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AMIR AMIR

    AMIR AMIR

    Penelitian ini dimotivasi belum adanya peraturan tentang Market Maker yang menimbulkan asimetri informasi, dan permainan harga oleh market maker, khususnya market maker dalam grup perusahaan. Kasus kejahatan dibursa saham Indonesia... more
    Penelitian ini dimotivasi belum adanya peraturan tentang Market Maker yang menimbulkan asimetri informasi, dan permainan harga oleh market maker, khususnya market maker dalam grup perusahaan. Kasus kejahatan dibursa saham Indonesia melibatkan lebih dari satu perusahaan sekuritas sebagai market maker. Hasil riset sebelumnya terjadi gap terkait volume market maker, asimetri informai terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan. Studi ini menguji pengaruh Net Volume Saham market maker, Asimetri Informasi, Nilai Perusahaan dan Leverage terhadap Profitabilitas. Sampel penelitian menggunakan purposive sampling periode tahun 2015-2018. Analisis menggunakan model estimasi data panel Fixed Effect. Hasil penelitian mengkonfirmasi bahwa Net Volume Market Maker, asimetri informasi, dan nilai perusahaan berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan. Sedangkan Leverage gagal mengkonfirmasi pengaruh negatif terhadap profitabilitas. Variabel kontrol, PER yang berpengaruh negatif, sedangka...
    Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tentang alat permainan edukatif berbahan limbah dalam meningkatkan kecerdasan kognitif pada anak usia dini di Raudlatul Athfal (RA) Tania, Paiton, Probolinggo. Metode penelitian yang digunakan... more
    Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tentang alat permainan edukatif berbahan limbah dalam meningkatkan kecerdasan kognitif pada anak usia dini di Raudlatul Athfal (RA) Tania, Paiton, Probolinggo. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif jenis studi kasus. Guna mendapatkan gambaran tentang alat permainan edukatif berbahan limbah dalam mencerdaskan kognitif pada anak usia dini, peneliti berbaur langsung dalam pembuatan alatnya dan melakukan observasi dan mendokumentasikan aktivitas pembelajaran di lembaga tersebut. Interview dilakukan terhadap kepala sekolah dan guru di Raudlatul Athfal (RA) Tania. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi guru dalam meningkatkan kecerdasan kognitif anak usia dini melalui alat permainan edukatif berbahan limbah dilakukan melalui; kegiatan persiapan, penyajian materi, menghubungkan, menyimpulkan, dan mengaplikasikan media dalam kegiatan pembelajaran. Penelitian ini memberikan implikasi bahwa guru harus memiliki inovasi dan kreatifit...
    The problem in this study is the low student learning outcomes in Arabic subjects for Class XI students at MA AT-Taufiq Lisu, Barru Regency. The approach used in this research is descriptive qualitative with this type of research is... more
    The problem in this study is the low student learning outcomes in Arabic subjects for Class XI students at MA AT-Taufiq Lisu, Barru Regency. The approach used in this research is descriptive qualitative with this type of research is Classroom Action Research (CAR) which has a cycle which includes planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The focus of the research is the application of the Cooperative Script cooperative learning model to improve student learning outcomes in Arabic class XII MA AT-Taufiq Lisu, Barru Regency. The research setting was carried out in Class XII with the research subjects consisting of teachers and 15 students of class XII. The results showed that there was an increase in activity in teacher learning and student learning activities as well as Arabic learning outcomes, the increase could be seen from each cycle, namely in cycles 1 and 2. student learning in Arabic subjects Class XI MA Cooperative Script Barru
    Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan apakah variabel Kepuasan Kerja, Motivasi Kerja, Lingkungan Kerja dan Diplin Kerja berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap Kinerja Karyawan pada PT. Zam Zam Utama. Data penelitian ini diperoleh... more
    Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan apakah variabel Kepuasan Kerja, Motivasi Kerja, Lingkungan Kerja dan Diplin Kerja berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap Kinerja Karyawan pada PT. Zam Zam Utama. Data penelitian ini diperoleh dari kuesioner (angket) dan beberapa observasi dan wawancara dengan pihak yang terkait dimana yang dimaksud adalah pegawai PT. Zam Zam Utama Analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif kuantitatif, analisis regresi linear berganda, uji validitas dan uji reliabilitas, uji asumsi klasik, serta pengujian hipotesis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa variabel kepuasan kerja, Lingkungan Kerja, dan Disiplin Kerja memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan dan Motivasi Kerja memiliki pengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan.
