bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modular approach for modeling the cell cycle based on functional response curves
Authors: Boeck Jolan De , Rombouts Jan , Gelens Lendert
Published: April 2021

Modeling biochemical reactions by means of differential equations often results in systems with a large number of variables and parameters. As this might complicate the interpretation and generalization of the obtained results, it is often desirable to reduce the complexity of the model. One way to accomplish this is by replacing the detailed reaction mechanisms of certain modules in the model by a mathematical expression that qualitatively describes the dynamical behavior of these modules. Such an approach has been widely adopted for ultrasensitive responses, for which underlying reaction mechanisms are often replaced by a single Hill equation. Also time delays are usually accounted for by using an explicit delay in delay differential equations. In contrast, however, S-shaped response curves, which are often encountered in bistable systems, are not easily modeled in such an explicit way. Here, we extend the classical Hill function into a mathematical expression that can be used to describe both ultrasensitive and S-shaped responses. We show how three ubiquitous modules (ultrasensitive responses, S-shaped responses and time delays) can be combined in different configurations and explore the dynamics of these systems. As an example, we apply our strategy to set up a model of the cell cycle consisting of multiple bistable switches, which can account for events such as DNA damage and coupling to the circadian clock in a phenomenological way.

Author summary

Bistability plays an important role in many biochemical processes and typically emerges from complex interaction patterns such as positive and double negative feedback loops. Here, we propose to theoretically study the effect of bistability in a larger interaction network. We explicitly incorporate a functional expression describing an S-shaped input-output curve in the model equations, without the need for considering the underlying biochemical events. This expression can be converted into a functional module for an ultrasensitive response, and a time delay is easily included as well. Exploiting the fact that several of these modules can easily be combined in larger networks, we construct a cell cycle model consisting of multiple bistable switches and show how this approach can account for a number of known properties of the cell cycle.
Box C/D Small Nucleolar Ribonucleoproteins Regulate Mitochondrial Surveillance and Innate Immunity
Authors: Tjahjono Elissa , Revtovich Alexey V. , Kirienko Natalia V.
Published: April 2021

Monitoring of mitochondrial functions is crucial for organismal survival. This task is performed by mitochondrial surveillance or quality control pathways, which are activated by signals originating from mitochondria and relayed to the nucleus (retrograde response) to start the transcription of protective genes. InCaenorhabditis elegans, several systems exist, including the UPRmt, MAPKmt, and the ESRE pathway. These pathways are highly conserved and their loss results in compromised survival following mitochondrial stress.

In this study, we found a novel interaction between the box C/D snoRNA core proteins (snoRNPs) and mitochondrial surveillance and innate immunity pathways. We showed that C/D snoRNPs are required for the full expressions of UPRmtand ESRE upon stress. Meanwhile, we found that the loss of C/D snoRNPs increased immune responses. Understanding the “molecular switch” mechanisms of interplay between these pathways may be important for understanding of multifactorial processes, including response to infection or aging.
Soil microbes mediate the effects of nitrogen supply and co-inoculation on Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus inAvena sativa
Authors: Easterday Casey A. , Kendig Amy E. , Lacroix Christelle , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T.
Published: April 2021

Nutrient supply rates to hosts can mediate host–pathogen interactions. In terrestrial systems, nutrient supply to plants is mediated by soil microbes, suggesting a potential indirect effect of soil microbes on plant–pathogen interactions. Soil microbes also may affect plant pathogens by inducing plant defenses.

We tested the role of soil microbes, nitrogen supply to plant hosts, and co-inoculation on infection by aphid-vectored RNA viruses, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV-PAV) and Cereal Yellow Dwarf Virus (CYDV-RPV), in a grass host grown in soil microbes collected from a long-term nitrogen enrichment experiment.

BYDV-PAV incidence declined with high nitrogen supply, co-inoculation, or presence of soil microbes exposed to long-term low nitrogen enrichment. However, when combined, the negative effects of these treatments were sub-additive: nitrogen and co-inoculation did not reduce BYDV-PAV incidence in plants grown with the soil microbes. While soil microbes impacted leaf chlorophyll, they did not alter biomass or CYDV-RPV incidence.

