirus and high-risk Human Papilloma Virus. Objectives: The aim of this research was to determine the role of HPV and HCMV in benign and malignant breast tumors. Methods: This retrospective research used 140 chosen formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pieces of breast specimen taken from 100 patients of breast tumor (70 cases of ductal mammary, 15 patients of lobular cancer, five persons mixed from ductal and lobular cancer and ten persons of medullary cancer) and 20 patients infected with benign epithelial lesion As well as 20 pieces of normal breast tissue as control groups. The range of age was 16-72 years. The study was conducted in hospitals and private laboratories in Kirkuk and Tikrit city from 15th January 2022 to 15th December 2022 using the in situ hybridization (ISH) technique. Results: The archival samples collected were related to breast cancer patients ranging from 16 years to 70 years of age, with a maximum age of 73 years in breast cancer and 60 years in healthy women. ISH found that CMV was positive in (25 percent) breast cancer tissues (25 / 100) according to the control group were negative. While in HPV demonstrated (45%) 45/ 100 breast cancer tissues compared to the control group were negative. Of these, The findings revealed that the spreading of HPV-DNA genotypes in malignant and benign cancer groups were as follows: HPV16 10 (20.8%), HPV 18 10 (20.8%), and HPV 31 28 (58.33%). These results suggest that HPV genotype 31 appeared at a greater rate than other genotypes (16 and 18). In 25 (55.6 percent) cases, the largest ratio of co-infection with several high-risk genotypes of HPV 16 + 18 + 31 was observed. Co-infection in the malignant group with other high-danger HPV genotypes was as follows: HPV 16 +18 6(13.33%), HPV 16 + 31 6(13.33), and HPV 18+31 8(17.8%). Positive signs suggesting high-risk HPV infection were detected for 1/1 (100 percent) of benign breast tumor tissues; 30(66.7 percent) mixed HPV infection was found in 45 cases of malignant breast tumors. Conclusion: The results of this study showed a connection between HCMV and high-oncogenic genotypes of HPV in breast cancer patients.

Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Programme on Shoulder Pain and Functional Status in Garment Workers

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly shoulder pain, are a prevalent concern among garment workers, who often engage in repetitive and manual tasks. Previous research has indicated a high incidence of shoulder pain in this population, with a need for effective interventions to mitigate these issues. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a home-based exercise program in reducing shoulder pain and improving functional status among garment workers. Methods: This experimental study involved 60 male and female tailors with work-related shoulder pain, randomly divided into an intervention and a control group (30 participants each). Participants were selected based on specific criteria, including experiencing pain in the glenohumeral joint area and showing at least two positive signs of shoulder impingement. Exclusion criteria included a history of rotator cuff surgery, shoulder dislocation, or pain only in the neck or shoulder blade. The intervention group underwent a four-week home-based exercise program, including stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the pectoralis minor muscle, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and external shoulder rotation. The Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) was used for pre- and post-intervention assessments. Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the SRQ score from 62.6 (±1.99) to 77.0 (±2.54) (p = 0.016), a reduction in work-related pain from 4.9 (±0.51) to 2.4 (±0.31) (p = 0.041), and a decrease in work-related disability from 4.3 (±0.40) to 2.6 (±0.46) (p = 0.032). The satisfaction score also significantly improved from 4.1 (±0.43) to 6.5 (±0.22) (p = 0.003). In contrast, the control group did not exhibit any significant changes in these measures. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that a structured home-based exercise program can significantly reduce shoulder pain and improve functional status among garment workers. This suggests the potential for such interventions to be integrated into occupational health strategies, particularly in sectors prone to work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Unraveling the Nexus of Economic Factors: Analyzing the Impact of Trade, Energy Consumption, Electricity Generation, Exchange Rate, and Urban Population on Consumer Price Index in European countries

