bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Likelihood of Having a Regular Health Care Provider among African American and African Immigrant Women
Authors: Ahad Fatema Binte , Zick Cathleen D. , Simonsen Sara E. , Mukundente Valentine , Davis France A. , Digre Kathleen
Published: April 2019

Objective: Immigrants, especially refugees, face unique barriers to accessing health care relative to native born Americans. In this study, we examined how immigration status, health, barriers to access, and knowledge of the health care system relate to the likelihood of having a regular health care provider.Methods: Using logistic regression and data from a community-based participatory study, we estimated the relative likelihood that an African immigrant woman would have a regular health care provider com­pared with an African American woman.Results: Immigrant status remains a power­ful predictor of whether a woman had a regular health care provider after control­ling for covariates. African immigrants were 73% less likely to have a regular health care provider than were otherwise similar African American women.Conclusion: Expanding health care educational efforts for immigrants may be warranted. Future research should examine how cultural beliefs and time in residence influence health care utilization among US immigrants. Ethn Dis. 2019;29(2):253-260; doi:10.18865/ed.29.2.253
Patient-level Predictors of Extent of Exposure to a Community Health Worker Intervention in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ibe Chidinma A. , Bowie Janice , Carson Kathryn A. , Bone Lee , Monroe Dwyan , Roter Debra , Cooper Lisa A.
Published: April 2019

Objective: Community health worker (CHW) interventions have been cited as a best practice for reducing health disparities, but patient-level attributes may contribute to differential uptake. We examined patient characteristics associated with the extent of exposure to a CHW coaching interven­tion among a predominantly low-income, African American population participating in a randomized controlled trial of hyperten­sion interventions.Design: We conducted a within-group longitudinal analysis of those receiving a CHW intervention from a study conducted between September 2003 and August 2005. We employed mixed effects models to ascertain relationships between patients’ characteristics, length of time spent with the CHW, and the number of topics discussed during the intervention.Setting: Baltimore, MDParticipants: 140 patients with a diagnosis of hypertension in the CHW intervention arm.Results: Marital status, stress, depression symptomology, and having multiple comor­bid conditions were each independently and positively related to the length of time patients spent with CHWs. An indirect rela­tionship between higher perceived physical health and time spent with the CHW was observed. Patients with multiple comorbid conditions discussed more intervention-related topics, while patients who perceived themselves as being healthier discussed fewer topics. Marital status and extreme poverty were the strongest predictors of the length of time spent with the CHW, while having multiple comorbid conditions was the strongest predictor of the number of coaching topics discussed.Conclusions: Differential exposure to a CHW intervention is influenced by patients’ physical, psychosocial, and sociodemographic characteristics. Ethn Dis. 2019;29(2):261-266; doi:10.18865/ ed.29.2.261
Comparison of Ideal Cardiovascular Health Attainment and Acculturation among Asian Americans and Latinos
Authors: Rodriguez Fatima , Echeverria Sandra E. , Pentakota Sri Ram , Amadi Chioma , Hastings Katherine G. , Palaniappan Latha P.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To determine the association between language and ideal cardiovascular health among Asian Americans and Latinos.Design/ Study Participants: Cross-sectional study using 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of Asian Americans (n=2,009) and Latinos (n=3,906).Interventions: Participants were classified according to language spoken at home (only/mostly English spoken, both English and native language spoken equally, or mostly/only native language spoken).Outcomes: Ideal, intermediate and poor cardiovascular health status for smoking, blood pressure, glucose level, and total cholesterol.Results: The majority of Asian Americans and Latinos had ideal smoking status, but those who only/mostly spoke English were more likely to smoke compared with those who spoke only/mostly spoke their native language. Approximately one third of Asian Americans and Latinos had intermediate (ie, borderline or treated to goal) levels of cardiovascular health for blood pressure, glucose level and total cholesterol. In ad­justed models, those who spoke only/mostly their native language were significantly less likely to have poor smoking or hyperten­sion status than those who spoke only/ mostly English. Among Latinos, only/mostly Spanish speakers were more likely to have poor/ intermediate glucose levels (PR=1.35, 95% CI =1.21, 1.49) than those who spoke only/ mostly English, becoming statistically non-significant after adjusting for education and income.Conclusion: We found significant variation in ideal cardiovascular health attainment by language spoken at home in two of the larg­est immigrant groups in the United States. Findings suggest the need for language and culturally tailored public health and clinical initiatives to reduce cardiovascular risk in di­verse populations.Ethn Dis.2019;29(2):287- 296; doi:10.18865/ed.29.2.287
Conjunctivitis and Exposure to Ambient Ozone
Authors: Szyszkowicz Mieczyslaw , Gordon Shaag Ariela , Shneor Einat
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study is to assess the concentration-response relations between conjunctivitis and exposure to ambient ozone. This retrospective study includes emergency department (ED) visits for conjunctivitis in Edmonton, Canada, for the period April 1992–March 2002. Daily average levels of ozone (range: 1.2–50.9, ppb), of temperature, and of relative humidity were estimated and used for the period of the study. For each of the considered exposure lags, (from 0 to 9 days), six different models were fitted to estimate the concentration-response function. The goodness of fit was assessed using the Akaike information criterion. During the period of the study, 17,211 ED visits for conjunctivitis were recorded and used. For all subjects together, a positive statistically significant association was obtained for the exposure lagged by 5 days. For female subjects, lags 1, 3, and 9 had positive statistically significant associations (lag 2 had negative associations). For male subjects, only lag 5 had a positive statistically significant association. The estimated non-linear concentration-response functions for the considered groups (all, males, females) and lags, revealed the associations along the exposure levels. The fitted shapes are described by algebraic functions and may have various forms. The estimated functions are useful to determine the risk associated with exposure to ground-level ozone.
Protobiotic Systems Chemistry Analyzed by Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Kahana Amit , Lancet Doron
Published: April 2019