Soil microbes mediated the effects of nitrogen supply and co-inoculation on infection incidence and the effects of infection on host symptoms. Thus, soil microbial communities can indirectly control disease dynamics, altering the effects of nitrogen enrichment on plant–pathogen and pathogen–pathogen interactions in terrestrial systems.
Acceleration of enzymatic catalysis by active hydrodynamic fluctuations
Authors: Tripathi Ashwani Kr. , Das Tamoghna , Paneru Govind , Pak Hyuk Kyu , Tlusty Tsvi
Published: April 2021

The cellular milieu is teeming with biochemical nano-machines whose activity is a strong source of correlated non-thermal fluctuations termed active noise. Essential elements of this circuitry are enzymes, catalysts that speed up the rate of metabolic reactions by orders of magnitude, thereby making life possible. Here, we examine the possibility that active noise in the cell, or in vitro, affects enzymatic catalytic rate by accelerating or decelerating the crossing rate of energy barriers during the reaction. Considering hydrodynamic perturbations induced by biochemical activity as a source of active noise, we evaluate their impact on the enzymatic cycle using a combination of analytic and numerical methods. Our estimates show that the fast component of the active noise spectrum enhances the rate of enzymes, while reactions remain practically unaffected by the slow noise spectrum. Revisiting the physics of barrier crossing under the influence of active hydrodynamic fluctuations suggests that the biochemical activity of macromolecules such as enzymes is coupled to active noise. Thus, we propose that enzymatic catalysis is a collective, many-body process in which enzymes may affect each other’s activity via long-range hydrodynamic interaction, with potential impact on biochemical networks in living and artificial systems alike.
(Job)Keeping up appearances
Authors: Nikidehaghani Mona , Cortese Corinne
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critique the Australian Government's JobKeeper scheme and demonstrate how accounting rationalities were intertwined with the process of governing the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a Foucauldian perspective, the authors make use of public discourse to draw attention to the centrality of accounting and quantitative techniques that were used to support government interventions during the pandemic.

Findings

The authors show that accounting numbers, techniques and quantitative information were mobilised by the government as a way of formulating and implementing the JobKeeper scheme, a program designed to minimise the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Originality/value

The authors demonstrate the centrality of accounting concepts as a rhetorical device and their use by government in times of crisis.
Materiality and digital technologies: concrete experiments for the built environment
Authors: Aramouny Carla
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper presents the applied research and design work on innovative and sustainable building products developed by an undergraduate architecture seminar course. It presents the case for innovative uses of cement-based products, while framing the proposals within a global shift toward environmentally responsive and bio-integrated materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology utilizes a process of hybridization between digital fabrication and analog making methods that is framed within the larger design discourse and that intersects the digital design process with material know-how. The approach engages local problematics and applies advanced technology and the integration of natural behaviors to develop a rich applied design method.

Findings

Through the presented work and proposed building products, critical findings and outcomes emerge, ones that relate to the design process itself and others to the designed products.

Originality/value

The research presented here proposes novel approaches to cement-based building systems utilizing digital and analog fabrication, and original design solutions that engage with their context and provide active and crucial environmental performance.
Innovation capabilities for sustainability: a comparison between Green and Gray companies
Authors: Ostermann Cristina M. , Nascimento Leandro da Silva , Lopes Cynthia Mikaela Chemello Faviero , Camboim Guilherme Freitas , Zawislak Paulo Antônio
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and compare the arrangements of innovation capabilities and their correlation with the socio-environmental responsibility of two groups: companies with less socio-environmental concern (Group Gray) and companies with greater socio-environmental concern (Group Green).

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive and quantitative research with 1,322 Brazilian manufacturing companies was conducted. We analyzed (1) the actual arrangement of capabilities and (2) the ideal arrangement of capabilities with the greatest impact on innovation.

Findings

Results suggest that there is a difference in the arrangement of capabilities between the two groups. Also, there is a difference between the capabilities that effectively receive the companies' attention and the capabilities that should be valued and developed. Green companies must focus their efforts on Transaction capability, followed respectively by Management, Development and Operation capabilities. Gray companies must focus on Development capability, followed by Management, Transaction and Operation capabilities.

Originality/value

By identifying the ideal capability arrangement, this research provides important information that can guide managers in planning internal strategies for investments, prioritizing management efforts and rearranging capabilities to boost innovation for sustainability.
Antenna array design on flexible substrate for wireless power transfer
Authors: Khan Habeeba , Ali Sayyed Arif , Wajid Mohd , Alam Muhammad Shah
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In this work, a microstrip antenna array for wireless power transfer (WPT) application is reported. The proposed 4 × 4 antenna array operating at 16 GHz is designed using a flexible Kapton polyimide substrate for a far-field charging unit (FFCU).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed antenna is designed using the transmission line model on a flexible Kapton polyimide substrate. The finite element method (FEM) is used to perform the full-wave electromagnetic analysis of the proposed design.