The dynamics of consumer price index (CPI) and its influencing factors lie at the heart of economic stability and growth. In this comprehensive research paper, we investigate the multifaceted relationship between consumer price index (CPI) and a set of critical independent variables, including trade (T), primary energy consumption (PEC), electricity generation (EG), exchange rate (ER), and urban population (UP). This research examines a cross-sectional sample of 20 European countries using panel ordinary OLS regression and fixed- and random-effects models for the period of 2000–2020. The findings of this research suggest that there is a notable inverse relationship between Primary Energy Consumption and CPI. The coefficient associated with Primary Energy Consumption carries a negative sign and demonstrates statistical significance at the 5% level and urban population, exchange rate and Electricity generation show positive significant impact on Inflation, while trade does not have any significant impact on inflation.

The Culture of Swapping Children’s Clothes Between Mothers in Saudi Arabia and its Relationship to Sustainability in Consumer Behavior

This study explores the emerging trend of swapping children's clothes as a sustainable practice and analyzes mothers' acceptance of this phenomenon. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the research surveyed mothers' attitudes towards this practice through a questionnaire. The research sample for this study consisted of 138 respondents who were mothers from various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The primary research tool used in this study was a questionnaire. This questionnaire aimed to gauge the extent to which mothers are receptive to the idea of swapping children's clothes. The study found that a large majority (88.3%) of the mothers surveyed know the practice of swapping children's clothes, indicating that this concept is widely known among the participants. Moreover, most mothers surveyed (83%) have engaged in swapping children's clothes with family or friends. This high level of participation suggests that this form of swap is a common practice. Most mothers who have engaged in the exchange (76%) have done it more than once. This suggests that once mothers begin participating in this practice, they will likely continue, indicating a positive experience or perceived benefits from the exchange. More than half of the mothers (60.1%) do not feel embarrassed to propose such an exchange, which is a positive sign for this practice's continuation and potential growth. However, 40% of mothers feel or may feel embarrassed, indicating that social and emotional barriers could hinder the wider adoption of this practice. The study underscores the need to boost awareness about the environmental benefits of such exchanges, given the typically brief usage span of children's clothes due to their rapid growth. It also proposes innovative strategies to enhance clothing exchange gatherings and advocates for instilling the principles of swap and giving in the younger generation to reinforce the concept of sustainability in clothing.

Social Control From the Perspective of Agency Conflict in the Public Sector

Purpose: This work has the general objective of analyzing how transparency, as an instrument of social control, can act as a mitigating element of agency conflict.
 
 Theoretical Background: The present study is based on the theoretical assumption that the presence of greater social control reveals a greater level of society's control over public managers, reducing agency conflicts. To validate this assumption, Transparency will be analyzed as one of the control instruments, since, in a scenario of greater social control, managers tend to be more transparent and there is a better social environment.
 
 Methodology: A quantitative methodology was used with correlation between the Transparency Index (IT), carried out by the Federal Public Ministry, with other social data, such as the socioeconomic indicators of the States (Human Development Index – HDI, Per Capita Income – RPC and Gini Index -GINI) and the number of police investigations against public administration opened in the States.
 
 Results and Conclusion: It was possible to note that the Transparency Index analyzed is significantly correlated, with a positive sign, to the indicators of wealth and socioeconomic development, signaling possible evidence that more developed and richer locations tend to be more transparent.
 
 Research Implications: The study advances in the verification of social control factors and the agency conflict that exists in the public sector, a fact still little explored in previous national literature.
 
 Originality/Value: The lack of social control over the actions of its representatives ends up contributing to weak control in the effective solution of the agency conflict that exists in the public sector.