    Indonesia is an archipelago country which has a great potential of ocean energy resources including tidal current and wave power. In this present work, tidal power in three different straits, namely Alas strait, Bali strait and Lombok... more
    Indonesia is an archipelago country which has a great potential of ocean energy resources including tidal current and wave power. In this present work, tidal power in three different straits, namely Alas strait, Bali strait and Lombok strait will be estimated. In order to achieve our goal, a two-dimensional, depth-integrated Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC-2DDI) model was employed. Eight tidal constituents were imposed along the ocean open boundaries. Two different sources of tidal constituents namely Le Provost and OTIS (OSU Tidal Inversion Software) were used. Tidal elevations have been validated and calibrated against tide gauge data in which at least six tide gauges are available in the study location. We found that, tidal constituents from high resolution database that is OTIS give better results. Open boundary conditions have been improved using Green’s function approach. As a result, significant reduction of the root-mean-square error (RMSE) has been obtained. This indicates tha...
    RINGKASAN Amir. 2019. Etos Kerja Peserta Didik dalam Memasuki Dunia Kerja (Studi Kasus Implementasi Pembelajaran di Magistra Utama) Tesis. Pascasarjana Pendidikan Luar Sekolah, Universitas Negeri Malang. Pembimbing: (I) Dr. Umi Dayati,... more
    RINGKASAN Amir. 2019. Etos Kerja Peserta Didik dalam Memasuki Dunia Kerja (Studi Kasus Implementasi Pembelajaran di Magistra Utama) Tesis. Pascasarjana Pendidikan Luar Sekolah, Universitas Negeri Malang. Pembimbing: (I) Dr. Umi Dayati, M.Pd dan (II) Dr. Zulkarnain, M.Pd., M.Si. Kata Kunci : Etos Kerja, Peserta Didik, Dunia Kerja Menumbuhkan etos kerja yang tinggi pada peserta didik perlu rancangan pendidikan yang mengedepankan pentingnya pendidikan yang bersifat soft and hard skill. Pentingnya etos kerja bagi peserta didik dalam memasuki dunia kerja untuk mencetak lulusan yang memiliki kompetensi baik hard skill atau soft skill sehingga pendidikan dengan segala upayanya dituntut untuk selalu mampu beradaptasi dan mampu memecahkan segala persoalan yang dihadapi. Pendidikan dipandang sangat perlu untuk mengembangkan hard skill dan soft skill untuk mendidik manusia yang berkualitas karena keduanya dituntut untuk selalu beriringan dalam kegiatan yang bersifat interaksi secara sosial yan...
    An early stage of assessing tidal current energy resources is carried out in this present work. Tidal current power is estimated around Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi province, Indonesia. Two-dimensional, depth-integrated of Advanced... more
    An early stage of assessing tidal current energy resources is carried out in this present work. Tidal current power is estimated around Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi province, Indonesia. Two-dimensional, depth-integrated of Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) model has been used to simulate tidal elevation and barotropic tidal current around the island. Green’s function approach has been used to improve eight tidal constituents on the open boundary conditions based on the tide gauge data. Interestingly, some very promising locations for harvesting tidal current energy were found in the vicinity of the island. In fact, around the island, tidal current speed is almost two meters per second and the highest tidal current power in the selected station is 308.7 W/m 2 .
