bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Knowledge, Religiosity, Company Image, and Trust on Customer Interest in Saving at KSPPS BMT Tazakka Bojong
Authors: Awalia Wina , Shultoni Muhammad , Adinugraha Hendri Hermawan
Published: July 2024

This research was motivated by the knowledge of BMT Tazakka Bojong KSSPPS customers who did not know much about Sharia financial institutions, even though there are many services at BMT Tazakka KSPPS that customers can use, one of which is a high-cost and popular savings product. A financial interest is a person's interest in a particular financial product.  Interest will arise from a visual or conceptual view of the product so that the group's plans can determine their investment decision. This study used statistical methods using SPSS software.  The population of this study was the management of KSPP BMT Tazakka Bojong, with a sample of 94 respondents.  The sampling method uses purposive sampling, and the data collection method uses questionnaires.  The results showed that diversity of knowledge, religion, and beliefs had a positive effect, while the company's image variable did not have a significant effect. The diversity of religious knowledge, company image, and beliefs positively and significantly influences interest.
The Effect of Trust, Product Quality, and Mobile Banking Services on Customer Satisfaction at Bank Syariah Indonesia Pekalongan Kajen
Authors: Astuti Risma Novia Dwi , Awali Husni
Published: July 2024

This research aims to determine the influence of the level of trust, product quality, and quality of mobile banking services on customer satisfaction at Bank Syariah Indonesia Pekalongan Kajen Branch. This research is quantitative research with sample data collection techniques based on field research on all customers who save and use m-banking at Bank Syariah Indonesia Pekalongan Kajen Branch. The sampling technique in this research used an accidental sampling technique based on the Lemeshow formula with a total sample size of 97 respondents. The data obtained from the questionnaire distribution was then processed with the help of the SPSS 26.0 program through research data instrument testing, classical assumption testing, regression testing, and hypothesis testing. This research shows that the variables of trust level, product quality, and mobile banking service quality significantly influence customer satisfaction at Bank Syariah Indonesia Pekalongan Kajen Branch, both simultaneously and partially.
نظرية الشريعة الإسلامية عن توزيع لحوم الأضاحي على شكل العلب في مؤسسة عامل الزكاة و الإنفاق و الصدقة محمدية "لازيسمو" جاوة الشرقية
Authors: Mangaribie Wirabuana Pratama
Published: July 2024

بشكل عام ، يتم ترتيب لحوم الأضاحي و توزيعها مباشرة بعد الذبح بحيث يمكن تحقيق فوائد وأغراض ذبح الأضاحي ، وهي السعادة مع الاستمتاع بلحوم الأضاحي. ومع ذلك، على عكس "لازيسمو" ، من خلال النظر إلى الكوارث الطبيعية في إندونيسيا، بحيث يتم عزل الأموال من "لازيسمو" فيه لمساعدة ضحايا هذه الكوارث من خلال توزيع الطعام في شكل عبوات معلبة لتسهيل ضحايا الكوارث في مشاكل الغذاء. في هذه الدراسة ، يريد البحث معرفة كيفية توزيع لحوم الأضاحي على شكل علب في "لازيسمو" منطقة جاوة الشرقية، من نظرية الشريعة الإسلامية باستخدام طريقة البحث وصفي نوعي. يوجد في هذا البحث أن في نظر علماء الشافعية، توزيع أو تخزين لحوم الأضاحي والتوزيع خارج يوم التسريق مسموح به إذا تم تلبية احتياجات البيئة بالكامل. وبالنسبة للمبلغ الذي يجب إعطاؤه للفقراء، لا يجوز توزيع لحوم الأضاحي في حالة مطبوخة أو تمت معالجتها بأي شكل لأن حق الفقراء هو امتلاك اللحوم بالكامل. ومع ذلك، فإن "لازيسمو" جاوة الشرقية في البرنامج تلتزم برأي مجلس العلماء الإندونيسي الذي يسمح في الفتوى بإدارة لحوم الأضاحي وتوزيعها خارج يوم التشريق
Mewujudkan Zero Kemiskinan di Indonesia melalui Pemberdayaan Zakat, Infaq dan Sedekah
Authors: Sa'adah Aqidah Halimatus
Published: July 2024

Cita-cita akan terwujudnya masyarakat yang adil dan makmur mutlak akan terwujud apabila kebutuhan masyarakat di dalamnya tercukupi secara keseluruhan. Perihal kemiskinan memang selalu saja menjadi persoalan yang runyam. Meskipun begitu, bukan berarti pemerintah tidak berusaha untuk menangani. Banyaknya strategi untuk mengurangi kemiskinan belum sepenuhnya sesuai dengan harapan yang dituju oleh pemerintah. Sehingga diperlukan solusi alternatif yang dianggap memiliki potensi yang kuat dalam mengurangi kasus kemiskinan. Artikel ini mencoba untuk melakukan pendekatan terhadap potensi infaq dan sedekah dalam mengatasi kasus kemiskinan di Indonesia. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif, yaitu metode dengan cara berfikir induktif. Akhirnya dari pembahasan ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa infaq dan sedekah adalah satu kesatuan yang saling mempunyai keterkaitan dengan zakat. Dengan pemberdayaan yang maksimal, yang mana didonaturi oleh muzakki, munfiq, dan mutashaddiq, kemudian di koordinir oleh ‘amil dan diawasi oleh pemerintah Indonesia. Oleh karena itu, diharapkan potensi zakat, infaq dan sedekah sangat kuat untuk mengurangi kemiskinan, khususnya di Indonesia.
The Quality of Life and the Hypoxia Indicator in Survivor of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the University of Sumatera Utara Hospital
Authors: Malisie Ririe Fachrina , Tanjung Ika Citra Dewi
Published: July 2024

