bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALISIS PERSPEKTIF GURU DALAM PENERAPAN KURIKULUM MERDEKA BELAJAR DAN DAMPAKNYA PADA PEMBELAJARAN DI KABUPATEN PROBOLINGGO
Authors: Winarsih Nining , Musliha Siti , Septiana Winda , Faize Siti Nur
Published: July 2024

Penelitian ini bermaksud untuk menjelaskan tantangan yang dihadapi oleh para guru saat menerapkan Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar di Kabupaten Probolinggo. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif dengan deskriptif interpretatif. Subjek dari penelitian ini merupakan guru yang ada di Kabupaten Probolinggo. Teknik pengumpulan data adalah menyebarkan kuesioner penelitian kepada guru di Kabupaten Probolinggo. Analisis data dalam penelitian ini meliputi empat langkah, yang mencakup pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil dari penelitian ini menyatakan bahwa kurikulum merdeka belajar telah berlangsung selama dua tahun, namun tidak semua sekolah menerapkannya. Tantangan yang dihadapi oleh guru antara lain lingkungan sekolah yang kurang mendukung, perangkat terbuka yang harus dibuat, minimnya informasi dan keterbatasan fasilitas di daerah tertinggal. Beberapa guru menyatakan di bawah kurikulum merdeka belajar kurang relevan di wilayah pedesaan namun, ada pandangan positif bahwasannya kurikulum ini dianggap sebagai sebuah Upaya untuk mengatasi tantangan pendidikan yang muncul akibat pandemi COVID-19. Guru merasakan kebebasan dan keleluasaan dalam mengajar di era kurikulum merdeka belajar. Diperlukan upaya bersama antara sekolah dan pemerintah serta masyarakat untuk meningkatkan kondisi sekolah dan memastikan agar iklim merdeka ini berjalan secara maksimal.
حکم شرعی مجازات مالی
Authors: کریمی دوکتور صدیق الله , روحانی دوکتور محمد عثمان
Published: July 2024

چکیده: هدف این تحقیق شناخت حکم شرعی تعزیرات مالی است، جزای نقدی از جمله مجازاتهایی است که تحت تأثیر قوانین وضعی به عنوان یک نوع از مجازاتهای جایگزین حبس مورد توجه قرار گرفته است. در این مقاله تلاش شده به بررسی حکم شرعی مجازات جزای نقدی ازمنظر اسلام پرداخته شود. روش تحقیق درمقاله حاضر توصیفی تحلیلی بوده و برای جمع آوری معلومات از روش کتابخانه‏ی استفاده شده است. در این مقاله، اصالت متون، صداقت و امانتداری رعایت شده است. یافته های تحقیق بر این امر دلالت دارد که مجازات جزای نقدی دارای ابعاد اقتصادی مهمی از منظر تحلیل فقهی است، در مورد حکم تکلیفی جریمه مالی فقهای اسلامی اختلاف نظر دارند، دیدگاه جمهور علما و قول راجح در مذهب حنفی حرمت وضع تعزیرات مالی است. به‌عنوان نتیجه بحث می‌توان گفت که جریمه مالی با درنظر داشت قواعد کلی شریعت اسلام مبنی بر احترام ملکیت اشخاص وحرمت اخذ مال غیر بدون مجوز شرعی، جایز نمی‏باشد. کلمات کلیدی: حکم شرعی، مجازات مالی، جریمه نقدی، دیدگاه فقها، دلایل شرعی. Abstract: The findings of the research indicate that there is no definitive evidence supporting the legitimacy of financial penalties in Islamic law. Islamic jurists have varied in their opinions regarding the permissibility of financial penalties. The majority of Islamic scholars, particularly those following the Hanafi school of thought, hold the view that financial penalties are not permissible. Based on the discussion, it can be concluded that financial fines are generally not permissible according to the overarching principles of Islamic law, which emphasize the sanctity of individual property and the prohibition of taking money without lawful permission. This study includes an abstract, an introduction, a summary of key findings, and concludes with a summary and a list of references. Keywords: Sharia Ruling, Financial Penalties, Fines, Sight of Jurists, Islamic Reasons
حکم سکونت در کشورهای غیر اسلامی در پرتو شریعت اسلامی
Authors: بنوری عبدالمطلب , فرقانیار رحمت الله
Published: July 2024