Systems Chemistry has been a key component of origin of life research, invoking models of life’s inception based on evolving molecular networks. One such model is the Graded Autocatalysis Replication Domain (GARD) formalism embodied in a Lipid World scenario, which offers rigorous computer simulation based on defined chemical kinetics equations. GARD suggests that the first pre-RNA life-like entities could have been homeostatically-growing assemblies of amphiphiles, undergoing compositional replication and mutations, as well as rudimentary selection and evolution. Recent progress in Molecular Dynamics has provided an experimental tool to study complex biological phenomena such as protein folding, ligand-receptor interactions and micellar formation, growth and fission. The detailed molecular definition of GARD and its inter-molecular catalytic interactions make it highly compatible with Molecular Dynamics analyses. We present a roadmap for simulating GARD’s kinetic and thermodynamic behavior using various Molecular Dynamics methodologies. We review different approaches for testing the validity of the GARD model, by following micellar accretion and fission events and examining compositional changes over time. Near future computational advances could provide empirical delineation for further system complexification, from simple compositional non-covalent assemblies towards more life-like protocellular entities with covalent chemistry that underlies metabolism and genetic encoding.
Research on Four-Phase Interleaved Step-Up DC/DC Converter for Photovoltaic Energy Storage System
Authors: Wu Xiaogang , Yu Boyang , Du Jiuyu , Shi Wenwen
Published: April 2019

Intended for the high voltage gain and wide-range operation of DC/DC converters for photovoltaic energy storage systems, a topology for four-phase interleaved DC/DC converters for photovoltaic power generation is proposed. This topology increases output voltage for output in series, and reduces the input current ripple by paralleling the input. Compared with traditional boost converter topology, the proposed topology reduces the output current and output voltage ripple, reduces the stress of the switching device, and reduces the withstanding voltage of the output capacitor under the premise of ensuring the boost ratio. Experimental results show that the maximum efficiency of the converter reaches 95.37%. Compared with traditional boost converters, the proposed converter offers obvious advantages in efficiency under the conditions that the output voltage and load are variable.
Riemannian Geometry Framed as a Generalized Heisenberg Lie Algebra
Authors: Johnson Joseph E.
Published: April 2019

The Heisenberg Lie algebra (HA) plays an important role in mathematics with Fourier transforms, as well as for the foundations of quantum theory where it expresses the operators of space-time, X, and their commutation rules with the momentum operators, D, that execute infinitesimal translations in X. Yet it is known that space-time is curved and thus the D operators must interfere thus giving “structure constants” that vary with location which suggests a mathematical generalization of the concept of a Lie algebra to allow for “structure constants” that are functions of X. We here investigate the mathematics of such a “generalized Heisenberg algebra” (GHA) which has “structure constants” that are functions of X and thus are in the enveloping algebra rather than constants. As expected, the Jacobi identity no longer holds globally but only in small regions of space-time where the [D, X] commutator can be considered locally constant and thus where one has a true Lie algebra. We show that one is able to reframe Riemannian geometry in this GHA. As an example, it is then shown that one can express the Einstein equations of general relativity as commutation rules. If one requires that the GHA commutator reduces to the HA of quantum theory in the limit of no curvature, then there are observable effects for quantum theory in this curved space time.
THE EFFECT OF FREELETIC SPORT TO VO2 MAX LEVELS ON THE FREELETIC COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MAKASSAR CITY
Authors: Irianto Irianto , Hasnah Hasnah
Published: April 2019