Stock Market Integration and Corporate Investment in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis

Low level of corporate investment in Nigeria coupled with poor financial base of a single stock exchange market system bring the need for the study to critically examined the effect of stock market integration on corporate investment in Nigeria from 1986 to 2022. The study adopted Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) unit root test and Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The data used for this study were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Statistical Bulletin (2022). The ADF showed that the real exchange rate, lending interest rate, and trade openness were all integrated of order zero (∆ = 0); while, stock market integration and corporate investment were integrated of order one (∆ = 1). The ADF result showed that stock market integration exhibited a non-stability trend over the years, real exchange rate showed a negative sign but non-significant at 5%; while, lending interest rate and trade openness was negative and significant. The study concluded that stock market integration was volatile over the years which limited the rate of impacting corporate investment in Nigeria; while, lesser interest rate and trade liberation promote corporate investment. The study recommended that in order to fast ease stock market integration, which is crucial for economic progress, the Nigerian Exchange Group NGX should aim toward ensuring that each listed firm on the market have a strong market capitalization through encouraging different ownership structure to possess their respective stock value

The Empty Ischial Fossa Sign: A Visual Representation of Relative Inadequate Anteversion in the Posteriorly Tilted Pelvis

BackgroundInstability is a known complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and is influenced by spinopelvic alignment. Radiographic markers have been investigated to optimize the acetabular cup position. This study evaluated if the empty ischial fossa (EIF) sign and the position of the trans-teardrop line were predictive of postoperative instability. MethodsAll patients who underwent THA from 2011 to 2018 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Pelvic tilt was measured using a trans-teardrop line compared to the superior aspect of the pubic symphysis on standing anteroposterior pelvis radiographs. Postoperative dislocations were identified through chart review and radiographic review. The EIF sign was determined by the presence of uncovered bone below the posterior inferior edge of the acetabular component at the level of the native ischium and posterior wall on standing postoperative anteroposterior radiographs. ResultsOne thousand seven hundred fifty patients (952 anterior approach and 798 posterior approach) were included. The EIF sign was present in 458 patients (26.2%) and associated with an increased dislocation rate (3.9% vs 0.9%, P < .0001). Patients with spondylosis/instrumented fusion, and positive EIF sign had a dislocation risk of 5.1% vs 1.3% (P = .001). A postoperative outlet pelvis was not significant for increased dislocation risk (odds ratio 2.16, P = .058). Patients with combined spondylosis/fusion, posterior approach, outlet pelvis, and EIF sign had a dislocation rate of 14.5%. ConclusionsThe EIF sign was an independent risk factor for postoperative instability and may represent failure to account for pelvic tilt. Avoidance of the EIF sign during cup positioning may help reduce dislocations following THA.

The Austrian «Atypical model» of criminal protection of the circulation of medical devices

The Austrian model of criminal protection of the circulation of medical devices is considered. The authors note that atypicality of the Austrian “model” of criminal law protection of circulation of medical devices is due to several factors.&#x0D; It is analyzed that the main ones are those related to: a) the legislative definition of the concept of pharmaceutical products, since the content of this concept “legislatively outlines” the limits of criminal protection and affects the mechanism of ensuring this protection; b) determination of the limits of criminal protection of medical devices depending on the requirements of the Austrian Federal Law on Medical Devices.&#x0D; The authors note that the atypicality of the Austrian “model” of criminal protection of medical devices is influenced primarily by the absence of a legislative definition of the concept of “medical devices”, as well as the “negative sign” of the corresponding types of administrative offenses, indicated in the sanction of part 1 § 80 of the Austrian Federal Law on Medical Devices (2021).&#x0D; The authors also focus their attention on the fact that the atypicality of the Austrian “model” of criminal protection of medical devices is also due to the fact that the aforementioned Federal Law on Medical Devices in its § 80 contains provisions on “administrative punishment (Verwaltungsstrafe)” for violations of the established procedure for the circulation of medical devices, which affect the provision criminal law protection of medical devices and its limits.&#x0D; It is proven that the specified “negative sign” directly affects the definition of offenses of those specific types, which are provided for in the Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure and encroach on the circulation of medical devices. The peculiarities of such limits under Austrian criminal law should be connected primarily with the fact that the specified “negative feature” is fixed in the sanction of part 1 § 80 of the Austrian Federal Law on Medical Devices (2021), “does not eliminate” the formation of relevant signs of acts and illegality as mandatory structural elements of criminal offenses of certain types.