چکیده اسلام به عنوان کامل ترین و آخرین دین الهی، با داشتن نزدیک به یک ونیم میلیارد پیرو و حدود پنجاه کشور مسلمان در عرصۀ ارتباط با کشورهای غیر مسلم، دستورات و قواعدی را به مسلمانان ارائه کرده در متون اسلامی موجود است؛ تا مسلمانان بر اساس آنها، به تعامل با سایر ملت ها بپردازند. در این مقاله سعی شده است به یکی از بخش‌های ارتباط با کشور های غیر اسلامی، بصورت سکونت در آنها می‌باشد ¬از نظر قرآن، سنت و اقوال فقهای کرام بحث و بررسی قرار داده شده است، یافته های تحقیق بیانگر اینست که سکونت در کشورهای غیر اسلامی، نزد فقهای قدیم و علمای معاصر بطور کلی نه ممنوع است و نه مجاز، بلکه دارای شرائط و حالات مختلف می‌باشد. سکونت در کشور‌های غیر اسلامی در بعض اوقات مباح و یا مستحب می باشد و در بعض اوقات دیگر، بنابر اختلاف شرائط و حالت اقامت کننده، ممنوع و یا مکروه می‌باشد. این تحقیق به روش توصیفی- تحلیلی، با استفاده از روش کتابخانه‌ای انجام یافته است¬ و کوشش بر آن شده است که برای مستند سازی تحقیق، از آیات قرآن کریم، احادیث نبوی و کتب معتبر فقهی مذاهب اسلامی، در رابطه به تبیین حکم سکونت در کشورهای غیر اسلامی، استفاده صورت گرفته است. کلمات کلیدی: دار، دار الاسلام، دار الحرب، دار الکفر، سکونت، هجرت. Abstract: Islam, , as the ultimate and final divine religion followed by nearly one and a half billion people and encompassing around fifty Islamic countries, provides instructions and rules for Muslims on how to engage with non-Islamic states. These guidelines are available in Islamic texts, including the Quran, Hadith, and the sayings of esteemed jurists, and are intended to help Muslims navigate interactions with non-Islamic countries. The research findings indicate that residing in non-Islamic countries, according to both classical jurists and contemporary scholars, is neither completely permissible nor entirely forbidden. It varies based on different situations and conditions. In some circumstances, it is allowed or recommended, while in others, it is prohibited or discouraged, depending on the individual's specific context. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology to examine the jurisprudential issues related to this topic, using documentation from Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, and authoritative jurisprudential books from various schools of thought to elucidate the ruling on residing in non-Islamic countries. Keywords: Dar, Dar al-Islam, Dar al-Harb, Dar al-Kufr, Settlement, Emigration.
Analisis Olah Gerak Kapal Saat Memasuki Alur Pelayaran Sempit Guna Keselamatan Pelayaran di KM. Kelud
Authors: Marlina Berbi , Yanti Melda , Wirza Elfira
Published: July 2024

Proses olah gerak memasuki suatu alur pelayaran sempit atau sungai dibutuhkan suatu keahlian khusus dan perhatian lebih di banding berlayar di alur bebas. Dalam aturan COLREG’S memberikan aturan khusus yang tercantum dalam aturan 9 mengenai alur pelayaran sempit. Dalam memasuki alur pelayaran sempit kapal selalu mendapatkan resiko bahaya tubrukan dan kandas. Rumusan masalah di penelitian adalah bagaimana kegiatan olah gerak kapal dan faktor apa saja yang menyebabkan terhambatnya di alur pelayaran sempit. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan mendeskripsikan secara terperinci tentang olah gerak kapal dalam memasuki alur pelayaran sempit di alur pelabuhan Belawan. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Hasil dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa harus mengetahui faktor-faktor apa saja yang harus di perhatikan ketika ingin melakukan olah gerak di alur pelayaran sempit seperti, pasang surut air laut, lebar dalam alur dari lumpur, arus , dan gelombang. Upaya yang dilakukan dalam olah gerak di alur pelayaran sempit yaitu mengamati dan mempertimbangkan dalamnya alur pelayaran.
Weaving Waves. A platform on text, textile and technology
Authors: Sandoval Lorenzo
Published: July 2024

Weaving Waves is a speculative platform to study shared genealogies between text, textiles and technology. Due to the nature of the research, this proposal is necessarily conceived as partial. The departing point is situated in the wave-shape that threads take in textile making, and how textiles have the capacity in many cultures of composing a non-phonetic system of inscription, and a de-centred place of enunciation. The non-linear entanglement of the warp and weft serves both as a metaphor for the composition of history, and also as a generative device about how narratives can be introduced. Authors such as Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui or Walter D. Mignolo have proved that textiles are a way of non-phonetic writing, and as such, they contain historical narrations and epistemologies divergent from the Western ones. Authors such as Gary Urton have shown how quipus (a textile device for writing from the Incas) are encoded with a binary code system. Also the Jacquard loom and its systems of punched cards to produce fabrics inspired early computational devices developed by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage. The thinking of Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung introduces elements for disothering within this enterprise. The tentative aim is to present a possible multidisciplinary research, which could be a project part of Siegfried Zielinski’s speculative Institute of Southern Modernities.
Allosteric activation of the co-receptor BAK1 by the EFR receptor kinase initiates immune signaling
Authors: Mühlenbeck Henning , Tsutsui Yuko , Lemmon Mark A , Bender Kyle W , Zipfel Cyril
Published: July 2024

Transmembrane signaling by plant receptor kinases (RKs) has long been thought to involve reciprocal trans-phosphorylation of their intracellular kinase domains. The fact that many of these are pseudokinase domains, however, suggests that additional mechanisms must govern RK signaling activation. Non-catalytic signaling mechanisms of protein kinase domains have been described in metazoans, but information is scarce for plants. Recently, a non-catalytic function was reported for the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-RK subfamily XIIa member EFR (elongation factor Tu receptor) and phosphorylation-dependent conformational changes were proposed to regulate signaling of RKs with non-RD kinase domains. Here, using EFR as a model, we describe a non-catalytic activation mechanism for LRR-RKs with non-RD kinase domains. EFR is an active kinase, but a kinase-dead variant retains the ability to enhance catalytic activity of its co-receptor kinase BAK1/SERK3 (brassinosteroid insensitive 1-associated kinase 1/somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase 3). Applying hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) analysis and designing homology-based intragenic suppressor mutations, we provide evidence that the EFR kinase domain must adopt its active conformation in order to activate BAK1 allosterically, likely by supporting αC-helix positioning in BAK1. Our results suggest a conformational toggle model for signaling, in which BAK1 first phosphorylates EFR in the activation loop to stabilize its active conformation, allowing EFR in turn to allosterically activate BAK1.
Prediction error determines how memories are organized in the brain
Authors: Kennedy Nicholas GW , Lee Jessica C , Killcross Simon , Westbrook R Fred , Holmes Nathan M
Published: July 2024