Findings

The antenna offers −10 dB bandwidth of 240 MHz with beam width and broadside gain found to be 29.4° and 16.38 dB, respectively. Also, a very low cross-polarization level of −34.23 dB is achieved with a radiation efficiency of 36.67%. The array is capable of scanning −15° to +15° in both the elevation and azimuth planes.

Originality/value

The radiation characteristics achieved suggest that the flexible substrate antenna is suitable for wireless charging purposes.
Development of shear strength index test probe: its application on historic structures
Authors: Pekmezci Bekir Yilmaz , Polat Pekmezci Isil
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Material properties, such as shear and compressive strength of masonry, have a crucial impact on the seismic analysis results of masonry structures. Considering that most of the historical buildings are masonry structures, the damage caused by obtaining shear strengths with known methods exceeds acceptable limits. Instead of traditional shear strength index tests, this paper presents a test technique that has been developed which causes less damage to the structure, to obtain mechanical properties in masonry structures.

Design/methodology/approach

A new approach to shear testing and a test probe has been developed to minimize the destructive effects of mechanical in situ testing on masonry structures. The comparison of the results obtained with reduced destruction level using the novel shear strength index test probe with those obtained from the traditional method is addressed. Masonry specimens were tested in the laboratory and in situ tests were carried out on 12 historical buildings.

Findings

Test results obtained from the proposed probe shear strength index test were consistent with the results obtained from the conventional shear strength test both at the laboratory setting and in situ. Although a large number of data is needed for the validation of a method, satisfactory agreement with the conventional shear strength index test method was obtained.

Originality/value

The authors believe that the proposed method would give the opportunity to collect more mechanical strength data with much less destruction. The experimental work in the laboratory and in situ tests and their comparisons are the supportive and original values of this research.
Determinants of the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets
Authors: Huynh The Nguyen
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this article is to investigate the determinants of the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets: evidence from Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This article relies on the resource-based view to examine the factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets. The method employed in the research is the generalized method of moments for testing hypotheses of data collected from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in the period of 2013–2016.

Findings

The results show that factors such as the intensity of capital investment, age and size of the firm, labor productivity, foreign ownership, location, cost management effectiveness and export activities have a positive effect on the performance of Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises, while revenue growth rate, fixed assets and financial leverage tend to hinder their performance. This has brought important messages that the input markets and the business environment in emerging markets like Vietnam have not yet stimulated well-economic activities.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on a topic that has not been fully explored in small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets in general, and Vietnam in particular. Specifically, small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets reconfigure available resources and strengthen internal capabilities to overcome barriers of the shortages of strategic, rare and irreplaceable resources in order to improve their performance. This is a unique contribution to the existing literature and highlights the original value of this article.
Role of leader and followers' well-being, engagement and the moderating role of psychological capital
Authors: Nair Beena Prakash , Prasad T. , Nair Shreekumar K.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The present study had two objectives, first objective was to examine the impact of authentic leadership on followers' well-being and work engagement. The second objective was to examine the moderating role of authentic leadership and followers' outcomes. Despite an immense amount of research on authentic leadership, how and when authentic leadership is more or less effective in promoting the well-being and work engagement of followers is little known. Drawing from the conservation of resource theory, the authors draw upon the interactionist perspective and suggest psychological capital is a dispositional boundary condition that influences the effectiveness of authentic leadership in promoting well-being and work engagement of followers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using cross-sectional research design data were collected from 547 team members nested under 118 team leaders from the financial sector in India. The study used structural equation modelling and hierarchical regression analysis to examine the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The findings from the study revealed that authentic leadership predicts followers' psychological well-being and work engagement. Also as proposed, the study found psychological capital moderates the relationship between authentic leadership and the well-being of followers. However, the study found psychological capital does not moderate the relationship between authentic leadership and followers' work engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The study has helped expand the nomological network of authentic leadership by examining the authentic leadership model with followers' psychological well-being and work engagement. Further, the findings suggest that psychological capital being a dispositional boundary condition, it plays a contingent role in explaining the role of authentic leadership in promoting the well-being of followers.

Practical implications

The results offer strong practical implications that can be considered as the basis for actionable strategies by the human resource management system of the organisation to enhance authentic leadership and psychological capital.