The split apparent diffusion coefficient sign: A novel magnetic resonance imaging biomarker for cortical pathology with possible implications in autoimmune encephalitis.

MRI is the imaging modality of choice for assessing patients with encephalopathy. In this context, we discuss a novel biomarker, the "split ADC sign," where the cerebral cortex demonstrates restricted diffusion (high DWI signal and low ADC) and the underlying white matter demonstrates facilitated diffusion (high or low DWI signal and high ADC). We hypothesize that this sign can be used as a biomarker to suggest either acute encephalitis onset or to raise the possibility of an autoimmune etiology. A full-text radiological information system search of radiological reports was performed for all entities known to produce restricted diffusion in the cortex excluding stroke between January 2012 and June 2022. Initial MRI studies performed upon onset of clinical symptoms were screened for the split ADC sign. 25 subjects were encountered with a positive split ADC sign (15 female; median age = 57years, range 18-82). Diagnosis included six herpes simplex encephalitis, three peri-ictal MRI changes, eight PRES, two MELAS, and six autoimmune (3 anti-GABAAR, two seronegative, and one anti-Ma2/Ta). Subjects were imaged at a mean 1.8days after the onset of symptoms (range 0-8). We present a novel visual MRI biomarker, the split ADC sign, and highlight its potential usefulness in subjects with encephalopathy to suggest acute disease onset or to raise the possibility of an autoimmune etiology when location-based criteria are applied. When positive, the sign was present on the initial MRI and can therefore be used to help focus further clinical and laboratory workup.

Green Growth, Environmental Quality, Energy Consumption Nexus in OECD Countries

Sustainable economic development is desirably terrible for improving social welfare. It implies that economic development should not be at the cost of environmental degradation, but rather environmental sustainability should be maintained. This study has examined the green growth, environmental quality, and energy consumption nexus in 38 OECD countries using panel data from 1991 to 2020. We have estimated two models. The first model explores the impact of green growth on environmental quality and the second model probes the link between non-green growth and environmental degradation. For this purpose, the ARDL technique has been used to estimate the results. Green growth has not followed the environmental Kuznut Curve theory while Non-Green growth has validated the environmental Kuznut Curve theory. Furthermore, Environmentally friendly technological innovation, renewable energy consumption, environmental-related tax, and human capital turn out with negative signs while foreign direct investment and trade openness are positively related to environmental degradation. The study also suggests policies to decarbonize or minimize the emissions in the economies.

Photostabilization, Thermodynamic and Theoretical Studies of polystyrene by some 2-amino pyridine

Polystyrene (PS) films are photostabilized by 2-amino pyridine derivative compounds. Investigations were conducted on compounds of (a-e). The casting method was used to create PS films with complexes present in concentrations of 0.5 % by weight, while chloroform served as the solvent. By keeping track of the carbonyl indices as the exposure duration progressed, the photostabilization activities of these compounds were discovered. Using chloroform as a solvent, the variations in PS’s viscosity average molecular weight with exposure time were also monitored. The theoretical results of the PS modification compounds showed that the total energy values ​​of PS-D are higher energy content than the rest of the studied models. The negative sign in the HOMO energy indicates stability, that is, it is less effective, where values ​​are shown (HOMO) PS-C is the least effective (stable) and PS-E is the most effective (unstable). The thermodynamic theoretical outcome was shown that all reactions are endothermic and spontaneous, and the results of the (energy gap) values ​​gave a range from 2.38453 eV for PS-C to 2.60277 eV. For PVC-E, which proves that all PS modifications are conductive or semiconducting materials for electricity. HIGHLIGHTS Chemicals with 2-amino pyridine derivatives were used to study the photostabilization of PS films. For PS films, these chemicals function effectively as photostabilizers. These supplements Through UV absorption or screening, FTIR spectra, weight loss, and optical microscopy, the PS films are stabilized. According to the aforementioned processes and photostability, compound (a) was found to be the most effective in the photostabilization process. The use of molecules (a-e) that are 2-amino pyridine derivatives is encouraged by these mechanisms GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Analysis of Factors Impacting the Negativity of the net Result of Primary Banks of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Waemu)