The technology development for care and management in intensive care units reduces mortality and increases survivors' survival rate and life expectancy. A significant decrease in mortality rate in patients was related to mechanical ventilation. The hypoxia degree and severity of the respiratory distress are the increase of PaO2/FiO2 ratio and decrease of oxygenation index as predictors of oxygenation sufficiency in arterial blood supply to body tissues. The critical parameter of intensive care unit survivors' quality of life is the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory score after survival from the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). During six months of research observation, eight patients died, and 13 patients survived among 68 patients admitted to pediatric intensive care unit who have ventilatory support. The mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio (PFR) in pediatric intensive care survivors who underwent mechanical ventilation was 285, and the mean Oxygenation Index (OI) was 5.07.  There was no relationship between PFR and OI with PedsQL score in this study, but we have found a significant correlation between PedsQL and the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The longer mechanical ventilation duration and length of stay in PICU, the lower the pediatric quality of life score.
The Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplementation to Reduce Urticaria: Systematic Review
Authors: Devi Jean Budi Pratista , Rohmawati Indah
Published: July 2024

Urticaria is a condition of skin disorders. Based on the duration of symptoms, chronic urticaria  occurs  > 6 weeks. Chronic urticaria is caused by endogenous factors unrelated to an external physical stimuli. Vitamin D is an immunoregulatory hormone that activates innate and adaptive immune responses. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and ProQuest with a publication year limit of 2011–2023. The keywords used were "vitamin D deficiency and urticaria" and "vitamin D and urticaria". The present review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. This review included four case reports from 2247 articles. All cases showed a low risk of bias. Two studies found were case-control studies that met the inclusion criteria. The Johanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. The data were presented descriptively. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is more common in women than men.. Patients CSU had < 30 ug/ml vitamin D level and experienced reduced urticarial symptoms after receiving vitamin D (p < 0, 001). Vitamin D2 supplement at 20,000 IU for 6 weeks alleviated urticarial symptoms in patients CSU. Alongside vitamin D, antihistamines, and corticosteroid were also recommended as a comination therapy, leading to a better clinical outcome. Vitamin D supplementation reduces symptoms in patients with CSU. A combination therapy with antihistamines and corticosteroid should be considered in clinical practice.
Percepciones y significados de dos educadoras de párvulos en relación a la mediación del juego sociodramático en el aula
Authors:   , Navarrete Trinidad
Published: July 2024

La crisis sanitaria reciente ha resaltado la importancia de la adaptabilidad en el desarrollo humano. Las personas atraviesan cambios en sus vidas influenciados por factores biológicos, psicológicos y sociales. Las educadoras, por ejemplo, se enfrentan a cambios constantes en su práctica pedagógica debido a iniciativas de desarrollo profesional y reformas educativas. En Chile, la Educación Parvularia experimentó una reforma en 2018 que destacó el juego como eje central del aprendizaje. En esta tesis, se analizaron las percepciones de dos educadoras de párvulos sobre el juego sociodramático antes y después de participar en un programa de desarrollo profesional. Se utilizaron entrevistas en profundidad y un enfoque narrativo de investigación para comprender sus experiencias. El análisis reveló cambios en las percepciones sobre la mediación del juego sociodramático, aunque algunas ideas se mantuvieron consistentes. Las educadoras valoraron positivamente el juego sociodramático como una herramienta de aprendizaje, alineándose con las Bases Curriculares de la Educación Parvularia. Este estudio destaca la importancia de la formación continua para adaptarse a las demandas educativas cambiantes y mejorar las prácticas pedagógicas.
Detection of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 in Leishmania parasites in Serra do Baturité – Ceará (Brazil)
Authors: Athayde Luiza Maria Ferreira Lopes , Albuquerque Camila Teles Franco da Silveira , Macedo Ana Luísa Soares , Montenegro Artur Fontenelle Lima , Medeiros Alex Amaral , Taunay-Rodrigues Alessandro
Published: July 2024