Originality/value

The study is unique in its scope and contribution, as it tries to develop an understanding of how and when authentic leadership promotes psychological well-being and work engagement by considering an interactionist approach in the Indian context.
An analysis of research methods utilized in five top, practitioner-oriented LIS journals from 1980 to 2019
Authors: Lund Brady D. , Wang Ting
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study examines research methods utilized in five practitioner-oriented research journals – College and Research Libraries, Information Technology and Libraries, Journal of the Medical Library Association, Library Resources and Technical Services and Reference and User Services Quarterly. The study fills gaps identified in existing content analyses of methods in practitioner-based LIS research publications.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on analysis standards and coding schemes supplied by the studies of Kalervo Jarvelin and Pertti Vakkari, as well as Heting Chu, this study identifies the primary research method utilized in 6,387 articles published in these five journals from 1980 to 2019. Trends in the frequencies with which various research methods were used are identified and presented using a series of visualizations.

Findings

Significant shifts have occurred in the research methods used by articles in these practitioner-based journals over the past four decades. Notably, the proportion of case studies has dropped substantially, particularly among College and Research Libraries and Journal of the Medical Library Association articles. Diversity of research methods utilized in articles has increased over time, with College and Research Libraries, in particular, having a significant proportion of articles in recent years that employ data analytic or qualitative approaches.

Originality/value

While similar approaches have been used to examine research methods among other LIS journals, this study is the first to focus primarily on practitioner-based journals and document continuous change (as opposed to sampling a few years) over an extended, 40-year period.
Assessing sustainable production under circular economy context using a novel rough-fuzzy MCDM model: a case of the forestry industry in the Eastern Black Sea region
Authors: Stević Željko , Karamaşa Çağlar , Demir Ezgi , Korucuk Selçuk
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Forests are negatively affected from rapid world population increase and industrialization that create intense pressures on natural resources and the possibility of an achieving circular economy. Forests can be considered as essential resources for providing sustainable society and meeting the requirements of future generations and circular economy. Therefore sustainable production tools as part of circular economy can be handled as one of the basic indicators for achieving circular economy. Accordingly the main purpose of this study is developing a novel rough – fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model (MCDM) for evaluation sustainable production for forestry firms in Eastern Black Sea Region.

Design/methodology/approach

For determining 18 criteria weights a novel Rough PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment) method is developed. Eight decision-makers (DMs) participated in the research, and to obtain group rough decision matrix, rough Dombi weighted geometric averaging (RNDWGA) operator has been applied. For evaluation forestry firms fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to COmpromise solution) method was utilized.

Findings

After application developed model the fourth alternative was found as the best. Sensitivity analysis and comparison were made to present the applicability of this method.

Originality/value

Development of novel integrated Rough PIPRECIA-Fuzzy MARCOS model with emphasis on developing new Rough PIPRECIA method.
Drivers of implementing Big Data Analytics in food supply chains for transition to a circular economy and sustainable operations management
Authors: Kazancoglu Yigit , Ozbiltekin Pala Melisa , Sezer Muruvvet Deniz , Luthra Sunil , Kumar Anil
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate Big Data Analytics (BDA) drivers in the context of food supply chains (FSC) for transition to a Circular Economy (CE) and Sustainable Operations Management (SOM).

Design/methodology/approach

Ten different BDA drivers in FSC are examined for transition to CE; these are Supply Chains (SC) Visibility, Operations Efficiency, Information Management and Technology, Collaborations between SC partners, Data-driven innovation, Demand management and Production Planning, Talent Management, Organizational Commitment, Management Team Capability and Governmental Incentive. An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) methodology is used to indicate the relationships between identified drivers to stimulate transition to CE and SOM. Drivers and pair-wise interactions between these drivers are developed by semi-structured interviews with a number of experts from industry and academia.

Findings

The results show that Information Management and Technology, Governmental Incentive and Management Team Capability drivers are classified as independent factors; Organizational Commitment and Operations Efficiency are categorized as dependent factors. SC Visibility, Data-driven innovation, Demand management and Production Planning, Talent Management and Collaborations between SC partners can be classified as linkage factors. It can be concluded that Governmental Incentive is the most fundamental driver to achieve BDA applications in FSC transition from linearity to CE and SOM. In addition, Operations Efficiency, Collaborations between SC partners and Organizational Commitment are key BDA drivers in FSC for transition to CE and SOM.