    Setiap tahun pengguna sepeda motor selalu mengalami peningkatan, hal ini terbukti dari data yang diperoleh dari Badan Pusat Statistik tahun 2017 dalam jumlah kendaraan bermotor sebanyak 138.556.669. Ditambah dengan keberadaan transportasi... more
    Setiap tahun pengguna sepeda motor selalu mengalami peningkatan, hal ini terbukti dari data yang diperoleh dari Badan Pusat Statistik tahun 2017 dalam jumlah kendaraan bermotor sebanyak 138.556.669. Ditambah dengan keberadaan transportasi online yang saat ini banyak dijumpai di Jakarta, tidak mengherankan jika jumlah pengendara semakin meningkat. Meningkatnya jumlah pengemudi sepeda motor semakin meningkat, semakin banyak polusi udara, selain tidak baik untuk kesehatan, polusi ini juga membuat kendaraan bermotor cepat kotor. Namun ini digunakan oleh sepeda motor dan layanan cuci mobil untuk memberikan peluang bisnis yang lebih besar di bidang layanan Cuci Mobil dan Sepeda Motor. Saat ini layanan sepeda motor dan cuci mobil masih manual, metode ini dianggap kurang efektif, terutama menyangkut sistem bagi hasil antara pemilik layanan cuci mobil dengan pekerja. Karenanya kita memerlukan cara praktis dengan sistem berbasis komputer untuk membantu berbagi pendapatan. Penelitian ini mengg...
    Let R be a ring with identity 1 and σ be an endomorphism of R and δ be a left derivation − σ . The skew polynomial ring over R in an indeterminate x is: } | 0 ) ( { ] , ; [ R i a a n x n a x f x R ∈ + + = = L δ σ with ) ( ) ( a x a xa δ σ... more
    Let R be a ring with identity 1 and σ be an endomorphism of R and δ be a left derivation − σ . The skew polynomial ring over R in an indeterminate x is: } | 0 ) ( { ] , ; [ R i a a n x n a x f x R ∈ + + = = L δ σ with ) ( ) ( a x a xa δ σ + = The aim of this research is to investigate the ideals in the above skew polynomial ring in case of 0 = δ . Precisely, we will investigate the following: (1) the ideal of skew polynomial ring ] ; [ σ x D ; (2) the ideal prim of skew polynomial ring ] ; [ σ x K ; and (3) the prim − σ ideal of skew polynomial ring ] ; [ σ x D .
    Salah satu asset yang berharga dalam sebuah perusahaan adalah sumber daya manusia (SDM).  Karyawan adalah sdm tersebut. Karyawan menjadi peran penting. Dalam perusahaan besar pasti mempunyai banyak karyawan. Didalam perusahaan terdapai... more
    Salah satu asset yang berharga dalam sebuah perusahaan adalah sumber daya manusia (SDM).  Karyawan adalah sdm tersebut. Karyawan menjadi peran penting. Dalam perusahaan besar pasti mempunyai banyak karyawan. Didalam perusahaan terdapai tiga jenis karyawan yaitu, outsourcing , karyawan kontrak dan karyawan tetap. Untuk mendapatkan karyawan tetap dilakukan proses penyariangan melaui penilaian yang dilakukan oleh bagian SDM. Dalam proses tersebut mengalami kendala dalam segi teknis dan efektifias karena penilaian manual dan kadang keputusannya dinilai secara subyektif. Oleh karena itu dilakukan penilitian untuk klasifikasi penetapan status karyawan dengan metode Naive Bayes dan Rapidminer. Penelitian ini menggunakan lima atribut yaitu : absensi, attitude, psikotes,wawancara dan diangkat.yang digunakan sebagai labelnya adalah atribut diangkat. Hasilnya adalah perhitungan manual dan penggunaan rapidminer menghasilkan nilai yang sama. Dengan nilai c1(diangkat) adalah 0.567 sedangkan untuk...