Fundamentals: The human protozoan parasite Leishmania can cause species-related distinct forms of Leishmaniasis: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or fatal generalized visceral infection. Recent studies have reported that the presence of “Leishmania RNA virus 1” infecting Leishmania is an important factor involved with the severity of mucocutaneous in experimental animal models. By using molecular analysis in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the occurrence of LRV1 in Leishmania species from potential sand fly vectors. Methods: Sandfly sampling was carried out from May 2022 to December 2022 in different areas of Serra do Baturité (Ceará). The sampled sand flies were subjected to DNA and RNA extractions followed by molecular analysis using previously described protocols. Leishmania detection was performed using PCR primers (hsp70). The presence of LVR1 was tested by RT-PCR, using primers complementary to the virus ORF1. Results and Research Limitations: A total of 4,243 sandflies were collected from different areas. Two pools were positive for the presence of Leishmania DNA, and one pool was positive for the presence of Leishmaniavirus. Conclusion and Perspective: Our results demonstrate the presence of LRV1 infecting Leishmania in sandflies from Serra do Baturité - Ceará. The impact of LRV1 on the host's susceptibility to infection by Leishmania (V.) braziliensis parasites in patients could be directly related to the difference in human immunogenetic diversity and the interference RNA machinery.
Uma nova abordagem para a heurística Fix-and-optimize aplicada à escala de professores do ensino médio
Authors: Souza Alisson Segatto de , Pécora Junior José Eduardo , Loch Gustavo Valentim , Fressato Adriana Alves
Published: July 2024

Um dos maiores desafios enfrentados pelas instituições de ensino no início do ano letivo é distribuir as aulas e os dias em que cada professor deve atuar. Apesar de todos os avanços computacionais, a maioria das escolas ainda realiza a construção da grade escolar manualmente, tornando o trabalho demorado e envolvendo praticamente todo o corpo docente e pedagógico na busca por otimizar e satisfazer as preferências dos professores. O problema é reunir professores, turmas e salas de aula em cada período, construindo a grade semanal da instituição. Para escolas grandes, mesmo utilizando softwares, não é possível encontrar boas soluções em um tempo computacional viável, sendo necessário utilizar heurísticas. A heurística de fix-and-optimize decompõe o problema original em subproblemas menores ao fixar uma parte das variáveis, gerando regiões de busca menores que podem ser facilmente exploradas por um software, encontrando soluções ótimas para o problema.  Neste artigo, apresentamos um modelo matemático para resolver cinco instâncias clássicas da literatura visando reduzir o número de dias trabalhados pelos professores, eliminar períodos ociosos e aumentar o número de aulas geminadas tanto quanto possível. A heurística de fix-and-optimize foi utilizada junto com cinco diferentes métodos de busca em vizinhança, a fim de reduzir a complexidade do algoritmo e alcançar melhores resultados. Dessa forma, foram encontradas soluções superiores para duas das instâncias estudadas e igualando os resultados já conhecidos para as demais instâncias.
Challenges and Prospects of Housing Finance Sector: A Comprehensive Study in the Context of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Khairul , Rahman Md. Mizanur
Published: July 2024

The housing finance sector of Bangladesh stands at a promising stage. This study tries to provide an inclusive analysis regarding the challenges and prospects of the housing finance sector of Bangladesh, aiming to provide some valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and stakeholders. Objectives of the study are to understand the growth prospects of housing financing sector and analyze the key challenges of the housing finance sector in Bangladesh. This study is primarily based on secondary data, sourced from various pertinent sources. Furthermore, the analysis of these secondary data enhanced the primary findings, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of Bangladesh's housing finance landscape. The contribution of housing finance sector to the economic development is multifaceted. The sector directly and indirectly contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the creation of employment, generation of government revenue, development of infrastructure along with having some multiplier effects on other industries. Factors such as maturity mismatch of fund, limited access to finance, income disparities, high interest rate, lack of proper collateral are identified as key challenges for the housing finance sector. Innovative finance mechanisms, such as mortgage-backed securities marked as a potential avenue for expanding the access to housing finance. Furthermore, the technology can also play a crucial role in facilitating the processes and enhancing the inclusivity within the housing finance ecosystem. Addressing key issues and working on actionable insights, sustainable urban development and socio-economic progress can be achieved through the creation of efficient housing market, collaboration with the stakeholder and reformation of policy and regulatory framework.
Participatory Approach to Irrigated Landscape Ecosystems Boundary Determination: Use of Transect Walk and Focus Group Discussion
Authors: ZB Gandaa
Published: July 2024

Agricultural landscapes are continuously changing under the influence of humans and nature, resulting in a variety of local impacts. Agricultural landscapes are the visual result of land uses that represent the cultural landscape group with origin, structure and ecological relations that differ from the natural landscapes. In the White Volta Basin (WVB), ecosystem boundaries are dynamic in both space and time, periodic evaluation is required to determine the boundaries and ecosystem services on which community livelihood depends on. The objective is to identify and evaluate the characteristics of the ecosystem’s boundaries and services in Irrigation Projects. Transect walk and focus group discussions are Participatory Rural Appraisal tools used. These participatory methods enabled the active participation of community members in research. Transact walk provided information on visual and physical characteristics in the ecosystems and focus group discussions with a checklist on thematic areas provided in-depth information on the ecosystem services’ availability and uses. Transect walk not only identifies ecosystem boundaries in a landscape but also aids in the evaluation of the type of provisioning services available between boundaries. From the study, it was established that irrigate ecosystems can be partitioned into catchment, upstream, midstream, and downstream with very distinct boundaries and specific ecosystem provisioning services accessible in the demarcations.
Influence of Farmyard Manure and Bio-Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Green Gram
Authors: Amitayush Ishan , Mehera Biswarup , Kumar Prateek , Pathak Shivam
Published: July 2024