Research limitations/implications

The interactions between these drivers will provide benefits to both industry and academia in prioritizing and understanding these drivers more thoroughly when implementing BDA based on a range of factors. This study will provide valuable insights. The results from this study will help in drawing up regulations to prevent food fraud, implementing laws concerning government incentives, reducing food loss and waste, increasing tracing and traceability, providing training activities to improve knowledge about BDA and focusing more on data analytics.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the study is to analyze BDA drivers in the context of FSC for transition to CE and SOM. This study is unique in examining these BDA drivers based on FSC. We hope to find sustainable solutions to minimize losses or other negative impacts on these SC.
CEO management style: does educational background play a role?
Authors: Jaggia Sanjiv , Thosar Satish
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The corporate finance literature has largely treated individual managers as uniform entities, leaving unexplained the large heterogeneity in corporate practices. The authors explore whether educational background attributes, such as a bachelor's degree from an elite institution and the field of study, influence CEO management style manifested in objectively measurable outcomes at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct a unique data set from various sources. The management-style variables encompass investment, financial, organizational strategy policy choices, and performance outcomes. They standardize the style variables by industry sector and express deviations from industry means into three categories (low, medium, high). The ordered logit models suggest that educational background attributes influence management style across several dimensions.

Findings

The authors document numerous statistically and economically significant results. For instance, an elite education translates to superior market performance as measured by Tobin's Q. A background in science/technology manifests in more (less) spending on R&D (advertising) and less exposure to financial risk for the firm. The authors also find that gender plays almost no role, while CEO age has a nonlinear influence role in affecting management style.

Research limitations/implications

The study posits that educational background plays an important role along several dimensions such as skill and character development, signaling and network building. While these effects are difficult to disentangle, they all arguably influence an individual's ability to perform complex tasks such as running a company.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the growing literature on the drivers of CEO style and performance. Previous studies have examined the role of a CEO's elite educational background on firm performance outcomes and have reported either no or limited association. In contrast, the authors document that an elite education is strongly linked to superior market performance but not to accounting-based performance measures. They also find that CEOs who major in science/technology exhibit markedly different management styles compared to their counterparts with backgrounds in business/economics or the humanities.
InDrone: a 2D-based drone flight behavior visualization platform for indoor building inspection
Authors: Eiris Ricardo , Albeaino Gilles , Gheisari Masoud , Benda William , Faris Randi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore how to visually represent human decision-making processes during the performance of indoor building inspection flight operations using drones.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from expert pilots were collected using a virtual reality drone flight simulator. The expert pilot data were studied to inform the development of an interactive 2D representation of drone flight spatial and temporal data – InDrone. Within the InDrone platform, expert pilot data were visually encoded to characterize key pilot behaviors in terms of pilots' approaches to view and difficulties encountered while detecting the inspection markers. The InDrone platform was evaluated using a user-center experimental methodology focusing on two metrics: (1) how novice pilots understood the flight approaches and difficulties contained within InDrone and (2) the perceived usability of the InDrone platform.

Findings

The results of the study indicated that novice pilots recognized inspection markers and difficult-to-inspect building areas in 63% (STD = 48%) and 75% (STD = 35%) of the time on average, respectively. Overall, the usability of InDrone presented high scores as demonstrated by the novice pilots during the flight pattern recognition tasks with a mean score of 77% (STD = 15%).

Originality/value

This research contributes to the definition of visual affordances that support the communication of human decision-making during drone indoor building inspection flight operations. The developed InDrone platform highlights the necessity of defining visual affordances to explore drone flight spatial and temporal data for indoor building inspections.
Prospects, determinants and profitability of aquaculture insurance among fish farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Authors: Mensah Nicholas Oppong , Amrago Ernest Christlieb , Mensah Emmanuel T.D. , Asare Jeffery Kofi , Anang Samuel Afotey
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Aquaculture insurance has the potential of redressing climate-change because it serves as an alternative source of finance in the event of unforeseen circumstances. To this end, the authors examine the prospects, determinants and profitability of aquaculture insurance among fish farmers in the Eastern region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 140 fish farmers were sampled for the study. Thematic analysis was used to determine perceived aquaculture insurance prospects. The Heckman's two-stage model, profitability index (PI) and return on investment (ROI) was employed to respectively determine the factors influencing aquaculture insurance participation and amount intensity and the profitability of aquaculture.

Findings

The thematic analysis revealed three themes on the perception of aquaculture insurance prospects: loss recovery, farm renovation and promotes agriculture. Different sets of demographic and institutional factors have varying influences on aquaculture insurance participation and amount intensity. Profitability index (PI) and return on investment (ROI) were respectively 2.07 and 3.2%.