How is new information organized in memory? According to latent state theories, this is determined by the level of surprise, or prediction error, generated by the new information: a small prediction error leads to the updating of existing memory, large prediction error leads to encoding of a new memory. We tested this idea using a protocol in which rats were first conditioned to fear a stimulus paired with shock. The stimulus was then gradually extinguished by progressively reducing the shock intensity until the stimulus was presented alone. Consistent with latent state theories, this gradual extinction protocol (small prediction errors) was better than standard extinction (large prediction errors) in producing long-term suppression of fear responses, and the benefit of gradual extinction was due to updating of the conditioning memory with information about extinction. Thus, prediction error determines how new information is organized in memory, and latent state theories adequately describe the ways in which this occurs.
Optimized virtual reality design through user immersion level detection with novel feature fusion and explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Raza Ali , Rehman Amjad , Sehar Rukhshanda , Alamri Faten S. , Alotaibi Sarah , Al Ghofaily Bayan , Saba Tanzila
Published: July 2024

Virtual reality (VR) and immersive technology have emerged as powerful tools with numerous applications. VR technology creates a computer-generated simulation that immerses users in a virtual environment, providing a highly realistic and interactive experience. This technology finds applications in various fields, including gaming, healthcare, education, architecture, and training simulations. Understanding user immersion levels in VR is crucial and challenging for optimizing the design of VR applications. Immersion refers to the extent to which users feel absorbed and engrossed in the virtual environment. This research primarily aims to detect user immersion levels in VR using an efficient machine-learning model. We utilized a benchmark dataset based on user experiences in VR environments to conduct our experiments. Advanced deep and machine learning approaches are applied in comparison. We proposed a novel technique called Polynomial Random Forest (PRF) for feature generation mechanisms. The proposed PRF approach extracts polynomial and class prediction probability features to generate a new feature set. Extensive research experiments show that random forest outperformed state-of-the-art approaches, achieving a high immersion level detection rate of 98%, using the proposed PRF technique. We applied hyperparameter optimization and cross-validation approaches to validate the performance scores. Additionally, we utilized explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to interpret the reasoning behind the decisions made by the proposed model for user immersion level detection in VR. Our research has the potential to revolutionize user immersion level detection in VR, enhancing the design process.
Natural language processing for analyzing online customer reviews: a survey, taxonomy, and open research challenges
Authors: Malik Nadia , Bilal Muhammad
Published: July 2024

In recent years, e-commerce platforms have become popular and transformed the way people buy and sell goods. People are rapidly adopting Internet shopping due to the convenience of purchasing from the comfort of their homes. Online review sites allow customers to share their thoughts on products and services. Customers and businesses increasingly rely on online reviews to assess and improve the quality of products. Existing literature uses natural language processing (NLP) to analyze customer reviews for different applications. Due to the growing importance of NLP for online customer reviews, this study attempts to provide a taxonomy of NLP applications based on existing literature. This study also examined emerging methods, data sources, and research challenges by reviewing 154 publications from 2013 to 2023 that explore state-of-the-art approaches for diverse applications. Based on existing research, the taxonomy of applications divides literature into five categories: sentiment analysis and opinion mining, review analysis and management, customer experience and satisfaction, user profiling, and marketing and reputation management. It is interesting to note that the majority of existing research relies on Amazon user reviews. Additionally, recent research has encouraged the use of advanced techniques like bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT), long short-term memory (LSTM), and ensemble classifiers. The rising number of articles published each year indicates increasing interest of researchers and continued growth. This survey also addresses open issues, providing future directions in analyzing online customer reviews.
Revolutionizing CAD/CAM-based restorative dental processes and materials with artificial intelligence: a concise narrative review
Authors: Yeslam Hanin E. , Freifrau von Maltzahn Nadine , Nassar Hani M.
Published: July 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly prevalent in biomedical and industrial development, capturing the interest of dental professionals and patients. Its potential to improve the accuracy and speed of dental procedures is set to revolutionize dental care. The use of AI in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) within the restorative dental and material science fields offers numerous benefits, providing a new dimension to these practices. This study aims to provide a concise overview of the implementation of AI-powered technologies in CAD/CAM restorative dental procedures and materials. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords from 2000 to 2023 to obtain pertinent information. This method was implemented to guarantee a thorough investigation of the subject matter. Keywords included; “Artificial Intelligence”, “Machine Learning”, “Neural Networks”, “Virtual Reality”, “Digital Dentistry”, “CAD/CAM”, and “Restorative Dentistry”. Artificial intelligence in digital restorative dentistry has proven to be highly beneficial in various dental CAD/CAM applications. It helps in automating and incorporating esthetic factors, occlusal schemes, and previous practitioners’ CAD choices in fabricating dental restorations. AI can also predict the debonding risk of CAD/CAM restorations and the compositional effects on the mechanical properties of its materials. Continuous enhancements are being made to overcome its limitations and open new possibilities for future developments in this field.
Big Data Analytics como suporte à tomada de decisão em organizações privadas: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Ataides Ananda Eduarda dos Santos , Nacife Jean Marc
Published: July 2024