    Perkembangan teknologi di era disruptif ini sangat memegang peranan penting karena perubahan yang disebabkan oleh adanya penemuan dan inovasi baru itu sangat membutuhkan teknologi informasi dalam pengembangannya. Wirasusaha adalah bidang... more
    Perkembangan teknologi di era disruptif ini sangat memegang peranan penting karena perubahan yang disebabkan oleh adanya penemuan dan inovasi baru itu sangat membutuhkan teknologi informasi dalam pengembangannya. Wirasusaha adalah bidang yang beberapa waktu ini mendapat perhatian khusus dari pemerintah, dunia pendidikan dan masyarakat umum karena menjadi wirausahawan dianggap dapat memutus antrian para pencari kerja dan membuka lapangan kerja baru.  Menjadi seorang wirausahawan tidak selamanya keuntungan yang dicari untuk menjadi wirasusahawan sosial yang menjadi tujuan adalah kebaikan dan kemajuan bagi banyak orang.  Dengan metode kualitatif kami coba meneliti perilaku, persepsi,  motivasi dan tindakan sosiopreneur di Bogor dan mengamati penggunaan teknologi informasi dalam perkembangan sosiopreneurship tersebut. Dalam perkembangannya menjadi sociopreneur diharapkan dapat menciptakan inovasi yang dapat menciptakan perubahan. Key Word: sociopreneur, Inovasi
    Coterie is a set of quorums which has non-empty intersections and are not part of other quorum. The natural development of the coterie system is k-coterie. The k-coterie consists of 2 types, that are non-dominated k-coterie and dominated... more
    Coterie is a set of quorums which has non-empty intersections and are not part of other quorum. The natural development of the coterie system is k-coterie. The k-coterie consists of 2 types, that are non-dominated k-coterie and dominated k-coterie. The non-dominated k-coterie is more resilient to failure than the dominated k-coterie. Combining two non-dominated k-coterie by applying union operation can result  the dominated k-coterie. This study aims to define a combination of the non-dominated k-coterie with non-dominated k-coterie  using the expanded union operation. The merger of non-dominated k-coterie with the non-dominated k-coterie produces a non-dominated k-coterie.
    As an Educational institutions need to have more knowledge, in evaluating, designing and making decisions. Where from such knowledge can be obtained from the data stored in the operational activities of educational institutions databases... more
    As an Educational institutions need to have more knowledge, in evaluating, designing and making decisions. Where from such knowledge can be obtained from the data stored in the operational activities of educational institutions databases into the data warehose, so it can be used as a support in the decision making process. Data Warehouse has a major role in the provision of strategic information that can be used to meet the needs of management in a business context. This study examines the development of the data warehouse to the data of new admissions to the STIE Binaniaga Bogor, which can dig up important information that can help retrieval strategic decision to support promotional activities at the STIE Binaniaga Bogor. The final goal of this study was to produce a design of a data warehouse that can support the needs of management in making decisions by providing strategic information on new admissions, which produces a summary of information that is accurate and useful as input...
    The purpose of this classroom action research is to know the ability of students to determine the main sentence in the paragraph through the application of cooperative methods TAI is expected to improve the process and results of learning... more
    The purpose of this classroom action research is to know the ability of students to determine the main sentence in the paragraph through the application of cooperative methods TAI is expected to improve the process and results of learning Indonesian fourth graders Elementary School Pabarung District Tombolo Pao. The technique used in this research is a qualitative description. The class action research plan is implemented in two cycles. Each cycle has four stages: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection.The results showed that there were 0% of students in very low category, 6.67% of students in randah category, 26.67% in medium category, 50% in high category and 16.67% in very high category. The average score in cycle I was 69.83 in the "moderate" category. Graduation percentage percentage of 56.67%. While the second cycle in the low category 0%, students in the category of 3.33% and 30% in the high category and 66.67% of students in very high category. The a...
    Quorum system of (h, k)-majority coterie is a set system which elements are a collection of sets k-coterie provided that each element satisfies bicoterie and disjoint properties. Some of related studies have tried to make the construction... more
    Quorum system of (h, k)-majority coterie is a set system which elements are a collection of sets k-coterie provided that each element satisfies bicoterie and disjoint properties. Some of related studies have tried to make the construction of this quorum system but constrained by the problem of generalization. In this paper, to overcome the problem we first compile an equation to determine the size of quoru m. Then we arrange quoru ms that satisfies the equation in a quorum system. The way are (a) divide the universe set into m parts so that h parts are separated, (b) construct a quorum that satisfie k-coterie, (c) construct a quorum system that satisfie bicoterie and disjoint properties.