Originality/value

The research provides relevant information on perceived aquaculture insurance prospects, aquaculture insurance participation, and amount intensity and profitability of aquaculture which can contribute to enhancing aquaculture insurance and the aquaculture industry in Ghana.
A novel methoxydotrophic metabolism discovered in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus
Authors: Welte Cornelia U. , de Graaf Rob , Dalcin Martins Paula , Jansen Robert S. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Kurth Julia M.
Published: April 2021

Methoxylated aromatic compounds (MACs) are important components of lignin found in significant amounts in the subsurface. Recently, the methanogenic archaeon Methermicoccus shengliensis was shown to be able to use a variety of MACs during methoxydotrophic growth. After a molecular survey, we found that the hyperthermophilic non‐methanogenic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus also encodes genes for a bacterial‐like demethoxylation system. In this study, we performed growth and metabolite analysis, and used transcriptomics to investigate the response of A. fulgidus during growth on MACs in comparison to growth on lactate. We observed that A. fulgidus converts MACs to their hydroxylated derivatives with CO2 as the main product and sulfate as electron acceptor. Furthermore, we could show that MACs improve the growth of A. fulgidus in the presence of organic substrates such as lactate. We also found evidence that other archaea such as Bathyarchaeota, Lokiarchaeota, Verstraetearchaeota, Korarchaeota, Helarchaeota and Nezhaarchaeota encode a demethoxylation system. In summary, we here describe the first non‐methanogenic archaeon with the ability to grow on MACs indicating that methoxydotrophic archaea might play a so far underestimated role in the global carbon cycle.
Mortality Inequality in England over the Past 20 Years*
Authors: Banks James , Cattan Sarah , Kraftman Lucy , Krutikova Sonya
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we study the evolution of age‐group‐ and gender‐specific mortality and mortality inequality in England between 2003 and 2016, by comparing small geographic areas ranked by deprivation and grouped into bins of similar population size. We show that across all age groups, but especially in the older age groups (65+), there has been a clear and significant reduction in rates of mortality since 2003. In spite of these improvements, we continue to see significant inequalities in mortality across most age groups in 2016 and evidence of rising inequalities among women in the 65+ and men in the 80+ age groups. Furthermore, we see a striking stalling of the downwards trend in mortality and mortality inequality observed between 2003 and 2010 during the years of economic austerity in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis in England between 2010 and 2016. Analysis of specific causes of death among adults aged 20–79 allows us to examine the drivers and dynamics of these trends in more depth, as well as to consider scope for, and types of, interventions that would be appropriate at different ages.
Agri‐ food Exports from Central‐ and Eastern‐European Member States of the European Union are Catching Up
Authors: Bojnec Štefan , Čechura Lukáš , Fałkowski Jan , Fertő Imre
Published: April 2021

Countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) that joined the European Union (EU) since May 2004 have recorded rapid increases in their agri‐food exports. While this increase in participation in international trade has been global, the CEE‐11 countries have mainly targeted the EU market. Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Romania are among those countries that have increased their agri‐food exports the most. We find that many CEE‐11 countries, especially Czechia and the Slovak Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Poland, have achieved their export expansion along the intensive margin, i.e. the expansion of average exports per existing product with existing trade partners. The extensive margin, i.e. an increase in the number of exported products with existing and new trade partners, along with a degree of product diversification in established markets was important for Lithuania, Romania and Estonia. We also note that in order to further benefit from an increased participation in trade, CEE countries need to switch from predominantly exporting traditional products towards penetrating more innovative product segments, along with new varieties of established products; and thus base their export expansion to a larger extent on the extensive margin.
Does drinking modify the relationship between men's gender‐inequitable attitudes and their perpetration of intimate partner violence? A meta‐analysis of surveys of men from seven countries in the Asia Pacific region
Authors: Laslett Anne‐Marie , Graham Kathryn , Wilson Ingrid M. , Kuntsche Sandra , Fulu Emma , Jewkes Rachel , Taft Angela
Published: April 2021

Background and aims

Although men's alcohol misuse and less gender‐equitable attitudes have been identified as risks for perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), less is known about how men's gender‐equitable attitudes and drinking act together to increase risk of IPV. This study aimed to assess the independent relationships of lower gender‐equitable attitudes and drinking to perpetration of IPV and their interaction among men in seven countries.

Design

Secondary analysis of the United Nations Multi‐Country Study on Men and Violence (UNMCS) and Nabilan Study databases consisting of (1) unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression to measure the association of perpetration of IPV with gender‐equitable men (GEM) scale score and regular heavy episodic drinking (RHED) and (2) meta‐analyses of prevalence and effect estimates adjusted for country‐level sites and countries.

Setting and participants

A total of 9148 ever‐partnered 18–49‐year‐old men surveyed in 2011–15 from 18 sites in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste.

Measurements

The outcome variable is reported perpetration of physical or sexual IPV in the previous year. Independent variables: GEM scale scores; RHED, defined as six or more drinks in one session at least monthly (compared with other drinkers and abstainers).