Diante da intensificada competição no ambiente de negócios contemporâneo, a capacidade de tomar decisões estratégicas e assertivas é crucial para o sucesso das organizações. A era do Big Data emergiu e revolucionou o processo decisório, gerando impactos significativos na gestão da informação. No entanto, a discussão sobre como as ferramentas de Big Data Analytics podem contribuir para a tomada de decisão ainda é recente, fazendo-se necessário mais estudos que abordem e relacionem esses conceitos. O objetivo deste artigo é realizar uma análise bibliométrica da produção científica sobre Big Data Analytics como suporte à tomada de decisão em organizações privadas, utilizando o aplicativo Biblioshiny, do pacote Bibliometrix, no software R. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados Web of Science e Scopus, no período compreendido entre 2014 e 2023, retornando 1.947 artigos publicados que atenderam aos critérios de busca, dos quais 390 foram selecionados. Os resultados demonstraram que o tema está emergindo como uma área em ascensão dentro do campo da gestão, com um aumento significativo no número de estudos ao longo dos últimos dez anos e ampla disseminação a nível global.
Uma análise comparativista a partir da representação da rivalidade e da obsessão em obras de Fiódor Dostoiévski e Lúcio Cardoso
Authors: Silva Yasmim Neri da , Ferreira Raphael Bessa
Published: July 2024

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar uma análise comparativista de viés estético-recepcional a partir de narrativas ficcionais de Fiódor Dostoiévski e Lúcio Cardoso, a fim de explorar a representação da obsessão e da rivalidade em suas narrativas, visando evidenciar as convergências e divergências estilísticas entre ambos, bem como a herança deixada pelo autor russo e incorporada à obra de Cardoso. Para tanto, o corpo de análise da pesquisa será composto pelas narrativas Crime e Castigo (2009), Memórias do Subsolo (2000) e O sonho de um homem ridículo (2011), de Dostoiévski; e Diários (2012), A luz no subsolo (2003) e Crônica da Casa Assassinada (2021), de Cardoso. Ademais, serão utilizados como aporte teórico Coutinho (1991) e Nitrini (1997), no que se refere a abordagem comparativista; Jauss (1982), com relação a estética da recepção; Girard (2009; 2011), o qual discorre acerca da rivalidade e da obsessão apoiando-se em seu conceito de “desejo mimético”; Bakhtin (1997), o qual discute aspectos intrínsecos das obras de Dostoiévski; e Gomide (2011), o qual explora a recepção da literatura russa no Brasil.
Proposed Optimized Cropping Pattern for Different Water Availability Scenarios in Markonahalli Reservoir for Upper Shimsha Irrigation Project, Karnataka, India
Authors: P Praveen. , Ayyanagowdar M.S. , Prakash S.S. , Polisgowdar B.S. , Babu B. Maheshwara , Yadahalli G.S. , M Rajashekhar,
Published: July 2024

The optimization model has been developed using linear programming by considering the stochastic nature of the inflows to the reservoir and solved for different storage water availability levels in reservoir viz., 60 per cent, 70per cent, 80per cent, 90per cent and 100 per cent to obtain various cropping patterns under canal command area. Linear programming is used either to maximize or minimize a given objective function. The total command area for cultivation is likely divided between the Kharif and Rabi seasons, with different crops being prioritized in each season based on their growing conditions and water availability. The existing area of 2639.38 ha for paddy is significantly reduced to a constant 1000 ha in the optimized scenarios, regardless of water availability. Sugarcane, with present area of 296.54 ha, the area is increased to 1722.13 ha under 100 per cent water availability but is reduced progressively to just 410.13 ha at 60per cent water availability. Optimization trend highlights finger millet's resilience and suitability under lower water conditions, making it a preferred crop when water is scarce.
Improved forecast skill in the tropics in the new MiKlip decadal climate predictions
Authors: Pohlmann H. , Müller W. A. , Kulkarni K. , Kameswarrao M. , Matei D. , Vamborg F. S. E. , Kadow C. , Illing S. , Marotzke J.
Published: October 2013

We introduce an improved initialization to the decadal predictions performed for the Mittelfristige Klimaprognosen (MiKlip) project based on the Max‐Planck‐Institute Earth System Model and furthermore test the effect of increased ocean and atmosphere model resolutions. The new initialization includes both a more sophisticated oceanic initialization and additionally an atmospheric initialization. We compare the performance of retrospective decadal forecasts over the past 50 years with that of the previous system. The new oceanic initialization considerably improves the performance in terms of surface air temperature over the tropical oceans on the 2–5 years time scale, which also helps to improve the predictive skill of global mean surface air temperature on this time scale. The higher model resolution improves the predictive skill of surface air temperature over the tropical Pacific even further. Through the newly introduced atmospheric initialization, the quasi‐biennial oscillation exhibits predictive skill of up to 4 years when a sufficiently high vertical atmospheric resolution is used.
IMF dependence of the azimuthal direction of earthward magnetotail fast flows
Authors: Pitkänen T. , Hamrin M. , Norqvist P. , Karlsson T. , Nilsson H.
Published: October 2013