Introduction: VO2 max is the maximum oxygen amount of  that can be consumed during intense physical activity until eventually fatigue occurs. A person with a good  level of VO2 max means having good physical fitness as well. Physical fitness gives the ability to a person to do daily productive work in the absence of excessive fatigue. The low one cardiorespiratory fitness may incrase the risk of death from heart disease and hypertension. Giving freeletic exercise is one of the techniques used to improve cardiorespiratory fitness or VO2 max. Methods: This research is Pre-experimental research with one group pre-post test design. The sample of the study amounted to 20 people and freeletic exercise was given 12 times. The measuring tool used is Multistage Test of Fitness / Beep Test to know the level VO2 max  of sample  before and after freeletic sporting practice. Results: The results of this study indicate that 17 respondents experienced a significant increase in VO2 max and 3 other respondents did not experience improvement by giving 12 times freeletic sports exercise. Conclusion: Based on Paired T test to know whether or not there is influence, it can be concluded that there is influence of giving freeletic sport to max VO2 level on freeletic community member after given 12 times (p< 0,001, p<0,05) freeletic sport practice.
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Health Care Costs: A Population-Wide Study in the Netherlands
Authors: de Boer Willem I. J. , Buskens Erik , Koning Ruud H. , Mierau Jochen O.
Published: April 2019

Objectives. To identify disparities in several types of insured health care costs in the Netherlands across neighborhoods with different socioeconomic statuses and to assess the room for improvement.

Methods. We used 2015 Dutch whole-population registry data to estimate the age- and gender-specific cost structure by neighborhood for total, specialist, pharmaceutical, and mental health care. Classifying neighborhoods by the quintile of their neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES), we determined differences in observed and expected health care costs for several scenarios of NSES improvement.

Results. From low to high NSES, we found a clear downward gradient in health care costs. Total health care costs would drop by 7.3% if each neighborhood’s cost structure was equal to that of the most affluent neighborhoods. The potential for cost reduction appeared highest for females, for age groups between 40 and 60 years, and for pharmaceutical care.

Conclusions. Low NSES is associated with relatively high health care costs, and represents considerable potential for cost savings in health care.

Public Health Implications. Our research suggests that policies aimed at improving the socioeconomic determinants of health locally may be pivotal in containing health care costs.
Human metapneumovirus prevalence and patterns of genotype persistence identified through surveillance of pediatric pneumonia hospital admissions in coastal Kenya, 2007-2016
Authors: Oketch John W , Kamau Everlyn , Otieno Grieven P , Otieno James R , Agoti Charles N , Nokes James D
Published: April 2019

Background

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important respiratory pathogen that causes seasonal epidemics of acute respiratory illness and contributes significantly to childhood pneumonia. Current knowledge and understanding on its patterns of spread, prevalence and persistence in communities is limited.

Methods

We present findings of a molecular-epidemiological analysis of nasal samples from children < 5 years of age admitted with syndromic pneumonia between 2007 and 2016 to Kilifi County Hospital, coastal Kenya. HMPV infection was detected using real-time RT-PCR and positives sequenced in the fusion (F) and attachment (G) genes followed by phylogenetic analysis. The association between disease severity and HMPV genotype was assessed using Chi-square test for independence.

Results

Over 10 years, 274/6756 (4.10%) samples screened were HMPV positive. Annual prevalence fluctuated between years ranging 1.2% to 8.7% and lowest in the recent years (2014-2016). HMPV detections were most frequent between October of one year to April of the following year. Genotyping was successful for 205/274 (74.8%) positives revealing A2b (41.0%), A2c (10.7%), B1 (23.4%) and B2 (24.9%). The dominance patterns were: genotype A2b between 2007-11, B1 between 2012-14, and A2c in more recent epidemics. Genotype B2 viruses were present in all the years. These patterns mirrored the global picture. Temporal phylogenetic clustering within the genotypes for both local and global sequence data was seen. Genotypes occurring in each epidemic season were comprised of multiple variants. Pneumonia severity did not vary by genotype (p=0.264). In both the F and G gene, the sequenced regions were found to be predominantly under purifying selection.

Conclusion

Genotype and strain patterns from this rural African setting temporally map with global strain distribution, suggesting a well-mixed global virus transmission pool of HMPV. Persistence in the local community is characterized by repeated introductions of HMPV variants from the global pool. The factors underlying the declining prevalence of HMPV in this population should be investigated.
Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among mentally disabled and non-disabled primary school students, Bahir Dar, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2018: A comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Ayalew Agumas Fentahun , Achamyeleh Anemaw Asrat , Aniley Abebayehu Bitew , Admas Selamawit Mulat
Published: April 2019