A study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the influence of Farmyard Manure and  bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of green gram. The field experiment was conducted during Zaid season 2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in soil reaction (pH 8), low level of organic carbon (0.28%), available N (219 kg/ha), P (11.6 kg/ha) and K (217.2 kg/ha). The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design consisting of 9 treatments with 3 different levels of FYM 05t/ha, 10t/ha, 15t/ha and different biofertilizers Rhizobium 20g/kg seeds, PSB 20g/kg seedsand Trichoderma 4g/kg seeds with three replications and the treatments were allocated randomly in each replication. The results showed that treatment 7 with the application of FYM 15 tonnes/ha + Rhizobium 20g/kg seeds recorded significantly higher plant height (51.32cm), higher plant nodules (30.20), higher plant dry weight (13.69g), maximum crop growth rate (12.53g/m2 /day), maximum number of pods/plant (19.47), higher seed yield (1513 kg/ha) compared to other treatments. The maximum gross returns (117257.00NR/ha) and maximum net returns (78577.50 INR/ha), whereas highest benefit ratio (2.86) was recorded in treatment 1 with the application of FYM 15 tonnes/ha + Rhizobium 20g/kg seedsas compared to other treatments.
Modeling Open Channel Fluid Flow Past a Trapezoidal Cross-section with a Segment Base having Lateral Inflow Channel
Authors: Nyaga Charles Mwaniki , Okongo Mark , Kirimi Jacob
Published: July 2024

Floods in flood-stricken areas have been a major threat to the survival of lives and livelihoods in various aspects. For instance, increased pot-holes, road disconnection and tearing off as well as bridges being carried away have led to increased cases of accidents leading to loss of lives. This has led to Government over-stretching budgetary allocations to cater for maintenance and repair of roads and bridges. This study has developed a model for fluid flow past an open channel with a trapezoidal cross-section with a segment base having lateral inflow channel. The turbulent formation between the lateral inflow channel and the main channel are assumed to be negligible and hence the flow is laminar. The model equations governing the fluid flow are non-dimensionalized and solved using finite-difference method. The numerical values are simulated using Matlab software. It is found that an increase in cross-section area of the lateral channel increases the discharge in the main channel leading to an increase in flow velocity. An increase in surface roughness increases shear stress thereby recording a reduced flow velocity. The findings of this study is highly applicable in the design of drainage systems for road construction, sewer building, street drainage, dams, and airport construction in Kenya and elsewhere. Moreover, the designed efficient channels with optimal dimensions are applicable in draining water to hydro-electric power plants where large volumes of high velocity water are required to turn large turbines for electrical processes.
Gut Microbiota and Estrogen Levels in Women Breast Cancer in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Franck Gnahore Djeda , Valérie M’bengue Gbonon , Mamadou Sekongo Yassongui , Stanislas Assohoun , Aristide Ako Ako , Bernadette Diplo Flore , Safiatou Coulibaly , Akandji Osseni , Arlette Afran Sidje , David N’guessan Jean , Mireille Dosso
Published: July 2024

The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that maintains a symbiotic relationship with its host, contributing to digestion, metabolism, and immunity. Studies suggest that the microbiota may play a role in several non-communicable diseases, including certain cancers. It may also influence circulating estrogen levels through enzymes like β-glucuronidase, which affects estrogen reabsorption and thus increases the risk of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to characterize the microbiota of breast cancer patients in Côte d'Ivoire to identify bacterial markers potentially associated with increased plasma estradiol concentrations. A case-control study was conducted at the Oncology Department of the CHU of Treichville, the National Blood Transfusion Center, and the Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire, recruiting 85 participants, including 39 patients and 46 controls, both premenopausal and postmenopausal. Characterization of the gut microbiota revealed a significant difference in microbiota diversity between breast cancer patients and controls. Quantification of plasma hormones and the use of the LEfSe algorithm identified eight bacterial genera potentially associated with increased plasma estradiol concentrations. These results open research avenues on the gut microbiota and estrogen levels, which could have significant implications for the prevention, diagnosis, and targeted treatment of breast cancer.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Efficiency on Plant Growth and Nutrient Acquisition: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Singh Ashutosh , Pandey Amit Kumar , Dodmani Basavaraj A , Swati  , Joshi Ridhi , Wongamthing R. , Mishra Shubham , Karanwal Rajshree
Published: July 2024

