scholarly journals Temporal ranges and ancestry in the hominin fossil record: The case of Australopithecus sediba

2018 ◽  
Vol 114 (3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Robinson ◽  
Timothy L. Campbell ◽  
Susanne Cote ◽  
Darryl J. de Ruiter
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Genus Homo ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Fossil Hominin

In attempting to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of fossil taxa, researchers can use evidence from two sources – morphology and known temporal ranges. For most taxa, the available evidence is stronger for one of these data sources. We examined the limitations of temporal data for reconstructing hominin evolutionary relationships, specifically focusing on the hypothesised ancestor–descendant relationship between Australopithecus sediba and the genus Homo. Some have implied that because the only known specimens of A. sediba are dated to later than the earliest fossils attributed to Homo, the former species is precluded from being ancestral to the latter. However, A. sediba is currently known from one site dated to 1.98 Ma and, thus, its actual temporal range is unknown. Using data from the currently known temporal ranges of fossil hominin species, and incorporating dating error in the analysis, we estimate that the average hominin species’ temporal range is ~0.97 Myr, which is lower than most figures suggested for mammalian species generally. Using this conservative figure in a thought experiment in which the Malapa specimens are hypothesised to represent the last appearance date, the middle of the temporal range, and first appearance date for the species, the first appearance date of A. sediba would be 2.95, 2.47 and 1.98 Ma, respectively. As these scenarios are all equally plausible, and 2.95 Ma predates the earliest specimens that some have attributed to Homo, we cannot refute the hypothesis that the species A. sediba is ancestral to our genus based solely on currently available temporal data.

Readjustment of the Standard ASUDAS to Encompass Dental Morphological Variations in Plio-Pleistocene Hominins

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 32-48
Author(s):  
M. Louail ◽  
S. Prat
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
State University ◽  
Arizona State University ◽  
Dental Anthropology ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Fossil Hominins ◽  
Fossil Hominin

The standard ASUDAS scoring system (Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System) is used to assess dental morphological variations in modern humans. It is also frequently used to study, score, and compare morphological variations in fossil hominin taxa and to examine their phylogenetic relationships. However, using ASUDAS in studies of this type is under debate because it is based on modern Homo sapiens populations and does not appear to cover all variations observed in fossil Plio-Pleistocene homi- nins. Our observations and coding of 178 dentals casts of Plio-Pleistocene specimens based on ASUDAS and from the literature have confirmed the need to adapt the standard system to fossil hominins. In this initial study, we propose that the scoring procedures for some morphological characters need to be readjusted, while others could be standardized following the ASUDAS system.

Integration of statistical and administrative agricultural data from Namibia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Emily Berg ◽  
Johgho Im ◽  
Zhengyuan Zhu ◽  
Colin Lewis-Beck ◽  
Jie Li
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Extension Programs ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Administrative Agencies ◽  
Crop Area ◽  
Using Data

Statistical and administrative agencies often collect information on related parameters. Discrepancies between estimates from distinct data sources can arise due to differences in definitions, reference periods, and data collection protocols. Integrating statistical data with administrative data is appealing for saving data collection costs, reducing respondent burden, and improving the coherence of estimates produced by statistical and administrative agencies. Model based techniques, such as small area estimation and measurement error models, for combining multiple data sources have benefits of transparency, reproducibility, and the ability to provide an estimated uncertainty. Issues associated with integrating statistical data with administrative data are discussed in the context of data from Namibia. The national statistical agency in Namibia produces estimates of crop area using data from probability samples. Simultaneously, the Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry obtains crop area estimates through extension programs. We illustrate the use of a structural measurement error model for the purpose of synthesizing the administrative and survey data to form a unified estimate of crop area. Limitations on the available data preclude us from conducting a genuine, thorough application. Nonetheless, our illustration of methodology holds potential use for a general practitioner.

scholarly journals Photovoltaic Power Forecasting: Assessment of the Impact of Multiple Sources of Spatio-Temporal Data on Forecast Accuracy