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in low-income countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children due to low-quality drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Disabled individuals are excluded from most academic, economic, social and cultural opportunities, they're among the poorest and most marginalized of the whole world’s people. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among mentally disabled and non-disabled students at primary schools in Bahir Dar city, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: A school-based Comparative cross-sectional study design was used from November 1 - 30 2018. A total of 418 study participants, 104 mentally disabled and 314 non-disabled students were recruited through simple random sampling technique. The collected data were coded, entered and cleaned with EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% Confidence interval at 5% level of significance was used to measure the strength of association, P-value <0.05 indicated the presence of a statistically significant association. Results: The mean age of study participants was 14.05±3.66 and 11.96 ±2.94 for mentally disabled students and non-disabled students respectively. Prevalence of parasitic infection was 59(56.7%) for mentally disabled students whereas 129(41.1%) for non-disabled students. Unclean fingernails [AOR=2.416; 1.400,4.168], health checkup [AOR=1.869;1.156,3.023], hand washing habit with water only[AOR=2.476; 1.489,4.119],cooking and sanitation source of water [AOR=4.404; 2.319,8.364], Family size>=7[AOR=2.736;1.249,5.994],Grade(1-4)[AOR=2.272;1.408,3.666]and sex [AOR=1.642;1.026,2.627] were variables which showed statistically significant association with intestinal parasitic infections Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was higher among mentally disabled students than non-disabled students. Unclean finger nails, health checkup, hand washing habit, source of water, family size, Grade of students and sex of students were had statistically significant association with intestinal parasitic infections. Periodic medicinal treatment was needed twice a year for mentally disabled and once a year for non-disabled students.
Clinical and economic impact of the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program in four Colombian healthcare institutions
Authors: Pallares Christian , Hernández-Gómez Cristhian , Reyes Sergio , Escandón-Vargas Kevin , Appel Tobias Manuel , Salcedo Soraya , Matta Lorena , Martínez Ernesto , Cobo Sara , Mora Laura , Marín Adriana , Villegas María Virginia
Published: April 2019

Background

Despite multiple reports of the benefits of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in developed countries, regarding patient safety, decrease in antimicrobial resistance, consumption and spending on antimicrobials, there is very limited evidence of the same benefits in a different economic and social context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of the implementation of an ASP in Colombia.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, quasi-experimental cohort study in four Colombian healthcare institutions between 2007 and 2014 including 900 patients (429 patients before and 471 after the implementation of the ASP) to evaluate the impact of these programs.

Results

Compared to the pre-ASP, the post-ASP group showed a greater adherence to the use of the empirical therapy and de-escalation based on the guidelines (45% vs. 9% and 92% vs. 8%, respectively; p < 0.001), as well as a higher proportion of clinical cure at the end of treatment and lower mortality (93% vs. 74% and 14% vs. 28%, respectively; p < 0.001). In the post-ASP patient group the opportunity for clinical improvement was 10 times greater compared with the pre-ASP group (adjusted OR = 10.40 95% CI 1.21-89.41) and there were less complications following targeted management (adjusted OR = 0.49 95% CI 0.25-0.97). Furthermore, after the implementation of the ASP there was lower average expenditure associated with hospital stay, laboratory tests, infectious diseases consultation, and empirical antimicrobial therapy choice.

Conclusion

With this study, we were able to show that even in limited income countries, ASPs are feasible to implement.
Beta-glucans from biomass of plant and microbial origin
Authors: Sharova N. Yu. , Manzhieva B. S. , Printseva A. A. , Vybornova T. V.
Published: April 2019

The aim of the present study is to explore the transformation of (1→3)(1→4)-β-D-glucans of rye biomass byAspergills niger and accumulation of (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucans in the microbial cell wall.

Biomass from rye grain was obtained as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis of grain grinding of Omsk region of non-standard quality with grain impurity content of 45 ± 2 % by preparations (1→4)-β-glucanolytic, (1→3)-β-glucanolytic, (1→4)-xylanolytic and (1→4)-amylolytic action. Fermentation of hydrolysates, sucrosemineral and molasses medium by A. niger was carried out by a batch process under aerobic conditions. Determined the content of β-glucans, amino-nitrogen, glucose, disaccharides in grinding grain rye, rye biomass, the biomass of A. niger, the supernatants by colorimetric methods. Determination of chitin in biomass and qualitative determination of chitosan in supernatants of hydrolysates was carried out using chitosan sulfate sample and subsequent microscopy.

The results of the research showed that (1→3)(1→4)-β-D-glucans in grain grinding are 10.2 ± 0.2 % in terms of dry matter, which exceeds the content of polysaccharide in the grain of standard quality by 1.5 – 3 times. In rye biomass revealed their smaller amount, 6.4 ± 0.5 %, apparently, due to the action of (1→4)and (1→3)-β-glucanase, (1→4)-xylanase and (1→4)-amylase. In microbial mass A. niger content of (1→3)(1→6)-β-Dglucans were at the level of 21.7 ± 0.7 %.

On the basis of the obtained results, it was concluded that it is possible to use rye grain of non-standard quality, with a high content of grain impurities and a low proportion of starch polysaccharides, as a source of β-glucancontaining substrate for biosynthesis (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucans by A. niger having advantages over (1→3) (1→4)-β-D-glucans of plant origin. They are functionally more active and have a wide range of applications, namely as food additives in the manufacture of a wide range of products: for the enrichment of fibers, increasing the shelf life of products due to its water-binding properties, as thickeners, emulsifying and fat-reducing microingredients, stabilizers of creamy emulsions, textureformers, flavor enhancers.
Physiological Characteristics Associated with Fiber Development in Two Naturally Colored Cotton Cultivars
Authors: Xiang Zhang , Pan Liang P. , Wei Du M. , Chen Zhao , Hua Wei C. , Yuan Chen , Di Dong Z. , Hua Chen D.
Published: April 2019

Core Ideas

The dynamics of cellulose accumulation in colored cotton fiber increased in an S‐shaped curve, which was not asymmetric and could be simulated with Richards’ model (R2 > 0.999).