Findings

Pooled past‐year prevalence of perpetration of IPV was 13% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 9–16%]. GEM scores and RHED were independently associated with perpetration of IPV overall and in most sites. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for perpetration of IPV with less equitable GEM scores were 1.07 (95% CI = 1.04, 1.09) and with RHED were 3.42 (95% CI = 2.43, 4.81). A significant interaction between GEM score and RHED (P = 0.001) indicated that RHED increased the relationship of less gender‐equitable attitudes and perpetration of IPV.

Conclusion

Both gender‐inequitable attitudes and drinking appear to be associated with perpetration of intimate partner violence by men, with regular heavy episodic drinking increasing the likelihood of intimate partner violence among men with less equitable gender attitudes.
Is ethnic representation in an industrial cluster related to earnings of co‐ethnic employers and employees?
Authors: Fong Eric , Shu Binbin
Published: April 2021

Our study expands understanding of the ways in which ethnic embeddedness is related to the earnings of co‐ethnic members by exploring the relationship between ethnic representation in an industry cluster and the earnings of co‐ethnic employers and employees working there. Drawing from the 2011 Canadian Household Survey, our findings confirm the relationship. However, the relationship is different for employers and employees, and sometimes opposite. Specifically, a larger portion of Chinese ethnic economies in an industry cluster is negatively related to the earnings of Chinese employers, but is not related to the earnings of Chinese employees. A larger portion of employment niches in an industry cluster is negatively related to the earnings of Chinese employers, but positively related to the earnings of Chinese employees.
Distribution patterns of intramyocellular and extramyocellular fat by magnetic resonance imaging in subjects with diabetes, prediabetes and normoglycaemic controls
Authors: Kiefer Lena S. , Fabian Jana , Rospleszcz Susanne , Lorbeer Roberto , Machann Jürgen , Kraus Mareen S. , Roemer Frank , Rathmann Wolfgang , Meisinger Christa , Heier Margit , Nikolaou Konstantin , Peters Annette , Storz Corinna , Diallo Thierno D. , Schlett Christopher L. , Bamberg Fabian
Published: April 2021

Aim

To evaluate the distribution of intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCLs) as well as total fat content in abdominal skeletal muscle by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a dedicated segmentation algorithm in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D), prediabetes and normoglycaemic controls.

Materials and Methods

Subjects from a population‐based cohort were classified with T2D, prediabetes or as normoglycaemic controls. Total myosteatosis, IMCLs and EMCLs were quantified by multiecho Dixon MRI as proton‐density fat‐fraction (in %) in abdominal skeletal muscle.

Results

Among 337 included subjects (median age 56.0 [IQR: 49.0‐64.0] years, 56.4% males, median body mass index [BMI]: 27.2 kg/m2), 129 (38.3%) were classified with an impaired glucose metabolism (T2D: 49 [14.5%]; prediabetes: 80 [23.7%]). IMCLs were significantly higher than EMCLs in subjects without obesity (5.7% [IQR: 4.8%‐7.0%] vs. 4.1% [IQR: 2.7%‐5.8%], P < .001), whereas the amounts of IMCLs and EMCLs were shown to be equal and significantly higher in subjects with obesity (both 6.7%, P < .001). Subjects with prediabetes and T2D had significantly higher amounts of IMCLs and EMCLs compared with normoglycaemic controls (P < .001). In univariable analysis, prediabetes and T2D were significantly associated with both IMCLs (prediabetes: β: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.28‐1.24, P = .002; T2D: β: 1.56, 95% CI: 0.66‐2.47, P < .001) and EMCLs (prediabetes: β: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.56‐2.51, P = .002; T2D: β: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.33‐2.96, P < .001). After adjustment for age and gender, the association of IMCLs with prediabetes attenuated (P = 0.06), whereas for T2D, both IMCLs and EMCLs remained significantly and positively associated (P < .02).

Conclusion

There are significant differences in the amount and distribution ratio of IMCLs and EMCLs between subjects with T2D, prediabetes and normoglycaemic controls. Therefore, these patterns of intramuscular fat distribution by MRI might serve as imaging biomarkers in both normal and impaired glucose metabolism.
Microbe‐mediated adaptation in plants
Authors: Petipas Renee H. , Geber Monica A. , Lau Jennifer A.
Published: April 2021