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1432
Author(s):  
Xwégnon Ghislain Agoua ◽  
Robin Girard ◽  
Georges Kariniotakis
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Images ◽  
Forecast Accuracy ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Forecasting Error ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The Impact

The efficient integration of photovoltaic (PV) production in energy systems is conditioned by the capacity to anticipate its variability, that is, the capacity to provide accurate forecasts. From the classical forecasting methods in the state of the art dealing with a single power plant, the focus has moved in recent years to spatio-temporal approaches, where geographically dispersed data are used as input to improve forecasts of a site for the horizons up to 6 h ahead. These spatio-temporal approaches provide different performances according to the data sources available but the question of the impact of each source on the actual forecasting performance is still not evaluated. In this paper, we propose a flexible spatio-temporal model to generate PV production forecasts for horizons up to 6 h ahead and we use this model to evaluate the effect of different spatial and temporal data sources on the accuracy of the forecasts. The sources considered are measurements from neighboring PV plants, local meteorological stations, Numerical Weather Predictions, and satellite images. The evaluation of the performance is carried out using a real-world test case featuring a high number of 136 PV plants. The forecasting error has been evaluated for each data source using the Mean Absolute Error and Root Mean Square Error. The results show that neighboring PV plants help to achieve around 10% reduction in forecasting error for the first three hours, followed by satellite images which help to gain an additional 3% all over the horizons up to 6 h ahead. The NWP data show no improvement for horizons up to 6 h but is essential for greater horizons.

scholarly journals A review of the systematic biology of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha (Actinopterygii: Teleostei)

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Hilton ◽  
Sébastien Lavoué
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
The State ◽  
Heterogeneous Group ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Evolutionary Study ◽  
Future Needs ◽  
Phylogenetic Affinities ◽  
Basal Position ◽  
Systematic Biology

ABSTRACT The bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha, have been the focus of a great deal of morphological, systematic, and evolutionary study, due in part to their basal position among extant teleostean fishes. This group includes the mooneyes (Hiodontidae), knifefishes (Notopteridae), the abu (Gymnarchidae), elephantfishes (Mormyridae), arawanas and pirarucu (Osteoglossidae), and the African butterfly fish (Pantodontidae). This morphologically heterogeneous group also has a long and diverse fossil record, including taxa from all continents and both freshwater and marine deposits. The phylogenetic relationships among most extant osteoglossomorph families are widely agreed upon. However, there is still much to discover about the systematic biology of these fishes, particularly with regard to the phylogenetic affinities of several fossil taxa, within Mormyridae, and the position of Pantodon. In this paper we review the state of knowledge for osteoglossomorph fishes. We first provide an overview of the diversity of Osteoglossomorpha, and then discuss studies of the phylogeny of Osteoglossomorpha from both morphological and molecular perspectives, as well as biogeographic analyses of the group. Finally, we offer our perspectives on future needs for research on the systematic biology of Osteoglossomorpha.

scholarly journals Cross-national comparisons of health indicators require standardized definitions and common data sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Tolonen ◽  
Jaakko Reinikainen ◽  
Päivikki Koponen ◽  
Hanna Elonheimo ◽  
Luigi Palmieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
National Level ◽  
International Health ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Prevention And Health Promotion ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