Chlorophyll concentrations (estimated by SPAD values) for colored cotton were lower, compared to white cotton, and the degradation rate was relatively faster. This resulted in lower contents of soluble sugar in the boll shell and the subtending leaf.

In the boll shell and the fiber, colored cotton had lower ATPase, sucrose invertase, and UDPG‐PPase activities. At 40 DPA, the SS activity for colored cotton was lower than for white cotton.

Naturally colored cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibers are commercially valuable, but low fiber quality limits their use. This study investigates changes in enzymes’ activities and substance contents involved in carbohydrate synthesis to provide a theoretical basis for improving colored cotton fiber quality. Brown cotton Xiangcaimian 2, green cotton Wanmian 39, and white cotton Sumian 9 (control) were used. Fiber cellulose accumulation for Xiangcaimian 2 and Wanmian 39 were lower than the control. Cellulose content was simulated by Richards’ equation (R2 > 0.999) and follows an “S” pattern—initial slow accumulation 0–10 d post anthesis (DPA), then rapid 10–40 DPA, then slow 40–50 DPA. Maximum accumulation, the cumulative rate parameter, and maximum cumulative rate for cellulose of colored cotton were all lower for control. Further analysis showed SPAD chlorophyll meter readings, soluble sugar content, leaf sucrose invertase activity, adenosine triphosphatase, sucrose synthase, and uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPG‐PPase) activities in colored fiber were lower than control. Results suggest insufficient nutrients for boll and fiber development, resulting in lower fiber quality and boll dry weight in colored cotton. Sucrose synthase and UDPG‐PPase activities in colored fiber were significantly correlated with fiber maturation (r = 0.884*, r = 0.914*) and fiber strength (r = 0.895*, r = 0.935*), indicating lower metabolite and enzyme activities in colored cotton reduced fiber quality. Therefore, it appears improving colored cotton fiber quality may require selection efforts to increase photosynthetic capacity in leaves and transportation capacity of carbohydrates in the boll to supply more nutrient during fiber development.
Economic Performance of Long‐term Organic and Conventional Crop Rotations in the Mid‐Atlantic
Authors: White Kathryn E. , Cavigelli Michel A. , Conklin Anne E. , Rasmann Christopher
Published: April 2019

Core Ideas

Premium prices resulted in greater organic system returns despite lower yields.

Perennial forage in extended rotation improves organic system economic performance.

Perennial forage stabilizes returns, reducing economic risk.

Increased demand for organic grain in the United States is resulting in increased production. However, no economic analysis in the United States accounts for post 2005 increases in commodity prices, fuel, and fertilizer costs. This analysis includes costs, yields, and net returns from the five cropping systems at the USDA‐ARS Farming Systems Project in Beltsville, MD, between 2006 and 2014. Costs for organic corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) (Org2) and corn–soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Org3) rotations and a 3‐yr conventional Chisel Till grain rotation were similar, but expenses in an organic 6‐yr (Org6) corn–soybean–wheat–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) rotation were higher due to the cost of managing an alfalfa crop. The conventional no‐till grain rotation production costs were lowest. Tillage was a major contributor to total cost in the four tilled systems. Mean returns from Org6 (US$858) were similar to those from No‐till ($702) while returns for Org2 and Org3 ($585 and $589) were similar to those for Chisel Till ($502). Among organic systems economic risk was inversely proportional to crop rotation length. The shorter organic rotations were more sensitive to changes in organic price premiums relative to Org6. At Org2 and Org3 breakeven price premiums the Org6 mean return would only be reduced by 32 and 37%, respectively, remaining similar to Chisel Till. For Org6 risk was much lower than the other organic and the conventional systems, demonstrating that long, diverse rotations reduce overall risk, even in comparison to a conventional No‐till system.
Genetic Evaluation of Exotic Chromatins from Two Obsolete Interspecific Introgression Lines of Upland Cotton for Fiber Quality Improvement
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Singh Rippy , Lubbers Edward L. , Shen Xinlian , Paterson Andrew H. , Campbell B. Todd , Jones Donald C. , Chee Peng W.
Published: April 2019