This study aims to analyse the explanatory factors of the negativity of the net result of primary banks in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). We collected data from the World Bank (WB) and the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). The data collected are annual data from 2003 to 2019 and concern all eight WAEMU countries. The analysis tools used were EXCEL and STATA 15 software. The estimation results showed that the increase in the cost of risk (CR) and the increase in general operating expenses (GOE) have a negative sign on the negative net result. Therefore, these two variables (CR and FGE) significantly positively affect the opposing net result. However, the increase in interest and similar income (IPA) has a positive sign, which leads us to say that this factor has a significant adverse effect on the opposing net result. To improve the negative net result, operational recommendations were made to primary banks in the WAEMU based on the results of our analysis.

Embolization of cerebellar pial arteriovenous fistula presented with congestive edema of the brainstem and cervical cord.

Cerebellar pial arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) in adults presenting with congestive edema of the brainstem and cervical cord has rarely been reported. Here, we report such a case. A 59-year-old man presented with progressive weakness and numbness of the limbs and hiccups for 6months. On physical examination, his limbs had grade III muscle strength, and he was unable to stand or walk. He also had occasional incontinence and retention. There was a positive Babinski sign in both lower limbs. Below the neck, he had hypoesthesia of the skin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed edema of the brainstem and upper cervical cord. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed there was a cerebellar nongalenic-type PAVF lesion; the feeding arteries were the branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA); and the draining vein was a single cortical vein that ultimately entered the venous systems of the brainstem and upper cervical cord. Casting Onyx-18 via the PICA obliterated the PAVF. Postoperatively, the patient recovered gradually. Two and a half months later, he could walk using a crutch and had no incontinence. Six-month follow-up MRI and DSA revealed recession of the edema of the brainstem and cervical cord and no recurrence of this PAVF. One year later, he was nearly normal. In conclusion and extremely rarely, cerebellar nongalenic-type PAVF can present with congestive edema of the brainstem and high cervical cord. This treatment by Onyx-18 embolization can resolve PAVF.

The cortical high-flow sign of oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted: comparison between arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast methods.

The cortical high-flow sign with the non-enhancing area was reportedly found to be more frequent with oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q codeleted (ODG IDHm-codel) than with IDH-wildtype or astrocytoma, IDH-mutant on arterial spin labeling (ASL) in diffuse gliomas. This study aimed to compare the identification rate of the cortical high-flow sign on ASL in patients with ODG IDHm-codel to that on dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI). Participants consisted of 32 adult ODG IDHm-codel patients with pathologically confirmed. Subtraction images were generated from paired control and label images on ASL. For DSC, dynamic T2*-weighted perfusion weighted images were obtained after pre-bolus of gadolinium-based contrast agent. Regional cerebral blood flow/volume maps were generated based on the concentration-time curve and arterial input function. Tumor-affecting cortices without contrast enhancement on conventional MR imaging were targeted. The identification rate of the cortical high-flow sign was compared between ASL and DSC using the Pearson's Chi-Square test. Frequency of the cortical high-flow sign was significantly higher on ASL (18/32, 56.3%; p < 0.001) than on DSC (5/32, 15.6%). All cases with the positive cortical high-flow sign on DSC were identified on ASL. ASL effectively identifies the cortical high-flow sign in ODG IDHm-codel, surpassing DSC in identification rates.