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in enhancing plant growth and nutrient acquisition. The impacts of pressures on crop yield have been made worse by climate change and agricultural practices such as overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, which have also damaged the environment. AMF are one environmentally friendly management strategy that is desperately needed to increase agricultural output. More importantly, it's widely acknowledged that the AMF inoculation confers resistance in host plants to a range of stressful environments, such as heat, salt, drought, metals, and abnormally high or low temperatures. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of AMF efficiency on various aspects of plant physiology, including nutrient uptake and overall plant development. The paper synthesizes information from recent studies to present a nuanced perspective on the multifaceted interactions between AMF and plants. Furthermore, challenges and future directions in AMF research are discussed, highlighting the need for a more integrated and holistic approach to harness the full potential of these fungi for enhancing plant productivity and nutrient acquisition.
New groups focus on hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: April 2013

The Scientific Advisory Board of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formed a 31‐member expert panel to conduct a peer review of the agency's upcoming draft report on the potential effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, EPA announced on 24 March. Panel members include experts in a number of areas, including petroleum/natural gas engineering, geology/geophysics, and waste water and drinking water treatment.
Advancing the First World Ocean Assessment
Authors: Tirpak Elizabeth , Halpern David
Published: April 2013

World Ocean Assessment (WOA) regional workshops enlist expertise for the WOA Pool of Experts, update regional knowledge on the marine environment, and build capacity to conduct assessments and benefit from assessments. WOA was described in Eos (93(50), 521, doi:10.1029/2012EO500001). For the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) Workshop, the United States Mission to the United Nations (UN) invited all UN missions, in accordance with WOA guidelines. The WCR workshop attracted 94 people from 32 countries with a wide range of expertise, including ocean, fishery, and biodiversity sciences; living and nonliving resource management; and capacity building. Attendees represented academia, governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.
Citizen science finds spring could come a month early to the United States
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: April 2013

From a national collaboration among citizen scientists, educational institutions, environmental organizations, and federal agencies, Jeong et al. developed the first countrywide assessment of springtime tree budding based on in‐the‐field measurements. The phenological assessment, which measured the timing of bud burst for five tree species, was used to build a model of species‐specific budding across the continental United States. Using their tree budding model in forecasts of future climate change, the authors found that by the end of the century, tree budding across the United States will occur more than 1 month earlier in some places.
Guiding future research on terrestrial ecosystem disturbance
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: April 2013

With North American ecosystems responsible for drawing hundreds of teragrams of carbon from the atmosphere each year, the tenuous balance of the terrestrial carbon budget can be upset for decades by disturbances such as fires, storms, disease outbreaks, insect infestations, and logging. Research cataloging the effects of such disturbances on regional carbon cycling tends to be sporadic or of limited scope. Most research has focused on forests but is less extensive for other important ecosystems such as grasslands or permafrost peatlands.
Negative narrow bipolar lightning needs critical cloud height
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: April 2013

High within towering thunderclouds, a distinct form of intracloud lightning, known as “narrow bipolar pulse” discharges, can occur. Like other forms of lightning, narrow bipolar events (NBE) can be either negative or positive discharges. These events are known for their high‐powered, short‐distance electrical discharges that produce strong emissions of very high frequency radio waves. Previous research has found that since NBEs take place at relatively high altitudes, it is possible to detect them remotely using satellites. To be able to use the detection of narrow bipolar events to measure cloud behavior or storm dynamics, however, requires a better understanding of the relationship between cloud properties and NBEs.
Molecular Evolution: Introduction
Authors: Penny David
Published: April 2013

Molecular evolution studies the mechanisms leading to present day
deoxyribonucleic acid
and protein sequences – it is a unifying force in biology. With the advent of the genomic era, it is expected to continue reducing the gap between molecular biology and the ecology of organisms. Some of the key advances are quantitative estimates of both the diversity in populations and of evolutionary relationships, as well as improvements in theoretical understanding. There is an improved understanding of the function of proteins and much better models of the common patterns of development. There are now powerful models for the origin of life, and at the other end of the scale, an important aspect has been the detailed models of the origin and distribution of modern humans.

Key Concepts:

Studies in Molecular Evolution developed very quickly once protein sequence (and then DNA sequence) information became available.

Molecular data inform every aspect of evolution, and similarly, molecular biology needs molecular evolution to understand it.

Evolutionary trees from molecular data have been, and continue to be, a major application of DNA sequences.

The neutral theory of evolution was an important early contribution, implying on‐going mutations occurred irrespective of any ‘need’ of the organism.

Gene duplication, and then divergence of the two copies, is an important source for the origin of New Information.

The origin of life can now be studied scientifically, and its main contribution is a proposed RNA‐world where RNA is involved in both information storage and catalysis.

Nothing in macroevolution has been found thus far that is not explained by normal microevolutionary molecular processes.

Molecular evolution shows a basic similarity of all living cells, reinforcing the common unity of all life on earth.