Interspecific introgression lines are important resources for plant breeders to access novel alleles from exotic germplasm. The Pee Dee breeding program developed several extra‐long staple “Sealand” germplasm lines that presumably contain sea island cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) chromatin introgressed into upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The objectives of this study were to identify the G. barbadense chromatins in the Sealand lines, 542 and 883, and evaluate their effects on fiber quality. A total of 31 putative G. barbadense chromatins were detected, including 12 segments on seven chromosomes that were unique to Sealand 542 and 10 segments on five chromosomes that were unique to Sealand 883, and the remaining nine segments were common to both the Sealand lines. Sealand 542 and 883 mapping populations were created to identified 28 quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions associated with fiber quality traits, including six for elongation, four for fineness, five for short fiber content, five for strength, three for length, and five for fiber uniformity. At least 13 QTLs were detected on the G. barbadense introgressed chromosomal segments. Favorable alleles for 17 QTLs were contributed by the Sealand lines, and the genetic effects of five loci were stably expressed across environment and generation. Stable expression of G. barbadense fiber quality alleles in the Sealand lines and the absence of these alleles in upland germplasm make these introgression lines a valuable resource for fiber quality improvement. In particular, marker‐assisted introgression of the qFL‐Chr25 locus from Sealand 883 should result in improved fiber length, whereas that of qMIC‐Chr24 from Sealand 542 should result in finer fiber.
The Evolution of the System of Management of Business Processes in Credit Institutions
Authors: Крюков Павел , Kryukov Pavel , Крюкова Валентина , Kryukova Valentina
Published: April 2019

The paper features the main trends in the technological development of the banking industry in the Russian Federation. The tendencies determine the prospects of structural changes in the banking sector at the basic level in the near future. The article describes the probable consequences of intensive introduction of technological innovations in traditional banking from the point of view of changes in infrastructure on a national scale. It includes a review of new financial technologies in the banking industry, reflecting the evolution of the business process management system in credit institutions, based on the changes in their infrastructure. The research is conducted from the position of personal practical experience of the author. It concentrates business processes in credit institutions (banks) in terms of processing credit applications of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. The expansion of the conceptual and categorical apparatus of the field of banking is considered from the position of introduction of new information technologies. The authors propose an image of the future business process management system in banking organizations. They describe the tasks facing the management of a credit institution concerning the structural and qualitative changes in the business process management. Its basic principles include removal of all stages of lending to legal entities outside the regional infrastructure; revision of risk management; introduction of scoring algorithms in the risk assessment of a potential credit transaction. All these aspects can be interesting and promising subjects for further research.
Monotowns and Resources Development at the Mature Stage of Mineral Resource Potential
Authors: Крюков Валерий , Kryukov Valeriy
Published: April 2019

The paper considers the problems of the development of monotowns related to the development of mineral resources. The author shows that the solution of the problems of these cities is possible only if the system of state regulation of the development of mineral resources is changed at the stage of high maturity of the resource base. At the same time, the paper focuses on the development of the so-called "resource monotowns". The author analyzes the relationship between the stages of development and extraction of natural resources within the framework of the research. The important factor is the role of so-called "system specificity" of assets that form the basis for the formation and functioning of the mono-industry and the infrastructure of the settlement. Another important factor is the need for decentralization of powers in granting, taxing, and regulating the development of natural resources, their redistribution from the Federation to regional authorities and municipalities (including monotowns). The latter implies the formation of a system of subsoil use, based on complicity, co-management of the natural resource potential. In this case, in the opinion of the author and the proposed recommendations have constitutional grounds, as Art. 72 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation refers to "joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the subjects of the Federation of issues of ownership, use and disposal of land, mineral wealth, water and other natural resources". The proposed recommendations and practical interpretations for Art. 72 include the need to expand the range of subjects of joint jurisdiction with mandatory inclusion in their number of municipalities (including monotowns), as well as citizens. This involves creating a mechanism for interaction between all these actors in the processes of preparing, discussing and implementing decisions in the sphere of the use of natural resources.
The Andersen Likelihood Ratio Test with a Random Split Criterion Lacks Power
Authors: Krammer Georg
Published: April 2019

The Andersen LRT uses sample characteristics as split criteria to evaluate Rasch model fit, or theory driven hypothesis testing for a test. The power and Type I error of a random split criterion was evaluated with a simulation study. Results consistently show a random split criterion lacks power.
E-Learning Satisfaction: A Perspective on UiTM E-PJJ Students
Authors: KAMARALZAMAN SURIANOR , ABDUL TALIB FAIZAH ELIZA , CHE MAMAT RUSALBIAH , MOHI@MOHYI ZURINAWATI , DAHALAN MUHAMMAD ASYRAF
Published: April 2019

E-PJJ is a form of e-learning system that offers working adults to engagein UiTM’s distance learning programme. The system provides the studentsaccess to the course materials and lecture notes as well as to the interactionamong students, and between students and the lecturers. The purpose of thisstudy was to identify student’s satisfaction toward e-learning programmeoffered by Institute of Neo Education (iNED). A survey questionnairewas administered among the respondents who are undergraduates inthe e-PJJ degree programmes, iNED at UiTM Shah Alam. This researchexamined the relationship of delivery method, content, communicationfacilities and system operations towards the level of student’s satisfaction.The findings showed a positive relationship between delivery methods,content, communication facilities, also system operations and student’ssatisfaction. In addition, delivery method scored a moderate positiverelationship towards student’s satisfaction. This study might be veryuseful for the institution that offer similar programme, namely distancelearning that requires ICT to distribute knowledge, to teach and learn.All the shortcomings in the distance learning would be resolved for bettereducation and service quality for future students.