Cluster magnetotail data together with ACE solar wind data from 2001 to 2009 are used to investigate the dependence of the azimuthal flow direction of earthward magnetotail fast flows on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). We find an indication that fast flows have favored azimuthal directions that have dependence on the IMF. Our results suggest that for positive IMF By, the favored azimuthal direction of the fast flows is dawnward in the northern plasma sheet and duskward in the southern plasma sheet. For negative IMF By, an opposite situation takes place, the favored azimuthal flow directions are then duskward and dawnward in the northern and southern plasma sheet, respectively. As a possible explanation for the results, it is suggested that the untwisting reconnected magnetic field lines may direct the fast flows in the magnetotail, the field line twist itself being dependent on the IMF.
Asymmetries of the magnetic field line draping shape around Venus
Authors: Du J. , Wang C. , Zhang T. L. , Kallio E.
Published: October 2013

The magnetic field data observed by Venus Express (VEX) from April 2006 to December 2009 are analyzed in order to describe the magnetic configuration around Venus. All the magnetic observations are organized in a coordinate system which is determined by the solar wind (SW) flow and the interplanetary magnetic field. By averaging and compiling the VEX data, we compile a global picture of the magnetic field for the SW interaction with Venus. The magnetic field around the planet displays a clear asymmetry on both field strength and pattern. The magnetic field is stronger on the +E hemisphere where the convective electric field points away from the planet, and is wrapped around the planet more tightly on the −E hemisphere where points toward the planet. The underlying physics of this asymmetry is still under debate. Except in ideal single‐fluid MHD simulation, the asymmetry can be observed in both multifluid MHD and hybrid simulations.
Reliability of Assessing Hand Osteoarthritis on Digital Photographs and Associations With Radiographic and Clinical Findings
Authors: Marshall Michelle , Jonsson Helgi , Helgadottir Gudrun P. , Nicholls Elaine , van der Windt Danielle , Myers Helen , Dziedzic Krysia
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate the reliability and construct validity of an atlas for grading hand osteoarthritis (OA) on photographs in a separate younger community‐dwelling population than the development cohort.

Methods

Participants were community‐dwelling adults (ages ≥50 years) in North Staffordshire, UK with hand pain or hand problems in the last year who attended a research clinic. High‐quality photographs were taken in a standardized position. A photographic atlas was used to score hand joints (second and third distal interphalangeal [DIP], second and third proximal interphalangeal [PIP], and first carpometacarpal [CMC] joints) and joint groups (DIP, PIP, and CMC joints) for OA on a 0–3 scale. Hand radiographs were graded for OA using the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grading system. Clinical features (nodes, bony enlargement, and deformity) were determined by physical examination. Associations of photographic hand OA grades with radiographic OA and clinical features were determined to assess construct validity.

Results

In total, 558 participants (mean age 64 years, 62% women) were included in the analyses. Reliability for scoring OA on the photographs was good (mean intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.77 and mean interrater ICC 0.71). At the joint level, photographic hand OA grade was positively associated with radiographic OA grade (Spearman's ρ = 0.19–0.57, P < 0.001) and the number of clinical features (Spearman's ρ = 0.36–0.59, P < 0.001). At the person level, individuals with higher global photographic OA scores had higher summed K/L scores and higher percentages meeting the American College of Rheumatology clinical hand OA criteria.

Conclusion

This photographic scoring system was reliable and a good indicator of hand OA in a separate younger community‐dwelling population than the development cohort. This method of data collection offers researchers a feasible alternative to physical examination and radiography.
Association Between Life Events and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From a Population‐Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Wesley Annmarie , Bengtsson Camilla , Skillgate Eva , Saevarsdottir Saedis , Theorell Töres , Holmqvist Marie , Klareskog Lars , Alfredsson Lars , Wedrén Sara ,   for the EIRA Study Group
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate the association between life events and the risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with and without antibodies to citrullinated protein (ACPAs).

Methods

We used data from a population‐based case–control study of individuals ages 18–70 years living in geographically defined parts of Sweden between May 1996 and November 2009. We included incident cases (n = 2,774) diagnosed by rheumatologists according to the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for RA and randomly selected controls (n = 3,911) matched to the cases by age, sex, and area of residence. All of the participants answered a questionnaire consisting of questions about 15 life events. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) from unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for matching variables and confounding factors.

Results

Having experienced a life event was weakly associated with ACPA‐positive RA as well as ACPA‐negative RA (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2 and OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.4, respectively). The association with ACPA‐negative RA was stronger with an increasing number of events (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7 for having experienced ≥3 events versus none). Several particular life events were associated with RA (e.g., “conflict at work,” “change of residence,” “change of work place,” and “increased responsibility at work”). The results were more consistent in women than in men.