There are excellent data supporting an African origin of modern humans and spreading from there around the world (with a little introgression from earlier groups).
Substitution Matrices
Authors: Altschul Stephen F
Published: April 2013

A substitution matrix is a collection of scores for aligning nucleotides or amino acids with one another. These scores generally represent the relative ease with which one nucleotide or amino acid may mutate into or substitute for another, and they are used to measure similarity in sequence alignments. Substitution matrices are used in conjunction with gap costs to construct local or global alignments. A local alignment substitution matrix implicitly corresponds to a set of target frequencies for aligned letters, which characterise the alignments the matrix may most easily distinguish from chance. Thus different substitution matrices are optimal for comparing related sequences that have diverged to differing degrees. The point accepted mutation and blocks substitution matrix (BLOSUM) series of matrices for protein sequence comparison have been derived from collections of related sequences. Special‐purpose matrices may be appropriate for comparing sequences with biased nucleotide or amino acid composition.

Key Concepts:

Match/mismatch scores generally are suboptimal for comparing protein sequences.

A log‐odds substitution matrix is characterised by its target frequencies and scale.

All local‐alignment substitution matrices are implicitly log‐odds matrices.

Different substitution matrices are tailored to different degrees of evolutionary divergence.

Amino acid substitution matrices are constructed from curated sets of alignments.

The sequence divergence for which a substitution matrix is tailored may be measured by relative entropy.

Special matrices may be preferred for comparing sequences with nonstandard nucleotide or amino acid composition.

For gapped local alignments, statistical parameters must be estimated by random simulation.

For protein‐coding DNA, distant relationships are more easily detected at the protein than at the DNA level.

For global alignments, an equivalent scoring system results from adding 2
x
to all substitution scores, and
x
to the score for each letter aligned with a null.
Validity and Reliability of Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Instruments in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Broderick Joan E. , Schneider Stefan , Junghaenel Doerte U. , Schwartz Joseph E. , Stone Arthur A.
Published: April 2013

Objective

Evaluation of known‐group validity, ecological validity, and test–retest reliability of 4 domain instruments from the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methods

We recruited an OA sample and a comparison general population (GP) sample through an internet survey panel. Pain intensity, pain interference, physical functioning, and fatigue were assessed for 4 consecutive weeks with PROMIS short forms on a daily basis and compared with same‐domain Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) instruments that use a 7‐day recall. Known‐group validity (comparison of OA and GP), ecological validity (comparison of aggregated daily measures with CAT instruments), and test–retest reliability were evaluated.

Results

The recruited samples matched the demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, and ethnicity) of the US sample for arthritis and the 2009 Census for the GP. Compliance with repeated measurements was excellent at >95%. Known‐group validity for CATs was demonstrated with large effect sizes (pain intensity 1.42, pain interference 1.25, and fatigue 0.85). Ecological validity was also established through high correlations between aggregated daily measures and weekly CATs (≥0.86). Test–retest validity (7‐day) was very good (≥0.80).

Conclusion

PROMIS CAT instruments demonstrated known‐group and ecological validity in a comparison of OA patients with a GP sample. Adequate test–retest reliability was also observed. These data provide encouraging initial data on the utility of these PROMIS instruments for clinical and research outcomes in OA patients.
Impact of Statin Use on Lipid Levels in Statin‐Naive Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Versus Non–Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects: Results From a Population‐Based Study
Authors: Myasoedova Elena , Gabriel Sherine E. , Green Abigail B. , Matteson Eric L. , Crowson Cynthia S.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To examine lipid profiles among statin‐naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those without RA before and after the initiation of statins.

Methods

Information regarding lipid measures and statin use was gathered in a population‐based incident cohort of patients with RA (1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria first met between January 1, 1988 and January 1, 2008) and in a cohort of non‐RA subjects from the same underlying population. Only patients with no prior history of statin use were included.

Results

The study included 161 patients with RA (mean age 56.3 years, 57% female) and 221 non‐RA subjects (mean age 56.0 years, 66% female). Prior to the start of statins, the levels of total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were lower in the RA versus the non‐RA cohort (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). The absolute and percentage change in LDL cholesterol after at least 90 days of statin use tended to be smaller in the RA versus the non‐RA cohort (P = 0.03 and P = 0.09, respectively). After at least 90 days of statin use, patients with RA were less likely to achieve therapeutic goals for LDL cholesterol than the non‐RA subjects (P = 0.046). Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at baseline (odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.26–0.85) was associated with lower likelihood of achieving therapeutic LDL goals.

Conclusion

Patients with RA had lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels before statin initiation and lower likelihood of achieving therapeutic LDL goals following statin use than the non‐RA subjects. Some RA disease characteristics, in particular ESR at baseline, may have an adverse impact on achieving therapeutic LDL goals.
Relationship Between Fatigue and Subsequent Physical Activity Among Older Adults With Symptomatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Murphy Susan L. , Alexander Neil B. , Levoska Melissa , Smith Dylan M.
Published: April 2013

Objective

Although it has been well established that fatigue is common among older adults with osteoarthritis (OA), relatively little is known about how fatigue in daily life affects physical activity. The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between momentary fatigue and subsequent physical activity among people with OA who reported clinically relevant levels of fatigue and to examine moderators of this relationship.