Keywords: e-learning, distance learning, E-PJJ, student’s satisfaction,higher education.
Ethnicity, Social Influence, Eco-Label and Purchase Intention of Consumers of Green Home Electronic Products
Authors: HASHIM NOR HASHIMA , Yahya Wan Kalthom , Asrul Siti Aisyah
Published: April 2019

Today green consumers are creating a new economy around the globe.Indeed, the ‘green consumer’ idea was the focus of academicians andmanufacturers at the end of 1980s and in the early 1990s. Likewise, risingknowledge on the various environmental problems has led a change in theway consumers go about their life. People are insistently trying to reducetheir impact on the environment and living a ‘green lifestyle’. As a result,business has seen this change in consumer attitudes and is trying to sellmany green products by exploiting the potential in the green market industry.Using green home electronic products are environmental initiatives forconsumers to become green consumers. Research, although limited in theareas of ethnicity and green electronic home products, does suggest that aconsumer’s ethnicity will influence their attitude toward home electronicchoices, which in turn will affect their purchase decision. Therefore, thegoal of the present study was to expand the body of research concerningethnicity and its influence on purchase of green home electronic products.Therefore, this study examines if there exist differences in ethnic groups forthe intention to purchase home electronic products, namely air conditioner,refrigerator and television. A total of 251 self-administered questionnaireswere collected from respondents living within the cities of Klang Valley,

Malacca and Penang. Results of the study show eco-label information isimportant in all three ethnic groups while social influence was not importantto the Indians when purchasing green home electronic products. The resultsof the study indicate the importance of viewing ethnic consumer groupsas unique markets and suggest some possible areas for further research.
A financial econometric analysis of E-Commerce stock price predictability
Authors: Oh Kok-Boon , M N Islam Sardar
Published: April 2019

The predictability of stock price changes has been a contentious issue in finance for a long period of time. Using the Australian e-commerce financial data for determining the equity value of e-commerce firms, this paper provides an empirical analysis of the issue of predictability of stock prices. The factors contributing to the predictability of equity prices in the e-commerce markets are identified, analyzed and the issues and implications are discussed and explained. This paper presents new approaches to econometric specification, estimation and testing in relation to e-commerce stock predictability including stationarity tests, co-integration modeling and analyses. The policy implications of the empirical findings are stated. The empirical findings of the Australian study are extrapolated and inferences are made for other countries.
Outcome-based education : comparing students' perceived learning outcomes with their assessment scores
Authors: Rajaretnam Thevy , Kaur Bhajan
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the perception of the 30 undergraduates in the Faculty of Dentistry who underwent the Language Enhancement for the Health Sciences course regarding their mastery of the learning outcomes was reflected in their assessment scores as a result of the teaching learning process using the a BE & SCL curriculum. These students learnt skills broadly underfour course outcomes which were further subdivided into 24 learning outcomes. The four course outcomes were assessed through four on-going formative assessments. Students responded to a Course Entrance Survey and a Course Exit Survey. Their responses to both these surveys were analysed using the paired samples t-test to find out the differences in their perception of their mastery of the learning outcomes. The differences in their perception were compared to their performances in the assessments using the Pearson correlation analysis. Although there was a significant difference in the students' perception of their mastery of the learning outcomes, it was not reflected in their performances in the assessments.
Sinetron Leads to Negotiation of Identity: Christian Identity and the Representation of Religion in Indonesian Popular Culture
Authors: Kristi Kristi
Published: April 2019

Having Pancasila as its ideology, with its first pillar of Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa (the belief in one deity), Indonesia is neither based on a certain religion, nor giving a privilege to a certain religion. In the context of the resurgence of religion, Islam obviously becomes the only normative in everyday life, including in popular culture. This paper analyzes the way Indonesian Christians see the representation of religion in sinetron, the television soap opera tat is considered the predominant form of popular culture in Indonesia, and negotiate their identity as religious minority. The work is based on a research project conducted in Gereja Kristen Jawa (GKJ/Christian Church of Java) Gondokusuman in Yogyakarta. A random survey about sinetron titles watched by the embers of the congregation show that eight titles are popular. A more intensive questionnaire is distributed to the church council as the representation of Christians who are active in church activities. It is also intended to show the most-watched sinetron in 2017. From the survey, there are two most watched sinetron: “Tukang Ojek Pengkolan” (TOP/Motorcycle-taxi Driver on the Corner) and “Dunia Terbalik” (DT/Upside-down World). Eighteen people who watch both TOP and DT then were interviewed. Using the framework of first generation of reception study, the work finds that Christians’ reception on the representation of religion in sinetron can be categorized into three patterns: mirror of reality, watching for pleasure, and religion is necessary. Those three patterns show that Christians’ reception is in negotiation position.
Multicultural Education Practices and Socio-Religious Values: The Study of Trans-Dalam Community in Central Kalimantan of Indonesia
Authors: Qodir Abdul
Published: April 2019