    In fact, matrix power can be done simply by explicitly calculating it using the rule of matrix multiplication. However, matrix power is time consuming if it had high power, because the multiplication is done by many times. Fixing this,... more
    In fact, matrix power can be done simply by explicitly calculating it using the rule of matrix multiplication. However, matrix power is time consuming if it had high power, because the multiplication is done by many times. Fixing this, the function develops how to calculate the sum of diagonal and anti diagonal of power matrix without explicitly calculating the matrix. The result show that those can be calculated by using linear combination of determinant, sum of diagonal, and sum of anti diagonal of the initial matrix. Beside that, the functions are applied to certain block matrices.
    Objective: To develop a clinically feasible apparatus for measuring and marking patient’s gravity line position on spinal x-ray images. Background: Spinal balance of patients with deformity or instability is an important clinical... more
    Objective: To develop a clinically feasible apparatus for measuring and marking patient’s gravity line position on spinal x-ray images. Background: Spinal balance of patients with deformity or instability is an important clinical parameter for patient diagnosis, surgery planning and treatment outcome evaluation. Traditional assessment of spinal balance is performed on full spine x-ray images using C7 plumb line relative to central sacral line in the coronal plane or posterior superior corner of S1 in the sagittal plane. Researchers have developed measurement techniques using a force plate synchronized with x-ray equipment and offline x-ray image processing. The complexity of these techniques limits their clinical applications. In this study, we present a new system to mark gravity line directly on an x-ray image. Methods: The system consists of a force plate, a signal conditioner and processor, a motion controller and a motor assembly that moves a radio-opaque marker. The processor ...
    Rotatory olisthesis is a common finding of adult degenerative scoliosis. An in vitro model of rotatory olisthesis of the lumbar spine and its correlation with the center of rotation (COR) and lumbosacral lordosis (L3-S1) are presented.... more
    Rotatory olisthesis is a common finding of adult degenerative scoliosis. An in vitro model of rotatory olisthesis of the lumbar spine and its correlation with the center of rotation (COR) and lumbosacral lordosis (L3-S1) are presented. Different centers of rotation and various angles of lumbosacral lordosis were tested for the production of rotatory olisthesis. The radiological finding of rotatory scoliosis was excacerbated with the center of rotation lying in the posterior column and with a normolordotic or hyperlordotic lumbosacral spine. Twenty-one synthetic models of L3-sacrum with simulation of certain anatomic restraints (ligaments and capsules) and disc disruption at L4-L5 were used. The COR was reproduced at the anterior, middle, or posterior column. A combination of a constant axial load at the lateral side of the upper vertebra and a similar size contralateral-side horizontal axial rotation force at the level of L4 vertebral body were applied to produce a rotatory olisthesis. The loaded specimens were immobilized at the end of the dynamic procedure and were imaged in two planes by fluoroscopy. The lateral and anteroposterior olisthesis at L4-L5 levels as well as L3-L5 scoliotic, L3-S1 lordotic Cobb angles and L4-L5 intervertebral rotation were measured. The radiologic finding of rotatory olisthesis (translation ≥ 1mm with rotation) appeared in the spinal units with the COR in the posterior column, although olisthesis was less than 1mm in specimens with the COR in the anterior or middle column. With COR in the posterior column and 40° to 60° of L3-S1 lordosis, rotatory olisthesis at the L4-L5 level was produced with anteroposterior olisthesis as the main component (p < .05). In specimens with 20° to 40° lordosis, lateral olisthesis was the main component of rotatory olisthesis (p < .05), and in less than 20° lordosis, rotatory olisthesis was minimum (translation less than 1 mm). During an in vitro study for the appearance of rotatory olisthesis in the lumbar spine, the COR has been identified to lie in the posterior elements. The main component of rotatory olisthesis is anteroposterior olisthesis and lateral olisthesis in normolordotic and hypolordotic lumbosacral spine, respectively. The described model of rotatory olisthesis in the lumbar spine may serve as a guide for the formation of this deformity and can be the base for future research in the treatment of rotatory olisthesis in degenerative lumbar scoliosis.