Methods

People with knee or hip OA and clinically relevant fatigue participated in physical performance assessments, completed questionnaires, and underwent a home monitoring period in which fatigue severity was measured 5 times/day over 5 days (n = 172). Physical activity was concurrently measured via a wrist‐worn accelerometer. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the relationship of momentary fatigue and subsequent activity controlling for other factors (e.g., age, body mass index, pain, and depression).

Results

Fatigue was the strongest predictor of reduced subsequent activity. Only functional mobility (Timed Up and Go) moderated the relationship between fatigue and activity. The relationship between fatigue and activity was strongest for people with high functional mobility.

Conclusion

Momentary fatigue is a robust and important variable associated with decreased physical activity. Further, the moderating effect of functional mobility suggests this factor should be considered when intervening on fatigue. While people with better functional mobility may benefit from an activity‐based treatment approach (such as learning activity pacing techniques to reduce the impact of fatigue on activity), those with worse functional mobility may benefit from treatment focusing on underlying impairments.
Accuracy of Canadian Health Administrative Databases in Identifying Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Validation Study Using the Medical Records of Rheumatologists
Authors: Widdifield Jessica , Bernatsky Sasha , Paterson J. Michael , Tu Karen , Ng Ryan , Thorne J. Carter , Pope Janet E. , Bombardier Claire
Published: April 2013

Objective

Health administrative data can be a valuable tool for disease surveillance and research. Few studies have rigorously evaluated the accuracy of administrative databases for identifying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Our aim was to validate administrative data algorithms to identify RA patients in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of a random sample of 450 patients from 18 rheumatology clinics. Using rheumatologist‐reported diagnosis as the reference standard, we tested and validated different combinations of physician billing, hospitalization, and pharmacy data.

Results

One hundred forty‐nine rheumatology patients were classified as having RA and 301 were classified as not having RA based on our reference standard definition (study RA prevalence 33%). Overall, algorithms that included physician billings had excellent sensitivity (range 94–100%). Specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were modest to excellent and increased when algorithms included multiple physician claims or specialist claims. The addition of RA medications did not significantly improve algorithm performance. The algorithm of “(1 hospitalization RA code ever) OR (3 physician RA diagnosis codes [claims] with ≥1 by a specialist in a 2‐year period)” had a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 85%, PPV of 76%, and negative predictive value of 98%. Most RA patients (84%) had an RA diagnosis code present in the administrative data within ±1 year of a rheumatologist's documented diagnosis date.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that administrative data can be used to identify RA patients with a high degree of accuracy. RA diagnosis date and disease duration are fairly well estimated from administrative data in jurisdictions of universal health care insurance.
The reduction continuous rank probability score for evaluating discharge forecasts from hydrological ensemble prediction systems
Authors: Trinh B. N. , Thielen‐del Pozo J. , Thirel G.
Published: April 2013

Ensemble prediction system (EPS) meteorological forecasts are increasingly being used as input to hydrological models in order to extend flood‐warning lead‐times and to improve forecasts and the knowledge of their uncertainty. Probabilistic skill scores classically used in meteorology are usually also utilized for assessing the quality of hydrological ensemble forecasts. However, the different river discharge magnitudes can make difficult the interpretation and comparisons of these scores, as it is for the continuous rank probability score (CRPS). In this letter, a novel ‘Reduction’ CRPS (RCRPS), which takes into account the different river discharge magnitudes, is proposed, and its usefulness is exhibited. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Boreal summer convection oscillation over the Indo‐Western Pacific and its relationship with the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Li Yanjie , Li Jianping , Feng Juan
Published: April 2013

Statistical analysis shows that the Indo‐Pacific convection oscillation (IPCO) in boreal summer undergoes quasi‐biennial variability, and is closely related to the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Negative IPCO phases, which exhibit an enhanced convection over the north Indian Ocean and a suppressed convection over the western North Pacific, favor a weakened EASM and an increase of summer rainfall in the Yangtze River valley with the joint actions of the stronger than normal Ural and Okhotsk blocking highs and the subtropical western Pacific high, and vice versa. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
A theoretical study revealing the promotion of light‐absorbing carbon particles solubilization by natural surfactants in nanosized water droplets
Authors: Hede Thomas , Leck Caroline , Sun Lu , Tu Yaoquan , Ågren Hans
Published: April 2013

Many identified effects of atmospheric aerosol particles on climate come from pollutants. The effects of light‐absorbing carbon particles (soot) are amongst the most uncertain and they are also considered to cause climate warming on the same order of magnitude as anthropogenic carbon dioxide. This study contributes to the understanding of the potential for transformation of the surface character of soot from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, which in clouds promotes a build‐up of water‐soluble material. We use molecular dynamics simulations to show how natural surfactants facilitate solubilization of fluoranthene, which we use as a model compound for soot in nanoaerosol water clusters. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Comparative assessment of evapotranspiration derived from NCEP and ECMWF global datasets through Weather Research and Forecasting model
Authors: Srivastava Prashant K. , Han Dawei , Rico Ramirez Miguel A. , Islam Tanvir
Published: April 2013