Conclusion

Our study lends support to the concept that certain stressful conditions, here measured as life events, are associated with an increased risk of developing RA.
Disulfide Cross‐Linked Polyurethane Micelles as a Reduction‐Triggered Drug Delivery System for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yu Shuangjiang , Ding Jianxun , He Chaoliang , Cao Yue , Xu Weiguo , Chen Xuesi
Published: October 2013

Nanoscale carriers that stably load drugs in blood circulation and release the payloads in desirable sites in response to a specific trigger are of great interest for smart drug delivery systems. For this purpose, a novel type of disulfide core cross‐linked micelles, which are facilely fabricated by cross‐linking of poly(ethylene glycol)/polyurethane block copolymers containing cyclic disulfide moieties via a thiol‐disulfide exchange reaction, are developed. A broad‐spectrum anti‐cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), is loaded into the micelles as a model drug. The drug release from the core cross‐linked polyurethane micelles (CCL‐PUMs) loaded with DOX is suppressed in normal phosphate buffer saline (PBS), whereas it is markedly accelerated with addition of an intracellular reducing agent, glutathione (GSH). Notably, although DOX‐loaded CCL‐PUMs display lower cytotoxicity in vitro compared to either free DOX or DOX‐loaded uncross‐linked polyurethane micelles, the drug‐loaded CCL‐PUMs show the highest anti‐tumor efficacy with reduced toxicity in vivo. Since enhanced anti‐tumor efficacy and reduced toxic side effects are key aspects of efficient cancer therapy, the novel reduction‐responsive CCL‐PUMs may hold great potential as a bio‐triggered drug delivery system for cancer therapy.
Large‐eddy simulation modeling of turbulent flame synthesis of titania nanoparticles using a bivariate particle description
Authors: Sung Yonduck , Raman Venkat , Koo Heeseok , Mehta Maulik , Fox Rodney O.
Published: October 2013

Flame‐based synthesis of nanoparticles is an important chemical process used for the manufacturing of metal oxide particles. In this aerosol process, nanoparticle precursors are injected into a high‐temperature flame that causes precursor oxidation, nucleation, and subsequent growth of solid particles through a variety of processes. To aid computational design of the aerosol process, a large‐eddy simulation (LES) based computational framework is developed here. A flamelet‐based model is used to describe both combustion and precursor oxidation. The solid phase nanoparticle evolution is described using a bivariate number density function (NDF) approach. The high‐dimensional NDF transport equation is solved using a novel conditional quadrature method of moments (CQMOM) approach. Particle phase processes such as collision‐based aggregation, and temperature‐induced sintering are included in this description. This LES framework is used to study an experimental methane/air flame that used titanium tetrachloride to generate titania particles. The simulation results show that the evolution process of titania nanoparticles is largely determined by the competition between particle aggregation and sintering at downstream locations in the reactor. It is shown that the bivariate description improves the prediction of particle size characteristics, although the large uncertainty in inflow and operating conditions prevent a full scale validation. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 459–472, 2014
A life history perspective on skin cancer and the evolution of skin pigmentation
Authors: Osborne Daniel L. , Hames Raymond
Published: October 2013

The ancestral state of human skin pigmentation evolved in response to high ultraviolet radiation (UVR) stress. Some argue that pigmentation evolved to limit folate photolysis, therein limiting neural tube defects. Pigmentation also protects against sunburn which decreases the efficiency of sweating and potentiates skin infection. Pigmentation increases the efficacy of skin as a barrier to infection. Skin cancer has been rejected or minimized as a selective pressure because it is believed to have little or no effect on mortality during reproductive years. This argument ignores evidence of human longevity as a derived life history trait and the adaptive value of investment in offspring and kin, particularly during the post‐reproductive lifespan. Opponents argue that lifespan in prehistoric hunter‐gatherers was too short to be relevant to the evolution of skin pigmentation. This argument is flawed in that it relies on estimates of longevity at birth rather than adolescence. When appropriate estimates are used, it is clear that human longevity has a deep evolutionary history. We use a life history perspective to demonstrate the value of skin pigmentation as an adaptation to skin cancer with the following points: UVR exposure increases dysregulation of gene expression in skin cells leading to immortal cell lines; cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) affects individuals throughout reproductive years; and lifespan was longer than has previously been acknowledged, providing the opportunity for kin selection. This hypothesis is not at odds with the folate or barrier hypotheses. We stress that the evolution of skin pigmentation is complex and is an ongoing process. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:1–8, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extraction and characterization of rice straw cellulose nanofibers by an optimized chemomechanical method
Authors: Nasri‐Nasrabadi Bijan , Behzad Tayebeh , Bagheri Rouhollah
Published: October 2013

In this study, a chemomechanical method was performed to extract nanofibers from rice straw. This procedure included swelling, acid hydrolysis, alkali treatment, bleaching, and sonication. X‐ray diffractometer was employed to investigate the effect of acid hydrolysis conditions and other chemical treatments on the chemical structure of the extracted cellulose fibers. It was concluded that by increasing the acid concentration and hydrolysis time, the crystallinity of the extracted fibers was increased. The optimum acid hydrolysis conditions were found to be 2M and 2 h for the acid concentration and hydrolysis time, respectively. The chemical compositions of fibers including cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and silica were determined by different examinations. It was noticed that almost all the silica content of fibers was solubilized in the swelling step. Moreover, the achieved results showed that the cellulose content of the alkali treated fibers was increased around 71% compared to the raw materials. ATR‐FTIR was applied out to compare the chemical structure of untreated and bleached fibers. The dimensions and morphology of the chemically and mechanically extracted nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results of the image analyzer showed that almost 50% of fibers have a diameter within a range of 70–90 nm and length of several micrometers. The thermal gravimetric analyses were performed on the untreated and bleached fibers. It was demonstrated that the degradation temperature was increased around 19% for the purified fibers compared to raw materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40063.
Recent biomedical advances with polyampholyte polymers
Authors: Zurick Kevin M. , Bernards Matthew
Published: October 2013