    Euler and projection methods have been used to describe relative spinal motion. In the Eulerian formulation, the exiting method used vector form of Euler angles and only provides an approximation. In the projection method, local... more
    Euler and projection methods have been used to describe relative spinal motion. In the Eulerian formulation, the exiting method used vector form of Euler angles and only provides an approximation. In the projection method, local coordinate systems constructed with digitization can affect the accuracy of kinematical results. A more consistent data reduction method is desired to calculate relative spinal motion (range of motion) from raw marker data. To develop a new data reduction method to calculate relative spinal motion based on arbitrarily oriented local coordinate systems of individual vertebrae, and to simplify experimental procedures in multidirectional testing of spines. The relative spinal motion was determined from raw marker data using transformation matrices. In the Eulerian formulation, the relative motion of a vertebra to its subjacent level was determined using transformation matrices rather than vector operation on Euler angles. In the projection method, the projection axes were determined by tranforming local coordinate systems. Both approaches can be used to analyze raw marker data. The new data reduction method was successfully implemented to analyze the raw data acquired on an intact L1-L2 motion segment. There was little difference between the Euler method and projection methods. In conclusion, an alternative data reduction method in both Euler and projection angles to calculate range of motion for in vitro spine biomechanical studies was presented. The method was validated on a human cadaveric lumbar motion segment under axial torsion, lateral bending, and flexion extension. Because the relative spinal motion does not depend on how local coordinate systems are oriented, the digitization process can be eliminated in most multidirectional flexibility tests. Compared with previous methods, this new method provides more consistent kinematical results and significantly simplifies experimental procedures.
    Retrospective cohort study. The fusion risk score (FRS) is introduced to assess baseline risk of spine fusion surgery preoperatively. An objective method of stratifying risk allows the surgeon to control risk through tailoring... more
    Retrospective cohort study. The fusion risk score (FRS) is introduced to assess baseline risk of spine fusion surgery preoperatively. An objective method of stratifying risk allows the surgeon to control risk through tailoring intervention and explain differences in complication profile in high-complexity practice. Research has identified an elevated risk of serious complications in performing spine fusion surgery in the elderly, yet the rate of such surgery continues to increase. A range of comorbidities and the surgical factors are demonstrated predictors of perioperative risk. Retrospective review was made of 364 consecutive fusion surgical procedures in patients older than 65 years in an 18-month period. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive for the occurrence of perioperative events. The predictive variables were incorporated in a weighted fashion into the FRS scaled from 1 to 20. Patient demographics and comorbidities were incorporated into the FRS patient score (maximum 10) and surgical approach, levels, and osteotomies into the FRS procedure score (maximum 10). Multivariate analysis demonstrated chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR] = 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-18.6, P = 0.008), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.0-14.2, P < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.0-8.4, P < 0.001), an open anterior approach (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4-9.3, P = 0.010), diabetes (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.4-6.4, P = 0.004), previous spinal surgery at the same site (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-4.9, P = 0.005), age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13, P = 0.019), and the number of motion segments fused (P = 0.049) to be predictive of perioperative events. When applied, the FRS was highly predictive of perioperative events, intensive care unit admission, operative time, blood loss, and length of stay (all P < 0.0001). A score over threshold 9 carries a greater than 50% risk of perioperative events. The FRS predicts the risk of complications after spine fusion surgery on the basis of patient and surgery characteristics. It also predicts the risk of intensive care unit admission and correlates with operative time, blood loss, and postoperative length of stay. By balancing the FRS procedure score to the individual FRS patient score, the surgeon can quantify and control perioperative risk.