In many hydro‐meteorological applications, it is not always possible to get access to in situ weather measurements, especially for the ungauged catchments. This study explores the performances of downscaled weather data for Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) retrieval using the global European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA interim and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, simulated through Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model. The range of the Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency calculated for the ECMWF pooled datasets derived ETo varies from 0.31 to 0.87, while for NCEP it is found to be 0.11 to 0.38. Bias and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are also indicating a very high discrepancy in the NCEP ETo (Bias = −0.05; RMSE = 0.11) as compared to ECMWF (Bias = 0.00; RMSE = 0.06). The overall findings reveal that ECMWF downscaled products have a much better performance than the NCEP's counterparts. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Bayesian outbreak detection algorithm for monitoring reported cases of campylobacteriosis in Germany
Authors: Manitz Juliane , Höhle Michael
Published: April 2013

In infectious disease epidemiology, statistical methods are an indispensable component for the automated detection of outbreaks in routinely collected surveillance data. So far, methodology in this area has been largely of frequentist nature and has increasingly been taking inspiration from statistical process control. The present work is concerned with strengthening Bayesian thinking in this field. We extend the widely used approach of Farrington et al. and Heisterkamp et al. to a modern Bayesian framework within a time series decomposition context. This approach facilitates a direct calculation of the decision‐making threshold while taking all sources of uncertainty in both prediction and estimation into account. More importantly, with the methodology it is now also possible to integrate covariate processes, e.g. weather influence, into the outbreak detection. Model inference is performed using fast and efficient integrated nested Laplace approximations, enabling the use of this method in routine surveillance at public health institutions. Performance of the algorithm was investigated by comparing simulations with existing methods as well as by analysing the time series of notified campylobacteriosis cases in Germany for the years 2002–2011, which include absolute humidity as a covariate process. Altogether, a flexible and modern surveillance algorithm is presented with an implementation available through the R package ‘surveillance’.
Near‐infrared and two‐dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy monitoring of monoclonal antibody fermentation media quality: Aged media decreases cell growth
Authors: Hakemeyer Christian , Strauss Ulrike , Werz Silke , Folque Francisca , Menezes Jose C.
Published: April 2013

In biomanufacturing processes, the influence of feedstock components on product yield and quality is considerable and often poorly understood. Here we describe the capabilities of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and two dimensional (2D)‐fluorescence spectroscopy in detecting chemical changes over time in two types of culture media (one basal media and one feed media) used in the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Both spectroscopies were able to detect compositional changes in basal media over storage period of 12 weeks. NIRS was more effective in detecting changes in feed medium composition. The impact of storage time in process performance was evaluated by using aged media components in mAb cultivations. The study suggests that basal media aging results in a decrease of the integral of viable cells (IVC) (cell growth over time), while product titer is not significantly affected. Feed media appears to be less sensitive to storage and no correlation between the age of the media and cell culture performance was detected. Results obtained provide a basis on which to further improve cell culture raw material quality assessment using vibrational (e.g. NIRS) and optical (e.g. 2D‐fluorescence) spectroscopic methods.
A trio of human molecular genetics PCR assays
Authors: Reinking Jeffrey L. , Waldo Jennifer T. , Dinsmore Jannett
Published: April 2013

This laboratory exercise demonstrates three different analytical forms of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that allow students to genotype themselves at four different loci. Here, we present protocols to allow students to a) genotype a non‐coding polymorphic Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) locus on human chromosome 5 using conventional PCR, b) perform PCR – Restriction Fragment Polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis to genotype a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of the TAS2R38 gene on human chromosome 7 and c) perform duplex Allele Specific Primer‐PCR (ASP‐PCR) to genotype SNPs of two enzyme‐encoding genes in a single biochemical pathway on human chromosomes 4 and 12. All PCR reactions have been optimized to use a single easily purified sample of the students' own DNA and run under a single thermal cycler program using inexpensive reagents to produce robust and clearly interpretable results on a single agarose gel. As presented here, the lab occupies two lab periods of 2 h, 40 min each: DNA purification followed by PCR reactions set‐up on Day 1 and enzyme digestion of the PCR‐RFLP and agarose gel analysis on Day 2. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(3):173–179, 2013
Can bioabsorbable scaffolds be used in calcified lesions?
Authors: Basavarajaiah Sandeep , Naganuma Toru , Latib Azeem , Colombo Antonio
Published: April 2013

The technology of bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) that disappears with minimal trace essentially eliminating the risk of very late stent thrombosis appears exciting. However, these scaffolds have only been tried in simple lesions in which the risk of late stent thrombosis is very low. We would like to report the use of everolimus‐eluting BVS in calcified coronary lesions following debulking the lesions using scoring balloons and rotational atherectomy. With the use of intravascular ultrasound, we have confirmed the adequate expansion of these scaffolds. These cases demonstrate the feasibility of BVS in complex lesions, but appropriate lesion preparation remains the key to aid adequate expansion of these scaffolds.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.