This article describes the practice of multiculturalism education among local migrant communities with Trans-Dalam community in Pulang Pisau regency, Kalimantan Tengah province, Indonesia, as its focus of analysis. It asks the question about how Trans-Dalam community members with diverse social and religious backgrounds develop multicultural practices in their daily lives. The required data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. This article argues that Trans-Dalam villagers preserve and conduct multicultural ideas and practices as seen in their day-to-day harmonious communal life due to their shared local values and wisdom. Inspired by their own expressions of shared social-religious values, each community of different ethnic background develops these multicultural practices, which are closely connected to their need for security as settlers with diverse social-cultural backgrounds that make them aware of the importance of living in harmony, mutual respect, and solidarity regardless of their differences in ethnicity, place of origin or religion.
Social inequality in the Zigmunt Bauman’s sociologicaltheory
Authors: Martynenko Tatyana S.
Published: April 2019

The article is devoted to the concept of social inequality of the British sociologist Zygmunt Bauman (1925–2017). The transformation of the views of the sociologist into the problem of social inequality is traced. The article also analyzes the influence of Z. Bauman’s work on modern sociological theory, and identifies a range of basic topics and questions. Based on the biographical and methodological criteria in the work of Z. Bauman, several periods are singled out.The Warsaw period (Poland) is characterized by the influence of Marxism and consideration of social inequality through a class approach. Publications published in Polish did not arouse the interest of the sociological community, but served as a starting point in the work of Z. Bauman. In the Leeds period (Great Britain), the British sociologist significantly reconsiders the methodological foundations of his theory. The key concepts of the second period are «“fluid” modernity», “access”, “consumption”. The notions of “class” and “labour” are replaced by “new poor” existing in unstable communities and forced to construct their own identity through consumption. The important component of this transformation is the process of individualization. Access to displacement, production of culture, information, lack of property as an aggravating factor is distinguished by modern elites.Later, the author actively uses the concept of “postmodern”, and also refers to such categories as “narrative”, “reflexivity” and “identity”. From the objective characteristics of social position, the author turns to an analysis of the perception of the situation in social relations by the subjects of social relations. To describe this subjective assessment Z. Bauman introduces the concepts of “told lives” and “lived stories”. Social inequality is maintained, constructed and reproduced through a set of attitudes prevalent in modern societies. The information revolution does not improve the situation of the poor, but leads to further deterioration of the situation, deepening inequality and exclusion. Nevertheless, “fatality on freedom” allows, according to Z. Bauman, to argue that social inequality is not the only possible fate of mankind.
Planetary gentrification and urban (re)development
Authors: Lees Loretta
Published: April 2019

Gentrification is no-longer, if it ever was, a small scale process of urban transformation. Gentrification globally is more often practised as large scale urban redevelopment. It is state-led or state-induced. The results are clear – the displacement and disenfranchisement of low income groups in favour of wealthier in-movers. So, why has gentrification come to dominate policy making worldwide and what can be done about it?
Analisis perkembangan motorik kasar ditinjau dari status gizi berdasarkan WHO di TK Bayangkara Polres Jember
Authors: Muflihatin Indah , Purnasari Galih , Swari Selvia
Published: April 2019

Status gizi pada balita atau anak usia dini merupakan hal yang sangat penting yang harus diketahui oleh setiap orang tua, oleh karena itu sangat diperlukan perhatian yang lebih dalam terhadap pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak di usia dini. Masa anak di usia dini merupakan masa emas oleh karena diharapkan pada masa ini jangan sampai anak mengalami status gizi yang tidak baik karena dapat mengganggu pertumbuhan dan perkembangan pada anak. NCHS merupakan standart dari WHO yang bisa digunakan untuk menilai status gizi pada anak. Penelitian bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh status gizi berdasarkan WHO NCHS terhadap perkembangan motorik kasar. Penelitian merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan menggunakan desain cross sectional, dengan sampel sebesar 30 PUS yang diambil dengan tehnik samling. Pengambilan data dilakukan bulan Agustus – November 2017. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis chi square. Hasil uji statistik Somers’d menunjukkan bahwa nilai a = 0,014 < a (0,05) artinya status gizi memiliki asosiasi yang signifikan dengan perkembangan motorik kasar. Selanjutnya, hasil analisis dan kesimpulan penelitian merupakan dasar dalam pemecahan masalah kesehatan. Rekomendasi diberikan berdasarkan hasil penelitian sebagai upaya untuk meningkatkan status gizi pada anak sehingga anak dapat tumbuh dan berkembang secara optimal. Kata Kunci: motorik kasar, status gizi.