    A radiographic review of 78 consecutive patients with degenerative rotatory lumbar scoliosis. To assess the correlation between rotary olisthesis and neural canal dimensions using radiographic indexes and to establish a gradation system... more
    A radiographic review of 78 consecutive patients with degenerative rotatory lumbar scoliosis. To assess the correlation between rotary olisthesis and neural canal dimensions using radiographic indexes and to establish a gradation system of lateral rotatory olisthesis. Degenerative scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity often associated with spinal stenosis, although the association is not well defined. A total of 78 consecutive patients (average age, 69 years) with de novo degenerative scoliosis (79% lumbar, 21% thoracolumbar; average curve, 25 degrees) were studied with plain radiographs and MRI at presentation. Radiographic measurements included lateral translation, anteroposterior olisthesis, Cobb angle, and intervertebral rotation (Nash-Moe grade difference). Computerized measurements of MRI included dural sac cross-sectional area and anteroposterior diameter, minimum subarticular height, and foramen cross-sectional area bilaterally (convexity and concavity). Measurements were conducted twice on each lumbar level (total, 312) and the average was recorded. Lateral translation 5 mm or less (Grade I) was associated with Nash-Moe change 0 (23%) or I (77%), lateral translation 6-10 mm (Grade II) was coupled with Nash-Moe change 0 (20%) or I (80%) and lateral deviation more than 11 mm (Grade III) was associated with I (76%) or II (24%) Nash-Moe change. Maximum intervertebral rotation tended to be at either L2-L3 (48%) or L3-L4 (39%). Increased lateral translation was associated with increased intervertebral rotation (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). Increased anteroposterior olisthesis was associated with decreased anteroposterior diameter (r = -0.18, P < 0.001) and cross-sectional area (r = -0.11, P < 0.05) of the dural sac. Larger segmental Cobb angles were associated with greater foraminal cross-sectional area in the convexity (r = 0.12, P < 0.05). In the concavity, there was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between indexes of rotary olisthesis and foraminal area or subarticular height. Cross-sectional foraminal area and subarticular height were significantly larger in the convexity than in the concavity of the scoliotic levels. In degenerative scoliotic curves, lateral translation is associated with rotation. Increased rotary olisthesis does not lead to decreased dural sac area. Anteroposterior olisthesis is inversely correlated to the dural sac anteroposterior diameter and cross-sectional area. With increased segmental Cobb angle, foraminal cross-sectional area enlarges in the convexity and does not decrease in the concavity. Presence of intervertebral rotation alone does not appear to be associated with reduced neural canal dimensions. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, posterior disc bulging, and bony overgrowth are more likely to contribute to stenosis irrespective of scoliosis.
    Biomechanical cadaveric study. To determine the torque required to remove pedicle screws augmented with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or calcium phosphate cement (CPC); thus, proving the safety of back out of augmented screws in the... more
    Biomechanical cadaveric study. To determine the torque required to remove pedicle screws augmented with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or calcium phosphate cement (CPC); thus, proving the safety of back out of augmented screws in the osteopotoric model, which would be a more dangerous setting than the nonosteoporotic model. To our knowledge, no earlier study has characterized the safety of backing out pedicle screw augmented with PMMA or CPC. Pedicle screws were inserted in 24 osteoporotic vertebrae (48 pedicles). The maximal insertion torque and pullout strength of each screw were recorded. After pullout of the pedicle screws, the vertebrae were then randomized into 2 groups of 12 (24 pedicles) each. PMMA was injected into the pedicles in the first group and CPC was injected into the second group after which the pedicle screws were inserted. The pedicle screws were inserted into the pedicle holes augmented with PMMA or CPC, respectively. Finally, all augmented screws were backed out and the maximal removal torque was recorded using a digital torque wrench. Throughout the study, no incidence of pedicle or lamina fractures was observed. The average insertion torque was 0.5±0.27 and 0.45±0.29 N·m for groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.724). The average pullout strength was 723.1±391.7 and 671.2±383.0 N (P=0.950). After cement augmentation, the average removal torque was 0.77±0.31 and 0.81±0.26 N·m for PMMA and CPC, respectively (P=0.494). The results of this study showed that pedicle screws can be easily and safely backed out after augmentation with PMMA or CPC. The result of CPC, however, may only be valid before any bony ingrowth.