Polyampholyte polymer systems are composed of varying mixtures of charged monomer subunits. These polymeric systems have gained increasing attention because it is possible to design the final material properties through careful selection of the charged monomer subunits and controlling the polymer architecture. Characteristics that have been manipulated include the hydration, mechanical properties, pH responsive swelling, temperature responsive swelling, resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption, and protein conjugation capability. This had led researchers to propose the use of polyampholyte polymers as biosensor platforms, fouling release membranes, drug delivery vehicles, and tissue engineering scaffolds. This review is focused on advances that have been made over the last 5 years to develop polyampholyte polymers for these biomedical applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 40069.
Fatigue in Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Associated With the Brain Networks of Sensory Salience and Attention
Authors: Wu Qi , Inman Robert D. , Davis Karen D.
Published: October 2013

Objective

Fatigue is one of the cardinal features of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and contributes substantially to the disability associated with this disease. The mechanisms underlying fatigue in AS remain poorly understood, and this has hampered the development of targeted, effective treatment of this disabling feature of AS. The current study was undertaken, therefore, to investigate the brain networks underlying fatigue in AS.

Methods

Twenty patients with back pain secondary to AS (15 men and 5 women; mean ± SD age 34.8 ± 11.9 years) and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched controls consented to participate in the study. Patients underwent clinical assessment of AS using the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Affect Intensity Measure, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Brain gray matter and white matter connectivity was assessed using 3T magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The patients with AS had significant fatigue that correlated with measures of their emotional strength and spinal mobility. Individual fatigue scores were negatively correlated with the amount of gray matter in areas of the dorsal and ventral attention networks, the somatosensory cortices, and the caudate nucleus, but were positively correlated with gray matter within the executive control network and putamen. Moreover, in patients with high fatigue scores, white matter tracts connecting these brain structures (e.g., inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculi, superior/inferior longitudinal fasciculi, and corticothalamic tracts) exhibited low fractional anisotropy (indicative of decreased white matter tract integrity).

Conclusion

These data indicate that fatigue in AS involves sensory salience and attention brain networks.
Laquinimod Delays and Suppresses Nephritis in Lupus‐Prone Mice and Affects Both Myeloid and Lymphoid Immune Cells
Authors: Lourenço Elaine V. , Wong Maida , Hahn Bevra H. , Palma‐Diaz M. Fernando , Skaggs Brian J.
Published: October 2013

Objective

Lupus nephritis depends on autoantibody deposition and activation of multiple immune cell types that promote kidney inflammation, including lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages. Laquinimod, currently in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis and lupus nephritis, reduces infiltration of inflammatory cells into the spinal cord in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Activated monocyte/macrophages infiltrate the kidneys during nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We undertook this study to determine whether using laquinimod to reduce monocyte/macrophage‐driven tissue damage as well as to alter lymphocytes in SLE nephritis could have greater therapeutic benefit than current treatments that primarily affect lymphocytes, such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

Methods

To test laquinimod efficacy, we used the (NZB × NZW)F1 mouse model of SLE, in which disease manifests as nephritis. Preventive and therapeutic studies were performed to determine whether laquinimod could prevent or delay nephritis, as measured by proteinuria, serum creatinine, survival, and renal pathology. Spleen and kidney leukocyte populations and suppression assays were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Laquinimod prevented or delayed lupus manifestations at levels equal to or better than MMF. Laquinimod treatment was associated with reduced numbers of monocyte/macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes, as well as with induction of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in spleens and kidneys. Laquinimod suppressed macrophage‐secreted tumor necrosis factor α and induced production of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). In addition, laquinimod suppressed interferon‐γ and IL‐17 production by lymphocytes and down‐regulated expression of activation/costimulatory markers on antigen‐presenting cells.

Conclusion

The effects of laquinimod on myeloid and lymphoid cells may contribute to improvements in (NZB × NZW)F1 mouse survival, proteinuria, and glomerulonephritis. Future development of laquinimod as a therapeutic agent for lupus nephritis is promising.
Efficacy and Safety of Abatacept in Lupus Nephritis: A Twelve‐Month, Randomized, Double‐Blind Study
Authors: Furie Richard , Nicholls Kathy , Cheng Tien‐Tsai , Houssiau Frederic , Burgos‐Vargas Ruben , Chen Shun‐Le , Hillson Jan L. , Meadows‐Shropshire Stephanie , Kinaszczuk Michael , Merrill Joan T.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) abatacept, a selective T cell costimulation modulator, versus placebo for the treatment of active class III or IV lupus nephritis, when used on a background of mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids.

Methods

This was a 12‐month, randomized, phase II/III, multicenter, international, double‐blind study. A total of 298 patients were treated in 1 of 3 IV treatment arms: placebo, abatacept at the standard weight‐tiered dose (approximating 10 mg/kg), or abatacept at 30 mg/kg for 3 months, followed by the standard weight‐tiered dose (abatacept 30/10). The primary end point, time to confirmed complete response, was a composite measure that required maintenance of glomerular filtration rate, minimal proteinuria, and inactive urinary sediment over the 52‐week treatment period.