Метафорическое моделирование образа президента США Джо Байдена в англоязычном политическом медиадискурсе

This paper dwells on the metaphorical representation of the image of the current US president, Joe Biden, in contemporary English-language political media discourse. The study aimed to describe and systematize the metaphorical models of Biden’s current media image as well as explicate its perception reflected in the national worldview of the native speakers of English. The article considers conceptual metaphor as one of the main image-creating tools in media texts having considerable pragmatic potential. A variety of scientific methods were used in the research: continuous sampling to select texts published from Biden’s inauguration to the present day; cognitive discursive interpretation of metaphorical models to describe their frame structure; component analysis to identify the source domain of the metaphorical expansion of some concepts and their contents (pragmatic meanings); classification method to systematize the models and their representations. The research results show a dominance of the metaphorical models that engender a negative image of the 46th US president in contemporary English-language media. These models actualize the negative signs of being too old, aggressive and unfit for ruling, as well as intellectual decay and some other negative traits of his image, which demonstrates a clear dislike of Biden in the English-language political media discourse and can indirectly cause corresponding reactions and attitudes towards him in society. The comparison of the subspheres of metaphorical expansion showed that the source domain Society has the highest productivity and a slight positive potential. This domain’s representations demonstrate an attempt at a positive conceptualization of Biden’s personality in American discourse. Furthermore, comparing the subspheres of metaphorization contributes to a better understanding of conceptual metaphor functions and common tendencies towards metaphorical representation of a political figure in mass media discourse.

Hubungan Strategi Brand Image dengan Tingkat Kepercayaan Orang Tua Siswa

This research aims to determine the relationship between brand image strategy and the level of trust of parents of students at SDIT Fithrah Insani throughout Bandung Regency. This research is descriptive, using a quantitative correlation type approach. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire. Then the data analysis techniques in this research are instrument tests, partial analysis tests per indicator, prerequisite tests, and correlation tests. Based on the results of the study, statistical testing showed that the brand image strategy in this study received an average value of 4.20 which means very high or very good; The Dependent Variable in this study is the trust of parents of students at SDIT Fithrah Insani throughout Bandung Regency obtained an average score of 4.20 or on an interval scale the position was in the range of 4.20 - 5.00 which means very high or very good. Based on the data above, it leads to positive properties because the pearson correlation number is 0.846 which in that number does not have a negative sign (-). So it means that the better the brand image strategy, the higher the confidence of parents. Furthermore, a coefficient of determination (R Square) of 0.716 was obtained which can be concluded that the contribution of the brand image strategy variable to the trust of parents of students is 71.6%.Keywords: Strategy, Brand Image, Trust

The HfFe2Si2 type silicides ScT 2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Os) – structure and solid-state 29Si/45Sc NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The silicides ScT 2Si2 (T = Ru, Rh, Os) were synthesized by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing in sealed silica ampoules. They crystallize with the rarely observed HfFe2Si2 type structure, space group Pbcm. The structures of ScRu2Si2 (a = 761.64(4), b = 730.70(6), c = 521.07(6) pm, wR = 0.0314, 633 F 2 values, 31 variables) and ScOs2Si2 (a = 771.10(8), b = 736.68(7), c = 521.88(5) pm, wR = 0.0479, 623 F 2 values, 31 variables) were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data. The refinements showed small degrees of Ru/Si respectively Os/Si mixing on one 4c site, leading to the refined compositions ScRu1.96(1)Si2.04(1) and ScOs1.91(1)Si2.09(1). The monomeric building units in both structures are two slightly distorted, crystallographically independent RuSi5 respectively OsSi5 square pyramids, which are condensed via common edges. The resulting densely packed [Ru2Si2] and [Os2Si2] networks leave voids for the scandium atoms with coordination number 18: Sc@Si8Ru8Sc2 and Sc@Si8Os8Sc2. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of ScRu2Si2 and ScOs2Si2 indicate Pauli paramagnetism. Solid-state 29Si and 45Sc static and MAS NMR spectroscopy reveal significant Knight shifts and a strong influence of the T/Si mixing on the experimental NMR line shapes. A larger overall 29Si magnetic shift for ScRu2Si2 compared to ScOs2Si2, although with a negative sign for one of the 29Si resonances, suggests stronger paramagnetic effects for ScRu2Si2, in agreement with the magnetic susceptibility measurements.