Abstract Background Health indicators are used to monitor the health status and determinants of health of the population and population sub-groups, identify existing or emerging health problems which would require prevention and health promotion activities, help to target health care resources in the most adequate way as well as for evaluation of the success of public health actions both at the national and international level. The quality and validity of the health indicator depends both on available data and used indicator definition. In this study we will evaluate existing knowledge about comparability of different data sources for definition of health indicators, compare how selected health indicators presented in different international databases possibly differ, and finally, present the results from a case study from Finland on comparability of health indicators derived from different data sources at national level. Methods For comparisons, four health indicators were selected that were commonly available in international databases and available for the Finnish case study. These were prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma in the adult populations. Our evaluation has three parts: 1) a scoping review of the latest literature, 2) comparison of the prevalences presented in different international databases, and 3) a case study using data from Finland. Results Literature shows that comparability of estimated outcomes for health indicators using different data sources such as self-reported questionnaire data from surveys, measured data from surveys or data from administrative health registers, varies between indicators. Also, the case study from Finland showed that diseases which require regular health care visits such as diabetes, comparability is high while for health outcomes which can remain asymptomatic for a long time such as hypertension, comparability is lower. In different international health related databases, country specific results differ due to variations in the used data sources but also due to differences in indicator definitions. Conclusions Reliable comparison of the health indicators over time and between regions within a country or across the countries requires common indicator definitions, similar data sources and standardized data collection methods.

scholarly journals Characterization and selection of Japanese electronic health record databases used as data sources for non-interventional observational studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumi Wakabayashi ◽  
Masamitsu Eitoku ◽  
Narufumi Suganuma
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Health Record ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Electronic Health ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background Interventional studies are the fundamental method for obtaining answers to clinical question. However, these studies are sometimes difficult to conduct because of insufficient financial or human resources or the rarity of the disease in question. One means of addressing these issues is to conduct a non-interventional observational study using electronic health record (EHR) databases as the data source, although how best to evaluate the suitability of an EHR database when planning a study remains to be clarified. The aim of the present study is to identify and characterize the data sources that have been used for conducting non-interventional observational studies in Japan and propose a flow diagram to help researchers determine the most appropriate EHR database for their study goals. Methods We compiled a list of published articles reporting observational studies conducted in Japan by searching PubMed for relevant articles published in the last 3 years and by searching database providers’ publication lists related to studies using their databases. For each article, we reviewed the abstract and/or full text to obtain information about data source, target disease or therapeutic area, number of patients, and study design (prospective or retrospective). We then characterized the identified EHR databases. Results In Japan, non-interventional observational studies have been mostly conducted using data stored locally at individual medical institutions (713/1463) or collected from several collaborating medical institutions (351/1463). Whereas the studies conducted with large-scale integrated databases (195/1463) were mostly retrospective (68.2%), 27.2% of the single-center studies, 46.2% of the multi-center studies, and 74.4% of the post-marketing surveillance studies, identified in the present study, were conducted prospectively. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that the non-interventional observational studies were conducted using data stored local at individual medical institutions or collected from collaborating medical institutions in Japan. Disease registries, disease databases, and large-scale databases would enable researchers to conduct studies with large sample sizes to provide robust data from which strong inferences could be drawn. Using our flow diagram, researchers planning non-interventional observational studies should consider the strengths and limitations of each available database and choose the most appropriate one for their study goals. Trial registration Not applicable.

scholarly journals Penerapan Kurikulum 2013 Revisi 2018 dalam Meningkatkan Prestasi Belajar Siswa

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-107
Author(s):  
Machrus Salim ◽  
Nila Mujtahidah
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Data Reduction ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Data Display ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Success Indicators ◽  
Final Score ◽  
Using Data

The study aim at investigating the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating of the Revised 2013 Curriculum year 2018 to improve the students' achievement. The study was case study research with multi case study design as the objects of the study had some similarities. The data sources were the results of conducting interviews, documentations, and observations. The data analysis included data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The data were verified using data sources triangulation.The result showed: 1) The planning at SMP Raden Fatah Batu and MTs Ihyaul Ulum Gresik was initiated by comprehending the existing syllabus, mapping the main and basic competence as well as the success indicators for each subject. The involvement of the teachers in The Teacher Association Forum was maximized to share ideas and conform the planning. 2) In implementing, both schools involved the associated basic competence and current issues, created pleasant and conducive learning, used learning media, and involved the parents which were effective in improving the students' achievement. 3) The evaluation was conducted comprehensively and factually. The students' achievement was identified continually on all of the aspects of learning and it involved teacher-counselor The final score was derived from the averaged total score.

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