Results

There were no differences among treatment arms in the time to confirmed complete response or in the proportion of subjects with confirmed complete response following 52 weeks of treatment. Treatment with abatacept was associated with greater improvements from baseline in anti–double‐stranded DNA antibody, C3, and C4 levels. Among 122 patients with nephrotic‐range proteinuria, treatment with abatacept resulted in an ∼20–30% greater reduction in mean urinary protein‐to‐creatinine ratio compared with placebo. Abatacept was well tolerated; rates of deaths, serious adverse events, and serious infections were similar across treatment arms. Gastroenteritis and herpes zoster occurred more frequently with abatacept treatment.

Conclusion

Although the primary end point was not met, abatacept showed evidence of biologic activity and was well tolerated in patients with active class III or IV lupus nephritis.
Brief Report: Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Restores Immune Tolerance in Experimental Arthritis by Renewal and Modulation of the Teff Cell Compartment
Authors: Delemarre Eveline M. , Roord Sarah T. A. , van den Broek Theo , Zonneveld‐Huijssoon Evelien , de Jager Wilco , Rozemuller Henk , Martens Anton C. , Broere Femke , Wulffraat Nico M. , Glant Tibor T. , Prakken Berent J. , van Wijk Femke
Published: October 2013

Objective

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) induces long‐term drug‐free disease remission in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This study was undertaken to further unravel the immunologic mechanisms underlying ASCT by using a mouse model of proteoglycan‐induced arthritis (PGIA).

Methods

For initiation of PGIA, BALB/c mice received 2 intraperitoneal injections of human PG in a synthetic adjuvant on days 0 and 21. Five weeks after the first immunization, the mice were exposed to total body irradiation (7.5 Gy) and received (un)manipulated bone marrow (BM) grafts from mice with PGIA. Clinical scores, T cell reconstitution, (antigen‐specific) T cell cytokine production, and intracellular cytokine expression were determined following autologous BM transplantation (ABMT).

Results

ABMT resulted in amelioration and stabilization of arthritis scores. BM grafts containing T cells and T cell–depleted grafts provided the same clinical benefit, with similar reductions in PG‐induced T cell proliferation and the number of PG‐specific autoantibodies. In vivo reexposure to PG did not exacerbate disease. Following ABMT, basal levels of disease‐associated proinflammatory cytokines (interferon‐γ [IFNγ], interleukin‐17 [IL‐17], and tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα]) were reduced. In addition, restimulation of T cells with PG induced a strong reduction in disease‐associated proinflammatory cytokine production. Finally, although the remaining host T cells displayed a proinflammatory phenotype following ABMT, IFNγ, IL‐17, and TNFα production by the newly reconstituted donor‐derived T cells was significantly lower.

Conclusion

Taken together, our data suggest that ABMT restores immune tolerance by renewal and modulation of the Teff cell compartment, leading to a strong reduction in proinflammatory (self antigen–specific) T cell cytokine production.
What proportion of excellent papers makes an institution one of the best worldwide? Specifying thresholds for the interpretation of the results of the SCImago Institutions Ranking and the Leiden Ranking
Authors: Bornmann Lutz , de Moya Anegón Felix
Published: October 2013

University rankings generally present users with the problem of placing the results given for an institution in context. Only a comparison with the performance of all other institutions makes it possible to say exactly where an institution stands. In order to interpret the results of the SCImago Institutions Ranking (based on Scopus data) and the Leiden Ranking (based on Web of Science data), in this study we offer thresholds with which it is possible to assess whether an institution belongs to the top 1%, top 5%, top 10%, top 25%, or top 50% of institutions in the world. The thresholds are based on the excellence rate or PPtop 10%. Both indicators measure the proportion of an institution's publications which belong to the 10% most frequently cited publications and are the most important indicators for measuring institutional impact. For example, while an institution must achieve a value of 24.63% in the Leiden Ranking 2013 to be considered one of the top 1% of institutions worldwide, the SCImago Institutions Ranking requires 30.2%.
A comparison of methods for constructing confidence intervals after phase II/III clinical trials
Authors: Kimani Peter K. , Todd Susan , Stallard Nigel
Published: October 2013

Recently, in order to accelerate drug development, trials that use adaptive seamless designs such as phase II/III clinical trials have been proposed. Phase II/III clinical trials combine traditional phases II and III into a single trial that is conducted in two stages. Using stage 1 data, an interim analysis is performed to answer phase II objectives and after collection of stage 2 data, a final confirmatory analysis is performed to answer phase III objectives. In this paper we consider phase II/III clinical trials in which, at stage 1, several experimental treatments are compared to a control and the apparently most effective experimental treatment is selected to continue to stage 2. Although these trials are attractive because the confirmatory analysis includes phase II data from stage 1, the inference methods used for trials that compare a single experimental treatment to a control and do not have an interim analysis are no longer appropriate. Several methods for analysing phase II/III clinical trials have been developed. These methods are recent and so there is little literature on extensive comparisons of their characteristics. In this paper we review and compare the various methods available for constructing confidence intervals after phase II/III clinical trials.