Interactions with microbial symbionts have yielded great macroevolutionary innovations across the tree of life, like the origins of chloroplasts and the mitochondrial powerhouses of eukaryotic cells. There is also increasing evidence that host‐associated microbiomes influence patterns of microevolutionary adaptation in plants and animals. Here we describe how microbes can facilitate adaptation in plants and how to test for and differentiate between the two main mechanisms by which microbes can produce adaptive responses in higher organisms: microbe‐mediated local adaptation and microbe‐mediated adaptive plasticity. Microbe‐mediated local adaptation is when local plant genotypes have higher fitness than foreign genotypes because of a genotype‐specific affiliation with locally beneficial microbes. Microbe‐mediated adaptive plasticity occurs when local plant phenotypes, elicited by either the microbial community or the non‐microbial environment, have higher fitness than foreign phenotypes as a result of interactions with locally beneficial microbes. These microbial effects on adaptation can be difficult to differentiate from traditional modes of adaptation but may be prevalent. Ignoring microbial effects may lead to erroneous conclusions about the traits and mechanisms underlying adaptation, hindering management decisions in conservation, restoration, and agriculture.
Net asset value discounts and premiums in the maritime shipping industry
Authors: Andrikopoulos Andreas , Merika Anna , Sigalas Christos
Published: April 2021

This paper examines net asset value (NAV) discounts and premiums in the setting of the maritime shipping industry. We employ a qualitative study with equity analysts as well as a quantitative study with a unique panel data, to explore and empirically investigate, respectively, the reasons underpinning NAV discounts and premiums. Our findings suggest that deviations of market capitalisation from NAV are associated with firm‐specific factors, such as public maritime shipping companies’ capital structure, stock liquidity, fleet acquisition cost, operating performance, institutional ownership, cost of capital, corporate governance, dividend policy, and related party transactions.
Establishing Ethical Standards for Online Family Mediation
Authors: Melamed James C.
Published: April 2021

Leading national family mediation organizations have abided by generally common standards for family mediation for over two decades. Do these standards now need to be reconsidered and updated to address issues of online family mediation? If so, how do we best do this reconsideration and updating? In this article, Jim Melamed, Co‐Founder, General Counsel, and Chairman of the Board of Mediate.com (as well as the past Executive Director of the Academy of Family Mediators) discusses the new challenges facing family mediation practice as a result of new technologies and suggests changes in ethical standards.
Design Challenges in Applying Online Dispute Resolution to Divorce
Authors: Wasser Laura A.
Published: April 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has forced the legal system (both domestic and worldwide) to adapt in unprecedented ways. Often, this has meant taking initial forays into the world of online dispute resolution, or ODR. In this manner, courts, mediators, arbitrators, and other legal professionals have been able to provide expanded access from a safe distance. Indeed, if ODR services continue to develop, they show the potential to make legal services more convenient and less costly from this point forward. ODR has demonstrated particular applicability in facilitating divorce negotiations, but it has not been time‐tested, and we must make sure that this apparent democratization does not bring with it degradation in the quality of service. There is now an urgent need for analysis and evaluation of the full breadth of ODR technologies, so that they may be put to use appropriately without delay, and this task falls to legal scholarship. This article explores the past and present of the ODR landscape, performs a cost–benefit analysis of some of ODR's more controversial aspects, and finally proposes a viable way forward, such that every stakeholder is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.
Validation of questionnaire algorithm based on repeated open application testing with the constituents of fragrance mix II: the EDEN Fragrance Study
Authors: Bruze M. , Engfeldt M. , Elsner P. , Gonçalo M. , Naldi L. , Schuttelaar M.L.A. , Svedman C. , Svensson Å. , Ofenloch R.
Published: April 2021

Background

In a European study on contact allergy in the general population, it has been hypothesized that the combination of contact allergy to a fragrance together with a history indicating dermatitis at exposure and thereafter subsequent avoidance of scented products implied a diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to validate this hypothesis/algorithm. The secondary aim was to investigate whether there was any association between the outcome of the recent repeated open application test (ROAT) and the patch test reactivity.

Methods

One hundred nine subjects with and without contact allergy to fragrance mix II (FM II) were recruited. Volunteers from six European dermatology clinics participated in the study including a patch test and a ROAT.

Results

Twenty‐four positive ROAT reactions were noted in total including 20 of those 32 with contact allergy to FM II. None of the volunteers reacted to the vehicle (P < 0.001). More individuals with a positive algorithm had positive ROATs when compared with those with a negative algorithm. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). The lower the patch test concentration eliciting a positive test reaction, the more likely was a positive ROAT and the more likely that the positive ROAT appeared early during the investigative period.

Conclusions

The algorithm used in this study was not validated but it was indicated in this ROAT setup. The stronger the patch test reactivity the more likely was a positive ROAT and the more likely it was that the positive ROAT appeared early during the application period.